AV 15th June 2024

Parties unveil manifestos as election fever grips the nation

As the nation gears up for the upcoming national election slated for July 4th, the political sphere is electrified by the release of party manifestos

With both the Conservative and Lib

Special

Mindful movement of yoga

As International Yoga

Anusha Singh

Sunak apologises for missing D -Day ceremony

as disgracef ul by hi s p oli tical adversaries

Sunak , currently f ighting to retain his position in Britain’s July 4 election, con-

ceded that, "on reflection," the decision was an error During the major memorial event at Omaha Beach in No

y, Sunak was notably absent

o

a

Jo

French President Emmanuel

M

G

Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy Instead, former P r i m e M i n i

D a v i d Cameron, now foreign minister, represented the UK

Party leader Keir Starmer, the favoured contender in the election, attended the e v e n t a n d w a s p h otographed meeting Zelensky

a n d o t h e r l e a d e

s E a r l i e r that day, Sunak participated in a ceremony at the British m e m o r i a l i n No r m a n d y alongside King Charles III and sur viving World War II v e t e r a n s He h a d a l s o attended a commemoration in Portsmouth, England, the day before Ta k i n g t o X ,

Su n a

emphasised that the 80th

d invasion, pivotal in liberating Europe from the Nazis, should centre on honouring those who made the ultimate sacrif ice He expressed regret over the decision to leave France early, stating, "On reflection, it was a mistake not to stay in France longer and I apologise " L a b o u r l e a d

Ke i r Starmer asserted that Mr Sunak would have to justify his decision to resume campaigning, stating, "For me, there was only one choice There was nowhere else I w

Democrat leader Ed Davey criticised Mr Sunak s departure as "a total dereliction of duty " Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, said “patriotic people who love their count r y ” s h

Sunak

Rishi Sunak congratulates newly re-elected Narendra Modi

U K P r im e Mi ni st er

R i sh i S u na k re ac h ed o ut to Prime Minister Na rend ra Mo di to extend his congratu lations on securing his third consecutive f ivey ear te rm fo l lo w i ng t h e I n di an Ge ner al Election results

As Sunak focuses on his own campaign for the July 4 General Election, aiming to secure another f ive-year mandate for the Conser vative Party

Giorgia Meloni has extended an invitation to India as

f r o m B r i t i s h v o t e r s , h e anticipates a meeting with Modi at the upcoming G7 Summit in Italy, scheduled

b e t w e e n Ju n e 1 3 a n d 1 5 It a l i a n P r i m e M i n i s t e r

summit, which will involve discussions with the Group of Seven nations: Canada, Fr

, G

y, It a l y, Japan, the UK, and the US

Migration dips, but trends and global situation limit policies

New d at a r ev ea ls t ha t n et migration to the UK, def ined a s t h e n u mb e r of p e op le a r r iv in g t o st a y lon g -t e r m minus those leav ing, rea ched 685,000 in the ye ar ending 2023

T h i s f i g u r e i s n o t a b l y high by historical standards, b e i n g t w o t o t h r e e t i m e s greater than pre-Brexit levels While the government might f ind some relief in the indication that net migration is falling from the previous year, the numbers are not straightfor ward The Off ice for National Statistics (ONS)

often revises its data as more complete travel information becomes available, which can signif icantly alter initial estimates Despite the complexities of migration data, it's evident that numbers have been high for some time 2023 marks the third consecutive year where net migration has signif icantly surpassed the preBrexit, pre-Covid-19 levels of around 200,000 to 300,000 Looking ahead, there might be a decline in net migration fo

Early 2023 saw a sharp drop

in visa grants, especially for care workers, and an increase in student emigration, which could signal a long-anticipated decrease in numbers

The UK has seen a significant reduction in immigration through humanitarian visa schemes for Ukraine and Ho

decreased by

while emigration increased by 42,000, collectively reducing the overall

82,000 compared to 2022

BBC debate key takeaways

In a f iery BBC debate, sev en representatives from promi-

M inister Ri shi

Sunak's early exit from a DDay c o m

Normandy

Mordaunt, the House of C

honour veterans Tensions

Rayner, the Labour deputy leader, as they sparred over defence policies and party credibility

Me a n w h i l e , Fa r a g e o f the Reform UK party stood out with his divergent views on healthcare, immigration, and climate issues Despite a lu ke w a r m a u d ie n c e re c e pt i o n , Fa r

Westminster leader, Stephen Flynn, impressed with critiques of mainstream parties and a call to prioritise migration for public ser vices

The debate also provided a platform for other parties to challenge the two-party system Denyer of the Green Pa r t y e a r n e d a p p l a u s e fo r h e r r e m a r k s o n d i g

A spokesper-

gratulating Prime Minister Modi on his

his

Democrat Cooper invoked her grandfather's war ser vice to condemn Sunak's actions, despite facing reminders of her party's policy inconsistencies O

political landscape and the quest for alternative voices in UK politics

Infant re scued among 84 migrants in Channel

A group of over 80 migrants, i nclu ding a si x-month- old b ab y, we re r es c u e d af t er th ei r b oat c aps i z ed whi le crossing the Channel

T h e c o a s t g u a rd , a l o n g with RNLI lifeboats from D o v e r a n d Wa l m e r, c o nducted a search-and-rescue operation, ensuring all individuals were safely accounte d fo r w i t h n o r e p o r t e d deaths or serious injuries

Three children, including the infant, fell into the w a t e r w h e n t h e b o a t

encountered engine failure W i t n e s s e s d e s c r i b e d t h e vessel attempting to turn back towards France before flipping over, ejecting all 84 passengers into the sea The b o a t w a s s e v e r e l y o v e rcrowded, exceeding the typical capacity of 50 to 60 passengers for Channel crossings

Rescue operations were carried out by the French navy vessel Abalone and the U K B o r d e r Fo r c e v e s s e l Ta k u Sm u g g l e r

advantage of calm weather

multiple attempted crossings, with one boat interc

Fr e n c h authorities

Over the past six and a

arrived in the UK via the Channel, with over 80,000 i n d i

journey since the government's now-stalled agree-

accept migrants

Farage defends claim about PM's cultural understanding

Nigel Farage has stoo d by his assertion that Rish i Sunak's early departure from D-Day co mm emo

demo

strated a lack of understanding o f "o ur culture "

Speaking on the BBC's Su

that Sunak's actions reflect-

ordinar y people due to his

c

Conser vative minister Mel Stride expressed discomfort w i t h Fa

Labour's Shabana Mahmood c r i t

whistle " Sunak faced signif icant

Normandy landings prema-

and others to question his

awareness Farage rejected implications of racial undert

, instead highlighting Sunak's detachment from the sentiments of ordinar y citizens Stride condemned Farage's c

and ill-advised, emphasising the pride in having a British Asian f igure in a top govern-

ment position Stride defended Sunak, noting his acknowledgment of the mistake, unequivocal apology, and genuine concern for veterans' issues He aff irmed Sunak's patriotism a

personal acquaintance with the prime minister's character

Rishi Sunak and Akshata Murty at the Normandy D-Day commemorations

L-R: David Cameron, Emmanuel Macron, Olaf Scholz and Joe Biden at the international commemorative ceremony at Omaha Beach, Normandy

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, from left, Rhun ap Iorwerth, Daisy Cooper, Stephen Flynn, Carla Denyer, Angela Rayner and Penny Mordaunt during in the BBC Election Debate hosted by BBC news presenter Mishal Husain

Rishi Sunak and Narendra Modi at G20

Short term gratification vs long term goal

On Tuesday as we went to print, the Conservative Party came out with their 80-page party manifesto On Monday the Lib Dems also announced their goals All eyes are now on the Labour Party, and by the time our papers reach you dear readers, they would be out with their manifesto as well (on Thursday)

The manifestos act as a guideline for the parties to act on if elected So far both Lib Dems and the Tories have made some head turning points towards the changes the country desperately needs But it is now just over three weeks until people cast their votes on 4 July and the Tories are fighting against the tide with Exit polls predicting that Labour will take power next month

T h e C o n s e r v a t i v e m a n i f e s t o t h a t w a s r e l e a s e d o n

Tuesday morning includes a promise to cut from employee National Insurance, scrap stamp duty for first-time house buyers and build 100 new GP surgeries There are also tax benefits for landlords and those self-employed 18-year-olds will be expected to take part in national service in the form of either military training or community volunteering, should the Tories win the election, while 8,000 more police officers have been promised to be recruited The Prime Minister at his panorama interview with Nick Robinson on Monday evening, talked candidly about the education reforms under the Tories and his promises regarding their immigration policies

But in this, what one misses is the data released by ONS on Tuesday morning It has showed that the number of people unemployed in the UK has increased by 138,000 in the three months to April amid growing signs of a weaker jobs market

Rosalind Gill, Head of Policy and Engagement at the National Centre for Universities and Business (NCUB)pointed out that 3 2 million people are out of work now but want a job, and that the unemployment rate rose to 4 4%

Gill in a statement told Asian Voice, “As the new government takes office, it’s vital that they implement a cohesive plan that involves educational institutions, businesses, and policymakers to equip our workforce with the skills needed for today’s economy As technology quickly advances, the labour market is transforming at pace and the skills gaps will only become more acute Failure to address these issues now risks further economic stagnation and missed opportunities for growth ”

CBI that stands for an umbrella for 170,000 businesses of all sizes across the UK, also raised a similar concern Matthew Percival, Future of Work and Skills Director, the CBI, said that while the labour market continues to slowly cool, it remains very difficult for companies to hire the people they need to grow and pay continues to rise significantly faster than inflation, pushing up prices Labour shortages remain one of the biggest challenges facing businesses A credible plan to tackle shortages should involve pulling a range of policy levers such as removing barriers to work, supporting investments in technology, building a skills system that supports lifelong learning, and a new approach to immigration

While cutting number of immigrants by thousands remain a favourite ‘carrot on the stick’ for all UK parties contesting, it is important to not miss the pulse and address the immediate concerns of the market – that is saying something entirely different!

Combatting atrocities on Hindus globally

In recent years, there has been growing concern over the plight of Hindus facing various forms of persecution and discrimination across the globe These include targeted violence, cultural marginalisation, and the demolition or vandalism of educational institutions Hindus in several countries confront these challenges, which undermine their safety, rights, and identity While Hindus may constitute the majority population in India, in other parts of the world, they are regarded as minorities This troubling trend is evident in regions such as Pakistan, Bangladesh, and even in parts of the Western world, where anti-Hindu hate crimes are on the rise

Despite the common perception of Hindus as educationally and economically successful, as well as hardworking, discrimination persists in various forms For instance, nearly half of all Indian adults residing in the US report experiencing discrimination based on colour, race, ethnicity, or being treated as foreigners According to the study by the Pew Research Center, 57% of Asian adults see discrimination in the US as a major problem and 63% say too little attention is paid to race and racial issues concerning Asian Americans

In California, anti-Hindu hate crimes have surged to become the second-most reported form of religious bias, as

Department (CRD) This alarming trend coincides with a notable increase in hate crimes across the state

Meanwhile, in Pakistan, the Hindu minority faces relentless harassment from religious extremists, compounded by inadequate official protection The recent demolition of Hindu temples, including the historic temple in Landi Kotal Bazaar, Khyber district, Pakistan, for commercial purposes, highlights

Conflicting statements from officials cast doubt on preservation efforts for non-Muslim places of worship, emphasising the urgent need for proactive measures to safeguard such sites

In Bangladesh, attacks on Hindus persistently target the religious minority with the aim of systematically eliminating them from the country Tactics such as temple desecration, land grabbing, mob violence fueled by false blasphemy charges, and instances of rape and forced conversion of women are employed to intimidate and expel Hindus The propagation of hate speech further exacerbates the dire situation faced by the Hindu community in Bangladesh

The global Hindu community's struggle against these atrocities underscores the urgent need for international awareness and concerted efforts to protect their rights and preserve their cultural heritage A notable development in this regard is the official launch of The Hindu Manifesto UK 2024 by the UK’s Hindu community This long-awaited manifesto is being presented by major Hindu organisations across the UK, highlighting a collective commitment to the advancement of UK Hindus It outlines seven crucial assurances that the community seeks from parliamentary candidates and future government, aiming to safeguard, promote, and advance Hindu values and interests within the broader framework of the British society

The persecution of Hindus is an issue that transcends national borders Addressing this crisis requires a unified global effort to ensure the protection of Hindu rights, the preservation of their cultural sites, and the promotion of tolerance and understanding across diverse societies

India’s new governance and coalition dynamics

Following the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, a BJP-led NDA government was formed under Prime Minister Narendra Modi This marks a historic moment as Modi assumes office for a third consecutive term, despite the BJP experiencing a reduction in the number of seats Narendra Modi is the only leader to achieve this feat after Jawaharlal Nehru

The Opposition has framed the BJP’s inability to secure an outright majority as a defeat, but this narrative overlooks the party’s resilience and adeptness in coalition politics While the BJP's numbers have decreased, this does not signal an end to its governance agenda, which is centred on India’s development and cultural revival The BJP has a proven track record of managing successful coalition governments, as seen during the leadership of Atal Bihari Vajpayee and his deputy Lal Krishna Advani

In the newly formed cabinet, the retention of key figures l i k e A m i t S h a h , R a j n

S

N

S

, S Jaishankar, Nitin Gadkari, and Bhupendra Yadav underscores the BJP’s commitment to its core governance philosophy The inclusion of loyalists and seasoned politicians like Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Manohar Lal Khattar reflects the BJP’s strategy to maintain strong ideological coherence However, several notable names from Modi’s previous Cabinet didn’t make the cut this time, including Smriti Irani, Anurag Thakur, and Narayan Rane

With the government and opposition now in place, the biggest challenge for the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA government is addressing the problem of unemployment, particularly in the unorganised sector and small and medium enterprises Additionally, tackling inflation and eco-

nomic disparities will require urgent attention Effectively managing these issues will necessitate Modi leaning more on his allies for support, a shift from the relative independence he has enjoyed over the past ten years

Chandrababu Naidu and Nitish Kumar with a renewed platform to advocate for Special Category status for their states

Their parties, Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and Janata Dal United (JDU), have emerged as king makers in the formation of the government However, the BJP and Prime Minister Modi must remain cautious of the shifting loyalties of both Naidu and Nitish, as their political careers have been characterised by frequent changes in alliances, influencing both state and national politics At times, both these leaders have had outright battles with BJP, grave accusations flying from both ends Nitish Kumar, after rejoining the NDA before the 2024 Lok Sabha Election, has pledged not to switch alliances again,

Chandrababu Naidu, these elections mark a significant comeback The seasoned politician is poised to be sworn in as the chief minister of Andhra Pradesh for the fourth time, a stark contrast to 2019, when he was ousted from office While the ability of Nitish and Naidu to collaborate with Modi despite past turbulence demonstrates the political acumen of these seasoned leaders, Modi is also known for being a good listener contrary to his public image, and is expected to engage closely with these allies to ensure effective governance The overarching message is clear: The BJP is determined to lead with a steady hand, maintaining its agenda and priorities despite the complexities of coalition politics

I write t o y ou from Spain As Europe in it s election s swings t o t he right , India mov es to the left

In a surprising turn of events, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) did not secure the expected sweeping victory in India's recent elections

This outcome, contrary to the expectations of many political analysts, is a testament to the resilience and complexity of Indian democracy Rather than signaling a setback, this election result could be a positive development for India, quelling fears of authoritarianism and showcasing the strength of coalition governance

There have been concerns of outside election interference from internet influencers and Western media Did they swing the vote? Based on the document "The Invisible Hands: Foreign Interference in Indian Elections 2024Disinfolab Report, here are some issues with the election Whatever happened, the PM won, and India is stronger for it But the playbook of election interfering is one that the UK/US and France needs to watch out for too as they are in elections now too

1 Fun ding Sour ce s: Significant funding from Western philanthropic entities like the Henry Luce Foundation (HLF) and George Soros’s Open Society Foundation (OSF) was channeled to various fronts to influence Indian elections These funds were directed towards academic, media, and activist organizations to create and propagate specific narratives

2 Cr ea tion of Na rr ativ e The mes: The primary narrat i v e

"Fascism " These themes were consistently pushed to paint a negative picture of the Indian government and its democratic processes

3 In fluen ce throug h Acade mia an d Med ia : Key individu a l

Christophe Jaffrelot, played a central role in crafting and disseminating these narratives Articles, op-eds, and interviews were published in influential Western media outlets and were often quoted by Indian media

4 Online and Offline Even ts: Numerous online webinars, conferences, and physical events were organized by groups funded by HLF and OSF These events focused on contentious issues like caste census, religious freedom, and political violence, further embedding the constructed narratives

5 L oca l Conduit s an d Collaborat ors: Indian organizations and activists were co-opted to act as local conduits for these foreign-funded narratives These collaborators helped in amplifying the messages within India, lending them an air of credibility and indigenous origin

6 Digita l Pla tforms an d Misin for mation : Digital platforms were extensively used to spread misinformation and biased content Organizations like the Digital Witness Lab a t P r i n c e t o n U n i v e r s i t y w e r e i n v o l v e d i n d e b u n k i n g counter-narratives and reinforcing the targeted messaging

7 Pr ot ests a nd Demon st rat ions: Coordinated protests and demonstrations, such as those organized by the South Asia Solidarity Group and the Foundation London Story, were staged to create visible dissent against the Indian government These events were publicized to influence international and domestic perceptions

8 Cont inuous Mon itorin g a nd Ada pta tion: The efforts were continuously monitored, and strategies were adapted based on the evolving political landscape in India The sustained funding ensured that the interference efforts were robust and could respond dynamically to counter-efforts by the Indian authorities

A Che ck on Author it ar ia n Con ce rns

One of the most significant implications of the BJP's inability to secure a decisive majority is the alleviation of concerns about creeping authoritarianism Critics have often pointed to Modi's strongman image and the BJP's majoritarian policies as potential threats to India's democratic fabric However, the election results suggest that Indian voters are not monolithic and are willing to challenge any perceived overreach

The presence of a strong opposition and the necessity for coalition-building mean that power will be more diffused This distribution of power can act as a safeguard against authoritarian tendencies, ensuring that diverse voices and interests are represented in the governance process

c

National Grid forecasts reduced blackout risk

T h e ri sk o f b lac ko ut s in

B ri tai n is p ro je cte d to d ecrease this winter due to the addition of new g as gene rati o n c ap ac ity and increased electricity imports

f ro m E ur op e, pr ov i d i ng a larger buffer against potential shortag es

According to the "base case" scenario outlined by N

are anticipated to rise to 9 4 percent this winter, up from 7 4 percent last year The boost in capacity from inter-

c

m p o r t energy from Europe, cou-

pled with the introduction

o f n e w g a s g e n e r a t i

n , expansion of battery storage, and enhancements in grid connections, are expected to enhance the supply balance compared to previous years

This anticipated buffer, a measure of available excess generation and reserves held by the ESO to meet demand, is the largest since the winter of 2020 and exceeds the 6 6 percent margin recorded

energy crisis following the Ukraine war outbreak The

caused by Russia's reduction in gas supplies to Europe h

reliance on liquefied natural gas imports from other parts of the world The forecast offers a reprieve for Britain amid the energy crisis easing, with average household bills expected to decrease to their lowest level in over two years starting from July

Despite the positive outlook, Kayte O’Neill, Chief

remaining uncertainties in energy markets and stressed the importance of vigilance and collaboration with part-

risks and ensure resilience

Nigel Farage on radar of demonstrators

Nigel Farage experienced an u nexp ected encou nter during the launch o f his elec-

t i on c

thrown over him

E x i t i n g t h

W e t h e r s p o o n s M o o n a n d Starfish pub in Clacton-onSea, where he is running for MP as the new leader of Reform UK, Farage was targeted by a young woman

w e a r i n g a g r e y h o o d e d jumper She hurled a drink,

s u s p e c t e d t o

M c D o n a l d ' s m i l k s h a k e , a t him, then threw the cup, before departing the scene

W i t n e s s e s o b s e r v e d Farage wincing as the liquid hit his face and later wiping it away as his team quickly escorted him away Essex Police confirmed the arrest o

from Clacton in response to t h

occurred around 2:10 PM on M

arrest, a man was detained on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker Farage later appeared in front of the Reform UK bus with a McDonald's banana

Speaking to ITV News afterward, he described the incident as "quite frightening,"

attributing it to his practice of engaging with the public directly

Earlier that day, Farage had launched his election c

hundreds of supporters after announcing his candidacy as a Reform UK representative

later occurred during a cam-

Yorkshire, when a demonstrator targeted Nigel Farage by throwing objects at him

The leader was greeting supporters from atop his party's battle bus in Barnsley town

i n c i d e n t unfolded Mr Farage reported that he narrowly avoided being hit by what appeared to be wet cement from a nearby work site, followed by a coffee cup

12-year-olds convicted of Wolverhampton murder

I n a tra gi c ca se , two 12-

y e a r -o ld b oy s h av e b e en con victed of the m urder of S ha wn Se es a ha i , 19, w ho wa s killed in a seemi ngly u n p ro v ok e d m a ch e t e attack i n a Wolverhampton park las t Novemb er

D e s p i t e t h e i r y o u n g age, they are now among the youngest individuals to be found guilty of murder in the UK

T h e d e f e n d a n t s , believed to be the youngest c o n v i c t

Venables at age 11 in 1993, were found guilty of attacking Shawn Seesahai, 19, in a Wolverhampton park Seesahai, who was not acquainted with the boys, a l l e g e d l y a s k e d t h e m t o vacate a bench, triggering the violent altercation One of the boys used a machete

t o i n f l i c t f a t a l w o u n d s , while the other reportedly

engaged in physical assault

Following the verdicts, Suresh Seesahai, father of the victim, expressed sympathy for the parents of

h e dangers posed by youth in

c i e t y S

s a h a i s u s

t a i n e d s e v e r e i n j u r i e s , including a fractured skull a n d a d e e p m a c h e t e w o u n d t h a t p i e r c e d h i s lung and heart

Parents frighten councils regarding school fees

Parents of children attending private schools are being u rg e d to in un d ate l oc al c ouncils wi th requests for state school places as a tactic to dissuade them from supp o rtin g t he i m po si ti on o f VA T on fees

Social media platforms are reportedly abuzz with groups encouraging parents to demonstrate the potential strain on the system if their children were to transition from independent to state education Labour has proposed adding a 20 percent VAT levy on private school

f e e s i f i t p r e v a i l s i n t h e upcoming general election

This proposal comes amid significant fee increases at many private schools over the past couple of years

Criticism has arisen in E d i n b u r g h , w h e r e p a r e n t s have been accused of "gaming" the system by enrolling t h e i r c h i l d r e n i n s t

t e schools as a form of protest, even if they have no intention of utilising the places A private Facebook group with over 2,000 members is facilitating opposition to the policy, advocating for a coordinated response among parents in Edinburgh

The group encourages p a r e n t s t o r e g i s t e r t h e i r

RCM advocates investment for future midwifery success

T h e R oy a l C ol l e ge o f Mi d w i v e s (R C M) emphasi ses that f or m eanin gf ul i mprovemen ts i n m aternity care, poli ticia ns must prioritise establi shing robust foundati ons to support a forward-lookin g midwi fery profes sion

The College particularly stresses that the incoming Government should address the significant student debt issue and ensure that healthcare facilities requiring more staff are prepared to hire graduates They advocate for student debt forgiveness for midwives committing to NHS service Even in regions without tuition fees, midwifery students face financial strain Many consider abandoning their studies due to this burden, compounded by the demanding nature of the degree program, which leaves little room for part-time employment

G i l l W a l t o n , R C M C h i e f E x e c u t i v e , underscores the pressing need to address student debt burden to safeguard the appeal of midwifery careers amidst a worsening workforce crisis She expresses alarm over f i n a n c

from pursuing midwifery, with over a third in Scotland reporting mental health and academic impacts Juggling studies, placements, and personal responsibilities leaves no room for part-time work Walton urges the incoming Government to prioritise student debt forgiveness for midwives committing to NHS service, aligning with their dedi

increasing numbers of final year students facing job uncertainties upon qualification, exacerbating England's estimated shortage of 2,500 midwives

Braverman urges Tories to unite with Farage

Suella Braverman urged the Co nservative P arty to consider embracing Nigel Farage, advo cating for a uniting of the right'

The former Home

openness to the idea of F

c h i l d r e n f o r s t a t e s c h o o l places as a demonstration, even if they don't plan to utilise them immediately

T h i s c o l l e c t i v e a c t i o n i s intended to support families who could face adversity if the policy is implemented

Scottish Labour leader

A n a s S a r w a r h a s c o ndemned the practice, stating that such actions undermine the education system's integrity and the need for equitable resource alloca-

t i o n H e e m p h a s i s e s t h e necessity of making tough decisions to enhance educat i o n a l s t a n d a r d s n a t i o nwide

i n g that there is 'not much difference' between his policies and those of the Conservative Party Braverman stated to The Times that there should be efforts to collaborate in the future, as there shouldn't be significant disparities between their respective platforms However, Farage has rebuffed Braverman's proposal, asserting that it is unlikely for Reform UK to align with the Conservative Party due to ideological differences, particularly on issues such as taxation and immigration

Farage, on the other hand, suggested that instead of seeking an alliance with the Tories, Braverman should consider joining his party after what he termed an 'inevitable' election defeat for the Conservatives Despite this response, Braverman reiterated her openness to welcoming Farage into the Conservative

P a r t y , h i g h l i g h t i n g t h e p a r t y ' s i n c l u s i v e nature and the alignment of many of his policies with conservative values

R eu n i te F am i li e s U K (RF UK) is initiating a legal c ha ll en ge a ga i ns t th e G over nme nt s de c is i on to significantly rais e the minimum i nc

I N B R I E F

TEACHER VACANCIES DOUBLE IN THREE YEARS

Government figures reveal a significant rise in teacher vacancies in state schools across England over the past three years

According to data from the Department for Education (DfE) the number of teacher vacancies surged from 1 100 in November 2020 to 2 800 in November 2023 Moreover the count of temporarily filled classroom teacher positions also saw an increase during the same period climbing from 1 800 in November 2020 to 3,400 in November 2023 While the school workforce experienced a slight rise of around 300 teachers to reach 468 700, the data underscores a notable influx and departure of teaching staff

Approximately 44,000 teachers joined the state school sector, marking a decrease of 3,900 compared to the previous year Conversely, a similar number of teachers, approximately 43,500 exited the state school sector, maintaining a consistent level from the previous year

LONDON UNIVERSITY SURPASSES OXBRIDGE

Imperial College London has achieved a significant milestone by being ranked as the UK's top university and the second-best in the world, surpassing Oxford and Cambridge for the first time According to a new international league table, Imperial has broken years of Oxbridge dominance, soaring from sixth place to second globally trailing only behind the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the United States Meanwhile the University of Oxford secured the third position with Cambridge following closely behind in fifth place Additionally University College London claimed the ninth spot in the 2025 QS World University Ranking, marking a remarkable achievement as four of the top ten global universities are British institutions Imperial's remarkable ascent in the rankings is attributed to its world-leading research, outstanding employability scores, and an unwavering commitment to sustainability

MEN POSE THREAT TO WOMEN

The commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, Sir Mark Rowley, has issued a stark warning, stating that millions of men in England and Wales pose a threat to women and children Rowley described the figures as "eyewatering" and referred to them as an "inconvenient truth," emphasising the urgent need for a more substantial effort a national strategy, and increased funding to address the issue His statement is based on an upcoming study commissioned for police chiefs nationwide, which reveals that there are up to 4 million perpetrators of violence against women and children primarily men Additionally the study indicates that one in 10 individuals predominantly women or children are victims of such violence Rowley Britain s most senior police officer stressed that the scale of offenses committed by men against women and children exceeds the capabilities of the criminal justice system to address effectively

High Court challenge to family visa rule change

filed a legal challenge, with their lawyer indicating that they will petition the High Court to invalidate the decis i o n , c i t i n g C l e v e r l y ' s alleged unlawful conduct

T h e m i n i m u m i n c o m e threshold for family

Suella Braverman

Narinder Patti: On the Future of Fintech

Sunetra Senior

Nar in der i s a S eni o r Ac co u n t

Director and Fintech Leader at Go o gl e, e van gel iz i ng a mo ng t h e Fintech community o n ho w best to le ver age Cl o ud w h i le al s o h el p in g small and medium emerging businesses “scale up and accelerate multinational, regional and global expansion ” Narinder comes with a strong background in the Financial services industry w hich means sh e ’ s well versed w ith re gu lat o ry o b li gat i o ns o f be in g a Fintech and how best to be prepared for up co ming regulatory changes ***

S h e i s t h e

notable awards, including the Great

P e r s o

G

Award, presented by Bill Gates himself Narinder is passionate about current digital solutions that grow and enhance the financial sector responsibly, which is evident in her professional multimodal approach: “I help startups who partner with Google in several ways, ” she shared with us: “Firstly, enabling the core engineering teams in terms of skills and competency and providing opportunities to meet & work with product experts at Google Cloud We also offer several programs

w h e t h e r

started and bring ideas to reality without worrying about entry barriers We also nurture a very vibrant Fintech community and have lots of community events targeted at Fintechs where we provide them with knowledge to help business acceleration by encouraging them to speak there, reaching many potential customers

Google is a great platform for elevating business brands and we ’ ve had some great success stories such as Monzo Bank who started their journey with us in 2017 We are happy to be part of their journey, shaping their expansion into the US We often leverage the Alphabet business to provide a seamless experience Finally, we align the technical solutions that will enable scalability and futureproof the growth and long-term performance of startups as the scope of the work from launching a product to the end can change drastically along the way We want to address the gap in the market, how to solve it and do the relevant research This can include connecting them to traditional institutions such as HSBC who have both the thoroughbred knowledge and credibility behind them with whom experience can be leveraged ”

In short, Narinder helps better facilitate new enterprises so that they may thrive in an increasingly digital competitive space This is a microcosm of the world of Fintech itself which the expert summarized as “ a solution, usually software, that makes financial services and processes easier, faster and more secure ” Narinder is also socially conscious which is interestingly synonymous with the definit

where she learned much about emerging technologies shaping the financial

CBDCs, blockchain, cryptocurrencies and AI, and commented on the latter:

“I see it being adopted in many ways There is a lot of opportunity to e n h a n c e c u s t o m e r e x p e r i e n c

, f o r example, with quicker response to FAQ’s , and call summarisation for call c

functions too However, currently AI is an area which has not been regulated while Fintech is As a result, these new technologies do need to be controlled when introduced to be trusted w i t h i n t e r a c t i o n s w i

finances The EU is soon going to pass legislation on the regulation of AI and when there is a clearer idea of this,

there will be much faster intake of it into financial businesses, in my opinion In terms of commercial growth a

would be regulations that benefit both the enterprise and end-user ” Ethics and the evolution of strong b

Indeed, Narinder works closely with Innovate Finance who “ are a membership body who work with the FCA and lobbying the government as the voice of Fintechs in the UK where the nation is the largest hub in the world for financial services ” The leader in her field has run her own Fintech company prior, drawing from a wealth of both personal and industry expertise to inform her uniquely aware niche “I learned the importance of planning long-term and future proofing a bur-

g

managing my business back in Africa ” Narinder concluded by discussing the prevalent yet divisive topic of cryptocurrency:

"The EU is soon going to pass legislation on the regulation of AI and when there is a clearer idea of this, there will be much faster intake of such tech into financial businesses"

“I am a fan of it where there are a lot of Fintechs providing solutions

Regulating Crypto would make the phenomenon less volatile and reduce the skepticism around it, in my opinion There would be a de-risking of crypto so fraud, money laundering and tax evasion which are connected to crypto would be completely counteracted The platform holders will be held responsible to be compliant or face consequence Therefore it will be a more secure way of trading: essentially the exchange of digital assets would be de-risked Stable Coins are also being introduced where Bank of England has done this as a common digital currency to combat the instability sometimes associated with cryptocurrency– so as we move more into a digital era, we will see digital curren-

cy being used more and more rather than paper money ” Not only does Narinder conscientiously help startups access a fast-developing global

transformative impact of wider economic regulation moving forwards

Whathave been some highlight moments in your career?

Microsoft The second highlight was when I started to work at Google, and being able to drive diversity and inclusivity

You are also a thought leader: what are the innovative ideas you enjoy exploring?

How we can change and shape regulation, and address the challenges that our customers are facing – how can we as a collective drive change that makes it easier for the next wave of

interest here is providing women in Fintech a voice and platform Women are still far from being at the helm of leadership although are more Asian and female-owned businesses There is a huge lack of diversity at the senior position As a result, women have stepped out of the industry to start their own businesses As a response to this, I am the founder and leader of G o o g l e ' s ' W

F

h Community' which have afforded just under 30 job placements and mentorships within the community over a 12 month period – we can help illuminate the path towards becoming a non-exec or exec directors aswell as other skills If you provide the guidance and are willing to stand together with other women as opposed to being competitive, it is possible to make a bigger change together I have two daughters and do not want them to go through what I did – having my voice silenced When there is diversity at the top, it does lead to more grounded representation at the grassroots What, for you, makes a strong Fintech business?

Having done your research, and really connecting with the ecosystem; know your values and have a mission statement at the ready Do academic research specifically – this gives you the deep knowledge that allows you to understand whether your idea is viable or not Think about who will be your investors and invest time in future proofing your foundation technology

Trial claims accused strangled wife in suitcase

During a tr ia l, it was reve ale d that a

Aminan Rahman stands accused of the murder of

body was discovered in the River Lea on May 8, 2023

Testimony at the Old Bailey

evening preceding her disappearance, Mr Rahman contacted the man with whom Ms Begum was having an online relationship, informing him that he had killed her

Denying charges of murder and assault by beating on

Rahman, aged 46, is under

lined how Mr Rahman purp

assaulting Ms Begum during a v i d e o c a l l t o h i s w i f e ' s boyfriend, with the footage being recorded on the recipient's mobile phone on April 29, 2023 I

ment, Ms Ledward asserted that Mr Rahman had likely killed Ms Begum there and then, or at the very least

placing her body in

suitcase and disposing of it in t h

London

Ms Ledward added that i f M

m w a s n o t already deceased, she would

missing from an address in O

Hamlets, on April 30 The suitcase containing her body was found washed up on the

days later

The jury was informed that Mr Rahman has pleaded guilty to a charge of pre-

decent burial of Ms Begum

body

Police drop case against Leicester councillor

would not pursue further action ag ainst city councill or S a nja y Mo d h w a d ia r e g a r d ing a l

g a t i on s of threatening be havior

The police stated that there was a lack of evid

a i m s that Modhwadia, who is a Conservative councillor for North Evington and was the local party’s mayoral candidate in the previous year ’ s elections, had committed a criminal offense

T h e a l l e g a t i o n s s t e m m e d f r o m

Modhwadia's fellow councillor, Deepak Bajaj, who was also a member of the Conservative Party at the t i m e b u t h

Modhwadia of attempting

supporting his bid for lead-

The alleged incident took place in the city’s Dover Street car park after a meal with party members Bajaj claimed that Modhwadia used aggressive gestures, including physical pushing and threats of violence Modhwadia denied the allegations from the outset, and a report was filed with Leicestershire Police,

ation However, the police have now stated that they will not proceed with the c

t evidence

In response to the decision, a spokesperson for Leicestershire Police stated that no evidence was provided to substantiate the claims of criminal behavior The investigation will remain open pending any new evidence

Oxford University to return Hindu sculpture

Oxford University has decided to return a 500-year-old bronze sculpture of Hindu saint Tirumankai Alvar to India

The sculpture, which has been on display at the university's Ashmolean Museum, was claimed by the Indian High Commission Tirumankai Alvar, a revered Tamil poet and saint from South India, is depicted in the sculpture

There are suspicions that the bronze might have been looted from an Indian temple

The decision is now pending approval from the Charity Commission

This move follows a trend set by Oxford and Cambridge universities in 2022, where they expressed willingness to return collections of the Benin Bronzes to Nigeria upon the country's request

NARINDER PATTI

Suma Begum

The statue of Tirumankai Alvar

A susp ected cyber-attack carried o ut by a Russian group has comp elled Londo n NHS hospitals to rev ert to outdated paper records systems, as their IT

orks are d isrup ted

G u

based methods, rather than relying on computers, to receive patients’ blood test results Despite being i

week, Synnovis, the facility responsible for analysing blood tests for GSTT, continues its operations

A member of GSTT's clinical

staff explained, “Since the attack, Synnovis has had to print out the blood test results from their onsite laboratories at Guy’s and St Thomas Porters then deliver these results to the respective wards or

patient care Doctors and nurses review the results and determine treatment plans based on the findings This shift to paper-based processes is a result of Synnovis’s IT systems being unable to communicate with ours due to the cyberattack Normally, blood test results are transmitted electronically, but that's currently not possible "

Businessman switches lawyers in Trafigura case

I nd i

Prateek Gupta, who prev iously cited cash flow challeng es in financing his d efence against fraud al le g at io n

mo dity trad er Trafigura in March, has sw itched legal rep resentation, as p er

upd ate

A c c o

court website, Gupta is now being represented by London law firm Preston Turnbull, departing from Mishcon De Reya, whom he had engaged since Trafigura

i n

February the previous year In M

Gupta informed a London court about his financial constraints and

his intention to nego-

, indicating that he had

cover legal expenses

"They are having difficulties in funding the remainder of the litigation," stated

regarding Gupta and his companies A rep-

edged a temporary cash flow issue but emphasised the presence of "significant illiquid assets" owned by the defendants Trafigura has accused seven companies purportedly controlled by Gupta of perpetrating systematic fraud related to nickel cargoes

The disclosure coincided with further revelations regarding the repercussions of the recent hacking incident targeting the NHS Ciaran Martin, former chief executive of the National Cyber Security Centre, indicated that the attack, attributed to Russian cybercriminals, has caused significant disruptions

The attack, reportedly carried out by the Qilin gang, has led to

operations, blood tests, and blood transfusions across seven London hospitals operated by GSTT and King’s College trust

New poll unveils historic shift in UK 2024 election

A groun dbreaking poll suggests

back The latest survey by Redfield and Wilton Strategies, involving

20 percent, trailing Labour by

substantial 26 points

Director of Research at Redfield and Wilton, was unequivocal about the implications of the

Rapist sentenced for over 30 years

May 31, Muhammad Talukdar, 51, of Ballance Street, Bath, was given a 14-year term

, East London Although the historical offenses were discovered in 2020, officers conducted interviews with the victim's friends and relatives and obtained medical records to demonstrate the severity of the abuse in the lack of recent witness statements and DNA proof The victim also consented to the sharing of her coun-

selling session notes In March 2024, Snaresbrook Crown Court found paedophile Talukdar guilty of three counts of rape and four counts of sexual assault

poll's findings "After a week and a half of campaigning, the polls

spelling not just a major defeat for the Conservatives on July 4, but a potential catastrophe, a complete wipeout, he declared The results suggest a possi-

Conservative Party was reduced to just two

Calculus, a prominent political analysis website, if the current polling figures were reflected in an election, the Conservatives would only secure 24 seats This outcome would mark a historic low for the party, echoing their

when

Prateek Gupta

Muhammad Talukdar

ICAI UK Chapter hosts a panel discussion on empowering SMEs and startups

F o llo w ing the vib rant and informative Accountex on 15 and 16 May, the ICAI (The I n st it u te o f Ch a rte red

A cc o u nt ant s o f I nd ia ) U K

Chapter organised an exclusive netwo rking event on 1 7 May

T

panel discussion focused on empowering SMEs, startups,

India The event was inaugurated by the legendary singer A

c

Chairman Vivek Saraogi wel-

guests, including Lord Rami

CEOs of Siemens Mobility,

Patel and other CA members

The panel discussion on e

Startups was very much wel-

Panel Discussion: Vivek

Meenal Sambre delivered the vote of thanks to the panellists and Tabassum Nathani expressed gratitude to the audience at the program's conclusion

unique platform for profes-

accounting and business sectors Chairman Vivek Saraogi extended his thanks to all members of the event com-

tions

Labour’s Hendon Hub development plans threaten Hindu Temple

D e ve lop m e n t p la n s fo r

H e nd o n s pe a r he a d e d b y

M a y o r of Lo n d on , S a d i q Khan, which were sub mitt ed

b y Ba rnet’s Lab our Council, t hreate n the running of on e of Lon don ’ s most pr ominen t

H i n du Te mp le s, Ch in m a y a Mission

T h e r e c e n t l y r e n o v a t e d Chinmaya Kirti in Hendon is a centre of learning, promoting the universal wisdom of Vedanta The Chinmaya Kirti

i s c u r r e n t l y t h r e a t e n e d b y Labour’s plan to close their adjacent car park for student

a c c o m m o d a t i o n f o r Middlesex University The plans have faced widespread opposition by the local community and residents as it would the running of a local Church and Synagogue

C h i n m a y a M i s s i o n h a s

been rallying the community t o s u p p o r t t h e i r c a m p a i g n against Labour’s plan, which would not only result in a loss car parking in the area but lead to a rise in anti-social behaviour in the area Suresh Wadhwani, the Trustee and President of the Chinmaya Mission UK said, “While we support urban development, we have a number of concerns about the lack of consultation and the design of the proposals in place

“Such large-scale student accommodation in a predominantly family-based neighbourhood with three places of worship next to each other threatens our community’s freedom of worship

“ W e n e e d r e a s s u r a n c e and specific proposals as to how parking and access will

performance by the Bhavan students was much appreciated The event was hosted by Dakshaben Thakrar and the MC for the evening was Neil Tanna

be addressed for three vibrant religious organisations that have been serving the community for decades

“We are encouraged by the number of comments raised by the public ahead of the Mayor's decision on the proposals We hope that the opportunity is now taken to stop and re-think the proposals to ensure the object i o n s r a i s e d a r e p r o p e r l y considered and any proposals adequately balance the needs of the local area ” Local campaigner Brad Blitz said, “It’s astonishing that Barnet Council is purs u i n g t h e H e n d o n H u b development which is universally unpopular with residents as demonstrated by the Save Hendon campaign

T h e r e a r e n o d i s c e r n i b l e

benefits for residents ”

Ameet Jogia who was born in Hendon and a regular attendee at the Chinmaya Mission is leading the opposition against the development plans, “This developm e n t w o u l d n o t o n l y adversely affect Chinmaya Mission Hindu Temple, but also several other religious organisations in the area Hendon is one of the most d i v e r s e c o n s t i t u e n c i e s i n the country and I am comm i t

, h e n c e m y opposition to this development ” A m e e t c o n t i n u e s t o lobby the Mayor of London to reconsider his plans for Hendon

7th anniversary celebration of the recitation of Vishnu Sahasranam Stotram

The Vishnu group celebrated Patotsav of Shri Lax mi Naraya n and the 7th anniv ersa ry of the recitation of Vishnu Sah asranam Stotram on Sunda y 2 June 20 24 a t Dhamecha Lohana Centre , Harrow

The event witnessed over 700 guests including Bob Blackman MP and Cllr Ameet Jogia MBE who joined the chanting of the 1000 names of Lord Vishnu

The benefit of the prayer is believed to bring a sense of spiritual and loving presence and alignment with Lord Vishnu, his desire is always for us to be at peace, have good health and live in abundance with grace, mercy and blessings

Top chefs to be honoured at House of Lords on election day

Some of the country’s leading chefs recently competed in a live coo k-off for one of th

most prestigious accolades, the Asian Oriental & Chef Awards

The contest took place on May 19th at the Pillars Restaurant at the University of West London, the alma m

James Cleverly The finalists w

House of Lords on July 4th,

Kamall in conjunction with

Federation (ACF), the organisers of the competition

Jiwal Lal, the executive chef of the Michelin-ranked B

emerged as the overall winner Dev Biswal, owner of

Canterbury, was the runnerup, missing the top spot by just one point

Third place was shared between Jerome Jorda of Kas & Kin and Saroj Thapaliya of Panas Gurkha, both based in London The other finalists included Ajay Chaurasia of B

y D e l i g h t i n Wimbledon, Rafiqur Raza of Bangor Tandoori in north W a l e s , V i s h a l V e r m a o f Mango Lounge in Windsor, and Ameen Ainiyappillai of Sajee in Lewisham R

Rajesh Suri, formerly of the T

Grand Trunk Road, chaired the judging panel The contestants were selected from thousands of public nomina-

chefs, who were then invited

of

and

motivating factor, encouraging chefs to strive for

compete for more discerning customers, on quality – not price”, said ACF Chairman Yawar Khan, who added, “It’s important for curry lovers to support their local establishment, in these straightened times, by nominating them for further accolades

Sigma welcomes Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury to their Watford site

As pa r t of t he im

n t Lab our Part y campaign trail, Sha dow Ch ief Se cr et a ry to the Tre asury, D arr en Jones vi si t ed Wa t fo r d’ s l a r g e st e mpl o y er , S ig ma Pharmaceuticals plc on 6 June 2024

The Labour Party team comprising Darren Jones and prospective Labour Party cand i d a t e f o r W a t f o r d M a t t Turmaine were given a whist l e - s t o p t o u r o f t h e n e w Watford site

Commenting on his visit to the Watford site, Mr Jones s a i d , “ W e w e r e v e r y impressed with what Sigma has achieved for Community Pharmacy in the UK and were taken aback by the sheer size and scale of their Watford operation It is a Labour party p

Bharat Shah CBE added, “It w a s g r e a t

e D a r r e n , Matt and the Labour Party team pay a timely visit to our business We hope that

CB Patel, Vinod Thakrar and Pradip Dhamecha

Members of the community and dignitaries attended Vinodbhai Thakrar’s birthday celebration at Dhamecha Lohana Centre on 31 May 2024 A beautiful

Darren Jones Dr Bharat Shah CBE and Labour prospective Matt Turmaine

CB Patel was honoured by ICAI UK

Saraogi, Lord Rami Ranger, Anuradha Paudwal, Sambit Banerji Sudhir Sharma SBI Malcolm Bacchus

Se ating L to R: Kanteshbhai Popat, Satishbhai Chatwani, Hansaben Chatwani, Maheshbhai Gheewala, Nitiben Gheewala, Sudhaben Bhattessa Standing L to R: Madhuben Popat, Meenaben Jasani, CB Patel, Dakshaben Thakrar, Vinodbhai Thakrar, Vinubhai Bhattessa Narendrabhai Thakrar Dinaben Thakrar Nitinbhai Jasani Mahesh Liloriya

Devotees chanting of 1000 names of Lord Vishnu

Ameet Jogia Bob Blackman

Yawar Khan ACF

Citibond Travel celebrates 50th anniversary with spectacular event in Leicester

Leicester, May 19, 2024Citibond Travel, a leading travel agency, marked its golden jubilee with an unforgettable celebration at the Mystique banqueting suite in Leicester The event, organised by Nisha Ganatra and Anil Bhagi from the Citibond Travel Leicester branch, brought together over 300 guests, including Lord Mayor for Leicester, Bhupen Dave and Councillor s Devi Singh Patel, Sanjay Modhwadia and Nags Agath

T h e e v e n t s h o w c a s e d the various departments of

C i t i b o n d T r a v e l f r o m

F l i g h t s a n d H o l i d a y s t o

G r o u p T o u

C o r p o

Travel and Cruises Guests at the event were supported by the Citibond team from

e a c h d e p a r t m e n t a n d

e n j o y e d l i v e m u s i c , f o o d , and danced till the end

“ W e a r e i m m

e l y proud of our journey over the past five decades,” said N is h a Ga nat ra, Br anc h M anag er “This event is a tribute to our loyal clients,

defines Citibond Travel

trust, personalised service, and a passion for travel I was so pleased to have so

years ” About Citibond Travel: Citibond Travel, established in 1974, has been a trusted name in the travel industry With a global network of partners, personalised service, and a passion for creat-

ences, Citibond Travel con-

loyal

Pilgrimage Tours and also various Cruises ” Ram ila Pandya,

Travel has been our go-to agency for years Their personalised service and attention to detail make every trip memorable ” H it

C itibond Travel, said, “Fifty years of Citibond Travel is a testament to our commitment to excellence We look

pride in not only booking flights but also arranging

tours, pilgrimage tours, and unforgettable cruises Citibond Travel extends

attendees, loyal customers and well-wishers who made this milestone celebration truly memorable

Charting UK-India economic course

As the UK awaits the outcome of its general election, attention also turns to India, with economic relations between the two countries taking centre stage from June to July.

Economi c P olicy Group’s

I nd ia Week 2024

Economic Policy Group’s India Week 2024 is a prestigious annual gathering that convenes change-makers, policy experts, and business leaders for insightful discussions on key issues

Anticipating over 100 business leaders from India and beyond, the event provides unmatched opportunities for networking, facilitating B2B meetings, and engaging with senior policymakers

This year's agenda is ambitious, running from Sunday, June 29, to Saturday, July 6 Attendees can expect a robust lineup of discussions and interactions aimed at fostering collaboration and driving meaningful change in the economic landscape The week will feature events such as the Education Innovation Conference, Indo-UK Business Conclave Awards, Ideas for India Conference, Film Conclave, India Week Shopping Festival, and a

Black-tie Celebration Dinner

I nd ia Global Forum

The 6th Annual India Global Forum (IGF) in London is poised to be a defining event in 2024, scheduled from June 24 to June 28 in London and Windsor This year's forum holds particular significance, occurring immediately after the Indian Parliamentary elections and just ahead of the UK's general elections on July 4

IGF London 2024 will delve into the implications of the recent Indian election results for global

geopolitics and business It will serve as a crucial platform for assessing and guiding future UK-India relations, addressing pressing issues such as the India-UK Free Trade Agreement and progress on the 2030 Roadmap, which are of importance to any incoming UK administration

With global attention focused, IGF London aims to facilitate essential dialogue and collaboration in these uncertain geopolitical times

With over 2000 speakers and participants, and 15 events across iconic venues in London and Windsor, IGF London 2024 will encompass a spectrum of topics from technology and trade to culture and commerce

Thought leaders, policymakers, business tycoons, and cultural ambassadors will converge to share insights, forge connections, and drive meaningful conversations via a series of engaging forums, exclusive business dialogues, and networking opportunities

Consumers squished from all sides

Ours may be one of few countries where laws are stacked against us, the Consumer Then what do you expect from a Conservative government whose existence depends on the goodwill of business, in sharp contrast to Labour who depend on the generosity of Trade Unions Each one is as bad as the other

This division is not in the best interest of the public who pay through the nose for the service that we do not receive, at least not to the satisfaction of the payee My recent experience is the shining example what could go wrong and how difficult it is to put it right I always take out maintenance contract so that I can call them in emergency, as at my age I do not have neither IT knowledge nor the saintly patience we need to deal with sub-contractors

Recently some-one came to do yearly maintenance service on the Central Heating boiler under contract He was dressed like a ruffian, a street sleeper with long, untidy hair and smelling of drinks I was reluctant to let him in but after talking to the line manager who assured me of his competence, I let him in, somewhat reluctantly

This was a big mistake As soon as he came in, the only tools he used were hammer and a big screw-driver, damaging perfectly good boiler beyond repair While he was playing “Russian Roulette” with the boiler, I tried to call the Company to send an experienced engineer to access the damage he was inflicting on the boiler But all my pleas were ignored

In short he ruined the boiler but the Company provided a free boiler under the condition that only their engineer is allowed to install it Needless to say that their labour charges of £3700 was more than a private firm’s quotation that include both labour and parts, another trick, another way for the business to steal our hard earned money with impunity

As it was the height of winter and we being elderly people confined to our home, I had no choice but to let them do it, paying £3700 in advance As I always take out legal insurance, I tried to claim it back After a two year struggle, they agreed to go to a “Financial Ombudsman” but withdrew three days before the Case was to be heard; telling me my only option is to go to Court, knowing well that most of us are not equipped to do battle in Court, even if we have a legal policy that would cover the cost

I contacted my insurance provider but my hopes came crushing down as they explained that such claims could not be entertained within three months of the start of the policy

By this time I was exhausted, physically and mentally, sent from pillar to post, thus giving it up believing that there was no way I could get the justice as laws are pilled against us, the Consumer Even my insurer adviser agreed, telling me to give it up as there is no way the Company would let you win It was a fight between David and Goliath but in this instance David will always be a loser

Now that the election is on us, I would be interested to r e a d b o t h m a i n p a r t i e s ’ M

Consumer friendly they are But I doubt it will make any change, any largesse will come to us, as we are at the bottom of their favour This is the unacceptable, unsavoury side of the much hyped capitalism

B hupendr a Gandhi

Council's appeal lost in race discrimination case

A j u dge h as r ej ec te d an ap p e al co n ce rni n g an employment tribunal's ruling that a council engaged i n r ac i al di s cr im in ati o n against an emp loyee

In April 2023, a panel determined that Ruth Lake,

a s e n i o r s t a f f m e m b e r a t Leicester City Council, had factored race into decisions

r e g a r d i n g s o c i a l w o r k e r Bindu Parmar The council's

a p p e a l , c o n s i s t i n g o f 1 1 grounds, was dismissed on Tuesday A spokesperson for the city council stated that t h e y w e r e c o n t e m p l a t i n g

c o n t e s t i n g t h e d e c i s i o n Bindu Parmar, a British citi-

z e n o f I n d i a n d e s c e n t , alleged discrimination following a disciplinary inves-

t i g a t i o n a g a i n s t h e r i n January 2021

According to a 2023 tribunal report, Parmar was accused of failing to adhere

t o l e a d e r s h i p s t a n d a r d s

However, the panel found insufficient grounds to initi-

a t e a n i n v e s t i g a t i o n a n d concluded that there was no

Must diminish effects of global warming

The temperatures in India have soared to unprecedented levels In this scorching heat, getting to work is hard The reason behind this increase in temperature is global warming and the emission of greenhouse gases

Many factors contribute to global warming Some of these include the consumption of fossil fuels, deforestation, emission of greenhouse gases and urban sprawl The need of the hour is for the government to diminish the lethal effects of global warming This includes facilitating the switch to renewable energy, promoting electric vehicles, preventing deforestation and preserving other green spaces

It is also our moral duty to assist the government in addressing this issue so that the coming generations are protected from the drastic effects of climate change

Jubel D'Cruz

Reflection on Indian election

It is a matter of great pride for all the Indians that Mr Narendra Modi has won the historic third term “Win for democracy” was the headline of AV dated 8-14 June 2024 It is a victory for democracy but unfortunately, the voters have not appreciated the hard work and efforts done by Narendra Modi and his team in the last 10 years

The seats won by the BJP have gone down 240 in the 2024 election, which is low as compared to 303 won in 2019 Despite huge efforts and dedicated workers with visible results shown in the past 10 years, the performance of the BJP is not as good as expected Of course, political pundits will analyse the results in more detail No party can resolve the issues of high prices, inflation and unemployment overnight

One of the reasons of lower number of seats is, not enough Hindu voters turned out for voting Some of them were overconfident that Modi was definitely going to win so no need to go for voting, others were relaxing at home due to very hot weather and some might have gone to enjoy a mini vacation Modi will do everything possible to the best of his abilities for the country but he will be slightly “dependent” on others and may not as bold as he used to be

I think, the high command of the BJP will look into this minutely to make sure that all the good things for the welfare of the people done by Modi are understood by the beneficiaries Contacts at the grassroots level are very vital Leaders at the state level will need to make sure that there is a team to motivate people to vote Only saying good things and praising Modi will not help him in winning the election People should take the election seriously and go to vote unless there is a compelling reason, otherwise, Modi and BJP will have to face the same again in 2029

Hi tesh Hingu

Ask Not For Whom the Bell Tolls –It Tolls for the New World Leader of Democratic Nations

Continued from page 3

It reaffirms the checks and balances essential in a healthy democracy, where no single entity can dominate unchallenged

credible alternative explanation for her treatment In its appeal, the local authority contended that the tribunal misapplied the law, provided inadequate reasons for shifting the burden of proof

o n t o t h e a u t h o r i t y , a n d failed to justify its findings

In a published summary o f t h e a p p e a l j u d g m e n t , Judge James Tayler stated, "The Employment Tribunal did not err in law in holding that the burden of proof had shifted to the respondent to disprove discrimination and that it had failed to do so " Parmar, who is currently unemployed, expressed feeling "vindicated" by the dismissal but indicated hesitancy in returning to the same line of work due to anxiety

India wins and the PM wins The interferers are the real losers

The Beauty of C oalition Politics

The emergence of a coalition government, while often seen as a sign of political instability, can actually enhance democratic governance Coalitions necessitate negotiation, compromise, and consensus-building, reflecting the multiplicity of India s social and political landscape This form of government can lead to more inclusive and representative policymaking, addressing the concerns of various stakeholders across the nation

In a coalition setup, smaller parties and regional interests gain a voice, ensuring that governance is not just topdown but also accommodates local and regional aspirations This dynamic can foster innovative solutions and more balanced development, as policies are shaped by a broader array of perspectives

A Vibrant Democratic Tapestry

This election has debunked the myth of a polarized India Instead, it reveals a country that values democratic principles and is willing to engage in the electoral process to effect change The diversity of outcomes across different states points to a nuanced electorate that votes on local issues and governance performance, rather than being driven by overarching national narratives alone

Moving Forward : Strength in Diversity

A peaceful election where the leader of the opposition was not put under criminal trial as in America, or the Legislature stormed at the outcome (again USA) means America now should look to India on how to conduct democratic elections India the Western democratic world should look to a new world leader of democracy – India

YOUR VOTE, YOUR VOICE

While political parties express their views on the country's issues and requirements, we aim to ensure that community voices are acknowledged and listened to. If you have questions, concerns, or grievances for the leaders and candidates in your area, please write to us at anusha.singh@abplgroup.com.

We will work on amplifying your viewpoints and facilitating the provision of relevant answers

Out About & Upcoming show

In this weekend’s Out & About will feature, Sikh Welfare Society’s annual charity event at the Chigwell Prince Regent Hotel, Chigwell, Essex

Don’t miss to watch the show, only on Zee tv, Sunday 16 June 2024 @ 6 pm

Soneri Sangat

On 06th June 2024 at ‘Soneri Sangat’, we had an interesting debate on the results of the India election This event provided an in-depth analysis of the outcomes, implications and future prospects following the election We were privileged to welcome distinguished guest speakers from the UK and India, including, Jayesh Vyas (BJP

S

Gujarathi (Former Speaker of Maharashtra Legislative Assembly), Sudhir Raval (a veteran Journalist, Columnist and political analyst from Gujarat) and Deepak Patel (Gujarat Convenor, Overseas Friends of BJP UK)

results, dissecting the factors that led to outcomes and exploring their implications for the political landscape Read the detail report of this programme in Gujarat Samachar this week on Pg No 22 For those who missed it, c atc h up on this event and previous episodes by visiting our You Tube channel @abplgrou p8772 Stay tuned f or m ore exciting content coming you r w ay!

Bindu Parmar

Didi Krishna

Vocalist Bhavik Haria launches new album 'Sama - Songs of Virtue’

Subhasini Naicker

Acaptivating vocali st hailing from Lo ndon, Bhavik Haria transcends th e ro le of a mere singer, emerging as a unifying vo ice fo r Bh ajans and a versatile artist deep ly entrench ed in diverse mu sical traditions In 2020, recogni sing a waning interest in Bh aj ans (traditio nal devotional songs), h e initiated th e #KeepBhajansAlive camp aign Recently, he has lau nched h is firs t album called ‘SamaSo ngs of virtue’ Th is album reflects a u niversal jou rney we all share – a search fo r co nnection, unity, and balance i n a wo rld th at often feels chaotic Like a symph ony, each Bhajan o n “Sama” weaves together beautiful melodies with a deep spiritual essence

In conversation with Asian Voice, Bhavik delved into the inspiration behind his latest album, exploring themes of gratitude, compassion, and forgiveness He also elaborated on the profound influence of South Asian heritage on his music and various other aspects of his artistic journey

What inspired you to create "Sama - Songs of Virtue"? Can you tell us more about the journey that led to this album?

‘Sama’, this project has been two years in the making It's a significant departure for me as I delve into original music, marking a milestone in my nearly two-decadelong journey as a singer Until now, my focus has been on devotional songs, Bhajans, and Kirtans, all rooted in centuries-old compositions This marks the first time I'm venturing into creating my own music, with new compositions and lyrics

The journey has been enriching, with about 75% of the production based in the UK Our lyricist, Ajay Chandaran, and producer, Kaykay Chauhan, are both UK-based, while the remaining percentage involves collaborating with emerging artists from Mumbai, India, who contribute with their instrumental prowess

How did you come up with the idea to explore themes like gratitude, compassion, and forgiveness in your music?

Traditionally, Bhajans and Kirtans are often dedicated to specific deities like Ram or

Krishna However, I wanted to create something more universal, applicable to anyone, regardless of their beliefs

Whether you worship God, a higher power, or a guru, I wanted these songs to resonate with everyone

So, we selected themes like gratitude, new beginnings, and the celebration of life –themes that reflect the experiences we all encounter on our life's journey We've coined these songs as "virtue songs" to encapsulate their essence

Can you walk us through your creative process for this album? How did you blend the musical influences from both the UK and India?

Once we had the compositions in place, Kaykay, a musical Maestro and established artist in the UK, presented about 20 different compositions to me We began by humming them together, selecting the ones that best suited my voice

From there, we linked each song to a specific theme, such as forgiveness or gratitude For instance, the forgiveness song, titled ‘Show Me the Way’, features Vanraj Shastri, a Sarangi player from Mumbai Depending on the desired atmosphere, we carefully selected instruments that would complement each theme

All recordings from India were done remotely, with sessions conducted over Zoom or WhatsApp calls while they recorded live

How has your South Asian heritage influenced your music, particularly in "SamaSongs of Virtue"?

The music I grew up with has had the most profound influence on me, shaping my identity and passion To preserve this heritage, I initiated the hashtag #KeepBhajansAlive during the lockdown My aim is to revitalise this traditional music by infusing it with

contemporary elements

We're experimenting with new styles, such as incorporating saxophone, guitar, and drums, to breathe new life into these timeless melodies

However, amidst innovation, it's crucial to ensure the essence of our cultural heritage remains intact My ultimate goal is to elevate Bhajans to the forefront, akin to genres like R&B and hip-hop, introducing this soulful music to a wider audience

How do you engage with your audience and fans? Are there any memorable interactions or feedback that have particularly touched you?

Social media plays a significant role in today s world, and we leverage it extensively to connect with our audience

Personally, I handle all content publication and engagement, whether it's replying to comments or sharing user-generated content Additionally, I prioritise interacting with fans after every concert through meet-and-greet sessions Recently, during my first international tour in South Africa, where we performed seven shows across various cities, the response from the audience was truly phenomenal I launched a show on YouTube during the lockdown called "Bhajans with Bhavik," and it truly opened doors for me Without it, I wouldn't be where I am today Surprisingly, we have garnered a massive following not only in South Africa but also in Canada, Kenya, and even India, despite the abundance of talent there My plan is to connect with all these supporters in person over the next couple of years

One memorable experience that stands out is when a family approached me after a performance It consisted of a young child, their parents, and a grandparent They shared with me how, in the past, it was the grandparent who used to share videos of singing bhajans, passing down their tradition However, now the dynamic had shifted, with the younger generation enthusiastically sharing the videos with their grandparent, having developed a deep appreciation for the music and its meaning

Dear readers

ATIO TTAINVIT

UED

Dear readers, community, the by

anniversary on May 5th, 2024, beloved , Gujarat Samachar

e invite our subscribers to make their memories unforgettable by contributing an

Sama album celebration elevates Bhajan music at Nehru Centre

More than 130 i ndividuals gathered at the prestigi ous N ehru Centre in May fair to c om mem orate the launch of the latest Bhaj an alb um , t i t le d ' Sa m a – So n g s of Vi rt ue,' b y t he r en own ed i n t e r n a ti o n a l m u s i c i a n

Bhavi k Haria Produc ed by Kaykay Chauhan and feat ur i n g l y r i c s b y A j a y Chandaran , 'Sam a' was of fici ally released on 30 Ma y This in itiative received support from the Arts Council E n gl a n d a n d A tl a n t i c Electrics Bhavik Haria s performance was a resounding s u c c e s s , a t t r a c t i n g t h e largest audience the Nehru Centre has seen this year T h e d i v e r s e a u d i e n c e included individuals who h a d n e v e r e x p e r i e n c e d Bhajan music before, a cen-

turies-old genre of devotional songs originating in India, and they were captiv a t e d b y t h e e x p e r i e n c e Bhavik's music represents a c o n t e m p o r a r y i n t e r p r e t a -

t i o n o f B h a j a n , b l e n d i n g traditional Indian melodies w i t h m o d e r n e l e m e n t s During the event, he showcased songs from his album a l o n g s i d e t a l e n t e d m u s i -

c i a n s , i n c l u d i n g a t a b l a p l a y e r , s a x o p h o n i s t , a n d violinist, seamlessly merging traditional Indian and Western instruments

A t t h e e v e n t H e d l e y Swain, CEO of the Royal P a v i l i o n a n d M u s e u m s

T r u s t , B r i g h t o n & H o v e said, “It has been a pleasure t o s e e B h a v i k ’ s m u s i c evolve and mature He is a real talent It is so important that music from differ-

ent faiths and traditions are being heard in the UK and contributing to its rich creativity”

Bhavik Haria says, “It w a s w o n d e r f u l t o s e e a c r o s s s e c t i o n o f p e o p l e come together to help celebrate my new album ‘Sama’ a n d i m p o r t a n t l y t o s e e everyone enjoy the music! Each of the seven songs on Sama reflects a universal journey that we all share – a s e a r c h f o r c o n n e c t i o n , u n i t y , a n d b a l

n c e i n a w o r l d t h a t o f t e n f e e l s chaotic This is music that g o e s b e y o n d r e l i g i o u s b o u n d a r i e

p

o r i n g themes of gratitude, compassion, and the power of f o r g i v e n e s s I a m v

y p r o u d o f ‘ S a m a ’ a n d i t s

unique compositions ”

Report reveals 20% racial pay gap in theatre producing in England

A n e w l y r e l e a s e d r e po r t d e l v e s in t o t h e c ha l l e n g e s fa cing Br it ish th ea t re pro -

d uc e r s fr o m t h e G l o b a l

M a jo r i t y , hi g hl ig h t in g t h e sca rcity of sustainab le pa thways int o the fiel d an d the

n e e d fo r e n ha n c e d ca r e e r

d e v e l o pm e n t a n d t r a i n in g

oppor tunit ies

The report was authored

b y T o m S i x , R e a d e r i n

Politics and Performance at The Royal Central School of

S p e e c h a n d D r a m a , a l o n g

w i t h R a f i a H u s s a i n , a n

I n d e p e n d e n t P r o d u c e r , J e s s i c a B o w l e s , P r i n c i p a l

L e c t u r e r i n C r e a t i v e

P r o d u c i n g a t T h e R o y a l

C e n t r a l S c h o o l o f S p e e c h

a n d D r a m a , a n d H e l e n

Jeffreys, Executive Director

a n d J o i n t C E O a t T a r a

T h e a t r e F u n d i n g f o r t h e research was provided by the A r t s a n d H u m a n i t i e s Research Council

The researchers surveyed

1 8 7 t h e a t r e p r o d u c e r s i n

E n g l a n d b e t w e e n A p r i l 2 5 and July 26, 2023 Findings

reveal a lack of representation for lower socioeconomic backgrounds and ongoing institutional racism in the theatre sector Urgent action is needed to address the collapsing infrastructure in the arts, particularly its impact on people of global majority heritage

The report unveils severa l k e y f i n d i n g s : a no t a b l e 20% racial pay gap within theatre producing, coupled w i t h w i d e s p r e a d i s s u e s o f unpaid work and overwork

It highlights the dependence o n i n f o r m a l a n d o p a q u e structures for career development, hindered further by b a r r i e r s l i k e l o w p a y a n d high precarity Importantly, it emphasises the need for s t r

than mere additions of content and perspectives Over a third of respondents advocate for increased training and mentoring programs tailored to early and mid-career producers to address these

tively

Tom Six remarked, "Our report provides a comprehensive analysis confirming what many racially minoritized theatre workers have long expressed: racism permeates the structures and practices upholding the sector Furthermore, we present a solution, crafted in collaboration with seasoned prod

y

m

l i a r with the theatre landscape, aimed at reconstructing the sector to foster greater equity and inclusivity "

Rafia Hussain remarked, "This research validates my own experiences as an independent producer, reflecting common challenges across the sector It underscores the need for equitable recruitment, better working conditions, and enhanced visibility for the role By addressing these issues, we can make producing a more accessible and sustainable career path while enhancing the sector as a whole "

Bhavik Haria

E L E B R A T I N G F A T H E R H O O D

E F L E C T I N G O N T H E E N D U R I N G W I S D O M O F F A T H E R S

Father's Day is more than ju st a date on the c alendar-it's a heartf el t tribu te to the men w ho play an indispensable role in our lives

This annual celebration, calling on June 16 this year, serves as a poignant reminder of the enduring love, guidance, and support that fathers provide to their families As we honour fathers and father figures around the world, it s essential to reflect on the profound impact they have on shaping our lives and society as a whole

The importance of Father's Day extends beyond mere sentimentality; it underscores the invaluable contributions of fathers to the wellbeing and development of their children From teaching life lessons and imparting wisdom to offering unwavering encouragement and unconditional love, fathers play a multifaceted role in nurturing the growth and character of their offspring Their influence extends far beyond the boundaries of the home, shaping future generations and leaving an indelible mark on society

As we celebrate Father's Day, let

us not only honour the fathers in our lives but also recognise the collective responsibility to support and

includes advocating for policies that promote work-life balance, equitable parental leave, and access to resources for fathers of all back-

stereotypes and promoting positive representations of fatherhood in the media and society Most importantly, it entails fostering a culture

fathers, acknowledging their essential role in shaping the future of our world

At the heart of Father's Day lies a celebration of the unique bond

I believe that what we become depends on what our fathers teach us at odd moments, when they aren't trying to teach us. We are formed by little scraps of wisdom.

- Umberto Eco, Foucault’s Pendulum

Express L O V E with a special meal

While traditional gifts like ties, gadgets, or a new set of golf clubs

about preparing a home-cooked meal for Dad Cooking for him is

labour of love, a way to express

through the time and effort invested in creating something delicious Here are some creative and

father figures, each individual who assumes the role of a father deserves recognition and appreciation for their unwavering dedication and devotion

Running out of time? Last-minute father's day ideas to save the day!

As Father's Day app roaches, it's the perfect moment to craft a memorable day dedic ated to celeb rating th e s pec ial dads in our lives

If you're feeling pressed for time or ideas, fear t we've got you cove In this article, we delve into an array of eleventh-hour

F a t h e r ' s D a y activities guaran-

Dad Whether it s embarking on ou

s c

p

d

s indulging in cozy pastimes, there's an option tailored for every father

DIY P roject: Embark on a DIY p r o j e c t t o g e t h e r , w h e t h e r i t involves building something for the house, sprucing up the garden, or unleashing your creativity with a craft project

V

Join us as we explore delightful

m

k Father's Day and forge enduring memories together

Outdoor Adventures: Consider organising a hiking trip, fishing excursion, picnic in the park, or a day at the beach Creating memories in the great outdoors can be truly unforgettable

Sp orts Day: Engage in a friendly game of basketball, soccer, or baseball together If your dad has a particular favourite sport, dedicate the day to enjoying it with him

Co o k i ng o r G ri ll in g:

Collaborate on preparing a special meal, whether it's grilling outdoors or cooking a cherished dish in the kitchen Bonding over food is not only enjoyable but also rewarding

Movie Marath on: Host a movie

n i g h t f e a t u r i n

d ' s favourite films or classic movies

Don't neglect the popcorn for the ultimate viewing experience!

ibition: If your dad

y or art, consider visiting a museum or

n together It pre-

x c e llent opportunity for learning and exploration

Gaming Session: n d q u a

g g together, whether i t ' s c o n s o

d games, or online gaming It's a fun way to strengthen your bond

Relaxing Spa Day: Treat your dad to a rejuvenating spa day or massage to help him unwind and de-stress Pampering is a wonderful gesture of appreciation

Road Trip: Plan a day trip or weekend getaway to discover new destinations together Whether it's a nearby town, a scenic drive, or a visit to a tourist attraction, the adventure awaits!

Family Ph oto Sh oot: Capture precious moments with a family photo shoot Whether you hire a professional photographer or snap candid shots with your own camera or smartphone, it's a lovely way to create lasting memories

Remember, the key to a memorable Father's Day is tailoring the activities to your dad's interests and preferences Above all, cherish the opportunity to spend quality time together and express gratitude for all he does

help you make this Father's Day an unforgettable culinary celebration for your beloved dad Oats K heer Ingredients

- 1 cup of oats

- 1 cup of milk

- Cashews, almonds, and pistachios (chopped)

Baked Cream Cheese & Chutney Samosa Ingredients

For the Dou gh

- 2 cups all-purpose flour

- 1 teaspoon salt - 1 t e a s p o o n a j w a i n ( c a r o m seeds)

- 4 tablespoons oil (your preferred oil)

- Water (as needed for kneading)

For the F illing

- 8 ounces cream cheese (softened, at room temperature)

- 4 tablespoons cilantro chutney - Salt (to taste)

- Pepper (to taste)

2 green onions (chopped)

1 jalapeno (chopped)

- 2 tablespoons golden raisins

2 t a b l e s p o o n s c a s h e w s (chopped)

Method

1 In a large bowl, mix flour, salt, d h h k

- 1/2 tablespoon ghee

- 1 tablespoon coconut sugar

- A p

(kesar)

- A touch of cardamom powder

- 1/2 cup water Metho d

1 Heat a pan and add ghee

2 Once the ghee melts, add oats and sauté for a minute or two until you can smell the nutty aroma

3 Add water and 1/2 cup of milk to the pan

4 Stir in the coconut sugar

5 Cover the pan with a lid and cook on medium flame for 5 minutes, then let the oats naturally release for 10 minutes

6 Add the remaining 1/2 cup of milk to the oats

7 Stir and cook for a minute until the milk warms up

3 For the filling, whisk the softened cream cheese in a b

green onions, jalapeno,

cashews, mixing well

4 Divide the dough into 8 equal parts, around 50 grams each Line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil and preheat the oven to 375°F

5 Roll each dough ball into a 6-inch diameter circle and cut it in half Mix some flour with water to form a thick paste for sealing

8 Add cardamom powder, saffron, and chopped almonds, pistachios, and cashews Stir well

9 Cover the pan with a lid for a couple of minutes to let the oats thicken slightly

10 Garnish with additional nuts and a few strands of saffron Enjoy hot, optionally served with a side of berries

6 Take one cut portion, apply the w a t e r - f l o u r p a s

e o n t h e straight edge, and bring the two ends together to form a cone

7 Fill the cone with about 2 teaspoons of the cream cheese filling Do not overfill 8 A p p

around the edges of the cone d i h t l

Subhasini Naicker

Insights from Zeenat Ahmed-Peto on ‘Too Kind: A Guide for Sensitive Souls’

Zeenat Ahmed P eto, a cognitive h ypno th erap ist fo r 11 years, h as h ad a diverse career p ath Prior to this role, she enjoyed a fulfilling career as a primary scho ol teacher and served as a p rimary consultant for her borough, where she trained o ther teachers Recently, she has launched a book titled 'T oo K ind: A Guide for Sensitive So uls ' Th is book draw s fro m a 10-year study, sh edding light on h ow excessive k indn ess c an i mp os e addi ti on al p ressu res on an individu al's w ellbeing I n a n

Voice, Zeenat elaborated on the c e n

addressing the struggles faced by individuals from South Asian backgrounds as they navigate discuss i o n s

l health She highlighted the challenges of coping with the pressure to please others, emphasising the importance of breaking detrimental patterns that hinder emotional well-being

What motivated you to pen the book 'Too Kind: A Guide for Sensitive Souls'?

In my 11 years as a hypnotherapist, I've noticed a common theme among my clients: a tendency to prioritise others' needs over their own Despite facing diverse challenges, many were struggling with chronic pain and recurring issues due to neglecting their own well-

being This pattern of constantly trying to please others without considering their own needs was

behaviour, clients often chose to work with me, feeling understood and comfortable discussing their struggles

Could you elaborate on the central message of your book and how individuals can reclaim their sense of self-worth and wellbeing through your guidance?

The core message of the book is that one doesn't need to be selfish or constantly put themselves

emphasises making subtle changes over time while still being kind and supportive to others These incremental steps, though requiring discipline and mindset shifts, can significantly impact one's quality of

life The book aims to empower

kind to the point where it hinders their own well-being, often leading

autoimmune conditions or panic attacks By gradually prioritising their own needs alongside caring for others, individuals can improve their self-esteem and overall sense of well-being

While I'm not a scientist or doctor, my observations suggest a strong connection between mindset and well-being Often, when individuals prioritise self-care and seek treatment, improvements in their mental and physical health follow Our mind, body, and spirit

modern society tends to compart-

aspects, as many clients express feeling disjointed or pulled in different directions Being excessively kind can lead to physical and mental unwellness, as individuals may prioritise others' needs over their own, leading to internal conflict and imbalance

Howdo individuals from South Asian backgrounds manage the dual challenges of addressing mental health issues, like trauma, while coping with the pressure to constantly please others?

I was born in London to parents of Indian and Bangladeshi h

Muslim family Growing up, I was

instilled with values of kindness and respect, deeply rooted in our cultural and religious traditions Hospitality was a significant part of our upbringing, with our home always open to guests, relatives, and anyone in need My parents, who immigrated to the UK in the 1960s, had established themselves in the community, often providing support and guidance to newcomers Consequently, I learned the importance of giving and generosity from a young age However, there was never a clear boundary on when to stop giving Our home was a hub of diverse interactions, welcoming people from various b a c k g r o u n d s w h o s o u g h t a s s i stance or simply companionship This upbringing instilled in me a strong sense of compassion and g e n e r o s i t y , b u t i t a l s o l e f t m e unaware of the need for balance in giving This pattern resonates with m a n y i n d i v i d u a l s f r o m S o u t h Asian communities, where giving is highly valued, even to strangers passing by H

boundaries on giving can sometimes lead to challenges, even bord e r i n g o n a b u s e H i s t o r i c a l l y , South Asian communities in the UK faced stereotypes of being passive and accommodating, which sometimes resulted in exploitation It was the younger generations that began challenging these stereotypes, standing up against injustices and advocating for their rights

Whatsteps can be taken to break these patterns and hinder your mental emotional well being within these communities? Starting conversations is key, especially in South Asian commun i t i e s w h e r e c

taboo For many, it's difficult to broach these subjects directly with family due to fear of criticism or judgement However, external catalysts like TV shows, articles, or

frontational way to address issues

overlooked It's about recognizing the divine within ourselves and treating ourselves with the same kindness and compassion we offer others In a world where self-doubt is prevalent, fostering self-acceptance is crucial As a member of the South Asian community, I understand the importance of representation and relatability Growing u p , I l a c k e d r o l e m o d e l s w h o looked like me, which made it challenging to feel represented Now, I aim to bridge this gap by s h a r i n g m

n d insights to empower others within our community

Zeenat Ahmed-Peto

P A R T I E S U N V E I L M A N I F E S T O S A S E L E C T I O N F E V E R G R I P S T H E N A T I O N

As the nation gears up for the upcoming national election slated for July 4th, the political sphere is electrified by the release of party manifestos With both the Conservative and Lib

Will the d etailed Conservative m anifesto win v oters over?

Currently, Rishi Sunak’s campaign strategy is focused on seats with significant Tory majorities, indicating a defensive approach by the party

Top cabinet and shadow cabinet members have made around 100 constituency visits, primarily targeting previously secure Tory areas Seats visited by leading Tory ministers were generally won by the party by 20 points in the last election, with an average majority of over 10,600 Only three out of t h e i r 4 9 v i s i t s w e r e t o n o nConservative-held seats Whether this will be sufficient to mobilise t h e

seen

While a lot remains uncertain, the extensive Conservative manifesto, spanning seventy-six pages and encompassing nearly £20 bil-

l i o n i n t a x a n d s p e n d i n g

a n n o u n c e m e n t s p u t s t h e Conservatives’ plan for the country forward and answers some ques-

t i o n s I t f e a t u r e s n u m e r o u s pledges designed to appeal to a wide range of demographics

Key promises include a 2p cut to national insurance for workers, income tax cuts for pensioners, and child benefit for high earners, along with significant policies like compulsory national service for 18year-olds and the elimination of facade degrees The party is also pledging to introduce a “triple lock plus” for pensioners, ensuring that the state pension remains untaxed

T h i s p l a n i n c l u d e s a p r o v i s i o n w h e r e t h e t a x - f r e e p e r s o n a l allowance for pensioners would increase by the highest of three metrics: inflation, wages, or 2 5 percent

Responding to the manifesto, BMA council chair Professor Philip Banfield said:

“When it comes to health, this manifesto is full of ideas we have

a l r e a d y h e a r d a n d d o c t o r s a n d h e a l t h c a r e s t a f f

l y s c e p

c a l a b o u t h o w they will be delivered, given the party’s record over the last 14 years in Government and the state that it has left health services and the health of the nation in What is not in this manifesto is any mention of v a l u i n g t h e u n i q u e s k i l l s a n d expertise of doctors, and how over 15 years worth of doctors’ pay erosion is going to be restored, or the f a c t t h a t t h i s G o v e r n m e n t h a s failed to make any kind of credible offer to junior doctors in England”

T h e m a n i f e s t o a l s o e n c o m -

Dem manifestos already unveiled, Asian Voice dives into the core commitments, featuring commentary from stakeholders, dissecting campaign strategies, and offering insights into the

passes a goal of constructing 1 6 million new homes within a span of five years While the figure is slightly higher than what Labour h a s p l e d g e d , i t i s n ’ t e n o u g h , according to Brian Berry, C hief Executiv e of the FMB He said, “Britain is currently experiencing a

launch was an opportunity to set out a plan to deliver real change

o v e r t h e n

pledge to support smaller local builders, by requiring councils to set land aside for them, will be welcomed by FMB members, as will p

However, if the housing crisis is to be successfully tackled reform of the planning system is urgently n e e d e d , s o m

Conservative Party has consistently failed to address ”

A key debate around the manifesto is its affordability with two main sources of funding outlined: saving £12 billion by reforming welfare and raising £6 billion by targeting tax avoidance and evasion Additional funds would come f r o m "

reducing the civil service headcount However, economists are

Conservative governments and is projected to rise further

The manifesto has also failed t o a d d r e s s s o m e o f t h e

Conservative Party's internal concerns, particularly from the right wing, about a firmer stance on leaving the European Convention on Human Rights Sunak has kept the option open but has not made the firm commitment that hardliners desire

With twenty-three days to go, it remains uncertain if these measures will significantly boost supp o r t f o r S u n a k a n d t h e Conservatives The campaign has faced various setbacks, including the decision to call an early election under less than ideal circumstances and Sunak's early depar-

t u r e f r o m D - D a y c o m m e m o r ations While the individual measures are popular with voters, they h a v e n ' t y e t t r a n s l a t e d i n t o increased support for the party, with Labour maintaining a consistent lead of over 20 points in the polls

C o m m e n t i n g o n t h e m a n if e s t o , D arren Hu g h es , C h i ef Executive of the Electoral Reform S ociety said, “There is a glaring b l a c k h o l e i n t h e C o n s

y w i t h next to no mention of democratic reform

“The commitment to English regional devolution is welcome but it is undermined by the recent change to the voting system for m a y o r s a n d P o l i c e a n d C r i m e Commissioners which means they now operate under a reduced mandate Maintaining the status quo of First Past the Post over a propor-

anticipated contents of Labour's manifesto

As the countdown continues, parties navigate the complexities of campaign strategy and policy formulation

tionally representative voting system is misguided and continues to undermine any mandate a government may achieve It also means perpetuating a politics that places the focus on the few ‘swing seats’ that change hands between parties at elections but leaves many other a r e a

y ignored and left behind

When it comes to pending legislation, several key policies personally linked to Sunak have been left out These include a gradual ban on tobacco, a crackdown on

study mandatory until the age of 18 Another long-held Tory proposal that has not been revived is the ban on so-called conversion therapies Although the manifesto c

“abhorrent,” it also notes them as a “complex issue, with existing criminal law already offering robust protections ” H

campaign appears focused on preventing a Labour landslide rather than securing a victory, with social media ads cautioning voters that supporting other parties could lead

Starmer

Lib Dem manifesto making way for comeback?

The Liberal Democrats, on the o t h

n ambitious £8 billion health and care package for England in their election manifesto, aiming to prioritise the wellbeing of citizens At the manifesto launch, party leader Sir Ed Davey emphasised the significance of carers, drawing from his personal experiences caring for his disabled son and mother

F

would come from reversing tax c

x loopholes exploited by the wealthi

include ensuring access to GPs within seven days and providing free personal care for older or disabled individuals at home

The manifesto, titled "For a Fair Deal," is the first in the party's h

d

d i c a t e d chapter on care Sir Ed's plan aims to alleviate pressure on the NHS by supporting carers, freeing up hospital beds, and investing in preventative health measures

R e a c t i n g t o t h e h e a l t h c a r e pledges, Professor Philip Banfield , said, “Any incoming government must make health its number one priority so it’s good to see the Lib Dems putting health and care at the front and centre of their mani-

With each manifesto release shaping public discourse and influencing voter sentiment, the stage is set for a riveting electoral showdown Will the detailed Conservative manifesto

festo launch

“There are signs in this manifesto that the Lib Dems do understand some of the huge challenges our health and care system faces and are prepared to rectify the managed decline of our NHS and d

focus on population health and m

healthier lives is refreshing after repeated failures to take public health threats such as smoking, obesity, air pollution and climate c h a n g e a s s e r i o u

should

The manifesto outlines several key social care pledges, including increasing wages for care workers, boosting Carer's Allowance, and raising the earnings threshold for carers Additionally, the party proposes measures to address the cost of living crisis without burdening struggling families with increased taxes

To fund these initiatives, the party plans to close tax loopholes, introduce new levies on banks and f

avoidance Other manifesto policies include overhauling the water industry, improving mental health support in schools, and ensuring proper investigation of domestic burglaries

About the part manifesto, N US UK Vice President for Liberation and Equality, Nehaal Bajwa, said , “ T h

Liberal Democrat manifesto are a welcome first step; however, for meaningful change, we must go further We need free education, high quality, green and affordable housing, and commitments on the rights of international students It is now for the other parties to respond to the challenge and offer students and young people something to vote for Students are increasingly politicised and angry, and no politician or political party s h o u l d t

k

f o r g r a n t e d o n polling day " Labour's manifesto to follow competitors' lead

As the Conservatives and the Lib Dems shared their vision of the future, the Labour Party chose to release their manifesto later in the week, on Thursday, June 13 It seems that Sir Keir wanted to gauge what is being offered by his competitors and how the public reacts to it before putting his vision out there The leader has already been described as someone who isn’t very forthcoming with his plans in this

win voters over, or will Labour's keep up the lead with their cautious, measured approach and pave the way for a resurgence? The coming days hold the answer

general election

According to polls, Labour is currently positioned to secure victory in the national election schedu l e d f o r J u l y 4 , w i t h S t a r m e r ' s party holding a significant lead of approximately 20 points over the ruling Conservative Party

Tensions between the two parties have been rife following Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s claims that Labour would impose tax hikes of £2,000 ($2,500) per household if it a s s u m

W i t h L a b

u r vehemently denying this assertion

Starmer further asserted that Labour's plans were thoroughly costed and funded He stated, "Our plans are fully costed and fully funded They do not necessitate tax increases beyond those already outlined Therefore, there will be no surprises when the manifesto is revealed on Thursday "

defined by caution: both fiscally

Labour has pledged to level the playing field for small businesses by overhauling the business rates system Keir Starmer recently critic

Government for its long-standing failure to "fix" the problematic system

The Labour Party is also committed to accelerating the establishment of banking hubs, eradicating late payments by mandating large firms to disclose their payment practices, and cracking down on antisocial behaviour to

Labour also highlighted priori-

addressing the cost-of-living crisis, and improving the education system

There is also significant noise around the manifesto pledging recognition of a Palestinian state before the end of a peace process Whether the highlighted priorities make it to the manifesto or not is something worth watching out for

When it comes to campaigning strategy, the labour is also a

approach, Labour's top team is campaigning in constituencies targeting seats with an average

Starmer began his campaign in Lancing, West Sussex, traditionally a Conservative stronghold for over a century Starmer also focused on seats like Worcester and Nuneaton, Tory-held since 2010 but key to Tony Blair's electoral victories in 1997

Additionally, Labour volunteers are primarily focused on safer Tory seats and those with substantial South Asian populations, where Labour’s stance on Gaza has affected its prospects Confident of victory in seats with under 5,000 Tory majorities, volunteers have been redirected to c

trails by

or more

Rishi Sunak

Ed Davey

Sir Keir Starmer

Bringing fresh perspective to Feltham and Heston

Subhasini Naicker

Dhruv Sengupta, a resident

o n t h e H ou n s lo w -

Tw ickenh am border for 17 years, sp ent h is ch ildh ood in the constituency, frequently

e xp lo r i ng t h e ar ea w it h classmates on th e 11 1 bus route wh ile attending Tiffin

S c h o o l Af te r gra du ati n g fro m Oxfo rd, h e joined the L iberal Democrats in 2022

P r io r it i si ng h is c ar eer in tech, Dhruv initially assisted

w i th o nl i ne co m mu ni c ations How ever, his experi-

e nc e a s Co mmu n i ca ti o ns

Offi cer fo r the Ri chmo nd

B o ro u gh Co re E xec u ti ve spurred his co mmitment to effect change in Feltham & H es to n J o i ni ng th e

H o u ns lo w E xec u ti ve , h e continued in his role before being selected as th e Liberal D emo c ra ts ' ca ndi da te f or the constituency

I n a n i n t e r v i e w w i t h

A s i a n V o i c e , D h r u v d i scussed plans and initiatives

f o r t h e c o n s t i t u e n c y , emphasising cultural integration and the celebration of diversity within the community and much more

1) What specific p lans do es the Liberal Democrat party have for Feltham & Heston, a nd h o w do yo u p l an to implement th em?

Liberal Democrat policies prioritise what politicians should truly be doing: engaging with and understanding local residents As s o m e o n e l o c a l m y s e l f , I haven’t just been doing this around the election – it’s something I do constantly

Here are some key points on my local agenda:

Social housing su pport: There are reports of multiple households who are hav-

i n g t o c h o o s e b e t w e e n a hygienic living situation and feeding their kids This is a council issue, so the way to implement change is bringing specific cases before the

L a b o u r - r u n c o u n c i l a n d threatening to bring action if the relevant funding is not allocated

Local NHS support: In 2023, it was reported that

H e s t o n H e a l t h C e n t r e , which itself has 4 GP surge r i e s , w a s d e s i g n a t e d a s unsuitable to deliver 21stcentury primary care by the

c h a i r o f t h e H o u n s l o w

C l i n i c a l C o m m i s s i o n i n g

G r o u p I f e l

, I ' l l d e m

r a n s p a

p r o g r e s s u p d a t e s o n t h e Integrated Care Board from local Labour representatives and enforce clear timelines

Waste management: It's clear from the situation on our streets that waste management is not good enough in Hounslow We need to tackle the littering and flytipping culture head on with stricter fines that are actually enforced, while also holding contractors accountable on missed collections

Police supp ort: If elected, I'll prioritise tackling the

monthly reality of attempte

targeting cars I ll advocate

reallocating CCTV budgets to subsidise video doorbells f o

security measures

2) How w ill you engage w ith the South Asian p opulation in F e lth am & He st o n, address th eir specific needs, and promote cultural integration and diversity?

Celebrating diversity in F e l t h a m & H e s t o n h a s always been a personal commitment for me, rooted in my background With roots in Uttar Pradesh and Bengal, my upbringing by Delhiite parents who later moved to t h e U K i n 9 9 i n s t i l l e d a s t r o n g c o n n e c t i o n t o m y

S o u t h A s i a n i d e n t i t y

During Covid, I dedicated

m y s e l f t o i m p r o v i n g m y Hindi skills, even learning to read and write Last year, I engaged with Bilete Bangali leaders to discuss hosting more community events in the constituency following the successful Durga Puja

c e l e b r a t i o n a t F e l t h a m

Assembly Hall

T o p r o m o t e c u l t u r a l integration, we must maximise the potential of existi n g c o m m u n i t y e v e n t s organised by various socie t i e s B y f o s t e r i n g u n i t y with council support, these events can create a more inclusive atmosphere for all c o m m u n i t y m e m b e r s M y upbringing and experiences, including studying at Tiffin

S c h o o l , h a v e g i v e n m e a diverse network of friends

f r o m S o u t h A s i a n b a c kgrounds Integration thrives when there are spaces available for collective celebration

3) As the yo ungest candidate st and in g fo r F e lth a m & Hesto n, how do yo u plan to compete with more experienced candidates, and what u ni qu e p e rs p ec ti ve s o r advantages do you bring to the table?

Youth is only a strength – it gives me a true longterm thinking perspective

E x p e r i e n c e i s a s e p a r a t e matter - there are only three relevant types of experience here, and I feel confident that I can compete with any candidate on each of them

These themselves create my u n i q u e p e r s p e c t i v e a n d advantage

Firstly, there's life expe-

rience, where age doesn't always translate to a deeper u n d e r s t

how long and how recently one has lived locally In my case, I've lived at the same address since 2007, giving m

our community's needs and concerns I

younger than every member of the Hounslow Borough

L

Executive, I have been cho-

demonstrated my skills as an experienced campaigner and public speaker, earning recognition for my contributions Recently, I was fea-

channels like Sky and BBC

Launch

Hindu voices in the UK general election

Ac co r di ng to t h e 2 02 1 Census, Hindu s in England an d Wa le s nu mb ere d 1,032,7 75, making up 1 7% of th e p o p u lat io n L i ke any o th e r c o mmu n it y in th e country, they h ave uniqu e needs and voices th at must be heard and addressed

ing biased reporting by outlets like the BBC and The Guardian, whose perspectives may be skewed due to f i n a n c i a l i n t e r e s t s Moreover, it's imperative to p r i o r i t i s e i s s u e s s u c h a s d e m e n t i a c a r e a n d s u bstance abuse control, areas that demand greater attention and action

In terms of leadership, between Starmer and Sunak, where do you perceive people are currently leaning more towards?

I b e l i e v e p o l i t i c i a n s often play games, and we s h o u l d n ' t f o c u s o n o n e politician over another If everyone prioritises what is r i g h t f o r t h e c o u n t r y , i t w o n ' t

Jewish Every life matters Instead of focusing on harmony, politicians are often preoccupied with supplying a r m s a n d p r o f i t i n g f

o m conflict Politicians need to understand that peace and harmony are crucial for any country, including our own To truly grow as a nation and as individuals, we must prioritise peace This is what w e n e e d t o f o c u s o n t o ensure a better future for everyone

Doyou think Rishi Sunak has somewhat of a Hindu advantage because of his Hindu identity?

At just 23 years old, I am already at the helm of an AI startup, following

career

Tech If organisations and older colleagues trust me to lead, why should my age be a factor?

4) Wh a t m es sa ge do y o u w ant to co nvey to yo un g voters in Feltham & Heston, an d h o w d o yo u p l an t o address their concerns and aspirations?

Y o u n g v o t e r s s h o u l d know that they are not forgotten The reason I joined this party was that I saw space for representing people like me, and fighting for their issues Whether it be young people, South Asians, or the intersection

The Liberal Democrats are committed to addressing issues that resonate personally with young people like m e D

n T e c h , o w n

h o m e seemed like an impossibility, leading me to continue living with my parents due to soaring rents My party recognises the housing crisis, and is pledging to build 380,000 new homes annually On another note, despite being lucky enough to have gained a place at a grammar school, I still witnessed cons t a n t i n a d e q u a t e f u n d i n g On this point, the Liberal Democrats are dedicated to increasing school and college funding per pupil above the rate of inflation each year Even though my parents are not yet retired or require care, I worry about what might happen to them if I leave home – my party is dedicated to restoring prope r c o m m u n i t y p o l i c i n g , 8000 more GPs, and tackling pollution and waste

I am confident that my shared experience with local young voters will allow me to tackle any issue they face – I hope that they will put their faith in me to represent them

N i t i n P a l a n M B E , a n interfaith champion, philanthropist, and social innovat o r w h o h a s s p e a r h e a d e d several successful projects promoting social cohesion, s h a r e d h i s t h o u g h t s w i t h Asian Voice He highlights what he believes are the sentiments of the Hindu diaspora in the upcoming UK general election

Whatare the expectations of the Hindu diaspora from the incoming government?

A s e m p h a s i s e d i n t h e Hindu manifesto (detailed coverage on page 16), what we truly require is peace and harmony We need stricter border controls to prevent the influx of drugs into our country, ensuring our children are shielded from nega t i v e i n f l u e n c e s Additionally, there's a pressing need for more support for voluntary groups that tirelessly contribute to our c o m m u n i t i e s , y e t o f t e n struggle due to lack of fundi n g T h e m a n i f e s t o a l s o addresses the necessity for digital watchdogs to monitor and regulate media platforms, particularly concern-

w h o i s i n power because we will elect leaders who act in the best interest of all There's no such thing as what is right f o r o n e c o m m u n i t y o v e r another; it should be about what is right for everyone

It's not about Labour or C o n s e r v a t i v e ; i t ' s a b o u t what benefits the country as a whole We are frustrated w i t h p o l i t i c i a n s a c t i n g a s puppets for other countries, which creates disharmony within the UK Our politicians need to understand that interfering with other countries can lead to probl e m s a t h o m e W e s t e r n politicians must realise their job is to serve the nation and not cater to a few commercial interests They should remember that the UK is part of the world, not just an isolated island, and consider h o w t h e i r a c t i o n s i m p a c t g l o b a l r e l a t i o n s h i p s a n d contribute to the world at large

Can you elaborate on that?

Take the Ukraine war, for example Why should we take sides and supply arms? H u m a n l i f e i s i m p o r t a n t , whether it s Ukrainian or R u s s i a n , P a l e s t i n i a n o r

I don't think Sunak has acted particularly in favour of the entire Hindu community or even specifically for the Hindu community His focus has been on the nation as a whole, and if policies are good for the nation, they will inevitably be good for Hindus too However, our r

i n d

d specific in a few areas For i n s

Christians, but still requires

understood and

should also have the opportunity to be educated about Hindu Dharma in schools These aspects, while specific, contribute positively to t h e b r o a d e r s o c i e t y Vegetarianism, for example, is beneficial for the environm e n t T e a c h i n g v a l u e s o f peace and harmony through Hindu education can produce better, more compass i o n a t e i n d i v i d u a l s Practices like yoga and meditation, which we bring to the global platform, have the potential to make the world a happier place

Reform UK proposes £40 billion tax cut

Britain's right-wing Reform

UK party, led by Brexit camp ai gner N igel F arage, h as proposed a substantial £40 billion ($51 billion) tax cut fo r vo ter s, s ugge sti ng th e p la n c o u ld be fu n ded by eliminating the interest p aid to b an ks by th e B ank o f England (BoE) Sitting third in pre-election opinion polls, Reform UK is adding to the challenges faced by the govern-

raising the annual income tax threshold to £20,000,

argued that this move would stimulate the economy and end what he described as the "

BoE paying tens of billions of pounds to banks through its quantitative easing (QE) p

Dhruv Sengupta

Nitin Palan MBE

The Hindu Manifesto UK 2024 launched

A Unified Voice for the UK Hindu Community

The Hindu M anifesto UK

20 24 , launch ed by the Hindus

fo r Dem o c rac y u m br ella organisation over the weekend , marks a sig nificant milestone in th e co ll ect iv e ad v o c acy efforts of major Hind u organisations across the U K

commitment not only to the advancement of British Hindus but also to the overall progress

of the entire UK nation and its people

Comprising seven key assurances, the Hindu Manifesto 2024 outlines the aspirations of the UK's Hindu community for parliamentary candidates and the future government to be elected in the July 4 General Election

These assurances aim to safeguard, promote, and advance Hindu values and interests within the broader framework of British society

Reco gnition of Anti-Hindu Hate as a Religious Hate Crime: At the forefront of the manifesto's demands is the recognition of anti-Hindu hate as religiously motivated crimes This involves the designation of organisations and individuals involved in perpetrating such offenses

P rotection of Places of Hind u Worship: Another crucial aspect of the manifesto is ensuring the security and preservation of H i n d u t e m p l e s a n d p l a c e s o f w o r s h i p throughout the UK

A ccess to Fairer Education: The manifesto advocates for equitable access to education for Hindu students, free from discrimination or bias

Equal Representation and Opportunities: Promoting equal opportunities and repre-

sentation for Hindus across various sectors, including employment, politics, and public service, is a key demand of the manifesto

S trea ml in in g Im m i g rati o n P ro ce ss es:

Simplifying and streamlining immigration procedures to facilitate the entry of Hindu migrants and their families into the UK is emphasised as a pressing need

Improv ing Healthcare and Social Care: Ensuring access to high-quality healthcare and social welfare services for members of the Hindu community is a prominent objective of the manifesto

Acknowledging and Protecting Dharmic Values: Recognising and upholding Hindus' cultural and religious heritage, including the principles and values embedded in Dharma, is essential for fostering social cohesion and inclusivity

Already endorsed by a number of parliamentary candidates, the Hindu Manifesto 2024 has garnered widespread support for its goals, reflecting a unified voice of the UK Hindu community Representatives from diverse backgrounds and regions have come together to champion these seven assurances, signalling a collective effort towards positive change and progress

A beautiful day for harmony: Action for Harmony Symposium in London

Nilesh Solanki

On Sa turday, Jun e 8th, 2024, Action for H armon y, a colla bora tive pla tform for all Hindu Orga nisat ions hosted a n exempla ry symposium in London The eve nt aimed to a d d r es s t he c on ce r n s, op p or t un i t ie s, a n d solution s for the Hindu community , drawing toget her over 300 at tendee s from 16 5 differen t or ganisations across the UK, repr ese nting va rious Man dir s, Sampraday as a nd Sa ma j

T h e s y m p o s i u m c o m m e n c e d w i t h a morning session featuring over ten distinguished speakers from experienced volunteer organisations These speakers delved into pressing issues such as domestic concerns, education, community needs, and political participation Their discussions highlighted a critical gap: the lack of education about the Sanatan Dharma way of life, both within the Hindu community and in the broader public There was a strong consensus that this gap must be bridged, as the values of Sanatan Dharma could significantly contribute to g r e a t e r p e a c e a n d h a r m o n y , b e n e f i t i n g humanity and the environment encompassing our holistic philosophy

In the afternoon, attendees participated in workshops aimed at exploring potential solutions to these issues A recurring theme was the urgent need for better education about Sanatan Dharma to foster understanding and harmony

An informative exhibition during the

These organisations have been serving the

demonstrating the power and impact of vol-

The Hindu manifesto 2024: Warts and all

Dr Prakash Shah

P resumably written in consultation with several of the larger Hindu organisations in Britain, th e Hindu Manifesto was launched last week T he idea is th at pro sp ective parliamentary candidates (PPCs) commit to its contents and for Hindus to vote for tho se who have signed up Signers-up can be tracked online by constituency With out endo rsing any p arty, the manifesto asks PPCs to commit to a set of policies It offers detail and sets o ut brief “candidate expectations”

PPCs could assent to many of the expectations without much difficulty

encouraged them

The manifesto erroneously refers to the proscription of individuals; the terrorism law only proscribes organisations; other measures apply to individuals Some expert input may have picked up on such seemingly minor but important errors, which underscore the exclusion from the drafting process of experts with relevant domain knowledge Hindu community organisations haven’t yet understood the role of specialist knowledge, especially when they so obviously lack it

demanded much in the past, while politicians have taken them for granted

They know that Hindus vote in quite low numbers for elections Hindus tend to be satisfied with photo opportunities and contracts, funding or awards for themselves without offering any political programme for enhancing the life of their community or the nation

Given this “chai-andsamosas ” attitude, the manifesto’s walkingbefore-one-runs approach may be understandable

Some elements such as those on anti-Hindu hate appear half-baked Granted, the language of ‘Hinduphobia’ is less prominent as it is awfully close to the toxic term ‘Islamophobia’, which is meant to make all our freedoms subject to an Islamic veto Yet, the detailed provisions are copied from Hinduphobia documents written by organisations across the Atlantic, so the lexical veil isn’t altogether convincing

unanimously agreed that harmony has no room for anger, mistrust, or fear

The event also highlighted the importance of supporting social organisations, both financially and through active participation Despite having established themselves as key contributors to the success of the UK over the past 40 years, the Hindu community remains underrepresented in public discourse This underrepresentation often leads to instances of misrepresentation, underscoring the need for greater participation in discussions about the community's future and heritage

The day was not only about serious discussions but also about building relationships and enjoying time together Attendees were treated to a lovely lunch and concluded the day with delightful canapés and drinks, providing excellent networking opportunities Many new relationships were formed, adding to the sense of community and shared purpose

In conclusion, the symposium organised by Action for Harmony was a resounding success It brought together a diverse group of people dedicated to addressing the needs and opportunities of the Hindu community in the UK The event underscored the importance of unity, education, and active participation in public life, advocating for a future where the values of Sanatan Dharma contribute to a harmonious and prosperous society The day was a testament to the strength and resilience of the community, marking a significant step towards greater representation and understanding Indeed, it was a beautiful day for harmony

The most uncontroversial include facilitating culturally sensitive events including marriage, religious ceremonies, and cremation; promoting reasonable accommodation of individuals’ rights to display religious symbols; better representation of Hindus in foster care, social services, chaplaincies, political parties, and public institutions, and better support and access for the elderly and disabled There is specific mention of the need to provide betterfunded protection for mandirs Their past discriminatory treatment means that Hindus have a compelling case that fits neatly into British multiculturalism

The more challenging “candidate expectations” are the demands for recognising anti-Hindu hate, the proscription of organisations and individuals engaging in hate and violence against Hindus Some PPCs will be reluctant to proscribe the LeT, the JKLF, the ISYF or Sikhs for Justice because they risk irking other, already influential constituencies The manifesto rightly refers to “attack on the High Commission of India” but hasn’t there been more than one such attack on the High Commission? PPCs do need reminding of these attacks which politicians have ignored, although some may well have welcomed or

Among the other “candidate expectations” are the need for more faith schools and expanding the teaching of Hinduism in religious education These are not uncontroversial points among Hindus or the wider public There may be good reasons to curb the spread of faith schools because, as OFSTED will confirm, that privilege is widely being abused too One can’t argue though with the advocated wider teaching of Indic languages

The simultaneous demand for curbing illegal migration may not work to counterbalance the manifesto’s demand for reducing visa delays and increasing the length of dependent and elderly parent visas These will be seen by many PPCs as further compromising an already leaky system When other controversial issues haven’t been raised, it’s unclear why the lightning rod of immigration should have been

Although no one wants Hindus to copy the outrageous demands being made by some Muslim campaigners, my impression is that the manifesto could have been more ambitious Some involved in drafting it have explained that its rather low pitching was a deliberate choice It is designed to get sign-ups from more PPCs as the first step in fostering better dialogue and engagement between Hindu organisations and politicians Hindus haven’t

More worrying is that the list steers into topics of legitimate discussion and includes types of speech that can hardly be described as hateful The philosopher SN Balagangadhara argues on scientific grounds that India has no religion, let alone the entity Hinduism Hindus would do better to engage seriously with such intellectual problems rather than bracketing them as hate speech

Absent from the manifesto is an expectation that PPCs should commit to repealing the caste provision in the Equality Act 2010 After its caste consultation of 2018, the Conservative government said it would repeal the provision, but it didn’t do so And no Hindu organisations called the government to account for that

The caste provision can be made effective merely by ministerial order Once enacted by a future Labour government, it won’t ever be repealed and will provide a lawful basis to abuse Hindus Although the manifesto says linking caste to Hinduism constitutes anti-Hindu hate, it overlooks the lurking legislation that does precisely that

The manifesto’s failure on the caste law underscores points made already: an unwillingness to rely on expertise, a lack of ambition; and inconsistent thinking I would add to these the lack of follow-up on commitments made by politicians and governments Will the manifesto share the same fate?

Dr Prakash Shah is a Reader in Culture and Law, Queen Mary, University of London

Bob Blackman and Theresa Villiers

CB Patel being honoured by Dr Richa Sinha Scotland

The official launch of The Hindu Manifesto UK 2024

“The Labour Party created the NHS and only we can save it”

Anusha Singh

Haj ira P iranie, wh ose

ro ots are from Gujarat, is campaigning to becom e a first-tim e M em ber of P arliament for the Harborough , Oadby & Wigston constituency in sou thern Leicestersh ire

The Indian-origin Labour Party candidate is leveraging her personal experience of surviving sepsis with the state-funded healthcare service in her campaign for the July 4 general election in Leicestershire, East Midlands.

In an interview with Asian Voice, she discusses her candidacy and priorities for her constituency. Why did you choose the Labour Party, and how do your priorities align with Labour's values and goals?

I think it all stems from my personal values and upbringing, which emphasise public service, duty, and bearing responsibility towards my community and people. I've always believed in being the voice for those who are voiceless and speaking up against injustice both at home and abroad. This motivation led me to realise that Labour's commitment to equality, providing equal opportunities, breaking down barriers, and ensuring everyone has a fair chance at a good life resonates deeply with me. My father taught me to always speak out against injustice and use my voice effectively. My journey into politics is a natural extension of my values and the alignment I see with the Labour Party’s principles.

You're quite young, and many in your generation aren't typically drawn to politics. What motivated you to pursue this path?

I don't blame our youth for feeling apathetic. Their disillusionment is a consequence of being repeatedly let down by a system that doesn't work

for them. We've had 14 years under the Conservatives, and it's been incredibly difficult for young people to develop, progress, and access opportunities—the kind of opportunities that were more available when Labour was in power. For me, politics is the avenue for change. We're starting to realise that the only way to make meaningful changes is for young people to be at the decisionmaking tables. As a young mother with a three-yearold son, I worry about his future. I don't want him to attend a school where the ceilings are crumbling, where there aren't enough qualified teachers, and where opportunities are scarce. It's not fair that things are this way. The only way to make changes is to be active in politics and to be present at the decision-making tables.

Given the current challenges facing the NHS, how do you plan to help restore the NHS to its former glory, especially within your constituency?

The Labour Party created the NHS, and that’s why we are the only party that can save it. The situation is desperate; people are literally dying on NHS waiting lists. It's incredibly difficult to get a GP appointment; it’s become a national crisis. One constituent shared with me how he tried to get an appointment. He wasn’t mobile enough to visit the GP in person, so he participated in the "8 am

scramble" over the phone. He called 92 times in the morning and still couldn't secure an appointment. Then for critical conditions like sepsis, which I have personally survived, timely medical attention is crucial or you could lose your life because sepsis can become critical within hours. The NHS saved my life, which is why saving our NHS is my personal priority. It's the biggest asset we have in our country, and it needs fixing. There are many issues with our NHS, but Labour is committed to addressing them.

There are significant narratives around Islamophobia and antisemitism in the UK, and Labour has been in the spotlight, especially after incidents involving Faiza Shaheen and Diane Abbott. Any comments on that?

My experience with the Labour Party has been warm and welcoming. I never imagined, nor did my family, that a young Indian Muslim girl could be in mainstream politics, standing to represent nearly 80,000 people. The Labour Party has empowered and supported me throughout this journey. My family arrived in this country in 1975, welcomed by a Labour Party that stood against the heightened racism of that time. As someone aspiring to be the voice of my community, the Labour Party has continued to support me. It’s now my responsibility, as a candidate and potential member of Parliament, to ensure I extend that same welcome to others.

Howdo you plan to represent and advocate for minorities in your constituency, drawing from your own lived experience?

My ambition for my community in Harborough and Oadby & Wigston is to unite us in the midst of division. I want to be the representative for all

Businesswoman chosen as Conservative candidate for Slough

T h e Co ns e rv at iv es h av e selected Mo ni Kaur Nanda, a lo cal busi nesswoman and c o m mu ni t y a dvo ca te , a s t h e i r c an di d at e f o r t h e

S lough MP seat

Born in Taplow, Maidenhead, Moni has deep roots in the Slough and Windsor area, having worked there throughout her teenage years and twenties. Her diverse experience includes roles ranging from waitressing at Pizza Hut to managing a Slough-based business for nearly a decade, as well as launching her

own business overseas.

In addition to her professional endeavours, Moni has been actively involved in community initiatives, notably founding the Herschel Summer Netball tournament in 2006, which later led to the establishment of Slough Netball Club.

Her entry into politics is relatively recent, sparked by a desire to address the lack of opportunities she observed in her hometown. Reflecting on her journey, Moni shared, "I didn't come

communities, emphasising visibility and local engagement. This constituency is my home—I was born and raised here— and I want to unite our community. Yesterday, I attended the Harborough Carnival, and it was wonderful to see communities come together to celebrate, with schools collaborating and local government funding the event. However, such unity isn't present everywhere, even within Oadby & Wigston, the other side of the constituency. I aim to be the MP that brings communities together, acting as a voice for everyone, just as the Labour Party has done. I believe in being visible and accessible to all, ensuring that everyone feels represented and included.

You've

mentioned that you don't blame the youth for their lack of trust in the politics of the country. How do you plan to support and help the youth in your constituency?

For me, the crucial first step is to invest in our young children, starting with their primary school education. Providing every child with a free breakfast and supporting them with breakfast clubs ensures they start their day right. Additionally, it's essential to ensure schools have the necessary resources, including specialist teachers. Labour has pledged to hire 6,500 more teachers to support our children's education. Investing in education is paramount to securing our children's future. Furthermore, empowering young people to purchase their first home is crucial. Labour's recently announced "Freedom to Buy" policy aims to support young people in this endeavour. By leading with policies that empower and protect young people, we can also address the crisis in dentistry and healthcare.

from a privileged background, and being an Asian woman growing up in the '90s wasn't easy. But I am a hard worker and have built a successful career. I am passionate about restoring hope, aspiration, and opportunity to Slough."

Encouraged by the Conservatives' success in the 2023 local elections, where they secured 21 seats on Slough Borough Council, Moni is optimistic about the potential for positive change in her community.

ThePrime Minister Rishi Sunak has laid the Foundation, now we need to support him in

the Rebuilding

-Lord

last few years have tested the strength of the United Kingdom in unprecedented ways From the challenges posed by the glob al pandemi c to the sudden shoc k of conflict in Ukraine, the nation has needed s trong leadership Amidst these trials , one figure has s tood out as a beacon of hope and determi nati on: Prime Mi nister Ris hi Sunak

Since his inaugural speech in October 2022, Sunak has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to steering the country through difficult times. His efforts have been tireless, focusing on revitalizing the economy and addressing the many issues facing our country. Under his leadership, we've witnessed a restoration of inflation to normal levels, tax cuts benefiting working families, record-breaking support for pensioners, and a downward trend in energy bills. While the task ahead remains, Sunak has laid the groundwork for economic recovery.

The tangible results of Sunak's leadership are evident. The UK is not only growing faster than economic powerhouses like Germany and France but has also emerged as the fourth-largest exporter globally. These achievements underscore not only the progress made under Sunak's leadership but also the resilience of the UK in the face of adversity.

However, the journey towards recovery is far from over. It is imperative that we rally behind Prime Minister Sunak to navigate the challenges that lie ahead. The question we must ask ourselves is, who do we trust to transform this foundation into a secure future for ourselves and our families? The choice is clear: Sunak has demonstrated the vision and determination required to lead the UK through these trying times.

Moreover, Sunak's rise to the position of Prime Minister holds a broader significance. As the first British Indian to hold this esteemed office, he symbolizes progress and inclusivity. His leadership not only breaks barriers but also serves as an inspiration to children across the UK, particularly those from immigrant backgrounds and the British Asian community. Sunak's success sends a powerful message that through hard work and determination, nothing in the UK is impossible.

Sunak has a strong track record of achievements but also a clear vision of the future. He wants to create more opportunities by opening up apprenticeships to more people rather than sending them to unhelpful university degrees. He has made a start on tackling immigration through the Rwanda plan.

The NHS is important to all of us and took a huge strain during the pandemic. Health spending is now at £192 billion per year and a comprehensive reform agenda aimed at making healthcare more efficient and accessible has been started.

In summary, Rishi Sunak's tenure as Prime Minister has been marked by resilience, pragmatism, and a relentless pursuit of progress. His leadership has guided the UK through some of its most challenging times, laying the groundwork for a brighter future. As we stand at a crossroads, let us choose continuity and stability by supporting Rishi Sunak to lead us forward. With Sunak at the helm, the UK can overcome any obstacle and emerge stronger than ever before.

Reform UK drops two candidates over racism allegations

C hannel 4 News report s t hat Reform UK has withdr aw n support for t wo of it s general election candid a t e s fo l l ow i n g ac c us at ions of r acism and religious hate

The candidates, Hugo Miller, formerly standing in Horsham, and Andrea Whitehead, contesting in Leeds West and Pudsey, have faced public criticism for their controversial views.

These allegations, which include offensive and racist statements,

were highlighted in a May report by ‘Hope not Hate’.

Mr Miller told Channel 4 News that he has known Nigel Farage "very well" since 1994. He discussed his opposition to Western funding for the war in Ukraine and shared his views on immigration. When questioned about his social media comments, particularly those about ethnic minorities, he did not deny them.

Regarding a Facebook comment from June 2020

about a video featuring young Black people, he said, "Look at them leaping over the car. I made the comparison between them and the baboons at Windsor Safari Park. I found their behaviour incredibly offensive. These are people jumping all over police cars and behaving like baboons. They're behaving like apes in the jungle."

The post also included a highly offensive racist term that Channel 4 News chose not to broadcast.

Hajira Piranie

Dolar Popat

Member of the House of Lords and the Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo

Kamuben Palan's dedication to transform lives with Yoga

embarked on her yoga journey when her children left for university Attending a session led by Ramdev in London sparked her inspiration, further fueled by her own

y

friends while they were away revealed h e r p a s s

instruct for enjoyment and fulfilment

She extends her teachings to private groups of all ages and backgrounds, ensuring everyone can access yoga's transformative potential Even individuals in their 70s benefit from practices like Mudras and pressure points, enhancing circulation and overall well-being Kamuben remains dedicated to sharing

y

with as many individuals as p

i n t

v i e w with Asian Voice, she spoke about the Yoga techniques like breathing, importance of practice and message for World Yoga Day

K a m u b e n n o t e d t h a t practising specific kriyas, m u d r a s , a n d b r e a t h i n g exercises in yoga help manage health issues She said, “For example, I've noticed that many people experience frequent urination at night, which disrupts their sleep I teach them a simple kriya or hand mudra to practise for five minutes every night By performing this mudra, which involves blocking the little fingers representing water, they can significantly reduce nighttime urination This helps them avoid waking up every two hours and improves their overall sleep quality Many of my students have reported waking up only once or not at all during the night after practising this technique ” “ I a l s o p r o v i d e g u i d a n c e f o r o t h e r health issues such as blood pressure and diabetes For those unable to perform Asanas, I recommend specific breathing exercises, mudras, or pressure points to manage these conditions Many have successfully reduced or eliminated their need for medication by following these practices, breaking the vicious cycle of medication and its side effects”, she added

classes cater to individuals of all ages and

Beyond daily Asana practice, incorporating techniques like mudras, breathing exercises, and pressure points offers significant health benefits, making yoga accessible and beneficial for all

Kamuben emphasises the importance to practise yoga at least four days a week, if not daily She said, “Practising once a week won't yield significant benefits, as progress

encourage regular practitioners to rely on their own bodies rather than props This

body's capabilities and limitations better However, props can be useful when necessary For those who find certain poses challenging, I recommend using everyday items found at home, such as walls, books, cushions, and pillows, rather than buying new equipment ”

yoga anywhere, without the need to carry extra equipment Your

learning to use it effectively is key to becoming more flexible over time By consistently practising and gradually challenging your body, you can achieve significant improvements in your flexibility and overall yoga practice,” she added

Kamuben credits India, particularly Prime Minister Narendra Modi's introduction of International Yoga Day, for the significant strides made in popularising yoga

This initiative has spurred a widespread

Hinduism Historically underappreciated,

health benefits to countless individuals

However, in the Western world, yoga has often been misrepresented and commercialised True yoga emphasises achieving inner union rather than merely performing physical exercises in fashionable attire

F R O M I N D I A T O T H E U K Ravi Dixit, the 'Smiling Yogi,' shares his yoga journey

RaviDixit, known as the 'Smiling Yogi,' began his yog a journey at nine when his grandfather taught him to chant mantras In his early twenties, he mov ed to Rishikesh, where he studied Hatha and Ashtanga Yoga an d o cc asi o nal ly t aug h t to ur is ts at t he Ashrams, discov ering his talent for teaching After several years immersed in yoga, he became a resident teacher at a major retreat centre in Goa, leading classes for international students In 2017, he moved to London, where he continues to teach

In an interview with Asian Voice, Ravi Dixit discussed the reception of yoga in the UK compared to India, the incorporation of Indian culture and tradition in his UK classes, and the importance of building a community around yoga

1) What motivated you to shift from India to the UK, and how has this transition influenced your practice and teaching of yoga?

I moved to London to be with my lovely wife, as long-distance was difficult I believe destiny and karma takes you where you are supposed to be Initially, it was challenging since I knew no yoga studios and few people had heard of me outside the Goa retreats Finding work was tough in a market dominated by celebrity yoga teachers focused on looks and fitness

From the beginning I was quite confident that there was interest in what I had to offer but I knew that I had to work hard for it I understood that in London you need to promote yourself, tell people who you are and what you do, so I put my website together and Instagram and said, well, I am Ravi, I’m a Yoga teacher from India, so my brand name was born RAVI YOGA - ‘Authentic Indian Yoga’ I chose "authentic" over "traditional" to avoid the stereotype of an old guru meditating on a mountain I teach yoga based on the values and principles I grew up with in India, but as a young man living in London, I understand Western life's challenges My passion is to make these principles approachable for everyone

K a m u b e n e x t e n d s h e r t e a c h i n g t o younger groups, who are often enthusiastic about learning challenging Asanas and i m p r o v i n g t h e i r s t r e n g t h

n d o v e r a l l health They focus on holding postures longer to enhance muscle strength and

She advocates for simplicity and dedication in reaping yoga's benefits Regular practice, even for just 10 to 15 minutes daily, can notably enhance overall wellbeing and health By incorporating both physical postures and breathing exercises, consistent yoga practice can effectively address various ailments, including heart issues

2) How has the reception of yoga in the UK compared to India, and what unique challenges and opportunities have you encountered teaching yoga in the UK?

For a long time, many Western yoga studios have considered traditional yoga too spiritual or complicated, focusing solely on the physical aspect When I first moved to London, a studio found my classes too "special" for their schedule A friend, another Indian yoga teacher, was asked to avoid

Exploring the sound bath therapy and puppy yoga

In recent years, unconventional wellness p ractices hav e surged i n p o p ul ari ty as p eo pl e s eek innovativ e methods to enhance their physical and m ental wellbeing Two therapies that have particularly captured the public's imagination are Sound Bath Therapy and Puppy Yoga These practices offer unique approaches to relaxation and stress relief, bl end i ng anc i ent te ch ni qu es with m od ern tw ists to create holistic experiences that rejuv enate the mind, body, and soul

Sound bath therapy

Sound Bath Therapy, also known as sound healing, is an ancient practice that uses sound waves to promote deep relaxation and healing The therapy typically involves lying down in a comfortable position while a practitioner plays a variety of i

interaction with animals

Puppy yoga offers a variety of benefits through its engaging t e c h n i q u e s I n t e r a c t i n g w i t h p u p p i e s h a s b e e n s h o w n t o reduce stress and anxiety by l o w e r i n g c o r t i s o l l e v e l s T h e playful nature of puppies boosts e

happiness

chakras, helping to release tension and restore balance

Sound Bath Therapy offers numerous benefits through its unique techniques Participants can achieve deep relaxation as sound waves facilitate a meditative state, significantly reducing stress The vibrations also aid in emotional release, helping to clear emotional blockages and

singing bowls, gongs, chimes, and tuning forks These instruments produce harmonic vibra-

promoting a sense of clarity and peace

Puppy yoga

Puppy yoga is a delightful fusion of traditional yoga practice with the playful interaction

o f p u p p i e s T h i s i n n o v a t i v e form of yoga involves performing yoga poses while puppies roam freely around the participants, offering cuddles, kisses, and a lot of joy The presence of puppies not only makes the session more enjoyable but also adds an element of therapeutic

Both Sound Bath Therapy and Puppy Yoga exemplify how t r a

can be adapted to meet modern n

sound healing traditions to promote inner peace and physical well-being, Puppy Yoga merges the discipline of yoga with the therapeutic benefits of animal i n

enjoyable ways to achieve holistic wellness

chanting mantras and using Sanskrit names for asanas at a well-known studio If studios want to erase yoga's roots, they should call t h e m s e l v e s f i t n e s s s t u d i o s i n s

Thankfully, some studios welcomed me, and moments of rejection drove me to carve my own path I believed in my practice and never compromised, trusting there were people who wanted to learn the true depth of yoga

3) How do you incorporate Indian culture and tradition into your UK yoga classes, and how have you built a community around it?

I learned Yoga in India and for me it is a true lifestyle, so I teach Yoga like we do in India, it’s natural for me, I wouldn’t know another way, I use the Sanskrit names of the asanas, I chant Mantras, teach pranayama, but most importantly I explain what Yoga really is, the Yogic path, and how it’s more than just an exercise

Creating a community happened natur a l l y a n d w a s s o m e t h i n g I

l l y planned Once I began organising classes and workshops, I started getting regular students who would return and bring friends or family, they would then meet other students in the classes would become friends When we started organising retreats this grew even bigger, people would arrive on a location in another country as strangers and leave as friends We have this incredible group of people now, from all different cultures, different ages, many who know each other, some come to the same local classes, some only see each other on retreats or in my online sessions

The transformative power of yoga is i n c r e d i b l e W i t n e s s i n g p e o p l e o v e r c o m e depression, anxiety, and physical ailments to find health and happiness through yoga is inspiring Personally, yoga saved my life After a severe accident in November 2020, doctors credited my survival and recovery to the strength of my body and mind cultivated through yoga practice

4) What message do you want to share about the importance and benefits of yoga, and how do you envision its global future? What role do you see for yourself in that vision?

Just start where you are Just 10-15 minutes a day can make a difference You don’t need a long class, an expensive Yoga mat or extreme flexibility or fitness to start Yoga Willingness and a commitment to yourself is all you need Yoga is not about the perfect pose, it’s about harmony between you and you This will bring peace and health to your body and mind

Also, find a good teacher if you can, someone who can support you on your journey

I think people have become more open to learning about the real benefits of Yoga

Especially in the last years since the pandemic where many people have had a hard time mentally and emotionally, there has been an openness to really listen and learn how yoga can benefit beyond a physical practice In terms of where I see myself in this, I just keep doing what I do, which is to pass on the authentic Yoga teaching to as many people as I can in any way I feel blessed and grateful this is the path I have been given

Ravi Dixit

Kamuben Palan

Yoga's melodic path: Connecting mind, body, and spirit

Subhasini Naicker

Yoga, originating from ancient India, is much more than a physical exercise regimen It's a holistic practice that encompasses the union of mind, body, and spirit

The word "yoga" itself means union or connection, signifying the integration of various elements of the self to achieve harmony and balance.

While physical postures, or asanas, are a prominent aspect of yoga, the practice extends beyond mere stretching and strengthening It includes breathwork (pranayama), meditation, ethical guidelines (yamas and niyamas), and philosophical teachings that guide individuals toward self-awareness, inner peace, and spiritual growth With a rich history spanning thousands of years, yoga offers a pathway to well-being, self-discovery, and a deeper understanding of oneself and the universe

Kanwal Ahluwalia, a dedicated practitioner of Hatha and Yin yoga for over 16 years, has found profound solace and spiritual connection through her practice Since 2010, she has been sharing her passion for yoga with others as a teacher Introduced to yoga in her 20s, Kanwal's journey with the practice has been transformative, shaping not only her physical wellbeing but also her mental and spiritual growth

Speaking about nutrition playing a role in Yoga, Kanwal said, “Yoga, of course, is closely linked to Ayurveda, its sister practice Ayurveda includes concepts such as the dosha system, which categorises elements in the body and offers guidance on how to eat according to one's dominant dosha This approach is highly individualised, aiming to balance each person's unique constitution Similarly, traditional Chinese medicine offers extensive nutritional advice and emphasises a holistic approach to health Both systems share a focus on individualised wellness and the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit ”

“For instance, the yamas and niyamas, ethical principles in yoga, guide us not only in our interactions with others but also in our self-care practices Nutrition, therefore, plays a significant role in maintaining physical health, as it influences our

overall well-being It's about more than just what we eat; it's about how we nourish our bodies to support our yoga practice and cultivate a balanced lifestyle From preparing the body for physical postures to calming the mind for meditation, nutrition becomes an integral part of fostering the mind-body-spirit connection central to yoga philosophy ” , she added Yoga’s transformative power with Indian classical music

When Kanwal began teaching Yoga, she integrated classical music into her practice, which proved beneficial for people, particularly those coming from stressful work environments She said, “When you play Indian classical music during yoga sessions, there's a noticeable calming, grounding, and centering effect on people You can literally see them relax before they even step onto the mat their heart rates slow down, their stress levels drop, and they start transitioning into the yoga space rather than staying in the hustle and bustle of their day Indian classical music is believed to have a strong healing role due to its resonance with the chakras, the energy centres located along the spine Each chakra is associated with a specific sound, and playing this music can profoundly affect physical, emotional, and energetic healing "

“Indian classical music aligns with the body's natural rhythms, with different ragas played at specific times of the day or even seasons to harmonise with the body's attuned sounds For instance, in a morning class, I play morning ragas to maximise the benefits Many people who attend my classes may not initially understand Indian classical music, but that's part of the process It's an entry point to something broader, making this genre accessible to larger audiences and enhancing the overall yoga experience,” she added

Kanwal noted that while many newcomers to yoga may be unfamiliar with classical music, and

UK's South Asian organisations celebrate Yoga day

many Indian classical musicians may not prioritise well-being, creating a space for deeper connections can lead to transformative experiences This intersection allows individuals to connect with their bodies, transcend mental distractions, and feel part of something larger, be it the universe or personal beliefs Both yoga and Indian classical music offer holistic paths to deeper, more spiritual practice beyond the physical

A single breath has the power to either calm or induce panic

Kanwal emphasised about incorporating mindfulness and relaxation techniques in her classes She said, “Most of us, myself included, begin our yoga practice with focused breathwork A single breath has the power to either calm or induce panic By slowing down and deepening our breath, we shift from the fight-orflight response to a state of relaxation Starting classes with breathwork helps ground participants and transition them from a stressed state to one of presence This initial focus on breath also cultivates body awareness, a vital aspect often overlooked in our busy lives ”

“As we turn our focus inward through breathwork, we shift from experiencing the world through our minds to experiencing it from within our bodies This shift is the foundation of meditation and mindfulness practices By slowing down and entering a state of parasympathetic calmness, we can pause our immediate reactions and become more centred Breathwork, particularly pranayama, plays a crucial role in calming individuals, complementing the physical aspects of yoga practice Tailoring our approach based on the energy in the room, we can offer practices that either energise or relax participants, catering to their specific needs Given the demands of modern life, cultivating calmness is often the priority for most practitioners,” she added

Wor ld Yoga Da y, cel ebr ated an nua lly on 21 June , is a global event dedica ted to showcasing the ancie nt practice of y oga and its myriad b enefit s for phy sical, ment al, and spiritual wel l-being Initiated by India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi and endorsed by the United Nations in 2014, this day promotes yoga's holistic approach to health and harmony World Yoga Day encourages people from all walks of life to embrace yoga as a means of achieving inner peace, enhanced flexibility, and overall vitality The celebration features a wide range of activities, from large-scale public yoga sessions to educational workshops, all aimed at fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of yoga's transformative power

In the UK, World Yoga Day is embraced with enthusiasm, drawing participants from all walks of life to engage in various yoga-related activities South Asian organisations, community groups, and yoga centres across the UK play a pivotal role in these celebrations, hosting large-

scale public yoga sessions, educational workshops, and wellness seminars

On June 15, the High Commission of India is organising a significant event to celebrate the International Day of Yoga at the iconic Trafalgar Square in London from 17:00 to 21:00 Supported by the Mayor of London, the program will feature speeches by the High Commissioner and the Chief Guest, followed by demonstration of yoga by instructors from prominent yoga organisations Additionally, the Patanjali Yog Peeth (UK) Trust will celebrate their 10th International Yoga Day & Patanjali Parivar Milan event on June 23 from 10:00 to 15:00 at Ramgarhia Hall,

Ulverscroft Road, Leicester Moreover, the Indian Diaspora in the UK will present the International Day of Yoga & IDUK sports awards on June 21 from 17:00 to 21:00 at Arbour Park Stadium, Stoke Road, Slough On 21 June, instructor Preet Ghura is conducting a Yoga session between 6:00 to 7:00 Pm at Ceremonial Way, Newcastle Civic Centre Soham Yoga London presents the International Yoga day celebration in London (Harrow) for the Yogathon challenge on 22 June at 9 45 am-12 30 pm BST These events highlight the widespread and growing appreciation of yoga's benefits in the UK, fostering unity and wellbeing within the community

Kanwal Ahluwalia

New joint report by CII and the High Commission of India finds Maharashtra to be

the top source of Indian FDI in the

A new repo rt entitled ‘Indian Assets: C h art in g th e J o u rn eys o f I ndi an Comp anies in the UK’ , produ ced jointl y b y th e Co nf ede rat io n o f I ndi an I n du st ry (C II ) a nd t h e H ig h Commission of India in the UK was lau nch ed by His Exc ellenc y Vi kram D oraisw ami, Hi gh Commissio ner of I n di a to th e UK i n L o n do n o n

Wednesday 5 June

The report highlights the source Indian states from where foreign direct investment (FDI) has been received in the UK Companies headquartered in Maharashtra brought in the highest amount of FDI into the UK at 20% in 2023 This was followed by Karnataka (12%) and Delhi (8 6%)

Gujarat (7 1%), Tamil Nadu (6 7%), Telangana (6 5%), Uttar Pradesh (5 9%), Haryana (4 5%), West Bengal (3 14%) and Kerala (3 05%) figure in the top ten

s t a t e s f r o m w h e r e c o m p a n i e s h a v e invested into the UK These ten states are the sources of about 78% of total Indian FDI in the UK

As per the CII-HCI London report, the leading sector by number of companies and employees is the Software and IT sector

According to latest data by the U K ’ s D e p a r t m e n t o f B u s i n e

Trade, total trade in goods and services (exports plus imports) between the UK and India was £39 0 billion in the four

Zuber

Issa

Z uber Is sa has concluded a separation from his brother Mohsin by selling his stake

i n Asda to the supermarket chain’s pri vate equ ity backer, TDR Capi tal

As a result, TDR Capital will now hold a majority

6

o

h Mohsin Issa and Walmart, the group's former owner,

quarters to the end of Q4 2023, an increase of 4 8% or £1 8 billion in current prices from the four quarters to the end of Q4 2022 India was the UK’s 12th largest trading partner in the four q

accounting for 2 2% of total UK trade

bringing in 118 new projects and creating 8,384 jobs

The report highlights the achievements of key Indian companies in the UK across sectors such as automotives, electric car batteries, diagnostics and healthcare and technology It also outlines the positive impact Indian companies can have on heritage British brands and how the value of these legacy brands is retained and protected when acquired by Indian companies

The report showcases the robust

Midlands, London and the Northwest are the top recipients of Indian FDI in

UK

the UK Automotive, Software and IT Services and Energy are the top sectors which attracted Indian FDI in these three regions

According to the report, new

contributed an estimated £4 3 billion to UK universities This is in the backdrop of a 5% increase in UK student visas over 2022 at 133,237

Commissioner of India to the UK said, “As India and the UK continue to evolve and navigate the complexities of a rapidly changing global landscape, I believe that our businesses, reimag-

realise our shared vision and aspira-

future

General, CII added, “Today, Indian companies with operations in the UK have integrated themselves into the British economy, making their mark in industries in almost all leading sectors Their ability to adapt, innovate, and forge meaningful partnerships has not only propelled their own growth but has also enriched the economy of the UK and its regions, promoting job creation, driving investment, and fostering a culture of diversity and inclusion ”

sells Asda stake, splits from brother

Issa, 52, has acquired EG Group’s remaining British

petrol stations business for £228 million He has also stepped down as co-chief executive of EG Group to b e c o m e a n o n - e x e c u t i v e director

Reflecting on their collaboration, Zuber Issa stated, “We have had an amazing journey together building EG Group over the last 20 years and we both look f o r w a r d t o c o n t i n u i n g t o work closely together as fell o w b o a r d m e m b e r s a n d shareholders in EG Group ” Reports this year suggested a rift between the brothers

following Zuber Issa's decision to sell his stake in Asda However, Mohsin Issa, 53, dismissed these claims in a B B C i n t e r v i e w , a s s e r t i n g that the pair have "been on a journey and we have got a long way still to go " T h e b r o t h e r s f o u n d e d EG Group in 2001 and sold the group ’ s UK and Ireland petrol stations business to A s d a l a s t y e a r W h i l e Mohsin Issa continues to run Asda, he plans to relinquish control once the groc e r a p p o i n t s a n e w c h i e f executive

LondonMetric enters FTSE 100 elite

been demoted L

the FTSE

led by its

2013 Formerly the head of retail at British Land, Jones steered LondonMetric away from office and retail properties, which faced skepticism from investors regarding their valuations British Land, once a stalwart of the F T S E

decline in share value, trad-

ing

dence, trading

value Jones attributes this

robotic grocery packer-equipped warehouses Last year, Ocado reported a pre-tax loss of £403

Traders are betting at record lev els that U K carbon cred it prices will rise, anticipating that a future Labour g overnment will im plem ent stricter climate policies, increasing the cost of pollution

The benchmark price for U K c a

industrial polluters to emit CO₂, has surged 9 per cent since Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called a general election last month Yesterday, t

climbed to £47 per tonne of C O

from a low of £31 earlier this year The price had previously been suppressed due to the Conservative government's decision to release

m

next three years, reducing the cost for polluters T

tract is for December

million, prompting its exit from the blue-chip index

allowing polluters to secure the price before the permit h

Expectations of

have driven record bets on

year-end rise in UK carbon

asset managers are holding

£300 million this week the highest since the scheme's inception in 2021, according

of carbon sales and trading at CFP Energy, noted that speculation of Labour's stricter stance on major polluters is

allowances “The view is, if

quicker, then they could further tighten the targets and remove surplus allowances,” he said “They’re seen to be a greener government overall ”

Investors bet record amounts on carbon credits pre-UK election UK's finances suffer

£33bn gap, looming austerity

A warning from a thinktank hi ghlights the pressing need for B ritai n's next government to addres s a significant shortfall of up to £33bn in pu blic finances T h e R

that unless drastic austerity measures are implemented, t h

According to the thinktank, t

Election promises heavily

may prove challenging to enact

Both major parties aim to decrease national debt within five years, but factors such as increased intere s t p a y m e n t s o n d e b t s , s l u g g i s h p r o d u c t i v i t y g r o w t h , a n d t h e £ 1 0 b n expense for compensating v i c t i m s o f t h e i n f e c t e d

House building saw growt h in Ma y for t he fir st time since Liz Tr uss ’ s mini-b udge t, contr ib ut in g to a surge in activity acr oss the construct ion in dustry , as indica ted b y a closely watched surve y

The S&P Global purchasing managers ’ index rose sharply to 54 7 in May, up from 53 in the previous month This surpassed expectations in the City and marked the third consecutive month that the PMI exceeded the 50-point threshold, signifying growth The housebuilding sector, in particular, showed improvement, with its reading climbing to 50 4 in May from 47 6, marking the first increase since October 2022

Andrew Harker, economics director at S&P Global Market Intelligence, commented that construction was gaining momentum, highlighting expansions in commercial property and civil engineering activities in May All three construction sub-sectors monitored

blood scandal pose substantial obstacles

W h i l e t h e O f f i c e f o r Budget Responsibility predicts that the government is nearing its debt-to-GDP target with a mere £9bn marg i n ,

spending cuts to meet this goal

The thinktank suggests that if the next government adheres to existing spending plans, the deficit could

by S&P Global surpassed the 50-point mark for the first time since May 2022

The uptick in housing supply suggests that developers are feeling confident to initiate new projects, with buyers returning to the market after pausing due to a surge in mortg a g e r

w

i Kwarteng’s mini-budget, which announced £45 billion of unfunded tax cuts According to Nationwide data, house prices rose by

approvals remained stagnant at about 61,000, although they had increased over the past year, they still fell below the long-term average The rise in construction output provides further evidence of steady economic growth after slipping into recession at the end of last year Private sector output, as indicated by the composite PMI, grew more rapidly in May than early estimates had suggested

Zuber and Mohsin Issa

Launch of the report by the High Commissioner of India to the UK and other dignitaries

NCLT gives approval for Air India-Vistara merger

T he N a ti o n al C om pa n y

L a w T ri b un a l ( NC L T)

approved the merger of Air

I n d i a a n d Vi s ta r a Th e merger has resulted in the

c r e a ti on o f on e o f th e world’s largest ai rline con-

g l om e ra te s U n de r th e

m e r ge r de a l, Si n g ap or e A i r li n e s wi l l ow n 2 5 1%

s take in Ai r I ndia Vistara is a j oi n t v e nt ur e b e t we e n Tata Group and Singapore Ai rlines

Air India is planning to finalize the merger by the end of this year The merger

w

h e Chandigarh branch of the N C L T

bring Air India, Vistara, and Talace all under the Tata Group umbrella The NCLT in its order mentioned, “ a sanction is

Arrangement’ between the petitioner companies and

Sections 230 to 232 and Companies Act, 2013 provisions The

the approved scheme would be binding on

their shareholders The two key reg-

Competition Commission

Directorate General of Civil

merger scheme The twomember bench highlighted

approvals from the credi-

both companies have been secured

RBI keeps repo rate unchanged, hikes FY25 GDP growth forecast

I n its second meeting for F Y25 and the first after the g ene ral el ec ti o ns , th e Reserve Bank o f India (RBI) announced that the benchmark repo rate will remain u nchanged at 6 5 per cent for th e eighth consecutive t i me T h e de ci s i o n w a s taken by the RBI's six-memb er Mo n eta ry P o l ic y Committee (MPC) by a 4:2 majo rity

The RBI raised its GDP growth forecast for FY25 to 7 2 per cent from 7 per cent earlier, while the inflation forecast was retained at 4 5 per cent

Speaking about the disi n f l a t i o n a r y t r e n d i n t h e core Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation for the 11th

c o n s e c u t

m o n t h , D a s highlighted that high food inflation offset the overall gains H o w e

on

forecasts, Das said that the CPI for FY25 is projected at 4 5 per cent The quarterwise breakups for CPI given by Das are 4 9 per cent in the

first quarter, 3 9 per cent in the second quarter, 4 6 per cent in the third quarter, a n d 4 5 p e r c e n t i n t h e fourth quarter

The RBI governor further said that "the central bank is committed to bringing inflation back to the tar-

t (CAD) in Q4 FY24, Das said, "the current account deficit is expected to remain well within its sustainable level in FY25 Das said that private consumption is recove r i n g w i t h s t e

tionary spending in urban areas He added that investment activity continues to gain traction

Saudia Group woos Air India, IndiGo for is mega MRO facility

The Saud ia Group is keen to p i tc h i ts u pc o m ing m e g a m a int enanc e, rep a ir, a nd ov erhaul (MRO) facility to I nd i an carr ie rs, and h as a lrea d y ap p ro ach ed T at a g roup carrier Air India for the same, a senior executiv e with the Saud i A rabian aviation conglomerate said The g roup also plans to soon d iscuss the MRO-related possibilities w ith Ind ia’ s largest airline IndiGo

“ W e k n o w a i r l i n e s i n India, not just Air India, are using European MROs So, we want to be on their radar for their maintenance activi-

t i e s , ” s a i d S a u d

spokesperson Abdullah M Alshahrani on the sidelines of the CAPA India Aviation Summit in Delhi

O Village -will be the largest MRO in the Middle East and N o r t h A f r i c a ( M E N A ) region Spread over 1 million

component shops

b

It is expected to soon

catering to the Airbus A320 family of aircraft Alshahrani

said that the facility would also be maintainence centre for Boeing 787 aircraft and the CFM LEAP engines Air India has both A320 family and Boeing 787 aircraft in its fleet, while IndiGo’s jet aircraft fleet is almost entirely made up of the A320 family

W i t h b

t year India represents a priority market for the Saudia

G r o u p , n o t j u s t f o r i t s upcoming MRO, but also for the group ’ s airlines - Saudia

a n d R i y a d h A i r W h i l e Saudia is a legacy carrier, R i y a d h A i r i s

operations next year

Birla’s Novelis puts off IPO in US

N ovelis, a part of Kum ar Mangalam Birla’s Hindalco Industries, has decid ed to postpone its $945-million IPO in the US due to market conditions It will continue to evaluate the timing of the IPO, the aluminium prod ucer based in Atlanta said Novelis didn’t elaborate on the market conditions that led to its decision of halting the IPO Hindalco had planned to sell 45 million shares or 7 5% of Novelis for $18 to $21 each At the top end of the price band, Novelis would have a market value of $12 6 billion “The decision to delay the IPO is a bit disturbing given that Hindalco’s management

Sensex, Nifty hit record high after Modi takes oath as PM

I ndi a n st o ck m ark et h i t re co r d h i gh o n M o nda y, with th e benchmark Sensex rising above 77,000 and the Ni f ty 50 s ca li ng ab ov e 23, 400, amid upbeat sentiment Th e positive momentum in th e equity market came after Narendra Modi took oath as India’s Prime Minister for a th ird consecutive time on Sunday G

Cement, Grasim Industries,

nessed in the broader markets as the Nifty Midcap 100 and the Nifty Smallcap 100 index traded higher Among

Nifty

and Nifty Auto led the gains, while Nifty IT was trading in the

Ambani, Mittal to take on Musk in India’s satellite internet race

India’s biggest telecom companies, led by rival billionaires Mukesh Ambani and S u ni l Bh a rti Mi tt al, a re p ri med to launch satellite i nt ern et s er vi ce s a s

Starlink in the country Bharti Airtel’s joint venture with Eutelsat OneWeb,

JioSpaceFiber expects to follow later this year, according to people familiar with the matter

M u s k ’ s S p a c e X , t h e owner of Starlink, has been trying to enter the country for more than three years, but has not won regulatory approvals and was rebuked in 2021 by local authorities f o r s i g n i n g u p c u s t o m e r s without having the proper licences

M i t t a l ’ s c o m p a n y h a s t a k e n t h e e a r l y l e a d i n

India’s internet space race Unlike competitors, it has obtained all the necessary approvals and can launch as soon as the new government allocates satellite spectrum following the national elections that ended this month Bharti Airtel was in talks to provide internet to India’s army and navy in remote

areas without conventional broadband, said one of the people close to the company, adding that it had “ a legup compared to the competition”

A m b a n i ’ s R e l i a n c e I n d u s t r i e s , w h i c h o w n s India’s largest telecoms network with just over half of the nation’s 924mn wireless and wired broadband subscribers, is still awaiting the nod from the nation’s space i n d u s t r y r e g u l a t o r , I NSPACe

T h e f u l l r o l l o u

work provider SES, may be outlined at the conglomerate’s annual meeting The meeting is usually in August, w h e n A m b a n i h a s b e e n known to make important announcements, said one of the people

The product will serve as a small business-to-business “niche” offering, with Jio’s

main focus remaining on expanding broadband internet access across the country of 1 4 bn, according to another B u t e v e n i f

they will ever be able to rival Starlink’s network of more than 6,000 low-orbit satell i t e s a n d S p a c e X ’ s n e a r monopoly on reusable rocke t s , w i t h m o r e t h a n 1 0 0 launches forecast this year Starlink was well established and “could start quickly” in India, said an industry I

Starlink had received tenta-

country’s telecoms ministry

Delhi But Musk cancelled the visit at the last minute and t

rival China There have been n

n Starlink’s approvals or the Tesla factory since then B h

h India’s space regulator and department of telecommunications, did not respond to requests for comment

SEBI probe sought into June 4 stock market crash

A plea has been filed in the S up r e m e C o u rt , s e e k i n g d i r e ct i on s t o t he C e n tr e a n d t h e S ec ur i t i e s a n d

is usually very thoughtful,” Kunal Kothari, analyst at Centrum Broking, was quoted as saying

“There could be a view at Hindalco that they think internal accruals could be enough for financing future projects and they don’t need external sources of funds ” According to reports, analysts at AJ Bell had pointed towards the unpredictability of commodity prices which could make Novelis “hard to sell” The US stock market has been on a roll the last few weeks with all three leading indices - Dow Jones, S&P500 and the Nasdaq Composite - at near their all-time high levels

Ex cha ng e Boa rd of I n di a (SEBI ) to submit a detailed report into the stock market crash on the day of election res ults on June 4, when i n v e s t or s l os t b i l l i o n s of rupees

The plea, filed by advoc a t e V i s h a l T i w a r i , a l s o sought direction to the government and the SEBI to submit a status report on the orders given on January 3 for considering the suggestion of the expert committee, headed by Justice A M Sapre, made in its report o n t h e P I L i n A d a n i -

Hindenburg

The top court had said the Centre and the SEBI should constructively consider the suggestions of the expert committee and take any further action necessary to strengthen the regulatory framework, protect i n v e s t o r s a n d e n s u r e t h e orderly functioning of the securities market

“ I t i s s a i d t h a t a f t e r a n n o u n c e m e n t s o f e x i t polls in respect to the Lok S a b h

, but when the actual results were announced the market crashed,” the plea said “ S t

again emerged As per news

reports, the loss was £200 bn This again has raised question mark on the regulatory mechanism despite this court’s direction, nothing has changed,” the petition said

Following the exit poll prediction of a resounding B

, B S E

n c hmark Sensex shot up on Monday by 2,507 points or 3 4 per cent to settle at a new closing peak of 76,469

However, a day later on Tuesday, the equity markets witnessed a bloodbath,

4,390 points or 6 per cent to settle at 72,079 This was the worst single-day fall in four years

Shaktikanta Das

Pak minister proposes Kartarpur-like corridor in Sindh province

idea of

Sindh prov in

to

event in Dubai related to the promotion of tourism in Sindh province, where the majority of Pakistan's Hindu population is settled Shah said the corridor could b e b u i

Nagarparkar Umarkot is home to Shri Shiv Mandir, which is

Hindu temples in Sindh Some people believe it was constructed

Nagarparkar, which has a large

Hindu population

He said there were scores of Hindus and Jains who wanted to visit the religious sites in Sindh

A spokesperson for the Sindh government said that Shah had

with his department officials For the religious tourists'

weekly flight from India to Sukkur or Larkana as well

service, The Thar Express, that connected the border towns of

Khokhrapar in Sindh province

The service, after remaining

tenure of late President Pervaz

Musharraf It was the only rail

Rajasthan

Imran invokes Kejriwal’s bail in Pak SC, complains of mistreatment in jail

I

Pakistan PM Imran Khan

inv oked th e case of Delhi C M Arvind K ejriwal g etting bail to c am p a ig n ah e ad

g en er al ele

comp lained befo

SC abou

th e mistreatment m eted to h im in jail

D u r i n g h i s a p p e a r a n c e before a five-member SC bench h e a d e d b y C h

Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa in a case related to amendments to the National Accountability Ordinance, the PTI chairman complained of the “victimisation” that he faced since his ouster from power in April 2022 Khan, complaining of oppression against him, pointed out that Kejriwal was released on bail by the apex court ahead of the Indian general elections for campaigning for his

oppression in Pakistan which was under undeclared “martial law” Khan,71, complained that he was convicted within five days

elections which were held on

dismay over the SC’s judgment rejecting Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s

streaming of the case

“You wrote (in the judgment) that I did p

hearing I did not get it, what political scoring did I resort to,” the PTI founder asked the CJP Isa At this, chief justice Isa said a judge does not owe an explanation to anyone over the verdict “You can file a review petition,” the top judge said

Tokyo working on dating app to boost marriage, childbirth

opened the Kartarpur Corridor

According to official estimates,

Pakistan However, according to the community, over 90,00,000 Hindus are living in the country

including Param Hans Ji Maharaj

Mandir in Hingol National Park of Balochistan's Lasbela district, Katas Raj complex in Punjab's C

Multan district

Willing to upgrade economic ties with Pak: Jinping

6 INDIAN TOURISTS INJURED IN NEPAL MISHAP

Six Indian tourists, mostly senior citizens, were injured when the jeep they were travelling in overturned near a lake in Nepal's Chitwan district officials said The accident took place near Darai Lake at Khaireni The tourists were heading towards Chitwan National Park for a jungle safari said Kedarnath Panta an official They are identified as Ramchandra Yadav Sudesh Shanker Khadia, Pankaj Gupteshwor, Vaishali Gupteshwor, Sushmita Sudesh Khadia and Vijaya More Police said that they were undergoing treatment at a hospital

AIR CANADA TO EXPAND FLIGHT NETWORK TO INDIA

Air Canada announced the expansion of its flight network to India, adding 40 per cent more seat capacity beginning late October for the coming winter 2024-25 season Air Canada said it would operate 25 weekly flights with 7,400 seats each week this winter from Canada to India, comprising up to 11 weekly flights These include flights from Toronto to Delhi and Mumbai daily flights from Montreal to Delhi and daily flights to Delhi from Western Canada via London Heathrow Air Canada in an official said the new services include the only non-stop flight from Canada to Mumbai improved service from Western Canada to Delhi with the introduction of new daily flights over London s Heathrow Airport and daily flights from Montreal to Delhi

ROADSIDE BLAST KILLS 7 PAK SOLDIERS

A bomb blast targeting a military truck killed seven soldiers in northwestern Pakistan along the border with Afghanistan, the army said The incident took place in the Lakki Marwat district which is on the edge of a lawless tribal region divided on both sides of the border The improvised explosive device exploded near the military vehicle, killing seven soldiers including an officer, the army said in a statement “The perpetrators of this heinous act will be brought to justice,” it said There was no immediate claim of responsibility The tribal region has long been a safe haven for Islamist militants who operate on both sides of the border

Last year there were 4,74,717 m a r r i a g e s , d o w n f r o m 5,04,930 in 2022 while births totalled

T O K Y O : C all ed “ T o kyo F utari Story”, the city h all’ s new initiative is just th at: An e ff o rt to c rea te c o u p le s, “ futari”, in a co untry w here it is increasingly comm on to be “hitori” , or alone Wh ile a s i te o f fe ri ng c o u ns el a nd g ene ral i nf o rm a ti o n fo r p otential lov ebirds is online, a d ati ng a p p i s a ls o i n d ev e lo p m e nt C i ty h a ll h opes to offer it later this y ea r, ac ce ss i bl e th ro u g h p hone or w eb, a city official said D e t a i l s w e r e s t i l l u n d e c i d e d C i t y H a l l d e c l i n e d t o c o m m e n t o n r e p o r t s t h a t t h e a p p w i l l r e q u i r e a c o n f i r m a t i o n o f identity, such as a driver’s license, tax records to prove income and a signed form that says one is ready to get m a r r i e d T h e r e p o r t s a l s o said the app may ask for y o u r h e i g h t , j o b a n d e d u c a t i o n b u t t h e o f f i c i a l d e n i e d a n y t

shortage by promising cash payments to families with

child-care facilities

During the “baby boom” era of 1970s, Japan recorded over 2 million births a year But today, fewer Japanese are interested in old-style marriage or having children

lead to long hours and rarely

children is expensive

Tokyo City Hall is also s p o n

s

can get marriage counselling and where lovers can have t h e i r s t o r i e s t u r n e d i n t o manga comics

B EI J I N G: Beij ing is willin g to work with Islamab ad to build an upgraded version of an e c o n om i c c or r i do r li n k i n g t he t wo coun tri es, Chin a ’ s leader Xi J inping told vi sitin g Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif Sharif pledged to ens ure the safety of Chi nese workers in Pakis tan, acc ordi ng to a report on thei r meetin g pos ted online b y state broadc aster CCTV The report sai d that Sharif offered his govt’ s condolences f or th e de a t h s i n M a r c h o f f i ve C h i n e s e engineers i n a suici de bombin g i n Pakistan They were working on a dam projec t in the coun try

The Pakistani PM, near the end of a five-day visit, is making his first trip to China since his election in March The C h i n a - P a k i s t a n E c o n o m i c C o r r i d o r includes building and improving roads and r a i l s y s t e m s t o l i n k w e s t e r n C h i n a ’ s Xinjiang region to Pakistan’s Gwadar port on the Arabian sea

It is part of Xi’s Belt and Road Initiative to increase trade by building infrastructure around the world Xi said he hopes that Pakistan will ensure the safety of Chinese personnel and projects, CCTV reported

Earlier in the day, Xi met with Brazilian v i c e - p r e s i d e n t G e r a l d o A l c k m i n , w h o e x p r e s s e d h o p e t h a t m a n y C h i n e s e companies would participate in a Brazilian g o v t i n f r a s t r u c t u r e p r o g r a m m e t h a t includes railways, energy, port and airport projects Xi said that China-Brazil ties are a m o d e l t o p r o m o t e s o l i d a r i t y a n d cooperation among emerging economies

Lawmakers can speak Punjabi in Pakistan's Punjab Assembly

SEXUAL MINORITIES DEMAND EQUALITY IN NEPAL PARADE

Celebrating the month of June as the month of pride sexual minorities in Nepal held a parade through the capital painting the roads with rainbow-coloured flags and slogans demanding equality both by the state as well as the society Hundreds of members of marginalised sexual orientation, gender identity and sex characteristics (PoMSOGIESC) annually organize the parade on the second Saturday of June Since its inception, the demand for equality and equal treatment has always been raised

MOVE TO REVOKE

TRUMP’S LICENCE TO CARRY A GUN

The New York police department is seeking to revoke former Prez Donald Trump’s license to carry a concealed weapon after his conviction in his New York hush-money case according to reports Trump had a concealed carry permit in New York and had three pistols registered under the permit the people said Two of them were turned over to the police department s license division The third pistol had been legally transferred to Florida It is unclear whether it is still in Trump s possession Under federal law and state law in New York and Florida, people with felony convictions are barred from possessing a firearm

Imran Khan

Shehbaz Sharif & Xi Jinping

TRANSPLANTED PIG KIDNEY REMOVED FROM PATIENT

Surgeons in New York removed the kidney of a genetically engineered pig from a critically ill patient last week after the organ was damaged by inadequate blood flow related to a heart pump that the woman had also received, according to officials at NYU Langone Transplant Institute The patient, Lisa Pisano, 54, who is still hospitalised, went back on kidney dialysis after the pig’s organ was removed She lived with the transplanted organ for 47 days Dr Robert Montgomery, director of the institute, said The kidney showed no signs of organ rejection

HOUTHIS DETAIN AT LEAST 9 UN STAFFERS

At least nine Yemeni employees of UN agencies have been detained by Yemen’s Houthi rebels under unclear circumstances, authorities said, as the rebels face increasing financial pressure and air strikes from a USled coalition Others working for aid groups also likely have been taken The detentions come as the Houthis have been targeting shipping throughout the Red Sea corridor over the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip Regional officials confirmed the UN detentions Those held include staff from the UN human rights agency its development programme, the World Food Program and one working for the office of its special envoy the officials said

RUSSIA DETAINS FRENCH NATIONAL

French researcher Laurent Vinatier pleaded guilty in a Moscow court to a charge of failing to register as a foreign agent while gathering information on the Russian military Vinatier 47, could face up to five years in prison He was placed in pre-trial custody until Aug 5 “I apologise for not registering as a foreign agent The most upsetting thing is that throughout the 10 years of my work I tried to defend Russia and its interests,” state news agency RIA quoted him as saying Vinatier is a Russia specialist and adviser to HD, a Swissbased conflict mediation group

PUTIN’S 'DAUGHTERS' MAKE RARE APPEARANCE

Vladimir Putin’s two alleged daughters both made rare public appearances this week at a flagship economic forum in the Russian prez’s home city of Saint Petersburg Putin keeps details of his family life fiercely secret and has never publicly confirmed that the two womenMaria Vorontsova, 39, and Katerina Tikhonova, 37 - are his daughters But the pair have been widely linked to Putin through various media reports and in 2022, the US treasury sanctioned both as “daughters of Russian Prez Putin” The two have taken on more public roles in recent years, including speaking roles at various events But public appearances are still rare

LEBANON ARRESTS 20 OVER ATTACK ON US EMBASSY

Lebanese authorities have arrested 20 people after a shooting near the US embassy in Beirut said to be in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza a judicial source said A Syrian man was arrested last week after the shooting at the embassy and a judicial official said at the time that the assailant carried out the attack in support of Gaza The judicial source said the number of people arrested over the attack on the American embassy has risen to 20, including the Syrian assailant Qais Farraj, who is receiving care at the military hospital in Beirut

Canada condemns Khalistani groups for 'promotion of violence'

up po sters o

Indira Gandh i's assassination, Canadian

Leblanc emp hasised th at pro

mo ting violenc e is never accep

able in th e co untry

member of Parliament Chandra

Arya also expressed similar concern over Khalistani supporters in Canada putting up posters of Indira Gandhi's assassination

Khalistani supporters are once again attempting to "instil fear

Minister Indira Gandhi's assassination, showing bullet holes in her body with her Sikh bodyguards turned assassins holding guns

The Canadian member of parliament, Arya, further recalled the similar float of threats that were spread a couple of years back The Canadian m

said that if this continues to remain unchallenged, it might lead to something real

Adding to this, Arya emphasised that the prominence of Indira Gandhi's bindi on her forehead was to make doubly sure that the intended targets were Hindu-Canadians

Khalistani incidents have led to the souring of India-Canada ties

Last month, some Khalistani supporters chanted "anti-India s

Kirtan Parade organised by the Ontario Gurudwara Committee (OGC) in Canada India's min-

expressed a strong condemnation regarding the float used in

Ontario and said the "celebration and glorification of violence shouldn t be accepted in a civilised society

Hundreds of Indian students in Canada face deportation risk

Indian st uden ts in Can ada have hit the

of obt ainin g t heir visas on the basis of fra udule nt a dmission let ter s for Can adian unive rsities

The Canada Border Services A g e n c y ( C B S A ) h a s r

n t l y issued deportation letters to as many as 700 Indian students

The letters were issued after the CBSA found that the students' admission offer letters were fake M a n y p r o t e s t i n

In d

i n Canada in 2018, but the fake letters only came to light now, five years later, when they applied for permanent residency

"When we arrived in Canada our agent told us that the seats were full in the colleges which we had received admission letters for He told us that universities were

4 arrested for killing

overbooking so he can transfer us to another college Since we did not want to lose a year, we a g r e e d " s a i d C h

e p Singh, a protesting student

"We changed college and finished our studies but threefour years later, we were told by the CBSA that the admission letter on the basis of which we had received our visas was fraudulent," he added Lovepreet S i n g

n g s t udent, claimed that fears of deportation have taken a toll on the mental health of the students, with many even contemplating suicide as a result

Indian-origin

"We request the Indian government to raise this issue with the Canadian government We

scammed Our lives are at stake, many are even suicidal due to this Seven hundred is an estimate, the real number of affected students is higher as many are suffering in silence and not coming forward I got a deportation notice for June 30 We put our lives' savings to come to Canada and now we have been asked to g

intervention in the matter

man in Canada

dead in a susp ec ted targ eted ki

ng

i n C a nad a's Br i ti sh

Columbia province, accord ing to th e police, w ho have arrested and charg ed four p eople with first-d eg ree murder in connection with the case

Yuvraj Goyal was found dead by the police when they were responding to the call of a shooting in Surrey, the homicide unit of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police said in a statement

Goyal worked at a car dealer-

Charu Singla She said the family had no idea why he was killed

4 Indian medical students drown near St Petersburg in Russia

M OSC OW: Four Indian m edic al stude nt s were drowned in a river near St Pete rsburg in Russ ia and the Indian miss ions in t he c ountry were coordinating with Rus sian authorities to s end their bodies to their relatives as soon as poss ibl e

The four students - two boys and two girls aged 18-20, were studying at the nearby Novgorod State University in Veliky Novgorod city

Local media reports said that a female Indian student, who waded out from the beach on the river Volkhov, got into trouble and four of her companions tried to save her In their attempt to save her, three others also drowned in the river A third boy was pulled to safety by local people "We are working to send the bodies to the relatives as soon as possible Proper treatment is also being provided to the student whose life has been saved," the Embassy of India in Moscow said on X

The Consulate General of India in St Petersburg said these students were pursuing medical education at Veliky Novgorod State University

The Consulate General said, "The bereaved families have been contacted and assured of all the possible help," it said

and that they had no indication that he had any ties to organised crime G o y a l ' s b r o t h e r - i n - l a w ,

Bawandeep, said the victim was on the phone with his mother, who lives in India, just before he was shot “He came back from h i s g y m , ( h i s ) d

, stepped out of his car, and was shot,” Bawandeep said Police arrested four suspects - 23-year-old Manvir Basram of Surrey, 20-year-old Sahib Basra of Surrey, 23-year-old Harkirat Jhutty of Surrey, and 20-year-old

K

shortly after the shooting They have been charged with firstdegree murder, CBC News quoted the police as saying In a statement, the homicide unit said authorities were alerted to a vehicle fire shortly after the shooting Police said that while initial evidence suggests it was a "targeted shooting, investigators are working to determine the reason that Goyal, a 28-year old community member with no history of police contact, was killed "

Indian origin man in Texas charged with hate crime

T E XAS : An Indian origin man from Texas has been charged w i th f e d er a l ha t e c r i m e b y

United States authori

after

to injure and kill the employees of a Sikh n on-profit organisation I

mails to the phone number of an organisation that advocates for the civil rights of Sikhs in the United States “

hatred toward Sikh individuals working at this same organisation and threatening to injure or kill these individuals with a razor, ” an official press release said

In March last year, the 48-

number of the same organisa-

imagery against both Sikhs and Muslims

“The investigation reflects that Athale has a long history of m

ments and threats,” the United States Department of Justice s

that he had

Yuvraj Goyal

13 ministers from South in Modi 3.0 cabinet

H Y D E R A B A D : Pr im e M i ni s t er

Narendra Modi's new Council of Ministers in his historic third term h as la i d an u n pr ec e de nt ed emphasi s on the southern part of t he c ou n tr y, re f le c ti n g t he outcome of the recently concluded a s s em bl y el ec t i on The n ew cabinet inclu des 13 ministers from south This despi te the BJP tally remaining exactly where it was in 2019 - 29 of the 129 southern seats

Karnataka minister quits over illegal money transfer scam

bes

Welfare Minister B Nagendra resigned after his name surfaced in a £18 7 mn illegal money transfer scam that came to light following th e suicide of a state government employee

Corporation Ltd, committed suicide on May 26, holding his superiors and the minister responsible for the scam

NAIDU TO TAKE OATH AS ANDHRA CM ON JUNE 12

H D

Five of the 13 southern ministersi n c l u d i n g f o r m e r c h i e

Kumaraswamy - are from Karnataka, BJP's only bastion in the south that delivered 19 of the 28 Lok Sabha seats to the NDA The BJP won 17 seats and Kumaraswamy's Janata Dal (Secular) two The state s ruling Congress won nine seats

Besides Kumaraswamy, the Council of ministers has Nirmala Sitharaman and Pralhad Joshi, who were part of the p r e v i o u s C a b i n e t U n

M

State in the previous Modi government, Shobha Karandlaje, and former minister in the state government V Somannaboth from BJP - also took oath TDP

Chandra Sekhar and BJP Member of

Andhra

represented by two ministers - G Kishan Reddy and Bandi Sanjay Kumar There are even two ministers from Kerala They are Suresh Gopi, who is the first BJP leaders to be elected to the Lok Sabha from Kerala, and George Kurian, who has been Kerala BJP's vice-president and part of the National Minorities Commission

minister from Tamil Nadu

Former envoy and BJP candidate Taranjit Sandhu comes third

CHANDIGARH: Taranjit Singh Sandhu, former ambassador to Wa sh i ng to n an d a BJ P candidate, was relegated to third place in a tou gh fo ur-cornered contest in Amritsar Desp ite his ef fo r ts to lev era ge h is connection to th e city, Sandhu’s campaign failed to resonate w ith voters

C o n g r e s s i n c

Gurjeet Singh Aujla retained the seat by a margin of 40,301 votes

A u j l a s e c u r e d 2 , 5

defeating his nearest rival, Aam

A a d m i P

cabinet minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal, who received 2,14,880 votes Sandhu garnered 2,07,205 votes

S a n d h u , t h e g

a n d s o n o f Teja Singh Samundri - a founder

m e m b e r o f t h e S h

n

G u r d w a r a P a r b a n d h a k Committee - tried to emphasize his local roots A 1988 batch Indian Foreign Service officer, Sandhu retired in January and joined the BJP two months later

The media said at times he

ground reality of politics and

wound up losing her

support Sandhu

reclaim the Amritsar seat since

Amarinder Singh won it in 2014, defeating former union minister Arun Jaitley In the 2019 elections, another union minister, Hardeep Singh Puri, lost to Aujla The BJP previously held the seat when Daya Singh Sodhi won it in 1998, a n d c

a n Navjot Singh Sidhu served as the MP three times while with the BJP

(Nagendra) voluntarily came forward and has resigned We did not ask him to resign We had a discussion with him," deputy CM Shivakumar was quoted as saying Shivakumar also said that Nagendra was ready for any probe, including by the CBI

The suicide has led to a political row in the state with the BJP targeting the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government Karnataka BJP chief BY Vijayendra alleged that Congress leaders were i

working for Dalits and tribal communities

Earlier, the police had filed an FIR against

suicide Further investigation into the case is underway

TMC MPs meet farmers, promise to raise their issues in Parliament

C H A N DI GA R H: The M am ata Bane rj ee- led A ll In d ia Trinamool Congress (TMC) has exp res se d s o li d ari ty w i th farmers protesting on PunjabHaryana border for nearly four months A delegation of TMC MPs

c

, Dola Sen, Sagarika Ghose and S

assured them of raising their issues in the upcoming session of Parliament

T h e M P s a l s o a r r a n g e d a phone call between West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee

a n d J a g j i t S i n g h D a l l e w a l , president, BKU (Sidhupur)

T h e T M C s u p r e m o t o l d Dallewal that in the upcoming s e s s i o n o f P a r l i a m e n t , h e r party’s 42 MPs (29 in Lok Sabha and 13 in Rajya Sabha) would raise the issue of giving legal guarantee for MSP on crops

T h e f a r m l e a d e r s a l s o handed over a memorandum to the MPs and urged them to raise this issue in Parliament The M P s w e r e a l s o s h o w n v i d e o s r e l a t e d t o “ a t

n m e n t o

farmers They were shown the b u r n t t r a c t o r s a n d t h e p l a c e where 22-year-old Shubhkaran

S i n g h w a s k i l l e d d u r i n g t h e protest on February 21 They also met Pritpal Singh and Varinder Singh, who had s u s t

a g i t a t i o n F a r m l e a d e r s , i n c l u d i n g A b h i m a n y u K o h a r , Sukhjinder Singh Khosa, Baldev Singh Sirsa, Lakhwinder Singh

A u l a k h a n d M a n i n d e r S i n g h Mann were also present

TMC to introspect on loss of urban votes in South Bengal

K OL KAT A: Why the T rinamul Congress has no t yet managed to make inroads in th e urban belts despite the p arty gaining a significant number of seats in the L ok Sabha election is a point of concern for the party and th e le ade rs h ip T h e i s su e w as discussed at TMC chairp erson Mamata Banerj ee ’ s ho use and th

ea

es t T h e mo ve is necessitated as the state p lans to h o ld c i vi c b o dy p o l ls in a nu mb er o f t o w ns w it h i n a couple of mo nths

T h e u r b a n v o t e r s h

chosen the Trinamul Congress candidates while exercising their

Bengal districts, while the rural belt stuck with the Trinamul Congress In the temple town of Bishnupur, the TMC has lost the entire 19 wards miserably In Bankura, the ruling party has w

recorded defeat in 20 wards T

votes in the seat

Durgapur Lok Sabha

Corporation

Ghosh was much ahead of Kirti in 33 out of total 43 wards In Purulia town, the TMC trailed behind BJP in 20 out of total 23

, w h i c h c a u s e d T M C

s defeat by a margin of 17,079

The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) national president N Chandrababu Naidu will take oath as the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh on June 12 at 11 27 am A place close to an IT park at Kesarapalle near Gannavaram airport has been zeroed in as the venue for the oathtaking ceremony Prime Minister Narendra Modi and a few senior NDA leaders, and Chief Ministers of a few other States are expected to attend the ceremony Of the total 175 Assembly constituencies, the NDA bagged 164 - the TDP won 135, the JSP 21 and the BJP 8, while the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) won 11 seats

PRAJWAL SENT TO JUDICIAL CUSTODY TILL JUNE 24

A Karnataka court sent suspended Janata Dal (Secular) leader Prajwal Revanna to judicial custody till June 24 in connection with rape and molestation cases A Special Investigation Team (SIT), which is probing the case didn't seek any further custody as it completed the spot inquest While in their custody the SIT conducted an investigation including gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses and questioned Prajwal about the allegations The court taking into consideration the gravity of the allegations and the evidence presented by the SIT, decided to remand him to judicial custody for 14 days, till June 24 Following his arrest he was sent to police custody till June 6 and was later extended it till June 10

HARYANA GOVT OFFERS FREE BUS RIDES TO POOR

With assembly elections just four months away, and the Lok Sabha results reducing BJP’s seat tally by 50% in the state, Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini launched ‘Happy Card’ which offers 1,000 km of free rides a year on state buses to all members of families with an annual income of up to Rs 100 000 Called Haryana Antyodaya Parivar Parivahan Yojana (Happy) distribution of the cards began in Gurgaon and other parts of the state last week So far Happy cards have been distributed among 59 708 beneficiaries, an official said It said Saini who was the chief guest at a state-level event held at Karnal, launched the statewide distribution of HAPPY cards The scheme will benefit approximately 85,00,000 beneficiaries in the state, and 59,708 people have already received the cards

Assembly segments In Katwa, the home town of TMC district p r e s i d e n t R a b i n d r a n a t h Chatterjee, TMC’s Dr Sharmila

S a r k a r r e c e i v e d i n s i g n i f i c a n t votes compared to BJP’s Asim Sarkar, a Baul singer The BJP still isn’t acceptable well in rural Bengal as a large chunk of voters considers the party as a political vehicle of the n o r t h I n d i a n l e a d e r s h a v i n g d o m i n a n c e o f ‘ n o n - B e n g a l i ’ p e o p l e B u t , v o t e r s o f u r b a n Bengal don’t maintain any such reservation mostly because they seemed to be perturbed with the alleged corruption of the civic body heads, councillors over the period

TRINAMOOL LEADER SHOT DEAD IN BENGAL

Post-poll violence-related tension was prevailing in the Hariharpara area in West Bengal s Murshidabad district following the killing of a local Trinamool Congress leader in a shootout The injured local leader Sanatan Ghosh, who suffered multiple bullet injuries, was shifted to Murshidabad Medical College and Hospital where he was declared dead His body has been sent for post-mortem Locals informed the police that Ghosh was surrounded by a group of assassins who came in motorcycles shot at him from a close range and escaped A political slugfest has already started in the locality over the murder Local Trinamool leader Rocky Sheikh has claimed that Ghosh s murder was the handiwork of goons backed by the BJP

Taranjit Singh Sandhu

N Chandrababu Naidu

J & K terror attack on pilgrims; over 20 picked for questioning

Exte nsi ve efforts to track down terroris ts in volved i n the attack on pilgrim s i n

Jammu and Kas hm ir's Reas i di strict con tinued, w ith 11 team s of securi ty personnel worki ng on the ground and a m ulti-directional cordon

l

i d a r ou n d t he P on iTreyath b elt, officials s aid

checking and frisking in the b

attack that left nine dead and 41 injured, they said

According to the officials, more than 20 people have been picked up for

, terrorists opened fire at the 53-seater bus carrying pil-

grims when it was en route from the Shiv Khori temple to the Mata Vaishno Devi s

Teryath village in the Poni area T h e b

h

was ferrying pilgrims from Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Delhi, plunged into a deep gorge following the g u n f i r e D

Inspector General of

Reasi Range, Rayees

forces have got some leads as 11 teams of

working on two different axes to neutralise the fleeing terrorists

"The search operation is going on in and around the area (where the attack took place) with 11 teams working on the ground apart

another senior police officer said

The officials said that based on the statements of those injured in the attack, they have not ruled out the possibility of a fourth person being present at the spot who acted as a lookout for the three terrorists S

forces suspect the Pakistani terrorists are hiding in the

Rajouri and Reasi and have intensified combing operations in the region They are taking directions from

, the sources said

Woman accuses temple monk of raping her in 2016

A monk earlier staying at t he Wa di S wam i na ra y an

T em pl e in V ad oda ra ha s been acc used of rape by a woman who clai med that the incident took place in 2016 when she was 14 years old The woman clai med in an offence registered at the Wadi police station that the accu sed also had her nu de videos and photographs

T h e w o m a n a l l e g e d that she had started going to the temple with her family in 2014 She added that i n 2 0 1 5 , t h e a c c u s e d

t h e c o mplaint, her father came in touch with Jagatpavandas in 2016

T

claimed that in July 2016, the accused called on her

night She received the call and spoke to the accused Later, she and the accused used to chat on WhatsApp in the night when she had her father’s phone

that the accused had gone t o t h

U S A

0 1 6 a n d brought a watch as a gift for her He asked her to collect i t , b u t t h

p

a i n a n t asked him to give the watch t o h e r f a t h e r H o w e v e r , Jagatpavandas did not do so and on Sep 10, 2016, when t h e s u r v i v o r w a s v i s i t i n g the temple, she went to the room of the accused where she was allegedly raped He threatened her and asked her not to disclose the incident to anyone The next

day the accused came to her school and gave her pills to avoid a pregnancy which she swallowed The accused left the temple in Nov 2019 and did not keep in touch after this Assistant commissioner of police G D Palsana said that the police was presently gathering evidence about the case He said that the accused had been booked under the POCSO Act as t h e c o m p l a i n a n t w a s a minor at the time of the incident

SIT formed to probe Kangana slap issue

A t hr ee - m e mb e r s p e c i al inves tigation team has been formed in connection with the i ncident in whi ch BJP MP- elect Kan gan a Ran aut was allegedly slapped by a CI SF woman c onstable at Ch an d i ga r h a i rp or t, a senior police officer said

M e a n w h i l e , s e v e r a l farmer outfits took out a march in Mohali in support of CISF woman constable

K u l w i n d e r K a u r F a r m e r leaders demanded that a fair investigation should be con-

d u c t e d i n t o t h e m a t t e r while asserting that there should not be any injustice with the woman constable

E a r l i e r , c o n s t a b l e

K u l w i n d e r w a s c h a r g e d w i t h " v o l u n t a r i l y c a u s i n g h u r t " a n d " w r o n g f u l restraint" in an FIR regis-

tered by Mohali Police for h

g Ranaut at Chandigarh airport

Kulwinder, whom CISF a r r e s t e d a n d s u s p e n d e d soon after Kangana complained against her, received support from various individuals and organisations Police said they were scann i n g f o o t a g e f r o m C C T V

cameras at the terminal to v e r i f y t h e a l l e g a t i o n s against her CISF DIG Vinay Kajla

w a s q u o t e d a s s a y i n g

Kulwinder was "apologetic" about her "emotional outburst" - she allegedly confronted Kangana over her r e m a r k s a b o u t w o m e n ' s p a r t i c i p a t i o n i n t h e f a r m agitation - but there was no official word from the force

on this Sources said CISF would take action based on the outcome of the departmental inquiry against the constable

M e a n w h i l e , p o p u l a r music composer and singer V i s h a l D a d l a n i h a s n o w reacted to the slap incident and said that he wants to ‘ ensure a job’ for the CISF lady if any action is taken against her Vishal shared a video report and wrote in the caption, “I do not ever support violence, but I absolutely understand the need of this @official cisf personnel's anger If any action is taken against her by the CISF, I will ensure that she has a job waiting for her should she choose to accept it Jai Hind Jai Jawaan Jai Kisaan ”

Mohan Majhi to be Odisha's first BJP chief minister

T h e B J P h a s p i ck ed a r el ati ve ly

u nknow n face - four-time MLA and the p a rty 's tri b al f ac e Mo h a n Ch ar an Manjhi - as the new ch ief minister of O di s h a af te r s en io r st ate le ader s

Dh armendra Pradhan and Jual Oram

jo ined the Modi government T he p arty h a s al so p ic k ed t w o D ep u ti e s fo r Manjhi - K V S ingh Deo and Pravati

P arida

The oath ceremony will be held on Wednesday, which will be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik

PM Modi is expected to hold a roadshow in Bhubaneshwar on his way to

Mohan Charan Manjhi

the venue, the Janata Maidan Majhi, 52, a four-time MLA from Keonjhar, is an experienced politician and his public service and organisational skills worked in his favour in the

109-year-old Shiva temple gutted in Kashmir

A major fire destr oy ed 1 09-yea r-ol d Shiva temple

Ka shmi r 's

race for the top post, sources indicated The chief whip of the BJP in the previous assembly, he was the youngest of the frontrunners Deo, a six-time MLA and an erstwhile royal from Patna (princely state), Bolangir, was a minister in the Naveen Patnaik government for nine years till 2009, when the BJP and the Biju Janata Dal were in alliance

Tight security arrangements have been made for tomorrow's oath ceremony Several dignitaries, including union ministers and chief ministers of BJP-ruled states, are expected to attend the function

to

Gulmarg, 55km from Srinagar Built in 1915 b y Mohini Bai Sisodia, queen of Kashmir's l ast king Maharaja Hari Singh, the temple - Mohinishwar Shivalaya Shiv Mandir, also known as Maharani temple - stood on a hil lock surrounded b y meadows Made of wood and stones, the shrine's dist inctive pyramidal dome with windowed dorme rs was a notabl e fe ature, visible from all corners of Gul marg

"Police and locals helped douse the flames, but the temple could not be saved," an official said, adding that the cause of the

Purshotam Sharma attributed the fire to a short circuit from an electrical fault, exacerbated by high winds

For approximately 23 years, Ghulam Mohammad Sheikh, a local from Dandahmuh in Baramulla district, took care of the temple dedicated to the deity Shiva and his consort Parvati, following the departure of Kashmiri Pandits during separatist militancy Fondly referred to as Panditji , Sheikh diligently served, initially employed as a chowkidar by the Dharmarth Trust Over time, he learned the rituals and conducted the puja, as well as the evening and morning aarti, in the absence of a regular priest Sheikh retired in 2021 Since November 2023, Purshotam Sharma has been appointed as the temple priest

T h

appeared in several Bollywood movies, including the song "Jai Jai Shiv Shankar" from "Aap Ki Kasam", starring Rajesh Khanna and Mumtaz, as well as in "Andaz" and "Kashmir Ki Kali"

Two planes come dangerously close at Mumbai airport

I n a clos e call at Mumbai a i r por t , an I n d i Go a i rcraf t des cend ed on the runway, touching down even as an A ir Indi a flight was takin g off, breachin g the safety m argi n The AI plane li fted off a split second before In diGo touched d o w n a b ou t 2 ,1 00 f e e t b ehi nd, said s ources

At the Mumbai airport, w h i c h o p e r a t e s w i t h o n e runway, the norm is that t h e a i r c r a f t t a k i n g o f f should lift off and cross the end of the strip before the aircraft landing can cross the beginning and proceed to touch down

The incident, captured by plane spotters, showed the aircraft, one behind the other, on the runway The footage went viral, prompti n g D

appeared dangerously close

The investigation will p r i m a r i l y l o o k i n t o t h e sequence of events that led to the breach of separation, the safety margin, between the two A320Neo aircraft, one operated by AI as AI-

the other, an IndiGo flight

Mumbai

The runway meet-up of both these flights occurred around 6 20 am The air traffic controller concerned has been derostered from duty to allow for the investigation

Pandian quits politics over BJD’s poll debacle

V K Pandian, who quit the I AS last November to join B JD and quickly graduated f r om

sorry if the campaign narrative against me has had a part to play for BJD's loss” “ I h a v e c

c i o u s l y decided to withdraw myself from active politics I apologise to the Biju family and all workers of BJD My only intent of joining politics was to assist my mentor Naveen Patnaik,” said Pandian, who had declared at a rally that he would quit politics if BJD didn't return to office with a three-fourths majority

T a m i l N a d u - b o r n Pandian's resignation caps a week of setbacks for BJD,

with Naveen missing out on a sixth consecutive term in office and the party drawing a blank in the Lok Sabha poll The former bureaucrat, whom BJP repeatedly targeted during the campaign as a threat to “Odia asmita” (identity), is copping much of the blame for his party's electoral debacle, although h i s m e n t o r h a s s t o o d b y him In what could be more t h a n a c o i n c i d e n c e , N a v e e n ' s n e p h e w A r u n P a t n a i k l a n d e d i n Bhubaneswary, sparking a buzz about the BJD baton b e i n

c c e s

, s a y i n g the people of Odisha would c h o o s e w h o s h o u l d w e a r that hat

Biden, Putin among 90 world leaders who congratulate Modi on poll victory

U S Pres ident Joe Biden and his R

About 90 foreign leaders from close to 70 countries had greeted Modi Italian PM Giorgia Meloni, who will host next week the G7 summit which Modi is expected

Narendra Modi and the National

election The friendship between

Indian Ocean neighbours join newly elected PM Modi on stage

As Narendra Modi took oath as

t he Pr ime M in is ter for a third

c onsecutive term, several leaders f r om t he n e i gh bo ur ho od an d I ndi an O cean attended the oath c eremony on Sunday S

Seychelles Vice-President, Ahmed Afif; Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina; Mauritius Prime M i n i s t e r P r a v i n d K u m a r Jugnauth; Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda';

a

event

These leaders also met Prime Minister Modi on stage later in the day Most of these leaders

w e r e a m o n g t h e f i r s t g l o b a l

leaders to congratulate PM Modi after victory in the Lok Sabha polls N o r w e g i a n A m b a s s a d o r t o India, May-Elin Stener, Singapore H i g h C o m m i s s i o n e r t o I n d i a , Simon Wong and several other dignitaries also attended the oath ceremony P r i m e

invitation to neighbouring leaders reflects India's ongoing efforts to

leaders from SAARC nations, and in 2019, he invited countries from the BIMSTEC group India has emerged as a strong voice in the past decade PM Modi has prioritised positioning India as the 'Voice of the Global South' w i t h t h

emphasis on cooperation in the Indian Ocean with the SAGAR initiative

under India's presidency with the

was the African Union's inclusion as a permanent member of G20 Narendra Modi took oath as Prime Minister of India for his third successive term on Sunday at a

Rashtrapati Bhavan which is being attended by leaders from India s neighbourhood and Indian Ocean region Notably, PM Modi is the second Indian leader to win a third term after founding prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru

Nawaz reaches out for peace, PM Modi says security remains India’s priority

P a ki s tan P M S h eh baz S h ari f congratulated Narendra Modi for taking over as Prime Minister for the th ird time but more significant w as a felicitation message fro m the elder S harif - former PM Nawaz S harif, who spo ke about replacing h ate with hop e Modi expressed appreciation for the message, saying the people

o f I n d i a h a v e a l w a y s s t o o d f o r p e a c e , s e c u r i t y a n d p r o g r e s s i v e ideas

“Advancing the well-being and security of our people shall always remain our priority,” said Modi, who did not invite Pakistan for the i n a u g u r a t i o n o f h i s t h i r d t e r m Modi’s emphasis on security is in l i n e w i t h h i s g o v t ’ s l o n g h e l d position that Pakistan’s continued support to cross-border terrorism is not conducive for dialogue

J u s t b e f o r e t h e e l e c t i o n outcome too, Nawaz had reached out to India’s incoming govt by reiterating his position that it was P a k i s t a n t h r o u g h i t s K a r g i l offensive that had violated his 1999 peace agreement with India in the form of the Lahore Declaration

H o w e v e r , h i s r e m a r k s n o w constitute the first direct peace o u t r e a c h t o I n d i a s i n c e t h e

c o a l i t i o n g o v t i n P a k i s t a n t o o k power earlier this year Nawaz said Modi’s success in elections reflects the confidence of the people in his leadership “Let us replace hate

w i t h h o p e a n d s e i z e t h e opportunity to shape the destiny of the two billion people of South

A s i a , ” s a i d N a w a z , w h o w a s recently re-elected president of his party, in a post on X C o m i n g f r o m t h

m o s t p o w e r f u l c i v i l i a n l e a d e r i n Pakistan, and one who is known to share a close rapport with Modi h i m s e l f , t h e r e m a r k s a r e particularly significant Modi also thanked Shehbaz for his message It was under Modi and Nawaz - i n 2 0 1 5 w h e n t h

Islamabad - that the two sides had

engagement That dialogue saw

the dialogue process under the

followed by Modi’s famous drop by, and only visit to Pakistan as

birthday but that initiative also quickly fizzled out because of the Pathankot terror attack and later the Uri attack

India has refused to have any diplomatic engagement ever since, except for the Indus Waters Treaty talks, and Pakistan itself decided to downgrade ties by recalling its high commissioner in 2019 after India revoked the special status of the erstwhile state of J&K

our nations is only growing as we u n

unlimited potential,”said Biden in a post on X Putin phoned Modi and said the results reflected the support of “the political course pursued by the Indian leadership, recognition

socio-economic development of the country and strengthening of its international authority”

satisfaction with the current level of the Russian-Indian special and privileged strategic partnership, which will continue expanding in a

constructive personal interaction

A congratulatory letter was also sent to Narendra Modi,” said a Russian readout

voters, poll workers,

the US said

NCP turns down BJP offer of MoS post to Praful Patel

T he ND A

Pawar’s demand to induct NCP Ra j y a Sa b h a m e mb e r P ra f ul Patel as a cab in et minister After a meeting with J P Nadda, A mit Shah and Rajnath Singh, NCP was informed there’s only one minister of state (MoS) post on offer for smaller parties, barring N Chan drab ab u Naid u ’ s T DP and Nitish Kumar’s JD(U) While Ajit Pawar and Patel a c c e p t e d N D A ’ s c o n t e n t i o n , t h e y d e c i d e d “ t o w a i t t i l l remedial measures are taken as early as possible” In view of his seniority, NCP was expecting that Patel would be granted a plum portfolio with cabinet rank Patel said: “We were informed that NCP will get MoS with independent charge I was earlier a cabinet minister in the Union government, so this would be a demotion for me I had reservations on accepting

Six BJP MPs

the MoS post We informed the BJP leadership and they told us to wait for a few days and they would take remedial measures ” Pawar, who attended Modi’s swearing-in ceremony in Delhi along with state NCP president Sunil Tatkare, said, “Patel is a senior leader and has already held the post of MoS earlier We have made it clear that either NCP gets a cabinet berth or we wait (till it becomes available)

B

from Gujarat find place in Modi 3.0 govt

Six MPs from Gujarat have been inc luded in the Modi 3 0 govt Am it Sh ah, J P N ad da , S J ai s ha nk ar , C R Pa a ti l an d Mansukh Mandaviya were sworn in as cabinet rank ministers, while Nimuben Bambhaniya, who won from Bhavnagar, was sworn in as minister of state Seven MPs from Gu j a ra t e ac h w er e pa rt o f th e Modi 1 0 and Modi 2 0 govts Amit Shah has played a pivotal role in the growth of the saffron party in the state Widely accepted

PM Modi to make day-long visit to Italy for G7 summit on June 14

Days after his swearing-in, Prime Minister Narendra M od i w il l u n de

d

y-l

ng v isi t t o It a l y t o partic ipate in the G7 summit on June14 With the PM u nl ikely to attend the Ukraine peac e summ it, w hich w ill be hosted by Switzerland immediatel y after G7, he’s expec ted to be back the next day, in time for the Parliam ent session beginning mid-June

Unlike China, India is likely to participate in the Switzerland summit, for which Russia has not been invited, but at a junior level Modi will address the G7 outreach session on June 14 and have bilateral meetings with several G7 leaders, as also with counterparts from other invitee countries Govt sources said efforts were on to schedule as many bilateral meetings as possible on the margins of the summit

Modi is expected to address issues related to d

ducking G7 recriminations against Russia The G7 is expected to announce at the summit progress in their plans to use income from frozen Russian assets for the benefit of Ukraine

Italian PM Giorgia Meloni, who will host the summit in Apulia, was among the first heads of govt to congratulate Modi for the majority his NDA got in the Lok Sabha elections

In a post on X, Meloni said she was sure “that we will continue to work together to strengthen the friendship that unites Italy and India and consolidate cooperation on the various issues that bind us, for the well-being of our nations and our peoples”

figure in the country after PM Modi, 59-year-old Shah secured his second consecutive LS victory from the Gandhinagar seat by a margin over 700,000 votes BJP president J P Nadda, 63,

Sabha from Gujarat earlier this year, was also among those who were sworn in as cabinet rank minister

S

India’s foreign secretary during

represents Gujarat in Parliament from the Rajya Sabha

from Navsari Mansukh Mandaviya, 51,

Union health minister, was also included in

Joe Biden and Narendra Modi

Praful Patel

Modi government 3.0 takes charge

Continued from page 1

H i s r e - e l e c t i o n u n d e r s c o r e s t h e widespread support and trust he commands among voters, reflecting both his a c c o m p l i s h m e n t s a n d h i s vision for the nation's future

As Modi embarks on this

n e w t e r m , e x p e c t a t i o n s a r e high, and the spotlight is firmly on his agenda for governance, development, and progress He took oath for a historic third consecutive term amid a crowd of 10,000 invitees at the forec o u r t o f t h e R a s h t r a p a t i Bhawan Celebrities, industrialists, political leaders, friends, supporters, and foreign dignitaries applauded this rare feat as the sun set on a warm summer evening Notably, this will be the first time PM Modi will share power with his allies since he came to power in 2014

were involved in the construction of the new Parliament building

37 ministers dropped In Prime Minister Modi’s third term,

37 ministers have been dropped, including seven Cabinet ministers such as Smriti Irani, Anurag Thakur, and Narayan Rane

W

All eyes looked out for the surprises in the four rows of ministers who followed M o d i , a s P r e s i d e n t D r a u p a d i M u r m u administered the oath of office in a twoand-half hour ceremony that saw seven women ministers

Loud cheering for young Rammohan Rao (TDP), a seasoned Jiten Ram Majhi (HAM), and BJP seniors Amit Shah and Nitin Gadkari were heard when their names were called This BJP led Modi government has ministers who hail from Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka and even Kerala where BJP has won its first Lok Sabha seat this time

Among those who attended Modi’s third swearing-in were seven top leaders

f r o m I n d i a ' s n e i g h b o u r h o o d a n d t h e Indian Ocean region - Bangladesh Prime

M i n i s t e r S h e i k h H a s i n a , M

Prachanda, Sri Lankan President Ranil

W

M i n i s t e r P r a v i n d K u m a r J u g n a u t h , Bhutan's Tshering Tobgay and Seychelles’ Vice President Ahmed Afif

The front row of VIP attendees featured renowned film stars such as Shah Rukh Khan, Anil Kapoor, and Rajinikanth, along with Akshay Kumar, among others Notable industrialists Mukesh Ambani and Gautam Adani, along with their families, were also present Chief Justice DY

C h a n d r a c h u d a t t e n d e d t h e c e r e m o n y with his wife, while former Presidents

R a m N a t h K o v i n d a n d P r a t i b h a P a t i l graced the occasion as well The ceremony also saw the presence of several religious leaders, adding to its significance

Among those sworn in were seasoned l e a d e r s s u c h a s R a j n a t h S i n g h , N i t i n Gadkari, Amit Shah, Nirmala Sitharaman, S Jaishankar, and J P Nadda However, the event also introduced fresh faces like form e r c h i e f m i n i s t e r s S h i v r a j S i n g h Chouhan (Madhya Pradesh) and Manohar Lal Khattar (Haryana)

Notably, there was a sparse represen-

t a t i o n o f o p p o s i t i o n l e a d e r s W h i l e C o n g r e s s p r e s i d e n t a n d L

O p p o s i t i o n i n t h e R a j y a S a b h a , Mallikarjun Kharge, attended the ceremony, several others chose to skip it

Among the invitees were also people from the transgender community as well as sanitation workers and labourers, who

Independent Charge remain, 30 out of 42 Ministers of State have been dropped N

include V K Singh, Faggansingh Kulaste, A

Chandrashekhar Smriti Irani, a cabinet

Government, lost the Amethi election to C

Kishori Lal Sharma by over 169,000 votes

Irani served as HRD and Textiles Minister in Modi’s first term and held the Women and Child Development and Minority Affairs portfolios in the second term

Anurag Thakur, who won his fifth consecutive term from the Hamirpur Lok Sabha constituency, held dual charge of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in Modi 2 0 Transgender community, labourers invited People from the transgender community, labourers, and sanitation workers who contributed to the construction of the new parliament building have been invited to the swearing-in ceremony BJP MPs Virendra Kumar and Gajendra Singh S

workers respectively before the ceremony It's the first time transgender individuals are formally invited Former Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya honoured 90 labourers and 30 sanitation workers involved in the construction Mix of old and new faces

PM Modi's third-term council of ministers reflects diverse representation from all corners of the country and various social groups It comprises 27 ministers from Other Backward Classes, 10 from S c h e d

Tribes, and 5 from minorities

Notably, 18 senior ministers will head ministries, and the cabinet includes 43 ministers who have served three terms or more in Parliament, with 39 having prior experience as central government ministers Additionally, it features multiple former chief ministers, 34 ministers with experience in state legislatures, and 23 who have served as ministers in states The 72member council of ministers has seven women, including two with cabinet rank

Among the new ministers, there are 3 3 f i r s t - t i m e r s , i

allied parties: TDP's K Rammohan Naidu, J D U ' s L

S i n g h , R L D '

J a y a n t Chaudhary, and others Notably, Suresh Gopi became the first BJP MP from Kerala

This time, BJP's NDA partners secured five cabinet berths, compared to none previously, with two ministers of states with i n d e

and four ministers of

s o inducted

The List of Cabinet Ministers

Naren dra Mod i: Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions; Department of Atomic Energy; Department of Space

Rajn ath Sin gh: Ministry of Defence

Amit Shah: Ministry of Home Affairs; Ministry of Cooperation

Nitin Gad kari: Ministry of Road Transport and Highways; Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers

JP Nad da: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

S hivraj Sing h : Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare; Ministry of Rural Development

Nirmala Sitharaman: Ministry of Finance; Ministry of Corporate Affairs

S Jaishankar: Ministry of External Affairs Manohar Lal Khattar: Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs; Ministry of Power

HD Kumaraswamy: Ministry of Heavy Industries; Ministry of Steel

Piyush Goyal: Ministry of Commerce and Industry

Dhar mendra Pradhan: Ministry of Education

Jitan Ram Man jhi: Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises

Lalan Singh: Ministry of Panchayati Raj; Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and dairying

S arbananda Sonow al: Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways

Virendra Kumar: Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment

Kin jar apu R M Naid u: Ministry of Civil Aviation

Prahlad Jos hi: Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution; Ministry of New and Renewable Energy

Jual O ram: Ministry of Tribal Affairs

Giriraj Singh: Ministry of Textiles

As hwini Vais hnaw: Ministry of Railways; Ministry of Information and Broadcasting; Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology

Jyotiraditya Sc in dia: Ministry of Communications; Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region

B hupen dra Yadav: Ministry of Environment and Forests

Gajendra Sing h S: Ministry of Tourism; Ministry of Culture

An npurna Devi: Ministry of Women & Child Development

Kiren Rijiju: Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs; Ministry of Minority Affairs

Hardeep S ingh Puri: Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas

Mans ukh Man daviya: Ministry of Labour & Employment; Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports

G Kishan Reddy: Ministry of Coal; Ministry of Mines

Chirag Paswan : Ministry of Food Processing Industries

C R Patil: Ministry of Jal Shakti M inisters of St ate (Independent Ch arge)

Rao Inderjit Sing h: Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation; Ministry of Planning; Minister of State in the Ministry of Culture

Jitendra Sing h: Ministry of Science and Technology; Ministry of Earth Sciences; Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office; Minister of State in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions; Minister of State in the Department of Atomic Energy; Minister of State in the Department of Space

Arjun R am Meghw al: Ministry of Law and Justice; Minister of State in the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs

Prataprao G Jad hav: Ministry of Ayush; Minister of State in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

Jayan t Chaudhary: Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship; Minister of State in the Ministry of Education M inisters of St ate

Jitin Prasada: MoS Ministry of Commerce and Industry; MoS Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology

S hrip ad Yess o Naik: MoS Ministry of Power; MoS Ministry of New and Renewable Energy

Pankaj Chaudhary: MoS Ministry of Finance

Krishan Pal: MoS Ministry of Cooperation

Athaw ale R Bandu: MoS Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment

Ram Nath Thakur: MoS Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare

Nityan an d Rai: MoS Ministry of Home Affairs

An upriya Sin gh Pate l: MoS Ministry of Health and Family Welfare; MoS Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers

V Somann a: MoS Ministry of Jal Shakti; MoS Ministry of Railways

Ch andra Sekhar P : MoS Ministry of Rural Development; MoS Ministry of Communications

S P S in gh Bag hel : MoS Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying; MoS Ministry of Panchayati Raj

S hobha Karandlaje: MoS Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises; MoS Ministry of Labour and Employment

Kirti Vardhan Sin gh: MoS Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change; MoS Ministry of External Affairs

B L Verma: MoS Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution; MoS Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment

S han tan u Thakur: MoS Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways

S ures h Gopi: MoS Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas; MoS Ministry of Tourism

L Murug an: MoS Ministry of Information and Broadcasting; MoS Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs

Ajay Tamta: MoS Ministry of Road Transport and Highways

B an di Sanjay Kumar: MoS Ministry of Home Affairs

Kamlesh Pasw an : MoS Ministry of Rural Development

Bhagir at h C houd har y: MoS Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare

Satis h Chandra Dub ey: MoS Ministry of Coal; MoS Ministry of Mines

S an jay Seth: MoS Ministry of Defence

Ravneet Singh B it tu: MoS Ministry of Food Processing Industries; MoS Ministry of Railways

Durg a Das Uikey: MoS Ministry of Tribal Affairs

Raksha Ni khil Khadse: MoS Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports

S ukanta Majumdar: MoS Ministry of Education; MoS Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region

S avitri Thakur: MoS Ministry of Women and Child Development

Tokhan Sahu: MoS Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs

Raj Bhushan Cho udhary: MoS Ministry of Jal Shakti

B hupathi R S Varma: MoS Ministry of Heavy Industries; MoS Ministry of Steel

Harsh Malhotra: MoS Ministry of Road Transport and Highways; MoS Ministry of Corporate Affairs

Nimuben B ambhania: MoS Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution

Murlid har Mohol: MoS Ministry of Cooperation; MoS Ministry of Civil Aviation

George Kurian: MoS Ministry of Minority Affairs; MoS Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying

Pabitra Margherita: MoS Ministry of External Affairs; MoS Ministry of Textiles

The President Smt Droupadi Murmu the Vice President Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar PM and other dignitaries after the Swearing-in Ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan

The President Smt Droupadi Murmu administering the oath of office of the Prime Minister to Shri Narendra Modi at a Swearingin Ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan

“Love the fact I am still around”: Actor Mona Singh on her 20-year journey

Reflecting on her 20-year career, actor Mona Singh believes one can only celebrate the past because of their choices She expresses gratitude for her journey, which began with the superhit TV show "Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin," and credits it for her "beautiful glory days "

Last year, when Singh marked two decades in the industry, the release of t h r e e a c c l a i m e d w e b s

i m e Video s Made in Heaven season two, Netflix s Kaala Paani, and SonyLIV s "Kafas" made the milestone year "extra special " Mona Singh, known for films such as "3 Idiots," "Laal Singh Chaddha," and the u

portray diverse characters across various mediums

She reflects, "The next step is always forward; the past is gone You can't c h

because of the choices you've made I'm

d accepting I love that I am still around and now exploring OTT and films "

"All the releases I had last year made 2023 extra special All three were loved, and what was even better was that the characters were so different from one another I m just so grateful for these beautiful glory days I m witnessing It s true that good things come to those who wait," Singh said in an interview

She is now enjoying exploring the horror comedy genre with "Munjya," a film set in Pune and the Konkan region, directed by Aditya Sarpotdar

Sonakshi Sinha and her rumoured boyfriend, actor Zaheer Iqbal, are reportedly set to marry. According to media reports, the couple has chosen June 23 as their wedding date.

The ceremony is expected to take place at a popular South Bombay (SoBo) location Sonakshi and Zaheer have been rumoured to be dating since 2020 They appeared together in the 2022 film "Double XL" and featured in the

frequently seen together at various events and dinners in Mumbai

D

comedy show, Sonakshi Sinha expressed her eagerness to get married It started when Kapil joked about many of her colleagues, like Alia

“Please don't do this Kapil Sharma, you know how eagerly I want to get married "

Chadha, and Aditi Rao Hydari

During an interview with an Indian media

During the discussion, Richa Chadha shared that she got married just ten days before shooting a song for the series Aditi Rao Hydari also got engaged soon after filming wrapped, and Sharmin Segal go married Richa humorously remarked to directo Sanjay Leela Bhansali, “This is like a marriag bureau ” When asked if she might be next Sonakshi playfully responded, “Thank you fo your wishes ” When further questioned if sh had already chosen a partner, she laughed an said, “No, let me choose first Then I will let yo know ”

Sonakshi Sinha and Zaheer Iqbal to get married on June 23

Sikandar Kher feels the key to comedy is good timing between co-actors

Adah Sharma shares endometriosis diagnosis

AdahSharma is undoubtedly experiencing the peak of her career, having released four projects in the past year across both OTT platforms and theatres.

Despite this professional success, the actor admits that the physical transformations demanded by these roles impacted her health significantly, leading to her developing endometriosis

“I had to be in a different body for these films For The Kerala Story, the first half I had to be petite and lean, so I look like a college girl For Commando, I had to be muscular; for Sunflower, I play a bar dancer, so I had to look voluptuous and sexy Whereas for Bastar, I had to be broad and large, as makers wanted

me to have a towering personality so that I could look like someone in charge and control,” says Sharma

For her role in Bastar, Sharma reveals that she had to consume a significant amount of food to gain weight and build muscle mass "I ate around 10 to 12 bananas a day because they wanted me to gain weight without compromising my fitness The movie involved a lot of action, so I needed to be strong We were carrying real guns weighing eight kilos and running up and down rocky terrains and mountains I always had nuts, dry fruits, and a lot of flax seed laddoos with me, eating two of those half an hour before going to sleep," she recounts

Actor Sikandar Kher is set to return to the comedy genre after an eight-year hiatus He readily admits that comedy is one of the most challenging genres for any actor to master

"I can't pinpoint exactly why comedy is the toughest genre, but I believe the key is the timing between your coactors The way your lines are written and what you can improvise at the last

moment is crucial, along with having a director who approves the take

That's one of the most challenging aspects," says the actor, who last tried comedy in the satire film "Tere Bin Laden: Dead or Alive" (2016)

Asked if he did any special prep to improve his comic timing for the upcoming project, the actor says, “Every script is different, there is nothing

to brush up on. For me, I just read the script again, and start understanding the character and what kind of person he is And it works ”

The 42-year-old actor, whose recent projects include "Monica, O My Darling," "Aarya" season 3, and "Tooth Pari: When Love Bites," is eagerly anticipating the audience's reaction to his next venture.

Kartik Aaryan rejects fairness cream and pan masala ads

Kartik Aaryan, promoting his upcoming film "Chandu Champion," discussed his brand endorsements. He admitted to appearing in a fairness cream ad years ago but ceased endorsing the brand upon realising its potential harm Kartik also mentioned refusing pan masala brands, a common trend among Bollywood male celebrities In an interview, the actor said, “I did an ad for a face cream a long time ago but then I stopped it I was not convinced I d i d n o t r e n e w i t b e c a u s e t h e n I understood that it could be wrong ” In 2018, after the success of Sonu Ke Titu Ki

S w

which was targeted towards men trying to make their skin fairer Two years later, the product’s name was changed to ‘Glow and Handsome’

Kartik Aaryan revealed that despite receiving numerous offers, he has never signed on to pan masala brands "I've been offered a lot of brands that I've refused, like those supari, pan masala brands I don't relate to those things, and I try to avoid them for as long as I can," he explained When questioned about other a c t o r s

h e remarked, "I can't judge who is right or w

don't align with my goals "

Taapsee Pannu shares her admiration for husband, Mathias Boe

Ina recent interview, actor Taapsee Pannu discussed her marriage to badminton player and coach Mathias Boe She revealed being "very impressed and in awe" of him when they first met, finding him a refreshing change from the usual people she encountered Pannu also shared insights on how they navigate cultural differences, given Boe's Danish background

Opening up about her admiration for Mathias, Taapsee Pannu told the media, "I think the fact that he is an athlete and someone who had won at the Olympics for a start half the job was done there (laughs) I have always been very impressed and in awe of athletes who play for their country and perform under extreme pressure without getting affected I have loads of respect and admiration for them "

The actor also disclosed that she "tested" Mathias extensively before being certain he was the one "There was a lot of testing and a lot of me being sure It was not like a love-at-first-sight situation, for me at least I took time to assess if it’s really practical the feasibility of the relationship was important for me I was obviously fond of him and respected him, and we kept meeting, and I grew to love him So falling in love didn’t happen in a month or instantly It is a fact though, which I keep repeating in most interviews about him when I met him I felt like I met a man," she said

Anurag Kashyap says Bollywood wants to earn £50-80 million, not make films

Anurag Kashyap is known for his candid opinions on evolving storytelling trends and the challenges filmmakers and artists encounter

In a recent interview, he reflected on the creative crisis in the Hindi film industry, noting that the drive for everyone to earn £50 to 80 million has contributed to this issue

The filmmaker highlighted how commercial success can stifle creativity, stating, "I have often seen that success destroys more than it breeds When 'Sairat' made £10 million, I told my friend Nagraj Manjule that Marathi cinema was finished Because now, no one will want to tell stories; they will want to earn £10 million "

He also expressed, "The problem with our Hindi film industry is that the focus now is on earning £50 to 80 million, rather than on making quality films To achieve this, you have to dumb down your films, sacrificing the integrity of your story It s not about originality anymore; everyone follows a formula and copies each other Now, everyone is chasing the pan-India trend If you watch 10 pan-India films, they all look the same This doesn't bode well for the industry's health, as these films often bomb at the box office One or two might succeed, prompting everyone to imitate, leading to a string of failures "

“Don’t treat me like a divine entity, that was just my role in Kantara”: Rishab Shetty

When people struggle to distinguish between the character and the actor, it's a sign of a job well done Rishab Shetty, who portrayed a daiva in Kantara, reflects on the overwhelming attention he receives in public spaces "I'm not sure how to respond to it all It's been almost two years since Kantara was released," says Rishab

Having recently wrapped up a s h o o t f o r h i s u p c o m i n g f i l m "Kantara Chapter 1" in his hometown Kundapura, the actor is now back in Bengaluru for a short stay At events, so many people come and fall at my feet and treat me with so much reverence I feel at a loss for words when such things happen I’m not some divine entity; I am just an actor What you saw in Kantara, was the character I played That person is not me I owe it to the daivas and people for showering me with love But treat me like an artiste Let the reverence be for the gods!

G i v e n t h e h i g h e x p e c t a t i o n s

from "Kantara Chapter 1," we aimed to deliver a visually stunning experience For VFX-intensive segments, we enlisted a top-notch studio that has worked on acclaimed films like " T h e L i o n K i n g " a n d " T h e Chronicles of Narnia The work is progressing swiftly across various locations worldwide, including the US, UK, and Bengaluru

Jiiva expresses desire to portray M Karunanidhi in bopic

Actor Jiiva recently appeared in the Telugu political biography film "Yatra 2" alongside Mamooty, portraying the role of Jagan Mohan Reddy

Afterwards, he expressed his interest in p o

Minister and DMK leader M Karunanidhi in a film The ruling party of Tamil Nadu recently celebrated the centenary of M K

tographs of the late leader at the event

Additionally, an exhibition is ongoing, set to conclude on June 10 Actor Jiiva attended the exhibition along with lyricist Pa Vijay

Addressing the media afterward, Jiiva praised M Karunanidhi s contributions to the state during his four-decade tenure as

expressed his desire to portray the leader on screen if a biopic were ever made about him However, he also acknowledged that a single film wouldn't adequately capture the richness of Kalaignar's life story, suggesting that it should be presented as a web series

Jiiva made his debut with the film Aasai Aasaiyai and has acted in many films in his career He last appeared in Custody and Singapore Saloon, both of which received very lukewarm responses at the box office

Gautam

Vijay Sethupathi no longer wishes to share the

screen with major stars

Tamil

star Vijay Sethupathi, known for his versatility, recently explained his decision to refrain from antagonist and supporting roles

Despite criticism, he made special appearances in films like "Uppena" and "Michael," and played antagonists in "Master," "Vikram," and "Jawan " In an interview, Sethupathi expressed feeling overlooked despite putting in equal effort When asked about his aspirations to work with Tamil cinema stars, he replied honestly, "No, I think I’m fatigued by those kinds of films "

He elaborated, "This is because I’ve had both good and bad experiences in the Indian film industry When you sign on a film with another star, you obviously know what role you're signing up for But sometimes, despite your hard work and performance, there’s minimal recognition You contribute as much as the star, but often it goes unnoticed "

Sethupathi confirmed his decision to move away from villain and guest roles, stating, "Yes, I first mentioned this during the promotions of Merry Christmas that I don’t want to play such roles in the future " He explained, I have declined many such offers recently When you repeatedly portray similar roles, there are limitations and comparisons to your previous performances " Notably, his roles as Bhavani in "Master" and Sandhanam in "Vikram" faced criticism for their similarities, leading to rumours that Sethupathi was initially hesitant to accept the latter role for this reason

Menon recalls feeling discomfort while narrating a script to Mani Ratnam

Gautam

Vasudev Menon, who credits his filmmaking skills to watching the works of his idol Mani Ratnam, shared an awkward moment he had with the ace filmmaker due to actor R Madhavan Recalling the incident, Menon humorously stated, "I hate Madhavan," referring to a narration mishap Ratnam celebrated his 68th birthday To honour the occasion, O2india released a special video dedicated to the Ponniyin Selvan director, featuring Menon discussing his "Guru " In the video, Gautam Menon recounted an incident where R Madhavan insisted that

Minnale to Mani Ratnam Menon expressed his discomfort, saying, "I was made to go and narrate my first script Minnale to Mani sir by Madhavan " He admitted feeling anxious

admired Despite his nerves, the film eventually materialised In another interview, Gautam Vasudev Menon shared that Mani Ratnam was initially unimpressed by the story of Minnale However, Madhavan, feeling sympathetic towards Menon, agreed to work on the film

with him Released in 2001, the movie also starred Abbas and Reema Sen in key roles It depicted the tale of a young man who falls in love with a girl engaged to his former college rival Despite the initial scepticism, Minnale emerged as a commercial success

‘Panchayat

3’

featuring Jitendra Kumar

surpasses 12 million views in a week

As per Ormax Media, "Panchayat" Season 3, featuring the highly talented Jitendra Kumar, has emerged as the top-viewed series on Indian streaming platforms

This achievement is noteworthy as it surpassed the likes of "Baahubali: Crown of Blood," "The Great Indian Kapil Show with Bollywood A-listers, Illegal Season 3, and Jamnapar "Panchayat," celebrated for its endearing depiction of rural India and relatable narratives, has captured the hearts of audiences nationwide Season 3 follows the journey of Abhishek Tripathi, an engineering graduate who assumes the role of secretary at a panchayat office in a remote village

Seamlessly blending humour, emotion, and social commentary, the series crafts a narrative that deeply resonates with its viewers

The record-breaking viewership of 12 million for "Panchayat" Season 3 stands as a testament to its widespread appeal

Jitendra Kumar, an IIT Kharagpur engineering graduate, has made a mark for himself in the realm of OTT platforms

Known for his genuine portrayal of ordinary characters, Jitendra has garnered widespread recognition and a devoted fan following His role in "Panchayat" has received critical acclaim, further solidifying his reputation

Ananya Panday turns voice-over artist for 'Inside Out 2'

Ananya Pandey continues to shine in both her film projects and personal life, maintaining her presence in the limelight Now, the actress's voice will grace an animated film, none other than the sequel to Inside Out

The first instalment was released in 2015, and now, after nine years, the second part is set to hit the screens Disney Films recently posted a video on its Instagram handle, showing the actress joyfully entering the voice-over room in the studio The caption reads, "The only emotion we are full of is excitement Watch this space for more! Watch Disney & Pixar’s Inside Out 2, in cinemas from June 14 "

Ananya has lent her voice to the character named Riley in the Hindi version of 'Inside Out 2' Her mother, Bhavana Pandey, expressed her happiness by sharing emojis Additionally, users commented, expressing their excitement to see and hear Ananya in the film

Following her appearance in 'Kho Gaye Hum Kahan' alongside Siddh Chaturvedi and Adarsh Gaurav, the actress is set to star in 'Call Me Bay' H first look from the series was unveiled a few days ago Scheduled to stream Amazon Prime, the series will premiere on September 6th

Farida Jalal defends Heeramandi co-star Sharmin Segal against online criticism

Veteran actor Farida Jalal, renowned for her diverse role in films and television, recently portrayed a pivotal character in "Heeramandi " In a recent interview, she addressed the criticism faced by her co-star Sharmin Segal regarding her performance in the series

During her interaction, the from "Heeramandi" shared her t on Sharmin being subjected to trolling I m not happy about this Let's be kind She's given her best within her capacity as an actor The character didn't require being loud or boisterous," she remarked She added, "Why should we be mean to her? Let's be kind Maybe that's her limit, and that's okay The character is not meant to be loud She's a shayara who falls in love with my bacchha (Taha Shah's character), and that's it "

"Heeramandi" derives its title from the red-light district of Heeramandi in Lahore, present-day Pakistan, during prepartition India Set against the backdrop of the Indian i

unfolds amid a power struggle between courtesans of Lahore, Nawabs, and British officers This epic series marks Sanjay Leela Bhansali's debut in the OTT space It features a starstudded cast including Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha, Aditi Rao Hydari, Richa Chadha, Shekhar Suman, Adhyayan Suman, Fardeen Khan, and others in pivotal roles

Anushka Sen to portray assassin in debut Korean film 'Asia'

Anushka Sen, known for her role in 'Dil Dosti Dilemma,' boasts a sizable social media following garnered from her success in various hit TV shows Now, she ventures into new territory, portraying an assassin in the upcoming international film 'Asia '

In a recent interview with Variety, Anushka Sen shared her enthusiasm for her involvement in this global project She expressed, "It's an action thriller with individuals from various Asian countries coming together for this significant film It's truly a global endeavour, a K-film, and I'm thrilled to be part of it We've completed the first schedule and eagerly await the second This marks my debut as an assassin "

The actress also expressed her admiration for Korean cinema and her eagerness to collaborate with the industry She remarked, "During Covid times, watching K-dramas m

possibility of collaborating with Korea, being part of Asia The quality of their content is truly inspiring There are many similarities between Indian and Korean cinema, particularly in how we depict romance and family dynamics "

ambassador for Korean tourism

India win a thriller against Pakistan

Indian cr icketers showed wh at t h ey are tr u l y cap ab le of on S unday The six-run win ov er P akistan in New York was tru ly t he spectacle th at the spor t was so desper ately waiting for

n

D

bravehearts in blue rose from the ashes as India’s entry into

The toss went against India, a spectacular collapse led to them b

,

when Pakistan score read 80-4

i

looked all but gone B

winner of all time showed his magic Jasprit Bumrah pitched the ball in the right area and Mohammed Rizwan, who had battled on to 31 till then, played a poor shot to get bowled The

I n d i a n b o w l e r s k n e w t h e y w e r e back in the game

Everyone chipped in after that, with Axar giving two off the 16th

Shadab Khan off a short ball in the 17th, as the Pakistan wheels started coming off spectacularly It all boiled down to the 19th

over with Pakistan needing 21 and Bumrah back in action The champion chose to bowl back of the length as Ifthikar Ahmed and Imad Wasim just couldn’t get it going And when Ifthikar departed off the last ball of Bumrah’s spell, a blue wave engulfed the stadium Eighteen off the last over

reach as Arshdeep, who had scored a vital few runs with the bat as well, did just enough to take India home

h

h e s c o r e reading 89-3 in the 12th over, the game looked fairly under control for India Rishabh Pant (42 off 31 balls), in two gutsy partnerships with Axar Patel a n d S u r y a k u m a r Y a d a v , seemed to have weathered the early storm Brief scores: India 119 all out in 19 overs ( Rishabh Pant 42, Axar Patel 20; Naseem 3,

Rizwan 31, B Azam 13 , Bumrah 4, Pandya 2)

ECB launches 'Taste of Cricket' with over 100 events

T h e E ngl a nd and W al es

C r ic k et B o ar d ( E C B) h as

a nn o un c ed it s ‘T a s te o f C ricket’ camp aign, wh ich wil l s ee over 10 0 recreational cl ubs

a c ro s s E ng l an d an d W al es

o p e ni ng u p th e ir do o r s to th eir l ocal communities for a special match tea

Beginning on Sunday, June 30, through the vehicle of food, each match tea event, will showcase different stories of community clubs and volunteers who are driving positive change within the game and improving access to recreational cricket

Challenging the outdated stereotype of plain sandwiches and milky tea, the 'Taste of C r i c k e t ' e v e n t s w i l l d e m o n s

variety of cuisines that are often shared during community match teas across England and Wales With dishes such as vegetable Elawalu Roti, from Sri Lanka or the leek bhaji, a

within the sport F

festivities and in time for C

cookbook will launch, featuring a range of

royalty, and famous fans of the game The ECB is also offering cricket fans the chance for their

m

cookbook

The 'Taste of Cricket' campaign sits within t h e E C B ’ s e x i s t i n

‘ R a i s i n g T h

G

m e ’ platform, which was originally launched in 2022 to encourage inclusive behaviours and celebrate diversity in cricket

No dream farewell for Sunil Chhetri

India failed to give their captain Sunil Chhetri

a pe rfe ct farewell as Igor Stimac’s te am was held to a frustrat ing 0-0 draw against Kuwait

a t the Salt Lak e St adium in Kolk ata

A s t h e t e a r f u l C h h e t r i l e f t t h e international football stage after 151 caps and 94 goals and failing to make an impact on last week’s game, India’s chances of qualifying to the next round now hang in balance With 5 points from as many matches, and both Afghanistan (4 points from 4 games) and Kuwait (4 points from 5 games) lurking close by, the Blue Tigers now have to beat the already qualified Qatar in their own den in the final Group A fixture

A top-two finish in the group is the prerequisite not only for opening the door for

brushing shoulders with Asia’s best in the third round of World Cup qualifiers, but also guaranteeing a berth in the next edition of Asian Cup

With stakes so high, it felt like a juncture

farewell - which drew an official attendance of 58,921 in the stands - further elevated the sense of the occasion

But India never looked in sync with the challenge in question, dishing out another frustrating performance nearly three months after losing 1-2 to Afghanistan in Guwahati and making their job more difficult now

In fact, had Gurpreet Singh Sandhu not effected a string of saves, it could have been quite embarrassing for Chhetri and his team

Pragg ends with a win; Carlsen grabs Norway crown

I n di an G ran dma st er R P ra ggna nan dh a a ended his campaign o n a positive note by defeating American Hikaru Nakamura in th e finale to sign o ff third even as wo rld number o ne Magnus Carlsen won the Norway Ch ess tournament at Stavanger Carlsen walked away with prize money of 7,00,000 NOK (Around $65,000 reserved for the winner) for ending with 17 5 points in the unique tournament that ensured that each round had a winner either through Classical time control or Armageddon if the

India's FIFA World Cup hopes dashed in controversial defeat to Qatar

India's asp irations of progressing to the third ro und of FIFA World Cup Qualifiers were dash ed as Qatar staged a comeback to clinch a 2-1 victory Despite leading for 73 minutes, th e Blu e Tigers su ccu mbed to the h osts' p ressure, exacerbated by a controversial decisio n from th e linesman, in front of a spirited Indian expatriate audience at th e Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium

Replays clearly showed that the ball had crossed the byline after a failed attempt by Indian goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu to secure it from a shot fired by a Qatari player While the Indian players momentarily switched off, Qatar capitalised on the opportunity, retrieving the ball and slotting it into an unguarded net Despite fervent appeals from the Indian team, the referee and linesman upheld their decision, allowing Qatar to maintain dominance and eventually secure the winning goal India had been chasing the improbable dream of advancing to the third round of FIFA World Cup Qualifiers for the first time in their history Despite the evident gap in quality between the two teams, India showcased resilience and nearly achieved a remarkable result against the reigning Asian champions

The visitors began the game cautiously, with Qatari forwards immediately testing Sandhu just two minutes after kickoff For the first 20 minutes, India found themselves mostly on the defensive, with Qatar effectively controlling possession and circulating the ball Midway through the half, Stimac's strategic shift saw the players adopting an aggressive pressing style against the opponent This change proved highly effective, with India consistently winning second balls and launching counterattacks

Sittingbourne's little girls football team seeks sponsorship

Subhasini Naicker

I n t h e t ow n o f S it t ing bo u r ne, a s p iri te d foo tball team of yo ung girls, under the age of 8, kno wn as t h e WO O DC O O M BE

L io n es s e s Y o u th U 8 , embarked on th eir journey in September 2022 With a p as s io n f o r t he s p or t a nd dr ea m s o f at h l et ic achievement, th ese budding athletes eagerly too k to th e field However, as the UK economy faces ch all enges, the local bus ines ses that once generous ly s upported such initiatives are no lo nger able to contribute to the team's needs, particularly for ess ential equip ment like foo tball kits I n light of th is, the dedicated managers, c oaches, and sup portive parents o f t h e f o o tb al l c l ub a re re ac h ing o u t to th e community f or spo nso rs hip

daughter After a setback last year, she considered

returned with newfound confidence This shows how football teaches resilience and teamwork, shaping their future success, ” she added Speaking about the involvement of the girls in the football club, he said, “This club has various teams catering to different age groups and skill levels, starting from under

game ended in a draw Nakamura finished

Praggnanandhaa, who concluded third on 14 5 points

Praggnanandhaa can be happy with the fact that he defeated the top three ranked players in the world in one of the strongest ever tournaments He had beaten Carlsen and Caruana under Classical time control e

against Nakamura ensured that he became the first player ever to beat the top three

Speaking to Asian Voice, Abhra Malkar, a Technical Architecture at TCS and a parent whose daughter, Atmaja Malakar, is a member of the football club, shared his insights said, “Over the past two years, our girls football t e a m , w h i c h s t a r t e d i n S e p t e m b e r 2 0 2

received sponsorship from local businesses l

unable to continue their support as they feel the exposure they receive is limited due to the team's small size Now, as the girls transition to the under-nine category and require new kits and equipment, we are seeking additional f u n d i n

significantly improved the girls' skills, and they have not lost to any girls' teams in the past year Despite the modest amount needed, our coaches and managers are appealing to parents and community members to help secure the necessary funds ”

A b h r a h i g h l i g h t e d t h e i m p o r t a n c e o f promoting the crowdfunding campaign to ensure the team's continuity He expressed, “As a parent over the past two years, I've witnessed a remarkable transformation in many children, especially those diagnosed with autism or ADHD within our football team Despite facing personal and academic challenges, when they step onto the pitch for p r a c t i c e o r m a t c h e s , t h e y

remarkable change It's incredible to see how these children, including some girls on the

program every Tuesday, encouraging girls aged 5 to 11 to join This initiative serves as a gateway for girls interested in football to explore the sport before joining the club's teams ” Abhra highlighted that as a parent new to the area from India, shared how his daughter started in the Wildcats program and smoothly progressed to the under-7 team He praises the club for its inclusive environment a

players and parents feel welcomed and valued, regardless of background or performance level

In conversations with the players, team captain Rose Dunn shared her passion for

stereotypes wrong She finds excitement in pivotal moments such as scoring goals or witnessing remarkable saves by goalkeeper Lucy Rose's fondest memory remains their

delight in playing alongside her teammates, relishing the joy and energy of both games and practice sessions A standout moment for her was scoring a free kick during a match, bringing her immense joy Atmaja highlighted the team's resilience

WOODCOOMBE Lionesses Youth U8 team