AV 16th November 2024

Rashtriya Ekta Diwas and the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

SEE PAGE 08

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Sisters aim to bring Indian heritage to the table with Amrut

SEE PAGE 11 ----------------------

A sparkling night of celebrating life, giving hope at the London Diwali Ball

SEE PAGE 17

UK tax overhaul: What global Indians must consider SEE PAGE 18

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Why Kamala Harris lost the US presidential election

SEE PAGE 21

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PM Modi to attend G20 Summit in Brazil, also visit Nigeria, Guyana in 3-nation tour

SEE PAGE 26

N O T E N

The Labour government has introduced a long-anticipated mental health bill aimed at ending the use of prison cells for individuals in crisis and placing limits on detaining people with autism or learning disabilities

This bill proposes updates to the Mental Health Act 1983, last revised 17 years ago and now considered outdated The Act currently establishes the legal framework for detaining and administering compulsory treatment to individuals with mental health disorders who may pose a risk to themselves or others, a practice often referred to as "sectioning "

Anusha Singh and Subhasini Naicker

Swamishri

King Charles III with Princess Royal, Anne at the Remembrance Day ceremony

i ll i nd iv id u als m ay soon h ave th e op tion to end their liv es w ithin three w eeks under a new assisted d yi ng bi l l in tro d u c ed b y L abour MP Kim Leadbeater

T h i

f irst verify that the person meets the criteria for assisted death Once these assessments are complete, a judge must review evidence from at least one of the doctors and may also question the terminally ill person directly b e fo r e d e c i d i n g i f t h e y should be allowed to self-

a d m i n i s t e r t h e p r e s c r i b e d medication

Under the bill, the process will take at least three weeks unless the individual’s condition is deemed to be more immediately lifethreatening The bill mandates a minimum seven-day period between the initial

assessments by doctors, followed by a 14-day waiting period after the judge’s ruli n g A c c o r d i n g t o Leadbeater, the bill includes “t h e s t r i c t

s t p r o t e c t i o n s and safeguards of any legisl a t i o n a n y w h e r e

world

tion has prompted debate within Labour, with Health

We

Under the bill, eligibility is restricted to those who are

fe expectancy of six months or less, despite calls from some advocates to extend this to individuals with a prognosis of up to 12 months

L

o included measures to tighten the law against encouraging suicide, with penalties of up to 14 years in prison for violations MPs will have a

November 29

Met Police chief criticises Sadiq Khan, MPs on Kaba case

M e tro p o li ta n Po li c e

C o m m i ss i o ner S ir M ar k

R o w ley i s su e d a p o i nt ed criticism of political f igures, i n cl u d i ng M a yo r S a d i q

K h a n, r eg a rd i ng t h ei r respo nses to the Ch ris Kaba case

Si r M a r k w a r n e d t h a t influential voices could risk undermining public conf idence in the justice system, emphasising that restoring t r u s t m u s t b e a “ s h a r e d effort ” He also highlighted

K a b a's i n v o l v e m e n t i n B r i x t o n H i l l ’ s 6 7 g a n g , which has been linked to 11 shootings over the past year, includes 95 core members,

a n d e n g a g e s i n c h i l d

e x p l o i t a t i o n i n s o u t h London

R o w l e y e x p r e s s e d t h e need for “honest dialogue”

a b o u t i n d i v i d u a l s l i ke Kaba who was fatally shot by a police off icer in 2022 acknowledging the impact of such f igures on their own

Bl a c k c o m m u n i t i e s H i s remarks reflect frustration with Labour off icials who,

he suggested, have fuelled

r a c i a l n a r r a t i v e s a r o u n d Kaba’s death, despite ethnicity not being a factor in the Old Bailey case that acquitted Sergeant Martyn Blake in three hours

Tw o y e a r s e a r l i e r, Mayor Khan called Kaba’s d e a t h a “ y o u n g l i fe c u t

s h o r t ” a n d a c k n o w l e d g e d

t h e p r o fo u n d i m p a c t o n

Bl a c k L o n d o n e r s , v o i c i n g his understanding of their “ anger, pain, and desire for justice and change ” After the recent verdict, he again extended his sympathies to Kaba’s family Clapham and Brixton Hill Labour MP Bell

R i b e i r o -A d d y, a l o n g s i d e Jeremy Corbyn and Diane Abbott, also publicly supp o r t e d K a b a ’ s f a m i l y a n d called for “justice” in the aftermath

Sp e a k i n g a t t h e Cr i m e s t o p p e r s A n n u a l Dinner in Westminster, Sir Mark urged leaders to “work

t o g e t h e r ” t o s t r e n g t h e n public trust in policing and the justice process

Kemi Badenoch criticises Civil Service over payout delays

Kem i Bad enoch has accu sed the gov ernm ent bureau cracy of delaying comp ensation payou ts to v ictim s o f th e Post Off ice scandal, criticising Civ il Service red tap e for obstructing prog ress

At the Horizon scandal inquir y, the former business secretar y expressed frustration over what she called an

delay in redress for affected

drama ‘Mr Bates vs the Post

Treasur y to speed up the process

Expanding on her criticism of government operations, Badenoch noted that “too many checks and bal-

swift payouts, leaving her feeling “frustrated” by the

seemed to counter claims made by former Post Off ice chairman Henr y Staunton, whom Badenoch dismissed,

Election

Instead, records revealed

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt to

backlash after the IT V docudrama Badenoch recounted her efforts to cut through legal red tape to expedite

c

l u d i n g her consideration of issuing a Ministerial Direction to bypass bureaucratic hurdles Fo

, current Business Secretar y Jonathan Reynolds testif ied that past processes lacked “ s u f f ic ie nt a c c o u nt a b i l i t y, ” but assured the inquir y he is p e r s o n a l l y c o m m i t t e d t o accelerating the compensat i o n s c h e m e R e y n o l d s added that the pace of payouts has increased “signif ic a n t l y ” s i n c e t h e G e n e r a l Election, while also calling for “ ver y signif icant” reform of the Post Off ice’s business model

Despite the scandal, he aff irmed his support for the Post Off ice, highlighting its vital role in communities, especially in towns where l o c a l b a n k

shut down

James Cleverly in line for major new role

Former C onservativ e leader-

s h i p c o nte nd e r Jam es C leverly is preparing fo r a prominent return to frontline politics by co nsid ering a run for Mayor o f L ond on The ex-Home Secretar y is being urged by colleagues to step for ward as the Tor y candidate in the next mayo r a l e

C

“With a high-prof ile candidate like James, we have a

Londoners

Cleverly, who was born

Assembly and was appoint-

Mayor Boris Johnson His prof ile rose sharply during the recent Tor y conference,

speech briefly made

race, though he was ulti-

MPs' vote If he pursues the mayoral role, Cleverly would be following a path similar to

the former Health Secretar

Johnson

Prime Minister

The ideal candidate will provide personal care and assistance, as well as help with household tasks. Responsibilities include: Cooking, cleaning, and general housekeeping duties. The successful candidate will be provided with a private room and an ensuite bathroom for accommodation. Requirements: Eligibility

I N B R I E F

KEIR STARMER IS NOW LANDLORD OF £ 2M HOME

Keir Starmer has become a landlord since moving into Downing Street, according to the newly released register of interests This register, published for the first time since the general election, outlines any potential conflicts of interest for ministers, including past jobs the occupations of partners and family members and other sources of income The register reveals that Sir Keir Starmer is now renting out his Camden townhouse which became vacant when his family relocated to Downing Street As a result he has joined the ranks of Britain s landlords a move that contrasts with Labour s warning that its proposed renting reforms could push providers out of the housing market Sir Keir and his wife, Victoria, had owned the Kentish Town property since 2004, having purchased it for £650,000 The home is now valued at nearly £2 million

HOME WORKERS SLEEP AND EXERCISE MORE

A new survey has revealed that people who work from home sleep and exercise more than those who commute to the office According to the Office for National Statistic s (ONS), remote workers save an average of 56 minutes a day by not commuting This extra time allows them to get 24 more minutes of "sleep and rest" and 15 additional minutes of "exercise, sports, and wellbeing" compared to their commuting counterparts The survey focused on activities of individuals working at least seven hours on weekdays The ONS also noted that around 28% of working adults in the UK are hybrid employees, splitting their time between working from home and commuting to the office on other days

FIRST DEATH LINKED TO SPICE IN UK DETENTION

The death of a man at an immigration removal centre two weeks ago is believed to be linked to the drug spice, marking what is thought to be the first incident of its kind This death follows a report last year into conditions at Brook House, near Gatwick Airport, which raised concerns that staff feared it was only a matter of time before someone died as a result of taking spice The 26 -year- old man understood to be a French national was found dead in his cell at Brook House on 27 October The prisons ombudsman has launched an investigation and an inquest is expected Diplomatic sources at the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed they are closely monitoring the case in coordination with British authorities This is the first death in immigration detention or removal in nearly a year and one of 22 such deaths over the past decade Although the cause of death has not been conclusively confirmed, in an unusual move, Serco, the Home Office contractor managing Brook House, issued two letters to detainees about the incident, both mentioning drug use

SATELLITE TO DETECT SMUGGLERS AND MIGRANTS

A satellite will be deployed to help track people smugglers and migrants crossing the English Channel the head of the company behind the technology has revealed to The National as the UK intensifies efforts to combat criminal gangs involved in these operations The Amber-2 Maritime Domain Awareness Satellite will also assist in detecting vessels that attempt to hide their location by disabling their tracking beacons, known as dark vessels " The technology will also be used to target other illicit activities, such as drug smuggling, illegal fishing, and oil smuggling, including tankers evading sanctions from countries like Iran, Russia, and China UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasised international cooperation in the fight against people smuggling He announced plans to push for access to the EU’s real-time intelligence -sharing networks during upcoming talks in Hungary Starmer also revealed an increase in funding for anti-smuggling efforts, raising the budget to £150 million, part of which will go toward high-tech surveillance and the deployment of 100 specialist investigators to target criminals involved in people smuggling

Kemi Badenoch

James Cleverly

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Will reforming the House of Lords ensure greater accountability?

The government's forthcoming hereditary peers bill which is expected to pass through the House of Commons, represents a significant step toward reforming the House of Lords This legislation will effectively end the longstanding tradition of hereditary peerages, meaning the 92 current hereditary peers who inherited their titles will no longer be able to sit in the second chamber

In addition to removing hereditary peers, the bill also seeks to address the significant influence of patronage within the House of Lords Specifically, it will curb the prime minister’s power to recommend new peers, a practice that has often been seen as an avenue for political favouritism The bill will mandate that the Secretary of State consult on the establishment of an elected second chamber, a proposal that has been discussed for some time but has never been fully implemented

The current system, which allows prime ministers to appoint peers, has been criticised for fostering a culture of cronyism Close associates, advisers, and friends of prime ministers have often been appointed to the House of Lords, sometimes bypassing the merit-based process While the House of Lords Appointments Commission does select some crossbench peers based on merit, the overall process has been seen as a means to reward loyalty or to strengthen political alliances rather than to ensure a diverse and capable cham-

ber

The ongoing discussion surrounding the reform of the House of Lords is not new and has been a topic of debate for many years It's important to note that the House of Lords has existed long before the House of Commons gained prominence, particularly before the Parliament Act of 1911, which reduced the Lords' powers Historically, the Lords were hereditary peers, many of whom held their positions by virtue of their birthright Now, questions remain about how the future composition of the House will balance political influence, merit, and public trust

An area of concern in recent discussions is the integrity of the current House of Lords There have been instances where members have been found guilty of fraudulent activities, financial misconduct, or even involved in sexual scandals These issues cast a shadow over the reputation of the institution and have contributed to calls for reform While the focus often lands on these scandals, it's equally important to examine the broader role and function of the House of Lords in a modern democratic society

The question is not just about scandal or corruption but also about the efficiency, relevance, and democratic legitimacy of the House of Lords Should it remain a body of appointed members, or should it reflect a more transparent and accountable structure?

Bangladesh’s growing religious intolerance

Violent, criminal acts committed by individuals or groups to advance ideological goals often rooted in political, religious, social, racial, or environmental motivations pose a serious threat to society Recently, in Chattogram, a port city in southeastern Bangladesh, a Muslim grocer posted on F a

Consciousness (ISKCON) a terrorist group This organisation, which advocates for selfless service regardless of religion or background, was unjustly labelled in a country where Hindus, who make up about 8% of the 170 million population, often face discrimination and mistreatment

ISKCON has long been dedicated to selfless service In the UK, Food for Life London and Govinda’s Restaurant introduced the first 100% electric fan van, continuing their mission to serve the needy Even during the pandemic and nationwide lockdowns, the initiative remained one of the few charities providing free food to the homeless in Central London, demonstrating unwavering commitment to those in need during challenging times The organisation is only being targeted by one of the far-right Islamist groups, Hefazat-e-Islam due to its prominence as a symbol of Hinduism

The Islamist group was established in 2010 as a response to Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League, continues to operate freely in Bangladesh despite not being banned The group advocates for an Islamic state, with its vice president, Muhyiddin Rabbani, asserting that Islam was the basis for Pakistan’s creation and that Bangladesh should adopt the

attacks on Hindus, continuing a history of violence that includes assaults on Hindu temples and a train carrying Hindu passengers during Prime Minister Modi’s visit

In August, an ISKCON temple in Meherpur, Bangladesh, was vandalised and set on fire, part of a broader wave of violence targeting Hindu temples across the country This unrest follows the resignation of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and has empowered groups like Hefazat-eIslam, which has led violent attacks against Hindus By targeting Hindu temples, these groups send a clear message that Hindus have no place in Bangladesh

President-elect Donald Trump’s Diwali message condemned the persecution of minorities in Bangladesh, pledging it wouldn’t happen under his watch Many believe Trump will pressure Bangladesh to end the violence and ensure free elections However, Bangladesh's caretaker, Muhammad Yunus, has a strained relationship with Trump, complicating diplomatic ties Yunus, seen as aligned with the Clintons and Obamas, may struggle to navigate this new dynamic, especially given his past stance on Trump and his inaction on minority persecution

India has supported Bangladesh in the past, from its fight for independence from Pakistan to providing much-needed relief But should Bangladesh be fostering hatred and fear among its own minorities now? This represents a serious misuse of human rights and democracy It is crucial for countries to unite and raise their voices, or else Bangladesh risks becoming the next conflict hotspot in Asia, similar to the Middle East

The deepening political divide over Article 370

The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly recently became the scene of intense confrontation between opposing Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) over a resolution calling for the restoration of Article 370 in the Union Territory

The two-day brawl revealed the deeply polarised political landscape within the region The National Conference (NC), led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, spearheaded the resolution, advocating for renewed dialogue with the Centre regarding the issue Meanwhile, a faction led by Sajjad Lone presented a more forceful draft, criticising the NC’s resolution as insufficiently robust Tempers flared when Langate M L A S h e i k h K h u r s h e e d , t h e b r

o f B

a m u

a M P Engineer Rashid, entered the Well of the House holding a banner demanding the restoration of Article 370 and the release of political prisoners The situation escalated quickly as BJP MLAs rushed to seize the banner from Khursheed, leading to a chaotic standoff

It is perplexing that elected representatives from Jammu and Kashmir are pushing for changes in the region, especially at a time when the government is grappling with a surge in terrorist violence With a new administration in place, one would expect it to be in a stronger position to isolate militants and restore peace So why has this not been the case? Another pressing question is why Omar Abdullah and his government would take such a controversial step, particularl y w h e n e l e c t i o n s a r e u n d e r w a y i n M a h a r a s h t r a a n d Jharkhand The timing of this move raises concerns, as the fallout could potentially harm the prospects of the INDIA bloc

The introduction of the resolution has made Congress susceptible to criticism from the BJP in both Maharashtra and with its clear stance on the issue, the BJP is poised to

leverage any development that could suggest INDIA bloc members are backing the restoration of Article 370, which could play to their political advantage So is this the National Conference's strategy to weaken Congress or a way for the Abdullahs to engage in negotiations with the BJP?

The National Conference was once part of the NDA government, with Omar Abdullah serving as the Minister of State for External Affairs Given this history, the idea of the NC leaving the INDIA bloc to align with the BJP is not entirely far-fetched In politics, anything is possible, and Congress must remain cautious of such shifts as they lack strategists capable of anticipating such developments and taking proactive measures to mitigate them

While these tensions highlight the ongoing political unrest, it's crucial to remember the constitutional reality The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, despite its vocal opposition, does not possess the authority to overturn the Centre’s 2019 decision to revoke Article 370 and the special status of the region The abrogation of Article 370 is a permanent, irreversible move, akin to the partition of India – an event that reshaped the nation in ways that cannot be undone and any future government would find it nearly impossible to revisit this decision

Amidst this political volatility, it is also important to recognise the evolving lives of the people of Jammu and Kashmir Many residents, regardless of political affiliations, are moving forward with their lives, with businesses, tourism and lives flourishing and people have options of growth and freedom now insight, something that was once restricted Jammu and Kashmir, like other states in India, is increasingly becoming a part of the nation’s fabric, where the social and economic dynamics transcend religious divides

"Champions

Trump and India

opolitical aspira tions

Strategic Convergence on China

Trump's administration has consistently adopted

resonates with India's strategic objectives, as New Delhi seeks to counterbalance Beijing's assertiveness along its northern borders and within its maritime periphery The

(Quad), comprising the United States, India, Japan, and Australia, under Trump's leadership, underscores a shared commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific This coalition serves as a strategic counterweight to China's regional ambitions, thereby enhancing India's security architecture

Economic Engagement and Trade Dynamics

While Trump's "America First" policy has introduced complexities in global trade, it simultaneously offers India avenues to recalibrate its economic engagement with the United States The Trump administration's efforts to diversify supply chains away from China present India with an opportunity to position itself as a viable alternative for American businesses seeking to mitigate risks associated w

potential realignment could bolster India's manufacturing sector and attract substantial foreign direct investment Defence Cooperation and Technological Collaboration

The defence partnership between India and the United States has witnessed significant augmentation during Trump's presidency The designation of India as a "Major Defence Partner" has facilitated the transfer of advanced military technology and the conduct of joint military exercises, thereby enhancing interoperability between the armed forces of both nations This collaboration not only fortifies India s defence capabilities but also contributes to regional stability

In the realm of technology, initiatives such as the U

instrumental in addressing global challenges, including energy security and climate change, while simultaneously fostering innovation and economic growth A UK-IndiaUS CyberSecurity Alliance is critically needed This can

include 5 Eye’s intel sharing partner Canada

Geopolitical Implications and Regional Stability

characterised by a preference for bilateral engagements over multilateral frameworks, offers India a platform to assert its strategic autonomy This paradigm enables New

obligations, thereby allowing for more tailored and effective diplomatic initiatives

Furthermore, Trump's policy of exerting pressure on P

longstanding concerns regarding cross-border militancy

This convergence of interests has the potential to foster

economic development and political

India – Canada

Trump detests the Canadian PM India will be

supporters of terror on US soil and be expecting them returned to India soon Trump has said he wants to get rid of garbage and India wants them in Indian jails Win-win

Alpesh Patel

keep playing until they get it right " Billie Jean King

Campaign reveals £53m defrauded from elderly

Hourglas s has launc hed its f ifth an nual Safer Age ing

W e e k c a m pa i g n t od a y , ti tled ‘Take Note’, run ning

f r o m N

17th The cam paign highli ghts the ongoing problem of economi c abuse against older in dividuals

A

revealed that over £53 mill

defrauded from older people in the past three years, based on cases reported to their helpline This figure

r

e d , suggesting that the actual total is much higher On average, victims have lost

£ 8 7 , 0 0 0 e a c h I n 6 1 % o f these cases, the perpetrator was a family member of the victim

T h e i m p a c t o f t h i s widespread fraud is significant, particularly given the ongoing cost of living crisis

and the rapidly ageing population, which is expected to reach 9 6 million older people in the UK by 2050 Hourglass predicts that this type of abuse will only continue to rise Public awareness of economic abuse is alarmingly low A 2024 poll

c o n d u c t e

s

found that over 26% of people did not consider forcing an older relative to change their will as an act of abuse

Veronica Gray, Deputy CEO and Director of Policy at Hourglass, stated, “The £ 5 3 m i l

defrauded from Hourglass v

urgency of acknowledging

everyone involved in sup-

addressing domestic abuse and neglect to raise awareness of this epidemic It’s time for everyone to take note ”

NISAU UK launches 3rd India UK achievers honours

T

e N

St ude nts an d Alumni Un ion ( NIS AU ) UK ha s l a unch ed

t he third edition of its presti-

g i ou

In

H on o ur s a t t h e U K

Pa rliament

reaffirmed the UK's commitment to international students, stressing that India

This global recognition celebrates the contributions of Indian students and alumn i f r o m U K

i e s between India and the UK

S u p p o r t e d b y t h e U K

G o v e r n m e n t , t h e B r i t i s h Council, and other partners, the programme has become i n t e g r a l t o U K - I n

tions

The event was attended by key policymakers and dig-

Coventry doctor intoxicated at work, attempted driving

A C oventry doctor has been s anctione d af ter bei ng f oun d i ntoxi cate d at work Dr Ramamoorthy Raguram, a forme r GP at Pa rk Le ys Me dical Ce ntre, ha s ha d cond ition s pla ced on hi s med ica l practice for 15 mon ths f ollow ing a Me dical Practiti oners Trib unal Se rvice hea ring that proved cha rges of mi scon duct

The tribunal heard that Dr Raguram was intoxicated in a consulting room in November 2022 He also admitted to attempting to

access his work computer and trying to drive his car in the staff car park while under the influence In addition, he was convicted of a criminal offence for being in charge of a motor vehicle while over the legal alcohol limit He was subsequently disqualified from driving for six months and fined £700 Dr Raguram did not inform the General Medical Council (GMC) of the conviction While most allegations were admitted and proven, one, relating to driving in

the car park, was deemed "to be determined "

Although Dr Raguram claimed to have no memory of the incident, a witness recalled his speech being "abnormal" and detected the smell of alcohol on him during a consultation The witness followed Dr Raguram as he attempted to leave the building to drive, and said that two other doctors tried to prevent him from doing so One of the doctors moved Dr Raguram’s car to block the exit, and the witness noted that his gait was

unsteady

The tribunal found that Dr Raguram’s actions put patients at risk and that the alcohol had a significant impact on his ability to function The tribunal concluded that his behaviour amounted to serious misconduct, although it acknowledged his expressed remorse As a result, Dr Raguram’s registration will be subject to conditions for 15 months, during which his employment will be closely monitored by the GMC

links Sanam Arora, Founder C

Honours as a "movement" that highlights the impact of Indian students and alumni

The awards come at a critical moment as the UK and India approach a Free Trade Agreement, which will further boost opportunities for Indian students and collaboration in various sectors

Prime Minister congratulates Presidentelect Trump on historic victory

P rim e Minister K eir Starmer sp oke with P resid ent-elect Donald T rum p to offer cong ratulations on his v ictory in th e recent election

D

and expressed eagerness to work closely with Presidentelect Trump to strengthen

" between the UK and the US

The leaders highlighted the enduring strength of their

and agreed that the relation-

The Prime Minister also

took the opportunity to dis-

Middle East, stressing the importance of regional stability Both leaders recalled their meeting in September

Trump’s longstanding connections with the UK, with

Keir Starmer on a call with Donald Trump

Nation pays respects to mark Remembrance Sunday 2024

Joining the King at the

Remembrance ceremony at

London were tens of thousands of veterans, civilians, and political leaders He was also accompanied by other m

Family, including the Prince and Princess of Wales, who

behalf of the nation

O

Edward, and Princess Anne, followed, along with political leaders, including Prime Minister Keir Starmer Kemi Badenoch, the newly elected leader of the Conservative Party, laid a wreath for the first time Also present were

H o m e S e c r e t a r y Y v e t t e

C o o p e r a n d F o r e i g n

Secretary David Lammy A record number of past Prime Ministers attended too

PM Keir Starmer attended the Armistice Day cere-

m o n y i n P a r i s t o o , w i t h French President Emmanuel

M a c r o n , m a k i n g h i m t h e

first British prime minister

t o d o s o s i n c e W i n s t o n Churchill during World War

I I T h e l e a d e r s d i s c u s s e d

Dhiren Katwa

A t wo - m i nu te p in dr o p si lence was o bserved at th e a n nu a l mu lti - f a it h

Remembrance D ay gath er-

i n g h e ld i n L ei c es t er o n S unday (Nov 1 0)

The gathering was hosted at Harmony House, the Leicestershire home of the Brahma Kumaris, a global

s p i r i t u a l m o v e m e n t d e d icated to personal transformation and world renewal

Selected representatives recited a short prayer from their respective holy script u r e s , l a i d a w r e a t h a n d offered a salute as a mark of respect

D i g n i t a r i e s i n c l u d e d

Lieutenant Colonel David

Y o u n g T D D L , A s s i s t a n t

C h i e f C o n s t a b l e o f

L e i c e s t e r s h i r e P o l i c e

M i c h a e l a K e r r , L o r d

Lieutenants of Rutland and L e i c

Furness and Michael Kapur

O B E , r e s p e c t i v e l y , V i c e Chancellor of DeMontfort University, Professor Katie Normington and represen-

t a t i v e s f r o m t h e B

i s h Armed Forces as well as the

support for Ukraine and the ongoing crises in the Middle East, agreeing on the import

migration

D-Day comme morat ed a cr oss Br itain

At the Cenotaph, six surviving veterans of the D-Day landings participated in the Remembrance Sunday service, a moment of reflection for many, as the number of D-Day veterans continues to decline Their presence was a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made, as they were outnumbered by the eight former prime ministers who also paid their respects I n H a r

o w , Remembrance Sunday was marked by a parade that followed a new route, starting at Greenhill Car Park and concluding at the relocated

Harrow War Memorial

Ma yor a nd Lond on mar ks D-Day 80th an nive rsar y

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, the Chair of the London Assembly, Andrew

OBE AM, Chair of the City

leaders, and special guests

Remembrance Service

The service, which took place in the heart of London at City Hall, was officiated

Cullens, Bishop of Barking, who delivered the opening

United in tribute to the Fallen

was also honoured by read-

and Muslim representatives Music was provided by the

Gospel Choir, adding to the solemnity of the occasion

rate D-Day s 80th anniversary, an exhibition of photographic portraits featuring 16 veterans who served in Normandy was displayed in the London Living Room

A wreath-laying ceremony followed, with senior repr

Metropolitan Police Service, Transport for London, the London Fire Brigade, British R

organisations participating

s o s a w t h e attendance of London borough mayors, leaders, and G

staff

E m e r g e n c y S e r v i c e s A l s o present was veteran politic

Ushaben from the Jain comm

Sergeant, " at London’s historic P unjab Restau rant in Covent Garden

This family-run establishment, founded in 1946

b y A

great-grandfather, has long been a hub for the UK’s Punjabi community, mak-

both World Wars Held

Sunday and Armistice Day, the launch was attended by

Bhushan from the Hindu community, Peter and Sally

Dawoodi Bohra communi-

dignitaries from the Armed Forces, including Air Vice M

, Colonel Alistair Carns MP, Preet Gill MP, Jas Athwal M P , L o r d K

i r R a n g e r , Patron of the Foundation, and Sardar Gurpreet Singh A

Gurdwara (Khalsa Jatha)

The campaign features a silhouette of a Sikh soldier, adorned with symbols of the Sikh faith Dastar (turban), Kes (uncut hair or beard), and Kara (iron bangle) designed by Satveer Singh Padam to represent the bravery, honour, and

Cllr Krupesh Hirani

quently opened and closed by father-of-three Parmjit Basra Proceedings were led by former High Sheriff of L

Singh Sandhu MBE DL All

onion-and-garlic-free vegetarian meal

A brief but powerful and moving meditation session

Blackham

resilience of Sikh soldiers Padam stated, “This silhouette honours the Sikh Soldier, a timeless symbol of courage and sacrifice ” The event highlighted the contribution of Sikh s

died in both World Wars M

o r D a l S i n g h V i r d e e

MBE VR, Chair of the Sikh Military Foundation, hoped the campaign would inspire remembrance and encourage future Sikh service in the Armed Forces

the contribution of Indian Soldiers as we mark Remembrance Day

Assembly Member for Brent and Harrow

As we pause to re member those who sa crificed the ir live s in world wars for Re membran ce Da y in the UK, it's cr ucia l to a ck nowledge the significan t ye t often over look ed contr ibution of India n soldier s Ove r two million In dian troops serv ed in th e Allied forces durin g World War I a nd Wor ld Wa r II, fightin g on var ious front s and m akin g a profound impa ct on the outcome of the se global con flict s

In World War I, Indian soldiers from diverse backgrounds, including Hindus, Sikhs, Muslims, and Christians, fought valiantly in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa Their bravery was recognised with numerous medals, including the Victoria Cross, the highest military honour in the British Empire

During World War II, the Indian Army expanded to become one of the largest volunteer armies in the world Indian soldiers fought in diverse theatres, including North Africa, Italy, and Burma Their courage and resilience were instrumental in several key battles, such as the Battle of Imphal and the Battle of Kohima, which marked turning points in the war against the Japanese

The sacrifices made by Indian soldiers had a profound impact on the Indian independence movement The war exposed the contradictions of British colonial rule, as Indians fought for a cause that promised freedom and equality for all The experiences of Indian soldiers broadened their horizons and fuelled their aspirations for self-determination Many returned home with a newfound sense of national pride and a determination to build a free and independent India

In recent years, there has been a growing movement to recognise and honour the contributions of Indian soldiers to the world wars In 2018, the Royal British Legion (RBL) produced a limited edition of 40,000 red khadi poppies to commemorate the 74,000 soldiers from undivided India who died in World War I The poppies were made from red khadi, a spun and woven cotton cloth that recalls the work of Mahatma Gandhi The RBL distributed the poppies to temples, gurudwaras, and mosques across the UK, symbolising the diverse religious and cultural backgrounds of Indian soldiers

As we commemorate Remembrance Day here in the United Kingdom, it is essential to remember the sacrifices of Indian soldiers and their impact on both the world wars and the Indian independence movement Their courage, bravery, and unwavering commitment to duty deserve our utmost respect and gratitude Let us honour their memory and ensure that their sacrifices are never forgotten By acknowledging their contributions, we pay tribute to the shared history and values that bind our nations together

Air Marshal

ly 80 years, and it’s an honour to use this space to remember and celebrate the bravery of Sikh soldiers Their legacy is a source of pride for the Sikh community and for all of us who value freedom and peace ”

campaign will reach audiences through social media (

tional outreach, merchand

n

thing to me and my family,” said Maan “This restaurant has been a part of London’s cultural landscape for near-

For Amrit S Maan OBE, the launch of the campaign at his family’s iconic restaurant was deeply personal “To have the Sikh Subedar campaign launch at Punjab R

y events, encouraging participation to ensure the legacy of Sikh soldiers is remembered

Recognising

The King lays a wreath at the Cenotaph during the annual Service of Remembrance

Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron at the Armistice Day ceremony in Paris

Sadiq Khan lays the wreath at the ceremony

Ronal Munro and Gurpreet Singh Anand Secretary General of the Sikh Council (UK)

Samarpan Ashram honours founder’s 70th with tree planting

His Holiness, Sh ree Sh ivkrupanand

ing a tree planting ceremony that served as the highlight of the afternoon, adding a dignified and warm touch to the lively festivities The celebration brought

The

and

together approximately thirty sadhaks from across the country, who enjoyed the vibrant atmosphere and sense of community

Upcoming events at VHP Ilford Hindu

- Tulasi Vivah will be celebrated on Sunday, November 17th, 2024, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Although the traditional date for Tulasi Vivah is November 13th, the celebration will take place on the 17th instead

- A special Hanuman Pooja is taking place on Saturday, November 30th, 2024, from 6:00 PM to 7:15 PM The event will feature the chanting of the Hanuman Chalisa 11 times, followed by Aarti Devotees are invited to participate in the chanting and receive the blessings of Bhagwan Shri Hanuman Ji

Only 10% of sexual assault survivors would report crime again

In the largest s urvey of rape and s exual as sault s ur vivors in England and Wa l e s , t hr e e -q u ar t e r s r e p or t e d harm to their menta l heal th due to police a ctions or inac tion, with only one in 10 s aying they would report again

Echoing Gisèle Pelicot s message from France, survivors stressed that “shame belongs to perpetrators, not them," according to the government's key adviser on the

criminal justice system’s handling of rape cases since 2021 is beginning to show “ green shoots” of improvement, with an 8% drop in mental health harm reported by victims since July last year However, only

policing is effective, while

in five felt pressured by officers to withdraw their cases, with Black

reporting worse experiences than white respondents

tions from 5,190 in 2016/17 to just 2,102 by 2019/20 despite a rise in reports

Indian student in UK willing to work unpaid

NHS calls for urgent blood donations ahead of Christmas

The NHS in Eng la nd

the NHS

donations, 10% below the monthly average The health service is espe-

cially urging O negative, B negative, and donors of Black heritage to come forward With just under 100,000 appointments still available before Christmas week, nearly two-thirds of open slots remain at donor centres in town and city centres

The Christmas period is espec i a l l y d e m a n d i n g f o r h o s p i t a l s During Christmas week last year, demand for O negative blood –the universal type used in emer-

gencies – exceeded collections by 300 units There is also a critical need for blood donations from the B l a c k c o m m u n i t y

require ethnically matched blood England remains on amber alert for low blood stocks, with over 99,000 appointments still to be filled across the country before Christmas week, including more than 62,000 in town and city centre donor centres

S wam i, founder of Samarpan M ed itation

Mayor of Rushcliffe

his wife officiated the event, lead-

Swetha Kothandan

Rashtriya Ekta Diwas and the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

Rt Hon Dame Priti

P a t e l D B E M P , S h a d o w Foreign Secretary delivered

t h e k e y n o t e s p e e c h h i g hlighting Sardar Patel’s ideals o f u n i t y

world, encouraging everyone

t o e m b r a c e h a r m o n y a n d uphold the spirit of unity that he championed

Speaking at the event she s a i d , " A s I n d i a h a s g r o w n i n t o t h e m o s t i n c r e d i b l e democratic country, fastest growing democracies, largest growing economies in the world, and it's established itself, quite frankly, as an

i n c r e d i b l e s u p e r p o w e r I want to pay tribute to the I r o n M a n a n d o t h e r s , because it is that vision that has driven modern India forward through the leadership that we now see as well That basically means India and its

o w n m i n d , s t a n d s u p f o r

i t s e l f , w h e t h e r i t ' s a t t h e U n i t e d N a t i o n s , m u l t in a t i o n a l f o r u m s h e r e o r other diplomatic missions

“I can also say that it has been not just my greatest p r i v i l e g e t o s e r v e

B r i t i s h g

m e n t , b u t actually to be a public servant And I genuinely think it was in the DNA for different g e n e r a t i o n s t o f o l

n d i n g fathers, to literally believe and apply public service, to serve our country wherever we are around the world, but also to uphold those values

Commission’s commitment to celebrating the 150th Birth Anniversary of Sardar Patel

t h r o u g h o u t t h e y e a r H e said,

T h e c o m m e m o r a t i o n received messages from The Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, and Home

M i n i s t e r , S h r i A m i t S h a h , adding to the event’s prestige and underscoring the global reverence for Sardar Patel’s contributions to India and

as Indians, whether it's to our culture community with the ethos of public service and community and serving the nation wherever we are around the world ”

C o n c l u d i n g s h e a d d e d , “It is my personal duty and responsibility to continue to stand strong, to thrive the d i a s p o r a f l a g , b u t a l s o t o speak and follow in the footsteps of the leaders to ensure t h a t o u r c o m m u n i t i e s a r e united here in the United Kingdom And we will continue that in the same way in which unity and peace have been achieved in India foll o w i n g t h o s e t r e m e n d o u s , giant footsteps ” Lord Rami Ranger FRSA,

Chairman of the Sardar Patel

M

c a l importance of unity and the lasting influence of Sardar Patel’s life and legacy His speech reminded attendees of Sardar Patel’s role in shaping a united India and urged

harmony

enriched by the presence and remarks of His Excellency

High Commissioner of India to the UK His Excellency

significance in India’s history

a n d s h a r e d t h e H i g h

the world

T h e c e l e b r a t i o n c o n -

cluded with the presentation of the Unity Award to Dame Priti Patel DBE MP by His

E x c e l l e n c y V i k r a m

D o r a i s w a m i T h i s s p e c i a l recognition honoured Dame Priti Patel’s commitment to unity and support for Sardar Patel’s values

K r i s h n a P u j a r a , S e c r e t a r y G e n e r a l o f t h e

S a r d a r P a t e l M e m o r i a l Society UK, expressed deep g r a t i t u d e f o r t h e o v e rwhelming support shown by a t t e n d e e s

partners “We are honoured t

Patel’s legacy here in the UK and to witness such enthusiasm for his ideals This celebration is a testament to the e

progress

ment to honouring Sardar Patel’s ideals, with plans to

anniversary celebrations in the months to come

Photo courtesy: Bhupendrasinh Jethwa

Sanskruti Centre marks World Heritage Week at the House of Lords

High Commissioner of Zambia Ms Macenje Mazoka a n d A

Kazakhstan His Excellency Magzhan Ilyassov spoke on c u l

Munish Chauhan from the

e c t S h e c o m m e n d e d

S a n s k r u t i C e n t r e f o r t h e continued efforts in trying

t o p r e s e r v e a n d p r e s e n t invaluable art and heritage of India and South Asia

Diversity, Enrichment, and Leadership Young dancers Adithi Mote, Ayati Yuvaraj,

with their performances

This was followed by

short historical account on the Afro-Indian Siddi com-

dance was presented by Sree Lalitha Kotla Kuchipudi by S

Kummi by Lakshmi Aveen, M

Rohit Vadhwana

Wh en we exercise, muscle g ain and s

slow, step -by-step

ov er time Build ing w ealth also follows an incremental p attern, with savings and earning s accumulating day by d ay, m onth by month Just as h umans g row slo wly fro m childh ood to old age, in ways that m ay not be immediately visible but are noticeable ov er time, trees also grow g radually and alm ost imp erceptibly

The advantage of slow, steady, and incremental growth is that it is organic and balanced, encompassing a

growth is holistic and complete We cannot imagine a person whose hands have fully grown while their legs remain underdeveloped, nor can we envision a tree whose trunk lags in growth while its branches and leaves are fully matured Such imbalanced growth appears unnatural and undesirable In cases of inconsistent, nonincremental growth, core strength often remains weak, and the overall form may become unattractive something no one seeks

This principle applies equally to life and personal development Sudden wealth, for example, may lead to antisocial behaviours or unchecked arrogance Focusing solely on one pillar of life while neglecting others can

achieved but at the expense of family relationships or health Balanced development requires identifying all areas of focus and adding value to each gradually and consistently, without the impatience to see rapid results

Incremental growth demands patience and discipline, qualities we sometimes lack Many people struggle to allow the natural process to add value to their lives, yearning instead for instant outcomes that resemble a lottery win A disciplined approach to growth, however, fosters confidence in the process itself By adhering to a steady plan and working diligently without frustration over slow or invisible progress, we build a foundation for future success Much like a seed that, when sown, watered regularly, and given time, will sprout in its own season, any dedicated effort in life will eventually yield results slowly, consistently, and organically

Thus, it is wise to trust that incremental growth is more beneficial than sudden gains

(Expressed opinions are personal)

Celebrating Diwali in Trafalgar Square

The annual Diwali o n the Square left an u nforgettable impression, featuring a lively li ne u p o f d a nc e, m

c , activities, and deliciou s food A m o ng 2 0 0 d a zz l in g p e rfo rmers was Sim ran Solanki, w h o sh a red , “ Da nc i ng at Diw ali on Trafalg ar Square was an experience I w ill forev er cherish

Sunil, Limba dance of Sierra Leone by Cecilia Greene and B h

Vinjamuri have all captivated the attendees B

Brahma Kumaris UK con-

peace message and a short m

Vinjamuri’s vote of thanks e

ambassadors and preserving heritage The event marked the 52nd anniversary of the

Yvone Zulu, and other community members

whelming But as the music started, any nerves vanished, replaced by a deep pride in sharing our culture A huge thank you to Darshini Joshi from Sanskriti Guru for her

As part of a team of 30 girls and women, aged from 17 to 65, we joined 14 other dance schools to narrate the

event was breathtaking,

Simran Solanki on right from Darshini Joshi s Sanskriti Guru dance group

Remarks by His Excellency Vikram Doraiswami, the High Commissioner of India to the UK

Lord Rami Ranger FRSA Chairman of the Sardar Patel Memorial Society UK, addressing the guests

Rt Hon Dame Priti Patel DBE MP, Shadow Foreign Secretary delivering the keynote speech

Guests in the audience including Mayor of Slough Cllr Balwinder S Dhillon, former MP Virendra Sharma and CB Patel Publisher/Editor of Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar and Trustee Sardar Patel Memorial Society UK

Presentation of the Unity Award to Dame Priti Patel DBE MP by His Excellency Vikram Doraiswami in presence of (L-R) CB Patel, Lord Rami Ranger and Krishna Pujara

Diplomats presenters and organisers at SETU

ACE Summit explores Ayurveda's role in NHS and healthcare

Health), and Prof Monique

S

Amarjeet S Bhamra of

supported Ayurveda's inte-

healthcare

medicine to manage chronic disease The summit aimed

, deliver cost-effective healthcare solutions, and promote preventive medicine, bringing together health leaders, p o l i c y m a k e r s , a n d p r a c t

tioners to discuss actionable strategies

MP and ex-chairman of the

Group on Indian Traditional

sages Video messages from P r o f D r T a n u j a N e s a r i (Director, All India Institute

o

, C B E , Chairman of BAPIO, who discussed holistic wellness within the NHS, while Dr S

lifestyle medicine’s role in chronic disease prevention

Dr Hrishikesh Jejurikar and Dr Rajeev Gupta shared successful examples of integrat-

medicine into mainstream

Geethakrishnan's video on WHO’s vision for integrative medicine reinforced a global approach to healthcare T

Medicine Summit explored Ayurveda’s contribution to public health with experts from India Prof Bhushan P

Ayurveda’s role in universal

outlined

roadmap for

and Yoga into the NHS

Prof Unnikrishnan pre-

Ayurveda’s effectiveness in chronic disease management

Key sessions on integrat-

education featured NHS Dr

Gupta, and Anushka Shukla

experts shared insights on gathering evidence, ensuring safety, and integrating Ayurveda with genomics for translational medicine

The second day focused on integration within the NHS, with NHS Dr Merlin Willcox, Dr Jejurikar, and Dr

tion, and research strategies

stressed the need for evidence-based support in the NHS

A panel discussion led by Dr Palitha Serasinghe and

summaries by Prof Shankar, Prof Patwardhan, and Prof Unnikrishnan

First Bhagavatam Saptah in South London

South London celebrat-

H

n d u community gathered for its

October 19, 2024, a weeklong discourse of the holy

Devotees were blessed by

Raseshwari Devi Ji, who led the profound discourse In her divine presence, devo-

Shobhayatra a grand pro-

launching a week filled with d e v o t i o n a n d j o y J a n a k i

M e h t a ’ s m e s m e r i s i n g

K a t h a k p e r f o r m a n c e s s e t the tone, filling the air with an atmosphere of celebration and reverence Dressed in vibrant saris, t h e w o m e n c a r r i e d h o l y pots on their heads, while the men held copies of the Bhagavatam high Together, they chanted Lord Krishna’s names and danced joyously, ready to embrace the spirit u a l f u l f i l m e n t t h e n e x t seven days would bring P u j a n i y a R a s e s h w a r i

Devi Ji, a renowned disciple

o f J a g a d g u r u S w a m i S h r i

K r i p a l u M a h a r a j a n d a n e s t e e m e d s c h o l a r o f

S a n a t a n V e d i c s c r i p t u r e s , graced the gathering with her wisdom Her expertise in the Bhagavatam, Vedas,

and Upanishads, as well as her command of Sanskrit, English, and Hindi, added to the depth of the event

O n O c t o b e r 2 0 , D e v i J i

b e g a n h e r d i s c o u r s e w i t h the divine chanting of the

B h a g a v a t a m s h l o k a s Vocalists Lalita Ji from India and Debjani Ji from the UK accompanied her, alongside m u s i c i a n s K a m a l b i r , Amardeep

The recital reflected the historic gathering of 80,000 s a i n t s a n d s a g e s i n t h e Naimisaranya forest nearly 5,000 years ago, where Sage Suta Gosvami first narrated t h e h o l y s c r i p t u r e T h e W a l l i n g

transformed into a modernday Naimisaranya, became sacred ground as devotees absorbed the teachings On the first day, Devi Ji emphas

L

r d Krishna, urging attendees to trust in Krishna’s protection

through life’s trials Over the week, she shared stories of all ten incarnations of L o r d

the nearly

teachings A highlight of the event was the children’s role-play, w

tions A six-week-old infant

with innocence, while the

Hiranyakashyapu captivated the audience A young

Vamana, and the reenact-

Govardhan Hill, surrounded by Gopa Kumaras and Gopis, was particularly mesm e r i s i n g T h e c e l

a t i o n concluded with a reenactm e n

s divine marriage ceremony

L-R: Prof Unnikrishnan (India), Amarjeet S Bhamra, Prof Darshan Shankar (India) and Dr Mahesh Mathpati

Nitin Mehta and others at Shobhayatra

Praying for the Amazon

Human life is just going on and human beings have to live even amid chaos and disasters in the world Every single day unfolds a lot of drama and problems for the people and countries Despite having great technology in hand, the world community is even now finding it difficult to cope with any crisis situation

In fact, we are all dependent on natural resources without which nothing is going to happen in the world forever The blazing fire has strongly engulfed the Amazon rainforest now This fire incident has got world outcry, still courting reactions worldwide Maybe, there have been reasons like climate change, incidents like felling forest trees That is true then! The tropical forest areas like the Amazon rainforest should be kept intact/as such without disturbance to greenery and greenfield areas

There have been deep forest areas and many green pastures in my native areas like Tuticorin, Korkai, Tiruchendur, Tirunelveli and Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu Such green areas the world over should be protected at all costs The international community must get serious about such drastic wildfire incidents through greater efforts and better technology

It is just interesting to note that many indigenous tribes have been praying for protecting the Amazon rainforest from natural hazards like wildfires And this has been largely reported by the media It has been inherently proved that prayers always have an impact on human life and that they have resulted in sustained and immense outcomes to date P

Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu often turn to prayers when in difficulty In fact, such prayers and their good wishes have been yielding good results apart from making good relationships with others

Quite interestingly, the prayers for the Amazon forest have become the cynosure of all eyes Clearly, such emphatic yet ethnic things/activities will instil beautiful characteristics into countries and people

P Senth il Sarav ana Durai

Nurse’s plea for single-sex changing spaces

In a recent news, the concerns raised by nurses highlight troubling questions around women ’ s rights, workplace safety, and respect within the NHS It’s worrying that experienced nurses, who have spent years in service, now face intimidation simply for requesting a single-sex changing space

Their discomfort about undressing in front of a biological male is valid and deserves respect The Equality Act makes it clear that both sex and gender identity are protected, so one group ’ s rights shouldn’t overshadow another’s Creating separate arrangements is a fair solution that would respect women ’ s privacy as well as the rights of transgender individuals Especially in today’s digital age, where privacy breaches can quickly lead to exploitation, protecting personal privacy is essential

Working tirelessly to serve patients is challenging enough, and this added discomfort is surely causing mental distress for these nurses This case highlights a critical issue of dignity and safety in public institutions

Priya Nair

Raising concerns for working parents

I read a news which highlighted that fathers are more likely than mothers to work in hybrid roles, exposing an uneven access to this flexibility

Hybrid work is especially valuable for parents juggling family responsibilities, but it currently benefits older, senior employees in fields where remote work is feasible The data suggests that traditional caregiving expectations may lead mothers to rely more on part-time or non-standard roles As employers start pushing for stricter office attendance, parents and caregivers could struggle to balance work and family

For hybrid work to truly support a balanced, productive workforce, it must be accessible to employees in all roles

Am it C hau dhary

Step to a smoking free future

The introduction of varenicline, a new anti-smoking pill, is a hopeful step in reducing smoking-related illnesses and deaths in the UK Smoking continues to be a major health issue, contributing to various diseases like cancer and heart disease This pill offers an effective way for smokers to quit and its rollout could help save thousands of lives

The rise of vaping, especially among young people influenced by adults around them, is concerning This pill provides a safer option for those looking to quit smoking, potentially reducing the number of new smokers and encouraging healthier habits in future generations

By helping more people quit, varenicline could significantly lower smoking related health problems and create a healthier, smoke-free future

Kiran Mahajan

Three p eop le, including two women aged 53 and 36 and a 53 - y ear -o l d m an, w ere ch arged with a forced marri ag e o f fe nc e af ter th e i r arrest in Birm

safeg

the arrests

confirmed that three individuals have been charged with forced marriage after a

Two women, aged 53 and 36, and a 53-year-old man were

Court on November 11 and

have been remanded in custody until their next court date

ment to protecting victims

brought to justice They encouraged anyone aware

report it

"To report information, you can call 101 or use the

o

also contact Crimestoppers

111 If you or someone else is in immediate danger, dial 999

K A P I

K H I C H A D I

Rakshasas Dishonour Diwali

Diwali at 10 Downing Street

I ha ve b ee n left wi th no opti on but to e xpose the rakshasa s w ho organ ised Di wali at 10 Dow ning Stree t on 29th Octob er This tradition of Diw ali at Numb er 10 has now bee n longstandi ng Howev er, in all the se y ea rs it has nev er se rve d n onve getaria n food to their guests How ev er, w ith the new La b our gov e rn me n t i n cha rg e, a nd w i th the n ew Pri me Mi nister liv ing at 10 Downin g Street – i t see ms g on e are the da ys of showi ng respect to the faith of a bi lli on Hindus I am aware that leaders of organisations such as the Hindu Forum of Britian, BAPs, ISKCON and many others were invited and in attendance I have been made aware that Vedic slokas and strotras were recited It begs the most obvious question, how on earth did anyone at Number 10 think it was acceptable to start offering non-vegetarian food? I spoke to a few of my friends from the Jewish and Muslim communities, even they were flabbergasted In their words, it’s a bit like o f f

BB C p res en ter M is h al Husain has said that racism in Britai n h as been m o re pronounced for h er ov er the past year than at any point in her career Reflecting on th e s u m m e r ri o ts , sh e ad m i tted fee li ng " s h aken " and questioning h er beliefs abo u t B ri ti s h t o ler an ce "This year, I’ ve felt racism in a way I haven’ t befo re, and it's been hard , " she shared M i

h Journalism Review’s Charles

W h e e l e r A w a r d f

o u tstanding broadcast journalism Reflecting on her earlier belief that Britain was unique in allowing her success with a very obviously M u s l i m n a m e , " s h e expressed doubt about this

"For support, the West Midlands Forced Marriage a n d H o n o u

d A b u s

Helpline is available 24/7 at 0800 953 9777 "

Three charged with forced marriage after Birmingham woman rescued Mishal Husain ‘shaken’ by racism in

the UK

summer riots "I don’t feel as sure of that today as I once did," she said

In a Q&A at the British Journalism Review ceremony, Mishal Husain discussed her experiences with racism, acknowledging the need to toughen up but admitting there are times when she f e e l s " s h a k e n " S h e a l s o n o t e d a " h a r d c l i

around her personally

Archbishop of Canterbury steps down over Church's child abuse scandal

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, has resigned, expressing “profound sh am e ” over the C hurch of E ng land s failu re to protect child abuse victims

He acknowledged personal and institutional responsibility for not ensuring allegations against John Smyth, the Church's “most prolific serial abuser,” were thoroughly investigated

Welby stated, “Stepping aside is in the best interests of the Church of England, which I dearly love and have been honoured to serve I hope this decision helps us refocus on the love of Jesus Christ for all ”

His resignation follows calls from Sir Keir Starmer, who noted that Smyth’s victims were “failed very, very badly ” Welby admitted he learned of the allegations against Smyth in 2013 and “wrongly believed an appropriate resolution would follow,” thinking police had been informed

In a statement from Lambeth Palace, Welby expressed h

England's commitment to change and to building a safer church "I step down in sorrow with all victims and survivors of abuse," he said, adding that recent events have deepened his profound sense of shame over the Church s historic safeguarding failures

Reflecting on his nearly 12 years of trying to drive improvements, he remarked, "It is for others to judge what has been achieved " Welby concluded by announcing, "With the gracious permission of His Majesty the King, I have decided to resign as Archbishop of Canterbury "

Downing Street It just would not happen, and if it did, all hell would break loose Yes our Prime minister, Keir Starmer stood at the podium, having lit the diva, to go on and lecture the good Hindus in attendance about the significance of light over darkness Maybe the darkness that is infesting the Labour Party and in Number 10 needs to be cleansed first INSIGHT UK, a social movement of British Hindus and Indians said on X:‘The choice of menu at the Diwali celebra-

appalling lack of understanding or respect for the religious traditions associated with the festival of Diwali’

Anil Bhanot, the managing trustee of Hindu Council UK said: ‘Our HCUK Chair Krishna Bhan wrote to Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to ask why we were not invited at all’?

Smt Trupti Patel, President of the Hindu Forum of Britain was attending the event and was dismayed when a plate of non-veg food was presented to her She left the event in disgust and thereafter wrote a letter to the Prime Minister In it she said, ‘On Behalf of all member organisations of the Hindu Forum of BritainI need to register our total disgust with how Diwali was celebrated at 10 Downing Street this year I have received numerous complaints from many who were present at the celebration and saw non vegetarian food being served, andI have also received written complaints on this matter ’

Mr N C Guragol who describes himself as a proud British Indian and a Hindu has written a letter to Dr Subrahmanayam Jaishankar the Honourable Minister for External Affairs of India In it he makes some very interesting observations including, ‘rather than personally overseeing this important Diwali event at the British Prime Minister s residence, Mr Vikram Doraiswamidelegated the responsibility to a private organisation’ IF this is true, then it seems Number 10 and the Indian High Commission (HCIL)areresponsible for the Diwali event jointly Which then begs an even bigger question, how did they manage to oversee such a catastrophic error of judgement between them?

I have written to Seema Malhotra MP and HE Vikram Doraiswami seeking clarification There has been no response from Number 10, however I am happy to report that the High Commission has sent me the following statement:

‘Thank you for your email, Mr Dudakia, which has been copied to us As the event was hosted by HMG, the High Commission of India-as a foreign domestic mission- obviously had no role in any aspect of the event As in other such invitations to events organized by the host Government, we attend in the same manner as any other invited guest’ Deepak Choudhary, Minister (Coordination)

Hindus in Labour have been bragging about Keir Starmer and how this new Labour Party is working positively for India, Indians and Hindus On the evidence we witness, it’s the same old Labour Party Their anti-Hindu precept seems to run in their DNA

I challenge the Prime Minister to issue a full apology without any excuses or reservations I also offer to meet him in person so he may provide his aspirations for Indians and Hindus

To date he appears to have rejected the advice of good Hindus It seems he has aninner circle of compromised Hindus as advisers And now he has learnt the hard way those individuals and organisations neither represent us, nor do they have the wisdom to offer any sound advice

I hope for the sake of our Dharma, ALL our Hindu organisations and Sampradyas boycott ALL government events until there is a full unreserved apology If Hindus cannot stand up for their Dharma, then on what basis do these people and organisations call themselves the custodians of our faith traditions?

Lord Krishna said, ‘paritrāṇāya sādhūnāṁ vināśhāya cha duṣhkṛitām dharma-sansthāpanārthāya sambhavāmi yuge yuge ’ Translation: ‘paritrāṇāya - to protect; sādhūnām - the righteous; vināśhāya - to annihilate; cha - and; duṣhkṛitāmthe wicked; dharma - the eternal religion; sansthāpanaarthāya - to reestablish; sambhavāmi - I appear; yuge yuge - age after age ’ Surely you and I also have a duty to uphold Dharma whilst we await the Yuga Avatar

Kapil Dudakia

Mishal Husain

Sisters aim to bring Indian heritage to the table

Anusha Singh

Amru t is th e latest additio n to Leices ter’ s Indian di ning sc ene, h as o pened its do ors

o n Ch urchgate in th e ci ty centre, p ro mi sing "India on a p late" in an elegant, ambient setting

Founded by sisters Shweta and Shivani Joon, who aim to expand their concept across the UK, Amrut celebrated its grand opening on October 18 with a ribbon-cutting by Leicester East MP Shivani Raja and Leicester’s Lord Mayor, Councillor Bhupen

Dave With a menu built on heirloom recipes passed down through generations, Amrut aspires to redefine Indian fine dining in Leicester

In an interview with Asian Voice, the sisters share the inspiration behind the establishment and their vision for it

Could you share the inspiration behind Amrut? What initially motivated you to enter the restaurant industry?

Shweta- The restaurant industry has always captivated us for its unique blend of creativity, community, and entrepreneurship We wanted to create a space that celebrates authentic flavours while fostering warmth and connection

Amrut was born from our deep appreciation for the flavours, traditions, and stories that food carries Growing up immersed in the aromas and tastes of our culture, we realised how food brings people together and creates lasting connections

Our vision for Amrut is to share those stories not just through the dishes we serve, but through the entire dining experience, making every guest feel like part of our family We aim to offer more than a meal we offer an immersive experience that connects guests to both the food and to each other, creating memories that go beyond the plate

Could you explain what "India on a plate" means for Amrut and how you bring this concept to life?

Shivani - The concept of India on a Plate reflects our dedication to showcasing India's rich culinary heritage We offer authentic dishes from varied regions such as Delhi, Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Kerala Our goal is to create an immersive dining experience that brings the diverse flavours and textures of India to life, a rare find in the UK Each dish tells a story,

celebrating the unique ingredients and techniques of its origin At Amrut, we invite guests on a culinary journey through India, where every bite is a reflection of the traditions that make Indian cuisine beloved worldwide

Howdo you plan to maintain the authenticity and quality of Amrut as you expand to other locations? Could you tell us more about your future expansion plans?

Shivani- Expanding Amrut to new locations is definitely on the cards and during the process, maintaining the authenticity and quality of our offerings will remain our top priority We plan to open more locations in key UK cities where demand for authentic Indian cuisine is growing We will partner

with trusted suppliers to source genuine ingredients from India, ensuring consistent flavours across all sites Each new location will also undergo rigorous training, emphasising traditional cooking techniques and our commitment to authenticity Standardised recipes and regular quality audits will ensure every dish meets our high standards, replicating the true taste of India

Looking ahead, Additionally, we ’ re exploring the introduction of catering services and meal kits, allowing customers to enjoy Amrut’s flavours at home Our goal is to create a network of Amrut restaurants that represent the diverse richness of Indian cuisine,

all while staying true to our core values of authenticity, quality, and hospitality

Doyou have any advice for other aspiring restaurateurs, especially women looking to enter the food industry?

Shweta- As women in the restaurant industry, we have learned that passion, resilience, and authenticity are key to success To thrive, you must be deeply connected to your concept and mission, embracing your unique perspective to shape your menu, service, and overall experience

Surround yourself with a strong support network of mentors and peers, and always stay open to feedback, using it to refine and improve While passion is essential, it’s equally

important to balance that with solid business acumen managing finances, operations, and customer satisfaction with consistency and quality

The restaurant journey can be tough, but celebrating small wins and cultivating resilience will keep you motivated Focus on continuous learning, whether through formal education or hands-on experience, and advocate for diversity and inclusion in your restaurant and the broader food community

With the right mindset, dedication, and a commitment to both the craft and business, you can create a space that not only serves great food but fosters connection and community

L-R: Shivani Joon, Lady Mayoress of Leicester, Usha Dave, Lord Mayor of Leicester, Cllr Bhupen Dave, Shivani Raja, Leicester MP and Shweta Joon

Continued from page 1

Reform alone is not enough

However, concerns have grown that the current law is overly restrictive and affords patients minimal control over their treatment

Additional issues include significant racial disparities like black individuals and more than three times as likely to be detained and instances of unfair treatment for people with learning disabilities or autism

Efforts to reform the bill began in 2017 when thenPrime Minister Theresa May requested a comprehensive review of the Act, led by Professor Sir Simon Wessely Sir Simon’s report, published in December 2018, forms the foundation of this new bill, which is built around four key principles of-enhancing patient choice and autonomy, minimising restrictions on freedom wherever possible, ensuring that detention and treatment provide a “therapeutic benefit,” and treating each individual affected by the Act with respect and dignity

The proposed changes introduce a higher threshold for detention, requiring a risk of “serious harm” rather than just “harm ” This same standard would also apply to community treatment orders, which allow for supervised care in the community rather than in a hospital setting

Another key aspect of the bill mandates that all detained patients have individualised care and treatment plans outlining steps toward recovery and discharge Importantly, it prohibits the use of prison or police cells as “places of safety” for individuals in a mental health crisis, requiring instead that they be cared for in appropriate healthcare settings

Plan needs concrete fu nding

Leading experts have urged the Labour Party to commit to a dedicated funding plan for mental health, amid concerns that current government ministers may reduce the investments previously promised by the Conservative administration Charities are warning that the mental health crisis, compounded by the cost-of-living pressures, could escalate into a widespread “pandemic in the making ”

Many people are experiencing heightened anxiety, stress, and hopelessness due to financial strains and critics argue that the recent budget, instead of offering relief, has actually impede growth for small enterprises Proposed increases in National Insurance are expected to affect both businesses and employees negatively, putting further strain on communities already grappling with financial

instability As people struggle to manage these financial burdens, affording or prioritising mental health support becomes even more challenging, despite reforms intended to improve access to care Experts warn that without a solid funding plan, these reforms risk being out of reach for many who need them most Additionally, the NHS crisis is something that will also affect how things progress

Rohit S agoo , a chil dr en ’ s nu rse, PhD stu dent at t he University o f Bedfor dshir e, and fou nder of Br it ish S ikh N urses,

is of the opinion that this shift offers greater freedom, choice, and understanding for those seeking mental health support, paving the way for a more compassionate approach

However, he believes that the reforms alone are not sufficient “It aims to give individuals more say over their care, reduce hospital stays unless necessary, and focus on providing personalised care that genuinely benefits each person ” , he said

On the other hand, Andr ew Molo dynski, mental heal th lead at t he B ritish Medical Associat io n (BMA), while

welcoming the over-due reform, also pointed out that, “Many people with severe mental illness might never have reached the point of needing crisis care if they had been able to access better care sooner Without adequate and sustainable funding for mental healthcare we will still be far from being able to meet all our patients' needs, and some will continue to fall through the cracks

“Over the last few years, need from patients has increased faster than funding has, resulting in longer waiting lists, people having to be moved far away from their homes and loved ones, and

crumbling facilities We are also facing a recruitment and retention crisis, and need far more mental health doctors and other professionals to meet the needs of our patients "

R oyal Co llege o f Nu rsing chief nursing officer Lynn Woo lsey said, “Modernising the Mental Health Act is welcome, but these long overdue reforms won’t be successful unless we address the crisis in the workforce

“A third of all nursing vacancies are in mental health services, meaning vulnerable people are routinely denied access to timely and appropriate care ” She added that it was “crucial” that the nursing profession was involved in shaping and rolling out these changes

C hief E xecu tive o f Mental Health F ir st Aid E ngland, Sarah McInto sh also pointed

out that, “Reform alone is not enough though Robust funding is crucial to making these changes effective and sustainable Adequate resources are needed to address the backlog of patients waiting for care, fund mental health crisis hubs, and ensure 24/7 access to emergency mental health support Without the proper funding, this reform will fall short of its transformative potential, risking continued inequalities and delays in care

“Furthermore, early intervention must be a top priority By investing in preventative services and mental health hubs for young people, we can support individuals before they reach crisis points, reducing the overall demand on mental health services and improving outcomes across generations The government’s commitment to early intervention in schools and workplaces is essential to preventing mental health issues from worsening and empowering people to manage their mental health proactively

“We also need continued commitment from the government to address the societal factors that often underlie mental health issues, including poverty, inequality, racism, and injustice Tackling the root causes will be key to reducing disparities in mental

health treatment and outcomes and ensuring that support is available to those who need it most ”

A st ep t owards com passionate care

For individuals with learning disabilities or autism, the bill establishes a 28-day detention limit unless a concurrent mental health condition is diagnosed

Additionally, it introduces a new right for patients to select a “nominated person ” as their advocate, rather than defaulting to their nearest relative

Clinicians will also be required to follow a “clinical checklist” in treatment decisions, ensuring they consider the patient’s personal values, past and present wishes, and actively involve both the patient and their close contacts in the decision-making process This legislative reform aims to create a more compassionate, inclusive, and effective mental health care framework that prioritises patient rights and dignity while addressing the unique needs of vulnerable groups

Reacting to the proposed reforms, T im Nicholl s, A ssistant Director of Pol ic y, Research and Strategy at the National A utistic Society, said,

“This is a once in a generation chance to end the human rights scandal of autistic people being inappropriately detained in mental health hospitals

“Autism is not a mental health condition, but currently 1,385 autistic people are held in mental health hospitals when many could be better supported in their homes surrounded by their loved ones Instead, they face detention for an average of five years, and risk being subject to unnecessary restraint, overmedication, and solitary confinement

“We have campaigned for years to reform the outdated Mental Health Act and protect autistic people’s human rights That is what this Bill must do But changing the law is just part of what’s needed Without investing in making sure the right support is available everywhere, autistic people will still face this inequality ”

Stron g n etwork of frien dship an d famil y is crucial for well -being

The conversation around mental health and well-being is incomplete if the taboo around the topic is not addressed, especially in context of the South Asian communities Cultural norms around mental health often discourage open discussion of mental illness in the community, and stigma surrounding mental health may prevent individuals from seeking professional help In such cases, the role of family and friends becomes even more important

Dr San tosh Bhan ot, Director and Head of Peepul Heal th at the Peepul Cen tre, highlighted the persistent silence around mental health issues like depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem within South Asian communities, often due to cultural stigma "Discussing mental health can be difficult in these communities, where terms like ‘Pagal’ (meaning ‘ crazy’) are used dismissively, discouraging open conversations,” she explained She stressed the importance of a strong support network of friends and family, noting that the first step to well-being is recognising mental health symptoms “Awareness is crucial Once we recognise the signs, sharing our feelings with trusted friends or family can offer relief and fresh perspective,” she added Dr Bhanot also underscored the value of positive friendships, noting, “Friends can boost self-esteem through simple activities like walks, which reduce stress They may even encourage healthier lifestyle choices, like reducing alcohol or adopting positive habits ” While friends and family can be essential, Dr Bhanot also emphasised that complex challenges like financial stress, relationship issues, or grief often need professional intervention “Friends provide empathy and guidance, but they may lack the resources or expertise to address specific issues Combining personal support with professional help when needed allows for a more comprehensive approach to mental health,” she explained

Rohit Sagoo

Andrew Molodynski

Dr Santosh Bhanot

Sarah McIntosh

Tim Nicholls

Empowering women and navigating change in advertising

Subhasini Naicker

Navaneeta Das S kinner h as built

a n i mp res si v e 2 5- year c areer in adv ertising, kno wn for h er strate-

g ic v i s i o n an d le ad er s h ip

Originally from Assam, Ind ia, she excelled acad em ically and beg an h er career at Og ilv y Ind ia, adv ancing quickly

A t M i n d s h a r e W P P i n

S i n g a p o r e , s h e w o n t h e

“Mindshare Purple Award” in 2010

Recognised as “Asia's Influential

D i g i t a l M e d i a P r o

s s i o n a l ”

n 2015, Navaneeta now leads a global team across 92 countries as Global Client Lead at Publicis Groupe

Recently, Navaneeta was named one of the Global 200 Women Power Leaders 2024

I n a n i n t e r v i e w w i t h A s i a n Voice, Navaneeta discusses about trends in the industry, meditation practices helping in professional growth and much more

1)Congratulations on being named one of the Global 200 Women Power Leaders 2024! Can you share what this recognition means to you and how it impacts your vision for your career in advertising?

Being named one of the Global

2 0 0 W o m e n P o w e r L e a d e r s i n 2024 is an incredible honour This recognition represents a personal milestone and is also a tribute to

t h e d r e a m s o f c o u n t l e s s y o u n g w o m e n f r o m s m a l l t o w n s w h o aspire to make their mark in the corporate world I see this as an opportunity to further my commitment to growth strategies at Publicis Groupe by fostering an inclusive environment that nurtures innovative diverse teams

This award reinforces my dedication to empowering others, cre-

a t i n g n e w p a t h s , a n d s h o w i n g what’s possible through commitment and hard work A vital part of my talent strategy includes prom o t i n g g e o g r a p h i c d i v e r s i t y , bringing together people from different cultures and backgrounds London, as a global hub of diversit y , c o n t i n u e s t o b e t h e p e r f e c t e n v i r o n m e n t f o r r e a l i s i n g t h i s vision

2)How has your approach to advertising and brand strategy evolved over the years, and what trends do you think are most important for the industry in 2024?

When I started in advertising, the landscape was simpler television and print dominated – but it was still intense, landing a prime front-page ad, securing the 9 pm TV slot, or taking over a city centre billboard was incredibly competitive Each success felt monumental, and deadlines were intense and relentless

T h e n , t h e i n d u s t r y t r a n sformed with marketing analytics and econometrics, and advertising shifted from mere visibility to driving real impact ROI became central, and advertising was increas-

i n g l y r e c o g n i s e d a s e s s e n t i a l t o sales growth

The digital era brought attrib u t i o n a n d p e r s o n a l i s a t i o n , reshaping our approach Today, we

broad reach and tailored commu-

nication Influencers have taken on a crucial role, and brands must master paid, owned, earned, and “rented” (e-commerce) media

N o w , A I a n d a u t o m a t i o n enable the perfect blend of creative flair and precision, but sustainability and diversity must ground our strategies to ensure our growth is both meaningful and impactful

3)You’re also a Feng Shui professional, a Reiki Grand Master, and experienced in meditation practices How do these skills help you in your career?

Feng Shui deepens our understanding of the elements and the harmony between them, fostering a profound respect for the environment, whether indoors or out Rooted in ancient Chinese philosophy, it teaches us to recognise a n d b a l a n c

, enhances one ’ s connection to universal energy, bringing forth the art of healing for people, animals, and situations alike The Tarot, w i t h i t s r o o t s i n t h e W

n world, has been a long-practised tool for introspection, divination and guidance

Each of these traditions carries a unique cultural heritage, and I’m g

p p

n

y t o honour them They instil a deep respect for the diverse ways we can foster harmony and healing in ourselves and the world In my work, I sometimes begin meetings with a b r i e f g u i d e d m e d i t a t i o n , w h i c h brings the team together and cultivates a shared vision, fostering creativity and unity

4)

As a woman leader in advertising, how do you see the landscape evolving, particularly for women in the industry? What advice would you give to young women aspiring to enter the field?

As a woman leader in advertising, I would say we have come a long way – there are much more supportive environments, regular forums, more mentors, and more tailored career paths Additionally, brands and agencies are increasingly valuing empathetic and coll a b o r a t i v e l e a d e r s h i p , q u a l i t i e s often championed by women in the industry However, there is still a lot to be done

F o r y o u n g w o m e n i n t h e industry: build confidence, cultivate a unique identity, stay curi-

o u s k n o w l e d

remember, this is a marathon, not a sprint Find a mentor and netw

your organisation

Lib Dems push vote for elected upper chamber

The Liberal Democrats are set to attempt a major shift in the government’s hereditary peers bill by pushing for a fully elected House of Lords

The bill aims to end the prac-

Lords, barring the 92 existing lords

chamber While MPs are expected to largely back the bill, the Liberal

amendment calling for a completely elected second chamber If

appoint peers, mandate consultation on an elected upper house, and commit the government to drafting a proposal for the reform

The current practice has often allowed close associates and allies of prime ministers to secure seats in the Lords, along with crossbench peers selected by the House o f L o r d s A p p o i n

Commission based on merit The Liberal Democrats argue this has

chamber’s independence Labour previously signalled support for an elected Lords in 2022 but softened its stance in this year ’ s manifesto,

hereditary peers and introduce an age limit S

spokesperson, stated: “It is well

democratic reform of the House of L

recent Conservative governments, which have neglected reform and allowed the Lords to grow into the largest second chamber globally, politicians must act to restore public trust ” The h istory beh ind the institution and the role of its members

The House of Lords, the upper chamber of the UK Parliament, convenes at the historic Palace of Westminster in London alongside the House of Commons With origins tracing back to the early 11th century, the House of Lords is one of the oldest parliamentary institut i o n s g l o b a l l y , e v o l v i n g i n t o a bicameral system in the 13th centu-

ry Unlike the elected members of t h e H

u s e o f C o m m

, m o s t L o r d s a t t a i n t h e i r p o s i t i o n s through appointments, often for life Members are chosen on both political and non-political bases, bringing a diverse mix of expertise to legislative review Since 1999, hereditary membership has been capped at 92, with seats occupied by elected hereditary peers and two ex officio members: the Earl M a r s h a l a n d t

t Chamberlain The Lords Spiritual, consisting of up to 26 bishops and archbishops from the Church of E

tributing to the chamber’s unique blend of backgrounds A reform in 2014 allows members to relinquish or be expelled from their positions voluntarily

As Parliament's upper house, the House of Lords plays a crucial r o l e i n s c r u t i n i s i n g l e g i s l a t i o n , holding the government accountable, and shaping public policy While unable to block most legislation, the Lords can delay bills for up to a year, urging the House of Commons to reconsider specific provisions This role as a “revising chamber” allows the Lords to focus on legislative detail, refining and amending bills for thoroughness a

law

I m p ac t o f rem o v in g h er ed i ta ry peers from the Ho use of Lords

With no set size, the House of L

would slightly decrease the chamber’s size, though it would still remain the world’s largest upper house

One key aspect of this reform is its effect on the political composition of the Lords Currently, 45 h e r e

Conservative Party, while just four are Labour and four are Liberal Democrats, with others sitting as independents This political imbalance is a strong motivator behind Labour’s push for reform, aiming t

hereditary peers, the Conservatives would still hold the largest representation in the chamber

The change would also address a longstanding gender disparity As h

through male lineage, all remaining hereditary peers are men Their removal would marginally improve the gender balance in the Lords, though women would still represent only about 33% of members

could also enhance the House of

y empowering it to challenge government policy more confidently A similar shift occurred after most hereditary peers left in 1999, and their complete removal might further strengthen the UK's bicameral system

MML celebrates Diwali with a spectacular Thames River Cruise

M ah a ras h tr a M and al L o nd o n (MM L) ho sted a Diwali celebration on the ico ni c River T hames o n No v e m be r 9, 2 0 2 4 , b ri ng in g tog ether com munity m em bers and guests fo r a nig ht of festive cheer, music, and traditional cuisine This unique ev ent, a fo ur-ho ur d inner, danc e, and d ri nks cru ise, s ailed from Westm inster Pier, offering an enchanting view of L ond on's skyline and landm arks illum inated by Di w al i li g h t s T h e p a rty w as attend ed by around 200 g uests

B o a r d i n g c o m m e n c e d w i t h

a t t e n d e e s g a t h e r i n g a t Westminster Pier for check-in, creating an atmosphere of excitement as the boat prepared for departure The cruise set sail, marking the beginning of a memorable Diwali

e v e n i n g M a h a r a s h t r a M a n d a l London ensured every detail was thoughtfully planned to reflect the

vibrant cultural heri t a g e o f M a h a r a s h t r a w h i l e embracing the spirit of Diwali, the festival of lights

G u e s t s w e r e treated to a threecourse Indian dinner, curated by r e n o w n e d f o o d p a r t n e r T h e Kokum, known for its authentic flavours The menu included vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes, o f f e r i n g a s e l e c t i o n o f s t a r t e r s , mains, and desserts A paid bar was available on board, allowing guests t o e n j o y t h e i r f a v o u r i t e d r i n k s while celebrating the occasion D J N a v a j e n e r g i s e d t h e evening, playing a lively mix of Bollywood, Marathi, pop, and rock m u s i c , e n s u r i n g t h a t t h e d a n c e floor was packed throughout the night Attendees, dressed in Indo-

W e s t

n a t t i r e , danced under the lights, creating a joyous and spirite

People enjoying the view from cruise

Diwali

In addition to the music and dance, a 360-degree photo booth c a p t u r e d m e m o r a b l e m

e n t s , and raffle tickets were available, adding to the festive spirit with exciting prizes

T

concluding an evening that

Diwali boat party by Maharashtra Mandal London was a remarkable c

cherished memories and a strong sense of cultural pride

Navaneeta Das Skinner

largest second chamber globally

ABPL hosts festive gathering to usher in the new year

T o welcom e Vikram S am vat 20 81, ABPL fam ily h osted a

d eli g h tfu l g et -t o g et h

the Harrow office, inv iting close friend s to jo in in the festiv e spirit

Guests included Harrow Deputy Mayor Cllr Anjana P

Vala, Eirin, CB Patel, Kanti Nagda MBE, Jyotsna Shah,

S

Omkar Naik

The gathering provided a platform for an engaging discussion on the recently launched Diwali magazine, along with other key topics related to Asian Voice and G u j a r a t S a m a c h a r , h i g hl i g h t i n g t h e p u b l i c a t i o n s ' impactful journey and their

i m m e n s e c o n t r i b u t i o n t o the community

P o o j a R a v a l , B u s i n e s s

D e v e l o p m e n t M a n a g e r o f ABPL Group, who leads the UK operations, warmly wel-

c o m e d a l l t h e g u e s t s a n d

expressed her gratitude for t h e i r c o n t i n u e d s u p p o r t

She highlighted the positive changes implemented over the past few months, leading to a smooth and efficient

o p e r a t i o n S h e s h a r e d insights on this year ’ s Diwali magazine, describing it as a comprehensive package rich

i n c o n t e n t a n d r e a d i n g material She also praised

t h e t e a m ’ s d e d i c a t i o n i n ensuring that weekly publications continued without i n t e r r u p t i o n t h r o u g h o u t

D i w a l i , k e e p i n g r e a d e r s updated on news and events during the festive season Additionally, she noted the growing confidence within

t h e U K a n d I n d i a t e a m s , affirming that, with collective effort, they aim to take this journey forward on the p a t h o f G y a n a n d S e v a Yagna

J y o t s n a S h a h ,

C o n s u l t i n g E d i t o r o f

G u j a r a t S a m a c h a r , s h a r e d her inspiring 42-year journey with Gujarat Samachar, New Life, and Asian Voice, reminiscing about her role as a witness to the growth and transformation of these publications She spoke of h o w t h e s e n e w s w e e k l i e s continually served the community by offering a comprehensive mix of news, cult u r a l s t o r i e s a n d r e a d i n g material that has informed, inspired and united readers

a c r o s s g e n e r a t i o n s T h e y w e

i n c l u d i n g o u r m o t h e r tongue, as well as cultural and spiritual activities She reflected on the impactful campaigns led by CB and ABPL Group, advocating for critical issues such as the rights of the Fiji Indian and Hong Kong Indian communities, tackling nationality and immigration acts and racist forces, supporting the H

i n g d i r e c t f l i g h t s f o r British Asians, and addressing countless other commun i t y n e e d s T h e s e e f f o r t s h a v e u n d e r s

Samachar’s commitment to standing at the forefront of c

n d i n g t h e r i g h t s o f British Asians

Jyotsna also recognised t h e i n v a l u a b l e s u p p o r t o f K o k i l a P a t e l a n d K i

i c a t e d e f f o r t s h a v e g r e a t l y advanced both the commun i t y ' s w e l f a r e a n d t h e growth of ABPL

Kanti Nagda MBE, also the Special Advisor to ABPL Group, spoke about the core priorities and principles of A s i a n V o i c e a n d G u j a r a t S a m a c h a r

n g them as the only ethnic publications that have consistently supported the betterment of the community in the UK

happiness at being part of the gathering and reflected on how he has witnessed the growth and development of the publications over time

responsibilities of a community newspaper The book, launched with a grand gala event, was warmly received by readers and supporters He added that Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar provide such valuable and comprehensive reading material that anyone living in this country has all they need for community news, without needing to read any other national dailies

Jaykishan Wala provided

insights on how to enhance

tions Meanwhile, Krishna

Enfield Saheli, shared details about her work and the initiatives her organisation has

empowerment As

close

Samachar, she has also been instrumental in organising several episodes of Soneri Sangat She expressed her pleasure upon seeing the latest Diwali magazine, praising its quality and content C

Deputy Mayor of Harrow, who is dedicated to various c

and other social initiatives, is a prominent leader representing our community She shared her joy in being part

Hundreds gather for Diwali celebrations in Wales

Di w a li ce l e br a t i on s w e

India , Wa

at the Gre at Ha ll,

Nove mbe

The evening featured a

mances, including a vibrant light show by the Army Band Corps of Drums and a dance performance by the Rekha N

enjoyed

buffet of both vegetarian and non-vegetarian

mended the efforts of Asian

Samachar She extended her best wishes for the continued success of the publications in serving the community

Deven Sangani, Head of

Samachar, also expressed his happiness at being part of the gathering He reaffirmed his commitment to supporting ABPL Group to the best of his ability moving forward Rajendra Jani, father of Pooja Raval, who hails from Palanpur, Gujarat, and is on visit to the UK currently, expressed his pride and joy in his daughter Pooja Raval’s significant contributions to the British Gujarati community He commended her for her dedication to the organisation and the significant role she has played in its growth Tanisha Gujarathi, who works in various capaci t i e s w i t h A B P L , r e c e i v e d p r a i s e f o r h e r v a l u a b l e inputs and also shared her thoughts on the occasion Asha Patel also reflected on her experience and the satisf a c t i o n o f b e i n g p a r t o f ABPL Even Eirin shared her good wishes for the future of ABPL

C B i n t r o d u c e d O m k a r Naik, a young and talented i n d i v i d u a l w h o i s m a k i n g meaningful contributions to A B P L a n d i s e a g e r t o b e c o m e f u r t h e r i n v o l v e d with the team

C B e x p r e s s e d h i s immense satisfaction with the presence of the dignitaries and his team, highlighting that ABPL is flourishing and will continue to soar to greater heights He acknowledged that ups and downs are part of any busin e s s j o u r n e y , b u t t h e strength and support of his t e a m h a v e b e e n k e y t o ABPL's success, with even more joining in the future ABPL will continue to serve t h e c o m m u n i t y s t r o n g e r than ever before

K i s h o r P a r m a r ,

A d v e r t i s i n g M a n a g e r o f ABPL Group, delivered the vote of thanks, expressing his gratitude to everyone for being part of the occasion

T h e e v e n t c o n c l u d e d with light refreshments

The packed event was

Honourable Eluned Morgan MS, First Minister of Wales with support of Honorary Consulate of India, Wales and attended by various dignitaries including the Lord L i e u

f W e

Glamorgan, Lord Mayor of S w a n s e

Industry, community members, senior representatives and students of the Welsh

expressed

Indian community to Wales in particular to healthcare and business

The High Commissioner H E

spoke about the strong relationships that exist between India and Wales and noted

Elstree and Borehamwood hosts historic first Diwali celebration

Th

of

l hosted its first-ever

Di w a li ev e nt a t Allum Hall & Mano r Ho use

O r g a n i s e d b y

C o u n c i l l o r T u s h a r Kumar and Deputy

M a y o r o f H e r t s m e r e , Parveen Rani, along with a dedicated team, the event b r o u g h t t o g e t h e r o v e r 2 0 l o c a l o r g a n i s a t i o n s a n d a full audience, marking a historic moment for the community

T h e c e l e b r a t i o n h i g hlighted the rich diversity of the area, with performances f r o m e s t e e m e d o r g a n i s at i o n s s u c h a s B r a h m a

K u m a r i s , S a n t N i r a n k a r i

M i s s i o n , H i n d u Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS), and many more Traditional dances, music, and dramatic p e r f o r m a n c e s f i l l e d t h e evening, each act capturing t h e c u l t u r a l a n d s p i r i t u a l essence of Diwali

The event was graced by several distinguished dignitaries, including the Mayor

o f E l s t r e e a n d B o r e h a m w o o d , D e p u t y Lord Lieutenant, the High Sheriff of Hertfordshire, the M a y o r o f H e r t s m e r e , t h e

L e a d e r o f H e r t s m e r e Borough Council, and many m o r e c o m m u n i t y l e a d e r s Together, they inaugurated the celebration with a tradit i o n a l l a m p - l i g h t i n g c e r emony, symbolising the triumph of light over darkness

C o u n c i l l o r T u s h a r Kumar expressed his pride i n t h e c o m m u n i t y ’ s r e s p o n s e , s a y i n g , “ T h i s

event was more than just a celebration it was a chance for our community to come together, share our cultures, and appreciate the diversity t h a t m a k e s E l s t r e e a n d Borehamwood so unique It has been an honour to help bring this vision to life ” The event also featured c u l t u r a l s t a l l s o f f e r i n g Indian sweets, sarees, henna art, face painting and crafts, adding to the vibrant atmos p h e r e T o c o n c l u d e t h e evening, a certificate ceremony was held to recognise the contributions of each p e r f o

e from the audience

D e p u t y M a y o r o f H e r t s m e r

P a

, C o u n c i l l o

v e e n R a

r e d h e r hopes for the future, noting, “With the success of this year ’ s Diwali event, we look forward to expanding this celebration each year, bringing even more of our community together to share in this beautiful festival ” The success of this inaugural Diwali celebration is a testament to the vibrant and i n c l u s i v e s p i r i t o f Hertsmere Organisers have already expressed enthusia s m f o r m a k i n g t h i s

n

, a i m

o build on this foundation for many years to come

CB Patel Krishna Pujara and Kanti Nagda MBE

Cllr Anjana Patel and Kishor Parmar

Standing- Subhas Patel Subhash Thakrar OBE Jaykishan Vala Eirin Deven Sanghani

CB Patel, Cllr Anjana Patel, Kanti Nagda MBE and Asha Patel Seated - Tanisha Gujarathi, Rajendra Jani, Jyotsnaben Shah and Pooja Raval

HE Vikram Doraiswami High Commissioner of India, UK, Rt Hon Eluned Morgan MS, First Minister, Indian Diplomat Raj Aggarwal

Dignitaries present at the Diwali celebration

Amardeep Parmar: Boosting British-Asian Business

Sunetra Senior

As 20 24 grad ually draws to a close and we find ourselves well into the new millennium, British-A sian businesses are undeniably flourishing : this is th e positiv e truth How ev er, the cultural zeitg eist does not always reflect such success where there are still com paratively less British-A sian-owned businesses at the top This reciprocally fuels an ong oing insecurity among bud ding young minority entrep reneurs wh o have all the am bition but no t necessarily a strong sense of p ublic support Ultim ately, there is an und ermining negativ e impact Here, A mardeep, co-fo und er of Bae HQ, seeks to bilaterally brid ge

free and we welcome people of all backgrounds In this way, our tutorship gives young people from disadvantaged backgrounds more of a chance e g if you come from a richer household, you would automatically have a step up – those who are not so lucky benefit from the extra resource We offer general help for companies to get funding too, including the opportunity

Economics at the University of Bath, including one year with the Bank of England, and become a tech consultant: “I pursued the route of a reputable job that guaranteed security,” he commented, “ but in the meantime, I was always experimenting with work on the side Eventually, with the support of my dad, I swapped careers entirely to become a ghost-

the social gap His rising platform, British-A sian entrep reneurs HQ, is a collective space for building underrepresented business and passionately pro activ e in its quest too

***

“There are a few aspects of the enterprise,” Amar shared, “such as media, events and active guidance that aim to help British-Asians do better by working together: we do podcasts that share BritishAsian business success stories and coverage of upand-coming startups too called BAEWatch! When you see others who are like you thriving, it becomes more of a reality: first within and hopefully as a result more in the world

On the events side, we have partnered with organizations such as Amazon, Google and HSBC so that our members have access to influential people who see and believe in them Finally, on the educational and opportunities side, we have school talks and mentors that can really take people to the next level: from connecting to the right leaders to learning about business and start-ups, the tech involved and scaling up ” Going beyond simply networking then Bae HQ focuses on mutually affirmative commercial growth Indeed, inclusivity is a value that Amar decidedly drives He stated: “signing up is completely

to find Angel investors

There is a genuine move towards fostering interconnectedness ”

One of Bae HQ’s favorite stories is Dimple Patel’s: she grew up on a council estate in Leeds and has sold two companies and is now CEO of NatureMetrics with £50 million raised The goodnatured businessman elaborated on his ethos:

writer for some very big names Many of my clients were from Silicon Valley This led to more typically creative work altogether –doing podcasts with different interesting entrepreneurs such as the founders of Netflix and Twitter! However, I noticed that many of the people I was interviewing were older white men – I wanted to make professional entrepreneurial friends in the UK, but my days were being spent on the phone to Americans in LA while my friends at home all had day jobs That’s where my idea to create an accessible empowering network started to grow Another catalyst was the passing away of my dad in 2022 He had been so

"When you witness others like you thriving, it becomes more of a reality: it starts within and eventually shows through action in the world"

“Often entrepreneurial British-Asians are competing with one another rather than forming solidarity, but ultimately we face the same adversity: we are essentially the same That is why we are open to any entrepreneur from a minority background –shared passion and building connections with other communities is key ” Amar began the innovative cosmopolitan hub following a feeling of disconnection he experienced first-hand during the height of his career prior which was centred on rapid creator growth Born in Ilford, Amar would later go on to complete a degree in

Swindon Hindu Temple hosts historic Diwali at Westminster

emotionally supportive of my taking risks and was also someone who helped a lot of people He could have focussed more on high-profile clients but he would welcome everybody with all sorts of problems ” Indeed, Amar cites both his parents as a constant source of inspiration: “ my mother was a pivotal figure in my life too She was always there for me personally and encouraged me to think independently If I didn’t have that familial warmth, I’m not sure I would have arrived at where I am today It was huge ” Other role models for Amar include the creator of the Washing Machine Project, Navjot

Sawhney, who “wanted to give people their dignity back, inventing a washing machine that could be used by refugees in warzones ” Another is Radha Vyas “who lost £20 million with her travel company during the pandemic but had the resilience to get back to where she is today!” In terms of what Amar learned most from his professional trajectory, he told us: “when working with influential people, from senators to CEOs, you realise that everybody is just human and struggling with similar problems – we shouldn’t put people on a pedestal We all have the same fears and insecurities underneath It is the courage to push forward and believe that you can do well that differentiates you so don’t be afraid to put yourself out there!” To conclude, Amar left us with some parting advice on how to achieve rapid entrepreneurial expansion: “both in terms of generating revenue for a start-up or boosting your social media, think about how you fit an audience –do you understand the people you are serving? A lot of the time, people build according to what they believe is cool, but does it necessarily speak to your consumer? Businesswise, think of addressing the problems that people actually need solving; content-wise, they might want a certain type of entertainment or a workable approach to a challenge that they don’t know how to deal with themselves – can you give them a solution that helps?” Finally, Amar reveals a wider overarching principle: the more we connect to those around us, the stronger the version is of ourselves Although existing individually, people are also social beings who require anchoring in their environment to feel truly whole Amar aptly commented: “building confidence alone isn’t the objective– you ’ ve got to give people faith and the tangible tools to collaborate ” In this way, the external landscape can restoratively elevate an inner one

W: https://www thebaehq com/

first Diwali celebration from the South West of England at Westminster

leaders, and

into the festival’s rich tradit i o n s A

e n d e e s i n c l u d e d

British Armed Forces pers o n n e l , a n d g u e s t s f r o m Indian, Nepali, Sri Lankan, and African communities, as w e l l a s p e o

Muslim faiths Hosted by Swindon MPs W i l l S t

H e i d i Alexander, the event high-

l i g h t e d t h e U K ’ s c u l t u r a l d i v e r s i t y a n d t h e H i n d u community's contributions to British society S t o n e e m p h

Chairman of the Swindon Hindu Temple and Cultural Centre, expressed: "This

understanding, and

bration of culture The story

timeless symbol of civilization, resonates with every generation, and his message is more relevant now than ever

Everest Inn marks Diwali with charity and cultural showcase

E v ere s t In n, k no w n f o r bring ing fine Nepalese and Ind ian cuisine to Londo n, Kent, and Scotland , recently w rap p ed u p i ts a nn ua l Di wali c elebrati on wi th a vi brant Festi val of Li gh ts The ev ent featured a spectacular array of cultural perfo rmances, acco mpanied by a specially curated m enu The restaurant, famous for serving the ‘Jab Tak Hai Jaan’ Bollywood team during their London shoot, has become a key destination f o r D i w a l i f e s t i v i t i e s i n south-east London

M a n a g i n g D i r e c t o

Yadav Bhandari shared, "In N e p

glow with lights and diyas, turning each home into a symbol of hope and joy " This year, the Everest Inn team focused on fundraisi

m s i n Nepal, in line with Diwali's spirit of good deeds

three-course candle-lit

'Food Diaries ' Cultural performances included tradi-

region's rich heritage from the rhythmic beats of the

melodies of the Himalayas

Shree Swaminarayan Mandir

Oldham lights up for Diwali

The Shree Swaminarayan Mand ir in Oldham came aliv e with joy and d ev otion as tho usands gathered to celebrate Diwali, marking the triumph o f ligh t over d arkness

The temple's five-day festivities included a stunning fireworks display and were supported by over 120 volunteers running food stalls and assisting with event operations, creating a warm and vibrant atmosphere for all Among those celebrating were two monks, Swami Laxmanprakash Dasji and Swami Nautamuni Dasji, who had flown in from

India to lead sermons and participate in the events "Each year, our Diwali celebrations grow brighter, thanks to our vibrant community's pride and devotion," said temple trustee Anil Kara He added, "Diwali is more than a Festival of Lights; it's a time for self-renewal, where forgiveness and hope shine through every prayer and light, guiding us toward a brighter future "

AMARDEEP PARMAR

Dignitaries

Firework display during Diwali celebrations

Anand Overseas Brotherhood, UK commemorates Diwali in style

On th e auspicious occasion

o f Diw ali, various comm u-

n i ti es a nd o rg ani s at io n s

acro ss th e UK celebrate the festiv al in their ow n unique w ays However, on Sunday,

2 7 th O ct o ber , a

r

w as hosted at th e Sattav is C entre in Wembley

O

Overseas Brotherhood, UK

( A O

brought together brothers, sisters, and daughters originally from Anand, alongside p

invited guests from 69 vil-

"Shree Sattavis Gam Patidar Europe" association Among the special guests was Mr CB Patel, Publisher/Editor of Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar

The programme began with a Ganesh Vandana and the Gayatri Mantra, led by J

d Overseas Brotherhood, UK

The lighting of the lamps followed in front of idols of

L o r d G a n e s h , M a a

J a g d a m b a , a n d R a d h a

Krishna Honorees included 1 0 0 - y e a r - o l d S h a n t a b

Gordhanbhai Patel, 93-yearold Shardabaa Indubhai, 8year-old gold medalist Aara Patel and young representatives Reshma, Sheetal and Jasmine T

A

Brotherhood, UK, with 54 years of history, is now managed by Kokila Patel and her team of female office bearers, re-elected for responsi-

Diwali events typically feature speeches and children's disco dances, the women

dancing to classic film snip-

NCGO UK Diwali Snehmilan focuses on growth and unity

T he N a t io n a l Co u n cil o f G uja ra t i Or ga n isa ti ons U K (NCGO UK) hosted a vibr ant a n d me mo r a b l e D i wa l i S n e hm i l a n c e l e b r a t i on on Novembe r 10th, commemora ting not only the fe stiva l of l ights but al so a ye ar fil led wit h a chiev em en ts a nd an ex citing v ision for the future

This event, meticulously

f o r a H i n d u H a p p y N e w

Year, expressing gratitude to t h e e n t i r e t e a m f o r t h e i r relentless hard work over the p a s t y e a r H e a l s o u r g e d everyone to prepare for the u p c o m i n g y e a r , w h i c h promises to be filled with n e w i n i t i a t i v e s a n d t a s k s

Highlighting the successful event on May 1, 2024, he

tion in effecting meaningful change within the community The event drew to a close w i t h h e a r t f e l t c l o s i n g remarks and prayers led by Mr Jitendra Patel, the Joint Secretary of NCGO UK, who expressed hope for continued unity and strength within the organisation

Centre’s Aristol Hall

Rashmikaben Tarakbhai

everyone and outlined the

President Kokila Patel then spoke, highlighting Anand’s

etched in history thanks to

Revolution,' and the vision

Patel, who made Anand the Milk Capital of India " Kokila Patel emphasised the significance of empowering women, noting that for the first time, the Patidar community of Sattavis Gam has entrusted the organisation’s entire management to women

edged the dedication of her

President Jagruti, Treasurer

members Pushpa, Renuka,

Special thanks were given to

Anantbhai, Rohitbhai, and Yogeshbhai, along with supportive brothers Pravinbhai, Bhupendrabhai, Tarakbhai, Meenketubhai, Rajeshbhai, Dr Pravin, and active young

Neel, and Vipul She also

organising the annual trip and Urvashiben for coordinating local trips to Skanda Vale, Mahakali darshan, and the Isle of Wight

The daughters of Anand

Shantabaa with a shawl and

community pillars like 93year-old Shardabaa (founder

Patel) and Pushpaben Aara

Valentina Dhiren Patel, an 8-year-old gold medalist in Jiu Jitsu from Germany, was also recognised

In her speech, the Joint Secretary of the organisation, Kinnari Patel, praised President Kokila Patel for her effective leadership and ability to keep the organisa-

organised by the dedicated t e a m a t N C G O U K , d r e w together esteemed Executive Committee (EC) members, influential community leaders, and numerous attendees for an evening characterised b y j o y , c a m a r a d e r i e , a n d enlightening discussions

The festivities flourished with a rich programme that included captivating cultural p e r f o r m a n c e s s h o w c a s i n g traditional Gujarati dances and music, a sumptuous buffet dinner offering a variety o f d e l e c t a b l e d i s h e s , a n d inspiring speeches delivered by prominent figures within the community Mr CB Patel, a revered Patron of NCGO UK and Publisher/Editor of A s i a n V o i c e a n d G u j a r a t Samachar, took to the stage t o c o m m e n d t h e t i r e l e s s

e f f o r t s o f e a c h c o m m i t t e e m e m b e r , a c k n o w l e d g i n g their vital contributions and s e e k i n g b l e s s i n g s f o r t h e organisation’s ongoing succ e s s I n h i s a d d r e s s , M r

V i m a l j i O d e d r a , t h e

P r e s i d e n t o f N C G O U K , extended heartfelt greetings

shared how it notably raised t h e p r o f i l e o f N C G O U K among various Members of Parliament across different political parties and lords, r e i n f o r c i n g t h e o r g a n i s at i o n ' s s t a n d i n g w i t h i n t h e community

A significant highlight of the evening was a compelling speech by Mr Kanti Nagda, a key advisor to NCGO UK He illuminated the audience on various substantial behindt h e - s c e n e s a c h i e v e m e n t s that often go unnoticed His discussion included successful negotiations with higher authorities and government interventions aimed at combating fraudulent immigration practices Thanks to the collaborative efforts of the President and the Executive Committee, they have positively influenced the regulation of fraudulent employers, leading to the revocation o f s e v e r a l l i c e n c e s W h i l e these achievements may not a l w a y s b e p u b l i c i s e d , M r N a g d a e m p h a s i s e d t h e importance of the committee's solidarity and dedica-

President of

U K s h a r e d a c o m p e l l i n g vision for the organisation’s future, focusing on its commitment to making a profound, positive impact on the community, particularly targeting the needs of the youth and the elderly To this end, NCGO UK plans to launch digital literacy prog r a m m e s s p e c i f i c

designed for seniors, already h

teach them how to effectively use smartphones and navigate digital tools Additionally, the organis

Gujarati language courses in

, which will help preserve

tural heritage while

professionals are also on the docket, adding yet another layer to NCGO UK’s commitment to addressing the evolving needs of modern society

Diwali celebration & Sardar Patel tribute at VASO Nagrik

VA SO Nagrik Mandal celeb rat ed D iw a li o n 1 0 No v em b er

Too ting

The event also honoured the 150th Birth Anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and included a tribute to

, Pravinbhai Amin A detailed report will be featured in next week’s edition Dignitaries and members gathered in celebration

L-R: Anant Patel Pravin Patel and Yogesh Patel

L-R : Anna Patel, Shardabaa and Renuka Patel

Jasmin Patel and Jyoti Patel presenting award to Aara Patel

Kokila Patel

CB Patel with 100 years old Kusumben (L) and Shantabaa (R) along with their families

Dance performance by the ladies wing of AOB

The

NCGO

NCGO members and others guests at the NCGO UK Diwali Snehmilan

Jagaddhatri puja organised by Bilete Bangali at Feltham Assembly Hall on 9 November 2024 Started in 2015 the puja has gained popularity over years, among the diaspora

A sparkling night of celebrating life, giving hope at the London Diwali Ball

T h e in a u gu r al Lo nd o n

Diwali Ball, o rganised by th e

c h a ri t y I

,

ed a mo mentou s evening dedicated to su ppo rting disabled and disadvantaged children

The event, held in collaboration with Variety, the Children's Charity, and The Kartik Prabhu Foundation, raised significant funds to

and resources Taking place at the Hilton London Syon Park, the elegant gathering

b

figures from the corporate, community, and entertainment sectors, including repr

, E n v i

C o n s u l t a n t s , T e c h n o l o g y Transformation Group, and more

It was a unique evening celebrating the richness of

T

e London Diwali Ball featured an impressive lineup of perf

d

n g a colourful Bollywood dance

s h o w c a s e b y B o l l y w o o d Dance School and a standu p c o m e d y a c t

BAnuvab Pal Guests enjoyed l i v e m u s i c f r o m N a v i n K u n d r a , a l o n

Kapoor, brought inspiration and warmth The event was expertly hosted by Anushka

A r o r a f r o m S u n r i s e R a d i o a n d

Ragasaan

whelmed by the support

" T h e e v e n t c e l e b r a t e d

Diwali in all its diverse splendour and embod-

Chef Sanjeev Kapoor on supporting children and creating joy

Voice for an exclusive conversation about the London D i w a l i B a l l H

d

s c u s s e d the event, dedication to the cause, and the significance of Diwali Here’s what he shared How did you decide to get involved with the inaugu ral Londo n Diwali Ball?

I believe that, inherently, human beings are compassionate No matter who we are, we all have a desire to do good Sometimes we get the chance to act on it; o t h e r t i m e s , i t r e m a i n s a thought I’m grateful that this is one of those moments where I’ve been able to say 'yes ' For many years, I have supported causes close to m y h e a r t , l i k e A k s h a y a Patra I’ve been involved in raising funds for them and s u p p o r t i n g v a r i o u s i n i t i at i v e s , i n c l u d i n g w o r k f o r autistic children and supp o r t i n g s c h o o l s w e l o o k

a f t e r W h e n A n j a n i s h reached out with this opportunity and shared his vision for the project and how he planned to carry it out, I thought, 'It’s a tough challenge ' But I also realised that by saying 'yes,' we could make it happen

It is also important to

r e c o g n i s e t h a t t h i s i s n ’ t about just me, Anjanish, or a few others who support the

c a u s e I t r e q u i r e s m a n y more people who share this belief and are willing to join in While we celebrate, there

a r e m a n y w h o s e c e l e b r a -

tions aren’t as fortunate as ours If we can bring even a little more joy to their lives, then let’s try to do so Let’s add more smiles where we can We talk abou t h ow po verty affects people but o ften forget about th e ch ild ren How do es it feel to be like supporting this cause and was th e invo lv em ent o f ch ild ren into this cause like big reason why you agreed to it?

I actually hadn’t realised that most of the causes I’ve been deeply and long-associated with are all related to c h i l d r e n T h i s w a s n ’ t a deliberate strategy it just t u r n e d o u t t h a t w a y A k s h a y a P a t

h e work I do with autistic children started almost 15 or 16 y e a r s a g o N o w , m a n y o f those kids have grown into adults, and we ’ ve recognised that our responsibility cont i n u e s e v e n a s t h e y g r o w o l d e r I b e l i e v e t h a t w i t h early intervention, we can often make a lasting positive impact on these young lives

While some challenges may remain, starting early can m a k e a s i g n i f i c a n t d i f f e r -

ence, improving their lives

i n t h e l o n g r u n I t ’ s l i k e investing early the returns are felt over a lifetime For me, supporting these children is an investment, and seeing them thrive is the best 'interest' I could hope to earn It truly feels like the b e s t i n v e s t m e n t I c o u l d make What does Diwali look like in th e Kap oor ho useh old ? Do yo u plan and prepare th e f es ti v e m en u f o r y o u r fam ily?

Diwali is a tradition, and with it comes a certain set of dishes that are always prepared Surprisingly, during Diwali, it’s actually my wife who takes charge of all the t r a d i t i o n a l c o o k i n g S h e insists, ‘This is my domain,’ and she prepares all kinds of delicious sweets and savoury snacks, or namkeen, that are essential to our celebrations Diwali is also a time when family comes together We try not to work as much so w e c a n b e a

y i n g i n London, is here in Mumbai w i t h u s S h e ’ s a l w a y s reminding me, ‘I’m here, so you have to cook!’ As a family, we love khichdi, and I usually make it in a matka (earthen pot), which everyone enjoys This year, my

d a u g h t e r r

t e d p a l a k khichdi for dinner so I’ll be making that The food keeps changing, and with all the sweets that come our way during Diwali, we often joke about needing a break from them, but of course, that never actually happens

t h e y n e e d f o r a b r i g h t e r future ” La u re n ce G u i n ne s s, CEO Variety, the Chi ldren's C h ari ty a d d e d : “ W e w e r e delighted to have partnered with Inoch i on such a prestigious event that brought together diverse audiences around Diwali’s themes of light, hope, and kindness,

while directly furthering the p o s i t i v e i m p a c t V a r i e t y brings to the lives of disadvantaged children ”

ied the spirit of inclusion

a n d s o l i d a r i t y I n o c h i ’ s

m i s s i o n i s t o C e l e b r a t e

Life, Give Hope, and with t h e p r o c e e d s g o i n g t o V a r i e t y , t h e C h i l d r e n ' s

C h a r i t y a n d T h e K a r t i k

Prabhu Foundation, we can ensure that more disabled children and young people

r e c e i v e t h e e q u i p m e n t , support, and opportunities

Anushka Arora is the U K ’ s n u m b e r o n e a w a r d - w i n n i n g

Bollywood RJ, VJ, Master of Ceremonies, and VoiceOver Artist, currently hosting a popular 4-hour Bollywood show on Sunrise Radio In a c o n v e r s a t i o n w i t h A s i a n Voice before the Diwali Ball, s h e d i s c u s s e d t h e c h a r i t y cause and some aspects of her work

What do es th is ev ent m ean to you p erso nally, and wh y do you th ink su ch events are cru cial for raising aw areness and suppo rt for these children?

I’m truly grateful to be part of something so meaningful As the host of this Diwali Ball, I believe it’s a unique opportunity to contribute to a cause that truly m a k e s a d i f f e r e n c e T h e charity, Inochi, has a powerful mission to celebrate life and bring hope to underp r i v i l e g e d c h i l d r e n , w h i c h resonates deeply with me

employment gap faced by disabled individuals in the UK By providing internship o

s Interns helps these young p

o p l e b u i l d a n i n d e p e ndent future while offering employers a valuable insight into the realities of disabilit y i n t h e w o r k p l a c e Through this support, we can empower the next generation to overcome challenges and achieve their full potential”

y Inochi to act as a catalyst for co mmu

dari ty a n d support for disadvantaged children, loved th e visionCelebrate Life, Give Hop e Event quality, attention to detail and execution greatly exceeded our expectations We look forward to Inochi’s

“We are deeply grateful to be a part of this impactful event,” said T ushar Prabhu, C h a i r m a n o f t h e K ar ti k P rabhu Fo undation “ The funds raised at the London Diwali Ball will significantly bolster our educational init i a t i v e s , p a r t i c u l a r l y t h e Access Interns programme This initiative is dedicated t o c r e a t i n g e m p l o y m e n t pathways for disabled young people in the property and i n f r a s t r u c t u r e s e

Lighting the way for underprivileged children

Diwali, a festival of light and n e w b e g i n n i n g s , p e r f e c t l y aligns with this cause It’s a time for the community to c o m e t o g e t h e r , e m b r a c e diversity, and support children in need By bringing light into their lives, we ’ re b r i g h t e n i n g t h e i r p r e s e n t and helping shape a brighter future Being part of such a p o s i t i v e i n i t i a t i v e i s t r u l y fulfilling and highlights the power of collective kindness to uplift others

H o w d o yo u d e sc ri b e Bollywood 's imp act o n th e British South Asian com munity? A nd what role do you feel yo ur w ork plays in keeping th at co nnection aliv e?

Bollywood is a huge part of our culture, and when you combine it with cricket, it truly defines us Growing

u p , I w a t c h e d B o l l y w o o d movies and cricket, though there was a time when I only listened to Western music like Madonna and the Spice Girls But as I’ve grown, I’ve realised how important it is to share our culture with the younger generation It’s not just about Punjabi music or p o p u l a r s o n g s i t ’ s m u c h m o r e B o l l y w o o d f i l m s t o d a y t a c k l e i m p o r t a n t i s s u e s l i k e d o m e s t i c v i olence, disability, and more, in such a meaningful way

T h e y o u n g e r g e n e r a t i o n should appreciate our cult u r a l h e r i t a g e t h r o u g h organic exposure, whether it's through movies, music, or dance The industry is expanding across languages and regions, from Hindi and P u n j a b i t o T a m i l a n d Telugu, and this growth will

c o n t i n u e I n d i a ' s d i v e r s e food, language, and traditions must be passed on to future generations Wh at m essag e w o uld yo u like to co nv ey reg arding th e im po rtance of com m uni ty support du ring festiv e occasions?

Sup porting events like these is incredibly import a n t W i t h o u t t h e m , w e w o u l d n ’ t b e a b l e t o r a i s e awareness for various causes, no matter what they may be These events play a crucial role in bringing attention to the issues that need it most I truly believe it’s vital for everyone to come together and support such c o m m u n i t y i n i t i a t i v e s , r e g a r d l e s s o f t h e i r b a c kground or cultural heritage Whether you re South Asian o r c

walk of life, these events are a b o u

i t y , a n d creating a sense of belonging for all It’s about uplifting each other and celebrating the strength that comes from our differences The power of coming together as a community is immeasurable, and I believe it’s our responsibility to contribute, whether through volunteeri

s i m p l y attending and showing supp o r

E

e r y s m a

e f f o r t counts, and when we work together, we make a lasting i m p a c t S o , I e n c o u r a g e everyone to get involved in any way they can no matter how big or small It’s about making a difference and being part of something bigger than ourselves

L-R : Laurence Guinness, CEO Variety, Navin Kundra, Voice of Legends, Sanjeev Kapoor, celebrity chef, CB Patel Publisher/Editor Gujarat Samachar-Asian Voice Anjanish Shekhar Chair of Trustees Inochi Shefali Shekhar Trustee Inochi Tushar Prabhu Co Chair Variety and Chair of Trustees Kartik Foundation Rewati Prabhu, Trustee Kartik Foundation, Anuvab Pal, stand up comedian

L-R: Satish Chatwani, Vijay Tanna CB Patel, Jasmine Kundra and Navin Kundra

Chef Sanjeev Kapoor

Anushka Arora

Anushka Arora

Bollywood Dance School performance

Dear Financial Voice Reader, Alpesh P

T he recent fiscal p olicies intro duced by Chancellor Rachel Reev es have sig nificantly altered th e landscap e of wealth transfer in the U nited Kingd om, particularly concerning p ensions From A pril 20 27, unused pension funds and d eath benefits will be included in a person's estate for i nh eritanc e tax (IHT ) p urpos es, p otentially su bj ecting them to a 40% IHT charge Mo reover, if beneficiaries w ithd raw th ese funds, th ey may incur income tax, leading to an effectiv e tax rate of up to 67% on inh erited pensions

This development underscores the critical need for individuals to reassess their financial strategies, especially regarding Self-Invested Personal Pensions (SIPPs) and Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) Historically, many have relied on wealth managers and fund managers to navigate the complexities of investment However, recent performance metrics suggest that these professionals often fail to outperform the market, raising questions about the value they provide relative to their fees

Data indicates that a significant number of actively managed funds underperform their benchmarks For instance, the "Spot the Dog" report by Bestinvest identified several funds from prominent managers like Artemis and Baillie Gifford that have lagged behind their respective indices over the past three years

Th e Case for Managing Your Ow n SIP P and ISA

Given the evolving financial environment and the potential tax implications of inherited pensions, taking control of your investments through SIPPs and ISAs offers several advantages:

C ost Efficiency: By managing your own SIPP and ISA, you can eliminate the fees associated with wealth managers and fund managers These savings can be reinvested, potentially enhancing your overall returns

Transparency and Control: Direct management provides full visibility into your investment choices and performance This transparency enables informed decisionmaking and the flexibility to adjust your portfolio in response to market conditions

Tax Ad vantages: ISAs offer tax-free growth and withdrawals, making them an attractive vehicle for building wealth without the burden of capital gains or income tax SIPPs provide tax relief on contributions and offer a wide range of investment options, allowing for tailored retirement planning

E d u c at io n al E m p o w erm e nt : M a n a g i n g y o u r

investments fosters financial literacy and a deeper understanding of market dynamics This knowledge can lead to m

approach to wealth management

Implementing a Self-Managed Investm ent Strategy

Transitioning to a self-managed investment approach requires careful planning and a commitment to ongoing education Consider the following steps:

E d u c at e Y o u rs el f: U t

resources, attend workshops, and consider formal courses to build a solid foundation in investment principles I offer a lot of free resources through www campaignforamillion com to teach a million people worldwide to add a million to their pensions over their lifetimes

Develop a Clear Inv estment Plan: Define your financial goals, risk tolerance, and time horizon This clarity will guide your investment choices and asset allocation

Leverage T echnology: Modern investment platforms offer user-friendly interfaces, research tools, and access to a broad range of investment products, facilitating effective self-management

House prices hit record high in October

Th e average hous e pri ce i n the UK

r e ac h ed a ne

O c t o be r, a c co r d i ng t o H a l i f ax , altho ugh gro wth s lowed ahead o f l ast week’s Bud get

A t y p i c

£293,999, surpassing the previous peak of £293,507 set in June 2022, when prices were driven up by the pandemic-era "race for space" and historically low interest rates House p r i c e s r o s e b y 0 2

m o n t h

month, marking a slower pace than in recent months, but still marking t h e

increase Northern Ireland saw the s t

w t h , with a 10 2% annual rise in October, the highest of any UK region or nation London remained the most expensive region, with average property prices reaching £543,308, a 3 5% increase compared to last year

UK tax overhaul: What global Indians must consider

The recent changes in UK tax laws, outlined in the latest budget, are set to have significant implications and as cross-border financial planning becomes increasingly vital in a globalised world, understanding these tax updates is crucial for both individuals and businesses looking to navigate the evolving landscape.

including adjustments to capital gains tax and the introduction of the FourYear Foreign Income and Gains (FIG) Regime, Grant Thornton hosted a disc

changes on global Indians, particularly those non-domiciled or considering

Bhalla, a partner at Grant Thornton UK and head of the firm’s Global Indian Business division in London, highlighted how the UK’s new tax regime and government stance should encourage a comprehensive approach to tax planning

The latest budget underscores the increasing need for a global approach to financial planning, as cross-border factors continue to influence business and lifestyle choices Following are the main points to keep in mind: Impact on private wealth

The budget, aimed at addressing a £40 billion deficit, emphasises private wealth taxation both domestically and internationally, with £25 billion of this deficit from National Insurance con-

k Parkinson, head of Grant Thornton’s

reviewed changes, such as increased capital gains tax (CGT) rates, with the general rate rising to 24% This new rate, although less than the anticipated 28%, is still higher than previous rates

The 10% CGT rate for qualifying gains is now capped at £1 million per person over a lifetime, likely prompting more high-net-worth individuals to explore non-residency options For example, business sellers who remain outside the UK for more than five tax years can avoid UK CGT on gains, making foreign residency an attractive choice

With carried interest tax rates set to shift to income tax by April 2026, Parkinson encouraged entrepreneurs to consider restructuring their holdings, such as establishing corporate structures that may enable tax-free liquidity events under certain exemptions

Changes for non-domiciled individuals

T

away from using domicile status to determine income and capital gains tax obligations Starting April 6, 2025, all UK residents will be taxed on an "arising basis," ending the remittance basis regime for non-UK domiciled individuals

A new "Four-Year Foreign Income and Gains (FIG) Regime" will provide tax exemptions on foreign income and gains for individuals' first four years as UK tax residents, subject to s p e c i f i c c

allows individuals, including some UK nationals, who meet eligibility criteria, to bring foreign funds into the UK

types and assets, particularly those derived from UK land, are ineligible for FIG benefits

A

impact, transitional rules have been

preferential tax rate of 12% for remittances from designated funds, available until April 2027 Non-doms with

brought into the UK during this period can benefit from this lower rate, encouraging strategic remittances

Strategic steps for 2025 and beyond

With these changes set to begin in April 2025, non-doms have a limited planning period to benefit from existing remittance basis rules

assets, or receiving tax-free dividends from foreign family businesses Given the deadline for the 12% remittance rate in April 2027, careful planning is essential to maximise this window Engaging private banks and financial advisors can help individuals explore

and holding structures, such as

shore bonds and funds F

residency, aligning financial strategies with the latest tax changes and taking advantage of transitional reliefs will be critical for minimising tax exposure across jurisdictions

cut the key interest rate by

with an eight-to-one vote,

expectations

followed

drop in i nflation to a threeyear low T

Bank of England (BoE) kept

lowing a previous reduct i o

y cautioned that while it is important to bring inflation closer to the target,

Citadel hires Elliott Management veteran Nabeel Bhanji

K en G ri ff i n ’

n d Citad el has recruited Nabeel Bh anji, a seasoned portfolio

m an ag

M an ag

office, w here he had been in s tru m

hedge fu nd 's high -p rofile international cam paigns Bhanji, an equity partner at Elliott who spent over a decade with the firm, is expected to take on a global leadership and investment role at Citadel, as shared by s o u r c e s f a m i

w i t h t h e matter Citadel and Elliott declined to comment on the move This marks the latest in a series of high-profile d e p a r t u r e s f r o m E l l

Andrew Bailey

i n t e r e s t r a t e s c a n n o t b e reduced too quickly or by too much If the economy e v o l v e s a s e x p e c t e d , i t s likely that interest rates will continue to fall gradually," he added

Nabeel Bhanji

over recent years Bhanji, 38, was made an equity partner at Elliott just last year and was recognised as one of the firm’s rising stars Throughout his tenure, Bhanji played key roles in Elliott’s major activist positions, notably with Anglo American, a London-listed mining company, and the J

SoftBank

Inflation fell to 1 7% in S e p t e m b e r , m a r k i n g t h e first time since 2021 it has been below the BoE’s 2% target, although the central bank anticipates inflation will rise again in the coming quarters Following the d e c i s i o n , t h e p o u n d r o s e 0 8 % a g a i n s t t h e d o l l a r , r e a c h

greenback weakened after its rally due to the US election results

T h e B o E ' s c a u t i o u s stance on rate cuts reflects concerns over the impact of t h e B u d g e t , w h i c h s a w Chancellor Rachel Reeves

increase taxes and ease fiscal policy The outlook has a l s o b e e n i n f l u e n c e d b y Donald Trump’s victory in the US election, as his prot a

inflation

The BoE noted t h

t h e B u d g e

w

u

d i n c r e a s

c o n s u m e r p r i c

inflation by 0 5 percentage points at its peak and boost GDP by 0 75% in a year This has led traders to reduce their expectations o f a n o t h e r q u a r t e r - p o i n t rate cut at the BoE's next meeting in December, from about 30% to 20%, according to swaps market data

Pubs and restaurants warn of closures, job cuts after tax raid

that employer NICs would increase

13 8% to 15%, and the threshold at which b u s i n e s s e s b e c o

The letter, coordinated b

Rachel Reeves

SC orders liquidation of Jet Airways, rejects revival plan

Hop es o f Jet A irways getting fresh w ing s crashed as the S upreme C ourt ord ered its

l i qu i d at i on , w i th th e

s

failing to d epo sit ev en the first tranche of £3 5 mn of t

re by b urd eni ng SB I-l ed lend ers w it h h

al liabilities

N

JKC, comprising UAE-based NRI Murari Lal Jalan and Florian Fritsch, who holds

s

provided guidelines for future Insolvency and

processes before company

NCLAT, the bench accepted

lenders/creditors are further

furnished by the SRA We order accordingly ” The bench said, “In the

deposited by JKC

Gujarat’s pharma sector sees investment worth £500mn

Gujarat’ s pharma sector is on a remark able ups win g w i th t he s t a te ’ s we l les tabli shed man uf acturin g hu b dr

compani es are accelerati ng expansions , eyeing Gujarat as a critical player for API manufac turing, bulk drugs a n

is sued at a record pace, the state’s pharma lands cape is primed for unprecedented growth

According to estimates

f o r e i g n d i r e c t investment (FDI) route

i n t h e p h a r m a f o r m u l a t i o n s

operates two facilities in

G u j a r a t t h a t manufacture injectables and oral solids and has

t h e l a r g e s t c a p a c i t y

g l o b a l l y f o r o r a l hormonal pills

Medical devices major, Meril Life Sciences, has also

c o m m i t t e d £ 9 0 m n o f i n v e s t m e n t s f o r t h r e e d i f f e r e n t f a c i l i t i e s T h e

b

i n g

through his Cayman Islands b

c o m p a n y K a l r o c k C a p i t a l

Partners, the SC exercised its rarely-exercised omnibus powers under Article 142 of the Constitution to order liquidation of the unviable

g circumstances as discussed in this judgment and also keeping in mind that almost

N C L A T

d there being no progress , we direct that Jet Airways be taken in liquidation ”

SBI net up 28% at £1.83bn in September quarter

S tate Bank of India rep orted a net profit of £ 1 83bn for t he S ep t qu arter , up 28 %

f ro m £ 1 4 3 bn a ye ar ag o T his is the highest net profit rep orted by any entity for the perio d SBI’s standalone p r o fi t i n th e p re ce d i ng quarter stood at £1 70bn

On a consolidated basis, the bank’s net profit for Q2 FY25 was up 23% at £1 97bn

During the period, the bank crossed the £500 bn deposit milestone Its advances grew

1 4 9 % y e a r - o n - y e a r t o £392bn while deposits grew 9 1% to nearly £512bn

SBI’s core net interest

income rose 5 37% to £4 16 bn, driven by a 15% increase in advances despite a 0 15% dip in net interest margin to 3 14% Non-interest income also saw a significant surge o f 4 2 % , r e a c h i n g £ 1 5 2 b n , boosted by gains from forex a n d t r e a s u r y o p e r a t i o n s

Newly appointed chairman C S Setty maintained the advances growth target at 1 4 - 1 6 % f o r t h e f i s c a l b u t revised the deposit growth target to around 10%, down f r o m t h e e a r l i e

% Setty expressed confidence i

deposit growth

results, Setty said that the

expenses as well as by the increase in interest and non-

a s t year was not there this year “ D i r e c t i o n a l

a r e focusing on increasing our core interest income with renewed focus on the non i n t e r e s t i n c o m e a n d containing the operational

e x p e n s e s b y b r i n g i n g

o p e r a t i o n a l e f f i c i e n c i e s , ”

Setty said

Noel Tata appointed to Tata Sons board

on Diwali eve Noel Tata’s appointment

(FDCA) Gujarat, the state h a s a t t r a c t e d a t l e a s t

£500mn of investments

H e a l t h c a r e m a j o r ,

S e n a d o r L a b o r a t o r i e s

P r i v a t e L i m i t e d , i n v e s t e d

£ 2 5 0 m n t h r o u g h t h e

c o m p a n y m a n u f a c t u r e s s e v e r a l o r t h o p a e d i

implants and cardiac stents, among other products

SpiceJet launches eight new flights, links Jaipur and Ahmedabad

SpiceJ et has announce d the l a un c h of e i gh t n e w

d om e s ti c f l i g h ts s t a r ti n g

N o v e m b e r 1 5 , f ur t h er strengtheni ng its domes tic network The n ew routes w i l l c on n e c t J a i p ur w i th V a ra n a s i , A m r i ts a r , a n d Ahmedab ad, as well as link A h m e d ab ad w i th P u n e

This expansion c omes on th e h ee ls of the ai r li ne ’ s O ctober 2 024 laun ch of 32 new flights, whic h inc luded

t w o i n t e r n a ti o n a l ro ut e s c o n n e c t i n g De l h i w i th Phuket

I n O c t o b e r , S p i c e J e t

a l s o i n t r o d u c e d U D A N

f l i g h t s , c o n n e c t i n g Shivamogga in Karnataka to Chennai and Hyderabad, a l o n g w i t h d o u b l e d a i l y f l i g h t s b e t w e e n C h e n n a i a n d K o c h i , b o o s t i n g c o n n e c t i v i t y a c r o s s regional and metropolitan hubs

“ W e a r e e x c i t e d t o a n n o u n c e t h e l a u n c h o f new flights from Jaipur to V a r a n a s i , A m r i t s a r , a n d Ahmedabad, as well as from A h m e d a b a d t o P u n e , p r o v i d i n g o u r p a s s e n g e r s with greater flexibility and c o n v e n i e n c e , ” S p i c e J e t C h i e f B u s i n e s s O f f i c e r

Debojo Maharshi said SpiceJet will operate 78s e a t e r Q 4 0 0 a i r c r a f t o n these routes, and bookings a r e n o w o p e n o n t h e a i r l i n e ’ s w e b s i t e , m o b i l e a p p , a n d t h r o u g h o n l i n e travel agencies and agents Additionally, the airline recently received a ratings u p g r a d e f r o m A c u i t e R a t

R

s

L

t e d T h e l o n g - t e r m rating was raised by four notches to ‘B+’ with a shortterm rating of A4, both with a ‘Stable’ outlook, marking a positive development for the airline

a o f c

o s

l y oversight over the sprawling conglomerate’s operations Noel Tata, 67, is the h

boards of both Tata Trusts and Tata Sons As the Tata Trusts hold a commanding 66 per cent stake in Tata Sons, this dual role signals a n

The mer ger of Air In dia a nd Vista ra has officially been comple te d on Tuesday , Nov ember 12, 2024

The newly merged entity will now operate more than 5,600 weekly flights and connects more than 90 domestic and international destinations with a fleet of 208 aircraft, according to the carrier's press release

The new unified full-service carrier will operate flights as ‘Air India’ with t h e a

Voltas, and vice-chairperson of Titan and Tata Steel, Noel Tata has played

pivotal role

retail and consumer-facing

nearly 300 per cent Noel Tata

group, in 2014, where he led a

revenue by 430 per cent over a decade His stewardship of V o l t

s i m i l a r l y y

d e d g r o w t h , with revenue doubling and s t o c k p r

Zomato, Swiggy breached competition laws: Report A n i nv e s t i g a t i o n b y Compe tit ion Commi ssi on o f I nd i a f o u n d f o o d d eli very g ia nts Zomato and Swig gy bre ached antitr ust la ws, wi th th ei r busi ness p racti ces f av ouri ng se lect re sta ura nts li ste d on the ir p l a t f o r ms , d o cu m e n t s show

Z o m a t o e n t e r e d i n t o “ e x c l u s i v i t y c o n t r a c t s ” with partners in return for lower commissions, while S w i g g y g u a r a n t e e d business growth to certain p l a y e r s i f t h e y l i s t e d exclusively on its platform,

a c c o r d i n g t o n o n - p u b l i c d o c u m e n t s p r e p a r e d b y CCI

Air India officially completes its merger with Vistara

aircraft can be identified by a four-digit flight number beginning with the digit “ 2 ” (e g UK 955 will become AI 2955)

Additionally, the existing members of Vistara’s loyalty programme Club Vistara (CV) have been transferred to Air India’s Flying Returns programme, now renamed ‘Maharaja Club’ Singapore Airlines, which held a 49% share in Vistara earlier, will now become a 25 1% shareholder in the new Air India group Air India also announced inducting more than 6,000 staff from Vistara

into the new organisation structure, consolidating more than 4,000 vendor contracts, migrating 270,000 customer bookings, and inducting 4 5 million Club Vistara frequent flyer accounts to A i r I n d i a ’ s

n

r

Exclusivity arrangements between Swiggy, Zomato a n d t h e i r r e s t a u r a n t p a r t n e r s “ p r e v e n t t h e m a r k e t f r o m b e c o m i n g m o r e c o m p e t i t i v e , ” t h e a n t i t r u s t b o d y ’ s investigation arm noted in its findings

T h e a n t i t r u s t i n v e s t i g a t i o n a g a i n s t

S w i g g y a n d i t s t o p r i v a l Z o m a t o b e g a n i n 2 0 2 2 a f t e r a c o m p l a i n t b y N a t i o n a l R

c

s i g n e d frequent flyer program, Maharaja Club The Air India-Vistara merger is also the second one for the group, after the merger of budget airlines Air I n d i a E x p

(formerly known as Air Asia India) on October 1, 2024

and

Bangladesh to seek Interpol alert for Hasina, her loyalists

D H AKA : Bangladesh’ s interim govt said it will seek Interpol’s a s s i s t a nc e i n re p at ri a t i n g d e po s ed P M She i k h H

f ro m I nd ia , an d oth er “ f ugitives” , to face trial for alleged c ri mes agains t humanity

Hasina and her party leaders face accusations of ordering brutal suppression of the AntiD i s c r i m i n a t i o n S t u d e n t s Movement, resulting in numerous casualties during the JulyAug protests The movement later intensified into a largescale uprising, forcing Hasina to

secretly flee to India on Aug 5 A

Muhammad Yunus, at least 753 people were killed and thous

crimes against humanity and genocide Over 60 complaints of crimes against humanity and genocide have been filed against Hasina and her party members

“A Red Notice will be issued through Interpol very soon No matter where in the world these fugitive fascists are hiding, they will be brought back and held

affairs adviser Asif Nazrul told reporters after inspecting the

International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)

Officials said a Red Notice is not an international arrest warrant, but rather a global request for law enforcement agencies to locate and provisionally arrest

action Interpol member

according to their own national laws

Suicide attack on Pak army troops kills 26

and more t han 60 injured in a suicide bombing at a r a i l w a y st a t i on in P a k is

n

s southwe ste rn city of Que tta on Sa tur day

The proscribed Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), the most prominent militant group in the restive province, claimed responsibility for the attack, saying its suicide unit, the Majeed Brigade, had carried out the bombing to target a “Pakistani army unit” returning via train after completing a course at an infantry school Authorities said the blast was a “suicide attack” primarily on law enforcement agencies, while

Forty-six among the injured were

said The explosion occurred as

Express, was about to leave a station in Quetta for Peshawar in the northwest P

restored train services between Quetta and Peshawar last month after a suspension of seven weeks because separatist militants in Balochistan had blown up a key

media videos, the bomb went off when hundreds of people were at the platform A video of the aftermath showed injured individuals and debris strewn throughout the station The steel structure of

ripped Wasim Baig, spokespers

h department, said the death toll rose to 26 after two succumbed to their injuries in hospital while

Guru Nanak Jayanti: 3,000 visas for Sikhs to visit shrines in Pak

NE W D E LHI: Pakistan High Comm is sion in New Delhi has is sued more than 3,000 vis as t o Sikh pilgrims fr om India to attend the birthday c elebrat ions of Gur u Nanak Dev from Novembe r 14-23

I n a n o t h

d'Affaires, Saad Ahmad Warraich also wished pilgrims a fulfilling yatra The Indian pilgrims w

n Nankana Sahib and Kartarpur Sahib, the final resting place of Guru Nanak in Pakistan

G u r u N

Gurpurab, is a sacred festival that marks the birth anniversary of the first guru of Sikhism, Guru Nanak Dev

It is a significant day in Sikhism since it commemorates the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the first of the 10 Sikh gurus and

the founder of Sikhism The celebration is notable for its fervent devotion, spiritual gatherings, and the recitation of hymns from the Guru Granth Sahib, Sikhism's holy scripture

Every year, the auspicious occasion is held on the full moon date of Kartik month, also known as Kartik Purnima Parkash Utsav is also observed on this day

Guru Nanak Dev, who had been devoted to the Divine since boyhood, was a man of peace who spent his entire life promoting equality and tolerance He was born in 1469 in the village of Rai Bhoi di Talwandi, today k n o w n a s N a n k

Pakistan

O n G u r p u r

, p r a y e r s a r

h e l d i n Gurdwaras throughout the day The many components of the festival continue until late at night when devotees indulge in the langar

Pak limits outdoor activities, market hours as air pollution levels soar

LAH ORE : Pa kis tan’s Punjab provinc e banned most outdoor ac tivities and ordere d shops, markets and mal ls in som e areas to cl os e early to c urb il lnes ses caused b y intense air pollution The provinc e has already c losed educ ational ins tit utions and public s pa ces like parks and zoos until Nov 17 in pl aces incl uding La hore, t he wor ld’ s m ost pol lute d cit y in terms of a ir quality acc ording to Swiss group IQAir’s l ive ratings

T h e d i s t

unprecedented rise in patients with respiratory diseases, eye and throat irritation, and pink eye disease, the Punjab govt said in an order

The new restrictions would also remain in force until Nov 17, it said “The spread of conjunctivitis/ pink eye disease due to bacterial or viral infection, smoke, dust or chemical exposure is posing a serious and imminent threat to public health,” it said

While outdoor activities including out-

door sports events, exhibitions and festivals, and outdoor dining at restaurants have been prohibited, “unavoidable religious rites” are exempt from this direction, the order said Some outlets like pharmacies, oil depots, dairy shops, and fruit and vegetable shops have similarly been exempted from the directions to close by 8 pm local time Lahore’s air quality remained hazardous, with an index score of more than 600, according to IQAir, but this was significantly lower than the 1,900 that it touched in some places earlier this month A score of 0-50 is considered ‘good’

Several parts of South Asia are engulfed by a toxic haze each winter as cold air traps dust, emissions, and smoke from farm fires Punjab has blamed its particularly toxic air this year on pollution wafting in from India, where northern parts have also been battling hazardous air, and has said it will take the issue up with the neighbouring country through its foreign ministry

in brief RAJ SALWAN TO REPLACE FREMONT MAYOR

Raj Salwan, two-time vice mayor emerged victorious in the race to replace Fremont Mayor Lily Mei who is terming out after two four-year terms In the four-candidate race Salwan received 47% of the vote and defeated second placed former councilman Vinnie Bacon with 31% Salwan’s victory came after significant backing from labor groups and business leaders His strong political endorsements, along with his eight years of service on the Fremont City Council, played a key role in his success

INDIAN MAN MARRIES OVER VIDEO CALL

A virtual nikah was solemnised in Himachal Pradesh with the groom in Turkiye and the bride in Mandi The marriage ceremony of Adnan Muhammad, a resident of Bilaspur, had to be performed virtually as the company for which he works in Turkiye refused to grant him leave, his family members said Also, the ailing grandfather of the bride insisted that she get married at the earliest, they added The family members of the groom and the bride agreed to a virtual 'nikah' and the barat from Bilaspur reached Mandi on Sunday The marriage was held on Monday The couple connected through video calling and a qazi performed the rituals with the duo saying "qubool hai" thrice

62 others were injured The BLA has long waged an a r m e d r e b e l l i o n , d e m a n d i n g independence and control over the province’s gas and mineral resources

Mauritius PM accepts 'huge defeat' in election

BENGALI ONLY INDIAN LANGUAGE ON NY’S BALLOT PAPERS

P O R T L O U I S : T he p ri m e m i n i s te r of Mauri ti us has acc epted that his coalition, L'Alliance Lepep, has s u ff e r ed a " hu ge d e fe a t" f ol lo wi n g S un da y s p ar l i am e nt ar y el e c ti o n T he population has decided to c hoose another team," Prime Minister Pravi nd Jugnauth, 62, told journalists on Monday

Jugnauth was seeking a second five-year term, but his main rival, Navin Ramgoolam, 77, leader of the Alliance of Change coalition, looks set to become the next leader of the Indian Ocean archipelago

Mauritius is known as one of Africa's most stable democracies, but this election was tainted by a phone-tapping scandal, with leaked recordings of public figures posted online

Final results are yet to be released but R a m g o o l a m ' s p a r t y l o o k s s e t t o w i n Ramgoolam, a former doctor, told reporters that his party was "heading towards a huge victory", but didn't go into any further detail as he said all votes must be counted first

"We must respect this choice and we wish the country and the population good luck," said Jugnauth

The mood in the capital Port Louis reflects this changing tide, as people gathered in hopeful anticipation of results that signal a fresh direction for the country Ibrahim, who voted for the Alliance for Change said that "growing public dissatisfaction was a major reason the ruling party lost The cost-of-living crisis has been a major issue for many Mauritians, along with a growing concern about governance and corruption

More than 200 languages are spoken in New York according to the Department of City Planning However the ballot papers in the US presidential elections had only four other languages apart from English We are required to service four other languages besides English It is Chinese, Spanish, Korean and Bengali as the Asian languages, said Micheal J Ryan, Executive Director, Board of Elections New York City The inclusion of Bengali on ballot papers is not just a courtesy but a legal requirement By law, New York City is obligated to provide voting materials in Bengali at certain poll sites This mandate extends beyond just ballot papers to include other essential voting materials, ensuring comprehensive language support for Bengalispeaking voters

INDIAN AMERICAN BUYS MATTHEW PERRY’S HOME

Real estate developer and film producer Anita Verma-Lallian has purchased the Los Angeles home of late Friends star Matthew Perry Verma-Lallian acquired the Pacific Palisades property for $8 55 million and before moving in, she and her family conducted a traditional Hindu puja ceremony to bless the home and honor Perry’s legacy Perry was found dead in the house last year Verma-Lallian, a prominent figure in Arizona s real estate and film industries is known for her efforts to promote South Asian representation in cinema She founded Camelback Productions a film company dedicated to increasing diversity in Hollywood

CHINESE DRIVER KILLS 35 IN DEADLIEST ATTACK

Thirty-five people were killed after a Chinese driver rammed his car into a crowd in southern China, the nation’s deadliest attack in at least a decade as an economic slowdown sparks outbreaks of violence A man surnamed Fan drove his small jeep into pedestrians outside a sports center in the city of Zhuhai, state broadcaster China Central Television reported Police attributed the rampage to the 62-yearold attacker’s unhappiness over his divorce settlement suggesting there was a property dispute More than 40 people were injured and taken to hospital police said in a statement

Sheikh Hasina

Pravind Jugnauth

in brief

KASH PATEL EMERGES AS A TOP CONTENDER FOR CIA DIRECTOR

Former Department of Defense official

Kash Patel is being considered for several national security posts including CIA director a key GOP

source said Patel 44 previously served as a National Security Council official senior adviser to the acting director of national intelligence and chief of staff to the secretary of defense

While Trump has not officially arrived a decision about Patel s final move there has been “conversations between the transition team and the former Trump official - with the majority of the discussions in Trump World being focused on the CIA, according to the source If he doesn t lead the CIA, Patel could head the FBI or become the director of National Intelligence He hails from Bhadran, Anand district of Gujarat

LAVANYA CHANDRASHEKAR IS NEWS CORP CFO

The Rupert Murdoch led News Corp has announced that Lavanya Chandrashekar will succeed Susan Panuccio as Chief Financial Officer, effective January 1 2025 Chandrashekar brings nearly 30 years of experience in international finance and investor relations, having held senior positions at leading consumerfacing companies such as Procter & Gamble, Mondelēz, and most recently Diageo, where she served as CFO from 2021 to September 2024 Her new package will include an annual base salary of $1 4 mn an annual bonus with a target of $2 5 mn and a long-term equity incentive with a target grant date value of $2 6 mn

AMISH SHAH LOSES CONGRESSIONAL SEAT

After a competitive race sitting GOP congressman David Schweikert has secured reelection in Arizona’s Congressional District 1 His Democratic challenger former state lawmaker Dr Amish Shah gave a strong fight keeping the election outcome uncertain until the final call Shah focused his campaign on immigration, a key issue for many voters He also emphasized liberal priorities, such as abortion rights and increased funding for public education The district s demographics favored Republicans, with 39% of active voters registered as Republicans, 27% as Democrats, and 33% as unaffiliated

MUJIB’S PORTRAIT REMOVED FROM PRESIDENT'S OFFICE

Bangladesh s newly appointed interim govt adviser Mahfuj Alam has removed the portrait of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman from the Darbar Hall of Banga Bhaban, in what critics said was “complete and utter disrespect” of the country’s first president and the constitution Banga Bhaban is the residence and main workplace of the President of Bangladesh Posting a photo of himself at Darbar Hall after taking oath on Sunday, Mahfuj wrote on Facebook: “It is a shame for us that we couldn t remove his pictures from Banga Bhaban after the 5th of August Apologies ”

BNP WORRIED INTERIM GOVT MAY EXTEND TENURE

Suspecting that Bangladesh’s interim govt may be thinking of extending its tenure, BNP has reminded the Muhammad Yunus-led dispensation that its primary duty is to promptly transfer power to elected representatives after conducting a fair election BNP politician Hafizuddin Ahmed claimed several individuals with pro-Awami League affiliations had been appointed to the interim govt’s advisory council Two leading coordinators of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement also criticised the new selections

Why Kamala Harris lost the US presidential election

WA S HI NGT ON: The victory of Donald T rum p, ev en by pop ularity v otes, has co me as a surprise to th e Dem ocrats In fact, th e Democrats hav e been left wondering abo ut w hy p eop le of colo ur did not v ote fo r one of their ow n - Kamala Harris Th ey did not consider that a significa nt nu m b er o f A f ri c an A m e ri ca ns an d L at in

re ag ainst illegal im migration

There is a massive difference between people who work hard to achieve the American dream and those who cross borders illeg

benefits that they were not entitled to in the first place There is also suspicion that Democrats want to increase the number of illegal immigrants in the country as it serves their political interests while perhaps jeopardising the safety of American citizens In addition, a significant percentage of Jewish people have also voted for Trump

Last year has seen a rise of

States; there have been many protests across college campuses showing support for not just Palestine but Hamas, with the ISIS flag seen on college campuses Many members of the c

Democrats Nothing was done to ensure the safety of Jewish

were ignored by their college administrations

Another issue that was handled egregiously by Joe Biden was Covid-19 and its aftermath

The US government’s decisions, like mask and vaccine mandates during Covid, were not widely a

M

refused to comply with the vaccine mandate lost their jobs The Biden administration curtailed people’s freedoms, implemented v

workers, censored doctors and healthcare providers who spoke out against the Covid vaccines, and put travel restrictions on the un-vaccinated

Throughout the Democratic P

Republican voters were called derogatory terms like garbage,

served their political agenda and distracted from their failures as a government for a while, but it was not enough to win eventually T

often functioned as a mouth-

piece of the Democratic Party, parroted the same agenda and was quick to shut down legitimate criticism of Biden’s presid

unheard In fact, the fact that D

his campaign was hardly covered

mainstream

m

The Harris campaign made

reproductive rights in a bid to woo female voters, particularly in the swing states However, early national exit polls showed that Harris had won the support of 54 per cent of women, lower than President Joe Biden did in 2020 when he had the support of 57 per cent

The Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v Wade in June 2022 was a huge turning point for women ’ s reproductive rights in the US and sparked a massive backlash from women ’ s rights and medical groups

Trump sweeps all 7 key battleground states

WA SH IN G TON : US Pr esiden tele ct Donal d Trump ha s won in Ar izo na , de fe a t in g D e mocr a t ic ca ndidate Ka ma la Har ris in t he final sta te ca ll of the presid ential ele ction, complet in g a swe ep of all sev en key b attl eground st ates: A r izo n a , N e v a d a , W is con s in , Michiga n, Pen nsy l va nia , N ort h Carolina , a nd Georgia

With Arizona’s 11 electoral votes, Trump’s electoral college total rises to 312, compared to 226 for Vice President Kamala

Harris Arizona, which was won by Joe Biden in 2020, has now r e t u r n e d t o T r u m p ’ s c o l u m n , further securing his hold over the swing states

Trump’s decisive victory was bolstered by a shift to the right

G O P h a s regained control of the Senate and is on the verge of a slim House majority Trump is set to meet Joe Biden at the White House for their first post-election interaction, formally initi-

ating the transition process to be completed by January

With strong backing from white working-class and a significant share of Hispanic voters, Republicans have solidified their standing, with CNN estim a t i n g G O P c o n t r o l o f 2 1 3 House seats, nearing the 218seat majority NBC has projected Republicans with 212 seats and D e m o c r a t s w i t h 2 0 4 , t h o u g h

Democrats still hope to win a n a r r o w m a j o r i t y t o c h e c k Trump’s influence Trump ruled out reappointing two key figures from his prev i o u s a d m i n i s t r a t i o n - f o r m e r Secretary of State Mike Pompeo a

Nikki Haley Ric Grenell, known f

G

m a n y , i s reportedly a top contender for Secretary of State, along with Florida Senator Marco Rubio, w h o h a d h a r s h

y c r i t i c i s e d Trump in 2016

Other front runners for roles i n T r u m p ’ s p o t e n t i a l n e w administration reflect the signifi c a n t s h i f t s i t m i g h t b r i n g Robert F Kennedy Jr , a prominent anti-vaccine advocate for whom Trump has promised a “big role” in healthcare, said, "I'm not going to take away anybody's vaccines " Additionally, billionaire Elon Musk - CEO of SpaceX, Tesla, and X - who has shown strong support for Trump, is being considered for a role overseeing government waste and efficiency

Canada ends fast-track visa programme, Indian students likely to be impacted

ed with immedia te effect the popu-

g

mm e , S DS, a m a j or p oli cy decision t hat is like ly to impa ct scor es of int er nat ional stud ent s, includin g fr om In dia

The processing time for students applying under the Student Direct Stream (SDS) was significantly shorter and approval rates

h i g h e r , s o m e t

n g t h a t w i l l change after Canada ended the scheme last week

P r i m e M i n i s t e r J u s t i n T r u d e a u i n S e p t e m b e r h a d announced on X: “We’re granting 35 per cent fewer international

student permits this year And next year, that number’s going down by another 10 per cent ” “Immigration is an advantage for our economy - but when bad actors abuse the system and take advantage of students, we crack down,” he added in the post as the Canadian governm e n t s a i d i t w a s l o o k i n g t o reduce the number of temporary residents

The move comes amid the ongoing diplomatic row between India and Canada According to t h e I n d i a n H i g h C o m m i s s i o n here, India is the largest source country of foreign students with a n e s t i m a t e d 4 , 2 7

students studying in Canada

t

giving all international students e q u a l a n d f a i r a c c e s s t o t h e

p Canada (IRCC) said in a statement

“strengthen programme integrity, address student vulnerability, and give all students equal and f a i r

ment said

The SDS was launched in 2018 to provide faster processing for eligible post-secondary students, it said, adding, it was eventually opened to legal residents of Antigua and Barbuda, Brazil, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, India, Morocco, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Senegal, St V

Vietnam However, the IRCC s

still apply through the regu-

which Guaranteed Investment C

Hindus hold massive protest after Khalistani attack on temple

etween Kha list ani supporte

and devote e

at t he Hi nd u Ma ha sab ha Templ e

As night fell, the Peel police declared the protest an “unlawful

a s s e m b l y " , i n s t r u c t i n g d e m o nstrators to disperse or risk arrest

Carrying Indian and saffron flags, the protesters chanted slogans against Khalistani extrem-

ism and expressed dissatisfaction with the Justin Trudeau government Tensions flared as some participants shouted provocative slogans aimed at a specific community and called for marching to nearby places of worship in protest Social media platforms were quickly filled with videos of the large crowd A user named @truckdriverp l e b p o s t e d o n X s a y i n g “Brampton is completely out of control,” with a video showing protesters attempting to block

vehicles The post gained over 55,000 views within an hour J

l e @NyJagdeepsingh, posted another video, captioning it: “Videos h a v

o r g a n i s e r s u r g i n g p r o - I n d i a protesters to ‘storm Sikh

anti-Sikh calls that were met by loud cheers as they took to the streets ” Jeff Lal, a Conservative candidate for Brampton East, said

that the protest was organised by

than by any specific temple Lal, w

a Mandir on Gore Road and joined the protest, described the gather-

Hindus who were attacked at the temple on Sunday He reported that about 10,000 people attended the protest that began around 6 pm, with a small march to the

tion before returning

Donald Trump

Kamala Harris Kash Patel

Brawl in J&K House over resolution to restore Article 370

The J&K ass embly res emb led a fi ght club as BJP MLA s clas hed

w i th ma r s h a l s a f t e

Ab dul Ra him Rather orde red the

members protesti ng the pa

age of a res olution on re storin g the

ab rogation of A rticle 370

The commotion began when i

Ittehad Party displayed a banner seeking Article 370 and 35A BJP MLAs stormed the well and tore

u p t h e b a n n e r T h e s p e a k e r briefly adjourned the House

Upon the House resuming,

l e a d e r o f o p p o s i t i o n S u n i l Sharma opposed the passage of the resolution, calling it “drama”

T h i s f u e l l e d d i s s e n t a m o n g treasury bench members

Slogans filled the House BJP

M L A s c h a n t e d i n s u p p o r t o f Kashmir’s integration with India: “Balidaan huway jahan Mukerjee

w o h K a s h m i r h a m a r a h a i ” N a t i o n a l C o n f e r e n c e m e m

allegiance to J&K: “Jis Kashmir ko khoon say seencha, woh Kashmir hamara hai ” CM Omar Abdullah l o

yelling match silently While deputy CM Surinder C h o u d h

alleged that NC was playing a “fixed match” with BJP by passing a watered down resolution

resulting in physical altercations BJP MLA Shagun Parihar stood atop a table to protest, leading

India slams Pakistan for peddling falsehood over Kashmir during UN debate

In a strong retort, Ind ia slam med Pakistan for p ed dling "falsehood " after i t referred to Jam m u and K as h m i r d u ri ng a d e

o n p eac eke ep in g o p erat io ns i n t he

UN "India chooses its right to reply in response to the comments made b y P a k i s t a n t h a t

made an attempt to divert this a u g u s t

Member of the Rajya Sabha and N

P Sudhanshu Trivedi said H

operations at the Special Political a

Committee) of the UN General Assembly T r i v e d i a s s e r t e d

t h e Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir "was, is and will remain an integral part of India"

BJP’s demand to either roll back the resolution or step down, and said if the party did not have faith

confidence motion

1.5mn killed in road accidents in 10 years

I n t h e p as t d e ca d e ( 2 0 1 4 - 2 3 ) , aro und 15,3 0,0 00 peop le have been killed in road crashes - that’ s more than th e population of the Union

T e rri t o ry o f C h and ig arh a nd n ea rly e qu i v a len t to th a t o f

Bh ubaneswar - d esp ite the g ov t

m aki n g re p eat ed g l o ba l c o m m i t m en ts t o red u c e r o ad fatalities and the Sup reme C ourt’s i n ter v en ti o ns to cu r b su c h fatalities

The road transport ministry’s d a t a s h o w t h a t w h i l e t h e r o a d death rate in India is around 250 per 10,000 km, in the US, China and Australia it’s 57, 119 and 11, respectively

In the preceding decade (200413), 12,10,000 lives were lost in road crashes, as per data collated by the road transport ministry While the increase in fatalities in the past decade must be seen against the backdrop of the quantum jump in p o p u l a t i o n , r o a d l e n g t h a n d number of vehicles, experts say that not much effort has been put into curbing this massive loss of lives

G o v t d a t a s h o w t

number of registered vehicles has

length has gone up from 48,60,000 km in 2012 to 63,30,000 km in 2019 as per the latest published data

Experts said that increase in road length and vehicles can’t be the reason for more people dying every year They added that while i t

highlighted that road safety is a

i n g greater cooperation among govt d

, a n d non-profit entities, not much has been made in this direction, with the agencies concerned continuing to work in silos

T Krishna Prasad, a former IPS, chairman of Road Safety Authority in Telangana and now a sitting MP, said while huge importance is given to murders, road crashes and deaths don’t get the due attention

" T h e p e o p l e o f J a m m u a n d Kashmir have recently exercised t

d a n

w government Pakistan must desist from such rhetoric and falsehood because it will not alter the facts, Trivedi said

He added that out of respect for the august members of the UN

attempts by Pakistan to "abuse" the UN procedures Trivedi delivered India’s strong

delegate spoke about the United Nations Military Observer Group

supervise the ceasefire along the Line of Control

UNMOGIP has outlived its utility and is irrelevant after the Simla

Control

Later in a post on X, Trivedi said that during discussions in the United Nations on peacekeeping

from Pakistan, while speaking on the subject of UN peacekeeping, "tried to digress the subject and

Pakistan’s involvement with UN peacekeepers started when UN has put up peacekeepers in 1948 in territory Jammu and Kashmir

Agencies agree to use UAPA judiciously

C e ntra l and st ate la w ag enc i es engaged in the fig ht ag ainst terro r ag r ee d o n th e n eed t o sh i f t to w a rd s f i rm e r and m o r e collabo rativ e efforts, backed by a stand ardised strateg y, to counter te rro ri s m i n all it s f o rm s , p ar ti cu l arl y c yb er cr im e an d financial terro rism

At the end of a two-day antit e r r o r c o n f e r e n c e o r g a n i s e d b y N I A i n N e w D e l h i , t h e r e w a s b r o a d c o n s e n s u s t h a t U n l a w f u l Activities (Prevention) Act, though a p o w e r f u l l e g a l t o o l t o t a c k l e terror, should be invoked carefully and judiciously to avoid potential m i s u s e a n d t o r e t a i n i t s e f f e c t i v e n e s s i n c o m b a t i n g terrorism

i r e c

n

Lawren ce Bis hn oi ’ s threat streak i s e xpa ndi ng acr oss Bol lyw ood an d after Salman Khan and Shah

R uk h Khan, actor and BJ P le ader M ithun Chakraborty appears to b e the new target

the Dubai-based gangster is seen threatening Chakraborty over his recent comment allegedly against t h e M

Bhatti, who has a history of

following the incident However, B

required,” he said in the video Alleged hate remarks by

political atmosphere up

s e e i n g b y - p o l l s o n Wednesday At the event in question, in t h e p r e s e n c e o f U n i o n H o m e

Minister Amit Shah, Chakraborty said that the party was ready “for

l e a d e r t h e n r e f e r r e d t o a statement by senior TMC leader Humayun Kabir in the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections Kabir, w h o w a s c e n s u r e d b y t h e

E l e c t i o n C o m m i s s i o n f o r h i s remarks, had said: “If I do not t h r o w y o u i n t h e B h a g i r a t h i (river) within two hours, I will leave politics You are 30%, but we are 70% If you think you can demolish mosques and Muslims will sit back and relax, you are mistaken ” R e f e r r i n g t o t h e s a m e , Chakraborty said: “He said that 70% of the population here is Muslim, and 30% Hindu If you throw in the Bhagirathi river, one day will come when we will also t h r o w n o t i n t h e B h a g i r a t h i because it is our mother but we will bury you on the other side ”

u n t e r - t e r r o r framework extending from govt down to the police station level

I n

was seen urging the state police f o r c e s

The participants, comprising 39 heads of central and state police entities and 150 delegates from across the country, concurred on the need for a holistic and wellr o u n d e d s t r a t e g y t o d e a l w i t h t e r r o

and added that this would not only help

Mithun Chakraborty

Amit Shah

India slams Canada for blocking publication that carried Jaishankar's remarks

India called out C anada for w hat it d escribed as Ottaw a ’ s “hypocrisy” o n freedom of speech in blocking an Au stralia-based publication that h i g h l i g h te d fo r ei g n m i n is te r S

J a is h a nka r ’ s r em a rks ag a i ns t

C anada this week in Canberra Th e g ovt also said C anada had not p ro-

v id ed se cu r i ty fo r th e c o ns u la r camps that Indian missions h av e

b ee n h o s ti ng i n t h e c o un try , d esp ite increasing threat to Indian o fficials, leading to cancellation of som e of the camps

O

d opinions from Australia focused on multicultural communities and the I n d i a n s u

n e n t M E A spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said

in a briefing that social media handles and pages of this particular publication, which he described as

an important diaspora outlet, had been blocked and were no longer available for viewers in Canada

“This happened just a few hours after this outlet carried a press conference of the external affairs minister along with h i s ( A u s t

Penny Wong The outlet also published several articles on the visit of the EAM, as well as an interview with him So, we

strange to us, ” he said “I will say these are actions that high-

hypocrisy on freedom of speech ” In a joint press conference with

Gujarati family performs ‘last rites’ of ‘lucky’ car

A family in Gu jarat said

g o o dby e to t h

le with a burial ceremony

Costing o ver Rs 400,000, the event was attended by nearly 1, 500 people

According to a report, the event took place in Gujarat's Amreli district T

attended by religious figures, spiritual guides, and others

Sanjay Polara and his family reportedly held the event to create a “lasting memory for future generations” about this particular

c a r , w h i c h h e c l a i m e d “brought good fortune to his family ” Polara runs a construction enterprise in Surat

“I bought this car nearly 12 years ago, and it brought

Apart from seeing

in

gained respect The vehicle proved lucky for my family and me Hence, instead of selling it, I gave it a samadhi at my farm as a tribute,” Polara said T h e f a m

y p

r f o r m e d farewell rituals after drap-

ing the car with a green fabr i c T h e y p e r f o r m e d p u j a and offered rose petals to the vehicle as the priests recited mantras Eventually, they put their car to rest by f

According to a video, the car was being pushed down a

- d e e p p i t w i t h a slope

BJP and Cong move poll panel with complaints

Ah ead o f th e Maharash tra p olls, BJP and the Co ngress

a p p r o a ch ed E C, a c c u s in g each other of violating th e m o d el c o de o f c o n du c t ( MCC) Th e BJP has accused Congress MP Rah ul Gandh i

a n d C o n gr es s c h i e f Mallikarjun Kh arge o f violati ng MCC On November 6 , d u ri n g a r al ly i n Maharash tra, Gandh i made “ objecti onable” statements, BJ P said in its fo rmal c omp laint

T h e B J P ’ s c o m p l a i n t highlights what it describes as “ gross violations” of the MCC and relevant electoral

l a w s , e m p h a s i s i n g t h a t Gandhi’s comments reflect a “malicious and slanderous campaign” against the p a r t y T h e c o m p l a i n t specifically accuses Gandhi of spreading false information about BJP and its ideological parent, RSS

A c c o r d i n g t o B J P , Gandhi claimed that BJP and RSS intend to “ erase ” t h e C o n s t i t u t i o n

A d d i t i o n a l l y , G a n d h i

reportedly alleged that only members of RSS can qualify for high-ranking university positions, disregarding other qualifications

B J P r e q u e s t e d E C t o “ r e p r i m a n d , c e n s u r e a n d r e s t r a i n G a n d h i f r o m h a n d i n g o u t l i e s ” f r o

making further statements

t

B J P c o n s i d e r s unfounded The party also s o u g h t a n F I R a g a i n s t K h a r g e a n d G a n d h i f o r what it views as a persistent campaign to mislead the electorate BJP ca rryin g out communal propa gand a: C ong

A c c u s i n g t h e B J P o f vicious communal propa-

g a n d a i n J h a r k h a n d a n d

M a h a r a s h t r a , C o n g r e s s s a i d t h e E l e c t i o n

Commission has accepted

t h e p a r t y ’ s c o m p l a i n t s about specific instances of

c a m p a i g n v i o l a t i o n s a n d ordered FIRs to be lodged

The party demanded that BJP be censured if the communal advertisements con-

Canada of developing a pattern of making allegations without backing those with any evidence He had also said surveillance of Indian diplomats was unacceptable, while r

Canada provides political space to extremists “So, you can draw your

Jaiswal said The official also said threats to Indian diplomats in Canada had increased and Ottawa had not provided security for Indian consular camps “ O v

more, the kind of things that we have seen attacking Indian diplo-

said “Threats to Indian diplomats in Canada have increased They have been put under surveillance, which is unacceptable We had also taken up the matter very strongly with

response to media queries

authorities conveyed their inability to provide minimum protection to its organisers The development came days after violent protests by

Khalistan separatists at a

sular event co-organised by the Hindu Sabha temple in Brampton

Indian official holds talks with Taliban defence minister

In a significant deve lopme nt i n t ie s w it h A fg h a n i s t a n , Ind ia held it s first mee ting with Taliban a ct in g d efence ministe r Moha mmad Ya qub Mujah id , who is also the son of Mullah O mar , the for mer supre me le ade r of t he gr oup a n d e m ir of A fg h a n is t a n from 1996 to 2001

T h e m e e t i n g b e t w e e n

Yaqub and MEA joint secretary J P Singh, who handles P a k i s t a n , A f g h a n i s t a n a n d Iran, took place in Kabul last week, as India looks to step u p e n g a g e m e n t w i t h t h e I s l a m i c E m i r a t e o f

A f g h a n i s t a n , t h e n a m e

u n d e r w h i c h t h e T a l i b a n have ruled the country since taking over Kabul in 2021 The Indian official also met Taliban acting foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi a n d f o r m e r A f g h a n p r e s i -

dent Hamid Karzai, during what was his second visit to K a b u l t h i s y e a r “ I n t h i s m e e t i n g , t h e t w o s i d e s emphasised their common d e s i r e t o e x p a n d b i l a t e r a l relations, especially in the fields of humanitarian cooperation and other issues, and expressed their interest in strengthening further intera c t i o n s b e t w e e n Afghanistan and India,” the Taliban ministry of defence said

According to an Afghan official, the meeting is a sign that India is ready to ramp up not just its humanitarian a s s i s t a n c e t o t h e c o u n t r y , but also aid in the reconstruction efforts, even without officially recognising the regime in Kabul Repeated assurances from the Taliban, including during the ongo-

allow the use of Afghan territory against India seems to have convinced India that this might be the right time to deepen engagement with Kabul Yaqub has in the past expressed hope of stronger ties with India, leading also to cooperation in defence sector

The Taliban have been pushing India to allow the appointment of a diplomat f r

e A f g h a n embassy in New Delhi, saying ties between India and Afghanistan are important for both countries and people Ironically, the Taliban’s relationship with Pakistan has continued to head south because of differences over

Taliban

Main shooter, 4 accomplices arrested for Siddique’s murder

tinue in the future

A Congress delegation met EC with eight complaints, and claimed that the poll watchdog accepted a l l i t s e i g h t p e t i t i o n s a s valid and initiated proceedi n g s t o r e d r e s s t h e grievances The EC later in a statement said, that an FIR has been registered for posting false and misleadi n g v i d e o s o n ‘ B J P 4 J h a r k h a n d ’ s o c i a l m e d i a platform

L o k S a b h a M P

Sasikanth Senthil, who led the Congress team, said the p a r t y t o l d t h e w a t c h d o g that there is a pattern in the communal propaganda through social media posts by the BJP, which happens even without elections, and t h e o n l y o b j e c t i v e i s t o divide society for political advantage

“It is way beyond what the country is used to We

t o l d E C t h a t i f t h i s i s repeated, then there should be strong strictures against this party,” he added

In a si gnifi ca nt de velopme nt in the high-profile murder of form er Maha ra shtra mi nister a n d N CP l e a d e r Z i a u d di n B a b a S i d di q ue , th e Utt a r P ra d e sh Sp e ci a l Ta s k For ce ( STF) in a joint operation w ith Mumb ai crime bran ch police a r re s te d t he a ll e g e d m a i n s ho o te r, S hi v Kum a r, a li a s Shiva , a nd four of his a ccomplices from Ba hra ich district It wa s Shi va w ho i s accuse d of f i ri n g s i x b ul l e ts f ro m a Turki sh pistol, thre e of w hich hit Siddiq ue, an a ssocia te of a ctor Salm an Kha n The tota l numb er of a rrested suspe cts in the case now sta nds at 23

Deputy SP, STF, Pramesh Shukla said Shiv Kumar had been in constant communication with his handlers while in hiding During interrogation, Shiv Kumar is said to have admitted to his involvement in the murder

He disclosed that he and Dharmaraj Kashyap, both hailing from the same village, had worked together in the scrap business in Pune It was during this time that they met

S

B i s h n o i ’ s n e t w o r k , s a i d

Shukla “Through Snapchat, Shiv Kumar was put in touch w i t h A n m o l B i s h n o i , L a w r e n c e ’ s b r o t h e r w h o ordered the murder of Baba S i d d i q u e T h e p r o m i s e w a s lucrative: Rs 10,00,000 for the job, with further financial support afterwards To carry out the attack, Shiv Kumar and his a c c o m p l i c e s w e r e p r o v i d e d with firearms, cartridges, SIM cards, and mobile phones by S h u b h a m L o n k a r a n d Mohammad Yaseen Akhtar,” said Shukla

According to the STF, Shiv Kumar and the other shooters tracked Baba Siddique’s movements in Mumbai for several days They chose the night of October 12 for the execution, knowing that Dussehra festiv a l c e l e b r a t i o n s w o u l d b e u n d e r w a y , i n c r e a s i n g t h e i r chances of making a getaway However, despite the chaos, t w o o f t h e s h o o t e r s , D h a r m a r a j K a s h y a p a n d Gurmail Singh, were caught at the scene; Shiv Kumar managed to escape A f t e r f l e e i n g t h e s c e n e , Shiv Kumar is believed to have

discarded his phone and made

Jhansi and Lucknow, before f

Throughout his journey, he c

with his handlers, including Anurag Kashyap (who is the brother of the other arrested shooter Dharmaraj Kashyap) and others, who arranged for his hideout in Bahraich and planned his eventual escape to

Mumbai crime branch subse-

shared the information with the UP STP and sought help to nab him A day after the murder, Lonkar, a Pune resident, who is suspected to be l

Lawrence Bishnoi, had posted a message on a social media platform claiming responsibility for the attack Hours after posting the message, it was deleted While his brother, Pravin, has been arrested for his role in the conspiracy, L o n k

a r g e Jalandhar resident, Zeeshan Akhtar, an alleged key conspirator, is also wanted

S Jaishankar

SOUTH INDIA

MUDA scam: Sidda quizzed by Lokayukta police for 2 hours

BEN G A L UR U : The Lo kayukta

p o l i ce la s t w e ek q u es t i o ne d

K a rn at ak a c h i e f mi ni s t er

S id daramaiah for two hours i n

c o nn ec ti on w i th t h e al l ege d i llegal land allotments by the M ys u r u Ur ba n De vel o p m ent

A ut h o r i ty t o h i s w i f e BM

P arvath i After questio ni ng, the C o ngre ss l ea d er s ai d he h as answered all questions and to ld th e "truth"

As the chief minister appeared before t h e L o k

Bharatiya Janata Party in the state held a protest and reiterated its demand for the resignation of Siddaramaiah

S e n i o r B J P l e a d e r s a l s o t e r m e d t h e Lokayukta police interrogation as "stage managed" and "match fixing"

Siddaramaiah, who appeared before the L o k a y u k t a p o l i c e i n

p

o t h e summons issued to him, was interrogated by a team led by Lokayukta superintendent of police TJ Udesh, official sources said "The questioning lasted for about two hours," a Lokayukta official said

"Until it is decided by the court (about any wrongdoing) there is no black spot on my image What is against me are just

allegations False allegations are made against me I will respond to such allegations in the court and to the police during the probe," he said in response to a question

A s s e r t i n g t h

Siddaramaiah has done "no

Minister DK Shivakumar said the chief minister appeared before the Lokayukta police, respecting the law

The chief minister, who has been named as accused number 1 in the FIR lodged by the Lokayukta police, is facing allegations of illegalities in the allotment of 14 sites to his w

Development Authority

They had on October 25 questioned his

number 2 Siddaramaiah, his wife, brotherin-law Mallikarjuna Swamy and Devarajufrom whom Swamy had purchased a land and gifted it to Parvathi - and others have been named in the FIR registered by the M y s

establishment on September 27 Swamy and Devaraju have already deposed before the Lokayukta police

After

Karnataka, Telangana gets ready for caste census

HY D ERA B A D: Te lan gan a w ill be come t he s econ d C ongre ss- ruled state af ter Ka rnatak a to unde rtake caste cen sus - a n exercis e that w ould con tinue f rom November 6 to 30 Chi ef Min is ter Reva nth Red dy has als o orde red the c on s t i t u t i on o f a Ba c k w a r d s C a s t e s commis si on follow ing the orde rs of the High C ourt, w hich wan ted the n ew commis si on to e nsure q uota for them i n the loca l b odie s' polls

Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi were in Telangana to attend a programme on caste census The previous panel of backwards castes was based on a 1993 law and had mandate only to gather data on education and employment quota This time, the census will gather socioeconomic profile of all castes, sources said

S o u r c e s s a i d 4 8 , 0 0 0 t e a c h e r s w i l l b e deployed for the survey, for which primary schools will work only half-day this month They will go from house-to-house and c o n d u c t s u r v e y t o c o l l e c t d a t a T h i s w i l l encompass social, education, employment, economic, and political data The government staff will place stickers on doors There will be 85,000 enumerators and observers

Stop giving lame excuses, conduct civic polls: SC to Punjab

NE W DE L HI : Sup reme Cou rt castig ated Punjab’s A AP gov t for it s “ la m e ex cu s es ” to d el ay ele ct i o ns to g r as s ro o ts - lev el g o v er nan c e in s ti tu ti o nsm u ni c ip a l c o rp o r ati o n s, mu nic ip al co unci ls and nag ar panchayats - even though the fiv e-year tenu re of mo st of the 42 such bo dies expired years ago

“ N o n - h o l d i n g o f e l e c t i o n s since 2020 is a serious lapse

Y o u r a f f i d a v i t b e f o r e t h e (Punjab and Haryana) HC is full o f l a m e e x c u s e s , ” w a r n e d a bench of Justices Surya Kant a n d U j j a l B h u y a n w h i l e discussing the issue

“ T h e s e a r e a l l f a l s e a n d baseless reasons given by the

WEST BENGAL

P u n j a b g o v t f o r n o t h o l d i n g elections Hold elections or face action,” added the bench Senior

a d v o c a t e A M S i n g h v i a t t e m p t e d t o d e f u s e t h e situation by telling the bench t h a t t h e s t a t e c a n n o t e s c a p e holding elections, but sought time till Dec 31 to initiate the

Bengal bypolls: EC rejects Trinamul's allegation

K O L K A T A : T h e El ec ti o n C o m m is s i o n ( E C ) re j ec ted al le g ati o n s m ad e b y t h e Trinamool Congress (TMC ) of d elay or inaction on its com plaints, saying it acted with in 20 hours of receiv ing th e party's complaints o n West Beng al bypolls

In a response to TMC leader Derek

O ' B r i e n , t h e p o l l a u t h o r i t y s a i d i t i s "surprising" that even after the prompt a c t i o n b y t h e C o m m i s s i o n " w i t h i n 2 0 hours" of receipt of representation on November 9 afternoon, there has been "unwarranted comments of delay"

"As such, this Commission rejects your allegations regarding inaction and delayed response as completely baseless, devoid of facts and misleading However, without further elaborating, you are most welcome to attend the meeting, as already conveyed on November 10," the poll authority said

T h e C o m m i s s i o n s a i d t h e T M C s r e q u e s t s e e k i n g a p p o i n t m e n t f o r a delegation to discuss issues relating to upcoming byelections in West Bengal was received on November 8 by an email

" H o w e v e r , i t d i d n o t m e n t i o n a n y issues that were required to be discussed A r e m i n d e r o f t h i s r e q u e s t w a s r e c e i v e d through email on November 9

"However, this also neither specified any issue nor enclosed any representation

p r o c e s s a s t h e d e l i m i t a t i o n exercise had to be carried out

T h e f r e s h d e l i m i t a t i o n process initiated by the state govt was quashed by the high court When advocate general Gurminder Singh pitched in to say that without delimitation s e v e r a l v i l l a g e s w o u l d b e deprived of voting, the bench said in a statement, “We hope the state govt understands the mandate of Article 243U that w a r r a n t s c o m p l e t i o n o f elections to civic bodies before expiry of their five year tenure ” “The ground of delimitation is not available to the state to defer elections, as has been laid down by two SC judgments,” it

While the Commission was waiting to receive the representation or to know the subject matter of the meeting, a delegation of AITC (All-India Trinamool Congress)

representations " the letter read "

representations, the Commission directed the CEO of West Bengal to first address

deployment, the EC response said It said the CEO, West Bengal convened t h e m e e t i n g o f

Deployment Committee along with State Police Nodal Officer (SPNO) and the State

C A

Coordinator on November 10"within 20 hours" of receipt of TMC representation at the Commission s office here

added in the statement

The bench also expressed s u r p r i s e a s t o h o w t h e s t a t e election commission is a copetitioner with the Punjab govt in the appeal against the HC judgment

“Where is the independence o f t h e E C , ” b e n c h s a i d a n d d i r e c t e d t h

l e c t i o n commission and Punjab govt to issue notification for civic body elections within two weeks and complete the process, including t h e d e c l a r a t i o n o f r e s u l t s , w i t h i n e i g h t w e e k s o f

h e issuance of the notification

The bench said only three out of 42 civic bodies currently have an elected body

SC refuses to transfer RG Kar murder, rape case trial outside Bengal

NE W DE LH I: The S upreme C ourt turned d own a plea to consid er transferring the trial in the rape and murder case of a junior do ctor at RG Kar M ed ical Co lleg e and Hospital in Kolkata, to an o th e r st ate , a ff i rm i ng th at th e tr i al w i ll proceed in West Bengal The case, concerning the brutal Aug ust 9 crime, h as d rawn significant attention and concerns o ver ensuring a fair and swift trial

The request to shift the trial outside West Bengal was made during a hearing before a bench comprising Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud and justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra

Some advocates appearing in the suo motu c a s e u r g e d t h e t

n s f e r , c i t i n g “ d i s t u r b i n g circumstances” in the state Responding to these concerns, the bench acknowledged that the court has moved cases in exceptional situations, such as the Manipur unrest, but clarified, “No such transfer here We are not doing anything like that ” Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing the s t a t e g o v e r n m e n t , c o n v e y e d W e s t B e n g a l ’ s commitment to a speedy trial Sibal underscored the state’s readiness to ensure accountability, stating, “We are very keen that the case is expedited The state wants to ensure that those responsible are punished quickly ”

NORTH-EAST

10 ‘militants’ killed in Manipur

S ecurity fo rces gu nned d ow n 10 “ arm ed m ilitants” in M anipur’s Jiribam district in sw ift retaliation to two C RP F posts coming u nd er attack, capp ing d ays of attacks by susp ected tribal g unmen on civilian targets in one of the flashp oints o f the ethnic strife Manipur Police, which joined CRPF in t

suspected militants in recent months, said three Kalashnikov rifles, four SLRs, two INSAS rifles, an RPG, a pump action gun, bullet-proof helmets, and magazines were f

disputed the number of casualties cited by police, saying “about 11 village volunteers died at the hands of CRPF personnel”

WOMAN ‘RAPED’, BURNED ALIVE IN MANIPUR

A 31-year-old tribal mother of three was allegedly raped before being burned to death in her village home in Manipur’s Jiribam district by armed intruders who terrorised the settlement with indiscriminate gunfire, looting and arson that left 17 dwellings gutted An FIR based on a complaint filed by the victim s husband at Jiribam police station mentions “rape and murder based on racial and communal grounds” after “criminal trespass” The assailants suspected to be from the valley hadn't been identified “This barbaric act serves as yet another chilling reminder of the relentless ethnic-cleansing campaign said Hmar Inpui the apex organisation of the Hmar tribe

NAGA OUTFIT THREATENS TO CALL OFF 27-YEAR-OLD CEASEFIRE

Armed Naga outfit NSCN (IM) has threatened to call off its 27-year-old ceasefire if the Union govt doesn’t agree to third party mediation in negotiations on implementing the 2015 framework agreement between the two sides to end Northeast India’s longest-running insurgency The warning was conveyed through a statement by NSCN (IM) general secretary Th Muivah after an inconclusive round of talks in Delhi on Oct 7 and 8 The discussions focused on the govt’s alleged contravention of the framework agreement signed in PM Narendra Modi s presence over nine years ago “In order to conclude and realise an honourable political agreement we rule out peaceful means against the ignominious betrayal of the letter and spirit of the framework agreement of Aug 3 2015 by the GoI said Muivah who led NSCN (IM) alongside Isak Chisi Swu till the latter s death in 2016

SC TO EXAMINE AUDIO TAPES ALLEGING MANIPUR CM'S ROLE IN VIOLENCE

The Supreme Court has agreed to examine the authenticity of audio tapes presented by a Kuki organization, which allegedly implicate Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh in the ongoing ethnic violence in the state The tapes reportedly shared by a whistleblower contain conversations that suggest the CM s involvement in facilitating the infiltration of armed insurgents and the looting of weapons that fueled the violence The petition filed by the Kuki Organization for Human Rights Trust was heard by a bench comprising former CJI DY Chandrachud Justice JB Pardiwal, and Justice Manoj Misra Advocate Prashant Bhushan, representing the petitioner, argued that the tapes contain "disturbing conversations" in which the CM allegedly admits to instigating violence and protecting attackers

Siddaramaiah

Siddaramaiah

Govt to offer loans to youth under PM Vidyalakshmi scheme

T o m a ke q ua l i ty hi g he r education m ore access ible

t o I n d i a ’ s mi d d le - c l as s youth, Union Cabinet last

w e e k a pp ro ve d P M

V i dy a l ak s h mi Sc h e me , which is designed to ease

f i n a n c i al b ur de n of s tudents from families with an

a n n ua l i nc o m e b e l ow Rs 800,000

Under this scheme, eligible students will be able to secure collateral-free and

g u a r a n t o r - f r e e e d u c a t i o n loans of up to Rs 10,00,000, backed by an interest subsidy

I t a i m s a t s i m p l i f y i n g the education loan process

f o r s t u d e n t s a d m i t t e d t o institutions ranked under N a t i o n a l I n s t i t u t i o n a l

R a n k i n g F r a m e w o r k (NIRF), including the top

8 6 0 Q u a l i t y H i g h e r

E d u c a t i o n I n s t i t u t i o n s (QHEIs)

With an initial outlay of £360mn for two years, the s c h e m e i s e x p e c t e d t o i m p a c t u p t o 2 2 , 0 0 , 0 0 0 students annually

I n a p o s t w h i c h w a s uploaded on X, PM Modi

stated, “This scheme is a big boost to making education more accessible It empowers the Yuva Shakti, building a brighter future for our nation ” T h e s c h e m e ’ s i m p a c t will be felt especially among students at central and state govt institutions and private institutions ranked in the NIRF’s top 200

A u n i f i e d p o r t a l w i l l streamline the application process, allowing students to access both the loan and interest subsidy through a s i m p l e d i g i t a l p l a t f o r m which has been launched in order to help students E d u c a t i o n m i n i s t e r

Dharmendra Pradhan lauded the scheme, highlighting

straints that have previously hindered access to quality higher education

a s p e r r e q u i r e m e n t s , “PM Vidyalakshmi will maximize access to higher education for meritorious students, ensuring that financial barriers do not prevent students from achieving their goals,” he s t a t e d U n d e r P M V i d y a l a k s h m i , s t u d e n t s only need to pay interest during their study period

F o r l o a n s u p t o R s

750,000, the scheme provides a 75% credit guarantee

o n o u t s t a n d i n g d e f a u l t s , supporting banks in providing loans

In addition, eligible stud e n t s w i l l r e c

i v e a 3 % interest subsidy during the moratorium period, giving priority to those enrolled in technical and professional c o u r s e s I f t h e

450,000, there is no upper limit for interest subvention which is among the p r o v i s i o n s o f t h e P M V i d y a l a k s h m i S c h e m e scheme of the government

SC bars bulldozer demolition without following due process

T he Suprem e C ourt h as barred autho rities fro m u s i ng b u ll d o ze rs to d em olish encroachments

o r i lleg al c on stru ctio ns for road projects across India without following d u e p ro c es s, w h i c h i n cl u d es se rv i n g p r i o r notice, condu cting ad jud ication, and awaiting cou rt d ecisions

The days of announcing

t h e r e m o v a l o f e n c r o a c hments or illegal structures with drum beaters or loud-

s p e a k e r s a r e o v e r , s a i d a

b e n c h c o m p r i s i n g f o r m e r

C h i e f J u s t i c e D Y Chandrachud and Justices J

B P a r d i w a l a a n d M a n o j Mishra and criticised the UP

g o v t f o r h i g h - h a n d e d n e s s after the Maharajganj collector demolished a house to w i d e n N H - 7 0 3 “ P r i v a t e

properties need some protection and there has to be

s o m e a c c o u n t a b i l i t y f i x e d for those resorting to demolitions using state power, ” it said

A w a r d i n g

the UP chief secretary to initiate inquiry into the illegal demolitions carried out by the collector, other officials and the contractor in 2019 T

written to the SC on

The last hearing took place on Jan 4, 2021

Dusting off the case file nearly four years later,

material had been provided by the UP govt’s counsel, Tulika Mukherjee, to justify

involved 123 houses, including that of the complainant, for a road widening project He had also simultane-

Commission, which like the district commissioner, had

g against the collector

PM Modi leads Shree Swaminarayan Mandir anniversary

P ri m e M i ni s ter N are nd r a M odi said that saints and s ag e s h av e, i n ev e ry ag e, help ed hu manity realise its purpose w hich has been a tremend ous contribution to society

A d d r e s s i n g a p r ogramme via video confere n c e t o m a r k t h e 2 0 0 t hanniversary celebrations of t h e S h r e e S w a m i n a r a y a n Mandir in Vadtal, Gujarat, PM Modi said, "Every person s life has a purpose that defines it When we discover our life's purpose, it changes everything Saints and sages have, in every age, helped h

p o s e T h i s h a s b e e n a tremendous contribution of saints and sages to our society " He mentioned that this occasion is proof of the eternal flow of Indian culture "We have kept alive the spiritual consciousness of the Vadtal Dham established by Lord Swami Narayan 200 years ago We can still exper i e n c e t h e t e a c h i n g s a n d e n e r g y o f L o r d

S w a m i n a r a y a n h e r e I a m happy that the Government of India has also issued a silver coin of Rs 200 and a commemorative stamp on t h i s o c c a s i o n , " t h e P r i m e Minister said PM Modi also asserted that this event is not just a praise of history It is a great opportunity for every person like him, who has grown up with unflinching faith in Vadtal Dham "It has been a unique feature of India that w h e n e v e r d i f f i c u l t t i m e s have come; a great sage or saint has appeared in that e r a T h e a d v e n t o f L o r d

S w a m i n a r a y a n a l s o t o o k place at such a time when the country, weakened after c e n t u r i e s o f f o r e i g n r u l e , had lost self-confidence At t h a t t i m e , L o r d

S w a m i n a r a y a n n o t o n l y infused us with new spiritual energy but also awakened our self-respect," he said "We must carry forward his teachings Inspired by t h i s , V a d t a l D h a m h a s

become a major centre for serving humanity and building a better world, the Prime Minister added PM Modi,

a l s o h i g h l i g h t e d t h a t t h e

p e

S h r e e S w a m

n a r a y a n

Mandir has always played a major role in any appeal that he made Patel attends L akshminarayan M ahotsav

G u

Bhupendra Patel participated in the Lakshminarayan

Dev Dwishatabdi Mahotsav held at the Vadtal mandir

On this occasion, the CM released a commemorative

f i

Happy New Year, the Chief M

years ago, under the divine

moments of history when Lord Swaminarayan himself laid the foundation of the Lakshminarayan Temple

Prasadji Maharaj blessed the gathering, stating that the

Dwishatabdi Mahotsav

expected the attends the

ebration

Tapomurti Shri Nilkanth Varni Murti-Pratishtha Mahotsav

Celebrated in Gandhinagar, Gujarat

CM Bhupendra Patel visited the Akshardham Temple in Gandhinagar on Thursday He received the darshan of Mahant Swami Maharaj, the guru of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha On the occasion of the New Year, the Chief Minister performed the anointment of Neelkanth Varni and admired the temple He also visited the newly constructed 'Neelkanth Vatika' within the temple grounds, where he offered his respects at the 49-foot Panchdhatu idol of Kishore Yogi Neelkanth Varni

Hindus in Bangladesh face threats amid ISKCON protests

Continued from Page 1

The incident has inten-

s i f i e d c o n c e r n s o v e r r e l igious tensions in the area, raising calls for dialogue and p r o t e c t i o n f o r r e l i g i o u s communities

A c c o r d i n g t o r e p o r t s , l o c a l H i n d u s s t a g e d a p r o t e s t a g a i n s t a t r a d e r named Osman Mollah, who allegedly made derogatory remarks about ISKCON and Sanatan Dharma Outraged by his actions, members of the Hindu community gathe r e d o u t s i d e h i s s h o p t o e x p r e s s t h e i r a n g e r However, rather than taking legal action against Mollah, law enforcement authorities placed him in "safe custody" to de-escalate the situation,

which has sparked further frustration within the community

A protest rally was held outside the Andarkila Jama Masjid in Chittagong after Jumma Namaz, where members of the Hefazat-e-Islam group raised anti-India and anti-ISKCON slogans This followed ISKCON’s express i o n o f s o l i d a r i t y w i t h Hindus over an eight-point demand, which led Islamic o r g a n i s a t i o n s a c r o s s t h e country to call for a nation-

Andarkila area, Hefazat-eIslam leaders issued threats a

Indians Amid rising tensions in C

posts, India urged Dhaka to take action against radical

Hindu community Foreign M

Randhir Jaiswal condemned t

provocative posts circulating online He emphasised that Bangladesh has a special responsibility to ensure the safety of its minorities

H i n d u s

i t y within Bangladesh’s 170 million population, have tradi-

party, which recently faced significant backlash following violent clashes between

d security forces On August 5, a

l

o v e m e n t f o r c e d P r i m e M i n i s t e r Sheikh Hasina to step down after weeks of protests and clashes that left over 600 people dead Hasina fled to India, and an interim government led b y N o b e l L

i s h e d S i

h e n , B a n g l a d e s h h a s w i t n e s s e d targeted attacks on minority c o m m u n i t i e s , i n c l u d i n g H i n d u s a n d B u d d h i s t s , heightening concerns over their safety and rights Speaking to Asian Voice

exclusively, a spokesperson from ISKCON said: “We are very concerned about some s t a t e m e n t s a n d t h r e a t s coming from some media o u t l e t s a n d o t h e r s i n Bangladesh about ISKCON a n d t h e b r o a d e r H i n d u c o m m u n i t y t h e r e Allegations against us are u n f o u n d e d I S K C O N f o ll o w e r s i n B a n g l a d e s h a r e law-abiding citizens of that country, and members of an historic minority Our roots in Bangladesh go back at least five centuries “ A s g o o d c i t i z e n s , w e continue to make

other leaders to protect our members' safety and respect religious freedoms "In the UK, it is currently Interfaith Week (running from 10th - 17th November 2 0 2 4 ) I S K C O N m

there are keenly participati n g i

show respect to one-another, join in prayers for peace and socialise in a spirit of friendship "

Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel attends Lakshminarayan Dev Dwishatabdi Mahotsav in Vadtal

Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel with Pujya Mahant Swami Maharaj during his visit to Akshardham Temple in Gandhinagar

PM Modi to attend G20 Summit in Brazil, also visit Nigeria, Guyana in 3-nation tour

Prim e M inis ter Naren dra Modi

wi ll undertake a three -nation

t o ur f r om N o ve m b e r 1 6 t o

partic ipate i n the G20 Summit

i n Brazil and to b olster bilateral ti es with N igeria an d Guyana

PM Modi will first travel to Nigeria during November 16-17 at the invitation of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu This will be the first visit by an Indian premier to Nigeria in 17 years,

said on Tuesday

B e s i d e s r e v i e w i n g t h e strategic partnership between India and Nigeria, Modi will

d

enhance bilateral ties He will also address a gathering of the Indian community India and Nigeria have been

defence collaboration Some 200 Indian companies have

billion in Nigeria

Summit in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, during November 1819 India is part of the G20 troika along with Brazil, the current chair of G20, and South

year

summit

ministry said India has been

G20 Summit At the summit, Modi will put forward India’s position on various issues of global importance and build on outcomes from the G20 New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration and V

Summits hosted by India over the past two years Modi is expected to meet several leaders on the margins o

AMU's minority status: SC overrules 1967 judgment

The Suprem e Court overruled i ts 1967 j udg me nt a bo ut the A l i g a r h M u s l i m U n i v er s i t y ( AMU ) that b ecame the bas is f or denyi ng the minority status to the i nstitute In a 4-3 split dec isi on , a benc h led by Chief J us t i c e D Y C ha n d r a c h ud overruled judgmen t in the 1967

A zeez Basha cas e an d also said that a new bench will dec ide on t h e m i n or i t y s t a t us of th e A MU

The court directed that the A M U ’ s m i n o r i t y s

principles in this verdict “The v i e w i n A z e e z B a s h a t h a t minority character stops when s t a

s overruled Whether the AMU is minority or not will be decided a s p

Chandrachud

In the Azeez Basha versus Union of India case, a five-judge constitution bench had ruled t h a t A M U

university cannot be considered

However, Parliament restored the university’s minority status

in 1981 by passing the AMU (Amendment) Act

The issue further escalated in 2006, when the Allahabad High Court struck down the

AMU has also filed a petition over the issue

However, when the BJP-led alliance assumed power, it told

the Supreme Court in 2016 that it was withdrawing the appeal filed by the past government In 2019, the top court referred the matter to a seven-judge bench

k n o w l e d g e t h e 1 9 8 1 Parliament amendment Noting t h a t t h e P a r l i a m e n t i s a n " e t e r n a l , i n d e s t r u c t i b l e b o d y " under the Indian Union, CJI Chandrachud has said that the Centre has to stand by what Parliament has done

JCO killed in encounter with terrorists in J&K

Naib Su bedar Rakesh K umar, a j u ni o r co mm is s i o n ed o f fi c e r ( JC O ) a tt ac h e d wi th 2 P ar a S pecial Forces, was killed and t h r ee m o r e s o ld i er s w er e w o u n de d du r i ng a g u nf i gh t w i th t er ro r i st s i n K es h wan fo rest of J&K ’ s Kis htwar district last week

Kumar’s death brought the n u m b e r o f s e c u r i t y f o r c e fatalities in terrorist attacks in J&K to 25 since May 4 - with 19

i n J a m m u r e g i o n a n d s i x i n K a s h m i r “ T h e w o u n d e d

s o l d i e r s w e r e a i r l i f t e d t o t h e m i l i t a r y b a s e h o s p i t a l i n

Udhampur,” an official said

T h e s h o o t i n g h a p p e n e d w h e n s e c u r i t y f o r c e s w e r e p u r s u i n g t e r r o r i s t s t i

M o h a m m e d ( J e M ) g r o u p , responsible for the abduction a n d m u r d e r o f

w o v i l l a g e d e f e n c e g u a r d s ( V D G s ) t h r e e d a y s a g o O f f i c i a l s s a i d t h e

soldiers intercepted a group of t

s , described by the Army’s Jammubased White Knight Corps as “ t h e s a m e g r o u p w h i c h h a d abducted and killed” the two VDGs The bodies of VDGs Nazir Ahmed, 42, and Kuldeep Kumar, 4 0 , w h o w e r e u n a r m e d a n d grazing cattle in the area, were found bound, blindfolded, and s h o t f r o m b e h i n d i n n

h e Army and J&K police

In a separate operation near S r i n a g a r , s e c u r i t y f o r c e s engaged with a group of two to

three terrorists in the forests of Ishbar This stretch has several high-security buildings such as Raj Bhavan and military camps Terrorists have taken refuge in t h e m o u n t a i n s n e a r S r i n a g a r after over three decades BSF pickets preven te d t hem fro m using this area as a shelter until now T

l i g e n c

i n d i c a t e d the presence of terrorists on the city’s forested outskirts Police said a seek-and-kill campaign has been continuing i n t h e R a m p u r - R a j p u r f o r e s t area of Sopore, resulting in the d e a t h o f a n u n i d e n t i f i e d terrorist

Wanted to pull out of becoming a judge, says outgoing CJI Chandrachud

C J I D h a nan j aya Y es h w an t C hand rachud’ s quarter-centurylong j udicial career, marked by p a th - br ea ki ng ju d g m en ts an d j u d i c i al r ef o rm s , en d ed o n F r id ay la st T h i s r em a rka bl e ju dicial journey of DYC, as h e is p opularly referred to, would not h av e beg un if th en Bom bay h igh c o u rt C h ie f J u s ti ce Y K S a bh arw al h ad n ot d is s ua d ed

h i m f ro m w i th d raw i n g h is co nsent for appointm ent as a ju dge of the HC

I r k e d b y t h e d e l a y i n h i s name being recommended for judgeship by the SC collegium,

s e n i o r a d v o c a t e D Y C h a d walked into the chamber of CJ Sabharwal and conveyed that he wanted to withdraw his name Justice Sabharwal, who went on to become CJI, asked him to

w a i t f o r a w e e k D Y C w a s

appointed as a judge of Bombay

H C o n M a r c h 2 9 , 2 0 0 0 A quarter century later, he did not look a day older than how he looked when he took oath as an HC judge

T h i s y o u t h f u l a p p e a r a n c e and the grinding work schedule he maintained till the last day was the envy of many senior advocates, who repeatedly asked him to share the secret of the ‘ e l i x i r ’ h e d r

n

d

i l y t o maintain his boyish smile, which they said made them look very old Disciplined life and regular yoga at the dawn is the secret, d i v u l g e d S C A O R A p r e s i d e n t Vipin Nair

In the presence of his wife and adopted daughters and a c r o w d o f l a w y e r s i n t h e c o u r t r o o m , C J I C

said

journey of learning

for him all through the 25 years, especially in SC

“We are pilgrims or birds of passage Judges come and go My departure would not make any d

court in the able hands of Justice Khanna,” the CJI said CJI-designate Sanjiv Khanna said it would be difficult for him

d acknowledged the stupendous work done by the CJI in terms of disposing 9-J bench and larger bench matters pending for years and simultaneously undertake judicial reforms while infusing information technology to ease access to courts A

Over 85% rise in Indians seeking asylum in US

Th e number of India ns se ek ing a sy lum in t he U S has see n a sign ifican t jump in the past t hre e y ea rs, a tr en d r eflect in g t he st rong lur e of liv in g the Amer ica n dre am

Solicitor general Tushar Mehta s

govt, as a lawyer he never felt that he was not heard properly, or his point of view did not get due weightage in adjudication

SCBA president Kapil Sibal said in his 52 years of practice in SC, he had never come across a j u d g e

e r t h a n C J I Chandrachud and declared that there will never be one like him, which meant he had surpassed the stature of his father Y V Chandrachud, who was CJI for seven and a half years from 1978 till 1985 Senior advocates A M Singhvi and Mukul Rohatgi said they are admirers of his untiring e f f o r t s t o m a k e t h e C J I ’ s courtroom a place of comfort for everyone

From 4,330 in the 2021 US financial year, the numbers surged 855% to 41,330 in FY 2023 This data was published in the 2023 Asylees Annual Flow Report released in Oct by the Office of Homeland Security Statistics ( O H S S U S ) , D e p a r t m e n t o f H o m e l a n d Security (DHS) Officials in Indian agencies say that close to half of these applicants are from Gujarat, a state which has remained in the news over illegal immigration attempts that have ended in tragedies and due to the elaborate nexus of unscrupulous agents who send their clients through various countries and perilous routes In 2023, Indians were the fifth largest group by nationality in seeking defensive asylum and the seventh largest in affirmative asylum applications The same year, 5,340 Indians received asylum - 2,710 through a f f i r m a t i v e c a s e s a n d 2 , 6 3 0 t h r o u g h defensive proceedings, the Asylees Annual Flow Report states T h e 4 , 3 3

h affirmative applications (2,090) submitted to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) as well as defensive applications (2,240) filed during removal proceedings The next year, the total applicants nearly tripled to 14,570 - 5,370 affirmative and 9,200 defensive cases By FY 2023, the number of Indian asylum applications surged to 41,330, again nearly three times the previous year ’ s total, making Indian nationals among the largest groups of asylum seekers in the US

Narendra Modi

Rakesh Kumar

Indian philanthropists donate £878.3mn in 2024, Shiv Nadar tops list

Indian ph ilanthropi sts do nated

a to tal of £87 8 3mn in F Y24,

j u st 4% h i gh e r th an th e £844 5mn given in FY 23 and a 5 5% ju mp fro m £562 3mn in F Y 2 2, ac c o r

(£15 4mn)

p

d u c e s m a l l m e t a l a n d c e r a m i c components with complex geometries in high volumes Most aircraft carry metals produced by Chivukula's company

E

Zerodha’s Nithin and Nikhil Kamath, who t

Subroto Bagchi with £17 9mn, securing a spot in the top 10

N a d a r ’ s d o n a t i o n s amounted to almost £600,000 a day He has committed nearly $ 1 b i

o p y , largely in education, a key focus for six of the top 10 donors

A c c o r d i n g t o H u

Indian philanthropists giving o

l donations have increased from two in 2018 to 18 in 2024

N

d the list for the biggest increase in donation, contributing an additional £11 8mn this year Harish Shah and the family of Signet Excipients made a significant jump in rankings, climbing 53 spots to 22nd, with an annual donation of £7 8 mn

“The top 10 list represents a balanced spectrum of Indian philanthropy: we see

family businesses such as Ambani, Bajaj and B

Nandan Nilekani and Subroto Bagchi, who, after building successful businesses, are now

founder and chief researcher, Hurun

Justice Sanjiv Khanna sworn in as 51st Chief Justice of India

J ust ice Sa n jiv Kha n na wa s

sworn in a s the 5 1st Chief

J u st i ce o f In d i a ( C JI ) on

M o n da y m or n i n g i n a cer emony le d by Pr esident

D r ou pa d i Mu r m u a t

R a s ht r a pa t i B h a v a n T hi s mar ks the start of a new era for In dia 's judicia ry as Justice

K h a n n a t a k e s o v e r fr o m

J u st i ce D Y C ha n d r a c hu d, who ret ir ed on November 10 Justice Chandra chud’s twoy ea r t er m was not ab le for han dling key constitutional

c a se s a n d p r o n ou n ci n g l andmar k v erdict s Justice Khanna is stepping into the role of Chief Justice

o f I n d i a f o l l o w i n g t h e

U n i o n g o v e r n m e n t ’ s

a n n o u n c e m e n t o f h i s appointment on October 24, 2024 His selection came a w e e k a f t e r J u s t i c e D Y

c o n s t i t u t i o n a l p r o c e d u r e , formally recommended him as his successor Khanna has b e e n s

Court judge since 2019 Justice Khanna has been part of major Supreme Court decisions like striking down the electoral bonds scheme and supporting the removal of Article 370 Some of his key rulings include, affirming the reliability of EVMs, nullifying the electoral bonds scheme, and granting interim bail to former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal J

family in Delhi He is the son of former Delhi High Court judge Justice Dev Raj Khanna and the nephew of renowned former Supreme Court judge H R Khanna

Elevated to the Supreme

Court bench on January 18,

before his appointment

Chandrachud completed his

farewell from judges, lawyers, and staff from the Supreme Court and high courts

US-based NRI commits £10mn for education in his native village

Mahendra Mac Patel, an 8 6year-old NR I based i n New Jersey with ro ots i n Gujarat, is o n a m i s s i o n to g i ve f re e ed ucati on to all chi ldren in h i s na ti ve vi l l a ge , N i s ra ya , l o c a te d i n A na nd ’ s Bo r s ad t a l uk a H e i s w o rk i ng o n b u i l d i ng a s t at e- o f - t h e - ar t h i gh s c ho o l w i t h l a te s t f aci li ti es Mac has co mmi tted £ 10mn towards transformi ng N israya

“I made a fixed deposit of £7 5mn with an Indian bank, so that the gram panchayat can use whatever funds are n e e d e d f o r N i s r a y a ’ s development,” Mac, who also s e r v e s a s t h e p r e s i d e n t o f P a t e l C o n s u l t a n t s Corporation, said M a c ’ s e n t r e p r e n e u r i a l j o u r n e y b e g a n w i t h P a t e l C o n s u l t a n t s C o r p o r a t i o n , p o s s i b l y t h e f i r s t s o f t w a r e consultancy launched by an Indian on the East Coast of the US in 1973 Now, he has t u r n e d h i s a t t e n t i o n t o e d u c a t i o n i n N i s r a y a “Currently, there is no high school in Nisraya Children have to travel to other villages o r c i t i e s t o p u r s u e t h e i r studies My vision is to offer a high school from grades nine t o 1 2 , p r o v i d i n g t h e b e s t t e a c h e r s a n d m o d e r n e q u i p m e n t w h e r e s t u d e n t s c a n s t u d y f o r f r e e , ” h e explained Mac’s generosity extends f a r b e y o n d h i s h o m e t o w n O v e r t h e y e a r s , h e h e l p e d 4,000 orphans, handicapped g i r l s , a n d u n d e r p r i v i l e g e d c h i l d r e n a c r o s s I n d i a complete high school In the l a

Sweden's 'Fart Kontrol' signboard goes viral

A signboard in Sweden has gone viral, leaving the internet amused The sign reads "fart kontrol," which might sound humorous in English, but in Swedish, "fart" simply means speed This linguistic twist has caught the attention of many, sparking jokes and curiosity about Swedish vocabulary The amusing image was shared by a user on X The sign was intended to remind drivers to stick to the speed limit but has instead triggered a wave of funny comments online X users are sharing the sign and making jokes about "fart kontrol " Many users were surprised to learn the alternate meaning of the word and are enjoying the lighthearted humour that comes from these language differences Since it was posted on X last week, the viral sign board has amassed over 6 million views and more than 1,000 comments Commenting on the post, a user wrote on X, "Fart Kontrol is my new band name I called it no one take plzzz "

Parents barred from accessing grades of their children

A Netherlands secondary school has barred parents from accessing the grades of their children in an attempt to reduce stress on the pupils to perform, according to a report The school has imposed a month-long pause on sharing the results with 95 per cent of parents receptive to the proposal and the parents' council insisting on a 10-week suspension Currently, students need a certain grade average to progress to the next class in the Netherlands which puts them under pressure to constantly perform at the highest academic level Stijn Uittenbogaard, an economics professor, found that a widely used app that shared every grade with the parents increased the stress of children After his research, Uittenbogaard presented the findings to rector, Geert Looyschelder, who accepted the proposal Looyschelder stated that anxiety over grades in the Dutch school system was hindering the development of life skills such as empathy and flexibility among the children Gen Z employee's casual leave email divides the internet

A screenshot of an email from a Gen Z employee informing their boss of an upcoming leave has gone viral, igniting a debate on social media about evolving workplace communication styles across generations Shared on X by investor Siddharth Shah, the email's straightforward, no-nonsense tone contrasts with traditional leave request norms, sparking conversations about whether employees should seek leave approval or inform managers, and how to balance autonomy with professionalism The email, posted with the caption, "How my Gen Z team approaches leave," has garnered over 1 2 million views and sparked diverse reactions In the email, the employee wrote, Hi Siddharth, I will be on leave on 8th November 2024 Bye, opting for a direct approach without seeking permission or offering further context

Meet the bat that won a beauty contest

On Halloween, which was also the last day of International Bat Week, a hoary bat with a feisty personality named “Hoary Potter” defeated “Lestat”, the western small-footed bat from Idaho, in the final round of the contest It also bested a Townsend’s big-eared bat named “Sir Flaps-A-Lot” from Utah, among others The victory marks the third year in a row that a bat from Oregon has taken first place in the contest Last year, “William ShakespEAR,” a female Townsend’s big-eared bat from southern Oregon took the title In 2022, a canyon bat named “Barbara” also from southern Oregon was declared the winner The federal agency has held the competition since 2019 to raise awareness about the animal’s ecological importance The bats are part of wild populations living on public lands, and are photographed by agency staff The Bureau of Land Management posted the photos on its Facebook and Instagram accounts, and asked people to vote for the cutest one

110-year-old woman killed in wasp attack

A 110-year-old woman and her 82-year-old daughter succumbed to injuries sustained in a wasp attack at Pakkanam in Kerala’s Kottayam district She lived with her son and daughter, and the house was very close to the forests The centenarian was known to be a good farmer Their house help and a neighbour, who tried to rescue the two women, were also injured Pakkanam natives Kunjupennu and her daughter Thankamma died during treatment at a private hospital Locals said Kunjupennu had no health issues and was very active Around 4 pm, both women were in the house compound when a palm frond fell on a pepper plant, disturbing a wasp nest Agitated, the insects attacked the mother-daughter duo Hearing their cries, their house help and a neighbour rushed to the spot All four were stung by the wasps The four injured were taken to a hospital, where the mother and daughter succumbed to their injuries

US girl to receive $300,000 for butchering her pet goat

e i r h i g h e r education in colleges Village sarpanch Vijaysinh Raj said, “This isn’t just a onet i m e c o n t r i b u t i o n D a d a arranged for these students to receive financial support

Nisraya now

surveillance,

An 11-year-old girl in the US state of California will receive $300,000 from the Shasta County Sheriff's office after it seized the kid's pet goat, which was later slaughtered The incident took place in 2022 when the girl was raising the goat, named Cedar, for the Shasta District Fair The family had registered the four-month-old goat in the fair's junior livestock auction but as the event approached, the kid could not bring herself to part ways with Cedar on the auction block Jessica Long, the girl's mother sued the sheriff's office for selling and slaughtering the goat despite the family's best efforts to spare the animal Two Shasta County Sheriff's deputies drove to the farm and seized the goat The law enforcement officers did not have a warrant to search the farm and seize Cedar, the court documents added Ignoring the family's plea, Cedar was sold and eventually slaughtered, leaving the girl inconsolable

Rare

dime fetches $500,000 at auction

An extraordinarily rare dime whose whereabouts had remained a mystery since the late 1970s has sold for just over $500,000 The coin, which was struck by the US Mint in San Francisco in 1975, depicts President Franklin D Roosevelt and is one of just two known to exist without its distinctive “S” mint mark Three sisters from Ohio inherited the dime after the death of their brother, who had kept it in a bank vault for more than 40 years The coin sold for $506,250 in an online auction, according to Ian Russell, president of GreatCollections, an auction house based in Irvine, California The only other known example of the “ 1975 ‘ no S’ proof dime” sold at a 2019 auction for $456,000 and then again months later to a private collector The mint in San Francisco made more than 2 8 million special uncirculated “proof” sets in 1975 that featured six coins and were sold for $7 Collectors a few years later discovered that two dimes from the set were missing the mint mark

Shiv Nadar

Sanjiv Khanna

Shed the winter blues

If shorter days and weath er changes leave yo u feeli ng

lo w, you m ight be experi-

en ci ng

disorder (SA D) This type of d ep

o reduced d aylight du ring fall and w inter

While the exact causes are unclear, some experts

sleep-wake cycles leading to feelings of sluggishness and fatigue Others suggest t

tonin and melatonin, may play a role in mood and sleep regulation

Common symptoms of

n

s

e s s , s l e e p difficulties, loss of interest in favourite activities, trou-

b l e c o n c e n t r a t i n g , a n d

c h a n g e s i n a p p e t i t e o r

w e i g h t I n s e v e r e c a s e s , individuals may experience feelings of hopelessness or guilt Fortunately, there are various strategies to combat SAD

Here are s ome eff ective ways to hel p lift your spirit s Prepare your mind for fall: As summer transitions

t

u p d a t i n g y o u r w a r d r o b e

b u t a l s o y o u r m i n d s e t

Regularly engage in mood-

b o o s t i n g a c t

t i e s t o enhance your physical and mental health Start early in the fall by initiating social

when winter blues hit Try brig ht light therapy: Bright light therapy, which involves exposure to artificial light, is a leading treatment for SAD Light therapy boxes emit bright light that mimics sunlight, helping regulate your circadian rhythm For best results, sit in front of the box for 20 to 30 minutes daily, ideally in the morning While these b

consult your doctor before starting any new treatment

intensity, simulating a natural sunrise Studies have shown that dawn simulators can be as effective as light therapy for mild SAD,

full-spectrum light

Prioritise social co nnections: Social isolation can

evidenced by studies on the pandemic’s effects Finding

with others is crucial, espec

months Even if you can’t meet in person, explore virt

those bonds

S ti c k to a c o ns i s ten t s c h ed u l e: M a i n t a i n i n g a regular sleep schedule can significantly improve sleep quality and alleviate SAD

s

exposure to light, benefiting your circadian rhythm

Regular meal times can also p

weight gain

Get m oving: Exercise is a p o w e r f u l t o o l a g a i n s t

SAD Physical activity can h e l p c o m b a t

weight gain associated with

due to cold weather, cons

near a window for sunlight exposure

Embrace natural Light: Maximise your exposure to sunlight during the day On clear days, bundle up and enjoy a walk outside Keep your blinds open to let in as much natural light as possible when indoors If you work from home, choose a workspace near a window

t o b e n e f i t f r o m d a y l i g h t , w h i c h c a n h e l p a l l e v i a t e SAD symptoms Consider a vacation or s t a y c a t i o n : A w i n t e r g e taway to a sunnier location can provide relief from SAD s y m p t o m s b y e s c a p i n g dreary weather The anticipation of a vacation can also uplift your mood If traveling isn’t feasible, a staycation can still offer a refreshing break Spend your time o u t d o o

enjoyable activities in your l

your spirit

The mighty benefits of plums

Plums are h igh ly nu tritious

fru its th at offer nu merous

h e alt h b e ne fi ts T h e y ar e ri ch in vitami ns, minerals, f ib r e, an d a nt i o xi d an ts , wh ich may h elp reduce th e ri sk o f chronic diseases

Y o u c a n e n j o y p l u m s either fresh or dried, with dried plums (prunes) particularly known for alleviating constipation and improving bone health Both forms are abundant in over 15 essen-

t i a l n u t r i e n t s H e r e a r e

s o m e h e a l t h b e n e f i t s o f plum

Ri c h i n a n ti o x i da nt s: Plums and prunes contain high levels of antioxidants,

e s p e c i a l l y p o l y p h e n o l s , which help reduce inflamm a t i o n a n d p r o t e c t c e l l s from free radical damage They offer more than twice the amount of polyphenols

compared to fruits like nectarines and peaches

B lo o d s u ga r co nt ro l :

Despite their carbohydrate content, plums and prunes

d o n o t s i g n i f i c a n t l y r a i s e blood sugar levels This may be due to their potential to boost adiponectin, a horm o n e t h a t h e l p s r e g u l a t e blood sugar, and the fibre they contain, which slows

c a r b o h y d r a t e a b s o r p t i o n , leading to gradual increases in blood sugar Regular consumption of these fruits is linked to a lower risk of type

2 d i a b e t e s H o w e v e r , i t ' s important to monitor port i o n s i z e s , a s p r u n e s a r e calorie-dense

B o ne h ea l th : P r u n e s

m a y a l s o e n h a n c e b o n e health Research indicates that they can lower the risk

o f o s t e o p o r o s i s a n d

osteopenia, with the ability to prevent or even reverse bone loss Their antioxidant content and anti-inflammatory properties are thought to contribute to these benefits, alongside vitamins and m i n e r a l s l i k e v i t a m i n K , p h o s p h o r u s , m a g n e s i u m , and potassium that support bone strength

This brief overview just

h i g h l i g h t s t h e n u t r i t i o n a l

b e n e f i t s o f p l u m s a n d p r u n e s T h e s e v e r s a t i l e fruits may help reduce the r i s k o f c h r o n i c d i s e a s e s such as osteoporosis, cancer, heart disease, and diab e t e s T h e i r d e l i c i o u s flavour and ease of incorpor a t i o n i n t o m e a l s m a k e them a valuable addition to any diet

AI to aid doctors in identifying fractures

Arti f ici al i ntel li ge nce (AI) co u l d h e l p r e d u ce t h e

nu mbe r of mi ssed broke n

bo ne s d uri ng X-ray analy -

si s, a cc o r d i n g t o t h e

N a t i o n a l Ins t i t u t e f o r

H e

Exce llence (NICE)

The health assessment organisation reports that research indicates AI technology is safe and could expedite diagnoses, easing the burden on clinicians and decreasing the need for some follow-up visits

NICE plans to recommend four AI tools for use in urgent care settings across

E n g l a n d w h i l e g a t h e r i n g

m o r e e v i d e n c e o n t h e i r benefits

I m p o r t a n t l y , h e a l t hcare professionals will still review each image, as broken bones are missed in 310% of cases the most frequent diagnostic error in e m e r g e n c y d e p a r t m e n t s

The NHS faces a shortage o f t r a i n e d e x p e r t s , w i t h radiologists and radiographers experiencing vacancy rates of 12 5% and 15%, respectively, according to the NHS long-term plan

To address this issue, NICE advocates for utilisi

NICE's director of h e a l t h t e c h n o l ogy, stated that AI c o u l d e a s e t h

i r workload “These A I t e c h n o l o g i e s are safe to use and c o u l d i d e n t i f y f r a c t u r e

looked due to the pressures these profession-

t A I could also speed up diagnosis and minimise unnecessary follow-up appointments for initially missed fractures

How

to manage guilt when setting boundaries

Psychologist Mamta Saha

Dea r Reader, I ofte n hear f rom my clients that they s et healt hy boundaries and then f eel a wa ve of guilt in the afterm ath They begin to rum inate and ove rthink the ef fec t of your boundary on the pe rson and the im pa ct that this b oundar y will ha ve on t he r elations hip They may s tart t o q ues tion theboundary, and m aybe even bac ktrac k If you f eel like this , you are not al one

Unlearning unhealthy behaviours can be very challenging and can bring a whole array of negative thoughts and fears that you have for yourself and towards those around you The good news is that with a few simple actions you can become stronger and learn that boundaries help you to have a healthy relationship toward yourself and others

Sometimes, we feel so guilty that we break our own boundaries We make exceptions We spit out a slew of I’m sorrys We start insulting ourselves ”

“People often feel guilty when they think they’re prioritizing their own needs over someone else’s needs After all, our society glorifies self-sacrifice, and caring for oneself first may be seen as selfish (versus what it really is: healthy)

In some families, particularly in collective societies like in South Asia, boundaries are interpreted as disconnection, as disrespectful, and as unloving ”

1 Here are 3 ways to reduc e the guilt that comes with set ting b oundar ies :

It’s important not to jump to self-judgment

When you feel guilt coming on, keep telling yourself statements or mantras like: “It’s OK to set boundaries” or “You did a good job setting a boundary even though it’s uncomfortable” or “Just because I feel guilty doesn’t mean I’ve done something wrong ”

“When we realize that we are punishing ourselves for being protective of ourselves it’s an opportunity to investigate why

Feelings Needs Boundaries

What are your feelings? As a result of those feelings what do you need? What boundary did you set in order to honor those feelings and needs? Self-validation is critical to surviving blaming, shaming and gaslighting

Your feelings are valid Your needs are important Your boundaries? Iconic ”

2 Identify your personal reasons f or set ting a b ounda ry

“Pick reasons that speak to your personal values and writing them down or telling them to a good friend When feelings of guilt start to surface, reconnect to your own reasons For instance, your reasons might be: increasing my self-worth; reducing stress and resentment; and strengthening my relationships ”

“Boundaries are for your own wellbeing, not to control others ”

“Shame makes us question ourselves Am I a selfish person? Am I too sensitive? Guilt makes us question our actions Did I overreact? Should I just forgive and forget?

Fear of what will happen next can skyrocket the uncertainty and self-criticism through the roof

Your feelings are valid Your needs are important, and your boundaries are critical for your well-being ”

3 Bel ieve in infinite poss ib il ities and bet on abundanc e

“Setting boundaries is a skill, which gets easier the more you practice And the more you practice, the less guilt and fear you’ll feel and the more accustomed people will become to your boundaries ”

“What makes setting a boundary so terrifying is the fear that you are might lose something An important relationship, an opportunity, anything that you truly desire can be used against you The fear of missing out and the potential of scarcity can pose a major threat

Meet that threat with this fact: ‘There are infinite possibilities and some of those possibilities are absolutely fantastic ’

If you ’ re at risk of losing a relationship after setting a boundary, maybe relationships that require you to betray yourself are not actually good for your mental health Lower the stakes by remaining open to good things happening

It’s hard to imagine our lives differently but it’s helpful to invest in the positive potential of the unknown When we set boundaries we take a risk and sometimes those risks come with unimaginable rewards ”

Avoid crash diets

While quick-fix diets may offer fast results, they often come with unhealthy side effects, such as nutrient deficiencies, muscle loss, and a slowed metabolism These diets are also difficult to sustain long-term Instead, focus on a balanced, sustainable eating plan that suits your lifestyle and provides the nutrients your body needs Prioritising portion control, mindful eating, and incorporating a variety of whole foods can help you maintain a healthy weight, stay energised, and nourish your body effectively

"Vicky

Kaushal faced humiliation early in his career”, says his father Sham Kaushal

Veteran action director Sham Kaushal shared insights into his son Vicky Kaushal's career struggles, revealing that early on, Vicky faced rejection and humiliation, with filmmakers unwilling to invest in him until he proved his talent

Reflecting on his sons Vicky and S u n n y K a u s h a l ' s d e s i r e t o p u r s u e acting, action director Sham Kaushal shared, “I couldn’t say no, as I was e a r n i n g f r o m t h e s a m e i n d u s t r y I thought someone might offer them tea out of respect, but no one would invest crores in a film with them Coming f r o m a v i l l a g e a n d w o r k i n g h a r d myself, I believed that if they remained honest and put in the effort, they wouldn’t be denied opportunities As an action director, I never sought work for them ” S h a m K a u s h a l r e c a l l e d a d v i s i n g Vicky, “What’s the need to audition for t h i s r o l e ? Y o u c a n ’ t g r o w w i t h o u t facing humiliation; turn that insult into strength ” He shared how Vicky got a small 3-4 scene role in ‘Luv Shuv Tey Chicken Khurana’ despite others advising against it Sham, believing " b e g g a r s c a n ' t b e c h o o s e r s , " encouraged him to follow his heart Vicky later called to say, “They are giving me work, so I want to do it,” and Sham supported his decision

Athiya Shetty and KL Rahul expecting their first child in 2025

Athiya Shetty and KL Rahul announced their pregnancy on Instagram, revealing they are expecting their first child in 2025 The couple shared the joyful news with their fans and well-wishers

Athiya Shetty and KL Rahul shared a joint note announcing their pregnancy, writing, “Our beautiful blessing is coming soon 2025, ” accompanied by visuals of tiny feet and an evil eye Athiya, daughter of actor Suniel Shetty, added a white heart emoji to the post The announcement quickly captured attention, with

friends and family from the industry flooding the comments with congratulatory messages

Earlier in April, rumours began circulating that Athiya Shetty was expecting her first child after Suniel Shetty made a remark on a dance reality show However, neither Athiya nor her husband KL Rahul addressed the speculation A source later clarified, "There is no truth to the rumours Suniel's comment about being a 'nana' was made in jest and was misinterpreted "

Shekhar Kapur to begin work on 'Masoom 2' in early 2025

Filmmaker

Shekhar Kapur announced that he will begin shooting the sequel to his 1983 film ‘Masoom’ early next year, with original stars Shabana Azmi and Naseeruddin Shah returning

They will be joined by Manoj Bajpayee, a past collaborator on ‘Bandit Queen’, and Kapur's daughter, Kaveri He shared the film update on the sidelines of the curtain raiser press conference of the 55th International Film Festival of India in New Delhi

Shekhar Kapur revealed that shooting for ’Masoom 2 ’ will begin in February-March 2025, with the script ready He shared an interesting anecdote, saying he once forgot the script on a flight from Dubai, but it was returned with a note from the flight attendant praising ‘Masoom’ Kapur believes the lost script’s return is a sign, and while the sequel will have a different storyline, it will maintain the same core values

At the press conference, Shekhar Kapur expressed interest in re-releasing ‘Masoom’ in theatres The 1983 film, starring Shabana Azmi, Naseeruddin Shah, Tanuja, and others, centres on a family torn apart when a woman discovers her husband’s affair and the child from it Kapur, also the festival director for the upcoming IFFI, shared that he agreed to be part of the event in Goa without hesitation

scenes in ‘Singham Again’

Rohit

Shetty made a strong comeback with ‘Singham Again’, the third instalment in his cop universe, after the 2022 flop ‘Cirkus’ Featuring a star-studded cast including Ajay Devgn, Akshay Kumar, Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh, Kareena Kapoor, Arjun Kapoor, and Tiger Shroff, the Diwali release has performed well at the box office, crossing Rs 200 crore in India within ten days.

‘Singham Again’ marked the sixth collaboration between real-life couple Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone, f o l l o w i n g ‘ R a m L e e l a ’ , ‘ B a j i r a o Mastani’, ‘Padmavat’, ‘83’, and ‘Cirkus’ (where Deepika had a special song) However, the couple did not share any scenes in the cop drama In a recent interview, Rohit Shetty revealed it was a conscious decision to avoid featuring their on-screen banter Rohit Shetty explained that while h e w o u

a banter between Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone, their characters roles in ‘Singham Again’ particularly R

Hanuman made it difficult He said, " W

o wrong " Shetty added that although there were suggestions to include a banter between the couple, it was a conscious decision to avoid it for the film’s tone, as he couldn’t compromise on certain aspects

Veteran actor Delhi Ganesh given IAF tribute at his funeral

Veteran actor Delhi Ganesh, who passed away on November 9 at the age of 80 due to age-related ailments, was cremated with Air Force honours in Chennai. A former Air Force officer, Ganesh was paid tribute by IAF personnel, who draped his mortal remains with an IAF ensign

Maha Devan, Delhi Ganesh's son, confirmed his passing on November 9 at 11 pm, sharing the news on social media: "We deeply regret to inform that our father Mr Delhi Ganesh has passed away " Following his death, condolences poured in from fans, film industry colleagues, and political figures

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his sadness on X, writing, "Deeply saddened by the passing of the illustrious film personality, Thiru Delhi Ganesh Ji He will be remembered for the depth he brought to every role and his ability to connect with audiences across generations My condolences to his family and admirers Om Shanti " Rajinikanth paid tribute to his friend Delhi Ganesh on X, calling him a "wonderful man" and "amazing actor," and expressing his sadness over his passing Ganesh, renowned for his contributions to Tamil cinema, received the Tamil Nadu State Film Award Special Prize for his role in ‘Pasi’ (1979) and was honoured with the Kalaimamani award by Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa in 1994

Shruti Haasan opens up about escaping her father’s fame

Shruti Haasan, who followed in her father Kamal Haasan's footsteps and debuted in 2009 with ‘Luck’, revealed in an interview that she once struggled to carve her own identity, even going so far as to pretend to be someone else

In an interview, Shruti Haasan shared that while she’s "very proud" of being Sarika and Kamal Haasan’s daughter, she was frustrated by constantly being identified as her father’s daughter when she was younger “People would always ask about him, and I wanted to be seen as Shruti, not just Kamal’s daughter,” she said To escape the constant comparison, she even made up a new identity, telling others her father was Dr Ramachandran, their dentist, and that her name was Pooja Ramachandran

Shruti Haasan shared that growing up in Chennai made it hard to escape her father’s fame, as his posters were everywhere She always knew her father was unique, even from childhood “It’s not just that he’s an actor; he was different from anyone I knew,” she said Raised by two strong-willed parents, this influence shaped her and her sister After her parents separated, she moved to Mumbai, but she never fully enjoyed being "Shruti" in Chennai “Today, I can’t imagine being Shruti without Kamal Haasan,” she added

Suriya shares how Jyothika's salary surpassed his in early films

Actor

Suriya, known for his supportive nature, shared in an interview that in the early days of his career, his wife and co-star

Jyothika earned three times more than he did

Recalling their work on the 1999 film

‘Poovellam Kettuppar’, Suriya admitted he was still finding his footing as an actor, struggling with lines and acting techniques

He praised Jyothika’s dedication, noting how she would learn her lines perfectly and always maintained a strong work ethic

Suriya recalled that while Jyothika's success soared early on, it took him five years to find his footing In ‘Kaakha Kaakha’ (2003), her salary was three times his, which made him realise he needed to catch up He wanted to be in a position to support her and match her success Suriya also expressed hope to reunite with Jyothika on screen soon but mentioned they don’t chase directors for scripts The couple, married since 2006, has starred together in seven films, including ‘Poovellam Kettuppar’ and ‘Kaakha Kaakha’

Pallavi, one of the most admired stars in Indian cinema, is riding high on the success of her latest film ‘Amaran’, which has grossed over Rs 215 crore globally She is also working on two major projects: ‘Thandel’ with Naga Chaitanya Akkineni and ‘Ramayana’, her Bollywood debut opposite Ranbir Kapoor Known for her strong performances, Sai’s role in ‘Shyam Singha Roy’ (2021) as Maithreyi alias Rosie earned widespread praise, even though the film didn’t meet expected success.

S a

intense schedule of ‘Shyam Singha Roy’ took a physical and emotional toll on her Most scenes were shot at night for nearly 30 consecutive days, leaving her with very little sleep She shared, "I’m not fond of night shoots and can’t sleep during the day, so I was awake all night and then again the next day for almost a month " S a i P a l l a v i , j u

projects without breaks, shared that she once had an emotional breakdown She recalled crying and wishing for just one day off, which her sister Pooja Kannan noticed Pooja then went to the producer, Venkat Boyanapalli, who was heartbroken t o l e

s

n d offered her ten days off to rest Sai also revealed that the cast and crew often saw her as a "child," which led them to believe she could handle the demanding schedule without a break

Anupam Kher on choosing to rent over buying a home

Anupam Kher recently revealed in a conversation that he doesn’t own a house and prefers living in rented apartments When asked about his choice, he said, "Kiske liye (for whom)?" emphasising his perspective on home ownership.

Anupam Kher explained that he prefers paying rent instead of buying a house, keeping the money in his bank account He believes it’s better to give after you ’ re gone than have people fight over property Kher also shared that he bought his mother a house in Shimla after jokingly asking her what she wanted, and she surprised him by asking for a home there

Anupam Kher is receiving acclaim for his latest Netflix film, ‘Vijay 69’, directed by Akshay Roy The heartwarming story follows a 69-year-old man who takes on the challenge of training for a triathlon Kher stars in the lead role, alongside Chunky Panday and Mihir Ahuja

Samantha Ruth Prabhu reveals emotional breakdown on ‘The Family Man 2’ set

Samantha Ruth Prabhu, known for her authorbacked roles in Tamil and Telugu films, took on a challenging character in Raj and DK's ‘The Family Man’ Season 2 as the antagonist, Raji Her performance surprised many, and now she stars in their new series ‘Citadel: Honey Bunny’ on Prime Video Reflecting on her first day of shooting for ‘The Family Man’, Samantha shared, "I cried on the first day " S a m a n t h

reaction, saying, “Working in my Tamil and Telugu films was a luxury compared to working with Raj and DK ” While her ‘Citadel’ co-star Varun Dhawan praised her as a “super-duper star,” Samantha clarified, “It wasn’t about being treated like a star In my films, I would shoot 23 scenes a day, but here, I was shooting multiple scenes in an hour ” She added that she expected the shoot to ease in, but some of the most intense parts of her role were filmed during the first schedule in Chennai “In just 2 5 days, we finished fights and breakdowns I remember calling my manager, crying, and saying I wanted to go home ” Raj and DK revealed they had no idea about

a m

e shoot After two days of filming in Chennai, she approached them and asked if they were done When they confirmed it, she started crying Raj said, “That’s when I realised how much she had internalised ”

Navjot Singh Sidhu returns to ‘The Kapil Sharma Show’

‘The Great Indian Kapil Show’ follows a popular episode with Narayana and Sudha Murthy by reuniting host Kapil Sharma with Navjot Singh Sidhu in the next episode

In a new promo for ‘The Great Indian Kapil Show’, Kapil Sharma jokes about Sunil Grover mimicking Navjot Singh Sidhu, who clarifies he's the real deal

Kapil about Sidhu's return Cricket star

Harbhajan Singh and his wife Geeta Basra w

returning as Sidhu

Navjot Singh Sidhu left the show in

comments on the Pulwama attack After

suggested that terrorism should not be linked to an entire country and called for

sparked controversy, leading to calls for

replaced by Archana Puran Singh, who has since been a regular on the show

‘Grammy nomination feels reassuring’, says Varijashree Venugopal

Bengaluru-based

vocalist, flautist, and composer Varijashree Venugopal has been nominated for her first Grammy "The news is still sinking in," she says with excitement

“The Grammys are one of the most significant recognitions for any artist It feels like the community is affirming that we ’ re on the right path,” Varijashree says “There’s more to come, but this moment is something I will cherish forever ” Varijashree is featured alongside Anoushka Shankar on Jacob Collier’s song "A Rock Somewhere," which has been nominated in the Global Music Performance category

Varijashree expresses that her parents, family, and friends are overjoyed by the nomination, and their unwavering support has been a key driver in her success "They always wish for the best in my journey Their belief and trust fuel me, helping me grow," she says Apart from them, Chandrika Tandon, Ricky Kej, Noshir Mody, and Radhika Vekaria are also nominated for the Grammays

Indian team won’t travel to Pakistan for Champions Trophy 2025

I t’s of fici al now Indi a will n ot travel to Pakis tan for the eightt e a m C ha m pi o n s T ro ph y s ta r t i

an noun ced

“PCB has received an email from ICC, stating that the BCCI has informed them that their team will not travel to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, ” PCB said in a statement “PCB has forwarded that email to the govt of Pakistan for their

advice and guidance,” said a spokesperson of the board

The BCCI has reportedly informed the ICC that Team

Pakistan for the upcoming Champions Trophy in 2025,

Cricket Council to consider

tournament With the event

ICC and PCB will need to quickly assess the situation

and finalise the schedule for the marquee event

The BCCI has stated that the decision to not send Indian

after receiving advice from the Indian government, according to a report Meanwhile, another report from news agency PTI suggests that the ICC is now contemplating conducting the

format, with India's matches being held in Dubai

Baroda duo’s partnership sets record with double tons in Cooch Behar

in brief

BOTHAM SURVIVES FALL IN CROCODILE-INFESTED WATERS IN AUSTRALIA

a

ecord by stit chin g the highest ope

opening partnership for Baroda in the Cooch Behar Trophy and

rtn ership of 4 19 run

R eliance St adium

Both the swashbuckling 18year-olds hit double centuries before getting out after playing a marathon 106 4 overs

country,” said Kanti Patel, an i n d e p e n d e n t s t a t i s t i c i a n f r o m Vadodara Pandya slammed 215 runs in 3 3 1 b a l l s , w h i c h i n c l u d e d 2 9 boundaries and two sixes, while R a t h w a h a m m e r e d 3 0 boundaries to score 215 runs in 334 balls

Franchises retain big names for WPL

S m ri ti M a nd h a na , E ll ys e P err y,

S hafali Verma, M eg Lanning and Harm anpreet Kau r were some of the big names retained by their resp ectiv e franchises for the next edition of the Women’ s Premier L eague (WPL)

Royal Challengers Bengaluru

headlined the list of retainees of the championship-winning team

RCB’s retention strategy is built on trust and confidence in a core that has developed a strong bond over the past two seasons and came together last year to showcase its potential and deliver a historic title

Besides Shafali, Delhi Capitals retained Jemimah Rodrigues, Radha Yadav and Arundhati Reddy, among other players

Some of their oversees retentions include legendary Lanning, South African Marizanne Kapp, Southern Stars’ Jess Jonassen, Alice Capsey and Annabel Sutherland As far as Mumbai Indians are concerned, they retained 14 players ahead of WPL 2025

South Africa beat India in second ODI to level series

L eft-han ded ba tte r Tony de Zor zi st ruck an unbeat en cent ury an d r aised a 13 0-run part ner ship with R eeza He ndr ick s (52) a s S out h A fr ica score d a compre hen siv e eight -wick et v ict ory ov er Ind ia an d lev elled t he th ree -m atch ODI se ries 1-1 on Tuesda y

Tony de Zorzi struck 119 runs, hitting nine boundaries and half-adozen sixes after South Africa elected to bowl first and then bowled out India to 211 in 46 22 overs despite the visitors' innings being bolstered by half-centuries by opener B Sai Sudharsan and K L Rahul

Earlier, pacers Nandre Burger (3-30) and Beuran Hendricks (2-34) along with spinner Keshav Maharaj (2-51) led a clinical bowling performance by South Africa as India were bundled out for 211

Sai Sudharsan scored 62 off 83 balls, while Rahul contributed 56, coming off 64 deliveries and studded with seven boundaries, the rest of the batters failed to stay at the crease for long after South Africa won the toss and elected to field first India win first ODI

Earlier, Sanju Samson displayed his true potential sending the South African attack on a leather-hunt with a splendid century before the hosts clawed their way back to restrict India to a manageable 202 for 8 in the opening T20I at Durban on Friday Samson become the first Indian batter to hit back-to-back centuries in T20 Internationals as his 50-ball-107 had as many as 10 sixes apart from seven hits to the fence After Samson was dismissed, India could manage only 35 runs in the last five overs, which was underwhelming

T h e h i g h e s t o p e n i n g partnership runs in the Cooch Behar Trophy were scored by Hyderabad cricketers G Vineeth Reddy and K Nitish Reddy in 2016-17 against the Associates Combined 11 The duo scored 476 runs in 121 4 overs Khagesh Amin, chairman of the Baroda Under-19 selection committee, s a i d , “ I t w a s a m a r a t h o n partnership by both the young b a t s m e n w h o s h o w e d a n impressive temperament on the field along with a range of shots ” Karnataka won the toss and chose to bat against Baroda, who bowled them out for a paltry 127 runs Het Patel and Pavan Patel took three wickets each for the hosts Pandya, a southpaw, and Rathwa, a right-hand batsman, then took the field They both played a steady innings and kept r

losing their wicket

Neeraj gets Czech legend Zelezny as coach

Tw o-time Olymp ic and World C

Neeraj C hopra will be coach ed by

athletics season

Zelezny will replace German biomechanics expert Dr Klaus

coaching Neeraj since 2019 He recently ended his long term

South Africa where the 26-yearold from Panipat will undergo a 31-day off-season training camp in Potchefstroom starting later this month

One of the immediate tasks f o

p Neeraj breach the elusive 90mmark and work on his fitness, besides guiding him to his world title defence in Tokyo next year

i l l stands at 89 94m which he had a c h i e v e d a t t h e S t o c k h o l m Diamond League two years ago

He is expected to open his 2025 season with one of the Diamond League series event

Z e l e z n y , a t h r e e - t i m e Olympic and World champion and the current world record holder, has long been an idol to N e e r a j I t ’ s b e e n l e a r n t t h e Czech will be getting his salary i n t w o p a r t s , w h i c h w i l l b e funded by the sports ministry’s T a r g e t O l y m p i c P o d i u m Scheme (TOPS) Zelezny will be getting 4,000 euros per month (approx Rs 361,000) when he isn’t travelling with Neeraj and will be involved in planning and guidance stage He will get 7,500 euros per m o n t h ( a p p r o x R s 6 7 8 , 0 0 0 ) w h e n

competition and exposure trips

between Neeraj and the coach, and will include annual bonus Zelezny’s contract will run up to the Los Angeles Olympics 2028, w

review

Pakistan thump Oz for

c

decider at Perth Stadium, cruising to an eight-wicket victory in the

sublime display of seam and swing bowling

Securing their first ODI series victory in Australia since 2002, an unchanged Pakistan restricted the hosts to 140 from 31 5 overs before mowing down the total in a hurry by scoring 143-2 in 26 5 overs “It was a great feeling for us as a

England cricket great Ian Botham said he was nearly the catch of the day” after being pulled out of crocodile infested waters by his former Ashes rival Merv Hughes while on a fishing trip in Australia The pair were among a group on a boat on the Moyle River in northern Australia Botham, 68, escaped with nothing worse than heavy bruising Writing on Instagram alongside a photograph of a large fish, the former England all-rounder said: “My catch of the day was the barra (fish) while I was nearly catch of the day for all the crocs and bull sharks thanks boys for getting me out ” Botham joked about his similarity to legendary Australian film character Crocodile Dundee, saying “At the end of the day, Crocodile Beefy survived I was out of the water quicker than I went in it Quite a few sets of eyes were having a peep at me I had no time to think about what was in the water The guys were brilliant it was just one of those accidents It was all very quick I’m okay now ”

ROHIT WON'T BE TRAVELLING TO OZ WITH TEAM

India cricket captain Rohit Sharma will not travel with the Indian team to Australia for the Border-Gavaskar series Down Under However, there is still a possibility of the 37-year-old, set to become a father for the second time soon, playing in the first of the five Tests against Australia at Perth from Nov 22 “Yes, Rohit is not travelling with the team, but don’t rule him out of the first Test as yet He may end up flying to Australia later this week, closer to the first Test ” a source in the BCCI said Earlier, Rohit had hinted at missing the first Test at Perth owing to personal reasons If Rohit misses the first Test, ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah will captain the side

ADVANI IN FINAL OF IBSF WORLD BILLIARDS MEET

Pankaj Advani edged closer to his 28th world title, securing a spot in the final of the IBSF World Billiards Championship (150-up format) with a 4-2 win over fellow Indian Sourav Kothari in Doha The match, an all-Indian affair showcased high-quality billiards as Advani the 27-time world champion made a strong start to clinch the opening frame in the semifinal Kothari responded by taking the second frame to level the scoreline

INDIAN HOCKEY TEAM HONOURED

The Indian men’s hockey team was honoured by the International Hockey Federation (FIH) President Tayyab Ikram and French Hockey Federation chief Isabelle Jouin during the global governing body s Congress in Muscat The team was honoured for winning the bronze medal at the Paris Olympics

first ODI series triumph in 22 years

bowler Shaheen Afridi “Everyone is so excited ” Underscoring the diminished standing of the 50-over format, Australia chose to rest their red-ball players for the decider as p

blockbuster five-Test series against India beginning on Nov 22

The tourists, who suffered a narrow loss in the opener before bouncing back with a nine-wicket thumping on Friday, won the toss and elected to field

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Naseem Shah led the way, picking up three wickets apiece during a showcase of swing and pace, which accounted for the attacking Jake Fraser-McGurk (seven) and Aaron Hardie (12) in the first power play

over, and opener Matt Short (22) soon followed, caught at square leg attempting to pull pacer Haris Rauf (2-24), who was named man-ofthe-series for his 10 wickets overall