AV 18th December 2021

FIRST & FOREMOST ASIAN WEEKLY IN EUROPE

Christmas Special

R

SEE PAGE - 12-14

inside

Let noble thoughts come to us from every side Changing our attitude and culture towards disability SEE PAGE - 8

India's Harnaaz Sandhu crowned Miss Universe 2021 SEE PAGE - 25

18 - 24 DECEMBER 2021 - VOL 50 ISSUE 32 India mourns sudden death of CDS Bipin Rawat in copter crash SEE PAGE - 24

Manchester United gets its first British South Asian player SEE PAGE - 32

Editorial credit Brookgardener Shutterstock.com

PM Modi inaugurates phase-I of Kashi Vishwanath Dham

Shefali Saxena Under provisions in Clause 9 of the Nationality and Borders bill, nearly six million individuals could be stripped of their British citizenship without warning. An online petition signed by over 250,00 people is urging the government to remove Clause 9 from the Nationality and Borders Bill.

Clause 9 of the bill, “Notice of decision to deprive a person of citizenship,” which was updated earlier this month, exempts the Government from having to give notice if it is not “reasonably practicable” to do so, or in the interests of national security, diplomatic relations or is otherwise in the public interest.

Continued on page 6

2 021 M Mar kett Rev iew Visiit th he websiite link bellow to th he video rec www.prideviewgroup.c com/seminar

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the first phase of the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor project that connects the temple town's two iconic landmarks - Kashi Vishwanath temple and Ganga ghats.

Twenty-three buildings were inaugurated in this phase of the project - spread over a massive area of almost five lakh square feet.

In comparison, the previous premises were spread across 3,000 square feet.

Continued on page 23

2 UK

AsianVoiceNews

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

www.asian-voice.com

18 - 24 December 2021

with Keith Vaz

It's a baby girl for PM Johnson and wife

IBRAHIM GOKCE Restauranter Ibrahim was born in Turkey, his family came to UK when he was just 20 months old. He grew up in London then moved to Leicester in mid 80’s. His family were the first Turkish family in Leicester. Ibrahim left school at a very young age to support his father in the family Restaurant.

He has also been helping the Turkish Community from a very young age. Ibrahim got married when he was 19 years of age, he opened his first Restaurant in his 20s, he is a proud father to four children, one daughter and three sons.

1. Which place, or city or country do you most feel at home in? (50 words response) UK, Leicester and London 2. What are your proudest achievements?

(50 words response) My children and their upbringing and supporting my father 3. What inspires you? (50 words response) Helping people, smiles on faces and I’m a great advocate of ‘it’s always nice to be nice’ 4. What has been biggest obstacle in your career? (50 words response) COVID Pandemic & Staffing 5. Who has been the biggest influence on your career to date? (50 words response) My father 6. What is the best aspect about your current role? (50 words response) Muhammed Ali - I believe he is an inspiration to everybody and he never backed down and never gave up beliefs. In

the restaurant business always meeting new people. Everyone is different but it is a real pleasure to serve everyone.

7. And the worst? (50 words response) Working unsociable hours as it really affects my family time.

8. What are your long term goals? (50 words response) Property investment & early retirement & complete my responsibilities for the Turkish community in Leicester.

9. If you were Prime Minister, what one aspect would you change? (50 words response) Reconsider BREXIT. 10. If you were marooned on a desert island, which historical figure would you like to spend your time with and why. (50 words response) Muhammed Ali – I believe he is an inspiration to everybody and he never backed down and never gave up on his beliefs

Racist attack on Northamptonshire shopkeeper On Wednesday, November 24, a group of youths entered the Little Europe store on Midland Road in Wellingborough's town centre. The group attempted to leave the shop without having paid for their items.

When asked to pay the young people began shouting racist remarks at him as one girl in the group began kicking and punching the staff several times. Later they opened one of the bottles of drink from the shop

and threw it over the staff member.

Northamptonshire Police are investigating this racially aggravated assault and are asking for anyone with any information to come forward.

Government accuses Sadiq Khan of melodramatic claims Paul Scully, the Minister for London, said there was “no basis” for Mayor Sadiq Khan's threat to axe 100 bus routes and close an entire Tube line as “more than enough money” would be provided to maintain services at their current levels.

Transport for London’s latest bail-out expires on Saturday but the Department for Transport is

willing to continue the current arrangement of paying about £300m by April in lieu of lower fares income.

But Mr Khan is desperate to secure long-term capital funding to maintain and upgrade the transport network and a TfL Mr Scully accused Khan saying “There is and will be, more than enough money to keep services running at their current levels, and there is no basis whatever for Khan’s threat to cut them."

Boris Johnson and his wife Carrie have announced the birth of a healthy baby girl.

Both mother and daughter are doing very well.

The couple welcomed their first child, Wilfred, in April last year. He was born a month after the Prime Minister was treated in hospital for Covid 19.

Previously Mrs Johnson,

Indian-origin student suspended for stalking Last month, the court heard that Sahil Bhavnani, 22, a student of Indian origin, made threats in a 100-page letter delivered to the female nursing student, who cannot be named for legal reasons.

He sent six-minute-long voice messages saying he was going to make me be his wife, make me have his children, and make me live with him.

The victim had repeatedly made it clear that she was not interested in any kind of relationship, and warned Bhavnani she would

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The Sheffield City Council ordered a review of street names that "perpetuate" racism after protests in Bristol last year where the statue of slave trader Edward Colston was pulled down.

However, a majority of respondents in the review did not want to see any changes.

The council had found that there were features across the city that "perpetuate racism, outdated and

contact the police if he continued to harass her.

A UK court has handed him a sentence of four

months, suspended for two years, and is to leave for Hong Kong after his university expelled him.

Regulator fines PM for flat refurbishment Louise Edwards, director of regulation has announced a £17,800 fine, saying their investigation into the Conservative Party found that the laws around the reporting and recording of donations were not followed.

For months, Mr

Johnson and other ministers refused to confirm that the Tory party, and then a major donor, originally funded the lavish redecoration.

In its ruling, the Commission makes clear that the Conservatives were negligent in failing to “fully

report a donation of £67, 801. 72 from Huntswood Associates Limited in October 2020”.

The ruling increases the likelihood of a potentially hugely-damaging investigation by the parliamentary commissioner for standards into the flat controversy.

Picture of Muslim students praying outside school raises concern The students from Oldham Academy North a high school in Manchester were pictured conducting their Friday prayers on the pavement after a teacher reportedly kicked them out of a classroom during lunchtime.

Sheffield City Council will not change racist city names FINANCIAL A SERVICES

33, had announced on social media that she had a miscarriage at the start of the year

and felt incredibly blessed to be pregnant again.

After getting engaged in late 2019, the couple had married on May 29 this year in a secret ceremony at Westminster Cathedral, attended by thirty guests.

Mr Johnson, 57, has previously been married twice before and already has six children.

uncomfortable messages", including street names associated with people "heavily involved in slavery.”

After the review, a council statement, said: "We acknowledge this strong feeling and are not currently intending to change any of the existing street names or remove any statues. The Commission’s final report and full recommendations will be published in 2022.

The school issued a formal apology in a joint statement with Oldham Interfaith Forum and Council released on Twitter and confirmed an investigation has been launched.

The academy offered an apology and said they are

proud of its diversity and have never and would never stop students from praying or asking them to pray outside.

The video had shown at least eight male students and a supervising member of staff in a hi-vis jacket.

Students seeking hardship funds doubled in 25% Universities A Universities UK (UUK) survey had seen an increase in requests for hardship funding.

The survey suggests a significant increase in requests in English universities between September 2020 and the end of January 2021 - during the second and third national lockdowns compared with the same time period in the previous academic year. Students relying on part-time work were

most affected during lockdowns.

Out of 81 universities that responded to the survey, 63 saw a rise in applications, 32 saw requests increase by 50% or more while the rest 21 saw requests double.

The government said it had made an extra £85m available for students "in the greatest need" in 2020-21 which students can apply directly from their universities or colleges.

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COMMENTS 3

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

18 - 24 December 2021

What is the definition of beauty?

When Sushmita Sen became the Miss Universe, followed by Aishwarya Rai as the Miss World, it was the year 1994. Beauty pageants were a novelty. Representation of a developing nation, at that large scale, bringing multiple crowns in the same year, was not that common. Then came Lara Dutta, Priyanka Chopra and Dia Mirza. They all won titles in the same year- 2000. Eventually, all of them have acted in films and reached their point of success, as they should.

Harnaaz Sandhu won her title as Miss Universe over the weekend, making India proud. While she is living proof of India’s treasure trove, times have changed, which means many of these competitions and challenges are believed to be redundant as ideas. Pageants are found a dime in a dozen and a winner every other day. But despite all criticisms, one cannot take away the fact, that the beauty industry is still one of the largest in the world.

There are two sides to this debate. Priyanka Chopra, in an interview with Harper’s Bazaar magazine, said, “The power of beauty? It has existed for eons. Coming from India, beauty is such a huge part of a woman. There’s this thing called 'solah shringar', which is 16 ways of a woman beautifying herself – and that comes from thousands and thousands of years ago.”

The question that arises here is how far is beauty or lack of it, detrimental to mental health?

In a world, when fashion is changing, with a focus on inclusivity and gender equality, there is not enough said and done still to make sense of it all. Youngsters are still dying of anorexia and bulimia because they feel they need to attain the size zero figure. A recent video by Bollywood actor Sonakshi Sinha and Huma Qureshi has just released an announcement video for their upcoming movie ‘Double XL’, which is about body positivity and fat-shaming.

Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach in an interview with the Rappler, opened up for the first time about battling mental health problems, which led her to self-harm and anorexia, during her time as Miss Universe. In her first-ever TED talk, on 10 December, she disclosed that she was struggling while fulfilling her duties as Miss Universe. She talked about death threats and her lifetime of pain that manifested in a certain way of self-harm.

The question that many raises today is how important are beauty pageants, especially for defining one’s self-worth?

Many psychological experts have found that beauty pageants can lead to a whole host of mental issues amongst participants. When children are asked to focus on their looks, they can develop eating disorders and self-esteem issues that carry on through adulthood.

Indians on Twitter are celebrating Harnaaz’s victory in Israel, but it still begs the question as Matthew Murchie for South China Morning Post wrote, “While many beauty contests nowadays attempt to incorporate qualities such as intelligence and social awareness as judging criteria, all the winners are [still] very [conventionally] attractive. Far from shifting the focus away from physical appearance, the ‘crowning moment’ merely reinforces people’s belief that a woman’s physical beauty is her most important quality.” And he is right.

Even in a diverse country like India, as The Swaddle pointed out, beauty often bolsters a form of ‘Euro-centric aesthetic homogeneity’. There is a foreign benchmark- standardised for a world of diversity and differences. These pageants promote a certain body type, a certain weight, height and skin tone. Where is the representation of beauty as it was in Rabindranath Tagore’s protagonists? Is Mother Teresa any less beautiful than Lady Diana?

These competitions are undoubtedly meant for and by beauty brands. The entire marketing revolves around boosting confidence by looking in a way, that is evaluated against a standard that is not equal.

BBC News once pointed out, for many contestants, beauty pageants may perhaps act as an escape from one socio-economic rung of the ladder to another, Devrupa Rakshit writes in The Swaddle. It is a way to seek empowerment but is it a true form of empowerment when you are creating a complex, a benchmark otherwise commonly impossible to attain?

The fact that it promotes a certain body type as a standard, is an insult to the very idea of beauty.

Helping a woman socio-economically is a significant achievement for any business and it is necessary. But do they really know what is at stake here? Something to stop and think about.

Down but definitely not out Boris Johnson has completed two years as the Prime Minister of the UK, after winning a majority in 2019. He first became the Prime Minister on 24 July 2019, as Theresa May left, he came back with a majority on 13 December 2019. He made his first speech and the hunky-dory period lasted for exactly 3 months. Covid has been a game changer.

An investigation into claims of a Christmas party at the height of last year’s lockdown will report in the next few days.

UK faces rapid spread of the Omicron virus, as the government tightens its rules, making Covid passes must for nightclubs and large venues. Though many still oppose to the Prime Minister’s decision, it is crucial at this point.

Mr Johnson has been severely criticised for everything he has done. Allegations are of blood on his hands, as thousands died of Covid or loneliness, but Christmas parties went ahead in Whitehall with “quiz, cheese and wine”.

As Politico pointed out, on Thursday the Conservatives face an uphill battle to hang on to the previously safe seat of North Shropshire, in a by-election prompted by an avoidable scandal over lobbying by one of Mr Johnson’s MP. Against this backdrop, Westminster watchers and the voting public are asking whether this could be the beginning of the end for British politics’ great survivor. With polls slipping and scandals mounting, could this be the end of PM Johnson’s good luck?

He has been ambitious, driving his campaign on the Brexit bandwagon. He won the hearts of middle England, originally strictly Labour believer. The racist and antiEuropean (or immigrant) mentality that has divided the country for years, won a voice through Nigel Farage and Boris Johnson. But has the man done everything wrong?

The Tory lobby is divided into two. One that feels conventionally motivated to support Rishi Sunak or a certain class of richness- influential outside politics and pressure groups.

The other that likes the impulsive Boris Johnson and his risktaking but convincing charm.

Has Boris Johnson done everything wrong in the last 24 months? Karma has been a tough teacher, but one cannot forget, this country has vaccinated quicker than Europe and anywhere in the world, free of cost, not njust because of our very able doctors, but because of policies that are undeniably right.

Or the businesses that have stayed afloat, because of the generous loans and supports- at least those who successfully claimed it.

Second, the relationship with India has never been better.

India and the United Kingdom aim to launch the negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) on 1 November 2021, with both parties agreeing to an Early Harvest Agreement by March 2022, allowing both to establish selective gains in commodities and services. UK and India together created AstraZeneca, that has vaccinated many countries, including the poorer nations.

Prime Minister Johnson and Prime Minister Narendra Modi back in May 2021, agreed ambitious plans for the next decade of the UK-India relationship. The ‘2030 roadmap’ includes commitments to deepen cooperation on health, climate, trade, education, science and technology, and defence.

Despite the COP26 fossil-fuel fiasco, which left President Alok Sharma fuming at India, the two Prime Ministers are focussed on cooperation between British and Indian universities on crucial research in areas like health, emerging technologies, and climate science – and bringing enterprises together to propel ground-breaking innovations to communities that need them most.

This includes the launch of a UK-India Global Innovation Partnership, which will co-invest in climate and health innovations from India to transform the lives of people across Africa, Asia and the Indian Ocean. It also includes extension of the UK-India Education and Research Initiative (UKIERI) to conclude its important work in bringing higher education and research sectors, and the people who work in them, closer together.

The countries also are determined to better our migration relationship, to make it easier for British and Indian nationals to live and work in each other’s countries. But in the light of the Nationality and Borders Bill that comes to force soon, it will rather be foolish to cheer on UK’s actual take on migration and intention. Some promises are perhaps always empty.

Mr Johnson is still winning. As Omicron grapples UK, Chief Medical Officer for England Professor Chris Whitty called on the public to get a booster vaccination, in a nationwide advertising campaign that launched on Tuesday to further galvanise the booster programme.

This comes as a total of 24 million boosters and third doses have now been administered in the UK. 75% of over 50year-olds across the UK have had their booster or third dose and over 1 million people have booked a booster vaccination appointment since the National Booking Service opened yesterday to people aged over 30 in England. The booking service expands to all adults in England from Wednesday.

The NHS in England experienced its busiest Monday ever for vaccinations on Monday 13 December, since the rollout began in December last year and 418,000 boosters were delivered on Monday 13 December alone, with 185,000 of these delivered by community pharmacies.

The latest preliminary data has shown vaccine efficacy against symptomatic infection is substantially reduced against Omicron with just two doses, but a booster pushes protection back up to over 70%, showing how vital the top up jab is to bolster immunity.

It may not be all as it should be, but is everything entirely wrong here? Criticism is easy, may be the man deserves a little slack. If not for anything, but the nerve with which he is still battling the odds!

I think it is great to be flawed. I am hugely flawed and I like it this way. That’s the fun of life. You fall, get up, make mistakes, learn from them, be human and be you - Priyanka Chopra Jonas

Alpesh Patel

The Indian Slave Several years ago I had a visit to both India and China on one trip.

The Chinese are in the news for their forced slave labour camps of Uighurs – Government sponsored genocide.

There are more slaves in India today than there were under British rule. You probably don’t know it.

With over 11 million Indian slaves, that is more than the entire population of Yorkshire. It is one in six of the British population.

“Rule Britannia, Britons shall never be slaves” goes the unofficial national anthem, yet that is not true in Modern Britain either. Slavery, Britain has in common with India.

On my trip to Delhi I visited the anti-slavery organisation, International Justice Mission. They told me of Jaswinder Singh. For five years he is working as a “Siri” bonded labourer. Bonded labour or slavery is simple. You promise an advance to own the labour of your slave indefinitely. The sums can be as little as gbp100. Imagine the profits you can make, on the bended back of your fellow Indian.

The labourer is unaware he will never be freed.

To the traffickers, the slave owners, the jailers, the tyrants – we are coming for you. Watch your back. For your greed, your immorality you will find us restless in our desire to punish, for vengeance shall be ours. You will find no safe quarter.

Nowhere. For the Indian and British slave, your time has come too – you shall be freed. We are restless in our quest for your independence, so the song shall be ‘Rule India, Indians shall never be slaves.’

Dear Former Prime Minister Theresa May, So, I would like to thank and congratulate you for establishing the Modern Slavery Act and creating an Anti-Slavery Commissioner. These initiatives are the first steps that will help to reduce the issues associated with slavery in our country.

You know a globally coordinated approach is needed to eradicate trafficking and slavery worldwide. Since you were Home Secretary, that problem is being dealt by Priti Patel now of course. These issues are not unique to the UK and in some countries they are at a much larger scale and deeper penetrated within society. The opportunities for us to learn and work closely with other countries are clear. And we know this Home Secretary recognises that is and is trying to find solutions.

I note that in your feature on Anti Slavery published in the Sunday Times, you mentioned that “Ministers need to address trafficking within Britain as well as across borders”. I fully endorse your views fully and suggest that we should be working across borders; particularly with the countries that are experiences similar issues. This is an opportunity for you as Home Secretary to a G7 nation to lead on created an even greater worldwide initiative: to lead all Home Secretaries of all G10 nations to eradicate organized slavery before the decade is out.

I say ‘before the decade is out’ because last month was the anniversary of the death of President Kennedy, and that is the phrase he use to set what appeared an unimaginable goal to his nation, when he charged them to put a man on the moon – and he said it 8 years before the decade was out.

Politicians with vision, setting ambitious goals can change the world.

Home Secretaries are rarely women, rarely have the opportunity to work internationally, yet in a global world this is vital. May I suggest that the current Home Secretary take the lead as Alok Sharma did on Cop26 and the environment?

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18 - 24 December 2021

Online blackmailer jailed for 32 years Abdul Elahi, 26 has been jailed for 32 years for blackmailing his 2000 victims around the world forcing them to abuse themselves, commit sex offences against their siblings and children and sell the pictures to paedophiles.

The National Crime Agency has described it as "some of the most sickening sexual offending" it has ever come across.

An online abuser and blackmailer Elahi from Birmingham confessed that his full-time career was of selling images and footage as 'box sets' to paedophiles. He carried out this heinous crime over the period of three years from 2017 to 2019. By selling pictures he made more than £25,000.

While he was carrying out the abuse, he was living in his family home. His modus operandi was to pose as a stockbroker or a rich businessman and then single out

victims on sugar daddy websites who were in debt or were too young to be on the sites. He would then lure them to send their naked or partially clothed photos in return for thousands of pounds.

He would then threaten to expose their photos to their family members demanding the victims to send more graphic images of abusing themselves, siblings and children. His youngest victim was only 8 months old.

Elahi has admitted to 158 charges committed by him against 72 victims.

More than 400 Afghan refugees to be homed in Birmingham for the next four years As part of a new settlement scheme, it has been revealed that more than 400 refugees from Afghanistan will arrive in Birmingham and it will cost the council around £1.6 million per year.

The council is planning to sign up a new agreement that commits to taking 110 Afghan refugees per year for at least the next two years and the next four.

The papers will be discussed before the council's cabinet on December 14.

"The request by the Home Office is for local government to commit to welcome Afghan families under the updated Afghan Relocation & Assistance Policy

(ARAP) and the new Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS) over the next few years," papers note.

The request has been made considering the ongoing situation in Afghanistan.

The report has requested to authorise Birmingham City Council to reset 110 individuals per year, for the period(s) 2022/23 and 2023/24; To delegate a decision to the Cabinet Member(s) for Social Inclusion, Community Safety & Equalities to continue to resettle refugees under these schemes at this same rate (110 individuals per year) for up to a further two years (2024/25 and 2025/26).

Shaun Bailey quits The former Mayoral candidate who attended a ‘raucous’ event at the Conservative party’s campaign HQ last winter, quit the London assembly role after lockdown party reports on Tuesday evening.

The event, organised by top Tory Shaun Bailey’s mayoral campaign, took place on December 14 last year when London was in Tier 2.

After he was approached by the Mirror on Tuesday, Mr Bailey dramatically quit as chair of the London Assembly’s police and crime committee.

The move places increased pressure on Boris Johnson and his Downing Street staff, who have been accused of holding a series of lockdown-defying social events in winter last year and earlier. Johnson has also faced claims he hosted events in his Downing Street flat, Guardian reported.

PARLIAMENTARY STAFF ASKS FOR ANONYMOUS TIP-OFF

The only central government figure to have resigned so far had been Allegra Stratton, the spokesperson for the Cop26 climate summit, who was previously Johnson’s press secretary. Allegra stepped down after footage emerged of her and other No 10 staff joking about an apparent party on 18 December 2020 at Downing Street, one which officials had previously denied had taken place.

Knifeman attacks former partner gets 4-year jail term Chetan Sharma, 41, has been jailed for four years and one month for wounding his former partner before trying to strangulate. Judge Keith Raynor said the attack was caused by a toxic combination of "jealousy, rage and knife possession".

Sharma, who hails from King Street, Loughborough believed that his former partner was seeing another man making him furious and jealous, hence he kept following her around the town, Leicester Crown Court was told.

As per the reports by LeicestershireLive, on Monday, May 17, Chetan requested the victim to visit

him at his home on Monday, just "for 10 minutes", to which she agreed. Their relationship had ended two years earlier, however, they continued to stay in touch.

Upon her visit, he attacked her with a kitchen knife causing a laceration - and the blade snapped off the handle.

Gareth Weetman, prosecuting, said: "The defendant grabbed her around the throat and started to strangle her, saying: "You've been playing with me, you've got somebody and this is how it's going to end, I'll kill you first and I'll kill myself."

The historic launch of Vahora Voice UK The historic launch of Vahora Voice UK (VVUK), Bharuchi Vahora Association London (BVAL), Leicester Bharuchi Vahora Association (LBVA-UK) took place in the British Parliament, House of Commons, London.

Rt Hon Stephen Timms British Parliament MP-For East Ham London hosted the historic launch of Bharuchi Vahoras

in brief in brief

Associations at the House of Commons, British Parliament, London.

At the same time, an International Bharuchi Vahora Convention Dec 2021 also took place at the British Parliament, London in the presence of many Bharuchi and all communities members from all over the world.

Before the launch CEO Imtiyaz Patel Varediawala, Group chairman, Dilaverbhai and Vahora Convention Dasantwala, coordinator Iqbal Dhoriwala, Thinktank advisor Engineer M Hanif Patel, community Leader M Saed Bhai 24 hour helpline e proceedings, Rt Hon Manubari MP Yasminji Quraishi020 8361 6151 Vahora Community and associates for estabMP for Bolton gave a guided lishing such umbrella organisations and tour to International guests of offered their support. the British Parliament. The Yunusbhai Amdavadi (WBVF), Nasirbhai Parliament was in session at • An independent Hindu fam mily business Patel (WBVF), Harunbhai Chamadia (BVAL), that time.

Saeedbhai Manubari, Dilavarbhai Bharuchi Vahora from • D Dedic di atted d Shiva Shi chapel h l off restt Dasanwala, (VVUK), Sajidbhai local to global attended this • Washing and dressing facilities Vorasamniwala (LBVA-UK), Bashirbhai Patel very significant Vahora Event • Ritual service items provided Varediawala (BVAL), Inayatbhai Sarpanch, including MPs, Councillors, Iqbalbhai Padarwala, Fazilaben Patel, • Priest arranged for perforrming last rites Bharuchi Vahora Community Shaheenben Patel, Cllr Firoza Nekiwala Leaders and Representatives, • Specialists in repatriation n to India addressed the audience.

Social Activists, Educationists, Ahmedbhai Nekiwala and Cllr Salim Artists, and Entrepreneurs Patel-London were thanked for facilitating from all walks of life. this historic launch at the House of Commons.

Host Rt Hon MP Stephen Vote of thanks given by Iqbalbhai Timms welcomed all and Dhoriwala, International Coordinator. recognised the role of VVUK, The programme started with Tilawat-eBVAL and LBVA-UK. Rt Hon Chandu Tailor 07957 250 851 Quran by Gulamsaheb Nabipuri and conJay Tailor 07583 616 151 MP Yasminji Quraishi, Rt Hon cluded by Duaas for peace, security, prosperBhanubhai Patel 07939 232 664 MP Lin Brown, Rt Hon MP Dee Kerai 07437 616 151 ity and progress.

Sam Terry, Greater London Master of Ceremony was VVUK CEO Assembly Member Unmesh 24 hour helpline: 020 8361 6151 | e: info@tailor.co.uk | w: www.tailor.co.uk Imtiaz Patel Varediawala.

Desai congratulated Bharuchi Chani House, Lower Park Road, New Southgate, London, N11 1QD

Parliamentary staff have criticised the lack of a confidential system to report MPs or colleagues who may be taking drugs on the estate. The staff has suggested that they feel powerless when it comes to reporting about MPs who are involved with illegal drugs owing to the lack of a confidential system while others believe that reporting MPs will cost their jobs. Common Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle "deeply concerned" with the revelations have planned to discuss the issue with the Metropolitan Police.

700 PUPILS TO WORK FROM HOME On Thursday, Priory Integrated College in Holywood informed parents that pupils in years 12 and 14 should come to school until the term ended on 17 December. However, on Friday, the Education Authority revised their decision stating that they will review staffing levels after which pupils will be able to come to school for face-to-face teaching. Due to staff absence and difficulty in acquiring substitute teacher cover, some schools sent individual year groups home for remote learning. The Department of Education has made it clear that there are no plans in closing down schools before Christmas or to move to remote learning.

POLICE LOOKING OUT FOR A MISSING MAN WITH LEICESTER LINKS Leicestershire Police are concerned about a missing man from Derby. They are concerned with the safety of his who has links to Leicester. Mujahid Zahoor, 20, was last seen on Thursday, November 25 in the Sunny Hill area of Derby at around 10 am. Derbyshire Constabulary has described Mujahid Zahoor as Asian with short, black hair a beard and brown eyes. He is around 5ft 8ins. According to Derbyshire Constabulary, he was last seen wearing a dark-coloured hoody and grey jogging bottoms with white stripes down the side of each leg.

STANMORE RESIDENTS CRITICISE NEW TOWER PLANS Residents of Stanmore and local councillors fear running over trying to access a new sixstorey building and have criticised the plans as residents will have to navigate narrow roads which they would have to share with cars and delivery vehicles. On December 8, Harrow Council marginally approved the plans for 21 flats and dozens of car parking spaces. Local councillor Marilyn Ashton said that the current design is “unacceptable”, “dangerous”.

DOCTOR ACCUSED OF 97 SEX CRIMES TO FACE TRIAL Krishna Singh, 72, has been allegedly accused of committing sex offences against women and girls between 1983 and 2018, mainly at medical practices in North Lanarkshire. A doctor by profession, Mr Singh to stand trial in February, next year, who is been accused of nearly 100 sex offences. Mr Singh has been alleged of molesting women by making them stand on scales. Along with this, he is also been accused of kissing females and passing inappropriate comments. Many accusations mentioned the use of a stethoscope for molesting. In June 2019, Mr Singh faced the allegations at the High Court in Glasgow.

However, he pleaded not guilty to all 97 charges, his lawyer Janice Green told the hearing.

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18 - 24 December 2021

How to book and how to prepare for your English language exam?

UK Visa, Settlement or Citizenship Exam If you need to apply for a UK visa, a visa How can you prepare for your extension, Settlement, Leave to Remain SELT exam? or British Citizenship, you may need to sit and pass a Secure English Language Test 1. Identify which Graded Examination in Spoken English (SELT) as part of your visa application.

(GESE) or Integrated Examination in Spoken English As well as it being a requirement of the (ISE) exam you need: You will need to sit the right visa and immigration process, being able English language exam for the visa you are applying for.

Full details about the English requirements for each to communicate in English is an visa type can be found on the Trinity College London important step towards being able to website. happily and successfully live, work or 2. Enrol for an exam: When you know which exam you study in the UK. need to sit you can book your Trinity SELT online. You Where and how do I book an exam?

Taking an exam in a foreign language can sometimes be an unsettling experience, but Trinity College London is here to ensure that everyone who needs it has the help and support they need to book, prepare and practise for their exam. Trinity College London is an Awarding Organisation specialising in performance and communicative skills assessment and certification and since 2011 have been recognised by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) as an approved SELT provider in the UK. They provide a flexible and personalised way to take Home Office approved Secure English Language Tests (SELT) for UKVI at centres across the UK, 7 days a week. They know that everyone’s UK visa journey is different which is why their test is designed to fit your specific needs. Their specially trained team are on hand at every step to put you at ease and answer any questions quickly and clearly so that you can feel supported and confident enough to deliver your best performance.

can choose the city, date and time which suits you. Book your test online.

3. Begin to prepare: All Trinity SELT exams take place in a test centre with an examiner and replicate a normal everyday conversation. For our GESE Grade 5 (B1) exam you also prepare a topic of your choice to have a conversation with the examiner about.

There are handy videos that show what the exam is like, so you know exactly what to expect on the day.

4. Practise, practise, practise: The best way to help you prepare is to practise; watch TV, listen to the radio, read newspapers and speak to those round you in English.

Trinity SELT has many resources on their website which can help you prepare – resource materials, or if you want to study on the go the Trinity GESE study app can be purchased to help you learn and track your progress.

5. Plan your route: Lastly, make sure you know where your exam centre is, the best way for you to travel to it and how long it takes to get there so that you arrive at the exam centre on time ready to give your best performance.

Prince Charles faces new accusations in Saudi cash-for-honours scandal Prince Charles has been accused in the Saudi cashfor-honours scandal who had organised the CBE investiture for Mahfouz Marei Mubarak bin Mahfouz in Buckingham Palace’s Blue Drawing Room, which is usually reserved for heads of state.

Police are planning to probe emails who arranged the CBE. In 2015, a woodland on Prince Charles's Dumfries estate was named after Mahfouz who donated £1million.

In 2016, Charles and Camilla were pictured there with the billionaire.

Clarence House said he “has no knowledge of the alleged offer of honours on the basis of donation”. Prince Harry has released a statement clarifying that he has distanced himself and cut ties with Mahfouz.

CBE scandal: Harry's statement upsets the Royal family again Last Sunday, Duke of Sussex, 37, released a statement claiming that he previously "raised concerns about" with regard to the business motives of Mahfouz Marei Mubarak bin Mahfouz, who was promised a knighthood and British citizenship when he donated large sums to the Prince's foundation.

This has disrupted the relationship between the Duke of Sussex, 37, and Prince Charles, 73. Harry also claimed that he severed

ties with the Saudi billionaire a year before his father presented the latter with a CBE. Royal expert Camilla Tominey said: "Before Prince Harry’s decision to repeatedly throw his father under a bus, he was arguably closer than Prince William to Prince Charles."

Trinity College London SELT exams are taken at one of our 18 UK SELT test centres. Tests can be booked 24 hours in advance and with tests taking place seven days a week you can visit our booking website to find a date and location that fits your schedule.

You will receive your provisional GESE result by 9am the day after your exam and your certificate will be sent within 4 – 7 days.

Support Should you have any queries before or after your exam our Customer Service team are available 8am – 8pm Monday to Friday and 8am – 5.30pm on Saturday and Sunday.

Trinity SELT helping you to live, work and study in the UK!

Cigarette ban will lead to "criminality and corruption" in UK Experts believe if the cigarette ban is implemented in the UK, it would give rise to "criminality and corruption". Recently, New Zealand announced that anyone who is under 14 will never be able to buy a cigarette for the rest of their life, citing new rules. Along with this, they are also planning to increase the age limit for cigarettes each year.

These rules will be implemented with the hope that the country will

become smoke-free by 2025.

However, Christopher Snowdon, Head of Lifestyle Economics at free-market think tank the Institute of Economic Affairs, said, “Prohibition never ends well. The last government that tried to ban smoking was ISIS. Before that, the only place where the sale of cigarettes was banned was Bhutan, but that prohibition ended in 2020 because tobacco smugglers were bringing Covid-19 into the country."

ISIS bride Shamima Begum faking sadness, says body language expert ISIS bride Shamima Begum made a "poor attempt" at sadness while reading out the Home Secretary's letter about the removal of her British citizenship, believed the body language expert Dr Cliff Lansey.

He said in a Discovery+ documentary: "This is as near to a sad face I can find in all the footage. Her eyes are down, her lips are arched but they are not down in a reliable form, pulled by these muscles, depressor muscles that pull the cor-

Omicron's source lies in HIV infected countries Researchers believe that a weakened immune system may lead to new coronavirus variants such as Omicron. Researchers are exploring a number of possibilities for the outbreak of Omicron. This virus arose in a remote region of southern Africa but has not spread until now.

Researchers believe that Omicron arose in a person with a compromised immune system, someone with cancer or uncontrolled HIV. Dr Richard Lessells, an infectious diseases physi-

cian at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in Durban, who was also part of the team that first reported Omicron says: “For me, there are two key things. First, there is the science that needs to go on to get a better understanding of this. But more importantly, on a public health level, we don’t need to wait for the science. It is

a reminder that while addressing the immediate challenge of Covid-19, we also need to intensify efforts to end HIV as a public health problem."

Lessells and his colleagues have warned that if the Covid pandemic is not tackled “with sufficient urgency” in countries with high rates of uncontrolled HIV then it "could lead to the emergence of variants of the coronavirus SarsCoV-2 that spread more easily between people or render the vaccines less effective”

ners down.

"She's forming this pitiful face, it's being posed because we can see it's been created by the chin boss being pushed upwards.

"When we see children do that, we call that a pout or a sulk, so that's a very poor attempt from Begum to try and display sadness, to attract sympathy to have her case reheard, appealed to allow her to move into the UK." Begum's British citizenship was revoked in 2019 despite her claiming that she show no threat to the UK public.

In February, Supreme Court's Lord Reed announced the decision of the appeal saying: "The Supreme Court unanimously allows all of the Home Secretary’s appeals and dismisses Ms Begum’s crossappeal."

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SECOND CLASS CITIZENS? Continued from page 1 However, the Home Office has said those deprived of citizenship will still have the right to appeal. Ever since 2006, the UK has had the power to strip dual nationals of their British citizenship. Shamima Begum’s case from 2019 has set precedent, who was born in London, was stripped of her UK citizenship due to her connections with the ISIL (ISIS).

The then Home Secretary Sajid Javid had argued that although Begum did not have a foreign passport, she would not be stateless because of her Bangladeshi ancestry.

However, Bangladesh, which she had never visited, said she had no claim to the South Asian nation.

According to The Guardian, in response to the new clause, the Home Office has said: “British citizenship is a privilege, not a right.

Deprivation of citizenship on conducive grounds is rightly reserved for those who pose a threat to the UK or whose conduct involves very high harm. The nationality and borders bill will amend the law so citizenship can be deprived where it is not practicable to give notice, for example, if there is no way of communicating with the person.”

Nearly six million people could be stripped of their British Citizenship A report published by New Statesman has alarmed Britons, stating that nearly six million people in England and Wales could become eligible to be stripped of their British citizenship without warning, under new plans proposed by the government. New Statesman analysis of data from the Office for National Statistics also finds that two in every five people from non-white ethnic minorities (41 per cent) are likely to be eligible for deprivation of citizenship, compared with just one in 20 people categorised as white (5 per cent).

The publications’ analysis of data from the 2011 census has found 5,604,000 people in England and Wales that are likely to be eligible for deprivation of citizenship, including an estimated 408,000 people born in the UK. The figure could be as high as 5,994,000, depending on the nationality of the individuals’ parents.

Media reports suggest that a Home Office spokesperson went on record and said: “The premise of this article is fundamentally misleading.

“Removing British citizenship has been possible for over a century and is always a last resort against the most dangerous people to protect our national security and public safety. It is rare, cannot leave anyone stateless and always comes with a right to appeal.

“This change is simply about the process of notification and recognises that in exceptional circumstances, such as when someone is in a war zone or informing them would reveal sensitive intelligence sources, it may not be possible to do this.”

The report also claims that if you combine these estimates with census data on ethnicity by country of birth, estimates suggest that non-white ethnic minority residents are eight times more likely to be eligible for deprivation of citizenship than white residents of all backgrounds. This implies that almost half of all Asian British people in

England and Wales are likely to be eligible (50 per cent), along with two in five black Britons (39 per cent).

Don’t undo decades of good work Speaking to Asian Voice, London’s Deputy Mayor for Business and Co-Chair of Labour Friends of India, Rajesh Agrawal said,

members, Seema said, “This is an extraordinary amendment that has caused shockwaves across the communities and particularly in Feltham and Heston, it has really affected the South Asian community. I'm grateful to all who have written to me and signed the petition has almost 150,000 signatures.

“I was born in Britain in Hammersmith in West London. I grew up in Hounslow. It Lord Dolar Popat

Rajesh Agrawal

"The strength of Great Britain lies in its diversity and plurality. Government policy has failed to promote the interests of British citizens, safeguard the UK's security and defend our core values. The Bill will have a disproportionate impact on Asian communities. We should be careful not to undo decades of good work done to bring communities closer together and help them be better integrated."

Labour Party MP Virendra Sharma told

part of the Government’s plan to provide a fair immigration system for all. As I have mentioned in my book “A British Subject” this is the best country in the world for immigrants – and we want to continue to make it so. This country is open for all – but only through the official route, not for those who abuse the system. By introducing stronger sentences, people will be prevented from abusing the system and make it easier for genuine immigrants and asylum seekers to enter the country.”

Conservative Councillor Ameet Jogia said, “The Nationality and Borders Bill aims

Councillor Ameet Jogia

Virendra Sharma MP

us, “Like many of your readers, I too am worried about the Nationality and Borders Bill. I have voted against the Bill in Parliament when I last had the chance and will do so again. The Bill is a failure, it punishes the most vulnerable, divides our community and criminalises compassion. As the Bill currently stands, it would criminalise Lifeboat volunteers for saving drowning men and women.

“The Nationality and Borders Bill also makes it harder for people to make a home in the UK and so I have added my name to amendments to undo that. I am supporting changes that would make it easier to apply legally, and changes to reduce the cost of applications so that the cost is no more than the cost of processing applications.

“The current system also makes people suffer for years and years while they wait for a decision, I have also supported an amendment to introduce a binding six-month decision period to end that scandal. This Bill is racist, it aims to make BAME people who make their home in the UK unsafe, and scared for their futures. This is a political tactic to scare us into silence on political issues, I will continue to oppose the Bill in Parliament.”

Former Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn tweeted, “Today, on #humanrightsday we have huge challenges to deal with: The Police & Crime Bill; The Nationality & Borders Bill; The Health & Social Care Bill; The Elections Bill...I could go on…We stand in solidarity with all human rights defenders, both here, and beyond our borders.”

Meanwhile, a social media MORTGAGES INSURANCE user critiqued Sir Keir Starmer’s silence, saying, “In 24 • Residential • Life & Critical hours, Starmer has tweeted 3 • Buy to Let • Private Medical times about a Christmas party, • Remortgages • Income Protection but not once about the racist, • Ltd Co Mortgages • Professional Indemnity inhumane, nationality and bor• Public Liability ders bill which puts the UK NO FEES CHARGED FROM outside international law and which has today been voted THE CLIENT through parliament. This is not someone who is fighting Sanjiv Nanavati, CeMAP, M.B.A racism.”

Mortgage & Insurance Adviser Bill ‘not racist’ 07970 265 748 Sharing his two cents on sanjiv@srfsmortgages.co.uk Harrow Business Centre, 429-433 Pinner Road, Harrow HA1 4HN the bill, Lord Dolar Popat told the newsweekly, “I do not conSRFS Mortgages Ltd is authorised & regulated by the sider the Nationality and Financial Conduct Authority (No. 839035) Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up your payments on any mortgage secured on it.

Borders Bill to be racist. It is

to introduce a number of measures to make the Immigration system fairer. This includes introducing new maximum life sentences for people smugglers, stopping illegal arrivals from gaining immediate entry and establishing powers to process asylum claims offshore for those who arrive via illegal routes.”

Frances Webber, the vice-chair of the Institute for Race Relations, told the New Statesman, “It’s a profoundly racist law. If you’re born here and you don’t have any foreign citizenship, you can do whatever you like. You might go to prison, but you will always have your citizenship. If you don’t have citizenship, what other rights do you have? As Hannah Arendt said, citizenship is the very right to have rights.”

Most diverse cabinet has introduced the most racist bill Commenting on the bill, the Writers of Colour have gone on record to say,“Arguably the most ‘diverse’ cabinet in the history of UK politics has introduced possibly the most racist and regressive pieces of legislation this country has seen in decades. The Nationality and Borders Bill should force us all to rethink representation politics – if we have not already, and to accept many of the premises that sustain the quest for ‘equality’ are illconceived. As part of this, recognising that we are all capable of reproducing racism within systems and indeed, that systems cannot function without the participation – passive or active – of those it harms, is crucial. We all need, and this may hurt, even more, to come to terms with the fact, ‘diversity’, ‘equality’ and ‘inclusion’ will not save us. In fact, they are today more likely to do many of us harm, than to help us achieve any semblance of justice.”

It might be right to go down memory lane and remember that during the Ugandan expulsion, had the Asian community had proper representation, they would have not been left to fend for themselves back in Africa. Today, while some of the key positions in the UK Cabinet are held by the likes of Sunak, Javid, and Patel, the larger cabinet is still underrepresented by Asians. Giving a glimpse of that, in her speech at the House of Commons, Labour and Co-operative Party politician serving as the Member of Parliament for Feltham and Heston, Seema Malhotra said that the Nationality and Borders Bill seeks the removal of clause nine tabled by the Home Secretary seeking to deprive UK nationals of citizenship without notice.

Speaking on behalf of fellow community

Seema Malhotra MP

appears that the law as drafted, I could theoretically in future be deprived of my citizenship with no notice and potential without appeal because my parents were born in another country, even though they became British nationals and serve their community with distinction.

“Perhaps the minister in his closing remarks, will be able to say whether or not this can ever be able to happen to anyone because what it appears is that this is the thin end of their polling wedge, members of my extended family were also amongst those who are expelled from Uganda and with massive exposures of the Indian community and I'm sure the minister will understand why this has caused such concern.

“The Home Secretary's clause would amend the British Nationality Act 1981, which currently requires the state to give notice or give a person a written notice of their deprivation order, the reasons for the order and the person's right of appeal. Clause nine, subsection to specify circumstances in which the Secretary State would be able to deprive a person of their citizenship without notice, briefly, including that the Secretary doesn't have the information to give notice, or it would not be reasonably practical to give notice for any other reason, or for giving notice if giving notice would not be in the interest of national security relations with another country or otherwise in the public interest. Now tell me what relations with another country means?

“If in theory, a foreign government with whom the government is negotiating a trade deal says that they want British decision British citizenship revoked from a group of people that they would like to see returned back to their country of origin as a condition, possibly for political reasons. The Home Secretary could in theory do it and without saying why it is not what is likely that this is about it is what becomes possible, and there is no practical reason for this change.

“The present rules governing notice allow for deputy current citizenship deprivation letters to be delivered to the individual's last known address I cannot support this new clause from the Home Secretary, which has breathed a huge distrust and insecurity into the lives of millions living peacefully and lawabiding citizens in this country, that the state could have this power and without needing to give an explanation that may not just affect them, but also their children and grandchildren.”

Solidarity Knows No Borders The Solidarity Knows No Borders (SKNB) network emerged when migrant justice organisers across the UK collaboratively wrote the Fair Immigration Reform Movement (FIRM) Charter. This process was held by Migrants Organise and involved those most impacted by the Hostile Environment immigration system and their friends, communities, campaigners, caseworkers and many others. We used our imaginations to start outlining an alternative vision. The SKNB network links up to over 50 migrant justice organisations. “The Borders Bill is designed to divide us. To make us feel weak, isolated, hopeless. But this fight is not over!’ their official Twitter handle posted as a reaction to the ongoing debate.

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Covid-19 infection, more likely than vaccines to cause rare cardiovascular complications Led by the University of Oxford, a team of UK-based researchers have today reported results of the largest ever study to compare the risks of cardiovascular events, such as myocarditis, pericarditis, and cardiac arrhythmia, between different vaccines and Covid-19 infection, and the first to investigate the association between cardiac events and the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine.

While a link between heart inflammation, such as pericarditis and myocarditis, and vaccination was not observed during clinical trials of the most common Covid-19 vaccines, shortly after vaccines began rolling out across the globe concerns began to be raised about a link – in particular, to myocarditis and especially in younger people.

Writing in Nature Medicine, the researchers linked the English National Immunisation (NIMS) Database of Covid-19 vaccination with a national patient-level healthcare database of 38 million people aged 16 or older vaccinated for Covid-19 in England between 1 December 2020 and 24 August 2021. The study looked at rates of hospital admission or death from myocarditis, pericarditis, and cardiac arrhythmias in the 1-28 days following vaccination or a Covid-19 positive PCR test.

Key Facts - The study compares risks of myocarditis, pericarditis and cardiac arrhythmia following a first and second dose of ChAdOx1 (Oxford-AstraZeneca),

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BNT162b2 mRNA (Pfizer-BioNTech) and RNA-1273 (Moderna) vaccine, and following Covid-19 infection.

The study shows an increased risk of myocarditis with the first dose of ChAdOx1 (Oxford-AstraZeneca) and BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech) vaccines and the first and second doses of the mRNA-1273 (Moderna) vaccine.

However, the risk of myocarditis was much higher following Covid-19 infection.

The study also showed increased risks of pericarditis and cardiac arrhythmia following a positive Covid-19 test but not with any of the vaccines, apart from an increased risk of arrhythmia following the second dose of mRNA-1273 (Moderna). Subgroup analyses by age showed the increased risk of myocarditis associated with the two mRNA vaccines (BNT162b2 and mRNA-127) was present only in those younger than 40.

Study authors are fully independent of Oxford vaccine developers.

Home Office shows no intent to resettle Afghans Former senior diplomat voices fears that Priti Patel's Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS) to allow Afghans to resettle in Britain lacks ''appropriate resources'' and the government lacks the will to launch it.

This scheme was announced in August when the Taliban took over Kabul, however, it has still not start-

ed. Adam Thomson, a former Foreign Office director for Afghanistan, also a former UK ambassador to Pakistan and Nato said, “It looks like a politically expedient announcement.

With the media focus having gone elsewhere, the government has lost political will, lost focus and lost implementation. The government

in its defence has issued a statement saying that it was committed to the scheme.

New police computer replacement delays by 5 years; cost soars by 68% A replacement for the creaking police national computer has been delayed by five years, with costs soaring to £1.1 billion, amid warnings that there is a “risk” of relying on existing technology.

The police national creaking computer's replacement has been delayed by 5 years leading to the soaring costs to £1.1 billion.

According to the report by parliament’s public accounts

committee, the new national law enforcement database will not be available until at least 2025-26 and that its cost had increased by 68 per cent.

The report by parliament’s public accounts committee has warned that the technology was so old that it was hard to understand.

The report came in when 400,000 fingerprints, DNA, arrest and offence records were accidentally deleted from the computer and linked systems this year. However, the data was later restored.

UK High Court dismisses India's appeal to extradite Kuldeep Singh's deportation The High Court in England on Thursday dismissed the Indian government's petition seeking permission to challenge a district court's order that turned down the extradition of Khalistan movement activist Kuldeep Singh on humanitarian grounds. UK High Court stated that the district judge's order is comprehen-

sive and clearly reasoned and cannot be faulted. Mr

Singh who is most wanted in India is believed to be an alleged senior member of the banned Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF).

Also known as Keepa Sidhu, Indian authorities have charged him with allegations of conspiring with others to carry out terror activities in Punjab in 2015-16.

Oxford/NIHR to recruit for community Covid-19 antiviral trial Researchers from the University of Oxford have today started recruiting participants for a first-of-its-kind clinical trial to test novel antiviral Covid-19 treatments for use early on in the illness by people in the community with Covid-19 and those who are at higher risk of complications – partnering with the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) and working with colleagues in several UK universities, and the NHS UK-wide.

The Platform Adaptive trial of NOvel antiviRals for eArly treatMent of Covid-19 In the Community (PANORAMIC) is a national priority trial and will be open to participants from across the UK. PANORAMIC has been designed as a ‘platform clinical trial’, meaning it can rapidly evaluate several antiviral treatments over time that could help clinically vulnerable people with Covid-19 recover sooner, prevent the need for hospital admission and so ease the burden on the NHS. The UK Antiviral Taskforce has selected all treatments to be tested - the first treatment to be investigated through the trial will be molnupiravir (brand name, Lagevrio), a Covid antiviral pill already been licensed by the MHRA. People can join the study if they, are aged 50 and over, aged between 18 to 49 years with underlying health conditions that make them clinically more vulnerable, or have been unwell with Covid-19 for less than five days. All participants should have recorded a positive PCR test within the past seven days.

Participants will receive either the antiviral treatment plus the current standard care or the current standard of care without the new antiviral treatment. Around 5,300

people will be recruited to each group – up to 10,600 volunteers in total will be needed for testing whether the first novel antiviral in the study reduces the need for people to be admitted to the hospital.

PANORAMIC will bring together GP practices, NHS 111, Test and Trace, Care Homes, pharmacies and other NHS and social care service providers UK-wide who will actively identify potential participants, invite them to take part and support their participation.

The trial will also assess the effectiveness of the treatments on reducing the shedding of the virus, as well as preventing the spread of Covid-19 by offering treatment to some household contacts of participants.

Professor Mahendra Patel, the trial’s Pharmacy and Inclusion and Diversity Lead, said: ‘PANORAMIC will be working closely with pharmacists and their teams across settings to help play a crucial role in raising the awareness of the trial UK-wide and in supporting greater recruitment of volunteers from disadvantaged and diverse backgrounds.’

Professor Paul Little from the University of Southampton and Co-Chief Investigator, said: ‘This trial will be one of the most ambitious ever undertaken in UK primary care, and will provide vital information about treatments to help the most vulnerable people in the ongoing fight against Covid-19.’

PANORAMIC is led by Oxford University’s Primary Care Clinical Trials Unit, funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), while the delivery of the trial is supported by the NIHR Clinical Research Network.

8 WOMEN'S VOICE

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Pelvic floor health

Changing our attitude and culture towards disability

How to strengthen your pelvic floor according to a gynaecologist New research reveals 60% of UK women suffer from pelvic floor issues

Shefali Saxena Sukhjeen Kaur is the Founder/Director of Chronically Brown, an organisation that works towards tackling the stigma towards disabled people in the South Asian community. Recently she came across a study from the University of Surrey that identified that South Asians were 4 times more likely than white-British people to live with a physical disability.

In an exclusive chat with Asian Voice, she spoke about disability within the South Asian community.

Q

- Please briefly tell us about the work that Chronically Brown does.

We do many things to work towards tackling the stigma of disability in the South Asian community including; workshops teaching South Asians about disability, starting the #desiabled campaign and creating discussion groups for disabled South Asians. We also have a new ambassador scheme to further the representation of disabled South Asians.

- What is the major point of concern among South Asians who have any kind of disabilities?

South Asians are extremely concerned with reputation, the family reputation must be upheld which means many disabled South Asians have to hide their disabilities. This creates exclusion for disabled South Asians and also increases the likelihood of internalised ableism. The lack of discussion on disabilities has further widened the gap between South Asians and disabled South Asians that we can no longer communicate to each other effectively. We hope to close this gap with our work - What is the level of acceptance and help towards disabled people within the brown community?

The acceptance and help towards disabled people from South Asians are little to none. Unless there is first-hand experience of disability from South Asia, there is no understanding of the challenges disabled people face. This lack of understanding contributes to the unhelpful attitudes of South Asians.

- How challenging was the pandemic and especially the lockdown for disabled people?

The pandemic created multiple issues for disabled people, each individual to the disabled person and the conditions they live with. On this International Day of Persons with Disabilities (3rd December), the theme was fighting for rights in the post-Covid era which required us to evaluate what needs were not met during the lockdowns. We concluded that there was the following; Little to no access to

Q

Q Q

Women in prison are five times more likely to have a stillbirth Data released by the Observer has shown that women in prison are five times more likely to have a stillbirth and twice as likely to give birth to a premature baby that needs special care.

Following two baby deaths in prisons since 2019, there have been increasing concerns about safety for pregnant women and their babies.

According to data from the National Neonatal Research Database, figures obtained through freedom of information requests made to 11 NHS trusts serving women’s prisons in England show 28% of the babies born to women serving a custodial sentence between 2015 and 2019 were admitted to a neonatal unit afterwards – double the national figure.

Of the 125 births for which additional data were supplied, one in seven babies had a low birth weight – double the rate in the general population. Stillbirths were at a rate of 20.9 per 1,000 births, compared with 4.2.

Sukhjeen Kaur

health professionals, discrimination to those Hard of Hearing or Deaf due to face masks, discrimination to those who were unable to wear masks/social distance due to their disabilities which included many non-disabled people taking advantage of these accommodations, being socially isolated from the world due to shielding, shops using disabled parking for social distancing measures, multiple accessible entrances closed off and little to no support when leaving lockdown/shielding.

- What kind of reforms and help do we need from both the community and the government to help organisations like yours?

The community needs to approach conversations like these with openness and understanding alongside the willingness to listen and learn from those experiencing these injustices every day. We would also benefit from the government understanding the importance of intersectionality in social justice and how vital our work is to not only disabled South Asians but South Asians who do not understand disability. We feel this work is especially important when studies have shown that physical disability is four times more likely in our community.

- What according to you is the right time/phase for people to address and identify disability and what do you think must be the immediate steps that must be followed?

We believe if you are coming to terms with your own disability, there is no time frame on this. Accepting a disability can be difficult and we encourage you to be gentle with yourself during this process. As well as this, the process for accepting can be different for everyone and can differ due to the condition but some general tips would be to talk to those closest to you, look for therapy regarding this and reach out to online platforms like ourselves.

- As Britain continues to have news and incidents of racism in the BAME community at every level and in most sectors, do you think brown people with disabilities are given equal treatment as compared to their white counterparts?

The simple answer is no. There are many reasons for this and the biggest being intersectionality. Being minoritised in multiple identities can put us at more risk of being discriminated against. The disabled community, in particular, has not recognised this extra discrimination we have faced due to being part of multiple communities. Alongside this, the white privilege in the disabled community has not been properly addressed as we continue seeing white faces when discussing disability.

Q

Q

Q

It is a common misconception that pelvic floor exercises, also known as Kegel exercises, are only important for people who have given birth, older women or those with health issues, but research from intimate wellness brand INTIMINA reveals the importance of training your pelvic floor no matter what stage of life you are in.

In fact, six in ten (60%) females surveyed* reveal that they sometimes leak urine when they cough, sneeze, laugh or lift something heavy, and shockingly over half (52%) of women have never spoken about their pelvic floor issues with family or close friends.

What’s more, nearly a third (32%) of women have never exercised this muscle group and 41% have experienced weakened pelvic floor muscles or incontinence after childbirth.

It is clear that people still need to be educated on the pelvic floor and encouraged to seek treatment and advice where necessary.

INTIMINA UK’s gynaecologist Dr Shree Datta answers your top questions for all things pelvic floor: What is your pelvic floor?

“A pelvic floor is a group of muscles and ligaments that support the bladder, uterus (womb) and bowel.

When the pelvic floor is strong, it supports the pelvic organs to prevent incontinence and prolapse.”

Benefits of regular pelvic floor exercises.

“Regular pelvic floor exercises help bowel and urinary control, prolapse and there's some evidence to suggest more sensitivity during sex. Regular exercise also helps to maintain

the tone of your pelvic floor muscles and the general health of your vagina, so getting on top of those pelvic floor exercises early will not only prevent intimate health problems in older age but will increase sensitivity during sex, which means better orgasms. A win-win!”

Pelvic floor exercises and pregnancy.

“I would certainly recommend pregnant women consider starting pelvic floor exercises from 34 weeks onwards as there is some evidence that this reduces the extent of vaginal tears or episiotomy at the time of delivery.”

So how do we actually get pelvic floor fit?

“Firstly, empty your bladder and make sure you are sitting comfortably.

Squeeze your pelvic floor muscles for a few seconds as though you are stopping a wee. Try doing this 10-15 times a day and try not to hold your breath, squeeze your stomach, bum or thighs - really focus on clenching the pelvic floor muscles only! Intimina has developed the KegelSmart - a personal pelvic floor trainer which sets a routine that is simple to follow, safe to use, and completely tailored to your individual needs. Just remember it can take a few weeks or months to start seeing a result and even when you do, it's important to keep up your exercises to maintain the improvement.”

Sima Kotecha appointed UK Editor of BBC Newsnight BBC Newsnight announced Sima Kotecha as their UK Editor last week. Sima, a leading BBC correspondent and journalist for over 17 years, represents the first British Indian to hold the senior post for the BBC in its history. BBC Newsnight has been the UK’s most prestigious current affairs programme.

Sima – a regular presenter on the BBC Breakfast Show – is originally from Basingstoke and has been working with the BBC since 2003. Throughout her time at the BBC, Sima has worked as a Radio Presenter, News Correspondent and International Correspondent.

Messages of congratulations poured in for Sima, including from fellow TV Presenter Naga Munchetty.

In recent years, Sima was posted out to Italy, where despite the danger, she was reporting on the first devastating outbreak of the Covid pandemic in early 2020. This

Sima Kotecha

was not the first time, Sima has presented in dangerous conditions, as she has also presented from Helmand Province in Afghanistan. She also covered the historic

US Presidential election in 2008, the Oscars on multiple occasions, as well as the earthquake in Haiti.

Sima is the daughter of East African Asians who came to the UK in the 1970s.

Sima’s appointment as UK Editor of Newsnight is therefore a moment of great pride for British Indians in making their mark in mainstream journalism.

Sima will be based in Birmingham for this key role, using the city as a base as she reports from across the four nations of the UK. Speaking after her appointment, Sima said she was “immensely” proud of her new role and looks forward to the opportunity to do more high-impact investigative journalism that matters to our viewers and the wider public. Sima also hopes that her appointment will encourage young journalists – particularly from ethnic backgrounds – to come forward and enter journalism.

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Congratulations to Gujarat Samachar and Asian Voice We at Sanatan Dharma Mandal & Hindu Community Centre (SDM & HCC) feel privileged to congratulate CB Bhai and his Team on the 50th Anniversary of Gujarat Samachar and Asian Voice. What a remarkable achievement!

Under the leadership of CB Bhai, Gujarat Samachar and Asian Voice are serving the British Indian community not only in the UK but worldwide and has helped keep our identity and culture alive. They are doing invaluable work by serving our community with a variety of news.

Gujarat Samachar and Asian Voice, have carved themselves a niche with their campaigning on issues including race equality and diversity, nationality and immigration as well as the cooperation of Gujaratis worldwide.

The work they do is invaluable and They have also campaigned against the closure of the Hare Krishna temple in Watford and played an instrumental role in starting the direct flights to Ahmadabad.

This would not have been possible without the hard work of CB Bhai. CB Bhai is truly a most humble gentleman who has worked tirelessly and selflessly for the last 50 years trying to make a difference in people’s lives of people in the UK and abroad.

CB Bhai is an inspiring and remarkable community veteran and an unsung hero who is held in the highest esteem in our Gujarati community and by all those who know him.

We, at Sanatan Mandir in Cardiff, feel

Innauguration Ceremony of the Sanatan Dharma Mandal and Hindu Community Center, Cardiff on 10th July, 2016

LtoR: Mr C.B. Patel, Vinodbhai Patel, Vimlaben Patel, Geetaben Patel, Rohitbhai Patel, Sudhaben Bhatt and Kokilaben Patel

privileged and honoured to have known him and have always found him most approachable and supportive at all times.

In the 1990s our Cardiff Temple was not that well known, however, CB bhai visited our temple and met our Gujarati communities residing in Wales.

Since then, he has most kindly been publishing our Temple activities in his sanshtha news column in Gujarat Samachar and Asian Voice free of charge. Not only that, but if there is anything happening in Wales, or in our mandir for eg Diwali celebration or any other events, he will publish

our articles with photos in his publication, including any members receiving any prizes or awards.

When we had Murti Pratishta in our new mandir (Seaview Building) situated at Lewis Road, Cardiff, CB Bhai was our Chief Guest and attended our event with Kokilaben Patel and Kamalbhai Rao. CB Bhai also donated £5000 towards the Mandir building fund which was a great relief to us as we had a large amount of debt. He also pledged to donate a further £5000 if we had cleared our debt within 6 months by the end of December 2016.

Priti Patel for PM? If reports in The Sunday Times are to be believed, Home Secretary Priti Patel is considering a run to become the Conservative party leader and Prime Minister.

If Patel were to succeed Boris Johnson, she would be the third female Prime Minister in British history. Before her, Margaret Thatcher and Theresa May have held the position.

“According to The Sunday Times, Chancellor Rishi Sunak and Minister Liz Truss already have donors lined up. Other potential candidates include Michael Gove, Nadhim Zahawi, Jeremy Hunt, Tom Tugendhat and Matt Hancock. Ms Patel, who was the first conservative female British-Indian MP in the country’s history, could follow in the steps of her idol: Margaret Thatcher,” The Express reported.

Angry Britons call for Boris Johnson’s resignation After facing brickbats from Britons over his methods of handling the Covid-19 crisis in the UK, demands for Boris Johnson’s resignation soared over the weekend on social media. This followed after Allegra Stratton, his former spokesperson put down her papers after the PM publicly apologised for the video footage that showed Allegra mocking a press conference in which she and Downing Street aides supposedly discussed “Christmas Party” which they were allegedly going to present as a “business meeting” to the public amid stringent Covid-19 protocols in the UK. If 54 MPs demand a vote of no confidence in the prime minister, Mr Johnson could be

sacked.

One death due to Omicron Amid this debate and speculation, the prime minister said on Sunday that he was “afraid we are now facing an emergency in our battle with the new variant, Omicron, and we must urgently reinforce our wall of vaccine protection to keep our friends and loved ones safe.”

Announcing the booster offensive, Johnson said: “We know from bitter experience how these exponential curves develop. No one should be in any doubt: there is a tidal wave of Omicron coming.” He said two doses of vaccine were not enough, but scientists were confident that three would make a huge difference.

On Friday UK data suggested that three jabs provide 7075% protection against infection with Omicron, while two doses given three or more months ago give 30% to 40% or less.

GPs and other vaccinators will be required to prioritise jabs over non-urgent care and reduce the number of other face-to-face interactions.

Johnson will also scrap the 15minute post-jab wait in order to speed through even greater numbers of people.

Army to take over Forty-two military planning teams will be deployed across every region of the UK, and there will be additional vaccine sites and mobile units. There will be extended opening hours

with more appointments early in the morning, in the evening and at weekends, and thousands more volunteer vaccinators will be trained.

Hospitalisation expected to ‘dramatically increase’ Health Secretary Sajid Javid told the MPs Omicron represents 20% of Covid cases in England. He added that hospitalisations and deaths are expected to "dramatically increase" in the next few weeks.

On Sunday, the UK recorded its highest daily rise in infections caused by the new variant, with a further 1,239 Omicron cases confirmed.

The government will change the definition of being fully vaccinated to mean those who have had three jabs against Covid-19, according to Sajid Javid.

MPs backed Covid passes by 369 to 126 votes after large number of Tory MPs had voiced opposition on Tuesday evening. Boris Johnson is said to have endured what looked like a much larger rebellion.

"That is an extraordinary rebellion,” said the Shadow Health Secretary Wes Streeting who further added that the rebellion

by Tory MPs in a vote on tougher Covid restrictions reflected "the shattered authority of Boris Johnson".

Unfortunately, we could not and clear our debt during that period. He also in his kindness and generosity said he would help raise funds in London for our Temple, but our committee members felt it was better and more beneficial to raise funds within Wales. He has such a caring and loving nature that whenever we spoke on the phone, he asks about all our committee member's welfare.

They have also organised an event “Vadil Sanman” for honouring our elderly members in Cardiff and presented them with the certificates.

CB bhai is a true "Karma Yogi" who has dedicated his life to helping others. He has helped raise funds for worthy causes, which have been sponsored or cosponsored by Gujarat Samachar in the UK, East Africa and India especially in health and education projects.

Neil Kinnock, former leader of the Labour Party, once told a meeting of the Indian Journalists Association that CB stood for “Community Bound”! So very true!

Sanatan Dharma Mandal & Hindu Community centre wish CB Bhai a long healthy life and all the staff at Gujarat Samachar and Asian Voice our very best wishes.

Vinodbhai C Patel – President Vimlaben Harilal Patel, MBE – General Secretary On behalf of the Management Committee of SDM & HCC

Boris Johnson’s booster dream needs a boost NHS leaders have warned that huge queues outside vaccination centres are indicators that Boris Johnson’s goal of giving everyone a booster jab by the end of the year is unlikely to be met.

The Times reported,

“Waits of up to five hours were reported at some clinics and the central booking website repeatedly crashed as it struggled to keep up with demand.

“Despite the vaccine mobilisation, NHS leaders fear they are being

“set up to fail” by Johnson’s promise of a million jabs a day and a goal of offering all adults a booster by the end of the month. They said the booster programme may not be finished until well into the new year.”

Colonial legacy continues to have a negative impact on students and staff of colour London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) colonial legacy continues to have a negative impact on students and staff of colour, an independent review has found.

In autumn 2020, the Council of the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine commissioned a review to examine racial equality at LSHTM. This was in response to both issues highlighted by the Black Lives Matter movement and to broader concerns raised by LSHTM staff and students.

Having actively listened to those concerns and perspectives, the Council is publicly sharing this new report and

its recommendations.

The review was undertaken by a specialist, external organisation and has been an independent process.

This independent review found evidence of racism and inequalities which point to deeper, more structural problems within LSHTM that have negatively impacted the experiences of those within our organisation.

The institute said, “We understand that these experiences have had very real and painful

human consequences.

We deeply regret this and apologise sincerely to everyone affected. While the conclusions of the review are difficult to confront, facing up to them is an essential step towards creating an environment where everyone’s contributions and perspectives are valued. We are determined to do better.”

“Racism has no place in our School or society, and will not be tolerated at LSHTM,” it added.

Based on the recommendations of the review, the institution will be revising its EDI action plan by the end of January 2022 and putting in place structures to oversee the implementation.

10 UK 18 - 24 December 2021

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READERS' VOICE

Time to fight Omicron

Indians making it big abroad

Difficult as it would seem, the international community has been gearing up for the battle against the newly found Omicron coronavirus variant. First up, this new variant has been detected in South Africa. Now that people have been willing to get vaccinated against COVID in large numbers across the world, the current fight against Omicron is only going to give the expected results.

First off, there should be no place for unnecessary fears and panic about this new variant among people. More to the point, people should continue wearing masks whenever they venture out. For this, the media houses from across the world should pitch for awareness campaigns spreading relevant news content.

On my part, I have been wearing masks right up to date while going out in my native areas like Korkai, Tuticorin, Tiruchendur, Nagercoil, Tirunelveli and Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu. I have been encouraging others and my family members to do so.

As of now, big news TV channels like BBC and CNN have been churning out many interesting stories about Omicron.

In this context, let us all pledge to break this new variant by doing everything possible like wearing masks. After all, countries have to grow their agriculture and business to name a few. For this purpose, people should be active and free of restrictions and lockdowns.

P. Senthil Saravana Durai Mumbai

On Dec 1 cold and windy morning here in Markham, Canada I was reading online Dec 4 edition of Asian Voice and it brighten my morning by reading front-page news of an Indian origin 37 years old Parag Agrawal named Twitter CEO - IIT Bombay and Stanford University-educated by Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey followed on page 26 joined the long list of Indian origin CEOs. It speaks volumes of Indian education which is the backbone of climbing the ladder of their success by removing one by one all hurdles coming in their ways and their strong ethics of getting a good education and wholeheartedly support from their parents.

I may add here that Canada‘s second-largest bank TD Bank Group’s CEO Bharat Masrani appointed on November 1, 2014. Prior to his current role, he served as President and CEO of TD Bank, America’s Most Convenient Bank. Masrani is of Indian descent and was raised Hindu and Gujarati and was born in Uganda, a country from which his family fled in 1972. He was relocated to Mumbai, India and he set up TD’s first office in that country. In 1999 he moved to London, England to lead TD’s discount brokerage TD Waterhouse in the UK as a Senior Vice President and the list goes on of his success.

I was fortunate to work with TD Waterhouse last 10 years before my retirement in its WDC dept. in Scarborough- Toronto. Bharat Masrani graduated with Honours from York University in 1978 and earned Master of Business Administrative from very prestigious Schulich School of Business, York University in 1979 and what a coincidence in the same year I was doing my Associate of The Institute of Canadian Bankers course at York University while working for The Bank Of Nova Scotia and never thought that one day he will be CEO of TD banking group where I worked before my retirement.

We all immigrants of Indian origins settled in different parts of the world recent or hundreds of years ago gone through untold miseries, hurdles at every step, seen many ups and downs, struggles to make a better life not only for themselves but also for their future generations and very happy to see them very successful in their lives. God bless all.

Truth commission The British Raj and India by Kapil Dudakia Truth commission The British Raj and India by Kapil Dudakia is not relevant in today’s context because the youth of India is not too much concerned about what wrong the Britisher did to the country. As mentioned in the article, the best thing is to remember that Karma does not forgive or forget. It is well known that they squeezed the wealth to the extent possible from all the colonies they ruled, not only India.

Indians are more interested in the massive progress the country has made in the last 10 years and since Independence. They are interested in knowing how Indians are dominating the world silently whether it is IT, solar power, medicine or vaccination. Most of the major companies have Indians in the top positions including some CEOs. The list is given in the AV dated 4-10 December.

The Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi has the courage to say that the resources and the path which let the Western countries reach the status of “developed”, they want to restrict the resource and the path for the developing nations.

I think the progressive and forward-looking approach should be the mantra and this will lead the county towards progress and prosperity. The youth of India is more interesting in learning new skills which can make them competitive.

By appointing commissions after commissions and wasting taxpayers money, even if the Britishers say sorry, what we did was wrong, as a country, there is no material gain for India.

Hitesh Hingu London

Need to make people aware of Covid-19 rules During these times of Coronavirus and the Omicron scare, we need to be more vigilant and follow all rules related to Corona strictly. People are known to wear masks on their necks. Such careless behaviour will only lead to an increase in the number of Corona cases. People should continue to follow measures to reduce their risk of getting infected with Coronavirus by wearing well-fitting masks, following hand hygiene and physical distancing, improving the ventilation of indoor spaces, avoiding crowded spaces, and getting double vaccinated. It is always better to be safe about things than to be sorry later because Coronavirus is a highly contagious disease.

Jubel D'Cruz, Mumbai, India

*POLICE BULLETIN* *Warning!!!* People are going door to door handing out masks, they say it’s a new initiative from local government.

They will always ask you to please put it on to see if it fits you. It has been doused with chemicals that knock you out cold and once you're knocked out they proceed to rob you. *Please do not accept masks from strangers.* Remember, we are living in critical times and people are desperate to take advantage with the aim of making money. The crime rate has skyrocketed, so please be cautious and play safe!

Suresh and Bhavna Patel Markham, Canada

Truth Commission The British Raj and India I am very sympathetic to the views of Kapil Dudakia, written in Asian Voice dated 4 – 10th Dec 2021, on the treatment of India by the British when they ruled India for the last 200 years. History is already written in the books of British colonies. Why now he wants to bring the past instead of focusing on the present. We are to be blamed to be colonised by the colonisers, even though we were capable of maintaining and running India if we had strong military power. Moguls rule us for 600 years.

My parents were born in Gujarat in India under British Raj. But my parents migrated to East Africa (which was also British colonies) to better their life.

Under British Raj, Indians were given opportunities to progress in education and in the fields of commerce.

(Though there was evil of segregation). I can still recall my stay in East Africa that we Indians didn’t treat the indigenous/tribal people of that land. That led to the Indian exodus. Many Indian came to the UK as we were holding a British passport. Some went to India but the Indian government were not sympathetic to their decedents. So eventually, most of the British passport holders came back to the UK. The TRUTH In the UK, Period of the ’70s and 80’s Indians faced racist segregation. Under these conditions, Indians progressed. Eventually, the British government brought Race Relation Act to protect the minorities living in the UK. British abolished slavery. They brought industrialization that transformed the world.

Today Britain is a liberal secular tolerant country where freedom of speech; freedom of religion is allowed to practice by minorities communities. Two Indians hold the highest position next to Prime Minister. (Chancellor Rishi Sunak and Home Minister Priti Patel) whereas in India Sonia Gandhi was not allowed to become Prime Minister because she is Italian.

All Indians should be loyal and be proud to belong to the holder of a British passport who has protected us through human rights. In my opinion, I am proud to write, the UK is the best country to live in.

South Africa was a British Colony. Nelson Mandala was imprisoned for 26 years, but on his release, he didn't go into the brutal past of the British but moved forward.

With this attitude, he won the hearts of the world.

Manoj Patel Hemel Hempstead

Pain and resilience

Rohit Vadhwana You might have come across the story of Kisa Gautami whose only son fell ill and died suddenly. She requested Lord Buddha, weeping and moaning, to give her son’s life back. Lord Buddha asked her to bring a fist full of grains from a family who has not lost anyone to death. With a lot of hope in her heart, she went from house to house, requesting them to give a fist of grains - if they had no death in the family. Everyone wanted to help her to get her son back, but they had lost someone at some point in time.

Kisa realised in the process that no one is immortal, everyone has to die in due course.

This story is true for pain and suffering as well. There cannot be anyone who has not suffered any pain in life. It is impossible to find a person who has not gone through any moment of grief. But how does one react to a situation which is difficult to handle? Does he accept it boldly or succumbs to depression and disappointment? There are some people who keep a smile on their face even during the worst of circumstances, while others keep talking of their difficulties. Some people consider their problems to be the worst in the world and they deserve the best of the attention. They put themselves in the most pitiable situation.

These kinds of people do not look for a solution, but solace. They are happier not by resolving the problem but by informing others of their problem. They are least bothered about answers, but what concerns them is recognition of their situation by others. In this way, they are actually adding more struggle to their life, multiplying the problem and making life even more strenuous.

On the other hand, there are people who do not like sympathy for their misfortune. They like to deal with them boldly for whatever the best outcome might be. This attitude looks for possible resolution and a way out of the existing situation. It is not easy to accept the problem and believe in one’s capability to fight against it. Whoever can do so is a bold person.

While we all go through difficult circumstances and face hard situations in life, how we deal with them is an individual choice. No one can have a life insulated from worldly sufferings, but everyone can prepare themselves to face the situations in mature ways. Marcus Aurelius wrote that a wise man accepts his pain, endures it but does not add to it. It is the greatest learning of life if we stop adding to the pain we are already going through. Accepting the situation and enduring it in a dignified way is the best thing a wise man can do.

(Expressed opinions are personal)

Searches for 'Cancel holiday' skyrocket 233% after Plan B is announced Analysis of Google search data reveals that online searches for 'cancel holiday' in the United Kingdom exploded 233% on the 14th of December after new Covid-19 measures were introduced as a result of rising Omicron cases.

A new finding by hotel experts LuxuryHotel reveals that searches for 'cancel holiday' skyrocketed to 3 times the average volume in one hour, an unprecedented spike in interest after the government introduced new Covid19 restrictions to fight the spread of the Omicron variant.

A spokesperson for LuxuryHotel commented on the findings: "The spike in interest for holiday cancellations shows that people's worries about the pandemic are far from gone. With new restrictions being imposed again it leaves a lot of uncertainty for next year, and it seems that many holiday goers don't want to take any risks. The travel industry is also feeling the effects of the restrictions with mandatory PCR tests for those wanting to travel abroad. If the Omicron variant spreads further we can only expect these numbers to rise even more."

We are grateful to all letter writers for more and more versatile letters well within word limit. Please keep contributing as always. If you are new, then write to Rupanjana at rupanjana.dutta@abplgroup.com

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18 - 24 December 2021

Yeh Mera India: Beautiful Meghalaya!

through adventure companies. Here too, the crystal clear water of the river makes the boats look like they are sailing on air! The serenity and calmness, with only the sound of the waterfalls and wind gushing through the mountains, provide an almost spiritual,

Umiam Lake, a reservoir in the hills 15 km north of Shillong is a tourist attraction

Enjoying the garden with its Cherry Blossom tree attached to the suite at Tripura Castle

during his stays at the castle. The suite had a framed picture of the then Maharaja with Tagore and a handwritten telegram in Tagore's hand. Tagore’s works “Rajarshi” and “Mukut'' are based on the Manikya dynasty. Though unlike the castles in Europe, Tripura castle has an old world charm, combined with efficient and friendly service and modern amenities.

While we could not visit all the attrac-

around Ward's Lake. According to his plan, by 2022, up to 20,000 of these trees will be planted. Large parts of Shillong are already pink with the cherry blossoms that are visible even in the countryside outside Shillong.

The planners hope that with the planting of additional trees, Shillong would become “the new Pink City”. Other Northeastern states are also working on developing such eco-tourism in their areas.

Just outside Shillong, on the road to Guwahati, is Umiam Lake (locally known as Dam sait). It is a reservoir in the hills 15 km north of Shillong. It was created by damming the Umiam River in the early 1960s. The principal catchment area of the lake and the dam is spread over 225 square km. The lake is a major tourist attraction and is a popular destination for water sports like kayaking, water cycling, scooting, and boating.

We stayed in the Heritage Club of the

Dawki Bridge is a suspension bridge over the Umngot River constructed in 1932

Ruchi Ghanashyam Mrs. Ruchi Ghanashyam is the former High Commissioner of India to the UK. With a career in Indian Foreign Service for over 38 years, she has been posted in many countries including South Africa, Ghana, before arriving in the UK. She was only the second woman High Commissioner to the UK since India’s independence and during her tenure, she witnessed a number of significant developments in the UK-India relations. @RuchiGhanashyam The 2021 Global Dialogue Security Summit organised on November 24-25 by the independent thinking Global Dialogue Forum of the Global Dialogue Review, focused on ‘Managing Cyberspace in the Indo Pacific’ and was held at the impressive Convention Centre of Shillong, the state capital of Meghalaya. The Konrad Adenauer Stiftung foundation supported the event. My husband and I travelled to Shillong to participate in this conference.

meditative experience. The Dawki suspension bridge, constructed in 1932 is nearby for a fun-filled diversion.

On the way to Dawki, one can visit the environmentally-conscious Mawlynnong village reputed to be the cleanest village in Asia. Just about 3 km from the village is the famous root bridge made by local tribals using the roots of trees. The single-level living roots bridge is an incredible sight and a piece of human engineering of nature. It requires a decent level of fitness to visit as it involves about 10 minutes of a steep and rough climb down to the bridge and backs up again on return. The dreamy town of Cherrapunjee, renowned until recently as the place that received the highest rainfall in the world, with a number of waterfalls and caves around it are attractions that we hope to visit another time.

Reaching Shillong is best done through Guwahati. Though there is a weekly flight between Delhi and Shillong, Guwahati offers many more flight options. Shillong is less than 3 hours by road from the airport, with very nice and clean rest stops on the way. We had a delicious south Indian break-

tions of Meghalaya, we did make a daylong trip to Dawki on the Bangladesh border to the spot where the Umngot river opens out into a lake with still and clear water. The boats moving in the lake look as if they are moving on a giant piece of glass. One can see the bottom of the lake in many places. It is amazing to see the reflection of the boat above the pebbles at the bottom of the lake as clearly as the oars rowing the boats, with interesting rock formations on the hill side

Sunset over Brahmaputra river

This was my first visit to Shillong and I was excited long before the details had been worked out, for Shillong is home to the Cherry Blossom Festival in OctoberNovember.

Last year the Festival could not be held due to COVID-19. Thankfully, this year, the festival was inaugurated at Wards Lake, Shillong on November 25 by the Meghalaya Chief Minister, Conrad K. Sangma, along with the Ambassador of Japan to India. The main objective of the Cherry blossom festival is to promote music, art, and culture.

Talented artists from across the state get to come together, while budding local musicians and artists can showcase their talents at the festival. During the festival, several contests are held including singing and dancing, fashion shows, local wine-making, among others. This year’s three-day festival was made special by the first edition of the Shillong Literary Festival.

The beautiful Ward’s Lake park, with its cherry blossom trees, looked festive at night with colourful paper lanterns strung across the park. The food stalls did good business as people came to enjoy the singing and dancing. The traffic jams in the area were a nightmare to navigate even late at night in traditionally sleepy Shillong!

I was curious to find out how the cherry blossoms came to Shillong. Until recently, one only knew of the cherry blossoms in Japan and Washington. Seema Rajpal reveals in her article in Edex Live that Shillong has to thank Odisha-born Professor Dinabandhu Sahoo, who as the Director of the Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development, brought cherry blossoms to Shillong. Having spotted a cherry blossom tree during a visit to Shillong, he took up the project that eventually had some 5000 cherry blossom trees planted

Crystal clear water of Umngot river in Dawki and Shnongpdeng in the Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya on India-Bangladesh border

Kamakhya Devi Temple

Mr AR Ghanashyam & Mrs Ruchi Ghanashyam at Kamakhya Devi Temple

Tripura Castle hotel. Built in the early 1920’s by the then Maharaja of Tripura, the castle became the summer retreat for the Royal Family of the Manikya dynasty. The Heritage Club – Tripura Castle is the only heritage hotel in the region. It’s Maharaja Suites have ornate mahogany beds used by India’s first Nobel Laureate, Rabindranath Tagore during his long and close association

Single-level living roots bridge near Mawlynnong, the famed cleanest village

with four generations of the Royal family.

Apart from the ornate mahogany bed used

by Gurudev Tagore, we also had the privilege of using his desk that he worked on

Cherry Blossoms blooming in Ward’s Lake Park, Shillong, Meghalaya

beside the lake. The entire place is spotlessly clean despite the many tourists flocking the place. In fact, all the places that we visited were surprisingly clean and litter free. We were told by the driver of our hired car that the locals are fussy on that score. Anyone seen littering is immediately cautioned.

Dawki is 90 kms from Shillong and should normally take about 3 hours to reach. The exact time taken depends on the traffic. It took us a bit longer as currently the road is being expanded. In the not too distant future, Shillong to Dawki would be a four-lane highway!

7 kms from Dawki is the small picturesque village of Shnongpdeng, a lesser known and as yet unexplored nature's marvel, which offers camps, tents, homestays, and bamboo cottages to stay. Various adventure sports like snorkelling, scuba diving, cliff jumping, kayaking and swimming, attractive to tourists are available, including

fast on the way back at a popular vegetarian restaurant. On our return journey, we stopped for the night at Guwahati and were able to obtain blessings at the renowned and ancient temple of Kamakhya Devi.

Hearing the call of the Brahmaputra river, we took the opportunity for a boat ride to see the famed sunset over the river. A visit to the Kaziranga wildlife sanctuary, home to 2000 of the remaining 3000 great Indian one-horned rhinoceros remains pending on our list.

With all our years of travelling to different parts of the world as Indian diplomats, this little corner of India managed to fill us with joy and amazement.

The centuries old rocks, calm and serene, around the pristine waters of the Umngot river Photos by: Mr AR Ghanashyam & Sourav Mitra

12

CHRISTMAS

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Winners of the season: Vibrancy, beautiful champagne coloured jewels and yellow gold Shefali Saxena Parneet Kaur launched The Jewel Jar in the year 2020. The business is online-only, however over the last few months and with the lead up to Christmas, Parneet shifted her focus to customer-facing events, including hosting events in conjunction with brands such as Whitewall Galleries.

As enquiries for gifts began to increase, Parneet arranged a Virtual Shopping Day, which saw a takeover of her Instagram.

Talented women joined the channel across the day to talk about confidence, self-

empowerment and what jewellery does for them. This was broken up with video content showing off The Jewel Jar range and ended with an interview with Parneet herself.

Parneet Kaur told the newsweekly, "This year my campaigns have been focused around the feeling of joy, and I’ve shared stories and insight into how jewellery can really take people back to a special or happy moment. You can put on a necklace and remember how you felt when a loved one first handed it to you, or how you felt when you raised that glass of champagne.”

Parneet has seen a huge change in the way that people are shopping this year, with customers choosing sparklier and more colourful jewellery. They’re opting to go big with their accessories and truly make the most of an occasion to dress up - but they’re also looking for ways to bring glamour into their everyday wear.

Vibrancy, beautiful champagne coloured jewels and yellow gold as opposed to rose gold, have been the winners of the season.

“I’ve really loved seeing this transition, and I hope that in years to come we still see customers embracing the opportunity to dazzle,” she said.

When it comes to Christmas gifts, her customers are being really tactical and choosing pieces that can be worn again and again. The Double Hoop Earrings by Esme Crystals, the Floral Chain Earrings by Shaya and our range of Starsign Link Chain Necklaces by Zariin are Parneet’s top Christmas sellers. She further said, “When you see them, you’ll see that they can be dressed both up and down, can be worn with a multitude of colours and are a beautiful example of East meets West. And everything is sent out in the most beautiful, luxury packaging that I developed this year - so it’s a very special gift.

Parneet Kaur

“I also noticed this Christmas that my customers have taken a bigger interest in the story of The Jewel Jar. People get in touch to ask more about the production and the background of the items which are all handmade in India, but also to know more about my own background. It feels like they want to more proactively support Indie brands and are conscious of where their money is going, which is really wonderful! And means that they find unique Christmas gifts too.”

Commenting on the commotion surrounding the panic of another lockdown, Parneet said, “The approaching feeling of another lockdown or heavy restrictions being back in place is incredibly nerveracking! I launched just before lockdown in 2020 so have always been heavily online only. And so in 2021, I’ve taken the chance

The gift of reading on Christmas A British Asian owned book retailer a particularly challenging time based in Leicester called for many, especially post-Covid Book2Door have made their prioriand we want to help in any way ty to make reading accessible and we can. The great thing about affordable for all and have done books is that it’s something some great work through donations children can enjoy over and to local schools, community cenover again, or even pass onto tres, international aid and are siblings. donating over eight-hundred books Abdul Thadha “I like to think we are in a to charity this Christmas. They have fortunate position to put a a huge Christmas collection and are very smile on a child’s face - as a bookseller, we are ready to join the festivities. opening our hearts and giving children the Speaking to Asian Voice about his work gift of reading.” on Christmas, Abdul Thadha, founder of Books2Door explained, “Our ethos is to support children by making books accessible and we want every child to have something to open this Christmas.

“It’s important to explain that our donations don’t only occur at Christmas time.

Throughout the year, we proactively engage in opportunities to SHORTLISTED TITLES: share our books, Baby books when and where Book title we can. This Let's Play George! (Rainbow Hand ranges from Puppet Book) Time for Bed, Zippy! charities to dedi(Rainbow Hand Puppet Book) I Love cated book You, Bungle! (Rainbow Hand Puppet events and Book) beyond. Earlier Ages 5-7 this year, we Book title donated 1000 The Diaries of Robin's Toys: 10 Book books to Gaza’s Box Set only children’s bookstore which was Ages 7-9 destroyed in airstrikes, to help them rebuild Book title this important place within the community.

Mr Pattacake - The 10 Book Collection “We also recognise and celebrate events Ages 7-9 that are dedicated to a love for books such as Book title the popular World Book Day and World The Dinosaur Detectives - 6 Book Book Night. For both of these in 2021, we Collection Danny Dingles Fantastic offered members of the public the opportunity to get hold of 17,000 entirely free books Finds - 5 Book Collection via our website. We’ll be back in 2022 with Ages 9-14 even more to offer!

Book title “However we recognise that Christmas is Apley Towers: Books 4-6 Slipcase

Young Solihull artists add a splash of colour to Mayoral Christmas festivities to be physically in front of the customer. I hosted two events in partnership with Whitewall Galleries; one in Manchester and the other in York, I regularly exhibit my items at Covent Gardens and Spitalfields Market and I attend large shopping events such as the Artisan Fair at Beaulieu. It’s been incredibly powerful to promote the brand in this way, and thought of going back online would be a real challenge. But ultimately, it’s about being safe and if that’s what we need to do, I’ll simply have to make it work!

“In the past, I’ve offered personal Zoom calls where customers can have one-onone time with me to run through our designs and shop on a more intimate level.

This is certainly an area I’m keen to pursue further if we do face restrictions. And I think the way that social media works now means that customers already have such close access to me and the brand, so hopefully with this will keep us connected no matter what the next step in the journey looks like.”

For celebrations, this Christmas season, the Mayor of Solihull, Cllr Ken Meeson, chose to inject some community spirit into the annual Mayoral Christmas cards.

The Mayor partnered with Art at the Heart CIC – a community arts group in Solihull dedicated to providing ‘high-quality arts and cultural learning’ to young people from all walks of life – to host a Mayoral Christmas card design competition for children aged 7-13 in the borough.

This is the first time a Mayor of Solihull has chosen to personalise their official Mayoral Christmas cards in such a way.

On Monday 6 December, the Mayor and Mayoress of Solihull hosted the winners and runners up at the Council’s Civic Suite for refreshments and a prizegiving.

Bethany Hawkins, 13, won the age 10-13 category with a wonderful Christmas tree design, and the Mayor presented her with book tokens and a printed and signed copy of her card design.

Coralie Shepherd, 7, was the lucky winner of the age 7-9 category, with her design featuring a rather festive and colourful

Left to right: Aarif Li, the Mayor, Bethany Hawkins, the Mayoress and Ria Sharma

Christmas gift, but unfortunately was unable to attend the event and collect her prize on the day.

Two very talented runners-up, Aarif Li, 10, and Ria Sharma, 9, were also selected to receive book tokens as a prize for their submissions.

The Mayor and Mayoress were delighted with the chosen works of art, and both designs will be proudly distributed in Solihull as the official Mayoral Christmas greetings card in 2021.

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Spice up your Festive dinner this Winter with East End Foods Create the ultimate feast this festive season with South Asian inspired recipes from home chef & food stylist Sonali Cooks With the festive period in full swing, it’s time to come together with family and friends and enjoy delicious food around the table. It’s not been a traditional year, so why not try experimenting with new flavours and injecting some spice into your favourite dishes.

This winter, East End Foods has partnered with home chef and food stylist Sonali Cooks to curate the perfect vegetarian dinner-party spread, that’s guaranteed to impress. Grabbing your East End Foods pantry staples including turmeric, cumin and chilli powder, whip up a festive three STARTER Carrot, Coriander & Cumin soup with Chilli Cheese Twists

course spread including an aromatic appetizer, a show-stopping main and a wintery dessert.

MAIN Whole Roasted Tandoori Broccoli, Makani Sauce with Crispy Onions and Barberries Recipe below.

DESSERT Orange, Almond & Cardamom Bundt Cake East End Foods’ go to spices, lentils and rice range can be found both in independent stores, Asian specialist shops and within the world food sections at Tesco, Asda and Ocado, so you can feel confident that you’re adding the most authentic products to your kitchen shelves this season.

Whole Roasted Tandoori Broccoli, Makhani Sauce with Crispy Onions and Barberries INGREDIENTS & METHOD Servings: 4 people Ingredients: 1 medium whole broccoli head, stem trimmed flat MAKHANI SAUCE v 500g ripe tomatoes, chopped v 1 white onion, chopped v 3 garlic cloves, peeled, chopped v 1 inch ginger, chopped v 10-14 East End Foods cashews soaked in hot water for 30 mins v 1 tbsp oil v 1 tbsp East End Foods ghee v 1 tsp East End Foods cumin seeds v 1 inch ginger v 6 tbsp double cream v 1/2 tsp East End Foods garam masala v 1 tsp East End Foods dried fenugreek leaves v 1 tbsp tomato ketchup v 3/4 tsp sugar v Salt & East End Foods chilli to taste TANDOORI PASTE v 120g yoghurt v 2 tbsp olive oil v 1 tsp coriander-cumin powder v 1 tsp East End Foods cumin v 1/2 tsp each of East End Foods fennel seeds, East End Foods turmeric powder, East End Foods garam masala, East End Foods chili powder v Salt to taste

v 2 garlic cloves, minced v 1-inch piece of ginger, minced v Juice of 1/2 lemon v 1/4 cup water GARNISH v Coriander leaves, roughly chopped v Red chillies, thinly sliced v 1 tsp each toasted almond flakes, crispy shallots, crispy garlic, barberries METHOD: v In a bowl whisk the tandoori paste ingredients together v Coat the broccoli completely with the paste. Leave to marinate for 30 mins then spray with cooking oil and bake at 200C in a pre-heated oven for 40-50 minutes until tender v In a food processor, blitz the tomatoes, cloves, cashews, oil and water until smooth. Strain tomato pulp and keep aside v Make the Makhani sauce by melting butter in a pan, add cumin seeds then the minced onions-garlic-ginger and saute until translucent v Add the tomato pulp, chilli, garam masala, fenugreek, ketchup, cream, sugar and salt and cook for a few minutes. Remove from heat v Place broccoli on a layer of the sauce and garnish

Overcome ‘End-of-Year Fatigue’ and reenergise for the New Year Do you feel tired, overwhelmed and less productive this time of year? You’re not alone.

According to experts, you’re just one of the thousands struggling with ‘end-of-year fatigue’ – a real phenomenon causing people to feel tired, irritable, and overwhelmed as the year draws to a close.

Common contributors include looming deadlines as we rush to finish (or even start) all the things we haven’t quite gotten around to.

If left unchecked, ‘end-of-year fatigue’ can lead to all sorts of health problems including anxiety and burnout.

If you’re struggling to keep up with the EOY pace, here are some top tips and tools to help refocus and re-energise. These strategies can help you rest, recharge, and tackle the new year with a fresh mindset.

Don’t Let Stress Drain You Stress is one of the key contributors to end-of-year fatigue and low energy.

Whether it's work, family or other life commitments, it’s important to recognise what is causing you to feel stressed, as well as solutions and strategies to help manage it.

Whilst there's no quick fix for stress, there are some simple things you can do to help to reduce it. Many people find adding meditation, yoga, breathing exercises or mindfulness techniques into their day helps them to feel more relaxed and in turn, energised.

Plan Ahead (And Be Realistic) Overcommitting is not just mentally draining but counterproductive as well. Not to mention, the continuous cognitive load might cause a full-blown burnout. Make a list of important tasks you need to accomplish the next day, before going to bed. Keep the to-do list simple and realistic. This will keep you from overcommitting, ensuring you've enough time to check off all the items on that list.

Prioritise Sleep Sleep deprivation can make your mind foggy from weariness, adversely affecting your mood, focus, alertness, and productivity. Getting enough sleep is critical for brain rejuvenation. Aim for 7-9 hours of uninterrupted sleep. Make sure your bedroom helps you feel relaxed and sleepy: clear the clutter, have comfortable and warm bedding and turn off your phone and TV. Enhance Your Energy and Focus Whilst the above tips can help fight endof-year fatigue, there are also times when you need an extra boost. Pro Plus® Ultra is the UK’s first cognitive energy enhancer to contain a unique blend of vitamins and botanicals, including slow-release caffeine, that are clinically proven to increase focus and stave off both mental and physical fatigue, aiding productivity. Thanks to the powerful adaptogen Ashwagandha, Pro Plus® Ultra helps to reduce stress levels and aid mental clarity, helping you power through your to-do list.

14 CHRISTMAS

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What role do Indian spices play in global festival food?

Despite being a western festival, it would be safe to say Christmas is one of the most loved festivals globally given the spirit and positivity it signifies for families and friends. Nilima Daruwala, Director, Charcoal Concepts answers exclusive questions for our readers.

Q

- Given the scare of the new Covid variants, how are your plans for Christmas looking like? What changes are you looking to make?

With the festive spirit on in full swing and people wanting to step out to spend quality time with their loved ones, we're taking all govt mandated safety precautions to make sure customers can enjoy this celebratory time at our restaurant. Customers have been looking to spend their Christmas dining with brands they trust and that have a strong legacy; given our 49 years in the Indian food business, we have seen a very strong response with bookings and customers looking to dine out with us during Christmas season this year.

- What's your sentiment in the ongoing scare for the hospitality industry that has been hit hardest during the pandemic?

What kind of help does it need from the government?

It's been a turbulent couple of years for the industry through the pandemic, but we see a ray of light with business slowly having picked up over the last few months. While the safety of patrons comes first, we are hoping that there are no severe restrictions laid

down which directly impact the hospitality industry, in the near future. Cost structures have changed due to rising inflation, and we do believe that the government holding back any further VAT increases would greatly assist the industry as a whole to tide through the coming year.

- What is it like designing a Christmas menu for Asians? While it's primarily a western festival, how do you think Asians have adapted to the food choices?

Despite being a western festival, it would be safe to say Christmas is one of the most loved festivals globally given the spirit and positivity it signifies for families and friends.

At Copper Chimney, our thought was to make sure we celebrate the spirit of Christmas. Our clientele is not just local Londoners but a mix of nationalities from across the world. We have designed some exciting Group Festive menus with a curated selection of our signature dishes. We don’t think there is any better way to warm up a cold winter night than with some delicious Indian flavours!

- What role do Indian spices play in global festival food?

India being a land of spices has a rich

culinary history which is evident through the depth of Indian cuisine. The range of diverse spices when used appropriately can lend a wonderful flavour dimension to any global dish, elevating it to a whole new level. Popular Indian spices like saffron, cinnamon, turmeric and even Indian red chillies are now being increasingly used across the globe to add more depth and richness to dishes. You can experience many of these ingredients at Copper Chimney, as we do specially source these from select farms and suppliers, to ensure you get the same authentic taste and flavours that you would find in India today.

- What do most Asians in the UK prefer to eat out of your lineup of dishes?

How challenging is it to arrange spices and authentically cook dishes while there's staff and resource shortage?

The highest selling dishes are surely our Kebab Grills, Hand Made Tandoor Breads, and Biryani closely followed by the everloved freshly cooked Curries and Black Dal Maharaja. If you haven’t already, we highly recommend you come down to try our lamb chops. At Copper Chimney, our secret spice

Keep nurturing and developing Indian cuisine

positive campaign to lift the image of our industry and accept as a real player in the growth and welfare of the UK’s economy.”

Christmas menu for Asians But what is it like designing a Christmas menu for Asians, especially when it's primarily a western festival, how do you think Asians have adapted to the food choices?

Cyrus said, “Many Asians living and working amongst those that celebrate Christmas do get into the swing of the festivities too. actually by and large lots of Asians actually do celebrate Christmas ad enjoy the season.

Creating and designing menus is the key and this involves keeping a good balance Christmas has always been the season every hospitality business looks forward to and that simply means that you work to please different palates. However, in the past twenty-six years of Café Spice Namasté, we have catered for hundreds of parties with a varied offering from the expected to the unexpected.”

Role of Indian species in festive food Describing the role that Indian spices play in global festival food, the restauranteur said, “Indian spices are now global and no longer confined to just Indian cuisine.

The Portuguese, followed by the British, the dutch and the french took spices from one part of the world to another and spread their growth, which resulted in several countries across the world adapting to the world of flavours thrown up by spices. so to say today that cardamom for example is Indian and mostly Indians use it, could not be further away from the truth. cardamom is now grown in several countries of which Guatemala is one of the biggest producers. likewise, others and their use are now widespread. Also, the growth in the knowledge and understanding of the many health benefits of spices is now also slowly spreading. yes, it will take time to spread them across the European continent but that demand is growing already slowly but surely. so at celebrations these days and Britain is the best example where people are known to cook traditional food with a twist of spicing. so for example a Goan style peri-peri roasted turkey is very well received, tandoor grilled sausages served on mashed Keralan potato bhajee, smoked salmon done on crushed spices and not on oak chips, the

dreaded brussels sprouts cooked south Indian style with freshly grated coconut, mustard seeds and curry leaves is a favourite with our customers. they simply cannot believe that brussels sprouts can taste so good and cooked for just two minutes at that.”

The challenges of arranging spices When asked what most Asians in the UK prefer to eat out of his lineup of dishes, and how challenging it is to arrange spices and authentically cook dishes while there's staff and resource shortage, Todiwala said, “We have a lot of Asian customers and very mixed too. The most popular dishes on our menu have for years stood the test of time from the typical Parsee lamb dhansak to our

Q

Shefali Saxena Given the scare of the new Covid variants, Christmas is going to be a cautious time for people in the hospitality business. The founder of Taj's Bombay Brasserie and Café Spice Namaste, Cyrus Todiwala OBE exclusively spoke to Asian Voice about the harvest season for the hospitality industry and the challenges that come with it this Christmas.

Speaking to us, Cyrus said, “We have just opened will naturally go into more protective mode and implement govt. guidelines. however, we do have a few very good bookings and as such thus far nothing has changed. if need be and the message from the centre demands more scattered seating then we shall have to adhere to that do what we do best for our guests.”

“The hospitality industry has been one of the hardest and most severely hit. somehow it seems to attract the very first blows thrown at anyone it also seems that it has to shoulder some unnecessary blame. the time and again proving that food outlets seem to make little difference in the sentiments that follow and the rulings that come out. I wish our industry was better analysed. we desperately government to understand it better and put a lot more muscle behind it. it is after all a nearly £150 billion industry and I suppose valuable to the economy. yes, sadly it must be forced to play the victim and the cause. what the government along with the industry need to do is to launch a massive

Q

Q

Q

“I had said years ago that regional cuisines will emerge eventually in Britain and that is happening now widening the offering - Cyrus Todiwala OBE” Goan prawn curry & the pork vindaloo, the chaats are of course popular but we have now slightly changed the menu to suit more of what we Asians like namely sharing and this is working extremely well one has to adjust with the times. one of Asian cuisines greatest hurdles is cost and pricing. the British public at large always associates Asian cuisines as having to be cheap and very affordable. this puts pressure on places like ours that source a lot of organic produce, lots of expensive products which have now only become worse but the show must go on and you start to tweak the menu but not compromise on quality. staff shortages are rampant and it is like another epidemic, so one must adapt and adjust menus suited to the skills they have in-house, fortunately, I am still very hands-on as the owner of the business and give the team full support.”

This year’s Christmas menu “Not sure about dates and information but for the menu this year we have some new items, like goose Goli kebabs in garlic and chilli, lamb biryani croquettes, Goan style turkey chilli fry, feijoada com Arroz (Goan style (hot chorizo and kidney beans cooked in typical Goan style blended with

blends and recipes have been passed on over 3 generations of the founding family, and ensure we have retained the same consistency of flavour over the past 49 years. For us, our people come first, and we have a great team of people who have supported the business over the years and helped grow the brand from strength to strength despite the various challenges that the restaurant industry may face. rice and steamed), masala fried langoustines, spice smoked chalk stream trout & crab mayonnaise. country captain of lamb are some of the examples,” Cyrus told the newsweekly.

What does it take to establish and keep nurturing Indian cuisines at restaurants in the UK? What kind of acceptance does one get from non-Asian customers? Todiwala says this has to be the drive. “One must keep nurturing and developing Indian cuisine. I had said years ago that regional cuisines will emerge eventually in Britain and that is happening now widening the offering. we have to evolve and keep evolving and keep developing. the vastness of Indian cuisine simply cannot be exhausted. one need not change the cuisine thinking that this is what my customers would like today the British public is extremely discerning and if they find a dish interesting they will lap it up. there is adequate acceptance from the wisened customers to allow one to take the initiative and explore the many nuances of the subcontinent and its many regions to bring forth foods that are yet untouched and unknown and I think Britain awaits,” he further added.

Todiwala’s favourite Indian spice Revealing the answer to what his favourite Indian spice is, Cyrus Todiwala said, “If you look at the word spice in its purity my favourite is green cardamom. jeera or cumin is the condiment I like most.

Cardamom because of its ability to lift a dish that is suited to it, is as acceptable in hot dishes as it is in puddings and desserts. cardamom has a sensuous quality that is both lush and inoffensive that allowing you to infuse it better in many uses. Like any spice, it cannot be used liberally but must be controlled and used in a way whereby its flavours are extracted and its oils make the difference in the flavours. for creating dishes of rice etc it is used in the beginning to infuse its flavour. whilst making a sauce it is mostly preferred to be added a bit later so as to allow it to infuse in a milder sauce. in sweets, it is very adaptable for use at the onset or at the last minute of flavouring. in biscuits and cakes, it goes into the making process itself and is allowed to slowly release its oils and flavour the product.”

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Meet your personal robotic fitness trainer, MAGIC

Pritha Mukherjee: Posto or Quirky Kolkata!

Sunetra Senior Calling die-hard foodies: Posto Bistro is in town! Founder, Pritha, brings the authentic hearty taste of Kolkata with a contemporary international twist.

Predominantly serving local Bengali cooking, the North-Indian restaurant is also inspired by “Persian, Mughal, Chinese and British cuisine.” Mirroring the cultural range, Posto offers an extensive selection of signature dishes which defines the tasty brand. “We wanted to introduce flavoursome niche delicacies in addition to traditional Indian favourites e.g., instead of simply curry, we have slowcooked lamb on the bone; mustard is very important in Bengal so we have steamed fish in mustard paste, wrapped in banana leaf.

Additionally, we have vegetarian and vegan options e.g., dishes centred on jack fruit and beetroot cutlets. There is a distinct story behind every dish so the region is wholly represented. The ingredients we use are fresh, bringing out the subtler flavours and further making our comfort food healthy.” Thus, Pritha popularises the original benefit of SouthAsian gastronomy.

“It is about understanding as well as savouring food. An expert dietician once told me one must concentrate while eating: it is important to imbibe.

You shouldn’t be rushing or multitasking” i.e., making sure to feel the experience to get the most out of it.

“The UK has not been introduced to

the enormous dimension that is Indian street-food so this is the core mission.”

Indeed, the consummate cook has managed to tantalise the taste-buds of those as far-flung as Dubai and Melbourne without spending a single penny on advertising: “The highlight of our franchise is that people across the world appreciate the quality. We’ve had a couple who work in Shanghai hear about us. They travelled to try our menu! This makes the effort worthwhile. Our business has grown organically via word of mouth. We don’t chase awards: the reward is having plenty of happy customers. We even get little messages from people in advance when they come to visit e.g., another great moment of satisfaction was when a client from South Africa expressed their thanks - they would have to had to import the ingredients themselves to make the creative dishes we serve.” Pritha herself loves to travel, along with her husband, and takes inspiration from different destinations.

Indeed, the hallmark of fine cooking is transporting people through a profound palate to a universal sense of home.

This is why Posto is a bustling bistro instead of excluding through expensive dining. “People back home, those that are globe-trotting and anybody who wants to can connect to North-Indian cuisine. It's about more

than the aesthetics: the food itself has to be good. There is often chit-chat and a vibrant ambience at the restaurant that reflects this this.” Starting out catering supper clubs as well as big community events, Posto later adapted to become an expansive delivery service at the time of Covid-19. This reach extended from London to the Northern most parts of Britain: “we’ve had new customers in Buckinghamshire, Glasgow, Edinburgh and many small villages and towns inbetween. They had never had the opportunity to sample true Indian

flavours and were happy with the meals. By then, we were used to having served as many as 6,000 people despite being a small team. I think that’s incredible. I’ve had people who’ve formally trained within the industry tell me they’re impressed and not been able to cook successfully for that many. My drive is being able to make accessible an innovative sensory heritage; to show that wholesome regional food can be exciting and introduce India warmly to all.” And so, Posto delectably boosts their base through pure enjoyment and treating the world. Passion, always, is the ultimate recipe.

How did you know there was value in starting a business?

Originally, we would have people around to our place and cook for big groups. We found that guests were often taking leftovers to their car and finishing the meal there! That was the beginning of knowing we needed a physical pit-stop.

How did you start your journey into cooking?

I come from a family of great cooks and foodies. My father was in the regional finals or Top 30 in Master Chef India a while back. My parents loved to explore different parts of the nation. I was actually inspired to create a prawn pudding by my dad and

“Gastronomy means understanding as well as savouring food. An expert dietician once told me one must concentrate while eating: it is important to imbibe. You shouldn’t be rushing or multi-tasking...” his knack of fusing traditional Bengali recipes with western cooking methods.

Currently, I’m proud of the Shami kebab on Posto’s menu. Delving into the history of food has continued to form a big part of conversation for me.

Merging cuisine is very interesting. I

Shefali Saxena

PRITHA MUKHERJEE don’t think there could be a better launching pad than the cosmopolitan hub that is London.

What other specialities constitute Posto’s cooking?

As I say, we have dishes centred on jack-fruit that we cook very drily. This is popular in North-East India. We have rolls, wrapped in Paratha or flat bread with stuffing such as bell peppers, potato and lamb any way you want. Our range of breads is interesting too. We have pea breads which are seasonal and nostalgic, evoking childhood in Kolkata.

This is served with potato curry and soft bread. We also have very good biriyanis. Ours are subtle Awadhi creations which you can have with chicken or lamb, served with a boiled egg and potato and cooked in a Dum. What would be your tips for other emerging entrepreneurs at this tumultuous time?

It has been a huge learning curve gathering experience outside of the industry where my background is in finance: it’s hard-work. You must give the enterprise concentration and time; you must have patience and plan with a sensible profitable strategy; you must know why you are doing it because this is what keeps you going. There are times when I must spend long hours in the kitchen. The work is demanding;

know that you must be flexible. What you begin with will only be the tip of a very large iceberg that you will perpetually be uncovering; know your strength. Allocate yourself the most apt role e.g. I focus on the cooking.

Similarly, choose a team who have respective skills in every necessary department, from finance to customerservice; you must be brave. You must be able to confront and problem-solve without getting unnerved. If you have a demonstrable yield and feel happy about the direction you’re going in, this should give you faith. Posto had to change to have presence online through the first lockdown and we’ve always been creative with conviction; finally, you need to know yourself.

Know the core of your brand and the financial health will follow.

W: https://www.postolondon.com/

a gym and have a personal trainer we launched mid last year,” he added.

“Selfridges has actually found us,” Varun said, and further added, “They saw one of our ads on Instagram and got in touch and the

Varun Bhanot started Magic when he realised he would become overweight in his mid-twenties like many British Asians. His company has just launched an outlet at Selfridges, Oxford Street.

Speaking to the newsweekly, he said, “I was heading down a path where I knew that I was going to have major health issues later on. There's a history of hereditary health issues in my family.

So I was told I needed to make a big health change soon.

Otherwise, later on in life, I was probably going to have some health dangers. So I enrolled in a personal training program in London and lost 25% of my body fat. I had a Varun Bhanot using equipment at MAGIC huge transformation and ended up doing a photechnology and gaming divitoshoot, but I realised there sion wanted us to launch was no tech innovation or and show the world and demo to their customers.”

Customers can go in, they can take a demo, talk to the staff and they can place a pre-order there as well.

“I think the pandemic for Asians, British Asians, um, and, and, and the population as a whole, there's heightened interest into wellness. People are much more concerned with solutions, whether they be digital or non-digital to help them, whether it be their nutrition, their sleep, their diet, and of course their Varun Bhanot outside Selfridges exercise,” Bhanot told the tech data orientation newsweekly. around how personal trainSince his venture works ing happens.” via AI and it's essentially a According to Varun, it’s robot personal trainer, all very old fashioned oneVarun said, “Covid rules to-one, with a notepad and help a business like ours. pen in the gym and dumb But I have to emphasise that iron weights. So he thought we're very much like lots of of recreating the one-to-one pandemics startups. This personal training experibusiness would have done ence but bringing it into the extremely well before. Covid home. has just accelerated the Varun said, “That way, awareness for people to, and people who are intimidated, I said before too, to take up will get a safe space to be health and fitness solutions able to learn and get on their own terms with coached.” hybrid working, people Explaining the concept working from home two or of his venture, Varun said three days a week are lookthat Magic essentially uses ing for more flexible soluartificial intelligence (AI) tions that can work on their and computer vision techown terms. nology to replicate the per“If it's two degrees outsonal training experience by side and it's raining, maybe using artificial intelligence, if there's a solution in the along with connected home that works for them weights. like magic, that's great. They “We do that by essenwant to put their kids to tially tracking people's form, sleep and get a cheeky workgiving them live feedback out in before they go to bed and corrections, counting for half an hour. That their reps, and basically creoption is now there. So I'm ating hyper-personalised not saying people will cancel programs just to that inditheir gym memberships vidual's body. And that ultiafter Covid and in future, mately, um, replaces the but what it does do is it gives need to go into a person into people more options.”

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OCIA ATI PRODUCED IN ASSOCIA TION

CELEBRA ATIN TING TH SEASON SAFEL SAFEL LY How ow to t prepare and sta ay y safe saf durin ng g this holi h da ay y peri period Rupanjana Dutta

With the ffestiv estive period fast approaching, families and friends i are waiting to enjo oyy this special time together. h But for for all ll of us to enjo oyy the holidaays ys saffel ely, y, it is imperative that we we take precautions especially wh hen we we plan social events, go to places of w worship orship or w work ork, and visit elderly relatives.

With the rapid spread of the new vvar ariant, Omicron, there is still a threat from Cov ovid-19. Observing saffe behaavviours such as washing washing hands, wear earing masks, social distancing and regular testing is the keey to ensure we keep keep ourselves, families and friends i saffee by preventing the spread of the virus.

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Wear a ffa ace coverin verin ng in crowd wded and enclosed areas From Fridaayy 10 December, December face coverings haave ve become compulsory compulsor in most public indoor venues, such as cinemas, theatres, and places of worship. There are exemptions in venues where it is not practical to wear one, such as when yyou are eating, drinking, or exercising. For that reason, face masks will not be required in hospitality settings.

• Wearing a face covering can help reduce the spread of the virus. It is now a legal requirement to wear face coverings on public transport, in shops and in other places like hairdressers. A full list is available on GOV.UK. • Don’t breathe the disease onto others. Wear a mask in enclosed spaces.

• Those with Covid-19 release contagious droplets when they exhale. You You can get C Covid-19 even if you havve been fully vaccinated.

1 in 3 people who haave ve Covid-19 C havve been asymptomatic.

• Wear a face covering over your mouth and nose in enclosed spaces, so that if you havve coronaavirus virus without your y knowledge, you reduce risk of breathing on to others.

2

Work from home or test before g goin oin ng in ntto work • From Monday 13 December, those who can work from home should do so.

• Anyone who cannot work from home should continue to go in to work. If you cannot work from home, take a lateral flow test beffore going into your workplace.

• You You can get up to 2 packs of 7 rapid tests from a local pharmacy.

If you give the pharmacy a ‘collect code’ when you pick up the tests, it helps p the NHS match your details to the teests. Y You ou can find out about collect codes and how to get a collect code on GOV.UK. • Rep port your result and if positive you must staayy home, self-isolaate immediately and take a confirmaatory PCR test.

3

Test e before goin es goin ng to a crowded even ven nt, meetin ng friends and family y or visitin ng g vulnerrable people p etc • Fr From o Wednesday 15 December, the NHS Covid Pass on the N NHS App will become mandator ory for for en entry into nightclu ubs and settings where large cro owds gather – including unseated d indoor even events with 500 or m more attendees, unseated outdoor events with 4,000 or more atttendees and any event with 10,000 o or more attendees.

• Peo ople will be able to demonstrate trate proof pr of two vaccine doses viaa the app. app Proof of a negativee lateral fl flow test will also be accep pted.

• If arriving a in England from overseas, s, yyou must complete a passenger er locator form form and need

to o provide a proof of a negative PC CR or lateral flow test on entry.

Affter arrival you must take a PCR test on day two after arrival and self-isolate until you’ve received a neegative test result.

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Let in fresh air w wh hen meetin ng g in indoors

Letting Le etting in fresh air can help reduce the spread of Covid-19.

Opening doors and windows even ffor or 10 minutes min when you are meeting indoors can help you and d your loved ones stay saffe. e.

• Meeting outdoors is saffer: Y You ou are ar much likelier to catch Covid-19 indoors.

Meeting outdoors is harder in colder months, but it can reduce the risk of airborne transmission. Confined indoor sp paces are associated with in ncreased transmission of respiratory inffecti ections. Most virus traansmissions happen indoors.

• Let fresh air into indoor sp pace: Open your windows every daayy ffor or at least l 10 minutes or freequently ffor or short intervals. in It caan make a significant diff ffer erence.

• Open windows when you haavve visitors: Let fresh air into yo our home beffor ore, during and after fter people’ peop s visit. Y You ou don’t don haavve to keep windows open for for a long l time. Open trickle vents and nd windows ffor or a short while w if it is saffee to do so. Regularly R airing th he rooms for for 10-15 10- minutes by op pening windows or in short in ntervals throughout the day caan help with proper ventilation wiithout excessive heat loss.

Tips to keep em mplo loyees yees and an cusstomers safe this Christmas • Mak kee sur sure your risk assessment has been updated ffor or win winter and keep your y workplace well ventilated.

• Businesses, including transport operators, should ask their employees and customers to wear face coverings.

• Businesses are also encouraged to continue encouraging customers to check in using the NHS COVID-19. If there is an outbreak, swift action can be tak ken en to limit the spread of the virus.

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AsianV Voi oiceNews

UK

AsianV Voi oiceNewsweekly

17

18 - 24 December 2021

WITH UK GO OVERNMENT VERNMENT

Familly believes b be ves ffollowin owin ng scien ntifi tifi fic ca advi dvice is the best w wa ay to t tide through ugh festivi tivitie es saffe ely ly Sreyoshee Sengupttaa is a proffessi essional in the UK w who makes sure that shee can k keep Avi, 9-year-old son her husband Avi, Aditya and herself saffee during this festive festive period. peri Speaking S to Asian Voi Voice, she said said, “It’s that time of the yeaar, with increasing Covid caases and the flu season in full ll swing, when h the tendency to t fall f ll ill is much higher. As a family with a young 9-yearr-old boy, we haave ve reverted r to o wearing masks whilst out in n confined public spaces. The cconsistent use of hand sanitiser er, washing hands after coming back home, changing clothes im mmediately and not mixing alreeady worn clothes with other ggarments are some of the preccautionary measures we havve b been taking since the onset of C Covid-19 since last year. Thesse steps have v now become a habit.” t.”

Speaking about ven ventilating the house and the importance mportance of testing and vaccinati nation,

Sreyoshee with husband Avi and son Ad ditya

she added, “We open doors and windows ffor or a short span even during peak winter months just to ensure the flow of fresh air and we have been doing this since precovid times. times We recommend it because circulation of fresh air is important to keep the home germ free. Christmas is a time to get together with family and near and dear ones.

We regularly do lateral flow

tests to ensurre we are saffee as a family and being eing rresponsible citizens. We havve also taken full Covid-19 vaccinati cinations including protect booster dosess to help pr ourselves and d our lloved ones.

Th new Omi The mi r n variant micron ri nt has got unknown nown poten potential, so taking thee highest possible possib precaution and nd ffo ollowing scientific advvice is the best way to tide through ugh Christmas and New Year Year safffel ely.”

GP em mp p phasises on the im mpo portance of testin ngs gs and v va accinations Ho ow w are busin nesses keepin ng g emplo oy yees and custom mer ers saffe e? e?

Jaf Ali from Khai Khai restaurant in Newcastle’s Queen Street said, ““As As a business, we have v updated our risk assessment over the last 18 months and are doing everythin the government advised us to do Covid is no long new. During the wavve we were al the backffoot oot and we didn’t know wha it was. But this time we are already prepared ffor or the upcoming ffew ew weeks and all precautions are in place.

“Sanitisers are installed

across the restaurant in key points ffor or everyone to use.

Tables are set apart with Tab proper social distancing. Thee restaurant is well-ventilated, we open doors and windowss d ll to let the fresh air ilate well. am members ar ae with the NHS S They take laterral egularly and tak ke sts, even if the eral flow test is negative and they hey ffeel eel under the weather.

“We are awar w e of the risks from th he new variant, and we are better prepared e than beffor ore.”

Dipak Kondhia, o Jyoti Jewellers, Kingsbury told us, “Since Covid-19 began, we have v installed transparent barriers in the shop to keep both staff and customers saffe. e. We haave ve multiple hand sanitiser at k keys eys points in the shop ffor or staff and customers. We also havve clear signage asking people to wear masks, keep distance and stay saffe. e.

“We haave ve electric doors which helps us to limit numb bers of customers entering the sho op.

“W We alwaays ys ask customer customers rs to stay ay saffee and wear masks. Sin nce the new rules came into eff ffect, ecct, we are enffor orcing the wearingg of masks and havve council signaage encouraging the use of NHS COVID-19 App, cleanliness, and maintaining appropriate distance.”

Dr Aliya Goyaal who is an NHS General Practitio oner told Voi ngs and Asian V oice how testings vaccinations are imporrtant as well as maintaining usual precautionary steps off wearing masks and ventilating homes.

She said, “We are still learning l about the new Omicro on variant but it’s clear that coron navvirus cases are increasing. This time of year, we tend to see mor more respiratory illness and fl flu, which can ffeel eel similar to coronavvirus. It’s important to do what we can to stayy saffee this winter, win to limit the spread of the virus and protect people who are vulnerable, including pregnant women.

We can do this by wearing masks in indoor public spaces, keeping our distance, working from home where possible and ensuring indoor spaces are well ventilated. Please limit social gatherings th i which hi h iincrease the th risk ik of inffecti ection. The risk is greater with large events which last ffor or long periods of time in poorly ventilated spaces, rather than outdoors. The virus spreads more by shouting and singing which is common at this time of year. Do make sure you take a PCR test if you havve symptoms or a lateral flow test beffor ore gatherings if you don’t havve symptoms. The most important thing you can do is get vaccinated to reduce the risk of serious disease.

“Our communities havve been hugely impacted by coronavvirus. Many of us live in multigenerational households, so a young person catching Covid-19 risks inffecting ecting older o or vulnerable family members who we may not

Dr Aliyaa Goyal

see. There are long ng term risks from Covid-19. We W are fortunate fortunate to havve access to the vaccine for adul adults and childr ildren over the age of 12, so makee sure you get the doses you aree eligible ffor or, including the booster oster dose.

“T Testing is im importan mportant to find out if we havve corronaavirus, virus, so we can take the co orrect steps and isolate to prevent further spread.

First, make sure yyou are taking the correct test. If you u have v symptoms, you need a PCR test. est. Y You ou can book or order a PCR CR test thr through the website https://www ://www.gov.uk/ get-coronaavirusvirus-ttest. Y You ou can get the test done at a testing centre or haave ve it sent sen to your home. It is sent away away to be tested and you must isolate while waiting ffor or the result.

“If you have no symptoms, you should do a lateral flow test at home beffor ore a gathering or social occasion, as you may haave ve coronavvirus and not know about

it, which risk ks unintentional spread to others. thers. A lateral fl flow he resul r test gives the t in a ffew ew minutes, wh hile you wait. It is not sent awaayy as with a PCR test. Laterall fl flow tests are freely avvailable fro om the government website or fr from shopping centres, supermarkets, and other public places.

“The NH HS COVID-19 is important to o let you know if you haave ve been en in con contact with a person who has tested positive ffor or coronavirus. s. If so, yyou can take a PCR test, even if you feel feel well.

Again, you sshould isolate while waiting for for the result, r to protect your family and loved ones as well as prevent fu urther spread. Don’t forget to check eck up to date ad advice on the governmen rnment website.”

Seeing frriends and family during this busy time can n increase the chance of spreading the virus so let’s try to: • Keep fresh air indoors by opening windows and meeting outdoors.

• W Wear ear face coverings.

• Test be efore mixing with crowds and viisiting the vulnerrable.

• Get vaccinated - the best w wa ay y to protect yourse elf and others is to get ffully vaccinated. https:// ///www www.gov. w w..gov ov..uk/ uk/ corona avirus virus v

18 UK - FINANCE

AsianVoiceNews

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

www.asian-voice.com

18 - 24 December 2021

Alpesh Patel Dear Financial Voice Reader,

Which might be the “Winning Stocks of 2022”. I thought I would do a roundup, not of my view, but the views of ‘experts’ and save you hours as loyal readers of Asian Voice.

As 2021 draws to a close, it's time to consider what next year will bring for the markets. Let's look at what the banks, analysts, financial gurus and talking heads have to say about equities.

Value Stocks Worries about inflation will spread into 2022. Tech stocks, for so long the stock market darlings, are sensitive to inflation because it hits the long-term earnings baked into their valuations. John Thorndike of GMO suggests that value stocks across all sectors are the best picks.

Thorndike cites cyclical industries like Financials, Energy, Materials, housing, and consumer brands as strong stocks because they have excellent pricing power when inflation causes rising costs and demand.

Indeed, if investors exit Tech stocks, they could return to Value stocks en masse. Lisa Shalett of Morgan Stanley suggests Industrials, financials, and real estate stocks are great reopening picks.

Another well-regarded investor citing Financials and Industrials as top picks for next year is JP Morgan's Phil Camporeale. He also adds Tech and Energy as big performers next year.

Indeed, growth, inflation, and the Fed are the main themes that will affect market prices next year. For many, 2022 could be difficult for the Tech sector. However, two familiar faces should perform well.

Amazon is well-placed to take a larger share of the eCommerce market, even if consumers switch to cheaper goods as a result of rampant inflation, according to Matt Benkendorf at Vontobel. Jensen's Eric Schoenstein is similarly bullish about Microsoft, thanks to their 31% increase in revenues and robust cloud-computing platform.

Growth Stocks Supply chain issues and Omicron travel bans suggest that we're not out of the Covid woods just yet. However, several growth stocks could take advantage of newfound optimism as the economy reopens.

Trupanion, the medical insurance for pets provider’s AGR rate of 23%, looks attractive. Similarly, the Florida-based homebuilding company, TopBuild Corp., generated $6 million in revenue last year and has big home building plans for 2022.

UK Stocks Brexit and other assorted worries have hurt investment in UK stocks over recent years. However, Liberum Capital Ltd believes this could be about to change. They suggest that UK company earnings could grow by more than 40% next year, offering investors a rare mix of value and growth.

Consumer Staples After a volatile few months in the markets, some more conservative stocks are beginning to look appealing. Investment has been rotating into the Consumer Staples sector of late due to these equities' stable earnings and dividends. Three such stocks look like solid picks for 2020.

McDonalds faced their share of hardship during the pandemic, but they have adapted and recovered well. Additionally, their strong global presence and continued demand make them a safe pick.

Pepsi looks an excellent defensive pick too. Several successful brands operate under Pepsi, such as Mountain Dew, Doritos, and Gatorade.

These staples have the sort of price elasticity that will survive inflation.

Throw in a Q3 that finished with $6.5 billion in cash, and they look like a solid pick.

Finally, Constellation Brands are worth a look due to their grip on the beer, wine, and spirits market. Additionally, their stake in Canopy Growth Corporation, a Canadian cannabis manufacturer, could provide future growth.

Pent-Up Demand Extensive stimulus checks left a lot of Americans with extra cash in their pocket. Additionally, the pandemic has hit supply chains, hitting components for many manufacturing businesses.

This scenario has hurt car sales significantly, but according to David Dineen of Spouting Rock Asset Management, this trend is about to be reversed. If the new car market explodes into action, Dineen suggests AutoNation Inc., Asbury Automotive Inc. and Sonic Automotive Inc will see an increase in P/E ratios and share prices.

Restaurants Dan Chung at Fred Alger Management has some exciting insights on how the pandemic forced a mass adoption of technology. He cited restaurants as one industry that has adapted to a post covid world by moving into home deliveries.

Even as we reopen, many restaurants see their delivery numbers stay strong, perhaps signifying a long-term shift in consumer preference. This could spell good news for stocks like GrubHub, DoorDash, and UberEats owners Uber.

Covid-19 Of course, no piece about equities in 2022 would be complete without considering the effect of new strains of Covid-19. Most analysts aren't too concerned about Omicron, but as Romain Boscher at Fidelity International warns, any setbacks and closures could drag on economic activity.

Summary Most US banks suggest that the market will continue its upward trajectory next year. BMO and Wells Fargo indicate that the S&P 500 could hit heights of around 5,300. At the same time, only Morgan Stanley (4400) and Bank of America (4,600) suggest slight pullbacks.

Whoever is correct, the rapid gains of 2020-21 seem unlikely. Instead, investors should look to take advantage of Growth and Value stocks, or even ETFs, while keeping an eye on Consumer Staples.

You can get free updates from my Telegram App Channel – just visit my campaign to provide free investing education to a million people – www.campaignforamillion.com

UK govt rules out fresh financial support for businesses The British government has ruled out new financial support for companies despite introducing a fresh bout of coronavirus restrictions. Business lobby groups have called for extra state help to cover losses expected from Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s new Covid-19 measures, which include guidance for people to work from home, and a requirement for vaccine passports to access larger venues.

The policy chief at the City of London Corporation, said, “Christmas has been cancelled for many City shops, restaurants, pubs and other businesses that rely on footfall from workers in nearby offices.”

However,

Treasury officials said there would be no further support for businesses during the so-called Plan B restrictions for England that Johnson announced last week.

A source was quoted in a media report as saying, “There is already support in place.” Several pubs and restaurants have reported a rise in cancellations because of public concern over the new Omicron variant of the novel coronavirus. Hospitality, leisure and retail companies can secure business rates relief at 66 per cent until next March, however, capped at £2m per business.

Value-added tax paid by hospitality and tourism businesses

has been set at 12.5 per cent until April when it is due to return to the standard 20 per cent rate. The Treasury said its Covid-19 support package for businesses would continue into next spring and “we will continue to respond proportionately to the changing path of the virus, as we have done since the start of the pandemic”.

Ruby McGregor-Smith, president of the British Chambers of Commerce, said there needed to be “a package of support to ensure that we get through a challenging winter without serious damage to our economic recovery”, including grants for affected companies and their supply chains.

UK warns the US of strong retaliatory measures over steel exports tariffs The International Trade Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan has warned the US of retaliatory measures if punitive tariffs on UK steel exports are not lifted soon. Returning to the UK after talks in the US with Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, she said, “I was very clear that the pressures we are under to use countervailing measures if we can’t solve the problem are becoming more acute.” She said she had invited Raimondo to London for further talks on the issue in January.

However, UK companies will be at a competitive disadvantage compared to companies based in

Anne-Marie

the EU. She said, “I am very keen that we solve this with what is our closest ally in the US through a positive removal” of the tariffs.

Trevelyan said that resolving the dispute would benefit workers and businesses on both sides of the Atlantic. The Trump-era tariffs of 25 per cent on steel exports were imposed when the UK was part of the European Union.

If the issue isn’t resolved quickly, the UK could increase existing retaliatory tariffs on products such as US whisky and cosmetics. It could also broaden the scope of the retaliatory measures to include other items, including lobsters, electric motors, and orange juice.

US President Joe Biden has so far refused to cancel the measures put in place by his predecessor.

1-in-3 UK SMEs planning redundancies, Study says A survey of 442 owner-managed businesses by accounting and advisory network Moore UK states one in three UK small owner-managed businesses are planning to lay off workers now that the government’s furlough scheme is over. It added that they are considering dropping around 45 per cent of their workforce in the next six months.

Those in London are said to be more likely to be planning redundancies than those in any other part of the UK. The report said the situation reflects on the pressure placed by the ongoing pandemic on the food and beverages industry, which make up a major part of the city’s economy. It added that while a wave of redundancies did not

materialise at the end of the furlough on September 30, many businesses are now waiting to see whether layoffs become necessary over the coming months.

Maureen Penfold, Moore UK chair said, “The UK is far from out of the woods when it comes to redundancies. It’s surprising to see so many businesses are considering reducing staffing numbers so substantially. Policymakers should be careful not to assume that the economy is back in rude health especially taking into account how the new restrictions just implemented may further impact businesses.”

Penfold said business’ cash flow might allow them to keep their full

workforces employed for now but they have plans in place to quickly make redundancies should the need arise. Moore’s survey also showed that 49 per cent of respondents expect to have to increase the prices they charge over the next six months. 59 per cent of those say that disruption to their supply chain is the main reason for doing so. Penfold said, “The effects of supply chain disruption because of Brexit and COVID have been felt keenly by a lot of businesses. These issues are now endemic. A lack of logistics capacity and bottlenecks in ports around the world are driving up the cost of the goods they buy. Price increases are the only response they have.”

BoE set to relax mortgage affordability tests The Bank of England is reportedly considering the relaxation of mortgage affordability tests in a move that fuels fears over an increase in house prices.

Threadneedle Street will launch a consultation on reforming lending rules early next year, potentially allowing thousands of borrowers to take out bigger loans.

Rules introduced in 2014 to stop a property crash limit the number of mortgages that banks can lend at high loan-to-income ratios and introduce affordability checks, stopping households from building up too much debt. The BoE however, revealed it is now considering withdrawing a stress test that judges whether borrowers can afford their mortgage if their interest rate increases by three percentage points above

their standard variable rate.

Officials reportedly said the affordability test provides little extra protection when interest rates are very low and removing it would make rules “simpler and more predictable” while reducing the impact on a “small proportion of borrowers.”

Economists are not happy with the plan and have warned that loosening the affordability

checks could result in more large house price increases and spark worries of a property bubble.

BoE however, maintains, “The Financial Policy Committee's analysis suggests the loan-toincome flow limit is likely to play a stronger role than the affordability test in guarding against an increase in aggregate household indebtedness and the number of highly indebted households when house prices rise rapidly, and that the additional insurance provided by the affordability test would be small.”

It added that the lending cap, combined with separate affordability testing by the Financial Conduct Authority, “ought to deliver an appropriate level of resilience to the UK financial system”.

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18 - 24 December 2021

Ambani, Mittal & Birla talk telecom collaboration for Digital India Vision After the bitter acrimony and regulatory and legal fights, it was time to talk collaboration and joint efforts by Reliance’s Mukesh Ambani, Airtel’s Sunil Mittal and Vodafone Idea’s Kumar Mangalam Birla at a top event of the telecom industry.

Ambani, whose company has cruised past older companies Airtel and Vodafone Idea to become the country’s biggest operator, suggested that all players should work together and collaborate in areas like telecom fibre as the country migrates to newer technologies such as 5G, as well as immersive experiences in enterprise

Mukesh Ambani, Sunil Mittal and Kumar Mangalam Birla

and consumer.

“If all the players in the industry work together, we can rapidly achieve a nationwide footprint of fibre, just as we reached mobile telephony to every corner of the country in the last decade,” Ambani said in the inaugural address of the 2021 India Mobile

Congress.

Mittal too spoke about “duplication in the industry”, be it in the area of mobile towers or fibre.

“We need to start to talk to each other, do co-builds like the world is doing, share more tower infrastructure and ensure that while we fiercely compete, we also

collaborate and lower cost structures for serving most affordable tariffs anywhere in the world,” he said, seeking m o r e cooperation in the field of 5G. Birla echoed similar sentiments. “As we accelerate this digital shift, we need to collectively address the need for continued investments to enable the journey to 5G, Industry 4.0 and beyond. A robust industry is necessary to invest and accelerate achievement of the Digital India vision.”

RBI keeps all key rates unchanged, to drain another £15 billion The Reserve Bank of India on Wednesday announced a road map to reduce some of the Rs 9-lakh-crore-plus surplus liquidity which it had infused last year to alleviate the economic impact of the pandemic. The policy, which kept all key rates unchanged, was seen as dovish as the RBI has chosen to tip-toe towards its objective of policy normalisation (reducing liquidity in the system) without disrupting financial markets.

The monetary policy committee (MPC) voted unanimously to retain the repo rate, at which the RBI lends to banks, at 4%. The reverse repo rate, at which it borrows from banks, was maintained at 3.35% too. The MPC also voted 5:1 to retain an accommodative policy with external member Jayanth Varma casting a dissenting vote. However, the central bank will be draining Rs 1.5 lakh crore

more from the system. It has managed to do this by increasing the variable rate reverse repo auction, which is currently Rs 6 lakh crore, to Rs 6.5 lakh crore by December 17, and Rs 7.5 lakh crore by December 31.

“Overall, the recovery that had been interrupted by the second wave of the pandemic is regaining traction, but it is not yet strong enough to be selfsustaining and durable. This underscores the vital importance of continued policy support,” RBI governor Shaktikanta Das said, explaining the status quo on rates.

In his post-policy conference, Das said the central bank’s overarching priority was a revival of growth and it would focus on growth without losing sight of price stability.

“Various segments of the economy have crossed their pre-pandemic levels, but in certain key components like

private investment and private consumption, which are very critical for the growth of GDP, we are still lagging prepandemic levels,” said Das. The governor also highlighted the downside risks to the economy from global factors, including the uncertainty from the Omicron variant.

While the repo rate hike is not seen to be happening this year, economists expect the surplus liquidity to normalise by January 2022.

“Overnight rates start rising

RIL, Abu Dhabi cos tie up for $2billion UAE plant Reliance Industries (RIL) along with Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and ADQ will set up a $2-billion petrochemicals facility in UAE’s largest emirate, the companies said on Tuesday. While the parties didn’t reveal their equity component in the joint venture, this will be RIL’s first investment in a greenfield petchem project outside of India.

The petchem facility in Abu Dhabi’s Al Ruwais city, targeted to be operational by 2025, will produce chlor-alkali, ethylene dichloride and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Chlor-alkali enables the production of caustic soda, crucial to the alumina refining process. Ethylene dichloride is used to produce PVC, which has a wide range of applications across

housing, infrastructure and consumer goods.

The Abu Dhabi facility will have a capacity to produce 9.4 lakh tons of chlor-alkali annually, 1.1 million tons of ethylene dichloride and 3.6 lakh tons of PVC. The petchem project was initiated based on the demand potential for these products. In 2019, RIL and Abu Dhabi had signed a framework to explore joint investments in petchem.

towards the upper end of the corridor (between RBI’s repo and reverse repo rate) when total amount parked in overnight reverse repo dips below Rs 1 lakh crore, and it is likely to begin from Jan ’22 onwards. This will complete the corridor normalisation process. A hike in reverse repo rate beyond this could be the ideal opportunity and better timed assuming no increase in infections postOmicron,” said SBI Group chief economist Soumya Kanti Ghosh.

A Deal With Distress Signals

Suresh Vagjiani, Sow & Reap Properties Ltd

I went to see a property in West London where the guide price was exceptionally low. This was a house subdivided into three illegal flats, and had several enforcement notices on the property; including one which referred to the property having being bought with the proceeds of crime.

These are all good signs when you’re hunting for a deal. It was being sold by receivers. Furthermore, it appeared in a duff auction; it was not based in London. I would have expected this to be placed into a major more established London auction house, in order to achieve the highest value.

However, the driving factor for the decision could have been either a personal connection or the timing, perhaps it needed to be placed in the next available auction regardless. This deal is guided at £375K which is exceptionally cheap for a property in the location.

We were offered a deal many years ago, in a similar manner. It was a housing association who needed to sell the property immediately, to take it off its books, for some accounting reason presumably. The timing was such that selling it in an auction would be too late and therefore it was offered to us for the meagre sum of £350K. This was for a freehold block in King Cross. I kid you not.

My assumption that this was in a duff auction and therefore would perhaps slip through the net for most people, proved to be unfounded. Perhaps several years ago this would have been the case. I used to purchase good lots in lesser known auctions and simply place them back into larger and more established ones, without doing anything to the property and make a profit for my client.

However, in today’s environment, everything has shifted online, and investors have become used to bidding online. Therefore, it has become a level playing field. This level playing field has encouraged many smaller auctioneers to appear from thin air and enter the arena. No one now produces a physical auction catalogue, which is a shame as you get a better feel on a 3 dimensional catalogue rather than a 2D on screen experience.

The remnants of the dubious activities were still left in the property. All the usual signs - blacked out windows, aluminium foil, lumps of soil. Not the first time I have come across this, when one looks at the numbers it’s easy to see why this is a very very lucrative venture to get into.

The barrier for entry is open. We have come across a few properties which to the dismay of the landlords had been used to grow weed. Although, in my opinion this plant has become unproportionally stigmatised for various reasons.

This project requires someone with some experience, not a first timer. My feeling is given the above this deal will go for a lot more than what it has been guided for.

The property is in a superb location, but the very fact it requires a lot of pre work on the project, will mean many buyers will get emotionally involved with the project. This means there’s is a stronger chance the emotional element will ensure the property goes for more than it is worth. But auctions can be hit and miss. Let’s see what happens on the day.

Delhi’s Connaught Place now 17th most expensive office market

While Beijing-Finance Street, London-West End, and Silicon Valley are in the top five of the global list, New Delhi's Connaught Place ranks improved to 17th in the most expensive office market in the world from 25th position in 2020, with an annual average occupancy cost of USD 109 square feet, according to property consultant JLL. According to JLL, the heart of the National Capital - Connaught Place is home to premium buildings and remains the most expensive office market in the country. Connaught Place in Delhi has climbed up the rankings from 25th position last year to 17th this year with an average occupancy cost of USD 109 square feet per year which is higher than San Francisco.

Aditya Birla group takes over Reebok operations in India

Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Limited (ABFRL) has signed a long-term licensing agreement with US-based brand management company Authentic Brands Group (ABG) to distribute and sell Reebok products in India and other ASEAN (Southeast Asian) countries.

ABFRL, known for its lifestyle and formalwear brands such as Allen Solly, Louis Philippe, Peter England, Pantaloons and Van Heusen, has been on an acquisition spree of late and has bought several brands across fashion segments. The deal signals ABFRL’s foray into the sports and activewear segment, one of the fastest growing fashion and apparel segments.

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90% of Pakistanis blame Imran govt for income squeeze ISLAMABAD: About 90% of Pakistanis believe that their income has been squeezed and 92.9% consider inflation and price hike to be the highest during PM Imran Khan’s government since 2018, with many calling it “incompetent”, according to a survey by Transparency International Pakistan.

“Compared to the three federal governments, majority of Pakistanis (92.9%) consider inflation and price hike to be the highest in the current PTI (Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf) government’s tenure (2018-2021), compared to 4.6 % during the PML-N government (2013-2018) and 2.5% in the PPP government

Imran Khan

(2008-2013),” said the report, National Corruption Perception Survey 2021.

The majority of survey par-

ticipants attributed the government’s “incompetence” as the main reason for the rising inflation and shrinking income. At

least 50.6% said the government was “incompetent”, 23.3% alleged corruption, 16.6% pinned the inflation on lack of policy implementation, and 9.6% blamed it on politicians meddling in government affairs.

Regarding the government’s anti-corruption drive, 66.8% said the PTI government’s accountability drive was partial, whereas 85.9% considered its self-accountability to be unsatisfactory. At least 51.9% of Pakistanis blamed weak accountability for the rise in corruption, whereas 29.3% linked it to the greed of powerful people and 18.8% blamed it on low salaries.

20 Bangladeshi students get death sentence for murder DHAKA: Twenty Bangladeshi students were sentenced to death for the murder of a young man who criticised the Sheikh Hasina government in a Facebook post. The battered body of Abrar Fahad, 21, was found in his university dormitory hours after he wrote a Facebook post slamming Sheikh Hasina for signing a water-sharing deal with India.

He was beaten with a cricket bat and other blunt objects for six hours by 25 fellow students who were members of the ruling

Awami League’s student wing, the Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL). “I am happy with the verdict,” Fahad’s father Barkat Ullah told reporters outside court after the verdict. “I hope the punishments will be served soon.”

Prosecutor Abdullah Abu said the remaining five perpetrators were sentenced to life imprisonment. All those handed death sentences were between 20 and 22 years old and attended the elite Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology

alongside Fahad.

Fahad had put up a post on Facebook that went viral hours before his death. In it, he criticised the government for signing an accord that allowed India to take water from a river that

lies on the boundary the two countries share. Fahad had been seen walking into a dormitory with some BCL activists. Six hours later, his body was carried out by the students and laid on the ground.

Pakistan to skip Biden’s democracy summit NEW DELHI: Pakistan has decided to skip the summit on democracy to be convened by US President Joe Biden on Thursday and Friday, The Express Tribune reported.

The Biden administration has invited leaders from over 100 countries and Pakistan was among the four South Asian nations besides India, Maldives and Nepal to receive an invite.

China and Russia were excluded, while Taiwan get an invitation, drawing a strong reaction from Beijing. Islamabad’s move is seen as a clear snub to the White House that could entail serious implications for the already strained relations between the two countries.

Joe Biden

It is understood that multiple factors have played their part as is obvious from the fact that it took Pakistan days of consultations before finally deciding not to attend the summit. Pakistan said that it

Sri Lanka displays the rarest blue sapphire weighing 683 pounds Sri Lankan authorities on Sunday put on show what they said was the world's largest natural corundum blue sapphire, weighing 683 pounds (310 kilograms), which was found in a gem pit about three months ago.

The stone was found in the gem-rich Ratnapura area where local people had also previously found the world's largest star sapphire cluster in a backyard by accident. Ratnapura is known as the gem capital of the South Asian country, which is a leading exporter of sapphires

and other precious gems.

Local gemologists, who have examined the sapphire, said it was one of the rarest gems in the world. International organizations are yet to certify the precious stone.

values its partnership with Washington but proposed engagement to be done on the subject “at an opportune time in the future”. Initially, Pakistan was thought to be part of Biden’s initiative at the ministerial level but it decided to skip the summit altogether because of a variety of reasons.

One of the reasons includes the exclusion of China from the summit. The overall state of relations between the two countries is

another major factor, compelling Islamabad to stay away from the summit, the report said. It is believed that President Biden’s move to continue to ignore Prime Minister Imran Khan also made it difficult for Islamabad to attend the summit on democracy.

President Biden is yet to speak to the Prime Minister directly since taking over the White House earlier this year.

But his invitation to Pakistan was seen as ice breaker. It was not clear if China had anything to do with Pakistan’s decision, but official sources confirmed that Islamabad did consult Beijing on the issue, the report said.

Trump Jr urged Donald to intervene in Capitol riot In the newly-revealed messages to Mr Meadows, Mr Trump Jr used strong terms to suggest his father should act.

The president was criticised for not intervening early on in the riot. He did eventually urge his supporters to "go home", but not before the pro-Trump mob had stormed the Capitol building, where Congress were meeting to certify Joe Biden's presidential election win.

"As the violence continued,

one of the President's sons texted Mr Meadows," Ms Cheney, the Republican lawmaker representing the state of Wyoming, told the Select Committee on Monday. She said Mr Meadows responded Trump Jr to Mr Trump Jr's plea by writing back: "I'm pushing it hard. I agree."

Summing up the submitted messages, Ms Cheney said: "These texts leave no doubt. The White House knew exactly what was happening at the Capitol."

in brief ELON MUSK NAMED TIME'S PERSON OF THE YEAR FOR 2021 Time magazine has named Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk as its Person of the Year, for an incredible 12 months of achievements in which he jockeyed for the crown of world’s richest person and made his Twitter account a must-read while moving the needle on climate change, cryptocurrencies, space exploration, and universal broadband. “Had the 800,000 Teslas sold in the last year been gaspowered cars, they would have emitted more than 40 million metric tons of CO over their lifetimes—equivalent to the annual emissions of Finland,” Time magazine wrote in its profile of Musk.

AKSHAYA PATRA FOUNDATION USA APPOINTS NAVIN GOEL AS NEW CEO Indian American executive Navin Goel has been named the new CEO of the Akshaya Patra Foundation USA effective Dec. 6. The Board of Akshaya Patra Foundation USA’s chairman Siva Sivaram announced the appointment on Dec. 9.

Goel joins Akshaya Patra after a successful career as former CIO of Capgemini, a global leader in consulting, technology, and outsourcing services. He was also the former chairman and CEO of Sogeti USA, a subsidiary of Capgemini. “I am honored to serve and extremely humbled to join Akshaya Patra USA as the new CEO,” said Goel. Rajiv Jain served as Akshaya Patra’s Interim CEO for the past 6 months.

CHINA FACES NEW COVID OUTBREAK The major Chinese manufacturing province of Zhejiang is fighting its first COVID-19 cluster this year, with tens of thousands of citizens in quarantine and virus-hit areas suspending business operations, cutting flights and cancelling events. The news comes as health authorities reported the country’s first case of the Omicron coronavirus variant in a traveller who arrived in the city from overseas in the northern port city of Tianjin. More than 50,000 people in Zhejiang have been quarantined at centralised facilities and nearly half a million people’s health conditions were monitored, a provincial health official said. As of December 12, mainland China had 99,780 symptomatic cases, including those arriving from abroad.

The death toll remained unchanged at 4,636.

DANISH EX-MINISTER JAILED FOR SEPARATING ASYLUM-SEEKING COUPLES Denmark’s former immigration minister has been sentenced to two months in prison after a special court found her guilty of illegally separating several couples of asylum seekers where the female member was a minor. “Inger Stojberg is found guilty of a deliberate violation of the Ministerial Responsibility Act,” Denmark’s Court of Impeachment of the Realm said in a statement on Monday, adding that the punishment had been set at 60 days in jail. Stojberg was accused of violating the European Convention on Human Rights by ordering the separation of asylum-seeking couples, some of whom had children, when the female member was under the age of 18.

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in brief INDIAN ORIGIN GAS STATION OWNER KILLED IN US A 45-year-old Indian-origin gas station owner was shot dead during a daylight robbery near a police station in the US state of Georgia, according to media reports, some three weeks after another Indian-American was shot dead in Dallas in Texas. Amitkumar Patel was killed at Synovus Bank in Colombus, the Muscogee county coroner’s officer was quoted as saying.

The building also houses a precinct of the Columbus police department. Vinnie Patel, Amitkumar’s partner in the gas station, said the victim was at the bank to deposit money when he was shot at the entrance. The shooter took the money, he said. Police believe he was targeted, he said.

PAK DENIES OFFERING MILITARY BASES TO CHINA IN GWADAR Pakistan has not offered any military bases to China in the strategic Gwadar port, National Security Adviser Moeed Yusuf has said while reiterating that any country can invest in the $60 billion CPEC project since “we are not closed to anybody”. “There are economic bases of China in Pakistan, where any country in the world can invest…the same were also offered to the US, Russia and the Middle East.

We are open to all countries,” Yusuf said in an interview. Massive protests had erupted in Gwadar last month against unnecessary checkpoints, a severe shortage of water and electricity and threats to livelihoods from illegal fishing. These protests were part of growing discontent over China’s presence in Gwadar. India has protested to China over the CPEC as it traverses through PoK. The infrastructure project connects China’s Xinjiang with Gwadar. Yusuf called China, “a close friend of Islamabad”and said Pakistan does not agree with the West version about the alleged atrocities against Muslims in Xinjiang.

SCHOLZ TAKES OVER AS GERMAN CHANCELLOR Social Democrat Olaf Scholz was sworn in as German chancellor, ending Angela Merkel’s 16 years of conservative rule and paving the way for his coalition government that has promised to boost green investment and strengthen European unity. Scholz, 63, who over the past four years served as vicechancellor and finance minister in coalition with Merkel, won a majority of 395 votes from lawmakers in the lower house of parliament, Bundestag president Baerbel Bas said. After being formally nominated by President Frank-Walter Steinmeier in the nearby Bellevue Palace, Scholz returned to the historic Reichstag building in the heart of the German capital to take the oath of office in front of lawmakers and become Germany’s ninth chancellor since the end of World War Two.

DOZENS OF CAMELS BARRED FROM SAUDI ‘BEAUTY’ CONTEST Authorities in Saudi Arabia have launched their biggest-ever crackdown on camel “beauty” contestants that received Botox injections and other artificial touch-ups with 40 dromedaries disqualified from the annual pageant. Judges at the festival near Riyadh began their clampdown on artificially enhanced camels, Saudi Press Agency reported. Saudi Arabia’s popular King Abdulaziz Camel Festival, which kicked off earlier this month, invites the breeders of the most beautiful camels to compete for some $66m in prize money. Botox injections, facelifts, and other cosmetic alterations to make the camels more attractive are strictly prohibited. Jurors decide the winner based on the shape of the camels’ heads, necks, humps, dress and posture.

EU countries agree to take in 40,000 Afghan refugees, Germany will accept 25,000 of them BERLIN: A group of 15 European Union member states have agreed to take in 40,000 Afghans for resettlement, Commissioner Ylva Johansson said after meeting interior ministers of those countries. germany will accept the bulk of the new arrivals, with 25,000, with the netherlands accepting 3,159, Spain and France 2,500 each, and other countries in lower numbers, according to a document.

“And i think this is an impressive act of solidarity,” Johansson said, arguing that allowing more Afghans to migrate in a controlled way would help prevent “irregular arrivals”. the United nations high commissioner for refugees had previously urged the bloc to accept 42,500 Afghans over five

years, but some of the 27 member countries had resisted. there are an estimated 85,000 Afghans who have fled their homeland into countries nearer the eU, and the taliban’s capture of power on August 15, coupled with a fierce drought, could trigger new flows.

During the aftermath of the chaotic US military withdrawal after 20 years of war and the return of the taliban regime, 24 eU states have already taken in 28,000 evacuees. But UnHCR chief Filippo grandi has warned that 85,000 Afghans who are living in vulnerable situations out-

side the bloc need resettlement, and has urged europe to take half.

Johannson had previously described this goal as “doable” but she still had to persuade member state governments, only confirming the figure after the meeting. the 40,000 Afghans are part of a larger 60,000 package of resettlements and humanitarian admissions pledged by member states, according to the document. in the larger global envelope, France and Sweden make bigger pledges of 5,000 and 4,200 resettlements, but these will not necessarily be Afghans. Belgium promised places for 425 Afghans and 1,250 others. eU officials were not immediately able to give a time scale for the new arrivals.

Russia inching closer to a full-scale ground invasion of its neighbour: The clock is ticking...

Even as Joe Biden and Vladmir Putin were sitting down to talks meant to end the crisis, Russia was actually inching closer to being ready to launch a full-scale ground invasion of Ukraine. the Conflict intelligence group that has used social media, railway schedules and other data to reveal details of Russia’s military buildup on the border has said that these data allows them to conclude that despite the negotiations between Biden and Putin, the concentration of Russian troops in the areas bordering the territory controlled by Ukrainian

Vladmir Putin

authorities continue.

A recent sighting of Putin’s notorious Buk missiles carried in a flatbed rail wagon speeding through southwest Russia towards the frontline, does not bode well for the talks. the

Bulk-M1 missile that was carried was the kind of mediumrange surface-to-air missile system that became notorious in 2014 after a missile fired from territory controlled by Russia proxies in eastern Ukraine shot down a Malaysian airliner killing all 298 people aboard, creating ripples all around the world. it is to be noted that, if Russia goes to war in Ukraine, it still needs to establish fuel supply lines, open field hospitals and deploy air-defence systems such as the Buk that would protect its heavy weaponry and

troops near the front. the clock is ticking. Putin could pull back, but it would be embarrassing to do so now without a solid win in hand. But, Russia’s demands look impossible to fulfill for the west.

Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin will hold a virtual summit this week with Chinese President Xi Jinping to discuss bilateral relations and international issues, amid tensions between Moscow and the West over the massing of tens of thousands of Russian troops near its border with Ukraine.

South Africa President New Zealand to ban smoking for those under 14 years test Covid positive The office of the President of South Africa has announced that President Cyril Ramaphosa, 69, has been tested positive for Covid19 disease. The president has mild symptoms and is receiving treatment as per the announcement by the Presidency.

President Ramaphosa is fully vaccinated.

Ramphosa began feel- Cyril Ramaphosa ing unwell after leaving a his own infection served as a state memorial service for forwarning to all citizens of the mer President F. W. de Klerk in importance of getting vaccinatCape town on Sunday. it is ed and remaining vigilant important to note that the highagainst exposure. He has urged ly mutated variant omicron was that “Vaccination remains the detected in South Africa last best protection against severe month. Found to be more conillness and hospitalization.” tagious than other strains of the South Africa is currently coronavirus, omicron has battling a rapid resurgence drivsparked global panic. While, it is en by the omicron variant, still to be announced whether health officials say as almost a the virus that has affected the third of the people being tested President is of the latest in the country were returning omicron variant, the President positive results. in early has delegated all his responsibilnovember, South Africa was ities to Deputy President David recording about 200 new cases, Mabuza for the next week. but infections began rising draRamaphosa is now self-isolating matically soon after. the counin Cape town and is being montry recorded more than 18,000 itored by the South African new confirmed daily cases of Military Health Service.

Covid-19 on Sunday.

Ramaphosa has stated that

WELLINGTON: New Zealand has announced it will outlaw smoking for the next generation, so that those who are aged 14 and under today will never be legally able to buy tobacco. New legislation means the legal smoking age will increase every year, to create a smoke-free generation of New Zealanders, associate health minister Dr Ayesha Verrall said. “This is a historic day for the health of our people,” she said. the government announced the rising age alongside other measures to make smoking unaffordable and inaccessible, to try to reach its goal of making the country entirely smoke-free within the next four years. other measures include reducing the legal amount of nicotine in tobacco products to very low levels, cutting down the shops where cigarettes could legally be sold, and increasing funding to addiction services. the new laws will not restrict vape sales.

“We want to make sure young people never start smoking so we will make it an offence to sell or supply

smoked tobacco products to new cohorts of youth. People aged 14 when the law comes into effect will never be able to legally purchase tobacco,” Verrall said. new Zealand’s daily smoking rates have been dropping over time – down to 11.6% in 2018, from 18% a decade earlier. But smoking rates for Māori and Pacifika were far higher – 29% for Māori and 18% for Pasifika. “if nothing changes, it would be decades till Māori smoking rates fall below 5%,” Verrall said. She said eradicating smoking in the next four years was within reach: “i believe it is. in fact, we’re on track to for the new Zealand european population. the issue is, though, if we don’t change what we’re doing, we won’t make it for Maori – and that’s [what] the plan is really focused on”.

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Nimisha Madhvani appointed as Uganda’s High Commissioner to the UK President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda made an exclusive announcement over the weekend appointing Ambassador Nimisha Madhvani as his Ugandan High Commissioner to the United Kingdom. Nimisha will be starting her new posting in London in early 2022.

Nimisha Madhvani – a member of one of East Africa’s leading families – is the daughter of the late Jayantibhai industrialist Muljibhai Madhvani and Meenaben Madhvani (who passed away earlier this year), and niece of business magnate Mayur Madhvani.

The Madhvani Group continues to have a substantial presence in Uganda dating back over 100 years and is one of the largest private sector businesses operating in the UK, contributing up to 9% of Uganda’s GDP. Many feel the “Madhvani” brand that Nimisha has, will be key in strengthening UKUganda relations and galvanising the diaspora for next year. The appointment will undoubtedly enhance goodwill and further promote trade and investment.

Nimisha has a long history of serving in the Ugandan diplomatic service which she joined in the early 1990s starting in Washington DC and later India. Her last posting was to the Nordic countries which

Nimisha Madhvani

included Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden.

Prior to that, she served as Uganda's Ambassador to United Arab Emirates, and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). Before that, Nimisha has served as the Uganda's ambassador to France, Spain, Portugal and UNESCO, based in Paris.

Her appointment has been well received by the Ugandan Asian diaspora, leading businesspeople and the UK Government, including Lord Dolar Popat, the Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Uganda who was overjoyed with the news.

Speaking to Asian Voice Lord Popat said, “We are delighted with Ambassador Nimisha Madhvani’s appointment as Uganda’s High Commissioner to the UK. With her business experience, local expertise and connections, Nimisha will do a sterling job in strengthening bilateral trade

and diplomatic relations between the UK and Uganda.”

Having just returned from a Trade Mission from the UK, Lord Popat is keen to increase British exports to Uganda and further double UK trade and investment in the region. Other leading UK flagship projects, including financing Uganda’s pharmaceutical Namanve Park, the established of a British hospital in northern Uganda’s Hoima district and British electricity and solar energy projects.

The appointment of Nimisha further signifies President Museveni and his government’s commitment to gender equality, as well as his investment in encouraging increased investment and tourism to promote peace prosperity and progress in the Pearl of Africa - Uganda.

Nimisha’s appointment to the UK comes at a pinnacle point, as the diaspora commence celebrations to the mark the 50th anniversary of the expulsion of Ugandan Asians from Uganda in 1972, as well as the 60th anniversary of Uganda’s Independence. Given Nimisha’s wealth of experience, President Museveni felt Nimisha was the ideal candidate to represent Uganda during these milestone

celebrations.

Over 5,000 former Ugandan Asians from across the world are expected to travel back to Uganda next year to mark the anniversaries – and President Museveni is looking forward to receiving them all.

The whole of 2022 is expected to be filled with celebrations marking the anniversary and relations between UK and Uganda.

Celebrations will also include the launch of the new Uganda Airlines service between Entebbe and London Heathrow, which Trade Envoy Lord Popat has been spearheading.

It will also be a timely opportunity to pay tribute to President Museveni for the fantastic transformation he has made in Uganda over the last 30 years, making it the fastest growing economy in Africa.

President Museveni has been commended for his commitment to development, as well as his love for Ugandan Asians by inviting them all back to Uganda.

Ambassador Nimisha Madhvani is expected to start her new role in the New Year, after officially being received by Her Majesty The Queen. Nimisha will represent the first person of Indian origin to hold the post and signify the progress Uganda has made in increasing the diversity of its Officers within its Government and Civil Service.

Canada government apologises to military sexual misconduct victims: We did not protect you Canadian leaders issued an apology to the victims of military sexual misconduct.

In a 40-minute address led

by Defence Minister Anita Anand, she said "I apologize to the thousands of Canadians who were harmed because your government did not protect you, nor did we ensure that the right systems were in place to ensure justice and accountability”.

In an apology which was watched at one time by 8000 people, she said “For far too long, your government failed to dedicate enough time, money, personnel and effort to deal with sexual harassment, sexual assault and discrimination based on sex, gender identity and sexual orientation in the military and the department.”

Anita Anand

Anand, who took over as defence minister in October from Harjit Sajjan who was criticized for not doing more to address such behaviour among top military officials, promised real action, saying: “Things can change, they must change, and they will change.”

Canadian PM Justin

Trudeau underscored the importance of the moment while facing questions about why he wasn't delivering it himself.

“There have been many discussions around the right way to move forward, and I'm very pleased that the chief of defence staff and the minister

are the ones making this apology," Trudeau said.

While the minister went on to praise the dedication of Canada's current military and Defence Department leadership, she stopped short of providing any specific details on how real change will come.

Reservist Sam Samplonius, a survivor of military sexual assault who is co-chairperson of It's Not Just 700, a support and advocacy group for victims of military sexual assault and trauma, welcomed Monday's apology.

“I was hoping that they would maybe broaden onto what things that they're doing," she said. "However, I also can understand how they really wanted to concentrate on the apology, part of that."

7.3 earthquake rocks Indonesia Biden to visit Kentucky after 64 dies A 7.3-magnitude earthquake struck eastern Indonesia on Tuesday, the US Geological Survey said, causing panic but no deaths or major damage were reported.

No significant damage or fatalities were immediately reported, but Indonesian authorities urged caution with more than a dozen smaller aftershocks detected.

While the impact of the quake was still being assessed, the intensity of the shaking sparked panic in many areas, with videos from some towns and villages shared on social media showing people running outside, some holding small children.

The USGS placed the epicentre at a depth of 18.5 kilometres (11 miles), around 100 kilometres north of the Flores island town of Maumere, home to more than 80,000 people, where the quake disrupted coronavirus inoculations. Streets were seen clogged with traffic as vehicles attempted to leave for safe locations.

After widespread destruction by tornadoes last week that left dozens dead in Kentucky, President Joe Biden will visit the affected areas to take stock of the situation.

The White House said he would visit Fort Campbell, Kentucky, for a briefing on the response operations, and then to hard-hit Mayfield and Dawson Springs to survey the damage.

Jen Psaki, White House press secretary, said Monday that Biden is not expected to give a speech when he visits Kentucky, but will rather be focused on meeting with local officials and “trying to be a source of comfort to people who have gone through a devastating couple of days in their communities.” Biden, who has already signed emergency declarations for Kentucky, said he stands ready to do the same for Illinois. He added that he has ordered his administration to make every resource available to local and state officials in Kentucky and the other states impacted by the storms.

in brief US ORDERS ARMS EMBARGO ON CAMBODIA The US has ordered an arms embargo on Cambodia, citing deepening Chinese military influence, corruption and human rights abuses by the government and armed forces in the country. The added restrictions on defence-related goods and services, issued by the US state and commerce departments, are due to be published and take effect soon. A notice in the Federal Register said developments in Cambodia were “contrary to US national security and foreign policy interests”. The aim of the embargo is to ensure that defence-related items are not available to Cambodia’s military and intelligence services without advance review by the US government, it said. The latest restrictions follow the treasury department’s ordering in November of curbs against two Cambodian military officials for corruption and come amid concern about Beijing’s sway.

Cambodia branded those sanctions as “politically motivated.”

SAUDI CROWN PRINCE VISITS QATAR Saudi Arabia’s crown prince visited Qatar last week for the first time since the kingdom rallied other Arab states to end their year-long rift and embargo on the small Gulf state. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to Qatar marks his third stop in the region this week as the Saudi heir to the throne tours the six US-allied Gulf Arab states that make up the Gulf Cooperation Council. His meetings with Arab rulers are aimed at fortifying the kingdom’s alliances as rival Iran resumes nuclear negotiations with world powers. His visit to Qatar is particularly significant because last year at this time the neighboring states were in the midst of a diplomatic standoff that had frayed familial ties in the region.

IRAQ AND US FORMALLY END COMBAT MISSION Iraq and the US-led coalition concluded a final round of technical talks to formally transition from a combat mission tasked with rooting out the extremist Islamic State group to an advisory mission to assist Iraqi forces, security officials said. The talks - which centered on the transition - formally end the coalition’s combat mission, tweeted Qassim al-Araji, Iraq’s national security advisor. He said the coalition would continue providing assistance, advice and training for Iraqi forces. The announcement reaffirms a July decision by the Biden administration to end the US combat mission in Iraq by December 31. There are roughly 2,500 US troops remaining in Iraq. It is unclear how many will remain in the next phase of coalition assistance.

NEARLY 50% S KOREAN NEWLYWEDS HAVE NO KIDS Nearly half of newlywed couples in South Korea have no children, data revealed, amid the country’s chronic low birthrate and changing social norms. Some 44.5 per cent of the country’s 1.18 million couples, who were legally married in the five years up to November 2020, did not have children, up from 42.5 per cent a year earlier, according to the data from Statistics Korea. The newlyweds include first-time and other newly married couples residing in the country, reports Yonhap News Agency. The proportion of newly married couples with children has been on a steady decline from 64.5 per cent in 2015 to 63.7 per cent in 2016, 62.5 per cent in 2017 and 59.8 per cent in 2018. The number of babies born to newlyweds fell to 0.68 in 2020 from 0.71 the previous year.

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in brief INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS TO STAY SUSPENDED TILL JAN 31: DGCA Omicron has pushed back the resumption of scheduled international flights. They will now remain suspended till January 31, 2022, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) announced. Expensive options under air bubbles, which India now has with 32 countries, with the latest being Switzerland, will continue till regular flights resume. India had late last month announced a graded resumption of regular international flights — which were suspended on March 23, 2020 — from December 15, 2021. “This restriction shall not apply to international all-cargo operations and flights specifically approved by DGCA… international scheduled flights may be allowed on selected routes by the competent authority on a case-to-case basis,” the DGCA said.

GUJARAT CM WOOS GLOBAL INVESTORS AT DUBAI EXPO Gujarat chief minister Bhupendra Patel visited the India Pavilion at the Dubai Expo 2020 and made a strong pitch to global investors to capitalise on the state’s ease of doing business, conducive policies, robust industrial ecosystem and futuristic infrastructure. Patel lead a delegation to the United Arab Emirates to promote the upcoming Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2022 to be held in January. One-to-one meetings were held between the CM and Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, group chairman and DEO, DP World, Thani Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE minister for foreign trade, Azad Moopen, CMD of Aster DM Healthcare, Mishal Al Mutlaq, CFO, Alfanar Group, Sharafuddin Sharaf, vice chairman of Sharaf Group and others. Patel also met and interacted with the Indian diaspora in Dubai.

DRDO SUCCESSFULLY TESTS INDIGENOUS MISSILE-ASSISTED TORPEDO SYSTEM An indigenous supersonic missile-assisted torpedo system (SMART), which has a far greater range than conventional torpedoes to target enemy submarines, was successfully tested from Wheeler Island in Odisha. "The SMART system is a next generation standoff torpedo delivery system designed to enhance the Navy's anti-submarine warfare capabilities.

The medium-range supersonic missile carries a torpedo, parachute delivery system and release mechanisms," a DRDO official said.

Congratulating the DRDO, defence minister Rajnath Singh said the SMART system's development "is a perfect example of building futuristic defence systems" within the country.

'SHRI RAMAYANA YATRA' BECOMES FIRST INDIAN TRAIN TO GET VEGETARIAN CERTIFICATE In a bid to encourage vegetarian-friendly Indian Railways services, Shri Ramayan Yatra has been provided with ‘vegetarian certification’ by the Sattvik Council of India in association with Bureau Veritas (global audit partner), recently at Delhi’s Safdarjung railway station. With this, ‘Shri Ramayana Yatra’ theme based pilgrimage tour by Indian Railways’ Dekho Apna Desh Deluxe air-conditioned tourist train has become the world’s first vegetarian-friendly train service. 'Shri Ramayana Yatra’ rail tour package in India will cover various destinations related to Lord Ram’s life such as Ayodhya, Sitamarhi, Janakpur, Nandigram and Varanasi. The duration of this tour package will be 16 nights and 17 days and tourists or passengers can board this Deluxe AC train at Safdarjung railway station in New Delhi.

PM Modi inaugurates phase-I of Kashi Vishwanath Dham Continued From page-1 The PM said that the inauguration of Kashi Vishwanath Dham will give a decisive direction to India, and will lead to a brighter future. Modi also lauded the UP government and CM Yogi Adityanath for the project.

"Along with all this, I also congratulate the UP government, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who united day and night to complete the Kashi Vishwanath Dham project,'' the PM said.

Before the inauguration, Modi attended a prayer ceremony and later showered workers involved in building the project with flower petals in a gesture to acknowledge their work. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, BJP President J P Nadda and a large number of saints from across the country attended the ceremony.

The inauguration of the stateof-the-art infrastructure, built at the cost of Rs 339 crore, surrounding the historic Kashi Vishwanath Temple near the iconic Dashashwamedh Ghat comes ahead of the Assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh early next year.

The new buildings will provide a variety of facilities to pil-

grims, including ‘yatri suvidha kendras’, tourist facilitation centre, vedic kendra, mumukshu bhavan, bhogshala, city museum, viewing gallery, food court among others. The project involved purchase and acquisition of more than 300 properties around the temple. Addressing the gathering, Modi lauded the

heritage of civilisational Varanasi, and said many sultanates rose and collapsed but Benaras remained.

Modi said the whole new complex of the Kashi Vishwanath Dham is not just a grand building, but a symbol of the “Sanatan culture” of India, our spiritual soul and India’s

antiquity and traditions. The temple area here, which was only 3000 square feet, has now spread to about five lakh square feet, Modi said. Now 50,00075,000 devotees can come to the temple premises, he said. He said “new history” was being created and “we are fortunate to have witnessed it”.

Deeply humbled: Balakrishna Doshi after receiving prestigious Royal Gold Medal 2022 The 94-year-old renowned Indian architect Balakrishna Doshi has won the Royal Gold Medal 2022, the highest honor for architecture in the United Kingdom. The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) made the announcement praising Doshi's influence on the architecture of India and its neighbouring regions.

RIBA further added that with a 70 year career, which included 100 projects, the acclaimed architect’s influence has been two-fold through his practice and his teaching. Prime Minister

Balakrishna Doshi

Narendra Modi also congratulated the distinguished architect and said that the contributions of Doshi to the world of architecture have been monumental.

Many of his iconic buildings include Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore; Sangath, his studio in Ahmedabad; Ahmedabad School of Architecture – renamed CEPT University in 2002 – which promoted collaborative learning; and Aranya Low Cost Housing (1989), Indore, which won the Aga Khan Award for Architecture in 1995.

In his acceptance of the award, Doshi has said the news of winning the award came as a pleasant surprise and he was

deeply humbled to have won it.

Doshi added that he was deeply humbled by the honour since the Royal Gold Medal was approved personally by Queen Elizabeth II. Balakrishna Doshi was born in Pune and studied architecture at the JJ School of Architecture Bombay. He worked in Paris for four years before coming to India to work and supervise projects. He is globally known for his visionary urban planning projects as he blends the modern and local to give life to his buildings.

This Transgender is an inspiration for others Nischal Sanghavi The Indian society is infamously intolerant and neglectful towards transgenders. They do not have the opportunity to work at most places, as business owners and executives avoid giving them employment. This leaves them mostly with the only choice to forcefully beg from citizens who try to get away from them as quickly as possible by paying them some cash. These people also reach celebrations in groups.

Celebrating families pay to get rid of them as their presence will make it creepy for other guests.

Payal Rathva, originally from Surendranagar city of India's Gujarat state is a transgender who works hard and makes her best efforts to earn a living with dignity. She might be the only transgender in the state to offer her talent and artistic skills. She charges a reasonable

payment for the services.

According to Payal, who currently stays in Rajkot city, she has had expertise in Warli painting for the last five years.

Warli painting is a form of Indian tribal art created by tribal people and is among the finest examples of the folk style of paintings.

The painting usually used as wall art is much in demand. She has already successfully completed a contract of painting walls of 35 resorts, hotels and restaurants so far. Apart from this Payal also explores handicrafts like bamboo handwork, mud work. She sells these artefacts through her known groups, retailers and social media.

Though the demand for all this is very reasonable these days, Payal manages to earn INR 15,000 a month on her own. The amount is approximately equivalent to £150, a reasonable amount for an individual to live

a simple life in an Indian small town.

Payal has done assignments in different places across Gujarat state including Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Rajkot and Saputara.

Payal who obviously faces much neglect from society due to being transgender has also found some good people to support her. She had taken admission in Bachelor of Civil Engineering, but dropped out after completing two years because of a bad financial situation.

She currently chases her dream to create a Warli studio, where beautiful Warli paintings are on display. These rudimentary wall paintings use a set of basic geometric shapes: a circle, a triangle, and a square.

She also plans to club the

studio with a cafe that sells authentic varieties consumed by the Adivasi tribe, which is indeed delicious, but still not available in cities. Payal, who also belongs to the Adivasi community, hates to identify people with their castes. One of her objectives is also to resume her education and become an engineer.

24 INDIA

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18 - 24 December 2021

India mourns sudden death of A great legacy to inspire CDS Bipin Rawat in copter crash generations of soldiers India mourns sudden death of CDS Bipin Rawat in copter crash General Bipin Rawat, India's first Chief of Defence Staff, and his wife died after a military chopper crashed in Tamil Nadu, killing 13 on board. PM Modi expressed condolences to all brave warriors who died in the crash on December 8.

The General who was overseeing a tri-services modernisation plan to bring synergy and enhance combat capability, was on his way to the Defence Services Staff College (DSSC) at Wellington to deliver a lecture when his Russian-made Mi17V5 helicopter crashed.The others who died in the crash were Brigadier LS Lidder (the CDS’ defence adviser), CDS Bipin Rawat Lt Col Harjinder Singh, Wing Commander PS Chauhan, Squadron Leader Kuldeep Singh, Junior Warrant Officers Das and Pradeep A, Havildar Satpal, Naik Jitender Kumar, Naik Gursewak Singh, Lance Naik Vivek Kumar and Lance Naik Sai Teja.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the demise of General Rawat and others stating that the demise of India's first Chief of Defence Staff is a "great loss for every patriot." Hailing the late General Bipin Rawat as “a brave warrior” who put the armed forces on the path to being “atma nirbhar”, Modi said the nation's pain at his passing would translate into a renewed resolve to continue the journey he so passionately believed in.

Modi said India's first Chief of Defence Staff, worked relentlessly towards strengthening the borders, improving coordination among the armed forces and building a set-up that would be self-reliant in every way. He said the best tribute to the General from a country in mourning would be to “strive harder to face every challenge, both within and outside the country”. The PM also mentioned the lone crash survivor, Group Captain Varun Singh, who is fighting for his life in a hospital in Bengaluru. He assured Singh’s family that the country would stand by them, and with the families of all those who lost their loved ones in the tragedy.

The crucial flight data recorder (FDR) was recovered from the wreckage near Coonoor in Tamil Nadu. Defence minister Rajnath Singh said that the illfated chopper was just seven minutes from its scheduled landing at Wellington. “What happened during those crucial minutes will also be examined by the tri-Service inquiry led by Air Marshal Manvendra Singh, who heads the IAF Training Command, to ascertain whether it was a technical defect or human error, and if was caused or compounded by a sudden

Lord Rami Ranger CBE with Late Mrs Madhulika Rawat and Late Gen. Bipin Rawat Lord Rami Ranger CBE Patron, The Conservative Friends of India

weather related problem in the hilly Nilgiris terrain.”

General Rawat, 63, took charge as India's first Chief of Defence Staff in January 2019. The position was created to integrate the three services - the Army, the Navy and the Air Force. The Chief of Defence Staff is the Permanent Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee and has to be the main military adviser to the Defence Minister besides giving impartial advice to the political leadership. A former Army Chief, General Rawat was also appointed the head of the newlycreated Department of Military Affairs. The general joined the army as a second lieutenant in 1978 and had four decades of service behind him, having commanded forces in Jammu and Kashmir and along the Line of Actual Control bordering China.

India Airlifts 110 Afghan Sikhs, Hindus from Kabul

A special repatriation flight from Kabul with around 110 people including stranded Indian citizens and distressed Afghan citizens belonging to Hindu and Sikh community arrived in India on December 10.

The three Sri Guru Granth Sahib from historical Gurdwaras in Afghanistan and Hindu religious scriptures including Ramanaya, Mahabharat and Bhagavad Gita from the ancient 5th Century Asamai Mandir, Kabul are also being flown to India. The India World Forum said that after their arrival, the Afghan nationals will be rehabilitated

by Sobti Foundation. India has evacuated 565 stranded persons from Afghanistan since August when Kabul fell to the Taliban fighters.

The news of the military helicopter crash In Tamil Nadu, India, on 8th December 2021 with the Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat sent a shock wave in India and abroad. The nation was glued to their radios and Televisions to ascertain no fatalities. Sadly with the Tweet of Defence Minister Shri Rajnnath Singh Ji on the following day, the country came to know the loss of everyone except one on board. India lost its most senior army officer and 11 senior defence personnel, including Gen Rawat's wife, Mrs Madhulika Rawat. It will be the darkest day in Indian history.

I had the fortune of meeting the General and his charming wife last year when I visited India to attend the Republic Day celebrations.

We were the guests of the Hon. President Shri Ram Nath Kovind at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi. He was impressive and courteous to talk with Mrs Rawat was gracious and charming. Our meeting lasted approximately ten minutes, and I could sense that the Indian Armed Forces were in the right hands.

The crash has raised many questions about how a wellmaintained helicopter operated by one of the most experience piolets could crash. No doubt there will be an inquiry in the crash what lessons can be learnt. The black box recorder has been recovered from shedding some light on the circumstances that led to the fatal crash.

Gen. Bipin Rawat was born in Uttarakhand in a family that has served in the Indian Army for multiple generations. His father was a Lieutenant General in the Army, and his mother was the daughter of Kishan Singh Parmar, a former Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Uttarkashi. Gen Rawat completed his schooling in Dehradun and Shimla and later joined the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla and the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, where he received the 'Sword of Honour'. He was a four-star general and the first Chief of Defence Staff from Jan 2020 until 8th December 2021. His role was to oversee the smooth operation between the Indian Armed Forces, i.e. Army, Navy and Air Force. His role was to keep Pakistan and China under check.

Gen. Rawat was one of the most decorated Indian Army officers.

He was from the Gurkha regiment, known for their loyalty and velour. He was known for his blunt-talking and was immensely respected by civilians and defence personnel. India's adversaries also respected him. He received many accolades, including from America.

On his visit to the United States in 2019, General Rawat was inducted into the United States Army Command and General Staff College International Hall of Fame.

He has left a great legacy to inspire generations of soldiers. He will be greatly missed.

May he Rest in Peace in Heaven.

Jai Hind

PM Modi’s Twitter account ‘briefly compromised’ PM Modi’s personal Twitter account was hacked for a brief period during the early hours of Sunday, prompting the Centre’s cyber security wing CERT to order a highlevel inquiry into the incident that follows a similar breach in September last year where an account linked to the PM’s personal website was compromised.

The latest incident saw the hackers put out a tweet from the PM’s Twitter handle – that has over 73.4 million followers – claiming that India has “officially adopted bitcoin as legal tender”. Sharing a link and asking people to “hurry up”, the Tweet added, “The govern-

Narendra Modi

ment has officially bought 500 BTC and is distributing them to all residents of the country”.

No sooner had the hack been noticed than the government sprung into action, writing to Twitter about the incident and asking users to

ignore the tweet. The first official info about the breach was sent out through the PM’s official Twitter account (@PMOIndia): “The Twitter handle of PM @narendramodi was very briefly compromised. The matter was escalated to

Twitter and the account was immediately secured. In the brief period that the account was compromised, any Tweet shared must be ignored”.

When contacted, a spokesperson for Twitter said that the account was "secured" the moment they were made aware of the hack. "We have 24x7 open lines of communication with the PM’s Office and our teams took necessary steps to secure the compromised account as soon as we became aware of this activity. Our investigation has revealed that there are no signs of any other impacted accounts at this time."

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18 - 24 December 2021

India's Harnaaz Sandhu crowned Miss Universe 2021 Harnaaz Sandhu from India won the coveted Miss Universe 2021 title, beating contestants from 80 countries in the pageant held in Eilat, Israel. Only two Indians before Sandhu have won the title of Miss Universe - actors Sushmita Sen in 1994 and Lara Dutta in 2000.

The 21-year-old model from Punjab claimed the crown edging out Paraguay's Nadia Ferreira and South Africa's Lalela Mswane. Sandhu was presented the crown by Andrea Meza, former Miss Universe 2020 from Mexico.

On being asked what advice she would give to young women on how to deal with the pressures they face, a composed Sandhu said, "The biggest pressure the youth of today is facing is to believe in themselves, to know that you are unique

Harnaaz Sandhu

and that's what makes you beautiful. Stop comparing yourselves with others and let's talk about more important things that's happening worldwide."

"This is what you need to understand. Come out, speak for yourselves because you are the leader of your life, you are the voice of your own. I believed in myself and that's why I am

standing here today," Ms Sandhu said with aplomb.

Sandhu, awho started her journey in pageantry at the age of 17, has previously been crowned Miss Diva 2021, Femina Miss India Punjab 2019 and was even placed in the Top 12 at Femina Miss India 2019. She has also worked in Punjabi films like "Yaara Diyan Poo Baran" and "Bai Ji Kuttange".

Air Chief Marshal urges to modernize Indian Air Force Identifying that China poses a significant long term challenge to India’s strategic goals, Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari said that it should be made clear to the world that today's India has the capability and will to respond at a level that the nation deems appropriate.

He has urged that IAF needs to be rapidly modernized, expand its fleet and improve indigenous manufacturing capabilities at a seminar conducted by the Centre for Air Power Studies saying "China poses a significant and long-term challenge to India's strategic goals. Both People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) and Pakistan Air Force (PAF) have enhanced their military capabilities in equipment and infrastructure. IAF needs to be rapidly modernized, expand its fleet and improve indige-

Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari

nous manufacturing capabilities," While asserting that India has demonstrated its capabilities during a standoff on the northern border while simultaneously handling the national COVID19 response, the Air Chief Marshal said that China's hegemonic and entrapping policies can provide opportunities for India to leverage in trade and military

domains.

Chaudhary has also warned that "In the future, India could be attacked from all fronts, starting from economic strangulation to diplomatic isolation and military standoffs to information blackouts, in the form of attack by a distributed denial of services.

This requires the need to prepare for the full spectrum for the country."

After killing of civilians, Nagaland cabinet seeks repeal of AFSPA After the killing of 14 Konyak civilians in a botched counter-insurgency operation by the Army and clashes in its aftermath in Mon district, the Nagaland cabinet decided to formally write to the Centre to repeal the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act of 1958, blaming it for the incidents.

Mourning for the deaths, the cabinet has called off events scheduled for the last four days of the popular state-organised 10-

day Hornbill Festival near Kohima.

Minister and government spokesperson Neiba Kronu said the emergency cabinet meeting was briefed on the actions taken by the government since the killings, including setting up an SIT headed by an IGP and four other members. Kronu said the cabinet gave the team a month to submit its findings.

Speaking at a mass funeral service for

the victims in Mon, Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio had said it was a travesty that the "draconian" AFSPA hadn't been withdrawn from Nagaland despite a 25-year ceasefire with insurgent groups. He said every time the state cabinet would recommend that the "disturbed area" tag be removed, the Centre would extend it by another year to keep the AFSPA in force.

The cabinet will be supporting the

demands placed by the Konyak Union by putting it before India’s President Ram Nath Kovind. In its letter to the President, the tribal body urged him to institute an independent inquiry by a panel that includes two members of the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation. The union demanded identification of all the Army commandos involved in the incident and action against them within a month.

26 MEDIA WATCH

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SCRUTATOR’S India successfully test-fires air version of BrahMos missile India successfully test-fired the air version of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile from the integrated test range of Chandipur, off the coast of Odisha, DRDO sources said.

Describing the mission as a "major milestone" in the development of BrahMos, the sources said that the air version of the missile was test-fired from supersonic fighter aircraft Sukhoi 30 MK-I. The "copy book flight" followed the pre-planned trajectory and met all objectives, DRDO the sources said. The launch has cleared the way for serial production of air-version BrahMos missiles, they said. Congratulating the teams involved in the flight test, Dr G Satheesh Reddy, the secretary in the department of Defence Research and Development and chairman of DRDO, said various laboratories at the premier agency, academic institutions, public sector undertakings and Indian Air Force (IAF) participated in the testing, production and induction of this complex missile system. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has praised the DRDO, Indian Air Force and other stakeholders on the success of the mission. (Agency) Man climbs on tree to avoid getting vaccinated With the health authorities going door to door to expedite Covid-19 vaccination and achieve 100 per cent target in Telangana by the end of December, incidents of vaccine hesitancy are coming to light.

In one such incident in Telangana's Sangareddy district, a man climbed on a tree to avoid vaccination.

When the health workers reached the house of Ghousuddin he refused to take the vaccine. Though Ghousuddin's father Sardar Ali and other family members tried to persuade him to take the jab, the 33-year-old refused to budge. When the locals insisted, the man climbed on a tree. According to eye-witnesses, he sat on the tree for more than an hour and got down only after the health workers had left the place. In another incident in Sangareddy town, a group of residents refused to take the vaccine and even tried to attack the health employees who were going door to door to administer the doses.

Some people in the Nalsabgadda area raised objection to the visit by the team of health workers and refused to take the vaccine. They entered into an argument with the officials and refused to take the vaccine. (Agency) Newly constructed road makes MLA furious The inauguration ceremony of an under-construction road in UP's Bijnor district went horribly wrong, turning into a major embarrassment for the BJP MLA who had been invited to do the honours, when the coconutcracking ritual left the fruit intact but broke the road instead. A furious Suchi Chaudhary, the legislator from Bijnor who was there for the road-opening, stopped the event, sat on dharna for three hours and demanded action against those responsible for what she called a "grave misdemeanor". She declared she wouldn't budge from her protest until officers came to the site to take samples of the road, investigate and book the culprits. She was mollified only after district magistrate Umesh Mishra vowed to punish the guilty. (Agency) Farm owner claims death of chickens due to loud music A poultry farm owner of Odisha’s Balasore has filed a complaint at the Nilagiri police station after 63 chickens of his farm died. The complainant, Ranjit Parida claims they died of suspected heart attack due to loud DJ music being played at his neighbour’s wedding procession. According to Ranjit, his neighbour’s wedding procession passed through his farm.

He says as the “ear-splitting” music filled the neighbourhood, the chicken started behaving unusually with some of them jumping and hissing. He repeatedly requested his neighbours to lower the volume but no heed was paid, said Ranjit. He later tried to revive them but in vain. He then took them to a veterinarian who diagnosed shock due to loud noise as the cause of deaths. Initially, Ranjit tried to settle the matter with his neighbour in exchange of compensation but the latter refused. With no options left, he filed an FIR. Police officials said the matter is being looked into but both the parties have resolved it amicably at the police station. (Agency) Man makes Ambassador car his abode

Chandrashekar, a 56-year-old man, has been living in an Ambassador amid dense forests in Karnataka's Dakshina Kannada district. He has been living along with wild animals, and become a part of it for over one-andhalf decade. He does not want to come back even as wild snakes always make their way into his car. He will promptly catch and leave them back into the jungle.

"Human beings are more poisonous and dangerous than wild animals," he says. He has made his Ambassador car his abode, locks himself up in the car during nights and whenever he feels like resting. He has put up a plastic sheet on bamboo poles as the roof. The only connection with the outside world is a radio. Chandrashekar though looks like more of a jungle man, shabby and unkempt, has a soft heart. Soft-spoken Chandrashekar says he is an educated man and he feels that his land was auctioned in violation of the law by the bank authorities. However, Aranthod Gram Panchayat administered the Covid-19 vaccine on Chandrashekar. During Covid times when the villages were shut, he survived by eating wild fruits in the forest. (Agency) School girl turns to YouTube for delivering baby In a bizarre incident a 17-year-old Kerala school girl delivered a child at her home while watching YouTube for guidance on the delivery, said reports. An official attached to the Kondotty police station in Malappurram district said that a 22-year-old youth who was allegedly having an affair with the girl has been arrested. The incident came to light when the girl who delivered a baby boy developed an infection and had to be taken to the hospital. It was then that the news was known and the hospital authorities informed the police. The youth was taken into

custody and remanded, police said. The families of the two had agreed to their marriage, but since the girl was not of marriageable age they decided to wait. The delivery took place at the girl's house and reports said that they watched YouTube for guidance on the delivery and conducted it accordingly. According to doctors the mother and child are now fine.(Agency) 'Disappointed' burglar's note to house owner A burglar, who was disappointed after he did not find enough cash and valuables at the residence of a government official at Civil Lines in Dewas, left a note asking why the house was locked when there was no money, police said. Umrao Singh, the Kotwali police station in-charge, said that Rs 30,000 cash and some valuables were stolen from Trilochan Gaur's house who is posted as Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) at Khategaon in Dewas district of Madhya Pradesh. Trilochan Gaur had not visited his house for the past 15 days. He came to know about the burglary when he came after a fortnight and found that silver jewellery and cash were missing. The official later informed the police about the burglary. During the investigation at Gaur's residence, a hand-written note was found which said "Jab paise nahi they toh lock nahi karna tha collector (when there was no money, it should not have been locked, collector). The police have registered a case against unknown people and further investigation is underway. (Agency) Kerala granny learns to read and write at 104 Scaling new heights, a 104-yearold woman from Kottayam in Kerala scored 89 out of 100 marks in a literacy examination conducted in Kerala last week and has now qualified for the Class 4 equivalent test of the state’s Saksharata (literacy) mission. Kerala education minister V Sivankutty was one of the first to highlight the feat when he posted a photo of Kuttiyamma and congratulated her for bringing laurels to the state. He said Kuttiyamma’s feat would inspire many to enter the beautiful world of education. As praises are pouring in from different quarters, Kuttiyamma’s family said she has already started preparing for the class 4 equivalent exam. Born in a poor famil, Kuttiyamma never had an opportunity to go to school and married at the age of 15. Though she can read well, writing was quite alien to her all these years. When literacy mission volunteer M Rehna approached her two months, she grabbed the opportunity. Her only condition was that the teacher should speak louder because she has a hearing issue. She attended classes at home in the morning and evening religiously,” said Rehna, adding that she was moved by the centenarian’s desire to learn more. “She keeps nagging me with her doubts,” said her great-granddaughter M Sheeja, a high school student in Kottayam. She also got a special mention in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Maan ki Baat’ programme.(Agency) Penguins get new home in Ahmedabad Five penguins brought from the southern tip of Africa made the aquatic gallery in Science City their new home.

Gujarat education minister Jitu Vaghani inaugurated the enclosure. Officials said that the penguins were quarantined and acclimatized to the environs. “This addition will not only bring new attraction to the gallery but will also help visitors understand the vast biodiversity sustained by our oceans,” said a Science City official. All penguins live in the southern hemisphere, on the coasts of Antarctica, South Africa, South America, parts of Australia and New Zealand, and various islands including the Galapagos. The penguins at the aquatic gallery are African penguins (Speniscus demersus). The species is endemic to the coasts of South Africa, but can be found living and breeding under human care across the world. Wild African penguin populations are declining rapidly. (The Times of India)

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18 - 24 December 2021

Daytime meals might reduce health problems: Study A small clinical trial by the National Institutes of Health states eating only during the daytime might prevent higher glucose levels for night shift workers.

The study has been published in the ‘Science Advances Journal’. Authors of the study said the findings could lead to novel behavioural interventions aimed at improving the health of shift workers grocery stockers, hotel workers, truck drives, first responders, and others, who are said to be at risk for diabetes, heart disease, and obesity.

The new study, which the researchers noted is the first to demonstrate the beneficial effect of this type of meal timing intervention in humans was primarily funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI).

Marishka Brown, Ph.D., director of the NHLBI’s National Center on Sleep Disorders Research, said, “This is a rigorous and highly controlled laboratory study that demonstrates a potential intervention for

the adverse metabolic effects associated with shift work, which is a known public health concern.”

Brown added, “We look forward to additional studies that confirm the results and begin to untangle the biological underpinnings of these findings.” Researchers enrolled 19 healthy young participants for the study.

After a preconditioning routine, the participants were randomly assigned to a 14-day controlled laboratory protocol involving simulated night work conditions with one of two meal schedules.

One group ate during the nighttime to mimic a

HEAR HEAR! Postponing hearing tests or ignoring a diagnosis can risk accelerated cognitive decline

Jane Noble

Shefali Saxena

J

ane Noble (BSc, Masters Clinical Audiology) is an Audiologist who completed my Bachelor of Biomedical Science at Auckland University and Master of Clinic Audiology at Macquarie University in Sydney. She has been an Audiologist for 7 years, working both in New Zealand and London, spending 2 years in Paediatrics at a Central London Hospital and 5 years in Adult Rehabilitation. She is now b with Amplifon, a Global Audiology company for 3 years, setting up her new Islington store in January 2021.

In an exclusive interview with Asian Voice, she spoke about her work during the pandemic, and how audiological issues impact our community.

- How did your patients and other members of the community who suffer from hearing issues cope with the pandemic?

Most people have experienced some sort of loneliness and social isolation over the past 18 months however I think my patients and others with hearing loss have experienced this even more. Prior to the Covid pandemic, hearing impairment was already linked to isolation as communication with others can already be quite difficult and stressful for these individuals.

Patients often feel like they are being disruptive when they ask for clarification and feel embarrassed when they misinter-

Q

meal schedule typical among night workers, and the other ate during the daytime. Researchers then evaluated the effects of these meal schedules on their internal circadian rhythms. They found that night-time eating boosted glucose levels, a risk factor for diabetes while restricting meals to the daytime prevented this effect.

Study leader Frank A.J.L. Scheer, PhD., professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and director of the Medical Chronobiology Program at Brigham & Women’s Hospital in Boston, said, “This is the first study in

pret speech. They often disengage and 'tune out' to cope with this which further isolates them from society.

Over the pandemic, we have all relied more on remote communication technologies such as phone calls, zoom and facetime however this is more difficult for people with hearing loss. Most newer hearing aids can directly connect with mobile phones and tablets thus hopefully some have felt this pressure ease slightly. Still, patients with hearing loss do face issues; masks which are now mandatory in most settings affect speechreading and facial cues which are a huge part of our understanding of speech, particularly those who are hearing impaired, making it harder to navigate unfamiliar social contexts.

- Were you able to treat them via virtual consultations or you do have a backlog?

Audiology was considered an essential service thus most of our clinics remained open for essential appointments. We wore and continue to use full PPE for the safety of our clients.

- What kind of audiological issues do Asians complain of in general?

People have unique lifestyles and different needs. Depending on the hearing configuration and the client's lifestyle, I get various issues. A lot of clients struggle hearing their family and friends well when in group situations. Asian families are often quite large and meet regularly thus communication between families and in groups is an important part of life. Hearing television clearly can be an issue for some - They need it louder and often need subtitles as an aid.

Difficulties communicating at home is also a sign that a visit to your audiologist could help. People often say they can't hear speech when a speaker turns away or speak to them from another room. Anything which is causing a communication barrier is a sign that hearing should be checked.

Postponing hearing tests or ignoring a diagnosis can risk accelerated cognitive decline and affects our enjoyment of activities that help us to keep active and healthy.

- Is there enough equipment and medication available to address their concerns?

Q Q

Q

humans to demonstrate the use of meal timing as a countermeasure against the combined negative effects of impaired glucose tolerance and disrupted alignment of circadian rhythms resulting from simulated night work.”

Researchers believed that the night-tie eating effects on glucose levels during simulated night work are caused by circadian misalignment. That corresponded to the mistiming between the central circadian “clock” and behavioural sleep/wake, light/dark, and fasting/eating cycles, which can influence peripheral “clocks” throughout the body.

“This study reinforces the notion that when you eat matters for determining health outcomes such as blood sugar levels, which are relevant for night workers as they typically eat at night while on shift,” said the study co-leader Sarah L. Chellappa, M.D., Ph.D., a researcher in the nuclear medicine department at the University of Cologne, Germany.

Physical activity better for heart disease patients A brand new study has found that moderate to vigorous physical activity is related to risk reductions of non-communicable diseases and mortality. The study published in the journal PLOS Medicine

by Thijs Eijsvogels at Radboud University Medical Center, The Netherlands and colleagues has suggested that while risk reduction for healthy individuals plateaus at higher levels of physical activity, people with heart diseases have no upper limit of physical activity beyond which there is no further benefit.

To investigate how cardiovascular health status affects the association between physical activity and health outcomes, researchers used prospectively gathered data from the Lifelines Cohort Study; a population-based cohort of 167.729 individuals living the Northern in Netherlands.

They compared the association between physical activity and major adverse cardiovascular events as well as all-cause mortality across healthy

Depending on the need of the client and their hearing loss, hearing aids are typically the best device to help address hearing concerns. Hearing aids will not make your hearing perfect but are set specially for you and your loss to make the sounds you need louder and clearer, reducing the impact the loss is having on your life. They are available in all sizes and styles, depending on your needs.

Hearing aids are now a lot smarter and can connect to smart devices so you can have control of your own hearing. It also means phone calls, TV and more can be directly streamed from your devices to your ears. Most hearing aids are also now rechargeable which means no fiddley batteries and better environmental impact.

- As an audiologist, what are the challenges of dealing with patients, especially those who are elderly and do not come with an attendant?

As an Audiologist in a private clinic, I can spend a lot more time with my client so don't see as many barriers and restrictions as possibly seen in a public clinic. We can have as many appointments as the client needs to ensure the hearing aids are working just right for them.

It does however always help to have a support person come as they will be able to provide the support at home if necessary.

- How advanced is the technology in audiology and what innovations are expected in the near future?

As I said above, hearing aids are becoming smarter and quicker. They are able to analyse the wearer’s environment and make automatic changes to help the listener hear over noise or wind etc. Rechargeable hearing aids means no more fiddley batteries, simply charge the hearing aids at night when they're not in your ears and have a full day of the hearing.

Connectivity to smart devices and phones is well-established technology now and is available in most devices on the market.

I think the future will bring more technology improvements - faster processing perhaps. I also expect telehealth appointments where the appointment is virtual over an iPad/tablet for those clients who prefer it.

Although, we always love to see friendly faces in person!

individuals, individuals with elevated levels of cardiovascular risk factors, and individuals with cardiovascular disease.

Researchers found that increasing physical activity reduced mortality risk in all groups. In cardiovascular disease patients, the researchers found no evidence of an upper physical activity limit above which there is no further health benefit. The authors said, “These findings suggest that cardiovascular disease patients should be encouraged that ‘more is better’ in regard to physical activity.

Physical activity recommendations should not follow a ‘one-guideline-fits-all’ approach but underline the need for precision medicine in which physical activity prescription may be dependent, amongst other factors, on an individual’s cardiovascular health status.”

Essential stretches for neck and shoulders

Q

Q

The coronavirus pandemic has brought the office to our homes, and as a result, the neck, shoulders, and back have suffered the most. Celebrity nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar keeps sharing tips on stretching our body muscles from time to time. It is necessary to release the back, neck and shoulder muscles once in a while to keep the body activated.

Rujuta demonstrated three exercises that can be done at home and are a must to be followed in order to keep our bodies active. The first exercise shows us to push our palms against a wall with our hands placed below the shoulder and the shoulder blades squeezed. Then spread our fingers apart and kept them against the wall.

For the second exercise, stand with hips aligned with feet and place your hands backwards against a chair with the shoulder blades squeezed. For the third exercise, place your body close to a wall with one hand folded and placed against it. Then touch your palm to your shoulders without moving it from the wall.

Stretching your neck and shoulder muscles helps relieve tension, pain, and stiffness in the neck and shoulder region.

To Our Readers

We are publishing these reports in good faith. Before you try any of these remedies, please consult the doctor. We are not responsible for any adverse effects.- Editor

28

ART & CULTURE

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www.asian-voice.com

18 - 24 December 2021

‘My medical career always comes first’, says doctor turned artist A Senti aka Adil

Shefali Saxena British-Asian Latin-pop star and trainee doctor, Senti (real name: Adil), has released his fantastic debut single He She It! Having put his musical aspirations on hold to join the frontline fight against the pandemic, 'He She It' is a well-needed, flamencoinspired, respite from a man just

as capable of breaking your heart as he is at mending it. Through a lush arsenal of Spanish acoustic, bass, synths and drums - all performed by Senti himself - the track is a stance against the barriers in modern love and does so with the compositional flair of a musician decades beyond Senti's own experience; vibrant, vivacious and emotionally

engaging, 'He She It' is a wondrous first impression from this jack of all trades.

In an interview with Asian Voice, Adil spoke about juggling medicine and music. t the cusp of being a doctor, how do you plan to nourish both your passion for music and poetry, as well as a career in medicine?

My medical career always comes first. I've worked very hard for a very long time and I'm so close to being blessed with the opportunity to serve the community as a doctor.

Medicine is a very rewarding but very challenging career and I've always found poetry and my music as therapeutic to deal with my stresses. I think it's important we all have hobbies and passions. any Asian doctors are gifted with a great sense of music.

Why do you think that is still a trend?

I think an Asian background in combination with being raised in the UK exposes us to a myriad of genres and art forms.

I think doctors in general have a tendency to lean towards

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What’s love got to do with it?

Studiocanal and Working Title Films released a first look image from crosscultural British rom-com What’s Love Got To Do With It?, directed by Shekhar Kapur (Elizabeth) and written by Jemima Khan.

Set to release in cinemas worldwide 2022, What’s Love Got To Do With It? stars Lily James (Baby Driver, Darkest Hour, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, Rebecca), Shazad Latif (Star Trek: Discovery, Penny Dreadful, The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel), Emma Thompson (Beauty And The Beast, Bridget Jones’s Baby, Saving Mr Banks), Sajal Aly (Zindagi Kitni Haseen Hay, Mom), Shabana Azmi (Arth, Khandhar, Paar, Godmother), Asim Chaudhry (Black Mirror: Bandersnatch, People Just Do Nothing, The Electrical Life Of Louis Wain), Mim Shaikh (Freehold, Informer) Jeff Mirza (Eternals, Blinded By The Light), Iman Boujelouah, Mariam Haque (Finding Alice, Homeland, Flowers) And Sindhu Vee (Starstruck, Feel Good).

British-Pakistani record producer, DJ, songwriter, and musician Naughty Boy will bring his production and writing skills to the film, collaborating on new, original,

recordings. Rahat Fateh Ali Khan has also recorded two songs for the soundtrack and will appear in the film itself.

The film is produced by Jemima Khan (The Clinton Affair, The Case Against Adnan Syed, We Steal Secrets: The Story Of Wikileaks) & Her Instinct Productions With Producer Nicky Kentish Barnes (About Time, About A Boy) alongside Working Title Films’ Eric Fellner and Tim Bevan.

Studiocanal is fully financed and will release in their own territories – the UK, France, Germany, Australia & New Zealand – and are selling the film worldwide.

Rare painting from 17th century at risk of leaving the UK Valued at £272,800, Allegorical Painting of wearing these “spots” via an inscription the Two Ladies, the English School, dating above the two women which claims to around 1650, is at risk of leaving the wearing beauty patches is a sin of pride, a country unless a UK buyer can be found. widespread opinion in the 17th century.

This style of work gives the painting an This extremely rare painting shows two women, one black and one white, side by side, presented as companions and equals with similar dress, hair and jewellery.

The depiction of a black female sitter in a 1650s painting was highly unusual, particularly a work showing an adult, rather than a child in a position of subservience, inviting The extremely rare painting depicts a black female sitter alongside her important debate white companion, contributing to the historical debate about race and about race and gender gender in the 17th century during the period. affinity with popular woodcut prints at the Another remarkable aspect of the time, making it clear the work is allegorical painting is the depiction of beauty patches and associating it with satirical verse, on both women. Although in vogue at the pamphlets and sermons. time, the painting appears to condemn

music as a mechanism to relax or to help them wind down from the physically taxing responsibilities in the wards or community. ell us more about your music, what else do you wish to do in the near future?

I currently have 7 other completed tracks ready to be finalised in the studio! I'm really looking forward to the opportunity to play live when I'm able and spread my message.

I'm always writing lyrics or creating new melodies, it's my form of expressing my thoughts and reflection I guess. eing an artist and a doctor demands an incredible amount of cultural acceptance and exposure to diversity, which is a great blessing. What is your takeaway from learning more about cultures at a tender age, and how do you think that impacts you and your work as a human being?

I think first and foremost it's important to be yourself and understand who you are. I think the modern landscape has grown insincere. A lot of people including myself have struggled

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with identity. This lead to many struggles in my own life.

After a lot of time and effort, I found myself and accepted my own identity. I have been blessed with the opportunity to see a variety of cultures around the world growing up and this really helped me understand the importance of viewing people as individuals and to empathise and not to judge based on race or cultural difference.

When you accept your sincere self, you tend to find the bonds and friendships and love you form is more genuine. Culture demonstrates the sheer variety of beauty in the world. It was exposure to this variety that lead me to develop empathy and acceptance. hat according to you is the future of independent artists post the pandemic?

I think with social media and Tik Tok, there are more opportunities than ever! I hope for the world to be restored to its live gig prime over time but through the pandemic especially we've seen massive growth for independent artists.

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The UK’s favourite Christmas movie The 2003 comedy ‘Elf’ is the most popular film to watch this Christmas period, according to new research.

Research conducted by PokerListings.com analysed IMDB and Rotten Tomatoes scores, as well as Google search levels and Wikipedia page views to see which Christmas movie is the UK’s number one fan favourite.

‘Elf’ ended up taking the top spot, with more than 30,000 Google searches a month for the Christmas classic, as well as praise from audiences and critics alike. The film is currently sitting at 7/10 on IMDB and a 79% score from audiences on Rotten Tomatoes. The Jon Favreau-directed comedy featured an ensemble cast with Will Ferrell, Zooey Deschanel, James Caan and much more starring.

In second place is the animated musical ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’. Released in 1993, the film is a high scorer with audiences sitting at an 8/10 on IMDB and a 91% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. It’s the biggest scorer for Wiki page views on the list, with more than 1.1 million visiting in the past month alone. The fantasy title was the first animated film to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects.

‘Home Alone’ sits in third place in the list as another audience favourite, with a Rotten Tomatoes score of 80% and a 7.6/10 on IMDB. It’s widely considered one of the greatest festive films ever, and the effect the film has is clear, with its success influencing

the making of six sequels since its release in 1990.

‘Love, Actually’ also features in the top ten, sitting in fifth place. The film is one of the most prominent UK rom-com set in the Christmas period and features a starstudded cast including Hugh Grant, Liam Neeson, Keira Knightley, Emma Thompson and many more. It had a charity short film sequel, Red Nose Day Actually, which aired in 2017 on BBC One with the same cast.

The 2019 Romantic Comedy ‘Last Christmas’ makes an appearance in seventh place. Inspired by the music of George Michael, it stars Emilia Clarke in the leading role, with Emma Thompson and Henry Golding also starring. It’s an example of a Christmas movie that divided critics and fans, with a Rotten Tomatoes audience score of 81% and only a 44% score from critics, with a 6.5/10 on IMDB. It’s also one of the most Googled entries on the list with more than 11,000 searches a month.

New £1m Arts and Culture Fund for Essex Essex Council has launched a new £1 million fund to support Essex’s art and culture sector over the next five years. The Essex County Council Arts and Cultural Fund will open on Tuesday 4th January. It will offer artists and cultural organisations grants from £2,500 to £30,000 to deliver projects.

The fund will be open to individual artists and co-operatives, community groups, charities, community interest companies, social enterprises and private and public organisations.

Prior to the pandemic, Essex’s creative sector was the third-largest in the UK, employing more than 25,000 people. It contributed an estimated £2.6 billion to the county’s economy. The new fund will support and rejuvenate the Essex arts and

culture sector, as well as the county’s towns and city high streets.

Councillor Graham Butland, Essex County Council Cabinet Member for Devolution, the Arts Heritage and Culture, said: “We believe that a thriving creative sector is part of a strong economy and one which will rejuvenate our high streets. It is my hope that the Arts and Cultural Fund will support the diverse and vibrant communities we have throughout the county.”

Applications for the Arts and Cultural Fund are open from Tuesday 4th January 2022 until Monday 28th February 2022.

Successful grant submissions will be announced at the end of March 2022.

Expressions of interest can be made now.

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BOLLYWOOD 29 18 - 24 December 2021

Katrina Kaif, Vicky Kaushal tie the knot in a lavish, private ceremony Bollywood stars Katrina Kaif and Vicky Kaushal tied the knot last week in a close-knit ceremony in Rajasthan. They later took to their official Instagram handles and made the announcement with pictures from the nuptial. Both the actors wrote, “Only love and gratitude in our hearts for everything that brought us to this moment. Seeking all your love and blessings as we begin this new journey together.”

The wedding was a private, yet lavish affair at Sawai Madhopur’s Six Senses Fort Barwara and saw only family and close friends in attendance. One of Bollywood’s bigticket weddings, all the ceremonies and preparations were kept private. Reports reveal there was a no photos NDA clause for guests and compulsory RT PCR tests for unvaccinated attendees.

The media and fans were kept largely in the dark, however, the paparazzi managed to snap photos of various guests heading to Jaipur. Punjabi singer Gurdas Maan reportedly performed at the sangeet, and so did musical trio Shankar, Ehsaan and Loy. If media reports are to be believed, a total of 120 guests attended the wedding and the guest list included Director-Actor Anand Tiwari and his wife Angira, Neha Dhupia and Angad Bedi, Sharvari, Kabir Khan and wife Mini Mathur, and producer Amritpal Singh Bindra.

A grand reception is expected to be thrown for the couple’s colleagues and friends.

On the work front, both Vicky and Katrina are currently basking in the success of ‘Sardar Udham’ and ‘Sooryavanshi’ respectively.

Alia Bhatt blushes at beau Ranbir Kapoor reference in a press con Actors Alia Bhatt, Ajay Devgn, Jr NTR and filmmaker SS Rajamouli interacted with the media recently during the trailer launch of their upcoming film ‘RRR’ in Mumbai.

The paps had a field day during the event with a reporter asked Alia if the letter R is lucky for her. The reference is to her boyfriend Ranbir Kapoor.

A video of the interaction was posted by a pap account on social media. Alia is seen smiling when asked the question. She replied, “I am stumped. Mere paas jawaab hi nahin hai (I don’t have an answer). I am trying to be intelligent. I don’t have a good answer.” She then said, “Ji (Yes)” to loud cheers. Alia then added, “R is a lovely alphabet, but so is A.” Both, Alia and Ranbir have been dating for several years and if rumours are to be believed, they are planning to tie the knot after they wrap up their professional commitments. They had made their relationship official in 2018 after they arrived together at Sonam Kapoor and Anand Abuja’s wedding reception.

On the work front, Alia is awaiting the release of ‘Gangubai Kathiawadi’, and has ‘RRR’, ‘Darlings’, ‘Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani’ and ‘Jee Le Zaraa’.

Abhishek Bachchan recalls first interaction with wife Aishwarya In a recent interview, actor Abhishek Bachchan recollected the time when he met his now-wife Aishwarya Rai Bachchan for the first time.

He said she couldn’t understand a word he said because of his thick accent. In an appearance on ‘The Ranveer Show’ podcast, Abhishek recalled the story of how he was sent to scout for locations in Switzerland for his father because he'd gone to school there.

He was working as a production boy for Amitabh Bachchan on ‘Mrityudaata’, and was sent to scout for locations in Switzerland. Actor Bobby Deal was also shooting his film ‘Aur Pyar Ho Gaya’ at the same time and called him over for dinner. The movie was Aishwarya’s Hindi debut and was the first time she and

Abhishek actually interacted.

Abhishek said, “And whenever she talks about it, she jokingly ‘I couldn’t says, understand a word of what you were saying.’

Because here I was, a kid from an international boarding school then went to Boston. I must’ve had some really heavy accent at that point. And she was like, ‘What were you saying?’.” The actor added that his father had later advised him to learn Hindi before starting his acting career in Bollywood.

Both, Abhishek and Aishwarya are parents to daughter Aaradhya and recently celebrated her 10th birthday in the Maldives.

Riz Ahmed calls Irrfan Khan “a guiding light” Oscar-nominated British-Pakistani actor Riz Ahmed has yet again professed his admiration for Bollywood icon Irrfan Khan, stating his legacy is still being understood. In an interview, Ahmed spoke about the actor’s movies including ‘The Warrior’, ‘The Lunchbox’, and ‘Maqbool’, as films that made him a fan of the deceased actor.

Ahmed said he played a crucial role in bridging the gap between the Indian film industry and the West. The actor said, “I think Irrfan’s legacy is still being understood.

I don’t really think there had been an actor like him until he came along. By that, I mean someone who seamlessly managed to bridge Bollywood and Hollywood, independent films and commercial films, in two languages and across the two biggest film industries in the world.”

He added, “I don’t think that there’s been any like that before him or since, and that’s something quite profound when you really think about the impact of that culturally. He has made the world a slightly smaller place.

He made it a more joined-up place.”

Calling Irrfan one of those gifted artists

who could slip into any character and at the same time, offer a glimpse of their own self, Riz said, “Just those eyes…

I remember seeing him for the first time in ‘The Warrior’. I remember seeing him in ‘The Lunchbox’. I remember seeing him in ‘Maqbool’. I remember seeing him in ‘Life of Pi’. And each time, the way that he could just be so unapologetically himself and still transform.

That’s the realm of actors like Philip Seymour Hoffman who can transform while still revealing themselves.”

Calling Irrfan a “guiding light” for a generation of people, he said, “I think he’s really a guiding light for a whole generation of people around the world. I think we were lucky to have been alive in a time when he was creating.” Irrfan passed away in 2020 after a long battle with cancer.

On the work front, Ahmed will be seen next in filmmaker Michael Pearce’s sci-fi drama ‘Encounter’. The film, which also features Octavia Spencer, Lucian-River Chauhan and Aditya Geddada, will start streaming on Amazon Prime Video from December 10.

30 BOLLYWOOD

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18 - 24 December 2021

Sara Ali Khan pens note for Sushant Singh Rajput on 3rd anniversary of ‘Kedarnath’ Actor Sara Ali Khan celebrated the third anniversary of her debut film ‘Kedarnath’, last week, in which she starred opposite the late Sushant Singh Rajput. She took to Instagram and wrote about the importance of the film in her life, and how much she misses Sushant.

Sharing a montage of clips from the film, Sara said, “3 years ago my biggest dream came true. I became an actor, and my first, and most special film was released. I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to explain how much Kedarnath means to me- the place, the film, the memories, all of it. But today I’m really missing my Mansoor. It’s only because of Sushant’s unwavering support, selfless help, constant guidance and compassionate advice that Mukku was able to reach your hearts. From Kedarnath to Andromeda. Miss you forever, Sushant.”

She ended the post by thanking her producers for believing in her and director Abhishek Kapoor for trusting her with his vision. Set against the backdrop of the floods that ravaged Kedarnath in 2014, the film revolved around the love story between Mukku and Mansoor. Released in 2018, it received much praise for the performances of its leads.

Sushant Singh Rajput died in June 2020. Meanwhile, Sara is currently promoting her upcoming film ‘Atrangi Re’, opposite Dhanush and Akshay Kumar.

Nick Jonas afraid of “not being a good husband” to wife Priyanka In a short clip from the first episode of the Jonas’ Brothers’ new mini-series ‘Moments Between The Moments’, singer and actor Nick Jonas says he is afraid of “not being a good husband, brother, son”. The clip was shared on Instagram by a fan account of him and his wife Priyanka Chopra.

He says, “I fear not being a good husband, brother, son. The most important thing to me is my family and the way that I treat them, how I show them love and respect. You know, we all have our way of giving and receiving love.” The clip garnered a lot of love from fans with several calling Priyanka Chopra “blessed”.

‘Moments Between The Moments’ cap-

Kareena Kapoor “obsessed” with Jennifer Lawrence’s pregnancy style

Bollywood actor Kareena Kapoor says she is “obsessed” with Hollywood star Jennifer Lawrence’s pregnancy style and she took to Instagram to share her love. The actress shared a photo of the star flaunting her baby bump on her Insta stories. She inserted an ‘Obsessed’ sticker into the picture. The photo showed Lawrence in a black and white polka-dotted dress along with black heels and kept her hair loose.

Kareena Kapoor has published her own book, ‘The Pregnancy Bible’ where she detailed her struggles and joys of motherhood with sons Taimur and Jeh. She welcomed her second child earlier this year.

On the work front, Kareena is now awaiting the release of her film ‘Laal Singh Chaddha’, which is a remake of the Hollywood classic ‘Forrest Gump’.

tures the camaraderie between the Jonas Brothers - Nick, Joe, and Kevin behind the scenes of their recent Remember This Tour.

Sharing a teaser of the first episode, Nick wrote on Instagram, “2021 was a year of firsts.

Getting to spend so much time with my brothers these past few months has been incredible. Watch the first episode of #MomentsBetweenTheMoments now on @Instagram and @Messenger video chat!”

Priyanka and Nick celebrated their third wedding anniversary in London earlier this month. He shared a video of their candlelight dinner, in which she could be seen sitting at a table and smiling with the word ‘Forever’ lit up behind her.

Ayushmann Khurrana recalls a director saying he doesn’t “sell” Actor Ayushmann Khurrana is a successful Bollywood actor, with a slew of hits to back up his career. However, his career did not exactly have the best take-off. After a successful debut with ‘Vicky Donor’, the actor delivered three back-to-back flops ‘Nautanki Saala’, ‘Bewakoofiyaan’, and ‘Hawaizaada’. In a recent interview, he revealed that he was told by a filmmaker around this time that he does not “sell”.

He said, “One of the filmmakers told me, ‘Ayushmann, you don’t sell’. I had said no to a film and I was told ‘Ayushmann, you don’t sell, why are you saying no to this film?’ Upkaar paise kar rahe ho, ki yeh film kar lo (It was like he was doing me a favour by offering me the film).” Khurrana later bounced back with the release of ‘Dum Laga Ke Haisha’. However, he took his time to select his next project. “I waited for two years after ‘Dum Laga Ke Haisha’, I did not have a release for two years. I was just waiting for the right film.”

Ayushmann won the National Award for Best Actor in 2019 for his performance in ‘Andhadhun’. He shared the award with Vicky Kaushal, who was honoured for ‘Uri: The Surgical Strike’. On the work front, Ayushmann’s latest ‘Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui’ was released on December 10. He plays a weightlifting champion who spends most of his time working out, falls in love with his Zumba instructor who turns out to be a trans woman. The film has been garnering positive reviews from fans and critics alike.

Ayushmann has a number of movies in the pipeline, including Anubhav Sinha’s ‘Anek’ and Anubhuti Kashyap’s ‘Doctor G’.

He is also set to star in Aanand L Rai’s production ‘Action Hero’.

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31

18 - 24 December 2021

Nayanthara launches new beauty brand Southern superstar Nayanthara has joined hands with dermatologist Renita Rajan to launch the beauty brand The Lip Balm Company. Talking about her new venture, Nayan said, “I believe in a no-compromise stance when it comes to my skincare and product usage. The key aspects I always look for in my own personal care products are high performance and safety. These are the same values we have incorporated in The Lip Balm Company.”

She added, “We are truly proud of this creative range of lip balms, which is bound to resonate with people who are looking for something

extraordinary, just like I do!” The venture has been on the actress’ radar for quite some time. She was even a part of Bollywood actress Katrina Kaif’s beauty brand promotions.

Nayan along with her fiancé Vignesh Shivan has ventured strongly into business. The couple is running the successful production house Rowdy Pictures which has produced ‘Koozhangal’ directed by Vinod Raj, which is India’s official entry to the Oscars. Both of them have also invested in the Chai Waale beverage brand based in Chennai.

On the work front, Nayan is simultaneously shooting for ‘Kathy Vaakula Rendu Kadhal’, 'O2', ‘Connect’, ‘Godfather’, and ‘Lion’.

‘RRR’ trailer garners massive praise The trailer of SS Rajamouli’s upcoming magnum opus ‘RRR’ was unveiled in select theatres and YouTube, last week and has garnered much praise from fans and critics alike. Actors heaped praise on Rajamouli’s vision with Rashmika Mandanna and Varun Tej called the trailer “Madness” and “Mind Blowing”, respectively.

Actress Lara Dutta Bhupathi wrote on Twitter, “Goosebump inducing!!!! The power of cinema at its most grandest, glorious self!! Hats off @ssrajamouli sir!!” Pooja Hegde said, “Ummm… SPEECHLESS. Just gonna stand and applaud the entire team till I figure out how to explain my feelings.”

Meanwhile ‘Baahubali’ actor Rana Daggubati tweeted, “CAPTAIN “R” @ssrajamouli you’re on fire. All the best to TEAM RRR!!” “I can only see PASSION ANGER & HUNGER

IN EYES OF @ssrajamouli GAARU!! Dreaming is EASIER Making it realistic is TOUGHER. He makes his dream TRUE and makes us Believe it tat is #SSR. ON FIRE @tarak9999 & @AlwaysRamCharan,” Thaman tweeted.

Radhe Shyam director Radha Krishna Kumar said no one can match the vision of SS Rajamouli. “We take pride in calling u our own, but you are out of this world sirr @ssrajamouli. No one can match your vision Folded. @tarak9999 sirr and @AlwaysRamCharan sirr it’s like two atom bombs exploded with performances,” his tweet read.

Bankrolled by DVV Danayya of DVV Entertainments, ‘RRR’ features actor Ram Charan, and Jr. NTR, along with Ajay Devgn, Alia Bhatt, Olivia Morris, Ray Stevenson, Alison Doody, Samuthirakani, and Rahul Ramakrishna. The film will release January 7.

Vijay Sethupathi shares a major update on ‘Kaathu Vaakula Rendu Kaadhal’ Actor Vijay Sethupathi is currently working on the new-age romantic comedy film ‘Kaathu Vaakula Rendu Kaadhal’ directed by famous director Vignesh Shivan. The story is a love triangle starring the actor along with Nayanthara and Samantha Ruth Prabhu as female leads.

Sethupathi recently shared a super update regarding the movie on Twitter.

The shooting of ‘KVRK’ was wrapped up recently and the post-production works are progressing at a fast phase and makers of the movie have been constantly raining updates on fans since the dubbing work began.

Sharing a couple of pictures from the studio,

* Schedule is subject to change

the actor wrote, “#KaathuVaakulaRenduKaadhal dubbing.” The post is now going viral among his fans. ‘Kaathu Vaakula Rendu Kaadhal’ is slated to hit the screens worldwide in December.

R Madhavan recalls time his father was “driven to tears” Actor R Madhavan recently reminisced about the time his parents were distraught when he informed them that he was not cut out for a conventional job.

He said his father was “driven to tears” and questioned if he fell short in raising him well.

In an appearance on YouTube channel ‘Curly Tales’, Madhavan was asked if his family was happy about his decision to pursue acting as a career. He said, “Oh, no, the scene from ‘3 Idiots’ is right out of my life. My mom and dad really want me to be an engineer and work for the Tatas and settle down there (Jamshedpur, where he was born). But I knew early on in my life that… I did not know what I was going to be but I did know that I didn’t want to live a routine life in Jamshedpur and do the same thing for 30 years in a row, which my dad did with a great amount of

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ease. That was not me.”

“They were disappointed, they were distraught, they were, in fact, dismayed. My dad was driven to tears. I remember a line he said, ‘I wonder what I have done wrong with you’. I will never forget that. I remember telling him, ‘I don’t know what I want to be, appa, but I do know that I don’t want to be an engineer, doing the same job.’ He was stunned but I think that day, he knew that I will take care of myself, that I am a survivor,” he added.

Madhavan started his career with television shows like ‘Banegi Apni Baat’ and ‘Aarohan’. He went on to gain recognition in 2000 when he debuted with Mani Rattan’s Tamil hit ‘Alaipayuthey’. On the work front, Madhavan is busy with the promotions of Netflix romantic comedy ‘Decoupled’.

MON 20 DEC - FRI 24 DEC 2021 6.00 Ghar Ek Pakhkhino Malo 15.00 RASOI SHOW 18.30 SURI 19.00 BHAKT GORA KUMBHAR 19.30 MARU MAN MOHI GAYU 20.00 RASHI RIKSHAWALI 20.30 MOTI BAA NI NANI VAHU 21.00 PREM NI BHAVAI 21.30 SUDI VACHCHE SOPARI

* Schedule is subject to change

MON 20 DEC - FRI 24 DEC 2021 9.00 BIGG BOSS 15-WEEKEND KA VAAR 15.30 DIL SE DIL TAK 16.00 TUM KAUN PIYA 16.30 RASOI SHOW DESI FLAVOURS 17.30 CHHUTA CHHEDA 18.00 SASURAL SIMAR KA 18.30 TU AASHIQUI 19.00 BHAGYA KA LIKHA 20.00 BALIKA VADHU 2 20.30 SIRF TUM 21.00 THAPKI PYAR KI 2 21.30 SASURAL SIMAR KA 2 SATURDAY 18 DEC 9.00 BIGG BOSS 15

SATURDAY 18 DEC 6.00 PATRI PARMAR 15.00 RASOI SHOW 18.30 SURI 19.00 BHAKT GORA KUMBHAR 19.30 MARU MAN MOHI GAYU 20.00 RASHI RIKSHAWALI 20.30 MOTI BAA NI NANI VAHU 21.00 PREM NI BHAVAI 21.30 SUDI VACHCHE SOPARI SUNDAY 19 DEC 12.00 Wrong Side Raju 15.00 Tu To Gayo 18.00 BHAKT GORA KUMBHAR 19.00 SHU CHALE CHE 19.30 MOTI BAA NI NANI VAHU 22.00 SHU CHALE CHE 11.00 KARADI TALES 15.00 SHU CHALE CHE 16.30 RASOI SHOW-DESI FLAVOURS 17.30 DESI BEAT 3 18.00 SASURAL SIMAR KA 18.30 TU AASHIQUI 19.00 BHAGYA KA LIKHA 19.30 EK SHRINGAAR SWABHIMAAN 20.00 COMEDY NIGHTS WITH KAPIL 21.00 THAPKI PYAR KI 2 21.30 SASURAL SIMAR KA 2 SUNDAY 19 DEC 9.00 BIGG BOSS 15 11.00 KARADI TALES 16.30 RASOI SHOW-DESI FLAVOURS 17.30 DESI BEAT 3 18.00 BFFs with Vogue - Season 2 19.00 KHATRA KHATRA KHATRA 20.00 COMEDY NIGHTS WITH KAPIL 21.00.00 THAPKI PYAR KI 2 21.30.00 SASURAL SIMAR KA 2

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www.asian-voice.com

18 - 24 December 2021

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Rohit Sharma appointed ODI captain The BCCI’s senior selection committee, led by former India bowler Chetan Sharma, appointed opening batsman and white-ball vice-captain Rohit Sharma as the captain of the India One day and T20 teams going forward. The decision comes after Virat Kohli expressed his desire to step down as white-ball captain.

Ahead of announcing the T20 squad for the home series against New Zealand, the BCCI appointed Sharma as the new T20 captain and sources said, “the board is now convinced that whiteball captaincy cannot be split”.

Kohli too, sources say, had made up his mind that he would quit as skipper across both formats to concentrate on his batting and continue to lead the Test team where he’s done tremendously well.

Rohit Sharma

detailed After conversations with Sharma and Kohli, the BCCI made the announcement public, giving the former the reins to handle both white-ball teams with new coach Rahul Dravid. Sources stressed that the decision to quit as white-ball captain is Kohli’s and the BCCI has only allowed a smooth transition. Currently the world’s No.2 ODI batsman after Babar Azam, Kohli has

gone for close to 25 Test innings without a century and is currently missing out on the top-five spots in the ICC rankings for Test batsmen.

Meanwhile, Sharma’s time has come to take over as the new leader of the pack. One of the finest white-ball batsmen anywhere in the world, across ODIs and T20s, the 34-year-old has been a captain-in-waiting for long. In T20s, Sharma has proved his mettle by winning five Indian Premier League (IPL) titles for the Mumbai Indians while in the One-dayers, his ascendancy as vice-captain to Kohli proves he was always in running for the top job.

Manchester United gets its first British South Asian player 18-year-old Zidane Iqbal has become the first British South Asian to become a part of Manchester United in the under 23 Squad. Zidane is a professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for the English Premier League club Manchester United.

Born in England, he is a youth international for Iraq. Born in Manchester to a Pakistani father and Iraqi mother, Iqbal played for local side Sale United before being scouted by Manchester United. Iqbal signed his first professional contract with Manchester United in April 2021.

He made his firstteam debut for Manchester United on 8 December 2021 as an 89th-minute substitute in

When Asian Voice reached out to Zidane Iqbal for an interview, the Football Media Officer of Manchester United replied saying, “The Club is looking to protect Zidane at the moment just given his age and recent level of media exposure.

The Academy Zidane Iqbal want to protect a Champions League him from the spotlight folmatch against Young lowing his first-team Boys. Thus, he became the debut.” first British-born Asian to With bright young play for the club. As one of players like Iqbal, it will a small number of British be interesting to see Asians in association footwhether more Asian parball, Iqbal was part of an ents support the dream of FA content series to suptheir children to pursue a port South Asian Heritage career in football in the Month. future or not.

BCCI announces 18-member squad Pakistan whitewash Bangladesh 2-0 for South Africa tour, Kohli Captain The BCCI announced an 18member Test squad for India's upcoming tour of South Africa. Headlining the announcement is Rohit Sharma, who has been handed the vice-captaincy role. Former VC Ajinkya Rahane, whose place was in grave danger following a poor run in the longest format, has been picked but only as a player.

Hanuma Vihari, who was snubbed from the New Zealand series, has been recalled following his impressive outings during the India A Tour against South Africa A. Having batted heroically to save the Sydney Test for India in January, Vihari missed the England series at home due to a hamstring and also the tour of the UK. With twin half-centuries - scores of 54 and 72 not out against South Africa A - Vihari presented a

strong case for himself.

Moreover, star opener KL Rahul, who was ruled out of the NZ Tests just before the first day of the 1st Test due to a niggle, is also set to make his return. India had rested some of their key players like Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Rishabh Pant and Shardul Thakur for the previous series, all of whom have been named in the

jumbo touring squad.

Jayant Yadav and Shreyas Iyer, for their fruitful outings against the Kiwis, have been rewarded with a ticket on the plane to the African nation as well, whereas the BCCI, in an official statement, revealed that Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja, and Axar Patel have been left out as they are nursing injuries.

In another mega

announcement, the board confirmed the appointment of Rohit Sharma as the permanent T20I and ODI captain. The statement read: "The All-India Senior Selection Committee also decided to name Rohit Sharma as the Captain of the ODI & T20I teams going forward."

Squad: Virat Kohli (Captain), Rohit Sharma (Vice-captain), KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Shreyas Iyer, Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant (WK), Wriddhiman Saha (WK), R Ashwin, Jayant Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Siraj.

Standby Players: Navdeep Saini, Saurabh Kumar, Deepak Chahar, Arzan Nagwaswalla.

Boxing, Weightlifting left out in 2028 LA Olympics list, could hit India hard The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has released a list of twenty eight sports proposed for inclusion in the 2028 LA Olympic Games. These 28 sports do not include cricket - as some had hoped.

Not only that it also does not include boxing and weightlifting, which could potentially have farreaching effects on India's future at the Olympics.

The 28 sports for LA 2028 that were discussed by the Executive Board (EB) of

the IOC and will be proposed at the IOC Session in February 2022 include Athletics, Rowing, Badminton, Basketball, Canoeing, Cycling, Equestrian, Fencing, Football, Golf, Gymnastics, Handball, Hockey, Judo, Wrestling, Swimming, Rugby, Taekwondo, Tennis, Table Tennis, Shooting, Archery, Triathlon, Sailing, Volleyball, Surfing, Skating and Sport Climbing.

The non-inclusion of these two sports would hit

India hard. It is to be noted that two of India's 7 medals at Tokyo 2020 came in weightlifting and boxing Mirabai Chanu's silver and Lovlina Borgohain's bronze.

Vijender Singh, Mary Kom (boxing) and Karnam Malleswari (weightlifting) are India's previous Olympic medallists in these sports.

The IOC has also left room for a potential pathway for the inclusion of these two sports in its February 2022 session if the

respective federations take some specific steps. IOC President Thomas Bach said boxing federation AIBA must change its judging and refereeing system, increase financial transparency and diversify its revenues.

Weightlifting, which has been rocked by revelations of doping coverups and decades of corruption that have led to charges against top federation officials, must address a change in culture and major doping issues.

A sensational bowling performance from Pakistan saw them collect 13 Bangladesh wickets on the fifth and final day of the Dhaka Test to clean sweep the two-match series with an innings and eight runs win and bag 12 ICC World Test Championship points.

On what turned out to be a thrilling day for the lovers of Test cricket, Bangladesh, being forced to follow-on after managing a paltry 87 in reply to Pakistan’s strong 300 for four, battled to eke out a draw, but they failed one by one to answer the questions posed by the touring bowlers and were bowled out for 205.

In a befitting manner, Sajid Khan, who finished the match with 12 scalps after recording a careerbest eight for 42 in the first innings, snared the last wicket as he trapped Taijul Islam LBW. At the start of the day, Sajid, who had taken six wickets, added more to his tally, as Bangladesh could add only 11 more runs before they were bowled out. After Babar Azam

forced the follow-on, fiery opening spells from Hasan Ali and Shaheen Afridi reduced the hosts to 25 for four.

As a partnership between Liton Das and Mushfiqur Rahim started to build, the former handed a catch to Fawad Alam at square-leg off Sajid. The two paired for 73 runs. Mushfiqur ensured that he held his end, but 49 runs later, he was run out attempting a quick single at the cusp of Tea. The right-hander made 48.

The onus of carrying Bangladesh home then shifted on their most successful all-rounder Shakib-al-Hasan.

He chipped away runs and found boundaries at regular intervals in his 130ball 63, which included nine fours.

As Shakib’s alliance with Mehdy Hasan, 14 of 70, started to instill hope in Bangladesh fans, Babar Azam picked up his maiden international wicket at the most crucial time. Pakistan lead the two-Test series 1-0 after an eight-wicket win in Chittagong.