AV 18th January 2025

UK pharmacies face uncertainty amid contract dispute P07

Bringing generations closer through Instagram account for grandparents P09

Impact of UK’s new ETA scheme on BAME and high-volume country business travellers P16

FIRST & FOREMOST ASIAN WEEKLY IN EUROPE

PM Modi makes inspiring podcast debut P22

Jaishankar to represent India at Donald Trump's inauguration P25 ----------------------------------

England’s Kho Kho team prepares to shine at the world cup P32

The historic Maha Kumbh Mela begins in India

Grooming gangs debate heats up

Anusha Singh Adult social care in England is nearing collapse, with a “crisis unfolding in real time ” according to an alarming report

A survey of 200 care providers conducted by Care England and the disability charity Hft revealed that 90% cited workforce costs as one of their top three financial pressures Of those, an overwhelming 95% identified Labour’s proposed increase in the National Living Wage as their most pressing concern

Tulip Siddiq resigns

Lok Sabha Speaker’s historic UK visit

Subhasini Naicker As the auspicious Maha Kumbh Mela begins in UP s Prayagraj, drawing 16 5 million pilgrims to bathe in the holy river of Ganga, India also

Odisha

PBD saw over 6000 NRIs from 75 countries, celebrating the impact of

both their

nations and India's growth Over

people, the

attend this year’s Maha

Pradesh, India

New Sonamarg tunnel in Jammu and Kashmir

motion for a similar investigation

D

Party’s off icial stance to vote down the Conser vative proposal, several senior mem-

b e

Angela Rayner, Chancellor R a c h e

Fo

e

g

Secretar y David Lammy, and

He a l t h S e c r e t a r y We s

St r e e t i n g , w e r e n o t a b l y a b s e n t f r o m t h e v o t e Downing Street attributed their absence to diar y clashes, denying accusations that the ministers had intentiona l l y a v o i d e d t h e v o t e t o evade public backlash Burnham, who has previously commissioned local reviews on the issue, criticised the lack of a national

i n q u i r y i n t o t h e s c a n d a l

Sp e a k i n g t o t h e B B C , h e said, “I do think there is the case for a limited national

i n q u i r y t h a t d r a w s o n reviews like the one that I commissioned, and the one we have seen in Rotherham, t h e o n e w e h av e s e e n i n Telford, to draw out some of t h e s e n a t i o n a l i s s u e s a n d compel people to give evidence who then may have charges to answer and be held to account ” He a r g u e d t h a t l o c a l

i n q u i r i e s , w h i c h Ke i r Starmer supports, lack the a u t h o r i t y t o c o m p e l w i tnesses to appear Burnham a d m i t t e d , “ T h a t i s s o m e -

thing I couldn’t do at my

l e v e l , ” u n d e r l i n i n g t h e n e c e s s i t y fo r a b r o a d e r, m o r e p o w e r f u l i n v e s t i g ation

Me a n w h i l e , a No 1 0 spokesperson responded by stating that the government would follow the wishes of t h e v i c t i m s , w h o h a v e reportedly expressed oppo-

s i t i o n t o t h e i d e a o f a national inquir y

In an impassioned inter-

v i e w, L a b o u r M P Je s s P h i l l i p s e m p h a s i s e d t h a t g r o o m i n g g a n g s a r e a nationwide issue "There are g r o o m i n g g a n g s i n e v e r y single part of our countr y, "

P h i l l i p s s a i d o n S k y 's Electoral Dysfunction podcast She also extended an "o p e n i n v i t a t i o n" t o C o n s e r v a t i v e l e a d e r Ke m i

Badenoch to meet with victims of grooming gangs

Groom ing gang s and ethnic stereotyp ing

T h e g r o o m i n g g a n g s i s s u e h a s s p a r ke d w i d e r debates, including accusat i o n s o f h a r m f u l e t h n i c

s t e r e o t y p i n g Fo u r c o u nc i l s Ox fo r d , Ne w c a s t l e ,

M a n c h e s t e r, a n d Calderdale are reportedly backing a motion to classify the term “Asian grooming gangs ” as Islamophobic

A report by the All-Party Pa r l i a m e n t a r y G r o u p fo r

British Muslims argues that the term perpetuates dama

i n c r e a s e d

against Muslims

Additionally, new data

f r o m t h e Na t

C h i e f s ’ C o u n c i l ( N P C C ) reveals that the majority of

abuse offenders are white

According to f igures for the f irst three quarters of 2024, 85% of offenders identif ied in grooming gang cases were

stood at 83% for 2023

Richard Fewkes, director of the NPCC’s Hydrant prog

there is no signif icant issue with any particular ethnicity

o

abuse cases

T h e c o n t r o v e r s y s u rrounding the use of the term "Asian" gained international attention when Tesla CEO Elon Musk expressed support for Indian MP Priyanka

C h a t u r v e d i’s o b

e c t i o n t o the term Chatur vedi critic i s e d t h e g e n e r a l i

“Pakistani grooming gangs ” to replace “Asian grooming gangs, ” stating, “Why should Asians take the fall for one

a b s o l u t e r o g u e n a t i o n ? ” Musk replied aff irmatively to her statement

T

P r i m e M i n i s t e r Ke i r

Starmer’s use of “Asian” has also come from UK-based Indian diaspora groups The

Ne t w o r k o f Si k h

O r g a n i s a t io n s ( N S O) c o ndemned the broad labelling, n o t i n g t h a t i t h a s m a d e addressing the issue more diff icult and worsened the situation for victims

Pubs may ban talks on transgender rights

Pubs may ban di scussions on contentious topics like

r e li g i on o r tr a ns g e n de r rights due to concerns over L a b our 's wo rker s ' r i g hts reforms

T h e e q u a l i t i e s w a t c hdog has warned that the

r u l e s c o u l d u n d u l y l i m i t freedom of expression, even

e x t e n d i n g t o "o v e r h e a r d conversations

M i n i s t e r s h a v e p r oposed requiring employers

t o p r o t e c t w o r ke r s f r o m harassment by third parties, s u c h a s c u s t o m e r s , w i t h p o t e n t i a

ance

However, the Equality a n d Hu m a

Shamima Begum stays out, David L ammy insists

Sh amim a Beg um will no t be ret u rni n g to th e U K , Fo re i g n

S ec re tar y D av i d

Lammy reaff irm ed on Thu rsday in response to internatio nal calls for the rep atriation o f Br it i sh nat io n als linked to Islam ic State (IS) in Syria

S e b a s t i a n G o r k a , s o o n t o j o i n t h e W h i t e Ho u s e Na t i o n a l

S e c u r i t y C o u n c i l u n d e r D o n a l d Tr u m p ’ s administration, urged US allies to demons t r a t e t h e i r c o m m i t m e n t t o c o m b a t i n g extremism by taking responsibility for citizens detained in Syrian prison camps The Supreme Court previously upheld the government’s 2019 decision to revoke B

y grounds, a case stemming from her travel to Syria as a teenager to join IS Aged 15 at the time, she was “married off ” to an IS f ighter, a n d h e r Br i t i s h c i t i z e n s h i p w a s fo r m a

y stripped when she was 19

n

's priority to safeguard British security, stating, "The courts have determined that Shamima Begum is no longer a British citizen, and she w i l l n o t r e t u

P

c t i n

u b l i c i s paramount " Addressing broader concerns about British-linked IS members, he added, We are in dialogue with those governing Syria, but the situation involves highly dangerous individuals Our focus remains on public safety "

T h e u n c e r t a i n t y s u r r o u n d i n g Sy r i a n prison camps holding IS-linked detainees has intensif ied following the collapse of Bashar al-Assad's regime, raising concerns about the future of these facilities

Begum is believed to be among a group of up to 20 women, 40 children, and 10 men from Britain who are currently being held in camps in Syria

Bespoke immigration plans for Scotland under discussion

A n as S ar w a r h as revealed that

COVID RISK GROWS IN UK AS CASES RISE AND VACCINES

DECLINE

Scientists predict a new wave of Covid will soon drive up cases While Covid hospitalisations have increased in the past week amid a broader winter NHS crisis, cases in the general population remain at their lowest in over two years stable for the past month Scientists warn against complacency as a new wave of Covid cases could emerge in the coming months Steve Griffin, virology professor at the University of Leeds predicts a possible spring wave though the timing and severity remain uncertain depending on immunity vaccinations and potential variants Paul Hunter professor of medicine at the University of East Anglia expects cases to rise before Easter but acknowledges the unpredictability of Covid trends Sheena Cruickshank , immunologist at Manchester University, stated that Covid is unlikely to disappear soon as it continues to evolve The latest figures from the UK Health Security Agency suggest a possible rise in cases, though scientists caution that data from the Christmas period may be unreliable due to fewer GP visits and less accurate surveillance

AVANTI STRIKES TO DISRUPT RAIL PASSENGERS EVERY SUNDAY UNTIL JUNE

" including views on religion or women's rights, is complex and not well understood by employers

The EHRC also noted t h a t wh i le s e x u a l h a r a s sment by third parties is

raise concerns about potentially infringing on freedom

from previous legislation

edged in a human rights assessment that freedom of expression could be impact-

b o u r l e a d e r explained that he has had several conversat i o n s w i t h Yv e t t e Cooper and other colleagues both before and a f t e r t h e e le c t io n , a dv o c a t i n

r re fo r m within the Border Agency to better address Scotland’s unique demographic and migration challenges Speaking to The House maga z i n e , S a r w a r s u g g e s t e d t h a t p o t e n t i a l changes to immigration rules could not be ruled out

He said, “I’ve had numerous discussions with Yvette Cooper and UK colleagues in the lead-up to and after the election There’s a p u s h t o r e fo r m t h e M i g r a t i o n A d v i s o r y Committee to ensure Scotland’s interests are properly represented The goal is to have an immigration system that respects a single Border Agency and immigration framework, but also acknowledges the distinct needs and challenges across different parts of the UK ” S a r w a r p o i n t e d t o t h e Fr e s h Ta l e n t scheme, introduced in 2004, as a model for encouraging people to settle in Scotland, particularly by allowing overseas graduates to stay for two years to f ind employment

He emphasised that cooperative solutions, rather than conflict, could be revisited in future

Avanti services on Great Britain s west coast mainline will face disruptions every Sunday from this weekend until the end of May, passengers have been warned Train managers, represented by the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) are set to strike every Sunday from January 12 to May 25, 2025, over pay for working on rest days Despite ongoing talks, the strikes remain scheduled Meanwhile, RMT General Secretary Mick Lynch announced his plans to retire in the first week of May Avanti which operates services between London, Birmingham, and Glasgow, advised passengers to travel before or after Sundays to avoid disruptions due to strikes and engineering work A reduced timetable will run with four trains per hour from London Euston to Birmingham Manchester Liverpool and Preston A limited service will operate between Glasgow and Carlisle with replacement buses from Carlisle to Preston The last departure from London will be at 5pm Tickets will be valid on other days, and refunds are available

ROYAL MAIL TO CUT POSTAL SERVICES NATIONWIDE

Royal Mail is set to cut postal services in various towns and cities across the UK as part of a significant restructuring plan Under the changes, second- class deliveries on Saturdays will be eliminated in Bristol, Cardiff Coventry Darlington, Hull, London Nottingham, Salisbury, and Winchester, along with Antrim Stockton- on-Tees Hexham and Scunthorpe Additionally a six-month trial will see around one million households receive second- class posts only every other working day raising concerns that some areas may not return to their current service levels The announcement comes ahead of Ofcom s decision on whether to approve the cancellation of Saturday second- class deliveries The regulator has previously stated that removing these Saturday services would enhance Royal Mail’s reliability, reduce costs, and allow resources to be redirected towards parcel deliveries

Andy Burnham

Shamima Begum

Anas Sarwar

Has Labour sunk Britain’s hope?

When Labour Party made history in July 2024, they weren't exactly the nation's darling Even in defeat, the election was l

However, the public still held some hope, with Keir Starmer making numerous promises to address the wrongs of the previous government

Just six months in, it seems the Labour Party is already pacing up with the legacy of the previous government that they criticised While global economies have been shaken, Britain has found itself particularly vulnerable Rising debt costs and a slow economy have made the UK stand out for the wrong reasons compared to other countries

Currently, Rachel Reeves seems to be in a fierce contest with Liz Truss to surpass her legacy of economic destruction

The government’s borrowing costs have surged so quickly that economists believe the Chancellor has already exhausted the £

October This means she’ll likely have to cut spending or raise taxes to meet her own fiscal rules

What’s ironic is that while Keir Starmer was criticising Rishi Sunak’s government during election campaigns, the economy was "booming", according to the Office for National Statistics and this growth spurt didn’t last under Labour In the second quarter of 2024, growth slowed to a modest 0 4%, and in the first three months of Labour's tenure, growth stalled completely Business confidence has dwindled, partly due to a £25bn National Insurance tax increase, and recruiters are warning of a hiring recession as companies cut back to

manage rising costs

A series of scandals has compounded Labour’s troubles Over six months, controversies have ranged from Labour leaders accepting freebies and budget blunders to the grooming gang scandal, delays in social care reform, and Keir Starmer’s connections to Bangladesh’s ousted Awami League This latest issue forced Tulip Siddiq’s resignation from her Treasury role, raising further questions about the party’s integrity

Starmer's economic growth plans, claiming they were unrealistic Despite Sunak's practical arguments, the nation largely judged him based on the legacy of his peers But interestingly still the diaspora remained loyal to the Conservatives according to an article by Bridge India Data from the Electoral Commission shows this demographic has consistently donated more to the Tories than Labour, including during Sunak’s leadership

But currently, a Deloitte survey of UK chief finance officers reveals business confidence is at its lowest since the Covid-19 pandemic Amid economic struggles, declining birth rates reflect couples delaying parenthood due to career ambitions, scarce resources, high housing costs, and poor employment prospects The Labour government’s policies are not only affecting businesses, schools, and public life but also influencing the personal choices of everyday people

It is time, they make the changes they promised on manifesto and over the last 15 years as Opposition, to save themselves from a premature political obliteration

Celebrating the rising influence of the global Indian community

The 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas took place in Bhubaneswar, the capital of Odisha, marking the first time the event was hosted in an eastern Indian state Organised under the slogan ‘Purvodaya’, the initiative aligns with the Modi government s focus on the development of eastern India The event attracted over 6,000 delegates from 75 countries It celebrates their d

India's growth

The event serves as a platform to foster connections and empower aspiring youth and entrepreneurs through knowledge transfer, leadership training, and skill development It promotes networking among the global Indian community, enabling them to share experiences and drive entrepreneurship These exchanges benefit India by attracting investments in key sectors like consumer goods, metals, semiconductors, EVs, and more, strengthens its global economic footprint In times of global instability, leveraging the strength and resources of the diaspora becomes crucial for India

Indians have established communities across the US, Europe, and Asia, including the UK, with an estimated 18 million living abroad, according to the United Nations They have risen to prominent positions in political, economic, and cultural sectors Between April and August 2024 alone, overseas Indians invested $7 82 billion in NRI deposit schemes, according to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)

Indians are the wealthiest ethnic minority in the US, with a median household income of $150,000 double the national average, according to a report The Indian diaspora actively

invests in diverse sectors such as real estate and business, a trend mirrored in the UK, Singapore, and Gulf countries, where Indian communities play a pivotal role in driving regional economic growth

The Indian diaspora's influence is also evident in global politics, particularly in the US, Canada, and the UK IndianAmerican Kamala Harris made history as Vice President, while Usha Vance is set to become Second Lady In the UK, Rishi

Finance Minister, alongside prominent politicians like Priti Patel and Suella Braverman, reflecting the growing impact of leaders of Indian descent

Prime Minister Modi has actively recognised the potential of the Indian diaspora, by taking office in 2014 and often referring to them as “brand ambassadors” of India During his international visits, he prioritises engaging with diaspora communities, urging them to play a significant role in advancing India’s growth and development Om Birla, the Speaker of India’s Lok Sabha, recently completed a five-day official visit to the UK, covering England, Scotland, and Guernsey He praised the diaspora for their hard work and dedication in promoting India’s name and culture globally with pride (Full story on page 8)

Analysts predict the global influence of the Indian diaspora will continue to expand, cementing its role as a pivotal force in driving economic progress The 21st century is increasingly seen as an era shaped by the contributions of Indians abroad With favourable economic and political policies in their host nations, the diaspora's potential for economic growth and global impact remains boundless

No time for complacency!

The raging fires in Los Angeles, whose origins remain uncertain, serve as a stark reminder of humanity's collective failure to prepare for and mitigate the escalating climate crisis This catastrophe underscores the dire consequences of global apathy, inadequate awareness, and insufficient contingency planning for climate change's worsening impacts Locals expressed frustration over what they perceive as a sluggish response by firefighters for the second time Despite overwhelming scientific evidence and the recurrence of climate-induced disasters, many global leaders remain indifferent or dismissive

For example, US President Donald Trump formerly has dismissed climate change as a "hoax," prioritising economic growth over environmental sustainability Such attitudes actually hinder progress and embolden industries to persist in environmentally damaging practices The Los Angeles fires illustrate the unpreparedness of even the wealthiest nations in confronting nature’s wrath

While developed nations experience climate-related consequences, the global south bears the brunt Southeast Asia, in particular, faces a crucible of climate-induced crises For decades, wealthy Western countries have shipped their waste to developing nations in Asia, perpetuating environmental degradation through the global trash trade India’s Ganges River suffers from low oxygen levels due to sewage discharge, i n d u s t r i a

l a d e s h endures annual floods, displacing millions and destroying crops, while Afghanistan faces increasingly severe earthquakes that destabilise the fragile region In India, summer temperatures exceeding 53°C make survival an ordeal for many without access to cooling or hydration

This global system perpetuates a vicious cycle of exploitation Developing nations, shackled by the demands of producing cheap raw materials for global markets, rely on cheap

labour under deplorable conditions, exacerbating social and environmental inequalities Tourism, another economic driver, significantly contributes to pollution in these regions, with mountains of garbage left behind by tourists and emissions from increased travel symbolising the prioritisation of shortterm enjoyment over long-term sustainability

Europe, too, is not immune

The UK has witnessed catastrophic flooding in its northern regions, followed by subzero temperatures, submerging and freezing entire communities Heatwaves, once rare, are now the norm, with the British Isles experiencing temperatures previously unheard of and burning down Greece in forest fire This irony is inescapable: even the affluent, such as those with sprawling estates in Los Angeles, are at nature’s mercy Fires, floods, and heatwaves impact all indiscriminately, dismantling the illusion of financial immunity against climate change

The tornadoes and fires in the US, floods in Bangladesh, heatwaves in Europe, earthquakes in Afghanistan and snow in the deserts of Saudi Arabia followed by torrential rain are harbingers of an impending global disaster

These events demand urgent action from leaders, communities, and individuals Without immediate efforts to reduce emissions, adopt sustainable practices, and invest in resilience, the future promises only greater suffering The time for complacency has long passed; unity and determination are now imperative

The ABPL Group has long championed climate awareness, partnering annually with the Royal Air Force to foster dialogues on the issue Such initiatives highlight the necessity of collective responsibility More organisations worldwide must join forces to educate, sensitise, and mitigate impending disasters beyond human control Climate change is a crisis that spares no one, and only through collective action can we avert its worst outcomes

“If there is no struggle, there is no progress ” - Frederick Douglass

Alpesh Patel

If the UK were a US state, it would be the poorest: A stark economic reality check

The Un it ed Kingdom, on ce the hear t of a globa l e mpire, now finds it sel f in a n un enviabl e economic position when compa red to the Unit ed States Trump an d Musk wan t Canada and are ey eing up the UK

If the UK were a state within the US, its economic metrics suggest it would rank as the poorest or near-poorest state by GDP per capita and overall economic performance

GDP per Capita: The Defining Metric GDP per capita provides a critical measure of the economic output of a nation or state relative to its population In 2024, the UK's GDP per capita is approximately $47,000 To put this in perspective:

• Mississippi, the poorest US state by GDP per capita, stands at $48,000 Take out London from the UK and the gap is wider

• The US national average GDP per capita is around $80,000, with wealthier states like Massachusetts exceeding $100,000

This means that if the UK joined the US, it would rank below Mississippi in GDP per capita a striking revelation that underscores the UK’s lagging economic productivity GDP Comparison

The UK’s nominal GDP, estimated at $3 7 trillion in 2024, makes it the world's sixth-largest economy However, when compared to US states, the UK’s overall GDP doesn’t hold up as well For example:

• California, the largest US state economy, has a GDP of over $4 trillion, despite a smaller population than the UK

• Texas, with a GDP of $2 9 trillion and a population of 30 million, produces significantly more GDP per capita than the UK

California and Texas represent just two examples of US states that outpace the UK both in absolute GDP and per capita terms, illustrating the scale of disparity Labour Productivity: A Key Weakness

L

growth, also highlights the UK's struggles According to OECD data, the average UK worker produces 20% less output per hour than their American counterparts The UK's productivity not only lags behind the US but also trails European peers such as Germany and France Household Wealth and Incomes

Incomes and wealth further highlight the UK’s economic lag:

• The median household income in the UK is approximately $36,000 In the US, the national median household income is over $70,000, with states like Maryland and New Jersey surpassing $90,000

• E v e n p o o r e r U S s t a t e s

Mississippi report median household incomes close to the UK average, while the cost of living in many of these states is significantly lower

Healthcare Spending as a Proxy for Investment

Healthcare expenditure per capita provides an indirect measure of a country’s ability to invest in its citizens The UK’s National Health Service (NHS) spends roughly $5,500 per capita annually, while the US averages over $12,000 Although the NHS is celebrated for efficiency, the disparity in investment reflects broader resource constraints within the UK’s economy

Inequality and Regional Disparities

The UK’s wealth inequality and regional economic disparities mirror, and often exceed, those in the US London significantly outpaces other regions in economic performance, with per capita GDP nearly double that of the North East In a US context, this would resemble California pulling away from Mississippi but without the robust mechanisms for wealth redistribution seen in the US federal system

Continued on page 10

Asian Voice is published by

Asian Business Publications Ltd

CB Pat el : Publisher and Editor

Rup anja na D utta : Managing Editor

Harrow Business Centre, 429-433 Pinner Road, North Harrow, Middlesex, HA1 4HN Tel: 020 7749 4080 • Fax: 020 7749 4081

Email: aveditorial@abplgroup com

Website: www abplgroup com

Birmingham Grindr robbers jailed for 80 years

A ga n g o f f iv e m e n

om

B irm ingham has been s entence d

t o nearl y 80 y ears in total f or viol ent ly robbing gay m en, whom t hey targete d through the Grindr dating app

Over a ten-month period, the group stole more than £100,000 from their victims in Birmingham

a n d D

lence, and homophobic abuse to carry out their crimes The gang

o

Sparkbrook, where they forced them to unlock their phones and drained their bank and cryptocurrency accounts

Many victims were violently assaulted, threatened with knives, a n d s u b

d i n g homophobic abuse The attacks, which took place between April 2023 and February 2024, left several victims with serious injuries, including fractured eye sockets

a n d d i s l o c a t e d s h o u l d e r s O n e man was interrogated about his sexual orientation and humiliated further by being forced to shout homophobic slurs

All five gang members were sentenced at Birmingham Crown C o u r t o n J a n u a r y 1 3 D e m a l j i

Hadza, 21, received 16 years and two months, while Abubaker Al Ezawy, also 21, was sentenced to 1 6 y e a r s a n d f i v e m o n t h s A l i Hassan, 21, received 16 years and nine months, and Wasim Omar, 24, was sentenced to 17 years and three months Mohammed Sharif, 23, who played a lesser role in the crimes, was jailed for 12 years Judge Sarah Buckingham cond e m n e d t h e g a n g ’ s a c t i o n s a s motivated by greed, homophobia, and cruelty She commended the victims for their bravery in coming forward and described the g a n g ’ s b e h a v i o u r a

fuelled by a warped sense of superiority and emboldened by their apparent belief that they could evade justice

Ex-banker jailed for theft from Birmingham charity

A f o rm e r ba nk er w h o s to l e ne arl y £

ch aritable organisation broke d own in tears as she was sentenced to p rison R

expenses, citing substantial debt and an unsustainable lifestyle as her reasons for the theft Kaur, of Taverners Green, Handsworth W o o d , d i s g u i s

b e t w e e n h e r 5 0 p e r s

accounts and those of others

Along with her brother, Kaldip Singh Lehal, 44, a convicted drug dealer, she also provided false i n f o r m a t i o n t o t h e C h

t y Commission during its investigation into their organisation

UK's first safe drug consumption space opens in Glasgow

Af ter near ly a de cade of deadl oc k over drug laws , the centre is finally opening its doors It has welcomed its f irs t cl ient s, who will injec t illegal ly-bought heroin or coca in e under m edica l supervision

reduce overdoses and drug-related harm Funded by the Scottish government, it also seeks to make drug use less visible to the community

Although drug laws are set at

prosecutor, the Lord Advocate, changed policy to ensure users at the facility wouldn't be prosecuted for possessing illegal drugs, allowing the scheme to proceed

The UK government has no

rooms but won't interfere with Glasgow's project Some residents fear it may increase drug dealing, while an addictions charity argues it could encourage self-harm

The Thistle, modelled after over 100 similar global facilities, will operate daily from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM To enter, individuals must be registered with the service and bring their own drugs Inside, eight booths will be staffed by nurses who supervise injections and respond to overdoses While the centre can't test the drugs, it offers a safer environment for users

The service includes medical consultation rooms, a recovery and observation area, as well as a kitchen and lounge Users can also access a clothing bank and showers

Four arrested in immigration offences operation in Birmingham

Fou r men were arrested on suspicio

o f immigration offences follo wing

Birmingh am West Midlands Police car-

January 10, as part of Operation Fearless The initiative involved police officers working along-

address illegal working practices and protect vulnerable individuals

A police spokesperson said,

officials to target illegal working and exploitation in Erdington Shops and a car wash in and around the High Street were vis-

ited to check for illegal workers

Four men were arrested on suspicion of immigration offences, a n d e n q u i r i e s a r e o n g o i n g Officers trained in supporting victims of exploitation also participated, engaging with workers at several businesses ”

D e t e c t i v e S u p e r i n t e n d e n t

J i m M u n r o , f r o m O p e r a t i o n

Fearless, highlighted the broader objectives of the operation, “ We know that individuals working in the country illegally are often exploited and can fall victim to other forms of crime It’s crucial that we collaborate with i m m i g r a t i o n c o l l e a g u e s t o address these issues Where we suspect criminals are profiting financially from the exploitation of illegal workers, we will always take action ”

South Shields drug dealer hid cash, cocaine

A drug dealer cau gh t with large amou nts of cocaine and cash in a ho tel ro om and h is h ome h as been se ntenc ed t o o ver e igh t years in p ris on

In April of last year, police v i s i t e d t h e G r a n d H o t e l i n S e a b u r

e they found Muhon Miah staying under different names During a search of his room, officers disc o v e r e d c a n n a b i s , 2 9 6 g o f cocaine, and £30,825 in cash hidden in the ceiling and under a m

month sentence and was ordered to complete 80 hours of unpaid work and up to 30 days of rehab

guilty of obstructing the Charity Commission

The court heard that Kaur

account, using the funds to pay

and

A t B i r m i n g h a m C r o w n Court, Kaur was sentenced to two years and eight months after being found guilty of six counts of theft, one count of money laundering, and supplying false i n f o r m a t i o

Court

Newcastle Crown Court called this find "a stock in trade of a cocaine dealer " After the hotel raid, police also searched Miah's home in South Shields, where they found £89,340 in the loft and £78,990 hidden in suitcases behind plas-

guilty to possessing cocaine with i n

criminal property, and possessing cannabis He was sentenced to eight

S

claimed he was not the operation’s leader but rather the one holding the drugs and money She also pointed out his lack of sophistication in hiding the c a s h a n

court stressed the serious impact of Miah’s actions on the community

defence lawyer argued that Miah fell into criminal activity after b

I N B R I E F

SCHOOL NAPPY CHANGE POLICY 'UNFAIR’

Parents have criticised a South Wales valleys council's decision to stop teachers and staff from changing pupils nappies or pull-ups, calling it "unfair " A charity described leaving children in soiled underwear until a parent arrives as "tantamount to abuse " Reports indicate that about one in four children in Wales and England are not toilet trained by age three with some as old as eight still struggling Education officials link the rise in bathroom issues to the Covid-19 pandemic Blaenau Gwent council emphasised that parents must ensure children are toilet trained before nursery or primary school, requiring parents to attend school for changes While the policy excludes children with diagnosed medical needs, concerns remain about undiagnosed conditions at school age Critics argue the policy risks compromising children's wellbeing and learning

REFORM UK OPPOSES COUNTY ELECTION POSTPONEMENT

The newly-formed North West Leicestershire branch of Reform UK has launched a petition to reverse the County Council's decision to postpone May's elections The party believes it is in a strong position to win seats at Leicestershire County Council this year The County Council argues that delaying the election will provide time to develop detailed proposals in response to the government's plans to implement a mayor for each region in England Reform UK highlights a recent poll showing it is now the secondlargest political party in the country and claims the delay is an attempt to allow current councillors to retain their seats A senior member of North West Leicestershire District Council has also opposed the postponement

MIDLANDS SCHOOL RANKED BEST IN THE COUNTRY

A Midlands school has been named the best in the country in a new study The Fairer Schools Index examined schools' individual circumstances and ranked them based on the impact of their teachers The Steiner Academy in Hereford was named the top school in both the region and the country Birmingham s Eden Boys School and Eden Girls' Leadership Academy ranked fourth and fifth nationally Researchers evaluated schools using additional performance metrics, aiming to offer a clearer picture of topperforming institutions beyond government league tables The Steiner Academy, which serves pupils aged three to 16, was rated 'good' in its last Ofsted inspection but topped the Fairer Schools Index The list also included schools like Bloxwich Academy in Walsall which face significant challenges

Abubaker Alezawy Ali Hassan

Demalji Hadza Mohammed Sharif

Wasim Omar

Muhon Miah

Rajbinder Kaur Kaldip Singh Lehal

Tulip Siddiq resigns

m oveme nt in Ban gla desh

The resignation comes a f t e r g r o w i n g c o n t r o v

s y surrounding alleged financial dealings and land allocations linked to her family during Sheikh Hasina's 20-

Minister of Bangladesh

In her resignation letter

t o L a b o u r l e a d e r S i r K e i r Starmer, Siddiq maintained she had "not breached the ministerial code" but stated that remaining in her post would be "a distraction from

t h e w o r k o f t h e g o v e r nment

D o w n i n g S t r e e t

a n n o u n c e d t h a t E m m a Reynolds, MP for Wycombe, w i l l r e p l a c e S i d d i q a s

Treasury minister Torsten Bell will take Reynolds’ former role in the Department for Work and Pensions Ethics in quiry clea rs Sid diq but ra ise s concer ns

L a s t w e e k , S i d d i q referred herself to Sir Laurie Magnus, the prime minister's adviser on ministerial interests Magnus concluded that while Siddiq had not v i o l a t e d t h e m i n

c o d e , i t w a s " r e g r e t t a b l e " that she had not been "more alert to the potential reputational risks posed by her close family ties

His review of her financ

dence of impropriety In his

Siddiq for making the "difficult decision" to resign and e

t with "no breach of the ministerial code and no evidence of financial improprieties "

H

future contributions to the party

Alle gat ion s of fin ancial m isconduct

rounding Siddiq centres on allegations raised by political opponent Bobby Hajjaj He accused Siddiq of brokering a £1 billion inflated deal for a nuclear power plant in 2013, allegedly benefiting her fam-

works Documents obtained by the BBC reportedly link S i d d i q t o t h e t

n s a c t i o n , though she has categorically denied any involvement

A

Bangladesh for alleged misuse of influence to secure

land allocations for her fam-

zone The Anti-Corruption C

into granting the land, accusations her supporters dismiss as baseless Wide r implica tions for Labour Siddiq’s resignation has

Labour’s ties to the Awami League, Bangladesh’s former ruling party Critics, includ-

cates, have called for greater

under the Awami League’s regime Social media posts and campaign materials sug-

Labour's electoral victories

These revelations have led to calls for the party to reexamine its associations with the Awami League

Labour to ban advance rent demands by private landlords

P riv ate land lo rds will soon be prohibited from requesting m ultiple months' rent in adv ance, as part of Labour’ s initiativ e to reform private renting through the upcoming Renters’ Rig hts Bill

The proposed rules will cap advance rent payments

a t o n e m o n t h

a d d r e s s c o n c

h a

upfront costs currently prevent renters without savings from accessing housing or force them into debt Under the new measures, landlords

c a n s t i l l r e q u e s

m o n t h r e n

upfront and a deposit of up to six weeks' rent, in line with the Tenant Fees Act

2019 The government, along-

changes will balance financial security for landlords

vulnerable renters, such as lower-income earners

Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for

end to renters being ripped off by outrageous upfront costs that leave them struggling to make ends meet or locked out of housing altogether

“Our Renters’ Rights Bill will transform the rights of 11 million private tenants, ending rental bidding wars

a n d a b o l i s h i n g ‘ n o - f a

evictions, making the system fairer and giving renters more security, stability, and protections ” The Renters’ Rights Bill also introduces a ban on bidding wars, pre-

renters to offer above the listed price

37-year-old man charged with nurse stabbing A

“Our thoughts are with the

One in six UK workers skipping meals amid cost-of-living crisis

As many as one in six w orkers i n B ri tai n h a v e b een forced to skip meals to cope with soaring co sts for groce ri es , en erg y, an d o th er essentials, according to new res e arc h b y th e T rad es Union C ongress (TU C) The figures, drawn from a Y o u G o v

o f o v

r 2,500 working adults cond u c t e d s h

r t l y b e f o r e Christmas, reveal that 17% of full- or part-time workers reduced their food spending by skipping meals in the past three months Alarmingly, o n e i n 1 0 r e s p o n d e n t s admitted to skipping meals every day or most days

F

The nurse, a woman in her 50s, was seriously injured in the hospital’s acute medical unit around 11:30 pm on Saturday It is believed she was attacked with a sharp object that was not a knife and sustained life-changing

The financial strain was further highlighted by the Post Office, which reported record-breaking cash withd

Personal cash withdrawals totalled £979m, while busin e s

m marking the first time cash withdrawals exceeded £1bn i

Borkett, Post Office banking d

continued reliance on cash to manage budgets, particularly during the festive period

The TUC attributed the growing hardships to what it described as “ 14 years of

leaders stressed the importance of Labour’s proposed reforms to workers’ rights, which are

Gyms converted to wards amid NHS winter crisis

with patients often treated i n c h a i r s c o n t

Wolff, RCP regional manager for north west London, d

increasing

T h e R o y a l C o l l e g e o f Physicians (RCP) highlighted that physiotherapy gyms a r e b e i n g c o n v e r t e d i n t o wards, and many patients are placed in corridors due to a shortage of beds Dr M a s h k u r K h a n , r e g i o n a l adviser for south London, shared that the physiotherapy gym has been repurposed for additional bed spaces,

t s s o m e

i m e s spend the night in corridors with inadequate facilities

The RCP's clinical vice p r e s i d

reliance on temporary environments such as corridors for patient care and stressed that this practice must end He called for the NHS to p

receiving care in such condi-

The situation has led to a

Angela Rayner

Russian President Vladimir Putin right Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina second right and Tulip Siddiq left attend a signing ceremony in the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, Jan 15, 2013

Lord Parekh's reflections on India's multicultural heritage

Jyotsna Shah

O n Friday, January 3, 2025, Lord B hi khu Parekh delivered an insightful lecture on "The Specialty of I ndi an Multiculturalism" at the Centre f or Contemporary Theory i n Vadodara The sess ion drew a diverse audienc e of s cholars, s tudents, and enthus iasts

Renowned globally for his expertise in multiculturalism and cultural pluralism, Lord Parekh offered invaluable perspectives on the topic

For many, it was a rare opportunity to engage with his profound ideas I had the privilege of attending this intellectual gathering, thanks to the kind invitation extended by Dr Jayshreeben Mehta The event was expertly organized and moderated by Professor Lajwanti Chatani, General Secretary of the Centre for Contemporary Theory and Professor at the Department of Political Science, MS University

India's history, stretching across thousands of years, reveals that the ideal of "unity in diversity" has endured through countless conflicts, disputes, and challenges Followers of various religions Hinduism, Sikhism,

Buddhism, Jainism, Islam, Christianity, Zoroastrianism, and others have collectively fostered a rich tradition of multiculturalism Efforts to ensure the coexistence of different religions, languages, and minorities have been ongoing in India The last great supporter of this spirit was Mahatma Gandhi, who made immense sacrifices for communal harmony Yet, despite his efforts, communal discord persists to this day

On one hand, various religious, linguistic, and ethnic groups actively engage in movements to preserve their unique identities The challenge arises, however, when reconciling the demands of these diverse groups with the need to maintain the nation’s integrity For the country to function

effectively, there must be law and order While multiculturalism can serve as a political philosophy, its practical application often proves difficult and, in some cases, may not be entirely feasible Without careful management, it could lead to chaos and confusion

In his speech, Lord Parekh highlighted that, in response to colonial-era racist laws in Britain, the Labour Party established the ‘Commission for the Future of Multi-Ethnic Britain’ upon coming to power Founded in 1998, Professor Parekh was appointed its first chairman After conducting extensive research, he published the influential "Parekh Report" in 2000, which gained global recognition This report served as a wake-up call for Britain, helping the country make significant strides in reducing racism, violence, and discrimination Despite these advancements, fragments of these issues still persist today

Lord Parekh emphasized the importance of fostering economic, social, educational, and cultural unity for all citizens, advocating for the development of a "Pluralistic Human Rights Culture " He stressed the need for political and civic participation by all citizens, highlighting that the concept of "my religion" or your religion should not be part of this discourse

According to Lord Parekh, multiculturalism refers to the coexistence of diverse religions, castes, languages, communities, and beliefs within a larger society In contrast, cultural pluralism involves reconciling the differences of minority groups to forge a collective cultural identity while simultaneously engaging in the nation-building activities of the broader society

Lord Bhikhubhai’s vision on multiculturalism and cultural pluralism can be summarized as "The only way to exist is to coexist " After his lecture, an engaging question-andanswer session followed,

the University of Pennsylvania in the US, and the Institute of Advanced Studies in Vienna, among others Additionally, he held the position of Vice Chancellor at MS University in Vadodara We are all aware of his distinguished 25-year service as a Lord in our esteemed assembly

with participants showing great interest Lord Parekh’s humble and approachable nature led to a long line of people eager to meet and converse with him

Heartfelt congratulati ons to Lord Parekh on his 9 0th birthday!

Born on January 04, Lord Parekh's extraordinary nine-decade journey serves as an inspiration to all of us We pray that he continues to be blessed with good health and a long life, and that the

He is the author of several books on political philosophy, including Ethnocentric Political Theory: The Pursuit of Flawed Universals (Palgrave Macmillan, 2019), Debating India (OUP, 2015), A New Politics of Identity (Palgrave Macmillan, 2008), Rethinking Multiculturalism (Harvard University Press, 2000), and Gandhi (Sterling, 1997), among others

He has received the Sir Isaiah Berlin Prize for Lifetime Contribution in Political Philosophy, the

community continues to benefit from his invaluable wisdom By good fortune, I had the privilege of attending a dinner at Lord Parekh’s residence on January 5, where the esteemed Gujarati literary figure Dr Sitanshu Yashchandra Mehta was also present, along with Dr Jayshreeben Mehta

Engaging with scholars during this occasion was an unforgettable experience

Lord Parekh’s name is globally respected as a distinguished thinker, scholar, and author For the people of the UK, it is a source of immense pride

Professor Parekh is an Emeritus Professor Even after retiring from his professional career as a professor at Hull and Westminster Universities in the UK, he remains widely recognised as a successful academic, evidenced by the permanent title bestowed upon him

He served as a centenary Professor at the London School of Economics and as a visiting professor at McGill University in Canada, Harvard University, and

Reform UK councillors resign over Farage leadership

Ten Refo rm UK councillors in Derbyshire have resig ned, expressing d iscontent with Nig el Farag e's leadership They criticised the party for becoming "increasingly

charge last June

F

Newsnight that the resigning councillors were from a "rogue branch" of the party and had not passed vetting He also confirmed that his

Musk had improved after the tech billionaire called

Farage added that by-elections might be needed as

were not "legitimately put forward "

The Derbyshire group s leader, Alex Stevenson, was

BBC Special Lifetime Achievement Award, the Distinguished Global Thinker Award from the India International Centre, and the prestigious Padma Shri Award from the President of India

Lord Parekh’s work has been translated into 20 languages He is a distinguished fellow of the British Academy, the European Academy, and a former President of the Academy of Social Sciences, among other prestigious positions His remarkable accomplishments bring immense pride to Gujaratis, Indians, and the global community Despite his prominent stature, Lord Parekh’s humble nature makes him feel like one of our own, a beloved member of our family

On the occasion of his 90th birthday, Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar, along with our Publisher and Editor, CB Patel, extend their warmest congratulations and best wishes May he continue to be blessed with good health and live for many more years Happy Birthday!

and Loscoe Town Council

Tenth conviction in £3mn Covid fraud ring

Harun Shehzad and Zishan A hmed, the final two memb

and A hmed spared jail The Birmingham-based group fraudulently applied for small business grants, bounce-back loans, the Eat Out to Help Out scheme,

ments after the 2020 pandemic

In December, nine men were sentenced to nearly 50 years, and a tenth received

Shehzad, 29, of Edgbaston, and Ahmed, 30, of Quinton,

A&E delays and conditions linked to 50 deaths a day

An ana lysi s use d by s eni or d o ct o r s h a s f o u n d t h a t ab out 5 0 people di e dai ly due to dela ys i n

hospitals declared

whelming demand, urging patients to seek care elsewhere Health Secretary Wes Streeting admitted feeling "ashamed" of patient treatment, with some facing up to two-day waits in A&E or being treated in corridors

Lord Parekh presented with a bouquet by Jyotsna Shah on the occasion of his birthday

Jyotsna Shah presented her book Jeevan Ek, Sur Aneka' to Dr Sitanshu Yashchandra Mehta

Lord Bhikhu Parekh delivering an insightful lecture at the Centre for Contemporary Theory, Vadodara

Harun Shehzad and Zishan Ahmed

UK pharmacies face uncertainty amid contract dispute

Anusha Singh P harm acies across the UK cou ld stop serv ing patients for prescrip tions and close o n w eekends du e to a longstanding d ispute ov er contract neg otiatio ns

The first services to be i m p

support, and stop-smoking

evening and weekend hours likely Independent pharma-

action in the sector’s history after delays of nearly 300

government funding

The NPA, which represents over 6,000 independent pharmacies, stated that some owners have taken out s i g n i f i c a n t l o a n s t o s t a y o p e r a t i o n a l , w h i l e o t h e r s struggle to invest in necessary staff and facilities For

t h e a v e r a g e c o m m u n i t y p h a r m a c y , u p t o 9 5 % o f income comes from providing NHS services such as

d i s p e n s i n g p r e s c r i p t i o n s and flu vaccinations, with supplementary income from retail and private services

Reena Barai, pharmacist

a n d o w n e r o f S G B a r a i

P h a r m a c y a n d t h e c o -

f o u n d e r o f F e m a l e Pharmacy Leaders Network shared with Asian Voice, the k e y c h a l l e n g e s s h e f a c e s with the contract dispute is the fear of the unknown

S h e s a i d , “ N o b o d y w o u l d work or enter into employment without a contract, yet this is the situation I find myself in, along with the 1 0 , 0 0 0 + p h a r m a c i e s i n England Our contract with NHS England terminated in M a r c h 2 0 2 4 T o d a t e , n o new negotiations have taken

Form er P rim e Minister Liz

T ru s s h as i s su e d a le g al wa rning to L abo u r lead er Keir Starmer, demand ing he ce as e m aki n g “ f als e and defamato ry ” statements that she “crashed the economy ”

The six-page “ cease and d e s i s t ” l e t t e r a c c u s e s

Starmer of tarnishing her reputation and contributing to her defeat in South West Norfolk during the general election The letter, sent as the UK faces rising borrowing costs and a weakened pound, disputes the portrayal of the market turmoil following her 2022 mini-budget as an “economic crash ” Truss’s legal team, citing

place to settle a new contract for us “I find myself in limbo

Trying to make ends meet after almost 10 year of financial attrition, with no clue as to what the future holds

This makes it hard to make d a y t o d a y d e c i s i o n s o n

tions to premises

D i s c u s s i n g t h e l o n gterm consequences of this issue, she further added, “If the situation remains unresolved, we will have to make

Pharmacy has built a goodwill through many discretionary services it provides that keep people safe and well in their own homes

Free delivery of medication is a classic example Without

their medications in a timely manner Many pharmacies are making tough decisions about services like this that t h e y n o l o n

themselves ”

A dire consequences for t h i s p h a r m a c i e s c a n b e being forced to shut down In the past two years, 700 pharmacies have closed, and funding has been cut by 40% over the last decade, adjusting for inflation, according to the NPA It has warned NHS England that pharmacies are being treated like “

e c o n o m i s t A n d r e w L i l i c o , argued that the crisis did not meet the criteria of an economic crash, as it did not involve a drop in GDP or an increase in unemployment

The letter attributes the turm

England

missed the letter's claims, stating Starmer would not alter his criticism “You can ask people across the country about the impact of past economic management on their mortgages and infla-

v

the health service

R

importance of pharmacies said, “Community pharmacies provide far more than just dispensing medication, a fact underscored by the expanding range of services introduced over the past 20 years Patients increasingly

,

seeking advice on minor illnesses and accessing essential services like COVID-19 and flu vaccinations

“Pharmacies are a vital

embedded in local communities Their true strength lies in their identity as "community" pharmacies, delivering healthcare closer to where people live and work,

appointments This accessibility and proximity make them an indispensable part of modern healthcare delivery ”

With the current contract for community pharmacies expired since March 31, 2024, they remain without a new agreement, while GPs have already received theirs for the next financial year

Reena believes that integrating pharmacies into the

patient care She emphasises that this can be achieved by fully incorporating community pharmacies into local N

records, and ensuring they a

with other NHS colleagues

“This vision represents the future we aspire to, even as we work to navigate the

state of play”, she said

London-based biopharma secures major funding

A L o n d o

as ed o b es it y drug com pany has secured $41 1 m illio n ( £3 39 m illion) in w hat is consid ered

ng round in Europe's biopharma sector

Verdiva Bio, supported by Dutch investor Forbion and American private equity firm General Atlantic, led the $411 million raise This funding coincides with the

healthcare conference, the

event

Last year, the company secured global development

team includes former Aiolos executives, with Mohamed Eid, a former Novo employee, appointed as chief medical officer Farooq added, “These programmes target

improved treatment adherence and

s would speak volumes,” the spokesperson said I n a v i d e o

n t , Truss accused both Labour and members of her own party of undermining her

for the fallout She alleged that Labour’s Rachel Reeves, now Chancellor, had driven t h e c

nomic instability with her policies

Truss’s legal argument also sought to shift focus to the pension fund crisis triggered by her mini-budget

Zhejiang

Verdiva is led by Khurem

Francisco-based respiratory drug firm acquired by GSK for up to $1

billion last

enters the rapidly growing

dominated by Novo Nordisk of Denmark and American pharma giant Eli Lilly

o s s market could reach $150 billion by the early 2030s, with companies racing to develo p n e x t -

patient access and affordability

fundraisings in the past two years for separate biotech ventures, raising a total of $656 million (£541 million) Farooq's previous venture, Aiolos Bio, a respiratory drugs company, was acquired by GSK for $1 billion ( £824 million) last

Bowel cancer screening kits sent to all over-50s

T he NHS will send bo wel cancer screening kits to all o ver - 5 0s , as th e di s e as e becomes mo re common in middle-aged adults

O v e r t h e n e x t t h r e e m o n t h s , 8 5 0 , 0 0 0 p e o p l

aged 50 to 52 will receive athome tests as part of an expanded national screeni n g p r o g

thousands of lives

T h e f a e c a l i m m u n ochemical tests (FIT), costing the NHS £4 to £5 each, can

d e t e c t b o w e l c a n c e r w i t h 90% accuracy The at-home kit checks for blood in a stool sample, which is sent to a lab for analysis The screening, currently offered to those aged 54 to 74, will now be extended to a l l o v e r - 5 0 s , w h o w i l

r e c e i v e a t e s t e v e r y t w o years People aged 50 and 52 will receive their first test soon, while those aged 51 or 53 will get a kit on their next b i r t h d a y

cancer killer, with 44,000

annually

P e t e r J o h n s o n , N H S England's national clinical d i r e c t o r f o r c a n c e r , s a i d : "Bowel cancer is becoming more common in people in their fifties The FIT test is q u i c k , s i m p l e , a n d c a n detect early signs of the dise a s e ,

t e n b e f

s y m ptoms appear If you receive a kit, please return it "

Reena Barai

Rishi Sunak

Sir Keir Starmer Liz Truss

Khurem Farooq

Indian Lok Sabha Speaker pays a historic visit to the UK

Rupanjana Dutta

S h r i O m Bi rl a, th e H o no u r ab le L o k S a bh

S peaker of Ind ia was on an

o fficial 5-day visit to the UK, co vering England , S cotland and Guernsey

The visit was the first in 17 years by a Speaker of the Lower House of the Indian

historical During his visit, he reportedly met his coun-

H

Minister of UK, Rt Hon Rishi

Sunak MP and Rt Hon John Swinney, the First Minister of Scotland, and addressed the diaspora at a gathering in

Neasden Temple and reportedly chaired the meeting of

also spoke about the histori-

Indian Constitution, success of the country’s free-flowing democracy and diversity, an

such as technology, AI, manpower (especially youth in India) gender equity, as well as India’s long-term vision

the Standing Committee of Conference of Speakers and P r e s i d

Commonwealth (CSPOC) in Guernsey He will be hosting the 28th edition of CSPOC in India in 2026

Diaspora m eet at India Hou se

The Indian community was invited to join a reception for Mr Birla at India

H o u s e o n 8 J a n u a r y T h e diaspora was thrilled to meet

a n d t a k e p h o t o s w i t h t h e Speaker, after he addressed

t h

n d i Speaking to the diaspora, he highlighted the success story t h a t I n d

P

m e Minister Narendra Modi He

He paid homage to the diaspora and their hard work and excellence in carrying India’s name and culture across the world with pride

Visit to the Neasd en Temple

On Saturday 11 January, Mr Birla visited the world-

London, popularly known as the ‘Neasden Temple’

Maharaj, the spiritual leader o

Sanstha (BAPS), by swamis of the Mandir in a traditional Hindu manner

During his visit, Mr Birla

sanctity of the Mandir with ‘darshan' of the murtis and ‘

work of BAPS in India and the inspiring developments in the UK and across Europe, p

BAPS Swaminarayan Hindu Mandir in Paris, France

humankind BAPS works for

upliftment for communities around the world ” Paying tribute to the creator of Neasden Temple, His

elevated Indian tradition and culture across the world He

senior delegation of Indian parliamentarians, led by Mr Birla, visited the site of the BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi Later that year, Mr B

Mahant Swami Maharaj at Swaminarayan Akshardham in New Delhi

Addressing the evening

Temple, Mr Birla remarked,

worked for the betterment of humankind across the borders I pay my respects to Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s life message, ‘In the joy of others, lies our own ” Sanjay Kara, a trustee for BAPS in the UK, said, “We

Birla for taking the time to visit the Mandir as part of his

United Kingdom It was a delight to exchange meaningful ideas and insights and further strengthen the ties

Tanzania, the Middle East,

lished in Uganda and many other countries H

Zanshin: Enhancing efficiency through Japanese wisdom

Japa

and

contributing significantly to the country’s exports The group is the largest taxpayer a n d e m p l o y e r i n U g a n d a , with its founder, Muljibhai Madhvani, recognised as a pioneering industrialist and a generous philanthropist His contributions to educat i o n , h e a l t h c a r e , A f r i c a n w e l f a r e , a n d i n i t i a t i v e s i n India have left an enduring legacy Jayantbhai Madhvani, a dynamic and visionary lead-

ctio

a nd in anticipa ting an oppo ne nt's next mo ve In martial arts, Zanshin emphasizes that even after a move is executed, one must remain fully aware and prepared for any counteraction This principle extends seamlessly to everyday life Consider this: after applying for a competitive examination or job, a candidate cannot afford to forget about it until the exam date or interview call Continuous preparation and focus are essential to excel when the moment arrives

The importance of Zanshin is vividly illustrated in the 2004 critically acclaimed movie Million Dollar Baby In the climactic boxing match, Maggie wins but is injured by an illegal sucker punch from her opponent, Billie "The Blue Bear" Osterman, after the bell rings Maggie’s guard was down as the bell had rung But the tragic consequences remind us of the cost of losing vigilance after an action is taken While her situ a t

Zanshin remaining alert even in moments of perceived resolution might have saved her from the punch that broke her neck landing her on a hospital bed in a state of paralysis

In our daily lives, we often experience lapses in Zanshin Imagine instructing a subordinate to complete a task and assuming it’s done without followup Later, we discover the task was never completed This failure stems from inaction after action A simple follow-up or reminder could ensure the task's completion and reinforce accountability Similarly, sending a birthday gift and following it up with a call conveys thoughtfulness and deepens emotional connections Such follow-up actions amplify the impact of our gestures, demonstrating love and care

While mindfulness encourages focus during an action, Zanshin expands this awareness to encompass the aftermath It advocates for an additional step of vigilance one that enhances the effectiveness and efficiency of our efforts

A "reminding mind," as Zanshin suggests, is the bridge between effort and impactful results By staying alert and mindful even after an action is taken, we maximize the value of our endeavours and ensure they leave a lasting impact

(Expressed opinions are personal)

er, played a pivotal role in t h e f a m i l y ' s s u c c e s s Tragically, he passed away in D e l h i H i s d a u g h t e r , A m b a s s a d o r N i m i s h a Madhvani, upholds the fami l y ’ s l e g a c y a s t h e H i g h Commissioner of Uganda to the UK Previously, she also held the esteemed position of High Commissioner of U g a n d a t o I n d i a A f t e r J a y a n t b h a i ’ s u n t i m e l y d e m i s e , M a n u b h a i Madhvani assumed the role of patriarch, guiding both the family and the business with steadfast leadership P r e s e n t l y , M a y u r Muljibhai Madhvani along w i t h K a m l

Madhvani Group, overseei

figures in the British Asian community E v

, t h e Madhvani name is synonymous with philanthropy and

Africa, the UK, India and other countries Their legacy c

Kamleshbhai’s wife, Sheila Madhvani and his brother Shrai Madhvani, along with S

Rohit Vadhwana

Mr Birla meeting former Prime Minister of the UK, Rt Hon Rishi Sunak MP Being warmly welcomed by the diaspora at the India House reception

Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla meeting the Speaker of House of Commons Sir Lindsay Hoyle MP, along with HE Vikram Doraiswami, High Commissioner of India to the UK (third from left)

Shri Om Birla performing abhikesh of Shri Nilkanth Varni Maharaj at Neasden Temple

Photo courtesy X@loksabhaspeaker

Photo courtesy: X@omb r akota

L-R: Shifa, Sheila & Kamlesh Madhvani, Jaya & Fabio

Shrai Madhvani

L-R: H E Nimisha Madhvani, Kamlesh and Sheila Madhvani

L-R: Manish & Deborah Chande, Aparna Madhvani

Bringing generations closer through Instagram account for grandparents

Subhasini Naicker Rupa Nathwani, a qualified sc hoolteacher and founder of Lei cester's ManSha Dance School (named after her grandmothers), was inspired to create an Instagram acc ount for her grandparents (Chandrakantbhai Chandarana and Shardaben Chandarana) after capturing a sweet argument between them

Following her Nani's (maternal grandmother) silent heart attack in May 2024, which left the family worried, Rupa realised the importance of cherishing their moments together Determined to celebrate their bond, she began sharing their stories online, turning her grandparents into endearing content stars

In an interview with Asian Voice, Rupa discusses creating grandparents' Instagram account as legacy, an account reflecting their Gujarati roots and much more

Whatmakes your grandparents’ journey so special to you, and was this account created more to preserve their legacy or as a personal creative outlet?

Our grandparents and parents made countless sacrifices to give us better lives, and we should deeply value their efforts Their experience as part of the double diaspora instilled in them perseverance and determination The East African community's achievements are remarkable, as they preserved their culture while adapting to their new home They supported each other despite having little and embraced the spirit of community I admire my grandparents, parents, and others who rebuilt their lives in an unfamiliar country and successfully contributed to the British economy

Nani was born in Rajkot and grew up in Porbandar/Mumbai After losing her mother at two, she never forgets the sacrifices her father made and the struggles she faced with her elder brother, Manubhai When Nana and Nani married, they overcame many challenges After the birth of my mum, they faced the heartbreak of losing two stillborn children, yet they remained positive Today, they say, "We are grateful for what God gave us and are truly

happy " They lived in London for fifty years before moving to Leicester to be closer to my mum and us, their grandchildren Now, they enjoy life as greatgrandparents I’m blessed to have them, and there's so much to learn from their journey

What has been your grandparents’ reaction to being featured so prominently on Instagram?

They’re feeling like celebrities with all the attention! At first, they didn’t fully understand why so many admire them they’re just being themselves But they’re delighted by the love they receive One of their videos has over 4 5 million views! Nana is thrilled to reconnect with old friends and appreciates the praise for his sense of humour Nani is overjoyed by the appreciation for her love of bhakti, wisdom, and sweet character Many strangers have reached out with warmth, and though they don’t go out much, they were thrilled to meet fans at a recent cultural event

How does the account reflect your Gujarati roots and cultural identity, and has it deepened your understanding of your own heritage?

I have always been raised with a lot of cultural influence around me which makes me proud My grandparents on both sides always spoke to me in Gujarati and I’m so grateful they did So to be a content creator for my Gujarati grandparents brings me so much joy, as language is the door to your identity and it helps pass down stories and preserve heritage I always remember Nani singing and reciting stories in Gujarati to me and I see

Ovacome welcomes Manisha Koirala as new ambassador

Acto r Manisha K oirala h as b ee n n am ed th e ne w amb ass ado r f or Ovac o me, the UK-based ovarian cancer supp ort ch arity

Having overcome stage 4 ovarian cancer nearly a decade ago, Koirala will collaborate with the organisat

raise awareness about early

health inequalities

excitement about Koirala’s appointment, emphasising the potential impact of her

courage in sharing her personal journey and challenging the stigma surrounding the disease is truly inspiring We look forward to collabo-

my mum do the same with my son Speaking in your mother tongue helps to create a sense of belonging, reflects traditions and connects to history I think we should celebrate and uphold this as much as we can We come from such a rich and precious culture, we should recognise this This account has now encouraged me to do as much as I can to stimulate Indian family values and Hindu heritage

How do they feel about their story resonating with a wider audience, especially with the younger generation?

Nana and Nani, despite being in their 90s, love the attention and are inspiring younger generations with their vibe and originality Many followers say their videos remind them of their own grandparents, sparking fond memories and helping them unwind after tough days Nana’s humour and love for chocolate, combined with Nani’s wisdom and devotion, make them truly special Their vibrant personalities continue to win hearts and make people laugh effortlessly

We’ve received numerous messages from younger followers who enjoy watching the videos with their parents and sharing them with older family members I believe that through effective communication, shared stories, and laughter, we can bridge generational gaps I hope our Instagram page fosters family bonding, as grandparents play a unique role in nurturing cultural continuity I’m incredibly grateful to share Nana and Nani with the world, given the profound impact they’ve had on my life

rating with her to improve equitable access to diagno-

said K

her Bollywood roles and her

Ovacome provides vario u s s u p

helpline, online

campaigns More details are available on their website

, shared her journey in her memoir, ‘Healed’ Last year, she was honoured in the British Parliament for her resilience and contributions to cinema

Tower Hamlets children’s services achieves ‘outstanding’ Ofsted rating

T ow er H am lets C hild ren s Serv ices in East London has ac h i ev ed th e h ig h es t ' Ou ts tan d i ng ' rat in g f ro m O fs te d , se v en y ear s a fte r receiving the lowest g rade Th e insp ection, cond ucted fro m 11 –15 Nov ember 20 24, award ed th e borou gh this top rating

I n s p e c t o r s p r a i s e d Tower Hamlets for providing exceptional support to v u l n e r a b l e c h i l d r e n , h i g hlighting strong relationships between social workers and families They commended leaders for fostering a culture where social workers thrive and noted that disabled children receive excellent care Children are seen regularly, spoken to sensit i v e

their views about their lives

The report highlighted t h e s e r v i c e ' s ' h i g h - q u a l i t y support' for young people leaving care and praised the c o m m i t t e d , s t a b l e , a n d skilled workforce that supp o r t s c h i l d r e n a n d t h e i r f a m i l i e s W i t h t h i s O u t s t a n d i n g r a t i n g , t h e service ranks among the top 2 0 % o f l o c a l a u t h o r i t i e s nationwide Tower Hamlets Mayor, Lutfur Rahman, expressed h i s d e l i g h t a t t h e 'Outstanding' Ofsted result, calling it a testament to the dedication of staff who cons i s t e n t l y g o a b o v e a n d beyond to support local child r e n a n d f a m i l i e s H e e m p h a s i s e d t h e b o r o u g h ' s commitment to giving children the best start in life and protecting the most vulnerable

West Yorkshire reveals ambitious plan to expand visitor economy

T o u ri s m le ad e rs i n W es t Yorksh ire h av e launched a four-year strateg y to grow th e reg io n ’ s b illi on- p ou nd v i s i to r e co n o m y T h e announcem ent in Leed s follows the region’s attainm ent of 'Loc al V isitor Ec onom y P artnersh ip ' ( L VE P ) s tatus fro m VisitEng land , m arking a key milestone in tou rism dev elopment

The strategy, created in p a r t n e r s h i p w i t h W e s t Y o r k s h i r e ’ s f i v e l o c a l authorities and chaired by Mayor Tracy Brabin, aims to b o o s t t o u r i s m , a t t r a c t

investment, and create jobs for long-term growth The l a u n c h a l i g n s w i t h t h e Bradford UK City of Culture 2025 celebrations, expected to attract over 15 million visitors, generate £130 million i n e c o n o m i c i m p a c t , a n d create 7,000 new jobs

M a y o r T r a c y B r a b i n called the plan a transformative opportunity for West

Y

UK City of Culture 2025 set to attract millions globally

S h e e m p h a

s e d t h a t

residents and visitors He highlighted that a wellm a n a

n

t i o n attracts investment, boosts income, and creates jobs He expressed excitement about collaborating with the Local V i s i t o r E c

m y Partnership to drive West Yorkshire’s growth

h e bold strategy would build on the region’s heritage, ensuring long-term visitor return and driving growth, while creating lasting opportunities for all A n d r e

Chandrakantbhai and Shardaben Chandarana with their granddaughter Rupa Nathwani

Ovacome’s CEO, Victoria Clare and Manisha Koirala

Lutfur Rahman

Reminiscing the joy of Uttarayan

As Uttarayan approaches, I am flooded with memories of the vibrant festivities from my childhood in Ahmedabad’s old city Growing up there, Uttarayan wasn’t just a festival, it was a way of life that united everyone in joyous celebration

Preparations began as soon as Diwali ended For two days, we would gather on our terraces from dawn to dusk, flying kites, shouting Kai Po Che! and sharing laughter with friends and family Meals were enjoyed on the terrace, as no one wanted to miss a moment of the action The city came alive with music, colourful kites and the thrill of friendly competition

After moving to London, I have missed this cherished tradition Recently, I visited India to relive the festival, hoping to experience the same energy While it was nostalgic to feel the tug of a kite string in my hands again, I noticed a change The vibrant enthusiasm seemed diminished, as today's tech-savvy generation appears less drawn to this tradition

Despite this, reconnecting with the skies of Ahmedabad and testing my kite-flying skills was wonderful Festivals like Uttarayan remind us of the joy of togetherness and the simple pleasures that create lifelong memories

No matter where life takes us, I believe the spirit of Uttarayan can be preserved by sharing its charm with future generations

Jay Bhatia

Preparing generation Beta for a balanced future

As we move from Generation Z to Alpha, and now towards Beta, parents will face distinct challenges in raising children in a world increasingly shaped by technology

The seamless integration of AI and tech into daily life will make it crucial for parents to embrace these advances, but without overwhelming their children Setting clear boundaries and creating tech-free zones, such as during family meals, will be important for maintaining balance and encouraging meaningful relationships

The concept of delayed gratification, especially in a world accustomed to instant deliveries and services, will also become essential Parents will need to work harder on teaching patience and emotional resilience In addition, activities such as cooking together, family game nights and outdoor play will be important in preventing children from becoming detached from the real world, helping them retain their humanity And its important to get the children out of the virtual world trap

However, the mental health of Generation Beta must be a top priority With social media pressures, constant connectivity, and potential cyberbullying, their emotional wellbeing will face unique challenges Parents must prepare their children not just with knowledge of digital spaces but with the emotional tools to handle online criticism, peer pressure and unrealistic standards

Although technology will shape their future, it’s essential to ground them in personal relationships, traditional values and a connection to nature While it may seem unrealistic to recreate the childhood we once had, it is possible to give them a balanced, meaningful upbringing that combines both the benefits of technology and the importance of human connection

Vidh i Agarw al

China's double standards and India’s challenges

China’s water strategy, a potential threat to India (as reported in AV 11-17 Jan 2025) clearly shows the double standard adopted by China On one hand, they are trying to give assurance to India about a peaceful resolution of the bilateral issues but on the other hand, China wants to grab the land and scarce water resources without any legitimate reasons

T h e w o r l d ’ s l a r g e s t h y d r o p o w e r p r o j e c t o n t h e Brahmaputra River will create many problems for India in terms of continuous water flow, water security and economic challenges in addition to dominance by China in the region It seems in the long run China wants to control the economic activities of small countries like Nepal, Tibet, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka but in turn, it will adversely impact the economy of India’s North Eastern states

A strong message should be sent to China about the potential impact of this project If needed pressure from international forces should be applied After Trump’s arrival as the US president, there are likely to be some adverse socioeconomic consequences for China

By hook or by crook, China wants to remain in the limelight by creating trouble in the North Eastern states of India Since most Western countries are heavily dependent on China for manufacturing, they may not pressurise China much, except occasionally raising concerns So India may have to fight alone to resolve these kinds of issues with China, now and in future

Hite sh Hingu

Black Met officers’ spokesman ‘mocked Muslims’ on WhatsApp

T

Association m ocked Muslims, Ch inese people,

WhatsA pp messag es with a fellow officer, a

co nd uct hearing revealed

shared sexist content, including a "Back to the Kitchen" image with the caption, “International Women’s Day is over ” He also sent a photo of

Muslims there’s no 72 virgins left,” according to James Berry for the Metropolitan Police

Berry told the hearing that Inspector Ehikioya sent over 7,000 racist, homophobic, and sexually explicit messages between 2017 and 2020, shared with PC Carlo Francisco Ehikioya denies the allegations, claiming the messages were planted with a racist motive One video showed someone snorting cocaine while wearing a mask of Harvey Price, Katie Price’s disabled son The messages

seized following a complaint from a community support officer

London’s population is ageing

New analysis sho ws that Lo nd on is ag ing , while post-Brexit mig ration is attracting younger foreign nationals to cities outsid e the capital

reveals that London's median age has risen in the

Londoner was 35 8 years, up from 33 8 years in 2011 In contrast, cities outside London, including B

, have seen their populations grow younger

This trend is largely attributed to the influx of young migrants following Brexit, which has led to higher migration to cities outside London, while

steady Additionally, London’s birth rate has declined faster than the national average

The analysis also highlights a surge in migration to core cities outside London, with an annual increase of 15,000 young people compared to just 6,000 between 2002 and 2018

If the UK were a US state, it would be the poorest: A stark economic reality check

Continued from page 3

Why Has the UK Fallen Behind?

Several structural factors explain the UK’s underperformance relative to the US:

1 Chroni c Und erin vestment: The UK invests less in infrastructure, research, and development as a percentage of GDP compared to the US

2 Educati on G aps: The UK’s educational outcomes, particularly in STEM fields, lag behind US benchmarks

3 Producti vi ty Challen ges: Weak productivity growth remains the Achilles’ heel of the UK economy, exacerbated by reliance on low-paid, low-productivity jobs

Lessons for the UK

The comparison with US states is not merely an exercise in statistical curiosity It underscores the urgent need for the UK to address its economic malaise:

1 Boostin g Producti vi ty: Investing in skills, technology, and infrastructure is critical to bridging the productivity gap

2 R ev ersi ng B rai n Drain : Encouraging highskilled workers to remain in or return to the UK is vital to driving innovation The best way to do this is to tax all off-shore British citizens on their income like the US does with it’s citizens It’s why Musk has not left for Spain

Conclusion

While the UK may pride itself on its history, its economic present reveals a nation struggling to keep pace with global and even state-level competitors If it were part of the US, it would be the poorest state by GDP per capita, a startling realisation for one of the world’s leading economies The UK’s challenge now is to learn from more successful economies, invest in its future, and reclaim its place as a global economic leader not just a historical one

The UK’s potential remains immense, but the gap between its promise and its performance has rarely been wider

Unrelenting March of Reform UK

Many electorates might have missed a very important government a

reorganisation of many local councils The grooming gang’s fiasco has allowed this important news to go under the radar, but I feel in the weeks to come, this will gain momentum

For clarity, local elections should be held in May 2025 All seats in the 21 county councils and ten unitary authorities in England should be up for election And of course, I am sure the small detail of these being the first major elections post the general election has not gone unnoticed They stand to give a rather interesting view into the state of play of the political landscape

The spanner in the works being that the government has given all local councils affected by the proposed local government reorganisation the option to postpone the election by a year, or in some cases, even longer Theoretically at least,councils if they played the game correctlycould kick them into the long grass to avoid voter dissatisfaction

Government has asked the affected councils to indicate if they wish the elections to be postponed Nearly 50% of the councils have or are very much interested in postponing these local elections

For your reference the table below shows the councils that are likely to seek the postponement of the elections:

Controlled by: No of Seats

Devon Conservative 60

East Sussex Conservative 50

Essex Conservative 78

Gloucestershire Conservative 55

Hampshire Conservative 78

Kent Conservative 81

Norfolk Conservative 84

Oxfordshire NoC 69

Suffolk Conservative 70

Surrey Conservative 81

Thurrock Labour 49

Warwickshire Conservative 57

West Sussex Conservative 70

Worcestershire Conservative 57

Do you notice anything interesting? Yep, the vast majority are Conservative controlled councils

The unrelenting march of Reform UK across the nation has been seismic We don’t know if this is real support, or a moment in time surge of dissatisfaction in the two main parties However, given Reform UK are now neck and neck with both the leading parties in the polls means squeaky bum time for local councils,councillors and the main political parties Reform UK could literally wipe out the establishment and take over many of these local councils

Interestingly the Conservative shadow local government secretary Kevin Hollinrake said: “No council should be bullied or blackmailed into local government restructuring It should not be imposed by top-down Whitehall fiat” Yet it seems Conservative councils are leading the way in wishing to postpone the elections

I suspect the Reform UK chairman Zia Yusuf probably got it right in his assessment when he said: "Labour and the Tories are so terrified of Reform s rise that they are colluding to rob the British people of their democratic rights

It is estimated that some 9m people might not get an opportunity to express their views through the ballot box this May

For the Tories these local elections are a nightmare For Labour it could be equally bad given the first 6 months of Keir Starmer’s tenure has been the worst of any recent prime minister Add to that the treachery of Labour pre-election promises and what they have actually delivered postelections Keir Starmer's net favourability rating has hit a new low of -41 in mid-December, and it is still falling

Starmer has become synonymous with a politicianwho breaks promises and changes his mind at a whim Things like the £25 billion tax hike by raising National Insurance, 20% Inheritance Tax to family businesses and family farms, no inquiry into grooming gangs, and the bond market going into meltdown don’t help restore any confidence in his leadership The Tories are also not in any good standing They let the nation down badly They had more than a decade to do the right thing, instead, they wasted the mandate and allowed out of control illegal migration, EHRC, policing our streets, and rampant hate marchersto get out of control

And whilst the two main parties exhibit their traditional privilege, Reform UK has taken an unrelenting march forward by championing the voice of the masses Add to it the fact that now we will have President Trump on the other side of the pond, and with him, Elon Musk who has the intelligence, the way, and the means to affect change not just in the USA, but anywhere in the world So when Trump and Elonthrash Labour and support Reform UK, you know the potential for change is now on the cards Do I think Reform UK are ready for governance, the answer is a simple NO And therein the nation is placed in jeopardy

This is why I would probably think that it might be better for these local elections to go ahead as planned for May 25 Yes the Tories will be decimated, and no doubt even Labour will get a good kicking The winners will be Reform UK Let Reform UK have the next few years to govern at council level If they do good, then come the general election in 2029 the established parties will be in trouble However, if they make a right mess of local governance, it gives the electorate a glimpse of how bad it could be if they were to ever take charge of Parliament

This is one of those times in history when no one really has any idea what might transpire But for the rest of us, it really is entertaining to see squeaky bum time the politicians are going through

Kapil Dudakia

Expert advice: Is laser eye surgery right for you?

Anusha Singh

Las er eye s urgery is a trans formative procedure designed to correct refractive errors such as nearsightedness , farsightedness, and astigmati sm It has gai ned immense popularity due to its potential to signifi cantly reduce or eli minate dependence on glas ses or contact lenses

However, understanding the relationship between laser eye surgery and overall eye health is essential for anyone c onsi dering this option

In an interview with Asian Voice, Sunil Shah, Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon at Midland Eye, shares insights on laser eye surgery, explores alternative treatments, and offers guidance on choosing the best option for your vision needs

How does one determine if they are a good candidate for laser eye surgery? Are there any conditions that might disqualify someone?

An ideal candidate for treatment is someone with a moderate prescription in their glasses or contact lenses While patients with prescriptions up to approximately -8D for shortsightedness, +3D for longsightedness, or 6D for astigmatism can be treated, smaller prescriptions are generally easier to address Certain conditions may disqualify an individual, such as severe dry eye, corneal issues like herpes or eye infections, and broader health problems, including active rheumatoid arthritis A thorough consultation is essential to evaluate each individual’s suitability for treatment and to ensure that expectations are realistic, particularly for those with more complex prescriptions

Is it common for vision to become defective again a few years after laser eye surgery?

It is uncommon for a distance prescription to change after treatment

Typically, any changes are due to age-related loss of reading ability, known as presbyopia or age-related visual loss, which affects everyone around the age of 45

With presbyopia, the situation is complex, and there is no one-size-fitsall solution Broadly,

there are laser options, such as monovision (where one eye is corrected for reading and the other for distance) and presbylasik (a hybrid laser solution) or AceVision presbyopia treatment, which is expected to become available within the next year Additionally, there are lens-based options, including monovision and premium lenses that correct both near and far vision

There is no universally "best" solution it depends on the patient's prescription, age, and individual needs, which is why a consultation is essential to determine the most suitable approach

Whatdoes the recovery process look like after laser eye surgery, and how long does it typically take?

The recovery process varies depending on the type of laser surgery Procedures such as SMILE or LASIK generally settle overnight, while PRK or LASEK typically require about five days for recovery Each type of procedure has its own advantages and disadvantages, so an assessment is necessary to determine which is most suitable for you The laser treatment itself usually takes less than 60 seconds to complete

Are there any long-term care requirements?

No, but it is important to visit an optometrist regularly to monitor overall eye health The optometrist should be informed about the surgery you have undergone and the degree of correction, as this information impacts the measurement of intraocular pressure for glaucoma and the assessment of intraocular lenses

What do you think is the biggest misconception about laser eye surgery that you'd like to address?

This is one of the most accurate and successful surgical procedures available, with millions performed worldwide, transforming countless lives including reportedly that of Taylor Swift

While it is a surgical procedure and has occasionally received negative publicity, when performed by skilled professionals who select the most suitable approach for each patient, it is exceptionally safe and precise far more successful than many other surgical interventions

The results of the procedure are permanent; it does not wear off over time and does not require repetition It is designed as a one-time, lifelong solution

Whatare the most significant risks associated with laser eye surgery, and how are they managed?

The most common physical risk associated with surgery is dry eye However, the greatest concern for many patients is having unrealistic expectations, which can lead to dissatisfaction with the outcome Other risks are specific to the procedure, and while there is a list of potential complications, the likelihood of these occurring is very small When the surgery is performed by a skilled professional using the appropriate equipment, the overall risk is exceptionally low

Is there any particular advice or guidance you’d like to share for individuals exploring their vision correction options?

Research thoroughly to find a provider who offers a range of vision correction options, has a high level of expertise, and extensive experience in performing such procedures The Royal College of Ophthalmologists recommends meeting your surgeon at least a week before the procedure If the provider typically does not arrange for you to meet the surgeon beforehand, request an appointment to ensure you have the opportunity This is an important surgery, and it is essential that you feel confident and comfortable with your surgeon

Labour MP demands Bluestar probe in parliament

Bluest ar in Jun e 1984

Dhesi called on the newly elected Labour government

Tory administrations of dismissing the issue

Responding to his parliamentary appeal, Leader of the Commons Lucy Powell acknowledged the issue as being of “great importance to the Sikh community in the UK ”

“In 1984, the global Sikh c o m m u n i t y e n d u r e d immense trauma when the Indian government ordered the storming of the Golden Temple in Amritsar, resulting in devastating destruction and the loss of thou-

sands of innocent lives,” said Dhesi

He highlighted that docu m e n t s , r e v e a l e d 3 0 y e a r s later, exposed the Thatcher government’s advisory role

i n t h e o p e r

British Sikh community has

uncover the extent of that involvement,” he added

Dhesi urged the Labour government to fulfil its promise:

“When will the independent inquiry be initiated?”

The call for an independent inquiry first arose after revelations that British military advice was provided to

Operation Bluestar ThenP

D

Cameron ordered an internal review, which concluded that Britain’s role was purely “advisory” and that Special Air Service input had “limited impact” on the operation D

issue in Parliament on multiple occasions, with Leader o

Powell recently supporting

right” to advocate for the

truth of what happened, and I will ensure the responsible ministers engage with him to discuss the matter further ”

MPs receive £1.1mn in free trips, tickets, and gifts

MPs

of overs eas travel in 2 02 4, funded by foreign governments and wealthy donors Westminster politicians received nearly £528,000 in h o s p i t a l i t y , t i c k e t s , a n d gifts from private companies and personal donors over the past year While a c c e p t i n g s u c h p e r k s i s within the rules for MPs, the disclosures are expected to draw scrutiny, particu-

larly for the Government Sir Keir Starmer faced criticism for accepting costly Arsenal FC tickets and gifts, including clothes and glasses, from Labour donor L o r d W a h e e d A l l i M e a n w h i l e , M P s i n 2 0 2 3 e n j o y e d p e r k s l i k e s k i i n g t r i p s , h e l i c o p t e r r i d e s , Taylor Swift concerts, and countryside shooting expeditions

I n 2 0 2 4 , 1 2 9 M P s a c c e p t e d s p o n s o r e d t r i p s abroad, including 21 Labour ministers and six members o f K e m i B a d e n o c h ’ s Shadow Cabinet, according to the MPs’ interests regist e r C o s t s f o r f l i g h t s , accommodation, and meals were often covered by foreign governments, business groups, or think tanks for fact-finding missions W h i l e M P s d e f e n d e d the trips as necessary and within the rules, campaigners warned that such fundi n g c o u l d l e a d t o u n d u e influence and called for a ban on state-sponsored visits

Long-term sick leave among civil servants surges

C i v i l s e r v an t s a r e t a k i n g more long-term sic k leave than during the pan demic 's pea k, wi th an a verag e of 3 51 days mis sed in the year e n d i n g M a r c h 2 0 2 3 , u p from 2 86 i n 202 1, acc ordin g to offi cial data

The Ministry of Justice had the highest absences, with staff missing an average of 6 9 days due to longt e r m s i c k n e s s H M R e v e n u e & C u s t o m s s a

3 9 days in 2022 to 4 5 in 2023

In total, 1 934 million days were lost to sickness across all departments in 2023, up from 1 45 million in 2021 Helen Morgan, the Liberal Democrat MP who u n c o v e r e d t h e d a t a , attributed the rise to the o n g

work, the highest number on record In November, the government launched the "Get

, including £240 million to reduce NHS waiting lists,

Gujarat Samachar and Asian Voice, the leading newsweeklies, are seeking an enthusiastic and energetic individual with excellent communication skills, to help expand newspaper distribution across London and the UK, focusing on areas with a larger Asian community presence

w Visit shops to introduce and promote the sale of our newspapers. w Build strong relationships with shop owners and managers

If you are eager to take on this dynamic role and join us in building stronger connections with the community while broadening our readership, send in your details at: cb patel@abplgroup

Prof Sunil Shah

Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi

The charities warned that shortfalls in fee increases from local authorities mean most care organisations will be forced to absorb the additional costs themselves Already, 30% of providers have closed parts of their operations or handed back contracts to local authorities Alarmingly, a third are considering exiting the market entirely, potentially leaving hundreds of thousands of vulnerable people without essential support

The survey also found that nearly 40% of providers have curtailed investment in building future care capacity Adding to these challenges, impending increases in employer National Insurance contributions are expected to further strain the sector

This comes after Labour announced that a long-overdue overhaul of the social care system will be postponed until 2028 In the meantime, an independent commission, led by Baroness Casey of Blackstock, a respected Whitehall figure known for addressing social issues such as homelessness and anti-social behaviour, will work to build a “national consensus ” on reform

The first phase, focusing on medium-term challenges, will commence in April 2024 and conclude by mid-2026 The second phase will address longterm structural issues and deliver its final report in 2028

As this step has invited criticism and support from various actors of the society, we understand what the problem actually is, practicality of the approach and how social care affects ethnic minorities

Pr obl ems f acing the socia l car e secto r

The social care sector has been brought “to its knees” with severe staffing shortages, rising waiting lists, and uncertain finances

According to Ca roline Abr aha ms, Ch arity Dire cto r a t Age UK, “As a result, there isn't enough social care to go round

and the quality is highly variable, so securing social care is something of a postcode lottery As a result, families often end up having to pick up the pieces by providing care themselves Many do so

‘The Ticking Time Bomb’

willingly, but it's a lot to take on without any support A further drawback is that if you have to pay for your own care, as increasing numbers do, it can be very expensive, quickly wiping out most people's savings The average cost of a week in a care home has recently been calculated at £1,600 ”

Bernie Sure sp ara n, the Chie f Execut ive Of fice r at We Care

Gro up also shared his opinion on the problem areas He said, "The previous government's decision to restrict dependents from accompanying overseas workers has significantly impacted the social care sector Initially, there were 156,000 vacancies, which had been reduced to 131,000, largely due to contributions from overseas workers and local staff

“However, this progress is at risk of being undone as the restrictions disproportionately limit the availability of overseas workers Furthermore, the sector's low pay rates fail to attract young people to careers in social care, further worsening the workforce shortage "

He also highlighted the plight of caregivers sharing that millions of caregivers have received minimal support from the Government “Although the introduction of an extra week of holiday offers some relief, the government falls short of addressing their financial challenges”, he said

Abrahams also stressed that social care needs a complete overhaul, a commitment from the politicians to fund the shortfall in investment that has built up over the years, and measures to make being a paid carer a more attractive career, including better pay and conditions

She said, “There are lots of vacancies in the social care workforce so we would like to see the Government take action during 2025 to give care workers a pay rise This would be fair recognition of the difficult and crucial job these people do and should also help to reduce the turnover of staff in home care and care homes ”

Previously, Lord D arzi of D enham’s Ind ep ende nt Inv estigat ion o f th e NHS in Engl and, published on September 12, 2024, described the state of social care as "dire " The report revealed that 13% of

NHS beds were occupied by patients who could have been discharged from the hospital

While not all delayed discharges are directly linked to issues within the social care sector, other contributing factors include waiting for patient transport, delays in receiving medications, or families expressing concerns about a patient’s readiness to return home

Lord Darzi’s report outlined the repercussions of delayed discharges on NHS operations, stating that they result in a 7% reduction in daily outpatient appointments per consultant, 12% less surgical activity per surgeon, and an 18% decline in activity per clinician working in emergency medicine

To address these challenges, the report recommended “hardwiring” funding into a multidisciplinary model of care services It called for better integration of care systems and an increased focus on preventative community-based interventions

Ne ed f or socia l ca re su pport a nd u nd ersta nd ing of eth nic minoritie s

According to, D r K ara n Jutl la, H ea d o f Ce ntr e for App lie d & Inclusiv e H ea lth Re se arch & D ementia Le ad at Univ ersity of Wolv erh amp ton, Consulta nt in d eme ntia car e a nd inclu sion, the issue of underfunding affects people

universally, regardless of their background However, for individuals from South Asian communities or those whose first language isn’t English, the impact is even more significant a kind of double jeopardy Historically, there hasn’t been enough funding or resources to cater to these communities and address their specific needs

She explained her perspective stating, “For instance, when people from such backgrounds approach care providers, they often find that there’s no culturally appropriate information or resources available, let alone materials in their native language This creates an immediate barrier Most care providers acknowledge this but argue that they lack the funds to translate materials or make services culturally inclusive

“Now, with e ven less f unding a vaila ble , the g ap be tween commu nities a nd care p rov ide rs is se t t o wid en f urt her Previously, organisations barely managed to provide good-quality dementia care, let alone invest in making that care culturally and linguistically appropriate The current funding cuts will exacerbate these disparities, leaving already underserved communities at an even greater disadvantage in accessing adequate care ”

She further highlighted that to make meaningful progress, it is needed that communities missing out on support are identified “Et hnic mino rit y commu nities, pa rticul arly So uth Asia n communities, a re e xp ecte d t o see th e ste epe st incr ea se in de mentia case s These communities also have higher risk factors compared to others Given this, there’s an urgent need for government initiatives that drive attention and resources toward addressing these disparities However, for such efforts to be effective, they must be properly resourced”, Dr Jutlla said

Is th e inde pende nt re view a p ractical app roach?

Reactions to the social care review are largely mixed, with many welcoming the longawaited focus on the system's issues, particularly funding and workforce shortages, but expressing concerns about the lack of concrete details and potential for insufficient action, especially regarding the proposed funding mechanisms and workforce improvements needed to address the growing demand for social care services

Be rnie Sure spara n feels that while reviewing the social care system in its entirety is a

positive step, but waiting until 2028 is far too long He said, “The sector is already on its last legs, and such a delay will only worsen the situation More care homes will likely close, bed availability will decrease, and unnecessary pressure will be placed on the NHS Smaller care providers, in particular, will struggle, as they lack the financial reserves to sustain themselves until 2028 ” Offering her perspective, Ca roline Abrah ams said, “The reality is that the Government doesn't really have a plan to

reform social care - if they did then Age UK and many others would be pressing them to put it into practice straight away Instead, they have asked Baroness Louise Casey to lead an independent commission into how social care should change Baroness Casey is highly respected as a reformer who gets things done, but the timescale the Government has set for her review is too relaxed as they have said she won't report until 2028

“This won't help older people receiving social care now, and their families, so we and many others are urging the Government to speed the review up What's more, the Government has said it would like to secure cross party agreement to the changes she recommends, but that will be difficult in 2028 as a General Election will be just around the corner For these reasons we'd like the timetable to be much more rapid, so some constructive changes can get underway before the next Election ”

D r Jutll a, shared her perspective on how social care affects Dementia patients stating, “From my understanding, the focus now is on targeting previously underserved areas and

developing better postdiagnostic support for dementia care Currently, there is a significant gap following a dementia diagnosis there’s no immediate follow-up support Most people only enter the system when they’ve reached a crisis point Recognising this, the aim is to address the gap by providing more comprehensive post-diagnostic support Additionally, there’s an intent to provide greater support to younger individuals affected by dementia

“What remains unclear is how deeply the review will examine health inequalities among different communities affected by dementia Will it truly address these disparities, or will it take a blanket approach? While it’s positive to see more focus on postdiagnostic support, my concern both personally and professionally is whether there will be a substantial effort to understand and tackle the health inequalities that exist in dementia care ”

Continued from page 01

Caroline Abrahams

Bernie Suresparan

Dr Karan Jutlla

Lord Ara Darzi

Baroness Louise Casey

“I hope this honour gives me the opportunity to push forward”

Anusha Singh

Hina Bokhari is a British p olitician, educator and co-founder o f the Naz L eg acy Foundation A m em ber o f the L iberal Democrats, she has serv ed as a M em ber of the L ond on Assem bly since the 20 21 election

In May 2024, she made history by becoming the Leader of the Liberal Democrats in the London Assembly, making her the first British Asian to lead a party group in the assembly Born in Enfield, North London, Hina is the daughter of Nawazish "Naz" Bokhari and Rizwana Bokhari, and hails from a Pakistani heritage Her father, Naz, a Punjabi-born educator, made history as the first British Muslim to run a secondary school in the UK, serving as headteacher of Ernest Bevin College He was honoured with an OBE in 2001 for his services to education

Following in her father's footsteps, Hina was appointed OBE for her contributions to young people, charity, and interfaith relations In an interview with Asian Voice, Hina reflects on her personal journey, her deeprooted connections to her heritage, and her dedication to public service

Whatdoes this honour mean to you personally, and how does it reflect your journey as an educator and politician?

I have been humbled and overwhelmed by the kind messages I have received since receiving the honour When my father passed away in 2011, he left our family a legacy, to make sure we improved the lives for the next generation Naz Bokhari was an inspirational teacher and role model to many We set up the Naz Legacy Foundation in his memory

to mentor young people to contribute back to society This award continues to remind me of his dedication and commitment to helping others and I accept it in his honour

I have been a teacher for over twenty years in some of the most deprived areas of London so I know that there is still so much we need to do I hope that through my role as a London Assembly member and local councillor I can continue my father’s legacy and prioritise the needs for young people in our city It has been becoming more challenging for the next generation with Brexit and cuts to youth services, providing less opportunities, so we must do all we can to help them thrive whether it is through charity or legislation

Asone of the few British South Asian women in politics, how do you think this recognition resonates with and inspires underrepresented communities?

I value the opportunities this recognition gives people like me a chance to share my experiences and journey to help encourage more women from minority groups to stand I hope that women will feel empowered

to speak up and feel like they can also do this I often hear women say they are too busy, or that they would not be good enough I know that I still had a lot to learn when I started this journey and I am still learning The most important thing about deciding to stand, is to care, to have a passion, and let that drive you Sadly, some think that politicians are like the ones we hear mostly about on the TV when in fact in reality they are mostly people who want to help their local communities or improve lives If we have more women from a variety of backgrounds in politics, I truly believe more good will come to society on the whole

In your opinion, how important are such honours in acknowledging contributions to society, particularly for those from minority backgrounds?

I was really honoured that the honour highlighted charity, young people and interfaith work These are all areas that need more attention and focus particularly when there is division and tension This year we witnessed race riots in our country It was a terrifying experience, especially if you were black or brown or Muslim We must do more to highlight the work of those trying to bring people together but also work harder at listening I hope this honour gives me the opportunity to push forward the need to have honest conversations and to stop the disruptive dialogue that blames minorities for societal ills We need to do the difficult work that finds common ground and solutions No more talking shops but a push for real change to help all communities

Vision for modern dentistry

Shefali Saxena

D r Z ayb a S h ei k h i s t h e found er and C EO of Rüh

D en tal , o ne o f th e U K ’ s rapid ly g row ing priv ate dental gro u ps Her w ork has re d ef i ne d d

luxu

In

interview

A sian Voice, she d iscu ssed her career and the path that led her to establish her practice

Dr Sheikh's interest in dentistry was driven by the

While many are drawn to t

u n i q u e b r a n d S h e e n v isioned a dental practice that e m p h

s i s e d c o l l

l l e d d

t i o

a

s t s rather than relying on a single clinician After graduating from Birmingham and completing vocational training in London, she gained experience in mixed practices before opening her first clinic on Fleet Street

H e r p r a c t i c e h a s e x p a n d e d w i t h c l i n i c s i n

N o t t i n g H i l l a n d Manchester, and a fourth

l o c a t i o n s e t t o o p e n i n

L o n d o n t h i s s p r i n g S h e

e x p r e s s e d e n t h u s i a s m f o r the continued growth of her b u s i n e s s a n d i t s f u t u r e direction

H e r a p p r o a c h t o d e n -

t i s t r y p r i o r i t i s e s p a t i e n t

e m p o w e r m e n t , a i m i n g t o help individuals build confid e n c e a n d r e a l i s e t h e i r potential The clinics focus on a luxury wellness experience that contrasts with trad i t i o n a l d e n t a l o f f i c e s

Patients benefit from a pers o n a l i s e d t r e a t m e n t a p p r o a c h , i n c l u d i n g d e d icated treatment coordinat o r s a n d a c l i n i c a l t e a m s k i l l e d i n b o t h t e c h n i c a l dentistry and aesthetic care

Dr Sheikh also invests in advanced dental technology

t o e n s u r e p r e c i s i o n a n d comfort in treatments Her clinics have gained a reputation for excellence in care, fostering lasting confidence in patients

S

l

experience from her work, p a r t i c u

y

n h e l p i n g patients with complex dental needs, she said, “One of the most rewarding aspects

of what we do is seeing the transformative impact we can have on people’s lives A story that stands out is a b o

c a

d Gavin Reid He came to us after struggling with addic-

Manchester Spinningfields practice, he was self-conscious and lacking confidence, but we tailored a t

a t m e n

n t o h i s needs, and the transformation was incredible When Gavin saw his new smile for the first time, he burst into tears of joy, it was truly lifechanging for him Hearing him describe how his confidence and self-esteem skyrocketed, and how supported and cared for he felt throughout the process, is exactly why we do what we do ”

wealth is estimated at nearly 8 billion pounds according to the Sunday Times Rich List, has long been one of the UK’s highest-paid executives She garnered global a t t e n t i o n i n 2 0 2 0 w i t h a record-breaking 466 million pounds package, boosted by the pandemic-driven surge in revenues, followed by a 300 million pounds payday in 2021

Despite the significant decline in her earnings last year, Coates' compensation remains well ahead of many global CEOs For comparison, Apple CEO Tim Cook e

third of Coates’ total pay

Hina Bokhari

Coates CBE

Dr Zayba Sheikh

Santi & Naz: Friendship and identity against the backdrop of partition

Anusha Singh ‘ Santi & Naz’ explores the story of tw o young w omen one Sikh, one M uslim wh o in 194 5, strug gle against fo rces threatening to separate them S anti and Naz are insep arable best friends, p reoccupied with stealing books, swim ming in the lake, and sp ying on the local heartthrob Yet, as social u nrest d eepens and com munities fracture, neither fully grasps ho w their religions will div ide them, h av ing lived h armoniously side by side

When Naz is betrothed to a tailor in Rawalpindi and her feelings for Santi grow complicated, the girls face a crossroads with devastating consequences Santi & Naz delves into the postcolonial legacy, offering a fresh lens on female friendship, coming of age, and coming out

As the play prepares to tour at Soho Theatre starting January 21, writer Guleraana Mir, Executive Director at The Thelmas, spoke to Asian Voice about the production’s backdrop, its exploration of nuanced themes, and the significance of representation in theatre

What inspired you to tell the story of Santi & Naz, set against prePartition India and highlighting untold women's histories?

The inspiration for Santi & Naz came from a conversation between myself and Madelaine, the artistic director of the Thelmas Early on, we discussed the kind of work we wanted to create With the 70th anniversary of Partition approaching, I felt a strong desire to create something set during that period However, I didn’t want it to be a straightforward recounting of the historical events Madelaine had always wanted to explore the intense, sometimes undefinable nature of teenage female friendships relationships where the lines blur and their meaning becomes ambiguous We decided to combine these ideas by telling the story of two teenage girls one Muslim and one Sikh living in a part of Punjab on the verge of being divided Additionally, around the time, I was working on a project at SOAS, University of London, and took a course about Partition I realised how women ’ s stories from that period were largely untold

From the outset, the audience knows the girls cannot stay together because of the impending Partition Yet, their bond and love drive them to do whatever it takes to stay united Their friendship remains the heart of the story

How did you ensure authenticity at every step of the way, addressing the complexities of colonial history and religion, while staying true to the characters?

We conducted extensive research to ensure authenticity, drawing from a wealth of material about Partition's events, decisions, and key figures Resources included Partition Voices by Kavita Puri and academic history During my time at SOAS, I connected with Eleanor Newbigin, a historian of modern South Asia, who joined the project to factcheck and ensure cultural accuracy We also examined political leaders like Gandhi, Nehru, and Jinnah; and the deeper we explored, the more we saw their human flaws The inspiration stemmed from creative works such as Howard Brenton’s Drawing the Line and Viceroy’s House, with the goal of creating something that diverged from their British-centred perspective Our goal was to create a story that felt authentic to the diaspora, reflecting their history and identity in a deeply personal way

What are your thoughts on South Asian representation in theatre and storytelling?

Representation is improving, and I’m proud of the emerging generation of South Asian artists making the most of limited opportunities However, a common challenge for writers of colour, including South Asians, is moving beyond identity politics Many feel compelled to write about personal experiences, often focused on challenges like strict parents, arranged marriages, or struggles

with cultural identity

While these stories are important, they risk limiting representation to stereotypes

I hope to see South Asian artists embrace more nuanced, universal narratives, showcasing our layered histories and experiences With

companies like Tamasha and Tara Theatre supporting diverse voices, there’s potential for growth and I’m optimistic about a future where South Asian stories transcend boundaries and reflect their full richness

Aboutthe friendship between two people from different religions, did you worry at any point that this portrayal might face some reservations from audiences?

Yes, I think so There are two key aspects to consider here Firstly, people often forget that at one point, everyone coexisted quite harmoniously in the vast and diverse subcontinent of India, home to many ethnicities The play serves as a reminder that at one time, we lived in harmony, and it's propaganda that drives division For instance, we have the character of Ravel, aligned with Hindu nationalism, distributing pamphlets advocating “Hindustan for Hindus ” Later, there’s a moment when Santi, the Sikh character, says something deeply offensive about Muslim men It’s jarring, and we deliberated for a long time on whether to include it It’s uncomfortable and elicits an audible reaction from the audience, but that discomfort is intentional The point is to show how propaganda and violence can rapidly shift people’s perceptions even about friends they’ve lived alongside for years It’s a cautionary tale about the fragility of unity and the power of rhetoric to disrupt it

Immersive digital archive unveils life of Shakespeare’s daughter

A ground- breakin g project

l

i t y of B rig hton res ea rch er com

bi nes hi story and tec hn ology to bri ng the home of S

daughte r, Susan na, to lif e

By of fering free worldwide ac

global

University of Brighton,

archive offering an immersive way to explore Hall’s C

daughter This innovative project, developed by the award-winning Arcade XR studio using 3D photography and augmented reality, m

Shakespeare’s legacy accessible to a global audiencefree of charge-and offers a unique way to connect with history from anywhere

‘Hall’s Croft: A Spatial A

Shakespeare’s life beyond b

famous writer As

healer, businesswoman, and mothe

rich, multi-faceted lives of 17th-century women This immersive experience, featuring a digital reconstruction and augmented reality, a

o

e three rooms of Hall’s Croft using 3D photography The p

themes Home, Medicine, G

through interactive objects connected to the Hall family’s history

Winter lantern parade brightens South Bristol

T h e Be d m i ns te r Wi nte r

L antern Parad e, a belo ved com munity event featuring th o u s an d s o f h an d m a d e lante rns, w i ll retu rn af ter being p ostpo ned last year It rem ains one o f the city's top cultural high lig hts

Thanks to a successful fundraising appeal launched last October, the parade will light up South Bristol on 18 January "It's a grassroots, m u l t i - g e n e r a t i

sphere," said organiser Stef Brammar

r Jackie Smith "The commun i t y ' s

whelming, and schools were eager to participate, seeing it as a legacy ” The route of the parade has been altered this year to t a k e i n E a s t S t r e e t , i n Bedminster Green, where a new housing development, w h i c

The committee of about 10 volunteers took a year out in 2024 in order to review how the free event might be organised in future "We wanted to gauge if p

built

Bradford 2025 launches with magical spectacle and museum reopening

T h e o p e n i ng e ve nt f o r Bradfo rd 2025 UK City o f Culture too k p lace in RISE, a spectacu lar ou tdoo r th eatri cal perfo rmance on 10 & 1 1 January 2025

T a k i n g p l a c e i n C i t y Park and Centenary Square, RISE they launch a yearlong celebration of contemporary culture, heritage, and local talent The event, crea t e d b y m a g i c i a n S t e v e n Frayne (formerly known as

Dynamo) and directed by Kirsty Housley, will feature aerial performers, acrobatics, and magic, with a 200strong cast including poets, rappers, a community choir, t h e A i r

residents aged 12 to 65 A u d i e n c

DJs, food trucks, and entertainment before the show Shanaz Gulzar, Creative

Director of Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture, said: "As we kick off Bradford’s year as UK City of Culture, o

l unite the district, showcasing our youth, diversity, and heritage ‘RISE’ will spark

a l heroes, and highlight the incredible talent emerging from our city Our time is n

n s w i t h ‘RISE’ "

Hirst chooses $6.2m banana artwork for UK schools project

Promi nent UK arti sts like D amien H irs t and Cornelia Parker have curated key artworks for a di gital project launching in s chools acros s B ri tain over the next two years The Art In Schools chari t y , e s t a b l i s

‘Sensations’, feature ten art-

works, split into two parts, often presented by a museum curator, artist, or cultural personality “Art museums can feel d

Winton Rossiter, founder of the Art In Schools charit

Bedminster Winter Lanterns

Guleraana Mir

Aiyana Bartlett and Farah Ashraf as Santi and Naz

Ketan Dattani

VeVeganuary: A South Asian Perspective

g a n ua r y , t he 3 1 -d a y

ch a l l e n g e t o a do p t a

ve gan lifestyl e each Jan ua ry, has b ecome a gl ob al move -

men t But for many in the UK’s South Asian communi-

t y , i t ’ s mo r e t h a n ju st a

t rend it’s an opport un it y to

r e c on n e c t w it h ou r r o o t s whil e mak ing choice s t hat b enefit our heal th, t he plane t, and all living beings

C o n s i d e r t h e f o o d w e

g r e w u p w i t h : d

l , c h a n a masala, aloo gobi, roti, dosa, sambar Many of our traditional dishes are naturally vegan or can be easily adapt-

T

long history of plant-based eating in South Asian cult u r e ,

A

non-violence toward all living things This philosophy,

Buddhism, aligns beautifully with vegan values

A d o p t i n g a v e g a n d i e t isn’t just about tradition; it’s also about taking care of our health A plant-based diet can reduce the risks of heart disease, diabetes, and certain

bined with our rich spices and flavours, it’s far from boring Who doesn’t enjoy a comforting bowl of dal or a perfectly crisp dosa?

Then there’s the planet W

impacts of climate change, and animal agriculture plays a significant role in defor-

tion, we can make a meaningful difference

S o

s , embracing Veganuary feels like a natural fit It’s a chance to celebrate the food and values we ’ ve always cherished while taking a step towards

Whether you take part for a month or choose to contin-

y worth exploring

This January, let’s celebrate the vibrant flavours of South Asian cuisine, honour our heritage, and do our part for the planet You may find that this small change leads to something truly transformative

Also, would it be possible to update the image for this and future articles using one of the attached?

Hollywood icons and athlete lead support for Veganuary 2025

V eganuary, the g lobal camp aig n enco uraging p eop le to try v egan fo r January and beyond, has kicked off with

m il li o ns p ar ti c ip a ti ng w orldw ide

Last year, 25 million people joined Veganuary globally, and 2025 is set to be even bigger with new campaigns i

countries, with participants

f r o m e v e r y n

t i o n e x c e p t North Korea Olympic rowi n g c h a m p i o n I m o g e n Grant, who transitioned to

encouraging others to join t h i s J a n u

e d u c e greenhouse gas emissions

Imogen Grant supports

t h e V e g a n u a r y 2 0 2 5 c a mpaign, saying, "Eating vegan or cutting back on meat and

dairy is the biggest personal impact we can have on emiss i o n s I w e n

Olympics, achieving persona l b e s t s o n t h e r o w i n g machine and in the gym Veganuary is a great way to start – that's how I did it!"

Hollywood star Woody H

their Creamy Potato Leek Soup recipe to Veganuary’s 2025 Celebrity eCookbook, available for free to particip

O

Nicola Roberts’ Pomodoro

Curry, and Hugh Fearnley-

Apricots

who

mentor Clarkson and share his partner’s ‘Butter Tofu,’

Healthcare start-up hits unicorn status

C era, the UK’s largest tec hdriven h ealt hc are c om pany, h a s r a is e d $ 1 5 0 m il l i o n t o expand its ho me care s ervices and enh ance AI tec hnolo gy th at detects f alls amo ng the elderly to prevent ho spitalisations

Sources say the company, founded in 2016 by former NHS doctor Ben Maruthappu and Marek Sacha, is now valued at over $1 billion, securing its "unicorn" status The

merchant bank BDT & MSD

s Capital, combines debt and equity Maruthappu said the funds will be used to advance C

expand into areas like nursing, physiotherapy, and mental health services Cera's £225 million revenue for the year to December 2023 primarily comes from contracts with NHS organisations and local authorities to provide elderly care

Starmer reaffirms support for Reeves as chancellor

warning the Treasury w ill be "ruthless" in cutting public s p en

to

l rules

The Treasury seeks billions in savings from departmental budgets to balance the books ahead of this summer ’ s spending review, following a challenging day for

falling pound

Starmer backed Rachel R e e v e s ’ t o u g h s t a n c e o n public spending, saying she

was “absolutely right” after a c h a l l e n g i n g w e e k i n t h e markets and concerns from Labour MPs At the launch o f t h e g o v e r

s A I action plan in East London, S t a r m e r e m p h a s i z e d , " W e will be ruthless, as we have been with past decisions," stressing that Labour would stick to its clear fiscal rules

Bright, and Peter Egan

New research shows UK’s

growing plant-based shift

New research from T he Veg an Society

r ev e al s a g ro w i ng sh ift toward s plantbased d iets in the U K , wi th reg i onal v ariations and key " hot sp ots" emerging

The study also highlights differing m o t i v a t i o n s f o r reducing meat consumption

Three percent of UK residents identify as vegan or plant-based, while 10 perc e n t a r e r e d u c i n g

m

l p r o d u c

South West, and the North East have the highest uptake of plant-forward diets

“These results highlight a significant shift in attitudes toward veganism and p l a n

Britain,” said Claire Ogley, Head of Campaigns at The Vegan Society Animal wel-

fare was the top motivation, with 57 per cent citing it, followed by physical health (52 per cent) and environmental concerns (48 per cent)

toward more mindful, sustainable eating, with women (3 6%) more likely than men (1 98%) to identify as vegan o

y those aged 16-44, are twice

, The Vegan Society

people play in driving this demand

Campaigns at The

as

survey

shows nearly 40% of UK care homes now cater to v e g a n

dents The UK’s vegan population grew by one million in 2023, alongside a record decrease in meat consumption

based diets Celebrating its 80th anniversary in N

The

Caroline Street, Stalybridge, in June 2023

Usman Patel, the owner,

A n e w Y o u G o v p o l l shows Reform UK closing in o n L a b o u r , n o w j u s t o n e p e r c e n t a g e p o i n t b e h i n d , w h i l e t h e C o n s e r v a t i v e s drop to third place The surv e y , c o n d u c t e d o v e r t h e weekend, places Labour at 26%, Reform UK at 25%, and the Tories at 22% The data highlights growing dissatisf a c t i o n w

t h t h e g o v e r nment, a surge in support for Reform UK, and a shift in Labour's voter base since the election Rachel Reeves

Petrol station owners fined after e-cigarette sting

and Khalid Muhammed, the manager, of a petrol station in Stalybridge were charged a

cigarettes were seized during a trading standards visit in June 2023 Patel was fined £4,000, with a £1,600 victim

while Muhammed received a £3,200 fine, a £1,260 victim surcharge, and £715 costs Councillor Laura Boyle, Tameside's executive mem-

ber for environmental services, said: "The trade in illegal tobacco and e-cigarettes fuels crime, harms businesses, and undermines public h e a l t h T h i s c o u r t r e s u l t sends a clear message that Tameside will not tolerate illegal trading Our priority is public protection, and we are committed to investigating rogue traders to keep communities safe and support responsible businesses "

Ben Maruthappu

Impact of UK’s new ETA scheme on BAME and high-volume country business travellers

Shefali Saxena

This week marks the launch of the UK’ s new E lectronic Travel Authorisation ( ETA) s cheme, a significant development for bus iness travel

From now on, nonEuropean travellers must secure authorisation before flying, with the rule expanding to Europeans on April 2 In this context, The IAS, a team of qualified immigration lawyers, supports both individuals and businesses navigating global immigration issues

Okeregha explains the impact of the ETA on business travel and shares tips on how to ensure smooth compliance

Speaking on whether the scheme disproportionately affects business travellers from BAME communities, especially those from highvolume countries or with

complex immigration histories, Irfan Waheed, I mmigration Lawyer at the I mmigration Advic e Service told Asian Voice, “When I think about the UK's new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme, it’s not just the obvious hurdles that can cause serious issues for BAME business travellers

Digging deeper, you start to see how this could create some unequal situations If perceived as a deterrent, the ETA might restrict travel among these networks, diminishing their effectiveness and leading to the loss of business opportunities

“These networks are vital for knowledge transfer, market access, and cultural exchange, and these can be negatively affected if those who use them find travel to the UK more difficult than before Many BAME businesses thrive on international connections If the ETA discourages travel, it undermines these crucial connections Delays or refusals can impact a BAME individual’s ability to engage in essential international work-related activities, hindering career progress

“It could punish people, like a “mobility penalty,” if they constantly deal with

extra checks or the anxiety of not knowing if they’ll get through to the UK It also feels like this could end up reinforcing the "othering" of BAME travellers as if they’re all being viewed with suspicion

“The added scrutiny and the higher chances of profiling create a feeling of constantly being watched and continually having to prove yourself This is not a positive feeling for people simply trying to do business For many BAME people, it’s going to dissuade business travel to the UK It also likely places more stress on community organisations, which are already stretched thin ”

Addressing the challenges BAME professionals could face when navigating the ETA application process, he said, “It's not just about whether the algorithm is intentionally biased It's about how, even if the system isn't trying to be discriminatory, it can still end up that way Data points, like where you live, where you ’ ve travelled before, or even something as basic as your name, can unintentionally become proxies for race and trigger extra checks or delays

“This is a problem because those secondary checks can drain people's time and resources It’s more than just the £10 fee The lost business opportunities, the hassle, and the reputational damage will severely impact these BAME travellers For many minority-owned businesses, especially smaller ones, all this adds up

“The £10 fee is far, far less than the overall impact on BAME businesses This suffering may lead to lost productivity while dealing with application processes, the expense of seeking legal advice when things go wrong, and the potential damage to reputation and business relationships if travel is delayed or denied

These hidden costs, often borne disproportionately by minority-owned businesses with fewer resources, can create a competitive

disadvantage The ETA process is just another hurdle for BAME entrepreneurs, who often face obstacles when trying to get funding, access markets, and connect with business networks It might unintentionally create a system where some are unfairly disadvantaged and have less access to opportunities ”

Shasia E rshad, UK immi gration caseworker at the Immigration Advic e Servic e spoke to the newsweekly about the impact of the scheme on those from high-volume countries or with complex immigration histories She said, “Governments, including the British, have aimed to reduce mass immigration, particularly to Europe, over the past decade They have invested significant aid into lowincome countries to address the root causes of migration, with the idea that creating jobs and opportunities in these countries would reduce the need for people to leave However, this approach has not been entirely successful While there has been an increase in crosscontinent migration within Africa and Asia, migration to Europe and the US has continued to grow This has resulted in these countries tightening their borders, which will disproportionately affect people from poorer countries with legitimate reasons to visit the UK; such as businesspeople who do not intend to stay or overstay

“Due to this, the UK’s new ETA scheme could introduce biases against businesspeople from countries with historically high migration rates, leading to processing delays, increased scrutiny, and more refusals

Currently, only 3 African and 13 Asian countries are eligible for visa-exempt travel to the UK under the new ETA scheme That being 48 countries in Asia and 54 in Africa, this means only 15% of these countries are eligible, with just 27% in Asia and 5% in Africa

“Contrary to this, 66% of countries in the rest of the world are visa-exempt for UK travel, highlighting a significant disparity and an anti-poor country sentiment This sentiment could influence the ETA system algorithms, increasing scrutiny based on country of origin or association This issue extends beyond ETAs to visitor visas, disproportionately affecting businesspeople from Asia and Africa ”

BHF celebrates India-UK cultural bridge at Kolkata

T h e Be ng a l He ri tag e F o u nd ati o n ( B HF ) , a U K

charity dedicated to preserving Beng ali culture, h osted its annual Bengal Heritag

December 26th, 2024 Th

event celebrated th e vibrant h i s to ry and

ti es between India and the U K, featu ring insigh tful d iscus-

mances, and exquisite cuisine

The dinner marked the official handover of the BHF

Som to Koushik Chatterjee, ushering in a new chapter

t g o i n g p r e s i d e n t S o m h i g h l i g h t e d t h e

Foundation’s focus on preserving Bengali culture in t h e U K , w h i l e C h a t t e r j e e vowed to build on this legacy and continue fostering cultural and social integration The evening featured insightful discussions on the I n d i a n d i a s p o r a ' s r o l e i n

s t r e n g t h e n

ties

K

Andrew Fleming, British Deputy High Commissioner

t o K o l k a

efforts to include key industries in West Bengal Rittika

C

British Council highlighted the organisation's contributions to education in India

A t r i B h a t t a c h a r y

Additional Chief Secretary of West Bengal, spoke on the untapped potential of the state's agricultural sect

Chatterjee praised BHF for f

tion, while Tanusree Guha,

Director at Bank of America, London emphasised the cul-

Indian classical music and British contemporary art T

Dinner was

lively celebration of the arts and community with a curated dinner

A

evening moderator, former B

Foundation

ethos, stating, “Everything we do at BHF reflects our love and comm

bridge' between India and the UK-cultural, personal, professional, and emotional ”

Cultural and business ties strengthened at Bengal Global Connect Meet

am

sadors fro m over 15 co untries gathered at the prestigio us Calcutta Rowing C lu b f o r th e i na u g u ra l Be ng a l Global C onnect Meet T h e e v e n t a i m e d t o i g n i t e W e s t B e n g a l ' s e n t r e p r e n e u r i a l s p i r i t b y fostering cross-border innovation and cultural preservation It focused on three pillars: business innovation, c u l t u r a l c o n n e c t i v i t y , a n d s p o r t s d e v e l o p m e n t Business leaders discussed ' B e n g a l B u s i n e s s G o i n g

G l o b a l , ' w h i l e N R I entrepreneurs shared success stories

A ‘Football Adda’ celebrated Bengal’s sporting and cultural legacy

T h e B e n g a l G l o b a l Connect Meet then set the stage for a strategic offsite at S h a n t i n i k e t a n ’ s P a n t h a Niwas, led by Manab Paul, D i r e c t o r o f S h r e e B a l a j i

Over 25 global business leade r s c o l l a b o r a t e d t o c r e a t e

actionable frameworks for s u s t a i n a b l e d e v e l o p m e n t , advancing Bengal’s international business integration

A n i r b a n K u m a r Mukhopadhyay, the mastermind behind the event, said, "This initiative is not just a b o u t b u s i n e s s n e t w o r king it's about reimagining Bengal's role in the global entrepreneurial landscape " "The timing, just weeks

b e f o r e t h e B e n g a l G l o b a l B u s i n e s s S u m m

ideal momentum for turni n g d i a s p

ties," said Dr Arnab Basu, a key member of the planning

team Deepak Pramanik, director of AIDIAS Consulting, highlighted the meet's succ e s s i n f o u r k e y a r e a s : e x p a n d

networking, fostering crossborder collaborations, preserving culture, and advancing sports infrastructure Attendees at the meet i n c l u d e d A

D u t t a o f George Telegraph, Anirban Aditya of the Aditya Group, and Surajit Nandi of Floral, D

Oudh 1590 and Chowman among others

UK visa applications drop 43% amid AI fast-track plan

Hom e Offi ce figures s how a declin e of nearly 400,000 in U K work and study visa a p pl i c a t i o n s s i n c e th e i m p l e m e n ta t i o n of s tr i c t new immi gra ti on rules Provisional data reveals 547,000 applications were received between April and D e c e m b e r 2 0 2 4 , d o w n from 942,500 in the same period in 2023 The 42% drop, amounting to 395,100 fewer applications, is largely due to declines in overseas students and foreign

c a r e w o r k e r s a p p l y i n g t o the UK Health and care w o r k e r v i s a a p p l i c a t i o n s saw a dramatic 79% fall, from 299,800 in 2023 to 63,800 in 2024

i v e g

v

e n t introduced a series of new v i s a r e s t r i c t i o n s t o c u r b r e c o

d i m m i g r a t i o n a n d reduce arrivals by 300,000 annually These included a March ban on overseas care w

and

d

o

skilled workers to £38,700 in April The social care sector previously criticised the dependents ban, calling it "brutal " Meanwhile, the Prime Minister is set to unveil the A I O p p o r t u n i t i e s A c t i o n Plan, which includes a proposal to fast-track visas for those with AI skills The p l a n , w r i t t e n b y t e c h entrepreneur Matt Clifford, aims to boost Britain’s AI sector

Shasia Ershad

Irfan Waheed

L to R: Tanusree Guha, Prateep Sen, Rittika Chandra Parruck, Andrew Fleming, Sujoy Prasad Chatterjee and Atri Bhattacharya

Anirban Mukhopadhyay with a dignitary

The historic Maha Kumbh Mela begins in India

The 45-day festival will see devotees bathe at the confluence of Hinduism's three

h o l i e s t r i v e r s G a n g a , Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati

T h e K u m b h M e l a i s held every three years in various holy cities, but the Maha Kumbh Mela, occurring once every 12 years, is

t h e m o s t a u s p i c i o u s a n d draws the largest number of devotees This year's event also marks the completion of 12 Kumbh cycles over 144 years

T h e o r i g i n o f t h e Kumbh Mela is debated, but Hindu tradition links it to the Samudra Manthan leg-

e n d , w h e r e L o r d V i s h n u spilled drops of the elixir of i m m o r t a l i t y f r o m h i s kumbh (urn) at four sacred sites: Prayagraj, Haridwar, Ujjain, and Nashik

M i l l i o n s o f d e v o t e e s f r o m a r o u n d t h e w o r l d g a t h e r a t t h e T r i v e n i Sangam to take a holy dip, b e l i e v i n g i t c l e a n s e s s i n s and leads to salvation (moks h a ) I n 2 0 1 7 , U N E S C O recognised Kumbh Mela as an intangible cultural heritage

P r i m e M i n i s t e r Narendra Modi called the start of the Maha Kumbh a " s p e c i a l d a y " f o r m i l l i o n s who value Indian culture and values In X (Formerly k n o w n a s T w i t t e r ) , h e

t w e e t e d , " M a h a K u m b h

2 0 2 5 i n P r a y a g r a j b r i n g s together people in a sacred confluence of faith and cul-

t u r e , c e l e b r a t i n g I n d i a s spiritual heritage " He also

e x p r e s s e d j o y s e e i n g Prayagraj bustling with pilgrims and wished them a wonderful stay

Prep arations do ne by th e o ffic ials Authorities have established a new tent city cover-

i n g 4 , 0 0 0 h e c t a r e s a l o n g t h e r i v e r s , w i t h o v e

, 0 0

r e s t r o o m s , a n d 1 0 0 c a r p a r k s A d d

dreds of thousands of new electricity connections have been set up, as the festival is e x p e c t

month

N e a r l y 1 0 0

a l trains have been added to t r a n s p o r t v i s i t o r s , w i t h

3,300 trips planned during the festival Over 40,000

s t a t e p o l i c e p e r s o n n e l , along with drones and AIdriven cybercrime experts, will ensure security About 3800 water personnel are also present To prevent pil-

g r i m s f r o m g e t t i n g l o s t , each will receive a radio freq u e n c y w r i s t b a n d

Thousands of underwater and aerial drones will moni t o r m o v e m e n t , w h i l e a light show featuring 2,000 drones will illuminate the skies with Hindu mythology

T h e f e s t i v a l p o s e s a m a j o r l o g i s t i c a

the movement of millions

Stampedes have occurred in the past, including a tragic incident at the 2013 Maha Kumbh Mela, where 26 pilgrims lost their lives

Celebrities exp ected at spiritu al gath ering

A m e r i c

b

l l i o n a i r e and philanthropist Laurene Powell Jobs, widow of Steve Jobs, visited the ashram of h e r g u

Prayagraj She stayed until January 15 before heading

UP President-elect Donald

'Kamla' by her guru, took part in the first Amrit Snan

o

Swami Vyasanand Giri, who w

Mahamandaleshwar H

t t e n d e d t h e

largest spiritual event, with reports suggesting that several prominent Bollywood figures are also planning to join

M a u r i t i u s M i n i s t e r o f

A r t s a n d C u l t u r e , Mahendra Gondeea, visited Uttar Pradesh and offered prayers at Ayodhya's Ram Mandir However, he was unable to attend the Maha Kumbh due to urgent commitments in Mauritius

Serene visit to T riveni Sangam befo re Mahakumbh

A s i a n V o i c e s p o k e t o

Al ka n an da Mo h ap a tr a, a

B u s i n e s s A n a l y s t a n d

Change Consultant based in London, who visited the T r i v e n i S a n g a m i n P r a y a g r a j b e f o r e t h e Mahakumbh preparations

S h e d e s c r i b e d t h e a t m osphere as surreal, with the l o c a l s t r e a t i n g v i s i t o r s a s revered guests, in line with the Indian culture of "Atithi Devo Bhava " She said, “The a t m o s p h e r e w a s s u r r e a l , filled with enthusiasm as c o n s t r u c t i o n w o r k w a s underway, and police and a r m y p e r s o n n e l p r e p a r e d w i t h h

t a k i n g a

b o a t r i d e t o w a r d s t h e T r i v e n i p o i n t , w h e r e t h e three rivers are believed to meet As the boat moved d e e p e r i n t o t h e Y a m u n a , s h e o b s e r v e d t h e r i

linked to the mythological association with Yama and S

Sangam point, where the Ganga joins the Yamuna,

waters Further along, the

deep again Alkananda also shared a delightful moment when seagulls swooped in for sev snacks as the sailors

(migratory seagulls)

Triveni Sangam, saying, “I had already planned a trip with my parents to Sangam, Ayodhya, Chitrakoot, and

issues due to arthritis, we decided to visit before the crowds arrived We found boat rides for 7,000 Rs, a fraction of the 30,000 Rs prices during Kumbh Plus, I wanted to avoid the risk of getting lost in the crowd, as the old Hindi saying goes,

‘Kumbh Mele mein bichadna ’”

Reflecting on her visit, Alkananda shared, “I was captivated by the sense of freedom and joy that everyone radiated Even the kids, painted as Shiv and Parvati, were giggling throughout The boat sailors mentioned that taking pilgrims to the Sangam is a generational j

y eagerly wait for the migratory birds, Ram Pyari, the Siberian seagulls, to arrive ” Global Indian co ntributions at P ravasi Bh arati ya Divas

T h e 1 8 t h P r a

Bharatiya Divas kicked off i

h around 6,000 NRIs, including business leaders, aca-

theme of the 2025

Pravasi Bharatiya Express, a special tourist train under t h e P

chance to visit spiritual and cultural sites across India

T h r e e p l e n a r y s e s s i o n s taken place during the convention

A t t h e 1 8 t h P r a v a s i

B h a r a t i y a D i v a s i n

B h u b a n e s w a r , P r i m e

Minister Modi warmly welcomed the diaspora visiting India during the festive season, noting the significance of events like Mahakumbh, L o d i , P o n g a l , a n d M a g h Bihu He emphasised that this occasion also marks the return of Mahatma Gandhi t o I n d i a i n 1 9 1 5 Highlighting India’s global i n f l u e n c e , M o d i a s s e r t e d

t h a t I n d i a ’ s m e s s a g e o f p e a c e , r o o t e d i n i t s h e ri t a g e , i s c r u c i a l f o r t h e

f u t u r e H e r e g a r d e d t h e

d i a s p o r a a s a m b a s s a d o r s who represent India abroad and affirmed the government’s commitment to supporting them in times of crisis He also stressed the i m p o r t a n c e o f e q u i p p i n g I n d i a n y o u t h w i t h s k i l l s before they go abroad

M a y o r o f G e r r a r d s

C r o s s , P re rn a B h a rd wa j, a t t e n d e d t h e P r a v a s i Bharatiya Divas in Odisha

S p e a k i n g t o A s i a n V o i c e , she said, "It was a fantastic e x p e r i e n c e e x p l o r i n g Odisha for the first time I

was amazed by the historic temples, delicious local cuisine, and the warmth of the people The event was wello r g a n i s e d , a n d I e n j o y e d connecting with ministers, a c c o m p l i s h e d g l o b a l Indians, and inspirational speakers "

Reflecting on impactful encounters, Prerna shared, “It was an honor to hear I n d i a n P r i m e M i n i s t e r Narendra Modi praise the c o n t r i b u t i o n s o f o v e r s e a s Indians, and

privilege to

Jaishankar about how we can support India’s development However, the most impactful meeting was with Kamya Buch, a young girl from Manchester who left modern life to live in Kashi

deep knowledge of Hindu scriptures and dedication to helping others on their spir-

Prerna highlighted the significant contributions of

Bharatiya Divas, including

who have established cul-

speech, the Prime Minister praised the Indian diaspora

strengthening India’s global

Indians go, they integrate

tribute to their prosperity, and yet remain deeply connected to Bharat ” Despite

country of residence, they do assist in the development of India In response t o m y q u e s t i o n , D r Jaishankar stated that we can start small and if we have an idea, to contact the r

m

n t w h o will assist in enacting it I am hopeful that many overseas Indians will take this up and I hope in some way to be able to contribute too, whether in my capacity as Mayor and Councillor or otherwise ”

Kumari Prashar recognised

Alkananda Mohapatra Prerna Bhardwaj

Usha Kumari Prashar CBE

Baroness Usha Prashar CBE

Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath Ji, at the inauguration of the Digital Mahakumbh Experience Center' in Mahakumbh Nagar

Devotees present at the ghat

Aghori saints

Dear Financial Voice Reader,

Alpesh Patel

U K Pensions Under Threat: High Bond Yield s, Falling P ound, and the Case for Hig h-Growth U S Exp osure

The recent surge in UK government bond yields and the declining value of the pound have sent shockwaves through financial markets, and UK pensions are in the crossfire With many pension funds heavily exposed to the UK market, the structural risks are mounting If you ’ re relying on your pension for your future, now is the time to reassess your strategy and hold your financial adviser or wealth manager accountable for performance

Why High Bond Yields Hurt Pensions

Rising yields on UK government bonds (gilts) may seem like a good thing on the surface, as they offer higher returns for investors However, they have a destabilizing effect on pensions

Falling Asset Values: Higher bond yields mean lower bond prices Since many pensions hold significant gilt portfolios, these falling prices erode the value of their holdings

D e f i n

schemes, higher yields increase discount rates, potentially reducing liabilities But this gain is outweighed by asset devaluation, leaving pension funds scrambling to cover deficits

The Pound’s Decline and Its Impact

A weaker pound compounds the problem It reduces the value of UK-based assets in global terms Many pension funds, overly concentrated in domestic assets, are particularly vulnerable Currency weakness also increases the cost of imported goods, squeezing pensioners’ spending power Whilst it may help the FTSE UK companies which earn in USD to report higher GBP converted profits, we ’ re not seeing the stock market in the UK rally!

Why Exposure to High-Growth US Markets Is Critical In contrast to the UK’s tepid growth prospects, the US market continues to deliver higher growth, particularly in technology and innovation-driven sectors The S&P 500 has consistently outperformed the FTSE 100 over the long term, underscoring the importance of international diversification

• Growth Potential: US markets are home to highgrowth industries that outperform traditional UK sectors like banking, energy, and utilities

• Currency Diversification: US exposure mitigates risks from a weakening pound by providing returns in dollars, which tend to strengthen during global uncertainty

What You Need to Do

1 Question Your Financial Ad viser: Ask your IFA or wealth manager to explain their strategy and justify any underperformance If your pension is lagging the broader market or remains too concentrated in UK assets, demand answers Remind them the S&P500 was up 25% last year and same the year before Why wasn’t your pension portfolio?

2 Review Your A sset Allocation: Ensure your portfolio has adequate exposure to international markets, particularly the US If your adviser isn’t proactive in making these adjustments, it might be time to consider other options

3 Understand Costs: Many pensions are hampered by high fees and poor fund choices Evaluate how these are affecting your returns

4 A ct Quickly: The longer you leave your pension in underperforming funds, the harder it will be to recover lost ground Switching to funds with better performance and growth prospects could make a significant difference

The Bottom Line

UK pensions face serious headwinds from rising bond yields and a weakening pound, particularly for those overly dependent on the domestic market With the global economy becoming increasingly interconnected, exposure to high-growth markets like the US is no longer optional it’s essential If your financial adviser isn’t delivering, now is the time to take control After all, it’s your future at stake

AI’s role in shaping the future of compliance and automation

Subhasini Naicker

Rhim Shah, Co-founder and CEO of Arva AI, is transforming business verification for banks and fintechs with AI-backed solutions, recently funded by Google AI. He previously led financial crime products at Revolut Business

In an interview with Asian Voice, Rhim spoke about his journey, future compliance in banking and fintech sectors, misconceptions about AI driven compliance and much more

1) Can you tell us about the journey that led to the creation of Arva AI? What inspired you to focus on automating compliance tasks for banks and fintechs?

I previously led the financial crime product team at Revolut Business We had a large team of analysts doing 10s of thousands of reviews a day it was

compliance work that was needed to on-board our customers Given the advancements in AI models, and my background in ML, I set out to solve this problem using Generative AI After applying for funding at Y Combinator, my cofounder and I got in!

2) With financial regulations becoming more stringent globally, how do you see Arva AI evolving in the next five years? Are there new features or markets you’re targeting?

Trust is ever increasing in AI, even in regulated spaces such as financial services As time goes on, models are getting even better and hence the risk

o

intended is going from low to nonexistent Nonetheless, building Arva with guardrails in place has been a key aspect of why our customers trust us to automate their compliance operations

We have several AI products -- document fraud detection, web presence analysis, discounting of risk alerts and more We have customers in the UK, US and Canada

3) How do you see the future of compliance in the banking and fintech sectors? Will automation fully replace human oversight, or is there still a balance to be maintained?

For low/medium risk cases, we are moving towards a world where human analysts are completely replaced by AI For high risk cases there will always have to be some level of human touch required, but AI will still play a big role in assistance, making a team of 3 analysts able to achieve what a team of 100 do right now The next 5 years are going to be exciting, filled with transformation in the world of compliance operations!

4) What are the biggest misconceptions about AI-driven compliance that you would like to address?

That it is pure AI The AI part is just the glue that keeps everything together, but actually there is a lot more required in the form of data access, document ingestion and more A one shot AI approach doesn't create

reliable results and wouldn't be able to replicate how a human analyst would treat a case When we think of AI in the context of Arva it is an umbrella term for LLMs and vision models

5) As a South Asian entrepreneur, how has your cultural background influenced your approach to business and innovation?

Coming from a family that has always been business focussed helped drive me to take the leap into starting my own venture In fact, I've always wanted to start my own venture, having run and sold another startup during University

My Mum is an extremely intelligent business woman, and much of the way that I run Arva AI has stemmed from her teachings Her aptitude and intelligence for people and finance is unparalleled across any of our other mentors that I have -- I'm extremely lucky! Among all the mentors I've had, her insights and guidance stand out as both practical and profound Whether it's about making tough financial decisions, understanding the human side of leadership, or staying resilient during challenging times, she has been my go-to source of wisdom

6) What message would you like to share with young South Asians aspiring to enter the tech or fintech sectors?

There is a strong network of South Asian entrepreneurs both in the UK and the US, and anyone who is on the fence I urge you to take the leap to become a founder, using these networks as a support system In fact, looking at our Y Combinator batch, a large proportion of the cohort comes from Indian origin The entrepreneurial spirit and the drive to create value through a business venture is part of our Indian culture!

Government defends economic plan as pound drops

e m a r k s c a m e after an urgent question in the Commons, where Mel Stride, the shadow chancell o r , a c c u s e d t h e g o v e r nment of “panicking” and trying to reassure markets

governmen

Foreign Secretary, came to

Reeves’ economic manage-

isons to the turmoil caused by the bond market col-

o v e r a s i t u a t i o n o f t h e i r own making Amid this political tur-

m o i l , s t e r l i n g f e l l 0 9 % against the dollar, reaching $1 226 Over three days, the p o u n d h a d l o s t 2 % , t h e largest drop since February 2023, though it recovered

slightly by afternoon

D e s p i t e a r i s e i n U K g o v e r n m e n t b o n d y i e l d s , which would typically supp o r t t h e c u r r e n c y , t h e pound’s weakness signals i n v e s t o r s c e p t i c i s m o v e r the government's growth

a m b i t i o n s a n d m a n a g em e n t o f p u b l i c f i n a n c e s

Analysts attribute this to a global flight to the dollar, driven by expectations of fewer interest rate cuts by t h e

following Donald Trump’s

return to office T h

d

r a l Reserve's meeting minutes further bolstered the doll

loosening of policy in the coming year Meanwhile,

two-month low of 83 93p H

to 19,994 88

According to the British Retail Consortium (BRC), food prices are projected to rise by 4 2% in the latter half of the

Black Friday discounts masked underlying inflation, as December food prices rose 1 8% month-on-month, while non-food goods saw a 2 4% deflation

Despite eased pressures early in 2024, inflation has climbed since July, driven by rising costs for festive groceries and essentials like confectionery, skincare, and juices

perator, has initiated plans f or a stoc k m arket listing in N ew Y ork, exp ected to take p lace with in the year

approximately $13bn, would allow TDR Capital to partially exit its investment in the group, which it first backed over a decade ago, when the

s i n

u n

d E G i n Blackburn, Lancashire Zuber Issa, who stepped back from management in 2023, confirmed in an inter-

view that the IPO roadmap was beginning EG Group is likely to list under the name of Cumberland Farms, a conv e n i e n c e - s t o r e c h a i n acquired by EG in 2019 This decision represents a blow to t h e L o n d o n s t o c k m a r k e t , which has struggled with a l a c k o f n

Rhim Shah

Mohsin (R)

Retail

India’s retail investors rush into defence stocks

including the likes of Adani G

and Tata Sons The prime minister has set an annual target of nearly $35bn by the

$20bn currently

chief executive of the asset manager Aditya Birla Sun L i f e

firms, which still account for 8 5 p

defence fund in August

growing order book” at the top companies was a “selling point” for investors

HDFC, which is one of India's largest asset managers, was the first

2023 and has given its investors an annualised return of nearly 73 per cent since then

The fund generated so much interest that HDFC

investments last July because

current market valuation,

similar schemes after HDFC, tracking the only index for the sector managed by the National Stock Exchange

With returns of nearly 56 per cent in 2024, the Nifty

the

per cent return on the

wider Nifty 50 benchmark d

India is slowly upgrading its

and desperately needs to buy n

, warships and artillery guns, as nearly two-thirds of its m

s classified as vintage T

military modernisation for the fiscal year ending March 2025 - marginally up from $19bn the year before - of w h i c h 7 5 p e r c e n t i s earmarked for the domestic industry

A banker managing one defence fund said the total market cap of the sector was minimal18 months ago but, since then, “ we have seen a very sharp jump, not just in the valuation but even the number of funds that are tracking ”

Indian economy likely to slow down to 6.4% in FY25

I n di a ’ s ec o n o m y i s estimated to slo w don to a fo ur year lo w in 2024-25 due t o mo d er at i o n i n manufactu ring and sluggish

i n ve s tm en t, wh i le ro bu s t growth in th e farm secto r is exp ected to pro vi de some su pp ort and h elp boost rural co nsumption

T h e f i r s t a d v a n c e

e s t i m a t e s f o r t h e c u r r e n t financial year, released by

t h e N a t i o n a l S t a t i s t i c s

Adani hikes offer-for-sale size to 20% in Wilmar JV

Adani Group h as d ecided to increase the size o f its offer fo r sale (OFS) to offload p art of its stake in Ad ani Wilmar to 20% from 13 % announced earlier, due to strong demand from institutional investo rs Th e chang e in contours of th e deal w as tr i g g er ed by s tro n g i ns ti tu t io n al i nt ere st f

r th e company ’ s shares, sources said

Higher OFS size also helps the Adani group to get some part of the money faster, as the original deal (stake-sale to Wilmar) could be implemented over one year This also helps Wilmar as it would need to bring in less money on the table soon, sources said As a result, after the completion of the whole deal that would see Adani exiting Adani Wilmar, the holding of Wilmar, the Singapore-based FMCG major, would be 68%, sources said

R B I

d o w n w a r d

v i s e d projection of 6 6% for 20242 5 a n d a l s o l o w e r t h a n e s t i m a t e s o f s e v e r a l a g e n c i e s , i n c l u d i n g t h e govt’s, which have pegged it i n t h e 6 5 - 7 % r a n g e T h e 6 4% growth projection is the lowest since the Covid19 pandemic and comes on the back of a slowdown in o v e r a l l i n v e s t m e n t a n d consumption in urban areas

O f f i c e , s h o w e d g r o s s domestic product (GDP) is estimated to grow by 6 4%, sharply lower than the 8 2% recorded in 2023-24 T h e g

The slowdown was expected given the deceleration in the J u l y - S e p t q u a r t e r w h e n growth slowed to a sevenq u a r t e r l o w o f 5 4 % , triggering calls for a rate cut by the central bank

A r e c e n t f i n a n c e m i n i s t r y r e p o r t h a d s a i d t h a t a c o m b i n a t i o n o f monetary policy stance and macro prudential measures

b y t h e c e n t r a l b a n k , a n d

s

have led to the slowdown and all eyes are now on the F e b

measures to revive demand and push growth against the b a c k d r o p o f g l o b a l uncertainty and geopolitical t e n s i o n s T h e r e a r e a l s o expectations of a rate cut by R B I i n t h e F e b p o l i c y meeting

T h e d a t a s h o w e d

m a n u f a c t u r i n g g r o w t h i s estimated to slow to 5 3% in 2024-25 from 9 9% in the previous year, while services s e c t o r i s e s t i m a t e d t o expand at 7 2% in 2024-25 c o m p a r e d t o 7 6 % i n t h e previous year

TCS revenue growth flat in Q3, demand yet to pick up

4 5% y e a r -

n -y e a r i n c o n s t a n t cu r r e n cy (w h i ch d i s co u n t s im p a c t o f c u r r e n c y fl uc t u a t i o n s) ,

r e v e n u e d ur i n g t h e De c qua rt e r, while it r ema in ed fla t seque n tia lly How ev er , in d ollar te rms, its r eve nue

r os e 3 6 % t o $ 7 5 bi ll io n d uring t he same pe riod

T C S ’ s u n d e r w h e l m i n g sequential performance was affected by seasonality and a

s o f t e r d i s c r e t i o n a r y a n d demand environment Many

v e r t i c a l s s a w s e q u e n t i a l n e g a t i v e g r o w t h , w h i c h dampened its scorecard

out trends in Q3, we saw s o

n a r y demand Both these factors contributed to the negative s

emphasise here is the total c

Adani Commodities, one of the promoters of Adani Wilmar that holds 44% stake, told the exchanges that it will sell 20% of its holding in the company through the OFS route The stake sale is estimated to bring in at least £715mn for the Ahmedabad-based conglomerate The minimum pershare price in the offer is Rs 275, a 15% discount to Adani Wilmar’s closing price on BSE on Thursday last

The deal is part of the 44% that the Adani Group plans to offload for about $2 billion to completely exit the FMCG business The sale proceeds will free up funds for the group to invest in its core business of building infrastructure

ONGC ropes in BP as technical

partner for Mumbai High

k e i n Reliance Industries s KGD6 block off the Andhra c o a s t f o r $ 7 2 b i l l i o n i n 2011 But unlike in KG-D6, the ONGC contract does not entail any transfer of stake in Mumbai High As t h e t e c h n i c a l s e r v i c e provider, BP’s role will be l i m i t e d t o r e v i e w i n g t h e f i e l d ’ s p e r f o r m a n c e

identifying improvements

k e y g e o g r a p h i e s , N o r t h A m e r i c a a n d C o n t i n e n t a l Europe, declined 2 3% and 1 5 % r e s p

remained flat with a meagre

T h e D e c q u a r t e r i s typically weak for IT firms, m a r r e d b y f u r l o u g h s a n d fewer working days, even as c l i e n t s h e l d b a c k o n discretionary spending Its

0 9% growth compared to t h e y e a r - a

a and life sciences businesses declined 10 6% and 4 6% year on-year respectively “ W e h

some extent that was due to seasonality When we called

( T C V ) growing after two quarters and in North America, BFSI, and CPG, and this gives us confidence in the medium term I mentioned BFSI and the consumer business, but w

verticals as well Overall, this is what gives us confidence,” TCS CEO K Krithivasan said

State- run explorer O NGC has roped in BP as te chnic al pa rtn er to boost oil and gas pr o du c t i o n f ro m I n d i a ’ s Mumbai High, which wi ll b e c om e t he U K m aj or ’ s second operatin g proje ct in In d ia an d m ar k t he f i rs t nota ble M NC entry in the coun try ’ s upstream sector BP bagged the 10-year c o n t r a c t , b i d s f o r w h i c h were invited in June last year, outbidding rival Shell - the only other bidderw i t h a n o f f e r t o r a i s e output by up to 60% over the baseline production BP i s n o s t r a n g e r t o I n d i a ’ s

interventions/practices for raising production

Vodafone has sold its shares in Ind us Towers, the Indian telecoms group, for £269 m illion The London-listed firm said it h ad sold its 79 2 m illion shares in the com pany, with abou t £ 85 m illi on- wo rth g oi ng tow ard s rep aying d ebts relating to its Indian assets

The rest, Vodafone said, has been used to up its stake in Vodafone Idea, another Indian telecoms firm, from 22 6% to 24 4%

Mumbai-headquartered Vodafone Idea is India’s third largest mobile telecoms network, and came from a 2018 tieup of Vodafone India and Idea Cellular Vodafone has been gradually cutting its stake in Indus Towers in recent months

In June, it sold 484 7 million shares to pay off £1 5 billionworth of debt against its Indian assets The latest sale equates to about 3% of Indus Towers’ overall stock

It comes after Vodafone has been looking to free up cash and improve its financial performance by selling off parts of the business, including its Spanish arm, having previously struck deals to sell its Hungarian and Ghanaian divisions

Earlier in January, it completed the eight billion euro (£6 6 billion) sale of its Italian business to Switzerland’s Swisscom The mobile phone giant said it planned to use the cash to pay down its debt pile and complete a two billion

Hindus under attack in Bangladesh, says Congressman Krishnamoorthi

WA SHINGTON: C ong ressm an Raja Krishnamo orth i d eliv

A ugust 2024

Krishnamoorthi highlighted

the historical context of violence against Hindus in Bangladesh, referencing the 1971 war of independence, during which an estimated 300,000 people, mostly

passage of time, the situation has not improved “Hindus in Bangladesh continue to be targeted today -with their homes and businesses being destroyed and their temples vandalized,”

House floor

The Congressman also refer-

reported in August 2024 alone He pointed out that these developments have taken place in the wake of political turmoil follow-

Minister Hasina

State Department and called for action in Senate confirmation hearings, but we must do more, ” Krishnamoorthi urged his colleagues “I urge my colleagues to act now to protect Bangladesh’s

Tanzania overtaking Kenya as East Africa's powerhouse

D A R E S S A L A A M: D e sp i te ha v in g th e la rgest population i n East Afri ca, Tanz an ia h as often bee n s ideli ned i n regi onal poli -

t i cs W h i l e K e n y a s i n f lu e n c e s u rg e d , T anz ani a was accus ed of bei ng too s low a nd ca utious when i t came to plan s for re gion al in tegrati on a nd i nfra structure

But since John Magufuli's surprise election win last October, it seems Kenya could be losing its grip on East African politics as Tanzania increasingly presents itself as a viable alternative for regional cooperation

Just last week, the Ugandan government announced it would route the country's valuable oil exports through Tanzania rather than Kenya, opting for a pipeline to the Tanzanian port city of Tanga

A r e p o r t c o m m i s s i o n e d b y t h e Ugandan government in March found that the pipeline route through Tanzania was cheaper and would be in operation more quickly than the Kenyan option The decision was a blow for Kenya, which will now have to go through with its own ambitious

oil pipeline project alone, or find new partners

An international railway project, championed by Kenya, has also come up against difficulties as regional players consider their options Widespread media reports claimed that Rwanda was pulling out of plans to develop rail links to Indian Ocean ports through Kenya in favor of routes through Tanzania But the Rwandan government has now said it plans to continue with both routes

Magufuli's new approach

The readiness of Uganda and Rwanda to embark on projects and agreements with Tanzania, particularly when it means breaking off deals with Kenya, is a mark of the shift of influence within the region Kenyan political analyst and commentator Martin Oloo said that President Magufuli's pragmatic, hands-on approach is making this possible "It is changing the way business can be done: in a more efficient and effective way," he said

BAPS Mandir Abu Dhabi hosts Defence Attachés from 20+ nations

ABU D H ABI : Th e BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dh abi welc omed th e New Year with a distinctive celebration of ‘Unity, D iversity, and Harmo ny ’ Th e event brou gh t to gether D efence Attachés, their famili es, and dignitari es from over 20 embassies worldwide, fo stering a spirit of glo bal to getherness

The BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi, built through the generosity of Abu Dhabi's leadership and the efforts of BAPS

S w a m i n a r a y a n S a n s t h a , h a s drawn over two million visitors in under a year This global a d m i r a t i

s t a n d i n g a n d c o l l a b o r a t i o n , establishing it as a beacon of hope and inspiration for communities worldwide

including Defence Attachés from Belgium, Canada, France, India, Japan, and more

This gathering highlighted the Mandir’s commitment to fostering intercultural dialogue and understanding

The event brought together high-ranking military personnel and delegates from diverse cultures and nations,

Delegates were warmly greeted by BAPS Board members and volunteers with garlands and roses, setting a heartfelt tone The Mandir’s serene setting and the prof o u n d m e s s a g e o f “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” – “The whole world is one family” – provided an inspiring backdrop for the occasion

The delegates ascended the Prayer Dune, symbolisi

p

a y

d t h e Mandir’s creation From this sacred spot, they offered heartfelt prayers for world peace and the well-being of all

religious minorities The world is watching, and we cannot let history repeat itself ” He called for greater attention and support for the religious minorities who continue to suffer in Bangladesh Raja Krishnamoorthi

Attacks on minority were politically motivated: Bangladesh

attacks on minority communities, particularly Hi ndus, by framing th em as “ politically motivated” rather th an commu nally driven Despi te widesp read evidenc e to the contrary, o fficials insist th at th e maj ority of these incidents are roo ted in political agendas, not religio us intolerance

According to a police report, 115 cases related to complaints of communal attacks have been registered since Aug 2024, in which at least 100 people have been arrested T h e B a n g l a d e s h H i n d u B u d d h a Christian Unity Council claimed that 1,769 “communal attacks” and “acts of vandalism” t o o k p l a c e a g a i n s t m i n o r i t i e s i n t h e

M u s l i m - d o m i n a t e d n a t i o n T h e a t t a c k s , vandalism and looting included 2,010 incidents on the lives, properties, and places of worship of the minority communities, it said

The police investigation, however, has revealed that 1,234 incidents were “political in nature” and only 20 were communal, said the chief adviser Muhammad Yunus’s press wing officials who shared the police report At least 161 claims were found to be false or untrue, said the report

Taliban don’t see women as human beings: Malala

I SLAM ABAD : N obel P eac e l aur eate M ala la Yo u sa fz ai c r it ic i s ed T al i b an , s ay in g t h a t t h e y d o n o t re g ar d w om en as h u ma n b eings and h as establ ish ed a system of “gender ap arth eid”

“Taliban do not see wo men a s h u m a n be in gs T h e y clo ak th eir c rimes in cultu ral and religiou s justific ations Th ey p unis h women and girls who dare to defy their op aque l aws by beating, arresting, or injuring th em, ” sh e s aid at a s ummit in I slamabad fo cus ed on girls’ edu catio n in Mus lim co untries

S i n c e r e t a k i n g A f g h a n i s t a n i n 2 0 2 1 , Taliban regime has enforced a strict interpretation of Islamic law, depriving women of participation in many areas of public life Their restrictions have prevented women and girls from attending schools and colleges, as well as holding many govt jobs

“They want to eliminate women and girls from every aspect of public life and erase them from society These policies have no basis in Islamic teachings,” she said Malala called on Muslim leaders to demonstrate true leadership by refusing to legitimise Taliban govt “Use your power to oppose such injustices ” Afghanistan’s Taliban govt snubbed the event by rejecting the invitation At the event, Malala also condemned Israel’s actions in Gaza In 2012, Malala was shot in the face by Pakistani Taliban at the age of 15 for opposing them but survived to become a global symbol of resilience and advocacy for girls’ education

in brief

MYANMAR ARMY AIRSTRIKE IN RAKHINE STATE KILLS 40

Bangkok An airstrike by Myanmar s army on a village under the control of an armed ethnic minority group killed about 40 people and injured at least 20 others, officials of the group and a local charity said The attack occurred in Kyauk Ni Maw village on Ramree island, an area controlled by the ethnic Arakan Army in western Rakhine state, with hundreds of houses burned in a fire triggered by the bombing, they said The military has not announced any attack in the area The situation in the village could not be independently confirmed, with access to the internet and mobile phone service in the area mostly cut off Myanmar has been racked by violence since the army ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021 After the army used lethal force to suppress peaceful demonstrations, many opponents of military rule took up arms and large parts of the country are now embroiled in conflict Khaing Thukha a spokesperson for the Arakan Army said that a jet fighter bombed the village killing 40 civilians and injuring more than 20 others All the dead were civilians Among the dead and injured are women and children Khaing said A fire started by the airstrike spread through the village destroying more than 500 houses, Khaing added

2ND SEATTLE COP SACKED FOR ANDHRA STUDENT’S DEATH

Seattle police fired Kevin Dave, the officer who struck Jaahnavi Kandula, a student from Kurnool Andhra Pradesh with his car near a South Lake Union cross walk in Seattle Washington, in Jan 2023 He is the second police officer to be fired in the Jaahnavi accident case Earlier, Daniel Auderer, vicepresident of the Seattle Police Officers Guild, who was seen on body camera footage making fun of her death was fired in July 2024

According to Seattle police interim Seattle police chief Sue Rahr, in an email sent to her employees, said she fired Dave after the Seattle office of police accountability found he had violated four department policies

PAK ABOLISHES

150,000

JOBS IN AUSTERITY DRIVE

Pakistan s Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said that the federal government had decided to cut the number of affiliated agencies by half, abolishing 150,000 jobs, as part of a sweeping cost-cutting and efficiency drive "We are reducing the federal government's size step by step So far, 80 departments have been consolidated into 40," Aurangzeb said at a press conference where he highlighted the government's goal to complete these reforms by June 2025 He added that 60 per cent of vacant positions have been abolished, which comes to 150,000 government jobs He said that right-sizing was part of the restructuring initiative launched in mid-2024 by a committee formed under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to rationalise expenditures and improve performance

IMRAN MOVES LAHORE HC FOR BAIL IN 8 CASES

Pakistan's incarcerated former prime minister Imran Khan has moved the Lahore High Court seeking post-arrest bail in eight cases related to the May 9 2023 violence including the attack on the residence of a senior army officer The separate bail petitions were filed before the LHC on Saturday In November last year, Lahore s anti-terrorism court had denied bail to Khan in these cases Khan, 72, in his petitions argued that the prosecution has failed to establish his involvement in the May 9 violence, which occurred following his arrest On May 9, 2023, violent protests erupted after the arrest of Khan by paramilitary Rangers from the premises of the Islamabad High Court

Malala Yousafzai

Dignitaries present at the BAPS Hindu Mandir

Pujya Brahmavihari Swami

in brief

KARACHI HOSTS MASS WEDDING FOR 100 HINDU COUPLES

A mass wedding ceremony was held in Karachi, where 100 Hindu couples exchanged vows The event was organised by the Pakistan Hindu Council in collaboration with the Dr Prem Kumar Setal Das Memorial Trust, according to Radio Pakistan The ceremony took place under the patronage of Dr Ramesh Kumar Vankwani, patron-in-chief of the Pakistan Hindu Council and head of the Dr Prem Kumar Setal Das Memorial Trust In his address Dr Kumar emphasised that minorities in Pakistan enjoy full religious freedom He also highlighted that more than 1 600 Hindu couples have married through this initiative and the council plans to marry around 125 couples annually in the future

22, 000 PAK BABUS HAVE DUAL NATIONALITY

In a surprising development a National Assembly (NA) panel was informed that over 22 000 bureaucrats in Pakistan possess dual nationality, raising concerns about national security As the NA s standing committee on Interior met with Raja Khurram Nawaz in the chair, members sounded alarm over the practice and called for stringent measures to restrict the practice especially for bureaucrats, judges and members of the parliamentarians, according to a newspaper The meeting was deliberating on the proposed legislation that would grant Pakistani passports to citizens of countries with which Islamabad has dual nationality agreements

US SENDS NEW DIPLOMAT TO ITS DHAKA EMBASSY

The United States sent Tracey Ann Jacobson a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, to the US embassy in Dhaka as chargé d’affaires, ad interim Outgoing US President Joe Biden had in May 2024 nominated David Slayton Meale, who had served as deputy chief of mission in Beijing and Dhaka in the past, as the next US ambassador to Bangladesh The nomination was sent to the US Senate at that time but the latest action shows it “returned to the President under the provisions of Senate Rule XXXI paragraph 6 of the Standing Rules of the Senate” Former US ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas has joined Excelerate Energy a US based LNG company as a strategic adviser

NO PLANS TO INCREASE MILITARY PRESENCE IN GREENLAND: US

The United States has no current plans to increase its military presence in Greenland, the US embassy in Copenhagen said, after Presidentelect Donald Trump expressed renewed interest in acquiring the vast Arctic island Trump who takes office on Jan 20, said this week that US control of the strategically important island was an "absolute necessity" and did not rule out using military or economic action such as tariffs against Denmark to make it happen Greenland, the world s largest island, has been controlled by Denmark for centuries, though its 57 000 people now govern their own domestic affairs "There are no plans to increase the US current military footprint in Greenland " the spokesperson said

10 KILLED IN COLOMBIA AIRCRAFT CRASH

At least 10 people have died after a small aircraft crashed in northwestern Colombia authorities confirmed The plane operated by Pacifica Travel was reported missing after it took off from Jurado for Medellin It reportedly crashed in a rural area of Urrao a municipality in the northwest Colombian department of Antioquia Two crew members and eight passengers were on board at the time, Xinhua news agency reported Unfortunately, there are no survivors, said officials Pacifica Travel released a statement expressing its commitment to supporting the victims families

4 Indians charged with Nijjar killing get bail

Supre

heard on February 11 in the

Court The bail was granted due to lack of evidence Karan

charged with first-degree

Nijjar

Nijjar was killed by shooters outside British Columbia’s gurdwara in Surrey on June 18,

Karan Brar in May 2024

accused had appeared for the hearing through video confer-

appeared through the counsel

Canadian Police were clueless about the accused and hence

court for the hearing Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had claimed that he has “credible allegations" of India’s hand

n Canada last year

India has denied all the a l l e g a t i o n s , c a l l i n g t h e m “ a b s u r d a n d “ m o t i v a t e d and has accused Canada of giving space to extremist and anti-India elements in their country

Two Indian Americans elected to Virginia state legislature

RIC HMOND: In hig hly anticipated races that d rew state and na ti o nal a tte nti o n, K an na n Srinivasan and JJ Singh em erged victorious in Virg inia’s legislativ e special elections on Janu ary 6, 2025 Sriniv asan claim ed th e o p en S en ate Di s tri ct 3 2 sea t, while S ingh secured the Ho use District 26 race

T h e i r w i n s e n s u r e t h a t Democrats will continue to hold t h e i r s l i m m a j o r i t i e s i n b o t h c h a m b e r s o f t

General Assembly, maintaining what the party sees as a counterbalance to Republican power in

their legislative agenda

Srinivasan, a former deleg a t e f o r L o u d o u n C

n t y , expressed his gratitude after his victory, posting, “I am deeply humbled by the opportunity to

continue serving our community Thank you to every volunteer a n d m y i n c r e

T h e 2025 Legislative Session begins, and we get right back to work!” JJ Singh, the son of Indian immigrants, also celebrated his victory in the House race He has served in the Peace Corps and worked at the White House

O f f i c e o f M a n a g e m e n t a n d B u d g e t d u r i n g t h e O b a m a administration In his post-elect i o n m e s s a g e , S i n g h w r o t e , “Thank you House District 26 for putting your trust in me - I am honored to represent the community that my family calls

h o m e I ’ m r e a d

k fighting for our values and delive r f o r S o u t h e a s t e r n L o u d o u n County families!”

Indian origin woman used fake wedding venues to scam couples

J OHA NNE S BU RG: A 53-year-old Indian-origin South African disbarred attorney who scam med 17 co uples acro ss th e co untry by taking mo ney from th em for the same v enue on th e same d ay h as been arrested after she was tracked do wn by a private security company

But promises by her attorney and family to repay all the scam victims have led to her possibly escaping serving jail time for fraud

Although the scammer, arrested, was not initially named because she had not appeared in court yet, security company Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) said on its Facebook page that the woman is Prelyn Mohanlall, whose attorney Chris Gounden contacted them with the offer to make arrangements to pay back all victims that were scammed and are in possession of proof of payments

Mohanlall allegedly convinced love struck couples planning their weddings to pay large sums in advance for a venue without having any link to the place When the couples arrived at the venue, they would find it deserted, with no water or electricity, ruining their special wedding days

One of the couples contracted RUSA in December last year to track down Mohanlall The company subsequently found that a total of 17 couples had been scammed in this way

“It was later established that the suspect was convicted for fraud and has a criminal record and a history of scams spanning over 20 years, ” said head of RUSA Prem Balram She claimed she owed nine couples a total of about R60,000 and was planning on paying back every cent

Indian American institutions reaching out to Los Angeles fire victims

United Sikhs: In collaborat i o n w

critical aid to the affected commu nities Th ose

hav e been actively reaching out to the public are:

launching

“Seva in Action” initiative along with like-minded o

h e Shreeji Mandir Belflower, and other groups to provide muchneeded support to those impacted The center also called for clothing, food items and bedding donations To receive help and to render help call: 714-7422304 P a s a d e n a H i n d u T e m p l e : The temple is providing food and assistance to evacuees and individuals facing power outages For meals or additional support, individuals can visit the temple or contact Pandit Ji via WhatsApp at 626-679-8777

, United Sikhs is delivering essential aid to families displaced by the fires For assistance, individuals can call +1-855-US-UMEED Also, Uber is offering free rides worth $40 to evacuees LA 211, in partnership with Airbnb, is offering free housing for up to one week to evacuees, i n c l u d i n g t h o s e f r o m t h e P

other institutions in the area have been forced to close in badly hit areas like Malibu Experts from AccuWeather

could range from $135 billion to $150 billion, making these wild-

natural disaster in US history H

Palisades neighborhood has lost 75% of its homes

claiming

24

and destroying hundreds of homes M

have been forced to evacuate

Indo-Canadian MP

Chandra Arya enters PM race

cia l l y declar ed his can dida cy for Prime Ministe r of Can ada, promising to t r a n sf or

a n n o un

co me s a ft e r Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's decision t o step down as head of gove rnme nt a nd l ead er of the ruling Liber al Party once a successor is chosen

Arya outlined ambitious policy proposals, including raising the retirement age, introducing a c i t i z e n s h i p - b a s e d t a x s y s t e m , and recognising Palestine as a state

"I am running to be the next Prime Minister of Canada to lead a small, more efficient government to rebuild our nation and secure prosperity for future generations," Arya, originally from K a r n a t a k a , I n d i a , m a d e t h e announcement on X (formerly Twitter) His campaign focuses on smaller, efficient governance, m e r i t - b a s e d c a b i n e t a p p o i n tments, and addressing affordability issues faced by younger generations and the middle class H e e m p h a s i s e d t h e n e e d f o r "bold decisions" to tackle significant structural challenges

"For the sake of our children a n d g r

next chapter by returning to academia With the Liberal Party leadership

heading to

prominent politicians, foreign minister Melanie Joly and

e absolutely necessary If elected as the next Leader of the Liberal Party I offer my knowledge and expertise to do so," Arya wrote on X Anita Anan d b ows out Meanwhile, transport minister Anita Anand has bowed out o f C a n

Chandra Arya

(L-R) Amandeep Singh, Kamalpreet Singh, Karanpreet Singh and Karan Brar

Shefali Saxena

PM Modi makes inspiring podcast debut

P r i me M in i st e r N a r e n d r a M od i made his podcast debut on Peopl e

b y WTF, hosted b y Nikhil Kamath, co-foun der of Zerodha This two-

h o ur - l on g p o dc a st p

pl atfor m for PM Modi to discuss his j ou rn e y ,

I n d ia ’ s a s pi r a t i on s , a

ob a l r ela tion s His candid and heart fel t r efl ection s offere d list eners a

e xperiences of one of t he world’s most pr ominen t leade rs

The significance of speaking publicly for the first time

P M M o d i a c k n o w

e d g e d t h e novelty of the podcast medium for him, admitting, "This is my first podcast This world is completely

n e w t o m e " H

connecting with citizens and global audiences in innovative ways

Humble beginnings and leadership philosophy

Reflecting on his journey, PM Modi shared heartfelt stories from his childhood, including washing

M

participation in this podcast not only reflects his adaptability but

allowed him to visit the village pond He also spoke about being

pivotal in shaping his confidence

As a leader, Modi emphasised the importance of humanity in

chief minister: “I am a human, not God I may make mistakes, but they won’t be intentional ” His approach to leadership rests on

d i c a t i o n , h u m i l i

y , a n d a mission-driven mindset, with the

India eyes mega defence deals worth £15bn before March 31

India plans to ink at least four m eg a d efence deals for

f i g h te rs , s u bm a ri ne s, h e li c o p ter s and art il le ry g uns, collectiv ely worth ov er £ 15bn, before this fiscal end s o n March 31 , as part of the long-term p lan to boo st the f i rep ow er a nd c o m b at c ap abi l it ie s o f th e ar m ed forces

The first off the block will be the around £6 3bn contract with France for the

d i r e c t a c q u i s i t i o n o f 2 6

Rafale-Marine fighter jets, which will operate from the deck of indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, defence sources said

T h e d e a l f o r t h e 2 2 single seat maritime jets and four twin-seat trainers for

t h e N a v y , a l o n g w i t h weapons, simulators, crew

t r a i n i n g a n d f i v e - y e a r performance-based logistics support as well as spares for

t h e 3 6 R a f a l e s a l r e a d y inducted by the IAF, is now

h e a d e d f o r t h e f i n a l n o d f r o m t h e P M - l e d c a b i n e t

c o m m i t t e e o n s e c u r i t y (CCS), the sources added A n o t h e r m

additional Scorpene diesele

w i t h air-independent propulsion (AIP) for longer underwater endurance, to be built at the M u m b a i - b a s e d M a z a g o n Docks (MDL)

The three new boatswith the first slated to roll out by 2031, followed by the other two at intervals of a year each - will add to the

s i x S c o r p e n e o r K a l v a r i -

c l a s s s u b m a r i n e s a l r e a d y built at MDL under the over

£ 2 3 b n ‘ P r o j e c t - 7 5 ’ T h e sixth submarine ‘Vagsheer’ i s s l a t e d t o b e commissioned, along with g u i

Modi on Jan 15 “The Rafale deal is likely to be cleared by the CCS before this month ends, and w i l l b e f o l l o w e d b y t h e Scorpene deal soon after,” a s o u r c e s a i d M o d i , i n c i d e n

visit France for the Artificial Intelligence Summit on Feb 11 and 12

T

deals are for 156 indigenous

£5 3bn and 307 indigenous

a d v a n c e d t o w e d a r t i l l e r y gun systems (ATAGS) for £850mn

India summons Bangladesh envoy to discuss border fencing issue

I n a tit- for-tat a cti on, Ind ia s ummoned

B a n g l a d e s h a c t i n g h i g h co m mi s s i o n e r , Nural Isla m, to d iscuss the conte ntious b or d er f e n ci n g i s s u e , a s k i n g D ha k a t o i mple men t pas t unde rstan din gs tha t were mean t to prev ent the occurrence of any i llegal acti vity at the border

T h e I n d i a n g o v t c o n v e y e d t o t h e o f f i c i a l t h a t I n d i a h a s o b s e r v e d a l l protocols and agreements between the two countries on the issue of border security and it’s Dhaka that needs to keep its end of the deal While Bangladesh has stopped work on barbed wire fencing, India said f e n c i n g i s i m p o r t a n t f o r s e c u r i n g t h e border

India’s response followed Bangladesh’s summoning of Indian high commissioner

prevalent and observed between the two neighbouring countries

Bangladesh had previously also called u

concerned in India to refrain from any provocative actions that could result in the escalation of tensions along the shared border of the two nations

mantra: “Nation first ” India’s aspirational future PM Modi articulated his vision for a developed India by 2047, driven by "Aspirational India " He

s t r e s s e d t h e n e e d f o r 1 0 0 %

delivery of government schemes, which he equated to true social j u s t i c e a n d s e c u l a r i s m B y

f o c u s i n g o n i n c l u s i v i t y a n d accountability, Modi showcased his belief in empowering every c i t i z e n a s a c o r n e r s t o n e f o r national growth

Historical and cultural ties

One of the standout anecdotes w

where Xi expressed a desire to visit Modi’s hometown of Vadnagar This connection was rooted in

Vadnagar Modi highlighted such s

fostering global relationships

Social media and youth engagement

The Prime Minister highlighted the transformative power of social

According to him, platforms like these amplify citizen voices, engage

achievements, such as Chandrayaan and Gaganyaan Modi believes that leveraging digital tools strengthens

governance and the aspirations of the younger generation Global peace and credibility

Modi reiterated India’s consistent advocacy for peace amid global

because

transparency in global affairs His

appeals to countries like Russia, Ukraine, Iran, Palestine, and Israel, underscores India’s credibility as a neutral and peace-oriented nation

8-year-old girl dies of suspected cardiac arrest in Ahmedabad

An eight-year ol d c las s 3 st udent of Zebar School f or Chil dren in Ahmedabad died of a s u s pe c t e d c a r di a c ar r e s t l a s t we e k The incident occ urre d at around 8 am , soon after the girl , Gargi Ranpara, arrived f or the day’s c lass es Gargi, on way to her clas sroom, f ell unconscious after s it ting on a c hair in the s chool’s l obby

A f t e r c a l l i n g a n a m b u l a n c e a n d performing CPR, staff members decided to rush Gargi to a nearby private hospital where doctors informed them that she had suffered a cardiac arrest Police have launched a probe to determine the exact cause of her death

School sources said that Gargi was her parent’s only child With her mother away in M u m b a i , t h e g i r l w a s s t a y i n g w i t h h e r grandparents, police said In the footage from a CCTV cam shared by the school’s management, an evidently disoriented Gargi, carrying her schoolbag, is s e e n w a l k i n g s l o w l y t h

towards her class and then sitting on a chair

The footage then shows her slumping and l o s i n g c o n s c i o u s n e s s a n d t e a c h e r s n e

rushing to her aid

“The girl fell unconscious soon after she sat on a chair in the lobby while going towards her classroom in the morning,” principal of the school, Sharmishtha Sinha, said “Gargi was normal when she arrived at the school in the morning When she was going towards her classroom on the first floor, she sat on a chair in the corridor but suddenly fell u n c o n s c i o u s S i n c

s h e w a s e x p

i e n c i n g difficulty in breathing, our teachers gave her C P R a n d c a l l e d a n a m b u l a n c e B u t considering the serious condition of the girl’s health, staff decided to rush her to a nearby private hospital in their own vehicle Doctors there told us that Gargi suffered a cardiac arrest They tried to revive her and also kept her on ventilator support, but she could not survive,” Sinha added

Presidential honour for Gujarati women for turning cow dung into wealth

Women from Gujarat who turned ‘gobar’ ( cow d u ng ) into ‘d h an ’ ( wealth ) th rou gh I nd ia 's fi r st all - fem ale m an u re- b as ed c o o p er ati v e w i l l be h o n o u red a t th e R as h tra p ati B h av a n P res i d en t D ro u p ad i M urm u has invited the wom en heading the M ujku va Sakhi Kh ad Sahkari M andali Ltd to the Rash trapati Bhavan, w here they will be f el ic i ta ted o n J an 2 6 d u r i ng th e 7 6th Rep ublic Day function

A n i n v i t a t i o n f r o m t h e R a s h t r a p a t i B h a v a n h a s b e e n h a n d e d o v e r t o t h e cooperative’s chairperson Hema Padhiyar and secretary Jagruti Padhiyar at Mujkuva village, 17 km from Anand

generated from this slurry helped us save the expenses we used to incur on LPG cylinders We also sell surplus slurry to NDDB Mrida Limited, which markets the slurry-based organic fertiliser under the brand ‘Sudhan’,” said Jagruti

The cooperative has now turned into a 1 8 0 - m e m b e r b o d y , w h i c h h a s d r a w n attention globally “Almost every day, we have some or another VVIP visit our village,”

additional income for the women of the village who were earlier engaged only in the milk business

In the meeting with Islam, however, India conveyed to Bangladesh that with regard to security measures in place at the b o r d e r ,

c l u d i n g o n f e n c i n g , I n d i a

observed all protocols and agreements that were agreed upon between the two govts and between the Border Security Force and the Border Guard Bangladesh during the discussion stage

“India reiterated its commitment to ensuring a crime-free border by effectively addressing the challenges of cross-border criminal activities, smuggling, movement of criminals and trafficking,” the govt said while discussing the issue

The invitation card from ‘The President of Bharat’ requests the pleasure of their company at the “At-Home Reception” that will be held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan “It is a matter of pride for not only me but our entire cooperative body and our village,” said P a d h i y a r , w h o i s e x c i t e d t o s e e t h e Rashtrapati Bhavan for the first time in her life and meet the President

The seeds of the female-led manure cooperative were sown in 2017 Since then, the cooperative, which started as a small group of women with the support of the d i s t r i c t r e g i s t r a r a n d t h e A n a n dheadquartered National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), expanded its network

“The cow dung that we collect from our ‘tabela (cattle shed)’ is converted into slurry and put into a biogas plant The cooking gas

Each cooperative member earns between Rs 1,000 and Rs 2,000 a month by selling slurry as organic fertiliser We save around Rs 2,000 per month as we don’t need to rely on LPG cylinders We use the same slurry on our farms instead of chemical fertilisers This helped us adopt natural farming and turn our crops disease-resistant,” Jagruti said T

cooperative drew delegations from African

automobile giant Suzuki Motor Corporation (

Suzuki, who visited Mujkuva on Dec 25 SMC acquired a 26% stake in NDDB Mrida Ltd, a biogas venture of NDDB, as part of its plans to use compressed biogas to improve the performance of vehicles

PM Modi's podcast with Nikhil Kamath in New Delhi

Rajnath reaffirms India's support to Maldives to boost defence preparedness

During the talks, both

E c o n o m i c a n d M a r i t i m e

S e c u r i t y P a r t n e r s h i p , t h e statement added

T h e d e f e n c e m i n i s t e r

reaffirmed India’s readiness to support Maldives in capa-

b i l i t y e n

assets to augment its capacities, as per its national priorities and in line with New Delhi’s ‘Neighborhood First’ p

Region)

“India will continue to support the Maldives and

capacity-building efforts through projects, equipment and training As a

close friend, I assure you that India will continue to support Maldives on

and welfare of its people,” Singh was quoted as saying

On the other hand,

Delhi for assisting Male in

and training of defence and

Mohamed Muizzu government s request, India handed over defence equipment and stores to the Maldives

Liquor policy irregularities caused £202.7mn loss to Delhi: CAG

C o m p tro l le r an d A u d i to r

General’ s ev aluation of the r eg u l ati o n a nd s up p ly o f liquor in the natio nal capital

b et w een 2 0 1 7 - 2 0 1 8 and 20 20-21 u nd er the AA P g ovt o bserv ed th at th e p olicy was m arred by irregularities and caused a loss of £202 7mn to the exchequer

“ T h e w o r k i n g o f t h e

e x c i s e d e p a r t m e n t r a i s e s several questions about the way the department fulfils

i t s r e s p o n s i b i l i t y T o t a l financial implication of the a u d i t f i n d i n g s i s a p p r o x im a t e l y £ 2 0 2 6 9 m n , ” C A G h a s n o t e d w h i l e p o i n t i n g out various violations - from award of licences to wholesalers to appointing retailers and lack of monitoring and d i s t r i b u t i o n o f l i q u o r s Licences were issued to nondeserving entities without ensuring excise rules were followed

The report comes at a time when the alleged liquor scam and arrests of Arvind K e j r i w a l , M a n i s h S i s o d i a and others by Enforcement D i r e c t o r a t e a n d C B I h a v e already emerged as a polarising theme, and will fuel the confrontation between AAP and BJP

The report was sent to the LG and the state govt The AAP govt, however, did not table it in the assembly, leading BJP to move the high court It dramatically surf a c e d i n p o l i t i c a l c i r c l e s leading BJP to launch a ferocious attack on AAP

The report talks about the pricing of liquor left at the discretion of the manuf a c t u r e r a n d w h o l e s a l e r s instead of the govt, something which was the focus of C B I ’ s i n v e s t i g a t i o n “ T h i s discretion allowed licencee (manufacturer and whole-

saler) to manipulate prices of liquor to its own advantage,” CAG has said This led to a decline in sales and loss

t o e x c h e q u e r , t h e r e p o r t says, adding that there was

y control either of the liquor sold in the capital

through barcode scanning, the excise department went for post-sale stock reconciliation, undermining inventory tracking and data accuracy, according to the report

into the records of the new

While ED and CBI in their probe had alleged payoffs of £100mn, CAG in its find-

irregularities resulted in a total loss of £202 7mn

Forest guards escort kids to school as tigers prowl Assam tea garden

Wi th tiger s on the prowl in the vicin ity of Kalia bor tea

e state i n As sam ’ s Naga on, a rme d fores t guards had to ta ke on the role of s tuden t e scorts at a govt s chool this w eek Nam Kamakhya Lower

P

S

7 0 % d

c

n

a t t e n d a n c e , w i t h p a r e n t s keeping their children at home due to regular big cat sightings near the school over the past two months

e

To facilitate the state

mandatory Gunotsav evaluation programme, forest d e p a r t m

c h i ldren coming to and going

b a c k f r o m s c h o o l T h i s assessment period is crucial

The school’s proximity to Kaliabor tea estate has been problematic, with a c o u p l

d tragedies in recent months Students must traverse the tea estate, now frequented by tigers, with no alternative route available A tea garden worker lost his life last month, with only the head being recovered In

PM Modi opens new Sonamarg tunnel in J&K

P

Mo di inaugurated the newly constructed Z-Mo rh tunnel i

Jammu and Kashmir

Omar Abdullah and J-K LG Manoj Sinha were present at

After the inauguration, PM Modi inspected the tunnel and took detailed information about its route map and construction work

with the officials and construction workers who have worked meticulously in the harshest conditions for the construction of this tunnel

t h i s e n g ineering feat The Sonamarg Tunnel project, around 12 km long, has been constructed at a cost of over £270mn

I t c o m p r i s e s o f t h e Sonamarg main tunnel of 6 4 km in length, an egress tunnel and approach roads Situated at an altitude of over 8,650 feet above sea l e v e l , i t w i l l e n h a n c e a l lw e a t h e r c o n n e c t i v

Sonamarg en route to Leh, b

e a n

avalanche routes and ensuring safer and uninterrupted a

critical Ladakh region

The newly inaugurated Sonamarg tunnel will also promote tourism by transf o r m i n g S

adventure sports, and local livelihoods

A l o n g w i t h t h e Z o j i l a Tunnel, set for completion by 2028, it will reduce the route length from 49 km to 4 3 k

NH-1 connectivity between Srinagar Valley and Ladakh This enhanced connec-

logistics, and drive economic growth and socio-cultural

and Kashmir and Ladakh Chief minister Abdullah said that the inauguration of the Z-Morh tunnel will open Sonmarg to tourism

now be developed as a great ski resort, adding that this tunnel will bring ease to the local population as the travel time to Kargil/Leh from Srinagar would reduce

Another Keralite fighting for Russian army killed in Ukraine shell attack

Within the sp ace of six m onths, anoth er Keralite w ho end ed u p fig hting o n the frontlines of th e Russia-Ukraine war has lo st his life Binil Babu, 31, wh o belongs to T hrissur district of Kerala was killed in a Ukraine shell attack on the Russian army

His death was confirmed by the Indian Embassy officials when his wife, Joicy, contacted them to know the status of the repatriation measures

Binil, who spent more than five years in Oman working as an electrician, took a flight to Russia in April 2024 It was an extended family member who offered Binil a job abroad “At first, this relative told us the job was in Poland But later it was changed to Russia We trusted his words and decided to take the offer amid the confusion,” said Saneesh, Binil’s relative Binil’s relative Jain, who is also from the from Thrissur district, sustained injuries in the same attack and is under treatment in Russia

Three other Keralites who went along

with Binil was repatriated successfully last S

p Chandran, who too was from Thrissur “We

Indian Embassy on bringing back Binil’s body,” Saneesh added

Though Joicy approached all possible

authorities concerned, the efforts to bring back Binil failed Complaints were lodged with Union Minister Suresh Gopi, Alathur M P K

Office, Prime Minister’s Office, Office of the External Affairs Minister, Indian Embassy, etc It is suspected that though the paperwork for repatriation was ready with the Indian Embassy, the Russian army authorities who controlled the unit where Binil worked did not allow him to leave One of the three persons who were repatriated from Russia, Santhosh, said they had little hope of seeing homeland again

Ahmedabad sets Guinness record for world’s largest bouquet

The Ahme daba d Mun icipal Corporat ion (AMC) has se

G uinne ss Worl d Record for

show AMC broke the record for the largest bouquet of natural flowers held by

Nov, another villager had vanished Officials could not confirm if the same tiger was i n v o l v e d i n b o t h c a s e s Forest officials have reported two Royal Bengal tigers e n t e r i n

P

k and Tiger Reserve, while residents suggest there are four to five

PM Modi visits Sonamarg Tunnel at Sonamarg in Jammu and Kashmir

Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon & Rajnath Singh

SOUTH INDIA

6 killed, 30 injured in stampede over Tirupati tokens

V

A stampede claimed the lives of six

D wara Sarva Darshan tokens for Lord Venkates wara temple in Tirupati

The chaos erupted around 8 pm

n T

Devasthanams (TTD) officials began distributing tokens at various centres, i n c

i

Srinivasam, and Padmavati Park

The stampede occurred at two locations as the gates were opened to allow an unwell devotee to exit the queue Devotees, many of whom had been waiting since early morning, surged forward, resulting in severe overcrowding and disorder

Mallika, a devotee from Salem in Tamil Nadu, died of her injuries while being transported to Ruia Hospital in the temple town Three others died during treatment at Ruia Hospital, and two more passed away at SVIMS

Authorities fear the death toll may rise, as some of the injured are critical

W

PUNJAB

police personnel were not present

hours rushed to collect the tokens,” a survivor said Vaikunta Dwara Sarva Darshan is a major event for devotees, offering a special darshan believed to grant a glimpse of the divine gates of heaven

during Vaikuntha Ekadashi festival, when crowds can peak at over 2 to 300,000 TTD had planned to distribute tokens through 94 counters across

Sarva Darshan, scheduled for Jan 10, 11, and 12 However, the sudden influx of devotees overwhelmed the system

PM Modi lays foundation stone for £20bn projects in Andhra

VIS A KHA PA T N AM : In his first visit to And hra Pra desh a ft er NDA govt a ssume d cha rge following the a sse mbly e le ct ions, PM Na ren dra Modi la id found ation st ones an d in augura te d de velopmen t wor ks wort h ove r £20 bn in Visak hapa tna m

“The development of Andhra Pradesh is our vision, and serving the people of the state is our commitment,” the PM said at a public meeting, adding that Andhra had set a target of becoming a $2 5 trillion economy by 2047

“

n , C M N

Chandrababu Naidu will receive every possible support from the Union govt We are committed to building a prosperous and modern Andhra The infrastructure revolution in Andhra, with better connectivity and facilities, will completely transform the state,” he said The PM said the foundation stone for the South Coast Railway Zone headquarters in Visakhapatnam, which was laid on Wednesday, fulfils the long-standing demand of the people for a separate railway zone

The NTPC green hydrogen hub was among the projects for which Modi laid foundation stones Coming

investment of £18bn, this will be the first green hydrogen hub under the national green hydrogen mission Naidu, noting that a robust NDA in Andhra is critical to unlocking the full potential of the state, thanked the PM and said: “It is the first time in the history of Andhra

monumental investments in a single day

SAD accepts Sukhbir’s resignation; polls for new party chief on March 1

C HA ND IGA RH : The working co mmittee of the Shiro mani Akali Dal (S AD) accepted th e resignation of S ukh bir Singh Badal as party chief, m arking the first time since 1996 that the party w ill no t be h elmed by the Bad al family Sukhbir had tendered his resig natio n on November 16

“The working panel has a c c e p t e d S u k h b i r ’ s

s i g n a t i o n T h

e l e c t i o n o

t h e n e w president will take place on March 1, ” said senior SAD leader Daljit Singh Cheema, who was part of the meeting Party’s second-most senior leader Balwinder Singh Bhundar will b e t h e a c t i n g p r e s i d e n t u n t i l a n e w leadership structure is formed

W h i l e p r o n o u n c i n g t h e r e l i g i o u s punishment for Sukhbir and other leaders for the “mistakes” committed by the SAD and its government in Punjab from 2007 to

WEST BENGAL

2017, the Sikh clergy had on D

SAD’s working committee to

other leaders

Sukhbir is being described as a tactical retreat to ward off the mounting heat on the p a r t y

president for the first time in 2008 and was re-elected for the second time in 2019 His term has ended in December last year A d d

resignation was accepted, Sukhbir thanked

support “I have performed sewa for five years as party president after getting reelected in 2019 and I thank all party workers and cadres for supporting me in the difficult times,” said Sukhbir

5 million devotees expected to attend Gangasagar Mela 2025

K O L K A T A : T h e S o u th 2 4 P a rg a nas

d is tri c t ad m i ni s trati o n e xp ec ts aro u nd 50 ,00 ,00 0 devotees to attend this year ’ s Ga ng a sa g ar M el a T h e f ai r o f fi c i all y comm enced on Frid ay last Th e resid ents of S ag ar Island are ready to welcom e the pilgrim s T raders h av e alread y set up their stalls at the fairgro und , and the crowd is grad ually increasing

This year, arrangements have been made to check the quality of food sold at t h e t e m p o

According to administrative sources, 2,250 government buses and 500 private buses w i l l b e o p e

Additionally, six barges, 32 vessels, and 100 launches will operate on waterways

Around 12,000 police personnel have been deployed for security Ten temporary fire stations have been set up with 25 fire e n

cameras have been installed Surveillance will also be conducted using drones and speed boats District Magistrate Sumit Gupta stated that the fair has officially started on Friday last, and all necessary

services will be available for the pilgrims A R s 5 0 0 , 0 0 0 i n s u

o provided for pilgrims

Fire brigade services are in place, and a mega control room has been set up to ensure complete security for the entire Gangasagar Mela The mega control room will monitor every point of the fair 24 hours a day through around 1,200 CCTV cameras during the festival Coastal guard personnel with speed boats are keeping a close watch on the Gangasagar seashore, especially when the sages and saints take their holy dip Helicopter surveillance has also been arranged along the Gangasagar coastal area

SKM calls for tractor rally across country on Republic Day

C H A N D I G A R H : T h e S a m yu k t K i s an

Morch a (S KM) called for tractor marches ac ro s s th e co u n try o n Ja nu ar y 2 6 an d demanded that Prime M inister Narend ra Mod i ho ld d iscu ssions with farm ers ov er their pending demand s T

concerns over the health of farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who has been on an indefinite fast for 48 days Dallewal, the convener of SKM (Non-Political), has been on strike at the Khanauri border point between Punjab and Haryana since November 26 last year over farmers' demands, including a legal guarantee to MSP for crops In a statement, the SKM announced that a meeting with S K M a n d K M M w i l l b e h e l d f o r a j o i n t struggle over their demands "The SKM calls u p o n f a r m e

t o c o n d

t r a c t o r / v e h i c l e / m o t o r c y c l e p

r a d e s o n January 26, at the district/sub-division level across the country," it said in a statement

RG Kar verdict on Jan 18, CBI demands death for accused Roy

KO LK A T A : A trial court is set to deliv er the RG K ar M ed ical College and Hospital rape-m urd er v erdict on Jan 18, more than five mo nths after a 3 1 - yea r- o ld j u n io r d o ct o r w as v i o l ate d an d brutally killed in th e state g ovt-run institu te, setting o ff a wave of protests in Kolkata, rip ples o f w hich were felt around the country F o l l o w i n g t h e c o u r t ’ s a n n o u n c e m e n t , members of WB Junior Doctors’ Front said that their protest would continue until “real culprits” were brought to book Members of the front said they were not satisfied with the CBI probe, saying that it believes “ more than one person was involved ” CBI demanded death for Sanjay Roy, the primary accused, in its closing arguments at the S e a l d a h c o u r t , c i t i n g m u l t i p l e r e p o r t sb i o l o g i c a l s a m p l e s , C C T V f o o t

g e a n a l y s i s , testimonies of 50 witnesses - which, it said, p r o v e d h e w a s t h

s

l e p e r p e t r a t o r o f t h e “monstrous crime” Defence lawyer Sourav Bandyopadhyay, in h

innocent, and was being framed by evidence planted against him

NORTH-EAST

3 more bodies recovered from flooded Assam mine

The bodies of three more workers trapped in a flooded 'rat hole' coal mine in Assam’s Dima Hasao district were recovered last week, officials said, as rescue operations continued The deceased were among nine w

Umrangso on January 6 after a sudden surge of water inundated the abandoned mine near the Assam-Meghalaya border Rescue personnel retrieved the body of 27-year-old Lijen Magar of Kalamati village on Saturday morning The two bodies that were pulled out later in the day are yet to be identified, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said The body of the first miner, Ganga Bahadur Srestho from Nepal, was recovered earlier

“The search for the remaining trapped miners continues,” an official said, adding that challenges persist due to the flooded conditions inside the mine Efforts to drain

ongoing, using specialised equipment from ONGC and Coal India Divers from the A

submerged sections of the mine due to difficulties in mapping the flooded interior “

provided for the trapped miners Only if the water is pumped out of the wells can we expect some results,” said Sarma He added that additional machinery, brought in from Nagpur, was set to begin operations The mine, abandoned 12 years ago, had been under the jurisdiction of the Assam Mineral Development Corporation until three years a g o

individuals in connection with the incident

MOB SETS ASSAM RIFLES CAMP ON FIRE IN MANIPUR

A temporary camp of the Assam Rifles in Hongbei village of Manipur’s Kamjong district was set on fire by protesters This came over alleged harassment and restrictions on timber transportation in the area The incident marks another flashpoint in the region grappling with ethnic violence since May 2023 The unrest erupted when Assam Rifles personnel stopped the transport of timber It was meant for construction of houses in a nearby village Despite the intervention of local MLA Leishiyo Keishing, who appealed to the paramilitary force to allow the transport, the request was dismissed This angered the locals Residents, including a large number of women from the Tangkhul Naga community gathered in protest against the alleged continuous frisking” and harassment along the Imphal-Myanmar road The situation escalated as Assam Rifles personnel reportedly fired tear gas shells and air shots to disperse the crowd The protesters stormed the camp, destroyed it and demanded the immediate withdrawal of Assam Rifles from the area Kamjong SP Ningsem Vashum confirmed that roads in the region were blocked by residents to prevent reinforcements from reaching the site

TRIPURA EMBLEM GETS HOME MINISTRY'S NOD

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has given its approval for the state emblem that was proposed by the Tripura government This was informed by Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha, adding that it would highlight the culture and history of the state MHA Under Secretary Debobroto Basu, in a letter to secretary of Tripura Information and Cultural Affairs Department PK Chakraborty recently, stated that the ministry approved a former design of the Tripura government’s emblem The state’s newly designed emblem comprises the national emblem in the centre of an outline of Tripura map that is within a circle of saffron colour with Tripura government written below Terming it as a “significant milestone” for the state, CM Saha wrote on his X “Tripura gets its official State Emblem ”

Sukhbir Singh Badal

Indonesia president may skip Pak trip after R-Day function

A fter h ectic d iplomatic effo rts by

I n d i a, I n d o ne si an P r es id ent

P rabo wo Subianto is unlikely to trav el s trai gh t to P akistan af ter p articipating in Rep ublic Day cele-

b rat io ns Ind ia m ad e ef fo rt s t o convince Jakarta to not clu b his India visit with his proposed official travel to Islamabad

I n d i a h a d l a s t y e a r i n v i t e d

Subianto as chief guest for the Republic Day parade but a formal announcement about his visit is still awaited Amid this delay by India in announcing the name of the chief guest for the Jan 26 cele-

b

Subianto will arrive in Islamabad the same day for a three-day visit

I

issue diplomatically with Jakarta as it found the President’s reported plan to fly straight to Islamabad

a f t e r b e i n g h o n o u r e d b y I n d

a unacceptable While R-Day is a special occasion, Indian govt has urged foreign leaders for years now to not mix their travel plans to India with Pakistan even for bilat-

against the grain of dehyphenation that India seeks from them in their ties with the two countries T

Subianto’s itinerary with regard to

President, in case he does indeed travel to Malaysia, will fly in the opposite direction again to visit Islamabad or shelve his Pakistan visit plans for now Pakistan ministers were quoted as saying last week that the “landmark” visit

w

Pakistan to take steps to ramp up

their economic ties Delhi all set to finalise BrahMos deal I

finalise a $450 million deal for the export of the BrahMos supersonic

which would make it the second A

Philippines to buy the precision

range The proposed deal has been in the works for a long time, with Indonesian defence minister discussing the deal with his Indian counterpart Rajnath Singh during a visit to New Delhi in July 2020

y constraints, but discussions have moved forward towards conclusion of the BrahMos deal now, ” a source said India has stepped-up discussions on export of BrahMos to other Asean countries after inking a $375 million contract to supply anti-ship coastal missile

aggressive behaviour in the IndoPacific

Thousands descend on Ayodhya on first anniversary of Ram temple

P r i m e M in i st er Nar end ra M o d i g reeted people on th e first anniv ers ary of th e co nsecratio n of the Ram L alla ido l at the A yod hya temp le In a post on X , M odi described the tem ple as a great heritag e of Indian culture and spirituality, saying it was built following centuries o f sacrifices, strugg le and devotion

"I am confident that this divine and grand Ram temple will be a big inspiration in realising the pledge of building a developed India," the Prime Minister said

T h e t h r e e - d a y c e l e b r a t i o n s b e g a n o n S a t u r d a y ( J a n u a r y 1 1 ) with a recital of Yajurveda and UP

c h i e f m i n i s t e r Y o g i A d i t y a n a t h performing an ‘abhishek’ on the Ram Lalla idol

T h o u s a n d s o f p e o p l e h a v e descended on the city from near and far, and are headed to the temple premises to witness cultural

and religious events planned for the three days between January 11 and 13

“Ayodhya is soaked completely in the essence and devotion of L o r d R a m , ” R a m T e m p l e h e a d priest Satyendra Das said

“The heavy influx of devotees everyday at the Ram Temple shows people’s immense faith in Lord Ram This huge turnout at the R a m t e m p l e a l s o m e a n s p e o p l e from different walks of life are very

Jaishankar to represent India at Donald Trump's inauguration

WA S HING TO N: India's external affairs minister S Jaishankar w ill rep resent the Indian g overnment at th e swearing in ceremony of U S P resident-elect Donald Trum p as the 47th US P resid ent

He is set to attend the swearing in ceremony at the invitation of t h e T r u m p - V a n

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) During the visit, Jaishankar will also have meetings with representatives of the incoming administration, as well as some other dignitaries visiting the US on that occasion

The ceremonial event is set to take place on January 20, approximately two weeks after Trump s electoral college win was certified by the US Congress

Earlier on January 6, Trump's election victory was certified ahead of his inauguration with no objections from any lawmakers as the tally of states was announced on

the House floor Donald Trump

Harris got 226 votes, a total that was confirmed during the certification on Monday, marking the final step in the election process before Trump returns back to the White House on January 20

Republican lawmakers gave a standing ovation in the chamber when Harris announced Trump's v

ovation broke out in the House Chamber after Harris announced that the joint session of Congress was dissolved

The event lasted for around 30

gaveled it out US Vice President Kamala Harris presided over the process and the proceedings went off without a hitch Several lawmakers helped in the counting, including Senator Amy Klobuchar, S

Representatives - Bryan Steil and

PM Modi urges youth to take nation's future in their hands

Pr im e M i n i st e r N

d r a M o d i sa id n o for ce can stop In dia fr om be c om i n g a d e v e lo p e d n a t io n , than ks to it s human capit al in the for m of yout h powe r

Addressing the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue at Bharat Mandapam, Modi said he has blind faith on Swami Vivekananda and his belief on the country’s youth, and urged them to take ownership of the nation’s future, calling for a c

n g policies, fostering innovation, and considering politics as a platform for impactful action

Reiterating the goal of a ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047, Modi said, “Those who merely crunch numbers may find it difficult, but my inner conviction, supported by your trust, tells me that while the goal is ambit i o u s , i t i s n o t i m p o s s i b l e T h e determination of millions of youth is propelling the nation forward, and we will surely achieve our targ e t s ” T h e d i a l o g u e , h e l d o n N a

anniversary, aligns with the PM’s vision to inspire 100,000 youth with no prior political background to actively participate in the political arena

H e a l s o s p o k e a b o u t h o w s h a r e d g o a l s d r i v e p r o g r e s s

“History teaches and inspires us

happy about the consec r a t i o n o f L o r d R a m Lalla idol They are all c e l e b r a t i n g t h e f i r s t a n n i v e r s a r y w i t h f u l l enthusiasm The atmosphere here is of comp l e t e h a p p i n e s s ” F o r Ayodhya mayor Girish P a t i T r i p a t h i , i t f e e l s like the “fulfilment of a dream”

“The happiness is that of seei n g o u r c u l t u r e f l o w e r i n g a n d flourishing The happiness is that of witnessing Ayodhya as a city of enthusiasm and joy I feel privileged to be able to serve the people of this city,” he said

He said the temple city is witnessing an average daily footfall of 150,000, and in these three days, the average daily footfall is likely to increase further

JD

munity, united with a common goal, achieved incredible feats In the 1930s, the US was mired in a s e v e

resolved to overcome it through t h

n o t o n

y emerged from the crisis, but also a c c e

Singapore, once a small fishing village, became a global financial and t

efforts and disciplined leadership,” he said

‘Sankalp se Siddhi (realisation t h

recurring theme, with Modi spotlighting milestones such as India’s open-defecation-free status, universal banking access, and rapid development of a Covid-19 vaccine

W

recent accomplishments in startups, manufacturing, sports and

attributing these to the energy and determination of young leaders, Modi said, “In just a decade, you have brought India to the forefront of global progress ” He urged every citizen to take ownership of the journey to development Stating that achieving the vision of a developed India by 2047 is not far off and it only requires daily targets, relentless pursuit, and collective

achieves its goals,

will not only

worldwide where a nation or com-

inspire the world

Indian women hold 11% of the world's gold

Gold has long b een a s ymb ol of w e a lt h , t ra d i t i on , a n d cul t ur a l s ign if ican ce in In dia , esp eci ally a m on g w o me n , w h o s h a r e a dee p-rooted conn ecti on to gold je wellery It holds a ce ntral place in In dian cele brati ons, parti cularly we dd in gs , w her e g old i s an es sen tial part of the fe stiv itie s Whethe r i n the form of intri ca te b rid al j ew elle ry or si mp le gol d ba rs, no I ndi an w eddi ng i s complete without the gi ft of g old

This cultural affinity for gold has led to Indian women accumulating substantial amounts of it, often passed down through generations As a result, India has become a global leader in gold ownership, particularly in household gold According to the World Gold Council, Indian women collectively own around 24,000 tons of gold, which accounts for about 1 1 % o f t h e w o r l d ’ s t o t a l g o l d reserves in jewelry form T h e s h e e r v o l u m e o f g o l d o w n e d b y I n d i a n w o m e n i s remarkable In fact, the total gold owned by Indian women exceeds the gold reserves of the top five countries combined For compari s o n , t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s h o l d s

8 , 0 0 0 t o n s o f g o l d , G e r m a n y 3

France 2,400 tons, and Russia 1,900 tons Even if the combined reserves of these nations are considered, they still fall short of the gold owned by women in India

According to a report from the O x f o r d G o l d G r o u p , I n d i a n households hold a total of 11% of the world’s gold - more than the combined reserves of the United S t a t e s , t h e I

, Switzerland, and Germany Women in South India are particularly significant in terms of gold ownership The southern region holds 40% of India’s total

accounting for 28% of it The World Gold Council’s 2020–21

households own between 21,000 and 23,000 tons of gold By 2023,

approximately 24,000 to 25,000 tons, or over 25 million kg of gold - representing a massive portion of the

Air India chief hails progress in flag carrier’s ‘mission’ of revival

Cam pbel l Wil son, the c hief e xecutive of Air India, has acc laimed t he c arrier’s progress in an a mbitious turn around under its Tata Group owne r, whil e ac knowl edg ing the c hal lenge of res toring the reput at i on o f t h e f or m e r s t at e -o wn ed nat ional car rier t hat Indians love t o c om pl ain about Wilson, the Singapore Airlines veteran hired after Tata bought Air India bought in 2022, is taking steps to transform the airline’s offering

and expand and modernise its fleet as it looks to win back some of the customers who deserted it for Gulf or other foreign airlines

“There’s a blessing and a curse to being the national carrier,” the New Zealander said in an interview “There is a lot of love and a lot of expectation, and there is a lot of commentary - for better or worse ” In India, he said, “it’s just a little more heightened because of the profile of India’s decline and the

hopes and dreams of India’s rise” Under the airline’s five-year transf o r m a t i o n p l a n

u b b e d V i h a a n (Sanskrit for “dawn of a new era”), W i l s o n h a s s t e e r e d A i r I n d i a through the “taxi” and “take-off” steps of the turn around By its own a c c o u n t i t i s n o w i n t h e f i n a l , “climb” phase, merging its sprawling operations, driving profitability and enhancing customer value, and taking Indian aviation to the global stage

Prabowo Subianto

Joe Morelle Vice President-elect

Vance was also present in the chamber during the count

S Jaishankar

US envoy describes his time in India as 'the most extraordinary'

A s US Am bassad or E ric Garcetti’s term in India nears its conclusion, the former Los A ng eles mayor d elivered a poignant policy a d d r es s at th e T a j C o la ba i n M u m b ai Garcetti, who d escribed h is time in India as “ the most extraord inary” period of his life, sh ared how the country h ad deeply impacted h im “India captured my heart,” he said , d u rin g an i nteracti on w ith sel ect m ed i a

r ep re s ent ati v e s H e lau d ed th e “ en d le ss p ossibilities” in the U S-India relationsh ip, c alli ng i t “ the d efi ning relati ons h ip ” fo r g lo bal p eace and security

Quoting President Joe Biden, Garcetti emphasized India’s unparalleled importance to the United States “President Joe Biden has said India is the most important country in the world to him If you want to work on the future, you need to come to India No US president has ever said this before,” Garcetti remarked, highlighting the growing strategic ties between the two nations

A d d r e s s i n g t r a d e r e l a t i o n s , G a r c e t t i advocated for fairer practices, pointing out the US trade deficit with India and the high tariffs on goods “We need to reduce tariffs

s o w e c

telecommunication equipment, and defense equipment together,” he said, aligning with his vision of closer economic collaboration Garcetti’s speech also focused on the evolving defense partnership between the U

promoting a global rules-based order “The US-India relationship is not only ‘ a ’ defining but ‘the’ defining relationship Knowing how to wage conflict together is the greatest deterrent to any of our common threats,” he stated

India’s passport ranking drops to 85 among 199 countries

Ind i a h as d ro pp ed to the 8 5t h p o s it io n o u t o f 1 9 9 countries fro m 80 last year

in a list of the w orld’ s m ost

p o w er fu l p as sp o r ts , ac co r d i ng to t h e 20 25 Henley Passport Index The i nd e x, p u bl i sh e d by ci t iz en sh i p a nd res i d en ce

co n s ul ta nc y f i rm H en ley and P artners, m easures the strength of all the passports around the world based on how many d estinations can be accessed by the passportholders of a specific country

w i th o u t a p re - d ep a rtu re visa

A c c o r d i n g t o d a t a a v a i l a b l e o n t h e f i r m ’ s website for years between 2006 and 2025, India ranked the lowest at 90 in 2021 Its best ranking was 71 in 2006

T h e r a n k i n g i n t h e l a t e s t i n d e x w a s I n d i a ’ s l o w e s t since 2021

Indians can travel to 57 countries without a visa, as

p e r t h e l a t e s t i n d e x L a s t year, Indians could travel to

6 2 c o u n t r i e s w i t h o u t requiring a visa

In the 2025 index, India shared the 85th spot with E q u a t o r i a l G u i n e a a n d N i g e r A m o n g I n d i a ’ s neighbours, Pakistan stood at 103, which was a drop from its rank of 101 in 2024, and Bangladesh was at 100 It was 97 in 2024

S i n g a p o r e r e t a i n e d i t s t o p r a n k i n t h e p a s s p o r t i n d e x C i t i z

visa Japan had the secondmost powerful passport in

the world Last year, France, G e r m a n y , I t a l y , J a p

secured the first rank in the index This was the first time that six countries shared the top spot in the ranking

ranked third, with access to 192 countries without a predeparture visa

ranked 106 Afghan citizens can only visit 26 countries without a visa

Kenyan village’s close encounter with lump of space junk

Th e Kenya Space A gency (KSA ) said th at a frag ment of a sp ace object land ed 75 m iles southeast o f th e c a p it al N ai ro b i and b etw een t h e f am

i M ara and T savo g am e parks, on December 30 at aro und 3 pm Th e object was a metallic ring w eigh ing 1 ,10 0lbs, and measuring 8ft wide, the agency said, add ing th at th e debris posed no immediate threat to public safety

“Preliminary assessments indicate that the fallen object is a separation ring from a launch vehicle [rocket],” the KSA said in a s t a t e m e n t “ S u c h o b j e c t s a r e u s u a l l y designed to burn up as they re-enter the Earth’s atmosphere or to fall over unoccupied areas, such as the oceans ”

Officials from the KSA rushed to the scene, working with local authorities to secure the area and retrieve the debris The KSA said it had removed the item for further

Italian mayor's proclamation makes it illegal to get sick

The mayor of an Italian village issued a proclamation banning residents from getting sick amid issues with local healthcare access Mayor Antonio Torchia of Belcastro, Calabria, issued a proclamation ordering residents not to contract any serious illnesses that could lead to the need for emergency medical attention Residents were also ordered to not engage in activities that could lead to serious injuries, and were advised to instead spend the majority of their time resting Torchia later explained the proclamation was meant to be a tongue-in-cheek way to draw attention to the shortcomings of the local healthcare infrastructure The mayor said about half of the village's 1,200 residents are over the age of 65 The nearest emergency hospital is located nearly 30 miles away, and is only accessible via a road with an 18 mph speed limit The village has an on-call doctor, but the service is not available during nights, weekends or holidays

Overdue book returned to NY Public Library after 72 years

The New York Public Library celebrated the return of a copy of Igor Stravinsky's 1936 autobiography 72 years after it was last checked out Billy Parrott, director of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library, said he received a call a few days before Christmas from the library's 5th Avenue branch The situation turned out to be the return of a book that had been checked out April 4, 1952, and had been due back two weeks later "We routinely get stuff [returned], all the time, from the '80s or the '90s but rarely stuff from mid-century," Parrott said Parrot said the book, Igor Stravinsky's autobiography, was returned by a man who explained his mother had checked it out from the library's Woodstock branch in the Bronx while she was studying music at Hunter College The woman never got around to returning the book, and even went on to work at a New York Public Library location in the Bronx for a time Parrot said the book will not be returned to circulation, but will instead be kept for the curiosity and engaging story

Himalayan shepherd dog joins India's elite breeds

Himalaya's shepherd dog Gaddi is now officially recognised as a registered breed by National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (NBAGR) This recognition makes the dog the fourth indigenous canine breed to be registered, following the Rajapalayam and Chippiparai from Tamil Nadu and the Mudhol from Karnataka The recognition follows years of scientific study and a formal application process initiated by Himachal's department of animal husbandry in Dec 2022 The NBAGR team conducted extensive evaluations and engaged with local shepherds to understand the breed better Around the world, dogs have evolved alongside humans, adapting to diverse environments and cultural needs While many breeds have earned global recognition, some remain closely tied to their regions of origin, remaining obscure outside their homelands These rare breeds, shaped by centuries of selective breeding, each tell a story of their heritage through distinctive traits, unique skills, and historical roles

Christmas gift from 1978 found behind wall of Illinois home

Christmas came about 46 years late for an Illinois man who was performing renovations at his childhood home when he found a present that had fallen behind a wall in 1978 Tim King, 53, owner of T King Construction Services in Lombard, said he was renovating the bathroom at his parents' house when he found something inside the wall "We took out a medicine cabinet before we dry walled and I thought, 'I'd better just look in there to make sure nothing's back there,'" King told People com "And then there it was!" King discovered a wrapped Christmas gift that had been intended for him to open on Christmas in 1978 He said his parents used to hide gifts in the home's attic, and this one must have fallen into a crawlspace without anyone noticing King opened the gift in front of his parents, revealing a set of now-vintage Matchbox toy airplanes that his mother had no memory of buying "So I have one sister, and my mom has always been very picky about getting us the exact same amount of gifts," he said, "So we've been joking that I've been screwed out of one present for 46 years "

Elephant grabs man with trunk, tosses him into air

As many as 17 people were injured, including one critically, when an elephant became agitated during the Puthiyangadi annual 'nercha' at the BP Angadi annual festival at a mosque in Kerala s Malappuram district The incident occurred in Tirur, where hundreds had gathered to witness the spectacle Footage from the event shows five elephants, adorned with golden plates, parading through the crowd as people tried to capture the moment on their cameras However, one of the elephants, named Pakkathu Sreekuttan, suddenly became agitated Despite Mahout's efforts to regain control, the elephant charged into the crowd, causing widespread panic In the chaos, the elephant lifted one man into the air and tossed him, leaving him critically injured Reportedly, the man was admitted to a hospital with serious injuries and is currently undergoing treatment The majority of the injuries were caused by a stampede-like situation as people scrambled to find safety

investigation and would address the incident under international space laws, including identifying ownership of the object and what led to its landing in Mukuku

Citing witnesses, the NTV Kenya television station reported that locals were “perplexed and frightened” by the object, which they said hung in the air before falling with a bang, where it landed and remained red hot for a while before cooling

T

f excitement in Kenya, especially after the country’s newspaper alleged that the government had notified India of a compensation demand The debris was from the India

S p a c e R e s e a r c h O r g a n i s a t i o n ’ s S p a c e

Docking Experiment, the newspaper alleged The KSA said in response that its investigations were continuing and that it had yet to reach conclusions on ownership

Two cut their long locks to break records for hair donation

Guinness Book of World Records announced a pair of Britons with formerly long locks broke the records for the largest hair donations Ruth Tripp, 38, earned the record for the largest single donation of hair by a female individual when she donated 5 feet, 7 inches of her hair to The Little Princess Trust in September 2024 Fellow Briton Jack Drever, 37, earned the male version of the record when he donated 2 feet, 11 inches of hair to the same charity in December The Little Princess Trust uses donated hair to make wigs for children being treated for cancer "I planned on getting my hair cut and donated to charity I hadn't realized that it may be record-worthy until someone mentioned it," Tripp said "After that I needed to wait a little longer to get a bit of extra length

Man found alive 17 years after 'murder'

In a bizarre incident, a man, who was reported dead 17 years ago, has been found alive in Jhansi Four men - the missing man's paternal uncle and brothers - have even served jail terms for the alleged murder While the uncle is now dead, three brothers are out on bail The mysterious case of death and life came to light when the Jhansi police found a person who was registered as "dead" in Bihar Police records On January 6, during patrolling, the Jhansi Police came across a man Upon inquiry, the cops learnt that the man had been living in the village for six months He was identified as Nathuni Pal, a 50-year-old resident of Deoria in Bihar Further investigation revealed that the man lives alone and recently moved back to Jhansi "My parents died when I was a child, and my wife left me long back It has been around 16 years since I last visited my home in Bihar," he said

Eric Garcetti

Bri tons commonly reach for their mobile phones as soon as they wake up, with spikes in network traffi c detec ted immedi ately after 6 am, 7 am, and 8 am, according to Virgin Media O2 data

T

coincide with alarm times

w

s

devices While this habit is widespread, it can negatively affect mental health, productivity, and overall wellb

conducted for the operator revealed that over a third of Britons (35%) plan to reduce their screen time as part of

Morning phone habits and their impact

tions

M

analysed as part of Virgin Media O2’s broadband network study, reflect the con-

experts warn that immediately using your phone upon

through mental states \

After waking, the brain moves from a restful delta state to a dreamy theta state and then to an alpha state, where you are awake but not f

reaches the beta state, a fully alert stage Jumping directly from the delta state to the beta state, as occurs when using a phone first thing in t

stress on the brain, potentially leading to increased a

throughout the day Experts recommend delaying smartphone use by 30 minutes to an hour after waking to mitigate these effects

Checking your phone in the morning also fosters a

shift your focus from personal goals and priorities to

and set a disorganised tone for the day Additionally, the blue light emitted by phone screens disrupts the body’s

to

The winter benefits of citrus fruits Morning coffee may boost heart health

Once considered a luxury th at brig htened the bleak m idwinter, citrus fruits have now become celebrated for th eir imp ressive health benefits They are packed w ith goo dness, offering a natural boost to both our ph ysical and mental w ellbeing

J u s t o n e s a

,

, o r clementine can provide half of your daily recommended vitamin C intake and are not only an essential source of vitamin C, but they also help with the absorption of iron from foods like red meats and leafy greens, making them an excellent addition to a balanced diet, especially in the UK winter months

Citrus Fruits offer a range of benefits, making them especially valuable during the winter months in the UK for several key reasons:

1 Rich in Vitamin C – Citrus fruits are excellent sources of vitamin C, which helps strengthen the immune system, providing crucial support during the colder months when colds and flu are more common Vitamin C also

helps with skin health and wound healing

2 B o o st in g I m m u ni ty – T h e

antioxidants in citrus fruits, such as flavonoids and carotenoids, have antiinflammatory properties, which can help reduce the severity of infections and illnesses by supporting the body's immune response

3 Hydration – Winter air can be dry, and citrus fruits have a high water content, which helps with hydration Staying hydrated is essential for maintaining energy levels, skin health, and overall bodily functions during the cold season

4 I m p ro v ed Di g e st io n – C i t r u s fruits contain fibre, particularly soluble fibre called pectin, which can aid digestion, prevent constipation, and promote a healthy gut This is especially useful during winter when diets can be heavy with rich foods

5 M o o d E n h anc e m ent – T h e bright, tangy flavour of citrus fruits can have a mood-lifting effect, helping to combat the winter blues, particularly with the lack of sunlight They may stimulate the production of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that promotes feelings of well-being

6 Skin P rotection – The vitamin C in citrus fruits also helps in the production of collagen, which is essential for maintaining healthy, youthful-looking s k i n T h

become dry and irritated

7 Detoxification – Citrus fruits are natural detoxifiers and can help cleanse the body by supporting liver function, making them a great addition to winter diets that may be rich in heavier foods

Head injuries activate dormant viruses

H ea d inju rie s could trig ger d o r ma nt v i r u se s i n t h e

b r a i n, p o t e n t i a l l y co nt ributi ng to de me nt ia, ne w r esear ch su ggests

According to a study, head trauma may activate latent viruses, like the herpes simplex virus (HSV-1), which affects more than 80% of people, or the vari-

c e l l a - z o s t e r v i r u s , w h i c h

c a u s e s c h i c k e n p o x a n d shingles These viruses can r e m a i n d o r m a n t i n t h e

brain and may be activated

b y h e a d i n j u r i e s , r a i s i n g concerns about their role in dementia development

While the exact mechanism linking head injuries

t o d e m e n t i a r e m a i n s u n c l

a r , s c i e n t i s t s h i g hl i g h t t h e i m p o r t a n c e o f considering antiviral treatments following head trau-

m a R e s e a r c h

s f r o m T u f t s U n i v e r s i t y a n d O x f o r d U n i v e r s i t y f o u n d that a jolt could reactivate

Boost immunity with Amla juice

Gooseberry (Amla) juice is a powerful natural immunity booster, rich in vitamin C and antioxidants. It supports digestion, enhances skin health, and helps regulate blood sugar levels For a daily health boost, simply blend fresh gooseberries, strain, and enjoy the juice on an empty stomach.

within brain cells In laboratory settings, protein tissue with neurons containing the herpes virus was jolted, triggering reactivation of the virus

Professor Ruth Itzhaki of Oxford discovered that o l d e r i n d i v i d u a l s o f t e n h a r b o u r H S V - 1 i n t h e i r brains, and it can be reactivated by trauma Dr Dana Cairns of Tufts suggested that antiviral drugs could

risk of Alzheimer's disease by preventing the activation of these latent viruses

"It's not just about when you drink coffee or how much you drink, but the timing that seems to matt e r , " Q i s a i d , s u g g e s t i n g that dietary guidelines may need to consider this factor in the future

Previous research has shown that coffee does not increase the risk of heart disease and may even offer protection against conditions like type 2 diabetes

Interestingly, the study f

o d i f f e r e n c e i n m o r t a l i t y r a t e s b e t w e e n those who consumed coffee throughout the day and t h o s e w h o a v o i d e d i t entirely

T h i s s t u d y a i m e d t o explore whether the timing o f c o f f e e c o n s u m p t i o n affected disease risk

While the research is still in its early stages, conducted only in lab settings, it underscores the need for further investigation into how head injuries and dorm

l u

ence neurological diseases like dementia

L e a d a u t h o r L u Q i from Tulane University in Louisiana emphasised that the timing of coffee consumption might be just as important as the quantity

R e s u l t s s h o w e d t h a t coffee intake was significantly linked to a lower risk of early death, especially f o r m o r n i n g c o f f e e drinkers The study suggests that drinking coffee later in the day might disrupt circadian rhythms and i n c r e a

risks

Daily milk cuts bowel cancer risk significantly

A glass o f milk a day may

, according to research pu

study h igh ligh ts the protect

foo ds and drinks, such as milk and yogurt, in lowering the ch ances o f develo ping this disease

R

University of Oxford found that consuming 300mg of calcium daily the equivalent of a glass of milk was linked to a 17% reduction in bowel cancer risk Calcium's protective effects were con-

whether it came from dairy or non-dairy sources, sug-

However, the study did not examine the impact of calciu m s u p p l e m e n t s W h i l e milk in tea or coffee, yogurt, and vegetables were included in the analysis, the link between cheese or ice cream a n d b o w e l c

remained unclear

The findings are based on dietary data from more

tracked over an average of 16 years, making this one of

studies of

emphasised the importance o

into its effects on different populations B

fourth most common cancer in the UK, with around 44,000 new cases each year, a

Research UK The study also identified risk factors associated with bowel cancer, including alcohol and red or processed meat consumption An additional 20g of alcohol per day, equivalent to a large glass of wine, was linked to a 15% increase in risk, while an extra 30g of red or processed meat daily raised the risk by 8%

Start the new year with a boost of winter wellness

As January approaches and the Christmas festivities wind down, many are gearing up to embrace the New Year with a fresh mindset, looking for the best wellness tips, tricks, and experiences to start the year off on a healthy and positive note

While some habits can be challenging to maintain, the good news is that with the help of our wellness-focused clients, sticking to your New Year routine has never been easier Whether it’s adopting mindful practices, incorporating fitness goals, or embracing healthier lifestyle choices, the path to a vibrant and balanced year ahead is made simpler with expert guidance and support tailored to individual needs

Enmeï

R

Enmeï believes fitness should enhance life both in the short and long term Recently opened on Fulham Road, the studio draws

founder Regina experienced in the US

Enmeï offers low-impact, high-intensity classes that combine Pilates, bodybuilding, and endurance training to maximise results Its dynamic class schedule targets different muscle groups each day, ensuring effective workouts while allowing recovery for previously worked areas

Horwood House’s H Spa

Looking for a much-needed reset and reboot? H Spa at Horwood House, set withi

Buckinghamshire, offers the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life The spa features a luxurious range of treatments and pampering retreats using the renowned Caudalie products Exclusive leisure memberships are also available, providing access to the hotel’s state-of-the-art gym, a 15m

recharging

pool, sauna, and steam room

Birchall Tea

Stay warm and well all winter with Birchall’s herbal teas, packed with natural w e l l n

Flower tea, infused with elderberry and hibiscus, is rich in antioxidants to support your immune system Elderberry helps reduce inflammation and may shorten

boosts vitamin C For a zingy kick, the Lemongrass & Ginger

, known for easing digestion and c

dant-rich lemongrass to fight free radicals and relieve congestion

The Other House

During their stay, all residents enjoy automatic access to The

Other House's exclusive private members club, which features two elegant lounges, a vitality pool, gym, sauna, steam room, w e l l n e s s s t u d i o , a n d s c r e e n i n g r o o m Guests can also experience a unique Sound Bath with the largest gong in the UK, offering an hour of guided meditation led by expert sound practitioners

The plot of ‘The Magnificent Ruins’ by Nayantara Roy is quintessentially Indian, filled with family drama, a love triangle, and a narrative that starts off seemingly black and white but grows increasingly complex and nuanced as the story unfolds

What more can a reader want?

Lila De seems to have built a successful life in Brooklyn, but a family bereavement pulls her back to India, forcing her to confront long-buried demons At 29, Lila is s a d d e n e d b y t h e n e w s o f h e r grandfather's death in Kolkata, a city she left behind at the age of 16

She's further stunned to discover s h e h a s i n h e r i t e d h

historic, but crumbling mansion still home to generations of the Lahiri family, including her volatile and often toxic mother, Maya, who divorced Lila's father when she was an infant

Despite a recent promotion to co-editorial director at a prestigious Manhattan publishing house and being in a relationship with a writer named Seth, Lila is compelled to return to Kolkata for eight weeks to attend the funeral and manage her inheritance Once back in India, Lila is quickly engulfed by the weight of f a m i l y o b l i g a t i

relationship with Maya, whom she describes as “beautiful and fragile and cruel in the way children can

‘The

Magnificent Ruins’ by Nayantara Roy

be ” Among the entanglements is Adil, her irresistible teenage love, now married but still captivating While the layered storytelling is c o m p e

when the sheer number of subplots feels overwhelming The chapters devoted to the love triangle and the looming far-right political threats can feel heavy, particularly when c

backdrop of maternal abuse The revelation of generational trauma through an explosive confrontation brings forth a raw and visceral grief that leaves Lila unmoored In three

intricately weaves together the lives

sections are where Roy’s writing

ugliness of motherhood

This book is not merely about Lila inheriting and restoring the "magnificent ruins" of her ancestral home; it is also about reckoning

consciously or not, we carry too much of the past within us The

, becomes a metaphor for this burden and its restoration a fragile hope

Nayantara Roy

Tigmanshu Dhulia reflects on Kumbh Mela shoot for 'Haasil'

Tigmanshu Dhulia recalled the challenges of shooting his debut film ‘Haasil’ during the 2001 Kumbh Mela. Without a producer, he secured last-minute funds from friends to film the climax at the event Despite the chaos, the vibrant crowd and atmosphere provided the perfect backdrop for the film.

Tigmanshu Dhulia recalled the challenges of shooting the climax of ‘Haasil’ at the 2001 Kumbh Mela With no producer lined up, he gathered funds from friends just in time for the event, which coincided with the start of the Kumbh Mela “By the time it ended, I had filmed the scenes with my actors, edited the footage, and presented it to a producer,” he said Reflecting on the shoot, Dhulia noted that while the large crowd was accustomed to cameras, some action scenes caused confusion among bystanders, but overall, the shoot was wellorganised Tigmanshu Dhulia discussed the strong connection between Kumbh Mela and cinema, recalling films like ‘Lost and Found’ that depicted the chaos of losing things in the crowd He explained that with millions of people gathered, it's easy to get separated, especially for parents with children. Dhulia noted that the scale of the Kumbh Mela is immense, adding that this year ’ s event promises to be even more chaotic, with many filmmakers planning to shoot there

Even with the massive success of ‘Gadar 2’ in 2023, Ameesha Patel, who reprised her iconic role as Sakina, shared a revealing behind-the-scenes account of the physical and mental challenges she faced during filming “

y draining,” Ameesha Patel recalled “I told Anil Sharma ji, ‘Please make sure the water is hot ’ He assured me it would be But when I wore my thin cotton salwar kameez for the shot, the water turned out freezing cold Unlike the heroes who can wear jackets or leg warmers under their clothes, we can't do that,” she shared Ameesha Patel, 49, recalled how the

Ameesha Patel recalls grueling ‘Gadar 2’ shoot: “They thought I was dead”

crew went

condition worsened, and I eventually lost consciousness,” said the actress, known for her roles in ‘Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai’ (2000) and ‘Humraaz’ (2002)

“After finishing the scene, which no one knew except my staff, they had to carry me to my make-up van I was unconscious for three to four hours, and people thought I wouldn’t survive I was wrapped in woollen blankets When I finally woke up, I had no recollection of those hours My team and the crew were just relieved when I came, ” she added

Neena Gupta on being kicked out by her aunt: “I had nowhere to go with my baby”

Neena Gupta, who moved to Mumbai from Delhi in the early 1980s, shared in a recent interview that she never rented homes after buying her first apartment with her parents' help As she earned more, she would sell her current flat, add money, and upgrade to a new one However, during one such transition, she briefly stayed with her aunt, who threw her out in the middle of the night

By

Neena Gupta revealed that she had booked a new 3-BHK flat with a reputed builder but, after selling her existing home to fund it, she had little money left During this transition, she moved in with her aunt and uncle, who often helped care for her young daughter, Masaba However, her aunt abruptly threw her out one night, leaving Neena homeless with no money or place to go Reflecting on the ordeal, she said, “I had nowhere to go with a baby ” Fortunately, her uncle later had a change of heart and let her stay in an unoccupied flat in Juhu

Neena Gupta shared how her aunt and uncle initially agreed to let her move in but later shifted her to an abandoned Juhu house “It was shut for 20 years, full of cobwebs I cleaned it with my baby,” she recalled Soon, she was asked to leave that house too Desperate, she approached her builder for a refund to buy a ready-to-move house “He returned the full amount without deducting a penny, ” she said

Bollywood's Khans – Shah Rukh, Salman, and Aamir – are the most successful, each grossing over 7,000 crore globally However, they still fall short of one actress, who has surpassed the 10,000-crore mark

Deepika Padukone has become the highest-paid and most successful female star in Indian cinema over the last decade With a career spanning 18 years, her films have earned 10,200 crore globally, including 8,000 crore from Indian films and $345 million ( 2,200 crore) from ‘XXX: The Return o f X a

filmography has set her apart from her male counterparts, establishing her as one of the country's biggest stars

Deepika Padukone, once not even in the top 5 highest-grossing actors, has now topped both male and female lists This shift happened thanks to

starred in five films, with ‘Pathaan’, ‘Jawan’, and ‘Kalki 2898 AD’ each

Deepika

earnings in just two years Deepika Padukone leads India's

Chopra (

crore) and Katrina Kaif ( 5500 crore), as well as

and

Sivakarthikeyan reflects on past struggles and why he almost quit cinema

Sivakarthikeyan, enjoying the success of Rajkumar Periasamy's ‘Amaran’, is excited about upcoming projects with AR Murugadoss and Sudha Kongara. Starting as an outsider through TV, he climbed from supporting roles to a leading man in Tamil cinema However, he recently revealed he almost quit the industry three years ago, sharing what led to that decision and why he ultimately chose to stay

Sivakarthikeyan, known for his resilience in the industry, shared

t h a t w h i l e h e n e v e r c o m p l a i n s about the challenges he faces, his main concern was not burdening his family with his struggles He wanted to protect them from his financial pressures and frustrations, leading him to consider stepping away from cinema However, his wife Aarthi encouraged him to stay, r e m i n d i n g h i m o f h o w f a r h e ’ s come She pointed out that as one of the few outsiders to succeed in the industry, he shouldn’t give up With her support, he chose to continue, trusting they would navigate through the tough times

S i v a k a r t h i k e y a n o p e n e d u p about the challenges of his success, revealing that while some in the industry welcomed his rise, others were openly hostile He faced criticism and questions like, "Who are you in this industry?" despite his hard work Instead of responding, he chooses to smile and move forward, emphasizing that his success is not meant to prove anything to d e t r a c t o r s H e d e d i c a t e s h i s

a c h i e v e m e n t s t o h i s f i l m t e a m s , loyal fans, and those who aspire to follow in his footsteps

Nithya Menen shares

desire

to step away from stardom for simpler life

Actress Nithya Menen made a candid confession about her discontent with the film industry While promoting her upcoming film ‘Kadhalikka Neramillai’, she admitted, “I don’t like the film industry If given a chance, I’d leave for another field. I want a normal life away from the limelight and pressures.” Her honesty has sparked intrigue and resonated with fans.

Nithya Menen shared her longing for a life outside of acting, revealing her love for travel and aspirations to become a pilot “As an actress, I miss simple joys like walking in the park

The fame often feels restrictive, making me question if it's worth it,” she said Reflecting on her career, she admitted

that before winning the National Award, she considered leaving the industry quietly “I wanted to live on my own terms, but the award changed everything,” she added Her candidness has sparked widespread admiration online

Nithya Menen reflected on a pivotal moment in her career, admitting she considered quietly stepping away from the industry before winning the National Award "I wanted to live life on my own terms, but the award changed everything, she shared Her honest confession has sparked widespread admiration

Her upcoming film, ‘Kadhalikka Neramillai’, directed by Kiruthiga Udhayanidhi, stars Jayam Ravi, Vinay, Yogi Babu, and features music by AR Rahman The romantic film is generating buzz, with Nithya's candid remarks adding intrigue

Singer P Jayachandran passes away at 80

Legendary singer and National Award winner

Jayachandran passed away at 80 in a Thrissur hospital while undergoing cancer treatment Known for his enduring legacy in Malayalam cinema, he also made a mark in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Hindi music

P Jayachandran, who sang over 16,000 songs, debuted in 1965 with “Oru Mullappoomalayumaayi” from “Kunhalimarikkar” However, his first cinematic release was “Manjalayil Mungi Thorthi” from “Kalithozhan”, composed by G Devarajan Known for his timeless voice in Malayalam cinema, Jayachandran’s collaborations with legendary composers like V Dakshinamoorthy, M S Baburaj,

ajan, and A R Rahman main iconic Jayachandran debuted in Tamil with M S Viswanathan’s “Thanga Chimil Pol” from Manipayal His iconic Tamil hits like “Raasathi Unna,” “Poova Eduthu Oru,” and “Thaalaattudhey Vaanam” were composed y Ilaiyaraaja He won his Tamil Nadu State Film Award for “Kaththaazha Kaatu Vazhi,” his debut song with A R Rahman, who also introduced him to Hindi cinema Beyond films, Jayachandran made a lasting impact with devotional albums in Tamil and Malayalam

Jayachandran's enduring legacy lies in his powerful voice, which resonated across generations, earning admiration from the 1970s through the 2020s

Ajith Kumar to sign films only in non-racing season: “Don’t need to be told what to do”

Ajith Kumar is fully committed to his passion for racing, even if it requires scaling back on films. At the 24H Dubai 2025 endurance race, the actor and owner of Ajith Kumar Racing stated that he plans to sign films only during the non-racing season When asked about balancing films and racing, Ajith Kumar firmly replied, “I don’t need to be told what to do I plan to focus on motorsports, not just as a driver but as a team owner too During the racing season, I won’t sign films, but between October and March, I’ll take on projects so no one worries, and I can race at full throttle ” He shared that he began racing motorcycles at 18 but shifted focus to films Returning to racing at 32, he competed in national championships in India and internationally in events like the BMW Asian Championship and British Formula 3 However, film commitments limited his participation

Ajith recently left fans concerned when his car spun out of control and crashed into a barrier during a practice run ahead of the endurance race in Dubai Fortunately, the actor emerged unscathed

Chris Martin wows Mumbai crowd with Diljit Dosanjh's “Punjabi Aa Gaye Oye”

Coldplay frontman Chris Martin delighted Indian fans at his Abu Dhabi concert by showcasing his Punjabi skills The crowd erupted in cheers when he read out a fan's sign featuring Diljit Dosanjh’s popular catchphrase, "Punjabi Aa Gaye Oye!" a phrase that gained fame after Diljit's historic Coachella performance in 2023

Chris Martin, known for r e a d i n g q u i r k y f a n s i g n s during his shows, delighted the crowd at his Abu Dhabi concert by pronouncing the Punjabi phrase "Punjabi Aa

G a y e O

responded with, "We love you too "

Diljit's team later shared the viral clip on Instagram, calling it "wholesome " The shoutout came shortly after Diljit completed the India leg

Ludhiana

Coldplay is gearing up for their return to India as part of their ‘Music of the Spheres’ tour, with performances in M u m b a i a n d A h m e d a b a d , marking their first gig in the country since 2016

However, the excitement h a s b e e

l y dismissed a petition seeking guidelines to prevent ticket scalping and black marketing

f o r e v e n t s l i k e C o l d p l a y ' s concert The court noted that such matters fall within the l e g i s l a t i v e a n d e x e c u

petitioner to raise concerns with the government

Priyanka Chopra becomes executive producer of oscar-shortlisted film ‘Anuja’

Global star Priyanka Chopra is thrilled to join as an executive producer for the Oscar-shortlisted film ‘Anuja’ The story follows a nine-year-old girl, Anuja, who works in a back-alley garment factory with her older sister, Palak The film focuses on Anuja’s life-changing decision that will shape her future and her family’s

Speaking about her association with the film, Priyanka Chopra said, “This beautiful film highlights an issue cting millions of children globally, who st choose between an uncertain future and h

‘The Mehta Boys’ premieres at Indian Film Festival Berlin

‘The Mehta Boys’, directed by Boman Irani in his directorial debut, was screened at the Indian Film Festival Berlin, Germany Starring Avinash Tiwary, Boman Irani, Shreya Chaudhary, and Puja Sarup, the film explores the poignant father-son relationship Irani expressed his excitement, calling the screening a "matter of great honour " Avinash Tiwary expressed his pride in having ‘The Mehta Boys’ screened for both Indian and international audiences at the Indian Film Festival Berlin, calling it a step closer to the film's release The film, which also won an award at the Chicago South Asian Film Festival for its gripping story and performances, is produced by Boman Irani, Danesh Irani, Vikesh Bhutani, and Shujaat Saudagar Written by Academy Award winner Alex Dinelaris Jr (‘Birdman’, ‘The Revenant’), it will soon be available on Prime Video Avinash Tiwary reminisced about his first meeting with Tamannaah Bhatia, recalling that they met when she was in 9th grade and he had just finished 12th and was attending an acting workshop Despite being younger than the others, Tamannaah stood out with her remarkable presence Years later, when they reunited on set for ‘Sikandar Ka Muqaddar’, Avinash was struck by how warm and approachable she was, making their collaboration seam

ovoking story that makes us reflect on the wer of choices and their impact on our es I’m immensely proud to be part of such powerful and impactful project ” ‘Anuja’ was produced in collaboration ith the Salaam Baalak Trust (SBT), Shine Global, and Krushan Naik Films Mindy Kaling and Oscar winner Guneet Monga Kapoor are also producers SBT, founded by Mira Nair's family, supports street children,

‘War/Dance’ (2007) and ‘Inocente’ (2012)

British-Indian film directed by Sandhya Suri and starring Shahana Goswami, is also in the Oscars race as the UK s official entry

Chunky Panday on being recognised in Paris as Bhavana Panday’s husband

Chunky Panday, with nearly four decades in the Indian entertainment industry, has played a range of roles from lead actor to comic relief, and now even a villain. However, his proudest roles today are as a father to rising star Ananya and husband to Bhavana, both of whom have found success in their own right. Chunky shared how their growing stardoms bring him immense joy.

When asked about being recognised by different generations, Chunky Panday laughed, saying, "Now, people recognise me as Ananya Panday's father It's a lovely feeling when someone asks for a picture and tells me they know me because of her "

He also shared how his wife Bhavana, thanks to the Netflix show ‘Fabulous Lives of Bollywood Wives’, has gained recognition, even in Paris "In fact, in Paris, people recognised her first They’d ask me to click their picture Seeing your loved ones thrive is the happiest feeling, he said

generations older millennials who remember him as Babban from ‘Tezaab’, younger Gen Z fans who know him as Aakhri Pasta from ‘Housefull’, and fans of his wife Bhavana and daughter Ananya "So, between being Ananya's dad, Bhavana's husband, Aakhri Pasta, and Babban, I'm living the dream," he says with a laugh

England’s Kho Kho team prepares to shine at the world cup

Subhasini Naicker

T he inaugural Kho Kho World

C up , he ld a t I GI S tad i u m i n Delh i, India, from January 13 -19,

f eat ur es E ng lan d 's m en ’ s and w om en ’ s te am s , ea ch

c o m p ri s in g 1 5 sk i lle d p la yers

T hese athletes, selected through trials in November 2024, honed their skills in clubs and reg ional

a nd nat i o nal to u r nam ent s

a cr o ss t h e U K , re ad y to rep resent their co untry in th is fast-paced and thrilling spo rt

A s i a n V o i c e i n t e r v i e w e d

Coach Kalpen Patel, whose roots trace back to Nadiad in Gujarat, India, specifically the village of Palol A former general secretary of the Sattavis Gham Patidar Samaj, Kalpen shared insights i n t o t h e p r e p a r a t i o n o f t h e

England team for the Kho Kho World Cup and discussed much more about their journey and aspirations

Whatwere some of the biggest challenges you faced while coaching a team in a sport that isn’t as widely recognised in England?

O n e o f t h e b i g g e s t

c h a l l e n g e s I f a c e d w a s i n t r o d u c i n g K h o K h o a t t h e

c o m m u n i t y c l u b w

e I coached, as many people in the UK were unfamiliar with the sport Football and basketball dominate as the most popular sports here, and their coaches often took precedence, leaving me with limited time to train the c h i l d r e n D e s p i t e t

motivated me to keep going On

significant hurdle, as it results in zero funding or support from the government We hope the u p c o m i n g W o r l d C u p w i l l increase visibility for the sport If t h e t e a m p e r f o r m s w e l l a n

Kho Kho in England

How has the England team prepared for the Kho Kho World Cup, and what strategies are you focusing on?

So, most of these players h

tournament for the past eight

e n t i n September in 2024 From that, we did a trial and selected the p l a y e r s I w a s o n e o f t h e selectors and since then, we've b e e n h a v i n g w e e k l y t r a i n i n g sessions to train them and teach t h e m a d v a n c e d K

I

manager of the men's team We brought both male and female

training has been excellent So I think I would say to the rest of the world to watch out

How do you keep the team motivated and focused, especially as they prepare to compete on a global stage?

We are proud to be one of t h e y o u n g e s

tournament, with both our male and female teams averaging just 17 years of age Throughout the journey, we, as coaches, along

Additionally, we have mentors traveling with us who provide support by closely monitoring the team’s morale If a player feels low or anxious, we take them aside for a conversation to address their concerns, offering g u i d a n c e a n d e n c o u r a g e m

Our message is simple: focus on your game, trust in your skills, and remember that we believe in you Together, as a team, we aim to give our best on the pitch

Whatmessage do you have for the fans and supporters of the England Kho Kho team as they head to the World Cup?

Our message to the fans is one of heartfelt gratitude We deeply appreciate your support, no matter where in the world y o u a r e Y o u r c h e e r s a n d encouragement mean everything to us When we see fans singing a n d s h o u

players to perform even

support these young talents, as your backing is a driving force

Thank you for standing by us!

Shami back in India's T20 squad against England

Nearly 14 mo nths after his last appearance for India in the 2023 ODI World Cu p fi nal ag ainst

A ustralia in Ahm ed abad on Nov

1 9 , v eteran p acer M o h am m ed

S ham i is finally back Sid elined

d ue to an ankle injury, the 34year-old fast bowler was recalled for the five-match T20I series at h o me agai nst E ngland , w h ich w ill start from Jan 22 at the Eden Gard ens in Kolkata

T h e o t h e r m a j o r development from the meeting

o f t h e n a t i o n a l s e l e c t i o n committee was the appointment of left-arm spinning all-rounder Axar Patel as the vice-captain of the side Wicket keeper-batter

Rishabh Pant, opener Yashasvi

J a i s w a l a n d o p

Gill have been excluded from the squad

The in-form Sanju Samson and Dhruv Jurel are the two wicket keepers in the side, while Samson and Abhishek Sharma are the two openers in the team

According to a source, Pant, Jaiswal and Gill have been rested from this series to allow them to recover fully after a gruelling five-Test Border-Gavaskar series

Champions Trophy in Feb ”

Bumrah, Siraj rested

suffered a back injury in Sydney,

Yadav is out due to a back injury which caused him to miss the T20I series against South Africa last year too

Lisa Nandy opposes boycott of England-Afghanistan cricket match

of

n Lisa Nandy backed the ECB’s decision to proceed with the match, despite growing pressure from MPs to cancel it This comes after the Taliban disbanded the

field circles Chopra was also the top-ranker in the men's javelin throw rankings of 2023

and penalise athletes who work hard to reach the top, rather than addressing the Taliban’s actions against women and girls Nandy emphasised that the UK wouldn't

Afghanistan in the Champions Trophy next month, with the

stating it won't schedule bilateral series but leaving participation in international events to the ICC

All-rounder Riyan Parag is not a part of the squad due to injury, while all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy, who was India’s find of the series in Australia has been picked ahead of Ramandeep Singh Washington Sundar and V

C

other spinners in the side

S u r y a k u m a r Yadav (C), Sanju Samson (wk), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, H a r d i k P a n d y a , R i n k u S i n g h , Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel (

He did not win any Diamond League event in 2024, finishing second in Doha, Lausanne and Brussels His only major win last year was at the Paavo Nurmi Games in Turku, Finland " R

Anderson

for the

spot

y D L wins, but was at 3-2 narrowly ahead of Peters," the magazine wrote "Peters, for his part, picked up a trio of DL wins Razor-thin edge to the Indian for his better Paris placing," it added Peters, a l s o 2 7 , h a d f i n i s h e d t h i r d behind Nadeem and Chopra in P a r i s O l y m p i c s H e h a d w

and Brussels

for the hosts Newcomer Pratika Rawal (67 off 61 balls) and seasoned Harleen Deol (89 off 84 balls)

Ireland batted steadily but never had the firepower to surpass a gigantic Indian total Save Christina Coulter Reilly’s 80, there wasn’t much fight from the other batters as off-spinner Deepti Sharma emerged as the pick of the Indian bowlers with figures of 3 for 37 Seamer Titas Sadhu got 1 for 48 in 10 overs

Earlier, India’s total was based on two big stands – 156 between Mandhana and Rawal and 183 between Rodrigues and Deol

Coach Kalpen Patel

Mohammed Shami

Lisa Nandy

Neeraj Chopra