AV 19th April 2025

Government steps in to save British Steel P07 -------------------

Bin strike deadlock leaves Birmingham streets overflowing with waste P11 -------------------

India successfully tests long-range glide bomb from Air Force's Su-30MKI P23

TIME FOR REAL CHANGE?

Following the election, the new government unveiled plans for a ten-year health strategy, set for release in June 2025 The plan aims to shift care from hospitals to communities, modernise through digital advancements, and address ongoing reforms However with persistent issues like staff shortages, funding gaps, doctors leaving for better opportunities abroad, and added pressures on healthcare professionals, the central question remains: Can these changes truly reshape the NHS for the future?

Subhasini Naicker

home visit programme by health workers amid a doctor shortage, the

s moving abroad, and more

The DHSC also noted that since O c t o b e r 2 0 2 4 , o v e r 1 8 5 , 0 0 0 p

r g e s t - e v e r consultation on the NHS s future

While the final NHS 10-Year Plan is s t i l l i n d e v e l o p m e n t , i t a i m s t o d e l i v e r t a n g i b l e c h a n g e s i n c a r e models, pathways, and workplace

c u l t u r e s u p p o r t e d b y a c l e a r delivery strategy, not just a vision

The plan is expected in June 2025, with funding details to follow in the Spending Review

UK-India FTA inches towards final closure

The UK economy is set to benefit from more than £400 million in new trade and investment wins

Anusha Singh

The 13th UK-India Economic and Financial Dialogue (EFD), held during the recent visit of India’s Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman marked a significant advance in the strengthening of bilateral ties, with both nations reaffirming their commitments to finalising a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and a Bilateral Investment Treaty While negotiations are ongoing, the two sides highlighted that considerable progress has been made with broad areas of agreement, and mutual resolve to bring the deal to a close Nirmala Sitharaman also held talks with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Chancellor Rachel Reeves, who received the

On April 15, Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar organised a reception to honour Dinesh Trivedi, the former Railway Minister of India A detailed report will be published in the next week s edition of the paper

PM Keir Starmer greeting the community members

The Indian Finance Minister and Chancellor of Exchequer pose outside No 11

L-R: Cllr Parveen Rani - Deputy Mayor of Hertsmere, Meenal Trivedi, Dinesh Trivedi, Jashwant Doshi and CB Patel

Fo

Tulip Siddiq calls Bangladesh warrant a ‘smear’

Tulip Siddiq has d ismissed

a s a “politically mot ivat ed sme ar ca mpaign” the ar rest

w a r r a n t r e p or t e d ly iss ue d

a gain st he r in Ban gla desh, in conn ection wit h a llegat io n s t

a cqu i r e d l a n d fr

a unt, the countr y ’ s for mer

p r i m e m i n i st e r Sh e i k h

Hasina Siddiq, the Labour MP

fo r H a m p s t e a d a n d

Highgate, f irmly denied any wrongdoing and criticised the Bangladeshi authorities for what she described as a

m e d i a- d r i v e n a t t e m p t t o

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

Sp e a k i n g t o r e p o r t e r s ,

Siddiq said: “No one from the Bangladeshi authorities

h a s e v e r c o n t a c t e d m e directly My lawyers proactively reached out to them, but they never replied The

e nt i re p ro c e s s h a s pl aye d out in the media a trial by h e a d l i n e s , r a t h e r t h a n

facts ” S h e a d d e d : “I’m s u r e you’ll understand I cannot dignify this politically motivated smear campaign with detailed comments There i s n o e v i d e n c e I’ v e d o n e anything wrong ” R e p o r t s f r o m Bangladesh claim the warrant forms part of a broader i n v e s t i g a t i o n t a r g e t i n g 5 3 people allegedly linked to Sheikh Hasina, who stepped down and left Bangladesh

Allegations of race bias in police recruitment process

We s t Yo r ks h i r e Po l ic e ( W Y P ) , o n e o f th e UK ’ s largest police fo rces, is faci ng criticism o ver claims it u nf ai rl y p ri o r it i se d ap p l icants fro m eth nic mino ri ty backgro unds fo r constable entr y p ro grammes

A w h i s t l e - b l o w e r h a s alleged that the force ranks

c a n d i d a t e s f r o m “ g o l d t o bronze” partly based on ethn i c i t y, w i t h n o n - w h i t e

a p p l i c a n t s o f t e n m a r ke d “gold,” while white British, Irish, and Eastern European

c a n d i d a t e s w e r e l a b e l l e d

“ b r o n z e ” T h e fo r c e h a s

d e n ie d p r a c t i s i n g p o s i t i v e discrimination, stating its recruitment strategy aims to better reflect the communities it ser ves

Cu r re nt ly, o n ly 9 % o f W Y P o f f i c e r s c o m e f r o m

e t h n i c m i n o r i t y b a c kgrounds, compared to 23% of the local population On its website, the force states it accepts year-round applications from “under-represented groups, ” while others must wait for general r e c r u i t m e n t w i n d o w s

A c c o r d i n g t o T h e

Telegraph, some roles were allegedly marked “H” (hidden) in internal systems and only made available to indiv i d u a l s c o nt a c t e d d i re c t ly

b y t h e Po s i t i v e A c t i o n

Team

A w h i s t l e - b l o w e r c l a i m e d t h a t c o n c e r n s raised internally were dism i s s e d , a n d t h e y w e r e instructed by management to “do what you ’ re told ” A l e g a l e x p e r t c i t e d b y t h e newspaper suggested that while similar practices may be legal in the US, they fall i n t o a “ l e g a l g r e y a r e a ” u n d e r U K l a w Ho w e v e r, W Y P i n s i s t e d t h a t i t s

Positive Action approach is compliant with the Equality

A c t 2 0 1 0 a n d h a d b e e n reviewed by policing inspectors without issue

The force clarif ied that although applications from u n d e r-r e p r e s e n t e d g r o u p s are accepted continuously, no inter views are conducted until recruitment off ic i a l l y o p e n s t o a l l a p p l icants

in August last year following widespread protests and a v i o l e n t c r a c kd o w n o n opposition groups

T h e r e i s c u r r e n t l y n o extradition treaty between t h e U K a n d B a n g l a d e s h , making any potential legal p

uncertain

A s p o ke s p e r s o n fo r

Siddiq said the allegations were “entirely baseless” and stressed that she had not received any land in Dhaka, or anywhere else, through i

nels

Secretar y to the Treasur y in Januar y 2025, citing concern

media speculation were distracting from the government’s work She said at the time that the political noise

s

connection to Bangladesh w

against her According to t h e Su n

(ACC) has claimed Siddiq was allocated a 670-squarem

allegedly arranged through her family ties to the Hasina g

have also alleged that Siddiq i

secure plots for other relatives, including her mother Sheikh Rehana, her brother R

n d h e r s i s t e r Azmina, all of whom live in the UK

Siddiq has consistently denied all allegations and reiterated that her family’s p r i v a t e m a t t e r s h a v e n o connection to her political role in Britain She maintains the accusations are an effort to target her through a s s o c i a t i o n w i t h Bangladesh’s former ruling family

Teachers to debate strike ballot over pay and funding

Tea c he rs wi ll de ci d e th i s we ek whether the National E d uc a t i o n Un i o n ( N EU ) s hould m ove toward a form al strike ballot over pay an d school funding

Delegates at the union’s a n n u a l c o n fe r e n c e i n

Harrogate are expected to vote on a motion urging branches to begin preparations for industrial action, following widespread frust r a t i o n o v e r t h e g o v e r n -

ment’s proposed 2 8% pay rise for 2025/26

A recent indicative ballot revealed over whelming opposition to the proposed i n c r e a s e , w i t h 9 3 7 % o f

NEU teacher members voting to reject the govern-

were prepared to strike in pursuit of a fully funded,

deal

D

Education’s suggested 2 8% uplift is “inadequate” and falls well short of inflation and wider earnings growth, warning it will undermine efforts to recruit and retain

t e a c h e r s A n e m

g

n c y motion set for private debate on Tuesday calls for a full ballot on strike

a c t i o n i f t h e S c h o o l

Te a c h e r s ’ R e v i e w B o d y ( S T R B) r e c o m m e n d s a n offer deemed unacceptable or if the government fails to increase real-terms education funding during its June spending review

Teachers were awarded a 5 5% rise in September 2023 after months of industrial action, but union leaders argue rising costs and funding shortfalls continue to squeeze schools

E d u c a t i o n S e c r e t a r y

Bridget Phillipson, howeve r, w a r n e d t h a t f u r t h e r s t r i ke a c t i o n w o u l d b e “indefensible,” especially as efforts continue to improve

s c h o o l a t t e n d a n c e , a n d called on the NEU to “put children f irst” rather than returning to industrial disputes

CHANGE OF NAME

Sweta Vijay Londekar

Residing at 31, Sylvia close, Basingstoke,Hampshire RG21 3ND U.K., hereby give notice of intension to change my name to Shweta Bhushan Khirwadkar, So relinquished to the intent that I may hereafter be called/known and identified the new name of Shweta Bhushan Khirwadkar

I N B R I E F CABINET OFFICE TO CUT WORKFORCE BY A THIRD

The Cabinet Office will lose nearly a third of its 6 500 core staff as Labour moves to slim down the Civil Service Around 1,200 roles will be cut, with 900 staff redeployed to other departments A Cabinet Office source said the aim is to create a leaner, more focused department to help deliver the government s plan for change, with resources redirected to frontline services like schools, hospitals, and policing Cabinet Office permanent secretary Cat Little told staff the department will become more specialist and better equipped to serve the public About 540 voluntary redundancies have already been accepted, with more expected as restructuring continues PM Keir Starmer plans to cut bureaucracy and streamline the Civil Service, including scrapping quangos like NHS England and boosting digital roles Chancellor Rachel Reeves aims to reduce running costs by 15% by 2030 However, unions and Baroness Sue Gray have urged caution A YouGov poll found most MPs view the Civil Service as slow and resistant to change

STARMER PLEDGES 3,000 NEW NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICE BY 2026

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced 3,000 new neighbourhood police officers will be in place by early next year, as part of a £200 million push to boost local policing The plan includes 2 , 500 police officers and nearly 400 PCSOs, with a named, contactable officer for every area starting from July Counties like Derbyshire, Yorkshire, and Somerset will see increased patrols, especially in town centres during peak times Starmer said the goal is to have officers “visible, on the beat and serving their communities” rather than behind desks Sir Keir Starmer said people will soon be able to check online how their local police teams are performing, with new ways for residents and businesses to raise concerns and demand change

THAMES PIER RENAMED AFTER ANTI-RACISM BACKLASH

A pier on the River Thames in west London has been renamed St Mary’s Wandsworth following criticism from anti-racism campaigners Previously known as Plantation Wharf Pier the site is located between Wandsworth Riverside Quarter and Chelsea Harbour piers The original name, inherited from a nearby residential and commercial development, had drawn criticism for its perceived links to colonialism and the transatlantic slave trade Labour MP Marsha de Cordova was among those calling for change, urging not only the renaming of the pier but also for the adjoining Plantation Wharf housing development to review its name, describing it as offensive Developers of the housing complex have since launched a consultation process, which remains ongoing Following discussions with local residents, including houseboat owners, Uber Boat by Thames Clippers confirmed the new name, St Mary’s Wandsworth and updated signage has now been installed at the pier

King Charles and Queen Camilla conclude Italy visit

K in g C h arl es a nd Qu e en

C am illa h av e w rap pe d up their four-day state v isit to Ita ly, w h er e th ey w e re warmly welcomed throughout their stay T h e y w r a p p e d u p t h e trip in Ravenna, where they joined a local food festival a

Crowds gathered for hours i n t h e s u n t o s e e t h e m

Earlier, the royal couple met privately with Pope Francis at the Vatican, who offered well

Tulip Siddiq

Bridget Phillipson

British Steel at breaking point?

When UK voted in favour of Brexit, one of the key driving forces were a desire to reclaim control over domestic affairs

Beneath this, however, lay a deeper and wider narrative

industries and communities Across the UK, voters were m

legislative sovereignty

Yet that promise has once again collided with economic reality The Labour government was forced into urgent action as it moved to wrest control of British Steel from its Chinese owner, Jingye, in a bid to prevent the furnaces from being shut down a step that would have been irreversible and would have effectively marked the end of Britain’s primary steel-making capacity

The urgency was underscored by the UK’s already weakened position in the global steel industry In 2021, the UK produced only 7 2 million tonnes of steel, compared with 13 9 million in France, 24 4 million in Italy, and 40 1 million in Germany If British Steel’s furnaces at Scunthorpe were to go cold, the UK would become the only G7 country without primary steel-making capability, a prospect with serious economic and national security implications

Steel is the backbone of key industries in the UK

dangerously exposed, especially in a world increasingly defined by geopolitical instability and without a reliable domestic supply, the UK would risk falling under the nearmonopoly of global giant ArcelorMittal for structural steel used in buildings

While Europe may appear a dependable trading partner, the combined pressures of US tariffs on steel and demands for greater European defence capacity could severely limit Britain’s ability to secure supplies from the continent, particularly as US support for NATO wanes Given this, the government’s intervention was unavoidable Allowing the furnaces to close would have meant not only the loss of thousands of jobs and the devastation of local communities but also the weakening of Britain’s industrial resilience and security

The new law gives the government control over British Steel, but it doesn’t go as far as fully taking over the company, at least not yet However, with the current dispute with its Chinese owner, Jingye, a full takeover now looks very likely This could end up costing taxpayers a lot of money, but letting the UK lose its ability to make its own steel would be even more expensive in the long run

Still, there is a real risk that, without a coherent longterm strategy for the steel industry, the government could end up nationalising the Scunthorpe furnaces in a piecemeal and unsustainable way, draining public funds without securing a future for British steel production

Once the immediate crisis is contained, defining that

secretary and the government more broadly must also reflect on the wider lessons this episode reveals about the UK's industrial policy, especially in light of its fragile economic position

In all of it, it is hard to escape the question: could this crisis have been prevented, had action been taken sooner?

India and Pakistan tensions draw global focus

India and Pakistan, neighbouring countries since the 1947

Kashmir remaining one of the most contentious issues The issue continues to draw international attention, including in the British Parliament, where debates around Azad Kashmir have taken place Many MPs raise the Kashmir issue in Parliament to connect with their constituents, particularly in areas with large South Asian populations, as it remains a subject of strong interest among them

During his visit to the UK last month, India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar was asked whether Prime Minister Narendra Modi could use his relationship with US President Donald Trump to help resolve the Kashmir issue In response, Jaishankar explained that the Indian government's decision to revoke Article 370 in 2019 was the first step He said the next steps involved restoring economic activity and social development in the region, followed by holding local elections, which saw high voter turnout He also added that the final step would be the return of the part of Kashmir currently under Pakistani control The conversation was moderated by Chatham House chief executive Bronwen Maddox, who noted that questions around Kashmir and human rights continue to be raised

As India continues to grow as a global economic power, peace in South Asia remains a key international priority The country's increasing influence makes stability in the region crucial In this context, Indian and Pakistani army officers recently held a flag meeting at the Line of Control (LoC) in the Poonch sector to discuss border management

Indian officers raised concerns about infiltration, ceasefire violations, and IED blasts, formally protesting these issues with their counterparts

One of the most pressing challenges remains the rising number of terror attacks in the Kathua region, which lies at the trijunction of Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, and Himachal Pradesh Security experts believe this location is deliberately targeted by Pakistan-backed proxy groups due to its vulnerability and strategic importance Despite posi-

remains a soft target The Indian government has taken a firm stand against such activities and continues to counter terror threats on multiple fronts

In a major breakthrough, India recently secured the extradition of Tahawwur Rana, a key figure in the planning and funding of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, which killed 166 people The process took nearly 16 years and spanned two Indian governments His extradition from the US, approved during a meeting between Modi and Trump, marks a significant step in India’s broader effort to bring perpetrators of terrorism to justice Capturing Rana is not only symbolic for the victims’ families but also critical in sending a strong message that those involved in terror, regardless of where they are, will be held accountable While international forums continue to emphasise the need for peace and cooperation between India and Pakistan, the situation still remains complicated But India has consistently stated that it is open to dialogue and partnership with its neighbours, as long as it does not endanger national security

Cybercrime, a global human rights issue

From scam centres in Myanmar to stolen photos and dangerous dating app use, cybercrime today affects real people in very serious ways It is no longer just about hacking or stolen data It is about people being tricked, trafficked, and harmed both online and in the real world This growing crisis needs a global response

In Myanmar, more than 60 Indian citizens were recently rescued from scam centers They were promised jobs in Thailand but were taken across borders and forced to work in online fraud operations This is a form of modern slavery run by crime groups who use people to commit scams around the world

At the same time, experts are warning that criminals are using deepfake technology to create fake images and videos These are often made from real photos found on public social media accounts Holiday pictures, especially those with children, are being stolen and turned into fake videos or used in scams This is happening in countries around the world, and it shows how even innocent online sharing can put people at risk

Another serious threat is coming from dating apps A

University of New South Wales shows that some people who have harmed children use dating apps more often than other users They often use these platforms to meet single mothers and then try to gain access to their children The lack of ID

checks on dating apps makes it easy for offenders to hide their real identities This is a risk to families everywhere

platforms For example, dating apps should require proper ID checks like those used in online banking Tech companies must also use tools that can detect suspicious behavior, fake accounts, or harmful messages

People can protect themselves, too It is important to change privacy settings on social media, avoid sharing realtime travel photos, and not post pictures of children publicly Use two-step login protection, and be careful when using public Wi-Fi while traveling These simple steps can help stop criminals from stealing personal content or tricking others

We also need better education around online safety Teaching children and adults how to spot scams and protect their information should be part of school programs and public campaigns around the world

Cybercrime is not just about losing money or data It is about the safety of individuals, families, and communities As technology keeps changing, we all have a role in making sure it is used for good The fight against cybercrime should be a key part of human rights and public safety plans across every country We must act together to stop this crisis from growing

“To

Political Sketchbook

Alpesh Patel

Tariffs, Teacups, and Trade Deals: The India-UKUS Trump Tango

In the grand ballroom of global trade, the United States, United Kingdom, and India are engaged in a complex dance, each partner trying to lead without stepping on the others' toes

President Donald Trump, ever the showman, has reintroduced tariffs with the flair of a magician pulling rabbits from hats As of April 5, 2025, a 10% baseline tariff now greets most imports into the U S , with higher rates for certain countries and products The UK, despite its "special relationship" with the U S , wasn't spared British exports, including steel, cars, and even the beloved English whisky, now face these levies too

India, labelled the "tariff king" by Trump, found itself under a 27% reciprocal tariff However, rather than retaliate, India chose diplomacy over drama By April 6, 2025, India signalled its intent to negotiate, aiming to double bilateral trade with the U S to $500 billion by 2030 Negotiations are underway, with India considering tariff reductions on over half of $23 billion worth of U S imports

Meanwhile, the UK is waltzing with India towards a free trade agreement Trump makes it easier – after all the need is there and the UK can say to India, “ you played it for him, now play it again for me, Sam”

As of early April, 90% of the deal is reportedly agreed upon, with discussions focusing on tariffs for whisky, cars, and pharmaceuticals according to the Guardian This agreement could provide a much-needed economic boost for the UK, especially as it grapples with the impact of U S tariffs

B a c k

expressed optimism about a potential

-UK trade deal, citing strong cultural and economic ties – which India can use on the principle of Most Favoured Nation that it should have no worse an agreement However, with the current tariffs in place, the path to such an agreement remains uncertain

As the music plays on, the world watches, hoping for harmony over discord

I remain optimistic I will be buying back into my US stocks soon at a cheaper price than I sold them

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MIDLANDS/NORTH

Coventry University to open campus in India’s GIFT City

C o ve n tr y U niv e rs it y is t o

o p e n a c am p u s in I nd ia ’ s GIF T C ity, Gu jarat, w ith students exp ected by 2026

The new campus will ini-

G I F T C i t y c a m p u s f o l l o w s Coventry University's India Hub launch in New Delhi earlier this year and adds to its global presence in Egypt, Morocco, China, Kazakhstan, and Singapore

T h e a p p r o v a l w a s announced at the 13th UK-

n

n S t o c k E x c h a n g e , a t t e n d e d b y C h a n c e l l o r Rachel Reeves and Bank of

E n g l a n d G o v e r n o r A n d r e w Bailey (Detailed information on page 17)

P r o f e s s o r J o h n L a t h a m

C B E , V i c e - C h a n c e l l o r a n d

G r o u p C E O o f C o v e

University, called the GIFT City approval a major milestone “This is a tremendous

next generation of learners in India, and we ’ re fully committed to it,” he said “We’re thrilled to begin setting up

C i t y a n d l o o k f o r w a r d t o delivering high-quality education to students as we grow our course offerings ” He added, “With GIFT City, investment in Coventry

U n i v e r s i t y - b r a n d e d o r branch campuses will reach £1 billion in just five years a strong vote of confidence in both our institution and the value of UK higher education ”

The announcement was

British Council, who praised the move as a boost to UKIndia education ties

Lindy Cameron, British High Commissioner to India,

GIFT City supports India's

Director India at the British Council, called it a “landmark

the shared commitment to

National Education Policy

Michael Gove awarded peerage

Jeremy Hunt and James Cleverly also on the list, receive knighthoods

V eteran Conservativ e po litician M ich ael Gove has been award ed a peerage in Rish i

S unak’s resig natio n honours list

Gove, who now serves as editor of The Spectator, was first elected to Parliament in

2 0 0

prominence, joining David Cameron’s shadow cabinet

F

Secretary and went on to hold several senior cabinet

n

Secretary, Justice Secretary, and Housing Secretary He

s t e p p e d d o w n f r o m Parliament at the 2024 general election

Throughout his political career, Gove was a central figure in some of the party’s m o s t d e f

referendum, where he

p a i g n a l o n g s i d e B o r i s J o h n s o n T h e i r p o l i t i c a l a l l i a n c e soured shortly after the refe r e n d u m , w h e n G o v e famously derailed Johnson’s first Conservative leadership bid by launching his own N e i t h e r s u

time, and the episode left a lasting mark on Gove’s leadership prospects D

returned to frontline politics under both Johnson and his successor, Rishi Sunak, b e f o r e u l t i m a t e l y r e t i r i n g from the Commons in 2024 Alongside Gove, former C a b i n e t m i n i s t e r s M a

Alister Jack, and Simon Hart were also elevated to the House of Lords, as part of S u n a k ’ s f i n a l h o n o u

Shawcross, who led the No 10 Policy Unit

James Cleverly, former leader of the Conservatives in the London Assembly, both awarded with knighthoods

Prison staff alarmed as Abedi given spork post violent attack

H as h e m A be d i h as be en g i v en a s p ork to eat and t ran s fer red b ac k to Belm arsh prison, where he p reviously attacked guard s This has raised new concerns about the handling of t h e M a n c h e s t e r A r e n a

b o m b e r , w h o a l l e g e d l y assaulted three officers with b o i l i n g o i l a t H M P Frankland, one of the UK’s highest-security prisons

P r i s o n o f f i c e r s a t

Belmarsh have raised concerns over giving Hashem Abedi a spork, warning it could be sharpened into a weapon Now 28, Abedi is being held in a segregation

attacked two officers in May 2020, including 57-year-old Paul Edwards

Abedi was given an extra three years and ten months f

2020, adding to his 55-year s

g h i s brother carry out the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing Until Saturday, he was held in a separation unit for dangerous extremists He now faces a new counterterror-

throwing hot oil and stab-

Cambridge University accused of bullying cover-up

An intern al survey a t Camb ridge U nivers ity has revealed that only a quarter of s taff a re sa ti sfi ed with how the ins tituti on addres ses bullyi ng and harassm ent

The results, part of the January 2024 staff culture survey, show that just 27% of employees feel their departments are effectively tackling these issues Some highprofile science departments, such as those at the Medical Research Council and the Cavendish Laboratory, reported particularly poor scores Furthermore, only 52% of staff said their department supported their mental health and well-being

These findings have led to criticism from academics The university has faced similar issues in the past A 2020 survey, conducted with the three main campus unions, found that nearly a third of staff had experienced bullying or harassment in the previous 18 months The Wellcome Trust’s 2020 survey also revealed widespread issues of bullying across UK research institutions

Cambridge responded to the new survey by stating that they are supporting departments to address these concerns and have introduced new codes of conduct and policies However, the university is still under scrutiny for its handling of these issues

Ministers vow to improve voter ID law

New research on the impact of voter ID requ irements in UK elections h as revealed concerns abou t reduced vo ter turno ut, adding p ressure on th e government to rec onsider th e law

The study, conducted by Dr Tom Barton at King’s College London, found that the ID requirement introduced by the previous Conservative government led to a 4 4% drop in voter participation during a trial in Bromley in 2018 The trial allowed a wider range of IDs, including non-photo IDs, but the current law now only accepts photo ID

I N B R I E F MENTAL HEALTH WARNING FOR REFUGEES

A leading mental health charity warns that the UK asylum system is worsening mental health and increasing suicide risk among asylum seekers and refugees The Mental Health Foundation argues that the current system, which prevents asylum seekers from working for 12 months, is detrimental to their well-being leading to heightened trauma and mental health issues Mark Rowland the charity s chief executive told Sky News that many individuals supported by the charity report feeling so overwhelmed by the system s challenges that it pushes them to contemplate suicide He stresses that their mental health has never been worse In a new appeal Rowland calls for the government to start recording suicides among asylum seekers in official statistics, citing a lack of data as a barrier to addressing the issue effectively His comments follow research suggesting that allowing asylum seekers to work after six months could generate significant savings, growth, and tax revenue, highlighting the potential benefits of reform

HARASSMENT REMAINS UNADDRESSED

Female defence workers are expressing growing frustration over the lack of action to address sexual harassment at the Ministry of Defence (MoD), more than a year after whistleblowers exposed serious issues within the department According to a survey by the Prospect union, confidence in the MoD’s efforts to deter sexual harassment has fallen from 47% in January 2024 to just 39% in February 2025 The union has called for an independent inquiry with the authority to instigate meaningful changes urging Defence Minister Alistair Carns to take decisive action In 2023 around 60 senior women at the MoD sent a letter detailing sexual assault harassment, and abuse by male colleagues They described a toxic workplace culture that was "hostile to women as equal and respected partners " Since then, more women have come forward with similar allegations Prospect’s data also revealed troubling findings: 57% of respondents were unaware of any action taken in the past year to raise awareness about sexual harassment, and 46% said no steps had been taken to address it Confidence in reporting incidents has also dropped, from 65% in 2024 to 58% in 2025 Many workers still view the sector’s behaviour as toxic, with the percentage falling from 65% to 58% over the past year

unit as Abedi, raising con-

the Ministry of Justice dismissed this as “speculation ” Fewer than ten inmates live in England and Wales’ two

offer more privileges than

including kitchen access

Despite initial discussions within the Labour government about potentially scrapping voter ID, Minister for Democracy Rushanara Ali confirmed that this option is no longer on the table Instead, the government is focused on addressing inconsistencies in the rules by expanding acceptable forms of ID, such as Veteran Cards

The new research shows that, in Bromley, 10,571 registered voters did not cast their ballots because of the ID requirement, reinforcing fears that the policy disproportionately affects certain groups, including older voters

Campaigners, including Darren Hughes from the Electoral Reform Society, have called for the government to scrap the ID requirement altogether, citing over 40,000 instances where voters were turned away for lack of acceptable ID While the government has pledged to improve voter registration and address inconsistencies, critics argue that the law harms democracy by disenfranchising legitimate voters The issue remains contentious, with further debates expected on its impact on turnout and participation

AIRPORTS TO SCRAP BOARDING PASSES AND CHECK-IN

Boarding passes and check-ins are set to be scrapped in the biggest overhaul of air travel in 50 years Within two to three years, passengers could travel using only facial recognition and a digital passport stored on their phone The UN s aviation body, ICAO, is introducing a “digital travel credential that replaces traditional passports and check-ins with a downloadable journey pass, updated automatically with any booking changes Under the new system, passengers won’t need to check in airlines will be notified when a traveller arrives at the airport and their face is scanned Those with hold luggage will be scanned at bag drop, while hand-luggage travellers will be scanned at pre-security Currently, boarding passes are required at multiple checkpoints, but this will be replaced by facial recognition Valérie Viale of Amadeus called it “the biggest change in 50 years ” noting that airline systems have remained largely unchanged for decades

L to R: Steve Hickling British Deputy High Commissioner to Gujarat and Rajasthan, with Coventry University representatives Richard Wells, John Latham, Leena Kukreja and Richard Dashwood

Michael Gove

Rushanara Ali

Hashem Abedi

Prime Ministe r Ke ir Star mer ma rked the fe st iva l o f V aisa kh i with a h ea rtf e l t m e ss a g e f r o m 1 0 D o w ni ng

Str ee t on Sund ay, tha nking Brit ish Sikhs fo r t heir end uring contributions to the Unite d Kingd om a cross a wide ra nge of sector s

Earlier in the week, Starmer hosted a special reception at Downing Street to celebrate Vaisakhi, which commemorates the creation of the Khalsa. The event brought together Sikh leaders and community members from across the country and No 10 was beautifully adorned with yellow and orange marigold flowers and rich blue drapes, creating a festive and elegant ambiance for the special celebration

Addressing attendees at the reception, the Prime Minister said, “It’s great just to stand here and see all of you here in this room You are very, very welcome here to Downing Street – and it’s really special to me to be able to actually host you here

“And you are entitled to be here You belong here Because this is your government We are here to serve you And you

are entitled to come here and tell us what you think and to put your fingerprints on what we ’ re doing

“So this isn’t just an invite for the evening and for the event It is also an invite for you to be part of what we are doing, and to feel that it’s not just something coming from us to you It’s something you are entitled to To tell us what you think, put your fingerprints on it And celebrate Vaisakhi together ”

Starmer also reflected on the role of

B r i t i s h S i k h s i n s h a p i n g t h e n a t i o n , expressing his excitement about celebrating the contribution of British Sikhs to the nation, “ and what a contribution that is and has been, and will be into the future”, he said

He further added, “We have leaders in this room from across our society from our armed forces, those who contribute to our schools and to our NHS, to charities, and of course, to businesses

“Throughout our history, from fighti n g f o r B r i t a i n i n t h e W o r l d W a r s including in Myanmar, Italy, and North Africa to the tireless work during the pandemic caring for the isolated and vul-

nerable, your contributions have been extraordinary ” Starmer also praised the continued generosity of Gurdwaras across the UK He said, “Today, your work supporting people who are struggling with the cost of l i v i n g o r w e l c o m i n g r e f u g e e s f r o m Ukraine is a beacon of light in our communities A visible sign of the values of Sikhism – of compassion and courage, but also of service – or seva

“That’s particularly important to me, because it was outside Downing Street that I stood on the day after the election, just over nine months ago, and I said that

British Sikhs celebrated at No 10

Prime Minister Keir Starmer marks Vaisakhi with message of inclusion and gratitude

we would be a government of service ”

He acknowledged the challenges that still persist, particularly prejudice and discrimination stating that there are some who don’t recognise the gift the community is to the nation and instead see an opportunity for prejudice He added, “For many years, I thought that prejudice w a s d y i n g d o w n , b

always the case ”

human impact that such prejudice has, nor of what we stand for in saying there will never be a place for that in our country This government will always stand with you – proud of our strong, multicultural society – and against bigotry.”

Touching on shared values, Starmer drew a connection between Sikh teachings and the government’s broader mission “This festival also represents having the courage to do what is right Be willing to defend what you believe in And that is what this government is doing with our increase in military spending the largest

sustained increase since the Cold War “We’re standing up for Ukraine, but a l s o f o r t h e s

d Kingdom and working people It’s part of

tions and gurdwaras make to the UK, “but most importantly likened the concept of Sewa, with his ‘government of service’ ” Further describing the ambience and the food, she said, “Unlike previous years, No 10 was beautifully decked in yellow and blue, the Khalsa colours, with lamps, f

from the ground floor up Delicious vegetarian canapes such as mini papri-chaat, beetroot tikkis, paneer bites and Punjabi p

lassi! Scrumptious desserts: kheer and

conversations and the Spirit of the Khalsa made Vaisakhi at No 10 really memorable for

also present at the reception and sharing his experience he shared the major

played by Sikhs during key battles in Italy, Burma and North Africa in the Second

our work to build a country where service is respected, aspiration is recognised, and hard work is rewarded ”

In closing, Starmer reiterated his government’s Plan for Change and how it aligns with the values celebrated during Vaisakhi, echoing the warm and inclusive spirit of the celebration Gue sts sh are th eir e xp erience

Cll r Ka mal Pre et K aur , a councill or in Hilling don a nd a fr ee lance m edia and communica tio ns pro fe ssio na l, was invited to attend the reception among other distinguished community members

H

d V a i s a k h i c e l e b r ations at No 10 a few times, this time was extra special for Kaur as it was the first with the Labour government Describing her experience at the reception, she highlighted how Keir Starmer lauded the contributions that British Sikhs, organisa-

World War in the run up to the 80th anniversaries of VE Day and VJ Day this year

“One particularly special moment was when children from the Guru Nanak Sikh Academy in Hayes performed shabad kirtan, with many of the guests joining in with the shabad too The children were very excited to meet the Prime Minister, and they presented him with flowers as a Vaisakhi gift

“Seeing Number 10 covered with blue, orange and yellow decorations brought immense joy to everyone It was the first time that it had been decorated in that manner for Vaisakhi, and it gave a great sense of pride that even at the highest level of British society, Sikh traditions are not just respected but truly celebrated ”

“Sikhs have made significant contributions to the nation”

Tan Dhesi MP, Member of Parliament for Slough, shares a Vaisakhi message for the community M y w ar m es t g ree ti ng s f o r Vaisakhi to the Sikh com munity, wh o will be reflecting

Khalsa, established in 1 699 by the tenth S ikh Gu ru, Guru Go

S in g h j i We als o re m em b er th e P a nj P yar e (the Five Belov ed Ones) as end uring symbols of steadfastness and devo tion

In the UK, Sikhs have m a d e s i g n i f i c a n t c o n t r i b utions to the nation; and the values of hard work, enterprise, education and commu-

nity service have greatly bene f i t e d o u r s o c i e t y I ’ m delighted that we can once again come together to celebrate the beautiful tradition o f N a g a r K i r t a n ( r e l i g i o u s processions) and the importance of seva (service) to the community Vaisakhi is also celebrated in the Punjab and across India as a cultural spring harvest festival So, I hope you all enjoy the festivities, and may this Vaisakhi bring you and your loved one ’ s joy, peace and prosperity ”

The Prime Minister with RAF and army personnel

Prime Minister Keir Starmer addressing the gathering

Students from Guru Nanak Sikh Academy performing Kirtan

Cllr Simran Cheema addressing the attendees

Cllr Kamal Preet Kaur outside No 10

Left to right: Sukhvinder Kaur, John Lehal, PM Keir Starmer, Neena Gill CBE, Jasvir Singh CBE, Gurinder Josan CBE MP

Tan Dhesi

Scunthorpe

On Monday, 14 April, Business

a

Reynolds travelled to Immingham

d

from the US to the steelworks

The shipment, paid for by the government, will keep the blast furnaces running for the coming weeks, with efforts underway to establish a steady pipeline of further supplies

A second cargo ship carrying more coking coal and iron ore is now en route from Australia after

a legal dispute with Chinese owners Jingye was resolved over the weekend The raw materials have

Trade (DBT) budgets

In a landmark move, emergency legislation rushed through Parliament last Saturday gives the G

British Steel’s board and workforce, guarantee their pay, and secure resources for continued

intervene in company operations to prevent disruption

This decisive intervention was aimed at protecting 37,000 jobs across supply chains and ensuring the UK can build critical infrastructure as part of the government's wider Plan for Change Business Secretary Reynolds also confirmed the appointments of Allan Bell as interim CEO and L

Commercial Officer, to stabilise operations and provide essential

leadership

P

save British Steel We are acting to protect the jobs of thousands of workers, and all options are on the table to secure the future of the industry Delivering security and renewal for working people is a

Change ”

He added, “This government is turning the page on a decade of decline, where our manufacturing heartlands were hollowed out by the previous government

“In recent weeks alone, we have announced the expansion of Heathrow airport and the building of the biggest theme park in E u r o p e i n B e d f o r d W e a r e reforming our planning rules to build 1 5 million homes, and the infrastructure the nation desperately needs New roads, railways, schools, hospitals, grids and reserv o i r s

e backbone as we get Britain building once more ”

Earlier in the week, hundreds o f w o r k e r

gathered at Scunthorpe United’s stadium in a show of solidarity, c h

l back ” Speaking to workers on s i t e , S t a r m

resilience and pledged continued support stating, “Our industry is the pride of our history – and I want it to be our future too ” R e y n o l d s

c h o e d t h e

n t iment, stating, “We will always act in the interest of working people

and UK industry Thanks to the work of those at British Steel, and i n m

m e n t , w

h a v e moved decisively to secure the raw materials we need to help save British Steel ” H

depend on UK steel and – thanks to our Plan for Change – demand is set to shoot up: helping build the 1 5 million homes, railways, schools and hospitals we need to

Reynolds told MPs that nationalisation of the Scunthorpe plant is n o w t h e m

, after Jingye threatened to shut down both blast furnaces, risking the end of primary steel production in Britain

Prime Minister Keir Starmer speaks with workers and union representatives near the British Steel plant in Scunthorpe

Jonathan Reynolds

The British Steel works in Scunthorpe

Lord Hanuman’s birthday draws huge crowd in Leicester

T h o u s an d s g a th e red i n Leicester over the weekend to celebrate the birthday of Hind u god L ord Hanuman, follow ing eigh t d ays of festivities

H

The event, held at Shree

n Melton Road near Rushey Fields, drew devotees and dignitaries from across the r

with devotional recitals held throughout the day Rajesh

said, “The highlight of the

comed a record number of devotees A special puja

beautiful display of traditional Indian sweets, with devotees patiently offering prayers and seeking blessings Thousands joined in

strength, and compassion

BAPIO Wales honours Welsh minister and colleagues

BA P IO (British A sso ciation

o

O

Wa

A nnu a l C o nf ere nc e and A w ard s G ala Di n ner i n C ardiff on Saturday, 5 Ap ril

20 25

Over 130 medical professionals attended the event, which featured talks by leading experts, including former First Ministers Lord Carwyn

J o n e s a n d P r o f M a r k Drakeford, as well as Jane Hutt MS, Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice and Chief

W h i p i n t h e W e l s h Government

P r o f H a s m u k h S h a h

B E M w e l c o m e d d e l e g a t e s a n d

w o r k s u p p o r t i n g 1 0 0 , 0 0 0 doctors of Indian origin in the UK Prof Keshav Singhal CBE spoke on BAPIO’s com-

m i t m e n t t o p a t i e n t c a r e through equality, diversity, and inclusion, and its role in

developing the Welsh Risk A s s e s s m e n t t o o l s d u r i n g COVID, which were adopted nationwide Health Minister J

M

Guest, commended BAPIO’s contributions

The conference was followed by a banquet with 140 d e l e g a t e s J o

, Secretary of State for Wales, praised BAPIO’s work, along

Morgan

Awards were presented to several distinguished individuals for their outstanding contributions Jane Hutt MS, Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice and Chief Whip in t h e W

Orthopaedic Surgeon, while Mr Sandeep Hemmadi,

Psychiatrist,

JITO UK marks historic Navkar Mahamantra event

I n a s p i ri tu a ll y u p l if ti ng event, JITO U K, in p artnersh ip with over 3 0 organisat i on s , l ed t h e U K and Eu rope ’ s participatio n in the V ish wa Nav kar Mahamantra Diw as, a global event sp anning 108 co untries

On Wednesday, 9 April, thousands of Jains and nonJains from across the UK, I r e l a n d , G e r m a n y ,

Spain, Belgium, and beyond joined online and in-person

t o c h a n

ened beings and is open to

I t s o p e n i n g w o r d , " N a m o , " m e a n i n g “ I b o w , ” r e f l e c t s humility and respect for all life

The event was attended

b y d i g n i t a r i e s i n c l u d i n g Slough Mayor Shri Baljinder Singh, Gerrards Cross Mayor

P r e r n a B h a r d w a j , a n d

R e v e r e n d A n d y T h o m a s ,

C h a i r o f H i l l i n g d o n Interfaith, marking a milestone in interfaith collaboration Their presence uplifted

t h e c o m m u n i t y , j o i n e d b y local Hindu temple leaders and community representatives Over 6,000 people participated virtually, with gath-

e r i n g s a t 2 0 + c o m m u n i t y centers, as the region res-

o n a t e d w i t h t h e s a c r e d

Navkar Mantra, promoting p e a c e , u n i t y , a n d s p i r i t u a l consciousness

T h e e v e n t b e g a n w i t h

r e m a r k s b y A n u r a g J a i n , Secretary of JITO UK, followed by the recitation of the Navkar Mahamantra JITO Apex board members shared t

special message from India’s P r i m e M i n i s t e r , S h r i Narendra Modi, emphasised the day’s significance The chanting session, led b y S a m a n i M a l a y P r a g y a j i and Samani Neeti Pragyaji, included meditative recitations At local centres, child r e n r e c i t e d s t a v a n s , a n d adults shared stories about t h e m a n t r a ’ s i m p a c t T h e event concluded with a vote of thanks by Nitin Jain, Chair of JITO UK, expressing gratitude to all participants and supporters across Europe

Mahavir Janma Kalyanak procession and charity walk celebrating Jainism

On the au spiciou s o ccasion of Mahavir Janma K alyanak, t h e M

organis ed a vibrant p roc ession, with over 200 Sangh m e mb e

s , i nc l u d in g m a ny ch ildren, joyfu lly particip ating

£3,000 for this wor-

t

y c

l

India House marks Ambedkar Jayanti

D r B h im

jurist, economist, an d social refor me r, b est known a s the pr i n ci pa l a r c hi t e ct of

Stuti-Bhim Smaran, and

exhibition on the Making of the Indian Constitution

justice , he work ed t o eradicat e caste-ba se d discrimination an d uplift mar gin alised co mm un i t ie s , e s pe c ia l l y Da lit s As In dia’ s fir st Law Minister, his lega cy continue s t o inspire movement s for socia l just ice a cross t he globe On April 14, various UK organisations, including the Indian High Commission in London and the Federation o f A m b e d k a r i

a n d Buddhist Organisations UK (FABO), commemorated Dr A m b e d k a r ’ s 1 3 4 t h b i r t h anniversary at India House

Maharashtra purchased the property in 2015 for over £3 million, following efforts led by FABO and former UK civil servant Santosh Dass The house was officially inaugurated as Ambedkar House by

Ramnavami celebrations at the Bhaktivedanta Manor

On S u nd a y 6th A p ri l , Bh aktiv ed anta Mano r ho sted a h

by the scenic lake, abhisheka, darshan, and a captivating

In addition to the proc

Charity Walk in support of

Starting at the Derasar, the procession moved along Kenton Road, filled with the chants of “Trishala Nandan Veer Ki – Jai Bolo Mahavir Ki,” creating an atmosphere of devotion, unity, and celebration It was heartening to see the younger generation engaging so enthusiastically with the timeless values of Bhagwan Mahavir non-violence, truth, and compassion

d with the Jain principle of Jiv Daya (compassion for all living beings) Under the leadership of President Shri N

Team MF, this inspiring initiative reflects their unwavering commitment to the

u

i t y shown by the Sangh, especially the youth, highlight a bright future for Jainism

Patel, Secretary of Shree Hanuman Temple

Annakut present at the Shree Hanuman Temple

L to R: Prof Hasmukh Shah BEM, Secretary BAPIO Wales, Dr Ramesh Mehta CBE, President BAPIO UK,Jane Hutt MS, CBE, Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice and Chief Whip Wales Government Prof Keshav Singhal CBE Chair BAPIO Wales and Prof Parag Singhal , Secretary BAPIO UK

Community members present at the event

H E Vikram Doraiswami paying tribute to Dr Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar statue

Youngsters presenting a song honouring Dr B R Ambedkar

Community members present on the occasion of Mahavir Janma Kalyanak

L to R: Pooja Raval, attendee, Arun Patel, CB Patel, Miniben, Samina Sheikh and Jaylesh Pandya

Historic launch of East African Asians (EAA) web portal celebrated at inspiring Golf Day event

Hat fie ld, April 6 , 20 25 –

Unde r cle ar blue skie s, the pict ur esque Mill G re en Golf Club, Hert for dshire provide d the pe rfect

se ttin g for the muchant icipa ted Ea st Afr ica n Asia ns (EAA) Golf Day

While 55 g olfer s e njoye d a day of fr ien dly compe tition , the t rue hig hlight was t he soft laun ch of a la ndm ark digital initia tive - the Ea st Afr ica n Asian s We b Port al - de dicate d to pre se rv in g the migr ation st ories, cultura l he rita ge, a nd global con tributions of t he Ea st African Asian commun ity

This visionary project was initiated by Harshad Kothari, a Chartered Accountant born in Tanzania, whose passion for history and heritage sparked the creation of this remarkable portal From its inception, Harshad has been supported by key

Conservative MP Shailesh Vara Over the course of many collaborative meetings, the initiative has steadily built momentum, culminating in this celebratory launch

Following the tournament, an elegant evening reception brought together 180 distinguished guests, including a host of prominent figures and community leaders

Notable attendees included, H E Nimisha Madhvani, Uganda’s High

Commissioner to the UK; Rt Hon Shailesh Vara, former MP and Cabinet Minister; CB Patel, Chairman, Asian Voice & Gujarat Samachar; Tony Matharu, Entrepreneur and Chairman of ABALCCI; Dr Bhikhu Patel, Co-founder of Global pharmaceutical company, Waymade Healthcare; Sanjay Anand, Madhu’s; Subhash Thakrar OBE;

early advisors including Dhiren Doshi (Founder, Doshi Outsourcing), entrepreneur Tony Matharu, and former

Guests were treated to a memorable experience featuring fine hospitality, including drinks, canapés, a gourmet three-course dinner, trophy presentations, and a spirited fundraising raffle

A highlight of the evening was an inspiring presentation of the Web Portal by Harshad Kothari, which was met with enthusiastic applause and deep appreciation

“This platform is more than a digital archive – it is a living, evolving tribute to the resilience, achievements, and enduring spirit of East African Asians across the world,” said Harshad during his keynote address

The event’s success was made possible through the generous support of its sponsors, whose contributions helped bring the celebration to life

As the initiative continues to gain traction, Harshad is now joined by a growing global team of Advisors, Ambassadors, Promoters, Supporters, and Volunteers However, significant work remains to fully realize the portal’s potential The project is currently seeking assistance in areas such as content creation, historical research, portal and social media management, and sponsorship

Preston Mandir marks Hanuman Jayanti with devotion and joy

Devotees gathered early i n the morning to attend th e aarti and seek the blessings of Hanumanji o n the au spicio us occasion of Hanuman J ayanti I n th e eveni ng, a sp ecial Hanuman P ujan was p e rf o r me d b y Y a jm a n Manish Gup ta and family

melodious bhajans echoed through the space, culmi-

recitation of 11 Hanuman Chalisas and a final aarti led by the Yajman

O n S u n

n i n g , the 108 Hanuman Chalisa recital began at 10:30 AM, led by the pujari and carried out by the Meerai Parivar

from Bolton Devotees were invited to offer one laddu per family, with a total of 108 laddoos offered during the chanting Over 200 devotees participated, creating

(Sunshine) also graced the event with his radiant presence all day All devotees were served prasad lovingly prepared by our dedicated team of ladies

Amin MBE; Jaffer

Ranjit Baxi FRSA, and many other esteemed business leaders and professionals

The full public launch of the Web Portal is planned for later this year, subject to continued support Members of the East African Asian community are warmly invited to be part of this meaningful journey

Nina

Kapasi OBE;

Harshad Kothari

CB Patel

Bhikhu Patel

H E Nimisha Madhvani

Rt Hon Shailesh Vara

Tony Matharu

Guests at the Mill Green Golf Club

Devotees seeking the blessings of Hanumanji

Community members doing arti at the event

Trump’s tariff circus and the silent collapse of global order

Donald Trump is back on his tariff high horse, unleashing a new round of economic theatre Most countries get a 90-day break, but China? Hit with tariffs soaring to 145% It’s not strategy it’s spectacle And while Trump grabs headlines and rattles markets, the World Trade Organization the global trade referee is standing in the corner, gagged and powerless

This isn’t just embarrassing It’s dangerous The WTO, once a cornerstone of global trade order, is now little more than a ceremonial husk Its dispute body has been deliberately crippled mostly by the U S rendering it incapable of enforcing the very rules it was built to uphold Trump knows it And he’s exploiting that vacuum to bully, punish, and politicize global trade like it’s a campaign rally

So where is the outrage? Where is the pushback? The WTO should be throwing red flags The United Nations should be raising alarms But instead, we get silence Diplomacy by ghosting

Let’s be crystal clear: the answer isn’t to abolish these institutions it’s to rebuild them with spine Because if Trump’s economic tantrums keep setting the tone, and global institutions keep playing dead, we ’ re not just heading for instability we ’ re barrelling toward full-blown economic lawlessness The world can’t afford silent referees while the loudest player breaks the rules

D r Narsibhai Maga nlal Pa tel

India’s corruption crisis

India’s corruption crisis, as reported in AV dated 29 Mar to 4 Apr 2025, is truly shocking and tarnishes the country’s international image, especially in the business community India’s neighbouring countries are even worse, but that comparison is baseless and that excuse is unacceptable It took lots of effort by the Prime Minister and all the citizens of India to have better perceptions about the country

There may be a few corrupt people but when it comes to the ranking of the country, it affects all of us

I think the punishment should be immediate without prolonging for years and years There should be a special branch in the judiciary to deal with these kinds of cases on a fast-track basis Name and shame could be another method to bring culprits to books There should be an anonymous helpline where people can complain about harassment by government officials

Government officers and workers are earning enough money so they can comfortably live a decent lifestyle without having to rely on corruption

Hit esh Hin gu

Mental Health Awareness Week

We’re inviting groups and organisations across England to celebrate their communities this Mental Health Awareness Week 12-18 May During the week, we are recognising the power of the community to support good mental health

We can find community in different places and can belong to more than one Community is an important protective factor for our mental health It not only helps tackle social isolation, but it gives us a sense of belonging, safety, purpose and support

During Mental Health Awareness Week, we are encouraging groups and organisations to host events and activities to showcase the great work they do; bringing people together and supporting wellbeing Everyone is also invited to take part in our fun Wear It Green Day activities More information and resources to get involved in Mental Health Awareness Week are available on our website www mentalhealth org uk/mhaw Al exa Knight

We

have miles to go

I was truly shocked by the recent news report about the killing of an elderly woman in a bizarre car run-over in her own hospital area in Mumbai The whole incident and related pictures brought tears to my eyes, emotionally reminding me of my lovable mother the same age who passed away recently

Bizarre as it would seem, on the one hand, the world population has been growing like anything with great effort and without difficulty, the lives of people fall prey to the accidental circumstances worldwide on the other hand

Despite having great technological advances in hand, the reality and the ground rules are a bit different and far more difficult I always encourage the people and the students alike to be safe while travelling in my native areas like Tuticorin, Tiruchendur, Korkai, Nagercoil, Tirunelveli, Kanyakumari, Marthandam in Tamil Nadu apart from unfortunately having witnessed a few accidents in my professional areas like Chennai, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Mumbai More to the point, an accident comes in any form, be it travel by road or air travel Precautionary measures will go to greater lengths in the matter of avoiding deadly accidents

Because of such sad incidents, countries and regimes should take all the possible steps to ensure optimal safety while travelling

P Se nthil Sarava na Durai

The spirit of Good Friday and Easter

Good Friday and Easter are significant Christian holidays commemorating key events in the life of Jesus Good Friday marks the crucifixion and death of Jesus, while Easter celebrates His resurrection from the dead Good Friday is a day of solemn reflection and mourning, whereas Easter is a time of joyous celebration and renewed hope Easter is often marked with special church services, Easter egg hunts, and family gatherings The resurrection symbolises the triumph of good over evil, the promise of eternal life, and the hope of salvation for believers Easter follows Good Friday, with the resurrection signifying the triumph over the suffering and death Jesus experienced on the cross

In this context, let me narrate my experience while growing up in Karamsad, Gujarat, India Many times, we visited the church located on the outskirts of Karamsad town (where the Christian population was about 1%) while playing cricket nearby During tea and lunch breaks, we would go there to drink water and rest under the tree The Spanish priest, who was very fluent in Gujarati, always welcomed us with open arms and heart He comforted us, gave us clean water to drink and biscuits to eat He would also explain to us, in Gujarati, the significance of Christian festivals and why they are celebrated

In our cricket team, we had players of Hindu, Jain, Muslim, and Christian faith an ideal example of coexistence without barriers of caste, creed, colour, or religion

Happy Good Friday and Easter to all our Christian brothers and sisters around the world

Sur esh and Bhav na Pa tel Karl Marx statue in Chennai

The decision to erect a statue of Karl Marx in Chennai is a significant move that highlights the ongoing relevance of his ideas, particularly the call for workers of the world to unite As we face growing economic inequalities, M

remains crucial This statue will inspire generations to advocate for workers’ rights and social justice "Workers of the world, rise and reclaim your voice!"

TS Karthik

Global trade in turmoil

“Trump’s tariff rattles global trade” – AV dated 12-18 April 2025 depicts the harsh reality of today’s world which is trying to adjust to shifting trade rules, sometimes illogical and to rising geopolitical tensions All the countries are affected by the change to some extent

Smaller countries which are heavily dependent on exports to the US are the worst affected while bigger countries like India are less affected due to their domestic consumption In this situation, India as a country should concentrate on augmenting domestic production and consumption It is difficult to survive without importing some products from foreign countries

The point here is, we can avoid importing generic products like toys, watches, and clothes which are easily made and are available in India For the time being, Indians should avoid going mad behind the big brands We can reduce the negative impact of high tariffs if we can avoid “fashionable” and “impressive” products for at least 6 months

For a few months, India should import only those products which are not made in India like defence-related products, nuclear products, critical minerals, medicines and lifesaving drugs because they are impossible to make in India due to complex technological reasons or scarcity of raw materials

UK developing 'murder prediction' tool to identify killers

The UK gov ernment is w orking on a controversial “ mu rder p redictio n ” project that uses personal d ata to identify ind iv iduals m ost likely to commit serious violent crimes

Initially named the “homicide prediction project” and now referred to as “sharing data to improve risk assessment,” the programme aims to enhance public safety by analysing data from thousands of people, including convicted offenders and potentially victims

According to civil liberties group Statewatch, which

requests, the data includes records from the Probation Service and Greater Manchester Police dating before 2015 While the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) insists the research only involves data from those with criminal convictions, Statewatch claims sensitive information is also included such as mental health conditions, self-harm, addiction, and domestic abuse history raising ethical and privacy concerns The data-sharing agreement reportedly lists not just criminal records, but also ages at first police contact or victimisation Critics argue this could unfairly target already marginalised groups Despite backlash, the MoJ says the project is for research only and aims to improve current risk assessment tools used by prisons and probation services

Reset?

There is never a dull d ay wh en T rum p is around He is th e new standard in w hat we Brits wo uld call the marmite test

The only pro blem w ith the T rum p test is that too many p eople take their hatred , o r their lov e, for Trum p to a lev el wh ere th ere is no lo gic, no com mon sense and no rationality Trump has the ability to push every button that can trig ger madness and physical breakd own, or it takes you to a high that m ost high strength drugs can’t match

I am mindful that to write any article where the story is Trump means it could be out of date by the time I press the send button So let me traverse the universe according to Trump and see if the answer is indeed 42, or has it changed

The one thing we must all accept is that Trump did not lie on the campaign trail like Keir Starmer and his bunch of muppets Trump told us he was going to play with tariffs, that he would deregulate and cut down on the mountains of bureaucratic madness that has been built up over the past five decades or more, that he would cut taxes, that he will make the government more efficient via DOGE, that he would will force NATO members to do some of the heavy lifting, that America will no longer be the universal aid giver, that he will push back on the gender madness, that he would free American schools from political ideology of woke, and much much more

Trump is delivering on exactly what he promised and this has produced a collective meltdown on the left because it seems they are not used to a President actually doing what he has promised I mean, how dare he delivers on his promises The media on the left have also gone mad They are not used to being sidelined and put in their place Trump has found a gem to front his press briefings in Karoline Leavitt This lady is only 27 years old If you have not seen her in action, I urge you to take the time and do so This is one lady who does not take any prisoners Any woke journalist who attempts to misrepresent the government or the President, and she puts them in their place with utter bluntness

Trumponomics is quite simple, and this is why many economists, financial gurus and stock market analysts can’t cope His aim is to uproot the traditional norms and create chaos and anarchy in the financial sector You see sometimes you need a misdirection on the global stage to get what you really want The traditional method would have been to convene hundreds of meetings with global partners over several decades to discuss how they can make changes Instead, he has decided to nuke the whole playing field and force everyone to grapple with the thorns of historic economic lunacy

We are at an early stage in this process but those who can see the wood for the trees might be able to ascertain this new global chessboard

On tariffs all he said was that the US will start charging all those nations who have been doing it to them for decades And the whole world order collapsed Panic in the stock market, media pundits with their armageddon predictions, politicians scampering for cover, but some nations realised that it’s better to talk and get an amicable solution with Trump, than go the Chinese route and attack

The volatility created by Trump is all part of the game In the end he will get what he wants with all nations paying more tariff making much needed money for America If China does not get it and they continue challenging Trump, this will be a case of which one can take the most pain Many people think China will win; I am not sure about that There are some fundamental problems that China faces at home and any trade war that results in a dramatic reduction in exports will destabilise its strict dictatorial control over its citizens

Is this America's Liz Truss moment? I don’t think so America controls many more levers of economic power than the UK America also gives the President enormous power that he can wield without always having to go back to the Senate Did you know that he has already signed more than 120 executive orders!

The headline asks the question if Trumponomics can produce a global reset? The answer is yes In fact, it has already started NATO members are now having to rush their investment into defence, something they turned a blind eye to for decades Nations will have to pay tariffs to America and this has already started America will no longer waste billions giving aid to corrupt terrorist and extremist nations around the world The Middle East is now moving more towards America and pushing against the Islamists Ukraine will have to accept a new border with Russia or risk losing even more Russia is too big to bow down, but even Putin knows it’s time to find some common ground China has become everyone ’ s enemy number one Those nations who indulge China will lose more than they gain And what about India? Well, under PM Modi India it will have to accommodate some of the changes Trump wants, but against that the gains it will make are massive India needs to exert its independence and somehow keep America, Russia, Israel and the Middle East on its side Who said life was going to be easy

Trump has only been in charge since January 2025 and in these few months the world has changed He has another 3 years to go, so those who can position their approach and responses correctly have everything to gain

Kapil Dudakia

Hites h Hingu

Bin strike deadlock leaves Birmingham streets overflowing with waste

Anusha Singh

Bin workers in Birm ingham have “overwhelm ingly” reje cted a deal that could have ended the city’ s on goi ng strik e, w hi ch has left rubbis h pilin g up in the streets and led to a surge in rat sightin gs

The dispute, which has dragged on for months, stems from a row over pay and job cuts Unite, the union representing the striking workers, said the offer put to staff only offered partial protection for a small group of employees and still involved significant pay cuts, including for around 200 drivers Workers voted

decisively to reject the deal, calling it “totally inadequate ”

Unite’s general secretary, Sharon Graham, said the rejection came as no surprise “These workers simply cannot afford to take pay cuts of this scale, especially when the council’s financial problems are the result of poor decisions,” she said Graham also urged the government to step in, calling for talks between all parties and for the government to urgently consider Unite’s proposal to restructure Birmingham City Council’s debts, as well as those of other struggling local authorities She stressed the dispute is not about seeking a pay rise, but about stopping deep pay cuts

Meanwhile, the government confirmed it had brought in military logistics experts to support the council’s clean-up efforts Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner clarified that while no troops were deployed on the ground, army planners had been assisting with the operation “Over twothirds of the rubbish has now been cleared,” she said, adding that the aim was to finish the clean-up before children returned to school after the Easter

break

C

llr John Cotton, Leader of the Birm ingham Counci l commented on the situation saying, "Our work to clear the backlog is gathering pace and we will continue collecting waste throughout the week and over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend

"I fully appreciate that there is still more to do, and I share the frustration of people across the city, but now that we are getting our crews out on time every day, we are starting to see a difference and I want to thank our amazing crews for their hard work over the last week

"I also want to thank every citizen, community group and organisation that is helping with the clear-up People are helping in neighbourhoods right across the city and their support is helping to clear our streets "

Stating that the talks to resolve the dispute will continue this week, Cllr Cotton added, "I will stress again that we have made a fair and reasonable offer that means that no-one has to

Patric ia Earle, Trustee an d Coordina tor f or the Women ’ s Fe deration for World Peac e lives near Birmingham University, in a neighbourhood bordering streets lined with student accommodations

Speaking to Asian Voice, she described the worsening situation around her as “absolutely catastrophic ”

“Student areas are never the tidiest at the best of times,” she said, “but right now the situation is far worse than anything I’ve seen before There’s rubbish everywhere, especially in

streets with multioccupancy homes where more people naturally produce more waste ”

"Our work to clear the backlog is gathering pace and we will continue collecting waste throughout the week and over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend."

lose any pay at all, with alternative roles offered within the service, or indeed a promotion to work as a driver We’re determined to reach an agreement but in the meantime, the clear-up continues "

Resi dents bear the b run t of ongoing c risi s While the government tries to find a solution and clear the garbage It is the residents who are suffering

house, the amount of rubbish is much higher,” she said “It’s a very clear divide between the betteroff areas and the more modest or overcrowded ones ”

Booking a slot at the city’s recycling centres has also proven difficult Earle says many residents are waiting up to 10 days for an available appointment, a challenge that is even greater for those without a car or for lower-income households

Beyond the growing eyesore, residents are increasingly worried about health risks Reports of rats thriving among the piles of waste are common, and Earle says the situation is now at a dangerous tipping point “People are saying the rats have grown to the size of kittens That shows just how bad it’s become This isn’t just unpleasant; it’s a serious public health hazard ”

She believes that government intervention is now essential “This isn’t just a political dispute anymore It’s about the health and safety of our communities,” she said “Of course the workers have valid concerns, too Their job is incredibly hard, and for them to take a stand like this shows how serious the situation must be on their side as well ”

For now, Earle and her neighbours are left waiting, as rubbish piles continue to grow “It’s especially sad that this is happening over the holidays In some areas, people are simply dumping rubbish into certain spots, creating huge mounds The council should really be prioritising the areas most affected, especially where there are larger households ”

Transplant surgeon Dr Rajinder Singh debuts book on Sikh history and identity

Dr Rajind er Pal Singh, a U Kba se d t ran s p lan t su

and

his debut as an author with ‘Journey A cross Boundaries: A J o u rne y A c ro s s Rac e, Relatio ns & Nations’

The book explores the r

Sikh relations, and chronicles his remarkable journey across borders and cultures

Deeply influenced by his early life in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, Dr Singh credits the friendships and support he received in India for helping h

Earle highlights the stark contrast between wealthier neighbourhoods and areas with higherdensity housing, pointing out a visible divide in how different communities are coping with the crisis

“In the more affluent parts of Birmingham, the bins are almost always empty But in poorer neighbourhoods or student-heavy areas like Victoria Road, where several people share one

Until then, residents say they are bracing for more disruption - and hoping the crisis doesn’t lead to even more severe consequences for Birmingham’s communities

In March, Birmingham City Council declared a major incident after more than 17,000 tonnes of uncollected waste built up, as striking workers blocked bin lorries at picket lines The council now says it is clearing around 1,500 tonnes of rubbish daily, with 100 to 120 refuse vehicles prioritising the worst-affected areas

challenges and shaping his path to becoming a doctor He highlights the

and intellectually

beyond caste, race, or religion His deep connection to Odisha remains strong, and he hopes to return one day to establish a transplant institute in the region

Leicester woman fundraises to turn ex-pub into Mosque

A Leicester wom an, Tamara

T o m li n, h as la un c h ed a

Go F u nd M e t o bu y T h e Glen, a former pub in Eyres Monsell, w ith hop es of converting it into a mosque and co m m uni ty s p ace t o h el p bring peo ple to gether

Hillsborough Road pub into a place of worship In its application, the foundation stated there was no substantive interest in keeping The Glen as a pub T h e p r o p o s a l h a s r e c e i v e d m i x e d r e a c t i o n s

T h e f u n d r a i s e r , ‘ H e l p

Save the Glen’, has received 26 donations, raising £1,090 so far Launching the appeal, T

“We’re hoping to buy The Glen to create a safe space for local children and the Eyres Monsell community All donations will go directly t

uniting the community

L

increased traffic and parking issues, especially with a primary school and elderly r e s

n t s n e a r b y O n e objector wrote, “Parking is already an issue traffic will be a nightmare ” However, others have voiced strong s u p p o r t O n e s u p p o r t e r said, “It will be a safe haven for the community, helping with spiritual growth and mental health This project w i l l

through its services

Cllr John Cotton

Patricia Earle

Garbage pilled up at Selly Hill Road, Selly Oak

Dr Rajinder Pal Singh

The DHSC shared new figures showing that 1,503 additional GPs have been recruited since October 1st, due to the government’s Plan

f o r C h a n g e T h i s r e c r u i t m e n t drive aims to reduce GP waiting times and ease pressure on frontline services It follows reforms that removed red tape which previously blocked over 1,000 newly qualified GPs from employment,

d e s

1,399 fully qualified GPs over the past decade

An extra £82 million investm e n t e x t e n d e d b e y o n d t h i s year has enabled GP networks

t o e x p a n d s t a f f i n g T h e s e changes, along with upcoming GP contract reforms for 2025–26, aim to end the daily 8am scramble for appointments and shift more care into the community H

R e b u i l d i n g o u r b r o k e n N H S starts with fixing the front door By cutting red tape and investing more in our NHS, we ’ ve added 1,503 GPs to deliver more appointments and bring back the family doctor ”

The government has deployed top clinicians to NHS hospitals in areas with high economic inactivity, where ill health keeps many out of work Between October 2024 and January 2025, waiting lists in these areas fell 130% faster than the national average, with 37,000 patients treated across 20 trusts

T h e D H S C c l a r i f i e d t h a t recent home visits are carried out by health workers not doctors as part of a local Trust and ICB pilot Though not yet part of the NHS 10-Year Plan, the initiative reflects a broader aim to shift care from hospitals into the community A pilot in Westminster showed a 10% drop in hospital admissions and a 7% fall in A&E visits The scheme will expand to 25 areas later this year

Amid growing concerns over staff leaving the NHS for better c o n d i t

S

announced a new support package at Unison’s annual health confere n c e P a r t

retention by promoting a safer work environment, enhancing violence reporting, and ensuring fair pay through a digital job evaluation system It also includes leadership training for nurses, recognit

for ethnic minority nurses

TIME FOR REAL CHANGE?

Ambiti ons will fail with ou t p ro per fu nding

D r Ra me s h M eh ta CB E , P resident, British Asso ciatio n o f P h ys i c i an s o f I n di an O r ig i n (BAPI O) UK, expressed scepticism about the NHS 10-Year Plan, stating, “The workforce problem is not new Over the 77-78 years of the NHS, we've seen cycles of

rather than training enough locally This has led to a significant portion of the workforce, especially international doctors, working in non-training roles, facing discrimination and career stagnation With the ongoing shortage, the NHS plans to bring in even more workers from abroad, but I remain doubtful that the 10-year plan will truly resolve the issue ” Dr Mehta outlined key steps needed to ensure the NHS 10Y e a r P l a n d

s l a

n g improvements without harming f r o n t l

highlighted low morale caused by staff shortages, heavy workloads, and stagnant pay largely due to inadequate fundings He stressed that increasing fundings, improving efficiency, and tackling NHS fund wastage are essential “Better resource allocation and reduced bureaucracy can boost morale,” he said “When staff are supported, patient care improves happy staff mean happy patients ”

Professor Kamila Hawthorne

MBE, Chair, Royal College of GPs,

health service,” noting that many

with social care and voluntary services, including social prescribing However, she warned that without greater investments in general practice, these ambitions may fall short “The proportion of NHS

funding for general practice has declined significantly If we ’ re to

care, funding and resources must follow ” She added that the NHS

tackle major issues, but only if it prioritises general practice “We need more GPs, as promised, but also need to retain the dedicated

patients deserve good care, and we must support the teams delivering it ”

Healthcare workers leave UK for better o ppo rtunities

With healthcare professionals leaving the UK for better opportunities abroad, the NHS is grappling with a staff shortage In an effort to alleviate pressure, health workers are being sent door-todoor in deprived areas to detect i

aims to ease the burden on GPs and A&E, it could further strain an already stretched workforce, potentially impacting care quality and staff workload

S

driving UK healthcare professionals to leave the NHS for opportun i t i e s a b

London, Dr Abdu l Farooq highlighted the intense pressures doctors face within the NHS, pointing to long hours, understaffing,

and challenging working condit

c i a l weekly limit is 40 hours, in reality, I often worked up to 70 hours a w

r n i g h t shifts,” he said “Even if you ’ re only roistered for three or four days, the physical and mental toll is considerable The chronic staff shortages mean you ’ re constantly s t r e t c h e d , w h i c h h a s p u s h e d many to consider working elsewhere ”

Dr Farooq also spoke about the growing trend of doctors leaving the NHS for better opportunities abroad “We’re seeing a significant brain drain Many doctors c o m p l e t e t h e i r t r a i n

n g h e r e , funded by the NHS, and then m o v e a b r o a d t o c o u n t r i e s l i k e A u s t r a l

systems are similar but offer better pay and working conditions,” he said

He believes current reforms are not enough to stop this exodus “The NHS was once a net i m

n o w , even locally trained doctors are struggling to find suitable roles T h e s y s t e m n e e d s u r g e n t a n d meaningful changes to retain its workforce ” D r J o y de ep G ro v

c

, V

P r es i d en t, B AP I O s a i d , “Traditionally, the UK attracted some of the best talent because it was financially attractive, and the training, terms, and conditions w e r e e x c e l l e n t B u t i n t o d a y ’ s global environment, professionals are looking for opportunities that offer the best overall package The NHS must ensure what it offers is as appealing, if not more so, than i n t e r n a t i o n a l c o m p e t i t o r s a l s o vying for the same skilled workforce Otherwise, it risks losing h i g h l y t r a i n e d p r o f e s s i o n a l s , a national loss, given the time and investment it takes to develop them ”

Dr Abdul Farooq expressed doubt about the NHS initiative to send health workers door-to-door in deprived areas, stating, “These w o r k e r s a r e n ’ t f u l l y t r a i n e d healthcare professionals they’ll only complete a short course and m a y h a n d l e b a s i c c h e c k s l i k e b l o o d p r e s s u r e I t ’ s m

r e o f a sticking plaster and unlikely to i m p r o v e o u t c o m e s , e s p e c i a l l y with an aging population facing complex health issues ” D r G r o v e r h i g h l i g h t e d t h a t

success depends on who delivers the care and where the resources come from “Reaching deprived areas and offering home visits is a positive step, especially for those unable to travel But if staff are taken from clinics for home visits, it could strain frontline services Ideally, new roles should be create d f o r c o m m u n i t y h e a l t h c a r e rather than pulling existing staff from other duties ” Resi dent doctors struggle with pay and job uncertainty

The ongoing staff shortages in the NHS are putting immense pressure on resident doctors, who are already grappling with heavy workloads and stagnant pay The u n p r e d i c t a b i l i t y o f j o b p l a c ements only adds to the strain, as m a n y d o c t o r s f a c e u n c e r t a i n career progression and increased stress This unstable environment is contributing to burnout and d i s s a t i s f a c t i o n , m a k i n g i t e v e n harder to retain talent within the healthcare system

Dr Dev Gakhar, a F oundatio n Year 2 Do cto r, discussed the challenges that resident doctors face, particularly around pay and worki n g c o n d i t i o n s H e e x p l a i n e d , “Despite recent pay rises, doctors are still paid 22% worse than they were in 2008 However, this still doesn’t fully address the rising cost of living, and many junior doctors are feeling the pressure ” H e a l s o s p o k e a b o u t t h e

unpredictable nature of job placements, saying, “Once you finish medical school, you rank the locations where you want to work, and then your number is put into a random generator You could be assigned anywhere from London to Northern Ireland, with little say in the matter ” This lack of c o n t r o l o v e r p l a c e m e n t s , h e added, often leads to stress as doctors are forced to uproot their l i v e s w i t h o u t k n o w

they’ll end up

D

shortage of job opportunities for medical graduates, stating, “While the number of medical students has increased, there aren’t enough jobs for them The government pressures hospitals to create roles

Doctors are often given vague job p

where they’ll be working or what departments they’ll be in ” Regarding working hours, he noted, “A full-time contract for doctors typically ranges from 40 to 48 hours a week However, due to short staffing, we often end up working even more While we are paid for those 48 hours, the compensation is usually at our base r a t e , u n l e s s t h

a l l o n weekends or unsocial hours ”

He also expressed concerns about the increasing competition for GP training roles, particularly with the influx of international doctors “The bottleneck is growing,” he said “This year, the competition for GP training jobs is almost 5:1, compared to 3 67:1 last year and 2 67:1 the year before It's rising every year, at a time when GPs are needed more than ever ”

Speaking about morale among resident doctors and the potential impact of the proposed 10-year health plan, Dr Gakhar said, “It’s certainly a concern Many junior d o c t o r s , i n c l u d i n g m y c l o s e friends, are moving abroad one ’ s a l r e a d y s i g n e d a c o n t r a c t f o r Australia Morale is low at the moment The pay rises and the strike action did help, but we still have a long way to go We’re overworked, understaffed, and working conditions are challenging ”

He further explained, “While B r i t i s h m e d i c a l g r a d u a t e s h a v e guaranteed jobs for their first two post-graduation years, after that, there’s no certainty This August, many British-trained doctors will be unemployed due to a lack of available training positions The competition for remaining roles is fierce, with many doctors filling gaps, especially in short-term or ad hoc ‘local’ positions This adds immense stress and uncertainty to our already challenging environment ”

Dr Gakhar commented on the NHS 10-Year Plan, stating, “The great thing is they’re conducting a c o m p r e h e n s i v e r e v i e w o f p o s tgraduate medical training, looking at key issues They’re definitel y m a k i n g p r o g r e s s , a n d w h i l e things are moving step by step, it feels like they’re heading in the right direction I’m happy with the progress, though things could m o v e f a s t e r T h e y ’ r e w o r k i n g with us more than in the past, which is a positive sign ”

Dr Dev Gakhar

Dr Abdul Farooq

Dr Joydeep Grover

Professor Kamila Hawthorne MBE

Dr Ramesh Mehta CBE

Uniting the South Asian diaspora through digital platforms

Subhasini Naicker

Zamiha Desai , founder o f

RecommendAsian and Professio nal Asian, h as created vibrant so cial media platfo rms to connect and u plift th e S outh Asian co mmunity What began as a s imp le exchange amo ng friends has grown into a po werful netwo rk that su pp orts small businesses , shares trusted advice, and meets both every day and entrepreneurial needs

Speaking to Asian Voice, Zamiha discusses creating platforms, the future of business and more

Can you tell u s abo ut RecommendAsian and Professio nalAsi an? What insp ired you to create th ese p latforms?

It all started in 2016 with a sari pleater I found on Amazon

A friend mentioned it after I joked that, at 43, I still couldn’t wear a sari on my own The gadget was a game-changer-it made pleating effortless Like many British Asian women raised in the UK, I’d grown up relying on my mum to help, which made wearing a sari timeconsuming This small tool gave me independence, and I thought others might benefit too

I began a Facebook group to share this find, starting with around 200 of my friends It quickly grew as women began recommending everything from lipsticks and kebab recipes to eyebrow threaders, cake makers, and handymen It became a goto space for Asian lifestyle tipsbeauty, home, health-and eventually evolved into a supportive, peer-led space

Women opened up about personal topics like fertility, domestic violence, and family struggles Today, the group has around 75,000 mainly UK-based South Asian women, with members also in Dubai, Canada, Kenya, and the US

About six months later, I launched ProfessionalAsian

Some men wanted to join the original group, often to promote their businesses I didn’t feel a general men ’ s group was the answer, but creating a businessfocused space made sense

Professional Asian started with 3,000 members in its first week and now has almost 95,000-60%

of whom are women It’s a hub for professionals and entrepreneurs to connect with clients who understand or share their cultural context

Whether it’s a personal trainer familiar with Jain diets, a solicitor versed in Sharia law, or a baker making eggless cakes and fusion mithai (sweets), it’s about connecting culture with services Members sell unique productsfrom crystal-studded rakhis to Bollywood-style makeup and pan chocolates-and recommend local tradespeople who speak your parents’ language It’s become a celebration of shared culture, creativity, and community

Many small businesses struggle with visi bility Ho w do both the platfo rms h elp entrepreneu rs get discovered and grow?

The biggest strength of ProfessionalAsian is that it offers a highly engaged community that’s also your ideal target market-especially if you ’ re selling products like lehengas, mithai, or other culturally specific items For many businesses, it’s a gamechanger; some even get up to 80% of their clients through ProfessionalAsian and RecommendAsian It’s a trusted, well-vetted space, and complaints are rare usually just minor miscommunications rather than issues with quality Many businesses have launched or released new products on the platform, making it a powerful and supportive space for small businesses to grow and thrive Ho w do you see the future o f Asian bu sinesses in th e UK evo lving o ver th e next decade?

I think the digital landscape has really opened doors for entrepreneurs tools like Zoom and platforms like Amazon have made the world feel smaller and more connected There’s now huge potential for businesses to go international, thanks to easy communication and access to global markets That said, it’s not just about selling it’s about building a brand Especially for solopreneurs, you are the face of the business Visibility is key, whether that’s on ProfessionalAsian, RecommendAsian, or platforms like Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube And while it can feel

overwhelming, that’s also where opportunity lies Social media management, for example, is a great space to tap into But growth requires investment time, money, and strategy Many people hit a plateau when they're just about covering costs To scale, you need to spend wisely, even if returns aren’t immediate Collaborating with influencers or leveraging communities like ProfessionalAsian can fast-track growth Yes, some investments might not pay off but you won’t know until you try What advice wou ld you give to Asian women who want to start their own busi nesses but may lack the co nfidence or res ources? When it comes to resources, Asian women are often already part of strong communities-they know other women and have support networks The key is to recognise that people do want to buy from you, but you need a quality product or service, and you have to believe in yourself Imposter syndrome and selfdoubt are common, but only you can offer what you do in your unique way Mind-set is everything-step outside your comfort zone, be confident, and take your business seriously If it’s a business, not a hobby, treat it like one That means carving out time, being disciplined, and making smart decisions like outsourcing when needed Don’t try to do it all If hiring a cleaner frees up time to grow your business, it's worth the investment Budget wisely, create a separate business account, and think like a CEO from day one

Girls in England feel less safe at school, post-Covid

G ir l s i n E n g l a n d ar e f e el i ng increasingly unsaf e at schoo l and less co nnected t o t heir edu cation, accor ding to new r esearch based o n internat io nal dat a f rom pr imary and secondary p upils

A steep decline in girls’ “ emotional engagement” with school since the Covid pandemic has become a significant concern,

r e s e a r c h e r s f r o m U n i v e r s i t y

C o l l e g e L o n d o n ( U C L ) h a v e

warned The study, which drew on global survey data, revealed that girls in year 9 (aged 13–14) in England experienced one of the

s h a r p e s t d r o p s i n e m o t i o n a l engagement, far more than boys of the same age

“Something happened during the pandemic, likely school closures, that has had a lasting

impact on teenage girls,” said P r o f e s s o r J o h n J e r r i m f r o m

UCL’s Social Research Institute

He noted that this disruption may have damaged girls’ confidence, enjoyment of school, and peer relationships

Krupesh Hirani

AM

Maternity care inequality in North London

Assembly Member for Brent and Harrow

I’ve recently been cam paig ning to save m aternity services at the Royal Free Hospital follow ing th e anno uncement fro m the NHS North Central Londo n Integ rated Care Board that it w ill close T his serv es as a d ev astating blow for co mmu nities across the capital The fantastic maternity services staff at the Royal Free are p articularly close to m y heart Both of my d aug hters were born th ere, with my eld est receiving vital care fro m th e Neonatal Intensiv e Care Unit

Reducing our maternity service will have a detrimental impact on young mothers and families living in the North and North West London areas especially with Northwick Park already stretched to capacity That’s why, just over a year ago, I wrote to the Royal Free to and called on them to rethink their proposals I’m particularly worried about the impact this decision could have on ethnic minority communities According to Pregnant then Screwed’s survey, 77 per cent of Black and brown women reported feeling safe giving birth, lower than the overall figure of 84 per cent A survey by the London Assembly Health Committee under my Chairmanship also highlighted that patients in London felt they were not being listened to or were spoken to in a different way compared to white patients using the same services During its evidence gathering, Dr Suzanne Tyler told the Health Committee that when training maternity staff, ‘White’ is taken as the normal, though work is under way to correct this

Under the Mayor of London’s six tests framework, major health service changes must meet strict conditions to ensure they are in the best interests of Londoners As part of this process, the Mayor commissioned the Nuffield Trust to assess the proposal to close the maternity unit The independent review highlighted significant concerns, especially regarding the impact on communities facing health inequalities I have been asking the North Central London Integrated Care Board to look more closely at the independent review which has raised serious unanswered questions, particularly about the impact on ethnic minority communities I have also written to the North West London Integrated Care Board about whether they would be able to accommodate the increased demand on their services as a result of this decision I urge the NCL Board to pause this decision and address these concerns before proceeding I’ll continue to work tirelessly for the maternity unit to remain open

Devangana Das wins 2025 Oxford Bookstore Book Cover Prize

Oxford Bookstore has annou nced Devangana Das as th e w inner of the 2025 Oxfo rd Bookstore Book Cov er Prize She received the award for her c

translated from Tamil by Nandini Krishnan The book was published by HarperCollins India As part of the honour, Das received a trophy and a cash prize of 1 lakh This year ’ s jury was chaired by art historian and museum curator Alka Pande and included a panel of notable figures including author and Member of Parliament Shashi Tharoor, installation artist Samar

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Anja Riedeberger, authors Shobhaa De and Kunal Basu, and Priti Paul, director of the Apeejay Surrendra Group Devangana is an experienced b o o k m a k e r , a r t d i r e c t o r , a n d design educator She is also known for her work as an author-illustrator

Women to sue over pregnancy drug cancer link

seen among boys Separate UCL r e s e a r c h r e l e

s

d l a s t m o n t h also showed that boys in years 5 and 9 in England outperformed girls in maths and science in post-pandemic assessments a reversal from previous trends Before Covid, absence rates

A n I TV New s i nv estig atio n h as uncovered the stories of ov er 100 w o m e n w h o be li ev e t h ey w e re harm ed by a co ntrov ers ial drug prescribed on the NHS for nearly 40 years

invasive procedures and is now preparing legal action Known as "DES daughters," those exposed before birth face heightened risks of cancer, infertility, and internal abnormalities

Students who feel

T h e s e e m o t i o n a l e f f e c t s appear to be influencing school attendance

u n s a f e o r d i s c o n n e c t e d f r o m school are less likely to attend, Jerrim explained In 2019, 43% of girls in England strongly agreed they felt safe at school By 2023, that figure had halved to just 21% For boys, the decline was smaller from 41% to 31%

Girls also reported a 17-point drop in their sense of belonging and a 20-point drop in pride in their school twice the decline

b e t w e e n b o y s a n d g i r l s w e r e similar But by 2023–24, persistent absence defined as missing 10% or more of school sess

among girls: 26 8% compared to 24 3% for boys in state secondary schools

UCL researchers believe the rise in absences is closely linked to the fall in emotional engagement, with students who feel disconnected from school more likely to stay away

T h e d r u g , D i e t h y l s t i l b e s t r o l (DES), was widely used from the late 1930s until 1973 to prevent miscarriages and stop breast milk production Though intended to s u p p o r t p r e

since been linked to rare cancers and other serious health issues

e

generations

An estimated 300,000 women in the UK received DES before it w a s w i t h d r a w n , a f t e r s t u d i e s showed links to cervical, vaginal, and breast cancer One woman, e x p o s e d t

Despite warnings from doctors a s e a r l y a s t h e 1 9 5 0 s , D E S remained in use until the 1970s A 1973 alert from the Committee on Safety of Medicines advised doctors to stop prescribing it to pregnant and premenopausal women Yet ITV News heard from women who believe they were still given DES as late as 1978

Dr Ahmed Talaat, a gynaecological cancer specialist, has treated 12 DES daughters and urges regular screenings due to their doubled cancer risk The government says it is exploring support options for those affected

Zamiha Desai

Devangana Das

Somerset House’s Spring commission explores Britain’s imperial salt monopoly in India through immersive installations, archival materials, and site-specific works across three evocative chapters

Anusha Singh

S o m ers et H ou s e ’ s an nu al

S pring comm ission is back

w ith a pow erfu l pro ject by

H yl o zo i c /D es i re s, t h e cross-disciplinary collectiv e

o f Himali Sing h S oin and David Soin T app eser T i t l e d S

C

d

digs deep into the mineralrich history of salt, tracing

Line, Salt Office, and Salt Stair the project reimag-

large-scale textile installat i o n , a r c h i v a l m a t e r i a l s , photography, and film

Through their commis-

s i o n , S o i n a n d T a p p e s e r revisit this forgotten chapt e r o f i m p e r i a l c o n t r o l while also drawing attention to Somerset House’s

l e s s e r - k n o w n r o l e i n t h e same system as the historic headquarters of the British Salt Office The project is on view until 27 April

which he held up a handful o f s a l t t o p r o t e s t B r i t i s h

occupation Being a press photograph, this image has been widely circulated over the decades However, the artists were also interested in the untold stories of the customs line, for example, in the permeability of this barrier to local people who t h e B r i t i s h b r a n d

human creatures and plants t h a t c o m p r i s e d , s h a p e d , and lived in the hedge –several preserved examples are included in the exhibition And indeed, termites

a n d n a t u r a l f o r c e s a l s o proved to be antagonistic a g e n t s t o t h e u n

t u r a l hedge, contributing to the

I n a n i n t e r v i e w w i t h Asian Voice, curators Cliff Lauson and Kinnari Saraiya share more about the stories, symbolism, and sites p e c i f i c i n t e r v e n t i o n s behind this timely and resonant exhibition

W ha t ro le d o es Gand h i ’ s 1 930 Salt M arch p lay in th e exh ibitio n ’ s narrativ e and w hat are some of the lesserk no w n co n se qu e nc es o f Britain’s salt taxation that this exh ibition sh ed s lig ht o n?

The second section of the exhibition, called The Salt Office, is a gallery that b r i n g s t o g e t h e r h i s t o r i c a l d o c u m e n t a t i o n , b o t a n i c a l s a m p l e s , a n d s a l t - r e l a t e d artefacts, as well as processrelated items from the prod u c t i o n o f n a m a k halal/namak haram (2025), t h e 8 0 m l o n g C o u r t y a r d installation As such, this room serves as the place

w h e r e s e v e r a l n a r r a t i v e s related to salt, both past and present, come together to show how this mineral played such a major part in the lives of everyday people, a n d i n B r i t i s h c o l o n i a l operations

Gandhi’s Salt March is represented by a reproduction of the iconic photograph taken in April 1930 in

al interest in salt, from its production to circulation, export, and taxation While the Salt Hedge was admini s t e r e d f r o m t h e I n d i a

O f f i c e , w h i c h w a s n o t based at Somerset House, the two arms of government are connected by the control and taxation of salt

A s a cu ra to r, w h at c h allen g es d i

c e i n bring ing this proj ect to life and h ow d o you see it contri bu t in g to p u b li c d i sco u rs e o n e m p i re, tra d e, and env

nta l exploitation?

A large part of what we d

a l programme is to provide artists with a platform to explore and address comp

need for constant maintenance A pile of actual salt on the gallery floor points toward the exorbitant price of salt at the peak of taxation: several months of an average salary

How do es Salt C osmologies re so n ate w i th o ng o i ng global conversations about c o lo ni a l l eg a ci e s and resource extraction?

S a l t C o s m o l o g i e s a d d r e s s e s a n e p i s o d e i n British colonial history that is widely known, but less so with regard to the specifics of the customs line By rec e n t e r i n g t h e n a r r a t i v e around salt, the artists have been able to bring together a n d i n t e r t w i n e s e v e r a l threads that are not usually c o n s i d e r e d h o l i s t i c a l l y This is a part of the artists’ way of thinking and worki n g – t h e i r n a m e H y l o z o i c / D e s i r e s s u g g e s t s an equivalence or even reo r d e r i n g o f t h e n o r m a l hierarchies of matter and living beings

O n e e x a m p l e o f t h e intertwining of empire and resource extraction is the S o m e r s e t H o u s e S a l t O f f i c e , w h i c h w a s a c t i v e when the current version of the building was completed around 1786 This Office oversaw the British nation-

London to honour bollywood classic ‘Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge’

A statue of Bollywoo d stars

Sh ah Rukh Kh an and Kaj ol will be u nv eiled in Londo n ’ s L eicester Squ are later this yea r to m ark 3 0 years o f ‘ D i lw a le D u lh ani

ning film in Ind ian cinema

The statue will join others of Harry Potter, Mary Poppins, Batman and more o n L

‘Scenes in the Square’ trail

Heart of London Business Alliance called it “fantastic” to add these “titans of international cinema,” noting it's

Leicester Square itself to be honoured on the trail

Bollywood, the film follows Raj and Simran’s love story f

King’s Cross to the landscapes of Europe and India

Akshaye Widhani, CEO of Yash Raj Films, said the statue celebrates “the global

British Museum showcases ice age masterpieces in Bradford exhibition

M ore than 70 ob jec ts from the British Museum wil l be s howc ased in the ‘Ic e Age Art Now’ exhib it ion, la unchin g on June 2 1 at Cliff e Cas tle M us eum in Keighley, West Y orks hire, as part of the 2025 UK City of Culture cele brations

I n p a r t n e r s h i p w i t h

Bradford District Museums & G a l l e r i e s , t h e e x h i b i t i o n will feature works created in Europe during the last Ice A g e , b

12,000 years ago It is curated b

P r e h i s t o r y a t t h e B r i t i s h Museum

The exhibition features r a r e a n d f r a g i l e o b j e c t s , including a 24,000-year-old f l i n t p o i n t f r o m V o l g u ,

House In addition to The S a l t O f

u

g used to house The Stamp Office as well as the Navy

B

t h e ecologies that are of contin-

our programme

challenge was in fact determining the final material a n d

Courtyard space It was not practical or sustainable to create an actual hedge in the space in February, and so the artists came up with the idea of using textiles hung from a frame to give the physical expression of a hedge

Seen from above, the

g path of the customs line A further layering of meaning was applied to the fabrics, which were hand-printed by artisans (at Tharangini Studio with Tiipoi Studios, Bangalore) with images of the hedge plants using veg-

the dyes were affixed to the

emphasising the relations

content

F r a n c e , d e m o n s t r a t i n g t h e artisan's skill, and a 13,500y e a r - o l d e n g r a v e d

drawing from Robin Hood Cave in Derbyshire, the oldest known figurative art from England, though its authent i c i t y i s d e b a t e d I t a l s o includes works by Francisco de Goya, like ‘True Portrait of a n A n t e a t e r ’ ( 1 7 7 6 ) , a n d

Maggi Hambling’s ‘Study for T h e D e s c e n t o f t h e B u l l ' s H e a

scores the institution's role as a global lending library, with this exhibition offering rare Ice Age art and the oldest UK works

One-third of indie cinemas at risk in UK

A lm ost one in th ree ind epend ent cinemas in the UK may shut d own w ithin fiv e years without urg ent investm e nt, ac c or d i ng to n ew research

A s u r v e y b y t h e Independent Cinema Office (ICO) revealed that 31% of c i n e m a s a n d a r t s v e n u e s need capital funding to stay o p e n , w h i l e 2 8 % r e m a i n u n s u r e a b o u t t h e i r l o n gterm future

Of the 109 venues surveyed, only 41% were confid e n t a b o u t s u

venues that provided capital f u n d i n g e s t i m a t e s c i t e d a total need of over £79m T h e m o s t r e q u e s t e d i n v e s t m e n t s i n c l u d e d u p g r a d i n g e q u

interiors (89%), sustainability (60%), business growth (56%), and building repairs (54%) Over 60% of these projects need to be completed within the next year

T h e I C O n o t e d t

Decline in drama education spurs backstage training focus

Th e d ecline of dram a as a school subject has severely imp acted the live entertainment industry, particularly th e atr e

departments

National Theatre, is prioritising this issue Together with executive director Kate Varah, they are launching i

nationwide, including

tume designers, set creators, and technicians Kate Varah highlighted the risk posed by a sharp decline in performing arts students, with a 68% drop in enrolment This has led to fewer young people consid-

Bank of America The centre

allowing craftspeople time to mentor trainees R

London shows 75% of 18- to 25-year-olds aspire to work in creative industries, but many struggle to find a way in Varah emphasised that it’s the National Theatre’s role to guide them and clarify those pathways

Filling salt into bags and weighing the salt, Sambhar Lake, 1870s

Cred t- Br tish L brary

Salt Cosmologies by HylozoicDesires at Somerset House

Cliff Lauson Kinnari Saraiya

Yash Raj Films

Engraved drawing of a horse on bone, discovered at Robin Hood Cave in Derbyshire, 1877

Ministers urged to act on offenders’ name-change loophole

M o re th an 50 0 reg i stered s ex o f fend er s i n S c otl and h av e legally changed their

n am es o v e r th e p ast tw o y ea rs , s p ark i ng co n ce rns about a lo ophole th at allows them to conceal their identities

S

Figures obtained by the

C

Information request show

5

their names across the 2023-

2

years 263 in the first year and 243 in the second The party has accused the SNP Government of refusing to act on the issue, warning that offenders are exploiting

the system to mask their

justice secretary Liam Kerr said the loophole poses a serious risk and called for urgent reform I

place through Multi-Agency

which coordinate agencies to monitor and manage registered offenders

While officers admit risk can never be fully eliminated, they insist every reasonable step is being taken to protect the public

Grooming gang received £600k legal aid

M em b ers o f a g ro

in g g ang that preyed on teenag e g ir ls i n R o th er h am

regarding an abuse inquiry

I n 2 0 1 8 , s e v e n m e n w e r e jailed for a combined 101

y e a r s f o r g r o o m i n g a n d abusing five girls between

1 9 9 8 a n d 2 0 0 5 i n S o u t h

Y o r k s h i r e T h e g a n g ’ s r i n g l e a d e r , M o h a m m e d Imran Ali Akhtar, 43, who was sentenced to 23 years, received £143,696 in legal aid

This amount does not account for his separate trial in which he was handed a 12-year sentence for raping a 13-year-old girl after drugging and intoxicating her Five other gang members, aged 40 to 45, were sentenced to 10 to 20 years in

p r i s o n a n d r e c e i v e d

ments

b e t w e e n £ 6 0 , 1 4 7 a n d £99,168 in legal aid The seventh, whose identity is protected for legal reasons, was allocated £90,849 All but one of the gang members were convicted of rape, with o n e d e f e n d a n t r e p o r t e d l y falling asleep in court duri n g v i c

The disclosure of this funding comes amid accusations that the Government has been scaling back child rape inquiries to appeal to P a k i s t a

head Sir Trevor Phillips criticised the Government for w a t e

tions into grooming gangs

T h e H o m e O f f i c e recently announced that £5 million earmarked for five i n q u i r i e s i n t o g r o o m i n g gangs in areas like Oldham will now be redirected to initiatives such as victims’ p a n e l s T h e L e g a l A i d Agency confirmed that the funds are paid to the defendants’ legal representatives t o e n s u r e f a i r t r i a l s a n d access to justice

Keir Starmer pays tax on £16K clothing, declares £152K income P

Warnings sound over rising online exploitation threat

B r it i sh p o l ic e a r e r a i si n g

a lar ms ov er a growing an d

y oung me n and boys, fue lle d

b y misogyn istic on line cont ent, ar e a ctive ly seeking out v ul nera ble wome n a nd gir ls on forums link ed t o eat in g disorders, suicide, and me nt al hea lth struggle s Se nior officers fe ar this toxic mix of v iole nt ide ol ogy a nd social i sol a ti on i s pushi ng some t oward rea l-worl d ab usea nd even mass violen ce

The threat is now considered so significant that Britain’s head of counterterrorism, Matt Jukes, has announced a joint task force b

what he described as a “deci-

driven violence The taskforce will specifically target so-called “ com networks” loosely organised communi-

grown sixfold since 2022

These networks, officers warn, do more than share violent or abusive material

seek out victims particularly those already in vulnerable situations - and some show clear signs of escalat-

attacks

J a m e s B a b b a g e , t h e NCA’s Director General of T

scale of the problem, warning that the lines between various forms of violence, f r o m s e x u a l e x p l o i t

i o n a n d m i s

n y t o s c h o o l shootings and terrorism, are i n c r e a s i n g l y b l u r r e d

"People are spinning up and radicalising and getting into m o r e e x t r e m e h a r m , a n d might spin out and end up p r e s e n t i n g a s a n y o n e o f those things," he said

The concern is further fuelled by the belief that online algorithms are driving young men deeper into dangerous content loops, feeding their isolation and r e s e n t m e n t B a b b a g e added that misogyny is a recurring element in the m a t e r i a l c o n s u m e d b y many offenders

J u k e s e c h o e d t h o s e concerns, saying the internet had “turbocharged” the spread of narratives that p i t y o u n g m e n a g a i n s t women, and that the same ideological patterns appear across com networks and terrorist groups He also

stressed that the scale of t h e p r o b l e m - b o t h i n t e r m s o f t h e v o l u m e o f content and the number of u

, a n d urged tech companies to d e p l o y e n g i n e e r i n g a n d algorithmic safeguards to slow the spread of harmful content

A m i d m o u n t i n g e v id e n c e o f o n l i n e h a r m translating into real-world abuse, senior police leaders have also called for stricter age regulations on social m e d i a p l

d £54, 718 in i nco me tax No10 sources confirmed the £16,000 in 'other benefits' related to free clothing

pass after Labour's election win but later returned it

Starmer, Chancellor Rachel

pledged not to accept clothing donations Tax returns

revealed 'other benefits' as part of their taxable income for 2023/24 Reeves earned £12,372 in self-employment income from book royalties and audiobook fees, declar-

£91,758, on which she paid £

Starmer received from Lord W a h e e d A l l i i n 2 0 2 3 / 2 4 These items were initially registered as for the Leader of the Opposition's private office but were later reclassified as donations in kind amid scrutiny over lavish gifts, sparking the 'passes for glasses scandal Lord Alli, who donated suits and spectacles to Sir K

T i m D e M e y e r , c h i e f constable of Surrey Police,

a n d N e i l B a s u , f o r m e r assistant commissioner of t h e M e t r o p o l i t a n P o l i c e , both backed calls for banning under-16s from using social media Basu, a longserving counter-terrorism officer, dismissed the argument that exposure to violent imagery has no realworld effect

“I hear a lot of arguments that there is no conn e c t i o n b e t w e e n v i

imagery and people comm

’ t believe that for a moment after 30 years of policing,” Basu said “The idea that that has no effect seems utterly facile to me So ban it, yes, and 16 seems reasonable to me ” The government has so f

endorsing a ban, but Home S

has indicated that "nothing can be off the table" when it comes to safeguarding young people M

across England have taken

hands A recent national survey found that nearly all primary schools and 90% of secondary schools have now banned mobile phone use during the school day

C r e w , c h i e f c o n s t a b l e o f Avon and Somerset Police, warned that the platforms give predators direct access t o c h i l d r e n , l i k e n i n g t h e u n r e g u l a t e d d i g i t a l e n v ironment to the “American West in the 1850s ” M a g g i e B l y t h , t h e national police lead for violence against women and girls, described the problem as a “significant threat not just to our children and young people but to society as a whole,” highlighting how violent acts, such as s t r a n g u l a t i o n , a r e b e i n g normalised through online exposure

Cooper denies U-turn on grooming gang investigations

Ho m e S ec ret ary Y v et te

Coop er has reaffirmed the go vernm ent's com mi tment to lo c al g r o o m i ng g a ng inquiries, amid claims from Co nserv ati ves and Reform UK that Labour had backtracked o n its p ledg e She dismissed the criticism as “party political misi n f o r m a t i

minister Jess Phillips, who

s a i d a “ f l e x i b l e a p p r o a c h ” would be taken including independent inquiries, victims’ panels, or local audits o f h i s t o r i c c a s e s L a b o u r MPs warned the right was

“weaponising” the issue for political gain

O p p o n e n t s a c c u s e d Labour of backtracking on its promise of five grooming g a n g i n q u i r i e s t o a v o i d

o f f e n d i n g M u s l i m v o t e r s , prompting public backlash and criticism from figures l i k e T r e v o r P h i l l i p s , w h o called it “utterly shameful ”

L a b o u r M P s s a i d t h e issue had been “weaponised” by the right and called for c l e a r e r m e s s a g i n g J e s s Phillips briefed colleagues to r e a s s u r e t h e m , w h i l e t

tracking, saying more than five inquiries could still go ahead T h e

grooming gangs, after Prof

Sehajpal Singh, 26, and Mehakdeep Singh, 24, were convicted of murder after d

their trial at Stafford Crown Court in March Both were sentenced to life imprison-

ment with a minimum of 28 years each

Their convictions follow the earlier sentenci n g o f f o u r m e n Arshdeep Singh, Jagdeep S i n

Aurman Singh’s murder, w

convicted of manslaughter for his role as the 'inside man' at the DPD depot The g r o

Alexis Jay’s previous investigation exposed institutional failings In January, Yvette C o o p e r p l e d g

local inquiries in five areas, naming only Oldham so far Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said a judicial review into the decision not to hold a new national inquiry is

and fear of offending voters in Labourheld seats

Shrewsbury, after

His killers, armed with an axe, golf club, shovel, and hockey stick, ambushed him in an attack that left his skull frac-

p

d They also stabbed him in the back, cutting through a

Matt Jukes Neil Basu

Mohammed Imran Ali Akhtar

Yvette Cooper

Sehajpal Singh and Mehakdeep Singh

Exploring the art of spiritual reflection through Altars

Inga Viugov a is a Russianborn artist w hose creative journey began at 19 and has ev olv ed th roug h a d ecade of t rav el and sp i r it u al exploration Her practice is deeply influenced by experiences such as com pleting th e K o ra in T i b et, Vipassana retreats, yoga in Rishikesh, and a pilgrimage to Palitana These encounters led h er to altars not as religious icons, but as sp aces for presence, reflection, and connection

Fascinated by how spiri t u a l i t y i s w o v e n

everyday life in India, Inga

essence of spiritual practice For her, even the simple act of burning incense w

ritual performed without understanding S

c e , I n g a s a i d , “ I w a s born in Russia, in Perm a

c i t y o n t h e e d g e o f t h e Urals, where Europe and Asia meet It’s an industrial place, not known for spiritual journeys Growing up, I didn’t know words like ‘meditation’ or ‘ritual,’ but I still felt drawn to spiritu-

a l i t y i n d i f f e r e n t f o r m s

Looking back, I wonder if it was destiny or something beyond my understanding

W h e n I f i r s t d i d t h e

K o r a i n T i b e t , I h a d n ’ t

p l a n n e d a p i l g r i m a g e I went with friends to hike

a r o u n d t h e m o u n t a i n I had an idea of what a Kora

w a s , b u t a t t h e t i m e , I didn’t fully grasp the significance of that spiritual act It became clear that something deeper was hap-

p e n i n g a s w e w a l k e d

t h e r e w e r e n o o t h e r tourists, only monks and pilgrims around us Moments like that, and others throughout my life, seemed to be unexpected invitations to come closer to spirituality And somehow, each time, I was ready to accept them ” C reating inclusive spaces

Inga has been practicing modern art for over a decade Reflecting on the origins of her altar work, she shared, “In 2019, while living in South Africa, I created my first personal altar I had made one before in China, but this was differ-

e n t n o t a p r o j e c t f o r someone else, but a space f o r m y o w n p r a c t i c e I planted a bush and hid a crystal in its roots No one knew but me Each day, I s a t b e s i d e i t , b u r n e d i n c e n s e , a n d e x p r e s s e d gratitude as I watered it Over time, it became my a n c h o r a q u i e t s p a c e I nurtured, where I felt conn e c t e d t o s o m e t h i n g greater On good days, I gave thanks; on hard ones, I came back to find balance That practice taught

m e t h a t s p i r i t u a l i t y i s n ’ t

a communal altar inspired by the lunar cycle, featuri n g e i g h t b r a s s m o o n s made from recycled materials Visitors were invited to create their own ritua l s l i g h t i n g c a n d l e s , burning incense, or simply pausing

N a t u r e t e a c h e s u s patience Fruit trees don’t b e a r f r u i t y e a r - r o u n d they need rest But we forget this rhythm and push

abstract it lives in small, everyday acts ”

She draws inspiration from India’s sacred spaces, like Jain temples and Vedic rituals, appreciating their s t i l l n e s s H o w e v e r , I n g a doesn’t see altars as bound t o a n y s p e c i f i c r e l i g i o n

“Every tradition offers diff e r e n t p a t h s , b u t m a n y share a common intention: to guide us toward peace, ” s h e e x p l a i n e d “ B e f o r e engaging with any belief system, we must first create space to listen After all, how can we hear guidance from something greater if w e c a n ’ t e v e n h e a r o u rselves?”

"Every tradition offers different paths, but many share a common intention: to guide us toward peace."

Inga sees her altars not as religious objects, but as spaces for reflection and i n t r o s p e c t i o n o p e n t o a n y o n e , r e g a r d l e s s o f belief Speaking about her work, she shared, “I create

t h e m e d a l t a r s , a n d Moonrise, built for Afrika

B u r n , w a s d e d i c a t e d t o cycles a reminder that life moves in phases, just like nature

I n t o d a y ’ s f a s t - p a c e d w o r l d , w e o f t e n r u s h through transitions witho u t p r o c e s s i n g t h e m Traditional cultures, like in I n d i a , m a r k t h e s e m o m e n t s f e s t i v a l s l i k e Makar Sankranti celebrate seasonal shifts, reminding us to pause and acknowledge change Moonrise was designed with this in mind:

for constant productivity Honouring cycles is essential for balance ”

Inga emphasised that e v e r y o n e h a s t h e i r o w n understanding of practices like meditation and prayer “I wouldn’t label my art as meditation or prayer, ” she explained “Instead, I crea

pray, or simply be present I see myself as a space-holder, not someone who prescribes a specific ritual or path ”

She added, “Every cul-

prayer to one person might

b

That’s why I’m careful not to limit anyone ’ s beliefs or traditions My goal is not to impose, but to invite I

forms of spiritual expres-

people, rather than divide them ” Altars in th e city

When asked where she w

world, Inga said, “Ideally, I’d love to place an altar in the peaceful mountains b

Instead, I believe the city is where such a space is truly needed

Maybe in a park, as

amidst the chaos Urban

cities like London, where everything moves fast and space to reflect is rare

It’s one of my dreams

and inclusive, where people from all backgrounds can come, reconnect with

moment of stillness could bring a sense of calm and unity in the middle of a busy day ”

Mum demands rule change over Sikh kirpan

A mum is call ing for a la w change a fte r a staff member a t C ong l et on Hig h Sch ool was re port edly seen wearing a ceremonial kirpa n Gemma Beech, 42, says she understands kirpans are worn for religious reasons by Sikhs but believes the policy should be reviewed, fearing it may scare pupils unfamiliar with its significance She was alarmed after receiving

a n e m a i l

l about the incident

A kirpan is a ceremonial sword worn by Sikhs as a symbol of justice But mum

Gemma Beech says it has no p

launched an online petition, citing concerns over knife crime and pupil safety “Kids being unexpectedly exposed to this seems inappropriate,” she said “I respect the Sikh community, but I worry students may be scared or misunderstand it Other parents feel the same ” Gemma Beech has raised

Congleton High School saw a staff member wearing a kirpan a ceremonial sword worn by Sikhs She fears chil-

dren may mistake it for a

become frightened, especially if they’re unfamiliar with its religious significance “It must have been terrifying I’d have been scared myself,” she said While UK law permits kirpans in schools, Gemma is calling for a review, particularly in areas with smaller Sikh communities “Children

difference between a ceremonial item and a weapon That’s why I started this petition to raise awareness and push for change ”

Brent and Harrow firms fined over illegal workers

Chicken Land, operated by Sevaka Ltd on Queensbury Station Parade in Edgware, received a £120,000 fine

Dijeet Singh Kapoor of H

Mobile & Vape Ltd both on High Street, Wealdstone were each fined £40,000 Bnova Restaurant & Bar in S t a n m o r

,

n b y A N Restaurants Ltd, was fined £40,000 plus an additional £10,000 penalty I

w s apply not only to those in the UK unlawfully, but also to individuals who are permitted to stay but are not allowed to work, such as asylum seekers While awaiting a decision, asylum seekers r e c e i v e b a s i c a c c o m m o d ation and around £50 a week If their claim is refused, they may remain in the UK but lose access to public funds and employment income

Man jailed for fraudulent Covid business grants from Leeds Council

A f t a b Ba ig , 4 7 , fr o m

G lasgow, ha s been ja iled for four y ear s a fter defra uding

Le eds C it y C ouncil of ov er £710, 000 in ten ded for small busin esse s during the pande mic Baig submitted fraudulent grant claims for thirtytwo Greggs branches, directing the funds to his business a c c o u n t d u r i n g t h e l o c k

down when small businesses were struggling Baig exploited the Small B u s i n e s s G r a n t F u n d , designed to provide business rates relief, by pretending to b e a G r o u p P

t y Manager at Greggs in May 2020 He requested business r a t e s d e t a i l

f o r L e e d s branches, claiming he couldn't access them due to the

Baig used this information

account

In May 2020, the council discovered Baig’s fraudulent claims and froze his account While most of the £710,000

was returned, over £90,000 remained unpaid Baig was arrested in Glasgow in July 2020, and £16,000 in cash a l o n g w i t h f o r g e d r e m i ttance slips were found at his home He was convicted of three fraud charges on 12 F

d s Crown Court

m

h e Crown Prosecution Service stated, “Baig exploited the p a n d e m i c t o d e f r a u d t h e council of taxpayers money meant to support small businesses Those who steal public funds are depriving communities of vital resources We will continue working w i t h i n v e s t i g a t o r s l i k e NATIS to bring offenders to justice and pursue the recovery of any criminal assets ”

Celebrating the spirit of Gujarat and Maharashtra

May 1 marks the foundation day of both Gujarat and Maharashtra

To celebrate this special occasion, a dedicated episode of ‘S O N E R I S A N G A T’ has been organised, honouring the rich cultural heritage and vibrant traditions of both states.

We warmly invite readers of Gujarat Samachar and Asian Voice to nominate members of the Gujarati community who have lived in the UK for over 50 years and have made remarkable contributions to society Please share their name, photograph and a brief summary of their service to the community Email us at : support@abplgroup com

In this special episode, we will honour the remarkable individuals who have dedicated themselves to community service Those who continue to serve will be recognised for their ongoing efforts, while heartfelt tributes will be paid to those who are no longer with us

Join us in celebrating the spirit of selfless service and acknowledging the invaluable contributions of our community members during this memorable *Soneri Sangat* Zoom programme on Thursday, 1st May

Inga Viugova

Aftab Baig

UK-India FTA inches towards final closure

The EFD saw the announcement of trade and investment deals worth over £400 million a package expecte

businesses and workers

At the EFD, Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Business a n

Jonathan Reynolds met with

between the two countries

The discussions mark a significant step forward in the UK's ambition to secure an ambitious FTA and Bilateral

India

C h a n c e

l o

R e e v e s emphasised the importance of global trade in supporting the government’s "Plan for C h a n g e " , s t a t i n g , " I n a changing world, we must go further and faster to kicks t a r t e c o n o m i c g

momentum

“We are determined to continue building a stronger trading relationship, and the o u t c o m e s o f t o d a y ’ s d i alogue reflect real progress, ” she added

F i n a n c e M i n i s t e r

S i t h a r a m a n e m p h a s i s e d that India’s partnership with the UK, built over decades, is playing a crucial role in navi g a t i n g g l o b a l e c o n o m i c headwinds

“ T h i s d i a l o g u e i s n o t new we ’ ve been participating annually, and it has

finances, citing the UK’s fiscal rules and the existing bilateral taxation treaty with I n d i a , w

guards for Indian investors

S i t h a r a m a n , o n t h e other hand, highlighted that the UK-India dialogue has delivered tangible benefits, including stronger regulatory collaboration, smoother F

She also acknowledged the

W

b u s i n e s s e s , w h i c h i s w h y we ’ re pursuing trade deals, including with India, so we can support them and put

m o r e m o n e y i n p e o p l e ’ s pockets "

The dialogue resulted in a joint statement outlining

n e w c o l l a b o r a t i o n s i n defence, financial services,

e d u c a t i o n , a n d d e v e l o pment The UK government reaffirmed its goal to position Britain as the world’s best place to do business, offering economic stability, a n o p e n t r a d i n g e n v i r o nm e n t , a n d c o n d i t i o n s favourable to investment

“ We are not w aiting for an F TA to boo st trad e ” Chancellor Reeves confirmed that while the UK and India remain committed to securing an ambitious trade deal, both countries are already seeing significant trade and investment flows

“We were very pleased to restart the FTA negotiations in February, and our teams

h a v e b e e n w o r k i n g w e l l t o g e t h e r W e v e r y m u c h hope to secure a deal, but y o u c a n s e e f r o m t o d a y ’ s announcements that we ’ re not waiting for an FTA to b o o s t t r a d e a n d i n v e s t -

m e n t , ” R e e v e s s a i d S h e highlighted the recent wave of investment from Indian companies into the UK and vice versa, calling it a clear s i g n o f t h

consistently led to productive exchanges between regu l a t o r s a n d p o l i c y m a k e r s , helping us identify ways to strengthen investment ties,” she said

B o t h R e e v e s a n d S i t h a r a m a n s t r e s s e d t h e shared ambition to finalise a trade agreement that would reflect the growing economic relationship between the two countries “This will be an ambitious FTA,” Reeves said, “and both the Prime Minister and I conveyed to M i n i s t e r S i t h a r a m a n o u r determination to see it concluded Trade and investment are key pillars of econ o m i c g r o w t h , a n d b o t h g o v e r n

on both sides to conclude t

i s a n d t h

c u s s i o n s , especially around the investment treaty, show that we

direction,” Sitharaman said Ind ian stud ents and investments remain a priority

When asked about concerns over Indian capital and wealthy individuals reconsidering their ties to the UK

Reeves reiterated the UK's

“This dialogue is not new We’ve been participating annually, and it has consistently led to productive exchanges between regulators and policymakers, helping us identify ways to strengthen investment ties”

- India’s Finance Minister

commitment to welcoming Indian businesses and students

“Our universities benefit e n o r m

y

advance this partnership ” Sitharaman echoed that sentiment, highlighting that t h e o n g o

5 rounds, are approaching the final stretch

“There’s a strong desire

e c o n o m y , s t a t i n g , “ I n d i a ’ s growth is primarily driven by domestic demand Even as we engage internationall y , o u r f o c u s r e m a i n s o n maintaining the strength of d o m e s t i c c o n s u m p t i o n , w h i c h w i l l s u s t a i n o u r growth trajectory ” She concluded on a confident note, expressing optimism that the long-standing I n d i a - U K p a r t n e r s h i p , strengthened through structured dialogue and mutual r e s p e c t , w i l l c o n t i n u e t o unlock growth and investment opportunities for both nations

E nh a nc i ng c o lla bo r ati o n and co nnectivity

A t t h e L o n d o n S t o c k

E x c h a n g e , b o t h s i d e s announced plans to deepen cooperation in financial services, tax policy, industrial s t r a t e g y , s u s t a i n a b l e finance, and efforts to combat illicit finance

T h e U K w e l c o m e d

I n d i a ’ s e f f o r t s t o e n a b l e i n t e r n a t i o n a l l i s t i n g s f o r I n d i a n c o m p a n i e s a n

London Stock Exchange In support of this, the IndiaU K F i n a n c i a l P a r t n e r s h i p r e l e a s e d i t s r e p o r t Catalysing Bilateral Growth: Connecting India and the U K ’ s E q u i t y C a p i t a l M a r k e t s , o f f e r i n g r e c o mmendations to enhance capital flows and deepen financial integration

The EFD also highlighte d n e w o p p o r t u n i t i e s i n education and sustainability Coventry University is set to become the first English university licensed to open a campus in India’s GIFT City T h e L o n d o n S c h o o l o f Economics announced the continuation of its partnership with Tata Trusts, which will fund scholarships for Indian students

Alongside the dialogue, Secretary Jonathan Reynolds a n d M i n i s t e r S i t h a r a m a n h o s t e d a r o u n d t a b l e w i t h leaders from key financial a n d p r o f e s s i o n a l s e r v i c e s companies, including HSBC, Aviva, Vodafone, WNS, and

Tide The discussion reinforced the shared ambition to secure an ambitious trade deal and deepen commercial ties O n d e f e n c e , t h e t w o sides confirmed progress on f i n a

Roadmap, aimed at

Reynolds said, "Both the UK and India are committed to

m I

a n students, and the economic dialogue has paved the way for more UK university campuses in India, offering students more options while s t r e n g t h e n i n g a c a d e m i c ties,” she said

On taxation and financial stability, Reeves stressed the need for difficult decis

Major Business Announcements

A commercial package worth £128 million in new export deals and investments was announced, alongside previously secured deals worth £271 million Notable highlights include:

w P aytm, India’s largest digital payment app, will invest in the UK to enhance access to affordable digital payments for small businesses

w Barclays Bank P LC India will inject over £210 million into its Indian operations to expand its investment and private banking services

w H SBC will expand its presence in India from 14 to 34 cities, reaching around 95%

of India’s wealth market

w Standard Chartered Bank has moved into larger offices at India’s GIFT City, reinforcing its commitment to the country’s growing financial ecosystem

w Mph asis, a leading Indian tech company, will open a Quantum Centre of Excellence in London and explore setting up a new office in Nottingham, creating 100 jobs

w Bri tish International Investment (BII) will invest $10 million in agritech startup Grow Indigo, supporting regenerative farming and a carbon credit programme in India

w WNS will expand its

London headquarters and launch an AI design hub to strengthen the UK’s digital talent ecosystem

w Revolut is preparing to launch in India following authorisation by the Reserve Bank of India

w Wise will open a new office in Hyderabad as part of its global expansion strategy

w P ru dential will establish its first fully owned global services hub in Bengaluru and a new health insurance joint venture in India

w BII has committed an additional $15 million to support early-stage, inclusion-focused companies in India

India’s Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman interacts with Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Chancellor Rachel Reeves at No 11

The Indian Finance Minister and Chancellor of Exchequer at the EFD meeting

Secretary of State for Business and Trade, Jonathan Reynolds with Smt Nirmala Sitharaman

L-R: Indian Finance secretary, Ajay Sethi Smt Nirmala Sitharaman, Chairperson of Kotak Securities, Uday Kotak and HE Vikram Doraiswami at the India-UK Investor Roundtable

Dear Financial Voice Reader,

Alpesh Patel

Why Ho ld ing C ash Was Wise and Wh y I'm S till Bu llish on A merica

April 2025 has been a rollercoaster for pension savers

The S&P 500 tumbled over 11% following President Trump's sweeping tariffs, erasing trillions in market value and shaking retirement accounts across the globe UK pension pots weren't spared either, with defined benefit scheme assets dropping by 3 3% in just a month

In such turbulent times, my decision to hold cash over the past month wasn't about pessimism it was about prudence By sidestepping the market's sharp declines, I preserved capital and avoided locking in losses

This strategy proved especially beneficial for those nearing retirement, where "sequencing risk" the danger of early losses impacting long-term sustainability is a real concern

A

Yet, despite recent volatility, my optimism about

BlackRock has upgraded its outlook on U S stocks, citing strong corporate earnings and long-term growth drivers like artificial intelligence The recent 90-day pause on tariffs provides a window for stabilization and potential recovery

While some firms, like Citi, have expressed caution due to high valuations and policy uncertainties, others see the current market conditions as a natural correction after years of strong performance This perspective sug-

investors willing to navigate the short-term noise It could be a ‘ v ’ share recovery like Covid then rally and we have the bottom already – but that would need sharp coordinated cuts in interest rates as happened in covid, not a pause in tariffs Or it could be like 2022 with about 6 more months of falls to come before buying back cheaper makes for great returns for the next two years

For pension savers, the key takeaway is balance Holding cash during periods of high volatility can protect against immediate losses, but staying out of the market indefinitely risks missing out on potential gains As always, a diversified approach, tailored to individual risk tolerance and time horizons, remains the cornerstone of sound retirement planning

In conclusion, while the past month justified a cautious stance, the underlying strengths of the U S economy offer reasons for optimism By combining strategic caution with a long-term perspective, pension savers can navigate volatility without sacrificing future growth

Bankrupt steel tycoon ‘diverted £63m to wife and children’

P r a m od M i t t a l , t h e st e e l

t y co o n o n c e b e h in d t h e wor ld ’ s most e xpen siv e wedd ing, is a ccused of se cr etly funn elling £6 3 million to his w i fe a n d ch i ld r e n r a t h e r t han se ttling his compa ny ’ s d ebts

Mittal, 68, was declared Britain’s biggest bankrupt in 2020, claiming liabilities of £2 7 billion He and his family are now being sued in the High Court by Global Steel Holdings, a former company of his, which says it is owed $216 million (£167 million)

The Isle of Man-based firm alleges Mittal and his family “siphoned away ” $180 million from a $496 million

s e t t l e m e n t p a i d b y t h e Nigerian government to one of its subsidiaries between S e p t e m b e r 2 0 2 2 a n d February 2023

Court documents show £81 million of the diverted

f u n d s w e r e t r a n s f e r r e d t o Mittal’s wife, Sangeeta, and their children, Vartika, 40, Shristi, 37, and Divyesh, 35; all of whom live in London and have held roles within

t h e f a m i l y ’ s b u s i n e s s n e twork

Global Steel’s legal team claimed Mittal used his children as “ yes men ” to control company decisions Graeme

Nikhil Rathi reappointed as FCA Chief Executive

Chan cellor Rac hel Reeves ha s c on f i r me d th e re a ppointment of Ni khil Rathi as Chief Executi ve of the Fi

Authority (FCA) for a second five-year term, extend-

September 2030 U

ship, the FCA will continue its mission to simplify and m

, aiming to make the UK the best place to do business w

sumers and ensuring trust in the markets

In December, the Prime M

challenged the FCA to generate ideas that would stim-

Since then, the FCA, led by Rathi, has responded with a series of policy proposals designed to foster growth, including easing access to h o m e o w n e r s h

changes in mortgage rules

l services firms to grow within the UK B u i l d i n g o n t h i s m o m e

Chancellor has introduced t h

y Action Plan, which promises to reduce the administrative cost of regulation on businesses by 25%, positioning Britain as a leading global business hub

As part of this initiative, the government has already streamlined regulation by m e r g i n g t h e P a y m e n t Systems Regulator into the FCA, creating a more coordinated approach that prom o t e s i n

ments sector

R a c h e l Reeves said, “Nikhil Rathi h a s

efforts to reform regulation, ensuring it supports

growth and attracts investment I am thrilled to have him continue leading the FCA as we accelerate our efforts to deliver the gove r n m e n

Change

Executive of the FCA, also commented on his reapp o i n t m

n g , “ I ’ m honoured to be reappointed by the Chancellor The FCA plays a critical role in fostering a fair and thriving financial sector I’m proud of the progress we ’ ve made in driving growth, raising standards, and maintaining m

e challenges remain, the UK is well-positioned as a global financial leader ”

Super-rich flee London in record millionaire exodus

New d at a re v ea ls th at

departure of

Moscow

The latest global wealth report shows that the capital

aires in just one year, includ-

(those with a net worth of $100 million or more) and two billionaires Several factors are contributing to this d

Vijay

In d i an b u si ne s sm a n V i ja y

Halkerston, counsel for the l

shield assets from creditors

The court also heard that Mittal’s father, Mohan, 98, contributed $200 million to settle debts with India’s gov-

resolve a criminal case

Mittal’s lawyer, Stephen Ryan, argued the case was m

unfairly prejudice his client

The judge ruled that Mittal must be formally added to the case, noting, “He fights everything he won’t walk away from this

which offered creditors just 0 18p per £1 owed, was overturned after allegations of sham debts

Mallya has lost his app eal against a bankruptcy order is s u ed by L o n d o n ’ s Hi g h Court ov er debts exceeding £1 billion owed to a consortium of lenders, including the State Bank of India

M a l l y a , w h o

n living in Britain, has spent years entangled in legal dis-

following the collapse of his Kingfisher Airlines in 2012 In 2017, a group of Indian banks secured a court judg-

l c

s i s , e c o n o m i c uncertainty due to Brexit, and the depreciation of the pound

A d d i t i o n a l l y , R a c h e l Reeves’ crackdown on nond o m i c i l e d r e s i d e n t s ( n o ndoms) has prompted more m i l l i o n a i r e s t o l e a v e

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

S m i t h I n s t i t u t e , t h e s e reforms could result in a £10 billion annual loss in economic growth, totaling £111 billion over the next decade

C u r r e n t l y , L o n d o n i s h o m e t o 2 1 5 , 7 0 0 m i l l i o naires, but it is one of only

two cities in the top 50 along with Moscow to see a decline in wealthy residents compared to a decade ago Since 2014, the capital has lost 12% of its wealthiest residents, while Moscow has l o s t 2 5 % D e s p i t e t h i s , London remains the fourth most expensive city globally Andrew Amoils, Head of R e s e a r c h a t N e w W o r l d W e a l t h , a t t r i b u t e s t h i s t o the UK’s high taxes, including capital gains and inherit a n c e t a x e s , w h i c h d e t e r w e a l t h y b u s i n e s s o w n e r s and retirees He also highlights that many FTSE 100

companies were founded by c e n t i m i l l i o n a i r e s , m a k i n g their departure detrimental to the UK economy The diminishing influence of the London Stock Exchange, which now ranks 1

o n c e being the largest, has further undermined the city's financial position Manchester is the only other UK city in the top 50, with 23,400 millionaires Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy largely attributed the exodus to Brexit, emphasising the government's efforts to secure a better deal with the EU

Mallya loses bankruptcy appeal

ment in India for more than £1 billion after Mallya, as

later registered in the UK,

him in 2021

At a hearing in February, Mallya’s legal team argued the banks had already recovered assets, effectively covering the debt, and therefore the bankruptcy order should be overturned However, the court dismissed his appeal In a written judgment, Judge Anthony Mann stated, “The

bankruptcy order stands

AI may trigger market crisis, BoE warns

The Bank of England has warned

could manipulate financial markets and eve n tri gger cr is es to maxi mise profits for banks and traders

In its latest financial stability report, the Bank’s Financial Policy Committee (FPC) highlighted AI’s potential to “exploit profit-making opportunities” as a growing risk amid the financial sector’s rapid adoption of the technology

T

d concern that advanced AI models, designed to operate with minimal human oversight, might learn that periods of extreme market volatility create higher returns for their firms As a result, these systems could take actions that trigger or intensify financial stress, amplifying sharp swings in asset prices

The FPC also warned that AI could facilitate collusion or mar-

human manager ’ s knowledge or intent AI is already transforming the financial industry, from shapi n

automating loan decisions to cutting routine administrative tasks A

Monetary Fund study found that more than half of all patents filed by high-frequency and algorithmic trading firms now involve AI B u

duces new vulnerabilities, includi n

n g data, and the risk of criminals using AI to bypass controls for fraud, money laundering, or terrorist financing

The FPC also flagged concerns over heavy reliance on a few AI providers, warning that a single failure could expose the sector to widespread losses as seen in the 2008 financial crisis

pursue efforts to overturn

bankruptcy case, Mallya is also fighting extradition to India, where he faces fraud charges linked to Kingfisher A

H

s

a s

p p e a l against extradition was dismissed in 2020, though the process remains incomplete Judge Mann noted that d e s p i t e t h e e x t r a d i t i o n order, it “has still not been

that Mallya is continuing to challenge it on other legal grounds

Trevi Skin officially launches after viral success

Trev i Skin, a next-g enerati on clean ski ncare brand fou nd ed by 1 9ye ar- o l d e ntr ep re ne u r Rhythm Kau r, has o fficially launched

B l e n d i n g c l i n i c a l performance with sustainability and inclusivity, Trevi Skin’s genderneutral, vegan formulas are housed in violet glass packaging designed to preserve potency and minimize waste

Kaur’s passion for skincare was sparked by h e r o w n f r u s t r a t i o n s w i t h g r e e n w a s h i n g , chemical-heavy products, and inflated costs Armed with £500 saved from birthdays and part-time jobs, she spent three years studying global beauty rituals, ingredient science, and formulating what would become Trevi Skin’s first collection

Now balancing her role as founder and CEO alongside university studies, Kaur says Trevi Skin is focused on expanding both its product line and its community

Nikhil Rathi

Vijay Mallya

Pramod Mittal

India and UAE sign eight MoUs

targeting Gulf markets and Dubai-based firms exploring

and port infrastructure

launched in 2024 Separately,

y Drydocks World partnered with Cochin Shipyard to set u

u s

Kochi and Vadinar, aligned with India’s Maritime Vision

2 0 3 0 a n d t h e A m r i t K a a l agenda

I n e d u c a t i o n , D u b a i ’ s D e p a r t m e n t o f E d u c a t i o n a n d T r a i n i n g a n d I I M Ahmedabad agreed to open a

c a m p u s i n D u b a i International Academic City

Indian gas firm GAIL seeks 26% stake in US LNG

ed a tender to buy up to 26% s take in a liquefi ed natural gas project in the United States combined with a 15year gas i mport deal, ai di ng N

pl us with Washington T h e U n i t e d S t a t e s i s already the second largest supplier to India Qatar is the largest LNG supplier to I n d i

r u n G A I L wants 1 million metric tons

p e r y e a r o f L N G f r o m a plant in the US on a freeon-board basis for a period of 15 years, it said, adding the deal could be extended by five to 10 years To boost its US energy

import tax on US LNG to m a k

c e competitive, and help trim i t s $ 4 5 7

i o n t

surplus with the US GAIL had to stall a similar process in 2023 to buy a stake in a US LNG plant after thenPresident Joe Biden banned export permits for pending and new LNG projects

T h e I n d i a n c o m p a n y has revived the tender as

Trump s administration has lifted the ban India is the world's fourth largest LNG importer and aims to raise t h e s h a r e o f g a s i n t h e country's energy mix to 15% by 2030 from 6 2% now GAIL has contracted to b u y 1 5 5 m i l l i o n t o n s annually of LNG, including supplies from the Australia, Qatar and the United States

a n d t r a d e r s V i t o l a n d

A d n o c , a c c o r d i n g t o i t s annual report for 2023-24

Loans may get cheaper as RBI cuts repo rate

H o m e l o a n s a n d ot h e r

b orrowi ngs a re set to get cheape r with Rese rve Ba nk of In dia red ucin g the repo ra te by 25 b as is poi nts to 6 25% and vowin g to keep th e ba nki ng s ys tem flush

w i t h s u r p lu s l i q u i d i t y

a ga i n s t t h e b a ck d r o p o f

g l o b a l un ce r t a i n t i e s , tri ggere d by the ta riff war

T h e m o n e t a r y p o l i c y

c o m m i t t e e ( M P C ) u n a n i m o u s l y v o t e d t o reduce the repo rate - the rate at which RBI lends to

banks - from 6 25% to 6% and to change the stance of the monetary policy from neutral to accommodative

The rate cut comes on the back of a 25-basis point cut in Feb with a promise from t h e c e n t r a l b a n k t h a t future decisions would be

e i t h e r t o l o w e r r a t e s o r hold still

A n n o u n c i n g t h e

d e c i s i o n s , R B I g o v e r n o r

S a n j a y M a l h o t r a a l s o r e v i s e d t h e g r o w t h a n d inflation forecast for 2025-

26 by 20 basis points to 6 5% and 4%, respectively

A t a p r e s s c o n f e r e n c e

Malhotra said the goal was to ensure surplus liquidity to the extent of 1% of bank deposits, which works out to nearly £23bn as against t h e c u r r e n t l i q u i d i t y surplus of £15bn “The domestic growthi n f l a t i o n t r a j e c t o r y demands monetary policy to be growth supportive, w h i l e b e i n g w a t c h f u l o n the inflation front We are

a i m i n g f o r a n o ninflationary growth that is built on foundations of an i m p r o v e d d e m a n d a n d s u p p l y r e s p o n s e a n d sustained macroeconomic balance," Malhotra said in his statement Explaining the change in stance in his a d d r e s s , h e s a i d “ T h e stance of monetary policy s i g n a l s t h e i n t e n d e d direction of the policy rates going forward with respect to the policy rate, which is the mandate of the MPC "

Gujarat is now gateway to global trade: Shah

U nio n home m inister Am it

S h a h s ai d Gu j a rat h as become the g atew ay to th e

g lo b al ec o no m y He s ai d Gujarat is set to take th e lead in new ind ustries such a s se m i co n d u c to rs an d g reen energy Gujarat chief

m in i st er Bh u p e nd r a P ate l said th e state will become a

$ 3 5 tr il li o n e co n o m y b y

2 0 4 7 and c o ntr ib u te to m aking Ind ia a dev elop ed cou ntry

A d d r e s s i n g t h e inauguration of the Gujarat

Chamber of Commerce and I n d u s t r y ’ s t h r e e - d a y t r a d e e x p o a t S

virtually, Shah said, “Gujarat has played an important role in making India the fifth

y i n t h e world and now will have to contribute significantly to make India the third largest economy ” GCCI has played

the state MSMEs are our biggest asset, and the GCCI should integrate them with s t a r t u p s

industrial growth and the

businesses over the past 75 y e a r s S t r e s

looking 25-year roadmap, he

integrate Gujarat’s extensive trading network with digital

t h e y

u

H e a l s o highlighted the importance o f s m a r t i n f r a s t r u c t u r e , s e a m l e s s i n t e r c o n n e c t i v i t y a n d G u j a r a t ’ s s t r a t e g i c advantage conferred by its extensive coastline

Trump tariffs put pause on startups’ IPO plans

correction in public markets have led them to renegotiate valuations, delaying closure

startups in need of funding will have to settle for lower valuations and those who are raising pre-IPO capital will have to make peace with flat valuations Even as the US has announced a 90-day

pause on reciprocal tariffs for countries barring China, uncertainty about the global macro environment persists, leading to investor caution

“On an average, funds are yet to deploy 25%-30% of the

earlier and also new funds

for

markets continue to remain

India's mobile phone exports cross £20bn mark in FY25

Le d b y A ppl e ’

discussions will keep getting delayed Companies that are in need of urgent capital

Fund Investors are back

Ramchandani, CEO and head

2

, growin g b y a s trong 54% over the previous year The s ha r e o f i Ph on e i n th e ex p or ts s to od a t £1 5b n , U ni o n m i n i s te r A s hw i ni

Va i s hn a w

smartphones out of India, a n d o t h e r c o m p a n i e s include Motorola Chinese players such as Vivo, Oppo, and Xiaomi - while being strong players within India - a r e s t i l l t o g e t b i g o n exports The minister said t h a t m a n u f a c t u r i n g o f electronics increased more than five times in the last d e c a d e w h i l e e x p o r t s moved up more than six times V a i s h n a w a l s

announced the rollout of the

ecosystem The scheme is expected to generate direct e

and now aim to double this over the next five years ” The minister said that

The

the Electronic Component Manufacturing Scheme for

period of six years starting April 1

JLR pips Audi to be No 3 seller of luxury cars in India

Tata owned Jaguar L and Rov er (JLR) entered the Top 3 luxury car ranking by surging ahead o f Germ an Aud i, with the category crossing the p sycholog ical 50,0 00-u nit mark in FY25 for th e first tim e by registering a 3 % growth in th e financial year

While sales have started to slow down from Jan-March ’ 25 quarter as the stock markets took a beating and some concerns started to build up around the economy, the i n d u s t r y

, registering sales of 51,406 units

J L R

absence of Jaguar models with availability of only a few units of F-Pace SUVs of Land Rover led the growth JLR sold 6,183 units in FY25 at a growth of 40% (4,417 units in FY24), ahead of Audi’s 5,990 units, where numbers declined by 15% (7,027 in the previous year)

“In FY25, Defender was the highest selling-model with a growth of 90%, followed by the locally-manufactured Range Rover and Range Rover Sport at 72% and 42% respectively,” Rajan Amba, MD of JLR India, said The company is hopeful of continuing the growth momentum in FY26

Sources in VW group, owner of Audi, said the brand was impacted by “supply constraints and red sea crisis” last year JLR was behind Mercedes-Benz and BMW, who occupied top two positions in the luxury car market respectively

TCS revenue growth slows to 2.5% in Q4

While TC S achieved the $3 0 billion revenue milestone in FY25, its C EO, K Krithiv asan, indicated cautio n m ixed with optim ism reg arding the current demand env ironment Fo r the 2024-25 financial year, T CS’ s rev enue g rew by 4 2% in constant currency comp ared to 3

corresponding period last year

However, for the March quarter, growth significantly s l o w e d t o 2

preceding two quarters, impacted by curtailed discretionary spending and deferred decision-making “Overall, while we had a de-growth of 0 8% on a sequential basis, all the major markets and most industry verticals grew Based on the order book we ’ ve announced and the deals we ’ ve signed, while there could be some short-term uncertainty, FY26 will be a better year than FY25 Until Feb, we were quite positive and very optimistic about the quarter However, in March, we started seeing some uncertainty creeping in, resulting in some project and decision-making delays We have not seen any major project cancellations There are some ramp-downs, but there are delays in decision-making We believe in the next few months, this uncertainty should settle, and we should be back in business,” Krithivasan said at an earnings conference

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed & Narendra Modi

Yunus has made Bangladesh a nation of militants: Hasina

D HAKA : F orm er P M Sh eikh

Hasina has alleged th at int

Y

Bangladesh into a countr y

m ilitants and ter ror ists, insisting th at justice will be delivered as she r emains opt imistic about making a comeback

“Our politicians and worke

attacked brutally it cannot be described in words Everyone

being targeted,” she said I

p p o r t e r s , Hasina, who is now said to be living in exile in India, said Allah kept her alive for a reason and a day will come when t h o s e t a r g e t i n g h e r p a r t y members will be brought to justice

She asked cadres to keep a t r a c k o f e

y a c t i v i s t o f Awami League and build an elaborate database, according to a post shared on the party’s F a c e b o o k p a g e T h e f o r m e r PM said the database should have details of how many party workers have been injured and k i l l

them are still in jail, how many cases have been filed, and the latest updates on the political activities of the president and g e n e r

League, as well as members of associate organisations

Hasina also instructed the

places of worship and shrines

She described Yunus as someone who never loved the peop

amounts at high interest rates and used the money to live

rapes, murders and robberies cannot be reported for fear that if they are, the TV channel or newspaper will be targeted

B angladesh c ourt is sues arrest warrant against Hasi na, her sis ter

A Bangladesh court issued arrest warrants against deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina, her sister Sheikh Rehana, and others in three cases related to irregularities in plot allocations

S h e i k h R

British MP Tulip Siddiq and Azmina Siddiq, as well as her s o n , R

q Bobby, are among the accused Judge Md Zakir Hossain of

Dhaka metropolitan senior spe-

order after taking cognisance of

them The judge directed the

dozen police stations in Dhaka and other parts of the country to submit progress reports on the execution of the arrest warrants by April 27

On April 10, the same court issued arrest warrants against H

Wazed Putul, and 17 others in a separate corruption case related to irregularities in plot allotments The accused, including H

d absconding Putul has been serving as the South East Asian regional

Organisation and is based in New Delhi since Nov 1, 2023

On Jan 13, Bangladesh’s anticorruption commission (ACC) filed a case against Rehana for

Purbachal New Town project through abuse of authority

The case named 15 accused, including Hasina and Rehana’ s daughter Tulip Rizwana Siddiq Rehana did not hold any official position in the past govt

After the investigation, ACC s u b m i t t e d a c h

g e s h e e t o n March 10 against 17 individuals, adding two more names

In a second case, ACC filed charges against Azmina Siddiq f o r s i m i l a r i r r e g u l a r i t i e s i n acquiring a plot in Purbachal

Gujarati man stabbed to death in Melbourne

ME LBO URN E : A Gu jarati man was stabbed to death in Winton S treet in Burwo od, Melbou rne, s e nd i ng sh o c kw av es th ro u g h t h e d ia sp o r a, p a rti cu l arly t h e Gu jarati commu ni ty

T h e v i c t i m , 3 9 - y e a r - o l d

Mihir Desai, a native of Bilimora in Navsari who had moved to Australia around a decade ago, was allegedly stabbed to death by his own roommate on April 8 Upon being informed of the incident, local police and emerg e n c y s e r v i c e s r u s h e d t o t h e s p o t H o w e v e r , M i h i r s u ccumbed to his injuries at the scene due to the severity of the w o u n d s A 4 2 - y e a r - o l d m a n , w h o a l s o l i v e d i n t h e s a m e house, was arrested at the prop-

Pak’s mineral investment push ignites firestorm of dissent

I SLAMAB AD: Pakistan’s aggress ive pus h for internatio nal inves tm ent in its mines and minerals

s ector has ignited a f iresto rm o f

d is s en t in Ba lo c h is t an , K h yb er P ak h t u n kh w a (K P ), P a ki s ta n -

o c c u p ie d K a s h m ir a nd GilgitBaltistan (GB) regions

T h e P a k i s t a n M i n e r a l s Investment Forum 2025, held in I s l a m a b a d o n A p r i l 8 - 9 , w a s billed as a golden opportunity to unlock “trillions of dollars” of the country’s mineral wealth The event drew over 300 delegates from nations like the US, Saudi Arabia and China The forum has deepened the divide between the c e n t r e a n d p r o v i n c e s L o c a l s accuse Islamabad of tightening its grip on their wealth for the benefit of foreign powers and the central elite

Addressing the forum, PM Shehbaz Sharif said: “If we harness these vast reserves, Pakistan can bid farewell to the IMF and global lenders ” His words, however, ring hollow in Balochistan, where the Reko Dik copper-gold mine has become a lightning rod f o r d i s s e n t T h e p r o v i n c e , Pakistan’s largest by landmass

yet poorest in development, has endured decades of neglect while its resources are siphoned off to benefit Punjab and the military elite Weeks ago, insurgents had i n t e n s

province Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s gemstones have long been a source of pride, yet locals say they see little of the profits “The mountains bleed wealth, but our children starve,” said a tribal elder In Gilgit-Baltistan, where gold, uranium and gems abound, protests were held this week over mining leases to Chinese firms Leaders in PoK, known for ruby and sapp h

line foreign pockets while

Attique Ahmed Khan, region’s former PM

erty and has been charged with murder Reports suggest that the accused is also of Indian origin

A f o r e n s i c t e a m c o l l e c t e d evidence from the scene, and neighbors are being questioned The exact motive behind the m u r d e r r e m a i n s u n k n o w n a t this stage Mihir was a resident o f Y a m u n a N a g a r S o c i e t y i n

Bilimora, where his mother lives a l o n e H i s s i s t e r r e s i d e s i n Germany

M i h i r ’ s p o s t - m o r t e m h a s b e e n c o n d u c t e d i n A u s t r a l i a , a n d t h e b o d y h a s b e e n k e p t there for now Further procedures to repatriate his body to India will be initiated after the a r r i v a l o f h i s s i s t e r f r o m Germany

India born doctor, family killed in US plane crash

NE W Y OR K : An India-born doctor and m embers of her f amily died in a plane c rash in New Y ork over the week end while heading to the Cats kills Mount ains for a bir thday cel ebration D

d urogynecologist, her husband Dr Michael Groff, a neuroscientist, their daughter Karenna Groff, a former MIT soccer player and 2022 NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) woman of the year, and son Jared Groff, a paralegal, died when the twinengine plane crashed National Transportation Safety Board said

Craryville, New York The family boarded Groff’s private plane at

, New York The victims included Jared Groff ’ s partner Alexia Couyutas

underway and that they were collecting evidence as well as interviewing witnesses

Shortly before the crash, the pilot had radioed air traffic control at Columbia County Airport to say he had missed the initial approach and had asked for

in brief

SINGAPORE HONOURS 4 INDIANS FOR RESCUE WORK

The Singapore govt has honoured four Indian migrant workers for their heroic actions in rescuing children and adults from a fire at a shophouse where 16 minors and six adults were trapped Mark Shankar Pawanovich 8 the son of Andhra Pradesh deputy CM Pawan Kalyan was among those rescued from the fire on April 8 He was at a cooking school located in the shophouse Inderjit Singh Subramanian Saranraj, Nagarajan Anbarasan and Sivasami Vijayaraj received the Friends of ACE coins from the manpower ministry for rescuing those trapped in the fire

INDIAN AMERICAN CEO ARRESTED IN SEX SCANDAL

Anurag Bajpayee - the Indian-origin CEO of clean water startup Gradiant - has been arrested in the United States for allegedly paying for services at high-end brothels

Bajpayee was among dozens of individuals named in a court document accused of paying hundreds of dollars per hour for sex work, according to a report in the New York Post

The elite client list included doctors, lawyers, public officials and government contractors, according to the report The investigation revealed that the men allegedly paid up to $600 per hour for sex with predominantly Asian women

PAK SCRAPS 44,000 POSTS OF GOVT

SCHOOL TEACHERS

The education department of the Punjab province in Pakistan has abolished 44 000 posts of govt schoolteachers as part of its outsourcing campaign to the private sector

The move adds to the existing challenges and struggles for the citizens, who are faced with a towering inflation, which is aggravated by consistent job losses in the private sector, and now the govt sectors as well According to reliable sources in the Punjab school education department, it will now be up to the private sector owners to hire teachers according to their policy On the other hand, teachers say that the decision will add to growing unemployment among youth

new approach plan

Dr Joy Saini was a renowned urogynecologist and the founder of the Boston Pelvic Health and Wellness centre in the United States Her website describes her

pelvic surgeon

n d o c t o r received her medical degree from t h e U n i v e r s i t y o f P i t t s b u r g h S c h o o l o f M e d i c i n e i n Pennsylvania She completed her r e s i d e n c

gynaecology at The New York P

Cornell Medical Center

She was the recipient of a fellowship in FPMRS at New York University Medical Center and a Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists (FACOG) Saini also obtained a double board certification from t h e A m e r i c a n B o a r d o f Obstetrics & Gynecology

Saini was one of the first women in the US to receive fellowship training in urogynecolog y a n d r e c o n s t r u c t i v e p e l v i c surgery She was also one of the f i r s t u r o g y n e c o l o g i s t s t o b e board-certified when the discipline became an official medical subspecialty in 2013

BANGLADESHI MODEL HELD FOR ‘THREATENING’ DIPLOMATIC TIES

A Bangladeshi model has been arrested for threatening diplomatic ties police said with her father linking the case to a former Saudi ambassador Meghna Alam an ex-beauty queen is being held without charge after falsely accusing important individuals with intent to worsen diplomatic ties police said Her father said: The ambassador and Meghna were in a relationship, and she refused his marriage proposal because he has a wife and children Her arrest under Special Powers Act, which permits people to be held indefinitely, was slammed by rights groups

AFGHAN MEN ARRESTED FOR HAIRCUTS, SKIPPING MOSQUE

Taliban’s morality police have detained men and their barbers over hairstyles, and others for missing prayers during Ramzan, a UN report said The vice and virtue ministry published laws last August covering many aspects of everyday life in Afghanistan including public transport music shaving and celebrations The ministry also issued a ban on women’s voices and bare faces in public That same month a UN official warned the laws provided a distressing vision” for the country s future by adding to existing employment, education, and dress code restrictions on women and girls

Sheikh Hasina & Muhammad Yunus

Shehbaz Sharif

in brief

BENGALI NY CANCELLED AT CHITTAGONG AREA

Bengali new year celebrations in Chittagong’s DC Hill area were abruptly cancelled after unidentified individuals vandalised banners, festoons, and side stages set up for the event This marks the first time in 47 years that the event - Poila Boishakh - was not held at DC Hill due to such disruption According to witnesses a group of 30-40 people arrived in a procession chanting slogans like accomplices of fascists beware! and agents of Awami League beware! They then destroyed parts of the venue Organisers then suspended all scheduled programme in protest Event coordinator

Sucharit Das Khokon said organisers faced several challenges over the past two days while preparing for the celebrations

JAYAPAL LAUNCHES ‘MONOPOLY BUSTERS’ CAUCUS

Representative Pramila Jayapal is leading a renewed push in Congress to challenge corporate consolidation and fight for the economic rights of working Americans Jayapal and fellow lawmakers officially launched the Monopoly Busters Caucus a coalition aimed at confronting monopolistic power and building a pro-worker pro-consumer and pro-small business economy The caucus which includes nine founding members and spans the ideological spectrum of the Democratic Party signals a growing bipartisan awareness that unchecked corporate power is hurting Americans wallets

OPPOSITION TO TRUMP’S PRIORITIES

As the Trump administration presses forward with its policy agenda a new poll conducted by AAPI Data and The Associated PressNORC Center for Public Affairs Research reveals widespread disapproval among Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) adults The survey shows that most AAPI adults disagree with the administration s handling of major issues, including the economy, government spending, and the role of federal agencies According to the poll, 71% of AAPI adults disapprove of how President Trump is managing the economy and trade, while 68% disapprove of his management of the federal government

BALOCH SEPARATISTS KILL 8 PAKISTANIS IN IRAN

Eight Pakistani car mechanics were shot dead in Iran sparking outrage and deepening fears the country was becoming a hub for antiPakistan militants after Afghanistan Balochistan National Army (BNA) a lesserknown separatist group claimed responsibility for the attack in Sistan-Baluchestan province escalating tensions between the neighbouring countries as Pakistan demanded swift action The eight workers, hailing from Punjab, were killed at a workshop in Mehrestan district near Afghanistan border

124 KILLED IN NIGHT CLUB ROOF COLLAPSE

A catastrophic roof collapse at a packed nightclub in the Dominican Republic’s capital killed at least 124 people and emergency crews were working frantically after nightfall to pull survivors from rubble More than 150 people were rescued from the rubble Families waited outside the wreckage of the Jet Set nightclub seeking information about their loved ones

The deceased include a popular singer a provincial governor and former Major League Baseball pitcher Octavio Dotel Juan Manuel Mendez, head of emergency operations centre, said rescue workers expected to need another 24 to 36 hours to complete their search

Over 100,000 ‘dependent’ Indians in the US fearing ‘self-deportation’

134,000 depende nt Indian immigrant s in the Unite d State s, tur ning 21 t his y ear could be a tick in g cl ock that could possib

fr om the on ly count ry they

ever k nown as home

arrived in the US as children with their NRI parents on H-4 depen-

moment they turn 21, their visa

limbo

Until now, US immigration policies provided a two-year window for these young adults to transition to a different visa status after “aging out ” But a series of policy shifts under the Trump administration, combined with

recent court rulings, has thrown their future into uncertainty

A recent ruling by a US federal appeals court in Texas has declared the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) programme unlawful, leaving thous

including many Indians, facing an uncertain future H u n

young immigrants from various

DACA recipients are of South Asian or Indian origin

unlawful, many young Indian immigrants are left with

what lies ahead

For some, switching to an F-1 student visa seems like a possible way to stay in the US, but it comes with major challenges H4 visa holders who transition to F-1 status are classified as international students, which means

tuition, federal financial aid, and

certain scholarships

With limited options, some of these young immigrants are n

countries like Canada or the UK, where immigration policies are seen as more inclusive

The massive backlog in the U

system

serious concern among this section According to

Indians are currently stuck in the employment-based Green Card queue (EB-2 and EB-3 categories),

time of 134 years

For dependent children waiting in this line, absence of DACA protection has compounded the worry Many fear they may have to self-deport before they ever receive US residency

Indian consulate in Melbourne vandalised

Victoria police said graffiti w a

c

commi

been the si te of simi lar provocations , w ith slogans defacin g the premis es in past years during peri ods of hei ghtened international tens ion, the Aus trali a Today reported

t h e d i p l o m a t i c premises “Officers believe the front entry of the building was graffitied overnight An investigation into the damage remains ongoing,” a police spokesperson said The high commission in a post on X said it raised the issue with Australian authorities “All necessary steps are being taken to ensure the safety and securit y o f I n d i a n d i p l o m a t i c a n d

consular premises and personnel in the country,” the post said Police have not confirmed whether any suspects have been identified in the incident

The act has reignited conc e r n s w

t h i n t h e I n d i a nA u s t r a l i a n c o m m u n i t y , t h e news portal said “It’s not just graffiti - it’s a message of intimidation aimed at our community,” an Indian-Australian said V i c t o r i a p r e m i e r J a c i n t a Allan’s govt passed anti-vilification laws this year to strength-

en penalties for acts motivated by hate or religious bias

However, members of the Indian-Australian community continue to raise concerns over perceived slow responses and i n c o n s i s t e n t e n f o r c e m e n t , especially when compared to responses to similar incidents involving other communities

“This is not about politics It’s about safety, respect, and equal p r o t e c t i o n u n d e r t h e l a w , ” Australia Today said, quoting a community member

65 Punjabi origins in fray for Canada’s parliament poll

O TT A WA : As C ana da ge ars up for its fede ral elections on April 28, a r ecord n umbe r of Punjabi origin ca ndida tes, 6 5 in tota l, a re con te st ing sea ts a cross t he countr y, re flectin g t he community ’ s growin g political influen ce

In 2021, 17 Punjabi candidates make it to the House of C o m m o n s , w h i l e i n 2 0 1 9 , 4 7 contested and 22 were elected This time, 16 sitting Punjabi origin MPs are seeking re-election; several seats will witness direct contests between Punjabi candi-

dates

These candidates, representi

Conservatives, NDP and Greens, a s w e l l a s r u n n i n g a s Independents, are spread across k e y p

, British Columbia, Alberta and Manitoba

T h e P u n j a b i c o m m u n i t y , which forms a significant part of Canada’s South Asian population, has seen its political prese n c e

FBI director Kash Patel removed as acting director of ATF

W A S HI N G T O N : T h e Tr um p admin ist rat ion has r eplaced FBI dire ct or Kash Pa tel as t he int erim h e a d of t h e Bu r e a u o f Alcohol, Toba cco an d Fire arms an d installe d Da n Driscoll, se cre tar y of the ar my, in his pla ce, a c co r d i n g t o p e o p le f a m i li a r with the matt er

The abrupt change placed control of the embattled agency

r e s p o n s i b l e f o r e n f o r c i n g t h e nation’s gun laws to the defense department Patel has been running the FBI and the ATF for months, but it had proved to be overly burdensome, and Driscoll was selected to replace Patel as the interim head, as he was one o f t h e f e w S e n a t e - c o n f i r m e d appointees available

The initial move to have the FBI director run the ATF was unusual because the agency has traditionally had its own, separate director The move to now transfer leadership outside the j u s t

e l y marks an additional departure Driscoll is expected to simultaneously run the ATF and continue with his current role A s p o k e s p e r s o n f o r t h e j u s t i c e department did not respond to a request for comment about the l o n g - t e r m i m p l i c

viewed the ATF and its mission with skepticism and have discussed gutting the ATF or mergi

A d m i n i s

i o n , another small and underfunded agency that has previously been part of the justice department T h e d e c i s i o n t o h a v e t h e a r m y s e c r e t a r y r u n t h e A T F could be the precursor to such a move or at least to dramatically r e d u c e i t s s i z e a n d s c o p e I n recent weeks, ATF agents have b e e n d i v e r t e d t o h e l p w i t h enforcing Trump’s immigration agenda

election features a mix of seasoned politicians and fresh faces, i n

community activists

Among the prominent figu r e s i n t h e r a c e a r e L i b e r a l Party's Kamal Khera, the Health M i n i s t e r a n d i n c u m b e n t M P from Brampton West, along with I n n o v a t i o n , S c i e n c e a n d Industry Minister Anita Anand, w h o i s s e e k i n g r e - e l e c t i o n i n Oakville Former minister and sitting MP Bardish Chagger is

also running again in Waterloo NDP leader Jagmeet Singh, one o f t h e m o s t r e c o g n i s a b l e Punjabi-Canadian politicians, is c o n t e s t i n g f r o m B u r n a b y Central once more Campaigning on issues like immigration, healthcare reform, e c o n o m i c o p p o r t u n i t i e s a n d Canada's foreign policy - particu l a r l y i t s t i e s w i t h I n d i a a n d South Asia - these candidates are engaging with an increasingly i n f l u e n t i a l S o u t h A s i a n v o t e r base

Indian-origin councilman charged in $ 3mn gambling scheme

NE W J ERS E Y: A n Indian-origin

c ou nc i lm an is am o ng sev e ral people charged in th e US with rac kete eri ng , m o ney lau nd e ri ng , an d o th er c ri m es fo r alleg ed ly playing a role in an illegal gambling scheme that netted mo re than $ 3 m illion

A n a n d S h a h , 4 2 , P r o s p e c t Park, New Jersey council member and local business owner was identified as allegedly managing illegal poker games and an online sportsbook in association with the Lucchese crime family, N e w J e r s e y A t t o r n e y G e n e r a l Matthew Platkin said in a statement

S h a h i s a m o n g 3

who have been charged with racketeering, gambling offences, money laundering, and other crimes after law enforcement executed search warrants at 12 l o c a t i o n

N

r t h Jersey earlier this week A m

Indian-origin

Samir Nadkarni,

host

Following a two-year invest

g activities tied to the Lucchese crime family, searches were conducted on April 9 on four poker c

, Garfield, and Woodland Park, including two clubs where backroom poker games were hidden behind functioning restaurants; a business in Paterson storing gambling machines; and seven residences of individuals alleged to be managing the gambling activities

The investigation uncovered a d d i t i o n a l p

c l u b

,

h e involvement of dozens of individuals alleged to have hosted poker games and worked at the poker clubs, and managed bettors on an illegal online sportsbook

Cabinet committee clears £6.3bn deal to acquire 26 Rafale-Marine jets

A m i d C hi n a ’ s ev e rexpanding naval forays into the Indian Ocean Region,

t he P M - le d C ab i n e t Committee on Security has c leared a £6 38bn mega deal

w i t h Fr an c e f or th e

a c q ui s i t i on o f 2 6 R af a l e-

M arine fighter jets Thes e will primari ly operate from the deck of ai rcraft carrier I NS Vikrant

T h e g o v t - t o - g o v t contract for 22 single-seat Rafale-M jets and four twin-

s e a t t r a i n e r s - i n c l u d i n g weapons, simulators, crew

t r a i n i n g a n d a f i v

y e a r performance-based logistics

s

s m o n t h ” , officials said All 26 jetsmanufactured by Dassault Aviation, with Thales as the weapon systems integratorwill be delivered by 2031, an official said Sebastien Lecornu, the

French defence minister, is likely to attend the signing, which also includes some spares and equipment for t h e 3 6 R a f a l e s a l r e a d y inducted into IAF as part of a 2016 deal

I A F h a s d e p l o y e d 1 8 Rafales each at Ambala and H a s i m a r a t o c o u n t e r threats from Pakistan and China

The two Rafale deals, n

transfer of technology, will

frontrunner in India’s long-

manufacture 114 multi-role fighter aircraft (MRFA) with

Initially estimated to cost £12 5bn, the project is now being fast-tracked

agreement, the 26 Rafale-M

maritime strike, air defence

missions, will be delivered in 37 to 65 months after s i g n i n g o f t h e c o n t r a c t , which will see India paying an initial 15% of the total cost

mirrors the one inked in the [ e a

official said The Rafale-M deal also

integrate Indian missileslike the short and medium-

(NASMs), and BrahMosNG, being developed by DRDOinto the Rafale-M fighters

deck-based fighter (TEDBF)

had pushed for 26 Rafale-M jets as an interim measure

3 die as protest against waqf law turns violent in Bengal

Thr ee people died a nd two

s u ffe r e d bul le t i n ju r i e s a s pr ote st s ag ainst the Ce ntr e

n ew waqf law tur ned v iolen t i n M ur sh i d

bee n imposed and in te rne t

s e r v i ce s su sp e n d e d i n t h e v io le n ce - a f fli c t e d a r e a s of M u r s h id a ba d d i st r i c t , n a m e ly S ut i a n d

Sh amsher gan j Ca lcutta high court orde red deployme nt of

c e n t r a l f o r ce s i n t r o ub le -

t orn pla ce s in Mur sh id aba d

a nd d ir ecte d CAPF to wor k in ta nde m wit h stat e police

t o rest ore pe ace an d prot ect t he live s an d pr oper ties of r esiden ts State counsel Arka Nag submitted in court that the situation was under control

a n d 1 3 8 p e o p l e h a d b e e n arrested in connection with the violence He submitted that several police seniors were in the district DGP

R a j e e v K u m a r a r r i v e d i n

M u r s h i d a b a d a n d h e l d a

m e e t i n g w i t h t h e S P H e

t h e n w e n t t o J a n g i p u r t o

meet BSF officers

W e s t B e n g a l C M Mamata Banerjee appealed for peace, asking people not t o i n d u l g e i n “ i r r e l i g i o u s behaviour in the name of r e l i g i o n ” , w h i l e i n s i s t i n g that the new amended waqf l a w w o u l d n o t b e implemented in Bengal

P o l i c e r e c o v e r e d t h e b o d i e s o f 7 4 - y e a r - o l d

Hargobind Das and his son, Chandan, from their home i n J a f r a b a d , s e v e r a l h o u r s a f t e r a m o b o f 3 0 0 - 4 0 0 attacked houses and shops

i n t h e a r e a t h e e v e n i n g

b e f o r e T h e a r m e d g r o u p b r o k e i n t o t h e D a s residence, dragged both men out, beat them up and left them critically injured Both died within hours Hund red s cross Gan ga t o flee Murshidabad

A n u n e a s y c a l m p r e v a i l e d i n t h e m i x e dpopulation neighbourhoods of Murshidabad that bore the brunt of clashes over the new Waqf law As fear hung

in the air, hundreds – mostly w o m e n a n d c h i l d r e n –crossed the Ganga by boat to e s c a p e D h u l i a n t

r e a c h M a l d

s B a i s n a b n

g a r , where a school became their sanctuary Although no new c l a s h w a s r e p o r t e d , S O S m e s s a g

s f r o m a c r o s s c o m m u n i t y l i n e s c l o g g e d police and BSF helplines in t h e a f t e r m a t h o f t h e violence that claimed three l i v e s a n d l e f t m a n y wounded

P r e l i m i n a r y r e p o r t s suggested that mobs burned down 80 houses along with 2 0 c o m m e r c i a l establishments, including a m a l l i n D h u l i a n S c o r e s affected by the violence have

t a k e n r e f u g e a t P a r l a l p u r

High School in Malda SDO Paban Tamang visited the s c h o o l b u i l d i n g a n d distributed relief material

T h e n u m b e r o f p e o p l e sheltered there was around

1 7 0 , t h e S D O s a i d T h e p a n c h a y a t p r a d h a n s a i d

a r o u n d 5 0 0 p e o p l e w e r e

crammed there

6 cop s hurt

Later, violence spread to n e w a r e a s , e n v e l o p i n g

Bhangar on the outskirts of Kolkata as mobs took over the streets and unleashed a barrage of bricks that left at l e a s t 1 6 p o l i c e o f f i c e r s wounded

The trigger for the street

a n a r c h y i n B h a n g a r , a volatile pocket with a history

o f p o l i t i c a l v i o l e n c e , w a s p o l i c e p r e v e n t i n g I n d i a n

Secular Front (ISF) rallyists

f r o m h e a d i n g t o R a m l i l a ground in Kolkata’s Moulali

v i a B a s a n t i H i g h w a y i n

South 24-Parganas for a rally

a g a i n s t t h e W a q f l a w

L a l b a z a r , t h e c i t y p o l i c e h e a d q u a r t e r s , c i t e d

i n t e l l i g e n c e o n “ I S F mobilising crowds” as the

r e a s o n f o r r e s t r i c t i n g gatherings in the city centre

Troublemakers also torched five police motorcycles and vandalised two vehicles, one o f t h e m a K o l k a t a P o l i c e prison van

Belgium police arrest Mehul Choksi on India's request

n prison until the proceedings o f h i s e x t

a d i

c o m p l e t e d H i s n e p h e w , fellow fugitive Nirav Modi, h a s b e e n i n a p r i s o n i n London since 2019 when he w a s a r r e s t e d a t I n d i a ’ s instance on charges of fraud and escaping trial in India

H

success of sorts for Indian

satisfaction here was already g e t t i n g t e m p e r e d b y t

e realisation that getting him extradited will be an uphill

e diamantaire, seeking to cash in on the recent order of the UK high court citing poor conditions in Indian prisons to deny India’s request for t

wanted by law

Among other things, the UK high court had referred

inside Tihar Jail, supposed to

prison’, to refuse India’s bid for Bhandari, allegedly the

arms deals under the UPA Belgian courts are not

sensitive to ‘human rights

fugitives across geographies to avoid being brought to justice in the country where they committed the crime

According to sources, ED h a d s

i o n request for Choksi to Belgian authorities six months ago when it received information

o f t h e f u g i

p r e s e n c e i n

As Yunus leans to China, India ends transshipment facility for Bangladesh

In di a ha s wi th dr a w n a t ra n s s hi pm e n t f a c i l it y f or Bangladesh’s e xport car goes , a m o v e t ha t c om e s a m i d strained trade rel ations and in re s pon s e t o r e c e nt c om m en ts b y B an gl ad es h ’ s in t e r im g ov e r nm en t he a d , Muham mad Yunus

Y u n u s c o n t r o v e r s i a l l y

described India’s Northeast as “landlocked” and called for Chinese autonomy over the region “Seven states of India, t h e e a s t e r n p a r t o f I n d i a , called seven sisters they are a l a n d l o c k e d c o u n t r y , a landlocked region of India

They have no way to reach out to the ocean, ” he said He added, “We are the only guardians of the ocean for all this region So this opens up a huge possibility So this could be an extension o f t h e C h i n e s e e c o n o m y

Build things, produce things, market things, bring things to China, bring it out to the whole rest of the world ” I n d i a ’ s c u s t o m s

department announced that it had decided to rescind a 2020 order that permitted

Bangladeshi exports to third

land customs stations The

to ports and airports

The move was explained

“delays and higher costs” that were affecting India’s

The

’ s f

h a t c o u n t r y which eventually led to his arrest Earlier, Choksi had managed to get a red corner

notice against him dropped f r o m I n t e r p o l c l a i m i n g Indian authorities had tried to abduct him from Antigua, his adopted country where he has taken citizenship

D e t e r m i n e d t o g i v e i t their best shot, a team of Indian prosecutors will soon f o l l o w u p C h o k s i ’ s a r r e s t w i t h t h e l o c a l c o u r t i n Belgium to extradite him

T h e a g e n c i e s h a d t h e documentation ready, which was submitted along with t h e e x t r a d i t i o n r e q u e s t , including the chargesheets filed against him in Indian

c o u r t s a n d a n o n - b a i l a b l e warrant issued against him

f o r a b s c o n d i n g a n d n o t b e i n g p r e s e n t f o r t r i a l Courts here have also taken cognisance of the criminal charges, one of the prime conditions in an extradition request

Cong pitches for caste census, private education quota

In t he contin uin g ton e of the last t wo y ea rs tha t now ma rks the decisive shift of Con gre ss as pra ctically a Mand alit e outfit, Ra hul G and hi le d t he A IC C session in strik in g a str ong pitch for a na tionwid e caste cen sus a nd a cen tr al law on t he SC/ST sub-pla n, beside s se ekin g OBC/S C/ST r eser vat ion in priv ate sector ed uca tiona l in stitution s an d re mova l of t he 50% ceiling on caste quota s

The demand for quotas in private educational bodies, as laid down by the All India Congress Committee resolution, is in line with Article 15 (5), which was brought by the Congressled UPA govt with Arjun Singh as HRD minister The “subplan” concept allocates dedicated budget for SC/ST welfare in proportion to their population, and Congress accused the BJP govt of weakening the provision that was instituted by Congress

Our resolve for the welfare of SC, ST, OBCs remains resolute,” the resolution stated With the shift to MandaliteBahujan ideology effected by his personal efforts, Rahul was emphatic on “social justice” issues in his address to the AICC session, talking about his favourite points with the OBC headcount at the forefront

Rahul Gandhi repeated that it is an X-ray of society to unearth the participation of the deprived classes in the corporate management as also in other sectors of society

“revolutionary step”, the revelations of which would be true for other states too, he said the state has found that S

population but have no person in the corporate ownership and top management In contrast, he said gig workers are mostly from these sections The resolution also blamed BJP for instigating the horrific violence in Manipur, calling it a “constitutional assault

Rahul attacked the PM for meeting Bangladesh leader Muhammad Yunus as the resolution expressed concern over return of radical elements in that country and threat to minorities like Hindus The AICC asked the Centre for constructive negotiations with the US on tariffs by placing national interests first

The President of Portugal, His Excellency Mr Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, hosted the President of India, Her Excellency Smt Droupadi Murmu on 7 April at the historic Ajuda National Palace The exclusive gathering included 40 distinguished guests from across Portugal, with Shri Tejasbhai Kakad, being the only Indian national honoured with an invitation

Mehul Choksi

India successfully tests long-range glide bomb from Air Force's Su-30 MKI

The Defen ce Re se ar ch and De v e lopm e nt O

Su-3 0 MKI air cr aft, an official stat eme nt said D u r i n

weapon was integrated into multiple stations in different

island The trials successfully demonstrated a range of close to 100 km with pinpoint accuracy

The LRGB Gaurav is a 1,000 kg class air-launched glide bomb, and is capable of striking targets at long dist a n c e s A f t e r l a u n c h , t h e bomb navigates towards its target using a precise hybrid navigation system that combines INS and GPS data

The glide bomb has been

Research and Development

Chandipur Senior officials of DRDO and the Indian Air Force (IAF) participated and

Further boosting public-private partnerships under the

Bharat initiative in defence manufacturing, the system has been realised with the

Technologies, Bharat Forge and various MSMEs The tri-

towards the induction of the weapon into the Air Force, the statement added

After the successful trials of LRGB Gaurav, Defence

and the Air Force He said the development of LRGB

Forces to a great extent with

nous defence technologies

Adding spouse’s name to passport no longer needs marriage certificate

In a m ove to eas e a l ong-

s ta n di ng ha s s l e f o r In d ia n p a s s p or t

(M E A) has

m arriage c ertificate The new r ule intr oduc es a joint photo dec laration - Annexure J - as a val id substitute

A c c o r d i n g t

, signed by both husband and wife, now serves as a valid alternative to the traditional marriage certificate requirement, which many applicants previously struggled to fulfil

A senior passport offi-

c i a l e x p l a i n e d t h a t t h e change addresses significant regional disparities in marriage registration practices

W h i l e m a r r i a g e s i n

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

r e g i s t e r e d b y d e f a u l t , i n many northern states they are not, which leaves applicants without formal marriage certificates

The official added that

t h e M E A i n t r o d u c e d t h e

option of the Joint Photo Declaration because many applicants often lack comp l e t e d o c u m e n t a t i o n A n n e

names, address, and marital status, confirming that they have been living together as a married couple The form includes a space for a selfattested joint photograph, and both parties must sign t h e d e c l a r a t i o n w i t h t h e place and date clearly mentioned Additional required details include the Aadhaar n u m b e r s , v o t e r I D s , a n d passport numbers (if available) for both spouses

Deore clarified that the form includes a dedicated space for a self-attested joint photograph, and the declar

only if all fields are complet-

Aadhaar numbers, voter ID

numbers, where applicable

made it clear that in order to remove a spouse ’ s name from a passport, a divorce d

mandatory A source stated that to change the name of a s p o u s

, applicants must provide a divorce decree, death certificate of the first spouse, a re-marriage certificate, or a J o i n t P h o t o D e c l a r a

(Annexure J) signed by both parties, along with updated identity documents featur-

Aadhaar verification

Swami Brahmaviharidas of BAPS meets PM Modi in Delhi

Swami Brahmaviharidas of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his residence in New Delhi After offering a garland and prayers, he updated

t h e P M M o d i

A

Mandir and the generous support of the Ruler of Abu Dhabi, as well as the current upcoming international BAPS Mandirs and Cultural Centres in Bahrain, Paris, Dar es Salaam, Johannesburg, Melbourne

a n d S y d n e y - a l l g u i d e d a n d i n s p i r e d b y H H M a h a n t S w a m i Maharaj The meeting also dwelled upon universal values which prom

ED set to take over £70mn worth assets of National Herald

In a ma jor setba ck to Congress, the ED said it has starte d procee dings to tak e possession of more tha n £70m n w orth of properti es of Sonia Gan dhi a nd Ra hul Gandhi-controlled Associa te Journ als Ltd (AJL) , the compa ny that owne d

a ssocia te d publications

The properties of AJL, situated at prime locations in Lucknow, Mumbai and Delhi, including the Herald House in New Delhi, was long ago attached by the agency in its ongoing money laundering probe against AJL and the Gandhis The ED has also served notices to corporate houses running offices from some of these premises, asking them to henceforth deposit rents to agency every month The ED, in its statement, said, “Investigation has conclusively revealed that Young Indian, a private company beneficially owned by Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, acquired AJL’s properties worth £200mn for a mere Rs 50,00,000, significantly undervaluing its worth ”

The agency further said that its findings also indicated that “Young Indian and AJL’s properties were used for generation of pro-

ceeds of crime in the form of bogus donations of £1 8mn, bogus advance rent of £3 8mn and bogus advertisements of £2 9mn ” It added, “Therefore, to stop the further generation, utilisation and enjoyment of the proceeds of crime and in compliance with S e c t i o n 8 o f P M

attached properties), the directorate has initiated the proceedings to take possession of the tainted properties The agency has affixed notices on the properties One of the notices has been served on Jindal South-West Projects Ltd, occupying three floors of the Herald House in Bandra (E), Mumbai, to transfer the rent every month to the ED “ T h

extensive investigation by ED which revealed generation, possession and use of proceeds of crime of £98 8mn Therefore, to secure the proceeds of crime and to prevent the accused form dissipating the same, the immovable properties of AJL located at Delhi, Mumbai and Lucknow valued at £66 1mn along-with the shares of AJL valued at £9 02mn were attached (on Nov 20, 2023),” the agency said

Modi invited to Russia’s 80th Victory Day celebrations

India confirmed that Russia has invited P M M odi for its 8 0th Vic to ry Day celebrations but said it h asn’t yet made a decisio n on the level of participation Russia celebrates May 9 annually, holding a parad e i n Mosco w ’ s i c o ni c Re d S qu a re, as V i ct o ry D ay to m a rk t h e Sov iet Union’ s trium ph over Nazi Germany in194 5 A Russian news agency reported that defence min-

ister Rajnath Singh might r e p

govt “The PM has received an invitation We will be announcing our participa-

time,” said Randhir Jaiswal, s p o k e s p e r s o n , m i n i s t r y o f external affairs An Indian contingent is also likely to p

even though it is yet to be officially confirmed Deputy foreign minister Andrey Rudenko was quoted as saying by a Russian agency that Modi had been invited for the event and was expected to participate “It’s being worked out he h a s a n i n v i t a t i o n ” M o d i twice visited Russia in 2024 and it’s the turn of President Vladimir Putin to visit India t h i s y e a r f o r t h e a n n u a l India-Russia summit

a d

INLOVINGMEMORY

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Anilbhai Babubhai Patel. He passed away peacefully surrounded by his sons. He touched many lives with his kindness and generosity.

You will be forever missed. Though the song has ended, the melody lingers on. We will keep you in our hearts forever. May your soul rest in eternal peace.

Om Shanti: Shanti: Shanti:

Joyfully remembered and deeply missed by: his beloved wife Dakshaben Anilbhai Patel

Ashwinbhai Babubhai Patel (Brother)Virbala Ashwinbhai Patel (Sister in Law)

Narendrabhai Babubhai Patel (Brother)Truptiben Narendrabhai Patel (Sister in Law)

Vishnuprasad Chotabhai Patel (LateBrother in Law) Taraben Vishnuprasad Patel (Sister)

Surendra Chunibhai Patel (Late Brother in Law) Arvindaben (Koki) Surendra Patel (Sister)

Ranjit Kantilal Desai (Brother in Law)Joshnaben Ranjit Desai (Sister)

Rikenkumar Anilbhai Patel (Son)Dharaben Rikenkumar Patel (Daughter in Law)

Aksh Rikenkumar Patel (Grandson)Ansh Rikenkumar Patel (Grandson)

On

Jaimin Anilbhai Patel (Son)Shefali Manojbhai Patel (Daughter in Law)

Jai Shri Krishna

Jai Shri Swaminarayan

BJP, AIADMK join hands for 2026 TN assembly election

CH EN N AI : Union home minister Amit

Sh ah a nnoun ce d tha t BJP an d AIADMK ha ve decide d to join han ds aga in an d r e n e w t h e i r a l li a n c e fo r t he 20 2 6

a sse mbly election in Tam il Nadu Sha h, who wa s in Che nna i, sa id AIADMK will

l e a d t he a ll ia n ce in t h e s t a t e a n d e xpr essed confiden ce tha t it will re cor d

a la ndslid e victory in the 2026 poll

The announcement came at a press

c o n f e r e n c e w h e r e S h a h s h a r e d t h e stage with AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami Significantly, state BJP chief K Annamalai, who was seen as the crucial factor in the breakup of the partnership in 2024, was also present PM Narendra Modi reacted by hailing the alliance “Stronger together, united towards Tamil Nadu’s progress

G l a d t h a t A I A D M K j o i n s t h e N D A family ”

Shah said on X, "Together, with our other NDA partners, we will take Tamil Nadu to new heights of progress and

s e r v e t h e s t a t e d i l i g e n t l y W e w i l l ensure a govt that fulfils the vision of the great MGR and Jayalalithaa ji For the sake of Tamil Nadu’s progress and

Amit Shah with AIADMK leaders

to preserve the uniqueness of Tamil culture, it is important the corrupt and d

earliest, which our alliance will do ” Earlier, making the announcement, Shah said, “The NDA at the national level will be headed by PM Narendra Modi and in TN, AIADMK will lead the alliance Expressing “full confidence” of the alliance’s poll prospects, he said, “Since 1998, BJP and AIADMK were in alliance Former CM J Jayalalithaa and M o d i w

o n a l politics for a considerable period Our alliance is a natural alliance Once we w o n 3 0 o u t o f 3 9 L S s e a t s a n d , henceforth, I have full confidence that our alliance will register a landslide victory in the 2026 assembly election ”

Badal re-elected as Akali Dal president

C H A N D I G A R H : S u kh b i r

S i n g h B ad al w as re- e lec te d u nop posed as the president of the S hirom ani Akali Dal ( SAD) by 524 delegates from Punjab and other states This m arks h is return to th e top post of th e p arty

B a d a l f i r s t t o o k o v e r a s SAD chief in 2008, succeeding his father and party patriarch

P r a k a s h S i n g h B a d a l S i n c e then, he had been leading the party until he resigned from t h e p o s i t i o n l a s t y e a r

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

i g i o u s punishment, or ‘tankhah’, as part of the process With this election, he once a g a i n a s s u m e s l e a d e r s h i p o f the Shiromani Akali Dal The SAD had chosen a total of 567 delegates - four each from

117 Assembly constituencies in Punjab - to cast their vote for the new party chief After this announcement, the party will hold a political c o n f e r e n c e o n A p r i l 1 3 a t T a l w a n d i S a b o ( B a t h i n d a ) w h e r e t h e p a r t y c h i e f w i l l deliver an address

B a d a l s t e p p e d d o w n a s SAD chief in November last

y e a r a f t e r b e i n g d e c l a r e d 'tankhaiya' (guilty of religious misconduct) by the Akal Takht

T h

resignation in January

Furore in Karnataka over caste census, govt urged to shun it

B EN G AL UR U: The Kar nata ka ca ste census, which has creat ed a furore among domina nt communities after its content s ca me int o public domain, has l eft the rul in g C on g r

com

l eader s ca lling it “unscient ific” and ur gin g the govt to junk it

The leaked report has recommended to the state govt to increase the reservation matrix for backward castes from the current 32% to 51% It has cited that Muslims constitute nearly 12 6% of the total population recorded in 2015 when the survey was conducted The report has suggested that the community must get 8% reservation as against the existing 4% under category IIB The report has said that under category III(A), which i

communities, the population is placed at 73,00,000 and should be given a 7% reservation It has stated that under category III (B), which comprises Veerashaiva-Lingayats and five other major communities, the total population is 81,30,000, with a recommend reservation of 8%

Outside of this, the largest community in Karnataka, according to the survey, are the Scheduled Castes with a population of nearly 11mn and 108 sub-castes within them As a result, the total reservation for all the communities would increase to 70% (including 15% for SC and 7 5% for ST communities) from the existing 50% reservation in the state

The cabinet ministers were all delivered a copy of the survey report to study and prepare for the special cabinet meeting on April 17 to deliberate on the matter

Grenade attack on BJP neta’s Punjab house, 2 suspects held

C H A N D I G A RH : A g r en ad e exp losion targeting the Jalandh ar r es id enc e o f B J P n at io n al execu tiv e mem ber M anoranjan Kalia last w eek – the 22nd 'terror strike' in Punjab since last Sept –trig g ered a trail of c onsp iracy t h eo ri es li nk in g I S I a nd th e

L aw rence Bish noi gang to the attack and promp ted the g ovt to shu nt out state intellig ence chief

R K Jaisw al Two suspects, identified as Jalandhar residents Harry and Satish Kumar, alias Kaka, were arrested on charges of lobbing the grenade at Kalia's house from an e-rickshaw A third is on the run Police said they were acting at the behest of an ISI-backed terror module involving Zeeshan

A k h t a r , a n a s s o c i a t e o f j a i l e d gangster Bishnoi, and Pakistanbased Shahzad Bhatti Kalia, who was at home when t h e a t t a

Bengal Assembly polls must be held under President rule: BJP leader

K OLK ATA : Senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari demanded t ha t t he 2 0 2 6 We s

b reakdown of

and order f ol lowing the re cent viol ence in Murshidab ad district

Adhikari said the

maintain peace He claimed the ruling d

spectator" as mobs went on a rampage "

voting Police act like cadres of the ruling party For free and fair elections, the Assembly polls must be held under President's Rule," Adhikari, the Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly, said Alleging that "jihadist elements"

consider recommending President's Rule in the state before the elections " Hundreds of people, affected by the violence, have reportedly crossed the Bhagirathi River and took refuge in neighbouring Malda district, officials said Reacting to BJP's allegations, senior TMC leader and state minister Firhad Hakim said, "People are relocating within Bengal, not fleeing the state The administration is taking all possible steps to restore normalcy The violence is unfortunate and police are working to identify those responsible " Chief Minister Mamata

government would not implement the amended Waqf Act in the state

m i s t o o k i t f o r a t r a n s f o r m e r blast It was only when he saw dust and smoke in the courtyard that the BJP functionary realised something was amiss The ex-minister's Innova, a parked motorbike, an aluminium door and some glass windows were damaged in the explosion "I called the commissioner of police and the ACP, but they did not take my calls So, I sent my s e c u r i t y g u

d t o t h e p

e station barely 300 yards from my home to report the blast, Kalia said S u s p e c t e d m a s t e r m i n d Z e e s h a n , w h

murder of former Maharashtra minister and NCP functionary Baba Siddique in Mumbai

Bengal teachers end fast, accuse TMC workers of intimidation

K OLK AT A: Three s chool teachers , who wer e among the 2 5,753 people whos e jobs were inval idated by t he Suprem e Court in the SSC sc am, withdrew their inde finite fas t, a lleging that they were int im idated by TM C me mbers T h e

maintaining that it had extended support to their cause and was in favour of all deserving teachers getting back their jobs

"We are withdrawing our fast in the face of covert intimidation and threats by TMC activists who are roaming in the area Though the police are present here, we don t feel safe to sit in the open for hours," Suman Biswas, who was a teacher at Nakashipara High School in Nadia district, said The Supreme Court had on April 3 invalidated the appointment of 25,753 teachers and other staff in state-run and state-aided schools, terming their selection process "vitiated and tainted"

Biswas, along with Pankaj Roy and Pratap Kumar Saha, began the hunger strike outside Acharya Prafulla Chandra Bhavan, the office of the West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC), in Salt Lake on April 10

y pledged support to our cause, we will resume the hunger strike We will also step up protests across the state We will not rest until the WBSSC publishes the list of candidates who have got the job on the basis of their merit and those who have got appointments by giving bribes," Biswas said

NORTH-EAST

Tension near Manipur buffer zone over pilgrimage

Te n s i on s f l a re d in M a n i pu r ’ s Churachandpur when Kuki-Zo w omen pr ev e n

M

te i me m b e rs fr om climbing a hill for pilgrimage Thangjing hil l is part of a b uffer zone designated during the ethn ic c onfl ict to preven t the warring Kukis and Meiteis from entering each other’s areas and reign iting cl ashes

The Kuki-Zo women protesters took a firm stand in Thangjing, saying they would not allow any Meiteis until a political solution was hammered out Kuki organisations have been adamant in t

administration for them Despite the warnings, several Meitei youths are now planning the pilgrimage to Thangjing In a video, several Meitei youths were seen

Bishnupur district for trip to Thangjing Thangjing is historically and religiously significant for Meiteis, who celebrate their new year in March-April and go on a p i

people from Moirang area in Bishnupur visit Thangjing

Meitei Heritage Society, a civil society organisation, accused Chin-Kuki groups of blocking the annual pilgrimage to hurt their religious sentiments

TWO MASKED MEN FIRE AT IMPHAL CHILDREN’S HOME

Around 30 displaced and underprivileged children living in a govt funded shelter in Manipur s Imphal West were jolted out of their sleep by gunshots fired at the building by two masked men in black, both of whom were captured on CCTV camera shooting seven to eight rounds before fleeing in a car While nobody was injured in the 1 30 am attack, unanswered questions about why the shelter at Sagolband Meino Leirak in the heart of Imphal city was targeted kept the inmates and the NGO that runs the home on tenterhooks Sources privy to the investigation didn’t rule out an abortive extortion attempt The shelter was set up under Mission Vatsalya previously known as the centrally-funded Integrated Child Protection Scheme It operates under the state social welfare department s supervision and houses boys including six who were shifted there from relief camps for people displaced by the ethnic conflict that erupted in May 2023 Residents of Sagolband Meino Leirak staged a sit-in demanding the immediate arrest of those responsible for the firing

YOUTHS URGED TO UPHOLD ARUNACHAL TRADITIONS

Arunachal Pradesh Home Minister Mama Natung called upon the younger generation of the state to follow their rich culture and unique customs The minister made his appeal while speaking as the chief guest of the Pongtu Kuh festival organized at the Pongtu Ground in Changlang of Arunachal Pradesh While mentioning about the rich ethnicity culture and tradition of various ethnic groups of the state Natung stated that it is very much necessary to preserve the rich ethnicity of Arunachal Pradesh The Home Minister allayed all misgivings related to the government s move to frame rules under the Arunachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act (APFRA), 1978 following an order issued by the Gauhati High Court Natung came down heavily on certain quarters who, according to him, were trying to create misbeliefs and confusion among the society of the state He assured that the governments, both at the centre and the state, will never take any step which is detrimental to the society

WEST BENGAL

Sukhbir Singh Badal

Suvendu Adhikari

Mumbai terror attack plotter Rana sent to 18-day NIA custody

Hussa in Ra na was one of the first a ccused to be a rr ested in the 26/11

( NIA) Chan der Jit Singh observ ed t hat his sust aine d custodia l int er-

r ogat ion wa s r equir ed to unr ave l t he de ep root ed conspiracy in t he m att er

“There is enough material to say that allegations in the present matter pertain to the safety and security of the nation The material produced on record reflects that the conspiracy in question travels beyond the geographical border of India, and multiple targets in the form of various places in multiple c i t i e s o f I n d i a , i n c l u d i n g t h e national capital, were sought to be identified Thus, to reach the root of the matter and to unearth the facts in the matter which are laid in a deep-rooted conspiracy, a sus-

tained custodial interrogation is required,” the judge said in the order

Since Rana is the first accused a p p r e h e n d e

investigation agency should get a fair chance to thoroughly investigate the matter so as to present before the court complete facts in a holistic manner, ” court said

The judge noted that while sect i o n

C (applicable to this case) typically limits police custody to 15 days, section 43-D of UAPA allows for up to 30 days of custody

When the court asked Rana if he had any legal representative to represent him, he replied in the n

edged that he was supplied with

Gujarat raises MLA fund to £250,000 with focus on water projects

T h e G u j a ra t go v er nm en t h as in c re as e d th e a n nu a l

M LA l o c al a re a de ve lo pment to £250,000 from th e exis ting £1 50, 000 Half o f t h e ad di ti o n a l a ll o c at i o n must be spent on water co nservation, an official release said The chief minister has significantly increased the grant allocated to the MLAs for the development and to further enhance the established identity of Gujarat as a r o l e m o d e l o f d e v e l o pment, it said

T h e a d d i t i o n a l f u n d s have been earmarked with a focus on the Centre's 'Catch the Rain' initiative for the c o l l e c t i o n a n d s t o r a g e o f rainwater, the release said

MLAs will have to carry

o u t w o r k s w o r t h R s 5 0

,00,000 from this additional grant for the 'Catch the Rain' campaign launched by P r i m e M i n i s t e r N a r e n d r a Modi for water conservation and rainwater harvesting, it said

To ensure future water security through rainwater h a r v e s t i n g a n d r a i s e t h e groundwater level, the state h a s b e e n

A b h i y a n '

v e r y y e a r s i n c e 2018 Under this campaign, various water conservation a

check dams, repair, mainten

earthen embankments, and r a i n w a t e r h a r v e s t i n g a r e being carried out with publ i c

release

Due to this campaign, water storage capacity has increased by 1,19,144 lakh cubic feet in the last 7 years and 199 6 lakh man-days of employment have been generated, it said

P M M o d i h a s c a l l e d upon the citizens to participate in the 'Catch the Rain' campaign this year to coll e c t a n d c o n s e r v e w a t e r drop by drop Taking this c a l l s e r i o u s l y , t h e s t a t e

MLAs should also organise more and more rainwater h a r v e s t i n g w o r k s i n t h e i r constituencies, it added

Indians share common ancestry, differences shouldn’t divide us: Mohan Bhagwat

Rash triya Swayamsevak Sang h (RS S) chief M ohan Bh agw at said that all Indians share com mon ancestry and must rise abo ve differences in lang uage, reg io n, and modes of w orship He w as add ressing a gath ering at K abird ham A shram in M ustafabad , Gola, in L akhimp ur Kh eri district

“We are all descendants of the same a n c e s t o r s O u r d i f f e r e n c e s i n l a n g u a g e , region, or method of worship should not divide us, ” Bhagwat told the gathering at the ashram

He said that India must focus on connecting people and fostering positive influence in the world rather than seeking to dominate According to him, India’s unique tradition of blending materialism with spirituality has enabled it to share knowledge

without engaging in conquest or religious conversion

“Our ancestors travelled as far as Mexico and Siberia, spreading knowledge without capturing any country or converting anyone ’ s faith,” he added The RSS chief said that differences must not be a cause of conflict, and called for a mindset shift from mere tolerance to acceptance

“We must learn to accept and respect our differences rather than just tolerate them,” he said

Bhagwat also remarked that while individualism is a global focus, in India, the family is the core unit of society “Religions and sects are not meant for disputes If worship is conducted properly, no conflict arises,” he said

Dr S Jaishankar, External Affairs Minister of the Government of India, visited the CHARUST University campus in Changa, Gujarat on Tuesday 15 April and delivered a keynote lecture on the theme “Changing World: Opportunities and Challenges” The External Affairs Minister also engaged in an interactive session with the students of CHARUSAT, providing insightful answers to their questions

grounds of arrest by NIA in writing

The special judge, considering R a n a ’ s

assigned to represent him should not seek to earn fame through him, d i r e c

e l (LACs) not to speak to the media Rana arrested on arrival Rana, who played a key role in plotting the 2008 terror attack on Mumbai that claimed 166 lives, was arrested by NIA after his arrival from US on a special flight The Pakistani-Canadian terrorist was produced before the special judge, who held an in-camera hearing on N I A

prosecutor Narender Mann’s plea for his remand Rana was represented by Piyush Sachdeva, provided to him by Delhi Legal Services

Authority

The extradition process was a nailbiting affair with fears of sabotage looming till the flight touched down at Palam airport’s technical area The home ministry and the o f f

Intelligence Bureau (IB), constantly monitored the flight ferrying Rana, taking precautions to thwart any attempt to stop him from landing in the grasp of Indian agencies Sources said a dummy code was generated for the chartered aircraft, a Gulfstream G550, to avoid detection on public flight trackers and alleviate threats of an attack T

Angeles and landed in Delhi after

pitstop in Romania

Dr Dhara Patel of Charusat leads fight against deadly superbugs

Dr Dhara N P atel, Dean of the F ac u lty o f M ed i ca l S c ie nc es at C harusat U niv ersity and Principal of BDIPS, has launch ed a research p ro j e ct t h at ta rg e ts p a n d ru gresistant bacteria The project has secu red a research g rant from the state go vt This initiativ e is titled “Integrative Om ics A pproaches to D ec i p h er K il l S w i tch es i n P a n D ru g Res is tant P ath o g ens I so late d fr om Tunneled C uffed Cath eter Tip s ” and is set to run for three years Collaborating w ith Dr Dhara is Dr Shishir Gang, Chairm an of the Neph rology Dep artment at Muljibhai P atel U rological Hospital-Nad iad A c c o r d i n g t o p r o j e c t i o n s b y W H O , antibiotics could become obsolete by 2050, making even minor infections potentially fatal Dr Dhara’s project thinks differently Rather than developing new antibiotics, her team is diving into the world of omics sci-

Dr Dhara N Patel

ences - a cutting-edge field that analyzes the roles, relationships, and actions of the various types of molecules that make up cells - to locate the "kill switches" inside deadly bacteria These are genetic or molecular buttons that, when activated, can force a bacterium to self-destruct

Our goal is to identify molecular pathways - what we ’ re calling ‘kill switches ’-within these resistant bacteria,” explains Dr Patel “If we can understand how to trigger these internal mechanisms, we may be able to force the bacteria to self-destruct, much like activating an internal alarm system ” Dr Patel’s research could significantly extend the life of these catheters, reduce healthcare costs, and spare patients the trauma of repeated interventions - all without a single dose of antibiotics

India launches joint naval drills in Africa

I n di a h a s l a u n ch e d i t s bigge st-eve r joint nava l exerci se wi t h A f r ic a n n a t io n s, part of a push t o boost it s influence on the cont in ent an d pre se nce in the Indian Ocean, where China is exercising gr owing comme rcia l an d militar y cl out Indian government and military officials, including d e p u t y d e f e n c e m i n i s t e r Sanjay Seth, inaugurated the six-day exercises, which are being co-hosted by Tanzania and will include eight other countries, including Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius and S o u t h A f r i c a i n D a r e s

Salaam Analysts said the m a n o e u v r e s w e r e p a r t o f

New Delhi’s broader ambitions to play a more assertive role in maritime operations, including anti-piracy efforts, and deepen ties on the continent, where its influence has b e e n d i m i n i s h e d b y r i v a l s including China as well as e m e r g i n g c o m p e t i t o r s R u s s i a , T

United Arab Emirates Indian officials said they planned to make the exercises - which will include both a “harbour phase” and a “ sea p h a s e ” - a b i e n n i a l e

“Qualitatively, this exercise is quite a new thing,” said Sudarshan Shrikhande, a form e r I n d

intelligence and adjunct pro-

fessor at the Indian Naval War College in Goa, adding

Tahawwur Hussain Rana

Experts warn against real-time holiday photo posts

N e w re se ar c h by c y be r analysts at S lo to zilla reveals

t

p

being sto len and misused in

c o n t en t Wi t h d ee p f ak e t ec h no l o gy no w ea si l y

a c c es s i b le , e ve n a ma te u r fraudsters can convincingly replicate s omeo ne ’ s face or

v o i c e p u tt i ng UK h o li daymak ers at gr owi ng risk

The UK currently faces a

4 3 3 % r a t e o f i d e n t i t y

d o c u m e n t f r a u d , underlining the persistent threat to British travellers

M e a n w h i l e , d e e p f a k e -

r e l a t e d s c a m s a r e r a p i d l y increasing across Asia, with

t h e P h i l i p p i n e s r e p o r t i n g

4 , 5 0 0 c a s e s , f o l l o w e d b y

V i e t n a m w i t h 3 , 0 5 0 a n d

Japan with 2,800 Among the industries most affected

b y i m a g e - b a s e d i d e n t i t y f r a u d a r e O n l i n e M e d i a ( 4 2 7 % ) , P r o f e s s i o n a l

S e r v i c e s ( 3 1 4 % ) , a n d

H e a l t h c a r e ( 2 4 1 % ) , showcasing the widespread i m p a c t o f t h i s g r o w i n g cyber threat

P o p u l a r t o u r i s t destinations like Thailand, T u r k e y , I n d o n e s i

Egypt are seeing

sharp rise in digital scams involving A

generated videos mimicking friends in distress, travellers are being warned to avoid sharing holiday content in real time A cybersecurity analyst a t S l o

disturbing rise in the misuse o

children These images are increasingly being scraped

generated profiles or, more

alarmingly, non-consensual explicit content

To protect themselves

travellers are advised to take several precautions Avoid posting photos of children

settings to control who can view your content It’s also

holiday pictures until after returning home Stay alert to any video or message that seems unusual, even if it

Additionally, enabling twof

avoiding public Wi-Fi for

travelling

New Universal theme park to boost UK economy by billions

A n e w U n i ve

p ark has be en co nf ir me d

f or Bedf ords hi re, marki ng what Sir Keir Starmer called a "momentous" day for the UK Set to open in 2031, it will be the first Universalbranded resort in Europe and is expected to become

t h e U K ' s t o p v i s i t o r attraction The government estimates it will generate £50 billion for the economy and create around 28,000

j o b s i n c l u d i n g 2 0 , 0 0 0

d

creative industries

T h e n e w U n i v e r s a l theme park in Bedfordshire

w i l l i n c l u d e a 5 0 0 - r o o m

h o t e l a n d a r e t a i l a n d e n t e r t a i n m e n t c o m p l e x ,

b u i l t o n a f o r m e r brickworks site During his visit, Prime Minister Keir

S t a r m e r s a i d t h e p r o j e c t would "drive growth" and create "thousands of jobs for the local community,"

a l i g n i n g w i t h t h e

g o v e r n m e n t ' s p l a n t o g e t Britain working While the e c o n o m i c i m p a c t i s expected to be significant,

t h e g o v e r n m e n t h a s n o t disclosed how much public money was involved, citing confidentiality Universal, owned by Sky News' US parent company Comcast, plans to build a 476-acre theme park just south of Bedford, projected

t o g e n e r a t e n e a r l y £ 5 0 b n

f o r t h e U K e c o n o m y b y 2055 The resort is expected to attract 8 5 million visitors in its first year alone The development is still subject

t o a p p r

Government

colleges and universities to train students for careers in hospitality The park will d r a w o n U n i v e r s

including Wicked, Minions, O

Jones, Fast & Furious, and Jurassic World It will be the sixth Universal theme park globally, joining locations i n O r l a n d o , H o l l y w o o d , J a p a n , B e i j i n g , a n d Singapore

Culture Secretary Lisa N a n d y c a l l e d t h e d e a l " h u g e " a n d p r a i s e d i t s timing, noting it followed a p e r i o d o f m a j o r g l o b a l m a r k e t t u r m o i l S h e s a i d t h

c

a p p r o

n d r e f u s a l t o m a k e k n e e - j e r k d e c i s i o n s h e l p e d s e c u r e t h e agreement

T h e g o v e r n m e n t h a s stated that approximately 80% of employees at the t h e m e p a r k w i l l b e f r o m local areas, supporting the revived "Oxford-Cambridge

c o r r i d o r " i n i t i a t i v e T h i s follows the cancellation of t h e A b i n g d o n - M i l t o n Keynes train link in 2021 Additionally, there will be

s i g n i f i c a n t i n v e s t m e n t i n

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

connected and accessible

t follows the recent approval for the expansion of nearby Luton Airport

while

He also thanked

Chancellor Rachel Reeves,

Poppy Gustafsson, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, and

British vlogger amazed by food delivery in Indian train

A British vlogger has gone viral on social media after discovering that he could get his food delivered mid-journey while travelling by train in India George Buckley took to Instagram to share a video with his 45,000 followers, chronicling his experience, whilst suggesting that the UK could take a leaf out of India's book of convenience economy "We have just stopped at Kanpur Central railway station on our way to Varanasi And now we are waiting for the delivery," said Buckley in the video, which he captioned: "The UK needs to take notes " Buckley used Zomato, which is an authorised Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation partner for e-catering, to order the food Buckley received the order on time, for which he only paid Rs 345 and enjoyed the meal with his co-passenger in the AC first-class compartment of the train The video had garnered over half a million views and thousands of likes and comments

Man faces anti-UP slurs on Mumbai train

A 24-year-old man, born and raised in Mumbai, shared how a routine train commute turned into a deeply hurtful experience rooted in prejudice against his regional background The user recounted an argument that broke out with a fellow commuter, which quickly escalated when the man began making derogatory remarks about people from Uttar Pradesh What made the situation worse was that several bystanders sided with the aggressor - one even became verbally abusive "To my surprise, he responded quite arrogantly Then he started making offensive remarks about people from UP Some others joined in, and one even became abusive," the Redditor wrote Despite being fluent in Marathi, the user said he was still treated as an outsider Even after trying to deescalate by going silent, the mocking and slurs continued The experience left him feeling alienated in the city he's called home his entire life

UP woman ‘delivers’

25 times in 30 months

A woman from Agra district has “delivered 25 times and undergone sterilisation five times within 30 months between 2021 and 2023 ” , revealed official records at a community health centre in UP The improbable data came to light after a recent financial audit found that fraudulent claims of Rs 45,000 - under the govt’s National Health Mission-run scheme - were transferred to a bank account opened using fake documents in the name of a woman called Krishna Kumari The woman herself is a 35year-old who gave birth to a child at the Fatehabad CHC in 2017 and knows nothing about the money Her name was purportedly misused by the health department employees as part of the scam Following the disclosure, health officials launched an internal probe and subsequently filed a complaint at Fatehabad police station against five people - four of them are health department employees The fifth accused is an agent from the woman ’ s village, police said He allegedly first opened Krishna’s bank account and then withdrew govt dole from it

Thai restaurant faces backlash for offering 'skinny discount'

A restaurant in Thailand is facing backlash after it offered customers a 'skinny discount' if they can squeeze through metal bars of varying widths A video making rounds on Instagram shows Amina and Alex stumbled upon the unusual policy at Chiang Mai Breakfast World, a cafe in Chiang Mai that serves international breakfast foods all day The unusual practice gained widespread attention online According to the clip, the cafe features a series of colourful metal bars labelled with different discount levels-offering larger savings for those who can fit through the narrowest spaces There are five categories in total, with discounts ranging from 10% to 20% Customers who manage to fit through the smallest gap receive the maximum discount, while those who can only pass through the widest bar pay full price In the video, a man attempts to squeeze himself through the tightest 15% discount bar, prompting laughter and playful jeers from his peers One person jokingly suggests, "You need some butter," as the diner struggles unsuccessfully

This unique wedding menu lists calorie count of dishes

In today's health-conscious world, people are meticulous about their diet and fitness They scrutinise every morsel that enters their body, carefully checking nutrition labels and tracking their daily calorie intake However, when it comes to weddings, all that careful planning often goes out the window But one wedding took a unique approach to addressing this common dilemma In a thoughtful move, the hosts decided to include the calorie count of each dish on the menu This allowed guests to make informed choices about what they ate, without having to sacrifice the pleasure of enjoying the wedding feast This discovery was made by a Reddit user who recently attended a wedding in West Bengal The menu greeted the guests with a quirky message that read: "Welcome to Charity Hall for this celebration evening Though we are here to celebrate L&T (Love and Togetherness), we are not on any 90-hour work agenda So please make yourselves comfortable and enjoy the dinner without wasting food, which is soon to be served on behalf of us " The menu took an interesting turn with a section titled "Calorie memo (or meme?) " Below this heading, the menu listed various dishes, clearly marked as vegetarian or non-vegetarian, along with their corresponding calorie counts

This UK church is using pro wrestling to attract followers

A local church in England has gone viral for using a novel yet unorthodox method to attract new followers and bring others back to faith Started by Gareth Thompson, 37, St Peter's Anglican church in the northern English town of Shipley is popularly referred to as the Wrestling Church where attendees receive both WWE-style entertainment and religious sermons Thompson, who started the church in 2022, says he was saved by pro wrestling and Jesus and wanted others to have the same experience, according to a report in New York Post Currently, he is a mix of preacher and ringmaster who wears a T-shirt that reads: "Pray, eat, wrestle, repeat " "Boil it down to the basics, it's good versus evil When I became Christian, I started seeing the wrestling world through a Christian lens," said Thompson "I started seeing David and Goliath I started seeing Cain and Abel I started seeing Esau having his heritage stolen from him And I'm like, 'We could tell these stories ' In recent years, church attendance in the UK has been declining with a 2021 census showing that less than half of people in England and Wales now consider themselves Christian

Lower cholesterol linked to reduced dementia risk

LDL levels Results showed that significantly more people with high cholesterol

new study su ggests Research published in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry found that individuals with lower levels of “bad” LDL cholesterol had a 26% lower r

to those with high cholest

who took statins saw their risk drop by 13%, even if

were already low T

Foundation of Korea and t h e K o r e a n N e u r o l o g i c a l

Association, analysed data

f r o m a p p r o x i m a t e l y 109,000 adults with high LDL cholesterol (above 130 m g / d L ) a n d c o m p a r e d them with an equal number of individuals with lower

w e r e d i a g n o s e d w i t h d e m e n t i a o r A l z h e i m

within six months of testing While statins appeared

extremely low

tributes to plaque buildup in blood vessels, which can

c

restrict blood flow, increasing the risk of heart attacks

research has also highlighted the link between cholesterol and brain health last year, a study found that high cholesterol in midlife was a major risk factor for dementia

According to findings published in The Lancet, e

e v a t e d L D L l e

s a r e responsible for around 7% of all dementia cases

Broccoli: A nutritional goldmine

Broccoli isn’ t just a dinner plate staple it’s a tru e nutritional po werhouse Packed w ith essential v itamins, m inerals, and antioxid ants, this green v egetable offers a wid e range of health benefits

Rich in vitamin C, broccoli helps boost your immune system and supports skin health, while its high vitamin K content plays a key role in bone strength and proper blood clotting Broccoli is also a great source of fibre, which promotes healthy digestion and helps maintain balanced blood sugar levels

One of broccoli’s standout features is its abundance of plant compounds like sulforaphane a natural chemical shown to have anti-inflammatory and cancer-protective properties Studies suggest sulforaphane may help reduce oxidative stress and support heart health

Low in calories but high in nutrients, broccoli is a versatile addition to meals, whether steamed, roasted, or tossed into salads Adding this cruciferous vegetable to your diet can support long-term health and help protect against chronic disease

Constant renewal of bones

Your skeleton isn’t as permanent as it seems! In fact, your bones are in a state of constant renewal. Old bone tissue is broken down and replaced with new cells in a cycle called bone remodelling Over about 10 years, your entire skeleton is effectively rebuilt This natural process helps maintain strength and repair damage but it relies on proper nutrition, especially calcium, vitamin D, and regular physical activity

Wellness on a budget

Staying healthy doesn’t have to come with a hefty price tag In today’s fast-paced world, and with the rising cost of everyday living, many people feel that wellness is out of reach. There’s a common belief that eating well, staying active, and looking after your mental wellbeing requires spending a fortune but that’s far from the truth. With a little creativity, planning, and some smart choices, it’s entirely possi-

lifestyle on a budget From

free ways to stay fit and reduce stress, this article shares practical tips to help you prioritise your health without breaking the bank Cook at home more often

Eating out regularly can

calories, salt, and unhealthy

fats Cooking at home not only saves money but also

We’ve all been there one mom ent yo u ’ re m otivated , lacing up your trainers and sm a s h in g y o u r w o r ko u ts , and the next you ’ re stuck in a rut, strug gling to even get started The fitness blu es are real, but the g ood news is: they’ re also beatable

T h e f i r s t s t e p i s t o switch things up Routine can quickly become boring, e s p e c i a l l y i f y o u ’ v e b e e n doing the same exercises for weeks Try something new: swap your gym session for a hike, trade the treadmill for a d a n c e c l a s s , o r e x p l o r e strength training if you ’ ve been focused on cardio

S e t t i n g s m a l l , r e a l i s t i c goals can also reignite your m o t i v a t i o n I n s t e a d o f

gives you full control over your ingredients Try batch cooking meals using affordable staples like lentils, rice,

meals Plan your meals for the week, stick to a grocery list, and avoid impulse purchases

Move your body for free You don’t need a gym membership to stay active Walking, jogging, yoga, and b

be done at home or in your local park There are countless free workout videos on YouTube catering to all fit-

minutes a day of movement can greatly improve your energy, mental health, and overall fitness

Shop smart and seasonally

Buying fruits and vegetables in season can significantly cut down your groc

cially towards the end of the day Frozen fruits and vegetables are also nutri-

with

longer shelf life

Stay hydrated and cut sugary drinks

they’re often high in sugar

f o c u s i n g o n a b i g - p i c t u r e target like “lose 10 kilos” or “ run a marathon,” aim for s h o r t - t e r m w i n s l i k e i m p r o v i n g y o u r p u s h - u p count, shaving 30 seconds off your 5K time, or mastering a new yoga pose Every a c h i e v e m e n t , h o w e v e r small, builds momentum

A n o t h e r g r e a t w a y t o

Teen obesity in England up 50% in 15 years

New res earch set to be presen ted at the Europ ean Congress on Obesi ty (ECO 2025) rev eals a sharp rise in ad olescent ov erwei ght an d obesi ty rates in Engl an d, climbin g from 22% i n 200 8-2010 to 33% i n 20 21-2023 a 50% i ncrease

The research, led by Dr Dinesh Giri and Dr Senthil Senniappan, highlights growing health risks tied to this t r e n d U s i n g n a t

e Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) and Hospital Episode Statistics, researchers tracked the weight and health outcomes of adolescents aged 12-17 over a 15-year period The study shows those living with overweight or obesity are significantly more likely to develop mental, physical, and cardiometabolic conditions compared to peers at a healthy weight Comorbidities were especially pronounced among adolescents with obesity, who were up to 12 times more likely to develop conditions like metabolic liver disease, type 2 diabetes, sleep apnoea, and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) Risks increased further in those from deprived communities

stay accountable is to recruit a workout buddy or join a f i t n e s s c o m m u n i t y W h e t h e r i n p e r s o n o r o n l i n e , h a v

n g p e o p l e t o encourage you can make all the difference, especially on low-energy days

Don’t underestimate the p o w e r o f r e s t e i t h e r Sometimes the blues aren’t

a b o u t l

your body’s way of asking f

e you ’ re getting enough sleep, e

relieving stress, or feeling stronger, reminding yourself of the reason you started can help you push through mental blocks

The fitness journey isn’t always a straight line and that’s okay With a few simple tweaks and a little self-

yourself out of the slump and back on track

A new drug for one of the most common forms of adv ance d b reast can cer , ca piva ser tib, has bee n approved for use on the NHS in Engl and

Each year, around 3,000 women could benefit from the treatment, which has been shown in clinical trials to slow disease progression and shrink tumours in a significant number of cases The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has recommended capivasertib for NHS funding The drug is one of several treatment options available for patients whose breast cancer has spread and is no longer considered curable

Breast cancer remains the most common cancer in the UK, with one in seven women diagnosed during their lifetime Around 75% of patients survive at least 10 years following diagnosis For those whose cancer returns and spreads, treatment focuses on controlling the disease, easing symptoms, and improving quality of life

Treatment for advanced breast cancer can include chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and targeted therapies drugs designed to block hormones, stimulate the immune system, or interfere with the mechanisms cancer cells use to grow Capivasertib is a targeted therapy that works by blocking a protein called AKT, which drives cancer growth

The drug has been in development for two decades and is now considered one of the most promising treatments for advanced breast cancer

In a trial involving 708 women, capivasertib combined with hormone therapy doubled the time before cancer progression from 3 6 months to 7 3 months Tumour shrinkage was seen in 23% of patients

Researchers also noted that the drug could delay the need for chemotherapy, which is often associated with significant side effects NICE’s approval applies to both England and Wales, although rollout in Wales is still pending

Akshay Kumar urges UK government, King Charles to watch ‘Kesari Chapter 2’

Actor Akshay Kumar has urged the British government and King Charles to watch his upcoming film ‘Kesari Chapter 2’, hoping they will “realise their mistake ” At a press conference, Akshay revealed that his grandfather witnessed the Jallianwala Bagh massacre and passed down the story through generations

In the film, he plays C Sankaran

N a i r , t h e l a w y e r w h

c

t h e British Raj after the 1919 tragedy “This film is very personal,” Akshay said “The massacre has stayed with me

s i n c e c h i l d h o o d W h a t ’ s m o s t shocking is how much history leaves out ” Akshay Kumar also expressed his hopes that the British government and King Charles watch ‘Kesari Chapter 2 ’ “I’m not here with a begging bowl asking for an apology,” he said “I just want them to watch the film and realise the mistake The apology will c o m e n a t u r a l l y w o r d s w i l l f o l l o w once they see what happened ”

The trailer, released earlier this month, offers a powerful glimpse into the emotional courtroom drama led by Akshay’s character, C Sankaran Nair

The film vividly portrays the horrors of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre and its far-reaching impact across India

Also starring Ananya Panday as a law student and R Madhavan as Neville McKinley, ‘Kesari Chapter 2 ’ is set to release on April 18

Tahira Kashyap reflects on music and hospitals during cancer relapse

Afew days ago, Tahira Kashyap, wife of Ayushmann Khurrana, shared an emotional post revealing a breast cancer relapse after years. In a new Insta post, she reflected o the deep connection between hospitals and music, recalling the songs that accompanied her during hospital visits

Tahira shared a reel featuring the tracks she listened to, captioning it: "Hospitals and mus are deeply and surg connected!

#HospitalChronicles " In the first slide, she recalled how her doctor played Shah Rukh Khan’s ‘Kal Ho Naa Ho’ just before her surgery "As I entered the scanning area, the doctor tried to lighten the mood with his playlist This song was playing as I lay down, and I joked, 'Sir, I appreciate your gesture but please turn it off!

Tahira Kashyap recalled hearing ‘Chakku Chhuriyan Tez Kara Lo’ from ‘Zanjeer’ in the operating room She

shared, “The anaesthesiologist asked what song I’d like before being knocked out, and as I saw the tools being prepped this song played in d!” he post ended with hla Nasha’ from ‘Jo eta Wohi Sikandar’, as Tahira remembered a 70year-old patient engrossed in celebrity gossip "After my surgery, I overheard her listening to an ctor’s love life A w minutes later, rushed ahead of ying, ‘If they can h a fuss, why can’t

I! Cinema s power is real!"

Tahira’s brother-in-law, Aparshakti Khurana, reacted with “Bhabhiiiii kamaaaaaal,” while fans praised her strength and music choices

Tahira later shared an update on her health, thanking everyone for their love and prayers She wrote, “Basking in all the love and prayers! Back home and recovering I send gratitude to all those I know and those I don’t Humanity is the highest form of spirituality ”

Emraan Hashmi says ‘Shanghai’ changed perception that he only kissed on screen

ActorEmraan Hashmi recalled a time when he was appreciated for his acting, not just for his on-screen kisses

Speaking on ‘The Ranveer Show’ podcast, he told YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia that during a high point in his career, he received immense love from fans along with bouquets and gifts.

Reflecting on a high point in his career, actor Emraan Hashmi shared how the years between 2008 and 2013 marked a streak of successes for him “I had given four to five back-to-back blockbusters ’Jannat 2 ’ , ‘Raaz 2 ’ , ‘Raaz 3 ’ , ‘The Dirty Picture’, ‘Murder 2 ’ , ‘Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai’ all those films,” he said on ‘ T h e R

w

h YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia “Then I got a critically acclaimed film which was average at the box office ” T h

h marked a turning point in how audiences viewed him “People used to think I only kissed on-screen, ” Emraan laughed, “but then they realised I could act too ” He added, “With ‘Shanghai’, I got critical acclaim I got the best of both worlds At that time, my career was at its peak Overall, I’ve had enriching experiences throughout my journey ”

Z

Emraan will next be seen in ‘Ground

Narendra Nath Dubey

Soha Ali Khan opens up about Sharmila

Tagore’s cancer diagnosis

Actor Soha Ali Khan revealed that her mother, Sharmila Tagore, was treated for cancer without chemotherapy as it was detected at a very early stage Speaking to Nayandeep Rakshit on his YouTube channel, Soha opened up about her mother’s health

Soha Ali Khan revealed that her mother, Sharmila Tagore, was diagnosed with lung cancer at stage zero, allowing her to avoid chemotherapy Soha shared, “We’ve had loss and stressful situations like everyone, but with my mother, she was one of the few diagnosed at such an early stage It was removed surgically, and she's touchwood, fine ” In 2023, Sharmila Tagore opened up about her cancer battle for the first time during an appearance on Karan Johar's ‘Koffee with Karan’, alongside her son, Saif Ali Khan Karan revealed that he had offered Sharmila the role of Alia Bhatt's grandmother in ‘Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani’, a part eventually played by Shabana Azmi He expressed regret that she couldn’t accept due to health reasons Sharmila explained, “This was during the height of Covid, when the vaccine wasn’t available After my cancer treatment, they didn’t want me to take that risk ”

Soha Ali Khan plays the antagonist in ‘Chhorii 2 ’ , a horror film directed by Vishal Furia The movie, which also stars Nushrratt Bharuccha, Gashmeer Mahajani, and Saurabh Goyal, is produced by Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar, Vikram Malhotra, and Jack Davis It premiered on Prime Video

Sunny Deol supports Fawad Khan’s comeback amid controversy

Actor Sunny Deol has shared his thoughts on the controversy surrounding Fawad Khan’s return to Indian cinema Addressing the issue, Deol stated that he has no objection to Pakistani actors working in India, provided there is a meaningful reason behind their involvement

Sunny Deol was asked about his

r e p u t a t i o n f o r s t a r r i n g i n p a t r i o t i c films like ‘Border’ and ‘Gadar’, and whether he believes Pakistani actors l i k e F a w a d K h a n s h o u l d r e t u r n t o Indian cinema In response, he said, “See, I wouldn’t like to get into the political side of things because that’s where it all starts getting messy We are actors we work for everyone, all over t h e w o r l d W h e t h e r s o m e o n e i s w a t c h i n g o r n o t , o u r w o r k i s f o r everyone So, there’s nothing like that Given how the world is evolving, we s h o u l d t h i n k g l o b a l l y a n d b e m o r e inclusive of different countries that’s how it should be ” I n 2 0 1 6 , a n u n o f f i c i a l b a n w a s imposed on Pakistani artists working in Indian films amid rising political t e n s i o n s H o w e v e r , i n 2 0 2 3 , t h e B o m b a y H i g h C o u r t d i s m i s s e d a petition seeking to formalize the ban, paving the way for cross-border artistic collaboration once again Marking his return to Indian cinema after several y e a r s , F a w a d K h a n s t a r s a l o n g s i d e Vaani Kapoor in ‘Abir Gulaal’, directed by Aarti S Bagdi Despite the legal clearance, opposition remains MNS spokesperson Ameya Khopkar told that the party is against the film’s release in Maharashtra

A c c o r d i n g t o i t s s y n o p s i s , ‘ A b i r G u l a a l ’ i s “ a h e a r t w a r m i n g t a l e s e t a g a i n s t t h e p i c t u r e s q u e s t r e e t s o f London,” featuring a love story with unexpected twists, tender moments, and a touch of magic Starring Fawad Khan and Vaani Kapoor, the film is set to hit theatres on May 9

mran Khan admits some of Aamir’s films are uncomfortable to watch

Actor Imran Khan has been away from the film industry for over a decade, with his last appearance in ‘Katti Batti’ (2015) opposite angana Ranaut. In contrast, his uncle Aamir Khan continues to stay tive, recently co-producing ‘Laapataa Ladies’ and starring in films like aal Singh Chaddha’, ‘Thugs of Hindostan’, ‘Secret Superstar’, and angal’ Reflecting on Aamir’s filmography, Imran admitted that some of s uncle’s 90s films haven’t aged well

Imran Khan reflected on Aamir Khan’s influence on his life and reer, crediting him as a guiding force “Whenever I ce a dilemma, I think, ‘What would Aamir do?’” he id, adding that while their approaches may differ, amir’s integrity and authenticity continue to inspire

Aamir’s 90s films haven’t aged well “Viewed through a

uncomfortable,” he said, citing ‘Raja Hindustani’ (1996) as an example Despite its massive success, Imran found the film difficult to watch today, describing certain moments as “ wrong ” by today’s standards

Aamir Khan has produced several of Imran Khan’s films under his banner, including ‘Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na’ (2008) and ‘Delhi Belly’ (2011) While Imran has been rumoured to be planning a comeback, Aamir has multiple projects lined up, including ‘Sitaare

Ratna

Pathak on

being second to Naseeruddin Shah’s career: “I’ve learned to accept it”

Naseeruddin

Shah and Ratna Pathak, married since 1982, are not only acting legends but also a model couple Despite their careers taking different paths, their marriage has stood the test of time Reflecting on their relationship, Ratna shared that the key to their lasting marriage is a strong friendship at its core

At the FICCI Flo Hyderabad summit, Ratna Pathak shared that being married to

fantastic, fun ride” and emphasised that their lasting friendship is the core of their marriage “Working together has helped create that friendship, and it’s invaluable,” she said, encouraging people from the same

shared interests

While she acknowledged the challenges of having careers that don’t always align, Ratna stressed that a strong friendship helps

common ground,” she added R

Naseeruddin Shah for his dedication to his c

person “He is completely focused on his work and is the most generous actor and d

fullest potential I admire that, but I also sometimes resent it I love acting, but I’m not as committed as he is I’ve come to terms with taking second place to his work ”

The couple often collaborates on stage, with their latest performance in ‘Old World’ by Arghya Lahiri receiving critical acclaim Naseeruddin was last seen in ‘Fateh’, the d

Ratna’s recent work was in the short film ‘Flying Taxi’

TV Listing

MON 21 APR - FRI 25 APR 2025

09:00 Deshi Beats

14:30 Laxmi Sadaiv Mangalam

17:30 Rasoi Show

18:30 Rashi Rikshawali

19:00 Shyam Dhoon Lagi Re

19:30 Loveyatri

20:30 Moti Baa Ni Nani Vahu

21:00 United States Of Gujarat

21:30 Mayashakti

22:30 Rangai Jaane Rangma

23:00 Rashi Rikshawali

SATURDAY 26 APR 2025

09:00 Deshi Beats

MON 21 APR - FRI 25 APR 2025

17:00 Anmol Bandhan

17:30 Shrukra Mangal

18:00 BALIKA VADHU SEASON 1

19:30 RAMACHARI

20:00 Anmol Bandhan

20:30 Udaariyan

21:00 Choti Sardarni

22:00 Anmol Bandhan

22:30 Shrukra Mangal

23:00 Ramachari

SATURDAY 27 APR 2025

17:00 Anmol Bandhan

14:30 Laxmi Sadaiv Mangalam

17:30 Rasoi Show

18:30 Rashi Rikshawali

19:00 Shyam Dhoon Lagi Re

19:30 Loveyatri

20:30 Moti Baa Ni Nani Vahu

21:00 United States Of Gujarat

21:30 Mayashakti

21:30 Rangai Jaane Rangma

23:00 Rashi Rikshawali

SUNDAY 27 APR 2025

09:00 Deshi Beats

10:30 Best Of Rasoi Show

11:30 Dhaakad

14:30 Laxmi Sadaiv Mangalam

17:30 Best Of Rasoi Show

18:30 Shyam Dhoon Lagi Re

19:30 Loveyatri

20:30 Lakshya

21:30 Mayashakti

22:30 United States Of Gujarat

17:30 Shrukra Mangal

18:00 BALIKA VADHU SEASON 1

19:30 RAMACHARI

20:00 Anmol Bandhan

20:30 Entertainment Ki Raat-Housefull

21:30 RAMACHARI

22:00 Anmol Bandhan

22:30 Shrukra Mangal

23:00 Entertainment Ki Raat-Housefull

SUNDAY 27 APR 2025

17:00 Anmol Bandhan

17:30 Shrukra Mangal

18:00 BALIKA VADHU SEASON 1

19:30 RAMACHARI

20:00 Anmol Bandhan

20:30 Entertainment Ki Raat-Housefull

21:30 RAMACHARI

22:00 Anmol Bandhan

22:30 Shrukra Mangal

23:00 Entertainment Ki Raat-Housefull

Zameen Par’ and ‘Coolie’

Renu Desai on why she didn’t remarry after Pawan Kalyan divorce

Actor Renu Desai had a whirlwind romance and marriage with actorpolitician Pawan Kalyan in the early 2000s, before they divorced While Pawan later married Russian actor Anna Lezhneva, Renu chose to remain single In a recent appearance on the Nikhil Vijayendra Simha podcast, she shared why she stayed unmarried, even breaking off an engagement in 2018.

When asked if she ever wished for a partner, Renu admitted, “Of course, I’d like to have a partner But my responsibility towards my kids stops me If I think individually, I’d want a relationship, but when I consider my children’s perspective ” Renu Desai opened up about her broken engagement in 2018, saying, “I tried again and got engaged it was an arranged setup But I realised I couldn’t do justice to either the relationship or my kids As a single parent, it’s different when you ’ ve had children with someone It’s sensitive for another person to e n t

, maybe when she’s 18 and off to college ” Renu and Pawan Kalyan were a popular couple in the early 2000s, havi n

d ‘Johnny’ They married in 2009, had t

divorce in 2011, which was finalised in 2 0 1 2 P a

Anna Lezhneva in 2013, with whom he has two children Renu got engaged in 2018 to a non-public figure but split shortly after, choosing not to reveal his identity

Trisha slams toxic social media posts after ‘Good Bad Ugly’ release

Justa day after the release of her film ‘Good Bad Ugly’, actor Trisha Krishnan shared a cryptic message on her Instagram Stories, taking aim at “toxic people” for posting “nonsensical stuff” on social media.

In the post, Trisha wrote, “Shabaa Toxic people, how do you guys manage life or sleep at night? Does sitting on social media and posting baseless comments about others truly make your day? I genuinely feel sorry for you and the people around you Anonymous cowardice at its finest! God bless you all, truly!” While Trisha didn’t provide specifics behind the post, fans speculate it may be a response to trolls criticising her performance in the Ajith Kumar-starrer ‘Good Bad Ugly’

An X user shared a screenshot of Trisha’s Instagram Story on the platform, commenting, “A strong reaction from Trisha to the orchestrated posts against her Let’s call it what it is: jealousy She’s a numero uno actress, and some just can’t handle it ”

‘Good Bad Ugly’, directed by Adhik Ravichandran, marks the sixth collaboration between Trisha and Ajith

‘Vidaamuyarchi’, which, despite a strong opening of Rs 31 4 crore, failed to perform at the box office

Having been active in the film industry since 1999, Trisha will next be seen in the Kamal Haasan-starrer ‘Thug Life’, which is written and directed by Mani Ratnam

Arjun Das wins best actor at New Jersey Indian Film Fest for ‘Rasavathi’

Actor Arjun Das, who plays the antagonist in Ajith Kumar's newly released film ‘Good Bad Ugly’, has won the Best Actor award for his performance in the critically acclaimed romantic crime drama ‘Rasavathi’ at the New Jersey Indian and International Film Festival.

Director Santhakumar took to X to announce, “Arjun Das won the Best Actor award for ‘Rasavathi’ at the New Jersey Indian and International Film Festival 2024 Congratulations G B U V

#GoodBadUgly ” This isn’t the first recognition for the critically acclaimed film starring Arjun Das and Tanya Ravichandran Earlier this year, ‘Rasavathi – The Alchemist’ won Best Sound Design at the London International Film Festival 2025 Sound engineer Tapas Nayak took home the award, beating entries from nine international films including ‘Nobody Wants to Shoot a Woman’, ‘Black, Queer & Done’, and ‘The Therapy’

‘Rasavathi’ also earned nominations in five other categories, including Best Director, Best Foreign Language Film, Best Editing, and Outstanding Actor and Actress in a Foreign

Subramanian, G M Sundar, Reshma Venkatesh, Sujatha, and Rishikanth

The film’s music was composed by SS Thaman, marking his

Cinematography was handled by Saravanan Elavarasu and Sivakumar, with editing by V J Sabu Joseph Sathish Krishnan

Basil Joseph’s ‘Maranamass’ banned in Saudi, censored in Kuwait over queer actor

Basil

Joseph’s upcoming dark comedy thriller ‘Maranamass’, directed by debutant Sivaprasad and co-produced by Tovino Thomas, has reportedly faced hurdles in the Gulf region

According to the report, the film has been banned in Saudi Arabia due to the presence of a queer actor in the cast In Kuwait, the release was permitted only after scenes featuring the actor were edited, following the demands of local censors

Director Sivaprasad addressed the controversy clarifying that the actor’s gender identity had no influence on casting He said the team aimed to normalise LGBTQIA+ representation and focused solely on talent, not gender

The makers also informed Kuwaiti audiences that certain scenes had to be removed to comply with local censorship laws, stating, “We hope this won’t detract from your overall enjoyment of the movie ”

Starring Basil Joseph, Rajesh Madhavan, Siju Sunny, Babu Antony, Anishma Anilkumar, and Suresh Krishna, ‘Maranamass’ features cinematography by Neeraj Revi, editing by Chaman Chacko, and music by JK Despite censorship issues, buzz around its release remains strong

Basil Joseph is currently enjoying a successful phase in his career, with recent hits including the critically acclaimed drama ‘Ponman’

‘RRR’ gets shoutout from

Oscars Academy in stunt design category announcement

SS Rajamouli's ‘RRR’, starring Jr NTR and Ram Charan, has earned a special mention as The Academy introduces a new Oscar category for Best Stunt Design

The Academy of Motion

P i c t u r e A

a n d S c i e n c

s announced that starting at the 1 0 0 t h A c a d e m y A w a r d s

2028, the award will honour

o

choreography in films released in 2027 The Academy shared the news on Instagram, saying, “Stunts have always been part of the magic of movies Now, they’re part of the Oscars ”

‘ R R R ’ , a n d ‘ M i s s i o n I m p o s s i b l e ’ , w i t h " S t u n t

D e s i g n O s c a r " b o l d l y displayed The official ‘RRR’

T w i t t e r a c c o u n t r e a c t e d , s a y i n g , " T H E P R O U D E S T MOMENT FOR ALL OF US So glad the world continues to celebrate #RRRMOVIE and its ACTION Again and again and again " I n 2 0 2 3 , * R R R * m a d e history by winning India’s first

O s c a r f o r B e s t S o n g w i t h "Naatu Naatu," also earning a

G o l d e n G l o b e a n d C r i t i c s '

C h o i c e A w a r d T h e f i l m , starring Jr NTR, Ram Charan, Shriya Saran, Alia Bhatt, and

A j a y D e v g n , r e c e i v e d p r a i s e f r o m H o l l

Danny DeVito and the Russo Brothers

T h e A c a d e m y h a s announced the creation of a S t u n t D e s i g n O s c a r , t o b e p

Academy Awards in 2028 for films released in 2027 The

David Leitch, aims to honour t

choreography Academy CEO

Mandira Bedi on two Rajs in her life: ‘Shah Rukh would ask, which came first?’

Mandira Bedi began her acting career in 1994 with the popular Doordarshan soap ‘Shanti’ That same year, she also signed on for a small but memorable role as Preeti Singh in ‘Dilwale

Dulhania Le Jayenge’, alongside Shah Rukh Khan, who played Raj It was also a significant time in her personal life, as she had just started dating filmmaker Raj Kaushal

Reflecting on a pivotal time in her life, Mandira Bedi told Yuvaa, “Shah Rukh Khan knew Raj and would often ask, ‘Which Raj came first?’ I had just started seeing Raj when ‘Shanti’ began, and ‘Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge’ also started around the same time-so both

Rajs entered my life together ” Mandira, who lost her husband Raj Kaushal in 2021, also shared how they met: “I met Raj when I had just begun working He had a great energy, and I liked the way he treated me I introduced him to my parents, and a few years later, we got married on Valentine’s Day in 1999 ” Raj Kaushal passed away at the age of 50 after suffering a heart attack Mandira Bedi often remembers her late husband through heartfelt posts on Instagram On February 14 this year, marking what would have been their 26th wedding anniversary, she shared a touching message: “We would have been married 26 years today Miss you!”

Neeraj Ghaywan's ‘Homebound’ to premiere in Un Certain Regard at 2025 Cannes Film Festival

Neeraj Ghaywan's second feature film ‘Homebound’ has been selected for the Un Certain Regard category at the Cannes Film Festival.

Ghaywan's debut, ‘Masaan’ (2015), was also part of this category, earning rave reviews and winning the Un Certain Regard Special Prize and the FIPRESCI Prize Details about ‘Homebound's’ cast and premise are currently under wraps

The Un Certain Regard category at the Cannes Film Festival, which highlights the first and second films from emerging filmmakers, also features Scarlett Johansson’s directorial debut ‘Eleanor the Great’, ‘Aisha Can’t Fly Away’ by Morad Mostafa, ‘The Last One for the Road’ by Francesco Sossai, ‘Meteors’ by Hubert Charuel, ‘The Mysterious Gaze of the Flamingo’ by Diego Céspedes, ‘My Father’s Shadow’ by Akinola Davies Jr , ‘Once Upon A Time In Gaza’ by Tarzan Nasser and Arab Nasser, ‘A Pale View of the Hills’ by Kei Ishikawa, ‘Pillion’ by Harry Lighton, and ‘Urchin’ by Harris Dickinson, among others

Last year, Bulgarian-American filmmaker Konstantin Bojanov’s ‘The Shameless’, starring Indian actors Anasuya Sengupta and Omara Shetty, premiered in this section, with Anasuya making history as the first Indian actor to win the Best Actress prize Sandhya Suri's ‘Santosh’, starring Shahana Goswami, also debuted there Meanwhile, Payal Kapadia’s ‘All We Imagine As Light’, a Mumbai-set drama about two nurses, premiered in the Main Competition section and won the Grand

Riddhima Kapoor to debut opposite Kapil Sharma in comedy film

Kapil Sharma is set to return to the big screen with two comedy films Alongside the sequel to ‘Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon’, he will star in an untitled comic entertainer with Neetu Kapoor and Riddhima Kapoor Sahni. Directed by ‘Khiladi 786’ fame Ashish R Mohan, the film begins shooting in Chandigarh later this month

According to a report, “Kapil has gone lean for the role It’s a situational comedy with a strong ensemble cast, and filming will kick off with a Mahurat ceremony followed by a marathon schedule ”

Adding to the buzz is Riddhima Kapoor Sahni’s big-screen debut The fashion entrepreneur and daughter of Rishi and Neetu Kapoor is set to enter Bollywood with this comedy and is said to be excited about the new chapter

A source shared, “Riddhima is thrilled to explore showbiz through a comic role Neetu Kapoor plays a central character and is key to the chaos in this situational ensemble comedy ” The film’s title is yet to be revealed

With Riddhima’s debut, the Kapoor legacy continues, as she follows in the footsteps of her parents and brother, Ranbir Kapoor While plot details remain under wraps, anticipation is high An official announcement is expected soon, giving fans of Kapil Sharma and the Kapoor family much to look forward to

Cricket returns to Los Angeles Olympics

alongside squash, flag football, baseball/softball, and lacrosse

The qualification criteria for

cricket at the Olympics are yet to be finalised Unlike Test and O D I f o r m a t s , T 2 0 International cricket is played

by nearly 100 nations, making t h e q u a

interesting challenge As hosts, the USA might receive a direct entry into the tournament

The event programme for the Los Angeles Olympics was approved by the IOC Executive Board The 2028 Games will feature a total of 351 medal events-22 more than the Paris

quota remains at 10,500, with

allocated across the five new sports, the IOC announced

Games began in August 2021, when the International Cricket

effort between the ICC and the LA28 Organising Committee, culminating in October 2023

proposed as one of five new sports

ICC Chairman Jay Shah

BCCI secretary played a key role

IPL: CSK record their second win this season

C h e n n a i S u p e r K i n g s d e f e a t e

L u c k n o w

Super Giants by five wickets in their IPL

match Shivam Dube was the top run-getter for CSK, scoring an unbeaten 43 runs off 37 balls MS Dhoni chipped in with an unbeaten 26 off 11 balls Ravi Bishnoi was the pick of the bowlers for LSG, chipping in with two dismissals CSK have now recorded two wins so far in the ongoing edition of the IPL E

166/7 Despite a valiant half-century from captain Rishabh Pant (63), CSK’s calculated bowling and sharp fielding ensured that LSG never quite got away on a slightly sticky surface

Mumbai beat Delhi by 12 runs

Mumbai Indians defeated Delhi Capitals by 12 runs in a thriller At one point, Delhi were cruising to a win but after Karun Nair’s wicket, they suffered a collapse, losing their last 3 wickets to run outs With this result there are no unbeaten teams left in this edition of the IPL Tilak Verma top scored with 59 as Mumbai Indians posted 205/5 against Delhi Capitals With Ryan Rickelton, Suryakumar Yadav and Naman Dhir also chipping in with decent scores, MI started strong and continued the momentum with Tilak’s innings Vipraj Nigam and Kuldeep Yadav were the pick of the bowlers with 2 wickets apiece

RCB’s sweet win against RR

An explosive opening stand of 92 in 8 4 overs between Phil Salt and Virat Kohli paved the way for Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s fourth victory, as they defeated Rajasthan Royals by nine wickets with 15 balls to spare at Sawai Mansingh Stadium on Sunday Salt demonstrated his aggressive batting prowess early in the chase of 174, dominating the Powerplay with numerous boundaries that immediately challenged and deflated Royals’

b o w l e r s H i s i m p r e s s i v e 6 5 o f f 3 3 b a l l s included five fours and six sixes, particularly t a r g e t i n g J o f r a A r c h

innings, scoring an unbeaten 62 off 45 balls with four fours and two sixes His technical excellence complemented Salt’s aggressive approach, maintaining consistent scoring without unnecessary risks

SRH chase down 246 against PBKS

Hyderabad : Abhishek Sharma and his 171-run partnership with Travis Head made l i g h t w o r k o f P u n j a b K i n g s ’ ( P B K S ) mammoth target of 246 runs as Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) cruised home by eight wickets with nine balls left in their IPL encounter on Saturday With this comeback win after four successive losses, SRH and most importantly, their ‘Travishek’ opening pair are back to what they do best: Cause carnage This is also the second highest run chase in IPL history, with 262 chased by PBKS against defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) last year being at the top SRH has risen to the eighth spot with two wins and four losses while PBKS is at sixth place, with three wins and two losses Chasing 246 runs, opener Travis Head started with two fours against Arshdeep Singh in the first over LSG score easy win over Titans

produced a formidable batting display on home ground to secure a commanding six wicket victory over Gujarat Titans LSG’s third consecutive victory took them to third on the points table, while GT slipped to

second spot behind Delhi Capitals After being put in to bat by LSG skipper Rishabh Pant, the Titans could only manage 180/6 in 20 overs even though skipper Shubham Gill and Sai Sudharsan gave the team a fine start by scoring impressive half centuries After the 12th over, GT were 120/0 and apparently headed for a big total, but they lost six wickets for 60 runs in the last eight overs, handing the initiative back to LSG KKR fall short by 4 runs Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) eventually failed to chase down Lucknow Super Giants’ (LSG) 238/3, falling short by four runs (234/7), despite appearing to be very much on course

a t t h e E d e n G a r d e n s , N i c h o l a s P o o r a n , Mitchell Marsh and Aiden Markram gave LSG a score that seemed safe, before KKR skipper Ajinkya Rahane, Venkatesh Iyer and Sunil Narine put it under serious threat When faced with a mammoth chase, aggression is perhaps the best option KKR did just that, coming out all guns blazing Helped by some wayward bowling by LSG, KKR raced to 50 off just 19 balls In the six Powerplay overs, scoring 90 with the loss of only Quinton de Kock That is the secondb e s t s c o r e i n t h e P o w e r p l a y p e r i o d t h i s season, behind Sunrisers Hyderabad’s 94/1 against Rajasthan Royals

PANKAJ ADVANI WINS SILVER MEDAL IN WBL BILLIARDS CHAMPIONSHIP

Pankaj Advani, India’s most decorated cueist, settled for a silver medal after a narrow defeat against David Causier in the final of the WBL World Matchplay Billiards Championship In a best-of-15 contest where fortunes swung from one side to another, Advani started off with a 2-0 lead but his opponent clawed his way back in the summit clash played at Carlow Ireland Both the players fought intensely but the Briton clinched the decider to win the game 8-7 (19100 0-100 100-47 100-52 19-100 100-0 49100 100-3 34-100 4-100 100-85 31-100 100-53 100-43 100-28) Advani will now look to defend his IBSF World Billiards title, which he has been winning since 2016, from Sunday here The upcoming world championship will be conducted in the timed format in which big breaks are expected from players from all over the world

CHANDIGARH SHOOTER WINS GOLD AT BUENOS AIRES WC

Vijayveer Sidhu joined the World Cup gold brigade winning the 25m rapid fire event in Buenos Aires Vijayveer, 22, who had participated in the Paris Olympics, had earlier won a World Cup silver and an individual gold was missing from the Chandigarh shooter’s cabinet Despite managing only 1 valid shot in the first series of five shots the Indian shooter managed to top the 6-shooter final to win gold Vijayveer scored 29 in the final The silver medal was won by Italy s Riccardo Mazzetti with 28 and bronze went to Yuhao Yang of China, who shot 23 This was the first big tournament that the shooter was participating in after the Paris Games, where he had finished ninth “There are days when you shoot well, like today, and then there are days when you can’t hit the target despite trying your best I don’t think about it after that day I am glad that I won gold but after tomorrow, this will be forgotten Same for the Paris Games performance I feel I did well but that was not my day,” he said Vijayveer started shooting with his twin brother Udhayveer in 2012 Udhayveer is also an international pistol shooter and competes in the 10m air pistol and 50m events The brothers started shooting with a rented pistol

ARCHERS FINISH WORLD CUP WITH FOUR MEDALS

Indian women's tennis team secure World Group playoff berth

T e a m I n d i a c on fi r m e d t h e i r play off bert h in t he Billie Jea n

K in g C up 20 25, a ft e r ba g g in g se con d pla ce at the Billie Jea n Kin g Cup Asia-Ocea nia G roup 1

The host s prog ressed t o t he nex t r ound afte r r egiste ring a 2-1 win a gain st Kor ea Re public in t heir fina l ga me of the t ourna men t at t he M ahalunge Ba le wadi Te nn is C omple x in Pune

This is only the second time that India have qualified for the playoffs of the Billie Jean King Cup, previously doing so in 2020 Along with the hosts, it was New Zealand who secured top spot at t h e t o u r n a m e n

MSLTA in association with ITF, AITA, and PMDTA

It was a dream debut at the Billie Jean King Cup for Shrivalli Bhamidipaty, as she maintained her unblemished record in the

fought first set, before taking charge to storm a comeback The y

registered her fifth consecutive

scoreline of 5-7,

hours and 52 minutes

(7-5) in

singles match with a one-nil lead

took centre court to play against Dayeon Back The Indian player s

determination despite suffering an early setback in both sets

Trailing 1-5 in the second set, Sahaja fought till the end but

scoreline of 3-6, 4-6, in an hour and 45 minutes With all to play for and a p

vastly experienced doubles duo of Ankita Raina and Prarthana Thombare stepped up when it mattered most, helping the team o v e

Park and Dabin Kim The Indian duo held their nerve, making s u r e t h e y c o m p l e m e n t e a c h other at the net and baseline, finding the right angles to help them secure a 6-4, 6-3 victory in an hour and 15 minutes

The Indian team, sponsored by Suhana, will now move to the playoffs of the Billie Jean King C u p 2 0 2 5 , a n d w i l l p l a y alongside the best-performing teams from the 2025 Regional Group I events The Play-offs will be contested as groups of t h r e e t e a m s , w i t h t h e g r o u p winners advancing to the 2026 Qualifiers

India finished fourth in the season-opening Archery World Cup with four medals after Dhiraj Bommadevara won a bronze in the individual recurve category in Florida on Sunday Hours after winning a team silver with Tarundeep Rai and Atanu Das the 23year-old Dhiraj bounced back from a 2-4 deficit to beat Spain’s Andres Temino Mediel 6-4 in a five-set battle India thus picked a gold in the compound mixed team, bronze in compound men s team, silver in recurve men s team and bronze in recurve men s individual Olympian Dhiraj went from strength to strength after the two archers were tied 28-28 in the first set The Spaniard then edged ahead 29-28 in the second set to take a 3-1 lead as the third set was again tied at 29-29 Dhiraj came back strongly winning the fourth set 29-28 to level