AV 19th August 2023

INDIA, A SUCCESS STORY

On 77th anniversary of independence, as India celebrates its strategic rise in the global geopolitical stage, Asian Voice asks experts to comment on India’s potential in the future of world politics and economy.

In his 10th Independence Day address on 15 August, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a 90 min speech where he emphasised his government's accomplishments, as well as the diverse challenges and opportunities facing the nation On the occasion of the 77th anniversary of India’s Independence Day, he called upon his fellow citizens not to overlook the chance to unlock the nation's potential, asserting that the decisions and sacrifices made now will have ramifications for the next millennium

Continued on page 16

Ahead of his maiden trip to India in September as Britain’s first-ever Indian-origin Prime Minister, PM Rishi Sunak spoke EXCLUSIVELY to Asian Voice about his excitement to represent UK’s 1 7mn ‘living bridge’ by Rupanjana Dutta

Shefali Saxena

with Keith Vaz

T E GA N S U M M E R

Tegan Sum mer is CEO of Tim eless Stage & Screen, based in Lo nd on ’ s West End , and an NA ACP and Ovation award-recip ient He is also the w orldw ide stage theatrical rights o wner for the properties o f James Dean, Bettie Pag e, The Nicholas Broth ers, and Amelia Earhart, and holds the w orldw ide life rig hts for stag e m usicals for Malcolm X and Harv ey Milk, among others Summer is a Producer on Nimax Theatres and Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber’s revival of Aspects Of Love at the Lyric Theatre in London, and GP on Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty's new musical, Little Dancer, directed and choreographed by Susan Stroman He is Lead Producer on the Broadway-bound Stormy Weather - The Lena Horne Musical Current and Credited: Producer, Librettist, and Lyricist of the following: “You’ve Gotta Give ‘Em Hope” – The Har vey Milk Musical; The Nicholas Brothers Musical with Kenny Leon’s True Colors Theatre Company ( Jamil Jude Artistic Director); Mozart: Her Stor y - The New Musical (Carnegie Hall); Bettie Page, Queen of Pin-Ups * The Musical; Amelia - A Musical Tale of Braver y & Myster y; and the golden era musical, The Dolly Sisters: Icons of the Jazz Age, based on the biography by Gar y Chapman Summer also produced the world premiere of Marilyn! - The New Musical (Ogunquit Playhouse | Caesars Entertainment)

Summer is the former Board President of Amas Musical Theatre in New York, a Board member of the Foundation for New American Musicals, and a member of the National Alliance for Musical Theatre and the Dramatists Guild

1 Which place, or city or country do you most feel at home in?

I always feel at home in London's West End; I grew up in and around theatre As a child, I had an insatiable desire to be around creatives or to listen to producers and directors expound about their day Not much has changed today I now realise it is a desire to connect, to tell and listen to stories of the human condition

2 . What are your proudest achievements?

I h a v e l i v e d i n m a n y c o u n t r i e s a n d absorbed what I saw as the most potent, effective, and robust artistic influences I am happy to be implementing them today, combined with my own views and practices, alongside the ver y best in the industr y We are creating something unique and innovative

3 What inspires you?

The thought and act of effecting change with words I live and measure my life in words; the ability to deliver a message though my chosen medium of theatre through stor y and song, didactic and other wise Nothing inspires me more than being influenced by a moment in time or a life-changing stor y I may have heard I am typically on the next plane to speak with the source; they may be a mother in a village, a descendant of a historical f igure, or key persons within an international organisation

4. What has been biggest obstacle in your career?

In my formative years, I was I would be s o m e w h a t c o n c e r n e d w i t h p r e - c o n c e i v e d notions about who I am and what I do, instead of letting time, ability, and opportunity be my guides That comes with experience, but youth and ambition can be blind to that This also points to being comfortable in your own skin, for which there is not timetable I was able to breathe once that was clear 5 Who has been the biggest influence on your career to date?

T h e r e h a v e b e e n s o m a n y f a m i l y, friends, peers I would be remiss to select just one Suff ice to say, anyone who has

Key post in immigration enforcement for Bas Javid

Ba s J av id , a s eni o r p ol ic e off icer and the sibling of former Home Secretar y Sajid Javid , has been assigned a signif icant role w ithin the U K Ho me Off ice's im migratio n enforcement sector

Javid has been designated as the director-general of i m m i g r a t i o n e n fo r c e m e n t , with his tenure commencing in November, according t o T h e Te l e g r a p h H i s responsibilities entail overseeing the practical response to immigration violations,

c l o s e l y c o l l a b o r a t i n g w i t h l a w e n fo r c e m e n t e n t i t i e s s u c h a s t h e p o l i c e a n d Border Force Cu r r e n t l y h o l d i n g t h e

position of deputy assistant c o m m i s s i o n e r w i t h i n t h e

Me t r o p o l i t a n Po l i c e , Jav i d has previously held key roles in law enforcement, including positions with Avon and Somerset Police, as well as West Midlands Police In his present role, he super vises s p e c i f i c o p e r a t i o n a l d o m a i n s , c o n t r i b u t i n g t o s t r a t e g i c d e c i s i o n -m a k i n g a n d o c c u p y i n g a p i v o t a l p o s i t i o n i n t h e c h a i n o f command within the police force

One in eight households with children in London lack essentials

achieved the impossible, the unthinkable, through hard work, determination, will, and s t a m i n a E s p e c i a l l y t h o s e w h o h a v e t r iumphed when they are the lone voice among a majority

6 What is the best aspect about your current role?

I interact with an eclectic range of i n c r e d i b l e h u m a n b e i n g s E a c h b r i n g s s o m e t h i n g d i f fe r e n t c u l t u r a l l y, w i t h a unique lens on society; I learn something new ever y time I step out of the door This enriches my work to the nth degree As a writer, I am fascinated by you, and love the exploration as much as the f inal stanza

7 And the worst?

The somewhat transient nature of our b u s i n e s s T h e r e i s s o m e t h i n g m a g i c a l about the bond one strikes up with a fellow artist or creative in theatre Another life, sometimes aided by geography, can rear its heads once a show is closed, and then we repeat the cycle Some stay in your heart, others disappear forever

8 What are your long term goals?

I would like our theatrical production company to be a global hub; a place where we represent a range of subject matters with various socioeconomic and cultural i n t e r e s t s T h e r e a r e m a ny a r o u n d t h e world without a voice - our team is dedicated to using the medium of musical theatre as their instrument

9. If you were Prime Minister, what one aspect would you change?

Youth violence continues to rise ever y y e a r Tr e n d s i n d a t a p o i n t t o a s h i f t t o w a r d s y o u n g e r v i c t i m s (o u r y o u n g women especially), and a signif icant portion of armed robberies "involve the use or the threat of use of a knife " This has become part of our zeitgeist in the UK, especially London, rendering the statistics all the more alarming We have initiatives in place; I would prioritise new and additional programmes to see if we can move the dial

10 If you were marooned on a desert island, which historical figure would you like to spend your time with and why?

Honestly? My father He was largely absent and there are many unanswered questions; a few about me, others about his stock as a man I was raised by mother, mentors, my (many) siblings, and the love of the theatre comm u n i t y i n L o n d o n I w a s twelve when my father left, and although I did not miss his guidance, I am curious a b o u t t h e d e c i s i o n s h e made His absence allowed me to engage the world fearlessly

New p olling conducted by YouGov and com missioned by C ity Hall h as rev ealed that ap proximately one in eight household s with children in L ond on are going wi tho ut essentials such as food , electricity, or gas Th e surv ey u nd ersco res the signif icant impact of the costo f -l iv in g c ri s i s o n L o n d o ne rs , p ar ti cu l arl y affecting families w ith children

T h e s u r v e y i n d i c a t e d t h a t a b o u t 8 % o f a l l

L o n d o n e r s a r e fo r e g o i n g n e c e s s i t i e s l i ke h e a t i n g , p o w e r, o r m e a l s A m o n g h o u s e h o l d s w i t h o u t c h i ld r e n , t h i s f i g u r e s l i g h t l y

decreases to 7% However, for families with children, the percentage facing essential shortages rises to 13% –roughly one in eight of these households

A d d i t i o n a l l y, t h e p o l l d i s c l o s e d t h a t n e a r l y h a l f (49%) of London households w i t h c h i l d r e n a n t i c i p a t e s t r u g g l i n g t o a f fo r d t h e i r r e g u l a r h o u s e h o l d fo o d e x p e n s e s i n t h e n e x t s i x months Moreover, 17% of p a r e n t s a n d c a r e g i v e r s admit to already increasing their use of credit or incurring debt, including overd r a f t s , l o a n s , c r e d i t /s t o r e cards, or missing payments

L o n d o n M a y o r S a d i q

Sadiq Khan

Khan emphasised that the data underscores the urgency of his free holiday meals i n i t i a t i v e , wh ic h i s s e t t o offer around 10 million free h o l i d a y m e a l s t o l o wincome families in the capital over the upcoming year

Doctors stage yet another strike over pay

Ho sp ital d octors in England have initiated a new fo urd ay w alkou t, co mm enci ng o n Fri d ay, a s p ar t o f a n o ng o i ng d i sp u te w it h th e go vernment over pay Junior doctors, who constitute approximately half of the doctors in UK hospitals, began their industrial action at 7 am and are scheduled to c o n t i n u e u n t i l 7 a m o n Tu e s d a y T h e B r i t i s h Medical Association (BMA) h a s s t a t e d t h a t t h e t a kehome pay of the junior doct o r s t h e y r e p r e s e n t h a s declined by 26% over the last 15 years However, the gov-

Steve Barclay

ernment has expressed concerns over the cost of meeting their demands

In recent months, nurse s , a m b u l a n c e s t a f f , a n d other medical workers have

joined picket lines, adding f u r t h e r p r e s s u r e t o t h e a l r e a d y s t r a i n e d p u b l i c h e a l t h s e r v i c e N H S d a t a i n d i c a t e s t h a t a l m o s t 7 7 8 , 0 0 0 m e d i c a l a p p o i n tments have been postponed across the health ser vice in E n g l a n d d u e t o s t r i ke actions since December “Patients are bearing the brunt of the impact of cont i nu o u s s t r i ke s a c ro s s t h e NHS, and further action by the BMA will cause more a p p o i n t m e n t s a n d p r o c ed u r e s t o b e p o s t p o n e d , ” h e a l t h s e c r e t a r y St e v e Barclay said

UK-Turkey join forces to address migrant f low

Britain has announced a coll abo r ati o n w i th Tu rke y aimed at redu cing th e influx of m igrants p assing thro ugh th e Me d it erran ean nati o n en ro u t e t o E ur o p e T h e ag ree m ent enc o m p a ss es j o i nt p o li c e i n it ia ti v e s to com bat smug gling networks and th e traff icking of boat com ponents

Gi v e n t h e p ro m i n e n c e of the illegal migration issue in Britain's political lands c a p e , p a r t i c u l a r l y i n t h e l e a d-u p t o a n a n t i c i p a t e d election next year, the government has committed to

b a c k i n g a n e w Tu r k i s h police center This center will build upon the existing cooperation in law enforcement

“O u r p a r t n e r s h i p w i t h

Turkey, a close friend and a l l y, w i l l e n a b l e o u r l a w e n fo r c e m e n t a g e n c i e s t o

work together on this international problem and tackle the small boat supply chain,” h o m e s e c r e t a r y Su e l l a

Braverman said

Under the newly establ i s h e d m e m o r a n d u m o f

u n d e r s t a n d i n g , c u s t o m s d a t a w i l l b e s h a re d m o re

expediently, as stated in a Tuesday announcement by the British government

Suella Braverman

Knowledge makes one humble

Education stands as a paramount priority in our community, deeply rooted in the South Asian tradition of pursuing subjects aligned with interests and aptitudes, leading to employability and sustainable lives We are a resilient community of learners and hard workers that likes a fair challenge and finding solutions

However, around half of recent high school graduates have questioned the feasibility of university education due to escalating living costs, prompting substantial reconsideration

Research for the Open University uncovers that 49% of 18 and 19-year-olds have contemplated the viability of university degrees and one in five awaiting A-level results remains uncertain about enrolling

These findings coincide with a noticeable surge in university drop-outs approximately 33,000 withdrew last academic year, a 9% increase from the prior year, as reported by the Student Loans Company This trend, predicted by education experts, links to factors like housing, living costs, and ongoing campus labour disputes

Despite this, the Open University study underscores the rising caution among youth toward degrees incurring an average £45,000 debt upon graduation Recent research indicates a quarter of school leavers prefer to stay home for university and 39% aim to earn while studying Moreover, nearly two-thirds believe elevated living costs have dimmed their career prospects, including higher education

Experts caution that disadvantaged A-level students may face challenges due to projected reductions in top

grades, stemming from a return to pre-pandemic grading standards A Social Mobility Foundation survey highlights disparities, with 46% of economically disadvantaged students unable to access tutoring compared to 28% of their better-off peers

This week, ahead of the A-level results, PM Sunak visited one of the most revered educational institutions in the world - the University of Cambridge He went all the way to celebrate the culmination of English and Indian civilisations that poured in large numbers to attend the Ram Katha recited by motivational speaker Morari Bapu

While there’s an ongoing reflection on higher education and its challenges, earlier this year, the prime minister also warned that universities offering low-quality courses cheat students and announced measures to tackle this issue

Writing in The Telegraph, the British Prime Minister believed that too many young people are being misled into thinking that attending university will automatically provide them with the necessary skills to secure a good job

The Sanskrit shloka ‘Vidya Dadati Vinayam Vinayad Yati Patratam Patratvaddhanamapnoti Dhanadharmam Tatah Sukham’ still holds It means, “Knowledge makes one humble, humility begets worthiness, worthiness creates wealth and enrichment, enrichment leads to right conduct, and right conduct brings contentment ”

Education is a tool to enable us to sustain life on this planet No education goes to waste But the dialogue and infrastructure surrounding it need to empower students to believe in its power and knowledge exchange

India's diplomatic canvas: navigating global relations

Russia invaded Ukraine more than a year ago, western nations standing in the solidarity of Ukraine and even imposed strict sanctions on Russia - banning imports of oil and exports of hi-tech products However, China has become an increasingly important trading partner for Russia as it seeks to soften the impact of economic sanctions imposed by some countries Due to its geopolitical position, India's involvement in the Russia and Ukraine war is crucial The whole world is watching India s every move as it attempts to reinstate world order

In September, India will host the next G-20 summit to bring focus back to diplomacy and further underscore its capacity for leadership by suggesting and guiding modest diplomatic exchanges between Russia, Ukraine, and their partners Indian officials have repeatedly emphasised the effects of the war on food security, national economies, and the global South in general Russia's invasion of Ukraine caused a rise in food and energy costs, sparked inflation, devalued national currencies, and diverted focus away from the global financial crisis in many nations

India wants to become a pole in a multipolar international system, and its involvement in the conflict in Ukraine would demonstrate how it can support the upkeep of world order This is especially crucial for India now that its adversary and neighbour, China, has also tried to position itself as a broker of world peace by making an effort to achieve an uneasy détente between Iran and Saudi Arabia The United States is a biggest supporter of Ukraine and Former US president, Donald Trump stated that he can bring the Ukraine War to an end within 24 hours if he is elected President of the United States He boasted of his relationship with Russian

Thought for the week

- Mahatma Gandhi

Political Sketchbook

Alpesh Patel

India's Independence Day: A Beacon of Hope and Lessons for the World

As the sun rises on August 15th, India cel ebrates another year of its hard-won in depen denc e, a testament to its resilienc e an d the indomitabl e spirit of its people The story of In dia's fre edom struggle is not just a tale of a n ation b re aking free from c olonial shack les but a less on in the power of un ity, n on -violen ce, and the pursuit of justic e

President Vladimir Putin, said that he would convince him and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to strike a peace deal within a day

The election of President Donald Trump in 2016 caused anxiety amongst US foreign- and security-policy elites He brought the US to the verge of trade conflicts ever since taking office, not just with strategic rivals like China but also with its allies and partners in North America, Western Europe, and East Asia During his presidency, the relationship between India and the United States has transformed The "2+2" dialogues were initiated, involving the foreign and defence ministers of both countries Economically, there were some trade tensions due to Trump's protectionist policies, such as the imposition of tariffs on steel and aluminium The Indo-Pacific region gained prominence in their partnership, with a shared interest in maintaining stability and countering China's influence The former president announced that he would run for the White House again in 2024, however he has faced three criminal indictments and may soon be charged with fourth

Following its independence, India is now fast growing as a country, attempting to excel in every sector including technology, finance, health, and others It is on the right track to becoming a significant diplomatic power in the globe It will be interesting to see the upcoming elections across the globe whether it's in the UK, US, India To win over voters, several foreign leaders are fostering and strengthening their connections with India British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is due to visit India for the first time to attend the G20 summit This is another historic moment in diplomatic history when a British Prime Minister is of Indian origin

Echoes of India's freedom struggle on global political movements

India s independence marked one of the earliest instances of significant decolonisation undertaken by the British in the post-war era The hard-fought victory, realised on August 15, 1947, was the peak of India's long battle for self-determination This achievement was a result of the extraordinary efforts of countless freedom fighters who dedicated decades to resisting British rule

Whether considering the civil rights struggle in America or the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa, it's clear that India's fight for freedom and Gandhi's commitment to nonviolence have served as strong sources of inspiration for numerous political movements across the globe

The American Civil Rights Movement drew great inspiration from India's struggle for independence, led by Gandhi Gandhi's impact on Dr Martin Luther King Jr, the leader of the civil rights movement for African-Americans until his assassination in 1968, cannot be overstated King employed the principle of nonviolence during the Montgomery bus boycott The African-American community's protest against segregation within Alabama's bus system lasted 13 months, and led to the 1956 Supreme Court ruling that deemed segregation on buses unconstitutional

Following this ruling, Luther addressed a New York City crowd stating, "Christ showed us the way and Gandhi in India showed it could work "

S i m i l a r l y , S o u t h A f r i c a ' s a n t i - a p a r t h e i d m o v e m e n t d r e w strength from India's fight for freedom Nelson Mandela, a prominent figure in this struggle, referred to Gandhi, whose experiences in South Africa ignited his activism, as his "role model "

The movement against apartheid and racism in the country was majorly nonviolent, despite some factions resorting to

violence Upon his release from prison, Mandela became the first President of a post-apartheid South Africa and worked towards national unity through the Truth and Reconciliation Commission

Sri Lanka's fight for independence was at its climax in 1948 Notable figures within Sri Lanka, including the Buddhist revivalist Anagarika Dharmapala and freedom fighter Charles Edgar Corea, were greatly inspired by the Indian freedom struggle

According to an article in Ceylon Today, Dharmapala was inspired by the actions of the Indian National Congress and consequently launched a movement that blended nationalism with a temperance movement Dharmapala also embraced Gandhi's ethos of boycotting foreign-made clothing and instead promoting the use of locally-produced fabric

The Lanka Sama Samaja Party (LSSP), stemming from the Youth Leagues in 1935, became the first political party to demand independence in a manner reminiscent of the Indian National Congress' call for complete freedom from British rule Numerous youth leagues in Sri Lanka orchestrated peacef u

'Poorana

Swaraj'

Apart from inspiring global movements, India s freedom struggle also inspires young people today It instills a sense of national pride and resilience while cultivating the importance of active participation in shaping the nation's future The stories of brave and determined people who stood up against the British inspire strength They learn that India's diversity is its power, and they should treat everyone equally Learning about history helps the youth make smart choices and support what they care about

Since its independence in 1947, India has navigated the treacherous waters of Cold War politics, aligning itself neither with the West nor the East, but carving out a unique Non-Aligned Movement This diplomatic finesse has positioned India as a key player in global affairs, mediating conflicts and championing the cause of developing nations

The nation has been a laboratory for grassroots movements, from the Gandhian principles of nonviolence that inspired civil rights movements worldwide, to its more recent endeavors in grassroots environmentalism and social justice India's struggles and successes in addressing its internal disparities offer invaluable lessons for societies grappling with inequality and injustice

The world's largest democracy is still grappling with issues of religious tensions, caste disparities, and economic inequalities – like all nations But it’s a m i r a c l e i t ’ s a f u n c t i o n i n g d e m o c r a c y g i v e n Northern Ireland with 0 1% of India’s population cannot have a functioning government due to religious division and now law and order may breakdown as Catholics and Protestents in the police are targeted

Yet, it's the Indian spirit of resilience and innovation that shines through From its booming IT sector that's become the envy of the world to its vibrant cultural exports of Bollywood and cuisine, India continues to make its mark

In the grand tapestry of global history, India's independence is relatively recent Yet, in these few decades, India has showcased to the world the strength that lies in diversity, the power of peaceful protest, and the importance of a pluralistic, democratic ethos As nations around the world grapple w i t h d i v i s i v e p o l i t i c s a n d s o c i e t a l p o l a r i z a t i o n , India's Independence Day serves as a reminder of the potential that lies in unity, dialogue, and mutual respect

On this day, as India celebrates its freedom, the world must take a moment to reflect on the lessons this great nation offers In an era where authoritarianism is on the rise and democratic values are under threat, India stands as a beacon of hope, a testament to the enduring spirit of democracy, and the transformative power of a united people

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Freedom is not worth having if it does not include the freedom to make mistakes.

Ceremonial Guard of Honour for Indian Army Chief

Resp ond ing to th e request

o f U K Chief o f the General

S t af f, G ene ral S i r P a tri c k S a nd e rs , N u m be r 7

C o m p an y C o l d s tre am

Guard s conducted a Guard

o f Hono ur on Horse Guards

P arad e in London this w eek to ho nour General M anoj

Initial migrants approve food and bedding on the barge

Initial reactions from asylu m s ee ker s w h o s p e nt th ei r f i rs t ni g h t o n t h e Bi bb y S t o ck h o lm b ar g e h av e b ee n p o s it iv e, describing the accom modation as "g ood "

FORMER NATWEST EMPLOYEE WINS UNFAIR DISMISSAL CASE

strong camaraderie between the two nations The regiments featured in the parade hold a distinguished history within the B r i t i s h A r m y , r e n o w n e d worldwide for their exceptional performance in both combat operations and cere m o n i a l d u t i e s f o r n e a r l y f o u r c e n t u r i e s N o t a b l y , Guardsman Singh, hailing from Punjab, contributed to the historical event by joining the Guard of Honour, adding an Indian touch to the proceedings

D e s p i t e t h e d e l a y s caused by repairs, safety c o n c e r n s , a n d w a r n i n g s about fire hazards, only 15 a s y l u m s e e k e r s m o v e d onto the barge on its first day of arrivals Some of t h e m u t i l i s e d t h e H o m e

O f f i c e - f u n d e d h o u r l y coach service to travel six miles from the secure private port in Portland to Weymouth town centre

T h e t h r e e - s t o r e y B i b b y Stockholm barge, with 222 rooms, has been docked at Portland Port for three weeks Chartered by the government to reduce costs associated w i t h h o u s i n g a s y l u m s e e k e r s i n hotels, the barge has been modified to accommodate around 500 adult

men

Amnesty International has criticized the Bibby Stockholm, likening it to "prison hulks from the Victorian era " The organization stated that it is an "utterly shameful way to house people who've fled terror, conflict, and persecution "

The Home Office has asserted that the conditions on the barge are safe and suitable

A nj em C h o u d a ry, h ai l in g from east Lo nd on and aged 56, has faced charges related t o ter ro ri s m f ro m l aw enforcem ent

H a v i n g b e e n a r r e s t e d last week, he was officially c h a r g e d o n J u l y 2 3 w i t h t h r e e t e r r o r i s m - r e l a t e d o f f e n s e s T h e s e c h a r g e s include directing a terrorist organisation, being a member of a proscribed organisation, and engaging in meetings to encourage support for a proscribed organisation In addition, a 28-yearold individual from Canada has been charged on July 24 with membership in a proscribed organisation

Comedian Hardeep

Singh Kohli facing sexual offence charges

Anjem Choudary

Choudary was detained a t H e a t h r o w A i r p o r t l a s t week upon his arrival in the U K v i a a f l i g h t B o t h

Choudary and the Canadian suspect have been detained in custody and are schedu l e d t o a p p e a r b e f o r e W e s t m i n s t e r M a g i s t r a t e s '

Court on July 24

Harlesden man who died due to head injuries identified

P o lice hav e i denti fied th e d eceased m an fo und with h e ad i nj u ri es a s F u ad S a m an , ag e d 4 0 H e w as p r o no u nc e d d ea d at t h e s c en e af ter a u th o ri ti es resp ond ed to a call reg arding concerns for h is w elfare at a residential property on C asseld en Road in Ch urch

E n d & R o u nd w o od o n T hursd ay (Au gust 1 0)

Upon arrival at 10 45pm, p o l i c e d i s c o v e r e d F u a d

Pro mi nent S co tti sh co m edi an and celebrity chef Hard eep Sing h Ko hli has been ap prehend ed and charg ed in rel ati o n to " no n- re ce nt " s ex ua l offences, as confirmed by a statem ent from Police Scotland The 54-yearold indiv idual, w ho was arrested and charg ed , has been g ranted release wi th a c o m m itm en t to ap p ear i n co urt at a later tim e

Police Scotland's statement further revealed that a comprehensive report of the circumstances has been forwarded to the procurator fiscal, although no additional details were provided

S o u r c e M D B

S a m a n w i t h f a t a l h e a d i n j u r i e s A p o s t - m o r t e m examination conducted on Saturday (August 12) verified that his cause of death was due to blunt and sharp force injuries to the head

Osman Abshir, 28, residing on Church Road, has been charged with murder He is scheduled to appear in B a r k i n g s i d e M a g i s t r a t e s ' Court on Monday (August 14) while in custody

Police officer sentenced for engaging sexually with teenager

F orm er police officer Haider S iddique, aged 23, has been s e nte nc ed to o v e r s ev e n years in prison for grooming, abducting , and engaging in sexual activity with a 1 3 - yea r- o ld s c h o o lg i rl S i d d iq u e m et th e g ir l through social media, falsely c lai m i ng to o f fer su p p o rt w hile g roo ming her fo r sexu al purp oses

His arrest came after a vigilant bus driver witnessed h i m b e h a v i n g i n a p p r o p r ia t e l y w i t h t h e v i c t i m , including kissing and hugging her The concerned bus driver reported the incident to the police in March of the

p r e v i o u s y e a r S i d d i q u e , then a student officer, was taken into custody and later resigned from his position H e w a s s u b s e q u e n t l y charged with two counts of engaging in sexual activity with a child H a v i n g p r e v i o u s l y pleaded guilty, Siddique was s e n t e n c e d t o s e v e n y e a r s and seven months in prison o n F r i d a y a t B i r m i n g h a m

Crown Court Judge Sarah B u c k i n g h a m n o t e d t h a t while Siddique's attention had "flattered" the victim, as a police officer, he should have been aware of her vulnerability

Recent allegations against Kohli surfaced in a report by The Times last m o n t h , a c c u s i n g t h e f o r m e r B B C television presenter of engaging in "predatory" conduct towards women

The report stated that multiple individuals came forward with accounts of harassment, unwelcome advances, a n d i n s t a n c e s o f p h y s i c a l c o n t a c t involving the father of two

Among these individuals was a disability campaigner who asserted that Kohli had made inappropriate sexual remarks via phone calls and sent her a series of messages that caused her discomfort

An employment tribunal has recently ruled that a NatWest analyst Karim Ahmed was unfairly dismissed after being fired in October 2020 for promoting sex work online, as reported by The Telegraph Ahmed had advertised sexual services on platforms linked to his business profile on LinkedIn Reports revealed that while employed by the bank, Ahmed also operated a website named "Agile Love," which connected to a site displaying explicit photos of himself and offering £25 'sensual massages During a hearing at a Croydonbased employment tribunal in South London, it was disclosed that Ahmed had reacted aggressively when confronted by his supervisor He had threatened to 'take him apart' and accused him of cyberstalking Ahmed initiated legal action against the bank alleging wrongful termination The tribunal ruled in his favour declaring the disciplinary process leading to his dismissal as unlawful However the judge determined that he would not be granted compensation as his termination would have been justifiable had proper protocols been followed

COVID BOOSTERS FOR OVER 65S STARTING OCTOBER

As part of the October booster program, the free coronavirus and flu vaccines will now be extended to individuals aged 65 and above, health and social care workers, and adults with weakened immune systems The eligible recipients can access the vaccine at GP surgeries and pharmacies This year s eligibility criteria for the NHS Covid booster scheme have been revised compared to the past two years, when the vaccine was offered to all adults aged 50 and older People with compromised immune systems such as those undergoing chemotherapy or having conditions like blood cancer as well as those with diseases affecting their immune systems (like HIV) are considered eligible Additionally individuals with chronic respiratory conditions, including severe asthma, and those with underlying health conditions like diabetes, will qualify for the booster shot However, younger healthy adults will not be included in the Covid-19 booster rollout this year

PAKISTANI RESTAURANT FINED SECOND TIME FOR FLY-TIPPING

C ap tai n Raj A g g arw al , a C ard if f -b as ed b u si n es sman, ph armacist, and p ublic health expert, recently paid a visit to HMS Card iff in Govan, Scotland

L/R: Captain Raj Aggarwal, Lord Lieutenant of South Glamorgan Morfudd Meredith, Lord mayor of Cardiff councillor Bablin Molik, and Brigadier Jock Fraser

The Pakistani restaurant Wah Bey located on Cranbrook Road in Gants Hill has been fined for improper waste disposal practices The restaurant was found to have deposited its rubbish in residential bins and left multiple food waste bags on the street near Frinton Mews, situated behind the establishment Having received a legal notice last year concerning proper commercial waste storage, the restaurant had been monitored by Redbridge Council Unfortunately, it breached the notice twice within six months The restaurant also faced a noise abatement notice in the past year Despite reminders, the Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) issued to the restaurant for fly-tipping and breaching the notice remained unpaid by the restaurant's company director Sarfraz Ghaffar In response Ghaffar aged 43 appeared in Barkingside Magistrates' Court on August 1 The court imposed a total fine of £6 824 encompassing fines court and council costs along with compensation for the council s cleanup expenses

S

i m o n L i s t e r , t h

Captain Raj Aggarwal visits HMS Cardiff in Govan

of Protocol

Anjem Choudary faces three terrorism charges

Bibby Stockholm

Uneven representation of ethnic minorities in UK schools' staff

A lm ost half of the schools in England lack teachers w h o a re b la ck o r fro m m in o ri ty e th n ic ba ckg rou nd s Even in schools w here there is som e div ersity among staff, the to p l ea d ers h i p p o s it i o ns are u su ally held by wh ite ind iv id u als , a c co rd i ng t o research

This absence of diversity means that students f r o m m i n o r i t y e t h n i c backgrounds might not see teachers who share their background On the other hand, minority ethnic teachers often have to handle issues related to racial inequalities in schools, leading to burnout and m a n y l e a v i n g t h e i r j o b s , researchers noted

Kavitha Ravindran has been in the teaching profession since 2009 and feels that “from grassroots to top level, you’ll find fewer teachers from the minority ethnic group that enter the teaching profession and then there are even fewer who actually progress and are taken up for leadership roles So this problem seems to exist across the education system ”

In her experience over the year, she has often been the only ethnic minority student in a course and often, the only ethnic minority teacher “When you want a diversified teacher group to be in education, you are trying to reflect what exists in society and we are very far away from that ideal setup ”

“I do definitely believe that it is

important that a diverse set of stud e n t s i n t e r a c t w i t h t e a c h e r s o f their own kind and that is what true diversity is about, where the cultural understanding and everything else can be much more on par ” , she further adds

While Kavitha believes that the education system will only take d i v e r s i t y s e r i o u s l y i s t h r o u g h changes in policy, there is a lot that can be done on the ground level “ H o w a r e y o u s u p p o r t i n g t h e teachers who really want to teach? How are you giving them the tools to make sure that they are wellskilled, to go into the classroom with much more confidence?”, she asks

“Forming a support group can help minorities find solutions to their troubles at the workplace And again, for trainee teachers entering the system, role models of their own kind are an inspiration like none other ”

Shalina Patel has been teaching for the last 14 years and feels that “teaching as a career is not some-

Initiating conversations about mental health

thing that's really talked about in the South Asian community In my years of career, I haven't had anybody to speak to from the s a m e c o m m u n i t y a s m e about doing this job ” S p e a k i n g a b o u t t h e l a c k o f d i v e r s i t y a t t h e a d m i n i s t r a t i v e l e v e l , Shalina said, “I would say in terms of diversity and leadership, it is very much mirrored in what happens in other sectors as well, where there is a lack of diversity at top positions Similarly, there's definitely a lack of diversity in school leadership in terms of head teachers and deputy head teachers, etc ”

Shalina feels that “there is a r e a l c r i s i s i n t e a c h e r t r a i n i n g recruitment at the moment and that is simply because this is not a profession that people see as desirable for many reasons Part of that is the pay and part of it is the way teachers are portrayed and demonized in the media, we're not particularly valued ”

In order to address the negatives, many initiatives can be taken at the ground level “In terms of staff that already are teachers, giving people the opportunity to be coached and mentored by people in senior positions and to do work in areas that they may not have e x p e r i e n c e A n d t h e n I t h i n k there's obviously the other end of the spectrum, which is that actually getting people into the profession in the first place”, she said

In a p io neering effort to s p o tl ig h t tee nag e m ental health strug gles a captivating p lay 'Th e E xp u l s io n o f Exulansis', by 17-yearo l d d r am a st u d en t Siyani Sheth is scheduled for perform ances on Aug ust 29, 30, and 3 1, 20 23 , at Studio S paces E1

Siyani Sheth

I n a n i n t e r v i e w w i t h A s i a n Voice, Siyani talks about her play

C an you elaborate on your journey with mental health?

I started noticing things going downhill at 14, but pushed it down u n t i l i t b e c a m e t o o m u c h t o ignore I wasn’t well and yet I was running myself into the ground trying to get the highest grades possible

After consulting unhelpful doctors who dismissed my struggles as puberty-related, I was eventually diagnosed with depression, anxiety, and an eating disorder To cope, I resorted to self-harm In December 2021, I attempted to end my life and v i s i t e d t h e e m e r g e n c y r o o m a s advised, but it felt futile My situation worsened, leading my psychiatrist to recommend a 2 5-month stay in a mental health clinic

U p o n r e t u r n i n g , I i n i t i a l l y improved, but the downward spiral continued Reaching rock bott o m a f t e r a n o v e r d o s e i n December 2022, I realized a change was crucial I began working with a new therapist and gradually saw improvement This progress motivated me to write this play What inspired you to sh are yo ur

difficult battle as a play ‘ T h e E xp u l si o n o f Exulansis’? What is th e story beh ind the name?

T h r o u g h o u t m y j o u r n e y , d e s p i t e t h e support of loved ones, I felt immensely isolated, intensifying my illness I want to prevent others from experiencing this kind of loneliness, so I chose to share my story, hoping to provide solace and connection

I discovered the word 'exulansis', which signifies giving up discussing an experience due to a lack of understanding This perfectly captures what I want to convey ' T h e E x p u l s i o n o f E x u l a n s i s ' stands for overcoming this tendency by sharing, being vulnerable, and speaking truthfully with others

Through my play, I aim to initiate conversations about mental h e a l t h w i t h i n t h e S o u t h A s i a n community What is it that you hope and aim to achieve with your play?

This play aims to spotlight the challenges faced by youth through a teenage lens It's designed to connect with young people, lessening their sense of isolation in their struggles It's equally directed at adults and parents, shedding light on unseen issues The goal is to offer suffering teenagers a sense of support and optimism, and to educate those unaware of the flaws in the UK's mental health system and society's treatment of mentally ill teenagers

Kavitha Ravindran Shalina Patel

Prime Minister joins Morari Bapu’s Ram Katha in Cambridge

Rupanjana Dutta

British Prime Minister Rishi S u nak o n T ues day grac ed r en ow ned s p i ri tu al le ade r Mo rari Bapu's Ram Kath a at t h e J e s u s Co l le ge , Cambridge Universi ty T his marks a significant moment as Mo rari Bap u co ndu cts his 9 21st recital, titled 'Manas V is h wav i dy al ay , o n th e g ro u nd s o f t h e es t ee me d C am b ri dg e Un i ve rs i ty , m aking it t he pio neering instance of a Hindu programm e held at a British u niversity

Mr Sunak will be the first Indian-origin British Prime Minister in history to visit New Delhi next m o n t h f o r t h e G 2 0 Leaders’ Summit on 9-10 September It will be his

added, “I've had very good conversations with Prime Minister Modi, about our shared commitment, conclude, you know, a good FTA I have always said

the community are “ I n o u r p a r t y , L o r d Dolar Popat has been on the forefront of this for over a decade, making sure

Prime Minister pays respect to Morari Bapu, serves food to volunteers

In the mo rning befor e the Katha start ed o n Tu esday, Mo rari Bapu unfurl ed the Indian Tr ico lou r at Cambr idge Universit y, sym bolising 77th anniversary o f Indian Independence Day Lat er u p to 3000 gu ests wer e expect ed to be pr esent at the marquee, inclu ding you ngst er s, befo re PM Su nak jo ined them

benefit everyone, no matter what their background is My vision and the type of country that I'm trying t o b u i l d i s o n e , w h e r e regardless of your backg r o u n d , r e g a r d l e s s o f w h e r e y o u g r e w u p , o r w h a t y o u r p a r e n t s d o , you've got every opportunity to succeed and build a f u l f i l l i n g , p u r p o s e f u l , prosperous life for you and y o u r f a m i l y a n d t h a t ' s w h a t I ' m s t r i v i n g t o achieve in the job ”

A t t e n d i n g t h e R a m K a t h a , M r S u n a k j o i n e d the aarti on the stage as w e l l a s s e r v e d f o o d (prasad) to the volunteers He was also gifted with a c o n s e c r a t e d S h i v l i n g a from Somnath by Bapu W h i l e s e r v i n g f o o d , t h e P M w a s j o i n e d b y C l l r A m e e t J o g i a , a P o l i t i c a l

In his opening remarks of the Katha, Morari Bapu had hailed Prime Minister Rishi Sunak not merely as the head of the nation, but as an individual of Indian descent Bapu had also shared that Mr Sunak's name is derived from the revered sage ‘Rishi Shaunak’

vice, devotion and keeping faith But perhaps the greatest value is duty or seva, as we know it These Hindu values are very much shared British values ”

“I leave here today remembering the Ramayana that Bapu speaks on, but also the Bhagavad Gita and the Hanuman Chalisa And for me, Lord Ram will always be an inspirational figure to face life’s challenges with courage, to govern with humility and to work selflessly ”

“Bapu, with your blessings, I aspire to lead in accordance with how our scriptures have taught leaders to lead,” he said emphatically

maiden trip as the Prime M i n i s t e r o f t h e U K t o India, though many of his C a b i n e t M i n i s t e r s h a v e travelled to India recently, f o r t h e F r e e T r a d e Agreement (FTA) negotiat i o n s H e a l t h S e c r e t a r y Steve Barclay is also due end of this week, to join the G20 Health Summit in G a n d h i n a g a r f r o m 1 7 - 1 9

August

While India, according to a report published in The Times of India is looking to complete the FTA negotiations with UK over the coming 2 weeks, it is widely believed, this will be much later, but part of a ‘Diwali’ gift and a major celebration in both countries

S p e a k i n g t o A s i a n Voice at an exclusive interview, Mr Sunak said that he was looking forward to visiting India as a representation of UK’s 1 7 million ‘living bridge’ “I am a l w a y s e x c i t e d t o v i s i t India, particularly in this the way that you describe (first British Indian PM of the UK) will be special,” said the PM “And I'm a representation of a living bridge between our two countries So, it will be a p a r t i c u l a r l y m e m o r a b l e moment and meaningful to me personally ”

Speaking about FTA he

w i t h a l l F T A s , t h a t I don't want to put arbit r a r y d e a d l i n e s o n t h e m , b e c a u s e w e should focus more on t h e q u a l i t y t h a n r u s h things, for the sake of it, that both you and I are c o m m i t t e d t o i t W e l o o k f o r w a r d t o t h e teams that are talking, and we look forward to making progress ” When asked if the same ‘living bridge’ was i m p o r t a n t f o r h i m i n t h e u p c o m i n g U K G e n e r a l e l e c t i o n s i n 2024, Mr Sunak emphas i s e d t h a t p e o p l e ’ s “voices” needed to be h e a r d “ I t h i n k i t ' s i m p o r t a n t f o r p e o p l e e v e r y w h e r e , t o m a k e s u r e t h a t t h e i r v o i c e s are heard,” he said “And elections are an important part of that As a party, we're proud of the support t h a t w e h a v e f r o m t h e British Asian community I personally have been humbled and touched by it, the p e r s o n a l s u p p o r t t h a t I h a v e r e c e i v e d f r o m t h e

British Asian and British H i n d u c o m m u n i t y , a n d it's given me strength in this job that I have to do, which is not an easy job I d r a w s t r e n g t h f r o m m y faith, and I also draw on the support of everyone who's willing me to succeed, as many people from

that we also are doing a good job of broadening the representation of our cand i d a t e s I t ' s s o m e t h i n g that I think we're proud of, and it's an effort that Lord P o p a t s t a r t e d , m e w h e n just been selected as a candidate and I'm sitting here w i t h y o u a s t h e P r i m e M i n i s t e r , a n d t h e f i r s t leader of the Conservative Party and the first Prime Minister from my background That tells you that we as a party care deeply about this But ultimately, I ' m d e l i v e r i n g f o r t h e whole country I set out a set of priorities that will

A d v i s e r a t N o 1 0 a s well as a Parliamentary candidate for Hendon at next year ’ s general election When asked what bit of Ramayana i n s p i r e d t h e P M t h e most, Mr Sunak excitedly narrated the story of his childhood with h i s g r a n d m o t h e r t o Asian Voice

With a smile he said, “When I think of Ramayana, it reminds m e o f a v e r y v i v i d memory of my dadiji ( g r a n d m o t h e r ) S h e used to babysit for us a lot growing up I didn't have my dadaji (grandf a t h e r ) b e c a u s e h e p a s s e d a w a y w h e n I was very young When she was babysitting us, I used to put on Ramayana videos for her Then when Luv-Kush came out that was kept extra, more tapes for her to keep her occupied So that is quite a special memory for me

“ I m y s e l f l i s t e n t o Hanuman Chalisa quite a lot The story of Hanuman is inspiring and as I said, I h a v e a t o u g h j o b S o , everyone in these jobs has different things that they d r a w o n t o g i v e t h e m s t r e n g t h , c o u r a g e , a n d r e s i l i e n c e A n d f o r m e , part of that is the story of Hanuman and Hanuman Chalisa, in particularly so ”

Opening his speech, Mr Sunak with folded hands said, “It is truly an honour and pleasure to be here today at Morari Bapu’s Ram Katha at the University of Cambridge on Indian Independence Day Bapu, I am here today not as a prime minister but as a Hindu! For me faith is very personal It guides me in every aspect of my life Being Prime Minister is a great honour, but it is not an easy job There are difficult decisions to make, hard choices to confront and our faith gives me courage, strength, and resilience to do the best that I can for our country ”

“For me, it was a wonderful and special moment to light diyas for Diwali outside 11 Downing Street back when I was Chancellor And just like Bapu has a Golden Hanuman in his background, I am proud that a Golden Ganesha sits gleefully on my desk at 10 Downing Street,” he said, commenting on Hanuman’s image behind Vyaspeetha, adding, “It is a constant reminder to me about listening and reflecting on issues before acting!”

He recalled his childhood and growing up years in South Hampton where he visited his neighbourhood temple with his siblings and participated in rituals like havans, pujas, artis, and distribution of prasad with his family

“Our values and what I see Bapu does each day of his life are the values of selfless ser-

“Thank you, Bapu, for everything that you do Your teaching of truth, love and compassion are more relevant now than they have ever been,” Rishi Sunak stated

PM Sunak concluded by lauding Bapu’s inspiring work and limitless stamina and devotion, citing the recently concluded Jyotirlinga Ram Katha Yatra that covered over 12000 kilometres

In extending a warm welcome to the British Prime Minister, Morari Bapu invoked the blessings of Lord Hanuman, seeking boundless strength to facilitate his devoted service to the people of Britain Bapu expressed his earnest desire that every citizen of the nation may reap the benefits and rewards stemming from the Prime Minister's visionary leadership

Bapu acknowledged that while Prime Minister Rishi Sunak typically refrains from accepting gifts, he chose to present a consecrated Shivlinga from Somnath as a token, a sacred offering from the Jyotirlinga Ram Katha Yatra

(Morari Bapu's Katha commenced on August 12 with a warm reception by Sonita Alleyne OBE, the 41st Master and the first woman to lead Jesus College since its inception in 1496, along with Lord Dolar Popat, a distinguished Conservative peer at the House of Lords, representing the organising family)

PM Rishi Sunak joins Morari Bapu, Lord and Lady Popat

Prime Minister serving food to the volunteers at Ram Katha with Cllr Ameet Jogia and Cllr Meenal Sachdev

PM Sunak being gifted a Shivlinga from Somnath by Morari Bapu

Morari Bapu’s Ram Katha hosted in the premises of Jesus College, Cambridge University

Mahesh Liloriya

T he city of Cambrid ge continues to stand as a w itness to historical land marks Reno wned Ind ian spiri t ua l g u ru a nd p re ac h er, P u j y a M o rar i B ap u , st art ed h i s Ra m K atha on 12 A ugust in th e prem ises o f J es u s C o l leg e, C am bri d g e U niv ersity T he ev ent is organised w ith th e sup port o f Lord Dolar P opat’s fam ily and youngsters in Britain

Pujya Bapu, while spreading t h e e s s e n c e o f t h e R a m K a t h a , mentioned, "We have arrived in the premises of this renowned university with the global holy scriptures of the universal Ram Charit Manas

“This is why I have named this Katha as ‘Manas Vishwavidhyalay’ Manas is a universal university, consisting of seven divisions - Bal K a n d , A y o d h y a K a n d , A r a n y a Kand, Kishkindha Kand, Sundar Kand, Lanka Kand and Uttar Kand

A distinguished dynasty is seated in these seven divisions ”

Bapu said, "I am a student of t h a t u n i v e r s i t y , w h o s e d e a n i s Goswami Tulsidas It’s not a long course here, just a sole fundamental subject which is faith Also, admission is open to all irrespective of caste and creed "

M o r a r i B a p u f u r t h e r a d d e d , " V r i n d a v a n i s t h e u n i v e r s i t y o f love, Chitrakoot is the university of truth, and Kailash is the university of compassion The first lesson in my university is the art of detach-

m e n t P e a c e p r e v a i l s w h e n w e irradicate emotional attachment and hatred from our home and our heart The subsequent lessons are a b o u t i m p a r t i a l i t y , f e a r l e s s n e s s , equability and tranquility "

Bapu added, "The sun, truth, and love can never be suppressed W e c a n n e v e r g e t a w a y f r o m desires without compassion, charity, and penance One should maintain a broad perspective This university serves as a means to eliminate sins"

Placing the pious scrip ture on his head, Lord Popat carried it to the d esig nated spot of the kath a Lord Popat's family placed the holy scripture on their head and carried it to the designated spot

The Popat family was joined by the devotees in welcoming Bapu at the venue It was the first visit of Bapu to the Cambridge and thousands of p e o p l e t h r o n g e d t o h e a r h i m Eminent personalities such as Anil Agarwal, Pradip Dhamecha, and Ramesh Sachdev, along with other d i g n i t a r i e s a l s o e x p r e s s e d t h e i r heartfelt greetings to Bapu

A devotional atmosphere with t h e r e c i t a t i o n o f t h e H a n u m a n Chalisa and Vedic mantras was created Rudra Sachdev presented the entire outline of the program, conveying that “this katha is a symbol of the longstanding connections between Indian and western cultures, nurtured over a significant period Cambridge is an inspiring city enriched with history, culture, and global research endeavours

One of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the worldis witnessing a Hindu spiritual program The concept of the Ram Katha program at Jesus College, Cambridge, embodies the universal principles of peace and truth, love, and compassion, spreading the message of these values around the world ”

In the welcoming address, Lord Dolar Popat expressed, “On behalf of my government, all devotees and followers, I extend a heartfelt welcome to Pujya Bapu

“Through the Ram Katha, Bapu will bring together knowledge and spirituality Cambridge is a place where education and revolution for the youth are nurtured ”

D e s c r i b i n g M o r a r i B a p u h e said, “He is a powerful transformative instrument and his discourses instill positive change and inspire individuals for personal growth His life serves as an inspiration to

m a k e c o n s t r u c t i v e a l t e r a t i o n s , teaching people through his lectures and guiding them towards self-improvement This event will

c o m p r e h e n s i v e l y e x p l o r e t h e

i m p o r t a n c e o f g l o b a l l i t e r a t u r e ,

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

narratives as integral aspects of education ”

Me ssage from Ki ng Charles Lord Popat conveyed the messages of His Majesty King Charles at the venue, in which the King extended his greetings for this event to the British-Hindu communities

A uni que presentation of the Ram Charit M anas through fus ion musi cal program me Cambridge University's prof e s s o r K a v i b h a v e p r e s e n t e d a u n i q u e f u s i o n o f I n d i a n a n d W e s t e r n c l a s s i c a l m u s i c a l o n g with an alumni group, showcasing the Ram Charit Manas A s pecial c on versation wi th the Master of J esus C ollege, Son ita Alleyne O BE M a s t e r o f J e s u s C o l l e g e , S o n i t a A l l e y n e O B E , e x p r e s s e d her pleasure on the occasion She mentioned that she has had a unique spiritual experience and had the opportunity to get closer t o H i n d u c u l t u r e S h e a d d e d , “This has become a memorable moment in my life The messages of truth, love, and compassion are worth emulating for every relig i o n , t r a d i t i o n , a n d t h e e n t i r e w o r l d I w e l c o m e e v e r y o n e a t Cambridge It is a matter of great pride for us that Cambridge's halls are adorned with such beautiful arrangements, where knowledge a n d s c i e n c e g o h a n d i n h a n d , along with highlighting the values of human life This effort to pass on the religious and cultural heritage to the new generation is commendable ”

Morari Bapu

Lord Popat with Pothi

Indian miniature among Freddie Mercury’s cherished possessions at Sotheby’s

Among the coll ect ion of over 1 , 4 00 it e ms re v e a l e d f or a n o v e l e x hi b it io n a n d s a l e hosted by Sotheby 's auction h o us e i n L on d on a r e t h e c he r i sh e d po ss e ss io n s o f B r it i sh sin g e r - so n g wr i t e r F r e d d ie Me r c ur y A m on g t hese t reasures is an Indian miniature painting fr om the 16 th cent ur y T h i s M u g h a l f o l i o , e x t r a c t e d f r o m a n

f u r n i t u r e , J a p a n e s e d e c o r ative arts, glasswork, graphic c r e a t i o n s , c e r a m i c s , a n d o b j e c t s d ' a r t , a l l o f w h i c h Mercury passionately sought from auctions and prominent m a n u f a c t u r e r s , d e r i v i n g immense joy from them

At the core of this exhibition is a possession that held p r o f o u n d s i g n i f i c a n c e t o Mercury and played a pivotal

A remarkable woman who remained undiscovered for 132 years

Shefali Saxena

' A k b a r n a m a ' , p o r t r a y s a prince on horseback accompanied by his retinue With an estimated value ranging b e t w e e n G B P 3 0 , 0 0 0 a n d 5 0 , 0 0 0 , t h i s a r t w o r k i s believed to resonate with the vibrant heritage of the flamboyant artist, drawing connections to his Indian Parsi lineage B o r n F a r r o k h B u l s a r a , Freddie Mercury hailed from a Parsi family tracing its roots t o B u l s a r , n o w V a l s a d , i n Western India, adhering to t h e t i m e - h o n o u r e d P e r s i a n faith of Zoroastrianism

A l t h o u g h b o r n i n Zanzibar, Mercury's format i v e y e a r s w e r e p r i m a r i l y shaped in India He was dispatched to a boarding school in Bombay during his early y e a r s , w h e r e h i s p r o f o u n d fascination with music and art became evident

The elaborate miniature painting is just one of numerous artistic pieces that graced the interior of Garden Lodge, his residence in west London This residence has now been made accessible to the public t h r o u g h a c o m p l i m e n t a r y

e x h i b i t i o n n a m e d ' F r e d d i e M e r c u r y : A W o r l d o f H i s Own' hosted at Sotheby's Each of the 15 galleries within Sotheby's New Bond Street establishment hold a d i s t i n c t f a c e t o f F r e d d i e

Mercury's life While some of the items to be showcased are recognisable from his most iconic stage performances such as the crimson cape and regal crown from his final a p p e a r a n c e w i t h Q u e e n a t Knebworth in 1986, or the initial catsuits adorned with his own 'Mercury Wings' numerous articles within the c o l l e c t i o n h a v e r e m a i n e d u n s e e n b y a n y o n e e x c e p t M e r c u r y ' s i n n e r c i r c l e o f friends

Spanning from his early f o r a y s i n t o p o e t r y d u r i n g s c h o o l d a y s t o r e c e n t l y u n e a r t h e d d e s i g n s f o r Queen's renowned emblem, as well as working drafts for m a n y o f t h e b a n d ' s m o s t renowned songs, and extending to the revolutionary cost u m e s t h a t c a p t i v a t e d t h e world's attention, the exhibition features it all Also featured are exquisite paintings,

Dr Ba sha bi Fra se r, CBE i s a n a w a r d - wi n n i n g poe t, child ren ’ s writ er, e dit or , t r an sla tor a nd a ca dem ic Ba shabi’s w or k tr a v er se s c on tin ent s in bridge -buildi n g li t e r a r y p r o j e ct s She has author ed and e dited 23 books, publi s h e d s e v e r a l a r t ic le s a n d chapt ers, both a ca demic an d cre ativ e a nd as a poe t, has been widely an thologise d She is the Chief Editor of t h e a c a d e m i c a n d c r e a t i v e peer-reviewed international e - j o u r n a l , G i t a n j a l i a n d Beyond and on the Editorial Board of RLF WritersMosaic She played a key role in disc o v e r i n g A n n a p u r n a Turkhud, a Marathi woman who developed an affectiona t e r e l a t i o n s h i p w i t h t h e Bengali poet and Nobel Prize winner Rabindranath Tagore when she was 20 and he was 17 and unveiling a plaque in her name Dr Fraser spoke to the newsweekly about this d i s c o v e r y , T a g o r e a n d t h e r e s p o n s i b i l i t y t h a t c o m e s with it

1You’veauthored books on Tagore and been the director of ScoTs. In your journey so far, what amuses you the most about Tagore?

descendants of the Turkhud family The fact that she died so young of preventable conditions – exhaustion and septicaemia while giving birth to her fourth child, is shocking Yet in her time, she fearlessly challenged many socio-religious boundaries, leading the way for many women mired in Victorian mores She married a British educationist, Harold Littledale, converted to Christianity, fell in love, a n d t r a v e l l e d a l o n e t o Edinburgh to join her brothe r w h o w a s s t u d y i n g medicine here, which were all steps not normally taken by women in her time Yet s h e w a s a g r e a t p o e t ’ s (Rabindranath Tagore) muse, t h e i r p l a t o n i c r e l a t i o n s h i p leading to many songs and poems to be written over the years by Rabindranath

u m e s ) a n d P r a b h a t K u m a r Mukhopadhyay (4 volumes) who had cons u l t e d t h e T a g o r e household and institution archives to docu m e n t f a c t s w h i c h r e l a t e d A n a a n d Rabindranath, and the T u r k h u d a n d t h e T a g o r e f a m i l i e s I t took us a few years to have some facts recovered and corroborated

4Whatkind of responsibility rests with you while you reveal and confirm such theories and information about a revered historic Indian figure, yet you’re doing something which no one could do?

role in the inception of his m o s t e x c e p t i o n a l c o m p o s itions: his cherished Yamaha G 2 B a b y G r a n d P i a n o , a p p r a i s e d a t a n e s t i m a t e d value of £2-3 million

T h e f r o n t m a n o f t h e renowned band Queen, who passed away at the age of 45, w a s a p a s s i o n a t e c o l l e c t o r , and his beloved residence in London has been maintained a l m o s t u n c h a n g e d b y h i s d e a r e s t f r i e n d a n d f o r m e r p a r t n e r , M a r y A u s t i n , e v e r since his demise over three decades ago

Admission to the exhibition is free and accessible to everyone, spanning all seven days of the week, concluding S e p t e m b e r 5 t h , w i t h w h a t would have been Mercury's birthday

All Image credit: Sotheby's

South Asian Heritage Month celebrated at the Watersmeet Theatre

Over 400 ind iv iduals g athe red at th e W ate rs m ee t T heatre in Ric kmansw orth o n A u g u s t 8 to c el eb rat e S outh A sian Heritage M onth ( S A H M ) T h e ev e nt, or g an i ze d b y On e V is i o n an d T h r ee Ri v er s D i st ri c t C o un ci l , s h ow c as ed S o u th A si a n p o e try , m u s i c, an d d ance, treating the aud ience to an array of cultu ral p erfo rm ances S A H M , o b s e r v e d f r o m July 18 to August 17, pays tribute to South Asian history and culture The event featured captivating performances such as Bollywood d a n c e , Q a w w a l i s i n g i n g , Kathak dancing, traditional B h a r a t N a t y a m , B h a n g r a

S o u c e F a c e b o o k

dancing, and a panel discussion P r i o r t o t h e p e r f o rmances, attendees enjoyed a c t i v i t i e s i n c l u d i n g p a l m readings and stands promoting various businesses and

initiatives like "Herts Against Hate " The event included s p e e c h e s b y o r g a n i z e r s , a s well as Three Rivers District C o u n c i l l e a d e r C l l r S a r a h

Nelmes and chair Cllr Phil Williams

I was brought up by a mother who was a brilliant s i n g e r o f T a g o r e ’ s s o n g s ( R a b i n d r a s a n g e e t ) a n d m y father who recited his poetry

My parents had a wonderful library with Tagore’s complete works, which encouraged me to go through his vast oeuvre However, I think it is impossible to read all of Tagore’s work and do justice t o i t Y e t h e w r o t e a n d accomplished multiple projects, both educational and environmental, in one lifetime We danced to his songs, enacted his dance dramas, and staged his plays I read his novels and short stories, and later in life, I read his e s s a y s a n d l e t t e r s W h i l e being a serious writer and cultural activist, Tagore had a marvellous sense of humour, w h i c h c o m e s a c r o s s i n s o m u c h t h a t h e w r o t e , f o r example, his poems in Shishu ( C h i l d ) , h i s c o m e d i e s , Hansyakautuk, in some of his songs and in his letters I would say, his deep humanism meant that he had great f a i t h i n h u m a n i t y w h i c h marks his positive attitude to l i f e a n d l i f e ’ s c o n t i n u i t y , which is what comedy signifies

2What was it like unveiling the blue plaque for Annapurna Turkhud, and finding her grave? What must our readers know that they may not know clearly through the theories floating on the internet?

Annapurna Turkhud was a talented and accomplished woman, well-versed in many languages, bringing the East and West together in her pers o n Y e t s h e w a s l o s t t o

This remarkable woman remained undiscovered and u n s u n g f o r 1 3 2 y e a r s T h e restoration of her memory in the plaque contributes to the recovery of her story She can now rest in peace, as we all remember and celebrate her s h o r t b u t m e a n i n g f u l l i f e What moved us greatly was the fact that her infant son, D e n z i l w a s t a k e n t o Broughty Ferry to be looked a f t e r b y a n u r s e a f t e r h i s mother’s untimely death He died four months after his mother’s death, exactly to the day, on 2 November (Ana having breathed her last on 2 July in 1891) His tiny body was brought from Broughty F e r r y t o E d i n b u r g h t o l i e beside his mother It was a long journey in those days, yet those who cared for Ana a n d h e r s o n t h o u g h t i t i m p o r t a n t t o g i v e m o t h e r and son the comfort of being laid to rest together

3While the discovery of those of the likes of Annapurna amuses readers and those of Indian heritage, what is the actual work and challenge that goes behind finding such information years later?

P r o f R o g e r J e f f e r y , a s o c i a l s c i e n t i s t , H a u k e Wiebe, a researcher and historian and I have done the research to piece together Ana’s life, from her early days to her last days We have found the address of t h e h o u s e s h e l i v e d i n Edinburgh before she died and discovered her last resting place with unstinting help from Caroline Gerard, a g e n e a l o g i s t a n d P e t e r G e n t l e m a n , a S t r u c t u r a l Inspector, at Bereavement Services I went through the B e n g a l i b i o g r a p h i e s o f

Prasanta Kumar Pal (9 vol-

I do feel a certain sense of responsibility to probe a n d e s t a b l i s h h i s t o r i c a l facts around historical figures like Rabindranath, as such initiatives help to dispel myths and misrepresentations that might exist in t h e p u b l i c c o n s c i o u s n e s s But I am fortunate that I am not alone in these endeavours, as I have colleagues, s c h o l a r s , r e s e a r c h e r s a n d interested friends here and i n I n d i a a n d a c r o s s t h e world, who are willing to help and work with me to revive, restore and affirm the debt we owe to great m i n d s l i k e R a b i n d r a n a t h and feel inspired by women like Annapurna/Ana

5As a woman researcher, what do you think is needed to empower more women like you who can help uncover the history of our heritage?

I feel there is still a lot I need to do The fact that the University of Edinburgh L i b r a r y h a s a c c e p t e d a n d v a l u e s o u r T a g o r e Collection as part of their S p e c i a l C o l l e c t i o n s , t h a t Rabindra Bhavana in VisvaBharati remains an accessib l e t r e a s u r e t r o v e o f a r c h i v e s , t h a t t h e I n d i a n Consulate in Scotland and t h e I n d i a n C o u n c i l f o r Cultural Relations continue to support ScoTs – all provide a support base for further research and collaboration that I would like to see f o s t e r a n d g r o w A n a remains an example of posi t i v e e n e r g y t o w o m e n today, who not only chall e n g e d p a t r i a r c h a l c o nstructs but had the full support and respect of her family

T h i s i s w h a t t r u l y empowers women – their o w n i n n e r s t r e n g t h a n d f e a r l e s s n e s s t o c h a l l e n g e c o n s t r i c t i n g b o u n d a r i e s ,

bolstered by family support They can then stand up and fight for their freedoms and retain their dignity, worki n g t o w a r d s a j u s t a n d inclusive society, a society where the arts, literature and culture matter, becomi n g t h e s o f t p o w e r t h a t India can be proud of and share with the world

The Magic Tour Room featuring silver, gold and platinum records

Freddie Mercury's Yamaha Baby Grand Piano

Mughal folio, extracted from an Akbarnama

Zoroastrians punch above their weight

Professor Dr Zubin Sethna

This famous quot e by Winston Chur chill captures t he e ssence of someone who is "punching a bove their weight " It emphasizes t he idea t ha t success is n ot de termined sol el y by one's initial circumstances or a dvanta ges b ut b y the de terminat ion, re silien ce, a nd courage to cont in ue str iving despite chal le nges a nd set backs It is oft en used to d escribe a situation where a small or r elat iv ely l ess promin ent group or community achieves a leve l of influen ce, impact , or success that surpasses its n umer ical or size-based e xpectations Sir Winst on Churchil l is someone t ha t Sir Ron Kalifa wishe s he coul d ha ve dinner with Sir R on Kal ifa is from the Zara thustr ia n community

So, who is this group that calls themselves the Zarathustrian community?

Zarathustrians (or Zoroastrians, as the Greeks called them) are followers of the ancient monotheistic religion of Zoroastrianism, which originated in ancient Persia (modern-day Iran) and has a rich history dating back over 3,000 years and later settled in India (predominantly in Maharashtra and Gujarat but have had an impact across India)

The World Zarathushti Chamber of Commerce was created, some 23 years ago, to facilitate networking, enhance trade & commerce and to re-energize the Zarathushti entrepreneurial spirit and thus bring about economic prosperity to all Zarathushtis worldwide

In the last week of July, the London Chapter of this Chamber had the opportunity to host the WZCC2023 London Conclave which was entitled ‘Inspiring Conversations in Inspiring Locations’ Unlike many other conclaves before which would be held in one location, Shernaz Engineer (Chair of the London Chapter) and her amazing team decided that the 100+ delegates (from around the world) should be given a taste of what London has to offer And so, the entire delegation was transported from place to place; and in each venue, they were exposed to an ‘inspiring’ narrative From the Palace of Westminster to Lord’s Cricket Ground, to Tower Suites, to a river boat cruise down the Thames – there was something for everyone

Many of you will have heard of some of these big names, but did you know that they are all Zoroastrian? Included in the line-up of speakers, the WZCC2023 had the following: Lord Karan Bilimoria of Chelsea CBE, Sir Ron Kalifa - Chairman of

University of Birmingham expert's book on Mother Teresa wins award

founde r of the Missiona ries of C harit y in Kolka ta, offeri n g a c om p r e he n si v e p e rspective on her life

Network International, formerly Vice Chairman and CEO of Worldpay Group, Sam Balsara – Chairman of Madison World, Dr Zar

Amrolia – Chairman of XTX

Markets – a leading algorithmic financial technology-based trading firm that partners with institutional clients, Capt Percy Master - Founder Chairman & Managing Director, Master Marine Services Pvt Ltd, Zubin

Karkaria – CEO at VFS

Global - the world's largest visa outsourcing and technology services specialist for governments and diplomatic missions worldwide, Chef Cyrus Todiwala OBE, DL – CoFounder of Café Spice Namasté and celebrity television chef and Professor (Dr) Zubin Sethna – a London-based Professor of Entrepreneurial Marketing – whose books on Consumer Behaviour are the UK and Europe’s bestsellers on the topic

So, when it comes to this tiny global Zoroastrian community, it is worth noting that there are several factors contribute to its ability to "punch above its weight":

Historical and Cultural

Significance:

Zoroastrianism is one of the world's oldest known religions, with a rich history and cultural heritage As such, it has garnered a degree of respect and interest from scholars, historians, and people interested in ancient civilizations

Influence in Ancient

Persia: Zoroastrianism was the dominant religion of ancient Persia (now Iran) before the advent of Islam

The Persian Empire was a major world power, and its cultural and religious influence was significant, leaving a lasting impact on the region and beyond

Contributions to Humanity: Zoroastrians have made significant contributions to various fields, including philosophy, astronomy, mathematics, and medicine Prominent figures such as Zarathustra (Zoroaster) and ancient

C P ) E x c e lle n ce i n P u bli sh i n g Awa rd 2023 in t he biogra phy c a t e g o r y f or h i s bo o k 'Mot her Te re sa : The Sain t a nd Her Na tion ' The book focuse s on Mot her Ter esa, t he Alban ian India n nun a nd

R Chandra Sekhar, the P u b l i s h e r a t B l o o m s b u r y Academic India, expressed h i s d e l i g h t f o r P r o f e s s o r

Gëzim Alpion, acknowledging the significant award for his impactful work, 'Mother

Teresa: The Saint and Her Nation '

T h e b o o k p r e s e n t s Mother Teresa within the f r a m e w o r k o f h e r f a m i l y background, ethnic and cultural influences, as well as her spiritual environment It d e l v e s i n t o h e r p e r s o n a l c h a l l e n g e s , t r i u m p h s , a n d experiences both as an individual and as a missionary in t h e p u b l i c e y e , s h e d d i n g light on her intricate spirituality

scholars like Avicenna have left a lasting legacy in intellectual history

Diaspora and Global

Reach: Despite being a relatively small community in terms of numbers, Zoroastrians have a widespread diaspora They have established communities in different parts of the world, including India, Iran, North America, Europe, and Australia, allowing them to have a global presence and influence

Emphasis on Education and Commerce: Zoroastrians historically placed a high value on education and were involved in trade and commerce This emphasis on education and business acumen has allowed the community to excel in various fields and contribute to the societies they live in

Strong Community

Bonds: Zoroastrians often maintain close-knit communities that are supportive of one another (the very essence of the WZCC) These strong community bonds foster cooperation and mutual assistance, which can lead to collective achievements and successes

Commitment to Philanthropy: Many Zoroastrians are known for their philanthropic efforts and commitment to social causes Their contributions to charitable initiatives and community development have further enhanced their visibility and influence

Preserving Cultural Heritage: The Zoroastrian community has worked diligently to preserve its cultural heritage and religious traditions, attracting interest and support from individuals and organizations interested in cultural diversity and heritage preservation

Overall, the global Zoroastrian community's ability to "punch above its weight" is a result of its historical significance, cultural contributions, a strong sense of identity and community, and commitment to education and philanthropy Despite its relatively small size, the community's impact and influence extend far beyond its numbers

Humza Yousaf’s two-word response to racists

H u m za Y o u s af encourag es indiv iduals subjected to discrim inatio n based on their color, gender, o r b ac kg r o un d to re sp on d d e fi an tly w i th t h e p h r as e: " F * ** yo u " T h e Scottish first minister ac k no w le d g e d th a t this messag e m ight be u nc o m f o rta bl e an d not in line with typical " firs t m ini sterial l ang ua g e, " bu t h e believ es it can be fitting in certain situations

At an Edinburgh Fringe event, he added: “I’ve spent m o s t o f m y p o l i t i c a l l i f e being told by mainly midd l e - a g e d w h i t e Conservatives, both in poli-

tics and frankly some in the media, that I’m not smart, I’m out of my depth, essent i a l l y s a y i n g y o u d o n ’ t belong here in the political realm And, yeah, I hope that any other person, whether

i t ’ s y o u r c o l o u r , whether it’s your gend e r , o r w h e t h e r i t ’ s y o u r b a c k g r o u n d , i f you get told, actually y o u d o n ’ t b e l o n g h e r e , y o u s h o u l d k i n d - o f l o o k a t m e and say, ‘F*** you ’ B e c a u s e y o u v e r y much do “ T h i s i s y o u r country, and whatever field you ’ re worki n g i n y o u s h o u l d absolutely have confidence that you ’ re able to achieve the highest level ”

He also disclosed that he has been facing challenges with his mental health since t a k i n g o v e r f r o m N i c o l a Sturgeon as the first minister in March

Humza Yousaf

Is NHS fit for the purpose?

As we all live longer, not necessarily a healthy life, cancer, heart problems and dementia, a few among many illnesses that plague us in our old age No wonder our NHS is under immense pressure, mainly due to obesity, excessive alcohol consumption, type two diabetes related to excessive sugar intake, smoking, lack of exercise and age-related illnesses

Over time, high cholesterol level in the blood causes arteries to be clogged, become narrow with fatty deposits and restrict the flow of blood to the heart causing heart attacks and similar heart problems Scientists have been working hard for many decades to find a cure or at least a simple, inexpensive solution to treat these ever-menacing and on-the-rise health problems without undergoing surgeries, bypassing or inserting stents to stop veins collapsing so that blood can flow freely, delivering much-needed oxygen to the over the working heart So it is indeed pleasant news that scientists have made a significant breakthrough in what is considered to be one of the holy grails of cardiovascular disease

A simple, twice-weekly injection may not only stop the clogging of arteries but also reverse the condition, reducing considerably the risk of heart attacks without undergoing risky operations No matter how minor operations may be, there is always a risk of infection, negligence and procedure failure, as hospital staff are working under unbearable pressure

No wonder the NHS workload leaves nurses and junior doctors feeling depressed and turning to alcohol and drugs to get by, as many fail to take even breaks, as they are too busy looking after their patients Even the suicide rate among them is much higher than the national average It is indeed a shame that successive governments have failed to tackle hospital underfunding, making NHS a political football

Priorities of our politicians of all political persuasion are bizarre, to say the least, as defence spending, hyped up by imaginary Russian threat and overseas aid are more important than looking after the health and wellbeing of our own people, especially OAPs who have fought for this country so that we today enjoy the freedom and lifestyle we deserve After all self-preservation should always come first It is time that this shambolic fiddle-faddle approach, this nonsense is confined to the dustbin, in favour of a well-funded progressive approach in line with Scandinavian countries, Germany and France where NHS is a jewel in the crown, treatment available practically on demand

Kumud ini Valambia

World Photography Day

World Photography Day (also known as World Photo Day) is an annual, worldwide celebration of the art, craft, science and history of photography Every year, World Photography Day is celebrated on August 19 The day commemorates the importance of cameras and photography in our lives Photography enthusiasts around the world celebrate the art of capturing pictures on this occasion

The first durable colour photograph was taken by Thomas Sutton of London in 1861 He was an English photographer, author and inventor It was a set of three blackand-white photographs taken through red, green and blue filters

On August 19, 2010, World Photography Day hosted its first global online gallery Almost 270 photographers shared their pictures and people from over 100 countries visited the website This marked the first official, globally reaching World Photography Day

The first digital photograph was taken in 1957, almost 20 years before Kodak’s engineer Steven Sasson invented the first digital camera in 1975 The photograph was a digital scan of a shot initially taken on film that depicted Russell Kirsch’s son and had a resolution of 176×176 (Russell Kirsch was an American engineer at the National Bureau of Standards He was recognised as the developer of the first d i g i t a l i m a g e s c a n n e r , a n d s u b s e q u e n t l y s c a n n e d t h e world's first digital photograph – an image of his infant son)

People use the medium in a variety of ways, from taking selfies to documenting wars and human rights abuses Photography is an art form that can be intensely personal and also project ideas publicly in a simple manner The saying, “A picture is worth a thousand words” remains true even now

The theme for this year's World Photography Day is "Connecting people and raising awareness through the use of photography"

Nothing beats Indians

I n d i a h a s s e e n f r e e d o m s t r u g g l e , w a r s , e a r t h q u a k e s , tsunamis, floods, droughts, cyclones, and terror but nothing could defeat us Like Phoenix bird, we are back much stronger Nothing can beat the Spirit of Indians! Freedom is like the oxygen of the soul if slightly curtailed we suffocate Let us respect the hard-earned independence Jai Hind

T S Karthik Chennai, Ind ia

Kapil Dudakia

Where is the Human in our Humanity?

The powerful nations of the world declare in unison that they want to eradicate poverty The UN commands through collective will,that it will achieve this, though the timeline keeps changing each time it releases an update!As we make way through the 21st Century, is there any real momentum in righting the wrongs of humanity?

Let us consider some simple facts Did you know that according to World Bank, the countries with the highest poverty rates in the world are:

1 South Sudan 82 30%

2 Equatorial Guinea 76 80%

3 Madagascar 70 70%

4 Guinea-Bissau 69 30%

5 Eritrea 69 00%

6 Sao Tome and Principe 66 70%

7 Burundi 64 90%

8 Democratic Republic of the Congo 63 90%

9 Central African Republic 62 00%

10 Guatemala 59 30%

Who are the poorest (Multidimensional Poverty Index 2023 – UNDP)?

• 485 million poor people live in severe poverty across 110 countries, experiencing 50–100% of weighted deprivations

• 99 million poor people experience deprivations in all three dimensions (70-100% of weighted deprivations)

• 10 million of the 12 million poor people with the highest deprivation scores (90-100%) live in Sub-Saharan Africa

Which groups are the poorest?

• Subnational regions are being left behind in two ways: where poverty is widespread, poverty is also most intense

• Half of the 1 1 billion poor people (566 million) are children under 18 years of age

• 84% of all poor people live in rural areas Rural areas are poorer than urban areas in every world region

Did you know that 25 000 children die EVERY DAY due to lack of shelter, safe water, medicine, or food? That is akin to losing the total population of a small town each and every day

When d id w e lose our huma nity ?

g r e s s c o n t i n u e s ( A V 1 2 - 1 8 A u g u s t 2 0 2 3 ) shows the results achieved by a bold decision taken on 05 08 2019 by the visionary leaders in India The progress made by J&K in the past 4 years is enormous There were problems/repercussions at that time but that was one of the bold decisions taken keeping in mind well-calculated risks

The younger generation of J&K is interested in peace, progress and prosperity They have seen the current situation in Pakistan, even though both nations were born at the same time, there is a vast difference in progress made by India, there is no comparison between the 2 nations

To make sure that the path of peace is maintained, more economic activities are required in that region so the youth can get better jobs and facilities which are being enjoyed by the rest of the country More businesses will come once they know that the assets and their people are safe to operate the business

India’s neighbouring countries will try to create as much as disturbances as possible to catch the attention of the international media Hence ground staff with adequate powers to take swift actions and resources are a must Opposition parties should cooperate and support the government by not asking unnecessary questions about national security and integrity

Hitesh Hingu L ond on

Lata Mangeshkar: Bollywood Legend

It was a great pleasure to listen to singer Palak Muchhal on BBC Prom giving tribute to Lataji In the year 2008, Sonu Nigam gave a similar tribute to the late Mohammad Rafi ( Rafi Resurrected) accompanied by the city of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra

Palak Muchhal is such a versatile singer, who has sung so many devotional and Bollywood songs She won the award for the title song 'Prem Ratan Dhan Payo mayne' Some of her best devotional songs are Om Jai Jagdish Hare,Raghupati Raghav Rajaram, Vaishnav Jan to Tene re kahi ye and Hare Krishna Hare

I would like to see the BBC keep showing entertaining and well-documented programmes about India

Narendra Patel Mitch

am

Cooling off

In view of global warming and wildfires breaking out everywhere, India should do more to promote its monsoon season which spans June and July each year I can offer India’s Tourism Board a slogan I have thought up which they are free to use with my very best wishes Here it is:

“Feel the glorious monsoon rain cooling down your body ”

Such a slogan may well tempt millions of perspiring tourists to head to India for the monsoon season

Rudy Otter

Was it when empire builders felt they were God’s gift to humanity? Was it when rich nations decided that it was to their economic advantage to ensure that most of the world remained in abject poverty? Was it when those with weapons of mass destruction decided that they were above natural law and could act like Gods? Or was it when the people of the rich and powerful nations decided that holding a concert, or a comedy event, or a sports event was sufficient to whitewash their collective guilt?

Whilst we feed ourselves to proportions hitherto unknown (and I am guilty of this as the next person), did you know that some 2000 children die each day as a result of diarrhoea?

The World's GDP is USD 112 6 trillion in 2023 (USD 112600 000 000 000) The world spends 2 24 trillion U S dollars (2022) on military each year To end poverty, it would cost the world only 10% of that military spend!

S o w h o i s t o b e b l a m e d f o r t h i s s o r r y s t a t e o f affairs?The simple answer, we all are

All too often we have allowed our own inadequacies to give way to excuses by saying, ‘what can I do?’ Some 70% of the world believes in a God like entity Yet, we don’t ask the question, ‘which God has given us the commandment that we can exploit the poor, steal their resources, waste food, control water and medicine, and ultimately become the sole arbiters of who lives and who dies?’

It seems the God of the 21st Century is money and might If you have that, who needs God!

Mahatma Gandhi said, “You must not lose faith in humanity Humanity is an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty”

I fear the few drops has now become a flood The poison of greed and power can make even the ocean of our common humanity toxic

The power and the resources to affect global change rests with humanity It requires that we put the human back into humanity

We are grateful to all letter writers for more and more versatile letters well within word limit Please keep contributing as always

If you are new, then write to Shefali at shefali.saxena@abplgroup.com

The younger generation of J&K is interested in peace

Tiranga Yatra in London including a bike rally in Brent to celebrate India’s Independence Day by the diaspora

50 Years of Sahebji’s Global Pilgrimage: Celebrations at Anoopam Mission UK

In the divine presence of Param Pujya Sahebji, there will be a series of Sabhas and Celebrations up to 7 September 2023

Jiten Vyas, Chief Commercial Officer at VFS Global

T he increasing number of Indian visitors to the U nited K ing dom reflects the im portance of travel in strengthening U K-Ind ia relatio ns In 20 22 alone, 1 m illion v isitors came fro m India to the UK, a figure w hich is expected to increase th is year

Though the long-standing cultural and historical links are rightly commented on, a less obvious driver for this growth are the changes to visa regime

Research by the World Travel & Tourism Council ( W T T C ) & t h e W o r l d T o u r i s m O r g a n i s a t i o n ( U N W T O ) f o r G 2 0 c o u ntries revealed that ease in v i s a f a c i l i t a t i o n i n c r e a s e d international tourist arrivals from 5-25% per annum India’s implementation o f i t s e - v i s a f o r o v e r 4 0 countries in 2014-2015 led to a 21% uplift in inbound trave l a n d t h e c r e a t i o n o f 800,000 jobs

Likewise, the ease of the visa process for Indians travelling to the UK is a key fact o r t h a t d i f f e r e n t i a t e s i t from other countries The availability of longer-term visas, for five or ten years, offers flexibility and encoura g e s f r e q u e n t t r a v e l between the two nations In addition, the UK's priority visa service – giving a visa decision within five daysand super priority visa service - which gives a decision w i t h i n t h e n e x t w o r k i n g d a y - m e e t s t h e u r g e n c y r e q u i r e d b y m a n y

entrepreneurs and business leaders

In 2022, the UK issued over 700,000 visas to Indian nationals, the highest number issued to any country T h e s e c o n n e c t i o n s m u s t give the UK a competitive advantage, and is a major driver in the country’s status as a preferred destination f o r I n d i a n b u s i n e s s v e n -

tures

T h e U K , p a r t i c u l a r l y London, remains a top destination for Indian tourists, driven by iconic attractions and its vibrant youth culture This has resulted in a c o n s i d e r a b l e r i s e i n t h e number of Indian tourists visiting the UK Indian stud e n t s a r e i n c r e a s i n g l y choosing UK universities for their higher education, with a projected figure of 145,000 Indian students studying in the UK this year In the year ending September 2022, the U K g o v e r n m e n t g r a n t e d 1 2 7 , 0 0 0 s t u d e n t v i s a s t o Indians, an increase of 273 per cent over the same period in 2019

These huge numbers of c o n n e c t i o n s d e v e l o p e d through travel and study are f u r t h e r s t r e n g t h e n i n g t h e e c o n o m i c r e l a t i o n s h i p between the UK and India

T h e U K D e p a r t m e n t f o r I n t e r n a t i o n a l T r a d e ( D I T ) report for 2022 shows that the two countries now have bilateral trade worth over £20 billion per year This trade is expected to grow even further in the years to come as both countries look to expand their economic ties

Business travel has also experienced notable growth, p a r t i c u l a r l y a m i d o n g o i n g d i s c u s s i o n s s u r r o u n d i n g a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the UK and India

Recently, India’s Tata Group has chosen the UK to build its first £4 billion giga factory outside India to bring a huge boost to the UK’s automotive sector Meanwhile, HSBC, UK’s banking giant h a s a l s o r e - l a u n c h e d i t s

Global Private Banking busin e s s i n I n d i a a f t e r e i g h t y e a r s i n J u l y , w h i c h w i l l strengthen its presence in India

British citizens are also increasingly favouring India as a holiday destination The U n i t e d K i n g d o m w a s t h e t h i r d - l a r g e s t m a r k e t f o r India in 2021, making up 10 7% of total visitors in 2021 compared to 9 2% in 2019

G i v e n t h i s s i g n i f i c a n t increase in tourism between the UK and India, new flight routes have been introduced connecting major cities in India and the UK This year, Air India, for instance, comm e n c e d f l i g h t o p e r a t i o n s f r o m L o n d o n G a t w i c k t o I n d i a ’ s s e c o n d - t i e r c i t i e s s u c h a s A m r i t s a r , A h m e d a b a d , G o a , a n d K o c h i T h e y h a v e a l s o e x p a n d e d t h e i r s e r v i c e s

from London Heathrow to New Delhi early this year

Meanwhile, Vistara carrier h a s a l s o e n h a n c e d i t s London services by adding more frequencies, offering six weekly flights

The surge in UK-India t r a v e l h a s a l s o s e e n a n increase in demand for services to make the visa application process smoother Evisa services have been reintroduced by the Indian government at the same time, n e w s e r v i c e s h a v e b e e n introduced to make travel more seamless For travellers from the UK to India, VFS Global have introduced o p t i o n a l t a i l o r e d s e r v i c e s u c h a s V i s a a t Y o u r

Doorstep (VAYD) whereby applicants don’t have to visit the visa centre and can subm i t t h e v i s a a p p l i c a t i o n from the comfort of their home, office or any other p r e f e r r e d l o c a t i o n F o r mf i l l i n g s e r v i c e i s a n o t h e r o p t i o n a l s e r v i c e w h i c h ensures that forms are not rejected because key details h a v e b e e n m i s s e d S u c h measures are making travel as seamless as possible

Solicitors Regulation Authority suspends three directors of Axiom Ince

T h e S o li ci t o rs R eg u l ati o n A u th o ri ty ( S RA ) h as s u sp end ed three d irec tors o f A xio m Ince (formerly A xiom DWFM) , th e firm responsible for rescuing Plexus Legal an d Inc e fro m c olla ps ing P r ag n es h M o d h w ad i a, I d n an L i a qat , and S h y am M istry, key figu res in A xiom Ince, h av e all been su bject to r eg u l ato r y in ter v en ti o n T his su spension im mediately bars th em from practising b u t d o e s no t im p ac t th e f i rm ' s abi l it y t o co n ti nu e trading P r a g n e s h M o d h w a d i a , the former managing partner of Axiom DWFM and f o u n d e r o f A x i o m S t o n e Solicitors, faces intervention due to suspected dishonesty a n d n o n - c o m p l i a n c e w i t h

Solicitors Act rules Shyam M i s t r y , h e a d o f p e r s o n a l i n j u r y a n d m e d i c a l n e g l ig e n c e , a n d I d n a n L i a q a t , head of commercial, investment, and residential property, are both under investigation for alleged breaches of solicitor rules

These directors are concurrently active directors of Axiom Ince Limited, formed i n M a y 2 0 2 3 f o l l o w i n g

Axiom DWFM's acquisition of the Ince Group via a prepack administration agreem e n t M o d h w a d i a w a s quoted during the acquisit i o n a n n o u n c e m e n t a n d a l s o r e m a r k e d o n A x i o m

Ince Limited's recent purc h a s e o f P l e x u s G r o u p , e m p h a s i z i n g t h e i r d e d i c ation to growth, job security,

Anoopam M ission UK is celebrating 50 years of an ep ic Global Pilgrim ag e of Param Pujya S ahebji In th e d ivine p res en c e o f P a ram P u jy a Sah ebji, there w ill be a series of Sabhas and C elebrations starting from 15 A ugust 2023 to 7 Septem ber 20 23

A very special Cultural Programme on Saturday 19 August 2023 at 7 45 pm and t h e S a b h a c e l e b r a t i n g 5 0 Years of Guruhari Sahebji’s G l o b a l P i l g r i m a g e o n Sunday 20 August 2023 at 1 0 3 0 a m , b e i n g h e l d a t

Anoopam Mission UK, The Lea, Western Ave, Denham, UB9 4NA

This year is an important milestone as Anoopam

Mission UK celebrates an epic 50 years of Guruhari Sahebji’s Global Pilgrimage

Beginning in 1973, it is a journey of divine courage, resilience, devotion, surrend e r a n d s e r v i c e I n t h o s e footsteps lies the story of giving, and the cultural programme will showcase a celebration of this story The Maan Bhatt is a part of this –a revival of an ancient form o f s t o r y - t e l l i n g s u n g a n d spoken, to the accompaniment of music played on a large copper pot

50 Years of an Epic Global Pilgrimage

15 August Tuesday 6 pm India’s Independence Day Celebrations

16 August Wednesday 9 am Patotsav Poja Ceremony 7:45 pm Kirtan Sandhya

17 August Thursday 7:45 pm Pujya Himat Swami Pragatyadin Sabha

18 August Friday 7:45 pm Guruhari Sahebji’s 50 Years Global Celebrations

19 August Saturday 7:45 pm Cultural Programme & Mann Bhatt

20 August Sunday 10:30 am Guruhari Sahebji’s 50 Years Global Pilgrimage Sabha

23 August Wednesday 7:45 pm Kirtan Sandhya

26 August Saturday 10 am Shibir Session 1 5 pm Shibir Session 2

27 August Sunday 10:30 am PP Shantidada Mahatmya Sabha 4:30 pm PP Shantidada Pragatyadin Sabha

29 August Tuesday 7:45 pm Puya Dilipdasji Pragatyadin Sabha

30 August Wednesday 7:45 pm Raksha Bandhan Sabha

3 September Sunday 4:30 pm Shraavan Maas Samuh Mahapuja

7 September Thursday 7:45 pm Janmashtani Kirtan and Sabha

17 August Thursda y to 20 August Sunda y | Yog i Pa riva r Shi bi r

a n d c l i e n t i n t e r e s t s a m i d c h a l l e n g i n g f i n a n c i a l a n d legal landscapes

A s p o k e s p e r s o n f o r

Axiom said: “The SRA have s u s p e n d e d P r a g n e s h M o d h w a d i a , I d n a n L i a q a t and Shyam Mistry The reas o n s g i v e n a r e f a i l u r e t o comply with Accounts Rules and the Solicitors’ Code of Conduct and the misappropriation by Pragnesh of very significant sums of money T h e S R A h a v e c o n f i r m e d that the firm continues to o p e r a t e a n d t h e d i r e c t o r s a n d p a r t n e r s h a v e t a k e n immediate steps to protect the business, our clients and our employees whose wellbeing remains our priority as we navigate the best and most viable way to proceed ”

The UK-India relationship has never been stronger – and the visa application process has never been easier

Jiten Viyas

Sahebji

A nation with no small feat

Seventy-seven years ago, on the historic night of August 14 Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru stood before the Parliament and delivered the iconic Tryst with Destiny speech that has since become a symbol of that momentous occasion Addressing both the nation and the world to commemorate India's independence, he said: “At the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom A moment comes, which comes but rarely in history, when we step out from the old to the new, when an age ends, and when the soul of a nation, long suppressed, finds utterance ”

Over the past 77 years, India has traversed a significant journey filled with remarkable accomplishments as well as challenges However, narrating the story of a nation is no small feat How does one encapsulate the myriad narratives of a billion lives that have collectively moulded our nation into what it is today?

As Asian Voice wishes all its British Indian readers a very Happy Independence Day, we take you through curated stories spanning the legacy of partition, fading art forms, the country’s

economic growth, Indian indenture and the (s)heroes of the freedom struggle These stories have been curated in collaboration with experts like writer and journalist, Kavita Puri, Shailesh Pathak, Secretary General, FICCI, Historian, Dr Sanjukta Ghosh along with Prof

Lord Karan Bilimoria CBE DL

‘India has an ancient history yet is a young country just over threequarters of a century old Over the past three decades, since India’s economic liberalisation, India has grown to being today the fifthlargest economy in the world

David Dabydeen and Dr Nalini Mohabir, both specialising in Indentureship We take you through the journey of independence and Indian history with a new lens

We also celebrate the UK-India partnership and friendship with Independence Day greetings from Lord Karan Bilimoria CBE DL, Rt Hon Dame Priti Patel MP, Virendra Sharma MP, Lord Dolar Popat, Lord Rami Ranger CBE, Krupesh Hirani AM and Ameet Jogia MBE

Lord Dolar Popat, Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Rwanda, Uganda and DRC

Across the world, we see the impact of the history and culture of India. This is best embodied by the living bridge that is the Indian diaspora and East African Indians that have now spread across the world They serve as a living bridge between India and places like the UK, connecting the rich tapestry of Indian culture with the contemporary UK landscape

This diaspora reflects India's enduring global influence The values, traditions, and cultural nuances showcase the resilience intrinsic to India's history

From participating in Diwali celebrations to contributing significantly to the UK's economy and society, the diaspora's impact is palpable Achievements in business, academia, and the arts stand as a testament to India's legacy of innovation

This Indian Independence Day let s recognise the Indian diaspora as a living bridge perpetuating India's essence abroad Our journey echoes the stories of countless migrants, underscoring that our connection to India remains unwavering, no matter where we reside

Virendra Sharma MP, Member of Parliament for Ealing, Southall, Chair, Indo-British APPG

Iwould like to wish all the readers of Asian Voice and all of my fellow brothers and sisters of Indian origin in Britain and worldwide a very happy Indian Independence Day.

In 1947 India achieved independence, and only a few weeks before that I was born We have seen the same world history, the end of European colonial empires and the rise of capitalist empires In 1947 India said no more, it would not be a pawn or bauble to be traded and fought over, but instead, the people would be supreme in a republic

founded on ideals of secularism, justice, liberty, and equality

This day celebrates what

makes India great, fantastic people, democracy, and freedom Asian Voice does a wonderful job of keeping us here in the UK up to date with what is happening in India and with UK news

As the Chair of the IndoBritish All-Party Parliamentary Group, I am proud of the trade and cooperation between the UK and India, proud of our shared history and our shared values We are always working to improve the relationship, and collaboration and to make the relationship stronger

My heartiest best wishes on this anniversary to all

India’s entrepreneurial spirit has been unleashed and it is a country and economy that leading economies in the world now want to partner with, invest in and do business with We in the UK are on the cusp of agreeing to a comprehensive free trade agreement, hopefully later this year and even before the signing of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA), trade in goods and services between our countries has increased to over £34 billion The 30 million-strong Indian diaspora around the world has been reaching the very top in virtually every field including Prime Ministers of Indian origin in Ireland, Portugal and the UK Many of the largest companies in the world are headed by Indian CEOs including Microsoft and Google Furthermore, the President of the World Bank is Indian

The Indian diaspora in the UK is the largest and most

successful ethnic monitory community in the country which contributes many times its percentage of the population to the economy and culture of the UK I personally have been proud to have created the most famous Indian household brand in the UK, Cobra Beer, as well as being the first Indian-born Chancellor of a Russell Group University in Great Britain as the Chancellor of the University of Birmingham, and being the first ethnic minority President of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) from June 2020 to June 2022 The Indian Express has left the station and I predict that by 2060 India will be the largest economy in the world ’

Rt Hon Dame Priti Patel MP, Member of Parliament for Witham

Today marks t he 76t h an niv ersary of the fou ndi ng of India as an indepe ndent nat ion. On t his auspi ci ous day, I woul d li ke to e xte nd my be st w ishes t o all those cel ebrat ing Indian Inde pende nce Day, both in the Indian commun ity he re i n t he UK, as we ll the diaspora ne tworks aroun d the world, an d of course at home in In di a

Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, who became the first Prime Minister of India, said in his inaugural address delivered on the 15th of August 1947 that “At the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom ”

Since that eventful moment, India has developed into one of the world’s most dynamic countries and the world’s largest democracy Interest in Indian culture and heritage continues to grow around the world, and today provides the opportunity to not only look back on the history of the nation but also to look

forward to the important role India will continue to play in shaping the globe

Our countries share a deep and meaningful bond, rooted in the history and events that link our two nations, and a relationship that continues to grow and flourish every year I once again offer my best wishes to the Indian community in both the UK and overseas as we celebrate India’s Independence Day together

Lord Karan Bilimoria CBE DL

Priti Patel MP

Virendra Sharma MP

Lord Dolar Popat

“Wake, India, wake! Thou hast slept too long."

-Sarojini Naidu

Jawaharlal Nehru delivering the 'Tryst with Destiny' speech in the Constitution Assembly of India, 14-15 August 1947

Parade of Armed Forces on Rajpath

Source: Nehru Memor a Museum and L brary

Britain and India must join forces to thrive in this uncertain world

India is now the fifth largest economy and the world’s largest democracy We must be closer partners in this age of geopolitical strife

Vikram Doraiswami

Lord Rami Ranger CBE

Itake this opportunity to congratulate my fellow Indians worldwide and making a positive contribution; A Happy 76th Independence Day

Reportage

on India in foreign media can be bewildering for Indians: the enormous transformation changing a billion lives seldom gets the attention it deserves Commentators who note some change under way cloak it well with caveats It is almost as if there is disbelief that a nation as diverse as India could grow in depth and breadth within a democratic framework

Much easier, clearly, to focus on the exotic, the chaotic and the esoteric instead

And yet India’s transformation is perhaps the most significant story of our times If the rise of East Asia defined the zeitgeist from the 1970s to the 2000s, ours could be the era in which India realises its enormous potential What should be of interest, especially in the UK, is not only what is changing, but the context

Seventy-six years ago, the sun set on the Raj, yet freedom dawned on a wasteland of exploitation: GDP growth at barely 1 per cent; literacy at around 15 per cent, lifeexpectancy at 30 years

The vivisection of colonised India generated one of history’s largest displacements, with precious little effort by the outgoing administration to stop mass killings, rape and lootings Millions had to be resettled, but there were few schools, fewer universities, no electricity, few houses, and barely any healthcare

Badly begun, but still: India is now the fifth largest economy and the world’s largest democracy – one of only few in Asia to remain so after the Second World War It has an elected bicameral parliament, an independently appointed judiciary, robust elections, and a noisily free media

From aviation to agriculture, energy to remittances, Indian consumption and innovation makes an impact on global markets And skilled people of Indian descent contribute enormously to global businesses, technology, healthcare (including the NHS), as well as cricket, and, of course, politics

India today houses the

world’s largest start-up ecosystem, energising entrepreneurs in the planet’s largest youth population (national median age: 28 years) Access to the internet is ubiquitous, at uniquely low data prices This drives a fintech system that is the world’s largest and cheapest by an order of magnitude

Several hundred million people are now in the banking system Lives have been transformed by huge investments in potable water, sanitation and empowerment, especially of women and historically disadvantaged social groups

Looking to our shared future, even though India accounts for among the lowest per-capita emission rates historically, we lead many OECD economies in implementing our Paris climate commitments ahead of schedule

Surprisingly, almost none of these mega-trends makes headlines Depressingly, violent incidents do Tragic as these are, incidents are not a trend

To rebut but one fallacy: the June 2021 report of the Pew Research organisation on India noted that “People in all six major religious groups overwhelmingly say they are very free to practice their faiths, and most say that people of other faiths also are very free to practice their own religion” Most respondents agreed that freedom of religion and respect for

It is remarkable how India has progressed in this short period In 1947 when India became independent, it was divided into three countries, and the violence and destruction that followed was unparalleled in the history of humankind Thanks to the Indian leaders who opted for the secular and democratic Constitution that enabled Indians to develop and progress freely Equality for all was enshrined in the Constitution regardless of race, religion or gender

religious identity is a core value of India

Religious strife is only one extrapolation of incident into trend

Democracy is another Some of these are based on so-called research reports that arrive at ludicrous conclusions, on entirely subjective criteria, that if used equally freely, would frankly be damaging to any democracy, let alone India

Indeed, on many metrics, evidence-free use of epithets about India seem to have become the norm It is almost as if social media drives this narrative Surely this is unfair

Why does this matter?

Leaving aside what might be delicately called historical context, a Global Britain and an internationalist India must be closer partners in this age of geopolitical strife

Fortunately, the foundation for ties that transcend our complex history exists: a living bridge of two million Indianorigin Britons; 950 Indian investor firms – the second largest cohort here; 175,000 Indian students; and so on

Corresponding numbers are sadly anaemic even when compared with other OECD partners India meets the UK more than halfway

And that’s not even counting chicken tikka masala or curry restaurants

Our mutually beneficial convergence requires a more accurate framing of each other’s realities Ignorance of the real Indian story is perhaps the proverbial elephant in the room, but this is easily remedied

After all, it isn’t just 145 million Indians who speak the same English language as Britons; the rest also speak the language of shared values and interests

India today is a leading economic force surpassing Great Britain to take the fourth position globally During the Covid pandemic, it was the Indian vaccine that helped the poorer nations Indian pharmaceutical companies are providing affordable medicine to those who can not afford Western medicine, thus alleviating the suffering of so many worldwide

Within 76 years, India has also become the 4th most powerful country in the world, a pow-

erful defence force India has reached the moon and Mars and joined a handful of nations in this elite club India manufactures Aircraft carriers, supersonic planes, and Bullet Trains to name a few Almost all the world's car makers have factories in India and Samsung and Apple for their Smart Phone

Finally, Indians are not only enriching the world economically, culturally and politically We now have a British Prime Minister of Indian origin in No 10 Downing Street This is a remarkable achievement for the children of Mother India

Krupesh Hirani AM

India Independence Day offers a time to reflect on India’s impact on the world. Indian culture has enriched the world in many ways, and the Indian community in London is a valuable asset to the City

Indian businesses and entrepreneurs are making a significant contribution to the London economy There are many different regional cuisines in India, each with its own unique flavour and you can find all of these in London Indian students are studying at all levels at London universities and our public sector would struggle to cope were it not for our keyworkers of Indian heritage Indian art and architecture are some of the most beautiful and intricate in the world The Neasden Swaminarayan and the Ealing Road Sanatan Temples are just a couple examples of the many stunning India inspired landmarks in my constituency Indian music is diverse and

AM

vibrant In my constituency, there has been a renaissance of Gujarati folk music Indian dance is graceful and expressive and dance groups and classes are also keeping this art form alive here in the UK

On India Independence Day, let’s reflect and appreciate the influence of India to cities and countries around the world

Ameet Jogia MBE

Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Hendon

Itgives me great pleasure in extending my best wishes to all on Indian Independence Day

This is a very special day for the British Indian diaspora across the UK to remember our shared values We remember the commonalities that bind our two great countries together and pay tribute to the progress made

The upcoming G20 in Delhi, is a timely opportunity to showcase the UK's special relationship with India The British Indian diaspora here in the UK will be central to further strengthening that relationship

Lord Rami Ranger CBE

Krupesh Hirani

Ameet Jogia MBE

Rishi Sunak and Narendra Modi

Vikram Doraiswami

The forgotten stories of Indians in the ‘Windrush Generation’

Anusha Singh

Themass migration of Caribbean immigrants to the UK commenced with the arrival of the Empire Windrush at Tilbury Docks in June 1948 From 1948 to 1971, people from countries like Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and Barbados were invited to the UK to address post-World War II reconstruction needs and labour shortages Referred to as the 'Windrush generation,' they significantly influenced modern British society and culture.

Notably, individuals of Indian origin were also part of the arrivals, coming from places like India and established Indian communities in the Caribbean Their story is intertwined with the broader immigration narrative from Commonwealth countries during that time Similar to Caribbean immigrants, many Indians came to the UK to contribute to reconstruction efforts, ultimately leading to the diversification of British society and culture Indentureship shaped the demography, economies and cultures”

year-old child, my grandmother According to the emigration pass, their caste was “Sheikh”, although, from their names, I suspect my great-grandmother was a Hindu and my greatgrandfather was a Muslim

“Around the time of independence (in the 1960s), my mother (from Trinidad) and my father (from Guyana) migrated to the UK for further studies I followed in their steps, when I completed my PhD in the UK, on the legacies of indentureship ”

Shedding some light on the critical aspects of Indian indenture in the Windrush, Dr Mohabir said, “The formation of a diasporic Indian community in the Caribbean, and their subsequent migration as part of the Windrush Generation, is part of the complex migration flow from India to the Caribbean, then outward again, from the Caribbean to the UK Yet the IndoCaribbean diaspora tends to disappear under the homogenising force of a term like ‘Asian’

“Indentureship shaped the demography, economies (including wage and labour systems), and cultures of all the countries involved and yet it remains a vastly under-considered phenomenon In part, this is due to the limited availability of historical data documenting the lives and experiences of indentured workers, and the considerable difficulty in accessing reliable data, even about the experiences of descendants of Indian indentures ”

was the Director of the Yesu Persaud Centre for Caribbean Studies and a Professor of Postcolonial Literature from 1984 to 2017

Of his many literary contributions, Prof Dabydeen has notably produced a Macmillan edition of John Edward Jenkins' Lutchmee and Dilloo , which is considered the first novel depicting IndoGuianese life

are underlying factors for a relative ascendancy in postindenture societies He explains: “While I believe that the UK is ultimately and basically a tolerant society with ideas of fair play, there's always been initial hostility to newcomers, to immigrants We were able to survive with the same mechanisms that our ancestors developed previously

“So, despite the discrimination in terms of jobs and housing, we focused on establishing a career for ourselves and went into professions where we didn't have to depend on white people Secondly, we carried the values and education instilled in us by our parents and grandparents

“Religion played a major part in helping the indentured build a legacy

K av i ta P ur i i s a d i st inguish ed jo urnalist, executiv e prod ucer, and broadcaster at th e BBC She is als o th e a cc o m p l is h ed autho r behind th e h igh ly reg a rd e d bo o k “ P art it io n V o ic es : U n to l d B ri ti s h Sto ries ”

d i r e c t i o n s ; M u s l i m s t o Pakistan and Hindus and Sikhs to India

Do you think the untold stories of partition need more support and encouragement to be brought into public light?

Do we know enough about partition?

She conceived, scripted, and hosted the groundbreaking three-part series "Partition Voices" on Radio 4 , c o m m e m o r a t i n g t h e 70th anniversary of India's p a r t i t i o n T h i s s e r i e s received recognition with T h e R o y a l H i s t o r i c a l Society s accolade for Best Radio and Podcast, as well a s t h e p r e s t i g i o u s P u b l i c History Prize

Dr Nalini Mohabir holds the position of Associate Professor within Concordia University's Department of Geography, Planning, and Environment Her expertise lies in teaching subjects related to feminist and postcolonial migration geographies and primarily researches the realm of Caribbean studies, with a specific emphasis on indentureship

While she does not have indenture stories that were passed down, digging through the archives, led her to the level of her greatgrandparents “My greatgrandparents on my father’s side emigrated from Ajmer (British India) to British Guiana, in 1912

They were indentured to Rosehall Sugar Estate

Often men and women emigrated as individual labourers

“However, my greatgrandparents were married and travelling with a three-

According to Dr Mohabir, after immigrating to the UK, integration challenges for Indo-Caribbean people in the UK were eased by the fact that they were migrating from the Caribbean, a space that was not only predominantly Christian and Englishspeaking but also multicultural However, she adds that “the challenge was now two-fold – how do you fit into a country that you were taught was the “mother country” (UK) even though your presence is unwanted; and how to do you navigate the multiplicity of your cultural identities?”

“With greater access to our history, we can find our role within the Windrush generation”

Professor David Dabydeen is a Guyanese novelist, poet, and scholar He held diplomatic positions as Guyana's Ambassador to UNESCO from 1997 to 2010 and its Ambassador to China from 2010 to 2015 At the University of Warwick, he

Narrating his personal story of indenture, Prof Dabydeen recalled, “My great-great-great-grandfather came to British Guyana, from India, as an indentured worker in a plantation in Guyana Of his roots in India, we only know the port he left, which was Calcutta He went through the normal processes of living in relative poverty and working hard

“That was the first journey The second journey, of course, was across the Atlantic to Britain and we were a part of the ‘Windrush generation’ I made the journey from Guyana to England because there was no university back home Initially, my father came to study and then the rest of us joined him in order to pursue school and university ”

Prof Dabydeen believes that the resilience of the indentured labourers was remarkable because even though they had very low wages, they were able to save whatever they could to put a premium on education They sacrificed everything for their children’s education It is a result of that resilience that within two generations, we have people going to Oxford and Cambridge,

According to him, there

Initially, the people were vulnerable and many of them fell back in their religious faith Building temples and mosques and so on were very important markers of our vulnerability, but also our desire to be stable and to create stable communities ”

Prof Dabydeen is of the opinion that given the fact that the West Indians were a minority within a minority, they actually became invisible and their struggle was never highlighted “I think the Jamaicans saw themselves as the West Indians and the rest of us was marginalized by them

Now things are different There's an assertion, there's greater knowledge We now have greater access to our history and if we want to find out our history and our role within the Windrush generation, our role as Indo Caribbeans, then we can ”

Currently, Prof Dabydeen serves as the Director of the Ameena Gafoor Institute The institute is dedicated to studying indentureship and its enduring impact and has established a strong partnership with Cambridge University to establish a unique program This initiative will enable a scholar to engage in an eight-week research period at the university The program's duration is set for an initial period of five years

I n a n i n t e r v i e w w i t h Asian Voice, she shares her opinion on how the drawing of the partition lines affected individuals, communities and continues to affect generations to come

How has partition impacted the generations that came after in both countries? Do you think they have absorbed the consequences of this division?

I think partition hugely i m p a c t e d g e n e r a t i o n s o n t h e I n d i a n s u b c o n t i n e n t and in the diaspora, but for those that lived through it, they had to get on with life, e s p e c i a l l y i f t h e y h a d moved across the new border They did not have time to dwell on the past, and it was a traumatic event that was hard to speak of The stories of that generation only started to emerge in recent years, as they grew older, and their children a n d g r a n d c h i l d r e n w e r e curious about their history

In your view, was the partition primarily founded on religious grounds?

P a r t i t i o n w a s d o n e along religious lines - and f o r m e d H i n d u - m a j o r i t y India and Muslim-majority

P a k i s t a n H o w e v e r i t s worth pointing out that at the time of partition, both countries had large minority populations Leaders of I n d i a a n d P a k i s t a n , b e l i e v e d t h e y w o u l d remain, and did not anticip a t e t h e m a s s m i g r a t i o n that then occurred where o v e r 1 2 m i l l i o n p e o p l e m o v e d i n t h e o p p o s i t e

We need to listen closely to the generation that remembered that time Of course, they tell stories of trauma around the time of partition, but nearly all tell other stories too; of best friends of a different religion, generations of shared traditions, culture and language among mixed communities, how friends and s t r a n g e r s o f t h e " o t h e r " faith saved lives It's import a n t t h e s e s t o r i e s a r e recalled too - as these are the ones the partition generation want remembered too - not just stories of divis i o n a n d v i o l e n c e N o country has ownership of victimhood, all sides suffered deeply in many ways There are people now collecting and archiving memories, but it is a race against time There is now a museum in Amritsar to partition In England, this part of colonial history is still not taught in all schools

Do you think India and P a k i s t a n w i l l b e a b l e t o bury their hatchet one day and remember they were once one?

I think that if the collective loss is recognised, then that may be possible There is so much that both nations shared in undivided India, and the first-hand testimonies speak to thateveryday life, particularly in Punjab and Bengal - the provinces that were divided A start would be for India and Pakistan to make it easier for people to cross the border, so they could visit their ancestral homes

There is a huge curiosity in the so-called "other" place Contact between individuals dispels so many myths a b o u t p e o p l e a c r o s s t h e border When I became the first one in my family this y e a r t o r e t u r n t o m y F a t h e r ' s b i r t h p l a c e a n d childhood home in Lahore, I was given the warmest of w e l c o m e s b y e v e r y o n e t h e r e T h e s e i n d i v i d u a l connections are so important, and counter divisiveness

Dr Nalini Mohabir

Professor David Dabydeen

Empire Windrush

“Contact between individuals dispels myths about people across the border”

Kavita Puri

Pattachitra: Bengal’s regional art on the brink of being forgotten

Subhasini Naicker

EveryAugust 15, India celebrates Independence Day, a special occasion that honours the nation's difficult struggle to achieve independence from British colonial rule in 1947 The country celebrates this important day with a variety of events that highlight its cultural diversity and unity. One such manifestation of India's cultural heritage is the art form of Pattachitra. The art consists of Patta (woven fabric) and Chitra (painting), which is one of the oldest artistic traditions in India and has survived for more than 2500 years Despite being one of the worst hit sectors during the pandemic, this unique art form of Bengal has been carried on by painterstorytellers called patuas, also known as Chitrakars, or producers of paintings.

As we delve into the world of Pattachitra, we're confronted not only by its exquisite beauty but also by the urgent need to preserve and revive a cultural g e m t h a t i s s l i p p i n g t h r o u g h o u r f i n g e r s

However, this ancient art form finds itself struggling a g a i n s t t h e c u r r e n t s o f t i m e , t e e t e r i n g o n t h e brink of being forgotten

Asian Voice has spoken to an expert in Pattachitra, Dr San jukta Ghosh, a hist o r i a n b a s e d a t S O A S University of London and the Hon Artistic Director and Convenor of the SOAS S o u t h A s i a I n s t i t u t e Sanglaap Art and Culture series, about reviving the ancient artform

Pattachitra is considered a dying art form. Could you elaborate on the factors that have contributed to its decline in recent years?

Like many rural crafts i n I n d i a , t h e d e c l i n e i s mainly due to disinterest in rural forms of performance that is, authentic folk in content, form, and delivery, as one would find in the language and lyrics o f s o n g s , t h e t o n e a n d pitch in loud jatra performances or rural theatre

Patuas singing takes a back seat with the advent o f s o p h i s t i c a t e d s c r e e ni n g s , a t t r a c t i v e t o t h e young who visualise rural scenes in the context of m o d e r n s o u n d s c a p e s Additionally, due to a lack of patronage and a consist e n t f l o w o f f u n d i n g , artists have migrated from the countryside to urban areas in order to benefit f r o m u r b a n l i v e l i h o o d s The fate of Naya village, t h e c e n t r e o f t h e C h i t r a k a r s ' a r t i s t i c c o m -

m u n i t y , c a n b e considered somet h i n g o f a n a n o m a l y b e c a u s e it adapted to novel trade prospects at t h e s t a r t o f t h e general collapse

W i t h t h e struggles brought about by pandemi c , t h e s e a r t i s t s h a v e l e a r n e d t o a c c e s s o n l i n e r e s o u r c e s , a l t e r their work and sell it What are some of the challenges that Pattachitra artists face in preserving and promoting this traditional art form?

The function of these a r t i s t s h a s c o n s i d e r a b l y changed As patuas, they would use the scroll paintings with singing perform a n c e s , b u t n o w t h e p a i n t i n g s h a v e b e c o m e i t e m s o f s a l e , a n d t h a t changes the dynamics of preserving their traditional livelihood Now the main c h a l l e n g e i s t o c h a n n e l their art into international m a r k e t s a n d a d a p t t o newer production methods geared towards mass c o n s u m p t i o n W h a t w a s formerly a unique scroll portraying a lengthy tale for the purpose of amusing storytelling may now be condensed to show a main idea or a distinctive chara c t e r i n a s i n g l e s q u a r e p i e c e o f c l o t h t h a t c a n then be mass produced How does the younger generation perceive Pattachitra? Are they showing interest in learning and continuing this art form?

There has been a significant shift from scrolls to single images and from lengthy rolls of fabric to s q u a r e a n d r e c t a n g u l a r o b j e c t s t h a t a r e r e a d i l y available and have a variety o f p u r p o s e s , i n c l u d i n g h o m e a n d o f f i c e d é c o r Younger chitrakars, recognising some business benefit in broadening the art form, may be drawn to this flexibility They are also e c o - w a r r i o r s a n d a r t i s tactivists who are keen to p o r t r a y c o n t e m p o r a r y trends in environmentali s m t h a t w i l l p o s s i b l y reflect the medium of art, such as the fabric materials

What do you think can be done on a larger scale to ensure the survival and continued growth of Pattachitra?

I think there should be large-scale fund-raising to support village livelihoods, develop critical appreciat i o n o f t h e f o l k r e a l m , bring our lives closer to nature, and appreciate the value of community living We should think of develo p i n g c o o p e r a t i v e finances, sustainable inter-

n a t i o n a l s u p p l y chains, web exhibitions and selling a p p s t h a t l i n k w i t h a r t i s t h u b bank accounts so that whole communities can benefit The survival a n d c o n t i n u e d g r o w t h o f P a t a c h i t r a , i s dependent on this kind of cooperative model involving generations of artists, and artistic practisethat is rooted in shared memories of community living

Rekindling the stories of India's overlooked women freedom fighters

Indian women's efforts in the freedom movement prepared the ground for important socio-political developments, such as the recognition of women's rights, their growing involvement in public life, and the final drafting of the Indian Constitution Their efforts demonstrated that the fight for independence was a collective endeavour, transcending gender boundaries

It is important to recogn i s e a n d c e l e b r a t e t h e essential role that women played in determining the nation's fate and securing its freedom as India celeb r a t e s i t s p a t h t o w a r d s independence

Do you believe that Pattachitra can find a place in the modern art scene while still preserving its traditional essence?

Yes, it has a place in the m o d e r n a r t s c e n e , a s P a t a c h i t r a k a r s a r e n o w looking to diversify their art into commercial products, and there is a growing appetite among urban consumers to collect various scroll painted motifs o n o b j e c t s u s e d f o r t h e modern household, such as wall papers, hangings, etc In terms of content, the singers are keen to present an adapted version of religious songs based on societal themes on health, d i s e a s e , w o m e n ’ s r i g h t s , e t c t o r a i s e c o m m u n i t y awareness

Are there any initiatives or organisations working to raise awareness about Pattachitra and its cultural significance in order to prevent its decline?

Banglanatak dot com, a social enterprise backed by t h e s u p p o r t o f t h e E u r o p e a n U n i o n a n d UNESCO, works with over 3000 artists and is committed to pro-poor growth by supporting local craft livelihoods in hundreds of v i l l a g e s W e s t e r n a n d Indian artists involved in specific projects, such as the bespoke international residency of the ambitious S i l k R i v e r P r o j e c t , m a naged to raise awareness of the patua community in t h e U K S u c h i n i t i a t i v e s n e e d t o b e n u r t u r e d t o conserve distinctive village a r t i s t h u b s l i k e N a y a i n Bengal as a global cultural asset

Ba sa nt i De v i w a s involved in the struggle for independence after her husband, Chittaranjan Das, was detained for taking part in the non-cooperation movement She participated in civil disobedience and the K h i l a f a t , a m o n g o t h e r movements She was also a f o u n d i n g m e m b e r o f t h e women's educational facilit y , N a r i K a r m a M a n d i r a She served as President of t h e B e n g a l P r o v i n c i a l Congress and was awarded t h e P a d m a V i b h u s h a n i n 1973

A ru n a A s af A l i w a s a publisher, political activist, and educator from India She was a vocal supporter of Indian independence and is most remembered for raising the Indian National Flag a t t h e G o w a l i a T a n k Maidan in Bombay in 1942, g i v i n g t h e Q u i t I n d i a Movement one of its most i c o n i c i m a g e s S h e w a s labelled the Heroine of the 1 9 4 2 M o v e m e n t f o r h e r bravery in the face of peril, and in her latter years she was referred to as the Grand

O l d L a d y o f t h e Independence Struggle In a 1944 issue, she exhorted the youth for action by asking them to forget futile discussions about violence and non-violence and join the revolution

West Bengal-born Bina D as w a s a n o t h e r I n d i a n nationalist and revolutionary She was born to parents w h o w e r e a c t i v e i n t h e Brahmo Samaj and the battle for freedom and who w o r k e d a s s o c i a l w o r k e r s a n d e d u c a t o r s D a s b e l o n g e d t o t h e C h h a t r i Sangha, a coalition of femin i s t o r g a n i s a t i o n s i n K o l k a t a t h a t w a s o n t h e c u s p o f r e v o l u t i o n O n F e b r u a r y 6 , 1 9 3 2 , s h e a t t e m p t e d t o m u r d e r B e n g a l G o v e r n o r S t a n l e y Jackson in the Convocation Hall of the University of Calcutta She attempted to s h o o t f i v e t i m e s b u t w a s unsuccessful, and she was g i v e n a n i n e - y e a r p r i s o n term After her early release i n 1 9 3 9 , D a s j o i n e d t h e Congress Party In 1942, she p a r t i c i p a t e d i n t h e Q u i t

India movement and was imprisoned again from 1942 to 1945 S u ni ti C h o u d h u ry , a n o t h e r n a t i o n a l i s t , i s renowned for her involvement in an armed revolutionary fight and for the a s s a s s i n a t i o n o f a B r i t i s h d i s t r i c t m a g i s t r a t e w h e n she was 16 years old with Santi Ghose She is often d u b b e d t h e y o u n g e s t woman revolutionary in the I n d i a n F r e e d o m S t r u g g l e C h o w d h u r y a n d S a n t i Ghose, both 16 years old at the time, went into Comilla district magistrate Charles Geoffrey Buckland Stevens' office on December 14, 1931, pretending to bring a petition to set up a swimming c o m p e t i t i o n a m o n g t h e i r classmates While Stevens was looking at the petition, took out automatic pistols f r o m u n d e r t h e i r s h a w l s and shot and killed him L ak sh m i S ah g al, a l s o known as Captain Lakshmi, was a former Indian Army officer In the fight for freedom, she took up a gun for the Netaji Subhash Chandra B o s e - f o u n d e d I n d i a n National Army (INA) and steered it like a tigress She was in charge of forming and commanding the Rani of Jhansi Regiment, which i n c l u d e d f e m a l e s o l d i e r s She had completed a prison term in Burma for her participation in World War II before joining the INA

Bhadran’s freedom fighter Shantaben once stopped Subhash Chandra Bose

Bhadran, a village in Gujarat, is home to a colourful history of revolutionaries, motivational freedom-struggle graffiti, and timeless slogans There lives a fierce fighter, who once walked in the footsteps of Hind Azaj Fauj leader Subhash Chandra Bose Shantaben Patel, who is now 104 years old, was imprisoned in 1942 for taking part in the Quit India Movement and served time at Yerwada Jail.

N o o n e i s m o r e i d e a l than her in terms of patriotism and work ethic During a convention at Haripura, she stopped Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose's car for not h a v i n g I n d i a n t r i c o l o u r s T h a t t i m e , s h e a l l o w e d Subhash Chandra Bose to go ahead only after putting the Indian tricolours on his car

and convoy Her determination was also appreciated by Subhash Chandra Bose

Mahatma Gandhi quest i o n e d S u b h a s h C h a n d r a Bose why he was late for the convention and he spoke to Gandhiji about Shantaben

P a t e l H e a r i n g t h i s ,

M a h a t m a G a n d h i a l s o praised her work for maintaining the honour of the t r i c o l o u r a n d s a i d , ' T h e country is bright only with such fierce leaders S h a n t a b e n P a t e l a l s o served imprisonment with G a n d h i j i a n d s h e a l s o

helped Gandhiji's non-viol e n t m o v e m e n t b y s e l l i n g her jewellery Even now, she continues to set an example o f p a t r i o t i s m f o r t h e v i llagers by telling the tales of t h e s t r u g g l e f o r f r e e d o m with all of her zest and spirit She inspires the youth by bringing up her 1936 freedom movement

D u r i n g p o l i t i c a l f e s t iv a l s , S h a n t a b e n P a t e l receives many visits from political figures and engages them in conversation She suggests the crucial duties for these state government officials in addition to this She claims that the village of B h a d r a n m a d e s i g n i f i c a n t contributions to the war for liberation; Gandhiji, Sardar V a l l a b h b h a i P a t e l , a n d

Subhash Chandra Bose all paid the village a visit in s u p p o r t o f t h e f r e e d o m cause

Basanti Devi Bina Das

Lakshmi Sahgal

Shantaben Patel

Dr Sanjukta Ghosh

Swarna Chitrakar’s scroll of Komagata Maru

INDIA, A SUCCESS STORY

Mr Modi underscored that India is standing at a pivotal juncture and possesses the c a p a b i l i t y t o s h a p e t h e emerging new global order post the Covid pandemic He also offered assurance to the citizens of a "New India" t h a t h o l d s a p r o m i s i n g future in the upcoming five years, asserting the nation's r e s i l i e n c e a n d d e t e r m i n ation While India looks forward to receiving the UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak ( t h e f i r s t B r i t i s h P r i m e Minister of Indian origin to visit India while serving his tenure) for the G20 summit, India’s geopolitical and economic position leaves room for contemplation about its potential in the world economy and the consequences of its political choices We a s k e d e x p e r t s f r o m t h e w o r l d o f b u s i n e s s , a c ademics, economics and politics to comment on India’s future as a potential game changer in the global economy It is imperative to note that should India’s FTA with UK be concluded this year, a v i s i t f r o m P r i m e M i n i s t e r Modi would be highly likely Excited abou t the prospect of a U K-India F TA A n u j J C h and e OB E , C orporate Finance Partner & Head South A sia Business Group, Grant T hornton U K

L LP told Asian Voice, “India is now well placed on the world centre stage Already the 5th largest economy and poised to become the 3rd largest by 2030 or sooner it h a s b e n e f i t e d i n r e c e n t times from geopolitical fac-

tors which we believe are likely to continue The UK has a huge amount to gain f r o m t h i s p o s i t i o n i n g A s someone and a firm that has been working in the UKIndia corridor for over 32 years, we are excited about the prospect of a UK-India F T A i n t h e n e a r f u t u r e which will further strengthen the strong bond and relations that exist between the two nations There is a lot to gain for both at all levels and the Indian diaspora in this country have a key role to play going forward ” Ind ia’ s entrepreneurial spirit has been unleashed

L o r d K ara n Bi l im o ri a CBE DL told the newsweekly, “India has an ancient history yet is a young country

just over three-quarters of a century old Over the past three decades, since India’s e c o n o m i c l i b e r a l i s a t i o n , India has grown to being today the fifth-largest economy in the world India’s e n t r e p r e n e u r i a l s p i r i t h a s been unleashed and it is a country and economy that l e a d i n g e c o n o m i e s i n t h e world now want to partner with, invest in and do business with We in the UK are on the cusp of agreeing to a c o m p r e h e n s i v e f r e e t r a d e agreement, hopefully later this year and even before the signing of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA), trade in goods and services between our countries has increased to over £34 billion The 30 million-strong Indian diaspora around the world has been reaching the very top i n v i r t u a l l y e v e r y f i e l d including Prime Ministers of I n d i a n o r i g i n i n I r e l a n d , Portugal and the UK Many of the largest companies in t h e w o r l d a r e h e a d e d b y I n d i a n C E O s i n c l u d i n g M i c r o s o f t a n d G o o g l e Furthermore, the President of the World Bank is Indian The Indian diaspora in the

UK is the largest and most successful ethnic monitory community in the country w h i c h c o n t r i b u t e s m a n y times its percentage of the population to the economy and culture of the UK I personally have been proud to h a v e c r e a t e d t h e m o s t f a m o u s I n d i a n h o u s e h o l d b r a n d i n t h e U K , C o b r a Beer, as well as being the first Indian-born Chancellor o f a R u s s e l l G r o u p University in Great Britain a s t h e C h a n c e l l o r o f t h e University of Birmingham, and being the first ethnic m i n o r i t y P r e s i d e n t o f t h e C o n f e d e r a t i o n o f B r i t i s h I n d u s t r y ( C B I ) f r o m J u n e 2 0 2 0 t o J u n e 2 0 2 2 T h e Indian Express has left the

o f a w o r l d - l e a d i n g d i g i t a l I n d i a S t a c k i n c l u d i n g t h e UPI, and the advent of a c o n t e m p o r a r y , p r i n c i p l ebased framework to govern personal data, prospects for India are looking up India’s standing on a geopolitical stage has certainly increased in recent years For this to continue in its current tra-

station and I predict that by 2060 India will be the largest economy in the world ” The co untry should focus on up holding th e democratic values Ho n o u rab le Ha rp ri t P i tu S u ri, A d v i so ry Bo ard Member, Brid ge India told t h e n e w s w e e k l y , “ I n d i a ’ s economy is one of the global b r i g h t s p o t s t o d a y W i t h c o m p a n i e s s u c h a s A p p l e looking at India as a counterweight to manufacturing in China, the establishment

jectory, the country should f o c u s o n u p h o l d i n g t h e democratic values and build its institutions for the coming decades ” India is with out d oubt a success story

I nd i a -b o rn B ri ti s h e co n o m i st an d fo r m er L a bo u r p o li ti c i an, L o rd M eg hnad Desai told us, “In i t s s e v e n t y - s i x t h y e a r o f since Independence, India is w i t h o u t d o u b t a s u c c e s s story, unlike many other excolonies in its neighbourhood It remains a vibrant, and, of course, an argumentative democracy, the most populous one in the world Its economy is growing and promises to catch up with the other countries in terms of total GNP but we still await a catch-up in per capita income In the Delivery of benefits to those entitled, to p u b l i c i n f r a s t r u c t u r e a n d

India’s outstanding successes in Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) could be emulated in other G20 countries and beyond

Anusha Singh

S h a i les h P a th ak p res en tl y s e rv es as th e S ec re tar yG en era l a t F I C C I ( F e d er ati o n o f I nd i a n C h am b ers o f C o m m e rc e and Ind ustry) , th e lead ing business chamber fo unded i n 1 92 7 F IC C I re p res ents o ver 250,0 00 entities across I n d i a's s tat es , sp a nn in g d iverse ind ustries P r i o r t o h i s r o l e a t F I C C I , M r P a t h a k h e l d CEO/MD positions in private sector companies and g o v e r n m e n t r o l e s , c o nt r i b u t i n g t o e x e c u t i o n , f i n a n c i n g , a n d s t r a t e g y W i t h a c o r p o r a t e c a r e e r s p a n n i n g 1 9 y e a r s , h e w o r k e d w i t h I C I C I , L & T , and IDFC As an IAS officer f o r 1 7 y e a r s , h e h e l d k e y p o s t s i n M a d h y a P r a d e s h and Chhattisgarh T r a n s i t i o n i n g t o t h e non-profit sector in 2022, he became Director & Professor o f P r a c t i c e a t t h e I n d i a n School of Public Policy Mr Pathak's wide-ranging experience bridges Government, B u s i n e s s , a n d A c a d e m i a , w i t h a n e a r l y c a r e e r i n

investment banking He is d e v o t e d t o p u b l i c p o l i c y , c i t i e s , i n f r a s t r u c t u r e , a n d finance A f f i l i a t i o n s i n c l u d e

G20's B20 Task Force memb e r s h i p , B R I C S B u s i n e s s C o u n c i l C o - C h a i r , a n d F I C C I ' s T r a n s p o r t I n f r a s t r u c t u r e C o m m i t t e e

He's authored over 40 publications on diverse topics

M r P a t h a k h o l d s a n

M B A f r o m I I M C a l c u t t a , L L B , a n d D i p l o m a i n O r n i t h o l o g y f r o m B N H S

H e s r e c o g n i z e d f o r h i s achievements and commitment to sustainable development He spoke to Asian Voice about India’s strategic rise in the global economy

1 How is India bound to grow financially? What are some initiatives through which the country can progress towards the path of financial growth?

As per a recent Morgan Stanley report, India’s GDP would rise from 2022 ’ s 3174 bn to 7939 bn by 2030 India would contribute one-fifth of global growth during this journey from 3 2 trillion to

7 9 trillion M a n y m e a s u r e s h a v e already been implemented towards inclusive financial growth These include the u n i v e r s a l i s a t i o n o f b a n k a c c o u n t s m a p p e d t o t h e unique identity of individuals, direct money transfer to the bank accounts of the needy, and UPI - Unified Payment Interface making m o n e y t r a n s f e r s u s i n g mobile phones, within 5 seconds, from any bank to any bank, using QR codes and other simple mechanisms Today, India’s digital paym e n t s a c c o u n t f o r m o r e t h a n t w o - f i f t h s o f g l o b a l d i g i t a l p a y m e n t s , a l l o f which have happened in the last six years As the econom y f o r m a l i s e s r a p i d l y , a c c e s s t o d i g i t a l c r e d i t i s becoming much easier with innovative fintech startups W i t h a u n i f i e d G o o d s & S e r v i c e s A c t a n d d i g i t a l o p e r a t i o n s , p u b l i c e x c h equer revenues are going up rapidly This is leading to record outlays for social and physical Infrastructure, both of which are contributing to faster financial growth

2The West Midlands gets the lion’s share of benefits from the FTA between the UK and India

With this, the living bridge gets stronger However, what’s in store for India in terms of the actual advantage of signing an FTA with the UK, which visibly, on paper, doesn't show an equal amount of benefits for India at large?

T h e G o v e r n m e n t o f India (GoI) has had over ten rounds of consultation with t h e i r U K c o u n t e r p a r t s t o w a r d s t h e F r e e T r a d e

Agreement The FTA negotiations are ongoing In the process, GoI has had intens i v e c o n s u l t a t i o n s w i t h

t h e d i g i t a l a n d f i n a n c i a l technology sectors, India has achieved an outstanding record The future is bright ” India will ov ercome challenges to becom e a global sup erpower I nt ern ati o n all y rec o gni se d ec o no m i s t, P ro f Sid dh artha Band yopad hyay said, “India has been emergi n g a s a c o u n t r y w i t h a young population, with particular strengths in the IT and pharmaceutical sector a n d a s k i l l e d w o r k f o r c e N o t w i t h s t a n d i n g c o n c e r n s around the erosion of democratic institutions, it compares favourably with most countries in the region Its n o n - a l i g n e d s t a t u s h a s allowed it to build strategic alliances with countries that a r e o t h e r w i s e a d v e r s a r i e s a n d t h e W e s t h a s b e e n a c t i v e l y c o u r t i n g I n d i a w h i c h i n d i c a t e s i t s e m e rgence as a superpower and a key partner for regional stability While unemployment and health status and gender inequality continue to be a problem, there is reason to hope that India will overc o m e t h e s e c h a l l e n g e s t o become a global superpower ”

I n d i a n I n d u s t r y a n d C o m m e r c e , i n c l u d i n g

F I C C I W e a r e c o n f i d e n t that the negotiations would result in a win-win for both c o u n t r i e s a n d t h e i r b u s inesses when the final FTA is signed

3.With India hosting the G20 summit, how will this presidency change India’s position on the world map?

What message are we conveying as we host this summit?

India’s chair of the B20 has led to a special focus on l o w e r p e r - c a p i t a i n c o m e c o u n t r i e s , e s p e c i a l l y i n terms of quicker business growth for higher growth and increased employment

W e w o u l d h o p e t h a t Economics takes precedence over political issues On the Indian side, G20 meetings in over 50 cities have created capacities in business and tourism, which would lead to long-term benefits Above all, India’s outstanding succ e s s e s i n D i g i t a l P u b l i c Infrastructure (DPI) could be emulated in other G20 countries and beyond

Musician's heartfelt renditions at Piccadilly Circus on India’s Independence Day

A c a p t i v a t i n g v i d e o s h o w c a s i n g a m u s i c i a n ' s heartfelt renditions in the s t r e e t s o f t h e U n i t e d Kingdom has garnered sign i f i c a n t a t t e n t i o n a c r o s s social media platforms The artist, Vish, renowned for his moving interpretations o f b e l o v e d B o l l y w o o d melodies, mesmerised the a u d i e n c e a t L o n d o n ' s Piccadilly Circus as he performed soul-stirring renditions of patriotic anthems l i k e ' M a a T u j h e S a l a a m ' , ' S a n d e s e A a t e H a i ' , a n d 'Teri Mitti', among others Through snippets shared on Vish's Instagram, the scenes unfold with him serenading on a London street while a diverse crowd, composed of I n d i a n s a n d P a k i s t a n i s , e n e r g e t i c a l l y w a v e f l a g s , o f f e r e n t h u s i a s t i c c h e e r s , and even harmoniously join in the melodic journey

Anuj Chande

Harprit Suri

Lord Meghnad Desai

Prof Siddhartha Bandyopadhyay

Shailesh Pathak

PM MODI THINKS 1000 YEARS AHEAD ON INDIA’S I-DAY

Before the general elections in 2024

Prime Minister Narendra Modi made s e v e r a l s i g n i f i c a n t s t a t e m e n t s o n Independence Day He talked about the decisions and sacrifices in this p e r i o d w i l l i m p a c t t h e n e x t 1 , 0 0 0 y e a r s H e s p o k e a b o u t M a n i p u r v i o l e n c e n a x a l - p r o n e a r e a s government initiatives India's new p o s i t i o n i n t h e w o r l d a r e n a a n d other topics.

PM Modi’s Independence Day speech today ended at the 90minute mark, making it his fourth longest Independence Day address ever The prime minister delivered h i s 1 0 t h c o n s e c u t i v e Independence Day address from the ramparts

Aramane A salute from the Delhi

P o l i c e G u a r d a n d t h e I n t e rServices was followed by the guard of honour

T h e s p i r i t o f p a t r i o t i s m emanated from the enclosures full of young students and locals as the P M a p p r o a c h e d t h e R e d F o r t

After the tricolour was raised, a 21g u n s a l u t e r e s o u n d e d a s t h e national anthem began to play, inspiring pride and love for the country in many Before PM Modi began his speech, the audience w a s g r e e t e d w i t h s h o w e r s o f flower petals from the sky by two helicopters

A t t h e b e g i n n i n g o f h i s address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the nation stands with the people of Manipur and urged t h e r e s i d e n t s o f t h e s t a t e t o maintain peace We are receiving reports of peace prevailing in the state for the past few days The n a t i o n i s w i t h t h e p e o p l e o f M a n i p u r C e n t r a l a n d s t a t e governments are making efforts to r e s o l v e t h e p r o b l e m s a n d w i l l continue to do so," he said He f u r t h e r s t a t e d t h a t t h e government will continue to fight against the evils of Corruption, dynasty, and appeasement The country's biggest capability is trust - people's trust in the government, in the country's bright future and the world's trust in India

He invited nearly 1,800 special invitees to the Red Fort as India marked its 77th Independence Day on Tuesday The special invitees i n c l u d e d C e n t r a l V i s t a c o n s t r u c t i o n w o r k e r s , v i l l a g e leaders from various parts of the country, fisher folk, teachers and f a r m e r s O t h e r g u e s t s i n c l u d e d dignitaries, young students and citizens of the nation

B e f o r e d e l i v e r i n g h i s I n d e p e n d e n c e D a y s p e e c h , P M Modi paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat He reached the Red Fort shortly after and was r e c e i v e d b y D e f e n c e M i n i s t e r R a j n a t h S i n g h , M i n i s t e r o f Defence of State Ajay Bhatt, and D e f e n c e S e c r e t a r y G i r i d h a r

P M M o d i t o u c h e d u p o n v a r i o u s i s s u e s p l a g u i n g t h e c o u n t r y , i n c l u d i n g t h e r a p i d p o p u l a t i o n g r o w t h , M a n i p u r violence, growing GDP, the youth of the country, ‘nari shakti’ and more In addition to the tricolour flying triumphantly from the walls of the famous structure, balloons in the colours of the national flag were launched into the air as he concluded his address PM Modi g r e e t e d t h e s p e c i a l g u e s t s a n d shook their hands, but many of them were seen swarming him for selfies Decision s ta ke n toda y will de cid e t he fut ure of the count ry

the future of the country in the coming 1,000 years," he said

"Today, we have demography, democracy, and diversity - these three together have the ability to realise the dreams of the nation H i g h l i g h t i n g h i s g o v e r n m e n t ' s efforts in poverty alleviation, the P M s a i d o v e r 1 3 5 m i l l i o n p o o r people came out of poverty to become part of the neo-middle and middle classes in the last five years alone "When the country celebrates its 100th Independence Day in 2047, it will be a developed nation," he said

Addressing the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort, PM M o d i s a i d t h a t t h e r e i s a t r e m e n d o u s o p p o r t u n i t y b e f o r e the country due to the trinity of d e m o c r a c y , d e m o g r a p h y , a n d diversity He said India waged a freedom struggle for several years before it gained independence in 1947 "I am talking about the last 1,000 years because I see that there is opportunity before the country once again What we do in this era, t h e s t e p s w e t a k e , a n d t h e decisions we take one after the other will decide the direction and

It’s worth remembering that, i n 1 9 9 2 , P M M o d i p r o v e d h i s p a t r i o t i s m w h e n t e r r o r i s t s challenged that one who is a real son of his mother should try and d a r e t o u n f u r l t h e I n d i a n f l a g Tricolour at the Lal Chowk of Srinagar At that moment, he is seen with Dr Murli Manohar Joshi and other BJP workers waving the T r i c o l o u r a t L a l C h o w k I t i s n o t e w o r t h y t h a t d u r i n g M o d i ' s second term as prime minister, articles 370 and 35A were repealed, a n d L a l C h o w k w a s d e c o r a t e d with the lighting of the Indian flag tricolor

In dia a ‘bea con of hope’ for world, sa ys Pre side nt

In her speech to the nation on t h e e v e o f I n d e p e n d e n c e D a y , President Droupadi Murmu noted t h a t I n d i a h a s e m e r g e d a s a beacon of hope and reclaimed its r i g h t f u l p o s i t i o n o n t h e i n t e r n a t i o n a l s t a g e S h e a l s o emphasised that by holding the G2 0 p r e s i d e n c y , I n d i a h a s t h e e x c e p t i o n a l o p p o r t u n i t y t o i n f l u e n c e d e c i s i o n - m a k i n g t o w a r d s e q u i t a b l e p r o g r e s s a n d steer global discourse in the right

direction " D u r i n g m y v i s i t s a n d interactions with members of the Indian diaspora, I have observed a new confidence in the India story India is playing a crucial role in p r o m o t i n g d e v e l o p m e n t a l a n d h u m a n i t a r i a n g o a l s a r o u n d t h e world," Murmu said " W h a t i s n o t a b l e i n I n d i a ’ s presidency of the G20 is the way diplomatic activity has been taken to the grassroots There has been a f i r s t - o f - i t s - k i n d c a m p a i g n t o encourage people’s participation," she said Hailing India’s economic p e r f o r m a n c e a m i d g l o b a l u n c e r t a i n t y , t h e P r e s i d e n t s a i d , "India’s economy has proven to be not only resilient during turbulent times but is also a beacon of hope for others The world economy is passing through a delicate stage, as the (Covid) pandemic has been followed by international events that have added to the air of u n c e r t a i n t y Y e t , I n d i a h a s b e e n a b l e t o n a v i g a t e t h e stormy waters very well " President Murmu called f o r t h e e c o n o m i c empowerment of women and appealed to tribal "brothers a n d s i s t e r s t o e n r i c h t h e i r t r a d i t i o n s w h i l e e m b r a c i n g modernity Each of us has many identities apart from caste, creed, language, and region; we are also identified w i t h o u r f a m i l i e s a n d professions, but there is one identity that is above all That is our identity as citizens of India Each one of us is an equal citizen; e a c h o n e o f u s h a s e q u a l o p p o r t u n i t y , e q u a l r i g h t s , a n d equal duties," the President said I -Da y ce le br a t i on s a cr os s I n d ia an d the wor ld Tri-colour has been hoisted in states and union territories The g o v e r n m e n t h a s a l s o a s s i g n e d s e l f i e l o c a t i o n s i n a n e f f o r t t o increase awareness of its major initiatives ahead of the general elections in 2024 More than 88

m i l l i o n s e l f i e s o f p e o p l e f r o m a c r o s s t h e c o u n t r y w i t h t h e national flag were uploaded on the central government's 'Har Ghar Tiranga' website until noon under the three-day campaign being run since PM Modi's fresh clarion call last week

Many towns and cities across the nation unite in a symphony of t r i c o l o u r r a l l i e s , y a t r a s , a n d events, setting the stage for an e x u l t a n t c e l e b r a t i o n o f Independence Day In Porbandar

( G u j a r a t ) s w i m m e r s o f S r i r a m S w i m m i n g C l u b h o i s t e d t h e n a t i o n a l f l a g i n t h e s e a T h e Lieutenant Governor of Jammu a n d K a s h m i r , M a n o j S i n h a , f l a g g e d o f f ' T i r a n g a Y a t r a ' i n Srinagar on August 13 The rally w a s a t t e n d e d b y t h o u s a n d s o f people, along with the LG The walkathon started from the Dal Lake area towards the Botanical Gardens The LG said the entire J & K w a s p a r t i c i p a t i n g i n t h e Tiranga Yatra

I n d i a n s a l s o g a t h e r e d a t diplomatic missions throughout t h e w o r l d t o c o m m e m o r a t e India's Independence Day They exchanged greetings and sang the n a t i o n a l a n t h e m a n d p a t r i o t i c songs US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that the bilateral relationship between the United States and India is deeper and

more expansive than ever during a c e l e b r a t i o n o f I n d i a s 7 7 t h I n d e p e n d e n c e D a y i n Washington, DC

Indian diaspora and embassy r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s b o t h c e l e b r a t e d I n d e p e n d e n c e D a y i n B e i j i n g P r e s i d e n t M u r m u ' s s p e e c h w a s f o l l o w e d b y t h e r a i s i n g o f t h e t r i c o l o u r i n A u s t r a l i a b y H i g h

Commissioner Manpreet Vohra

Over a thousand members of the Indian diaspora and communities in Singapore, as well as crewmen visiting INS Kulish, celebrated the Day at the chancery under the d i r e c t i o n o f A c t i n g H i g h C o m m i s s i o n e r P o o j a M T i l l u The INS Kulish band performed m u s i c a l n u m b e r s , a n d b a n d members joined kids from nearby Indian schools in singing national anthems I n S r i L a n k a , H i g h

Commissioner Gopal Baglay and o f f i c e r s o f t h e I n d i a n H i g h Commission paid homage at the I n d i a n P e a c e K e e p i n g F o r c e

(IPKF) Memorial

A panoramic view of Red Fort

PM unfurling the Tricolour flag at the ramparts of Red Fort

PM interacting with participants

PM Modi holds jovial conversation with a participant

PM addressing the Nation on the occasion of 77th Independence Day

Alpesh

Patel OBE

Every week people sen d me their portfoli os for analysi s vi a ww alpeshpatel com/lin ks These are seemi ngly clever people but almost all makin g many mistakes lead ing to poor pen sion or stock portfoli o permormance As I hav e often wri tten i n my books, “why do smart people make dumb mon ey mistakes” ?

The most common on e is poor performin g fund s bought on name recogni tion

In the realm of finance, one might assume that individuals with higher intelligence would consistently make better i n v e s t m e n t d e c i s i o n s H o w e v e r , a p l e t h o r a o f a c a d e m i c research suggests otherwise Even the brightest minds are susceptible to making financial blunders But why is this the case?

Delving into the world of behavioural finance provides some intriguing answers

1 Ov erconfid en ce Bias:

One of the most prevalent cognitive biases in the investment world is overconfidence Highly intelligent individuals often overestimate their knowledge and abilities This overconfidence can lead them to trade more frequently, believing that they can outsmart the market A study by Barber and Odean (2001) found that overconfident investors trade more aggressively, which often results in lower returns compared to those who trade less

2 Confi rmati on B ias:

Smart people, like all of us, have a natural tendency to seek out information that confirms their pre-existing beliefs This confirmation bias can be detrimental in the investment world

Instead of objectively analysing all available data, investors might cherry-pick information that aligns with their current investment thesis, leading to ill-informed decisions

3 Loss Av ersi on:

Kahneman and Tversky's (1979) groundbreaking work on prospect theory highlighted that people feel the pain of a loss roughly twice as intensely as the pleasure of a gain This loss aversion can lead investors to hold onto losing investments for too long, hoping they'll rebound, while selling winning investments too quickly to lock in gains

4 Herd Mentali ty:

Even the most astute individuals can fall prey to the herd mentality When a particular investment becomes popular, there s a natural inclination to follow the crowd, fearing missing out on potential gains This can lead to asset bubbles, where the price of an asset rises far above its intrinsic value, only to crash later

5 A nchoring :

Anchoring refers to the tendency to rely heavily on the first piece of information encountered (the "anchor") when making decisions For investors, this might mean basing decisions on a stock's historical high or the price they initially paid, rather than its current value or future potential

6 Emoti onal In vesti ng:

Regardless of one's IQ, emotions play a pivotal role in decision-making The euphoria during a bull market or the despair during a market downturn can cloud judgment Emotional investing can lead to impulsive decisions, like buying high and selling low, the opposite of a sound investment strategy

7 An alysis Paralysis : Highly intelligent individuals often have a thirst for information However, in the investment world, too much inform a t i o n c a n b e c o u n t e r p r o d u c t i v e S i f t i n g t h r o u g h v a s t amounts of data can lead to analysis paralysis, where an investor becomes so overwhelmed that they fail to make any decision at all

G ood luck

Wilko declares bankruptcy putting 12,000 jobs in jeopardy

U p to 12,000 jobs are at risk f oll owing the f ormal decl aration o f inso lvency fo r Wilko, a p rominent high-s treet ch ain With 400 s tores, inclu ding 26 in London, th e co mpany has been plac ed into adminis tration

PwC, the appointed administrators, will assume control to maximize value for the creditors In the initial phase, all stores will remain operational, and there are no imminent staff redundancies planned However, in the event that a buyer for either portions or the entirety of the business cannot be secured, employees may unfortunately face job losses

Upon filing the notice, there remained a glimmer of optim i s m f o r a p o t e n t i a l e l e v e n t h - h o u r r e s c u e a r r a n g e m e n t

However, potential purchasers, including Gordon Brothers, the owner of Laura Ashley, are said to have retracted their interest

The only potential for the rescue of some of the more prosperous stores remains due to the fact that potential buyers would no longer be compelled to acquire the entire business

The administrators' foremost objective will revolve around attempting to sell a significant portion of Wilko's business while maintaining its ongoing operations

In previous months, Wilko had managed to secure a £40 million funding injection from Hilco, the owner of Homebase, sustaining the survival of the privately-owned chain throughout the past half-year

UK families make desperate choices as prices of some basic food items soar

Food pric e inflation in U K slow ed i n rec ent months, but c os t of s om e basi c food items s uc h as cheese, butte r and bread ha s soared m ore tha n 30 per c e nt f orc i ng many house hold to make desperate c hoi ces to ke ep up w ith their b ill paymen ts Ac c ordi n g to re s ear c h by consumer b ody Whi ch?, the s te e p r i s e i n b a s i c f o od items are affec ting the lowincome households m ore

The food products with the highest rates of inflat i

b y 27% and juice drinks and smoothies are up 28 6% T h e c o n s u m e r r i g h t s

Rise in the number of civil servants earning £100,000 or more

The c ount of ci vil servants ea r ni n g o ve r £ 10 0, 0 0 0 annually has almost doubled, and the yearly salary expenditure has surged by 60% , crossing the £15 billion mark, acc ording to an analysis Statistics released by the Ca bin et O ffi ce revea l that the number of officials wi t hi n W h i te ha l l d e pa r tme n t s w i th s i x - f i gu re incomes has risen to 2,050, mark in g an 88% i nc re ase since 2016

The data further highlights that the number of o f f i c i a l s e m p l o y e d b y Whitehall departments has g r o w n b y o v e r 1 0 0 , 0 0 0 s i n c e 2 0

1 6 N o t a b l y , t h e current workforce is composed of more senior roles, with 87% of the increase in higher-grade civil servants

This structural shift has contributed to a significant expansion in the civil service salaries budget, which

has risen by 60% from £9 7 billion in 2016 to £15 5 billion Moreover, the number of civil servants receiving an annual pay of over £75,000 has escalated from 4,470 to 12,045, while 2,050 individu a l s e a r n e d m o r e t h a n £100,000

Insiders from Whitehall have indicated that the pace of growth has diminished in recent times, and suggest that the figures might be influenced by staff transfers from the public sector

The surge in civil serv a n t n u m b e r s i s l a r g e l y attributed to the dual fact o r s o f B r e x i t a n d t h e C o v i d - 1 9 p a n d e m i c N e v e r t h e l e s s , t h e o f f i c i a l figures, scrutinised by the T a x p a y e r s ' A l l i a n c e c a mpaign group, demonstrate that even amidst the pand e m i c , W h i t e h a l l s t a f f numbers have continued to rise

UK's Co-operative Bank acquires Sainsbury's mortgage portfolio

The purchase of Sainsbury s B ank s mortgage portfolio b y The Co-opera tive Bank for £464 million has ta ken place amid st ongoin g discussions about the future of mid-sized ba nks in the UK This portfolio, val ued at al most £480 mill ion and e n com pa ss in g a p pr o x ima t e l y 3 , 5 00 cus to me r s, ha s b e e n acquired foll owing ext ensiv e n egotiations that spanne d several mont hs Ear lier r epor ts had indicat ed a b reak down in tal ks bet we en the two e ntities

For over a year, The Co-operative Bank has been actively considering potential acquisitions, aiming to solidify its presence in the mid-sized banking sector In 2021, it made an unsolicited bid of £1 1 billion for TSB Bank, which was unanimously turned down Subsequently, in February 2022, the bank enlisted the expertise of PJT Partners to assess potential takeover candidates

Just a fortnight ago, the bank achieved its 10th consecutive quarter of profitability, with a profit of £61 8 million During that period, Slape, the bank's representative, remarked that "Higher interest rates could be a catalyst for the long-awaited consolidation of mid-tier banks "

This move will serve as Sainsbury's Bank's formal departure from the UK mortgage market, marking the conclusion of its new lending activities that ceased in 2019 Reports from October 2020 had already hinted at Sainsbury s intention to divest its banking arm The announcement follows closely on the heels of reports that Shawbrook Bank, a mid-tier institution, had initiated discussions with The Co-operative Bank about a potential merger valued at £3 5 billion

g r o u p i s u r g i n g supermarkets to s t o c k t h e i r c h e a p e s t p r o ducts in their conv e n i e n c e s t o r e branches as well as larger outlets, a s c h a r i t i e s warned that families were struggling to cope with food inflation

Richard Lane, director of external affairs at debt charity StepChange, said: “The rising cost of living is f o r c i n g h o u s e h o l d s t o reassess their budgets and c u t b a c k t o m a k e e n d s m e e t F o o d i n f l a t i o n

r e m a i n s h i g h a n d h a s pushed the price of basics up significantly ”

“These rises are hitting the poorest the hardest, as it creates a poverty premium where those on tighter budgets are unable to save by buying in bulk and end up spending more money on food and essentials, as they shop little and often ” He added: “As food costs continue to rise, the knockon effects can be felt elsewhere, with people having to make desperate choices between keeping up their bills or putting food on the table ”

UK house price index drops to its lowest point since 2009

British house prices experien c e d t he i r mo s t wi d e s pr ea d de c l i n es l a s t m on th s i n c e 2 0 0 9 , tr i gge r ed b y i n t er e s t ra t es re a c hi n g a 15 - y e ar p ea k Si multaneous ly, rents s aw the mos t si gnifi cant s urge since 19 99 due to a growing number of landlords selling their properties, as indic ated b y a survey

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) r e p o r t e d t h a t i t s h o u s e p r i c e b a l a n c e , a m e t r i c g a u g i n g t h e d i f f e r e n c e between the percentage of s u r v e y o r s r e p o r t i n g p r i c e i n c r e a s e s a n d d e c r e a s e s , declined to -53 in July from a revised -48 in June This marks the lowest reading since April 2009, during the depths of the global financ i a l c r i s i s , f a l l i n g b e l o w e c o n o m i s t s ' e x p e c t a t i o n s , which anticipated a drop to -50

In July, interest rates for the most common type of new mortgage in Britain, a two-year fixed rate, climbed to 6 86%, the highest level since 2008 This increase was driven by expectations of further rate hikes by the B a n k o f E n g l a n d i n i t s e f f o r t s t o c o m b a t h i g h inflation

The property sales sector experienced the swiftest decline in July since April 2020, a period when the m a r k e t w a s l a r g e l y s h u ttered due to the Covid-19 p a n d e m i c F u r t h e r m o r e , d e m a n d f r o m p o t e n t i a l b u y e r s a l s o d i m i n i s h e d , according to RICS

According to data from Britain's Office for National S t a t i s t i c s , p r i v a t e - s e c t o r rents in England climbed by 5 1% in the year leading up to June, marking the highest increase since records were initiated in 2006

4 major British lenders reduce rates on their fixed mortgage deals

Four major British lenders have reduced rates on their fi x e d m or tg ag e of f er i n gs , providi ng reli ef to homeow n er s g r ap pl i n g wi t h financial pres sures Halifax, a c om p on e nt of L l oy ds

B an k i n g G r ou p an d th e largest mortgage lender i n the UK, wi ll lower rates by as much as 0 7 1 percentage points For instance, a fiveyear fixed rate currently set at 6 10% will be available at 5 39% Recent data indicates a slight decrease in average rates for new two- and fivey e a r f i x e d m o r t g a g e s

M o r t g a g e r a t e s h a d b e e n rapidly increasing due to the Bank of England's successive interest rate hikes, driven by the goal of managing inflation The latest rate hike marked the 14th consecutive increase, bringing the base rate to 5 25%

A m i d s t t h e s t r a i n o f escalating housing expenses, which have added to the burden of rising food and energy costs, the rate cutssome occurring for the second time in a fortnightb r i n g o p t i m i s m t h a t t h e financial pressure may ease

Financial data provider Moneyfacts reported that the average rate for new t w o - y e a r f i x e d - r a t e d e a l s has decreased to 6 83% from 6 84%, and the typical rate for new five-year fixes has d r o p p e d f r o m 6 3 5 % t o

6 34%

Halifax, in addition to N a t i o n w i d e a n d T S B , announced rate reductions across a spectrum of offerings, including those targ e t e d a t h o m e b u y e r s H S B C a l s o j o i n e d t h i s t r e n d , r e p o r t e d l y c u t t i n g some of its fixed rates by up to 0 35%

Air India gets a new logo, Maharaja takes a back seat

In the new branding fo r A ir

I n d i a a nn o un c ed by T at a

S o n s an d A I c h ai rm an N

C h and ras ek ar an, B o bb y K o o ka 's M a ha raj a tak es a b ac ks ea t A I M D & C E O

C am p b el l W il so n s ai d " rep o r ts o f M ah ar aj a ’ s d em i s e are e xag g er ate d , " and ad ded that the m ascotin a ‘fitter’ avatar - will be seen more in India and not so much abroad, where it is " not quite understood what h e stand s for " T hus, he will appear in silho uette o n inflight bone china and g lasses w hen travelling abro ad A c c o r d i n g t o C h a n d r a s e k a r a n , t h e n e w l o g o , w h i c h c o m b i n e s t h e

w e l l - k n o w n j h a r o k a (window) of AI and Vistara's purple with AI's classic red and white, "signifies limitless possibilities, progressiveness, and confidence " The new l i v e r y w i l l d e b u t o n t h e Airbus 350 aircraft that will join the AI fleet this year

Terming AI’s revival as a world class airline a "national m i s s i o n " , C h a n d r a s a i d : " T h i s r e q u i r e s e n o r m o u s amounts of work because of w h e r e w e s t a r t f r o m o n t e c h n o l o g y , f l i g h t , m a i n t e n a n c e , g r o u n d h a n d l i n g , a l l a s p e c t s o f

RBI holds rates for 3rd time but governor Das flags inflation risks

S h a kt ik an ta Da s , R es erv e B an k o f I nd ia g o v ern o r, a nn o u nc ed t h at t h e m onetary policy com mittee h ad unanim ously decided to m aintai n th e repo rate at 6 5 % f o r t h e t h i rd c o ns e cu ti v e m e et in g , b u t a d d e d th a t ra tes m a y i n cr eas e if i nf la ti o n w orsens Das also raised th e i n fl ati o n fo r ec as t f o r t h e c u rr ent f in an ci al y ear to 5 4% from 5 1%

W h i l e u n c e r t a i n t i e s l i n k e d t o d o m e s t i c f o o d p r i c e s h a v e p r o m p t e d t h e R B I t o r a i s e i t s i n f l a t i o n forecast, it has retained the g r o w t h f o r e c a s t f o r t h e current fiscal at 6 5% “The p o l i c y r e p o r a t e r e m a i n s u n c h a n g e d w i t h preparedness to act if the situation warrants,” said Das T o h a n d l e t h e e x t r a liquidity brought on by the repatriation of the Rs 2,000

NCLT tribunal gives green signal to Zee-Sony merger

Z ee Entertainment Enterprises and Sony Pictures Netwo rks I ndia have received ap proval from the co mpany law tribunal to m erge, c reating rou gh ly $10 billion media and entertainment beh emoth T h e M u m b a i b e n c h o f t h e N a t i o n a l C o m p a n y L a w Tribunal (NCLT) dismissed all objections to the merger It had reserved the order a month ago After the NCLT order, Zee shares ended 18% higher last week to close at Rs 286 on the BSE

The merger, announced in September 2021, has been hobbled by legal fights First by Zee’s largest shareholder, Invesco, and then by creditors like Indian Performing Right Society, IndusInd Bank, and Axis Finance, for defaulting on payments Later, the Sebi order prohibiting MD Punit Goenka from holding important managerial positions in publicly traded c o m p a n i e s w a s a l s o a b a r r i e r S e b i ' s d e c i s i o n h a d b e e n contested by Goenka, but the Securities and Appellate Tribunal declined to postpone the verdict

In terms of income, channel count, and audience size, the combined company will emerge as the nation s dominant media and entertainment force The new company will go up against Walt Disney India and Viacom, which is owned by billionaire Mukesh Ambani According to the agreement, Zee will own 47% of the combined company, with Sony holding 53% Shares of Zee will be delisted from the stock exchanges, and subsequently, the shares of the merged entity (the name of the combined unit hasn’t been disclosed yet) will be listed on the bourses Through the merger, Sony will get listed in India without an IPO

Chinks in the market

operations, and more " "Our fleet requires a lot o f w o r k W h i l e w e h a v e placed one of the largest fleet o r d e r s , b o t h n a r r o w - a n dwide-body, it’s going to take time for them to arrive In the meantime, we have to refurbish and get our current fleet to acceptable levels," he said Wilson says one-third of AI’s wide-body fleet will be modern aircraft by next year Then, the refurbishment of e x i s t i n g w i d e b o d i e s w i l l begin "All our wide-bodies will have new state-of-thea r t f a c i l i t i e s , i n c l u d i n g onboard WiFi, by the end of 2025, Wilson said

Suresh Vagjiani, Sow & Reap Properties Ltd

The rec ent Al lsop auction res ul ts had a sal es rate of 76%, t his l eaves 5 3 properties l eft unsold, from the 2 15 initiall y off ered

This auctioneer in the past used to have results of 90% plus Obviously, this is an indication of the market slowing, but also that the reserve prices set are not realistic A property is always worth something There is a disparity between what the sellers are expecting and what the market is prepared to pay

Many of these unsold lots belong to administrators, and housing associations Administrators generally have to sell; if the property remains unsold in the auction, this leaves the door open for them to take a bid post auction There is justification for taking the lower than expected bid

There are times housing associations have to sell, sometimes for accounting purposes, their liquidity position may need to be improved I recall an auctioneer we used to work with heavily calling me up and saying this housing association needed to exchange on an asset urgently It was a freehold block in Kings Cross for £350K – a killer deal

A u c t i o n s a r e t h e o f t e n f a v o u r e d m e a n s t o s e l l repossessions and for charities, and associations due to the transparency of the process Everyone is free to engage and bid, there are no barriers to entry

notes, Das also announced a rise in the cash reserve ratio of 10% on deposits between May 19 and July 28 Worried over the spike i n v e g e t a b l e p r i c e s , p a r t i c u l a r l y t o m a t o e s , t h e R B I s a i d t h a t b r i n g i n g i n f l a t i o n w i t h i n t h e tolerance band (2-6%) is not enough, and there is a need to align inflation to the 4% target “Inflation projection

for Q2 of FY24 has been r e v i s e d u p s u b s t a n t i a l l y , primarily due to the price s h o c k f r o m v e g e t a b l e s Given the likely short-term n a t u r e o f t h e s e s h o c k s , m o n e t a r y p o l i c y c a n l o o k t h r o u g h h i g h i n f l a t i o n prints caused by such shocks for some time,” Das said

Adani Enterprises looking to exit JV with Wilmar

Ada n i E n te rp r i s es i s explo ring selling its stake in its lis ted cons umer stap le joint ventu re with Wilmar

In te rn a ti o n al , f re ei n g u p ca p i t al fo r th e i r c o r e bu s i n es s , ac c o r di n g to p eo p le f am i li a r wi t h th e ma tt er A cc o rdi n g to sou rc es , th e co nglo merate h as be en t h i nk i n g a bo u t selling its 44% h olding in Adani Wilmar Acco rding to estimates, th e market valu e o f Ad an i 's s h ar es at th e p re s en t s h ar e p r i ce i s arou nd $2 7 billio n

A d a n i a n d h i s f a m i l y may retain a minority stake i n a p e r s o n a l c a p a c i t y following a sale, the people s a i d W i l m a r , t h e S i n g a p o r e - b a s e d f o o d c o n g l o m e r a t e c o - f o u n d e d by billionaire Kuok Khoon Hong in 1991, could decide to retain its stake in the business, one of the sources

said

A d a n i W i l m a r s s t o c k h a s d e c r e a s e d b y a r o u n d 36% this year, putting the b u s i n e s s a t a b o u t $ 6 2 b i l l i o n A t o n e t i m e , t h e market value of the Adania f f i l i a t e d c o m p a n i e s h a d fallen by more than $150 billion as a result of fraud c l a i m s m a d e a g a i n s t t h e c o r p o r a t e g i a n t b y U Sb a s e d s h o r t s e l l e r Hindenburg Research Any wrongdoing was refuted by the Adani Group

A d a n i W i l m a r r a i s e d a b o u t $ 4 3 5 m i l l i o n i n a n i n i t i a l p u b l i c o f f e r i n g i n 2022 Adani and Wilmar’s stakes together account for n e a r l y 8 8 % o f t h e company ’ s shares The Sebi r u l e s r e q u i r e t h a t l a r g e f i r m s h a v e a m i n i m u m public shareholding of at least 25% within five years of the date of the listing

Adar Poonawalla bags biz leader of the year award

The tit le of " IA A Busine ss

Le ader of the Yea r" was given t o Adar Poonawal la, CEO of t he Serum In stitute of India

The 10th edition of t he IAA

Le adership Awar ds was held b y t he In dia bra nch of IAA, a p r o mi n e n t a ss oc ia t i on f or ma rket in g, adve rtisin g, and media professionals

o f F a m e ’ D a s , f o r m e r p r e s i d e n t ( r e s p o n s e ) , B e n n e t t , C o l e m a n & Company Limited, described the industry as his ‘karma bhoomi' where he served for over 40 years

"I’ve come to believe that e v e r y m o m e n t s p e n t working is a balance sheet of a c h i e v e m e n t s a n d f a i l u r e s , e a c h h o l d i n g i t s o w n invaluable assets A career is a solitary endeavour, just like l i f e i t s e l f I t ’ s a t a p e s t r y

T h e p r o p e r t i e s w h i c h r e m a i n u n s o l d c o u l d b e perceived to be the bottom of the barrel, the stock nobody was prepared to buy Therefore, not worthy of attention; better to focus on the fresh stock of the up and coming auctions

In this market, which is creaking and adjusting, my feeling is there will be many bargains to be had from the ‘unwanted’ unsold stock

There are some markers which can be used to shift through the unsold lots One is when a property is listed in t h e w r o n g a u c t i o n , f o r e x a m p l e , s o m e t h i n g i n Southampton listed in a London focused auctioneer This is less so the case now, when everything thing is listed online Though I believe it still occurs This property is likely to go cheaper than if listed in the local auction Perhaps due to the segment of end users who would never think to purchase in an auction unless they had seen the board outside the property on a school run

Another is when the tenancy is listed as ‘unknown’ especially the case with repossessions, where the person who has been foreclosed doesn’t want to share the tenancy details The administrators are forced to sell the property listed as tenancy ‘unknown’, this can devalue the property to as much as half price Recently, we sourced a property where this was the case, but we had inside knowledge that this was an AST So, we managed to get 30% off

There are times when properties have been measured incorrectly leading to a lower valuation For example, a square building with three floors generally does not have a different square footage for every floor, however this has occurred, and will occur There is also some confusion regarding the different descriptions of net internal areas, which contribute to this The above is applicable to both live and unsold lots It serves as a tried and tested filter, but is by no means exhaustive

India's retail inflation hits 15-month high

Ret ai l i n fl ati o n in In d i a soared to a 15-month high in July as food prices jump ed sharply, h it by supply w oes, posing a fresh challenge for au th o r it ie s ba ttl i ng st u bb o rn p r ic e s Da ta rel ea se d b y t h e N ati o na l

w o v e n t o g e t h e r w i t h t h e threads of complex collective e f f o r t s I n f a c t , i n m y journey, I’ve come to realise t h a t e v e r y o n e , a n d e v e r y t h i n g , h a s b e e n m y

t e a c h e r L e a r n i n g a n d gratitude - these are the two cornerstones of my being," said Das N a v i k a K u m a r , n e w s e d i t o r a n d a n c h o r f r o m

T i m e s N e t w o r k , w a s honoured with the ‘IAA TV Anchor of the Year’ award

Statistical Office (NSO) on M o nd a y sh ow ed ret ai l inflation as m easured by the consum er price index (CPI) rose an annual 7 4% in July from the p revious m onth’ s

4 9% T his nu mber is th e h ig h es t s i nc e th e 7 8 % increase in April 2022

T h e f o o d p r i c e i n d e x moved into double digits at

1

1 5 % f r o m 4 6 % i n J u n e Rural inflation was higher at

7 6% in July while urban was a t 7 2 % V e g e t a b l e p r i c e s rose an annual 37 3% during the month while pulses and

its prices rose 13 3% Cereals and its prices shot 13% in J u l y w h i l e f o o d a n d beverage prices rose 10 6% “ B a r r i n g f o o d a n d beverages, the inflation in all other groups eased in July 2023 vis-a-vis June 2023, o f f e r i n g s o m e r e l i e f

Moreover, the core CPI (CPI e x c l u d i n g f o o d a n d beverages, fuel and light and petrol and diesel) eased to a 21-month low of 5 1% in July 2023, ” said Aditi Nayar, chief economist at ratings agency ICRA

“The data for food prices for early August 2023 is not v e r y p r o m i s i n g , a n d w e e x p e c t t h e h e a d l i n e C P I inflation to print above the 6 5% mark in August, before c o o l i n g o f f m a t e r i a l l y i n September,” said Nayar

Adar Poonawalla

Campbell Wilson & N Chandrasekaran

Shaktikanta Das

Kakar sworn in as Pakistan’s 8th caretaker PM

I S L A M A B A D : A n wa a r - ul - H a q

Kak ar took oath as the e ighth c a r e t a k e r P M o f Pa k is t a n on Monday a s the coun try cele brate d 76 y ears of its inde pe ndence

Pr esiden t Arif Al vi administ ered t he oat h to Ka kar, with former PM She hb az Shar if, e x-cabin et memb ers a nd the chiefs of the a rmed forces in att endan ce

E a r l i e r i n t h e d a y , K a k a r resigned as a senator and also f r o m h i s p o s i t i o n i n t h e

Balochistan Awami Party (BAP), which he had co-founded in 2018 with the backing of the military establishment As interim PM, his first task would be to choose a cabinet to run the routine affairs

Anwaarul Haq Kakar

o f t h e c a s h - s t r a p p e d c o u n t r y

The role of the interim PM has a s s u m e d e x t r a o r d i n a r y i m p o rt a n c e s i n c e t h e f o r m e r P M approved the results of a digital census on August 5, making a delay in general elections nearly inevitable Last month, the parliament had amended its election laws to empower the caretaker

Alarm in Bangladesh as dengue claims over 364 lives this year

D HAK A: Ba ng lade sh is strugg ling to d eal wi th hig her casua l t i e s a nd i nf e ct i o n s f r o m d engue thi s y ear , wit h off icia ls war ni ng th at the de ath toll thi s m o nt h co ul d b re a k r e co rd s T h e h e a l t h s e r v i c e s r e p o r t s t hat the t oll f rom mosquit oborn ill ne ss has rea ch ed 3 64 i n t he co untr y Mor e than 78 ,0 00 p e o p l e h a v e be e n i n f e c t e d si nce Ja nua ry thi s y ea r, it sa id O f f i c i a l s w a r n t h a t t h e number of deaths and infections this month could set a new, grim record In the first 10 days of August, more than 23,000 people were diagnosed w i t h d e n g u e , c o m p a r e d t o 43,854 cases during all of July

More than 100 people have died so far this month, over a third as many deaths from the illness during all of last year In 2 0 2 2 , 6 2 , 3 8 2 p e o p l e w e r e infected and 281 people died of dengue, according to govern-

ment figures

D e n g u e c a u s e s f l u - l i k e symptoms that most people r e c o v e r f r o m , b u t a l s o c a n rapidly lead to internal bleeding, organ failure, and even death There generally is no specific treatment for the disease, but vaccines are available Other countries, such as Cyprus and Bolivia, also have s e e n o u t b r e a k s t h i s y e a r

Experts say monsoon season could exacerbate the outbreak in the country of more than 160 million people

I n t e r m i t t e n t r a i n s i n August are one of the major r e a s o n s f o r t h e o u t b r e a k , according to experts

Infected people are overwhelming hospitals across the country, but some doctors and n u r s e s a r e n o t s u f f i c i e n t l y experienced, or trained, in how to treat dengue cases, experts say

No new World Bank aid to Uganda over anti-gay law

K A M P A L A : A f t e r U ga n d a pas sed an anti-gay law earlier this y ear that was denounced b y rights groups an d others , the World Ban k ann ounc ed that it wi ll n ot cons ider fresh loan s to the East A frican nation

After the law was passed in May, the World Bank sent a team to Uganda to assess the situation and found that more steps were required to guarantee that projects met the bank's environmental and social standards

"No new public financing to Uganda will be presented to our board of executive directors until the efficacy of the additional measures has been tested," the World Bank Group said in a statement

"Our goal is to protect sexual and gender minorities from discrimination and exclusion i n t h e p r o j e c t s w e f i n a n c e These measures are currently u n d e r d i s c u s s i o n w i t h t h e authorities," it added The antigay law, which calls for the execution of specific homosexual conduct, was approved in May U g a n d a n o f f i c i a l s h a v e b e e n resolute despite worries that partners like the World Bank a n d o t h e r s w o u l d w i t h h o l d

government to take important

e c o n o m i c d e c i s i o n s , r a i s i n g w i d e s p r e a d c o n c e r n t h a t t h e move was in anticipation of a caretaker set-up that would last longer than its constitutionally mandated three months

T h e c i r c u m s t a n c e s s u rrounding Kakar’s appointment have not been devoid of controversy The decision has strained ties between the PML-N and its ally Balochistan National Party

M e n g a l B N P - M h e a d S a r d a r

Akhtar Mengal expressed reservations regarding the PML-N’s selection of Kakar as the caretaker PM and the perceived reliance

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

address the nation’s challenges

Parl iament dissolve d

Earlier, Pakistan’s parliament has been dissolved to prepare for a national election without former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who has been jailed and barred from politics for five years

President Arif Alvi ordered the dissolution of the National A s s e m b l y , t h e l o w e r h o u s e o f parliament, on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s advice Sharif, w h o a s s u m e d p o w e r i n A p r i l 2022 after Khan lost a no-confidence vote in parliament, said he had asked President Alvi to dissolve the assembly three days before the schedule

17 killed as boat carrying Rohingya refugees sinks in Bay of Bengal

DHA K A : A t least 17 Rohingya refug ees have been killed , and 3 0 rem ain missing after a boat capsized in bad weather in the Bay o f Be ng a l, ai d w o rk ers i n M yanmar said Volunteers said that eight p eop le were rescued from the boat, wh ich w as headed for Malaysia, a coveted destin at io n f o r th o u s an d s of M uslim -majority Ro hing ya p eop l e fl ee in g p ers ec u ti o n an d p o v ert y in M y an m ar an d Bang ladesh

It was unclear from where the boat had set off “We found dead bodies from August 7, ” said Min Htal Wah, chairperson of Shwe Yaung Metta Foundation, a rescue organisation based in t h e c o a s t a l R a k h i n e s t a t e o f Myanmar “Within three days, we found 17 bodies We found s o m e p e o p l e a l i v e , ” h e s a i d , a d d i n g t h a t 1 0 w o m e n w e r e among the dead

A Rohingya aid worker in

INDIAN ORIGIN JAILED FOR $1 5 MN IDENTITY THEFT SCHEME

A 41-year-old Indian-origin man has been sentenced to nearly four years in prison after pleading guilty to possessing false identity documents and operating an unlicensed money transfer business that led to $1 5 million in losses to victims Vimalkumar Trivedi of Plainfield Indiana was sentenced to 46 months in federal prison a statement said According to court documents from April 2017 through April 2021, Trivedi defrauded multiple victims, including some elderly individuals, into sending cash to various locations through courier services Trivedi and his co-conspirators in the US and India masqueraded as federal law enforcement agents and told the victims that their Social Security numbers had been found in connection with criminal activity The criminals stated that the victims would be arrested if they did not immediately withdraw large sums of cash and mail it to fictitious individuals,” it said

DEATH TOLL FROM MUDSLIDE IN CHINA RISES TO 21

M a u n g d a w t o w n s h i p o n t h e border with Bangladesh said the boat had departed in bad weather, and about 500 others were still hoping to cross to Malaysia N e a r l y o n e m i l l i o n R o h i n g y a people live in crowded condit i o n s i n B a n g l a d e s h , a m o n g them those who fled a deadly c r a c k d o w n i n 2 0 1 7 b y Myanmar’s military, which has d e n i e d c o m m i t t i n g c r i m e s against humanity

An untold number of them have died at sea from disease, h u n g e r a n d f a t i g u e a s t h e y attempt to reach Muslim-majority Malaysia and Indonesia in rickety boats

Pak military convoy escorting Chinese staff in Gwadar attacked

financing due to the legislation, despite the fact that it has broad domestic support The f i n a n c i n g t h r e a t s h a v e b e e n criticised by several officials as b e i n g i m p r o p e r T h e W o r l d B a n k s t a t e m e n t n o t e d t h a t despite the latest decision it remains "committed to helping all Ugandans - without exception - escape poverty, access v i t a l s e r v i c e s , a n d i m p r o v e their lives " The UN human r i g h t s o f f i c e h a s s a i d t h e Ugandan law is "draconian and discriminatory," describing it as "a recipe for systematic viol a t i o n s o f t h e r i g h t s ' ' o f

LGBTQ+ people and others

K A RA C HI / I S L AM A B A D: T w o terro ris ts were kill ed by Pakistani s ec u r i ty f o r c e s w h en th ey attac ked a military c onvo y carrying C hines e wo rkers in the port c it y o f Gw a d ar i n t h e r e s ti ve B a l o c h i s ta n p ro vin c e , o f f ic ia l s s aid Gwadar is o ne o f the f ocal p oints of the mu lti-bil lion Ch inaP akis tan Ec onomic Co rridor with m any C hinese wo rkers working at the po rt C hina is investing h ea v il y in m ine r a l - r ic h Balo ch istan under the CP EC

A c c o r d i n g t o t h e m i l i t a r y ’ s media wing Inter-Services Public Relations the terrorists attacked at 10 am, using small arms and hand grenades “However, due to the

efficient and swift response, two terrorists were sent to hell with no harm to any military or civil persons, ” the ISPR said It said the military expressed its resolve to “thwart efforts of the enemies of peace and prosperity in the country” There was no mention of the Chinese workers in the statement T h e B a l o c h L i b e r a t i o n A r m y Majeed Brigade, a militant group a c t i v e i n B a l o c h i s t a n , c l a i m e d responsibility for the attack The BLA and other militant groups say Pakistan exploits the province’s natural resources and have targete d C h i n e s e i n t e r e s t s i n r e c e n t years for supporting that

July was hottest month on record, experts make it official

BRU S S EL S : With all o f July's scorching d ata in, th e E urop ean agency fo r clim ate m onitoring d eclared it co nclusively: July 20 23 was by far the hottest m onth

o n record for Earth A ccording to the Co pernicus

C limate Chang e S ervice, a branch of the E urop ean

U nion's space project, July's worldw ide averag e temperature of 16 95°C w as 0 3°C high er than th e

p revious record set in 201 9 Normally global temp erature reco rd s are broken by hundredths or a tenth of a degree, so this marg in is unusual

“These records have dire consequences for both people and the planet exposed to ever more freq u e n t

T h e r e h a v e b e e n d e a d l y h e a t w a v e s i n t h e

Southwestern US and Mexico, Europe and Asia

Scientific studies put the blame on human-caused climate change from the burning of coal, oil and natural gas

From July 2 onwards, days have been warmer than previously seen Copernicus and the World Meteorological Organisation announced unusually early that it was likely the hottest month just days before it concluded due to the unusually warm weather In comparison to preindustrial periods, the month was 1 5°C warmer Last month was so hot, it was 7°C hotter than the average July from 1991 to 2020, Copernicus said

The death toll from a mudslide in China’s northwestern city of Xian has risen to 21 with six people still missing the city’s emergency management authority said on Sunday as China grapples with unusually high summer rainfall Stateowned China Central Television (CCTV) had earlier reported that mudslide left a total of 18 people dead or missing, with two confirmed casualties A video released by the official Xinhua news agency showed broken trees and rubble piling up along muddy roads in a village, with houses and infrastructure damaged or destroyed The mudslide destroyed two houses and cut power to 900 households, the authority said in a statement on its WeChat account

GLOBAL COVID CASES UP 80%

The number of new Covid-19 cases reported worldwide rose by 80% in the last month, the World Health Organization (WHO) said, days after designating a new “variant of interest ” The WHO declared in May that Covid is no longer a global health emergency, but has warned that the virus will continue to circulate and mutate causing occasional spikes in infections hospitalisations and deaths In its weekly update the UN agency said nations reported nearly 1 5 million new cases from July 10 to August 6 an 80% increase compared to the previous 28 days However, the number of deaths fell by 57% to 2,500 The WHO said the reported number of cases and deaths don t reflect the true numbers, as countries carry out far less testing and monitoring now

47 WEAPONS SEIZED FROM US JUDGE WHO SHOT WIFE DEAD

A Southern California judge accused of killing his wife texted his court clerk and bailiff admitting to the killing, prosecutors said as they charged him with murder and weapon possession The judge, Jeffrey Ferguson, 72, of Orange County Superior Court was arrested after police found his wife Sheryl Ferguson 65 dead from a gunshot wound inside the couple’s home Prosecutors charged Ferguson with murder personal discharge of a firearm causing great bodily injury and death Prosecutors also said 47 weapons, including the pistol, and more than 26,000 rounds of ammunition were found in a search of the home after the shooting

MAN SUSPECTED OF THREATENING BIDEN SHOT DEAD

An armed Utah man accused of making threats against President Biden was shot and killed by FBI agents hours before the president was expected to land in the state authorities said Special agents were trying to serve a warrant on the home of Craig Deleeuw Robertson in Provo when the shooting happened the FBI said Robertson was armed at the time of the shooting according to two law enforcement sources Robertson posted online that he had heard Biden was coming to Utah and he was planning to dig out a camouflage suit and clean the dust off the m24 sniper rifle , according to court documents In another post, he refered to himself as a “MAGA Trumper , a reference to ex-President Trump’s “Make America Great Again” slogan

IRAQ MEDIA BARRED FROM USING TERMS HOMOSEXUALITY, GENDER

Iraq’s official media regulator ordered all media and social media companies operating in the Arab state not to use the term “homosexuality” and instead to say “sexual deviance ” a government spokesperson said

The Iraqi Communications and Media Commission (CMC) document said that the use of the term gender” was also banned It prohibited all phone and internet companies licensed by it from using the terms in any of their mobile applications A government official later said that the decision still required final approval A government spokesperson said a penalty for violating the rule had not yet been set but could include a fine

KUWAIT, LEBANON BAN ‘BARBIE’ FILM

Barbie is set to open across West Asia, but moves by Kuwait and Lebanon to ban the film over its themes on gender and sexuality have raised questions over how widely it will be released Kuwait announced its ban, saying the film promotes “ideas and beliefs that are alien to the Kuwaiti society and public order”, without elaborating In Lebanon, culture minister Mohammad Mortada said the film was found to “contradict values of faith and morality” and “promote homosexuality and sexual transformation” In some parts of the Arab world, members of the LGBTQ+ community have been arrested and sentenced to prison

EMMYS AWARDS POSTPONED

The Emmy Awards have been postponed by almost four months, organisers said, as crippling strikes by Hollywood’s actors and writers drag on with no resolution in sight Television’s equivalent of the Oscars had been due to take place this September but will now be held in mid-January next year broadcaster Fox and the Television Academy wrote in a statement The last time the Emmys were delayed was in 2001 when it was postponed in the wake of the 9/11 attacks

ECUADOR PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE SHOT DEAD

An Ecuadorian presidential candidate known for speaking up against cartels and corruption was shot and killed at a political rally in the capital amid a startling wave of gang-driven violence in the South American country President Guillermo Lasso confirmed the assassination of Fernando Villavicencio and suggested organised crime was behind his slaying, less than two weeks before the August 20 presidential election Ecuador s attorney general’s office said that one suspect died in custody from wounds sustained in a firefight after the killing, and police detained six suspects following raids in Quito

Another Hindu temple vandalised in Canada with Khalistan posters

B R I T I S H C O L U M B I A : A Hin du temple in Can ada was v a n d a li s e d b y e x tr e mi s t e l eme nts w ith Khali stan refere ndum pos ters pas ted on its door last wee k, Aus tralia Today has r e po r t e d T h e i n ci d e n t ha pp e n e d i n B ri t i s h C o l um b i a provin ce in Can ada “ A n o t h e r # H i n d u t e m p l e v a n d a l i s e d i n # C a n a d a b y #Khalistan extremists – bogus #Khalistanreferendum posters put at door of @surreymandir to create fear among #Indian community,” Australia Today

posted on X, formerly known as Twitter The posters, shared b y A u s t r a l i a T o d a y , r e a d : “Canada investigates the role of India in June 18th assassination” The poster was referring to the killing of Khalistan Tiger

Force chief and designatedt e r r o r i s t H a r d e e p S i n g h Nijjar and also featured a picture of him The video of the incident - showing two m a s k e d m e n p a s t i n g t h e posters and taking photos before fleeing the scenehas also gone viral on social media This is not the first such a t t a c k o n H i n d u t e m p l e i n C a n a d a M u l t i p l e s u c h i n c idents have been carried out by t h e K h a l i s t a n i e x t r e m i s t s S e v e r a l i n c i d e n t s w e r e a l s o

r e c o r d e d t h i s y e a r i t s e l f I n A p r i l t h i s y e a r , B A P S S w a m i n a r a y a n t e m p l e w a s v a n d a l i s e d w i t h a n t i - I n d i a graffiti in Windsor in Canada’s Ontario Earlier in February, the Ram Mandir in Canada’s M i s s i s s a u g a w a s v a n d a l i s e d w i t h a n t i - I n d i a g r a f f i t i T h e Consulate General of India in Toronto had condemned the i n c i d e n t s a n d r e q u e s t e d Canadian authorities to investigate the incidents and take prompt action against the perpetrators

Indian jailed for over 15 years in US for ‘ringleader’ role in fraud scheme

N E W Y OR K : A 26 - yea r- o ld Ind ian national h as been sentenced to more than 15 years in prison in the US by a federal court for his role in lead ing a major fraud scheme that targ eted and th reatened elderly v ictim s across the cou ntry

M D A z a d , a “ U S - b a s e d ringleader” who worked with a c a l l c e n t r e i n I n d i a , p l e a d e d guilty in August last year to participating in a fraud ring from 2019-2020 which operated out of various US cities, US Attorney Alamdar Hamdani said

US District Judge Kenneth Hoyt ordered Azad to serve 188 months in federal prison Azad, an Indian citizen who illegally resided in Houston, is expected

to face removal proceedings following the prison term His fraud scheme targeted elderly victims throughout the U n i t e d S t a t e s a n d e l s e w h e r e who tricked and deceived vict i m s a n d i n s t r u c t e d t h e m t o send money via wire through money transmitter businesses, by buying gift cards and providing to the fraudsters or by mailing cash to fraudulent names via postal mail

Once the victims contacted the fraudsters, they were told various stories such as they were communicating with an expert that needed remote access to their computer in order to provide technical support services

T h e f r a u d s t e r s t h e n g a i n e d

Former SA president Zuma released on remission programme

P R E T O R I A : F or me r S o ut h

Afr ica n pr e sid e nt Ja cob Zu ma wa s a dm it te d t o t he Est cou rt C o r r e c t io n a l C e n t r e a n d re lea sed in less tha n two hour s T he C o r r e ct i o n a l S e r v i c e s n a t i o n a l co m m i ss io n e r s a id Zu ma 's r e le a se w a s p a rt o f a re mission progr amme aimin g t o add ress prison ove rcrowding

As pressure from the opposition mounted, authorities and correctional services defended t h e i r d e c i s i o n " T h e l a w h a s taken its course with regards to the former president Zuma The n a t i o n a l c o m m i s s i o n e r h a s taken a decision and that decision was not interfered with, neither did we meddle with it, t h e J u s t i c e a n d C o r r e c t i o n a l Services minister said

M i n i s t e r L a m o l a s a i d , t h e former leader immediately benefited from a remission of nonviolent offenders approved by P r e s i d e n t R a m a p h o s a U n d e r the remissions process, almost 9,500 inmates will be released from prison and placed under c o r r e c t i o n a l s u p e r v i s i o n , s a i d

Makhothi Thobakgale, correctional services commissioner

The decision to return Zuma to prison followed a Supreme Court of Appeal judgment that upheld a Gauteng High Court ruling that releasing him from jail on medical parole in 2021 was unlawful and unconstitutional However, the court left to

T h o b a k g a l e t h e d e c i s i o n o f whether Zuma should return to jail or have his time under medical parole considered as time served Zuma was jailed in 2021 for defying a Constitutional Court order to appear before a commission of inquiry investigating allegations of corruption during h i s t e n u r e a s p r e s i d e n t f r o m 2009 to 2018 He was released on medical parole two months into h i s 1 5 - m o n t h s e n t e n c e T h e n c o r r e c t i o n a l s e r v i c e s c o m m i ssioner Arthur Fraser, a known a l l y o f t h e f o r m e r p r e s i d e n t , a u t h o r i s e d Z u m a ’ s r e l e a s e o n medical parole The Jacob Zuma F o u n d a t i o n h a s a r g u e d t h a t Zuma served his sentence as he was under correctional supervision while on medical parole

access to victims’ personal data and bank and credit card information

Victims typically paid a fee to conspirators for the fake technical support but were later told t h e y w e r e d u e a r e f u n d

Through paying for “technical s u p p o r t ” o r t h r o u g h t h e “refund” process, the ring gained a c c e s s t o t h e v i c t i m ’ s b a n k account(s) and credit cards and m a n i p u l a t e d t h e a c c o u n t s t o make it appear the victim was paid too large a refund due to a typographical error

Victims were then instructed to reimburse the ring by various means Other Indian nationals involved in the conspiracy were named as Anirudha Kalkote, 26,

who pleaded guilty in relation to t h e c o n s p i r a c y , a s d i d S u m i t K u m a r S i n g h , 2 6 , H i m a n s h u Kumar, 26, and MD Hasib, 27 T h e y a l l r e s i d e d i l l e g a l l y i n Houston and are pending sentencing A l l f i v e i n d i v i d u a l s w i l l remain in custody V i c t i m s w e r e a l s o r e - v i ctimised multiple times and were threatened with bodily harm if t h e y d i d n o t p a y , a u t h o r i t i e s said In handing down the sentence, the court noted the many letters and victim impact statements it had read showing the financial devastation to elderly and vulnerable victims throughout the United States because of this fraud scheme

Hawaii wildfire toll touches 93, making it deadliest in US in 100 years

MA U I ( U S) : The dea th t oll fr om the Maui wildfir es in Hawa ii rea ched 93 , accor ding t o t he Ma ui county websit e, ma king it t he de adliest US wildfire in mor e than a cent ury, wit h t he tot al like ly t o r ise a s cad ave r d ogs sift thr ough the r uin s of Laha ina

The scale of the damage came into sharper focus four days after a fast-moving blaze levelled the historic resort town, obliterating buildings and melting cars The cost to rebuild Lahaina was estimated at $5 5 billion, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (Fema), with more than 2,200 structures damaged or destroyed and more than 2,100 acres burned

Hawaii Governor Josh Green warned that the death toll would continue to increase as more victims were discovered Dogs trained to detect bodies have covered only 3% of the search area, Maui county police chief John Pelletier said Officials vowed to examine the state’s emergency notification systems after some residents questioned whether more could have been done to warn them before the fire overtook their homes Some were forced to wade into the Pacific Ocean to escape Officials have secured 1,000 hotel rooms for people who lost their homes More than 1,400 people had been taken in at emergency shelters Sirens stationed around the island - intended to warn of impending natural disasters - never sounded, and widespread power and cellular outages hampered other forms of alerts

A Sikh graduates from US Marine Corps with turban, beard

WA S HING TO N: For th e first time, a S ikh M arine has g raduated from the elite U S M arine C orps recruit training w ithou t h av ing to sh av e h is h ead o r beard or relinquish the “ articles o f faith” that are consi dered sacred in Sikhism Private First C lass Jaskirat Singh , 21, g raduated on A ugust 11 after three m onths of training at M arine C o rp s R ec ru i t D ep o t S an Diego

Last year, a federal court of appeals granted a preliminary

injunction allowing Singh to begin training without having t o h a v e h i s h e a d a n d b e a r d shaved, which is customary for recruits when they first arrive at boot camp The order came nearly a year after Singh and t w o o t h e r S i k h s a l o n g w i t h J e w i s h a n d M u s l i m r e c r u i t s sued the marines seeking religious accommodations S i n g h i s l i k e l y t h e f i r s t e n l i s t e d m a r i n e t o g r a d u a t e while wearing articles of faith intrinsic to the Sikh tradition,

specifically a beard and turban, Military com quoted the Sikh C o a l i t i o n , w h i c h a l o n g w i t h advocates has helped him and over 50 Sikh Americans secure military accommodations for r e l i g i o u s w e a r A c c o r d i n g t o attorney Giselle Klapper with the Sikh Coalition, the army a n d a i r f o r c e a c c o m m o d a t e Sikh recruits while the navy offers more limited accommod a t i o n s “ M a r i n e s w e r e t h e most restrictive of the services,” she said

Govt proposes new mechanism to select CEC & ECs

The Centre introduc ed a bill in the R ajya Sabha proposi ng a new m e c h an i s m t o s e le c t t he c hi e f elec tion c om mis sioner (CEC) and e le ct ion c omm i s si on ers ( EC s)r e p la c i n g t h e C h i e f J u s t i c e of I n di a i n t h e t h re e - m e m b e r s el e c t i o n pa n e l w i t h a U n i on C abinet m ini ster - i n effec t giving the governm ent a deci sive say in appointme nts to the poll b ody

T h e b i l l a l s o s e e k s t o d o w n g r a d e t h e s t a t u s a n d standing of the CEC and two ECs from that equivalent to a Supreme Court judge to that of the Cabinet secretary, as Section 10(1) of the b i l l d e a l i n g w i t h t h e s a l a r y , allowances and other conditions o f s e r v i c e s t a t e s A n e x p e r t familiar with the matter said that if the bill is enacted, the ECI’s

powers to summon the Cabinet s e c r e t a r y a n d s e c r e t a r i e s f o r election-related discussions will be curtailed and their rank in the o r d e r o f p r e c e d e n c e w i l l f a l l lower than even junior ministers

An election law expert said the s t a t u s d o w n g r a d e f o r t h e E C I d o e s n ’ t s i t w e l l w i t h t h e constitutional arrangement that g i v e s t h e p o l l b o d y u n f e t t e r e d p o w e r s u n d e r A r t i c l e 3 2 4 w i t h respect to conduct of elections and accords it an elevated status by providing for removal of the

C E C o n l y t h r o u g h a n i m p e a c h m e n t m o t i o n i n Parliament

B y p r o p o s i n g a s e l e c t i o n committee comprising the PM, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and a cabinet minister

(nominated by the PM) to pick t h e t h r e e E C I m e m b e r s , t h e C e n t r e h a s d e v i a t e d f r o m t h e a r r a n g e m e n t p r o p o s e d b y t h e apex court a few months ago to have the PM, the LoP and the CJI on the panel However, the SC had said this arrangement was valid till Parliament enacted a law in this regard

According to the bill, a search c o m m i t t e e c o m p r i s i n g t h e cabinet secretary and two other s e c r e t a r y - l e v e l o f f i c e r s w i l l shortlist five names to be put up b e f o r e t h e s e l e c t i o n p a n e l f o r appointment as members of the p o l l b o d y S i n c e t h e C a b i n e t s e c r e t a r y a n d p o s s i b l y h o m e secretary and legislative affairs s e c r e t a r y w i l l b e s h o r t l i s t i n g names for appointment as CEC

Modi takes jibe at oppn bloc, calls for corruption-free India

On the 81st anniv ersary of the Quit Ind ia mov em ent, P r i m e M i ni s te r Nar en d ra M o d i l au nc h e d a new o n sl au g h t o n th e o pposition In a tribute to th e Qu it Indi a Mo vem ent p a rti c i p an ts , th e p ri m e m inister called for an India free o f d ynastic po litics and corru ption

“Today, India is saying i n o n e v o i c e : C o r r u p t i o n Q u i t I n d i a D y n a s t y Q u i t I n d i a A p p e a s e m e n t Q u i t India," he wrote Quit India Movement, also known as t h e “ B h a r a t C h o d o Andolan”, was launched by Mahatma Gandhi on August 9, 1942 I n t h e m e a n t i m e , t h e BJP said that it will start the " Q u i t I n d i a " c a m p a i g n a g a i n s t t h e o p p o s i t i o n group and stage a protest

l a t e r i n t h e d a y P r i m e Minister Modi had, while s p e a k i n g a f t e r l a y i n g t h e f o u n d a t i o n s t o n e f o r t h e r e d e v e l o p m e n t o f 5 0 8 railway stations in 27 states a n d U T s v i a v i d e o c o n f e r e n c i n g , s t r o n g l y c r i t i c i s e d " c o r r u p t i o n , d y n a s t y r u l e a n d a p p e a s e m e n t " s t a t i n g t h a t the whole country is rooting for these "evil forces to quit

Narendra Modi

India" T h e P r i m e M i n i s t e r declared that August 9 was "the day that the historic ' Q u i t I n d i a ' s t a r t e d M a h a t m a G a n d h i h a d provided the slogan, and the Q u i t I n d i a M o v e m e n t inspired by this gave new life to India's efforts to gain its freedom Today, the entire n a t i o n i s s h o u t i n g , " F o r every evil, quit India "

Govt brings in bills to replace colonial era laws like IPC, CrPC

The government last week moved three bills in the Lok Sabha to replace coloniale ra c od e s , wi t h t he ob j e c t i ve of s p ee d i ng up t ri a ls b y la y i n g d ow n specific timelines, boosting r at e s o f c on vi c t i on b y i m pr ov i n g t he q u al i t y of evidence and ens uring its integrity and by providing r el i e f a n d pr ot e c ti on to victims

The new codes, written in simple language, also aim t o p r o t e c t w o m e n a n d c h i l d r e n , d e - c o n g e s t p r i s o n s b y r e l e a s i n g convicts who have served half their sentences, define terrorism and mob lynching a s n e w o f f e n c e s a n d f i x a c c o u n t a b i l i t y o f p o l i c e personnel for arrests Time bound trials, introduction of summary trials for petty c r i m e s a s w e l l a s c o m m u n i t y s e r v i c e , provision for recording the s t a t e m e n t o f a v i c t i m o f sexual violence at her house by a woman magistrate are a m o n g h i g h l i g h t s o f t h e bills

I n t r o d u c i n g t h e

B h a r a t i y a N y a y a S a n h i t a , 2 0 2 3 , B h a r a t i y a N a g a r i k

Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 and Bharatiya Sakshya Bill, 2023 that will replace the Indian Penal Code, the Criminal P r o c e d u r e C o d e a n d t h e I n d i a n E v i d e n c e A c t respectively, home minister Amit Shah said the move marks a paradigm shift to ensure speedy justice

T h e t h r e e b i l l s a r e a i m e d a t s i m p l i f y i n g complex procedures of IPC, CrPC and Indian Evidence Act, which led to a large number of pending cases in courts, low conviction rate, d e p r i v a t i o n o f p o o r a n d s o c i o e c o n o m i c a l l y backward communities in g e t t i n g j u s t i c e a n d overcrowding in jails due to large number of undertrial prisoners,” Shah said

“The colonial era laws were meant to protect the s t a t e a n d p u n i s h i t s s u b j e c t s , w h i l e t h e p r o p o s e d c h a n g e s a r e meant for deterrence and e n s u r i n g j u s t i c e t o a victim,” the home minister said “Justice delivery will be

c e n t r a l t o t h e n e w l e g a l a r c h i t e c t u r e , ” h e a d d e d , detailing the wide ranging consultations held with SC and HC judges, serving and former police chiefs, state governments and UTs U n d e r t h e p r o p o s e d laws, chargesheets will have to be filed within 90 days, any extension beyond this, subject to a maximum of a n o t h e r 9 0 d a y s , c a n b e granted only by the court A f t e r t h e c o n c l u s i o n o f arguments, the judge will h a v e 3 0 d a y s t o g i v e h i s verdict The timeline can be e x t e n d e d f o r a n o t h e r 3 0 d a y s f o r s p e c i f i c r e a s o n s w h i c h w i l l h a v e t o b e

recorded

A m a x i m u m o f t w o adjournments can be given and that too not without hearing the other side and r e c o r d i n g t h e s p e c i f i c reasons

F i r s t - t i m e o f f e n d e r s , except those sentenced to d e a t h o r s e r v i n g l i f e i m p r i s o n m e n t , w h o h a v e s e r v e d o n e - t h i r d o f t h e i r

i m p r i s o n m e n t , w i l l b e entitled to seek bail

a n d t h e t w o e l e c t i o n c o m m i s s i o n e r s , t h e E C I ’ s t r a d i t i o n o f c a l l i n g t h e m t o N i r v a c h a n S a d a n t o d i s c u s s election-related matters may be a f f e c t e d “ O b v i o u s l y , E C members will not command the same respect, as comes with the status of an SC judge, from the very bureaucrats who have picked t h e m , i n c l u d i n g o n e w i t h a n equal standing,” a legal expert said T h e f a l l i n t h e ‘ O r d e r o f Precedence’ from ninth to 11th position will not only affect the s e a t i n g o r d e r o f t h e C E C a n d election commissioners in state f u n c t i o n s a n d c e r e m o n i e s , b u t m a y t a k e a w a y t h e ‘ Z ’ l e v e l security they get by virtue of their equal status with SC judges The

bill, however, states the change in s e r v i c e c o n d i t i o n s , i n c l u d i n g salary, shall not apply in the case o f t h e i n c u m b e n t C E C a n d election commissioners

A former EC official said the downgraded status proposed in t h e b i l l w a s c o n t r a r y t o t h e standing enjoyed by members of election management bodies in countries like Brazil, Colombia and Mexico where they are mostly apex court judges with powers to decide election review petitions

T h e E C I h o l d s n o t o n l y parliamentary and assembly polls b u t a l s o R a j y a S a b h a a n d P r e s i d e n t i a l e l e c t i o n s L e g a l experts fear that the proposed s t a t u s d o w n g r a d e f o r t h e p o l l body may erode its standing both at home and abroad

Another woman reports gang rape in Manipur on May 3

A 3 7- y e a r -o l d m o t he r holding her two minor sons an d flee in g a mob that had burn ed down their house in M a n ip ur on Ma y 3 w a s wayl aid b y a group of men, pinned down an d al le gedly sexual ly assaulted, she said in a Z e r o FI R r e g is t e r e d on August 9, more than three months after t he crime

The survivor, who said she didn't report the assault until now for fear of social ostracism and to spare her family unwanted attention, d e c i d e d t o a p p r o a c h B i s h n u p u r ' s w o m e n p o l i c e station when she could no longer bear the “trauma and suffering I went through for no fault of mine”

“ A d e q u a t e p u n i s h m e n t should be given to the gang of those culprits for sexually a s s a u l t i n g , a b u s i n g a n d physically assaulting me in the most horrific manner, the FIR quotes her as saying T h e w o m a n c h o s e t o withhold her identity along with that of her husband The FIR mentions a name w i t h t h e w o r d s “ n a m e changed” at the bottom

The case, which has since b e e n t r a n s f e r r e d t o C h u r a c h a n d p u r w o m e n p o l i c e s t a t i o n f o r jurisdictional reasons, adds t o t h e m o u n t a i n o f F I R s pertaining to killings, arson, clashes and mob crimes since Manipur erupted in a frenzy

of ethnic violence on May 3

T h e S u p r e m e C o u r t h a s referred to the CBI 11 cases of “ h e i n o u s ” c r i m e s a g a i n s t women P o l i c e h a v e s l a p p e d charges of “ gang rape, assault or criminal force against a w o m a n w i t h i n t e n t t o o u t r a g e h e r m o d e s t y , a n d c r i m i n a l c o n s p i r a c y w i t h common intention" against t h e u n i d e n t i f i e d m e n O n May 3, around 6 30 pm, the survivor recalls running from rioters who were torching h o u s e s i n h e r l o c a l i t y , including hers Carrying her little niece on her back and holding her two sons by the hand, she tried to scamper to safety along with her sisteri n - l a w , w h o h a d a n o t h e r infant on her back

“I stumbled and fell on the road after running about half a km from my place Seeing me unable to get up, my sister in-law came back r u n n i n g t o w a r d s m e S h e picked up my niece from my back and, at my insistence,

D i st ri ct j u d g e A j ay K r is h na V is h v e sh a warned of po tential legal consequences if new s related to th e surv ey of the Gyanvapi mo sque in Varanasi is published w ithou t proper informatio n from the Arch aeolo gical Survey of India (A SI), the plaintiffs, and the defendants inv olved J u d g e V i s h v e s h a , a d d r e s s i n g a n a p p l i c a t i o n b y t h e G y a n v a p i m o s q u e m a n a g e m e n t c o m m i t t e e , A n j u m a n Intezamia Masajid (AIM), also declared that A S I o f f i c i a l s , a l o n g w i t h p l a i n t i f f s , d e f e n d a n t s , a n d t h e i r r e s p e c t i v e l e g a l representatives, are not authorised to share or comment on any information regarding the survey, underscoring the sensitivity of the court-mandated exercise The judge directed that ASI officials

took my two sons along,” she says in the FIR By the t i m e s h e m a n a g e d t o g e t back on her feet, five to six men got hold of her and a l l e g e d l y s t a r t e d a b u s i n g and assaulting her “Despite m y r e s i s t a n c e , t h e m e n started sexually assaulting me in a violent manner," she recounts in the complaint

“There was no help from a n y b o d y d e s p i t e m y cries And then some more miscreants joined the group I lost consciousness When I r e g a i n e d c o n s c i o u s n e s s , I f o u n d m y s e l f i n a h o u s e s u r r o u n d e d b y s o m e p e o p l e " A c c o r d i n g t o t h e F I R , t h e s u r v i v o r s h e a l t h d e t e r i o r a t e d a f t e r t h e a l l e g e d s e x u a l a s s a u l t , prompting her to visit the R e g i o n a l I n s t i t u t e o f Medical Sciences in Imphal f o r a c h e c k - u p B u t s h e returned without seeing a d o c t o r a s s h e w a s admittedly “ very depressed” a n d “ u n a b l e t o e x p r e s s herself”

should exclusively present their report to the court, refraining from divulging any details to print, electronic, or social media The c o u r t o r d e r e m p h a s i s e d t h a t s h a r i n g information on the ASI survey is “neither relevant nor legal” “ I f p r i n t , s o c i a l a n d e l e c t r o n i c m e d i a wrongly run news about the survey without any formal information being given by the ASI, plaintiffs or defendants, necessary action as per law could be taken against them,” the judge said The court also extended its order to include the district government counsel (civil) and other officials, prohibiting them f r o m s h a r i n g i n f o r m a t i o n a b o u t t h e A S I survey with the media This measure aims to ensure that the survey ’ s report is presented solely before the court

Gyanvapi survey report not to be made public, only for the court’s eyes

No question of Brexit-like referendum on Jammu and Kashmir : SC

T he Supreme Co urt firm ly stated th at there is no qu estion of a " referendum " relating to Jammu and Kashmir j o i ni n g o r ap p ly i ng th e entire C onstitution th roug h the annulm ent o f Article 3 70 to end the state's 70 -year sp ecial statu s and its d ivis i o n in to t w o U n io n T e rri t o ri es o n A u g u s t 5 , 20 19 L e a d e r o f t h e J & K National Conference Mohd A k b a r L o n e m a d e a n attempt to use a "referendum" to support his claim that the will of the J&K popu l a c e w a s n o t t a k e n i n t o a c c o u n t b e f o r e n e u t e r i n g A r t i c l e 3 7 0 , w h i c h h a d g a i n e d p e r m a n e n t s t a t u s

following the dissolution of t h e J & K C o n s t i t u e n t Assembly (CA) in 1957

L o n e ’ s c o u n s e l K a p i l Sibal read out the speech given in the J&K CA by then c h i e f m i n i s t e r S h e i k h Abdullah “The constitution of the Indian Union, therefore, clearly envisaged the convening of a Constituent Assembly for the J&K state,

which would be, finally competent to determ i n e t h e u l t i m a t e position of the state in respect of the sphere of its accession which would be incorporated as permanent prov i s i o n o f t h e C o n s t i t u t i o n , " S i b a l said quoting Abdullah

While other states were q u a s i - f e d e r a l i n n a t u r e , Sibal claimed that J&K was truly federal because it had r e s i d u a l p o w e r s w i t h t h e s t a t e a s s e m b l y a n d a l s o enjoyed a special status even u n d e r t h e I n d i a n C o n s t i t u t i o n S i b a l m a d e reference to repeated references in the J&K CA debates

Rajasthan to raise OBC quota from 21% to 27%, says CM Gehlot

Rajasthan C M Ash ok Gehlo t s aid th at th e state wo u ld i n cr eas e OB C res e rv at i o n from 21% to 27%, with th e extra 6% going to th e m ost d isad vantag ed people within the category If and w hen t h e ad j u s tm e nt i s i m p l em ented, Rajasth an's entire r es er v ati o n r ate w i l l increase from 64% to 70%

G e h l o t m a d e t h e a n n o u n c e m e n t w h i l e addressing a crowd during a rally for Congressman Rahul Gandhi at Mangarh Dham,

close to Banswara He later tweeted about the proposal i n d e t a i l T a k i n g t h e c u e from Rahul, the CM said, "You (Rahul) said just now that there should be a castebased census in the country I t i s a m e s s a g e f o r t h e nation We would want such a c e n s u s t o b e d o n e i n R a j a s t h a n a s w e l l P e o p l e will get their rights based on caste (population) " Gehlot tweeted that the state OBC commission would carry out a survey to identify

t h e m o s t b a c k w a r d g r o u p s w i t h i n t h e O B C c a t e g o r y “ T h i s will provide the most backward castes more opportunities for education and service in the government sector " T h e C M s t a t e d t h a t n u m e r o u s S C - S T o r g a n i s ations had demanded population-based reservations "The g o v e r n m e n t i s g e t t i n g t h i s demand also examined," he s a i d , a d d i n g t h a t t h e R a j a s t h a n g o v e r n m e n t h a s

More than 100 houses near Krishna Janmasthan demolished

to the "will of people of J&K" in determining the state's r e l a t i o n s w i t h r e s p e c t t o India

When he moved to draw an analogy with the Brexit r e f e r e n d u m o n U K ' s e x i t from the European Union, a bench of Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul, Sanjiv K h a n n a , B R G a v a i a n d Surya Kant could brook no more arguments on linking of the Kashmir issue to a referendum and said, “In our e s t a b l i s h e d c o n s t i t u t i o n a l democracy, any recourse to the will of the people has to be expressed and sought in terms of established institutions ”

L o ca l ad m i ni s tra ti o n, rai l w ay o ff i c ia ls a nd a larg e num ber of poli ce personnel reach ed areas reg ard ed a s “ se ns i ti v e ” ne ar th e S h ri Kr i sh n a Janmasthan in M athura early in th e m orning and st art ed d em o li s h in g o v er 100 homes in th e Nai Basti neighbourhood , wh ich h as a p red o m i nat el y m i n o ri ty population and was alleg edly " i ll eg a ll y d ev e lo p ed o n gov ernm ent land " A l t h o u g h r e s i d e n t s received notices, the matter was brought before the civil court, and the next hearing is set for August 21 Despite the fact that the case is still pending, locals reported that the demolition work continued all day Over 135 houses h a v e b e e n d e s i g n a t e d f o r demolition R a j e s h K u m a r S a i n i , lawyer for the affected famil i e s , s a i d , “ A f t e r g e t t i n g notices from the railways, we had filed a petition in the civil court (senior division) in Mathura Thereafter, the

court issued a notice to the railways seeking a response on the matters raised by us Last month, the authorities s o u g h t a d d i t i o n a l t i m e t o file a response, which has not happened so far Despite the matter being subjudice, the demolition is being carried out illegally ” D i v i s i o n a l w o r k e n g ineer of railways, Nitin Garg, disagreed “Structures illegally constructed on railway land are being removed foll o w i n g d u e p r o c e s s T h e land is required to transform the line from Mathura to V r i n d a v a n f r o m n a r r o w gauge to broad gauge ” T h e S h r i K r i s h n a Janmasthan is adjacent to the Shahi Idgah mosque, the ownership of which is being challenged legally

removed the requirement of immovable property for the 10% quota allocated to the EWS group Former deputy CM Sachin Pilot, who was a l s o p r r e s e n t a t t h e r a l l y , spoke of Congress aiming to r e p l i c a t e K a r n a t a k a a t t h e Centre in 2024

Now, deep cracks appear in several Pauri Garhwal houses

D eep cr acks have been disc over ed in several hom es in D a d a m a nd a l a r e a o f Y amke shwar block in Paur i G a r hw al d is tr i c t f ol l o wi ng nonst op rain on August 10 a f te r s o il s ub s i de n c e in Joshimath and ot her r egions o f Ut t a r ak h an d T he l oc a l governme nt is being aske d t o r elocate the villagers b ecause t hey are afraid to s tay in their homes

District disaster management officer (Pauri Garhwal), DC Kala said, “We received r e p o r t s o f s u b s i d e n c e a n d r a i n - i n d u c e d d a m a g e i n

Yamkeshwar In all, 40 fami-

4 Gujarati pilgrims killed in Rudraprayag landslide

A landslid e a t Rudra pra yag in Uttar akh and kille d fi ve p i l g r i ms , i nc l u d i n g f ou r from Guja rat T hei r ca r was engulf ed by fa lling de br is a t T a r sa l i n e a r Ch o w ki Pha ta i n Ru dra pray ag distri ct

lies were affected, of which 32 were shifted to safer places in and around the village ”

A senior official, privy to the details, added, “Affected villages include Timli Akara, D e v r a n a a n d K a s a a n

Authorities received reports of subsidence and cracks in

h o u s e s a n d r o a d s f r o m m a i n l y t h e s e places ”

O n e h o u s e i s f u l l y d a m a g e d a n d several others along w i t h a g r i c u l t u r a l fields have developed cracks, said a report o f t h e d i s t r i c t ’ s D i s a s t e r E m e r g e n c y Operation Centre

“The verandah in front of my house caved in There are wide cracks on the walls of m y h o u s e T h i s h a p p e n e d after heavy rain for nearly 48 hours since August 9, ” said M a y a D e v i , a r e s i d e n t o f

Pawar rules out joining hands with BJP at any stage

S harad Pawar, the lead er of th e NCP, reaffirmed that his group will "nev er" sup port the BJP A few minutes after h e shared th e d ais with Maharashtra deputy C M Devendra F adnavis at the dedication of a statue of late P easants and Wo rkers Party leader, the late Ganpatrao Deshumkh, P awar told reporters at Sang ola in the S olapur d istrict, "BJP's id eo log y d oes not suit us "

“Some of us (Ajit Pawar's NCP group) have taken a different stand Some of our well-wishers are trying to see if there can be any change in our stand That is why they are trying to have a cordial discussion with us, ” Pawar was quoted by the media as saying without taking names

When questioned about the confusion that his secret meeting with his nephew Ajit Pawar, who has joined the Shinde-Fadnavis g o v e r n m e n t i n M a h a r a s h t r a , h a s c a u s e d

among NCP s grassroots supporters, Pawar emphasised that the meeting with Ajit was not top-secret “Ajit Pawar is my nephew and in the Pawar family, I am a father figure now The meeting between me and someone from my family should not be an issue ” He said there wasn’t any confusion at the grassroots level either “Whenever there arises a situation of voting (on the floor of the state assembly), we (NCP) will take an appropriate decision ”

In Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Fadnavis said he was unaware of the “secret” meeting between Pawars “I don’t have any information I don’t know if any such meeting took place, or what transpired during the meeting if it did take place I don’t have a clue about the venue of the meeting or how long it lasted,” he said, brushing aside media queries on the matter

Dharkot in Yamkeshwar

Over a dozen homes in the Pagnao village, which is 25 miles from Joshimath, are under danger due to a lands l i p R e c u r r i n g l a n d s l i d e s and roadblocks have been b r o u g h t o n b y t h e s t a t e ' s recent incessant rain Over 200 roads, including numerous state highways, experie n c e d t r a f f i c c o n g e s t i o n R e g i o n a l m e t e o r o l o g i c a l c e n t r e d i r e c t o r B i k r a m S i n g h s a i d , “ T h e c u r r e n t spell of heavy rainfall will continue on Monday It will start weakening only after August 15

The victims have been identified as Kushal Suthar (35), a resident of Ghodasar; Jigar Modi (37), who lived at Bhaduat Nagar in Isanpur;

M a h e s h D e s a i ( 3 4 ) , f r o m G h o d a s a r , a n d D i v y e s h P a r i k h , a r e s i d e n t o f M a h e m d a v a d T h e f o u r friends were en route to Haridwar from Kedarnath as part of their Char Dham Yatra on August 7 Harshad Patel, a social worker, said the group had f i r s t d r i v e n t o H a r i d w a r a n d l e f t t h e i r c a r t h e r e From Haridwar, they had hired a vehicle driven by a local person to continue their journey to Kedarnath

A l l f o u r w e r e a s s o c i a t e d w i t h t o u r s a n d t r a v e l s agency The tragedy took place as approximately 60m of t h e K e d a r n a t h h i g h w a y collapsed in a landslide in t h e T a r s a l i a r e a T h e i r vehicle was caught in the landslide and was only discovered the following day The authorities learned of the tragedy almost seven hours after the landslide, after which recovery operations began O n l e a r n i n g o f t h e tragedy, the victims’ families sought assistance from Amul Bhatt, the BJP MLA f r o m M a n i n a g a r B h a t t promptly conveyed information about the incident to Harsh Sanghvi, the state h o m e m i n i s t e r , a n d t h e chief minister The government is arranging for the r e t u r n o f t h e i r m o r t a l remains to Gujarat

Kejriwal, Singh plead not guilty in defamation case

Delhi chief m ini ster Arvind Kejriw al a nd

A a m A a d m i P a rt y ’ s ( A AP ) R aj y a S a b h a mem ber San jay Si ngh pleaded not guilty bef ore a metropolitan court in Ahmedab ad last week i n the c rimin al defama ti on cas e filed by G uj arat Uni versity for their allegedly derogatory and sa rc astic re marks over PM N arendra M odi ’ s degree

Kejriwal pleaded not guilty in a case of defamation for the first time as he has apologised to many political leaders who had in the past either sued him for his alleged defamatory remarks or threatened to file a complaint He has in the past apologised to SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia, BJP leaders Nitin Gadkari and Arun Jaitley and former Congress leader Kapil Sibal’s son, Amit Sibal

The metropolitan court recorded pleas of both the leaders in their absence through their lawyers after the high court, earlier, refused to stay the proceedings on petitions filed by them Earlier, the politicians had

c h a l l e n g e d i n t h e s e s s i o n ’ s c o u r t t h e metropolitan court’s order of taking cognizance of GU’s defamation plaint and issuing them summons When the sessions court refused to stay or adjourn the case, they went to the high court which refused to grant them interim stay

R e m i n d i n g K e j r i w a l a n d S i n g h ’ s lawyers about Delhi floods being cited as r e a s o n f o r a v o i d i n g c o u r t a p p e a r a n c e , Justice Samir Dave of the high court, said, “Delhi is fine now When are you going to appear?” When the lawyer argued that the insistence on a constitutional functionary’s presence in the court in summons case is exceptional, the judge questioned, “So does it mean that they should not go to court ever? Exemption may be granted, but to what extent?”While refusing interim stay on the defamation case, the HC issued notice to the university and the state government and posted further hearing on August 29

Ashok Gehlot

TN minister flays governor's statement on NEET removal HC to take up suo motu acquittal of TN minister

C H E N N A I : T a m i l N ad u H eal th

M ini ster M a Su bram anian c ri tici sed go vernor R N Ravi's statem ent ov er the state's anti-NE ET bill, saying he has nothing d o with it anym ore since it has be en s ent fo r P re si d e nti al as s en t Subramanian was resp ond ing to Rav i's earlier statem ent that he wo uld never g i v e c le ara nc e to th e T am il N ad u

A s s em b ly ad o p ted b il l ag a i ns t t h e National Entrance-cum -E ligibility Test (NEET)

He recalled that the state Assembly h a d r e - a d o p t e d t h e b i l l , s e e k i n g exemption for Tamil Nadu from the NEET's ambit after Ravi returned it earlier "Left with no other option (this time), the Governor had sent the bill to the President His job is over with that He has got nothing to do with NEET (bill) There is no need for his consent a s w e l l , " t h e m i n i s t e r s a i d i n a statement

If the President is satisfied and g i v e s a s s e n t t o t h e b i l l , o n l y t h a t information of the approval will be s h a r e d w i t h t h e G o v e r n o r , Subramanian said

In such a situation, his remarks against the anti-NEET bill amounted to "fishing in troubled waters," he said

A governor should ideally support

C H A N D I G A R H : H a ry an a s d ev el o p m en t a nd p an c h ay a t minister Devender S ingh Babli said that strict actio n will be taken against gram panchayats si gning reso lu ti ons to 'boycott' m em b er s o f Mu s l i ms co mmunity from entering th eir v i lla ge s “ I a m a wa re o f th i s i s s u e At a fe w p l ac es , s o m e p eo p le p a s se d th e s e k i n d o f re so lu tio ns Bu t I h ave given clear instructions to the district a dmini stra tio ns to tak e s tric t action against peop le indu lging in su ch acti vities,” Babli said M e a n h i l e , K u l b h u s h a n B h a r d w a j , a l a w y e r w h o w a s b o o k e d f o r h a t e s p e e c h a t a panchayat in Gurgaon’s Tigra

KARNATAKA DEPUTY CM THROWS A CHALLENGE

t h e w e l f a r e i n i t i a t i v e s o f t h e s t a t e government and the DMK regime's stand against the NEET was reflective o f t h e p u b l i c s e n t i m e n t D M K p r e s i d e n t a n d C h i e f M i n i s t e r M K Stalin had made an electoral assurance in 2021 to do away with the central qualifying test, if voted to power in the elections then, he said

In his interaction with top NEET scorers in UG-2023, held as part of the 'Dare to Think Series', Ravi had said achievements without NEET were not enough for the future The qualifying test is here to stay, he had asserted

"Look, I will be the last man to give clearance; never, ever I do not want my children to feel intellectually disabled I want our children to compete and be t h e b e s t T h e y h a v e p r o v e d i t , h e added

village on August 6 and one of the organisers of another such m e e t i n P a l w a l d a r e d t h e administration to lodge a second FIR against him and exhorted youths to take out another Brij M a n d a l J a l a b h i s h e k Y a t r a o n August 28, “ come what may ” P a n c h a y a t m i n i s t e r B a b l i s a i d t h a t i n s t r u c t i o n s w e r e issued by some panchayats to boycott the minorities in the wake of communal clashes in Nuh on July 31 Vikas Yadav, the sarpanch of Sehatpur village in Ateli block of Rewari district, said, “Out of 43 panchayats of Ateli block, 30-35 panchayats have signed similar resolutions T h e r e w a s i m m e n s e

CH EN NA I: In an extraordinary move, the M adras high c ourt ha s d e c ide d t o d o a “ s u o m o tu r e vi s io n ” of t he a c q ui t ta l of T a m il Na d u higher educ ation m iniste r K Ponm udyand his wife in a dis propor tionate ass ets ca se by a court in Vel lor e on June 28 Jus tice N Anand Venkat esh has invoked Sect ion 397 of Cr PC and dec ided to hear t he s uo motu revision Section 39 7 em power s the high c ourt/judge to cal l for and exam ine the r ecord of any proc eeding before any subordinate crim inal c ourt within its /his juris dic tion for sat is fying its elf/ hims elf as to the correctnes s, legal ity or propriety of any finding, s entence or order pas sed by that s ub ordinate court

The judge remarked that the court felt some i n j u s t i c e h a d b e e n d o n e , n e c e s s i t a t i n g s u o m o t u revision of the Vellore court order He then directed the registry to list the case before his court The case a g a i n s t P o n m u d y a n d h i s w i f e P V i s a l a k s h i w a s registered in 2002, immediately after the AIADMK returned to office, saying the couple had amassed £140,000 disproportionate to the known sources of the minister’s income

The prosecution charged Ponmudy with gathering illegal assets during his tenure as minister in the DMK cabinet between 1996 and 2001 Two cases pending before courts in Villupuram district were shifted to the Vellore court in 2022, where the trial continued from November 2022

resentment among people of our villages; we did not want a n y c o n f r o n t a t i o n o r d i s r u p t i o n o f c o m m u n a l harmony ”

“Our main aim behind signing these resolutions is that outsiders who come and do business or stay in our villages should be verified There could be some antis o c i a l e l e m e n t s a m o n g t h e m w h o c r e a t e l a w a n d o r d e r disruption Otherwise, there are four-five villages in Ateli block t h a t a r e d o m i n a t e d b y t h e Muslim community and they have been staying here for the last 40-50 years Nobody has any p r o b l e m w i t h t h e m B u t o u r

main issue is with street vendors a n d i n c r e a s e d i n c i d e n t s o f animal thefts, which is why we signed such resolutions Until the atmosphere in Nuh does not g e t b a c k t o n o r m a l , w e a r e a v o i d i n g e n t r y o f a n y s u c h persons in our villages to avoid any confrontation,” he said

BJP chief Nadda calls for team approach to build party in Bengal

K O L K A T A : BJ P na ti o nal p resident J P Nad da d uring his t w o - d ay v i si t to B en g al h as s p o ke n ex ten si v el y a bo u t t he n ee d fo r a te am ap p r o ac h i n st ead o f an i n d i v i d u al is ti c o utlook to ach iev e the objective o f a stronger party organisation in th e state

The message from Nadda, s o u r c e s s a i d , w a s a i m e d a t Suvendu Adhikari, leader of the o p p o s i t i o n i n t h e B e n g a l Assembly "Main isharon meinhi bol raha hoon (I am talking in a l l u s i o n s ) , " a s o u r c e q u o t e d Nadda, who apparently made t h i s c o m m e n t a t t h e c o r e committee meeting held at a hotel in Kolkata

A s A d h i k a r i w a s conspicuous by his absence at t h e m e e t i n g , s e v e r a l B J P i n s i d e r s s a i d N a d d a w a s r e f e r r i n g t o t h e N a n d i g r a m MLA, undoubtedly the face of the party in the state, in his a d d r e s s " A s a n a t i o n a l

president, I have to organise h u n d r e d s o f p r o g r a m m e s And we need at least 500 people t o o r g a n i s e t h e m C a n I d o everything?" the BJP president r e p o r t e d l y a s k e d d u r i n g t h e m e e t i n g a t t e n d e d b y s e n i o r state party leaders The crux of his message, s o u r c e s s a i d , w a s t h a t t h e

Bengal BJP has to work as a team to achieve the objective of a stronger party organisation in t h e s t a t e B e i n g a b o r d e r i n g state with a significant minority population, Bengal is a high-

priority state for the BJP

A n a l y s i s o f r e c e n t electoral failures, a source said, has indicated that the p a r t y ' s p e r f o r m a n c e i n Bengal did not meet the c e n t r a l l e a d e r s ' e x p e c t a t i o n s p r i m a r i l y because of the lack of a u n i t e d a p p r o a c h i n t h e s t a t e l e a d e r s h i p " I n d i v i d u a l i s t i c a p p r o a c h (in the state unit) has been a p r o b l e m f o r u s , " N a d d a apparently said at the meeting W h i l e i t i s t r u e t h e B J P central leadership has pinned i t s h o p e s o n A d h i k a r i w h o m a n a g e d t o d e f e a t M a m a t a

from Nandigram in the 2021 Assembly polls, they are also a w a r e o f h i s " o v e r b e a r i n g a p p r o a c h " t h a t h a s o f t e n antagonised other party leaders in the state, a source said " H e i s t h e l e a d e r o f t h e

Opposition in the Assembly

But he wants to have a say in

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar said he would retire from politics if it is proved that he has taken commission (bribe) Hitting out at former chief minister Basavaraj Bommai and former minister R Ashoka for accusing him of collecting commission he said he sought to know whether the two BJP leaders would resign if their allegations prove false I will retire from politics today itself if I have taken commission from anyone But will Bommai and Ashoka announce their political retirement if their (allegations) prove wrong? Shivakumar asked Shivakumar, who holds the Bengaluru development portfolio, said the investigation into the various works taken up by the BBMP will cover all aspects and not just one department Meanwhile, Bommai said the Congress government is indulging in corruption in the entire state, especially in the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (Metropolitan Bengaluru Municipal Corporation)

KARNATAKA TO JUNK NEP FROM NEXT YEAR: CM

Karnataka will scrap the National Education Policy 2020 (NEP) from the next academic year, chief minister Siddaramaiah said Addressing state Congress committee members, the CM said “NEP must be abolished after the necessary preparations which could not be done on time this year By the time the poll results were out and the new government was formed the academic year had already started ” Making changes in the middle of the academic session would have created problems he added Siddaramaiah accused BJP of harming the interest of students by implementing NEP in Karnataka before other states could do so Academics had mixed reactions to the announcement

PUNJAB CM DEDICATES 76 NEW AAM AADMI CLINICS

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann dedicated 76 new Aam Aadmi Clinics statewide to commemorate 76 years of India s freedom Addressing the gathering here after dedicating the clinics, the Chief Minister said this is the dawn of a new era in health revolution to provide quality health services to people at their doorsteps He said besides offering free medicines to people, these clinics are also providing service of 41 free clinical tests “This is aimed at ensuring longevity of the life of the people of the state, besides focusing on quality health ” The Chief Minister said his predecessors never paid attention towards the health of the common man, while his government is laying major thrust on ensuring quality treatment to people Mann said on their part these leaders got to get their treatment done from foreign shores but the common people were left in lurch without quality treatment

e v e r y t h i n g S u c h t h i n g s c a n happen in a party like Trinamul, but not in the BJP Nadda-ji probably sent him this message obliquely that the organisation is more important in the BJP scheme of things," said a source A c c o r d i n g t o t h e i n s i d e r , Nadda gave the example of how Prime Minister Narendra Modi spends hours sitting in party m e e t i n g s d e s p i t e h i s b u s y s c h e d u l e D u r i n g t h e c o m m i t t e e m e e t i n g , N a d d a apparently made it clear while responding to a question from veteran actor and BJP leader Mithun Chakraborty that there cannot be any doubt about the a u t h o r i t y o f B J P s t a t e u n i t president Sukanta Majumdar It is common knowledge in the BJP ranks that Adhikari, with over 20 years of experience in B e n g a l p o l i t i c s , o f t e n d o u b t s t h e a b i l i t y o f t h e p r o f e s s o rt u n e d

OPPN PARTIES JOIN HANDS TO FORM BOARDS IN 3 PANCHAYATS

Burying their ideological differences, winners from BJP, CPM and Congress joined hands to form boards in at least three gram panchayats in West Bengal in order to keep Trinamool Congress at bay BJP and CPM formed the gram panchayat board jointly at Mahishadal in East Midnapore district BJP and TMC had bagged eight seats each out of 18, while CPM had won two BJP s Subhra Panda and CPM’s Paresh Panigrahi were elected pradhan and upa-pradhan, respectively Amritberia was tense over the formation of the panchayat board with TMC’s Mahisadal MLA Tilak Kumar Chakraborty accusing CPM of providing tacit support to BJP against Trinamool Congress BJP and CPM however, denied any understanding and said the decision was because of local compulsions CPM panchayat member Bulu Prasad Jana said: “INDIA alliance is a decision of the party at the national level But, I supported the BJP-led panchayat board to honour the sentiment of local people ”

As some Haryana panchayats bar Muslims from villages, minister warns of strict action

K Ponmudyand

R N Ravi

J P Nadda

PM Modi assures peace in Manipur soon

P r i m e M i ni s ter N are nd r a M o d i p ledg ed India’s supp ort to the p eop le in trouble-torn Manipur " Ind ia stands with M anipur This Ho use stands w ith Manipu r," th e P M said w hile replying to the discussion o n t h e no - tru s t m o ti o n br o ug h t against th e go vernment

"We stand shoulder-to-shoulder with women of Manipur The entire House stands with you I am also speaking for those who are not present here We will work together to find a solution Manipur will soon see the dawn of peace and we would like to assure the people that the state would be back on the path of progress and we would spare no effort to ensure it ” T h e o p p o s i t i o n ' s m o t i o n t o "force Modi to break his silence on Manipur" was defeated by a voice vote following Modi's hard hitting speech, the longest by any prime minister, in which he refuted the accusation that he had neglected

Narendra Modi

t h e s t a t e a n d t h e n o r t h e a s t e r n region and provided evidence from history and statistics to show that the boot was on the other leg Rejecting the charge of failure in Manipur and of refusal to face Parliament, the PM said the government was always ready for a frank conversation on the issue He said the home minister had written to the Speaker even before the opposition decided to disrupt the proceedings, expressing government s readiness to have the d e b a t e , a d d i n g t h a t i t w a s t h e

o p p o s i t i o n w h i c h d i d n o t w a n t f a c t s t o c o m e o u t

"Their pain is selective, their s e n s i t i v i t i e s a r e s e l e c t i v e Their concern begins and ends with politics They cannot think of humanity They a r e o b s e s s e d w i t h p o l i t i c s and are not concerned with the country and its problems,” said the PM The opposition heckled him through the speech, which at 2 hours and 13 minutes was a minute l o n g e r t h a n f o r m e r P M L a l Bahadur Shastri's as well as the one rendered by the home minister Amit Shah earlier Rah ul: You killed Bh arat Mata in Manip ur Rahul Gandhi argued that the g o v e r n m e n t w a s d e s t r o y i n g "Bharat Mata" and calling members of the ruling party traitors on the second day of the debate on the no-confidence motion brought

SC wants to regulate TV channels from sensationalising cases

T he Sup reme C ourt demand ed that "som e bite" be ad ded to th e lenient self-regulatory m echanism, w hich fines TV channels Rs 1 0 0 , 0 0 0 fo r ai ri n g i nf la m m at o ry p rog ramm es or sensationalising criminal case cov erage w ithou t regard to reputations This w as do ne with out limiting the freed om of expression g uaranteed by Article 1 9(1)(a) of the Constitution “ W h e n i t i s a m u r d e r , s u i c i d e o r shootout case, almost every channel goes b e r s e r k B y s e n s a t i o n a l i s i n g c o v e r a g e o f criminal cases, TV channels virtually preempt criminal investigation,” a bench of Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra said

The bench said the court was as concerned as the TV channels about freedom of expression “But when they are intruding into the privacy of individuals, presume

guilt of an accused instead of innocence (till proven guilty by a court of law) through their reportage, it needs to be strictly regulated We are not painting all with the same b r u s h O b v i o u s l y , t h e r e a r e r e s p o n s i b l e channels,” it said T h e s a n c t i o n f o r t e l e c a s t i n g p r ogrammes that damaged reputations, dama g e d s o c i a l f a b r i c , o r i m p e d e d c r i m i n a l i n v e s t i g a t i o n s , a c c o r d i n g t o S o l i c i t o r General Tushar Mehta, should be proportional to the amount of advertising revenue the channel received for that programme He called the fine of Rs 100,000 wholly insufficient

The CJI-led bench concurred and stated that the fine amount, which was set in 2008, was insufficient In response, the News Broadcasters Association (NBA) petitioned the Centre to respond to the matter

50 killed as cloudbursts, landslides hit Himachal

H eavy rain and cloudbursts wr eake d ha voc in H imachal Prade sh for the secon d time since J uly , r e sult in g in m ult ipl e la nd sl ide s t ha t cla imed at le ast 5 0 l iv es across the hill stat e, with Man di and Shiml a district s being the har dest hit on Monda y About 13 pe opl e we re missing and t he dea th count is likel y to rise as man y are feared b uried under r ub ble

The situation was grim in neighbouring Uttarakhand too, as a 12-hour spell of torrential rain caused three deaths and left five people missing while 114 workers were rescued by SDRF from a flooded Rishikesh-Karanprayag railway tunnel near Shivpuri The fatalities have pushed the state’s rain-related death toll this monsoon to 63, with over 20 people still unaccounted for The extreme rain spells came during a “break” in the monsoon over the country, when the monsoon trough runs close to the western Himalayas, making the hill states vulnerable to heavy showers

Rising water levels in Himachal rivers have prompted an alert in the downstream regions of Punjab Rain knocked out power, swept away buses, trucks and cars, while causing substantial damage to houses and bridges in Himachal Pradesh The KalkaShimla rail route, designated as a World Heritage site, has been severely damaged by a landslide, causing the track to hang in the air

Calamity struck the state over the weekend, with the historic Shiv Bawdi temple in Shimla’s Summer Hill area collapsing under the force of a landslide, burying over two dozen people Eight bodies had been recovered till Monday night as rescue operations were hindered by frequent landslides

In Mandi district, five cloudbursts and

flash floods led to 19 fatalities The Balh valley remained inundated due to floods in the Suketi river Mandi town faced its own challenges, with the Panchvaktra temple submerged in rising waters after the Pandoh dam’s flood gates were opened In Shimla, landslides claimed 14 lives (including eight dead at Shiv Bawdi temple collapse), while flash floods in Solan resulted in 10 fatalities

Rain-related events led to two deaths in Sirmaur district In Jadon village of Solan, acloudburst led to the tragic loss of seven lives within a single family

forth by the Congress This drew a stern retort from Shah and Smriti

I r a n i , w h o u r g e d t h e f o r m e r Congress leader not to politicise the ethnic conflict in Manipur

“You are throwing kerosene in the entire country You sprinkled kerosene in Manipur and then lit a s p a r k , ” t h e C o n g r e s s M P s a i d , adding that the same was happening in Haryana as well The PM was not in the House as Rahul spoke

A s t r e a s u r y b e n c h m e m b e r s heckled Rahul for his remarks

a n d e v e n S p e a k e r O m B i r l a a d v i s e d r e s t r a i n t , t h e f o r m e r Congress chief said that his “ one mother” – Sonia Gandhi – was sitting in the House while his “second mother” had suffered in Manipur

The Congress leader said that

t h e g o v e r n m e n t h a s d i v i d e d Manipur into two during his 37minute address, which was his first since being restored follow-

ing the SC's stay of his conviction in a defamation case A belligerent Shah attacked Congress on a n u m b e r o f t o p i c s , i n c l u d i n g frauds that occurred under the UPA government, and urged the o p p o s i t i o n t o s t o p p o l i t i c i s i n g the Manipur violence hours after Rahul spoke at full throttle

The opposition charge was led by Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury of Congress and TMC’s Mahua

M o i t r a , w i t h t h e l a t t e r s a y i n g that it was not aimed at bringing down anything but to resurrect I n d i a ’ s “ f o u n d i n g p r i n c i p l e s ” Chowdhury said it was time for polarisation to quit India

L a t e r , C h o w d h u r y w a s s u sp e n d e d f r o m t h e H o u s e f o r “ r e p e a t e d m i s c o n d u c t ” p e n d i n g i n v e s t i g a t i o n b y t h e p r i v i l e g e s committee Chowdhury said the opposition had no choice as it wanted to ensure PM Modi’s presence in the House

Withdraw troops, restore patrolling rights in eastern Ladakh, India tells China

Du ring hi g h- lev el m ili tary ta lk s, I nd ia o nc e ag ai n re qu es ted C h in a to w i thdraw its forward deployed f or ce s a nd res to re In d ia n soldiers' righ ts to patrol th e s tra teg ic a lly i m p o r tan t D ep s an g P lai n s an d D em c h o k i n e as ter n Ladakh

D e t a i l s r e g a r d i n g t h e 1 9 t h s e s s i o n o f t h e c o r p s c o m m a n d e r - l e v e l n e g o t i ations, which was held on the Indian side of the ChushulMoldo border crossing point in eastern Ladakh, has not y e t b e e n o f f i c i a l l y announced However, what w a s d e f i n i t e l y o u t o f t h e o r d i n a r y w a s t h a t , u n l i k e t h e p r e v i o u s r o u n d s , t h e negotiations ended by about 5 30 p m

W h i l e t h e r e w a s n o

immediate information on China’s response at the mili t a r y d i a l o g u e , l e d b y 1 4

C o r p s c o m m a n d e r L tGeneral Rashim Bali and the S o u t h X i n j i a n g M i l i t a r y District chief, it came just ahead of the BRICS summit in South Africa on August 2 2 - 2 4 , w h e r e b o t h P r i m e M i n i s t e r N a r e n d r a M o d i and President Xi Jinping will be present Xi is also slated to visit India for the G20 summit on September 9-10

“The military talks were conducted in a frank, cordial and in-depth manner on Monday Let’s wait for a formal outcome after clearance from the political leadership,” a top official said For a thaw to take place in t h e t e n s e m i l i t a r y c o nf r o n t a t i o n i n e a s t e r n

Ladakh, which is into its fourth year now, China will h a v e t o a g r e e t o r e s t o r e patrolling rights of Indian s o l d i e r s b y f o l l o w i n g t h e sequential process of diseng a g e m e n t , d e - e s c a l a t i o n and de-induction A c c o r d i n g t o s o u r c e s , the Indian delegation made i t c l e a r t h a t t h e l o n gd e l a y e d t r o o p d i s e n g a g ement at Depsang, towards the crucial Daulat Beg Oldie (DBO) and Karakoram Pass i n t h e n o r t h , a n d t h e Charding Ninglung Nallah ( C N N ) t r a c k j u n c t i o n a t Demchok, is a requirement for the eventual de-escalation and deinduction of the more than 50,000 soldiers each forward deployed by the two armies with heavy weaponry

Chandrayaan-3 comes even closer to moon landing

C h a n dr ay aa n - 3, I nd ia s a m bit io u s l u nar r es e ar c h m is s io n, h as entered a crucial stage o f o rbit c ircu larization in p rep aration f or its Moo n landing F or th e uninitiated, the o rbit circularizatio n ph as e is a trans itional p rocedure designed to mo dify t h e s p a c ec r a f t' s o r b it al ro u t e and velocity in o rder to ach ieve a nearly circul ar cou rs e around the M oon I t is ess ential fo r providing a sl ow asc ent to th e lu nar su rface, ens uring the lander lands gently, and reduc ing the p oss ibility of damage, Indian Space Res earc h Organisation (I SRO) said

“Precise maneuvre performed today has achieved a near-circular orbit of 150 km x 177 km The next operation is planned for August

16, 2023, around 8 30 hrs IST," ISRO posted on X platform T h e m i s s i o n ' s n e x t operation is scheduled for August 16, when it will enter a 1 0 0 k m c i r c u l a r l u n a r orbit After August 16, when t h e C h a n d r a y a a n - 3 c o mp l e t e s t h e M o o n - b o u n d maneuvers, it will head to the next crucial stage On August 17, the lander (Vikram) and rover (Pragyan), which make up the landing module, will detach from the propulsion module After that, the lander will undergo deboost manoeuvres to prepare for lunar landing On August 23, Chandrayaan-3 is anticipated to touch down on the moon

PM Modi seeks G20 support to seize assets of offenders

Pri me mini ste r Narendra Modi told a g athe ri ng of the G20 mini steria l g roup on a nti -corruption tha t his gov ern ment is “ a ggressive ly pursui n g ' ' e con om i c o ff e nd e rs a n d w a nt e d th e w orld's large st economie s should set an e xa mple b y usi ng non-conviction-ba sed con fiscations to hasten the re cove ry of fore ign assets

A day after his government introduced a new bill in Parliament called Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita that included a provision for non-conviction-based confiscation of properties of proclaimed offenders in India or abroad, Modi

made the statement while virtually addressing the G20 ministers at a meeting in Kolkata The new bill is set to replace the colonial-era Indian Penal Code Non-conviction-based confiscation refers to takeover of assets of offenders even when their conviction has not been secured

The PM said using non-conviction based confiscations will only expedite the recovery of foreign assets of economic offenders He said this will ensure “swift return and extradition of criminals” after the due judicial process Ever s i n c e I n d i a h a s e n a c t e d t h e E c o n o m i c

Offenders Act (in 2018), it has led to the recovery of assets worth over $1 8 billion (around £1 5 billion) from fugitives, in addition to the attachment of assets worth $12 billion (around £10 billion) under PMLA since 2014, he added

The PM said, “It will send a strong signal about our joint fight against corruption ” He added that the collective efforts of G20 nations can significantly support the fight against corruption and a huge difference can be made through enhanced international cooperation

4 yoga exercises to maintain optimal thyroid health

T hyroid diso rders affect approximately one-third Indians accordi n g to s tu di es T h i s i s su e c o ntributes to si gnificant weight gai n and h ormo nal imbalances among women, who are more susceptible t o t h es e c o n di ti o n s t h an m en T h y ro id p ro blem s genera lly fal l i n to t wo c ate go ri es : h y p o th yroidism, whi ch is c haracterised by i nsu ffi cient th yroi d ho rmone prod u c ti o n an d h yp e rt h y ro i d i sm , i nvolving exc essive thyro id h ormone production

T h e t h y r o i d g l a n d p l a y s a n important role in regulating vario u s m e t a b o l i c f u n c t i o n s w i t h i n the body, but abnormalities are the most thyroid issues, which can r a n g e f r o m b e n i g n g o i t e r s n o t requiring treatment to life-threatening malignancies

Individuals can take proactive steps towards maintaining optimal thyroid health and preventing thyroid-related issues Incorporating

c e r t a i n y o g a p o s t u r e s , d i e t a r y choices and lifestyle changes can make all the difference In this article, we discuss four such yoga poses than can help your thyroid health

Sarvangasana (Sh oulder Stand)

S a r v a n g a s a n a , c o m m o n l y known as the Shoulder Stand, is a powerful inversion that stimulates blood flow to the thyroid gland This pose encourages better thy-

r o i d f u n c t i o n i n g b y reversing blood flow a n d i n c r e a s i n g t h e o x y g e n s u p p l y T o perform the Shoulder S t a n d , l i e o n y o u r b a c k , l i f t y o u r l e g s o v e r h e a d , a n d s u pport your lower back w i t h y o u r h a n d s

K e e p y o u r b o d y straight and hold the p o s e f o r s e v e r a l breaths This asana helps balance the thyroid's hormonal secretion and promotes optimal functioning

Hal asa na (Plow P ose ) Halasana, or the Plow Pose, is another beneficial yoga posture for thyroid health It helps stimul a t e t h e t h y r o i d g l a n d a n d e n c o u r a g e s c i r c u l a t i o n t o t h e n e c k r e g i o n T o p r a c t i c e t h i s pose, lie on your back, lift your legs over your head, and lower

Ashwagandha supplements to reduce effects of mental and physical stress

As hwagandha i s a herb that has been us ed in tradi tional I n dia n me di ci n e for c enturi es Otherwise known as I n di an g in s en g or wi nte r c herry, it's thought to have m a n y h e al th b en e f i ts , i n c l ud i ng re d uc i n g s tr e s s a n d a n xi e t y, i m p ro vi n g m o od a n d m e mo ry , e n ha nc i n g i mm un i ty an d f e r ti l i ty a n d pr ot e c ti n g a gain st in flam mati on a nd oxidative s tress

In the past, it has been u t i l i s e d f o r i t s a b i l i t y t o i m p r o v e p h y s i c a l p e r f o rmance and muscle strength by increasing testosterone l e v e l s , r e d u c i n g m u s c l e d a m a g e a n d i m p r o v i n g recovery as well as aiding weight loss by reducing cortisol levels, increasing energy expenditure and enhanci n g i n s u l i n s e n s i t i v i t y While impressive, it's worth

keeping in mind that these studies were undertaken on r e l a t i v e l y s m a l l s a m p l e sizes

While previously you'd only really find this adaptogen in capsules, it's now easy to find Ashwagandha in plenty of different forms l i k e t a b l e t s , p o w d e r s , extracts or teas The dosage of ashwagandha does vary depending on the brand of supplement or the reason for use

However, as there's no standard or optimal dose of

ashwagandha, it's best to start small to see how your body initiall y r e a c t s G e n e r a l l y speaking, the recomm e n d e d d o s e r a n g e s from 300 to 500 mg p e r d a y f o r g e n e r a l health purposes This is the perfect c o m p a n i o n t o h e l p y o u keep cool whenever anxiety c a l l s , t h a n k s t o i t s h i g hd o s e a s h w a g a n d h a a n d l i o n ’ s m a n e c o m b o Ashwagandha is one of the few non-stimulating adapt o g e n s a n d i m p r o v e s t h e body’s resistance to stress while helping to maintain mental balance

Lion’s mane keeps your nervous system performing at its best Try these around a stressful period and you’ll notice a difference pretty quickly

Common cold virus associated with potentially fatal blood clotting disorder: Study

T hro mbocytes, or platelets are specialised cellular fragm ents th at prod uce blood c l ot s in th e ev ent o f an i nju ry P latelet lev els m ay d ec rea se th ro u g h o ut th e b o d y as a res u lt o f v ir al infections, autoimmu ne d iseases, and other disorders T his conditio n is known as thrombocytopenia

After a robust clinical and research collaboration, S t e p h a n M o l l , M D , a n d J a c q u e l y n B a s k i n - M i l l e r , M D , b o t h i n t h e U N C School of Medicine, have linked adenovirus infection with a rare blood clotting disorder This is the first time the common respiratory virus, which causes mild cold-and flu-like symptoms, h a s b e e n r e p o r t e d t o b e associated with blood clots and severe thrombocytopenia “ T h i s a d e n o v i r u s - a s s ociated disorder is now one of four recognized anti-PF4 disorders,” said Moll, pro-

fessor of medicine in the Department of Medicine’s D i v i s i o n o f H e m a t o l o g y “We hope that our findings will lead to earlier diagnosis, appropriate and optimized treatment, and better outc o m e s i n p a t i e n t s w h o develop this life-threateni n g d i s o r d e r ” T h e i r n e w o b s e r v a t i o n , w h i c h w a s p u b l i s h e d i n t h e N e w E n g l a n d J o u r n a l o f Medicine, sheds new light on the virus and its role in causing an anti-platelet factor 4 disorder

Antibodies are large Ys h a p e d p r o t e i n s t h a t c a n stick to the surface of bacteria and other “foreign” substances, flagging them for destruction by the immune system or neutralizing the threat directly In anti-PF4 d i s o r d e r s , t h e p e r s o n ’ s immune system makes antibodies against platelet fact o r - 4 ( P F 4 ) , a p r o t e i n released by platelets When an antibody forms against

PF4 and binds to it, it can trigger the activation and rapid removal of platelets in the bloodstream, leading to b l o o d c l o t t i n g a n d l o w platelets

Sometimes, the formation of anti-PF4 antibodies is triggered by a patient’s exposure to heparin, called heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), and somet i m e s i t o c c u r s a s a n a u t o i m m u n e c o n d i t i o n without heparin exposure, w h i c h i s r e f e r r e d t o a s “spontaneous HIT ”

In the last three years, t h r o m b o c y t o p e n i a h a s rarely occurred after inject i o n w i t h C O V I D - 1 9 v a ccines made with inactivated pieces of an adenoviral vector These vaccines are different from those made in the United States, such as M o d e r n a a n d P f i z e r T h e condition is referred to as v a c c i n e - i n d u c e d i m m u n e t h r o m b o t i c t h r o m b o c ytopenia (VITT)

them toward the floor behind you Keep your legs straight and your toes touching the ground

H a l a s a n a h e l p s t o n e t h e n e c k muscles, enhances thyroid function, and promotes calmness

Setu Bandha sa na (Bri dg e P ose )

S e t u B a n d h a s a n a , o r t h e

Bridge Pose, is an excellent way

t o s t i m u l a t e t h e t h y r o i d a n d improve efficiency This gentle backbend helps create space in the neck area, facilitating better blood flow to the thyroid To do this pose, lie on your back, bend your knees, and place your feet flat on the ground Lift your hips towards the ceiling while pressing your shoulders and arms into the floor Hold the pose for a few

b r e a t h s a n d r e l e a s e S e t u

B a n d h a s a n a s u p p o r t s t h y r o i d health and aids in relieving stress

Ma tsy asana (Fi sh Pose)

Matsyasana, the Fish Pose, is

a p o w e r f u l t h r o a t - o p e n i n g asana that can help alleviate thyroid issues This pose stimulates t h e t h y r o i d a n d p a r a t h y r o i d glands by stretching the neck a n d t h r o a t T o p e r f o r m Matsyasana, lie on your back, lift your chest, and arch your upper back while balancing on your elbows This pose can enhance energy flow to the thyroid gland, promoting its balanced function I n t e g r a t i n g y o g a e x e r c i s e s into your daily routine can be an effective and natural way to support thyroid health Remember to practice yoga mindfully and consult a healthcare professiona l b e f o r e b e g i n n i n g a n y n e w exercise regimen, especially if you have existing thyroid conditions With dedication and cons i s t e n t p r a c t i c e , t h e s e y o g a poses can contribute to a healthier thyroid and a more harmonious life

Strengthen your immunity for a healthy monsoon season

The m ons oon seas on brings rel ie f from the s corching heat but al so ushers in a higher risk of in f ec t io ns a nd il l n e s s es St re n gt he ni ng your im munit y during this time is crucial to s taying heal thy a nd enjoying t he rainy s eason Simple lifes tyle changes can boost your b ody's d e f e nc e m e c h a ni s m s a n d m i n im i s e t he c hanc es of f all ing sick

Balance d die t

A well-balanced diet rich in nutrients is the cornerstone of a robust immune system Focus on incorporating a variety of fruits, vege t a b l e s , w h o l e g r a i n s , l e a n p r o t e i n s , a n d healthy fats into your meals Include immuneboosting foods like citrus fruits (rich in vitamin C), yogurt (probiotics), garlic (antioxidants), and nuts (vitamin E) to give your body the necessary nutrients to fight off infections

Hydrat ion

Drinking adequate water is essential for maintaining a healthy immune system Proper hydration helps flush out toxins and ensures that your cells function optimally Herbal teas, warm water with lemon, and coconut w a t e r a r e e x c e l l e n t o p t i o n s t o k e e p y o u hydrated and boost your immunity Regular exerc is e Engaging in regular physical activity can s i g n i f i c a n t l y e n h a n c e y o u r i m m u n i t y E x e r c i s e i m p r o v e s b l o o d c i r c u l a t i o n , p r omotes the release of endorphins (feel-good hormones), and helps regulate the immune response Most days of the week, aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise, such as brisk walking, yoga or dancing Suf ficient slee p Prioritise quality sleep to support your immune system During sleep, your body

repairs and rejuvenates itself Aim for 7-9 hours of restful sleep each night Establish a b e d t i m e r o u t i n e , a v o i d e l e c t r o n i c d e v i c e s before sleep, and create a comfortable sleep environment to improve sleep quality

Stress m anagement

Chronic stress can weaken your immune system, making you more susceptible to infections Practice stress-reduction techniques such as meditation, deep breathing, mindfulness, and yoga Engaging in hobbies, spending time with loved ones, and taking breaks can help alleviate stress

Pers onal hygiene

Maintaining proper personal hygiene is crucial to prevent infections during the monsoon Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially before eating or touching your face Keep your surroundings clean, and avoid contact with sick individuals

Vitamin D

Vitamin D plays a vital role in immune function Spend some time outdoors in natural sunlight to help your body synthesize vitamin D If sunlight exposure is limited, consider including dietary sources of vitamin D or supplements after consulting a healthcare professional

Gut microbiome linked to increased risk, EBV diseases, and severity of HIV

A recent study re ve aled that the ba cteria and othe r microb es i n our gut aid in immuni ty , m e t a b o li s m , a n d d i g e s ti o n a n d pro te ct us a gain st ba d b acte ri a tha t try to i nfiltra te our systems How eve r, a counter-resea rch publishe d in Nature Bi ote chnology b y Angela W ahl, Ph D , Ba lfour Sartor, MD, J Victor Garcia, Ph D , and UN C Sc ho ol o f M e d i ci n e c o ll e a g u e s ha s reve ale d that the m icrobi ome may n ot a lwa ys be protective ag ainst human pathog ens

Using a first-of-its-kind precision animal m o d e l w i t h n o m i c r o b i o m e ( g e r m - f r e e ) , researchers have shown that the microbiome has a significant impact on the acquisition of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV) infection and plays a role in the course of the disease

“These findings offer the first direct evidence that resident microbiota can have a sign i f i c a n t i m p a c t o n t h e e s t a b l i s h m e n t a n d

p a t h o l o g y o f i n f e c t i o n b y t w o d i f f e r e n t

human-specific pathogens,” said Wahl, assistant professor in the Division of Infectious Diseases in the UNC Department of Medicine

This research was conducted through a c o l l a b o r a t i o n w i t h s c i e n t i s t s a t t h e U N C International Center for the Advancement of T r a n s l a t i o n a l S c i e n c e a n d t h e D i v i s i o n o f Gastroenterology and Hepatology at the UNC School of Medicine Wahl and Garcia needed to create a “humanised” mouse model that mimicked a human’s immune system to conduct their study Once exposed to a virus, the humanised models can replicate the virus like a human and could be used for study

“This had never been done before,” said W a h l , a l s o a s s i s t a n t d i r e c t o r o f t h e U N C

International Center for the Advancement for Translational Science “We humanized the mice and did our viral exposure experiments under strict germ-free conditions Technically, it was very challenging ”

Badal Lakhlani

Samachar and Asian

Gujarat

Voice organised a special zoom event on "Celebrating Entrepreneurship” on 29 July 2023

Founder Chair of the Asian Business Association, Chairman of the London Chamber of Commerce, Committee Member of the Bank of England Small Business Panel, OFWAT, and Commissioner to the Department of International Development of the UK government, Subhash V Thakrar, was a keynote speaker at the event He shared useful information and tips about entrepreneurship, as well as discussed the challenges and limitations and how to overcome them

At the beginning of the prog r a m m e , E d i t o r / P u b l i s h e r o f

A B P L G r o u p C B P a t e l s a i d ,

"Agriculture was a stand-alone industry in India when it was an agrarian nation Farmers used to cultivate grains, fruits, and flowers according to their suitability

A n i m a l h u s b a n d r y d e v e l o p e d over time, along with a number of other innovations Almost a million people who live in Britain today are self-employed or manage a small business Gujaratis a r e a l w a y s p r e s e n t i n r e t a i lwholesale, real estate, and many other sectors where doing business is profitable With a few notable exceptions, many of us have a tendency to forget our cultures as we rise in our careers o r b u s i n e s s e s I n a d d i t i o n t o S u b h a s h b h a i T h a k r a r , m a n y m o r e i n d i v i d u a l s r o s e t o t o p positions in their chosen fields while maintaining their morals

I've been to Subhashbhai's house quite often; and his family gets together to recite the Gita ”

Guja rati’s are leadi ng the e con omy in In di a: T hakra r

T h a k r a r s a i d , " I w a n t t o thank CB Patel and the whole of the ABPL team for inviting me to speak on the occasion of the g o l d e n j u b i l e e c e l e b r a t i o n s

Today, Gujaratis are leading the economy in India, and dominati n g b u s i n e s s e s i n E a s t A f r i c a

They are part of a very successful business community in the UK too ”

“Business runs in the veins of Gujaratis’ Entrepreneurship can often take many other forms, including social activities, charitable endeavours, athletics and other similar pursuits In business, when someone spots a certain opportunity in the market or in their surrounding circumstances, they might take advantage of those chances to generate money ” , he added

He said, “New opportunities and difficulties are constantly hovering above us It's up to us to choose whatever opportunities we think we can take advantage o f f o r a b e t t e r r e s u l t T h e s e changes come about because of t e c h n o l o g i c a l a d v a n c e m e n t s , shifts in consumer preferences,

l a w s a n d r e g u l a t i o n s , e t c S o , entrepreneurs use their skills of perception and vision to develop a b u s i n e s s i d e a f r o m t h e s e changes Steve Jobs founded the iPhone and iPad which many people use People are getting addicted to their phone’s day by day He saw that gap and utlised t h e o p p o r t u n i t y A n o t h e r instance is Uber, a company that d e v e l o p e d a w a y t o c o n n e c t drivers who want to use their vehicles as taxis with customers w h o w a n t t o h i r e t h e m

Therefore, Uber itself does not own a single taxi However, it is the world's largest taxi group The use of technology and moving forward to create a very succ e s s f u l a n d l u c r a t i v e f i r m i s entrepreneurial ” “ I w a n t t o m e n t i o n R i s h i P a t e l a n d h i s c o m p a n y , Interpolitan Money, which has grown by 100% in the last 5 years Being a member of the company's board, I am aware of this He was able to identify a significant market gap brought about by legislative changes, which made conventional clearing banks less interested in offering banking services to clients from other countries Interpolitan fills this gap for international businesses and individuals to open a bank a c c o u n t i n t h e U K a n d a v a i l banking service for them Paresh Raja, who established the highly s u c c e s s f u l o r g a n i s a t i o n M F S , d i s c o v e r e d t h a t t h e r e i s f r eq u e n t l y a s i g n i f i c a n t g a p b e t w e e n t h e m o m e n t w h e n someone wishes to purchase a prime property in London and its execution But by the time they arrange finances, many people miss out on the opportunity to own the property He identifies this lacuna and fills this gap by offering bridging loans, which enable borrowers to acquire the n e c e s s a r y p r o p e r t y w i t h i n a week of receiving their funds”, he added H e a l s o s h a r e d , “ S h a m i l

T h a k r a r a n d h i s c o u s i n K a v i

Thakrar who hail from a family who are well known for their steel business, but they have created a new business opportunity

in the hospitality industry and s t a r t e d a c h a i n o f a n I n d i a n r e s t a u r a n t n a m e d “ D i s h o o m ” across many locations in the UK Due to its distinctive cuisine, it is loved by youngsters and international tourists ”

“In the UK, shops normally r e m a i n c l o s e d o n S u n d a y s When Ugandans arrived, the scenario changed Even though they were breaking the local council's rules, they opened their stores a n d e v e n b e g a n o p e r a t i n g o n Sundays However, people soon u n d e r s t o o d t h e a d v a n t a g e s o f Sunday sales, and the council's efforts to stop them did not succeed,” he said

He stated, “I believe in my expertise, experience, and the fact that I have operated my own enterprises in addition to being a professional in my line of work, so I have the best of both worlds So I’ll just go through some of the ideas that I want to share with you Number one is identifying an opportunity”

“An entrepreneur who has the ability to recognise an opportunity before others do You can s t a r t a b u s i n e s s a t a n y t i m e , including during a recession As I mentioned before, Rishi Patel established his company during t h e C o v i d t i m e a n d a c h i e v e d 100% growth Statistically, 20% of startups fail during the initial year, however, after 3 years, 60% of startups fail That implies, an entrepreneur should be aware of the possibility of failure at all t i m e s A s a r e s u l t , c o n s t a n t l y consider the possibility of failure while adding possible ideas to your business The financial viab i l i t y o f a b u s i n e s s i n i t i a t i v e must have been carefully considered by any successful business owner Accountants are crucial to the success of any organisation Every business owner has a positive view of how to grow their company, but an accountant will add some caution and moderation to keep the company in balance”, he emphasised

He added, “Another point is market size If you have a great idea but if the market is small

can still recall between 500 and 700 names and phone numbers S o m e o f t h e f a m i l i a r n a m e s i n c l u d e , T i l d a f o u n d e r N a r a h a r i b h a i a n d h i s w i f e Heeraben who considers me as h e r b r o t h e r T h e i r e l d e r s o n Rashmibhai passed away at a young age Vipulbhai and other brothers are doing great work

S p e a k i n g a b o u t t h e Dhamecha Group, he said, “The Dhamecha Family includes my l i f e l o n g f r i e n d s S h a n t i b h a i , Khodidasbhai, and Jayantibhai

C u r r e n t l y , t h e D h a m e c h a G r o u p i s b e i n g m a n a g e d b y P r a d i p b h a i a n d h i s b r o t h e r M a n i s h b h a i I n K i s u m u , t h e y had a retail store; they expanded their business, and despite having 8 to 10 warehouses now, the Dhamecha family continues to support noble causes

then you cannot be successful You should research more about the market size and what sort of characteristics can help the business flourish in that market If you think your product is good, there are chances that five or six other people have similar ideas In that case, your product should have a unique selling point (USP) that makes it different from your c o m p e t i t o r s A l o n g w i t h t h a t team building is one of the most crucial aspects of entrepreneurship Everyone, including business entrepreneurs, has a limited range of skills He can lack additional abilities, including those related to finances, technology, sales, and marketing In that situ a t i o n , h e m u s t o r g a n i s e t h e entire team around that idea Similarly when starting a business, you need to hire skilled p e o p l e t h a t w i l l b e r e q u i r e d

Another crucial factor is that an entrepreneur must be passionate about their business They invest all of their time and energy into the business and almost live it I often advise entrepreneurs that if they want to be successful, they're going to live and breathe the business,” he said

P a r t i c i p a n t s a s k e d v a r i o u s questions during the Q&A session and Thakrar gave insightful comments about entrepreneurship

I can fl y wit h sm all wings, says CB Patel

At the end of the event, CB g a v e h i s i n s i g h t a b o u t e n t r e p r e n e u r s h i p H e s a i d , “ b u s i n e s s i s a n e m p i r e t h a t knows no bounds I have made a f e w o b s e r v a t i o n s d u r i n g t h e programme Zydus is a big name i n t h e I n d i a n p h a r m a c e u t i c a l and medical industries I know Ramanbhai Patel and his son, Pankajbhai Ramanbhai wrote beautiful poems and in one of the poems, he wrote about the basic principles of business - we can do small things, we can do big things, and the sky's the limit, but we don't ”

“Over the past 50 years, I have worked in the media and have visited countless houses I

“Another such family from t h e W a y m a d e G r o u p i s Bhikhubhai, Vijaybhai Patel, and their mother, Shantaba I recall Shantaba's struggle in Kenya's Eldoret These brothers accomp l i s h e d t r e m e n d o u s p r o g r e s s gradually Progress is evolutiona r y a n d g r a d u a l V i j a y b h a i b e c a m e a c h e m i s t , w h i l e Bhikhubhai became an architect They opened several stores and pharmacy properties in the UK and other countries ”

C B a d d e d , “ G u j a r a t Samachar and Asian Voice are no longer just a company; it now functions as a service hub for the community with help of J y o t s n a S h a h , K i s h o r P a r m a r , Kokila Patel, Mahesh Liloriya, Ann Hoose, Rupanjana Dutta a n d m a n y m o r e R e c e n t l y , Mahesh Liloriya honoured nearly a dozen Indian dignitaries in the House of Lords on February 6, March 6, and July 12 Among t h e m w e r e G o v i n d b h a i D h o l a k i a , f o u n d e r o f S h r e e Ramkrishna Exports Pvt Ltd, Dr Anju Kothari (MD) and Dr Yogendra Kothari (Founder & Chairman) of Anuyog Hospitals and Research Centre Pvt Ltd, M a n i s h b h a i M a r u ( N a t i o n a l President, Akhil Bharatiya Jain D i v a k a r N a v y u v a k S a n g a t h a n S a m i t i ) , K a m l e s h D P a t e l ( H e a r t f u l n e s s M o v e m e n t ) t h e fourth spiritual Guide in the Sahaj Marg system of Raj Yoga meditation and many more

At the end, CB, expressed his gratitude to each participant for j o i n i n g t h e Z o o m e v e n t a n d thanked Subhash Thakrar for his useful participation as the guest speaker

Badshah is back with his new single, 'Gone Girl'

India's prolific hip-hop sensation, Badshah, ignites the music scene with his highly anticipated single, 'Gone Girl,' released under Universal Music India He brings back the essence of his classic old-school commercial soundtrack and once again captivates audiences Payal Dev, a talented singer-song writer, is featured in the song The dynamic combo, well known for their hits "Genda Phool," "Issa Vibe," and "Tauba," has collaborated successfully on additional songs. The song combines Payal's entrancing vocals with Badshah's irresistibly suave persona to create a dance floor banger with vivacious melodies, booming beats, pop-forward vocals, gripping lyrics, and contagious energy

Esha hosts special screening of ‘Gadar 2,’ poses with brothers Sunny and

Bobby Deol

Actor Sunny Deol s ‘Gadar 2’ opened to a roaring response at the domestic box office after its release recently To celebrate, his half-sister and actress Esha Deol organized a special screening of the movie over the weekend and was spotted with both brothersSunny and Bobby Deol Their father and veteran actor Dharmendra was not in attendance

In a video shared on Viral Bhayani’s Instagram account, the three siblings were seen posing for the media together The special screening was hosted for family and close friends Esha was seen in an all-black ensemble for the occasion Bobby twinned with her in a black tee and blue jeans, while Sunny opted for a mustard-coloured kurta, white pyjamas and a black hat

The three smiled for the cameras and then went inside for the screening

T h i s i s n o t t h e f i r s t t i m e E s h a extended her support for Sunny’s film Ahead of its release, she had taken to her Instagram Stories to share the trailer for ‘Gadar 2 ’ She added a bunch of emoticons, including applause, and congratulations, along with a red heart She then tagged Sunny in the caption

‘Gadar 2 ’ is the sequel to Anil Sharma’s 2001 film ‘Gadar Ek Prem Katha ’ Sunny and Ameesha Patel reprise their role of T a r a S i n g h a n d S a k e e n a A n i l ’ s s o n

Utkarsh Sharma also reprised his role as Jeete in the film

Akshay Kumar reacts to ‘OMG 2’ getting A certification from CBFC

Makers of Akshay Kumar-starrer ‘Oh My God 2’ recently dropped a video of the actor visiting a theatre and interacting with the audience after screening his latest film Akshay joked about the movie’s A certification from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) and added the film should be shown in schools.

Janhvi shares picture of Sridevi on her birth anniversary

Janhvi Kapoor shared a touching note on the 55th birth anniversary of legendary actor and mother Sridevi She shared an unseen candid picture of Sri sitting on her mother Rajeswari’s lap on the set of one of her films. Janhvi shared a touching note about how she is not here to see her doing well in her career

Awatramani, Aaliyah Kashyap, and designer Manish Malhotra d r o p p e d h e a r t e m o j i s i n reaction to the post Cheering h e r u p , h e r c o u s i n S h a n a y a Kapoor wrote, “Love you ” Raja K u m a r i c o m m e n t e d , “ Y o u make us all so proud ” A fan wrote, “sending you so much love ”

The music video was directed by Manish Shunty, and also features emerging South Indian actress Sakshi Vaidya, whose enticing on-screen presence lights up the screen The striking piece of art, produced by visual a r t i s t F a r o o q G o t A r t , f e a t u r e s a f i e r c e woman decked out in ethnic jewellery

Speaking about the single, Badshah said, "It’s great to team up with Payal Dev once again on ‘Gone Girl’ This upbeat single is an ode to my musical history and sets the tone of what I want to achieve with my upcoming releases: going back to my roots! I am grateful for the love and support of my fans, who have been my dear ones throughout this incredible journey, and ‘Gone Girl’ is my w a y o f t h a n k i n g t h e m G e t r e a d y t o experience the ‘B’ in banger "

Badshah is a renowned music artist, producer, and mentor known for his charttopping hits and unparalleled energy on stage With millions of streams and views on v a r i o u s p l a t f o r m s , h i s m u s i c h a s t r a n s c e n d e d b o r d e r s a n d c a p t u r e d t h e h e a r t s o f f a n s w o r l d w i d e H e r e m a i n s c o m m i t t e d t o c r e a t i n g g r o u n d - b r e a k i n g music that resonates with audiences of all ages

Akshay said, “Kaisi lagi aap logo ko movie? Pehli adult film hai jo teenagers ke liye bani hai Actually yeh sab schools mein dikhani chahiye, lekin aap sab entertain huye nah? Bahut acha laga, bahutbahut shukriya aap log aye dekhne (How did you find the film? This is the first adult film that has been made specifically for teenagers It should be actually shown in schools, but at least you all got entertained watching it I am very happy you came to watch the film) ”

It was reported that CBFC had taken “preemptive measures ” to avoid any backlash over ‘Oh My God 2 ’ dialogues or scenes The movie was recently awarded an A certification after weeks of s p e c u l a t i o n s t h a t t h e f i l m m a k e r s w a n t e d a U A c e r t i f i c a t eunrestricted but with a parental discretion advisory for people under 12 years

Reports also claimed that the CBFC was being extra cautious while reviewing ‘OMG 2 ’ because of the backlash that ‘Adipurush’ faced post-release ‘OMG 2 ’ is a follow-up to the 2012 film ‘OMG

Oh My God’ featuring Akshay Kumar and Paresh Rawal

The second part features Akshay playing a character inspired by Lord Shiva and Pankaj Tripathi as a Shiva devotee who sues the educational system for deceiving his child The movie also stars Yami Gautam as Tripathi’s attorney, along with Arun Govil, Aamir Nail, Fahim Fazli, Vedika Nawani, and Parth Siddhpura

T a l k i n g a b o u t what Sri had but she doesn't have it in her l i f e , J a n h v i w r o t e , “ H a p p y b i r t h d a y Mumma I know this w a s o n e o f y o u r favourite places to be, on a film set with your mumma And today as I’m on a set on yo birthday I wish more than ever I had you with me like this, so we could convince e v e r y o n e i t w a s actually your 35th an not 60th birthday you could tell me if y pushing hard enough or not And I could see in your eyes if I was making you proud I know you’d be happy seeing us try, in your memory Every day ”

She added, "I love you, you are the most special woman on this planet And I know you ’ re with us still You’re the reason w e k e e p g o i n g , h o p e y o u ’ r e having lots of payasam and ice creams and caramel custards today ”

J a n h v i s f r i e n d s O r h a n

M e a n w h i l e , K h u s h i p o o r s h a r e d a c u t e ildhood picture of her om on her Instagram o r i e s a n d w r o t e , appy birthday mama ” p i c t u r e s h o w e d posing with a smile nding between young K h u s h i a n d J a n h v i B o n e y Kapoor also shared a picture from their younger days on his Instagram and wrote, “Happy birthday”

Sridevi's ‘Mr India’ co-star a n d b r o t h e r - i n - l a w A n i l Kapoor also shared an unseen c a n d i d p i c t u r e w i t h h e r o n Twitter “Happy birthday, Sri Your legacy lives on, and your impact on the world of cinema is everlasting You are deeply missed and forever cherished!”

Vishal slams 'baseless' rumours of marriage to actor Lakshmi Menon

Tamil actor Vishal has finally addressed rumours of getting married to his ‘Pandiya Naadu’ co-star Lakshmi Menon He posted a clarification to deny them on his X handle and called these reports “baseless.”

I n h i s l a t e s t p V i h l w r o t e , “ U s u a l l y I respond to any fake or rumors about me

I feel it’s useless B now since the rumou a b o u t m y m a r r i a g e with Laksmi Menon is doing the rounds, I point blankly deny t h i s a n d i t ’ s a b s olutely not true and baseless ”

H e a d d e d , “ T h r e a s o n b e h i n d response is only beca involves a Girl firstl than her being an a are invading and spoiling a girl’s private life and maligning her image ”

Finally, the actor also said that when the time comes, he will announce the news of his marriage by himself "It’s not a

Bermuda triangle to decode the year, date, time and who I am getting married to in the future Hope sense prevails When the time comes will announce my marriage officially God Bless," concluded the statement

t h e w o r k f r o n t , was last seen in the ‘Laththi,’ directed A Vinoth Kumar It t a r r e d T h a l a i v a s a l Vijay, Sunaina and P r a b h u G a n e s a n The film received a v e r a g e r e v i e w s a n d u n d e r p e rformed at the box o f f i c e V i s h a l w i l l e n e x t s e e n i n ark Anthony,’ slatf o r a r e l e a s e o n mber 15 Directed by a v i c h a n d r a n , t h e movie is a gangster science fiction drama that revolves around time travel through the telephone It also stars Ritu Varma, Sunil, Selvaraghavan, Abhinaya, Kingsley and YG Mahendran

Vijay Deverakonda responds to being called misogynist after ‘Arjun Reddy’

Actor Vijay Deverakonda was recently seen at the trailer launch event of his upcoming mo ‘Kushi’ in Hyderabad He talked about being a misogynist by many while referring to a lin in the trailer where his character calls himse a feminist.

At the event, Vijay was asked about one dialogue from the trailer where he s a y s , “ M e r i m a r k e t m e r e p u t a t i o n kharab hai varna main feminist hoon (People perceive me otherwise but I am a feminist) ” When asked about the particular dialogue, Vijay added, “Now what to do, they had called me a misogynist so many times Everybody had called me this so many times But those who know me know who I am So I don't need to say an thing beyond that " A few years ago, V received immense media attention for hi f o r m a n c e a s t h e a b u s i v e b o y f r i e n d i n Reddy ’

Fan develops Superstar Rajinikanth's unseen avatar with AI

Though AI tools aren't used for official works in the Indian film industry yet, they are so popular among the fans and there are some mind-blowing fan arts out there which are developed using these AI tools Now, a series of photo designs generated by a fan using AI engines show Superstar Rajinikanth in an unseen new avatar and they are going viral

At the same event, Vijay was also asked about his et married To this, Vijay cheekily added, "I een finding partners for a while I think maybe in a couple of years ”

The ‘Kushi’ trailer gives a glimpse of how Vijay's character Viplav falls in love with Aradhya (Samantha Ruth Prabhu) during a trip to Kashmir As they decide to get married, they face opposition from their families Helmed by Shiva Nirvana, Kushi releases in theatres on September 1

On the work front, Vijay was last s e e n i n t h e H i n d i - T e l u g u b i l i n g u a l ‘Liger’ with Ananya Panday tanked at the box office He also has his next film ‘VD 12 ’ with Gowtam Tinnanuri The actor will eportedly play a police officer turned spy ay launched the film in June with Mrunal kur The project marks the reunion of Vijay ector Parasuram after Geetha Govindam, a blockbuster

Ramya Krishnan reveals why she moved from Tamil to Telugu cinema in her early days

Actress

Ramya Krishnan has been in the film industry since 1984, when she debuted with ‘Vellai Manasu ’ Since then, she has continuously embraced roles spanning multiple languages The actress recently appeared on the big screen in Nelson Dilipkumar’s recent action-thriller ‘Jailer,’ wherein she shares the screen with Rajinikanth again.

In a recent interview, the actor revealed all factors behind her shift towards undertaking more Telugu films during her initial days, as opposed to those in the Tamil industry Pointing out that even the Tamil films that emerged as hits didn’t give her any mileage, Ramya said, “I was not a good performer then After watching Muthal Vasantham (1986), my mother asked me how I had survived this long I wasn’t there to receive the appreciation for the role Sathyaraj sir and Malaysia Vasudevan sir were the stars of that film It didn’t help me ” She also recalled that many of her early projects, despite being highly anticipated, bombed at the box office, which also contributed to her choice to switch to the Telugu film industry and accept whatever opportunities came her path

Thalaivar has done many chartbuster party/disco songs in the 80s and 90s He hasn't been featured in such songs since the 2 0 0 0 s A f a n h a s r e c e n t l y i m a g i n e d Rajinikanth vibing in a party backdrop using t h e M i d J o u r n e y A I a n d d e v e l o p e d t h e designs using his Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom skills

M e a n w h i l e , S u p e r s t a r R a j i n i k a n t h ' s 169th film 'Jailer' got released last week and the box office emperor has reclaimed his throne The action entertainer is redefining the collection records set by Kollywood biggies previously As per the reports, 'Jailer' has minted around £30 million in the first 4 days of its theatrical run It will soon be one of the highest grossers in Tamil cinema

Varmala ceremony during wedding with Priyanka ‘surprisingly difficult funny game': Nick

Actor Priyanka Chopra and singer-actor

Nick Jonas had a lavish multiple-day wedding extravaganza at Jodhpur’s Umaid Bhawan from December 1-2 in 2018 Jonas in a recent interview with People, shared a memory from their varmala ceremony

Calling it a “surprisingly difficult funny game,” he explained how the bride and groom are lifted by their respective family members and try to be the first to put the garland around the other

Nick said, “There's this one moment in I n d i a n w e d d i n g s w h e r e t h e b r i d e a n d groom are lifted on the shoulders of their family members and there s sort of a game that s played where this garland is put on each other They try to be the first to put the garland on the other And it's s u r p r i s i n g l y d i f f i c u l t , e s p e c i a l l y w h e n y o u h a v e someone as competitive as me and Pri But whoever is the one to put it on first, that side of the family is the more dominant ”

He added, “So it's really for the family members to feel pride and that's just a funny game But it's really heartwarming and a great way for the families to all

Diljit Dosanjh’s ‘Punjab 95’ removed from TIFF lineup

connect ”

Nick and his family flew to Jodhpur to participate in the pre-wedding Hindu rituals, including haldi, mehendi and sangeet ceremonies Priyanka and Nick then tied the knot as per Christian traditions and Hindu rituals in two wedding ceremonies

Priyanka moved to Los Angeles after the wedding

The couple continues to do well in their respective careers in the film and music industry and have a oneyear-old daughter Malti Marie Chopra Jonas, born via surrogacy

Gal Gadot was one of the first to know about Alia’s pregnancy

Makers of Diljit Dosanjh-starring

‘Punjab 95’ announced the movie premiere at the upcoming Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in July this year However, a recent report by Variety reveals the film has been dropped from the lineup The report said there is no mention of the Dosanjh film on the festival’s website According to producer RSVP, t h e f i l m , d i r e c t e d b y H o n e y

T r e h a n , i s “ a c o m p e l l i n g s t o r y based on the life of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra ” The festival had described it as telling the story of Jaswant “uncovering m u r d e r o u s c o r r u p t i o n d u r i n g Punjab’s period of insurgency” in social media posts However, any m e n t i o n o f t h e f i l m h a s d i s a p p e a r e d f r o m t h e f e s t i v a l ’ s website Khalra fought against alleged fake encounters of Sikh youths by Punjab Police during militancy Alongside Diljit, Arjun Rampal and Suvinder Pal Vicky are also a part

of ‘Punjab 95 ’

The movie has been under the radar ever since it was announced T h e f i l m w a s o r i g i n a l l y t i t l e d ‘ G h a l l u g h a r a , ’ a h i s t o r i c a l t e r m used to refer to the massacre of Sikhs in 1746, 1762 and 1984 When t h e p r o d u c t i o n b a n n e r R S V P a p p l i e d f o r c e r t i f i c a t i o n f r o m I n d i a ’ s C e n t r a l B o a r d o f F i l m C e r t i f i c a t i o n i n l a t e 2 0 2 2 , t h e process took six months The film was cleared with 21 cuts and a change of title to ‘Punjab 95 ’ RSVP a p p e a l e d t h e d e c i s i o n i n t h e Bombay High Court The decision is pending

Presenting the first look of the f i l m i n g i n J u l y , D o s a n j h h a d w r i t t e n o n I n s t a g r a m , “ W a h e g u r u j i k a K h a l s a Waheguruji ki Fateh (Sikh saying)! World Premiere at the Toronto I n t e r n a t i o n a l F i l m F e s t i v a l Presenting the first look of Punjab 95, a compelling story based on the l i f e o f h u m a n r i g h t s a c t i v i s t Jaswant Singh Khalra Ji ”

Ro Khanna calls Amitabh the 'biggest brand ambassador for India'

Alia

Bhatt marked her Hollywood debut with actors Gal Gadot and Jamie Dornan in the recentlyreleased Netflix film ‘Heart of Stone ’ In a recent interview with BBC Asia Network, Alia revealed that Gal was one of the first few people to know about her pregnancy. When asked if she ever thought about quitting the action film due to her pregnancy, she recalled that Gal was “extremely caring” towards her

Alia said, “I felt very protected and comfortable You don’t really talk about being pregnant until you are way into your first trimester; so I was not telling many people But I did confide in Gal Gadot, I d i d c o n f i d e i n m y p r o d u c e r s a n d t h e director (Tom Harper) because they had to know They were all so lovely and supportive and excited that I never for once doubted it at all ”

She added, “In fact, I remember we were once shooting, I am not going to talk much about it, but it was really hot and Gal was really bothered about my hydration and she was telling me to keep myself hydrated,

asking me to drink enough water She’d say, ‘You need to keep yourself hydrated’ So, that’s the kind of person she is and she exudes warmth and she is also extremely caring about everybody on her crew and she is wonderful with her actors as well So yes, I felt too comfortable ” M o n t h s a f t e r m a r r y i n g a c t o r R a n b i r Kapoor, Bhatt gave birth to their first child, Raha Kapoor, in November 2022 The actor, who was recently seen alongside Ranveer Singh in ‘Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani,’ shot for ‘Heart of Stone’ in Europe during her pregnancy last year

US

Congressman Ro Khanna called Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan the biggest brand ambassador for India The remarks came after he met the 80year-old actor in Mumbai Khanna, the co-chair of the Congressional India Caucus, is currently leading a bipartisan Congressional delegation to India along with Congressman Michael Waltz, the other co-chair of the India Caucus.

“We had a wide-ranging conversation for an hour on Artificial intelligence (AI) the rise of India, Bachchan’s father, and the importance of the US-India relationship Amitabh’s life story embodies the story of India He is the biggest brand ambassador for India to the world,” Khanna said “I told Amitabh that he must visit the United States again - that he offers hope to so many Indian American immigrants like my family and parents and he is a symbol for the rise of India and Indian-Americans,” Khanna said in response to a question

“We discussed the importance of the

eternal valuescompassion, respect, consideration, empathy - and how much these values matter more ultimately to our future,” Khanna said In a short video posted on X, formally known as Twitter, Khanna meets Amitabh at his Mumbai residence “An honour and a privilege,” Amitabh said in a tweet

“It was an absolute honour to meet with @SrBachchan Bachan He was proud of India’s journey since independence linked with his own life and of the Indian American community He presented me with a book by his father who knew my grandfather,” Khanna wrote

The Indian American Congressman also met actor Anupam Kher during his trip to Mumbai “It was a pleasure to have US Rep @DeborahRossNC and @RoKhanna visit our school @actorprepares We had a great interactive session with the upcoming students of acting It was my joy to show them around the school Thank you, my friends, for your warmth and appreciation Jai Ho!” Kher, 68, said on social media

in brief India beat Malaysia 4-3, win ACT for fourth time

PRITHVI SHAW SCORES 153- BALL 244 FOR NORTHAMPTONSHIRE

He might have been out of the Indian team for a fair while now but Prithvi Shaw keeps reminding us of his enormous talent by making his bat talk from time to time Last week, the dashing opener, who has played five Tests, six ODIs and a T20I for India, roared back into form in grand style with a record-breaking 153-ball 244 for Northamptonshire in England’s Royal OneDay Cup tournament against Somerset The Mumbaikar is now the first Indian to score a double hundred in List A cricket in England

In the last Ranji Trophy season, Shaw smashed a mammoth 379 against Assam, going past Sanjay Manjrekar’s record (377) to become the highest run-getter in a single innings for Mumbai It was also the secondhighest score by a batsman in the history of the Ranji Trophy Having scored a maiden triple hundred in first-class cricket and two double hundreds in List A cricket the youngster has shown that he has a penchant for scoring daddy hundreds ’ His latest special will keep his name somewhere in the reckoning too Before he cracked the double hundred, Shaw hadn t been enjoying a great year An ordinary IPL, in which he managed to put together just 106 runs in eight matches at an abysmal average of 13 25, set him further back in the pecking order at a time when the likes of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ruturaj Gaikwad were putting in sizzling performances What made things more challenging was the delay for the visa, which meant that he had little time to adjust to the English conditions “As a modern cricketer, it is important to adapt to all the conditions Initially, England was cold and rainy so I wore jumpers to keep myself warm I am very grateful for my friend Brindon Bagirathan and Northamptonshire CCC for giving me this opportunity I just want to keep winning games for Northampton ” Shaw said

PREMIER LEAGUE FANS TO SPEND £1,200 FOR TRAVEL TO WATCH THEIR FAVOURITE TEAMS PLAY

The 2023/24 football season is underway

And some Premier League fans could be paying around £1,200 to travel to see their team play away over the season New research from Confused com found that fans could be spending as much as £709 on fuel to travel to away games That s in addition to £570 for away game tickets, on average This is based on the average fan travelling around 4,700 miles in total to watch their team play away However this cost varies from team to team, with some paying significantly more, and travelling more than the average fan As the most northern team in the league, it’s no surprise that Newcastle United fans face the longest journeys over the course of the season If they were to travel to every game, they can expect to travel more than 8,000 miles in total This would work out to be around £1 193 in petrol costs or £1 209 for diesel Meanwhile, Luton Town fans have the fewest miles to travel, with all of their away games totalling just 2,199 miles in comparison This would cost them around £326 in petrol, or £330 in diesel - a far cheaper season than fans of the Magpies But according to the research, the average Premier League fan plans to travel to just 4 games this season Only 1 in 8 (12%) plan to travel to 7 or more And this is roughly the same across all leagues, with the average fan opting for just 4 away trips this season

I n di a fo ug ht b ac k f ro m t w o goals down to eke out a 4-3 win over a spirited Malaysi a in a th r il l i ng f i n al to c la i m th ei r f ou r th A s i a n C h am pi o n s T ro p hy ti t l e a t t he M a y or R a d ha k r i s h n a n S ta d i u m i n Chennai

Jugraj Singh (9th minute), s k i p p e r H a r m a n p r e e t S i n g h (45th), Gurjant Singh (45th) and A k a s h d e e p S i n g h ( 5 6 t h ) w e r e the goal scores for India For M a l a y s i a , A b u K a m a l A z r a i (14th), Razie Rahim (18th) and M u h a m a d A m i n u d i n ( 2 8 t h ) found the back of the net Malaysia were aggressive in t h e f i r s t h a l f a s t h e I n d i a n s found it difficult to restrict their opponents India converted their first p e n a l t y i n t h e n i n t h m i n u t e with Jugraj scoring with a fierce f l i c k t o t h e r i g h t o f t h e Malaysian goalie

The Indians got into their groove as the match progressed a n d p l a y e d f u l l - p r e s s h o c k e y a f t e r a s l u g g i s h s t a r t B u t M a l a y s i a d i d n ’ t s i t b a c k a n d c o n t i n u e d t o t e s t t h e I n d i a n defence Their efforts bore fruit in the 14th minute when Azari found the back of the net after being fed by Azuan Hasan from the right flank S e c o n d s f r o m t h e f i r s t

quarter, India secured back-toback penalty corners but wasted both the chances Malaysia kept u p t h e t e m p o i n t h e s e c o n d quarter and earned consecutive p e n a l t y c o r n e r s i n t h e 1 8 t h minute, the second of which w a s c o n v e r t e d b y R a h i m M a l a y s i a s e c u r e d a p e n a l t y corner for an unnecessary stick c h e c k b y J u g r a j i n t h e 2 3 r d m i n u t e b u t t h e e f f o r t w e n t

wide

M a l a y s i a g o t a n o t h e r p e n a l t y c o r n e r i n t h e 2 8 t h minute and this time Aminudin made no mistake to hand his side a 3-1 lead at half-time

India worked well to win another penalty corner in the 3 6 t h , b u t J u g r a j s h o t w i d e Sensing urgency, India switched to possession-based play But t h e M a l a y s i a n d e f e n d e r s d i d well to intercept at the right t i m e a n d k e e p t h e I n d i a n attackers at bay The Indians turned the match on its head in a span of a minute, pumping in two goals to level the scores 3-3

A k a s h d e e p s c o r e d t h e winner for India with a slap stick from top of the ‘D’ after receiving a pass from Mandeep Singh The Indians pressed hard in the final few minutes of the match, drawing two fine saves from the Malaysian goalkeeper

West Indies win 5th T20, clinch series

Indian batters ag ain strug gled o n a s l o w er t r ac k a nd t h e b o w l er s , b ar r i n g K u l de ep Y a da v , f ai l ed t o c h ec k t h e W es t In d ies b at t er s As a r esul t, West Indies won t he r ai n-a f f ect e d f i f t h an d f inal match o f th e T20I series by e ig h t w ic ke t s t o cl i nc h t h e ser ies 3-2

B r e n d o n K i n g r e m a i n e d unbeaten on 85 off 55 balls to see his side through Earlier, the inform Nicholos Pooran scored 47 off 35 balls and along with King added 107 runs for

the second wicket West Indies won with two overs to spare W i t h i n 2 4 h o u r s o f p r o d u c i n g a b a t t i n g m a s t e rc l a s s o n a f e a t h e r b e d , t h e I n d i a n b a t t e r s , s a v e S u r y a k u m a r Y a d a v ’ s s c r a t c h y y e t e f f e c t i v e 6 1 o f f 4 5 b a l l s , posted a sub-par score of 165 for 9 after opting to bat on a used track that had become slower On a pitch where strokem a k i n g w a s n ’ t a n e a s y proposition, Surya had to curb h i s f l a i r a b i t b u t s t i l l h a d enough firepower in his arsenal

to hit four fours and three sixes d u r i n g h i s k n o c k O n s a m e t r a c k w h e r e t h e C a r i b b e a n b o w l e r s p u t I n d i a n b a t t e r s under tight leash, the bowling attack looked horribly out of depth barring Kuldeep Yadav ( 0 / 1 8 ) , w h o d e l i v e r e d y e t a n o t h e r s t e a d y p e r f o r m a n c e P o o r a n a n d K i n g c l e v e r l y decided to play out Kuldeep’s spell and attacked others with disdain

Once the West Indies got 60 in the powerplay, there was n o l o o k i n g b a c k a s t h e y

m a i n t a i n e d t h e t e m p o w i t h most of the Indian bowlers pitching it short giving Pooran ample time to tonk them in the arc between the long-on and cow corner H o w e v e r , i t w a s t h e b a t t i n g t h a t b e c a m e I n d i a ’ s undoing as they never got the desired momentum during the middle as well as end overs Even Surya was a bit subdued b y h i s o w n l o f t y s t a n d a r d s because the slowness didn’t allow him to play his natural game

Blind football team set to participate in World Championship showdown

Subhasini Naicker

I ndependenc e Day is a signi fican t day in I ndia’ s his tory an d it is also an occ asion that ref lec ts the n ation’s uni ty a nd progress A l o n gs i d e th i s s p i ri t o f i n d e p e n d en c e , a nother inspi ri ng f acet of Indi a ’ s progres s is t h e I n d i a n B l i n d F oo t b a ll A s s oc i a ti o n ( I B F F) T h i s o r ga n i s at i o n d e d i c a t e d to e m p o w er i n g v i s ua l l y i m pa i r e d pe o pl e through s ports s howc ases i ts comm itment to in clusivity and gender eq uali ty

The IBFF’s women's blind football team q u a l i f i e d f o r t h e I B S A W o r l d C h a m p i o n s h i p , w h i c h w i l l b e h e l d i n Birmingham, UK, from August 14 to 21 This will be the first time ever, India will field a football team as well as a para-women ’ s team for the World Cup, which epitomises the empowerment of both women and the differently abled The head coach, Sunil J Mathew talked to Asian Voice about Para a t h l e t e s , p a r a l y m p i c a n d w o r l d championship

How to build a strong and dynamic team?

“Blind football is a group effort It's more like physical exercise in terms of c o n c e n t r a t i o n , h e a r i n g s k i l l s , a n d orientation We use these sideboards along the two long sides of the ground The ground size is 40 m X 20 m And there are these runner boards on the two long sides, which act as barriers So as the blind person runs along the side the ball rebounds along the board, which gives them orientation So these are the boards that you bang against, and you don't fall out, so there is no kick-in or throw-in like in regular football The blind person uses the ball again, hits against the boards, finds the angle of the ball, and then moves according to the sound given by the coaches on the sides We have nearly 15 m i l l i o n b l i n d p e o p l e i n I n d i a , w h i c h i s

massive and growing, so it's a huge problem On the other side, we have more players to

come through and then get rehabilitated and hopefully the government or the local organisations will identify them and get them employment or scholarships ” How to improve players spatial orientation, ball control and position on the field

A s w e m o v e o n t h e g r o u n d t o t a l l y blindfolded, we lose orientation You don't know which side you're going to run to So the first thing that a coach usually does is identify or give at least some points of reference to different parts of the ground where he or she needs to run Yhat gives them kind of an idea or a spatial orientation of their surroundings Consider yourself in an open swimming pool with some sound coming from somewhere; dolphins, which a r e b l i n d , a l s o e m p l o y t h i s t e c h n i q u e Therefore, it s similar to sonar, and you u s u a l l y l o c a t e t h e b a l l o r a p l a y e r i n proximity to a reference point As a result, your ears and brain are always sharper since y o u p r i o r i t i s e d i f f e r e n t a r e a s C o a c h e s

i m p a r t a b a s i c s e n s e o f o r i e n t a t i o n b y

running and finding out where each person is The coaches who teach the blind need to adapt themselves or at least relearn how to actually work with the individual players

Raising awareness about blind football

He said, “there are no other sports other than Cricket, Kabaddi or Hockey that are p o p u l a r a n d g e t a t t e n t i o n W e m u s t

persuade the government to prioritise other sports more for that each and every person has the ability to reach out, follow, tweet, and raise awareness

That's one way We are currently one of the 18 paralympic team that the g o v e r n m e n t h a s i d e n t i f i e d f o r t h e f u t u r e S o w e a r e h o p i n g t h a t t h e women's team can go on from here and make it to LA 2028 That's a vision that we have The only para medalists a n d p l a y e r s w h o g o t h r o u g h a r e individuals, not as a team So we're hoping that we ll become the first team that qualifies ”

Exposure to top-tier competition

He emphasised, “Coming to the World Championships and playing at the highest level will give them immense confidence and will give them a huge experience boost by playing on different levels, which can be at the Paralympics or local level We are hoping to set a pattern where some players s t a y I n I n d i a , p l a y i n g s p o r t s i s n o t considered a job; therefore, if you don't get money from it, you have to fight every day j u s t t o s u r v i v e P a r a A t h l e t e s h a v e a different perception in India, but we're working hard to change that We believe that if we can succeed, most people will be able to rely on this, and the government a n d b u s i n e s s e s w i l l c o n t i n u e t o a s s i s t them ”

“Whether a person is blind or not, competing in the World Championships is among the top dreams that anyone may have We are hoping that India places in the top three because we need the support of the government Because we completely funded this ourselves We want to make sure that this work doesn't go in vain by raising the full amount of money, coming here, performing well, and demonstrating to the rest of the globe that, hey, we made it,” he added

IBFF women team