AV 19th February 2022 by Asian Business Publications Ltd

FIRST & FOREMOST ASIAN WEEKLY IN EUROPE ABG Shipyard, its directors booked in £2.28bn bank fraud SEE PAGE - 23

Time to work on your healthy food resolution

SEE PAGE - 07

19 - 25 FEBRUARY 2022

04 British Asian Trust annual Royal reception

Mallya gets last chance to defend himself

Let noble thoughts come to us from every side

05 Young inventor set to challenge the world

Subpostmaster ‘contemplated suicide

PANDEMIC There has been a 329 per cent rise in revenge porn offences in London alone, with victims as young as 10. While intimacy and sex are still considered as taboo subjects among Asians in the UK, it is hard for victims in the community to report and overcome the trauma of such crimes without understanding and support.

VOL 50 - ISSUE 41

REVENGE PORN

SEE PAGE - 25

49 held guilty of 2008 Ahmedabad serial blasts

Diaspora demands apology for Gujarat riot debate in Westminster Hall A one-sided debate held on 9 February 2022, hosted by a Labour MP at the Westminster Hall on the “20th anniversary of the 2002 Gujarat riots” saw. Neither the groups representing the British Indian community nor the Indian High Commission. Invited or informed. Curiously, since we understand religion was raised, neither were any Hindu organisations informed or invited. Neither were Hindu survivors invited from what we understand.

Shefali Saxena According to data released by the Met Police, the pandemic has fuelled a 329% rise in revenge porn offences in London. The Met Police recorded 1,185 cases of private snaps and videos illegally shared online last year - with victims as young as 10. Revenge porn is the distribution of sexually explicit images or videos of Continued on page 06 individuals without their consent.

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AsianVoiceNews

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19 - 25 February 2022

with Keith Vaz

Prince Charles could change his name when he becomes King

RABINA KHAN Politician/Writer Rabina Khan is a politician, writer, author, broadcaster and campaigner with a particular interest in Women’s rights, Climate change inclusion, Human Rights and Social Justice. She writes regular articles for the Independent, Guardian and Huff Post and appears frequently on Current Affairs Programmes. Rabina’s book “My Hair Is Pink Under This Veil” was published in 2021. 1) Which place, or city or country do you most feel at home in? Tower Hamlets, London as I have lived and worked here for most of my life. It is a vibrant and diverse multi-cultural borough with a great sense of community cohesion. Brick Lane, for example, has been described as a paradise for bargain hunters, foodies and fashionistas. I love it. 2) What are your proudest achievements? Every aspect of my work that has made a difference to people’s lives, including breaking down stereotypes and promoting inclusion, understanding and tolerance. Being instrumental in the creation of 4500+ new homes in Tower Hamlets and key regeneration projects that won a Sunday Times Award and a Planning Award. 3) What inspires you? Anyone who has battled against the odds to become successful and help others as a result of their own experiences. Some of the most inspirational people I know have known defeat, suffered loss and endured hardship. 4) What has been biggest obstacle in your career? Throughout my life, I have continued to experience discrimination and stereotyping, more so because I choose to wear the hijab and am visibly Muslim, but I have learned that much of this is the result of uneducated misinformation. 5) Who has been the biggest influence on your career to date? My parents – as the daughter of an immigrant family I have seen the struggles of my parents to settle in a new country and proudly call Britain their home. They taught me the values of honesty, respect and kindness.

6) What is the best aspect about your current role? Being able to make a positive difference to people’s lives. There is no greater reward than to see people thrive and for young people to fulfil their potential because of help, advice and intervention that you have provided. I love empowering people to overcome obstacles and achieve their dreams. 7) And the worst? The bickering and criticism from the opposition, which I feel is a waste of time when we should all be pulling together, regardless of our political affiliation, to achieve the best for our communities. We might disagree, but we can still be kind and respectful. 8) What are your long term goals? To be elected as the first British Bangladeshi Female Mayor in the UK. To continue to serve my community and make a positive difference to people’s lives, locally, nationally, and internationally. I plan to write more books and campaign on issues dear to my heart. 9) If you were Prime Minister, what one aspect would you change? Not just giving lip service to issues of importance, but actually carrying out what I have promised to do. Promoting a fairer society where no one is left behind. I don’t just talk the change, I would make the change. 10) If you were marooned on a desert island, which historical figure would you like to spend your time with and why. Maya Angelou, because she defended the rights of women, young people and the maginalised. She had an unapologetic conscience and her influence was significant. A victim of childhood abuse, she turned her struggles into extraordinary talents. Her memoir, Why Caged Birds Sing, was one of the most widely read memoirs.

Collapsed kids’ charity was mismanaged Kids Company was founded in 1996 in south London, to provide support to up to 36,000 deprived and vulnerable inner-city children and young people. It ran youth centres in London, Bristol and Liverpool and employed

more than 600 people. BBC presenter Alan Yentob was chairman of the trustees. The charity, set up by Camila Batmanghelidjh, folded in 2015 amid financial problems, found no evidence of criminality or safe-

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guarding failures in police investigation. However, according to a new report by the Charity Commission, the Kids Company had repeatedly failed to pay tax and its workers. The report said there was no basis for regulatory action having found "no dishonesty, bad faith, or inappropriate gain in the operation of the charity" but added that trustees should have acted sooner to to improve its financial stability. Ex-trustees said they were pleased it found no basis for action to be taken but rejected the mismanagement finding. A statement from the former trustees said they were concerned that by criticising them and "disregarding or dismissing" the High Court's findings, the report would discourage good people from becoming charity trustees.

As per tradition, the Prince of Wales could use his right to change his name in a bid to pay tribute to his ancestors. According to royal expert Christine Liwag Diwon, Prince Charles, who was born with the name Charles Philip Arthur George, could opt to use and of the four names as his first name. While the expectation would be that Charles would become King Charles

III, according to tradition, he can actually change his first name once he becomes King. There's a precedent in history that some Monarchs have chosen a different name once they became

King or Queen, such as King Edward VII, whose birth name was Albert. It's vital to remember there's only room for one sovereign at a time, not two. Charles was born as Charles Philip Arthur George, and he can use any of those names when he takes the throne. However, the expert added that Prince Charles may steer clear of the practice as it is said to have caused problems in the royal family.

More lives could be saved if people report early heart attack symptoms There are more than 80,000 hospital admissions for heart attacks each year in England. The overall survival rate for people experiencing a heart attack is seven in 10, rising to nine in 10 for those who seek early hospital treatment. After a poll found fewer than half of people knew to dial 999 for some of the more vague signs. Doctors want people to be more aware of common early

symptoms such as sweating and tightness in the chest and to call 999 if they experience them. The new NHS campaign runs from 14 February to 31 March and tells people to dial 999 if they experience common early symptoms including sweating, uneasiness and chest tightness. The campaign also seeks to raise awareness of cardiac arrest - which is not the same as a heart attack. There is often no warning

with a cardiac arrest and the person quickly loses consciousness. Those experiencing a cardiac arrest will usually die within minutes if they do not receive treatment. A heart attack can lead to a cardiac arrest.

Woman harassed granny for 2 years Iqra Malik, 44, plagued Anne-Marie Cole with tirades of abuse, "malicious" letters and by making "unsubstantiated allegations" about her over a hellish two-year period. The victim was eventually forced to seek temporary accommodation and has lost her job and relationships due to the emotional and psychological stress of the harassment. Malik screamed abuse at the victim on several occasions, called her a pae-

dophile in front of her young grandchildren and filmed her on her phone without permission. She also put her washing machine on continuous spinning mode during the early hours of the morning in her property near Islington, north London.

Sentencing Malik at the court, Judge Rose said: "Your behaviour over this period affected every aspect of Ms Cole’s life - her relationship with her partner, her children and grandchildren, her work and her home.” The woman was handed a suspended 12-week sentence and will also be subject to a restraining order. But Malik was spared jail today at Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court despite showing "no remorse" for her behaviour.

Record 6.1 million people now waiting for NHS care Patients waiting more than a year for surgery increased to 310,813 in December last year, up from 306, 966 in November. Those waiting for more than two years for care, which the government has promised to reduce to zero by July 2022, increased again from 18,585 in November to 20,065 in

December. The data also shows a record 16,558 people had to wait more than 12 hours in A&E departments in England in January. The figure, which reflects patients’ waits from a decision to admit to actually being admitted for treatment, was up from 12,986 in December

and is the highest for any calendar month since records began in August 2010. In a new record 6.1 million people in the UK are now waiting for NHS care, new data shows, while the number of people spending more than 12 hours in A&E has hit a new high.

Luton butcher’s shop operators send for suspended sentences Khan Halal Butchers in Marsh Road was first closed in 2019 after a routine inspection from Luton Council's Food safety team found food hygiene issues and evidence of a mouse infestation. The business had not been registered with the council, a legal requirement. It was also not clear who was in charge of the food business. Council officials also found evidence of

widespread mouse activity. There was no pest control contract and formal procedures to identify, manage and control pests in the business. Food hygiene standards relating to cleanliness and structure were deemed to be poor. Further visits throughout 2020 and 2021 to the premises indicated no real improvement in general food safety management, resulting in prosecution. Appearing before Luton

Magistrates court, Mohammad Shah and Azizullah Esaqzai, both of Biscot Road Luton, pleaded guilty to food hygiene offences and have been prohibited from operating a food business. Both were issued with a 6 and 4-month prison sentence and suspended for 18 and 12 months respectively for food hygiene offences. Both defendants were fined with statutory surcharge costs of £1,500 and £1,000 respectively.

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19 - 25 February 2022

Who appointed the British MPs as the voice of reason for India? When a country believes it is friends with another, the golden rule of loyalty is vital. Britain after Brexit has grown more enemies than not. But as good as we are in marketing ourselves in the political arena, relying on colonial ties, sugar coating it as a ‘special bond, clearly has its limitations. The one-sided debate that British Parliament allowed Labour MP Kim Leadbeater to host last week, shows something is absolutely rotten in its core (see p1 and 16 for report). Over the years, Britain has gathered a work force of immigrants to build and run the country - now known as the diaspora. Their allegiance to the Queen and their naturalised country is unparalleled. While this ‘living bridge’ has enriched the fabric of the society, they have held on to their age-old differences, which the politicians love to use to fulfil their own ambition. And that’s where the real tragedy lies. The British divided India based on faith. No one asked commoners – the Indians who lost lives and livelihood to world’s worst partition and communal riots, what they really wanted! Unrepresentative foreign rulers decided what was considered the best for their own self-serving nature and tore thousands apart. May be there was another way around, who knows? The stoic yet scarred families still bear the cross of losing friends and loved ones to burning homes that they fled in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh (then East Pakistan). Godhra riot was no different.

It is useless to debate who started and finished a gutwrenching bloody catastrophe. The pain that Muslims felt was no less than that of the Hindus. And India, world’s largest democracy, with a myriad of faiths and languages, learnt a horrible lesson. But since then, in the last 20 years, there have been no riots of Godhra scale, despite continuous provocations and volatility. People have buried their grief, learnt to move on, but that does not mean they have forgotten the past. The British Parliament does not need to remind that to anyone. Does the Indian Parliament remind Britain of its constant political failures to prevent violence and maintain peace? The silence from UK’s cross-party Asian politicians is even more bewildering. What message are we exactly trying to send here? How was it considered a fair debate when no one could represent the other voice of India? The very purpose of a debate was defeated here. The press or society in the West with their inadequate understanding of who Indians truly are, cannot be selfappointed voice of reason for Indians. India is much bigger than its politics, communal differences or chaos. Its diversity, secularity, many thousands of local cultural tributaries tied in a fine harmony- is not easily comprehendible by other cultures that are so limited in their nature. The British could not grasp it in almost 400 years, how will it be any different for them now?

Walk it like you talk it Deputy Assistant Commissioner Bas Javid, a senior Met Police officer and the brother of Health Secretary Sajid Javid acknowledged racism is a big problem among Britain’s largest force. When asked on BBC Newsnight if he accepted racism “is a problem in the Metropolitan police”, Javid replied: “Yes, I do.” It is not exclusive to Police Force. Recent reports (see page 4 for story) about healthcare also shows, how major inequalities are affecting millions in the UK. Dr Chaand Nagpaul, BMA council chair, in a statement explained the shocking impeachment of the scale of harm that racism is causing to millions of people in the UK. The findings show that people from ethnic minority backgrounds are being failed within the health service across all age groups and clinical areas. As patients receive poorer care based on race, the NHS is failing to honour its core value- to treat everyone equally. Some of the largest inequalities were found for mental healthcare where treatment for Black groups was particularly poor. The review also found there was a lack of research into specific areas including how outcomes may differ for ethnic minority babies in neonatal healthcare settings, where just one study was found to investigate health disparities in the care of ethnic minority new-born babies. Britain’s racism or lack of efforts to address inequalities

isn’t anything new. Colonialism can also be perceived as an extension of Britain’s racist attitude or lack of respect for other communities especially as they historically expanded their trade and commerce. Britain’s ownership of the Chagos archipelago that has been formally challenged after the Mauritian ambassador to the UN, Jagdish Koonjul, raised his country’s flag above the atoll of Peros Banhos, is perhaps the much-needed resistance to Britain’s colonial hangover (see story on page 21). Time is a witness how Chagossians, except a few, were deported in 1972 by the British officials who reportedly cleared the archipelago of its entire population to make way for a US military base on the island of Diego Garcia. US President Joe Biden has also made tall promises. On Tuesday he marked Black History Month with a message repeating his promise to nominate a black woman to the Supreme Court and calling for the end of 'systemic racism.' Systemic racism, also known as institutional racism, is rooted in the laws and regulations of a society or an organisation. Advocates say to fight it one must lift minorities to highlevel positions. While many empty promises have been made for years, US and the UK must realise, if you’re going to talk the talk, you’ve got to walk the walk.

Hijab row, an avoidable development The hijab row that erupted in some Karnataka schools is an unfortunate incident. The issue could have been resolved amicably by discussing the issue with the parents, teachers and students from both sides. Instead, it was allowed to escalate when visuals showed a Muslim girl, wearing a burqa, being heckled by a large group of boys wearing saffron shawls at a college in Mandya. The video showed the girl standing her ground, shouting ‘Allahu Akbar’ as the boys from the other end chanted ‘Jai Shri Ram’. Whatever freedoms the Indian Constitution promises, they must be followed. That’s the priority. At the same time, religious manifestations must not be allowed at schools. It’s dangerous. If something is being deliberately done (to provoke), it must be stopped. A case in point was the strict instruction by the state government to not allow the display of any kind of religious identity or symbol during the formative years of young minds. School is where everything begins and where we respect each other and be tolerant of each other’s beliefs. If such religious strife continues, we have to worry about what kind of citizens they turn into. In schools or colleges wear a uniform is prescribed, authorities should strictly implement the rules without allowing any leniency. India is a country of plural cultures, religions and languages. Being a secular state, it does not identify itself with any religion as its own. Every citizen has the right to profess and practise any faith of choice. However, such a right, not being absolute, is susceptible to reasonable restrictions as provided by the Constitution. Whether wearing of hijab in the classroom is a part of essential religious practice of Islam in the light of constitutional guarantees needs deeper examination, the Karnataka high court said. The court added that in a civilised society like India no person can be permitted to disturb public peace and tranquillity in the name of religion, culture or the like. Endless agitations and closure of educational institutions indefinitely are not happy things to happen, the bench observed. The court observed that religious attire cannot be allowed in the schools or colleges and allow one set of students to wear headscarves and another set wearing saffron shawls. The media also has a role to play

while reporting the controversy. They should show restraint while reporting the issue. The media should not incite the public by exaggerating the issue. More than 150 secular human rights activists, who comprise the group Indian Muslims for Secular Democracy (IMSD), have condemned the communal polarisation of student campuses and have observed that the veil is not mandatory in Islam. At the same time, IMSD has also disagreed with the claim of the agitating Muslim girls that their demand is in conformity with their Constitution-protected fundamental right to freedom of religion. While this may be the belief of the orthodox and patriarchal clerics, any number of modern-day Islamic scholars rightly maintain that hijab has nothing to do with the teachings of the Quran and the Prophet. The veil, in other words, is not mandatory in Islam, said the group. According to the group, the issue of whether Muslim girls should or should not be permitted to wear hijabs in those colleges where a uniform dress code is in place, is something to be sorted out between the agitating Muslim girls and the managements of the concerned colleges. All that the Quran asks of both Muslim women and men is that they dress modestly and decently. Beyond that the Quran does not specify a particular dress code, said the group. The group said that it respects women’s right to choose how they dress. However, this choice cannot be counter-posed to the right of school managements to prescribe a religion-neutral, non-discriminatory uniform in their campuses. When asked if the ongoing hijab row in Karnataka is a matter of religion or is it also an issue of one’s fundamental right to privacy and to choose what to wear, Islamic scholar professor Zeenat Shaukat Ali said, “As far as the constitution of India is concerned, a woman is allowed to dress as she chooses. It is her fundamental right to wear what she pleases. Educational institutions must be neutral when it comes to religious symbolism”, she added. The word ‘hijab’ is used seven times in the Quran - but nowhere is it used in the context of clothing. It is used more like a metaphor, such as a veil between good and evil, god and human, etc,” she said.

Thought for the week The only way to reform them (children) is to win them over with love. - Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru

Political Sketchbook Alpesh Patel

The Anti-India Lobby I have no objection to critical analysis of a country, or a religion or a community such as my fellow Gujaratis. Believe me my Punjabi in-laws are more than happy to provide a balanced critique of Gujaratis (smiley face emoji here!). Equally under free-speech I have no objection to people writing anything at all. But the more important the platform eg Financial Times, the Guardian, the Podium at the United Nations, the more I expect the person to be balanced and fair. For most reputable outlets this is enshrined in their constitutions and there is an independent complaints procedure. Trust me, I’ve been on the end of it from farmers (when I mentioned I am for less consumption of meat), Scots (when I said Independence will fail) and both sides of Brexit (I was a remainer) – but my pieces as in this paper are opinion and I am not an employed journalist reporter so I don’t have the same obligation, but I do have a duty to facts and truth. So the truth is that I sense there is a rise in the anti-India voices. Maybe it’s just social media. Maybe it’s the losing side in politics; remember 75% of the people who were eligible to vote in the last Indian elections did not vote for the winning party (by my calculations) so there is a lot of people, like with Brexit, with an anti-Government view. I thought in my opinion piece I’d speak of hope and joy not misery. I would write about the miracle of India. This is not to brush anything aside, after all for one of my articles, there are 100 who will focus on division and subtraction, whilst I will about addition and multiplication. I don’t think the world needs more division on religious lines, like Partition. I don’t think it needs more hate and anger like that of the PM of Pakistan at the UN, I believe in multi-culturalism, in liberalism. But I don’t believe in being made a fool or a pawn by forces with other agendas. So just as the UK Leader of the Labour Party says he stands with PM Johnson on the Ukraine issue, I also believe those with other agendas should not try to use me as a puppet – for instance on the issue of school uniforms or farmers. Why does a British Indian care? Because British values are embodied as Indian values in the Indian constitution – read it. The best of values I should say,. India's Achievements in its 75th Year of Independence India gained Independence in 1947 and became a Republic in 1950. It is the largest democracy in the world and the only major democracy in its region. As India becomes a pivotal economic and military ally to the Western powers, let's explore its achievements over the last 75 years. India recently celebrated its 73rd Republic Day. Leaders from all over the world sent warm messages of congratulations. Milestones like this are great occasions to look back and consider the work India has done to transform itself into a modern global power. Australian PM Scott Morrison talked about the two country’s great friendship, while UK PM Boris Johnson praised the "deep bonds" between India and the UK. Other congratulatory themes included India's work to transform its economy and society. In the past 75 years, India has achieved a great deal. Some of the nation's technological achievements include the Chandrayaan-1 space mission and the Mangalyaan-1 Mars Orbiter Mission.Others involve the ISRO making atomic clocks and launching satellites and test rockets. However, other monumental success has been achieved closer to earth. The PARAM supercomputer in 1990 was a huge moment that signalled India’s emergence as a computer manufacturer. The Constitution is something every Indian should be proud of on a social level. It has withheld the test of time and has helped the nation achieve democracy, equality, justice and liberty. India's democratic commitments are seen in the right to vote for all citizens. Since independence, the country has had a history of peaceful elections, with its diverse citizens voting in presidents of three different faiths. Throughout the late 60s and early 70s, India took major steps toward modernisation by planting high-yield cereal varieties. After years of poverty, famine and malnutrition, this was a huge moment. Then, In 1970, Operation Flood transformed India into the world's largest milk producer. Continued on page 8

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British Asian Trust annual Royal reception

ritish Asian Trust, HRH The Prince of Wales’s charity, hosted the Annual Reception and Dinner to celebrate the work of the Trust and raise funds to support Covid-19 recovery work across South Asia His Royal Highness, The Prince of Wales, Royal Founding Patron of the British Asian Trust, accompanied by Her Royal Highness, The Duchess of Cornwall, attended the British Asian Trust’s Annual Reception and Dinner at the British Museum to celebrate the organisation’s many accomplishments over the past year and help raise funds to support Covid-19 recovery across South Asia. Notable guests included The Rt Hon Rishi Sunak MP, Chancellor of the Exchequer, The Rt Hon Priti Patel, Home Secretary, Adar and Natasha Poonawalla, heads of the Serum Institute of India and long-term supporters of the Trust; Pakistani business magnate Mian Mohammad Mansha, Chairman of Nishat Group and newly appointed Chair of the British Asian Trust’s Advisory Council for Pakistan. During his address, HRH The Prince of Wales His Royal Highness said: “I cannot

Over the last year, the British Asian Trust raised over £10 million for its post-Covid recovery efforts, including £5 million for its Oxygen for India Appeal to support the country during its devastating second wave. It secured £2 million of matched funding from the UK government for the Trust’s Women’s Economic Empowerment proL-R: Priti Patel, Rishi Sunak, Akshata Murthy, the Duchess of gramme, which will enable nearly Cornwall, Charles, Prince of Wales, Natasha Poonawalla, Adar 10,000 Pakistani women to find a Poonawala job or start a business in a postquite believe it is almost two years to the day Covid world. that my wife and myself were able to be with The British Asian Trust also launched all of you to celebrate the work of the British the $14.4million Skill Impact Bond to bolster Asian Trust. Since then, across the globe, employment levels post Covid-19 by there has been a terrible loss of life from upskilling 50,000 Indian youth, with Covid-19 and we have especially seen the women making up 60% (30,000) of the bendevastating impact throughout South Asia. eficiaries. Other initiatives include the In these most challenging times, the British “Palaces on Wheels” charity cycle ride, Asian Trust has run four significant which saw HRH The Prince of Wales ride a fundraising appeals which have so far raised bicycle to see-off British Asian cyclists on a almost £20m. A truly remarkable achievegruelling 400 km challenge. ment in such a difficult environment.” The event was hosted by British Asian The British Asian Trust was founded in Trust Ambassadors, Nihal Arthanayake, 2007 by HRH The Prince of Wales and BBC broadcaster, and Reshmin Chowdhury, British Asian business leaders to tackle Sports Presenter for BT Sport and the BBC. widespread poverty, inequality and injustice Other celebrity Ambassadors and friends in Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Sri who attended to celebrate the organisation’s Lanka. During the evening, BT announced work included producer and director the renewal of their support for the Trust Gurinder Chadha, actor Nitin Ganatra, forwith a commitment of £3m to support mer Liverpool and Wales footballer Ian 200,000 adolescent girls in India. Rush, and music producer Naughty Boy. Manoj Badale, Chair of the British Asian The event was supported by OakNorth Trust, said: “The funds raised will help us Bank and Soneva, a family of world-class continue to deliver large scale outcomeresorts in the Maldives and Thailand. focused programmes in the fields of educaPrince of Wales and Duchess of tion, livelihoods, mental health, anti-trafCornwall tested positive the next day after ficking and conservation in South Asia postthe reception. This is the second time Prince Covid-19.” Charles has contracted Covid.

Food and drink entrepreneurs offered recipe for successful growth with innovative scheme Ambitious Asian food and drink producers in Greater Manchester the chance to pitch their product to a panel of that are keen to grow their brand can now get expert help thanks to buyers. Previous panels have included the likes the return of a popular GC Business Growth Hub programme. of Morrisons and Tesco. Rijul Shukla Participants will also learn about packagThe Hub’s ‘Recipe4Success’ scheme has supported hundreds of ing, labelling, sustainability, and receive advice on sales and marketsmall food and drink operators to develop and raise the profile of their ing with a session including food photography for social media. business since it started in 2015. Previous programmes have helped Spice Story founder, Rijul Shukla, said: “One of the best decisions fledgling Greater Manchester firms get their products stocked in I made last year was joining Recipe4Success. It massively helped me in department stores such as Selfridges, as well as specialist and indemoving towards the retail side of the business and getting stocked in pendent retailers. shops. “The workshops were super helpful and relevant, and the netOne graduate of the 2021 scheme is Rijul Shukla, founder of 100% work you create through the programme is invaluable. If you are a plant-based Indian curry company Spice Story based in Manchester. food and drink business it is not to be missed.” Since completing the programme his products are now stocked on the Recipe4Success is managed and delivered by the Hub, which is shelves of 10 different stores across the northwest, including the part of the Growth Company and part-funded by the European hugely popular Kenyon Hall Farm in Warrington. Regional Development Fund. The next Recipe4Success programme Recipe4Success is open to start-ups, entrepreneurs and small will be officially launched on March 2 at Kampus, in Manchester, and businesses who are in their first three years of trading and based in will offer interested businesses the opportunity to meet some of the Greater Manchester. specialists leading the workshops. The next programme starts on March 22. Places are limited and businesses need to register their interest at www.businessgrowthhub.com/recipe4success. The three-month programme consists of a tailored series of nine workshops and networking events designed to help businesses overcome barriers and succeed. It is fully funded meaning businesses who are accepted onto the scheme do not pay any costs. Businesses will be supported by a team of experts who will throughout the life course, from help with everything from how to approach and pitch to buy- A yet to be published 166-page race birth to death,” ers, to digital marketing, demystifying regulatory guidelines report by the NHS has suggested that It added that despite “clear”, and branding. At the end of the programme, participants get ‘radical action is needed urgently to tackle “overwhelming” minority ethnic “convincing” and “persistent” evihealth inequalities in the NHS’. dence that ethnic minorities are being failed, and repeated pledges of According to experts, this damning action, no “significant change” has study found the “vast” and yet been made in the NHS. “widespread” inequity in every aspect MORTGAGES INSURANCE Dr Chaand Nagpaul, BMA counof healthcare it reviewed was harming • Residential • Life & Critical cil chair, said: “This comprehensive the health of millions of patients. • Buy to Let • Private Medical report from the NHS Race and “Racism, racial discrimination, bar• Remortgages • Income Protection Health Observatory is a shocking riers to accessing healthcare and woe• Ltd Co Mortgages • Professional Indemnity indictment of the scale of harm that ful ethnicity data collection have “neg• Public Liability racism is causing millions of people in atively impacted” the health of black, the UK. Asian and minority ethnic people in NO FEES CHARGED FROM “Millions of people are not only England for years, according to the THE CLIENT faced with poorer health outcomes but review, commissioned by the NHS are also experiencing racism when Race and Health Observatory, which Sanjiv Nanavati, CeMAP, M.B.A interacting with the NHS and this reveals the true scale of health inequalMortgage & Insurance Adviser report, which is the first of its kind, ities faced by ethnic minorities for the 07970 265 748 highlights the fact that these experifirst time,” The Guardian reported. sanjiv@srfsmortgages.co.uk ences have been hidden and concealed The publication further added that Harrow Business Centre, 429-433 Pinner Road, Harrow HA1 4HN due to a lack of data. The data in this it had exclusive access to the report SRFS Mortgages Ltd is authorised & regulated by the report is unacceptable and shows that that said, “Ethnic inequalities in health Financial Conduct Authority (No. 839035) Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up your payments on any mortgage secured on it. racism within the healthcare service outcomes are evident at every stage

NHS race report hints at “overwhelming” minority ethnic health inequalities

All you need is… Marriage Allowance HMRC is reminding married couples and those in civil partnerships to sign up for Marriage Allowance this Valentine's Day and share their personal tax allowances. Married couples and people in civil partnerships could receive extra cash this Valentine’s Day as HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) encourages those eligible to sign up for Marriage Allowance to reduce their tax bill. Marriage Allowance allows married couples or those in civil partnerships to

share their personal tax allowances if one partner earns an income under their Personal Allowance threshold of £12,570, and the other is a basic rate taxpayer. Eligible couples can transfer 10% of their tax-free allowance to their partner, which is £1,260 in the 2021 to 2022 tax year. It means couples can reduce the tax they pay by up to £252 a year. Couples can apply any time, backdate their claims for any of the 4 previous tax years and receive a payment of up to £1,220 at a time when they need it most. Marriage Allowance is one of the ways the government is helping couples to receive extra money back in their pocket each month. Financial support could help couples where they need it most, including household bills. Angela MacDonald, HMRC’s Deputy Chief Executive and Second Permanent Secretary, said: Couples could be sitting on a tax relief worth up to £1,220 that could provide vital financial support at the time they need it most. To find out if you are eligible and how to apply search ‘Marriage Allowance’ on GOV.UK. More than 2 million couples have applied for the tax relief since it was launched in 2015 but there could be thousands more who are eligible to claim. Married couples may have experienced a change in their circumstances which could now mean they are eligible for Marriage Allowance, including: - a recent marriage or civil partnership - one partner has retired and the other remains working - a change in employment due to Covid19 - a reduction in working hours which means their earnings fall below their Personal Allowance - unpaid leave or a career break, or - one partner is studying or in education and not earning above their Personal Allowance If a spouse or civil partner has died since 5 April 2017, the surviving person can still claim by contacting the Income Tax helpline. Marriage Allowance claims are automatically renewed every year. However, couples should notify HMRC if their circumstances change. follows millions of people - right from birth to death. This can no longer be ignored - there is a moral duty to put this right as matter of urgency. “The Government must openly acknowledge structural racism within the NHS and the barriers that it creates - something it failed to do in its own race disparity report last year. Those responsible for our health service must develop a cross-government action plan with tangible outcomes, timescales and agreement across the NHS.”

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Young inventor set to challenge the world Shefali Saxena Mihir Sheth from Mumbai is one of this year’s Young Innovators Awards winners. From designers turning fish skins into bags to a device that keeps a patient’s muscles working when on a ventilator to avoid muscle wastage, the winners of this year’s Young Innovators’ Awards, announced today by Innovate UK, the UK’s innovation agency, look set to tackle some of our biggest societal challenges. This year, half of the winners are women, around a third are Black, Asian or from another ethnic minority group, 17% have identified as disabled. Mihir Sheth (28 years old), from Oxford, who is of Indian heritage, was inspired by seeing so many patients on ventilators during the pandemic, to coinvent Inspiritus Health, simple to use, non-invasive medical device, which keeps patients’ muscles engaged when they are on a ventilator to prevent muscle wastage. Hailing from Mumbai, he finished his Bachelor’s and Master’s in Electrical Engineering and got a job in the USA at a company that was developing medical devices with and for clinicians in emerging markets. Mihir was offered a position as a Global Insight Fellow at the University of Oxford. Speaking exclusively to Asian Voice, Mihir said, “I moved to the UK to use Needs-Led Innovation to develop a novel medical device. Along with my co-founder, Dr. Myra Malik, we spent over a month embedded in hospitals in Senegal and in the UK where we were struck by the fact that patients on the ventilator seemed to be getting weaker and weaker.”

Ventilation is a topic that’s close to Mihir, because when he was 10 years old, his mother was admitted into the hospital and spent 40 days on the ventilator. “I do remember seeing her in the bed in the ICU and only being able to see her during visiting hours. This personally motivates me to develop a technology that can get ventilated patients home to their loved ones quicker,” Mihir said. Explaining the innovation he has created, Mihir told us, “Patients can lose up to 6% of their respiratory muscle strength per day of ventilation, and often spend up to half their total time on ventilation in the process of weaning - restrengthening their breathing muscles in order to breathe independently again.” Inspiritus Health has developed a simple, easy-to-use, non-invasive medical device that keeps the breathing muscles engaged from day 1 of ventilation. This simple device is a wearable that is placed on the patient and works in tune with the ventilator to keep the muscles engaged and prevents the weakness from occurring in the first place. Through this technology, Mihir and his team aim to reduce the patient muscle weakness that occurs due to ventilation, thus reducing the amount of time patients spend on the ventilator. This could also result in patients being discharged from the hospital quicker, with fewer complications and with a better quality of life. The Innovate UK Young Innovator

Award has also provided Mihir with a network of very inspirational entrepreneurs. The grant money provided and the mentorship provided by Innovate UK, The Prince’s Trust and KTN is critical in helping build a strong foundation to the company and to build and test more prototypes of the device. It is helping him learn how to navigate setting up a new business, and the advice provided by my business mentor has helped save me from some pitfalls. Mihir’s initial next steps are to develop new versions of the prototypes and get feedback from healthcare professionals and patients on the aesthetics. “I have been in touch with healthcare professionals in Manchester, Oxford and London and I look forward to continuing developing those partnerships in order to ensure that the innovation can impact the maximum number of lives,” he told the newsweekly.Mihir has spent a lot of time in understanding the root cause of the problem of muscle weakness due to ventilation – through reading research papers, talking to healthcare practitioners, and by doctors and nurses as they treat patients. This has enabled him to get a better understanding of their workflow and thought processes, and the context that the solution will have to exist in. If you’re an inspiring young innovator, check out how Innovate UK could support you here: https://ktnuk.org/programme/young-innovators/

QX Global Group acquires management consulting & advisory services firm Chazey Partners QX Global Group, a Top 100 Business Process Outsourcing company, announced the acquisition of an 80% stake in Austin, Texas-based Chazey Partners, world-class management consulting and advisory firm specializing in business and digital transformation. The Chazey Partners team brings decades of experience in implementing and operating world-class business support and shared services organizations around the globe, with expertise in Robotic Process Automation (RPA) and Artificial Intelligence (AI). Together, QX and Chazey Partners will work to deliver innovative solutions that cover transformative consulting, digital services, and business process outsourcing, customized to meet each client’s specific needs. Chazey brings to the QX Global Group management consulting and advisory services with a global reach. Founded in 2006, Chazey Partners has demonstrated consistent and significant growth, with global representation in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Costa Rica, Colombia, Ireland, Turkey, and India. Chazey’s consultants provide advice, support, and implementation expertise, covering strategy setting, business case production, program management, process optimization, technology enablement, training, and change management. “Since founding the company, we have significantly expanded and evolved Chazey’s solutions to help numerous businesses and public sector organizations achieve operational excellence by transforming their business operations,’’ said Phil Searle, CEO and Founder of Chazey Partners. The partnership of both trusted brands comes at a time when enterprises across the globe are adjusting to the postpandemic world. In this environment, Chazey Partners is at the forefront of offering needed transformation solutions, helping enterprises optimize business operations and adopt the latest technologies for sustained growth. The QX-Chazey partnership will enable all clients to achieve a faster return on investment and add more value to their customers and employees.

Secure English Language Tests (SELTs) approved for applications to UKVI for visas, visa renewals, British Citizenship and Settlement GESE: Graded Examinations in Spoken English A speaking and listening in English test available at levels A1, A2 and B1 Provisional result received in 24 hours and certificates sent within 7 days Tests every day of the week at Trinity’s many UK SELT centres

Just launched: the Trinity GESE Study App an on-the-go study tool that helps you learn and track the progress of your English language learning

Scan the QR code or visit trinitySELT.co.uk to book your Trinity SELT test

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Continued from page 1

REVENGE PORN PANDEMIC

A BBC study in 2015 revealed that though the average age of a revenge porn victim is 25, 30% of these offences involved children under the age of 11. 61% resulted in no action against the alleged perpetrator. The UK’s revenge porn helpline experienced its busiest year on record in 2020, with experts predicting the number of images it deals with will increase by 60%. The helpline, run by the charity SWGfL, part of the UK Safer Internet Centre, had cases almost double in April compared with the same month last year – from 122 to 242. Studies have shown that men are just as likely to be made victims of revenge pornography, even more so for someone who is gay, bisexual or transgender. 25% of revenge porn victims calling ‘The Revenge Porn Helpline’ in 2015 were male. Of these, 40% were from gay men, with approximately 50% of all male cases involving ‘sextortion’ – threats to release sexual images as a form of blackmail. Since 2015 in England and Wales, it is an offence for someone to share a private sexual image or video (online or offline) of someone without their consent and with the intention of causing them distress. Under Section 33 of the Criminal Justice and Court Act 2015, the offence is punishable by up to two years in prison. What is revenge porn? Speaking to Asian Voice, Dr Leila Jameel, Clinical Psychologist, Director of Early Careers, Association of Clinical Psychologists (UK) explained that revenge porn involves Dr Leila Jameel the sharing or distribution of private, sexual materials, such as images or videos, of another person, without their consent. This is primarily done with intention of causing embarrassment or distress to the victim. Revenge porn can involve sharing images offline, by showing someone a physical or electronic image, or online, by sharing a text or email or uploading to a website. In some cases, the victim might have willingly shared such images or consented to filming of a sexual act, but not to these being shared in this way. In other cases, these images or materials might have been obtained without the person's permission (eg. secret filming of a sexual act). Explaining the psychological impact, she said, “The experience of revenge porn can be extremely distressing for its victims, as it is an invasion of their privacy and a violation of their trust. It can lead to bullying and ostracising - both in person from people they know and love, and online from unidentified trolls. This might be particularly difficult for people from marginalised groups such as those from the LGBTQ+ community, or from religious, cultural or ethnic backgrounds where such sexual behaviours are prohibited or frowned upon. “Revenge porn, or threats to share materials without someone's permission, is extremely damaging to an individual's mental health. This experience can cause a person to have difficulty trusting other people in the future, especially when being intimate with others, either emotionally and/or physically. This experience can also cause people to experience unjustified and strong feelings of shame and guilt about their behaviour - the sexual act itself and the images or materials associated with it. “This can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) where people experience intrusive thoughts or images associated with or of the event popping into their mind frequently. PTSD can also lead to feelings of being hypervigilant and constantly on guard, which can lead to other difficulties such as difficulty sleeping or the use of drugs and alcohol to help 'them to switch off'. PTSD can also lead to avoiding places, people or situations that remind them of

the event. PTSD can also lead to other mental health difficulties such as depression, or paranoid thinking about other fear of harm from others, as seen in psychosis.” Revenge pornography in Asian communities Revenge pornography has been a dangerous activity amongst British Asians, especially, when relationships face turmoil. According to an article in DesiBlitz, one such case arose in October 2017, when Jamel Ali, a British Bangladeshi, released explicit images of his ex-girlfriend to her father to ‘show him what kind of girl she was.’ He was jailed at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court after pleading guilty to distributing intimate images and two offences of harassment without violence. However, a close source to Ali has exclusively revealed that the story being shared in mainstream media was not entirely true, claiming that certain details were “fabricated.” Online paedophile Abdul Elahi was jailed for 32 years at Birmingham Crown Court in December 2021 after blackmailing victims into committing "sick" child sex abuse while targeting almost 2,000 people. In early February this year, a man was accused of sexually assaulting three schoolgirls, had around 4,000 indecent images of children on his computer equipment when he was arrested, it has been alleged. Geoffrey Lewis allegedly touched the girls on their breasts and inside their underwear and took a picture of one of them in a shower without her knowledge, Ipswich Crown Court was told. Not just women Ameepurva Thaker from the Brown Therapist network told us that she has come across cases of blackmail and revenge porn when she was doing her placement as a trained therapist. “Part of it was controlled from the other person and at times it was from someone they knew,” she said. Speaking about the kind of help victims require in such cases and the time span it may possibly take for them to overcome the trauma, Ameepurva said, “How long is a piece of string, based on the individual and the impact of trauma.” She added that such victims need help with managing the flashback, and it also impacts their trust and ability to move forward. Such people may have difficulty in managing their self-worth and self-esteem. Ameepurva feels that working through the trauma can be long term and it is important that the client feels heard and safe. “At my previous placement I worked with someone for over a year, and we had weekly sessions,” she added. She further added that it’s not just women who are victims. Ameerpurva said, “I have worked with male clients and families who have suffered from this “Have the conversation and allow for the individual to be able to share and speak to family members and school and not to be blamed.” South Asian community still frowns upon sexual intimacy before marriage Sukhvinder Kaur, Founder/Trustee of Sikh Women’s Aid told the newsweekly, “Sikh Women’s Aid recognises the devastation and anguish victims of revenge porn and Sukhvinder Kaur blackmailing face. We have supported several male and female victims and we are seeing women and people who identify as LGBTQ disproportionately affected. This is a double whammy of trauma because there is still a significant proportion of the South Asian community where sexual intimacy before marriage is frowned upon. We have had clients ring us who are feeling suicidal and traumatised because of images and videos that were shared in trust with an intimate partner and

when the relationship breaks down, threats to expose intimate pictures to the victims' family begin. “Sadly, there have been many cases where perpetrators of revenge porn have shared intimate pictures with a victims' family, and this puts victims at risk of significant harm. They are exposed to 'so called' honour-based violence, suppression of sexuality and some have been threatened with forced marriage due to perceived ‘shame’ and ‘honour’ violations by family and the extended community. Victims have told us that they are plagued with extreme shame and fear and feel like no one will understand let alone support them. “We also know that bullying in schools can take a sexual form and sometimes victims are forced into non-consensual sexual activity which is filmed or photographed to be used as blackmail. “It is the opinion of Sikh Women’s Aid that perpetrators thrive on this culture of shame and 'so called' honour knowing that victims will go to extreme lengths to protect themselves which can lead to further abuse.” Many cases of revenge porn go unreported Sanam Arora, Chairperson NISAU UK told the newsweekly, “Revenge porn is certainly an area of concern in young people's minds. We have had one quite horrifySanam Arora ing case where the guy for years tormented one of our female members in the most publicly demeaning ways and it really became quite an extreme case of harassment, both physical and online. “The taboo nature of the topic meant that we actually found it quite difficult to be able to utilise the usual redressal available for more common crimes. It is certainly likely that many cases of revenge porn go unreported in our community because the victims fear further consequences. I would urge anyone facing such a situation to contact a relevant authority and feel free to contact the NISAU if you want to have a friendly and confidential chat about any such concerns.” The Tinder Swindler Consultant Psychiatrist Dr Seshni Moodliar Rensburg works in the UK at St Andrew's hospital. She’s also the author of Pass the CASC book, a radio and TV presenter at Happy Doctors Kitchen. Contextualising this Dr Seshni Moodliar Rensburg issue with the contemporary scenario, she believes that recently, revenge porn, blackmailing and cybercrime have been given the spotlight in the media and even on Netflix’s show ‘The Tinder Swindler’ which has become number one. The show depicts the real-life story of extensive cybercrimes where women were defrauded for up to £10 million by The Tinder Swindler. “In this millennial digital age, meeting someone online, sharing intimate moments, texting, sexting, and online cyber-sex is a norm. Naturally, also with all the dating apps around, it’s normal to share moments of flirting, intimacy, showing affection for someone by engaging in online communication. But, when it goes wrong, when you then are asked to send raunchy pics of yourself to show your affection, or start to be threatened for money or blackmailed, or be a victim of revenge porn it can be an emotional rollercoaster,” the Consultant Psychiatrist told Asian Voice. According to her, unfortunately, if one becomes a victim of cyber-bullying and does not receive treatment, it can lead to depression, anxiety, social phobia, panic attacks, social isolation, and PTSD. “In severe cases, the victim might try to end their lives and even commit suicide,” the doctor said. Dr Moodliar also added that the perpetrators lack remorse for their victims as see them

only as a means to their end game. “The best way is to avoid such personalities that are too charming, vain, boastful, and manipulative is to identify early who the person is when you start an online relationship. There are subtle tell-tale signs, and clues, that question their requests and actions. Also don’t be fooled by the drama or exaggerated importance they give themselves, find out more, you need to know who you are getting in a relationship, what’s the evidence and is there someone to corroborate their identity. As expected, these perpetrators are smart, slick and so experienced that they sometimes cover all these details, however, there are always clues,” she explained. Home secretary Priti Patel has been seeking changes to the upcoming Online Safety bill, a wide-ranging piece of proposed legislation aimed at clamping down on fraud, terrorism and other illegal activities on digital platforms. “There is lots of content on social media that is illegal and harmful to children. We want to give Ofcom powers to require companies to mitigate harm on their platforms,” one Whitehall official told the FT.

Investing in mentoring youngsters In an exclusive interview with Asian Voice, the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan spoke about the recent plans to provide access to a mentor for every young Londoner in need of support. He said, “The new funding will expand the mentoring offer in the capital now and help young Londoners most in need get the help and support they deserve to reach

their potential. This includes children who have been excluded from school or college, those who are impacted by exploitation, young Londoners who are impacted by domestic violence or living in poverty, and those involved in the care system. “Additionally, we will be drawing on the contacts and connections that London Councils and many volunteers and community sector organisations have across the capital to ensure more young Londoners who are eligible for mentoring have access to the support they need. “London’s Violence Reduction Unit will also be investing £2.4m in a new three-year mentoring programme as part of their ongoing efforts to tackle school exclusions through effective mentoring programmes. These will work to keep pupils in Pupil Referral Units engaged in their education, motivated and supported to achieve their goals.” Since children have been away from school, perhaps not been in a safe place if subjected to any kind of violence, we asked Mr Khan about what can be done to prepare them about the basics of intimacy, especially because Asian youngsters may not belong to households that openly talk about safety and intimacy. Can this mentorship programme also take care of sensitising youngsters and their parents in this context? The London Mayor said, “The London Violence Reduction Unit is also investing in schools’ programmes across London that are focused on healthy relationships which include discussing issues such as the impact of social media.”

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PRODUCED IN ASSOCIATION WITH BETTER HEALTH

TIME TO WORK ON YOUR HEALTHY FOOD RESOLUTION

NHS Weight Loss App

Making healthier lifestyle choices can be easier than you think

Rupanjana Dutta

Take things one day at a time with the free NHS weight loss plan. The plan is broken down into 12 weeks so you can: • Set weight loss goals • Use the BMI calculator to customise your plan • Plan your meals easily • Make healthier food choices • Get more active and burn more calories • Record your activity and progress

Already in the second month of the year, many of us have decided to work on that new year’s resolution to eat healthy, cut down on extra calories, give up unhealthy habits and exercise more. Whether you have a plan for your health journey or are still looking for exciting ways to start, Better Health is a useful source to find free and helpful advice and easy tips. Extra weight can put a strain on our bodies but eating well and reaching a healthy weight has many benefits. There are little changes we can make to our everyday lifestyle to eat better, get active and lose weight and doing so can boost your energy and feel empowering.

r Farzana Hussain is a GP Principal at The Project Surgery in Newham. Speaking to Asian Voice, she explained how reaching a healthy BMI can improve your health. “When we gain weight, we can be at risk of many illnesses. You are more at risk of getting diabetes, high blood pressure or heart disease. Losing weight can protect us from getting these serious illnesses. “Moreover, when we gain weight, we can get back or knee pain, because we are carrying more weight. When we lose weight those aches and pains in the back and the legs can also reduce.” To keep weight under check, using BMI as an indicator could be useful. Dr Hussain explains that eating healthy and maintaining a healthy BMI are crucial especially as South Asians are at higher risk of diabetes and heart related illnesses. It is important to watch your portions and calorie intake. “You don’t need to radically change your diet and you can continue eating the food you enjoy whilst making simple swaps and healthy tweaks. The Better Health website is useful to find some useful tips as well as recipes, and the NHS Weight Loss app helps you to keep an eye on calorie intake,” she said. Following are 10 tips from Farzana on how to eat healthier meals. • There are some really great things about the South Asian diet. Aim for 2 or more portions

Weight loss plan

of vegetables in a main meal (half your plate). There’s are a lot of fantastic vegetables that are very healthy to eat. Cooking vegetables in unsaturated oil with a little turmeric and spice is a healthy and tasty option for increasing vegetable intake. • Always include some protein like beans, pulses, fish, eggs, meat etc in your food. It helps you stay full. All the different dals that we have in the South Asian community are quite healthy. And if you have a non-veg diet, please

try to eat more lean meat. If you eat fish, try to have 2 portions a week. At least 1 portion should be oily fish like tuna, sardines or salmon. • South Asian diets can be high in carbohydrates but controlling your portions and swapping to wholegrain alternatives can be a healthier option. Swap your white rice with brown rice and use coarse wholemeal atta for chapatis instead of white flour. • Keep your dairy light and low. Pick lower-fat and lower-sugar options for milk, cheese and yoghurts. • Choose unsaturated oil. Ditch ghee and butter and go for olive, sunflower and rapeseed oil, which have unsaturated fats. Choose lower-fat spreads and only eat it in small amounts. • Become portion aware and swap your usual plate or bowl for a smaller one and try to say no to second-helpings. Have more vegetables. If you can add a little bit of salad, and reduce the rice or the roti portion, you will find that you’re still enjoying your food, but you’re having a healthier meal. The fibre in fruit and vegetables can help keep you fuller for longer, and most vegetables are low in calories - great for helping you watch your weight. • Try healthier snacks such as a handful of roasted channa, whole almonds, unsalted peanuts, or wholemeal pitta bread strips with two tablespoons of hummus. • Drink 6 to 8 cups of fluid a day. Water, tea, coffee, soup- they all count! Keep yourself hydrated. • Keep an eye on how much juice you drink, even unsweetened fruit juice can have a lot of sugar, so stick to 150mls or a small glass a day. • Even if you’re new to excercise there are lots of little ways to move more. A 10 minute brisk walk, walking to get your groceries and walking instead of taking the bus all helps. For free tips and tools to lose weight or get active, search Better Health or visit www. nhs.uk/better-health.

Download the free NHS weight loss app on App Store or Google Play.

Getting back in shape 52-year-old Dr Anirban Mandal is a surgeon as well as fitness instructor from Essex. An avid

singer and drama enthusiast, he used to be in good shape in the pre-pandemic days. But over the last two years like many others, he has put on some weight, which he is very keen to lose. Therefore, in the new year Anirban decided to start eating healthy along with regular exercises to get himself back in his old shape and BMI. Speaking to this newsweekly, he said, “I want to go back to my pre-pandemic weight. So, two weeks back I went to the Better Health website and downloaded the NHS Weight Loss App to plan my journey forward - measure my portions, calorie intake and track my progress. So far, I have lost 2 kgs though my goal is to lose a minimum of 12 kgs.” Coupled with exercise, which includes yoga and cycling, Anirban ensures he eats healthy. “Portion control in food is believed to be the best way to stay healthy,” he said. “I mainly have salads, fish, nuts, fruits, vegetables, chicken and brown rice in my diet. I always make sure that 50% of my meal is vegetables and that carbohydrates make up no more than a third of my plate. I also drink a lot of water to keep myself hydrated.” Download the free NHS weight loss app on App Store or Google Play.

A recipe for success

Vegetable Curry: This curry is full of interesting ingredients and is a real mix of flavours and textures. Try experimenting with different vegetables. Preparation: 15 mins Cooking: 35 mins Serves: 4 Calories per portion: 453 kcal Ingredients: • 2 tsp vegetable oil • 1 large onion chopped • 1 medium apple cored and chopped • 1 garlic clove crushed or finely chopped • 2 tbsp Balti curry paste • 2 carrots sliced • 400g chopped tomatoes • 2 handfuls cauliflowers broken into florets • 200g chickpeas in water drained • 160g marinated tofu pieces • 300ml reduced salt vegetable stock • 200g easy cook brown rice • 50g frozen peas thawed • 1 pinch ground black pepper What to do: 1. Heat the vegetable oil in a large saucepan. Add onion, apple, garlic and stir-fry for 2-3 mins. Stir in the curry paste and cook for a few seconds. 2. Add the carrots, tomatoes, cauliflower or broccoli, chickpeas, tofu and stock. Simmer partially covered for 25-30 mins, adding a little extra stock or water if the curry looks like it is getting too dry. At the same time, cook the brown rice in gently boiling water for 25-30 mins or until tender. 3. Add the peas to the curry and heat for a few moments. Season with pepper, if needed, Drain the rice thoroughly and serve with curry. Tips: Vary the vegetables according to your preferences. Another time, try adding peppers, mushrooms or courgettes.

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19 - 25 February 2022

Subpostmaster ‘contemplated suicide’ Subpostmaster, 69, who was left with a bill of £17,000 due to flaws within the Post Office system, revealed in an inquiry that he 'contemplated suicide' due to the IT system fault. In a massive miscarriage of justice, more than 700 subpostmasters and subpostmistresses (SPMs) faced false claims of theft, fraud and false accounting due to a flaw in the computer system Horizon, installed and maintained by Fujitsu. In an inquiry in central London heard on Monday, Baljit Sethi, 69, and his wife Anjana, 67, who have three children together, revealed that they 'lost everything' after the Horizon IT scandal. Mr Sethi, the first witness to give evidence, told the inquiry: 'We didn't take a single penny from the Post Office our entire life.' The inquiry heard that in 2001, Mr Sethi took on another branch in Brentwood, Essex,

shifts as a security guard on minimum wage to help fund quality education and lifestyle for his children. He went on to say: 'People in our community believed we had been robbing Sandip Patel QC, Managing from the Post Office. 'It all had a bad Partner at Aliant Law who has represented clients during this scandal, impact on us psychotold Asian Voice, “We know that the logically, financially impact on all the sub-postmasters and reputation-wise.' Around 900 of the was in relation to the emotional impact was extreme. Not only did 2,300 applicants have many of them become bankrupt, but been made an offer, they lost their livelihoods. Many lost the Post Office contheir homes as a result of becoming firmed. The Government bankrupt. I know that many lost their relationships. Those who went has been forced to to prisons suffered the most. You fund the compensahave to remember that many of tion bill as the Post these were vulnerable people, they Office's sole sharewere elderly. Having represented a holder – with the total number of the sub-postmasters, expected to run past what I found is that this continues to £1billion. A judge is haunt them, even to this day, even due to hear evidence after they've been vindicated by the on why sub-postmasCourt of Appeal because no amount ters and postmistressof money can really redress the fact es were singled out that absolutely nothing can compen- and whether they have been justly compensate for those times.” sated. contemplated suicide, but I thought no, that's the easy way out, what about my family and my children?' The Mail reported that Sethi described working late

Baljit Sethi and his wife Anjana

which after one year showed a hole in the accounts of £17,000, which the couple were asked to cover out of their own pocket. Sethi, who was never charged, told the inquiry he tried to communicate with the head office in Chelmsford, Essex, after noticing a problem with the system. He broke down in tears as he went on to say: 'I used to open it at 8am and shut at 8pm. I was the only Post Office in the country running all seven days.' Sethi also added: 'We lost everything we ever had after 20-25 years and this was all thanks to the Post Office. 'I was down and out, I

Croydon attack on woman was racially motivated The police have released the photo of a man who allegedly ripped a woman’s hair in a racially motivated attack in Croydon. The victim, 31, was assaulted outside East Croydon Railway Station, south London, at around 6.45 pm on 18 December when

she got off a Route 119 bus. The Metropolitan Police said the victim’s hair was

ripped off from her scalp by the man. Police said the victim sustained facial injuries in the prolonged attack. Detective Constable Becky Hughes said: “Tackling violent crime, especially against women and girls, remains our main priority. “This was an entirely

Young Harrow Foundation launches online mental health hub Young Harrow Foundation has launched an online mental health club to support people's emotional needs and wellbeing. The helpline aims to help people with specific requirements, such as LGBT+ issues, domestic abuse, being a young carer, suicidal thoughts, etc. As per the Hay Harrow

Report study, it shows that 65 per cent of 6,000 young people that were surveyed in Harrow said they “sometimes” or “often” feel depressed or anxious. Dan Burke, CEO of Young Harrow Foundation, said: “We want all young people in Harrow to have the potential to have good mental health. There is so

much support on offer locally, but often it’s a challenge to know where to find it. Together with Harrow Council and our network of over 200 charities, we have curated these services into one place on our website, so it’s easy for young people to find and access the help they need.”

Could Neil Basu be the next MetPolice Chief? The shocking resignation of MetPolice Commissioner Cressida Dick came after months of pressure over a series of scandals that ended with revelations that officers at Charing Cross police station had been caught joking about raping women and killing black children. Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Police Federation, which represents more than 31,000 officers in the capital, has declared it has "no faith" in London Mayor Sadiq Khan. Ken Marsh, chairman of the federation said, "We have let the Mayor's office know in no uncertain terms how our brave and diligent colleagues deserve better. The atmosphere amongst Metropolitan

Police officers is horrendous - it's rock bottom. "Officers in London feel saddened and angry that Commissioner Cressida Dick has been pushed out in the way she has. She was reforming. She was changing. The culture is changing. We are deeply disappointed with the actions of the Mayor." Anil Kanti 'Neil' Basu, the Indian-origin British counter-terror cop, is likely to replace Dame Cressida Dick. Basu, 53, is currently the Assistant Commissioner (Specialist Operations) of the London Metropolitan Police. His father was a surgeon, who hailed from Kolkata and relocated to the UK in the 1960s, where he

Neil Basu with Sir David Amess at Bengal's Pride Award 2018

married his mother, a nurse of Welsh heritage. An economics graduate from Nottingham University, Mr Basu had joined the Met Police in 1992 and was elevated as head of counterterrorism and specialist operations, before becoming director of the College of Policing. He was awarded the Bengal Pride Award in 2018 (co-hosted by Asian Voice) for his role as counter-terrorism chief.

unprovoked assault which continued whilst the victim was lying on the ground. “I would urge anyone who was there, or who recognises the person whose image we have released today, to come forward. We need to identify and speak with him.”

The Anti-India Lobby Continued from page 3

The Mizo Accord of 1986 was signed to bring further peace and stability. While constitutional amendments of 1992 brought the government closer to the people. Later, the Mahatma Gandhi National Employment Rural Guarantee Scheme of 2006 was introduced to help citizens across the country. India has also made a huge impact on the arts. Bollywood is a multi-billion dollar industry, while Indian music has achieved several global awards. In literature, VS Naipaul, Salmon Rushdie, and Arundhati Roy have all captured the prestigious

Booker Prize. Of course, some of the best Indian exports have been our people. The Indian diaspora has brought food and culture around the world. Additionally, the children of Indian migrants have been risen to become the CEOs of major corporations like Microsoft, Alphabet, Adobe, Mastercard, Twitter, and more. A lot has been achieved already, but it is only the start. The National Master Plan seeks to improve infrastructure development across the country and bring prosperity to future generations.

Northwood College for Girls garners praise Northwood College for Girls has stood out as an exception in its Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) report, after receiving ‘excellent’ in every category. The body that inspected the school between November 30 and December 3, described pupils as potential “leaders of tomorrow”. The inspection included the evaluation of pupils' achievements, including their academic development

as well as their personal development. Headteacher Mrs Brown said: “I am absolutely delighted and filled with pride to receive the phenomenal ISI report." “We know that together our NWC family makes up a phenomenal force and this feedback is testament to the sheer hard work, dedication, commitment and support that is shown every day by our teachers, support staff, pupils and families".

India’s premier institution all set to open its branches in UK According to media reports, the Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT) are set to open its branches in the UK. India's high commissioner to the United Kingdom, Gaitri Kumar is said to have shared information related to IITs with UK universities, WION news reported.UK's University of Birmingham has termed this as a "real partnership" between India and UK as the former’s prestigious institute is being brought to the UK. IIT-Kharagpur and the University of Manchester had already launched IndiaUK doctoral programme in 2021. Asian Voice columnist Nitin Mehta said, “Ancient India was a knowledge powerhouse. The world's first residential university was built in Nalanda, India

in 427CE. Historical sources indicate that the University had a long and illustrious life that lasted almost continually for 800 years from the fifth to the twelfth century CE. It was a residential University believed to have 2,000 teachers and 10,000 students at any one time. Students from many parts of the world came to study there. Amongst the subjects taught were Theology, Grammar, Logic, Astronomy, and Medicine. “The great philosopher Chanakya was a student of this university. He was the Guru of Emperor Chandragupta Maurya and author of the classic volume, 'Arthashastra' a Sanskrit text outlining theories and principles of governing a state. Nalanda was sacked by Bakhtiyar Khilji

destroying 9 million manuscripts. It reversed human knowledge for centuries. Another ancient University was in Takshasila built in the 6th Century. Sixteen branches of learning were taught here presided by specialist professors. It was burnt by a tribe called White Huns who were from the other side of the Chinese Wall. Another university of repute was called Vallabhi in western India. It taught vocational courses like making boats, building houses, veterinary science and agriculture. India is now on the cusp of a breakthrough in the knowledge that will be of great significance in the coming decades. UK will benefit greatly from the best academic institutions in India.

Minister for Employment reacts to Labour Market Statistics The Minister for Employment, Mims Davies MP has reacted to Labour Market Statistics. In September-November 2021, the number of people aged 16+ in employment was 32.48 million, and the employment rate was 75.5%, up from 75.3% in the previous quarter.

Davies said, “Today’s figures show further positive signs of recovery, with unemployment continuing to drop and 436,000 people joining company payrolls since the start of the pandemic, a record high number of employees including more young and older workers.

“Through our Way to Work campaign, we are making sure that anyone who is ready to work can get into a job faster than ever before, allowing them to progress to a fulfilling career, giving them financial independence as well as improved wellbeing.”

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Indian classical music superstars visit Royal Birmingham Conservatoire Ties between British and Indian musicians were boosted this week with a visit by four classical music superstars to Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. Tabla supremo Zakir Hussain told an assembled audience of staff, students, diplomats, MPs and business leaders including the Indian Consul General of India Dr Shashank Vikram and Preet Kaur Gill MP at the world-renowned centre of music, based at Birmingham City University, that ‘music has the power to change your life in a way you couldn’t even imagine’. Acclaimed singer-composer Shankar Mahadevan, leading flautist Rakesh Chaurasia, and legendary keyboardist and producer Louiz Banks joined the superstar for the visit. Organised by BCU India and West Midlands India Partnership, the event saw the artists – who are known to hundreds of millions of fans in their home country and across the globe – share advice and stories with a captivated audience in the Conservatoire’s Bradshaw Hall, before enjoying performances from RBC percussion and brass students. Musical links between the UK and India were explored between the VIPs and senior

Dr Shirley Thompson welcomes Louiz Banks and Shankar Mahadevan to Royal Birmingham Conservatoire credit Jas Sansi for BCU

Zakir Hussain and Jaspreet Singh at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire credit Jas Sansi for BCU

leaders of the University, and the artists posed for photos with senior music students on stage after the event. Zakir Hussain, who alongside his late father Ustad Alla Rakha was largely responsible for popularising the tabla with Western audiences throughout the 1970s and 1980s, is a virtuoso musician who gave his first concert at the age of seven and was touring with the late sitar maestro Ravi Shankar in the US at 11 years old. The musician has also recorded and performed with many notable Western musicians including George Harrison, Van Morrison, Mickey Hart of the Grateful Dead, Herbie Hancock, and John McLaughlin in

the great acoustic group Shakti. Shyam Naban, Director of the West Midlands India Partnership, part of the team who organised the visit, said, “We’re delighted to support the development of cultural and artistic links between the West Midlands region and India through interactions with global Indian maestros like Ustad Zakir Hussain, Padmashri Shankar Mahadevan, Jazz King Louis Banks and Rakesh Chaurasia. We will continue to connect our board members with esteemed organisations in India as a part of our strategy to enhance relations as we celebrate the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games and ‘India at 75’ this year.

Police investigating after a woman was attacked with a stick West Midlands Police are investigating a serious wounding after a woman was attacked with a stick and have appealed to trace a suspect. They want to trace the 25year-old person called Waqar Banaras from Balsall Heath, following a probe into this serious wounding, coercive control and threats to kill. A probe is also underway into coercive control and making threats to kill. The Police says culprit Waqas Banaras had links to Solihull, Hall Green, Acocks Green and Lozells. Meanwhile, the Police searching for Banaras has urged the public not to approach him and instead call 999.

Chesterfield mothers launch campaign on dangerous illness PIMS Sarah Morris's sevenyear-old son, Samuel, and Ganga Gnanaraj's son, Shenan, 11, both had mild bouts of coronavirus last year. But within weeks the boys – who didn't know each other – were in hospital fighting Paediatric In fla mm a to ry Multisystem Syndrome (PIMS). Sarah said Samuel was not badly affected

by the virus itself, but then developed symptoms including a high temperature, cracked lips, a rash and lethargy. He became severely ill to the point of being unable to stand and ended up in intensive

Picture of a thief stealing car surfaces The first picture of Tahir Mohmood, 41, who stole the car with the child inside and ran down his mum, has surfaced. Drug user Tahir yelled at the 15-year-old to 'get the f*** out of the car' before threatening to drive off with him during the 'shocking' ordeal. He jumped behind the wheels when the boy's mother left her son inside the unlocked car. The boy's mom

rushed out of the chip shop and tried stopping Mahmood from driving off but he knocked her to the ground. He shouted "get the f***

out of the car now" before the pair hurried out of the vehicle at about 6.45 pm, prosecutor Andrew Wilkins said. Ms Chetwynd rushed out of the chip shop and tried to stop Mahmood from driving off but he struck her with the car and knocked her to the ground. Following the collision, the defendant fled the scene but was later arrested.

Teen girl goes missing from Leicester home 17-year-old Najlaa Aqli was last seen on Saturday, 12 February at 4.30 pm, when she left her home in Strasbourg Drive, Beaumont Leys. She has gone missing since then and police are concerned. Her family has reported her missing. The family told police that Najlaa returned home after visiting the shops before leaving again - this time without her mobile phone, money or bag. The family have described her actions as "out of character". Leicestershire Police has launched an appeal to locate the missing teen. Najlaa is 5ft 5 inches tall, with shoulder-length black hair and wears glasses.

When she was last seen,

she was wearing a black headscarf, dark brown waist-length jacket, dark bottoms and white trainers.q The force has asked anyone with information on Najlaa's whereabouts to come forward by ringing 101 quoting incident number 52 of 13 February.

Police seized £16million worth of drugs on West Midlands roads As a part of the road crackdown, West Midlands Police seized a staggering £16million worth of Class A and B drugs from West Midlands roads last year. Traffic teams too recovered scores of stolen cars, cash and more than 130 weapons that included guns. During patrolling, they made iver 2,200 arrests. To target vehicles that are believed to be linked to illegal activities and to prevent criminals using roads to escape, road crackdown is being conducted.

care. Shenan was sent home twice from hospital despite having symptoms of PIMS, with one doctor misdiagnosing him with tonsillitis. The two mothers from Chesterfield have now launched a campaign to raise awareness of the "dan-

gerous" Covid 19-related illness which almost killed their young sons just weeks apart. PIMS is a new condition that happens weeks after someone has had the virus that causes Covid. Chesterfield MP Toby Perkins is backing the

women's campaign. Both boys are now recovering, but Sarah wants to see the track-and-trace system used to contact parents of children who've had Covid to make them aware of the dangers posed by PIMS.

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Remembering Shri Khodidasbhai Dhamecha on his second death anniversary The strong foundation of heritage, philanthropy and service built by Shri Khodidasbhai Dhamecha is an inspiration for future generations and our communities. Khodidasbhai, the pioneer and founder of UK’s Dhamecha Cash & Carry Group passed away at the age of 89 in Jamnagar, Gujarat, India on 14 February 2020. With the guidance of Parampujya Laduma and support from Lalitaben and Late Jayantibhai, Khodidasbhai fulfilled all his roles and responsibilities in life with utmost sincerity. He firmly believed that as the oldest member of the family, it was his duty to look after every need of his family members. In 1971, Khodidasbhai first set up a home in the UK and then asked his brothers in Kenya to join him. In 1976 three brothers together opened their first 10,000 square feet Cash & Carry warehouse in Wembley and the rest is history. Dhamecha Cash & Carry now has ten depots around London and the Midlands. Khodidasbhai was also quite generous in attributing his time and money to the upliftment of society. In the late 1990s, he divided his time between the UK and India, focusing on philanthropic work. Therefore, under his able leadership and vision, Dhamecha Group also developed a reputation for working towards the welfare of people. A charitable foundation was set up to carry forward the legacy and philosophy of Mother Laduma. Through this trust, the Dhamecha Group has contributed large sums to worthwhile causes locally, nationally and globally as well as donated to charitable organisations. The Dhamecha Group is now managed by the second generation of the Dhamecha family Khodidasbhai's son Pradipbhai, Shantibhai's son Manishbhai Dhamecha and their brother-in-law Mukeshbhai Vithalani. Pradipbhai’s son, Anand Dhamecha, who grew up very closely with Khodidasbhai, is also involved in the business now. Granddaughters Radhika and Riddhi had a special emotional bond with Khodidasbhai and now when both are blessed with daughters, the loss of Khodidasbhai is felt even more deeply by the family. Remembering this community hero and his immense contributions, CB Patel, and his entire team at Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar would like to pay their tribute and respect to the parted soul.

If you can’t afford bread, eat cakes During the French revolution from 1789 to 1793 when French peasants were starving, gathering outside Queen Marie-Antoinette’s palace in protest, the above sentence is attributed to her, in contempt for the ordinary starving people while living a life of luxury. It seems we are going through a similar situation here, with rising prices on all fronts, food, energy, petrol and other essential goods, while wages are stagnant, inflation going through the roof, predicted to be touching 7:1% by April but has already reached 8% with pound weakening and our living-standard declining for the first time in three decades. Yet politicians were partying with drinks galore in No 10 Downing Street, without a care in the world, no wonder many will endure the same fate as the French Queen, thrown out of public life forever. Most newspapers blame PM’s young, beautiful smart wife Carrie who seems to have an undue influence on PM. These may seem cruel allegations, as PM is his own man, a seasoned politician and has gone through three marriages. Where are we going wrong? Is it the fault of our partying politicians or do we have to take some responsibility, as we, as voters are responsible for putting them on the pedestals in the first place! When PM Boris helped Conservatives to gain an unimagined majority of some 80 MPs, turning Northern Labour areas, “Red Brick” constituencies Blue, Boris was declared a hero who will lead his party to glory days, last enjoyed under Lady Thatcher. I feel PM is his own worst enemy, abandoning homefront in favour of glory-seeking involvement in Europe, targeting President Putin on Ukraine, spending billions on armaments to arm Ukraine when most EU nations, especially France and Germany couldn’t care less. It’s time for PM to learn how to look after our own! There are not many visible candidates to replace Boris, although Rishi Sunak is the bookie’s favourite. Perhaps he seems too eager, giving PM half-hearted support that may put off some of his supporters. We are going through an interesting upheaval; no one knows how it will end! Bhupendra M. Gandhi

Londoners deserve better than this A long-overdue, long-term funding package for Transport for London (TfL) has been held up once again by the Government. The latest short-term, sticking-plaster settlement was due to run out last Friday (4th February). But instead of announcing the fair funding that London’s transport system desperately needs, Ministers announced another extension to negotiations at the eleventh hour- this time just lasting two weeks. Londoners deserve better than this. The reason that TfL faces a financial cliff edge is due to plummeting passenger numbers during the pandemic, which is yet to fully recover. There are no two ways about it, without proper help from the Government, we face major cuts to tube and bus services, throwing TfL into a state of managed decline. Documents released last week show a £1.5bn financial black hole which could cause widespread travel disruption and gridlocked roads as TfL deals with the repercussions of Covid-19. Government delay and inaction is crippling London’s economic recovery. Thousands of jobs across the country are at risk, road safety schemes are in jeopardy, roads and bridges are falling into disrepair and a lack of funds is damaging our environmental goals. Enough is enough. The Department for Transport must end the uncertainty, work with TfL and the Mayor over the next two weeks and come to the table to give our transport services the shot in the arm that it urgently needs. Cllr Kurpesh Hirani AM London Assembly Member for Brent and Harrow

Barcoded Stamps Your readers will have seen that our ‘every day’ stamps are changing. We are adding unique barcodes to stamps to pave the way for innovative services for our customers and to enhance the security of the postal service. We are encouraging customers to find and use up any non-barcoded stamps before 31 January 2023. However, if customers are unable to use them up by then, we will exchange them for barcoded stamps completely free of charge. Our 'Swap Out' scheme will open on 31 March 2022. Customers will be able to print out a form from our website, call our Customer Experience team to ask for one or pick one up from their local Delivery Office's Customer Service Point. More details about our ‘Swap Out’ scheme will be announced soon, but in the meantime please be assured that all existing stamps remain valid for postage in the usual way. Nick Landon, Chief Commercial Officer, Royal Mail

Thankful to Asian Voice I am thankful to Asian Voice for publishing my letter 'Unfortunate Sri Lanka crisis’ in these precious columns dated February 12-18, 2022. Asian Voice coming forward to highlight this issue is bold, great, undisputed and commendable. Highlighting such bigger national and international issues is adding to the strength of this newspaper and the letters columns. At age 43, to top it all, my connection [rapport] with Asian Voice is strong in that I am having [maintaining] access to Asian Voice – this is possible even if I go to my native areas such as Tuticorin, Tirunelveli And Kanyakumari [Nagercoil, Thuckalay, Marthandam, Kuzhithurai, Karungal, Mariagiri, St. Mankad & Kaliakkavilai] Districts In Tamil Nadu-India. As an English trainer, I often talk to my students and others about your greatness and my strong rapport and connection with you. I always like and admire the style, the hard work, the elegance and the power of Asian Voice. By the by-sometime back, sports activities for the media people were held in Tirunelveli In Tamil Nadu-India in order to alleviate the work tension apart from sharpening the mind and the body. Yes, a relaxed mind can do a lot of things. It is always a great pleasure writing to Asian Voice. Thank you! P. Senthil Sarvana Durai Mumbai

Deadly Coronavirus The deadly Coronavirus is transmitted from person to person through the air by coughing and sneezing, touching or shaking hands, and touching objects surrounded by that virus. However, the severe symptoms include fever, pneumonia, kidney failure and dreadful death. The virus can be controlled through effective and responsive conduct like washing hands with soap. Avoid touching the eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands. Also, avoid close contact with people who are sick. Taking precautions will save you from getting infected with this virus. Jubel D'Cruz, Mumbai, India

•

Kapil Dudakia

Kapil’s KHICHADI

Pulwama Lest we forget: On 14th February 2019, 40 Indian brave hearts lost their lives in Pulwama from a cowardly attack from Pakistani sponsored terrorists. Islamic terrorism has become a cancer to the world. It's time the world faces up to the truth and stops appeasing to these monsters. Over the past decade or so, there has been increasing anarchy generated by the Islamists throughout the world to force their particular ideology for a Caliphate. They have, and will use, every part of Islamic text to support their mindless barbaric violent acts against everyone. To them, either you are a ‘true’ Muslim of the Caliphate, or you are a ‘kafir’. And once they deem you or your nation as ‘kafir’, they allow themselves to use all means to subjugate. There are Islamic nations that have funded these extremely insane ideologies. The ‘Jihad’ started 1500 years ago, and it has continued ever since. It has attacked Christians (remember the crusades), the Jewish community, and the Dharmic traditions and community (Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists). Pulwama is just one of thousands of events across time and continents. It represents a mindset of extreme illogic, coupled with an ideology that promises seventy-two virgins should they die in the quest for the Caliphate. An ideology that allows the perpetrators to lie and deceive (Taqiyya), even in the name of the Quran, to ultimately realise their goal. I sense that the world is now on the cusp of a major reset. Whilst national leaders in many western countries have followed the path of appeasement, the people they represent are increasingly becoming agitated. With 365/24/7 News and social media blasting away in every language known to humanity, it has created noise that has reached dangerous levels. Add to the mix the total madness of those on the left who have embarked on a mission of wokeness, and of being politically correct, at any cost. Under that guise our major educational institutions, political fraternity, local governments, entertainment and media channels, sports and even global brands have all been compromised. The churn at the grassroots has started. It is not a good sign. It’s a reaction by the masses to the madness that is now engulfing the world. The extremists have succeeded in getting their narrative across at the top level, but the people will reject it. And that day approaches sooner than one might think. All is not doom and gloom though. I sense that the UAE and even Saudi Arabia might have tweaked that if they don’t course correct, the only losers will be Islamic nations. I would suggest they need to ramp up their capacity to save Islam and the Muslim community from the extremists urgently. It now requires a total reformation of Islam. Edicts worthy for the 21st Century need to be declared across the globe and enforced. The space available for extremists must be squeezed. This would be my preference in terms of action needed. The alternative I suspect will be very costly in terms of life and infrastructure. We have seen the devastation in Iraq, Libya, Syria, Lebanon, Somalia and many other nations. That would pale into insignificance if this ‘Jihad’ is not stopped now. India took a step back at Pulwama, as they have done so on other cross-border terrorist attacks. It is now only a matter of time before India wipes out that terror threat for good. And other nations and people will follow in their own way. There is still time to reset. I hope those with the most to lose understand that their time is up. It’s time to put humanity first.

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

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NHS doctor arrested for sexual assault The 34-year-old NHS doctor who was working as an A&E clinician at the Royal Stoke University Hospital has been arrested on suspicion of sexual assault on at least nine potential victims. Four years ago concerns were raised for the same but he was allowed to return to work due to lack of evidence.

However, last December, police arrested him after the parents of two girls aged seven and 15 made complaints about the doctor's conduct. A major incident investigation founds out that at least 109 patients were seen by the doctor who might have been his victim. A spokesperson said: “A

34-year-old man, from the West Midlands, was arrested on suspicion of sexual assault in December 2021. He was released on bail with conditions pending further inquiries.” The University Hospitals of North Midlands Trust has set up a helpline for concerned patients on 01782 672540.

UK's first 100mph battery-diesel passenger train The UK will be getting its first 100mph battery-diesel passenger hybrid train on Chiltern Railway. This is being done to cut carbon emissions and boost air quality. According to owner Porterbrook, it was developed by adding a powerful battery to a 20-year-old diesel train to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by 25 per cent. The firm added that the two-carriage train, named HybridFLEX, will provide a 75 per cent decrease in noise and a 70 per cent decrease in

nitrogen oxide. The government has pledged to remove all dieselonly trains from UK railways by 2040. Chiltern Railways will

introduce the train on its 40mile route between London Marylebone and Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, which means it will run via Harrow-on-the-Hill.

British Army Gurkha gets acquitted British Army Gurkha Sujan Gurung was acquitted of sexually assaulting a female colleague at Sandhurst military academy. He told the court that he was heavily drunk and hence he did not remember what happened. The allegations involve Rifleman Sujan Gurung allegedly waking up the woman by banging on her bedroom door in the early hours of the morning and pretending to be another Gurkha she had had sex with a week before. The court heard that he 'took advantage' of the female soldier's confusion in the darkroom before she could realise it was a different man. She told the police that she could not

differentiate at first because 'they are all Gurkhas and they all look the same'. Rifleman Gurung wept when he was acquitted of three counts of sexual assault at Bulford Military Court, Wiltshire. Judge Advocate Jane England interrupted his weeping to say: 'Rifleman Gurung, you've been acquitted. Some may say you're relatively content with that. 'But you got very drunk indeed and you really don't know what you did, do you? 'I hope that's a lesson to you. You can't get drunk and go into other people's rooms, in particular female's rooms.' The three-day trial heard allegations Rifleman Gurung had touched her sexually and put her hand on his genitals.

Prince Andrew and Virginia Giuffre have reached a settlement The Duke of York and Virginia Roberts have reached a 'settlement in principle' in the civil sex claim filed in the US, court documents show. Virginia had accused him of raping her as a child. Court documents, filed in Manhattan on Tuesday, revealed that a settlement was agreed upon by both parties. The terms of the settlement have not been disclosed. In a screenshot floating on social media, it was said that the parties will feel a stipulated dismissal upon Giuffre’s receipt of the settlement (the sum of which is not disclosed). Prince Andrew intends to make a substantial donation to Ms Giuffre’s charity in support of cities’ rights. The document also said that the Prince never intended to

malign her character and that he accepts that she has suffered both as an established victim of abuse and as a result of unfair public attacks. Prince Andrew regrets his association with Jeffrey Epstein and pledges to demonstrate his regret by supporting the fight against sex trafficking.

Northwick Park Hospital's new A&E scheme proving successful Northwick Park Hospital's new A&E scheme that was launched on December 13 is proving successful. A senior nurse and a GP have been outside the A&E department advising people and finding out if they require urgent care. They assess each and every person and if they have minor illnesses they are redirected elsewhere, to GPs, pharmacies, selfcare or other appropriate services outside the hospital.

Harrow Health, a not-for-profit company is fully owned by GPs in Harrow. Their main objective is to help ease the strain on A&E and other hospital departments and save the NHS money. A nurse and GP work from 11 am to 7 pm seven days a week and can refer patients for next-day care or same-day care up until 9 pm. Since its launch, more than 1,700 patients have been redirected.

Sikhs were most likely to receive a positive test in the second wave Latest data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows that White people, Christians and professionals were at greater risk of catching coronavirus in the third wave. But the data doesn’t deny that ethnic minorities and the most deprived were disproportionately impacted. The data shows that during the second wave of Covid (between 1st Sep 2020

and 22nd May 2021), Sikhs were the most likely religious group to receive a positive test result, followed by Muslims and Hindus. While Muslims were equally impacted in the second and the third wave, Buddhists did not contract the virus as much as other ethnic minority communities. According to the data, in the second wave, between Sep 1, 2020, and May 22

2021, Pakistani and Bangladeshi ethnic groups had nearly double the odds of infection compared to white British people. Yet by the third wave, May 23 2021 to Dec 10 2021, they were 36 per cent and 42 per cent less likely to pick up the virus than white Britons, who had the highest risk of all groups.

Landmark verdict by High Court on Dido Harding and Mike Coupe The High court found on Tuesday that the appointment of Dido Harding and Mike Coupe was unlawful. The landmark verdict confirmed that former Health Secretary Matt Hancock broke the law in appointing Dido Harding as the Chair of the National Institute of Health Protection and Mike Coupe as the Director of Testing at Test and Trace. The High Court has also cleared that the PM broke the law in appointing Dido Harding. Accepting the arguments made by race equality think thank Runnymede Trust and Good Law

L-R: Dido Harding, Matt Hancock, Mike Coupe and Boris Johnson

Project, the High Court made it clear that the process adopted by the Prime Minister was also unlawful (paragraph 116 of the judgment). All three appointments breached the public sector equality duty. The Runnymede Trust and Good Law Project

brought the case to highlight what it means to disadvantaged groups for the Government to push its associates and donors into key jobs. The Court’s declaration will have a real impact on how public appointments are made in the future.

Local 4-year-old and family nominated for prestigious national charity award Local 4-year-old and her famthe South Asian community, ily are set to be honoured by highlighting the need for blood cancer charity Anthony stem cell donors for patients, Nolan, at a digital awards cellike Esha, who are from ebration this month. minority ethnic backgrounds. In an incredibly short Esha Nadeswaran, 4amount of time, the years-old and her family, #ForEsha Instagram page from Gants Hill, East gained over 10k followers London, have been shortlistwith another 2k following on ed for the Inspiring Hope Facebook, resulting in a sigaward at the Anthony Nolan nificant amount of online Supporter Awards 2021. Esha donor registrations throughand her family have inspired out Esha's appeal. over 1000 potential donors to Esha Nadeswaran Following this momenjoin the Anthony Nolan stem tum, the family organised a recruitment cell register, most of whom are from minorevent at the London School of Economics 3 ity ethnic backgrounds. Anthony Nolan weeks later which recruited over 100 new desperately need more ethnic minority donors and also saw large numbers of voldonors to join the register. unteers turn out to support the running of In May 2021, Esha was diagnosed with the event. What was truly amazing is that Acute Myeloid Leukaemia at Great 75% of those donors recruited identified as Ormond Street Hospital. After two unsucbeing from minority ethnic backgrounds cessful rounds of chemotherapy, her family this is a level rarely seen in recruitment had been told her only chance of survival activity. would be to have an urgent stem cell transThe family were focused on not only plant from a matching stem cell donor. finding a donor for Esha but to ensure other On hearing that people from minority patients of minority ethnic background ethnic backgrounds have a more difficult would have an easier time finding donors. time finding matching stem cell donors, Thankfully, the family were overjoyed they did everything they could to tackle this in November 2021 when Esha found a inequality. 71% of transplant recipients who donor and received a transplant. Since then, are White Caucasian receive the best they have continued to share inspiring and match, but this drastically drops to around authentic updates, showing the highs and 37% for transplant recipients who are from the lows of transplant and always encouragan ethnic minority background. A person’s ing others to step up and make a difference. stem cell match is most likely to come from The family will continue to raise awaresomeone with the same ethnic background ness to improve the proportion of ethnic as them. minority communities on the stem cell regHearing this unfortunate news, Esha's ister. In May, Esha’s aunt, Lavanya, is doing family sprang into action, mobilising a huge a 100km trek in the Sahara Desert to network of supporters and launching the fundraise for charities and teams that have campaign #ForEsha in September 2021. supported Esha and her family so far! They focused on raising awareness in

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AsianVoiceNewsweekly

19 - 25 February 2022

SCRUTATOR’S When JRD Tata piloted the first Air India flight On 10 February 1929, JRD Tata became the first Indian to receive a commercial pilot's license - thereby setting in motion a chain of events that would lead to the creation of Air India. Seven decades later, as Air India returns to the Tata Group, a post shared on the Group's Instagram remembers the father of Indian aviation and the role he played in Air India's history. Air India, the airline which gave wings to India, was born of Jehangir Ratanji Dadabhoy Tata's love for aviation. Although the first Air India flight took off on October 15, 1932, its story actually dates back to 1929 - when JRD Tata received his pilot's license. JRD Tata was 24 when a flying club opened in Mumbai (then Bombay). He became the first Indian to pass out with 'No. 1' endorsed on his flying licence and, three years later, famously piloted the first flight in the history of Indian aviation. On October 15, 1932, the Air India flight (then known as Tata Air Services) took off from Karachi's Drigh Road Aerodrome and flew to Mumbai's Juhu Airstrip. “On an exciting October dawn in 1932, he soared into the sky from Karachi in a Puss Moth, flying towards Bombay at what was then a 'dazzling 100 miles an hour'," the Tata Group wrote. "All he was armed with was a pair of goggles, his trusted slide rule that he always carried on flights, 'a silent prayer', and his little blue and gold aviator's certificate that bore the Number 1." Commandos rescue boy from mountain crevice A mountaineering unit of Madras Regimental Centre (MRC) of the Indian Army rescued trekker Babu (23), who was trapped in a crevice at Kurumbachi Mala in Malampuzha forests of Palakkad district of Kerala. The boy spent 45 hours in the crevice without food and water. MRC commando Naik Balakrishnan rappelled down the hill to reach the crevice, situated in a sheer rockface at a height of 600 metres, 400 metres below the hill’s summit. After giving the boy some water to drink and a bar of chocolate, the commando attached the boy to a security harness and started hauling him uphill. Midway, another commando chipped in and the boy was finally brought to safety. Since when the boy met with the accident, the combined efforts - which included deploying a chopper and drones of the Coast Guard - Navy, the police and fire force personnel to rescue him, or at least provide him food and water, had failed. The trapped youth’s family and local people had lost all hope of rescuing him when the Kerala government sought the Army’s help. (Agency) Grandma sells pickles, donates proceeds to charity Usha Gupta or Naaniji as she’s referred to by many, knew exactly what she needed to do when her husband passed last year. After herself being hospitalised during the second wave of Covid for almost a month, she saw all the suffering and lack of resources many faced. Once she was back home, she wanted to donate towards Covid relief. That is when her grandchildren suggested she start a pickle business. So at the age of 88 Naaniji became a businessperson. One of her grandchildren, Dr Radhika Batra, said, “It's not a business, it's a charitable venture. The idea is to donate money to charity and the pickles are just our token of appreciation for you (customers).” Naaniji now spends almost the whole day running her pickle business and loves having something to look forward to. “It's giving her something to do, a sense of purpose, some sort of satisfaction of helping so

many people,” Batra said. Proceeds from Naaniji’s business have so far helped more than 65,000 homeless people to get their meals. (Agency) Train forced to halt for five hours for postmortem

A train with over 1,000 passengers was forced to halt at Palanpur railway station for five hours after a Mumbai-bound passenger died of heart attack, and his fellow travellers refused to abandon his wife there while a postmortem was being conducted. Though authorities promised to send the woman and the body in another vehicle to their destination, Mumbai, the train was allowed to leave only after the body was placed onboard. The deceased was identified as Narendra Jain, a shop owner from Borivali. He and his wife Padma had boarded the train at Abu Road junction. After the train left Abu, Narendra began complaining of chest pain and started vomiting. His fellow passengers informed the TTE, who in turn informed the Palanpur station manager. They had arranged an ambulance. When the train reached Palanpur junction Narendra was rushed to Palanpur Civil Hospital where he was declared brought dead by the doctors. The railway authorities unloaded the Jains’ luggage and were about to give the green signal, when some passengers created a ruckus, saying they would not leave Padma alone in Palanpur. Despite assurance by the railway authorities that we would send Padma along with Narendra’s body in some other vehicle, fellow passengers refused to listen and stopped the train from departing the station. On the insistence of the passengers, the railway department made arrangements to conduct the postmortem immediately which took more than four hours to complete. (The Times of India) Charak Shapath may replace Hippocratic oath India’s apex medical education regulator, National Medical Commission (NMC), has suggested that the Hippocratic oath be replaced with ‘Charak shapath’ during the graduation ceremony of doctors. “During white coat ceremony (with parents) the oath will be “Maharishi Charak Shapath,” read the minutes of NMC discussion with all medical colleges of India circulated across social media. One of the members confirmed the

development. “This is just in discussion stages as of now; no final decision was taken in the meeting. It does not work like that there has to be a due process that needs to be followed before a decision is taken,” said the member. Another document providing highlights of the video conference of NMC’s undergraduate medical board that was held on February 7, this year, said reason for putting forward the proposal for replacement of Hippocratic oath with Charak Shapath was that “Charak belonged to our motherland - oath-taking to be conducted during White Coat Ceremony in local languages/vernaculars.” Hippocratic oath is an ethical code for fresh medical graduates that is believed to have been written by the ancient Greek physician Hippocrates. The oath is taken during the convocation ceremony as a guide to conduct medical practice. Charak Shapath is the oath mentioned in Charak Samhita, a comprehensive text on ancient Indian medicine authored by Charaka, one of the early experts in Ayurveda. (Agency) Villagers adopt a leopard cub Leopard sightings in Dahisar village

3-year-old helps convict his brother’s killer Testimony of a three-year-old boy played a pivotal role in the conviction of a man who had killed his elder brother and buried his body in a drain in Moti Khavdi village of Jamnagar in 2017. Jamnagar additional sessions judge Tejas R Desai sentenced Shivnath Ramakant (30) to life imprisonment and fined him Rs 17,000 for smothering fiveyear-old Amarjit Sakhaldev following a rift with his parents over unpaid food bill. Additional public prosecutor Hemendra Mehta said that statement of the victim’s younger brother Satyam, who was three years old then (now aged 8 years) played a vital role in this case. “It was Satyam who had led the police to his brother’s killer. During the trial, judge Desai recorded Satyam’s statement. He added that matching of clay from the place where the victim's body was buried with that found on the accused, other evidence and statements of family members helped prove that Shivnath was the killer. The court also found Shivnath guilty of kidnapping and destruction of evidence. According to case details, Shivnath and the victim’s father Manoj Kumar Sakhaldev, a native of Bihar, worked as labourers in a private company in Moti Khavdi and lived in the same labour colony near the factory. (The Times of India) Aircraft takes flight with partially exposed engine

that bordered the forest area of Gujarat were not uncommon. Recently, the villagers saw a leopard cub frolicking near a hutment in the village under the warm sun, unmindful of the presence of people there. They said that the two month-old cub may have got separated from its mother. Instead of panicking, the villagers took it upon themselves to nurture the cub and wait for the mother leopard to come looking for it. Parth Vyas, an MBA student, explained how the cub entered not just the mud hearths, but also made a warm cosy place in the hearts of the poor villagers’, comprising farmhands mainly. It could move in and out of home at will and find a home to sleep at night. Their houses were small and earnings even smaller, but that didn’t stop the villagers from spending on the cub’s food like chicken and other food. Usually, leopard attacks made people hostile towards the big cat but this was a pleasant surprise to see the man-animal bonding. Parth explained to the villagers the forest rules that make it imperative for them to inform forest officials about the cub. Though they were not very happy to part with the cub, they informed the forest officials who took away the cub. (The Times of India)

An Alliance Air ATR aircraft flew from Mumbai to Bhuj with one of its engines partially exposed after a section of the engine outer covering fell off during takeoff. The portion of the engine cowling the removable, outer covering of an engine - was found on the side of a runway. The cowl protects the engine from foreign particles and is also used to reduce drag and cool the engine. The flight took off from Mumbai in the morning and landed in Bhuj without further damage,” said Arun Kumar, director general of Civil Aviation. Captain Amit Singh, an air safety expert, said: “An incident like this could happen if the cowling isn’t secured properly. The aircraft technicians must have removed the cowling to carry out maintenance or repair. It wasn’t detected during the walk-around inspection by pilots as well. ” The falling off the cowling exposes the engine to the foreign particles, he said. (Agency)

AsianVoiceNews

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

www.asian-voice.com

19 - 25 February 2022

NEW CAMPAIGN ENCOURAGES SOUTH ASIANS EXPERIENCING

MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS TO TRY NHS TALKING THERAPIES A

new NHS campaign is encouraging people struggling with their mental health to seek confidential help from NHS talking therapies.

depression, and other common mental health problems – either by self-referral or by contacting their GP.

Research shows that nearly half of South Asians put off seeking professional help and the NHS is encouraging them to make use of a range of free services available for anxiety,

A survey commissioned by NHS England and NHS Improvement found that South Asians were more likely to be concerned about their mental health in 2021 (64%), compared to 54% of

Harmeet, who was helped by NHS Talking Therapies, said: “When I was down, I didn’t think any kind of therapy would help me. But just talking about my problems and knowing someone was listening instantly provided some relief. Don’t think you’re not worthy of help or that it won’t work – just give it a try, I’m glad I did.”

the general public, and 42% of South Asians didn't seek professional help after experiencing issues as they didn’t think it was serious enough (compared to 45% of the general population). However, 69% of South Asians plan to focus more on their mental health in 2022, compared to 59% of the wider public.

Mental Health Therapist Ummar said: “People often think their problems aren’t serious enough to warrant therapy, but if you’re in any doubt, a free, confidential video or in-person consultation with a fully trained expert will quickly assess if you need professional help. You won’t be wasting anyone’s time; the NHS is here to help you. If you’re not fluent in English, there are therapists and translators who speak your language – just ask.” The NHS offers a range of talking therapies, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), counselling and guided self-help. Support is offered in a number of ways, including in-person and video consultations, telephone and interactive text messaging, a self-help workbook with therapist support, online courses, and one-to-one or group therapy.

Visit nhs.uk/help for more information

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AsianVoiceNews

Essex Indians Basant Panchami and 73rd Republic day celebrations

New national cervical screening campaign launched

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

19 - 25 February 2022

Welcome ‘Home’ ABPL Navin Shah The announcement by CB in the recent Asian Voice weekly newspaper that ABPL is moving its ‘operations’ to Harrow is music to Navin Shah and his wife my ears. Given the demogCouncillor Rekha Shah raphy of Harrow with one of the largest proportions of visited our office on Monday the Indian / Gujarati population living in Harrow, it is the natural home for the ABPL Group. Harrow is where many of its readers of Gujarat Samachar and Asian Voice live and work. This is where CB and his team have engaged with the communities of Indian heritage on a range of social, cultural, economic and political issues and events. I’ve lost count of how many times we’ve attended their events at the Sangat Centre and KP Hall etc. Undeniably CB and his team at ABPL have served us big time in the last 40 years or so from the ‘Karma Yoga House’ which was truly a landmark for the publications but more so for the meetings and events celebrated in the SHAKTI Hall of KYH, inaugurated by Shri Narendra Modi, often with visiting dignitaries from India. The appeal of the Karma Yoga House was profound to British Indians and brought them together from across London and the UK. However, I believe being in the ‘heart’ of where our communities live, and that includes areas like Brent, Barnet, Ealing and Northwood etc, will make an even greater contribution to the engagement with our communities, businesses and voluntary/public bodies. Also, don’t forget ABPL will now be much more accessible to our community in Leicester! Purely from a personal and selfish perspective Rekha and I are pleased that instead of over an hour’s journey the organisation is now on our doorsteps! Rekha and my association with CB and Team ABPL goes back nearly 30 years. This has involved active and positive engagement related to a range of events and issues during my 20 years on Harrow Council as a councillor and Leader of Harrow Council and 13 years on London Assembly representing Brent and Harrow including as the Chair of London Assembly in 2020-21. I’ve enjoyed contributing to Asian Voice through well over 150 articles in my ‘columns’ on wide-ranging issues such as local safety, racism, equality and Kashmir. Equally, my better half Rekha Shah who’s been a Harrow Councillor for 20 years and Mayor of Harrow in 2016 – 17 has also enjoyed and benefitted from her connection with Team ABPL. We see the move to Harrow as a very welcome and new ‘chapter’ for CB and his team to reach even greater heights in informing and serving our diverse communities. This is a popular move and has all our support for it to flourish to reach even greater heights.

Welcome home to Harrow! Dear Readers, You may be aware that ABPL group is celebrating its golden jubilee in 2022. To mark this milestone and our new beginnings, the office of our publications Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar has now shifted to North Harrow. Lord Jitesh Gadhia’s mother Hansaben inaugurated our new office premises by lighting up a “Deepak” (lamp) last weekend. Lord Gadhia, his wife Anjaliben, children Priyana and Dev were also present on this auspicious occasion. Kindly register our new address (as below) for your valuable feedback or any correspondence via post. Please note our customer care phone numbers remain the same as before. Asian Business Publications Ltd Units 207-208, Harrow Business Centre 429-433 Pinner Road, North Harrow, Middlesex, HA1 4HN Tele: 020 7749 4080 | email: support@abplgroup.com This year we are also observing 50 years since the expulsion of the Asian community from Uganda. To applaud their achievements and remember their journeys, Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar are preparing a special issue titled “Uganda: A Report”. A committee headed by Lord Dolar Popat is working on the release of this glorious issue. Keep reading our newsweeklies to learn more. Yours CB Patel Editor-In-Chief ABPL Group

Essex Indians (EI) Registered Charity 1186579 celebrated Saraswati Puja, Basant Panchami and Republic Day in a vibrant mood of togetherness and bonding – a much-awaited breath of fresh air with the easing of pandemic restric-

from Arghya, Soma and Gurleen. The cultural concert was led by Arpita which showcased a drama ‘ Gupi Bagha in Burgerland’ with the theme of ‘ healthy eating’ with a star cast of Iman, Solan, Arnav, Annika, Anshi,

tions on 6th February 2022. EI took all necessary precautions and wearing masks was mandatory inside the hall. Trustees ensured covid-safe policy and a significant number of senior citizens joined the event as they felt very safe. People attended the event from distant places like Norwich, Harrow, Southall and Maidstone. The Goddess of education, music and culture was worshipped meticulously with the chanting of Sanskrit mantras by our priest Sanjib Ghoshal. The atmosphere in Mayflower School Hall at Billericay, Essex was vibrating with eye-soothing decoration led by Chitra assisted by Suman, Prashanta, Shamik, Kishore, Monica and the generation next Rajat, Vaibhavi, Tista, Teerna and Manan. Chief guests were Yetunde Adeshile, councillor of Vange, Basildon Borough and Voce chairperson of Community and Well-Being Committee and Dr Chukyudi Ukpaka, Chairman of Basildon Side by Side. The puja team spearheaded by Sayantini, Nandini, Sujata, Ria and Keya left the audience spellbound with their dedication. About 150 people, children and adults enjoyed an eventful day. The delicious blog was prepared by Anirban, Arpita, Sutapa, Pooja, Chinu, Amrit, Sumana,Jayita and Chitra – all EI members along with the contribution of sweets

Hridya, Ayushi, Bihan, Soumili, Anikait, Aric and Arina, music score by Anirban and Ujjwal and prop and light coordination by Monica, Tripti, Chitra, Arun, Pooja, Sanchita, Amit, Rajat, Neel, Vaibhavi, Harmaan, Kristina Tista. While Prashasya, Chinu and Monideepa mesmerised the audience with Kuchipudi, Satriya and folk fusion dances, a dynamic atmosphere was created with a classical presentation by Arya, Bollywood by Teerna and Molly, band song by Samyak, magical flute by Mayukhjit, guitars by Rajat and Manan, popular Bengali songs by Iman, Tiyas, Ujjwal, Sutapa and Anirban and EI choir presentation by Sutapa, Sanchita, Shreyashi, Teerna, Tiyas, Gargi, Ujjwal and Anirban. Very young children like Pari, Bihan and Ayushi mesmerised the audience with their performances. Arpita paid homage to our motherland India with the immortal poetry recitation ‘Bharat tirtha’ and Anirban – Ujjwal with musicians Hasan and Rizwan presented tribute to the Indian National Army ( Azad Hind Fauz) with ‘Subh Sukh Chain’ EI trustees, Dr Dipankar Mukhopadhyay, Mr Upal Banerjee, Mr Biplab Rakshit, Dr Arpita Ray and Dr. Anirban Mandal thanked everyone for coming together, enjoying safely, and making the event successful.

UK’s new travel rules take flight Fully vaccinated passengers no longer need to take a Covid-19 test when arriving in the UK. Major changes to the UK’s coronavirus (Covid-19) travel rules have come into force. This will make international journeys cheaper and easier for passengers ahead of the half term. The relaxation in requirements is thanks to the success of the UK’s vaccine and booster rollout. It means that eligible fully vaccinated travellers arriving in the UK no longer need to take any Covid-19 tests – result-

ing in the UK having one of the most free-flowing borders and open societies in Europe. Also, since 11 February arrivals who do not qualify as fully vaccinated will only need to take a pre-departure test in the 2 days before they depart for the UK and a PCR test on or before the end of day 2 after they arrive in the UK, as well as completing the passenger locator form. These passengers will not need to self-isolate on arrival and will only need to do so if they test positive.

New national cervical screening campaign launches - as nearly 1 in 3 don’t take up screening offer A new national campaign is calling on those eligible not to ignore their invite, as data reveals nearly 1 in 3 don’t take up the offer of cervical screening. The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), with the support of the NHS, has today launched a major new national campaign to increase the number of those eligible attending their cervical screening in England.

The new Help Us Help You – Cervical Screening Saves Lives campaign urges women and those who may be eligible not to ignore their cervical screening invite, and if they missed their last one, to book an appointment with their GP practice or sexual health clinic now. Latest figures from March 2021 show that nearly a third (30%) of eligible individuals – women and people with a cervix aged between 25 and 64 - were not screened.[1] Around 2,700 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer in England each year and approximately 690 women die from the disease – around two deaths every day.[2] Previous estimates suggest screening prevents 70% of cervical cancer deaths, but 83% of deaths could be prevented if everyone attended regularly.[3] As part of the campaign, a new survey of 3,000 women and people with a cervix commissioned by DHSC today reveals a number of concerns that prevent cervical screening. Embarrassment was the most common reason for never having attended or missing an appointment (stated by 42% of respondents), followed by those who “kept putting it off” (34%) and “being worried it would be painful” (28%). 15% of lesbian or bisexual women over 25 had never had a smear test, compared to 7% of women over 25 in general.[4] To tackle these barriers and help drive uptake, a new film has been released featuring Loose Women panellist Linda Robson, TV personality Scarlett Moffatt, broadcaster Louise Minchin, Drag Queen Victoria Scone and female rights activist Sharon Gaffka, alongside GP and media medic, Dr Zoe Williams. Through life-saving conversations, they tackle the barriers to attending the cervical screening and encourage those eligible to book their appointment when invited. Dr Nikki Kanani, GP and Medical Director for Primary Care at NHS England, said: “There is no doubt about it cervical screening saves lives. By screening for risk signs at an early stage, it means that any abnormal cells can be treated quickly before they potentially develop into cancer. We know that it can feel embarrassing or feel like something that you can easily put off, but accepting your invite and getting checked could save your life. “And please do speak to your GP practice about any concerns you might have – we are here to help you. In England, NHS cervical screening is offered to women and people with a cervix between the ages of 24.5 and 49 every three years. For those between the ages of 50 and 64, screening is offered every five years.” The campaign will emphasise that screening, which only takes a few minutes, can help stop cervical cancer before it starts, and is being supported by charities, including Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust. Cervical screening checks for high-risk types of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), a common virus that most people will get at some point. While for people with high-risk HPV the risk of getting cancer is low, any abnormal changes can be identified early. Cell changes are easily treated, and this prevents cervical cancer. That is why attending screening appointments is so important. Running throughout England from 14th February to 14th March, the campaign will include TV advertising, video on demand and social media, partnerships, together with national and regional PR activity. It also includes activities targeted to ethnic minority (Black and South Asian) and LGBTQ+ communities, as data shows these groups can experience specific barriers to taking up screening.

AsianVoiceNews

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

www.asian-voice.com

19 - 25 February 2022

NHS pledges more support for victims and survivors of sexual assault and abuse

Izzah Cheema: Tea for Turmeric Sunetra Senior

Izzah brings you authentic modern Pakistani dishes that you can create joyfully at home. She founded her lively cookery blog, Tea for Turmeric, in 2016. The main culinary repertoire consists of Biryani, Chicken Karahi, Zucchini Curry, Chicken Korma and Kashmiri Chai.

today. I am very careful and test every dish so it’s both genuine and delicious but I’m happy to contemporise food. South-Asian cuisine is evolving anyway and it’s about working with what one has. Also, recipes first originated from making use of regional surroundings e.g., in Lahore, Punjab, where my parents are from, they drink buffalo milk rather than cow’s milk which gives that Lassi a distinctive taste. Similarly, the content of my blog responds to the time and place relevant to me.” Izzah grew up in Kansas City, Missouri, in the US where she stated “there was only one Indian restaurant!” Indeed, she was a reallife Dorothy trying to find home: “the dearth of specialist restaurants certainly fuelled my desire to develop a diversity of authentic dishes and give others who wanted hearty options the opportunity.” Indeed, Tea for Turmeric also uniquely offers an array of thoughtful drinks in addition to a colourful food menu. No surprise that the blog was

The favourite at parties and familial dinners at home, “sentimental” Biryani, is Izzah’s top choice while she told us the Brits’ noticeable goto is her courgette special: “every summer, I’ll have so many British folk appreciating the Zucchini Curry – the UK really seems to like to garden!” Indeed, starting up a veritable vegetable patch is a popular plan in the UK for many after retirement! However, being accessible as well as yummy, Izzah states that many of the younger South-Asian diaspora have taken to her cuisine: “I make classic Pakistani food that’s also easy to do! It’s tradition made simple e.g., I’ll use shortcuts (like using an Instant Pot), but without cutting

ers who say that I’ve helped and boosted them warmly in their lives! For me, cooking is certainly great for confidence. I love being able to host and entertain through such a vibrant medium. It feels great.” Wonderful cooking then is not just the process of mastering intricate recipes but finally feeling fundamentally good.

hat else does Tea for Turmeric have to offer by way of yummy South-Asian recipes?

The fact that the recipes are also wholesome and healthy. South Asian cuisine naturally incorporates whole, healthful foods, and I try to make traditional dishes even healthier on this blog. You can expect: a wide range of vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free recipes (my husband has celiac); homemade spice mixes for recipes like Shami Kabab, Haleem, and Nihari (with option of using store-bought if you’d like!); madefrom-scratch recipes that you feel good eating.

here are lots of South-Asian fusion cooks in the UK – will we be seeing barbequed dishes a la the State of Texas popping up in your vast menu?

"Essentially, I bring my millennial experience to the table. There are many Pakistani bloggers who write from their ancestral home, outlining time-honoured recipes very culturally, continuing to mould them within the vicinity of South-Asia today. I am very careful and test every dish so it’s both genuine and delicious but I’m happy to contemporise food." corners (still have to brown the onions for classic chicken curry!). Essentially, I bring my millennial experience to the table. There are many Pakistani bloggers who write from their ancestral home, outlining time-honoured recipes very culturally, continuing to mould them within the vicinity of South-Asia

IZZAH CHEEMA

a finalist for the Saveur Blog Awards in the Most Inspired Weeknight Dinners category in 2018. Now, with its chef based in Houston, Texas, the site receives millions of views a year. Izzah concluded: “the highlight has been receiving so many happy comments from read-

I tend to stick to making classic authentic food accessible, but Pakistani food is known for being grilled and/or charred anyway e.g., kebabs and Tandoori! I do experiment but try to keep the foundation traditional. I am dedicated to giving people fun South-Asian variety.

hat’s your favourite part of the blog?

Being able to do a few stress-free food-related things at once: from cooking to writing and recommending and interacting with readers. Having a physical restaurant, for example, may be too limiting.

ho have been some big influences on you?

I go through so many cookbooks e.g., KHAZANA by Saliha Cooks: Winner of Masterchef 2017. I also read other people’s blogs widely e.g. The Defined Dish by Alex Snodgrass. I love different people for different strengths. I’ll ask up on anyone’s food who I love and admire to get better at the endeavour myself. If you’re an auntie who can cook a good kebab, for example, I’m interested! W: https://www.teaforturmeric.com/

Victims and survivors of sexual and domestic abuse are being encouraged to come forward for NHS help and care, as part of a major campaign backed by a £20m boost to specialist services. Two new clinical lead roles for domestic violence and sexual assault are also being created, alongside dedicated domestic violence support for the NHS and integrated care systems across the country. The new campaign – which has backing from the

Duchess of Cornwall and former prime minister, Theresa May – is launching on the first day of Sexual Abuse and Sexual Violence Awareness Week and will highlight the specialist support offered at dozens of sexual assault referral centres (SARCs) in England. While the majority of victims of sexual assault and domestic abuse are women and girls, health service leaders are encouraging anyone who needs support to turn to the NHS at one of the country’s 24-hour centres. SARCs offer confidential specialist, practical, medical and emotional support to anyone who has been raped, sexually assaulted, or abused - regardless of when the incident happened. A new survey found two in five people aren’t sure or do not know where to get help after being sexually assaulted, with 72% unaware there are NHS specialist sexual assault services who can offer confidential support. More than half of people who have experienced sexual assault also say they did not seek help afterwards. It comes as NHS England announces a £20 million funding boost for sexual assault and domestic violence services over the next three years, including enhanced support services for victims and survivors of sexual assault and abuse who have complex, traumarelated mental health needs. Kate Davies, CBE, the NHS director of sexual assault services commissioning, said: “Sexual assault or domestic abuse can happen to anyone – any age, ethnicity, gender or social circumstance – and it may be a one-off event or happen repeatedly. “But sadly, thousands of

people aren’t sure where to turn to get the help they need, and today the NHS is making it clear that you can turn to us. “We provide confidential emotional, medical or

practical support at our sexual assault referral centres, a dedicated safe space for anyone who needs it, regardless of when the incident happened. “We know it can take a lot to pick up the phone and take that first step – we are here at any time of day or night, and we will support you through the whole process, whatever you decide to do.” The new campaign comes as a survey of more than 4000 people across the country, conducted by Censuswide, found over half (56%) did not seek help from any organisation or service after the incident, while almost half of respondents (46%) cite fear of being believed as the biggest barrier to accessing services. The number of people receiving help from NHS SARCs halved after the first lockdown compared to 2019, despite official figures showing that domestic abuse and sexual assault had increased. Also backing the new campaign are a number of organisations and charities who work closely with SARCs, including Karma Nirvana, an organisation that aims to end honour based abuse in the UK. Natasha Rattu, Director of Karma Nirvana, said: “Karma Nirvana is hugely supportive of the NHS raising awareness of sexual assault services as it’s so important that individuals know that they can access confidential and medical support after an incident, no matter when it happened. “We hope this campaign will reach all those who have experienced sexual assault or abuse, helping send the message that they can turn to the NHS for help.” Sexual assault referral centres provide a safe space and dedicated care for people who have been raped, sexually assaulted, or abused. If you have been raped, sexually assaulted or abused and don't know where to turn, search “sexual assault referral centres” to find out more or visit www.nhs.uk/SARCs to find your nearest service.

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AsianVoiceNews

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

19 - 25 February 2022

Assuming that India is unsecular based on what happened 20 years ago is an act of haste Continued from page 1

What happened at the debate?

Ahead of the anniversary of the Godhra riots (27 February), Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, who is lawmaker Jo Cox’s sister (Jo was murdered in the year 2016) demanded that any unpublished report by Britain into the Gujarat riots must be made public. Leadbeater believes that her British Muslim constituents who suffered the loss of family in the 2002 riots have not received justice yet, because their remains have not been returned to the UK. According to her, these bereaved families wanted a British coroner to conduct an inquest for any document or report about the riots that may be unpublished so far. Leadbeater expressed that the UK must condemn religious discrimination and uphold all freedoms and rights guaranteed in its constitution. Those who were a part of the debate included: Kim Leadbeater MP, Bately and Spen (Labour), Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi MP - Slough (Labour), Imran Dawood a survivor of the riots, Barry Gardiner - Brent North (Labour), Theresa Villiers, Chipping Barnet (Conservative) and the Minister of State for Asia, Amanda Milling.

Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi MP from Slough said, “It is crucial that we acknowledge the importance of respect for all religions and the importance of living peacefully side by side. Does she (Leadbeater) also agree that it is imperative that the victims finally receive justice from the authorities?”

High Commission of India in London reacts In an official statement the High Commission of India, London said they have not been approached so far by the MP who sponsored the motion or any other participants in 9th February’s discussion to engage on the subject - including on the specific request of the families of three British victims. The statement by High Commission categorically hits back at Leadbeater’s assumption of any unpublished document being held back in the UK about the riots. It said: “Report of the Special Investigation Team constituted by the Supreme Court of India has been placed in the public domain in its entirety. “India is not only the world’s largest functioning democracy, it also uniquely exemplifies unity in diversity. Our internal laws and foreign policy are guided by the principles enshrined in the Constitution of India and this enables our people to address their problems democratically and within our own democratic institutions including our legislature and judiciary.” Why the debate may be an attempt to gaslight communal violence Last year, India’s Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu said, "There is a trend in Western media to run down the Indian government on issues of secularism, free speech. They cannot digest the fact that India is on the rise. Some of them suffering from indigestion...India is the most secular country in the world. "There are instances of individuals here and there... but as a whole, we practice secularism because it's in the blood, nerves and veins of Indians not because of this government or that government...Respecting all religions is our age-old practice," he added. "The functioning of democracy in the country conforms to the constitutional principles of ensuring equal rights and justice for all citizens," he added. It is important to note that while having debates and free speech as well as critiquing a country’s governance is a democratic right, assuming that a country is unsecular based on what happened 20 years ago is an act of haste, especially when majority participants do not understand the ethos of the largest democracy of the world. When we consider India which by 2050 is projected to have the largest Muslim population of any country, with numerous Muslims having reached the Post of the Presidency, it is a beacon to the UK, where Northern Ireland with 0.1% of India’s population has had its Government suspended due to religious division with differing national interests.

Survivor’s account Leadbeater narrated the story of a survivor of the riots who present at the debate. She said, “On 28 February 2002, four tourists were on their way back from visiting the Taj Mahal. It should have been the trip of a lifetime. Their names were Sakil

happen as soon as practicable. Minister of State for Asia says, no such unpublished report exists However, Amanda Milling, the Minister of State for Asia has gone on record to say that no unpublished report exists in the UK, also adding that the former Indian PM, Late. Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s government had condemned the violence. Amanda Milling said, “We have provided consular support to the families of the British victims since 2002, and we will continue to provide assistance as needed. I acknowledge the hurt the families must feel that the

NCGO writes a letter to ter Labour MP Kim Leadbea ll Debate’ the National at Riots Westminster Ha jar Gu 02 r about ‘20 ed titl ter In a let our MP Kim Leadbeate isations, UK wrote to Lab Gujarat gan of Or ry ati rsa jar ive Gu ann of h cil 20t un Co on the d in the UK parliament the debate that was hel s: low fol brella organisation that riots. The letter is as Organisations is an um ati jar Gu of cil s in the UK. un Co al “Nation t represent all Gujarati jarati organisations tha sation and Gu ani 100 r org r ove ou s ts, ent rio res at rep cuss the 2002 Gujar dis to n tio to cause n mo r tha you er to In relation this debate oth cefully derstand the reason for pea un t d no live e can y hav nit o mu wh com munities in the UK com e ers div the gst on unrest am in 2002. of the riots which since the horrific riots ate lacked the full details deb the o int 2, which ion uct rod “Your int dhra on 27 February 200 . Under burning of a train in Go hya the od by Ay d m ate fro tig ins ing re urn we pilgrims Karsevaks ret u and nd Hi ary 58 ent of liam ths par dea caused the continuous ments, there has been ate and deb e fre ing lud inc ts successive Indian govern the rio the investigations into judicial supervision of ia. Ind of ent liam stituted by the Supreme discussion in the par the report of the SIT con , acy gest no ocr dem t ges lar “As the your speech, you also sug in the public domain. In reached n bee e hav ths fai and Court of India has been ies for all parties, communit ce the debate acceptable conclusions kinds of situations. Sin se the in le ssib po n bee dia etc. me ial soc on ies nit when has that ever s between the commu ent um arg nt sta con there has t were affected by this e with all the families tha his pat em orts are and nd sta der “We un all investigations and rep s up after 20 years when the invesand s live ir the t los sad event but to bring thi o respect for the people wh on the repatriation of bodies n public shows the lack of ation to the investigatio this rel In . Commission of India to tigating Government gh Hi the of er mb me a on d nd ite Lo inv on e issi hav t mm no Co should you Indian High is that nobody from the st in this ere int ian Ind ent res debate. Our indication rep to lf or your constituents was contacted by yourse from the past but not at debate. Why? sons need to be learned les t tha nd sta y. This we feel der un o “We als ny within the communit mo har dis r the ny fur ng ati in provoking disharmo the expense of instig aviour by a Labour MP beh rwa ble un nsi spo and ed irre y tim ver illa has been logise for munity and needs to apo ty.” par r you and amongst the Indian com you m k forward to hearing fro ranted motion. We loo Yours faithfully Vimalji Odedra NCGO UK President

and Saeed Dawood, their 18-yearold nephew Imran, and their childhood friend Mohammed Aswat. Not long after they crossed the state border into Gujarat, their Jeep was stopped at a roadblock. A mob encircled the vehicle, demanding to know their religion. They replied that they were Muslim and that they were British citizens on holiday. In the violence that followed, Sakil, Saeed, Mohammed and their driver were all killed. Miraculously, although Imran Dawood was left for dead, he survived and is with us today. It is only through his testimony that we know the circumstances of what happened. He remembers Saeed and Sakil pleading for their lives to be spared. It is his fight for justice that brought the international campaign for proper recognition of what happened to my constituency of Batley and Spen.” On behalf of Imran Dawood, Leadbeater demanded that Amanda Milling, Minister of State for Asia, must investigate with the Indian authorities whether the repatriation of the remains is possible and if so, it should

remains of their loved ones have not been returned to them. We have been advised by the family’s legal representatives that an application has to be made to the court in India for the remains to be returned, and we stand ready to support that application once it has been made. “Regarding the coroner’s inquest, we stand ready to engage and provide further consular assistance to the Dawood family if requested. We are not aware of any unpublished reports into the riots carried out by the UK Government at the time. During the riots, many women were raped, and Muslim homes and businesses were destroyed. According to official figures, the violence claimed more than 1,000 lives, although many reports suggest that the true figure is higher. The then Prime Minister, Prime Minister Vajpayee, and the Government of India strongly condemned the violence in the months that followed. “We have a strong relationship with India. We raise the importance of freedom of religion and belief in India, including the impact of legislative and judicial measures,

directly with the Indian authorities at appropriate times. “UK Ministers and diplomats also maintain a dialogue with a range of Indian faith leaders and communities across India. Through our high commission in New Delhi, we support a UK-India interfaith leadership programme, which brings together emerging Indian faith leaders to foster understanding and respect. It is because of our close relationship with the Government of India we are able to raise important issues where appropriate, including on the rights of minorities.” There have been extensive investigations into the events of 2002 Conservative party member Theresa Villiers, Chipping Barnet reminded everyone that it is important to acknowledge that there have been extensive investigations into the events of 2002, including a special investigation team appointed in 2009 by the Supreme Court of India. A number of people have been convicted and given long prison sentences, and these matters have, of course, also been the subject of extensive scrutiny and debate in the Indian Parliament. “The values of respect for the rule of law, parliamentary democracy and constitutional protection of the rights of religious minorities are at the heart of the Indian political system, and those values have shaped the response to the tragic events in Gujarat. There has been a clear determination to learn from what happened, to do everything possible to stop such riots from ever occurring again and to bring to justice the perpetrators of this completely unacceptable violence and rioting,” Villiers said. Lord Dolar Popat told Asian Voice, “The UK Parliament is the mother of all Parliaments. It is the beacon of democracy where we champion free speech. However, it has come to light that Parliamentary time is often taken advantage of to further other political agendas, namely promoting an anti-India bias. This has been witnessed time and time again recently. I urge Parliamentarians from all sides to ensure debates are not hijacked for other means.” In an official statement to the newsweekly, Ameet Jogia and Reena Ranger OBE, Co-Chairs, Conservative Friends of India said, “The riots in Gujarat in 2002 reflect a dark time in India’s history. However, 20 years on, instead of reflecting and focusing on healing and building a better future, the Labour Party tabled a debate in Parliament last week which seems to only have served the purpose of division in an area where the UK Labour Party can only cause more tensions and little resolution “The debate was yet another example of the Labour Party championing antiIndia rhetoric in Parliament. India is the world’s largest democracy and has the mechanisms to undertake extensive investigations on the incident. In Gujarat, this matter has been the focus of many enquiries and that too even by the Supreme Court of India. “The Labour Party should focus on bringing communities together and learning the lessons of history to ensure a better future. Whilst there are many differences between the Conservative and Labour Friends of India – we are united in our mission to promote India and champion bilateral relations between our two great countries. Perhaps our friends in the Labour Party will work to address this increasing anti-India rhetoric coming from their Party.” Asian Voice reached out to several other MPs and members of the Labour Party to get an official statement on this matter, but did not hear from them until we went to print on Tuesday, 15 February.

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19 - 25 February 2022

NAARI: Epic women in war and romance by: Shefali Saxena

handra Chakraborty has been groomed by Maestro A Kanan, Vidushi Malabika Kanan and Padmabibhushan Girija Devi. Chandra is a Gold Medallist, National Scholar and she was a Research Scholar Of ITC Sangeet Research Academy. Chandra is considered the best North Indian Female Classical and Semi-Classical Vocalist in the West. As a solo vocalist, Chandra performs all over the world on a regular basis. She is the pioneer of Live musicals based on famous female vocalists. Chandra is the Founder and CEO of Kalakar Arts UK and she was also the CoFounder and artistic director of Saudha Society of Poetry and Indian Music. In an exclusive interview with Asian Voice, she

spoke about musicals and mind. her latest project - Naari. hat according to you is Please tell us about Naari: the importance of musiEpic Women in War and cals in art and films? Romance. The musical I do has a close affinity with Western Opera. This historic project This is a combined art form based on the timeless music and story-telling in a Indian epic Mahabharata is theatrical setting. aimed at highlighting and Chandra Chakraborty Because I am a classical promoting the universal singer, I tell a story using the power of the idea of women’s well-being who have directmost ancient art form of the world - Indian ly or indirectly faced violence in everyday classical music. Therefore, this expands the life. Female characters known for their audience network and engages the audience enduring 'resilience' draw out emotional more effectively. Those who are not core complexities in times of war and upheaval listeners of classical music, get intrigued by through a series of reflective pieces weaving the storyline and then explore how music a traditional tale with contemporary twists. intensifies the flow of the story. And those The show produces fusion art forms of who love pure classical music, discover a music, dance, drama, and narratives that new and engaging way of presenting a releaddress gender and empowerment, hidden vant story that, in another way, interprets voices, and echoes from the underground. more the essence of Ragas I sing and eventuThe musical will bear Kalakar Arts’ sigally, they go home with a new take on Raga nature - Hindustani Classical music, and music and off-course, with the premise of acting at its flawless best. And to raise the the story and the message that we try to pass majestic appeal further up, it will be aptly on to the audience. laced by high standard Kathak and Odissi hat are the challenges of depicting recitals. women empowerment via art? The story will be told in a unique light a perspective that no other musicals or I don't think there is any challenge in shows have ever done before. Apart from depicting women empowerment via art. some powerful Sanskrit verses, the narraThere are challenges that a woman artist tion will be done mainly in English and faces just because she is a woman. The challucidly, keeping the global audience in lenge is everywhere in the male-dominant

music industry. They have to fight with so many negative stereotypes, so many hindrances but I think a woman has to raise her voice through her arts. I am not a believer in the paradigm or movement that is known as Art for Art's sake. Art and music that I do is the only way to express the challenges I go through in my day-to-day life and to build up mass awareness or to challenge, even to protest accordingly. I chose my script and I chose the music I present and thus we can practice our freedom in choosing the themes and messages we would like to convey through my musicals but then, the only challenge, you may say, is the common stereotype in a patriarchal mindset, which is - anything in relation to women is trivial etc. I am sure women are breaking this with their powerful contribution in arts and with depicting women empowerment in arts, too. The musicals that I have been doing are directly related to the core women empowerment issues and fortunately, these were sold out shows; more men enjoyed the shows than even women and they found our shows quite eye-opening. The musical will be staged at Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan on Sat 5th March from 6:30 pm. Tickets can be purchased through Bhavan’s website or by emailing kalakar.musicals@gmail.com

Film music has become steadily more "western” Harpreet Bansal is set to perform at the Norwegian Grammy Awards this year, blurs the lines between North Indian tradition and erratic, playful jazz! Harpreet Bansal’s new album is a collaboration between the Norwegian Radio Orchestra and her. Speaking to Asian Voice, Harpreet said, “I was commissioned to compose a 45-50 minute piece of music, and wanted to integrate my personal kind of raga into an orchestral sound. I had some great people to work with, not least cosoloists Vojtech Prochazka on harmonium and Sanskriti Shrestha on tablas. It is released on Lawo Classics, which is a very active and respected label for classical music. I am more used to releasing on jazz labels, so that is exciting. I really like how it turned out! “It is the biggest thing I’ve done so far, and that’s why I named it “Parvat”, which

means mountain. (And of course, Norway is full of mountains!) I have made some long pieces before, but the amount of people involved, and the complexity of the work process, is not something I have tried before. It is more “contemporary classical” in sound than my other work, and more “composed” than, say, a band record. I was really lucky to have the help of J.M. Smørdal and J.Ø. Ness for the orchestra arrangements. Commenting on the current report card of Indian music, especially during the last five years, she said, “Film music has become steadily more "western”, but this has been going on for longer than five years. This is only natural, as India is in so much contact with the outside world. It happens with everything: the food, the fashion and so on.

Kathakali is back!

he Kala Chethena Kathakali Company is renowned for presenting classical Kathakali performances by world-class artists from Kerala, south India. After months of lockdown, we will be finally touring again next Spring. Some of the upcoming events are as follows: MARCH 19th - WORKSHOP TIME: 2.00pm – 4.00pm St Swithun`s Church Hall 22 Grovelands Road Purley Croydon CR8 4LA TeL Lata Desai 07495279503 www.subrangarts.co.uk EVENT: Kathakali drama workshop suitable for families. Discover how a Kathakali actor tells a story using characters, movement, facial expressions, emotions and a 4,000-year-old sign language called Mudras. Led by masters from Kerala, south India. MARCH 20th - WORKSHOP PERFORMANCE TIME: 1.30pm – 3.30pm Mask making workshop 4.00pm – 5.00pm

Actor Kalamandalam Balasubramanian Photo credit Mark Bennett

Kathakali performance in costume and makeup. St Swithun`s Church hall 22 Grovelands Road Purley Croydon CR8 4LA TeL Lata Desai 07495279503 www.subrangarts.co.uk EVENT: Make a mask based on traditional Kathakali makeup designs then see a Kathakali performance presented by international artists from Kerala, India. Lose yourself in the magic of strorytelling.

There are so many great people working in Indian film music these days, but I have to say I miss a bit of the “golden oldies” feel, it had so much charm. There are a lot of exciting independent artists, both established and emerging. It is really inspiring to see so many people giving their heritage and traditions new ways of expression, I think this is the way music survives and evolves.”

Harpreet follows a disciplined routine to make music. “When I make music, I enter a very focused state close to meditation. To achieve this, I must have peace and quiet. I can’t really make anything with kids running about or in a messy home. I need to escape, so I go to my studio and start improvising, and let things happen. There is no “routine” as such, as long as I have the quiet space, I am fine. And coffee,” she told the newsweekly.

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19 - 25 February 2022

Dear Financial Voice Reader,

Alpesh Patel

This weekend the Telegraph published an article which made me very angry. It was about fund managers, used by pensions eg your employer pension, underperform the market eg by 30% over 3 years and still charge millions in fees to their clients. These funds were managed by St James’s Place, Halifax, Hargreaves, Invesco, JP Morgan, and other household names. This infuriates me because: 1 You probably don’t know you could ask them by how much they are underperforming 2 You don’t know you can have a SIPP you control 3 You don’t know you could just use an index tracker bought through an online broker and beaten the expensive managers 4 The managers don’t give you the fees back for being rubbish at their jobs for 3 years and making your retirement poorer Consider this: The last SPIVA scorecard showed that 69.33% of UK equity fund managers underperformed the S&P United Kingdom BMI Index over the past decade. In the US market, the picture is even bleaker: 87.2% of all active funds underperform their benchmark between 2005 and 2020. During the COVID-19 pandemic crash and the early stage of the recovery, things weren’t much better. According to research published by the University of Chicago, almost 3 in every four active funds underperformed the S&P 500. This sustained underperformance is a worry for pension investing fund managers. When discussing active vs passive funds, the common refrain is that active funds are perfectly positioned to take advantage of the market in times of significant volatility. However, these figures blow that argument out of the water. Call me old fashioned, but if the entire premise for active funds is that they outperform passive funds, I’d expect that to happen more than half the time. The Reasons Why Active Fund Managers Are Failing While on the one hand, these poor results are shocking; on the other, it’s not entirely surprising. There are clear reasons for the poor performance of active funds. Since the 1960s, the financial markets have undergone a process of professionalism that has resulted in a hyper-educated, hyper-competitive industry. Portfolio management is a zero-sum game that requires fund managers to out-skill other fund managers to make a profit. The result? Your average active fund manager doesn’t have an edge in their market. In a less professional or less informed market, active fund managers were able to triumph. But now — as evidenced by the SPIVA scorecards — being one of the 1525% that outperforms passive funds is incredibly tough. Additionally, there are drawbacks to active funds that limit how conducive they are to the ups and downs of long-term success. Long-term stock market success often requires the will to hold on to a poorly performing but high potential stock in the short term. However, it is easy to lose investor confidence — or your fund manager job — during these downswings. Additionally, as pointed out by this research, funds that do outperform their benchmark over 15 years spend 60-80% of that time underperforming. These statistics require an iron will and the understanding of investors. I say all this not to make it seem as if active fund managers are buffoons who are so incompetent that they are failing to beat the market — although that is an opinion held by researchers like Cass Business School’s David Blake. On the contrary, these are smart people stuck inside a tough trading discipline. But whatever the understandable causes, their suitability for good pension investing must be called into question. Some of the other factors that affect active fund performance are fees and taxes. Taxes Active funds need to time the market to turn a profit. Buying and selling incur transactions costs that affect the fund’s returns. Additionally, profits lead to capital gains that are passed on to the shareholder. Fees Active funds have fees that eat into the returns. Fund managers charge 1-2% per year in management fees, compared to 0.1-0.2% for passive indexing. Additionally, sales charges can apply when you buy or sell the fund, frequently totalling around 4-8%. These charges compound over the years and negatively affect returns.

Mortgage arrears fall but buy-to-let rises There are 79,620 homeowner mortgages in arrears of 2.5% or more of the outstanding mortgage balance, at the end of December 2021. This is 750 fewer mortgages when compared to the previous quarter. While those between 2.5% and 5% of balance in arrears, there is a decrease of 2% on the previous quarter and 14% reduction in yearly comparison. Homeowners with more significant arrears (representing 10% or more of the

outstanding mortgage balance) has risen by 350 than the previous quarter.

The figures show there were a total of 6,010 buyto-let mortgages in arrears in the fourth quarter of 2021 – an increase of 2% compared with the previous quarter but 1% down on the number a year previously. When it comes to repossessions, the figures show that there were 390 homeowner mortgaged properties and 320 buy-to-let mortgaged

properties taken into possession in the final quarter of 2021. According to analysts, “As the UK walks headlong into a cost of living crisis, credit affordability is more important than ever, and we encourage credit providers, whether they be lenders or utility companies, to be looking closely at how innovations such as Open Banking can help them to identify people in need of help before they fall into acute financial difficulty.”

Surging inflation to slow economic recovery UK's gross domestic product (GDP) fell 0.2% in December - as many people worked from home and avoided Christmas socialising due to the Omicron coronavirus variant - following growth of 0.7% the month before, official data showed. Statistics reveal that Britain suffered a smaller economic hit than feared in December as Covid-19 cases mounted, capping a historic two-year collapse and

rebound for the world's fifth-biggest economy, but surging inflation is set to slow the recovery in 2022. The slump and rebound are the biggest among the Group of Seven rich nations, in part reflecting Britain's high number of Covid-19 deaths and reliance on consumer-facing services but also different conventions for measuring public-sector output. Covid-19 infections have fallen sharply since the

UK to restructure finance ministry with greater focus on growth The British finance ministry is moving forward with its plans to require regulators to consider the financial sector’s global competitiveness when writing rules. In line with regulators in many other countries, many in the country’s financial sector want the Bank of England’s Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) and Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to help the City of London stay competitive around the world. According to Rohan Lee, deputy director for financial services strategy at the ministry, “The govern-

ment therefore intends to provide for a greater focus on growth and international competitiveness through the introduction of secondary objectives for the PRA and FCA. This will increase the regulators' focus on supporting the UK’s financial services sector without jeopardizing the financial stability that underpins it.” Meanwhile, the Bank of England is still considering whether to issue a central bank digital currency (CBDC) and how the design should respect citizens’ privacy and guarantee financial stability.

Markets expect BoE to raise interest rates Bank of England is expected to raise interest rates by quarter-point since it gained operational independence in 1997, but markets now price in a 98% chance of a total 75 basis points of tightening by May's meeting. Just a few weeks ago in late January, financial markets did not expect rates to reach 1.25% until the end of 2022, and a little over a year ago - before inflation surged - markets expected the BoE to cut rates below zero. Financial markets now expect the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee to raise interest rates by an unprecedented

half a percentage point at its March or May meeting, and to make a quarter-point rise at the other. British two-year government bond yields, which are sensitive to speculation about BoE rate decisions, climbed by around five basis points on Friday to a peak of 1.414%, their highest since 2011. The BoE has said it will stop reinvesting the proceeds of gilts which mature from its 875 billionpound quantitative easing stockpile, placing extra pressure on gilt yields. It reiterated last week that it would consider actively selling gilts once bank rate reaches at least 1%.

turn of the year and the Bank of England expects output, measured on a

quarterly basis, will return to its pre-pandemic size by the end of March.

Omicron hits Heathrow traffic Britain's biggest airport Heathrow had a slow start to 2022 after Omicron fears ruined travel plans of more than 1.3 million passengers, it said, although it was hopeful that outbound summer holidays could help offset the weakness. The airport, however, kept its forecast for the year unchanged of just over half of pre-pandemic levels, as bookings for summer holidays outside the UK were recovering even as tourism into the country remained weak. “After a tough Christmas, Omicron has continued to bite and this has been a weak start to the year,” Heathrow Chief Executive Officer John Holland-Kaye said. “Removal of restrictions for vaccinated passengers in and out of the UK offers a ray of hope, but the Omicron hangover proves demand remains fragile”, he said. Travel demand in January was weaker than expected, the airport to the west of London said in a statement, and over 56% down compared with pre-crisis levels in 2019, when Heathrow handled 80.9 million customers.

It is easier for new banks to enter UK market now High street banking has long been dominated by Britain's Big Four banks HSBC, Barclays, Lloyds and NatWest - prompting Britain to make it easier for new banks to enter the market, and for customers to switch banks with little fuss. However, there are signs that some of the historic advantages of large banks may be starting to weaken through innovation and digitisation and changing consumer behaviour. Building market share has been an

“expensive and slow process” for new banks and mid-tier lenders like Santander and Nationwide, though those based purely online such as Starling and Monzo are making progress with around 8% of personal customer accounts. As customer inertia is acting as a barrier to expansion among challengers, the Big Four banks continue to achieve higher returns on capital, a key measure of profitability, than most other banks, but the gap has narrowed.

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FINANCE & REAL ESTATE

19 - 25 February 2022

Govt to sell 5% LIC stake in mother of all IPOs The government aims to raise about £7.5 billion by selling 5% stake in Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) through India’s largest-ever initial public offering, in what is expected to test investor appetite amid a volatile market. According to the draft IPO documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi), the government will sell 316.25 million shares through an offer for sale (OFS). Earlier, the insurer had also said that it will reserve a portion of the IPO for its policyholders, employees

and retail investors. In the Budget speech, finance minister Nirmala Sitharam had said the LIC IPO will be completed before end of the fiscal. In the run-up to filing of the prospectus, government sources said that it was looking at a market valuation of around £150 billion for LIC. To get that valuation the IPO will need to be priced at around Rs 2,370 per share while for a valuation of £160 billion the offer price should be around Rs 2,530. Set up in 1956, for the government per-share cost of acquisition of LIC shares

was 16 paise, the prospectus showed. The life insurer has an embedded value of £54 billion as of September 30, 2021, calculated by international actuarial firm Milliman Advisors. For insurers, the embedded value is one of the most relevant valuation parameters that takes into consideration the company’s present value of future profit and its free surplus, among others. The government has

appointed 10 merchant bankers for the IPO with Kotak Mahindra Capital leading the pack. Other merchant bankers include Goldman Sachs (India) Securities, Citigroup Global Markets India and Nomura Financial Advisory and Securities (India).

Chandra reappointed as Tata Sons chairman N Chandrasekaran was reappointment as the chairman of Tata Sons - the holding company of the Tata Group - for a second five-year term. His reappointment was backed by Ratan Tata, chairman of Tata Trusts, the majority owners of Tata Sons. Tata Sons board met recently to review the last five years and consider the reappointment Chandrasekaran. According to a statement, the board commended the performance of Chandrasekaran and unanimously approved his reappointment as the executive chairman for the next five years. Chandrasekaran, 58, said, “it has been a privilege to lead

N Chandrasekaran

the Tata Group for the last five years and I am delighted at the opportunity to lead the Tata Group for another five years, in its next phase.” Chandra, as he is usually referred to, took over the reins of Tata Sons in 2017 at a time when the group faced a leadership crisis and a trust deficit after the ouster of his predecessor, Cyrus Mistry, by the board. Until then,

Anil Ambani, associates banned from markets for 3 months Markets regulator Sebi has banned Anil Ambani, three of his associates and Reliance Home Finance, one of his former group companies, from the market for three Anil Ambani months for misusing from associating funds of the company and themselves with any diverting it to other group intermediary registered entities to pay off debt. with Sebi, any listed public They were also company or acting as restrained from associating directors/promoters of any with any listed entities till public company which further orders by Sebi. The intends to raise money case relates to misuse of from the public, till further funds of Reliance Home orders.” Finance - its then auditors The Sebi official noted PriceWaterhouse & Co that the origin of the (PwC) had refused to sign proceedings could be traced the annual accounts and to multiple sources which then resigned. included a letter of Ambani, Amit Bapna, resignation by PwC to Ravindra Sudhalkar, Reliance Home Finance as Pinkesh R Shah and its statutory auditor citing Reliance Home Finance various grounds and “are restrained from reasons. Sebi had also buying, selling or dealing in received complaints from securities, either directly or people alleging siphoning indirectly, in any manner off/diversion of funds of whatsoever until further the company by its orders”. Sebi also said that promoters and the Ambani, Bapna, Sudhalkar management. and Shah were “restrained

Chandra, a trusted lieutenant of the Tatas, had helmed TCS, the crown jewel and cash cow of the group. A large part of Chandra's tenure was spent fighting the legal battle with Mistry. He joined the Tata Sons board in October 2016, was designated chairman in January 2017 and took official charge in February 2017. He also chairs the boards of operating companies such as Tata Steel, Tata Motors, Tata Power and TCS. Under Chandra, Tatas sold the mobile phone business of Tata Teleservices to Bharti Airtel in an attempt

to cut losses. In May 2018, the group made one of the biggest acquisitions to date when Tata Steel took over Bhushan Steel under the insolvency process. Tata Steel, which managed to turn around the company renamed as Tata Steel BSL, however, couldn't close a deal to sell its European business to ThyssenKrupp. In October last year, Tata Sons made a winning bid for Air India, bringing back an airline that the group had originally founded. Last year, Chandra started his acquisition spree in the digital domain in his drive to launch a Super App which will sell from salt to airline tickets to the customers directly.

Indian supplier to UK fashion brands agrees to pay back wages Shahi Exports, India’s largest garment company which supplies fashion goods to dozens of international brands, agreed to pay nine months back pay worth £3 million to tens of thousands of workers, after refusing to pay minimum wages for two years. Last month the company agreed to pay about 80,000 workers, with further payments expected in the coming months that will increase the total paid back to workers to £7million. Shahi and other garment companies across Karnataka, which collectively produce clothing for international brands including Puma, Nike, Zara, Tesco, C&A, Gap, Marks & Spencer and H&M, have been refusing to pay an annual cost-of-living increase to the minimum wage set by the courts in April 2020. More than 400,000 workers were left without their full legal wages for more than 20 months, in what international labour

rights groups claimed was the biggest wage theft to hit the fashion industry. In December, garment workers said that they were going hungry and were unable to feed their children as the cost of living increased. The Worker Rights Consortium (WRC), which has been working with the workers union and other labour rights groups across Karnataka, said that Shahi’s decision to pay back missing wages to its workers was a significant step forward. In a statement, Shahi said that it was still awaiting the outcome of ongoing legal proceedings relating to the full payment of minimum wage but that it was paying workers due to concerns about how long the court process was taking.

Must Haves & Nice to Haves

Suresh Vagjiani, Sow & Reap Properties Ltd

Currently, we are having issues getting a planning permission agreed with the council. It’s worth noting this is after not one but two revisions by the case officer. At the 11th hour the line manager then comes along to recommend for refusal. The reasons - we do not know. Why do we not know? Because we cannot get any communication from the manager. They are a law unto themselves. This unfortunately is not an isolated incident, it’s indicative that the planning system is subjective and whimsical. It is in the hands of unaccountable employees, often those who you are dealing with are simply passing through. There is something called permitted development which serves to short circuit this incompetent process. It is set by Central government and therefore overrides the whims of local planning officers. The only way the council can override this is if they apply for an Article 4, which takes years. They also need to present the case, and it is applicable to certain locations, not a blanket rule for the borough as a whole. The point here is planning is an uncertainty. Therefore, you should not enter a project with this as your main exit. It may never happen. We know this from hard experience. A project should have several exits. Ideally, when we look at something it needs to either come under the umbrella of permitted development, or be generating income from day one. If not, then we walk. This means we do substantially less deals; but the right ones, and are not stuck with lemons. The above development was within this criterion and has a good cash flow. There is further scope which has been gained through permitted development, which has been fully exploited. The planning aspect was a bonus, and not the main crux of the deal. So, whether we get it or not the deal makes good strong financial sense. Though of course it’s worth pursuing; even if it means a refusal and then going on to appeal. The appeal process is supposed to strip the whim and emotion out of the application, and look at it impartially purely from the viewpoint of planning policy. Despite the rant regarding planning, we will be aiming to get further planning on the top of this building as well. The building has a pitched roof, and therefore the skyline will not be changed by popping one side of the roof out into a mansard. This hopefully will be a more straight forward process, but let’s see. Because the project is cash flow positive we can wait out the planning process. The planning then becomes a ‘nice to have’ rather than a ‘must have’. This is the point.

ILKER AYCI APPOINTED AS AIR INDIA MD AND CEO The Tata Group has appointed Ilker Ayci - former Turkish Airlines Chairman - as Air India’s Managing Director and CEO effective on or before April 1. The development is in line with the Tata Group’s plans to appoint an expatriate chief to run the airline it took over from the Indian government last month. Ilker Ayci was chairman of Turkish Airlines since 2015, and his resignation from the post was announced by the airline on January 27 this year - the same day Tatas were handed over Air India by the Centre. During his professional career, Ayci has been an advisor to the then Mayor of Istanbul Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in the Metropolitan Municipality of Istanbul, where he took part in a number of development projects in Turkey’s largest city.

XPRESSBEES BECOMES 8TH INDIAN UNICORN Logistics firm Xpressbees has raised $300 million in a funding round led by Blackstone, TPG, and ChrysCapital. The funding values the company at over $1 billion, making it the 8th Indian unicorn this year. The company has raised over $500 million to date. Founded in 2015, Xpressbees operates across 3,000 cities, serving over 20,000 pincodes, and delivers more than 1. 5 million packages per day. It has over 100 hubs across India, and has nearly 10,00,000 sqft of warehouse capacity. The funding will be used to morph Xpressbees into a fullservice logistics company. It will also be used for product development, and hiring talent.

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in brief

Hindu temple in Pakistan looted, vandalised ROHRI (PAKISTAN): In another attack against the minority Hindus in Pakistan, a Hindu temple in Rohri, Sindh province was looted and vandalised by religious extremists earlier this month. They also looted cash and gold at the Shiran Wali Mata Hindu temple and destroyed 5 idols of Hindu deities. Voice of Pakistan Minority, the non-profit organization committed to protecting minority rights in Pakistan

tweeted about the incident and demanded the protection of religious places of the Hindu community in Pakistan. Meanwhile, CCTV footage of the desecration and robbery has gone viral on social media. According to the reports, the Sindh Human Rights Commission (SHRC) condemned the attack and has recommended the formation of a special committee to work as a vigilant forum and keep track of

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN PAK PM, WIFE?

the cases of violence against minorities. Earlier on January 27, Pakistani authorities had razed to ground the under construction Hinglaj Mata Mandir in Tharparker district of Sindh province. Also, in the year 2020, during Navratri, the unidentified miscreants had damaged the head of the idol of Hinglaj

Mata, besides smashing the face of Her Vaahan. The International community has also repeatedly slammed Pakistan for not taking stringent measures to protect its minority communities, despite the country’s Prime Minister Imran Khan vowing to protect them on numerous occasions.

Man lynched for alleged blasphemy in Pakistan ISLAMABAD: An enraged mob stoned to death a middle-aged man for allegedly desecrating the Quran in a remote village in eastern Pakistan, police said. The custodian of a local mosque said he saw the man burning the Quran inside the building and told others, according to police spokesman Chaudhry Imran. The violence took place in a village in Punjab province. PM Imran Khan expressed anguish over the incident and said that the perpetrators will be dealt with strictly under the law. He tweeted: “We have zero tolerance for anyone taking the law into their own hands and lynching incidents will be dealt with

full severity of law. Have asked the Punjab police chief for a report on the action taken.” According to police, the mob accused a man named Mushtaq of burning pages of the Quran and around 200-300 people tied him up to a tree before killing him by throwing stones and bricks at him and

then beating him with rods. “They hung his body from a tree,” the police report said. Munawar Gujjar of a local police station said the man had been mentally unstable for the last 15 years and according to his family often went missing from home for days. Police official Imran said cops rushed to the scene, where the man was found surrounded by a mob. The police team tried to take custody of the man but the group began throwing stones, injuring the officers. Police have identified 33 suspects and about 80 people had been detained.

Mob attacks scholar In another case, an enraged mob attacked and injured a Shia scholar for allegedly burning the pages of a religious book in Pakistan’s Punjab province. Dozens of people carrying clubs, bricks and other objects surrounded the house of the scholar in Tandlianwala, Faislabad district, some 180 km from Lahore, over blasphemy allegations. However, police reached at the spot and rescued him. The police shifted him to an undisclosed location. His family was also relocated to another area for safety reasons. The province has witnessed two deaths related to mob lynching in the past two months.

Nepal accuses China of Lanka bans strikes in encroaching into its territory healthcare, electricity sectors KATHMANDU: An “official” leaked report shows that Nepal has accused China of encroaching into the Himalayan nation’s territory. The development is expected to further fan the border strife that saw Nepal last year form a high-level panel to look into the alleged encroachments. The Nepal government had never made the contents of the report public even though the home ministry had asked the foreign ministry to take up the issue with China on the basis of the report’s findings. According to reports from Kathmandu, China had encroached on Nepali land and built nine buildings in the district of Humla last year. A government team led by the chief district officer also conducted an on-site study. Nepalese communications minister Gyanendra Bahadur Karki was quoted as saying that any border issue with neighbours would be dealt with diplomatically. “Either with India or with China, if there are any issues at our border we will resolve them through diplomatic means. Such problems should not arise and the Nepal government will always make efforts to prevent such situations,” he said in Kathmandu. In the report it was found that surveillance activities by Chinese security forces had restricted religious activities on the Nepalese side

of the border in a place called Lalungjong. The area has traditionally been a draw for pilgrims because of its proximity to Mount Kailash, just over the border in China, which is a sacred site for both Hindus and Buddhists. The report also concluded that China had been limiting grazing by Nepalese farmers. The Nepal government report recommended its forces be stationed in the area to guarantee security. It also suggested Nepal and China should reactivate a dormant mechanism set up to resolve these kinds of border issues.

COLOMBO: Sri Lankan president has banned strikes in the health and electricity sectors as trade union action that has crippled state-run hospitals for the sixth day. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa invoked a 1979 law prohibiting stoppages in the two sectors, declaring all related work “essential public services,” his office said. The tough regulations allow courts to hand down five-year jail terms and confiscate the assets of those refusing work. The move followed health unions ignoring a court order instructing them to suspend

their strike pending a hearing of a petition against their action. The health care unions said that they are still in consultation with their lawyers to try and figure out what the implications are of this latest act brought by the president. Sri Lanka is in the grip of a foreign exchange crisis that has crippled the economy, and the unions are demanding better promotional prospects, restructuring of their pay scales and higher allowances. The government has refused, saying the current economic situation does not allow it to increase the salaries.

Tensions between Islamabad and Taliban on the rise ISLAMABAD: Tension between Pakistan and Taliban is on the rise following attacks on the border since the group came to power in Kabul. Pakistan started fencing the porous border in 2014 to contain cross-border terrorist attacks and smuggling. It says it has fenced more than 90% of the border, but militants were able to enter Pakistan and carry out attacks where the border remained unchecked and unfenced. Pakistan previously clashed with the US-backed Afghan government over the border leaving many soldiers dead, so when the Taliban captured power in Kabul in summer 2021 it was celebrated in Pakistan. Recently five Pakistani soldiers were killed at a north-western border post in Khurram district by militants inside Afghanistan in an attack claimed by the Pakistani Taliban, Tehreek-e-Taliban-Pakistan (TTP). After a ceasefire between the group and the

Pakistani government collapsed within weeks, the Pakistani foreign minister, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, said Islamabad had told the Afghan Taliban leadership it considered TTP as a test case of its ability to control militants. In at least three separate incidents, Taliban fighters have been seen breaking the fencing and threatening Pakistani soldiers in border areas. The Taliban’s defence ministry spokesperson said in January that Pakistan has no right to fence the border and divide ethnic Pashtuns living on either side. In the beginning, Pakistani authorities believed the Taliban would serve Pakistan’s interests and [not] allow militants to use its soil against Pakistan. But it does not seem to be the case any more, analyst Zahid Hussain said, adding that the extremists were emboldened by the Taliban’s victory in Afghanistan and aspired to do the same in Pakistan.

A close friend of Pakistan’s first lady Bushra Bibi dismissed rumours about any differences between PM Imran Khan and his wife, clarifying that the couple is living together. Farah Khan, a close friend of Bushra Bibi, took to Twitter to announce that the first lady was living with her husband at their home in Islamabad. “Fake propaganda was being spread through WhatsApp messages about the first couple,” she said. Khan's spokesman Shahbaz Gill also rejected the rumours. “Legal action will be taken against those who are still spreading false news,” he said. Gill also said “we are already in court against (journalist) Najam Sethi for giving false news about the PM and first lady. ” Sethi had claimed in 2019 that the first couple was passing through a rough patch and living apart.

NAIL HAMMERED INTO PAK WOMAN'S HEAD FOR ‘BABY BOY’ A pregnant Pakistani woman had a nail hammered into her head by a faith healer who said it would guarantee she gave birth to a boy, a doctor said. The woman arrived at a hospital in Peshawar after trying to extract the nail herself, doctor Haider Khan said. “She was conscious, but in immense pain,” he said. The mother of three daughters said she was pregnant with another girl, he added. An X-ray showed the 2 inch nail had pierced her forehead but missed her brain. Police are trying to track down the faith healer. “We’ll soon catch the sorcerer,” police officials said.

LANKA RESUMES ONARRIVAL VISA FOR TOURISTS Sri Lanka has announced resumption of visa on arrival facility for international tourists, except travellers from 10 countries, including Pakistan and Nepal. The facility for foreign tourists was on hold since the pandemic broke out in 2020. The move is expected to give a much-needed boost to the island nation’s tourism industry, a major source of forex revenue, which has been badly hit by the pandemic. “Issuance of on arrival electronic travel authorisation for tourists at the port of entry to Sri Lanka has been activated from 8 February. This is to facilitate the tourists who experience difficulties when obtaining the online visa due to the time constraints of arranging their journey to Sri Lanka,” according to a government statement. Sri Lanka is one of Asia’s most popular travel destinations. In the pre-pandemic days, India was Lanka’s biggest inbound tourism market.

BOMB THREAT AT EVENT HARRIS’ HUBBY ATTENDED US second gentleman Doug Emhoff was escorted out of an event at a high school in Washington due to a bomb threat. Emhoff, married to US VicePresident Kamala Harris, was visiting Dunbar High school to celebrate Black History Month, dedicated to honouring achievements and struggles of AfricanAmericans throughout US history. He was attending a presentation when Secret Service agents ushered him off stage and out of the building. Teachers and students at the school were ordered to evacuate shortly afterwards.

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in brief CHINESE WORKER DIES OF EXCESSIVE WORK Claims that another Chinese tech worker has died after excessive overtime has reignited debate over the industry’s “996 culture”. The company denied that it overworked the employee, but said it would pay more attention to the health of its employees. The 25-year-old reportedly died in hospital soon after he was taken to hospital from his home. The video platform Bilibili, where the man was employed as a content auditor, said company representatives went to the hospital to assist and then notified his family. Bilibili released an internal memo rejecting claims the employee who reportedly died of a brain haemorrhage was overworked. It said the man had worked from 9. 30 am. to 6.30 pm. for the past week, with no overtime, the report said.

TRUCK DRIVER RAMS CARS, 31 DAMAGED An intoxicated truck driver rammed his vehicle into parked cars after ignoring a red light in southern Germany, shoving cars up against buildings and causing some of them to catch fire, police said. Three people were slightly injured and 31 vehicles damaged in the incident in Fuerth, just outside Nuremberg. The truck driver skipped a red light, touching a car in the process, and carried on without stopping, according to a police statement. Shortly afterward, the truck rammed several parked cars and pushed them forward, some of them into the walls of buildings.

NZ TRUCKERS PROTEST COVID CURBS, VAX A convoy of trucks and campervans blocked streets near New Zealand’s parliament in Wellington to protest against Covid restrictions and vaccinations, inspired by a similar demonstration in Canada. Hundreds of vehicles parked in streets surrounding the parliament building. Hundreds more drove around the city centre with their horns blaring as over 1,000 protesters on foot listened to speeches. PM Jacinda Ardern said she had no intention of entering discussions with protesters.

UGANDA SEEKS TO MAKE COVID VAX MANDATORY Ugandan authorities are seeking to legally mandate vaccines in draft legislation aimed at boosting the East African country's drive to inoculate more people against Covid-19. The proposed bill, which is subject to changes as it faces scrutiny by a parliamentary health committee, calls for a six-month jail term for failure to comply with vaccination requirements during disease outbreaks. “It is the right thing to do,” said Alfred Driwale, a public official who leads Uganda’s vaccination efforts, speaking of the proposed changes to the country's public health law. Attempts by Ugandan officials in recent months to enforce limited mandates have been unsuccessful.

LIBYAN PM SURVIVES ASSASSINATION BID Assailants struck Libyan Prime Minister Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah's car with bullets but he escaped unharmed, a source close to him said, amid intense factional wrangling over control of the government. The source said the incident happened as Dbeibah was returning home, describing it as a clear assassination attempt, but the attackers fled and the incident has been referred for investigation. No immediate photos or footage of the incident has been released. If confirmed, an attempt to assassinate Dbeibah could aggravate the crisis over control of Libya after he said he will ignore a vote scheduled by the eastern-based parliament to replace him. Armed forces have mobilised more fighters and equipment in the capital over recent weeks, raising fears the political crisis could trigger fighting.

India slams US for remarks on hijab row WASHINGTON: India told United States that “motivated comments” on the country's internal issues are not welcome following comments by Rashad Hussain, the Biden administration’s ambassador at large for international religious freedom, on hijab row in Karnataka. The US official earlier said that “The Indian state of Karnataka should not determine permissibility of religious clothing. Hijab bans in schools violate religious freedom and stigmatise and marginalise women and girls,” he said. Asserting that “a matter regarding dress code in some educational institutions in the

state of Karnataka is under judicial examination by the high court of the state”, foreign ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said. “Those who know India well would have a proper

appreciation of these realities. Motivated comments on our internal issues are not welcome. ” Pakistan had earlier summoned India’s top diplomat to register a protest on the hijab

issue. Criticism of the developments in Karnataka also came from the Muslim civil rights and advocacy group Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), which said the hijab ban is “just one more example of the mistreatment of Indian Muslims and the Islamophobic actions that nation’s government either carries out, ignores or excuses”. Leading public intellectual Noam Chomsky was among those who came down on the Modi government, accusing it of “systematically dismantling Indian secular democracy” and turning Muslims into a “persecuted minority”.

Mauritius challenges Britain’s ownership of Chagos Islands PORT LOUIS: Mauritian ambassador to the UN Jagdish Koonjul formally challenged Britain’s ownership of the Chagos archipelago and raised his country’s flag above the atoll of Peros Banhos. In a ceremony on Monday, Mauritian officials sang their country’s national anthem and the red, blue, yellow and green standard was raised up the flagpole. Koonjul said: “We are performing the symbolic act of raising the flag as the Britain has done so many times to establish colonies. We, howev-

er, are reclaiming what has always been our own.” A pre-recorded message by the Mauritian prime minister, Pravind Jugnauth, was broadcast on a speaker to the Chagossians, Mauritian officials and media assembled on the beach. “This is the first time Mauritius has led an expedition to this part of its territory,” he said. “I feel sad that I have not been able to be part of this historic visit. “I’m delighted that our Chagossian brothers and sisters are able to travel to their birthplace without any foreign

[ie British] escort. “The message I wish to give out to the world, as the state with sovereignty over the Chagos archipelago, is that we will ensure a wise stewardship of its territory – over its maritime security, conservation of the marine environment and human rights, notably the return of those of Chagossian origin.” A metal plaque secured beneath the flagpole said: “Visit of the Mauritius delegation to Peros Banhos

US pledges to boost defence ties with India WASHINGTON: The Biden administration pledged to continue building a strategic partnership with India as part of its Indo-Pacific outlook, citing China’s depredations at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) among other reasons for renewed impetus that comes amid war clouds on the Atlantic front. The 12-page strategy paper released in Washington on the heels of the Quad ministerial meeting in Australia, promised to “steadily advance our major defence partnership with India and support its role as a net security provider” while “supporting India’s continued rise and regional leadership”. “We recognise that India is a likeminded partner and leader in South Asia

and the Indian Ocean, active in and connected to Southeast Asia, a driving force of the Quad and other regional fora, and an engine for regional growth and development,” the strategy paper said, acknowledging New Delhi’s primacy in its neighborhood that China has long tried to undermine with its surrogate Pakistan. Although senior US administration officials who briefed the media on the paper said it not an exclusive “China strategy”, which he said was global in scope, it nevertheless cited “the rise of China and China’s much more assertive and aggressive behaviour” in the region to reassert America’s Pacific power credentials and its enhanced outreach towards allies and partners.

US warns Nepal over $500mn aid KATHMANDU: The US administration has warned that it will review its ties with Nepal if the $500 aid pledged under the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) was not ratified in Parliament. In separate telephone conversations with Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, CPN-UML chair K P Sharma Oli and Maoist Centre chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda,’ US Assistant Secretary of State Donald Lu said that Washington will review its relations with Nepal in the event of its failure to ratify the MCC compact from Parliament by February 28. “Secretary of State Lu conveyed to Chairman Oli that the US will be forced to review its bilateral ties with Nepal if the MCC is not ratified by the given deadline set by Deuba and Dahal,” The Kathmandu Post quoted Rajan Bhattarai, the head of the UML’s Foreign Department, as saying. In response, Oli, according to Bhattarai, said that the US has been one of the

biggest assistance partners of Nepal in various sectors for decades. Nepal signed the $500 million grant under the MCC facilities in 2017 but to the strong opposition from some communist parties including from Prachanda’s CPN-Maoist Center, the US aid has failed to execute and ratify from the house. One of the clauses in the MCC agreement is to ratify it from Parliament for timely completion of the project in five years. Assistant Secretary Lu told the Nepali leaders that if the grant agreement did not move forward, the US would understand that China played a role in the South Asian country’s internal politics, resulting in indecision on MCC and its ultimate suspension. Prachanda, on his part, said that public opinion was divided on MCC and his party also had some objections. However, Secretary Lu communicated to Prachanda that the US would think that MCC was turned down owing to China’s pressure in Nepal.

archipelago, Republic of Mauritius, in the context of the scientific survey of Blenheim Reef.” Asked what would happen if UK officials later removed the Mauritian flag, Jugnauth said: “I don’t know what they are going to do. If they remove the flag, this will amount to a provocation on their part. The UK is not abiding by international law judgments.”

Uganda ordered to pay $325 million to DRC in reparations

Joan Donoghue

KAMPALA: The International Court of Justice (ICJ set at $325 million the amount of reparations that Kampala must pay to Kinshasa for the invasion by Uganda of the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) during the 1998-2003 war. The DRC claimed more than 11 billion dollars, an amount described by Uganda as exorbitant. The ICJ, the UN's highest court, found that Uganda should pay the DRC $225 million for loss of life, $40 million for damage to property and $60 million for damage to natural resources, ICJ Presiding Judge Joan Donoghue said. "The Court sets the total amount of reparations awarded to the DRC at US$325 million," the judge said. "The Court considers that the evidence in the record suggests that the number of deaths for which Uganda owes reparations is between approximately 10,000 and 15,000 people," she said. The Hague-based ICJ ruled in 2005 that Uganda should pay reparations for invading the DRC during the second Congo war (1998-2003). This conflict involved up to nine African countries, including Uganda and Rwanda, which supported rebel groups in the mineral-rich east of the country. The two successive wars that devastated the country - called Zaire until 1997 and then the Democratic Republic of Congo - between 1996 and 2003 resulted in several hundred thousand deaths.

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49 held guilty of 2008 Ahmedabad serial blasts More than 13 years after 20 bomb blasts had Ahmedabad convulsing in terror, a special court held 49 persons guilty and acquitted 28 others. The coordinated terror attack on the city on July 26, 2008, had killed 56 people and injured 246. The case also included the planting of 29 bombs in Surat, which did not explode and were found a couple of days later. The court will decide on the quantum of punishment for the convicts and the compensation for the victims. The blasts took place in a span of 90 minutes. Top Gujarat cops cracked the case in record 20 days with a major breakthrough coming as 15 phone numbers, which were used only on July 26 and never after, leading to a massive police hunt nabbing accused from 11 states across India including Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala and Uttar Pradesh. Special judge A R Patel read out his 6,752-page verdict in a video conference. In all, 78 people had been put on trial. Special judge granted the benefit of the doubt to 28

persons after evidence against them was found inadequate. The court granted pardon to one, Aijaz Saiyed, who had turned an approver. Two persons accused of conspiracy and sending threat mails and subsequently claiming responsibility for the terror strike, Mubin Shaikh and Mansur Pirbhoy, have been acquitted. Among the 49 convicted are a former leader of the banned outfit Students’ Islamic Movement of India (SIMI), Safdar Nagori, and his associates. They have been convicted under different provisions of the Indian Penal Code. All 49 have been held guilty of serious crimes such as murder, attempt to commit murder, criminal conspiracy, attempt to wage war against the nation, sedition, participating in unlawful activities, and terrorist activities. Many of these charges attract death penalty. Special prosecutor Amit Patel said that he will seek the maximum punishment for the convicts.

State police chief Ashish Bhatia, who as joint CP (crime) had overseen blast probe, said, “The investigation and arrests by the police broke the terror module which had a

nationwide impact as negligible blast cases of such magnitude took place after 2008 serial blasts.” The accused attended court online from eight different prisons in various states, where they have been lodged for other trials. Some are serving sentences after being convicted in separate cases. The serial blasts took place

in Civil Hospital, wherein 37 people were killed. Among the victims were blood donors who had rushed to the hospital to help those injured in other explosions. A bomb exploded in the LG Hospital parking lot too, but none was injured there. The trial was conducted by the court after merging 35 different cases, resulting from 20 FIRs filed in Ahmedabad and 15 in Surat. After the horror,

Indian Mujahideen claimed responsibility for the terror strike and termed it a reprisal for the 2002 riots. There were 26 star witnesses, whose identities were not disclosed. Four accused were treated as approvers after admitting their confessions, though they fought a legal battle asserting their retractions later. The court found all four guilty.

Business icon Rahul Bajaj is no more Rahul Bajaj

Rahul Bajaj, chairman emeritus of Bajaj Auto, died in Pune of cardiac and respiratory ailments at the age of 83. He wasn’t known to mince words, or give up easily without a fight. In 1970-71, when licences and production capacities were tightly controlled by the government, he vigorously argued his company’s case for producing more scooters. Some 20 years later, he became one of the most vocal

India signs pact to send wheat to Afghanistan via Pak India signed an MoU with the UN World Food Programme for distribution of 50,000 MT of wheat that it will send to Afghanistan via the land border with Pakistan. While calling for unhindered access to humanitarian aid for Afghanistan, India had also maintained that it was important to involve UN for aid distribution to ensure it was nondiscriminatory. India had proposed in October last year that Pakistan allow India to ship 50,000 MT of wheat through the land route. After all approvals obtained from Pakistan, India will finally start despatching the grain to Afghanistan “very soon”. Elections in Punjab and several logistical challenges involving use of thousands of trucks delayed the exercise. “India and WFP sign landmark agreement today. @WFP thanks @indiainitaly and @MEAIndia for the generous contribution of wheat in support of the people of Afghanistan facing severe food shortages,” tweeted WFP.

members of the ‘Bombay Club’ seeking a “level-playing field” for Indian businesses after the 1991 reforms. And, more recently, in 2019, at the ET Awards, in the presence of Union ministers, he spoke about the need to create an environment where businessmen could openly criticise government policies and still be appreciated. After returning from Harvard Business School with an MBA in the 1960s, he built Bajaj Auto into India's pre-eminent twowheeler company with households willing to wait for a decade to own a Bajaj Chetak or Bajaj Super scooter. It’s iconic ‘Hamara Bajaj’ campaign became synonymous with middle-class dreams. Rahul Bajaj was widely known as the

fearless voice of India Inc. At the postBudget meeting of industry associations with government representatives, Bajaj would ‘open the innings’, making sharp comments, often to the displeasure or discomfiture of mantris and babus. He was candid with just about everyone and everything – including his son Rajiv’s decision to discontinue manufacturing scooters. “Rahul Bajaj was one of a kind. He had a personality that matched his towering height. The grandson of a freedom-fighter, and born into a family that believed it had a responsibility towards society, Rahul Bajaj believed in the idea of India. He was one of the first to become a world-beater in his industry and to take an Indian brand global.

India, UAE set to sign trade deal this week India and the United Arab Emirates are set to sign a bilateral trade agreement on Friday, marking the first major deal to be signed after New Delhi returned to the negotiating table after opting out of RCEP. The deal will be signed by commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal and UAE economy minister Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, who will be accompanied by Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, the minister incharge for trade. While the details had been trashed out in December, the deal was expected to be announced during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to UAE at the start of the year. Government sources said that apart from being

Piyush Goyal

a major trade agreement, it also signals the importance the two countries are giving to strategic ties that have grown over the last few years. Apart from opening the market for Indian food products through lower tariffs, the trade pact is expected to include key provisions for easier movement of Indian workers and professionals. The government is hoping

that the agreement will not just help Indian businesses access investment in key areas but also tap some other markets using the Emirates route. In return, some of the petrochemicals goods are expected to gain access in India, although the government is pitching it as a move that will help create jobs. Separately, feasibility for negotiations for a trade deal with the Gulf Cooperation Council, which consists of UAE, Bahrain, Oman and Saudi Arabia, is being explored. India is already negotiating free trade agreements with the UK, EU, Australia and Canada.

in brief GANDHI STATUE VANDALISED IN BIHAR’S MOTIHARI A life-size statue of Mahatma Gandhi was vandalized at Charkha Park in Bihar’s Motihari town on Sunday night. The 8ft-high structure on Mahatma Gandhi Road had been installed by the Power Grid Corporation of India under its corporate social responsibility. According to police sources, some unknown antisocial elements desecrated and ripped the statue from its base. East Champaran DM Shirsat Kapil Ashok visited the site and directed the executive officer of Motihari Municipal Council to install CCTV cameras, depute a guard and arrange for lights in the park. Police are investigating the incident.

LATA’S KIN OPPOSED TO MEMORIAL AT SHIVAJI PARK Lata Mangeshkar’s family is not in favour of a memorial to the legendary singer at Shivaji Park. In a statement, her brother and music director Pandit Hridayanath Mangeshkar said the family was opposed to any memorial on the ground. Shivaji Park residents, who have voiced objection to a memorial on the ground, will draw comfort from Hridayanath’s statement, said observers. They are planning to start a signature campaign to stall the move, it is learnt. The issue has assumed political overtones, much to the discomfiture of the Mangeshkars. BJP has been vocal about a Lata memorial in the park, where she was cremated recently.

BJP MLA BOOKED FOR SLAPPING POLL OFFICIAL BJP MLA Sangeet Som has been booked for allegedly thrashing a presiding officer on duty in Sardhana during the first phase of voting in the UP assembly polls last week. The Sardhana legislator, who was furious after his supporters alleged slow voting at the polling station, was also accused of taking away the cameras installed inside the booth. In his complaint, the presiding officer said that Som “abused, pushed and even slapped him”. The incident took place during polling in Meerut district. Voting was affected at the polling station for a few hours due to the ruckus. SP (rural) Keshav Kumar said, “Sangeet Som and his supporters have thrashed a poll officer. This is a cognisable offence and hence an FIR has been lodged in this matter. Further investigation is on”.

OLYMPIAN, ON-SCREEN BHEEM PASSES AWAY Olympian Praveen Kumar, who hurled his way to two gold medals in discus at the Asian Games and later drew instant recognition nationwide playing Bheem in ‘Mahabharat’ on television, passed away following a cardiac arrest at his Ashok Vihar residence. He was 74. Built like a fort and an imposing six feet, six inches in height, Praveen Kumar Sobti had the power, coordination and body-size to excel in both discuss and hammer events. “If he had received the kind of training and other facilities available today, an Olympic medal would have been within his grasp,” Olympian and Asian Games gold medalist shot putter Bahadur Singh said. When his stellar athletics career was on the wane in the 1980s, Bollywood stepped in. Ravi Tandon’s ‘Raksha’ (1982) marked his celluloid debut. He acted in about 50 films, notably ‘Meri Aw aaz Suno’, ‘Khudgarz’ and ‘Shahenshah’. ‘Mahabharat’ (1988) changed his life and Bheem became one of the most-loved characters of the serial.

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in brief

ABG Shipyard, its directors booked in £2.28bn bank fraud

CONG MLAS JOIN MEGHALAYA RULING PARTY All five Congress MLAs in Meghalaya joined the BJP-backed ruling Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA), leaving only Mamata Banerjee's TMC occupying the opposition space in the state assembly. They will, however, remain in the Congress, CLP leader Ampareen Lyngdoh said. Once a formidable opposition with 17 MLAs, the Congress was left with only five MLAs after 12 legislators, including former chief minister Mukul Sangma, defected to the TMC in November last year. The Congress Legislature Party (CLP) formally handed over a letter of support to Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma. "We the undersigned MLAs of the Indian National Congress have decided to join the MDA (Meghalaya Democratic Alliance) government. We wish to support you and the MDA to strengthen the government's arms in the general interest of its citizens," the letter stated.

‘WRITING WITH FIRE’ NOMINATED FOR OSCAR Indian documentary ‘Writing With Fire’ has been nominated in the ‘best documentary feature’ category at the 94th edition of the Academy awards. The nominations were announced by Tracee Ellis Ross and Leslie Jordan. Directed by Rintu Thomas and Sushmit Ghosh, both debuants, ‘Writing With Fire’ chronicles the rise of Khabar Lahariya, India’s only newspaper run by Dalit women. “We are beyond delighted. This is a massive moment for us and for Indian cinema. . . This film is about fearless Dalit women journalists who are redefining what being powerful means, quintessentially the story of the modern Indian woman,” Ghosh said.

BOY DIES AFTER TRYING TO RECREATE ANIME SCENE A 12-year-old boy, in a bid to recreate a scene from an Anime series, allegedly jumped off the terrace of a high-rise building in Kolkata's Phoolbagan area and died, a police officer said. Biraj Pachisia, a class V student of a reputed city-based school, was declared "brought dead" on being taken to a nearby nursing home, the officer said. "The boy jumped off the terrace of an 11-storey residential building. There are several injury marks on his body. Doctors at a private nursing home stated that he died due to the fall. "Initial probe suggests that he was hooked to an Anime series and wanted to imitate its hero. We have, however, not reached any conclusion. The investigation is underway," the officer added.

In its biggest bank fraud case, the CBI has booked ABG Shipyard Ltd and its former chairman and managing director Rishi Kamlesh Agarwal along with others for allegedly cheating a consortium of banks led by State Bank of India of over £2.28 billion, officials said. Besides Agarwal, the agency has also named the then executive director Santhanam Muthaswamy, directors Ashwini Kumar, Sushil Kumar Agarwal and Ravi Vimal Nevetia and another company ABG International Pvt Ltd for alleged offences of criminal

conspiracy, cheating, criminal breach of trust and abuse of official position under the IPC and the Prevention of Corruption Act, they said. "Searches were conducted at 13 locations in the premises of accused including private company, directors at Surat, Bharuch, Mumbai, Pune etc which led to recovery of incriminating documents," CBI said in a statement. The bank had first filed a complaint on November 8, 2019 on which the CBI had sought some clarifications on March 12, 2020. The bank filed a fresh com-

plaint in August that year. After "scrutinising" for over one and a half years, the CBI acted on the complaint filing an FIR on February 7. The company was sanctioned credit facilities from 28 banks and financial institutions led by ICICI Bank with the SBI having exposure of £246.85 million, the officials said. The Forensic Audit by Ernst and Young has shown that between 2012-17, the accused colluded together and committed illegal activities including diversion of funds, misappropriation and criminal breach of trust, they said.

India flays UN for ignoring LeT and JeM militant groups India has criticised a report of the UN SecretaryGeneral on terrorism for ignoring the Lashkar-eTaiba (Let) and the Jaish-eMohammad (JeM) militant groups despite drawing attention to them. While silent on the terrorist groups like the JeM and the LeT that pose threats to India, the report mentions the anti-Beijing Uyghur separatist groups, the Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement (ETIM) and the Turkistan Islamic Party (TIP) in its sparse coverage of South Asia. India’s permanent representative T S Tirumurti told the Security Council that “We have been reiterating the close links between proscribed terrorist entities under the 1267 Sanctions regime such as LeT and other terror groups including the JeM. However, in spite of repeatedly flagging these concerns, the SecretaryGeneral’s report has failed to take notice of these linkages.” Stressing the reason to pay attention to them, he said: “It is essential that we don’t lose sight of the ease with which the proscribed Haqqani Network, with support from their

T S Tirumurti

patron state, have worked along with prominent terrorist organisations like Al Qaeda, IS-K, etc. in South Asia. The UN has designated the two groups as terrorist organisations, like it has with LeT and JeM about which the report is silent. Tirumurti drew attention to Pakistan’s role in backing terrorist organisations

without directly naming Islamabad. In a reference to a statement by Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan about the founder of Al Qaeda, he said: “We should not forget the fact that, even after 20 years of September 11 attacks, we have leaders who, without any remorse, continue to defend Osama Bin Laden as a martyr.”

In its complaint, the SBI said ABG Shipyard Ltd (ABGSL) is the flagship company of the ABG Group which engaged in the business of ship building and ship repair. The ABGSL being a major player in Indian ship building industry operates from shipvards are located at Dahej and Surat in Gujarat with capacity to build vessels up to 18,000 dead weight tonnage (DWT) at Surat Shipyard and 1,20,000 dead weight tonnage (DWT) at Dahej Shipyard. "The company has been referred to NCLT, Ahmedabad, by ICICI Bank for CIRP," it said.

India calls Pakistan ‘epicentre of terror’ at UN India slammed Pakistan at the UN for its support to terrorism in the region while asking the international community to call upon the “epicentre of terror state” to take effective, credible, verifiable, and irreversible actions without further delay against terror outfits operating from its territory. In a statement at an open briefing of the UNSC’s counter-terrorism committee, the government recalled the deaths of 40 Indian security personnel in the Pulwama terror attack by Pakistan-based Jaish-eMuhammed, saying terrorist threat posed by state-sponsored terrorism had remained high in the South Asia region. “The world had witnessed the horrors of the 2008 Mumbai terror attack, the 2016 Pathankot terror attack, and the 2019 Pulwama terrorist attack. “We all know from where the perpetrators of these attacks came from. It is regretful that the victims of these dastardly attacks are yet to get justice, and the perpetrators, facilitators and financiers of these attacks continue to walk free, still enjoying State support and hospitality,” said the government.

Actor Deep Sidhu dies in accident Actor Deep Sidhu who was out on bail in the Republic Day violence case in January last year has died in a road accident. The accident happened on the Kundli-Manesar-Palwal (KMP) Expressway that bypasses Delhi. Visuals from the accident site show a white Mahindra Scorpio smashed on the rear of a trailer

truck; the SUV's drivties said he was brought er side area is comdead. Sidhu was arrestpletely pushed in by ed by the Delhi Police in the impact. February last year in connection with a tracSidhu was going tor rally by farmers on from Delhi to Deep Sidhu Republic Day that spiBhatinda in Punjab ralled into violence after when the SUV in which he was protesters came to the Red Fort travelling rammed a trailer truck, and attacked policemen. the police said. Hospital authori-

Cow lovers come up with a novel way to celebrate Valentine's Day Nischal Sanghavi Valentine’s Day is celebrated to exhibit one's love for someone. The euphoria is particularly more among youths. In a new initiative Shreeji Gaushala in Gujarat has come up with a novel way to celebrate ‘Cow Hugging Day’ on 14th February. According to Mital Khetani of Shreeji Gaushala, "the Gaushala located on the outskirts of Rajkot city currently houses 1,865 cows. They are mostly stray cows or those abandoned by their owners, when they become nonproductive. The cowshed mostly relies on donations to meet the needs of these noble animals,

which has the status of ‘Mother’ in Hindu mythology. Our coordinator Ramesh Thakkar came up with this idea to celebrate 'Cow Hugging Day' on Valentine's Day.” They organised several events on the occasion and made arrangements for people to come and hug cows. Apart from this the entire flock of 1,865 cows were kept open for the public. They could go inside, hug them, spend time and also take pictures. As a goodwill gesture the organisers provided freshly cooked snacks to all visitors. There was no restriction on visiting time. They have received tremendous response from the public.

Ramesh Thakkar, co-ordination committee member says, "youths want to exhibit their love on Valentine's Day. This is a small effort to connect people, especially youths with cows. When you hug the cow you would be touched by the love you get in return. This will connect you with cows for a lifetime. We had read that in the US there is a particular place where people can go and hug cows. People there pay USD 75 an hour to cuddle a cow. This sparked an idea to do this project here. We will also educate people on cow derived products and businesses which are highly lucrative. If people connect with cows there will be

less chances of cows going for slaughtering or cows roaming homeless and foodless." As per Parag Tejura, leading businessman and Gausevak (engaged in providing voluntary services to cows), "usually people think Gaushala is a dirty, smelling place. However, when they visited this place they realised that cows are maintained in a clean environment. In fact, dubbed “koe knuffelen” in Dutch (literally “cow hugging”), the practice is centred on the inherent healing properties of a good human-to-animal snuggle. When you do it you realize that the selfless cows are willing to be hugged, even eager. Sometimes,

they'll flop down on their sides and place their heads in their laps.” Gausevak Ramesh Thakkar who is the promoter of leading hospitals in the region believes that hospitals and patients are increasing due to use of chemicals in farming. Cow based organic farming can increase the health levels of people. Mental and spiritual health is also very important in addition to physical health. Cow hugging can immensely help in the well-being of mental and spiritual wellness. In fact, many who came to hug cows on Valentine’s Day, continue to visit the Gaushala to hug again and again.

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SOUTH INDIA

in brief

Karnataka schools reopen after hijab ban protests BENGALURU: Schools up to class 10 reopened in Karnataka on Monday after having been shut for six days as large-scale demonstrations erupted in the state after Muslim students in some colleges were banned from class for wearing the hijab or headscarf. Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure has been imposed in some areas in the districts of Udupi, Dakshina and Bengaluru. Kannada Assembly of five or more people around the school perimeter was not allowed. The Udupi district administration said that students were attending schools and the situation is peaceful. They added that the district administration is following the Karnataka High Court’s interim order restraining students of all faiths from wearing religious clothing in the

classroom. Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai earlier expressed confidence that peace and normalcy will prevail. On Saturday, the Karnataka government extended the shutdown of pre-university colleges in the state till February 16. State Higher Education Minister CN Ashwathnarayan, however, said online examinations will be held as per schedule.Last week, Hindu students and mobs of men protested against Muslim women wearing hijabs to educational institutes at several places in Karnataka. Many of them wore saffron scarves as a mark of protest. At some colleges, Muslim students were heckled, while in another case some men climbed up a flagpole to plant a saffron flag and broke into classrooms.

As tensions across the state rose, the Karnataka government on February 8 ordered all high schools and colleges in the state to be temporarily closed. Meanwhile, the Karnataka High Court on Monday continue hearing a group of petitions challenging the ban on hijabs in educational institutions. On February 10, the court had stated that while all citizens have the right to profess and practice any faith, it is subject to reasonable restrictions under the Constitution. The order added that the matter as to whether wearing a hijab in a classroom is an essential religious practice of Islam needs a deeper examination. Hijabs, shawls banned In an interim order, the full

COVID CURBS EASED IN KERALA, TAMIL NADU

bench of the Karnataka high court ruled that all students, regardless of religion or faith, are restrained from wearing “saffron shawls (bhagwa), scarves, hijabs, religious flags within classrooms.” The high court made it clear that the interim order is applicable to only those institutions that have prescribed a dress code or uniform. The hijab row in Karnataka sparked protests in Delhi, Hyderabad and Aligarh, Vijayawada, while students of a private college in Jaipur district insisted on attending class in burqa as they have been for three years, and police had to be called in.

PUNJAB

PM Modi promises 'Nava Punjab' free of drugs & debts JALANDHAR: Prime Minister Narendra Modi slammed Congress during a rally in Jalandhar and accused the party of ‘humiliating’ Amarinder Singh and trying to run the state government by ‘remote control’. PM Modi said that his government will work for a ‘drugfree’ and ‘nava Punjab’. “Look at congress party today… Their own leaders are talking against their party…. How can such party work for the Punjab? How will they work for the development of Punjab?” PM Modi said while addressing his first physical rally in Punjab for the February 20 assembly polls. He referred to Priyanka Gandhi’s comments about Amarinder Singh’s government ‘run by remote control’ by the government in Delhi. “They said we didn’t want Captain’s government to be run by Delhi. This means Congress governments are run by remote control by one family, not by the constitution," the Prime Minister said. He also hit out at the Congress government in Punjab, saying he

Kejriwal promises to safeguard Punjab's interests

Narendra Modi

wanted to pay obeisance at the Devi Talab Mandir here, but the police and the administration were unable to make arrangements. PM Modi said his party will work for a drug-free Punjab and also launched a new slogan for his party’s campaign: “Nava Punjab, BJP de naal, Nava Punjab, nayi team de naal.” He also lashed out at AAP and said, “Some people who are expert at getting liquor shops opened in every street have come to Punjab as well, they want to handover Punjab to drug mafias." Modi also hit out at the former ally Akali Dal and added that the double engine government will work for the benefit of farmers.

LUDHIANA: AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal said if his party is voted to power, he would safeguard the interests of Punjab. He was replying to a query on his stand on the controversial SYL canal issue. Addressing a press conference here, he mocked SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal for accusing him of seeking Punjab's river waters for Delhi. "The people who are responsible for creating the problem are accusing us without any basis and justification," he asserted. Kejriwal said all parties had joined hands in Punjab against AAP which, he claimed, would form the government with majority. "Today, we are getting around 60 seats but we appeal to the public to give

us at least 80 seats to ensure stable and strong government," he added. The Delhi CM claimed that the number of liquor vends in the national capital had been decreased under the new excise policy but the BJP was accusing him of promoting liquor. He claimed that his Punjab counterpart Charanjit Singh Channi was losing from both seats. He also claimed that PPCC chief Navjot Singh Sidhu and SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia were also losing from Amritsar East.

WEST BENGAL

TMC sweeps civic polls, wins all four local bodies KOLKATA: The ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Monday made a clean sweep in all four municipal corporations - Bidhannagar, Siliguri, Asansol and Chandannagar - in West Bengal that went to polls on Saturday. The party registered its first electoral victory in the Siliguri Municipal Corporation in north Bengal. “I am going to Siliguri today. This is indeed a big day. We are thankful to the people. It was a peaceful election,” said TMC president and state’s chief minister Mamata Banerjee. “… With this victory, we have to be more humble, more humane, work more and stand beside the

people in times of need.” The TMC, which was already ruling the Bidhannagar, Asansol and Chandannagar municipal corporations, snatched the Siliguri civic body, which was being ruled by the Communist Party of India (Marxist)-led Left Front by

winning 37 of the 47 seats. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won five wards in Siliguri, the CPI(M) came third with four while the Congress could manage only one seat. In 2015, the Left Front won 23 wards against the TMC, which won 17 seats. The TMC retained Bidhannagar by winning 39 out of 41 seats, but opposition BJP and the CPI(M) failed to open their account. The Congress managed to bag one seat, and

an Independent candidate secured victory in one ward. In Chandernagore, the TMC bagged 31 of the 32 seats, while the CPI(M) won in one ward. In Asansol, the TMC emerged victorious in 66 of the 106 seats and was leading in five wards, while the BJP won in five seats, and the CPI(M) and Congress in two each. Senior TMC leader and former state minister Goutam Deb said, “We have achieved today, what the Left didn’t allow us to do in 2009. Full circle has been completed.” After the results, the TMC chief announced Deb’s name for the mayor of Siliguri.

The Kerala government issued an order allowing more people to attend festivals. As many as 1,500 people will be allowed to attend all religious festivals. The district collectors have been asked to assess the maximum number of people allowed based on the total area of the public space at the festival venue. The assessment shall be made by calculating 25 square feet for one person. Meanwhile, further relaxing Covid-19 restrictions, the Tamil Nadu government announced that classes will resume for students of playschools and nursery after a gap of two years. The state government also did away with restrictions in virtually all sectors, with hotels, restaurants, bakeries, cinemas, theatres, shops, showrooms, jewellery stores, clubs, gyms, indoor stadiums hosting sports events, beauty parlours, salons and amusement parks being given the nod to function with 100% capacity. Moreover, the maximum number of people allowed has been increased to 200 at weddings and 100 at funerals.

HC UPHOLDS BAN ON KERALA TV CHANNEL The Kerala high court declined to intervene in the Centre's decision to revoke the broadcast licence of Malayalam news channel MediaOne TV, terming it a justified call made on the basis of the reasons cited by the ministry of home affairs (MHA) for denying national security clearance to the operator. Justice N Nagaresh said the MHA file containing paginated documents, conclusions of the designated committee and guidelines for assessment of proposals received for national security clearance made it a fit case for the ministry of information and broadcasting to revoke the channel's licence. Senior counsel S Sreekumar, representing operator Madhyamam Broadcasting Ltd (MBL), sought two to three days to file an appeal, but the judge said he was not inclined to allow even an hour after perusing the material in the MHA file.

NOT ALLOWED TO FLY TO HOSHIARPUR, JALANDHAR: CHANNI Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi claimed that his chopper was not allowed to fly to Hoshiarpur and Jalandhar because that areas were declared as no-fly zones amid Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the state. Channi was to attend a poll rally along with Rahul Gandhi at Hoshiarpur. Gandhi was to attend a second rally alone in Gurdaspur which he attended. Channi claimed that the permission given to his chopper to fly to Hoshiarpur from Chandigarh was cancelled. “I had to fly at 11 am and I sat in the chopper. Suddenly I was told that the permission (for flying) has been cancelled and I could not go there,” the chief minister told reporters. “My four hours got wasted. I could not attend Rahul Gandhi’s rally because the clearance was not given,” he said.

TMC SCRAPS ALL PARTY POSTS EXCEPT DIDI’S Trinamool Congress (TMC) scrapped all party posts except that of chairperson and, instead, set up a 20-member national working committee with Mamata Banerjee as its head in the wake of a raging debate on the one-personone-post issue. Seven party seniors - Firhad Hakim, Subrata Bakshi, Abhishek Banerjee, Partha Chatterjee, Sudip Bandyopadhyay, Aroop Biswas and Chandrima Bhattacharya attended a 50-minute meeting with the West Bengal CM at her residence and trooped out after signing a statement entrusting her to choose office-bearers of the party. Party seniors later said the CM had issued a strong message during the meeting underscoring the importance of unity and intra-party discipline. The meeting was preceded by a nearly twohour meeting between Mamata and Abhishek, TMC leaders said.

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79 per cent voter-turnout in Goa assembly poll Goa recorded the highest voter turnout of nearly 79% among the three states that went to polls on Monday, but Uttarakhand was the only one that marginally surpassed its 2017 turnout with 65% while the nine UP districts that voted in the second phase fell short of the previous benchmark with just under 63%. In the previous elections in UP’s Rohilkhand region, which has six districts with a large Muslim electorate, the turnout had been a little over 65%. Goa’s figure almost preliminary rivalled the last election's turnout of 81%, with CM Pramod Sawant's constituency Sanquelim reporting the highest voter presence of over 89% in a potential hat-trick poll for the BJP government.

Saharanpur, the town where UP CM Yogi Adityanath has promised to build an AntiTerrorism Squad training centre close to the Islamic seminary Darul Uloom Deoband, recorded the maximum voting among the 55 constituencies with over 67%. Shahjahanpur, represented by

eight-time BJP MLA Suresh Kumar Khanna, was at the bottom with a 55% turnout. Several Muslim-majority seats were in focus as the community constitutes more than 40% of the population in six of the nine districts. In Amroha, 66% cast their votes, followed by Moradabad at

Quad meet condemns Mumbai, Pathankot terror attacks The 4th Quad foreign ministers' meeting in Melbourne last week saw Australia, Japan, India and the US reaffirm commitment to a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific with focus on expeditious delivery of vaccines, maritime rules based order, humanitarian assistance, counter-terrorism and efforts to counter disinformation. Possibly for the first time, a Quad joint statement, issued after the meeting, specifically mentioned the Mumbai and Pathankot attacks while condemning terrorism and calling upon countries to eliminate terrorists safe havens. This was also the first time that a joint statement was issued after a meeting of the Quad foreign ministers. There were differences over Ukraine with India expectedly reluctant to take any extreme position on the issue, given its close ties with Russia. The joint statement made no mention of the crisis even though concerns were expressed on the Russian military build-up in the meeting. Secretary of state Antony Blinken later warned that a Russian invasion of Ukraine could begin any moment. When asked about India’s position, external affairs minister S Jaishankar said India had already spoken on the issue at the UNSC. As it had said in the security council, India wants legitimate security concerns of

“all countries’’ to be addressed. “This meeting is focused on the Indo-Pacific, so I think you should figure out the geography there. And where we stand, our position on Ukraine, we have laid it out in public at the UN security council,’’ he said in response. On China-Russia cooperation and what Quad was doing to counter it, Jaishankar said Quad was “for something, not against somebody’’. The Quad statement called for protecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all regional countries. According to the joint statement, the foreign ministers denounced the use of terrorist proxies for cross-border terrorism and urged countries to work together to eliminate terrorist safe havens, disrupt terrorist networks and the infrastructure and financial channels which sustain them and to halt cross-border movement of terrorists. On Afghanistan, they reaffirmed the UNSC Resolution 2593, passed under India’s presidency last year, that Afghan territory should not be used to threaten or attack any country, shelter or train terrorists, or plan or finance terrorist acts, with “such ungoverned spaces being a direct threat to the safety and security of the Indo-Pacific’’.

BJP will win all 5 states with majority, says PM Modi Prime Minister Narendra Modi exuded confidence about BJP’s prospects in UP, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Goa and Manipur, saying the party will get “full majority” in all the contests. “I have seen in all these states an inclination towards BJP,” he said in an interview. Asked whether a positive outcome would be seen as a referendum on his popularity as he is the lead campaigner, Modi said, “BJP believes in collective leadership. It will be a referendum on our performance, intent and conduct”. The PM strongly supported UP CM Yogi Adityanath, including the latter’s “extra-legal” approach towards law and order, and denied that the state government has been shielding controversial

Narendra Modi

Union minister Ajay Mishra over the killing of farmers during the agitation. PM Modi justified his own dramatic decision to recall the three controversial agricultural reform laws. “I had said that in my address also that I was withdrawing the three laws in national interest. Future events will explain why doing so had become necessary,” said the PM when asked whether the retreat marked a personal setback. He did not agree with the suggestion that being

incumbent could hurt BJP in UP, Uttarakhand, Goa and Manipur. "Wherever BJP got the opportunity to work with stability, there is environment of 'pro-incumbency' instead of 'anti-incumbency'. BJP always emerges victoriously with 'proincumbency' in elections," Modi said. He said the people of Uttar Pradesh have already thrown away the old theory of 'ek bar aao, ek bar jao' (come to power once and then go). "BJP has itself experienced that since 2014. People saw our government's work and we again got elected in 2017 (assembly) and similarly in 2019 (Lok Sabha polls) as well. Now in 2022, they will see our work and again accept us," PM Modi added.

64% and Bijnor at 61%. Azam Khan’s bastion Rampur reported 60% voting. Sambhal, Budaun and Bareilly had a much lower turnout of 56%, 55%, and 57% respectively. Polling was mostly peaceful, barring a clash between BJP workers and the police in Shahjahanpur after the former alleged that the cops took money to "support" the Samajwadi Party candidate at Nigohi in Tilhar constituency. BJP nominee Salona Kushwaha complained of alleged police inaction against "fake voters". Rampur district magistrate Ravindra Kumar Mander said he caught two women casting "fake votes" in a polling booth. Uttarakhand's chief electoral officer Sowjanya said Haridwar district recorded the maximum

polling in the hill state till 5 pm with 67%. In Dehradun district, 62% of voters turned up. Almora district recorded 53%, the lowest in the state, according to available data. Uttarakhand has 70 assembly seats. In Goa, where the 21-seat mark in the 40-member House will be BJP's figure to watch out for on result day, there were 301 candidates from 12 political parties and some Independents in the fray. Chief electoral officer Kunal said the final voter turnout could cross 80%. Polling was peaceful, barring a car belonging to a BJP functionary being set ablaze and a clash in Benaulim between supporters of AAP and TMC. Vasco, Sanguem and Navelim constituencies reported minor incidents.

Mallya gets last chance to defend himself The Supreme Court last week gave one last opportunity to fugitive liquor baron Vijay Mallya to defend himself either personally or through a lawyer within two weeks. The top court told Mallya to present his stand or face contempt of court case if he fails to do so. A top court bench headed by Justice UU Lalit adjourned the matter for February 24. The court accepted the contentions of amicus curiae and senior advocate Jaideep Gupta, who was assisting the court in the matter, that on the issue of sentence Mallya should be given the last opportunity to make his stand in the case. "In his (Gupta) submission matter may be adjourned for short time with an expression that this would be final opportunity and in case he choses to not remain personally present or advance submissions through counsel, court may

The top court had held Mallya guilty of contempt of court for transferring USD 40 million to his children in violation of the court's order and sought presence Vijay Mallya his before it on variproceed further with the ous occasions. matter. Going by submisThe Centre also said sions... we adjourn for 2 that Mallya has already weeks. Respondent conexhausted all his avenues of temnor is at liberty to act in appeal in the UK. directions of November 30, The Centre had further 2021 order failing which said that extradition of matter shall be taken to logMallya was ordered by the ical conclusion and prohighest court of the United ceeded further," the bench Kingdom but it has not stated in its order. been put into effect. The During the hearing, government had said it is Solicitor General Tushar not aware of the "secret' Mehta clarified that it is not ongoing proceedings in the the Government of India's UK which are delaying stand that something confiMallya's extradition. dential is going on in the Mallya is accused of a case in the United Kingdom bank loan default case of but the Centre has been over ₹9,000 crore involving informed by the UK that his defunct Kingfisher there is something going on Airlines and is presently in which can't be shared. the United Kingdom.

Mumbai, Bengaluru among top 10 most congested cities in world Despite Covid-induced lockdowns keeping a large number of vehicles off the roads in 2021, Mumbai and Bengaluru have been ranked 5th and 10th in the global ranking of urban congestion during the period while Delhi and Pune occupied the 11th and 21st spots among 404 cities across 58 countries, according to a report by a global location technology company. However, the congestion level in Delhi during 2021 was 14% less than 2019 while in Mumbai, Bengaluru and Pune, the level dropped by 18%, 32% and 29% respectively, said the report. The four cities featured in TomTom Traffic Index’s global top 25

list. Istanbul topped the list, followed by Moscow. The report said India’s congestion level in 2021 was 23% lower than preCovid times, with a decrease of 31% specifically during peak hours. In 2020, the traffic congestion in three big Indian cities Mumbai, Bengaluru and Delhi - made it to the top 10 list in the last edition of the traffic index report. While Mumbai was ranked second, Bengaluru was at sixth position and Delhi eighth among 416 cities across 56 countries. According to the report, congestion level in Delhi came down to 48 points in 2021 from 53 points in 2019 and the peak traffic congestion also reduced by 17% in 2021. The

city saw its worst traffic day on August 21, when it recorded the worst rainfall in a day. The waterlogged pockets caused widespread traffic logjams and increase in congestion levels. Sachin Tyagi, strategic automotive business development manager of TomTom said, “Globally, peak hours shifted in almost 40% of the cities and that’s due to the changes in our working habits with work from home becoming predominant and online conferences replacing physical meetings. ” He said this could be one of the reasons why Bengaluru, which has a high number of IT firms, saw a sharp decline in congestion level during 2021.

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