AV 1st March 2025

Ronan’s law to tackle knife crime - P05

-------------------Ramadan Special - P06 --------------------

The adventures of Polar Preet - P13 -------------------Rough sleepers crisis escalate - P16

FIRST & FOREMOST ASIAN WEEKLY IN EUROPE

The legacy of mother tongue - P17 --------------------

Dr Swati Dhingra back at BoE - P18

--------------------

Air India expands UK flights - P25 --------------------

Breast cancer support for women - P26

“Policing should not serve to divide us”

Anusha Singh

Last week, Asian Voice reported on the alarming rise of far-right sentiments and the increasing normalisation of racist

report sheds light on how predictive

enforcement.

Amnesty International UK’s report, ‘Automated Racism – How Police Data a

policing systems, used by at least 33 police forces including the Met, West

M

violate both national and international human rights obligations.

Continued on page 11

A NEW ERA OF UK-INDIA FTA

Talks relaunch in New Delhi on India trade deal to

Rupanjana Dutta

UK’s Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds reached India to re-start the Foreign Trade Agreement negotiations on Monday 24 February with Indian Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal, after the talks were abandoned after the 14th round, when the previous UK government led by the Tory party and the Indian government reached a deadlock, allegedly over data protection policies followed by general elections in both the countries.

Continued on page 12

Kash Patel taking oath as FBI director by placing his hand on Bhagwat Gita

Actress Katrina Kaif (centre) performing rituals at Maha Kumbh

Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds with Indian Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal

Trump’s criticism clouds Starmer’s push for Ukraine peace efforts

expressing gratitude for the UK’s commitment to “protecting life and just normalcy ” Ahead of his upcoming

American troops to Ukraine

U S backing, noting, “The guarantee is to ensure Russia recognises the deterrent effect This is the proposal we aim to discuss in Washington next week ” Eu

remain split over the prospect of sending troops to Ukraine The UK and France are the most supportive, while Germany’s stance may hinge on its upcoming elect

I N B R I E F UNIVERSITIES AT RISK OF COLLAPSE

heart of any negotiations” concerning a peace deal with Russia

The UK now faces a potential standoff with Russia During his visit to the White House, Starmer intends to push Trump to commit US militar y power as a “backstop” to any future peace agreement

swiftly or risk losing his countr y entirely He further downplayed Zelenskyy’s influence in negotiations, stating, "I don't think he's ver y important to be in meetings "

Macron, claiming they "haven't done anything" to end the war Trump also dismissed Zelenskyy as "a dictator without elections,"

Reeves accused of misusing bank expenses

Sir Keir Starmer h as defended Rachel Reev es amid alle-

g ati o ns t h at sh e m i s u s ed c o m p any ex pe nses d u ri ng h er time at Halifax Bank o f S c o tl an d ( H BO S ) be fo re becoming an MP

A fo r m e r H R h e a d a t

H B O S c o n f i r m e d c l a i m s that Reeves was involved in an expense scandal, accusing her of having a “cavalier attitude regarding the budget” and fostering a culture of spending misuse Reeves, who worked at HBOS from 2006 to 2009, was reportedly named in a s i x- p a g e w h i s t l e b l o w e r complaint accusing her and t w o s e n i o r m a n a g e r s o f using expenses for personal gain, including lavish dinn e r s , t a x i s , a n d g i f t s Internal auditors launched an investigation after concerns from the bank’s risk department The complaint

c i t e d e xc e s s i v e s p e n d i n g , including £152 on a handbag and perfume for her boss, £400 on a leaving meal, and earrings for her assistant

T h e o u t c o m e o f t h e i n v e s t i g a t i o n r e m a i n s unknown, with no evidence i t w a s c o m p l e t e d o r t h a t

wrongdoing was conf irmed R e e v e s t o o k v o l u n t a r y redundancy shortly after the i n q u i r y b e g a n , t h o u g h sources claim her exit was tied to the whistleblowing

D e s p i t e t h e c o n t

idence in Reeves, while some Labour MPs call for further clarity

Reeves denies any misc o n d u c

, s t a t i n

a s unaware of the investigation and that all expenses were p

He r team insists she left HBOS on good terms, receiving her full severance and bonus

that an effective peacekeeping force must deter Russia from violating any future agreement, with U S support acting as a key strategic guarantee even if it

voiced concerns, war y of escalating tensions with Russia UK Defence Secretar y John He

peacekeeping efforts, only U S deterrence can ensure lasting stability “Ultimately, the U S remains the only force capable o

o m launching another attack,” he stated

Reynolds apologises for false solicitor claim

Bu si n es s S

reta

ath

ng ly claiming to h av e worked as a solicitor, adm itting he never qualif ied after leav in g le g al t rai n in g to ru n fo r Parliament in 2010

Reynolds told The Guardian he had used "shorthand" in a speech over a decade ago The Conser vatives and Reform UK are calling for his sacking, but he has apologised to PM Keir Starmer, who has accepted it

In a 2014 HS2 debate, Reynolds told MPs he had "worked as a solicitor in Manchester city centre " His LinkedIn prof ile previously listed him as a solicitor, but the BBC was told this was an "administrative error" now corrected to "trainee solicitor" at Addleshaw Goddard (2009–2010) A Labour source said there was no intent to mislead, and Reynolds is proud of his legal training

Reynolds of “knowingly misleading the public” and calling for his resignation Reform UK has echoed these

solicitor in Manchester city centre, a statement they argue misled MPs

Authority (SRA), which requires qualif ied solicitors to register before practicing, contacted Reynolds in Januar y regarding the LinkedIn error After clarifying the rules, the prof ile was updated The SRA stated it would not take further action, noting no public interest concerns

Up to ten British universities face potential collapse due to heavy reliance on risky franchising agreements with private sector providers, The i Paper has revealed Originally designed to expand higher education access to disadvantaged communities, franchising has become a lucrative strategy for cash-strapped universities, allowing them to earn tuition fees from courses they don’t directly teach However, rapid growth in these deals has raised concerns about course quality and increasing fraud Reports last year exposed cases where agents recruited students by promising that student loans could fund luxury holidays highlighting misuse within the system In response, the Government announced a crackdown on “rogue higher education operators” last month introducing stricter regulations and oversight Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson emphasised the need for tougher controls to protect students and safeguard taxpayers money, amid growing fears over the financial stability of some institutions

PRIVATE FIRMS PROFIT AMID ‘HIDDEN HOMELESSNESS’ CRISIS

Private companies are profiting from Britain s escalating hidden homelessness crisis, as councils spend billions on temporary accommodation due to a shortage of social housing Over the past five years, 166 councils across Britain have spent more than £1 6 billion on temporary housing, including hotels, B&Bs, converted office blocks, shipping containers, and hostels, a joint investigation by The i Paper and Inside Housing has revealed However, the true cost is likely higher, as only around half of councils in England, Wales, and Scotland responded to freedom of information requests The data highlights that most of the top 20 temporary accommodation providers are private firms London councils bear the highest costs with Westminster spending £17 7 2m Enfield £168 2m and Kensington and Chelsea £121 1m Outside London Bristol City Council spent £53m The Local Government Association warns that rising homelessness and soaring temporary accommodation costs are pushing council budgets to breaking point

Apple pulls advanced data protection in UK amid government privacy row

Apple has disabled its Adv anced Data Protection (A DP ) feature for U K users fo llo w i ng g o v e rnm en t d em a nd s fo r broad er access to encryp ted data, escalating tensio ns ov er p riv acy and security reg ulatio ns

ADP, introduced in 2022, offers end-to-end encr yption for iCloud data, preventing unauthorised access even by Apple itself However, under new evidence collection powers, the Home Off ice requested unrestricted access to encr ypted materials stored on Apple’s ser vers worldwide In response, Apple chose to remove ADP entirely for UK customers rather than create a backdoor in its encr yption

“We are gravely disappointed that ADP protections will not be available to our UK customers, given the increasing

r

threats,” Apple stated, reaff irming its stance against weakening security measures

The move comes as UK tech regulations increasingly clash with US policy

Trump administration was concerned about foreign governments imposing stricter controls on US tech f irms Sir Keir Starmer’s upcoming Washington

transatlantic tensions over digital privacy and regulation

Other encr ypted ser vices, such as WhatsApp, have also signalled they may withdraw from the UK rather than comply with demands for data access

While law enforcement argues access is necessar y to combat crimes like child abuse and terrorism, privacy advocates warn that such policies weaken overall digital security

Despite the UK restrictions, Apple conf irmed that 14 types of iCloud data,

health records, will remain end-to-end encr ypted for British users

Prime Minister Keir Starmer meets with Volodymyr Zelenskyy President of Ukraine during a visit to Ukraine

Rachel Reeves

Jonathan Reynolds

India-UK trade deal edges closer to breakthrough

After nearly a year of stalled negotiations, India and the UK are resuming talks on a free trade agreement as Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds visits India (see page 1 for more) Despite 14 rounds of discussions since 2022, a deal remains elusive, with talks pausing when former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called for general elections The agreement spans 26 chapters covering goods, services, investments, and intellectual property rights However, with escalating global trade tensions and the tariff war under US President Trump, both nations face mounting pressure to finalise the deal swiftly

India and the UK share a strong partnership across security, defence, technology, climate, health, education, and trade A potential trade deal could boost exports for both nations, especially amid global uncertainties and Trump's aggressive trade stance However, negotiations have repeatedly stalled whether in 2012 or 2023 over visa access for Indian businesses and India's high tariffs on key UK exports India imposes a 150% duty on food, automobiles, and whiskey, which remains a major hurdle The UK is pushing for significant tariff reductions to unlock the full potential of the deal

US President Trump's reciprocal tariffs pose a significant challenge to India, potentially impacting its exports To offset these losses, India is looking to expand its trade with the UK However, increasing exports to Britain will require India to lower tariffs and open its markets to UK goods and services As India is projected to become the world’s third-largest

economy by 2050, Britain must also secure strong market access for its companies to capitalise on this economic growth

The Indian government is taking a firm stance on visa policies, pushing Britain to provide social security benefits for Indian skilled workers, who currently cannot access pensions or other support in the UK Business visas remain a key demand for India, especially as it seeks to boost exports of labour-intensive products like textiles With Bangladesh’s textile industry facing challenges, reduced UK tariffs would give Indian garments a competitive edge India is also urging Britain to offer social security benefits similar to those provided to workers from Canada, France, and Australia, along with special provisions for Indian students

The India-UK FTA will be one of India's most complex trade deals, shaping its future trade strategy Historically cautious about large agreements evident in its 2019 exit from RCEP India now aims to exceed $1 trillion in exports by 2030 Any deal must balance securing market access, protecting domestic industries, and aligning with this ambitious vision Amid shifting global alliances and economic uncertainties, the UK and EU are vying for India’s partnership As traditional powerhouses turn inward, India stands out as a stable, high-growth market at the centre of Western trade ambitions One thing is clear: India is no longer just a key trade partner it is the marketplace of the future The real question is, who will secure a deal first?

The emerging new world order

Donald Trump’s return to the US presidency has unsettled many, but perhaps none more so than Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky With Trump in office, Ukraine has e

President Joe Biden, who provided both material and moral support, Trump has openly criticised Zelensky, calling him a “dictator without elections ”

I n c o n t

pledged “ironclad support” for Ukraine, as has France

deploying forces, there is broad agreement that an effective peacekeeping force is needed to deter future Russian aggression However, such a force would require US support as a key strategic guarantee even if it stops short of deploying American troops

As the most vocal NATO ally backing Ukraine, the UK now faces a potential standoff with Russia During his upcoming visit to the White House, Starmer intends to push Trump to commit US military power as a “backstop” to any future peace agreement However, securing this commitment remains uncertain, as Trump has signalled a shift in US priorities

Under Trump, the US has moved from supporting

U k r a i n e a n d

Speculation has also arisen about a potential US withdrawal from NATO, though the Pentagon has denied such claims Nevertheless, if Washington reduces its support, the UK and its European allies will have to shoulder a greater burden in maintaining deterrence

One approach to addressing this challenge is strengthening Ukraine’s own defence capabilities Starmer has also proposed deploying British troops as part of a European

“ reassurance force,” developed in partnership with France

This plan would position troops in key locations such as cities, ports, and nuclear sites to focus on intelligence gathering and airspace monitoring rather than direct combat

However, Kremlin officials have condemned the proposal, warning that any NATO presence in Ukraine would be seen as a direct threat

Given all these aspects, this week’s visits by the British Prime Minister and French President to the White House will be crucial Trump’s pivot away from Europe has alarmed NATO leaders, especially given his stance on Zelensky, his willingness to meet Putin, and his calls for new elections in Ukraine Yet, it’s important to recognise that US-European security ties remain deeply entrenched A key consideration is how European nations will finance their plans, given that even covering a third of the support provided by the US would be a significant burden for them

For now, Trump has not ordered the withdrawal of the 35,000 US troops stationed in Germany or the 10,000 in the UK, and the US continues to maintain bases across Europe America’s defence relationship with Britain remains strong, particularly through intelligence-sharing networks like “Five Eyes” (which includes the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand)

While Trump’s administration is prioritising the Pacific and the challenge from China, a full transatlantic decoupling will take years However, recent developments indicate that Europe must rethink its long-term defence strategy With the US putting “America First,” Europe and Britain will need to recalibrate their global positioning, develop new security frameworks, and build alliances that are less dependent on Washington in this emerging new world order

Mother of all rivalries and celebrations

In India, two things stand above all cricket and Bollywood

These are more than just entertainment; they shape the country’s identity, dreams, and emotions Nowhere is this passion stronger than in India-Pakistan cricket matches, often called the “mother of all rivalries ”

With over 1 6 billion viewers across the subcontinent, these intense matches capture the attention of both fans and big businesses The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy match between India and Pakistan was no different Tickets sold out within minutes, and advertisers paid Rupees 5 million (GBP 45,000+) for just 10 seconds of airtime Cricket, like Bollywood, is a major economic force, and players are treated like film stars This connection is clear in the grand celebrations that follow India’s victories, where actors, athletes, and fans come together in nationwide excitement

Amid this energy, Virat Kohli gave a masterclass in resilience Entering the tournament, critics doubted him after a disappointing 2024 The once-unbeatable star had struggled with his famous cover drive, often getting out to balls outside the off-stump But true champions are not judged by their failures but by their comebacks On the high-pressure stage against Pakistan, Kohli answered his critics the only way he could with his bat His unbeaten 100 not only secured a six-wicket win for India but also proved once again that he is one of the greatest ODI batsmen in history

The stats tell an incredible story In his 299th ODI match, Kohli became the fastest batsman to score 14,000 runs, beating legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Kumar

Sangakkara Former England captains Michael Atherton and Nasser Hussain called him the best ODI player ever, praising his unmatched consistency and ability to chase big targets As Atherton put it, “No one in history has been better in a run chase ”

Beyond the numbers, Kohli’s comeback is proof of his sheer determination At 36, after more than 15 years in international cricket, he is proving that age is just a number Like LeBron James in the NBA, who continues to break records in his 40s, Kohli has adjusted his game, improved his fitness, and silenced critics with every great performance His century against Pakistan wasn’t just a personal victory it was a reminder that legends don’t fade; they adapt Cricket and Bollywood often come together to create unforgettable moments After India’s win, Bollywood stars flooded social media with congratulatory messages, sharing in the country’s joy Actor Shah Rukh Khan, a passionate cricket fan and owner of the Kolkata Knight Riders, praised Kohli’s innings, calling it a “blockbuster comeback performance

Champions Trophy confirmed his status as one of India’s greatest sports icons Just as movies make their heroes unforgettable, cricket creates its cinematic moments none more thrilling than a king reclaiming his throne on the biggest stage And when Kohli raised his bat in celebration, it wasn’t just about scoring a century it was a powerful statement, a reminder of his greatness

“The biggest temptation is to settle for too little.” Thomas Merton

Political Sketchbook

Alpesh Patel

Hindus in America's Political Landscape - The Rise of Gabbard and Patel

The growing presence of Hindus in key positions within American national security circles signals a shift in both political representation and trust. The appointment of figures like Tulsi Gabbard and Kash Patel to high-profile national security roles reflects not only their individual qualifications but also a broader acceptance of Hindu Americans in critical decision-making spheres Of course some will not be satisfied, claiming it’s all too little – but they just don’t know when they’ve won

For decades, Hindu Americans have largely been seen as a politically quiet, professionally successful demographic Their representation in sectors like medicine, technology, and business was acknowledged, but their influence in policy, especially in national security, remained limited

The ascendance of figures like Gabbard and Patel challenges that old narrative It highlights the growing trust the American establishment has in individuals of Hindu faith to shape foreign policy, defence strategy, and intelligence operations

Tulsi Gabbard, a former Congresswoman and military veteran, was the first Hindu to be elected to the U S Congress Her tenure was marked by a pragmatic foreign policy stance, a strong emphasis on counterterrorism, and a focus on national security Though not of Indian origin, her embrace of Hindu philosophy and identity set her apart Her positions on issues like the U S military presence in the Middle East and engagement with India have aligned her closely with realist and nationalist approaches in Washington

Kash Patel, a former top intelligence official and advisor in the Trump administration, played a key role in shaping U S counterterrorism policy His rise from a background in law and national security to some of the most sensitive roles in government is a testament to the confidence placed in Hindu Americans in areas where trust is paramount Patel’s involvement in intelligence reform and security operations demonstrates that Hindu Americans are not just participants in American governance but are influencing its strategic direction

My own experience, after 9/11, being asked by the UK Foreign Office to be part of a think tank group on involving ethnic minorities in foreign policy formulation highlights the trust placed upon us We are neither Western nor Eastern We are global and Indian and Hindu

Their prominence underscores a broader transformation: Hindu Americans are no longer seen merely as contributors to economic growth but as key players in shaping U S global strategy The West’s trust in them is reflective of an evolving relationship with India, as Washington deepens its strategic ties with New Delhi It is also an indication that Hindu values emphasizing duty (dharma), resilience, and strategic foresight are being recognized as assets in governance and security

This moment draws an interesting parallel to Swami Vivekananda’s historic speech at the World’s Parliament of Religions in Chicago in 1893 In his address, he introduced Hinduism as a faith of inclusivity, wisdom, and strength He shattered stereotypes about India and its spiritual traditions, positioning Hinduism as a philosophy aligned with universal progress Today, more than a century later, the integration of Hindus into America’s most sensitive power structures reaffirms that message Hindus are not outsiders; they are integral to the modern West

The appointments of Gabbard and Patel are milestones in the evolving role of Hindus in America’s political fabric They reflect not just representation but a growing strategic reliance on Hindu Americans to guide national security in an era of global uncertainty

Asian Voice is published by

Asian Business Publications Ltd

CB Pa tel : Publisher and Editor

R up anja na D utt a : Managing Editor

Harrow Business Centre, 429-433 Pinner Road, North Harrow, Middlesex, HA1 4HN

Tel: 020 7749 4080 • Fax: 020 7749 4081

Email: aveditorial@abplgroup com Website: www abplgroup com

Brothers who groomed girls "in plain sight" imprisoned

courtroom to witness Judge Ian Unsworth KC sentence all three

tions of 49-year-old Shaha

Shaha Alman Miah, and 38-

year-old Shaha Joman Miah for more than 60 offences against five girls, ages six to fifteen None of the victims

, Cumbria, and Leeds, West

Y o r k s h i r e , c a n b e r e c o gnised Four months after the trial concluded, eleven j u r o r s c a m e b a c k t o t h e

For 40 offences, Joman Miah received a life sentence with a minimum of 22 y e a r s i n p r i s o n F o r 1 6 o f f e n c e s , A m r a n M i a h received a life sentence with a minimum of 22 years in prison, while Alman Miah received a 10-year sentence

release for three offences

Unsworth said, "I am conv i n c e d t h a t e a c h o f y

behaved in a predatory and

viewed your victims as tools

to be exploited and mistreated as you pleased You showed them complete disdain You were both aware of one other's sexual inclinations and behaviour at various points in time The

together by strong, seem-

An omerta was present

childhoods "

Prosecutors referred to t h

t h e r s a

T

a m Miah during the trial, placing family loyalty ahead of the facts, supporting their b

attempting to discredit witnesses

Leicestershire area with highest alcohol deaths revealed

N e w d a t a r e v e a l s t ha t

Le icester has t he highest rate of al cohol-rel ated liver dise ase dea ths in t he count y A n ewly publ ished map highl ight s a na tion wide rise in a l co ho l - r e l a t e d de a t h s, which have r eache d recor d highs

B a s e d o n g o v e r n m e n t s t a t i s t i c s , t h e m a p s h o w s that Leicester recorded the highest rate of deaths direct-

l y l i n k e d t o a l c o h o l c o nsumption between 2021 and 2023, with 19 5 deaths per

100,000 people North West Leicestershire follows closel y

100,000 across areas includi n g C

v i l l e , A s h

, a n d Castle Donington Nationally, alcohol-related deaths reached a record 10,473 in 2023 the fourth consecutive year of increases, according to the Office for National Statistics I n o t h e r p a r t s o f L e i c e s t e r s h i r e , O a d b y & Wigston recorded the thirdhighest rate at 15 8 deaths per 1

Melton at 15 5 Hinckley & Bosworth followed with 12 6, then Charnwood (11 4), Blaby ( 1 0 8 ) , a n d H

h (10 4)

Men were found to be twice as likely as women to

c death, with rates of 22 deaths per 100,000 compared to 10 per 100,000 for women The data also suggests alcohol-

prevalent in the North than in the South

Fraudster scams Leeds council

A man has been convicted fo r po sing as a Greggs manager to fraudulently o btain p an de mi c s u p p o r t g ra nt s from Leeds City Co uncil

In May 2020, Aftab Baig, 4 7 , f r o m G l a s g o w , f a l s e l y claimed to work at Greggs’ head office to access business rates numbers for 32 branches of the fast-food

c h a i n D e s p i t e h a v i n g n o

c o n n e c t i o n t o G r e g g s , h e used the details to apply for £710,000 in business rates relief, which was paid into a n a c c o u n t l i n k e d t o h i s catering business

L e e d s C i t y C o u n c i l described the scheme as a “brazen and calculated act of fraud ”

Baig was found guilty of t h

Leeds Crown Court on 12 February While most of the money has been recovered, over £90,000 remains outstanding

A council spokesperson condemned the fraud, stating the funds were meant to s u p p o

nesses during the pandemic

Global film tourism summit set to boost West Midlands economy

A major global film tourism event is expected to attract vital investment and leverage the growing film produc ti on s cene in the West Mi dlands, the B BC has reported

The World Screen Tourism Summit, taking place in Birmingham this November, will bring together experts to discuss film tourism marketing, destination branding, and visitor management strategies

In anticipation of the summit, the West Midlands Growth Company has released a 24-page screen guide aimed at helping investors explore the region’s diverse filming locations, many of which may benefit from tax relief and discounted rates

The initiative coincides with Visit Britain’s new campaign to spotlight the West Midlands as a prime location for film and television production, following the success of two major Hollywood films

"It's really critical that we get those international visitors in," said Rebecca Frall, head of tourism at the West Midlands Growth Company She highlighted the rise of local businesses capitalising on the region’s creative reputation, from Peaky Blinders-themed walking tours and escape rooms to cultural exports like Black Sabbath – The Ballet

With the region’s cultural sector valued at around £1 1 billion and supporting over 16,000 jobs, the push for film tourism comes at a crucial time Post-Covid visitor numbers remain unstable, and the hospitality industry continues to face challenges

The summit has the potential to revitalise the sector, positioning the West Midlands as a global screen tourism hotspot

Thousands demand NHS to fire doctor over unapproved ovary removal

A n Essex health trust h as defended D r A li S h o k o u h - A m

Over 100 illegal workers arrested

O v er 1 0 0 m ig ran ts h a v e been arrested in C oventry and the M idlands as p art of a nationwide crackdo wn on illeg al working In January, officers raided 131 sites, leading to 106 arrests a 34% rise in the Midlands compared to the previous year, according to t

Their employer, whose

Two of the workers

Coventry, a 29-year-old man was arrested at Premier

released on bail with reporting conditions The Home Office emphasised that illegal working is linked to poor living conditions, exploitative wages, and tax evasion

restaurants and car washes Employers face fines of up to £60,000

I N B R I E F POLICE ARREST 179 IN ROAD CRIME SWEEP

West Midlands Police made 179 arrests and recovered 650 vehicles in January as part of a targeted campaign against road crime Of the recovered vehicles 400 were uninsured, and 135 had been stolen, with the total value of stolen cars reaching £674 000 the force reported Superintendent Gareth Mason emphasised the department’s commitment to road safety stating "Our officers are dedicated to making the roads safer and removing criminals from behind the wheel before they cause harm He acknowledged the ongoing dangers on the roads, adding, Too many people are still being killed or seriously injured, and we remain committed to both educating drivers and taking firm action against those who put lives at risk "

FIVE TEENAGERS ARRESTED OVER RACIST GRAFFITI

West Mercia Police arrested five teenagers in connection with racist graffiti found across Bridgnorth The suspects four aged 13 and one aged 14-were detained on suspicion of racially or religiously aggravated criminal damage on Friday, February 21 Between October 2024 and January 2025 police received multiple reports of 15 racist messages appearing in alleyways footpaths and underbridges Recent incidents include graffiti at a youth club on Inage Lane (January 25) and under the A458 bypass (January 21) both made with white spray paint Four of the teenagers were released with no further action, while the 14-year-old remains on police bail as investigations continue

WEST MIDLANDS TO INVEST £33M IN HOME UPGRADES

am id co n ce rns o v e r h i s f i tne ss to practice after he remov ed two p ati ents’ o v ari es without consent P r e v i o u s l y w o r k i n g i n G u e

n s e y , h e f a c e d m u l t i p l e allegations, including surgical errors and inappropriate conduct Despite receiving a warning, a tribunal deemed him fit to continue practicing He has been a consultant at Mid and South Essex NHS Trust since November 2022

A panel found no concerns about Dr Ali Shokouh-Amir’s work since leaving Guernsey, but a petition with over 10,000 signatures is demanding his removal from the NHS The petition cites GMC guidelines on informed c o n s e n t a n d c a l l s f o r a c t i o n t o p r o t e c t patients Despite this, Mid and South Essex NHS Trust, overseeing Southend Hospital where he now works, has expressed full confidence in him

C h r i s t i n e B l a n s h a r d , C h i e f M e d i c a l Officer for Mid and South Essex NHS Trust, acknowledged public concern but reassured that safeguarding and chaperoning are in p l a c e S h e n o t e d t h

underwent a full tribunal, which found him fit to practice He continues to work at Southend Hospital, with the trust expressing full confidence in his ability to provide safe, high-quality care

Millions will be invested in upgrading homes across the West Midlands to combat fuel poverty the highest in England at 19 6% with some areas exceeding 40% according to a new report The West Midlands Combined Authority's (WMCA) Overview and Scrutiny Committee will review the £33 12 million Devolved Buildings Retrofit Pilot next week The initiative, part of the region s £388 6 million government funding for 2025/26 will distribute funds to councils housing associations, and public bodies for retrofit projects The scheme will support social housing, private homes, and public buildings, with funding allocated on a fair share basis The report highlights the economic, social and environmental benefits of retrofitting, including improving health fostering sustainable growth and creating skilled jobs With fuel poverty a growing issue, the WMCA aims to reduce energy costs and improve living conditions for thousands of residents through this initiative

LIFE EXPECTANCY DROPS ALARMINGLY IN NORTHERN ENGLAND

A new study has recorded an alarming drop in life expectancy across several northern English cities over the past decade with the decline beginning even before the Covid pandemic Research from Imperial College London found that areas in Leeds, Newcastle, Manchester, Liverpool, and Blackpool had some of the lowest life expectancies in England The study highlighted a growing divide between the north and south In 2019 women in the longest-living communities lived up to 20 years longer than those in areas with the lowest life expectancies For example, a woman in Camden, London, had a life expectancy of 95 4 years, compared to just 75 in Leeds The gap was even wider for men 27 years with life expectancy reaching 95 in Kensington and Chelsea but only 68 in parts of Blackpool

Shaha Amran Miah Shaha Alman Miah

Joman Miah

Aftab Baig

Dr Ali Shokouh-Amir

Ronan’s Law introduced to tackle online knife crime

T he UK g ov ernm ent has announced new m easures, c o l lec ti v e ly kn o w n as Ronan’s Law, to tackle the illeg al sale of knives, follow ing th e tragic m urder

o f 1 6 -y ear - ol d R o nan K anda in 2022

T h e B r i t i s h I n d i a n

t e e n a g e r w a s f a t a l l y stabbed in a case of mistaken identity near his home i n W o l v e r h a m p t o n H i s killers, also teenagers, had illegally purchased multiple knives online, collecting them without any age or identity verification

A f t e r r e l e n t l e s s c a mpaigning by Ronan’s mother, Pooja Kanda, and his sister, Nikita, Ronan’s Law will now require UK retailers to report bulk or suspicious purchases of knives on their platforms to law enforcement The law also increases the penalty for selling knives to under-18s, raising the sentence from six months to up to two years in prison This penalty could apply to the individual who processed the sale or even the CEO of the company involved Pooja Kanda, speaking about her son ’ s tragic loss, said, “In 2022, I lost my son, Ronan, to knife crime and mistaken identity In 2023, we sat in court, looking at a Ninja sword and over 25 bladed weapons I knew my son never stood a chance The fact that these weapons were sold online without proper ID checks played a crucial role in this t r a g e d y H o w w a s t h i s

allowed?

“A 16-year-old was able to buy these weapons and even resell them to others We knew something had to change Our fight for just i c e b

proper ID checks by sellers a n d p

c

W e welcome the government’s plans to crack down on the

, s

c i a l m e d i a platforms, and sellers must t a k e m o r e r e s p o n s i b i l i t y The proposed registration scheme will ensure stricter

c

n t r o l o v e r t

o f b l a d

t i c l e s T h e r e i s still so much work to be done to tackle knife crime, but this is an important step forward ” In addition to tighter regulations on knife sales, t h e U K g o v

n m e n t w i l l introduce a new offence for possessing an offensive w e a p o n w i t h i n t e n t t o cause violence Under the C r i m e a n d P o l i c i n g B i l l , t h i s o f f e n c e w i l l c a r r y a prison sentence of up to f o u r y e a r s , r e g a r d l e s s o f

whether the weapon itself is legal or illegal

Yvette Cooper emphasised

horrifying how easy it is for young people to get hold of knives online, leading to devastating consequences for families and communities

“We are honouring our commitment to introduce Ronan’s Law in memory of R o n a n K

, a n d I a m incredibly grateful to his family for their perseverance in ensuring action is

n t has set an ambitious mission to halve knife crime over the next decade, and we will pursue every possible avenue to save young lives ”

Home Office will launch a consultation to explore a registration scheme for all

operate

Muslim Aid to launch ‘Step In’ programme against knife crime

M uslim A id , on e of t he UK’s lea ding human it ar ia n or gani s a t i o n s, i s ho s t i n g t h e Br adfor d In te rfait h Dinn er o n In t er n a t ion a l W om e n ’ s Day to la un ch ‘S tep In’, a v ital init ia tive ta ck lin g kn ife cr im e in Br adford

T h e e v e n t a l i g n s w i t h Bradford’s status as a City of Culture, showcasing unity in addressing social challenges

Marking 40 years of service, Muslim Aid is expanding its focus on UK-based projects

T h e B r a d f o r d I n t e r f a i t h

Dinner fosters interfaith collaboration, social cohesion, a n d y o u t h e m p o w e r m e n t ,

bringing together faith leaders, local government, and grassroots organisations to a d d r e s s r i s i n g c o n c e r n s about knife crime

At the heart of the event is the launch of ‘Step In’, a programme designed to supp o r t y o u n g p e o p l e i n t h e youth justice system, steering them away from crime and gang culture Through boxing training, counselling, career guidance, and educat i o n a l o p p o r t u n

build confidence and selfworth K h a l i d J a v i d

Muslim Aid, said, “Our 40th anniversary is more than

reflects our belief that tack-

proud to launch this initia-

Yusuf Islam (Cat Stevens), Muslim Aid has helped millions in over 70 countries As part of its anniversary initia-

Government moves to criminalise spiking with 10-year jail term

J ess Phi llips s tated that violen ce against women and girls happens everywhere as the government moves to m a k e s p i ki n g a c

i

n

l offence Under the new Crime and Policing Bill, set to be introduced next week, spiking will carry a potential 10year prison sentence

prevent spiking, which will

tence

new law will clarify report-

Farage

hands over Reform UK ownership

mo

Founded in 2018 as a private company, Reform was majority-owned by Farage

Farage and deputy Richard

virtually unassailable

in the

if 50% request one Reform MPs can also call

but only if there are over 100 MPs far more than the current five The party’s board will have three elected members, while the leader, chairman, and others will be appointed

Ex-husband accused of sending arsenic to in-laws appears in court

An IT consult an t accuse d of orche st ra ting a plot t o poison his ex -w ife’ s family ha s a ppear ed in court

s wanted by Indian authorities over the attempted murders of Dr Sirisha Muttavarapu’s

r e l a t i v e s a n d t h e a l l e g e d murder of her mother W e s t m i n s t e r M a g

between January and August 2 0 2 3 , M u p p a

p u h i r e d accomplices in Hyderabad,

India, to poison the family using arsenic and succinylcholine, a fast-acting muscle relaxant He is also accused of arranging a staged road t r a f f i c c o l l i s i o n t a r g e t i n g Muttavarapu’s father

Mupparapu was arrested on January 17 by extradit i o n u n i t o f f i c e r s a n d a p p e a r e d v i a v i d e o l i n k from Wandsworth Prison, wearing a grey tracksuit

H e c o n f i r m e d o n l y h i s n a m e a n d d a t e o f b i r t h during the hearing Prosecutor Kiran Gohal

stated that Mupparapu had “ h i r e d o t h e r s o n s e v e r a l occasions to kill members of his family in India,” and that India seeks his extradition on charges of murder, a t t e m p t e d m u r d e r , a n d conspiracy to murder

The court was told that M u p p a r a p u w o r k e d w i t h nine conspirators, including his sister, who allegedly purchased the arsenic It was then mixed into cooking ingredients and sent to h i s e x - w i f e ’ s p a r e n t s ’ home

women, she replied, "I don’t think it’s less safe-I think it was never safe " She emphasised the need for political change, stating, "Violence

Ronan Kanda with his mum, Pooja Kanda

1 -

Honouring the roots of Middle Eastern cuisine

Subhasini Naicker

B ah ra in - bo rn , L o n d o n-

ba s ed , a nd New Yo r k-

trained, Noor M urad jo ined

th e Ot to le ng h i T es t

Kitch en in 20 18, contributing to ‘ Falastin’ , ‘Flav our ’ , and Ottolenghi’s Gu ardian

an d Ne w Y o r k T i m es

columns Now head o f th e

T es t K i tc h en, s h e coautho red ‘S helf Lov e ’ and ‘ Extra Go od T hing s ’ Her

Mid dle Eastern heritage

ro o ted i n A rabi c , In d ia n,

an d P er s ia n f la v o rs

defines her cooking , with her recipes featured in ‘Th e Guardian’ , ‘The New York Tim es ’ , and on BBC’ s ‘Saturd ay Kitchen’

H e r l a t e s t b o o k , ‘ L u g m a ’ , c e l e b r a t e s

M i d d l e E a s t e r n c u i -

sine and culture, aim-

i n g t o s h o w c a s e i t s a u t h e n t i c f l a v o u r s

S p e a k i n g t o A s i a n Voice, Noor shares the inspiration behind the

b o o k , h e r t a k e o n I n d i a n - s t y l e c o o k i n g , and more

How has your upbringing and heritage shaped your approach to food, especially in blending flavours from different regions?

I grew up between

t w o w o r l d s m y

E n g l i s h m o t h e r a n d

sambusa, Bahrain’s take on

s a m o s a s , a r e s m a l l e r , wrapped in thin pastry, and often filled with spicy potatoes or mung beans Even tikka has a Persian twist,

o f f l a v o u r O n e o f t h e recipes in the book is for a M i d d l e E a s t e r n - s t y l e

Bolognese, a rich and spicy meat sauce used in macaroni The combination of turmeric and pasta is very much a Middle Eastern trad i t i o n , p a r t i c u l a r l y i n f l uenced by Persian cuisine, where turmeric is a beloved spice Cardamom is another spice I use frequently, not just in savoury dishes like rice, but also in beverages

I n o u r c u l t u r e , c o f f e e i s

o f t e n i n f u s e

damom and saffron, creating a beautifully aromatic and warming drink I love how versatile cardamom is it adds a distinct depth to both

A r a b f a t h e r s h a p e d a

u n i q u e u p b r i n g i n g i n Bahrain, enriched by summers in England My food

e x p e r i e n c e s w e r e j u s t a s

d i v e r s e , f r o m t r a d i t i o n a l family meals to street food with my dad At home, my mother, a passionate cook, explored global cuisines

I n d i a n , A s i a n , I t a l i a n , French you name it She explored cuisines from all over the world, but the one

s h e n e v e r a t t e m p t e d w a s

G u l f c u i s i n e , s i m p l y because she didn’t feel confident cooking it This contrast shaped my palate, fostering a love for blending flavours That influence is evident in ‘Lugma’, where s u b t l e W e s t e r n t w i s t s reflect my culinary journey and personal style

How have Indian flavours influenced Bahraini cuisine, and how do you incorporate them into your cooking?

Bahrain, a small island

i n t h e P e r s i a n G u l f , h a s long been a vital seaport and trade hub Its strategic

l o c a t i o n b r o u g h t a r i c h

b l e n d o f c u l t u r a l i n f l u -

e n c e s , i n c l u d i n g P e r s i a n , Indian, and Arab traditions, shaping its unique culinary identity In Bahrain, many Indian dishes have evolved into unique local versions Dal, for example, retains its Indian roots but is distinctly Bahraini, often finished with a tadka a technique I

f r e q u e n t l y u s e S i m i l a r l y ,

w i t h m e a t m a r i n a t e d i n black lime and grilled I’ve adapted this by using the same flavours in a minced lamb sambusa filling

Spices are at the heart of both Middle Eastern and Indian cuisines Which Indian spices do you find yourself using the most, and how do they enhance your dishes?

W h i l e d e v e l o p i n g t h e

r e c i p e s f o r ‘ L u g m a ’ , I r e a l i s e d j u s t h o w m u c h turmeric I use far more than I had initially thought! It’s a staple in my cooking, even in unexpected dishes like macaroni In fact, in our version of macaroni, I add at least two spoonful’s of turmeric, which gives it a beautiful colour and depth

“I grew up between two worlds-an English mother and an Arab fathershaping a unique upbringing in Bahrain, with summers in England and diverse food experiences, from family meals to street food with my dad ”

n essential ingredient in my kitchen

Ramadan is a time for spiritual reflection and, of course, special food traditions How does ‘Lugma’ cater to those observing Ramadan?

‘Lugma’ is all about

w

c o o k e d stews, lamb dishes, and curries that feel nourishing and soulful In

B a h r a i n , e s p e c i a l l y

turn to warming meals

After a day of fasting, dishes

t h a t h a v e s i m m e r e d f o r hours, like hearty soups and slow-cooked meats, provide both physical and emotion-

a l n o u r i s h m e n t T h e s e flavours and traditions are at the heart of ‘Lugma’, capturing the essence of food

t h a t t r u l y s p e a k s t o t h e soul

Are there any childhood memories of Ramadan feasts that have influenced your approach to festive cooking?

R a m a d a n h a s a l w a y s been a deeply family-oriented time for me When my grandfather was alive, we gathered at his house every night for Iftar, with a table full of dishes One of my strongest memories is waiting for the ‘warte’ can-

n o n t o b o o m a c r o s s

B a h r a i n , s i g n a l l i n g t h e fast’s end, followed by the ‘Azan’ The sounds, sights, a n d a r o m a s o f t h o s e moments define Ramadan for me family, tradition, and shared meals Our Iftar was always a potluck, with e v e r y o n e c o n t r i b u t i n g a

dish My English mother, though she didn’t observe Ramadan, loved cooking for the family, often bringing something different perhaps risotto or lasagna alongside traditional Arabic dishes That blend of tradition and personal touches made Ramadan even more special

Coventry Street shines bright for Ramadan celebrations

Mor e tha n 30, 000 LED bulbs will lig ht up the W est End e ver y night fr om 5pm to 5am t hroughout Ra mad an This free aerial display, o r g a n i s e d b y t h e A z i z Foundation, will illuminate Coventry Street until March 29 Inspired by Islamic geom e t r i c p a t t e r n s a n d Ramadan’s celestial symbols, the lights reflect the rhythm

o f S u h o o r a n d I f t a r

Coventry Street made histor y i n 2 0 2 3 a s W e s t e r n Europe’s first location for aerial Ramadan lights, symbolising diversity and unity

As Ramadan ends, the d

"Happy Eid" on March 30, shining until April 6 to continue the spirit of togetherness

M a r k i n g t h e A z i z Foundation’s 10th annivers a r y , t h i s y e a r ’ s R a m a d a n

Lights London is more comm u n i t y - f o c u s e d , f e a t u

n g new experiences alongside the iconic display A highlight for 2025 is

Square, where visitors can

beams of light soaring, sym-

Ramadan This interactive f e a t u r e w i l l r

April 1

Beyond the West End, a 'Spread The Light' lantern p

online for families to print, decorate, and share on social media, spreading Ramadan's spirit far and wide

Foundation, said: “We are proud to continue this tradition, celebrating London’s diversity and the spirit of R a m

d

n O u r n e w

d d itions, from the interactive installation to the Iftar Food Trail, aim to foster inclusivit y a n d i n t e r f a i t h u n d e rstanding ‘Spread The Light’ shares a universal message

, inviting everyone to join the celebration ”

Ramadan and travel tips for travelers businesses and employers

R am ad an i s ex p ec te d to beg in on the ev ening of 28 th February and end on 30 th M a rc h D u ri ng t h i s h o l y m o n th , M u sl im s o bs erv e fasting and sp iritual reflecti o n , w h i ch c an im p ac t leisure and business trav el Here are key consid erations for those planning holidays o r bu s in es s tr ip s d u r in g Ram ad an

When planning business travel for Muslim employees, avoid Ramadan if possible, as it is a time for prayer, charity, and family If travel is necessary, schedule meetings outside fasting hours, a l l o w p r a

Ramadan, the festive period

In Muslim-majority destinations during Ramadan, most restaurants close duri n g d a y l i g h t h o u r s , a n d n i g h t l i f e p a u s e s f o r t h e month However, in tourist h u b s l i k e D u b a i , m a n y eateries stay open, except in local areas like Deira and Old Dubai Hotels generally o p e r a t e a s u s u a l a n d a r e exempt from these restrictions

marks a time for celebration, making it ideal for a w e l l

e a r n e d h o l i d a y o r a special trip This is why the months following Ramadan a

o r Muslim honeymooners For travel and hospitality brands, being considerate o f M u

Offering flexible meal times for suhoor (pre-dawn meal) a

supported

Bristol’s grand Iftar returns to Cathedral for another year

Hu nd reds are exp ected at B ri st o l C ath e d ra l's G ran d Iftar on 13 March, hosted for the seco nd year by Bristol C athed ral, Muslims4 Bristol, an d Bri d g es f o r C ommu nities, inviting all to share a meal in a multi-faith gathering

The Iftar celebrates the breaking of the fast during Ramadan This year's theme focuses on belonging and

unity Ramadan runs from 28 February to 30 March, ending with Eid al-Fitr celebrations

D u r i n g R a m a d a

Muslims fast from dawn to d u s

and helping those in need Saliha Ahmed from the P a k i s t a n i W e l

Organisation said Bristol's Grand Iftar helps connect

Bristol,

breaker” that brings people together through food

Green

Sacred Kiswa and Islamic artefacts draw 7,000 visitors to Bradford

O ver 7,000 vi si tors g athered at Bradford City Hall for a rare ex hi bition of the s a c r e d K i s w a a n d ot he r I s l a m i c a r t e f a c ts

O rgan ised by the Council for M os ques Bradford and D i s t ri c t, i n p ar t n e r s hi p with B radford Counc il and sponsored by M r T’ s, the

e v e n t o f f e re d a un i q ue

g l i m ps e i n t o t he s e tr e asured relic s S h o w c a s i n g a r t e f a c t s from Makkah and Medina, the exhibition featured the

r e v e r e d K i s w a t h e s i l k c l o t h t h a t a d o r n s t h e K a a b a - h i g h l i g h t i n g B r a d f o r d ’ s r i c h c u l t u r a l d i v e r s i t y a h e a d o f Ramadan

The event saw an overw h e l m i n g t u r n o u t , w i t h t h o u s a n d s q u e u i n g f o r hours to view the artefacts

D u

Noor Murad

& EID MUBARAK RAMADAN KAREEM

1 - 7 March 2025

Uganda High Commission promotes culture and tourism in London

T h e U g and a Hi g h

C o m m is s i o n in L o n d o n

hosted a v ibrant celebration of U gand a's rich heritag e on 5th F ebruary 2025

T h e e v e n t s h o w c a s e d Ugandan art, crafts, fashion, and talent through music

a n d d a n c e T h r e e

y exhibitors highlighted the significance of tree conservation and the ecosystem by focusing on Uganda’s magic trees

Herbert Langalanga of Legge Studios showcased a

p

indigenous trees Ugandanborn British designer José Hendo impressed attendees with a bark cloth fashion s

founder of Atura Naturals,

potential as a tourism hub while showcasing her UK-

Naotica shea butter

During the event, High C o m m

o n e

o

h e Republic of Uganda to the United Kingdom of Great Britain & Northern Ireland and Ambassador to Ireland,

E

keynote address, which was

a g r e a t s u c c e s s L e d b y Miriam Pheona Otengo and Jackie Kemirembe, it showcased Uganda’s rich heritage and promoted it as a top tourism destination

H E Nimisha Madhvani

offering both cultural richness and breathtaking natural beauty, with a pleasant c

emphasised the role of traditional ceremonies like the Imbalu circumcision ritual

Culture, she noted, not only preserves history but also generates revenue, creates jobs, and educates younger g

reflected on Uganda’s culi-

praised President Museveni as a visionary leader, culturalist, and historian who values heritage and identity She highlighted his role in reinstating Ugandan cultural leaders in 1993 after years of political turmoil Uganda, with its 46 million people and over 50 ethnic groups, boasts a rich cultural heritage that fosters identity, u n i t y , a n d e c o n o m i c growth

“Despite ethnic diversit y , m u t u a l r e s p e c t a n d shared traditions strengthen social bonds National

f e s t i v a l s l i k e D i w a l i , C h r i s t m a s , E a s t e r , a n d Ramadan bring communities together,” she added

H E Nimisha highlighted Uganda’s cultural her-

i t a g e a s a k

d

i v e r o f tourism, attracting visitors to its traditional ceremonies and historical sites She said, “Uganda is home to three U N E S C O W o r l d H e r i

nary diversity and mutual respect for dietary customs, sharing her experience as a Ugandan Hindu vegetarian in a country that embraces Indian, Chinese, and vario u s t r i b a l c u i s i n e s w h i l e respecting different cultural food traditions

One of the attendees of t h e e v e n t , D r A v ni V y as p r a i s e d H E N i m i s h a Madhvani for her leadership in organising the inaugural Ugandan diaspora convent i o n i n K a m p a l a a n d t h e recent IMO event, both of which highlighted Uganda’s rich heritage She described the experience as eye-opening, deepening her connection to the country

One of her key discoveri e s w a s b a r k c l o t h , a n ancient tradition now being e x p l o r e d f o r s u s t a i n a b l e fashion, supporting refore s t a t i o n a n d e c o - f r i e n d l y innovation She also highl i g h t e d i n i t i a t i v e s l i k e W a t o t o , w h i c h p r o v i d e s h

o

"Uganda’s greatest strength

Her Majesty visits AWRC, highlighting support for BME women

He r Maje sty The Queen visite d t h e As ia n W o me n ' s Resource Ce ntre (AWRC) in Ha rlesden to ma rk its 45th an niv ersary The char it y provides vit al support to BME w om e n f a cin g do m e st i c ab use Her visit highlighted its impact and raised awarene ss of domestic abuse across communities

is its people and heritage, a n d t h e s e p l a t

share its stories," she added Dr Mano j J oshi MBE, a

Indian who visited Uganda with his niece Avni, praised

and her team for their dedi-

Ugandan diaspora and pro-

investment and tourism He highlighted their outreach

well-organized events and strategic promotion

dedication, vision, and tire-

Uganda’s growth are truly remarkable She seems to fit 48 hours of work into 24,

impact

Reflecting on his return to Uganda after 52 years, Manoj called it an emotional and enlightening experience He said, “Uganda still holds the vast potential my

and a young, growing popu-

links, better roads, quality hotels, service stations, and h

essential Reliable medical facilities are also crucial to building visitor trust ”

“Travelling with my wife B

niece Avni three of whom visited Uganda for the first time made the trip even

poised for major growth in tourism, agriculture, infrastructure, and industry With rich oil and gas reserves and opportunities in solar and

investing in these sectors will create jobs and drive long-term development,” he added

The Watoto Children

ment highlight, delivering

cased their talent, energy, and Uganda’s rich culture

The event was attended b y t h e D e a n o f t h e Diplomatic Corps, the Dean o f A f r i c a n H e a d s o f Missions in the UK, 17 heads of mission, as well as UK politicians and government officials

Since the late 1970s, the AWRC has been a lifeline for B M E w o m e n i n L o n d o n , offering advocacy, advice, and s u p p o r t t o h e l p s u r v i v o r s secure safe housing, access interpreters, and receive legal guidance During her visit, The Queen met staff, volunteers, and survivors, listening to their powerful stories of resilience

As part of her visit, The Queen inaugurated AWRC’s H

women and children in their healing journey after experiencing domestic abuse

“This visit is a milestone for AWRC and a powerful acknowledgment of the challenges BME women face due to domestic violence,” said S

empathy and commitment to

with our mission, and we are

port ” She added, “For 45 years, AWRC has been a vital lifeline, but our work is far from over Breaking the cycle of abuse remains our priority, and continued support is crucial to ensuring every woman

Donations and awareness are

The King and Queen host Islamic Relief at Buckingham Palace

Isl amic Re lief was hoste d by T he K in g a n d Q ue e n a t Buckingham Pa lace al on gside gl ob al cha rities lik e Christian Aid and Shelt erBox to celebr ate huma nitarian work

M a r k i n g i t s 4 0 t h y e a r , Islamic Relief showcased its women ’ s empowerment projects in Somalia, Jordan, and I n d o n e s i a , s u p p o r t i n g women in creating and selli n g h a n d m a d e p r o d u c t s t o sustain their families

The event highlighted the r e s i l i e n c e o f w o m e n l i k e H a n a n i n J o r d a n , w h o e s c a p e d d o m e s t i c v i o l e n c e , and Hawa in Somalia, who

became the sole provider for her four children Women’s rights are central to Islamic Relief’s work, from economic empowerment and combating gender-based violence to p r e v e n t i n g e a r l y m a r r i a g e

T h e c h a r i t y p a r t n e r s w i t h faith leaders to keep girls in school and supports female activists driving change In crises, it provides cash aid, l i v e l i h o o d s u p p o r t , d i g n i t y kits, and psychosocial care, including ‘coffee corners ’ in warzones like Sudan, offering safe spaces for survivors of sexual violence

Waseem Ahmad, CEO of I s

said, “It was an honour to be r e c o g n i s e d b y T h e i r Majesties for our lifesaving

Islamic Relief and humanitarian efforts is truly inspiring As we mark 40 years, we remain committed to fighti n

Women’s rights are central to our mission, and showcasing the incredible efforts of w

Bradford to launch UK’s first Rohingya memorial

Bradford is set to make history as th e first UK city to e s ta bl i sh a p er ma ne n t memo rial fo r the Rohingya co mmunity, hono uring th eir res ilience and raising awareness of their genocide

S p e a r h e a d e d b y Newcastle Councillor Habib

R a h m a n , i n c o l l a b o r a t i o n with the British Rohingya

C o m m u n i t y ( B R C ) a n d

B u r m e s e R o h i n g y a Organisation UK (BROUK), the initiative highlights their

ongoing plight

The Rohingya, a Muslim e t h n i c g r o u p f r o m

M y a n m a r ’ s R a k h

have faced decades of persecution, including the loss of citizenship in 1982, violence, and forced displacement

Between 2008 and 2010,

B r a d f o r d b e c a m e t h e f i r s t

U K c i t y t o w e l c o m e Rohingya refugees under the G a t e w a y P r o t e c t i o n

Programme The communit y h a s s i n c e g r o w n w h i l e

preserving its identity, making it the ideal site for the UK’s first Rohingya memorial N e w c a s t l e C o u n c i l l o r Habib Rahman, founder of Rohingya Action North East (RANE), has led efforts in a d v o c a c y , a i d , a n d a w a r eness In 2023, alongside BRC

C h a i r N u r H u d a a n d

G e n e r a l S e c r e t

y N i j a m Uddin, he secured Bradford City Council’s approval for the memorial

Women behind Gujarat Samachar’s success honoured

L a st w e ek, A s i an V o i ce cov ered special event was org anised on Saturd ay 8 February, especially honouring three disting uished wo men closely associated with ABPL Group T h e r e w e r e m a n y Other guests who couldn’t attend the event but con-

L-R: Ms Miriam Otengo, Counsellor, Uganda High Commission and HE Nimisha Madhvani, Uganda High Commissioner

Dean of the Diplomatic Corp HE Amb Romerez Ambassador of Honduras

Dr Manoj Joshi MBE DL, Mrs Bhavna Joshi and Mrs Jayshree Vyas with officials from the High Commission of Uganda in London at the IMO

(COO, Charusat), Bhushan Bhatt, Ashwin Joshi, Manish Mehta and many others

Queen Camilla meets staff, volunteers and the women AWRC supports

A S I S E E I T

Ev e ry w ee k, t h o u sa nd s o f readers eng ag e w ith A sian

V o i c e and G uj a rat

Samachar, th rou gh print, o nline

o r so cial m edi a, gai ning s om e-

th i ng v alu able Th i s r ealis ati on bri ng s imm ense joy to my colleagues and me, and we rem ain d eeply grateful fo r you r unwav ering supp ort

W h e t h e r o n e f u l l y u n d e rstands Gujarati, speaks it or reads it, a person of Gujarati origin is

s t i l l u n d e n i a b l y a Gu j ar ati A mother tongue knows no bound-

a r i e s T o m e , be in g G u j ara ti m eans having roots and lineage

t h a t a r e g r o u n d e d i n G u j a r a t

Irrespective of any differencesthey all are Gujaratis

Today, the Gujarati diaspora is a global powerhouse, excelling in business, politics, culture and phi-

l a n t h r o p y T h e i r c o n t r i b u t i o n s have not only shaped the regions they live in but have also strengthened India’s standing on the world

s t a g e W i t h t h e i r i n d o m i t a b l e spirit, strong entrepreneurial spirit, adaptability and communitydriven values, Gujaratis continue to be torchbearers of India's success and progress worldwide

Dominating key industries in the UK, USA, Canada, UAE, Kenya and South Africa, they drive eco-

n o m i c g r o w t h a n d i n n o v a t i o n

Beyond business, they preserve Gujarati literature, music and traditions while holding influential social and political roles, shaping policies and strengthening diplomacy

Last fortnight, the top officials of the newly appointed President Donald Trump’s government in the US assumed office Prior to that, they had appeared before the S e n a t e c o m m i t t e e f o r a c r o s sexamination This investigation seems designed to unsettle even

t h e m o s t r e s p e c t e d f i g u r e s

Among these stalwarts, you have u n d o u b t e d l y c o m e a c r o s s t h e dynamic Gu jarati-orig in, Kashyap (K ash) Patel President Trump has entrusted Kash Patel, a young man with roots in the outskirts of cen-

t r a l G u j a r a t , w i t h t h e r e i n s o f America's top investigative body –

t h e F B I ( F e d e r a l B u r e a u o f Investigation)

T h e U S C o n s t i t u t i o n h a s granted the FBI immense authori-

From Gujarat to the global stage

ty to investigate criminal cases within and outside the United States, regardless of whether the individuals involved are American or foreign According to the most recent available data, more than 38,500 people work for the FBI and its annual budget stands at a staggering 11 billion pounds Kash Patel has been entrusted with the responsibility of leading this powerful organisation, marking the first time that an individual of Indian origin has ascended to such a high position within the US government

Let us extend our heartfelt congratulations to Kash Patel on his prestigious appointment, and at the same time, express our sinc

Anjanaben and Pramodbhai Patel

Why gratitude? Because, as Kash himself says, the values of Indian

him, thanks to the upbringing by his parents

As Kash Patel began his speech

Patel is truly one of a kind He remains very proud to be Gujarati In a recent interview, he said, I can say with pride that I am a Gujarati " The Chairman of the

S

while delivering his address that K a s h

spoke, there was a clear sense of respect, emotion, hope and expectation towards the Gujarati com-

before the Senate, he first introd u c e d h i s p a r e n t s a n d s i

, Nisha, acknowledging their presence He shared that his parents had travelled from India and his sister from overseas to witness this momentous occasion With gratitude, he greeted them with "Jay Shree Krish na "

Just imagine the vast, diverse, and multicultural circle of friends that someone in such a presti-

e American President's inner circle

s

prevalence of Western lifestyles

Yet, amidst all of this, he has managed to preserve his Indian and Gujarati roots

In my nearly sixty years in public life, I have met thousands of people from all walks of life I have even met those who came to B r i t

where just a few years ago and h a v e b e c o m e s o a b s o r b e d i n Western culture that they seem just like the English But Kash

munity in his words

During this visit, while addressing a massive crowd of 60,000 Indian community members at Wembley S

, h e announced the resumption of the d

London flight and had mentioned my name

After the programme, I was

approached me and introduced himself as a senior journalist with The Economist He said, I heard y

I would like to have a conversation to gather some information " I replied that, given the noise of such a large audience, it would be difficult to talk then, and suggested, "Come to the office tomorrow, and we can speak in peace " The

UK to increase defence spending

S ir Keir Starmer has pled ged a £6bn

b o os t i n UK d ef en c e s p en d i n g , f inanced by cuts to the f oreign aid budg et, rai sing concern s about the i mpact on humani tarian efforts

The move will increase military expenditure from 2 3% to 2 5% of

Starmer justifying the decision as

posed by Russia Announcing the policy in the House of Commons, Starmer acknowledged that reducing

Human rights advocates warn that this shift could severely affect

on UK aid Critics liken the approach to the Trump administration’s rollback of international development funding, raising fears of a broader

commitments

The policy comes amid pressure

spending, particularly as Trump signals a reduced US role in European se cur ity

appears aimed

Washington

While Starmer describes this as the "biggest sustained increase in

War," analysts at the Institute for Fiscal Studies caution that the figures may be overstated Meanwhile, military leaders argue the funds must

K forces, including depleted ammunition stockpiles With parallels to Reform UK’s

the Dangs, where he savoured the sweet berries offered by Shabari The British entered India through Gujarat, spreading imperialism via R

Gujarati, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, our revered champion of truth and non-violence, seated by

Gujarat may be small in both area and population within India, yet its influence is immense, and it has built a unique identity, much like a tiny mustard seed brimming with potential

next day, he arrived at the Karma

Y o g a H o u s e o f f i c e a n d s t a r t e d interrogating me with questions like: "Who are you? What is your background? How do you know N a r e n d r a M o d i ? W h a t i s y o u r connection with him? And what is t h e s e c r e t b e h i n d t h e G u j a r a t i community's success in various fields?" And so on I managed to calm him down and spoke to him factually and respectfully My goal was simple: to ensure that the British journalist received accurate information about PM Narendra Modi and our Gujarati community The conversation went on for quite some time In December, a 5,000-word a r t i c l e t i t l e d " G o i ng Gl o b al -

S ecrets of th e world’s best bu sinesspeop le" was published in The Economist This detailed piece, c o m p l e t e w i t h m u l t i p l e p h otographs, celebrated Gujarat and the Gujarati identity It stands as global recognition of our name and a proud testament to us as Gujaratis (without my photo or name!)

A m b i t i o n w i t h r e s t r a i n t t h a t ’ s t h e G

u s , Gujaratis value both wealth and charity Charity is at the very heart of Gujarat's spirit, embodying our c o r e v

m e

m i n d who, for one reason or another, left a significant mark on Gujarat Lord Krishna had to travel here and Lord Rama, in his quest to find Sita, also travelled through

Please scan the QR code if you wish to watch the YouTube video of Kash Patel's appearance before the Senate Committee

When it comes to the generous heroes of Gujarat, countless names come to my mind There's

Jagdusha from the Rana Pratap era, along with Deepchand Gardi, R

Mehta stand out, not to mention our very own Dhamecha, Vadera, Patels, Bhudia in Britain These renowned and other families in the UK and many such unsung heroes continue to shine brightly through their generosities They have always ensured that the community is treated with utmost dignity, never allowing it to suffer

might call it the Gujarati selfrespect or culture, but it is truly our identity

Our identity is more than just a heritage, it’s a way of life We work hard, earn, spend and share, always contributing to our society Our values grow stronger with every act of kindness For us, charity isn’t just about money; it’s about giving time, showing empathy and helping those in need W

uplifting the marginalised, or simply offering a helping hand, we believe in making a difference This spirit of generosity keeps our c o m

c o n n e c t s our past, strengthens our present, and paves the way for a future where our values shine across the world

Unemployment highest in London

London has the highest unem pl oym ent rate in the UK , with 6 1% of wo r k in g- a ge a dul t s u ne

average of 4 4%, acc or

CB Patel

Kashyap ‘Kash’ Patel appearance before the Senate Committee

Celebrating the power of family

In Canada, winter is long and often harsh, with heavy snowfall, bone-chilling cold, and gusting winds Wind chill factors can drop temperatures as low as -40 to -50°C

Many people suffer from the "winter blues" due to the prolonged cold season Since New Year's Day on January 1 is the only statutory holiday early in the year, Easter used to be the next long break in April To provide a mid-winter break, several provinces declared the third Monday of February a statutory holiday called Family Day

Family Day reflects the values of family and home, which were important to the pioneers who founded Alberta It offers workers the opportunity to spend quality time with their families The holiday is observed as a provincial statutory holiday in most provinces and has been growing in popularity across Canada It coincides with the American Presidents' Day

In Ontario, where we live, the Liberal government under Premier Dalton McGuinty introduced Family Day shortly after being re-elected in 2008 He stated in a press release:

"There is nothing more valuable to families than time together And yet, it seems tougher than ever to find so many of us living busy lives "

What a beautiful and meaningful concept of family values

Unfortunately, in recent times, many families have been falling apart due to ego, arrogance, and disputes over joint family properties, land, and businesses Some individuals resort to fraudulent means, using fake documents with the help of corrupt Gram Panchayat and municipal land transfer officials Many Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) experience these challenges as they live abroad and remain unaware of what is happening back home

Such conflicts create irreparable rifts among blood relatives, leading to a complete breakdown in communication Family values are shattered beyond repair God bless all Stay safe and healthy, and cherish quality time with your loved ones

Recently, during our visit to India to attend the wedding of my late nephew Mukeshbhai’s son, Jinag, who travelled from the Netherlands with his friends, we had the biggest family reunion in Vallabh Vidyanagar, Gujarat Family members from different parts of the world gathered, and we met many relatives for the first time It was a truly memorable occasion that we will cherish forever

Last but not least, on February 26, 2025, we celebrate the holiest Hindu festival, Maha Shivratri We extend our divine and heartfelt wishes to all for a healthy, happy, and peaceful life ahead

Sure sh a nd Bhavn a Pat el

International mother language day

On International Mother Language Day, February 21, we celebrate the diversity of languages that enrich our cultures and identities This day reminds us of the importance of preserving linguistic heritage and promoting multilingualism in our communities It’s essential to foster an environment where every language is valued, allowing future generations to embrace their roots Let us unite in our mission to protect and promote every tongue, for in diversity, we all belong

“Speak your mother tongue, let every voice be sung!”

TS Karthik

Cancer survival gap between rich and poor widens

C ancer d eath rates are 60% h igher in the U K’s po orest r eg i o ns c o m p ar ed to t h e w e al th i es t, ac co r d i ng to n ew ana ly si s b y C an ce r Research U K

T h e r e p o r t h i g h l i g h t s

t h a t p e o p l e i n d e p r i v e d a r e a s a r e m o r e l i k e l y t o smoke, be obese, and less likely to participate in cancer screening, contributing t o l a t e d i a g n o s e s w h e n treatment is less effective

The charity’s research found that around 28,400 cancer deaths each year are linked to deprivation over one in ten of all cancer deaths

T h e s e a r e c o n s i d e r e d "excess deaths" that could have been avoided if mortality rates matched those in t h e l e a s t d e p r i v e d a r e a s Lung cancer accounts for nearly half of these deaths

S m o k i n g r a t e s i n p o o r e r a r e a s s t a n d a t 2 2 % , c o mpared to just 6% in wealthier

Science for global well being

Science Day is a globally celebrated event commemorating the Raman Effect discovered by Sir C V Raman, the renowned Indian physicist, on February 28

This day is highly significant as it aims to raise awareness about the importance of science and its contributions to society The theme for Science Day varies each year, but it always revolves around promoting scientific knowledge and encouraging young people to pursue a career in science The theme for National Science Day 2024 was “Science for a Sustainable Future”

The focus of this theme was to emphasise the crucial role that science and technology play in tackling global challenges and creating a more sustainable future for everyone In essence, Science Day highlights the significance of science and its impact on society by promoting scientific inquiry and inspiring future generations of scientists Jubel D'Cruz

China’s double standards

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

Brahmaputra River will create many problems for India in terms of continuous water flow, water security and economic challenges in addition to dominance by China in the region It seems in the long run China wants to control the economic activities of small countries like Nepal, Tibet, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka but in turn, it will adversely impact the economy of India’s North Eastern states

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

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

Hitesh Hingu

Tory’s poor record on prison capacity revealed

S en i o r Co n s er va ti v e Rich ard Holden h as u ni ntentio nally exposed h is own p ar ty ’ s d is m al r ec o r d o n increasing p riso n cap acity, re ve al i ng th

power

In an apparent attempt to scrutinise Labour’s track record, the shadow paymast e r g

regions Obesity is also more prevalent, affecting 36% of adults in deprived areas, vers u s 1 9 % i n m o r e a f f l u e n t communities

Dr Ian Walker, executive director of policy and information at Cancer Research U K , c a l l

able," emphasising that they

inequalities lead, urged for stronger community partn e r s h i p s a n d s u s t a i n e d funding for smoking cessat i o n p r o g r a m s t o r e d u c e cancer risks

Professor Peter Johnson, N H S E n g l a n d ’ s n a t i o n a l clinical director for cancer, n o t e d t h a t t a r g e t e d l u n g checks have helped diagnose cancer earlier in high-risk, deprived communities, contributing to the highest cancer survival rates the UK has ever seen

written parliamentary question comparing the number of prison places built under Labour (1997–2010) and the Conservatives (2010–2024) The response, provided by

question also revealed that t h e C o n s e r v a t i v e s c l o s e d over 7,500 prison cells during their tenure However, w h e n h e s o u g h t f u r t h e r data, records showed that under Labour, the number o f p r i s o n e r s i n d o u b l ebunked cells rose by more than 9,000 between 1997 and 2010, with overcrowded accommodations increasing by around 7,000

K A P I L’S K H I C H A D I World according to Trump

With Trump back in the Whitehouse, the scariest and the most thrilling rollercoaster ride has begun not just for America, but for the rest of the world

You don’t have to like Trump or agree with him, what is certain is that you will not be able to ignore him The historical metrics of measuring what is possible or not,no longer apply Trump does not operate in the sphere of global political or diplomatic norms, he operates on his own terms Whether those are right, or not, makes no difference, since for each of his actions, there are multiple on-going actions, reactions and outcomes For most people using traditional norms of assessing success and failure, they will get it wrong every time Trump refuses to be bound by rules set by the so-called establishment Those rules were created to trap not just people, but nations into a submissive role

China and Russia don’t abide by those traditional rules Terrorists and extremists don’t abide by those traditional rules So why is it that so many in the west still think that we should all abide by rules that were created to entrap us physically as well as mentally?

India having been enslaved for hundreds of years became weak in mind, spirit and in its very substance Even after gaining independence, the very core of India and Indians remained subservient It took PM Modi in 2014 to kick start a rebellion against this mindset that was eating away at the body of the nation from within After a decade we can see the first fruits of this change with people at the grassroots beginning to believe in themselves, and in their nation as a potential world leader India still has a long way to go, but what is important is for Indians to ensure they elect a government and a leadership that will keep this momentum of change on the fast track India does not need to live by the rules of the imperial masters Its heritage of dharmic democracy of thousands of years needs to be revived to its full glory India being on the road to becoming Bharat Varsh is the answer to the madness of the west It will also be the answer to nations like China and Russia

To take a few cricketing metaphors, Trump has been bowling yorkers and googlies like there is no tomorrow And he has been smashing fours and sixes like confetti Can this continue? Yes, that’s his nature It does not mean he will be successful with everything he does, because that is not his game Trump is a transactional President For him if one of his initiatives does not work, he’ll just put it to one side and will be on the next thing without any downside For him, losses are part of him winning big when and where it matters It’s part of his strategy

the Tories’ modest increase H

Legendary singer Kumar Sanu receives global recognition in London

While Holden accused Labour of “avoiding clear questions,” Labour seized o n t h e b l u n d e r A p a r t y spokesperson quipped, “It’s good to see Richard Holden play his part in exposing t h e C o n s e r v a t i v e s ’ d i s a strous record on prisons,” adding that Labour is now f o c u s e d o n r e p a i r i n g t h e damage left by successive Tory governments Singer Kumar Sanu was honoured with the 'Lifetime Achievement Award' and 'the World Book of Records Award' at the UK Houses of Parliament during a special event held on 14th February 2025.

He has got the establishment and the bureaucrats in America running ragged He has got leaders of Europe on a panic mode 24/7 And he dares to state many truths that most leaders shy away from lest it looks bad He does not care for such sentiments He called out Zelensky, and rightly so It does not mean Russia are right, or that Putin is right What it means is that on both sides there are deficiencies in leadership And let’s face it, if Ukraine does not want to become Gaza, it will have to compromise Anyone who thinks they can defeat Russia is living in cloud cuckoo land

Storm Trump is good for those with commonsense For us, let’s sit back and enjoy the madness unfolding We will see the lunatics on the left, the wokery brigade, the diversity fake merchants, the gender ignorant buffoons, the unelected civil ‘servants’ acting like emperors, and the rogue nations all quake as they see their infrastructure of entrapment and enslavement being shaken to its very roots

This time round Storm Trump is powered by high energy Musk batteries He has given boost by bringing a huge magnifying glass to expose the parasites feeding their vampire stomachs on the blood of the nation Musk might seem mad, but don’t confuse that with his genius With any genius, sometimes mere mortals like us need time to figure out what his end game might be Musk is often 10 steps, if not more, ahead of most people Will he succeed? Who knows, but I know I have more confidence in his ability, than that of most governments around the world

The biggest mistake Trump and Musk can make is to stretch that elasticity of public tolerance a tad too far I am all for pushing everything to the limit, but in so doing, their challenge will be not to break that elastic and lose the plot

We live in interesting times On the world stage, it’s time for India and PM Modi to flex the power of 1 3 billion

Kapil Dudakia

Policing should not serve to divide us

In the year ending March 2023 there were 24 5 stops

every 1,000 Asian people

white people

multiple case studies highlighting how these tech-

n

instance, the Metropolitan Police Service employs the

profiles individuals based on unverified intelligence r

o r t s , e f f e c t i v e l y labelling some as suspects

w i t h o u t a n y c r i m i n a l

a c t i v i t y I n L a m b e t h

B o r o u g h , b e t w e e n 2 0 2 0 and 2021, the area record-

e d t h e s e c o n d - h i g h e s t stop-and-search volume in London

Black individuals were four times more likely to b e s t o p p e d t h a n t h e i r white counterparts, with 80% of these searches leading to no further action In Southwark Borough, Black people were 3 3 times more likely to be stopped than white people The use of force by police was also disproportionately directe d a t B l a c k i n d i v i d u a l s , with 45% of recorded incidents involving Black or Black British people

W h e n A s i a n V o i c e

r e a c h e d o u t t o t h e

Me t ro po li t an P ol i c e regarding these statistics, a spokesperson stated, “The V i o l e n c e H a r m Assessment (VHA) is a Met Police intelligence tool to risk assess individuals that a r e s u s p e c t e d o f b e i n g involved in violence across

L o n d o n A t p r e s e n t , a l l i n d i v i d u a l s o n t h e V H A have been named as a suspect for at least three violent offences – they are not

o n t h e V H A b e c a u s e o f intelligence alone No stop and search data is used in the compiling of the VHA unless the stop and search resulted in the arrest of the person searched Further information can be found on the Met website ”

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, also provided

building a safer and fairer London for everyone and is working closely with the Met Police to address comm u n i t y c o n c e r n s a b o u t disproportionality in the use of certain police powers

“Sadiq is supporting the Met's Race Action Plan and ongoing work to build a Met that is anti-racist, inclusive, diverse and representative of the city it s

diverse range of expertise and lived experiences to oversee and scrutinise the urgent reform of the Met

“Technology and dataled intelligence are important policing tools to help t

, MOPAC and the London Policing Board will continue to monitor their use to ensure it is both effective and fair

predictive crime mapping under the Home Office’s ‘Grip’ program, designed to forecast knife crime and serious violence However, the system proved to be inaccurate 83% of the time, m i s i d e n t i f y i n g h i g h - r i s k areas Asian people were 2 5 times more likely to be stopped and searched than white people in 2020 Essex Police apparently

u

which the report criticises for criminalising individuals by association rather than evidence The system factors in mental health and drug use data, disprop

h issues Black individuals in E s s e

w e r e n e a r l y t h r e e t i m e s m o r e l i k e l y t o b e stopped than white people, with disparities reaching six to seven times in some areas

In West Midlands Police area, Asian people were 2.5 times more likely to be stopped and searched than white people in 2020.

G

Police’s XCalibre database

h a s a l s o c o

u n d e r scrutiny for disproportionately profiling Black individuals The report highlights that GMP targeted

B l a c k c u l t u r a l e v e n t s , requiring venues to report

a t t e n d e e s ' e t h n i c b a c kg r o u n d s , e

a s s o c i a t i o n P e o p l e h a v e been banned from events based on suspected gang affiliations without legal justification

S a c ha D e s h mu k h, CE O o f A m ne s t y International UK, empha-

sised the human rights viol a t i o n s a s s o c i a t e d w i t h p r e

“Policing should not serve

postcode or the colour of our skin, we all want our families and communities to live safely The use of p r e d i c t i v e p o l i c i n g t o o l

There is no clear evidence t h a t t h e s e t e c h n o l o g i e s enhance safety, but there

i s o v e r w h e l m

that they infringe on fundamental rights ”

He further warned of the systemic bias in these technologies “These systems create a reality where t

on racial or socio-economic factors, leading to targ e t e d p o l i c i n g a n d d i sc r i m i n a

high Black and racialised populations are disproport

c o r d s then feed into predictive policing tools, reinforcing a cycle of discrimination and criminalisation This ‘feedback loop’ results in the over-policing of specific communities, perpetuating racial injustice

taken seriously by those in power, law enforcement, and communities alike If the police themselves are part of the problem, how can we expect to find a solution in a multicultural society?

unfairly targeted, even by

these communities

attacks And let’s be honest, should the predictive policing system really be targeting ethnic commun

white?

“Most dangerous” time for Muslims in the UK

T h e UK is wit nes s in g a n u n p r ec e de nt ed s u r ge i n anti-Mus lim h ate, making it the "most dangerou s" time for Muslims in th e co untry, a c co rdi n g to m o ni t o ri n g gro up T ell Mama

T h e o r g a n i s a t i o n reported a record 5,837 incid e n t s o f I s l a m o p h o b i a i n

2024 an increase of 165% in two years, compared to 3,767 in 2023 and 2,201 in 2022 Islamophobic assaults alone surged by 73%, with men more frequently targeted than women

T e l l M a m a ' s r e p o r t highlights key events that c o n t r i b u t e d t o t h i s r i s e , i n c l u d i n g t h e S o u t h p o r t stabbings, the UK general

e l e c t i o n , a n d t h e w a r i n

Gaza following the Hamasled attacks of October 7, 2023 In the 100 days after October 7, over 2,000 cases were recorded

The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) described the trend as "an unprecedented

Calling for urgent govern-

M C B urged leaders to either "confront this hatred properly or i

peril

Tell

Doctors seek compensation over 'life-altering' exam error

A trade u nio n is demanding co mp ensation fo r h undreds o f do c to r s a f fe c te d b y a " catastrop hic" exam error

Nearly 18 months after taking the Membership of t h e R

Physicians Part 2 Written E x a m , 2 2 2 d o c t o r s w h o were initially told they had passed were later informed they had actually failed

Meanwhile, 61 doctors who were wrongly marked as failed had in fact passed the September 2023 exam

A r o u n d o n e - f i f t h o f t h e 1,451 candidates who took the exam were affected by t h e e

P h y s i c i a n s attributed to a "data processing issue " T h e f e d

i o n h a s offered a free resit in March and a refund of exam fees The exam, a crucial step for d o c t o r s p u r s u i n g s p ecialisms like cardiology or intensive care, consists of two three-hour papers with 100 questions each UK students pay up to £502 to sit t h e e x a m , w h i l e i n t e r n ational students pay £672

Sadiq Khan

Sacha Deshmukh

A NEW ERA OF UK-INDIA FTA

The relaunch of talks on a UKIndia trade deal is meant to negotiate a huge economic prize helping to deliver on the growth agenda India is forecast to have the highest growth rate in the G20 for t h e n e x

t t o become the world’s third biggest

e c o n o m y b y 2 0 2 8 W

n expected 95 million strong middle class by 2035, there are more and more opportunities every day for U

British

Speaking to us from Delhi, in an exclusive interview Secretary

boost wages, and back the highgrowth sectors identified in the

vices

Why should India ch oose the UK?

Amidst US President Donald Trump’s looming tariff war, when asked, what competitive advantages does the UK offer in secur-

especially as India is also in talks with EU and the US, the Business Secretary points towards the com-

of India’s foremost business centres - Mumbai and Bengaluru, to sell the UK as the best and most connected place for Indian businesses to invest

I n d i a h a s b

biggest source of FDI into the UK for five consecutive years in terms of number of projects In terms of value, the most recent stats show a 28% year-on-year increase in investment stock at the end of 2023

She is meant to tell businesses in India that the UK offer for Indian investors has never been stronger, thanks to the government’s drive to restore economic

Reynolds referred to his former visit as part of UK’s Opposition and said, “I came (to India) at the time to say the UK Labour Party was committed to a trade deal with India If the Conservative government, did it, we would have implemented it, and if they didn't do it, we would have picked it up and tried and get it done That's what we're here doing I know there's always huge interest in the timescale on these things, and you know when they'll be ready by and getting it right is the most important thing We have got great hospitality here, brilliant conversat i o n s i n t e r m s o f p r o g r e s s i n g things So very, very pleased with it ”

The talks opened against a backdrop of Indian commerce and artisans on a joint visit to Delhi’s

C

pair also were due to spend time

p

UK and India as well as Britain’s ‘Living Bridge’ Explaining he said, “India is a country where a lot of p

partner, because of the excitement, the dynamism that exists here The UK is in a really good position to do that, because first of all, we have been very complimentary economies For example, I was talking with someone just n o w w h o s a i d

n i n c h e e s e , we've got paneer on one side and cheddar and stilted on the other So, it's a very complimentary relationship

“ W e o b v i o u s l y h a v e t h i s incredible living bridge of 1 8 million people in the UK who have an Indian heritage in their families- a really human family story to tell here As well as those trading relationships when it comes to goods, when it comes to services, when it

v

Gurugram – one of the largest UK employers in India – to see firsthand how UK tech and Indian talent are helping solve global challenges

The UK and India are currently the sixth and fifth largest global

e

trade relationship worth £41 billion and investment supporting o

countries

This trade deal could unlock new opportunities for businesses and consumers in all regions and nations of the UK, support jobs,

comes to investment age for those countries, we start from that really strong position already But what is important is that we want to take it to a higher level, and the fact to be for themselves as to what that could mean if we get it right I'd also say I could have a very strong relationship here with M i n i s t e r G o y a l , w h o ' s a r e a l s k i l l e d T r a d e M i n i s t e r w h o i s respected He's got a lot of deals across the line, so I think we're in a really good place to progress this ” As part of the visit, Investment M i n i

meant to

investors in two

stability and boost investor confi-

Change

“I'm optimistic from my visit here in India, and I'm really looking forward to progressing things even further right”

Roadblocks and strategic partners beyond trade

When asked about possible or

whole range of areas I won't be too specific until we get the whole

from each side and concerns sensitivities on other sides But really, what it comes down to is, is there the political will on both sides to get a deal done? Are we willing to come and give and take a little bit on both sides to reach that position? And I feel that does exist And I feel we can get to a position where we can generally say to people in both countries, this is going to make you better off and going to make a difference to the l i v e s S o , y e s , w h e n t w o economies are as big and significant as we both are, there are things you've got to take some time to get right, but I'm optimistic from my visit here in India, and I'm really looking forward to progressing things even further right ” Explaining how UK will make itself an investor friendly country given the tax changes and which has resulted into many rich famil i e s l e a v i n g t h e c o u n t r y , t h e

Business Secretary confirmed that the UK is committed to an environment that makes it attractive for foreign investment and busi-

nesses He said, “I think the provisions that the Treasury and the Chancellor have put forward are that you can be in the UK for up to four years without your non-UK income falling into UK taxation and be in the UK for up to 10 years before inheritance tax comes into play So, we are committed to the environment that makes the UK a t t r a c t i v e f o r p e o p l e , w h o a r e temporarily coming to the UK, to do business Whether that's business mobility, all these changes to t h e n o n - d o m i c i l e r e g i m e - w e have always said that if you make t h e U K y o u r l o n g - t e r m h o m e , then you should be part of the same tax regime But I think it's important that people also understand that this is consistent with wanting people to come and be temporarily in the UK, to do business here And I think we should get across that we've got a compelling offer to people who want to come to the UK to do that ” Concluding with a salute to India's growing role in the global economy, and how UK sees India as a strategic partner beyond just business and trade, the Business Secretary added, “I would say the F T A n e g o t i a t i o n s a n d b i l a t e r a l i n v e s t m e n t t r e a

a t i o n s that I lead for the government are very, very important But this is all part of a desire on the UK side, to move the UK India relationship to a whole new level, make it even closer, build on what we have be a preferred partner for India And your trade and the economic relationship is obviously a substantial aspect of that But we, we want to be, in this new phase, this new era of UK India, relationships That's

what the Prime Minister has said And so, it's important piece of work I'm doing here on this trip, but it's all part of that wider picture ”

Exciting ch apter ah ead

Chair of UK India Business Council Richard Heald said, “The UK Government's visit reaffirms its commitment for a new ambitious and future-focused trade & i n v e s t m e n t r e l a t i o n s h i p w i t h India

“We are delighted to note the progress on the UK-India Free T r a d e A g r e e m e n t n e g

Success in the FTA will support further economic growth for the

economies It will catalyse collaboration beyond into other areas too Importantly, it will signal the UK and India are strategic part-

chapter of the UK-India partnership ” Standard Chartered UK CEO and Head, Client Coverage UK, Saif Malik said, “We warmly welcome efforts to strengthen trade ties with one of the world’s most dynamic and fastest growing mar-

operating in India for over 160

British businesses are significant

“Whether it’s improved access to India’s growing consumer market, opportunities in manufacturing, infrastructure and innovation, or collaboration in financial

relaunch of trade talks

Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds and Indian Commerce Minister, Piyush Goyal at India-UK Joint Ministerial reception in New Delhi

Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds with Indian Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal

UK and Indian officials during the FTA talk

Shashi Tharoor (right) with Jonathan Reynolds and Piyush Goyal

Anusha Singh

I

C E , G

R I T , A N D G L O R Y

The making of Polar Preet

In a wo rld w here adventure is often reserved for th e privileg ed few , H ar p ree t K au r P re et Ch andi MBE , better know n as Polar Preet, has carv ed her own path , def ying exp ectatio ns and rewriting history

A British Army officer turned record-breaking polar explorer, Preet has taken the journey from the military to the icy wilderness o f A n t a r c t i c a F r o m

marathons to taking on some of t

n Earth, Chandi’s path to exploration was anything but conventional

H e r f

endurance challenges came during army training exercises, but it wasn’t until a casual conversation with her boss led to the suggestion of Antarctica that she truly c o n s i d e r e

unknown With no prior experie

l f

n

e s e a r c h , trained relentlessly, and ultimately embarked on expeditions that would make history

O v e r t h e p a s t t h r e e y e a r s , Chandi has completed three solo Antarctic expeditions, breaking f o u r G u i n n e s s W o r l d R e c o r d s , including the longest solo unsupported one-way polar ski journey

Now, as she sets her sights on the North Pole, Polar Preet shares with Asian Voice, her journey so far, achievements and the upcoming expedition

Fo r m any years , yo u m anag ed both army and your po lar adv entu res s im ultaneo usly H ow d id you balance these du al responsibilities, stay focused on bo th, and manage to multitask? A nd most importantly, h ow difficult was it?

I won’t lie; it was tough I loved being in the military; it gave me so much But balancing my army career with something outside my role was a real challenge

In the beginning, people questioned why I was doing it, telling me to focus on just one thing But

I u s e d e v e r y b i t o f f r e e t i m e , lunchtimes, evenings, and leave days, to train and go on expeditions Every penny I earned went into funding these trips

I often asked myself, “What

am I doing?” I had no savings for this I was supposed to buy a house, but instead, I spent a fort u n e o n a n e x p e d i t i o n t

Greenland When I returned, I

straight back at work with no time to recover In some ways,

than being on the ice That experience taught me a lot For my second expedition, I took unpaid leave, giving myself time to recove

injured, and oddly, I was almost

forced me to rest After surgery on my leg, I finally had time to heal By my third expedition, I was on a career break, and I officially left the army in October last year Balancing expeditions with military life wasn’t easy Adventure took over everything; work, free time and finances But the challenge made it more rewarding There were moments I wanted to quit, but I kept going and looking back, I’m proud of that How much more challenging is your jo urney to the North Pole com pared to your p revious exped itions? How have yo u increased the difficulty lev el?

In Antarctica, my expeditions take place on solid land during the summer months (November to January), when there are 24 hours of daylight The environment is extremely cold, dry, and w i n d y

characteristics of Antarctic conditions

The Arctic, on the other hand,

presents an entirely different set of challenges Unlike Antarctica, which is a landmass, the Arctic consists of shifting sea ice The

blocks forming maze-like structures that I’ll have to climb over There are also stretches of open water, requiring me to wear an

across, and drag my sled over the ice And then there’s the ever-present risk of encountering polar bears

Arctic is on another level Many experienced explorers have told me that compared to the Arctic, A

Knowing that I’m preparing for what will likely be my most challenging expedition yet is mentally tough That said, the Arctic has a breathtaking beauty of its own I

Next week, I head out for training, and this entire year will be dedicated to preparing as much as possible for next year ’ s journey

C ould you explain the kind of p h y si c al a nd m en tal t rai n in g required to prep are for so mething like this?

P h y s i c a l l y , m y f o c u s i s o n

building as much strength and e

includes dragging tires, carrying heavy weights on my back, and training in open water with my dry suit Knowing what’s ahead, I try to prepare my body for the extreme conditions I’ll face

Mentally, I always reflect on my second Antarctic expedition, a 922-mile journey that I wasn’t able to complete It was one of the hardest experiences of my life I got injured but pushed through m o m e n t s w h e n I g e n u i n e l y thought I couldn’t go on That experience stays with me, and whenever I face something difficult, I draw strength from it

F a i l u r e s a r e e s s e n t i a l a n d build resilience They’ve helped me develop the mental strength I need now, as I prepare for a chall e n g e w h e r e , r e a l i s t i c a l l y , t h e chances of reaching the endpoint are slim But because of everything I’ve been through, I feel mentally prepared to take it on

UK companies lead on gender equality in boardrooms

The FTSE Wom en Lead ers Rev iew 2025, backed by th e gov ernm ent and suppo rted by L loyds Banking Group and KPM G L LP, rev eals that women now hold 4 3% of board po sitions and 3 5% of lead ersh ip roles across FTS E 350 comp anies

This surpasses the 40% representation target set for the end of this year, reflecting progress in breaking barriers at the highest corporate levels The government sees gender equality as a driver of economic growth and, through its Plan for Change, is committed to ensuring women have equal access to leadership roles

With 43 4% female representation, the UK ranks second in the G

% ) Unlike countries enforcing quotas, U

Employment Rights Bill will further strengthen workplace protections, particularly for women dur-

and menopause

However, challenges remain,

particularly in increasing the number of female CEOs and Chairs The government pledges to work with businesses to create a fairer,

Minister for Inv estment Baroness

Gu

from founding my own business how strong female voices inspire p

n organisation, bringing new ideas and adding greater value

whilst the momentum is with us, we have so much further to go Working with business leaders and investors, we will do everything we can to unlock more opportunities for women at the highest levels as we go for growth and deliver our Plan for Change ” While FTSE 350 boards have achieved gender balance, sustained commitment is needed to increase women ’ s representation in executive leadership roles The review calls on businesses to maintain momentum and unlock opportunities for all

Over 1,000 female soldiers speak out

The h ead of the British Army has co n d

ts ranks follo wing the death of 19year-old Gunner Jaysley Beck and the outpouring of ov

1, 000 testim

detailing abuse and h arassment

In a letter obtained by The Times, General Sir Roly Walker expressed deep disgust over the t

, warning that some senior officers might be "actively complicit" in perpetuating a toxic culture He urged leaders to "step up and play your part as a leader, visibly and confidently, to stop this " Jaysley Beck was found hanged in her barracks at Larkhill Camp, W

d with thousands of messages from a supervisor and allegedly assaulted by a senior soldier The ongoing inquest into her death has exposed systemic issues within the army, p r o m p t i n g a n o u t p o u r i n g o f anonymous testimonies shared on social media

Many women revealed experiences of rape, harassment, and bullying, often ignored or dismissed by military authorities One soldier r e c o u n t e d b e i n g g r o p e d a n d assaulted by a sergeant, leading to a suicide attempt after two years of trauma Another described the terror of locking her door at night, fearing drunken male colleagues trying to force entry

Some testimonies revealed dis-

A new Rev olut stud y rev eals that w o m en are ac h i ev in g h i g h e r in v es tm ent re tu rn s t h an m en , challenging persistent stereotyp es of female financial insecurity

Analysis of Revolut’s platform d a t a , r e l e a s e d a h

o f International Women’s Day 2025, shows that women in several age groups outperformed their male counterparts over the past year Women aged 45 to 54 saw the highest investment gains, significantly e

turbing indifference from superiors One woman reported being raped by a fellow soldier, only to have her case dismissed without trial Another was told by a lieutenant colonel that her memory of the assault meant she "couldn’t have been that drunk "

The social media account Fill Your Boots became a platform for these stories, with Jaysley Beck’s mother publicly thanking those who spoke out I am so proud of others for having the courage to s

wrote

The MoD maintains a zero-tolerance policy toward sexual misconduct, promising severe conseq

breaches However, former veterans minister Johnny Mercer criticised the lack of progress, "Despite policies and stern letters, the fact that women still endure this in t

found leadership failures "

same bracket Women aged 25 to 34 and 55 to 64 also outperformed men, highlighting a growing trend of women successfully managing their financial futures

While younger women aged 18 to 25 earned lower returns than men, they were highly active in increasing the number of investment accounts Overall, the number of trading accounts opened by women in 2024 surged 31%

Preet Chandi MBE

Jaysley Beck

South Asian filmmaker sheds light on Stasi prisoners’ struggles

Subhasini Naicker

K o l kat a- bo r n fi lm m ak er

A bhiroop Banerjee's do cu -

m e nta ry , “ B eyo n d th e Berlin Wall – Rep orts from Stasi Priso ners ” , has w on Best Documentary Feature

a t th e 2 0 2 5 B er li n Independent Film F estiv al

Set 35 years after the Berlin Wall's fall, it captures the

s to ri e s o f th re e fo rm er

p o l it ic a l p ri s o ner s w h o recall their experiences of i nt err o g ati o n a nd s ta te

s u rv e i lla nc e in E as t

Berlin’s Stasi prison

S p e a k i n g t o A s i a n Voice, Abhiroop discusses

Beyond the Berlin Wall, his exploration of Stasi prisoners' stories, the evolution of documentary film-

m a k i n g o n d i g i t a l p l a tforms, and more

1 ) What i nsp ired yo u to exp lore the stories of S tasi p ri so ners i n Be yo nd th e Berlin Wall?

Honestly, I had no idea this film would take shape u n t i l I v i s i t e d

H o h e n s c h ö n h a u s e n p r i s -

o n , w h e r e m y p r o f e s s o r had once been an inmate

What started as a simple

s e m e s t e r p r o j e c t q u i c k l y became something much more significant Halfway through filming the interviews, I realized these sto-

r i e s w e r e t o o i m p o r t a n t not to share The personal

a c c o u n t s t h e m s e l v e s became my biggest inspiration driving me to complete the film and ensure

t h e s e v o i c e s a r e h e a r d , especially by today’s generation While many know about the GDR and the

S t a s i , h e a r i n g f i r s t - h a n d

f r o m f o r m e r p r i s o n e r s m a k e s t h e i r e x p e r i e n c e s feel far more raw and real

2) What d oes w inning th is award m ean to you personally and professionally, and how d o you think it will sh ape yo ur future projects?

It's surreal, honestly especially since this is the first feature-length documentary I’ve been a part of Being selected for a festival, let alone winning an award, is a huge milestone for me I owe a great deal to my professor and co-director, Mr Matthias Leupold,

for connecting us with the r i g h t p e o p l e , g u i d i n g u s t h r o u g h p o s t - p r o d u c t i o n , and even taking us on a tour of the former prison Professionally, this film has b e e n a m a j o r l e a r n i n g experience I now understand the do’s and don’ts of documentary filmmaking P e r s o n a l l y , h e a r i n g o u r interviewees' stories was a powerful reminder that no matter what life throws at us, resilience is everything 3 ) With t he gr owing South Asian d ia spora in Europe, do y ou t hink t her e's space for mor e collabora tive st or yte lling tha t bridg es South Asian a nd Europea n hist or ie s? I never truly realised

t h e p r e s e n c e o f S o u t h Asians in Europe until I moved to Berlin While the focus is often on moving to the US, the South Asian

c o m m u n i t y i n E u r o p e r e m a i n s l a r g e l y o v e rlooked We need more stories that bridge our cultures and showcase what l i f e h e r e i s r e a l l y l i k e Europe can be just as exciting and fulfilling, and it’s time people saw that 4) Documen ta ry filmmaking is ev olv in g with digit al plat form s How do you see t he futur e of d ocume nta ry films, e specially in South Asia?

T h e f u t u r e o f d o c um e n t a r y f i l m m a k i n g i n South Asia looks dynamic and promising, driven by digital platforms, technological advancements, and a growing appetite for real, i m p a c t f u l s t o r y t e l l i n g W i t h r i s i n g d e m a n d f o

i t y d o c u m e n t a r i e s , S o u t h Asia’s rich cultural diversity and complex socio-political landscape provide endless storytelling opportunities

5) What adv ice would y ou g i v e t o a s p ir in g S o ut h Asian filmmak ers?

Create, create, create! There’s no greater joy than bringing a film, a song, or a

Learn to express yourself t h r o u

c r e a t i v i t y , a n d m o s t i m p o r t a n t l y , n e v

moments

Boycotts are silencing the arts and gagging society: Lisa Nandy

society

In her inaugural Jennie

cised campaigns targeting

them “self-defeating virtue signalling ” She highlighted boycotts like those led by

Hay Festival, over its fossil

Glastonbury foster essential moral voices and protests,

harms public discourse “We

moral puritans with every-

also ruled out entry fees for foreign visitors to UK museums, despite sector calls for

funding gaps She stressed that free access, a legacy of the last Labour government, encourages young people to

council budgets The fund

for the UK’s 15 state-sponsored museums W

director of the Victoria & Albert Museum, proposed

and New York, Nandy emphasised the importance of free cultural access as

key draw for international visitors

Brighton Festival 2025 unveils line-up under guest director Anoushka Shankar

Brighton Festival, England’ s lar g es t c u rat ed

festiv al, has unveiled its 20 25 prog ramm e under the artisti c d ir ec ti on o f Gra m m ynom inated musician, composer, and activist Anoushka Shankar

Inspired by the theme ‘New Dawn’, Shankar has crafted a programme that envisions a hopeful future one of recovery, unity, and action in the face of adversity

New Dawn an emergence from the darkness into the

countless reasons to feel disheartened But we have the power to create a different future This festival is about coming together, reflecting, uplifting one another, and taking action It’s for everyone to participate in, to connect with, and to feel a part of I can’t wait ”

S h a n k a r h a

i t e d a diverse range of artists who have inspired her throughout her career She will also take the stage to perform her latest album, Chapter III: We Return to Light, and co-host a specially curated edition of Brown Girl In The Ring, supported by Dishoom Permit Room Founded by Sweety Kapoor, the platform c e l e b r a t e s f e m a l e t a l e n t across music, film, and culture, featuring an exceptional line-up of award-winning poets, actors, dancers, musicians, and activists, including Mona Arshi, Nikita Gill, A s h a P u t h l i , M e e r a S y a l (CBE), and Indira Varma A m o n g t h e s t a n d o u t

events is the world premiere o f W

Festival commission written

screenwriter Nikesh Shukla, a l

s h Patel and Himesh Patel The performance, developed in response to the UK’s 2024 race riots, promises to be

belonging As a major event on the international arts calendar, Brighton Festival continues to attract globally renowned

Peru, and Italy, while championing local talent and presenting bold, fresh work

Somerset House to reveal the restored ‘Salt

A lo n g- h i dde n s y mb o l o f empire at o ne of Lo ndon’s la nd ma rk s wi l l s o o n b e open to th e public

F r o m F e b r u a r y , Somerset House’s restored Salt Stair will host an exhibition on the colonial-era Salt Office, which collected taxes on the vital commodity

C l i f f L a u s o n , e x h i b itions director, said the project highlights the “entangled history” of the building and Britain “We’ve invited

artists to explore the impact of the salt tax, particularly in India, where colonial rule c o n t r o l l e d r e s o u r c e s a n d even movement,” he said Mahatma Gandhi’s 1930 Salt March, a pivotal act of c i v i l d i s o b e d i e n c e a g a i n s t British rule, was a defining moment in India’s independ e n c e s t r u g g l e a n d l a t e r inspired the U S civil rights movement

The Salt Stair, once the five-storey core of the Salt Office, now joins two other

h i s t o r i c s t a i r w e l l s a t

Somerset House: the Stamp Stair, linked to the Inland R

Nelson Stair, formerly part of the Navy Office

Its opening follows a fire that damaged one wing of t h e b u i l d i n g , w h i c h h a s stood by Waterloo Bridge since the late 1700s The u n

years since Somerset House was transformed into a crea

entrepreneurs

Stair’

The new exhibition, Salt C o s m o l o g i e s , b y a r t i s t s H i m a l i S i n g h S o i n a n d David Soin Tappeser, will use sound installations to explore salt’s complex history Meanwhile, an outdoor artwork will commemorate the Great Salt Hedge, a vast colonial barrier built to prevent salt smuggling in India Somerset House’s 224year connection to taxation ended in 2013, completing its shift from fiscal headquarters to cultural centre

Serpentine North to showcase

Arpita Singh’s pioneering art

i

Galle

Arpita Sin

from

2025 Curated

after

e things aren’t working But in the end, it’s not about success; it’s about the passion for creating

l upheaval and global conflict The exhibition traces her artistic journey from the 1960s to the present, featuring her large-scale oil p

mate watercolours and ink drawings R

lights Singh’s engagement w

Abhiroop Banerjee

Lisa Nandy

Anoushka Shankar

Arpita Singh

Senior

Hardeep Pandhal: Inner World

Ha rd e ep ’ s la tes t il lu s tra ti v e sh o w , Inner World , app ears as a psyched elic post-colonial epic wh ich exp lores the crisis o f contempo rary id entity, persisting po wer p olitics and racial v iolence through a well-constructed and interesting ly effective fictiv e lens It is the artist’ s first solo sh ow in London as he grad ually breaks into th e international artworld, hav ing exhibited at London’s Frieze Fair, Triennial at New Museum in New Yo rk and been no minat ed fo r t h e F il m L o nd o n Jarman Award in 2018 His new commentativ e disp lay aptly takes place in th e spacious venue of Drawing Room , in Bermondsey, where Hard eep ’ s signature surreal graph ics g rind brazenly across its h uge white walls T he artw ork relays an abstract p arodic version o f B ri ti s h im p eri al i sm , m as s mi gration and ev entually integration w hich is literally delineate d by o ne h u g e lati tu d i nal mark that Hard eep describes as intentionally “animated, mutating and org anic as a way to suggest a d eg ree o f coherence across the different sm aller works ” M uch is als o co m m u ni c ate d th ro u g h th e artist’s p layfully mystic creativ e touch which invo lv es “airbru sh ing , canv assing , and p ainting using Indian ink and d i p p en ” On e p i e ce i s e nti t led , Equalities, Diversity and Implosi on, and depicts a brooding blue, sm oky nebu lous face that seem s to be dissolving into a hu man phantom as a jeering crowd of culturally stereotyped hands p o in t d am n in g ly t ow ard s i t T h i s could reflect the ad verse emotionally deteriorative imp act upon one ’ s essential self w hen it is fo rced to conform to a c o ns tr ic ti v e n ati o na li s ti c d i ct ate which robs a perso n o f true liv ing depth ***

ment about removing the practice of EDI I don’t want to pin it down, but there are digestive processes depicted to a degree: imagery of gaseous biology building up as well as the rituality of incense and smoke – this is perhaps a comment or suggestion of what the terms equality, diversity and inclusion

r e a l l y m e a n a s w h e n s o m e o n e i s included there is still paradoxically a degree of exclusion There are strange principles underlying: who is this all really for?”

At the core, Hardeep seems to reveal the absurdity of attempting to obsessively construct social identity altogether Especially when it is so superficially rooted in materialistic incentives of conquest, territory and acquisition driven by an antiquated West This idea is certainly skilfully reinforced in the evocation of fantastical narratives of war such as Lord of the Rings and Game of Thrones which show such medieval thinking prevailing in modern times Indeed, prior work of Hardeep’s pinpoints the neocolonial multinational influence that endemically directs today’s racial politics such as in his lyrical short film, BAME of Thrones, which states ‘ my s o l d i e r s w o r k f o r M a y b e l l i n e ’

Indeed, another piece seems to show the haunting legacy of racist history hanging over its assimilated subject hollering the phrase, ‘I have some urgent colouring to do’, as if it were o n e o f J K R o w l i n g ’ s s o u l - s u c k i n g poltergeists The deep psychic pain of struggling to claim a pure social stake in the time of globalisation as people of colour is shown as enduring long a f t e r t h e a c c o m p l i s h m e n t o f g e ographic sovereignty Even if the obvious physical markers of oppression are gone, the desire to be fully authentically seen still rages: a recurring motif in Hardeep’s work is Sepoy Man, a fictive character inspired by the history of Sikh soldiers, who were sent to fight on behalf of the British Empire, and seems to symbolise the subjugated state of modern British-Asian identity where even that diasporic nomenclature can be seen to have a eugenic connotation – Sepoy Man is shown appearing at one point in the exhibit battling the external colonial prescription, in the form of hands, that ongoingly attempts to erase his indigenous and developing self to controllingly dominate his spirit He seems to be skewered in a militaristic face-off with that ironically alien part of his brain or guts or both Exposing viscerally such m e n t a l s u b j u g a t i o n , H a r d e e p t h e n p o r t r a y s t h e p r o c e s s o f d i s c o r d a

reckoning with an imposed imperial identity as if it is an explosive psychosis Indeed, the perception of individual consciousness as ailing is often a literary reflection of the sickness of the world: “I wanted to mix fantasy with real life,” the artist commented, “to create a jarring feel I wanted to evoke representations of magic and spells and thought of Gandalf’s elaborate smoke rings specifically for some of the work I had created parts of the

However, the kaleidoscopic kingdom Hardeep builds is ultimately expansive – even transcendent in its ability to present perspective which is a comic catharsis of the myopia simultaneously being lampooned Here, Hardeep’s intricate setting of the landscape of a varied pop-cultural videogame is a recovery of personal subjectivity contemporarily – even more so as this medium, together with tv shows, is a type of public authority that intimately speaks to him: “videogames are associated with being a child and at home with my parents – that mode of consumption existed and developed throughout my life and it feels quite

"I wanted to evoke representations of magic and spells"

important to my understanding of the world I didn’t really read that much fiction when I was younger but there were certain games that were very well written and had great stories For me, g a m e w o r l d s a l s o c o n j u r e d t h e

Brechtian notion of the fourth wall via their empowering interactive features

W h e n y o u d o t h i n k a b o u t w h a t ’ s going on with these games, they challenge quick cursory readings of subjectivities There is further the idea that obstacles are set out equally for each player The set-up of a virtual plane does not necessarily mirror barriers in the real world You can escape and engage constructively within either world but game worlds are structured in the same way for every player ” The ability to now autonomously connect to diverse conceptual surroundings can provide hope for an energised complete self Indeed, Hardeep’s cosmopolitan humour, which subversive-

yer-face proof There is opportunity for creating strong “cultural interdependence” which elevates as opposed to the ethnically invasive and reactionary divisions by way of the dominant political doctrine:

“My work is mostly charged

energy within the work is a buildup of tension and part of expressing that might mean presenting contradictory perspectives on a single plane or rapping lyrics in videos that have double meanings If I do draw a beturbaned and bearded Sikh soldier then I am conscious that this will be understood as a racial subject which reflects my desire to have racial pride but without being a victim of subjugation I try to enjoy myself and that’s what you see in the visual material: pleasure in a modern cultural context versus that confrontation with the burden of the past ” Finally, Hardeep’s illustrations evolve beyond the baseness of simplistic identity politics to underscore the greater significance of being existentially socially free Yo

to

Pintoov erse that fo rm s your fantastical narrative co ntent: what are some of these?

There is an attempt to understand what it may have been like for my parent’s generation to come to the UK, but is also built on my own observations and speculation A lot of the pieces are self-portraits and expanded versions of this, and are drawn from my general individual interests: the surreal element would be the fact that ideas are not necessarily lined up in a

degree When you are using drawing tools and ink pens, your body and arms find a way to work where habits are formed and outcomes that occur which aren’t easy to explain I also use ideas from day dreams whilst on the train or when I’m drifting off – using simple rhyme structures in my writing to generate associations is another technique

You grew up in Birmingham and no w liv e in Glasgow : d id you face a lot of racism in these areas o r has th is been conf ined to ju st m o ments su ch as Black Metal g igs?

A lot when I was younger actually

but that incident at the concert happened 15 years ago now Since then I think it is less visible The direct manifestations of racism in everyday scenarios don’t exist as much, arguably, but it doesn’t mean the latent ones aren’t present – I perversely, and sard

, through my stereotyped caricatures, that I find explicit displays of racism more confirming in a way, as the underlying ones are becoming more invisible and are arguably more horrifying because they are hidden

Another example is having artists as figureheads for diverse programming at the expense of looking deeply at those respective cultural histories The idea of diversity is still coming from an establishment but it’s not necessarily neutral

I: @ Hardeep Pandhal W: https://d rawingroom org uk/exhibition/hard eep-pand hal-inner-w orld/

Jaishankar to strengthen economic, trade links in UK and Ireland

Tr

tion, a nd

ngth enin g pe ople -to-people t ies will be the fo

n o l o g y Security Initiative on telecom security, critical minerals, AI, and semiconductors Jaishankar is expected to discuss pro-Khalistan activities in the UK during meeti n g s w i t h U K o f f i c i a l s ,

Jaishankar will visit the UK and Ireland from March 3-9, shortly after India-UK FTA talks resume in New Delhi This marks the first

nomic ties, he will inaugurate India’s new consulate in Belfast, adding to those in B i r m i n g h a m a n d Edinburgh H i s v i s i t c o m e s a m i d shifting European diplomacy, influenced by US policies o n U k r a i n e I t o f f e r s a chance to discuss regional d e v e l o p m e n t s , a d v a n c e trade talks, and explore economic and tech cooperation,

including Foreign Secretary

and tech collaboration will be key topics, with Ireland’s growing significance as an EU trade partner The two sides may announce a new joint economic commission, as bilateral trade reached €16 billion last year

W e s t B e n g a l C h i e f Minister Mamata Banerjee is e x p e c t e d t o v i s i t L o n d o n from 23 to 26 March and deliver a lecture at Oxford University There are also rumors that India's Finance

he UK soon

Care minister calls for social care reform to save London councils

Ad ult so cial care must be m o d er ni s ed to p r ev e nt London co uncils from go ing ba nkr u p t, s ays C a re Minister Steph en Kinnock He called for a fundamental review of funding f o r c a r e h o m e s , m e n t a l health support, and other v i t a l s e r v i c e s a

Sunetra

HARDEEP PANDHAL

Inner World installation views, © Drawing Room 2025

S Jaishankar and Keir Starmer at bilateral meeting in parliament on 15 November 2023

Stephen Kinnock

Rough sleepers crisis should act as a call to action

T h e n u m be r o f ro u g h

s l eep e rs i n E ng l an d h as

s o ar ed , w it h ch a ri ti es strug gling to meet th e rising demand for emerg ency accomm odation The latest f i g u re s f ro m C h ai n , t h e h omelessness informatio n network, sh ow that ro ugh

s l eep e rs i n L o n d o n i n cr eas ed f ro m 3 , 1 0 7 i n M arc h 2 0 23 to 4 , 61 2 b y Decem ber Over a third o f those affected are under 35, a stark ov errepresentation com pared to the natio nal adult pop ulation average o f 27% in Eng land and Wales

The crisis is being felt nationwide Roundabout, a S h e f f i e l d - b

a c c o m m o d a t i o n f o r a decade, ran out of space for the first time last year In response, it housed 15 peo-

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

t h a t h a s s i n c e t r i p l e d Similarly, Depaul UK, an o r g a n i z a t i o n s u p p o r t i n g a t - r i s k y o u t h i n Manchester, saw the proportion of rough sleepers seeking help rise from a third in May 2023 to 60% by December

Jasvir Singh CBE, Cofounder of City Sikhs and

S o u t h A s i a n H e r i t a g e Month told Asian Voice, "When it comes to the rise in youth homelessness, it's c r u c i a l t o r e c o g n i s e t h e m u l t i f a c e t e d f a c t o r s a t play from soaring housing costs to a lack of approp r i a t e s u p p o r t n e t w o r k s S h e l t e r s a n d c h a r i t i e s s t r u g g l e d a i l y w i t h

i n c r e a s e d d e m a n d , a n d their ability to respond is stifled by limited resources, particularly after 14 years of austerity measures Our y o u n g p e o p l e a r e o u r future, and we desperately need to ensure that they are not left behind when they need us the most This crisis should act as a call to action for our society to e n s u r e t h a t e v e r y y o u n g person has a safe place to call home "

A significant challenge exacerbating the crisis is the decline of “supported e x e m p t a c c o m m o d a t i o n ” p r o j e c t

i n d i v i d u a l s s u c h a s c a r e leavers and domestic abuse s u r v i

s L a s t y

2 9 such providers operated in L o n d o n ; t o d a y , o n l y 1 5 r e m a i n T h e s e c t o r h a s been plagued by exploitative landlords offering substandard housing, leading to regulatory crackdowns In 2023, MPs passed the S u p p o r t e d H o u s i n g (Regulatory Oversight) Act to address these issues, but local authorities have been s l o w t o a p p

accommodations

c e a "triple discrimination" in securing housing Under35s receive reduced housing benefits, under-25s get lower universal credit, and under-21s are paid a lower

m

social housing scarce and p

supported exempt accom-

even accessing this support

many must prove additional needs

issued an urgent warning, describing England’s rough sleeping crisis as "a source

Committee chair Florence Eshalomi MP pointed to the success of the pandemic-era "Everyone In" initiative as proof that ending rough sleeping is possible Angela Rayner is lead-

lessness and rough sleeping In December, the government allocated nearly

the crisis escalating, charities warn that immediate and decisive action is needed to prevent more young people from being left on the streets

Labour MP Jas Athwal resigns as councillor amid rental home criticism

L abour MP Jas A th wal has r es i g ne d as a Re d b ri d g e c o u nc i ll o r i n no r th - eas t

L o nd o n, w i th n o r eas o n

g iven His departu re follow s criticism over the condition o f his rental p rop erties

A L o n d o n L a b o u r spokesperson confirmed Jas

A t h w a l h a s r e s i g n e d a s

M a y f i e l d w a r d c o u n c i l l o r , with a by-election set for 27

M a r c h A t h w a l , e l e c t e d

Ilford South MP last July after a decade as Redbridge Council leader, remains listed on the council's website

becoming MP for Southend East and Rochford As Redbridge leader, Jas Athwal oversaw affordable h o u s i n g p r o j e c t

,

h o u g h the borough lagged behind t

Valentine’s Park lido development, now set to open this autumn after delays In 2023, he was shortlisted for LGIU’s Leader of the Year a

Jas Athwal

2024, he faced calls to resign over rental property conditions and ties to a failing care home

British couple arrested by Taliban for teaching mothers

A Brit ish couple in their se ve n t i e s, Pe t e r a n d Ba r b ie R ey nolds, have be en a rr ested by t he Ta liban , re po rt e dly for t eaching pare ntin g skills

t o mother s ov er 3 0

The couple, who married in Kabul in 1970 after meeting at Bath University, have run school training projects in Afghanistan for 18 years and chose to stay after the Taliban's return in 2021

B a r b i e R e y n o l d s , t h e first woman to receive a certificate of appreciation from t h e T a l i b a n , w

s

Universities in crisis make £100m renting student flats

A mid a funding crisis threatening som e u niv ersities, U K institutions have m ad e nearly £1 00m in three years by renting out student acco mmo dation to non-stud ents FOI data rev eals some universities hav e dou bled their summ er rental income during this period

U K u n i v e r s i t i e s h a v e l o n g r e n t e d o u t accommodation during breaks, but FOI data suggests many are expanding summer rentals to offset financial pressures Between 2021 and 2024, UCL led with £14m in private rentals, followed by Brunel (£10m) and Nottingham (£9 5m)

Between 2021 and 2024, UCL earned £14m f r o m p r i v a t e r e n t a l s , f o l l o w e d b y B r u n e l (£10m) and Nottingham (£9 5m) Queen Mary University saw a 151% rise in rental income, from £848,000 to £2 1m Brunel’s summer rental income rose 93%, from £2 1m to £3 9m The ONS predicts 72% of universities will face deficits this year due to inflation, frozen fees, and declining international student numbers Brunel reported losses in 2023-24, while UCL and Nottingham are cutting budgets and targeting foreign students

Campaign boo sts interest in S cottish u niv ersities ninefold

T h e ‘ D e s t i n a t i o n S c o t l a n d ’ c a m p a i g n , launched in December, has boosted website traffic by 900% Running until next month, it aims to attract more fee-paying international students amid a sharp decline, which has contributed to the financial crisis in UK universities, including Dundee and Edinburgh

T h e d e c l i n e i s p a r t l y b l a m e d o n v i s a changes and anti-immigration rhetoric from t h e p r e v i o u s C o n s e r v a t i v e g o v e r n m e n t

Scottish universities rely on international fees to offset real-terms cuts in SNP-funded “free tuition” for Scottish students Brand Scotland, launched in 2018, and last year ’ s international education strategy aim to promote the nation

A recent strategy meeting highlighted the positive impact of ‘Destination Scotland’

New British Muslim lobby group gains key backers

M us l

P

s a c r os s p ol it i c s , m edia, b us ines s, and sport have united to inf luenc e governm ent policy f or the UK 's 4 m il lion M us lims

Backing the newly formed British Muslim Network (BMN) are Faith Minister Wajid Khan, Tory MP Nusrat Ghani, former Conservative c h

Husain, ex-cricketer Azeem Rafiq, and antiracism group Hope Not Hate

For 30 years, the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) has been the main representative body for Muslims, but governments have avoided engagement for over a decade

BMN co-chair Akeela Ahmed said this has led to policies being made without Muslim voices, impacting cohesion She stressed that BMN aims to complement, not replace, the MCB

BMN will connect experts with policymakers on key issues while promoting Muslim contributions and civic participation Its launch m a r k s a s h i f t

I N B R I E F

UK PROPOSES YOUTH MOBILITY SCHEME

Britain plans to offer an “Australian-style” youth mobility scheme to EU countries as part of Sir Keir Starmer’s efforts to reset UKEU relations The proposal would allow tens of thousands of young EU workers and students to live and work in the UK for two years with an option to extend for one more year In return Britons aged 18 to 30 would gain similar access to EU countries The scheme would include an annual cap to address Home Office concerns over immigration figures Participants would pay an NHS surcharge and would not be eligible for UK benefits The proposal aims to resolve a key issue in talks with Brussels ahead of a London summit on May 19, where both sides hope to agree on a joint political declaration outlining a post-Brexit reset

WATER FIRMS APPEAL PRICING RULES

The UK water regulator, Ofwat, has announced that six water utilities have appealed its pricing regime, underscoring ongoing tensions within the sector as it seeks to balance consumer affordability with environmental sustainability The companies challenging the decision include Thames Water, Anglian Water, Northumbrian Water, Southern Water, South East Water, and Wessex Water Ofwat stated that the appeal process with the UK’s competition regulator is expected to take at least six months In December, Ofwat approved an average 36% increase in water bills over the next five years lower than the 44% hike requested by companies However listed utilities United Utilities Pennon and Severn Trent have chosen not to contest the regulator’s decision The UK water industry has faced mounting criticism for environmental pollution particularly for contaminating rivers and for prioritising shareholder dividends over infrastructure maintenance and ecological concerns

TOP ACADEMICS AGAINST MATHS DEPARTMENT CUTS

Two Nobel laureates 17 Fields medallists and 43 Royal Society fellows have urged Cardiff University to scrap plans to cut its mathematics department They join over 2,000 prominent signatories in opposing the proposals, which could see up to 15 staff lose their jobs and a reduction in student places In an open letter, the mathematicians warned that scaling back maths provision would cause “long-lasting damage” to the university’s academic standing and future research The proposed changes still pending approval would merge the School of Mathematics with the School of Computer Science to form a new School of Data Science Mathematics, and Computing The restructuring puts academic staff at risk of redundancy and raises concerns about the future of pure mathematics at Cardiff

BARNET SCHOOLS TO CURB SMARTPHONE USE

touch with their children via text, saying they were held by the interior ministry and were fine

After three days, all comm u n i c a t i o n c

d T h e i r home in Nayak was raided, a n d t h e i r e m p l o y e e s w e r e interrogated

“This is really bad,” said

r e s t e d with her husband Peter on February 1 while returning home to Bamiyan with their American friend, Faye Hall I n

y mother is 75, and my father, nearly 80, needs his heart

istroke They were only trying to help the country they loved The idea that they are

mothers is outrageous

Entwistle and her brothe

e Taliban, pleading for their parents’ release and citing their dual citizenship “They trusted you and, as Afghan

ment,” they wrote

Muslims as a diverse social identity amid rising Islamophobia

Co-chair Qari Asim said BMN aims to link activists, professionals, and policymakers for broader societal benefit Ahmed stressed the need to counter political rhetoric and highlight the everyday lives of British Muslims, emphasising their shared concerns about education, jobs, health, and national issues

BMN's founding follows months of discussions amid concerns over a “growing sense of alienation,” a spokesperson said Ahead of the launch, Sayeeda Warsi stated, “ F o r t o o l o n g , B r i t i s h M u

unheard BMN aims to change that ” Nusrat Ghani highlighted their contributions nationwide, while Sunder Katwala stressed the need for inclusive engagement across all institutions

Starting September 2025, 103 primary schools and 23 secondary schools in the north London borough of Barnet will introduce new measures to reduce the impact of smartphones during the school day, affecting around 63 000 students While some schools will impose a complete ban others will implement policies to restrict phone usage The crackdown will also extend to smartwatches, though students will be allowed to bring basic ‘brick’ phones to stay in touch with parents during their commute A spokesperson for Barnet Education & Learning Services highlighted the schools role in shaping healthier habits, stating, “Schools are in a powerful position to change the norm, and a large group of Barnet schools are committed to making our schools smartphone-free ”

Jasvir Singh CBE

Parkinson’s UK named charity partner for 2025 Asian Achievers Awards

The A sian Achievers A wards

h as p ar tne red w i th

P ark in s o n ’ s U K t o r ai s e awareness and spark conversatio ns about the conditio n in the South A sian com munity P arkinson’ s, the fastestgro wing neurolo gical condition g lobally, affects around 153,0 00 p eople in th e U K

F o u n d e d i n 2 0 0 0 b y ABPL under CB Patel’s leadership and now run by EPG, the Asian Achievers Awards are among the most presti-

g i o u s i n t h e S o

UK allows us to raise awareness and support this crucial cause ”

David Newbold, Director o f C o m m u n i t y a t Parkinson’s UK, said, “We’re t h r i l l e d t o b e t h e c h a r i t y p a r t n

m

d net worth of over £30 billion

P r a t i k D a t t a n i , Managing Director of EPG, said, “Each year, we celebrate the most inspirational South Asians in the UK, but it's equally important to highlight vital causes Parkinson’s remains misunderstood and

A s i a n c o m m u n i t y Partnering with Parkinson’s

Achievers Awards This partnership helps us raise vital funds and awareness while reaching more of the South A s i a n c o m m u n i t y Parkinson’s can feel isolating, and our mission is to provide a safe space, break down barriers, and ensure

needed

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer praised the Awards

Asians drive social, cultural, and economic innovation in Britain It’s wonderful to see

recognised by EPG tonight

included Leicester City foot-

Europe’s largest car parts dis-

Award for over 50 years of public service

Parkinson’s UK strengthens its commitment to the South

vices, and a Race Equality in

charity partner, the Awards

journey

Ex-Tata Motors vice chair named president of Aston India alumni

F orm er T ata Mo tors v ice-

c hai rman D r Rav i K ant h as been ap pointed presid ent o f A ston University’s Indian alumni netwo rk

With over 50 years of senior leadership experience, he served as Tata Motors’ managing director from 2005 and later as non-executive vice-chairman until 2014 He played a key role in the company ’ s 2008 acquisition and r e v i v a l o

d Rover from Ford Before

T

India

Dr Ravi Kant earned a master’s in industrial metal-

9

d received an honorary doctorate in 2008 He is among the university’s 2,600 Indian graduates, represented by a

Justice

and Bangalore Following a restructure, Dr Kant was appointed presi

dent They were officially inaugurated on February 17 in Mumbai

At the event, Dr Kant

with

the UK court system, visited campus on 14 February to

College of Engineering and Physical Sciences

Shabana Mahmood MP, b o r n i n S m

Ladywood, one of the UK's

The legacy of mother tongue

Anusha Singh

F eb ru ar y 21 m a rks I nte rna ti o na l M o th e r Lang uag e Day, a day dedicated to pro moting linguistic and c ultural d i versi ty w h i le ra i si ng a w are ne ss abou t th e im p ortanc e of p re se rv i ng na ti v e la nguages Language is more than just a means of communication; it is a reflection of history, identity, and culture A mother language, the first language a person learns from birth, shapes the way individuals think, e x p r e s s t h e m s e l v e s , a n d

c o n n e c t w i t h t h e i r h e ritage It carries the stories o f a n c e s t o r

communities

praised Aston University a s

diversity and excellence, shaping his early career "I'm honoured to be

f Aston University's Indian alumni network," he said "I look forward to work-

alumni leadership team to make an impact in the region

vice-chancellor (academic), who praised the leadership

Brahmbhatt He highlighted

with Aston University’s 2030 strategy

students

Aston University and see its commitment to social m o b i l i t y , e c o n o m i c growth, and skills development in the region I espec

stituency, recruits over 40% of students locally and ranks second in England for social mobility

Her father studied civil engineering at Aston in the 1970s During her visit, she o b s e r v e d a n e n g i n e e r i n g class and learned about the University’s Athena SWAN

G o l d A

equality

Shabana Mahmood MP said, “It was great to visit

H o w e v e r , f o r m a n y second- and third-generat i o n i m m i g r a n t s , E n g l i s h or another dominant language often becomes their primary language, making their ancestral tongue feel m o r e l i k e a f o r e i g n l a ng u a g e t h a n a m o t h e r tongue In a world where time is a luxury and skills a r e a c q u i r e d b a s e d o n n e c e s s i t y , t h e q u e s t i o n arises: how does learning o n e ' s n a t i v e l a n g u a g e f i t into this equation? What value does it hold beyond simple communication?

A c c o r d i n g t o D r S ah a na Baj p a ie , S e ni o r teac hing fellow i n So uth Asian stud ies at S chool of L ang ua g es , C u l tu res an d L i ng u i s ti c s, S O A S S o u th Asia Institute, one ’ s mothe r t o n g u e h o l d s u n i q u e k n o w l e d g e a n d w a y s o f thinking, helping to preserve different perspectives and forms of expression

“As a Bengali language educator at SOAS for 12 years a n d a m o t h e r o f a H a l f Indian (Bengali) and Half

Q & A with law students, sharing my journey into law and the value of diverse career paths ” Her visit ended with a

Chancellor Professor Aleks S

University is driving innovation and upskilling in our region Inclusion and diversity are core to our mission,

support

B r i t i s h d a u g h t e r , I h a v e o b s e r v e d

g

i c p r a c t

c

s f o s t e r a c o u n t e r - h e g e m o n i c d i scourse, enabling, especially o u r h e r i t a g e s t u d e n t s i n East London to access and engage with ontologically d i v e r s e w o r l d v i e w s t h a t r e s i s t m o n o l i n g u a l homogenisation”, she said F o r P ri ya A g g arw alShah, Founder and director of PREAC H INC LU SION, l e a r n i n g h e r m o t h e r t o n g u e w a s a l a b o u r o f love In a LinkedIn post that has gained much tract i o n , s h e e x p l a i n s w h y learning and preserving her m o t h e r l a n g u a g e w a s important to her stating, “I h a t e d g o i n g t o G u j a r a t i school when I was young and how my accent had that 'Indian twang'! But I later realised how important it was to speak, read, and write Gujarati to comm u n i c a t e w i t h f a m i l y i n India It's helped me create m e a n i n g f u l c o n n e c t i o n s w i t h m y c o u s i n s a n d grandparents, despite the distance

“ F o r m y m o t h e r , h e r mother tongue has been a f u n d a m e n t a l p a r t o f h e r j o b W o r k i n g i n a p o s t o f f i c e i n H a r r o w , w h e r e the population is approximately 40% South Asian, she's been able to support d i v e r s e c u s t o m e r n e e d s through communicating in different languages ”

A d d i n g a b o u t t h e importance of mother language, she said, “Languages are more than just words, they form part of and cont r i b u t e t o m a n n e r i s m s ; they signpost people back to villages and communities, and they get chopped and changed over timemy Gujarati is a mish-mash of Swahili with my parents' East African roots!”

Ask Dr Bajpaie’s perspective on why secondt

o build a foundation in their mother tongue, she’ll tell you how it helps develop important thinking skills, improves brain flexibility, and strengthens academic

embedded in ancestral traditions, thereby equipping

augments their navigational capacity within a multifaceted and multicultural society ” Learning one's mother tongue, even when it is not a language of daily use, fosters a deeper connection to

strengthens personal identity In Dr Bajpaie opinion,

and mastering one ’ s moth-

linked to the formation of a robust, multidimensional identity

She said, “Engagement with Bengali, for instance, not only anchors individuals in a continuum of historical and cultural narratives but also serves as a critical vector for self-realisation in a diasporic context For our heritage students in East London, this linguistic immersion fosters a dialectical negotiation of identity synthesising ancestral legacies with contemporary lived experiences and thereby reinforces their agency within an increasingly pluralistic socio-cultural landscape ” In a fast-paced world w h e r e p r a c t i c a l i t y o f t e n dictates learning choices, mastering one's native language is not just about utility it is about preserving i d e n t i t y , u n d e r s t a n d i n g history, and ensuring that cultural heritage is not lost The challenge, then, is to m

accessible and meaningful, ensuring that future generations can continue to benefit from the richness of their linguistic heritage

Amanda Pritchard to step down as NHS Chief

Amanda Pritchard has for-

m

E ngland Board of her decisi on to step down as Chief E xecutive at the end of this financi al year

S e r v i n g a s C h i e f

Executive since August 2021

a n d C h i e f O p e r a t i n g

Officer since 2019, she has led the NHS through one of its most challenging periods

After discussions with t h e H e a l t h S e c r e t a r y , Amanda Pritchard will step

d o w n a s N H S E n g l a n d C h i e f E

overseen pandemic recov-

ery and key reforms

Sir James Mackey will t a k e o v e r a s T r a n s i t i o n CEO, working with Amanda b e f o r e f o r m a l l y a s s u m i n g the role on April 1

During her tenure, the N H S t a c k l e d O m i c r o n , expanded booster vaccines, improved A&E and cancer c a r e , a n d l a u n c h e d t h e L o n g T e r m W o r k f o r c e P l a n A m a

NHS Chief Executive, said, “Leading the NHS through its most challenging period

Mito and Sachdev

Sahana Bajpaie

Priya Aggarwal-Shah

Dr Ravi Kant and Professor Osama Khan

Shabana Mahmood MP (right) with students and faculty members

Dear Financial Voice Reader,

Alpesh Patel

This week I took my Campaign to teach a million people how to add an extra million to their pensions across their lifetimes to TikTok HQ They led with me to record their new business campaign so I should be adding more followers to my 400k on TikTok

As global stock markets continue

t o r e a c h u n p r e c e d e n t e d h e i g h t s , many pension holders find themselves perplexed and frustrated by the modest growth of their retirement funds over the past five years This disparity between booming markets and underwhelming pension returns can be attributed to several key factors, including investment strategies and systemic challenges within pension fund management

The Allure and Pitfalls of Alternative Investments

In an effort to enhance returns, many pension funds have increasingly allocated assets to alternative investments such as private equity, venture capital, and hedge funds While these asset classes offer the potential for high returns, they also come with increased risks, higher fees, and liquidity constraints Notably, major university endowments, including those of Yale and Harvard, have reported investment returns significantly below the nearly 25% total return of the S&P 500 index for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024 This underperformance is largely attributed to their heavy allocation to private equity and similar alternatives, which have lagged behind public equities in recent years

The Cost of Home Bias P

experience subpar performance In the UK, for instance, funds heavily invested in domestic stocks have underperformed compared to those with a more global outlook Over the past five years, funds with less than 5% of assets in UK stocks achieved average annual returns of 9 75%, whereas those with higher allocations to UK stocks averaged only 7 08% This d

across geographies to capture growth in various markets

Structural Challenges and Underfunding

D e s p i t

pension funds face structural challenges that impede their performance In the United States, state and local pensions saw an average annual return of 10 3% in 2024, surpassing the projected 6 87% However, these returns still lagged behind the S&P 500's gain of over 23% Moreover, public pensions remain financially fragile, with a shortfall reduced to $1 37 trillion from $1 64 trillion in 2023 The average market-valued public pension ratio stands at 80 2%, below the 90% threshold c o n s i d

conservative investment strategies, limiting the potential for higher returns

Transparency and Governance Issues

Concerns over transparency and governance further exace

Minnesota teachers' pension fund was accused of underreporting fees and posting implausible financial gains, raising questions about the integrity of its reported performance Investigations revealed that the fund disclosed less than 10% of the estimated $2 9 billion spent on fees over the last decade, suggesting possible mismanagement and insufficient funds for retirees' benefits

The Role of Fees and Expenses

High fees and expenses associated with active management and alternative investments can erode net returns for pension funds The allure of outperforming the market leads many funds to engage in complex investment strategies that incur substantial costs However, studies have shown that over extended periods, public pension plans have performed similarly to simple passive strategies, raising questions about the value added by active management after accounting for fees

Looking Forward: Strategies for Improvement

To bridge th e g ap bet ween r obust mark et per for man ce a nd pen sion fund r et ur ns, seve ra l stra te gies ca n be con sid ere d:

Div ersification: Reducing home bias and embracing a g l o b a l l y d i v e r s i f i

opportunities across different markets, mitigating the impact of underperformance in any single region

C ost Management: Evaluating the cost-effectiveness of active management versus passive strategies can lead to significant savings Emphasizing low-cost index funds may enhance net returns over time

E n h an ce d T ra ns p ar enc y : I m p l e m e n t i n g s t r i n g e n t governance practices and transparent reporting can rebuild trust and ensure that funds are managed in the best interests of beneficiaries

P olicy Reforms: Engaging with policymakers to address structural underfunding and advocating for realistic actuarial assumptions can create a more sustainable foundation for pension funds I am reaching out to HMT to point out the IFA and pension fund industry needs a massive shakeup

In conclusion, please learn more and do it yourself once confident I provide Asian Voice readers and everyone access to free resources at www campaignforamillion com

Dr Swati Dhingra reappointed to Bank of England’s MPC

T h e B ri ti s h g

announced th e reapp ointment of Dr Swati Dhing ra as an external member of the Bank of Eng land’s Monetary Policy C omm ittee ( MPC ) fo r a second th ree-year term Dhingra, who initially jo ined the MPC in Aug ust 20 22, will now serve in th e role until A ugust 8, 20 28

Indian-born economist Dr Swati

England's most consistent advocate for looser monetary policy

Recently, she voted for a larger half-point rate cut to 4 25%, diverging from the majority’s preference for a quarter-point reduction

BoE policy minutes cited her concerns over a "subdued outlook for

despite a near-term rise in regulated prices

Professor of Economics at LSE and an Associate at its Centre for Economic Performance Her research has been funded by major bodies, including the ESRC and ERC, and she won the ONS Research Excellence People’s Choice

Award in 2019 Since January 2023, she has served as Director of the ‘Review of Economic Studies’ She has also been a member of the UK’s Trade Modelling Review Expert Panel and L

Commission

Riz Malik, a Newspage expert and Independent Financial Adviser at R3 Wealth, remarked, Swati has long been a strong advocate for base rate

Her reappointment is promising for those hoping for further reductions, but with the MPC’s decision-making process, she will need others to align with her stance "

Minister Rishi Sunak, who had previously served as Chancellor, appointed Dr Swati Dhingra as the next member of the Bank of England’s interest rates

Michael Saunders, who had served as an external member of the Monetary P

August 2016 In an interview with The Guardian, Dhingra revealed that she was surprised when she received the

call from Sunak in May, inviting her to join the MPC

During the appointment, Rishi Sunak stated, "Dr Swati Dhingra’s expertise in international economics will be a valuable addition to the MPC I am pleased to appoint her to this role and look forward to her con-

years ahead

She was also one of the panellists at the Women in Conversation panel discussion by Asian Voice in associa-

March 2023

One-third of UK workers eye contract

New research fro m Ro bert Walters hi gh lights a gro wing trend of UK professionals considering co ntract roles, with 34% open to making the s witch for greater flexibility

Meanwhile, 48% of UK employers plan to hire contract or temporary s

demands Work-life balance is a key factor driving this shift, as professionals prioritise flexibility over traditional job security

Financial concerns also play a role, with 24% citing increased workloads due to tighter budgets and 30% drawn to higher earning potential in con-

remains around take-home pay due to rising National Insurance costs and the shift of PAYE responsibilities to umbrella companies

Employers are also adapting, especially amid ongoing job cuts at major firms like Sainsbury’s and Meta Many

enhance workforce flexibility, with nearly half turning to contractors for project-based work, skills shortages, and hiring freezes A reversal of recent trends is expected, as long-term contractors who had transitioned into permanent roles may now return to

roles

contract work due to economic instability Demand for specialised skills is rising, with job postings increasing for cybersecurity (+22%), JavaScript (+6%), and web development (+5%) In financial services, digital transformation projects are creating opportunities, with skills like stakeholder managem e n t ( + 5 9 % ) a n d o

k management (+18%) in demand

With businesses reassessing hiring models, contract roles are becoming a strategic solution for both professionals seeking flexibility and employers requiring agility in an uncertain economic climate

London’s property millionaires hit record high

The num ber of property millionaires in London has rea ched a rec ord high of nearl y 350,000 as pos t-pandemic trends s hift, acc ording to new re searc h from Savil ls

Currently, one in 11 homes in the capital is valued at £1 million or more, driven by a renewed demand for city living as more workers return to offices

Over the past year, 5,202 London homeowners crossed the £1 million threshold, although this is half the number recorded in 2023

Across the UK, 103 electoral wards now have average house prices exceed-

ing £1 million, with 67 of them located in London Within the capital, prime b

&

continue to dominate While London saw growth, the rest of the country experienced a 1% decline in £1 million properties, bringing the total outside the capital to 702,600 or one in 73

areas, including the South East, East of England, South West, and Wales, saw their stock of million-pound homes decline Areas such as Chalfont St Giles in Buckinghamshire, Penshurst in Kent,

Energy firms pocket £4bn as households struggle with bills

Energy infrastructu re companies have made nearly £4 bn in excess p rofits o ver the past four years, w hile British h ous eh old s h av e grap pled wi th so aring energ y cos ts , according to new analysis from C itizens A dvice (CA )

The consumer charity has supported nearly 700,000 people struggling to afford utilities, with over five million households now in debt to their energy suppliers Bills surged after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2021, worsening the cost-of-living crisis

CA’s review of Ofgem’s figures reveals that energy network companies, which operate the pipes and cables delivering electricity, have benefitted from high inflation As monopoly providers, they rely on Ofgem’s price controls, which set network charges these typically make up around 25% of gas and electricity bills but are not separately itemised

According to CA, Ofgem overestimated the borrowing costs for these companies, allowing them to pocket an additional £4bn in profits Dame Clare Moriarty, CA’s chief executive, called for this windfall to be returned to struggling bill-payers through debt relief and targeted support

and Fosseridge in the Cotswolds fell below the £1 million mark However, over a five-year period, property millionaires outside London have grown by 58% three times the capital’s 16% increase

Higher mortgage costs and affordability challenges have slowed growth in suburban and rural areas However, with mortgage rates easing and buyer confidence improving, the number of £1 million properties is expected to rise f

Ensuring spice quality and compliance in the UK

The UK ’ s love for Indian c uisine is under strain as tighte r regul ations on spic e im ports c re at e c hal l en ge s f or b us iness es

In 2024, the FSA tighte

safety, the measures have left suppliers and retailers struggling to adapt while preserving flavours

“Importing spices should

risks requires precision,” says

“This webinar is a key opportunity to address compliance

challenges ” To adapt, businesses are refining sourcing and quality controls to balance supply and safety While FSA regulations protect consumers, they challenge retailers striving for stable prices Want expert insights? Join the ‘Ensuring Spice Quality and Compliance’ webinar on March 18, 2025

Dr Swati Dhingra

Milan Shah

Smartphone exports jump 50% on iPhone shipments

Led by record production of iPh on e s , I nd ia ’ s m ob i l e phone exports s urged nearl y 50% in the first 10 m ont hs of this financial y ear with the va lue of s hipment s es tim ated at £1 5 b n d ur in g Ap r il - Ja n ,

c om p a r ed w it h £1 0b n i n sam e period las t ye ar

T h e s u r g e h a s b e e n p r i m a r i l y l e d b y a s

made its India factories the

c o m p a n

o b a l manufacturing hubs, parallel to its set-ups in China It is e

n g A p

J

n were close to £10bn, against £6bn in the same period last year

S a m s u n g i s r e l a t i v e l y

s m a l l e r w i t h e x p o r t s estimated at £3 45bn so far in 2024-25

I n d u s t r y b o d y I n d i a

C e l l u l a r a n d E l e c t r o n i c s

Association (ICEA) said with the establishment of a strong manufacturing base in the c o u n t r y , e x p

s a r e expected to close the year at £18bn, as against £13bn in the previous fiscal

approximately 40% growth o v e r t h e p r e v i o u s f i s c a l year and an estimated over 6 8 0 %

n c

production-linked incentive (PLI) for smartphones was

announced in FY21 Mobile phone export is the largest

Adani group maintains double-digit growth

A d a ni Gro u p re p or ted its h i g h

-e v

tra i li ng 1 2mo nth EBITDA of £8 67bn, wh ich grew 10 1% year-onyear, th e gro u p sai d in a statement

I n t h e s t a t e m e

company outlined its plans for a high capital expenditure

(

growth period between FY20 and FY22, as it continues to

sectors, all backed by robust cash flow and strong project execution T h e g

Pankaj Mohindroo said

released by the commerce department showed that in Jan, electronics goods had overtaken oil products as the second largest item in India’s export basket

India’s generic pharma exports to US face threat with proposed tariffs

P r es i d en t Do n al d T ru m p announced plans to imp ose

a 25% o r h ig her tari ff o n

s e m ic o n d u ct o r an d

p h arm aceu ti cal i m p orts , a

m o v e th at c o ul d sig nificantly im pact Ind ia’s

p h arm a ce u ti c al i nd u s try

T he tariffs, set to increase

o ver th e next year, target an indu stry that supp lies nearly

5 0 % o f th e U S ’ s g e ner ic p rescriptions and generated $8 7 billio n in exports to th e

U S in fiscal 2024

I n d i a n p h a r m a c e u t i c a l

c o m p a n i e s , w h i c h r e l y heavily on the US market,

m a y f a c e i n c r e a s e d c o s t s that could be passed on to

c o n s u m e r s H e r e ’ s h o w

s o m e o f I n d i a ’ s m a j o r

d r u g m a k e r

a n d t o b e affected:

S u n P h a r m a c e u t i c a lI n d i a ’ s l a r g e s t d r u g m a k e r derived 32% of its revenue from the US in 2024

Dr Reddy’s Laboratories - North America accounted for 47% of its sales, driven by oncology and immunology

g e n e r i c s T h e c o m p a n y i s b e t t i n g o n u

for future growth

C i p l a – T h e c o m p a n y earned 30% of its revenue

f r o m N o r t h A m e r i c a , ranking among the top 15

U S p r e s c r i p t i o n d r u g providers with a focus on r e s p i r a t o r y a n d o n c o l o g y generics

Biocon – The US was its largest market, contributing 44% of revenue, with high

cancer and arthritis

Lupin – Sales in North America made up 37% of its

v e n u e , i n c

s i n g 3 0 % year-over-year due to strong demand for respiratory and antiretroviral generics

G l e n m a r k P h a r m a –North America accounted for 26% of revenue, with a f o c u s o n e x p a n d i n g i t s respiratory drug portfolio

Zydus – The US was its largest market, generating 4 6 % o f i t

generic products

Tesla likely to import cars from Germany to India

Te sla is lik ely t o impor t car s from its G er man factory a nd will sk ip shipp in g t hem from Chin a in view of objection s r aised by the In dian g ov t As it prepares to begin

s a l e s i n I n d i a - i n i t i a l l y t h r o u g h t h e i m p o r t r o u t e and thereafter through local manufacturing - the electric

c a r m a k e r i s n o w b e i n g approached by a host of state

g o v t s f o r s e t t i n g u p i t s m a n u f a c t u r i n g u n i t , w i t h Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Telangana being the front runners Sources

s a i d t h e E l o n M u s k - r u n

c o m p a n y w i l l “ i n a l l l i k e l i h o o d ” a p p l y f o r benefits under the new EV

p o l i c y t h a t g o v t h a d announced in March 2024

This will allow the company t o i m p o r t 8 , 0 0 0 c a r s a n n u a l l y a t a h i g h l ysubsided 15% customs duty ( a g a i n s t 1 1 0 % n o w ) , o n l y after it commits to invest £ 415 mn (little less than) $500 million for a local factory, w i t h a d d i t i o n a l d o m e s t i c v a l u e a d d i t i o n ( D V A ) m a n d a t e s “ T h e r e i s excitement and nervousness at investment departments of key industrial states as they scurry to attract the Tesla investments The plan is to approach the company m a n a g e m e n t a

benefits,” a source said T a m i l N a d u a n d Maharashtra are already key a u t o m o

where many companies have

s t decade All three have an edge as they provide easier access to the port, seen as a m u s t f o r T e s l a ’ s I n d i a factory, which will also be an export hub In its initial plan to govt, the company had said that it plans to set up a 5 0 0 , 0 0 0 c a p a c

between $2 billion and $3 billion

Automobiles on Indian govt’s list for trade talks with US

Automob iles are among the lis t of items identified by the commerce department for consultations with other departments and mi nistries ahead of negotiations for the propos ed bilateral trade agreement with the US - an i ndication that govt is s eeking feedback for a pos sible duty cut for bi kes and cars such as Harley Davidson and Tesla S

department is looking at the list of

consultations and auto figures prominently

The discussions are being held at the level of commerce secretary Sunil Barthwal t

reduction in import duty from the US, as well as its defensive interests - where it may have to offer concessions

Ministries and departments, in turn, have been told to come back with feedback from industry so that a final view on the sector can be taken in a comprehensive manner

L i m i t e d ( A E L )contributed 84% of total EBITDA Q3FY25 EBITDA

company, Adani Enterprises

Aerospace giants turn to India for parts amid supply chain woes

industry faces

Collins Aerospace, Pratt & W hitney, and Rolls- Royce are inc reasi ngly turning to I n

g ro wt h i n

c oun t ry ’ s aerospace sector Indian companies such as Hical Technologies and J J G A e r o a r e b e n e f i t i n g f r o m t h i s t r e n d H i c a l , based in Bengaluru and a supplier to companies like Raytheon Technologies and Boeing, aims to double its revenue from aerospace to $57 57 million in the next three years JJG Aero, which took 12 years to reach $2 m

v e n u e , h a s grown to $20 million in just s i x y

s , a c c o r d i n g t o reports This shift is part of a larger growth trend in the A s i a - P a c i f i c a e r o s p a c e industry, which is expected t o g r o w b y 5 4 % i n 2 0 2 4 c o m

Accenture Research As global aerospace companies deal with

, labor shortages, and supply issues, India h

y partner to meet the

travel “India is the best solution to supply chain challenges,” said Huw

Royce “Our engine volumes are growing at around 20%, and the traditional supply chains just can’t keep up ” Rolls-Royce plans to double i

a within five years

Suzuki rejigs India electric vehicle plans

M a ru ti ’ s Ja p an es e p ar ent S u z u ki a p p ea rs to be re ca li b rat in g i ts ele c tri c v e h i cl es s tra teg y i n I nd i a with plans to launch four new electric cars by 20 30, against an initial target of h a v i ng si x v e h ic le s T h e c o m p an y, h o w ev er, i s retaining its targ et of hav ing 1 5 % co n tri b u ti o n fro m elec tric s as it esti ma tes a production of four million units by then I n a m i d - t e r m

m a n a g e m e n t p l a n a n n o u n c e d b y S u z u k i i n Japan, the company, a late

entrant to the EV space, said i t r e m a i n s b u l l i s h o n sustainable technologies in I n d i a , h i g h l i g h t i n g opportunities in hybrids and CNG, as it eyes to reclaim

t h e c o v e t e d 5 0 % m a r k e t s h a r e i t o n c e e n j o y e d (against 41 5% now)

The company, for which India is the backbone of its global operations, said it is aiming to sell electric cars

w i t h i n I n d i a a s w e l l a s export

D e s p i t e r e d u c i n g t h e number of models in EVs, Suzuki said it aims to be

“Number 1 in production, exports and sales” of green cars in India It drives in its first electric in eVitara over the coming months Suzuki called India the “ m o s t

for the company, that will continue to “ grow and serve as the engine” for its future growth It added that the competitive environment in t

thus the quality of product

needs to go up

Google to open retail stores in India

Goog le is close to finalizing locations for its first-ever physical retail stores outsid e the U S , w i th I nd i a em erg i ng a s th e c h o sen market, according to reports The tech giant, w

in in

cu

operates only fiv e physical sto res, all in the United States, where it sells Pixel pho nes, watches, and earbu ds

The move is seen as an effort to replicate Apple’s successful retail strategy, which has helped the iPhone maker generate billions globally

h i

considered, New Delhi and Mumbai are

stores, a source said Google already sells its

in India

Hasina slams Yunus govt for ‘atrocities’, vows to return for justice

Dhaka: Vow ing to return to h er ho meland and ensu re ju stice for th e v ictims o f the

Y u n us g o v t’ s “ at ro c it ie s ” ,

d ep osed PM Sh eikh Hasina, currently residing in Ind ia,

a cc u s ed ch i e f a d v i s er

M uhammad Yu nus of tu rning Banglad esh into a hub

o f terro ri sm and law les sness, while u rging the peop l e to “ s av e Ba ng l ad e sh f ro m th e re p res s iv e a nd m il i tan t Y u nu s g o v ernm ent”

I n o n e o f t h e a u d i o messages shared on Awami League’s verified Facebook

p a g e , “ I w i l l r e t u r n T h e killers (of her party supporters) will face justice in Bangladesh Their reckon-

i n g w i l l h a p p e n o n B a n g l a d e s h i s o i l P e r h a p s that’s why Allah has kept me alive ”

A c c u s i n g Y u n u s o f remaining silent as “dozens

o f p o l i c e o f f i c e r s ” w e r e killed last year during the

s t u d e n t - l e d r i o t s a g a i n s t

h e r q u o t a r e f o r m s a n d a l l o w i n g l a w l e s s n e s s t o

t a k e o v e r , H a s i n a s a i d ,

“Yunus has no experience of running a govt He dissolved all inquiry commit-

tees and unleashed terrorists to butcher people They are destroying Bangladesh We will out this govt of terrorists ” Hasina described t h e “ i l l e g a l ” Y u n u s - l e d govt’s failure to ensure public safety over the past six months She accused the a d m i n i s t r a t i o n o f k i l l i n g her party supporters and police personnel while also scrapping the passports of s o m e o f t h e p e o p l e w h o p l a y e d k e y r o l e s i n U N peacekeeping missions She also alleged that the interim govt was violating the country’s laws and constit u t i o n , e x p r e s s i n g h o p e t h a t B a n g l a

l d regain its global standing through public resistance

g o v t ’ s handling of the economy and security, Hasina said, “ M o r e t h a n s i x m o n t h s have passed, yet mob violence continues Now I hear he will launch ‘Operation Devil Hunt’ He is unable to run the country The economy is in crisis, law and order is deteriorating, and public safety is at risk ” S h e

with widows of policemen k i l l

t s , describing their deaths as part of a broader effort to destabilise the country “It is part of the same design that led to the demolition o f t h e B a n g a b a n d h u Memorial at Dhanmondi,” she said

Dhaka court acquits Khaleda Zia in her last graft case

DHA K A : Continuing th e stream o f relief g ranted to Khaleda Zia

s i nc e th e g o v t

B an g la d es h , a Dh aka c ou r t acquitted the BNP chairperson, along with sev en others, in th e Niko graft case filed by the AntiC orruption Com mission (AC C) in 2007

With this verdict, Khaleda has now been acquitted of all corruption cases filed against her, including those related to the Zia Orphanage Trust and Zia Charitable Trust, during the caretaker govt in 2007 and the subsequent Awami League-led govt Notably, all the acquittals w e r e m a d e a f t e r M u h a m m a d Yunus took charge of the interim govt after Sheikh Hasina’s govt was overthrown by violent student-led protests

The verdict also clears her path to enter elections, likely in

Dec, with a clean slate She is in London for medical treatment Judge Md Rabiul Alam delivered the ruling, stating that the prosecution failed to prove the charges against Khaleda and the other accused; hence, all were acquitted The ACC originally filed the case on Dec 9, 2007, alleging that Khaleda and others had abused their power to grant Niko, a Canadian oil and gas exploration company, an illegal deal while she was PM from 2001 to 2006 Charges were officially pressed on May 5, 2008, against Khaleda and 10 others

Pakistan

unveils ‘master plan’ to revamp temples, gurdwaras

L A H ORE: The Pakistani go vt has p repared a ‘ m aster plan’ for the reno vation and beautifying of temp les and gurdw aras in the country at a cost o f 1 billion Pak rupees (PK R) Th e d ecision was taken in a m eeting o f the Ev acuee T rust Pro perty Board (E TPB) here under its ch ief Syed A ttau r Rehm an “ U n d e r a m a s t e r p l a n , t e m p l e s a n d gurudwaras will be decorated and development works will be done with a budget of PKR 1bn,” said Rehman “A huge amount of money is being spent on minority places of worship,” he added Rehman also said the ETPB received more than PKR 1 billion in revenue this year

The meeting was attended by members of the Hindu and Sikh communities from all over the country, as well as govt and nongovt members

ETPB secretary Farid Iqbal said the trust p r o p

development The meeting decided to hire a project director for development and renovation works, and operational work at proj

Corridor

More than 150 students hurt in clashes at Bangladesh university campus

D H A KA: Mor e than 150 students were injured in Bang ladesh during clashes at a univer sity camp us l a st we e k T he a ft er n oo n cl a she s b eg an a fte r th e y out h wing of Bangl adesh Na tion alist Pa r ty (B NP ) soug ht to r e crui t students at Khuln a Univer sity of Engineer in g a nd Technology in t he coun t ry ’ s sout hwe st T ha t s pa r k e d a c on f r on t a t i on wi t h ca m pu s m e mb e r s o f St u de n t s Against Discrimin ation, a protest group that le d t he uprisin g t ha t o us t e d e x -p r e mi e r S he i k h Ha sina l ast Aug

At least 50 people were taken for treatment after the skirmish, K h u l n a p o l i c e o f f i c e r K a b i r Hossain said “The situation is now under control, and an extra contingent of police has been

deployed,” he added

C o m m u n i c a t i o n s s t u d e n t Jahidur Rahman said that those hospitalised had injuries from t h r o w n b r i c k s a n d “ s h a r p weapons ” , and that around 100 o t h e r s h a d s u f f e r e d m i n o r injuries Footage of the violence showing rival groups wielding scythes and machetes, along with injured students being carted to hospital for treatment, was widely shared on Facebook

B o t h g r o u p s b l a m e d t h e other for starting the violence, w i t h B N P s t u d e n t w i n g c h i e f N a s i r U d d i n N a s i r a c c u s i n g m e m b e r s o f I s l a m i s t p o l i t i c a l party Jamaat of agitating the situation to force a confrontation

J a m a a t a c t i v i s t s “ c r e a t e d t h i s unwarranted clash”, he said

Federal funding cuts: Ro Khanna launches survey to gather testimonies

W ASH INGTON: Congressman R o Khanna has taken a strong s t a n c e a ga i n s t t he T ru m p a d m i ni s t r at i on ’ s d ec i s i o n t o pause essential federal funding and terminate federal employees en masse, calli ng it uncons ti tutional and harmful to millions of Ameri cans In res ponse, Khanna has launc hed a public s urvey, i nvi ting thos e affected to share thei r experiences with funding cuts in healthc are, educ ation, and housing assi stanc e “I am working to prevent the administration from holding critical funds hostage and to a l

civil servants to return to work,”

K h a n n a s t a t e d , u r g i n g c o nstituents to participate in the survey and voice their concerns K h a n

administration’s actions comes a m

exchange with Tesla CEO Elon Musk on X The conversation followed reports that Khanna had missed a congressional vote to subpoena Musk, who was appointed by President Donald Trump as the head of the newly c r e a t e d D e p a r t m e n t o f G o v e r n m e n t E f f i

(DOGE)

C

, Khanna posted on X: “I would have voted yes They called a

procedural vote without notice and I, like 8 others, didn’t make it there on time Musk’s attacks on our institutions are unconstitutional He should be subp o e n a e d a n d a n s w e r t o o u r committee ” Musk, known for his blunt online persona, responded with a b r

: “Don’t be a d ” Khanna fired back, emphasizing congressional authority over federal spending: “Elon, we have known each other a long time You can’t stop payments that Congress has authorized and appropriated Make recommendations to Congress,

in brief

JIYA RAI WINS OPEN WATER SWIM AWARD

Jiya Rai, the daughter of an Indian naval sailor, has made history as the first Indian to receive the World Open Water Swimming Association (WOWSA) Award in the Adaptive Performance of the Year category Established in 2008 the awards recognize outstanding achievements in open-water swimming On July 28 2024 Rai swam solo across the English Channel covering 34 km in 17 hours and 25 minutes She is the youngest female para-swimmer and the first girl with Autism Spectrum Disorder to complete the feat

INDIAN AMERICAN AUTHOR GETS GOLD MEDAL

Indian American author Sita Singh has been awarded the Gold Medal in the Young Children s Literature category at the 2024 Florida Book Awards for her picture book Mango Memories The recognition highlights Singh s commitment to storytelling that celebrates cultural traditions and family bonds Mango Memories' tells the story of a young girl in an Indian family who is excited to create her first mango-picking memory Singh, who grew up in Ahmedabad and now lives in South Florida draws inspiration from her childhood Singh’s first book, 'Birds of a Feather , was chosen for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library

KAMALA HARRIS SIGNS WITH TALENT AGENCY CAA

Former Vice President Kamala Harris has moved forward in shaping her post-2024 White House bid career by signing with Creative Artists Agency (CAA) the talent agency announced on February 18 CAA will represent Harris in all areas focusing on speaking engagements and publishing the agency said in a statement The firm also noted that it will work closely with Harris to develop strategic opportunities that amplify her platform and the issues she has long championed in public service This is not Harris s first collaboration with CAA - the agency previously represented her during her tenure as a US senator from California before she became vice president

SIKH PHILANTHROPIST RE-APPOINTED IN CANADA ART MUSEUM

but don’t stop payments That’s Article I ” He also proposed a d

E d u

i o n should continue to exist

Khanna has been a vocal advocate for government oversight and accountability, and his survey may play a key role in his efforts to challenge recent federal policy shifts As the battle over government funding i n t e n s i f i e s , h i s p u s h b a c k against both the administration a n d M u s k u n d e r s c o

v

authority and financial governance

Canadian government has reappointed leading Sikh philanthropist Mandeep Roshi Chadha as Vice Chairperson of the Board of the Trustees of the National Gallery of Canada Chadha, based in Montreal, is a well- known philanthropist and has established a Sikh Gallery in the largest Museum of Canada in Montreal The order of Chadha s appointment said “Her Excellency the Governor General in Council on the recommendation of the Minister of Canadian Heritage approves the reappointment of Chadha of Westmount, Quebec, as Vice-Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the National Gallery of Canada to hold office for a term of four years effective March 26, 2025

PAK HC ORDERS

RELEASE

OF OVER 120 PTI WORKERS

A high court in Pakistan ordered the release of over 120 arrested workers of jailed ex-PM Imran Khan’s PTI party after approving their bail They were among hundreds of PTI supporters arrested during a protest by the party last Nov Islamabad HC’s two-judge bench of acting chief justice Sarfaraz Dogar and justice Muhammad Asif granted bail to the accused after each submitted a surety bond of Rs 20 000 HC directed them to submit an affidavit pledging they would not engage in similar actions

Sheikh Hasina & Muhammad Yunus

Khaleda Zia

in brief

MAN ACCUSED OF MURDER KILLED BY MOB IN PAKISTAN

A mob enraged by a local s murder over a parking dispute snatched the suspect a watchman, from police and lynched him in Galiyat region of Pakistan s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Several policemen were wounded in the violence Police said Imran Abbasi had parked his car in the designated area of a housing society and left for home When he returned the next day, he got into a fight with watchman Khan Zaman who stabbed him to death and wounded his brother As word spread about the murder, a mob milled in the area and burned down five houses Police apprehended the culprit from the basement of a building, and were about to take him away when the mob swooped on him and beat him to death

PAK, BANGLADESH RESUME DIRECT TRADE

Pakistan and Bangladesh have resumed direct trade for the first time since the 1971 separation, with the first govt-approved cargo departing from Port Qasim, according to a media report The agreement was finalised in early Feb when Bangladesh agreed to purchase 50 000 tonnes of Pakistani rice through the Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) Under the deal finalised Bangladesh is set to import 50 000 tonnes of rice from Pakistan through the TCP The shipment will be completed in two phases, with the remaining 25 000 tonnes to be dispatched in early March, The Express Tribune newspaper said

BANGLADESH STUDENTS TO LAUNCH NEW PARTY

Bangladesh s political arena is likely to see the entry of a new party formed under the initiative of National Citizens Committee and Anti-Discrimination Student Movement The launch is likely on Feb 26 The party s organisational structure will remain similar to the existing frameworks of these platforms, retaining positions like convener, member secretary, chief organiser and spokesperson Adviser (I&B) to interim govt, Md Nahid Islam will be convener of the new party

YUNUS INVITES MUSK TO LAUNCH STARLINK NET

Chief adviser Muhammad Yunushas extended an invitation to Elon Musk, urging him to visit Bangladesh and launch the Starlink satellite internet service in the country “Integrating Starlink’s connectivity into Bangladesh’s infrastructure will have a transformational impact, particularly for Bangladesh’s enterprising youth, rural and vulnerable women, and remote and underserved communities,” state-run BSS news agency reported Yunus told Musk his visit would allow him to meet young men and women who would be among the main beneficiaries of this leading technology

IRAN ACCUSES BRITISH BIKER COUPLE OF SPYING

Iranian authorities have accused a British couple detained in the country since Jan of spying, state media reported A news website affiliated with the judiciary cited Asghar Jahangir, a spokesman for the judiciary, as saying that the Revolutionary Guard’s intelligence forces incarcerated a man and a woman while in Kerman at the time The couple is accused of spying and having links to intelligence agencies of “hostile countries” and collecting information from several Iranian provinces, according to Jahangir He didn’t name the couple, however, a family statement identified them as Craig and Lindsay Foreman saying their situation was distressing and causing “significant concern ”

Kash Patel takes oath as FBI chief on Bhagwat Gita

W A S H I N G T O N : K as h P at el took oath as th e ninth d irector of the FBI on the Bhagavad Gita and spoke about ho w a firstg eneration Indian kid is liv ing the A merican d ream , reflecting on his h eritage The U S Senate v oted 51 to 49 to co nfirm Patel last week

Patel's family members and girlfriend were present during the oath ceremony The oath ceremony was administered by US attorney general Pam Bondi in the Indian Treaty Room in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building (EEOB) on the White House campus She asked Patel to place his hand on the Gita and raise his right hand to take the oath “I am living the American dream Anyone who thinks the American dream is dead, just look right here You’re talking to

greatest nation on God's green earth That can’t happen anywhere else,” Patel, 44, said New York-born Patel has his roots in Gujarat

from East Africa his mother is from Tanzania and his father is from Uganda Kash Patel to get another responsibility

expected to be named the acting head of the Bureau of Alcohol,

d Explosives, a Justice Department official said Patel could be sworn in next week, the official said, putting Patel in charge of two of the

Anti-Asian online hate in US saw 'alarming surge'

W A SH I N G T O N : A n ti - As i a n

online hate in the US has seen an "alarmi ng surge" s ince the 2 02 4 U S e le c t i on s w on b y

Donald Trump, data released by Stop AAPI Hate showed, citing what the nonprofit group called the US president's anti-i mmigration agenda and an intense deb ate surrounding H -1B vi sas Rights advocates have been critical of Trump's immigration crackdown which they say fuels anti-immigrant rhetoric They h a v e a l s o c r i t i c i z e d T r u m p ' s attempts to dismantle diversity, equity and inclusion programs, saying DEI policies help ensure

e q u a l o p p o r t u n i t i e s f o r marginalized groups facing historical inequities

Trump says his policies target immigrants who came into the US illegally He calls DEI

d i s c r i m i n a t o r y a n d " a n t imerit " Indians account for the

bulk of H-1B US visas, which Trump has backed despite vocal opposition by some of his supporters J a n u a r y 2 0 2 5 m a r k e d t h e highest number of online antiA s i a n s

m

n i t o

i n

n

n i n A u g u s t 2022, Stop AAPI Hate said, with a total of 87,945 slurs Since the e l e c ti o n , o bse r v ed s l u r s h av e i n c r e a s e d 6 6 % , t h e d a t a showed The surge was mostly d r i v e n b y a n t i - S o u t h A s i a n slurs, which increased by 75% in January, versus November

S i m i l a r l y , t h r e a t s o f v i olence against Asians online rose by over 50% in both December

a n d J a n u a r y , c o m p a r e d t o November, the data showed Some online rhetoric centered around Indians "stealing j o b s " a n d t h r e a t e n i n g " w h i t e livelihood," the nonprofit group said

Man found guilty of attempted murder in Salman Rushdie stabbing trial

N EW YO R K: A jur y convicte d the ma n who was cha rge d with stabbin g and t ry in g to kill t he author Salman R ushd ie as he delive red a le ct ure a t a lit er ary gat herin g in weste rn N ew York sta te in 2022

Hadi Matar, 27, of Fairview, New Jersey, was quickly declared guilty of attempted murder in the second degree He could receive up to 25 years in prison at a sentencing hearing tentatively set for 23 April

Jurors deliberated for less than two hours, after lawyers’ closing arguments followed days of testimony that included a vivid account from Rushdie of how he was certain he was going to die at the hands of a man who rushed him on stage with a knife

Matar was also found guilty of assault on the man Rushdie was talking to on stage, Ralph Henry Reese, who was wounded in the attack The district attorney, Jason Schmidt, had played a slowmotion video of the attack for the jury, pointing out the assailant as he emerged from the audience, walked up a staircase to the stage and broke into a run toward Rushdie

After Matar’s conviction, Schmidt said such evidence “really is as compelling as it can possibly get”

“Matar came into this community as a visitor,” Schmidt remarked “And, really, it’s my job that he stays a resident of New York state for the next 25 years ”

Seated at the defense table, Matar had no obvious reaction to his conviction His public defender, Nathaniel Barone, later said Matar was “disappointed” but “quite frankly well prepared for the verdict”

Earlier, Kash Patel has been confirmed as the next director of the FBI following a razor-thin 51-49 Senate vote on February 2 0 D

majority chamber, Patel’s path

Murkowski and Susan Collins broke ranks to vote against him H

Leader Mitch McConnell cast

decisive vote in his favor Following his confirmation, Patel expressed his gratitude and c

agencies in an unusual arrangement that raises questions about the future of the bureau that has long drawn the ire of conservatives

with about 5,500 employees and is responsible for enforcing the nation's laws around firearms, e x p l o s i

other things, it s in charge of licensing federal firearms dealers, tracing guns used in crimes a

shooting investigations

FBI’s credibility “The American people deserve an FBI that is

committed to justice The politicisation of our justice system has eroded public trust - but that ends today,” he posted Pledging to rebuild the agency ’ s reputation, he added, “To those who seek to harm Americans - consider this your warning We will hunt you down in every corner

3 Indian American doctors allege racial bias against Georgia health providers

GA INE SVI LL E: Th ree I n di an Ameri can doctor s - Dr Kapi l Pare ek, Dr Jyoti Man ekar, an d Dr A nis ha Pa tel- ha ve f iled a ci v i l r i g h ts l a w s u i t a g a i n s t

N or t h e a s t Ge o r g i a H e

S y s t e m ( NG H S) a n d t h re e other me dical groups, a llegin g racial dis crimin ation and retali ati on T he l aw s uit , fi le d on January 28 in the US Dis trict C o u r t f o r th e N o r th e r n

D i s t r i c t o f G e o r g i a , a c cu s e s N GH S , N or t h s i d e H

d Northeas t Georgi

Physi ci ans Group of sy stematically un dermini ng thei r pr of ess ion al pr actices due to thei r In dian herita ge

The plaintiffs claim they w e r e s u b j e c t e d t o b a s e l e s s accusations regarding their fitness for duty and faced retalia-

tion after reporting discriminatory treatment Despite their p

Hospital and Georgia Urology, the doctors allege the discriminatory behavior continued NGHS has responded to the lawsuit through its attorney, Andria Lure Ryan “Given this is active litigation, we are not in a p o s i t i o n t o c o m m e n t a n d look forward to contesting the claims in court,” Ryan stated She added, “We value the diversity of our employees and stand behind NGHS policies that the organization complies w

d State civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age,

basis protected by law ”

Sunita Williams denies 'abandonment' by Biden administration

HO U S T ON: NA S A a stro na ut s a bo ard th e In terna tio na l S p ac e Station hav e firmly rejected P resid ent Do nald Trump’s baseless claims that th ey were “ abando ned” in sp ace and needed rescuing Sunita Williams, speaking from orbit, made it clear that she and fellow astronaut Butch Wilmore were never stranded, despite Trump’s efforts to spin their situation into a political attack on former President Joe Biden

“We don’t feel abandoned, we don’t feel stuck,” Williams told said on February 13 “Help us change the rhetoric, help us change the narrative Let’s change it to ‘prepared and committed ’” They repeated their stance to various other media outlets

The two astronauts arrived at the space station in June for what was initially planned as a 10-day mission They were supposed to return on Boeing’s Starliner, but NASA had to reassess after identifying issues with the vehicle’s thrusters Their return was always being planned - there was never a question of them being left behind

Yet Trump, falsely claimed last month that the astronauts were “virtually abandoned” by the Biden administration He even called on Elon Musk’s SpaceX to “ go get” them, conveniently ignoring that NASA had already contracted SpaceX months earlier for their return Musk, ever eager to amplify Trump’s narrative, echoed the claim that the astronauts were “stranded ”

NASA, unfazed by the manufactured controversy, announced it had actually moved up the astronauts’ return date to March 12, using a well-tested SpaceX capsule that required fewer safety checks

L-R : Kash Patel with his girlfriend Alexis Wilkins, sister Nisha Patel and US Attorney General Pam Bondi

23-year-old goes on stabbing spree, kills 5 people in Kerala

In a grisly pre-plan ned mur der spre e on Monday ev ening, a 23-yea r-ol d youth kil led his girlfriend, brother , gra ndmot he r, uncle and aunt, a nd also att empt ed to hack his mot her to de ath with a machet e and a ha mmer , at t hr ee differe nt pla ces in Thir uv anant ha pura m, b efore surren dering to pol ice

The accused, Affan, told cops that he had killed six family members as they were reluctant to clear off the huge debts he had incurred after suffering losses in his business in a Gulf country However, police have doubts over his version and are digging deeper to unearth more details The mobile phone and call details of the accused are being checked to ascertain if he is addicted to drugs

Affan’s mother Shemi (47), a cancer patient, is in ICU and remains critical Affan, too, was admitted to the hospital as he claimed to have consumed rat poison to end his life During the medical examination, however, doctors could not confirm the presence of any poison in his body

Police said the accused first murdered his grandmother Salma Beevi (88) at her her home at about 3pm He then reached the house of his paternal uncle Abdul Latheef (58) at SN Puram near Koonanvenga, some 16 km from Pangode, and murdered him and his wife Shahida Beevi (54)

A f f a n t h e n r e t u r n e d h o m e a t P e r u m a l a n e a r Pullampara, and attacked his mother, brother Afzan (14) and girlfriend Farshana (19) After committing the crime, he went straight to the Venjaramoodu police station in an autorickshaw and surrendered

Pakistan is 'global epicentre of terrorism', UNSC told

India's pe rma nent re pres enta tive to the UN am bas s ador, d ur i ng a U N s e c ur it y c ou nc

e picentre of ter rorism ” and had no right to congratul ate t hem sel ves on fighting agains t the iss ue plaguing the world

Parvathaneni Harish, claimed that Pakistan's comments on fighting terrorism were a “ supreme irony” after Pakistan's d e p u t y p r i m e m

Mohammed Ishaq Dar made remarks on Jammu and Kashmir

Dar said, “The Jammu and Kashmir dispute is another open wound and an ever-present threat to international peace and security For almost eight decades, the people of Jammu and Kashmir have confronted brutal foreign occupation and been denied their right to self-determination, as prescribed by multiple UN Security Council resolutions ”

During a debate on 'Practicing multilateralism, reforming and improving global governance ’ chaired by China, Harish said, "Pakistan is a global epicentre of terrorism harbouring more than 20 UN-listed terrorist entities and providing state support to cross-border terrorism "

" P a k i s t a n ’ s c a m p a i g n s o f m i s i n f o r m a t i o n a n d disinformation, of lies and falsehoods, do not change facts on the ground,” he said

40% increase in Gujarat budget for roads, metro, sports and healthcare

Ahe ad of crucia

host t he Olympic Ga mes

or infra st ructur e upgra des

A significant £100mn has been earmarked under the G

partnership programme for A

project This initiative aims to enhance infrastructure in growing urban zones The metro network is also getting a push, with allocations for Phase II of the Ahmedabad-

G

S u r a t M e t r o T h e g o v t confirmed that Ahmedabad’s Phase II will be completed by

D e c T h e m u l t i m o d a l

transport hub project being developed in Surat also got a £18 5mn boost

T h e m u c h - a n t i c i p a t e d

s e c o n d p h a s e o f t h e

S a b a r m a t i r i v e r f r o n t

d e v e l o p m e n t , w h i c h w i l l

connect Ahmedabad to GIFT

C i t y a n d G a n d h i n a g a r , h a s

r e c e i v e d £ 3 5 m n a n d i s

e x p e c t e d t o b e c o m p l e t e d

w i t h i n t h r e e y e a r s

Additionally, a £25mn fund

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

d e v e l o p m e n t o f t h e S V P

Sports Enclave, strengthening

A h m e d a b a d

s c a s e a s a potential Olympic host Healthcare has also seen

a s i g n i f i c a n t b o o s t T h e budget includes funding for a n e u r o

well as new departments for spinal surgery, occupational therapy and prosthetics at t h e G o v e r n m e n

Institute in Ahmedabad To make quality medical care available to more people, the g

Surat and Rajkot Specialized m

cardiac, kidney, and urology treatment will be available in Surat and Bhavnagar, while Rajkot will focus on cancer and cardiac care Vadodara and Surat will also see the establishment of dedicated gynaecology and paediatric

Jamnagar

and obstetric

12 deportees from US arrive in Delhi via Panama

A batch of 1 2 illegal Indian immigrants dep orted from th e US to Panama arri ved in D

are said to

Panama

International Organisation

n h e l p e d purchase plane tickets for p e o p l e o f v a r i o u s n a t i o n a l i t i e s w h o s e citizenship was confirmed, 17 of them Indians More deportees from the group

a r e e x p

nationality

D e p o r t a t i o n f r o m Panama is being carried out under the Regional Assisted

V o l u n t a r y R e t u r n

P r o g r a m m e , a n I O M

p r o t e c t i o n a n d s u p p o r t

r e s p o n s e t o f a c i l i t a t e t h e dignified, safe, regular and orderly return, as well as voluntary and based on an i n f o r m e d d e c i s i o n , o f migrants to their countries of origin

Four men from Punjab in the latest batch took a

c o n n e c t i n g I n d i G o f l i g h t from Delhi to Amritsar

Former Cong MP Sajjan Kumar gets life term in 1984 riots case

A Delhi court on Tuesday awarded

MP Sajjan K uma

rela ted to the 1984 ant i-Sikh

iots S

alleged killing of Jaswant Singh and h

November 1, 1984 The complainant, wife of Jaswant, and the prosecution had sought death penalty for Kumar The offence of murder carried a maximum punishment of death penalty, while the minimum sentence was life imprisonment

The court on February 12 convicted Kumar for the offence and sought a report from Tihar Central Jail on his psychiatric and psychological evaluation in view of a Supreme Court order asking for such a report in cases attracting capital punishment Kumar is currently lodged in Tihar jail

Though Punjabi Bagh Police Station registered the case, a special investigation team took over the investigation much later The prosecution alleged a huge mob, armed with deadly

destruction of properties of Sikhs to avenge the assassination of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi The mob attacked the house of the complainant, wife of Jaswant, killing the men aside from looting articles and setting their house ablaze, the prosecution claimed

A i r p o r t a u t h o r i t i e s i n the city were informed in advance about the arrival of P a t i a l a r e s i d e n t J a t i n d e r S i n g h , M a n i n d e r D u t t o f Jalandhar, and Jugraj Singh and Harpreet Singh from G u r d a s p u r , b u t i t w a s n ’ t immediately clear whether t h e y c a m e u n e s c o r t e d a l l the way from Panama O f f i c i a l s o u r c e s s a i d a f t e r t h e m a n d a t o r y debriefing that Jatinder, 34, p a i d a t r a v e l a g e n t f r o m Patiala Rs 52,00,000 to help him enter the US through a r o u t e c r i s s - c r o s s i n g G

a s , Guatemala, and Mexico M a n i n d e r , 2 1 , p u t h i s faith and Rs 42,00,000 in the hands of a Delhi-based illegal immigration agent, who then sent him on

Spain, Salvador, Guatemala, a

n d Harpreet, both 30, paid Rs 38,00,000 each to an agent from Batala and reached the US via Nicaragua P

complaints from natives of

deported from the US this

agents have been arrested,

raiding

and homes i

h e absconding 12

Former RBI governor appointed as 2nd principal secy to

F o r m er R B I g o ve r

secretary-2 to Prime Minis ter Narendra Modi, a p os t that has been c reated for th e f irst tim

made by th

appo intments comm ittee of the cabinet

The appointment of Das, a 1980 batch IAS officer of Tamil Nadu cadre, would be co-terminus with the term of the PM PK Mishra, a 1972 b a t c h G u j a r a t c a d r e I A S officer, will continue as the current principal secretary to the PM Mishra, who worked with M o d i d u r i n g h i s s t i n t a s Gujarat CM, was appointed to the post in Sept 2019 and w a s i n i t i a l l y a d d i t i o n a l p r i n c i p a l s e c r e t a r y F o r m e r cabinet secretary PK Sinha a l s o s e r v e d a s a d d i t i o n a l principal secretary for a short

PM Modi

while The PMO also had two advisers in Amit Khare and Tarun Kapoor, both retired secretaries S h a k t i k a n t a D a s , w h o was the 25th RBI governor, completed a six-year term in Dec after being given the job

resigned

soured over

raft of issues, including reducing rates to

measures which helped both monetary and fiscal policy to work seamlessly and ushered

Sajjan Kumar

Gujarat finance minister Kanubhai Desai with officials

Kailash Mansarovar yatra to start this summer, direct flights to resume soon

In an important dip lom atic m eeting on the sidelines of the G20 Foreign M inisters

m eet in g i n Jo h a nne sb u rg ,

S o u t h A f ri ca , E xt ern al A ffairs Minister S Jaishankar

a nd C h i nes e F o r ei g n

M inister Wang Yi eng ag ed in discussions to rev iew the status o f Ind ia-C hina relations The meeting , lasting 3 0 m inutes, focused on several pressing issues, aim ing to enh ance co operation and r es ol v e l o ng s tand in g co n -

c er ns be tw e en t h e tw o cou ntries

Both countries are looking ahead to the anniversary

c e l e b r a t i o n s i n 2 0 2 5 , a n d there is a shared commitment to reinforcing bilateral relations and strengthening the foundation for a more

p e a c e f u l a n d c o o p e r a t i v e future

One of the main points on the agenda was the management of peace and tranq u i l i t y a l o n g t h

h a r e d b o r d e r B o t h m i n i s t e r s

a c k n o w l e d g e d t h e i m p o rtance of maintaining stability in the border regions, an area that has seen tensions in recent years This commitment to peace was cent r a l t o t h e d i s c u s s i o n s , r

escalations

Another important issue was the resumption of the K

(KMY) This annual pilgrimage was suspended first due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the Galwan Valley conflict in 2020 At the end of talks the two ministers confirmed that the pilgrimage would resume in the summer of 2025

T h e Y a t r a , w

h h a s been a significant religious journey for Hindus travelling to Tibet, will proceed a l o

Uttarakhand’s Lipulekh Pass and Sikkim’s Nathu La Pass

Jaishankar and Wang Yi

authorities from both sides

travel between the two countries

Flights between the two nations were suspended during the pandemic and geopolitical tensions, but with this

restoring these connections

The two ministers who met after November 2024 reviewed the developments in the bilateral relationship, specifically the management of peace and tranquility in

Jaiswal, official spokesperson of Ministry of External Affairs said The ministers also touched on broader discussions related to the G20 and Shanghai Cooperation

China continue to collaborate With 2025 marking the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations, both ministers emphasized the importance of enhancing public diplom

understanding and trust

Maha Kumbh boosts economy with £30bn business

T he M ah a Ku mbh festival in P rayagraj has generated ov er £ 30 bn in business, m aking it o ne of India's largest eco-

n o m i c ev ent s, s ai d C A I T S ecretary General and M P P raveen Khand elwal

Held once in every 144

y e a r s , M a h a K u m b h i n Prayagraj (Jan 13–Feb 26) is drawing millions of devotees Khandelwal highlighted its strong link between faith and economy

Maha Kumbh is driving l o c a l t r a d e w

h i g h demand for themed products like diaries, calendars, and jute bags Khandelwal noted initial estimates projected 400mn visitors and £20bn in business

S e v e r a l

cleaning 10 km of the Ganga a n d Y a m u n

record involves 300 divers conducting an underwater c

G

backed by Rs 85,53,000 budget A third aims to showcase 1,000 e-rickshaws oper-

the Green Maha Kumbh initiative The fourth seeks to collect 10,000 handprints in 8 h o u r s o n c a n v a s e s a t

Indian student wins memory championship by recalling 80 digits in 13.50 seconds

A 20 -year-old colleg e stu dent

co mpeti tion involves c omp et

ing against each ot her, and challen ges include memorising t he order of 80 random n umbers

Vishvaa Rajakumar is ranked

LinkedIn profile,

ManakulaVinayagar Institute of Technology

R

rised 80 numbers in 13 50 seconds and 30 images in 8 40 seconds, spoke to New York

Times on his technique and strategies of memorisation

While speaking to NYT, Rajakumar called hydration as very important, adding that it

things, you usually sub-vocalize, and it helps to have a clear throat Let’s say you ’ re reading a book You’re not reading it

out loud, but you are vocalizing within yourself

and bathroom

that he takes a pair of words, makes

story out of them, and then places them in

pair, makes

According

and places

American doctor leaves everyone mesmerised with her Kashmiri bridal look

Dr Paige Reill y, a p aediatric ian f rom Ch icago cho se to get married in India's Jammu The Am er ic a n wo m a n tu r ne d int o a s tu n nin g

Kash miri bride for her meh endi c erem ony, a gl imp se of which was sh ared o n I nstagram by her makeup artis t The docto r ch os e a bright and stunning yel low leh enga and bec au se of her p latinum blonde hair, the internet drew com paris ons to a 'Gam e o f Thro nes ' character

The Jammu-based makeup artist shared a video of Paige getting ready for her mehendi ceremony She chose a yellow lehenga with small pink flower motifs on the blouse and silver-thread work embroidery She chose a green-stone- studded necklace and golden jhumkas and a pretty choker necklace For makeup, she kept it subtle and chose muted pink lips and eyeshadow The caption read,

Devouring the Kashmiri Pandit culture Dr Paige for her Mehndi event " Paige praised the makeup artist in the comment section and wrote, "Sabiha is amazing! I had no idea what I was doing and she made me feel incredible " A user wrote, "She looks like a Targaryen in Dornish clothing " The comment about Targaryen from Game of Thrones referred to her platinum blonde hair, a signature trait of the fictional family and Dornish clothing because of the bright

praised the choice of attire, saying it complemented her skin tone and hair beautifully Someone suggested adding a bindi to complete the traditional look, while another pointed out that she had married a Kashmiri Pandit

blessings

Ganga Pandal and other key locations

CHANGE OF NAME

I, ARSH, son of Kalicharan Sachdeva,

residing at 68 Pleasant Way, Wembley HA0 1DE, London, UK, and permanently residing at House No. 3826, Street No. 6-7, Choti Podi, Nai Abadi, Abohar, Fazilka – 152116, Punjab, India, hereby give notice of my intention to change my name to ARSH SACHDEVA. I have relinquished my former name with the intent that I may hereafter be called, known, and identified by the name ARSH SACHDEVA.

nied by her mother-in-law, Veena Kaushal Katrina expressed her gratitude

Kumbh Mela She stated, "I am very fortunate that I could come here

Saraswati and took his blessings I am just starting my experience here I like the energy, the beauty, and the significance of everything I

Katrina Kaif seeks blessings w ith a holy d ip Katrina Kaif visited the Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, where she took a holy dip at the Triveni Sangam During her visit on February 24, she

here "

On February 13, her husband, actor Vicky Kaushal, visited the Kumbh Mela, just before the release of his film 'Chhaava' Earlier in the day, A

y K

d Kumbh Mela and took the holy dip He expressed his gratitude for the seamless and well-organised arrangements at the venue, praising the efforts made to ensure a smooth experience for all devotees

Vishvaa Rajakumar

Maghi Purnima Snan

SOUTH INDIA

Lokayukta gives clean chit to Karnataka CM, wife in land case

M Y S U R U : L o ka yu k ta

P olice g av e a clean chit to K a rna ta ka C M

S i d d ara m ai ah , h i s w i f e

P arvathi and two oth er co-

a cc u s ed in th e M ys u ru

U rb an De v e lo p m e nt

A u th o ri ty ( M u d a ) la ndsw ap case, saying the charg es levelled

b y p et i ti o ner S n eh a m ay i K ri s h na

a g ai n st th em “ co u l d n ot be substantiated”

H o w e v e r , S i d d a r a m

i a h , f o r whom the case posed a challenge to

h i s p r e - e m i n e n c e w i t h i n t h e s t a t e Congress, apparently isn’t out of the w o o d s y e t E D i s s e p a r a t e l y

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

c h a r g e s l i n k e d t o t h e C M ’ s w i f e allegedly benefiting from preferential allotment of 14 plots within Mysuru city by Muda in exchange for land on the outskirts Lokayukta’s inquiry report will be submitted to the special MP/MLAs’ court in Bengaluru, where a hearing is scheduled for Feb 24

PUNJAB

S

Mysuru Lokayukta

officer TJ Udesha said

Krishna, giving him

week to file objections

media, states that the investigation d

implicate the CM, his wife and others named in the case The activist dismissed the probe report as “pre-planned drama”, saying Lokayukta never bothered to crosscheck any of its findings with him “I visited the Lokayukta office only to

collected My fight will continue I will file objections,” he said

received 14 prime plots in Mysuru’s Vijayanagar under the 50:50 Muda scheme She returned the 14 plots to Muda after the case was filed

Sikh deportee narrates US detention camp horror

Won’t give in to ‘blackmail’, Centre tells TN on 3-language formula

NEW DE L HI : In the m idst of its escalating political standoff w ith Tamil Nad u g ovt over National Education P olicy (NEP) 20 20, Centre has made it clear that it is firmly com mitted to im plementing the th ree-language p olicy at school lev el C entre is steadfast in its stance and w ill not succumb to Tam il Nadu’ s “blackm ailing” tactics, g ovt sources said

Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan, in a letter to Tamil Nadu chief minister M K Stalin criticised the state’s opposition to NEP 2020, calling it “ h i g h

approach ” Pradhan sought to allay concerns raised by Tamil Nadu govt, saying, “Let me unequivocally state that there is no question of imposing any language on any state or community ”

formula, emphasising multilingual education, while allowing states to choose their own languages within the frame work However, Tamil Nadu govt has consistently opposed the policy, arguing that it undermines the state’s long-standing two-language formula and poses a potential threat to linguistic identity

Despite the state’s reservations, Union govt remains firm on implementing NEP 2020 nationwide Centre

Punjab minister ran 'non-existent' department for 20 months

C H A N

NORTH-EAST

PM Modi holds roadshow in Guwahati

P rim e Minister Narend ra Modi held a grand roadshow in Guw ah ati on Saturday ahead of the ‘ Jhumo ir Binandini’ ev ent at Sarusajai S t ad i u m , w h ere h e l au d e d th e A s

g o v er nm e nt’

Jhumoir dance,

and

proficiency without infringing upon regional linguistic preferences Da

pur dis trict, re counts his harrowing ex p e r ie n c e a t a US de t e n t ion center af ter being detained f or cross ing the US border ill ega lly Sing h was par t of th e s ec on d batch of 116 Indian im migrants de p or t e d b a c k to In di a i n a military aircraf t He de scr ibes the de t e n t ion c en t e r a s a pl a c e whe r e b a s ic h um a n r ig ht s were dis regarded, with extre mely l ow t e m p e r at u r es , " w af er - t hin blankets " , a nd no proper food Singh's journey to the US was a perilous one, spanning several countries, including Amsterdam, Suriname, Guatemala, and the P a n a m a f o r e s t H e e v e n t u a l l y crossed the US border on January 27 but was detained by the US

B o r d e r P a t r o l S i n g h s p e n t 1 8 d a y s i n d e t e n t i o n , w h e r e h e w i t n e s s e d U S o f f i c i a l s

WEST BENGAL

disrespecting Sikh immigrants by throwing their turbans into the d u s t b i n " I t w a s v e r y p a i n f u l watching turbans being thrown into a dustbin," Davinder said T h e c o n d i t i o n s a t t h e detention center were inhumane, with Singh and other immigrants b e i n g k e p t i n a h

inadequate clothing and blankets t

g temperatures "When we would tell them we were feeling cold, they wouldn't bother at all," he said The food provided was also insufficient, with Singh receiving a small packet of chips and juice five times a day, along with halfb a k e d b r e a d , h a l f - b a k e d r i c e , sweet corn, and cucumber There was beef, but as a vegetarian, Davinder did not have any He

s t a y e d f o r 1 8 d a y s a t t h e detention centre and they wore the same clothes all those days

governmen

scrapped the

Kuldeep Singh Dhali wal, wh ich was "not i n e xis tence" for 20 mon ths T he move is pa rt of the Bhagwa nt Man n- led A am A

maj or admini stra tive

hake- up, w

ch

trans fer of 21 IPS off icers

A gazette notification, issued by the Punjab Chief Secretary, said the decision to scrap the department came on the advice of Chief Minister Mann

" T h e D e p a r t m

o f Administrative Reforms earlier a l l o t t e d t o K u l d e e p S i n g h Dhaliwal, Cabinet Minister, is not in existence as of date," the n o t i f i c a t i o n s a i d , a d d i n g t h a t Dhaliwal will only retain the NRI Affairs portfolio as of now

BJP announces plans to hold protest against Mamta's tea land policy

The BJP announced p lans to hold a d em o n st rat io n w i th “

gard en wo rkers” at Uttarkanya i n Silig uri, to protest against the recent allo tm ent o f up to 3 0 per cent o f tea gard en land fo r non-tea use BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari at

demonstration would start after the

Bharatiya Tea Workers Union will d

i n s t t h e s t a t e government’s tea land policy after the higher secondary examinations are over, ” said Adhikari

Chief minister Mamata Banerjee during the recent Global Business Summit announced plans to increase the allotment of tea land from 15 per

e

related activities

T h e T e a T o u r i s m a n d A l l i e d Business Policy, 2019, allowed the

management of tea gardens to use “unutilised and fallow land” up to 15 per cent of the estate area and not e x c e e d i n g 1 5 0 a c r e s M a m a t a doubled it A notification to increase the land cap to 30 per cent was also made public

T h e d e c i s i o n h a s t r i g g e r e d massive protests, with tea workers and unions seeing this as a move to get more corporate investments in tea gardens at the cost of workers

Adhikari, during his 25-minute speech, only spoke on the tea issue, which is a clear indication that the party is looking at making it one of t h e c r u c i a l i s s u e s i n t h e t e a b e l t ahead of next year ’ s election

“If the TMC comes to power next year they will hand over more land to businessmen,” Adhikari said “ T h i s g o v e r n m e n t i s f o r t h e businessman and not for the garden workers,” said Adhikari who added that the CPM lost power after they handed over a tea garden for real estate development in Siliguri

A c c o r d i n g t o s o u r c e s , t h e

AAP government was left redfaced after they realised that the department did not exist despite Dhaliwal being allocated to head i t D h a l i w a l d o w n p l a y e d t h e controversy and said the ruling AAP government "wanted to do service and save Punjab

" Y o u w o u l d h a v e r e a d i n paper that the department has ceased to exist We are here to do service We are here to save Punjab and not get department This is not an agenda for us," he said Chief Minister Bhagwant M a n n b l a m e d t h e p r e v i o u s governments in the state over the formation of the so-called Department of Administrative Reforms and said there was now a proper system put in place "We have one department in the government and one in the bureaucracy There is one under Aman Arora," he said

Eye on 2026 assembly polls, Mamata calls for TMC unity meet

Beng al chief m inister Mamata Banerjee has conv ened a meeting of her party ranks wh ere she is likely to convey a unity m essage and outline a road m ap for Trinamool lead ing to next year ’ s Assem bly elections

The event will also mark the Trinamool chief’s first public assertion of sole authority over the party since recently reclaiming its reins after a decade of delegating power to nephew and heir apparent Abhishek Banerjee

“Barely a year remains before this perform-or-perish e l e c t i o n W e a r e s u r e t o w i n b u t t h e r e c a n b e n o complacency,” a senior Trinamool leader said “More important, we cannot let internal differences get in the way of the party’s victory That will be the core message ”

The event will be an “expanded state conference of the party”, the leader said “It will take place at Netaji Indoor Stadium on February 27 It would have been held sooner had the budget session of the Assembly not come in the way, ” he added

Abhishek, Trinamool national general secretary, visited Mamata at her home in the afternoon Party sources said it was a “strategic huddle” before the conference Mamata has repeatedly asserted at Trinamool meetings since December that she and she alone would be running the party for at least another decade, dismissing any possibility of the socalled new guard led by Abhishek taking over

WARRING MANIPUR GROUPS START SURRENDERING LOOTED WEAPONS

At least 30 looted weapons ranging from M-16 rifles to 303 rifles and a large quantity of assorted ammunition were voluntarily surrendered in Manipur’s Churachandpur and Kangpokpi districts The looting of arms has been a persistent issue in Manipur since the outbreak of ethnic violence on May 3, 2023 Mobs and insurgent groups have taken away thousands of weapons and ammunition from police stations IRB outposts, and armouries Authorities anticipate more voluntary surrenders in the coming days The move follows an appeal by governor Ajay Bhalla urging people to return the looted arms The initiative also saw cooperation in Kakching district where one 303 rifle with a magazine 13 rounds of 303 ammunition, four bulletproof vests, five BP plates, and four helmets were surrendered to police Forces had seized arms from Arambai Tengkol members during their arrest on Feb 20 The cache included a 5 56 mm INSAS rifle, one 5 6mm calibre rifle, one 12 bore rifle, one 12 bore short gun, one 9mm pistol, one air pistol, one 303 rifle, four 12 bore single barrel rifles, one 12 bore water cannon, and a hand grenade

KUKI STUDENTS’ UNION SETS UP SCHOOLS FOR DISPLACED

Kuki Students’ Organisation (KSO) has operated six community schools since March last year in Churachandpur and three other neighbouring districts of strife-torn Manipur These schools offer a glimmer of hope to over 2 000 students from internally displaced families More than 90% of the students are from families who had to abandon their homes during the conflict, with many dwellings destroyed and numerous families losing members during the violence that erupted in May 2023 The KSO schools are filling avoid They are helping hundreds in camps continue with studies when nearby govt schools have been overwhelmed by the sudden rise in number of students from the displaced families After joining these KSO schools, which have classes up to seventh standard the students are now progressing in their academic journey Upon completing the seventh standard one batch qualified for the next level and joined Class 8 in nearby govt schools The students in other lower classes also demonstrated improvement, according to KSO officials

Siddaramaiah

Air India expands UK flights, boosting connectivity

The India n dia spor a in the

U K is cele br atin g Air India ’ s

e xpa nsion of flight ser vice s bet wee n In dia and the UK,

e n h a n c in g co n n e ct iv

a hea d of the sum mer se ason

Starting March 30, 2025, Air India will increase flight frequencies on key routes as part of its Northern Summer

s c

G

d

three to five times a week, while services from Amritsar to Birmingham and London will run three to four times

w

H

from 21 to 24 per week, featuring the airline's flagship

A 3 5 0 - 9 0 0 a n d u p g r a d e d B787-9 aircraft

Beyond the UK, Air India is expanding services across Europe, Far East Asia, and Africa Flights from Delhi to Zurich will increase to five p e r w e e k , a n d D e

V

F l i g h t s f r o m D e l h i a n d Nairobi will increase from three to four weekly flights

Meanwhile, non-stop flights from Mumbai to Melbourne

w i l l b e s u s p

m

March 30 to September 13, 2025, along with the KochiL o n d

G

which is halted until further

, Ahmedabad, and Goa will continue to operate

The expansion aims to

business ties, and meet the growing demand for seamless international travel

There was a time when travellers from Ahmedabad, Gujarat, had no direct flights to the UK and had to transit through Mumbai or Delhi

Since the 1980s, Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar tirelessly campaigned for direct connectivity, advocating to

Keshubhai Patel

government came to power

During his visit to Wembley, Modi announced the launch

London flights, which began on December 15, 2015 Now, a decade later, the

However, the Gujarati community remains somewhat disappointed that there is

Heathrow, though the addi-

h

G a t w i c k have been a welcome development

Islam is religion of Arab, here everyone was Hindu: IAS officer Niaz Khan

A n I A S o f f i c er o f M ad h y a

P ra desh cadr e, N iya z K h an

h as h it th e headlines f oll ow-

i ng h is p o s t o n X s t at in g I slam is the rel igio n of Arab a nd ever yo ne in India was Hindu He said th at p eop le w ere c onverted from Hindus

t o M u s l i m s a n d a p p e al e d M uslims to recons ider wh oever considers Arabs as ideal "Islam is the religion of

A r a b H e r e ( r e f e r r i n g t o India) everyone was Hindu People were converted from H i n d u s t o M u s l i m s Therefore, even if the religion is different, the blood is the same All have been part of

t h e s a m e c u l t u r e I f t h e Muslims who consider Arabs as ideal should reconsider First consider Hindus as your

b r o t h e r s a n d t h e n A r a b s , " read the post of Niyaz Khan on X Khan said that following

the news related to HinduMuslim these days, he shared his view to let people know that the origin of everyone is the same " R e g u l a r l y I r e a d n e w s related to Hindu-Muslim so I thought to share my views on why we fight each other, the o r i g i n o f e v e r y o n e i s t h e same This is a Hindu nation from the beginning; foreign r u l e r s a r r i v e d , c o n v

n o c c u r r e d t

n C h r i s t i a n , I s l a m a n d o t h e r r e l i g i o n s expanded Originally we all are brothers, today there are different religious beliefs but originally everyone converted from here (India) Only 1-2 per cent of people might have settled here from Arabia, otherwise mostly people are of I

g

B

y , I b

i e v e t h a t h a t r e d s h o u l d not spread in the country, everyone lives with love and

5.1 magnitude quake hits Bay of Bengal, tremors felt in Kolkata, other places

An earthquake of magnitud e

5 1 hit the Bay of Bengal o n

T ue s d ay m o rn i ng , w i th tremo rs felt in Kolkata and several parts of West Beng al T h e Na ti o na l C e nte r f o r

Sei smolog y (NCS ) rep orted that th e quake occurred at 6:10 am

An India Meteorological Department official said that

s a i d t h e e a r t h q u a k e w a s r e c o

d e d n e a r P u r i i n Odisha The quake occurred at a depth of 91 km in the Bay of Bengal, the official said The

at latitude 19 52 N and longit u d e 8 8 5 5 E , h e a d d e d T h o u g h t h e e a r t h q u a k e tremors caused momentary panic among the residents of K o l k a t a , n o i m m e d i a t e reports of damage or casualties have surfaced M a n y t o o k t o s o c i a l media to share their experie n c e s , w i t h s o m e p o s t i n g about the sudden jolts they felt early in the morning H a s h t a g s r e l a t e d t o t h e earthquake trended briefly a s u s e r s d i s c u s s e d t h e impact and checked on others' safety

My parents couldn't afford to send me to Harvard as a student: Nita Ambani

R elia nce Foun dat ion chairpe rson N it a Amba ni shar ed a he art warm in g st ory before sh e d e liv e r e d

he Harv ard India

C on f e re n c e 20 25 o v er t h e we eke nd Nita Am ban i, 60, who is marr ied to R elia nce

I n d u st r ie s ch a i r m a n

M u k e s h A m ba n i, r e v e a le d he r m ot her ha d calle d her d a u g h t e r s - in -l a w o n t h e

m o r n i n g of h e r k e y n o t e

a d d r e ss t o s h a r e a s t o r y a bout her childhood dre ams "I must tell you this In t h e m o r n i n g t o d a y , m y mother called my daughtersin-law - Shloka and Radhika - and told them ‘When Nita w a s y o u n g w e c o u l d n o

a f f o r d t o s e n d h e r t o Harvard, even though she w a n t e d t o g o N o w , t h e y have called her to speak at Harvard’," she said, as loud applause filled the air I just want to thank you

all for making my mother so h

Nita greeted the room with f

address Her daughter Isha Ambani was also part of the audience

After she delivered her

Nita also engaged in lighthearted rapid fire interview The interviewer asked her to choose between her billion-

Minister Narendra

drew cheers and applause from the room

the conference, the Harvard India Conference described

“impacted nearly 80 million lives through initiatives in rural transformation, health,

"A passionate educator, she leads 15 schools, includ-

founded Jio Institute, focusing on cutting-edge disciplines," read a post on its official Instagram handle

Rekha Gupta and team assume charge in Delhi

Del hi Chief M inister Rekha Gupta wil l oversee the finance, r evenue, wo m e n an d c hi l d d e ve l o pm en t port folios as the BJP gove rnment in Del hi, whic h was s worn in l ast week, all oc ated respons ib il ities to the new cabinet

The home ministry has been a l l o c a t e

peace," Khan said K h a n a d d e d , " E v e r y o n e here was a part of Sanatan

D h a r m a a n d l a t e r p e o p l e converted Though every religion has its importance If anyone examines my genes in the laboratory then it will not match with Arab countries, it will match with India It is taught everywhere that foreign invaders came and conversions took place Everyone o r i g i n a t e d f r o m H i n d u Dharma, I have said this in my tweet More than 90 people of other religions are converted "

Sood, while Jat leader Parvesh Verma will oversee the public works department (PWD) as well is the Irrigation and flood control department, which is responsible for cleaning the Yamuna Ashish Sood will also share the portfolios of power, education, and urban d e v e l o p m e n t , w h i l e f i r

Pankaj Kumar Singh will oversee health and family welfare, as well as transport Ravinder Indraj, the party s Dali face, will be in charge of social welfare, SC/ST elfare departments

K a p i l M i s h r a , t h e p a r t y ' s h a r d l i n e Hindutva face, has been appointed as the new minister of law and justice and will also overs e e t h e l a b o u r d e p a r t m e n t S i k h l e a d e r Manjinder Singh Sirsa will be the new forest and environment minister, along with the food and supplies department Rekha Gupta, a first-time MLA and a

prominent Baniya face in the BJP, was sworn in as the ninth Chief Minister of Delhi on Thursday in a

a Maidan The event was attended b y P r i m e M

N

Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and other dignitaries Her Council of Ministers also took the oath In its first meeting held after

decided to table 14 Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) reports in the first assembly session These reports have already revealed government losses due to the liquor policy scam and the alleged extravagant renovation of former chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s residence

The Rekha Gupta Cabinet also decided to swiftly fulfil its poll promises, including the Mahila Samman Yojana, which aims to provide Rs 2,500 to women in Delhi Additionally, the government decided to implement the Ayushman Yojana, the Centre’s health insurance scheme, which was not adopted by the AAP government Additionally, it approved a top-up of Rs 500,000 from the Delhi government, in addition to the Rs 500,000 provided by the central government

Rekha Gupta

Subhasini Naicker

Breast cancer awareness in the South Asian community has been

modesty, leading to late diagnoses and poorer outcomes However,

s

outreach, and public figures are

outcomes for South Asian women Asian Voice spoke to Dr Kai,

combining medical expertise with a passion for well-being Focused on women ’ s health and lifestyle

m

approach to patient care Recently, she launched the podcast ‘Talking Longevity’ with Dr Lord, offering e v i d e n c e - b a s

longevity

What are the key factors contributing to the rising awareness of breast cancer among South Asian women? Awareness of breast cancer has

Supporting South Asian women through breast cancer

grown significantly Growing up, I never discussed women

health

South Asian parents Now, as a 40year-old GP, I see a shift Teenage girls visit with their Asian mothers

teach their daughters to check for lumps While not universal, this change is encouraging

Despite its flaws, social media

influencers have brought

generations

Public figures like Bollywood

filmmaker Tahira Kashyap have helped destigmatise breast cancer

reduced libido must be discussed more openly How do cultural beliefs within the South Asian community impact early detection and treatment of breast cancer?

As a teenager, I hesitated to

unless they were severe While I might have mentioned a breast lump, vaginal health felt much harder to address In many South Asian families, modesty makes

vulval, or vaginal cancers difficult,

detection

Awareness is growing, even in more reserved communities, with more women seeking help for lumps or skin changes However, fewer women address the lasting

vulva or vagina Caress Flow and

languages South Asian countries like India, Malaysia, and Sri Lanka now provide discounted or free screenings, furthering awareness

open discussions and published results, we hope to show how treatments like Caress Flow can ease or eliminate discomfort

Comedy trial to boost mental health

A ne w initiat

ive is t esting whethe r comed y ca n serv e as a n alte rna tive to an tide pressan ts A trial in central London is offering free

c o m e d y s h o w s t

n e r a b l e individuals to assess if laughter improves mental well-being and reduces NHS costs

P a r t i c i p a n t s c o m p

s before and after performances to measure impact

Craic Health, the organisation behind the project, has secured grant funding to host five comedy nights in Westminster as part of a social prescription scheme The goal is to determine if "comedy-on-prescription" can alleviate social isolation and enhance mood, with hopes of integrating it into NHS policy

Craic Health sees comedy as an untapped resource for well-being, citing its ability to

lower cortisol and boost endorphins The initiative is backed by Simon Opher, a GP and Labour MP for Stroud, who has raised

therapeutic tool

NHS data shows 8 7 million people in England take antidepressants, with mental health issues rising post-pandemic While

alternative treatments remain scarce

London libraries providing venues Events

adults, yielding promising results

How does Caress Flow help address cultural and emotional needs during breast cancer treatment, particularly within the South Asian community?

C u l t u r a

t i o n a l needs are deeply personal and must be addressed individually When Caress Flow approached m

conservative South Asian women who may prefer discretion and a quick return to normal activities, including intimacy What advice would you give to South Asian women regarding lifestyle changes to reduce their risk of developing breast cancer?

h a s i s e d w o r k i n g

o n l y w i t h e x p e r i e n c e d

p r o f e s s i o n a l s w h o u n d e r s t a n d

w o m e n ’ s h e a l t h C a r e s s f l o w aims to spread the awareness of women ’ s health to all cultures

B y p r o v i d i n g i n f o r m a t i o n o n i n t

invasive device can help, they hope to provide their part in breaking cultural barriers

W o m e n s h o u l d k n o w t h e y don’t have to suffer in silence If h o r m o n a l c r e a m s a r e n ’ t a n o p t i o n f o r v a g i n a l d r y n e s s , treatments like laser or radiofrequency microneedling can be e f f e c t i v e t h o u g h c o s t l y a n d s l i g h t l y u n c o m f o r t a b l e A f t e r r e v i e w i n g t h e e v i d e n c e , I introduced Caress Flow to my clients and have seen fantastic results not just in breast cancer survivors but also in those with h y s t e r e c t o m i e s , m e n o p a u s a l dryness, recurrent thrush, and urethral burning This pain-free, minimally invasive treatment has no downtime, making it ideal for

Obesity is a big risk factor for breast cancer Unfortunately as Asian women we are genetically at risk of central obesity It is v i t

menopause itself, to maintain a healthy diet I personally think it is worth speaking with a dietician or lifestyle coach to help start the p

what would benefit you

All women should know their family history and check their

patients to

daily checks for

naturally lumpy Recognising the normal helps spot the abnormal

smoking is also crucial, especially for those with a family history

Stress is another factor while

through yoga and meditation can help promote well-being

Unhealthy lifestyles outweigh genes in early death risk

A person ’ s li festyle and environment play a f ar greater ro le in the risk of premature death than their geneti c makeup , a new study suggests R

Nuffield Department of Population Health found that lifestyle factors such as smoking a

about 17% of early death risk, while genetics contributed just 2% The study, published in Nature Medicine, identified smoking, poverty, physical activity, and living conditions as the most influential factors in determining longevity Smoking was

associated with 19 illnesses Using data from nearly half a million UK Biobank participants, researchers examined how 164 environmental and genetic factors influenced 22 major diseases

Professor Cornelia van Duijn of St Cross College, senior author of the study, emphasised

the importance of lifestyle changes “While genes play a key role in brain conditions and

activity could prevent chronic diseases and early death,” she said

Early life experiences, such as childhood body weight and maternal smoking, were found to impact ageing and premature death risk decades later The study reinforced the idea of t h e "

lifetime environmental exposures on health

Daily goals help dementia patients stay at home longer

Th e NHS shou ld support dem entia patients in setting and achiev ing daily g oals, such as dressing or m aking tea, to help them remain at hom e and out o f h ospital, a trial sug gests

changing” programme called NIDUS-Family,

involved 302 UK patients living at home with support from a spouse or family carer Twothirds took part in the programme, which included six to eight remote sessions with a support worker Patients set personalised goals such as

Dr Kai

Taapsee on breaking the 'box' and exploring beyond

Taapsee Pannu spoke about breaking barriers and exploring new possibilities She shared a series of Instagram photos, including a close-up where she gazes upward in awe

The second image showed Taapsee smiling while looking up, and the last featured her elegantly posing on a wooden deck in a black midi dress with silver embellishments, gold buttons, transparent heels, and statement earrings

She captioned it, "When the box broke and you realised there is a world outside in beyond " Known for challenging stereotypes, Taapsee continues to break industry norms with her bold film choices and outspoken views

Taapsee Pannu will next star in ‘Gandhari’, an action thriller where she performs her own stunts Writer-producer Kanika Dhillon praised her for acing the action sequences Described as a gripping mystery with high-stakes drama, the Netflix film features Taapsee as a fierce mother on a mission

Co-starring Ishwak Singh, ‘Gandhari’ marks Taapsee and Kanika Dhillon’s sixth collaboration after ‘Manmarziyaan’ and ‘Haseen Dilruba’ It is the second project under Kanika’s banner, Kathha Pictures, following ‘Do Patti’ Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Devashish Makhija (‘Bhonsle’, ‘Joram’), the film promises intense action and drama

Richa Chadha on post-

motherhood fitness: “It’s not just about losing weight”

Richa Chadha, who welcomed her daughter Zuneyra Ida Fazal in July last year, is now returning to her fitness routine.

While she cherishes motherhood, she also feels the need to reconnect with herself She is set to begin shooting a comedy film this summer

The 38-year-old actress has resumed working out and recently shared a workout picture on social media Speaking about her post-motherhood fitness journey, she said, Getting back to workouts isn’t just about losing weight or getting fit; it’s about rebuilding strength, stamina, and overall well-being Fitness is personal, and for me, it’s a way to feel empowered and stay prepared for the challenges of my craft "

Richa Chadha, known for ‘Gangs of Wasseypur’ and ‘Shakeela’, considers fitness essential to her craft "I want to be in peak form for my next project," she shared She keeps her workouts engaging by mixing Kathak, strength training, yoga, and cardio

Preity

Zinta

recalls

slapping

SRK: “That was not pretty”

Preity

Zinta had an impromptu Twitter chat with fans, recalling an incident from ‘Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna’ (2006), where she accidentally slapped Shah Rukh Khan during a scene

The Karan Johar film starred Amitabh Bachchan, Rani Mukerji, Abhishek Bachchan, Kirron Kher, SRK, and Preity, who played Rhea Saran, Dev’s (SRK) wife in a troubled marriage

Preity Zinta responded to a 2015 tweet recalling how she once slapped an actor too hard while filming ‘Kya Kehna’ (2000) She admitted making a similar mistake in ‘Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna’ (2006) but at Shah Rukh Khan’s request for realism

"Oops! I actually slapped SRK in ‘KANK’ not because I wanted to, but because he insisted, and it wasn’t pretty," she shared When a fan jokingly asked if she enjoyed it, Preity clarified, "No! It wasn’t for fun it was Rhea Saran who slapped him, not me " When a fan asked if her twins, Jai and Gia, had watched ‘Koi Mil Gaya’ (2003), Preity replied, "They are too young to see any of my movies!" On the work front, she is set to return with ‘Lahore 1947 ’ , directed by Rajkumar Santoshi and produced by Aamir Khan, starring alongside Sunny Deol

paired with heavy bridal

necklace, matching earrings, and red bangles She completed her look with a red veil and a classic floral-adorned bridal bun Aadar complemented her in an ivory sherwani with detailed

matching safa and emerald necklaces The couple shared a tender moment as Aadar gently kissed Alekha

Jain and Alekha Advani, who had an intimate Christian wedding in Goa earlier this year,

Anurag criticises Indian theatres: "It ruins my movie experience"

Director Anurag Kashyap, disheartened by Bollywood, previously announced his move to South cinema Recently, he shared how Indian theatres have ruined his movie-watching experience, prompting him to watch films mostly at festivals When asked about independent cinema's future, Anurag Kashyap said, "I’ve stopped looking ahead I can discuss problems and possible solutions, but not the

future " He added that he prefers watching films at festivals, as theatre interruptions and health

Veer Pahariya believes ‘Rang’ hook step criticism led to opportunities

Veer Pahariya, who debuted in ‘Sky Force’, faced heavy trolling for his dance in *Rang* Now, he’s responded, saying the criticism has opened new "avenues" for him

Veer Pahariya said the viral *Rang* dance step has immortalized him "I love it; I live for it I've always admired actors who become memes Now, I’ve become one Who knew me 20 days ago? Now, if I do the *langdi* step, people recognize me," he shared

He admitted the trolling worked in his favor "Since the song went viral, my engagement has skyrocketed, and new opportunities have opened up I've already performed at two weddings and even did the *langdi* step with the bride," he added

Pahariya sees it as a win: "I’ve got a hit song and wedding performances every actor's dream "

Addressing the trolling, Veer Pahariya said, “I don’t see anything as negative everything happens for a reason To those trolling me, I say, keep going! The more you troll, the more wedding performances I get and the more I earn ”

warnings back home ruin the experience

Anurag Kashyap spoke about supporting new filmmakers, saying, "If everything fails, I’ll go back to where I started wanting to make films My love for cinema is constant " He emphasised that more independent voices create a better space for filmmaking His last film, ‘Kennedy’, praised at Cannes, is yet to release in India Since then, he has acted in ‘Leo’, ‘Maharaja’, and ‘Viduthalai Part 2 ’

Salman Khan admits nepotism at Ayaan Agnihotri's Dubai song launch

Salman Khan supported his nephew Ayaan Agnihotri at the launch of his new track ‘Universal Laws’ in Dubai During the event, which also featured Arbaaz Khan, Sohail Khan, Neha Dhupia, and Angad Bedi, Salman openly addressed nepotism. A video of him speaking about Ayaan has since surfaced on Reddit.

At Ayaan Agnihotri's ‘Universal Laws’ launch, hosted by Kris Fade, Salman Khan took the stage alongside his nephew When praised for supporting Ayaan, Salman quipped, “That's what nepotism is!” drawing laughter from the crowd He went on to commend Ayaan’s parents, producers Atul and Alvira Agnihotri, and his sister Alizeh The audience cheered as Salman launched the song

Salman Khan and Ayaan Agnihotri previously collaborated on ‘You Are Mine’, where Ayaan performed the rap segments, and Vishal Mishra composed the track Up next, Salman will star in ‘Sikandar*’ an action-packed film featuring Rashmika Mandanna, Kajal Aggarwal, Sharman Joshi, Prateik Babbar, and Sathyaraj A new poster of the film was recently unveiled

Rajkummar Rao to play Sourav Ganguly

in biopic, confirms ex-India skipper

Former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly confirmed that Rajkummar Rao will portray him in his biopic. Recently, he said, “From what I’ve heard, Rajkummar Rao will play the role, but due to scheduling issues, the film will take over a year to release ” Former skipper Sourav Ganguly played 113 Tests and 311 ODIs for India, scoring 18,575 international runs Known as the ‘Prince of Kolkata’, he later became the president of the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) and the BCCI Ganguly led India to 21 Test wins and the 2003 World Cup final He also served on BCCI’s technical and advisory committees alongside Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman

international runs

Rajkummar Rao will next be seen

released teaser shows their families fixing a wedding date, but things

ceremony over and over, leading to confusion and laughter

17:30 RASOI SHOW

18:30 Rangai Jaane Rangma

19:00 Shyam Dhoon Lagi Re

19:30 Sanskaar - Dharohar Apnon Ki

20:00 RASHI RIKSHAWALI

20:30 MOTI BAA NI NANI VAHU

21:00 United States of Gujarat

21:30 Mangal Fera

MON 03 MAR- FRI 7 MAR 2025

09:30 DESHI BEATS

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14:30 Laxmi Sadaiv Mangalam

17:30 RASOI SHOW

18:30 Rangai Jaane Rangma

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20:00 RASHI RIKSHAWALI

20:30 MOTI BAA NI NANI VAHU

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21:30 Mangal Fera

22:00 Seeta Vallabh

22:30 Daily Bonus

SATURDAY 8 MAR 2025

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MON 3 MAR - FRI 7 MAR 2025

16:00 Rasoi Show Desi Flavours S3

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19:30 RAMACHARI

20:00 Appollena

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22:30 Appollena

23:00 Ramachari

SATURDAY 7 MAR 2025

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22:30 Daily Bonus

SUNDAY 8 MAR 2025

09:30 DESHI BEATS

10:30 Best of Rasoi Show

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18:30 Rangai Jaane Rangma

19:00 Shyam Dhoon Lagi Re

19:30 Sanskaar - Dharohar Apnon Ki

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21:00 United States of Gujarat

21:30 Mangal Fera

22:00 Seeta Vallabh

22:30 Daily Bonus

17:30 Shrukra Mangal

18:00 BALIKA VADHU SEASON 1

19:30 RAMACHARI

20:00 Appollena

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SUNDAY 8 MAR 2025

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17:00 Anmol Bandhan

17:30 Shrukra Mangal

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19:30 RAMACHARI

20:00 Appollena

20:30 Entertainment Ki Raat-Housefull

21:30 RAMACHARI

22:00 Anmol Bandhan

22:30 Appollena

23:00 Entertainment Ki Raat-Housefull

Shankar denies ED’s action, calls allegations “baseless”

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has provisionally attached three properties worth 10 crore belonging to director Shankar over a longstanding copyright dispute linked to his blockbuster ‘Enthiran’ Reports indicate the properties were seized following allegations of copyright infringement

The investigation revealed that Shankar received 11 5 crore for his work on ‘Enthiran’, including story, screenplay, dialogues, and direction In response, the ED attached three of his properties, sparking media speculation about its impact on the acclaimed filmmaker

Reacting to the ED’s decision, Shankar issued a strong statement dismissing the allegations as “baseless plagiarism claims ” He asserted that the legal action was a misinterpretation of facts and an unjust misuse of legal provisions

The director also noted that, despite the widespread media reports, he had received no official communication from the ED regarding the property attachment

In 2011, writer Aarur Tamilnadan filed a legal complaint alleging ‘Enthiran’ extensively copied his story ‘Jiguba’ without credit Lodged under the Copyright Act of 1957, the case led to an ED investigation, which found "striking similarities " This raised questions about the film’s originality, resulting in legal action against director Shankar’s assets

Shruti Haasan shared a heartfelt video with her father, Kamal Haasan, highlighting his influence on her musical journey

She wrote, "I've loved singing since childhood My mum made me train, but my favorite singing partner has always been my appa @ikamalhaasan "

Shruti Haasan shared how her father, Kamal Haasan, gave her the confidence to perform, calling the stage her second home "He

embrace all my emotions," she wrote The heartfelt video cap-

Shruti adding, "My favorite then and always Love is music

Shruti Haasan is set to perform at M

Challengers Bangalore vs Mumbai Indians

Known for hits like ‘Aazma’ (‘Luck’), ‘Cinema Chupistha Mama’, and the recent chartbuster ‘Disco’ from ‘Coolie’, composed by Anirudh Ravichander, she continues to make waves in music

Shruti Haasan is gearing up for the release of

Shruti Haasan on how Kamal Haasan shaped her

musical journey

Ram Gopal Varma admits doubts about Mohanlal’s performance in company

Filmmaker

Ram Gopal Varma recalled working with Mohanlal in ‘Company’ (2002), admitting he initially doubted the actor’s performance but later recognised its powerful instinctive approach

Recalling his first meeting with Mohanlal for ‘Company’, Ram Gopal Varma expected the actor to ask detailed questions about the script Instead, Mohanlal simply asked, “Sir, how many days do you want?” a response that surprised RGV, revealing the actor’s deep trust in the filmmaking process

During the shoot, R Mohanlal’s performance as expected and requested p l e r

t a k e s H o w e v e r reviewing the footage, he the first take was the best

“I thought he wasn’t d right, so I kept asking f more takes But after 6-7, found the first was perfect,” RGV admitted He praised Mohanlal as an “

”

n

c h , though often undervalued, is a greater art than extensive preparation

Srushti Dange walks out of Prabhu Deva’s concert, cites ‘discrimination’

Tamil actor Srushti Dange walked out of Prabhu Deva’s concert, citing false promises and disrespect from the event’s creative team. On Instagram, she clarified she has no issues with Prabhu Deva but felt deeply hurt by her treatment.

“To my supporters expecting to see me at the concert, I’m saddened to share that I’ve withdrawn This is not about Prabhu Deva sir I remain a huge fan but I won’t stand for discrimination and bias,” she wrote

Srushti, who has worked in Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam films, shared that she was denied her rights and still has to “fight” for what she deserves despite years in the industry

“It hurts that even after so long, I still have to fight for what’s rightfully mine False promises and unfulfilled commitments led to my decision,” she wrote

She also stressed that her admiration for Prabhu Deva remains unchanged and doesn’t need an event to celebrate him

“I don’t need an event to celebrate Prabhu Deva sir we always will But this could have been a cherished memory and instead ended in disappointment,” Srushti shared

She clarified that her statement wasn’t an apology but an honest explanation “Maybe next time, in a better, more respectful space, things will be different ”

Kanwaljit Singh regrets his on-screen role, says sorry to Sanya Malhotra

Sanya

Malhotra’s ‘Mrs’ has been earning acclaim since its release on ZEE5 A Hindi remake of ‘The Great Indian Kitchen’, the film follows Richa, an aspiring dancer, who is confined to household chores in a patriarchal family Kanwaljit Singh, who plays her father-in-law, shared that after watching the film, he apologised to Sanya Kanwaljit Singh recalled watching ‘Mrs’ and feeling disgusted by his character’s actions “I had forgotten how much I troubled Sanya in the film A f t e r w a t c h i n g i t , I w e n t s

apologised,” he shared Sanya was surprised, but he explained, “Seeing her struggles on screen left us all distraught She has nailed the part ” ‘Mrs’ shattered records on ZEE5 soon after its release, achieving the platform’s biggest opening and becoming the most searched film on Google

Directed by Arati Kadav, the drama has earned widespread acclaim for its powerful narrative, stellar performances, and emotional depth Starring Sanya Malhotra and Nishant Dahiya, the film has sparked conversations among women, praised for its raw and unflinching portrayal of everyday struggles

Mindy Kaling earns star on Hollywood Walk of Fame

Acclaimed actress, producer, and writer, Mindy Kaling was honoured with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for her remarkable contributions to entertainment

The ceremony saw Kaling joined by friends, family, and industry peers, including her exboyfriend BJ Novak

Kaling shared her excitement on Instagram, posting photos from the event

"Yesterday was one of the most special days of my life! Surrounded by my dearest friends and family, I experienced the surreal honour of receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame," she wrote

At the ceremony, Novak delivered a heartfelt speech, praising Kaling as a showrunner, mother, and friend

Kaling later shared, "@bjnovak gave such a beautiful speech " She added, "I was told I'm the first South Asian woman to receive a star on the Walk of Fame I'm so proud of my heritage and hope to inspire the next generation of South Asian stars " She thanked Warner Bros

and the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, calling the moment "incredible " Kaling's children Katherine, 7, Spencer, 4, and Anne, 1 were absent from the ceremony, but Novak’s role as their godparent sparked fan interest In her speech, Kaling praised Novak, saying, "He's such an important part of my family Sometimes I forget we met through work "

Priyanka Chopra, a close friend of Mindy Kaling, took to Instagram Stories to celebrate her achievement She shared a video of Kaling receiving her star on the Hollywood Walk of

‘Mother India’, ‘DDLJ’ to screen at Academy Museum

The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles will screen 12 iconic Indian films, including ‘Mother India’, ‘Amar Akbar Anthony’, ‘Devdas’, and ‘Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge’ Titled ‘Emotion in Colour: A Kaleidoscope of Indian Cinema’, the series runs from March 7 to April 19, 2025

storytelling and emotions

Showcasing diverse films across eras, regions, and genres, it highlights period dramas, feminist narratives from colonial times, and post-independence aspirations

The selection features iconic films like ‘Mother India’, ‘Manthan’, ‘Amar Akbar Anthony’, ‘Ishanou’, ‘Kummatty’, ‘Mirch

Fame, writing, “First South Asian woman to get a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame! Queen Congratulations Mindy Kaling, so well deserved (red heart emoji) ”

The program explores the evolution of colour in Indian cinema and its impact on

Masala’, ‘Devdas’, ‘Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge’, ‘Jodhaa Akbar’, ‘Kanchenjungha’, ‘Maya Darpan’, and ‘Iruvar’ Each film showcases Indian cinema’s deep connection to colour, culture, and storytelling

Curator Shivendra Singh Dungarpur highlighted India s deep connection to colour in culture and cinema, calling the program a rare chance to showcase its vibrancy He noted that beyond Hindi films, India's diverse industries produce over 2,000 films annually The selected films, he said, offer Los Angeles audiences a vivid glimpse into India's cinematic and cultural richness

Distributed by Vertigo Releasing and Civic Studios, the critically acclaimed crime thriller

‘Santosh’, written and directed by award-winning British-Indian filmmaker

Sandhya Suri, is set to release in UK cinemas on 21st March 2025

Starring Shahana Goswami (A Suitable Boy, Rock On!!) and Sunita Rajwar (Gullak, Kedarnath), the film has received widespread international acclaim with 14 award nominations and seven wins It earned a BAFTA nomination for Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director, or Producer, a BIFA win for Best Screenplay, and recognition in the National Board of Review’s Top 10 Independent Films The film was also nominated in Cannes’ ‘Un Certain Regard’ category, the Sutherland Award at BFI London Film Festival, and was

the UK’s official submission for the Best International Feature at the Oscars, advancing to the top 15 longlist

In ‘Santosh’, newly widowed Santosh inherits her husband’s

job as a police constable in rural Northern India

When a low-caste girl is murdered, she is drawn into the investigation by the bold feminist inspector Sharma

Marking the feature debut of writer-director Sandhya Suri, ‘Santosh’ follows her acclaimed documentaries ‘I for India’ and ‘Around India With a Movie Camera’, as well as her BAFTA-nominated short ‘The Field’ The film's inspiration came from Suri’s time in India, where she saw an image of female protestors clashing with female police officers after the 2012 Nirbhaya case One officer’s enigmatic expression sparked her curiosity: “What separates her from the protestors? What power does her uniform hold?” This exploration of power and violence became the foundation for ‘Santosh’

ECCLESTONE STUNS RCB

IN SUPER OVER WIN

Royal Challengers Bengaluru s WPL faceoff against UP Warriorz on Monday was full of twists, turns and high-voltage drama - not meant for the fainthearted Set a target of 181 by the home side Warriorz stumbled in the death overs but Sophie Ecclestone (33) took her team to the cusp of victory before falling a few feet short of the winning run sending the contest into the first-ever Super Over of the competition Ecclestone was not done yet What she couldn t finish with the bat, she did with the ball First up, RCB pacer Kim Garth conceded eight runs in the Super Over she bowled In search of nine for victory, RCB pair of Richa Ghosh and Smriti Mandhana faltered, accumulating just four runs This was the home team’s second consecutive loss Earlier, there were no Monday blues at the Chinnaswamy Stadium as spectators packed the venue They were in for a treat with an Ellyse Perry special The RCB top order batter struck a 56-ball unbeaten 90 and shared a 94run second-wicket stand with Danni WyattHodge (57) as the duo steered the defending champions to 180/6 In reply, Warriorz opener Kiran Navgire (24) ensured a fiery start getting off the mark with consecutive boundaries off Renuka Singh and then going after Garth Renuka accounted for the openers - Navgire and Vrinda Dinesh Warriorz however lost a flurry of wickets as Sneh Rana (3/27) - making her RCB debutclaimed a three-wicket haul MI pip RCB in last-over thriller

The blockbuster between two of the most highprofile teams in the Women s Premier League –Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Mumbai Indians – lived up to the hype at a packed M Chinnaswamy stadium in Benaluru Defending champions RCB began their home leg of the WPL with their first loss of the season MI chased down 168 run target with one ball and four wickets to spare RCB skipper Smriti Mandhana (26) set the tone for the contest with a flurry of boundaries the visiting skipper Harmanpreet Kaur laid the foundation for a win with a 38-ball 50 For RCB, in a fine display of composure and ferocity Australian superstar Ellyse Perry struck a blistering 43-ball 81 DC register 2nd win

Skipper Meg Lanning struck 69 off 49 balls as Delhi Capitals produced a solid batting effort to beat UP Warriorz by seven wickets and register their second win in the Women s Premier League Sent into bat UP Warriorz rode on opener Kiran Navgire s quick-fire halfcentury to post 166 for seven

FORMER MUMBAI CAPTAIN REGE PASSES AWAY

The Mumbai cricket fraternity went into mourning as news of former Mumbai captain noted administrator and one of the closest friends of cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar Milind Rege passed away in Mumbai after suffering a cardiac arrest and renal failure He was 76 He is survived by wife Raj and two sons

PETITION

BY

LAKSHYA, OTHERS IN AGE FRAUD CASE DISMISSED

In a setback for ace shuttler Lakshya Sen, his family members, and his coach U Vimal Kumar, Karnataka high court has refused to quash the proceedings in a criminal case lodged against them for age fraud “When prima facie materials are placed on record which constitute the offences, I don’t find any reason either to stall the investigation or quash the initiation of criminal proceedings There are sufficient materials placed before the court by the complainant which are documents obtained under the Right to Information Act from the appropriate authority Under such circumstances I don’t find any reason to entertain the petitions Justice MG Uma observed in her order The matter is now pending before the 8th additional chief metropolitan magistrate court, Bengaluru

Kohli roars back into form with match-winning hundred

Virat Kohli pro ved he is no t a sp ent force yet as India's batting st alw a rt p r od u ce d a m at chw in ni

red

t

a

Champions Trophy hu mdinger ag ainst arch -rivals P aki stan at Du b ai o n S u n d ay K o h li s unbeaten 100 helped India pull off a potentially tricky chase o f 24 2 to reg

Going past the landmark of 14,000 ODI runs – by reaching there in just his 287th innings, he broke Tendulkar’s record (350 innings) with a trademark cover drive off Haris Rauf India, the 2023 World Cup

nd

tournament and inch closer to a se m i -f i nal be rth D u ri ng t h e co urse of his 51 st ODI hu nd red, Kohli also becam e only the th ird player - after comp atriot Sachin

T end ul ka r an d S ri L a nka n Kumar Sangakkara - to co mplete

14,0 00 runs in this form at taking fewer innings th an bo th

S o o n a f t e r h i t t i n g t h e boundary, which took India to a

s i x - w i c k e t w i n o v e r a l i s t l e s s Pakistan, Kohli took his helmet off and looked towards the skies, a n d t h e

R

h i t S h a

c a l m d o w n , since he had been out there in the middle! “King Kohli,” who trained for an extra couple of hours on the eve of the match

India’s batting coaches, roared back into form in grand style when it mattered most in the big game Unleashing his vintage form

w

Jasprit Bumrah watching from the stands along with several o

Pakistan, India’s ageing warrior, rolled back the years to crack 100 not out (111b, 7x4), adding 114 in 128 balls for the third wicket with Shreyas Iyer (56) at

D

Stadium

entered the semifinals of the Champions Trophy Meanwhile, much to their embarrassment and their fans’ disappointment,

champions and the tournament hosts, packing after they lost their first two matches to New Zealand and India Gill ton helps India seal chase against Bangladesh

off to a sound start Another ODI hundred by Shubman Gill (101 not out) and a superb five-

Mohammed Shami (5/53 in 10 overs) headlined India’s largely comfortable six-wicket win over

position at 144/4 in the 31st over before Gill found an able ally in KL Rahul (41 not out The pair

fifth wicket to take India home Ravindra ton powers NZ, India into semis R

N e w

Zealand’s chase with a timely century as his team recovered from an early wobble to see off Bangladesh by five wickets and

secure its place in the s e m i f i n a l s o f t h e

C h a m p i o n s T r o p h y

Rawalpindi on Monday

s

h

tournament

event Both India and New Zealand have

a g a i n s t P a k i s t a n B e f o r e

Ravindra’s chancy hundred, allrounder Michael Bracewell did the star turn with a four-wicket haul as New Zealand restricted Bangladesh to 236 for nine In reply, New Zealand were off to a disastrous start as they lost the wickets of Will Young and Kane Williamson with just 15 runs on the board But they rallied to complete the chase in 46 1 overs, with Ravindra making 112 off 105 balls with the help of 12 fours and a six South Africa script 107-run win over Afghanistan

S o u t h A f r i c a o p e n e r R y a n Rickelton scored a maiden ODI century with a fluent 103 as his side eased to a 107-run win over

C h a m p i o n s T

o p h y G r o u p B fixture at the National Stadium in Karachi South Africa won the toss and elected to bat, amassing 315 for six in their 50 overs on a wicket with pace and bounce t

i r home conditions Afghanistan’s Rahmat Shah scored a fighting 90 but South Africa’s seamers stifled the run-rate and picked

opponents battled to stay in the contest and fell well short as they were bowled out for 208 in 43 3 overs

New Zealand thrash Pak

hosts Pakistan with an emphatic 60-run win in the Champions Trophy opener in Karachi Will Young compiled an important innings of 107 off 113 balls, while Latham remained unbeaten on 118 off 104 balls to steer the Black Caps to 320 for five after Pakistan put them in to bat Glenn Phillips’ 39-ball 61 also went a long way in the Kiwis getting past the 300-run mark as New Zealand overcame a shaky s

A

) , Mohammed Rizwan (3 off 14) and Saud Shakeel (6 off 19) were a tad too conservative in their approach That ultimately cost the home team as they were bowled out for 260 in 47 2 overs Fakhar Zaman (24 off 41) batted at number four after being off the field for a major part of the New Zealand innings due to an injury scare

Euphoric cricket fans celebrate Team India win over Pakistan

Indian c ric ket fans are euphoric after the Rohit Sharma-led s ide scr ipted a mem orab le six-wicket win ov e r P a ki s t a n

n

he Champions Trophy in Dubai on Sunday

India outplayed its arch-rival Pakistan in all facets of the game

competition

After India's victory, a cricket f a n o u t s

International Stadium said, "It

Dhiren Katwa

was an amazing match We love team India Another cricket fan added, We are very happy and we are proud to be Indian " A f t e r w i t n e s s i n g I n d i a ' s victory, a fan felt assured that India would go all the way to lift the title for the first time since 2013 "India is going to win the Champions Trophy 2025 " There was jubilation among fans of the Indian cricket team in different parts of the world The moment Virat Kohli flashed the ball away for four to complete his

51st ODI ton and India scored the

erupted in different parts of the c o u n t r y i n c l u d i n g M u

Siliguri and Baramulla

This is literally unbelievable I have no words to express

Pakistan India played very well in the match, a cricket lover from

credit for the victory goes to Virat Kohli He played very well " Kohli's unbeaten 100 off 111 balls, laced with seven fours, was a treat to watch His knock came at a strike rate of 90 09, helping I

o w n Pakistan's total of 241 This was Kohli's sixth century in ICC ODI events and his first in the ICC Champions Trophy

Female footie brings communities even closer

Scores o f talented young fem ale foo tballers were presented w ith tro phies at a special to urnam ent held in Birmingham last Sunday (Feb 23)

The event, part of the youthl e d M y T o m o r r o w c a m p a i g n , was opened by West Midlands’ Police & Crime Commissioner

Simon Foster Layla Warren, 13, currently plays for a boys’ team after her o l d c l u b d

a female player hasn’t always been easy “Football has always been my escape, my therapy, and my source of confidence No matter what was going on in my life, stepping onto the pitch made everything disappear The game

gave me a sense of purpose & control, especially during tough times ” Sara Feenan, also 13, said, “We often face discrimination due to deeply rooted stereotypes a n d u n

within the sporting world

Iommi, who manages the GB Police National Team, said the M

, fostering inclusion & supporting girls so they can live healthier, happier lives & sport has

major role

Guildford, Cllr Nicky Brennan, Superintendent Sam Batey, Lord Mayor of Birmingham Cllr Ken Wood, Rani Gundhu – pictured with our reporter - who has served with the force for

The My Tomorrow initiative

Virat Kohli

s ies ood and memor ing f har y of he jo u t o inging y Br