AV 21st December 2024

Amplifying South Asian voices through theatre P14

Christmas Special P15-17

Bangladesh arrests 4 for recent attacks on Hindu community P20

The festive spirit is felt through sparkling lights, songs, feasts, and the joy of giving. However, for many older people, this time of year can be particularly challenging

Subhasini Naicker

Christmas is a time of joy, togetherness, and celebration a season that brings families and communities together to share warmth, laughter, and cherished traditions

While the season emphasises connection and family, there are countless individuals who find themselves isolated, living alone without the companionship and support they once had

With public services winding down, shops closing early, harsher weather, shorter days, and changes in health, staying connected becomes even harder during this period

While many enjoy festive traditions, Age UK found that a quarter (3 4 million) of over 65s won’t put up decorations this year, and 1 4 million will spend Christmas dinner alone For 2 million older people, Christmas feels just like any other day, making it a difficult time

Continued on page 15

world chess champion

L to R : Meeten, Pallu, Shashi and Deepen Patel of 'Meet and Deep News'

in a ddressing ille gal working Labour had pledged to return more migrants without the right to stay in the UK during its f irst year in off ice than any previous sixm

cides with a rise in Channel crossings, with over 21,000 migrants arriving by small boat since July

The Home Off ice reported that 13,460 people had been removed since the election on July 4, the highest rate since 2019 The government claimed it was on track to meet its pledge to increase

returns by early Januar y The number of Channel crossings this year is higher than last year, with 34,880 arrivals by small boat, up 20% from 2 0 2

mpared to 2022

Shadow Home Secretar y Yvette Cooper, who recently visited Rome to discuss peop l e - s m u g g l i n g

crack down on illegal working, which she linked to the exploitation of migrants by criminal gangs New technology, including body-worn cameras and f ingerprint kits, will be deployed next year to assist immigration enforcement

Meanwhile, government statistics show a 25% increase i n e n fo

c o mpared to the same period last ye a r T h e Ho

O

f ic e i s focusing on disrupting the hidden economy and cracking down on illegal employers, emphasising that illegal work undermines fair competition and exploitation

Ho w e v e r, o p p o s i t i o n members criticised Labour’s handling of the issue, highlighting an increase in asylum seekers housed in hotels

EU files two cases against Britain in court

The Eur opean Commission ha s a nn oun ced tha t it had

r e fe r re d t wo ca se s a ga in st t he UK t o the EU Cour t of Justice concer ning the free m o v e m e n t o f E U c it i z e n s a nd inv estme nt tr eat ies

The Commission stated

t h a t Br i t a i n h a d f a i l e d t o comply with EU law regarding the free movement of EU citizens after the UK formally left the bloc at the end of 2020 Additionally, the UK had not terminated bilateral investment treaties with six

E U m e m b e r s t a t e s , wh ic h were deemed to overlap with and conflict against EU law

T h e w i t h d r aw a l a g re em e n t , w h i c h o u t l

terms of the UK's exit, protects the residence rights of EU citizens who exercised their free movement rights i n t h e U K b y t h e e n d o f 2020 As the EU s executive body, the Commission has the authority to request the court to impose penalties If the court determines that a countr y has violated EU law, n a t i o n a l a u t h o r i t i e s m u s t t a ke c o r r e c t i v e a c t i o n

's judgment

B r i t a i n's g o v e r n i n g

L a b o u r Pa r t y, w h i c h returned to power after a 14year absence following a July election, is focused on resetting relations with the EU L

Conser vative government's handling of Brexit negotia-

EU relations A UK govern-

Commission's move, stating, "These cases relate to issues from when the UK was an EU member state and duri n g t h e t r a n s i t i o n p e r i o d

We are not going to comment further on legal proceedings "

T h e s p o ke s p e r s o n added, "We remain focused on working to reset our relationship with the EU and ensure Brexit works for the British people "

12- year-old girl charged with manslaughter

A 1 2 -y ear-o l d g i r l h a s appeared in court charg ed w ith m anslaug hter following the death of 80 -year-old g rand father Bhim Kohli Kohli died from serious injuries he sustained while walking his dog in Franklin

Pa

k , B

To

o n 1 September He passed away at Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham the follow-

ing day

The girl, who cannot be

Monday After a brief hearing, she was granted bail and o

Leicester Crown Court on 3 Februar y A

already been charged with

Kohli's murder and is set to appear at Leicester Crown Court later this week An inquest into Kohli's death was opened and adjourned last month, with a trial in the case scheduled to begin in Februar y Fo

statement saying: "Bhim was a loving husband, dad, and grandad He was also a son, b

British Sikhs questioned on views about India

Br it i sh Si k h s are being stopped at airports and qu estioned abou t th eir v iew s on India, a L abour M P has claim ed, raising c onc erns abo ut the i nf lu e nc e o f th e I nd i a n g o v ern m en t ov er British security checks

Preet Kaur Gill, a leading Sikh f igure in Parliament, has written to Home Secretar y Yvette Cooper to express concern about several British Sikhs who, she says, have been detained and questioned at length upon re-entering the UK

The questioning has reportedly focused on the long-standing issue of whether Sikhs should have their own homeland in South Asia

Gill's remarks come amid growing frustration within the British Sikh community over alleged harassment by or on behalf of the Indian government This has coincided w

between India and Canada regarding the shooting of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia, a case Canada believes involves Indian off icials

In her September letter, Gill highlighted cases of Sikhs who had contacted her about being stopped at British borders One man, returning from a family holiday in Turkey, was detained for several hours at Manchester airport, where he was questioned about his views on Sikhism, the partition of India, and Nijjar’s death in Canada Gill also claimed that the man was “roughly handled,” with one off icer attempting to remove his turban, a key religious symbol Gill expressed concern that law-abiding Sikhs were being unfairly targeted and subjected to intrusive questioning based on their

importance of maintaining trust through fair and impartial processes that treat all communities with dignity and respect

Billionaire brothers plan Britain’s largest Muslim cemetery

Billionaire bro thers Zuber and Moh sin Issa have sp arked controv ersy w ith their plans to create a 45-acre burial site, potentially the U K ’ s l ar g es t M u sl i m ce m et er y, n ea r Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire

The proposed Memorial Garden would include 12,250 burial plots, a funeral parlour, and prayer halls, dwarf ing the current largest Muslim cemeter y in Britain, the Gardens of Peace in East London The plans, which would be funded by the Issa brothers owne r s o f A s d a , Co o p l a n d s , a n d L e o n h av e faced f ierce opposition from local residents

Concerns over increased traff ic congestion, environmental impact, and potential harm to local wildlife have prompted a vocal b a c k l a s h A g ro u p c a l le d 'S ay No t o t h e Cemeter y ' has garnered thousands of supporters, even fundraising to challenge the proposal

L o c a l c o u n c i l l o r St e v e Sm i t h s o n h a s

expressed worries about the strain on roads, particularly Blackburn Road, and the risk of g r o u n d w a t e r c o n t a m i n a t i o n T h e i n i t i a l application for an 85-acre cemeter y was withdrawn earlier this year after strong resistance from residents, and the brothers scaled back the plans

The revised application is set to go before the planning committee in the new year, with residents continuing their efforts to prevent the project

HUNDREDS PROTEST HIGH RENTS IN LONDON

Protesters gathered in London to voice their opposition to the city’s rapidly rising rents Organised by the London Renters Union (LRU), the demonstration highlighted how escalating rents are undermining communities The event is part of a growing wave of renter-led protests across Europe aimed at drawing attention to the impact of high rents and calling for rent controls LRU claimed that up to 500 people marched through central London on Saturday, one of the busiest shopping days of the year, to protest against “soaring rents” and the “exploitation” of tenants According to recent figures from the Office for National Statistic s, London experienced the highest rent inflation in England over the 12 months leading to October 2024 at 10 4% This annual increase surpassed the 9 8% rise recorded by September 2024 and followed a record-high 11 2% rise in March 2024 With the average rent in London now at £2 172 per month many are being pushed to the edge as they struggle to afford housing according to the LRU

UK PLEDGES £ 50 MILLION SYRIA AID PACKAGE

The UK has announced a £50 million ($63 million) aid package to support vulnerable Syrians after the recent overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad Of the total aid, £30 million will provide immediate relief to over a million people, offering food, shelter, emergency healthcare, and protection for the most vulnerable This funding, largely distributed through the UN will also help restore essential services such as water hospitals and schools An additional £10 million will assist Syrians in Lebanon through the World Food Programme (WFP) while £10 million will support those in Jordan via the WFP and UN refugee agencies Foreign Minister David Lammy called the fall of the Assad regime a transformative moment for Syria The end of the horrific Assad regime offers a once -in-a- generation opportunity for the Syrian people, Lammy said “ We are committed to standing with them as they rebuild their lives and shape a new future ”

METRO MAYORS GAIN RAIL CONTROL IN DEVOLUTION

Mayors of large cities and regions in England will soon gain control over local infrastructure and skills projects under a new devolution bill introduced in Parliament today The English Devolution White Paper grants metro mayors elected regional leaders of combined authorities new significant powers in their areas This is part of the government s plan to make devolution the default setting across various policy areas Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner called the White Paper a "turning point," emphasising that communities will regain control over issues that matter to them "Devolution will no longer be decided by ministers in Whitehall but embedded across the country," she added Devolution has been central to Labour s agenda since the 1998 Scotland Act, and Prime Minister Keir Starmer links it to Labour s "decade of national renewal " The White Paper also proposes creating ‘strategic authorities’ by merging over 150 councils into 20 -30 unitary authorities

Yvette Cooper

Bhim Kohli

Preet Kaur Gill

Addressing gambling addiction in British Asians

Gambling addiction is a pressing global issue, and the UK is no exception By 2023, the British gambling sector had reached a gross gaming revenue (GGR) of $18 7 billion, consistently placing it among the largest in Europe

That year, over 8,000 gambling establishments operated across Great Britain, with around 6,000 of them being betting shops Simultaneously, the online gambling industry experienced dramatic growth, with active accounts skyrocketing from 16 53 million in 2012/13 to 36 43 million in 2022/23 While this digital transformation has made gambling more accessible, it has also amplified concerns about its societal impact

Among the estimated 430,000 problem gamblers in the UK, British Asian communities face disproportionate challenges Research from Gambling Harm UK highlights significant disparities in gambling-related harm, with 1 4% of Asian or Asian British individuals affected compared to 0 5% of white individuals This disparity emphasises the need for tailored strategies to address the issue, as cultural and social dynamics add layers of complexity to an already difficult struggle

For British Asian families, gambling is more than a risky behaviour, it is a deeply ingrained moral and cultural taboo

Traditional values in these communities emphasise hard work, saving, and prudent financial management, making gambling, with its inherent risks, seem fundamentally at odds with these principles For those who develop gambling problems, the resulting shame is profound, as they fear not only personal failure but also the judgment of their families and communities

The collective nature of many British Asian households intensifies this pressure, as addiction is viewed not just as an individual struggle but as a source of dishonour for the entire family

This cultural stigma often silences conversations about

gambling addiction, leaving the topic shrouded in secrecy The lack of culturally sensitive resources or platforms for discussing such issues further compounds the problem Many families dismiss gambling addiction as a moral failing or lack of discipline rather than recognising it as a legitimate mental health issue Consequently, individuals struggling with addiction often resort to secrecy, which only worsens their financial, emotional, and psychological challenges

Even when individuals acknowledge their addiction, addit i o n

Mainstream addiction services, while effective for the general population, frequently overlook the unique challenges British Asians face, such as intense familial expectations, cultural shame, and fears of ostracisation Language barriers can also present significant challenges, particularly for first-generation immigrants and older adults who may not be fluent in English Without access to culturally relevant or linguistically appropriate support, many individuals are left without the tools they need to seek help or recover

Breaking this cycle of stigma and silence is essential Community leaders, religious institutions, and influencers must play a key role in fostering open conversations about gambling addiction Normalising discussions about addiction and mental health can help dismantle the shame that prevents individuals from seeking support Seeking help should never be viewed as a source of shame but as an act of empowerment and recovery

Additionally, intervention programmes tailored to the cultural, linguistic, and social needs of British Asians are crucial Partnering with community organisations can bridge the gap between individuals and the resources they need

India-China diplomacy gains momentum

India and China are working to mend strained ties, with representatives set to meet in Beijing following the October troop disengagement agreement in eastern Ladakh China’s Wang Yi and India’s Ajit Doval will lead the 23rd session on the China-India Boundary Question, resuming talks after a five-year hiatus

Established in 2003, the Special Representatives mechanism has yet to resolve the border dispute but remains a key platform for reducing tensions Recent endorsements by leaders at international summits highlight its continued significance in advancing bilateral relations

Both countries share a 4,000-kilometer undemarcated border, which has been a longstanding source of friction, leading to a brief war in 1962 and multiple standoffs over the years External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar recently stated in Parliament that relations are improving after a disengagement agreement along the LAC in eastern Ladakh The 2020 Galwan clash, the deadliest in decades, strained ties, resulting in casualties, reduced people-to-people contact, and bans on Chinese companies like TikTok’s parent firm ByteDance Following an October 2024 agreement, both sides disengaged troops, culminating in the first Modi-Xi bilateral meeting since 2019 at the BRICS summit in Kazan

Both India and China are making concerted efforts to avoid further diplomatic strain and work toward improving bilateral relations One key factor driving this is the Indian industry’s push for the normalisation of ties, as China remains a vital supplier of critical components and products essential to India’s manufacturing and supply chains This economic interdependence underscores the urgency of stabilising SinoIndian relations Earlier this year, India’s Economic Survey 2023-24 highlighted the economic necessity of restoring these

ties, emphasising that a strained relationship could impede India’s economic growth and development

Analysts suggest another reason for these efforts is China’s recognition that it cannot compel India to make concessions or submit under pressure The broader uncertainties in the global geopolitical landscape, including the possibility of Donald Trump’s re-election in the United States and his threats to impose punitive tariffs on imports, add to this complex dynamic

The renewal of India-China relations represents not only the core interests of the 2 8 billion people residing in these two nations but also aligns with the shared aspirations of the

exchange, both India and China can drive sustained economic growth and bring fresh dynamism to the global economy

US President-elect Donald Trump has invited Chinese President Xi Jinping to his January inauguration, despite his history of hawkish rhetoric and tariff threats Experts note it would be unprecedented for a Chinese leader to attend, given decades of frosty US-China relations

Speaking at the New York Stock Exchange, Donald Trump expressed a willingness to improve ties with China, signifying plans for extensive talks with Beijing He described the relationship as positive but acknowledged a turning point during the Covid-19 pandemic when ties were severed Despite past tensions, there is cautious optimism about potential collaboration between the two global powers Trump already enjoys strong ties with India, and by improving relations with China, he could strengthen his position in the Global South, fostering a powerful alliance in the region

The global landscape of 2024

The year 2024 was one of unprecedented highs and unsettling lows, marked by significant events across politics, diplomacy, natural disasters, sports, entertainment, culture, business, and the economy From historic political shifts to global crises, it was a year that reshaped the course of nations and tested humanity's resilience

In the United States, former President Donald Trump staged a remarkable political comeback, securing re-election in a contentious and closely watched presidential race His return to the White House reignited global debates over his leadership and policies, with the election drawing a historic voter turnout

It is also important to highlight the conviction of the sitting president for felony crimes earlier in the year, during a period when he was not in office

The United Kingdom also saw a historic comeback of the Labour Party as it made a return to power under the leadership of Sir Keir Starmer Winning over 400 seats in the House of Commons, Labour ended 14 years of Conservative rule, ushering in a new political chapter

On the other side of the globe, Syria underwent a seismic political transformation as its president was ousted after years of civil unrest This marked a dramatic turn in the nation’s fraught history, offering a glimmer of hope amidst ongoing instability Meanwhile, the Middle East saw heightened hostilities involving Israel, Lebanon, Iran, Hezbollah, and Hamas, raising fears of a broader conflict in an already volatile region The UkraineRussia war persisted into another critical year, with intensified international sanctions on Russia and continued military support for Ukraine reshaping global alliances and strategies

South Asia faced its own share of upheavals, particularly in

Bangladesh, where the ouster of Sheikh Hasina’s 15-year autocratic rule by student-led protests initially brought hope for democratic revival However, the interim government under Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has struggled to maintain stability, with escalating governance issues, economic fragility, and the rise of religious extremism The plight of the Hindu minority has drawn international concern, while strained diplomatic relations with neighbouring India further complicate Bangladesh's trajectory

Amidst the turmoil, 2024 also saw significant developments in policy and diplomacy and the year was not without moments of hope and progress India began the year on a momentous note with the reopening of the Ram Mandir, a symbol of cultural and political significance Narendra Modi’s BJP secured a historic third term in office, reaffirming its dominance in Indian politics Additionally, the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly election, held for the first time since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, marked a pivotal moment in the region’s political landscape A landmark agreement between China and India resolved longstanding border disputes, marking a step toward regional stability Renewed Middle East peace talks between Israel and Palestine garnered cautious international optimism despite formidable challenges

As 2024 comes to an end, the world stands at a critical juncture The crises of war, climate change, and political polarisation demand unified and decisive action At the same time, diplomatic breakthroughs and acts of resilience offer hope for a more harmonious and sustainable future This year will be remembered as a testament to humanity’s dual capacity for division and unity, leaving vital lessons for the years ahead

“Do not let making a living prevent you from making a life ” – John Wooden

Political Sketchbook

The Spies in Parliament

The Chine se spy saga this we ek in the news reminded me of a n ot h e r he

Pa rliament ” in the Tele graph n

so l ong ago

Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside some of the brightest minds and most cutting-edge companies in the world This past week I met with more Standing in Parliament, representing the UK Government and introducing predominantly Israeli tech companies to the UK ecosystem, surrounded by some of the most brilliant minds in cybersecurity, I can’t help but reflect on the journey that brought me to this moment Two decades ago, I began this work supporting innovators, fostering entrepreneurship, and helping build a stronger, safer Britain And I can say, without hesitation, that working with these cyber companies companies dedicated to defending our nation in the digital age is among the most important work of my career

For me, this isn’t just a professional milestone It’s personal

Those are cyber companies dedicated to keeping our country safe from evolving threats Their work isn’t just impressive it’s essential In a world where digital threats grow more sophisticated by the day, these firms stand as the first line of defence Supporting them is, without a doubt, among the most important work I’ve done in my career

A Commitmen t to Security and Progress

This isn’t the first time I’ve been called to work at the intersection of security and public service Thirty years ago, I had the honour of working in the U S Congress with Congressman Eliot Engel, focusing on counter-proliferation efforts Back then, the threats were different, but the mission was the same: protect people, ensure stability, and create a safer world Again the same two countries I mentioned at the start of this article were involved

Today, the battlefield has shifted to cyberspace But the stakes are just as high, and the urgency just as real From safeguarding critical infrastructure to protecting sensitive data, the companies I work with are tackling some of the most complex challenges of our time They represent the best of Britain’s entrepreneurial spirit and ingenuity

A Joy and a Duty

Working with these innovators is more than a professional duty it’s a joy Their resilience and creativity inspire me every day They remind me that while threats will always evolve, so too will our capacity to rise and meet them

As a Dealmaker for the Department for Business, I’ve had the privilege of helping these companies scale, thrive, and make Britain a global leader in cybersecurity It’s a role I take seriously because their success is our nation’s success The Road Ahe ad

As I look to the New Year, I remain committed to this w o r k n

Together, we

re building a safer, stronger Britain It’s a legacy I’m proud to be a part of, and one that I hope inspires others to innovate and protect

Because keeping Britain safe isn’t just a job it’s a calling And I’m honoured to answer it The work we ’ re doing here right now matters It matters for Britain’s security It matters for our economy And it matters for our place in the world

It’s been said that the measure of a nation is how it rises to meet its challenges Well, the challenges of our time are here And with the brilliant people I’ve had the privilege of working with, I have no doubt Britain will rise to meet them

Together, we ’ re building a safer, stronger, more secure nation And I’m proud to be a part of it Let’s keep going Let’s keep building And let’s keep Britain safe

Asian Voice is published by Asian Business Publications Ltd

CB Pat el : Publisher

Email: aveditorial@abplgroup

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Alpesh Patel

Dear Readers,

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Smethwick man jailed over firing lethal gun

A West Mid land s m an has been jailed for ov er 15 years after firing a leth al Skorp ion s ubm ach ine gu n d uri ng a s tr eet c o nf ro nt ati o n i n S methw ick

M o h a m m e d K h a n , 2 9 ,

d i s c h a r g e d t h e w e a p o n capable of firing up to 800 rounds per minute in the direction of a man standing in a doorway before fleeing the scene in a rented Rolls

R o y c e T h e i n c i d e n t occurred on Melrose Place in September last year following a reported dispute, according to West Midlands

P o l i c e K h a n ’ s r e c k l e s s actions caused damage to a house window and door as well as a parked car, but for-

t u n a t e l y , n o o n e w a s injured

Police quickly traced the r e n t e d v e h i c l e a n d , u s i n g forensic evidence from the car, identified Khan as the

p r i m e s u s p e c t H e w a s arrested and charged with possession of a firearm with i n t e n t t o e n d a n g e r l i f e

F o l l o w i n g a

W o l v

h

n C r o w n Court, Khan was convicted and sentenced to 15 years and six months in prison

A West Midlands Police

s p o k e s p e r s o n s a i d : “ K h a n was part of a group who descended on Melrose Place

j u s t b e f o r e 4 a m o n S e p t e m b e r 6 , 2 0 2 2 A f t e r being handed the Skorpion by an associate, he fired it in

t h e d i r e c t i o n o f a m a n standing in a doorway The group then fled in a hired

Budget cuts threaten care for disabled, elderly

Healthcare experts are warning th at Rac h el R

et measures will severely impact care prov iders, p otentially leaving vulnerable d isabled and elderly ind ivid uals with out care next year Th e situation co uld also push local authorities into bankru ptcy, care p rov iders cau tion

national insurance contributions in April, alongside rises in the minimum wage and national living wage, threatens the survival of care compa-

n

Association This warning follows

LaingBuisson, which highlighted a growing gap between the profits of

customers and those reliant on state or NHS funding

The care sector is particularly sensitive to changes in the minimum wage due to the already low pay for care workers, with many employed o

m wages The Homecare Association warns that if care providers collapse,

the UK faces a widespread failure in care provision, which could overwhelm family carers and strain NHS services

The Homecare Association and Care England, who commissioned

Streeting, and Deputy PM Angela Rayner to take action In a letter, they stressed that local authorities would struggle to handle a failure of multip l e c a r e p r o v i d e r s a n

forced to provide care themselves, risking insolvency

W

facing a £54bn funding shortfall over the next five years, the risk of insol-

expressed concern that the governm

£1 8bn in additional costs resulting from the Budget measures

The Homecare Association estimates that employment costs will rise by at least 10% in the coming financial year

Rolls Royce, but quick investigations allowed us to trace the vehicle within hours ”

Khan

This conviction is part o f O p

Indian student dies, 4 injured in UK crash

A tra g i c ro ad a c ci d e nt i n

Leicestershire, eastern England, has claimed th e life of 32-year-old Ind ian student Ch iranjeev i Pang uluri T h e i n c i d e n t o c c u r r e d o n T u e s d a y m o r n

Panguluri was traveling in veered off the road and ended up in a ditch

Leicestershire Police confirmed that Panguluri, a resident of Leicester, was pronounced dead at the scene

Four others in the vehicle, including the driver, were hospitalised with serious injuries

Among the injured were two men and a woman; the two male passengers remain in the hospital, though their injuries are not considered lifethreatening The car involved in the crash, a grey Mazda 3 Tamura, was t r a v e l i

Market Harborough on the A6 before

Transp ort h as assured the pu blic th at it will not be scrapped

the initiative after concerns were raised by Tory MP Graham Stuart about its funding The scheme, which provides free off-peak bus travel to eligible disabled individuals and those aged 66 or over, was reaffirmed by Lightwood in a written statement, "The English National Concessionary Travel Scheme (ENCTS) supports local

leaving the road

"Mr Panguluri was the passenger in the vehicle and was pronounced dead at the scene," the police statem e n

a i d " O f f i c e r s a r e e a g e r t o speak to anyone traveling along the A6 on Tuesday morning who may have witnessed the collision or captured footage on dashcam equipment ” A 27-year-old man has been

death by dangerous driving but has since been released on bail Police continue to appeal for witnesses and dashcam footage to assist in their investigation The victims are r

p o r t e d l y f r o m A n d h r a P r a d e s h , India The incident has deeply shaken the Indian community in the UK, and local authorities are working to support the families affected by the tragedy

to stay active and avoid

, " T h e Government has absolutely no plans to withdraw the concessionary bus pass scheme "

Autumn Budget, especially after Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer did not explicitly rule out modifications to the scheme during P

M

However, the Government has

funding changes impacting pensioners

I N B R I E F

FLU CASES SURGE 70% AS HOSPITALS FACE WINTER WAVE

Flu hospital cases in England have surged by 70% in just seven days, with the NHS reporting an average of 1,861 patients daily last week, up from 1,099 the previous week and 402 a year ago The highest cases are among 5 to 14year-olds, but adult numbers are expected to rise as schools and nurseries close, according to the UK Health Security Agency Cases of norovirus and RSV are rising with NHS England reporting an average of 837 hospital beds occupied daily by norovirus patients last week up 10% from the previous week and 64% from last year Similarly 152 children were hospitalised daily with RSV, up from 142 the week before and 107 a year ago This mix of illnesses has raised concerns of a potential "quad-demic" this winter

VISA APPLICATIONS FALL AMID HOUSING CRISIS

The number of foreign workers applying to work in the UK has hit its lowest point in years due to stricter visa rules In November, the Home Office received just 4,100 skilled visa applications, marking the lowest since January 2022 and 2 000 fewer than the previous year Applications for health and care worker visas dropped to 1 900 a sharp decline from nearly 10 000 in November 2023 Additionally 3 800 applied to bring dependents to the UK Requests from doctors nurses and care professionals peaked at 18,300 in August last year Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook has admitted the UK will rely on foreign workers to address the housing crisis but ruled out easing visa restrictions to meet the 1 5 million new homes target He emphasised the need to train local workers, noting a £140 million investment in training hubs to boost apprenticeships Pennycook also highlighted the need to modernise construction methods and address workforce diversity and aging trends to achieve the housing goals

CABINET OFFICE TO CUT 400 JOBS IN EFFICIENCY DRIVE

The Cabinet Office will cut 400 jobs as part of a move to a smaller clearer structure This comes amid a broader efficiency drive aiming to reduce over 10,000 civil service roles Cat Little, the permanent secretary, informed staff that the 400 roles would be removed through a voluntary exit scheme A Cabinet Office spokesperson said: “We are streamlining the Cabinet Office into a smaller, clearer structure to reduce bureaucracy, empower innovation, and enhance delivery of core activities This plan will create a more effective organisation to coordinate government efforts, with staff engagement throughout the process ” Sources suggest the civil service grew too large and unwieldy due to Brexit and the Covid-19 pandemic Chancellor Rachel Reeves has directed departments to cut 5% from their budgets as part of a spending review with job cuts seen as unavoidable When Gordon Brown left office in 2010 the civil service had around 490,000 staff; it was reduced to about 380,000 during David Cameron and George Osborne's austerity measures

Angela Rayner

Wes Streeting

Simon Lightwood

Preet Kaur Gill MP launches Labour friends of the Commonwealth

L a b our F ri e n d s of th e Commonwealth (LFC) was

l a un c h ed i n th e U K

P a rl i a me n t , ma r k i ng th e

b eginni ng of a new ini ti ative aimed at strengthening ties among Labour parti es ac ross the Commonwealth

The event was graced by Dr Roosevelt Skerrit, Prime

Dominica, who joined Preet Kaur Gill MP, Chair of LFC,

evolving challenges democracies face in a contested global landscape MP Preet

, with Dr Skerrit delivering the keynote address

As the first patron of LFC, Dr Skerrit, who leads the Dominica Labour Party, highlighted the importance of collective action among Commonwealth nations in

d futures He spoke on the

l polarisation and misinform a t i o n , e m p h

g

h e need for social justice, sustainable development, and stronger democratic practices

The launch event also

Commonwealth in fostering cooperation on issues

change to geopolitics

, " T h e

Commonwealth represents a model we can draw on to i n s p i

positive change in an uncertain world We are stronger together " She also called on Labour MPs to unite under the LFC banner, amplifying t h e i

shape a progressive future f

2 5 billion people

In his speech, Labour Minister Douglas Alexander underscored the UK’s intern

n o t i n g that the Commonwealth’s r

change, peace, and prosperity is vital He highlighted

parties worldwide to collaborate on these pressing concerns LFC’s mission is to fos-

social justice By drawing on the deep historical ties

LFC aims to create

more equitable and unified future for the Commonwealth

LFC’s commitment to pro-

platform for continued col-

leaders worldwide

Th

Shamima Begum's future in UK uncertain amid geopolitical tensions

return o f Shamim a Begu

the former British teenager wh o joined Daesh (Islamic State) at 15, amid shi fting

Syria Dame Angela Eagle,

Isa Guha apologises for Jasprit Bumrah 'primate' comment

Form er England cricketer I sa Gu h a h as a p o l o g is

r using th e term primate to des cribe India bowl er Jasprit Bumrah du ring h er com ment ar y o n th e

series in Australia

W h i l e w o r k i n g f o r F o x

Sports, Guha faced backlash after a segment in which she praised Bumrah’s impressive performance in Brisbane She s a i d , “ W

, h e ’ s t h e M V P , isn’t he? Most valuable primate, Jasprit Bumrah ” Although "primate" can refer to humans in a biological sense, the term can carry negative, racially insensitive connotations, which led to criticism from some Indian fans Guha, who is of British Asian descent with parents from Kolkata, addressed the

incident with an on-air explan a t i o n b e f o r e M o n d a y ' s a c t i o n a t t h e G a b b a "Yesterday in commentary, I used a word that can be interpreted in a number of different ways I’d like to apologise for any offence caused," she said “I set myself high stand a r d s w h e n i t c o m e s t o empathy and respect for others If you listen to the full context, I only intended to offer the highest praise for

one of India’s greatest players, whom I admire greatly I’m an advocate for equality

n a n d understanding in the game ” S h

, “ I w a s trying to highlight the sign

ment, but I chose the wrong word For that, I am deeply sorry "

G u h a expressed hope that people would recognise there was n o i l l i n t e n t b e h i n d h e r comment and emphasised her desire for the focus to remain on the great Test m a t c h u n

d o w e d what has been a great match so far, and I look forward to how it progresses "

Preet Kaur Gill MP and PM Dr Roosevelt Skerrit

Isa Guha

AS I SEE IT

Asthe year draw to a close and a new one begins, it is a universal tradition across society to pause, reflect on the past and plan for the future This practice is not new, it dates back to the time when our ancestors emerged from caves and jungles, striving to improve their lives, cultivate a better mindset and ensure greater wellbeing They constantly evaluated their progress, seeking ways to make life better.

In this spirit of reflection and foresight, I urge all our readers to take advantage of these last ten days of the year, especially w i t h t h e a d d i t i o n o f A s i a n V o i c e a n d Gujarat Samachar to your reading routine Dedicate some time to look back, appreciate how far you and your ancestors have come and acknowledge the collective efforts that have carved out a brighter future for your families and your own golden years, a journey we call the future

This idea of building a legacy resonates w i t h w h a t t h e I n d i a n P r i m e M i n i s t e r Honourable Shri Narendra Modiji while paying tribute to the legendary filmmaker Raj Kapoor on his 100th birth anniversary called Raj Kapoor a visionary filmmaker and cultural ambassador, recalling the immortal words from the song “Hum na rahenge, tu m na rahog e, fir bhi rahengi nish aniyan” from the film Shri 420 That touching scene, set by the seaside with Raj Kapoor and Nargis under an umbrella in the rain symbolised a timeless message about aspirations for the future and leaving behind a legacy

In the same spirit, we have been worki n g o n s o m e t h i n g d e e p l y m e a n i n g f u l : So neri Smaranyatra – Along the M em ory L ane This project is not just about us as a team, it is a shared journey with all of you, our valued readers and supporters It is a collective effort to reflect, preserve and celebrate the memories and milestones that define us

India has truly turned a significant corner in its journey The last 75 years of indep e n d e n c e h a v e w i t n e s s e d a r e m a r k a b l e transformation, not just in physical infrastructure, but also in our collective mindset and aspirations India’s global standing has evolved tremendously and perhaps the most profound change is visible in our younger generation No longer are they fixated on the colonial past Instead, they focus on the

A journey of legacy, heritage and progress

India of today, a dynamic, thriving nation shaping its own destiny This confidence resonates not only within the country but also across the Indian diaspora worldwide Indians have left their mark in nearly every corner of the globe, creating vibrant communities of varying sizes in almost every nation This evolution is a testament to India’s resilience and the boundless potential of its people, both at home and abroad I firmly believe that each one of us has the capacity to achieve more and contribute better, not only individually but also collec-

Together, we can reflect on our personal

drawing strength and wisdom from them

In the British Indian community, many are thriving, some remarkably so, but it’s also true that around 15–

Whether it is due to hidden struggles or visible circumstances, this segment finds itself in the lower-income group, where financial limitations and overall wellbeing are closely linked Yet, those at the pinnacle of success, many of whom I have the privilege of knowing, are deeply public spirited They not only excel in their respective fields but also generously share their experiences and contribute significantly to society through their philanthropic efforts It is inspiring to see the enor-

improving the lives of others

Having witnessed this ethos of caring and sharing both in Tanzania, where I spent six and half years of my life and here in England, where I have lived for over 58 years, I can confidently say that this spirit of generosity defines the Indian diaspora Indians worldwide excel in education, entrepreneurship and the professions while also making their mark in philanthropy, art, culture and other s o f t p o w e r s t h a t a m p l i f y I n d i

Supported by our online edition, accessible to anyone with internet access, we ensure that our content is available to readers worldwide Additionally, our Soneri Sangat program has become a benchmark of excellence, airing every Thursday at 3PM UK time and accessible on YouTube These platforms allow us to share news and views with anyone, anywhere who seeks them

As the saying goes, knowledge is power and our success is a testament to the collective efforts of many I owe this achievement to our loyal readers, subscribers, advertisers, sponsors, patrons and the esteemed members of Team ABPL I am proud to acknowl-

about celebrating achievements, drawing inspiration from the past and setting the tone for a brighter future

On 5 May 2025, one of our flagship newspapers- Gujarat Samachar will proudly mark 53 years of dedicated service This long and meaningful journey has been made possible by the unwavering support of countless individuals, families and businesses This milestone is not just a moment of celebration but also an opportunity to reflect, to learn from the past as we chart the future journey for our community, readers and the society It is a chance to honour the legacy we have built together and to strengthen the foundations for the road ahead I

influence If I say we are thriving as a community, it is no exaggeration This is just the beginning of a greater journey ahead, a march towards even greater accomplishments

S o, m y respected eld ers and dear readers, let m e hum bly ask: as you reflect on your life’s journey, is there a story you wish to share? Let your experiences inspire others through the pages of Asian Voice and G u j a r a t S a m a c h a r ,

publication with paid subscribers outside India Together, let us celebrate our shared heritage and achievements while continuing to uplift one another

Trust me when I say this, our reach extends far beyond just our hard copies

Judge rules UK unlawfully detained migrants on Diego Garcia

A judge has rule d that Sri La nkan Tamil migra nts were unl awfull y detained for ye ars on the r emot e Br it ish te rrit or y of Diego Garcia

In 2021, dozens of Tamils became the first people to claim asylum on the island, home to a secretive UK-US military base They were held for years in a small, fenced camp before being brought to the UK in early December as part of a "one-off" welfare move by the government

The UK government has said it is "carefully considering" the ruling A spokesperson added that Diego Garcia was never a "suitable longterm location for migrants"

inherited

unresolved

this could have happened in the 21st century The ruling f o l l

n September, where the BBC gained rare access to cover the proceedings and conditions in the camp Diego Garcia, part of the B r i t i s h I

a n O c e a n Territory, is administered by the UK through a Foreign O f f i c

T h e Tamil migrants, including c h i l d r e n , w e r e h o u s e d i n

military tents in a guarded camp run by private security

c o m p a n y G 4 S M a n y described their experience as living in hell, with rats in tents and reports of selfharm, suicide attempts, and sexual assault

A c t i n g j u d g e M a r g a r e t Obi stated that the camp w a s " a p r i s o n i n a l l b u t name" from the outset The c a m p h a s n o w c l o s e d , though two men with criminal convictions remain on the island This ruling follows an agreement for the UK to return the islands to M a u r i t i u s , w i t h D i e g o Garcia remaining a military base

edge scores of individuals, families and businesses who have made exceptional contributions to help us achieve our current standing At the same time, it is with a heavy heart that I note some once successful individuals and families have faced setbacks and challenges over the years Their s t o r

nature of life and the resilience needed to

individuals, it is

sad reality that some families have faced tragedies, whether through

Thankfully, such cases are rare, but they do exist While our memory lane project will not focus on these unfortunate instances, we acknowledge their presence as part of

’ s experiences Our team of writers and journalists has consciously chosen to keep this initiative constructive and positive It is

alued subscribers), to share your per-

your

family or another's, by sub-

words by the end of January 2025 We have already appointed

panel of

and select 10 profiles for inclusion in our upcoming souvenir

Additionally, we are working on a detailed study and narration about some remarkable families who have given our community its identity in East Africa and the UK These are families that rose from humble begin-

empires outside India Their children, grandchildren and even the fourth generation continue to carry their legacy forward in countries like the

Emirates and the Middle East I also want to express my heartfelt gratitude to all our readers, subscribers, advertisers and the veterans and service providers from spiritual, religious, cultural a

have helped elevate the name of Indians, making it glorious and respected worldwide

I wish you and your loved ones a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Let us also take a moment to appreciate the freedom, opportunities and sense of inclusivity we enjoy in this beautiful Christian country that we proudly call home The warmth of this festive season reminds us to celebrate not only our own traditions but also the shared values of unity, kindness and respect that bind us together as a multicultural society May the new year bring joy, prosperity, and good health to all of us and may

strengthen the bonds of our community, honour our shared heritage and inspire the next generation to carry forward the torch of excellence and humanity

Ethnic minority health in cities highlighted in national report

Professors Kam lesh Khunti and Kev in Fenton CBE have contributed key recom mendations to the C hief Medical Officer’ s annual report, fo cu sing o n imp rov ing care for eth nic minorities in cities

This year ’ s report highlights urban health challenges, with their chapter addressing the experiences of ethnic minority populations

Dr Cameron Razieh and Dr Ash Routen from the University of Leicester also contributed to the Chapter, with Dr Razieh conducting new analysis using the ONS data on cities and ethnic health

Professor Kamlesh

Khunti, Co-Director of the Leicester Diabetes Centre, described leading the chapter as a privilege and an important opportunity to address the challenges faced by ethnic minorities in cities “Our team has worked hard to deliver evidence-based recommendations to tackle health disparities and improve care for these communities,” he said

Professor Kevin Fenton, Regional Director at the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities and Public Health Director at NHS London, praised the collaboration between researchers and specialists

from various institutions

“This partnership showcased the innovative approaches needed to address the challenges faced by ethnic minorities in urban areas

Our findings reveal the scale and diversity of these health challenges while identifying key opportunities to address them,” he said Cities offer diverse populations both health opportunities and challenges While many benefit from specialist healthcare facilities, the CMO report highlights lower vaccination and screening rates and higher STI levels in urban areas

CB Patel

On 18th March 1977, CB Patel launched New Life, later renamed as Asian Voice

Asian Voice: The pulse of diaspora

Mahatma Gandhi’s iconic garland fails to find buyer in the UK

On the day of Dandi March

A

1930 "

medallion with silver and gold threadwork, sequins, and gold tinsel, connected by smaller medallions linked with gold threads, forming an elegant necklace design

"I’m surprised the ‘Gandhi Garland’ didn’t sell at the auc-

, Head of Sale at the fine arts

and antiques auction house

"We’ve received considerable interest since and hope to find it a deserving home " The garland holds historical signif-

cious start of the 1930 Salt March

The garland, presented to G

Kanuga, wife of his personal

N Kanuga, had remained in the Kanuga family collection until now

Although it failed to sell,

other key auction highlights

‘Bhagavata Purana’ series sold

Equestrian Portraits fetched

‘Kalighat Paintings’ went for £21,420

Kristina Sanne, Head of

noted that over 90% of lots in the Indian Art section were sold, highlighting the market’s continued strength

One in four A&E patients face 12-hour waits

NHS d ata reveals that o ne in four p atients at the w orstp erfo rm ing A&E u nits faces d ela ys o f o v er 1 2 h o u r s, d escribed as “life and d eath ” w aits

Across major emergency

d e p a r t m e n t s i n E n g l a n d , around 5,000 patients daily spend at least 12 hours in waiting rooms or on trolleys

D o c t o r s w a r n t h e s e delays lead to hundreds of avoidable deaths weekly as patients miss critical treatment The data also high-

i g h

l differences in waiting times

B l a c k p o o l T e a c h i n g

H

performing trust, with 28% of patients waiting at least 12 hours in A&E last month, f

Royal Cornwall Hospital in T

u r o N H S d a

this was double the national average of 11%, with 150,696 people waiting 12 hours last month

Despite an NHS target to treat, discharge, or admit patients within four hours, no large NHS trust met this goal Nationwide, only 57% of patients were treated or admitted within this time-

frame Dr Adrian Boyle, president of the Royal College of

death rises after six hours in

patients spending up to 12 hours in A&E, one will die avoidably "Long waits mean

care

three patients waiting over 12 hours stay in A&E for

Tony Blair proposes digital ID to address immigration and NHS costs

Tony Blair has reintroduced hi s former government’s I D card policy in a digital form to address challenges like

i m mi g r at i on , he a lt h, an d taxes

He added that Donald

T r u m p ’ s v i c t o r y s h o w e d that politicians promising

o n l y s t a t u s q u o m a n a g ement risk losing, emphasising the need for fundamental change

S i r T o n y B l a i r s a i d : “Taxes, spending, and public debt are high, while service outcomes remain poor

Despite record NHS funding and staffing, the service is struggling ” He urged the UK and other nations to adopt a bold new approach

Tony Blair

b l e O u r c u r

isn’t working; this is a time

f o r m a j o r c h a n g e , a n d

Digital ID is a good starting point ”

Reflecting on his time

a s p

the 2007 financial crisis, he noted, “Today, we have a tool unavailable back then: t

tion, as transformative as the 18th-century industrial revolution ”

Baroness faces suspension for "Lord Poppadom" remark

Conservative Baroness Meyer is faci ng a th reeweek susp ensio n from the Ho use of Lo rds after an investigation fou nd h er co mments-calling a p eer of Indian o rigin Lord P opp adom -consti tuted rac ial harassment

The Lords' Conduct Committee also rebuked her for touching a Black MP's hair without permission Though she initially denied the remarks, she later apologised for both incidents

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch emphasised the importance of treating others with respect The committee recommended a six-month suspension for Lord Stone of Blackheath, a former Labour peer, for bullying after he referred to security staff as "thick" and "stupid "

Additionally, the committee upheld a complaint that Lady Meyer used the derogatory term "Lord Poppadom" twice to refer to Lord Dholakia during a February taxi ride in Rwanda with the Joint Committee on Human Rights This followed an earlier mix-up, as she had confused Lord Dholakia with Lord Popat, another peer of Southeast Asian

heritage

Lord Dholakia was in the car but did not initially hear the remarks However, others on the committee, including Labour MP Bell Ribeiro-Addy, confronted Lady Meyer over the comments She initially denied using the term but later admitted it after evidence from two witnesses, attributing her behaviour to a long day and having "possibly three glasses of wine at dinner

The investigation concluded that her actions breached harassment rules with a "racial element " Lady Meyer asked Ribeiro-Addy if she could touch her braids and did so before receiving a response Ribeiro-Addy said she laughed off the incident but felt "extremely uncomfortable " Lady

Meyer acknowledged Ribeiro-Addy's reaction and instantly regretted her actions, apologising for both incidents Alongside a three-week suspension, the committee recommended that Lady Meyer undergo bespoke behaviour training Catherine Meyer, 71, co-founded the International Centre for Missing and Exploited Children and is the widow of former UK ambassador to the US Sir Christopher Meyer She was appointed to the House of Lords by Theresa May in 2018 Conservative peer Lord Greenhalgh expressed surprise and disappointment over Lady Meyer's comments, stating, "The use of that sort of language is not what I would have expected from my Conservative colleague "

Outlining his vision, Sir

unattainable, but modern technology makes it possi-

b y e m b r a c i n g a r t i f i c i a l intelligence (AI) and digital ID for the future

B l a i r h i g h l i g h t e d h o w tech giants dominate the modern economy, saying, “ T h i n k o f h o w

a mobile phones, use Google Maps, or access entertainment through apps-all powered by data ”

E X C I T I N G O P P O R T U N I T Y !

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

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

If you are eager to take on this dynamic role and join us in building stronger connections with the community while broadening our readership, send in your details at: cb patel@abplgroup com or call us at: 020 7749 4080

Baroness Catherine Meyer

Lord Navnit Dholakia

Lord Loomba calls for enhanced support for domestic abuse survivors

In a re cen t d eb ate at t he

Ho u s e o f L o r d s, L o r d

Loom ba, Founder and C hair of The Lo omba Foundation, high li ghted the dev astating impact of d omestic abuse on ind ividu als and so ciety, and em phasised th e urg ent need fo r sustained action and ad equate resources

B

In a debate initiated by

“That this House takes note

o

domestic abuse, and to sup-

p

vivors”, Lord Loomba began

b

progress made through the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 but u

noted that 2 4 million adults aged 16 to 74 in England and Wales experienced domestic a

M

w

m e n disproportionately affected He pointed out the particu-

women, citing statistics that 7 6% of women aged 16 to 19 and 7 8% of women aged 20 to 24 reported abuses

Lord Loomba also drew attention to the significant

which the Home Office estimates at £78 billion annually,

lost economic output, housing, and victim support

Lord Loomba raised concerns about the lack of ade-

quate refuge spaces, noting

turned away in 2022 due to limited capacity He stressed that these shortages are even more pronounced for ethnic minority survivors

Lord Loomba also highlighted the growing threat of technology-facilitated abuse, citing research showing that 71% of domestic abuse victims have experienced online harassment or misuse of digital tools by perpetrators

who are exposed to violence

In closing, Lord Loomba posed two pressing questions

ensure sustained and adequate funding for specialist domestic abuse services, par-

and culturally sensitive

Facilitated Abuse: How does the Government intend to address the rise of technology facilitated abuse, ensuring both victim protection and perpetrator accountability in the digital age?

Lord Loomba stated “It is our collective responsibili-

remains a priority

Responding on behalf of

Hanson of Flint, Minister of State at the Home Office,

which had been raised both by Lord Loomba and former P

reflect on the resource issues that had been raised as part of the Government’s forthcoming spending review

Think Gita at the House of Commons

On 26 November 2024 at the UK Hou se o f Commo ns, Bob Blackman, MP for Harro w E ast, ho sted T hink Gita and their guests of 1 40 professi onals to h ear SB K eshava S wami talk abou t th e importance of th e Bhagavad Gita,

mentor and a teacher that travels the world to share the

the importance of spiritual education, how it enables us

standing of the value and

h ow it gives th e s kills to navi gate life's various s itu ations and how to app ly i t in the co mplexities o f the cu rrent times

Keshava Swami is a spiri-

retreats

founder of Think Gita mentioned that if we can imbibe even some of the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita, we can dramatically shift the course of our lives and the impact we make in this world Bob Blackman also encouraged t

spoke about the impact of

audience to also delve into its teachings through Think G i t a

came away feeling invigorated and inspired by what they

How can you appreciate someone for the hard work or favor they have done for you?

Rohit Vadhwana

Often, we receive favors from people around us They put in effort to help us during critical times of need It goes without saying that such acts require their time and energy But how can we truly show our appreciation for what they have done for us?

Sometimes, you can simply offer payment for the work they have done, especially if they are in need of money However, if they are well-off or payment is not appropriate, the decision becomes even more challenging

Thankfully, there are certain ways to express gratitude that are universally well-received

One timeless way is writing a handwritten thank-you note It’s an age-old method to show appreciation and has always been well-received Especially in today's digital age,

WhatsApp, taking the effort to draft a heartfelt message on a beautiful piece of paper, in your own handwriting, stands out The recipient cannot overlook such a thoughtful gesture

Another effective approach is visiting the person personally at their office or residence and thanking them face-to-face You can accompany your visit with a bouquet of flowers or a box of sweets, if appropriate Taking the time to meet them personally demonstrates your respect and genuine appreciation for their help

You can also acknowledge their help or favor publicly, in the presence of others, and express your gratitude openly Saying "thank you" privately and expressing it in front of others have different impacts When you thank someone publicly, it shows that you truly value their efforts Even if the person is not one to seek praise, such a gesture proves your sincerity and gratitude for their act of kindness

Try one or all of these methods if someone has helped you at a critical juncture in your life or has done a favor that brought positive changes to your life Don’t let these acts of kindness go unacknowledged Being ungrateful is not just a poor attitude; it can also feel insulting to the person who extended a helping hand

(Expressed opinions are personal)

Pinner Walks leader Varsha Bavishi receives prestigious award

charitable

heard, and were happy to come together to acknowledge the Bhagavad Gita in such a profound setting Think Gita is

digestible way to those seeking guidance to help

visit thinkgita org

Superstar Dhanush launches London Leg of the 2024 Silver Star Diabetes Annual Walk

I nternational acting s uperstar Dhanush w as the Guest

o f Honour at the L ondon leg

o f th e 7th A nnual Diabetes

W al k, h eld i n E d g w are , L ond on Dhanush was inv ited by the ch arity s FounderP atron, Rt Hon Keith V az, to sup port th e im portant initiative

T h e l a u n c

d participants from all walks of life and its aim was to promote awareness of diabetes

a n d

Organised by the Silver Star Diabetes Charity, the walk spotlighted the importance of early diagnosis and mana g e m

global

a

Achievement Award by the London Borough of Harrow in recognition of her 16 years of exceptional dedication and leadership in organising and supporting the Pinner Walks Her commitment and outstanding contributions have made a lasting impact on the community

with

place in Thrissur in Kerala, India

Rt Hon Keith Vaz a Type 2 diabetes patient said, “It is a massive boost to the charity to have Dhanush launch the London leg of the annual w a

l remind people of the impor-

with Rt Hon Keith Vaz

tance of looking after their health One in six diabetes sufferers are of Asian origin Everyone of us knows someone with diabetes We must s t e m t h i s e p i d

c I a m really grateful to Saravana Bhavan London for hosting the lunch after the event ”

U P C O M I N G E V E N T

Oldham’s Shree Swaminarayan Mandir ditches plastic for green future

Oldh am ’ s iconic Hind u temp le i s tak i ng a b o ld s te p tow ards env ironmental sustai n abi l it y by s tri v i n g t o eliminate all plastic use on its prem ises In a major move towards

Swaminarayan Mandir has replaced plastic utensils with reusable metal plates for its

in the world of which

are in the

and 101 million live in India The 10 mile walk led by Mr Vaz began in Toronto,

Chicago, USA and Daman in India The next leg will take

Join Sister Jayanti for a special guided meditation on the occasion of 21st December marks first-ever United Nations World Meditation Day on Saturday, 21st December, from 4:30 to 5:30 PM at Global Co-operation House, 65-69 Pound Lane, Willesden, London NW10 2HH.

bookings The temple said this

Temple Secretary Vinod Vekaria stated, "We recognise our duty to protect the environment Switching to reusable metal plates is one step in our journey toward sustainability " The temple has also recently installed 90 solar panels, highlighting its commitment to

Lord Loomba

Varsha Bavishi was honoured with

Lifetime

Dhanush

Keshava Swami addressing audience

L to R: Rajiv Nandha Keshava Swami Bob Blackman Neha Pankhania

Starmer stresses productivity for fairer pay rises

P rim e Minister Keir S tarm er h a s u rg ed p u bl ic

w orkers to boo st p rod uctiv i-

ty to secu re an abov e-inflation pay rise next year

U n i o n s b r a n d e d t h e 2 8% pay rise recommendations as a “bitter pill,” warning that teachers and nurses would keep leaving schools and the NHS unless ministers reconsidered However, the Prime Minister main-

t a i n e d t h a t p a y

n c

s must remain “fair for both taxpayers and workers

they couldn’t afford another year of pay rises significantly above inflation, offering a

real-terms increase of just

lag behind the 3 7% expected wage growth but cited the need for restraint due to a “challenging fiscal position

Reeves has warned depart-

budget, with no bailouts to

Treasury stressed that pay rises can only be sustained through productivity gains, either by improving efficien-

spending

spokesman said tough deci-

adding that union concerns and warnings of cuts must

increases must be matched by productivity gains

Farage among 5 MPs rejecting anti-bullying training

F iv e M Ps, inclu di ng Nig el F a rag e, h av e d ec l in ed to attend anti-bullying training

o ffered by Parliament

T h e s e m

m t o educate new and returning MPs on behavioural rules, c o v e r

sexual misconduct

l

C

Breaking the rules can

u s p e nsions longer than ten days potentially triggering a byelection Out of 637 MPs

w h o h a v e c o m p l e t e d t h e training since the general election, eight are on the waiting list, while five have not attended

Nigel Farage, leader of Reform and MP for Clacton, has not taken part in the "behaviour code awareness training," with a spokesman saying he has no intention of engaging with the "woke s c h e m e " F

N

i

Caroline Johnson and DUP M P s S a m m y W i l s o n a n d Gregory Campbell The training is a relat i v e l y n e w p h e n o m e n o n ,

have been elected previously are asked to attend All MPs were encouraged to take it up by Charlotte Nichols, a Labour former shadow min-

ister who has campaigned

ments for all of those on the Westminster estate Nichols said: “MPs are not just office holders but employers, and it is crucial

attending relevant training

c u l t u

s t change, and MPs must set the tone ” A l l p a r l i a m e

t a f f are expected to "respect and value everyone," recognise their influence, and act professionally MPs are warned that unacceptable behavior will face serious, independent action with effective sanctions

Juries may be dropped to reduce court backlog

S u s p e c t s f a c in g s e r io u s

c harges co uld lo se jury trial rights under a new go vern-

m e n t re v ie w Sir B r ia n Leveson, former app eal judge, w i l l l e a d t h e in v es t ig a ti o n int o th e ' c ris is ' in Engl and and W al es' crow n co urts

F i g u r e s r e v e a l a r e c o r d crown court backlog of 73,105

c a s e s , u p b y 6 , 0 0 0 s i n c e March The previous government aimed to reduce this to 53,000 by next March, but that target is now unlikely to be met

Shabana Mahmood, the

justice secretary, said the gov-

speed up justice, ensure safer streets, and send a clear message to criminals that they will face consequences swiftly " M i n i s

s w a r n e d t h a t without major reforms, the backlog could soon surpass 1 0 0 , 0 0 0 c a s e s S i r B r i a n Leveson added: "A challenge of this scale requires innovative solutions "

Sarah Sackman KC, the courts minister, said the gov-

ernment told Leveson that "no option should be off the table" as part of his review

One possibility is creating an "intermediate" lower tier in the crown court, with a judge sitting alongside two lay magistrates

This idea, supported by former justice secretary Alex Chalk KC, builds on a recom-

Establishing such a tier would be a major reform, potentially eliminating jury trials for certain offences

Pioneering progress in organ donation messaging for faith communities

T h e Na t i o n a l BA M E

T r a n

C onfe rence w hich was held on Jun e 4, 2024

The conference, which

aimed

and m

The event inspired a series

These initiatives, outlined in the report available on the NBTA website, focus

on reshaping messaging to better engage faith communities

Key highlights include plans to create faith-specific communication assets, involve community groups i n a w a r e n e s s c a m p a i g n s , and enhance the role of h o s p i t a

Committees in addressing cultural sensitivities

To oversee the implementation of these actions, an advisory group named IMPACT (Implementation of Principal Actions from M

Veteran Rajindar Singh Dhatt receives MBE at Windsor Castle

A t W i n ds o r C as tl e, K i n g

Charles awarded th e MBE

t o 1 03 -y e ar -o ld H a vi l da r

Major Raji ndar S ingh Dhatt in reco gnition of his ou ts ta n di n g se rv i c es to th e S outh Asian co mmunity i n the UK

Born in 1921 in pre-partition India, Rajindar was nearly finished with school w h e n t h e S e c o n d W o r l d War began, leading him to join the British Army He

r o s e s w i f t l y t h r o u g h t h e ranks, attaining the position

of Havildar Major (Sergeant Major) in 1943 He was deployed to the Far East campaign, fighting in Kohima, northeast India, and supporting the Allied Forces in breaking through Japanese defenses After the war, Rajindar returned to India before moving with his family to Hounslow in 1963, where he co-founded the ‘Undivided Indian ExServicemen’s Association’ to unite British-Indian veterans

Man jailed for murdering mother and attempted burial in garden

A ma n who murde re d his 76y e a r - ol d m o t h e r a n d a tte mpte d to bury he r in the back gar den ha s be en jailed for at lea st 31 y ear s Bhajan Kaur was found with severe head and face injuries near a large hole in the garden of their Leicester home on 13 May Sundeep

S i n g h b e l i e v e d t h e f a m i l y home was left to him by his late father, leading to disp u t e s , a c c o r d i n g t o Leicestershire Police

T h e 4 8 - y e a r - o l d h a d been reported to police by Mrs Kaur and was previously a r r e s t e d o n s u s p i c i o n o f c o e r c i v e b e h a v i o u r b e f o r e being bailed

On the day of her killing, Singh was living in his car on t h e d r i v e w a y a n d w a s l e t

into the house by his mothe r C C T V

r b y shop later that day

After relatives couldn't contact Mrs Kaur, they visited the house and found her b o d y M o m e n t s a f t e r t h e police were called, Singh was seen leaving the property

When detained, he initially denied any involvement and claimed to be someone else Singh was convicted of murd e r a t L e i c e

e r C r o w n Court and sentenced to life

After prior police cont a c t w i t h M r s K a u r a n d Singh, the case was referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), with two officers receiving

Richardson and Kirit Modi

The group held its inaugural meeting in September 2024 and will lead efforts over the next two years

The initiative aims to significantly influence attitudes towards organ donat

groups Conference atten-

o share examples of how the event's outputs have driven change within their communities

T h i s c o l

a b o r a t i v e effort promises to bring a transformative impact on organ donation awareness and inclusivity

strong smell of disinfectant

planning

been an extremely distressing time for Mrs Kaur's

Rajindar Singh Dhatt

Sundeep Singh

Keir Starmer

Christmas is here at last

Christmas is celebrated as a religious and cultural festival by billions of people around the world It is an annual festival

t h a t r e c a l l s t h e b i r t h o f J e s u s C h r i s t o b s e r v e d o n 2 5

December and is an integral part of the holiday season

Carol singing, decorating the house in colours of red and green and preparing a sumptuous meal are the highlights of the celebration In fact, the word 'Christmas' comes from Cristes maesse , an old English word for Christ’s Mass , which references the Catholic tradition of holding a special ceremony to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ Santa Claus has a significant role in the Christmas celebration

The Christmas tree is considered to be a symbol of Christ Decorating a Christmas tree is considered to be an ancient custom that reminds everyone how valuable life is The season of preparing for Christmas is called ‘Advent’ and begins on a Sunday four weeks before Christmas The Christmas season ends on January 6

As Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, the story of how this happened is told in parts of the Holy Bible known as the gospels There are four gospels --- Matthew, Mark, Luke and John --- telling the story of Jesus Christ

The gospel of Luke tells us a lot about His birth, and the gospel of Matthew tells another part of the story The gospel of John tells us that Jesus Christ came from God to bring His Word to all people The gospel of Mark tells us very little about His birth

Jubel D'Cr uz

Down side of festive season

While we celebrate Diwali, along with Sikh, Jain, Parses and members of other religious affiliation, Christmas is the only truly international event celebrated all over the world, from the southernmost point of Chile to the top of the Canadian polar region

One reason is that Christianity is a liberal, friendly and accommodating religion where everyone, from Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs and Jews feel at ease and integrate without hesitation That is one of the main reasons that when we were obliged to leave East Africa and other British colonies, most of us preferred to come here rather than going to India, the first choice of most elderly people, sending their children, most of whom were educated to the British stand and fluent in English to Britain, mainly to London and Leicester

So why Christianity, such a liberal religion, follows the old-aged tradition of decorating a Christmas tree in their living rooms, most such trees are imported from Norway and Sweden, mostly by air, pouring millions of tons of carbon into our already fragile ecosystem

Alpine trees are planted in millions in northern countries like Scandinavia, Russia and the Canadian Arctic Region It takes up to five years to reach the size most people prefer Once the festivities are over, these trees are discarded, some going into land filled sites while others are turned into pulp and used as a low grade fertilizer

One inspiring aspect is that plastic Christmas trees are gaining in popularity, especially among environment enthusiasts It is a blessing in disguise, as such trees are stored in the attic and used again and again, until children are grown-up and move out!

World population has already reached seven billion We need every inch of fertile land to feed the hungry and starving people, especially in Africa So I urge the readers of GS/AV to be environment warriors and drop pine trees from their Christmas shopping list!

Bhupendra M Gandhi

Give shelter to birds

From Time Magazine To The New York Times to CNN to almost all the Asian media houses, the global media outlets have gone into detail about issues like climate change, global warming, sea level rise and the like Overall, it is all about human activities that have been the major driver of all these natural disasters

First off, countries from across the world should take serious and immediate steps to reduce the emissions of methane and carbon dioxide that have been the major contributors to the climate change crisis

I came across a report about the declining bird population in the USA and Canada This report has clearly pointed to factors like deforestation and ecological/food chain crises The international media houses should come forward to highlight such serious yet interesting ecological matters from time to time in the best interests of all

Just interestingly enough, during my childhood, I along with my friends had often been in search of beautiful birds

i n o u

Tiruchendur, Tirunelveli in Tamil Nadu and we had then nurtured the natural penchant and love of such bird species

N a t u r a l l y , m y n a t i v e a r e a s l i k e K o r k a i , T i r u c h e n d u r , Tirunelveli have been able to give shelter to numerous beautiful birds around in terms of big trees, canals, and the river Thamirabarani

Countries should take urgent steps to create more natural habitats and plant more trees in order to accelerate the bird population on the world stage P Senthil Saravana Du rai

Goa's Liberation Day

Goa’s Liberation Day is celebrated on December 19 and has its importance in the history of Goa This is the day when Goa got her freedom from the dominant rule of the Portuguese with the help of the Indian armed forces and the navy

The Liberation of Goa was rather a historic event The fight for Goa’s freedom was dual -- inside Goa and outside Goa -- which was performed by the Indian Government Towards the end of 1961, after various unsuccessful talks, the Indian government deployed armed forces But there were a few issues, as it was assumed that the Portuguese had supersonic interceptors The dearth of the power of their Air Force also became a fright Consequently, the Indian Air Force was advised to offer reinforced support to the ground force

On December 17, 1961, more than 30,000 Indian ground troops with the help of the Indian Air Force and t

Portuguese navy There were a few more armed acts following that The rest of the Portuguese colonies of Daman and Diu were also overpowered The complete build-up of the Portuguese colonies shaped the Union Territory of G

'Operation Vijay' was performed almost without any violence Finally, the Portuguese Governor General Vassalo da Silva, freed Goa on December 18

After three days of the operations, on December 19, 1961, Goa, at last became a part of India The day is observed with a lot of celebrations in Goa The festivity showcases a torchlight parade that is conducted from three diverse places in Goa The three parades eventually gather at the Azad Maidan At this location, the members of the parade pay their homage to the freedom fighters

O B I T U A R Y

Alpa Shah

Born: 8 March 1970

D O D: 15 December 2024

It is with profound sorrow that we s h

Alpa Shah’ passing

Diagnosed with cancer in 2019, Alpa faced her illness

embodying the positivity that defined her She departed

strength

Alpa touched countless lives, both personally and professionally, leaving an indelible mark on all who had the privilege of knowing her Her loss is deeply felt by her family, friends, and her Citibond family, who mourn the departure of someone truly one of a kind

During this difficult time, our thoughts and prayers are with her family May they find comfort and strength in the cherished memories of a life so beautifully lived

O B I T U A R Y

Late Kantilal Maganlal Pattni

Ex Secretary, Vice President and President of Parjiya Pattni Association

Born: 8 February 1948 in Jamkandorna, Gujarat, India

D O D: 10 December 2024 in London

In 1955, Kantibhai mov ed to Nairo bi, Kenya and later he mo ved to Eng land , UK in 1967

He was instrumental in hosting the first ever Navratri event in Acton for all Indians who had migrated to the UK in the 70s Later on, his dedication to serving and volunteering continued when individual Indian communities began holding their own Navratri celebrations

For the Parajiya Pattni Association, he took on several roles from Secretary to Vice President and President, a role he held a number of times right up until 2022

He had a strong purpose to encourage the youth of the community to get involved and had raised tens of thousands in donations which helped the community to hold numerous religious and cultural events for the community at no cost

He leaves behind his beloved wife, 3 children and 3 grandchildren

Households face water bill hike backlash

Ho useho ld s in the U K are set to face a rise in w ater bi ll s o

at lea s t 2 0 % t o ad dress the country’s “broken” sewage system, according to the environm ent secretary

Ofwat, the independent

announce that charges will

2030, resulting in

average

household over the next five years This would push the average water bill from £448

but emphasised the necessity of the rise to repair years of neglect and under-investment H

Conservative governments for the system’s deteriorating state, pledging Labour would focus on

However, consumer groups warned that

water providers, Ofwat has faced pressure to approve

some companies requesting increases of up to 84%

London greenlights plan for Europe's tallest tower

The C ity of Lo nd on h as app ro ved plans fo r a 73-floo r skyscraper, wh ich will m atch th e heigh t of Western Eu rope ’ s tallest tow er, th e Sh ard, situated a m ile to the sou th

The proposed 309 6-meter (1,015 75-foot) tower, called 1 Undershaft, was initially approved in 2016 but never built The revised design aims to address post-pandemic office needs It will provide 154,156 square meters of office space, with educational areas on the 72nd and 73rd floors and a public garden However, the project has faced criticism, particularly from conservation groups Historic England has raised concerns that the tower’s impact on the surrounding public space remains unchanged, warning it could "seriously degrade" the area Despite the challenges faced by London's office market, such as higher borrowing costs and increased remote working, demand for premium office space remains strong

Critics argue that the city’s skyline is becoming cluttered with generic glass-and-metal towers that overshadow historic landmarks like St Paul’s Cathedral

Council cuts can affect essential services

Minister s ha ve bee n war ned t h a t p a s si n g on sp e n d in g cu t s t

e a dy “h o llo we d out ” coun cils wo uld ha r m essent ial “fron tline ser vices” such as socia l car e, child ren ’ s se rv ices, a nd e duca tion

C h a n c e l l o r R a c h e l Reeves has requested that all g o v e r n m e n

budget cuts, but there are concerns about the impact on local authorities A

sure could compromise services like housing mainte-

s centres, and waste collection Council sources also highlighted that adult social care services, which are in high demand, could suffer further

As the Government prepares to release its provi-

for local authorities, there are concerns that services like libraries, environmental programs, arts funding, and housing maintenance are at risk of being reduced Acute

waiting times and reduced availability, insiders warned

This New Year, share the gift of knowledge and connection with your loved ones through our special combo subscription offer for Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar. For more details, see page: 11

Jubel D'Cruz

Steve Reed

Rachel Reeves

Father and stepmother found guilty of Sara Sharif's murder

S ara Sharif's father and step -

m oth er w ere found guilty of m urd ering th e 10 -year-old befo re fleeing to P akistan

Sara died on 8 August last year and was found two days later in a bunk bed at her Woking, Surrey, home after Urfan Sharif, 42, called police from Pakistan

In the weeks before her

, S

p , beaten with a cricket bat, burnt with an iron, and bitten in a "brutal" campaign of abuse, the Old Bailey heard During a call, the minicab driver sobbed as he admitted, "I've killed my daugh-

because "she was naughty," adding, "I legally punished her, and she died " P

note under Sara's pillow, in which Sharif wrote, "Love You Sara" and "I killed my daughter by beating " The note read: "I am running away because I am scared, but I promise to surrender

a n d t a k e p u n i s h m e n t I swear to God my intention was not to kill her, but I lost it " Sharif, his wife Beinash

Batool, 30, his brother Faisal Malik, 29, and five children were captured on CCTV at Heathrow Airport boarding a flight to Islamabad the day after Sara's death

They were arrested on 13 September upon returning to Gatwick Airport All three pleaded not guilty to her murder and an alternative charge of causing or allowing the death of a child

Sharif and Batool were found guilty of Sara's murder, with Batool sobbing in the dock after the verdict Malik was found not guilty of murder but guilty of causing or allowing the death of a child

B a t

two, both held for their own

wing of HMP Bronzefield in Surrey, spend considerable time together chatting and playing cards

Ministers weigh sm acking ban after Sara Sharif mu rder

Ministers are considering a ban on smacking chil-

and Wales, after the murder of 10-year-old Sara Sharif

Education is "looking carefully" at the approach of the

after Urfan Sharif told a 999 handler he had "legally punished" his daughter before her death

have formed a close friendship with fellow child killer Lucy Letby while in prison

British tycoon jailed for 12 years in £996mn Danish tax fraud

British bu sinessman S anjay

Sh ah h as been sentenced to 12 years in prison for fraud

ag ai n s t th e D an i s h s ta te , ma rki n g th e l o ng es t s entence for a financial crime in Denmark’s h istory

G l o s t r u p C o u r t f o u n d Shah guilty of gross fraud, stating he played a "central and controlling role" in a tax scheme that resulted in divi d e n d t a x r e f u n d s w o r t h over 9bn DKK (£996m)

T h e c a s e b e g a n i n August 2015 when Danish tax authorities discovered billions had been illegally claimed In addition to a 12year prison sentence three years longer than the previous Danish record Sanjay Shah will be expelled from t h e c o u n t r y a n d b a n n e d from running a business

He will also have 7 2bn

K

proven to have been gained

Danish police have already

n DKK

Shah, 54, denied wrongdoing, claiming he exploited a t a x l o o p h o l e H o w e v e r ,

defence, stating he was not

m e d amount The 12-year sentence reflects the severity of the crime, which occurred

between 2012 and 2015

The court said Shah, 54, played a “central and controlling role” in the wellp

c crime, which was intensified by a developed software system Shah has appealed the verdict and will remain in custody until the high court rules, as he is considered a flight risk Before his

2023, he had been living in Dubai

I n M a r c h , A n t h o n y

Mark Patterson, a British associate, admitted to his role in an 8 4m DKK dividend tax fraud and was sen-

n prison Another associate, Guenther Klar, received a six-year prison sentence in February for defrauding the treasury of 320m DKK

L to R: Urfan Sharif, Beinash Batool and Faisal Malik

Sanjay Shah

Conservatives express 'grave concerns' over Chagos Islands plan

Dame Priti Patel M P, Shado w F oreign Secretary, and James C artlidg e M P, Sh ad ow Defence

S ecretary, hav e written to Prim e M inister Keir Starmer to express their "g rave concerns" abou t th e g overnment's plan to surrend er the Chagos Islands

Their letter outlines several critical issues, including national security, proposed safeguards, and concerns raised by key international allies "The Government’s inability to answer basic questions about the agreement it is negotiating, combined with the change in administration in the US and the new Mauritian Government’s rejection of the deal, has made the approach you are pursuing unsustainable," the letter states

The MPs specifically raise concerns over the security of the UK's strategic military base on Diego Garcia, questioning how it will be protected Despite

repeated inquiries, government ministers have been unable to confirm whether the UK would have the unilateral right to extend the lease on the base

The letter calls on the Prime Minister to address these unanswered questions "Parliament demands answers on these serious matters The British public cannot reasonably support this deal if the government cannot

provide clear and vital responses," it reads

The MPs also criticise the government's failure to properly consult with the Chagossian people, who feel "ignored" and "deeply offended" by the deal

Shadow Foreign Secretary Patel, having met with Chagossian spokespeople, noted their clear disappointment and opposition to the proposed agreement

Lycamobile warns UK staff job losses

Almo st 9 0% o f th e UK workforce at Lycamo bile, th e teleco ms co mpany o wned by multimillionaire T ory do no r

Allirajah S ubaskaran, has been i nfo rmed they may lose th ei r jo bs, with over 300 staff facing u ncertainty just before Christmas Lycamobile, known for its pay-as-you-go sim cards used by low-paid workers, announced

that it is facing serious challenges and plans to cut up to 316 jobs, leaving as few as 48 in the UK In 2022, the company posted a £24m loss, and its auditors raised concerns about its financial transparency Lycamobile is also involved in a lengthy dispute with HMRC over an alleged £51m unpaid VAT bill Additionally, its French

business was fined €10m (£8 3m) for money laundering and VAT fraud last year General counsel David Dobbie cited competition, cost inflation, and internal inefficiencies as reasons for the cuts

Some customer service roles will be moved offshore to India A consultation on job cuts is set to begin soon

Humza Yousaf to step down from frontline politics

Hum za Yousaf, Scotland ’ s form er first minister, has announced his d ecision to step away from frontline politics at the next S cottish elections

The 39-year-old, who last year became the first Asian Muslim to lead a European government, criticized Elon Musk’s influence in the US election and its potential impact on the UK Yousaf has been serving as a backbencher since resigning in April following tensions with the Scottish Greens

In a letter to his Glasgow Pollok constituency, Humza Yousaf noted that he would have served as an MSP for 15 years by May 2026 and hoped his achievements would inspire young people from all backgrounds to pursue public service

Humza Yousaf

His decision to step down as an MSP could spark speculation about the future of his predecessor, Nicola Sturgeon, at Holyrood Although Sturgeon plans to submit nomination

papers for 2026, she has yet to decide on reelection, with many expecting her to step down rather than remain on the backbenches

In an interview, Humza Yousaf warned that British politics should be “alarmed” by Elon Musk’s influence, particularly his reported plans to support the far right through Reform UK Yousaf, who has clashed with Musk on X, accused him of “amplifying disinformation” linked to the Southport race riots this summer Highlighting Musk’s financial backing of Trump’s US campaign and ties to Mar-a-Lago, Yousaf cautioned that Musk may attempt to replicate that influence in the next UK general election, which should *“ring alarm bells”* nationwide

FMB urges action to diversify housing supply

Sm all house buil ders , responsible f or only 10% of new hom es na tionwide, cannot grow their m arket share without addr ess ing k ey ba rrier s, acc ording to the r eport ‘Supporting SME

Housebuil ders: Challenges and Opportunit ies ’ Comm iss ioned by

t he Fe dera tion of M aster Buil de rs (FMB) and produced by the London

Sc hool of Ec onomics and Pol itical

Sc ienc e (LSE), the report outl ines

t he chall enges the se builders f ace

Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, highlighted the report’s recognition of the value small house builders bring through increased consumer choice and quality He noted the UK’s reliance

on a few large builders, unlike other developed nations, and supported Housing Minister Mathew Pennycook MP’s goal to diversify the market by increasing smaller house builders However, Berry pointed out major obstacles, including local authorities’ failure to allocate enough small development sites in their Local Plans an issue overlooked in recent government planning reforms Berry emphasised that the housing market alone can’t return to the SME housing output levels of the 1980s, when they built 40% of new homes He called for government support through lowinterest loans and affordable

Inclusive Leadership for a Sustainable Future

Inrecent years, the urgency of addressing environmental challenges such as climate change, air pollution, and waste management has become undeniable. The consequences of human activity, from rising greenhouse gases to the growing burden of waste, call for stronger environmental leadership As we strive for a more sustainable future, it is crucial that our leadership reflects the diverse communities that shape the UK, particularly the South Asian community, which plays a significant role in the country’s social, economic, and cultural landscape Effective leadership is vital in guiding communities towards sustainable practices However, for this leadership to be truly impactful, it must be inclusive When it comes to South Asians in the UK, there remains a noticeable lack of representation in environmental leadership roles This gap means that we are missing out on crucial perspectives and support from these communities By increasing representation, we not only foster a sense of safety and belonging but also encourage active participation from individuals who share a similar background When people see leaders who reflect their culture and values, trust is built, cooperation is strengthened, and productivity increases Furthermore, diverse leadership brings a wealth of different perspectives, which often leads to more creative and inclusive solutions to environmental challenges

Historically, the environmental movement has lacked diversity, but we are now witnessing a positive shift South Asian leaders are

increasingly taking charge, influencing national policies, and leading grassroots movements to address issues such as waste management, renewable energy, and water conservation By supporting sustainable agriculture and participating in climate change negotiations, South Asians are making their mark in these critical areas Ensuring that these voices are represented in leadership positions is not only about equality but also about unlocking the full potential of diverse perspectives to create a sustainable and inclusive future for all

These leaders bring with them cultural values that enrich the environmental movement, offering unique solutions to the challenges we face Their inclusion strengthens these movements, ensuring that the solutions we develop are not only effective but also equitable and representative of the communities they aim to serve As we continue to face mounting environmental challenges, the need for diverse leadership becomes even more pressing South Asians are already playing a vital role, but their influence should continue to grow

To support inclusivity in environmental leadership, we must create safe spaces where people can ask questions, collaborate, and contribute openly By championing South Asian leaders within the UK’s environmental landscape, we are fostering the development of inclusive, sustainable solutions that will benefit everyone Together, we can build a more diverse and united community, driving meaningful change for a more sustainable future

Local hero awarded Bolton Civic Medal

Gansh yam Patel, Chairm an of the Shree Swaminarayan Mand ir A rt and C ulture Centre, has been honoured w ith a Bolton C ivic Medal for h is exceptional contributio ns to the lo cal commu nity

funding to foster a more diverse market Berry also highlighted a skills crisis, urging greater investment in apprenticeships, training, and pathways for school leavers

Christine Whitehead, Emeritus Professor of Housing Economics at LSE and a report author, noted that SME house builders possess unique local expertise and are eager to expand However, they face significant barriers compared to larger developers Whitehead pointed out that SMEs could contribute to greening homes, the self-build market, and local economic growth, but are hindered by systemic challenges

The Bolton Civic Medal is the town s highest civic accolade, recognising distinguished service and outstanding achievement Last month, Mayor of Bolton, Councillor Andy Morgan, announced the reintroduction of the medal to celebrate those who have made significant impacts in the borough After receiving numerous nominations, an independent panel selected four recipients, with Patel being one of them

Patel’s journey began when his family migrated to the UK from Uganda while he was still a teenager With only 90 days’ notice, they arrived in Bolton, where Patel pursued studies at Bolton College and the Bolton Institute of Technology,

eventually qualifying as an Associate of the Textile Institute Starting with little more than ambition, Patel dedicated himself to helping others in his community

Since the mid-1980s, Patel has been deeply involved with the Swaminarayan Temple, which has evolved into the Shree Swaminarayan Mandir Art and Culture Centre under his guidance His volunteer work, including his role as Chairman, has been integral in the temple’s growth and in promoting Indian culture and the Hindu faith in Bolton, especially through initiatives like the 1992 carnival celebrating a visiting priest

Reflecting on his love for Bolton, Patel expressed pride in the town's welcoming and friendly atmosphere Cllr Morgan praised the diverse and dedicated community in Bolton, adding, “These four recipients truly represent our supportive and caring town ”

Ketan Dattani

Dame Priti Patel James Cartlidge

Polio survivor credits support dog with newfound independence

R aj wi nder Kaur, 44, who was left confined to a wheelchair

a f te r c o nt r ac t i n g pol i o a s a

b aby, is now rai sing awareness about how support dogs can transform lives Until recently, s he relied heavily on her husb and and carer, Hardeep, for as sistance and couldn’t travel i ndependently

Thanks to Rocky, a three-

y e a r - o l d Y e l l o w L a b r a d o r trained by the Support Dogs

c h a r i t y , R a j w i n d e r K a u r h a s regained her independence

Rocky assists with everyday

t a s k s l i k e p i c k i n g u p d r o p p e d items, opening doors, operating

t h e w a s h i n g m a c h i n e

g

t t i n g dressed, and fetching help, maki n g d a

a n d more hopeful for Rajwinder

daughter, says she’s proud of Rocky and grateful to Support Dogs for their help

The family had Rocky as a pet from a pup and applied to

After assessments, they joined

gramme in October last year

After a year of training, they

October and recently attended a prestigious awards ceremony

UK government faces backlash over ‘Waspi Women’ decision

Campaigners for “Waspi wom en ” affected by the rising state pension ag e reacted ang rily after Work and P ens i o ns S e cr eta ry L i z K end all confirm ed they wou ld no t be compensated K endall to ld M P s the gov ernm ent accepted ombud sm an fi nd in g s t h at h er d e p art m en t failed to com municate th e chang es effectively

Angela Madden, chair of the W o

o n Inequality (Waspi) campaign, con-

"bizarre and totally unjustified " S

about the purpose of an ombudsman if ministers can simply ignore their findings It feels like

“Now, if I drop something, I don’t need to call my husband,” s a y s R a j w i n d e r K a u r , f r o m Hockley, Birmingham “Rocky can pick things up, open doors, load and unload the washing machine, take off my socks, bring my shoes, and even fetch his leash and har-

Dogs They’ve exceeded all expectations Before Rocky, Rajwinder couldn’t go anywhere on her own

Now she can take walks in the

Rajwinder, who has an 18-year-old

wants I no longer worry when she goes out, knowing she has Rocky with her ”

One in four babies born by caesarean in England

One in four babies bo rn in NHS h ospitals in England last year w e re d el iv ere d b y C aes ar ean section, acco rd ing to data

Experts attribute the steady rise in Caesarean births to factors like increasing obesity rates and women having children at o l d e r a g e s , l e a d i n g t o m o r e complications

The proportion of spontan

e s , w h e r e a woman goes into labour without medical intervention, has steadily declined over the past decade Of the 398,675 births in

E n g l a n d l a s t y e a r w i t h k n o w n onset methods, 101,264 (25%) were Caesarean sections, up from 23% the previous year and 13% a decade ago

Last year, 67,100 Caesareans were elective, planned around the 39th week of pregnancy, up from 6 1 , 0 3 0 i n 2 0 2 2 / 2 3 E m e r g e n c y Caesareans also rose, increasing from 29,315 to 32,463, when vaginal

births were deemed too risky by doctors

Dr Ranee Thakar, president

o f t h e R o y a l C o l l e g e o f O b s t e t r i c i a n s a n d

Gynaecologists (RCOG), said: “Caesarean births have steadily increased over the past decade, driven by more complex births

R i s i n g o b e s i t y r a t e s a n d t h e trend of having children later in life are major factors contributing to these complications ” D r T h a k a r a d d e d , “ T h e RCOG supports women making informed choices about childbirth, weighing the risks and benefits of both vaginal and Caesarean delivery The safety and well-being of both mother and baby should always be the priority ”

MPs warn of widespread "medical misogyny" in NHS harming women's fertility

A r e p or t b y t h e Wo me n a n d

E q u a l it i e s C o mm it t e e hi g hl i g h t s per va siv e stig ma a nd a l a ck of

e d u ca t i on o n co n d it i o n s l i k e e ndome triosis, heavy periods, and a denomyosis This leads t o dela yed diag noses, wit h many wome n suffering for yea rs, ofte n onl y r ece ivi n g h e l p w he n t he i r con d i t io n worsens and impacts fert ility

The report comes as concerns grow over England's declining birth rates, with women having fewer children than at any time since 1938

O v e r 7 6 0 , 0 0 0 p a t i e n t s i n England face NHS delays for gynaecological care, impacting education,

careers, and fertility A report critic i s e s m e d i c a l m i s o g y n y , h i g hlighting poor research, lack of specialists, and dismissed pain Half of Endometriosis UK survey respondents saw their GP ten times before diagnosis

Sarah Owen, Labour MP and committee chair, said: “Misogyny in medicine is leaving women in pain, undiagnosed, and waiting years for vital treatment Symptoms are dismissed, and women often endure t r a u m a - i n d

their conditions worsen

She added that up to

in

menstrual bleeding, and one in ten

High Commissioner Chandru Iyer, and officials from both governments L a u n c

Programme is the UK’s flagship

n Belagavi, the initiativ e w ill su pport fiv e w omen gradu ates annually fo r three years, enabling 1 5 scholars to study in th e U K across any discip line Th e first batch will beg in their stu dies in September 2025

T

aimed at fostering global leaders India’s Chevening programme is the largest globally, offering up to 45 fully funded scholarships and fellowships annually With over 3,900 alumni in India, many have made notable societal contributions Chandru Iyer, speaking at the event, said, “I am delighted that the

have conditions like endometriosis or adenomyosis, yet awareness and understanding remain insufficient The committee heard evidence f r o m T V p

Munchetty, who shared her experi-

bleeding and pain She was told to

seeking private care, where she was d i a g n o s

s , a debilitating condition The report highlights a lack of awareness and understanding of women ’ s reproductive health among primary care practitioners, especially concerning young women and girls

Chevening scholarship has partn

Empowering women globally is a priority for us and a key part of our partnership with India on issues l

resilience ”

Highlighting Karnataka’s leadership in South India, he added, “ K a r n

i s t h

s t s t a t e i n South India to join the Chevening programme The scholarship has supported many first-generation

2

n d t i

- 3 towns, who have gone on to make r

India’s growth ”

But she rejected its recommendation for a flat-rate compensation s c h e m e , p a y i n g o u t £ 1 , 0 0 0 t o £2,950 to each of the more than 3 million women affected

E x p l a i n i n g t h e d e c i s i o n ,

Kendall cited a 2006 survey indicating that 90% of women in the relevant age group were aware of the planned changes “Since the vast majority knew the state pension age was rising, the government doesn’t believe a £10 5bn flatrate payment would be fair or proportionate to taxpayers,” she told MPs

Darling called

“day of shame” for Labour, accusing the government of turning its back on mil-

women and ignoring the ombuds-

labeled the decision a “devastating betrayal” of Waspi women, noting

Sarwar had previously supported their campaign for justice

Eight women diagnosed with cancer after misread smear tests

A m aj o r re v i ew i nto c erv ic al

screening at the Southern Health T ru st f ou n d th a t e ig h t w o m en develop ed cancer after th eir smear tests were misread

Additionally, 11 women were found to have pre-cancerous cell changes upon review and required treatment All these cases involved either pre-cancerous changes to t h

gynaecological conditions identified during the review

The Southern Health Trust has apologised to all affected individuals The review was initiated after t h

investigated as a Serious Adverse I

e y Courtney and Erin Harbinson

s i n c e h a v i n g d i e d O v e r 1 7 , 0 0 0 women were contacted to have their smear tests rechecked

The 13-year review of cancer

went unchecked by management for years Stella McLoughlin of the campaign group ‘Ladies with Letters’ called the situation "unforgivable" and urged a public inquiry "This has been a scandal from start to finish, allowed to continue for 10 years, she said Misread smears, lack of accountability, and poor management are impacting real lives "

The cervical screening review examined two groups of women The first included 207 women prev i o

y d i a g n o

d

t h c e r v i c a l cancer; eight of these developed cancer after misread smear tests that, if interpreted correctly, might have led to earlier diagnosis and t r e a t m e n t T h e s e c o n d g r o u p involved 17,425 women invited to have their smears rechecked, with 11 now receiving non-cancerous treatment The trust noted that it couldn't conclusively link the eight cases to missed abnormalities

Over half of UK women with gestational diabetes cases missed

Research led by Professor Claire Me ek at t h e U ni v er si t y o f Leicester and Cambridge su ggests th at over half of pregnant women with ges tati onal diabetes are undiagnosed du e to the current NHS blo od test p rocess Faster blood sugar test p ro cessi ng for at- risk mo th ers could improve diagnosis accu racy and prevent co mp li catio ns fo r bo th mo th er and baby P u b l i s h e d i n ‘ D i a b e t i c Medicine’, the findings highlight that gestational diabetes, common in the UK, causes birth complicat i o n s f o r m o t h e r s a n d b a b i e s

Professor Claire Meek, an expert i n C h e m i c a l P a t h o l o g y a n d Diabetes in Pregnancy, said, "Most complications can be prevented with accurate diagnosis and timely t r e a t m e n t , b u t m i s d i a g n o s i s denies mothers access to necessary care " Gestational diabetes is typically diagnosed using an oral gluc o s e t o l e r a n c e t e s t ( O G T T )

between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy

T h e t e s t i n v o l v e s t a k i n g a b l o o d s a

consumes

sugary drink, followed by another sample two hours later H o w e v e

h e sample can drop over time as red blood cells continue to use glucose, leading to inaccurate results

Quick processing ensures that the s a m p l e ' s g l u c

n closer to the actual levels in the patient’s blood

P r o f

, "We wanted to assess if processing t h e

OGTT test "

C o m p a r i n g s t a n d a r d N H S processing with faster processing, the study found that 9% of women were diagnosed with gestational diabetes using standard methods, while 22% were identified when blood was processed more quickly

Polio survivor Rajwinder with her support dog Rocky

Kiren Jogi, Artistic Director of Curl Girl Theatre

Production, initially planned to become a child psychologist until attending a Bollywood concert inspired her to pursue acting A graduate in Drama from the University of Aberystwyth, Kiren has been deeply immersed in theatre and the arts since graduating.

She began her writing journey in 2006 with ‘Kaali’, honing her craft before contributing to the ‘BBCD’ column for ‘Aftershock’ in Mumbai Her published works include ‘Noxious Emancipation’ (Grey Oak Publishers) and ‘936 Hours with Sampad’ in Birmingham, as well as ‘Sub Rosa’ with the National Trust Recently, she completed ‘The Valley of Queens’, a stage play commissioned by Creative Black Country, where she served as Creative Associate for Sandwell

Amplifying South Asian voices through theatre

by Subhasini Naicker

creative passion Plus, having been known for my curly locks, I felt the name was a perfect fit!

Early in her career, Kiren worked with Yash Raj Films, contributing to hit Bollywood movies like ‘Ghajani’ and ‘Murder 2 ’ Her role as Ruchika in the award-winning TV show ‘rishta com ’ earned widespread acclaim and multiple award nominations at the Indian Television Awards

In an interview with Asian Voice, Kiren shares insights into establishing Curl Girl Theatre Production, the evolving landscape of South Asian representation in the global entertainment industry, and more

1What inspired you to establish Curl Girl Theatre Production, and what is the significance behind the name?

When I moved to Birmingham as a young mother, I quickly realized there were very few opportunities for actors of colour, and the roles that did exist rarely matched the kind of parts I wanted to pursue That’s when I decided to create ‘Curl Girl Theatre Production’ – not just to create opportunities for myself but to support other creatives from South Asian backgrounds Touring and travelling as an actor became challenging with young children, so ‘Curl Girl’ became my way of staying connected to my

more opportunities

While South Asian women are stepping into leadership roles and representation is starting to emerge, are we truly being represented? Growing up, I had no role models who looked like me What I did see were portrayals that ridiculed or mocked South Asian culture, often in comedy sketches that reinforced harmful stereotypes Not all of us speak with an accent, eat curry every day, or stock up on discounted toilet rolls If you have the opportunity to represent people like me, I urge you to consider the impact of the stories and images you put out into the world Representation matters, and it should be authentic

2Growing up, were there particular South Asian stories, films, or cultural traditions that shaped your creative vision?

I’m a hardcore Punjabi – we love drama, but I’ve always wanted to avoid stereotypical portrayals Often, we ’ re cast in one-dimensional comic roles that lack depth or truth Through Curl Girl Theatre Production, I aim to challenge these stereotypes and bring authenticity to the stage Characters like Nimi in ‘A Marriage Proposal’ –which sold out during its last run – and Manjinder in ‘The Valley of Queens’ are full of soul, allowing actors to truly connect with the audience and explore meaningful performances As an actress, I struggled to find roles that allowed me to showcase my talent, portray strong, resilient, and empowering women, and tell stories that are women-centric Creating these roles has not only allowed me to fulfill my creative vision but also opened doors for other talented actors to find similar opportunities

3What changes have you noticed in the global entertainment industry regarding South Asian representation, and what more do you think needs to be done?

Things are definitely changing, but I believe we still need to create

Asian Voice: One stop-shop

Antiques Roadshow guest in tears over dad's

‘A ntiques Ro ad sh ow ’ v iewer

uest

V ic to ria C

ocked by

U K’s high est m ilitary ho nor

Expert Mark S mith, sp eaki ng in P o ll o ck P ar k, explained its rarity, calling it “th

'ultimate' medal

4What message do you hope to convey to the next generation of South Asian artists through your work and through Curl Girl Theatre?

Through Curl Girl, I aim to represent our community authentically, celebrating the legacy our parents and grandparents built to allow us to dream and thrive While I’ve worked in film, television, and theatre, the most fulfilling work has been connecting with our communities, listening to untold stories that risk being lost I’ve heard Shakespeare and Laila Majnu, but now I want to amplify the voices of real people stories our audiences are eager to hear, supported by box office feedback and sales

We believe in working ‘local’ The Midlands is a hub of ethnic diversity, yet opportunities for creatives of colour are still scarce Why should we have to move to London for work? Curl Girl wants to create a platform that champions local talent while embracing language and heritage Our mother tongue is poetic and deserves a stage ‘A Marriage Proposal’ was performed in Hindi and English, attracting 40% white audiences who joyfully danced to our desi beats at the end of the show I’m excited to continue this journey of representation, creativity, and connection

to C aptain Gian Singh

World War II

his

u t t h e past, saying, “My dad never talked to us about the story ” Expert Mark Smith then

Burma: “Firing his Tommy guns and hurling grenades, he made two lone charges

against the Japanese on the Mingan Road ” Singh’s bravery was vital in dislodging the enemy when a Punjab platoon came under heavy fire, leading him to order machine gunners to cover him as he charged enemy foxholes

D

wounds, Naik Gian Singh single-handedly captured a Japanese anti-tank gun and

continue leading until the mission was completed

Heritage railways ready for New Year whistle off

H eri ta g e lo c o m o ti v es w i l l sound their whistles at midday on New Year's Day as part of the "wh istle off" trad i ti o n t o la un ch ‘ Rai lw a y 200 ’ , a year-long celebration marking 200 years since the birth of mod ern railways

C o o r d i n a t e d b y t h e

H e r i t a g e R a i l w a y

A s s o c i a t i o n , t h e i n i t i a t i v e aims to inspire careers in rail Among the participati n g l i n e s i s S e v e r n V a l l e y R a i l w a y , a 1 6 - m i l e r o u t e

with six stations between K i d d e r m i n s t e r a n d Bridgnorth

V o l u n t e e r d r i v e r M i c k Matthews and fireman Alex R o b i n s o n w i l l s o u n d t h e w h i s t l e a t B r i d g n o r t h i n S h r o p s h i r e M a t t h e w s , 6 2 , f r o m N o r t o n C a n e s , Staffordshire, said: "When w e s o u n d t h e w h i s t l e a t noon, we ll definitely be givi n g i t s o m e e x t r a w e l l y " R o b i n s o n , 2 5 , f r o m

B r i d g n o r t h , a d d e d :

"Knowing that heritage loco crews across the UK will be all sounding their whistles at exactly the same time is a wonderful way of bringing us all together " T h e r a i l w a y , w h i c h attracts up to 250,000 visitors annually, will celebrate its 60th anniversary in 2025 Operated by over 1,600 volunteers, it runs both steam and diesel-hauled passenger trains on its full-size, standard-gauge line

Full Tour and Cast Announced for Shahid Iqbal Khan’s 10 Nights

P h i z z i c a l P ro d u c t i o ns h as a nno u nc e d t h e r e tu r n o f S hahi d Iqbal Kh an ’ s Ol ivi er

A w ar d - n o mi nat ed p l a y 10

N i g h ts , s et t o o p en at R i ve rs i d e S t u d i o s o n Wednes day, 8 January 2025, bef ore emb arking o n a UK tour

humorous one-man play stars

Adeel Ali, exploring themes of faith, community, and selfd i s c o v e r y T h e p r o d u c t i o n w i l l d e b u t a t R i v e r s i d e

Studios in Hammersmith (826 January) before touring to

D e r b y T h e a t r e ( 2 7 - 2 8

J a n u a r y ) , T h e L o w r y i n Manchester (30 January - 1

F e b r u a r y ) , L a w r e n c e B a t l e y Theatre (4 - 5 February), and Birmingham Hippodrome (68 February)

10 Nights follows Yasser, who embarks on a spiritual j o u r n e y b y t a k i n g p a r t i n itikaf spending the final ten nights of Ramadan in reflection at a mosque Along the way, Yasser faces unexpected challenges, from navigating c o m m u n a l s p a c e s t o wrestling with his personal cravings and truths The play

p o r t r a y s h i s c o m i n g - o f - a g e s t o r y w i t h h u m o u r a n d poignancy, offering a touching exploration of fractured friendships and a community striving for unity and hope

S h a h i d I q b a l K h a n , t h e writer of 10 Nights, expressed his excitement for the 2025 r e m o u n t , s h a r i n g , “ 2 0 2 4 b e g a n b e a u t i f u

Nights I am looking forward to their remount once more in 2025 It has become a fest

h 1 0 Nights while the month of Ramadan is nigh “I love that the 2025 tour will go even further north this t i m e t o

Manchester I am excited to see Adeel Ali in the role of

The Bhavan opens registration for yoga and dance classes

Th e Nehru C entre (T NC ), th e C ul tural Wi ng o f th e High Com mission of India, is p leased to annou nce the fourth batch of short-term

Y o g a , K ath a k, an d Bh arata natyam c lass es fo r beg inners R u n n i n g f r o m 1 1 t h January to 2nd March 2025 o v e r e i g h t w e e k s , t h e s e w e e k e n d - o n l y c l a s s e s a r e free and open to all enthusia s t s E a c h p r o g r a m m e i s limited to 50 participants, w i t h s e a t s a l l

c

t e d o n a f i r s t - c o m e , f i r s t - s e r v e d basis T h e b e g i n n e r p r ogrammes will take place at The Nehru Centre, 8 South A u d l e y S t r e e t , W 1 K 1 H F , London Yoga for Beginners will r u n e v e r y S a t u r d a y a n d Sunday from 8:30 to 10:00 am for participants aged 18 to 60 years, with 50 seats a v a i l a b l e A t t e n d e e s a r e a s k e d t o b r i n g t h e i r o w n yoga mats, sheets, towels, and tissues

K a t h a k f o r B e g i n n e r s will take place from 10:15 to 11:45 am on the same days, open to participants aged 12 to 35 years, with 50 seats available Bharatanatyam for Beginners will follow from 12:00 noon to 1:30 pm, also on Saturdays and Sundays, for the same age group and with 50 seats available I n t e r e s t e d c a n d i d a t e s are encouraged to register v i a t h e a t t a c h e d G o o g l e F o r m b y 2 7 t h D e c e m b e r 2024

Community support to combat Christmas isolation

Age UK’s latest report, ‘You Are Not Alone in Feeling

L o n e l y ’ , h i g h l i g h t s t h e extent of loneliness among those aged 65 and over It reveals that 270,000 older

p e o p l e i n E n g l a n d g o a n entire week without speaki n g t o a f r i e n d o r f a m i l y member

Loneliness significantly affects older people's health, well-being, and quality of life, increasing frailty and t h e r i s k o f p h y s i c a l a n d mental health issues Simple gestures like regular phone calls, visits, or daily assistance can make a profound difference, offering connection, reassurance, and the reminder that they are valued and not alone

Asian Voice has spoken to a few organisations and a social worker to explore the issue of elderly loneliness and the role communities can play in addressing it

So cial gro ups step up to tackle eld erly isolation

C E O o f R e - e n g a g e , J e nny W il lo t t s a i d ,

“Loneliness can have a pro-

f o u n d a n d d e v a s t a t i n g i m p a c t o n o l d e r p e o p l e across all sections of society That’s why we warmly invite anyone aged 75 and over to

j o i n o u r f r e e t e a p a r t i e s , a c t i v i t y g r o u p s , o r c a l l -

b e f r i e n d i n g s e r v i c e s I n Wolverhampton, one of our groups meets regularly at a Gurdwara, where they enjoy

a w o n d e r f u l t i m e m a k i n g

n e w f r i e n d s a n d s h a r i n g delicious food

" W e a r e a l s o e a g e r t o expand our services to better meet the needs of the Asian community in the future To achieve this, we hope to collaborate with organisations that share our vision of cre-

a t i n g m e a n i n g f u l c o n n e ctions for older people ” C E O o f T o g e t h e r C o , A pril Baker highlighted the impact of loneliness, espe-

c i a l l y d u r i n g C h r i s t m a s , which can be a particularly difficult time for many She

s h a r e d t h a t T o g e t h e r C o , with the help of over 450 v o l u n t e e r s , p r o v i d e s befriending and social prescribing services to connect people with their communi-

t y , i m p r o v i n g t h e i r s o c i a l health and well-being She said, “In Brighton and Hove, where up to 22,000 people often or always feel lonely, their volunteers gave over 14,000 hours last year, supp o r t i n g m o r e t h a n 2 , 3 0 0 p e o p l e T h i s D e c e m b e r , their Winter Warmer event brought 160 people together those they support, vol-

u n t e e r s , a n d t h e b u s i n e s s

c o m m u n i t y t o f o s t e r friendships and strengthen

c o n n e c t i o n s F o r h o u s ebound individuals, hampers with gifts donated by local businesses were delivered,

r e m i n d i n g t h e m t h e y a r e valued and not alone ” CEO of Age UK, P au l

F a rm e r e m p h a s i s e d t h a t a r o u

d 1 0 6 m i l l i o n o l d e r people-four in five-believe

s p e n d i n g t i m e w i t h l o v e d ones is one of the most cheri s h e d p a r t s o f C h r i s t m a s

However, many face the festive season alone Age UK focuses on supporting older people through campaigns, advice, and assistance, but sometimes a simple listening ear can make the biggest difference He urged people to reconsider their holiday routines by spending time with older relatives, friends, or neighbours, particularly t h o s e l i v i n g

gestures like sending a card, attending a local social event hosted by Age UK, or donating to their campaign can bring comfort and connection during the festive period Twickenham fam ily creates a holiday h ub for all Shashi and Pallu Patel, f r o m T w i c k e n h a m , h a v e

o p e n e d t h e i r n e w s a g e n t shop, ‘Meet & Deep News’

Each Christmas, hundreds

o f v i s i t o r s c o m e t o e n j o y

Christmas carols played by Shashi, Pallu, and their sons, Meeten and Deepen, share food, and connect with others in a warm, welcoming space

D eep e n P at el s h a r e d how his parents' efforts on Christmas Day have posit i v e l y i m p a c t e d t h e l o c a l c o m m u n i t y : M y p a r e n t s have supported the community over the years by creating a welcoming space for those who might otherwise spend Christmas alone By

o p e n i n g t h e s h o p o n Christmas Day, they’ve provided a safe, comfortable, and free place for people to g a t h e r , s h a r e f o o d a n d d r i n k s , a n d c e l e b r a t e together It’s more than just a shop it’s become a community hub where everyone can feel a sense of belongi n g , c o n n e c t w i t h o t h e r s , and experience the joy of the season Their efforts ensure that no one feels isolated on this special day " R e f l e c t i n g o n s p e c i a l m o m e n t s f r o m t h e s h o p during the holidays, Deepen shared, “Every year, special stories unfold at our shop Last year, two lonely elderly w o m e n , E l i z a b e t h a n d S o h i n d a , v i s i t e d r e g u l a r l y but always alone During a holiday event, I introduced them, despite their initial shyness As they were leavi n g , E l i z a b e t h m e n t i o n e d her childhood friend from S o h i n d a ’ s s t r e e t 6 0 y e a r s a g o R e m a r k a b l y , S o h i n d a recognised the name they h a d b e e n b e s t f r i e n d s i n school but hadn’t seen each

quiet reflection can be emotionally difficult For those without family, this time of year can be isolating Even small gestures, like a kind conversation or checking in, can make a big difference ”

S h e h i g h l i g h t e d h o w

o t h e r i n 7 0 y e a r s T h e y hugged, cried, and shared photos, and now meet regularly, rekindling their longl o s t f r i e n d s h i p O u r Christmas party has become a s p a c e w h e r e l o n e l i n e s s fades and moments of kindness create what many call ‘Christmas miracles ’” H

y Christmas, we try to bring joy to those in need One year, an elderly woman with Leukaemia, whose birthday f a l l s o n C

shared that no one had ever celebrated her birthday My m

party, and we surprised her with a cake and 70 people s i n g i n g ‘ H

birthday she ever had, bring-

elderly woman, was devastated after being robbed of £800 by scammers pretend-

breaking past-abandoned by her adoptive parents at 14 f

y enough’-she had little hope We rallied the community t o c o l l

i f t s , a n d

C h r i s t m a s D

, m y d a d dressed as Father Christmas and presented her with a sack of presents She said what could have been her worst Christmas became her best, thanks to our efforts ” Deepen added, “We also h

pies, and offer samosas and masala chai our communit y ’

These moments make the season truly special ” Pow er o f togeth erness and care

A j m e r K au r , 9 2 , f r o m Wolverhampton, shared, “I lost my husband 35 years ago and all my siblings since I have four children, but my d a u g h t

i v e s a b r

A s you age, you become more detached, and while I’m fortunate my family cares for me, many don’t have that support Christmas can be especially lonely, as it brings b a c k m

d ones The sense of loss and

South Asian communities in the UK can better support those alone during the holidays, “Times have changed, and many are so busy that the sense of community has been lost While providing support can be expensive, small gestures like offering a hot meal to elderly individu

r e n c e Neighbours once looked out for one another, and reviving that spirit of care could go a long way Although we no longer live in large family units as in India, I encourage children to check in on their elders and make time for them ” S h e a d d e d , “ W e o f t e n

don’t realise how much we can learn from our elders until they’re gone Caring f o r t h e m a n d c h e r i s h i n g these moments is one of the greatest acts of Seva (selfless service) we can perform ” Ajmer spoke about com-

m u n i t y e v e n t s t h a t h e l p combat isolation, saying, “I am part of the Sant Zora S i n g h L o p o n C h a r i t a b l e Trust UK, which gives me a strong sense of community and belonging Regular religious gatherings and afternoon tea events at the Sant Ashram in Wolverhampton bring people from different backgrounds together in a welcoming, inclusive envir o n m e n t T h e s e e v e n t s allow me to connect with others, strengthen my faith, a n d e x p e r i e n c e t h e s a m e sense of community we rely on so deeply in India The v o l u n t e e r s a r e i n c r e d i b l y supportive, and being part of this community keeps me connected and reminds me of the power of togetherness ” Role of fam ily and comm unity in reducing loneliness Operations Team LeadHR - UoB and Volunteer at the Sant Zora Singh Lopon C h a r i t a b l e T r u s t U K , M a n d e e p R a n a h i g h l i g h t s the challenges older individuals face during Christmas, especially within the South Asian community She said, “For many elderly individuals, this time of year can be p a r t i c u l a r l y d i f f i c u l t I n South Asian cultures, we are taught to respect and care for our elders, and traditiona l l y , l a r g e f a m i l i e s l i v e together However, this isn’t always the case, and many e l d e r l y p e o p l e f i n d t h e mselves living alone, without the family support they once had As Christmas emphasise s t o g e t h e r n e s s , t h i s c a n make their loneliness even more profound ” S h e a d d e d , “ F o r t h o s e without loved ones nearby, the silence and isolation can feel especially hard during Christmas, when everyone

else is celebrating The cold w e a t h e r a l s o l i m i t s t h e i r a b i l i t y t o g o o u t d o o r s

Showing kindness, reaching out, and being mindful of those who may feel forgotten can make a real difference to their lives ”

Discussing cultural factors, Mandeep underscored how the strong emphasis on f a m i l y a n d c o m m u n i t y i n S o u t h A s i a n t r a d

said, “Traditionally, multig e n

o n a l h o

d s o f f e r s u p p

r t , a n d

d e r adults often expect to live w i t h t h e i r c h i l d r e n o r extended family as they age When these expectations are unmet, it can lead to feelings of disconnection and loneliness There is also a stigma around mental health that prevents many older individuals from speaking openly about loneliness, as admitting it may be seen as a sign of weakness or a burden on loved ones While community and religious gatherings provide vital emotional support, attending regularly can be challenging due to mobility issues, language barriers, o r c u l t u r a l d i f f e r e n c e s T h e s e b a r r i e r s o f t e n l i m i t access to social networks or support services, discouraging older South Asians from seeking the help available to them

play in reducing isolation for

bours, she said, “Simple

difference

Offering to accompany them to places of worship, com-

events can help them feel connected to their roots and encourage social participa-

challenges Many older individuals share that they

and often go without eating

Taking the time to cook and drop off a simple meal is

act of care that reminds them they are not

doors for them to connect

family, bridging physical and

M

s t importantly, be empathetic and understanding One day, we’ll be in their shoes, and the kindness we show now can create a ripple effect of connection and care Small acts of love and support can transform someone ’ s day or even their life in ways we may not fully realise ”

Bringing warmth to the vulnerable

At C hristmas, w hile loneliness affects many, homelessness remains a pressing i s su e , le av i n g c o u nt les s individ uals strugg ling during the festiv e season With no warm place to stay or s h are t h e h o li d a y sp i r it , these indiv iduals face ad ditional challenges Efforts to s u p p o rt th em th r o u g h kind ness, com munity g ather i ng s , a nd sh a re d re so u r ce s ca n bri n g warm th, hope, and a sense o f bel o ng i ng d ur in g th i s special time of year

B r i t i s h - P a k i s t a n i f o o d entrepreneur, restaurateur, and activist, Sulem an Raza MBE said, “Christmas is a time of joy, togetherness, and giving a season that

t r a n s c e n d s f a i t h s a n d brings communities closer

At Spice Village, we believe in the universal values of compassion and kindness that this season embodies

A s M u s l i m s , w e s e e C h r i s t m a s n o t o n l y a s a moment to celebrate with our Christian friends and n e i g h b o u r s b u t a s a n opportunity to reflect on s h a r e d h u m a n i t y a n d extend a helping hand to those in need This year, through our ‘No One Eats

A l o n e ’ c a m p a i g n , w e ’ r e bringing this spirit to life

charity it’s about spreading warmth, hope, and dignity to those who often feel forgotten during the holidays Inspired by our belief that food connects people, we want to ensure no one goes hungry or feels alone At Spice Village, our values o f g

i c e guide everything we do As Muslims, we are taught to care for the vulnerable and uphold kindness regardless o

v e reflects our commitment to these teachings,” he added

w i t h a s p e c i a l C h r i s t m a s stall outside our Southall branch on December 25th ” “The stall will offer free meals, grocery rations, and warm essentials like jackets and sweaters to those who are struggling This initiat i v e

Deepen Patel

Mandeep Rana

Suleman Raza MBE

Practical financial tips for stress-free holiday celebrations

T he cost o f living crisis has m ad e h o lid ay c elebratio ns

m ore challeng ing for m any families, as rising expenses strain bu dgets Ch ristmas, a time of joy and generosity,

c an b ring a dd e d fi nanci al p ressu re, especially fo r those

f ro m d iv erse bac kg

w ith v arying income levels

However, affordable cele

Simple, meaningful experie

moments, and smart budgeting can ensure the festive spirit is preserved without compromising financial stability

Monica Kaur, Regional

f o r

East London at the Money and Pension Service (MaPS), shared practical advice for South Asian families aiming to celebrate Christmas withi

“ O p

n c o m m

n i c a t i o n i s v i t a l when it comes to budgeting, especially in the Asian com-

m u n i t y , w h e r e d i s c u s s i n g m o n e y c a n o f t e n f e e l shameful or embarrassing Involving family members

p a r t n e r s a n d c h i l d r e n alike in the budgeting process through 'loud budgeting' can help families openly address financial priorities

a n d f o c u s o n m i n d f u l spending instead of unnecessary expenses ”

She also highlighted the importance of re-evaluating traditions, such as prioritising experiences over material gifts “For instance, during the cost of living crisis, I opted for a family meal over exchanging gifts, and many of my relatives appreciated the honesty and the conversation that came with it,” she explained Additionally, shared responsibilities like group cooking with friends or family can cut costs and reduce stress M

spending into budgets and

s

preferably in spring or summer, to avoid last-minute expenses She said, “Tools

spending and saving monthb

might not always be possible, early planning and creating savings pots can signif-

pressure during the festive season ” Monica shared advice on

there’s often pressure to give designer gifts It’s important to have open conversations a

and question if such gifts are necessary Shopping smart

Friday or outlet discounts

smaller, personal, or creative gifts like vouchers, cinema tickets, or experiences such as a picnic in the park or visiting a free museum

thoughtful alternatives can ease financial strain

vouchers for shared experiences, like a summer day

focus on quality time rather than expensive purchases

Skylord's festive gathering

Skylord Travel, one of the oldest British Asian travel agencies, hosted a Christmas party at The Coach and Horses, the oldestpub in Rickmansworth, built in 1722. The event was attended by representatives from over 40 airlines.

Christmas cheer in style

UK workplaces downscaling Christmas celebrations

A third of U K workplaces (3 3%) are planning to scale back their Christm as celebrations this year, with 26% o f co m p ani es o p ti n g to forgo festiv e events entirely, acco rding to new research from Robert Walters Th e find ing s highligh t a sh ift in th e t rad it i o nal C h ri s tm as p ar ty, ref le ct in g c h an g i ng attitud es am ong professionals toward s workplace celebrations

Lucy Bisset, Director at R o b e r t W a l t e r s U K , explains, "With tighter budg e t s , m a n y e m p l o y e r s a r e reducing the scale of their festive celebrations At the same time, there’s increasing pressure from employe e s w h o b e l i e v e t h a t Christmas budgets could be b e t t e r s p e n t t h a n o n t h e usual office party " Decline in attend ance

The research, which sur-

v e y e d 1 , 7 0 0 p r o f e s s i o n a l s , shows that nearly half (47%) p l a n t o s k i p t h e i r w o r k Christmas party this year In f a c t , 7 8 % o f p r o f e s s i o n a l s feel that attending the office Christmas party has become l e s s i m p o r t a n t s i n c e t h e pandemic

L u c y a d d s , “ T h e p o s tp a n d e m i c w o r k p l a c e h a s u n d e r g o n e s i g n i f i c a n t changes Many professionals are now working in hybrid

e n v i r o n m e n t s , y o u n g e r

e m p l o y e e s a r e e m b r a c i n g alcohol-free socialising, and there’s a greater focus on work-life balance The idea of setting aside an entire evening during the busy holiday season is often seen as a logistical challenge ”

bu rnout

When asked about the reasons behind their reluctance to attend Christmas

p a r t i e s , o v e r t w o - f i f t h s (42%) of UK professionals

c i t e d t h e p r e s s u r e t o s o c i a l i s e w i t h c o l l

A d d i t i o

, a q u a r t

f respondents (25%) feel that their company ’ s Christmas p a r t i e s a r e n o t i n c l u s i v

lighting divisions in company culture

Another barrier to part i c i p a t i o n i s t h e p e r s o n a l cost About 22% of professionals say that the expense of attending office parties i n c l u d i n g b u y i n g S e c r e t S a n t a g i f t s , p u r c h a s i n g a party outfit, and paying for t a x i s d e t e r s t h e m f r o m taking part

L u c y c o m m e n t s , “ T h e festive season can already be draining on workers’ wallets and social energy, making t h e p r e s s u r e t o a t t e n d Christmas parties feel like a n o t h e r o b l i g a t i o n

However, when done right, these events can serve as an o

Making parties inclusive and accessible helps ensure that

party, such as one held during the day to allow earlier finishes (54%), or an event that includes a specific activity or game (31%)

F u r t h e r r e s e a

y Robert Walters reveals that 79% of professionals do not consider employer-organised socialising or team-building events as important workplace perks More than half (52%) of professionals would rather receive a gift or a small bonus over participating in organised celebrations Lucy concludes, “While Christmas parties remain a staple in many workplaces,

parties often place unnecessary pressure on employees to attend Instead, employers might consider simpler alternatives like team lunches, games, small gifts, or even rea

into employees’ paychecks as a

smaller gestures can effectively convey holiday spirit

appreciated

Matilda: A must-watch musical this holiday!

Th e Royal S hakespeare C ompany ’ s mu lti-awardwinning M atild a T he Mu sical, inspired by Roald Dahl’ s belov ed classic, continues to enchant audiences worldw ide

After a sellout tour in 2018-2019, this global sensation is back on the road across the UK and Ireland from October 2025, marking 15 years since its debut at the Courtyard Theatre in Stratford-uponAvon Having captivated over 12 million theatregoers across 100 cities in 17 countries, Matilda remains a “unique and unforgettable” (Rolling Stone) experience, boasting 101 international awards,

including 24 for Best Musical

Written by Dennis Kelly, with music and lyrics by Tim Minchin, and directed by Matthew Warchus, the musical tells the inspiring tale of a brilliant young girl who uses her sharp intellect and rich imagination to change her fate

The West End production, now in its 13th year at the Cambridge

Theatre, continues to sell out performances The new cast includes Angelica Scott, Anna Deikalo, Ava Posniak, and Sophia Saravanan, who will share the iconic title role of Matilda They are joined by Tiffany Graves as Mrs Wormwood, Neil McDermott as Mr Wormwood, Eve Norris as Miss Honey, and Kieran Hill, who returns as the formidable Miss Trunchbull

A must-see for all ages, this joyful and rebellious production about a strongwilled heroine with a vivid imagination is the perfect festive treat Tickets are now on sale at Matildathemusical com

Year-end celebration

Vyman Solicitors hosted their annual Christmas dinner, bringing together colleagues from all their offices across London to celebrate the end of another successful year

MaPS London (East) Regional Manager - Monica Kaur

Festive

RakLaw Solicitors hosted a Christmas party and dinner on December 16th at Vicinity, The Tower Hotel, E1. With offices located in London Bridge and Canary Wharf, RakLaw Solicitors celebrated the festive season in style

Rakesh Prajapati founder and Solicitor with Kishore Parmar, Advertising Manager, Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar Staff and guests

L-R: Kishore Parmar Advertising Manager Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar, Graham Cook, General Manager, Air India UK, Rajan and Kartic Sehgal, Directors of Skylord Travel

Manjinder Seehra Helen Breen Sales Manager UK Emirates Air

Shoppers to spend £22.7bn on festive gifts in last-minute boost for retailers

As per PwC’s late st Fes tive

Pr e di c t io ns Su rv e y , UK spending on gif ts and c ele-

br a t i on s t h is Ch ri s t m a s is expec ted to hit £22 7 billion,

a 5 % increas e from las t y ear's £2 1 6 billion Average s pending per consumer is projec ted to ris e from £416 to £433, s urpas s in g the past t wo y ears and aligning with the postpan demic f es tive sea son of 2 02 1, whe n t ot al s pe n din g

wa s £2 1 6 b i l l io n wi t h a n average of £426 per person

U K c o n s u m e r

n s p e n d m

h a n p l a n n

d during the festive season A PwC survey from September found 18% predicted higher spending, rising to 20% by November, while the proportion planning to spend less dropped from 27% to 16% This shift reflects growing

October Budget

Younger consumers are l e a d

with 29% of 18-24-year-olds and 25% of 35-44-year-olds p

spend of £463 per person, driving much of the festive spending this year R

rebound in Christmas spending after three challenging years, driven by easing financial pressures The percentage of consumers citing "less

dropped from 54% in 2022 to

pointing to "negative personal finances" fell from 57% to

32%, indicating growing confidence

Consumers spending less are increasingly doing so due to fewer gifts (rising from 15%

people (increasing from 11% to 16%) Many households are opting for quieter celebra-

instead-up from 27% in 2022 to 31% in 2024-reducing the need for additional spending

Holiday travel is on the rise, with plans for getaways increasing from 5% to 7%, up from just 2% pre-pandemic Travel abroad to visit family

% Londoners are the most likely to travel abroad for holi-

(11%), while the Welsh are the

% planning a trip

Secure your home and valuables this Christmas

A s the d ays grow shorte r and t he n igh ts be come lon ge r, t he C hristmas sea son is fa st

a p pr oa c h i n g W hi le t h i s

t ime of ye ar brings joy and

ce le bra tion, it a lso pr esen ts un ique r isk s a nd challe nge s

With an increase in community events, family gatherings, Christmas shopping,

a n d m o r e t r a f f i c o n t h e roads, the festive season creates opportunities for crime

Add to that the effects of alcohol consumption, people decorating their homes, and the general hustle and bustle, and it’s easy to see

w h y t h i s p e r i o d d e m a n d s extra vigilance

One of the most common crimes during the holiday season is residential burglary As darkness falls earlier and people attend festive events or go on vacation, homes and vehicles are left

u n a t t e n d e d , m a k i n g t h e m

e a s i e r t a r g e t s f o r t h i e v e s Burglars know that with the increased activity and longer

h o u r s o f d a r k n e s s , t h e

c h a n c e s o f a s u c c e s s f u l b r e a k - i n r i s e P r o t e c t i n g your home and family during this time is crucial, and staying aware of potential

r i s k s i s k e y t o p r e v e n t i n g crime

If you're planning to be away from home during the Christmas break, there are several simple yet effective measures you can take to safeguard your property Be sure to lock all windows and doors securely before leavi n g , a n d c o n s i d e r u s i n g t i m e r s w i t c h e s f o r y o u r lights and radio to create the i l l u s i o n t h a t s o m e o n e i s home This is a simple but e f f e c t i v e d e t e r r e n t a g a i n s t w o u l d - b e b u r g l a r s Additionally, installing security products such as intera c t i v e a l a r m s a n d v i d e o d o o r b e

e c t i o n and peace of mind

Another tip is to avoid leaving Christmas presents on open display, especially

near windows These valuable items can become easy targets if they are visible to t h i e v e s , p a r t i c u l a r l y w h e n lights are on and curtains are o p e n O p p o r t u n i s t i c b u rglars may take advantage of this and target your home for a quick and easy heist

I t ’ s a l s o i m p o r t a n t t o remember that vehicles are at risk during the festive season In fact, one in five car

b r e a k - i n s h a p p e n s a r o u n d C h r i s t m a s t i m e T h i e v e s may take advantage of the increased shopping traffic or distracted holiday-goers To prevent this, make sure your v e h i c l e i s a l w a y s l o c k e d , valuables are hidden from view, and consider investing in additional security measures such as steering wheel locks or alarms

Pr otect y our va luable s A h i g h - q u a l i t y h o m e safe is crucial for protecting y o u r v a l u a b l e s a n d i r r eplaceable items from theft and environmental damage

However, the best approach is to avoid keeping jewelry and other valuable items in y o u r h o m e a l t o g e t h e r

Instead, if possible, consider s t o r i n g t h e m i n a s e c u r e safety deposit box If this is not an option, ensure that y o u r v a l u a b l e s a r e l o c k e d away and kept out of sight

Members of the Asian community, in particular, should t a k e e x t r a p r e c a u t i o n s t o safeguard family gold and valuable jewellery

S am eer P ate l f ro m

S o v ere ig n S af e D e p o si t C entres UK, shared valuable insights on how to safely

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

security deposit boxes Patel emphasised the importance of organisation, insurance,

a n d c o n v e n i e n c e w h e n i t c o m e s t o p r o t e c t i n g y o u r valuables One of his key r e c o m m e n d a

maintain a clear inventory of the items stored in your safe deposit box Keeping t

stored and where it is located will not only help you

retrieve items when needed

Patel also advises considering insurance for the items in your safe deposit box The cost of insuring

much lower than insuring similar items at home, providing both cost savings and e

items that aren

frequently

f e deposit box for added pro-

Deposit Centres, for example, offer an easy and conve-

allowing you to access your box whenever needed

Sovereign take advantage of

the same day

without the inconvenience of keeping them at home

Additionally, the establishment’s walk-in service provides the flexibility to access your box during busy periods, such as holidays, weddings, or other important

mind

By utilising a secure safe deposit box, Patel highlights that you can enjoy the benefits of your valuables when necessary, without the risks a

them at home

South Asian restaurants bring holiday twists to classic dishes

Sou th A sian restaurants are putting a festiv e twist o n traditio nal h olid ay offerings this Christm as by com bining the rich, vibrant flavo rs of th eir cuisine w ith classic Christm as elements Embracing the spirit of the season, these restaurants are creatively infusing their menus with fusion dishes that celebrate both South Asian flavors and Christmas traditions From spiced biryanis with a seasonal touch to inventive desserts inspired by holiday favorites, these restaurants are offering a unique culinary experience that blends cultural heritage with festive cheer, appealing to both traditional and adventurous palates this Christmas Quilon offers an exquisite dining experience this Christmas, inviting guests to celebrate the festive season in Michelinstar style Guests can embark on a culinary journey to the South West Coast of India with every bite capturing the warmth and richness of the season Quilon offers both lunch and dinner, welcoming guests for a memorable

Christmas celebration

Bombay Brasserie’s New Year’s Eve extravaganza promises an unforgettable celebration with limited reservations still available Guests can look forward to a live pianist, a luxury Mumbai-inspired buffet, and exceptional service for a truly special evening Dinner will run from 5:30 PM until midnight, with the pianist beginning at 7:00 PM and the last seating at 10:00 PM

Fitzrovia’s esteemed Indian restaurant, Pahli Hill, has introduced its highly anticipated Christmas menu this year Under the guidance of Chef

Avinash Shashidhara (formerly at Claude Bosi’s ‘Hibiscus’ and ‘The River Cafe’), the menu showcases authentic regional Indian dishes inspired by Mumbai’s home kitchens The festive menu features a variety of options, including small plates, tandoor and grill selections, hearty main dishes, and traditional desserts, all perfect for sharing with loved ones this Christmas BiBi will be closed from Saturday, December 21st, reopening on Tuesday, January 7th During this period, the restaurant will not feature special menus or festive initiatives

Christmas celebrations at Harrow Business Centre

On November 29, 2024 , Harro w Business C entre (HBC) h osted its annual C hristmas p arty, bringing together p roud clients from ov er 40 offices w ithin the centre to celebrate the festive season

Directors Atul Sanghani and Deven Sanghani warmly welcomed the guests and shared their

thoughts on the centre's mission:

"At Harrow Business Centre, we are committed to helping both individuals and businesses thrive by providing productive work environments We offer flexible, spacious, and airy workspaces right in the heart of North Harrow, with 24/7 accessibility for

our clients, allowing them to work whenever they need to " The event served as a perfect opportunity to reflect on the centre's achievements and the strong relationships built over the past year, while also looking forward to another successful year of collaboration and growth

No Christmas cheer for young workers

U nions hav e accused highstreet retailers of exploiting young gig economy workers du ring th e C hristmas season by hiring them throu gh apps th at offer little to no employm ent rights

Large brands like Urban Outfitters, Lush, Gymshark, and Uniqlo are recruiting "freelance" shop assistants via gig apps to meet the demand for staff during the festive rush The apps are being heavily promoted by youth influencers with large followings on TikTok Tim Sharp, senior policy officer for employment

rights at the Trades Union Congress (TUC), called the practice "a worrying new development," highlighting concerns over the lack of basic legal protections for workers “It seems absurd that someone doing a job in a shop isn't entitled to legal protections,” he said In the past, retailers typically hired agency workers, who were entitled to employment rights such as holiday pay, minimum wage, and rest breaks However, many now opt for gig workers, who are classified as independent contractors and therefore

not entitled to most employment protections

The gig workers are primarily sourced from platforms like YoungOnes and Temper, which have gained thousands of UKbased freelancers These platforms charge shops a flat fee per hour worked by freelancers

The TUC argues that this practice shifts the risks from employers to workers, and the freelancers won't benefit from upcoming legislation on employment rights, including the ban on exploitative zero-hour contracts

Sameer Patel

Dear Financial Voice Reader, Alpesh Patel

Tak e Charge of Your Pension

This Festive Se ason: A Ne w Year ’ s Gift t o Your sel f I write to you after meet-

h their Primary Listings Team –my company would be suited to a London Stock Exchange Listing first, due to it’s size being too small for Nasdaq presently (I do have to keep up with my father, whose own IPO’d company on the Mumbai Stock Exchange reached a billion valuation according to Yahoo finance data I really must speak more about my hero, my dad!)

As the holiday lights go up and we enter the final weeks of 2024, it’s tempting to put off pressing financial decisions until the New Year After all, the festive season is a time to relax, celebrate, and enjoy the warmth of family and friends Yet, this is precisely the moment to take stock of your personal finances For many, the most significant financial asset beyond one ’ s home is the pension Whether you ’ re a recent graduate just starting to save or someone who has spent decades growing their pension pot, now is the time to seize control

Why now? Because the days of blindly trusting external “experts” to manage your pension have long passed Yes, the financial world can seem intimidating: fund managers, independent financial advisers (IFAs), and a litany of products claiming to deliver gold-standard returns But consider this: most traditional fund managers underperform a simple basket of global stocks over the long term According to data from sources such as S&P Dow Jones Indices (see: SPIVA Reports), the majority of actively managed funds fail to beat their benchmarks over three, five, or even ten-year periods The fancy suits and glossy brochures don’t necessarily translate to better performance

One key reason for this underperformance is that traditional fund managers and IFAs often face constraints and conflicts of interest They must answer to corporate bosses, protect fee structures, and manage huge sums that cannot be nimbly repositioned when market conditions shift This inertia often results in mediocre returns Meanwhile, you, as an individual investor, can be far more agile and better aligned with your own objectives Thanks to modern online platforms, tools, and educational resources, more and more Britons particularly those of South Asian heritage who bring a strong tradition of family stewardship and financial prudence are choosing to do it themselves

Embracing a do-it-yourself (DIY) approach to managing your pension doesn’t mean becoming a professional trader overnight It means taking incremental steps to understand your portfolio, exploring cost-effective exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that track the markets at minimal expense, and using online calculators and platforms to project retirement income under various scenarios It also means recognizing the growing global role of economies like India, which is consistently outpacing many developed nations in growth Diversifying into markets with strong prospects, like the UK and India, can give you a strategic edge

If the thought of starting from scratch seems daunting, take the first simple step: do a “health check” on your pension Understand the fees you ’ re paying, the funds you ’ re in, and how they’ve performed And if you need guidance, consider leveraging independent educational resources A good starting point could be my initiative at www campaignforamillion com, where I’m on a mission to help one million people become smarter, more confident investors You’ll find insights, courses, and tools that can save you from the underperformance trap As you celebrate the festive season, give yourself the gift of financial empowerment Make a New Year’s resolution that will truly keep on giving: take charge of your pension, embrace the DIY approach, and step into 2025 with greater confidence, control, and security Your future self will thank you

Home loans set to rise 11% in 2025

The b anking trade b ody forec asts that gross len ding for 2 024 will reach £235bn , ref le cting a 4% inc rease from the previous yea r

Breaking down the full-year figures, lending for home purchases has grown by 11% to £135bn, while remortgage activity has dropped by 10%, totalling £59bn Looking ahead, UK Finance anticipates a 30% surge in remortgage activity in 2025, reaching £76bn, while lending for home purchases is expected to rise by 10% to £76bn

Although internal product transfers aren't included in the gross lending total, they continue to outpace remortgage activity, estimated to total £224bn this year down 7% from last year UK Finance projects a 13% increase in product transfers next year, bringing the total to £254bn Lending for new buy-to-let purchases has increased by 10% this year, reaching £10bn, but is expected to decline by 7% next year to £9bn While the proportion of arrears is set to rise by 5% next year, the total number of arrears is expected to decrease to 99,000 as home loans increase in 2025

UK approves Bharti’s 24.5% stake in BT

T he Br i t i s h g o v e r n me n t has approved In dia n conglomer ate Bh art i Glob al ’ s acq uisi tion of a 24 5 % s take in Lon don- lis ted BT , follo w i n

he telecom compa ny T h e £ 3 2 b i l

i o n p u rchase, made from BT’s prev

A

c

, aligns with the terms set by

Bharti Global, the invest-

Enterprises, in August As part of the deal, BT will establish a national security committee within the c o m p a n y t o o v e r s e e a n y strategic activities that may

c u r i t y , according to a government statement

T h e g o v e r n m e n t emphasised that this measure would mitigate potential national security risks, given BT's involvement in

supporting critical state initiatives in the telecoms sector and its role in the country’s cybersecurity infrastructure BT also serves as a key supplier to various gove r n m e n t d e p a r

s , including those related to national security In its August announcement, Bharti Global clarified that it had no plans to make an offer to acquire the entire company

Recession looming as job vacancies decline?

Job vacancies are declining, and th e eco no my is " cooling, " po tentially signalli ng th at a reces sio n c ou ld be " ar o u n d th e c o r n er , " ac co rd in g to J ames Ree d, chairman of Reed, one of th e UK’s largest recru itment fi rms

In an interview with the B B C , R

a sharp drop in job advertisements on his firm's website and urged the government t

decision to increase the tax

h e crow's nest on a ship," he e

W

vacancies coming in early, so we have a unique perspective on labour market trends " A

Reed’s platform fell by 13%

b e t w e e n O c t o b e r a n d November and are now 26% lower than the same period l a s t y

Exodus of stocks leaves LSE heading for worst year since 2009

The London St oc k E xchange (LSE) is on track to experienc e its worst yea r for company de partures since the financial c ris is, as more FTSE 100 firm s opt to leave the UK in favour of New York

So far, 88 companies have delisted or moved their primary listings from London’s main market in 2024, while only 18 new companies have joined, according to data from the London Stock Exchange Group This marks the largest net outflow of companies from the LSE since 2009, with the number of new listings also on course to be the lowest in 15 years Despite efforts by the government, regulators, and the LSE to improve market conditions through reforms to the pension system and market rules, the exodus continues Ashtead, a £23bn equipment rental company, became the latest high-profile business to announce its intention to move its primary listing from London to New York Ashtead will join six other FTSE 100 companies that have already relocated their listings since 2020 Collectively, these companies, including £39bn gambling giant Flutter and £55bn building materials group CRH, represent nearly 14% of the current value of the FTSE 100 While the FTSE 100 has gained nearly 8% this year, the S&P 500, which includes high-growth stocks such as the "Magnificent Seven" tech companies, has surged by approximately 27%

The British g overnment has reduced its stake in NatWest to below 1 0%, it announced on Frid ay, bringing the bank closer to full private ownersh ip 1 6 years after its nationalisation du ring the global financial crisis

NatWest, lowering its stake

Boots

below 20% in July Finance minister Rachel Reeves has reiterated the plan to exit entirely by 2026 Following the 2008 crisis, the government owned 84% of the bank after stepping in to rescue it

stake to 9 99%, down from 10 99%, leaving it still the

worries me because, in the past, such trends have indi-

imminent

defined as two consecutive quarters of economic con-

workers reporting weaker activity, according to official

while still low by historical standards, edged up to 4 3% in September from 4% earlier in the year The latest jobs figures, due Tuesday, will

continued into October Reed linked the cooling labour market to October’s Budget, which he said had "spooked" businesses

Czech billionaire's Royal Mail takeover approved

acquisition o f Royal Mail’s parent com pany by C zech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky T

Kretinsky’s EP Group, has been cleared after the company agreed to "legally binding" undertakings As part of the agreement, the government will retain a "golden share" to approve any major c h a n g e s t o R o y a l M a i l ’ s ownership, headquarters, or tax residency EP Group is also required to uphold the Universal Service Obligation (USO), which mandates sixday-a-week letter deliveries and Monday-to-Friday parcel deliveries

Kretinsky has committed to maintaining this service "for as long as I am alive," as he told the BBC

NatWest shares were down 0 7% at the time In a wider t r e n d , E u r o p e a n g o v e r nments have been selling off their crisis-era bank stakes to t a k e a d v a n t a g e o

share prices NatWest shares have surged by approximately 85% in 2024, reaching their h

earlier this year The USO is u n d e r r e v

w , w i t h R o y a l Mail suggesting to regulator Ofcom that reducing second-class deliveries to every other weekday could save up

e d g e d these changes and is expected to make a decision next year

Kretinsky said the talks with the government led to u n p r e c e d e n t e d c o m m i tments," including the retention of the Royal Mail brand and its headquarters and tax residency in the UK for at l e a s t f i v e y e a r s H e a l s o reached a tentative agreem e n t w i t h u n i o n s , w h i c h includes workers receiving a 10% share of dividends and the formation of a workers' group to meet monthly with Royal Mail’s directors

arranging debt funding for the acquisition of Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA), with Bank of America, JP Morgan, and Wells Fargo among the banks involved If the deal goes through, Sycamore will take one of the largest retail pharmacy providers in the US and UK private The deal is expected to set the stage for the sale of Boots, which employs over 50,000 people

involving Boots over the past two decades, could become the majority owner of one of Britain’s most recognisable retail chains Industry sources suggest that Sycamore intends to sell both Boots and VillageMD,

around 1,900 stores Earlier this week, Sky News reported that Stefano Pessina, the dealmaker who has led sev-

son said, "We are pleased with the sustained moment

n g H M Treasury’s stake in NatWest Group Returning the bank to full private

, though they remain a fraction of their pre-crisis value A N

Sunil Bharti Mitta Founder and Chairman, Bharti Enterprises

t

Reliance signs 10-year deal with Rosneft for $12-13 bn oil import

Mu kesh Ambani’ s Reliance

Industri es Ltd h as si gned a

d ea l t o i m p o r t c ru d e o i l

worth $1 2-13 billio n a year

from Russia's Rosneft for 10 years, sou rces said Russian state oi l firm Ro sneft will

s u p p ly u p to 50 0, 0 00 barrels p er day (25 milli on tonne a year) of cru de oil to Reliance, they said T he 10year deal at current prices is worth $12- 13 bi llion

Reached for comments,

said Russia is currently the largest supplier of crude oil

W

engaged with a number of

including from Russia, for sourcing feedstock for our

A

such supply contracts are done for the following year The number of cargoes will

spokesperson said The deal comes ahead of President

visit to India and after US

push Moscow and Kyiv to stop the war as soon as he takes office in January

Russian oil accounts for more than a third of India's energy imports India has become the second-biggest buyer of Russian crude oil s

d Ukraine in Feb 2022, with purchases rising from less

period to almost 40% of the

purchases

Vivo India, Dixon form JV for making smartphones

I n a majo r boo st fo r India’s eff orts to loc alis e

C hinese investments, smartp ho ne giant Vivo h as decided to form a joint venture with Dixo n T echnol ogies fo r c ontract m anu facturing of its devices and oth er electro nics pro du cts

Dixon will hold 51% stake in the JV, while the remaining will be with Vivo India Dixon and Vivo India said they entered into a binding term sheet for the proposed JV to u n d e r t a k e O E M b u s i n e s s o f e l e c t r o n i c devices, including smartphones However, neither Dixon nor Vivo India will have any stake in each other

“The facility will undertake part of Vivo’s OEM orders of smartphones in India, and

Google appoints Lobana as country manager for India

G oogle has ap poi nted Preeti Lo banaas as i ts new c ountry manager and vi ce presid ent f or Indi a Th e role was vacant followi ng Sanjay Gu pta’s elevati on to the role of Asi a-Pacif ic presid ent i n July th is year

Lobana spent eight years as vice-president of customer-centric solutions and will now head

G

company said in a statement “In this role, she will play a pivotal role in shaping Google’s strategy to bring the transformative power of AI to all customers, fostering innovation across the nation ” Roma Datta Chobey led the firm as an interim country manager until now Lobana will partner with Chobey, even as the latter will continue her role as managing director for Google India’s Digital Native Industries

unprecedented opportunities for businesses to boost productivity, solve critical challenges, and create innovative solutions I’m deeply committed to working with our talented teams and partners to drive economic growth and deliver meaningful value across India,” Lobana said

can also engage in OEM business of various electronic products of other brands,” Dixon said, emphasising that the deal will not have any impact on its contract manufacturing business for other brands such as Motorola, Google Pixel and Nokia “The parties will agree on an optimum structure and the relevant terms and conditions to be set out in the definitive agreements The transaction will be subject to execution of such definitive a g r e e m e n t s , c o m p l e t i o n o f c u s t

applicable regulatory approvals including as required under the foreign exchange control laws of India,” the company said

India's retail inflation eases to 5.5% in Nov

India's retail inflatio n eased in Nov from a 14 -month high in the previo us month on the back o f mo derating fo od prices, while i nd u st ri al o u tp u t g ro w t h d i s p lay ed a m odest upturn in Oct

D a

Statistical Office (NSO) showed inflation, as measured by the consumer price index (CPI), rose an annual 5 5% in Nov, slower than the 6 2% in Oct and almost at the same level of 5 6% in Nov last year The sharp spike in Oct had dashed hopes of any rate cut and prompted RBI to hold rates for the 11th consecutive time earlier this month

The consumer food price index rose 9% during the month, slower than the 10 9% in Oct Rural inflation continued to r

around 6%, while urban was at 4 8%

While there was some softening in food prices, it still remained high at 9% Vegetable prices rose 29 3% during the month, while edible oil inflation touched a 30-month high of 13 3% and experts said

careful monitoring

Adani backs out of $533mn US loan for Sri Lanka port

Following U S securities and wire fraud allegatio ns, A dani Ports and Special Economic Zone, led by Gautam Ad ani, h

s w i th d raw n

m a financing arrangement w ith a US agency fo r a S ri Lankan port terminal project, o pting i nstead to u ti lis e i ts o w n resources

I n l i g h t o f t h e U S indictment, securing loans from American institutions has become challenging In N o v 2 0 2 3 , U S a g e n c y International Development Finance Corporation (IDFC) had agreed to provide a $553 million loan for developing t h e C o l o m b o W e s t International Terminal - a d e e p - w a t e r c o n t a i n e r facility at Sri Lanka’s Port of Colombo

A d a n i P o r t s s a i d t h e project will now be funded

through internal resources and its capital management plan It added that it has w

project, initially scheduled

month, is

progressing well

Bajaj Finance aims to double productivity with AI

Th rou gh its AI initiative - F inAI, a key p ill ar of Bajaj Finance 3 0 - the c omp any aims to triple l e a d c o nv er s i o n ra t e s , do u bl e b a c k- o f f ic e p r o d u c t iv it y, a nd b o o

l ine p erf ormance by 1 5 times The company ’ s AI-driven transformation w i l l i n t e g r a t e w i t h i t s e x i s t i n g c l o u d a n d d i g i t a l i n f r a s t r u c t u r e , s a i d R a j e e v J a i n , managing director of Bajaj Finance “We’ve always been early adopters of technology,” he s a i d , a d d i n g , “ T e c h n o l o g y d r i v e s r e v e n u e g r o w t h , r e d u c e s c o s t s , a n d m i t i g a t e s

operational risks AI will take this a step further by improving customer engagement, lowering operating expenses, and augmenting profitability ”

Over the past year, the company has tested o v e r 3

computers operate on Microsoft Azure, and our data lake supports hundreds of thousands

make

One significant use case for AI at Bajaj Finance is conversational AI Jain explained, “ C

With AI, messages will include interactive links For instance, if a customer clicks

Over the next four years, we aim to reduce operating cost-tonet-interest-margin ratio by 100 basis points ”

Shaktikanta Das,

i n g t h i s g r o w t h Financial inclusion is central t o t h i s e f f o r t W h i l e significant progress has been made in bringing banking services to every corner of the country, more remains to be done,” Malhotra said in his first press conference as governor

“ I w i l l c o n t i n u e t o uphold the legacy and take it f o r w a r d , ” h e s a i d , a d d i n g that RBI had, in its 90th year, given itself the theme o f s t a b i l

,

r u s t , a n d growth - three apt pillars which are very pertinent as the economy was entering t h e “ A m r i t K a a l ” a n d t o realise the vision of “Viksit Bharat” by 2047 “It’s a huge responsibility we have, to ensure that the growth the c o u n t r y n e e d s c o n t i n u e s and that will continue,” he said Malhotra did not share

especially as his influence extends into politics Musk was recently named co-head o

worth $50 billion SpaceX, which relies heavily on US

also poised to benefit under

d Department of Government Efficiency under Presidentelect Trump Musk’s AI venture, xAI,

Mukesh Ambani

Sanjay Malhotra

Elon Musk

Bangladesh arrests 4 for recent attacks on Hindu community

four people for

On Dec 3, a Facebook post

Sunamganj district, had sparked tension in the area Even though he deleted the post, screenshots had spread widely, leading to violence Local police had immediately arrested Das but due to concerns over his safety he was transferred to another station

Police said that on that day a mob had vandalised and damaged homes, shops, and the local Loknath temple The situation was brought under control by the district SP, DC, army, and p o l i c e P o l i c e

d e n t i f

d t h e accused involved in the incident and filed a case against 150-170 people, including 12 named individuals as plaintiffs

Those arrested in this incid e n t a r e A l i m H o s s a i n ( 1 9 ) , Sultan Ahmed Raju (20), Imran H

Hossain (20)

Pr otect min oritie s: US en voy US ambassador Eric Garcetti expressed deep concerns about the persecution of Hindus and

Bangladesh, saying Washington is closely monitoring the situation after the student-led July u p

Hasina’s Awami League govt in

minorities must be a priority, regardless of the country they reside in,” Garcetti said during a

Jharkhand “We have made it very clear that religious minorities must be safeguarded worldwide ”

Hasina implica te d An inquiry commission set

deposed PM Sheikh Hasina and

Pak ex-ISI chief indicted on charges of treason, graft and misuse of authority

I SLAMAB AD: P akistan’s f orm e r I nt e r - Se r vic e s I nt e l l ig en c e c h i ef , Lt Ge n F aiz Hameed (Retd), has been f ormall y indicted o n a numb e r o f c h ar g es , i nc l u d in g engaging in p olitical activities and vio lating a law on of ficial s ecrets, du ring field general c o ur t m art ial (F GCM ) p roc eedings a ga ins t h im, military’s media af fairs w ing said Army’s media arm ISPR

s a i d F G C M a l s o c h a r g e d

Hameed with compromising state security and interests, a b u s i n g a u t h o r i t y a n d resources and causing undue

h a r m t o i n d i v i d u a l s I S P R

s a i d p r o c e e d i n g s a g a i n s t

Hameed were initiated on Aug 12 under provisions of Pakistan Army Act Hameed, who served as I S I d i r e c t o r - g e n e r a l f r o m June 2019 to Oct 2021, was t a k e n i n t o c u s t o d y f r o m Rawalpindi four months ago when he was summoned to a meeting by a senior military officer He was arrested over a c c u s a t i o n s a b o u t h i s

involvement in land grabbing and snatching valuables and property from the owner of a private housing society His arrest busted the myth that ISI chiefs were untouchable in a country where powerful generals have long wielded u

n state affairs

D u r i n g t h e p r o c e s s , involvement of Hameed in

agitation and unrest, leading u

including but not limited to the May 9, 2023 incident for fomenting instability, at the behest of and in collusion with vested political interests, is also being separately investigated,” ISPR said

Pak SC allows army to rule on military trials of Imran supporters in riots case

I S L A M A B A D : P ak i st an ’ s Sup reme Court allowed m ilitary courts, tho ugh conditi o nall y, to an no u nce th e reserv ed verd icts of 85 civ ili an s tri e d f o r al leg ed

i nv olv em en t in last y ear ’ s M ay 9 riots w hen protesters linked to the Im ran Khanled PTI stormed g ovt and military installations

A s e v e n - m e m b e r S C constitution bench, headed by Justice Aminuddin, specified that the military court verdicts would be subject to its final decision on appeals against its Oct 23, 2023 ruling barring the army from trying PTI protesters, saying m i l i t a r y t r i a l s o f c i v i l i a n s were unconstitutional

H u m a n r i g h t s g r o u p s have expressed concern on the military trials, claiming they do not adhere to the same due process norms as civilian courts

Hundreds of PTI workers were arrested after riots

following Khan’s brief arrest in a graft case Among the detainees, the army initiated m i l i t a r y t r i a l s a g a i n s t 1 0 3 accused on charges of treason and attempting to incite m u t i n y i n t h e m i l i t a r y

Though Khan was released after three days, he was rearrested two months later in another corruption case and has been in jail since There h a v e b e e n w i d e s p r e a d reports that the military also p l a n s t o p r o s e c u t e h i m under the same charges He, however, has already been indicted by an anti-terrori s m c o u r t o v e r c h a r g e s linked to the May 9 riots

T h e S C b e n c h w a s formed as a result of a cont r o v e r s i a l a m e n d m e n t t o t h e c o n s t i t u t i o n i n O c t “The final judgment of 85 persons who are under custody and facing trial before

t h e m i l i t a r y c o u r t s b e announced and remissions admissible to the said per-

top-ranking military and police

disappearance

sion of inquiry on enforced disappearances submitted an interim report titled “Unfolding The

Muhammad Yunus The

enforced disappearances “The commission has found evidence of Hasina's involvement as the instructor in the incidents,” the press wing of the office of chief adviser said It said the deposed premier’s defence adviser Major General (retd) Tarique Ahmed Siddique, former director general of the national telecommunic a t i o n m o n i t o r i n

a n d s

G

in

brief

SUCHIR BALAJI, FORMER AI RESEARCHER, FOUND DEAD

Suchir Balaji a former Artificial Intelligence (AI) researcher at OpenAI has been found dead in his San Francisco apartment The 26-year-old reportedly died by suicide No evidence of foul play was found during the initial investigation, Officer Robert Rueca, a spokesperson with the San Francisco Police Department, said According to reports, Balaji was found dead inside his Buchanan Street apartment on November 26 He worked for OpenAI from November 2020 to August 2024, according to his LinkedIn profile

INDIAN ORIGIN EMBARKS ON 110-DAY SOLO ANTARCTICA QUEST

M

Z i a u l Ahsan and senior police officers Monirul Islam and Mohammad H a r u n - O r - R a s h i d a n d s e v e r a l other senior officials were found to be involved in those incidents

Suicide bombing in Kabul kills Taliban refugee minister

I S L A M A B A D : A s ui cid e bo mbi n g in t he

Afg han ca pita l kille d t he Ta liban re fugee min ist er an d two othe rs, officia ls said, in the most bra ze n at ta ck on a member of the Ta liba n inn er circle since t hey r etur ne d to powe r thr ee ye ars a go The ex plosion str uck inside the min ist ry , killing Khalil Haqqan i, officials sa id

Khalil Haqqani is the uncle of Sirajuddin Haqqani, the acting interior minister who leads a powerful network within the Taliban

The Haqqani network is a militant faction blamed for major attacks during the 20-year war, according to the US state department

Haqqani was the most high-profile casualty of a bombing in Afghanistan since the Taliban returned to power and the first cabinet member to be killed since the takeover

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the blast But a report cited the Taliban spokesperson as saying that Khalil Haqqani had been killed by the Islamic State militant group

sons be granted, and persons who can be released a f t e r r e m i s s i o n s t h e y b e released forthwith, and persons who have to yet undergo the sentence awarded to t h e m , t h e i r c u s t o d y b e h a n d e d o v e r t o t h e c o ncerned jail authorities,” the court order read

Haqqani’s killing may be the biggest blow to the Taliban since their return to power given his stature and influence, according to Michael Kugelman, director of the Wilson Centre’s South Asia Institute It also comes at a time when the Taliban have staked their legitimacy on restoring peace after decades of war, he added

“The killing of a top Haqqani leader inside one of its own ministries undercuts that core narrative,” he said Pakistan’s foreign minister Ishaq Dar condemned the killing as a “terrorist attack ”

Impeached S Korean president to take fight to court

S E OU L : Eleven days ag o, President Yoon Suk Yeol of South Korea m ad e a b o ld p o w er g rab , p u tti ng t h e country und er military rule for th e first tim e in 45 years, citing frustratio n at the op positio n stalling his agend a in p arliament

His martial law decree lasted only hours, and now he finds himself locked out of power: impeached

a n d s u s p e n d e d b y t h e N a t i o n a l

Assembly after a vote in which a dozen members of his party turned against him

Yoon’s popularity has plummet-

ed during his two-and-a-half years in office, a term marked by deepening political polarisation, scandals involving his wife and a near-constant clash between his govt and the opposition dominated parliament

But the political turmoil and uncertainty unleashed by his shortlived declaration of martial law is far from over Speaking soon after the vote, Yoon vowed to fight in court to regain his power, even as police and prosecutors closed in on him with a possible criminal charge of insurrection

Akshay Nanavati, a former US Marine with Indian roots, is pushing the boundaries of human endurance with a solo ski quest across Antarctica This 110-day expedition never before attempted will see him confront temperatures as low as -40 degrees Celsius Despite his years as a Marine accustomed to harsh conditions Nanavati s mother based in Bengaluru had a different concern when she learned of his Antarctica expedition Four months ago, her only question was, Do they have good hotels there? A bemused Akshay had to explain that his accommodations would be far from luxurious - a tent, with a fourminute walk to the nearest toilet

INDIAN STUDENT KILLED, 2 OTHERS INJURED IN US CRASH

An Indian student has been killed and two others injured in a road accident in the US, officials said The accident occurred when their car collided with another vehicle in Memphis, a city in the US state of Tennessee The victim has been identified as 26-year-old Naga Sri Vandana Parimala who was reportedly pursuing a Master of Science (MS) degree at the University of Memphis She was rushed to a hospital where she died police said A daughter of a businessman in Andhra Pradesh s Guntur district Parimala had moved to the US in 2022 for higher studies Two other students - Pavan and Nikith - were also taken to the hospital where the former is said to be in critical condition

VIKAS KHANNA'S ‘BUNGALOW’ GETS AWARD

Renowned chef Vikas Khanna s restaurant Bungalow in New York has won the Michelin 2024 Bib Gourmand Award Taking to Instagram, Vikas said, 260 days of Bungalow and today we received the Michelin 2024 Bib Gourmand Award While I ve previously received the Michelin Star 8 times, today felt different I felt that it was for some higher purpose it was like a tribute, it was like a promise to my land and to my people To my sister ” He added, “This is just the beginning We will work harder & harder everyday to give our guests an experience that will be a testament to Indian hospitality ”

SINGAPOREAN COMEDIAN COUPLE TO PERFORM IN INDIA

Indian-origin Singaporean comedian couple wants to reconnect with their roots through performances in India and to expand their base in the country’s large stand-up comedy market Rishi Budhrani

Faiz Hameed

INDIAN AMERICAN APPOINTED AS JUDGE IN ORANGE COUNTY

California Governor Gavin Newsom has appointed Mehtab Sandhu as a judge in the Orange County Superior Court part of a larger announcement that included 11 Superior Court appointments across California Sandhu brings extensive legal experience to the bench Since 2022, he has served as an Assistant City Attorney in the City of Anaheim City Attorney s Office, following a stint as a Community Prosecutor in the same office From 2012 to 2021 Sandhu was a Deputy District Attorney in San Bernardino County where he gained significant prosecutorial expertise

GERMAN CHANCELLOR LOSES CONFIDENCE VOTE

Chancellor Olaf Scholz lost a confidence vote in the German parliament, putting the European Union s most populous member and biggest economy on course to hold an early election in Feb Scholz won the support of 207 lawmakers in the 733-seat lower house, or Bundestag, while 394 voted against him and 116 abstained That left him far short of the majority of 367 needed to win Scholz leads a minority govt after his unpopular and notoriously rancorous three-party coalition collapsed on Nov 6 when he fired his finance minister in a dispute over how to revitalise Germany’s stagnant economy

IN A BLOW TO TRUDEAU, HIS DEPUTY PM & FM QUITS

Canada s finance minister and deputy PM Chrystia Freeland quit after clashing with PM Justin Trudeau on issues, including how to handle possible US tariffs, dealing another blow to an already unpopular govt In a stinging resignation letter Freeland dismissed Trudeau s push for increased spending as a political gimmick that could hurt Ottawa’s ability to deal with the 25% import tariffs US President-elect Donald Trump says he will impose

JAMAICA WANTS TO OUST KING CHARLES AS HEAD OF STATE

The Jamaican government has taken its first step toward removing King Charles as head of state, presenting a bill in parliament to abolish the constitutional monarchy and transition the country to a republic Like many former British colonies, Jamaica retained the British monarch as its head of state after achieving independence in 1962 The monarch is represented in the country by a governor general If the new legislation is passed, a Jamaican president will become the ceremonial head of state

MACRON NAMES FRANCOIS BAYROU AS PM

French President Macron named Francois Bayrou as his fourth PM of 2024, charging the veteran centrist with steering the country out of its second political crisis in the past six months The priority for Bayrou, a close Macron ally will be passing a special law to roll over the 2024 budget with a nastier battle over the 2025 legislation looming early next year Parliamentary push back over the 2025 bill led to the downfall of former PM Michel Barnier’s govt

BRAZILIAN PRESIDENT UNDERGOES SECOND SURGERY

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva underwent a second procedure following his emergency surgery earlier this week to relieve bleeding in his skull his doctors said adding that the latest operation was successful The president is awake and speaking Dr Roberto Kalil Filho told reporters after the surgery which lasted about an hour Lula, 79, will remain in ICU and is expected to be discharged early next week

Canada asks Indian students to resubmit documents, triggers panic

reported receivi ng emails as kin g them to resub mi

documen ts such as

crucia

tudy per-

recor ds, in cludi ng marks and atten dance

Citizenship Canada (IRCC),

with foreign students, caused widespread panic among inter-

whom hold visas with up to

two years ’ validity The development comes as IRCC tightens its policies to regulate the influx of interna-

admissions “I was a bit shocked when I

My visa is valid until 2026, yet I was asked to submit all my documents again,” said Avinash Kaushik, a postgraduate student from Hyderabad

where we are working parttime, etc , ” he added

Last week, a similar surge in s

d among students from Punjab Some were even asked to visit IRCC offices in person to verify their credentials “Many students are confused and worried Some suspect this might lead to unnecessary delays or even rejections for those apply-

h Dasari, an undergraduate student from Hyderabad studying in Ontario

Four Indian Americans among Biden’s clemency list

WASHINGT ON: Outgoing US Presid ent Joe Bid en com muted th e sentences of nearly 1 ,5

prison terms, in a mo ve aimed at promo ting fairness in sentencing and rehabilitation Am ong those granted clem ency are four I

Dutta

In a statement, Biden high-

addressing sentencing disparities and fostering rehabilitation “As president, I have the great privilege of extending mercy to people who have demonstrated

Americans to participate in daily life and contribute to their communities, and taking steps to

s for non-violent offenders, especially those convicted of drug offenses,” he said

r a

Sachdeva, 50, was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison in 2012 after pleading guilty to defraudi n g M e d i c a r e S a c h d e v a , w h o owned the Rose Cancer Center in Mississippi, admitted to subm i t t i n g f a l s e c l a i m s f o r chemotherapy services, billing

Suspended Indian student appeals against MIT order

nology

been

p ended u ntil January 2026 fo ll

cu rr en tl y app ealing against th e university's decision P

, h a s

e n " s u s p e n d

d until January 2026," according to a post on X by a group called ' M I T C o a l i t i o n A g a i n s t A p a r t h e i d T h i s s u s p e n s i o n effectively terminates Iyengar's f i v e - y e a r N S F f e l l o w s h i p a n d severely disrupts his academic career, the organisation said in the post It added that Iyengar, a PhD student in the Department of

C o m p u t e r S c i e n c e , i s " n o w appealing the decision" to the C

opportunity to end this persec u t i

dignity

"This decision is the harsh-

e s t a m o n g s e v e r a l s a n c t i o n s resulting from speech-related activities, including an article" that Iyengar wrote for a stud e n t - r u n z i n e ' W r i t t e n Revolution," which engaged in debate about the role of pacifism in the pro-Palestine movement " "This suspension is, in practice, an expulsion, as his readmission is entirely contingent

upon approval from the same Committee on Discipline that handed down this harsh sanction," the body said Iyengar is appealing his case with the Chancellor to "revoke

o r r e d u c e " t h e " u n j u s t s a n ctions" against him

M I T C o a l i t i o n A g a i n s t

Apartheid said it has launched a campaign to "put pressure on MIT's administration to "stop c r i m i n a l i s i n g s t u d e n t s w h o stand on the right side of history " The organisation called on o t h e r i n s t i t u t i o n s t o s u p p o r t them

Iyengar was also suspended l a s t y e a r f o l l o w i n g t h e p r oPalestinian demonstrations that had erupted across US universities in the wake of the IsraelHamas conflict

for more chemotherapy drugs than she purchased, and providing patients with less-than-prescribed doses Her fraudulent actions led to an $8 2 million loss for Medicare In addition to her prison term, Sachdeva was fined $250,000 and ordered to forfeit $6 million and several properties B ab u bh a i ( Bo b ) P a tel –H e a l t h c a r e F r a u d : B a b u b h a i Patel, a Detroit-based pharmacist, was sentenced to 17 years in prison for masterminding a $57 m i l l i o n h e a l t h c a r e f r a u d scheme Patel operated 26 pharm a c i e s a c r o s s m e t r o D e t r o i t , paying doctors to write unnecessary prescriptions and offering c a s h i n c e n t i v e s t o v u l n e r a b l e individuals in exchange for their Medicare or Medicaid information Convicted in 2012, he was

ordered to pay $18 8 million in restitution Krishna M ote – Drug Bust: Krishna Mote, 43, was convicted in 2012 of conspiracy to distribute more than 280 grams of crack cocaine and 500 grams of cocaine Operating a drug distribution network in Pennsylvania from 2005 to 2007, Mote faced a 20-year prison sentence after a three-day jury trial

Vi k r a m D ut t a – M o n e y L a u n d e r i n g : V i k r a m D

retail perfume store owner along the US-Mexico border, was sentenced in 2012 to nearly 20 years in prison for laundering millions of dollars for a Mexican narcotics organization Through his business, Dutta accepted large cash payments from drug sales in the US, facilitating the transfer of illicit funds to Mexico

Nearly half of Canadians favour mass deportations of immigrants

O T TA WA : N early half of all Canadian s believe that m ass deportations a re neces sary to stop illegal mi grati on , n ew polli ng shows A Leger poll done for the Associ ation for C anadian Studi es found that 48 per cent of Can adians hold that view

The polling also found that 65 per cent of Canadians say Canada is accepting too many legal immigrants That figure, less than a year ago in February, was just 50 per cent In March 2019, only 35 per cent of Canadians held that view

Canada sees relatively few illegal immigrants when compared to the United States Between January and September 2024, 865 irregular border crossers were intercepted crossing into Canada, according to Statistics Canada But the numbers were climbing until 2023, when the federal government closed the Roxham Road crossing in Quebec In 2023, 31,520 people made a refugee claim after crossing illegally In 2022, it was 20,896 people Since March 2017, Canada has documented 113,805 irregular migrants, 24,680 of whom have had their claims to stay in Canada rejected According to the Immigration Ministry, there could be as many as 500,000 undocumented immigrants residing in Canada

Canadians’ views are hardening on regular immigrants, who have been blamed for increasing housing costs and employment challenges, and the federal government, after overseeing the settlement of hundreds of thousands of newcomers per year, has moved to cut its immigration targets

Trump invites Xi, other world leaders to his inauguration

Tr ump has invited Chinese Pr esiden t Xi Jinpin g t o atte nd his inauguration n ext mont h, a move that is both highl y unusual and unlike ly to actual ly t ake pl ace A ft e r a p re side nt ia l ca mpa ign in whi ch Tr ump v owed to impose a ra nge of stee p tariffs on Chine se imports, an invita tion to the Jan 20 in augur al signal s the world’s two biggest e conomie s can still maint ain communication a nd pe rhaps even cooper ate That doesn’t mea n it ’ s l ik ely t o happe n Trump’s incoming press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, confirmed that Trump invited Xi, but said it was “to be determined” if the leader of the US’ most significant economic and military competitor would attend “This is an example of President Trump creating an open dialogue with leaders of countries that are not just our allies, but our adver-

saries and our competitors too,” Leavitt said “We saw this in his first term He is willing to talk to anyone and he will always put America’s interest first ”Trump during an appearance at the New York Stock Exchange, where he rang the bell to open the market, said he’s been “thinking about inviting certain people to the inauguration” without referring to any specific individuals

“And some people said, ‘Wow, that’s a little risky, isn’t it?’” Trump said “And I said, ‘Maybe it is We’ll see We’ll see what happens ’ But we like to take little chances ” Leavitt said other foreign leaders have also been invited, but did not provide any details Xi’s attendance would be unprecedented in multiple ways: No Chinese leader has ever attended a US inauguration, which is typically witnessed by ambassadors in addition to American lawmakers and the general public

Joe Biden

18,000 Indians face deportations from US before Trump assumes office

Ahe ad of US Pre siden t- ele ct

D o n a l d Tru m p a s su m i n g

o f fi c e n e x t m o n th , t he US

I m m i g r a ti o n a n d C us to m s

Enforce ment (ICE) has alread y

draw n up a list of indiv iduals

s l a te d fo r d e p or ta t i on , a n d n early 18,000 undocume nted

I ndian s find the mselve s fa ci ng

t he pr os p e ct of b e i n g se n t b ack home

T h e I C E d a t a t i l l N o v 2024 released recently shows that 17,940 Indians are among the 14,45,000 individuals on the non-detained docket with final orders of removal from the US

A c c o r d i n g t o a r e p o r t , thousands of undocumented Indians in the US are facing difficulties in legalising their status, often waiting years

f o r I C E c l e a r a n c e M a n y h a v e c a s e h e a r i n g s scheduled two to three years into the future Alarmingly, an average of 90,000 Indians

w e r e a p p r e h e n d e d w h i l e attempting to illegally cross

U S b o r d e r s o v e r t h e p a s t three financial years of the

U S L o c a l i m m i g r a t i o n experts say that people from Punjab, Gujarat and Andhra

P

h e majority of undocumented Indians in the US

A c c o r d i n g t o I C E

d o c u m e n t , H o n d u r a s , a country in Central America, tops the list with 261,000 undocumented individuals who have been identified for d e p o r t a t i o n , f o l l o w e d b y Guatemala, another Central A m e r i c a n c o u n t r y , w i t h 253,000 illegal immigrants China is ahead of India

i n A s i a , w i t h 3 7 , 9 0 8

u n d o c u m e n t e d p e o p l e living in the US India stands 13th on the list which ranks 2 0 8 n a t

n s E x c l u d i n g China and India, the top 15 countries are either closer in proximity to the US or share land or sea borders with it

T h e I C E d o c u m e n t h a s c a t e g

being explored to address these challenges as part of the enforcement strategy

Trum p wants to end birth right citizensh ip

reiterated his opposition to

being exploited and pledged to take action after assuming office on January 20 The 14th Amendment states, “All persons born or naturalised i

d subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the U

11 Indians found dead in Georgia mountain resort

E leven Indian nationals were am ong 12 people f

r y confirm ed Initial reports suggest the deaths were l ikel y due t o ca rbon m onoxide poisoning "The Em bas sy of India in Tbilisi s aid that it is wor king c losely with loc al authorities t o f acilitate the prom pt repat riation of the mortal re mains to India We are als o in contact with the bereaved fa milies and are comm it ted t o providing all poss ibl e s upport , " Indian mis sion in Georgia s aid in a s tatement

According to a statement released by the Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs, there were no signs of violence or bodily injuries on any of the victims All victims died from carbon monoxide poisoning, local media reported, citing police The bodies were discovered in the resting area on the second floor of the Indian restaurant where all 12 victims were employed

years, grants citizenship to

regardless of their parents’

has argued that the policy is

d o f t h e State wherein they reside ” A n y e f f o r t t o e l i m i n a t e birthright citizenship would face significant legal hurdles, as the provision is deeply rooted in US law Attempts to amend the Constitution o r b y p a s s i t t h r o u g h

e x e c u t i v e a c t i o n w o u l d l i k e l y v i o l a t e t h e Amendment

Congress' 'two-thirds majority' jab at BJP over 'one nation, one poll'

T he Lo k Sabha h el d a divisio n

vo te to introduce two bills to am end the Constitution and p ermit simul taneo us federal and s tate po lls, as p art o f th e ru ling BJP 's 'one natio n, one el ec tio n' p us h

The bills were formally introduced in Parliament by simple majority, as required by the rules; 269 MPs voted in favour and 198 opposed it

H o w e v e r , t h e m a r g i n w a s flagged by critics of the one nation, one election' bill, who c l a i m e d i t s h o w s t h e g o v e r n m e n t l a c k s s u p p o r t , even at this stage, to pass the bills

these amendments to the Constitution will require the support of two-third of members present and voting to clear the Lok

234 Even at full strength the NDA's score is not enoughas the Congress leaders saidt o p u s h t h r o u g h b i l l s t o amend the Constitution

The police have launched an investigation under Article 116 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which pertains to negligent manslaughter According to the preliminary investigation, a power generator was placed in an indoor area, closed space n

probably after the power supply was turned off

A forensic medical examination has also been appointed to d

Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs

Investigative actions are actively being carried out, forensic - criminalistics are working on the spot, interviews of persons related to the case are being conducted Gudauri is a popular ski resort on the Greater Caucasus Mountain Range in Georgia

Cabinet committee clears two arms deals worth £2.11bn

In a move th at wi ll ad d much -needed firepower to th e armed forces, two major defence deals for 100 more K-9 Vajra arti llery guns and 12 S ukh o i -30 MK I fi gh ter jets , c ol le cti vel y w or th £2 11bn, have been cl eared by th e cabi net committee on security

T a g o r e ' s c o l l e a g u e , Shashi Tharoor, also pointed o u t t h e a p p a r e n t g a p i n numbers

" U n d o u b t e d l y t h e g o v e r n m e n t h a s l a r g e r numbers on its side but to pass it (bills to amend the Constitution) you need a 2/3 majority that they very clearly don't have," he told reporters after the House was briefly a d j o u r n e d , " I t i s o b v i o u s (then) that they should not persist too long with this " According to the rules,

"Two-thirds majority (i e , 307) was needed out of the t o t a l 4 6 1 v o t e s b u t t h e g o v e r n m e n t s e c u r e d o n l y (269), while the opposition got 198 The 'one nation, one election' proposal failed to g a i n t w o - t h i r d s s u p p o r t , " C o n g r e s s M P M a n i c k a m T a g o r e s a i d o n X , w i t h a s c r e e n s h o t o f t h e e - v o t i n g system

S a b h a T h e C o n g r e s s , using today as an example, p o i n t e d o u t t h a t 4 6 1 m e m b e r s t o o k

Bill

If this were a vote to pass t h e b i l l , 3 0 7 o f t h o s e 4 6 1 would have to vote in favour but only 269 did, prompting the Congress to say, "This bill does not have support many parties have spoken against i t " T h e C o n g r e s s ' exultations, while premature, contain a kernel of truth

As of today the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance has 293 MPs in its camp, and t h e o p p o s i t i o n - t h e C o n g r e s s - l e d I N D I A - h a s

The BJP will, therefore, n e e d s u p p o r t , f r o m n o naligned parties, assuming an identical number of MPs are present and voting to pass the b i l l s t o a m e n d t h e C o n s t i t u t i o n I n t h a t c

Y S R Congress with four MPs and the Akali Dal with one Both have pledged support T h a t l e a v e s P r i m e M i n i s t e r N a r e n d r a M o d i needing at least nine more v o t e s - n o t i m p o s s i b l e t o cobble together for the BJPf o r h i s ' o n e n a t i o n , o

election' dream to cross the Lok Sabha In the event of a full-strength Lok Sabha, the BJP will need 64 more votes

Give up arms or face the brunt: Amit Shah tells Maoists in Chhattisgarh

Ho me minis ter Amit Shah del ivered a

f ir m me s sa ge to le f t- w ing ext re mis t s during th e c los ing c erem ony o f Bastar O lymp ic s on Sunday, urging them to a b a ndo n v io l e nc e a nd c h o o s e reh abilitatio n

“Give up the path of violence and we shall take care of your rehabilitation or ignore our appeal for surrender and face resolute action by the security forces I appeal to you all with folded hands to surrender Have trust in Prime Minister Narendra Modi and join the mainstream

I f y o u g i v e u p

m

n

o u r rehabilitation is our responsibility But we will not allow you to destroy peace in the land of Goddess Danteshwari any more If you give up arms, we shall welcome you with open arms but if you continue on the path of violence, the forces will tackle you head on, ” Shah said as the battle against Naxals reaches their l

region in Chhattisgarh The action - which Shah said had gathered pace after the installation of a BJP govt in Chhattisgarh - is part of a decisive war to achieve the Modi govt’s goal of a left-wing extremism-free India by March 2026

arrested in the past one year, said the

Police earlier in the day Later in the afternoon, Shah met

listening to their experiences

surrender

Shah lauded the Chhattisgarh govt’s surrender policy as the most attractive in

the country Shah highlighted that the Modi govt’s multi-pronged strategy of fortifying the security cordon in Maoistaffected zones (by setting up forward o

attractive surrender and rehabilitation policy for those willing to give up arms

welfare schemes in areas liberated from Maoists’ hold, had helped bring down deaths of security forces and civilians by 73% and 70% respectively in the past 10 years

assured that the govt was committed to creating more avenues for local youth, i

promoting small-scale industries, dairy

Yojana for Chhattisgarh, 9,500 were for Bastar region alone

CCS gave the nod for £760mn contract for 100 K-9 Vajra self-propelled tracked gun systems to add to the 100 such 155mm guns already inducted through the joint venture between L&T and South Korean Hanwha Defence

The £ 35bn deal for 12 Sukhois, which will be manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited under licence from Russia, along with associated equipment and spares, in turn, was given the green signal by CCS last week

“The deal for the 12 Sukhois was inked by defence ministry with HAL While Sukhois will be manufactured by Nashik division of HAL and have indigenous content of 62 6%, the additional K-9 guns will have around 60% IC,” an official stated The Army has deployed some of the first 100 K-9 Vajra guns, which were originally procured for deserts at a cost of £436 6mn, in eastern Ladakh after equipping them with “winterised kits” for the high-altitude area amid the confrontation with China

“With a strike range of 28-38 km, the 100 new guns will come with winterised kits to ensure their batteries, oil, lubricants and other systems do not freeze in sub-zero temperatures The ongoing Russia-Ukraine war has reinforced the need for long range, high-volume firepower,” another source said

India votes for UN resolution on immediate Gaza ceasefire

India was among t he 158 countries t hat voted in favour of a res ol ution at the UNGA see king im mediate, unconditional and permanent ceas efire in Gaza St rip Govt al so back ed another res ol ution express ing support for UNRWA, whic h too was adopted wit h overwhelm ing support UNRWA is the UN agency f or Pales tine ref ugees t hat has been banned by Is rael but c ont inues to rec eive Indian aid

The 193-member General Assembly voted at the 10th emergency special session to adopt the draft resolution‘Demand for ceasefire in Gaza’, introduced by Indonesia India was among the 158 nations that voted in its favour, while nine member states, including Israel and the US, voted against it

Among the 13 nations that abstained were Albania and U k r

unconditional and permanent ceasefire, to be respected by all parties, and further reiterates its demand for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages”

It demanded that the parties fully, unconditionally and without delay implement all the provisions of the Security Council resolution of June 2024 regarding an “immediate ceasefire, the release of hostages, the exchange of Palestinian prisoners, the return of the remains of hostages who have been killed, the return of Palestinian civilians to their homes and neighbourhoods in all areas of Gaza, including in the north, and the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza”

Donald Trump

Legendary tabla maestro Zakir Hussain passes away

T abla m aestro Zakir Hussain has p assed away at the age of 73 in San F r anc i s co f ro m i d i o p ath ic p u lm onary fibrosis He leaves behind

a le g ac y th a t i s ch e ri sh e d an d r es p ec te d by c o u nt les s m u s ic lov ers across the world , w ith an influence that will be reflected in g enerations to com e

In the official statement on Hussain s passing away, his family said, "His prolific work as a teacher, mentor and educator has left an indelible mark on countless musicians He hoped to inspire the next generation to go further He leaves behind an unparalleled legacy as a cultural ambassador and one of the greatest musicians of all time " Hussain was born on March 9, 1951 in Mumbai's Mahim to lege n d a r y

rhythms for prayers into his ears

A child prodigy, Hussain coll

between different genres of music

already long list of iconic partnerships, Hussain has also worked with George Harrison, Joe Henderson,

Morris, Rennie Harris and the Kodo drummers

His contributions to the music

McLaughlin, and the band Shakti, and two for his collaborations with B

d Rakesh Chaurasia

Notably, Hussain is the first I

Heritage Fellowship in 1999 by the National Endowment for the Arts, America's highest lifetime honour for the traditional artists Later in 2 0 1 7 ,

the world of music,” Murmu said and highlighted Hussain’s role as a bridge between the musical traditions of India and the West In h

would resonate in the hearts of people forever

P

d

Allarakha, who was Ravi Shankar's l

H u s s a i n had an inclination towards playing tabla at a very young age

He also learned to play the mridang (classical percussion instrument) from his father at the age of 3 and began performing at concerts by the age of 12 Earlier, Hussain had said that when he was a baby, h i s f a t h e

India's legend performers, including Ravi Shankar, Ali Akbar Khan and Shivkumar Sharma Additionally, his groundbreaking in West music with artists like The Beatles, Yo-Yo Ma, Charles Llyod, Béla Fleck, Edgar Meyer, Mickey Hart, George Harrison and John McLaughlin placed Indian classical music on the global map, marking his status as a global cultural ambassador

music have been considered to be

unique mastery of rhythm allowed him to cross borders freely and c

Indians evacuated from war-torn Syria arrive home

S i x m o re I nd i an n ati o na ls evacuated fro m war-torn Syria arriv ed at th e Delhi airpo rt o v er th e w ee ken d T h ey expressed gratitud e to P rim e M inister Narendra M odi and Indian embassy for bringing them back home

E a r l i e r , t h e I n d i a n Ministry of External Affairs

( M E A ) s a i d t h a t 7 7 I n d i a n nationals had been evacuated from s t r i f e t o r n S y r i a s o f a r M E A spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said t h a t t h e I n d i a n e m b a s s i e s i n Middle East region are in touch with Indians there and will help

t h e m i f n e e d a r i s e s T h e spokesperson also said that there is no need for evacuation from any other country as of now

" T h e e v a c u e e s i n c l u d e d 4 4 ‘zaireen' from Jammu and Kashmir

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

Zainab All Indian nationals have safely crossed over to Lebanon and will return by available commercial flights to India," the MEA said in an official statement India's embassies in Damascus and Beirut coordinated the operation, prioritizing the safety of its c i t i z e n s i n t h e c o n f l i c t - r i d d e n nation "The Government of India accords the highest priority to the s a f e t y a n d s e c u r i t y o f I n d i a n nationals abroad, the statement added

2009, with four sold-out concerts

statement noted

India bestowed the honour of

Bhushan and the Padma Shri on Hussain He has also been a recipient of the Sangeet Natak Akademi

A

award of Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship

Over his magnificent career, he also won a number of other accolades, including two Grammy A

Planet Drum, and three more this M

Award for his "unparalleled contribution to the world of music"

In 2022, Aga Khan Award was presented to the Tabla legend for his "enduring contributions to the m u s i c

i t y , peerless musical mastery and sustained social impact"

Murmu , Modi lead nation in paying tribute to maestro

P

Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar

mourning the passing of legendary tabla maestro Ustad Zakir Hussain

“The passing away of Ustad Zakir Hussain is a great loss to

Hussain, describing him as a true genius who revolutionised Indian classical music “He brought tabla to the global stage, captivating millions with his unparalleled rhythm, blending Indian classical traditions with global music, thus becoming an icon of cultural unity,” he said H

termed Hussain a musical genius whose work transcended language

humanity,” he said C

Mallikarjun Kharge described him

bridged borders and generations with his mesmerizing rhythms" Dignitaries from all walks of life including politicians, artists, industrialists and eminent personalities paid their tributes to the tabla maestro

Maha Kumbh to become a ‘mahayagya of unity’: PM Modi

P ri m e M i ni s ter Nar end ra M o d i said that M aha Ku mbh 2025 w ould becom e a “ m ahayagya o f unity” and take th e spiritual and cultural i den tity o f th e c ou ntry to ne w heights

developmental projects, collectively worth £550mn, to improve the city's infrastructure and provide better amenities to pilgrims during the Maha Kumbh

The projects include four cor-

Shringverpur Dham corridor

“Once an individual comes to Maha Kumbh, everyone becomes one, be it saints, sages, or common people, and differences of caste and sects end,” he said

Jaishankar meets American Jewish Committee, discusses India-US ties

India's external affairs minister S Jaishankar

m et with the A merican Jewish Com mittee d elegation and held discussions on Ind ia-U S bilateral partnersh ip and the recent d ev elopm ents in West A sia

He also appreciated the AJC for their “long-standing” support for India-US ties

“Pleased to meet the American Jewish Committee delegation Discussed our bilateral partnership and the developments in West Asia Deeply value AJC Global’s longs t a n d i n g s u p p o r t f o r I n d i a -

” Jaishankar stated in a post on X

This engagement follows Jaishankar’s r e c e n t t o u r t o Q a t a r a n d B

n f r o m December 6-9, where he participated in high-level discussions and events addressing critical regional and global issues In Qatar, Jaishankar attended the 22nd edition of the Doha Forum, contributing to a panel on “Conflict Resolution in a New Era ” H e u n d e r

o f ongoing conflicts in West Asia and Ukraine on regional shipping and trade while advocating for more inclusive and effective diplo-

Abdulrahman Al Thani to explore opportunities for strengthening bilateral ties

During his visit to Bahrain, EAM cochaired the 4th meeting of the India-Bahrain

Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani At the HJC, both sides reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral relations including trade, investments, healthcare, energy, security, tourism, and people to people ties New areas of cooperation like space, education, Fintech, and Technology were also discussed

Jaishankar also met the Deputy Prime Minister of Bahrain Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa They discussed different avenues to strengthen our bilateral cooperation EAM thanked the Bahraini leadership for the welfare of the Indian community in Bahrain, as per the statement

Concluding his Bahrain visit, Jaishankar participated in the 20th edition of the IISS Manama Dialogue, sharing India’s perspectives on regional security and stability His remarks reiterated India’s role in advancing peace and development in the region

He added that “Maha Kumbh was the Mahayagya of unity, where every kind of discrimination is sacr i f i c e d a n d e v e r y d

e w h o takes a dip in the confluence here represents a beautiful picture of Ek Bharat, Shreshta Bharat” M

h hosts the Maha Kumbh every 12 years, is not just a geographical location but a place for spiritual experience where the sacred confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati rivers plays a pivotal role i

walks of life

Modi said that Prayagraj, the land of Nishadraj, held a significant place in Lord Ram’s journey to becoming Maryada Purushottam

He added that the episode of Lord Ram and Kevat - where Kevat washed Lord Ram's feet and helped him cross the river with his boat, symbolising devotion a n d f r i e n d s h i p - c o n

t o inspire He added that this event conveyed that even God can seek help from his devotee

The Maha Kumbh will be held from Jan 13 (Paush Poornima) to Feb 26 (Maha Shivratri) It will be the world's largest religious gathering; more than 400 million people are expected to attend the 45day event The 2019 Kumbh had seen a footfall of 240 million

China withdraws troops from Depsang and Raki Nala in Ladakh

In a major development in t he I n d i a- C h i na b o rd e r i ss ue, the C hin ese troops w i th dr e w fr om t he D epsang area of Y Junction and Raki Nala of Ladakh The report especially ment i on e d t ha t t he Ch i n es e Army has s hifted back to its t er r i to ry B e s i d es , t he report also clai med that the Indian Army can now patrol Y Junc tion and Raki Nala as per the norms decided in earlier meetings The posit i on s w hi c h w e re e a rl i e r b l oc k e d by th e Ch i n es e army were dismantled and moved to their plac es, as per the report

The latest report came less than two months after P r i m e M i n i s t e r N a r e n d r a Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping held a "historic" bilateral meeting in Russia's

Kazan on the sidelines of the Brics Summit

E a r l i e r l a s t m o n t h , Indian and Chinese troops

c o m p l e t e d d i s e n g a g e m e n t a t t w o f r i c t i o n p o i n t s a t

D e m

Indian and Chinese troops exchanged sweets at several border points along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) on the occasion of Diwali

The move marks a significant development in the pursuit of reduced tension along the LAC in eastern L a d

clash in the Galwan Valley in June 2020 that marked t

sides in decades

D oval going to Beijing

Amid the recent thaw in ties that followed the

completion of disengagement process in eastern Ladakh, NSA Ajit Doval will visit Beijing this week for what will be the 23rd meeting of the special representatives (SRs) of India and China This will be the first meeting between the SRs since the border standoff erupted in eastern Ladakh in May 2020

The SR meeting will take place in Beijing on Dec 18 Doval will hold talks with Chinese SR and State Councillor Wang Yi, who also doubles up as the Chinese foreign minister While the two met on several occasions on the margins of multilateral events in the past five years, they last met for SR talks in Dec 2019 in New Delhi

SOUTH INDIA

3-time ex-MLA from KCR's party was German citizen: Telangana HC

HY DE RABAD : Ex-BRS leader

C hennamaneni Ramesh is a

G

C

rul ed on

etition f

ed by the Co ngress ' Aadi Srinivas

The court held Ramesh had failed to provide documentation from the German embassy confirming he is no longer a citizen of that country It imposed a fine of ₹ 30,00,000, of

Srinivas, against whom Ramesh lost the November 2023 election

R a m e s h h a d e a r l i e

Vemulawada seat four times - in 2009 as part of the Telugu Desam Party and t h e n t h r i c e f r o m 2 0 1 0 t

, including the bypoll after he switched parties

According to the law, non-Indian citizens cannot contest or vote in an

e l e c t i o n I n 2 0 2 0 t h e c e n

e h a d informed the Telangana High Court that Ramesh held a German passport - valid till 2023

PUNJAB

election commission

elections

co

co u n ci

a n d v a r

and that the Union Home

citizenship on grounds he concealed facts in his application The Home Ministry s

fact misled the Government of India

Had he revealed he had not resided in India for one year before making the application, the competent authority

granted citizenship

order He was then asked to file an affidavit disclosing, and enclosing, details related to the surrender of his German passport, and also proof he had given up his German citizenship In 2013 the then undivided Andhra P

bypoll victory for this same reason

Supreme Court and wrangled a stay

Karnataka govt registers 1st FIR in Covid purchases ‘scam’

BE NG ALUR U: Congres s govt in K arnataka has initiat ed l egal ac tion in the all ege d Covid-19 s cam by registering an FIR re gar ding t he misappropriation of £16 7mn in the proc urem ent of PPE kits and rel ated medical supplies between Sept 2020 and June 2 02 1

Dr Vishnuprasad M, chief accounting officer and financial adviser to medical education department, filed a complaint detailing alleged financial misconduct involving govt officials, elected representatives, and private enterprises Among the accused are medical education department former director Dr Girish PG, Raghu PG from accounts and audit department, and health equipment officer Muniraju N The probe also involves private entities such as Laj Exports from Bengaluru and Prudent Management Solutions from M

procurement of medical supplies, including Rs 15,51,000 PPE kits valued at £20 36mn and Rs 42,10,000 N-95 masks costing £

approved on Aug 18, 2020, for Covid care supplies worth £4 13mn Laj Exports was awarded the contract to supply 259,000 PPE kits at £131 25mn unit, with a 15-day delivery

documentation confirming the actual delivery of these supplies to hospitals

Adding to the complexity, Prudent Management Solutions reportedly received an additional contract for 55,784 PPE kits w

Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurement Act, suggesting a systematic breach of established procurement guidelines

Punjab civic polls to be held on Dec 21

u s n

g a

pancha yat s on De ce mbe r 21 A d d r e s s i n g t h e p r e s s c o n f e r e n c e , P u n j a b s t a t e e l e c t i o n c o m m i s s i o n e r R a j Kamal Chaudhuri said that all

n e c e s s a r y a r r a n g e m e n t s h a v e been made for the civic body polls

“The model code of conduct w i l l c o m e i n t o f o r c e w i t h i m m e d i a t e e f f e c t i n t h e j u r i s d i c t i o n o f t h e s a i d m u n i c i p a l b o d i e s a n d w i l l

r e m a i n i n f o r c e t i l l t h e

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

WEST BENGAL

process The elections will be h e l d f r o m 7 a m t o 4 p m , ” C h a u d h u r i s a i d T h e f i v e municipal corporations going to p o l l s a r e A m r i t s a r , J a l a n d h a r , Ludhiana, Patiala and Phagwara As per the election schedule, t h e n o m i n a t i o n s c a n b e f i l e d between December 9 and 12 The scrutiny of nomination papers will be done on December 13 and the last date for the withdrawal

o f n o m i n a t i o n s w i l l b e December 14, Chaudhuri said

T h e s t a t e e l e c t i o n c o m m i s s i o n e r s a i d e l e c t r o n i c voting machines (EVMs) would be used for the voting and a s u f f i c i e n t n u m b e r h a v e b e e n arranged

T h e p o l l e d v o t e s w i l l b e

counted on the same day at the polling station itself, after the completion of polling of votes H e a d d e d t h a t t h e f i n a l publication of the electoral rolls of the municipal bodies going to t h e p o l l s h a s b e e n d o n e o n December 7 and a copy of the s a m e i s a v a i l a b l e w i t h t h e concerned electoral registration officers (SDMs) and also in the o f f i c e o f t h e c o n c e r n e d municipal body

C h a u d h u r i s a i d 3 7 , 3 2 , 0 0 0 voters including 19,55,000 males, 1 7 , 7 6 , 0 0 0 f e m a l e s a n d 2 0 4 others are eligible to cast their votes Sharing more details, he a d d e d t h a t p o l l i n g , w h e r e v e r

Protesters return to streets after CBI’s RG Kar chargesheet ‘failure’

K O L K A T A : D o c to rs , al o ng w i th peo ple from various w alks of life, once again took to Kolkata’s streets to p rotest ag ainst alleged failure o f CBI in RG Kar rap e-m urd er probe

Demanding speedy justice for the victim - a 31-year-old trainee doctor - the protesters asked why

C B I f a i l e d t o f i l e a c h a r g e s h e e t a g a i n s t f o r m e r R G K a r M e d i c a l College and Hospital principal Sandip Ghosh and former Tala police station OC Abhijit Mandal within 90 days of their arrest The protests were held a day after the two were granted bail by a special court

want to know why CBI did not submit chargesheet in stipulated time Was it pre-planned to safeguard the accused who have got bail?”

Meanwhile, SDF wrote to Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee and CBI deputy d i r e c t o r e x

Members of West Bengal Junior

D o c t o r s ’ F r o n t , S e r v i c e D o c t o r s ’ Forum, Medical Service Centre, and N u r s e s ’ U n i t y m a r c h e d f r o m Karunamoyee in Salt Lake to CGO Complex

The victim’s parents also joined the protest in Salt Lake The victim’s father s a i d , “ W e d o n ’ t k n o w w h a t C B I i s doing, but we will have to continue with the legal battle ” Soumyodip Roy, a WBJDF member and junior doctor at RG Kar, said, “CBI will have to take responsibility for its f a i l u r e W e w i l l c a r r y o n w i t h o u r protest till the victim gets justice We

being granted bail “We urged the CM to grant CBI the required approvals to file chargesheet without further delay,” said Sajal Biswas, a doctor and SDF general secretary M

“historic reclaim the night” movement, w o m e n a n

queer communities staged a “Scream of C

Mancha on Cathedral Road Members of the Students Federation of India, the s t u d e n t b o d y o f C P M , S U C I , a n d Congress, held protests in different places

required, would be held for 381 w a r d s o f t h e m u n i c i p a l corporations and 598 wards of t h e m u n i c i p a l c o u n c i l s / n a g a r panchayats The state election commissioner added that there a r e a t o t a l o f 1 , 6 0 9 p o l l i n g locations having 3,809 polling booths

T h e S h i r o m a n i A k a l i D a l (SAD), meanwhile, registered a protest against the state election commission’s decision to hold civic body polls on December 21 as the schedule coincides with t h e d a y s w h e n S i k h s commemorate the martyrdom of younger Sahibzadas of 10th master Guru Gobind Singh –Zorawar Singh and Fateh Singh

Supreme Court grants prospective bail to former Bengal minister Partha

N EW DE LH I: Seeking to balance th e righ ts o f an acc us ed with the gravity o f of fence h e h as been charged with, Su preme Co urt granted p ro specti ve bail to former Bengal educatio n minister P artha Chatterjee fro m Feb 1 i n a mo ney laundering case related to the teach ers recruitment ‘ scam ’ and directed the trial cou rt to decide o n framing of charges and reco rd statements of vu lnerable witnesses by th en

A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan struck an innovative balance to tackle the classical dilemma in administration of justice - while the accused can’t be kept in custody indefinitely as that would amount to punitive detention, scales of justice cannot be balanced if affluent and influential accused obstruct probe or tamper with evidence

politician could continue as an MLA but would not be appointed to any public office during pendency of the trial

Chatterjee’s right as an accused and his bail plea must be juxtaposed with broader societal harm caused b

undeserving candidates as teachers while depriving thousands of deserving candidates their future, the bench said

While passing the prospective bail order, the bench also cited the statement of Arpita Mukherjee, a coaccused in the case, fearing threat to her life from Chatterjee

NORTH-EAST

NEW D EL HI : Pri me M in ister Narendra M odi pai d tribute on Swahi d D iwas, commemoratin g th e ma rt yrs o f th e A s sa m M o v e men t , b y highli ghtin g

“Swahi

Assam,”

The

Movement

underscore BJP’s strategy to align itself

Parishad (AGP), which is part of the NDA

By invoking the sentiments, BJP seeks to

developmental vision, reinforcing its political

culminated in the Assam Accord of 1985, but remains a contentious issue AGP initially gained political prominence but gradually declined due to governance challenges and unmet promises of the Accord Over the years, BJP has emerged as the dominant force

custodian of Assamese identity

ASSAM MAKES STRINGENT RULES TO GET AADHAAR CARD

The Assam cabinet cleared a stringent standard operating procedure for Aadhaar enrolment verification in the state which includes mandatory submission of the NRC application receipt number by the applicant Applications without the NRC application receipt number will be rejected Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said From today, just applying for an Aadhaar card will not mean getting one As a result of this SOP, we will be able to create an environment that will prevent doubtful citizens from getting this UID ” Sarma had announced in Sept that a more stringent verification process for Aadhaar enrolment would be put in place after it was found that in certain districts with a significant Muslim population, the number of Aadhaar card holders was more than the total population witnessed in the districts

TWO MIGRANTS SHOT DEAD IN MANIPUR, COPS KILL MILITANT

Unidentified gunmen killed two migrant labourers from Bihar while police shot an 18year-old militant dead following a brief exchange of fire in violence-hit Manipur Police said the labourers - identified as Sunalal Kumar, 18 and Dasharat Kumar 17 - were travelling on bicycles when they were shot at Keirak in Kakching district Both were residents of Rajwahi village in Gopalganj district of Bihar The killings marked the second fatal attack on migrant workers since ethnic violence erupted in Manipur on May 3 last year In May this year, unidentified assailants shot a 41year-old migrant labourer dead and wounded two fellow workers in Imphal They were from Godda district in Jharkhand The gunfight in Thoubal district occurred near Salungpham High School at Salungpham Maning Leikai The gunfight in Thoubal district occurred when seven armed militants of the banned Imphal valley-based group PREPAK fired at a team of police commandos Police overpowered the group and rounded up the seven one of whom was found with a bullet wound

Chennamaneni Ramesh

PM Modi attacks Gandhi family for ‘undermining’ Constitution

L au nch ing a scathing attack on the C ongress in Lok Sabha, Prime M inister Narend ra M odi said that h av ing “tasted blood” under the first PM, Jawaharlal Nehru, successive go vernments led by m em bers of th e Gand hi fam ily brou ght

a s er ie s o f am end m en ts i n th e C onstitu tion, “und ermining ” its found ational principles

Responding to the two-day discussion on the ‘Glorious journey of 75 years of the Constitution of India’, Modi, in a speech that lasted two h

Congress” to introduce religion-based reservation in its “greed and hunger for power ” , and reiterated his commitment to implement a “Secular Civil Code”

F r o m N e h r u t o I n d i r a G a n d h i , Rajiv Gandhi to Sonia Gandhi, and, of c o u r s e , R a h u l G a n d h i , M o d i w a s unsparing in attacking generations of the family that has been the power centre of the Congress The imposition of Emergency under Indira, and the excesses that followed, “is a sin that will forever be etched on the forehead of the Congress”, said the PM

Rahul draws 'Constitution vs Manusmriti'

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi drew a contrast between the Constitution and the Manusmriti, a religious book, invoking the writings of Hindutva ideologue VD Savarkar "

Constitution of India is that there is nothing Indian about it Manusmriti is that scripture which is most worshippable after Vedas for our Hindu nation and from which our ancient times have become the basis for our culture, customs, thought and practice This book, for centuries, has codified the spiritual and divine march of our nation Today, M a n u s m i r

words of Savarkar Savarkar has clearly stated in his writings that there is

Constitution He has clearly stated that the book India is run by should be superseded by this book This is what the fight is about," Gandhi said, with a copy of the Constitution in his right hand and the Manusmriti in his left BJP MP Anurag Thakur hit back at

rebuttal, targeting the Congress' his-

symbolic display of the Constitution, accusing him of lacking an understanding of the document "There are

can't tell the number of pages," Thakur remarked

Earlier in the day, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju accused the Congress of

u

Modi to visit Kuwait on Dec 21-22, first Indian PM to be in Gulf nation in 43 years

PM Na re ndr a Modi will visit Kuwait on Dec 21-22 for what will be t he fir st v isit by an India n Prime Ministe r to the Gulf count ry in 43 ye ars While Modi wa s also ex pecte d to v isit Sa udi Ar abia t his mont h, t hat visit is now ex pected t o ta ke place ne xt y ea r be ca use of a d elay in fina lisation of da tes

A reliable supplier of crude and LPG to India and home to a million-strong Indian community, Kuwait is the only Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) country Modi had not yet visited Kuwait currently holds the GCC presidency Kuwait foreign minister Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya had visited India earlier this month and met Modi to deliver him an invitation to visit the country

Recalling his meeting with the Crown Prince of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah in Sept in New Y o r k , M o

tional values while ignoring its own historical contradictions Rijiju opened session with a rebuttal, criticising the C o n

a t m e n t o f B R

Ambedkar, the principal architect of the Constitution

39 ministers join Fadnavis cabinet in Maharashtra

T h e mu c h -a n t ic i pa t e d

M ahar ashtr a ca bine t ex pansion un folded a t a g ran d cer-

e m on y i n N a g p u r ’ s R a j

Bh av a n la st we ek w ith 39

m i n i st e r s , i n c lu d i n g si x jun ior min ister s, sworn in by

G ov e r n o r C P

R a d h a k r i s hn a n , si g n a lli n g

t he first major e ven t for t he

B JP - S h iv S e n a - N C P M ahay uti a lliance afte r t heir

e le ct ora l victory

Thirteen ministers from the previous govt, notably f o r e s t m i n i s t e r S u d h i r

M u n g a n t i w a r a n d s e n i o r

N C P l e a d e r s C h h a g a n

B h u j b a l a n d D i l i p W a l s e

P a t i l w e r e d r o p p e d T h e a l l i a n c e l e f t j u s t o n e s e a t vacant in its jumbo cabinet43 members, including chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and his two deputies Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar

A n o t h e r p r o m i n e n t name missing in Fadnavis’

t e a m i s R a v i n d r a C h a v a n , who is likely to wear the mantle of Maharashtra BJP president, as per top sources

The allocation of portfol i o s , h o w e v e r , r e m a i n s a

w o b b l y i s s u e w i t h d i s c u s -

s i o n s o n k e y d e p a r t m e n t s l i k e h o m e , f i n a n c e , u

in 2014 Even the veteran, Ganesh Naik, who was minister in the Manohar Joshil e d g o v t , V i l a s r a o

D e s h m u k h - l e d g o v t a n d later Ashok Chavan-led govt, w a s i n c l u d e d t h i s t i m e

F o r m e r t o u r i s m m i n i s

momentum in bilateral relations, according to an Indian readout Modi discussed the situation in West Asia with the visiting foreign minister, expressing support for early return of peace, security and stability in the region Kuwait had on Dec 1 hosted a summit of the six-member GCC countries at which it had called for an immediate ceasefire and urged the international community to provide international protection for innocent civilians and to ensure “the opening of safe corridors and the arrival of urgent humanitarian aid ” India too has repeatedly sought a ceasefire in Gaza and called for efforts to ensure that the conflict doesn’t spill over to other parts of West Asia The visiting foreign minister and his counterpart S Jaishankar had signed an MoU for establishing a Joint Commission for Cooperation at the level of foreign ministers, under which new joint working groups will be set up in areas like trade, investment, education, agriculture, technology, security and culture

Oppn moves resolution for removal of RS chairman Dhankhar

B h o n d e k a r , r e s i g n e d f r o m all party posts

The swearing-in ceremon y d r e w a t t e n t i o n f o r i t s b l e n d o f e x p e r i e n c e a n d fresh blood with state BJP p r e s i d e n t C h a n d r a s h e k h a r Bawankule, who was the first to take oath, making a comeback after being dropped in 2019 With 33 cabinet minis-

t e r s a n d s i x M o S , t h e Mahayuti ensured a balance among BJP, Shindeled Shiv S e n a , a n d A j i t P a w a r - l e d NCP, marking a critical step in stabilising the coalition

g o v t A m o n g t h e n e w l y i n d u c t e d m i n i s t e r s , 1 9 a r e from BJP, 11 from Shiv Sena and nine from NCP

b a n development, and revenue s t i l l u n d e r w a y T h e f i r s t r u m b l i n g s i n t h e S e n

T h e Su pr e me C o u r t p u t a fre eze on

of

d o r de

e d t r i a l c o u r t s a c r o s s India not t o ent ertain any fresh suit r aising a ‘mosque-t emple’ dispu te It also sto pped a dju dic atio n o f pending o nes, i nc lu di n g t h o s e r e l at i n g t o t h e

G ya n va pi mo s q u e- K a sh i V ish wanat h temple and Sh ahi

Idgah -Kr ishna Janmasth an in Math ura

A b e n c h o f C J I S a n j i v Khanna and Justices Sanjay Kumar and K V Viswanathan passed this order that will put a temporary lid on the raging communal issue, the

genesis of which was the filing of petitions by religious organisations and politicians - the Hindu side challenging the validity of the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991, and Muslims seeking implementation of the law

Enacted by the Congress govt against the backdrop of the movement for construct i o n o f R a m M a n d i r i n Ayodhya, the POW Act froze the religious character of all places of worship as on Aug 15,1947, with the exception o f t h e B a b r i M a s j i d i n Ayodhya BJP had opposed passage of the law “ T h e p r i m a r y i s s u e

Six first-time ministers -

B J P ’ s M e g h a n a B o r d i k a r , Madhuri Misal, and Pankaj

B h o y a r ; N C P ’ s I n d r a n i l N a i k ; S h i

Jaiswal and Yogesh Kadam

fresh faces in the cabinet include Ashok Uike, Ashish

Gore The new govt will have

Bordikar, and NCP’s Aditi Tatkare There’s one Muslim

h a y u t i g o v tHasan Mushrif of the Ajit Pawar camp

B e s i d e s B a w a n k u l e , another senior BJP leader to make a comeback in the cabinet is former minister and MLC Pankaja Munde, who was a cabinet minister in Fadnavis-led BJP-Sena govt

which arises for consideration is Sections 3 and 4 of the 1991 Act, their contours as well as their width and expanse As the matter is sub judice before the court, we deem it appropriate to d i r e c t t h a t t h o u g h f r e s h suits (raising mosque-temple disputes) can be filed, no suit will be registered and proceedings undertaken (by t r i a l c o u r t s ) t i l l f u r t h e r orders of the SC,” the bench said “Further, we also direct that in pending suits, trial

c o u r t s w i l l n o t p a s s a n y e f f e c t i v e a n d f i n a l o r d e r , including orders for survey, till the next date of hearing,” t h e b e n c h s a i d i n i t s

e r J a y k u m a r R a w a l h a s a l s o made a comeback after 2014 BJP has retained most of its big names in the Shinde c a b i n e t , i n c l u d i n g

R a d h a k r i s h n a V i k h e P a t i l ,

C h a n d r a k a n t P a t i l , G i r i s h

M a h a j a n , M a n g a l p r a b h a t Lodha, and Atul Save, cobbling up a strike of 48%

S h i v S e n a h a s a l s o retained the majority of its ministers of the former govt, but included new faces like party spokesperson Sanjay

S h i r s a t , f o r m e r l e g i s l a t i v e

p a r t y l e a d e r B h a r a t Gogawale, along with Pratap Sarnaik, Prakash Abitkar and A s h i s h J

NCP has retained most of its former ministers, but granted opportunity to new faces - f o r m e r d e p u t y s p e a k e r N a r

Babasaheb Patil and Indranil Naik (MoS) from Pusad

omnibus status quo order

The ruling, which was at odds with the refusal last year of a bench led by then CJI D Y Chandrachud to i m p o s e a p r o h i b i t i o n o n s u i t s , d r e w v o c i f e r o u s o p p o s i t i o n f r o m s e n i o r advocates Rakesh Dwivedi, M a n i n d e r S i n g h , V i j a y Hansaria and Vikas Singh, who said the court could n o t p a s s s u c h a b l a n k e t order without hearing the Hindu parties Advocate Sai Deepak said for implementation of the 1991 Act, surv e y s w e r e m a n d a t o r y t o d e t e r m i n e t h e r e l i g i o u s character of disputed structures on Aug 15, 1947

Alleging tha t "the bigges t dis ruptor of Rajya Sabha was it s own chairman", INDIA bloc st epped up it s attac k on V ic e-Pres ident Jagdeep Dhankhar and said his biased a nd pa rtis an c onduct had forc ed the oppos ition a lliance to bring a resolution se eking his rem oval

Opposition in Rajya Sabha and Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge alleged that Chairman Dhankhar was "strangulating the opposition’s voice" and was acting as the “govt’s spokesperson and sheild” with an eye on his "next promotion"

“This is not just a breach of protocol, but a betrayal of the Constitution and the people of India,” Kharge told a press conf

D

a

’ s removal was not about personal grievances or political battles Opposition parties on Tuesday submitted the notice to the Rajya Sabha secretary general

DMK, RJD, TMC, SP, Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP (Sharad Pawar), JMM and CPI (M) members were among those who attended the press conference No member of AAP, a key constituent of the alliance, was present, but Congress's Jairam Ramesh said AAP was very much part of this coming together, and five AAP leaders were signatories to the notice

If the motion is moved, the opposition parties will need a simple majority to get it passed, but they lack the numbers in t h e 2 4 5 - m e m b e r H o u s e O p p o s i t i o n m e m b e r s , h o w e v e r , downplayed the inevitability of defeat and insisted that the move was meant to be a “strong message to fight for parliamentary democracy”

Condemning the move, parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju said, “The opposition disrespects the dignity of the chair, be it in Rajya Sabha or Lok Sabha We all know that in the parliamentary tradition, speakers of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha are our guides We must obey whoever sits on the chair Congress and its allies continuously behave in the wrong way ” He stressed that NDA had a majority in the House To bring a motion to remove the VP, a 14-day notice has to be given and it should be approved by the deputy chairman before it is taken up With the winter session ending on Dec 20, the notice submitted may not cover the required number of days

Opposition sources said they plan to submit a fresh notice in the next session Congress MPs Jairam Ramesh and Naseer Hussain submitted the notice signed by 60 MPs, including those from TMC, SP, RJD, JMM, AAP and DMK, to RS secretary general P C Mody The opposition has been upset with Dhankhar over multiple issues, the latest trigger being him allowing BJP members to raise allegations of links between Congress leaders and controversial billionaire George Soro, who, the saffron party claims, are involved in “anti-India activities” The opposition said his conduct in the House on Dec 9, 2024, was “particularly one sided and totally unfair”, and that he was “encouraging and provoking” the treasury benches to make outrageous remarks

Surat emerging as a global hub for lab-grown diamonds

With lab-grown diamond (LGD) becoming popular in the Indian markets, attempts are now being made to promote the Surat as a global LGD hub As part of the initiatives, an exhibition has been organized by the Lab Grown Diamond Association (LDA) in collaboration with the Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SGCCI) About 400 exhibitors, including LGD growers, manufacturers, traders, brokers, jewellery manufacturers, retailers and machine manufacturers participated in the event

The LGD industry grew in Surat over the past decade and over 300,000 people have been directly and indirectly associated with it Leading natural diamond cutting and polishing units also have their dedicated L G D m a n u f a c t u r i n g u n i t s t o o R e c e n t l y Gujarat government announced £700,000 for setting up of centre of excellence for synthetic diamonds

C u r r e n t l y , L D A h a s 1 , 5 0 0 m e m b e r s “Surat has developed as a major player in the LGD industry We are focusing on global branding of the city and LGD industry,” said B a b u V a g h a n i , p r e s i d e n t , L D A “ W e a r e working to bring top LGD players and traders from leading markets like Hong Kong, Dubai and Thailand We recently made a few visits to global centres to promote the event,” added Vaghani

India has a prominent presence in the d i a m o n d i n d u s t r y a n d L G D s a r e n o e x c e p t i o n I n r e c e n t t i m e s , l a b - g r o w n diamonds have gained immense popularity due to their technological advancements, increasing consumer awareness and most i m p o r t a n t l y t h e y a r e e c o - f r i e n d l y a n d pocket-friendly too! With rising gold and n a t u r a l d i a m o n d p r i c e s , c o n s

precious jewellery and lab-grown diamond s t u d d e d j e w e l

demand

LGDs are 100% real diamonds that are g

below the surface of the earth As a result,

concept of test-tube babies and naturally born babies where the process is different but the output is exactly the same In the same way, lab grown diamonds are identical to mined diamonds and also grow in different sizes and qualities and therefore have the same 4C’s too – same cut, colour, clarity and carat However, because lab diamonds are not mined they do not involve the social and

mining As a result, all LGDs save the planet and are eco-friendly In addition to this, they also save up on all the heavy mining costs and that saving is passed on as a benefit to the customer due to which a lab grown diamond i

diamond

LGDs are produced in two main methods – CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition) & HPHT

(

Interestingly, India is the largest producer of l

C V D technology and contributes to nearly 25% of

offers consumers the purest type of diamond certified as Type IIA by all leading diamond certifying bodies Finding Type IIA quality diamonds is a rarity to find even in mined diamonds as only 2% of mined diamonds ever been the purest type of diamonds LGDs produced through the HPHT method are grown through a different technique in China and do not have the same hardness as a mined diamond or a CVD grown diamond and also

oriented and import substitute product, lab grown diamonds are sparking the real dream of Atmanirbhar Bharat This hasn’t gone unnoticed by the Indian government and announced several programs and incentives

establish India as the leader and main hub of lab grown diamonds

MP Dholakia presents 'Navbharat Ratna' to PM Modi

Govind Dholakia, a Rajya Sabha MP from Gujarat and the founder-chairman of Shree Ramkrishna Exports (SRK), a leading natural diamond production and export company, has presented a diamond carved in the shape of India's map, named "Navbharat Ratna" (Jewel of New India) to Prime Minister Narendra Modi This exquisite diamond symbolises the unity, beauty, and brilliance of the nation Weighing 2 120

c a r a t s , t h i s e x c e p t i o n a l d i a m o n d w a s

"Navbharat Ratna" was presented to PM Modi as a tribute to India’s growing global prominence and its bright future The diamond reflects the unmatched talent of Indian artisans, especially those in Gujarat, the heart of the global diamond manufacturing industry

Court allows auction of Mehul Choksi’s assets worth £256.6mn

A s pe cial court i n Mumbai allowed the auc ti on of assets worth £25 6 5 9mn lin ked t o f ugi ti ve b us in e s sm a n M e hul Ch oks i C hoks i i s on e of the prime acc us ed, along wi th his n ephew N irav Modi, i n the over £1 3bn Punjab National B ank f raud c ase

T h e c o u r t ’ s d e c i s i o n t o a l l o w t h e auction came on an application from the victim banks, Punjab National Bank and ICICI Bank, for restitution of assets

The proceeds of the auction would be held as fixed deposits by PNB and ICICI

B a n k , t h

Enforcement Directorate Following the order, the process of handing over assets worth more than £12 5mn to the liquidator of Choksi’s Gitanjali Gems Limited has been initiated, the central agency added

“The handed over properties include

Parrot pulls boy's rotten tooth in China

Renowned for their vibrant feathers, playful personalities, and uncanny ability to mimic human speech, parrots have long captivated the world These intelligent birds are talented talkers and possess impressive problem-solving skills The video, captured in Foshan, China, features a young boy holding a parrot As the boy opens his mouth, he moves the parrot closer, enabling the bird to latch onto a loose tooth With a swift and accurate motion, the parrot expertly pulls out the tooth, leaving the internet amazed The bird then drops the extracted tooth into the hand of someone nearby, completing its remarkable task Posted on X, Discover Guangzhou, the video caption reads, "A parrot can be a dentist? On May 5, a deciduous tooth of a boy in China's Zhejiang province was pulled out by his pet parrot in just one second!" This isn't entirely unprecedented In the wild, birds like the Egyptian Plover have a symbiotic relationship with crocodiles, cleaning their teeth in exchange for food These small birds enter the mouths of crocodiles and remove food particles and leeches stuck between their teeth This cleans the crocodiles' teeth, preventing infections, and provides a food source for the plovers US influencer uses currency notes to fuel a fire

A video of a US-based influencer tossing bundles of cash into a bonfire at his home is going viral on social media, drawing widespread outrage and disbelief The video shows him casually burning money in place of wood to fuel a fire in his house I wish you extra luck," Balvanovich, known for his ostentatious displays of wealth, wrote in the caption of his post, which has garnered more than 39,000 likes and over 1 million views In the video, Balvanovich throws large bundles of cash into a roaring bonfire Instead of using firewood, he seemingly opts to burn bundles of banknotes - an act that has raised eyebrows on social media The comments on the post range from pleas for financial assistance to criticisms urging the influencer to appreciate the value of money, highlighting the disparity between those struggling to earn a living and those who can afford to display wealth so extravagantly "Brother, don't burn money I just need Rs 500,000 to build a house," wrote one user "Can you throw at me also!" commented another It is unclear whether the cash shown in the clip is real Vietnam's Covid-19 theme park goes viral

A wide range of ideas serves as the foundation for the popular theme parks found throughout the world However, one park stands out from the rest for its unusual theme: the deadly coronavirus pandemic that affected the whole world Located in Vietnam, this unique attraction is called the Covid-19 Park It is part of the Tuyen Lam Lake National Tourist Complex, located in the southeastern region of the country Several social media users in the past have posted about it, but recently it went viral because a 29-year-old British social media user, Ella Ribak, shared a video of the park Ella, from London, said 'It was such a weird experience I and the other travellers couldn't stop laughing, and we kept looking around to see if any Vietnamese people found it funny as well, but they all seemed pretty serious The clock at the start made it all feel pretty dystopian, and the fact all the sculptures were shrouded in trees "

Man poses as beggar to see how much he can earn

Reels or short videos on platforms like Instagram and Facebook have become the most popular content on social media People often go to great lengths to get the most outlandish shots for likes and engagement online Now, one such video of a man posing as a beggar to see how much he could earn in a day is going viral on social media The clip, shared on Instagram with the caption "24 hours begging challenge," shows Kolkata-based vlogger Pantha Deb dressed in torn jeans and a T-shirt In the clip, the content creator first introduces his idea to his followers He then sits under a bridge with a bowl in his hand, asking passers-by for money The video captures him pleading for alms on the streets of Kolkata and at a bus stop It also shows how the passers-by react to him begging At the end of the video, the content creator reveals that he managed to collect only Rs 34 throughout the day In a heartfelt gesture, he also donates the entire amount to an elderly homeless woman The video sparked a range of reactions from social media users While some criticised the man saying that people would do anything for the clout, others praised his gesture of donating the collected money

Japanese man creates imaginary girlfriend

properties is also in progress

The PNB fraud came to light in February 2018 when the bank informed the stock exchange BSE

unauthorised transactions” worth £1 13bn at a branch in South Mumbai

A few officials of the public sector bank had allegedly issued fraudulent Letters of U n

resulting in the loss of £609 76mn to PNB

Choksi had also defaulted on another loan he had taken from ICICI Bank H

before the fraud came to light He has secured the citizenship of the Caribbean

c o u n t

a s demanded that Choksi be extradited Modi

Kingdom, where he is facing extradition proceedings

Japanese photographer-writer Keisuke Jinushi is captivating the internet with his ingenious social media strategy By cleverly using props, a wig, and some digital magic, the 39-year-old creates incredibly realistic photos of himself with an "imaginary girlfriend " "I applied foundation to my hand and wore nail polish to replicate a woman's soft, shiny hand, and it works perfectly if you slip a scrunchie on your wrist," Jinushi explained in an interview Jinushi, a graduate of Musashino Art University with a degree in film and visual arts, revealed that the inspiration for his idea struck during a solo trip when he posed with a statue of a woman "That's when it hit me- I could create happy couple photos entirely on my own," he shared Jinushi's posts, widely shared on social media, have struck a chord with single men, encouraging them to create their own "happy photo stories " His inventive photography techniques have been compiled into a book titled Fantasy Girlfriend, which whimsically chronicles a fictional journey of meeting, marrying, and starting a family with his imaginary partner Monkey runs like a human after losing forelimbs

A monkey has left the internet in awe with its remarkable adaptation to walk like a human after losing its forelimbs A 19-second clip, reportedly from a natural life park abroad, begins with the monkey climbing down a set of stairs on two legs, much like a human As it descends, the primate notices something, abruptly changes its course, and starts sprinting back – still maintaining its bipedal gait What makes the video even more heartwarming is the monkey's reaction to two startled individuals in its path Upon noticing them, the primate slows down After gently crossing past them, it resumes running on two legs The video, now viral on X, says, “The images are from a natural life park abroad A monkey that lost an arm learned to walk on two legs ” A user commented, “He was able to do that because no one had told him that he could not do it Nor did he believe that he could not do it ” This wasn't the first time a monkey caught attention online Earlier, a video of a monkey joining a man for a meal at a temple went viral on Instagram The video showed the man sitting calmly on the floor, enjoying a temple meal when a monkey appeared and sat beside him Rather than shooing the animal away, the man welcomed its presence, allowing it to partake in the food

Pain-free vaccine cream for needle phobics

R es e ar ch ai m s to c r ea te

p ain- free vacc ines ap p lied through skin rubs for needle-p hobic indivi duals

‘Nobody likes needles,’

s a y s P r o f e s s o r M i c h a e l

F i s c h b a c h o f S t a n f o r d

University, leading research into pain-free vaccines that

c o u l d r e p l a c e i n j e c t i o n s with a skin-applied cream

T h e b r e a k t h r o u g h u s e s ‘ s t a p h y l o c o c c u s e p i d e rmidis’, a harmless bacteria found on human skin and hair follicles

W h e n r e s e a r c h e r s added ‘S epidermidis’ to the

s k i n o f l a b m i c e , t h e i r immune systems responded

s t r o n g l y , p r o d u c i n g a n t ibodies to prevent the bacteria from entering their bodies These antibodies target

s p e c i f i c

e s o n microbes' surfaces, blocking infections and further invasions

The scientists observed t h a t t h e m i c e p r o d u c e d antibodies that targeted ‘S epidermidis’ 'It’s as if the mice had been vaccinated, said Fischbach Their antibody response was as specifi c a s i f t h e y h a d b e e n exposed to a pathogen '

Another set of experi-

m e n t s s h o w e d a s i m i l a r r e s p o n s e i n h u m a n s ' W e tested blood from human d o n o r s a n d f o u n d t h e i r antibody levels against ‘S epidermidis’ were as high as those from routine vaccinations,' said Fischbach The s t u d y w a s p u b l i s h e d i n ‘Nature’

Blood pressure swings may speed up brain aging

Fluctuating bloo d pressure in older adu lts may accelerate brain aging and increase th e risk of cogni tive decline, ac c o r di ng to a st u dy i n ‘ Neu ro l o gy ’ T h e r es earc h found this link p articularly significant in Black participants, h igh lighting po tential disp arities in health ou tcomes

Researchers from Rush University Medical Center

a n d t h e U n i v e r s i t y o f California at Davis studied

4 , 7 7 0 a d u l t s o v e r 6 5 i n Chicago between 1993 and 2012, with 66% being Black

p a r t i c i p a n t s L e a d a u t h o r

Dr Anisa Dhana emphasised that monitoring blood pressure fluctuations in older adults could help identify and address risks, potentiall y d e l a y i n g c o g n i t i v e decline

Participants had blood pressure tests at the start and every three years over

a n a v e r a g e o f 1 0 y e a r s , alongside cognitive tests B l a c k p a r t i

(18 mmHg) than White part i c i p a n t s ( 1 6 m m H g )

Among Black participants, those with the highest variability scored lower on cognitive tests, reflecting 2 8 years of accelerated cogni-

t i v e a g i n g c o m p a r e d t o those with the least variability

P a r t i c i p a n t s o n b l o o d pressure medication at the start of the study showed no difference in cognitive test scores at the end, regardless of whether they had high or low blood pressure variability

“With an aging population and the growing prevalence of Alzheimer’s, finding ways to slow cognitive decline in older adults is a public health priority,” said Dr Dhana “Managing blood p r e s s u r e a n d i t s f l u c t u a -

t i o n s i s b e c o m i n g a k e y modifiable risk factor ”

Stay hydrated for better health

Staying hydrated is essential for overall well-being Drinking enough water helps maintain energy levels, supports brain function, aids in digestion, and regulates body temperature. Experts recommend consuming at least 8 glasses (about 2 liters) of water daily to ensure optimal hydration and promote better health

Simple and effective ways to burn fat faster

Losing fat doesn’t have to be complicated, but with so much conflicting information out there, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. To simplify the process, here are some practical and effective strategies to help you burn fat faster and more efficiently

1) Start by creating a sustainable calorie deficit:

To achieve fat loss, it’s essential to burn more calories than you consume This

tracking your food intake using apps, eating smaller

overeating For sustainable results, start with a manageable 500-calorie deficit per

feeling deprived

2) Cut out liquid calories for better results:

like soda, juices, and fancy coffees can add significant calories to your diet without providing a sense of full-

n

healthier alternatives such as water, green tea, black

make water more appealing without adding extra calories, try enhancing its flavor w

cucumber

3) Commit to exercising at least 3 times a week:

essential for building muscle, while cardio helps burn calories, making a combination of both highly effective

f

weight lifting into your routine along with 20-30 minutes of cardio to achieve balanced results To maximise impact, focus on compound e

which engage multiple mus-

cle groups simultaneously

4) Include protein in every meal for optimal results: Protein plays a crucial role in keeping you full, preserving muscle mass, and boosting your metabolism

To meet your protein needs,

chicken, fish, tofu, lentils, or Greek yogurt in your diet For optimal benefits, aim to

calories and

in fibre, making them an excellent choice for keeping you

calorie intake Incorporate

zucchini, and bell peppers

control portions and prevent overeating, aim

protein per day 5) Load up on vegetables for nutrition:

your plate with vegetables

Bowel cancer cases surge in England's under-50s

Bo wel cancer cases are rising fastest in young adults in England, study finds Diet may p lay a key role as rates clim b among those aged 25 to 4 9, especially in the West

n

o w

England rose by an average of 3 6% annually from 2007 to 2017, the fourth highest i n c r e a s e a f t e r C h i l e , N e w Zealand, and Puerto Rico Experts attribute the rise to u l t r a - p r o c e s s e d f o o d c o nsumption, obesity, and inactivity

Published in ‘The Lancet Oncology’, “the study links t h e s h i f t f r o m t r a d i t i o n a l high-fibre diets to increased intake of red meat, sugars, and ultra-processed foods as a contributing factor " Michelle Mitchell, CEO o f C a n c e r R e s e a r c h U K , said: “A cancer diagnosis is d e v a s t a t i n g a t a n y a g e W h i l e r a t e s i n y o u n g e r adults are still much lower than in those over 50, it’s vital to understand what’s driving this rising trend ”

C a n c e r R e s e a r c h U K analysis reveals that bowel cancer cases in adults aged 25 to 49 have risen by 52% s i n c e t h e e a r l y 1 9 9 0 s

A r o u n d 2 , 6 0 0 n e w c a s e s occur annually in this age group in the UK, with a total of 44,100 new cases each y e a r E x p

beyond smoking and obesity, are contributing to the rise

A study by the American Cancer Society found early-

showing the highest statisti-

n u a l increase in Europe at 3 6%, compared to 2 1% in France

S p

i n , however, saw a decline in rates In England, bowel cancer rates rose faster among y o u n g w o m e n t h a n m e n , while rates in older adults f e l l i n m a n y c o u n t r i e s , including England, largely due to screening programs

Paracetamol raises risk of life-threatening conditions

Paracetamol, also kno wn as ac etaminop hen, i s a widely used painkiller kno wn for being affordable, safe, and effective In th e UK , arou nd 200 million p ackets are purc h as e d o ve r th e c o u nt er each year, with p acks of 16 costing as little as 49 p at some pharmacies

alone, GPs issued 14 8 million paracetamol prescrip-

N H S statistics

effects of paracetamol use in adults aged 65 and over, revealing health risks

and nearly 400,000 who were not They found that frequent use of the drug was linked to a higher risk of complications such as p

i n a l bleeding, heart failure, and chronic kidney disease

The risk of peptic ulcer bleeding was 24% higher, while lower gastrointestinal bleeding increased by 3 6 % a m o n g p a r a c e t a m o l users Additionally, those taking painkillers were 9% more likely to experience heart failure compared to non-users

According to the NHS, paracetamol "rarely causes side effects" and is safe for r e g u l a r u s e " f o r m a n y years It is also the firstchoice painkiller for individuals who are pregnant or breastfeeding

UK's first tongue-stimulating implant offers hope for sleep apnoea

In a U K first, pat ient s with slee p a pnoe a have bee n fitted with an app-cont rolled dev ice that use s ne rve st imu-

la t i o n in t he t on g ue t o im p r o v e

t h i n g d u r i n g slee p S l e e p a p n o e a , w h i c h affects around 8 million people in the UK, causes repeated breathing pauses during sleep The most common type, o b s t r u c t i v e s l e e p a p n o e a , occurs when throat muscles relax and narrow, leading to symptoms like loud snoring

and frequent wake-ups This month, medics at University C o l l e g e L o n d o n H o s p i t a l s (UCLH) performed a threehour procedure to implant Nyxoah’s Genio device Natalie Boller, 63, one of the two patients fitted with the device, reported feeling better within days and will return to the clinic soon to h a v e t h e d e v i c e a c t i v a t e d

She shared with PA Media that she looks forward to being more active, as fatigue has held her back UCLH is the first UK centre to offer

s l e e p a p n o e a p a t i e n t s a choice between two nerve stimulators – the Genio or Inspire implant

B o t h t h e G e n i o a n d Inspire implants target the h

CPAP machines – the stand

apnoea that uses a mask to deliver pressurized air but c

Consultant ENT and

access for suitable patients

During Natalie Boller’s procedure, surgeons made a 6cm incision below her chin and used a microscope to identify the nerves controlling tongue movement

The stimulator uses an external chip attached to the chin with an adhesive

Explore the best wellness hotspots for 2025

Health and Fitness Travel, specialists in wellness getaways, introduce the ultimate month-by-month guide to the finest wellness retreats worldwide for 2025 Featuring everything from January detox retreats to December's luxurious spa retreats, this thoughtfully curated

c

centric escape in Thailand or a peaceful retreat in Italy, this guide is designed to make 2025 your year of wellness and selfcare

1 Thailand

Start the New Year with a full immune reboot at ‘Rakxa Integrative Wellness’, a

Offering personalised health programmes,

system Begin 2025 with wellness as the foundation for a healthier, revitalised you 2. Vietnam F

wellness and exploration The ‘Discover Recover’ programme combines relaxation w i t h

rejuvenating spa treatments, personalised f

stunning natural landscapes This month, experience adventure and wellness in a

beauty

3 Mexico

As spring arrives, ‘SHA Wellness Clinic’ in Mexico offers a comprehensive detox programme to cleanse and rejuvenate the body Combining advanced medical and h o l i

energy levels, and promote overall wellbeing setting a strong foundation for a healthier, revitalised year ahead

4. Cyprus

C

wellness retreat in Cyprus Nestled in the

Panayiotis’ offers a charming village setting

springs April's mild, warm weather creates

reconnect, relax, and rejuvenate

5 Austria

May is the perfect time of renewal, and ‘Park Igls’ in Austria offers an ideal setting to focus on holistic health Specialising in modern Mayr medicine, this serene Alpine retreat provides personalised detox and

promote full-body healing and relaxation in a tranquil, mountain setting

6. Italy

June is the ideal time to experience the Mediterranean at ‘Preidlhof’, a luxurious

Offering sensory spa treatments, guided meditation, and expert wellness coaching, Preidlhof promises a revitalising escape that balances body, mind, and soul

7. Lithuania

training sessions, core workouts, and yoga July’s long days and warm temperatures

levels

8 Greece

August embodies the essence of a Greek summer, and ‘Euphoria Retreat’ is the ideal destination to rejuvenate mind and body

O f f e

therapeutic spa treatments, and revitalising

yoga, Euphoria combines Mediterranean wellness with ancient healing traditions for a truly transformative experience

9. Morocco

With warm temperatures year-round, Morocco is the perfect destination for a ‘Discover Recover’ holiday This unique experience blends wellness and cultural e x p l o r a t i o n w i t h g u i d e d e x c u r s i o n s , r e v i t a l i s i n g s p a t r e a t m e n t s , a n d f i t n e s s sessions along the country’s breathtaking coastline

10 Portugal

Embrace autumn with a revitalising

retreat at Longevity Health & Wellness, a s e r e n e m e d i c a l s p a r e s o r t i n P o r t u g a l

O f f e r i n g h o l i s t i c t r e a t m e n t s , w e l l n e s s workshops, and personalised programmes, t h i s c o a s t a l e s c a p e i s p e r f e c t f o r rejuvenating body and mind as the year

c o m e s t o a c l o s e T h e t r a n q u i l s e t t i n g e n h a n c e s t h e u l t i m a t e r e s t o r a t i v e experience

11 Qatar

E m b r a c e t h e w i n t e r s e a s o n w i t h a

r e v i t a l i s i n g r e t r e a t a t ‘ Z u l a l W e l l n e s s

Resort’, a luxurious desert sanctuary in Qatar Focused on integrative wellness and m i n d f u l n e s s , t h i s s e r e n e e s c a p e o f f e r s specialised health programmes that blend p h y s i c a l r e n e w a l w i t h m e n t a l c l a r i t y , providing a harmonious path to well-being

12 Switzerland

W r a p u p t h e y e a r w i t h l u x u r y a n d rejuvenation at ‘Chenot Palace Weggis’ in Switzerland Renowned for its advanced anti-aging and detox therapies, Chenot offers personalised health programmes set a g a i n s t t h e t r a n q u i l b a c k d r o p o f L a k e Lucerne ideal for a restorative wellness retreat to start the New Year refreshed

Bradford Museums’ youth program expands for 2025

workshops included making vintage

f e s t i v e b o o k m a r k s w i t h m a r b l i n g

t e c h n i q u e s a n d e x p l o r i n g c r e a t i v e writing at a museum-inspired poetry table T

artistic skills developed throughout the workshops Young Ambassador Imamah shared her enthusiasm for the role, “Being a Young Ambassador for Bradford Museums has been such

creatively and take charge of our projects

“Seeing the results of our efforts and reflecting on the experience has been incredibly rewarding, especially after all the teamwork and planning

anyone considering joining go for

otherwise encounter

Bradford Museums and Galleries are now seeking the next cohort of

12 4

43 7

This square set of nine vertical lines and nine horizontal lines contains numbers 1 to 9 in some cells and the remaining cells are empty You have to put a number between 1 and 9 in the empty box which is not repeated in a horizontal or vertical row Not only that, the numbers from 1 to 9 come in the 3x3 box

Zulal Wellness Resort

RAKxa Integrative Wellness

Saphena Aziz Joins Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse Trustees

Saphena Aziz

Young ambassadors with the dastarkhan they crafted

1) Sydney Sweeney: An American actress and producer, she rose to fame in 2018 with ‘Everything Sucks!’ and ‘The Handmaid's Tale’ Rated as the most popular star of 2024 by IMDb, she recently starred in ‘Madame Web’ and ‘Immaculate’

2) Triptii Dimri: She has secured the top spot on the IMDb India list, thanks to her standout performances in ‘Animal’ alongside Ranbir Kapoor, as well as her roles in ‘Bad Newz’ and ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3’

3) Hania Aamir: A popular Pakistani actress and model known for her versatile roles in television dramas and films, she gained widespread recognition with her debut in ‘Janaan’ (2016) Her acting talent, charm, and engaging social media presence have earned her a special place in fans' hearts

4) Jonathan Bailey: The English actor, best known for his iconic role as Anthony Bridgerton in ‘Bridgerton’, has remained one of the most popular stars of 2024. He recently appeared in the highly anticipated film ‘Wicked’ alongside Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo

Yash Raj Films announces ‘Mardaani 3’; Rani Mukerji calls it ‘dark,

deadly, and brutal' Yash

Raj Films' ‘Mardaani’ is the most successful solo female-led franchise in Hindi cinema, earning widespread love and critical acclaim over the past 10 years The blockbuster series has achieved cult status among cinema enthusiasts and continues to captivate audiences.

2 ’ ,

On the release anniversary of ‘Mardaani

5) Shah Rukh Khan: Popularly known as SRK, is an acclaimed Indian actor and film producer in Hindi cinema. Dubbed the "Baadshah of Bollywood" and "King Khan" by the media, he has featured in over 100 films and won 14 Filmfare Awards Despite not releasing any films this year, Shah Rukh Khan remains one of the most popular and influential figures in the industry

‘Mardaani 3 ’ , with Rani Mukerji reprising her role as the fearless cop Shivani Shivaji Roy One of Indian cinema's most celebrated actresses, Rani Mukerji is the only female l

‘Mardaani’

‘

empowering two talented members from its direction and writing team to carry forward the iconic franchise's legacy Aayush Gupta, celebrated for his acclaimed work on ‘The Railway Men’, has penned the script for ‘Mardaani 3 ’ ‘The Railway Men’ marked Aayush's debut as a story and screenplay writer in the streaming space, earning global acclaim and becoming one of India’s most successful and groundbreaking series

His powerful, gripping, and impactful writing received widespread praise for its raw and edgy storytelling

‘Mardaani 3 ’ will be directed by Abhiraj Minawala, a talent nurtured by YRF Aditya Chopra first recognised Abhiraj’s potential, allowing him to assist on films like ‘Band Baaja Baarat’, ‘Gunday’, ‘Sultan’, ‘Jab Tak Hai Jaan’, and ‘Tiger 3 ’ Currently the Associate Director of ‘War 2 ’ , Abhiraj is now entrusted with the directorial role to steer the iconic ‘Mardaani’ franchise forward

Vivek Oberoi reflects on career struggles: "Dal-roti chalani hai, EMI bharna hai"

Bollywood

actor Vivek Oberoi recently opened up about the financial struggles of his career during a candid conversation at the Franchise India event

Reflecting on the industry's highs and lows, he said, “The film industry makes you feel on top one night, and then you can face a lean patch for various reasons Oberoi shared that he gauged his success by the number of birthday bouquets he received “When you ’ re doing well, your house is filled with bouquets from producers and co-stars When things aren’t going well, the number reduces, and you realize, ‘I’m not doing too well ”

Despite financial struggles, Vivek Oberoi highlighted that many actors maintain a certain lifestyle, which comes with its own expenses “This has empowered me today, as I don’t need to do movies I don’t believe in because I have to run my household and pay m y E M I

actors also comes at a cost, emphasising the pressures of the industry

Oberoi’s Bollywood journey has been tumultuous After a promising debut with ‘Company’ in 2002 and hits like ‘Saathiya’ and ‘Yuva’, his career took a downturn following a public feud with Salman Khan and a series of box office flops

Although it seemed like his mainstream p

successful comeback by taking on diverse

‘Indian Police Force’ With renewed focus

reestablish himself as a strong performer

Manoj Bajpayee says,” Shah Rukh

Khan always sought attention, belonged to 'khas duniya'”

Actor Manoj Bajpayee shared his experience training under acting coach Barry John in New Delhi, where he was batchmates with Shah Rukh Khan He admitt d h did socialise much as they were from different worlds with different aspira emphasised that he never sought a crowd of followers and dismissed a resentment over Shah Rukh's success.

In an interview, Manoj Bajpayee was asked if he felt bitter ab Khan’s massive stardom, despite starting out together “Shah Rukh to be loved, to be a star, to be the center of attention That was n said, adding that he was content with not being surrounded by a attention When asked if these differences affected his confidence, replied, “Your confidence breaks after failure, not because he’s popular than I am ” He credited Barry John for empowering him d his journey, recalling how Barry supported him despite his initial str with English “He’d give me small roles in English plays with Divya S Rituraj Singh, or Shah Rukh,” Manoj shared When asked if he and Shah Rukh Khan were contemporari Manoj Bajpayee said, “We knew each other, but our friend circle weren’t the same People have to understand we come from different worlds Even back then, he belonged to a ‘khas duniya ’ I wasn’t surrounded by 10 people at all times Shah Rukh was always a charming guy, always surrounded by people ”

T O P 5 K O L L Y W O O D A C T O R S / A C T R E S S

Keerthy Suresh marries her longtime boyfriend Antony Thattil

1) Samantha Ruth Prabhu: One of the highestpaid actresses, she recently appeared in the web series ‘Citadel: Honey Bunny’ alongside Varun Dhawan She also battles an autoimmune disease called myositis.

2) Joseph Vijay: Referred to as "Thalapathy" (Commander) by his fans, he made headlines for his political entry with his party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam He was last seen in ‘GOAT’ and untitled film before stepping away from the film industry.

Wedding bells are ringing in South Indian cinema, and the latest to tie the knot is National Award-winning actress Keerthy Suresh The celebrated star married her longtime boyfriend, entrepreneur Antony Thattil, in a heartwarming ceremony, marking a joyous milestone in her life

Keerthy Suresh shared the first pictures of her and Antony Thattil as a hap-

“#ForTheLoveOfNyke ” The hashtag is a sweet blend of Antony’s last two letters, Keerthy’s first two, and the name of her beloved dog, Nyke, who frequently steals the spotlight on her social media

3) Fahadh Fasil: A renowned Malayalam actor, he gained critical acclaim for his film ‘Aavesham’ and became one of the most Googled actors in 2024 He is set to make his Bollywood debut in an upcoming film by Imtiaz Ali

4) Allu Arjun: A prominent figure in the Telugu film industry and part of the influential "Mega Family" led by "Mega Star" Chiranjeevi, has ties to both cinema and politics Recently starring in ‘Pushpa 2: The Rule’ He faced legal trouble following a stampede at Hyderabad's Sadhya Theatre during the film's screening, which tragically claimed a woman s life

held according to Hindu traditions, featured the actress radiating elegance in a gold-and-green saree and later in a red saree adorned with traditional jewelry

The intimate ceremony was attended by close family and friends, including actorpolitician Vijay, whose photo with his security team went viral K

nature, surprised fans with the relationship announcement last month, revealing she and Antony Thattil have been together for over 15 years, predating her 2013 acting debut in Priyadarshan’s ‘Geethanjali’

Vikram joins forces with Madonne Ashwin for ‘Chiyaan 63’

5) Kamal Hassan: Born as Parthasarathy Srinivasan, recently released ‘Indian 2’, the sequel to his hit film ‘Indian’, though it underperformed at the box office. He also wrote to fans requesting them to stop calling him "Ulaganayagan" (Universal Hero), a title they had bestowed upon him

Actor Vikram is collaborating with ‘Mandela’ director Madonne Ashwin for his next film, tentatively titled ‘Chiyaan 63’ Fresh from the success of *Thangalaan* directed by Pa Ranjith, Vikram joins the young director for his third feature Produced by Shanthi Talkies, the team behind the Sivakarthikeyanstarrer ‘Maaveeran’ directed by Madonne Ashwin, is set to create a globally appealing film An enthusiastic Vikram shared, "Thrilled to team up with @iamarunviswa & @madonneashwin a combo on fire Looking forward to an exhilarating collaboration " Announcing the project, the production house stated, "We are delighted and proud to unveil our

Production No 3 with one of the finest actors in the country, Chiyaan Vikram, whose journey has inspired millions It is an honor to collaborate with an actor renowned for his memorable roles and groundbreaking films The film will be directed by the talented Madonne Ashwin, whose storytelling brilliance brought us ‘Mandela’ and ‘Maaveeran’ Having previously worked with Madonne, we are thrilled to collaborate with him once again Together, we aim to create a film that will captivate audiences worldwide!" Meanwhile, Vikram is eagerly awaiting the release of his upcoming film ‘Veera Dheera Sooran: Part 2 ’ , directed by SU Arun Kumar The film is set to hit the screens in January 2025, just in time for Pongal

Actor Nayanthara reflected on how life would have been without her husband, director Vignesh Shivan, acknowledging the trolling he faces for being married to her. She emphasised that differences in professional achievements shouldn’t matter. Their relationship, featured in the Netflix documentary ‘Nayanthara: Beyond the Fairytale’, also sparked controversy when they accused actor-filmmaker Dhanush of withholding an NOC for the film.

In an interview, Nayanthara shared heartfelt thoughts about her marriage, saying, “Sometimes, I feel it would’ve been better if we weren’t together I feel guilty even today I took the first step in our relationship, and because of me, he hasn’t been fully recognized for the talented director, writer, lyricist, and person he is He’s such a kind soul I’m a good person, but I don’t know if I can ever match his goodness ” Nayanthara reflected on the challenges of their relationship, saying, “Sometimes, the love and respect we share is overshadowed by the hatred we face People often expect successful individuals to marry someone equally successful, but love isn’t about success, money, or luxury it’s about choosing the person you love When you fall in love, you just fall in love ”

T O P 5 S I N G E R S

1) Taylor Swift: An American singer-songwriter known for her biographical songwriting and artistic reinventions, is a major figure in popular music. She recently wrapped up her recordbreaking ‘Eras Tour’, a nearly two-year journey that earned over $2 billion and set historic milestones

2) Diljit Dosanjh: Indian singer, actor, and film producer known for his work in Punjabi and Hindi cinema, entered Billboard's Social 50 chart in 2020 His hit films like ‘Jatt & Juliet 2’, ‘Sajjan Singh Rangroot’, and ‘Honsla Rakh’ are among the highest-grossing Punjabi films. In 2024, he launched his global concert tour, ‘Dil Luminati’

3) Charli XCX: Half-Indian Charli XCX’s ‘Brat Summer’, inspired by her album ‘Brat’, sparked a viral trend and aesthetic The single peaked at number one in the UK, Australia, and Ireland, and entered the top ten in 12 other countries, including her highest debut on the ‘Billboard 200’ at number three in the United States

4) Ed Sheeran: English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran, from Halifax, began writing songs at age 11 and rose to fame with his 2011 EP ‘No 5 Collaborations Project’ In 2024, he recently created a social media buzz performing with Diljit on stage in Mumbai.

5) Badshah: Indian rapper and songwriter has gained global recognition with hits like ‘Kar Gayi Chull’ (Kapoor & Sons), ‘Garmi’ (Street Dancer 3D), ‘Naina’ (Crew), and ‘Proper Patola’ (Namaste England) His debut song ‘DJ Waley Babu’ amassed over 50 million views in just 24 hours He has collaborated with international stars like J Balvin, Tainy, and Lil Baby on the track ‘Voodoo’

Sidhant Gupta reveals why he quit social media before ‘Freedom

At Midnight’

Actor Sidhant Gupta is basking in the success of his role as former Indian

Prime Minister Pandit

Jawaharlal Nehru in the web series

‘Freedom At Midnight’ “It feels like I’m doing what I came here to do Of course, it’s a dream,” he shares Gupta appreciates that the show, set in the pre-partition era, avoids political propaganda and stays rooted in historical truth “When I read the script and did my research, everything aligned The writers captured the essence of misunderstood figures from that time, and it felt like both the greatest risk and responsibility of my life,” he says

T O P F I V E O T T S E R I E S

1) The Day of the Jackal: Based on Frederick Forsyth's classic novel, this British TV series stars Eddie Redmayne and Lashana Lynch Set in a contemporary political context, it follows the story of a ruthless British assassin known as "The Jackal" and the intelligence officer determined to capture him.

2) Dune: Prophecy: Developed by Diane Ademu-John and Alison Schapker for HBO, ‘Dune: Prophecy’ explores the origins of the Bene Gesserit, a powerful social and political group with superhuman abilities Set 10,000 years before Denis Villeneuve's ‘Dune’ films, the series stars Tabu and serves as a prequel to ‘Dune’ and ‘Dune: Part Two’.

3) Shogun: Created by Rachel Kondo and Justin Marks, ‘Shogun’ is based on James Clavell's 1975 novel, previously adapted into a 1980 miniseries Featuring a mostly Japanese cast and primarily in Japanese, the ensemble includes Hiroyuki Sanada, Cosmo Jarvis, Anna Sawai, Tadanobu Asano, and Fumi Nikaido.

4) Nobody Wants This: An American romantic comedy television series created by Erin Foster, starring Kristen Bell, Adam Brody, Justine Lupe, and Timothy Simons, centered on the unlikely relationship between an outspoken, agnostic woman and an unconventional rabbi

Playing a 56-year-old Nehru on screen at 35 is a huge privilege for Sidhant Gupta “I fell in love with Jawaharlal Nehru and what he stood for There are many misconceptions about him, and it became my mission to portray him in a way that earned him the respect he deserves,” he says

After ‘Jubilee’ last year and before ‘Freedom At Midnight’s’ release, Gupta stayed away from the public eye for over a year Explaining his absence, he says, “‘Jubilee’ gave me so much love because I gave it everything I had To fully embody a role, you need to disconnect from other distractions My focus was on getting ‘Freedom At Midnight’ right If a project makes an impact, everything falls into place, and it’s okay to disappear until that moment ”

5) Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazar: Created and directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, ‘Heeramandi’ is an Indian Hindi-language period drama set in Lahore’s redlight district during the Indian independence movement The series stars Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha, Aditi Rao Hydari, Richa Chadha, Sanjeeda Sheikh, Sharmin Segal Mehta, and Taha Shah Badussha

Priyanka Chopra honoured by Sarah Jessica Parker at Red Sea Festival

Priyanka

Chopra Jonas, accompanied by her husband Nick Jonas, received an honorary award at the Red Sea Festival in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia Fans greeted her on the red carpet with cheers and her iconic song ‘Desi Girl’ from ‘Dostana’ Sarah Jessica Parker presented the award to Priyanka, calling it an honor to do so Several photos and videos from the event have since gone viral on Priyanka's fan pages

In her speech, Priyanka Chopra expressed gratitude to Sarah Jessica Parker, saying, Sarah, you are such an icon to so many of us Thank you for your kind words about me and my work over the years It

meant a lot to me " She reflected on her journey, saying, "When I started at 18, I came from an industry focused on Hindi and Telugu films I was told non-English films wouldn’t travel, yet here we are today "* Priyanka also praised Sarah’s efforts, adding, "You’ve created a safe, incredible space for storytellers worldwide to connect without borders or

language barriers " Priyanka Chopra reflected on her journey, saying, "We get to play, tell stories, and dream for a living in one of the most incredible industries in the world You’ve brought people together beyond borders and languages to celebrate the magic of cinema I feel so grateful to receive this honor " She thanked her husband Nick Jonas, her late father, family, and colleagues "My husband is here, the gentleman that he is My father was my first entertainer; he showed me the joy of being at the center of a crowd and taught me how to be confident and vulnerable through art," she added

History was made, as 18year-old Indian GM D

Gukesh ousted Chinese GM

Ding Liren in the final Game 14 of the World Chess Championships to become the youngest world champion in the history of the sport

With his monumental win, Gukesh becomes the 18th GM and just the second Indian GM, after the legendary Viswanthan

A

At 18, Gukesh becomes oungest world chess champion

ship title ng into the final ter 13 rollercoaster in the match, both

points each,

short of a win, to clinch the world champion title

Ding, playing with the white

suspending his tried-and-tested

London opening and opting for a reverse Grunfield, showcasing

intent to not settle for an easy draw at any cost

G

flinch himself, coming out with intent, opening up his files to build his pieces

The first flurry of moves passed in short time, and an

was arrived at, with the Masters’ database unable to retrieve any prior games as such, denoting the possibility of both battling it

o u t l o n g a n d h a

d i n y e t another novel battle

The middle game saw both competitors piling the pressure

entice the young Challenger

composure, gauging every move a

centre of the board continually to keep Ding at bay

exchanges ensued, but with the

intention for a draw known, p l

No end in sight for India-Pak row over Champions Trophy 2025

The re is no e nd in sight for the cont rove rsy surr oundin g the C hampions Trophy 2025 The compe tition was supposed t o tak e place in Pak istan but Ind ia r efuse d t o tr ave l cit in g se cur it y re asons The decision t ak en by In dia led to ma ssive discussion s about the fut ure of t he t o u r n a m e n t w it h a 'h y b r i d ' s t r a t e g y e mer ging as the most favour able scen ar io It will me an t hat the matche s fea turing In dia will ta ke place in Duba i wit h t he fin al a lso s h i ft i n g t o t h e U A E in ca s e o f I n d i a 's qu a lific a ti on W hile r e p or t s cla im e d th a t both countr ies ha ve a gre ed on this scen ar ios wit h Pak ist an a dding some more con ditions o f t heir own , n othin g con cr et e h as bee n c o n fi r m e d f r o m t h e bo a r d s o r t h e

International Cric ket Counc il (ICC)

Amid the ongoing conversation, BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla said that he still hopes for an amicable solution and added that he does not want any kind of bitterness

“We [BCCI] prefer a hybrid model But as

the ICC chairman is already looking after it and is in talks with the Pakistan Cricket Board, we hope for an amicable solution with both nations [India and Pakistan] agreeing to it without any bitterness," Shukla said

“The focus is majorly on our players' safety and hence we cannot send them to Pakistan We are looking for a middle ground to sort things out," he added

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Cricket Board's ( P C B ) d e c i s

Champions Trophy 2025 in a hybrid format following India's refusal to travel across the

organisation with sources telling that many members are unhappy with the way Pakistan has accepted the decision

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has confirmed a proposal for a hybrid model for the Champions Trophy 2025 in which India will play their matches in Dubai while Pakistan will host the rest of the tournament

England secure test victory after bowling out South Africa for 64

E ngland sec ured a co mm and ing 28 6- run v ictory ov er So uth Africa on day th ree of the o ne-off Test in Bloemfontein, dismissing the h osts for their low est-ever total of 64 runs S outh Africa cru mbled in just 19 4 ov ers w hile chasing a record 3 51 at M ang aung Oval, with Lauren Bell (4 -27) and Lauren F iler (1-12) wreaking havoc with th e new ball Nad ine d e Klerk and C h loe T ryo n were d ismissed for ducks, sealing South A frica’ s d efeat

The absence of DRS once again sparked debate, as Annerie Dercksen (9) was given out caught at short leg by the third umpire, despite the lack of UltraEdge technology to

c o n f i r m s h e h a d t o u c h e d L a u r e n B e l l ' s delivery into Tammy Beaumont's hands

South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt (4) and Anneke Bosch (4) were dismissed lbw to Lauren Bell and Lauren Filer, respectively

Annerie Dercksen’s controversial dismissal w a s f o l l o w e d b y B e l l ’ s b

, which bowled Sune Luus (1) through the gate Nadine de Klerk was run out by Danni Wyatt-Hodge and Amy Jones, while Chloe Tryon fell lbw to Sophie Ecclestone (2-7 from 4 4 overs), sealing England’s victory on the third evening England secured their first Test win in a decade since beating Australia in Perth in 2 0 1 4 w h e n L a u r e n B e l l r a n o u t Nonkululeko Mlaba (14) at the non-striker's end Ayanda Hlubi was unable to bat due to injury

Gujarat para athletes win 10 medals in IBSA meet

G u j ara t p ara at h le tes w on 1 0 m e d al s, inclu ding fo ur golds, on the second day of the 23rd Natio nal Athletics Champ ionship for the Blind 2024 , being held in the central Gujarat city of Nadiad in Kheda district

Saroj Baria won the gold in women ’ s T-11 javelin throw after hurling the javelin to 14 03m Khodaji Thakor clinched the yellow metal in the men ’ s T-12 200m race, crossing the line in 26 36 seconds The women ’ s T-13

javelin throw was won by Chetna Galch, who hurled the spear to a distance of 25 73m to win the gold medal The gold in men ’ s T-

13 javelin throw was bagged by Sanjaysinh Rath Mansungji, who threw the javelin to a distance of 39 98m A m a r d e C h u d a s a m a w o n b r o n z e i n men ’ s T-13 discus throw by throwing the d i s c u s t o a d i s t a n c e o f 2 0 3 2 m N i k i t a

Vansola captured bronze in women ’ s T-12

javelin throw by throwing the spear to a distance of 14 63m while Ashmita Chavda

a n d J a i s h r e e B a l s a r a c l i n c h e d s i l v e r a n d

bronze respectively in the women ’ s T-12

200m run by crossing the line in 44 20 and 45 15 seconds

question to the Challenger G u k e s h t h o u g h d i d n o t respond enthusiastically, opting to draw the battle out longer

B u t , a f t e r 3 0 m

t h p l a y e r s o p t e d t o e n t e r t h e endgame, as they indulged in a t r a d e o f r o o k s a n d q u e e n s , pushing the pace Gukesh kept fighting till the very end, not allowing Ding or himself to get comfortable, as he posed questions with in the r o o k - b i s h o p e n d g a m e T h e d e f e n d i n g c h a m p i o n w a s pushed to his absolute limits as well, with Gukesh leaving him f l u s t e r e d i n t h e e n d g a m e , eating away at Ding’s time G u k e s h ’ s p e r s i s t e n c e p a i d off as Ding blundered whilst f i g h t i n g a g a i n s t t h e c l o c k , allowing Gukesh to take over and find the historic win

Simran Shaikh becomes costliest WPL pick

A f te r a n u n de r wh el m i n g i n au gu ra l

Women’s Premier League season with UP W a r ri o rz , Si m ra n Sh a i kh w at c he d th e previous edition of the competition as a spectator Going unsold in last season ’ s aucti on, the 22- year-old all-rounder went back to the drawing board and deli vered for Mumbai in the domestic season

She reaped the rewards to become the most expensive buy at the mini auction held in Bengaluru on Sunday With a base

p r i c e o f R s 10,00,000, Simran

s p u r r e d a b i d d i n g w a r b e t w e e n Gujarat Giants and D e l h i C a p i t a l s , before the former p u t o u t t h e w i n n i n g b i d o f

£190,000

W i t h j u s t 1 9 slots to be filled from 124 players, the auction was probably one of the quickest and wrapped up in under two hours, but not before uncapped Indian talent hit pay dirt Tamil Nadu’s rising star G Kamalini, one among four who surpassed the crore mark on the day, was another sought-after youngster, snapped up by Mumbai Indians, who beat persistent Delhi Capitals, with a £160,000

The all-rounder, a product of the CSK Academy, made a statement of intent in the BCCI Women’s U-19 T20 Trophy recently The 16-year-old big hitter compiled 311 runs from eight matches to help Tamil Nadu annex the title

Currently wearing the India colours at the U-19 Asia Cup in Malaysia, the left handed batter was the player of the match on Sunday for her unbeaten 29-ball 44 against Pakistan

Although Delhi Capitals had a rather q u i e t d a y , t h e y i n c r e a s e d t h e b i d d i n g amount for most of the big buys Among t h e m w a s U t t a r a k h a

Rawat, who started at a base price of Rs 10,00,000 and was offered the winning bid of £120,000 by defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru

RCB added the leg spinner to their stable in addition to Asha Sobhana The 23y e a

Uttarakhand Premier League Turning out for Mussoorie Thunders, she came good with both the ball and the bat

TAIL-ENDERS HELP

INDIA AVOID FOLLOWON IN BRISBANE

Valiant show from Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep helped India avoid follow-on in Brisbane amid another start-stop day Mitchell Starc removed Mohammed Siraj in the over after Tea, while Pat Cummins perfectly plotted Ravindra Jadeja's dismissal at the start of the final hour to leave Australia on the brink of inflicting follow-on However, India's No 10 and 11 put on an unbeaten 39-run stand to stretch India's fight before Akash smashed a stunning boundary against Cummins to get the dressing room up on their feet as they avoided the followon Stumps were taken shortly after with bad light stopping the play at the Gabba Australia will enter the final day with still a wicket to take before they can resume their second innings Rain stayed away for much of the first session but it wreaked havoc in the second, eventually forcing an early tea with India 201/7, 45 runs away from avoiding a follow-on Ravindra Jadeja and Nitish Kumar Reddy seemed to have shut the door on Australia after play resumed in the second session after a second rain delay The pair looked untroubled against Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon but Australia captain Pat Cummins brought himself on and dismissed his SRH teammate Reddy Jadeja now has Mohammed Siraj for company Jadeja's signature sword celebration has made its debut in this year's Border-Gavaskar Trophy, with the all-rounder powering India's lower order push in his very first innings of the tour While rain largely stayed away in the first session of Day 4 of the third Test in Brisbane it has hampered the second session delaying its start and then forcing it to be interrupted after just about three overs were bowled India s score read 180/6 in 51 5 overs at the time of the interruption and they require 65 runs to avoid the follow-on

U-19 WOMEN’S ASIA CUP: SONAM HELPS INDIA WIN

Riding on a brilliant 4-wicket haul by 17-yearold spinner Sonam Yadav and an entertaining batting performance by G Kamilini India thrashed Pakistan by nine wickets in a Group A match of the U-19 Women’s T20 Asia Cup in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday Left-arm spinner Sonam delivered her best international bowling figures of 4 for 6, helping India restrict the arch-rivals to just 67/7 in 20 overs The total was then overhauled in 7 5 overs, with Kamilini playing a stroke-filled unbeaten knock of 44 runs off just 29 deliveries Electing to bat after winning the toss only two Pakistan players, opener Komal Khan (24) and Fatima Khan (11) managed double-digit scores, with Sonam slaying the entire middle-order to have them reeling at 43 for six In reply, India lost opener Trisha Gongadi for a duck before Kamilini and Sanika Chalke (19 not out) were involved in an unbeaten match win

INDIA QUALIFY FOR JUNIOR HOCKEY WORLD CUP

Deepika led the way with four goals as defending champions India returned to winning ways, crushing Thailand 9-0 to enter the semis of the women’s junior Asia Cup and also qualified for the junior World Cup in Muscat

D Gukesh

Simran Shaikh