AV 22nd January 2022

FIRST & FOREMOST ASIAN WEEKLY IN EUROPE

Was Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose misunderstood?

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SEE PAGE - 13

22 - 28 JANUARY 2022

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SEE PAGE - 23

Let noble thoughts come to us from every side

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Dishoom’s ‘Chai-pe-charcha’ takes it to the list of top 50 best places to work in the UK

PM Modi invites foreign investment at Davos meet

VOL 50 - ISSUE 37

15 “I come from a very impoverished family” - Smriti Zubin Irani

16

Mayor Andy Street: West Midlands has more to gain from UK-India Free Trade Agreement

MOTHER OF ALL TRADE TALKS

New Year, Healthy You!

Father’s four-year fight with council for disabled son

The launch of UK-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA) has opened galore of opportunities for the business and investment sectors, as the West Midlands region leads with the lion’s share of benefits. Yet, India’s prayer to see concessions in UK visas remains unfulfilled.

Shefali Saxena British Prime Minister Boris Johnson recently dismissed the possibility of easing immigration rules for Indians in the House of Commons as part of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

Read our interview with Trade Minister Ranil Jayawardena & the exclusive column by CBI President Lord Karan Bilimoria on page 14-15 UK International Trade Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan and Indian Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal launching the UK-India Free Trade Agreement on 13 January in New Delhi

Continued on page 14

Meet Puri

Naveen Gharyal Vijay Puri, 44, has been fighting against Hertfordshire County Council for the past four years after the council failed to provide a local school for his son who suffers from cerebral palsy.

Cerebral palsy is a group of disorders that affect a person’s ability to move and maintain balance and posture. It is the most common motor disability in childhood and Mr Puri says his 16-year-old son, Meet Puri, was diagnosed with the condition since birth.

Continued on page 9

Papa J P John’s h ’ IInvestmen t t near B Bath th h Auction Date: 3rd Feb 2022 With a guide id pric i e off £32 20K+ (6 (6.25%), 25%) this thi prop perty t is i entir ti ely l let l t to Papa a J John’ h ’s (GB) Ltd on a new 1515 year leasse. Contact us to discus ss before this goes under er the hammer.

Call Pritesh Patel el on 020 4516 5 5124 for more details.

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AsianVoiceNews

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

22 - 28 January 2022

with Keith Vaz

Woman who claimed Jews behind Grenfell Tower tragedy, convicted

ASHID ALI Head teacher - London Enterprise Academy Ashid Ali came to the UK at the age of 8 from Sylhet (Bangladesh).

He grew up in Oldham where he completed his education. He became a teacher in 1997 and is now the Head Teacher at London Enterprise Academy since 2014.

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

I live in Redbridge, and in effect in Tower Hamlets where I work as a Head teacher leading a school in one of the most deprived parts of the UK, but my home is Oldham. That’s where I grew up and have the fondest memories.

2) What are your proudest achievements?

Being the Head teacher of a school is a privilege. It allows us to influence change and inspire the next generation.

I have debated at the Oxford Union and spoke at a UN World Conference in South Africa in 2001.

3) What inspires you?

There are lots of things that inspire me.

When I see happy children growing up, going to University and starting careers in their chosen fields, it shows that the hard work and determination to help pupils to succeed pays off.

4) What has been biggest obstacle in your career?

There has been lots of challenges in my career. I always felt that I had to be better than others 5) Who has been the biggest influence on your career to date?

I have worked with some inspirational Head teachers who always put children at the centre of what they do. For that reason I decided to set up a FREE school in one of the most deprived communities in the UK surrounded by the wealth of Canary Wharf and the City of London. I feel, in the past 8 years, we have been able to inspire our pupils to dream big and work for this.

6) What is the best aspect about your current role?

As a Head teacher, you get the opportunity to shape the future of individuals and communities. I feel we have been able to raise the bar in standards of academic

expectation for inner city children. We have seen many of our pupils progressing to some of the best universities in the UK. I have also been able to train and develop teachers and leaders – many from the Black and Asian heritage which reflects the community that we serve.

7) And the worst?

As a Head teacher, the past two years has been very tough with Covid and we tried our best to support every pupil and their family as well as dealing with staff absence due to Covid illness and isolation.

I feel there is always more we could do.

Sadly there has been too much unnecessary pressures from the authorities.

8) What are your long term goals?

Being a Head teacher is the pinnacle of a teacher’s career. I have supported a number of Black and Asians into senior management including Headship and if I can continue to support people in their journey, I will get a lot of satisfaction.

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

Education! This is the key to social mobility. It worked for me and my friends and it can open up doors for everyone. I would encourage everyone to aim for university level education so that during difficult times, they are able to use transferable skills to adjust to conditions in society or the economy.

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

I had the privilege of being in the same Conference Centre in Durban, South Africa with many World Leaders including Nelson Mandela and Yasser Arafat. I would love to spend time with both of these inspirational figures to learn about their struggles and strengths that kept them fighting for what they believed in.

Ex-probation officer jailed for sending death threats Bradford MP Ex-probation officer Sundas Alam has been sentenced to three-and-a-half years in jail for sending death threats to Bradford West MP Naz Shah. Last October, Alam admitted to threatening the Labour MP via email at York Crown Court after previously denying the charge.

At a sentencing hearing, the court was informed that Ms Shah called the police upon receiving several threat emails that were directed to her and her children.

One read "you are going to die this week coming" and another "you won't be seeing your children ever."

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The mails were sent by fake addresses to make it appear as if they were being sent by someone else. This led to the arrest of three others who were wrongly accused of the same. Later, officers found CCTV footage of Alam sending emails via her phone and arrested her.

Sentencing Alam, His Honour Judge Morris, the Recorder of York, said "There has to be an element of a deterrent, especially in the light of recent tragic events. It should not be something that goes with the job. If that was the case it would deter other wellmeaning people from pursuing a career in politics."

Alam has been sentenced to 18 months each for three counts of sending malicious communications, to be served concurrently, and two years for perverting the course of justice. She has also been handed a 10year restraining order.

Tara Ahmed, 51, of Lansdowne Road, Haringey has been convicted for posting antisemitic material on her personal Facebook page.

She claimed that Grenfell Tower victims were “burned alive in a Jewish sacrifice” on her social media handle.

In total she made two posts, in one post, she stated Jewish people were “behind ritual torture” and “the murder of children” and in another post, she “people trapped in the inferno was burnt alive in a Jewish sacrifice” hinting at devastating Grenfell fire that claimed 72

lives.

Jewish communal organisations, the Community Security Trust and the Campaign Against Antisemitism reported to police about the posts.

Met Detective Sergeant

Ross Burrell said: “The comments posted by Ahmed were grossly offensive, abusive and insulting. Her comments showed a clear intent to stir up racial hatred and such vile remarks will not be tolerated. Those who seek to deliberately drive our communities apart by spreading such spite can expect to be brought to account. We’re here and ready to help anyone who has been affected by someone else’s prejudice, ignorance or violence.”

Ahmed will be appearing for sentencing at the same court on Friday, February 11.

London ‘hitman’ allegedly plotted killing of Pakistani activist 31-year-old Muhammad Gohir has gone on trial for allegedly plotting murder against Pakistani blogger Ahmad Waqass Goraya who is living in the Netherlands.

Mr Khan was hired as a “hitman” to kill Goraya for making fun of the Pakistani military and detailing alleged human rights violations on the blog he had set up on Facebook.

Last June he was arrested but he pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to murder.

According to Kingston Crown Court, Mr Khan accepted the proposal made by a man named only as

"MudZ" to kill the Pakistani political activist in exchange for £100,000. The court was also shown alleged messages that took place between the defendant Mr Khan and a middle-man named "MudZ" who discussed the kill.

The prosecution stated

that the defendant possessed Mr Goraya's home address and photograph, and he travelled to Rotterdam where Mr Goraya was residing, he purchased a knife as well, but he couldn’t carry out the kill as he was unable to locate Mr Goraya’s address and so he returned to the UK where he was later arrested.

Meanwhile, the prosecution has alleged that he did intend on killing Mr Goraya.

Home Office continued immigration raids in pandemic Data obtained via freedom of information (FOI) laws revealed that the Home Office continued to carry out immigration raids on care homes during the pandemic. As per the data, raids were carried out every three months in the 21 months to September during a pandemic, including at least one during a national lockdown.

Karolina Gerlich, chief executive of the Care Workers Charity, expressed her anguish calling the immigration raids “unac-

ceptable” and she stressed that it could have caused “yet another unnecessary stress” to care providers, and could have put vulnerable individuals’ health at risk.

Mary Atkinson, campaigns officer at the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants (JCWI), which obtained the figures, said: “These are places where elderly people were barred from seeing or hugging loved ones for months on end, and many still have stringent contact rules in

place. But apparently, the Home Office saw fit to barge into these homes and arrest carers looking after vulnerable people. They reveal a government that is willing to pursue its hostile environment at all costs, instead of prioritising the public’s care and wellbeing.”

The Home Office said that their immigration officers contacted the care home providers and work with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and local authorities before undertaking raids.

Family worries as missing teenage son travels to London 17-year-old Junaid Hamayun is missing since October 8 who left home to go to college in Derbyshire but has not returned. It is believed that he travelled to west London. It has been 14 weeks, he has not returned home. Police are appealing to help find Junaid Hamayun.

When the investigation was carried out it came to the light that he was sleeping rough. The case was transferred to the Metropolitan Police when he was reportedly spotted in

the Southall area of Ealing on December 17. Police carried out CCTV enquiries but did could not trace the missing teenager.

Meanwhile, Scotland Yard is still working to establish why he may have travelled to Ealing.

His mother Noreen told The Derby Telegraph, “Please get in touch, we all love you so much, miss you and want you back in our family. It doesn’t matter what has happened, I’m not

cross or angry I’m just really scared right now. Please just let somebody know where you are and that you are safe. If that isn’t me that you call that is fine – just please call someone.

We all love you so much.

Please come home.”

Anyone who witnesses Junaid, or has information as to his whereabouts, is asked to call 101 reference 21MIS034041.

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22 - 28 January 2022

What examples are we setting to the world?

UK and India have signed their much-awaited FTA agreement on last Thursday, as the negotiations begin for a sought-after partnership. After the Brexit fiasco, it possibly brings some business opportunities for Britain, and a possible end to the relentless hunt to fill the shortage of workers.

The agreement promises a solid relationship between the two countries- especially in manufacturing, automobile, and whisky industry, though it interestingly remains slightly more favourable for the UK than for India.

Trade Minister Ranil Jayawardena, in an interview with Asian Voice (see page 14) excitedly mentioned how this partnership will benefit Britain. This is the first time West Midlands specific trade deals are being signed, as the focus shifts from London. Birmingham prepares for the Commonwealth Games, as Indian companies like TVS Motor makes a comeback.

London deniably remains a significant partner for trade deals in the future, but one wonders if this sudden move to the north and mid-England- the newly acquired Tory vote bank, has been specifically done to discriminate, as London remains under the leadership of Mayor Sadiq Khan from the Labour party.

Though it sounds absurd, the current political situation in Westminster, makes one wonder what this government is actually capable of.

The Prime Minister with a half-hearted apology expressed how he was not aware of the lockdown rules, as he was seen partying as his wife was pictured hugging a friend. Understandable the covid situation, new-born and his own health tragedies put unsurmountable pressure on the PM and subsequently his team, but hopefully this is not the beginning of the making of a banana republic.

A leader must lead by example. Therefore, there are responsibilities the PM cannot shrug off, whether there was a legitimate brain fog or not. In the UK, following the many tiered lockdowns, there were families that did not see each other for months. Asian diaspora could not travel to meet aging parents here and in motherland, many lost them to Covid- never to see their faces or hear their voice again.

Can anyone in PM’s Garden, privileged with a glass of wine, actually imagine that pain?

These people’s last memories are of parents through a virtual screen, helpless and lonely or that of funerals which they never got to attend.

UK has witnessed a massive surge in mental health issues, many started by loneliness and trauma in this pandemic. Centre for Mental Health said that 10 million people (8.5 million adults and 1.5 million children and young people) in England will need support for their mental health as a direct result of the pandemic over the next three to five years.

Someone with the ability to host a garden party will not understand how many Britons don’t have that privilege.

According to the ONS, one in eight households (12%) in Great Britain had no access to a private or shared garden

during the coronavirus lockdown, according to their analysis of Ordnance Survey (OS) map data.

This rises to more than one in five households in London (21%), easily the highest percentage of any region or country of Great Britain. The next highest is Scotland, at 13%.

In England, Black people are nearly four times as likely as White people to have no access to outdoor space at home, whether it be a private or shared garden, a patio or a balcony (37% compared with 10%). This is according to survey data from Natural England. More than 20% Asian people in the UK have no access to a garden, though around 5% or so have access to outdoor space or communal garden.

People in semi-skilled and unskilled manual occupations, casual workers and those who are unemployed are almost three times as likely as those in managerial, administrative, professional occupations to be without a garden (20% compared with 7%).

ONS has also reported that death rates for most ethnic minorities are higher compared to White ethnic groups.

After accounting for where people live and social and economic factors (including people’s jobs, education, and housing conditions), the gap lessens but is still significant.

Calls grow for the Prime Minister to resign. It sounds like almost karma, but what does it do to Britain’s reputation? The mother of all democracies today is fighting to prove their Prime Minister is not a liar. Dominic Cummins is a witness, and Sue Gray’s report will ultimately be he says against he says- one’s word against the other! Could this mean Boris Johnson’s game could be up?

As Beth Rigby, Sky’s Political Editor rightly mentioned on Tuesday, the pressure, dismay and distress can be seen in Boris Johnson's expressions and in his body language as he repeatedly dropped his head, during an interview.

She writes, Mr Johnson will face more questions at PMQs on Wednesday. Sir Keir Starmer will no doubt ask the PM to repeat his denials about being alerted to the danger of the Number 10 event ahead of time, to get it on the record in the House of Commons.

The atmosphere is beyond awful in parliament.

Everyone is on edge. There are a handful of MPs like Priti Patel who have also gone out to defend the PM, but the mood is anxious.

UK after the pandemic, may have been able to retain its pre-pandemic economic recovery, UK’s average earning start to fall. With the world’s political scenario so fragile with Russia on attack mode, China volatile as ever and Pakistan slipping away into terrorism camp, it’s a shame that Britain can’t hold its own political fort.

It is probably time for Britain to admit it has become a hypocritical country, that is run by people who hold no respect or regards towards anyone other than themselves.

Sometimes the redemption lies in admittance of one’s own follies. May be forgiveness is the only answer going forward?

Here goes Pak, again The Texas synagogue hostage crisis in the US has once again established Pakistan as a state sponsor of terror as the man who took hostage of four people was linked to the Pakistan scientist Aafia Siddiqui, who has been serving sentence in US prison. The focus of Siddiqui, who was convicted of attempting to kill US officers in Afghanistan, shows just how deeprooted terrorism in Pakistan has become. In Pakistan, Siddiqui became a cause célèbre. Pakistan's president, prime minister, and foreign minister all brought up her case with their American counterparts, and the Pakistani senate called on the United States to release her. While the news of Siddiqui’s arrest passed with little notice in the US, her conviction led to widespread anti-American demonstrations in Pakistan. The protesters demanded that Pakistani authorities suspend the delivery of supplies for the war effort in Afghanistan. Siddiqui’s incarceration occupied headlines in Pakistan for months.

Now, with Malik Faisal Akram's attack on the Beth Israel Synagogue, the prominence of Siddiqui's case will increase.

While the groups like al-Qaeda or the Islamic State (IS) are filled with citizens of other countries whose governments have denounced them, Siddiqui is different as Pakistani officials at all levels of government endorse her and treat her like a hero. The Pakistani prime minister at the time, Yousuf Raza Gilani, called her the “daughter of the nation” and vowed to campaign for her release from jail. Inevitably, many on the Pakistani street will now celebrate Akram or, at the very least, excuse his actions. Pakistan's embrace of Siddiqui is just the tip of the iceberg. It is said that the Pakistani government continues to let those responsible for the 2008 Mumbai attacks roam free. Additionally, Pakistan’s intelligence service reportedly knowingly provided al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden with safe haven. While the Biden administration discusses the Taliban take over of Afghanistan as if it occurred in a vacuum, the reality is that the Taliban’s rampage through

Afghanistan was effectively a Pakistani invasion.

US-Pakistan ties have deteriorated precipitously in the decade since with Biden, following his predecessors Donald Trump and Barack Obama in largely ignoring Islamabad.

Several major terrorist attacks on the US homeland - including 9/11, the Times Square bombing effort, and the San Bernardino massacre that killed 14 people - were perpetrated

by Pakistani or Pakistan-linked terrorists. Inevitably, the White House will condemn the hostage drama. But, statements are no longer enough. But, it should also be a wake-up call: To allow diplomatic wishful thinking about Pakistan’s orientation trump reality has a very high cost, one increasingly measured in American lives. President Joe Biden, Secretary of State Antony Blinken: Siddiqui is not an outlier but an honoured product of Pakistan’s state policies. It is time to designate Pakistan as a state sponsor of terrorism.

While the Taliban emerged as an indigenous movement in 1994, Pakistan quickly co-opted them. The humiliation of America’s defeat in Afghanistan only encouraged terroristsympathizing Pakistani officials. While Pakistani diplomats might whisper sweet nothings to their American counterparts and assure them that Islamabad will stand against terrorism, recent Pakistani actions suggest the opposite.

Thirteen years ago, Lashkar-e-Taiba, a Pakistan-based terrorist group, staged terrorist attacks across Mumbai. Rather than crack down on Lashkar-e-Taiba, Pakistani authorities continue to coddle them. The mockery of justice is now the rule rather than the exception. To offer Pakistan concessions in exchange for counterterrorism cooperation ignores the last 20 years of bilateral relations. It’s like offering an arsonist matches and gasoline in exchange for a promise not to start fires. The nexus of terrorism today is not in Kabul or Kandahar, but instead in Islamabad and Rawalpindi. It is time for the White House and State Department to recognize the obvious.

Thought for the week Chaos was the law of nature; Order was the dream of man. - Henry Adams

Political Sketchbook Alpesh Patel

Don’t Forget Labour Whilst the mainstream media focusses on PM and parties, the fury against Labour among British Indians has not dissipated.

Labour should not think the British Indian vote is banked.

Not once in the 20 years since Tony Blair appointed me to the UK India Roundtable have I seen such fury by British Indians against the Labour Party. Preet Kaur Gill’s Tweet about a ‘Hindu Terrorist’ she hastily deleted (I can imagine who has access to her account) is just one problem for Labour and a major one come the election. That person could be in the Cabinet.

Those Roundtable meetings were to 'examine policies to bring India and the UK closer together.' Labour Peer and close friend of Michael Foot, Lord Paul chaired these.

Since then, the Party has turned full circle. It's just written for Labour-India relations the shortest suicide note in history when it passed the Emergency Motion on Kashmir at its Conference a few years ago.

What makes this time different to others when Labour politicians have condemned India or Indian policies? India has an overwhelmingly popular charismatic Prime Minister whose pull is not confined to India. He won an outright majority for his Party again in the elections – making him by vote count the most popular elected official in history.

But this pull extends to the British Indian diaspora too, as witnessed by a heaving Wembley Stadium at which I was present when he spoke a couple of years ago. (Not even the FA Cup Finals I've seen there equal the emotion and excitement of PM Modi's ability to electrify a stadium).

I am not the supporter of foreign political parties. I am stating things as I see them. So call me a bhakt if you wish.

But there is another reason for the anger. The Indian and Pakistani origin British diasporas have been demographically diverging for decades. They have increasingly less to bind them as 'Asians' – not education attainment, social class, jobs, income levels. As British Indians peak in each category, their Pakistani counter-parts often hit the bottom of the tables.

Of course, there are prominent exceptions. My dear British Pakistani friend and prominent businessman, Asif Rangoonwala without whom I would not have an asset management business, is but one.

But as Pakistanis have built a strong-hold in Labour, so British Indians have had another reason to leave the Party.

They've viewed it as the puppet held hostage by a view extremists; led by a sympathiser of terrorist groups who come from Pakistan and bomb Mumbai (Taj Hotel), Kashmir, the Indian Parliament.

The anger also stems from a divergent sense of values. For the British Indians I speak to, hundreds, by the way, thanks to events and social media, it is not so much about articles and UN resolutions, but about the different set of values.

British and Indian values of liberalism, a multi-ethnic, multi-religious, multi-cultural society fit hand in glove.

The UN representative for India put it in these terms at her speech :"Unfortunately, what we heard today from Prime Minister Imran Khan of Pakistan was a callous portrayal of the world in binary terms. Us vs Them; Rich vs Poor; North vs South; Developed Vs Developing; Muslims vs Others. A script that fosters divisiveness at the United Nations. Attempts to sharpen differences and stir up hatred, are simply put - "hate speech". Words matter in diplomacy. Invocation of phrases such as "pogrom", "bloodbath", "racial superiority", "pick up the gun" and "fight to the end" reflect a medieval mindset and not a 21 century vision. Prime Minister Khan's threat of unleashing nuclear devastation qualifies as brinksmanship, not statesmanship. Even coming from the leader of a country that has monopolized the entire value chain of the industry of terrorism, Prime Minister Khan's justification of terrorism was brazen and incendiary. Pakistan's virulent reaction to the removal of an outdated and temporary provision that was hindering development and integration of the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir stems from the fact that those who thrive on conflict never welcome the ray of peace. Pogroms, Prime Minister Imran Khan Niazi, are not a phenomenon of today's vibrant democracies."

The Labour Mayor of London's scripted condemnation of the violence against British Indians celebrating Indian Independence Day outside the Indian High Commission is similarly viewed by my elderly parent's in-law who were attacked with slippers and swear words there on that day by a violent mob.

My father-in-law is over 70 and was born in Pakistan, as much celebrating that Kashmir is part of India constitutionally unambiguously that day as he was Indian Independence. The slipper throwers were an alliance of Kashmiris wanting a caliphate and others wanting a Khaliphate.

The first rule of politics – learn to count. The message for Labour is, they've seriously miscounted the British Indian vote in any forthcoming election.

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AsianVoiceNewsweekly

22 - 28 January 2022

MP calls for the government to end ‘unacceptable’ fuel poverty in Leicester East In a letter to the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Claudia Webbe, Member of Parliament for Leicester East, has this week called on the government to urgently address high rates of fuel poverty in her constituency.

In Leicester East, 18.6% of all households - or 7,659 residences – are in fuel poverty. This has risen from 14%, or 5800 households, in 2019.

This crisis is likely to worsen due to the energy price crisis, as gas prices in the UK have more than quadrupled over the last year, and energy bills rose by an average of £139 in October.

Poorer households pay as much as 50 per cent more on their utility bills than the wealthiest.

Britain’s poorest 10 per cent of households pay on average £756 a year per person for gas and electricity. A far smaller average of £504 per person is spent in the richest households with the national average spent being £530 on utility bills. The poorest households spend proportionately around seven times as much of their funds on energy as the richest households, and three-and-a-half times the

Five men jailed for life for murder of Abdul-Rahman Abu-Baker Five men have been sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of AbdulRahman Abu-Baker who was fatally shot as he was leaving a barbeque in 2018.

Abdirahman Yusuf, 23, of Aston; Mustafa Omar, 21, of no fixed address; Shire Omar Elmi, 24, from Glasgow; Fahmi Daahir, 23, from Nechells; and Abdirahman Dirie, 21, of no fixed address were sentenced today (14 January 2022) at Birmingham Crown Court.

On 15 May 2018, AbdulRahman Abu-Baker and his friends were at a barbeque in the Highgate area of Birmingham.

As Mr Abu-Baker went to leave as the barbeque ended he came upon a three-car convoy. He was shot and killed by a gunman who was sitting in one of those three vehicles.

People at the scene were immediately aware that something serious had happened and they quickly transferred Mr AbuBaker to the back of the nearby vehicle and drove away to seek out medical assistance. They were able to flag down an ambulance, and Mr Abu-Baker was taken to hospital. Tragically, he had died soon after arrival.

The court heard how the defendants had stolen three vehicles a few days before in order to commit the murder.

They used one vehicle to carry out several recognisance trips to the scene of the shooting.

Telephone evidence showed repeated calls between the men as they planned the attack and as they sought to escape the scene and destroy the evidence linking them to the attack by burning two of the three cars used.

Working closely with West Midlands Police, the CPS used a combination of CCTV, mobile phone evidence (both to prove locations and communications), forensic evidence and witness statements to build this case and prove the guilt of the defendants.

The prosecution case was that the shooting was the result of meticulous planning.

One of the defendants brought petrol to the crime scene before the murder, proving that they not just planned the shooting but had also planned how to avoid detection. The defendants' actions in setting fire to two vehicles were part of a coordinated effort to destroy evidence. Potentially critical DNA, fingerprint, and other forensic evidence were all destroyed when the cars were burned out.

Giovanni DAlessandro of the CPS said: “While we may never know which of these men fired the fatal shot, the evidence indicates that all five men were willing participants in the preplanned attack on Mr Abu-Baker which led to his death. The defendants attempted to cover up their crimes by burning two of the cars they had used to facilitate the attack. Despite the substantial evidence linking them to the crime, they denied the charges, forcing Mr Abu-Baker's family to relive the tragedy of their loss through a trial.

"Today, all five men have been sentenced for their part in the needless and tragic loss of a young life. I hope that the sentencing today sends an important message that these crimes will be meticulously investigated and vigorously prosecuted. The use of firearms on our streets is a menace to all and offending of this nature will not be tolerated.

My thoughts remain with the family and friends of Mr AbuBaker at what must continue to be a very difficult time for them."

national average.

Claudia Webbe MP, Member of Parliament for Leicester East said, “Even before the current energy price crisis, an appallingly high number of Leicester East residents were forced to make the impossible choice between keeping their family warm or going hungry.

“The energy price crisis will push more people over the brink of destitution. This crisis is not one that will be felt equally.

Those in poverty already spend the highest share of their incomes on daily essentials.

“Too many of my constituents are struggling to heat their homes.

“The government must take

the necessary action to combat poverty and protect families in Leicester and across the UK. They must raise their ambition by setting a fuel poverty eradication target, as well as a commitment to end all forms of poverty for good. This can be achieved by raising taxes on those who can afford it most – the super-rich and big businesses. The nationalisation of failing energy companies must also not be ruled out.

“As we enter 2022, we can no longer live in a society defined by extreme inequality. The government must act now to prevent the further impoverishment of the working class. Ultimately, they must start treating endemic poverty as the national scandal that it is.”

On the road to recovery January is a time when lots of us reflect on what went well last year and set resolutions for the year ahead. For the Brent Council, it’s also a time where we review its financial position and look to set the budget for the year ahead.

Cllr Muhammed Butt, Leader of Brent Council said, “We are committed to supporting all of Brent’s communities and businesses as we recover from Covid-19 – that means protecting frontline services during these challenging times and investing money in projects that give local people a brighter, better future.”

The Council’s £17 million Recovery Fund, which launched last year, is already helping Brent’s children with catch-up classes, projects to tackle tooth decay and more mental health support in schools. It is providing free training for those out of work so they can get a good job.

The extra money is also giving young people who are at risk of turning to gangs another way out, with more dedicated support workers.

It’s also making journeys smoother and supporting local businesses, with many high streets getting a refresh and more potholes due to be filled this spring.

A report coming to the coun-

cil’s Cabinet on Monday (Jan 17) shows that – despite the challenges of austerity, growing demands for our services, and the pandemic – we are on a really sound financial footing in Brent.

While local authorities across the country are having to cut lots of services, we made some tough but sensible decisions early on when the government introduced austerity.

Cllr Butt added, “This starting point has meant that we were able to weather the extra pressures during the pandemic, as well as the national crisis in social care which shows no sign of easing. This doesn’t mean we can be complacent. Along with the overwhelming majority of local authorities across the country, are we are consulting on a council tax increase. The 2.99% proposed increase will help us to protect crucial services like social care.”

in brief MORE UK INFANTS IN HOSPITAL WITH OMICRON With the spread of Omicron, the UK is witnessing more infants in hospital with Covid-19, as per the latest figures.

However, researchers have claimed that most of the cases are very mild. The data from the Isaac/Co-CIN study, published by the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) and based on a broadly representative subset of NHS hospitals, has revealed that in previous Covid waves about 30 per cent of children in hospital with the virus were under the age of one. However, when Omicron spread rapidly between midDecember and mid-January, the proportion was just over 42 per cent having children from the most deprived areas most affected. Calum Semple, a professor in child health and outbreak medicine at the University of Liverpool, “I really want to emphasise here the fact that these are not particularly sick infants. In fact, they’re coming in for short periods of time for investigations,” If we look at those who went on to a high dependency unit, our intensive care unit, again, the proportions have fallen over time.”

SOLICITOR SOPHIE KHAN GETS JAIL TERM FOR CONTEMPT OF COURT A well-known solicitor Sophie Khan has been jailed by a High Court for refusing to hand over clients’ files after her Leicester-based firm was shut down by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) in August while she was being investigated for allegations of dishonesty. The SRA also suspended her from practising.Meanwhile, she refused to hand over the clients’ files despite two court orders and a warrant issued for her arrest. Mr Justice Leech has awarded her a six-month sentence for contempt of court for breaching the two court orders.

In his judgement, he said, “I consider Ms Khan's contempt of the court to be serious. Her failure to comply with the orders involved not only an attack on the administration of justice but also a defiance of her regulator." However, if Ms Khan hands over the files and various other documents and records within six weeks, she will not have to serve three months of the sentence.

Recruitment drive to ensure offenders pay back for their crimes More than 500 extra Community Payback staff are now being recruited to get offenders serving an extra 3 million hours of payback to their communities every year.

The £93 million move will see more focus on outdoor projects, such as picking litter from roadsides and scrubbing graffiti from subways, that help improve the environment and allow the public to see justice being done.

The Deputy Prime Minister, Dominic Raab, visited Birmingham yesterday (13 January 2022) to see offenders improving a popular towpath which will be used by thousands of visitors to this summer’s Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

The work is the result of a new,

national partnership between the Probation Service and Canal & River Trust which sees offenders clearing litter, tidying towpaths and cutting back nettles across some of England and Wales’ 2,000 miles of waterways and canals.

On this one stretch of canal alone, offenders completed more than 15,000 hours of unpaid work along the pathway during 2021. The agreement is the first of a number of new national partnerships set to be agreed upon between the Probation Service and major organisations this year. Deputy Prime Minister, Justice Secretary and Lord Chancellor Dominic Raab MP said: “This extra investment will make sure even more offenders undertake tough, visible work to repay the damage

they have caused to society. Our new recruits will become part of the unsung army of local champions who are helping tackle anti-social behaviour and making our streets safer by supervising offenders’ engaging in Community Payback schemes.”

Applications are now open for over 500 new vacancies in Community Payback roles. The work plays a crucial role in delivering this punishment, improving local communities and steering offenders away from crime.

The Deputy Prime Minister met with the Canal & River Trust’s Chief Executive Richard Parry to see offenders working on a stretch of towpath along a popular route to Alexander Stadium.

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Company works on and do some research on its customers and suppliers. Having a conversation with your potential manager if you can, prior to joining the Company, is also something that Neelofar recommends.

BAE Systems to hire 1700 apprentices and graduates across UK In the largest intake of early careers roles that the company has offered in a single year, BAE Systems is set to hire almost 1,700 apprentices and graduates across the UK in 2022, representing a 25 per cent increase on last year’s intake.

The global defence, security and aerospace company is creating more than 900 apprentice and 750 graduate and undergraduate roles at its sites across the UK. The majority of roles will be based in the North of England, with opportunities also available across the South of England, Scotland and Wales.

The recruitment comes as Ofsted has once again rated the Company’s 50-plus apprenticeship programmes as ‘outstanding’.

Investing nearly £100m in education, skills and early careers activities in the UK annually, BAE Systems currently has nearly 3,300 apprentices and graduates in training across its UK businesses, equivalent to more than nine per cent of its 35,300 strong UK workforce.

Achieving a diverse, inclusive and flexible workplace is vital to the development of the Company’s future skills and talent pipeline.

In 2021, around a quarter of new joiners to the business’ early careers programmes were female, with 26 per cent of apprentices coming from some of the country’s most disadvantaged areas.

The BAE Systems experience Commenting on working at BAE Systems, Neelofar said, “It’s a good place to work. When you’re doing a job like mine, where you’re introducing new technologies into the way we do things, it’s so interesting. Even when something goes wrong, that is also interesting because it makes you curious as to why it did. You think, how can I fix it? It’s a challenge and I like challenges.”

Neelofar also thinks it’s important that people know when to ask for help.

“You have colleagues, supervisors, mentors, all who we can ask for advice.”

“If I’ve tried everything I know, and I don’t have a solution, I speak to my colleague and say, ‘I’ve looked at this problem, I’m struggling here.

Could you have a look and help me out? And they may say ‘Have you tried it this way?’ Which might be a way I hadn’t thought of.’”

Going forwards, Neelofar is looking to build on a career which has already seen her feature in The Manufacturer’s ‘Top 100’ list and win the BAE Systems Bee Beamont Award in Engineering which recognises newly qualified engineers with high potential.

Neelofar Ansari, Senior Manufacturing Engineer in Technology Delivery for BAE Systems’ Air business

BAE Systems is creating more than 900 apprentice and 750 graduate and undergraduate roles.

A sea of opportunities

From university to work Neelofar Ansari, who grew up in Manchester in a British Pakistani household, joined BAE Systems as a graduate in 2016. She is currently a Senior Manufacturing Engineer in Technology Delivery in the Company’s Air sector based in Lancashire, after starting the scheme in the Company’s Submarines business based in Barrow. “I loved the graduate

Charles Woodburn, Chief Executive, BAE Systems, said, “Creating highquality employment opportunities for young people across the country ensures we retain the critical capabilities we need to sustain our business for the long-term, while also helping to drive growth across the UK’s regional economies.

Early careers employees are the foundation of our future and the diversity of skills and experience they bring enables us to continue to innovate and deliver the very best

scheme,” Neelofar told Asian Voice.

Further elaborating Neelofar said, “You go to university and enjoy certain subjects, but the majority of people will not really know what their favourite area of interest is until they enter the world of work. For me, university was theoretical and less practical, so joining a graduate programme offered me the opportunity to

technology and support to our armed forces.”

Minister for Skills, Alex Burghart, said, “It is brilliant that BAE Systems is committed to supporting our future workforce through the power of apprenticeships.

Apprenticeships play a vital role in giving people the ability to earn while they learn, and the skills they need for the jobs of tomorrow. They also give businesses access to a diverse talent pipeline, equipped with the knowledge for success in a range of professions.”

get some real-life engineering experience in different areas.”

The majority of Neelofar’s work involves developing collaborative technologies that can make engineering and manufacturing processes more efficient. “The technologies I help to introduce, like virtual reality headsets, are there to help an operator in their day-to-day job, helping them see instructions in a clear and concise manner, making their role easier.” Other technologies Neelofar works on include projection technologies, augmented reality tablets and animated work instructions.

Neelofar is part of a team developing and trialling the technology in what is known as Factory of the Future in Warton.

Neelofar has also played a lead

role in bringing some of those technologies onto current programmes like the Typhoon production line at Samlesbury.

“Currently I go between working at home and on-site.

“Because I have to do a lot of testing and I can’t take a product home. It’s been different being on-site with fewer people there. It all feels very safe and we’ve helped each other to work well in a hybrid environment.” Neelofar told Asian Voice.

Advice for potential candidates One piece of advice that Neelofar said would come in handy to potential candidates who would like to join BAE Systems, is to learn about the products that the

In 2022, successful candidates who join BAE Systems will get a once in a lifetime opportunity to be part of the UK’s most exciting and nationally important technology programmes, including Tempest, a future combat air system for the Royal Air Force, as well as the design and build of Dreadnought submarines and Type 26 frigates for the Royal Navy, and helping to protect critical national infrastructure from cyber-attacks.

Roles range from engineering and manufacturing opportunities across multiple disciplines such as software and hardware, to business professional positions within finance and business development.

There are multiple graduate intakes throughout the year, including January, June and September. The closing date for apprentice applications is 28 February 2022. Find out more and apply: baesystems.com/ earlycareers.

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Camden Council pledges £20,500 for recovery of local high streets Camden Council has pledged £20,500 to two projects to help support the recovery of the borough’s local high streets.

Camden Future High Streets Crowdfund is a council initiative in partnership with civic crowdplatform funding Spacehive. The two projects are the first to receive support out of the fund of up to £360,000 the Council has set aside for the crowdfunding, which has been set up to support the delivery of innovative, forwardthinking projects that support the re-imagining of

Camden’s high streets and recovery for a sustainable future.

Councillor Danny Beales, Cabinet Member for Investing in Communities, Culture and an Inclusive

Economy said, “Even before the impact of the pandemic, our high streets, along with those across the country, were feeling the strain of increased costs, and people’s changing shopping

Health secretary to introduce vaping revolution to help poor Sajid Javid, the health secretary is planning to make e-cigarettes available on the NHS to help increase life expectancy for the poorest. If the plan works out, England will become the first country in the world that will allow GPs to prescribe ecigarettes.

Javid believes that England’s richest people live a decade longer on average than the poorest. This spring, he will announce plans to

and socialising habits. From the projects that came forward for the first funding round, we have selected two impressive bids that both meet the criteria to help make our high streets even more inclusive, sustainable and successful, as well as supporting our Future High Streets’ vision and objectives.

The projects are still running their campaigns and raising money to reach their targets and I would encourage individuals and organisations to show their support and get involved by donating to a campaign.”

BBC licence fee will be frozen for two years at £159

he unveils his health disparities white paper.

Javed Khan, former head of the children’s charity Barnardo’s will oversee the plans, who will lead a review on smoking.

fate in their hands.

Dorries told parliament that the government did not want to "destroy" the 100-yearold British "beacon", but it could not receive more money at a time when households were being hit by rising taxes and energy bills.

Westminster Abbey area was once the world’s first ‘slum’ In the very heart of Westminster, on land that is mostly owned by Westminster Abbey, was once referred to as “that terrible place”. It was the first place in the world to be called a ‘slum’. This area was known for crime, prostitution, pick-pocketing, begging, sickness and poverty and was very so notorious.

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along the river Tyburn, which was considered unsuitable for supporting buildings.

Charles Dickens said that the slum, “rolled in its

filthy wavelets up to the very walls” - which is hardly surprising given that the homes - if you can call them that - were built on marshland.

Bradford mum-of-two dies in road rage incident Bradford resident Isma Nawaz -mother of two daughters- died after crashing her car in a road rage incident. Mohammed Abbas has been jailed for three years and has been banned from driving for five and a half years after he pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving.

Bradford Crown Court heard that both Mohammed Abbas and victim Isma Nawaz were driving in an "aggressive and combative manner" before she crashed her car and suffered fatal injuries.

The incident took place on Harrogate Road in Apperley Bridge on the

The former head of the United Kingdom’s domestic spy agency, MI5 has accused ministers of failing to act on warnings about an alleged Chinese agent who has infiltrated the British parliament and has been working on behalf of China’s governing Communist Party to interfere in the UK politics.

House of Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle issued a note to Parliament saying that on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), Christine Ching Kui Lee, a Chinese national, has been trying to improperly influence British MPs. She has denied any wrongdoing.

She has also been spotted at various events hobnobbing

with UK’s Asian community and spotted with the likes of former British PM David Cameron in the past.

It is also believed that she had allegedly donated more than £600,000 to Barry Gardiner (who was the former Chairman of the Labour Friends of India), formerly Labour’s shadow international trade secretary, and funded several members of his staff donations to politicians, with funding provided by foreign nationals in China and Hong Kong.

Trevor Philips gets emotional, lashes out at Dowden

address the root causes when Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries has confirmed that the BBC licence fee will be frozen at £159 for the next two years. It is believed that this announcement being drawn up in Downing Street to take away attention from the crisis gripping Boris Johnson’s premiership.

The Government's decision on the licence fee is part of Boris Johnson's 'Operation Red Meat', hoping that will appeal to Tory MPs who hold the prime minister’s

MI5 warns about a Chinese agent infiltrating Parliament

morning of 23 June 2020 where Mrs Nawaz lost control of her Vauxhall Astra and collided with a parked Ford Focus.

Speaking after the sentencing, Det Sgt Paul Lightowler, of the West Yorkshire Police Major Collision Enquiry Team, who led the investigation, said: "This case should serve as a reminder to all about the devastating consequences of driving dangerously on our roads. No sentence can ever compensate for the grief and upset experienced by family and friends at the sudden, needless and tragic loss of Mrs Nawaz and our sympathies remain with them."

The Sky News broadcaster Trevor Philips got emotional while talking about his daughter’s death to Oliver Dowden, the co-chairman of the Tory party. He said his daughter died because she followed the Covid rules and regulations while Downing Street held parties in Number 10.

He asked Dowden whether Boris Johnson understood public anger over the gatherings in

Downing Street during the lockdown.

Mr Philips recalled getting a phone call in April 2020 to tell him that his daughter, Sushila, 36, who lived with anorexia for 22 years, died the next morning. He said there were ‘thousands’ of people in the country who shared similar stories and asked Dowden how a civil servant’s inquiry into alleged rule-breaking in Downing Street could ‘answer that anger’.

Police hunting for a wanted man Police are looking out for Mohammed Shahid Ali, 38, who is a wanted man after not complying with the conditions of his release. Police have appealed that Mohammed “may pose a risk to the public and young children”. Anyone who

known to frequent the City of London and Victoria Park in east London. He also has links to Kent, Essex, Norfolk and Suffolk.

Police have described Ali as having receding hair which is grey, curly and messy on the sides and as

knows his whereabouts should dial 999, officers said.

Officers said Ali is known to commit offences on tubes and trains.

The wanted man had been residing in Newham, east London, but was his last confirmed location was in Tilbury, Essex. He is

having a thick beard. Police also informed that he typically wears a woolly hat, navy blue jogging bottoms, a black jacket and red and white trainers.

Anyone with any information is asked to call police on 101 or contact via Twitter @MetCC, quoting CAD 3579/13JAN.

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Distinguished Alumni Award for Leicestershire Business Leader Dr Nik Kotecha OBE, Chairman of Morningside Pharmaceuticals and the Randal Charitable Foundation, has won the Distinguished Alumni Award at Imperial College London’s Alumni Awards 2022.

The annual awards honour outstanding alumni who have demonstrated sustained excellence in their personal and professional achievements, are leaders in their field or have made a substantial impact on society.

Dr Kotecha, who is the founder of Loughborough based Morningside, which manufactures and supplies generic and branded medicines to the UK and globally, said: “I’m thrilled to be honoured by the university in this way.

“As a child growing up in Leicester my family had very little, but I was fortunate to be given opportunities to gain a good education. After finishing my degree in Newcastle; Professor Steve Ley FRS at Imperial College took a chance in accepting me into his eminent group and this really was the opportunity I needed to forge a career.

“Over three decades later, it’s truly humbling to be recognised for my entrepreneurial journey, which was only made possible by the help and support I received to gain a good education along the way.”

Dr Kotecha studied a PhD in Medicinal Chemistry under the supervision of Professor Steve Ley at Imperial College, before moving

Dr Nik Kotecha OBE

to work at the University of Cambridge.

After leaving academia Dr Kotecha founded Morningside in 1991. Today the business has exported to more than 120 countries since inception and has 240 generic and branded licensed medicines in the UK and EU. In the UK the business distributes its pharmaceutical products twice daily nationwide, so they are available when doctors and their patients need them.

Nicola Pogson, Director of Alumni Relations, Imperial College London, said: “We are delighted to acknowledge the many achievements and positive impact on society of Imperial alumnus Dr Nik Kotecha OBE, an exemplary role model for our community and joint winner of the Distinguished Alumni Award 2022.”

As well as being a successful entrepreneur, Dr Kotecha also has a passion to give back and has been recognised through this award for his work to support communities in the Midlands and nationally. He is currently a Board Member for the LLEP and Midlands Engine

Council, Co-Chair of the Loughborough Town Deal Board, Board Member for the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ), a CBI Regional Councillor and a Department for International Trade Export Champion.

Dr Kotecha’s most recent achievements have centred around the Randal Charitable Foundation, which he founded with his wife in 2017. By providing grant funding, the Foundation has already saved over 145,000 lives with an aspiration to save 1 million people in the UK and globally.

To find out more about the Randal Charitable Foundation visit www.randalfoundation.org.uk

Dishoom’s ‘Chai-pe-charcha’ takes it to the list of top 50 best places to work in the UK Jobs website Glassdoor has released a list of the top 50 places to work in the UK after analysing thousands of anonymous reviews from employees. Among Asian names, Dishoom features at No. 12 with a company rating of 4.5.

During this process, employees rate their company on a number of factors, including work-life balance, company culture, benefits and the CEO, awarding each a rating from 1 (very dissatisfied) to 5 (very satisfied). Tech companies dominate the list with 19 winners, including seven in the top 10.

Reacting to the news, Andrew

O'Callaghan, Bade Talent-walla (or People Director), Dishoom told Asian Voice, “We’re incredibly proud to make the list alongside so many other great Companies - our placement is based on reviews left by current and former team members throughout the year. Due to lockdowns, we have had to create different ways to stay in touch with our team and we think this has been very ceeds if the individual concerned would much appreciated by not be left stateless, albeit no such them. From daily droprequirement exists in cases where the in zooms with our MD and HRD for anyone citizenship was obtained fraudulently.

“This action can only be taken if that who needed support or person is able, under the law of a coun- just a chat; to regular try outside the United Kingdom, to all team meetings (we call them Chai-pebecome a national of that country.

“I don’t think British Asians, or any- charcha); to setting up one else, have anything to fear unless our ‘here to help’ for they have done something seriously anyone who has needprejudicial to UK interests. There are ed anything - we have many things to be concerned about in tried our very best to 2022, but this is not one of them. I stay in contact with our would therefore encourage the teams to make sure Government to provide the necessary they know they have reassurances before they lose the moral not been going through this period alone.” argument.”

Is the Nationality and Borders Bill concerning or not?

An Op-Ed published in Financial Times last week claimed that “by criminalising desperate attempts to enter the UK, the government’s nationality and borders bill has already attracted controversy.”

Clause 9 as per public knowledge, would allow the Home Office to secretly strip even British-born individuals of their citizenship is an unjust and draconian step that has sparked real concern among 6m Britons, mainly of migrant heritage.

However, in his exclusive column for Asian Voice last week, Lord Jitesh Gadhia explained why most British Asians need not worry. Explaining the clause, he wrote in his column, “When depriving a person of their British citizenship, the law requires that this action only pro-

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New campaign launched urging pregnant women to get boosted now

P

regnant women who have not yet had their first, second, third or booster dose of a COVID-19 vaccine are being urged to get their jab as soon as possible, as the government launches a new advertising campaign for the New Year.

The new campaign joins forces with the experts at the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) and the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) to highlight the serious risks of catching COVID-19 and the benefits the vaccines bring to protecting both mothers and their babies.

Testimonies of pregnant women who have had the jab to keep themselves safe will be played out in adverts across social media and radio stations across the country.

The new campaign urges pregnant women 'don't wait to take the vaccine' and highlights the risks of COVID-19 to mother and baby, and the benefits of vaccination.

The latest data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) shows COVID-19 vaccinations provide strong protection for pregnant women against the virus. It also shows the vaccines are safe for pregnant women, with similar birth outcomes for those who had the vaccine and those who had not.

DHSC Chief Scientific Adviser and Honorary Consultant Obstetrician Professor Lucy Chappell said, “Getting a COVID-19 vaccine is one of the most important things a pregnant woman can do this year to keep herself and her baby as safe from this virus as possible.

“We have extensive evidence now to show that the vaccines are safe and that the risks posed by COVID-19 are far greater.

“If you haven’t had your COVID-19 vaccine, I would urge you to speak to your clinician or midwife if you have any questions or concerns, and book in your vaccine as soon as you can.”

Data from the UK Obstetric Surveillance System shows 96.3% of pregnant women admitted to hospital with COVID-19 symptoms between May and October 2021 were unvaccinated, a third of which (33%) requiring respiratory support. Around 1 in 5 women who are hospitalised with the virus need to be delivered preterm to help them recover and 1 in 5 of their babies need care in the neonatal unit.

The COVID-19 vaccines are safe for pregnant women and have no impact on fertility, which has been made extremely clear by the government, its senior clinicians and a range of independent experts from stakeholder groups such as RCOG the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) and the British Fertility Society.

Since April 2021, around 84,000 pregnant women have received one dose and over 80,000 have received two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. In August 2021, only 22% of women who gave birth were vaccinated.

Dr Edward Morris, President of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, said, “We welcome this national campaign as an important way of amplifying the very clear message to pregnant women that vaccination provides the best protection for both them and their babies from COVID-19. We urge all pregnant

women to get vaccinated as soon as possible, and to get boosted 3 months after the second dose.

“We are very concerned that many pregnant women have not yet been vaccinated against COVID-19 and we hope this campaign will help reassure them that vaccination is safe and effective. Pregnant women are more vulnerable of becoming seriously ill from COVID-19 infection, and this can lead to an increased risk of giving birth prematurely, and stillbirth.”

Gill Walton, Chief Executive and General Secretary of the Royal College of Midwives (RCM), said, “There is overwhelming evidence that the COVID vaccine is safe for pregnant women and for their babies – and that it’s the best way to keep them safe from harm. Sadly, there are too many pregnant women being admitted to hospital with COVID, and 96.3% of them haven’t been vaccinated.

“The consequences of COVID when you are pregnant are clear and potentially devastated, from increased possibility of premature birth and admission to intensive care to a heightened risk of stillbirth.

“We know that pregnant women want to do everything they can to protect their baby, which is why midwives want to reassure them that vaccination is the best thing they can do.”

Geetanjali Singh, an optician, who has recently given birth to her second baby and has been fully vaccinated said, “I gave birth to a healthy baby boy just before Christmas. I am so grateful that the guidance on pregnancy and the Covid-19 vaccine changed last year.

Plus my husband contracted Covid whilst I was pregnant, so being vaccinated gave me peace of mind that I and my baby had some protection. My advice to any pregnant people unsure about having the vaccine is speak to your midwife or health professional and make an informed choice.”

“I come from a very impoverished family” - Smriti Zubin Irani mriti Zubin Irani’s book Lal The plot of the Salaam was recently launched book read as follows:

by Amish Tripathi in a virtual “The manner of his session organised by The Nehru arrival in the dusty litCentre London. tle village of Ambuja, Smriti Zubin Irani is an in Chhattisgarh, Indian politician and a former instantly establishes SP Vikram Singh as a television actress and producer.

She is the Minister of Women Smriti Zubin Irani man to watch out for.

Over the next few and Child Development in the weeks, as he attempts to bring Union Cabinet of India since May 2019.

A prominent leader within the order to a long-neglected police station and motivate his lessBharatiya Janata Party, she is a Member than-enthusiastic crew, Vikram of Parliament in the Lok Sabha, reprecan feel those eyes everywhere, followsenting Amethi. ing his every move, watching and waitSpeaking to Tripathi, Smriti said, ing for the first misstep. At stake for him “Many times books are compared to, is the truth behind the vengeful killing let's say, in the age of digital media, to of his old friend and fellow officer, OTT stories of that matter a decade ago Darshan—and the very idea of justice. to televisions series. And they were not “Vikram knows he cannot rest until supposed to hold as much of interest of he solves the case, but every day there is the viewer or the reader as much as a new challenge: a local businessman other visual mediums of engagement. with vested interests in both bureauAnd for me, when people tell me after cracy and Naxalism, an influential acathey read the book that it reads almost demic in Delhi at whose doorstep the like a film script. And for me when they trail runs cold, a young widow and her go through, let's say the first three journalist friend, who quickly take cenchapters, and they see that I can actualtre stage in his vexed new life. ly visualise the characters. That is the Inspired by the unfortunate killings success that I'm celebrating with this of seventy-six CRPF personnel in book. From I think, as a writer, you're Dantewada in April 2010, Lal Salaam right, we have the privilege of genuinely seeks to humanise the daily conflicts gripping somebody's attention. And if and ethical dilemmas that confront we can keep that consistently, till the people in the poorest and most trouend of the book has been reached. That bled regions of our country. It is also a for us as writers is a success. And the story of the brave men who serve the fact that I can count myself in the same law even when the law fails to serve bracket as the writers you in just what, them.” two months of having published a “I think life is complicated. It cannovel, that is genuinely a dream come not be as stark as black and white. They true.”

S

are people who presume that if somebody from my ideology, that is a nationalist ideology, looks at an issue like Naxalism, we will demonize every individual who was in the periphery of Naxalism. I for years have never understood when people blame poverty for raising arms against the Indian state. I come from a very impoverished family and not somebody who had great monetary means that her readers and I think that there are many who have struggled through many economic phases of their lives, and yet not trample the Indian constitution for their own monitoring purposes. So that is something that I could never align myself with.

The greed that drives you to profit from leading your state or bleeding your nation is great that I could never understand and agreed that I could never translate into writing or justify.

But what I did understand was people who were misled people who were possible, through indoctrination, told that this is a better way out. And I think that nuance is reflected in the book, yes, that it is complicated and complex, even for those who are working within the police systems, trying to bring to justice women who raise arms against the state or who bring to death, Indian citizens, their lives are equally complicated and filled with challenges,” Smriti added.

Tackling domestic abuse is a top priority for Priti Patel Over half of UK pharmacies adopt Government codeword scheme offering a ‘lifeline’ to domestic abuse victims On the first anniversary of its launch, the Home Secretary Priti Patel on 14 Jan hailed the success of the innovative ‘Ask for ANI’ scheme which enables those at risk or suffering from domestic abuse to discreetly signal their need for help from the safety of their local pharmacy.

The Home Officebacked scheme initially set up in response to calls from survivors of domestic abuse, is now in operation in over half of all UK pharmacies including independents and chains such as Boots and Superdrug. In its first year, the scheme has provided emergency support to at least 100 victims across all four corners of the UK with the figure expected to be higher due to voluntary reporting.

The innovative scheme is just one of a number of measures the government has taken to improve support for victims of domestic abuse over the last year, including giving more than £28 million to domestic abuse organisations and the introduction of a Domestic Abuse Commissioner. The Government also introduced the landmark Domestic Abuse Act which will help millions of people by establishing statutory definitions of domestic abuse, supporting victims of all genders and giving police extra powers.

At the height of the pandemic, the Home Office launched the #YouAreNotAlone commu-

Priti Patel

nications campaign signposting support to those at risk of domestic abuse. The #YouAreNotAlone campaign has reached millions of people through digital advertising, celebrity and influencer support and specialist community engagement activity with campaign materials translated into 16 languages.

Home Secretary, Priti Patel, said, “Any form of domestic abuse is an abhorrent crime and this government is both increasing support for victims and ensuring that perpetrators feel the full force of the law. The Ask for ANI scheme has had a successful first year and is a great example of government, businesses and charities working together to provide vital support to victims. I urge all pharmacies to get on board with the scheme as we look to expand it and explore other spaces that could be used for the same purpose. As Home Secretary, tackling domestic abuse is a top priority for me and I am taking on board victims’ concerns and giving the police the powers they need to bring those responsible to justice.”

Foundation Stones The Foundation Stones project is inviting everyone to paint a commemorative stone that will become part of the UK Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre in London when it opens. Created by Big Ideas on behalf of the UK Holocaust Memorial Foundation, the project is inspired by the Jewish custom of leaving small stones when visiting graves.

Foundation Stones remember the six million Jewish men, women and children murdered in the Holocaust and all other victims of Nazi persecution. People can also dedicate their stones to the victims of subsequent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia, and Darfur.

Every painted stone represents a commitment from an individual to remember the past and to build a future free from all forms of hatred. From the 98-yearold woman remembering her mother murdered in Auschwitz to a young school

child in Wales writing ‘Proud to be Gypsy’ on his stone, each stone holds a powerful individual story or message of tolerance.

The creative vision is thousands of stones, from every corner in the United Kingdom, coming together to become part of our national memorial. As people struggle with the impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic, it is a tribute to the powerful idea behind Foundation Stones that it has cut through and resonated with so many people. It has brought people together to share their stories and to think about the kind of future we want to build.

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9 22 - 28 January 2022

in brief MAN KILLS DAUGHTER’S MUM-IN-LAW OVER MARRIAGE FEUD Mohammad Malik killed Ishrat Ahmed and injured her husband Afaq with an axe after his daughter’s marriage ended "acrimoniously".

The incident took place on their doorstep in Nelson on 4 July 2021, Lancashire Police said.

The police confirmed that there were "ongoing disputes" between the families. Malik, 58 was cleared of murder but convicted of manslaughter at Preston Crown Court.

According to the police, Malik drove to the Ahmeds' house to find their son Wasim, whose marriage to one of Malik's daughters was called off. Malik then attacked them in their own doorway. Mrs Ahmed, 52, later succumbed to serious head injuries in hospital while her 55-year-old husband has since recovered from serious brain injuries. He will be sentenced on 11 February.

9 AREAS IN LONDON REPORT ABSENCE OF PUPILS AMID COVID According to the latest figures that were released by the Department for Education, the nine areas that recorded the highest number of children off school were in London.

Amongst the nine areas, Harrow, Southwark and Bromley had the highest Covid absence rates in the country before Christmas. Harrow had the highest Covid absence rate in the country, with 10.8 per cent of pupils absent due to the virus. On December 16, in total, 34,971 London pupils were off school due to Covid. Along with this, staff shortages were also worst in London, with 5.3 per cent of teachers and headteachers in London.

Following Harrow, Southwark and Bromley, Lewisham, Hammersmith and Fulham, Lambeth, Hillingdon, Waltham Forest and Merton had the next highest absence rates. As per the National figures, before Christmas, the number of children off school at the start of this term was higher by almost 15,000.

LIFE EXPECTANCY TO FALL DUE TO COVID, SAYS REPORT A baby born in the 2020s in the UK will die five years earlier than precited, new data shows. According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), girls that were born last year are expected to live for 90.2 years while boys will live for 87.3 years. Girls born in 2020 are expected to live 4.8 fewer years than predicted in 2012, and boys have 4.5 fewer years. The coronavirus pandemic is being considered as one of the factors for the decline in expected life expectancy. David Finch, assistant director of healthy lives at the Health Foundation, said that “The government faces a massive challenge in delivering its promise to improve life expectancy for people in the UK.” The ONS said: “There are projected to be many more people at older ages by 2045, in part because of the baby boomers from the 1960s now being aged around 80 years, as well as general increases in life expectancy.”

TONGA TSUNAMI- BODY OF BRITISH WOMAN FOUND British woman Angela Glover was swept by the tsunami while rescuing her dogs has been found, her brother informs. Nick Eleini told broadcasters the family was "devastated". Her death is considered to be the first in the disaster when an underwater volcano erupted, sending a tsunami towards the Pacific island nation. The Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha apai volcano, which erupted on Saturday, was about 40 miles (65km) north of Tonga's capital Nuku'alofa, where Angela and her husband James lived. Mr Eleini said Angela and James loved their life in Tonga and adored the Tongan people. He added Angela was the heart of their family and they will miss her every single day.

Father’s four-year fight with council for disabled son Continued from page 1 Mr Puri moved to Hertfordshire county in 2017 and was told the council was unable to provide a local school for Meet due to lack of space. Instead, Meet was placed at a school in Brent, a 45-minute car journey from Hertfordshire.

Mr Puri was told the council would try to place his son in a local school once a space became available. However, Mr Puri said, “It’s been four years living in South Oxhey now and Hertfordshire Council have not offered Meet a place at any local schools.”

After a number of attempts in contacting Hertfordshire Council over the years, Mr Puri said the issue has remained unresolved. He said: “Before Christmas, I called the council three or four times asking for a place at a local school but got no response.”

Hertfordshire Council did provide transport to and from school for Meet but at the beginning of this year, Mr Puri was told he would now have to contribute £518 per term towards funding transport for

Meet as he is now over 16.

Mr Puri said £518 is a “huge amount” for his family and was told by the council he would need to contribute towards transport or Meet would have to use public transport to get to school like other children.

Meet’s one-way commute to school on public transport would take over two hours and because of his cerebral palsy, Mr Puri believes the mental and physical stress on Meet would be too much.

Since Meet’s transport was ceased by the council a week before Christmas, Mr Puri has been attempting to contact the council.

Meet has been unable to go to school for the last two weeks and is feeling “depressed, discriminated against, and let down by the council and education ministry,” said Mr Puri.

He said the council remained “unresponsive” until a few days ago when he finally received an email from Councillor Christopher Alley who said he “cannot promise anything but will try to get an

London Mayor wants temporary visa scheme for construction workers London Mayor Sadiq Khan has is proposing that ministers should create a Coronavirus Recovery Visa, a temporary visa scheme for construction workers to handle the double impact of Brexit and the pandemic on the building industry.

Mayor believes that scheme will help sectors struggling with shortages of workers, including construction. He has also called for a regional shortage occupation list that will allow London and other cities to attract and retain staff in sectors with acute staff shortages.

The mayor said that before Brexit, the capital was dependent on migrant building workers, with more than half the workforce being from the EU and beyond. He also added that as per the official figures, in the three years to April 2020, the number of construction workers in the capital from the EU fell 54 per cent.

Mr Khan said: “We’ve worked tirelessly over the last five years to get London build-

UK population to outgrow due to 2.2 mn migrants The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has released a report that states that the UK’s population growth from 2020 to 2030 will be driven by the arrival of 2.2 million migrants as native deaths will outnumber births.

Due to the decline in fertility rates across the world and the increasing age of the post-war 'baby boom generations', the ONS believes that deaths would outnumber births by 59,000 in the decade to 2030.

However, an increase in migrants will push the UK's population to an estimated 67.1million in mid-2020 to 69.2 million in mid2030.

ONS statistician James Robards said: 'The UK population is projected to grow by 2.1 million over the ten years to mid-2030, with England's population expected to increase more quickly than the other UK nations.”

Its analysis noted: ‘Over the 25-year period between mid-2020 and mid-2045 it is projected that there will be 1.4 million more deaths than births. During this period, the population will grow by 3.9 million, again driven by projected net migration of 5.3 million.'

ing again, and the construction sector forms a key part of London’s Covid recovery plan.

However, both our recovery and efforts to deliver the genuinely affordable homes Londoners desperately need could now be put at risk if there isn’t the skilled workforce available to build them. The Government must look beyond their current blinkered approach to immigration and recognise the impending crisis that is already enveloping one of our most vital industries.”

explanation for Hertfordshire County Council’s decision regarding your son’s transport.”

Mr Puri said he is left wondering if his son and family are being discriminated against by the council. He wonders how there has been no availability in any of the local schools in the past four years and why the council are comparing his son’s school commute with other kids who have no special needs.

According to the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), the prevalence of cerebral palsy in the UK is about two per 1000 live births. This figure has not changed significantly in the past forty years.

Mr Puri and his wife Rajni, 42, are finding it very difficult to see their son depressed and so upset. He said, “We see him sad and depressed, and we feel helpless and very disturbed to see his already difficult life get even more stressful.”

Mr Puri and his wife continue to resolve the situation with Hertfordshire County Council.

Two Keralites killed in a car accident in Cheltenham Two Keralites were killed in a car accident at Cheltenham town in Gloucester, England. Bins Rajan (32) of Kunakkal in Muvattupuzha and Archana Nirmal from Kollam did not survive the crash.

Three of their other family members are said to be injured. According to a web portal, the incident took place around 11:15 am on A-46 Road at Pegglesworth on Monday when the car collided with a lorry. Rajan and Nirmal were visiting a friend in Oxford when their car collided. Rajan’s wife Anagha and their two-year-old child, and Archana’s husband Nirmal Ramesh were injured. The child’s condition was reportedly very serious, has been admitted to NHS Hospital in Oxford. UK Malayalis (UUKMA) are helping the relatives in Kerala to receive their mortal remains.

Six men on trial for raping eight girls A gang of six men sexually exploited and abused vulnerable young girls after luring them over Facebook with the promise of drink and drugs, a court heard. These six men are accused of forcing themselves on eight vulnerable victims aged between 12 and 15 in the Redditch area of Worcestershire between 2013 and 2017.

Abdul Hussain, 21, Usmaan Asghar, 22, Arslan Tazarab, 25, Ethashan Tazarab, 21, Usman Ali, 28 and Numan Mohammed, 23, has been charged with a total of 24 sex offences going back almost

ten years, are now on trial at Worcester Crown Court.

Prosecutor Mark Heywood QC said, “This case is about eight girls in their early to middle teens and from 2013 to 2017 they were sexually abused by these defendants. Some were crudely groped simply because they were in reach. Some were lonely and wanted attention. Others had made poor lifestyle choices which made them vulnerable. This included drinking, taking drugs, and being sexually available - they were easily taken advantage of.”

Vaccine passports likely to be scrapped At the end of the month, facemasks are likely to remain a legal requirement on public transport and indoors, but work from home guidance and vaccine passports are expected to be scrapped.

Oliver Dowden, the Conservative Party chairman, expressed that “signs are encouraging” for lifting coronavirus restrictions on January 26. He also added that he felt hopeful and optimistic after seeing “some very promising data” on infections and hospital admissions.

Taking economic impact into consideration, ministers have decided to end work from home guidance as a priority while vaccine passports provoked a Tory revolt in the

Commons last month.

While the spread of the Omicron variant appears to be reaching a plateau in London and the South-East, there is a lot of pressure on hospitals in the North-East and NorthWest NHS regions. Hence, the requirement to wear a face mask is likely to remain.

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22 - 28 January 2022

PM Boris Johnson must resign It is a shameful and hypocritical act by the British PM Boris Johnson for whom voters of his country gave the mandate to lead. On May 20, 2020, he held a party in a garden when a lockdown was announced where Britons were barred by law from meeting up with more than one person outside their households. He apologised only after opposition politicians called for police investigation after ITV published a leaked email invitation to the “bring your own booze” party.

The true meaning of apology diminished when he simply said ‘sorry’ despite knowing that he broke the rules. Last year, our younger grandson Shiv (12) during the lockdown in Canada came to our front porch and dropped some food and went off. Even in India last year I called auto rickshaw owner Hari Bharvad at VV Nagar, Gujarat, India to check how he and his family were doing. He replied saying, that Sureshkdada, ‘it is a very hard time as due to lockdown I cannot go out and no money coming to maintain a family.’

If he and a 12-year-old knew the meaning of lockdown, why not the PM of Britain? Last year here in Canada, many ministers, members of federal and provincial parliament from all political parties, CEOs of the health department, police chiefs and others holding high profile positions, knowingly ignored Covid-19 lockdown guidelines and went on vacations, travelled abroad for personal, business reasons under one or other pretext - and only when they were caught - they said sorry, made lame excuses and regretted their mistakes ( I would say blunder ) and resigned. PM Boris Johnson must resign. Period.

Nobody is above the law of land where they live.

Kudos to the Australian government. and an Austrian court’s decision that Tennis unvaccinated star Djokovic should be deported from Australia after losing an appeal against visa cancellation. He is not above law and it doesn’t matter that he is the 20th Grand Slam titleholder.

All please stay safe and healthy and follow all rules and regulations announced by the government and medical experts.

Suresh and Bhavna Patel Markham, Canada

Truth of religion With reference to Kapil Dudakia’s article titled New Year, but Old Challenges Remain, As a Hindu myself, I am very saddened and hurt to read his negative poisonous thoughts on the history of Christianity and throwing dirt on the holy bible. He is forgetting he is living in a Christian country (UK) that country has provided his family and him a shelter and protection. I genuinely request him to keep his negative ideas to himself instead of stirring hated in the Indian community UK who are living peacefully with harmony and contributing their services to the Christian nation who in return are appreciating our contributions to the nation.

Humanity is an ocean; a few drops of the ocean are dirty; the ocean does not become dirty. Mahatma Gandhi.

Famous Neasden Mandir in London is an icon of Hinduism in a Christian country, where all faiths of all religions are welcome with kindness and love without any kind of restrictions. Abu Dubai, a Muslim country has gifted land to build a BAPS Hindu Mandir. This mandir will be an icon of unity of peace and harmony between different religions, races and languages. All religions of the world united as one family of the world to fight back the deadly virus – Covid 19. This is what I call “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.” The world is one family.

All holy religious books of the world give the same message of love, kindness, and compassion. We selfish human beings stir up conflict in the name of religion and create prejudice among the human race.

In 1893, Swami Vivekananda gave a powerful Iconic speech at the World Religion Conference in Chicago. He addressed the people of America as brothers and sisters.

His speech included the wisdom of being patriotic, loving all religions.

On 24th Dec 21, I text a message of Merry Christmas to the head of BAPS Neasden Mandir as follows: As Hindus we celebrate Diwali. At the same time, we do celebrate Christmas. This I call a diversity, harmony living with different faiths in the UK. A Merry Christmas to all BAPS trustees.

No matter which faith one belongs to, we all human beings take refuse one God for protection from fear. We call that God with different names. Prayers of God are answered if our mind and soul is pure.

Let’s pray wisdom of all religions brings peace to the world with the celebration of faiths.

Manoj Patel Hemel Hempstead

KHICHADI

Putin, Proud and Patriotic Politician One may wonder why the West, especially Britain and America are hell-bent on continuing the Cold War atmosphere when the Soviet Union is dead and buried a long time ago. While military alliances like Warsaw Pact, SEATO and CENTO, also known as Bagdad Pact, were dismantled in view of the demise of the Soviet Union, NATO, in sharp contrast has redoubled its efforts to expand and surround Russia, an act of intimidation proud Russia will never tolerate.

When the Soviet Union tried to install missiles in Cuba, only a stone throw away from US main-land, President Kennedy was willing to go to war that may lead to nuclear holocaust, prevented by the diplomacy of President Nikita Khrushchev who took over the reign after the death of Joseph Stalin, in 1953. I wonder what would have happened if Stalin was in charge!

After the demise of the Soviet Union, NATO has taken in East European countries, like Poland, Hungary, Romania and three tiny Baltic States, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, last two bordering Russia with a considerable Russian population. If Ukraine joins NATO with a long common border with Russia and eastern Ukraine mainly populated by Russian speaking Ukrainians, loyal to Russia, this will lead to war between these two nations, eastern Ukraine will leave and form an independent nation, although this will be David versus Goliath struggle unless NATO intervenes to protect Ukraine, which seems unlikely without being NATO member.

Russia has warned Sweden and Finland, with an extensive land border with Russia not to join NATO, asking questions whether the US will ever tolerate if Russian missiles are stationed on borders between US and Canada, US and Mexico!

India has proved that it is possible to have good relations, both with US and Russia.

President Putin also boasts that Russia now possesses hypersonic ICBM, flying at the speed of one mile per second, immune to anti-missile missiles that fly through space or even hugging the landmass and comes down vertically on their targets. Russia is such a huge country with a tiny population and landmass stretching six thousand miles from East to West, it has little interest in adding more land, unlike China who is constantly on the lookout to grab whatever land it can devour, Tibet, being the prime example.

It is time for Western politicians to wise up and sort who is the real enemy, Russia or China!

Bhupendra M. Gandhi

You can amicably agree to disagree I admire and applaud Bhupendra Gandhi for giving up his free time to volunteer to help his MP. I think that most of your readers would agree that to compare an MP's remuneration with that of a footballer is illogical as they are two very different occupations in unrelated fields. In my opinion, footballers are overpaid but that is a separate debate. MPs are paid by the taxpayer whilst the footballers are paid by shareholders. And to describe MP's salary of £81k + allowances + pensions as peanuts must come as a shock to many hardworking people in the country who have to manage their family budgets with a lot less than that.

MPs (unlike the Civil Service where I work), already enjoy the benefit of an independent pay review body which is tasked to review and recommend remuneration on an annual basis. Just as I am free to move to a better paying job if I am not happy with my remuneration, MPs are also free to change their occupations if they feel that they are not adequately remunerated. Parliamentary candidates will know what the job entails and what it pays before they choose to stand in elections. Most MPs are hardworking and say that they are in politics to serve the public.

The advantage of living in a democracy like ours is to recognise that there will always be differing opinions on issues and that you can amicably agree to disagree with different opinions and move on with your lives!

Rashmi Jeshang

Your lame excuses I was saddened to read Vibhaben Mistry’s letter published in Gujarat Samachar dated 08 January 2022, about Sangam Advice Centre closing down.

Within the last 50 years, the situation has drastically changed, some compromises have to be made to appoint qualified trustees and the positions should be shared with each other to include younger and newer people.

As a registered charity, it is the duty of the organisation to serve the needy and alleviate their suffering.

It is rather pointless, to raise huge funds or keep more than required funds in the bank every year, and then ask people to speak to Citizen Advice. There are many Senior Citizens’ Clubs in the local area, then why not guide senior citizens to go there instead?

It is understandable that due to the pandemic, there may have been some income irregularities, but it is only for a short period of time. Sooner or later this pandemic will end, and funds will start coming in again. If the current committee does not have the passion to do social service, it is very important to hand over the responsibility to the right person. Your excuses are not good enough.

Jayanti Patel, Hendon

Kapil’s

Follow me on Twitter: @kk_OEG

The Year of the Spineless?

Kapil Dudakia

I

wonder if we are going to witness a year when the spineless in society undermine not just a nation, but nations across the world? Yes, I know it’s quite a statement to make without any context or explanation, but let’s see if I can get the conversation going in Kapil’s Khichadi.

We have seen loonies on the left, the corrupt media, woke social media warriors and the political fraternity ever eager to take advantage of the spineless. So it was no surprise when they attacked Boris Johnson. Initially it had been the constant saga about Boris renovating a public property (Number 10) with private money (no expense to the nation). No rules were broken, but that did not stop the pettiness of our opposition politicians in undermining the nation. When that failed, they attacked him on having ‘parties’ at Number 10 during the pandemic. As far as I can tell, there has never been a party at Number 10.

Yes, we can safely say that it was rather silly that Number 10 staff compromised the Prime Minister by having gatherings for work colleagues. A bit of wine and a few snacks no doubt, but no party music, no dancing, in fact none of the things you would expect of a real party. Everyone has gone nuts, demanding that he resigns. Names have been put forward of who should replace him as the next party leader and our Prime Minister. And the spineless floating voter suddenly change their allegiance to Labour if current polling is to be believed.

This nation was not built by the spineless. What madness possesses people to think that Labour, an antinational party, would ever do anything for this nation?

Labour which comes across as anti-Israel, anti-India, anti-Hindu and antisemitic! Labour a party that wants to bankrupt this nation by spending other people’s money.

Labour a party that hugs and supports extremists here and around the world.

Add to this, and think about it properly, an agent of the Chinese government living in the UK giving a leading Labour politician more than £400000 for services rendered.

So before you get compromised, remember, there may well be no party today that is worthy of your vote.

However, by siding with the anti-nationals you confirm the destruction of your community and your nation. That spine needs a proper backbone, find it before it’s too late.

The same type of spineless characters are now attempting to assassinate PM Modi. In India you have got Khalistani terrorists supported by terrorist outfits in Canada, USA and UK who want to destroy India. Recently PM Modi’s convoy was stuck on a flyover in Punjab creating a potentially serious security issue and a threat to his life. You can blame the Punjab government, the local police and the Khalistani terrorists. However, I blame the Prime Minister’s security detail and Delhi. There is a security breach because those who should know better took their eye off the ball. Your enemies can only gather confidence and momentum if you allow them the space to operate. Let’s hope this is a wake-up call for PM Modi.

The job in saving Bharat has just started, it would be the spineless in India that will comprise the nation.

In a democracy, its greatest strength and weakness is always the people. If people allow themselves to be misguided and they stoop to the level of their spineless character, then the nation is put in jeopardy. Hold the Prime Minster’s feet to the fire, but don’t believe for a second that the alternative is any better.

Great read We have enjoyed reading your publications.

It has been a weekend read for almost the same time as the publication's inception.

May we wish the editors and rest of the staff all the best and may you all continue with this excellent service for the Asian community.

Rajnikant Shah Cambridge

We are grateful to all letter writers for more and more versatile letters well within word limit.

Please keep contributing as always. If you are new, then write to Rupanjana at rupanjana.dutta@abplgroup.com

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Pakistan serves old wine with a new label

Ruchi Ghanashyam Mrs. Ruchi Ghanashyam is the former High Commissioner of India to the UK. With a career in Indian Foreign Service for over 38 years, she has been posted in many countries including South Africa, Ghana, before arriving in the UK. She was only the second woman High Commissioner to the UK since India’s independence and during her tenure, she witnessed a number of significant developments in the UK-India relations. @RuchiGhanashyam Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan launched the first-ever Pakistan National Security Policy (NSP) 2022-2026 on January 14, 2022. The ‘all-encompassing, multidimensional’ document articulates a ‘citizencentric framework, and places economic security at its core’, to secure an economically resilient Pakistan.

The document claims that Pakistan’s national security interests would be best served by placing economic security as the core element of national security. NSP is said to be a ‘guiding document’ and aspirational in some respects. Framed after seven years of analysis and consultations, the policy document is expected to continue evolving.

Prior to its launch, there were indications in Pakistan’s media about the country’s desire to make peace with India and other immediate neighbours, leaving the door open for trade with India even without the settlement of the Kashmir issue – provided there is progress in bilateral talks. A Pakistani paper reported that peace with immediate neighbours and economic diplomacy will be the central theme of Pakistan’s foreign policy under the new National Security Policy. An official was quoted as saying, on condition of anonymity that Pakistan is “not seeking hostility with India for the next 100 years. The new policy seeks peace with immediate neighbours”.

This positive sounding quote set the tone for the coverage of the document prior to its launch. A quick perusal of the text made public, belied these positive projections. Whether it was in the context of connectivity or Jammu and Kashmir or the ruling dispensation in India, the tone and substance of the document could only be aimed at enmity rather than friendship.

In the context of connectivity, NSP highlighted the significance of westward connectivity, especially in the context of Afghanistan, “given that eastward connectivity is held hostage to India’s regressive approach”. On bilateral ties, it said that they

have been “stymied as a consequence of the unresolved Kashmir dispute and India’s hegemonic designs”. The para on Jammu and Kashmir refers to continued “human rights abuses and oppression through war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocidal acts” in “Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK)”. It also voices concern about India’s Hindutva-driven politics, amidst other decidedly unfriendly references. Nowhere in the document could the spirit of the unnamed official’s claim of Pakistan’s friendly approach to India could be discerned.

While making an indirect reference to the removal of article 370 and the consequent changes to J&K, the NSP fails to acknowledge the underhand game that Pakistan has played over the years in absorbing Pakistan Occupied Kashmir and Gillgit Baltistan. In keeping with past practice, Pakistan makes a reference to the UN resolutions on Kashmir while completely overlooking that Pakistan itself was never ready to implement the very first clause of the resolution that called for the withdrawal of Pakistani forces and all those who were not normally resident in Kashmir.

NSP glorifies the need to develop human security, that ensures the safety, security, dignity, and prosperity of its people, but the publicly available text ignores the role of terrorist groups flourishing on Pakistani soil. Nor does it outline the measures it will take to satisfy the demands of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), which continues to keep Pakistan on its grey list. The FATF is a global money laundering and terrorist financing watchdog that lays down international standards with an objective to prevent such activities. The FATF is expected to review Pakistan’s performance on its recommendations in FebMarch this year. This grim scenario is glossed over by the NSP in a grandiose, if delusional, statement claiming that “Pakistan has been acknowledged globally for taking positive strides towards creating a strong financial monitoring system to prevent terror financing”.

Pakistan’s economy has been in dire straits for sometime now. It’s policy of giving economic stimulus had to be abandoned in the face of runaway inflation, falling value of its currency, mounting debt, downward trends in economic indicators and overheating of the fragile economy.

Towards the end of last year, it was already negotiating a $6 billion bailout package with the IMF. This is separate from the $4.2 billion in cash assistance pledged by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Pakistan is also dependent on loans from China needed for completing power-sector projects that are part of the $62 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.

Pakistan needs to take an honest look at its failures and make a genuine effort to respond to the friendly gestures extended

by India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, right at the start of his tenure in office. The Pakistani people deserve a sincere effort from their government to bring development and prosperity to their country. Only then can the talents of its people be truly harnessed.

British Asians celebrate Makar Sankranti

Diaspora created a beautiful Rangoli at Trafalgar Square, London on the occasion of Makar Sankranti, Amrit Mahotsav. Photo Credit #IIW members.

Sculpture of goat-headed Yogini repatriated to India The High Commission of National Museum, New India Pride Project, India announced the recovDelhi in September 2013.

Singapore and Art Recovery ery and repatriation of a Lokhari is a small vilInternational, London very special 10th Century lage situated in the Mau swiftly assisted High stone idol that had been sub-division, in Banda disCommission of India, illegally removed from a trict of Bundelkhand, Uttar London, in the identificatemple in Lokhari, Banda, Pradesh. Yoginis are a tion and recovery of the Uttar Pradesh in sometimes the 1980s.

The sculpture is of a goat-headed Yogini that originally belonged to a group of stone deities carved in sandstone and installed in Lokhari temple. These had been the subject of a study by Indian scholar Vidya Dahejia on behalf of the National Museum in New Delhi in 1986 which was later published Gaitri Issar Kumar, High Commissioner of India to the UK with Met Police representative and others under the title, ‘Yogini Cult and group of powerful female statue while the High Temples: A Tantric divinities, associated with Commission of India proTradition’. the Tantric mode of worcessed the requisite docuIt is learned that the ship. They are worshipped mentation with local and said sculpture had briefly as a group, often 64 and are Indian authorities. surfaced in the art market believed to possess infinite Interestingly, a similar in London in 1988. In powers. sculpture of the buffaloOctober 2021, High The goat-headed Yogini headed Vrishanana Yogini, Commission of India received at the High apparently stolen from the received information about Commission on the auspisame temple at Lokhari vilthe finding of a goat-headcious day of Makar lage had been recovered ed Yogini sculpture that Sankranti, is being disand repatriated by the had matched the descrippatched to the Embassy of India, Paris in tion of the Lokhari set, in Archaeological Survey of 2013. The Vrishanana the garden of a private resiIndia, New Delhi.

Yogini was installed in the dence near London.

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AsianVoiceNewsweekly

22 - 28 January 2022

SCRUTATOR’S Rocket scientist Somnath is new Isro chief Senior rocket scientist S Somanath has been appointed as the tenth chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) and secretary, department of space (DoS). He will replace K Sivan, who will complete his term, which included a one year extension, on January 14. Somanath, who at present is serving as director, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), said the most important responsibility is to create a space enterprise in India where all the stakeholders, including DoS, Isro, INSPACe, industry and startups are all part of the efforts to expand the space programme on a bigger scale. Before becoming VSSC director, he had a two and-a-half-year stint as director, Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre. Somanath is credited with “energising development activities of the high thrust semicryogenic engine, conceiving a fast track hardware realisation and test programme, development of throttleable engines for the lander of Chandrayaan-2 and successful flight of an electric propulsion system in GSAT-9.” Somanath earned his B.Tech in mechanical engineering from TKM College of Engineering, Kollam, Kerala. (Agency) Huge python brings traffic to a standstill

Bumper-to-bumper traffic is a common sight in most Indian cities and can cause the most patient of people to get impatient. However, there are also instances where people display patience when required. A great example of patience and humanity was visible recently in Kochi, Kerala, when a nearly 6.5-footlong python slithered out of a roadside bush and made its way across a busy street in the city. Commuters stopped their vehicles to allow the Indian rock python, a non-venomous snake, to cross the road in peace. The incident occurred on the busy Seaport-Airport Road in Kochi. A video of the incident has emerged on YouTube. In the video, we can see a number of cars and motorcycles parked in the middle of the road so that they don't run over the snake while it is crossing. A few people can also be seen standing quietly, watching the snake cross the road. On reaching the other end of the road, the reptile vanishes into the bushes. (Agency) Man paraded naked for 'harassing' girl A man was brutally thrashed and paraded naked in a busy traffic junction for allegedly misbehaving with a girl at the Maharaja Park in Hassan district of Karnataka. According to the police, the person who was thrashed has been identified as Meghraj from the Vijayapura district of the state. He is a construction worker. Meghraj was sauntering in the park when locals spotted him allegedly harassing a girl. A group of people then assaulted him. Instead of handing him over to the police, they thrashed and disrobed him, and then paraded him naked near a busy traffic junction. The cops who arrived at the spot immediately taken him into custody. After inquiry, the police registered an FIR against four unknown persons for assaulting and parading him naked. Though the girl did not file any complaint, Meghraj lodged a complaint with the police and an FIR has been filed against four persons. (Agency) The thief's costly nap Vishnu Dantani allegedly broke into a house near Mansa town in Gandhinagar recently. The 25-year-old ransacked the cupboards and found gold and silver jewellery worth Rs 700,000. During his search for valuables, he also found a

blanket. As he had not been sleeping properly for almost a week, Dantani wrapped himself up and decided to catch a few winks before he left with the booty.

According to the FIR filed with Mansa police, the house belongs to Vishnu Patel, an Ahmedabad resident. Vishnu Patel got a call from his cousin Kanu saying that someone had broken into the house.

When Kanu and other locals entered the house, they saw Dantani asleep with the valuables next to him. They latched the main door from the outside and called Patel and the police. The thief got a rude awakening when he woke to find himself surrounded by locals and cops. The police have registered a case of burglary and criminal trespassing against Dantani. (The Times of India) Snow-clad mountains wow people “Incredible,” “mesmerising,” and

the wild beast with “a roar at the last minute”. The caption to the video read, "I was stalked by a mountain lion so I ran up on and scared it away with a roar at the last minute." Viewers praised the man for his presence of mind. A user wrote, "Good call. Screaming like that confuses them.

Predators don't like to have confrontations if they don't have to." Another wrote on similar lines, "That's exactly what you should do. Scream as intimidating as you can. If you run you're only their chase now." Many were horrified to imagine what would have happened had the man not looked back to face the mountain lion.

A person wrote, "Wow. If he hadn't turned around, that would have been a painful, frightening end for him." Another comment read, "It could have been your neck if you didn't turn around when you did." (Agency) After losing her father, bride gets his words embroidered on veil Bridal outfits mean so much more when they carry a personal touch to them. A bride understood how she could add more meaning to her bridal lehenga.

She carried the memory of her late father to her wedding by getting a part of his

Karma will catch up with everyone We have been warned by our elders about karma catching with us. Whenever we tend to take shortcuts or sidestep the right path, we were cautioned that our karma will soon make us pick the right path. To drive home the point, several people shared videos that showed how bad karma instantly “rewards” us with bad results. Indian Forest Service Officer Susanta Nanda shared two videos on this subject recently. One of the videos showed a man trying to pull the tail of a camel.

However, as he tries to catch it, the camel kicks the unsuspecting man and sends him falling back. He showed another video in which a hunter is waiting for its prey, a deer, in the jungle. But the deer rushes towards him with such speed that the hunter does not get enough time to respond. The animal hits him and sends him flying backwards. Another video that went viral shows a group of men riding a cart pulled by buffalo. Some of them were thrashing the buffalo with wooden sticks, forcing it to run harder. The buffalo got irritated, apparently, and hit the wheels on a road divider, overturning the cart. The buffalo's sweet revenge was lauded by many people. (Agency) This bride's dance is breaking the Internet

“breathtaking,” are probably few among the many words that you’ll be inclined to use after seeing these pictures posted on Twitter. The images, shared on the official Twitter account of the Indian Railways, show snow-clad mountains. “A mesmerising view of the snow clad mountains from the #Banihal station of #KashmirValley, covered in a blanket of freshly fallen #snow,” the department wrote while posting the pictures. The images show the snow-covered station against the backdrop of the mountains clocked in white sheets. Since being shared, the tweet has accumulated more than 2,500 likes and counting. The share has also prompted people to post varied comments. “It’s beautiful,” wrote a Twitter user. “Beauty of India,” posted another.

“Amazing,” expressed a third. “Wow,” commented a fourth. (Agency) Encounter between man and a mountain lion A viral video shows how it feels to be face to face with a lion in the middle of a jungle. The video, gives us a spine-chilling glimpse of an encounter between a hiker and a mountain lion. It was a shocking incident not only for the viewers but also for the hiker who filmed it. The video begins by showing us some beautiful mountain ranges and the dry forest in the region. But soon the man starts to run.

When the camera turns backwards, we see a mountain lion chasing him. However, the hiker stopped and was able to ward off

letter embroidered on her veil. Bride Suvanya showed up at her wedding in a red lehenga set designed by Sunaina Khera. What caught the attention was the story behind her embroidered veil. The bride narrated the tale of her father's letter in a video released on social media.

The caption read, "Bride Suvanya got her father's letter embroidered on her dupatta and that's absolutely heartwarming." In the clip, Suvanya revealed that she lost her father to cancer in May 2021. She said, "the emotional turmoil of not having him around will always get to me. Logical or not, I really wanted to feel his presence at the wedding, in a way that I can always hold on to, just like his letter." That's why she picked the phrase "My heart to yours" from her father's letter and got it embroidered on the veil of her lehenga.

The letter was written and gifted to Suvanya by her father on her last birthday. She said in the video, "He had carefully crafted it with utmost honesty and love, in an attempt to convey what I mean to him." She added, "I got it framed and would read it every time I felt alone. I think it will take me a while to read that letter again." (Agency)

When Saba Kapoor got married, she ditched the tradition bridal entry under a phoolon ki chaadar for something more unconventional. Months after her wedding, a video of her entry is now breaking the Internet. The video shows how Gurugram-based Saba Kapoor, creative director of Nivasa, got her family and friends involved in her "surprise bride entry". In the clip, Saba and her family dance to 'Sau Aasmaan' from the 2016 film 'Baar Baar Dekho'. Her friends and family members line up on either side of the aisle that leads up to where the groom is standing. As the bride walks up the aisle, everyone takes turns dancing with her. The video was first shared on Instagram by YSDC Wedding Choreography. "Surprise bride entry," they wrote while sharing the clip, and urged their viewers to "Watch till the end to see something super special".

Although it was shared on Instagram last month, where it has since collected over 200,000 views and a ton of compliments, the video actually began to go viral after it was posted on Twitter recently. (Agency)

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22 - 28 January 2022

in brief Meta faces €2.7bn civil lawsuit

Was Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose misunderstood?

Competition expert and the director of the Competition Law Forum Dr Liza Lovdahl Gormsen is all set to launch a multi-billion euro case against the social media giant Meta -the company which changed its parent name from Facebook- in the United Kingdom. She alleges that Facebook has abused its market dominance by exploiting UK users’ personal data to earn profits. A pre-action letter has been sent to Meta claiming a minimum of £2.3 billion in damages on behalf of affected UK Facebook users who used the social media platform between October 1, 2015, and December 31, 2019. Meta spokesperson said in an email statement to Euronews Next, “People access our service for free. They choose our services because we deliver value for them and they have meaningful control of what information they share on Meta’s platforms and who with whom. We have invested heavily to create tools that allow them to do so.” Gormsen is planning to bring the case to the Competition Appeal Tribunal in London.

Shefali Saxena

british Man wins back citizenship after five years

In an exclusive interview with Asian Voice ahead of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s 125th birth anniversary on January 23, Sumantra Bose addressed some crucial questions about Netaji. Sumantra Bose, a political scientist and Netaji’s grand-nephew, is the Director of the Netaji Research Bureau at Kolkata's Netaji Bhawan (netaji.org), formerly the Bose's family ancestral house. as Netaji the most misunderstood leader in Indian politics?

It depends on what you mean by 'misunderstood'. Netaji had been a full-time freedom fighter for almost twenty years when he had a rift with Gandhiji in 1939. Gandhiji was reluctant to let Subhas have a second term as President of the Indian National Congress.

Subhas then took on Gandhiji's preferred candidate in a contested election and won the presidency, much to Gandhiji's chagrin.

The Gandhi-Bose rift was not however any 'misunderstanding'. Gandhiji and his acolytes in the Congress leadership were not comfortable with Subhas's modernist, left-wing views, and also disagreed with Subhas's desire to launch an all-out mass struggle against the Raj–though Gandhi came around on the latter point three years later, when he launched the Quit India movement in 1942.

Then again, Bose was vilified for decades by British colonialists not reconciled to the loss of the jewel in the crown of their empire, India, because he had sought help from the Axis in World War II. Bose was not alone in doing this by any means – many anti-colonial revolutionaries across Asia and the Middle East also sought help from the Axis in their struggle against British, French and Dutch imperialisms. Bose was vilified because those nostalgic for Great Britain's lost empire understood very well that the Indian

A British man’s citizenship has been reinstated after five years after challenging the decision. The Home Office had revoked his citizenship by serving a deprivation of citizenship order with him shortly after he flew to the country for the birth of his second daughter. E3, as he is referred to in court documents, was born in London to Bangladeshi parents. The Home Office claimed that E3 was an extremist and said he could obtain citizenship elsewhere because his parents were Bangladeshi. E3 told the Observer: “Why was I not arrested and questioned? Why have I been punished in this way without ever being shown a single piece of evidence against me? The government should admit that they have made a mistake and own up to it.” Fahad Ansari, his lawyer at Duncan Lewis, said his client lost five years of his life because of the unlawful decision of the home secretary that lacked any prior judicial oversight.

britons’ hoMe-drinking posing a health risk Millions of people in the UK have developed drink-related problems during the pandemic, according to the data from the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities. An expert said that due to sessions lasting longer than pub visits, Britons are consuming too much alcohol. Professor Julia Sinclair, chairwoman of the addictions faculty at the Royal College of Psychiatrists, said millions of people are silently harming themselves by consuming excessive alcohol. In the three months to the end of October 2021, about 18 per cent of adults in England were drinking at increasing or higher risk. The same levels were witnessed in February 2020, when 12.4 per cent of the population or about six million people drank at these levels.

Middleton’s failed coMpany owes £800k The Duchess of Cambridge’s younger brother James Middleton has left an £800,000 trail of debt when his business went into administration. As per the documents, James Middleton’s company Boomf, which sells personalised marshmallows and greeting cards, owes £146,305.88 to HM Revenue and Customs. According to the administrators’ report, it owes almost £800,000 to creditors, but has assets of £561,054, meaning there is a shortfall of £236,310.88. Middleton sold the company for £300,000 months after it ran out of funds. British-Estonian businessman Stepan Galaev bought the company as part of a recently established company called Otkrytka.

Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose's daughter Anita Bose-Pfaff has slammed the controversy over the rejection of West Bengal's Republic Day tableau based on her father and his Indian National Army. The Central government in India has rejected West Bengal's tableau for the Republic Day parade themed on Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and his Indian National Army.

Sumantra Bose

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National Army--recruited mainly from former BritishIndian Army soldiers--and the Azad Hind movement had delivered a fatal blow to any prospects of Britain retaining India as its colony after the war. o you think he got his due recognition beyond Bengal?

It depends on what you mean by 'recognition'. It is true that Netaji was largely airbrushed out of the official narrative of the freedom struggle for at least four decades after Independence. But the more he was airbrushed out of the official narrative, the more his stature and legend grew in the popular imagination, across the length and breadth of India.

Today, Netaji is not only revered throughout India, he is deeply respected in Bangladesh and even Pakistan, as well as Sri Lanka (among the Tamils). hat is his relevance today as we grapple with multiple issues across the globe?

Netaji stands as an eternal symbol of the struggle of oppressed peoples for liberty and justice. In October 1990, Nelson Mandela visited India after his release from 27 years in prison. At a mass rally in Kolkata's Eden Gardens stadium, Mandela hailed Netaji in glowing terms and said that Netaji had been a hero of his ever since his youth. In January 1972, days after his return to liberated Bangladesh, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman sent an audio message on the occasion of Netaji's 75th birth anniversary to the Netaji Research Bureau at Kolkata's Netaji Bhawan. In the message, the founding leader of Bangladesh said that "Netaji's example of courage and sacrifice in the cause of freedom will, for eternity, be an inspiration to the struggle of all freedom-seeking peoples of this world. He is immortal. He lives on, like the flaming sun that illuminates the world. Joy Bangla!" (translated from the Bengali text of the message). f Netaji were alive today, what would he have done differently?

If Netaji were alive today, he would do everything in his power to confront and defeat the attempt by fake Indian nationalists, whose forebears played no role in the freedom struggle, to destroy India's democratic and secular character. Jai Hind!

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“It is only on the basis of undiluted Nationalism and of perfect justice and impartiality that the Indian Army of Liberation can be built up.”

- Subhas Chandra Bose

Balliol College in UK names its building after an Indian Balliol College in the UK has named its new building after Indian Dr Lakshman Sarup who was the first student at Oxford to submit his thesis for a Doctor of Philosophy (DPhil) degree.

Balliol College in a release stated, “Balliol’s newest buildings at the Master’s Field have been named after historic Balliol alumni and academics who reflect the diversity, values and history of the College. Block C1 has been named after Dr Lakshman Sarup (Balliol 1916).”

It added, “Dr Lakshman Sarup (1894–1946) was the first student at

Oxford to submit for a DPhil degree, which he was awarded in 1919 on the subject of Yaksa’s Nirukta, the oldest Sanskrit treatise on etymology.”

In 1942, he became the first Indian scholar to be appointed as Principal of the Oriental College of the University of Punjab.

Bengal Heritage Foundation (BHF) is holding a virtual member meeting on the 23rd of January to discuss “Netaji: The Forgotten Hero” - where experts like Sarit Bose, will talk about the importance of Netaji Subhas Chandra and how it has impacted the course of Indian history.

In his personal opinion, Suranjan Som, President BHF, said, “I don't think Netaji has been misunderstood. Netaji's strategic thinking was way ahead of his time, Suranjan Som compared to anything else other leaders were doing to achieve Indian independence. I will not go into a debate of who was right and who was wrong (topic for another day). Subhas Ji was the only individual who not only dreamt of freeing India by military might but also achieved it to a large degree. If you are aware that a large part of the Empire's army was made up of Indian soldiers.

“It was only a matter of time to switch their allegiance to their motherland. Very few of us know that on 21st October 1943, Bose announced the formation of the Provisional Government of Azad Hind (Free India), with himself as the Head of State, Prime Minister and Minister of War. So in effect, he was the first Prime Minister of Free India.

“Why is all of this important for us sitting in London. I think Britain holds the key to a lot of classified information, probably even more than India, Japan or Russia. If the members of the diaspora are interested in researching that, there is a job at hand for us to do trawling through the National Archives and requesting the custodians of classified material for disclosure. Alternatively, one day, when these things will be too old to be relevant, most of it will be released in the public domain anyway.”

Pupils to learn 1,700 words to pass GCSEs gets a nod The Department for Education (DfE) has decided to bring in changes to language teaching in schools which will make pupils in England memorise lists of 1,700 words to pass GCSEs in Spanish, French or German. However, this has not gone down well with language associations, teaching unions and headteachers at state and independent schools who believe that this will deter students from studying modern foreign languages (MFL).

Simon Hyde, the general secretary of the Headmasters’ and Headmistresses’ Conference of independent schools, said, “This model will not give students the confidence in their language, both at examination level and as a life skill, to take forward into further studies, careers and personal endeavours.”

The Association for Language Learning also expressed their displeasure adding that the DfE did not take up an invitation to work collaboratively with subject associations, exam boards and headteachers on a further review of GCSE content and development.

The DfE said its consultation received 1,644 responses, with the majority “from language teachers agreeing with the proposals”.

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22 - 28 January 2022

‘FTA will create an environment in which businesses can thrive’ Rupanjana Dutta

because of Indian investments in the region. And I think there will be a boost Ranil Jayawardena was appointed as UK’s of something that 300 million pounds Minister for International Trade in May because of opportunities for manufac2020. He spoke to media, including Asian turers of motor vehicles and parts.

Voice, on how a UK-India FTA deal will Too often investment is overlooked help level up the UK, focusing on specific in public discourse, and it's important nations and regions of the UK. that investment creates jobs.

In 2019 almost 30,000 people were : How can Wales benefit specifically employed because of Indian investment from this deal? in the West Midlands. The region could A: I was recently in Wales in early see a boost of up to £300m with opporDecember, and I met our new head tunities for manufacturers of of our office in Wales. We are motor vehicles and parts. absolutely committed as : A senior member of Her Majesty's the Tory party Government is feels that Britain is responsible for the United Kingdom's being held at ransom reserve policies of

by India for FTA, which trade is one asking for looser to work with anyimmigration rules. one and everyone Can you tell us across the United what is your party’s Kingdom- in the actual perspective? devolved adminisA: There's been trations in Wales, so much speculation Scotland, and on this. This is the Northern Ireland, but kickoff of negotiations. also with mayors and local Ranil Jayawardena We will only agree on a deal enterprise partnerships across if it is in our national interest, England, to back businesses in every including on issues related to business corner of our country. travel. If you look at the deals we've done FTA with India will benefit businessin the past, you know, there's been efforts es in Wales and its people. It is estimatto make sure the business travellers can ed to boost the economy by up to somebenefit from the deals and businesses are thing like 126 million pounds in the long able to benefit from the deals. Of course, run. So given that Wales is already a we have created a level playing field in leader in things like green energy, with immigration for the first time in 50 years, renewable initiatives, like floating offhaving left the EU, where we can now shore wind operators, or hydroelectric have a points-based immigration system, plants, the green energy sector is a great which means that every country is treatexample of the development of a proded fairly, which wasn't the case when we uct that friends in India and indeed are part of the EU. And that's why so around the world will want to benefit many of us campaigned for Brexit. from in the years ahead. : Can Northern Ireland fully benefit : We know that India has always had from any fruits of a trade deal with very protectionist policies. We have India under the terms of the Northern the whole issue regarding retrospective Ireland protocol? taxing with Ghana and Vodafone, which are A: Every part of our United Kingdom British companies. So how positive is the will indeed benefit from our trade deal British government that India would offer a with India, and Northern Ireland's worldseamless experience? How is the class services sector, particularly financial government approaching this problem? services, which I was part of myself A: There are rapidly growing opporbefore I entered politics would indeed, tunities in India as the economy grows, stand to benefit from such a deal. And I which I think we will see in a whole think if you think about future trade host of sectors. There are opportunities deals, is going to be increasingly about that exist, and British businesses will be things like data and digital and I think well placed to support growth now. the economy in India could offer huge That growth will be based upon stability opportunities for the blossoming tech and predictability in the system. Our sector in Northern Ireland. The figures services already today, exports to India speak for themselves. The analysis that amount, something like three 3.2 billion we've got, show that something like an pounds as the world's second-largest extra 71 million pounds a year would find services exporter. The United Kingdom its way into the Northern Irish economy is I think, well placed to help India grow in the long run as part of this FTA. its own economy and in the years ahead Exports of goods and services, whether in a mutually beneficial relationship. I that be financial services or things like say we are the world's second-largest medicine and pharmaceuticals - there are services exports, but we're probably the significant opportunities there. world's greatest services exporter. : There's a huge number of companies Britain and India’s financial markets that are Indian owned already in the are already interconnected. 35 compaWest Midlands region. Do you think it's got nies from India are listed on the London potential to encourage new business Stock Exchange, already. The investdevelopment and improve the already ment relationship has set out not only strong existing links between the Indian the jobs in the West Midlands, because community in the West Midlands, and back of the investment from businesses but in their motherland? What are the benefits across the country and resulted in a going to be to the West Midlands from this huge number of jobs being supporting each other's economy. So, I think an deal?

A: A huge number of jobs have been FTA will not only further the support and collaboration that we need but crecreated in the West Midlands, because of ate an environment in which businesses investment. I think almost 13,000 people can thrive. in the region were employed in 2019,

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MOTHER OF ALL TRADE TALKS Continued from page 1

offers huge benefits for British businesses, workers and consumers. As we take our hisSir Edward Leigh, a right-wing Conservative toric partnership with India to the next level, party MP warned the PM that “we should not the UK’s independent trade policy is creating be held to ransom”. To this, Johnson replied, jobs, increasing wages, and driving innova"I do not recognise the account that my hontion across the country. The UK has worldourable Friend has given. We do not do free class businesses and expertise we can rightly trade deals on that basis.” be proud of, from Scotch whisky distillers to The UK and India launched negotiations financial services and cutting-edge renewable on an ambitious Free Trade Agreement (FTA) technology. We are seizing the opportunities at an event in New Delhi on 13 January 2022. offered in growing economies of the UK International Trade Secretary Indo-Pacific to cement our place on Anne-Marie Trevelyan and Indian the global stage and deliver jobs and Minister of Commerce and Industry growth at home.”

Piyush Goyal formally started talks Access to talent pool on a deal that could create huge benMahesh Raikar, Ownerefits for both countries.

Founder, Wrapchic - Differently The Indian negotiating team will Indian restaurant Franchise told us, be led by Nidhi Mani Tripathi, Joint Mahesh Raikar “The New UK- India Free Trade Secretary, Department of Agreement is exciting news for SMEs like us.

Commerce and the UK negotiating team will The agreement will reduce barriers to the be led by Harjinder Kang, Director for India trade of goods, especially as our businesses Negotiations at the Department for rely on imports of spices, rice, pulses etc. and International Trade. lower import costs that will help retain marWhile there’s a lot in store for the UK, gins for an industry that is seeing immense India’s hope for visa relaxations and the furcost pressures. As the agreement would also ther potential for benefitting Britain’s former ease visa restrictions between the countries colony is yet to be articulated to understand this will give our business access to the talent how exactly India will enjoy the perks of this pool there is in abundance in India be it FTA. chefs/Marketing professions etc.”

A Department for International Trade spokesperson told Asian Voice, “India is proMajor opportunities for UK automotive jected to become the world’s third-largest companies economy by 2050, and a Free Trade Richard Heald OBE, UK-India Business Agreement will open up huge opportunities Council Group Chair, told the newsweekly, for UK businesses to trade with India’s £2.25 “The UKIBC warmly welcomes the launch of trillion economy. An agreement could create these important negotiations. Particularly the significant benefits for both countries and breadth and ambition outlined, covering could boost our total trade by up to £28 bilgoods and services, particularly the IP-rich, lion a year by 2035. digitally-driven services where the UK and “The United Kingdom is already a top India already excel.” choice for investors, offering Forge strategic alliances strong returns in a high-skills economy which benefit all regions Speaking to Asian Voice about the of the country. launch, Lord Rami Ranger CBE, “Over 15,000 new jobs were founder of Sun Mark, an international created by Indian investment into marketing and distribution company the United Kingdom in the last said, “The free trade agreement three years alone. A Free Trade Lord Rami Ranger between India and the UK will be the CBE Agreement with India could mother of all free trade agreements. It secure more investment opportunities for our will be like Britain having free trade agreements with at least 10 countries. businesses, including among the Asian busi“Indian soldiers proved their loyalty to ness community. At the same time, a deal the British Empire in both the Great Wars. with India will also support UK-based compaIndians also came to rebuild Britain after the nies to invest and operate overseas. This will devastating wars and worked in factories, be ever more important as we forge new tradtransport, hospitals, and schools. India is ing relationships around the world, including already the second-biggest investor in the UK, with India.” and the wealthiest families in Britain are Sanjiv Mehta, President, Federation of Indians. Indians are also in the Indian Chambers of Commerce and British government making their Industry (FICCI), told Asian Voice, mark apart from running many big that the negotiations were very businesses.” “reassuring”. He said, “The urgency “For example, India is the largest and pace exuded by the UK to fastbuyer of defence equipment because track the FTA negotiations illusits two hostile neighbours and trates the importance accorded to Britain’s arms industry is in decline.

India as a key economic partner.

Sanjiv Mehta By working together, British firms Emphasis on promoting new froncan manufacture defence equipment in India, tiers in the future is noteworthy. This will gain a considerable market locally, and grow help both countries to build greener, more their export potential. The same goes for the innovative, and more sustainable economies. pharmaceutical industries, films, energy and FICCI members from the Agri, Pharma & Life so on. India can offer British firms the scale of Sciences, Renewables & Electric Vehicles, production needed to meet the global need as Financial Services and Healthcare sectors, the coronavirus pandemic has already shown amongst others, would be closely following us,” he explained. these discussions, towards which they have Indians now have more disposable shared their recommendations with the income as salaries and are directly at par with Government of India. We hope these would the West in many sectors. The Indian diaspohelp the Indian Government to negotiate a ra of over 30 million strong settled in over win-win deal with the UK.” 100 countries is travelling to India more freBy 2050 India will be the world’s thirdquently than ever before, thus increasing largest economy demand for Western products. Income, International Trade Secretary Anneinternational travel, and media awareness Marie Trevelyan said, “A deal with India is a have significantly increased the demand for golden opportunity to put UK businesses at British products in India.” the front of the queue as the Indian economy Trade focused on sustainability continues to grow rapidly. By 2050 India will Joywin Mathew, Partner, Head of India be the world’s third-largest economy with a Practice, UK, DLA Piper UK LLP told the middle class of almost 250 million shoppers. newsweekly, “UK has a market-leading finanWe want to unlock this huge new market for cial, technology and professional services our great British producers and sector. The skills and the increased parmanufacturers across numerticipation from these sectors in the ous industries from food and Indian economy would only benefit the drink to services and automocountry as it pursues its growth trajectotive.” ry. With COP26 having recently concludPrime Minister Boris ed, it is also going to be relevant for trade Johnson told us, “A trade deal Joywin Mathew to be also focused on sustainability.” with India’s booming economy

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A UK-India trade deal will unlock a new era of partnership

Lord Karan Bilimoria CBE DL Lord Karan Bilimoria CBE DL is President of the CBI. He is the founder of Cobra Beer, Chairman of the Cobra Beer Partnership Limited, a Joint Venture with Molson Coors, and Chairman of Molson Coors Cobra India. He is the Founding Chairman of the UK India Business Council, a Deputy Lieutenant of Greater London, and a former Chancellor of Thames Valley University (now the University of West London) - the youngest University Chancellor in the UK when appointed.

The UK-India relationship was taken to new heights last week with the launch of negotiations on a new ambitious free trade agreement (FTA) between our two great democracies.

Having last year having already signed an enhanced trade partnership to double bilateral trade by 2030 the FTA could boost our trade by up to £28 billion by 2035. International Trade Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan met with her counterpart, Indian minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal, to formally start talks. As the founding Chairman of the UK-India Business Council, I believe for the UK, a trade deal with India, a rapidly advancing global economic superpower, can unlock a new era of partnership and pave the way for significant trade and investment opportunities for UK and Indian businesses. As President of the CBI, I look forward to supporting in the formation of the agreement and in helping businesses across the UK and India, make the most of the benefits of the FTA. Throughout the pandemic, a collaboration between the UK and India was at the forefront of the battle to combat the virus, as witnessed by the success of the Oxford University/AstraZeneca vaccine in partnership with the Serum Institute of India (SII), the largest vaccine manufacturers in the world. To date, the SII has produced 1.4 billion doses of the vaccine!

Economically too, the UK and India are significant investors and markets for each other’s economies, contributing hugely to the countries growth. There are over 800 Indian companies in the UK contributing nearly £50 billion to the economy and employing hundreds of thousands of people across the country. And in India, there are hundreds of British businesses employing 1 million people both directly and indirectly. And, as the fifth and sixth economics in the world, and as the largest and oldest democracies, strengthening ties between our nations will be key to championing free and fair trade. So a free trade deal is a golden opportunity to slash further barriers to trade.

Removing duties on leading British exports such as Scotch Whiskey and cars which face duties in India of 150% and 125% respectively could be some huge early gains for UK businesses.

From renewables and FinTech to R&D and higher education, a trade agreement has the potential to build on our past successful collaboration – creating jobs and opportunities across the country. But to fully capture the benefits of a free trade deal, the UK must

focus on the areas which will drive our future economic success and where the UK has a competitive advantage. The UK and India are both global experts in renewable energy, as the world transitions towards a greener economy, there is real appetite to collaborate on green projects such as green hydrogen, wind power, solar power, electric vehicles and battery technologies. The strength of our relationship was demonstrated on the world stage at COP26 with Prime Minister Johnson and Prime Minister Modi agreeing to accelerate action on clean energy and sustainable finance. The UK should lean into its strengths and seek to unlock barriers through this deal that will allow its trading partner to access a dynamic ecosystem of green services and goods, as well as green finance with London emerging as a global leader - that can really bolster bilateral economic growth.

Safeguarding UK innovation and creative industries through protecting its intellectual property and instilling confidence into UK businesses will help propel more trade with India. The UK is home to some of the brightest and most creative ideas around the globe. Businesses want guarantees that the innovative ideas and products they bring to market are backed up by ironclad legal protections. And as the lifeblood of the modern economy, firms want to see further progress on creating more open data flows, which will enable UK businesses to deliver cutting edge services to its customers, ensuring smooth delivery of operations and enabling research and development which will help boost exports into the region.

The CBI economic forecast starkly highlighted the negligible contribution from exports to UK’s growth. For a great trading nation such as the UK, this simply will not do. We must and can do better. The responsibility for supporting firms to go global, to compete and build our economy doesn’t just sit with the government. It’s also up to businesses to proactively seek growth opportunities. The Indo-Pacific contains some of the fastest-growing economies and will be home to the largest middle-class population by 2050. Exporting and growing international revenue, therefore, needs to be a priority. We know that businesses that export are more competitive, dynamic and innovative. All companies should be encouraged to have the mindset and desire to export from day one – as with my experience at Cobra Beer.

The 1.5 million-strong Indian diaspora, is a large and thriving ethnic minority community in the UK they are the living bridge between the UK and India. With trade and mobility intrinsically interconnected, businesses ability to move people across borders is crucial to expand their pool of talent, drive productivity and go global. The UK government has already made great strides in allowing more Indian professionals and skilled workers to come to the UK, along with the re-introduction of the two-year post-graduate work visa programme. With both India and the UK home to thriving services sectors firms will be keen to see constructive dialogue on making it easier for them to practice, invest and grow in India and Britain.

This deal is not simply about a free trade agreement. Globally, the axis is shifting, the world economy is thriving to become greener, more services orientated and tech-driven and Asia is taking centre stage to become a key export destination of the world. For the UK to remain globally competitive, it must position itself as the trading partner of choice in the region. A deal with India can act as the key anchor in the region.

West Midlands has more to gain from UK-India Free Trade Agreement Shefali Saxena India’s Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal met UK Secretary of State for International Trade AnneMarie Trevelyan for the launch of India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) Negotiations on January 13, 2022. In a tweet, Mr Goyal said that deliberations will be held over an array of trade opportunities of mutual interest benefiting India’s Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal met UK Secretary of State for International Trade Anne-Marie Trevelyan both sides.

One region in the UK top,” he further added. ing that is a that’s getting the lion’s Creating jobs and fighting mammoth task. share of benefits of the poverty He said, “Let me UK-India FTA is the West Mentioning two really big be very modest Midlands. Mayor Andy investments that will directly and appropriate.

Street is extremely thrilled deliver jobs for the region, Mr I haven't created about it. In an exclusive Andy Street talked about the them. The region interview with Asian high-speed tube line between created them. To Voice, he spoke about London-Birminghamput numbers in West Midlands what’s in store for the Manchester. “We're looking at perspective, in Mayor region within FTA, there for at least another 3000 the West Andy Street Commonwealth Games jobs in the West Midlands in Midlands, as a 2022 and issues concerning the next two years, with just whole, we lost about 75,000 ethnic minorities. one company. So that's the jobs during the pandemic. So Free Trade Agreement incredible concentration with what this is saying is that we Speaking to the newsweekone company, Balfour Beatty are nearly back to the number ly, Mr Andy Street said, “The Vinci,” Street told us. of jobs that there was before secretary of state's been out in For the Commonwealth the pandemic. The number India this week. I'm very optiGames this summer, West one priority is to get that nummistic about the FTA. I hope it Midlands will have about ber back ahead of the pandemwill be done relatively quickly 35,000 jobs during the actual ic, so we can resume the with political agreement at games itself. “We're looking growth line that we were on.” both Prime Ministerial levels. I Measures to deal with a health for about 6000 people to get think the West Midlands has crisis skills that they can use them more to gain from this probabeyond,” the Mayor said.

With the ongoing pandembly than any other region in Addressing poverty within ic and health care crisis at the the country. It's why we set up ethnic minority communities NHS and shortage of staff the West Midlands India partin the West Midlands, when across Britain, when asked nership because we really want asked if he’s aware of the data, how the region is coping with to polish this relationship Mr Street said, “Yes, we do. We it and what measures are being that's going well anyway. The do know that we have a disput into place, the Mayor said, reason for that is our proportionately high number “We do look at a number of economies have a sort of symof children growing up in key measures. We look at the biosis to them. We’re very poverty. And in, particularly in employment rates, the proporstrong in some of the areas like the cities in the West tion of our people in work, it's automotive India is growing Midlands. I think Birmingham down just very marginally fast.” is the worst as a proportion of nought point 4%. On pre-panThe West Midlands Mayor their youngsters grow up in demic, we look at our claimant is excited about companies like poverty. I'm acknowledging, count numbers, we can see Infosys being a part of the yes, it is a really important how that's gone up during the Westmidlands India partnerissue here. It is very important pandemic. We're also looking ship. He said, “I think the techbecause it almost becomes a at the unemployment rate the nology in those areas can be determinant of future activities, I've got lots of meashared. Of course, we going to achievement. So what we're sures. But the simple way of see more investment from trying to do, is actually, describing this is - we're just a India. We're very optimistic through all of our skills and little bit behind now, where we there'll be further investment training work is to give people were at the beginning of the from Infosys. They've been higher aspirations, because pandemic, we need to get back brilliant in their investments that's obviously ultimately the ahead of that. For the whole of so far, but I think there will be way out of that poverty situathe decade, 2010-2020, we more other companies that we tion. We're also trying to deal were the fastest-growing are looking forward to. with some very practical issues region in the country outside “Of course, one has to start on the ground. So this whole London. Our objective is to get with Tata. Remember, the sinquestion of help with fuel bills, back to that position.” gle biggest private company in that's important, because The Mayor added that his the West Midlands is India that's a huge source of poverty administration is trying to put owned. And they are investing in this country. in place particular retraining enormous sums in the future “Also, what we're trying to schemes for their people of the electric vehicle industry do, is just a very practical thing who've fallen out of work in in the West Midlands. So that's that I control directly - keepsome sectors, which are lucrative. And we've had a couing the cost of our public shrinking, and thinking about ple of other real success stotransport down, for people getting into new sectors. ries. We've seen TVS Invest in who have jobs but relatively “So whether it be retrainmotorbikes, and it's just fanlow paid jobs, the cost of geting in the digital boot camps tastic to see that brand come ting to and fro from them is a that we've set up or some of back. The work we're now significant proportion of the construction training prodoing with Mahindra, we hope weekly expenditure. So I'm grams, we've just set up prothat will come off as well in very pleased to say that for five grammes with the healthcare that sector. So there's quite a years, we've not moved forsector, where we've got short, list of companies in that area ward without public transand we call them sector-based that we hope will take advanport, that bus fares in the work academies for the hospitage of the easing of the terms region, and we've actually tality sector to get people into of trade. reduced monies deliberately basic skills. Because the basic Checking unemployment because we know that that is a point here is that we want Street had recently higher proportion of expendipeople who are currently announced that the region creture for people who are closer claiming benefits to move in ated about 61,000 new jobs, to poverty than others. So we probably to an entry-level role. which may sound like a small can do some direct things ourThen, within their sector, they number on paper, but executselves.” can advance right up to the

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22 - 28 January 2022

If you are o ovver weight, working to ow wards war and achievin ng a healthy weig ght has many benefits. There are small ll cha hanges we can make ever y day to what what we eat and drink an nd ho ow w often we mo ove that ov can make a real r diff fference erence to o our health. If you ou w wan ant to lose weigh weigh ht, eat betterr,, or g gett active,, it’’ss not about abou ut getting it right, but getting g started. Healthy changes starrt with small steps aand help you to feel feel better beetterr,, inside and ou ut. Why not start thee year by getting crreative with yyour o food our food o and exercise ffor or a healthier new w year?

Rupanjana Duttaa

Now is th he e perf pe p erfect e time ig to lose weiigh gh ht, e eat at and an exercise bettter Some small, regulaar changes like swapping in healthier ingredients to you ur favvourite recipes, monitorin ng portion sizes or getting active caan make a big diff ffer erence. We all know k getting active and eating better b is good for you. y Nearly two o thirds of South Asian adultss in the UK are overweight or livin ng with obesity.

Most people gain w weight gradually over a long period of time and modern liffee doesn’t alwayys make it easy. Extra E tr weight i ht causes pressure pr r in our bodies, mak king it harder for for the body to fight against a diseases Losing weight can also lower your risk of joint and a back pain, heart disease and type t 2 diabetes.

It is estimated thatt over 3 in 5 adults are at an inccreased risk

PROD DUCED IN ASSO OCIA ATI TION N WITH H BETTER HEA AL LTH TH

NEW YEAR, HEALLTH THYY YYOOU! Biig chan ng gess start w

from seriouss diseases because of beeing overweight. L Losing weight can seeriously reduce the ch hance of heart diseasee and could make all the diff ffer erence in preventingg treatable heart conditiions.

Whetherr it’s making simple swapss to what you eat and drink k, managing portion sizess, or introducing more m activity into your day by going on a short walk,, stretching during TV ad d breaks, or pacing aro ound the kitchen whillst the kettle’s boiling, eatin ng better and moving moree can really make a diff ffer errence to our health.

Azmina G Govindji is an aw ward-winniing dietitian

and expert nutritionist with overr 20 years of experience. She has won several proffessi essional awards, appeared regularly on television, and published 20 books. She is well known ffor or her personality and optimistic attitude.

Here are 9 top tips from Azmina on how you can achieve and maintain a health hyy weight weigh this year: 1. When it comes to exercise, some is good ffor or you, y but more is better – the more times you are active, the greater the health benefits. Remember every minute counts! It is never too late to get active to improve yourr health, so start small and build up. It can be as simple as startingg with 10 minutes of brisk walkingg a day.

2. Making simple dietary changes, such swapping to wholegrain carbohydrates and

unsaturated fats like olive oil,l, reducing sugar intake, monitoring toring calorie intake and keeping an n ey eye on portion sizes can help with th weight loss. This will ideally be combined with increasing ph hysical activity that you enjoy wheth her that be walking, cycling, at-h home workouts, or playying outdoorr games.

3. Quick 10-minute videos os online can be a simple waayy to o enjoy activity in the comffort ort of your own home. Y You ou can then en build up gradually from theree. Y You ou maay find it’s it’ more fun exercising sing with the family.

Cold winters do make it more mor challenging for for us to get outdoors. doors.

However, it can be refreshingg - a simple brisk walk, even for for 5 or 10-minutes, can help you to ffeel eel refreshed and invigorated. Ther here are many online tools that can an help you to track your progreess.

Heallthi thier liffes festy ylle can bo oost en ner errgy gy and inspire people 40-year-old Viv Vivekanand k d Jaganathan is a Solicitor and one of the Founding Partners of a law firm in the City of London.

In early 2019, during a routine check-up u by his GP, he was found found to be a borderline diabetic.

So, he was pu ut under the X-PERT Diabetes Programme by b the NHS to encourrage him make necessary liffesty estyle changes.

The programme o encouraged him m to make healthy changes to his diet and Vivvekanand started checkiing the calorie content in his

food food d items, i as well ll as the salt and sugar level.

He also decided to resume regular sports activity but balanced it with nutritious and healthy food food, often using recipes from the Easy Meals App. He lost around 19 kgs within two years. ears A former proffessi former essional volleyball player, Vivekanand also resumed competitive level volleyball every week and then the pandemic hit.

He told Asian

Voi o ce, “When the lock kdown d sttarted in 2020, I was worried ab bout its impact on my health.

It was an absolute necessity ffor or m to exercise regularly and me eaat healthy. So, I immediately ref eferr erred to the Better Health w website and downloaded the N NHS Weight Loss app. Better Health has lots of free ideas to heelp you on your journey to beetter health and getting started caan be easier than you think.

“I stuck to home cooked ffood ood ffor o a whole year, often prepared or ussing ideas from the Easy Meals ap pp, keeping our food food well baalanced and within permitted caalories. I made easy and small ch hanges like having v more salads an nd green vegetables, brown

breads, b d who h le fruits like ap pples and oranges, whole wheat roti, and absolutely cut down on sugar.

“We do not use too much ghee or butter to cook, and we ensure that we have v mor m e grilled and boiled items, in right proportions, often using reccipes from the app and adding a bit of Indian twist. Even after the lockdown was lifted, and my regular volleyball club games ames resumed, I stuck to my callorie limits. And it has helped me to maintain my healthy weigh ht. I genuinely feel feel so much betterr.”

• Y You ou can download the free NHS weight loss app and Easy Meals App on App Storre or Google Play.

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Addiiti tio onal too ols l an ls and d support • Better Health-- Explore weight loss plan ns, tips to eat better and new ew waays ys to get active on the Better Health website. Find F everything from m tools, tips and special off ffers errs fr from the NHS and their partners.

Visit: ww ww.nhs. nhs uk k// bettter-heallth. th.

Keeeping a record of any increase in n yo our activities can help you to feel feel m more motivated and reach even hiigher targets, in time. The beauty of th he South Asian community is thatt wee haave ve support from fr our family an nd friiends. Seek to become more activve to ogether, as this is a great way to en ncourage each other.

4. In the winter, you are more lik kely to sit and watch television for for long periods. Get into the habit of staanding up and moving around.

Fo or example, if you need to visit th he baathroom, instead of using one you u m y havve downstairs, choose to go may o up pstairs so you’re moving around a biit more. more 5. Do you often fast ffor orward ad dverts when you are sitting in fron nt off the television? Instead, why not usse the advert break to stand up an nd m move around? Mayybe you could do oa litttle tidying up, wash some dishes,, go o up and down the stairs a couplee off times, or whatever tasks you m t have migh v to do that could fill thaat co ommercial break.

6. The Better Health website (h https://www.nhs.uk/better-health p h/) in ncludes the NHS 12 Week Weight Lo oss Plan, BMI calculator, Easy M Meals suggestions and tips on how w to o eat healthily on a budget ffor or tho those ose in nterested in how to make liffesty estylee ch hanges more manageable.

7. Y You ou don don’t need to stop eaating your favourite v foods foods to eat heealthier. Y You ou can just make mak small, sim mple changes like swapping wh hite rice with brown rice and ussing coarse wholemeal atta ffor or ch h hapatis i instead i d off white hi flour. fl Most Mo traaditional South Asian foods foods such ass dals, pulses and vegetables can bee healthier choices but the way wee prrepare them makes a diff ffer erence.

Try to avvoid frying your food food in nstead steam, bake, boil or grill for forr a heealthier alternative. They taste jusst ass great!

Losing weight can also lower y yo our risk of jjoin ntt and ba ac ck pain, hea art disease and type 2 diabetes. It is estim ma atted that at o ov ver 3 in 5 adul adu ults are a att an increased d risk from serious disea ases beca aus use of being overweigh verw weigh ht. t. Losing g weigh htt can serioussly reduce the chance of heart disease and could make all the differen e ce in preventing trea atab t le tab heart conditions.

8. Using olive or rapeseed eed oil in cooking rather than butterr, ghee, or coconut oil, for for example examp e, can help to reduce unhealthy saturated s fats, which is better for for you y ur blood cholesterol.

We tend to pour oil straigh raight from the bottle because that’ hat’s how our recipes haave ve been handed ded down but try and aim to use abo out one to two tablespoons of oil for for a dish that serves ffour our people. peop 9. In many South Asian n families, we show our love and caree by ffeeding eeding our families large portionss of ffood; ood; it’s a beautiful part of our culture c but this can lead to overeaating and weight gain.

Try to off ffer er more mor appropriate portion sizes to preserve your longterm health. Make sure colourful vegetables and salads fill half h your plate, l t eatt less l off the th rich i h ffaatty tt curries i and pilau- or biryani-style rice dishes and say no to second helpiings.

And if you’re feeling feeling h hu ungry in between meals why not tryy healthier snacks such as a small han ndful of roasted channa, whole almonds, monds, unsalted peanuts, or fruitss, such as apples and oranges.

• Couch to 5K ap pp – Want to set yourrself an achievable and rewarding r goal? This running ing programme is for for o abso absolute h helped beginners and has more than 4 milli llion people start run nning.

Choose from 5 ccelebrity trainers to motivvate you, plaayy yyour own music, m track your runs and connect onnect with other Coucch to 5K runners just likee you!

C Download Couch to 5K from App Store or Google Plaayy.

• NHS Weigh Weight Lo oss App –T Tak ake things on ne day at a time with the free fr NHS weight loss plan n. The plan is broken down into 12 weeks so you can n: • Set weight loss goals • Use the BMI MI calculator to cusstomise your plan • Plan your meals m easily • Make healtthier food food choices • Get more active a and burn more calorries • Record you ur activity and progress Download the he NHS Weight Loss App p from App Store or Google Plaayy.

SIMP PLE AND EASY RECIPE R Small ll changes h to your y cooking k can go unnoticed on yyour tastebuds but can havve big im mpacts on your health. Here’s a qui uick recipe of Masala curry potatoes toes fr from the Easy Meals App. You You can find how to navigate v arround this app at https://www.nh hs.uk/betterhealth/.

Ov vervi erview ew Masala curry potatoes toes with cumin and tomatoes. This is simp simple dish is a delicious way tto enjoy Indian flavvours and is great with a side salad ffor or lunch. l • Preparation: 5 mins • Cooking: 25 mins • Serves: 4 adultts Nutri utritional info orma ati tion: Per adult portion n (i.e. ¼ rrecipe) • Calories: 372k kJJ/89kcal • 0.6g fat • 0.2g saturated fat • 0.1g salt • 4.5g sugar Ingredients: • 350 g salad potatoes tatoes • 1 tsp olive oil • 400g chopped tomatoes • 1 red chilli finel ely chopped • 1 tsp ground coriander oriander • 1 tsp cumin seeeds

What to o do: 1. First wash the potatoes and cut into 2cm m cubes 2. Heat 1 tbsp bsp oil in a saucepan and add the cumin and gr ground coriander er and oni onion. Fry for for 5 mins.

3. Add the chilli and potatoes and season with sal salt and pepper.

0ml water water, cover and 4. Add 200ml cook for forr 8 mins.

55. Add the tinned tomatoes and cook un ncovered for for a further 5-7mins or until tender.

6. Stir in th he fresh coriander just beffor ore ser erving.

Tips: Leaave v out the chilli if you’re y n of hot and spicy food. food. not a fan • You You can downl download the free Easy Meeals App on App Store or Googl gle Plaayy.

9 sim mp plle tips to m mo ov ve v e more

1. Get into a goo od habit Set a reminder (you could use the alarm or timer er on your phone) to get up and move every 30 minutes durin ng the day. T Trry stretching duringg TV ad breaks or pacing around d the kitchen while the kettle’s boiling.

2. Lunch time iss yo your time Lunch time is a good opportunity to fit in some activity. Tak Take a break to stretch and unwind, or even fit in a quick 10-minute home workout video.

3. Y Yo our own sta and-up routin ne e Try standing when you can Tr instead of sittingg – even short periods will add up and improve your strength.

4. Tak ke e up a hobb ob y Active hobbies lik ke gardening or DIY can be greatt for for your mind as well as your bod ody.

• Acti Active10 ve10 – Eveery minute counts and that’’s why hy the Active10 app reccords every single minute off walking that you do. Justt pop your phone in your pock p ket et and away way you go.

Download Active10 A from App Store or Google Play. ay.

• 1 medium m onion chopped • 2 tbsp fresh coriander chopped

5. Tra ac ck your p progress Hi i your dailly Hitting l target will ill ffeel eell great. Using tracking apps can help, but even just ust a checklist on a piece of paper will do.

6. It’’ss better toge gether If your friends and nd family want to be more activee too, why not

bring out ever eryone’s competitive side with activity tivity challenges such as who can do the most steps in a daayy.

7. Go from str 7. strength to stren ngth gth Strength-bu uilding activities – like carrying heaavy v supermarket bags or ffo ollowingg an online pilates or strength work rkout video – help to keep muscles, e joints and bones strong. Aim to do this at least twice a week. k.

8. Rew war ard yo yourself Set yourself activityy ggoals and rewards. Y You ou u could go ffor or a long walk then trreat yourself to an episode of your o favourite v TV show!

9. Find something y 9. yo ou en njo joy Not sure where h to start? Tr Try one of our free weight loss plans or special off ffers ers on www.nhs.uk/ better-health h to find something that’s right ffor or you. There are plenty of online nline programmes availab availab il ble. Whether Whether h h it’ i ’s running, i yoga or dancing cing around your living room, it all counts!

• For freee tips and tools to lose weight or get active, search Better Health t or visit www w.nhs. .nhs. uk k// better-heal h th.

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You may have been spoilt by stock market returns boosting your pension by as much as 50% last year (the US markets were up 27% so if you had a good adviAlpesh Patel sor they should have at least bettered that). So you may be getDear Financial ting greedy now and thinking Voice Reader, can you have more?

Will It Be a Good or Bad Year for Stocks?

Now that January is underway, what will 2022 look like?

Will it be a good year or a bad year for stocks?

The mood in the equity markets has changed. Last year stunning gains led to a heated, exuberant atmosphere.

However, persistently high inflation has forced the Fed into action. They've suggested there could be three to four interest rate hikes this year, leading Wall Street analysts to pull back their forecasts.

Investors are jittery. That said, this is the same market that has weathered several doom-laden predictions, a pandemic and new variants, and constant accusations of being overpriced. Will equities continue to over-perform? Or is 2022 the year things finally grind to a halt?

The Fed, Inflation, and Stimulus Packages A hawkish Fed will be a new experience for many investors. We haven't seen a full cycle of interest rate hikes from June 2004 - June 2006.

Equities, in particular Tech stocks, took a tumble in early January following news that the Fed would act aggressively to curb inflation by increasing interest rates.

Tech stocks are sensitive to high interest rates, which has opened the door for other sectors to shine, like Energy and Banks. Of course, these aren't the only areas that investors can rotate into if the Fed can't tame inflation. REITs, Utilities, Consumer Staples, and Healthcare equities can all thrive in these conditions. Of course, not everyone is convinced the Fed will follow through with three to four interest rate hikes. For some, it's far from a foregone conclusion, and there is precedent in the '90s that suggests the Fed could pull a few surprises.

Are Quants Back?

January also highlighted one area that could be promising in 2022. The Absolute Return fund, run by AQR Capital Management, had its best five-day period since it began 23 years ago. Is this a sign that the "quant winter" has passed?

Interestingly, the average quant equity fund outperformed the market and stockpickers last year. Their respective returns were: • Average quant equity fund: 27.8% • US stock market: 26.5% • Average stock picker: 24% • Will Semiconductors Go Big? Semiconductors had a good 2021. But 2022 could be even better. Electric vehicles, 5G rollout, and the growth of cloud computing all stand to increase the demand for semiconductors. KLA, Kulicke & Soffa, and Marvell Technology all look like exciting bets.

How the Rising Dollar Will Affect Equities?

The dollar rose by 7% last year. While this extra purchasing power might seem attractive at first glance, it could have a significantly negative effect on the stock market. Strong GDP and job growth and comparatively high US treasury yields have attracted plenty of foreign money.

Should the Fed go through with interest rate hikes, more foreign investment will flood into the US. As the dollar rises in value relative to foreign currencies, many US companies could take a hit because 40% of their trade comes from overseas markets. In short, a strong dollar could lead to lower foreign sales and revenues, which may drag down US equities.

Cryptocurrencies The CNBC Millionaire Survey suggested that more senior market participants don't expect big things from 2022. Only a little more than half of the millionaires surveyed think the S&P 500 will gain over 5% this year.

These figures suggest a shift from the optimism and risktaking that have characterised the last few years. However, there is one group of investors with high hopes: Millennials.

52% of Millennial millionaire investors expect the S&P 500 to grow by 10% next year. At the same time, 39% of the same group are predicting a 15% rise.

This exuberance and positivity can be seen in Millennials attitudes to other assets. Half of all Millennials surveyed suggest that they will increase their cryptocurrency investments over the next year. So, where will the crypto market go?

It's been a tough few months for crypto. Since Bitcoin's November 2021 peak, it's down almost 40%. Other altcoins have taken a similar fall. A big driver of these losses is China's decision to ban crypto. However, the CPC seem interested in blockchain and have signalled a move toward adopting staterun NFTs. Summary The markets are looking unpredictable at the moment.

Interest rate hikes, supply chain issues, new COVID variants, and an unsettled job market are all threats to a runaway bull market.

However, this market has defied expectations for a long time. The signs point to a Tech stock slowdown, but that will create opportunities for other sectors, like Energy and Banking. It's unlikely that we'll see returns of 20%+ this year, but it's not time to worry about a crash just yet.

UK households suffer biggest financial curb in eight years UK families have suffered the sharpest fall in the amount of cash available with them to spend for almost eight years due to high inflation and rising energy bills. The index, which measures households’ overall perceptions of financial wellbeing, fell from 44 in the third quarter to 40.1 in the last quarter of 2021, the lowest reading since the second quarter of 2020 when Covid-19 first spread.

A figure above 50 signals

an improvement as opposed to a deterioration.

According to a survey by the think-tank, the researchers found almost half (47%) were unable or just about managing to make ends meet each month, or had an income that varied much from paycheck to paycheck.

With inflation at the highest level in a decade, ministers are coming under growing pressure to act on living standards ahead of an expected sharp increase in

gas and electricity prices for British consumers from April.

As per the RSA study those living in financially precarious situations were far more likely to be worried about their mental and physical health. The researchers said young adults risked a tougher squeeze than other age groups as the government’s 'national living wage' for under-23s was lower than

the headline rate of £8.91 an hour. The legal pay floor will go up to £9.50 from April for those aged 23 and over, while there will also be increases for those in younger age brackets.

As housing market slows in UK, mortgage demand falls According to a recent survey from the Bank of England (BoE), mortgage demand falls from a measure of -35.3 in the third quarter to -34.8 in the last quarter. The data, which was conducted between 22 November and 10 December, showed demand for remortgages rose in the last quarter of 2021, to a score of 70.4, up from 34.5 in Q3.

Lenders expect this will cool over the next three months to -28.7 amid expectations of interest rate rise, despite credit conditions

still remaining loose for borrowers. The scores for lender responses are calculated by market share, with a larger weighting given to those with a bigger share.

While a positive reading indicates an improvement to the respective scenario, the negative reading suggests a decline.

However, mortgages are expected to become more widely available, as banks look to an easing of conditions for borrowers with smaller deposits. The number of lenders predicting

credit condiwill tions loosen over the next quarter exceeded those saying it would tighten by 15% according to the BoE survey.

September marked the final month buyers could benefit from the stamp duty holiday and help consumers as the economy contracted during the Covid-19 lockdowns. The holiday was extended from 31 March 2021 to the end of June and once more, tapering from

Only 12% small business shifted online despite Covid push For many small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) going online was vital for their survival over the past two years and also opened up new markets and presented opportunities for growth. As businesses were forced to close due to lockdowns and social distancing restrictions and many people turned to online shopping in order to avoid busy high streets and enclosed spaces, there was a bigger than ever push the move to online forward at a rapid pace.

However, according to new research from Lloyds Bank Business, just 12% small businesses shifted to digital due to the pandemic, 49% of SMEs still have not made the move to digital and may be missing out on reaching a greater customer base. While the greatest obstacle holding businesses back from going digital are lack of skills and confidence, according

to the survey of 1,518 UK businesses. Almost two-thirds (65%) of businesses said that not having enough digital skills was their biggest challenge. Some business owners also said they did not see the benefit of being online and highlighted the fact that benefits can vary depending on the nature of the business.

Many small business owners resisted moving online because they didn’t expect the pandemic lasting for so long. Having a digital offering can reap big rewards - 82% of those who have an online presence said it has helped their business grow.

Over half (55%) said going digital increased the geographic reach of their business and 47% found it helped the business to appeal to a new customer demographic. About a third (32%) has used their online platform to diversify the services they offer.

June to the end of September, as people rushed to market. House buyers could have cashed in on savings of up to £15,000 if they bought at the right time.

The break caused a frenzy in the market, with many using it as an excuse to make long-awaited moves, buy for the first time or purchase second homes.

Retail sector in shock as B&M CEO sells stocks Following the footsteps of JD Sports executive chair Peter Cowgill, SSA Investments, the family office of B&M CEO Simon Arora, sold 40 million shares overnight at a price of 585p. Earlier, Sports executive chair Peter Cowgill surprised the market as he cut his holding in half. Cowgill raised just over £20 million selling 10 million shares. The sale has generated shockwaves through the retail sector.

SSA manages the wealth of CEO Simon Arora and his brothers Bobby and Robin. Simon and Bobby bought the discounting chain in 2004 and have helped turn it from a struggling regional brand into a retail giant. The pair, and brother Robin who sits on the board, have an estimated net worth of £2.5 billion. The overnight share sale raised £234 million for the brothers. The chunk represents 4% of the company’s outstanding stock and leaves the Aroras with 7% of B&M. The sales will leave many investors wondering if this could be the trend after what has been a bumper Christmas for most.

Retailers including both JD and B&M have delivered a slew of profit upgrades over the last fortnight. The sector faces a much more uncertain 2022 as soaring energy costs squeeze household finances.

A slump in retail shares over the last two days has knocked £1.6 billion off the value of the UK listed sector in what most see as profit taking. B&M is likely to fare better than most in any cost of living squeeze given its focus on the discount end of the market.

UK economy recovered pandemic losses before Omicron hit The UK economy grew by 0.9% in November, a rise that saw it recover all of its pandemic losses and offered hope that a further bounce back this year is on the cards. The ONS said GDP should beat pre-pandemic levels for the fourth quarter as a whole, provided output didn’t fall by 0.2% or more in December. However, those figures relate to a period before Omicron led to fresh working from home orders and wider consumer caution.

City economists expect that GDP in December fell at least a little bit, while

inflation and cost of living squeezes might make January and February sluggish. Businesses say labour shortages and staff sickness are proving disruptive. April tax rises are also likely to prove problematic, and there is pressure on Chancellor Rishi Sunak to delay them.

The ONS recorded an increase for services (0.7%), production (1.0%) and construction (3.5%) between October and November 2021. This means that services and construction output are both 1.3% above their pre-coronavirus

levels while production remains 2.6% below.

Sunak said: “It’s amazing to see the size of the economy back to pre-pandemic levels in November - a testament to the grit and determination of the British people.” ONS chief economist Grant Fitzner said: “The economy grew strongly in the month before Omicron struck with architects, retailers, couriers and accountants having a bumper month. Construction also recovered from several weak months, as many raw materials became easier to get hold of.”

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Indians top list of US unicorns’ immigrant founders Indians are creating unicorns not just in India, but in the US too. A study finds that 90 out of 1,078 founders across 500 US unicorns (valued at over $1 billion each) were born in India. The data covers US unicorns between 1997 and 2019. According to the study, “over 4 out of 10 unicorn founders are first gen immigrants. Israel and Canada followed with 52 and 42 respectively.

Among Indian founders of prominent

unicorns are Baiju Bhatt of Robinhood, Rohan Seth of Clubhouse, Apoorva Mehta of Instacart, Dheeraj Pandey, Mohit Aron and Ajeet Singh of Nutanix, Arun Murthy and Suresh Srinivas of Hortonworks, Aayush Phumbhra of Chegg, Gagan Biyani of Udemy, and Dhiraj Rajaram of Mu Sigma.

Fractal Analytics, which turned unicorn this year, was founded by Nirmal Palaparthi, Pradeep Suryanarayan, Pranay

Agrawal, Ramakrishna Reddy and Srikanth Velamakanni in California, though, like Mu Sigma, has most of its delivery out of India.

Last year, Mohandas Pai’s investment firm 3One4 Capital estimated that 67 of the 288 American unicorns at that time had at least one Indian-origin founder. The US has a history of extremely successful Indian-origin entrepreneurs including Kanwal Rekhi, Pramod

Haque, Kumar Malvalli, Sanjay Malhotra, Gururaj Deshpande, B V Jagadeesh, and Sabeer Bhatia. Many of them may not have built ventures valued at over $1 billion then, but there were indeed the “unicorns” of those times.

Four years ago, USbased Kauffman Foundation estimated that 33. 2% of the co-founders of engineering and technology firms founded by immigrants in the US since 2006 were Indians.

Govt to own 35.8% stake in Voda, 9.5% in TTL The government of India is set to receive ownership in two private telecom companies – the debt-laden Vodafone Idea and Tata group’s Tata Teleservices (TTL) – in lieu of the interest dues from them, as part of the revival package for ailing players announced last September.

Following the decision by the companies, the government will become the single largest shareholder in Vodafone Idea, holding 35.

8% in the country’s thirdlargest telecom company.

The Vodafone group will see its holding drop from 44% to 28. 5%, while the Aditya Birla

group will see its stake drop to 17. 8% from 27.7%. The government will also get stakes in two companies under Tata Teleservices (TTL). While it will get 9. 5% in the listed Tata Teleservices (Maharashtra) or TTML, the exact holding in the unlisted TTSL, that has services in 17 telecom circles, is yet not public.

Boston-based Thrasio to shift part of China manufacturing to India Boston-based startup Thrasio, a global leader in acquiring and scaling up third-party sellers on online marketplaces such as Amazon, will shift a significant chunk of its manufacturing to India from China as it steps into the country’s booming e-commerce market, Carlos Cashman, the company’s co-founder and CEO said.

While committing an initial investment of $500 million for the domestic market, Thrasio has backed its first company in India by picking up a majority stake in a digitalfirst consumer brand Lifelong Online, through which it will operate. The Hero Group and Tanglin Ventures are investors in Lifelong and will continue to remain invested.

Thrasio, currently valued at over $5 billion, buys small companies and private labels that sell on e-commerce platforms and then scales them up. The relocation in manufacturing to India comes at a time when several global players are looking to de-risk their production bases in the wake of growing concerns over China, following the Covid outbreak. Cashman cited the large size of the market and the rapid growth for making India an attractive destination.

Thrasio has thousands of products by the companies it has acquired that are currently being manufactured in China, according to Bharat Kalia, CEO at Lifelong. India is one of the fastest-growing regions for Amazon’s third-party marketplace, making it enticing for aggregators such as Thrasio, which has acquired 200 brands and raised $3. 4 billion in funding from top investors.

Although telecom has been identified as a strategic sector, resulting in the government repeatedly bailing out laggards MTNL and BSNL, the Centre will get shares in the two private companies at a time it wants to exit several sectors of the economy. The board of Vodafone Idea, which cleared the proposal, estimated that the interest payout for the delayed payments will be around £1.6 billion, which it decided to offer as equity.

Some analysts said that the entry of the government as the largest shareholder and the assurance of

sovereign backing will be a positive for Vodafone Idea as it goes about raising funds from investors in India and abroad. In the case of TTL, the interest value estimated

by TTML is around £85 million, although the same is not known for TTSL. The company had sold its mobility business to Airtel, and now runs an enterprisefocused broadband business.

While the government has given a long rope to the companies to comfortably work out their business plans towards a revival, analysts also say that it will be a tall task for Vodafone Idea to stage a comeback.

NCLAT to hear Amazon appeal, no interim relief The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) refrained from granting interim relief to US e-tailer Amazon in its plea challenging a Competition Commission of India (CCI) order that temporarily suspended the approval for its purchase of 49% stake in Future Coupons (FCPL), an unlisted Future Group company.

Amazon has hinged its legal battle on the FCPL investment to block Future Group’s sale of assets to Reliance Retail for £2.5 billion.

Amazon had approached NCLAT on January 8 to challenge the CCI order after a division bench of the Delhi high court stayed ongoing arbitration proceedings before a Singapore tribunal.

In December, CCI put its nod for the AmazonFCPL deal in abeyance after

it found that the e-tailer suppressed facts, while seeking the approval. The antitrust watchdog also slapped a £20.2 million penalty on Amazon. The NCLAT, however, has agreed to hear Amazon’s appeal and issued notices to CCI and the FCPL to file their replies in 10 days.

While keeping the next date of the hearing on February 2, the appellate tribunal directed Amazon to file a rejoinder over it. The Seattle-headquartered etailer has also filed a petition in the Supreme Court seeking to quash the January 5 order by the division bench of the Delhi High Court.

World Bank expects Indian economy to grow at 8.3% The World Bank in its latest global economic prospects report, expects Indian economy to grow 8. 3% in the fiscal year ending March 2022, unchanged from the June 2021 outlook. The forecast for FY23 and FY24 for India has been upgraded to 8. 7% and 6. 8%, respectively, reflecting

higher investment from the private sector and in infrastructure, and dividends from ongoing reforms.

The government estimates the economy to grow by 9. 2% in the fiscal year ending March, a shade below the RBI’s estimate of 9.5%. The IMF has also projected a 9.5% growth for

India. The IMF will release its new growth estimates on January 25. Following a strong rebound in 2021, the global economy is entering a pronounced slowdown amid fresh threats from Covid-19 variants and a rise in inflation, debt, and income inequality that could endanger the recovery in

emerging and developing economies, according to the World Bank report.

Global growth is expected to decelerate markedly from 5.5% in 2021 to 4.1% in 2022 and 3.2% in 2023 as pent up demand dissipates and as fiscal and monetary support is unwound across the world.

Two locks with one key

Suresh Vagjiani, Sow & Reap Properties Ltd

Currently, we are focusing on closing a deal in West London. It is an end of terrace residential property with a plot next to it.

The angle here is to gain planning to build another property next door, making the current property a midterrace.

This sort of opportunity comes up time to time, the opportunity is glaringly obvious. The last time it appeared was in a lesser known auction, a one man band type of firm. The property was a corner plot with plenty of land wrapped around it; it ended up going well over the guide.

I met someone I knew in the auction, predictably there for the same lot; the price it went for was insanely high.

When this happens, you’re left scratching your head, thinking if you have missed something. It seemed someone bought it to simply keep their builders busy. As soon as this lot was over, a large chunk of the room emptied.

This opportunity luckily is not on the market, neither will it go into auction. The price has been agreed and the contract is with our solicitors.

The property is in an area where there is a concentration of Asians, typically this means if this was to go on the open market, it would attract multiple bids, and possibly go for more than it’s even worth.

In terms of location this property is only a few minutes walk from a station, which in turn gets to Waterloo in about 40 minutes.

The property itself is below the line of all the other rows of houses, and has only two stories; all the others have three. Therefore, planning to go up and add another floor does not seem to be contentious.

We have it from good authority that the planning possibility is favourable; however, it is still prudent to have an alternative plan.

One of the options, as well as going upwards on the existing property is to extend to the side, so you would have three floors butting on to the side of the house.

Given its proximity to the station, this large extended property may serve well as an HMO. One can do six rooms, without the need for planning.

These could all be ensuite, and potentially with kitchenettes, which will likely attract a similar rental as a studio. There are plenty of lenders who would refinance this once developed. Therefore, you could have most of your money out of the deal, and a solid income coming in.

The void periods on this property, given its proximity to the station are likely to be very low. The deal is currently looking for an investor, though it will not hang around for too long. Do get in touch if you are interested.

Akasa Air set to take off by June Big bull Rakesh Jhunjhunwala-backed Akasa Air, that will shortly take to the skies will not be an ultra low-cost carrier (ULCC). It is looking at a launch by early June and will have a fleet of 20 aircraft by next summer, when it will “immediately” apply for rights to fly abroad on meeting the 0/20 rule (no age bar but having a minimum fleet of 20 planes) and start flying overseas to places like Gulf and Saarc countries and Southeast Asia as soon as it gets the permission to do so.

While not giving funding details, the man behind Akasa Air - founder, MD & CEO Vinay Dube - said the airline is “well capitalised” and also has “great quality investors, including Jhunjhunwala”. “We are going to get our first Boeing 737 Max in the second half of April and our first commercial flight should be in May-end or early June. By the end of March 2023, Akasa should have18 aircraft. After that, over the next four years, we will induct 12-14 Max annually, taking our fleet to (the ordered) 72,” said Dube, an aviation veteran, who has held top positions with Jet Airways, GoAir and many big foreign airlines.

Recruitment of personnel like pilots, cabin crew and airport staffers has begun.

The airline has former IndiGo president Aditya Ghosh as co-founder. Airlines in India don’t make money due to a prohibitively expensive operating cost environment, thanks mainly to very costly jet fuel prices because of high base prices and even steeper taxes. Dube does not believe Indian airlines will keep bleeding endlessly. “(Most) airlines in India may have a certain record. I spent a decade with Delta in the US and they made billions of dollars in profit for 10 years in a row (till Covid struck).

There is no reason why a sector, that is extremely important for India, for consumers, should remain perennially unhealthy… everyone can make money in a very reasonable and rationale manner. That’s why we have decided to start the airline. ”

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Pak sending IEDs into India through drug route: Intel report New Delhi: Delhi Police investigations into the recovery of RDX-packed improvised explosive device (IED) at Ghazipur has taken a sinister turn with intelligence reports indicating that the Pakistani establishment is using land and sea drug pipeline to push ready-made IEDs into India.

It is learnt that the remotely controlled timer in the Ghazipur explosive was set to detonate one hour eight minutes after the IED was armed.

While the exact number of bomb consignments smuggled into India is anybody’s guess but as many as 20 IEDs, 5-6 kilograms of IED, and 100 grenades have been recovered

by Punjab police alone. It is understood that terrorists based in Pakistan have been told to assemble more IEDs or

tiffin bombs for distribution beyond Punjab and into pollbound states like UP and sensitive states like Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Delhi.

According to security agencies, the cross-border drug smugglers dealing in Afghan heroin and opium have been tasked to push IEDs into India through drones and seagoing vessels. “The IED consignments, funded by drug money, are still coming into India with the objective of fanning a communal flare-up after a major incident,” said a senior official. 26/11 accused and Lashkar-e-Taiba Pakistan origin terrorist David Coleman Headley had disclosed to NIA how the Pakistani terror strikes were funded by drug money with drug smugglers often involved

26 killed as quake hits Afghanistan KABUL: At least 26 people have been reported dead after an earthquake jolted western Afghanistan on Monday. The victims were killed after the ceiling of their homes collapsed in Qadis district of the western province of Badghis, a spokesperson for the province Baz Mohammas Sarway said.

As per the US Geological Survey, the earthquake was shallow with a magnitude of 5.3 on the Richter scale. "Five women and four children are among the 26 killed in the earthquake," said Sarwary and added that four more people were injured.

He further said that residents of another district, Muqr in the province were also inflicted with damages from the earthquake but details including that of casualties were still not available. The report stated that Qadis was one of the area that remains worst affected due to a devastating drought and received an insignificant benefit

from the international aids that it has been receiving in the past 20 years.

Afghanistan is an earthquake-prone country. Areas especially in the Hindu Kush mountain range, which lies near the junction of the Eurasian and Indian tectonic plates are highly vulnerable to quakes.

Earthquakes can cause significant damage to poorly built homes and buildings in impoverished Afghanistan. In 2015, a powerful earthquake of 7.5 magnitude on the Richter scale had left nearly 280 people dead with its epicenter in the mountain range which ripped across South Asia and caused widespread deaths in Pakistan.

Pak minister warns of more terror incidents in Islamabad ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed warned of more terrorismrelated incidents in the federal capital after a policeman was shot dead and two others were injured at a check-point.

The Monday night gun battle, in which two militants were also shot dead, started when two gunmen riding a motorcycle opened fire on a police check-point in the vicinity of the Karachi Company police station. "This was not an incident of dacoity or theft. Terrorists opened fire on them [police officials]. This is a signal for us that terror incidents have started taking place in Islamabad," he said while speaking to journalists after the martyred police official's funeral prayers.The interior minister said authorities needed to remain alert, as he noted the incident was "purely of terrorism". Rasheed said the authorities had tracked down the "sleeper cell" of the terrorists through their motorcycle.

in the supply of arms and ammunition across the border into India.

In the past decade, tiffin bombs were the signature of Pak-sponsored Indian Mujahideen terrorist group with such IEDs used in 2005 Sarojini Nagar and Paharganj market blasts. The same

devices were used by the group in blasts in Gorakhpur, Lucknow, Varanasi, Haldwani, Jaipur, Hyderabad, and Mumbai to deadly effect with hundred of innocents being killed in the rampage orchestrated by radicalized locals at the behest of their handlers across the border.

Pak's economic condition is better than even India, claims Imran ISLAMABAD: Struggling hard to get out of the mounting debts and rising inflation, Pakistan PM Imran Khan claimed that the country’s economic condition, under his government, was still better than many countries of the region, particularly India.

“Pakistan is still one of the cheapest countries compared to (many countries of) the world, they (opposition) call us incompetent, but the fact is that our government saved the nation from all crises.” Khan claimed while addressing the inaugural ceremony of the International Chambers Summit 2022 arranged by the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Islamabad. He added that the oil prices in the country are still lower than other countries, mainly India.

Khan claimed that Pakistan is on much better scale than

many other countries, despite being on the verge of bankruptcy. Lately Pakistan has been witnessing currency devaluation, rising inflation and hike in petrol rates.

Leader of the opposition and PML-N president Shehbaz Sharif questioned how it was possible for the country to be an atomic power on one hand and be holding a begging bowl on the other. Assailing the government, Sharif said that the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-eInsaf had drowned the country’s economy and was also endangering its security. He called on the government to withdraw the controversial finance bill. Shehbaz warned that the opposition would protest in the House and on the roads if the government tried to bulldoze such a bill.

“They are selling out Pakistan’s economy and freedom for $1 billion,” he warned.

Pak court sentences 4 to death for blast outside Hafiz Saeed's house ISLAMABAD: An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Pakistan sentenced four persons to death for their role in triggering a powerful car bomb blast outside Mumbai attack mastermind and JuD chief Hafiz Saeed's house in June last year that killed three people, according to a court official.

Anti-Terrorism Court Judge Arshad Hussain Bhutta also handed down five years imprisonment to a woman, identified as Ayesha Bibi, during the in-camera trial proceedings at the high-security Kot Lakhpat Jail. Three people were killed and over 20 others injured in the blast outside Saeed’s Jauhar town residence on June 23, 2021 that also damaged a number of houses, shops and vehicles in the area.

"The ATC awarded death sentence to Eid Gul of banned Tahreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Peter Paul David, Sajjad Shah and Ziaullah on nine counts. Another suspect Ayesha Bibi was handed down five years imprisonment,” the court official said.

"The prosecution presented 56 witnesses against the suspects who denied their role in the blast," he said, adding that the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) had presented challan against these five suspects.

The Punjab government claimed to have unearthed the network of all ‘10 Pakistani suspects’ involved in the blast.

However, only five of them were indicted in the case. Saeed, chief of the banned Jamaatud-Dawah (JuD) has been serving a jail sentence at the Kot Lakhpat Jail, Lahore for his conviction in terror financing cases. There were unconfirmed reports that Saeed was present at his house when the blast took place.

The 71-year-old radical cleric and a UNdesignated terrorist, whom the US has placed a USD 10 million bounty on, has been convicted for 36 years imprisonment in five terror financing cases. His punishment is running concurrently.

in brief PADMA LAKSHMI'S WITTY REPLY TO A HATER Author, actress, and TV host Padma Lakshmi knows how to respond to trolls and stand up for herself. In 2020, some folks called the "Top Chef" host "immoral" for the way she chose to dress in one of her cooking videos on Instagram, specifically her decision to forgo wearing a bra. Lakshmi obviously didn't stay quiet and came up with a witty comeback for the haters. In her next Instagram video, she wore two bras instead of one while cooking lasagna and wrote, "I got some comments last time that it was immoral for me to not wear a bra in my own kitchen during the quarantine. So those people should be happy to note that I'm wearing two today ... but seriously, let's not police women's bodies in 2020 ok?"

PAK PM TO ATTEND BEIJING OLY OPENING Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan will be travelling to Beijing next month to attend the opening ceremony of Winter Olympics, bolster the all-weather bilateral ties and seek more investments in various projects under the ambitious CPEC, the Pak foreign office said. The Beijing Winter Olympics will be held from February 4 to 20, followed by the Paralympics Winter Games from March 4-13, amid a diplomatic boycott by several Western countries over concerns of China’s alleged rights abuses.

LANKA PRISON CHIEF GETS DEATH PENALTY FOR 2012 MASSACRE A top Sri Lankan prison official has been sentenced to death over the killing of 27 inmates in an execution-style massacre that attracted international condemnation. The Colombo High Court convicted Prisons Commissioner Emil Lamahewage, but discharged his coaccused, police commando Moses Rangajeewa, over the killings in November 2012. The duo was indicted in July 2019 for the killings at Sri Lanka’s main Welikada prison in Colombo. A total of 27 were shot dead, but evidence was gathered in regards to only eight. Police commandos were used to put down a riot at Welikada and disarm inmates who had allegedly taken weapons from the armoury. According to the state prosecutor, eight prisoners were called out by name and killed execution-style. Others were also shot dead. Weapons were later introduced to make it look like the victims had tried to fire at jail guards, according to court documents. They, however, did not mention who had ordered the killings.

ASIAN PUSHED TO DEATH IN FRONT OF NYC SUBWAY TRAIN In a horrifying instant, a man walked up to a 40-year-old woman waiting for the subway in New York City’s Times Square and shoved her to the tracks as a train arrived, killing her, police said. The attack appeared to had been committed by a man with a history of mental illness who may have been homeless, police said. The victim, Michelle Alyssa Go, was Asian.

Hate crimes against Asian New Yorkers have risen sharply during the pandemic but police said there was no indication that she had been targeted because of her ethnicity. The district attorney’s office said that charges against attacker, identified as Simon Martial, 61, were being prepared.

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in brief HK TO BAN PASSENGERS FROM OTHER COUNTRIES Hong Kong grapples with an Omicron outbreak, with most of the cases traced to two crew members of Cathay Pacific who had broken isolation rules and dined at restaurants and bars in the city before testing positive. Last week, Hong Kong imposed a two-week ban on incoming flights from the US, Canada, Australia, France, Britain, India, Pakistan and the Philippines.

The authorities have also said that it will ban transit passengers from 150 countries including the UK after an outbreak of Omicron. The city is reinforcing tough travel controls and extending social distancing restrictions, including a ban on dining in after 6 pm by two weeks. Large-scale events, such as Lunar New Year fairs will be canceled.

Over the past two weeks, authorities have locked down multiple residential buildings across the city and mass-tested thousands as they sought to stamp out infections.

3 HURT AS ROCKET STRIKES BAGHDAD'S GREEN ZONE Three people including two children were wounded in rocket attacks on Baghdad's Green Zone, with one hitting a school and two smashing into the US embassy grounds, Iraqi security sources said. It came as a top court suspended the newly-appointed speaker of parliament, amid renewed political tensions in the war-scarred country. "Three rockets were fired towards the Green Zone," a high-ranking Iraqi official said. "Two of those fell on the grounds of the American embassy, and the other on a school nearby, injuring a woman, a girl and a young boy." In recent months, dozens of rocket assaults or drone bomb attacks have targeted American troops and interests in Iraq. The attacks are rarely claimed, but are routinely pinned on pro-Iran factions.

NIGERIA LIFTS TWITTER BAN AFTER 7 MONTHS The Nigerian government has lifted its ban on Twitter, seven months after the West African country’s over 200 million people were shut out of the social media network.

Nigeria suspended Twitter’s operation on June 4, citing “the persistent use of the platform for activities that are capable of undermining Nigeria’s corporate existence”.

The action triggered criticisms as it came shortly after the social media network deleted a post by President Muhammadu Buhari in which he threatened to treat separatists “in the language they will understand”. Twitter was restored after it agreed to register its operations in the country, among other conditions set by the government. Twitter is “deeply committed to Nigeria,” the firm said, welcoming the restoration of its services.

US JUDGE UNDER FIRE FOR REVERSING CONVICTION An Illinois judge has been removed from adjudicating criminal cases after he overturned a man's sexual assault conviction. Last year, Adams County Judge Robert Adrian found Drew Clinton, 18, guilty of sexually assaulting a 16-year-old. Clinton faced a minimum of four years in prison, but this month Judge Adrian said the 148 days spent in jail by Clinton was "plenty of punishment". Judge Adrian's reversal during a January sentencing hearing drew immediate backlash from advocates for sexual assault survivors and the 16-year-old victim. Following an outcry, judge Adrian was removed from adjudicating criminal cases.

Singapore SC to hear Indian origin man's plea against death sentence SINGAPORE: Indian-origin drug trafficker Nagaenthran K Dharmalingam's appeal against his execution will be heard by a five-judge panel of the Singapore's Supreme Court on January 24, according to a media report. Nagaenthran, 33, of Indian-origin and Malaysian citizenship, is appealing against a High Court decision denying him permission to start judicial review proceedings to challenge the death sentence.

The appeal is set to be heard by a panel comprising Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon and Justices Andrew Phang, Judith Prakash, Belinda

Ang and Chao Hick Tin, The Straits Times reported.

Represented by lawyer M Ravi, Nagaenthran has pleaded to not have the mental fitness to be considered as a regular drug trafficker. He has even asked the court to have him assessed

by a panel of psychiatrists.

Nagaenthran was arrested in 2009 with a stash of heroin strapped to his thigh. He was convicted of trafficking 42.72g of heroin in 2010 and sentenced to the death penalty, which was then mandatory. His appeals against his conviction and sentence were dismissed in 2011, the newspaper said.

In 2015, he applied to be resentenced to life imprisonment after the law was

changed to allow the alternative sentence. However, the high court upheld his death sentence in 2017 after considering the opinions of four psychological experts. Last year, Nagaenthran made an 11thhour attempt to challenge his impending execution on November 10- again pleading mental disabilities. However, on the day of his appeal on November 9, Nagaenthran tested positive for Covid-19.

The three-judge panel then granted a stay on his execution. In this interim period, the hearing got further delayed after his lawyer was diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

Lanka govt reluctant to go to IMF for finances COLOMBO: Almost three years since terrorists blew up hotels along Colombo’s beaches and two years since Covid-19 shut down international travel, tourists have begun returning to Sri Lanka, providing sorely needed foreign exchange. The country’s stockmarket has been bounding along, up by more than 80% in 2021, trailing only commodity-rich Mongolia among global bourses.

Corporate profits have been strong, too. GDP growth last year was somewhere between 3.5% and 5%. This suggests a thriving economy. Yet alarm bells are clanging.

Encouraging though the renewed tourist arrivals may be, they are still barely a fifth of the pre-pandemic peak. Exports

grew strongly in the fourth quarter of 2021 but are still too meagre to prevent a looming financial crisis. Years of heavy foreign debt and currentaccount deficits have taken a toll. Foreign reserves have collapsed. Supplies of oil, cooking gas, milk, wheat and medicine are running short. A rapidly depreciating currency has helped the country’s exporters.

But it has made servicing for-

eign-denominated debt more costly and has stoked inflation, which jumped during 2021 to 12% and appears to be accelerating. So Sri Lanka finds itself looking down the barrel of a gun. On January 18th $500m in foreign-currency-denominated debt will come due. Another $5.4bn in principal and interest will need to be paid by the end of the year. Similar payments are required for years to come.

That has provoked a series of complex financial manoeuvres.

In January the central bank disclosed that it had sold off half the country’s $382m of gold reserves.

A bigger problem is that Sri Lanka’s increasingly desperate deals do not address the real reason for its current travails.

Shutdown leaves Ugandan schools in crisis KAMPALA: Uganda’s schools were ordered to reopen, after nearly two years of closure – the longest school shutdown in the world – but not all were able to welcome pupils back. Godwins, in Kalerwe in Kawempe division, is one of the many schools that will never reopen.

It had been in existence for 20 years catering to children whose parents work in nearby Kalerwe market.

The management called a meeting of the parents and told them that they won't be able to reopen the school. Some parents who were in the meeting fainted. Some fell sick for weeks. Kampala’s suburbs are littered with ghost structures that were once schools. Some buildings were sold, while others have been destroyed to make way for real estate development.

Kampala Capital City Authority said

that more than 40 schools in the city have closed for good. Local media is awash with reports of schools turned into bars, restaurants or travellers’ accommodation. There are no official figures on the number of schools that have failed to reopen countrywide.

Upcountry, some students arrived to find school roofs blown off or classrooms taken over by anthills. They were forced study under trees. Covid guidelines mean extra costs for schools and parents. Schools unable to meet these and the demands by some landlords that they pay rent arrears will stay shut – and many may never reopen. Experts warn against the impact of long closure on schools and pupils cannot be overstated.

Before the pandemic, Uganda was battling poor educational outcomes. This will worsen as dropouts grow.

South Africa's 'King Khoisan' held for growing cannabis PRETORIA: South African police have uprooted cannabis grown near President Cyril Ramaphosa's office in Pretoria. The plants belonged to activists from the indigenous Khoisan community, some of whom have camped in the area for three years. Their leader, self named titled King Khoisan, clung on to large cannabis plants as police dragged him away.

He and some fellow activists were detained for "dealing in dagga [cannabis], illegal plantation and cultivation of dagga as well as failure to wear a face mask in public when ordered to do so by a police officer," a statement said. King Khoisan's wife expressed anger over the incident in an interview. "I am very, very cross," Queen Cynthia said. "The president don't want to come," to talk to them, she said. She said that the people had been using the plants for medical reasons, such as cancer and high blood pressure. The Khoisan are South Africa's oldest inhabitants but now form a small minority in the country. The personal use of cannabis in private places was decriminalised in South African in 2018.

After Gotabaya Rajapaksa was elected president in 2019, he abandoned the fiscal and monetary-policy conditions imposed by the IMF three years earlier after another financial upheaval. If they approach the IMF to arrange a restructuring of the country’s finances, interest rates and taxes would probably rise, government spending decline, and bondholders would have to take losses. In exchange there would be stability and new funds. But Rajapaksa’s government has vocally opposed IMF intervention, calling it an infringement of sovereignty. The alternative is default and the risk of higher inflation, fewer imported goods and an end to the current recovery.

8 killed as car bomb hits outside Mogadishu airport MOGADISHU: At least 8 people were killed and nine others injured as a car bomb exploded outside the international airport in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu, a local doctor said. The al-Shabab extremist group claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it was targeting “white officials” passing by.

Witnesses at the scene said a passing UN convoy appeared to be the target in the blast near a checkpoint leading to the heavily fortified airport, but the UN mission said there were no UN personnel or contractors in the convoy.

The al-Qaida-linked al-Shabab extremist group, which controls parts of Somalia, said that a convoy of “white officials” had been the target. The extremist group often carries out bombings at high-profile locations in the capital. Mogadishu's deputy mayor, Ali Abdi Wardhere, said at the scene that his own convoy had been driving nearby at the time but was unharmed. He said an investigation was underway and gave a toll of five soldiers killed and five civilians injured.

The international airport hosts the US Embassy, among other diplomatic offices. The blast occurred amid the latest period of political and security uncertainty in Somalia, the Horn of Africa nation where tensions are rising over an election that has been delayed for almost a year. The African Union peacekeeping mission has been asked to contribute security outside Somalia's presidential palace, where opposing armed factions supporting President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed and Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble have been present. The two leaders disagree over, among other issues, who should be in charge of security in the country. The president recently tried to limit the powers of the prime minister, who called it an attempted coup.

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British national behind Texas synagogue hostage drama shot dead TEXAS: A man who took four hostages at a synagogue in a suburb of Dallas, Texas, has been identified by the FBI as British citizen Malik Faisal Akram, 44. The man was shot and killed after a 10-hour standoff with police. All of the hostages at the Congregation Beth Israel were freed unharmed.

Us President Joe Biden called the hostage-taking an "act of terror" and the UK condemned the attack. British Foreign secretary Liz truss described it as an "act of terrorism and anti-semitism", adding: "We stand with Us in defending the rights and freedoms of our citizens against those who spread hate." there is currently no indication that others were

involved, the FBi in Dallas said.

Police sources say that no explosive material was found on the attacker's body. a brother of Malik Faisal akram issued a statement apologising to the victims and saying he had been suffering from "mental health issues". among the hostages was the synagogue's rabbi. one was released after six hours with the other three being led to safety by police several hours later.

the attacker gained initial access to the synagogue during the service by claiming to be a homeless man, according to a police source. the hostage-taker was heard demanding the release of aafia siddiqui, a Pakistani neuroscientist who is currently serving an 86-year prison term in the Us, law enforcement officials said. siddiqui was convicted of trying to kill Us military officers while in custody in afghanistan. thousands took to the streets in Pakistan to protest against her conviction in 2010. after the islamic state (is) group kidnapped american journalist James Foley in syria in 2012, they emailed his family demanding the release of

siddiqui. a lawyer representing siddiqui said that the hostagetaker was not her brother, saying siddiqui's family condemned his "heinous" actions. in the UK, counter-terrorist police confirmed that Malik Faisal akram was originally from the Blackburn area of Lancashire. they said that it was assisting with the Us-led investigation into the attack. the dead man's brother gulbar confirmed his death in a statement carried by Blackburn Muslim Community. gulbar said he had liaised "with Faisal, the negotiators, FBi etc" during the siege but "there was nothing we could have said to him or done that would have convinced him to surrender".

Hot temperatures make Kuwait an un-liveable country KUSWAIT: Global warming is smashing temperature records all over the world, but Kuwait one of the hottest countries on the planet - is fast becoming un-liveable.

In 2016, thermometers hit 54 degree Celsius, the highest reading on Earth in the last 76 years. Last year, for the first time, they breached 50 degrees Celsius (122 Fahrenheit) in June, weeks ahead of usual peak weather.

Parts of Kuwait could get as much as 4.5 degree Celsius hotter from 2071 to 2100 compared with the historical average, according to the environment Public authority, making large areas of the

country uninhabitable.

For wildlife, it almost is.

Dead birds appear on rooftops in the brutal summer months, unable to find shade or water.

Vets are inundated with stray cats, brought in by people who’ve found them near death from heat exhaustion and dehydration. even wild foxes are abandoning a desert that no longer blooms after the rains, for what small patches of green remain in the city, where they’re treated as pests. “this is why we are seeing less and less wildlife in Kuwait, it’s because most of them aren’t making it through the seasons,” said

tamara Qabazard, a Kuwaiti zoo and wildlife veterinarian.

Unlike countries from Bangladesh to Brazil that are struggling to balance environmental challenges with teeming populations and widespread poverty, Kuwait is organisation of the Petroleum exporting Countries’ (oPeC) number 4 oil-exporter. home to the world’s thirdlargest sovereign wealth fund and just over 4.5 million people, it’s not a lack of resources that stands in the way of cutting greenhouse gases and adapting to a warmer planet, but rather political inaction. even

Singh most common family name for babies in New Zealand Wellington: Following the trend from 2020, Singh has once again topped the list of the most common family names for babies born in New Zealand. The Ministry of Internal Affairs released the list of most common family names for babies born last year. Smith takes second place and the feminine counterpart to Singh in Sikh communities, Kaur sits in third place for the whole of New Zealand.

While some first names tend to be popular throughout the country, some last names are popular in some regions, but not in others. "Unlike the most popular first names for babies which tend to retain popularity across the country, data for family names differs, painting a beautiful picture of the cultural history of each region of aotearoa," Registrargeneral Jeff Montgomery said. "it's a joy each year to get a feel for how the communities in each region are growing and thriving through looking at something as simple as the most common baby family names." Common Chinese names Wang and Li appeared in fifth and sixth places respectively in the top 10 surnames for tāmaki Makaurau, but neither appeared in the overall top 10. anderson and thomas were sixth and eigth for the south island, but did not reach the overall top 10.

Cambodia's hero rat Magawa dies at 8 PHNOM PENH: Heroic Cambodian rodent Magawa who was responsible for detecting more than 100 landmines and explosives died recently. he was eight and also received medal for his heroism. he retired in June last year, according to international non- profit organisation apopo.

Belgium-based apopo trains african rats to use their sniffing quality to find out explosives, thus making it safer for the residents to work, play and live. these trained rats are named as hero rats. the organisation said that Magawa was in good health and spent most of last week playing with his usual enthusiasm, but towards the weekend he started to slow down, napping more and showing less interest in food in his last days. “all of us at apopo are feeling the loss of Magawa and we are grateful for the incredible work he’s done,” the organisation said in a tribute. in 2020, Magawa was honored with a gold medal from the UK-based People’s Dispensary for sick animals for “lifesaving bravery and devotion to duty” – the first rat to receive the award. Bred in tanzania, Magawa underwent training before moving to Cambodia in 2016 to begin his landmine sniffing job.

Kuwait’s neighbours, also dependent on crude exports, have pledged to take stronger climate action. saudi arabia last year said that it would target net-zero emissions by 2060. the United arab emirates has set a goal of 2050. though they remain among the biggest producers of fossil fuels, both say they are working to diversify their economies and investing in renewables and cleaner energy.

US flays China's actions against Tibetan Buddhists WASHINGTON: The US state department expressed concern over reports of China’s actions against Tibetan Buddhists, including the destruction of Buddha statues as a part of its campaign to obliterate the traditions of the ethnic minority.

The state department’s Office of International Religious Freedom, which promotes universal respect for freedom of religion or belief for all as a core objective of US foreign policy, urged the Chinese authorities to respect the right of Tibetans to practice their belief freely.

“We are very troubled by reports of escalating PRC actions against tibetan Buddhists, including authorities destroying Buddha statues, removing prayer wheels, and burning prayer flags. We urge PRC authorities to respect the right of tibetans to practice their beliefs freely,” the Us office said. the statement comes days after reports of China destroying a second Buddhist

statue revered by tibetans in western China's sichuan province emerged. the destruction of a three-storey statue of Maitreya Buddha at gaden namyal Ling monastery in Drago county in the Kardze tibetan autonomous Prefecture was confirmed through commercial satellite imagery, reported Radio Free asia.

Chinese officials claimed that the statue was razed due to safety reasons, according to the report. they said that there was no fire escape in the temple housing the three-story high statue of Maitreya Buddha. Beijing has been long accused of cracking down on ethnic minorities in an apparent attempt to strip off their identity. China has been reportedly imposing restrictions on religious and “arabic” architecture in huidominated areas. huis are the Chinese speaking community that follows islam, and are considered to be the largest Muslim minority group there with over 20 million population.

in brief US SENDING MILITARY HEALTH STAFF TO COVID HOTSPOTS Another1,000 military health workers are deploying to six US states to help hospitals overwhelmed by a surge in Omicron cases, the White House said. Teams of seven to 25 military doctors, nurses and other staff will begin arriving in Michigan, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio and Rhode Island to support emergency rooms and free hospital staff for other care, an official said.

Meanwhile, Biden directed the US government to procure an additional 500 million virus tests. The order comes on top of another 500 million tests pledged for January.

FIRST BLACK WOMAN TO APPEAR ON US COIN The US Mint has started rolling out quarters which feature late American author and activist Maya Angelou, the first Black woman to appear on the coin. The coin is part of the American Women Quarters programme, the US Mint said. Angelou rose to international prominence after the publication of her groundbreaking autobiography, “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” with its unflinching account of rape and racism in the segregated South. At age 7, Angelou was raped by her mother’s boyfriend, who was later beaten to death in an assault that some believed was carried out by Angelou’s uncles. The trauma of the rape and her assailant’s death left Angelou mute for six years. She began writing during that silent period. She died in 2014 aged 86.

The prolific African-American writer was known for her lyrical prose and regal speaking voice.

FRENCH PROTESTERS HIT STREETS TO FIGHT NEW VACCINE PASS Thousands demonstrated in cities across France against tighter restrictions on people not vaccinated against Covid-19, as parliamentary wrangling continued over a draft law. But turnout was significantly lower than the previous weekend's demonstrations according to official estimates, with interior ministry estimates putting the national figures at half that of last week. In the capital Paris, the largest single gathering set off from near the Eiffel Tower, called by far-right anti-EU presidential candidate Florian Philippot.

Other demonstrations harked back to the 2018-19 "yellow vests" protests against President Emmanuel Macron's perceived favouring of the wealthy. There were also marches in major cities including Bordeaux, Toulouse and Lille.

MOSQUE FORCED TO CLOSE DOWN France’s interior minister said he had ordered the closure of a mosque on the French Riviera because of anti-Semitic remarks made there. Gerald Darmanin said the mosque in the city of Cannes was also guilty of supporting CCIF and Baraka City, two associations that the government dissolved at the end of last year for spreading “Islamist” propaganda.

Darmanin said that he had consulted with the mayor of Cannes before shutting down the mosque. The move comes two weeks after authorities closed a mosque in the north of the country because of what they said was the radical nature of its imam’s preaching. The mosque in Beauvais, some 100 km north of Paris, was shut for six months because the sermons there incited hatred, violence and “defend jihad”, authorities said.

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in brief AFSPA EXTENDED IN MANIPUR FOR A YEAR The Manipur government has extended the “disturbed area” provision of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in the state for one more year, but spared municipal areas of capital city Imphal. It was extended with retrospective effect from December 1, 2021. The decision was taken when there’s a renewed call to repeal the controversial law and amid heightened political activities in the state that goes to the polls in two phases on February 27 and March 3. A notification was issued by the state home department on December 8, said the governor. He said due to “violent activities of various extremist/insurgent groups, the entire state is in such a disturbed condition” that the government will need the help of armed forces when necessary. Areas declared “disturbed” under the provisions of the 1958 law is amended from time to time, he said. The call to repeal AFSPA gained momentum in the northeast following the killing of 14 civilians by security forces in Nagaland in a botched counter-insurgency operation on December 4.

CHHATTISGARH COPS ARREST IPS OFFICER IN DELHI The Chhattisgarh Anti-Corruption Bureau arrested in Delhi ADG Gurjinder Pal Singh, a 1994-batch IPS officer, who is under suspension and has been charged with corruption, sedition and promoting enmity. The Supreme Court had recently turned down his plea for a stay on his arrest and the investigation. He was suspended last July following ACB and EOW raids on his residence and other premises. Singh had earlier headed the same agencies. Assets worth £ 1 million and Rs 16,00,000 in cash were recovered, along with several documents, the agencies had said. Later, CM Bhupesh Baghel said the sedition case and the other charges were registered based on documents seized by the ACB.

EDITORS GUILD SLAMS TROLLING OF WOMEN JOURNOS The Editors Guild of India condemned the continued online harassment and organised trolling of women journalists and demanded a Supreme Court monitored probe, and urgent government action to dismantle such “misogynistic and abusive” digital ecosystems. Claiming that most attacks were targeted at outspoken critics of the government and the ruling party, the EGI asked the Supreme Court to order a probe into the use of the ‘Tek Fog’ app to harass women journalists with abusive tweets.

“This is a travesty of all democratic norms, and in violation of law,” the Guild said commenting on the latest instances of “organised trolling and harassment”.

CHHATTISGARH ROYAL BOOKED IN ‘RAPE’ CASE The heir apparent of the erstwhile Sakti royal family in Chhattisgarh, Kunwar Dharmendra Singh, has been booked for rape after a relative alleged that he barged into her home on the night of January 9 and had unnatural sex with her. Dharmendra is the adopted son of Surendra Bahadur Singh, Raja of the erstwhile state of Sakti in Janjgir Champa district. The family came into pubic glare recently when the raja announced the ‘crowning ceremony’ of Kunwar Dharmendra Singh, declaring him as the “heir to his throne”.

PM Modi invites foreign investment at Davos meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a bold pitch for foreign investment, assuring all support to investors, while positioning India as an attractive and robust investment destination. “The spirit of entrepreneurship in the country can provide new energy to every global partner. This is the best time to invest in India,” the PM Modi said at the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting, which is being held virtually due to the surge in Covid-19 cases internationally.

He listed out a host of measures and reform initiatives, ranging from a cut in corporate tax rates, to sorting out retrospective taxation issues, the PLI scheme and easing of rules. He also highlighted a large talent pool of engineers and other professionals and a jump in the number of start-ups in what was seen as an indication that

finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present an investor-friendly budget on February 1.

The government is looking for a major boost to investment in the coming months to ensure that the growth process stays its course and more jobs are created

in the country. “There was a time when India was recognised for ‘Licence Raj’, the government had control over most things.

We are trying to remove these challenges ,” he said.

Modi said, “We are trying to promote ‘ease of doing’ business and reduce government inter-

vention.” He pointed out to developing technologies and platforms such as CoWin to deal with the pandemic, the pharma industry’s contribution and sought to position India as a “trusted partner” for global supply chains.

He suggested that the proposed free trade agreements with the UK, European Union, UAE and Australia would help and pushed for investment in semiconductors and other businesses, while listing out the large asset monetisation and infrastructure investment plans lined up by the government. “Today, India is making policies for the present and the next 25 years, it is decisive. During this period, India has set itself a goal of high growth and saturation of welfare and wellness. This era of growth will also be green, clean, sustainable and reliable,” Modi said.

15th meeting of the India-UK Joint Economic and Trade Committee Piyush Goyal, India's Minister of Commerce & Industry, and Anne-Marie Trevelyan MP, Secretary of State for International Trade, met on 13 January 2022 for the 15th meeting of the India-UK Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO).

At this meeting, they recalled our Prime Ministers’ commitment to a new and transformational Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the UK and India, rooted in our shared values of democracy, fundamental freedoms and rule of law, as reflected in the ambitious 2030 Roadmap for future UK-India relations launched in May 2021.

In a joint press statement, they revealed, “We welcomed the delivery of the market access package of our Enhanced Trade Partnership which will unlock

immediate gains for British and Indian businesses. In particular, we looked forward to the first shipment of apples and medical devices into India and welcomed the listing of 56 new Indian fisheries establishments.

“As two services-driven economies, we celebrated the continued close cooperation in the services sector including the upcoming session of the legal services committee, progress on the mutual recognition of higher education qualifications, and the agreement by the new Taskforce on Healthcare Workforce of the key ambitions of a framework for cooperation. We also welcomed the first meeting of the joint dialogue on social security and the conclusion of the MoU on the Mutual Recognition of Seafarers’ Certificates of

Competency.”

They appreciated the ongoing collaboration between Oxford University, AstraZeneca, and the Serum Institute of India in supporting the global vaccination drive. UK and India will be committed to building on the progress made at COP26 for adaptation and climate resilience, green hydrogen, renewables and clean technology.

Over the last 5 years, Indian firms have raised £13.41 billion in masala, dollar and green bonds listed on the London Stock Exchange. The UK also welcomed India’s decision to lift the Foreign Direct Investment cap in the insurance sector from 49% to 74% and remove the ‘Indian ownership and control’ requirements.

The UK congratulated India

on the election of Invest India as the President of the World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (WAIPA) for 2021-2023. They also noted the visit of the Carrier Strike Group (CSG) to Mumbai in October 2021, supporting and strengthening defence and security ties between the two countries and welcomed efforts for co-development and co-production of key military technologies harnessing the strengths of Indian and British defence industries.

It was agreed that the next meeting of the JETCO would take place in London to mark the progress made towards a Free Trade Agreement and to celebrate achievements across the breadth of the trade, economic and investment relationship.

Parties release first list of 2 Indians among 3 killed in nominees for UP assembly polls UAE explosion The Indian embassy in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is trying to get details of the two Indians who were among three killed in an explosion caused by a suspected drone strike near capital Abu Dhabi. Sunjay Sudhir, Indian Envoy to the UAE said that our top priority is to find out who these Indians are so that we can reach out to their families and do whatever is necessary. He said that the country is "a very safe place" and that's the message they are trying to communicate to the Indian community.

He appealed to the Indian community in UAE, and also people in India who have relatives and friends in the country, to stay calm.

"There has been an explosion at oil storage containers of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) in the Musaffah area which is around 20 km from capital Abu Dhabi and unfortunately, two Indians have died. We are still trying to get the details of the identities of the Indians," Sudhir said.

Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi movement has claimed responsibility for the attack. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said, Almasirah, that they would soon give details of their "military operation in UAE territory". The incident in Abu Dhabi comes just days after a UAE ship was seized by the Houthis. The United Nations Security Council has condemned the seizure and demanded immediate release of the vessel and crew.

Yemen has been engulfed in a conflict between government forces led by President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi, and the Houthi rebels. Since March 2015, a Saudi-led Arab alliance working with Hadi's forces has been conducting air, land and sea operations against the Houthis. There was apparently another incident, a fire at the new construction site of the Abu Dhabi international airport, but details are still tricking in, Sudhir said.

The BJP announced its first list of candidates for the upcoming Uttar Pradesh Assembly election. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will contest the polls from Gorakhpur seat. The party released a list of 105 candidates out of which 68 per cent are from Other Backward Classes (OBCs), Schedule Castes (SCs) and also include women.

The BJP’s outreach to the OBC community was quite evident from the list of candidates announced for the first two phases. Forty-four candidates belonging to the OBC category got tickets. Of these, the Jat community got 16 tickets, the Gurjar community got seven tickets, and the Lodhi community got six tickets. Five tickets were given to the Saini community and two tickets were for the Shakya community. Kashyap, Khadagabanshi, Maurya, Kurmi, Kushwaha, Nishad, Prajapati and Yadav communities were given one ticket each. The party has also given tickets to 40 upper caste candidates. Of these, the Thakur community got 18 tickets, followed by Brahmins with 10 tickets. Eight tickets were given to candidates belonging to the Vaishya community, while the Tyagi and Kayastha communities got two tickets each.

50 women in Cong's first list Congress has kept its gender representation pledge by including 50 women in its first list of 125 candidates. The candidates include some of those who were at the epicentre of prominent agitations in UP over the past couple of years. “We believe in the politics of development and constructive campaigning, which is not possible till women come forward and join hands for public interest,” said Congree general secretary Priyanka Gandhi while announcing the names.

SP, RLD release 1st list Putting their bet on the belief that farmers’ agitation in western UP has narrowed down the rift between Jats and Muslims created by 2013 Muzaffarnagar riots, Samajwadi Party and RLD kept the focus on Jats and Muslims in the first list of 29 candidates that the two parties jointly released. Apart from trying to bridge the gap between the two communities, the two parties have accommodated at least three turncoats who sided with them recently. They are four-time MLA and Congressman Gajraj Singh who is the RLD candidate from Hapur and BJP MLA Avtar Singh Bhadana who, too, is an RLD.

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SOUTH INDIA

Karnataka reports 32,793 new Covid cases Bengaluru: Registering yet another spike in numbers, Karnataka logged 32,793 new Covid-19 cases and seven fatalities, taking the tally to 31,86,040 and the death count to 38,418. The state, which has been witnessing a steady surge in cases since the last week of December, had recorded 28,723 fresh infections earlier.

Of the new cases, 22,284 were from Bengaluru Urban that saw 2,479 people being discharged and five deaths. The total number of active cases across the state is now 1,69,850.

There were 4,273 discharges, taking the total number of recoveries to 29,77,743, a health department bulletin said.

While the positivity rate for the day stood at 15 per cent, the case fatality rate (CFR) was 0.02 per cent. Of the seven deaths, five are from Bengaluru Urban and one each from Chikkaballapura and Mysuru.

Apart from Bengaluru Urban, Tumakuru recorded the second highest of 1,326 new cases, Hassan 968, Dakshina

Kannada 792, Mysuru 729, and Mandya 718.

Covid cases in Kerala Kerala Health Minister Veena George said the Covid clusters in the state were increasing and warned that there are chances of a rapid spread of coronavirus within the next three weeks. Veena said there are currently 78 Covid clusters in the state.

"There are chances that within the next three weeks, the Covid cases in the state will witness a major spike. There is

a chance of rapid spread of the virus in the state. Every day, the Covidcases are increasing in the state. There are Delta, Omicron variants on top of that," Veena.

The minister said the health department will ensure that Covid protocols are being followed by the political parties, including ruling CPI(M).

The health department and the Left party was under attack from various quarters following the recent Thiruvathira dance

performance which was held as part of the district meet of the CPI(M).

Tamil Nadu records drop in cases After nearly 20 days, Tamil Nadu reported a drop in fresh cases to 23,975 compared to 23,989 earlier. Cases in Chennai (8,987), nevertheless continued to increase along with 18 other districts.

Chennai's test positivity rate is around 30%. This means every third person who was tested was found to be infected.

Vandalur zoo was closed after 80 employees got infected.

Also, of the 22 deaths in Tamil Nadu, 10 were in Chennai.

After Chennai, the highest number of fresh cases were reported from Chengalpet (2,701), Coimbatore (1,866) and Tiruvallur (1,273). The sharpest increase was in Tenkasi, where there were 194 new cases. The rapid increase in daily cases pushed up the total number of active cases to more than 142,000. Hospital occupancy increased from 7,811 to 8,018.

PUNJAB

Rebellion in Punjab Cong; CM's brother to fight as independent Chandigarh: A day after the Congress announced the first list of 86 candidates for the Punjab Assembly poll, the party struggled to contain rebellion as one of its ticket aspirants switched to the BJP while another jumped into the poll fray as an Independent.

Hectic parleys continued throughout the day to placate the rebels even as the Congress screening committee held discussions to finalise names for the Dr Manohar Singh remaining 31 seats. CM’s brother Dr Manohar Singh, who has been denied the ticket from Bassi Pathana reserved segment, announced his candidature as an Independent.

Channi is learnt to have supported his brother’s candidature.

Dr Manohar, who recently quit as a Senior Medical Officer, accused sitting MLA Gurpreet Singh GP, PPCC chief Navjot Sidhu and a few others of conspiring against him. Nimisha Mehta, whose candidature was supported by Channi from Garhshankar, joined the BJP. Moga MLA Dr Harjot Kamal had switched to the BJP. Spelling more trouble for the party, PPCC ex-chief Mohinder Kaypee warned of taking “harsh steps” if Adampur candidate Sukhwinder Kotli wasn’t replaced.

Punjab to vote on Feb 20 instead of Feb 14 CHANDIGARH: The Election Commission has announced that assembly elections in Punjab will be held on February 20, instead of February14 as earlier scheduled. The date has been changed after political parties requested the Election Commission to factor in Guru Ravidas Jayanti celebrations.

Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi in a letter to the Election Commission had suggested the assembly polls should be deferred by at least six days after representatives of the Scheduled Castes community, which comprises 32 per cent of Punjab's population, told him that a large number of people from the community would visit Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh

from February 10 to 16 and so may not be able to vote.

In a statement, the Election Commission said several political parties, the Punjab government and other organisations have sought the polls to be deferred. After considering these new facts and inputs from the state government and Chief Electoral Officer and past precedence, now the commission has decided to reschedule the elections," it said.

Mamata writes to PM Modi on exclusion of Bengal's tableau from R-Day parade

Mamata Banerjee

his 125th birth anniversary.

Recounting the struggle of great freedom fighters, whose portraits were included in the tableaux, the West Bengal CM

said its exclusion "amounts to belittling and undermining these freedom fighters".

Further, she urged the Central government to

JAGAN ‘OFFERS’ RS TICKET TO CHIRANJEEVI Andhra Pradesh CM and YSRC president Jagan Mohan Reddy is said to have offered a Rajya Sabha seat to Tollywood star and former Union minister K Chiranjeevi.

Sources close to the chief minister’s office said that Jagan and Chiranjeevi discussed more about politics rather than film industry issues during their recent meeting.

Jagan hosted lunch to the actor and officially the meeting was to discuss the controversy over the pricing of cinema tickets inAP. Sources said Jagan offered a Rajya Sabha seat to Chiranjeevi during the discussions. However, neither Chiranjeevi nor the CMO has officially confirmed that the two leaders had talked a bout the RS seat. Four Rajya Sabha seats will fall vacant in AP in June this year. These vacancies are scheduled to be filled during March-April.

MADRAS HC OKAYS DEATH FOR MAN ACCUSED IN RAPE, MURDER Confirming the death sentence imposed by the trial court on a man for rape and murder of a seven-year-old girl belonging to a scheduled caste community in Tamil Nadu’s Pudukottai, the Madras HC observed that when the attitude of a man turns into that of a beast, having no mercy for other creatures, he should be punished and sent to the eternal world. The assault took place on June 30, 2020 when Samivel alias Raja went to the girl’s house. He took her to an isolated place, sexually assaulted her and killed her.

PUNJAB TOLD TO ATTAIN VAX TARGET IN 10 DAYS

WEST BENGAL

NEW DELHI: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressing shock over the Central government’s decision to exclude Bengal’s tableau from this year’s Republic Day Parade.

In a letter to PM Modi, Mamata said she has been “profoundly shocked and hurt” by the Centre’s decision to “abruptly exclude the proposed tableau of the Government of West Bengal from the ensuing Republic Day Parade”. The theme of the tableaux was to commemorate the contributions of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and his INA on

in brief

reconsider the decision and “include the tableau of freedom fighters from West Bengal in the parade on the 75th year of our Independence.” “The tableau which showcases the sacrifices and contribution of the millions of freedom fighters will be the most befitting way to pay our respect and homage to all those great souls who fought for our freedom”, the letter read.

Meanwhile, as per sources, the celebrations of Republic Day will now begin from January 23 every year instead of January 24 to include the birth anniversary of Subhas Chandra Bose.

In view of the upcoming Assembly elections in the state, the Election Commission (EC) has given 10 days’ ultimatum to the state health department to achieve the national average figure of Covid-19 vaccination.

These directions are said to have been issued so that the Assembly elections could be conducted in a safe environment. The state had witnessed a sharp decline in the daily vaccination figures last month, seemingly due to the strike by health staff.

The EC has now allowed media persons authorised by it to exercise their franchise using the postal ballot facility. Earlier, the EC had allowed voters of 80 years and above and persons with more than 40% disability and Covid patients to cast their vote via postal ballots. CEO S Karuna Raju clarified any voter opting for the postal ballot facility won’t be able to cast vote at a polling station.

5 KILLED AS TRAIN DERAILS IN BENGAL At least five passengers were killed and another 20 others injured when 12 bogies of the Guwahati-bound Bikaner Express derailed in West Bengal’s Jalpaiguri district. The last fatal train accident was reported in March 22, 2019. The news came as a shock to the rail ministry and the railway board ordered a high level inquiry into the accident. Railway board chairman V K Tripathi and the director general (safety) rushed to the spot.

Railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw also left for the site to take stock of the situation. Vaishnaw announced an exgratia relief of Rs 500,000 for the kin of the dead, Rs 100,000 for the grievously injured and Rs 25,000 for simply injured persons. Officials said the reason for the derailment was unclear and detailed investigation will reveal the exact cause of the accident.

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RIL, Adani group plan big investments in Gujarat Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Industries and the Gautam Adani led Adani group have chalked out mega investment plans in Gujarat. This includes investment of £50 billion by RIL for their new energy business vertical and a steel factory by Adani group in joint venture with Korean company Posco.

The Adani group earlier signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Korean company Posco to jointly set up a steel manufacturing facility in Gujarat.

“Karan Adani, CEO of Adani Ports and SEZ, signed an MoU with CEO of Posco to set up a steel plant in Gujarat for an investment of £3.75 billion.

The agreement was signed in the presence of Gujarat chief minister Bhupendra Patel in Gandhinagar,” said a senior government official close to the development.

Meanwhile, senior

Mukesh Ambani & Gautam Adani

executives of RIL signed three MoUs with Gujarat government for a total investment of £56.7 billion.

“RIL aims to invest £50 billion to set up a hydrocarbon ecosystem in the state.

Another £6 billion investment will be towards solar projects. The third MoU by RIL will be for Jio that plans to further invest £700 million in Gujarat,” said government sources.

For the solar project, RIL has sought land in Kutch, sources further said.

Both the projects will be set up under the mega scheme of the state’s industrial policy. RIL chairman Mukesh Ambani had at the AGM held in June 2021 announced plans to invest £7.5 billion over the next few years for its new energy business vertical. The company announced that it will invest £6 billion to construct four ‘giga factories’ to make integrated solar PV modules, electrolyzers, fuel cells and batteries to store energy from the grid.

No breakthrough in India-China border talks There was no breakthrough in the top-level military talks between India and China last week, with Beijing again showing reluctance to complete troop disengagement at a friction point in eastern Ladakh while also refusing to discuss steps to defuse the bigger problems at Depsang and Demchok.

The 14th round of talks, led by the Leh-based 14 Corps commander LtGeneral Anindya Sengupta and South Xinjiang military district chief Major General Yang Lin, however, resolved to hold the next meeting at the earliest. Unlike the 13th round on October 10, which had ended in a bitter stalemate with accusations hurled at each other, India and China also issued a joint statement this time.

But like previous joint statements, it was restricted to the usual platitudes about the two sides agreeing to “follow the guidance provid-

India to send troops for Africa peacekeeping operations India will soon dispatch an infantry battalion for UN peacekeeping operations in the oil-rich Abyei region in Africa, which straddles northern and southern Sudan and is hotly contested by both.

The Indian infantry group with around 570 soldiers will be deployed under the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA), which is tasked with monitoring the volatile border between north and south and facilitating humanitarian aid. The UNISFA is also authorised to use force in protecting civilians and humanitarian workers in Abyei. With 5,300 soldiers currently deployed in eight of the 12 UN ongoing mis-

sions around the globe, the Indian Army is the world’s third largest troop contributor to peacekeeping operations after Bangladesh and Nepal.

The decision to send another infantry battalion comes amidst India’s ongo-

ing two-year tenure as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council since January last year. This is the eight time India has a seat at the15-member UNSC. The 13,00,000 strong Indian Army has contribut-

ed over 260,000 troops in 51 of the 71 UN missions since the first one for Korea in 1953-54, with 159 Indian soldiers having also laid down their lives in the operations.

The deployments have ranged from Yemen, Namibia, Mozambique, Angola, Ethiopia-Eritrea to Cambodia, Somalia, Rwanda, Lebanon, Congo and Sudan.

But this has not yielded anything till now in terms of India’s concerted efforts to seek a permanent seat with veto powers in the UNSC. “India w ill continue to push for UNSC reforms. The large troop contributions do reinforce India’s claim for a permanent UNSC seat,” a senior official said.

PM Modi opens 11 new medical colleges in Tamil Nadu Prime Minister Narendra Modi, virtually inaugurated 11 new government medical colleges in Tamil Nadu. The new colleges in Ariyalur, Dindigul, Kallakurichi, Krishnagiri, Nagapattinam, Namakkal, Ramanathapuram, the Nilgiris, Tiruppur, Tiruvallur and Virudhunagar, would have an intake of 1,450 MBBS students annually.

On the occasion, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin reiterated Tamil Nadu’s stand against the National Eligibilitycum-Entrance Test (NEET)-based medical admissions, and appealed to PM Modi to allow admissions on the basis of Class-XII marks. The total cost of buildings for these colleges, shared by the Central and State Governments, is £408 million. The Central Government’s share would be £214.5 million while the State Government’s would spend £193.46 million.

While Governor R.N. Ravi took part in the virtual event from the Raj Bhavan, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Mansukh Mandaviya,

Stalin, Minister for Public Works E.V. Velu, Industries Minister Thangam Thennarasu and Health Minister Ma. Subramanian took part in the virtual event from the Secretariat.

The medical colleges in Ariyalur, Dindigul, Kallakurichi, Krishnagiri, Nagapattinam, the Nilgiris and Virudhunagar, would have an annual intake of 150 students, while the remaining colleges would have 100.

Each of these colleges would have 33 departments with basic facilities like dissection hall, laboratories, skill labs, central library, lecture halls, and examination halls, among others. They would also have hostel facilities and residential quarters for boys and girls, and quarters for the teaching staff.

Each of these hospitals would have Emergency Department, Intensive Medical Care Unit, Intensive Cardiac Care Unit, Surgical Intensive Care Unit, Paediatric Intensive Care Unit, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Sick Newborn Intensive Care Unit and

Obstetric ICU, among others.

The 33 departments in each of these colleges are– Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Pathology, Microbiology, Pharmacology, Forensic Medicine, Community Medicine, General Medicine, Paediatrics, TB & Chest Diseases, DVL, Psychiatry, General Surgery, Orthopaedics, Ophthalmology, ENT, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Anaesthesia, Radiology, Central Casuality, Medical Education Unit, Audio Visual aids, Central Library, Blood Bank, OG ICU, Emergency Medicine, Administrative Block, CSSD, Laundry, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

As on March 31, 2021, the intake capacity of students in MBBS courses in government medical institutions was 3,550. PM Modi also virtually inaugurated the new campus of Central Institute of Classical Tamil (CICT) with state-of-the-art infrastructure at Perumbakkam near Chennai, constructed at a cost of £2.4 million.

ed by their state leaders” and maintaining dialogue “to work out a mutually acceptable resolution of the remaining issues at the earliest”. “The two sides also agreed to consolidate on the previous outcomes and take effective efforts to maintain the security and stability on the ground in the western sector including during winter,” it added.

Sources said the Indian delegation during the talks strongly pushed for comple-

tion of the stalled troop disengagement at Patrolling Point-15 (PP-15) in the Hot Springs-Gogra-Kongka La area, the groundwork for which was completed during the 12th round in July last year.

“Though there was no immediate positive response to the Indian proposal, there were indications that China could agree to the disengagement at PP-15 in the 15th round to be held soon,” said a source.

IAF plans grand Republic Day flypast

The Republic Day parade this year will have the “largest and grandest” flypast ever with a total of 75 aircraft and helicopters, including seven new Rafale fighters, to mark the ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’ celebrations.

Both the flypast, which will also include Navy aircraft and Army helicopters, as well as the IAF tableau will also commemorate a few crucial battles of the 1971 war, an IAF spokesperson, Wing Commander Indranil Nandi, said.

While five Rafales will fly in a ‘Vinaash’ formation, the sixth French-origin fighter will part of the ‘Baaz’ formation along with two Jaguars, two MiG-29s and two Sukhoi30MKI jets, while the seventh will fly solo in ‘Vijay’ formation.

The grand finale of the flypast will see as many as 17 Jaguar fighters flying in the ‘Amrit’ formation. In between, there will be other formations with Dhruv, Mi-17, Chinook and Apache helicopters as well as C-130J Super Hercules, Dakota, Dornier-228 and AEW&C

aircraft. Two naval MiG29K fighters and one P-8I maritime patrol aircraft, in turn, will fly the ‘Varuna’ formation. The indigenous Tejas light combat aircraft will, however, not feature in the flypast.

As for the 1971 war, the IAF tableau will have a scaled-down model of a MiG-21 fighter hitting the Dhaka Government House with rockets on December 14 to force Pakistan’s abject surrender in the 1971 war. It will also have a model of the Gnat fighter, which came to be known as the ‘Sabre Slayer’ during the war for liberation of Bangladesh.

In the flypast, a Dakota and two Dornier-228 aircraft will fly in the ‘Tangail’ formation to depict the famous airdrop of a battalion-size unit of paratroopers on December 11 du ring the conflict. Similarly, the ‘helibridge’ formed over the Meghna river, which was critical in capturing Dhaka, will be showcased through the ‘Meghna’ formation flown by a Chinook heavy-lift and four medium lift Mi-17 helicopters.

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India records 271,000 new Covid cases India added 2,71,202 new coronavirus infections, taking the total tally of Covid-19 cases to 3,71,22,164, including 7,743 cases of the Omicron variant, according to the Union health ministry data. The country saw1,702 new cases of Omicron variant, the highest in a single day so far, and an increase of 28.17%. Experts said it is not possible to undertake genome sequencing of each and every sample, but stressed that this wave is largely being driven by Omicron.

The active cases have increased to 15,50,377, the highest in 225 days, while the death toll has climbed to 4,86,066 with 314 fresh fatalities, the data shows.

The active cases comprises 4.18% of the total infections, while the national Covid-19 recovery rate has decreased to 94.51%, the ministry said.

An increase of 1,32,557 cases has been recorded in the active Covid-19 case-

load in a span of 24 hours. The daily positivity rate was recorded at 16. 28%, while the weekly positivity rate was recorded at 13. 69%, according to the ministry. The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 3,50,85,721, while the case fatality rate was recorded at 1. 31%. The 314 new fatalities include106 from Kerala and 39 from West Bengal.

A total of 4,86,066 deaths have been reported so far in the country

including 1,41,779 from Maharashtra, 50,674 from Kerala, 38,418 from Karnataka, 36,967 from Tamil Nadu, 25,335 from Delhi, 22,953 from Uttar Pradesh and 20,052 from West Bengal.

After slowing down a bit during the weekends and the beginning of the week, cases are again going through a rapid surge.

Maharashtra reported a 35% increase in cases while the rise was 50% for Karnataka. In Kerala, cases breached the 10,000 mark for the first time since October 20. The rapid increase in cases has pushed active cases to more than 10,00,000, Inching towards the 50,000 daily mark, Maharashtra added 46,723 cases. With this, Maharashtra’s case load crossed 70,00,000.

Covid cases soar in Ahmedabad, Gujarat after Uttarayan From January 10 to14, the average daily calls on the 104 fever helpline were 227. It rose to an average of 518 on January 15 and 16, recording a spike of 28%. Likewise, the shift from homes to hospitals for Covid patients from January 10 to 14 was average 59 that increased to average 79 on January15 and 16, a rise of 34%.

“In fact, from January 15 to 17, about 50% of 2,500odd calls on108 services were related to Covid-19 one of the highest after the end of the second wave,” said a senior EMRI 108 official. Call it the result of a three-day kite-flying revelry or the contentious rise in Covid cases in both city and state, the post-Uttarayan

period has recorded a major spike in daily tally. For Gujarat, it was a rise of 26%, from10,150 on Sunday to 12,753 on Monday. For Ahmedabad, the rise was 33%, from 3,264 to 4,340. It was the highest daily tally for the city in the past 258 days or since May 4. Long queues at rapid antigen testing (RAT) booths were seen across the city, whereas the private path labs also recorded spike in number of tests.

At Civil Hospital, the past two days brought 37 patients, including seven suspected patients. This is 60% of the total 57 cases at the hospital.

Medical superintendent, Dr Rakesh Joshi, said: “Of the total, 16

are either on ventilator or BiPAP. Several of the admitted patients have not taken either one or both doses of vaccine. We urge all to get vaccinated at the earliest. ” Even in private hospitals, the number of admitted patients crossed 200 and stood at 208 on Monday. The number was146 on January14 - a spike of 42% in three days.

According to Ahmedabad Hospitals and Nursing Homes Association data, 21 patients were in the ICU and four on ventilator, whereas 76 were in highdependency units (HDU).

AHNA officials said that the hospitalization is still low compared to overall

numbers but the number of admitted patients is steadily rising. “The majority of the number of hospitalized patients consists of senior citizens and those with comorbidities. Due to very high spread of the Omicron variant, we all must exercise caution for some time,” said Dr Bharat Gadhvi, president of AHNA. On Monday, Gujarat recorded 950,000 total vaccination doses including 503,000 first and 441,000 second dose of vaccination.

The teens were administered 58,291 doses, taking the number to 22,41,000, whereas 600,000 healthcare and frontline workers have got booster dose.

India developing strain-specific vax targeting Omicron India could have its first homegrown variant-specific Covid vaccine against Omicron in the next couple of months.

Developed by Pune based Gennova Biopharmaceuticals using the messenger or mRNA-technology platform, the laboratory-generated vaccine to combat the fast spreading Omicron variant will be tested for efficacy and immuno genicity soon.

Gennova received the required regulatory permission to develop the variant specific vaccine recently, and

Maldives looks to put an end to ‘India Out’ campaign As the Maldives government looks to put a lid on the ‘India Out’ campaign, which is being fanned by former president and pro-China leader Abdulla Yameen, foreign minister Abdulla Shahid said it’s thoughtless to attack neighbouring countries that provide help to the Maldives and asserted Male has been following a balanced foreign policy.

“It is a very thoughtless act to verbally attack neighbouring countries which provide assistance to our nation and have long standing friendly relations. We should refrain from such things” said Shahid. “President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s foreign policy is a balanced policy,” he added, while speaking to a local news agency.

Asked about the ‘India Out’ campaign and the alleged support from China, Shahid reiterated that it will be most beneficial for a nation like Maldives, which has a small economy, to exist in unison with all countries

which uphold “international values and principles” and have an interest in diplomatic ties with Maldives. This, he said, included India and China.

“However, it will not benefit the country to take advantage of domestic disputes and target countries,” he added. Shahid stated that close relations with India and the assistance being provided had always remained the same regardless of which party was in power in Male.

has already started manufacturing it for humant rials.

The company has, meanwhile, also submitted Phase 2 trial data for over 3,000 subjects pertaining to its twodose mRNA vaccine against the Delta variant. It is close to completing Phase 3 trials and has started manufacturing the vaccine “at risk” so that vials can be rolled out in sufficient quantities if and when the formulation gets the regulatory nod.

India’s drug regulator is expected to review the data this week and take a decision regarding the approval soon, official sources said.

Dr VK Paul, chief of the national Covid-19 task force, said that the development of the mRNA platform was a significant scientific feat for the country. The thermo stable vaccine (using the existing cold chain infrastructure) and the platform could be useful for Covid once deployed, and even beyond, he said.

The Omicron-specific vaccine underdevelopment is also exciting while the quick switch platform would come into play as and when mutant strains emerge, he said. The drug regulator will study and take a decision on whether an approval can be given(to Gennova ),” Dr NK Arora, chairman of India’s technical advisory group on Covid vaccination, said.

Bharat Biotech recently claimed that a booster shot of its Covaxin would neutralise the Omicron variant, but it is understood that the data is yet to be studied by the regulator. Globally, too, Moderna, Janssen, Sinopharm, Gamaleya, Novavax and AstraZeneca are being tested to check their efficacy against Omicron, while many others are in development. Pfizer said its mRNA vaccine that targets the Omicron variant would be ready in March.

A safe and effective vaccine using the next-generation mRNA platform could be an important option for boosting the immunity of health workers and the vulnerable population, as well as to widen the vaccine basket for the country’s Covid immunisation programme.

Evidence from global studies suggests a mix-and-match combination - for example, using a viral vector or non mRNA vaccine, and an mRNA vaccine - produces good levels of antibodies against Covid in comparison to using the same vaccine. At present, the government has allowed the same vaccine as the first two doses for the precaution dose. It awaits real-world local data to assess whether mix-and match vaccines could elicit a better immune response.

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Some yoga exercises that will make your life better Following are some yoga asanas you can use in your daily routine to enable your control over bladder leaks, create strong pelvic floor muscles for stronger core strength in the abs, better posture and for improving your sex life: Tadasana or Mountain Pose Stand solid with a small gap between your feet and while deeply breathing (inhale). Raise both arms upward by interlocking fingers.

Now, stand on your toes by raising heels simultaneously and notice the pressure of stretching from toes to fingers. Hold onto this position as long as you can with slow and deep breathing and then release and come to the original position with deep breathing (exhale).

Advantages: It provides strength and expansion to the lungs, may increase height, develops and activates the nerves of the entire body and gives strength to the vertebral column and heart. It is also good for regulating the men-

strual cycle in women, cures problems related to indigestion in all practitioners, strengthens the arms and legs, helps to remove lethargy from the body and reduces the problem of flat feet.

Virabhadrasana II or the Warrior Pose 2 Stand with legs 4 to 5 feet apart.

Place right foot at 90 degrees angle with the toes pointing out while keeping left foot at 45 degrees angle. Bring hands at shoulder level and keep them parallel to ground.

Bend right knee and look towards your right hand. Keep hip-square and right thigh parallel to the ground. Hold onto the pose for 10 to 15 seconds, then release the posture.

Advantages: It energies tired limbs and opens up chest and lungs apart from stretching hips, groins and shoulders and improving stability and balance. It also stimulates abdominal organs.

Utkatasana or Chair Pose

Stand straight with feet together and arms on side. Take a deep breath and raise arms straight up, then fold them in a namaskar mudra before your chest. Exhale and bend knees as if seated on a chair. Straighten your back and push tailbone to the ground to get into the final position. Try to stay in this pose for 15-20 seconds before releasing the posture. While inhaling, come back to the first position.

Advantages: It stretches the Achilles tendons and shins, strengthens hip flexors, calves and the back. It also stimulates the heart and abdominal organs. It works on the shoulders and helps rectify tension and poor posture.

Prasarita Padottanasana or WideLegged Forward Bend Keep a parallel distance of about 3 to 4 feet between legs and place hands on hips. With legs and spine intensely stretched, inhale, lift your chest up tall through your

People consuming more alcohol prone to heart rhythm disorder According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, AF contributes to approximately 158,000 US deaths each year. It is a major cause of stroke, as blood clots can form inside fibrillation-prone atria, the upper chambers of the heart. About 12 million people in the US have AF, with steadily increasing numbers of individuals diagnosed over the past two decades.

The study published in the 'Nature Cardiovascular Research Journal' show an association between increased drinking and hospital visits for atrial fibrillation (AF) in a large population and the first to link acute alcohol consumption with an increased incidence of newonset AF in previously undiagnosed individuals.

Atrial fibrillation most often arises in individuals with pre-existing heart conditions, but other chronic health conditions, including potentially modifiable

behaviours such as obesity and alcohol consumption, also have previously been associated with its development. However, acute triggers of potentially lifethreatening AF episodes can be more difficult to study.

According to senior study author Gregory Marcus, MD, MAS, a professor of medicine at UCSF and associate chief of cardiology for research at UCSF Health, 'Our new data suggest that acute alcohol consumption in the general population is associated with a higher risk of an episode of atrial fibrillation, including a higher risk for a first episode of atrial fibrillation among individuals

never previously diagnosed with the condition.'

To analyse the incidence of AF hospitalvisit rates within subsets of the California population, the researchers broke down the data by age, sex, and race/ethnicity for patients visiting the emergency department with AF, and used 2019 California Census data for measures of total subset population sizes.

They found the greatest association between acute alcohol consumption and hospital visits for AF among those over age 65. According to Marcus, 'This may be kind of a wake-up call for those individuals who have an identifiable trigger for their atrial fibrillation, who we might presume would be more highly motivated to avoid alcohol consumption and subsequently to experience a lowering of their atrial fibrillation risk.'

whole torso and fold slowly over legs.

Begin to stretch your torso forward by placing your hands flat on the floor and keeping them shoulder-width apart. Fold deeper, bringing your head toward the floor.

Advantages: It calms the brain and eases fatigue while improving circulation of blood and toning the abdominal organs.

Setubhandhasana/ Setu Bandha Sarvangasana or the Bridge pose Lie down on back with legs straight on the floor, palms beside your thighs. Bend both knees while keeping the legs and hips apart and bring the heels closer to the hips.

Inhale and lift your stomach and chest up by taking your hips off the floor. Give support to your lower

back with your hands. Now straighten your legs with your toes pointing in the front. Hold this position for 10 to 15 seconds and release.

Advantages: It not only strengthens the back, buttock and hamstrings but also increases blood circulation, alleviates stress and calms the brain.

People likely to consume more while eating from shared plate Scientists Nükhet Taylor and Theodore Noseworthy said their findings of research suggested that sharing snacks or small plates at restaurants with family and friends may actually be encouraging 'excessive caloric intake' by leading people to underestimate how fattening the food is.

This perceived lack of ownership when sharing food means people 'mentally decouple calories from their consequences' Canadian scientists have suggested. They also found that losing this judgment of how fatty a food is when sharing makes diners want to eat more given that they viewed it as a 'free' meal. The researchers believe that this perceived lack of ownership over shared food makes the calories feel inconsequential, possibly due to what is known as 'mental accounting' - a process which allows consumers to use mental accounts to keep track of monetary expenses and

caloric budgets.

They believe that it may be that consumers do not include the calories they have consumed from sharing food in their caloric budgets because they believe those calories do not belong to them.

In their study, they carried out three experiments with 719 people. In one experiment, they found that people found chips shared with a friend from one plate 15 per cent less fattening than the same amount of chips on separate plates.

When dining alone, they found chips 18 per cent less fattening, despite the fact that the calories were exactly the same. Even with healthy snacks, the same amount of almonds were perceived as being 22 per cent less fattening when shared with a friend, com-

pared to when dining alone.

Those within the experiment were also given chocolate, which they found 20 per cent less fattening when eaten from a shared bowl compared to when eaten alone. It meant that for both healthy and unhealthy snacks, sharing reduced the perceived fattening of the foods.

'Our findings suggest that food sharing may be encouraging excessive caloric intake by leading consumers to underestimate the fattening potential brought on by shared food consumption,' the study concluded.

Pregnant women should avoid consuming artificial sweeteners Obesity in children is a massive issue in both the UK and the US with up to a third of youngsters in each country considered overweight.

Canadian researchers found pregnant rats fed two of the most common sweeteners, stevia or aspartame, had pups that were fatter.

Experts believe the findings may also apply to expectant mothers, given an array of other studies have found similar in humans, which means mothers-to-be who consume lots of artifi-

cial sweeteners may be more likely to have children who end up obese.

Artificial sweeteners, that can be added to drinks or sprinkled over food, are used by millions to cut their

calorie intake and lower sugar consumption. The thinking is that these sweeteners, which have few or no calories, are better for the waistline and don’t increase blood sugar levels.

Professor Reimer and colleagues split the pregnant rats into three groups.

Some were given aspartame, which is used in Diet Coke, others were given stevia which

is used in 7UP Free. A third group of pregnant rats were given water, allowing the researchers to detect any differences between the groups. Their pups were weighed as soon as they gave birth with tests carried out to see how their mother's diet affected their gut bacteria.

Barely any effects were visible on the rats which had given birth, but they found pups born to sweetener-fed mothers were heavier with a higher percentage of body

fat. They also showed higher levels of some microbes and fewer of others. Researchers believe these changes in their microbiome may explain why they gained more weight.

A number of other studies have also explored the negative impacts of sweeteners used in diet soft drinks on obesity. Last year researchers at the University

of Southern California tested the impact of sucralose on 74 volunteers and found it actually increased food cravings. But official NHS advice says research into sweeteners and appetite stimulation is inconsistent and that diet soft drinks can provide a healthier alternative to people with diabetes who need to keep an eye on their blood sugar levels.

To Our Readers

We are publishing these reports in good faith. Before you try any of these remedies, please consult the doctor. We are not responsible for any adverse effects.- Editor

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South Asian couple launches the world’s first vegan snack Jagir and Nirali Mankodi were inspired to launch their vegan chocolate brand Superfoodio in 2016 after a backpacking adventure around South America. Speaking to Asian Voice, they talked about their business inspirations, their response as a small business to Covid impacts when high street sales dropped, and their most recent launch of a world-first in the snack world – peanut butter buttons for those who love peanut butter on the go.

The couple had quit their corporate jobs to go backpacking for six months. Being on a plant-based diet they thought they'd struggle to find suitable food to fuel their many adventures. However, by immersing themselves in the local culture, Jagir and Nirali discovered how the local people lived off the earth in a sustainable manner and thinks generations ahead. While in Bolivia, they lived with farmers and experienced first-hand how quinoa is grown and harvested.

Following that trip, they wanted to share their learnings and launch a business selling delicious and nutritious snacks – and so Superfoodio was born. The products were a hit, and at one of their first events were recognised by tennis superstar, Novak Djokovic who gave his seal of approval and took home a few bags full of Superfoodio treats!

Superfoodio launched their vegan peanut butter chocolates on Amazon not long after and saw huge growth.

Jagir Mankodi told us, “We took a career break from our corporate jobs in 2016 to go backpacking in South America and it changed our lives forever. Being on plantbased diets, we thought we’d face difficulties on our trip but instead discovered how the local people lived off the earth in a sustainable manner and thinks generations ahead. Coming back wanting to share the knowledge, we devoted ourselves to the kitchen to create delicious, nutritious, allnatural treats and from there Superfoodio

Jag and Nirali Mankodi, Founders - Superfoodio

was born.”

“The first Covid lockdown was challenging particularly for launching new food products in shops, but we quickly turned to Amazon to reinforce our online sales channel which helped us reach more customers and make up for the lack of high street sales during a challenging time. Our vegan peanut butter chocolate bars which we launched in November 2020 have proven to be extremely popular selling over 20,000 units on Amazon.”

Nirali Mankodi said, “Building a vegan snacks business has been a journey of passion and learning for us, while at times hard, we can’t call it hard work as we are doing something we love. We’ve had amazing support and achieved some great milestones with now a Great Taste award under our belt.”

“We also closed off 2021 with the launch of a world-first product. Our family loves peanut butter and we wanted a simpler way to enjoy peanut buttery goodness on the go but the problem with a jar or a squeezy pack is that you always end up with sticky fingers and an oily mess, particularly not fun when you have a toddler! That’s why we created our Peanut Butter Buttons that you can hold in your hand. They are the perfect snack to satisfy that peanut butter craving anywhere, anything with no mess and no fuss!”

Their products are available on Amazon UK.

71% people need therapy due to toxic work culture A new report by software developer Culture Shif has found that almost a third of UK employees have taken time off work due to toxic workplace culture.

Additionally, 61 per cent of those who have experienced harassment, bullying or discrimination at work have had to take long-term leave, while 42 per cent left their roles permanently.

The research surveyed 1,000 adults from a range of public and private sectors including finance, healthcare and legal on workplace culture and its impact on their mental health.

Almost two-thirds of people (64 per cent) said their experiences had a negative impact on their mental health and 71 per cent said they needed to have therapy as a result.

Negative workplace culture also results in more short-term absences, with 71 per cent reporting that they have called in sick due to not wanting to see somebody they have a negative relationship with at work.

“The pandemic has left employees more aware of what is truly important to them; whether that’s a good work-life balance or a workplace with a strong culture of trust and respect,” Gemma McCall, chief executive of Culture Shift, said.

“This, amongst other social and political events of the past 2 years, has undoubtedly led to more people being mindful of workplace culture.“There are simply just fewer employees that are willing to put up with negative cultures, problematic behaviour and the subsequent impact on their mental health.”

British Art Show 9 opens in city this week Wolverhampton Art Gallery and the University of Wolverhampton School of Art are raring to go with just over a week to go until the opening of the prestigious British Art Show 9.

British Art Show 9 (BAS9) will be in the city from Saturday 22 January to Sunday 10 April, providing a major boost to the recognition of arts and culture in Wolverhampton – the first English city to host the 9th edition of the show.

In Wolverhampton, the exhibition will focus on how we live with and give voice to difference, showcasing 34 artists whose works investigate identity from an intersectional perspective. By exploring coexisting identities such as class, ethnicity, gender, and sexuality, these works will be

presented in critical dialogue with Wolverhampton’s cultural history which has been shaped by the diverse populations that came to work and live there during the postwar period.

North Lincolnshire Council shortlisted for Best Arts Project in the 2022 Hearts for the Arts Awards North Lincolnshire Council has been shortlisted in the National Campaign for the Arts’ prestigious Hearts for the Arts Awards 2022, which celebrates the positive impact of creative arts and the local authorities that champion them.

In August 2021, the council presented artist Luke Jerram’s ‘Of Earth and Sky’, which saw words penned by local people appear in a visually striking art trail across Scunthorpe.

Now the project, which was commissioned as part of 20-21 Visual Arts Centre’s 20th-anniversary celebrations, has been recognised nationally, beating stiff competition across the UK to be shortlisted in the Best Arts Project category.

This year’s winners will now be selected by a star-studded panel of key arts industry experts and practitioners, including: - Krishnan Guru-Murthy, journalist and presenter of Channel 4 News - Kadiatu Kanneh-Mason, author, speaker and supporter of music education - Shaparak Khorsandi, stand up comedian, writer, all-round delight Discussing North Lincolnshire’s nomination, the Hearts for the Arts Award partners said: “A really impressive project.

We particularly like the way the organisers tried to encourage input from those perhaps unengaged with the arts and poetry by holding roaming sessions and sessions for beginners and those who do not have English as a first language.

“This project was creatively organised and the hard work paid off with fantastic engagement results, fostering pride in the local community and encouraging people to connect or re-connect with culture.

Congratulations on your 20-year anniversary!”

Visitors still have lots of opportunities to join the gallery’s anniversary celebrations.

An extra-special Open Art and Sculpture exhibition will launch on 29 January 2022, showcasing the wealth of creative talent in North Lincolnshire.

As well as this, visitors can also enjoy the fascinating ’35 Years On’. In this show, photographer Nic Salmon presents a series of portraits of individuals in Scunthorpe separated by time.

Having initially photographed them for a street art project in 1984, he returned to snap the same subjects in 2021, the photographs a remarkable testament of changing fashions, hairstyles and sub- cultures.

Padma Vibhushan Pt Birju Maharaj passes away Veteran Kathak dancer and choreographer Padma Vibhushan Pt. Birju Maharaj ji breathed his last on 17 January 2022 in Delhi, India. He was 83.

Pandit Birju Maharaj was born as Brijmohan Nath Mishra, better known simply as Birju Maharaj, who was not just an Indian dancer, but also a composer, singer and exponent Pt Birju Maharaj at the Bhavan with Smt. Saswati Sen of the Lucknow "Kalka(photo courtesy The Bhavan, London) Bindadin" Gharana of Kathak guru, Acchan Maharaj. He also practised dance in India. He was a descendant of the Hindustani classical music and was a vocalist Maharaj family of Kathak dancers, which He was also a Tabla and Pakhawaj player, includes his two uncles, Shambhu Maharaj and Lachhu Maharaj, and his father and

Stairfoot Animation Trail In October 2021 Andrew Small installed a series of artworks depicting animated animals indigenous to the area that only move when you move.

The technique utilises the moire effect creating an optical illusion each showing a different animal – a rabbit, stoat, fox, red kite, blue tit and a squirrel.

Andrew worked closely with a project steering group including representatives from the Principal Towns Team, Central Council Area Team, Stairfoot Ward Alliance, Stairfoot Station Heritage Park Group, the Youth Association and Beam as well as creative workshops with Barnsley Academy Secondary School to develop the idea. This project is the first in a number of new artworks designed specifically for Stairfoot so keep your eyes peeled for more announcements in the next few months.

Pt. Birju Maharaj ji at a performance at The Bhavan in the 80's (photo courtesy The Bhavan, London)

he was one of the most outstanding artists India has ever produced.

Hailing from a family of musicians and dancers going back over generations, he was a master of the Lucknow Gharana of Kathak and helped propagate the beauty of Indian classical dance and arts all over the world.

The Bhavan London team paid their tribute to Panditji in a social media post, saying, “He had a unique vision and determination and has trained a number of students who are all top professional artists serving in the field today. The Bhavan team expresses our heartfelt condolences to the family, the students and the entire artists’ community."

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Priyanka upset with comments made by journalist

P

riyanka Chopra said that she got angry at the remarks of a journalist who questioned her contribution to movies last year. The 39-year-old actor said that she usually doesn’t get upset, but the comments made by Australian journalist Peter Ford just “pissed” her off, according to an interview with Vanity Fair. Last March, Ford wondered if Chopra and her husband Nick Jonas were qualified to announce the Oscar nominations.

“No disrespect to these two but I’m not sure their contribution to the movies qualifies them to be announcing Oscar

nominees,” Ford had tweeted at the time.

The tweet received a lot of flak from many of Priyank’s fans, who asked Ford to watch her films or to just Google her. In another interview, Priyanka opened up about the scrutiny that followed after she dropped her husband's last name from her Instagram handle. Describing the social media uproar as 'a professional hazard' Priyanka said, "It's a very vulnerable feeling, actually, that if I post a picture, everything that's behind me in that picture is going to be zoomed in on, and people are going to speculate. It's just a professional hazard... Because of the noise of our social media, because of the prevalence that it has in our lives, I think it seems a lot larger than it is. I think that we give it a lot more credence in real life, and I don't think it needs that."

Huma Qureshi starts her Sunday with Yoga A

Janhvi Kapoor gives a glimpse of her self care weekend A

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upur Shikhare shared a hilarious video in response to a direct message he got on Instagram from an admirer of his girlfriend Ira Khan.

It said, “Ira is my love, don’t touch.” The video, set to MC Hammer’s U Can’t Touch This, showed Nupur sitting on a couch and looking at his phone when he came across the text. He looked at Ira, who was working some distance away, and walked up to her. He poked her with a finger and left. He returned to give her a kiss. In the caption of his Instagram post, Nupur used the lyrics of 'U Can’t Touch This' and added hashtags such as ‘weekend’, ‘mood’ and ‘fun’. Singer Akasa Singh commented, “This is so cute.”

Many others dropped laughing emojis, with one calling it an ‘epic reply’. “Hammered it,” another wrote.

fter Virat Kohli stepped down as the Test captain of the Indian cricket team, several Bollywood celebrities praised him for his achievements. Virat announced his decision in a statement posted on his social media accounts.

Wife Anushka has shared a long note for her cricketer husband. Sharing pictures of Virat and her, she wrote. "I remember the day in 2014 when you told me that you have been made the captain as MS had decided to retire from test cricket. I remember MS, you & I having a chat later that day & him joking about how quickly your beard will start turning grey. We all had a good laugh about it. Since that day, I’ve seen more than just your beard turning grey. I’ve seen growth. Immense growth.

Around you & within you. And yes, I am very proud of your growth as the captain of the Indian National Cricket team & what achievements the team had under your leadership. But I’m more proud of the growth you achieved within you."

Recalling Virat's early days in cricket, she further wrote, "In 2014 we were so young & naive. Thinking that just good intentions, positive drive & motives can take you ahead in life. They definitely do but, not without challenges. A lot of these challenges that you faced were not always on the field. But then, this is life right? It tests you in places where you least expect it to but where you need it the most. And my love, I am so proud of you for not letting anything come in the way of your good intentions.”

ctor Huma Qureshi is making sure to take proper care of her health. Taking to Instagram, Huma shared her Sunday morning routine. She uploaded a few pictures of her doing a back-bending yoga asana on an open terrace. "Slow and steady ..One day at a time towards Me," she captioned the post.

Huma's workout pictures garnered several likes and comments. "Wow...can see the major difference because of your hardwork," actor Sachin Shroff commented. "Great going," cricketer Shikhar Dhawan commented. Meanwhile, on the work front, Huma will be seen in 'Double XL', which tackles the mental agony that results from being body-shamed. The film also stars Sonakshi Sinha. Both have faced body shaming in the past.

Ira’s boyfriend Nupur gets a message

Anushka pens a note for Virat A

way from the frenetic pace and chaos of everyday life, Bollywood actress Janhvi Kapoor is currently treating herself with some self care, self love and all things in between. Having said that, the actress recently gave a glimpse of her self care session.

In the pictures, Janhvi looked fresh as a daisy striking her pose with utmost perfection. She was seen donning a white see-through shirt teamed with a pair of denim shorts. She also gave a glimpse of her pool day, where he donned a stunning pink monokini basking in the sun.

The ‘Dhadak’ actress is surely making the most of the weekend. Meanwhile, on the work front, Janhvi has some very interesting films lined up in her kitty including, ‘Good Luck Jerry’ and ‘Dostana 2’. She is also a part of Karan Johar’s passion project ‘Takht’ where she will be seen with Kareena Kapoor, Vicky Kaushal, Anil Kapoor, Bhumi Pednekar, Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt among others.

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Sushmita's ex-boyfriend shares recent life lesson he learnt S

ushmita Sen’s ex-boyfriend Rohman Shawl opened up his Instagram for an Ask Me Anything session. In response to questions from fans, he revealed his strength, a life lesson he learnt during his recent recovery from Covid-19 and hinted at his acting debut.

“What did you learn from this Covid and about life while recovering?” one Instagram user wanted to know. Rohman replied, “The biggest lesson learnt, no matter how big the problem is, if you have the will, you can face it all by yourself! It hurts, it pains and it remains!!! Just remember, in the end, you are the one who gains!” On being asked about his strength,

Rohman said, “The fact that I don’t lie to myself!!! YOU is all YOU need! Just sometimes a 'jaadu ki jhappi' (hug) from someone special kinda works.” He also hinted that he will soon announce his debut project. Replying to a fan who said ‘can’t wait to see you on screen’, he said, “So sweet of you!

Thankfully I shot for something right before I got Covid! It’s under post-production! Will give the details soon #newbeginnings.” Rohman also talked about watching Korean dramas while he was in isolation and in another response, revealed that he is ‘still feeling very weak and tired’.

Ranveer Singh, Deepika trolled R

anveer Singh and Deepika Padukone are one of Bollywood’s power couples who were last seen in the recently released '83'.

While the film didn’t live up to the expectation of the makers, the actor’s fans have positive words for the project.

Post the not-so-successful performance of the Kabir Khan directorial at the box office, the 'Bajirao Mastani' jetted off for a vacation and are now back from the undisclosed location. The duo was spotted walking hand-in-hand at the Mumbai airport and giving some major couple goals. Well, netizens had mixed feeling about the two with the majority trolling them. While Ranveer and Deepika received much love

for their recent airport spotting video, with fans saying “Beautiful couple” and more, they were also mercilessly trolled. One netizen, poking fun at Ranveer’s recent release commented, “83 flop reaction” Another wrote, “Ab to flop ho gyi bolo new subject ki movie bnaye naa ki documentary” A third commented, “Nautanki.” Netizens even took a dig at the casual look Ranveer and Deepika pulled off at the airport. While the 'Gully Boy' actor opted for a white t-shirt paired with blue ripped denim, the 'Piku' star looked gorgeous in a white top – with a plunging V-neck and blue jeans.

Commenting on their look, one Instagram user wrote, “Garmiyo mei ye huddi phente hai or sardiyo mei jacket vgera kch nhi….kya ye ishi dharti k hai…..” Another wrote, “In maderchodo ke designer kapde bik Gaye flop film ke baad??”

Lata Mangeshkar's health deteriorates T

Kartik Aaryan recalls fake news about him marrying a fan

he health condition of legendary playback singer Lata Mangeshkar, who was admitted to Mumbai's Breach Candy Hospital after she tested positive for Covid19, has worsened. The Bharat Ratna awardee has developed pneumonia in addition to Covid and is currently admitted to the ICU section of the hospital where a team of doctors is taking care of her.

At this point, nobody is allowed to meet the singer as she continues to be under the supervision of doctors, who have said that it will take some more time for her to show signs of recovery. However, the doctors refused to comment on how long she needs to be in the ICU. The veteran singer earlier tested positive after contracting the virus from one her househelps.

Vicky, Katrina celebrate Lohri in Indore K

atrina Kaif had flown down to Indore to celebrate Lohri with hubby Vicky Kaushal who is shooting with Sara Ali Khan. After giving a glimpse into their Lohri celebration, Katrina has now shared a series of selfies clicked in her room.

It's adorable how Vicky and Katrina travel miles to be in each other's company to celebrate the festivals despite their busy schedules. Earlier, during Christmas, Vicky had flown down to Mumbai to celebrate his first Christmas with her. Vicky had shared a picture wherein he was seen hugging Katrina and his caption read, "Meri Christmas." The couple recently completed one month of their wedding and shared a celebratory post.

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"Happppyyyyy one month my ," Katrina wrote. On the work front, Katrina is currently shooting for 'Merry Christmas'. She will soon start shooting for the next schedule of 'Tiger 3' with Salman Khan. On the other hand, Vicky is shooting for Laxman Utekar's next with Sara Ali Khan in Indore.

artik Aaryan said that he has been the subject of ‘many’ fake news and recalled a particularly ridiculous one that claimed he married a fan. He said that he found the article ‘laugh-worthy’. In an interview, Kartik said that one of his fans came to a promotional event and expressed her desire to marry him.

On the basis of that conversation, a journalist published news of their wedding.

“Once, an article came on a portal that said I have married a fan. That was one instance where I really laughed out loud. A fan wanted to marry me and she came to one of my promotional events. Someone overheard that conversation and published the news that I married a fan. For me, it was very laugh-worthy, because I felt, ‘That’s all you heard?’,” he said. Kartik also attributed his success to his fans. “It is because the audi-

ence has really shown interest in whatever I do. I really wonder sometimes if it is possible to give back the same amount of love. I try as much as I can. I spend time with my fans but the kind of love they shower on me is unprecedented and I am so happy and lucky to get so much love,” he said. Kartik often interacts with his fans. Earlier this month, he peeled off the bandage of a fan who got his face tattooed on his chest. He also came out to meet two female fans who reached his apartment complex to get a glimpse of him. Sharing the video of his encounter with these two fans, he wrote on Instagram: “This love. This is what I live for.

This is my drive. This is everything. To all my fans, most genuinely, I’m blessed to have y’all, can never thank y’all enough but shall keep trying.”

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Samantha talks about ‘pain, suffering, lows’ behind the glamour S

amantha Ruth Prabhu, at a recent event, stressed the importance of seeking help for mental health issues. She said that there is pressure to show a ‘perfect’ life on social media but ‘no one’s life is perfect’. Samantha said, “We live in an increasingly stressful world where there is so much focus, whether it is on social media, on portraying perfect lives.

It is becoming more difficult to speak about our weaknesses, our pain, our anxiety because there is so much focus… Being very active on social media, I noticed the stress on portraying perfect lives. No one’s life is perfect, trust me. I think it is time for people like us, people like me most definitely, to speak about not just

the glitz and glamour but also the pain, the suffering, the lows. It is normal for all of us to go through that, it is too normal to talk about it and it is normal to ask for help,” she added. Samantha cited her own example and said that talking to others helped her overcome a ‘difficult time’ in her life. “I have gone through a difficult time in my life and asked for help. I have sought help from my friends and counsellors and that has made a huge difference in my life. If I am sitting here today, strong and ready for the next part of my life, it is not just because I was strong but it is because many people around me helped me to be strong,” she said.

Ramya Pandian returns with hot saree photoshoot A

ctress Ramya Pandian has impressed with her impeccable acting in intense lead roles in 'Joker', 'Aaan Devathai' and 'Ramae Aandaalum Ravanae Aandalum'. It is common knowledge that she gained limelight through 'Cooku With Comali' , 'Kalakka Povathu Yaaru' and 'Bigg Boss 4'.

But long before that Ramya hit the headlines after her scorching hot photoshoot in sarees that went viral. The talented celebrity has since shared several experimental pics in various modern and traditional outfits but none matched the virality of her first one in green saree. Ramya has returned with a stunning saree photoshoot that has once again stormed the internet. She is seen wearing a black saree with a golden border and a sleeveless blouse that compliment her body assets. Fans are showering likes as usual for the latest pics.

TV Listing

Ajith's decision about new movie I

f things were different, by now it would have been the most happy Pongal for Ajith Kumar fans with 'Valimai' trending high on social media as it would have been the second day of its release. Due to the third wave of Covid-19 the film had to be postponed indefinately from its planned January 13th 2022 release date.

However, whenever 'Valimai' releases it would be Pongal or Diwali for the Ajith fans.

Now coming to his next movie 'AK61' or 'Thala 61' as it was known for a much longer time, hot

updates are emerging with each passing day. It is already reported that H Vinoth is directing the film and Boney Kapoor is producing with Ghibran most likely to score the music. Ajith is playing dual roles and one of them is the main villain of 'AK61'. Sources revealed that the mass hero has told the team to not keep his fans waiting and announce the title of the film on the day it is officially announced. He did the same thing during the launch of 'Valimai' which not only made his fans super happy but also the title became one of the biggest trending ones ever on social media.

Tamannaah's new item song video rocks the internet

* Schedule is subject to change

MON 24 JAN - FRI 28 JAN 2022 6.00 Zamkudi 15.00 RASOI SHOW 18.00 SUDI VACHCHE SOPARI 18.30 SURI 19.00 BHAKT GORA KUMBHAR 19.30 MARU MAN MOHI GAYU 20.00 RASHI RIKSHAWALI 20.30 MOTI BAA NI NANI VAHU 21.00 SORATHNI MRS SINGHAM 21.30 GEETA

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fter a long gap item numbers have come back in vogue in recent times.

We could say that it was Samantha's item dance for 'Oo Antava' in Allu Arjun's 'Pushpa' which was a huge hit has encouraged other filmmakers to follow suit.

Soon Regina Cassandra stormed the internet with her sexy appearance for the song 'Saana Kashtam' in Chiranjeevi's 'Acharya' which also received the same enthusiastic response from the netizens.

Now its time for Tamannaah to enter the fray and the video of her special item song 'Kodthe' from the upcoming Varun Tej starrer 'Ghani' has been released and is on viral mode. The pretty actress has posted on social media "Presenting #Kodthe a quick pick me up to motivate you to accomplish your goals. The visuals of the film look outstanding and I feel lucky to be a part of this game changing film." The song tuned by Thaman is rendered by Harika Narayanan.

* Schedule is subject to change

MON 24 JAN - FRI 28 JAN 2022 9.00 BIGG BOSS15-WEEKEND KA VAAR 11.00 KARADI TALES 16.00 DIL SE DIL TAK 16.30 RASOI SHOW DESI FLAVOURS 17.30 CHHUTA CHHEDA 18.00 SASURAL SIMAR KA 18.30 TU AASHIQUI 19.00 BHAGYA KA LIKHA 19.30 HUKUM MERE AAKA 20.00 BALIKA VADHU 2 20.30 SIRF TUM 21.00 THAPKI PYAR KI 2 21.30 SASURAL SIMAR KA 2

SATURDAY 22 JAN 2022 6.00 Alakh Na Ajwala 15.00 RASOI SHOW 18.00 SUDI VACHCHE SOPARI 18.30 SURI 19.00 BHAKT GORA KUMBHAR 19.30 MARU MAN MOHI GAYU 20.00 RASHI RIKSHAWALI 20.30 MOTI BAA NI NANI VAHU 21.00 SORATHNI MRS SINGHAM 21.30 GEETA SUNDAY 23 JAN 2022 12.00 Mijaaj 15.00 Ratanpur 18.00 MARU MAN MOHI GAYU ® 19.00 SHU CHALE CHE 19.30 GEETA 20.30 SORATHNI MRS SINGHAM 22.00.00 SHU CHALE CHE SATURDAY 22 JAN 2022 9.00 BIGG BOSS 15 11.00 KARADI TALES 15.00 SHU CHALE CHE 16.30 RASOI SHOW-DESI FLAVOURS 17.30 DESI BEAT 3 18.00 SASURAL SIMAR KA 18.30 TU AASHIQUI 19.00 BHAGYA KA LIKHA 19.30 HUKUM MERE AAKA 20.00 COMEDY NIGHTS WITH KAPIL 21.00 THAPKI PYAR KI 2 21.30 SASURAL SIMAR KA 2 SUNDAY 23 JAN 2022 9.00 BIGG BOSS 15 11.00 KARADI TALES 16.30 RASOI SHOW-DESI FLAVOURS 17.30 DESI BEAT 3 18.00 BFFs with Vogue - Season 2 19.00 KHATRA KHATRA KHATRA 20.00 COMEDY NIGHTS WITH KAPIL 21.00 THAPKI PYAR KI 2 21.30.00 SASURAL SIMAR KA 2

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Kohli quits as India’s Test captain The Virat Kohli's captaincy saga took another unexpected turn on Saturday, when he stepped down as Test captain barely 24 hours after India lost the series in South Africa.

Success on the tour would have taken Indian cricket to a new high - the “final frontier”,

Virat Kohli

with series wins in every cricket-playing nation. Failure, as it often does, is taking a heavy toll.

The first fallout was Kohli’s decision - made public on Twitter on Saturday evening, but conveyed to his teammates in Cape Town after India’s seven-wicket defeat on Friday.

The announcement brings to a close the innings of India’s most successful Test captain one that leaves behind a transformed Indian team that is now known as a fastbowling powerhouse capable of winning in any conditions.

But, in the most immediate context of the domestic power play, it marks the end of a months-long face-off between Kohli and the Indian cricket board over the manner, timing and narrative of how his T20 and ODI captaincy stints ended between October and December last year.

“It’s been seven

years of hard work, toil and relentless perseverance every day to take the team in the right direction. I’ve done the job with absolute honesty and left nothing out there,” Kohli said in a statement.

Kohli thanked the Indian board, former chief coach Ravi Shastri, and his predecessor as captain MS Dhoni. “To Ravi Bhai and the support group who were the engine behind this vehicle that moved us upwards in Test Cricket consistently, you all have played a massive role in bringing this vision to life.

Lastly, a big thank you to MS Dhoni who believed in me as a Captain and found me to be an able individual who could take Indian Cricket forward.”

The Board of Control for Cricket in India quickly endorsed Kohli’s decision, quote-tweeting it seven minutes later and congratulating him for leadership “admirable

qualities that took the Test team to unprecedented heights”.

Will deal with it appropriately: Ganguly Kohli's remarks ahead of India's departure for the South Africa tour has triggered a storm by exposing an underlying tension between him and the administrators.

And BCCI President Sourav Ganguly broke his silence on Kohli explosive remarks for the first time saying that the board will deal with the issue appropriately.

Opening up on the remarks, Ganguly said, "No statements, no press conference. We will deal with it appropriately, leave it to (the) BCCI." Months after Kohli had stepped down from his role as a T20I captain, Ganguly had said that BCCI had asked him to reconsider his decision.

However, the 33-year-old contradicted Ganguly's words.

South Africa clinch series against India India’s best chance to win in South Africa turned into their worst nightmare. They began the three-Test series in style in Centurion but failed to keep that momentum going. The result?

Kohli & Co have lost 1-2 and a golden opportunity to announce their dominance in the only country where India have never won a Test series.

The glorious Table Mountain instead stayed witness to how a young and relatively inexperienced South African team stamped its authority in style on Day Four of the final Test at Newlands on Friday afternoon. Under a clear sky, chasing 212 for victory, they won

the Test by seven wickets and with an air of absolute brilliance.

Keegan Petersen, a South African ‘KP’ who’s theirs to keep, led from the front. Precariously

placed at 101-2, and with the ball still new, the hosts began Day Four on a cautious note. There was enough bounce in the wicket and chances kept getting

created.

Luck deserted India and the rest was consumed by Petersen’s elegant and determined 113-ball 82. He shuffled at the crease, saw a sitter get dropped in the slips

by Pujara off a tireless Jasprit Bumrah and came extremely close to edging the moving ball.

But he stayed on. And the moment he found the space to settle, some glorious drives, punched on the front and backfoot, gradually took the session, day and match away from the visitors. Petersen eventually left and Temba Bavuma walked in to finish off the game with Rassie van der Dussen in style.

in brief HOCKEY: SAVITA TO LEAD IN ASIA CUP Goalkeeper Savita will lead India in the women’s Asia Cup in Muscat (January 21-28) as Hockey India named a strong 18-member squad for the event, including 16 players that featured at the Tokyo Olympics. India will open their title defence against Malaysia on January 21. The Squad: Goalkeepers: Savita (captain), Rajani Etimarpu.

Defenders: Deep Grace Ekka (VC), Gurjit Kaur, Nikki Pradhan, Udita. Midfielders: Nisha, Sushila Chanu, Monika, Neha, Salima Tete, Jyoti, Navjot Kaur. Forwards: Navneet Kaur, Lalremsiami, Vandana Katariya, Mariana Kujur, Sharmila Devi.

JAYANT, SAINI ADDED TO ODI SQUAD Off-spinner Washington Sundar was ruled out of the upcoming three-match ODI series against South Africa after testing positive for Covid-19 and Jayant Yadav was named as his replacement for the assignment starting January 19. Pacer Navdeep Saini was also added to the ODI squad as a backup for pacer Mohammed Siraj, who is recovering from a hamstring injury. The ODI series begins on January 19. Squad: KL Rahul (C), Jasprit Bumrah (VC), Shikhar Dhawan, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer, Venkatesh Iyer, Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper), Ishan Kishan (wicket-keeper), Yuzvendra Chahal, R Ashwin, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Deepak Chahar, Prasidh Krishna, Shardul Thakur, Md Siraj, Jayant Yadav, Navdeep Saini.

HYDERABAD TO HOST FORMULA E RACES It now seems that at least one Indian city will make it to the Formula E world championship calendar in the future. A Letter Of Intent (LOI) has been signed between the Telangana State and Formula E, which promises to make this happen. While complete details have not been revealed yet, the announcement did say that the agreement will see Formula E work with the city and state officials to examine the viability of hosting a future E-Prix. At present, Formula E has an Indian team on the grid in the form of Mahindra Racing that's been a part of the championship since its inception. The Hyderabad E-Prix is likely to take place in 2023 or beyond and will see cars from the Gen3 era.

SA ALL-ROUNDER CHRIS

Gujarat shuttler Shuttler Lakshya stuns world MORRIS RETIRES becomes world no 1 champ to win India open in U-19 girls singles Gujarat shuttler Tasnim Mir became the world number one in under 19 girls singles category.

According to the Badminton World Federation (BWF) U-19 rankings, Tasnim has 10,810 points. Tasnim was Tasnim Mir world No. 1 in the junior category too.

“I am really thrilled by this feat, and it's a great honour. I was not expecting this at all as I stopped playing in this age group. I was world No. 2 last year and never thought I will become No. 1,” Tasnim said.

It’s a great feat which eluded even the likes of Saina Nehwal and PV Sindhu. While Saina did not make the cut as BWF introduced the junior rankings in 2011, Sindhu’s highest ranking in the junior category was world No. 2. She credited her good show in the junior international events for her achievement. Of her four junior international titles, three came last year. “I think winning titles in Dubai, Bulgaria and Nepal International helped me secure the ranking points. This will surely bolster my confidence,” Tasnim said.

Lakshya Sen, the new poster boy of Indian badminton, won the battle of the GenNext against newly crowned world champion Loh Kean Yew to annex the India Open men’s badminton title in New Delhi on Sunday.

In a match which was as much about skill as it was of speed and mental strength, the 20-year-old homeboy prevailed 24-22, 24-17 over his opponent from Singapore. With this win, world No. 17 Sen, a product of the Prakash Padukone Badminton Academy (PPBA) in Bengaluru, became the third Indian male shuttler after Padukone (1981; Pune Masters then ) and Kidambi Srikanth (2015) to win the competition.

In the past four months, the rivalry between Sen and Yew, ranked 15th in the world, has been riveting. It started at the Dutch Open in October where the 24-year-old Yew dethroned Sen. Their head-to-head is 2-2 all. All their four recent meetings have been twogame contests marked by intent, intensity and aggression. The duo understands each other’s game well, especially since they were among the five talented shuttlers picked by

Olympic champion Viktor Axelsen to train with him last year in Dubai.

On the camaraderie with his opponent, which was on show after the match, Sen said, “We know each other’s game well and what to expect from the other. We’ve had four encounters in the last six months and have trained together in Dubai. We are good friends off the court, but on it, we just want to beat the other.”

Double delight India's doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty shocked world champions Mohammad Ahsan and Hendra Setiawan of Indonesia to claim their first India Open crown with a 21-16, 26-24 victory. It was a moraleboosting victory for Chirag-Satwik too.

Considered as one of the best in the world, their rise to the top was affected by injuries and Covid. “It was a dream match for us, we still can't believe it. We had a clear plan and we wanted to implement that and give 100%. I feel we played one of our best matches ever. We stayed calm. I could see they were under pressure. We’re so happy with the win,” Satwik said. His partner Chirag also rated this as one of their best wins.

South Africa all-rounder Chris Morris announced his retirement from all forms of cricket and is set to take up a coaching role with domestic side Titans. The 34-year-old cricketer made the announcement on social media. “Today I announce my retirement from all forms of cricket!

Thanks to all who have played a part in my journey whether it be big or small…it’s been a fun ride! Delighted to be taking up a coaching role at @titanscricket #lifebeginsnow,” Morris wrote on his Instagram page.

DJOKOVIC DEPORTED FROM AUSTRALIA Novak Djokovic’s Australian sojourn for the year’s first Grand Slam came to a end on Sunday with the government deporting the Serbian after a federal court panel dismissed his appeal against cancellation of his visa. He boarded a plane to Dubai, on way to Serbia. He lost his final bid to stay in Australia when a three-judge panel upheld the government’s decision to cancel his visa. More broadly, he lost to a government determined to make him a symbol of un-vaccinated celebrity entitlement; to an immigration law that gives godlike authority to border enforcement; and to a public outcry, in a nation of rule followers, over what was widely seen as Djokovic’s disregard for others, after he said he had tested positive for Covid last month and met with two journalists anyway.