AV 24th August 2019

FIRST & FOREMOST ASIAN WEEKLY IN EUROPE

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24 - 30 AUGUST 2019 - VOL 48 ISSUE 17

BORIS JOHNSON REGRETS VIOLENT ATTACK ON INDIANS Rupanjana Dutta

UK Prime Minister regrets the incident to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while community leaders denounce protestors’ action

STORY ON PAGE 7

inside: Breaking the class ceiling at Oxbridge universities SEE PAGE 5

PM Modi hints at major reforms on I-Day SEE PAGE 17

Pakistan rebuffed at UNSC meet on Kashmir SEE PAGE 26

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24 - 30 August 2019

onetoone WITH KEITH VAZ, MP

LUVJIT KANDULA Luvjit Kandula is the Head of LPC Engagement and Collaboration PSNC and Chair for PCPA Community Pharmacy Group.

Luvjit is a qualified pharmacist who worked previously as the Chief Officer of Leicestershire and Rutland Local Pharmaceutical Committee and was seconded to NHS Digital to support digitising medicines and Pharmacy.

Her role involves advancing community pharmacy in the local NHS whilst representing Community Pharmacists interests through integration. Luvjit has extensive experience working as a Community Pharmacist also having worked in hospital pharmacy and industry both in the UK and abroad. Previous roles include Head of Pharmacy Services, Head of the Pre-registration Training Programmes and also Chairing Warwickshire Local Pharmaceutical Committee.

1

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

I feel most at home in India. I find it’s a place where there are great ancient traditions and influences that inspire me to become a better human being. I feel a sense of calm and belonging and always learn so much from the people that I have met there. The focus is far removed from outward success and much more orientated towards inner satisfaction and peace.

2

What are your proudest achievements?

My proudest achievement was gaining a Fellowship from the Royal Pharmaceutical Society in recognition of my contribution to the Pharmacy profession. I was also honoured to be appointed a specialist advisor to the APPG Diabetes group.

3

What inspires you?

4

What has been biggest obstacle in your career?

The biggest obstacle in my career has been that I never felt supported in my career development and aspirations and therefore it had an impact on my self-confidence. I hope in the future, young people have more support and encouragement to follow their dreams and grow rather than being criticised or facing negativity for being innnovative and demonstrating leadership qualities.

5

Who has been the biggest influence on your career to date?

The biggest influence on my career to date has been down to a few people. They have all been senior managers or Pharmacy colleagues that demonstrated great leadership skills in terms of integrity, fairness and selflessness for a greater cause. In addition, they were great mentors who truly wanted to see others succeed which has influenced and inspired me greatly.

6

What is the best aspect about your current role?

The best aspect of my job is being able to influence change to help patients and communities to have a better quality of life through more extended support from the Pharmacy profession alongside all our other NHS colleagues.

7

And the worst?

The worst aspect of my job is the length of time it takes for change to take place. Also,

Pharmacists not being recognised and valued for what they do. We have so much expertise that still hasn’t been recognised or used but this is now changing.

8

What are your long term goals?

My Long term goals will be related to supporting people to prevent ill-health and live long happy and healthier lives.

9

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

I would like to see a greater emphasis on prevention of ill-health through inclusion of techniques such as self-awareness, meditation and physical exercise to promote self-care in our education and wider healthcare systems. This will ensure all our communities maintain high levels of physical and mental health to reach their own potential and have a long, happy and healthy life which will support NHS costs to reduce too.

10

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

I would have liked to spend time with the Buddha. This because his teachings relating to personal development, understanding of the mind and cultivating compassion for others really resonates with me. His teachings require in-depth introspection of your deeper self to challenge your own limitations and beliefs to create peace for one self and others.

Girl, 6, pays tribute to organ donor, 22,

I am inspired by people that overcome challenges to achieve great success but also support others to grow and develop. I think the greatest satisfaction comes from helping others to achieve their dreams.

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A 'very handsome' 22-yearold who died when he was hit on the back of his head during hockey training four years ago has saved the lives of 50 other people through organ donation - including a six-year-old girl who says he is her 'hero'.

Tom Wilson was living the 'perfect' life in London with a job at estate agents Lambert Smith Hampton, a great flat and a 'beautiful' girlfriend before he died after being hit over the back

Fatima Mirza (centre) with her mother Lubna and Tom's mother Lisa

of the head with a hockey stick, his mother Lisa told BBC Breakfast.

The head wound proved fatal when Tom suffered an immediate haemorrhage and had to be rushed from Old Loughtonians Hockey Club in Chigwell, to hospital. His parents Lisa and Graham were told his injuries were too severe for him to recover.

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formed the lives of 50 people - including six-year-old Fatima Mirza. Sitting next to her mother Lubna on the breakfast show's sofa Fatima says she has drawn a picture of Tom: 'He is my hero. He gave me his liver.'

Fatima's mother Lubna added: 'We were certain she was not going to make it and he saved her life. Words cannot express how grateful we are.'

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COMMENTS

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24 - 30 August 2019

Imran Khan’s rant theatre of the absurd Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan’s rant on Kashmir and India’s abrogation of Article 370 included a reference to Nazism, Munich, Hitler and his ‘Final Solution.’ He dwelt on the possibility of war, conventional and nuclear. That an article of the Indian Constitution could release a speech so inchoate and irrational tells in own tale of murky inner demons on the loose. Indian Defence Minister Rajmath Singh issued a cautionary statement: India was committed to a ‘No first use of its nuclear weapons’ but this assurance was not cast in stone and could, if necessary, be adjusted to meet emerging ground realities. Imran Khan, his ministerial associates and assorted myrmidons, have as large a stake in self-preservation for themselves and their country as do the rest of humankind.

Khan’s promise to the legislature of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, that he was prepared to go to ends of the earth in defence of the Kashmiri peoples’ right to freedom would have gained traction if he had included the province of Balochistan, whose denizens endure the continuing depredations of the Pakistan military. Khan amnesia-struck brain cells could do with some gentle prodding to restore memory of his country’s abysmal record of human rights violations.

Religious tolerance has never been the forte of the Pakistani state that seemingly extends well into the future.

Pakistan continues to be a land of blasphemy laws under which any Muslim citizen, man or woman of all ages and descriptions, has only to whisper, on a mere whim, that a Christian or Hindu neighbour, by word, deed or gesture, had defamed the Prophet of Islam and the Holy Koran, could be shredded by baying mobs, or if arrested by the police and tried by the courts, face the death penalty as has been the case down the years. Several years ago, a young Christian boy of 14 faced by the hangman’s noose, was rescued by extradition to Germany. A more recently, Christian peasant woman was on death row on the accusation her Muslim neighbour for blasphemy, before her acquittal by the Pakistan Supreme Court. Mobs incited by the clergy, were out in force in cities across the country, demanded that her death sentence be carried out. Offered

asylum, she and her family migrated to Canada. The Hindu minority in Sindh has frequently complained that young women and children are abducted by Muslim landlords, converted and forcibly married to aged Muslim husbands.

Muslim Ahmedis, widely perceived as apostates, are frequently murdered, their mosques attacked and often destroyed.

Then there was the terrible ordeal of Bengali-speaking, Muslim majority East Pakistan, which in the country’s first general election in January 1971 voted in the local Awami League by an overwhelming majority. Thereupon, the military government in Islamabad pronounced the result null and void and declared martial law. Pakistani journalist Anthony Mascarenhas, an eye-witness to the massacre of the minority Hindu population, with targeted killings of the Muslim intelligentsia, wrote a book (Rape of Bangladesh) detailing these hideous events. However, one must not get ahead of the events. A massive camp was constructed by the Pakistan Army to house Bengali Muslim peasant women for the sexual pleasure of Pakistani troops, the goal being the production of a new generation of Muslims uncontaminated by the Hindu cultural DNA. Unable to take anymore of this carnage, Mascarenhas fled Dhaka; his Karachi-based family did likewise, all arriving in London, where his story appeared in the Sunday Times and went globally viral. The postscript was the subsequent India-Pakistan war of December 1971, which ended in a Pakistani rout and the emergence of a sovereign, Bangladesh, once East Pakistan.

Imran Khan and the Pakistan political class are busy disgorging tales of Indian cluster bombs raining down on the hapless Kashmiri people. Pakistan’s words lack credibility. Claiming to fight terrorism and providing Osama bin Laden covert refuge was unwise. The Great Powers - with the exception of China, which gifted Pakistan a readymade nuclear bomb and nuclear weapon technology - have advised Islamabad start a dialogue with New Delhi, fully aware that Pakistan had severed diplomatic and trade ties with India. A well understood dialogue of the deaf, no doubt.

Two faces of the Middle Kingdom China historically has been a puzzle to outsiders.

Language and script, to some extent, may have been the reasons Equally, foreign countries and cultures – though, not in equal measure - have been, and still are, for the most part, a mystery to the Han Chinese – the indigenous people of the country called China. Chinese civilization is among the world’s oldest; for many centuries it was the most productive technologically. A trained civil bureaucracy was also a Chinese creation.

This lifespan ended around the beginning of the 15th century. Cut off from other great civilizations by the formidable natural barriers of desert, ocean and steppe land, the China’s Confusion world order was uniquely an internal mechanism based on home-grown Confucian principles of stability, filial piety and unquestioning obedience to the dictates Son of Heaven – the Emperor. – all this and more crystallizing the belief of an inherent a cultural superiority embodies in the concept of Middle Kingdom, However, invaders from across the steppe – Mongols and Manchus – conquered the country and were resented by the the Hans. But Mongol and Manchu territorial acquisitions were happily accepted as an imperial heritage woven into the national narrative as sacrosanct and brooking no denial at home or abroad. The colonisation of Muslim-populated Xinjiand and Buddhist Tibet come readily to mind. Old inbred attitudes die hard. Foreign ‘barbarians’ from across the seas and lands beyond breached the walls of Chinese isolation and conceit.

Peripheral states were tributaries, whose rulers kowtowed to the Emperor as was the custom. Intruders from the West were treated initially with bland disdain, until the walls of isolation were rudely breached by gun

boat diplomacy. An increasingly moribund state was vanquished by smaller foreign powers empowered by the Industrial Revolution and its science and technologies.

Coming to the post-war era, China carried some of its autistic political baggage into present day realities.. The West and Russia were much too powerful to subdue, but Asian countries in China’s neighbourhood, including India, were considered fair game. At one level Chinese diplomacy is suave and courteous. At another, it it is loud, crude and menacing. The Global Times, mouthpiece of the Beijing establishment, recently launched an antiIndian tirade, deeming the country unfit for UN Security Council membership, of being regional bully - with Pakistan, China’s all-weather friend, clearly in mind in mind – hobbled by an allegedly stagnant economy - a psychological ploy to cower India into submission. Thus ielding the big stick and talking softly at Wuhan and Varanasi summits are staples of Chinese statecraft.

Edward Luttwak, the noted US political thinker, in his seminal work, China’s Rise versus the Logic of Strategy, cites instances of China’s maladroit conduct. An Indian delegation to China included a member from Arunachal Pradesh, which Beijing claims is Chinese territory and hence his visa application would be stapled, not stamped on his passport. Refusing to budge, India cancelled the visit.

China’s aggrandisement in the South China Sea has so alienated Vietnam that it has opted for a close strategic partnership with India. Both countries have have fought border wars with a China determined to teach them a lesson. In thesummer of 2017, India faced off China at Doklan on the Tibet-Bhutan border. It was India’s coming of age as a hard state to be respected.

UAVs instrument of security in Kashmir Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) have been pressed cinto service by India as protective devices agaist jihadi terrorist threats in Kashmir. Sensitive areas in Jammu were on high alert by security forces watchful for hostile Pakistani military activity in close proximity to the Line-of-Control.

Pakistan forces were shelling the area, as cover for jihadi infiltrators. Meanwhile Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmud Qureshi took serious exception to the statement

of Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s statement that India’s ‘No first use’ of nuclear weapons was not an open cheque for all conditions. There would be modifications to this assurance as circumstances warranted. Mr Qureshi accused India of ‘irresponsible’ and ‘belligerent’ behaviour.

The war of words looks set to continue. Jaw jaw is better than war war, as Winston Churchill famously remarked decades ago.

A man's errors are his portals of discovery - James Joyce (1882-1941)

Prime Minister Boris Johnson regrets violence on Indians in London The Indian Independence Day violence outside the High Commission of India has raised many concerns.

Indians like every year were gathered at the High Commission of India with women and children to celebrate India's 73rd Independence Day. The celebrations started with a flag-hoisting ceremony, with the Indian High Commissioner to the UK, Mrs Ruchi Ghanashyam, felicitating members of the World Peace Rally, which concluded in London this week after covering 105 cities and a distance of 17,000-km.

Mrs Ghanashyam also greeted the Indian Cricket Association for the Physically Challenged team, which recently beat England to win the Physical Disability World Cricket Series 2019 at Worcester in the West Midlands region of England.

There were cultural programmes, which concluded around 11am and the crowd started skowly dispersing. At that point there were only a few Indian supporters outside and a few protestors.

By mid day there were several of buses that arrived with demonstrators from areas dominated

by Pakistani diaspora in Midlands and the North.

What followed was shameful. Khalistani, Azad Kashmir and Pakistan supporters were perhaps rightfully there to stand up for their country or choices made. But what they did in the name of humanity was beyond comprehension. Bottles, stones, vegetables, eggs were thrown at innocent supporters including children and women, who were there for celebrating something entirely nonpolitical in nature.

The questions for authorities here are many.

First, the police were informed about the event, but they were not prepared adequately. With the government's cut on number of police, events like this where their help is crucial gets hugely affected.

More as the Met Police convincingly said afterwards, that the event was largely peaceful!

Sadiq Khan has been questioned for not being earnest about his intentions, and alleged to have been partial towards his own community. None of the Indian-origin politicians have come out in support- which is shocking. But besides every issue what remains most concering is that Indians don't feel safe any more in a diverse city like London, where the Deputy Mayor is also of Indian-origin.

The Indian government demanded UK authorities to take action against this trend of India bashing especially as the UK Prime Minister hopes for a close UK-India relationship post-Brexit.

Authorities regretably keeps the line as a “peaceful protest” held outside India House.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson during his phone call with all the world leaders, spoke to Indian Prime Minister Modi on Tuesday afternoon.

Downing Street in a statement said, the two leaders agreed on the importance of the UK-India partnership and the need to build on it further, particularly through trade and economic ties and through the living bridge that links our countries. Prime Minister Modi said there are immense possibilities for the UK and India which would increase prosperity in both countries.

However alongside Johnson and Modi discussed the current situation in Kashmir and the UK Prime Minister emphasised that UK views the issue of Kashmir as one for India and Pakistan to resolve bilaterally, and underlined the importance of resolving it through dialogue.

The PMO in a statement mentioned that Prime Minister Modi also drew attention to the challenges posed by vested interests pursuing their motivated agenda, including by violent means. In this context he referred to the violence and vandalism perpetrated by a large mob against the High Commission of India in London on the last Independence Day of India. Prime Minister Johnson regretted the incident and assured that all necessary steps would be taken to ensure safety and security of the High Commission, its personnel and visitors.

Long-live UK-India partnership!

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Strict father who imposed a 'toxic and oppressive' regime upon his family walks free from court A strict father who imposed a 'toxic and oppressive' regime upon his family after two of his eight daughters refused to enter into arranged marriages walked free from court after they urged a judge not to send him to prison.

Salamat Khan, 63, had instilled such severe parental control over his household over a three year period that his 21-year-old daughter Madina felt like she was 'living in a prison.'

The father of nine had already married off three of his daughters to selected spouses but he 'cast out' two of his other children when they married other men he did not 'approve of.'

As a result of the unwanted weddings, Khan claimed the rebel sisters were 'dead to the family' and

tried to stop two other unmarried daughters, Madina and Maryha, leading a Westernised lifestyle.

Salamat also demanded properties in the names of female relatives be transferred to him for his control.

Police were first called to the Khan's family home in Oldham, Greater Manchester after a violent argument broke out when Abbas, 34, demanded one of the property to be transferred to his name so he could facilitate his own wife emigrating to the UK from her native Pakistan.

Madira Khan, 21, said: 'I was in a panic for everyone and I was crying for it to stop. My brother threatened to kill me more than once and this time I thought he was going to do something.

He was enraged. It's been

Salamat Khan, 63 and son Abbas, 34 (left) narrowly escaped jail after Salamat's daughters pleaded with the judge not to jail them

like living in a prison.'

At Minshull Street Crown Court, Salamat was found guilty of engaging in coercive behaviour towards Madina and Maryha as well as his wife Zahida Begum between December 2015 and June 2018 was banned from contacting all three indefinitely under the terms of a restraining order. He was also ordered to complete a

12 month community order.

Abbas who was found guilty of coercive behaviour towards his sisters and common assault on his mother and was ordered to abide by the restraining order and complete 100 hours unpaid work. Both father and son who each denied wrongdoing were ordered to pay a total of £300 prosecution costs.

A Bill Gates foundation offers to triple school's fundraiser Fundraising from a primary school’s rotary club has been tripled by a foundation set under Bill Gates. A children’s club in Stanburn Primary School, Stanmore, has raised more than £2,673 for Polio vaccinations after a foundation by Bill Gates offered to triple the initial money raised.

The primary school’s RotaKids club, a Rotary International initiative where children aged between seven and twelve form impactful ‘mini’ rotary clubs, initially raised £891 for Polio sufferers in a nonschool uniform day.

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation have promised to triple the school’s £891, providing Polio vaccinations to nearly 10,692 children. Caroline Lansdowne, the headteacher of Stanburn Primary

School, said: “We are extremely proud of our students’ achievements and hard work. We look forward to further developing our partnerships with Rotary and the local community.”

Children in the RotaKids club meet once a week at lunchtime under the guidance of teacher Mrs Roshni Thakar and a Rotarian, Mr Pankaj Chahwala. The group works together to formulate plans to help the world, local community and their own school. The group have also previously volunteered with a non-profit organisation, Refuge Coffee, which helps people in need of refuge, and a senior’s group at Stanmore Baptist Church.

Northwick Park Rotary Club sponsors the primary school’s RotaKids club and encourages their projects.

Children from the RotaKids club collect their £891 cheque

Restaurant owner hits back at 'shameless' critics A no-nonsense Indian restaurant owner brutally hit back at a 'shameless' TripAdvisor reviewer who criticised the size of its portions - after apparently ordering a bargain £3.50 three-course meal.

The boss of Shimla Cottage, in Coatbridge, North Lanarkshire, sent a brutal reply to the com-

plaint, which has since been shared on Twitter and liked nearly 2,000 times.

Labelled 'Awful Lack Of Manners', the review claimed the owners were 'very rude' and that 'you only get what you pay for', adding: 'Even at that price, it felt like an absolute rip off.'

Not one for accepting criticism, the restaurateur replied: 'Judging from the waistline of most of your party I could have served them a full cow and they would still have left hungry.'

It's not the first time the restaurant has hit the headlines, as two years ago the then-owner, Waseem Ahmed, came under fire for his scathing replies to TripAdvisor reviews.

Speaking at the time, Mr Ahmed claimed too many customers were able to hold businesses to ransom via TripAdvisor and argued he should be allowed to fight his corner.

The restaurant, in the town's Sunnyside Street, has been open for 17 years and has an average of four out of five stars on TripAdvisor, based on 705 reviews.

in brief MAN WHO KILLED CYCLIST IN NEW YEAR'S EVE HIT AND RUN WHILE DRIVING ON HIS PHONE JAILED A driver from South Ockendon who killed a cyclist following a hit and run crash on New Year's Eve has been jailed. Ravinder Matharu, 32, was on the phone to his girlfriend while driving his brother’s Peugeot 206 on Arisdale Avenue when he collided with 43-year-old Matei Alexandru at around 7.50pm. Mr Alexandru, a Romanian national who had been in the country for a year and was living on Buckles Lane, was pronounced dead at the scene despite the efforts of members of the public and paramedics who provided CPR. A post mortem was carried out by Dr Benjamin Swift at Basildon Hospital, with the provisional cause of death given as multiple injuries, including severe traumatic spinal injuries.

Following the collision, Matharu, of Erriff Drive, made off from the scene with significant damage to his car, including to the windscreen and one of the headlights. He did not report the incident to the police or to the ambulance service.

Matharu pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving, failing to stop at the scene of a collision, failing to report a collision, driving whilst disqualified and aggravated taking without consent at Basildon Crown Court earlier this year. He was sentenced to four years and one month in prison at the same court today (Monday, August 19) and was also disqualified from driving for a further seven years.

Matharu has to take an extended test if he ever wishes to drive again.

FOUR MEN WHO MURDERED A FATHER-OF-FOUR, 42, ARE JAILED FOR LIFE Four men have been jailed for life after slaughtering a father-of-four with a machete in the middle of the street over a long-running family feud. Sajed Choudry (pictured), 42, had his ears sliced off and skull hacked open in the vicious attack near his home in Blackburn, Lancashire, on November 27 last year.

Sadaqat Ali, 36, his brother Rafaqat Ali, 38, their father-inlaw Fazal Ilahi, 63, and another man, Syed Ali Akbar, 45, were given life terms at Preston Crown Court Monday. Sentencing, The court heard the family had been involved in a feud with Mr Choudry's family since May 2018. On the evening of the attack, Sadaqat Ali had initially armed himself with a machete and tried to confront Mr Choudry's son, Ahsan, 24.

He then went to Ilahi's home, where the men armed themselves with an axe and sticks. Rafaqat Ali, Akbar and a boy who cannot be named for legal reasons, also joined them for a confrontation with the Choudrys. Members of the Choudry family were in tears in the public gallery as the men were sentenced.

Rafaqat Ali, Ilahi and Akbar were found guilty of murder and wounding with intent following the eight-week trial. Rafaqat Ali was sentenced to a minimum of 28 years and Ilahi and Akbar were jailed for a minimum term of 20 years. The youth, who was convicted of manslaughter and wounding, will be sentenced next month. Saira Ali, 35, and Asma Ali, 34, the wives of Sadaqat and Rafaqat, were cleared earlier in the trial of attempting to pervert the course of justice.

BRENT POLITICIANS CALL FOR UNITY ON KASHMIR AFTER INDEPENDENCE CELEBRATIONS Politicians in Brent have called for unity on the issue of Kashmir, as the council celebrated the independence days of India and Pakistan last week. Cllr Krupesh Hirani, responsible for public health, culture and leisure at Brent Council, said it was important to show that all communities can work together. He attended a flag raising ceremony at Brent Civic Centre on August 14 to recognise Pakistan’s independence and took part in a similar ceremony a day later to acknowledge India’s. London Assembly member for Harrow and Brent, Navin Shah, agreed with Cllr Hirani’s sentiments and urged people to focus on similarities rather than differences. Protests have erupted around the world – including in London – at India’s decision to revoke Article 370, which gave the state of Jammu and Kashmir ‘special status’ and de facto political autonomy. It means the Indian government will have full control over the state which, prime minister Narendra Modi said, will speed up integration and development. Bob Blackman, MP for Harrow East, voiced his support for the decision and said that Kashmiri Pandits – a Hindu group native to the region – should be allowed right of return.

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24 - 30 August 2019

Breaking the class ceiling at Oxbridge universities Race, class, and culture the struggle to excellence at Oxbridge universities for non-white ethnic minority students and their journey into professional careers “I am always plagued with the imposter syndrome where I constantly ask myself if I belonged at Oxford because everyone else appeared smarter in comparison. This feeling of not belonging at University often stems from the fact that people often came from certain privileged backgrounds where they were mostly educated at either private or grammar schools,” said Neetu Singh, a second-year English Language and Literature undergraduate at Pembroke College, Oxford University.

As of today, twentyeight British Prime Ministers including Boris Johnson have been educated at Oxford. The question around who attends these elite universities has been thrust into the spotlight.

Research showed four-fifths of students from England and Wales accepted at Oxbridge between 2010 and 2015 came from entitled backgrounds where parents had top professional and managerial jobs.

The former Labour higher education minister David Lammy calling for a systemic change at Oxford had pinned the university as “bastion of entrenched wealthy, upper-class, white, southern privilege” in 2017.

According to a recent report from the National Education Opportunities Network, there are only 3% of white students from deprived backgrounds at the University of Oxford.

However, there is no clear data that represents the intersectionality between class and ethnicity or race.

Last year, Samina Khan, Oxford University’s director of undergraduate admissions, acknowledged that white British students were twice as likely to be admitted as black British students, but had said that the university was working hard to change.

Today, as the President of the Oxford South Asian Arts Society and is on the Oxford Sikh Committee Neetu has made a conscious effort to build and strengthen South Asian spaces in a pre-dominantly white environment. Originally from Hackney, the East London YouTuber shares her experiences online in an attempt to start discussions around mental health, coping with academic stress and navigating the “Oxford culture”.

Neetu Singh at the Pembroke Ball, Oxford University

YouTubers break barriers of institutionalised prejudices “I can't speak for everyone and I don't tend to generalise but my understanding of independence is different from that of some other young people at Oxford. I don't believe in drinking or engaging in multiple relationships. My idea of being independent is being responsible and giving back to my parents for all their sacrifices and get a stable job.

“This tends to hinder in the process of integration with my classmates even when they are very accommodating in respecting my cultural beliefs. The important thing that can help students like us is to remember that they are our classmates and not our closest friends,” she says.

Ibrahim Mohammed

Neetu is one of the many South Asian students who has come forward to address the difficulties that students from ethnic minority and working-class backgrounds have faced. The number of UK-domiciled BAME undergraduates at Oxford and Cambridge, which stood at 17.8 percent and 22.1 percent respectively in 2017.

Ibrahim Mohammed, a Cambridge University graduate in Psychological and Behavioural Sciences has campaigned for diversity on his YouTube channel.

Despite feeling “isolated” at university initially, he excelled in launching a charity 'BYTS Ltd' where he is embarking on a tour of 100 state schools to help inspire young students across the UK, to apply to Cambridge.

“We broke barriers, we beat expectations and we inspired a generation along the way. I am so proud of myself and I am so thankful for everyone who has supported me. We did it,” he wrote.

BAME students less likely to receive a first But lack of inclusivity is not the only controversy surrounding higher education at universities. There were reports stating that students from BAME backgrounds were less likely to achieve similar grades as compared to their white counterparts.

According to data compiled

by Equality Challenge Unit, almost 78% of white students received a first or a 2:1 in 2015/16, compared to 66% of Asian students. Lower proportions of Black or Asian students that achieved the same A-Level results as their white peers go on to achieve a first or 2:1 at all grade boundaries, the data suggests. However, some students say that anonymity around the 'marking system' does not allow this to happen.

In the meantime, BBC journalist Amol Rajan's latest documentary How to Break into the Elite follows graduates from state schools as they embark on a journey to start their professional lives. It effectively sheds light into the conclusion that those not hailing from elite white background with Etonian accents may face challenges around finding positions at top firms.

“It is worrying that there are institutionalised prejudices in place acting as barriers that will affect you no matter what you do and how much you achieve. But the myriad of positive discrimination schemes in place, especially at big firms, has helped in breaking through the class barrier and be recognised for merit instead,” she said.

“In my time at Oxford, I have learned to unapologetically be myself. I don't have to over-compensate for my brown-ness. I also think creating my YouTube channel was born out of a desire to create a safe space outside of the white spaces that belonged to me only,” said Neetu.

Jay Singh Johal selected as PCC candidate A project director in the security and defence sector, is aiming to be the Tories' first Police and Crime Commissioner in West Midlands when he contests the election next May. Brummie Jay SinghSohal is from Sutton Coldfield has a background in journalism and serves as an officer in the Army Reserves. Intent on increasing safety in the region by reducing crime, supporting victims and making sure taxpayers’ money is spent wisely, he is delighted to be selected for the candidacy.

"It's an opportunity to serve the public and I know my experiences and skills serving in uniform but also within the community will

Brummie Jay Singh-Sohal

help to ensure that policing across the West Midlands becomes more responsive to the needs of all residents particularly from underprivileged and diverse backgrounds. By listening to people’s concerns, I will as PCC produce a crime plan

that reflects local need and requirements given the rise in crime we face,” said Sohal in a statement to Express & Star.

His candidacy has been backed by West Midlands Conservative Mayor Andy Street.

"He has the skills and experience to make a huge difference when it comes to policing and crime.

"Like me, he will put people before politics to get the best deal for communities across the West Midlands, which is exactly what local people need from their Police and Crime Commissioner,” said Mayor Andy Street.

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24 - 30 August 2019

Struggle of a 7th grade Indian Student, India based NGO becomes a ray of hope in her education This is a story of a 7th grade student – Ms. Sonali Vikram studying in Govt. Primary School, Marla in Delhi (NCR), India.

A grandfather who did not allow me to go to school, forced my father to re-marry, and a step-mother who forced me do all the household chores, at the tender age of 8! And all this in spite of moving to Delhi for better livelihood prospects. A fearsome condition, I wanted to shout loud at everything that stopped me from going to the school.

But then, this was not all. Today, I am able to finally stay happily together with my mother and two brothers, albeit in a small house. My mother works day in and day out to make our lives better, and it is her sacrifices that motivated me to dream of becoming a teacher one fine day, inspiring people to become better human beings.

However, to me, studying in a government school in India still meant lack of opportunity to study in some better school, it meant that because all my mother could earn was spent in keeping our shelter and getting us food, we were studying in poorly maintained government schools, which is not easy. Toilets so small, they either always stink too badly or remain waterclogged in rainy seasons, and don’t have water for the rest of the times. Safe drinking water seemed a fantasy and each day to school was a struggle for basic amenities. Many times it influenced me to not to go to the school, but my mother always said that if you face the fear with courage, the world will come around to tap your back and will support you.

I believe that it was a similarly optimistic attitude of our school principal that attracted the good from around us, and so Lo and behold! Yuva Unstoppable (India based NGO) identified our school and undertook to transform it.

What I now love about my school is not just that how beautifully it has changed with fresh new wall colours and educational paintings hanging on those walls and in our classrooms, but most importantly, how clean it has become with spacious new toilets, as big as my room back home.

And, that I don’t need to worry about drinking water anymore as it is purified. Now, I feel safe at my school.

I question myself whom to thank for this new gift, my teachers, parents or Yuva Unstoppable? Then I feel it’s the Almighty who wants to see me happy after a struggling childhood.

Yuva Unstoppable has benefited over 5,00,000 underprivileged children across 40 cities of India.

Yuva has been working with 100 top corporate (Coke, 3M, IBM, Google, Adani, Unicef, United Way, and others) and have transformed 1000 government schools (better toilets, improved drinking water, scholarships, digital literacy, value based training's, etc.). KPMG audits finances & Deloitte audits processes. In May 2019, Yuva’s Founder Amitabh Shah was the youngest Indian to win the International Ellis Island Award given previously to George Bush, Bill Clinton, Rosa Parks & others. In 2015, we received, Prince’s Prize for Innovative Philanthropy by Prince Albert II of Monaco. In 2017, Yuva was awarded with IBM Impact grant. Statesman like Prime Minister Modi & Late President of India Dr. APJ Kalam; Bollywood Legends like Akshay Kumar, R Balki, Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra; Cricketers VVS Laxman & Sir Ian Botham; Authors Jeffrey Archer & Chetan Bhagat; Global leaders like Paul Polman (Unilever CEO), Gautam Adani, amongst others have participated in Yuva initiatives to inspire all. Vision is to impact 10,000 schools & 10,000 Scholarships in the next 5 years.

Sponsored Charity of Asian Achievers Awards 2019

To know more about Yuva Unstoppable please visit www.yuvaunstoppable.org.

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More brown voices arriving behind the jazz renaissance Entering the UK's mainstream music industry as an 'outsider' can be difficult. It requires knocking down pre-conceived notions around South Asian music.

The journey includes struggling to be commissioned by mainstream producers and playing to an audience which is receptive of a “defiant” IndoJazz style of music.

“The idea of a brown person making music in this country is a political act in itself. To be able to compose and play my music to predominantly white audiences, is an act of protest and a celebration of diversity,” said Sarathy Korwar, a London based percussionist and producer.

Born in America and raised in India, Korwar's multi-cultural identity is reflected in the confluence of his western jazz, hip-hop, and Hindustani classical tunes. Underpinning his unorthodox music is his socio-political message around immigration. His recent album 'More Arriving' is a “reflection” of his everyday experiences in the Brexit-riddled UK politics. The album echoes the diverse South Asian stories through collaborations with MCs across India, dispelling the myth around the existence of a “homogenous” South Asian Voice. Racial divisions, class-based discrimination and an insight into an immigrant’s life in postBrexit Britain form the core of this album.

Collaborating with working-class artists and immigrants “I was keen to work with these young producers and rappers who are primarily from working-class neighbourhoods across Mumbai, Delhi, Abu Dhabi, and London in an attempt to

the UK. “There have been Jazz promoters such as Jazz re:freshed among others who supported me in my initial years by giving me gigs when I was just beginning. Some promoters told me that they were more likely to invest in traditional music implying that my music was not right,” he explains.

Arun Ghosh (Pic Courtesy: Emile Holba)

showcase diverse brown realities.

“This album is overtly political and it is a tonguein-cheek play on immigration. Through my music, I

Sarathy Korwar.

(Pic Courtesy: Rishabah Sood)

am driving this message that more people are arriving and you just have to deal with it,” he says.

Speaking about the absence of South Asian role models in the contemporary music industry, Korwar speaks about fighting the prejudice against the perception that South Asians can not be jazz musicians.

This has also often manifested in the struggle of

being commissioned wherein record producers and labels are hesitant in venturing into a non-conservative form of music. But besides Korawar, is Arun Ghosh, a British Asian clarinetist, composer, and music educator with his cultural heritage from Kolkata exploring IndoJazz.

“IndoJazz in my view is taking inspiration from the raags and taals of the folk music and drawing emotional rhythms from South Asian music and align it with western instrumentation,” says Ghosh a natural-born improviser, as described by the late Pandit Ravi Shankar.

In his music, Ghosh improvises across the scales of traditional jazz whilst taking the form of South Asian music where he tunes back and forth between the melodies.

Ghosh has released four albums: Northern Namaste, Primal Odyssey, A South Asian Suite which draws influences from Rabindra Sangeet among other folk ragas. In his latest album, But Where are you really from? Ghosh's clarinet fuses his geographical, cultural and emotional journey into

Playing music to a multi-cultural audience

Over the years, Ghosh has collaborated with artists across the world in countries such as Kenya, China, Uzbekistan, Middle-East among others. His compositions stem from the intent of combining musical forces across borders and drawing inspiration from ancient cultures. Ghosh leads his band, touring nationally and internationally and in China, he was a Musician In Residence of Wuhan in 2014. Gathering resources required to tour the album has been challenging in recent times with funding cuts and government austerity. More fundamentally, there has been a common perception among the conservative members of the South Asian diaspora who believe that a profession in the performing arts and culture industry results in an “unstable” career. However, Ghosh advises young aspiring artists to follow their passion.

“As a musician of South Asian heritage, I feel that there is less support from within the mainstream South Asian audience. My goal that I feel compelled to work towards is to establish myself in India first before I expect British Asian diaspora to wake up to my work,” he says.

Immediate end to freedom of movement after no-deal Brexit Boris Johnson led Government's latest plans to end freedom of movement for EU citizens immediately after a no-deal Brexit have caused anxiety and confusion among European nationals in the UK, with concerns that they can be caught up in hostile environment policies.

Downing Street confirmed rules allowing EU nationals to live and work freely in the UK would end abruptly if the UK leaves the bloc without an agreement at the end of October. In theory, the rights of EU citi-

zens who have permanent residence in the UK should not be affected and they will continue to be allowed to apply for settled status – granted once they have lived in the UK for five years – until the end of December 2020.

The3million, which represents EU nationals in the UK, said plans by the home secretary, Priti Patel, to impose new border restrictions overnight on 31 October if Britain leaves the EU without a deal were “reckless”.

In the meantime, in a

letter to home secretary Priti Patel, the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan said he was “very concerned” about plans to end free movement on day one of a no-deal Brexit.

“I urge you strongly to reconsider...I fear that such a reckless change to our immigration system would have far deeper consequences too.

“Three million EU citizens living in the UK right now – one million of whom are Londoners – make an enormous contribution to our economic, cultural and

civic life.

“By putting the rights and freedoms of EU citizens in the UK at risk in such a careless and brutal fashion, these plans would be a fundamental affront to British values of tolerance and respect.”

Khan also added that these plans "risk providing encouragement and cover for perpetrators of hate crime and discrimination in the UK who may be heartened by the government discriminating against people on the basis of their nationality.”

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24 - 30 August 2019

BORIS JOHNSON REGRETS VIOLENT ATTACK ON INDIANS The Indian government has conveyed its concerns to the UK over incidents of violence during a protest by Pakistani supporters outside the Indian High Commission in London on Independence Day. UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson during his phone call with all the world leaders on Tuesday afternoon, spoke to the Indian Prime Minister Modi.

The two leaders, who will be meeting at the G7 summit on this weekend, agreed on the importance of the UK-India partnership and the need to build on it further, particularly through trade and economic ties and through the living bridge that links the two countries.

Prime Minister Modi said there are immense possibilities for the UK and India which would increase prosperity in both countries.

However according to the 10 Downing Street statement, Johnson and Modi discussed the current situation in Kashmir and the UK Prime Minister emphasised that UK views the issue of Kashmir as one for India and Pakistan to resolve bilaterally, and underlined the importance of resolving it through dialogue.

The Prime Minister’s Office in India in a tweet however highlighted that Modi also drew attention to the challenges posed by vested interests pursuing their motivated agenda, including by violent means. In this context he referred to the violence and vandalism perpetrated by a large mob against the High Commission of India in London on the last Independence Day of India.

Prime Minister Johnson regretted the incident and assured that all necessary steps would be taken to ensure safety and security of the High Commission, its personnel and visitors.

What happened on 15th August outside India House?

Violent clashes erupted as an estimated 5000 protestors began demonstrations outside the Indian High Commission in London on India's independence day ie.15th August. Protestors, many waving Pakistani and Azad Kashmir flag descended outside India House as tension between India and Pakistan continued to soar over scrapping of Article 370 and 35A. The anti-India protest, organised by Pakistani groups, in Khalistani and Kashmiri separatist outfits, were separated from the proIndia demonstrators outside India House by metal barriers.

Pakistani origin protestors from various UK towns with substantial Pakistani diaspora population like Luton, Bradford,

Birmingham etc were brought in chartered buses to head towards High Commission in London. One of Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan's closest friends, Zulfi Bukhari allegedly also specially travelled to London to join the protests and instigate the crowd of protestors.

As the clashes began, witnesses claimed that Police and Indian diaspora, who attended Indian independence day at India House with friends and family, were hit with stones, bottles and eggs. They had assembled at the High Commission to attend cultural programs including song and dance performances of women and young children.

The protestors were armed with potatoes, crates of eggs, avocados, mineral water bottles etc. They mobbed the High Comission from both sides, ran over the roads, blocked all vehicular traffic around the area and surrounded the Indian gathering from all sides.

The police and administration seemed unprepared for what was happening.

While the mounted cavalry was trying its best to keep the protesters away from the gathering and the High Commission building on one side, the protestors on the other end of the building were closing in.

Earlier, the Met Police had confirmed that it had been aware of the protests and had therefore made appropriate policing arrangements, which included considerable number of officers on foot as well as officers mounted on horses.

However, the turnout was expected to be much bigger after Indian government revoked the special status of Jammu and Kashmir.

After a number of SOS calls to 999 from concerned parents and exchanges with some of the dignitaries including the High Commission, finally after 3 hours, police-reinforcements came along and pushed one side of the protestors out and enabled for the back door of the High Commission to be opened so that the children and women could be safely evacuated.

Scotland Yard tried to tackle and restrain the perpetrators. According to the Met Police there was one injury but described it as 'a largely peaceful protest' involving a few small incidents. The Scotland Yard has reportedly said that it has made four arrests so far.

Britain’s Foreign Office on Friday described the protest as “overwhelmingly peaceful”. London Mayor Sadiq Khan condemned the violence.

In a statement, Met Police said, “The event was largely peaceful but officers did have to react and deal with a small number of incidents as they happened. In total there were four arrests

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi talked on phone about Kashmir and violence against Indians on 15th August in London

for Section 4 of the Public Order Act, affray, obstruction of police and possession of an offensive weapon.

“Public order trained officers were policing today's demonstration as part of a planned operation. One person was injured during the demonstrations," it said.

On August 17, the UK branch of the Hizb ut-Tahrir, which is banned in Pakistan, reportedly organised another noisy protest outside the Indian mission, raising concern among Indian authorities over Britain allowing space to such groups.

People present condemn the attack Pravin Patel, the 73 year old former Chairman of Sardar Patel Memorial Society, had his forehead cut when he was hit by a bottle of mineral water. He said his placard which read as “We welcome Modi as PM” was first snatched from him and then a bottle was thrown straight at him. No one was allegedly arrested for the crime.

Minal Jaiswal from the group Indians in London, who was present at the scene, in a message which was attributed to London's Mayor Sadiq Khan said, “When we were walking to Indian High Commission for the cultural event to celebrate Indian independence day, we saw thousands of 'peaceful' protestors coming with eggs. Lot of our community people with children were planning to go back because of they were concerned for their children. Is London really safe?

“I was a woman in the forefront, standing with others with their patriotic belief, waving flags. It's good to have passion for your motherland. At the same time I am disappointed to see that those who have come to the UK have forgotten their own culture. Men made dirty gestures and body shamed me.

When I spoke to Police they were scared, because there were few compared to the number of protesters. Those who claimed they came for humanity sake, where is the humanity when you are throwing bottles, sticks at women and children?”

Vinod Tikoo, Community activist, Jammu and Kashmir Study Centre in

a letter that was signed by 110 people against the crimes committed on that day said, “We urge the Mayor of London and Met Police to investigate the failures on maintaining the law and order and allowing illegal protests to be carried out outside Indian High Commission on 15th August.

Was the necessary permission in place for 5000 people to congrerate in a space less than 0.2-square mile area, and if yes what safety norms were followed?...

“How were all these protestors allowed to carry projectiles like Crates and crates of eggs, potatoes, avocadoes, smoke balls, sticks etc? Why was there no warning, announcements to the protestors by Police throughout the afternoon to not throw projectiles at public?

Why were people who were throwing loaded water bottles, smoke bombs etc not apprehended? The inaction in this situation seems to be setting a precedent for future counter- protests if strict action is not taken by the authorities to ban organisers of this protest from any future protests and punish those who caused bodily harm and body-shaming during the protests specially torturing young children and women...

“I urge the Met Police and London Mayor to take serious note of the hostilities specially given there were vulnerable children as young as 4 years old, elders and women who were heckled, injured and trapped for over 3 hours from all sides by these pre-meditated protestors encouraged by Pakistani establishment and Pakistani diaspora leadership in the UK who were supporting these hostile protests...”

Poonam Joshi, a reporter with ANI, was seen bravely crossing over to snatch away the Indian flag, from the hands of protestors who tore it apart and stamped over it.

Her act of bravery and sentiment as an Indian to protect her country's 'dignity' was applauded by the community.

Community leaders come forward in support Lord Jitesh Gadhia, wrote a comment piece in The Daily Telegraph jointly with for-

mer CIA Director, General David Petraeus. Their analysis remains tough yet a constructive message for both Pakistan and India. The highlights of the article are as following: “Islamabad is trying to internationalise Kashmir issue to distract attention from domestic failings.

Prime Minister Imran Khan would be well advised to stop expending precious diplomatic and financial capital on the Kashmir issue and focus instead on development of his country, which stands on verge of bankruptcy in need of IMF bailout.

“What Pakistan has long resisted accepting is that the country’s most serious existential threat is not India; it is internal extremists – together with inadequately developed economic opportunities.

“Since 1947 independence, India has outperformed Pakistan on virtually every economic and social indicator: India’s GDP per capita at over USD 2,000, outpaces its neighbour by almost 40%; infant mortality rate in Pakistan is almost twice that of India, and literacy rates are also lagging behind “Fundamental calculation from Prime Minister Modi appears to be that fully integrating Kashmir into India will unlock reverse “triple talaq” by improving security, enhancing prosperity, and unifying nation-state.

Much depends on quality of execution. Though India’s tactics may be questioned, strategy of equalising rights of all citizens is difficult to fault.

“Beyond averting conflict, big prize awaits both nations by unlocking human and economic potential.

Huge talents of global Indian and Pakistani diaspora evident from Silicon Valley to City of London. It would be a great human tragedy if territorial dispute over Kashmir diverts one-fifth of world’s population from fulfilling its true destiny.”

Trupti Patel, President, Hindu Forum of Britain wrote to Home Secretary Priti Patel, regarding the hate crime and antisocial behaviour of gangs of antiIndian protesters. She said, “Police had prior knowledge of this Independence Day protest, called as a ‘Black Day’ by the PM of Pakistan.

Lord Nazir Ahmed was a part of the organisers and spoke with hate and venom against the Indian Community...As many UK TV channels for Pakistani audience were creating mass hysteria for over a week prior to the event, surely the Police must have had information about Pakistani crowd being ferried in from across UK to protest at the HCI...

“Home Secretary, you can well imagine how threatened, beleaguered and terrified the besieged Indian,

men, women & children felt, surrounded on all sides, by baying violent gangs. The Indian community was let down by the police who were not well prepared and were woefully slow to respond to bring in additional police units. We also feel let down by the Mayor of London, whose arrangements for the event were woefully inadequate...”

Anil Bhanot, Founding Member of Hindu Council UK, said that when he arrived to celebrate India’s eventual sovereignty at the abrogation of the special political status to Kashmir the entire Kingsway was chock-a-block with coaches from Midlands and North with Pakistanis come to demonstrate at India House.

The demonstration was tense with no room to move.

“To my mind, the special status of article 370 had led to thousands being killed, the ethnic cleansing of over half a million Kashmiri Pandits in 1990, the region remaining undeveloped as the Muslim youths have to go and find jobs in neighbouring states of India. The Kashmiri Abdullah political dynasty seemed only interested in holding onto their power base while other Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists suffered economically and culturally.

“What of this so called ‘Muslim majority’? The troubled area is just 5 districts – Srinagar, Anantnag, Baramullah, Kulgam and Pulwama – representing 15% of the total geographical area of Indian Kashmir and also only 15% Muslim population out of the total population, with 85% supporting India and the abrogation of Article 370. There are of course Muslims in other 17 districts too, like Kargil, but all other Muslims and Hindus and Buddhists want to unite with India fully. The so called ‘Muslim majority’ is in fact in the Kashmir occupied by Pakistan (POK), not in the Indian Jammu & Kashmir (& Ladhak – Buddhist) state.

“It looked as though the Kashmiris from POK and other Pakistanis came to demonstrate in their droves.

Along with them there were 3 or 4 Labour Party MPs mainly from Pakistani origin came to demonstrate the democratic decision of a sovereign nation India, thus showing no regard for democracy and failing their other Indian constituents...

“Jeremy Corbyn their leader tweeting to support the ‘supremacist’ demands of his MPs is rather frightening.

The Labour Party is known to have become anti-Semitic but it seems, now, it has become anti-Hindu too. The Conservative party’s confused statements rather than openly coming out to fully support the Indian Government does need clarification too...”

8 UK

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Mahabharata: Magnificent management message

24 - 30 August 2019

As I See It CB Patel

Dear Readers,

Last Sunday, I got a unique opportunity to listen and learn in a sixhour discourse by Bhaishri Rameshhbhai Oza in Manchester.

The Katha titled 'Radha Shyam Ki Katha Bhagwati' was as expected, jam-packed with over 3000 people and full to the brim with infectious energy. Bhaishri recited Sanskrit shlokas and gave commentary in Hindi, Gujarati, and English. The audience consisted of impeccably dressed people of various age groups. One of them to catch my eye was a five year old girl who had traveled with her family from Portugal. She could flawlessly recite shlokas from the Bhagwad Gita, thrilling the audience with her skill. The event as a whole was stunning; Bhaishri's preaches paired really well with Indian music and clever and interesting anecdotes.

Bhaishri in his talk, spoke about the difficulties faced by Lord Krishna in Mahabharata, as Arjuna's guide. In my opinion, the Battle of Kurukshetra was and will be the greatest war of all the times. The war was fought between the Pandavas and Kauravas. Lord Krishna's sister, Subhadra was married to Arjuna, while his son Samba married Duryodhana's daughter Lakshmana. Bhaishri explained how Krishna maintained an impartial stance in the battle even though he was related to both the families.

Over the years, I have come to

Late Jayantilal Vadera

learn that Ramayana and Mahabharata serve as illuminating pieces of advise and learning for management of enterprises, life, family and relations, especially with one's parents, children and

Kansagra, and Sanjay and Vipul Vadera. There were millionaires and multi-millionaires present, mostly from the UK. Two portraits of Jayantilal Vadera, who passed away at the age of 81, was displayed in the backdrop of the stage. Jayantibhai was a wellestablished businessman in Uganda. However, during the expulsion, he was forced to leave for the UK with his two sons and daughter, Meena. With little to no money, they initially stayed in re-settlement camps and later settled in Bolton, Lancashire.

Jayantibhai struggled to meet ends and his children grew up in those challenging times.

His sons found their feet in the fragrance sector and are now

Family head Kalaben Vadera taking part in the ceremony accompanied (from left) by son Vipul , daughter in law Nisha, daughter Meena, daughter in law Rita, son Sanjay and other family members

strength- (the Kshatriyas are warriors and rulers). Then comes the abdomen, the stomach- indicating the main hub that runs the entire body. The Vaishyas are merchants, farmers and traders.

The last part of the human body are the legs. Indicating action, hard work, (it is the fourth and final part of the caste system, the Shudras- who are labourers).

Bhaishri said everything is Karma. He extensively spoke about Karma (Work), Sukarna (Good Work) and Dushkarma (Misdemeanour). Energy, concen-

tration, and positivity creates a better human, family and society.

He gave a unique discourse of entrepreneurship, harmony, family and happiness.

I myself, was mesmerised with his every word. All the while I saw Bhaishri speaking about transparency and accountability in every person, I remembered Lord Krishna speak about duty.

To me, the Katha was an excellent learning opportunity and I am grateful to Bhaishri and the Vaderas for the uplifting event.

Bhaishri on the Vyaspith

extended family members.

The Katha was flanked by several members of UK's elite society.

In the audience were Bhupendra

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recognised multi-millionaires.

Most importantly however, his wife Kalavatiben had gone all-out with the arrangements of the katha.

Bhaishri is well-known for his communication skills amongst other things. I found myself and other people in the audience engrossed in his speech like they were receiving a nectar. In his katha, he spoke about how problems can arise and how they can be resolved.

He also spoke on our Varna Vyavastha; the much-debated Indian caste system. He said it's not what it's supposed to be. In what was a rather inspiring description, Bhaishri explained the original idea of the Varna Vyavastha as intended by Lord Brahma himself.

He said, the human body has the brain on top- implying the Intellect. (The Brahmins are the priests and the teachers). Then comes the arms, indicating

CB Patel of Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar who is closely associated with the Gujarat Hindu Society Preston over four decades, explaining to Bhaishri about a testimonial presented to him alongwith Darshat Nayee, President, Ishwar Tailor, former President, Chandubhai, Asit Jariwala, Secretary and Panditji from Bhaishri’s Sandipani Ashram, Porbandar

Patel launches plans to curb violent crime On Monday, 19th August, Home secretary Priti Patel launched plans to pave way for new powers to tackle violent crime in the UK. Patel has opened a consultation process that would lead to changes in the UK's Offensive Weapons Act where courts will be given additional powers to issue control orders related to knives, corrosive substances such as acid and other offensive weapons.

Following a consulta-

tion process, UK courts will also be able to impose measures to prohibit activities such as associating with certain people, or to introduce geographical restrictions and curfews to prevent further offences.

"We are cracking down on violent crime, which has a devastating impact on victims, their families and our communities.

"Our Offensive Weapons Act will help to stop acids and knives making their way onto our streets and being used to carry out horrifying

attacks. This government will always give the police the support, resources and powers they need – including recruiting 20,000 new officers over the next three years and empowering them to use stop and search," said Patel .

Under the new Home Office proposals, Knife Crime Prevention Orders (KCPOs) will provide an additional tool for police to steer young people away from serious violence.

KCPOs are civil orders which can be imposed by courts on any person aged

12 or over who police believe is carrying a knife or people previously convicted of a knife related offence.

According to the Home Office, the orders are intended to be preventative rather than punitive, addressing factors that may increase the chances of offending through requirements such as attendance at educational courses, life skills programmes, participation in group sports, drug rehabilitation and anger management classes.

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24 - 30 August 2019

Rani Singh, Special Assignments Editor

Indian-origin lady helms important UK Screen Body eetha Kumar is the CEO of ScreenSkills, based in central London but operating UKwide, who has done remarkably well in an industry where white, middleaged males still dominate at the top.

S

With an illustrious career in the media behind her, Seetha is spearheading change in the screen industry in the UK. She hopes to widen access and make it much more inclusive of minority communities and underrepresented people across the board.

ScreenSkills, formerly known as Creative Skillset, aims to find and develop talent across all of UK screen - film, TV, VFX, animation and games – in every role behind the camera from accountancy to hair and make-up, lighting, set decorating, writing or producing.

UK screen is conservatively estimated to be worth £14.4 billion and ScreenSkills works constantly with the industry on addressing skills shortages and needs.

Seetha told the Asian Voice in an exclusive interview: “The opportunities we focus on are across the board- from entry level to mid and senior leadership.”

Seetha’s career Seetha is a member of the Creative Diversity Network board and the Royal Television Society Education Committee and was formerly on the Mayor of London's Skills for Londoners Taskforce.

Before being appointed CEO at ScreenSkills she was vice president of Pearson Qualifications International, following leadership roles across Pearson’s vocational and higher education teams.

But her background is predominantly in television and digital.

She began her career as the first woman reporter at the Financial Express in New Delhi, India, before working for independent production companies making programmes for Channel 4 and then joining the BBC. “I have spent most of my life making programmes – largely factual. I have worked with and across different genres and led high impact projects, such as the seminal domestic violence season Hitting Home, which resulted in a Parliamentary Early Day Motion,” she said.

“I believe in the public purpose of the BBC. And I gravitated towards subjects where I felt the BBC through accessible storytelling could have a social impact with audiences and so effect change “I learnt a lot at the BBC. But it was not an easy place to work in. I was aware of being an outsider – an Asian woman. I did not fit the BBC mould – in terms of background or connections or a certain kind of polish.

“Looking back, I think I survived, as I worked very hard and always delivered. I was also willing to do the tough, difficult and the complex - such as successfully

'Unicorn visas' to help UK tech companies An Indian-origin entrepreneur has called on the UK government to consider a new streamlined visa to help te technology industry in hiring the required talent from countries such as India even after Britain leaves the EU. Rishi Khosla, the CEO co-founder of OakNorth, believes a new so-called "unicorn visa" would help fast-growing tech companies in the UK bring in talent from other markets,

including countries like India.

"It would be great to see something that specifically helps the fastest-growing tech companies in the UK bring in talent from other markets such as a 'unicorn visa' whereby we could get applications fast-tracked from any UK consulate anywhere in the world," said Khosla in a statement to The Times.

"We're growing by 15 people on average every

week and last week was a record for us with 27 new joiners. A special visa like this would be hugely helpful in ensuring we're able to get access to the talent we need, when we need it, and ensure we can continue pursuing our ambitious growth plans," he explained.

Britain is scheduled to leave the EU by October 31, which would mark the end of freedom of movement rules within the 28-member economic bloc.

Increasing BAME diversity at the Parole Board

Seetha Kumar

leading future-facing strategic projects such as the launch of BBC HD (high definition) or as Controller at BBC Online.”

She eventually left because it “felt time,” she said. “After 20-odd years, it was time for me to move on. I have no regrets leaving.”

Like many colleagues in the industry, Seetha worked as a freelancer on shortterm contracts for years though she worked full-time. Although some fear the uncertainty of this way of working, freelancers can be well-paid and work yearround where the challenge is having to keep looking ahead to the next job and how to maintain skills or upskill in an industry that is changing constantly.

“At Screenskills, we do a lot to help freelancers,” she said. Training can help people maintain skills or to upskill, with programmes supported by bursaries and mentoring. “It’s not always an easy life in this industry but it can be a very rewarding one.”

Among new schemes launching this year is First Break, co-funded by ScreenSkills’ High-end TV Skills Fund with voluntary industry contributions. people from a disadvantaged background enter the industry. ITV is the first partner and 10 successful applicants will end up shadowing behind-thecamera workers on Coronation Street and Emmerdale. They will be paid and have their travel covered too. To shortlist the candidates, 100 will be invited to a taster event. As they are whittled down, they will learn about chains of command, on-set etiquette, they will get a tour of a studio and have workshops in skills such as handling kit and make-up.

Other schemes cover the range of roles and career stages from new entrants to executives, including programmes to help those who have taken career breaks for parenting or caring to return to the workplace.

The UK screen industry needs writers, producers, stunt artists, electricians, plasterers, coders and accountants as well as actors.

So even if you are from a non-media background, even if you are a scientist, accountant or engineer, it’s never too late to become part of the media world.

“I worked very hard and I always delivered.”

A recruitment campaign in the North of England has seen a record number of Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates appointed to become Parole Board members.

These appointments triple the number and will bring the board’s BAME diversity to nearly 13%.

53 independent members will join the board, 48% of whom are from a BAME background, a Parole Board statement read.

In separate campaigns, three retired judges and 20

psychologists, including 17% from BAME backgrounds, were also appointed from across England and Wales for their specialist skills.

The review undertaken

by David Lammy MP (pictured) highlighted that a lack of diversity can impact the confidence and trust in the Criminal Justice System.

“I am delighted that we have taken significant steps to improve the diversity of our membership. It is vital that we represent the community that we serve to continue to increase public con-

fidence in our decisionmaking.

“This campaign was only the first step, and we hope to continue to build on our success when we next recruit, anticipated to be in the Midlands in 2020,” said Caroline Corby, Chair of the Parole Board.

10 READERS VOICE

AsianVoiceNews

24 - 30 August 2019

False fantasies In his rambling letter that sometimes reads like a fatwa, Nitin Mehta criticises me on three grounds. First, he says I do not credit the Hindus for welcoming the Parsis.

This is just not true. I say very clearly that there were several Parsi settlements along the coast of Gujarat, which would not have been possible without Hindu hospitality. I also say that the Parsis have flourished in independent India in a way they did not elsewhere.

Second, and more importantly, Mehta says that the story of a glass of milk and sugar is true, and not a sweet myth that I take it to be. Mehta offers no evidence for his view. Further, it has no date to it and does not refer to any particular part of Gujarat. The Kille-i-Sanjan on which some rely draws on a long oral tradition and mixes facts with fantasy.

Furthermore the story implies that Hindus and Parsis had never met before, and that is just not true. It also implies that a glass of milk has a particular meaning.

In fact it can mean different things such as that the kingdom is full, that the king is offering a drink, or any one of several possibilities.

Likewise, when the glass of milk is returned it can mean several different things. The meaning of the act is not clear to either party. It has to be made clear, explained, and that presupposes that the two share a common language, itself a product of long association between them.

In this context Rukshana Nanji’s excellent article in ‘Gujarat and the Sea’ edited by Lotika Varadrajan is worth reading, assuming that Nitinbhai is not averse to reading things that challenge his prejudices.

Thirdly, Mehta challenges my view that several Parsi leaders did not think that India was ready for full independence in the 1920s and earlier. Naoraji, Pherozeshah Mehta and others took that view as did several Hindu leaders. I discuss them in my ‘Colonialism, Tradition and Reform’. It was in fact a common and widely held view at the time until Gandhi embarked on the Non-Cooperation Movement.

One does not demonstrate one’s love of Hindus by spreading and believing in pleasant but false fantasies about their past. In fact one betrays them.

(Professor Lord) Bhikhu Parekh Hull

Brexit approaching cliff’s edge It is very disheartening to see there are still divisions within the major political parties regarding no deal Brexit as propounded by PM Boris Johnson and his gang of merry men and women. Furthermore there are divisions within divisions. It is like the road to hell is paved with good intentions but heading towards disaster. The leavers and remainers know what they want but do not know how to get it. They are running around like headless chickens.

As far as Boris Johnson aka ‘Britain Trump’ is like a bull in a china shop, trying to brow beat the EU into changing the withdrawal agreement which is not possible to do within a short space of 2 months. A deadlock has been reached and neither the British parliament will allow a no deal Brexit and nor would agree to change the withdrawal agreement.

Therefore the only way out is to have a general election in the autumn to sort out the matter for once and for all.

Otherwise these bickering will continue causing uncertainty in the business community, thereby damaging the economy of the country, causing more disunity and polarisation of the British people. The Brexit campaign is funded by the hedge funds and some bankers, committed to protecting the vested interests of the richest and the elites, while posing as anti-establishment. This finger pointing has to stop especially among the opposition parties, they have to close ranks and stand united to put a stop to no deal Brexit, otherwise they will let it happen by default.

After wasting 3 years of negotiations with the EU, public is fed-up up to their back teeth with this unnecessary Brexit arguments and lack of any progress made so far. The Brexit campaign is funded by the hedge funds and some bankers, committed to protecting the vested interests of the richest and the elites, while posing as anti-establishment. So the only way out is to have a general election to resolve this issue which is a better solution than having a second referendum.

There is no more time to waste but to take right and constitutional action now.

Baldev Sharma Rayners Lane, Harrow

MAKE YOURSELF HEARD

Write to our ‘Reader’s Voice’ section about what you think regarding the various ongoing issues all around the world. Please send your letters to aveditorial@abplgroup.com Make sure they are NOT more than 250 words. Any letter longer than the limit may not be published. Note that all your letters are subject to being edited by our team for valid reasons.

- Asian Voice

Double standards of Indian origin MPs The world wide recognition and acceptance of India’s legimate right of revoking a temporary measure of Article 370, which was inserted to appease vote banks by the then Congress government, is a fact. Even the UN Security Council members (US, Russia, China, UK) have accepted that. The wishy washy reaction of the Labour party is also one more example of appeasement to it’s perceived vote bank.

The anti-India protest on 15th August (India’s Independence Day) by thousands of Pakistanis bussed in from far distance areas in the UK was nothing but a hateful, violent and undemocratic action which was resisted by peaceful Indian supporters who were just celebrating the Indian Independece program inside India House with dignity. Indian origin MPs and Lords have kept total silence about this ugly and dangerous incident. Only Bob Blackman, a Conservative MP, has the courage and convinction to support India and denounce this unaceeptable behaviour of provoked Pakistanis. These Indian origin MPs and Lords conveniently claim their Indian heritage whenever it suits them but are totally silent when they ought to speak up and stand

by India.

Why should they be applauded and honoured by our commuity when they are past masters of silence when it suits them?

Avinash Patel Camden

Britain Blooming on Job Front!

The front page article “Britain’s Jobs Boom, Thanks to Women” in Daily Mail and other dailies is interesting to read, analyse and digest. A record 32:81 million people are in employment and some one thousand people are finding a job daily, indeed a boom that surprises many Pundits, especially gloom and doom predictors who may be wondering how could they be out of touch with the economy to such an extent, who feared mass unemployment after Brexit vote, instead employment is at its highest since record began in 1971. The most interesting aspect is that 3 out of 4 people finding employment are women; thus stay at home mothers are in sharp decline. EU workers are still flocking UK, a land of milk and honey, in search of employment and finding jobs in Blooming Britain! Could all these statistics painting rosy picture be interpreted in a different way! How come queues outside Food Banks are lengthening, violent crime on the rise which is normally associated with youth unemployment? As we say, there are lies, damn lies and statistics!

One reason may be that most of these jobs are low paid jobs in service industry and the reason why so many women, mothers flacking job market is to make ends meet, put food on the table for the family, especially children, as one wage packet is not sufficient to insatiable ever rising cost of living in blooming Britain? It would be interesting to know views and personal experiences of other readers and contributors to Readers Voice column.

Kumudini Valambia By email

Spend thrift PM Boris Britain is indeed going through most turbulent and tumultuous time, politically, economically and socially since end of WW2. Brexit has divided nation as never before. Politicians on both sides have such polarised opinion that they are more faithful to their Brexit ideology than to their party. These kindergarten hucksters are even willing to bring down their own government to stop Boris from walking away without an agreement, even though they all know how humiliating experience it was for PM May. These medieval tactics may badly back-fire, putting Corbin in No 10!

Boris is not Mrs May. He is made of sternal stuff, ready, able and willing to go to the nation if Parliament obstructs his plans to take Britain out of EU by 31st October. If general election follows, many Tory MPs will lose their seats; some may even be deselected by their constituencies. This is akin to cut one’s nose to spite the face! With spending spree by PM Boris, it seems he is preparing for general election if Parliament rejects his “No Deal Exit” which seems to be certain, as Labour, SDP and SNP, supported by rebel Conservatives command majority in HOC. PM Boris’s first act was to promise recruitment of 20,000 police in view of deteriorating situation on law and order.

This may take some time, as so many police stations are closed and training instructors made redundant. Police badly needs equipment, tsar guns, firearms and bullet-proof vests, few among many necessary items they need to make policing safe. But with Priti Patel, a determined, dedicated and efficient MP as Home Secretary, she would succeed where others have failed. PM’s second promise is to give NHS £1:8 billion, in addition to £20 billion already promised. Although this sounds generous when money is tight, in reality it may only scratch the surface, as £6 billion is urgently needed to repair crumbling hospital buildings. This could only come from either raising taxes or scrapping ever bulging Overseas Aid budget. It is time ideology takes second place to our welfare!

Bhupendra M. Gandhi By email

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

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UK News

Fundraising page set up after death of Bradford nurse TRIBUTES have been paid to a Bradford neonatal nurse who died while on holiday in India.

Mum-of-two Kalpana Bobee Jain, 39, is said to have died in her sleep on Saturday, just one day before her and her family were due to travel home after a four-week holiday to see relatives in Jaipur and Kerala.

Close friend Mohan Ramasamy, 42, has spoken of the devastation at the sad news.

A fundraising campaign has now been set up to support Kalpana’s family - her husband Bobee and their children Abi Preethi, three, and Adhya, eight - through their difficult ordeal.

Mr Ramasamy said Kalpana had worked at the Bradford Royal Infirmary since 2011 and her work at the hospital was a great pleasure for her and she had recently got a promotion.

He described her as a friendly, family-focused person who had a “helping heart” and a smile on her face.

Kalpana and Bobee moved to Morley from Bradford five years ago.

Mr Ramasamy said “They are a very lovely couple. They go on many holidays together and spend time with family. It’s very, very shocking. There are no words to describe the feeling. She was loved by everyone. She had a very loving nature, very supportive, like a family member for everyone.”

Kalpana Bobee Jain

He said Kalpana’s husband, a mental health nurse in Leeds, was “devastated and shocked” at the news, while her two children keep asking “where is mummy?”.

Mr Ramasamy said Kalpana had never had any medical issues and her friends were in shock and heartbroken at the news. It’s not clear when the family will be able to come back from India.

A fundraising campaign set up has already raised nearly £3,000 to support her family. A number of tributes have been left on the page.

One person wrote: “Words cant express how much we miss you Kalpana ...we miss you sooo much dear . May your soul RIP .”

While another person said: “RIP Kalpana. Let us try to support the family as much as we can.”

Link to the page: https://www.gofundme.co m/ebkure-bereavementsupport

Man jailed for life over death of man he viciously attacked with hammer A man has been jailed for life for causing the death of a man after he viciously assaulted him with a hammer in West Yorkshire.

The incident happened on 3 January this year after a man was found with a serious head injury at Highfield Court in Batley.

The victim, 46-year-old Firoz Ibrahim Pargarkar, was rushed to hospital, but sadly died as a result of his injuries on 24 February.

Abdul Kapde (pictured) approached police officers on the day of the incident admitting what he had done. Mr Pargarkar had been repeatedly struck with a hammer in his home.

Abdul Kapde, aged 49, of Highfield Court, Batley, was arrested and subsequently charged with murder.

He was found guilty by a jury following a five-day trial at Leeds Crown Court and has now been sentenced today to life with a minimum term of 14 years in prison.

Detective Superintendent

Nicola Bryar, of the Homicide and Major Enquiry team, said: “This was a violent and sustained attack on Mr Pargarkar and the injuries he sustained were catastrophic.

“The defendant and victim were friends of many years and their disagreement stemmed from a £20,000 debt which was owed to Kapde for the sale of his house.

“We welcome the sentence which has been handed to Kapde and hope that this brings some closure and comfort to the family and loved ones of Mr Pargarkar.”

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AsianVoiceNews

EDUCATION

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

11

24 - 30 August 2019

High achieving students to go to Oxbridge after extraordinary grades Vianca Shah, from Langley Grammar School has achieved 4 A*s in her A level examinations and an A* in the Extended Project Qualification. She will be going to the University of Cambridge to study Medicine this year. Vianca's parents Dr Shital Shah & father Dr Gaurang Shah, who are very proud of their daughter's achievements, have their roots in Vadodara, Gujarat.

Omar Zaman from the same school has also achieved 4 A* grades at A Level.

J e e v a d a r s h a n Gurumoorthy secured a place at Oxford with 2 A* and 1 A grade.

At Langley, 87% of grades achieved were between A*- C. Headteacher John Constable reportedly said, “We are very pleased with the outcomes for our students, which reflect their hard work and commitment and the dedication of our staff to supporting them.

Once again our students have risen to the challenge and we are very proud of them."

Vianca Shah

Haberdashers' Boys ace the A levels

Upton Court Grammar School celebrating after students secure places at prestigious universities Headmaster Gus Lock with pupils at Haberdashers’ Aske’s Boys’ School

Zoya Hassan

Upton Court Grammar School in Slough is celebrating after four of their students secured places at Oxford University. The students who are all Asian, are among a total of 65% who gained A*-B, with an overall pass rate of 98%.

Faatimah Zamir achieved three As in Maths, Chemistry and Physics and planning to read Law in Oxford.

Akashdeep Bains achieved two A* and an A and will be studying Psychology at Oxford too.

Minahal Ahmed achieved three A* and will

Faatimah Zamir and Akashdeep Bains

study Mathematics at Oxford, while Sulekha Harrish achieved an A* and two As asnd will be studying Mechanical Engineering there.

Zoya Hassan with her four A* grades, will study at the Imperial College and Kilesh Nundial who scored three A*s is also headed there.

According toa a local

newspaper, Headteacher Mark Pritchard said, "All at Upton Court Grammar School are incredibly proud. I'm particularly proud that in addition to great exam results Upton Court students leave having received a quality education and have developed the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to be successful and engaged citizens."

On Thursday, 15th August as students across the UK picked up their A level results, the Haberdashers’ Aske’s Boys’ School’s pupils rejoiced their achievements with A* and A grades in all subject areas.

According to the school 44% of all grades awarded were A* and 76% of all grades were A* and A. 41 pupils gained three or more A* grades; and 87 pupils received straight A* and A grades. Almost 20% of these students have been offered places at Oxbridge universities, with the majority opting for other Russell Group universities, and some taking up places abroad.

“I am very excited with my results. I received an unconditional offer from Stanford University. So, I have secured my place earlier on. Regardless, it is still great to receive these grades

and finish my school career on such a high note,” said Ishan Gandhi who was awarded 3A* and 1A. He will pursue his degree in Computer Science at Stanford University.

With approximately 20% of Habs pupils receiving some financial assistance, the school's academic and co-curricular opportunities are available to all.

At a time where the arts, creativity and modern languages are increasingly becoming overlooked, 100% of Drama entries at Habs were awarded A*-A, as were all Design Technology, Spanish and Russian grades.

Habs musicians have also produced stellar results.

Sameer Aiyar-Majeed, who has a talented musician and has Grade 8 distinction in violin and clarinet, achieved three straight A*s andnow looks forward to studying

Natural Sciences at Cambridge.

In addition, special congratulations must go to the economists where 48% of the batch achieved A*; 55% of the biologists achieved A*; 53% A* for further mathematicians and 58% A* for philosophy students.

“The boys have worked tremendously hard, not only in preparing for examinations, but also on the sports pitches, on the drama stage, in the music hall, and on the many rewarding charity and community events and initiatives at Habs.

“Congratulations to each and every one of them for their outstanding results, to their parents and families for their support, and to the dedicated staff for their expert teaching and guidance,” said Gus Lock, Headmaster, Haberdashers’ Aske’s Boys’ School.

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12 MEDIA WATCH

AsianVoiceNews

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

www.asian-voice.com

24 - 30 August 2019

SCRUTATOR’S Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing the nation on India’s 73rd referred to the government’s abrogation of Article 370 relating to Kashmir, and bringing economic development to the state. He spoke of the abolition of Triple Talaq as a social reform that had liberated hitherto mute Muslim women from years of domestic slavery.

Congress is in limbo, headless and clueless with court and courtiers as its life support system.

A great pity for Indian democracy which needs a functioning twoparty system.

Blunt message to China There was no mincing of words when External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met with his Chinese counterpart Wang Li in Beijing in preparatory talks for the Varanasi summit between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Aramco for Rs 1,03 lakh crore.

Third, Saudi Aramco to supply up to 500,000 barrels per day of crude oil on a long-term basis to RIL’s Jamnagar refinery. Fourth, to sell 49 per cent stake of joint venture with B ritish Petroleum for Rs 7,000 crore. Fifth, the two deals to provide Rs1.3 lakh crore to RIL’s expansion plans. Sixth, RIL listing of Jio on the cards. Seventh, to launch fibre broadband at Rs700 monthly for voice calls on landline phone with free broadband connectivity. Eighth, as per retail, to launch new commerce platform; also listing and toping in of new planned strategic partner (Business Line, August 13).

Auto sales at 19-year low

PM Modi addressing the nation on Independence Day

Significantly, the government would shortly appoint a Chief of the Defence Staff as a coordinating instrument designed to make the country’s armed forces more efficient and effective. This had been a longstanding demand of the three service chiefs. The Prime Minister also dwelt on the government’s economic reforms to make the trillion dollar economy fit for purpose in the 21st century. Science and technology would play a major role towards its fulfilment, he said.

Gallantry awards Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman was awarded the Vir Chakra for his audacious strike during the IAF operations on Balakot to neutralise a Pakistani jihadi base. Sapper Prakish Jadhav, a member of the Army’s Rashtriya Rifles, won a posthumous award, while the Deputy Commandant of the paramilitary CRPF, Harshpal Singh was awarded the Kirti Chakra for ‘conspicuous bravery’ during e-terrorist encounters in Jammu and Kashmir (Times of India, August 15).

Curbs were initially eased in the valley but imposed again at the weekend as a precautionary measure following outbreaks of violence in some areas.

(Statesman, Hindu, August 19).

No Supreme Court intervention on Kashmir The Supreme Court of India, while accepting that the situation in Kashmir was serious, said the government must be given time to restore peace and stability in the State (Business Line, August 14).

Congress paralysis

Eid in Kashmir Eid celebrations across the Kashmir valley were peaceful but subdued. Mosques were large congregations of the faithful in Srinagar, Baramullah, Anantnag, Ramban, Shopian, Awantipora etc.

National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, who had been camping there for the past week, carried out an aerial survey of the capital, Srinagar to assess the situation.

Police Inspector General S.P. Pani said there were a number of localized incidents that were ‘handled very professionally.’

Like a headless chicken, the Congress Party appears to be struggling with its growing paralysis and lack of effective leadership. Veteran leader P. Chidambaram stoked the flames, alleging the revocation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir was only promulgated because of the Valley’s Muslim majority. A Hindu majority would have entailed no such measure. Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad censured Chidambaram’s remark as ‘provocative and irresponsible.’

(Hindu, August 13)

Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar with China’s Vice President

Jaishankar was dismissive of China’s apparent concern on developments in Kashmir as an internal matter that brooked no external interference. The present Line of Control between Indian and Chinese forces in Ladakh would remain in place. Ladakh’s new status as Union Territory administered from Delhi was simply a domestic Constitutional adjustment. China’s ‘concern’ was simply a ploy to stand by its client, Pakistan (Statesman, August 13) See page 3.

No India, China peace deviation Following a meeting between Jaishankar and Chinese Vice President Wang Qisheng in Beijing, the former called on China not to deviate from a peaceful relationship between the two countries reached at the informal Wuhan summit between Prime Minister Modi and President Xi Jinping whatever be the differences between India and China on recent developments pertaining to Kashmir. The essenge of Jaishankar’s message was that India and China display sensitivity to each other’s core concerns (Hindu, Business Line August 13).

RIL gameplan

Auto sales have fallen to a 19-year low, much to the growing alarm of industry chiefs, who are now looking to government on ways to inject a stimulus package to turn things round. If the trend continues and passes the forthcoming festive season, the situation will indeed be grim, with thousands of workers laid-off.

However, the steep fall in the Sensex is related to international events such the continuing unrest in Hong Kong (Statesman, Times of India, Business Line, August 14).

Absconding jihadi held Jahirul Sheikh, 29, one of the 37 people some six years ago named by the National Investigation Agency, as a member of the Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen, held responsible for the West Bengal Burdwan bomb blasts in October 2014. Sheikh was tracked down to Madhya Pradesh. Jahirul Sheikh, originally from Nadia was a one time student at Burdwan’s Simulia madrasa. He was brought back to Kolkata by the police for interrogation (Times of India, August 14).

Apollo Hospitals profit surge Apollo Hospitals reported a first quarter profit of Rs 69 crore in the first financial quarter ended June 30. This was against Rs 34 crore for the previous year. Growth was propelled by a strong performance in healthcare services and Stand Alone Pharmacies. Prathap C. Reddy, Ch airman (and founder) of Apollo Hospitals , said: ‘We have made a strong start to the financial year building on the momentum gained last year to deliver steady growth in revenue and margins across all our verticals.’ (Business Line, August 14).

Retail sector set for high growth

Mukesh Ambani

Eid worshippers in Kashmir mosque

Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) its gameplan going forward. First, the group plans to achieve zero debt level by 2021. Second, to sell 20 per cent stake in oil and gas to Saudi

There is a huge change waiting to happen, said B.S Nagesh Chairman, Retailers Association of India, addressing the Chennai Retail Summit 2019. While many start-ups are empowering small retailers with cutting edge technology, the government is also injecting help to keep the momentum on course. Chairman Nagesh said India was a growth story with myriad opportunities for those with enterprise (Business Line, August 9).

Near $2000 per capita income, India to surge Rakesh Biyani, JMD, Future Retail Ltd, addressing the Chennai Retail Summit, said India was in the midst of a massive transformation, notwithstanding the present slowdown, which is is no dead end.’ In a conversation with a reporter, he explained that 15 years ago , he was driven by similar optimism. Nothing had occurred to change his mind, he said. He reckoned that ‘India is on the cusp of crossing the $2000 per capita income level, maybe by next year.’ It was the common experience of countries that, when they crossed the $2000 bar, ‘the market goes through a massive transformation in the ensuing decade. That’s the time when retail growing due to the gathering pace of consumption.’

(Business Line, August 9).

AI start-ups rising fast With Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning emerging as the big development on the technology front, India is witnessing a surge in the number of start-ups coming up with innovative software solutions.

While Nasscom [the IT body] said the AI strat-up ecosystem has been growing at 50 per cent, a recent report by International Data Corporation estimated a potential growth of 7 per cent in the analytics and AI industry in India by the end of 2019. ‘The reasons behind the growth are increasing volumes of data generation at the enterprise level, digital transformation initiatives from the top executives and organizational investments in analytical tools powereby Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning,’ said Mohsin Baig, Market Analyst, Enterprise Software, IDC, India (Business Line, August 13).

India, Russia target closer economic ties India and Russia have called for a substantial advance in their economic ties in priority sectors so that trade turnover may reach $30 billion by 2025. This dwelt upon when Russian Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Trutner met with visiting India’s Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal at the Russia’s Vladivostok last week.

An Indian delegation including Haryana, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and Goa together 140 representatives of Indian companies interacted with their hosts. A number of MoUs were signed by Russia’s Far Eastern provinces and Indian States.

(Statesman, August 14).

Kashmir bilateral issue, Russia tells Pakistan Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told his Pakistan counterpart Shah Mahmud Qureshi - who had telephoned him - that Pakistan would be best advised to resolve the Kashmir dispute through diplomacy and dialogue with India, rather than take the subject to international forums including the United Nations (Statesman, Hindu, August 15).

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AsianVoiceNews

UK

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

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24 - 30 August 2019

CIIr Ketan Sheth

Councillor for Tokyngton Wembley Brent Council’s Chair of Community and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee

Why the Indian PM should be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize?

The Nobel Foundation P.O. Box 5232, SE-102 45 Stockholm, Sweden Street address: Sturegatan 14, Stockholm Dear Nobel Committee, I write to encourage your voting committee to nominate Hon. PM Modi of India for the Nobel Peace Prize.

For overcoming those who insist on dividing India and thereby for his standing for a secular not religious constitution: As the Prime Minister said on his Independence Day Speech: "Today the country says, one nation, one Constitution.

We are committed to realise Patel's dream of 'ek Bharat, shresta Bharat (One India, great India).”

For refusing to make the issue Hindu-Muslim: As shown by the Prime Minister’s appointment and praise of the chief spokesperson for India on the world stage – the United Nations – a Muslim. Despite Indian and Pakistani commentators constantly in global papers joining forces to portray the PM as religiously divisive, his actions speak for themselves when his appointees and representatives of India are consistently Muslim.

For abolishing medieval religious practices – regardless of faith: As stated by the PM – Hindu practices of sati and dowry are to be condemned, and so are those of divorce by ‘triple talaq’.

For refusing to let Muslim minority in India (in Kashmir where they are a majority) suffer without investment as they do in Palestine, by ensuring under the Constitution all India

Childhood Obesity - how young people can thrive and lead happy, healthy lives

can invest in Kashmir to create jobs and so prevent terrorism.

By calling out and condemning hate speech which incites violence against Indians from political leaders such as PM Imran Khan. For standing up for Indians globally regardless of their nationality.

For not being provoked into hate speech when called a ‘racist Nazi’ by PM Imran Khan who encourages militants and terrorists to rise against India, but PM of India was still willing to engage in dialogue as any peace prize recipient should be willing to do and in doing so he has shown immense restraint and courage. Specifically the words used by the PM of Pakistan (Aug 16th 2019) “The fascist, Hindu supremacist Modi Govt should know that while armies, militants & terrorists can be defeated by superior forces”.

And through his leadership in restraint ensured that Independence Day events around the world did not see Indians retaliating to the violence they faced.

On a personal note: Over the years you may have read oftentimes on these pages my in-laws and their friends generously saying that they are proud of me. Today, I am so proud of them. Some of them, born in what is today Pakistan, some of them, never before at a demonstration supporting India. Some who have lived in the UK for over 30 years. But on 15th August, they came out to stand up to and oppose 'the aggressive people who gathered with their slippers slapping images of the PM of India, who want Kashmir to be illegally acquired by force, by a terrorist ultra-minority, contrary to all history, by Pakistan'. These OAPs, some in ill health, shouted down the 'other side', formed a barrier outside the Indian High Commission. That's the front line. Wait till you get the younger lions and lionesses angered.' So proud of them.

Thank you. Pass on your passion.

George Alagiah tells of torment of waiting to hear outcome of latest cancer treatment BBC newsreader George Alagiah has said he is 'in a sort of limbo' as he waits to hear the outcome of his latest round of cancer treatment. The broadcaster, 63, says he is determined to live each day 'to the full' after he revealed earlier this year that he was being treated for a recurrence of the illness. Alagiah, who appeared on The One Show yesterday, said: 'I'm living with cancer like lots and lots of other people.

'I'm in a sort of limbo.

'It keeps coming back and my amazing doctors shove it back into its hole.'

Alagiah, who is among those who have called for earlier screening for the disease, said he had completed some treatment a month ago.

'I have a scan in a few weeks' time and I'll know,' he said.

'The only way I know and different people deal with cancer in a different way - is to live each day as it comes along and live it to the full.'

The newsreader was on the programme to discuss his debut novel, political thriller The Burning Land, which will be released on August 29.

He said he started it before being diagnosed with cancer but stopped writing it when he became ill.

'Once cancer came, it's a life-changing situation and

In June Alagiah thanked the public for the 'tremendous' support they had showed him since his 2014 diagnosis for bowel cancer, as he revealed the cancer had returned.

A l a g i a h underwent 17 rounds of chemotherapy to treat advanced George Alagiah bowel cancer in I didn't even think about it,' 2014 before returning to he said. presenting duties in 2015, 'But I had a couple of but in January 2018 he years when it seemed to go revealed that he was strugaway and I picked it up again gling once again. The jourand then was fortunate nalist recently opened up enough to have Canongate, about his Stage 4 diagnosis my publishers, come and say and how it affected his famthey really liked it.' ily and mental health in a

new podcast.

Speaking on the George Alagiah: A Bowel Cancer UK podcast, he said in April: 'Everybody's got their way of dealing with it, but I had to get to what I now call my place of contentment.

'Because there was so much thrashing about in my mind, some of it negative, some of it dark.'

George started his journalism career at the BBC in 1989 and became one of the BBC's leading foreign correspondents, reporting on new stories in Iraq and Afghanistan.

In January this year George presented News at Six for the first time in more than a year this after taking time off to battle cancer.

Brent represents an example of the incessant and thrilling renewal of London with the diverse and welcoming environment, which makes the borough an exciting place to live and, for children, a stimulating place to grow up in.

However, Brent is also disproportionally affected by some of the key public health concerns for our youngest residents. No London borough has higher childhood overweight and obesity rates, currently at 44% for children in Year 6. Just one out of five children meet the recommended minimum of one hour of daily moderate to vigorous physical activity.

Urgent action to address this issue is required and that’s why I have set up a task group bringing together a whole raft of stakeholders to see how we can work together to tackle this urgent crisis in our community. A multidisciplinary childhood obesity task group includes experts and professionals from the Brent Council, Public Health, NHS, education and charity sectors as well as parent representatives – all committed to reducing the share of children with excess weight.

Through multiple evidence sessions, the current approach to childhood obesity in Brent is scrutinised and novel ways of tackling the problem designed. Bringing together such a wide range of experts is refreshing. There is an unequivocal acknowledgement that, for all too long, the various stakeholders have worked in isolation, where a comprehensive, holistic approach is required. Indeed, tackling childhood overweight and obesity is a joint responsibility.

However, the intended beneficiaries themselves are rarely directly involved in policymaking for their health and wellbeing. Hence, Lander Bosch, PhD student in health geography from the University of Cambridge, embarked upon the challenge to identify barriers to, and facilitators of, children’s physical activity in Brent’s built environment as part of his doctoral study. Rather than looking at the borough from an adult perspective, Brent children were able to have their say in the study. He joined a diverse group of 35 primary school children and their parents or carers, living in all parts of the borough, on their commute to or from school – traversing 60 miles across Brent. Along the way, elements of the environment the children liked or disliked were discussed and many creative interventions that can improve the neighbourhood for them were suggested. These included, for instance, a mobile reporting system for antisocial behaviour and ways to calm traffic around schools.

Having the opportunity to get to know Brent through the eyes of an engaged and welcoming group of primary schoolchildren is extraordinary, and results in strong advocacy for these young people. The insights from Lander’s research are fed directly into the discussions of the childhood obesity task group, to ensure the voices of Brent’s children are strongly represented in the novel policy framework aiming to increase levels of physical activity, while reducing childhood overweight and obesity.

The borough most certainly offers great possibilities for real measures that can improve the health of its youngest residents, and all stakeholders fully support their implementation.

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14 COMMUNITY

AsianVoiceNews

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

www.asian-voice.com

24 - 30 August 2019

Winners of AV Charity Awards celebrate at National Liberal Club On Tuesday, 13th August, winners of the Asian Voice Charity Awards, powered by Charity Clarity, were invited to the National Liberal Club

by Chairman Rupert Morris, to celebrate part of their Winners’ Package.

Founded in 1882 by William Ewart Gladstone, the then Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, the National Liberal Club prides itself as the most inclusive club in London.

Among its 19th century members was Dadhabhai Naoroji, a ZoroastrianParsee academic and leading figure in Indian nationalism, admired by both Mahatma Gandhi and Mohammed Ali Jinnah.

Morris hosted the award winners after attending his first Charity Awards this year and par-

ticipating in the philanthropy panel. According to him, charity and the NLC are natural partners, especially as one of their members, Sir Stuart Etherington, was Chairman of the National Council for Voluntary Organisations for 25 years.

Around a dozen charity representatives, including

trustees, staff and volunteers attended the event.

During afternoon tea, they discussed closer collaboration between each of their organisations and several potential partnerships were identified, including potential for working across borders. The charity winners that attended were Donate4Refugees,

Medical Aid Films, Sarvam Trust, Oscar Foundation, Healing Venezuela and Paul Strickland Scanner Centre. One of the other aspects of the Winners’ Package is an invitation to a special raising of the bridge experience at Tower Bridge, kindly donated by the City Bridge Trust.

Pearson Edexcel bags The Word Masala Champion of the Diaspora Poetry Award

LIVING BRIDGE Rohit Vadhwana

Bharat Mata Ki Jai The 73rd Independence Day of India was celebrated all over the world by Indians with added enthusiasm. And, you all know what was that added enthusiasm, right? In UK too, not only High Commission but various associations of Indian communities did celebrate the Independence Day at different places, equally zealously.

Indians living abroad always show special affection and attachment to the motherland. Their way of celebrating Indian festivals is unique and original. In some countries, they add local flavours too. Mother India is dear to all of us and we do not lose a chance to express our gratitude to her.

A group of Indians who gathered peacefully for the Independence Day celebration at India Place is an example. Having tricolour in hand and reciting songs in the praise of nation, community members also faced adversities boldly. A Kashmiri woman waved Indian flag exuberantly while the gathering reverberated Vande Mataram and Bharat Mata ki Jai. Even when protesters were outrageous, they stood up courageously to counter them and to support Indian cause. They have shown indefatigable spirit to stand for the unity and pride of motherland even when confrontational wave was very strong. Elderly, women and children also held their ground firmly, truly following the principle of non-violence, giving a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on his 150th birth anniversary year.

It is proven that adding number of men doesn’t mean strength but conviction and courage for the campaign means it. Imam Hussain and his seventy two followers became martyrs while fighting for a true cause, and they are the winners in the history. The group of people who did Salt March with Gandhi was not masculine but still won against the strongest force. So were the Indians celebrating national day in London. History repeated itself to prove that truth wins over false, good wins over evil.

It is true that fight for national pride and independence was not over in 1947, but continues till date. Every Indian, living in any corner of the world, works day and night to promote India and its interest. Working as ambassadors of the country, community members create a small Hindustan wherever they go. Forgetting the differences of religion, caste, or language, they unite to make a diverse India. That is the reason that anyone who is once an Indian, remains forever Indian for generations to come.

(Expressed opinion is personal) Do you have a story or suggestion for this column?

Email at: livingbridgeasianvoice@gmail.com

Founder-Poet of Word Masala Foundation Yogesh Patel announcing the Award

In recognition of its recent announcement by Edexcel, owned by Pearson, that from this September Schools will offer more poems, plays and novels from writers and poets from the BAME background, on 13th August, at its celebration of new books by diaspora poets worldwide, Word Masala Foundation awarded its coveted Champion of the Diaspora Poetry Award to Katy Lewis, the Head of English Art and Languages, and her team at Pearson.

The Pearson spokesperson responded with, “We are happy that the work done by Katy and her team is being recognised not just by students and teachers but by the voices we want them to hear.”

At the same event in the High Commission of India‘s Nehru Centre, the Word Masala Debut Poet 2019 was conferred on Reshma Ruia with her collection pencilled in for October 2019.

Apart from the founderpoet- editor Yogesh Patel, who was recently a Poet-of-

Jason Lee, Jessica Mookherjee, Kavita A. Jindal, Ravi Shankar, Yogesh Patel, Reshma Ruia, Brij Gohare, Debjani Chatterjee, and Rishi Dastidar

Honor at the literary festival in NYU, Ravi Shankar (USA), Dr Debjani Chatterjee MBE FRSL, Kavita A Jindal, Jason Lee (Hong Kong), Rishi Dastidar, a Chair of Spread the Word, Jess Mookherjee, and Dr Reshma Ruia read their work. They demonstrated the variety that exists but has been missing from the national consciousness.

A poetry film ‘Swimming with Whales’ by Yogesh Patel (https://youtu.be/QuiRfnFa YkU) shown at the event also added a dimension to think about the genre generally not available in the education system.

“It will stretch minds of the students if diversity can also mean to include more aspects of literary and creative work“, reflects Yogesh Patel. This Glorious Noise, a concept of poetry readings anchored in new books published by the diaspora poets had its first outing at The National Poetry Library. In its second edition on 13th August at the Nehru Centre, Word Masala brought together the reading by the

Indian diaspora poets changing the landscape of English poetry. As a showcase of diaspora poets, the event offered unfamiliar themes and diaspora experiences that affect us daily but normally not represented in literature. The poets present also had a variety of backgrounds.

Yogesh Patel: “And yet, I feel left out by the mainstream literature. A token poet or two published by publishers does not redeem them as the exponents of equal opportunity but can be the first step if a genuine desire does exit such as shown by the Edexcel team at Pearson. I believe strongly that there is every reason for celebrating such efforts with awards such as ours.

“Poets who read demonstrated that they were on the stage by their right and not just because they are from diaspora. There is also a need to define diaspora literature. Is it only about the diasporic experience? Does it have to bring in its narrative deliberately the cultural elements of the heritage country?

“If it is so, then why the writers from the other background can also not be included in it? That raises another spectre: Does it mean it has to be related to the skin colour an in the acronym BAME? Why then must they only write about being an immigrant or being in minority?

“This leads to a fascinating real debate. In the end, all things should be a guide and not a hard rule! Who decides or judges how it is to be the diasporic literature?

The idea of the background of the individual works for me, but I also need to understand that if we go down that route what are we looking? I believe it will be one thing for the education purpose and another for the general integration.”

Yogesh Patel adds that to discuss this further as agreed by the Pearson team he will be meeting them soon.

The driving principles of Word Masala Foundation about promoting diasporic literature are thus in harmony with the recognition that is bestowed on Edexcel.

TAL organises Premier League cricket

Telugu Association of London (TAL) has successfully conducted its flag ship sporting event the “TAL Premier League (TPL)” Cricket Tournament this year.

The mega final matches were played on Saturday 17th August 2019 at Imperial College London, Heston Sports Ground. The final match was played between “Blue Rangers” vs “Cool Cruisers” teams and third place match was played between “All Stars” vs “Rocking Royals” teams.

A number of games, fun activities and entertainments were arranged for families and children. Over 200 people including women, children and elderly attended this wonderful event and enjoyed the family fun filled day. The event was started with National

Anthems of both India and Britain and paid homage to all freedom fighters. Local MP Seema Malhotra , Deputy Mayor Councillor Raghwinder Siddhu , Dr Vinod Metta consultant neurologist and Prabhakar Kaza with their gracious presence gave away awards to the winners.

Speaking at the post match presentation, TAL Sports Trustee Murali Thadiparthi appreciated and thanked TPL Committee Lead Sunil Nagandla, Krishnakanth Nakka, Treasurer Sridhar Somisetty and Vamshi Ponnam (logistical support) for their tireless efforts and relentless commitment, saying that it wouldn’t have been possible to conduct the TPL–2019 Championship successfully with such high standards.

www.asian-voice.com

AsianVoiceNews

COMMUNITY

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

15

24 - 30 August 2019

Vyman Solicitors’ major victory applauded Vyman Solicitors’ London office, headed by Senior Litigation Solicitor and Director Prakash Patel, has succeeded in a major commercial action against the property developer Terry Brady, father of Apprentice star and Vice Chair of West Ham Utd Baroness Karren Brady.

Handing down her judgment in the High Court on Thursday 8 August, Mrs Justice Jefford found that Vyman’s client, a construction group belonging to entrepreneur Mr Rishi Singh, was entitled to approximately £1.4million in respect of various Settlement Agreements entered into with Mr Brady in 2012.

Together with very substantial legal costs and interest that are further likely to be awarded, the final sum payable by Mr Brady could rise to well over £3million.

HHJ Jefford rejected the multimillionaire Mr Brady’s argument that he had entered into the agreements under duress from Mr Singh, saying that Mr Brady was “ready to say whatever suited him at the time”. The judge also rejected Mr Brady’s suggestion of a fraudulent conspiracy by Mr Singh and was unimpressed that

Specialist Orthodontist Dr Sunil Hirani is celebrating after recently passing the World Society of Lingual Orthodontics (WSLO) exam.

Prakash Patel

Mr Brady had made serious allegations against Mr Singh which could not be substantiated or understood right until the end of trial.

Mr Brady was advised by the leading commercial law firm Goodman Derrick LLP who instructed senior barrister Anthony Speaight QC on his behalf.

Vyman instructed excellent barristers Mr James Bowling and Mr Daniel Khoo on behalf of Mr Singh. All three barristers are members of 4 Pump Court Chambers.

Now that this sevenyear legal battle has been won, there will be a further hearing later this year to deal with consequential issues such as legal costs and interest arising from the judge’s findings.

Huge turn out for a freedom march in Cardiff

Raj Aggarwal at Mahatma Gandhi statue with participating children

There was a huge turnout for a freedom march to celebrate the anniversary of Indian

the Wales Millennium Centre and finished at Cardiff Castle with a flag raising ceremony.

Lord Lieutenant Morfydd Meredith with other dignitaries

Independence in Cardiff on Thursday 15th August.

Hundreds of people joined the parade which ]started at the statue of Mahatma Gandhi near

Specialist Orthodontist passes prestigious WSLO exam

The event had been organised by Indian Honorary Consul RaJ Aggarwal and was attended by Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford,

Lingual orthodontics involves treating patients discreetly with braces ‘behind their teeth’. This technique known as invisible braces is very technically demanding.

Lingual orthodontics is an advanced sub-specialty of orthodontics.

There are currently about 1500 registered specialist orthodontists in the UK and only 5-10% of them can proficiently undertake lingual orthodontic treatment. The main reason for this is the very high level of skill required as it takes many years to master.

Dr Hirani was the only candidate from the UK to sit the exam, which took place at the 8th WSLO Congress in Barcelona in July 2019.

A panel of expert lin-

Dr Pablo Echarri, Dr Sunil Hirani, Professor Giuseppe Scuzzo and Dr Jean-Francois LeClerc

gual orthodontic examiners assessed Dr Hirani’s cases.

As of 2019, only 246 individuals have passed this exceptionally difficult exam worldwide, so it’s a fantastic achievement.

Dr Hirani is the only consultant-trained specialist in the UK to hold this

esteemed qualification. The candidate sitting the exam is usually a specialist for at least 10 years.

As chairman of the British Lingual Orthodontic Society (BLOS), Dr Hirani is committed to raising the profile of lingual orthodontics in

the UK. Dr Hirani told Asian Voice, “I am absolutely thrilled to have passed this examination. It reflects the steps that I have slowly climbed over the last 16 years as a specialist. It is my family and faith that have kept me very focused.”

“Cycling for Widows” to raise funds for widows in India A new initiative by lawyer and philanthropist Chris Parsons – “CYCLING FOR WIDOWS” - was launched at a lunch hosted recently by the British High Commissioner to India, Sir Dominic Asquith KCMG, at his residence in New Delhi. It was attended by Lord Raj Loomba CBE, Chris Parsons and many high-profile business leaders.

Chris Parsons, a lawyer with international law firm Herbert Smith Freehills, spends most of his time in India as chairman of the firm’s India practice. On 3rd February, 2020 he will cycle from Kanyakumari in the south to Srinagar in the north, a distance of some 4,500 km which he hopes to complete in about 45 days, to raise funds for widows in India through the Loomba Foundation.

In 2011, Chris raised $200,000 by cycling from London to Gibraltar. Keen to do something in India, in 2015 he came up with the idea of walking 30 Minister for Culture Lord Dafydd Elis, Royal Marines Brigadier Jock Fraser and Miss Universe UK Emma Jenkins and Miss Wales Gabrielle Jukes.

The procession started at the statue at 10.10am and arrived at Cardiff Castle at

https://cyclingforwidmarathons in 30 ows2020.ketto.org/ days. This took him from Mumbai The Loomba down the coast of Foundation was Maharashtra and established in the UK Goa to Mangalore in 1997 by Lord Raj in Karnataka before Loomba CBE and his turning east to wife Lady Veena cross the Western Loomba, in memory Ghats into of Lord Loomba’s Bangalore – some mother who became a 1260kms - helping widow at the early age him raise $300,000 of 37 and succeeded in for the Loomba educating all her Foundation. All of seven young children the money was single handedly. With used to support sister charities regisBritish High Commissioner, HE Sir Dominic Asquith KCMG 5,000 widows in (right) with Lord Loomba (centre) and Chris Parsons tered in India and the Varanasi and the USA the Loomba visited the country over 150 project was launched by the Foundation is committed to times. I have also met a empower widows and to Hon’ble Prime Minister, number of poor widows educate their children in Shri Narendra Modi, in his who have been empowered India & around the world. constituency. in Varanasi.'

Lord Loomba said, “I In India, the Loomba The Loomba Foundation to date has eduam absolutely delighted and Foundation has appealed to cated over 10000 children of thankful to the British High readers to donate generouspoor widows in all 30 states Commissioner, HE Dominic ly to support poor widows in The Loomba Asquith for hosting the India. The donations will be Foundation is currently launch of the “Cycling for used to provide skills traincampaigning with the Govt.

Widows” initiative by Chris ing to widows and unmarof India to set up a National Parsons at his residence. ried daughters of widows.

Commission for Widows Chris Parsons said, The Loomba Foundation and Widows Help Centres “India has become a very will bear all administration through Panchayats in special place for me, and it costs.

India, as part of our advocafeels like my second home.

To donate go to cy initiatives.

Over the last 15 years, I have 10.30am where there were performances of traditional Indian dance and and music performances in the grounds of Cardiff castle followed by a flag raising ceremony.

The event was to celebrate the anniversary of

Indian Independence and was open to all members of the public to attend for free.

In his speech Indian diplomat Raj Aggarwal said, "Thank you all for sparing your valuable time in joining us to celebrate the suc-

cess of Indian Democracy.

The Indian Diaspora are happily settled in Wales.

They are highly successful, hard working and integrate well with the local community and are committed to success and prosperity of Wales."

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18 FINANCE - UK

AsianVoiceNews

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

www.asian-voice.com

24 - 30 August 2019

Consultant Editor Financial Voice Alpesh Patel Dear Financial Voice Reader, When it comes to investments, I think I know a thing or two. So here is some advice to Pakistan to increase investment.

Dear Imran Khan, Investment into your country will create jobs. This is a good thing. It will help development and create peace too.

It will mitigate the need for you to sell your country to China. So here are some top tips for encouraging investment.

Look around at your nearest economic mighty neighbors – perhaps India and reach out to them. You may not like this, but your country needs trade and investment.

Even the UK trades with Russia. Your people need it. Build schools, not missiles.

For investment you need an open economy with free movement of people and where all can invest. Take Kashmir for example. Here, people from all of wealthy India can invest, create jobs, reap the benefits for the community of tourism and agriculture and local skilled labour. This will uplift the people. You could learn a lot from Kashmir.

Once someone invests in a territory, which they will only do if it is peaceful and secure, then young people get jobs and do not turn to terror and violence. Pakistan has a young population and a problem with terrorism.

So to help the youth, do open up your country to youth employment instead of as in your Tweets encouraging terrorism and militancy. I am speaking about the one on August 16th. Yes, I was surprised too that you encouraged anti-India hatred. If you have a strong economy, like say in India, then you don’t need to divert the attention of your people.

Another important thing for investment is to learn from neighbours and what they have done, especially if culturally they are similar. After all they can teach the most. For you this is not Afghanistan, Russia or China.

Reaching out to your diaspora, sadly, will not work. It is too small and not wealthy enough. You will have to encourage and take investment lead from home. To do this, you will need to reorganize your budget. You have some expensive line items on there. Take your largest expense. Defense. Now with a growing economy you would not need so much spent on the Independence movement in Balochistan for instance. Or on shelling India. You could use all that money on building roads, and schools. Oh, schools. You need to plan here. Dump the Maddrassas. Not good having only one lesson on the curriculum – RE. Think about adding English and Maths too. Maybe even Geography – I can supply you some maps, you keep getting your ones wrong.

Sajid Javid rejects speculation of shifting stamp duty to sellers Chancellor Sajid Javid has put an end to all speculation suggesting he could shift stamp duty on to sellers from buyers, a mere two days after he suggested he could be looking into the idea. Appearing in an interview earlier, when asked about changing who pays stamp duty to save first-time buyers paying any tax, he had said, "I'm looking at various options. I'm a low-tax guy. I want to see simpler taxes."

The statement prompted several warnings suggesting it could hit older people who are planning to downsize to smaller homes, which could be problematic with the Conservative party's core voters going into an election.

After the murmurs his statement prompted, Javid tweeted, "More speculation about stamp duty this morning. To be clear, I never said to the Times I was planning to put it on sellers, and I wouldn't

Sajid Javid

support that. I know from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government that we need bold measures on housing, but this isn't one of them."

The idea was promoted by the AAT, an accountancy and tax industry group that said it had met Boris Johnson to discuss the proposal earlier in the summer and had had an exchange of correspondence with the chancellor.

Javid is due to come forward with a one-year review of departmental spending in the next few weeks, in a move that may give away funding for schools, hospitals and the police before an election.

Britons indulge in surprise pre-Brexit house buying spree British house hunters have launched a surprise August buying spree before the scheduled Brexit date, with new data showing sales reached their highest point since 2015 during the usually sleepy summer period.

Property website Rightmove said the number of agreed sales rose by 6.1 per cent year on year in the month to 10 August. It claims to track nine in 10 UK house purchases.

House prices in the UK have mostly risen constantly since April 2012, according to the Office for National Statistics, but the pace of growth has collapsed since the June 2016 Brexit vote, from an annual rate of 8.2 per cent to only 0.9 per cent in June 2019. London and the south of England have registered price drops in

recent months and housing market economists have highlighted the effect of Brexit uncertainty, as buyers hold out for the political chaos to subside before making long-term decisions.

Director at Rightmove, Miles Shipside, however, said the latest figures suggest buyers are now looking to complete deals ahead of the latest Brexit deadline at the end of October. He said, "Whilst

another approaching Brexit deadline is now nothing new for prospective buyers, this one may seem more definite, and therefore one to beat, with the government regarding this one as 'do or die'. While the end of October Brexit outcome remains uncertain, more buyers are now going for the certainty of doing a deal, with some having perhaps hesitated earlier in the year."

He added that

historically, low mortgage rates, amid intense competition among lenders to sign up new borrowers, have added to the incentive to push through purchases in short order.

"There's only so long that buyers and sellers can delay the familial, financial and emotional forces driving the need to move, and with the average time between agreeing a sale and moving in being more than three months, we're now entering the last chance saloon for those who want to have finished their move before the end of the year."

“We often see an autumn activity bounce, but perhaps this year’s political activities have brought that forward into a summer surge as buyers have gone bolder and earlier than usual.”

London to see massive transport spending With recent analysis suggesting Londoners are on track to receive almost three times more transport spending per person than northerners, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been urged to keep his promises to the north of England.

Thinktank IPPR North believes the government's planned transport spending for London will be over £2,389 per head than that in the north unless investment in the "northern powerhouse" gets the goahead.

The gap is seven times more per person in London than in Yorkshire and the Humber or the north-east of England, as per the research.

Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham said the report, which is based on the government's list of planned infrastructure projects, made for "embarrassing reading.” The analysis said the capital would receive £3,636 in transport spending per person, while the north would receive £1,247.

Yorkshire and the Humber fare the worst of all of England's regions with just £511 planned per person, followed closely by the north east at £519 per person. The north-west will get £2062 per person under current plans.

The thinktank said the study exposed the true extent of under-funding in northern transport in the past and in the government's plans for the future, and the disparity had widened over the last decade.

Had London increases been matched, the north would have received £66bn more than it has, it said. The report urged

Johnson to urgently invest in the north and devolve powers to northern leaders and Transport for the North.

IPRR senior researcher, Luke Raikes said, "These figures show that the prime minister must urgently follow through on his promises to invest in northern transport infrastructure and devolve power to the north's leaders.

The northern powerhouse agenda could benefit people from across the whole country. Northern transport infrastructure is a national priority." He added, “As important as they are, big schemes like HS2 and

northern powerhouse rail won’t make a difference for people here any time soon.

It is time to be clear about what a northern powerhouse actually means.

It means Whitehall putting the north of England at the front of the queue for transport investment for the next 30 years – in the same way London has been for the last 30 years – and prepriortising transport spending in this country.

Anything less will leave the government’s northern powerhouse claims as nothing more than a giant political con.”

Meanwhile, Shadow Transport Secretary, Andy McDonald, said: “The north is held back by government under-investment in transport and a lack of powers over public transport, including poor rail connectivity and cuts to bus services. Labour will build a Crossrail for the north and deliver powers and funding for bus services to close the north-south divide in transport.”

Pay for FTSE 100 bosses at five year low As investor anger over bumper pension payout increases, pay for FTSE 100 bosses fell to a five-year low last year with a potential to drop further. Median total pay for bosses of the UK's largest listed firms stood at £3.4m in 2018, compared with £4m a year earlier, according to Deloitte. It is the lowest level since 2014, when UK rules first required companies to report a single figure for chief executive pay. That year, median pay packages totalled £4.4m.

The report found that the median increase in base salary for FTSE 100 bosses stayed at only 2 per cent,

while nearly a third received no pay rise at all. Bonus payouts remained at similar levels of about 70 per cent of the maximum allowed under each company's pay criteria.

Median base salaries reached £868,600 while bonus payments, excluding long-term incentives, averaged £1m.

A notable shift has, however, taken place for pay in lieu of pensions, cash sums of up to 50 per cent of basic salary given to top bosses in lieu of pension contributions, with about one third of FTSE 100 companies cutting pension pay for new executive hires.

The Investment Association, which manages £7.7tn in assets of 250 members, has shamed firms for failing to cut payments to less than 25 per cent of existing director's base pay as a first step. Vicechairman at Deloitte, Stephen Cahill said, "We have seen many companies come forward as "first movers" in response to new regulatory changes, with 29 companies reducing pensions for new hires.

Without a doubt, executive pensions have been the hottest topic of 2019 and we expect this to continue, with a growing focus on

incumbent executives receiving the highest pension rates."

Companies like travel firm Tui, banking giant Standard Chartered, supermarket chain Sainsbury's and Diageo, have fallen foul of those guidelines over the past year. Meanwhile, Deloitte said median pay for FTSE 100 chiefs has also been depressed by rules that bar CEOs from cashing in shares until long after they have left the company. If the two trends continue, it could mean pay for FTSE 100 bosses dropping yet again.

REAL ESTATE VOICE

ARE YOU STARING A DEAL IN THE FACE?

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There are three types of motivated sellers in the market. The distressed, the divorced, and the dead. People in these categories must sell, due to their circumstances. They do not have the luxury of choice.

In a market such as this one, comparables cannot be relied upon with the same confidence they once used to command. The market is in a flux.

There’s a perception out there that if you purchase a property now at retail value, it may be worth even less in 12 months’ time.

Suresh Vagjiani

Sow & Reap London Property Investment

This environment, coupled with the three categories mentioned above, is the perfect combination for the shrewd investor.

Probate is a legal document which grants authority to deal with a deceased person’s assets.

Most probate properties have certain symptoms that come with them, for example there’s that musty smell. They often come with the benefit of old well-made furniture. These properties usually require a total gut out; and it can be

AGONY AGENT IS HERE TO HELP!

The more variables you have in a deal the more chance it is a deal. Sometimes you also have a seller(s) who often wish to cash in on their new found wealth. Their need to have the money in their bank account outweighs the need to achieve maximum price.

If the property has a short lease, as well as requiring full refurbishment, most lenders will not touch it. The short lease effects the security for the lender. Most people don’t appreciate a BTL mortgage is given on the basis the property is in a lettable condition. If this is not the case the mortgage will not be granted. There are a few lenders who do refurbishment products, they, however, require a minimum lease length.

tied up in one deal may be tough for certain buyers.

A short lease, these days, is relatively easily quantifiable in advance. It needs work, again not a massive issue. However, having so much cash

In conclusion, by the very word probate on a property, the chances are you might be staring a deal in the face.

following eviction procedures:

A: As there is damage to the property, it makes sense that you claim for possession of the property immediately. But if you want to recover the outstanding debt, then you need to show that you’re acting reasonably and calmly (try not to threaten them). It would be a good idea to speak to the tenant fully about their circumstances, and try to help them resolve the situation (e.g. by helping with a benefit claim or repayment plans). Do act swiftly to make sure that your tenant realises that you’re serious.

l Section 21 accelerated possession procedure (where you don’t need to attend court, if your paperwork is correct)

Afterwards, you can then use the

l Section 8 eviction procedure, which includes a money claim for rent arrears l

Section 21 standard procedure (where you need to attend court)

Using the Section 8 notice may be the quickest course of action. By serving the Section 8 notice, you’re giving the tenant 14 days’ notice, and after this ends, you can apply to the County Court for a possession order, as well as a CCJ (debt judgment). The downside of using a Section 8 is that unless the arrears are of two months or more, the possession order is granted on the judge’s discretion. There is also the possibility of a late partpayment, and the tenant can counterclaim for the property’s alleged disrepair.

With the Section 21 notice, you should serve this immediately, so it acts as a

BUY TO LET OPPORTUNITY London, SE18 Purchase Price: £370,000

l l l l l l l l l

24 - 30 August 2019

assumed they do not confirm to any of the current regulations. You can forget looking at the energy efficiency readings. Almost always they have short leases.

Q: My tenant’s six month tenancy ends in two weeks, and they owe me six weeks’ rent. They have also damaged the property. I want them to be evicted as soon as possible, but how do I get my money back?

Send a formal reminder letter weekly.

Send him/her a schedule of the rent arrears, outlining what is due. This will act as good evidence, in case you end up in court.

19

safety net in case the tenants don’t leave at the end of the tenancy. Although it will take longer to obtain the possession order, you will get it if you follow the correct procedure. With the standard procedure you can also add a money claim, but you may need to wait a month or two longer for a court hearing date than if you used the accelerated possession procedure.

This shouldn’t be a problem, as you won’t be able to assess the extent of the money claim until the tenant has left the property.

l Once the tenant has been evicted, assess the damage caused, and calculate your money claim. l

Pursue the money claim from (1) any deposit protected in a tenancy deposit scheme; and (2) by using the Small Claims Court (for amounts up to £5,000).

When making a claim using the Small Claims Court, do make sure that you have evidence of the following: l

Rent schedule

So, the best course of action (based on the surface information provided here) seems to be as follows:

l Bank statements showing missed payments

l Serve a Section 21 notice immediately, making sure that the service is correct and that you have evidence of serving the notice properly.

l

l

Please do be aware that each situation is different, and therefore we would need to have all the information to hand, before giving any advice on eviction strategy. If you need more information, please do get in touch.

If the tenant shows no sign of leaving at the end of the tenancy, apply to the court for a possession order using the accelerated possession procedure as soon as the notice period finishes.

Inventory showing the extent of the damage, plus quotations and invoices for repairs

Very large three bedroom house with two reception rooms Minutes away from a Crossrail station Journey time to Canary Wharf and Bond Street will be 7 mins and 21 mins Potential to extend, stpp Was previously let as five rooms on a room by room basis Excellent expected yield of 7.3% per annum £175K cash required to close this deal, subject to mortgage criteria Sustained long term growth due to Crossrail Due to the price, proximity to a Crossrail station and cash required to do this deal, it is expected to be sold very quickly

Call us now for more information!

Specialists in Central London Property Sourcing

Sow & Reap Properties Ltd

0207 993 0103

info@sowandreap.co.uk www.sowandreap.co.uk 27 Gloucester Place, London, W1U 8HU SowandReapProperties

Sowandreapuk

Turning land into cash Get in touch about our land opportunities

20 FINANCE - INDIA

AsianVoiceNews

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24 - 30 August 2019

Modi reviews state of economy with Finance Minister Prime Minister Narendra Modi comprehensively reviewed the state of the economy with finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman and other ministry officials to find solutions to the fast-pacing economic slowdown in multiple sectors that has eroded wealth and hit jobs.

Sources said the government might soon provide a broad stimulus package or a sectorspecific booster dose.

Modi, after delivering his sixth straight address to the nation on Independence Day from the ramparts of the Red Fort in Delhi, undertook a brainstorming session with Sitharaman and all top officials in her ministry, sources privy to the development said. The meeting, they said, was to assess the nature of the slowdown and its longterm impact. However, the finance ministry has remained tightlipped on measures being contemplated to take the economy out. Reserve Bank Governor Shaktikanta Das had earlier this month stated that the

Narendra Modi and Nirmala Sitharaman

slowdown is more cyclical than structural and the growth is expected to revive by the fourth quarter.

But there are ominous signs showing that the slowdown may be deep. India’s economic growth has slowed to 6.8% in 2018-19 the slowest pace since 2014-15 and consumer confidence is waning, while foreign direct investment has plateaued.

International trade and currency

war is further aggravating the problem. The auto sector is facing its worst crisis in two decades and reports suggest thousands of job losses in the automobile and ancillary industry. In the real estate sector, the number of unsold homes has increased while fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) companies have reported a decline in volume growth in the first quarter.

Though lending by banks to industries has shown a significant jump from 0.9% in April-June quarter in 2018 to 6.6% for the same period this year, the same to job-creating MSME sector has slipped from 0.7% in 2018 to 0.6% in June quarter. Also, direct tax collections have grown by just 1.4%. The growth in GST collection till July this fiscal too has been only 9% as against 18% estimated in the Union Budget.

Sales of cars, tractors and twowheelers have declined to a 19year low.

Sitharaman had held series of meetings with bankers, industry, capital market players and real estate earlier this month to firm up steps to increase investments and boost economy. Foreign investors during their meeting with Sitharaman had suggested that higher surcharge on income beyond £200,000, which was imposed in the Budget, should not be applicable on FPIs. The government's decision on surcharge had impacted the market.

Change mindset: Sitharaman tells taxmen Addressing a meeting of senior officials of income tax and GST wings in Gujarat, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman emphasised on a mindset change in tax officials while advocating a technology-driven approach. “Tax administrators have a very delicate role to perform. A mindset change is needed to cater to an informed citizenry,” she told the income tax officials in Ahmedabad.

Amid allegations of “tax terrorism”, Sitharaman had proposed the introduction of “faceless assessment” in her maiden Budget in July this year, saying that there would be no human intervention while scrutinising the tax return.

Echoing PM Narendra Modi’s resolve of rolling out measures to ensure that honest taxpayers are not harassed, Sitharaman underscored curtailing the interface of taxpayers with authorities. “The use of technology and faceless

Nirmala Sitharaman addressing tax officials in Ahmedabad

assessment is the need of the hour in tax administration today,” the minister said.

The finance minister’s remarks came days after the tax department made it mandatory for all its officers to not issue any order, notice, summons, or

any other correspondence without a computer-generated Document Identification Number (DIN) in an attempt to avoid misuse of official communication to harass taxpayers.

Sitharaman mentioned in no uncertain terms that discussions with tax assesses should go smoothly, “There is no need for tax officials to visit the assessees. Instead, use technology to simplify the process so that repeatedly seeking information is not necessary. As far as assessees and their issues are concerned, we must communicate with them and solve issues by treating them respectfully,” she said. In an interview last week, Modi had said that the government will roll out measures to reduce harassment amid fresh complaints of intimidation and strong-arm tactics being deployed by tax authorities. These voices have

grown louder in recent weeks after Cafe Coffee Day founder V G Siddhartha committed suicide and, in a purported note, accused harassment by a senior income tax officer.

Respect wealth creators A top I-T official said that Sitharaman stressed on creating a “taxpayer-friendly” environment. “The finance minister asked us to respect wealth creators and facilitate them by cutting down unnecessary procedural delays.

She asked us to remain more humane in our approach,” the official said. Sitharaman later engaged in a detailed discussion with industry representatives.

Sitharaman, meanwhile, remained non-committal on stimulus package for the industry. She said, “We are analysing what steps should be taken now.

When the government is ready, an announcement will be made at the right time.”

in brief NCLAT UPHOLDS INSOLVENCY PLEA AGAINST SAHARA Q SHOP

The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) upheld the order of the Mumbai bench of NCLT, directing initiation of the insolvency resolution process against Sahara group subsidiary Sahara Q Shop. A three-member NCLAT bench headed by chairman Justice S J Mukhopadhaya upheld the order passed by the NCLAT, which had on December 15, 2017, admitted the plea to initiate insolvency proceedings against the company filed by one of its operational creditors. This order was challenged before the appellate tribunal by a shareholder of Sahara Q Shop, contending that there was no default in payment by the company as it could not pay to its creditors because the Supreme Court had prohibited ‘Sahara Group of Companies’ to pay any amount to any person in the ongoing contempt proceedings. However, the plea was rejected by the NCLAT observing that there was no such specific directions in the SC order.

INDIA TOPPLES CHINA TO BE NO 1 IN FINTECH SPACE With 23 deals during April-June quarter, India unseated China in the fintech space - which is battling regulatory crackdown on such companies - to take the top slot. However, China with only 15 deals - a new five-quarter low - was ahead in deal size by $25 million at a total investment of $375 million - data from research firm CB Insights showed. India’s fintech investments grew 27% from $286 million in the January-March period to $350 million in AprilJune. The year- on-year growth for the quarter was 37%, up from $254 million in the same quarter last year. Notable deals included $58.2 million raised by Cred and $20 million pooled in

by Zest Money.

OIL FALLS BELOW $58 ON RECESSION FEARS Crude oil prices fell more than 1% last week, extending the previous session’s 3% drop, pressured by mounting recession concerns and a surprise boost in US crude inventories. In a sign of investor concern that the world’s biggest economy could be heading for recession, weighing on oil demand, the US Treasury bond yield curve inverted for the first time since 2007.

China’s threat to impose counter-measures in retaliation for the latest US tariffs on $300 billion of Chinese goods also weighed on oil prices.

Brent crude fell as much as $1.81, or 3%, to $57.67 a barrel. The global benchmark was down $1.52, or 2.6%, at $57.96 and West Texas Intermediate crude (WTI) was down 80 cents, or 1.5%, to $54.43 in early trades. “Oil is getting whacked again as risk-aversion kicks in and fears of a trade war inflicted slowdown grip traders,” said Craig Erlam, senior market analyst at OANDA.

19 per cent fall in auto sales in July

FOUR-FOLD RISE IN RCAP Q1 NET

The slump in the auto industry has hit a record low in July, worst in 19 years, due to slowing economy, higher ownership costs and floods in some states.

The sale of automobiles in India has dropped by 18.71 per cent, auto industry body SIAM reported. According to the data released by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), vehicle sales across categories, including passenger vehicles (PVs) and two-wheelers, stood at 18,25,148 units in July against 22,45,223 units in the same month last year. Previously, the biggest slump of 21.81% was seen nearly two decades back in December 2000.

The Anil Ambani-led Reliance Capital has reported an over four-fold jump in its consolidated net profit at £121.8 million for the first quarter of the ongoing fiscal, driven by higher income. The company’s profit was £29.5 million in the year-ago period. Total income increased by 31% to £ 608.3 million during the April-June quarter of 2019-20 as against £464.1 million in the corresponding period a year earlier.

Total assets of Reliance Capital stood at £7.92 billion as on June 30, 2019 as against £8.39 billion a year ago. The company also said it did not raise any fixed deposits from the public.

During the entire last fiscal, the company said it had reported a loss of £ 145.4 million. Reliance Capital has interests in asset management and mutual funds, pension funds, insurance, finance, stock broking, distribution of financial products, asset reconstruction, proprietary investments and other financial services.

The bleak situation rendered almost 15,000 workers jobless over the past two-three months.

The companies are terming it as “worst slowdown in the domestic automobile industry’s history”.

Even though automakers offered attractive freebies and discounts to lure buyers, while also introducing newer models, many of them with the stricter BS6 versions, the situation has continued without any respite.

A big crash in the demand for passenger vehicles (cars and SUVs), as well as the volumeladen two-wheelers, is among the reasons that are keeping the volumes under stress. As the slowdown intensified,

automakers announced shutdowns of their factories to adjust inventory. Tata Motors, India’s largest commercial vehicle maker, closed its Jamshedpur and Pune plants for up to 12 days.

Ashok Leyland, the thirdlargest commercial vehicle maker by volume, closed its Pantnagar facility for nine days last month due to weak demand. SIAM chief Rajan Wadhera, who is also the president of Mahindra & Mahindra’s Automotive division, said that fresh investments will not happen anytime soon in the auto sector.

Industry officials met finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman

and senior officials from the ministry of road transport, heavy industries and Niti Aayog on August 7 to apprise government functionaries about the slowdown. Sitharaman had given the industry representatives a patient hearing, but did not promise any immediate relief.

Companies want cut in GST rate The industry officials have sought a reduction in the GST rate on automobiles from the existing 28% to 18%, saying that higher affordability may prompt people to make purchases. But sentiments remain weak, say industry officials, as the stress faced by the economy has been rising.

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24 - 30 August 2019

in brief INDIAN IN US CHARGED WITH KILLING WIFE, IN-LAWS An Indian-origin man in the US has been charged with killing four members of his family, including his wife and in-laws, in their apartment in Ohio’s Hamilton City. Reports say that Gurpreet Singh, 37, could face the death penalty if convicted. He was booked into Butler County Jail after his return from Connecticut and will appear in court. A Butler County grand jury indicted Singh on four counts of aggravated murder in the fatal shootings of his wife, her parents and her aunt on April 28. Singh could face the death penalty if convicted, the report said. Each family member had at least two gunshot wounds in the head.

INDIAN STUDENT JAILED FOR DAMAGING COMPUTERS An Indian student has been jailed for 12 months, to be followed by one year of supervised release, for intentionally damaging computer of a college in New York.

Vishwanath Akuthota (27) has also been ordered to pay $58,471 as restitution charge.

Pleading guilty, Akuthota admitted that on February 14 he inserted a ‘USB Killer’ device into 66 computers as well as numerous computer monitors and computer-enhanced podiums owned by the College of St. Rose in Albany. The device, when inserted into a USB port, sends a command causing the computer’s on-board capacitors to rapidly charge and then discharge repeatedly, thereby overloading and physically destroying the USB port and electrical system.

TULSI GABBARD TO GO FOR ARMY DRILLS Tulsi Gabbard, the first Hindu member of the US Congress and a Democratic presidential hopeful, said that she will leave the campaign trail for two weeks of training exercises in Indonesia, that include counter-terrorism.

Gabbard, who has deployed to West Asia twice in her time in the Army National Guard, heads to active-duty training during a crucial time in her 2020 presidential campaign. “I look forward to joining my fellow soldiers for a joint training exercise with the Indonesian military, focused on counter-terrorism and disaster response,” the 38-year-old congresswoman said. Gabbard is the first ever Hindu lawmaker in the US Congress.

She is also the first Hindu to run for presidential elections.

RUSSIA PREZ PUTIN VOWS STRONGER TIES WITH INDIA Russian President Vladimir Putin greeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi on India’s IDay and expressed confidence that both the countries will further strengthen bilateral cooperation and constructive interaction on regional and global issues. “Your country rightfully takes pride in great achievements in economic, scientific, technological, cultural and other spheres. India also enjoys high authority in the international arena,” said Putin, according to a statement issued by the Russian Embassy.

AFGHAN TALIBAN LEADER'S BROTHER KILLED IN BLAST Hafiz Ahmadullah, the brother of Afghan Taliban leader Haibatullah Akhundzada, was among at least four people killed in a bomb blast at a mosque in Pakistan, two Taliban sources said adding that the attack could affect efforts to end the Afghan war. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the blast which took place as the Taliban and the United States are in the final stages of talks on an agreement that would see America withdraw its troops from neighbouring Afghanistan. Police said more than 20 people were wounded and the death toll could rise. The imam of the mosque was among those killed, police said. Haibatullah was not in the mosque when the bomb went off but his younger brother, Hafiz, was among those killed.

Imran Khan concedes Balakot airstrikes by IAF MUZAFFARABAD: Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has finally conceded that the Balakot operation carried out by India, targeting several terror training camps was a major operation that rattled Pakistan. Imran, used an address celebrating Pakistan's Independence Day to accuse India of planning military action in the disputed Kashmir region that has long been a flashpoint between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.

Addressing a special session of the PoK Legislative Assembly in Muzaffarabad "in solidarity with Kashmiris", Imran Khan said, ''India planned more extensive action than that of February, when its fighter jets struck inside Pakistan. They have made a more horrendous plan to divert world attention from their recent move in Jammu and Kashmir, they plan action in Azad Kashmir," Imran Khan had travelled to Muzaffarabad, the capital of PoK, making his first visit to the

Imran Khan

region since becoming Pakistan's leader in 2018.

During his address, he also warned India against any "misadventure" in Pakistan, saying "miscalculation" on the part of New Delhi would elicit a "tit-for-tat" response from Islamabad. The remarks from the Pakistani leader came amid heightening tensions between the two neighbours following India's move to revoke Article 370 granting special status to Jammu and Kashmir.

"We have information and we have had two National

Security Committee meetings.

The Pakistan Army has full knowledge that India has made a plan to take action in PoK," he said. "Like the action which they took in Balakot after Pulwama, according to our information, they have made a more sinister plan now. To shift the world's focus away from Kashmir, they want to take action in PoK," he said.

In a message to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the cricketer-turned-politician said, "... you take action and every brick will be countered with a stone. The Pakistan Army is battle-hardened and it is fully ready to respond to any violation

by India. The entire nation is ready and stands alongside its armed forces.”

"A Muslim never initiates war. We are ready to respond to any (misadventure) by India.

Kashmiris are also battlehardened and they have no fear.

We will respond to whatever you do - we will go till the end," he

said in the address. Calling India's move on Kashmir a "strategic blunder", the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief said, ''It will cost Modi and his BJP government heavily. I consider it a big miscalculation by Modi. He has played his final card." He said it was a challenging task to draw the attention of world leaders to the "human rights violations in Kashmir, PM Modi has in fact helped internationalise the issue," Khan said. "If a war breaks out, I'm saying this to the UN, you'll be responsible... This is now the UN's trial. The entire Muslim world is looking at the UN (to play its role). The UN must listen to 1.5 billion Muslims who are looking up to the global body for taking action against India which has turned Kashmir into a prison for 10 million Kashmiris," Khan said. In his Independence Day message, Pakistan Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa too said, "there can never be a compromise on Kashmir".

US cuts $440 mn financial aid to Pakistan WASHINGTON: In another jolt to Pakistan, the United States slashed the aid to the cash-strapped nation by nearly USD 440 million, bringing down its commitment to just USD 4.1 billion. The aid was disbursed under Pakistan Enhanced Partnership Agreement (PEPA) 2010. The US apprised Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan about its decision to cut aid three weeks before his planned visit to Washington.

Notably, the PEPA was signed in September 2010 to make operational the Kerry Lugar Berman (KLB) Act that

Donald Trump

was passed by the US Congress in October 2009 to disburse USD 7.5 billion to Pakistan over a period of 5 years. Earlier the aid under the KLB stood at

nearly USD 4.5 billion.

Following the cut, the aid will come down to USD 4.1 billion.

Last year in September, the United States' military cancelled the financial aid worth USD 300 million to Pakistan due to the growing concerns regarding Islamabad's failure to tackle terrorism.

In January that year, Pentagon had cut USD 1 billion worth financial aid to Pakistan, with Defense Secretary James Mattis and other officials citing Islamabad's failure to crack down on the Haqqani terror outfit as the reason behind it, reports said.

During his meeting with Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, last month, US President Donald Trump strongly criticised Islamabad for its behaviour which led to the cancellation of US aid amounting to USD 1.3 billion to the country. "We were paying USD 1.3 billion to Pakistan as aid, for many years. The problem was...Pakistan was not doing anything for us.

They were really subversive.

They were going against us. I ended that about a year and a half ago, the USD 1.3 billion (aid)," Trump said during his meeting with Khan.

63 killed as suicide bomber strikes at Kabul wedding KABUL: At least 63 people were killed and over 200 injured when a suicide bomber detonated his bomb at a marriage reception in Kabul. The blast underlines the dangers the country faces even if the Taliban agrees a pact with the United States. The local affiliate of the Islamic State claimed responsibility in a statement with an image of a young man with an assault rifle. The extremist Sunni militia described the man as a Pakistani named Abu Asim who had attacked a gathering of “rejecter polytheists,” as the group describes followers of Shiite Islam. IS fighters, who first appeared in Afghanistan in 2014 and have since made inroads in the east and north, are not involved in the talks. They are battling government and US led international forces and the Taliban.

A man posing as a guest detonated his bomb in the men's section of the wedding hall.

“There was a huge boom and the hall went dark. People were

running and falling in all corners.

It was like doomsday,” said Sakhi Mohammed, a guest. The bride and groom survived the blast but lost family members, including 14 on the bride’s side.

The groom, a tailor in his 20s named Mirwais Elmi, told that his family was in shock and would never recover. Families thronged to Kabul’s crowded cemeteries. “We want peace, not such brutal suicide attacks,” said Ahmad Khan, who was burying a relative.

Afghanistan's President Ashraf Ghani condemned the attack and said that despite the

Taliban's denials of responsibility, it still shared some of the blame because it "provides a platform for terrorists. My top priority for now is to reach out to the families of victims of this barbaric attack," Ghani said on Twitter. He added that in response to the attack, he had "called an extraordinary security meeting to review and prevent such security lapses."

Ghani's statement came as Afghanistan on August 19 celebrates the 100th anniversary of independence from the British. "We will take revenge for every civilian drop of blood,"

Ghani declared. The attack came as the Taliban and the United States try to negotiate an agreement on the withdrawal of US forces in exchange for a Taliban commitment on security and peace talks with Afghanistan’s US-backed government. The US special envoy for reconciliation in Afghanistan, Zalmay Khalilzad, said the attack showed the need to accelerate efforts to reach a deal with the Taliban, to help defeat Islamic State.

President Trump has made no secret of his desire for a US pullout from Afghanistan and an end to America's longest war. But there are concerns among Afghan officials and US national security aides that Afghanistan could be plunged into a new civil war that could herald a return of Taliban rule and international militants, including IS, finding a refuge. Afghan officials also fear a Taliban pact could drive some die-hard fighters into the arms of IS.

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Lankan general accused of war abuses appointed army chief COLOMBO: In a controversial decision President Maithripala Sirisena has named a general accused of grave human rights abuses in Sri Lanka's long-running civil war as the country's new army chief.

His decision has been criticised as a move likely to undermine reconciliation efforts. Major General Shavendra Silva, was also promoted to the rank of lieutenant general, was in Shavendra Silva charge of an army division that encircled the final troubled by the appointment of stronghold of the Tamil Tiger Lieutenant-General Shavendra rebels in the final stages of the Silva as Commander of the Sri war that ended a decade ago.

Lankan Army, despite the Silva's 58th division has been serious allegations of gross accused of violating violations of international international human rights laws, human rights and humanitarian including shelling a hospital. law against him and his troops Silva, 55, has denied the during the war," the UN's High accusations. "I am deeply Commissioner for Human

Rights (OHCHR) Michelle Bachelet said in a statement.

The United Nations has estimated that some 45,000 ethnic Tamil civilians might have been killed in the last months of the war, while other estimates put the number much higher.

The International Truth and Justice Project, a group seeking accountability for wartime abuses, said Silva's appointment was "immensely damaging to the country". "After so much bloodshed Sri Lankans need to hold their leaders accountable in order to stop the repeated cycles of violence," Yasmin Sooka, the organisation's executive

director, said.

"Silva's promotion, however, sends a message of total impunity."

The group also noted that Silva's appointment was made months before presidential elections are scheduled to take place in December. Former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa is hoping to run for president. He is also facing allegations of war crimes over his role in guiding Sri Lanka's war against Tamil rebels a decade ago. The appointment of Silva was also criticised by the United States.

"This appointment undermines Sri Lanka's international reputation and its commitments to promote justice and accountability, especially at a time when the need for reconciliation and social unity is paramount," the US embassy in Colombo said in a statement.

Dissanayake is JVP's presidential candidate COLOMBO: Sri Lanka’s leftist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) or the People’s Liberation Front said it would field party leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake as presidential candidate, effectively offering a third option to Sri Lankan voters in the polls scheduled later this year. The announcement comes a week after the Rajapaksa camp named former defence secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa its candidate contesting from the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP or People’s Front). Amid much tension among different factions within, the incumbent United National Party (UNP)-

led alliance is yet to name its candidate.

Dissanayake enters the fray through the JVP-led ‘National People’s Power’ alliance, challenging two mainstream political camps, and promising an alternative. While the JVP has not electorally threatened mainstream parties - the UNP, Sri Anura Kumara Dissanayake Lanka Freedom Party corruption and nepotism.

(SLFP) and SLPP - in recent During the nearly twonational or local elections, it has month political crisis last year, remained a significant voice of the six JVP MPs proved a crucial dissent in the legislature, block in the Parliament. Along frequently taking on the big with the Tamil National Alliance parties on allegations of

legislators, they resisted the illegal power grab by the Rajapaksas.

Dissanayake’s speeches, hailed by many as powerful and persuasive, drew wide attention at that time. The JVP’s move to field its own candidate comes after nearly two decades when it mostly extended conditional support to other candidates. A huge crowd gathered at Galle Face Green adjoining Colombo’s sea front as the party named its 50-year-old leader as candidate, now the youngest in the fray.

Indian-American Congressman joins Pak Congressional caucus

Doubts linger over voluntary return of Rohingyas

WASHINGTON: Indian-American Congressman Ro Khanna, who has made a mark in the House of Representatives on foreign policy and national security issues, has joined the Congressional Pakistan Caucus.

However, he said that he would continue to pursue the American objectives of a strong US-India relationship and peace and stability in the region. Khanna joined the Pakistani Caucus after the visit of Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan to the US last month.

The two-term Democratic Congressman representing Silicon Valley is the first IndianAmerican lawmaker to join the Congressional Pakistan Caucus. The Congressional Pakistan Caucus was founded in May by Reps. Sheila Jackson Lee and Jim Banks. Lee and Khanna (42) are also members of the Congressional Caucus for India and Indian Americans. The latter is the largest single-country Caucus in the House.

The Indian American politician, who is serving his second term in the House, said: "I am a proud member of the US-India Caucus and have supported legislation condemning the terrorist bombing in Kashmir and promoting stronger defense ties between the US and India. At the same time, I believe it's critical to engage all regional players, including India and Pakistan, to stabilize Afghanistan so that the US can withdraw troops.

DHAKA: The Myanmar government has cleared the list of 3,450 Rohingyas for return to the country of origin.

The list has been shared with the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) in Bangladesh earlier this month so that the agency could assist in checking whether the refugees wished to return voluntarily. The UNHCR, as part of its standard practice, asks the refugees to come forward and discuss matters relating to repatriation. Officials will meet and discuss issue with those who express their wish to go back. “Those who express a wish to return will be invited for a second interview to ensure the voluntariness of their decision. They will be asked to complete a voluntary repatriation form,” said UNHCR Spokesperson Joseph Tripura.

Through this, the UNHCR will aim to ensure that any return to Myanmar is voluntary, which is one of UNHCR’s most fundamental protection responsibilities, he said. Hundreds of thousands of Rohingyas poured into Bangladesh two years ago amid a military crackdown on them in Myanmar’s Rakhine state. “UNHCR and its partners are now reaching out to the Rohingya refugee community with information regarding the most recent developments,” Tripura said.

Asked if any list of the Rohingyas, who

volunteered to return, has been prepared, he said, “The work is going on.” Bangladesh’s Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner (RRRC) Mohammad Abul Kalam said Bangladesh was prepared to start the repatriation anytime. “We are waiting for the list [from the UNHCR] of those who volunteer to return to Myanmar,” he said.

The government is working to start the repatriation on August 22.

The RRRC said as per rules, the names of those who volunteered to return will have to be handed over to the Myanmar authorities.

Besides, the returnees will go through medical check-ups and will be taken to transit camps near the BangladeshMyanmar border. Bangladesh authorities have set up two transit camps.

in brief MALAYSIA BANS ZAKIR NAIK FROM DELIVERING SPEECHES The Malaysian government has banned controversial Indian origin Islamic preacher Zakir Naik from giving public speeches anywhere in the country. The latest development comes a day after Naik was quizzed by police for his remarks against Malaysian Hindus. According to a report, the Malaysian government is waiting for the outcome of an investigation by the police into the alleged 'inflammatory remarks' by the preacher against minorities in the country. Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Bin Mohamad said, "He (Zakir) has PR status. We can take away the PR status if he does something that is detrimental to the nation." Mahathir said that if Zakir was proved guilty by the police, the administration will take away his Permanent Resident (PR) status.

TRUDEAU GUILTY OF VIOLATING ETHICS: PANEL Canada’s ethics commissioner said that PM Justin Trudeau improperly pressured a former attorney general to halt the criminal prosecution of a company, a development that could imperil his reelection chances. The report comes just before the start of campaigning for the October 21 polls and it threatens to re-inflame a scandal that rocked the government earlier this year. Ethics commissioner Mario Dion said Trudeau’s attempts to influence the then attorney general and justice minister, Jody Wilson-Raybould, were contrary to the constitutional principle of prosecutorial independence. Trudeau said he takes responsibility “for everything,” but said he “can’t apologise for standing up for Canadian jobs.”

RUSSIAN PILOT SAVES 233 WITH MIRACLE LANDING The captain of a Russian passenger jet was hailed as a hero for landing his plane in a cornfield after it collided with a flock of gulls seconds after takeoff, causing both engines to malfunction. While dozens of people sought medical assistance, only one was hospitalised. The Ural Airlines A321 carrying 226 passengers and a crew of seven hit the birds as it was taking from Moscow’s Zhukovsky airport en route for Simferopol, in Crimea. Russia’s Rosaviatsiya state aviation agency chief Alexander Neradko told reporters that the crew “made the only right decision” to land the fully loaded plane immediately after both of the plane’s engines malfunctioned. “The crew has shown courage and professionalism and deserve the highest state awards.”

ITALY MAN WINS RECORD LOTTERY JACKPOT OF 209 MN EUROS A lucky ticket-holder in Italy has won the country's biggest ever lottery jackpot of 209 million euros ($234 million), the Superenalotto organisers said. The winner has to pick six correct numbers between 1 and 90 - something no one had done since June 2018. But a ticket bought for two euros at a bar in the northern city of Lodi near Milan had the correct result for the night's draw of 7, 32, 41, 59, 75 and 76. The winner had chosen the numbers at random from a lottery machine at the bar. The new record also surpasses that of Euromillions, where the jackpot is limited to 190 million euros.

MISSING DENTURES FOUND STUCK IN THROAT 8 DAYS AFTER SURGERY A medical journal is reporting the case of a 72year-old man whose partial dentures apparently got stuck in his throat during surgery and weren’t discovered for eight days. The man went to the emergency room because he was having a hard time swallowing and was coughing up blood.

Doctors ordered a chest X-ray, diagnosed him with pneumonia and sent him home with antibiotics and steroids. It took another hospital visit before another X-ray revealed the problem: His dentures were lodged at the top of this throat.

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in brief EUROPE WRESTLES WITH ELECTRIC SCOOTERS

Ban them outright. Issue speeding tickets.

Make users take a driving test. From Paris to Berlin, European cities are searching for solutions to the two-wheeled phenomenon that’s fast transforming city scapes worldwide: Electric scooters. Proponents call them a leap into the future. Rubbish, say critics, noting growing numbers of injuries and even deaths involving e-scooters.

BROTHERS LEAVE PATH OF DESTRUCTION IN GERMANY German police say two little brothers left a path of destruction in Germany after running away from home. A police spokesman said the four and six-year-old boys stole a neighbour’s gas burner and torched parts of a garage. They flooded another neighbour’s basement, before stealing an aerosol can and spraying varnish on doors and two cars.

Officers took them to the local youth welfare office which called the mother to pick up her sons.

WOMAN THOUGHT SHE HAD KIDNEY STONES, GAVE BIRTH TO TRIPLETS

A South Dakota woman who recently gave birth to triplets says she didn’t find out about her pregnancy until she went to the hospital with what she thought were kidney stones.

Reports say Dannette Giltz gave birth to the healthy triplets on August 10. Giltz says that despite having two other children, she did not know she was 34 weeks pregnant. She says that when she started having pains, she thought it was from kidney stones, which she has had before. Doctors told her she was actually in labour - with multiple babies. The triplets were born within four minutes. Each weighed about 1.8kg.

AIRPORT WORKER FIRED FOR GIVING FLYER ‘YOU UGLY!’ NOTE An airport security worker in New York has been fired for handing a passenger a handwritten note that said “You ugly!!!” The June incident came to light after passenger Neal Strassner obtained security video and posted it to YouTube . The video shows the worker handing Strassner the note after he passes through a metal detector.

GUN FOUND IN FEDEX PARCEL SENT FROM US TO CHINA Chinese authorities have found at least one firearm in a FedEx package sent from the US, local police said, in the latest incident to befall the logistics firm in China. Police in Fuzhou said “in recent days” they had received a tip about a package sent to a local sporting goods firm. The parcel was sent by a US client and contained at least one firearm, police said. The firearm has been seized and officers are investigating, they added, without specifying the number of weapons in the package.

24 Indian sailors from Iranian tanker released in Gibraltar MADRID: All 24 Indian crew members, including the captain of the Iranian oil supertanker were released by authorities in Gibraltar despite eleventh-hour efforts by the United States to halt the move to release it. The Supreme Court in the British territory of Gibraltar approved the release of the Grace 1, which was seized off the country's coast by authorities last month, after officials said they no longer wished to detain it. The arrested Indian crew members - the master, chief officer and two second mates - were aboard the Panama-flagged supertanker.

India's minister of state for external affairs V Muraleedharan, after the release of Iranian ship ‘Grace 1’ tweeted, “Spoke to our High Commission @HCI_London on VLCC Grace 1. They confirmed all 24 Indian crew aboard VLCC Grace 1 have been released by Gibraltar authorities and are free to return to India,” Earlier reports said the police

proceedings against four Indian crew members aboard the supertanker had ended and they were released. “I am grateful and thankful for my release. And I am grateful to all who have facilitated my release in my legal team,” the captain of the Grace 1 tanker said in a statement.

The ship was seized six weeks ago as it passed through Gibraltar's territorial waters for allegedly taking crude oil to Syria, in breach of European Union (EU) sanctions. However,

the Gibraltar authorities have since been denying the allegations. Two weeks later, Iran seized a British ship in the Gulf, in what was widely regarded as a tit-for-tat operation. The release of the Grace 1 will potentially ease tensions between London and Tehran, which still holds a British-flagged vessel. In past weeks, the Persian Gulf region has seen six attacks on oil tankers that the US has blamed on Iran. Iran denied it was

behind the tanker attacks, although it has seized other tankers. Tensions increased between Iran and the West after US President Trump pulled Washington out of Tehran’s nuclear deal with world powers over a year ago.

Gibraltar Chief Minister Fabian Picardo said the US could still begin a new legal procedure for seizing the Grace 1, but that provisions under the European Union’s sanctions regulations were ending on August 15 after the Iranian government assured him in writing that the ship will not send its 2.1 million barrels of crude to a sanctioned entity in Syria. "On 13 August, I received written assurance from the Republic of Iran that, if released, the destination of Grace 1 would not be an entity that is subject to European Union sanctions. I welcome that assurance. This is an important material change in the destination of the vessel and the beneficiary of its cargo," said Picardo.

New rules to limit the number of climbers to Everest KATHMANDU (NEPAL): In an effort to address deadly human traffic jams on Mount Everest and weed out inexperienced climbers, Nepali officials proposed new safety rules that could significantly reduce the number of permits issued for the world’s highest peak. Under the measures, would-be climbers would have to prove that they have scaled another major peak, and tourism companies would be required to have at least three years’ experience organizing highaltitude expeditions before they can lead climbers on Everest, Nepal’s tourism ministry said.

To discourage cost-cutting that can put climbers’ lives at risk, the ministry also said that clients of expedition companies would have to prove, before setting out, that they had paid at least $35,000 for the expedition. “Everest cannot be

climbed just based on one’s wishes,” Yogesh Bhattarai, the tourism minister, said. “We are testing their health conditions and climbing skills before issuing climbing permits.”

The proposed rules were unveiled alongside findings from a group of government investigators who uncovered alarming problems in the management of Everest, which sits 29,029 feet above sea level and is a significant source of revenue for Nepal. The announcement came several months after one of the deadliest Everest climbing seasons in recent years; at a few points, hundreds of climbers waited in line on a steep ridge for hours to reach the summit.

Eleven climbers died, despite facing no major avalanche or earthquake.

Sherpa guides and industry experts blamed the lines for at

least some of the deaths. They said the situation resembled a “Lord of the Flies” atmosphere, with people pushing and shoving to move past crowds and struggling to descend quickly enough on the last 1,000 or so feet to replenish their oxygen supply. The government is now considering deploying officials to help manage crowds, officials said.

There are currently no restrictions on the number of climbers who can attempt the summit at a time. Expedition teams are free to set their own timetable for the ascent, and many choose a narrow window each May to avoid the mountain’s otherwise extreme weather and high winds. The number of climbing permits has increased nearly every year since the commercialization of Everest picked up in the 1990s.

A record 381 permits were

issued this spring season, which typically runs from April to May, and that number does not include the several hundred Sherpa guides and support staff.

On the northern side of the mountain, in Tibet, stricter safety regulations are already in place. But until now, there have been few limits on who can get a permit to climb Everest from Nepal. Sherpa guides say that lower-cost operators have recently drawn inexperienced climbers, including some who do not even know how to use crampons, the clip-on spikes that increase traction on ice.

Under the new rules, permits will be issued only to those who have climbed mountains higher than 21,300 feet, Nepali officials said. The government is also considering requiring mandatory health checkups at Everest Base Camp.

1.7 mn protesters defy police in Hong Kong HONG KONG: Approximately a quarter of population defied police orders to stage a peaceful march in a down town park in Hong Kong, after two months of mounting violent clashes and stark warnings from Beijing and failing to win concessions from the city’s government. Even as China warned it could use its power to quell demonstrations, Hong Kong conducted mass protests over the weekend.

Organisers say at least 1.7 million people attended a mass pro-democracy rally, as the city entered its 11th consecutive week of demonstrations. Anger has been sharpened among protesters by the perceived heavy-handedness of the police who have used tear gas, baton

charges and rubber bullets in incidents that have pin balled across social media.

Huge crowds filled Victoria Park and spilled on to nearby streets, forcing police to block traffic in the area. Torrential rain came down an hour into the rally, turning the roads into a river of umbrellas. “Stand with Hong Kong! Fight for freedom!” protesters shouted at the rally. Train services to the metro stations near the park were suspended intermittently throughout the day due to the huge numbers of people. The crowd was a mix of young protesters, families and elderly residents. Parents walked alongside small

children.

The protesters peacefully walked towards Central, the heart of Hong Kong’s business district, and surrounded government headquarters. The Civil Human Rights Front, which organised million-strong marches in June, reiterated the five demands of

the anti-extradition law movement. They called for a full withdrawal of the controversial bill and a retraction of characterisation of protests as “riots.” They urged for the unconditional release of all arrested protesters, the formation of an independent commission of inquiry into all events since June, and demanded universal suffrage. Earlier in last week, Hundreds of China’s People’s Armed Police (PAP) conducted exercises at a sports stadium in Shenzhen, which have prompted worries that the troops could be used to break up protests.

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17 ministers joins Yediyurappa cabinet in Karnataka BENGALURU: The one-man BJP government in Karnataka led chief minister B S Yediyurappa was expanded on Tuesday with the induction of 17 new ministers after almost a month. Yediyurappa formed the government after the collapse of the Congress-JD(S) coalition government on July 26.

Governor Vajubhai Vala administered the oath to 17 MLAs at Raj Bhavan on Tuesday morning.

Among those who were administered the oath of office and secrecy were Govind Karajol, Ashwath Narayan C N, Laxman Savadi, K S Eshwarappa, R Ashoka, Jagadish Shettar, B Sreeramulu and S Suresh Kumar.

V Somanna, C T Ravi, Basavaraj Bommai, Kota Shrinivas Poojari, J C Madhu Seamy, C C Patil, H Nagesh, Prabhu Chauhan and Shashikala Jolle Annasaheb are

A group photo of new Karnataka ministers

also on the list.

This is the first-ever expansion of Yediyurappa's ministry after he assumed office on July 26 and proved his government's majority on the floor of the Assembly on July 29.

Having run the government with a "one-man cabinet" for over 20 days, the chief minister had on Saturday managed to get the nod

from BJP national president Amit Shah to expand the cabinet. The chief minister had sent a list of 17 ministers to be inducted into the cabinet to the governor, requesting him to administer the oath to them.

The opposition Congress and the JD(S) had earlier hit out at the BJP over the delay in cabinet expansion and had raised

questions about government's "existence". Even though the 18member Yediyurappa-led cabinet has representations from key districts in north Karnataka, the same is not that great when it comes to the southern part of the state. Incidentally, none of the BJP MLAs from Mysore, Mandya, Hassan, Chamarajnagar, Kodagu, and Mangaluru were picked to the cabinet.

Three members of dominant Vokkaligas community are in the cabinet along with three Scheduled Caste members, two Backward Castes, one Brahmin and one Scheduled Tribe member. One of the seven Lingayat ministers Shashikala Jolle is a woman. As many as four MLAs in the cabinet are from Bangalore while others have been drawn to represent northern districts.

PUNJAB

Govt-SGPC spar over Guru Nanak birth anniversary fete CHANDIGARH: Punjab's Congress government and the Sikh Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) exchanged charges over failure to form a coordination panel, as asked by the Akal Takht, to jointly celebrate the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev. While the SGPC claimed that the first meeting of the panel scheduled for July 14 was not been held, the Punjab government stayed mute on the matter.

Meanwhile, Punjab Cabinet minister and Dera Baba Nanak MLA, Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, during a press conference in Amritsar said,

Guru Nanak Dev

“SGPC has been running away from making the coordination committee. But government will celebrate the birth anniversary.

We will make arrangements outside the gurdwaras and SGPC will look after the arrangements inside the gurdwaras.”

Reacting to this statement, SGPC president Gobind Singh Longowal said, “Punjab government is not serious about the directions of the Akal Takht to form a coordination committee for celebrating the birth anniversary. Government should coordinate with the SGPC for this purpose.” He said that government representatives did not turn up for the coordination committee meeting. “Punjab government did not send the names (of members) for the coordination committee. I had written a letter to Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on July 18 for better coordination on the

directions of Akal Takht. We were expecting that the first coordination committee meeting will be held today. But somehow, Punjab government is spoiling this idea.

Next meeting for the coordination committee is scheduled for September 6. We are hopeful that the government will send names of representatives by then.”

Earlier, both SGPC and Punjab government had been preparing separately for the celebrations, but Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh asked both to make a coordination committee for the celebrations.

in brief BSY WANTS CBI PROBE INTO ‘PHONE-TAPS’ Karnataka chief minister BS Yediyurappa announced that he would order a CBI probe into allegations of phone-tapping during the tenure of the JD(S)-Congress coalition government headed by H D Kumaraswamy. Rebel JD(S)Congress MLAs, who were disqualified during the fall of that government, had alleged that their phones were being tapped even as hectic negotiations were on to win them back to their respective parties. Former state JD(S) president A H Viswanath had accused the HDK government of eavesdropping on more than 300 leaders, including him. Several Congress leaders too had demanded a probe into the charges. The controversy got a fresh lease of life earlier this month when an audio clip of a telephone conversation between Bengaluru city police commissioner Bhaskar Rao and an alleged power broker was leaked.

TN GOVT FIRM ON TWOLANGUAGE POLICY Tamil Nadu chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswamy reiterated that his government is firm on following the two language policy of Tamil and English in the state. He said that the government would oppose any move that will affect the people of the state and will be a front runner in protecting people’s interests. During his independence day speech, the chief minister quoted late chief minister J. Jayalalithaa's firm stand against imposition of Hindi. Clarifying the state government's position against Hindi, Palaniswami recalled that in 1968, the government under then Chief Minister C.N. Annadurai, had passed a resolution in the Assembly to remove Hindi and allow only two language policy of Tamil and English.

‘JILTED MAN’ HELD FOR KILLING 2 SISTERS A 30-year-old man, Kuldeep Singh, was arrested from New Delhi railway station for allegedly murdering two sisters at their home in Sector 22.

The victims- Manpreet Kaur (28) and Rajwant Kaur (27) – were running a small pharma company in Zirakpur. Police said that Kuldeep was in a relationship with Manpreet, but for the last few months the latter was not in good terms with the accused. Kuldeep was under the impression that the woman was in a relationship with someone else. Kuldeep stabbed both the sisters after he entered the house to check the cellphone of Manpreet. Besides, Kuldeep also assaulted them and strangulated both the sisters with a dupatta.

WEST BENGAL

Some in West Bengal mark ‘I-Day’ on Aug 18 KOLKATA: While India celebrates its Independence Day on 15 August some areas in West Bengal bordering Bangladesh celebrate their day of independence three days later on 18 August. "Bharat Bhukti Dibas" or "India Inclusion Day" is celebrated to hail rectification of the "Radcliffe Line" that had awarded parts of undivided Bengal to India after they were added in East Bengal province of Pakistan on August 15, 1947.

On August 12, 1947, Viceroy Louis Mountbatten announced that the country would be given its freedom on August 15, 1947. Bengal, however, remained a contentious subject because according to the recommendations of Cyril Radcliffe, the British official in charge of drawing up the demarcations for maps for the partition of India, several districts like Malda and Nadia with large Hindu populations were awarded to East Pakistan, now Bangladesh. However, following protests at several Hindu-majority areas that fell in Pakistan, the Radcliffe Line was modified three days later. While Malda, Nadia and Dinajpur districts were bifurcated

and awarded to both the countries, Murshidabad was returned in entirety to India. Bongaon subdivision of Pakistan's Jessore district was merged with 24 Parganas.

While Radcliffe had awarded all the 16 police station areas of the Malda district to East Pakistan on August 15, 1947, three days later, 11 of them were returned to India. The then district magistrate of Malda, Ashok Sen, had hoisted the Indian national flag in Malda district administrative building on August 18, 1947, marking inclusion of the western part of the district into India.

Continuing with the tradition, cultural programmes are held to recall the times when Bengal stood on the threshold of fresh communal strife in 1947 after being partitioned. Sunday was no different, with Malda’s English Bazaar and Shibnibash in Nadia’s Krishnaganj block holding flaghoisting ceremonies. At Shibnibash, the 18th August Independence Day Celebration Committee organized a procession of senior citizens. Committee secretary Anjan Sukul said: “I heard about the three days from my

grandfather, a freedom fighter.” Sukul, who has researched this episode in history, has received commendation letters from the Centre and the PMO. Amlan Bhaduri, district TMC leader and English Bazaar Municipality councillor, said: “Though we live in free India today, it is imperative to make the present generation aware of history. Without the correction made in 1947, our history would have been entirely different. Confusion reigned at midnight on August 14, when we heard on the radio that parts of Malda and Nadia would be in East Pakistan. It was the darkest dawn ever when we saw the Pakistan flag hoisted atop the Malda district collectorate’s

office,” recalled Tushar Kanti Ghosh, a retired teacher. “We were even asked to store boiled water in large pots to protect homes from possible attacks.” Fear had gripped the Hindu community. Anima Sarkar, an octogenarian, said: “It was the worst of times when we suddenly found ourselves under East Pakistan.”

Debdip Dutta, a programme organizer, said: “We have demanded from the administration that this be announced as a special day for Malda.” Isro scientists Suhas Mukherjee and Goutam Mani, who were part of the Chandrayaan project, were felicitated on the occasion. Their families received the laurels on their behalf.

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INDIA / HERITAGE & HISTORY

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24 - 30 August 2019

Rain fury unabated in india ; The Ganesh Festival and Lokmanya Tilak death toll crosses 1,000

• Bringing Hindus together does not mean fostering enmity against the Muslims • The religious festivals wereinitiated to give ethical, social and political education okmanya Bal (Keshav) Gangadhar Tilak (23 July 1856-1 August 1920), a mathematician turned political activist and Indian mass leader, was known for his forthright views expressed against the British regime. Even while facing sedition cases, he was never afraid of going to jail. Even before Mahatma Gandhi rose in the political arena of Indian freedom movement, Tilak, though to somewhat orthodox, became acceptable all over India as mass leader. He would join hands with Barrister M.A.Jinnah in 1916 Congress Session at Lucknow andaddress him as the Messiah of Hindu-Muslim Unity following agreement named Lucknow Pact. Jinnah, who became a villain for demanding Pakistan in 1940 and getting his dream fulfilled in 1947, did appear before the Bombay High Court for Tilak being one of his closest friends. Tilak was Lokmanya (accepted by people as their leader) but the British authorities called him “The father of the Indian unrest”. He was to be the President of the Indian National Congress at Nagpur in 1920. His untimely death in August 1920 paved way for Mahatma Gandhi’s leadership in the Congress.

L

After heavy rains pummelled southern India, the monsoon mayhem continues to wreck havoc in the northern region, including Jammu, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Punjab.

At least 38 people were killed in these states. A flood alert has been issued

by India Meteorological Department (IMD) in parts of Delhi, Haryana, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh.

Uttarakhand received 34.2mm average rainfall against a normal of 13.2mm, recording a surplus of 159%.

Nainital district recorded 64.5mm rain, highest in the state. Hundreds of hectares of agriculture land has been washed away and dozens of cattle were feared dead.

Water, electricity and communication facilities are also been hit. Most rivers were in spate, with the Ganga crossing the danger mark in Haridwar and flowing close to it in Rishikesh.

Rescue operations were undertaken by the National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF), SDRF, IndoTibetan Border Police and district administration.

While the Indian Air Force helicopters carried rescue operations in Jammu and Karnal districts, the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra through traditional Lipulekh route was halted due to landslides on the route.

Himachal Pradesh also received its highest ever single-day rainfall, recording an average of 102.5mm on Sunday, 1,065% higher than normal.

Around 670 roads across the state, including 13 national highways, have been blocked by landslides or flash floods, or have been washed away, including six bridges. Over 500 people were stranded. “The total loss to the property in the state has been assessed at £49 million,” chief minister Jai Ram Thakur said.

A total of 10 people have been killed in Uttarakhand's Uttarkashi district. Dozens of homes were washed away after a cloudburst leaving many

tourists and residents stranded in some villages.

Helicopters were pressed into service to take relief material and essential medicines to people.

Rescue operations are undertaken in affected areas after the improvement in weather, with state police, ITBP, PAC and SDRF personnel engaged in the exercise, said Disaster Management Secretary Amit Negi and IG SDRF Sanjay Gunjyal.

Over 10,000 people were evacuated from lowlying areas in Delhi as the water level in the Yamuna river crossed the danger mark. According to a Delhi government official, the river is flowing at 205.36 metres, just above the danger mark of 205.33 metres. The official said that the water level is expected to rise further as

has directed all the deputy commissioners in the state to be prepared to deal with any emergency in view of the warning from the IMD and ensure safety and security of the people in the event of any untoward situation.

Singh also announced £10 million for emergency relief and rehabilitation measures in affected regions. Several rivers including the Ganga, Yamuna and Ghaghra were in spate in Uttar Pradesh due to heavy rains in neighbouring states, leading to floods in lowlying areas that left one person dead. Light to heavy rains also lashed parts of Rajasthan.

As per the reports, the flood fury across much of India has already claimed 1,058 lives this monsoon, close to last year’s overall toll of 1,211. Most number of

Haryana released 1.43 lakh cusec water on Monday.

The Yamuna flows through six districts of Delhi whose low-lying areas are prone to flooding.

The administration has deployed 30 boats to prevent accidental drowning. A flood-like situation prevailed in many parts of Punjab and Haryana, where the IAF rescued nine people from flooded areas.

The Punjab government declared the current flood situation in the affected villages of the state as a natural calamity. Floods were reported from areas like Rupnagar, Fatehgarh Sahib and Pathankot. Chief Minister Amarinder Singh

death is recorded in Maharashtra, where floods have caused extraordinary damage. According to the home ministry assessment, Maharashtra has registered maximum death of 245 people due to flood-related incidents, followed by Kerala (155), West Bengal (154), Bihar (130), Gujarat (107) and 94 in Assam. So far, over 18,00,000 people have been rescued across India by state and central agencies. In 152 districts, over 7,800 relief camps have been opened to give shelter to flood-affected people.

The Centre has deployed 101 NDRF teams and 57 from Army, IAF and Navy along with six copters.

Known for his radical nationalist views, Tilak through his publications Kesari and Marhattaspread the message of Swaraj (Self-rule) to masses. He is known for his quote “Swaraj is my birthright and I shall have it”. He was keen on the elite Congress to reach the hearts and homes of the masses as he had already taken it to the Lokmanya Tilak who pioneered the Sarvajanik door-step of the middle class people in Ganesh Festival in 1893 Maharashtra through the Kesari. He had noted with regret the predominantly from 1890 to 1894, the object was not to Western character of the Congress leaders. foster a spirit of enmity against the Again and again, in the Kesari, he harped on Muslims. Another festival revived by Tilak the rootlessness of the westernized was in the name of Shivaji Maharaj, the generation. He wanted to develop, in the Maratha hero.In an article entitled ‘The words of Sri Aurobindo, ‘a language and Need of National festivals’, Tilak refers to spirit’ and use methods which would the part played by them in Greece and Indianise the movement and bring it to the Rome. In India religion will always be masses. regarded as of primary importance and as “Before an idea takes an such the celebrations will Next Column: objective form in a movement, naturally have a religious agitation or consideration, a Great Indian Philosopher colour.

Formerly such concrete stimulus of some for Secular Education occasions were used for actual incidents is often keeping the religious sense required. Tilak tried to use the religious alive and to give ethical, social and political fervor of the people for political purposes education to the people. In the time of the by reviving the Ganapati festival,” A.K. Vedas, the great sacrifices werein the Bhagwat and G. P. Pradhan record in nature of national celebrations. The rishis “Lokmanya Tilak: A Biography” with gathered at the time of the sacrifices, foreword by Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, former carried on discussions on ethical and President of India. “The Ganpati festival, in religious problems. Such festivals were honour of Ganesh, the elephant headed revived by the saint Ramdas in the days of God, the most popular of all Hindu deities, Shivaji. Tilak spread the message that it was was celebrated on a large scale in the duty of the educated people, therefore, Maharashtra at the time of the Peshwas, to take an active part in these but with the advent of the English rule this celebrations instead of lecturing festival had lost its national importance.” on Bhakti or Tilak makes it quite clear, that even though uttering the Dr. Hari Desai the Ganapati celebrations were revived in name of God (The writer is a Socio1893 to bring together the Hindus and behind closed political Historian. though the immediate cause was the doors.

E-mail: haridesai@gmail.com) Hindu-Muslim riots during the period

Any talks with Pak now will only be on PoK, says Rajnath India's defence minister Rajnath Singh took a tougher stand to Pakistan suggesting that should bilateral talks happen, it would not be on Jammu and Kashmir, but Pakistanoccupied Kashmir - the territory under Pakistan's control since it invaded the state in 1947. “Now, if talks are held, they will only be held on the issue of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

There will be no talks on any other issue,” he said while addressing a public meeting in Haryana, where assembly elections are expected in October.

Singh said there have

been suggestions that India and Pakistan should talk but the latter will have to meet the precondition of aiding and abetting terrorism before coming to the dialogue table. “What do they have to talk about?

What is the topic? Why should there be talks? There will be a dialogue with Pakistan only after it ends support for terrorism. If Pakistan doesn’t do this, there is no reason for holding the talks.”

Pakistan reacted by saying that Singh’s remarks were "reflective of the predicament that India finds itself in".

Singh’s comments comes days after he said that ‘no first use’ doctrine on the use of nuclear weapons is open for change in the future.

“Pokhran is the area which witnessed Atalji’s firm resolve to make India a nuclear power and yet remain firmly committed to the doctrine of ‘no first use’.

India has strictly adhered to this doctrine. What happens in future depends on the circumstances,” Singh said in the presence of Army chief Gen Bipin Rawat.

Singh had suggested that the no first use of nukes policy is open to review.

26 INDIA

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24 - 30 August 2019

Pakistan rebuffed at UNSC meet on Kashmir The UN Security Council held a rare closeddoor meeting on Kashmir which was concluded without any outcome or statement from the powerful 15-nation UN organ. Further, an "overwhelming" number of Council members maintained that Kashmir is a bilateral issue between India and Pakistan that they need to address themselves, a rebuff to Pakistan and its allweather ally China to internationalise the issue. However, Pakistani ambassador Maleeha Lodhi sought to claim the discussions as a win.

The “closed consultations" China had requested for in the council on India integrating Kashmir lasted for over an hour.

Pakistan had condemned the move and China had expressed strong reservations over the Indian action. Beijing's Ambassador to the UN Zhang Jun and Pakistan's UN envoy Maleeha Lodhi made remarks to the media at the UN Security Council one by one. The two left without taking any question from the reporters. The last time Kashmir was on the UNSC agenda was in 1965. Since 1971 Kashmir has not been figured at the UNSC. China, a permanent member with veto, had asked for a meeting in the Council. As per UNSC procedures, Council members can ask to bring up any issue for discussion.

Sources familiar with the consultations said that China was pushing for an outcome or a press statement to be delivered after the consultations by Poland, the President of the Security Council for the month of August.

Majority of the 15 members said there should not be any statement or outcome issued after the consultations and their will prevailed, leaving China to come out and make a statement in its national capacity followed

by Pakistan.

The UK also sided with China in calling for a statement to the press. India's approach was that how can a constitutional matter become a threat to peace and security, as claimed by Pakistan in reference to Article 370. “How does a federal arrangement create an implication for beyond the border," the sources said. Further, India has been

repeatedly stressing that it is committed to the Simla Agreement on the issue of Kashmir.

Pakistan’s problems at the council were further compounded with Russia again coming out in support of India saying there was no alternative to resolving differences between Pakistan and India “except bilaterally through political and diplomatic means’’. This was conveyed by Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov to his Pakistan counterpart Shah Mahmood Qureshi in a telephonic conversation shortly after the latter wrote another letter to the security council in which he sought an emergency meeting. Russia is not just a permanent member of UNSC but will also hold the council’s presidency next month.

India's Permanent Representative to the UN Syed Akbaruddin in his remarks to the media said that he will present New Delhi's national position too "if national statements try to masquerade as the will of the international community," a reference to statements by China and Pakistan. Syed added that the UN Security Council had appreciated India’s efforts to restore normalcy announced by Jammu and Kashmir chief secretary BVR Subrahmanyam. The Indian ambassador, unlike his Chinese and Pakistani counterparts, even took questions from the media, many of them from aggressive Pakistani and other journalists.

Khan dials Trump for support In a last-ditch attempt by Pakistan to garner support from the US ahead of the meeting, Prime Minister Imran Khan had placed a telephone call to US President Donald Trump. According to Pakistan Foreign Minister Qureshi, Khan took the US President “into confidence" regarding the UNSC meeting. But Pakistan's effort went in vain when a White House readout the conversation that Trump "conveyed the importance of India and Pakistan reducing tensions through bilateral dialogue" regarding the situation in Jammu and Kashmir. Trump spoke by telephone with Khan to discuss "the need to reduce tensions

and moderate rhetoric with India over the situation in Jammu and Kashmir," the White House said in a readout of the call. During the conversation, Trump "reaffirmed the need to avoid escalation of the situation, and urged restraint" on both sides, the White House said.

Spoke to my two good friends, Prime Minister Modi of India, and Prime Minister Khan of Pakistan, regarding Trade, Strategic Partnerships and, most importantly, for India and Pakistan to work towards reducing tensions in Kashmir. A tough situation, but good conversations!

In his telephonic conversation with Trump, Modi highlighted the importance of creating an environment free from terror and violence and eschewing cross-border terrorism without exception, a Prime Minister's Office (PMO) release said in New Delhi. "In the context of the regional situation, the prime minister stated that extreme rhetoric and incitement to antiIndia violence by certain leaders in the region was not conducive to peace," it said.

White House Principal Deputy Press Secretary Hogan Gidley said Trump spoke with Modi to "discuss regional developments" and the US-India strategic partnership. The President conveyed the importance of reducing tensions between India and Pakistan, and maintaining peace in

the region, he said. "The two leaders further discussed how they will continue to strengthen United States-India economic ties through increased trade, and they look forward to meeting again soon," Gidley added.

Earlier this month, India abrogated provisions of Article 370 on the Constitution to withdraw Jammu and Kashmir's special status and bifurcated it into two Union Territories, evoking strong reactions from Pakistan.

Pakistan observes 'Black Day' on India's I-Day Pakistan observed 'Black Day' on India's Independence Day to protest New Delhi's move to revoke the special status to Jammu and Kashmir. Protest rallies were taken out in major cities, while black flags were hoisted on roof tops to symbolise the protest. The profile pictures of the Twitter handles of Prime Minister Imran Khan, Foreign Office, ISPR Director General, Radio Pakistan and many others were also blacked out in protest.

Pakistan also observed its Independence Day as 'Kashmir Solidarity Day' to protest India's move. Earlier, Khan has questioned the international community's silence on the Kashmir issue and warned that it will have severe "repercussions" in the Muslim world, "setting off radicalisation" and "cycles of violence".

India, Bhutan sign 10 MoUs during PM Modi's visit Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s two day visit to Thimphu affirmed India's Neighbourhood First’ policy and a longstanding tradition between India and Bhutan. He received a red-carpet welcome at the Paro airport where he was received by the Bhutanese prime minister and received a guard of honour at the Tashichhoedzong Palace before the King. Modi was on his second visit to Bhutan and the first since his re-election in May 2019. “I am very happy to come to Bhutan at the beginning of my second term,” Modi said in a joint press statement after delegation-level talks with his Bhutanese counterpart at the historic Simtokha Dzong.

On his part, Prime Minister Lotay Tshering said India and Bhutan may vary in size but their beliefs, values and motivation are common. “On his (Modi) first visit to Bhutan, I remember him saying that Bhutan and India are close not because we have open borders, but because we have opened our hearts to each other. Your visit this time shows how much you meant it,” he said.

Modi held wide-ranging talks with his Bhutanese counterpart Tshering to further energise ties and declared that India was honoured to have a friend like Bhutan. The two countries signed 10 MoUs after the talks in the field of space research, aviation, IT, power and education. “We had a

has crossed 2,000 MW. I am confident that we will also take other projects forward very fast,” he said.

PM Modi also inaugurated the Thimphu Ground Station of the South Asia Satellite.

“Through satellites, benefits of tele medicine, distance education, resource mapping, weather forecast & even warning of natural disasters reach even remote areas,” he said in a tweet. Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) GSAT-9 communications Prime minister Narendra Modi with his Bhutanese counterpart Lotay satellite, popularly known as Tshering in Thimphu the South Asia Satellite, launched in 2017 was envisaged comprehensive meeting, where we as India’s gift to its neighbours to increase deliberated on the relations between India regional cooperation by leveraging the and Bhutan. There is great scope to further country’s position as a space power. improve economic and cultural ties between RuPay Card in Bhutan our nations,” Prime Minister Modi said. He The PM also launched Ru-Pay Card in inaugurated the 740 MW Mangdechhu Bhutan by making a purchase at Simtokha hydroelectric power plant and also launched Dzong, built in 1629 by Shabdrung Namgyal, stamps to commemorate five decades of which functions as a monastic and India-Bhutan hydro power cooperation. administrative centre and is one of the oldest “Today, we have achieved another historic dzongs (fortified building) in Bhutan. “I am milestone of this journey with the very happy that today we have launched inauguration of the Mangdechhu project.

RuPay card in Bhutan. This will further With the cooperation of both countries, enhance our relationship in digital hydro-power generation capacity in Bhutan

payments, and trade and tourism. Our shared spiritual heritage and strong peopleto-people relationship are key of our relations,” the PM said.

On increasing the currency swap limit for Bhutan under the SAARC currency swap framework, Modi said India’s approach was “positive”. He said an additional $100 million will be available to Bhutan under a standby swap arrangement to meet the foreign exchange requirement.

PM address at Bhutan univ PM Modi concluded his visit to Bhutan addressing the students of the Royal University describing India and Bhutan as “natural partners”. Modi said the world had a lot to learn from Bhutan where development, environment and culture are not at loggerheads but in synergy. “In any part of the world, if we ask the question what do you associate with Bhutan, the answer will be the concept of Gross National Happiness. I am not surprised. Bhutan has understood the essence of happiness,” he said. “India-Bhutan cooperation in hydro-power and energy is exemplary. But the real source of power and energy of this relationship are our people,” he said. This spirit is clearly seen in the outcomes of this visit, he added. Of the MOUs signed between the two sides the inauguration of the ground space station has been a focus of the Indian government.

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HEALTH & LIFESTYLE

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24 - 30 August 2019

PM orders action to stop measles spread Prime Minister Boris Johnson is ordering urgent action to ensure that children and young people in Britain are protected against measles.

The disease can be stopped through two doses of the MMR vaccine, but immunisation rates have been falling for a number of reasons. And the UK has lost its measles-free status, three years after the virus was eliminated in the country.

In the first quarter of 2019, there were 231 confirmed cases in the UK. The prime minister announced that: GPs are being asked to promote catch-up vaccinations for children who may have missed out on both doses Social media companies are being urged to quash misleading anti-vaccine messages The firms will be invited to a summit to explore how they can better promote accurate vaccination information The government will also use the NHS website to address misleading claims about the safety of vaccines.

Many of the UK cases were acquired abroad with

some onward spread in under-vaccinated communities.

Just 87% of children in England are receiving their second dose, which is below the 95% target for measles elimination.

The first dose of the MMR vaccine is offered to all one-year-olds. Children are given a second dose of MMR before they start school.

But estimates suggest that in England, one in seven five-year-olds has yet to be fully immunised.

Uptake in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland has been higher than in England, but still below target.

Experts say the drop in uptake may be partly because of complacency people perceiving the threat of infection as too low to matter. Anti-vaccination messaging may also have contributed.

Mr Johnson said: "There's a number of reasons why people don't get themselves or their children the vaccines they need, but we need decisive action across our health service and society to make sure communities are properly

FORTIFYING FOOD WITH VITAMIN D WOULD SPARE 10MILLION PEOPLE FROM RICKETS, HEART FAILURE AND OTHER HEALTH ISSUES

immunised.

"From reassuring parents about the safety of vaccines, to making sure people are attending follow-up appointments, we can and must do more to halt the spread of infectious, treatable diseases in modern-day Britain."

Prof Helen StokesLampard, Chair of the Royal College of GPs, said: "We are still suffering from the now entirely debunked MMR scandal of the nineties, and

it is potentially disastrous that as a result so many young people are now susceptible to serious, often life-threatening infectious diseases, such as measles, that we could have completely eradicated in this country if this had never happened.

"People who were not vaccinated as children need to understand that it is not too late to have their MMR jab and we would urge them to do so."

Mindfulness 'may help people at risk of Alzheimer's by boosting cognitive reserve' Trendy mindfulness loved

by A-list celebrities could prevent at-risk people from Alzheimer's, research suggests.

Scientists from Wake Forest Baptist Health in North Carolina looked at 14 adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). This is defined as minor difficulties with memory and thinking, which increases a person's risk of developing dementia.

After eight weeks, the participants who took part in a meditation-mindfulness course scored better on cognitive tests.

Being present to the world around us is thought to reduce stress. Over the long-term, feeling frazzled can affect the hippocampus in the brain, which is involved in memory and learning.

'Until treatment options that can prevent the progression to Alzheimer's are found, mindfulness meditation may help patients living with MCI,' study author Dr Rebecca Erwin Wells said.

'Our study showed promising evidence that adults with MCI can learn to practise mindfulness meditation, and by doing so may boost their cognitive reserve.'

MCI affects between five and 20 per cent of people over 65 in the UK, Alzheimer's Society statistics.

And in the US, 15-to-20 per cent of older adults have the condition, according to the Alzheimer's Association.

Statistics suggest fiveto-15 per cent of MCI sufferers go onto develop dementia.

There is no known way to prevent this, however, past studies suggest lifestyle habits, like exercise, can boost cognition, the researchers wrote in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease.

Mindfulness-meditation has been linked to improved thinking skills, however, the researchers questioned whether adults with MCI have the 'capacity to learn' the skill.

Mindfulness involves paying more attention to the present moment, including your thoughts, emotions and the world around you. This has been linked to improved mental wellbeing.

To learn more, 14 adults, aged 50-to-90, with MCI were divided into two groups.

The first took part in an eight-week course of mindfulness-meditation and yoga, while the other acted as the control group.

At the end of the eight weeks, the participants took part in interviews to uncover their cognitive abilities.

Results revealed those who practised mindfulnessmeditation developed 'mega-cognition', 'decreased stress' and 'improvement in interpersonal skills'.

They also reported improved wellbeing and relaxation. Mood changes are a recognised symptom

in brief

of dementia.

The researchers stress their study was small and may not be reflective of the general population, with two-thirds of the participants being college educat-

ed. Higher education may protect against dementia, studies suggest.

Harry Potter star Emma Watson is said to be a fan of mindfulness, as well as actress Angelina Jolie.

Exercising in open, green spaces relieves stress more than exercising indoors Exercising outdoors relieves stress more than working out indoors, according to a study.

Mountain biking and running in landscapes without any buildings were found to have the biggest positive impact on mental health.

Psychologists believe it's the calming effect of nature that makes outdoor exercise so stress relieving. The research adds to a swathe of studies that have found exposure to green space is beneficial for our mood.

Experts at the University of Roehampton along with a team in Germany, published

their findings in the journal Mental Health and Prevention.

The researchers note that it may simply be a 'calm environment' while exercising that reduces stress, which correlates with green spaces.

Therefore, places like gyms could reduce noise level to make sure the room is still perceived as calm, the researchers suggested.

Evidence that mental health is boosted after exposure to green spaces is well established. There are also studies that show living in view of nature can help people eat healthier.

Fortifying food with vitamin D would spare 10million people from risk of health problems caused by deficiency in the nutrient, researchers have calculated. Experts at Birmingham University said mandatory fortification of vitamin D in wheat flour would significantly reduce the burden on the NHS. The researchers, writing in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, calculated the policy would cut vitamin D deficiency rates by a quarter.

Over the next 90 years this would cut the number of people suffering from vitamin D deficiency by 10million - slashing cases of rickets, muscle weakness and even heart failure.

Since 2016 Public Health England has advised people to take a 10micrograms vitamin D supplement in the winter months.

But experts say it is unrealistic to expect people to follow the advice. Instead, they call for vitamin D to be added to common foods - a policy already used in the USA, Canada, Sweden, Finland and Australia.

As well as saving lives this policy - which would cost just 12p per person per year - would remove a huge burden on the NHS. It would save the public purse ÂŁ65million by reducing demand for healthcare and treatment for vitamin D deficiency and its complications. Vitamin D is known to strengthen the bones and muscles - and emerging evidence suggests it also protects against respiratory infections, boosts cognition and may even cut the chance of dying from cancer.

One in five British adults and one in six children is deficient in the vitamin, thanks to our modern diets, indoor lifestyle and grey weather. During the spring and summer, the skin makes vitamin D when it is exposed to the sun. But in the autumn and winter Britain's gloomy weather, and our indoor lifestyles, means most people have to rely on their diet to get enough of the vital vitamin.

PREGNANT WOMEN WHO DRINK FLUORIDE-TREATED WATER MAY HAVE CHILDREN WITH LOWER IQS - BUT ONLY IF THEY GIVE BIRTH TO BOYS Pregnant women who drink fluoride-treated water may give birth to children with lower IQs, a new study suggests.

Researchers from York University in Toronto, Canada, found that the more fluoride that was present in a mother's urine, the lower her child's IQ score was. Surprisingly, boys seemed to have much lower scores when their mother's had high fluoride levels than girls did. About two-thirds of Americans and one-third of Canadians drink fluoridated water from community water systems that add the mineral to prevent tooth decay.

While the study raised questions about the possible negative neurological effects of fluoride on young children, some scientists are skeptical about the findings. Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral found in soil, rocks and water. It's added to toothpastes, mouthwashes and drinking water because studies have shown water with optimal fluoride levels can lower the prevalence of tooth decay.

According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, water fluoridation can reduce the amount of decay in children's teeth by up to 60 percent. However, experts say fluoride can be dangerous in high concentrations. It can cause dental fluorosis, which is when faint white streaks appear on the teeth when younger children consume too much fluoride. Excess levels of the chemical can also cause skeletal fluorosis. As the bones become hardened and less elastic, the risk of pain and fractures increases and can eventual lead to loss of mobility. But health officials say these aren't their only concerns.

To Our Readers

We are publishing these items in good faith, kindly consult your Doctor before you try to implement any advice. We do not hold any responsibility for its efficacy...

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Alia super excited on being cast opposite Salman Actor Alia Bhatt has a lot of surprises in store for her fans and is excited about the coming year. With multiple projects in her kitty, she will soon be seen in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's 'Inshallah' opposite Salman Khan, Karan Johar's 'Takht' and her father Mahesh Bhatt's 'Sadak 2'. The actress revealed her reaction to being cast opposite Salman and it is as cute as they come.

"I literally remember myself jumping. I was not in town, I was out of the country and I was doing something and I got a call and I was like.. literally I ran to the corner and I jumped up and down for 5 minutes because I was so excited," the 'Brahmastra' actress said. She added that the film's shoot begins next week. This will be her first movie opposite Salman.

The news had garnered a lot of backlash online when the news was announced for the vast age difference between the two. Alia had responded, "I didn't get any criticism. I think I got a lot of excitement. I think speculation is also a form of excitement in a way and why shouldn't there be speculation. There should be and at least

I am not bothered by that and I don't think Salman or Bhansali sir are bothered. I think this is a filmmaker who has given us very good films, he is someone who we all are very fond of and I think we should just trust him with his vision."

Alia also talk about her other projects. She said, "'Sadak 2' shooting has begun, 'Brahmastra' also is on, more or less over as well. The film is gonna be out next summer. So yeah next year is again gonna be very exciting year for me because you know working with Sanjay Leela Bhansali for the first time, working with Salman for the first time, working with Ranbir for the first time, Ayan for the first time, Mr. Bachchan, like a lot of first time, my dad for the first time. So net year actually is gonna be super super super special and I really hope it goes well."

Bhatt recently wrapped up the Ooty shoot schedule for 'Sadak 2'. The movie also stars Sanjay Dutt, Pooja Bhatt and Aditya Roy Kapur. She was last seen with Aditya and Sanjay in her last movie 'Kalank' which failed at the box office.

Hrithik named 'most handsome man in the world' Actor Hrithik Roshan has been ranked with some of the world's hottest men and his popularity isn't restricted to just Bollywood. The actor was recently given the title of 'Most Handsome Man in the World' by a US-based agency. The list included the likes of Chris Evans, David Beckham, Robert Pattinson and Omar Borkan Al Gala.

This isn't the first time that Hrithik has been named among the most good-looking men in the world. A source said, "The actor recently topped the 'Top 5 Most Handsome Men in the World in August 2019'. He is also riding high on the success of his recent release 'Super 30', though he pulled off a complete deglam look of a teacher."

When asked about the secret behind his good looks, Hrithik said, "Well, it's broccoli. Just kidding!

I'm thankful for this title although on the face of it, it's not really an achievement. According to me, if there's anything one should aspire for and value the most in this world, it's their character. A good character will always make you look more attractive." On the work front, he will flaunt his chiseled body in an actionthriller alongside Tiger Shroff.

Karan Johar's sexuality targeted yet again, filmmaker hits back

Tiger Shroff lifts a whopping 200 kg during workout session

Bollywood action hero Tiger Shroff stunned his friends and fans with a video that featured him lifting 200 kg weights. Tiger, who is known for his love for fitness, took to his Instagram to upload a video, in which he could be seen doing deadlifts with 200 kg in the gym.

He captioned the video, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Its been a while since I

pushed myself this far. 200 kgs. Used to feel a lot lighter back in high school. Only human." Impressed by the feat, fellow actor Ishaan Khatter commented, "Superhuman", to which Shroff replied, "Haha bro on our way". The clip has already crossed over half a million views. On the work front, Tiger awaits the release of his forthcoming film 'War.'

Filmmaker Karan Johar slammed a troll last weekend when the Twitter user targeted his sexuality. The person tweeted, "Karan johar k life pe ek movie banani chahiye. (A film should be made on Karan Johar's life).

KARAN JOHAR: the gay." As distasteful and unprovoked the tweet was, the director was in no mood to let the comment just pass by. Retweeting the mean tweet, he wrote, "You absolutely original genius! Where have you been hiding all this while???

Thank you for existing and emerging as the most prolific voice on Twitter today."

Johar's sexuality has been a topic of conversation for quite some time.

Just recently, he had opened up on dealing with trolls and their trolling.

"Initially, when I used to get it, I used to deal with it by being upset and angry.

When it went into a state of indifference, and now I am in a state of glorious amusement.

Every morning I wake up to abuse, and it amuses me."

H e added, "You c a n talk

about me, but don't make it sound like I have a disease or something is wrong with me and I should shut up because you think I am gay. Then you should shut up because you have no life.

That's the way I look at it." He also said that he does not take criticism of his kids.

"I am a little sensitive about my babies and when they start saying things about them, that really bothers me. It's the new age. How do you know that I don't have a mother and a father in me that I can give my child the love of both parents."

On the work front, Karan is prepping for his next directorial 'Takht', a period drama that is likely to go on floors by year end. The movie will star Kareena Kapoor Khan, Vicky Kaushal, Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt, Janhvi Kapoor, Bhumi Pednekar and Anil Kapoor.

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Saif celebrates birthday with Kareena and Taimur in London Actor Saif Ali Khan who is currently basking in the success of his Netflix original 'Sacred Games 2', celebrated his birthday in London with wife and actress Kareena Kapoor, and their son Taimur. A new picture of the happy family went viral on their social media fan pages. The photo showed 49 year old Saif sitting next to Kareena on a garden bench with Taimur in her lap. He is seen in a red shirt, black vest, black jeans and short crop hair- his look for his upcoming 'Jawani Janeman'.

The family has been in Europe since early June. They first went on a trip to Tuscany, Italy, and then handed in London where Kareena shot for 'Angrezi Medium' and now Saif is working on his upcoming film in the city. The actor's daughter Sara Ali Khan

wished him on his birthday with a throwback picture on Instagram.

The photo showed Saif with his children. She captioned the photo, "Happiest birthday Abba I love you so much."

On the work front, the first teaser of Saif's 'Laal Kaptaan' was shared last week. It shows Saif, who plays a Naga Sadhu in the film, apply ashes on his face. The film will be released on October 11 on Dusshera. The movie directed

by Navdeep Singhh, is produced by Aanand L Rai and Eros International. He will also star in 'Taanaji: The Unsung Hero', which co-stars Ajay Devgn. Saif will also appear in 'Dil Bechara' which also stars Sushant Singh Rajput. The movie is the Hindi adaptation of 'The Fault In Our Stars', which is based on John Green's famous novel of the same name.

Esha Gupta trolled for sharing Cine workers union bans Mika Singh after Karachi concert R-Day greeting on I-Day Actor Esha Gupta invited Twitter trolls for a good spin after she shared a Republic Day greet on the micro-blogging website on the occasion of India's Independence Day. The original tweet, which has now been deleted, was a stock Republic Day greeting, sourced from Shutterstock. Gupta later claimed her account had been hacked. She wrote on Twitter a couple of hours later that she had gained back control of her account.

"Account hacked please don't open or respond to any DM through this account," she wrote. Gupta added, "Finally got the account back. Thanks to a lot of people who informed on on IG (P.S-don't change your password if you get a mail about any suspicious activity on twitter and asks you to change the password as that can lead to hacking)."

She also took a dig at all the trolls who had commented on the initial goof-up. She wrote, "Happy Independence Day... (thanks for telling an airforce daughter that she knows otherwise) y'all trollers are too much." Several Twitter users had pointed out the error in response to the original tweet.

One person had written, "It's not Republic Day ma'am. It's Independence Day." Another wrote, "Didi, Parade ka wait mat karna TV chalu karke." There were others who jokingly wrote, "Yes.. Happy New Year to you too", and "Did you mean, Happy Ganesh Chaturthi?"

Singer Milka Singh has been banned from the Indian film industry for performing at an event in Karachi, Pakistan. The event in Pakistan was organised by former Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf’s close relative. A 30-second video clip tweeted by a Pakistani journalist showed Mika performing at the event, despite India severing all artistic and social ties with Pakistan in the aftermath of the Kashmir issue.

The All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) president Suresh Shyamlal said: “AICWA bans and boycott singer Mika Singh from the Indian film industry for performing at a high profile event at Karachi dated August 8, 2019. AICWA takes a tough stand of immediately boycotting all his association with movie production houses, music companies and online music content providers.”

The statement further read that “AICWA workers will make sure that no one in India works with Mika Singh and if anyone does, they will face legal consequences in the court of law.

When the tension between the countries is at the peak, Mika Singh puts money above the nation’s pride,” the film association said.

The association also sought the intervention of Information and Broadcasting Ministry in the matter.

Mika performed with a 14-member troupe at the pre-wedding ceremony of a girl who’s father, Adnan Asad, is reportedly a cousin of former Pakistan President, Gen Musharraf.

Mika and his crew have been given visas for 30 days to perform in three cities - Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad.

Ranveer can’t resist commenting on Deepika's posts Actor couple Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone's Instagram romance is one for the books. Singh is an open admirer of his wife and has never refrained from commenting on her posts. The actor recently made a witty comment on a new picture of plants posted by his wife. "Hai bebz, so naice plants," he wrote in the comment section of the news post.

The comment has been "liked" over 15,000 times and is multiplying by the second.

Both the actors have

been stationed in London for several weeks now as they film Kabir Singh's sports drama '83'. The movie is about the Indian cricket team's underdog victory at the 1983 World Cup. In '83', Deepika plays cricketer Kapil Dev's wife Romi, while Singh plays Dev. The actress will next be seen in director Meghna Gulzar's 'Chhapaak'. When asked about switching from one character to the other, the actor noted, "In fact I've always believed that a character

never really leaves your system entirely. This time around I took cleaning and organising things around my home to help me cope with switching from Laxmi to Romi Dev in '83'. It helped me destress and clear my mind if any chatter."

Deepika, who spent ample of time with Romi to know her better, said, “I feel so inspired every time I meet her. She has an extremely refreshing energy,

is intelligent, knowledgeable, and funny.” Talking about what she likes the most about her, she adds, “I like her candour.

Romi ji is someone

who is extremely honest and when she needs to express herself, she does it with a lot of dignity. I like the way she conducts herself with so much grace.”

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Keerthy Suresh to star in Karthik Subbarajâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s next Actress Keerthy Suresh, who is currently basking in the glory of her National Film Award win has announced her next project. She tweeted, "I am super excited to be a part of this thriller with @StonebenchFilms and to join hands with debutant @EashvarKarthic in a @Music_Santhosh sir musical ! Can't wait to start @karthiksubbaraj".

Helmed by Eashvar Karthic, the yet-to-be-titled movie will be produced by Karthik Subbaraj and is touted too be an 'emotional mystery thriller'. Meanwhile, Subbaraj shared on Twitter, "Super happy!! Our @StonebenchFilms Production #3 will star the National award winner @KeethyOfficial, directed by debutant @EashvarKarthic & it's a @Music_Santhosh musical!!! Need all your bllessings & support as always to this new team & the film @kaarthekeyens @onlynikil."

While the makers have not yet revealed the title and details of other cast members, Santhosh Narayanan has been roped in to compose the music for the film. The technical crew comprises Anil Krish, Kharthik Palani and Thomas Kurian for editing, cinematography and sound design, respectively. Keerthy was last seen in AR Murugadoss' 'Sarkar' opposite Vijay.

Mammootty apologises as fans attack Rahul Rawail for National Award snub

Veteran filmmaker Rahul Rawail found himself at the receiving end of a lot of hate messages from angry fans of versatile actor Mammootty. The chairman of the jury of the 66th National Films Awards, he has been under fire ever since the jury's snub of Mammootty's Tamil film 'Peranbu'. In the movie, the actor played the role of a single middle-aged man with a spastic daughter. The film and the actor's performance received praise from critics and fans alike.

Several fans expected the 67-year-old actor would bag his fourth National Award for his performance in the movie. The jury, however, picked Ayushmann Khurrana (Andhadhun) and Vicky Kaushal (Uri) for the Best Actor Award. Rawal clarified that 'Peranbu' did not get past the regional panel and informed Mammootty about the incident. In a message on Facebook, he wrote, "Hi, Mr.

Mammootty. There has been a lot of hate mail', that to extremely nasty, that I have been receiving from your fans, or so called fan clubs, as to why you were not given the National Award as Best Actor for the film 'Peranbo'. Let me set the record straight: Firstly, NOBODY HAS THE RIGHT TO QUESTION A JURY DECISION. Secondly, your film 'Peerambu' had been REJECTED by the Regional Panel and hence did not contend in the Central Panel.

Your fans and/or devotees should stop fighting a lost cause.

Never question a Jury!"

Mammootty sent an apology to the jury member and said he had no clue about the incident. Rawail shared the apology in Facebook, "Reply from Mammootty: Sorry sir. I have no knowledge about it. Still, I apologize for what had happened." Rawail's post has been deleted since.

TV Listing

* Schedule is subject to change

SATURDAY AUG 24, 2019 01:07 FILM: SADIYAAN 05:00 FILM: TITOO MBA 07:08 FILM: SIKKA 10:13 FILM: AWARAPAN 12:44 FILM: NAACH GOVINDA NAACH 15:46 FILM: KYA KOOL HAI HUM 3 18:27 LIFESTYLE : STAR STOP 19:00 FILM: SINGH IS BLING 21:54 FILM: MAIN TERA HERO SUNDAY AUG 25, 2019 00:28 FILM: YEH ZINDAGI KA SAFAR 05:00 FILM: 18.11...A CODE OF SECRECY 07:28 FILM: KHEL 11:00 FILM: ANDAAZ 14:11 FILM: MAIN TERA HERO 16:49 FILM: SAHEB BIWI AUR GANGSTER 3 19:40 FILM: 102 NOT OUT 21:50 FILM: J*** 2 MONDAY AUG 26, 2019 00:17 FILM: DASTAK 05:00 FILM: DAM999 07:13 FILM: SWEEKAR KIYA MAINE 10:04 FILM: SABSE BADA MAWALI 12:56 FILM: RAMA RAMA KYA HAI DRAMA 15:45 FILM: SINGH IS BLING 18:34 LIFESTYLE : STAR STOP 19:01 FILM: ALIGARH 21:28 FILM: INTEHA

* Schedule is subject to change

SATURDAY 24TH AUGUST TIME TV PROGRAM NAMES 17:30 ZINDAGI KE CROSSROADS 18:30 THE KAPIL SHARMA SHOW 20:00 SUPERSTAR SINGER 21:30 THE KAPIL SHARMA SHOW SUNDAY 25TH AUGUST TIME TV PROGRAM NAMES 17:30 ZINDAGI KE CROSSROADS 18:30 THE KAPIL SHARMA SHOW 20:00 SUPERSTAR SINGER 21:30 THE KAPIL SHARMA SHOW

Madhavan slams troll who pointed out a Cross at his home Actor R Madhavan has earned respect from people on social media after he took on a troll who criticised him for having a Cross at home. The actor, who is a practising Hindu, had recently shared a photo with son Vedaant and father Ranganathan on the occasion of Avani Avittam, Raksha Bandhan and Independence Day. One of his followers on social media noticed a Cross in the background and wrote, "Why do they have come across in the background? Is that a Mandir? You just lost my respect. Do you find Hindu Gods in Christian churches? All this is fake drama you did today."

The usually mellow Madhavan refused to let the comment pass and shared on Twitter, "I really don't worry about respect from the likes of you. I hope you get well soon. Surprised that in u r sickness you did not see the Golden temple pic there too and asked if I converted to Sikhism." He emphasised, "I have blessing from the Dargas there too and blessing from all religious places around the world. Some gifted and some bought. My home is home to

staff from all faiths and we pray at a common alter. Like any defence personel will tell you, happens in every unit. I have been taught from my very childhood to maintain my identity with pride but at the same time RESPECT each and every faith, belief and region. 'Yemmadhamum Sammadham' (I respect each religion as my own). I hope my son follows that too."

He added, "I have prayed at every Darga, Gurudwara and Church. I have had the good fortune to visit when a temple was not around. They have shown me utmost love and respect knowing that I am a Hindu. How can I not reciprocate that. All I have is a lot of love and respect to give as my vast travels and experience has proved, is the only true faith. Peace and love to you too."

Actor Amit Sadh was among many who applauded Madhavan. He wrote, "Nice one Maddy sir .. I still remember the advice you gave me on our first day shoot for breathe ... I applied most of it.. and life was better.... We are meeting soon. .. chat will continue."

* Schedule is subject to change

MON 12TH - FRI 16TH AUG 2019 13:00: SWARAGINI 15:30: INDIA UNLIMITED 16:00: THE GREAT INDIAN GLOBAL KITCHEN 2 16:30: RASOI SHOW 17:30: CHHUTA CHHEDA 18:00: RADHA PREM KI DEEWANI 18:30: BHARADWAJ BAHUEIN

* Schedule is subject to change

MON 12TH - FRI 16TH AUG 2019 19:30: CHOTI SARRDAARNI 20:00: SHAKTI ASTITVA KE EHSAAS KI 20:30: RAM SIYA KE LUV KUSH 21:30: BEPANAH PYAARR 22:00: BAHU BEGUM 22:30: VISH

TUESDAY AUG 27, 2019 00:38 FILM: WOH LAMHE 05:00 FILM: HUFF! IT'S TOO MUCH 07:00 FILM: SHIKAAR 09:41 FILM: CHEETAH THE LEOPARD 12:49 FILM: DHADKAN 16:00 FILM: 102 NOT OUT 18:16 LIFESTYLE : STAR STOP 19:00 FILM: SHAITAAN 21:34 FILM: ZEHER-A LOVE STORY WEDNESDAY AUG 28, 2019 00:12 FILM: FAREB 05:00 FILM: GOOD BUDDY GADBADI 07:28 FILM: HAI APNA DIL TOH AWARA 10:09 FILM: JAANAM 12:55 FILM: NASEEB 16:47 FILM: ALIGARH 19:10 FILM: SANTA BANTA PVT LTD 21:31 FILM: GUNAAH THURSDAY AUG 29, 2019 00:02 FILM: FOUR PILLARS OF BASEMENT 05:00 FILM: THE PERFECT GIRL 07:00 FILM: GHATAK 10:14 FILM: PHOOL AUR KAANTE 13:23 FILM: SHAITAAN 16:00 FILM: CHAAR DIN KI CHANDNI 19:00 FILM: MAD MAD ISHQ 22:00 FILM: YEH HAI JUDGEMENT HANGED TILL DEATH FRIDAY AUG 30, 2019 00:46 FILM: MASTI 05:00 FILM: BEZUBAAN ISHQ 07:34 FILM: KEEMAT 10:55 FILM: NASEEB 14:46 FILM: YEH HAI MUMBAI MERI JAAN 17:29 FILM: SANTA BANTA PVT LTD 19:51 FILM: BHAIAJI SUPERHIT 22:30 FILM: SHAAPIT MON 26TH AUGUST - FRI 30TH AUGUST TIME TV PROGRAM NAMES 17:30 CHANDRAGUPTA MAURYA 18:00 BEYHADH 18:30 VIGHNAHARTA GANESHA 19:00 MERE SAI 19:30 TARA FROM SATARA 20:00 ISHAARON ISHAARON MEIN 20:30 PATIALA BABES 21:00 KAUN BANEGA CROREPATI 22:30 TARA FROM SATARA 23:00 CRIME PATROL SONY MAX 2 PRIME TIME 19:00 MONDAY GHULAM 19:00 TUESDAY MEHNDI 19:00 WEDNESDAY CHARANON KI SAUGANDH 19:00 THURSDAY GOLMAAL 19:00 FRIDAY PYAASA

19:00: 19:30: 20:00: 20:30: 21:00:

JAHAANARA BEPANNAH TERE NAAL ISHQ MOHE RANNG DO LAAL BALIKA VADHU - LAMHE PYAAR KE 22:00: RED ALERT SAT 17TH AUG 2019 18:00: RADHA PREM KI DEEWANI 18:30: RISING STAR (SEASON 3) 20:30: INDIA'S GOT TALENT (SEASON 8) 21:30: JAGTE RAHO SUN 18TH AUG 2019 18:00: RADHA PREM KI DEEWANI 18:30: RISING STAR (SEASON 3) 20:30: INDIA'S GOT TALENT (SEASON 8) 21:30: JAGTE RAHO

SAT 17TH AUG 2019 19:30: DESI BEAT RESET 20:00: BFFS WITH VOGUE (SEASON 3) 21:00: DANCE DEEWANE SEASON 2 22:30: KAWACH MAHASHIVRATRI

SUN 18TH AUG 2019 19:30: DESI BEAT 20:00: BFFS WITH VOGUE (SEASON 2) 21:00: DANCE DEEWANE - SEASON 2 22:30: KAWACH MAHASHIVRATRI

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24 - 30 August 2019

Mahant Swami in Dar es Salaam

Death Notice

Shrimati Kashmiraben (Krupaben) Dipakbhai Patel passed away on Thursday 15th August at the age of 43.

Kashmirben Patel hailed from Mahelav, India, and was the wife of Dipakbhai (BAPS Mandir - Catering

Department), sister of Jitaliben (Appuben) and Purvashram sister of Pujya Divyamangal Swami (BAPS Mandir. Bochasan).

For more details please contact Dipakbhai Patel (husband) on 07740 859 474.

Dhanjibhai Tanna MBE - a man of principles

By Navin Shah, GLA Member for Brent and Harrow

Mahant Swami is currently in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Three camps have been organised for young volunteers of the African continent in his divine presence. Talks related to the virtues of volunteers were held from August 11 to 13 under the auspices of Mahant Swami. On 13th, Mahant Swami visited three Hari Mandirs of Central Africa, including Lilongwe, Limbe and Mazzuzu. Adolescent camps were held from August 14 to 16. On the occasion of Raksha Bandhan, on 15th, Mahant Swami distributed Rakhis among the devotees. The camp for volunteers was conducted from August 17-19. Four qualities - endurance, devotion, self-realisation in Guru and persistence - were the focal point of the dialogue. Mahant Swami visited the BAPS Shree Swaminarayan Temple in Dar es Salaam on 20th.

Coming Events

l Shri Krishna Janmashtami Celebration Date: 24 August, Saturday Annakoot Darshan from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm Utsav Sabha from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm Venue: BAPS Swaminarayan Temple, 105-119 Brentfield Rd, London NW10 8LD. Contact: 020 8965 2651 l Talk on 'Emerging your Spiritual Identity' Speaker: Sister Indu, Date: 25th August 2019, Sunday Time: 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm, Venue: Harold Road Center, 170 Harold Road, Upton Park, London, E13 0SE Contact: uptonpark@uk.brahmakumaris.org or call 07440 415 635 l Katthak by Manurekha Ghosh Date: 27 August, Tuesday, Time: 6:30 pm Book Launch of “The Nowhere Man” written by Markandey Date: 28 August, Wednesday, Time: 6:30 pm Lecture on Ideal Centricity, Date: 30 August, Friday Time: 6:30 pm, Venue: Nehru Center UK 8S, Audley Street, Mayfair London W1K 1HF, Contact: 020 7491 3567

l BA 2119 - Flight of the Future:

To celebrate its centenary British Airways is launching BA 2119: Flight of the Future, a first-of-its-kind exhibition looking ahead to the next 100 years of flying and imagining what that may look like. The exhibition explores how future generations will circumvent the globe in a world of advanced jet propulsion, automation, AI, sustainability, health and entertainment. Taking place at the Saatchi Gallery this August, it imagines the future of flight in both digital and physical form. Alongside the installations will be a one-ofa-kind, full motion, virtual reality experience charting the history of flying and looking forward to the future. Named Fly, it is an interactive, full motion, multisensory experience that traces humankind’s relationship to flying.

Address: Saatchi Gallery Date: August 1 to August 26.

Entry: to the exhibition is free but tickets for the virtual reality experience can be purchased from https://nvite.com/community/BA2119.

Address: Duke of York’s HQ, King’s Road, SW3 4SQ Opening Hours: Daily 10am - 6pm (last admission 5pm) Transport: Sloane Square (3-4 min walk) Victoria (10-12 min walk) l Image of the Black in London Galleries: The National Gallery is one of the world’s greatest collection of European art. Hidden in its collection of over 2,500 works there are black presences most times hidden. I'll take you round the Gallery introducing you to many different

The loss of Dhanjibhai Tanna on Sunday 11th August was a big blow to communities across U.K., East Africa and India and leaves a massive gap in the fabric of our society. But, his legacy of leadership and Gandhian principles will live with us forever.

A man of a small / light frame, Dhanjibhai was truly a giant and indeed a person larger than life.

About 35 years ago, when I started my journey in political activism, I had the privilege of meeting Dhanjibhai. My first meeting with him at the Raghuvanshi Charitable Trust Centre (known as RCT) developed a lifelong bond between us.

I have many fond memories of working with him which will continue to inspire me. He persistently lobbied me for a number of years for refurbishment of pavilion; car-parking facilities; walking /jogginh track and sporting activities at RCT. I tried to impress on him some significant difficulties

with this greenbelt site but he persisted, urged me, even harassed me at times until he succeeded and delivered for the Lohana and wider communities when there was dearth of such facilities.

Whilst we were addressing RCT issues he roped me into looking for a site for Sishukunj.

I recall looking at sites in Harrow and Brent and credit goes to Dhanjibhai for finding the ultimate ‘home’ for this education centre in Edgware.

I shall always remember Dhanjibhai proudly wearing the Gandhian cap and conducting flag-hoisting ceremonies to celebrate India’s independence at RCT and Brent Indian Association – these were the occasions when his strong belief in Gandhiji’s principles, discipline and passion for India permeated through.

A courageous man, Dhanjibhai lead the life of integrity, principles and ethics of hard work. He will be missed beyond measure.

We must and do celebration his life but it is upon us to follow and further his legacy by contributing to the welfare of all in the diverse communities we live and work in.

Disclaimer

Asian Business Publications Ltd (ABPL) is not in any way responsible for the goods and services rendered by its advertisers. The ABPL management accepts all advertisements in good faith and it is entirely up to readers to verify advertisers’ products and services, should they feel the need to do so.

What’s on

works of art revealing their black presence to you: from subjects of economic capital to creators of cultural capital; musicians, kings, slaves, servants, saints and artists, sometimes just as people. You'll be introduced to the religious, cultural and social significance of the often hidden black presence in the works on display in National Gallery in London, by the end of each tour you'll be able analyse the black presence in other pictures.

Address: The National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, London, WC2N 5DN Date: Saturday 31st August Time: 11am - 1pm Price: £12-15 l Roman London: Unearth the lost Roman city and its remains. Imagine yourself in Roman Londinium, at its height in AD 120, on this tour around the city, starting at the Museum on London Wall and ending at Leadenhall Market. Experience a real sense of scale and the topography of 400 years of Roman history, from Emperor Claudius’s invasion to abandonment in the 5th century, while you discover Roman landmarks, now quite hidden beneath our 21st century skyscrapers. Note: this is an external walk so dress appropriately as the event will proceed regardless of weather.

Date: 1st September Minumum age: suggested 12 years and over Duration: 1hr 30 m Price: Free entry Entry type: Paid advanced booking Address: 150 London Wall, EC2Y 5HN

The Sun Of The First Day - Poem by Rabindranath Tagore

The sun of the first day Put the question To the new manifestation of lifeWho are you?

There was no answer.

Years passed by.

The last sun of the last day Uttered the question on the shore of the western sea In the hush of eveningWho are you?

No answer came again.

AJIT NINAN FOR TOI

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Opening Hours: 10am - 6pm Transport: Barbican (5 min walk) St Paul’s (5 min walk) l National History Museums Pop-up Family Cinema: Showing family favourites like the Jungle Book and modern hits like Moana, pop-up cinema is a great day out this summer.

26th August: - Up!, U, 10.30 - Paddington, PG, 13.15 - Coco, PG, 16.00 27th August: - Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone, PG, 11.30 - Lego Movie 2, U, 16.00 28th August: - Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone, PG, 11.30 - Jurassic Park, PG, 15.15 29th August: - Mary Poppins Returns, U, 11.30 - Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, 12A, 15.00 Ticket prices: Adult (17 years and over): £10 Child (19 months to 16 years): £6 Family (up to two adults and two children): £24 Baby (18 months and under): free Adult Member: £9 Child Member: £5.40 Family Member (up to two adults and four children): £21.60 Website: https://www.nhm.ac.uk/events/pop-up-familycinema.html

32

Sport

www.asian-voice.com

24 - 30 August 2019

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Kohli's ton helps India beat West Indies by 6 wickets India skipper Virat Kohli's brilliant century helped his team defeat West Indies by six wickets (DLS method) in the third ODI last week. With this victory, India won the three-match ODI series by 2-0 after the first ODI was abandoned due to rain. Chasing a target of 255 runs, both the India openers, Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan, started smashing boundaries. They scored 21 runs from the first two overs.

However, in the next over, due to lack of coordination, Sharma (10) was run out.

Skipper Virat Kohli then came out to bat and played steadily along with Dhawan. Both kept the scoreboard running and formed a 66-run partnership. Fabian Allen bowled the 13th over and took the wicket of Dhawan (36) and sent the next batsman, Rishabh Pant, back to the pavilion on a duck.

Shreyas Iyer then accompanied Kohli on the field. Due to the fall of wickets, both avoided risky shots and played cautiously. Both Kohli and Iyer scored their respective half-centuries and formed an impeccable 120-run partnership to put India on a dominating position.

Kemar Roach provided West Indies with a crucial breakthrough as he got hold of Iyer (65) in the 29th over. Kedar

Jadhav then took the field to join skipper on the field. Kohli continued his form and completed his 43rd ODI century. Kohli played an unbeaten knock of 114 runs to take India over the line and India won the match by six wickets.

Earlier, after opting to bat first, West Indies had a brilliant start as both the openers Chris Gayle and Evin Lewis struck regular boundaries. Although the match was interrupted by the rain in the second over, both the openers did not stop hammering boundaries and sixes as soon as the match was resumed.

Indian pacer Mohammed Shami conceded 18 runs in the sixth over as Gayle smashed three boundaries and one six. Gayle scored his half-century off just 30 balls. However, Lewis missed his half-century by seven runs as he gave away an easy catch to Dhawan off Yuzvendra Chahal's delivery. Lewis' dismissal, in the 11th over, ended his 115run partnership with Gayle. In the very next over, Gayle (72) too was sent back to the pavilion by Khaleel Ahmed. Shai Hope and Shimron Hetmyer took the field and played cautiously to take their side over the 150-run mark. However, after the 22 overs, the match was again interrupted by the rain when West Indies were at 158/2. After a long wait, the match was continued but was

reduced to 35 overs per inning.

India made a solid comeback in the match as both Hope and Hetmyer were dismissed quickly after the match resumed. Shami got hold of Hetymer (25) in the 25th over while Hope (24) became a victim of Ravindra Jadeja in the next over. Jason Holder and Nicholas Pooran then took the charge but their partnership also did not last long as the latter was sent back to the pavilion by Shami in the 31st over.

Pooran was playing furiously as he scored 30 runs off just 16 balls.

After Pooran's dismissal, Carlos Brathwaite came out to bat. However, fall of wickets did not stop as skipper Holder (14) too got out. Fabian Allen was the next batsman. In the last over, Brathwaite smashed a six and a four before losing his wicket to Ahmed. Allen then hit a four on the last delivery of the inning to take his side to a respectable total of 240 runs. However, as the match was reduced to 35 overs due to rain, the DLS came in to play and target for India was 255 runs.

India will now compete against West for the first Test match starting from August 22. Brief scores: India 256/4 (Virat Kohli 114*, Shreyas Iyer 65, Fabian Allen 2-40) defeated West Indies 240/7 (Chris Gayle 72, Evin Lewis 43, Khaleel Ahmed 3-68) by six wickets.

Centurian Virat Kohli

Australia defy Smith's absence, Shastri reappointed as Indian salvage draw in Ashes cricket team's head coach

Steve Smith lays on the pitch after being hit in the head by a ball off the bowling of Jofra Archer

Australia defied the absence of star batsman Steve Smith because of a concussion and more devastating spells of pace bowling by Jofra Archer to hold out for a draw in the second Ashes test against England. Set an improbable victory target of 267 off 48 overs at Lord's, the Australians quickly slumped to 47-3 but a fourth-wicket stand of 85 between Marnus Labuschagne (59) and Travis Head (42 not out) helped push them to safety.

Australia lost three more wickets in a fiveover stretch to keep the match alive as the light faded, but managed to survive to 154-6 at the end. Australia retained a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.

Labuschagne had an interesting day. He only found out he'd be playing as test cricket's first-ever concussion substitute when Smith was withdrawn from the team after waking up with a headache and feeling groggy after being hit in the neck by an Archer bumper.

Labuschagne came to the middle with Australia struggling on 19-2 after 5.3 overs and, off the second ball he faced, was hit on the grille of his helmet by another vicious delivery from Archer. The batsman dropped to the ground, was checked out by medical staff and required a new helmet.

In a blistering spell by Archer, balls flew past Labuschagne but he survived and looked more comfortable in the final session as England's hopes began to dwindle at the home of cricket. He finally departed, somewhat controversially, when England captain Joe Root was adjudged to have got his fingers under a diving catch at midwicket from Labuschagne's sweep. It was Labuschagne's second half-century in his sixth test and he could stay in the team for the third test starting on Thursday on Headingley, with Smith's availability in doubt.

Ravi Shastri will remain as head coach of the men’s senior national team as the Indian cricket board (BCCI), extended his contract up to the 2021 T20 World Cup in India.

Shastri, who took over as the head coach in July 2017, was a direct entry into the interview process that took place in Mumbai. This will be Shastri’s fourth stint with the team.

The Kapil Dev-led Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) which included Anshuman Gaekwad and Shantha Rangaswamy who interviewed five candidates for the job, declared that Shastri was chosen unanimously as the best candidate for the most high pressure coaching job in world cricket. Australia’s Tom Moody, New Zealand’s Mike Hesson, and Mumbai-based coaches Lalchand Rajput and Robin Singh, alongside Shastri, were the candidates in the fray after a shortlisting process undertaken by the BCCI earlier this week. The sixth candidate, Phil Simmons pulled out of the race earlier in the day.

Shastri, Hesson and Moody turned out to be the three final candidates, chosen in that particular order, based on skill-specific rating marks out of 100.

The parameters on the basis of which these candidates were evaluated were coaching philosophy, experience of coaching, achievements in coaching, communication and knowledge of modern coaching tools. Former India captain Kapil Dev said the interview process took time – the whole day, in fact – because the candidates were based in different time zones. While Moody and Hesson gave their respective interviews from Australia, Simmons gave his from Trinidad.

Shastri, who is also in the Caribbean

Ravi Shastri

with the Indian team at the moment, gearing up for the two Tests against the West Indies in Antigua and Trinidad, gave a presentation to the CAC members. His interaction lasted a full 50 minutes. “All of them were excellent. I felt Shastri had more skills of communication. We have given the marks after listening to their presentations,” is all Kapil said about the presentations and the interview process.

During his current term as head coach since July 2017, India have won 13 of 21 Tests, including a historic series win against Australia in Australia.

In T20Is India have won 25 out of 36 matches while in ODIs, it’s 43 out of 60.

With the focus now shifting to the World Test championship cycle, the World T20 in 2020 and the T20 World Cup in 2021, Shastri laid out the roadmap for the CAC to consider, one that was unanimously considered to be better than the others.

The members of the CAC further added that no views were sought from Team India captain Virat Kohli or any other member of the team and it wasn’t considered necessary.