AV 25th May 2024

have divided humanity to a large extent; Spirituality is the only hope that I can see”

Shefali Saxena

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak greeting the members of the Nepalese community at No 10 reception

Rupanjana Dutta

Daaji in conversation with Rt Hon Patricia Scotland

Sindhi community lead fresh calls for stronger knife legislation in London

A ne w peti ti on has be en l aun che d on Cha nge org calling for stronger legislation on knife crime following the death of 66-year old g ran dmothe r, A ni ta Mukhey, who was stabbed to death at a bus stop in North London last week

The petition, started by Sanjeev Bhavnani, a member of the Sindhi Association of the UK community that Anita was a part of, also calls for more resources for law enforcement agencies to investigate these crimes effectively, and increased funding for education programmes that teach young people about the dangers and consequences of carrying knives

Sanjeev writes: “The sad

demise of dear sister Mrs Mukhey has shocked not only the Sindhi community of UK but also the wider community at large This personal tragedy has highlighted the urgency and importance of addressing this issue Knife crime is not just statistics; it's about real

people, families, and communities that are being torn apart

“We need stronger legislation against carr ying knives unlawfully, more resources for law enforcement agencies to investigate these crimes effectively, and increased funding for education programs that teach young people about the dangers and consequences of carrying knives ”

Just the past week, Asian Voice covered the knife crime epidemic in the city and spoke to various people who are affected by the issue or can work towards f inding solutions, highlighting the grave conditions in which London lives, surrounded by crime

L aw Society releases guidance to support disabled workers

To coi n cid e wi th Glo ba l Accessibility Aware ne ss Day, the Law Society of England a nd Wales has relea sed guida nce to support disable d pe op le in the wo rkp la ce by e mphasising the importance of digital accessibility within organisations

This guidance offers valuable insights for f irms, in-house teams, and organisations on improving disability inclusion through the adoption and implementation of accessible technolo-

gies It also addresses neuroinclusion, acknowledging that not all neurodivergent individuals identify as disabled Feedback from Law Society members indicates that many technologies and digital processes within law f irms and organisations create accessibility barriers for disabled users Research from "Legally Disabled?" indicates that when used appropriately and designed with diverse end users in mind, technolo-

gy can enhance accessibility and eff iciency, benef iting everyone Law Society president Nick Emmerson stated: “Our guide aims to assist organisations in initiating this journey Regardless of the size of the f irm, in-house team, or organisation, the profession can effect positive change by making technology accessible We encourage sharing best practices and experiences as this journey progresses ”

UK campaign aims to mobilise Muslim vote

A cam pai gn group, The M usli m Vote, s eek s to mobilise Muslim communities ahead of the general election, aiming to ensure their votes are taken serious ly They plan to e ndors e can did ates later

this year, targeting c onstituencies where the 3 9 million Muslims in the UK can have the most influence

Abubakr Nanabawa, a 24-year-old coordinator and spokesperson for the

campaign, hailed the mobilisation of Muslim voters as "historic " He emphasised that many are driven to make a "real difference" at the polls, especially in response to the Israeli offensive in Gaza, which claimed the lives of over 35,000 people

Indian students in UK urge Sunak to protect Graduate Route visa

The Na ti ona l I nd ia n Students and Alumni Union UK (NISAU UK), representi ng I ndi a n st udent s an d alumni in the UK, has made a fer vent appeal to British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, urging the government to protect the Graduate Route visa programme

This visa, highly favoured by Indian students, is under scrutiny at a time when immigration is becoming a signif icant issue ahead of the January 2025 parliamentar y election in the UK This appeal follows

a recent report by the Migration Advisor y Committee (MAC), which found no evidence of abuse of the Graduate Route visa and recommended its reten-

tion in its current form

NISAU UK has requested that no changes be made to the Graduate Route visa, nor any adjustments that could make the UK a less welcoming or less attractive destination for international students The UK government's review of the Graduate Route visa has caused concern among the international student community, leading to a drop in applications to UK universities due to the uncertainty surrounding the visa programme

Extend child benefit for 16-19 year-olds

Over a million parents will receive reminders to extend Ch i ld Ben ef it fo r th ei r teenagers continuing education or training after GCSEs HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is dispatching more than 1 4 million Child Benef it reconf irmation letters between May 24 and July 17 These letters contain a QR code that, when scanned, directs parents to GOV UK for quick and easy online claim

updates Child Benef it provides up to £1,331 annually for the f irst or only child, and up to £881 per year for each additional child Payments automatically cease on or after August 31 once the child turns 16 unless parents renew their claim for the children to continue in education Parents of 16-19-yearolds intending to pursue approved education or training can utilise the online ser-

vice on GOV UK or the HMRC app to ensure they receive their entitlements

Myrtle Lloyd , HMRC’s Director General for Customer Services, emphasised the importance of claiming Child Benef it for continuing education or training, stressing the ease of extending claims online or via the HMRC app

Parents must take action by August 31 to avoid automatic payment cessation

Disabled woman tired of ' begging' after ride refusal

A disabled passenger who was unlawf ully den ied an Ub er ride with her assist an ce d og ex p re sse d e xh aust io n f rom ong oin g discrimination

restaurant employees, who erroneously believe they can refuse service due to her dog

Humira Mohamed, who relies on a registered support dog to manage severe anxiety, highlighted the daily struggle of advocating for her rights She encounters ignorance of equality laws among supermarket staff, taxi drivers, and

For link for photos and other details, please contact: protocol.london@mea.gov.in (Deadline for bids: 10 June 2024) MERCEDES-BENZ E220 SE BLACK, 2015 MODEL, DIESEL variant (ALL TAXES PAID) MILEAGE: 117,144 miles

Sealed envelopes with offer (headlined ‘BIDS FOR CAR’) must be addressed to: HOC, HCI, India House, Aldwych, London- WC2B 4NA

The campaign group, supported by several organisations, was launched in December last year after Parliament rejected a vote on a ceasef ire in Gaza the previous month Among the backers, two groups were mentioned by Community Secretary Michael Gove in Parliament earlier this year, indicating they would be evaluated against a new government def inition of extremism

Despite this, the coordinator expressed solidarity with the Muslim Association of Britain and Muslim Engagement and Development

In a recent legal victory against Transport for London (Tf L), magistrates ruled that Uber driver Jitu Miah unlawfully denied Miss Mohamed and her f ive-year-old assistance dog, Peanut, entry into his vehicle on January 22 last year

Miah was f ined £311 and

instructed to cover court costs after being found guilty of contravening the Equality Act 2010 by refusing to transport a disabled person accompanied by an assistance dog

While pleased with the court's acknowledgment of her rights, Miss Mohamed expressed exhaustion from the ongoing need to educate individuals in publicfacing positions about disability rights

Priti Patel emerging as favourite for next Tory leader

As ma ny Cons er va ti ves anticipate a potential ousting from off ice in the next el ec ti on, s e ver al M Ps a re re di rec ti ng t hei r e fforts towa rds b ols te ri ng fut ure leadership bids, particularly i n a nti c i pati on of R i shi Sunak stepping down

CHANGE OF NAME

I Vishnuprasad Premshanker Joshi of 10 Highfield drive, Ickenham, Uxbridge. UB10 8AL declare that I have changed my name from Vishnuprasad Premshanker Joshi to Vishnu Prasad Joshi vide Affidavit sworn before Notary Public Mr. Hari Singh of HS Law Solicitors & Notaries, Southall, England dated 18th January 2024.

While f igures like Kemi Badenoch, Penny Mordaunt, and Suella Braverman have been mentioned, a new contender is gaining prominence: Dame Priti Patel She's seen as someone who could bridge the gap within the factional parliamentary party and appeal to the further-right-leaning membership

Unlike Mordaunt, who enjoys popularity among grassroots Tories, Patel stands a relatively strong chance of being re-elected as the MP for Witham in an election where few Tor y

seats are considered safe

While Braverman, a similarly hardline former home secretary, appeals to members and MPs on the right of the party, she has alienated more moderate members in a way that Patel seems to have avoided Badenoch, who contested the leadership in 2022, also garnered respect from a broad range of Tories but may lack f irm enough allegiances to secure a place on a f inal ballot Patel made her mark as a Boris Johnson loyalist and was appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in his resignation honours

“She's not at all from the Left of the party, but might be acceptable to parts of it, since she's widely seen as a responsible f igure,” Lord Goodman, former editor of ConservativeHome said

Anita Mukhey with her grandchild

Rishi Sunak

Dame Priti Patel

The divide between rich and poor is increasing, even as the number of billionaires in the UK has dropped The combined wealth of the 350 richest individuals on the latest Sunday Times Rich List exceeds Poland's gross domestic product However, the list reveals the largest fall in billionaires in its history, dropping from a peak of 177 in 2022 to 165 this year

Rishi Sunak has overtaken the King in the latest rankings, with the prime minister and his wife Akshata Murty's fortune soaring by over £120m to a total of £651m In contrast, the King s wealth grew modestly from £600m to £610m over the same period

Despite the immense combined wealth of the UK's richest, the Sunday Times claims the "billionaire boom has come to an end " According to the list's compiler, Robert Watts, many home-grown entrepreneurs have seen their fortunes fall, and some of the global super-rich are moving away

Top of the list is British-Indian businessman Gopi Hinduja and his family, with a record-setting £37 2bn However, notable names like Sir Richard Branson and Sir Jim Ratcliffe have seen significant declines in their wealth, with Branson's fortune dropping by £2 4bn and Ratcliffe's by £6 1bn Stephen Fitzpatrick, owner of OVO, has fallen out of the billionaire club, with a £1 3bn loss

The richest 1% have amassed $26 trillion (£21 trillion) in new wealth since 2020, nearly double that of the remaining 99% of the global population, according to a 2023 Oxfam report

Tensions in the Middle East have escalated following the helicopter crash that killed Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and other officials, plunging Iran into internal turmoil

This incident has significant repercussions across the region, where Iran s influence is substantial For decades, Iran has supported armed groups and militants in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Yemen, and the Palestinian territories, enabling it to project power and deter potential attacks from the United States or Israel, its sworn enemies since the 1979 Islamic Revolution

Last month, Iran, under President Raisi and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, launched hundreds of drones and ballistic missiles at Israel in response to an airstrike on an Iranian consulate in Syria With assistance from the United States, Britain, Jordan, and others, Israel intercepted nearly all the projectiles The Iran-Israel have waged a shadow war of covert operations and cyberattacks for years, but the exchange of fire in April was their first direct military confrontation Rumours circulating among the public have gained traction, suggesting that the president’s helicopter crash may have been the result of electronic warfare, a drone attack, or even a ground assault by Israel

With Raisi’s sudden death plunging the government into a state of emergency, crude exports from the Middle East could be significantly impacted Experts quoted in a media report suggested that Raisi’s death will compel the administration to quickly find a new leader, given Iran's involvement in a regional war and ongoing economic chal-

Rich List’s poor gamble

Meanwhile, at least 1 7 billion workers live in countries where inflation outpaces wages, and over 820 million people roughly one in ten globally are going hungry The disparity in the UK is equally stark Oxfam’s analysis reveals that the richest 1% of Britons hold more wealth than 70% of the population, while the four wealthiest Britons possess more wealth than 20 million of their fellow citizens

It is unfortunate but not astonishing that there are no big names, especially Asians on the Giving Away list Philanthropy is on a massive decline In 2023, the British public donated a record £13 9bn to charity, up 9% from £12 7bn in 2022, with average monthly donations rising nearly 40% to £65 There has been a drop in regular donors from 65% in 2019 to 58% in 2023 The Covid-19 pandemic and cost-of-living crisis pressured charities, yet 75% of British adults engaged in charitable activities over the past year

The soaring pressures of cost of living and poverty inevitably steer many in the Asian community to gamble as a quick fix, often resulting in debt and social stigma The National Problem Gambling Clinic reports that 23% of its clients are South Asian, despite this group making up only 7% of the UK population Economic challenges, including high inflation and rising interest rates, worsen the issue, with 32% of over-40s fearing inadequate retirement savings for future holidays GambleAware's study found that

India-Iran deal in turmoil

lenges The timing of this incident coincides with ongoing regional conflicts and Iran’s deepening involvement in Russia’s activities in Ukraine Additionally, Iran’s support for Hamas and other proxy groups in conflicts with Israel adds further geopolitical complexity

The new President is expected to introduce their own economic policies, which could affect Iran’s relationships with other nations, as well as its stance on sanctions and economic reforms However, it is important to note that Iran's foreign policies are primarily shaped by the Supreme Leader, suggesting that its regional strategies may remain largely unchanged despite the recent upheaval Iran, as OPEC’s third-largest producer of crude oil, plays a crucial role in supplying oil to many countries With Raisi’s sudden death plunging the government into a state of emergency, there could be significant impacts on crude exports from the Middle East Also, the country remains under severe sanctions imposed by the US for its nuclear programme, which has caused significant damage to the economy and had a profound impact on people’s lives

Recently, India and Iran entered a ten-year contract to develop and operate the Iranian port of Chabahar For India, the port provides crucial access to landlocked Central Asian republics and Afghanistan, bypassing Pakistan's restricted land routes However, hours after the contract was signed, the US warned of potential sanctions for any country engaging in business deals with Iran The State Department's Deputy Spokesperson, VedantPatel, stressed the need for caution among entities considering such deal-

minority community members with gambling issues face 50% more racism and discrimination, hindering their ability to seek help

Similarly, shoplifting incidents across England and Wales have surged by a troubling 32%, alarming both authorities and retail workers' trade union Usdaw This concerning rise comes amidst the backdrop of a rising cost of living crisis, putting additional strain on already struggling households The statistics, reflecting the 12 months leading up to September 2023, reveal a worrying trend of persistent quarterly increases following a significant drop during the pandemic

The cost-of-living crisis has plunged many households into poverty, forcing choices between “eating or heating ” Reduced incomes increase housing insecurity, stress, and homelessness This financial strain directly impacts mental health, leading to self-medicating behaviours and higher risks of alcohol use disorders

Economic stress and increased alcohol consumption worsen mental well-being, causing depression, anxiety, and physical health issues like cardiovascular disease and liver problems Alcohol-related harm costs the UK at least £21 billion annually, with healthcare costs at £3 5 billion This burden falls heavily on low-income individuals, exacerbating health inequalities and costing UK businesses over £1 7 billion in absenteeism alone

ings, citing the potential risks, including exposure to sanctions

India developed the port during the period when sanctions on Iran were temporarily relaxed following the 2016 Iran nuclear deal, also known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action However, President Donald Trump withdrew from this agreement in May 2018 Notably, Trump exempted India's development of the Chabahar project due to its significant investments in Afghanistan's reconstruction efforts

India was fully aware of the ongoing US sanctions and the deteriorating relations between the US and Iran, given Iran's support for proxies targeting Israel and its involvement in various conflicts Despite these factors, India proceeded to sign the agreement, understanding the potential implications Moreover, with a potential change in leadership at the White House early next year, Delhi remains cognizant of evolving dynamics External Affairs Minister Jaishankar expressed confidence in India's ability to navigate US sanctions, highlighting the importance of communication and persuasion He cited the USA's previous recognition of the Chabahar port's significance, particularly in aiding Afghanistan, reaffirming India's determination to overcome any challenges posed by sanctions While the US imposes sanctions selectively, India has successfully addressed previous threats, such as those related to procuring S-400 missile systems and oil from Russia Additionally, the US relies on India's support in managing Chinese aggression and addressing regional issues

Political manoeuvring surrounds CAA amid election season

Amidst the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, more than 300 individuals have been granted Indian citizenship under the newly enacted Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) of 2019 Initially, a group of 14 individuals received their citizenship in the national capital, while the remaining individuals were conferred nationality digitally in various other parts of the country

The implementation of the CAA has sparked controversy since its introduction in 2019, and its enactment during the current election season has intensified attacks from the opposition The Act aims to provide citizenship to undocumented migrants from six non-Muslim communities Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi, or Christian from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, who entered India on or before December 31, 2014 Additionally, it reduces the citizenship qualification period from 11 years to five years

While supporters argue that the Act offers refuge to minorities from neighbouring nations, critics, particularly from the Muslim community, denounce it as discriminatory It s worth noting that Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, the countries from which the Act's beneficiaries originate, all identify as Islamic nations with the Muslims being the majority

The purpose of this amendment is to provide a life of dignity to those minorities persecuted for their religion and unable to practice their faith freely in these countries These Islamic nations were established based on religious divisions Therefore, the amendment does not include provisions for them as they are neither a minority nor facing religious oppression or harassment there

The Indian government has, on multiple occasions, clarified that the CAA has nothing to do with the current 180 million Indian Muslims, who possess equal rights as their Hindu counterparts, in order to allay the fears of a section of Muslims concerned about the implications of the Act However, despite being a minority in India, the Muslim community is the second-largest religion in the diverse nation and often expresses concerns about marginalisation and targeting Why would they want fellow Muslims to move from an Islamic state to experience similar challenges? It all seems paradoxical and the unrest over the issue, unfounded

On the political front, it is undeniable that the BJP government has strategically leveraged the CAA for its own benefit, initially introducing it in an election year and implementing it in another The timing of the news surrounding the Act gaining traction in the midst of the election is no coincidence While the government promotes the Act as a step towards inclusivity, it is clear that this move is also aimed at appealing to hardcore Hindus who support the idea of a "Hindu Rashtra "

Conversely, the opposition is painting the Act as a picture of exclusion and discrimination, promising to reverse the government s actions if they come to power Mamata Banerjee recently said that if the INDIA Block wins, not only will they get rid of CAA, but also the Uniform Civil Code(UCC) and National Register of Citizens(NRC) Coming from her, this is not surprising because if we look at her actions and utterances over the years, it becomes clear that securing the support of Muslims remains her top elec-

toral strategy There is also no denying that the political manoeuvring on both sides aims to galvanise their respective voter bases

At the end of the day, whoever benefits politically is a null and void issue given that no political actor is selfless It's important to emphasise that CAA specifies that minorities from the three neighbouring countries who entered India without a passport or visa through illegal means shall not be treated as illegal migrants for the purposes of this Act" and will be exempted These countries have failed to protect the rights of their minorities, who endure inhumane treatment and oppression India has enacted this amendment out of a sense of duty to protect these persecuted individuals on humanitarian grounds

Sunday Times Rich List 2024

S I G N I F I C A N T D R O P I N B I L L I O N A I R E S Y E T A G A I N

Anusha Singh

This year’s Sunday Times Rich List, released on May 17, includes notable figures like a Catholic priest, the King, the Prime Minister, and Britain's first billionaire musician The 36th list features 350 individuals and families with a combined wealth of £795.361 billion.

For the second consecutive year, the number of billionaires has declined, dropping from 177, the highest peak recorded in 2022 to 165 this year The list, edited by Robert Watts, highlights the largest drop in billionaires in the guide's 36-year history Watts observed, "This year's edition records the largest fall in the billionaire count in the guide's 36-year history, from a peak of 177 in 2022 to 165 this year It seems the tide is going out and the world's wealthy are starting to leave " However, it is notable that while the number of billionaires goes down, the wealth accumu-

lated by them increases exponentially

While twenty South Asians were featured on the list the previous year, there is a prominent increase in this year's Rich List, featuring thirty individuals Gopi Hinduja and his family top the list for the third consecutive year, boasting an estimated record fortune of more than £37 billion This is a climb of £2 196bn from the previous year British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty climbed the ranks, moving from 275th last year to 245th this year Known as the "wealthi-

est people to call 10 Downing Street home, their ascent is notable from £529m in 2023 to £651m this year

Businessmen David and Simon Reuben, Indian-born brothers, rose to third place in 2024 from fourth in 2023, with an estimated wealth of around GBP 24 977 billion Lakshmi N Mittal slipped from sixth in 2023 to eighth in 2024 but remains in the top 10 with an estimated wealth of GBP 14 921 billion He is followed by industrialist Anil Agarwal of Vedanta Resources, who dropped to 23 with an estimated GBP 7 billion

Richest South Asians under 40 in the UK

This year’s 40 under 40 list showcases British talent from music, sports, entertainment, and business.

Most individuals on the list amassed their fortunes

independently, while nine inherited their wealth The combined wealth of 36 out of the 40 entries totals £7 4 billion, whereas the four who benefited from inheritance contribute £13 3 bil-

Among the top 100 richest Britons are Indian-origin brothers Simon, Bobby, and

Robin Arora at 65, NRI industrialist Lord Swraj Paul and family at 67, fashion

industrialist Sunder Genomal at 77, and Jasminder Singh and family at 83

One of the most important things to highlight is that while the number of South Asians on the list increases year after year, their presence on the Giving List 2024 remains absent In comparison, Indian Americans are much more inclined towards donations, particularly in the areas of scholarships, research, and education overall

Rank2024(2023)NameWorthRise/FallSourceofwealth

1 (1) Gopi Hinduja and family

£37.196bn£2.196bn Group

3 (4) David and Simon £24.977bn£578m

8 (6) Lakshmi Mittal and family £14.921bn£1.079bn

23 (22=) £7bn£1bn

30 (33)Sri Prakash Lohia£6.23bn£384m Indorama Corp

39 (40) Issa £5bn£50m -

58= (61) £3bn£200m Pharma

65 (71) Simon, Bobby and £2.682bn£150m

67 (68) family

lion

The top nine also appear in the main Rich List, which has an entry threshold of £350 million, compared to £56 million for the 40 under 40 list

3. Herman Narula (£780 million)

Herman Narula founded Improbable Worlds in 2012 after studying at Cambridge The London-based firm is developing a platform that enables 40,000 people to play in the same virtual space simultaneously An investment round in late 2022 valued the company at $3 4 billion (£2 7 billion), with Delhi-born Narula owning at least 28 9% of the shares He holds the largest self-made fortune on the list and is positioned at 214th on the Sunday Times Rich List 2024.

8. Ayman Rahman and Fateha Begum (£404 million)

After diving into global energy markets, Rahman, 33, and his 36year-old wife, Fateha Begum, launched Dare International Their firm employs 200 staff and manages trades worth billions of pounds daily The couple has made their debut on the Sunday Times Rich List 2024 at the 324th position

25= Vishal Karia (£116 million)

Sales at Karia’s perfume and cosmetics distribution company, Affinity, have exceeded £100 million in just seven years Karia, 34, who was expelled from school and diagnosed with ADHD, now owns the majority of the Buckinghamshire-based £120 million wholesaler Last year, he was ranked 19th on the Sunday Times 35 Richest People Under 35 list

£2.6bn

68 (76) family £2.599bn£179m

77 (78) family £2.214bn£62m

83 (89) family £2.001bn£86m

103 (121) Soosaipillai

108 (135) family

127 (141) family

£1.606bn£101m

£1.556bn£251m

£1.336bn£86m

128 (130=) family £1.333bn Group

134 (142) Raj, Tony and Harpal Matharu and family

161= (105=)

214= (240=)

219 (271) and family

221= (247) Boparan and family

£1.264bn£30m

£1.015bn£675m Capital

£780m£80m Worlds

£759m£180m

£750m£66m

245 (275) Rishi Sunak and £651m£122m Infosys

246 (252)

249= (249) family

270= (263=)

289 (342)

299= (320=) family

304= (343) family

308 (328=) family

£650m

£645m£30m

£560m£40m

£478m£113m

£454m£29m

£444m£80m

£432m£32m

£404m

Gopi Hinduja

Mohsin and Zuber Issa

Rishi Sunak and Akshata Murty

Lakshmi Mittal Anil Agarwal

"Religions have divided

humanity to a large extent; Spirituality is the only hope that I can see”

Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar organise ‘In conversation with Daaji to explore inner peace to world peace’ at the House of Lords

A re m ar ka ble ev e nt w a s held in the Ho use of L ord s o f th e U K Parliam ent o n Mo nd ay 20 M ay, to honour Kamlesh D Patel affectionately know n as Daaji, the G lo ba l Gu i d e o f H ear tf u lne s s T h e ev e nt provid ed a unique opportun it y t o le arn a bo u t H ear tf u lne s s M ed i ta ti o n directly from Daaji and with dialogue to p rom ote harmony, peace and unity

The event ‘In conversation with Daaji to explore inner peace to world peace ’ was organised by Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar and hosted by Lord Loomba CBE, while the Commonwealth SecretaryGeneral, Rt Hon Patricia

Scotland KC moderated the 'Fireside Chat' with Daaji

Welcoming the guests, Lord Loomba said, “I am delighted to welcome Daaji to the House of Lords of the UK Parliament at the historic Palace of Westminster Last year in the same room we honoured Daaji and that time he connected us through a Video message This time we are fortunate enough to meet and greet him personally

“Daaji has brought India’s spiritual treasures to the entire world and has

built the world’s largest meditation centre, Kanha Shanti Vanam, in Hyderabad, which accommodates over 100,000 meditators at once I appreciate Daaji’s efforts in bringing the leaders from multiple faiths together

Heartfulness has become a global force for inner transformation transcending continents and cultures and sowing seeds of spiritual well-being Daaji’s teachings offer a pathway to peace I want to acknowledge his lifetime dedication to humanity and noteworthy

efforts in education, wellness, and environmental initiatives through Heartfulness

"I also want to acknowledge the vital role of CB Patel in serving the community for the last five decades CB has been tirelessly campaigning through its flagship newspapers Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar for the British Asian community, with groundbreaking publications and events ”

Lord Loomba also requested Daaji that it would be a great honour for

the Loomba Foundation if, on 23 June, International Widows Day could be commemorated at the Kanha Shanti Vanam

Addressing the audience from diverse categories and faiths at the House of Lords, Rev Daaji said, “We have heard about peace but have you experienced peace? What we have experienced is perhaps silence Peace is not being a zombie Once you experience the divinity within your heart then there will be no questions Troubles will come but they won t be so miserable The

ing the role of religions because the religions have totally failed Religions have divided humanity to a large extent Even within one sect, there are many fighting sects Spirituality is the only hope that I can see Spirituality is not information, it's your inner conviction through experience Through experience, you would be able to see the next step There is nothing in this world we can compare to divinity " Introducing Brighter Minds, which is an initiative of Heartfulness based on the science of Neuroplasticity, Daaji said, “It is a training methodology designed to catalyse cognitive growth for children

route to everything is Meditation

“We often talk and express our concern about various kinds of pollution but the root of every pollution is thought pollution We can clarify our mental tendencies only through meditation That’s the only way Heartfulness offers meditation, an experiential spirituality

“Knowledge or information has to be backed by experience otherwise that knowledge remains hollow, empty and that’s very dangerous I am not emphasis-

between the ages of 5 and 15 for a lifetime of learning Using our proprietary interactive tools and techniques, each of our training programs aims at whole-brain activation where the right brain is stimulated through exercise, sound waves and relaxation to achieve leftright equilibrium The result is an intellectually, socially and emotionally brighter mind To develop a better future for our youngsters and carry on our target of saving the planet in multiple ways and dimensions

Mahesh Liloriya

Daaji with the Commonwealth Secretary General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC

The High Commissioner of India H E Vikram Doraiswami (far right) shares his remarks Other Guests from Left to Right: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Nepal to the UK H E Gyan Chandra Acharya, Lord Loomba CBE, Daaji, The Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, CB Patel and High Commissioner of Dominica H E Janet Charles

Daaji discussing with Former Director of National Police Academy India AS Rajan, Virendra Sharma MP and H E Doraiswami

Arshya Lakshman was the compere of the event

H E Gyan Chandra Acharya

High Commissioner of Dominica H E Janet Charles

We are ready to launch this programme in the school ”

Kapil Naidu gave a live presentation and briefed more about Brighter Minds

CB Patel, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar said, “I have been to Kanha Shanti Vanam for two days Daaji is doing wonderful work for empowering humanity through meditation In today’s world, we talk about world peace but it always starts from inner peace ”

His Excellency Vikram Doraiswami, High Commissioner of India to the UK said, “Thank you Daaji for being here It’s a pleasure to hear from you in person It s all about our rich culture It is all about being tuned to what is around you and tuning with it from the heart The essence of society is not about tolerance but acceptance ”

HE Gyan Chandra Acharya, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Nepal to the UK, said, “Daaji’s speech was a melody of peace When in day-to-day life we lose touch with our heritage, spirituality with Heartfulness is a very strong message of revival, going back to the roots Nepal is known for the Himalayas and meditative thoughts, we would like to take more benefit of Daaji’s work in our country ”

HE Janet Charles, High Commissioner of Dominica, said, “I am delighted and honoured to be here There is nothing better than having inner peace and spirituality Dominica would like to work with Daaji, especially for younger people and education ”

The event was successfully compered by Asrhya Lakshman and the vote of thanks was delivered by Mahesh Liloriya, Group Editor ABPL

Certificate of Excellence

Commonwealth Secretary-General moderates the 'Fireside Chat' with Daaji

SG: It was my pleasure to appoint you on behalf of the Commonwealth to Global Peace and Faith Ambassador The commonwealth is made of people of absolutely every faith. Spirituality is present in all of them, even those who have no faith at all. What made you start on this journey towards spirituality?

Daa ji : I had this fire in me from early childhood to pursue a spiritual path So, when I became a bit independent, at 17-18 years of age, Ramkrishna Paramhansa and his disciple Swami Vivekanand’s book were the source of inspiration for me Their influence was so intense on my heart that on every page I read I used to cry My dream was to become like Swami Ji, take off like Sanyasi and travel across all the holy places So, one day I really took off During my vacation after my second year of Pharmacy college, I came to my village and near my village there was Narmada River and a beautiful Shiva Temple I saw some Aghori Babas I spent the entire day in their presence One elderly came to me in the evening and said, "Son, what are you doing here?" I said, would you become my Guru? His face was melting and his eyes were full of tears, he said, Son, go back home I also took off and became a sanyasi and ascetic I haven't found anything so far; I have only become a beggar By leaving home you are not going to find God You will be found by your Guru In the same month, my friend took me to an ashram and asked me to meditate and that’s how my journey began

The thing is, we have been conditioned and so influenced that Sadhus and Sanyasis are worshipable but if you get into the inner life of all these individuals, the reality is different Many Gurus are known for shopping They charge for the disabled, one who contributes the most can sit on the front row It's as if you can buy God My Guruji used to say that if you want to share Brahmavidya it must be free It cannot be sold So, it creates so much passion within me to spread spirituality That’s why through Heartfulness we are promoting that no one should be charged The app is also free; you can download it You don’t need to fall on the feet of any Guru Simply follow the steps and experience That’s all

SG: Can you tell me more about Kanha Shanti Vanam? You have turned a barren land into a lush green forest. How did you do that?

Daa ji : Kanha Shanti Vanam became a reality due to thousands and thousands of volunteers It's not a one-man job The most important thing is water, without water, there is no life So, we created a lot of small check dams and pits We put Charcoal in the pits This charcoal absorbs the moisture and nutrients also The underground was purer, as Charcoal purifies water and also holds nutrients for a long time Being a pharmacist, I knew the nature of Charcoal Charcoal by nature absorbs everything But if you put charcoal in a barren land without charging it with some bio-nutrients, it will absorb the nutrients and the plant will die So, we saturated the charcoal with biowaste We worked on these two principles In the beginning, since there was no water, I used to ask every visitor to bring a gallon or two gallons of water and adopt a tree This is how in two years the entire 1400 acres of land was transformed We have developed rainforests

SG: Along with Kanha Shanti Vanam, how did you grow spirituality into diverse faith followers and non-believers?

Daa ji : I want to share a real experience of our Aadi Guru Shri Ramchandra Ji of Fatehgarh In 1927 he travelled by train and visited the Malva district While walking through the forest, he was attracted towards nature, the land, water, trees and sky That place reminded him of Kakbhushundi’s ashram He said that the spiritual charge can be easily established in nature in comparison to human beings If human beings are given the divine charge, some can receive it but lose it instantly. Very rare, one in a million can receive it, hold it and multiply it That’s not with the plants, nature Trees retain it even after death So, my passion was to create a forest kike that I made up my mind to develop a forest of a few acres That’s how Kanha Shanti Vanam helps experience spirituality, holding it and multiplying

SG: What would you like every one of us to do to make this troubled world more peaceful?

Da aj i : Sensitise your inner consciousness through meditation Have the courage to follow the voice of your conscience Otherwise, the divine voice stops coming to us

Rev Daaji was conferred with an award and certificate of excellence in Empowering Humanity through Meditation' and the Commonwealth SecretaryGeneral, Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC was honoured with an award and certificate of excellence in 'Vital Role in Delivering Climate Solutions by Lord Loomba, High Commissioner of India to the UK, Ambassador Extraordinary of Nepal, High Commissioner of Dominica and CB Patel

Photo courtesy: Raj D Bakrania PrMediapix

Lord Loomba giving a welcome speech

Kapil Naidu gave a live presentation on Brighter Minds

From left to Right on the round table: Mirabel Edgedale, Shashibhai

Vekaria AS Rajan H E Janet Charles Dipak Mirchandani Rekha Mirchandani Sasirekha Rajan and Daniel Kawczynski MP

Tanisha Gujarathi

Asian Voice and Gujarat

Samachar hosted a Zoom programme titled Soneri Sangat , on May 16, this episode was dedicated to discussing essential financial stock market advice This served as a platform where common concerns about pensions were addressed In addition, it provided valuable career advice for younger individuals The event attracted a variety of participants who joined in the evening, making it an unforgettable and enriching experience for all involved

The chief guest of the event was Mr Alpesh Patel OBE who is a renowned investor mentor and financial expert

The program started with a small devotional song by Mayaben Deepak, and an encouraging Q&A session conducted by Pooja Raval, Head of Business Development, ABPL Group

To keep attendees informed and involved, Bureau Chief Nilesh Parmar then delivered an outline on the latest developments in the news

During the event, CB Patel, Chairman and Editor-inChief of Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar, welcomed the guest He recounted a pivotal moment when Alpesh Patel played a crucial role in preventing the closure of Watford’s Hare Krishna Temple

Mr Alpesh Patel, Consulting Editor of Asian Voice, engaged in enlightening conversations, sharing his extensive knowledge and experience in balancing wealth and happiness His profound insights struck a chord with the audience, offering valuable perspectives on navigating life s complexities and financial challenges He empowered individuals to generate wealth while addressing

global issues During the session, he shed light on retirement savings, offered guidance on career development, and shared personal experiences in the stock market His advice resonated: "Do what brings you happiness and peace, and success and wealth will follow naturally "

The attendees received vital financial guidance from the seasoned investor and mentor, who emphasised the value of long-term investing and disciplined saving He underscored the need to get started early, promoting compound interest and patience as means of accumulating wealth Alpeshbhai urged budding investors to prioritise financial literacy, acquainting themselves with investment

World-renowned Eco-Village Director to visit Bhaktivedanta Manor

Gauranga Das will talk on Spi r it ual Wi s dom a nd Leadership at Bhaktivedanta Manor on 28 May

how Vedic Wisdom can transform one's approach to leadership and life This twohour event is free of charge

London The School of Bhakti is organising a seminar on Vedic Wisdom on 28 May 2024, Tuesday from 7 pm at Bhaktivedanta Manor, Hillfield Lane, Watford

Gauranga Das, a leading figure in the eco-conscious and spiritual community, will speak on Spiritual Illumination and explain

ABPL integrates finance and investment insights with Alpesh Patel OBE

principles and associated risks Drawing from his own experiences, he illuminated the lessons learned through adversity Stressing resilience and perseverance in the finance sector, he navigated through market instability, disappointments, and setbacks Alpeshbhai s journey fostered a comprehensive understanding of risk management, diversification, and the value of adaptability in an evolving market landscape

Alpeshbhai also addressed pension funds, his candid and transparent account of his own experiences, illuminating the challenges and triumphs encountered throughout his journey His willingness to embrace both successes and failures infused the discussion with substance and sincerity, fostering deeper engagement His guidance on achieving a balance between money and happiness resonated deeply with the audience, leaving them inspired and empowered to pursue their goals with clarity and purpose

Haveyou been suffering from heartburn? Does it cause resentment and bitterness in your mind? Is it troubling you? The best solution to get rid of these emotions and insecurity is: forgiveness Forgiveness is letting go of our anger that is directed toward s someone

However, it is not easy

Gandhiji used to say that forgiveness is a trait of the powerful, a weak person cannot forgive anyone

Participants Yax Raval and Shardool Dave, among others posed a question regarding funds, how to take risks and build a career in this field Alpeshbhai stressed that embracing various opportunities is necessary to develop a career He clarified that every risk adds experience and insights, regardless of whether it results in success or failure

These obstacles and educational opportunities help people establish a solid professional foundation He highlighted that making mistakes is crucial for development and creativity and that the ability to venture beyond one's comfort zone is what ultimately makes a person a great professional

The Vote of thanks was given by Mahesh Liloriya, Group Editor of Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar

Navnat Vanik Association committee elected

The n ew Ex ec uti ve Commi tt ee for the 2 02 42026 term at Navnat Vanik Ass oc i ati on was el ec ted recently

The newly elected committee members are listed below

President Jaswantrai Ratilal Doshi

Vice President

Kishorechandra Chhotalal Vora

Gauranga Das is an inspirational Director of a UN-recognized Eco-Village and graduated from Mumbai's esteemed Indian Institute of Technology

With over 10,000 dynamic lectures and seminars, he has impacted diverse fields including coaching, sustainability, and leadership

Secretary Subhash Kantilal Bakhai

Assistant Secretary Bachoolal Chunilal Mehta

Treasurer Ketan Ramniklal Jashapara

Assistant Treasurer Dilip Vithaljee Mithani

Hall Secretary Hasumati Vinod Doshi

Membership Secretary Kirit Batavia

Committee Members

David Brodie Holden Kishore Batavia Mayur Doshi Piyush Jaisukh Vora

Sangeeta Bavisha Shamir Sanghrajka

Shirishkumar Babulal Mithani

Ex-officio Trustees Saroj Varia (Navnat Vanik Bhagini Samaj)

Natwarlal Mehta

(Navnat Vadil Mandal) Anup Mehta

(Navnat Bridge Club)

Divyesh Kamdar (Navnat Golf Club)

What he meant was that it's not easy to forgive someone for the wrong s/he has committed to you, the hurt s/he has caused to you It takes effort and determination to forgive someone for such an act

While we say forgiveness it is not merely saying to someone that I forgive you, but also removing all the ill-will and bitterness from the heart for that person

As such, this is very difficult At its core, forgiveness involves letting go of anger, resentment, and the desire for retribution This act of releasing negative emotions is not only beneficial for the person being forgiven but also crucial for the forgiver's emotional and psychological well-being

Just like love, anger or any other emotions, forgiveness has been discussed and studied in philosophies and literature examining its ethical and moral aspects One of the most influential philosophers on this topic is Hannah Arendt, who argued that forgiveness is essential for breaking the cycle of retribution and violence In her book "The Human Condition," Arendt writes, "Forgiveness is the key to action and freedom " Jean-Paul Sartre, the existentialist philosopher, considers forgiveness as an existential choice, a way of affirming one's freedom and taking responsibility for one's own emotions

Satre strongly believed that by forgiving, individuals assert their autonomy and refuse to be defined by past grievances There are discussions among thinkers as to how forgiveness involves a transition from anger to compassion Martha Nussbaum, in her book "Upheavals of Thought," writes, "To forgive is to release the grip of the past and to embrace a future unburdened by resentment "

In ancient philosophy, Buddhism offers a rich framework for understanding forgiveness, rooted in its core teachings on compassion, mindfulness, and the nature of suffering One of the central tenets of Buddhism is the concept of karuna (compassion) The Buddha taught that compassion is essential for alleviating suffering, both for oneself and others Forgiveness, in this context, is an expression of compassion, allowing us to release negative emotions and foster inner peace In the Dhammapada, there is a verse that encapsulates the essence of forgiveness: "Hatred does not cease by hatred, but only by love; this is the eternal rule " This teaching highlights the transformative power of forgiveness in breaking the cycle of anger and fostering a sense of interconnectedness and empathy This is what Gandhi also said, an eye for an eye will make the whole world blind In the contemporary time, Thich Nhat Hanh, a renowned Vietnamese Zen Buddhist monk, has written extensively on the practice of forgiveness In his book "The Heart of the Buddha's Teaching," he explains that forgiveness is not about ignoring or forgetting the harm done but about understanding the causes and conditions that led to the wrongdoing Thich Nhat Hanh writes, "When we understand the roots of anger in ourselves and in the other person, our anger can turn into compassion "

Forgiveness is a powerful and transformative practice By letting go of anger and embracing compassion, you can achieve personal peace and contribute to a more harmonious world Forgiveness has a number of psychological and emotional advantages Research shows that forgiving others can lead to reduced stress, lower blood pressure, and improved mental health Forgiveness allows individuals to release the burden of anger and bitterness, leading to greater emotional resilience and well-being In addition to personal benefits, forgiveness can also have positive social implications The Dalai Lama once said, "Forgiveness does not mean condoning what has been done Forgiving means not harboring feelings of anger and hatred " It finally results in a sense of utmost freedom for ourselves

(Expressed opinions are personal)

Rohit Vadhwana

Shardool Dave Vimalji Odedra

Yax Raval

Pooja Raval

To watch the video, scan QR

UK reaffirms 2030 Roadmap commitments at high-level dialogue with India in London

FCDO Permanent Under-Secretary Sir Philip Barton and Indian Foreign Secretary Shri Vinay Kwatra met in London for the annual UK-India Strategic Dialogue.

I n di a's Forei gn Se

ry Shri Vinay Kwatra made an official visit to the United Kingdom from May 16- 17, 2024, for the 16th round of For

Perm

U nde

Sec re tar y of the Foreign, Commonwealth & D ev el op men t Of f ic e (FCDO)

Sir Philip Barton, Permanent Under-Secretary at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and Shri Vinay Kwatra, Indian Foreign Secretary met in London on 17 May for the annual UKIndia Strategic Dialogue

They reviewed the progress made on the UKIndia 2030 Roadmap since the last dialogue in January 2023 and looked ahead to the next phase of bilateral cooperation

The two reflected on good progress on the 2030 Roadmap since the last review, noting key areas where the UK and India have worked together to tackle some of the world’s biggest challenges This included collaborating on the world’s first malaria vaccine, working closely on India’s successful G20 Presidency and increasing opportunities for students and entrepreneurs under the Migration and Mobility Partnership

Alongside celebrating the milestones since the last review, this year ’ s dialogue included the ongoing commitment to negotiate a mutually beneficial Free Trade Agreement (FTA), and enhance defence cooperation

During the visit, Kwatra also met Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, Minister for South Asia, and discussed

the FTA, migration and the Commonwealth Lord Ahmad said: “We are delighted to host Indian Foreign Secretary Kwatra in London to underline the UK’s commitment to deepening cooperation with India I look forward to our relationship going from strength to strength, working together on trade, defence, climate, and health ”

During his visit, he also held meetings with several key UK officials, including MOS Foreign Office Lord Tariq Ahmad, MOS for Defence Procurement James Cartlidge, NSA Sir Tim Barrow, UK Home Office Permanent Secretary Matthew Rycroft, Chief Trade Negotiator Crawford Falconer, and Senior Foreign Policy Advisor to the Prime Minister Professor John Bew UK Kwatra discussed key areas

of bilateral ties as well as the broader geopolitical security landscape with NSA Sir Tim Barrow Kwatra discussed ways to ease legal migration while curbing illegal flows with Rycroft They recognised the need to further enhance cooperation in tackling extremism and terrorism

Both sides discussed a wide range of bilateral relations and regional and global issues of mutual interest

The Foreign Secretary and Permanent Under-Secretary conducted a detailed review of the Roadmap 2030, highlighting significant progress across all pillars They expressed a strong interest in raising the level of ambition and agreed to further enhance bilateral cooperation in areas including trade and economic relations, defence and security, science and technology, people-to-people ties and mobility, energy and climate change, as well as health

India and the United Kingdom share a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which has been reinforced through regular high-level political exchanges and meetings of bilateral institutional mechanisms It was agreed that the next round of Foreign Office Consultations will be held in New Delhi in 2025

Dr Jasvant Modi donates more than $250,000 for SOAS Jain Studies

Dr Jasvant Modi, a promin en t phi la nthr opis t a nd a dvoca te f or J ai n c ulture, has announced a substantial c ommi t men t of ov er $ 2 50, 000 to suppor t the J A IN A Pros opogr aphy Pr oj ec t at the Sc hool of Oriental and African Studies (SO AS), U ni ver si ty of London This visionary project aims to explore and document the historical contributions of Jain scholars and figures

In a significant move to kickstart this academic venture, Dr Modi contributed

$50,000 in March 2024 His total pledge, to be distributed over the next five years,

marks a pivotal development in the advancement of Jain studies globally

"It is essential for us to recognise and preserve our rich heritage,” stated Dr

Modi “I am proud to support SOAS in this important endeavour, which will surely enlighten many and help keep the profound teachings of Jainism alive "

The JAINA Prosopography Project, set to launch in autumn 2024, will create a detailed biographical database that highlights the lives and works of Jain individuals This initiative not only promises to be a valuable academic resource but also aims to foster a deeper understanding of Jain philosophy and history within and beyond the Jain community

The King's Award for Enterprise 2024 - International Trade

Matrix Corp Pvt Limited has been named as the recipient of one of the UK’s most prestigious awards, the King’s Awards for Enterprise - often referred to as the 'knighthood for businesses'.

The Kings's Awards for Enterprise are the highest official UK awards for British businesses, where awardees are recommended by the Prime Minister.

The company has been awarded the King's Award for International Trade for Outstanding Growth.

CEO Ramnaresh Sonee will be attending the award ceremony, which will take place at Buckingham Palace and will be hosted by His Majesty The King.

Matrix Corp Pvt Limited is one of the fastestgrowing scrap metal recycling company in UK which exports across the globe.

The company has prospered greatly in very short time through investment in personnel and infrastructure to offer the best recycled metal and help meet the growing demand in the export markets.

The plant on the site of 4.5-acre at Corby in

Northamptonshire is designed to hit a 99% plus purity from an input stream that has up to 30% non-ferrous materials in it. The system is manufactured and designed in the UK. “The project has received international interest, particularly with the difficulty in achieving the quality standards set down by the Asian market requiring processors to reach ever higher standards and quality targets.” Offering a full process of the whole supply chain has been a key attribute to its growth with specialist staffing dedicated to every stage in the process.

Matrix Met Corp's philosophy of “Clear and Honest Communication“ and "Efficient service to our Suppliers and Clients" is the cornerstone of our success, has achieved remarkable year-onyear growth in overseas sales totalling over 4,985%. The business success did not come overnight however but is rather a culmination of years of hard work of Team Matrix. www.matrixmetcorp.co.uk

Ramnaresh Sonee

India s Foreign Secretary Shri Vinay Kwatra with Lord Tariq Ahmed and HC Vikram Doraiswami

India's Foreign Secretary Shri Vinay Kwatra with Philip Barton Permanent Under-Secretary, FCDO UK

Dr Jasvant Modi

Building prison cells

While most Western countries concentrate on building homes, hospitals and infrastructure to strengthen their economy, we are obliged to build prisons Our prisons are overflowing with criminals, with cells built for one or two inmates often housing four This overpopulation frequently turns minor offenders into hardened criminals

So what is wrong with ours, and even Western culture, that puts us on a downward trend when it comes to law and order? I distinctly remember how law-abiding people were when we came to this country in 1967

At the time hardly any house had telephones but public phone kiosks were practically situated on every corner, widely used by the public So often we may forget a phone book or even our wallet in the kiosk which for the most part would be returned to us if we had our home address there Can you imagine such a scenario in the present atmosphere where the finder is the keeper?

Home and parents are the first and most important step in any child’s life where basic childhood behaviour is installed in children, followed by play-school and then primary school where teachers play important role as parents and other family members

Unfortunately we live in a materialistic society where we struggle to keep up with our neighbours and well-off family members As a result, most family members are obliged to go out to work, leaving children with our elderly grandparents and baby-sitters, thus losing the first touch, first opportunity to install our values and discipline in the young, growing-up children Unfortunately this trend seems to be un-reversible, we have to live with and make the best use of family and friends’ support as long as available

Bhupendra M Gandhi

Raise a cuppa, raise money, raise hope Breast Cancer Now’s Afternoon Tea is back this August, and I can’t wait to dust off my whisk and stick the kettle on to raise vital funds for Breast Cancer Now Will you join me?

Every 10 minutes, someone in the UK hears the words “ you have breast cancer ” Sadly, I lost my dear mum Jane to breast cancer when she was just 56 Years later, when I found a lump while breastfeeding my daughter Liberty, I wasted no time getting it checked out Hearing I had the same disease as my mum was devastating, but the advances in treatment since my mum ’ s diagnosis meant I recovered and could be there for my little girl as she grew up

Only breast cancer wasn’t done with me yet, and in February 2023 I was diagnosed again in my other breast Luckily this tumour was caught early, so my treatment has been successful It’s been a tough journey, especially for Liberty who is older now and understands so much more - which is why we ’ ve decided to host an Afternoon Tea for Breast Cancer Now

Every day, Breast Cancer Now’s research brings us closer to finding new treatments and a future where everyone with breast cancer lives and is supported to live well That’s a world where Liberty and I can be together for many more years to come But they can’t do it without your support

By joining us, you can raise money that helps provide expert health information, fund cutting-edge research projects and give someone like me much-needed reassurance from specialist nurses on Breast Cancer Now’s free helpline, which can make all the difference

So, why not get your friends together and host an Afternoon Tea this August by signing up for your fundraising kit now at: breastcancernow org/afternoontea

Luc y Preston

Heat wave on the rise

I am writing this letter to express my deep concern about the extreme heat waves that have been plaguing the city of Mumbai and elsewhere in the country since the last two months

The scorching temperatures have had a devastating impact on the residents, posing serious health issues and affecting the overall well-being of the community

The frequency and intensity of these heat waves have been alarming, making it very difficult for the people to cope with the extreme conditions The lack of proper infrastructure and limited access to reliable electricity exacerbates the situation, leaving many vulnerable individuals without access to cooling systems or adequate shelter

The consequences of these heat waves are far-reaching Heat-related illnesses, such as heatstroke and dehydration, have become all too common The elderly, children, and those with pre-existing health conditions are particularly susceptible to the dangers posed by the extreme heat It is crucial that immediate measures be taken to protect the most vulnerable members of our community

In order to address the pressing issue of extreme heat waves in the country, urgent action from the governments of various states and relevant authorities are essential Prioritizing proactive measures are crucial, including improving urban planning to incorporate more green spaces and increasing shaded areas city wise

Moreover, investing in public awareness campaigns to educate residents on heat-waves safety measures and establishing accessible cooling centres during extreme heat events are vital steps to alleviate the impact on the community

Furthermore, addressing the underlying factors contributing to climate change and global warming is paramount Encouraging sustainable practices, such as promoting renewable energy sources and reducing carbon emissions, can help mitigate the long-term effects of extreme heat waves

Jubel D'Cruz

Soneri Sangat

Due to the recent immigration policy changes, there has been a lot of confusion among people working in the UK and those planning to migrate to the UK To help everyone understand better, last week on ‘Soneri Sangat’, we had an informative discussion about the recent amendments to the Visa and immigration rules in the UK with our Guest Speaker Kanti Nagda MBE

Mr Kanti Nagda MBE, CEO of Sangat Advice Centre provided insights and clarity on these important updates and how these changes may impact individuals, businesses and other organisation Detailed report of this event will be published in the next week's edition of Asian Voice

For those who missed it, catch up on this event and previous episodes by visiting our YouTube channel @abplgroup8772

Stay tuned for more exciting content coming your way!

K A P I L’ S K H I C H A D I Labour to Open the Flood Gate?

Labour MP, Sam Tarry (Ilford South)made an astonishing statement in the House of Commons when he said, "Today in Parliament I called for the creation of a Palestinian family visa scheme This should bring Palestinian refugees to safety in the UK through a new safe and legal route, and reunite families desperate for their loved ones to reach safety"

I am of course not surprised Keir Starmer has managed to keep a lid on the real intent of Labour and what they will do when they get into power However, there are some MPs in his party who feel emboldened to strike out ignoring the party line, thus exposing the underbelly of lies

Let’s just consider what Sam Tarry is saying Basically, to create a new category of visa for Palestinians so they can come to the UK in their tens of thousands without any restrictions Labourhas no verifiable method of conducting any screening to ensure no sympathiser of Hamas gets in In effect what Labour are willing to do is allowing tens of thousands of terrorists to enter this nation without away of protecting the people of this nation And it’s just not Sam Tarry, this week we saw some 50 peers and MPs also write and demand the same, and most of them are Labour of course

It begs the question, if Labour are willing to create such a category for Palestinians, does that mean they will create similar provision for say, the Uyghurs, Armenians, Sudanese, Nigerians, Rohingya, Ethiopians, Libyans andSyrians?Let that sink in

Labour has a history of appeasing to extremists We have often seen that some of these extremists getradicalised to becometerrorists Labourtends to object to measuresthat might stop illegal migrants Recently they opposed the Rwanda deal and have since stated that one of their priorities will be to repeal the Rwanda Act

The message from Labour is very clear, they will come to power not for Brits, but it seems to become the mouthpiece forextremists from around the world It’s a party of protest, not of governance

Fr Calvin Robinson,the former TalkTV/GB News presenter put it nicely when he described Sam Tarry as, ‘The Right Hon Member for Gaza’ I guess we can say that about many on Keir Starmer’s front bench

Whilst the rhetoric from Starmer is designed to fool the voters, the facts are he has appointed MPs to his front bench who tend to bat for Pakistani sponsored terrorists, Khalistani terrorists, Islamists, the miscreants parading as Extension Rebellion andthe hate marchers for Palestinian terrorism

When Prime Minister Sunak said recently that we stand on the crossroads of either moving this nation forward, or in destroying the very fabric by appeasing to the madness of woke politics – he is right You don’t have to like PM Sunak or have to be a Conservative to know that should Labour get into power we are on the precipice of our own self-destruction

Bhupen Dave becomes Leicester's new Lord Mayor

B h upe n D a ve , a life lo ng p oli tici a n a n d com mun ity leader, has been sworn in as Leicester's new Lord Mayor R epre senting Rushey Mea d w a rd , D a ve s ten ure wi ll

e x te n d u n ti l Ma y 20 25

Originally from Uganda, he a rrived in Le ice ste r during the 1970s a fte r Id i Amin 's e xpulsion of the Indian population With a background in social work and community care, Dave has long serve d L e ice s te r th ro ug h v a rio us

role s in local government

Dave began his political career in 1983, elected as

councillor for Highfields and later Belgrave wards in Leicester He held the position of deputy leader on the city council for an extensive period and also served as a

councillor for Oadby & Wigston Borough Council from 2012 to 2019

Re-elected to Leicester City Council in May 2023, Dave is known as a people person" with a long history of community and business projects in the city He cofounded and chaired ASRA Housing Association, providing specialised housing for vulnerable elderly people, and supported youth and accommodation initiatives for vulnerable women and children

He also played a key role

in establishing twinning links between Leicester and Rajkot, India, and served as a trustee and director for numerous charities and community organisations He expressed his honour in serving as Lord Mayor of Leicester

"Throughout my life, I've prioritised community harmony by ensuring fairness and equality for all I eagerly anticipate collaborating with individuals from diverse backgrounds to uphold Leicester as a model of strong community relations "

Already our universities and many of our institutions have become no-go zones for Jews (and increasingly for Hindus also) If the Jewish or the Hindu community want to do a peaceful protect, the police are the first to stop us But when it comes to these hate marchers disturbing the peace of ordinary citizens every week, the cops just turn a blind eye

There is now a newly created organisation calling itself the ‘Muslim Vote’that has put forward 18 demands to Keir Starmer in exchange for the Muslim vote These include, ‘adopt APPG definition of Islamophobia’, ‘ ensure sharia compliant pensions are available at every workplace’, ‘ oppose BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) bill’, ‘ a travel ban on all Israeli politicians that prosecuted the war ’ , ‘end military ties with Israel’, and ‘Muslims are allowed to pray at school’ You get the gist of where this is all going

The question I posed was, ‘ are Labour ready to open the flood gates, again’? There is only one conclusion, either intentionally or unwittingly, the answer is yes

The consequences of Labours’ policies, the demands of their MPs, the demands of their members and the demands of the woke fraternity will be so overwhelming that a Labour government will not only open the floodgates, but even more billions of taxpayers’ funds will be used to keep them in five-star hospitality

I have stated many times before, the tolerance and patience of the ordinary British citizen is now at a breaking point If Labour gets into power, don’t be too surprised if the new norm is anarchy on our streets When blood is spilt, it will be red Not white, black, Muslim, Christian, Hindu, Jew, or Sikh When we disenfranchise the majority in the name of diversity, let’s be clear, we sign up for our own destruction

Kapil Dudakia

Bhupen Dave

Naushabah Khan's vision for Gillingham and Rainham

Anusha Singh

Naushabah Khan, a Gillingham councillor since 2015, is stepping up as the Labour candidate in Gillingham and Rainham, a conservat ive stronghold for over a decade In an interview with Asian Voice, she discusses her priorities, engagement with constituents, advocacy for South Asian voices, and why she believes she is the best representative for the area

What are your key priorities and objectives for your constituency, and how do you engage with constituents to address their concerns and needs?

For me, this area is deeply personal because it's where I was born and raised Over the years, I've witnessed how the local community has been left behind. Gillingham and Rainham have many residents who are struggling financially, and the area urgently needs investment, change, and growth One of my top priorities is to attract investment into the town centre I'm working with various groups and stakeholders to regenerate our high streets, particularly in Gillingham, which has declined over the years I'm also keen to collaborate with local schools to inspire the next generation For instance, I want to set up a summer school Another priority is tackling the housing crisis in Medway I believe that having a home is a fundamental right, and with my background in housing, I'm determined to address this issue effectively About engaging with constituents, I'm actively involved in doorknocking, using social media, and writing to residents I aim to meet as many people as possible from different backgrounds and experiences and I typically visit residents' homes 4 to 6 times a week to speak with them directly

As you knock on doors, what are some key issues that the residents have addressed with you?

When I talk to people at their doors, I encounter a wide range of opinions Many are deeply frustrated with the state of the country and feel a sense of hopelessness They often express that, unlike in the past, hard work and doing the right thing no longer guarantee a better future for their children This loss of optimism is a major

concern People frequently mention immediate issues like the state of the NHS, the cost of living crisis, rising mortgage rates, and poor road conditions

However, the underlying issue is a pervasive lack of hope Immigration also comes up frequently in my constituency People often express frustration about small boats and tend to blame immigrants for their problems This sentiment is sometimes fuelled by political rhetoric that encourages scapegoating

Given the current narratives of islamophobia and antisemitism, minorities may not feel safe or supported As a woman of South Asian descent and part of a minority group, how do you plan to uplift their voices and ensure their concerns are addressed?

I'm a Muslim and from a Pakistani background and this cultural heritage is part of who I am and doesn't make me any less British For me, it's crucial to encourage and speak to as many people as possible, showing them that voices are standing up for them and addressing their concerns It's essential to counteract the negative rhetoric from right-wing parties about migrants and immigration If we don't speak out, no one will stand up for us If elected as an MP, I will proudly talk about these issues because we need people fighting our corner

Despite the negative rhetoric, this is a brilliant country that respects freedoms and is open and welcoming We must ensure this positive message isn't lost amid the current noise

Additionally, I am passionate about encouraging others from my background to enter politics That's how we shape the world and make impactful changes for different communities, ensuring fairness and representation By being brave and vocal about our heritage and issues affecting minority communities, we can inspire others to come

NHS Blood scandal inquiry report marks a dark day in the UK

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has expres sed deep regret ove r t he i n fe ct ed blood s ca nda l, lab el li ng i t a "decades-long moral failure" and a "day of shame for the British state "

forward and ensure our voices are heard

Howwill your leadership style differ from the current governance, particularly in an area that is another stronghold of the Conservatives?

Growing up, I did not have a lot of financial resources I wouldn't have achieved what I did without the support of a Labour government that recognised the importance of equal opportunities regardless of background Labour, to me, represents fundamental principles of equality, ensuring that nobody is left behind Unfortunately, the Conservative Party does not uphold these values, as evidenced by the declining standards of living in the UK over recent years This government has allowed the worst living conditions in recorded history to develop, and they fail to stand up for those who need it most It feels like they've given up While Labour may not be able to fix everything overnight, our principles and values drive us to fight for access to opportunities and to stand up for those without the same privileges That's what defines Labour for me, and I believe these values are what our country needs right now

Whatmessage do you have for the people in your constituency?

First and foremost, ensure that you exercise your right to vote It's crucial to ensure that your voice is heard in this country, and one of the most powerful ways to do so is through voting and determining the direction of our nation Amidst the noise surrounding political parties and their ideologies, it's ultimately up to you to decide where your political beliefs align and which party best represents your interests I want to emphasise that if elected, I will work tirelessly to represent our constituency effectively in Parliament and ensure that the voice of the South Asian community is not overlooked

His remarks came in response to the public inquiry's report on the scandal, which saw 30,000 people infected through contaminated blood treatments The inquiry revealed that authorities had covered up the scandal and exposed victims to unacceptable risks It accused doctors, the government, and the NHS of allowing patients to contract HIV and hepatitis To date, approximately 3,000 people have died, with more deaths expected

In addressing the House of Commons, Sunak extended a " wholehearted and unequivocal apology," acknowledging the "decades-long moral failure" at the heart of the British system He pledged to provide compensation to the victims, promising to pay whatever it costs, with further details to be announced

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer also apologised, calling the scandal one of the "gravest injustices" the country has ever seen and noting the "unspeakable"

suffering of the victims

The infected blood scandal is recognised as the most significant treatment disaster in NHS history The fiveyear inquiry scrutinised over 50 years of decision-making before, during, and after the contamination incidents from the 1970s onward It found that safety had not been prioritised, even though the risks of viral infections in blood products had been known since the NHS's inception in 1948

Sir Brian Langstaff criticised a "litany of failures" by successive governments and ongoing sluggish delays in providing compensation for a "calamity" that "could and should" have been avoided

Speaking after the publication of his report, Langstaff noted that the disaster is still unfolding, with victims dying each week from HIV or hepatitis His 2,527-page report highlights

a culture of defensiveness, delay, and cover-up at the heart of the British state, a theme echoed in other modern scandals, including Hillsborough, the Post Office, and NHS maternity care catastrophes

The human toll of this tragedy is illustrated by the story of Suresh Vaghela, who, as a student at the University of Birmingham, learned he was HIV positive and had only two months to live This diagnosis came after he and his brother Praful, both haemophiliacs, received contaminated blood treatments Praful died of AIDS in 1995 at age 33 Suresh, also diagnosed with hepatitis C and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease from the treatments, survived and attended the inquiry's publication He described the intense stigma and isolation he faced, particularly within his closeknit Asian community, where the illness was often seen as a result of bad karma

In a particularly poignant moment, Suresh recounted attending 70 funerals in one year and the medical advice his wife received to abort their baby, reflecting the profound and far-reaching impacts of this tragedy on victims' lives

Naushabah Khan

Suresh Vaghela

I S E D U C A T I O N A P R I V I L E G E O R R I G H T ?

While one can argue, that sending children to a private school in itself is a privilege few can afford, Asian parents argue for it, emphasising on the extra benefits and personal attention their children receive at such schools, for wholesome personality development Moreover, top-notch education for their children has essentially been a key priority for the community

A petition titled 'Stop Labour from adding 20% VAT to private school fees and forcing kids to change schools' has been initiated by a working family on Change org Signed by 117,000 parents so far, the campaign seeks to halt Labour's pledge to end the taxexempt status of private education, which would result in a 20% VAT being added to private school fees

This policy change could potentially force thousands of students, like the petitioner's son, to leave the schools they currently attend and love

Labour's proposal has sparked significant concern among many families who have made substantial sacrifices to afford private schooling The petition argues that private schools are not merely "playgrounds of the wealthy" but serve a diverse range of students, including those with special education needs, students of particular faiths, and children from military families The petition calls on supporters to urge Labour to reconsider their proposal and recognise the value of private schools It advocates for an education policy that benefits all children and asks Labour to create a more inclusive and supportive educational framework

The proposed VAT hike is feared to price out many families, compelling them to move their children to already crowded state schools This influx of students would place additional strain on state schools and local authorities, which would need to find the necessary funds, space, and resources to accommodate them Parents who currently pay school fees in addition to taxes for state education may now contribute to the public education burden, rather than alleviating it by opting for independent schools

Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves indicated that there would be no return of the 45p tax rate or a cap on bankers’ bonuses, but significant taxes await working families who manage to send a child to private school, despite Sir Keir Starmer’s assurance of not increasing the burden on working people VAT on private school fees: a risky move, says 'Education Not Tax'

Critiquing Labour's proposal to add 20% VAT to private school fees, the website ‘Education Not Tax’ describes Labour’s plan as one that could significantly impact families and the education sector

Loveena Tandon, with two children in private school in Year 11 and Year 9, shares the immense strain a proposed policy has placed on her family Sharing her ordeal with Asian Voice, Tandon said she’s unable to buy a house in an area with good schools, she chose private education despite the significant financial burden This policy has caused her sleepless nights, as it threatens to price her, and many others, out of private education entirely Loveena describes

how she has made substantial sacrifices: she doesn't buy expensive presents for her children or take them out often If a computer is needed, it serves as both the Christmas and birthday present for that year She also avoids spending on coffee, lunches, or dinners outside to make ends meet Lovee na Tan don,

Spoke spe rs on - E duc at ion not Tax ati on tol d As ia n Voic e,

“Labour's plans to add VAT to independent school fees will force many families to take their children out of the school they know and love Parents across the country are up at night, worried about their children s futures Over 117,000 parents have signed a petition calling on Labour to change this policy Children are trying to make sense of what's happening, and asking why they have to leave their school Local authorities like Cambridgeshire County Council are already feeling pressure as parents explore their options to move children into state schools We all want great schools, but we can't get there by pitting schools against each other Nor should parents be vilified for sending their children to an independent school rather than, for example, moving closer to a popular state school and taking the place of another child We can do better than this Hopefully, we will ”

Can’t penalise the parents

This website also features stories of families who sent one or more children to independent schools, and why they made that choice

Some South Asian origin parents who are a part of this petition have shared their grievances on the petition Sumit Kumar wrote, ”We are hardworking professionals and we cut down on our personal expenses and holidays to get our son private school education because the public schools in our area are the 2 worst schools (not one of the worst) in Cambridgeshire If this charge is levied on private schools it would further impact us So unless the government can drastically change the condition of these public secondary schools in St Neots, it is just unfair to parents like us If the schools in a catchment are rated at the bottom 2 of the county, you can’t penalise the parents further ”

Another petitioner Batool Jafri wrote, “Not everyone who sends their children to private schools are “rich” I currently have 3 children in private education and as a family, we have had to make huge sacrifices to do this We live in a rented terrace house, we don’t own a big fancy house as is the misconception Both of us drive very old cars but we ’ re happy that these sac-

rifices mean our children will have had a better opportunity of improving themselves We didn’t make this decision lightly but we were forced to when my eldest was only given a place in a failing school So how about you pledge more money to the state schools and improve them so parents like myself are not forced to make drastic lifestyle changes to educate their children ”

No holiday in the last five years

Vikkas Puri, a local restaurat eur wi th one chi l d in p ri vat e school told the newsweekly, “The current economic climate makes it very challenging for businesses to survive We struggled significantly during Covid, and just as we were beginning to recover, the cost of living crisis and inflation hit Managing salaries and school fees has become extremely difficult We often cut back on personal expenses, including going out or taking holidays In fact, we haven't been on holiday in the last five years We are far from privileged Education is a priority for our family, as everyone comes from an educational background The Labour policy will severely impact us ” Class ceilings

B en G i ll f rom B ea con Car e Services (a nursing agency service) told us, “We are small business owners, based in west London Our forefathers were economic migrants from the subcontinent, who set down roots in areas such as Southall and Hounslow which continue to be known for lower property prices but high levels of poverty We now chose to live here due to family and links to community but decided to invest in sending our children to private schools, within the more affluent parts of the borough, to give them the best possible start in life We are fortunate to be nearing the end of our private school journey However, I say this with all sincerity: we would not have been able to sustain this journey if there was an additional 20% on top of our school fees each term Social mobility is a cornerstone of the Labour Party policy; to breaks down the barriers of opportunity for every child at every stage, and shatters the class ceiling My wife and I attended state schools Having sent our children to private schools, we understand how much more they have to offer in terms of an enriched curriculum and as platforms for social mobility Surely making private schools more difficult to access only strengthens the class ceiling?”

Rishi Sunak had previously accused Keir Starmer of stoking a “class war ” by maintaining his vow to add VAT on to private school fees if Labour wins the next election, a move that Sunak said would

grappling with rising school fees

According to the ISC's annual survey, average term fees have surged to over £6,000, with boarding school fees reaching a record £42,459

Sir Keir Starmer s proposal aims to redirect VAT proceeds, estimated at £1 7 billion, to bolster public education However, headteachers caution that this policy could further diminish accessibility to private education, concentrating privilege among the affluent

“punish” affected parents

The prime minister said Labour’s approach “illustrates that they don’t understand the aspiration of families like my parents who were working really hard” Sunak also mentioned that his parents “wanted to do something for their kids that they thought would make a difference to them Labour’s approach to that is to clamp down on it ”

He added: “They don’t understand the aspiration that people have to provide a better life for their kids They want to punish them for that as part of some class war I don’t think that is right ” Oxfordshire County Council are also seeing increased demand for in-year transfers "Currently, there are very few or no places available in secondary schools in Oxford, primary schools across Didcot, primary schools in Wantage and the surrounding villages in Year 4 and Year 6, primary schools in Witney Year 6,” said the Council website Labour's proposed VAT imposition on private schools might have already incurred approximately £22 million in costs to taxpayers, as indicated by recent figures released by the Independent Schools Council (ISC) The ISC disclosed that nearly 3,000 fewer pupils enrolled in private schools this academic year compared to the previous one

This significant drop suggests that parents are reconsidering private education due to looming VAT implications Labour's plan to revoke tax breaks for independent schools, which would subject them to a 20% VAT, might intensify financial strain on families already

The ISC predicts that imposing VAT could prompt an "acute shock to the system," exacerbating financial hurdles for less affluent families already struggling to afford private education

Government sources suggest that accommodating these students in state schools could cost taxpayers an additional £22 million annually, equivalent to hiring 400 teachers

Despite these concerns, a spokesman for Labour was quoted by The Telegraph, “Labour will invest in delivering a brilliant state education for all our children, funded by ending tax breaks for private schools Independent schools have raised fees above inflation for well over a decade and do not have to pass Labour’s proposed change onto parents Indeed, pupil numbers have not been affected despite yet another rise in fees ”

Amidst political debates, the children affected by Labour's proposed VAT on private schools should remain the priority, independent of the political regime that will come to power this year in Britain The potential exodus from private to state schools due to financial strains warrants concern for their well-being and the burden it places on public resources Whether it is 14 years of Conservative rule, or Labour’s potential victory to Downing Street this year, the emotional upheaval for children forced to leave familiar schools adds another layer of complexity and should not become the butt of political turmoil Policymakers on either side of the coin must prioritise children's interests, fostering inclusive education without exacerbating inequalities for a better future for young Britain

Peer may face ban from Lords bars after bullying

A peer is set to be suspended from House of Lords bars for 12 months after being found guilty of bull yin g an d haras s ing two people while intoxicated Lord Kulveer Ranger has resigned as the government whip following a recommendation by the House of Lords conduct committee, that he also be suspended from the House for three weeks According to the committee’s report, Lord Ranger, a former adviser to Boris Johnson who was honoured in the former prime minister’s resignation honours list last year, “acted aggressively, shouting and swearing,” and called a group of people “fucking useless” in Parliament’s Strangers’ Bar in January

The report stated that Ranger was “visibly drunk” and made “various inappropriate comments” before “invading their personal space ” Ranger apologised to the two complainants, admitting that he did not recall the incident but was “deeply mortified at the descriptions of my behaviour ” A witness reported seeing the two complainants “trying to calm Lord Ranger down throughout, but he was intoxicated and only getting more aggressive ” BBC has reported that the suspension will only be enforced if the House of Lords approves the recommendations via a vote, which is anticipated to occur in early June

Loveena Tandon

Lord Kulveer Ranger

Community joins No 10 reception to mark centenary celebration of UK-Nepal Treaty of Friendship

Though in 1950, after Britain withdrew from South Asia in 1947, it was replaced by two separate treaties of peace and friendship, one with independent India and the other with the UK, this treaty also indirectly admitted Nepal to the League of Nations and helped it obtain membership of the United Nations in 1955 Nepal was the first South Asian country to establish an embassy in London

This reception was the first of its kind hosted for the UK’s Nepalese community at No 10

many events to mark the centenary over recent months I’m delighted that we are hosting the culmination of these celebrations here this evening There is so much that brings us together From His Majesty King Charles trekking in foothills the Himalayas as a young Prince to our academic alliances, to the huge contribution that the Nepali diaspora makes here in the UK, even getting to the finals of Masterchef! Like so many, I’ve been inspired by the achievements of Nims Purja and the incredible Hari Budha Magar, the first dou-

The room buzzed with excitement as around 150 plus attendees from the community joined, rejoicing the occasion and meeting with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Anne-Marie Trevelyan, Minister of State for Indo-Pacific The Nepalese Ambassador His Excellency Gyan Chandra Acharya with wife Sunita were in attendance along with famous actress Manisha Koirala, Olympic swimmer Gaurika Singh, and doubleamputee and record breaking mountaineer Hari Budha Magar

Also in attendance were community leader and advocate of UKNepal relationship Prashant Kunwar, ex-British Army officer Tol Khamcha as well as Cllr Lachhya Gurung, Rabindra Jung Lamichhane FRSA, Bikram Bhattarai, Laxmi Rai Thap, Jagan Karki, Monty’s founder Mahanta Shrestha OBE among others

Prime Minister Sunak who was due to travel abroad, interacted with the community, looked at the original Britain-Nepal treaty and was absolutely delighted to receive a Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) ICC T-20 World Cup jersey as a gift

Speaking at the reception, PM Sunak said, " With more than two hundred years of diplomatic relations, the Treaty confirmed the UK’s proud status as Nepal’s oldest friend There have been

since 1923 So let’s keep building all aspects of this remarkable friendship And here’s to another one hundred years!”

Ambassador Acharya shared his thoughts paying tribute to the UK-Nepal relationship Minister Trevelyan during her speech highlighted UK’s commitment to help Nepal in a wide range of issues including climate change

The food at the reception was catered by Everest Inn Blackheath and was served in traditional Nepalese tapari (ecofriendly plates and bowls) Dishes included Nepalese delicacies such

ble amputee to summit Everest ” He further added, “Our governments are working together more closely than ever We’re partners in fighting climate change and supporting development This year we ’ ve announced £400 million to help Nepal capitalise on its strengths And we ’ re growing our business links as well ”

Speaking about the role of UK at the Nepal Investment Summit and paying tribute to the Gurkhas, the Prime Minister said, "I was proud the UK played a leading role at the Nepal Investment Summit last month, strengthening the bridge we ’ ve built between Nepal and global capital markets And of course I want to pay tribute to surely the greatest symbol of our friendship, proof that this bond is truly unique and that is the Gurkhas I had the pleasure of addressing a Gurkha passing out parade at Catterick in my constituency, back in 2021 and paying tribute to their courage, loyalty, and sacrifice, a reputation earned from the beaches of Gallipoli, to the mountains of Afghanistan Their service is a reminder of the deep ties between our two nations and a promise that those ties will continue to endure "

He concluded by saying, "We have come a long way together

100 years of UK-Nepal Friendship

Anne-Marie Trevelyan, Minister of State for the Indo-Pacific

When we signed the UK-Nepal Treaty of Friendship 100 years a go, our t wo coun tri es mi ght have seemed a world away from each other Today, tens of thous an ds of B ri ti s h p eople vi si t Nepal to experience its beauty and meet its people - strengthening the ties between our countries I am proud to be one of them

Over the last century we have seen the UK-Nepal partnership flourish in the pursuit of our shared objectives: from tackling climate change to supporting economic growth and development We are proud of what we have achieved together

The Gurkhas have been great ambassadors for our relationship The British people recognise the outstanding contribution they have, and continue to make, to the British Army

As we mark one hundred years of our Friendship Treaty, we look ahead together to the next great hundred years

Nepal’s move to be a middleincome country, reflects its strong economic growth Further strengthening our trade and investment partnership is a top priority

To realise UK and Nepal’s shared ambitions, we must work together on climate change Nepal is extremely vulnerable to climate change; and protecting its iconic Himalayan mountains is vital to the world

Climate partnerships like ours provide hope The UK and Nepal are charting a path towards a green and resilient future The UK’s innovative new Development Portfolio, launched by Minister Mitchell during his visit in February, will support Nepal to access climate finance, tackle climate change and deliver sustainable economic transition

Our Treaty of Friendship says Nepal and Britain will forever maintain peace and friendship We remain as committed to those principles today as we were 100 years ago I look forward to our friendship moving into the future filled with opportunity and potential

Priya Guha MBE joins as

the new

Chair of FICCI-UK Council

as Sinki Bahamas Sadhako, Aloo Tama Sewai, Nepali momos, Palpali Aloo Chukuni and Nepali Sharbat

Speaking to Asian Voice attendee Prashant Kunwar said, "The event was fantastic, with Nepalese food, almost 150 plus guests were invited from different walks of life Great to see PM recognising the sacrifice and bravery of the Gurkhas, and the Nepalese community in the UK who are making excellent contributions towards UK's economy ”

Tol Khamcha told the newsweekly, “I had a rare privilege of attending this historic event Prime Minister Rishi Sunak welcomed everyone to his official residence and highlighted the role of Gurkha soldiers in UKNepal bilateral relationship among other tributes The PM had to leave early to catch a flight, so he handed over the stage to Anne-Marie Trevelyan, Minister of State for the Indo-Pacific She spoke on plethora of issues and highlighted UK’s commitment to help Nepal in wide range of areasone of the emerging important issues being the climate change Nepal has already been subject to its adverse impacts and was an important ally at COP26 They should be applauded for their ambitions of achieving net-zero by 2045 ”

Priya Guha MBE, former dipl oma t, a m ember of the U K Re se arc h a nd Innovation (UKRI) Board and Venture Partn er at Merian Ventures, investing in women-led innovation has taken over as the Chair of the FICCI UK Counc i l f rom Ba rone ss Usha Prashar, at a handover ceremony hosted in India House on Monday 20 May

The event was also organised to felicitate Baroness Prashar, for her commitment to promote UK-India trade and cultural ties

potential”

Priya, who had recently taken part in Asian Voice’s ‘Women in Conversation’ in association with RAF as a panellist, said, “I take this (role) on thinking about the role of research and innovation in the creative industries, the trade partnership and the opportunities that will be leveraged when we're able to have the FTA in place, which we all hope is not far away on the horizon The reality is that these things only do happen because we are able to work in partnership with so many people, as we transition into this new phase of the India-UK Industry Advisory Group

“The role of business is to make a concrete contribution to economic growth on both sides and clearly, we have that in the India-UK relationship But actually, the role of business is so much more – it is to open our eyes to other things, to build cultural ties, to strengthen relationships, to deepen a very strong bond and take that to the new stage of its

Paying tribute to Mahatma Gandhi, Baroness Prashar said, "I took this role (Chair) because FICCI was established on the advice of Gandhiji, on the ethics and purpose of business And the second reason for me was that the UK-India relations are changing and changing quite fast I felt there was a tension for developing a better understanding and deepening the strategic relationship - to build better cooperation in areas such as education, research, innovation, enterprise, green finance, sustainable funding, financial inclusion and all of that Looking back in the last 4 years, we have managed to establish a very dynamic and energetic council and establishing it was a masterstroke ” The Indian High Commissioner to the UK, His Excellency Vikram Doraiswami said, "If we have been successful in the last several months in getting things inch forward in the dial that is the bilateral relationship, a fair bit of the credit, which has never been asked and never been given, I think goes to Baroness Prashar ”

Front: Minister of State for Indo-Pacific Anne-Marie Trevelyan, PM Rishi Sunak His Excellency Gyan Chandra Acharya Ambassador of Nepal to the UK with wife Sunita and Prashant Kunwar

Back: PM’s Political Advisor Ameet Jogia MBE, Rabindra Jung Lamichhane and Hari Budha Magar

PM Sunak holding his gift- the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) ICC T-20 World Cup jersey with Prashant Kunwar (left) and actress Manisha Koirala

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak addressing the guests

Rabindra Jung Lamichhane Tol Khamcha Bikram Bhattarai Laxmi Rai Thap Jagan Karki and other guests outside No 10

Baroness Usha Prashar and Priya Guha MBE

Mathushaa Sagthidas: Shaping South Asian identity through photography

Subhasini Naicker

Mathushaa Sagthidas, a fashion photographer, explores her Tamil Eelam ethnicity and British nationality through her work, delving into themes of identity, authenticity, and representation.

Influenced by her parents' experiences during the Sri Lankan civil war, Mathushaa's upbringing led her to deeply engage

Asian community As a photography graduate, I struggled to find genuine references in various media forms Thus, I strive to create projects that educate others, especially those outside the community, about our culture through authentic perspectives and lived experiences

Given your unique perspective as an artist with dyslexia and dyspraxia, how do you navigate these your ocess and ay work? n artist yslexia and xia, I've oped ue hniques to vigate ese hallenges n my eative ocess and aily work

exhibition "Not Just Brown, Not Just Indian," Mathushaa Sagthidas challenges stereotypes and celebrates diverse traditions and histories through striking photographs and powerful storytelling Recently, she was recognised in Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe 2024 in art and culture

In an interview with Asian Voice, Mathushaa spoke about the South Asian elements in her photography, recognition in Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe 2024 and more

How do you approach the portrayal of South Asian elements in your photography, and what messages or stories do you aim to convey to your audience?

I approach the portrayal of identity, tradition, history and cultural elements in my photography through understand lived experiences and authentic perspectives, that is something that is super important to me as I feel like this is how I've been able to learn about my own culture through my parents and it just felt right when I was trying to understand and delve into other South Asian cultures, that I understand the experiences and childhoods of other fellow South Asians

With my focus on representation, honesty, and education, my work aims to convey authentic perspectives of the South

showcase the Eelam Tamil experience to diverse communities, especially given the significant Tamil population in the UK In the past year I've been seeing more and more events, exhibitions and musical performances centring around the Tamil community by the Tamil community - it feels amazing to be able to finally have a space that recognises your identity

How does this recognition of "30 under 30 Europe 2024" list resonate with you, especially in terms of representing your unique perspective as a South Asian artist?

Stunning Victorian Manor at Chelsea Flower Show

Hartley Botanic, England’s most historic and respected Glasshouse and Greenhouse ma nuf ac ture r, wi l l b e proudly showcasing four of i ts b ea ut i ful han dma de s truc tur es (two i n b ran d ne w c olours ) a t the RH S Chelsea Flower Show this year, and is launching an ex c it in g n ew ran ge of Hartley Botanic aluminium water butts in two different sizes

The stand has a design and planting scheme inspired by the English gar-

dens of the Victorian period, a nod to the longevity of Hartley Botanic’s

Greenhouses, and a celebration of the era ’ s opulence and elegance

Migration Museum exhibition wins prestigious award

Discovering my onditions uring my cond year university was relatively late, as most individuals identify them during primary school Despite this, I've adapted to new learning techniques, albeit with greater difficulty as an adult However it doesn't mean that it's impossible, it just might be a bit more tricky to adjust in a certain way but I made a lot of changes for my final year of uni which was really helpful as I had a more scheduled approach to university and gave myself a lot of time to write my dissertation for example or just even creating a schedule for the week and that's something that continue doing and helps me manage my time and work However one thing I have realised is that it's very unique for everybody and how each person handles it to find their own techniques

How do you see your role in shaping perceptions and narratives surrounding South Asian identity and culture, both within your community and in the broader artistic landscape?

As a photographer, I shape perceptions and narratives surrounding South Asian identity, particularly within the Tamil community My work focuses on Tamil history and personal experiences with the Sri Lankan Civil War, contributing to the South Asian art scene and offering a fresh perspective on contemporary arts It s crucial to acknowledge and

Getting the notification and email saying that I'm on the list for this year, something that's only happened just over a month ago is still quite a unbelievable and indescribable feeling and I m super grateful for the support that I've received and to reached this position where I've been recognised for the work that I've been creating and the projects that I've been a part of Let's just say I'm still in shock However in terms of my perspective as a South Asian artist, I hope other creatives to some extent see it as aspiring and see as "if she can make it so can I" but also since being on the less it's been amazing to be able to also find some other South Asia creatives, even some Tamil creators and entrepreneurs that have also featured on the list in previous years and it really means the world to be able to see more people within our community being recognised for the contributions that they are making

Whatare your aspirations or goals for your photography career, and how do you envision your work evolving in the future?

Moving forward, my photography career aspirations include maintaining my current trajectory while effectively balancing passion projects with commercial clients It's essential to find a harmonious balance between pursuing projects aligned with my values and ensuring financial sustainability for my business I anticipate my work evolving positively in the future, especially considering I entered the industry during the challenging times of Covid I m proud of what I've achieved and the collaborations I ve formed, and I'm excited to see what the future holds

The Migration Museum's exhibition " Heart of the Nation: Migration and the Making of the NHS" has been honoured with the ti tle o f T empor ary or Touring Exhibition of the Year at the 2024 Museums + Heritage Awards

cases numerous personal narratives shared by past and present NHS workers, alongside a collection of photography, film, oral histories, keepsakes, newly commissioned artworks, and a music and film installation collaboratively

coinciding with the NHS's 75th anniversary "Heart of the Nation" was selected as a finalist from a distinguished lineup that included "Titanosaur: Life as the Biggest Dinosaur" at the Natural History Museum,

"Heart of the Nation" is a national touring exhibition that illuminates the stories and experiences of individuals who have immigrated to Britain to contribute to, shape, and uphold the NHS since its establishment in 1948

The exhibition show-

created by artists Kaia Laurielle and Emmanuel Sugo, along with seven first- and second-generation migrant NHS workers Originally conceived as a digital exhibition during lockdown, "Heart of the Nation" premiered in Leicester in June 2023,

"Black Atlantic: Power, People, Resistance" at the Fitzwilliam Museum, "Irish in Britain's Look Back to Look Forward: 50 Years of the Irish in Britain," and "Beyond the Page: South Asian Miniature Painting and Britain" at MK Gallery

Women empowering Gujarati drama "Dayaben.com"

"Dayaben com," a Guj arati pl ay org ani s ed b y Gal ax y Show, is captivating audiences in cities and towns ac ros s the UK, i nc l ud i ng Lon don L as t Thurs da y, Dayaben, with a raspy voice and a Kathiyawadi accent, visited ABPL’s office

Dayaben the character played by renowned Gujarati Actress Pratima T is a popular name on Gujarati Stage has keept the audience in stitches with her hilarious dialogues She has also known as the "Lady Amitabh "

With women empowerment as its central theme, "Dayaben com" has already completed 38 shows in the USA Currently touring the UK, the play has had 16 performances in the past 24 days, with more shows being added due to high public demand

The script of "Dayaben com" was penned

Mathushaa Sangthidas

by Imtiaz Patel, who has written 102 dramas The play also features co-stars Jitu Kotak, Yunus Patel, Munirkhan Pathan, Hitesh Parekh, Pratik Jadav, and Yohana Vachhani Pratima T has been honoured five times by the British MP’s, receiving her most recent award on May 7, 2024 Additionally, she was awarded the prestigious Dada Saheb Phalke Award in April

L-R Munirkhan Pathan, Kokila Patel, C B Patel, Pratima T, Jitu Kotak, Pooja Raval and Mahesh Liloriya at ABPL Group's office

On May 7, 2024, Pratima T was honored by the British MP’s in the UK's House of Parliament

How a pharmacist navigated Ovarian Cancer

Shefali Saxena

Despite working as a pharma ci s t a nd wel lb ei ng

c oac h, Sami xa f rom Middlesex, Edgware wasn’t aware of the early warning s i gns of ovar i an ca nc er when she received a stage 4 diagnosis at 49-years-old

For Samixa, the physical and mental impacts of receiving a diagnosis have had a major effect on her daily life, particularly given she’s the primary caregiver

f o r h e r h u s b a n d , w h o s e progressive eye condition

h a s l e f t h i m r e g i s t e r e d blind with restricted visual acuity

Following her diagnosis, Samixa decided to pri-

o r i t i s e s p e n d i n g t i m e a t home, giving her body a m u c h - n e e d e d r e s t A devoted wife, mother, and proud grandmother, she’s drawn on her family for support as she’s learned to navigate her ‘ new normal’ living with advanced ovarian cancer

T o d a y , S a m i x a i s focused on self-care to support her mental well-being;

s h e ’ s a d o p t e d a h e a l t h y diet, has set boundaries to avoid overexerting herself, and is prioritising hobbies like reading and spending

t i m e w i t h l o v e d o n e s

Samixa also dedicates her-

s e l f t o v o l u n t e e r i n g f o r cancer charities, including s e r v i n g a s a t r u s t e e f o r Ovacome, a leading ovarian cancer charity in the UK

Her determination to make a difference following her diagnosis has only fueled her commitment to

r a i s i n g a w a r e n e s s a n d spreading hope about liv-

i n g w i t h o v a r i a n c a n c e r , embracing each moment as an opportunity to advocate

f o r t h o s e a f f e c t e d W i t h the time she has left, she’s promised to not let her disease hold her back and is optimistic for the future She spoke to Asian Voice about it:

1

Samixa, can you share what early warning signs of ovarian cancer you wish you had known before your diagnosis?

I did find the signs of o v a r i a n c a n c e r o n t h e internet and came across the BEAT signs and symptoms but I did not realise that they were produced by Ovacome I wish I had contacted Ovacome before I started treatment for ovarian cancer The BEAT signs and symptoms are:

B is for bloating that doesn’t come and go

E is for eating difficulty

a n d f e e l i n g f u l l m o r e quickly

A is for abdominal and pelvic pain you feel most days

T is for toilet changes

i n u r i

habits

2

How has your diagnosis impacted your role as a primary caregiver for your husband, and how have you managed these challenges?

My diagnosis resulted i n m e f e e l i n g v e r y c o ncerned about how my husband would manage if I was not able to support him In the initial years, I had felt that I had to try and put everything in place t o s u p p o r t h i m T h i n g s have now changed as it is 12 years since I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer

I am now living with and b e y o n d c a n c e r a n d h a v e started asking for support where I can I am also getting my husband to think more about how he can access support from other sources I have realised that I need to make my self-care a priority so that I can support my well-being as well as my husband’s wellbeing

3

What steps have you taken to prioritize your physical and mental wellbeing since your diagnosis, and how have these changes affected your daily life?

I have made sure I find t i m e t o m e e t u p w i t h f r i e n d s , a t t e n d s u p p o r t groups or meet with people who have had a diagnosis of cancer, attend exercise classes and attend a regular c r e a t i v e w r i t i n g c l a s s Ovacome provides several regular online and face-tof a c e s u p p o r t s e s s i o n s which I attend when I can

O v a c o m e s u p

t l i n e whenever I feel I need to talk about something that is bothering me or I need some information In addition, I have also had sessions with a clinical psychologist and counsellor to support my mental health It is very important to ask for help and access support rather than try to manage everything on one ’ s own

4

How has your family supported you in adapting to your 'new normal' living with advanced ovarian cancer?

I have been very fortunate that my family have listened to me when I have explained to them why I m a y n o t b e a b l e

British Asian Trust appoints first Bangladesh Director

The British Asian Trust has appointed Eshrat Waris as its first Bangladesh Director Founded in 2007 by His

alongside prominent British Asian business leaders, the Trust has supported over 12 million people across South Asia and is now focused on

Bangladesh

Eshrat Waris brings over a decade of experience in the climate tech and development sectors, having sig-

tinue doing certain things

They have also been very good in allowing me to pursue any activities that I have put into place for my physical and mental wellbeing The most important thing that my family h a v e g i v e n m e i s t h e opportunity to look after my own health needs and have allowed me to advocate for myself They have let me make my own treatm e n t c h o

my decision

5

Can you tell us about your involvement with cancer charities like Ovacome, and how volunteering has influenced your journey?

My first contact with O v a c o m e w a s i n 2 0 1 2 when I called the support

l i n e f o r a d v i c e o n s i d e effects due to chemotherapy I was very happy to

I became a member of the c

Ovacome is free and has a

s Ovacome is a member-led charity which means it listens to what the members say and will try and meet members' needs as best as it can I started volunteering with Ovacome in 2014 w

Teaching Students project was launched I have cont i n u e d t

various other projects In 2022, I became a trustee of O

i s i n g awareness of ovarian canc e r a n d m

s u r e t h a t everyone can get support from Ovacome regardless of culture, language or any other health inequalities I believe everyone is enti-

possible

6. What message or advice would you like to share with others who are either living with ovarian cancer or seeking to raise awareness about the disease?

I would advise anyone who is concerned about ovarian cancer or wants to r a i s e a w a r e n e s s s h o u l d look at the Ovacome website and make contact with them

community-based programs

Eshrat Waris

Bradford College Vice Principal named

Muslim Woman of the Year

Inayat Khan Muslim Woman of the Year' category

place at the Muslim Heritage Centre in Manchester Now in their 11th year, the British Muslim Awards is one of the most prestigious events in the British Muslim community, recognising and celeb

and contributions of British M u s l i m s

Alina won the award against n

a fiercely competitive category

Alina said, “I was so surprised to hear I’d been shortl i s t e d , b u t e v e n m o r e s o when I won! When I looked at the other finalists in the

category, they were hugely successful influencers I feel e x t r e m

accolade given the award is

inspire and fight for justice and feel especially honoured about the category ” Alina’s award is named after Noor Inayat Khan, a wartime British secret agent of Indian descent

A t r a i l b

h e r s e l f , Alina is the first person in the further education sector to ever hold the position of Vice Principal for Equality, Diversity, Inclusion (EDI) & Student Experience

Alina Khan

Eshrat Waris

On

Be The Change: Embracing Diversity and Inclusion

Monday, 13 May, Asi an

Voi ce i n associa ti on with the Royal Ai r F orce hosted the 3 rd edi tion of Be The Change panel di scussi on on Diversi ty & Incl usi on.

Welcoming the audience Rupanjana Dutta

Managing Editor of Asian Voice stressed the importance of embracing diversity and inclusion and mentioned the trailblazing contribution of CB Patel, Chairman and Editor-inChief of Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar towards the cause

The event was hosted by Seema Malhotra, Labour and Cooperative Member of Parliament for Feltham and Heston and Shadow Minister for Skills and Further Education

Seema acknowledged the work that Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar have been doing for over 52 years towards reshaping the narrative around diversity and inclusion She highlighted the importance of representation across society, including the economy, government, public life, and armed forces which she said was required for making wellinformed decisions and for the prosperity of society

Representing the RAF, Group Captain Taylor highlighted the need to not only voice commitment to diversity and inclusion but to take appropriate action to support them

He further said, “Diversity brings national security, operational ability, and the strength of our nation to the forefront We draw from the incredible talent that exists across the whole force, whether it’s regular reserve, civil service, or even our contractors We are one force and one team, dedicated to the security of our nation ” Hi ghlights from the panel discussion

Mamta Saha, a BSc and MSc in Occupational Psychology whose consultancy specialises in fostering conscious inclusivity, moderated the panel The panel consisted of Lubna Shuja, the first Asian, first Muslim, and seventh female President of the Law Society; Jasvir Singh CBE, a leading community activist and cofounder of South Asian Heritage Month; and Yasmin Sheikh a TEDx speaker, diversity trainer and coach, and founder of Diverse Matters

Yasmin shared her experience with disability,and highlighted the need to overcome attitudinal barriers rather than physical ones Lubna recounted challenges in her legal career, including gender bias and lack of diversity in senior positions and the judiciary Jasvir explained the motivation behind South Asian Heritage Month and its aim

to celebrate South Asian history and culture

Yasmin highlighted the social model of disability which she said shifts the focus from 'fixing' the individual to removing societal barriers Jasvir stressed the importance of true allyship and having difficult conversations to drive meaningful change

He also said that as the reach of South Asian Heritage Month expands, he would like to further the conversation on diversity He urged the audience to engage, educate and reflect on how they could contribute to promoting south Asian heritage

Lubna shared her notion that "if you can't see it, you can't be it", and said that her own journey demonstrated that such a notion is practical and achievable Yasmin said that conversations like the ones at “Be The Change” should be part of a regular discourse rather than an afterthought She added that such conversations should influence all aspects of society

Audience reflec ti on on diversity and inclusion

Responding to a member of the audience Lubna stressed the value of diversity at senior levels, citing the variety of perspectives it brings Mamta added that ethnic minorities often feel overlooked prompting

them to seek alternatives

Addressing a question about strongly held cultural beliefs within the South Asian community which can often act as barriers to change Jasveer stressed the need to normalise difficult conversations within the community and challenge deep rooted prejudice to bring about transformation

The panellists also responded to comments from the audience about lack of South Asian representation in sports leagues and, perhaps, for the community to look within for answers The discussion also touched upon the need for highlighting diversity and inclusivity among children

CB Patel Chairman and Editor of Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar concluded the discussion by noting that despite several hurdles the UK had come a long way in promoting diversity and inclusion across society This, he said, can be seen in the significant participation of South Asians in the progress and prosperity of the nation He also referred to the leadership role of women in the history and success of Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar CB, as he is fondly known, delivered the vote of thanks The panel discussion was followed by networking, drinks and canapes

It was a tremendous honour to attend the Be the Change’ reception on 13th May, hosted in an incredibly fitting location, the Palace of Westminster Throughout the evening, I continually reflected upon the philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi and looking inside oneself to drive change for the benefit of others - as a member of the Royal Air Force this is something that resonates when I consider my own understanding of one of our four Core Values - Service Serving others is something we demonstrate daily and take great pride in doing so My congratulations go out to the organising committee for a successful initiative, and reception ”

“It was great to see so many likeminded and inspiring people at the event I listened with interest to the panel discussion and managed to speak to many in the audience From an idea 3 years ago with Cecil Soans, Asian Voice to the culmination of the success of events like “Be the Change” is encouraging I would like to thank Mr CB Patel and the staff at Asian Voice for their continued support The RAF continues to broaden our appeal by expanding interest to a wider demographic audience and providing the opportunity for social mobility through extensive career pathways ”

This forward-thinking event was a breath of fresh air The insights, openness and vulnerability shared by the panellist were endearing and simultaneously profound The audience was excellent and their questions highlighted the necessity to continue bringing the issues of D&I to the fore - particularly within the Asian community Thank you for giving me the honour to host the panel

- Mamta Saha

I loved taking part in the panel discussion "Be The Change in the iconic House of Commons There were some powerful stories from the panellists regarding inclusion or lack of inclusion in society which resonated with audience members based on the level of engagement after the event and the thoughtful questions which they asked We also shared practical tips and takeaways for the audience to feel empowered and hopeful for the future

- Yasmin Sheikh

It was a privilege to be part of this distinguished panel We can all ‘Be The Change’ we want to see We only need one person to take small steps and start a trail which will become a path for others to follow I am confident that change is happening and will continue at pace It was great to see so many people from across the community attending this event and enthusiastically participating in discussions on what they would do to contribute to making that change happen faster.

- Lubna Shuja

It was such a pleasure to be part of the panel alongside trailblazers making their marks in the world of equality and diversity. Getting a chance to move away from buzzwords and talk about it from a personal perspective was so important, as it helped to humanise the issues being discussed It's one thing to talk about women breaking glass ceilings or being more aware of access issues for differently abled people, but quite another when

hearing personal stories of gender discrimination, exclusion, and the dayto-day struggles of someone being in a wheelchair I was also glad to be able to talk about issues that have affected me over the years, such as how my sexuality was weaponised by extremists, as well as how my family has been so loving towards me and my husband My one takeaway from the event was the importance of actively listening to what others have to say That is probably the best way to ensure greater inclusivity in wider society Congratulations to Asian Voice, the RAF and Seema Malhotra MP for coming together to host such a wonderful evening

- Jasvir Singh CBE

Thanu Kurien Deputy Di

CB Patel addres

Group Captain Gareth Taylor, RAF

Squadron Leader Amir Khan, RAF

Promoting the agenda on diversity both here and globally is crucial I've always been incredibly proud of the work done by Asian Voice, because it has made an outstanding contribution as a community newspaper It serves as a strong voice for change, covering community issues and national news while building a bridge between Britain and India and documenting our nation's progress over the past 52 years

Friends, we know that representation matters It matters in our economy, politics, public life, armed forces, and in how we access and share power It influences how we build and create our shared future together

Diversity of experiences and voices leads to the best decisions being made Research shows that diversity and inclusion in business lead to stronger growth and greater prosperity Opening doors, creating pathways, seeing role models, and encouraging growth show the strength that comes from our diversity which inspires and motivates future generations to push boundaries and succeed in ways they never imagined

Last week, as the Shadow Minister for Skills, I travelled to Australia and Singapore to meet with leaders about their strate-

gies for skills and how they are preparing for the future Our country must do the same because inclusion won't happen by chance, inclusion happens by design This is why we should be concerned about dropping apprenticeship numbers for those under 24 It s also concerning that while 40% of apprenticeship starts used to come from lower socio-economic backgrounds, now 40% are from higher socio-economic backgrounds

Policy changes can negatively impact inclusion unless we plan for it Diversity is fundamentally about fairness, inclusion, and social and economic justice

Harnessing the power of our diversity in all its forms is vital to the success of our nation and the world In an increasingly

divided world, culture and education play an even more important role in building inclusion, valuing diversity, and celebrating differences Despite the progress we've made, society still has a long way to go to be inclusive across the country and to see diverse representation at all levels

Statistics show that around 10% of court judges and about 12 5% of tribunal judges in England and Wales are from minority ethnic backgrounds Around 10% of our armed forces and 10% of the House of Commons are from minority ethnic backgrounds To be representative, these numbers should be almost double As the first female Punjabi Member of Parliament elected to the House of Commons, I see relatively few

people from minority ethnic groups in top positions in FTSE 100 companies only about six chairs, seven CEOs, and nine CFOs according to the latest statistics

Encouraging aspiration is crucial, but we must also change our systems, the way our organizations operate, and tackle discrimination to ensure fair rules Inclusion doesn't happen by chance It's our responsibility to look out for the next generation, identifying those with the potential to be future business, political, academic, armed forces, and community leaders, and ensuring they have visible pathways

We must think through the promise we want to make for Britain and the world of tomorrow Britain is stronger with its diversity Our society and economy are enriched Global Britain is stronger with the links we bring through our diaspora communities, bridging with our home nations, and nurturing a shared heritage together

I wish you every success for tonight's panel discussion and debate I thank you for your passion and knowledge on this important issue, and I commend Asian Voice for its leadership I wish you many more years of success - S eema

Diversity and Inclusion have evolved but challenges remain says media pundit

Diversity and inclusion in the UK have evolved significantly, mirroring shifts in societal attitudes, legislation, and the proactive roles of communities and organisations in building an inclusive environment.

Laws like the Race Relations Act 1965 and the Equality Act 2010 have been instrumental in fighting discrimination and fostering equality, highlighting the UK's cultural diversity brought about by various immigration waves Despite these advancements, challenges remain, such as disparities in employment, education, and health for minority ethnic groups, alongside racism and xenophobia

The UK's journey towards full inclusivity and justice is ongoing, with internal community challenges persisting and perhaps needing the most re-examination now Amongst other things, this includes biases towards inter-faith and inter-race relationships, ageism, and attitudes towards disabilities and sexuality, needing attention It's crucial for individuals to critically assess and challenge these biases to inculcate change Not that anyone ’ s personal values and deep-rooted beliefs should ever be criticised though that does not ever mean they are immune from being critiqued That’s when each and every one of us, with empathy and respect, needs to take responsibility in de-personalising and de-sensitising any challenge when quizzed, to the operating logics that sit at the heart of any such biases and the prejudicial conditional responses that then transpire

Long standing ethnic media outlets that have a rich publishing history, like Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar, play a crucial role in promoting diversity and inclusion, acting as cultural bridges and providing a platform for minority voices, thus enriching the UK's social dialogue These platforms celebrate community achievements and address concerns, enhancing cultural understanding and appreciation across broader society

There is more to be done, whether that be enhancing community engagement, encouraging dialogue and education, empowering our youth for a stronger sense of self-identity, collaborating cross-communities on common issues, or finally, celebrating diversity Events like South Asian Heritage Month exemplify the strength and pride derived from diversity, as exemplified by CB Patel's message highlighting the same at the Be The Change event

The future of diversity and inclusion in the UK hinges on collective efforts to embrace differences, challenge injustices, and strive for a society where everyone, irrespective of their background or cultural outlook, can prosper Breaking down stereotypes and cultivating mutual respect are essential for the South Asian community's growth and for enriching the UK's broader societal fabric We owe it not only to ourselves but also, to the future generations to come

Sanjay Shabi, Board Director, UK & Worldwide EssenceMediacom, Chair Green Team ECG, Faith & Roots ECG member

Malho tra MP

Seema Malhotra MP

Moderator and Panellists with CB Patel, Chairman, ABPL and members of the RAF

Rupanjana Dutta, Managing Editor, Asian Voice welcoming guests

Photo credit: Vineet Johri

Group Captain Gareth Taylor, RAF addressing the audience WO Balbir Flora MBE (L) & Flt Lt Margaret Welton (R)

Guests at the event

Commonwealth Ministers advocate digital education acceleration

Subhasini Naicker

Education ministers and officials convened in London for the 22nd Conference of Commonwealth Education Ministers (22CCEM) meeting on May 16-17, 2024 The agenda prioritised empowering 2 6 billion Commonwealth citizens through inclusive learning opportunities

Held at Marlborough House, discussions centred on education financing, partnerships, and reforms

The theme, "Rethinking Education: A Timely Meeting," guided deliberations led by Commonwealth Secretary-General Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Education Dr Ezekiel Machogu EGH, Nobel Peace Laureate Kailash Satyarthi, and Association of Commonwealth Universities Secretary-General Prof Colin Riordan

During the meeting, C ommon we al t h Se cr et a ryG e n e r a l R t H o n P a t r i ci a S co t l a n d K C said, “Our diversity, unity, and collective genius are immensely precious, with education as our cornerstone Education is key to solving complex, interlinked challenges and preparing us to build the future We are all living through the fastest and most far reaching technological advancement in human history of human civilization So, at the very moment, when we are tackling our greatest challenges, our capacity for transformational progress has never been greater The Commonwealth will drive this progress, ensuring everyone has the opportunity to build necessary digital skills ”

The Secretary General also underscored that the Commonwealth AI Academy offers free and equitable access to transformative technology, artificial intelligence resources to all Commonwealth citizens She said, “The virtual hub connects students, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and industry leaders across the Commonwealth to exchange ideas, access educational materials, and collaborate on AI-driven initiatives for advancing the Sustainable Development Goals The academy, developed with leading tech firms and experts, offers tailored mentorship and showcases AI applications generating social benefits Its curriculum covers machine learning, data science, and responsible AI These skills will make our education system more resilient, adapt-

able, and innovative ”

Nobel Peace Laureate, K a i l a sh Sa t y a r t hi emphasised that amid global crises, we need more inclusive and dynamic global governance, with the Commonwealth championing education and leadership He stressed the importance of strong leadership in this effort, especially from education ministers Satyarthi acknowledged past failures in education and warned that without urgent action and genuine partnerships, we risk failing our children and not achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) He highlighted that prioritising education is crucial for achieving all child-related SDGs

Satyarthi also observed the global response to the pandemic and noted its worsening impact in lowincome African countries, emphasising the need for action Firstly, he advocated for expanding school feeding programs and eliminating tuition fees, citing Kenya's successful example Secondly, he highlighted the necessity of social protection programs, estimating a requirement of less than $10 billion to ensure education and health for every child, along with support for new mothers and newborns However, he lamented the inadequate funding, with low-income African countries receiving less than 0 3% of promised GNP contributions He stressed the importance of collaboration and genuine connection between problem solvers and sufferers, advocating for compassionate education and intelligence to guide technological advancements Leader s con vene for pre ss conference

Speaking about India's playing as the largest country in the Commonwealth, playing in for future education, The Secretary General said, “India, as the largest country in the Commonwealth with nearly 1 4 billion people, has demonstrated how technology can bridge the gap between those in need and those with resources Technological advancements in India have improved governance, efficiency, and effectiveness, lifting millions

Diversity isn't just a moral imperative

Shefali Saxena

Kishan Parsh otam was born and raised in L ond on, U K, to p arents w ho em ig rated fro m Mozam bique after the civil war

His family history is rich and diverse, with his maternal grandparents being born in South Africa and Mozambique whilst his paternal grandparents are from India He traces his roots back to Gujarat, India

Magistrates are the gateway to the criminal justice system, dealing with the vast majority of cases As of 2023, 7% of magistrates were from Asian or Asian British ethnicity and only 18% were below the age of 50 As a young professional, I am keen to improve the diversity of the Magistracy so that it better represents the community we serve

out of poverty During my collaboration with the former law minister responsible for ICT, India aimed to deliver services to every citizen for just $1 This scalable approach, though challenging for smaller island states who may have 10,000 to 11,000 people, showcases India's commitment to compassionate global governance India’s willingness to share its technological advancements with the Commonwealth in an opensource manner offers significant hope to developing nations, enabling them to overcome developmental challenges already addressed by India

“India's technical assistance could greatly support the Commonwealth Technical Assistance Program I thank the Indian government for their past contributions and hope for continued financial and technical support The Commonwealth, representing one-third of the world, is a diverse collective that can drive global change We choose to continue our 75 years history of collaboration to be the change that Gandhi said, we can be in the world,” she added

Kailash emphasised that India made a huge leap in the last 15 to 20 years He said, “ In India, there's a strong aspiration for quality education, not just access Even in the remotest villages, poor families strive to send their children to the best possible schools, despite financial challenges This commitment is significant and highlights the concept of compassionate intelligence, which means making decisions with empathy and treating others' problems as our own ”

“Education ministers and the education sector can lead by fostering this mindset in students By promoting empathy, experiential learning, and volunteerism, schools can help children understand and address issues like faith, racial, and gender discrimination This approach can be a global solution, addressing these challenges through educational investment and nurturing compassionate intelligence from a young age, ” he added

This multicultural background has profoundly shaped Kishan’s identity, instilling a deep appreciation for various cultures and traditions including seva Growing up, studying and working in London has allowed Kishan to blend his heritage with the diverse influences of my surroundings Kishan has been awarded the Freedom of the City of London award recently This is on the back of his work as a Magistrate in the City of Westminster and the City of London, a Trustee at Avanti Schools Trust and Co-Chair of Governors at Mount Stewart Federation He also volunteers with several organisations and plays an active role in pro bono work as a solicitor Here’s his exclusive interview with Asian Voice:

Kishan, what does receiving the Freedom of the City of London mean to you personally and professionally?

Receiving the Freedom of the City of London is a profound privilege for me personally and professionally Personally, it connects me to the rich history and traditions of the city where I was born and raised, symbolising recognition of my contributions to the community Professionally, it represents a significant milestone, affirming my dedication and hard work It also provides unique opportunities for networking and collaboration within a prestigious community of freemen I hope to inspire other young people, especially from the Indian diaspora, to have positive influences on their communities

Can you describe some of the key contributions you’ve made as a Magistrate in the City of Westminster and City of London?

I was appointed as a Magistrate last year

Howhas your role as a Trustee at Avanti Schools Trust and Co-Chair of Governors at Mount Stewart Federation influenced your perspective on education and community service?

I first became a school governor in Stanmore when I was 18 years old - becoming one of the youngest governors in the country I have always believed that education is the greatest gift we can give and receive and I am passionate about making sure that schools give every child an opportunity to be the best version of themselves

My role as a trustee at Avanti Schools Trust and co-chair of governors at Mount Stewart highlighted the critical role of education in shaping future generations and the importance of providing a nurturing, inclusive environment for students This experience has deepened my understanding of the challenges schools face and the impact of effective governance on educational outcomes It has also reinforced my commitment to community service, emphasising the value of collaboration, accountability, and support in creating positive change and fostering strong, resilient communities

Both Avanti and Mount Stewart are excellent educational institutions and I have been lucky to be involved in both of them

Whatmotivates you to volunteer with various organisations and engage in pro bono work as a solicitor, and how do you balance these commitments with your professional responsibilities?

My motivation to volunteer with various organisations and engage in pro bono work as a solicitor stems from a strong belief in helping others and a desire to give back to the community I am driven by the impact that legal assistance

can have on individuals' lives, particularly those who cannot afford it and those who do not know what rights they have Juggling these commitments with my professional responsibilities requires effective time management, prioritising tasks, and maintaining an easy-to-follow calendar I find that my pro bono work enriches my professional life, offering new perspectives and skills that enhance my practice This balance is sustained by a passion for helping others and a commitment to making a positive difference

How do you incorporate principles of diversity and inclusion in your various roles, and why do you believe they are important in your work and community engagements?

Diversity is important to get a diversity of views, which helps decision-making - whether it’s in a panel of three magistrates, a board of governors or a team providing legal advice Different perspectives breed better ideas and better scrutiny of ideas Incorporating principles of diversity and inclusion in my various roles is paramount to me It's not just about meeting quotas or ticking boxes; it's about fostering an environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and heard I actively seek out diverse perspectives, whether in board meetings, legal consultations, or community initiatives By championing inclusivity, I believe we unlock innovation, creativity, and empathy within our teams and communities

Moreover, diversity isn't just a moral imperative; it's also good for business and society Embracing diverse viewpoints leads to better decision-making, more robust solutions, and a stronger sense of belonging for all

Social care waitlist claims

30,000 elderly lives

A new analysis has unco

away last year withou t ever rec eiving the awaited so cial care

Age UK cautioned that due to the funding and recruitment challenges in the social care system, local authorities are finding it

difficult to promptly assess older individuals

An analysis of NHS data by the charity revealed that 28,655 individuals aged 65 and above died in 2022/23 while awaiting social care

This translates to an average of 79 deaths per day, 550 per week, and 2,388 per month Caroline Abrahams,

charity director at Age UK, characterised the findings as emblematic of the chronic systemic issues within social care She emphasised that hard-pressed local authorities are attempting to cater to the needs of a burgeoning older population with insufficient resources

Kishan Parshotam

Education ministers and officials at 22CCEM meeting

Big lenders slash mortgage rates, providing homeowner relief

H

om eow ners w i ll enj oy cheaper mortgages as three

m aj or h i gh s treet lend ers have slashed rates on over 100 d eals, reversing weeks of increases

Barclays, HSBC, and TSB are all poised to decrease fixed-rate offerings, providing households with potential savings of hundreds of pounds annually

Brokers express confidence that these cuts will prompt other lenders to take similar actions Hina Bhudia from Knight Frank Finance noted, "HSBC's already competitive rates make this move a significant statement It's likely we'll see more lenders follow suit "

Barclays will lower fixed rates on purchase and remortgage deals by up to

0 45 percentage points One of its five-year fixes will drop from 4 77% to 4 32% for borrowers with a 40%

deposit This reduction would decrease monthly payments from £1,143 to £1,092 for a borrower with a £200,000 loan over 25 years

HSBC is lowering interest rates on over 100 two, five, and ten-year deals

for homeowners and landlords TSB has also reduced rates on select two and five-year deals

Lenders had raised costs earlier but held off after the Bank of England kept borrowing rates steady at 5 25% last week A rate cut might occur next month if inflation continues to decline

Greggs expands partnership with Issa-owned franchisees

Baker and fast-food retailer

G regg s i nte nds to strengthen its collaboration wi th ma j or fr anc hi s e pa rtn ers , i nc ludi n g thos e owned by the Issa brothers, as it aims to launch 150 new outlets in 2024

The London-listed company has already inaugurated 64 new outlets this year, with around a quarter being in partnership with franchisees An additional 96 outlets are planned to open by yearend

Greggs CEO Roisin Currie highlighted Asda, co-owned by the billionaire Issa brothers, as their most significant franchise partner to date, featuring kiosks at various properties

Over 6,000 UK bank branches closed in 9 years

Over the pa st nine years, the number of UK bank branches pe rma n en tly c losi n g the ir doors will surpass 6,000 By year-end, the rate of closures may leave 33 parliamentary constituencies, including two in London, without a single branch This tally is being released by the consumer group Which? as it aims to highlight the "avalanche" of closures and the "disastrous"

impact they can have on local communities as an election issue

Since 2015, when Which? began tracking, eight more Barclays branches are set to close, bringing the total to 6,005

Barclays leads in branch closures, accounting for approximately 20% (1,216) of the total closures While the rate of closures peaked in 2017, it appeared to slow

until recently, characterised by a troubling surge, according to the consumer group This surge comes amid government plans announced in 2020 to enact laws safeguarding access to cash, potentially complicating branch closures if alternative provisions are inadequate

Fresh rounds of closures are being announced, with banks justifying the

Other significant franchise partners include EG Group, also owned by the Issas, as well as Rontec-owned forecourts, and major supermarkets

Tesco and Sainsbury’s

Currie informed the Standard that the company's strategy is to ensure accessibility to customers wherever they prefer to shop They aim to

reduction of their networks on the grounds that customers are spurning traditional counter services in favour of banking online and via mobile phones

For the remainder of 2024, 200 closures are already scheduled, including 50 from NatWest, 43 from Lloyds, 28 from TSB, 26 from Halifax, 20 from Royal Bank of Scotland, and 14 from Barclays

Stock market boss calms fears as UK firms depart

The chief executive of the L o ndo n S toc k Exc hang e ref uted clai ms of a cri si s, d es pi te the d ep arture o f f irm s w orth h und red s o f billions of pounds for the US

Julia Hoggett emphasised that there's "no sense of panic," asserting that the UK is already excelling

A Treasury spokesperson echoed this sentiment,

stating that the UK remains one of the best places globally for growth and investment Efforts are underway to enhance UK competitiveness further Chancellor Jeremy Hunt will convene a summit of finance chiefs to explore strategies for bolstering the appeal of UK markets to both domestic and international companies

Having large companies shares listed in the UK is crucial because it attracts other industries like insurance, accounting, law, and pensions

Financial services, comprising 10% of the UK economy, generates £90 billion annually in tax revenue - equivalent to half of the NHS budget However, an increasing

number of companies are delisting from the London Stock Exchange

ARM Holdings, based in Cambridge, now trades shares in New York Flutter, owner of Paddy Power, will move there soon Indivior saw shares surge after considering relocation Even Shell, UK's largest company, warns of potential relocation

UK affirms adequate market access in India FTA talks

T h e UK g overnm ent h as no ted pro g ress in m arket

ac ces s di sc us si ons w ith Indian negotiators this week in London

However, sufficient agreements for a free trade agreement (FTA) have yet to be reached During a House of Lords debate, UK Foreign

expand their presence in key transportation hubs like rail and petrol stations Currently, Greggs collaborates with 16 franchise partners and intends to add more in the coming years They have reported a 7 4% increase in like-for-like sales to £693 million for the first nineteen weeks of the year

UK regulator targets Mastercard and Visa merchant fees

Vi sa and M a ster car d w il l have to disclose more details about the fees they charge merchants under new rules pr op o s ed by th e UK paym ents regulator

The Payment Systems Regulator (PSR) proposed that Visa and Mastercard, which dominate 95% of all debit and credit card payments in the UK, should regularly share financial data with the regulator Additionally, they should consult merchants and retailers before adjusting their fees

The proposal follows the PSR's findings that the card networks raised their scheme and processing fees by over 30% in real terms over the last five years, with limited evidence of corresponding service quality improvements

authorisation, clearing, and settlement of payments Unlike interchange fees, which are passed on to banks, scheme and processing fees are received directly by the card networks Historically, these fees have faced less scrutiny compared to interchange fees as they constitute a smaller portion of the total charges borne by sellers

The recent restructuring to adhere to India's foreign direct investment (FDI) rules, resulting in the formation of a new Indianowned entity, was raised by Liberal Democrat peer Lord Jeremy Purvis He

Secretary David Cameron fielded inquiries regarding the state of freedom of religion or belief in India

questioned the extent of market access granted to India in media, data, and telecom sectors during FTA negotiations

Lord Cameron stated that while both sides have offered good market access, it's not yet sufficient to secure a trade deal He emphasised the importance

of ensuring that any agreement meets industry leaders' expectations in the UK and provides genuine market access A team from India arrived in London for the fourteenth round of FTA negotiations, aiming to boost the GBP 38 1 billion bilateral partnership across various sectors

Chetwood Financial buys CHL Mortgages for Intermediaries

U K di gi ta l c ha lle nge r

C hetwood Fin an ci al has

a cq ui red b uy- to- le t

m ortga ge len der CH L M ortga ges f or Intermediaries (CMI) from B ar oss a As s et Pur cha se r Sarl The financial terms of the deal remain undisclosed

Chetwood aims to utilise this acquisition to grow its mortgage loan portfolio and enhance its presence in the mortgage intermediary market

Meanwhile, CMI is slated to maintain normal operations with no anticipated downtime or disruption to its lending activities

Additionally, the challenger states that CMI’s specialist lending team will complement the company ’ s soon-tolaunch ModaMortgages proposition

Chetwood Financial highlights that ModaMortgages, similar to

CMI, will function as a specialised buy-to-let lender However, there are notable distinctions between the two: while CMI emphasises "flexibility" through a blend of technology and manual underwriting across a wide criteria spectrum, ModaMortgages offers an automated process for rapid decision-making Additionally, both lenders are set to operate

autonomously, maintaining separate teams, brand identities, and product offerings

Andy Mielczarek, founder and CEO of Chetwood, commented on the acquisition, stating that the opportunity to acquire CMI was too compelling to pass up He emphasised CMI's status as an "established, respected brand in the specialist lending space

Visa and Mastercard levy fees on sellers for network access and various processing activities like

"Whenever a Mastercard or Visa card is used, UK businesses incur fees, stated PSR s Managing Director Chris Hemsley "These fees have risen substantially in recent years, with no corresponding improvement in service quality to justify the increases "

The UK remains Europe’s top destination for foreign direct investment (FDI) in financial services and has widened its lead over other European markets, according to EY’s latest Attractiveness Survey for Financial Services

In 2023, the UK attracted 108 financial services projects, up from 76 in 2022 Meanwhile, France, in second place, secured 39 projects in 2023, down from 45 the previous year Germany secured third place with 38 financial services investment projects in 2023, an increase of seven from 2022 Spain ranked fourth, with 17 projects, down from 31 in the previous year

Total financial services FDI across Europe increased to 329 projects in 2023, up from 292 in 2022, marking a 13% year-on-year growth This growth outpaced the overall European FDI project growth, which saw a 4% decline during the same period In contrast, other professional services sectors, such as tech/digital and business services, experienced year-on-year project declines of 19% and 27%, respectively

The UK is now home to a third (33%) of all European financial services FDI projects, having boosted its market share from 26% in 2022 By comparison, France and Germany each secured 12% of Europe’s financial services FDI projects, and Spain secured 5%

UN revises India's 2024 growth projection from 6.2 to 6.9%

The Un i ted N ati on s has re vi se d upwar ds I nd ia 's growth projections for 2024, with the country's economy now forecast to expand by close to seven per cent this ye ar , ma i nly dr i ven b y s tron g pub li c i nve st men t an d res i li en t pri vat e consumption

Banking sector net crosses £30 bn for first time in FY24

Fo r t h e fir st tim e, t h e banking sector’s net profit crossed £30 bn in FY24 The net profit of listed public a nd pr iv a te se cto r ba nks rose 39% to £31 bn from £22 bn in FY23

The projection in January for India's GDP growth for 2025 remains unchanged at 6 6 per cent in the latest assessment of the economic situation

The update said that consumer price inflation in India is projected to decelerate from 5 6 per cent in 2023 to 4 5 per cent in 2024 Similarly, inflation rates in other South Asian countries declined in 2023

The World Economic Situation and Prospects report of mid-2024 said, "India's economy is forecast to expand by 6 9 per cent in 2024 and 6 6 per cent in 2025, mainly driven by strong public investment and resilient private consumption Although subdued external demand will continue to weigh on merchandise export growth, pharmaceuticals and chemicals exports are expected to expand strongly "

and are expected to decelerate further in 2024, ranging from 2 2 per cent in the Maldives to 33 6 per cent in Iran Despite some moderation, food prices remained elevated in the first quarter of 2024, especially in Bangladesh and India

South Asia's economic outlook is expected to remain strong, supported by a robust performance of India's economy and a slight recovery in Pakistan and Sri Lanka Regional GDP is projected to grow by 5 8 per cent in 2024 (an upward revision of 0 6 percentage points since January) and 5 7 per cent in 2025, below the 6 2 per cent recorded in 2023

Norway's bank to sell its stake in Adani Ports

No rges Ba nk, No rw ay ’ s central bank, h as decided to ex clu de Adani P o rts and Special Economic Zone from i ts gov ernm ent p ensi o n fund over ethical concerns

This means the $1 7-trillion fund will sell its remaining stake in Adani Ports

The Norwegian pension fund invests in equities and bonds across most countries and markets In a statement, Norges Bank said it has decided to exclude Adani Ports due to “unacceptable risk that the company contributes to serious violations of individuals’ rights in situations of war or conflict” The port operator, part of billionaire Gautam Adani’s conglomerate, has been

under its watch list since March 2022 and that “ observation now ends given the exclusion decision”

Norges Bank said its decision to exclude Adani Ports from the fund’s portfolio was based on recommendations from Council On Ethics COE is an independent body that makes recommendations to Norges Bank to either exclude companies from the pension fund or place

India's wholesale inflation hits 13-month high

India's wholesale price infla tion shot up to a 1 3-mo nt h high in Apr il , le d by fu el , power, manufactured products and food prices, prompting experts to say that they e xp ec t t h e nu mbe r s to ha r d e n in th e months a head

Data released by the commerce and industry ministry showed inflation, as measured by the wholesale price index (WPI), rose an annual 1 3% in April, higher than the 0 5% recorded in March and above the contraction of 0 8% in April last year

The ministry said the positive rate of inflation in April was primarily due to increase in prices of food articles, electricity, crude and gas

While public sector banks generated a record £14 bn in net profit during the year - an increase of 34% over the year-ago period - private sector banks increased their net by 42% to nearly £17 bn compared to £12 bn a year ago As a result, the earnings gap between the two sectors has widened To put things in

perspective, £30 bn is approximately the total quarterly profits of all listed companies in the first three quarters of the fiscal In fact, banks’ profits are much higher than those of IT services, which have been the most profitable group in recent yearslisted IT services companies reported a net profit of nearly £11 bn for FY24

In the preceding years, public sector banks had narrowed their profit gap with private banks as they cleaned up their balance sheets and increased earnings In fact, the net

profit of public sector banks has more than quadrupled in the last three years

Public sector banks would have had a higher net profit in FY24 if not for a one-time provision that several banks had to make towards pensions

However, because the pension provisions were lower than expected, it lead to a gain in their shares

Some public sector banks like Bank of Baroda also took a hit due to provisions for their exposure to Go Air, although the loan is collateralised

Reliance Retail to take on H&M, Zara with UK label Asos

In what will pit it against

them under observation In a statement, the COE said that Adani Ports was under observation “due to its business association with the armed forces in Myanmar”, which in Feb 2021 staged a military coup

The Indian company was involved with a port terminal in Myanmar, incurring an investment of $150 million In May 2023, the company disclosed that it sold the Myanmar port to Solar Energy The COE noted that no information on the buyer is available, and Adani Ports has stated that it cannot share any such information on the grounds of confidentiality

Amul partners with Michigan milk producers' body to sell milk in US

The world's largest dairy cooperative - popularly known as Amul - has partnered with a 108yea r-old da ir y a ssocia tion to int roduce it s fresh, branded milk in America Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF), popularly known as as Amul, has tied up with Michigan Milk Producers Association (MMPA) to launch its fresh milk in America under a tie up The milk collection and processing will be done by MMPA, the marketing and branding will be done by Amul

Jayen Mehta, the MD of GCMMF, said that the fresh milk from Amul will be priced at a premium in US The cooperative intends to expand its presence in America with more variety of products, and has plans to supply butter, cheese and buttermilk, Mehta added

The initial launch is being planned only for milk brands such as Amul Taaza, Amul Gold, Amul Shakti and Amul Slim n Trim Amulbranded fluid milk products will be available in New York, New Jersey, Chicago, Washington, Texas and Dallas, apart from few other regions Until now, Amul was exporting milk and milk products to USA, as it has been doing to 50 other countries Now with this arrangement, Amul is launching fresh milk catering to US consumers for the first time, which also consists of a large Indian and Asian diaspora, Mehta said

which targets shoppers in their 20s

Under the terms of the deal, the company will be the exclusive retail partner for Asos across all online and offline channels in India Simply put, Reliance Retail will plan the brand’s

retail strategy and decide on which online and offline platforms its products should be placed Going ahead, Reliance Retail may also launch exclusive Asos stores in India just like it operates outlets for American brand Gap

“Reliance Retail will introduce Asos’s curated portfolio of fashion-led own brand labels to the Indian market through a multi-channel presence for Asos and a diverse array of

retail formats, including exclusive brand stores, multi-brand store expressions and digital commerce platforms,” the company said in a statement

The partnership with Asos will widen Reliance Retail’s portfolio of fashion brands and add to its strategy of playing across segments ranging from luxury to mass The positioning of Asos will be premium

Blackstone eyes stake in food chain Haldiram

The pop ula r foo d a nd snacks chain Haldiram is up for grabs as a global group of investors has reportedly s ubm i tt ed a n on-b i nd i ng bid to ac quire a controlling stake worth $8 5 billion in the c om pa ny t hat wa s fo und ed i n B i ka n er , Rajasthan in 1937

A global consortium led by top private equity firm Blackstone, along with Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) and Singapore’s GIC, submitted the bid last week for up to 76 per cent stake in Haldiram Snacks Food,

according to reports Haldiram or the global consortium was yet to confirm the development

The food chain is the combined packaged snacks and foods business of the Delhi and Nagpur factions of the Agarwal family While Haldiram Foods International is led by the Nagpur faction, Haldiram

Snacks is led by the Delhi faction The two entities are set to be merged to create a new entity, Haldiram Snacks Food The Nagpur-based faction registered £362 2 mn in revenue in FY22 The Delhi-based Haldiram Snacks Private Limited clocked £524 8 mn in sales in the same fiscal year There have been other attempts in the past to acquire the food chain, especially by VC firms like Bain Capital, Warburg Pincus, and General Atlantic, according to reports

At $19.1 bn, India's trade deficit widens to 4-month high

India’s trade deficit widened to a four-month high of $19 1 bil lio n in A p ril, as go o ds exports rose just over 1% to $35 bi lli on, w hi le i mp orts increased over 10% to $54 1 billion Gold imports trebled to $3 1 billion in April, from $1 billion a year ago, as prices hovered near record highs Higher crude prices also pushed up India’s oil imports by over 20% to $16 5 billion Electronics, the second biggest component of India’s import bill, too went up 10% to top $7 billion Fourteen of the 30 selected commodities, including coal, precious and semi-precious stones and iron and steel, however, registered a decline On the export front, 13 of the 30 key

sectors grew, with electronic goods being the top performer Drugs and pharma and chemicals were the other major gainers Among the laggards were engineering goods, the largest item in India’s export basket, with the value of shipments declining 3 2% to $8 7 billion Price boost meant that petrol and diesel exports ended the month 3% higher at $6 6 billion Tepid demand in developed markets resulted in export of gems and jewellery falling 6 9% to $2 3 billion Commerce secretary Sunil Barthwal said the figures show that the new fiscal year started on a good note and hoped that it would continue

INDIAN FOUND GUILTY OF MOLESTING WOMEN

A 34-year-old Indian national who used to work as an instructor at a yoga centre in Singapore was found guilty of molesting three women during his classes Rajpal Singh will return to court for sentencing in July His passport has been impounded and currently he is out on bail of SGD 25,000 Singh was accused of touching the private parts of five women during his yoga classes in 2019 and 2020 But he was acquitted on three counts of molesting a fourth student after the judge found that the woman’s testimony was not “unusually convincing ” The man faces a total of 10 charges

HINDU AMERICAN FOUNDATION GETS $1 MN DONATION

Indian-American philanthropist Ramesh Bhutada has donated $ 1 million to the Hindu American Foundation (HAF) for Hindu causes in the US Houston-based businessman Bhutada during a recent gala of Hindu American Foundation committed USD 1 million over the next four years to HAF In March 2023 he donated $ 1 million to the Florida-based Hindu University of America, the only institution in the US whose mission is to provide education based on Hindu philosophy Addressing the gathering, tech entrepreneur from Silicon Valley Sundar Iyer shared his frightening experience of allegations of caste-based discrimination

INDIAN ORIGIN CHARGED FOR CHEATING

An Indian origin man faces three counts of cheating by personation and sending emails to the president's office the ministry of national development and parliament Prakash Paramasivam 24 who appeared in the court on May 17 allegedly posed as a Singapore Prison Service staff member to send emails to President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, National Development Minister Desmond Lee and to the Parliament He allegedly e-mailed the Parliament on February 16 and Lee two days later followed by another email sent to President on Feb 24 according to a report Court documents did not disclose the contents of the e-mails or why Prakash allegedly sent them His case will be mentioned again in court on June 20

16 LANKANS KILLED FIGHTING IN UKRAINE WAR

At least 16 Sri Lankan mercenaries have been killed fighting in the war between Russia and Ukraine, the island’s deputy defence minister said Tens of thousands of Russian soldiers have been killed in Ukraine since the invasion began more than two years ago and Moscow has been on a global quest for more troops Soldiers from Sri Lanka’s regional neighbours India and Nepal have also signed up to fight since last year, with several confirmed deaths in combat from citizens of both countries Sri Lanka opened an inquiry into the recruitment of its citizens for the conflict that has since identified the participation of 288 retired soldiers from the island nation deputy defence minister Pramitha Tennakoon said

50 DEAD, 2,000 HOUSES DAMAGED IN AFGHAN FLOODS

At least 50 people were killed following a fresh bout of heavy rain and flooding in central Afghanistan, an official said Mawlawi Abdul Hai Zaeem, the head of the information department for the central Ghor province, said that there was no information about how many people were injured in the rain spell that began on Friday which had also cut off many key roads to the area Zaeem added that 2 000 houses were completely destroyed, 4,000 partially damaged, and more than 2 000 shops were under water in the province s capital, Feroz-Koh Last week flash floods caused by heavy rains devastated villages in northern Afghanistan, killing 315 people and injuring more than 1 600 authorities said

Iran president Raisi, foreign minister die in helicopter crash

EH

Ebrahim Raisi and the country’s foreign minister were found dead on Monday hours after their helicopter crashed in fog, leaving the Islamic Republic without two key leaders as extraordinary tensions grip the wider Middle East

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has the final say in the Shiite theocracy, quickly named a little known vice president as caretaker and insisted the government was in control, but the deaths mark yet another blow to a country beset by pressures both at home and abroad

Iran has offered no cause for the crash nor suggested sabotage

which fell in mountainous terrain

Tehran, Iran’s capital, businesses

were open and children attended

noticeable presence of both uniformed and plainclothes security forces

Later in the day, hundreds of mourners crowded into downtown Vali-e-Asr square holding

clutched prayer beads and were

visibly crying Women wearing black chadors gathered together holding photos of the dead leader As stipulated by the Iranian Constitution, first vice president Mohammad Mokhber will take

With Supreme Leader Ayatollah

Guardian Council will hold elections within next 50 days to find

Mokhber is reported to hold a degree in international law & has apparently played an important role in helping Iran bypass sanctions on its oil industry

Modi expresses solidarity P

Modi lauded the contribution of President Raisi in strengthening bilateral ties, while expressing solidarity with the people of Iran

expressed the same sentiment for his counterpart, Hossein Amir-

India on Tuesday Raisi had taken over in 2021 and while there was no bilateral visit by either leader during this period, Modi and Raisi did meet on the margins of Brics and SCO summits

Imran Khan gets bail in corruption case, but can't leave jail

ISLAMABAD : Former Pakistan

Prime Minister Imran Khan was granted bail on land corruption charges but will have to stay in jail to serve time in two other cases, his lawyer said The former cricket superstar was indicted last week on charges that he and his wife were gifted land by a r eal es tate deve loper when Khan was prime minister from 2018-22 in exchange for illegal favours

Khan, who denies wrongdoing, had filed a bail application before Islamabad High Court

His party lawyer, Naeem Haider Panjutha, confirmed the granting of bail on social media platform X but said Khan remained in custody after two convictions

- one involving the leaking of state secrets and the other his marriage violating Islamic law Khan, 71, has been in jail since August last year In total, he has been convicted in four cases, but sentences in two cases have been suspended Khan is named in dozens of

Lawrence Wong sworn in as new Singapore PM

SI NGA PORE: Lawrence Wong

was s worn in as Singapore's new prime mini ster in a ceremony broadcast live on television after Lee Hsien Loong stepped down following two decades in office

W o n g , f

p

y prime minister, became the second person outside the Lee family to lead the affluent nation

"I do solemnly swear that I will at all times faithfully discharge my duties as prime minister according to law, and to the best of my knowledge and ability, without fear or favour, affection or ill-will So help me God," the 51-year-old said Members of Wong's cabinet were also sworn in, including his predecessor Lee, 72, who

HONG KONG: The Sovereign Art F ou nd a ti on ( SAF ) a nnou nce d P a kist a ni ar t ist

Sameen Agha as the winner of The 2024 Sovereign Asian Art Prize, with a cash prize of US $30,000 for her work 'A Home Is A Terrible Place to Love', an intricately designed sculpture carv ed fr om red marble and incorporating a symbolic reference to home This year marks the 20th anniversary of Asia’s most prestigious award in contemporary art

was appointed to the advisory role of senior minister

The US-educated economist is widely seen as a social mediasavvy stalwart who effectively

when he oversaw the government's pandemic task force "He

that's more attuned to a different generation," said Mustafa

Singapore consultancy

"The core principle of what Singapore is about will remain because it is a system that has worked for many years But I think his style may be slightly

from a different generation "

cases, including charges of inciting violence against the state in the aftermath of his removal from office in 2022 in a parliamentary vote of no-confidence His wife, Bushra Bibi, is also in jail serving time in a case related to unlawfully marrying Khan in 2018

The case in which Khan was g r a n t e d b a i l i n v o l v e s t h e A lQadir Trust, a non-governmental welfare organisation set up by Khan and wife when he was still in office

large plot close to Khan's hilltop mansion in the capital In a statement following the bail, Khan's media team said the land was not for personal gain and Khan had set up a religious and scientific educational institution It added that the cases w e r e f i l e d t o k e e p K h a n i n prison and prevent him from participating the Feb 8 national elections

Prosecutors say the trust was a front for the former premier to receive land as a bribe from a real estate developer The land includes 60 acres (24 hectares) n e a r I s

a m a b a d a n d a n o t h e r

Khan faced a string of convictions in the lead-up to the elections but his party-backed candidates still won the most seats They did not have the numbers to form a government, which was led by an alliance of his rivals led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif

Nepal PM Prachanda wins trust vote for 4th time

K AT H M A N D U : Nepa l’s PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ wi ll continue leading his shaky governing coalition after winning his fourth vote of confidence in two years on Monday P r a c h a n d a c a l l e d t h e vote in Nepal’s lower house of parliament after a minor party in his coalition broke a w a y a n d i t s m e m b e r s withdrew support from the govt Dahal won the vote with 157 votes, a majority of the 2 7 2 - m e m b e r h o u s e T h e g o v t required at least 138 votes to win the vote of trust Dahal has struggled to keep h i s c o a l i t i o n t o g e t h e r s i n c e becoming PM in Dec 2022 fol-

lowing an inconclusive election

He has had to switch coalition partners to keep his majority

The latest challenge is allegations that his home minister was involved in financial irregularities involving cooperatives

Kong was awarded the Vogue Hong Kong Women’s Art Prize of US$5,000 for her work, Red

Bean Stalk, an original w

h

t reflects the culmination of drawing and printmaking work spanning two decades Demet of

awarded the Public Vote Prize of US$1,000 for his

sculpture draws from a collective well of associations, as she explores the emotions at the core of interpersonal and political tensions The use of a specific red marble gives a sense of skin, flesh, and blood; it is both hard yet brittle, playing with the idea of a home, which in its own materiality is quite strong as a structure but very fragile in its essence as a domestic space Agha was nominated for The Prize by

and

Ebrahim Raisi

Imran Khan

Pushpa Kamal Dahal

White House plays ‘Sare Jahan Se Achha’, serves pani puri, Khoya dish

W ASH I N GTO N: D uri ng a reception for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month attended by President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, the White House's Marine Band performed “Sar e J a han Se A chh a H i ndus

H ama ra" for a n audi en

Americans

T

of Asi

twice by the White House Marine Band at the request of Indian Americans whom the president invited for the annual event

“This was an amazing celebration of the White House’s AANHPI Heritage Month at the Rose Garden The best part was that as I walked into the White House, I was greeted

by the musicians playing ‘Sare Jahan se Accha Hindustan Hamara’ (Better than the entire world, is our Hindustan)," Indian

Bhutoria said in an interview after the Rose Garden reception

In a post on X, Ajay Jain wrote, “Thrilled

Hamara played at White House AANHPI heritage celebration hosted by President Joe Biden with VP Harris Paanipuri and Khoya dish was also served Stronger US-India relationship "

Moreover, this marks the second time within a year that the popular Indian patri-

House The previous occasion was during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's historic State Visit on June 23 According to the Marine Band, they had practised the song in preparation for that visit

The playing of this song during the AANHPI Heritage Month is also reflective of how much President Biden and his team care for the India-US relationship and Indian Americans, Bhutoria said

4 Indians among 6 charged for visa fraud conspiracy in US

WASHI NGTON: Six individual s, i nc l ud in g four I ndi a n nationals , we re indi cted by a federal court for staging armed robberies in Chicago and the s uburb s s o tha t the v ic ti ms c ould appl y f or i mmi gra ti on visas reserved for certain crime victims in the United States

According to an indictment u n s e a l e d i n f e d e r a l c o u r t i n

C h i c a g o , t h e f o u r i n d i v i d u a l s

Bhikhabhai Patel, Nilesh Patel, Ravinaben Patel and Rajnikumar Patel, arranged with Parth Nayi and Kewong Young to be victims of the staged robberies so

that they could submit applications for U-visa U-visa is set aside for victims of certain crimes who have suffered mental or physical abuse and are helpful to law enforcement or government officials in an investigation or prosecution

The indictment alleges that the four individuals paid Nayi thousands of dollars to participate in the scam

During the staged robberies, i n d i v i d u a l s a c t i n g a s r

brandished what appeared to be firearms, approached the purported victims and demanded

Seven Indian origin students get scholarships at Stanford University

S AN F R A NC I S C O: Se ven

I ndia n-o ri gi n s tu dents h ave

s ecu red S ta nfo rd Uni vers i ty' s p res ti gio u s Kn igh ts - Hene ss ey scholarship fo r this year Ank Agarwal, Wasan Kumar, Aneesh P ap p u, I sh a S angh vi , K ri ti ka Singh, Krishna Pathak and Rahul P enum aka are am ong th e 90 scholars chosen for the scholarship which is the largest graduate fellowship in the world

The disciplines pursued by the Indian-origin students span across fields of medicine, tech-

n o l o g y , e n g i n e e r i n g a n d l a w They have enrolled in degrees ranging from PhDs, MBAs and MDs, showing diverse interests in research and development, p o l i c y , e n t r e p r e n e u r s h i p a n d social impact

For the first time, the scholarship has been awarded to 90 students from 30 countries, to p u r s u e 4 5 g r a d u a t e p r o g r a m s a c r o s s a l l s e v e n s c h o o l s a t Stanford This year's group of

scholars includes students from A u s t r i a , B a h r a i n , B e l a r u s , Bolivia, Bulgaria, France and Sri Lanka

Among the 2024 batch, 47% of the students hold non-US passports “Each scholar brings a unique perspective to our growing community It is inspiring to see them build ties and gain k n o w l e d g e a c r o s s d i s c i p

cultures, and ideologies, cont

address the world's biggest challenges," Tina Seelig, executive d i r e c t o

Scholars, said K n

g

H

university-wide, fully-endowed

years of financial aid to pursue g r a d u a t e s

t t h e university Scholars are selected based on their demonstration of i n d e p e n d

civic mindset

money and property, the indictment states

Afterwards, some of the purported victims submitted forms

crime and had been or would be helpful in the investigation, the indictment states

Upon receiving certification, some of the purported victims then submitted fraudulent U-

Services predicated upon their alleged status as a robbery vic-

CONTAINER SHIP DALI ESCORTED BACK TO PORT

Nearly 2 months after container ship Dali lost power and crashed into one of the Baltimore bridge s supporting columns, killing six construction workers & halting most maritime traffic through the Port of Baltimore, the illfated ship was slowly escorted back to the port Refloated at high tide, the vessel slowly backed away from the site of the March 26 disaster, guided by several tugboats To refloat the Dali, crews released anchors and pumped out more than 1 million gallons of water that had kept the ship grounded and stable during the complicated cleanup effort The crew, comprising 20 Indians and one Sri Lanka, still remain on board the vessel

ZUMA CAN'T RUN FOR PARLIAMENT, RULES SA

COURT

tim, the Department of Justice said in a statement Nayi, Young, Bhikha Patel, Nilesh Patel, Ravina Patel and Rajnikumar Patel were charged with conspiracy to commit visa

count of making a false statement in a visa application The conspiracy charge is punishable by a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison, while the false statement charge against Ravina Patel is punishable by up to ten years, the media release said

Indian students facing 'deportation' from Canada stage protest

OTTAWA: Hundreds of Indian students in Canada's Prince Edward Island (PEI ) region took to the streets to protest against the Canadi an gove rnment for "c ha ngin g the [i mmigr ation] pol ic y overnight and denying them work permits " According to reports, the students alleged that despite graduating, they were denied work permits and now face deportation However, India's ministry of external affairs (MEA) has denied the claims, saying that while there might be a few cases here or there, it doesn't see any major problem

The students reportedly threatened to go on a hunger strike if their demands weren't met The protests near the PEI government buildings began on May 9 According to CBC News, over 200 protesters gathered in Charlottetown, urging the provincial government to intervene and help the many foreign workers whose work permits are about to expire

In July last year, PEI passed a law restricting postgraduate work permits to students with specific qualifications They now allow only students with construction, home-building and healthcare qualifications to get a permit

This reportedly meant that hundreds of immigrants in other industries, such as retail sales and service, may not have their work permits extended when they run out in the next few months This left many international students unable to continue working in Canada In February, the PEI government announced it would reduce the number of people from other countries that it nominates for permanent residency in Canada through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) "The number of nominees will fall by 25 per cent in 2024, partly as a result of pressure on PEI's healthcare system and housing market," CBC News reported

More Indian Americans must run for elected offices: Kamala Harris

WA SHIN GTON : Kamala Harris

ha

Harris made the remarks at Desis Decide, the

“Over the years,

tive of the size of the growing population,” Harris told an audience comprising several Indian Americans in Washington DC

At present, there are only five elected Indian American members of the Congress – Dr Ami Bera, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Ro Khanna, Pramila Jayapal, and Shri Thanedar Impact previously said it believed that in 2020, the number of Indian Americans in the Congress will increase to 10 Harris said that the kind of work Impact is doing is “extraordinary ” I wanted to stop by to

thank, of course, the organisation for everything and for all that it represents, but also to say especially to those who have run for office or aspire to run for office, that you must run, ” Harris said “You must know that you are not alone There is so much that we still have to do as a country and a lot of the work that we each do, which is why we are here together, is born out of a belief in the promise of America And dare I say that, I am empirical evidence of the promise of America,” the vice president added

South Africa s highest court has ruled that former president Jacob Zuma cannot run for parliament in national elections on 29 May the latest twist in the most competitive polls since the country s first post-apartheid vote 30 years ago The constitutional court found that Zuma was ineligible to stand for election due to a 15-month prison sentence for contempt of court in 2021 after he failed to appear before a corruption inquiry Zuma was president of South Africa from 2009 to 2018, when he was forced to resign by the ruling African National Congress (ANC) party amid graft allegations, which he denies

MYANMAR ETHNIC GROUP CLAIMS CONTROL OF TOWN

A Myanmar ethnic minority armed group claimed its fighters had seized control of a town in western Rakhine state in what would be another blow to the junta Clashes have rocked Rakhine since the Arakan Army (AA) attacked security forces in November ending a ceasefire that had largely held since the 2021 military coup AA fighters have seized territory, including along the border with India and Bangladesh, piling further pressure on the junta as it battles opponents elsewhere across the country We seized all bases of the Myanmar Army in Buthidaung in northern Rakhine state, the AA said Those seized included a “military strategic headquarters”, it added, without giving details

BOY KILLS HIMSELF AFTER BULLYING AT SCHOOL

An Indiana boy killed himself after being bullied at school for several days His family has claimed that they complained to the school at least 20 times last year Sammy Teusch, 10, died on May 5 Sam and Nicole, Sammy s parents, claimed that they let the fourth-grader s school, Greenfield Intermediate School know about the bullying around 20 times They were making fun of him for his glasses in the beginning then on to make fun of his teeth It went on for a long time,” Sam said “He was beat up on the school bus and the kids broke his glasses and everything,” he said The school district s superintendent, Dr Harold Olin, claimed that no bullying report was ever submitted by Sammy or his parents

TWITTER HAS OFFICIALLY BECOME X COM: MUSK

The social network formerly known as Twitter has fully migrated over to X com, owner Elon Musk said The billionaire head of Tesla, SpaceX and other companies bought Twitter for $44 billion in late 2022 and announced the rebrand to X last July Although the logo and branding were changed to “X”, the domain name remained Twitter com “All core systems are now on X com,” Musk wrote on X, posting an image of

Kamala Harris

300 receive citizenship under Centre's CAA

Distribution of citizenship

ce r tif ica t es un d er th e

C it izen sh ip A me n d me n t

Act (CAA) kicked off with t he C en t re ha n din g o ve r documents to over 300 people across the country, in an emphatic signal of its intent to go ahead with the law that was enacted in the face of heavy resistance to open an accelerated pathway for Indian citizenship to memb ers of religious minorities

f r om A fg ha n ist an , Ba n g la d esh a n d P a kist a n who arrived in India by 2014 to escape religious persecution

While home secretary A K Bhalla handed over citi-

z e n s h i p c e r t i f i c a t e s t o 1 4

a p p l i c a n t s i n N e w D e l h i , others got the much-awaited document digitally

H o m e m i n i s t e r A m i t Shah lauded the development and termed it "historic", an assertion which was seen also as a political statement in the context of c o n t i n u i n g r e s i s t a n c e t o

CAA from opposition parties like CPM, Trinamool Congress and DMK which have vowed not to implement the law for not keepi n g M u s l i m s w i t h i n i t s purview

“ M o d i ' s g u a r a n t e e guarantee of fulfilment of promise Today is a very h i s t o r i c d a y T o d a y , t h e wait of decades has ended and through CAA, Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian brothers and sisters who came to India from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan due to relig i o u s p e r s e c u t i o n h a v e started getting Indian citi-

zenship Today, Narendra

d t h e promise made at the time of independence I express my gratitude to Modi ji for givi n g j u s t i

s

o these people who suffered for decades Also, I assure all my refugee brothers and sisters that the Modi govt will give citizenship to every r e f u g e e t h r o u g h C A A , ” Shah said in a social media post

Speaking in Bongaon in N

h accused West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee of “lying” and spreading “falsehood” about CAA

Char Dham yatra toll mounts to 29 in 9 days

A t lea s t 29 peopl e di ed, mainly due to heart-related complications, at high-altitude shrines in the past nine days since the Char Dham yatra began on May 10 The toll surged after three pilgrims lost their lives in the yatra l ast week, including one in Badrinath and two in Yamunotri Among the victims is Shashi Kant, a 49year-old pilgrim from Surat, w ho d ie d due to c ard ia c a rre s t dur in g hi s vi s i t to Badrinath, bringing the total n umbe r of f atali ties fr om Gujarati to four

Two more devotees lost their lives while visiting the

Y a m u n o t r i s h r i n e P o l i c e s a i d 5 3 - y e a r - o l d K a m l e s h Bhai Patel from Gujarat fell ill on his way to Yamunotri and was declared dead at the n e a r e s t h e a l t h c e n t r e Another pilgrim, 54-year-old

R o h i n i D a l v i f r o m P u n e passed away in hospital after

falling sick in her hotel in Kharadi village in Uttarkashi

W i t h t h i s , t h e t o l l a t t h e shrine has reached 11

A c c o r d i n g t o D r B S Rawat, chief medical officer, Uttarkashi, 11 people have died in Yamunotri and 2 in G a n g o t r i s h r i n e S o u r c e s within Rudraprayag administration revealed that the death count at Kedarnath shrine has reached 12, with six deaths occurring on last Saturday alone, mostly due t o h e a r t - r e l a t e d i s s u e s

Citing rapid ascent as primary cause of these deaths

R a j e e v S h a r m a , C M O o f Chamoli, said, “If pilgrims don’t make a stop in cities at

a lower altitude, their bodies don’t acclimatise which can prove fatal Similarly, patients with c o m o r b i d i t i e s o r p i lgrims above the age of 50 should not skip the health screenings at any cost ” O f f i c i a l s c l a i m e d t h a t h e a

than 100,000 devotees has been done so far and efforts are under way to increase the number Dr Vineeta Sah, director of medical health department, urged pilgrims

, consult their doctors before embarking on the journey, and not skip health screenings, especially those with c

entire yatra route, mobile

deployed and health checkup camps have been organised,” she said

Gopi Thotakura makes history, becomes India’s 1st space tourist

India-born Gopi Thotakura made history on Sunday as he became the first Indian to v ent ure i nto s pac e as a tourist He was part of the elite crew for Blue Origin’s N ew Shep ard- 2 5 (N S-2 5 ) m is s i on, w hic h t ook of f f rom the c ompany ’ s West Texas launch site in the US

B o r n i n V i j a y a w a d a , Gopi, an entrepreneur and a pilot, journeyed to the edge of space beyond the Earth’s atmosphere along with five others - Ed Dwight, Mason

A n g e l , S y l v a i n C h i r o n , Kenneth L Hess and Carol Schaller Ed Dwight (90) is now the oldest man on earth to go to space G

working in the US Although he became the first Indian citizen to go to space as a tourist, he is officially the second astronaut from the c o u n t r y a f t e

W i n g C o m m a n d e r R a k e s h Sharma, who flew as

space on board Soyuz T-11 on April 3, 1984, as part of the Soviet Interkosmos prog

a Williams, Raja Chari, and Sirisha Bandla were all US

Cash,

liquor and drugs worth £900 mn seized during polls so far

In the two months since the a nn oun c em en t of Lo k Sa b ha e l ec ti on d at es , enforcement agenci es have s e iz e d n e ar ly £900 m n worth of cash, liquor, drugs, precious metals and ‘freebies’ from acros s India This amount is more than two and a half times the total seizures (£347 5 mn) made during the entire 2019 LS elections With three more rounds of polling scheduled for over the next two weeks, the total value of seizures during this general elections is expected to ri se

C o m m i s s i o n d a t a , o u t o f the total £888 9 mn worth of seizures, drugs and narc o t i c s a c

% ,

llowed by ‘freebies’ at 23% and precious metals at 14%

T h e a g e n c i e s h a v e a l s o seized £84 9 mn in cash and a r o u n d 5 4 m n l i t r e s o f liquor worth £81 5 mn

A m o n g a l l s t a t e s a n d UTs, seizure in Gujarat in

value terms was maximum at around £146 2 mn, mainly on account of a recent joint operation by Gujarat ATS, N a r c o t i c s C o n t r o l B u r e a u a n d I n d i a n C o a s t G u a r d w h i c h l e d t o t h r e e h i g h -

v a l u e s e i z u r e s o f d r u g s worth £89 2 mn Rajasthan

r a n k s s e c o n d i n t h e l i s t where maximum ‘freebies’ w o r t h a r o u n d £ 7 5 7 m n were seized by the agencies

T h e e l e c t i o n p a n e l claimed these elections have witnessed a series of targeted actions against the mena c e o f d r u g s A p

e p o r t e

seizures of drugs On April 17, Noida Police busted a d r u g f a c t o r y i n G r e a t e r

cohorts have equally been impressive and surpasses the entire seizures of 2019 parliamentary elec-

drugs and psychotropic substances has resulted in big seizure actions and continu-

have been maximum,” said the poll body As per the EC, analysis of data shows that states and UTs which used

increasingly becoming ‘ consumption territories’ In terms of illegal move-

tops the list where around 15 mn litres of liquor were

y Maharashtra (approximately 62,00,000 litres)

Don’t do pressers as media not neutral, says

P rime Minist er Nar end ra Modi justified his decision not to hold press confere nce s by saying th at t he na t ur e o f m ed ia ha d change d and it was not the neutral entity that it used to be, with journa lists promoting their views and ideologies

“I am answerable to the c o u n t r y ' s P a r l i a m e n t T h e media is no more what it used to be Today, journalists are identified with their own preferences Media is n o l o n g e r a n o n - p a r t i s a n entity People are now aware o f y o u r b e l i e f s a s w e l l Earlier, media used to be faceless who is writing in the media, what is its ideology nobody was bothered about it earlier However, the situation is not the same

PM Modi

any more, ” Modi said in an interview, when asked why he doesn t hold press conferences

The PM said a new culture had developed in politics which was centred on mana g i n g t h e m e d i a a n d n o t being concerned about performance “However, I don’t believe in treading that path I have to work hard and reach out to each household of the poor I can also get clicked

c u t t i n g r i b b o n s i n V i g y a n Bhavan However, I go to a small district in Jharkhand for a minor project I have brought a new work culture and it is for the media to take a call whether they endorse it or not,” he said

Asked about allegations that Election Commission's i n d e p e n d e n c e h a d b e e

compromised on his watch, Modi shot back by recalling instances of CECs taking to politics and holding ministerial positions after their retirement under Congress regimes and by pointing out that the EC was a singlemember entity for 56 years

The PM further said four

times

Former Indian Colonel working with UN killed in Gaza attack

who also went to space as professional astronauts

space smoothly The rocket and capsule then returned to Earth, with the rocket landing upright a few minutes after takeoff The capsule successfully touched down, using two of its three parachutes, roughly 15 minutes after takeoff It was Jeff Bezos-owned Blue Origin’s first crew launch in nearly two years “Capsule touchdown Welcome back, NS25 crew!” Blue Origin said in a post on X

Waibhav Anil Kale, a former Indian Army colonel serving as an observer with UN’s department of safety and security (UNDSS), was killed in war torn Gaza last week Kale (46), survived by his wife and two teenage children who live in Pune, had joined UN barely a month ago and was headed for European Hospital in restive Rafah when his vehicle came under fire in Khan Younis

Another UNDSS staffer was injured It is unclear who was behind the attack on the clearly marked UN vehicle The Indian is the g l

casualty” in Gaza since the latest IsraelHamas conflict erupted on Oct 7, 2023

Condemning the incident, UN secretary general António Guterres called for a “full investigation” into it, while iterating his “urgent appeal for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and the release of all hostages”

Noting that over 190 UN staffers have been killed in Gaza till date, he said, “humanitarian workers must be protected ” Israel has reportedly launched an inquiry into the attack

Commissioned into the 11 J&K Rifles after passing out of Indian Military Academy in June 2000, Kale had served in different p a r t s

Kashmir and northeast, before he took premature retirement in 2022

“ K

rounder Before joining UNDSS, he worked in Amazon,” an Indian Army officer said UNDSS undersecretary general Gilles Michaud said, “Waibhav had been with our department for only a few weeks I had the pleasure of meeting him in Gaza the day after he arrived to take up his post after a distinguished career in the Indian military and private sector and service as a UN peacekeeper ” “He told me that he had joined UN because it seemed the best way to make a difference And Waibhav did make a difference He signed up to work in support of people who desperately need help in the most dangerous place, at a time of unimaginable crisis This speaks volumes about his character His contribution will not be forgotten,” Michaud said

Narendra Modi

SOUTH INDIA

Shivakumar offered me £10 mn to defame PM Modi, claims Karnataka BJP leader

HASSAN (KARNATAKA): Arrested BJP leader G Devaraje Gowda alleged that Karnata ka De puty Chi ef Mi nis ter DK Shi v akuma r of fe red hi m £1 0 mn to m ali gn the na mes of f or mer C hie f Mi nister and JD S state Presi dent HD Kum ara swa my an d Pr im e Mi ni st er Narendra Modi

Speaking to reporters from the police vehicle after being sent to judicial custody, Gowda claimed that Shivakumar even sent him £500,000 as advance

"After I refused the offer, police cases were lodged against me and I was arrested I am ready to expose him (DK Shivakumar) once I am released The Congress government is going to collapse in Karnataka," he claimed

Gowda added, "I was told to make a statement that it was HD Kumaraswamy who circulated the pen drives containing sex videos (involving Kumaraswamy's nephew Prajwal Revanna, the grandson of ex-PM HD Deve Gowda) But it was Shivakumar who obtained the pen drive from Karthik Gowda, who worked as a driver for Prajwal Revanna, and planned the entire episode "

A team of four ministers, including N Cheluvarayaswamy, Krishna Byre Gowda, and Priyank Kharge, was formed to handle the developments relating to the

sex video scandal, Gowda claimed

"They had planned in a big way to bring disrepute to Prime Minister Modi, HD Kumaraswamy and the BJP They offered me £10 mn and sent £500,000 as advance to Room No 110 at Bowring Club A local leader from Channarayapatna, Gopalaswamy, was sent to negotiate the deal," Gowda claimed

"I have the audio recordings of Shivakumar's conversations I will release them and the Congress government will collapse once I am out of prison," Gowda claimed as the police vehicle drove off Gowda was arrested by the police six days ago in a sexual harassment and atrocity case

Take action if Prajwal is guilty: Deve Gowda

BENGA LURU: Former PM and JD(S) patriarch HD Deve Gowda broke his silen ce on the sex video scandal allegedly involving his grandson Prajwal Revanna, stating that neither he nor his family has any objection to legal action being taken against the Hassan MP who is reportedly holed up in Europe However, he described the allegations again st his MLA-son HD Revan na as “manufactured” to malign his family

Gowda remarked: “We have no objection to action being taken against Prajwal, considering the allegations against him Justice must prevail, and action should be taken according to the law of the land ”

Defending his son, who is facing charges of sexual harassment and kidnapping, Gowda said: “The cases against Revanna are fabricated People are aware of the circumstances surrounding the allegations and the two FIRs filed against him He got bail in two cases, and a judgment in another is expected soon I won’t comment more as the matter is in court ”

Responding to a query on the allegation by arrested BJP leader G Deverajegowda on deputy CM DK Shivakumar offering him £10 mn to defame Kumaraswamy, and that state Congress president being behind the circulation of pen drives, Gowda said Kumaraswamy will respond to it He also expressed displeasure at media camping in front of his house ever since the scandal broke out

SAD manifesto warns of plot to destroy peace in Punjab

JA L A NDH AR: Sh iromani Akali Dal ( SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal accused “ some parties” of giving the ongoing L ok Sabha elections a “communal angle”, in an apparent attack on former ally BJP and PM Narendra Modi, whose recent speech sugg esting even women ’ s mangalsutras would be in danger if opposition were voted into office had sparked a row

“It is very clear, if for 70 years, mangalsutras have not been snatched, how would it happen now? Ram Mandir is the centre of devotion for everybody, and who would demolish it? These things should not have been said at that level, this is my advice,” Sukhbir said when asked by mediapersons to identify the “ some parties” However, he did

not name any party or individual

“The country belongs to all irrespective of the numbers of any community But when defeat is apprehended, some things are coming up which should not happen in a democratic country,” he said after releasing SAD’s manifesto “Ailaan-nama”

He accused national parties of attempting to polarise voters, alleging that votes are more important for them than national unity “Out of four main contestants in Punjab, three are national parties, and they are here only to get votes, while Akali Dal is the only party which is standing for Punjab ”

Addressing the issue of Sikh prisoners, he pointed out the disparity in treatment: “Rape convicts in the Bilkis Bano case were released,

BJP’s Abhijit Gangopadhyay ‘brought disrepute to Bengal’: Poll body

NE W D E L H I: Th e El ect ion Commission on Tuesday censured

A b h ijit Gan g op ad hy a y , BJP cand idate for Taml uk Lok Sabha constituency, for his 'what's your price' jab at Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at a public rally

In its order, the poll body debarred Gangopadhyay from campaigning, for a period of 24 hours, beginning 5 pm on May 21

The Election Commission also strictly warned Gangopadhyay to remain careful in his public utterances during the Model Code of Conduct

The Trinamool Congress had complained with the Election Commission against Gangopadhyay, alleging that he made "sexist" remarks against Mamata Banerjee Trinamool leader and West Bengal minister Shashi Panja had also said the party will also take legal action against Gangopadhyay, a former judge of Calcutta High Court

In a letter to the Chief Electoral Officer of West Bengal, Trinamool leader Derek O’Brien said, "In the said speech, Gangopadhyay has made certain highly offensive utterances, being: 'Mamata Banerjee, how much

are you being sold for? Your rate is 10 lakhs, why? Because you're getting your make-up done by Keya Seth? Mamata Banerjee, is she even a woman? I keep wondering sometimes "

"This clearly shows the misogynist conduct of the BJP candidate It is unfortunate that having being held a prominent position in the judiciary, he has chosen to attack on the dignity of women, especially one who is holding a position of power," the letter stated In its order, the Election Commission said, "Abhijit Gangopadhyay has committed the same type of violation to a worse degree " The poll body also advised BJP president JP Nadda to issue an advisory from his party's side to all candidates and campaigners, to make sure that this lapse does not recur during the campaign period

As per the Commission's statement, it has "carefully gone through the contents and averments made in the aforesaid reply of Abhijit Gangopadhyay and has again gone through the statement made, and is convinced that he has 'made a lowlevel personal attack' and thus violated the provisions of Model Code of Conduct "

but Sikh prisoners are being discriminated against by not being released even after serving their sentences ”

Sukhbir said Punjabis were the biggest nationalists but were still being tested “How many are from Gujarat in the army?” he asked Raising the issue of interference in Sikh religious affairs, he called it a dangerous design, accusing RSS of taking control of Takht Hazur Sahib Board

The manifesto warned of a conspiracy to destroy peace and communal harmony in Punjab and the return to police repression and extrajudicial killing of Sikh youths It promised to preserve Punjab’s religio-cultural identity, cancel the state’s water-sharing pacts and oppose any move to enforce UCC

We don’t endorse monk’s remarks on Mamata: Bharat Sevashram

KOLKATA: Bharat Sevashram Sangh a (BSS) said it didn’t endorse the “avoidable” statements made by its Beldanga u ni t ch i ef S w am i P radi p tanan da a gain st Ben gal CM Mamata Banerjee even as the monk sent a legal notice to the CM and later took to the streets in Behrampore to protest against her

A few hours after Banerjee singled out Swami Pradiptananda for being a “BJP stooge” while reiterating at an unscheduled public rally in Bankura that she had immense regard for BSS’s work, seniors at BSS spoke of the “respect” that the order had for the CM

BSS principal secretary, headquarters, Swami Biswatmananda, said that the order respected Banerjee “for the work she does for the poor ” He added that Swami Pradiptananda's statements were made in his personal capacity and “not endorsed” by the order “This should not have been said It is unfortunate No permission was sought from us (BSS headquarters) We will inquire into it,” he said Swami Pradiptananda told reporters in Behrampore: “In my legal notice, I stated that the CM’s false accusations have caused reactions among monks and devotees (In the notice, I asked her to) provide proof for the allegations she made Else, she should issue an unconditional apology ”

He said Banerjee’s comments were highly libellous and sought a reply in the next four days failing which he would take legal action At his protest march in the evening, Kartik Maharaj said: “All parties have cordial relations with me Even TMC leaders have come to meet me So did Congress and BJP leaders In Beldanga, a section of people considers me to be their guardian There is no politics in it ”

REVANNA GRANTED BAIL IN SEXUAL HARASSMENT CASE

A special court for elected representatives granted bail to JD(S) MLA HD Revanna in a sexual harassment case registered against him in Holenarasipura Special judge J Preet directed Revanna to furnish a bond of Rs 500,000 and surety of one person This is the second bail granted to Revanna Last Monday another special court granted bail to the Holenarasipura MLA in a kidnapping case in which he is accused of orchestrating the abduction of a 47-year-old woman The kidnapping case registered in KR Nagar, Mysuru district, was transferred to the special investigation team probing the Hassan sex scandal The court had directed Revanna not to enter KR Nagar until further orders In the Holenarasipura case, Revanna is arraigned as accused No 1, followed by his son Prajwal as the second accused

STALKER KILLS 21YEAR-OLD WOMAN IN KARNATAKA

A 21-year-old autorickshaw driver stabbed a woman to death in Hubballi after she repeatedly ignored his overtures in Karnataka Girish Savant alias Vishwa (21) is evading arrest He and the deceased young woman (21) were classmates in high school Sources said Girish came to the woman’s house in Veerapur Oni and knocked on the door When the family didn’t respond his knocks grew frequent and stronger The woman s younger sister partly opened the door Girish rushed in, told the sister and grandmother that he wanted to talk to the woman in private, pulled her aside and stabbed her multiple times in the neck and stomach She bled to death on the spot Sources said the man was already facing theft charges

MOVING BUS CATCHES FIRE IN HARYANA, 9 DIE

A bus with 60 pilgrims while returning to Punjab after visiting Mathura-Vrindavan caught fire on the KMP Expressway last week, charring or suffocating nine of them to death Most of the passengers were asleep when the air-conditioned carriage caught fire and the driver, who was alerted by another commuter, stopped the bus and fled instead of helping move the passengers out to safety So far eight of the nine victims have been identified The youngest to die in the tragedy is a 10-year-old girl and the oldest a 73-year-old woman At least 19 of the injured, several elderly among them, are being treated at various hospitals Survivors said the fire started in the rear of the bus Passengers became aware when flames leapt towards the roof and began to spread to the front, triggering a rush to the exit Locals and fellow commuters rushed to their aid, helping pull coughing and giddy passengers out of the burning bus

HC SLAMS EC FOR INACTION OVER BJP ADS

The Election Commission has grossly failed to address complaints about violations of the model code of poll conduct, Calcutta HC said while hearing Trinamool Congress petition against BJP s allegedly offensive poll ads Restraining BJP from publishing material that violates the model code, Justice Sabyasachi Bhattacharya held a string of advertisements issued by BJP on May 4, 5, 10 and 12 in sections of the media as “derogatory” and “slanderous” He said such ads must be barred in the interest of free, fair and untainted elections “Any resolution adopted by EC after June 4 (day of LS poll result) means nothing,” Bhattacharya said, responding to TMC’s allegation that the poll panel had been sitting on its complaints

G Devaraje Gowda

ED names Kejriwal and AAP as accused in excise policy case Delhi CM Kejriwal leads protest against aide's arrest

The Enforcement Directorate filed its chargesheet against CM Arvind Kejriwal and his AAP before a special court in the capital’s excise policy case, spelling out his alleged role in the money laundering case

Though the agency did not disclose details of the charges slapped on Kejriwal, sources said he has been accused in his “ personal capacity” as well as for his “vicarious role” in his capacity as AAP’s national convenor

It is the first time a political party has been charged in a money laundering case under PMLA

The special court will examine the chargesheet, and the case against Kejriwal, his former deputy Manish Sisodia and AAP will move into the fast lane should it take cognisance of ED’s submissions

The filing of the chargesheet came on a day the Supreme Court reserved its verdict in the case where Kejriwal has challenged the legality of his March 21 arrest by the investigating agency

On May 10, the SC had granted him interim bail to campaign in the parliamentary elections

This is the seventh supplementary chargesheet filed by ED in the liquor scam case in which at least 38 individuals and companies have been accused of involvement

ED has invoked Section 70 of PMLA which deals with companies to make AAP an accused in the money laundering case

This particular section of PMLA says “ every person who, at the time the contravention was committed, was in charge of and was responsible to the company, for the conduct of the business of the company as well as the company, shall be deemed guilty of the contravention and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly”

Kejriwal, being the national convenor and head of the party, has been held responsible for all irregularities of the party and for the alleged kickbacks received from the South Group and used for the party’s Goa election campaign

Gujarati woman living in US held for duping Florida man of $1.5 mn

A Gujarati woman living in the US has emerged as a key figure in a multi-state gold bar fraud in which scammers posing as federal agents would convince their victims to purchase gold bullion and hand it over for secure storage, only to cheat them out of it The c on lef t a man f rom Bradenton i n Florida reeling under a staggering loss of $1 5 million (£1 25 mn approx )

The swindle came to light after the police arrested 42-year-old Shweta Patel on May 9 This cunning con job began in Feb when two impostors, posing as federal agents, knocked on the victim’s door with a fake arrest warrant for alleged financial irregularities They then called their “ supervisor”, who spun a yarn about the victim’s potential to serve society better in other ways instead of being locked up

Over the next month, this “supervisor” communicated with the victim daily, building rapport and trust, according to a tweet posted by Bradenton police The scammer eventually tricked the victim into thinking he was part of a sting operation targeting social security fraud The catch? He needed

to cough up some serious “seed money ” to carry out the operation

Over several weeks, the con artists manipulated the victim into converting his retirement savings of approximately $1 5 million into gold bars Then Shweta Patel, impersonating a police officer, allegedly went to the victim’s house, took the gold bars and disappeared

Investigators traced one of the vehicles used during a drop-off to Patel, who was residing in Georgia and acting as a mule in the fraud During questioning, Patel revealed she was merely a courier for a mysterious figure she referred to as “King”

According to reports, Patel’s trail of deceit stretches further She allegedly travelled to North Carolina recently to swindle $25,000 (£2 08 mn approx ) from an older woman in a similar scam

Sources in investigative agencies say this type of crime is rampant among illegal immigrants from India And it’s not just the Indians Illegal immigrants from China are also running these types of elaborate scams

India downplays US sanctions threat over Iran port deal

India's external affairs minister S Jaishankar said the Chabahar port would benefit the entire region and a narrow view should not be take n of it, af ter the US wa rn ed t ha t an y coun tr y ha vin g b usin e ss de a lin g s with Iran runs the “ potential risk of sanctions”

Speaking in Kolkata, he said in the past, even the US has been appreciative of the fact that the Chabahar port has a larger relevance

India last week signed a 10-year contract to operate the strategic Iranian port of Chabahar that will help New Delhi expand trade with Central Asia

“We had a long association with the Chabahar port but we could never sign a long-term agreement The reason was there were various problems Finally, we

were able to sort this out and we were able to get the long-term agreement done A long-term agreement is necessary because without it we cannot improve port operations And, port operations, we believe, will benefit the entire region,” Jaishankar said

“I did see some remarks which were made, but I think it’s a question of communicating, convincing and getting people to understand this is actually for everybody’s benefit I don’t think people should take a narrow view of it And, they have not done so in the past If you look at the US’ own attitude to Chabahar in the past, the US has been appreciative of the fact that Chabahar has a larger relevance We will work at it,” he said

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal alleged that BJP was running ‘Operation Jhaadu’, aiming to arrest all top functionaries of his party to eliminate AAP, as it saw them as a challenge

Kejriwal made the statement during his address to party workers before leading a protest march to BJP headquarters following the arrest of his aide, Bibhav Kumar, in the Swati Maliwal assault case

Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha, who had been missing in action for months due to an eye surgery that even led to speculation over his affiliation with the party, was also present

Addressing party workers, he said PM Modi could get all functionaries arrested in one go instead of taking them one by one He told the cadre to be prepared to face bigger challenges ahead

“The top leaders of our party, all ministers, MLAs, MPs, councillors and office bearers are present here Why did we have to gather here today? Because the Prime Minister has made up his mind to completely destroy and crush Aam Aadmi Party, for which he has started an operation called ‘Operation Jhaadu’,” he said

The Delhi CM said that

PM Modi feared AAP, as its work was being discussed all over the country, and it could be a challenge for BJP at the national level and in many states

Kejriwal said every senior functionary of AAP had gone through a trial by fire “They arrested me, Sanjay Singh, Manish Sisodia and Satyendar Jain

Yesterday, they even arrested my PA Raghav Chadha has just come back; now they are saying that he will also be arrested They are saying that Atishi, Saurabh Bharadwaj and Kailash Gahlot will also be arrested soon, ” he said

He said that in the coming days, the party office would be locked “ED’s lawyer has already given a statement in court that AAP’s bank accounts will be frozen immediately after the elections,” the CM said

After the speech, Kejriwal led a march towards BJP’s headquarters and sat on the road as police barricades prevented them from reaching the office There was heavy police presence on Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg RS MP Sanjay Singh, ministers Gopal Rai and Kailash Gahlot, and other senior functionaries were present After staging a protest for around half an

hour, they left Kejriwal’s PA held The police earlier arrested Kejriwal’s PA, Bibhav Kumar, from the chief minister’s residence in connection with the alleged assault on AAP’s Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal

Bibhav has been booked under IPC sections of attempt to commit culpable homicide, assault and using criminal force on a woman to disrobe her and criminal intimidation The relevant sections have provision for punishment of less than seven years

Even as the arrest was unfolding, AAP minister Atishi challenged Maliwal’s version of the incident at a press conference where she shared CCTV footage of May 13 It shows Maliwal being escorted out of the CM’s residence by a woman security personnel She is wearing a short pink kurta and frees her arm from the woman ’ s grip as they exit “As per Swati Maliwal’s FIR, after the alleged attack, she was not in a position to walk and was writhing in pain but the CCTV footage is telling a different story,” said Atishi “She has mentioned that she was attacked so brutally that she was in a state of unconsciousness The footage shows she is walking comfortably ”

Earlier, a few hours after India signed the agreement with Iran on Chabahar port, the US said there would be no exemptions for Indian firms dealing with Iran from sanctions already in force

Vedant Patel, the Principal Deputy Spokesperson for the US State Department, told reporters on May 13 that while the agreement was a bilateral matter between India and Iran and that India was free to run its foreign policy the way it wanted, “ any entity (or) anyone considering business deals with Iran need to be aware of the potential risks that they’re opening themselves up to the term risk of sanctions” Asked if there will be no exemptions, the spokesperson said, “No ”

60.3% voter turnout in 5th phase against 62.5% in 2019

The f i ft h phas e of Lok Sab ha elections on Monday saw 60 3% voter turnout as against 62 5% in 2019, with West Bengal registering the highest polling of 74 7% and Maharashtra witnessing the least at 54 3%

The overall turnout for 2019 does not include the delimited seat of Baramulla In terms of turnout percentages, Baramulla in J&K saw 56 7% polling this time (against 34 6% five years ago) -higher than what any of the six constituencies in Mumbai registered on Monday

The turnout in India’s financial capital ranged between 47 8% in Mumbai South and 55 2% in Mumbai North East and Mumbai North West, according to data on the Election Commission’s turnout

app In Maharashtra, where 13 seats went to polls, Bhiwandi, Kalyan and Thane registered higher voting

In a statement, EC too noted the trend: “Parliamentary constituencies in various urban cities like Mumbai, Thane, Nashik and Lucknow continued the trend of urban apathy as noticed in last

general election in 2019 ” With this phase, which saw voting in 49 seats across six states and two Union Territories, polling has been completed in 428 seats

According to EC’s voter turnout app at 11 45 pm, Amethi and Rae Bareli, from where Union minister Smriti Irani and Congress’s Rahul Gandhi are

Slow pace, long queues test voters' patience in Mumbai

M umb ai re si den ts fac ed dela ys , s l ow-pa ce d voti ng pr oce ss an d long queues as the city went to pol ls on Mon day ami d sul try weather conditions, with Shiv Sena (U BT) and Con gres s r ai si n g concerns

While at some places, people who had turned up at polling booths early in the morning, left without casting their vote after waiting in the line for a long time, Sena (UBT) Chief, Uddhav Thackeray, alleged that the process was slowed down deliberately

Polling was underway for 13 Lok Sabha constituencies, including six in Mumbai city in the final phase of the general elections in Maharashtra

A resident of Goregaon under Mumbai North West Lok Sabha constituency claimed, that he had to wait for 45 minutes to cast his vote "I felt that the officials at the polling booth were taking long (to conduct the process)," he said

A voter in Bimbisar Nagar in Goregaon East said, "I came to vote

around noon, but it took nearly one and a half hours I am a senior citizen, and still came to vote, but, it took longer than it had taken in 2019 " Sultan Shaikh, a resident of Bhiwandi constituency near Mumbai, said, "I was told that my name is not there in the voters' list, so I could not vote " Vimal Thakkar, another Bhiwandi resident, claimed that the names of all six members of her household who are eligible to vote, were missing from the list "It is the same polling booth where we had cast votes in the past We visited other polling stations too, but our names were not in the lists there too," she said

The Shiv Sena (UBT) also alleged that some polling stations in Borivali, which falls under the Mumbai North constituency, witnessed long queues with people waiting for more than one hour to cast their vote

"There is a lot of enthusiasm among voters, but the Election Commission, is acting in a partial

Pujya Gurudevshri Rakeshji to visit the United Kingdom in June 2024

P u jya Gu rud evsh ri Rakesh ji , an enl ig h tened mas ter, sp iri tu al vi si onar y, g lo bally rec og ni sed h u mani tarian and fou nd er o f

S h rim ad Raj ch andra Mi ss io n

D haram pu r w il l vis it Uni ted Kingdom in June 2024 This visit is h i gh ly antic ip ated by sp iri tu al s eekers, wh o lo ok forw ard to ex peri enci ng hi s p ro fo und discourses

P ujya Gurudevshri’s d iscourse in Leicester:

Venue: Athena Events Venue, Queen St, Leicester LE1 1QD; Date and Time: Tuesday 18th June 2024 (8 pm to 10 pm); dinner will be provided before the programme; Free admission, register at events srmd,org/leicester Discourses in London:

V enue: Byron Hall, Harrow Leisure Centre, Christchurch Ave, Harrow HA3 5BD; Dates & Timings: Thursday 20th June 2024

– Saturday 22nd June (8 pm to 10 pm) and Sunday 23rd June 2024 (10:30 am to 12 pm); Dinner will be provided on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings before the programme, with lunch following the Sunday session; Free admission, register at london srmd org/20years

Highlights of Gurudevshri’s London visit include:

• Celebrations to commemorate 20 years since Pujya Gurudevshri’s first UK Dharmayatra tour on the evening of Saturday 22nd June will provide a precious opportunity for attendees to reflect on His profound spiritual impact in the UK over the years

• Atmarpit Diksha Ceremony (Renunciation): For the first time on UK soil, a blessed soul takes a leap towards a Divine Union

• Bhakti, cultural dedications and guided meditation

• An immersive exhibition showcasing the global initiatives of Shrimad Rajchandra Mission Dharampur

manner There is a delay by EC s representatives in certain areas, Uddhav Thackeray, alleged at a press conference in the afternoon Priyanka Chaturvedi, Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha member who was standing in a queue at a polling centre in Malad area of Mumbai, said, " Nearly 2,000 voters are expected to vote at one booth The EC should have provided two machines (EVMs) to increase the pace It looks like the EC is discouraging people from voting People who have been standing since 7 30 am are able to vote at 10 am " Congress candidate from Mumbai North Central constituency Varsha Gaikwad said, "I have received complaints from voters that they do not have enough facilities at polling booths Long queues and exposure to the heat are testing their patience

Some people have returned home without exercising their franchise " Mumbai recorded a maximum temperature of 35 degrees Celsius during the day

contesting, saw higher polling

The elite Mumbai South constituency, which is home to the country’s wealthiest industrialists, recorded the lowest turnout in the city - an estimated 47 7% Mumbai North from where Union minister Piyush Goyal contested, recorded the highest turnout at 55 2%

In Mumbai North East, where BJP’s Mihir Kotecha contested against NCP (SP)’s Sanjay Dina Patil amid a Marathi-Gujarati rift, the turnout was 53 7%

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray lashed out at the Election Commission, accusing it of batting for the BJP and claimed that there were deliberate delays at booths favourable to its party

“PM Modi sensed his defeat and the EC began behaving as his servant There were long delays especially at booths where we get votes,” he alleged He urged voters to return to booths and vote “They should note down the names of polling staff and inform us We are willing to go to court,” said Thackeray

Voter turn out in first four phases touches 66.95%

The Election Commission of India (ECI) said that the Lok S abha Elections 2024 has seen a voter turnout of about 66 95% so far with approximately 451 million people having voted during the first four phases

Chief election commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar along with election commissioners (ECs) Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu have directed chief electoral officers (CEOs) of the states going to poll in the 5th, 6th, and 7th phases to timely distribute voter information slips to all electors and enhance outreach activities They have also appealed to celebrities to join in the voter outreach campaigns

On April 30, the ECI published the final voter turnout percentage which showed a sharp increase by about 5-6% as compared to the initial percentage announced The opposition parties then questioned the ECI for the delay and flagged the alleged discrepancy in the figures as compared to what was reported on the voting days

On May 10, the ECI in a letter to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge dismissed the allegations of discrepancy in voter turnout data It said that the voter turnout data was not delayed as it was available on the Voter Turnout App

Fourth phase clocks

69 2%

The fourth phase of Lok Sabha polls on May 13 saw 69 2% voter turnout, the highest among the four phases so far, latest data released by EC showed The data also showed that more women than men voted in all three phases of polls in Bihar, where voting was held for 15 seats in the second, third and fourth phases

Compared to the 2019 elections, the fourth phase also saw the lowest gap - 40 basis points (one percentage point equals 100 basis points)although the turnout has dipped in all four rounds Turn out in 2019 during the fourth phase was estimated at 69 6%, which excludes Srinagar as delimitation took place there “We expect the voting percentage to increase further in the next three phases,” an EC official said

Vaghul, the banker who built ICICI brand, passes away at 88

Banking wasn’t his first career choice But N Vaghul, who passed away last week, aged 88, redefined the industry he joined after his plans to appear for civil service exams hit a roadblock

Survived by his wife, son and daughter, Vaghul breathed his last in Apollo hospital in Chennai, where he was admitted after a fall Vaghul’s most storied achievement, one which ensured his place in Indian banking history, was building the ICICI brand in finance ICICI is today India’s second biggest bank by mcap, after HDFC His five-decadeplus stint in the Indian financial sector, which started when he cleared an exam for SBI probationary officer in 1957, was dotted with many accomplishments A recipient of the Padma Bhushan in 2009, he was the youngest bank chairman, leading Bank of India at 44 He was also the youngest chairman of the Indian Banks Association

He had risen up SBI’s ranks, mentored by another veteran banker, SBI chairman R K Talwar But those were the heydays of Indian socialism Bureaucrats thought they knew how banks should be run Vaghul left banking, unwilling to follow bureaucratic diktats Unusually for a man who dealt with money, he spent much of his break from finance studying spirituality at Swami Chinmayananda’s Ashram in Rishikesh He also had a stint as director of the National Institute of Bank Management

Terrorists open fire at Pahalgam tourist camp

Two separate terrorist attacks in J&K left a young tourist couple from Jaipur wounded and a former BJP sarpanch dead, marking attempts to sabotage Lok Sabha elections in the Union territory

Sources said Tabrez and his wife Farha from the Rajasthan city were attacked in Yannar near Pahalgam in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district

According to reports, they were at a tourist campsite at the popular destination when the attack happened Kashmir zone police confirmed the couple was taken to a hospital for treatment, but the nature of their wounds and their condition were unknown

This is the third terrorist attack on non-natives in J&K this election season On April 17, a 35-year-old roadside food vendor from Bihar was shot dead in Anantnag, and on April 8, a tourist taxi driver from New Delhi suffered bullet wounds in Shopian district when he stopped at a restaurant while transporting tourists In another attack in Shopian, terrorists gunned down former sarpanch Aijaz Ahmad Sheikh near his home in Heeripora Security forces have launched manhunts at both attack sites According to sources, the Lashkar-e-Taiba-backed Resistance Front could be behind the attack on the Jaipur couple

Former CM and PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti condemned both assaults in a tweet: “ the timing of these attacks given that the South election was delayed without any reason is a cause of concern Especially keeping in mind normalcy claims touted by GOI ”

Pujya Gurudevshri Rakeshji

Psychologist Mamta Saha

Dear Readers,

Frenemies

Friendship is a beautiful bond that can bring joy, support, and a sense of belonging However, sometimes these relationships can take a surprising turn, transforming cherished friends into unexpected adversaries

Understanding and managing these complex dynamics can be challenging but also essential for maintaining our well-being

In the Asian community, the concept of 'face' maintaining respect and dignity is highly valued This cultural aspect can complicate dealing with frenemies, as individuals may avoid direct confrontation to preserve harmony However, navigating these dynamics with sensitivity and respect is still possible Emphasising open communication and seeking advice from trusted family members can provide guidance In some cases, involving a neutral third party, like a coach or therapist, can help mediate and resolve conflicts while maintaining the cultural emphasis on respect and harmony Many of my clients come to me with similar problems and here are some steps I share with them

Recognising the Shift

It’s essential to first acknowledge the signs that a friendship is evolving into something less friendly Changes in behaviour, such as increased criticism, competition, or a general feeling of unease, can indicate that the dynamics have shifted These shifts can occur due to various reasons like jealousy, misunderstandings, or personal growth leading friends down different paths

Communicating Openly

Once you sense a change, communication is key Sit down with your friend and discuss your feelings openly Express your concerns without blaming them, and listen to their perspective This honest dialogue can often clear up misunderstandings and help both parties understand each other's viewpoints It’s possible that your friend might not even realise their actions have been hurtful Setting Boundari es

If the conversation doesn’t resolve the issues, setting clear boundaries is the next step It’s okay to protect your emotional health by limiting interactions that cause distress This doesn’t necessarily mean ending the friendship, but rather redefining it in a way that feels healthier for both parties Boundaries help maintain respect and ensure that both individuals feel safe within the relationship

When to Walk Away

Sometimes, despite our best efforts, a friendship may become toxic In such cases, it’s crucial to know when to walk away Ending a friendship can be painful, but prioritising your mental and emotional health is paramount Surround yourself with supportive people who uplift and encourage you, helping to fill the void left by the lost friendship

Navigating the journey from friends to frenemies and possibly back to friends again requires patience, empathy, and self-awareness By recognising the signs, communicating openly, setting boundaries, and knowing when to walk away, you can manage these complex dynamics gracefully Remember, it’s okay to prioritise your well-being and seek support from others when needed

For the month of May I'm offering a pay what you can coaching session, that will incorporate navigating difficult friendships Reach out today to book your session mamta@mamtasaha com Don’t forget to download your free E- Book at www mamtasaha com

Pistachios aid weight loss

Despite their relative high- calorie content, pistachios help in reducing weight Studies reveal that incorporating them into a balanced diet can enhance weight loss and body composition

Proteins in blood could warn of cancer over

Research conducted at the University of Oxford suggests that proteins present in the bloodstream might serve as early indicators of cancer, potentially detecting the disease more than seven years prior to diagnosis

The study, which analysed blood samples from over 44,000 individuals enrolled in the UK Biobank, observed a subset of over 4,900 participants who later received a cancer diagnosis

In their study, researchers compared the

7 years early

protein profiles of individuals who later developed cancer with those who did not, pinpointing 618 proteins correlated with 19 different types of cancer, such as colon, lung, nonHodgkin lymphoma, and liver cancer

Sponsored by Cancer

Research UK and published in Nature

Communications, the study further identified 107 proteins linked to cancers diagnosed over seven years after blood sample collection, along with 182 proteins strongly linked to a cancer diagnosis within three years

The authors concluded that some of these proteins could be used to detect cancer much earlier and potentially provide new treatment options, though further research was needed

Dr Keren Papier, a senior nutritional epidemiologist at Oxford Population Health at the University of Oxford and joint first author of the study, said: “To save more lives from cancer, we need to better understand what happens at the earliest stages of the disease [and] how the proteins in our blood can affect our risk of cancer Now we need to study these proteins in depth to see which ones could be reliably used for prevention ”

Four fresh findings about obesity

During the 2024 European Congress on Obesity, a variety of ex pert s pre s ent ed research on combating the issue Here's a summary of the main discoveries Screen use during meals linked to childhood obesity

A study involving 735 primary schoolchildren aged six to ten revealed that those who frequently used smartphones or other screens during meals were 15% more likely to be overweight Dr Ana Duarte Mel, the lead researcher from the University of Minho, highlighted that screen distractions during meals hinder children's ability to recognise when they're full, potentially leading to

overeating and obesity She emphasised the importance of family mealtime without screens to address this growing concern Britons still reluctant towards insect foods Research suggests that while insect-based foods are consumed worldwide, they still lack appeal in the UK A study conducted an online survey of 603 UK adults between 2019 and 2020, revealing that only 13% of respondents were open to regularly consuming insects, whereas 47% expressed unwillingness Dr Lauren McGale from Edge Hill University, the lead author, emphasised that insects could address the dual chal-

Four minute mile runners outlive others

A new study in the British Journal of Sports Medicine re ve a ls th a t a th le te s who a chi e ve a s ub-fo ur-mi n ute mile ten d to liv e ap prox imately five years longer than their predicted life expectan-

cy Researchers monitored the lifespan of the initial 200 athletes to ever complete a mile in under four minutes, covering a period from 1954 to 1974 These athletes hailed from 28 diverse countries across Europe, North America, Oceania, and Africa Researchers, including those from the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute in Australia, discovered that these athletes surpassed the general population's life expectancy by several years On average, they lived

nearly five years beyond their predicted lifespan Moreover, those who achieved their first sub-four-minute mile in the 1950s lived nine years longer than the general population, while those from the 1960s and 1970s lived 5 5 years and almost three years longer, respectively

The analysis revealed that the average age of surviving athletes was 77 years, while deceased athletes passed away at an average age of 73 All 200 athletes, born between 1928 and 1955, were approximately 23 years old when they first achieved a sub-four-minute mile The researchers noted that while extreme endurance exercise was previously thought to potentially shorten life expectancy, these findings challenge that notion

lenge of obesity and undernutrition, being a potentially rich source of protein and micro-nutrients

Financial incentives can help

A year-long study found that text messages and cash incentives helped men with obesity lose weight In a group of 585 men, those receiving texts with financial incentives lost 4 8% of body weight, compared to 2 7% in the group without incentives Researchers suggest this strategy could be adopted by the NHS New drug which could be more effective than Ozempic

A new weight-loss injection called Retatrutide,

administered weekly, has shown promising results in a phase 2 clinical trial Participants, numbering 338 and living with obesity, lost nearly a quarter of their body weight over 48 weeks Unlike existing rivals like Ozempic and Wegovy, Retatrutide not only suppresses appetite but also aids fat burning Researchers anticipate its potential availability on the NHS by 2026, pending further clinical trials

Easy ways to meet your daily protein quota

Protein is hailed as the king of nutrients due to its vital rol es i n mus c le r epai r, immune function, hormone regulation, and weight management Whether you're an athlete, fitness enthusias t, or simply aiming for better hea lth, a deq uate pr otei n intake is crucial

Increasing protein intake is simple with various easy methods Aim for 10-35% of your daily calories from protein, which translates to 0 8 grams per kilogram of body weight for adults For instance, on a 2,000 calorie diet, this means consuming 50-175 grams of protein

1 Start your day with protein: Begin your day with a protein-rich breakfast to energise your morning

Options like eggs, yoghurt, cottage cheese, soy, or pea

protein provide a nutritious start Try a speedy smoothie by blending protein paste or powder with fruits, veggies, and your choice of milk

2 Snack smartly: Snack wisely with protein-rich options to curb cravings Choose nuts, seeds, yoghurt with berries, protein bars, or hard-boiled eggs over sugary snacks for sustained satisfaction between meals

3 I n cl ude prot ei n i n every meal: Make it a habit to include a source of protein in every meal Whether it’s chicken, fish, tofu, beans, lentils, soy products, or peas, aim to fill at least a quarter of your plate with protein rich foods This not only helps increase your protein intake but also ensures balanced nutrition throughout the day

Higher heart disease risk after delivery for infertility patients

A Ru tger s Health s tud y, analysi ng over 31 mi lli on hospital records, found that infertility treatment patients faced double the risk of hospitalisation for heart disease in the year p o st- del ivery compared to spontaneously conc eived p ati ents

Ad d i tio nally, inf ertil ity pati ents w ere 2 1 6 tim es more likely to be hospitalised for hypertension "Postpartum checkups

are necessary for all patients, but this study indicates they are particularly important for patients who undergo infertility treatment to achieve a conception," said Rei Yamada, an obstetrics and gynaecology resident at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and lead author of the study

The study authors advocate for postpartum care standards recommending an

initial checkup three weeks after delivery, a practice not yet universally adopted by all health systems Elevated risk, particularly for patients developing dangerously high blood pressure, was prominent in the first month after delivery

Cande Ananth, Chief of the Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and

Reproductive Sciences at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and senior author of the study, emphasised the importance of early follow-up care He noted that their findings, along with previous studies, underscore the critical need for early postpartum monitoring to mitigate risks of heart disease and stroke within the initial 30 days after delivery

Shreyas Talpade says Farah Khan loses cool on him and SRK over improvisations

Actor Shreyas Talpade recently shared insights into his experience collaborating with Shah Rukh Khan and Farah Khan on the film Om Shanti Om He described his time working with them as fantastic, reminiscing about every aspect of the film, from shooting to promotions and even the London shows Shreyas also recalled an amusing instance when Farah became exasperated with their improvisations alongside SRK

During an interview, Shreyas revealed, "Farah saw me in Dor, and that's when she considered casting me as Pappu Master in Om Shanti Om From day one, I was quite nervous, especially about working with Shah Rukh Khan and how he would perceive my improvisations Coming from a background where improvisation is common, I had several ideas in mind, but I was unsure about how Shah would react to them " He continued, "After a couple of hours, I decided to approach him and share my ideas, because otherwise, I'd be miserable throughout the shoot I spoke with him, and he was very pleased with the concept Additionally, being incredibly witty himself, he contributed with ten more ideas "

"If you give me right roles and right directors, I can do magic": Sonakshi Sinha

Actor Sonakshi Sinha reveals that nearly a decade ago, she made a conscious decision to shift her career trajectory towards roles that presented challenges This decision has led her to projects like 'Dahaad' and now 'Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar'

In 'Dahaad', directed by Reema Kagti, she portrayed a no-nonsense small-town cop, while her role as the vengeful Fareedan in Sanjay Leela Bhansali s pre-Partition era Lahore-set drama about courtesans is earning her acclaim

The actor shared that portraying the dual roles of Rehanna and Fareedan in the eight-part Netflix series wasn't easy, but she managed it with the trust Bhansali had in

her abilities Bhansali, who previously produced Sonakshi s 2012 film Rowdy Rathore', believed in her capacity to deliver "If you give me the right roles and the right directors, I can do magic," Sonakshi stated in an interview

She also acknowledges the contributions of her former collaborators such as Kagti, Vikramaditya Motwane ('Lootera'), and A R Murugadoss (director of 'Akira') for envisioning her in diverse roles

"I'm seeking roles that truly challenge me and enable me to fulfil my potential Once I shifted my focus to roles that genuinely challenged me, I evolved into a better actor These experiences have shaped me into who I am today," she added

Sharmila

Tagore

says she was an ‘absent’ mother in Saif Ali Khan’s

childhoodyears

Sharmila Tagore reveals that she was largely "absent" during the initial six years after giving birth to her son, Saif Ali

Khan The veteran actor, married to cricketer Mansoor Ali Khan at the time, mentioned that when they welcomed Saif, she was occupied with at least two shifts a day in the film industry

Speaking at a recent Mother’s Day event, the 79-y reflected on he experience of becoming a mo for the first tim acknowledged she may have m "a few mistakes

Sharmila Tagore, who also has two daughters, Saba Ali Khan and Soha Ali Khan, shared, "When I had Saif, I was very busy,

working two shifts a day For the first six years of his life, I was really absent Although I attended parent-teacher meetings and his plays, I don’t think I was a full-time mom My husband was there, but I wasn’t Then, when I became a mother, I became overzealous I wanted to do everything for him feed him, bathe him, everything That er side of the I made a few honestly " e has grown up My husband was re, and we had the upport of the extended family and my friends

One of his school teachers would live across the apartment in Mumbai She and her husband really ooked after Saif as ell For the girls I s there,” she ded

Jackie Shroff’s film ‘Slow Joe’ to be directed by Sandrine Bonnaire

Veteran

Jackie expressed excitement about collaborating with Sandrine, stating, "I am thrilled to have Sandrine Bonnaire on board to direct Slow Joe Her exceptional talent and vision will undoubtedly elevate the film to new heights Working alongside such a respected filmmaker is an honour, and I am eager to bring Slow Joe’s extraordinary journey to audiences worldwide Sandrine is equally enthusiastic about the project "Joseph Manuel Da Rocha’s story is moving and extraordinary, demonstrating that it’s never too late to overcome adversity and achieve your dreams I am truly excited to be a part of this film with its talented cast and cannot wait to begin filming," she said

In a Singapore-France-India coproduction titled "Slow Joe," Shroff will portray the late Indian musician Joseph Manuel Da Rocha, also known as Slow Joe Da Rocha, a former heroin addict and drug dealer born in Mumbai, was disowned by his family At the age of 50, heartbroken, he relocated to Goa and embarked on a journey of recovery, as reported by Variety During a trip to Goa in 2007, Lyon-based French musician Cedric de la Chapelle encountered Joe, then a frail 64-year-old making ends meet as a hotel room broker Joe, a poet and musician, captured de la Chapelle's attention with his voice, leading to the recording of some of his a cappella songs

actor Jackie Shroff’s movie Slow Joe will be directed by Sandrine Bonnaire.

Deepika Padukone becomes first Indian star on Deadline's Global Disruptors 2024 list

Kartik Aaryan

Actor Deepika Padukone has been recognized by the international publication Deadline, alongside stars Eva Longoria, Uma Thurman, and Lee Sung Jin, for her significant contributions to the entertainment try eepika is the only Indian star featured on the al Disruptors List, celebrated as "Racket to et: India's Surprise Superstar on a mission to barriers and taboos " his recognition places Deepika, who is cting her first child with her husband, actor eer Singh, among a group of influential nalities in the entertainment industry eflecting on her journey and motivations, ika expressed her deep appreciation for the borative nature of filmmaking She stated, "Of e, the success of a movie is important, but for the time I've had with people and the iences I have on the set of a film are the most rtant This information has also been shared r team on her official website eepika's career trajectory features consecutive office successes in India and notable sentation on global platforms She has graced gious events, presenting at the Oscars in 2023 the BAFTAs in 2024, and served as a jury ber at the Cannes Film Festival in 2022 Her ey is marked by numerous milestones

Shabana Azmi reveals Javed Akhtar says our marriage thrives because we 'don’t meet often'

shares 8-minute war scene, calls it 'proudest moment of his career'

Sajid Nadiadwala and Kabir Khan's highly anticipated film, "Chandu Champion," continues to captivate audiences with its captivating poster reveals. Following the unveiling of the first and second-look posters featuring Kartik Aaryan as a wrestler and a boxer, the makers have now released a third poster set against an intense war backdrop.

Each poster showcases the grandeur and scale of the film, heightening anticipation among viewers Shot in the breathtaking Aru Valley in Jammu and Kashmir, nestled at an altitude of 9000 feet, the third poster features crucial war scenes, promising an unparalleled cinematic experience

Kartik Aaryan, sharing the poster on his social media, expressed immense pride, stating, "The proudest moment of my career so far portraying a soldier of the Glorious Indian Army, a facet of Chandu Champion’s life " He unveiled that the poster offers a glimpse of an eight-minute long single take war sequence, the largest ever shot in one go, promising a cinematic marvel. Kartik's tribute to

the Indian Armed Forces shines through, reflecting his dedication to the film and its roles Director Kabir Khan ensured authenticity and perfection in the epic battle sequences, with the entire team dedicating five days to rigorous preparation to bring this spectacle to life, aiming to captivate audiences worldwide

The sports drama film is set to release on June 14

Veteran

actor Shabana Azmi recently shared the secret behind her longlasting marriage to lyricist Javed Akhtar In an interview, Shabana, who has been married to Javed since December 1984, revealed that her husband believes their relationship thrives because they "don’t meet too often "

Shabana Azmi, daughter of the late renowned poet Kaifi Azmi, shared insights about her marriage to Javed Akhtar in an interview She mentioned, "Javed says the key to our successful marriage is that we don’t meet too often, as we're both busy running in different directions We come from similar backgrounds our fathers were poets from UP and communists, and we share common views on many things Given these factors, people often say we should have had an arranged marriage "

Over the years, Shabana Azmi and Javed Akhtar have often spoken about the deep friendship that underpins their relationship In the same interview, Shabana elaborated on their marriage, saying, "Touchwood, we have a happy and strong relationship Javed always says, Shabana is my best friend, and even marriage could not change that ”

Javed Akhtar was previously married to screenwriter Honey Irani In 1984, Javed and Shabana married after his split from first wife

Tabu to star in 'Dune: Prophecy' prequel series

Tabu has secured a recurring role in the Max prequel series, portraying Sister Francesca Described as "strong, intelligent, and alluring," her character leaves a lasting impact wherever she goes

Once a significant love interest of the emperor, her comeback to the palace threatens to disrupt the balance of power in the capital

Originally commissioned in 2019 as 'Dune: The Sisterhood,' the series draws inspiration from the novel 'Sisterhood of Dune' by Brian Herbert and Kevin J Anderson

Set within the vast universe of 'Dune,' created by acclaimed author Frank Herbert, and occurring 10,000 years before the rise of Paul Atreides, 'Dune: Prophecy' centres on two Harkonnen sisters as they confront threats to humanity's future and lay the groundwork for the legendary Bene Gesserit sect In the upcoming project, Tabu will join a star-studded cast including Emily Watson, Olivia Williams, Johdi May, Travis Fimmel, Sarah-Sofie Boussnina, Mark Strong, Chloe Lea, Josh Heuston, and Jade Anouka, among others

Co-produced by Max and Legendary Television, the series is closely tied to Legendary's film franchise The release date of the show has been kept confidential

Saindhavi clarifies her divorce from GV Prakash

is not due to ‘external force’

Since music composer-actor GV Prakash and singer Saindhavi announced their divorce online, they have been targeted by trolls Despite the couple's request for privacy, people have speculated and spread rumours about the reasons for their separation. After Prakash addressed the trolls, Saindhavi also released a statement to put the rumours to rest.

Saindhavi took to her Instagram to address YouTubers who were spreading fabricated rumours about their divorce for views She expressed disappointment in seeing numerous YouTube videos creating

Suriya’s

‘Kanguva’ boasts massive war sequence with over 10,000people

false stories despite their plea for privacy

Furthermore, she clarified that their divorce was solely by mutual consent, stating, Our decision to divorce is not influenced by any external factors, and baselessly tarnishing someone's character is unacceptable This was a mutual decision made for our own well-being "

emphasising their enduring bond She said, “GV Prakash and I have been friends for 24 years since our school days, and we will continue to maintain that friendship moving forward ”

The teaser for "Kanguva" offers a sneak peek into Siva's ambitious take on time travel. This epic action saga stars Suriya as the lead, showcasing a grandly executed war scene between him and the antagonist, played by Bobby Deol.

Rajinikanth on Vijayakanth receiving a posthumous Padma Bhushan: ‘I miss him’

Aheartfelt

video message from actor Rajinikanth about the late actor-politician

Vijayakanth is gaining widespread attention on X (formerly Twitter) The video features

Rajinikanth passionately discussing his friend’s posthumous Padma Bhushan award

He also fondly recalls Vijayakanth’s achievements and reflects on the profound void left by his absence

accepted the Padma Bhushan on his behalf

President Droupadi Murmu presented the award to Premalatha The DMDK chief was posthumously honored with this prestigious award on Republic Day, acknowledging his contributions to the field of art

Vijayakanth and expressed gratitude to government for honouring him with prestigious Padma Bhushan award In video, he also mentioned how much he

( D Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam) party and actor who passed away on Decemb last year

He says, “The central government

achievements will go down in history, top honour for him I still cannot fat that Vijayakanth is not with us He came achieved a lot and left us all We will never see anyone like him again I miss him dearly Our Captain was

The report cited a source stating, “Studio Green, director Siva, and the entire team have meticulously crafted every detail of the war sequences to align with the film's theme and subject The movie boasts the largest war scene, f e a t u r i n g S u r i y a S i v a k u m a r , B o b b y Deol, and over 10,000 participants ” The source further noted, “From the action and stunts to the visualisation of the war episodes, everything is being executed with international expertise to achieve cinematic grandeur ”

The teaser showcases Suriya and Bobby Deol clashing fiercely as they single-handedly decimate armies Amidst the bloodshed, sword fights, and flying arrows and javelins, the two are set for one-on-one combat

" K a n g u v a " i s r e g a r d e d a s o n e o f

Kollywood's most ambitious projects Recently, Suriya revealed in a post that he will be playing a dual role in the movie This film marks Bobby Deol's first Tamil film, where he plays the antagonist Udhiran Additionally, Disha Patani makes her Tamil debut with this film

Actor Karthik Kumar sends legal notice to ex-wife Suchitra

Tamilactor and stand-up comedian Karthik Kumar has sent a legal notice to his exwife, playback singer R Suchitra, regarding recent interviews wherein she made allegations against him On May 16 his legal counsel issued Suchitra and two YouT channels for videos wh claimed that Karthik K described as 'gay'. Furt he has demanded that refrain from discussing retract her statements prevent potential crim defamation proceeding I n r e c e n t d Suchitra's interviews d cussing various acto 'Suchi Leaks', and h personal life have ga n

g these interviews, she made serious allega-

Andrea Jeremiah, Aishwarya Rajinikanth, and others

that the infamous 'Suchi

'prank' by Karthik and Dhanush series of

Indian celebrities shine bright at C A N N E S F I L M F E S T I V A L 2024

The Cannes Film Festival, an illustrious event synonymous with glitz, glamour, and cinematic excellence, has once again rolled out the red carpet for the global film fraternity Many Indians walked the red carpet from celebrities to influencers

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan has been a regular at the Cannes Film Festival since 2002 Over the years, she has walked the red carpet in the most commendable designer outfits The actress is the global ambassador for L’Oreal Paris and represents the brand at the festival She has also created history with her appearances at the festival in the past two decades The Heeramandi star

Aditi Rao Hydari will make her comeback at Cannes this year She is an ambassador as well as a spokesperson for L’Oreal Paris

Bollywood actress Kiara Advani also debuted at the Cannes Film Festival The Shershaah star will represent India at the Red Sea Foundation’s Women in Cinema Gala dinner at Cannes 2024 The event aims to celebrate women ’ s achievements in the entertainment industry

Kalki

Koechlin cast as American writer in John Keller's 'Her Song'

Kalki

Koechlin is set to play the role of American writer Olivia in the debut comedy feature film "Her Song" by US novelist John Keller

Jaqueline Fernandez will also be making her come back to the film festival soon The actress has confirmed that she is representing the Southeast Asian diaspora at the film festival Actress and model Urvashi Rautela is also a regular at Cannes Film Festival Moreover, she allegedly walked the red carpet of the festival’s opening ceremony this year Influencers have also become regulars at the Cannes Film

y , several Indian influencers are walking the red carpet representing different brands

Ankush Bahuguna, RJ Karishma, Vishnu Kaushal, Niharika, Aastha Shah, and others are attending the Cannes Film Festival

Indian influ encer stitched a 20 kg d ress fo r her C annes 2024 d ebut Fashion influencer Nancy Tyagi made her Cannes debut in a stunning pink gown crafted from over 1,000 meters of fabric Taking to Instagram, she delighted followers with insights into her ensemble, revealing it was her own creation rather than from a designer house Additionally, she shared that it took her over a month to complete the attire, surprised tement ner d earrings t Singh at stival She ng the

prestigious honorary Palme d'Or on the estival's opening night Hanut Singh expressed his excitement on social media, sharing images of Streep wearing his earrings This moment marked a significant achievement for the designer, elevating his profile on the international fashion scene Film ‘Manthan’ creened at Cannes

The restored version of veteran filmmaker Shyam Benegal's 1976 ilm Manthan was creened at the Bunuel Theatre at Cannes as part of Cannes Classics 2024 The event was attended by the Film Heritage Foundation FHF) team, along with FHF director Shivendra Singh Dungarpur, Naseeruddin Shah, Verghese Kurien's daughter Nirmala Kurien, Ratna Pathak Shah, and Prateik Babbar, who graced the red carpet

Naseeruddin Shah dedicated the standing ovation for Manthan to director Shyam Benegal and all those who were indispensable in the making of the film

“Being a fan of Keller’s books, including 'Know your Baker,' 'Abracadabrantesque,' and 'Johnny Allan,' I admire his quirky and witty intelligence, reminiscent of New York's diversity 'Her Song' promises to be both funny and unexpectedly heartening I'm excited to work with this talented, multi-lingual cast in both French and English ”

Taking to her Instagram handle, Kalki made an announcement about the film in a video “Hi, my name is Kalki I am a very famous actress in India Everybody knows me here Nobody knows me in France I have 1 million followers on Instagram, but that still hasn’t got us money to make the film,” says Kalki at the beginning of the video

The 40-year-old actress then discusses her role in the movie She describes Olivia as an American writer who observes individuals to include their methods in her works and feels that everything revolves around her

The film received a standing ovation at the festival Naseeruddin Shah dedicated the response to the director Shyam Benegal and Verghese Kurien He mentioned that in his 50-year career, it was his first time attending the Cannes Film Festival Shah expressed gratitude for the memories of those essential to the film, including actors Smita Patil, Girish Karnad, and Amrish Puri, music director Vanraj Bhatia, and screenplay writer Vijay Tendulkar, who are no longer with us

The storyline remains undisclosed, but a video featuring hints from the actors and crew has been released Assaiante suggests it involves "tiny villagers" during WWII, while Kalki hints at themes of cycles and life The project, produced by Elea Clair and Marine Assaiante of Six and Midnight Films, will collaborate with novelist John M Keller and filmmaker James Ivory Elea Clair and Zach Grenier are also set to star alongside Kalki in the film

October actor Banita Sandhu debuts as ‘Miss Malhotra’ in Bridgerton season 3

In an exciting development for Bridgerton fans, British-Indian nita Sandhu has debuted d season of Netflix’s hit ma. Sandhu plays Miss , a new character ced in this season based Julia Quinn’s beloved book series.

Known for her captivating performances in films like "October" and "Sardar Udham," andhu brings her unique charm and ent to the opulent d of Regency-era Pictures and videos of yal have surfaced arking a wave of nt among fans e some were initially nted as Sandhu was d to play Sophie er appearance as Miss has left viewers

u herself confirmed the er Instagram handle, g gratitude for the ty to delve into the ulia Quinn’s characters rote, “So grateful to he opportunity to myself in the n universe, being able p and join the world of nnauthor’s incredible

characters Thank you @netflix and @shondaland for a wonderful experience that I will forever cherish Wish I could keep the costumes though ” The Bridgerton series, created by Chris Van Dusen and produced by Shondaland, has amassed a huge global following since its premiere in December 2020 Renowned for its lavish visuals, complex storytelling, and progressive casting, Bridgerton consistently pushes boundaries with its inclusive representation The addition of Miss Malhotra, a character of South Asian descent, underscores the show’s dedication to diversity

Namita Thapar

Massom Minawala

Deepti Sadhwani

Kiara Advani

Knight Riders storm into IPL final after Mitchell Starc decimates SRH

h

S

d by eight wick ets in Q ualifier 1

S

c

a

the fin al of the In dian

Pre mie r Le ague (IPL) 2024

S R H

clash when they take on the w

between Rajasthan Royals

Bengaluru in Qualifier 2 on

Friday This is the 4th time that the Knight Riders have reached an IPL final Blown

away by Starc's powerplay brilliance, Hyderabad never recovered from it as Kolkata d u o V e n k a t e s h I y e r a n d

S h r e y

fifties to gun down the 160run target in just 13 4 overs T h

champions finished 7th in

summer but the return of Gautam Gambhir as mentor helped them bounce back in

table-toppers in the points table with 20 points from 14 matches thanks to some allround heroics from Sunil Narine, superb batting from

Indian pacers IPL's most

price tag with a sensational three-wicket burst to help KKR bowl out SRH for a subpar 159 in Qualifier 1 on

Indian football icon Chhetri announces retirement from sport

football on June 6

In a video posted on X, he said that India's World C

against Kuwait would be his last game "One last game for all our sakes let's win the game and we can depart,

h

video

Chhetri, 39, has played for the country for 19 years, having scored his first goal during his debut match in 2005 He is among India's m

s h i n i n g a spotlight on Indian football

n a t i o n a l l y a n d i n t e r n a t i o n a l l y , a m i d s t a cricket-centric culture

At the moment, he holds

international goals among

s

A r g e n t i n a ' s L i o n e l M e s s i a n d P o r t u g a l ' s C r i s t i a n o Ronaldo

In the nine-minute-51second-long video post on X, Chhetri reminisced about the high and low points in h i s l o n g c a r e e r a n d e x p r e s s e d g r i e f o v e r h i s d e c i s i o n " T h e k i d i n s i d e will probably keep fighting

t o p l a y f o o t b a l l , b u t t h e sensible, mature player and person knows that this is it," he said But it wasn t easy, h e a d d e d T r i b u t e s h a v e been pouring in on X, with many fans expressing their g r a t i t u d e f o r h

a w a r d s , including the Arjuna Award -

highest sporting award

award On the global stage,

victory in the Asian Football

C o n f e d e r a t i o n ( A F C ) Challenge Cup, the South

Olympic boost for Satwik-Chirag pair with Thailand title

Satwiks airaj Rankireddy and C hirag Shetty got a muc hneeded b oo st ahead of th e P ar is O l y m p ic s w i th a t r iu m p h in Ba n gk o k o n Su nday Th e top seeds did no t dro p a game on the way to the title and defeated C hen Bo Yang and Liu Yi of China

2 1- 15, 2 1- 15 in th e final of th e T hailand Op en BWF Super5 00 to urnament

S a t w i k - C h i r a g h a d

announced their arrival on

t h e w o r l d s t a g e w i t h t h e

T h a i l a n d O p e n v i c t o r y i n 2019 and this is the second title of the year for the duo

a f t e r t h e F r e n c h O p e n Super-750 in March

“This is a lucky venue for us Our journey started here in 2019 and we went on to w i n m a n y t o u r n a m e n t s Hopefully, this victory will h e l p u s d o w e l l i n b i g tournaments, and also the Olympics,” Satwik said

This is the ninth BWF Tour title for the duo and t h e i r f o u r t h S u p e r - 5 0 0

crown They have also won t w o S u p e r - 7 5 0 a n d o n e Super-1000 titles They are t h e o n l y I n d i a n s t o w i n Asian Games gold and were also the Asian champions Despite being 26 rungs

b e h i n d t h e w o r l d N o 3 Indians, at 29, the Chinese f o u g h t w e l l i n t h e f i r s t game The Indians fell four points behind at one stage (6-10) before recovering to s

know that they play very fast and we couldn’t relax This is the best match we played t h r o u g h o u t t h e tournament The good thing i s w e w e r e c

l m a n d i n control,” Satwik added

T h e I n d i a n

s t a r t e d brightly in the second game, leading 11-6 at one point At 15-11 however, the Chinese fought back and made it 1516 Both teams shifted to a faster gear with the Indians managing to collect the next

f i v e p o i n t s T h e m a i n advantage for the SatwikC

three straight smashes Lu managed to return two but could not hold on to the

winning point with another smash winner

Tuesday Starc delivered an

Travis Head on the second ball of the game, uprooting his stumps and removing the in-form Nitish Reddy (9)

leaving SRH reeling Reduced to 39/3, SRH

Tripathi (55 off 35) Rahul,

from

62-run partnership

Heinrich Klaasen Klaasen, who scored a vital 49 in the last match, contributed 32 off 21 balls, including three fours and a six, before being d

Two from Surat in Indian men’s table tennis team for Paris Olympics

T w o o f t h e t h re e p l a y er s sel ected for the Indian men ’ s table tennis team at th e P aris

O l y m p

o u l d b e l e d b y Ac h a n ta

Sh arat h Ka mal f ro m T amil

N adu, wh o is pl aying his fifth

O lympic Games, at Paris in July and Augus t Harmeet is currently at

C a p p a d o c i a i n T u r k e y , p l a y i n g t h e W T T ( W o r l d Table Tennis) Feeder Series with his wife Krittwika Sinha

R o y , a p r o f e s s i o n a l t a b l e tennis player While his elder brother Hriday Desai is also an Indian table tennis player, his parents Rajul and Archana run a school in Surat

H a r m e e t , a s o c i o l o g y

g r a d u a t e f r o m V N S G U , started playing table tennis at the age of six, said his mother

A r c h a n a “ W h e n h e w a s 8 y e a r s o l d , h e w o n a g o l d m

national-level tournament there was no looking back,” she said, adding that he will make the country proud in the Olympic Games

national levels, is the son of t

Manav said he also started training when he was only six year old “Now my eye is on

t o a care er-best singles r anki ng of 24 f ollowing he

ra nkings

Deepthi breaks para world record in 400m

T he dau gh ter of dail y wage l abo urers w ho o nce did no t have th e mo ney to buy a bus ticket to travel to Hyderabad academy and wh os e p arents w ere rep eatedl y tau nted for having a mentally ch allenged child has made I ndia p rou d by smash ing th e wo rld reco rd at the World Para Ath letics C hamp io nships in Ko be, Japan, o n Mo nday

Deepthi Jeevanji from Kalleda village in Warangal district had won the women ’ s 400M T20 category gold in 55 07 seconds, breaking the record set by Breanna Clark of USA (55 12 seconds) at the last edition of the Worlds in Paris in 2023 Turkey’s Aysel Onder finished second in 55 19 seconds while Lizanshela Angulo of Ecuador was third in 56 68 seconds “Deepti endured a tough childhood Her parents were taunted by the villagers for having a mentally challenged child They are daily wage labourers and are always worried about their child As part of our foundation (Deepti was the beneficiary of the Gopichand-Myntrah foundation), we identified her talent and brought her here,” said athletics coach Nagpuri Ramesh

A fan of actor Shah Rukh Khan, Harmeet never misses a p r a c t i c e s e s s i o n , s a i d Archana “He practices daily for 7 to 8 hours,” said Hriday Harmeet followed up his t w o m e d a l s a t t h e 2 0 1 8 Commonwealth Games and a team bronze in the 2018 Asian Games with two golds at the 2019 Commonwealth Table Tennis Championships i n 2 0 1 9 H e

training under French coach Julien Girard ” Manav, who said he has played 537 tournaments and won 356 games, attributed his success to his parents and

t h

M e n ’ s S i n g l e s n a t i o n a l champion in 2019 and also received the Arjuna Award the same year Manav Thakker, who has won medals at the state and

team,” he added His father said, “Manav was interested in table tennis since his childhood so we let him pursue his dream We are overwhelmed that he has been selected in the Indian team ”

T h e 2 8 - y e a r - o l d K h e l Ratna awardee, who was in t h e 3 9 t h s p o t b e f o r e t h e t o u r n a m e n t , j u m p e d 1 5 spots following her run in Jeddah, where she reached the quarterfinals It was also t h e f i r s t t i m e a n I n d i a n w o m a n p l a y e r a d v a n c e d t h a t d e e p i n t h e tournament

Batra’s rise through the draw earned her 350 points, and she said the surge in her r a n k i n g w o u l d w o r k a s a confidence booster ahead of t h e P a r i s O l y m p i c s “ T o break into the top 25 and a c h i e v e m y c a r e e r - b e s t ranking just months before t h e O l y m p i c G a m e s i s d e f i n i t e l y a v e r y p o t e n t boost to my preparations

“As I look ahead to Paris 2024, I’m motivated more than ever to continue this p e r f o r m a n c e a n d m o v e upwards in the ranking to m a k e m y c o u n t r y p r o u d I m p r o v e m e n t i s a continuous process and I am

committed to it,” she said Earlier, in an Instagram post, Batra, who had made history by becoming the first Indian table tennis player to reach the women ’ s singles q u a r t e r f i n a l s a t t h e Hangzhou Asiad, last year, t h a n k e d h e r c o a c h

barabanov and my

upward towards Paris 2024, ” she wrote B

Sunil Chhetri