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27 APRIL - 3 MAY 2019 - VOL 47 ISSUE 50

SOLIDARITY FOR SRI LANKA

inside: Anti racists set to take to the streets in memory of Chaggar and Peach SEE PAGE 7

Easter Sunday traditionally commemorates the resurrection of Jesus from the dead but this year, 21 April, citizens across the globe regardless of their religion mourned the tragic deaths of over 300 people who were caught unaware in the series of barbourous bombings in Sri Lanka. The terrorist attacks on three churches and four hotels for which the IS have now staked claim observed a loss of over a dozen British and Indian nationals, government and military sources have revealed.

Continued on page 26

Jet Set for Bailout?

SEE PAGE 9

India Election Special SEE PAGE 16-17

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27 April - 3 May 2019

onetoone WITH KEITH VAZ, MP

Dr Sufyan Hussain Dr Sufyan Hussain is a Consultant Diabetes and Endocrine Physician at Guy’s and St Thomas' Hospital, London. He is passionate about improving care for people with diabetes having lived with type 1 diabetes for over 25 years.

Dr Hussain grew up in Karachi and moved to the UK aged 16 to study at St Paul’s School, London. He graduated from University of Cambridge with specialist training in London teaching hospitals.

He was a visiting scholar at Harvard Medical School and completed his PhD at Imperial College London. He was appointed as a Darzi fellow on several national diabetes projects. Dr Hussain is a committee member of ABCD Diabetes Technology Network, NHSE London Diabetes Strategic Clinical Network, JDRF Scientific Advisory Committee and an honorary Senior Lecturer at King’s College London. Dr Hussain lives in London with his wife, Ilfana and their three young children. Twitter: @sugarydoc

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

Definitely London. Having lived in 5 cities in 3 different countries, I’ve experienced lots of different cultures and ways of living.

London is truly a special place. It is vibrant, diverse and has a lot to offer to everyone and where most of my family are based now.

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What are your proudest achievements?

Despite the challenges of living with type 1 diabetes in a third world country, the achievement of becoming a diabetes and endocrine specialist in one of the UK’s leading teams, is something I feel proud of.

My experience at the House of Lords

Jaiveer Shah, 9 years On the 13th of April I and my family went to The House of Lords to commemorate the Jallianwalla Bagh massacre. I requested to my dad if I could attend this very commemorative event. He asked Lord Loomba and he said yes.

When we entered the House of Lords we had to go to the Cholmondeley room which was overlooking the River Thames.

Whilst we were waiting for dinner we mingled with other guests over some refreshments. Whilst we were having our starters there was a line-up of 10 speakers including Her Excellency Ruchi Ghanashyam Indian High Commissioner.

They spoke about the tragic day of the Jallianwalla

Bagh massacre which happened on the 13th of April 1919. I really enjoyed listening to all the speeches, but in particular I admired the Indian High Commissioner for her sober and articulated nature due to the current position she’s in.

I really wanted to come to this House of Lords event so I can meet lots of distinguished people and start networking.

It enabled me to learn the history of the Jallianwalla Bagh massacre and see what price India had to pay in its struggle for independence. I am proud to say that India is one of the fastest growing economies and the largest democracy in the world.

(9 year old Jaiveer, is the son of Nilesh Shah, Managing Director/Partner of Plurimi Wealth LLP)

As for achievements at a personal level, being a dad to my 3 great kids.

living with diabetes.

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And the worst?

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What inspires you?

Being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes as a child, I witnessed how medicine can transform the lives of others. This experience at a young age inspired me to do what I do now and has always motivated me throughout my career to help find better ways to improve the lives of others with diabetes.

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What has been biggest obstacle in your career?

Nothing big fortunately however I have had no shortage of challenges that have helped me grow and be where I am today. The biggest for me was moving to the UK alone at the age of 16 from Karachi to a high performing school. Helpful early lesson in adapting to change and resilience!

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

I am very grateful to have had and still have excellent mentors throughout my career. It is really hard to choose one. Based on the last 7 years, Professor Elisabeth Paice, OBE, she helped me understand my passions, how to use my strengths and diverse experiences at a critical time in my career.

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What is the best aspect about your current role?

Working with an excellent team, colleagues and seniors who keep you motivated and inspired in an institution that always puts people first and invests in innovation. It’s a role and setting that allows me to develop my passions in improving the lives of those

There’s just not enough time in the day!

NHS working has got busier and with a young family and London living, it can be very hard to balance it all. I am really grateful for the continued support from my wife, family, team, colleagues and friends.

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What are your long term goals?

Being part of the generation that can help advance healthcare and diabetes through technology and innovation. We are in an exciting era of diabetes technologies and artificial pancreas systems. I also really hope I can use these and other experiences in initiatives abroad to help those in less privileged settings.

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

Change immigration laws to allow the NHS and UK to benefit from foreign trained healthcare professionals. We are very grateful to those who came from abroad to train and serve the NHS. My mother was part of that generation.

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

Historical, too many to name. Perhaps Ibn Battuta, scholar and explorer. It would be great to be entertained and marvelled by his many accounts of places and cultures in a very different era. But could I chose a nonhistorical figure please? In this case I’d say Roger Federer.

BMA report reveals serious mental health crisis among doctors and medical students Wellbeing of doctors and students is being placed at enormous risk as pressure within the profession fuels a serious mental health crisis amongst the workforce, a new report by the British Medical Association has revealed. A survey of more than 4,300 doctors and medical students in the UK, which informed the report, revealed worrying levels of burnout, a high prevalence of psychological and emotional conditions, and a concerning number turning to alcohol, drugs or prescribed medication to cope with their condition.

The findings are alarming, with eight in ten respondents at high or very high risk of burnout, just over a quarter having been diagnosed with a mental health condition, and four in ten currently suffering from a broader range of psychological or emotional conditions.

Key findings from the survey revealed that the majority of doctors (80%) were at very high risk of burnout with junior doctors most at risk. More than a quarter (27%) of respondents reported being diagnosed with a mental health condition at some point, and 7% said they were diagnosed in the past year; 40% of respondents reported currently suffering from a broader range of psychological and emotional conditions.

Doctors working the longest weekly hours (51 or more hours per week) were most likely to say they were currently suffering. 90% of respondents stated that their current working, training, or studying environment had contributed to their condition

either to a significant or partial extent. In primary care, half of GPs said they or their practice had sought help or support for a condition affecting their work or training and while the majority of respondents said they did not use alcohol, drugs, self-medication or prescribing as a way to cope with a mental health condition, one in three said they used it regularly or occasionally. Men and older doctors were most likely to engage in regular use of alcohol/drugs/self-medication/prescribing to co pe with their condition.

As well as the need to address the pressures which are negatively impacting medical students and doctors’ mental health, the BMA is calling for a fundamental shift in the current workplace culture with a view to building a supportive working environment, enhancing access to support services and ending the worrying stigma of doctors feeling unable to seek help.

Professor Dines h Bhugra CBE, BMA president and Emeritus Professor of Mental Health & Cultural Diversity at Kings College, London, who launched the survey on medical students’ and doctors’ mental health and wellbeing, said, “This report shines an important light on the alarming mental health crisis currently burdening the medical workforce as the link between the current pressures on doctors and poor mental health can no longer be ignored.

“The findings speak for themselves...While there is no denying that being a doctor is a challenging and

demanding role, too often the line of what can be considered routine pressures of the job has most definitely been crossed and the consequence is a workforce that has been pushed to literal breaking point.

“As the people who are entrusted with caring for the health of others, doctors often feel particularly vulnerable or unable to come forward and seek help for fear of judgement and or any perceived ramification a declaration of poor mental health may have on their prospective career.

“As well as focusing on addressing the immediate pressures which are negatively impacting doctors, such as long working hours, unmanageable workloads and rota gaps, we need to see a wider cultural shi ft that addresses this stigma that currently inhibits doctors seeking help and ensures that support is publicised and readily available for those who do so.

“A system that fails to support and protect the health of its own workforce will only flounder and this is as clear a call to action if ever there was one.”

To gain a more in-depth look at the particular challenges facing medical trainees and the impact on mental health, the BMA gave a research grant to Swansea University to produce a paper: ‘Personal stories of doctors in training with experience of mental illness'. The BMA has also commissioned new qualitative research, so that the organisation can understand the participants' needs better, and the findings will be published in summer 2019.

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27 April - 3 May 2019

India, the bulwark of democracy Kanak Mani Dixit, Nepalese journalist and reflexively anti-Indian crusade aired his latest grievance on the editpage of an Indian broadsheet (where else would he be given such hospitality?). The title of his piece is intriguingly revealing: ‘Indian elections: South Asian concerns.’ India should be the bulwark of democracy in a world witnessing its decline, with a passing allusion to countries where democracy is allegedly under some kind of undisclosed threat. Having established his democratic credentials, Kanak Mani Dixit set about listing the grievances of India’s ‘neighbours’. The founders of modern India were ‘M.K. Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru (quite so) and hence their cohort, should be raising the standard of social justice and grass-roots democracy, and against right-wing populism. This has not quite been Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s record, and hence the concern that another five years would redefine the very idea of India,’ perhaps as a routine punching bag for Katmandu-based India-baiting scribes and political class.

Mr Dixit’s amnesia clearly prevented any recollection on of Prime Minister Modi’s much heralded visit to Nepal, which apparently soured after a devastating earthquake destroyed huge swaths of the country. Indian media reporters on the ground pointed to the administrative incompetence of the Nepali government and administration, of widespread corruption in the distribution of international aid (massive Indian medical supplies were first to arrive in the capital). There followed a cacophony of anti-Indian abuse, of accusations of Indian bullying and imperialism and much else. In Nehru’s time it was constant griping of the Nepali ruling class; in the Indira Gandhi’s era orchestrated demonstrations around the Indian embassy became a feature of populist Nepali politics. The Nepali establishment went a step too far with rent-a-crowd mobsters taking such lawlessness a step too far following false rumours of a Bollywood film star casting aspersions on Nepali womanhood. Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vayjpayee lost patience and suspended Indian air flights to Nepal. It took a telephone call from his Nepali counterpart and an expression of regret before normal business was restored.

Kanak Mani Dixit in high dudgeon excoriates the

present Indian dispensation for right-wing populism, majoritarianism, smothering intellectual dissent, willful disregard of the country’s multi-layered ethnic diversities, crony capitalism, cultural obscurantism, leading to absurd claims to science and technologies, based allegedly on ancient Vedic texts.

That India is in possession of a substantial lunatic fringe is undeniable. The substantial mainstream, however, counters such nonsensical assertions with laughter and ridicule. Better this, than firing squads or Chinese-style corrective institutions currently in operation (but away from prying eyes) in the country’s Muslim majority province of Xinjiang. Indian justly famed Institutes of Technology, its institutions of science and engineering form an assembly line of scientists and engineers that have carried out unique missions in space.

Government funding for such ventures have been, and continue to be, the primary source of these acclaimed endeavours.

An elementary course in economics might educate the Nepali scribe on the true meaning of ‘crony capitalism’.

The industrial houses of Tata, Reliance Industries, Larsen & Toubro, Godrej and their numerous peers, small and medium-sized firms across the country involved in cutting edge technologies should end his absurdist locutions.

Mr Dixit sneers at India’s welcoming response to the restoration of democracy and the rule of law in a small country like the Maldives, perceiving this as an inferiority complex of Chinese heft. India stood firm in the face of Chinese aggrandizement and military threats on Doklan strip (which Beijing claims), along the Bhutan-Sikkim border with once independent Tibet, invaded and occupied by China in 1950.

Mr Dixit seems unaware of Pakistan-sponsored jihadi attacks on Mumbai in March 1993 and November2008 He suggests a reversal by India to the so-called Gujral Doctrine thought up by I.K Gujrarl when minority prime minister of India for a short period in the late 1990s. Its leading feature was surrender to every poli whim and fancy of India’s emanating in the country’s neighborhood; in other words India was enjoined to fear its own shadow.

Gujraral is a largely forgotten figure today, his Doctrine long consigned to the dustbin of history.

India-China relationship in logjam India Foreign Secretary [head of the Ministry of External Affairs, not to be confused with the country’s Minister of Externbal Affairs] Vijay Gokhale paid a two-day visit to China for talks with China’s Foreign Minister and State Counsellor Wang Yi as part of an ongoing diplomatic engagement between New Delhi. and Beijing. That indeed is the correct approach given the unsettling turbulence in the global order. However, the best that can be expected of this dialogue is maintenance of the SinoIndian status quo. China’s ties with its ‘all-weather friend, Pakistan is cast in stone and likely to remain so for the foreseeable future.

Pakistani identity is rooted in a reflexive anti-Indian psychosis: China perceives India as an obstruction to its strategic goals in Asia, and lands farther afield. For instance, China’s One Belt, One Road project has drawn in numerous powers across Asia, Europe, Africa and some in Latin America. India has not signed up to it as the Chinese juggernaut rolls on regardless.

China’s rise has gripped much of the world; that this been astonishing few would deny. This has been achieved by adroit statecraft, inviting the giants of US industry to invest massively in the country. Lured by attractive incentives US companies transferred their assembly lines to China; and when the goods began to rollout, US retail giants Walmart and Amazon and others carried these XChinese manufactured goods to every corner of the American market at much cheaper prices than ever before.

The process adeptly handled, with China also benefitting from infusions of American technology. Add to this Chinese hard work, organization, expert management, and the experience came up trumps. A largely impoverished nation boasts the second largest world economy after the United States.

Thus far it has been an outstanding success story.

However, negatives are beginning to surface. The once burgeoning economy has slowed down, although still growing at acceptable international standards.

Despite China’s successes, its rulers govern with an iron fist, smiling and reasonable when they get their way, snarling and fretful when they do not. The polity is an empire: Tibetan and the Uighur peoples are colonial subjects in thrall to the Han dispensation. The empire was the work of conquering non-Han Mongol and Manchu monarchies who the subjected Hans resented as aliens.

How ironical that that this imperial heritage should become an article of faith. Beijing is unduly sensitive of criticism of its record in both ethnic minority provinces, one Buddhist, China has been resentful of the Dalai Lama’s presence on Indian soil; they fear deepening resentment of the Uighers and minority Kazaks who are the native inhabitants of Xinjiang. Beijing’s ulcerous anxieties originate with Han repression and not Indian machinations. Talking and acting tough with India is counterproductive, as the Chinese leadership hopefully come to realize sooner rather than later.

Royal Society honours Yusuf Hamied Dr Yusuf Hamied, a distinguished Cambridge-educated chemist and Chairman of the Mumbai-based Indian pharmaceutical company, Cipla, has been elected Honorary Fellow of the Royal Society in London, for his service to science.

The Royal Society, founded in 1662 is the oldest and most prestigious science academy in world and bosts a roll call of planet earth’s most eminenent scientists, from Isaac Newton to Albert Einstein and beyond. The letters FRS agaist any name is a badge of the highest distinction.

The Royal Society Statement apropos of Dr Hamied reads: ‘Over the past six decades, Dr Hamied has been inbstrumental in the growth and development, implementation and

adoption science in indigenous phrma industry in India. He has commercially synthasised many essential drugs by developing patent non-infringing processes in diverse areas, steroids, antibiotics, HIV/AIDS, respiratory and oncology drugs. In the late ‘90s, a major achievement was the novel synthesis of of 3 anti-retroviral drugs and combining them into a single dose therapy, making treatment efficacious and affordable. This resulted in saving millions of lives in Africa.’

In response to the Royal Society tribute, Dr Hamied replied: ‘I owe this privilege to my family, my colleagues at Cipla, past and present, and recognition that scientific knowledge has to be implemented and adapted for the benefit of society

You may be only one person in the world, but you may also be the world to one person - Anonymous

“Our London” Navin Shah

GLA Member for Brent and Harrow

The Scourge of Knife Crime The rise of knife crime is a national emergency.

Knife crime has risen by 58% in England and Wales since 2013/14 and by 46% in London over the same period. The consequences for the people involved, their families and the wider community are heartbreaking.

I have also seen the devastating impact of violent crime on my doorstep. Last year, there were 89 stabbings in Harrow and 202 in Brent. Asian Voice and its readers have quite rightly raised their concerns on this matter.

The current Mayor of London has taken urgent action to clamp down on the rise in violent crime.

In 2017, the Mayor launched City Hall’s first ever dedicated anti-knife crime strategy. Robust enforcement action has also been prioritised, with the establishment of a new Violent Crime Taskforce comprising 272 officers working to take weapons off the streets and targeting the most dangerous criminals in the capital.

However, it is clear that we cannot arrest our way out of this problem. It is vital we that we tackle the root causes of violence to prevent it from taking place. Last year, the Mayor sowed the seeds for his new Violence Reduction Unit which will take a public health approach to tackling violent crime, modelling on the successes of Scotland’s Violence Reduction Unit. The Unit will build on the preventative action already taken by the Mayor such as the establishment of the £45 million Young Londoners Fund. This fund focuses on early intervention projects which aim to divert the most vulnerable young Londoners from becoming caught up in a life of crime.

In contrast, the Government have been slow to act and inconsistent in their approach to tackling violent crime. The Prime Minister had initially suggested police numbers did not make a difference on crime levels, only to equivocate on the issue after.

Likewise, while the Home Secretary has called on the Government to treat knife crime as a public health issue, the Health Secretary has dismissed this idea, stating: If you say it’s a public health issue that implies its nobody’s fault’.

We desperately need the Government to show leadership on tackling knife crime and not only reverse the cuts that it has made to policing but to properly fund youth services, mental health services, education and housing services which are all factors which increase the likelihood of a person committing violent crime.

As a community, we also have a role to play. We need to stay vigilant and help the police to identify dangerous individuals that are carrying weapons.

We need to talk to our sons and daughters, our nieces and nephews about the dangers of carrying a knife. We need to stand up for local youth services and sports teams that give young people something to do.

It is integral that our young people are adequately invested in, and not left behind to languish as a generation lost to austerity.

Editor: CB Patel Asian Voice is published by Asian Business Publications Ltd Karma Yoga House, 12 Hoxton Market, (Off Coronet Street) London N1 6HW. Tel: 020 7749 4080 • Fax: 020 7749 4081 Email: aveditorial@abplgroup.com Website: www.abplgroup.com INDIA OFFICE Bureau Chief: Nilesh Parmar (BPO) AB Publication (India) Pvt. Ltd. 207 Shalibhadra Complex, Opp. Jain Derasar, Nr. Nehru Nagar Circle, Ambawadi, Ahmedabad-380 015.

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Diversity champion receives Doctorate of Law The CEO of the Miranda Brawn Diversity Leadership Foundation, has recently been awarded her Honorary Doctorate of Laws degree from the University of Law at the Barbican Centre in London.

Dr. Miranda Brawn has been globally recognised for her contribution to diversity, charity and law has added yet another feather to her cap after receiving an honorary doctorate of letters from the University of Brighton in July 2017 by Vice Chancellor and CEO, Professor Andrea Nollent.

The multi-award winning businesswoman joins an esteemed line up of previous honorary doctorate awardees, including the Mayor of London. Two other honorary doctorates included Bollywood’s ace actor Shah Rukh Khan and leading QC Guy Beringer CBE who is the Chairman of the Legal Education Foundation and ex-Senior Partner at Allen & Overy Law Firm.

A banker, barrister, and diversity leader by profession, Dr. Brawn has been

Dr. Miranda Brawn

campaigning for an equal and diverse workforce helping to promote all forms of diversity including race, gender, LGBT+ and disability among others. Her diversity work has also won a ‘Points of Light’ Award from Prime Minister Theresa May, personal praise from HRH Prince Charles of Wales and numerous Mayors from across the UK. In her commencement address during the graduation ceremony, she said"There are so many challenges in the world today.

My values and work match those of the university's

Dr. Miranda Brawn with Bollywood ace actor Shah Rukh Khan

commitments where diversity and inclusion are one of their core values. We are both helping to champion and nurture diversity, equality and inclusion to the highest levels across all sectors to deliver change.”

She referenced her recent TEDx Women talk in Italy where she had said“My main message was that we need to come together in order to close the diversity gap. You do not have to be female to speak up for gender diversity or a person of colour to speak up for race diversity, or LGBT, disabled and so on. Men supporting

women is important and so is women supporting women.”

The Miranda Brawn Diversity Leadership Foundation have also launched their fourth annual scholarship programme for 2019/20 and the deadline date is 1st July 2019. You can apply via the website www.mbdiversityleadershipfoundation.com. The winners will be announced at history making The Miranda Brawn Diversity Leadership Annual Lecture 2019 on Saturday, 26th October 2019 at the University of Law, London.

'Immigrants deterred from seeking NHS care' reveals BMA report

The British Medical Association (BMA) has recently published a report where it has concluded that some pregnant women were going without antenatal and postnatal care for the fear of being charged.

According to the same report, the patients were informed of the four-figure charges just before having surgery.

The BMA report is based on a survey of members’ experiences of the effect of upfront charging.

Of the 285 respondents to a question about the deterrent effect of charging, 35% said patients were being deterred from accessing care, while 24% said they were not.

Upfront charging for NHS care is deterring immigrant patients from seeking treatment, including for serious illnesses such as cancer, fresh evidence from doctors reveals.

In one case, a patient reportedly did not seek cancer treatment because she was ineligible for free NHS care, and died as a result.

The NHS introduced upfront charges for elective care in 2017 as part of the government’s “hostile environment” towards immigrants.

The BMA is calling for a full independent review into the impact of NHS charging, together with new exemptions and safeguards.

The UN World Food Programme in partnership with Tilda launch ‘Helping Mums Together 2019’ with Bake Off Star Ruby Bhogal ilda’s ‘Helping Mums Together’ campaign is back on shelf, with every purchase of specially marked packs funding a nutritionboosting meal for new and expectant mums in Bangladesh to help fight malnutrition.

Joining the movement this year is 2018 Bake Off finalist Ruby Bhogal, who, inspired by her own mother, has created a special Mother’s Day dish using Tilda Pure Basmati rice. In order to ‘Help Mums Together’ this Mother’s Day, Ruby’s recipe has been designed to encourage the nation to follow suit, celebrating the special bond between parent and child by cooking and sharing the recipe with family and friends.

Ruby Bhogal comments “I’ve been lucky enough to grow up as part of a close family where food is a core part of what we share, and as part of that, it can be easy to take the basics for granted, and to lose sight of a world where a lack of basic nutrition in expectant mothers is a very real issue”.

The UNWFP & Tilda association, now in its fifth year, helps expectant mothers to-be suffering from acute malnutrition in Bangladesh, the cognitive and physical effects of which are irreversible in the unborn child.

In 2019 the aim is to hit a target of 1.8million nutrition-boosting meals donated to help alleviate these issues in a region of the world which is under increasing pressure due to the influx of Rohingya refugees over the past two years.

Nina Valente, Communications Officer at the World Food Programme explains: “In Bangladesh, a quarter of

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the population is food insecure, meaning they do not have regular access to the nutrition they need to live a healthy, productive life. And with nearly half of the country susceptible to natural disasters, far too many new and expectant mothers are vulnerable.

Through this campaign, we are delighted to be working with Tilda, Ruby and home cooks throughout the UK to help build healthier futures.”

Ruby goes on to say “Having spent time with the UN World Food Programme team understanding the impact of that in Bangladesh I wanted to help in any way I can. So inspired by my own mum I have created my <dish name> using Tilda rice, to help encourage everyone to have a go too, make a direct impact for those in need, and Help Mums Together this Mother’s Day”.

Ruby’s Mother’s Day dish, Mama

B’s Chicken Biriyani, is inspired by Saturday night curry nights at her parents’ house growing up. One her favourite dishes her mum used to make for her, Ruby’s biriyani is packed full of flavour, easy to cook and hugely nourishing.

“Mother’s Day is a day of celebration, but on any day which brings families together over good food, knowing that the event can help those less fortunate makes it even more special” says Anna Beheshti from Tilda “Every specially marked pack of Tilda rice sold will directly benefit mothers and children by delivering the right specialist food supplements to those regions in Bangladesh in most need.

To date over 4 million nutrition boosting meals have been delivered and we are delighted to be back again to increase this” Anna adds.

“Mother’s Day is a day of celebration, but on any day which brings families together over good food, knowing that the event can help those less fortunate makes it even more special” says Anna Beheshti

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Sharing is Caring Health experts urge new parents to share their 'feelings' to beat postpartum depression Rupanjana Dutta he joy of successful pregnancy or having a new baby is unparalleled, but pregnant women and new parents are often overwhelmed with everything- from emotion to attention. Mothers are more commonly sleep deprived, tired, hormonal, they don't feel like themselves- bloated, irritable, miserable and often anxious. It can also include frequent tearfulness, feelings of hopelessness, fatigue and, in rare instances, thoughts of self-harm. Though most women make a full recovery, and often called this "baby blues", NHS emphasises that if these symptoms last longer than two weeks, it could be postpartum (or postnatal) depression. It affects more than one in every ten women, within a year of giving birth.

The upcoming week (29th April to 5th May) is the 'Maternal Mental Health Matters Awareness Week', and the campaign is dedicated to talking about mental illness during pregnancy or postpartum depression. The aim is to help mums to access informations and help them to recover.

Samira Philip* fell pregnant almost immediately after their wedding, while her husband Steve- an ambitious professional in the City, got terribly busy with work. Self-sufficient Samira, coped fine till the baby was born. With parents in Kerala, India, waiting for

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their visa to come through, she could not deal with the new baby, absentee husband and no support from anyone other than occasionally visiting friends. She started spiralling into depression, more and more as the baby cried a lot due to acid reflux, which left her irritated, stressed and sleep deprived.

She soon could barely lift her head from the bed, cried endlessly, though she

doctor immediately, who confirmed that I was suffering from postpartum depression (PPD).”

First generation of immigrants living in this country, often do not have the required support, due to lack of family members living in the UK. Moreover there are rituals and practices, particular to the community, that often alienates pregnant women and new mothers from the rest of the society- adding to the issues already exisiting.

Risk factors

knew she was responsible for the baby's well-being. “I did not know what to do,” she told Asian Voice. “One morning I told my husband I resented the baby, I hated myself and I could not bear his sight. I think till then my husband who was also new to everything we were going through, and at that time the only bread winner (as I was on maternity) in the family, thought my mood swings were more common than not. But my resentment towards our own baby, was what got the alarm bells ringing. He took me to a

The Washington Post in an article wrote that Northwestern University identified four risk factors that may help physicians and mental health professionals anticipate the seriousness of postpartum depression. Factors included: “education, the number of children a woman has, ability to function at work and at home, and depression severity at four to eight weeks postpartum”. The study findings show that postpartum depression can vary in severity, which can affect the type of treatment a woman might need, to recover.

Sheehan Fisher, the lead author of the study and assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine said that this information can help predict severity of maternal depression, which can help the mother if detected early.

According to the researchers, postpartum depression can fall into three categories: gradual remission, partial recovery or chronic severe.

Romina Ghosh*, had a tendency of depression since her university days.

When she had her second child, she could barely cope with a toddler and a second baby. Her husband who was a Sales Executive in a renowned IT company in Midlands, had to travel a lot, and she was completely at helpless with two children.

She felt guilty of being a “Our recent research 'monster' of a mother for shows that over half (54%) of yelling at her older child mums with children aged constantly, while the five and under have felt anxyounger one barely slept, ious since having a child, making her tired beyond 45% have felt low, and over a imagination. When diagthird (35%) depressed. Worse nosed wth postpartum still, many face these chaldepression, she hoped it lenges alone, not able to tell would gradually go away. others about their feelings.

“But it did not,” she told the “While I was lucky newsweekly. “I started alienenough to get the help I ating myself fdrom everyone needed, I found the inforafter a year of my second mation about mental wellone's birth and there was a being quite fragmented. return of this intense feeling “Asking for help is by no of emptiness.” She had no idea her depression could last this long and it caught her off guard. “The doctor never warned me this The upcoming week could return or linger on for so long. When (29th April to 5th May) is I started getting suithe 'Maternal Mental Health cidal thoughts, I Matters Awareness Week', realised I need and the campaign is anti-depressants. I had always strugdedicated to talking about gled with depresmental illness during sion and no one pregnancy or postpartum told me I was at a risk for postpartum depression. The aim is to depression. I was help mums to access never screened for the informations and help them disorder during pregnancy or after. Early to recover. depression screenings could help mums like me.”

Anna Ceesay, Founding means a sign of weakness. It Director of Motherdom, a is often the strongest thing magazine to fill in the gap you can do. By speaking out with information about I hope we are able to let peomental wellbeing for parents ple know they are not told Asian Voice, “As a alone.” mum-of-two who experienced low mood and anxiPostpartum depression ety, I was left feeling unable in men to cope during my second Postpartum depression pregnancy. I realised how however isn't a factor affectprevalent mental health ing new mothers alone. In issues are amongst parents 2016 a research found that and how difficult it can be to 8% of men suffer from postask for help.

natal depression. Sometimes affected by the wife's depression, sometimes due to one's own track record, fathers are also seen suffering from postpartum depression.

Andew Mayers, a psychologist specialising in perinatal mental health at Bournemouth University told The Guardian that postpartum depression goes undiagnosed in men, because of the popular misconception that it is caused by the hormonal changes a mother experiences after giving birth. He said, “First, there is some evidence that men’s testosterone levels drop when they become fathers. Second, postnatal depression isn’t just hormonal. It’s about a whole series of factors in each individual’s psychology or history that kick in on top of everything else.” In the UK, a National Childbirth Trust (NCT) survey of new parents in 2015 found that about one in three fathers said they were concerned about their mental health. A petition by Fathers Reaching Out Group is campaigning for more understanding of fathers’ mental health issues too.

Sally Hogg from the Maternal Mental Health Alliance said you can talk to your midwife, health visitor or GP. But to start with you could also speak frankly with your partner, your mum, friend and share your feeling- it always helps. (*Name changed on request)

Couples choose to go child-free to save planet Earth Humans in usual circumstances are biologically predisposed to feel the need to procreate and help the race to survive for generations. But with time, there is a slow yet steady increase in women, men and couples, who are choosing to remain childfree, more commonly known as voluntary childlessness.

Statistically speaking, for those born in 1940s, just 9% had no children whereas for women born in 1970s, this figure had gone up by 17%. Some women or couples are ‘childless’ by circumstances but many remain ‘childfree’ by choice. The reasons of voluntary childlessness are many.

Some consider it a hindrance to their career, some resent dependency or responsibility of another person. Others find it too expensive. Some believe it strains their

relationship with their partnersomething they don’t want to compromise on, while others are giving up having children to save the planet Earth from 58.6 tonnes of carbon (per child), every year.

Anusha, a 28 year old retail analyst told The Sunday Telegraph that she decided to remain child-free when she was 21. People told her she would regret the decision as she grew older, especially when the biological clock started ticking, but older she grew, she felt more and more strongly about her decision of remaining child free. There are wider issues that she is passionate about like climate change and beyond not eating meat, recycling and using public transport, Anusha thinks “one thing you can do for the planet is not reproduce,” she added.

Anusha is not the only one.

Simran who is married to a banker Dev, has a high flying job and a cute dog, Cookie. While she feels terribly broody around her Labrador, she feels strongly about not having a child. Speaking to Asian Voice, she said, “I do not hate children, they are cute and I like them. But the trees are being cut down to accommodate an ever growing population of human beings. We can’t stop that. Plastic waste is dumped everywhere- the marine lives are dying because of that, minerals are being minedeverything to sustain and help people live and procreate. If there are fewer of us, there will be less of such effects. We might be able to help this planet survive for longer.”

Amina is an antinatalist, the philosophy that believes it is

wrong to bring in lives in this world full of sufferings. She told the newsweekly that her parents believed in marriage, children and everything one would, but her brother and her don’t feel the same way. Her husband agreed with her and had no problem in deciding not to have children as a principle. While they can’t discuss their philosophy openly with everyone, they are considering to be a part of a community called the Voluntary Human Extinction Movement or VHEMT- looking for like minded people. Though the name of the organisation sounds a bit too heavy, it’s literature is believed to be ‘rational and humorous’.

But Parvathi, who has also chosen not to marry or have children told us, “Of course it is my decision to not have any kind of

long term commitment or be responsible for another life, but we cannot deny that we are biologically programmed to have children. Whatever be our reasons to not go the conventional way, it is hard and often you are up against a society full of people judging you for thinking differently or trying to do what you want. It takes a very strong will and perhaps more courage to stick to such important decisions, as having a biological family is so humanly natural and instinctive.”

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Anti racists set to take to the streets in memory of Chaggar and Peach

Southall Asian Youth Movement Now 40 years later, and a day after the first Stephen

Blair Peach’s funeral

Lawrence day, we remember Blair Peach, an anti-racist and socialist, who died in Southall at the hands of the police on April 24, 1979, opposing the fascist National Front who were attempting to intimidate and scapegoat the Asian community in West London. This incident took place after the killing of 18 year old schoolboy Gurdip Singh Chaggar on 4 June 1976, outside Dominion theatre in Southall- two murders that ignited anti-racist

struggles in Britain.

A teenager Suresh Grover was standing with friends and chatting near Dominion theatre in Southall, when he noticed a police officer standing next to a pool of blood. When asked who was killed, the officer responded “just an Asian”. This murder triggered riots in Southall, which had become home to a large South Asian population, particularly from Punjab in India, and prompted local Asian and

black youths form the Southall Youth Movement, and it took the anti-fascist fights to the streets. This movement spread to other cities in the UK, but little had changed in Southall even after three years.

Suresh Grover became one of the founding members of the Southall Asian Youth Movement. He told the BBC, “After Gurdip Singh Chaggar's death Suresh Grover became one of the founding members of the Southall Asian Youth Movement. Similar groups sprung up across the country.”

The far-right National Front group announced a meeting on April 24th1979, police ignored the pleas to cancel the gathering, which the community believed to be provocative and organised a large anti-fascist march.

Police clashed with protesters, hundreds were

photo courtesy: Monitoring Group

Marking the first ever Stephen Lawrence Day (April 22, 2019), his mother, Baroness Doreen Lawrence urged schools to teach pupils how to challenge racism from an early age.

She added that children must learn to 'embrace inclusion' at a young age.

Stephen Lawrence was stabbed to death in a racially motivated attack in South East London on April 22, 1993. Last year on the 25thanniversary of his death, Prime Minister Theresa May announced the creation of an annual Stephen Lawrence Day, to begin from 2019. The country's leaders came forward to share their thoughts on this day. Two of the group of up to six men who attacked the teenager and his friend Duwayne Brooks have been convicted of murder, but most have escaped justice.

The Macpherson Report into the investigation into Stephen's death found that there had been "institutional racism" in the police. Two decades after publishing that report, the Metropolitan Police admitted that this incident has been catalyst to changes in the police force.

But with Brexit, people have witnessed increasing intolerance, racism and xenophobia in the UK.

photo courtesy: BBC

Rupanjana Dutta

arrested, others were hospitalised with serious injuries and New Zealand-born teacher Blair Peach, according to a report that emerged in 2010, 'almost certainly' was killed by police, but were never held accountable for his death.

Tariq Mehmood, a writ-

of this country was the intensity of the racist violence against us."

Remembering Chaggar and Peach

On 27 April 2019, to remember Chaggar and Peach a 'march for unity against racism' has been organised

by Southall Resists 40 The violence got so bad and Labour Against Racism and Fascism. during secondary school People will assemble at that they used to release all 2pm on Dominion non-white children half an Road for a procession, hour before white children followed by a rally outside Southall Town so we wouldn't get Hall at 4pm.

Weyman Bennett attacked. So my very first impression of this country Joint Convenor of Stand Up To Racism was the intensity of the told Asian Voice, racist violence against us. "Across Europe racist and fascist groups are mobilising. They expect er, to make big gains in upcomwho was one of the founding Euro elections in May. ing members of Bradford's In Britain the toxic nature Asian Youth Movement, was of the Brexit debate has Born in Pakistan and arrived opened the door to the far in Britain with his father in right. UKIP under its leader the late 1960s. He told the Al Gerard Batten is allied to ex Jazeera, "We grew up with a English Defence League system of bussing. This leader, fascist Tommy meant that we were taken Robinson and the violent out of the areas where we Islamophobic thugs of the were living and sent to Democratic Football Lads school five or six miles away Alliance. Whether we voted because they didn't want too ‘Leave’ or ‘Remain’ we canmany non-white children in not let racism divide us.” one area," he said. "We were Julie Sherry from Stand subjected to a lot of vioUp To Racism said, "Blair lence.

Peach died to defend a mul"The violence got so bad ticultural society and to during secondary school oppose the growth of racism that they used to release all and fascism. We should non-white children half an keep Blair’s memory in our hour before white children hearts while we build the so we wouldn't get attacked. fight against the far right So my very first impression today."

Female Muslim minister receives emails praising Enoch Powell The UK's only female Muslim minister was recently bombarded with emails from a Conservative activist praising Enoch Powell's 'Rivers of Blood' speech and questioning whether immigrants should be allowed to stand for parliament. Shipping Minister Nusrat Ghani received correspondence from David Proudfoot, a constituent and party activist, which said the UK should be controlled by “our own people, not people from a different culture” and called for an end to “ghettoes like little Pakistans.” Ghani said the messages were “disgusting”.

Several Downing Street and senior Conservative MPs were copied in on many of the emails, sent over the past three years.

The correspondence emerged as the Tories continue to fight off claims that Islamophobia is endemic within the party. It was revealed last month that some party members

believe home secretary, Sajid Javid should not become prime minister because of his Muslim background. Ghani, who was born in Kashmir and brought in Birmingham, was the first Muslim woman to speak at the dispatch box in the House of Commons. She is Proudfoot's MP in Wealden, East Sussex.

In one of the emails, Proudfoot wrote, “It is widely accepted that the country is being dragged down by certain undisciplined immigrants and the British people demand a resolution.

Should we allow immigrants to be elected to our parliament? Do we not have 650 men and women of heritable British people that are in intelligent enough to run our country?

We want to be controlled by our own people, not people from a different culture.” In another correspondence sent in June 2017, which was copied to John Redwood and Javid,

Nusrat Ghani

Proudfoot forwarded an email claiming “the British have passively succumbed to the Muslim invasion” and added that its content was “95 per cent right”.

He wrote, “Immigrants coming here think they have won the lottery but they rarely integrate... We finish with ghettoes like little Pakistans. Can anyone say that Enoch Powell wasn't right with his 'rivers of blood' speech?”

Immigrants were also compared by Proudfoot to a swarm of locusts” that he said should be “chemically sprayed or the wheat plants are stripped bare and eaten.” Ghani condemned Proudfoot's comments saying, “As a party, we are clear that discrimination or abuse of any kind is wrong and will not be tolerated, and I am pleased we have taken action against such dis-

gusting behaviour,” she said in a statement released through the Conservative press office.

Former party chairman Sayeeda Warsi said the issue of anti-Muslim bigotry was symptomatic of Theresa May's leadership and followed the prime minister's shift to the right on immigration issues. Lady Warsi, who is currently in talks with party's officials about con-

fronting Islamophobia, said the unearthing of a sustained campaign of abusive emails raised further concerns for May and senior Conservative figures. “When senior members of the party like Nus Ghani who identify as Muslim are subjected to such ongoing Islamophobia abuse and harassment, it raises concerns about the abuse that more junior members of the party are having to endure at a grassroots level,” she said. Toby Illingworth, the chair of Wealden Conservatives, said Proudfoot was no longer a member of the party.

Prime Minister Theresa May has been under pressure for over a year to deal with allegations of Islamophobia within the party. Over dozens of examples of online abuse are currently being investigated by Tory officials.

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London Underground priority seats get a facelift

Dump Trump campaign renewed

Raising awareness about priority seating in London Underground, Dr Amit Patel, who is blind, fitted his dog with a camera to record evidence of discrimination.

At the start of Transport for London’s (TfL’s) Priority Seating Week, new research has revealed that around one in four passengers feels awkward about offering their seat to someone who might need it more. A survey of 1,000 customers also found that almost a third of passengers only believe that they should offer their seat if they are in a ‘priority seat’.

TfL’s Priority Seating Week aims to address these issues by raising awareness of how to make travelling easier for everyone, particularly those who may be in need of a seat. From this week, customers will also start to notice brand new designs on the fabric covering priority seats on the Jubilee line. Seats that feature six different messages, including ‘please offer this seat’ and ‘someone may need this seat more’, will be introduced across the whole Jubilee line over the coming months.

Posters featuring staff will be running across the network and video clips with customers talking about their journeys will be shared on social media.

These are meant to encourage people to look up and offer their seat to someone who may need it more, whether they are in a priority seat or not. The week will also highlight some of the initiatives that TfL has in place to make travelling easier for everyone. They have worked with a wide range of charities on the campaign, including Transport for All, Anxiety UK and Meniere’s Society.

To raise awareness about priority seating, Dr Amit Patel, who was inter-

paign, he told the BBC, “I'm really pleased to see TfL proactively raising awareness about priority seating.

"Travelling with a disability, whether hidden or not can be challenging, scary and sometimes even disorienting.

"Not everyone has the confidence to ask for a seat and not everyone will always be wearing a badge either.

"I would urge my fellow commuters to be more conscious of those around them when travelling, particularly if you're sat in a priority seat, and please be brave, be kind, and offer it to someone who looks like they might appreciate it."

Heidi Alexander, Deputy Mayor for Transport, said, “It’s vital that we make our transport network accessible to all Londoners and visitors, so I’m really pleased that distinctive new priority seats are being rolled out on

Dr Amit Patel with his dog, Kika

viewed by Asian Voice (in 19 January 2019 issue P15), fitted his guide dog Kika with a camera to record evidence of discrimination. He captured shocking footage of uncaring commuters, bringing light to society’s attitude towards having disabilities.

Please Offer Me a Seat Priority Seating Week also marks the second year anniversary of the free ‘Please Offer Me a Seat’ badge. More than 44,000

badges have been issued to disabled customers and those with invisible conditions since it was launched in 2017. The badge has since been adopted by a number of travel networks in the UK and across the world including Greater When I was sighted Anglia Trains and the New York before, I would always give T r a n s p o r t my seat up for people. I Authority. could not imagine the Dr Patel, who difficulty.

I am holding a lost his vision cane and have a guide dog when he was 32, told Asian Voice in so it’s unacceptable that an interview, people wouldn’t “When I was sighted acknowledge me. A lot of before, I would the time, these are suited always give my seat commuters who probably up for people. I could not imagine the diffihave pets of their own at culty. I am holding a home too. cane and have a guide dog so it’s unacceptable that people wouldn’t the Jubilee line. I hope that acknowledge me. A lot of they will build on the sucthe time, these are suited cess of our ‘Please Offer Me commuters who probably a Seat’ badges to encourage have pets of their own at even more people to offer home too.” their seat to those who need Hailing the TfL camthem.”

'Trump Baby' balloon in London protests

US President Donald Trump’s postponed state visit to the UK will go ahead in June, as has been confirmed by the Buckingham Palace The three-day trip in June would observe him travelling to Normandy in France to take part in the 75th anniversary commemorations of the D-day landings. According to reports, the trip would include discussions with Theresa May in Downing Street. On the final day of his trip, Trump and the first Melania Trump, will attend an event in Portsmouth to mark the D-day landings. No 10 in a statement to The Gaurdian said that the event would be “one of the greatest British military spectacles in recent history” and would include a flypast of 26 types of RAF aircraft and at least 11 Royal Navy boats in the Solent.

However, this confirmatory visit has also sparked debate and a protest campaign where they have pledged to mobilise huge numbers in response to Trump's visit.

Huge protests were mobilised last July, when Trump’s state visit was downgraded to a working visit where an estimated 250,000 people took to the streets of London. An online petition to cancel Trump's state visit reached 1.9 million signatures in 2017 and the trip has been delayed several

times since then. When Trump last visited Britain in July 2018, hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets in opposition, under a large inflatable effigy of Trump as a baby. The same set of organisers - the Stop Trump Coalition and Stand Up To Trump - are set to mobilise again this time.

Shaista Aziz, from the Stop Trump coalition, said- “This demonstration isn't just about Trump as one man. He is a symbol of the new far right, a politics of Islamophobia and antisemitism, of war and conflict, and walls and fences that are growing around the world. We are fighting against the British government’s own disgraceful “hostile environment” policies, as well as Trump’s border wall.”

Sabby Dhalu from Stand Up to Trump said“Donald Trump is the world’s number one racist, warmonger and misogynist, with no solution to the global economic crisis.

His presidency has emboldened every fascist and racist across the globe and is stirring up tension in Latin America, the Middle East and Asia. A formal state visit to Britain in June must be met with widespread opposition. All those that value peace and hope for a better world for the many must take to the streets and say clearly that Donald Trump is not welcome here!”

Places of Worship urged to register for protective security scheme With upcoming celebrations like Ramadan (5 May- 4 June) and ongoing Passover (till 27 April), religious institutions are urged to register their interest for the latest round of the Places of Worship Protective Security Scheme and submit applications from July 2019, the Home Office has announced.

The Government said that they recognise that Muslim communities remain anxious following the horrendous attacks in New Zealand, and particularly in advance of Ramadan.

This will also include operational policing plans for the

Ramadan period. In addition the Home Office promises to support Faith Associates, an organisation which will provide security training and advice to Muslim places of worship in preparation for the Islamic holy month.

The increased investment and planned improvements to the scheme were originally announced in the wake of the horrific Christchurch mosque attacks which claimed the lives of 50 people.

Home Secretary Sajid Javid told Asian Voice, “In the coming days and weeks, millions of people from dif-

ferent faiths will be marking religious festivals up and down the UK. “At this time of reflection, devotion and celebration, it’s vital everyone feels safe and protected in the places of worship they attend.

“That’s why we’ve invested another £1.6 million into our Places of Worship Protective Security Scheme and are encouraging religious organisations to apply.”

Minister for Counter Extremism Baroness Williams said, “No one should be abused or attacked, because of their

faith. The Government is committed to not only pursuing perpetrators of these horrendous crimes but also protecting victims.

“The Hate Crime Action Plan, refreshed in 2018, commits to providing the Places of Worship scheme, as well as funding community-led projects to tackle hate crime and increase reporting of these crimes.”

Jasvir Singh OBE in a tweet said, “Many Gurdwaras and other places of worship have received funding for CCTV, fencing and other measures through this. Please consider applying for it when it opens.”

Akeela Gheewalla Ahmed, Chair of the AntiMuslim Hatred Working Group (AMHWG) said, “I welcome the improvements to the Places of Worship fund and the initiative to help mosques to take steps to improve their security during Ramadan. The AMHWG look forward to continuing to work with the Home Office to reduce the vulnerabilities of places of worship, so that people are free to practice their faith without fear of attack.”

Inception and grants Since its inception in 2016, the Places of Worship

scheme has awarded over £1.5 million through 134 grants to places of worship from all major religions for additional protection and security measures.

The fourth year of the scheme will not only provide up to £1.6 million of funding but will also be easier than ever to apply for. This will provide security training and advice through twelve safety and security workshops across England and Wales, as well as guidance and leaflets circulated to mosques, community centres and madrassas, to protect places of worship from hate crime attacks.

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27 April - 3 May 2019

Jet Set for

Bailout?

Priyanka Mehta

Thousands of passengers have been stranded in India and around the world when Jet Airways had suspended all international flights on April 12 after allegedly being saddled with debt worth £900 million. As the Indian airline continues to scrape its way out of insolvency by trying to secure emergency funding from India's largest lender State Bank of India (SBI), reports have surfaced over a British entrepreneur showing his “interest” in providing a security net to the cashstrapped airline.

Jason Unsworth, CEO & founder of statrtup Atmosphere Intercontinental Airlines, has written to Vinay Dube CEO of Jet Airways about “the several investors who are interested in Atmosphere, and they have also shown interest in Jet Airways.”

Unsworth claims that he has received “a reply from Dube. He has put me in touch with a senior Jet Airways official for updates."

While, Unsworth's interest in Jet Airways can be seen as the first ray of hope for the private airline which has grappled with financial loss since June 2018, the abrupt flight cancellations continues to remain a challenge for passengers across the world including travel agents and tour operators who facilitate the process of

ticket bookings.

“I booked to travel to India with Jet Airways through a travel agency.

They rang two days ago saying that the flight has been cancelled because of Jet's financial crisis. Now, the travel agency is offering very expensive flights at such a short notice,” said Gurlove Kaur Dhaaliwal, a clinical practitioner at the NHS. But Gurlove is just one of the many passengers who took to social media to express her frustration at the airline. Many complained that they could not get in touch with customer services, while others claimed employees hung up the phone on them mid-conversation. Amidst the chaos surrounding the bailout process of the airline former Kingfisher Airline CEO Vijay

Mallya had called the crisis as “Airline Karma”.

“Even though Jet was a major competitor to Kingfisher at the time I feel sorry to see such a large private airline on the brink of failure. I invested hugely into Kingfisher which rapidly grew to become India’s largest and most awarded airline. True, Kingfisher borrowed from PSU Banks as well. I have offered to pay back 100 per cent but am being criminally charged instead. Airline Karma?” read his tweet.

But as stakeholders continue to discuss the way forward in the fate of Jet Airways some travel agents in the UK have spoken about how they are assisting the passengers in the “cancellation and refund process.”

“If the passenger has not yet started their journey, then they should be able to claim a full refund from their travel agent but they

BAME women are suffering ‘double disadvantage’ in modern London London’s BAME women who are working are being deeply affected by a harsh reality that is not being addressed, says the Global Shapers London Hub. The Global Shapers London Hub is part of the Global Shapers Community which is an initiative created by the World Economic Forum. It is a highly selective network of change makers under the age of 33, working together to address local, regional and global challenges. The Shapers have released a report publishing their research on intersectionality and pay and held a Twitter conversation #EqualPayUK in which users participated sharing their experiences of intersectionality and how this impacts pay. EY, NHS, Mishcon de Reya, The Employers Network for Equality and Inclusion and New Entrepreneurs Foundation are amongst the organisations to have shared open letters in support of the campaign.

Intersectional work

aims to be inclusive of everyone and respecting of all parts of others’ identities which is what the Shapers’ latest campaign is based on.

An intersectional lens is a critical factor when evaluating full equality.

Unfortunately, equality isn’t always looked at through multiple lenses on important topics like pay.

As most organisations are not collecting or publishing any kind of intersectional data on pay, there is a hindrance on the wider community’s ability to have data-driven conversations on this issue. This is what makes the Global Shapers London Hub’s work so crucial. Although discussions of issues like equal pay have received considerable public attention and media scrutiny over the years, the response from employers and policy makers has fallen short, says the organisation behind a revealing study into intersectionality which aims to tackle the issue by starting the conversation via qualitative evidence.

Co-curator elect of the Global Shapers London Hub, Claudine Adeyemi, said, “We as Shapers are committed to working on projects that deal with impact in new ways. When looking at ways that we could address making London more inclusive, we discovered that many were not even aware of the concept of 'intersectionality' let alone how to address it and create change. In the context of 'pay gaps' it seemed to us to be a great opportunity to raise awareness about it and start conversations to push for change.”

Furthering this example, even though white women experience sexism, they generally have more power and unearned privilege than Black women.

Intersectionality describes all types of overlapping forms of marginalisation, helping us understand the wide range of an individual's experience based on demographics including sexual orientation, religion, disability or race.

should contact Jet Airways as well to endorse their ticket on a partner airline,” explained a travel agent who wished to remain annonymous.

According to him “many passengers are being refunded for their unused tickets, however the refund process can take up to four weeks of processing time.”

Passengers have also been gripped with fear of increasing air fares if the airline were to dissolve and this has been echoed through another travel agent who said“Jet Airways had over 30% market share of the UK – INDIA route. Therefore,

by Jet Airways not operating these flights it could mean that we could see a 30% hike

in air fares unless additional capacity is added through existing or new airlines.”

But aside from travel agents and tour operators, some aviation exerpts with years of experience in writing about travel, have taken to the social media to provide guidance and alternate travel suggestions to these passengers and waive off their anxiety.

“Don't believe travel agents who say that they will get your money back from Jet Airways. The Airline owes money to their staff, banks, airports, fuel companies, hotels and so on. This means that the passengers are at the bottom of the list for refunds.

Instead speak directly with your credit/debit card com-

pany.

“If your flight is cancelled, be flexible, avoid holidays and don't be particular about the airline with which you're travelling and be prepared to take the longer route to India,” said Michael Lutzenberger in a FaceBook post.

Currently, Etihad Airways, which owns a 24 per cent stake in Jet, has reportedly submitted an expression of interest to buy a controlling stake.

While Jason Unsworth, a member of the Conservative party has written to British Prime Minister Theresa May, asking for support in his interest in Jet alongside his letter to the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

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Sri Lanka, we cry with you The horrendous tragedy that struck and killed innocent people who were engaged in prayers on Easter Sunday is most depressing and devastating. Over 325 people have lost their lives and whilst they were predominantly Christians there were also Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims and people of no faith amongst the victims. Such atrocities perpetrated by blood thirsty fanatics moves all humanity and makes them cry and feel helpless.

I have been to Sri Lanka to visit some of my relations.

It is a small but naturally endowed, beautiful, reasonably prosperous, and, by and large, a multicultural country. It is like a pearl in the Indian Ocean. I have also visited St Anthony’s Church and, as usual, amongst the attendees were people of all faiths and possibly none.

It beggars belief that the Sri Lankan authorities were forewarned nearly two weeks ago by Indian sources about the possibility that such a vicious attack by a little known group the National Thowheed Jamath (NTJ) was planning such attacks on churches during Easter. It is extremely painful that the internal rivalry amongst the top echelons of power within Sri Lanka did not pay heed to this warning and a close community, a multi-faith community, has now been torn apart. What is the future of such small countries who have so much vulnerability? Religious extremism, fanaticism and hatred of believers of other faiths is the worst problem of the present era.

Sri Lanka, a country that is dependent on tourism, will now take time to rebuild it’s society and economy.

The dead are being cremated but what will happen to all those who are injured, or those who may have lost their limbs or are now totally disabled. Besides the ruin of careers and shattering of communities how are hundreds if not thousands of families going to be able to regroup and resettle?

The real question for the super powers is to try to muster up courage and develop a strategy of precautions to prevent such attacks and tragedies in the future. More importantly it is the responsibility and a duty of the faith where such perpetrators come from. Every preacher, every Islamic state, mullah and leader of any Muslim organisation, or for that matter, any members of any faith should denounce clearly and equivocally that these acts of terror are not approved or cannot be condoned by any faith who values human life.

After all, at the end of the day, all faiths are supposed to give us the values of peace, harmony and happiness whilst we are on this planet. No one especially in today’s world can get away with such terrorising acts to in order to acquire supremacy over other religious groups.

It is important to remember that Sri Lanka is a multi faith and multicultural country. Around 75% of the population are Buddhist, 12% Hindus, 8% Christians and the same number of Muslims. With all the recent violence in the country historically it is a closed community and let’s pray that sooner rather than later sanity prevails.

Mr S Ranjan Lewisham

The cruelty of terrorism Terrorism is getting crueller each day with serial blasts taking place all over the world. The recent one was in Sri Lanka that took place on Easter Sunday when people were in Church praying. Unless and until the terrorists are beheaded in full public view and shown live on television on all major channels, terrorism will continue to take place in the world.

Meanwhile the Constitution of India gives every adult (18 years or above of age) the right to choose representatives through the exercise of his/her right to vote. The voters exercise their right to vote to elect representatives to the Lok Sabha, the State Legislative Assemblies and the local bodies down to the Gram Panchayat.

As a democratic country, India is built on the foundations of election. Our Parliament and Legislatures are of the people, by the people and for the people. Voting is a constitutional right that we are privileged to have. We take it for granted, but the Constitution has given us the right to elect who we want, and the right to make the change.

Jubel D’Cruz, Mumbai, India

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- Asian Voice

Scourge of old age

A bed of thorns

As old age creeps on us, we find that gradually we tend to forget things. The first thing we notice is that we find it difficult to put names to faces. We struggle to remember people’s names or other important things about them. Then forgetfulness takes a hold on us and it is a downhill ride.

One becomes weak in limbs and has to resort to surgery for knee or hip replacement. One may get away with ones physical problems by modern methods but the deterioration of the grey cells in the brain cannot be halted.

Nothing can be done to reverse the process as the damaged cells cannot be replaced. Imagine your plight when you go out of the house and forget where to return to your home?

Or keep forgetting where you have placed your keys or wallet or do not remember whether you have turned the television off before retiring to bed at night.

With modern medicine and excellent health care available in the advanced countries like the UK, more and more of us live longer and longer. The blood pressure and cholesterol levels lowering drugs, as well as the Metformin tablets or insulin injections to control diabetes give many people a longer lease of life. But dementia and Alzhaimer diseases get a grip on us and even though our limbs are in working order, our brains are unable to keep pace with today’s fast moving life and modern technology.

Dinesh Sheth Newbury Park, Ilford

If slugs are attacking your vegetable plants, do as I do. Near your back garden fence you may find clusters of thorny weeds.

Cut up the thorny stems into finger-sized pieces and scatter them all over your vegetable patch and around plant roots, pressing them lightly into the soil.

The thorns, pointing in all directions, stop slugs from invading the beds, allowing your vegetables to grow and thrive in peace.

Rudy Otter By email

Rituals and ceremonies after death One of our relative Shri Chandubhai Patel (home town Vaso, India) of Norbury, London passed away a few weeks ago in his early eighties due to health issues. He lived a simple life and fulfilled all his responsibilities towards his family and siblings by going out of his way and facing hardships.

Being a simple man of high thinking he strictly told his family not to perform any kind of Karmkand - rituals and dogmas - after his death at the time of funeral and after funeral which included not bringing his coffin home before funeral for puja vidhi by the priest as he believed that by doing that his family, relatives and friends will be mourning and crying during the hour long ritual.

Instead he wanted everyone to celebrate his life by remembering the good things he did in his life. To help save environment he asked not to disburse his ashes in river but to buy an urn for ashes and keep at funeral home. His life was his message like Mahatma Gandhiji used to say.

Suresh and Bhavna Patel Markham, Canada

Tales from the Raj Although we all knew about massacre of innocent Indian people by an overzealous British officer, TV programmes to mark century of this tragic event, “Jallianwala Bagh Massacre” has revealed some interesting but disturbing character of British Raj. One such dictate was for Indians to salute white British person one may encounter, passing by on the street, failing to salute will end up for the poor person to crawl on all four like an animal, no matter how young or old one may be.

Although we were born, brought-up in East Africa, under British rule, we had uncomplicated life, as society was simple, divided in three segments, naturally most favoured ones were British, followed by Asians and then Africans. But we had some interesting contradiction, encounters with ruling class!

It was mainly on sports field, namely cricket. As British were a tiny minority, they were always on losing side. But they used to take defeat in their stride! However when it came to playing for national side, it was altogether different matter! There used to be at least six, even seven English players and four to five Asians; all seven Englishmen would bat in top order, although hardly a couple of them deserved to be selected for national side!

This strange phenomenon used to lead to surprising scoreboard, losing first six to seven wickets for less than fifty runs when Asian players would enter the fray, get opportunity to bat and score may end up 200 t0 250 all out, practically all runs scored by last five players!

I was in Civil Service, relatively on higher position of Assistant Accountant; all positions above this grade were filled by Englishmen. One of my duties was to allocate accommodations to British officers and to provide them with loans to buy essential household items, including cars and to settle their mileage and other such claims.

One newly qualified Dental Surgeon came to see me, when I allocated him beautiful bungalow, in Oyster Bay, right in front of mighty roaring Indian Ocean. He was so pleased that he used to come and see me once a week during lunch break. We became good friends, used to meet outside office hours for a drink or a meal. Suddenly he stopped visiting me and when we met outside, I asked him why. He was so apologist, telling me that he was told not to mix with Asians or Africans socially, that he should keep his distance and upheld his dignity! Well everything changed after independence! One’s ego is like river; it may swell, but never burst over rival’s banks! That was British Raj! Bhupendra M. Gandhi By email

Jallianwala Bagh massacre The infamous Jallianwala Bagh tragedy was perpetrated by the British officers of the then Raj and had power over India and under the law of the British Parliament.

A hundred years ago the dastardly acts of the British were commited and have been aptly covered by Asian Voice over the last two weeks and has also been extremely well publicised in other electronic and print media.

The British Government, the present government of Teresa May, has been seen shedding crocodile tears and expressing regret and using such insincere words.

There is ample proof that innocent Sikhs, Hindus and Muslims were massacrade in that small walled garden in Amritsar.

The British authorities should have enough courage and guts to apologies wholeheartedly and without any ifs and buts. By not doing this not only have they failed to heal the wounds of the fifth generation of people in this country but are irresponsible by ignoring such an atrocity that has been committed to perpetuate the colonies.

Let them be reminded that twenty-eight years after that tragedy in Amritsar the British were forced to leave India.

Surjit Singh Hounslow

Misguided environments While no one can deny that noble cause these dedicated Environments are fighting for is one of the most important issues of the 21st century confronting humanity. But their tactics, to block roads and bridges, tube stations or Heathrow airport, are inappropriate; as it causes so much frustration and hardships to ordinary people who wholehearted support them.

Quoting experience of one of our elderly friends who was on his way to see hospital Consultant in the city, was trapped in traffic. Although he left early, giving an hour of extra time than normal, he missed his appointment, as he was an hour late. Moreover his black cab cost him a fortune, as such cabs run on meter.

We all know how difficult it is to see specialist, missed appointment is black mark on his record, although in his case, hospital made an allowance and gave him new appointment within four weeks which normally takes at least three months.

There are many other ways to make sensible protest. By blocking roads and bridges, making people late for work, missing hospital appointments, flights and trains is sure way to alienating normal working people whose support they badly need. Peaceful protest outside parliament, starting online petition, signed by a million people and writing to their MPs in droves is one way, especially targeting, persuading MPs who may not be sympathy to their cause.

Another, sensible way is to set good example. We all know that plants and trees play major part in reducing pollution, that is why trees are planted on both sides of motorways, as well as on school boundaries facing busy roads.

Their target should be to plant at least one million trees in England annually. Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland could set their own targets. Such a scheme will turn our beloved nation into one of the greenest places on earth, challenging Canada and America where trees are deeply revered.

The third front should be to generate green energy.

Being an island nation, we do not have long, powerful rivers like Amazon, Mississippi, Ganges, Narbada and Nile, a few among many rivers that could provide cheap hydro-electric power. But our coastlines are blessed with tidal waves and strong winds that could generate clean energy, using wind turbines in shallow coastal waters, as well as Scottish highlands, most suitable for locating wind-turbines.

All above measures, along with making our homes energy efficient, motor vehicles electric, is better way to save planet than causing hardships to ordinary people living on breadline, especially those on zero hour contract who would lose a day’s wage!

Kumudini Valambia By email

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

Please keep contributing as always.

If you are new, then write to Rupanjana at rupanjana.dutta@abplgroup.com - AV

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AsianVoiceNews

EDUCATION

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

11

27 April - 3 May 2019

Easter Sats revision classes Immigration scandal becoming 'a growing trend' 'bigger than Windrush' There is a growing trend of primary schools running Easter holiday revision classes for formal tests, known as Sats, a teachers' union says.

The NASUWT union says "cramming sessions" are becoming more common in schools ahead of the tests sat in May. It says children should not be in school over the holidays, but should be spending time with their families.

Education Secretary Damian Hinds said Sats were tests of the education system in England, "not our children".

The results of Sats tests taken by 11-year-olds are published each year in primary school league tables, published by the Department for Education.

Darren Northcott, the NASUWT's national official for education, said it was the pressure of accountability that was leading schools to

open up for Year 6 pupils over the holidays.

He said that while attendance at the Easter booster sessions he was aware of was voluntary, it was not clear what sort of message parents were being sent.

But Mr Hinds said exam stress at primary school level was not inevitable.

Last week, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn announced he would scrap Sats if his party came to power, saying the move would help improve teacher recruit-

ment and retention.

Instead, Labour would introduce alternative assessments which would be based on "the clear principle of understanding the learning needs of every child," he said.

But Schools Minister Nick Gibb said abolishing Sats would be "a retrograde step". He said the move would "keep parents in the dark" by preventing from knowing how good their child's school is at teaching maths, reading and writing.

Teachers face weekly violence from pupils Many teachers are experiencing violence and abuse from pupils, a survey of teachers suggests. Nearly a quarter (24%) of teachers say they face violence once a week, the poll of nearly 5,000 members of the NASUWT teachers' union finds.

Four in 10 (42%) have been threatened verbally.

"Verbal abuse is now part of the daily working landscape for a primary teacher," one teacher said. Official figures from the Department for Education showed that in the academic year 2016/17, 655 pupils in England were excluded for a verbal assault against an adult, while 59,675 were given a fixed-

term exclusion.

The statistics show 745 were permanently excluded for a physical assault against an adult and 26,695 were excluded for a fixed period.

These figures were higher than the previous year 2015/16. The NASUWT, discussed the issue of discipline at its annual conference in Belfast on Saturday.

Delegates passed a motion saying the union would "defend members through all legitimate means, up to and including industrial action".

DfE guidelines say teachers in England have the "statutory authority" to discipline pupils whose behaviour is unacceptable or

who break the school rules.

This power also applies to all paid staff (unless the head teacher says otherwise) with responsibility for pupils, such as teaching assistants.

The guidance states that: - teachers can discipline pupils at any time the pupil is in school or elsewhere under the charge of a teacher, including on school visits - they can also discipline pupils in certain circumstances when a pupil's misbehaviour occurs outside of school - they have the power to impose detention outside school hours and can confiscate pupils' property.

Over 1,000 international students have been forcibly removed from the UK over cheating claims in the English language test that is made mandatory for all students coming from non English speaking countries.

In a fresh move against allegations of the Home Offices' unfair revocation of the students' visa issued to these international students Home Secretary, Sajid Javid, is now under mounting pressure to head off an immigration scandal that MPs have warned could be “bigger than Windrush”.

About 34,000 foreign students have had their visas cancelled or curtailed and more than 1,000 people were forcibly removed from

Sajid Javid

the UK as a result of the English language testing scandal, which involved the government accusing tens of thousands of students who sat a Home Officeapproved test of cheating following the BBC Panorama Investigation.

Five years have gone by

and some of these students are still being targeted by immigration enforcement officers and being taken to immigration detention centres ahead of enforced removal from the UK. Mike Gapes, the MP for Ilford South, in a statement to The Guardian has said how this is “a bigger scandal than Windrush in terms of the number of individuals removed from the country and whose livelihoods are being destroyed by anguish and despair”.

The issue of immigration has been a constant problem for the UK sincethe introduction of Theresa May's “hostile environment” policy when she was a Home Secretary in 2012.

TED Prize to online classes project causes controversy The TED talk organisers have announced the Audacious Project, a $280m (£215m) prize fund to be shared across eight projects it feels tackle the world's toughest challenges. But already one of the recipients of the funding has been criticised. Waterford Upstart plans to provide online preschool education to 250,000 children in the US. The Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood (CCFC) has called on TED to reconsider the award.

The row coincides with the TED2019 conference - a week of presentations themed on technology, entertainment and design in Vancouver, Canada. The Upstart project started in Utah and is now in 15 other

US states. It offers a daily programme of screen-based activities lasting 15 minutes to children from low-income families or rural communities, who would otherwise not be able to receive earlyyears education. It says there are 2.2 million children each year who do not have access to any publically-funded early-education programmes in the US. The charity says it wants to help make sure all children enter school on an equal footing.

For those who cannot afford them, the project provides both devices and internet connectivity. The other winning projects are: - Educate Girls, which is partnering with 35,000 volunteers in remote rural communities in India to keep girls in the classroom

- Institute of Protein Design, which wants to harness the power of proteins to create the next generation of medicines and materials - The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, which is looking at how plants can help slow climate change - The End Fund, which proposes to bring de-worming treatment to 100 million people who have parasitic worms as a result of infected water - The Nature Conservancy, which wants to buy up the debt of 20 island nations in exchange for government's commitment to using the savings to protect 30% of its marine areas - Thorn, which wants to develop technology that will stop the spreading of images of child sexual abuse online

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12 MEDIA WATCH

AsianVoiceNews

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

www.asian-voice.com

27 April - 3 May 2019

SCRUTATOR’S Sri Lanka, the pearl of the Orient, was laid low by a series of eight coordinated bombings across the country which, according to early reports, had resulted in 310 or more deaths. The iconic Roman Catholic Cathedral in the capital Colombo and other churches in the cities and cities across the country were bombed during the Easter service leaving many worshippers dead and wounded.

Foxconn to start mass iPhone production Foxconn Technology Group Chairman Terry Gou the Taiwanese company’s iPhone will go into mass production in India this year. Gou said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had invited him to India as his company unfolded plans to expand its presence in the country. India is now the world’s fastest-growing iPhone market.

The Foxconn plant is to be located in Chennai.

With a stagnating Chinese market, the US Apple, which concentrated on China to the neglect of India, is in retreat (Times of India April 16).

Bajaj’s bull’s eye

Sri Lankan security personnel walk next to dead bodies on the floor amid blast debris at St. Anthony's Shrine, following an explosion in the church in Kochchikade in Colombo

Prominent hotels were similarly attacked leaving dead tourists, some Indian. The Indian embassy in Colombo was also targeted but no deaths or injuries were reported. While no definite proof of the sources of these attacks have been established the finger of suspicion pited to the local Thaweed Jamaat, a hardline Islamist organization with suspected links to Islamic State.

World leaders, including the Pope, Presidents Trump, Putin, Indian President Kovind and Prime Minister Modi have condemned this brutal and senseless outrage. Mr Modi spoke with the Sri Lankan President and Prime Minister and offerd the fullest cooperation (Times of India, Hindu April 22).

Election Fever Election fever plumbed new depths with the Election Commission imposing a 72-hour campaign bans on Uttar Pradesh BJP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and UP Samajwadi

Times of India April 16) The second of the seven stage election has ended, with a voter turnout estimated between 66-68 per cent (Statesman, Hindu, Times of India April 19).

Near normal’ monsoon predicted Kamal Nandi, Vice President, Godrej Appliances, reacted positively to the MET forecast of a ‘near normal monsoon.’ He said: ‘Healthy rains will surely help the agricultural sector. We expect to see the consumption going up front rural, and semi-urban beginning the third quarter.’ He also dilated on increased sales of refrigerators and other electrical appliances. Two-wheeler manufacturers are also optimistic on robust sales.

Sensex rallies The positive monsoon prediction led to a Sensex rally. Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) backed by its robust quarterly

Bajaj Auto has displayed remarkable resurgence going forward into the new fiscal in motorcycles. The Pulsar has been growing year-on-year attracting customers in search of the 125cc brand, having grown 25 per cent of market share. .Our strategy of invading the middle is paying off and has contributing to volumes and profitability,’ says Rajiv Bajaj, Managing Director, Bajaj Auto.

The first quarter of the new fiscal will see three new products.- CT, Platina and Pulsar, all designed to take growth forward. Bajaj is confident that the company’s present 20-odd per cent growth is set to rise to 25-30 per cent (Business Line March 29).

Reaching for the skies A decade or two ago, Kolkata embodied dereliction, a vast slum of decay with little hope for the future. Its subsequent resurrection borders on the near miraculous: daily power cuts a receding memory, telephone communications that work, flyovers in and around the city that has cut journey-times to the airport from almost two hours to an approximate hour on weekdays and even less on Sundays.

Restaurants and shopping malls buzz with customers. Spanking new buildings dot the skyline. The newest at 268 metres, with 65 floors, is now India’s tallest building. It stands on the iconic Chowringhee road, adjacent to the Maidan and provides a memorable view of the Hooghly river beyond.

One must hope that the present experience is not derailed’ that the future is secure (Times of India April 16).

CEO, TCS. ‘ Our order book is bigger than in the previous three quarters and the deal pipeline is also robust. Despite macro uncertainties ahead, our strong exit positions us very well for the new fiscal,’ he said (Hindu April 13).

Tatas return to Bengal The Tata Group appears to have exorcized the ghost of Nano and returned to Bengal in a major shift in policy. Tata-Hitachi has moved from Jamshepur to Bengal two years ago. The Group is set to establish four registered offices in the State. Tata Sponge is moving from Odisha to Bengal, as are Tata Global Beverages and Tinplate and Tataliks, with Tata Sponge taking over Kolkata-based company Usha Martin’s steel business (Times of India April 19).

Jet Airways on the brink Debt-laden Jet Airways aircraft have been grounded and further operations aborted because of debts. Banks have refused until a confirmed deal reached on a prospective buyer of the debtridden company. Pilots and other staff are seeking employment with India’s other airlines (Times of India April 19).

BJP leader Maneka Gandhi, UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Bahujan Party leader Mayawati and UPP Samajwadi leader Azam Khan

leader Azam Khan, and 48-hour bans on BJP Union Minister Maneka Gandhi, Bahuhjan Samaj party chief Mayawati. They were found guilty of making inflammatory speeches targeting other communities, and hence likely to provoke social unrest and violence (Statesman, Hindu,

results, along with the Housing Development Finance Corporation (HDFC) bank, Kotak Mahindra, Bank, Tata Motors were top contributors to the Sensex rally – which was also boosted by strong buying by foreign and domestic funds (Times of India April 16).

Strongest figures ‘This is the strongest revenue growth that we have had in the last 15 quarters,’ said Rajesh Gopalan, Managing Director and

Strategy for success ‘Over the course of two decades our strategy of being expertise-led and backed by a unique culture continues to to help us attract world class people to create customer success. Our ability to to consistently grow faster than the sector isa a reflection of the investments we have made to align with technology trends disrupting our industry,’ said Rostow Ravanan, Managing Director and CEO, Mindtree (Hindu April 18).

Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance soars

A SAT success proud moment: DRDO chief Defence Research and Development Organization Chairman G.Satheesh Reddy said apropos of India’s recent ASatellite test, ‘We have been one of four countries in the world … the basic technologies and ideas emerged out of ballistic missile defence programme (which) gave (us) the confidence to take up the critically complex mission test,’ he said. Permission to go ahead with the test was given in 2016.

Complex, critical technologies were home-grown. Dr Reddy said the entire mission was designed and built indigenously, with

TCS surge India’s largest software exporter, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), has reported a 17.7 per cent increase in its fourth quarter (ending March 31, 2019) consolidated net profit to Rs 8.126 crore, riding on 18.5 per cent in revenue to Rs 38,000 crore. Digital services contributed 31 per cent to revenue growing at 46.4 per cent over the same period of the previous year.

Mindtree declared an interim dividend of 30 per cent per share to be paid before May 10. The Board also recommended a a final dividend 40 per cent in celebration of the twin achievements of exceeding $1 billion annual revenue and the completion of the company’s twentieth year.

G Satheesh Reddy

Indian industry contributing around 2,000 subsystems in the mission. About 200 Indian firms contributed to the mission’s success (Business Line April 17).

Mindtree IT in billionaire club Twenty six years since its creation, mid-tier IT firm Mindtree crossed the $1billion revenue club during the fiscal ending March 31, 2019.

Faced with a hostile takeover by engineering major Larsen & Toubro, the Board of Directors of

Mukesh Ambani

Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) – the oil-totelecom conglomerate – has registered a consolidated net profit of Rs10, 362 crore – the second such straight quarter - in the fourth quarter of the last fiscal ending March 31, 2018. For the full year RIL posted a net profit of Rs 39, 588 crore, an increase of 13.1 per cent. ‘During the Financial Year 201819, we achieved several milestones and made significant strides in building Reliance of the future.

RelianceRetail crossed the Rs100,00 crore revenue milestone.

Jio performance Jio now serves over 300 million consumers and our petrochemicals business deliverd its highest ever earnings,’ said Mukesh Ambani, Chairman and Managing Director Reliance Industries. The last financial ending March 31, saw Jio posting a net profit of Rs 2,964 crore, compared with Rs 723 crore of the previous year (Business Line April 19).

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AsianVoiceNews

UK

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

13

27 April - 3 May 2019

Eden School pupils live up to charity fund raising challenge Pupils at Slough's Eden Girls’ School, Slough never say no to a challenge.

Year 7 girls have spent the year at the Bath Road school avidly fundraising and creating social awareness campaigns for a number of charities, as part of the First Give programme.

First Give works in partnership with secondary schools to help young people to give their time, tenacity and talents to improve their local communities.

The charities supported by the school over the year include Samaritans, Slough Foodbank, the RSPCA and Phab, which supports children, young people and adults with and without disabilities to socialise together.

The school’s project with First Give culminated in a final challenge, with pupils taking part in a

Dragon’s Den-style pitch to compete for the £1,000 charity donation. The girls had to pitch to a panel of judges as to why their chosen charity should receive the donation.

The event, which was held at the school, was hosted by Daisy Jacobs of First

Give and the panel included Maria Grazia Hindmarsh from the Buffini Chao Foundation, who generously donated the prize money.

After a hotly-contested final, the Eden Girls' team representing the Samaritans received the donation.

Davina Singh, deputy

director of Outreach at Slough, Windsor and Maidenhead Samaritans said: “We are so grateful to Eden Girls’ School, Slough for this donation. It is even more special to receive it in this our 50th anniversary, when we are celebrating 50 years of listening.

The money will be used to enable our Samaritan volunteers to continue our work in the community and to continue supporting those in distress and despair.”

It is part of Star Academies, one of the UK’s leading multi-academy trusts. The school opened in September, 2015. For more information about Eden Girls’ School, Slough visit www.edengirlsslough.com.

Man charged over graffiti Prosecutors threaten trial walk-outs in CPS pay row on Preston mosque

A man has been charged over offensive graffiti painted on the gate post of a mosque.

Three separate incidents were reported to police of damage to the Masjid-eSalaam in Watling Street Road, Preston.

Graffiti was also found on an NHS sign on the same road, Lancashire Police said.

A man, 47, from Preston was charged with four counts of racially aggravated criminal damage and a racially aggravated public order offence.

On Friday, the mosque tweeted pictures of the graffiti, saying it was "open for all and [we] do not harbour any evil for those who wish otherwise".

Man who dragged woman out of car and battered her after row over texts in McDonald's A man who staged a car crash in a bid to frame an innocent woman he beat unconscious during a row over texting has been jailed.

Bilal Muhammed, 24, deliberately drove his VW into a lamp post then falsely claimed his victim, a mumof-one, had crashed the vehicle while trying to run him down in the street.

In fact Muhammed had dragged the woman from the car in a rage then beat and kicked her until she lost consciousness following an argument about him sending pictures of them on a night out together to her boyfriend.

He then attempted to falsely blame the victim for causing her own injuries in

Criminal barristers in England and Wales are threatening to walk out of trials or refuse new work over a pay row with the Crown Prosecution Service.

The Criminal Bar Association says rates for prosecution work have not risen in 20 years and barristers can receive as little as £46.50 for a day's work.

In a CBA survey, 95% of

barristers said they would strike to change the rates.

The CPS said it was in the process of reviewing barrister fees to make them "fair, affordable and sustainable". The government announced extra funding for criminal defence barristers' trial fees last year after they went on strike in protest at a new system for determining their legal aid payments.

'Family man' who offered schoolgirls money for sex jailed A former quantity surveyor who offered a group of schoolgirls cash for sex whilst stalking them around a park with £600 in cash in his pocket has been locked up - to a round of applause in court from their angry parents. Shahid Razzaq, 42, withdrew the money from an ATM then offered up to £70 for one of the children to have intercourse with him after he appeared suddenly from bushes as they were walking past.

During the incident the terrified girls, aged between 12 and 15, tried to run away but one was offered increasing amounts of money to

perform a sex act on the married father of two. He was subsequently detained at the scene at Broadfield Park in Rochdale after being confronted by members of the public.

At Manchester's Minshull Street Crown Court, families' of the girls clapped from the public gallery as Razzaq, who lives in Rochdale, was locked up for 27 months after he admitted attempting to incite a girl to engage in sexual activity. Razzaq was also placed on the Sex Offenders Register for 10 years and also made subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

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the 'crash' only to subsequently confess after police refused to believe his account.

At Manchester's Minshull Street Crown Court, Muhammed of Newbold, Rochdale, pleaded guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm and perverting the course of justice. He was jailed for 21 months.

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Coronation Street's Qasim Akhtar 'lucky to be alive' after quad bike accident Coronation Street's Qasim Akhtar has urged people to wear helmets after injuring himself in a quad bike accident at the weekend.

The actor, who played Zeedan Nazir in the ITV soap until last year, was left with a fractured arm and a bruised lung after the incident.

Posting a picture of himself in hospital on Instagram, he told his fans it was a "huge wake up call".

Akhtar said: "Took a major L (Lesson) yesterday.

Had an accident on the quad bike. Split my lower abdominal, bruised lung, Fractured arm and a couple deep wounds. To be honest though as bad as they sound and as much pain as im in right now Im counting my blessings to have only picked up these injuries and not some life threatening ones. Huge wake up call!"

He continued: "Im already on the road to

recovery and even though Im yet to find the silver lining, I like to see every negative situation i find myself in as a blessing in disguise. God works in mysterious ways.

My appreciation for life just reached a new level. I urge people riding quads to wear helmets cos even though legally you don't need too, that saved me from a fatal injury for real."

CST trains Hindu priests after temples vandalised BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Neasden

The organisation charged with defending the Jewish community in the UK has trained more than 80 Hindu priests after two London temples were broken into.

Professionals from the Community Security Trust, which monitors antisemitism and provides a £14 million annual Government grant to protect Jewish institutions, responded to calls for help after Hindu worshippers grew fearful.

“The Hindu priests were really concerned, because their deities had been stolen, it was a deep sacrilege,” said Rabbi Natan Levy

of Strengthening Faith Institutions, which was asked to assist.

CST professionals provided security training in London, Coventry, Birmingham and Sandwell for more than 80 Hindu priests, trustees and community leaders.

Deepak Naik, a consultant for the Hindu Temples, said in a statement to the Jewish News- “The Hindu community deeply appreciated CST sharing learning and their interest in preventing and reduce harm and damage. It was valued and appreciated. I hope we can build on .”

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Boy, 6, shot on doorstep by masked gang Tukwaleshari told how the attack happened minutes after his son answered the door to his friends.

Witnesses had told how three people ran up the street before a masked gunman shot at the house, blasting the chatting youngster with pellets.

Police later arrested two people, aged 17 and 24, who have now been released on bail.

Dad Adburahaman told Black Country Live about the moments before and after the shooting.

He said: "I was in the kitchen. My son was playing his game and his friends came to talk to him and asked him to play outside football. My son said no, I want to stay at home and play a game. About five or ten minutes they were talking... and a gang come and was shooting at the door.

My little one was there and they hit in the hand and the back, then the gang ran."

The dad added: "I heard two bang noises. I saw my son bleeding in the back and the hand and I saw that my Pellet holes left behind in child's door was broken. coat from Wolverhampton shooting “I was crying, my son

Image: Birmingham Mail

Police have released heartbreaking pictures of a sixyear-old boy shot by a masked gang whilst chatting to friends on his doorstep.

The horrific shotgun attack happened in Ashbourne Road, Eastfield, just before 4pm on Good Friday (April 19).

The victim's family has now released images of the brave youngster after he had surgery to remove the pellets, but asked us to blur his face.

Dad Adburahaman

after someone else.

They revealed horrifying images of where the pellets blasted through the child's coat, as well as damage to the family's front door. The pellets reached as far as the back wall in the hallway.

The fatherof-six said his son has had five pellets removed from his back and around five from his hand.

But two pellets are still inside his hand as docShooting victim who was injured after tors have said it will be men opened fire in the street difficult to remove them.

The youngster remains in was crying everybody went hospital. upstairs and hid under the A 17-year-old and a 24beds. The gang came here year-old were arrested on and scared us, we haven't suspicion of wounding and slept for two or three days have been released on bail. now.

West Midlands Police “I cannot sleep, I don't said the motive behind the feel safe. I think we are shooting remains unclear going to move home, I canand has put extra officers on not stay here." the beat in a bid to reassure The family believe that the community. the gang may have been

Children take on 'selfless service' to celebrate Sikh festival of Vaisakhi at Slough gurdwara Sikhs in Slough celebrated the festival of Vaisakhi with gusto at the weekend.

Children undertook seva (selfless service) at the Guru Maneyo Granth Gurdwara, the biggest in Europe, taking part in all the activities that would normally be carried out by adult volunteers over the two days.

All Sikhs are encouraged by the Guru Granth Sahib – the religious text read by Sikhs – to perform seva for the “moral uplifting” of the individual.

Jeevan Kaur, 13, a pupil at Herschel Grammar School, said: “It was so much

fun doing the seva activities and for me it was a unique opportunity to have an insight into everything involved in running a Gurdwara. It really made me appreciate all the hard work the sewadaars do.”

And five-year-old Prubjot Kaur said she was “delighted” with her sewadaar badge which every participating child received.

Vaisakhi is the celebra- Kind-hearted children take on 'selftion of the creation of the less service' to celebrate Vaisakhi festival, which included the Khalsa. traditional ceremony of the The gurudwara hosted changing of the flag (Nishan two days of activities for the

Sahib) which was undertaken by the whole community.

It also houses the UK’s only permanent Sikh art exhibition, without shape without form, which was open to everyone.

The day culminated with a display of ancient Indo Persian Armour by Ajeet Armory, a local group who has carried out preservation projects in India using techniques learned from the world’s major museums to preserve Arms and Armour belonging to the Sikh Gurus.

Leicestershire tourists held at gunpoint in Peru A couple celebrating their first wedding anniversary in Peru were held at gunpoint on a tourist bus.

Atish and Jaspreet Vadher, from Markfield, Leicestershire, were a day into a two-week trip when their bus was stopped by six masked robbers.

The couple said the ordeal was "frightening" and left them shaken, but they were continuing their holiday.

The Foreign Office said there had been similar robberies in the area recently and are reviewing advice to travellers.

Dr Vadher, a freshwater biologist at the University of Northampton, said he and his wife were travelling from Puerto Maldonado to the Peruvian Amazon with tour

operator G Adventures when their bus was ambushed on 14 April.

"They stormed onto the bus, held us all at gunpoint and started to steal everyone's belongings," he said.

"The tour guides told us afterwards they shouted 'let's kill them all, and take their stuff'.

"Everybody on the bus was frightened and, even afterwards, were very shaken up."

The Vadhers avoided having anything stolen as their bags were underneath their seats, but 10 other travellers had passports, wallets and cameras taken.

The couple are now heading to Machu Picchu before flying to Bolivia.

"We're going to try and keep as positive as possible,"

Atish and Jaspreet Vadher

added Dr Vadher.

"We have created some nice memories but we're just trying to put this section of our trip behind us, refresh and start again on our South America tour."

G Adventures said noone was physically harmed during the ordeal but it was investigating how safe the area is for tourists in future.

It added: "As a precautionary measure, all G Adventures trips in the area are currently avoiding this road, and will instead be escorted by a security guard to a different river port."

The Foreign Office said it was reviewing its travel advice after other British tourists and buses were robbed at gunpoint recently.

in brief RAM-RAIDERS SMASH VAN INTO SHOP LEAVING OWNER WITH A BIG REPAIR BILL Ram-raiders smashed a van into a shop before helping themselves to scratch cards and the till. The gang drove a white Ford van at Binda's Superstore, Leicester at 3am on 19th April. Two of them rushed inside while the driver remained at the wheel. The shop's security shutter and entrance were severely damaged. Owner Joga Singh, who has owned the business for the past nine years, said he expects the repair bill to hit £3,000. The break-in has been reported to Leicestershire Police. A Sainsbury's Local store was targeted two days earlier. The raiders stole a quantity of cigarettes before escaping.

BRISTOL’S STUDENTS UNION TO INVESTIGATE BME OFFICER WHO TOLD JEWISH STUDENT 'BE LIKE ISRAEL AND CEASE TO EXIST' The Black and Ethnic Minorities (BME) officer at Bristol university is facing an investigation by the student union after telling a Jewish student on social media that he should “be like Israel and cease to exist”.

Omar Chowdhury, who was elected to his position on a platform which included “zero tolerance for racism”, also said Izzy Posen should “f*** off”, telling him “your comments are like Israeli settlements: always popping up where they are not wanted.”

Mr Chowdhury’s comments appeared on the Bristruths Facebook page, which is used by students at the university, who are able to use it to post messages on how they feel without revealing their identities.

Subsequently, a Jewish student, posting anonymously, said that if Mr Chowdhury was not removed from his position as a student union officer it would be “such a double standard”, saying that a precedent needed to be set to punish this type of behaviour.

“Jewish people are repeatedly swept under the rug, people are continually allowed to get away with this stuff. This is clearly someone who shouldn’t be representing Bristol students,” the student wrote, accusing Mr Chowdhury of being “both anti-Zionist and antisemitic.

Sally Patterson, Bristol University’s Equality, Liberation and Access officer, who is Jewish, responded to this message assuring the student that the case was being “investigated under the student union’s code of conduct.

“Bristol SU takes accusations of antisemitism extremely seriously and will investigate fully and confirm the outcomes with both the students involved.”

INDIAN-ORIGIN PROFESSOR FACES INQUIRY OVER DRAWING DOUBLE SALARIES A 44-year-old Indian-origin medical professor is facing a tribunal inquiry over his alleged failure to inform a UK university that he was still working at another varsity and continued to draw salaries from both the places for little over a year.

Akhilesh Reddy admits being in full-time employment with the University of Cambridge and University College London (UCL) between September 2015 and November 2016, according to 'The Times'.

He is set to appear before the UK Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service this month to face charges that he failed to inform UCL that he remained employed by Cambridge and knowingly received full-time salaries from both institutions.

The professor, who specialises in sleeping disorders, faces possible strike off action over the allegations, the newspaper reports. He made his mark in the study of sleep patterns when he discovered that red blood cells had their own body clocks and was hailed as a catch for UCL when he was appointed to the chair of experimental neurology. A spokesperson for UCL said they have "nothing to say until the hearing is over" and a spokesperson for Cambridge University refused to comment.

The Medical Defence Union, which is representing him, has also declined to respond. Reddy now works for the University of Pennsylvania as a professor of pharmacology.

The US university has refused to answer questions on whether it was aware of the allegations when he was appointed.

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TLIGHT

Chef Irfan Khan The Sentimental Spice of Lucknow49 Irfan Khan

Sunetra Senior ith Chef, Irfan, there is an authentic return to cultural Indian cuisine. His current professional place, or should I say palace, of residence is the modish, Mayfair-based restaurant, Lucknow 49, which delectably melds the regal and the rustic because of a combination of Royal influence on the house dishes, and the infinitely warm demeanour of the master cook who creates them. Irfan elaborated on this pleasing paradox: “during the time of the Mughal Empire, royalty would actually sit on cushions, closer to the ground, to feel comfortable while they enjoyed their sumptuous meals. There was a grounding simplicity to the surrounding that enhanced their food.”

W

imported from abroad: “for example, I love to use Saffron, and I would know where in the world to find the best quality." The final elusive ingredient is timing: "not just measured but carefully monitored cooking. You need to know exactly when to introduce that element into the dish: it makes a significant difference. People deserve your diligence.” The great humility in one’s service then helps produce the richest flavour. Indeed, with its “roll and square pillows”, and light, wooden benches, the decor of the ambient dining den emotively lift you, reflecting this philosophy beautifully. *** As if the experience didn’t seem radiant enough, Founder of Lucknow 49, Dhruv Mittal, ardently supports the creative vision of the proud, homegrown Chef so that the sensory enthusiasm for regional specialities melts into the deepest culinary layer of management. “We work as a team to feature favourite dishes and always tell a story with the food,” Dhruv, who has prior knowledge of Mughlai cuisine himself, told us. He founded the DUM Biryani House beforehand, and made his name as a Chef by drawing skilfully from Hyderabad cuisine. “I met Dhruv quite casually through a friend,” Irfan commented. “I happened to cook him

Indeed, Irfan, who brings his fourth generation insider knowledge of old recipes from the Raj, specifically from the region of Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh, to the modern metropolis of London, specialises in a stately familiarity: “I will only use the freshest of spices,” he told us, “which are numbered rather than named as they are exclusive to my family, and could be counterfeited otherwise.” The family recipes of the unique restaurant have been “learnt by heart”, passed down to the touchingly compelling chef by his great, great grandfather who cooked for the King of Lucknow, and are not even dinner, which he loved! I had always written on paper. “I was trained perwanted a platform through which to sonally by my late grandfather and showcase my collection of beloved father,” Irfan stated. “They taught me recipes, and Dhruv has really boosted to really value the skill, and prepared that for me, believing very much in me for life.” underexplored cuisine.”

He elaborated on the signature The foodie Founder stated: “Irfan savour of the food: “as well as the has an incredible background and hisspices, the originality comes of the tratory: I’ll sometimes contribute ideas ditional techniques too: from cooking for a dish and help develop the menu methods to the type of kitchenware in items to make them commerwhich the dishes should be cially viable. It’s wonderful made.” This includes slow to be able to collaborate cooking over a number of 'I will only to educate people on hours which makes the true artisanal meat incredibly tender use the freshest of the cooking of India – a so it is “soft and spices, which are practice that was falling off the bone to begin with just as the Royals ate numbered rather than rare and is fast-fading it. The aroma and named as they are in a hurried", and texture of the food is also affected by the exclusive to my family, heavily profitdriven world. In type and shape of the and could be fact, people do fly equipment that holds out to the Indian counterfeited it. For example, I might historic capitals of cook using a copper bowl otherwise' Mogul influence simply or over a wooden fire to sample the local cookwhere the flames can encircle ing, which is yet preserved the food. It is an older generational within certain families and small franapproach. Different pots have different chises. tastes. I also choose to use charcoal or “It’s a dream to be able to be cookwood to heat the dishes over gas or ing here, celebrating my heritage,” electric cookery as is customary in the Irfan aptly added here. “I remember UK.” training with my father, just after comThe dynamic seasonings that are pleting the equivalent of GCSE level, central to the time-honoured brand of learning my entire craft by hand, from Lucknow 49, are also selectively

UK

15

27 April - 3 May 2019

Vaisakhi at Trafalgar Square

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan

home. I started at 7 with my grandfather, who was catering for thousands at the time. I was first promoted to cooking curries and then began helping in his Tandoori department where I learned how to make the traditional Lucknowi Tandoori bread. Eventually, my father sent me out to absorb influences from all over the country. I remember returning home and being tasked to prepare food after the long adventure – my father was very impressed with the diverse knowledge that I’d absorbed. Soon after, he released me into the world to forge my own path.” And so, the at once contemporarily named, Lucknow 49, is able to cater to the nostalgia of an era that yearns for the life and love of a more emotionally invested past. This is really at the heart of the restaurant’s sophisticated trademark. It presents gastronomic ethos that doesn’t just evoke the sensation of solace, which is provided by all premium home-made cooking, but a ranging sense of belonging that captures the zeitgeist: and not least because the business of fine food for the Chef, Irfan, is so genuinely his entire world.

More specifically, what is a particular technique you use to enhance flavour: it seems your style is very much as if imitable grapes on a vine?

Yes, it is a very delicate procedure.

Adding the spice at the most opportune moment: for example, when cooking lamb or chicken, you should put in the salt at the beginning so it can soak into the meat. In terms of the actual spice: I do love Saffron as it has a very subtle yet wafting smell.

When you were travelling around India as a young boy still training, what were some of the other regional influences you picked up?

I went to many places, including South India, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Kashmir.

What are some of your best dishes?

Our Dal Kachori bhalla chaat, beef galawat kawab, and ghost Barrah are good starters on the menu. For mains, we recommend the Taar Gosht, Moong dal makhani and gilafi to mop everything up!

W: chef@chefIrfankhan.com<mailto: chef@chefIrfankhan.com>

The Mayor of London will be celebrating Vaisakhi at Trafalgar Square, as the capital celebrates the birth of Khalsa (the inner core of the Sikh faith) over 300 years ago. Visitors to the Square can expect a community-focused event open to people from all backgrounds, with something for everyone to enjoy.

Highlights will include live stage performances of kirtan and dharmic music, including performances from local schools.

Volunteers from the Sikh community will treat the audience to langar. The food will be made fresh on the day and will be free to everyone joining the celebrations. There will also be a range of street food stalls in the square and cooking demonstrations, where visitors can learn how to prepare dishes traditionally offered as langar.

Visitors to the Square will also have the opportunity to learn about the Sikh community through a range of stalls on the day and art exhibitions by Sikh artists from around the world.

A demonstration of Gatka – Sikh martial arts – will display the unique martial arts style developed in India. With turbantying demonstrations and children’s arts and crafts, there is something for everyone.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, told Asian Voice, “I am delighted that Trafalgar Square will be hosting London’s Vaisakhi celebrations again. This is a time of celebration and festivity with processions and street festivals across our city, from Ilford and Barking to Woolwich and Hounslow.

“When I think of the Sikh community in London and the contribution they have made to the capital – socially, culturally and economically – I feel proud. The community is a shining example of London’s diversity, making our capital a better place and showing the world that London is open. I'd like to wish the Sikh community of London and everyone joining the celebrations in the square, a very happy Vaisakhi.

Vaisakhi di lakh lakh vidaiya.”

Lovepreet Singh Samra, Vaisakhi Steering Group, said, “Vaisakhi is one of the most important dates in the Sikh Calendar. It marks the birth of the Sikh identity and commemorates the establishment of the Sikh community, known as the Khalsa. Sikhs were encouraged to live lives of courage, sacrifice and equality, regardless of race, background or gender. Vaisakhi has inclusivity at its core, and the Trafalgar Square event is open to the whole of London, and beyond – there will be something for everyone!”

16 ELECTION SPECIAL

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27 April - 3 May 2019

17

27 April - 3 May 2019

LOW TURNOUT IN FIRST PHASE Overall voter turnout at 66% in In the first phase of Lok Sabha elections on April 11 across 20 states and union territories saw a lower tournout.

Meanwhile, Tripura and West Bengal recorded 81.8% and 80% voting respectively. Jammu recorded 72% polling while terrorism-affected Baramulla recorded 35% polling, which was not far from 38.5% clocked in 2014. Polling is now complete in 10 states and Union Territories. Also, assembly elections concluded in Andhra Pradesh and Arunachal Pradesh, while Odisha had the first phase.

This is the first Lok Sabha election where VVPATs were used on a 100% basis. Cash seizures so far are double those of the entire 2014 election at £60.7 million.

Clashes in Andhra Pradesh Clashes between party workers and supporters were reported in Andhra Pradesh.

There were around 15 cases of EVMs being damaged, including six in Andhra Pradesh, five in Arunachal Pradesh, two in Manipur and one each in Bihar and West Bengal. In Andhra Pradesh, Jana Sena candidate from Guntakal assembly constituency Madhusudan Gupta, agitated at an EVM not working, smashed it on the floor, leading to his arrest.

UP sees dip in polling percentage Uttar Pradesh reported a dip

Political clashes and EVM malfunctioning in 1st phase of polling in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana

in voter turnout. Eight Lok Sabha seats in Western UP recorded a 63.69 per cent turnout. Except for Gautam Buddh Nagar and Meerut, all of them reported lower polling percentage compared to 2014 elections. Three Union ministers - VK Singh from Ghaziabad, Satyapal Singh from Baghpat and Mahesh Sharma from Gautam Buddh Nagar - were in the fray in the first phase.

Ghaziabad recorded a 55.78 per cent voter turnout this time - a marginal fall of 1.16 per cent compared to the 2014 polls.

Gautam Buddh Nagar registered a marginal high of 0.08 per cent - from 60.39 per cent in 2014 to 60.47 per cent this time. But seats like Kairana, Baghpat, Bijnor, and Saharanpur reported a low

turnout. According to the Election Commission, Saharanpur recorded a 70.82 per cent, Kairana 67.46 per cent, Muzaffarnagar 68.22 per cent, Bijnor 64 per cent, Meerut 64.18 per cent and Baghpat 64.22 per cent voting.

Communally-sensitive Kairana witnessed a sharp fall in poll percentage - from 73.10 per cent in 2014 to 67.46 per cent this time. Saharanpur recorded a 3.44 per cent lower turnout, followed by Muzzafarnagar (-1.52 per cent), Baghpat (-2.53 per cent) and Bijnor (-3.88 per cent) compared to the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.

Low turnout in Telangana The case is not different for Telangana, too. In its first Lok Sabha elections after getting statehood, Telangana witnessed a major drop in voting turnout. Out of 17 seats, not a single constituency of Telangana could surpass 2014 turnout level of previous Andhra Pradesh. Hyderabad reported more than 8 per cent lower turnout with 44.75 per cent in this elections.

Odisha recorded 68 per cent voter turnout in the phase I

third phase People standing in line to cast votes

61.81 per cent in Maharashtra Maharashtra reported 61.81 per cent voting in the seven Lok Sabha constituencies.

Out of seven seats, four registered a lower turnout than the last Lok Sabha elections.

Higher voting in Andhra Andhra Pradesh polling percentage is slightly higher than 2014 elections (77.80 per cent) with 79.64 per cent turnout. All five seats of Uttarakhand witnessed a slightly lower turnout than the 2014 Lok Sabha polls.

Positive turnout in Bihar However, Bihar registered a positive turnout on four Lok Sabha seats.

Gaya recorded 56 per cent voting followed by Jamui standing at 55.3 per cent, Nawada at 52.5 per cent and Aurangabad at 53.6 per cent

vote.

80 per cent voting in Tripura, Nagaland, Manipur and Sikkim Voting in northeastern states has seen major turnout as usual, as Tripura, Nagaland, Manipur and Sikkim recorded around 80 per cent turnout.

Arunachal east and west recorded 73.53 per cent and 62.36 per cent votes respectively.

Meghalaya's Tura and Shillong posted higher turnout from the last election. Mizoram posted figures around 63 per cent.

A total of 91 Lok Sabha seats across 18 states and two Union territories have gone for polls in the first phase.

Over 142 million voters have decided the fate of 1,279 candidates in the 91 constituencies.

The estimated voter turnout, according the Election Commission across all states and union territories, for the Lok Sabha Elections in phase 3 was at 66%. The final figure are still awaited.

65.34% in Daman & Diu The Congress said they have approached the Election Commission over Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speech after he cast his vote in Ahmedabad. Modi also approached the polling booth in an open jeep, waving at the crowds lined up on both sides of the street.

Modi also interacted with voters inside the polling booth and then walked on the street holding up his inked finger.

“Today after casting his vote, PM took out a long procession and delivered a speech.

There has never been such a clear violation of MCC. We appealed to EC to bar him from campaigning for 48-72 hours,” Congress spokesman Abhishek Manu Singhvi said.

Mamata's complainat against central forces West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee alleged that the central forces were working for the BJP by asking voters in Maldaha Dakshin and Balurghat constituencies to cast their votes for the saffron party. Pointing out that the central forces do not have the right to ask voters to vote for BJP candidates, Banerjee said the Election Commission has been apprised of it.

Voting adjourned in two polling booths in Odisha

video that showed people fighting at a booth in Kashmir’s Bijbehara. The tweet said that the ruckus was between PDP and NC workers.

Anantnag saw a very poor voter turnout, with Kashmiris refusing to come out and vote.

Violation of Model Code The chief electoral officer in Uttar Pradesh has sought details from district magistrates after 11 candidates in fray for the third phase were found asking for votes on social media in the 48 hours before polls. According to the Chief Electoral Officer, five candidates of the BJP, four of the SP-BSP alliance and two of the Congress have been found using social media in the past 48 hours, even though the electioneering period had ended.

Violence in West Bengal West bengal saw widespread clashes between party workers. One person has been reportedly killed in clashes between BJP and Congress workers in Baligram in West Bengal’s Murshidabad. Earlier in the day, TMC and BJP workers razed each other’s camp offices in Motigunj. When polling started there were reports that crude bombs had also been hurled at TMC workers in Murshidabad’s Domkal municipality, injuring three. According to reports from Motiganj in North 24 Parganas saw clashes between BJP and TMC workers.

The report said that TMC workers reportedly ransacked BJP’s camp office and then BJP workers did the same to the TMC camp office in the area.

At 68%, turnout dips marginally in 2nd phase The second phase of polling covering 95 Lok Sabha constituencies across 12 states saw an overall 67.7% turnout, as compared to 69.6% in 2014 with voting passing off peacefully, barring a few incidents of EVMs being damaged in West Bengal and Manipur. The turnout figure is subject to small corrections but indicates there is not much to separate the voting five years ago in these constituencies.

Brisk polling was recorded in states and UTs including West Bengal (76.4%), Assam (76.4%), Puducherry (77.5%), Chhattisgarh (73%), Manipur (77.9%) and Tamil Nadu (71.3%).

Karnataka averaged a turnout of 68.1%, Odisha 64%, Bihar 62.04%, UP 62% and Maharashtra 61.8%.

The only state that saw a low-to-moderate turnout was Jammu & Kashmir (45.7%), with Srinagar recording just 14% polling, significantly lower than 25.9% in 2014 but higher than 7.12% in the parliamentary by-election in 2017.

Three parliamentary constituencies in Chhattisgarh where polls were held - Maoist-hit Kanker, Rajnandgaon and

at £51.2 million and other freebies worth £5.1 million.

Between April 12 and 18, acting on requests by the EC, Facebook took down 25 posts, Twitter 38 posts and YouTube and WhatsApp two posts

each, which were in violation of the model code and other election-related laws.

In the print media, 51 cases of paid news were reported, taking such cases reported so far to 107. Also,

around 379 cases of model code violation were uploaded on the EC website. Over 100,000 poll code violations have been reported via CVigil app, of which 76% were found correct.

3 security personnel injured in IED blast in Sukma

Mahasamund - saw an impressive turnout of over 73%, up from 66% recorded in Phase 1 polling on April 11.

Though two violent incidents were reported in the state, there were no casualties.

Unlike the first phase, when many complaints were received from states like Andhra Pradesh about EVMs and VVPATs not working, there were no major grievances reported on this count. The EC said no more than 0.37% of the total EVM ballot units, 0.4% of the EVM control units and 1.45% of VVPATs were replaced in all.

Seizures across country at £263.2 mn till April 18 Maoists had earlier called for a poll boycott in Odisha’s Kandhamal. The EC said a

polling staffer died of a heart attack in Karnataka while a voter waiting in queue to cast his vote in Tamil Nadu met the same fate. Meanwhile, the Lok Sabha poll in Vellore, Tamil Nadu, was cancelled in view of excessive abuse of money power and seizure of over £1.1 million meant to bribe voters by the DMK candidate. Similarly, the poll in Tripura (East) parliamentary constituency was deferred to April 23 in the wake of law-and-order concerns.

Till April 18, seizures across the country were put at £263.2 million, including £69.7 million in cash, liquor worth £21.9million, drugs worth £115.1 million, precious metals including gold valued

constituencies spread across 7 states. The states which go to polls include, Bihar, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.

Phase 6 on May 12 Polls will be held on May 12 in a total of 59 constituencies spread across 7 states in the 6th phase. Polling will be held in DelhiNCR, Bihar, Haryana, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal in this phas .

The 7th and final phase on May 19 Polls will be held on May 19 in a total of 59 constituencies spread across 8 states.Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, West B e n g a l , Chandigarh (UT), Uttar Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh in this phase.

Jaitley also voted in Ahmedabad.

All the seats in Gujarat (26), Kerala (20), Goa (2), Dadra and Nagar Haveli (1) and Daman and Diu (1) went to the polls on Tuesday.

Maharashtra The 14 seats went to polls in Maharashtra are Jalgaon, Raver (both in north Maharashtra), Jalna, Aurangabad (Marathwada), Raigad, Ratnagiri-Sindhudurg (Konkan), Pune, Baramati, Madha, Sangli, Satara, Kolhapur, Hathkanangale (western Maharashtra) and Ahmednagar (south Maharashtra). The prominent seats include Jalna, where state BJP president Raosaheb Danveis in the fray against Vilas Autade of the Congress. In Baramati Supriya Sule, the daughter of NCP chief Sharad Pawar, is contesting against BJP’s Kanchan Kul.

VOTER TURNOUT IN DIFFERENT STATES

Polling for 240 seats in next four phases Polling for 240 seats will be held on April 29, May 6, May 12 and May 19. The 4th phase of polling will be held on April 29 in a total of 71 constituencies spread across 9 states. Bihar, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal will go to polls in this phase.

5th phase on May 6 Polls will be held on May 6 in a total of 51

Prime Minister Narendra Modi showing his inked finger after voting in Ahmedabad

BJP President Amit Shah after voting in Ahmedabad

Voting was adjourned in two polling booths in Odisha because of wrong pairing of VVPAT machines. In a press statement, Odisha CEO Surendra Kumar said, “VVPAT meant for Parliamentary constituency was mistakenly attached to Control&Ballot Unit meant for Assembly constituency during replacement.

Error was detected after 22 votes were polled.”

Fight in Kashmir A reporter from Kashmir tweeted out a

Phase 3 not only saw some star candidates like Congress president Rahul Gandhi and BJP President Amit Shah, it will also see some star voters.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi registered his vote from a booth in the Ranip area of Ahmedabad, which falls under the Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency. Former prime minister Manmohan Singh voted from Guwahati. LK Advani, Amit Shah and Arun

Assam Bihar Goa Gujarat J&K Karnataka Kerala Maharashtra Odisha Tripura Uttar Pradesh West Bengal Chhattisgarh Dadra & Nagar Haveli

74.65% 59.97% 71.09% 60.48% 12.86% 64.15% 70.20% 56.25% 58.18% 78.37% 57.64% 79.36% 65.14% 71.43%

Odisha In Odisha, prominent candidates are BJD MP Bhartruhari Mahtab who is seeking reelection from Cuttack Lok Sabha seat and sitting BJD MP from Puri Pinaki Mishra, who is fighting to retain the parliamentary constituency.

In Puri, Pinaki Mishra is facing a stiff challenge from BJP’s national spokesperson

Sambit Patra. It has turned out to be an uphill task for Mahtab in Cuttack where the BJP has pitted retired IPS officer and former Director General of CRPF and ex-DGP of Odisha, Prakash Mishra against him.

Goa Goa sends two MPs to the parliament, and right now both of them are from the BJP. The party has fielded sitting MPs Pad Yesso Naik and Narendra Keshav Sawaikar from North and South Goa respectively.

After the death of Manohar Parrikar, the Goa BJP has faced a leadership crisis.

GUJARAT VOTING PERCENTAGE Overall: 60.48% Kutch 56.25% Banaskantha 61.44% Patan 59.64% Mahesana 61.16% Sabarkantha 64.86% Gandhinagar 64.87% Ahmedabad East 55.76% Ahmedabad West 55.65% Surendranagar 54.66% Rajkot 62.71% Porbandar 55.97% Jamnagar 57.88% Junagadh 56.39% Amreli 53.16% Bhavnagar 56.38% Anand 63.76% Kheda 59.10% Panchmahal 58.56% Dahod 63.38% Vadodara 66.43% Chhota Udaipur 64.12% Bharuch 69.55% Bardoli 69.47% Surat 61.51% Navsari 64.28% Valsad 73.66%

Rahul's Wayanad among the top constituencies in voter turnout In several parts of Wayanad, the hilly region in Kerala from where Congress president Rahul Gandhi is contesting from, voter enthusiasm is pretty high.

They are showing up at polling booths in large numbers braving the sun. "I stood in the queue for more than an hour. I had never experienced something like this before," said Neravath

Rahul Gandhi receives prasadam from the priest at Mahavishnu Temple in Wayanad last week

Jayan, an agriculturist at Noolpuzha grama panchayat in Sultan Bathery, one of the seven Assembly segments that come under the Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency. In two hours after the polling began, Wayanad had recorded about 12% voter turnout. By 11 am, the same doubled to about 24%.

The Wayanad constituency has 12 lakh plus

eligible voters. At a booth in St.Antony's school in Nenmeni Panchayat in Sultan Bathery, the polling was suspended briefly after the electronic voting machine (EVM) developed a snag after about 60 votes were cast. The voting resumed later after the problem was fixed. In recent days, Wayanad has been receiving good showers in the evening, and that could be

one reason why people want to finish voting early, said CH Sajithkumar, a hotelier in Bathery. "It is not very hot here because of rains. I am stepping out to vote now," he said. The Congress president, who is also contesting from Amethi in Uttar Pradesh, has opted Wayanad as his second seat. He is locked in a straight contest with CPI candidate PP Suneer.

16 ELECTION SPECIAL

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27 April - 3 May 2019

17

27 April - 3 May 2019

LOW TURNOUT IN FIRST PHASE Overall voter turnout at 66% in In the first phase of Lok Sabha elections on April 11 across 20 states and union territories saw a lower tournout.

Meanwhile, Tripura and West Bengal recorded 81.8% and 80% voting respectively. Jammu recorded 72% polling while terrorism-affected Baramulla recorded 35% polling, which was not far from 38.5% clocked in 2014. Polling is now complete in 10 states and Union Territories. Also, assembly elections concluded in Andhra Pradesh and Arunachal Pradesh, while Odisha had the first phase.

This is the first Lok Sabha election where VVPATs were used on a 100% basis. Cash seizures so far are double those of the entire 2014 election at £60.7 million.

Clashes in Andhra Pradesh Clashes between party workers and supporters were reported in Andhra Pradesh.

There were around 15 cases of EVMs being damaged, including six in Andhra Pradesh, five in Arunachal Pradesh, two in Manipur and one each in Bihar and West Bengal. In Andhra Pradesh, Jana Sena candidate from Guntakal assembly constituency Madhusudan Gupta, agitated at an EVM not working, smashed it on the floor, leading to his arrest.

UP sees dip in polling percentage Uttar Pradesh reported a dip

Political clashes and EVM malfunctioning in 1st phase of polling in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana

in voter turnout. Eight Lok Sabha seats in Western UP recorded a 63.69 per cent turnout. Except for Gautam Buddh Nagar and Meerut, all of them reported lower polling percentage compared to 2014 elections. Three Union ministers - VK Singh from Ghaziabad, Satyapal Singh from Baghpat and Mahesh Sharma from Gautam Buddh Nagar - were in the fray in the first phase.

Ghaziabad recorded a 55.78 per cent voter turnout this time - a marginal fall of 1.16 per cent compared to the 2014 polls.

Gautam Buddh Nagar registered a marginal high of 0.08 per cent - from 60.39 per cent in 2014 to 60.47 per cent this time. But seats like Kairana, Baghpat, Bijnor, and Saharanpur reported a low

turnout. According to the Election Commission, Saharanpur recorded a 70.82 per cent, Kairana 67.46 per cent, Muzaffarnagar 68.22 per cent, Bijnor 64 per cent, Meerut 64.18 per cent and Baghpat 64.22 per cent voting.

Communally-sensitive Kairana witnessed a sharp fall in poll percentage - from 73.10 per cent in 2014 to 67.46 per cent this time. Saharanpur recorded a 3.44 per cent lower turnout, followed by Muzzafarnagar (-1.52 per cent), Baghpat (-2.53 per cent) and Bijnor (-3.88 per cent) compared to the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.

Low turnout in Telangana The case is not different for Telangana, too. In its first Lok Sabha elections after getting statehood, Telangana witnessed a major drop in voting turnout. Out of 17 seats, not a single constituency of Telangana could surpass 2014 turnout level of previous Andhra Pradesh. Hyderabad reported more than 8 per cent lower turnout with 44.75 per cent in this elections.

Odisha recorded 68 per cent voter turnout in the phase I

third phase People standing in line to cast votes

61.81 per cent in Maharashtra Maharashtra reported 61.81 per cent voting in the seven Lok Sabha constituencies.

Out of seven seats, four registered a lower turnout than the last Lok Sabha elections.

Higher voting in Andhra Andhra Pradesh polling percentage is slightly higher than 2014 elections (77.80 per cent) with 79.64 per cent turnout. All five seats of Uttarakhand witnessed a slightly lower turnout than the 2014 Lok Sabha polls.

Positive turnout in Bihar However, Bihar registered a positive turnout on four Lok Sabha seats.

Gaya recorded 56 per cent voting followed by Jamui standing at 55.3 per cent, Nawada at 52.5 per cent and Aurangabad at 53.6 per cent

vote.

80 per cent voting in Tripura, Nagaland, Manipur and Sikkim Voting in northeastern states has seen major turnout as usual, as Tripura, Nagaland, Manipur and Sikkim recorded around 80 per cent turnout.

Arunachal east and west recorded 73.53 per cent and 62.36 per cent votes respectively.

Meghalaya's Tura and Shillong posted higher turnout from the last election. Mizoram posted figures around 63 per cent.

A total of 91 Lok Sabha seats across 18 states and two Union territories have gone for polls in the first phase.

Over 142 million voters have decided the fate of 1,279 candidates in the 91 constituencies.

The estimated voter turnout, according the Election Commission across all states and union territories, for the Lok Sabha Elections in phase 3 was at 66%. The final figure are still awaited.

65.34% in Daman & Diu The Congress said they have approached the Election Commission over Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speech after he cast his vote in Ahmedabad. Modi also approached the polling booth in an open jeep, waving at the crowds lined up on both sides of the street.

Modi also interacted with voters inside the polling booth and then walked on the street holding up his inked finger.

“Today after casting his vote, PM took out a long procession and delivered a speech.

There has never been such a clear violation of MCC. We appealed to EC to bar him from campaigning for 48-72 hours,” Congress spokesman Abhishek Manu Singhvi said.

Mamata's complainat against central forces West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee alleged that the central forces were working for the BJP by asking voters in Maldaha Dakshin and Balurghat constituencies to cast their votes for the saffron party. Pointing out that the central forces do not have the right to ask voters to vote for BJP candidates, Banerjee said the Election Commission has been apprised of it.

Voting adjourned in two polling booths in Odisha

video that showed people fighting at a booth in Kashmir’s Bijbehara. The tweet said that the ruckus was between PDP and NC workers.

Anantnag saw a very poor voter turnout, with Kashmiris refusing to come out and vote.

Violation of Model Code The chief electoral officer in Uttar Pradesh has sought details from district magistrates after 11 candidates in fray for the third phase were found asking for votes on social media in the 48 hours before polls. According to the Chief Electoral Officer, five candidates of the BJP, four of the SP-BSP alliance and two of the Congress have been found using social media in the past 48 hours, even though the electioneering period had ended.

Violence in West Bengal West bengal saw widespread clashes between party workers. One person has been reportedly killed in clashes between BJP and Congress workers in Baligram in West Bengal’s Murshidabad. Earlier in the day, TMC and BJP workers razed each other’s camp offices in Motigunj. When polling started there were reports that crude bombs had also been hurled at TMC workers in Murshidabad’s Domkal municipality, injuring three. According to reports from Motiganj in North 24 Parganas saw clashes between BJP and TMC workers.

The report said that TMC workers reportedly ransacked BJP’s camp office and then BJP workers did the same to the TMC camp office in the area.

At 68%, turnout dips marginally in 2nd phase The second phase of polling covering 95 Lok Sabha constituencies across 12 states saw an overall 67.7% turnout, as compared to 69.6% in 2014 with voting passing off peacefully, barring a few incidents of EVMs being damaged in West Bengal and Manipur. The turnout figure is subject to small corrections but indicates there is not much to separate the voting five years ago in these constituencies.

Brisk polling was recorded in states and UTs including West Bengal (76.4%), Assam (76.4%), Puducherry (77.5%), Chhattisgarh (73%), Manipur (77.9%) and Tamil Nadu (71.3%).

Karnataka averaged a turnout of 68.1%, Odisha 64%, Bihar 62.04%, UP 62% and Maharashtra 61.8%.

The only state that saw a low-to-moderate turnout was Jammu & Kashmir (45.7%), with Srinagar recording just 14% polling, significantly lower than 25.9% in 2014 but higher than 7.12% in the parliamentary by-election in 2017.

Three parliamentary constituencies in Chhattisgarh where polls were held - Maoist-hit Kanker, Rajnandgaon and

at £51.2 million and other freebies worth £5.1 million.

Between April 12 and 18, acting on requests by the EC, Facebook took down 25 posts, Twitter 38 posts and YouTube and WhatsApp two posts

each, which were in violation of the model code and other election-related laws.

In the print media, 51 cases of paid news were reported, taking such cases reported so far to 107. Also,

around 379 cases of model code violation were uploaded on the EC website. Over 100,000 poll code violations have been reported via CVigil app, of which 76% were found correct.

3 security personnel injured in IED blast in Sukma

Mahasamund - saw an impressive turnout of over 73%, up from 66% recorded in Phase 1 polling on April 11.

Though two violent incidents were reported in the state, there were no casualties.

Unlike the first phase, when many complaints were received from states like Andhra Pradesh about EVMs and VVPATs not working, there were no major grievances reported on this count. The EC said no more than 0.37% of the total EVM ballot units, 0.4% of the EVM control units and 1.45% of VVPATs were replaced in all.

Seizures across country at £263.2 mn till April 18 Maoists had earlier called for a poll boycott in Odisha’s Kandhamal. The EC said a

polling staffer died of a heart attack in Karnataka while a voter waiting in queue to cast his vote in Tamil Nadu met the same fate. Meanwhile, the Lok Sabha poll in Vellore, Tamil Nadu, was cancelled in view of excessive abuse of money power and seizure of over £1.1 million meant to bribe voters by the DMK candidate. Similarly, the poll in Tripura (East) parliamentary constituency was deferred to April 23 in the wake of law-and-order concerns.

Till April 18, seizures across the country were put at £263.2 million, including £69.7 million in cash, liquor worth £21.9million, drugs worth £115.1 million, precious metals including gold valued

constituencies spread across 7 states. The states which go to polls include, Bihar, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.

Phase 6 on May 12 Polls will be held on May 12 in a total of 59 constituencies spread across 7 states in the 6th phase. Polling will be held in DelhiNCR, Bihar, Haryana, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal in this phas .

The 7th and final phase on May 19 Polls will be held on May 19 in a total of 59 constituencies spread across 8 states.Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, West B e n g a l , Chandigarh (UT), Uttar Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh in this phase.

Jaitley also voted in Ahmedabad.

All the seats in Gujarat (26), Kerala (20), Goa (2), Dadra and Nagar Haveli (1) and Daman and Diu (1) went to the polls on Tuesday.

Maharashtra The 14 seats went to polls in Maharashtra are Jalgaon, Raver (both in north Maharashtra), Jalna, Aurangabad (Marathwada), Raigad, Ratnagiri-Sindhudurg (Konkan), Pune, Baramati, Madha, Sangli, Satara, Kolhapur, Hathkanangale (western Maharashtra) and Ahmednagar (south Maharashtra). The prominent seats include Jalna, where state BJP president Raosaheb Danveis in the fray against Vilas Autade of the Congress. In Baramati Supriya Sule, the daughter of NCP chief Sharad Pawar, is contesting against BJP’s Kanchan Kul.

VOTER TURNOUT IN DIFFERENT STATES

Polling for 240 seats in next four phases Polling for 240 seats will be held on April 29, May 6, May 12 and May 19. The 4th phase of polling will be held on April 29 in a total of 71 constituencies spread across 9 states. Bihar, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal will go to polls in this phase.

5th phase on May 6 Polls will be held on May 6 in a total of 51

Prime Minister Narendra Modi showing his inked finger after voting in Ahmedabad

BJP President Amit Shah after voting in Ahmedabad

Voting was adjourned in two polling booths in Odisha because of wrong pairing of VVPAT machines. In a press statement, Odisha CEO Surendra Kumar said, “VVPAT meant for Parliamentary constituency was mistakenly attached to Control&Ballot Unit meant for Assembly constituency during replacement.

Error was detected after 22 votes were polled.”

Fight in Kashmir A reporter from Kashmir tweeted out a

Phase 3 not only saw some star candidates like Congress president Rahul Gandhi and BJP President Amit Shah, it will also see some star voters.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi registered his vote from a booth in the Ranip area of Ahmedabad, which falls under the Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency. Former prime minister Manmohan Singh voted from Guwahati. LK Advani, Amit Shah and Arun

Assam Bihar Goa Gujarat J&K Karnataka Kerala Maharashtra Odisha Tripura Uttar Pradesh West Bengal Chhattisgarh Dadra & Nagar Haveli

74.65% 59.97% 71.09% 60.48% 12.86% 64.15% 70.20% 56.25% 58.18% 78.37% 57.64% 79.36% 65.14% 71.43%

Odisha In Odisha, prominent candidates are BJD MP Bhartruhari Mahtab who is seeking reelection from Cuttack Lok Sabha seat and sitting BJD MP from Puri Pinaki Mishra, who is fighting to retain the parliamentary constituency.

In Puri, Pinaki Mishra is facing a stiff challenge from BJP’s national spokesperson

Sambit Patra. It has turned out to be an uphill task for Mahtab in Cuttack where the BJP has pitted retired IPS officer and former Director General of CRPF and ex-DGP of Odisha, Prakash Mishra against him.

Goa Goa sends two MPs to the parliament, and right now both of them are from the BJP. The party has fielded sitting MPs Pad Yesso Naik and Narendra Keshav Sawaikar from North and South Goa respectively.

After the death of Manohar Parrikar, the Goa BJP has faced a leadership crisis.

GUJARAT VOTING PERCENTAGE Overall: 60.48% Kutch 56.25% Banaskantha 61.44% Patan 59.64% Mahesana 61.16% Sabarkantha 64.86% Gandhinagar 64.87% Ahmedabad East 55.76% Ahmedabad West 55.65% Surendranagar 54.66% Rajkot 62.71% Porbandar 55.97% Jamnagar 57.88% Junagadh 56.39% Amreli 53.16% Bhavnagar 56.38% Anand 63.76% Kheda 59.10% Panchmahal 58.56% Dahod 63.38% Vadodara 66.43% Chhota Udaipur 64.12% Bharuch 69.55% Bardoli 69.47% Surat 61.51% Navsari 64.28% Valsad 73.66%

Rahul's Wayanad among the top constituencies in voter turnout In several parts of Wayanad, the hilly region in Kerala from where Congress president Rahul Gandhi is contesting from, voter enthusiasm is pretty high.

They are showing up at polling booths in large numbers braving the sun. "I stood in the queue for more than an hour. I had never experienced something like this before," said Neravath

Rahul Gandhi receives prasadam from the priest at Mahavishnu Temple in Wayanad last week

Jayan, an agriculturist at Noolpuzha grama panchayat in Sultan Bathery, one of the seven Assembly segments that come under the Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency. In two hours after the polling began, Wayanad had recorded about 12% voter turnout. By 11 am, the same doubled to about 24%.

The Wayanad constituency has 12 lakh plus

eligible voters. At a booth in St.Antony's school in Nenmeni Panchayat in Sultan Bathery, the polling was suspended briefly after the electronic voting machine (EVM) developed a snag after about 60 votes were cast. The voting resumed later after the problem was fixed. In recent days, Wayanad has been receiving good showers in the evening, and that could be

one reason why people want to finish voting early, said CH Sajithkumar, a hotelier in Bathery. "It is not very hot here because of rains. I am stepping out to vote now," he said. The Congress president, who is also contesting from Amethi in Uttar Pradesh, has opted Wayanad as his second seat. He is locked in a straight contest with CPI candidate PP Suneer.

18 FINANCE - UK

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27 April - 3 May 2019

Consultant Editor Financial Voice Alpesh Patel Dear Financial Voice Reader, I’m proud. Really proud. I’ve spoken much in this column about crowdfunding for small entrepreneurial innovative companies using platforms such as Seedrs and Crowdcube.

Well, one of the companies I have helped set up in the UK from India has done just that! I’m pleased they’ve made the effort and are now ‘overfunded’ ie have received pledges of investment greater than they sought. It’s a great new way for businesses to access capital which previously they simply could not.

Personally, this is important to me, because it is so important to the NHS. You can read more about Hippo’s investment proposal and be a shareholder here: https://www.crowdcube.com/companies/hippo/pitches/lR5OPq Hippo plans to be the UK's best-dedicated transport service for disabled and non-emergency medical patients.

With an NHS contract secured & private care homes as clients, they aim to allow faster hospital bed rotation, reduced A&E waiting times and free ambulances to attend more emergencies.

• Up to 60% transportation cost saving for NHS • Over 13 million disabled people and 13 million over-65’s in the UK • Specially adapted vehicles with trained drivers • Monitoring of patient's basic health data during transportation Idea The UK has an estimated 13 million disabled people without access to a dedicated transportation service. The ambulance service is struggling with transport waiting times which are now peaking at an all-time high, leading to difficulties in meeting patient demands.

Hippo utilises modern technology to provide a wheelchair-accessible transport service for disabled and nonemergency patients. “Our vehicles are fitted with medical supplies and all drivers are trained on First Aid and CPR. We currently operate in South East Essex, having membership with South Essex Care & Health Association, and have an NHS contract in place.

Investment will enable us to expand our services to London and the North East. It will also help us to serve the existing NHS contract and generate more business from the NHS and private healthcare and insurance sectors. In future, we aim to build a specialised booking and management solution that will integrate our video camera system, so that patients can be monitored centrally throughout their journey by the NHS and family members.

We are up to 60% less expensive than the ambulance service, which is why we believe the company is attractive to the NHS and is being used by private care homes. Coupled with our aim to provide quick service response times, we believe the company is well-positioned to approach and win more contracts.”

If we can get this to expand and make the significant cost savings to the NHS and help those most in need, using a company which set up from India, by a family man and entrepreneur – then just think of the revolutions that could follow.

Biggest phone firms in UK beaten by small rivals A survey has revealed that Britain's largest mobile phone operators offer poorer customer and technical support than their smaller rivals despite being more expensive. Vodafone was rated the worstperforming network, with almost one in five customers critical of the way it handled complaints or responded to queries.

The survey conducted on 6,135 members of the consumer group also revealed that EE and O2 too fared poorly. It found that 18 per cent of Vodafone customers thought it gave poor customer service, while 13 per cent said its technical support was weak and 19 per cent thought it offered poor value for money.

The UK's largest mobile network, EE, was judged poor value for money by 13 per cent of its customers and

only 27 per cent awarded it a good or excellent rating for technical support. O2 was viewed as offering poor value for money by 10 per cent.

The operator Three achieved the highest customer score among the largest networks, the fourth consecutive year it did so.

Natalie Hitchins, head of home products at Which, said, “The continuing reign of smaller networks over the big players goes to show exactly how important customer support and value for money are to mobile users.” She added, “If you think you are paying too much or are not getting the level of service you expect from your provider you should shop around for a better deal, you might find you save yourself some money and probably a lot of grief too.”

Anglo American digs in for bid clash with mine mogul Agarwal FTSE 100 giant Anglo American has called in a trio of investment banks to fortify its defences as it digs in against a takeover bid.

The £30bn company's advisers, Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs, and Centerview, have been drawing up plans to fend off Volcan Investments, mining tycoon Anil Agarwal's holding company which also controls his metals empire Vedanta Resources. A City source said, “Anglo is at the ready. Their defence advisers are armed with files.”

Planned rearguard actions are understood to include attacks on the quality of Vedanta's portfolio of mines compared with Anglo's assets.

Agarwal began building a stake in Anglo in March 2017, through a three-year JP Morgan mandatoryconvertible bond, buying a second tranche in September of that year to bring his total stake to more

Anil Agarwal

than 19pc. The move made him the biggest shareholder in Anglo, ahead of South Africa's state-run Public Investment Corporation (PIC). However, his stake is effectively held via debt and if he does not buy the underlying shares of roll over the loan within three years he will no longer own the shareholding. This looming deadline of 2020 has put Anglo's board, led by Chairman Stuart Chambers, on high alert. Agarwal had previously said he was not

planning a takeover and that the stake was purely an investment but the tycoon has long sought to expand his natural resources empire.

Bankers believe that he is working with advisers at JP Morgan on how to finance a bid, possibly as soon as September. A City source said, “He doesn't have the money right now. He will look to find a partner such as a sovereign wealth fund or agree as part of any deal to sell some assets. If he wants to bid, he needs to do it by the end of the year.” Just earlier this year, Agarwal ticked off Vedanta shareholders when one of his subsidiaries bought a slice of Volcan's holding in Anglo for £154m, triggering a 20pc drop in Vedanta's share price on the Indian stock market.

The company said the investment would drive a better return than holding cash in the bank, but the move sparked speculation

that Agarwal had designs on Anglo. Shares in Anglo have risen around 80 pc since Agarwal's investment, although because of the unusual nature of his holding he has to split any profit with the underlying owners of the stock.

The company said the investment would drive a better return than holding cash in the bank, but the move sparked speculation that Agarwal had designs on Anglo. Shares in Anglo have risen around 80 pc since Agarwal's investment although because of the unusual nature of his holding he has to split any profit with the underlying owners of the stock.

While Agarwal's true intentions have remained obscure, he has made no secret of his desire to increase ties between South Africa, where Anglo has a string of operations, and India, where Vedanta primarily operates.

Greene King chief executive Rooney Anand to step down Greene King's long-standing boss Rooney Anand intends to step down as chief executive of the FTSE 250 firm at the end of the financial year ending April 30, 2019. One of a handful of BAME bosses at FTSE firms, Anand has been with the brewer and landlord since 2001. He was steered the business through some tough times. Anand said Greene King is performing ahead of the market, adding that with a “strong team” in place, “the time is now right for me to hand over the baton.”

Headquartered in sleepy Bury St Edmunds, Greene King is worth £2bn, towering over the likes of Wetherspoon and Mitchells & Butlers.

Founded in 1799 by 19 year old Benjamin Greene, it wasn't until 1887 that the brewery merged with Frederick King's St Edmunds operations. The company was opening brewhouses by the turn of the century.

Anand's time in Greene King has been something of a rollercoaster, he reveals.

The brewery's stock market value shrank to less than £400m during the credit crunch, and it was worth £3bn at its peak.

“It's flown by. That's my overriding sentiment. I can't believe it's been 18 years. I haven't enjoyed every minute.

There have been some times that have felt difficult and challenging. But for the most part I've loved it,” Anand said.

He reflexively insists he has “no regrets” of his time with Greene King. However, he added, “I do in my more wistful moments think, would you have done certain things differently.”

After moving to Walsall aged two from India, Anand's father, a surgeon, and mother, an anaesthetist, had hoped their son would follow them into medicine.

However, Rooney enrolled in a construction course at old Bristol Poly, after seeing his uncle make some money over in the Middle East in engineering. Anand has warm memories of his upbringing and parents. “Most Asian parents, it's clichéd I know, want their children to be doctors, lawyers, or accountants,” he said. He soon realised the building lark

Rooney Anand

wasn't for him and joined United Biscuits, after undertaking an MBA, where he had his first taste of marketing. After different marketingtype roles followed at Terry's Confectionery and pudding maker Sara lee, he moved to Greene King as head of brewing. Anand had earlier confessed that he soon settled in to life near Cambridge, and when he was made chief executive in 2004, he wasted no time in growing the business, leading a £254million takeover of Scots rival Belhaven just a year later.

Acquisitions of Loch Fyne and Laurel Inns soon followed. His biggest deal was for Spirit Pubs in 2014 for £774 million.

Pooja Goyal to head energy team of Carlyle Group Global investment the renewable firm The Carlyle and sustainable Group (NASDAQ: energy sector.

CG) has announced Other RSEF that Pooja Goyal will senior team join the firm as a m e m b e r s partner and head of include Catalin its Renewable and Breaban, Pascal Sustainable Energy Emsens, and Team (RSEF). She is Pooja Goyal Simon Robinson, expected to begin together with the new role in July 2019 and Senior Advisor Harry Bond, will be based in New York. all of whom have strong Goyal will lead RSEF's international industry dedicated team of credentials and have worked investment professionals closely with Marcen van with deep sector and Poecke, Chairman of Global operational expertise who Energy and Head of Carlyle will invest globally in a International Energy portfolio of opportunities in Partners. The RSEF team will

work closely with the Carlyle Power Partners team and Cogentrix, Carlyle's power operating platform. Glenn Youngkin, Co-CEO of The Carlyle Group said, “With nearly 15 years of experience investing in the renewables and sustainable resources sector, Pooja is one of the most seasoned investors in renewable energy.

We are thrilled Pooja is joining the firm to lead Carlyle's investment activities in this rapidly growing sector of global energy markets.” Goyal said, “I have great admiration for Carlyle's talented team and

its experience investing in and growing energy companies across the globe. I am excited to leverage the One Carlyle platform and the RSEF team's deep sectorspecific expertise to help identify investment opportunities and create lasting value at portfolio companies at this pivotal time in the global energy market.”

The RSEF team leverages insights from Carlyle's power, infrastructure, and hydrocarbon businesses to find the best renewable and sustainable energy investment opportunities.

REAL ESTATE VOICE

DON’T LET THE TAIL WAG THE DOG

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We have secured a property only this morning, off market, it is at a small and digestible level. The property is a 635 sq. ft. garden flat, in Wembley, currently arranged as a one bedroom and rented for £950pm. This property can very easily be configured as a two bedroom within the existing fabric of the property, without the need for any major works.

Suresh Vagjiani

Sow & Reap London Property Investment

This simple maneuver should enhance the rentals by 37% to £1,300 per month. Believe it or not, the value of the property will also increase with a simple reconfiguration, without adding any square footage at all. We have previously done this for a client.

We sourced a one bedroom duplex in Marylebone, and with about £10K of work the property had been turned into a two bedroom. The valuation jumped from £237K to £325K, this was way back, around 7 or 8 years ago.

Applying the same principle to this deal, the price is expected to jump up to £330K, which, in proportion to the work put in, is almost too easy.

There is also scope to extend the property further back subject to planning, this will add another

THE RELAXED LANDLORD About a year and a half ago, we sourced a property for a client.

He didn’t require our lettings service, and chose to let and manage the property himself.

However, a few months ago, he approached me. He wanted to go travelling for three months, for relaxation and adventure, and wondered if we could manage the property for him on a short term basis.

We offer a bespoke menu of lettings services, so we were happy to oblige. We spoke to the landlord to discuss the

bedroom and is expected to increase the price even higher to £375K, possibly higher. The closeness to the station will always ensure it is well rented.

In order to enhance rentals, this property should not be marketed in Wembley, but rather in Baker Street or Marylebone. I am very doubtful whether the average person who works in this location knows how much they could save on their rent by being 11 minutes away instead.

The average rental for a two bedroom in that area is at around £3K. Our flat in Wembley is only £1,300, this is a saving of £1,700 per month, equating to £20,400 per annum.

Perhaps for some this saving will be well worth the short commute.

You can currently get a mortgage priced at 1.74%, fixed for 26 months (subject to mortgage criteria), therefore you’d be paying only £310 per month. This means you will be getting an income of £640 per month for the first couple of years.

The amount of money required to do this investment will be 25%, which comes to £71.25K. There will also be stamp duty of £12,800.

Therefore, the full amount will be shy of £85K (not including the

property, the tenant and his preferences, for example who he would like us to contact for any works, were there any current problems with the property or the tenant, could he foresee any problems occurring, his preferred method of contact whilst he is away etc. Basically, all the nitty-gritty in a quick 20 minute phone conversation.

Whilst the landlord was away we encountered a few minor property related issues, which we quickly dealt with. As agreed with the landlord we

BUY TO LET OPPORTUNITY

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27 April - 3 May 2019

works and other miscellaneous costs for simplicity). With this investment you would be expecting an income of £7,680, giving a yield of 9% per annum.

Subject to an extension at the rear, the property can be turned into a 3 bedroom, further increasing in value and attracting a rental of about £1,500. At this point you should be able to extract £281,250, on a refinance, meaning you will have extracted almost all your money out of the deal. This whole process can be done over a shorter time period, perhaps even as little as 6 months. However, you would be looking at a higher interest rate, to reflect the shorter period and no redemption penalty.

the tail wag the dog.

These are the deals I used to see well over a decade ago. They are coming to the surface again.

Admittedly, stamp duty has jumped up significantly, and mortgage products are not as favorable as they used to be.

It’s only a 5 minute walk to Wembley Stadium station. Trains from here bring you right into Marylebone within 11 minutes. In my experience, the trains tend to run on clockwork timing. There is not much deviation. The crowd tend to be country folk, those who chose to live in the country and commute into town.

None of these are deal breakers, and one must be mindful of not letting

Do get in touch if you are interested in this deal.

emailed him each time simply to inform him of the action we had taken.

The landlord returned after his travels, to a happy tenant and an intact property. He was so pleased that he had no hassle whilst he was away.

If you require short term management, or need any other lettings assistance to help you manage your property, please do get in touch.

Richard Bond

l Large three bedroom flat l Long lease

l Low service charges

l Close to shops, bars and restaurants

l Close to St John’s Wood, Swiss Cottage and South Hampstead stations

London, NW8 Purchase Price: £425,000

l Excellent yield of 6.1% per annum for a central location l Sustained long term growth due to the location Call us now for more information!

Specialists in Central London Property Sourcing

0207 993 0103

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

Sowandreapuk

Turning land into cash Get in touch about our land opportunities

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Jet lenders eye non-IBC resolution Lenders of Jet Airways are in favour of a resolution outside the insolvency law framework in case the ongoing bidding process fails to take off, sources said. Running into debt of more than £850 million, Jet Airways has shut down operations temporarily after lenders decided against extending emergency funds for its survival.

SBI, the lead lender of the sevenmember consortium of domestic banks that have extended loans to the airline, has started the bidding process for stake sale in the carrier and clarity about potential bidders would emerge next month.

While lenders are “reasonably hopeful” of a successful bidding process, sources said banks are working on a plan B in case things don’t progress as expected. If the bidding process fails, lenders would favour a resolution for the debt-ridden Jet outside the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) framework, sources said. Recovery on the basis of existing security and tangible assets would be a preferred option, they added.

Under the Code, the National Company Law Tribunal's (NCLT) approval is required for initiating the process, wherein the resolution would be market-linked and time-bound. Outside the NCLT would be a better option as far as plan B is concerned, sources said, adding that then banks would realise better value from the aircraft and other tangible assets owned by Jet Airways.

Employees get job offers via tweets Meanwhile, small and large businessmen have lend a hand to stranded Jet employees as they began to post job offers.

Almost 22,000 Jet employees are at risk of losing their livelihood as the beleaguered airline is facing headwinds on the funding front, forcing the airline to ground its operations.

While SpiceJet CMD Ajay Singh has offered jobs to 100 pilots, over 200 cabin crew and more than 200 technical and airport staff, a publishing company owner from Chennai offered to recruit two Jet employees to man his customer support functions. Others included a PR firm and a modeling agency. Singh said, “As we expand and grow, we are giving first preference to those

who have recently lost their jobs due to the unfortunate closure of Jet Airways.”

PR professional Amith Prabhu tweeted, “Happy to offer up to 10 @jetairways staff looking for an alternative career, an interest-free education loan to do full-time postgraduate programme at @SCoReInd that culminates with a job in public relations. If you know someone connect them to @hemantgaule or me for #PRSchool.” He added, “We will make them take a basic written test and have an interview. Graduate in any discipline may apply.”

A developing hashtag #Letshelpjetstaff has been started for entrepreneurs to post opportunities for the airline's staff. Other calls for jobs include tweets from an RJ Indira Rangarajan who wants to enrol Jet employees as content writers, Rjs in her organisation Mirchi Love, a channel of Radio Mirchi, which is part of the Times Group. D Devjani from modelling company I-GLAM is calling for aspiring models from among Jet Airways staff to apply to their organisation.

RIL in talks to buy British toy retailer Hamleys Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Industries (RIL) is in talks to buy centuries-old British toy retailer Hamleys as the company expands its presence in the consumer space. RIL's retail arm Reliance Retail has the licence to sell Hamleys' products in India.

Sources said RIL is said to be aggressively pursuing the deal and due diligence for buy-out is in advanced stages. RIL, however, declined to comment on the issue. A company spokesperson said, “As a policy, we do not comment on media speculation and rumours. Our company evaluates various opportunities on an ongoing basis.”

China's C.banner International had acquired the British company in a £100 million deal in 2015. In October last year, it was reported that the Chinese company, which is listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, had launched a

strategic review of lossmaking Hamleys and was looking to sell it. Hamleys was founded in 1760. In the past few years, RIL has been diversifying beyond its core business of refining & petrochemicals and has emerged as a strong player in the telecom and retail businesses. Reliance Retail reported an over two-fold jump in its pre-tax profit to £168 million for the December 2018 quarter.

Meanwhile, RIL also plans to get into the e-commerce space and intends to launch an online shopping platform to take on Amazon and Flipkart. Saudi Aramco, the world's most profitable company in history, is said to be in early discussions to acquire up to 25 per cent in the refining and petrochemicals businesses of Reliance Industries Ltd. The company is said to have shown interest in

Reliance and talks gathered momentum following the visit of Saudi Crown prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) to India in February, during which he met RIL chairman Mukesh Ambani.

A minority stake sale could fetch around $10-15 billion, valuing RIL's refining and petrochemicals businesses at around $55-60 billion. Storied investment banker, Goldman Sachs, is said to have been mandated to advise on the proposed deal.

A highly-placed person in

the financial sector said, “RIL has grown too big, from energy to retail to telecom. It needs to compartmentalise. It makes sense to spin off some of its verticals. It'll help raise funds and unlock shareholder value.”

Sources also said RIL would likely look at creating a standalone vertical for its downstream businesses, refining and petrochemicals, in which Aramco would participate. This is somewhat similar to BP's deal to buy a $7 billion stake in RIL's upstream natural gas and exploration businesses in 2011.

In February, Aramco said it and Indian state oil companies were planning to build a greenfield refinery on the west coast in Maharashtra with a 1.2 millionpound bpd capacity.

India suspends LoC trade on two routes indefinitely The Centre has ordered the indefinite suspension of crossLoC trade via two routes in Jammu and Kashmir as “these were being misused by Pakistanbased elements.” The home ministry said the via Salamabad and Chakan-da-Bagh routes were shut down as they were being used to sneak in weapons, narcotics, and currency. The order that will be in effect from April 19, 2019, read, “The Government of India has received reports that cross-LoC trade routes in Jammu and Kashmir are being misused by Pakistan-based elements. The misuse involves illegal inflows of weapons, narcotics and currency.” The trade routes were started as part of confidencebuilding measures (CBMs)

between India and Pakistan in October 2008.

The order said that the “LoC trade mechanism” stood closed pending the putting in place of “a stricter regulatory regime. This is to ensure that only bonafide trade takes place... through this mechanism.”

The Srinagar-Muzaffaravad route in the Valley and Poonch-Rawalakote route in Jammu division have over 600 registered traders plying their wares between J&K and POK. Twenty-one items are the approved export and import list for both routes. An MHA spokesperson said the routes were meant to facilitate

exchange of goods of common use between local populations across LoC. However, he said, “It has been revealed that the trade has changed its character to mostly third-party trade and products from other regions, including foreign countries, are finding their way through this

r o u t e .

Unscrupulous and anti-national elements are using the route as a conduit for hawala money, drugs, and weapons under the garb of trade.”

The NIA has realised a significant number of the trading concerns engaged in LoC trade were allegedly run by people associated with terror outfits. Probes further revealed that individuals who crossed over to Pakistan and joined militant outfits had opened trading firms in Pakistan that were then being run under the control of the militant outfits.

in brief 'PADMAN' ARUNACHALAM IN FORTUNE'S WORLD LEADERS LIST Real life 'Padman', Arunachalam Muruganantham, who made headlines for manufacturing lowcost sanitary napkins with his innovative cellulose-based pads, has made it to Fortune magazine's list of the top 100 world's greatest leaders. Muruganantham ranks 45 on the list, along with other world leaders like Bill and Melinda Gates, Jacinda Ardern and Robert Mueller. The magazine cites that Muruganantham's work has helped thousands of women access sanitary napkins in India, thus improving personal hygiene for women living in rural areas. According to the magazine, each of Muruganantham's machines help 3,000 women convert to sanitary pads. Moreover, each machine also provides employment opportunities for 10 women. It is not just the fact that Muruganantham's efforts have helped thousands of women experience better hygiene; it is also the freedom and the liberation that comes with it.

GITANJALI GEMS HEADING FOR LIQUIDATION Mehul Choksi-run Gitanjali Gems, which owes over £1.25 billion to 31 financial creditors and is a key player in the £1.40 billion PNB scam, is headed for liquidation as the committee of creditors has voted to end the resolution process citing time over-run.

Choksi and his nephew diamantaire Nirav Modi are absconding after the huge financial fraud came to light in February 2018 and are facing extradition from Antigua and the UK, respectively. Together, the uncle-nephew duo have defrauded the state-run Punjab National Bank (PNB) of £1.40 billion between 2011 and 2017, using fake letters of undertaking through the bank’s Brady House branch in Mumbai. The lenders of Gitanjali Gems have rejected a resolution proposal and have voted for liquidation, citing time over-run beyond the 180 days.

FORMER NISSAN CHAIRMAN CARLOS GHOSN INDICTED Japanese prosecutors indicted former Nissan Motor co-chairman Carlos Ghosn on a charge of aggravated breach of trust, a Tokyo court said, bringing a fourth charge against him on the day his detention period was set to expire. Ghosn’s lawyers filed a request for bail shortly after the latest indictment, which comes after authorities arrested him on April 4 for the fourth time, on suspicion he enriched himself by a total of $5 million at Nissan's expense. Ghosn, who faces three other charges, including understating his income, has denied all allegations against him and said he is the victim of a boardroom coup. Nissan said it had filed a criminal complaint against the former chairman, saying it had determined that some of its overseas payments had been ordered by Ghosn for his personal enrichment.

CHINA’S GDP GROWS 6.4% IN 1ST QUARTER China’s economy grew at a steady 6.4% pace in the first quarter, defying expectations for a further slowdown, as industrial production jumped sharply and consumer demand showed signs of improvement. The upbeat readings, which included faster growth in investment, will add to optimism that China’s economy may be starting to stabilize even as Beijing and Washington appear to be edging toward a trade deal. Exports rebounded more than expected in March.

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in brief TWO INDIANS HELD WHILE TRYING TO ENTER US ILLEGALLY Two Indian nationals have been apprehended by the patrol agents at the US-Mexico border in Arizona after they got stranded while trying to enter America illegally, authorities said. The duo, including a Sikh man, called for help using technology installed in remote locations to help people in distress. Agents assigned to the Ajo Border patrol station rescued the two migrants following the activation of a US Border Patrol rescue beacon. They responded to the beacon located at Lukeville Port of Entry and found the two men alone. The two were in good health, and did not request further medical assistance, the US Customs and Border Protection said. The duo was transported back to the station for processing, where records checks revealed the men were Indian nationals. The agency said criminal organisations often abandon migrants in the desert. As a result, many perish along the border every year. US Border Patrol has encouraged anyone in distress to call 911or activate a rescue beacon before they become a casualty.

RECONSIDER TRAVEL PLANS TO PAK, US TELLS ITS CITIZENS The US has advised its citizens to reconsider their travel to Pakistan due to terrorism and asked them not to travel to restive Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK), identified as the most dangerous areas due to terror attacks. While Pakistan in general has been placed in “Level Three” category in the latest travel advisory issued by the US, several parts of the country, including Balochistan, KPK province, PoK and IndiaPakistan border, have been placed in the most dangerous “Level Four” category, in which US citizens are asked not to travel due to high risk areas. “Terrorists have targeted US diplomats and diplomatic facilities in the past, and information suggests they continue to do so,” it said.

PAK ARMY BARS DURRANI FROM MEDIA TALKS Pakistan spy agency ISI’s ex-chief Lt Gen (retd) Asad Durrani and two former head of the military’s media wing have been denied permission by the army to appear on media as defence analysts. In a notification, the Inter-Services Public Relations allowed 26 retired officers to appear on media.“The prominent omissions are Brig (retd) Mahmood Shah, Lt Gen (retd) Asad Durrani, Lt Gen (retd) Talat Masood,” Durrani and Masood often appeared on the Indian media. In February, the Pakistan army held Durrani guilty of violating military code of conduct by coauthoring a book with India’s former intelligence head and punished him by stopping his pension and other benefits.

GUNMEN KILL 14 BUS PASSENGERS IN PAKISTAN Gunmen ambushed a bus and killed 14 passengers after going through their ID cards and forcing them out on a highway in a remote area of southwestern Pakistan before dawn, officials said. No group immediately claimed responsibility for the killings. Prime Minister Imran Khan condemned the attack in restive Baluchistan province, calling it "an act of terror." Separatists in Baluchistan frequently target Pakistani security forces and also people from neighboring Punjab province. Punjabis, a different ethnic group from the Baluch, tend to dominate the ranks of the military units stationed in Baluchistan that the separatists are fighting. The attack took place as the bus was travelling on the Makran coastal highway between the port city of Karachi and the Gwadar port in the southwest, officials said.

PAKISTAN-BANGLADESH

Pakistan, Iran express resolve to combat terrorism jointly TEHRAN: Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan during his two-day visit to Iran, discussed the entire spectrum of bilateral relations and ways to further ties in diverse fields with President Hassan Rouhani. Imran later held a joint press conference with President Rouhani, during which he stated that he fears terrorism could become "a divisive part of the two countries' bilateral relations and increase differences between the countries." He said that the most important agenda for his visit to Tehran was "the issue of terrorism."

Imran noted that Pakistan had "probably suffered more from terrorism than any other country, with over 70,000 lives lost in the past 12-13 years". He said that the security agencies of Pakistan must be appreciated for the way they tackled and overcame terrorism in Pakistan.

"We are much luckier than Afghanistan, where despite all Nato strength and despite the Afghan security forces, they could not overcome militancy the way we did in Pakistan," Imran said.

He further said that the entire political spectrum in Pakistan had come to the conclusion that no militant groups would be allowed to operate from the Pakistani soil.

Imran said that, for the first

time, the current government was dismantling militant groups across the country. He said that this was not due to any outside pressure, but the result of a decision made through consensus across the political spectrum in Pakistan that the country will not allow its soil to be used by anyone against anyone.

The chief executive also brought his counterpart's attention to the April 18 terror attack in Ormara, in which 14 armed forces personnel were martyred.

He said he understands that Iran had also suffered from terrorist attacks by groups operating within Pakistan, but stressed that the issues need to be resolved before they push the two countries apart. He suggested that the Pakistani "security chief" will sit with his Iranian counterpart and discuss ways of cooperation so that the countries, "reach a level of trust such that both countries will not allow any terrorist activity from their soil".

Iran and Pakistan also agreed to set up a Joint Rapid Reaction Force to guard common borders, according to Radio Pakistan. Rouhani said that the two countries have agreed to bolster their trade and economic relations and have agreed to set up a barter committee for the exchange of

Imran Khan and Hassan Rouhani addressing a joint press conference in Tehran

goods. He said that Iran was also interested in establishing links between the Gwadar and Chabahar ports in order to strengthen commercial relations.

Rouhani said that Iran was ready to meet Pakistan's oil and gas requirements and added that Iran has already taken measures to construct a pipeline near the Pakistani border. He said that Iran was also ready to increase the export of electricity to Pakistan.

Enhance bilateral trade: Imran tells Iran's business community Imran also held a meeting with the representatives of Iran's business community, where he stressed on the need for increased bilateral trade. "The countries that are doing well, like the Southeast Asian tiger economies, all of them have a very high proportion of bilateral trade with the countries they are

close to," Imran said. "The ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries have a very high level of trade, China has the same with all its neighbours.

"But unfortunately, Pakistan, Iran, India and Afghanistan have a very low proportion of trade with their neighbouring countries. And this reflects in our standards of living not reaching the levels where they should be. "Iran has 80 million people, Pakistan has 210 million people. They should be big economies but for a variety of reasons we have been unable to fulfill our trading potential.

"Despite the fact that Iran has sanctions and Pakistan is also going through a difficult period, we should now start developing our bilateral trade.

It's time that we work out ways to enhance our trade."

India warns IMF against Pakistan bailout NEW DELHI: India and some other nations have cautioned the International Monetary Fund (IMF) about a fresh bailout for Pakistan at a time when it is under the scanner of Financial Action Task Force (FATF) for its serious failure to crack down on terror-funding. During recent meetings in Washington, Indian officials are learned to have warned of possible embarrassment for the multilateral agency as they made the point that Pakistan was already “grey-listed” and faced a high probability of being in the “blacklist” which will severely restrict its financial transactions

with other nations.

The word of caution, as India hinted at IMF funds being at risk, came ahead of next month’s peer review of Pakistan at the FATF, sources said. Indian officials had attended the annual meetings of IMF and the World Bank with the FATF ministerial meeting also coinciding with it.

FATF is a global agency tasked with prescribing norms to counter money laundering and terror-funding and the recent ministerial meeting decided to extend its ambit to check proliferation of weapons of mass destruction as well.

Pakistan is on the FATF

“grey list” as it is seen to have failed to take adequate steps to check terror-funding and is seen as non-compliant with its international commitments. It will be subjected to review on 25 parameters in a peer review process comprising representatives from other member countries. Pakistan has been critical of FATF action, saying it was driven by India’s lobbying.

At the same time, India’s neighbour, which is seen to be harbouring a range of terrorists such as Jaish-e-Muhammed chief Masood Azhar, is seeking an urgent $8-12 billion IMF

assistance to help it tide over its latest current account crisis, with the deficit widening sixfold to over $18 billion in the last three years. If the loan proposal goes through, it will be Pakistan’s 22nd loan from the IMF. Last week, Pakistani finance minister Asad Umar, who was virtually forced to step down, had said the Imran government had almost reached an agreement with the IMF. But recent news reports suggested the global agency has concerns related to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and its possible impact on the IMF programme.

British man who survived Isis attack freed from jail DHAKA: A British man who survived an Isis attack has been released from a prison in Bangladesh after more than two years of being held without charge over baseless terrorism accusations. Hasnat Karim had been celebrating his daughter’s 13th birthday at the Holey Artisan Bakery cafe in Dhaka on 1 July 2016 when militants burst in and massacred 22 people.

Relatives said the former university professor, who is a British-Bangladeshi national, was forced to act as a human shield by jihadi gunmen who threatened to kill his children.

Hasnat Karim

Karim and his family survived the atrocity, but he was imprisoned after being wrongly accused by Bangladeshi police of colluding with the terrorists.

Relatives travelled to British

embassies and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London to plead for officials to secure his freedom, but the appeals came to no avail until last week. Authorities released the father-of-two from Kashimpur jail in Gazipur after police filed a charge sheet that did not name him among the accused. “Karim’s involvement was not found during any stage of investigations,” Monirul Islam, chief of Dhaka’s counterterror police, said. “That’s why we have not included his name in the charge sheet.”

Karim’s wife, Sharmina

Parveen, said she had feared her husband would be killed during the 10-hour ordeal. “I think they chose him because they knew he would not run away if his family were there too,” she said. “I cannot describe to you in words how it felt. They kept taking him away and then bringing him back and every time they took him I had no idea if we would ever see him again.”

The Isis militants massacred 22 people after ordering hostages to recite verses from the Quran and torturing anyone who could not, before the cafe was stormed by security services.

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China unmoved by US bid to discuss Masood Azhar in UNSC BEIJING: China said it was not facing any deadline to take a call on designating Masood Azhar, head of the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terror group, as an international terrorist, and reiterated that progress was being made to achieve consensus on the issue in the 1267 committee of the United Nations Security Council. In response to a question on listing Azhar, the Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said, “On the issue of the listing of Masood Azhar, China’s position remains unchanged. We are also having communication with relevant parties and the matter is moving towards the direction of settlement,” in the 1267 committee. China has been sticking to its position that the issue of listing Azhar is the prerogative of the 1267 committee and has rejected a parallel initiative by the United States, France and Britain seeking a vote on banning Azhar in the Security Council plenary.

'Technical hold' on designating Azhar Last month, China placed a “technical hold” on designating

Azhar following the February 14 Pulwama attack in which more than 40 CRPF personnel were killed. The JeM had taken responsibility for the attack, triggering a cross-border air strike by the Indian Air Force on a training camp of the group in Balakot. India had expressed disappointment over China’s move, but the US, along with France and the United Kingdom, had been vocal in criticising Beijing’s decision. Last month, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said, “China abuses more than a million Muslims at home, but on the other (hand) it protects violent Islamic terrorist groups from sanctions at the UN.” Asked whether China had been given an April 23 deadline by the US, France and Britain to lift its “technical hold” on listing Azhar, Lu was firm in denying the assertion. “I don't know from where you get such information, but the Security Council and its subsidiary bodies like 1267 committee, they have clear rules of procedures and you have to seek clarification from those sources.”

Masood Azhar

China denies it is shielding Masood Azhar He added: “China’s position is very clear. This issue should be resolved through cooperation and we don’t believe that any efforts without consensus of most members will achieve satisfying results.” China has emphasised that the purpose of its “technical hold” is to allow more discussion on the issue in order to achieve a consensusbased settlement within the parameters of the 1267 committee.

Lu said, “In relevant discussions, most members expressed that this issue should

be discussed within 1267 committee and they don't hope to bypass the 1267 committee to handle the issue.

Regarding what you said, relevant parties are forcing a new resolution through the Security Council, we firmly oppose that.”

Last month, Beijing dismissed allegations that it was sheltering terrorists by placing a “technical hold” on listing Azhar. On April 1, the Chinese foreign ministry said Beijing “has been in close communication and coordination with various parties,” in the 1267 committee.

US warns 'India-based call centre scam industry' NEW YORK: The US government is taking aim at the "India-based call centre scam industry", Assistant Attorney General Brian Benczkowski has warned while announcing the extradition of an Indian citizen from Singapore allegedly involved in a multi-million dollar racket. Hitesh Madhubhai Patel, 42, who operated the HGlobal call centre in Ahmedabad, was extradited to face trial on charges relating to the scam that allegedly ripped off thousands of Americans of millions of dollars using people in call centres impersonating US government officials, the Justice Department said.

Patel was arrested and produced in a federal court in Houston, Texas, where Magistrate Judge Peter Bray remanded him to custody. He is to appear in court again on Wednesday. "This extradition once again demonstrates the (Justice) Department's unwavering commitment to disrupt and dismantle the India-

based call centre scam industry and to work with our foreign partners to hold accountable those who perpetrate schemes that defraud our citizens," Benczkowski said.

He added that "Patel operated a call centre that allegedly preyed upon vulnerable US citizens as part of a massive fraud scheme". After Patel flew from India to Singapore, he was arrested there on September 21, 2018, at the request of the US, and Singapore Law Minister K Shanmugam issued a warrant on March 25 to hand him over to America, the Justice Department said. "This historic extradition should serve as notice to transnational criminal organisations of the lengths DHS (Department of Homeland Security) is willing to go to arrest those who would enrich themselves by extorting the most vulnerable in our society," said David Green, the Special Agent in charge of the DHS Houston Field Office.

He warned of global action

against the owners, managers and employees of overseas call centres, saying: "Our pursuit of justice for victims of their scams does not stop at the water's edge."

Patel was charged in 2016 along with 55 people, most of them of Indian descent, and five companies in the alleged massive scam. The India-based call centres allegedly impersonated tax or immigration officials and called people in the US and threatened them with arrest or deportation if they did not pay what they claimed were back taxes or fines, according to the chargesheet filed against them.

When their victims agreed to pay, the people at the call centre arranged for payments to be collected in the form of store cards or wire transfers by their co-conspirators in the US, who cashed them often using stolen identities and laundered the money, according to the charges.

In other instances, they offered people fake loans and collected fees for the lending that never materialised.

Since 2013, the tax official impersonation scam "has been on a relentless path, claiming more than 15,000 victims who have collectively suffered over $75 million in losses", said Treasury Inspector General J Russell George. Federal agencies have identified 140 scammers, including Patel, "who have preyed upon taxpayers", he added. The fraud calls originating from India that are received by millions of Americans are hurting the country's reputation as a hub for back office, tech support and call centre operations.

In recent weeks, at least three persons of Indian descent have been sentenced to prison terms in cases of tax official impersonation. A federal court in Florida sentenced an Indian to eight and a half years in prison and last month another person of Indian origin to eight years and nine months. In a separate case, an Indian was sentenced to 16 months in prison by a federal judge in Atlanta earlier this month.

Kamala Harris banks on black colleges ORANGEBURG: California Senator Kamala Harris has described her experience as a student at a historically black college as “one of the most important aspects" of her life.

Now, her Democratic presidential campaign is using that experience to connect with voters. Not only is she one of only two black candidates in a field that’s expected to grow to more than 20 candidates, she’s also the only candidate who

attended a historically black college or university, commonly called an HBCU. And she’s the first majorparty candidate to have graduated from an HBCU Washington’s Howard University - since Jesse Jackson ran for president in the 1980s.

To be sure, she is not the only candidate focusing on such institutions.

Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren, New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand

and former Texas Representative Beto O’Rourke have campaigned at historically black colleges. So has the other black candidate in the 2020 race, New Jersey Senator Cory Booker. Harris’s campaign has visited more historically black colleges than any candidate, and she is burnishing her personal ties to this community, and not just to current students.

“Presidential candidates are recognising HBCUs as a political

Kamala Harris

and cultural center for the broader black community,” said Aimee Allison, the founder of the political network She The People, which plans a candidate forum at Texas Southern University, a historically black college.

in brief UN FINDS TORTURE, ILL-TREATMENT IN AFGHAN PRISONS Around a third of all conflict-related detainees in Afghanistan say they have suffered from torture or ill-treatment, the UN said. UN officials interviewed a total of 618 detainees held in 77 government facilities across the country between January 2017 and December 2018. The alleged torture included beatings, suffocation and electric shocks. The UN said nearly a third of those interviewed provided "credible and reliable" accounts of abuse and mistreatment, without providing an exact number of detainees. The US-backed Afghan government is holding thousands of detainees, many of them captured as part of the ongoing war with the Taliban. The insurgents have made major gains in recent years and now effectively control half the country. Widespread corruption and distrust of the government has undermined efforts to combat the Taliban.

NOTRE DAME WILL BE CLOSED UP TO 6 YEARS Notre Dame's rector Bishop Patrick Chauvet said that the famed monument would close down for "five to six years" as he spoke with local business owners, two days after a blaze torched the roof of the cathedral and brought down its spire. Chauvet said "a segment of the cathedral has been very weakened" by the devastating fire. He did not elaborate which section he was talking about. $1 billion raised Nearly $1 billion has already poured in from ordinary worshippers and high-powered magnates around the world to restore the monument. Construction teams brought in a huge crane and a delivery of planks of wood to the site. Firefighters are still examining damage and shoring up the structure.

COMIC ZELENSKIY WINS UKRAINE PRESIDENTIAL VOTE Results from nearly all polling stations show that TV star Volodymyr Zelenskiy has won the Ukrainian presidential runoff vote in a landslide. The Central Election Commission says that Zelenskiy has won 73% of the vote while the incumbent President Petro Poroshenko got just 24% support with more than 95% of the ballots counted. Unlike in most of the elections in Ukraine's post-Soviet history, Zelenskiy appears to have won both in Ukraine's west and east, areas that have been traditionally polarized. One of the campaign slogans of the popular television comedian who has no previous political experience was to unify Ukraine, which has been torn by bitter debates over its identity as well as the separatist conflict in the east that is fueled by neighboring Russia.

CHINA- VATICAN TIES WARMING UP China has invited the Vatican to participate in a major international horticultural show in Beijing later this month, the foreign ministry said, in a further sign of warming ties.

Beijing cut diplomatic relations with the Vatican in 1951 and has remained concerned that an independent Catholic Church in China could threaten its authority. They reached a historic agreement last year on the appointment of bishops in China, but have not resumed diplomatic relations. The Vatican maintains ties with Taiwan instead, which China views as a wayward province.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi, president of the Pontifical Council for Culture, would attend "relevant activities" of the International Horticultural Exhibition in Beijing, which opens in late April. China and the Vatican have continued to talk following the agreement on bishops and are working hard to improve relations, Lu added, without giving details.

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The passing of Burjor Jal Avari MBE – 1938-2019

Paying tribute to my elder brother Burjor at his funeral on 12 April 2019, Ms SuAndi of Black Artists Organisation in Manchester described Burjor as “A mountain disguised as a man; a trojan horse infiltrating colonial history with the truth of multiculturism; your weapons were honesty; your goals peace and mutual respect; when we speak of modesty we speak of you - humble and unassuming, yet pushing aside bureaucracy; when we speak of learning, it is the knowledge we gain from you; when we speak of friendship it will always be our nickname for you; we will miss you in the smallest moments - when passing a lecture theatre or looking into a classroom, or taking a coffee in Costa after Tesco shopping. Your spirit will always be with us in every way of every day; this is not goodbye, it is au revoir”.

Burjor was a pioneer in fearlessly promoting multiculturism in the UK. His true moment came in 1987 following the race riots in various towns and cities of the UK. He passionately felt that the peace and tranquillity of the UK society must somehow be continued to be preserved by drawing together lessons from history. This gave rise to his fame by becoming a champion in the promotion of multi- culturalism.

Burjor was born in 1938 in pre-independent India to Parsi Zoroastrian parents in a small, but a historic town called Navsari in Gujarat. Also born in the same street in Malesar, Navsari, many years earlier was that another iconic Parsi Zoroastrian, Dr Dadabhoy Naoroji – who came to be known as the “Grand Old Man of India”. Naoroji went on to become the first Parliamentarian of Indian origin to take his seat in the British House of Commons in 1892; he was the first Indian to utter the words “My people are clamouring for swaraj” (i.e. selfrule) in Parliament.

As a young boy of three, Burjor travelled with his mum from Navsari to Mombasa in Kenya to unite with his dad. Some of his early years were also spent in Zanzibar, before the family finally settled in Mombasa in 1948.

Despite the difficulties caused all over the world on account of the Second World War, Burjor’s early childhood both in imperial India and colonial East Africa was fun and full of homely love. The colonial Government, despite its philosophy of promoting separate development, nonetheless valued the importance of good education for its citizens. Burjor was fortunate to be taught by highly dedicated Asian teachers of the old order. Learning tables by heart up to forty, reciting page by page words from the Oxford English Dictionary, and cramming line by

line Shakespeare’s immortal plays, were part of Burjor’s education and growth in the early formative years. It won him very good results in his Cambridge Overseas School Certificate examinations (equivalent of GCE “O” Levels). It qualified Burjor for a full British Government scholarship to proceed to the UK for further studies.

With the assistance of the British Council in Kenya, Burjor became the first Parsi Zoroastrian from a small community settled in Mombasa to travel to the UK in 1955 on the Union Castle Line ship, Braemar Castle.

Upon arrival to the UK, he was enrolled at Portsmouth College of Technology and read five “A” levels, including classical Latin. This meant admission to Manchester University, where he read history.

After graduation, the Colonial Office, being the funders of Burjor’s education in the UK, insisted that he obtained a formal qualification in Education. Burjor thereupon proceeded to Oxford before returning to Kenya in 1961.

In Kenya, he became one of the first Asian teachers to teach in a prestigious all black school. He was asked by the Department of Education in Kenya to take up the task of updating the secondary school history syllabus in readiness for the Kenya that was soon to become independent in 1963.

One of his first recommendations was that the revised history syllabus should carry a greater emphasis on the slave trade that commenced in the Tudor period, as opposed to children having to learn by heart the names of the of the six wives of King Henry VIII! In Burjor’s mind, it was important that the black kids should acquire a good sound knowledge of how the black people came to be associated with Europe and America.

A few years later, Burjor returned to the UK to continue his teaching career, largely in Manchester. Despite all the problems faced by the Thatcher Government in the early years of her administration with the miners, the print workers, and the dockers, nothing was more fearful than the ugly race riots that tore apart the peace and tranquillity of the UK society in 1987. The late Lady Thatcher, despite her many brush ups with different sectors in the society, recognised that the race issue had a more disturbing underlying reason, which needed to be understood and properly contained.

Taking advantage of this new climate, Burjor wrote a paper for the Department of Education recommending that the school syllabuses required to be overhauled.

His paper promoted the concept of emphasis on multicultural education in every subject across the school curriculum.

So, for

instance, history lessons should not be merely confined to the study of European history, and geography lessons should cover the study of the entire globe. In domestic science, the kids should learn about the different foods of the different cultures, and so on and so forth. Burjor’s paper was enthusiastically received, leading to the establishment of the first and only faculty in the UK of multicultural studies at Manchester.

In the same year, Burjor also gave a series of talks to the Manchester Police, so that the police may address, in a proportionate manner, the subject of crowd control made up of multicultural protestors. His reasoned and temperate language promoted in his lectures moved the Head of Manchester Police, to write to the Prime Minister in praise of Burjor’s work in promoting multiculturism in the New England that was now emerging, with the increasing arrival in large numbers of people from different ethnic communities, originating largely from the former British Colonies.

This led to the late Lady Thatcher putting forward Burjor’s name for inclusion in the 1988 Queen’s Honours List, when Burjor was invited to the Palace to receive his MBE. Thereafter, Burjor spent many years in promoting multiculturism and interfaith activities, particularly in Manchester. Burjor began writing for a wider public, including producing his three outstanding books. Mr Peter K M Ma, a Senior Community Officer working for the Hong Kong Office in London, wrote in respect of Burjor’s book “British Soil – Chinese Roots”, being a fruit of many years of research and refined writing by Burjor Avari and the Buckleys, themselves the best example of integration of two cultures – a partnership of two worlds.”

Burjor’s second book printed in 2007 on “India: The Ancient Past – A history of the Indian Subcontinent from c.7000 BC to AD 1200” was described by Professor (Lord) Bhikhu Parekh of the then University of Westminster, as being “A balanced and well researched book – a most reliable guide to the period of Indian history that it covers. It displays considerable mastery of primary and secondary literature and distils it into a wonderfully lucid exposition.

This book should be of interest to both lay readers and academic experts”.

Then in 2013 appeared “Islamic Civilisation in South Asia” – a history of Muslim power and presence in the Indian Subcontinent. Describing the book, Professor Francis Robinson, of South Asian History at the Royal Holloway College, University of London, wrote: “The author’s story is extremely well told. This will be a most accessible book ….. most pleasingly, his exposition, working over some heavily contested areas of history, is very well balanced”.

Burjor cultivated strong and lasting friendships in the academia. At Manchester, he became a close friend of the late Professor John Hinnells – one of 20th century strongest exponents in the UK of the Zoroastrian faith;

as well as the late Professor Ali Mazrui, who to his great credit in the academic world generally also went on to become the first black Professor of Political Science in the entire Continent of Africa, when he took his seat at Makerere University College in Kampala, Uganda.

In regard to his own Zoroastrian Community in Manchester Burjor was the founding member of the North West Zoroastrian Community – NWZC – alongside with his wife Zarin, Mr Eruch Cavasji and Mr and Mrs Zomorrody.

The current Chairperson, Mr Derius Dastor, paying his tribute said: “Burjor was an iconic Parsi within our minute community and a true Zoroastrian in spirit and action.

His selfless kindness and generosity of spirit and his intellect, left us in awe, as did his powers of oratory and his desire to help others.

We had sadly lost not just a fellow Parsi and friend but an individual who made the most laudable impact through his years by our side and through his works and his interaction with his fellow man.”

In his Eulogy delivered at Burjor’s funeral on 12 April 2019, describing their sixty year friendship, George Gheverghese Joseph, an Economist from Manchester, said Burjor was “a restless spirit at times - he was at his best involved in thinking, writing and debating subjects, which usually had a universal theme. He was a multiculturalist at heart, passionate in his advocacy, but willing to listen to those who had different views.

His intellectual incorruptibility in argument was amazing. He had an impish sense of humour, particularly effective in puncturing pomposities. He had an uncanny way of dealing with people who felt that they had been slighted, but my abiding memory of Burjor remains the last time I saw him at the door of his house, when he gave me a hug. During the sixty years of close friendship, we had dispensed with physical demonstrations of affection, including even handshakes. And that was the true measure of the man”.

And then again, William Martin Whalley, a Senior Lecturer in Micro Biology at Manchester Metropolitan University, speaking at Burjor’s funeral both for himself and his wife, Anna, and for Emeritus Professor Nels Hamilton Granholm of South Dakota State University, USA, said “Our combined friendship with Burjor began twenty nine years ago. A fellow graduate of Manchester University, he first entered its portals in 1957, five years before I did.

He studied in the Department of History, whereas I started life in the sciences, eventually moving to lecture in microbiology at the Manchester Metropolitan University. We both relished the history of this city. Myself, very much an amateur, mainly concerned with the restoration of its historic network of canals, whilst Burjor investigated the whole range of sociological issues associated with the rise of Manchester to international fame. Together we attended one of Burjor’s celebrated “Town and Gown” evening lectures, advertised as “multicultural studies”.

Burjor firmly

believed that inter-racial harmony, and religious tolerance, could be achieved provided people took the trouble to listen to each other’s point of view. Burjor and I also maintained regular contact via telephone, email, letter and a card. We often met for coffee or lunch at our old University haunts, and more recently in a little Italian café in Didsbury. Our one-to-one seminars lasted anything up to two hours, over two different slices of cake, each halved and shared; we covered everything from politics, via religion, to Brexit (Burjor being very much a man of socialist principles, and me somewhat on the opposite side). Never a cross word was uttered and each difference usually ended with laughter. Four days before he passed away, Burjor looked at me and said one word “Brexit”! Had he changed his mind? Burjor, you were the brother I never had and we shall stay in touch with your lovely family as long as we live.”

The outpouring of all the tributes and kind words reached its finale when Professor (Lord) Bhikhu Parekh suggested that a Fund should be set up in memory of Burjor to arrange an annual Memorial Lecture on the theme of multiculturism, where eminent speakers from around the world should be invited to the Manchester Metropolitan University. This suggestion was immediately endorsed by Catherine Danks, the Senior Lecturer in the Department of History, Politics and Philosophy at the University.

Burjor Avari Memorial Fund will soon be opened where everyone would be invited to contribute to this worthy cause in our troubled and strife ridden world.

Burjor endured his long battle with cancer for almost fourteen years, during which period, after various chemotherapy sessions, upon returning home he would not curl up in bed but instead sat at his computer, which culminated in the publication of his various books. He leaves behind, the loves of his life - Zarin, his wife and childhood sweetheart to whom he was married for forty-nine years, and their two lovely daughters, Rushna and Anahita. They have always been his pillars of strength.

Burjor was universally loved by all his wider family and will be sincerely missed.

At his funeral, his niece from Canada wrote: “Burjor Uncle was a man of the people – he loved the colourful tapestry of people in his life; especially the residents of Coronation Street. He was a huge Corrie fan – when the story of Deirdre Rashid being jailed for fraud was aired, I remember him calling our home since he was sincerely concerned about Deirdre. A lively conversation ensued with my dad but Burjor Uncle clearly had the pulse of the nation! My Uncle was a kind man - always standing up for the underdog in society. He was a gentle man - he did not judge and he never raised his voice. We should all endeavour to be a little more like him”.

NOSHIR J AVARI 23 April 2019 avari@avariandassociates.co.uk

24 INDIA

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SOUTH INDIA

SC rejects plea against construction of Jaya's memorial at Marina beach NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a plea challenging the construction of a memorial of former Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa at Marina beach in Chennai. A bench of Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and justices Deepak Gupta and Sanjiv Khanna said that it is not inclined to interfere with the Madras high court order of January 23.

"Having heard the petitioner-in-person and upon perusing the relevant material, we are not inclined to interfere.

The special leave petition is accordingly dismissed. Pending interlocutory applications, if any, shall stand disposed of," the bench said.

The bench dismissed the petition filed by M L Ravi, president of Desiya Makkal Sakthi Katchi, challenging he

Madras High Court order and seeking a direction to restrain the Tamil Nadu government from spending money from the public exchequer for construction of the memorial.

On January 23, the High Court had held that Jayalalithaa cannot be termed as a convict in a disproportionate assets case and dismissed the petition

challenging the construction of her memorial. The petitioner has contended in his plea that steps should be taken to recover money, if it was spent by the government, from her property as she was "convicted in the disproportionate wealth case".

The high court had observed that before the orders could be passed by the Supreme Court in

the disproportionate assets case on the appeals filed against the Karnataka High Court order in 2017, Jayalalithaa had passed away and, therefore, the appeal against her acquittal came to be dismissed as abated.

It had declined to accept the main contention of the petitioner that the order of acquittal passed by the Karnataka High Court had been reversed by the Supreme Court in criminal appeals, and Jayalalithaa, who was the first respondent in the said appeals, became a convict and as such a memorial in honour of a convicted person cannot be built. The apex court had in 2017 abated the charges against Jayalalithaa in the disproportionate wealth case while sentencing her close aide V K Sasikala and two others to imprisonment.

PUNJAB

Two Punjabi men beheaded in Saudi Arabia; Amarinder calls it barbaric CHANDIGARH: Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has condemned the recent beheading of two Punjabis by the authorities in Saudi Arabia, calling it “totally barbaric and inhuman”. He also sought a detailed report from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on the matter. Satwinder Kumar of Safdarpur Kallian village in Hoshiarpur district, and Harjit Singh of Ludhiana district, were executed by Saudi authorities on February 28, without any prior information regarding their execution being shared with the Indian embassy in Riyadh, as informed by Prakash Chand, Director (Consular), MEA stated in a written communication dated April 10, 2019.

In his communication, Chand sent to Satwinder's wife Seema Rani through the counsel at the Punjab and Haryana High Court as she had petitioned

before the court regarding her husband, that the Embassy had no information about the mortal remains of both men and was awaiting the same from the Saudi authorities. Both men were arrested on December 9, 2019, in connection with the murder of another Indian national, Arif Imamuddin.

The three men had committed robbery and due to a dispute in sharing the loot money, Arif was killed by the other two. Satwinder and Harjit were arrested over a case of drunken brawl.

During deportation formalities and finger-printing for final exit from Saudi Arabia, they were found to be involved in Arif's murder. They were sent to the Riyadh prison where they allegedly confessed to killing Arif, the communication pointed out. The embassy officials were following the case against the two Punjabi men and

they even used to visit them in prison. The jail list regarding their case was collected till February 19.

Amarinder expressed shock and grief over the vicious act, which has been confirmed by the MEA to have taken place on February 28. He said, “It is atrocious that such incidents continue to happen in civilised nations in this day and age.” He also flayed the MEA to prevent, and then not disclosing the execution of the two men till it was forced to do so by a petition filed by Satwinder's wife.

Amarinder said he would approach Minister for External Affairs Sushma Swaraj to secure more details about the execution of the two men.

A spokesperson for the Chief Minister's Office said, “He would seek from the MEA information regarding the charges and would also question them on whether due legal

representation was provided to the two men.” Amarinder said, “If the executions were undertaken without prior information even to the Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia, with the victims not provided legal counsel, it amounted to a grave violation of the international human rights.” He called upon the United Nations and other global human rights organisations to take serious cognizance of the incident and put pressure on Saudi Arabia to end its ancient and blatantly illegal practices, which are against all norms of humanity.

Singh referred to media reports that the families of the victims would not get their bodies due to restrictions in place in Saudi Arabia. The CM said he would seek Sushma's personal intervention to take up the matter with the Saudi authorities at the highest level on this count.

WEST BENGAL

SC adjourns hearing in CBI plea seeking to arrest ex-Kolkata top cop NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday adjourned hearing in the Central Bureau of Investigation's (CBI) plea seeking permission to arrest ex-Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar. A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and also comprising Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Deepak Gupta posted the matter for hearing on April 30.

Last week, the former Kolkata Police Commissioner had filed an affidavit before the Supreme Court stating that the agency was allegedly acting at the behest of two BJP leaders Mukul Roy and Kailash Vijayavargiya. "The sudden inexplicable turn by the

Rajeev Kumar

CBI in pointing out problems with the investigation and targeting the alleged contemnor (Rajeev Kumar) seems to be borne out of a larger conspiracy between two senior leaders Mukul Roy and Kailash Vijayvargiya of the BJP the ruling party at the centre," Kumar stated in his affidavit.

Kumar submitted affidavit

after the bench had asked Kumar to file his response over CBI's plea seeking custodial interrogation and permission to arrest him in connection with the Saradha chit fund scam. While knocking the doors of the apex court to seek permission to arrest him, the agency had claimed that the former top cop has not been cooperating and was very evasive while being interrogated at Shillong in connection with the Saradha chit fund scam case.

"There is a clear cut malafide intention of the CBI against him during the course of the Saradha chit fund scam case", Kumar stated in his affidavit. After the demonetization in November

2016, the West Bengal Police initiated a probe into some 'shell companies' that prima facie appeared to be actively involved in a scam, wherein these companies were receiving huge sums of deposits postdemonetisation.

"Taking cognizance, an FIR was registered in this regard.

During the investigation into it, the role of one company 'Agela Mercantiles Pvt. Ltd' (AMPL) came under the scanner in connection with various dubious transactions and also for collecting money deposits from the public in an unauthorised manner", Kumar stated in his affidavit.

in brief 7 KILLED IN TN TEMPLE STAMPEDE Seven people, including four women, were killed and 12 others injured in a stampede at a temple near Thuraiyur in Trichy on Sunday. The temple priest was arrested after devotees tried to push through a narrow passage in the temple during a coin distribution ritual conducted by him. A case was registered against T Dhanapal (54), the priest of the Muthaiyampalayam Karuppusamy temple, who was conducting the ‘Padi Kasu’ ritual (distribution of coins to devotees) in view of Chitra Pournami (full moon) when the stampede took place. The temple priest usually distributes coins from the hundi on the second day of the festival, which the devotees keep at home to attain wealth. On hearing that the priest had started distributing the coins, a crowd of devotees rushed towards the narrow entry passage. In the melee, some of them fell down and were trampled upon by others.

NIN SCIENTIST NAMED FELLOW OF ROYAL SOCIETY OF CHEMISTRY Dr G Bhanuprakash Reddy is the first scientist from the National Institute of Nutrition (NIN) to be named a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry for his research contribution in the area of nutritional biochemistry. Reddy has carried out pioneering work on protein glycation and hyperglycemia where novel molecules were used in combating diabetic complications. His research has provided new insight into the structure, function, and expression of small heat shock proteins under hyperglycemia conditions and their modulation in nutritional factors.

His research also revealed the role of micronutrients in the development of diabetic complications.

FORMER HARYANA CM’S PROPERTIES ATTACHED The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has provisionally attached properties of former Haryana Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala in a disproportionate asset case.

According to the probe agency, four immovable properties consisting of a flat, a plot, a residential house and land in New Delhi, Panchkula and Sirsa (Haryana) worth £368,000 belonging to Om Prakash Chautala has been attached under Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA). The ED initiated the investigation under PMLA, on the basis of an FIR registered by the CBI and a chargesheet filed against Om Prakash Chautala, Abhay Chautala, and Ajay Chautala under Section 309 of the Indian Penal Code and r/w 13(1)(e) of Prevention of Corruption Act 1988. The probe agency said, “CBI's investigation has revealed that Om Prakash Chautala had allegedly acquired assets disproportionate to his known source of income to the tune of Rs 6 Crore between May 24, 1993 and May 31, 2006.”

SC HITS OUT AT BJP YOUTH WING LEADER The Supreme Court has reacted sharply while hearing a plea by BJP youth wing member, Yogesh Varshney, who had allegedly put a bounty on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

Varshney's plea o stay his prosecution in the case, was dismissed by the Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice of India Rangan Gogoi. The bench also refused to entertain Varshney's request to transfer all FIRs to one court. The bench also said that the statements about bounty on a chief minister's head was a “serious matter”. The judges said, “If you have the guts to threaten someone, then have the guts to face the charges too. You threaten a constitutional authority, put a bounty on her head and then want us to help you. We don't hear such people.”

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27 April - 3 May 2019

The Prime Ministers of Republic of India • Gujarat has given more than two heads of the Indian government • V.P., Chandra Shekhar, Deve Gowda and Gujral were accidental PMs ormally, Uttar Pradesh, still the largest state even after division into two in 2000 which awaits turning into four states after splitting it, is known to provide maximum number of Prime Ministers of India. The first PM Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru hailed from UP and even the present PM Narendra Modi be considered to represent UP since he is elected to Lok Sabha from Varanasi i.e. Banaras or Kashi. The question was always asked: “who after Nehru?”

Morarji Desai, a south Gujarat born Gujarati always aspired to replace Nehru but a Nehru-loyalist Lal Bahadur Shastri was fortunate to be in PMO in 1964. For the second time, after Shastri’s untimely death in Tashkent in January 1966, Desai again threw his hat in the ring but the senior leaders of Congress and the industrialists preferred Nehru’s daughter and a Minister Indira Gandhi to Morarji. Desai had to satisfy himself being the Deputy PM and the Finance Minister in her Cabinet till almost a decade to get a chance to be the PM of a non-Congress Janata Party government in March 1977.

N

If one asks how many Prime Ministers hailed from Gujarat, most of the persons would reply only two: Morarji Desai and Narendra Modi. Of course, both Gujarati leaders could reach the South Block but Gujarat contributed more PMs. Maniben V. Patel, a Member of Parliament for 27 years, writes, Sardar Patel never aspired Primiership but as a Deputy PM Patel was much more stronger leader than PM Nehru who called the

shots even in Jammu and Kashmir affairs. None can dispute that a Punjab-born Gulzarilal Nanda, who was elected from Sabarkantha (Gujarat) Lok Sabha constituency, was an acting PM twice for 13-day each and aspired to be a fullfledged PM but destiny could not support him despite being the Home Minister of India.

The in-laws of Indira Gandhi hailed from Bharuch and she quite often

would declare herself as the “Gujarat ki Bahu” (Daughter-in-law of Gujarat). Even her elder son Rajiv Gandhi who became the PM after she was shot dead at PM House by her own security guards in October 1984 and his wife Sonia Gandhi as well as their children Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi-Vadra can claim to have strong Gujarati connection. The present Union Minister Maneka Sanjay Gandhi and her BJP MP son FirozeVarun Gandhi have a right to claim so.

Indira preferred contesting Rae Bareli and retaining UP seat despite being elected from

Next Column: Lok Sabha Elections and Surprised Results Chikmanlur in Karnataka and Medak in Andhra Pradesh (present-day Telangana).

An old Congress hand from UP, Chaudhary Charan Singh left Congress

in 1967 to join antiCongress Front floated by Dr.Ram Manohar Lohia and Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya. He could be the PM with support of Indira Gandhi’s Congress after he deserted Morarji government as one of the two Deputy PMs, other being Jagjivan Ram. Charan Singh could not face the Lok Sabha even for a day but was the PM for 170 days.

Even Atal Bihari Vajpayee who became the first nonCongress PM thrice contested Gandhinagar Lok Sabha seat. He was elected in 1996 but resigned since he retained Lucknow seat like Modi resigned Vadodara seat and opted for Varanasi in 2014. The Deputy PM Lal Krishna Advani, a migrant from Sindh after Partition, represented Gandhinagar Lok Sabha seat but failed to fulfill his dream to be PM even when he was projected as PM candidate in 2009.

V.P.Singh, Chandra Shekhar (both from UP), H.D.Deve

The Prime Ministers of India

Gowda (from Karnataka) and I. K. Gujaral (from Punjab) be considered as an accidental PMs. They could not complete full term but P.V.Narsimha Rao (from present-day Telangana) got a chance to be the PM since Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated during the election campaign in May 1991. He could complete his full-term despite running a minority government. A west Punjab born Dr. Manmohan Singh, who represented Assam in the

Rajya Sabha, had full two terms as the PM of UPA government with the blessings of Sonia Gandhi.

Modi is destined to be the PM again in May 2019 but question being asked is “who if not Modi?” in case an alternative is to be thought of.

Dr. Hari Desai (The writer is a Socio-political Historian.

E-mail: haridesai@gmail.com)

Foundation stone laid for BAPS temple in Abu Dhabi Zayed Al Nahyan, on behalf of the Indian community in appreciation of the support of the rulers and people of the UAE. During the assembly, Pujya Brahmavihari Swami, a senior BAPS sadhu who is overseeing the construction of the Mandir stated, “I would like to thank the King HH Khalifa Bin Zayad Al Nahyan and Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and all rulers and leaders who have shown so much love and extended their complete support.”

Navdeep Suri said, “It is an absolute honour to be in the midst of this journey which happens only once in a millennium.” He then read out a letter on behalf of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which said, “When complete, this Mandir will symbolize the universal human values, and spiritual ethos that form a shared heritage of both India and UAE…. UAE is celebrating the Year of Tolerance.

This Mandir, is an expression by HH Mahant Swami Maharaj Visits the Grand Mosque with HE Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al the United Arab Nahyan, Abu Dhabi, UAE Emirates, of their love, artwork is a gift to The Humaid Belhoul Al Falasi, friendship and faith in Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Cabinet Member and India and the Indian HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Minister of State for Higher Around 5,000 devotees and well-wishers attended the foundation stone-laying ceremony of the BAPS Mandir in Abu Dhabi, UAE, on April 20. This ceremony signifies the beginning of the construction of the Mandir.

The Vedic ceremony was performed by His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, the spiritual leader of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha. The occasion was also graced with the presence of Dr Mugheer Khamis Al Khaili, Chairman of the Department of Community Development and Member of the Executive Council, Dr Thani Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, and Dr Ahmad Bin Abdullah

Education and Advanced Skills. Also present were Navdeep Suri, Indian Ambassador to UAE, Vipul, the Consul General of India, and Dr. B.R. Shetty, Chairman of Mandir Ltd. After laying the foundation stones, water from the three main holy rivers of India was showered on the stones by His Holiness and on the distinguished guests.

Prior to the function, Mahant Swami Maharaj and the Ministers unveiled a Gift of Gratitude, an intricate piece of artwork comprising a base made of pink sandstone – the stone that will be used for building the Mandir and metal fins of various sizes forming an image of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. The

foundation stone-laying ceremony of the BAPS Mandir in Abu Dhabi

community.”

Dr Mugheer Khamis Al Khaili said: “It is my honour to stand here with you today to celebrate this day by laying the foundation of the Hindu Mandir.

This constitutes a great relation between the two countries, nations and cultures. Our presence here today shows the really strong relationship between the two nations. This Mandir reflects the greatness of tolerance.”

Dr. B.R. Shetty then thanked Sheikh Mohammed, Sheikh Nahyan, and Sheikh Zayed as well as the government and community for their whole-hearted support of the Mandir.

After the conclusion of the ceremony, over 17,000 devotees and well-wishers from numerous spiritual

and social organizations, including Art of Living, Chinmay Mission, Jain Samaj, Dubai Gurudwara, Brahma Kumaris, Iskcon, Ayappa Samaj, Tamil Samaj and all others, visited to offer their respects and devotion.

Mahant Swami Maharaj visits the Grand Mosque His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj was warmly received by His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Cabinet Member and the Minister of State for Tolerance, at his royal Majlis in Abu Dhabi, where they discussed interfaith harmony and cultural inclusiveness.

Mahant Swami Maharaj, who is overseeing the concept and construction of the BAPS Mandir in Abu Dhabi highlighted the love and

warmth that both the places of worship uphold and share.

Mahant Swami Maharaj also conveyed his gratitude to His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan for his wholehearted support for the Mandir. Accompanying Mahant Swami Maharaj were 50 BAPS sadhus and Dr B.R. Shetty.

At the end of the meeting, Mahant Swami Maharaj presented an auspicious golden Amrut Kalash (Vessel of Immortality) to His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, as a token of appreciation for the love and kindness bestowed by him upon the Indian community. Then, His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan personally greeted each of the 50 sadhus.

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Solidarity for Sri Lanka Continued from page 1

R Raj Vithuran, founder of British charity Vithu Trust Fund, revealed that one of the trustees of his charity, Dutto Selvarajah was on the 17th floor of the five-star hotel Shangri-La. Dutto who had been delayed in going to the breakfast room because of his child told Vithuran about how he had initially perceived the suicide blast for an “earthquake”.

“When the blast went off, Dutto said it went off like an earthquake, he thought it was an earthquake and then the second one went off.

That is when he realised what had actually happened and then they went towards the fire exit to go out. Once downstairs they found glasses everywhere, and people crying and screaming. Luckily, nothing happened to him or his family.

“Dutto is currently being helped by the British Embassy in Sri Lanka, and is awaiting a flight back to the UK,” said Vithuran to Asian Voice.

President Maithripala Sirisena's government it seems has finally woken up after the attack with opening an investigation and police detaining approximately 40 people, including a Syrian national. However, the country has now imposed national emergency at a time when the death toll continues to increase and the number of victims injured continues to rise above 500. Most of the dead and wounded were Sri Lankans, although government officials said 38 foreigners were killed. That included British, US, Australian, Turkish, Indian, Chinese, Danish, Dutch and Portuguese nationals.

“The Congress and the NCP, which call themselves experienced, only used to conduct condolence meetings, go around the world crying about Pakistan,” he said.

Eight Britons killed The UK's High Commissioner to Sri Lanka confirmed that eight Britons killed in this attack, including Anita Nicholson, her 14-yearold son and her 11-year-old daughter.

Nicholson's husband survived the attack in Shangri-La Hotel's restuarant. Nicholson, who was fortunate to have survived the attack was "deeply distressed" at the loss of his wife and children.

Mrs Nicholson was based in Singapore as managing counsel at the mining and metals company Anglo American. Former firefighter Bill Harrop and doctor Sally Bradley, a British couple who lived in Australia, were killed in one of the hotels.

Ten Indians killed including seven from a political party Ten Indians, including seven activists of political party Janata Dal (Secular) were among the victims. The seven JDS activists from Karnataka were on a holiday after the end of Lok Sabha elections in Bengaluru. They were

Asos billionaire's children According to the BBC, three children of Danish billionaire Anders Holch Povlsen died in the same attack. Mr Povlsen, 46, owns the Bestseller clothing chain and is the largest stakeholder in the hugely popular online retailer Asos.

Suspects might have explosives?

Politicians condemn attack on places of worship MP Tulip Siddiq for Hampstead and Kilburn had also “lost a relative” in these viscious attacks but refrained from providing further information.

“It’s all so devastating. Hope everyone is keeping safe. Solidarity with the people of Sri Lanka,” read her post on Twitter.

Offering her deepest sympathies Prime Minister Theresa May has said that the attacks on places of worship is appalling and said- "The acts of violence against churches and hotels in Sri Lanka are truly appalling, and my deepest Theresa May sympathies go out to all of those affected at this tragic time. We must stand together to make sure that no one should ever have to practise their faith in fear." Meanwhile, opposition leader and Labour minister Jeremy Corbyn said- "I'm appalled by the horrific attacks in Sri Lanka, on Easter Sunday, the most important day in the Christian calendar. I Jeremy Corbyn stand with the victims, their families, the people of Sri Lanka and Christians around the world. We must defeat this hatred with unity, love and respect."

Whereas Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said that there was “lots of speculation at the moment but there is no hard knowledge” about the perpetrators of the atrocity and “we obviously need to Jeremy Hunt wait for the police in Sri Lanka to do their work. If there is any help that the UK can give, we would want to give it.”

Modi invokes Sri Lanka attacks as election pitch Meanwhile as India is in the middle of electing its new national government, the incumbent Prime Minister of the country has invoked the Sri Lankan attacks as an election pitch against the opposition Congress Party.

“What was the situation in India before 2014 – every other day there used to be a blast in some or the other corner of the country,” he said and pointed to the terror attacks in Pune, Mumbai and Gujarat.

Attacking the Congress and the NCP for what he said was a weak response to the Pakistan-sponsored attacks, Modi said that the party only used to shed fake tears.

media page.

The grandson of a Bangladeshi politician killed The grandson of Bangladeshi MP Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim was killed in the attacks. Mr Selim's grandson - who is himself a prominent member of the Awami League political party - died in an explosion in the hotel where the family was staying, according to local media reports.

At least four Americans were among those who were killed and several others seriously injured. Switzerland's foreign ministry said that a Swiss national, a Swiss dual national and a nonSwiss member of the same family were killed. It didn't identify the second country or give other details on the victims. Spain's foreign ministry says a Spanish man and woman were killed but didn't provide further details. Australia's prime minister says a mother and daughter from that country were killed. Manik Suriaaratchi and her 10-year-old daughter, Alexendria, were attending a church service in Negombo when they died.

China's foreign ministry says one Chinese citizen was killed in the blasts, while five are missing.

Five others were injured, including two who suffered severe injuries. The Netherlands, Japan and Portugal have confirmed their nationals were among the dead.

Sri Lankan Celebrity Chef Shantha Mayadunne

identified as K G Hanumantharaya, M Rangappa, K M Laxminarayan, Lakshmana Gowda Ramesh, H Shivakumar, A Maregowda and H Puttaraju. They were eating breakfast at Colombo’s Shangri-La Hotel when the blast went off.

Sri Lankan celebrity chef, and her daughter killed Shantha Mayadunne and her daughter Nisanga had also been staying at the Shangri-La hotel were one of the first victims to have been identified at the attack. Nisanga Mayadunne, believed to be aged in her 30s, had studied at the University of London, according to her social

But while the country fights to rise from the trauma of these attacks about which “it had been warned 14 days” before the unfortunate Sunday, Ranil Wickremesinghe, Sri Lanka's Prime Minister at a press conference revealed how “some suspects were still on the run” and added that “some might even have explosives.”

However, the focus of suspicion is falling on Islamist militants with links to foreign groups.

US intelligence sources said the attacks bore some of the hallmarks of the Islamic State extremist group. The first six attacks - on three churches and three luxury hotels - came within 20 minutes on Sunday morning during Easter services and as hotels served breakfast. Two more explosions - at a down-market hotel and a house in a suburb of the capital, Colombo came in the early afternoon.

FBI aid in investigation The bombs brought a shattering end to a

relative calm that had existed in the Buddhistmajority Indian Ocean island since a bitter civil war fought by Tamil separatists ended 10 years ago and raised fears of a return to sectarian violence. Sri Lanka's 22 million people include minority Christians, Muslims and Hindus. The Washington Post quoted an unidentified law enforcement official as saying Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agents were being sent to Sri Lanka to assist in the investigation. The FBI has also offered laboratory expertise to test evidence and analysts for scouring databases for information that might shed light on the attacks, the Post said. Counter-terrorism officials from Britain were also due to arrive, a Western diplomat in Colombo said.

Internal feud and India's prior warning The attacks have also underlined concern over fractures in Sri Lanka's government, and whether the discord between President Sirisena and Prime Minister Wickremesinghe prevented action that might have stopped them. Reports suggest that the government had received a tipoff from India this month about a possible attack on churches by a little-known domestic Islamist group, the National Thawheed Jama'ut group. It was not immediately clear what action, if any, was taken in response. However, a government minister said- “Wickremesinghe had not been informed about the warning.”

87 detonators were found On the following Monday, 87 detonators were found from the main bus station at Pettah in Colombo while a bomb the security forces were trying to defuse unexploded near the St Anthony Church in Colombo, triggering panic in the area. An improvised explosive device was also detected near the Bandaranaike International Airport on Monday and was defused.

Standing together and a solidarity march A statement from the Co-Chairs of the Inter Faith Network (IFN) for the UK and Moderators of the IFN Faith Communities Forum came together to express their condolences and stand in solidarity. “As we said after the terrorist attacks in Pittsburgh USA and Christchurch New Zealand – such attacks on places of worship are a reminder of the need to condemn extremist violence in the strongest terms and to stand together and to continue to work together with ever greater urgency against ignorance, prejudice and hatred.”

On Tuesday evening, April 23, a group of folks from the Nyc Lankan island & Ealam diasporas representing Catholic, Christian, Hindu, Buddhist, Muslim, Tamil, Burgher, and Sinhala ethnic communities also came together at the Union Square in London for a vigil for the Sri Lankan attacks.

The divine journey of Pujya Gurudev Chitrabhanu Jyotsna Shah Dear readers, On April 19, the pious occasion of Chaitri Poonam, I received the sad news that Jain scholar, fierce thinker, and the flagbearer of Jainism around the world, Gurudev Chitrabhanu has left the world and commenced on a journey through his afterlife. This news jolted the Jain community. The gap left behind by the him can never be filled. News of his tragic yet peaceful demise spread like wildfire. I called CB Patel and gave him the news.

His sadness in receiving it was both characteristic and expected. I informed him that a prayer meeting was being held on April 20, Saturday, at the Oshwal Centre. He expressed his keenness on attending the meeting and asked me to send him Pujya Chitrabhanuauthored Jain anthem, “Maitri Bhaav Nu Pavitra Zarnu, Mujh Haiya Ma Vahya Kare..”. I promptly sent him lyrics of the beautiful Gujarati rendition sang melodiously by Mukeshji.

The way Chitrabhanu has expressed the sentiment of friendship in the song, is enough to melt the coldest of hearts. CB believes the literal

creation is one of very few I asked him questions evergreen scripts in the about life, business, Gujarati language. At and other things the risk of crossing a and he offered me line, I would like to enlightenment at tell all readers, that every step.”

CB recently lost a “Back in 1983young relative and 84, when Punjab this very song was was marred with played at his prayer calls for separation, meeting. This song Pujya Sushil Muniji, Pujya Gurudev reflects devotion and a Pujya Chitrabhanuji, Chitrabhanu certain vibration that and Pujya resonates in every person that Chinmayanandji had gathered hears it. at the Gujarat Samachar office Speaking at the and created the Punjab Unity Shraddhanjali meeting on April Forum. Sri IK Gujral, KK Singh, 20, CB reminisced about his and others were present in the meetings with Pujya meeting and all of them were Chitrabhanu. He said, “40 years instrumental in bringing lost before, I found myself pleasantly youth on the right path.” On acquainted to Devchandbhai April 20, the prayer meeting Chandaria, Ratibhai Chandaria, held in Oshwal Centre, Potters Pankaj Vora, Jhaverchand Bar, was managed by Oshwal Hariya, Ratibhai Dhanani, and vice president Sri Kaushikbhai other Jain friends. Public Shah, and Sri Jayeshbhai helped meetings were held in Londonmake the event holy with his based temples, restaurants, and beautiful voice. The Guru who even my Gujarat Samachar instilled feelings of nonoffice.

Chitrabhanuji has violence, compassion, and brought his divine presence in friendliness in every person he Gujarat Samachar office- Karma met; the one who had Lord Yoga House, many times. Once, Mahavir dwelling in his heart, to receive spiritual guidance Pujya Chitrabhanu was present from him, I had taken him to a in every person's being that cemetery where not only could evening. President of the we get silence and privacy, but it community, Sri Nileshbhai gave is also where Lord Shiva resides. an enlightening speech on the

life of the Guru. Chairman of the Institute of Jainology Shri Nemubhai Chanderia informed that, “Gurudev's commitment towards Jain religion remains unparalleled. He wrote 26 books.”

Ex-president of Oshwal community, Sri Ashwinbhai, who had a close relation with Guruji, said, “His relation with Oshwal community blossomed in 1971, due to which, Jainism found light in Kenya, Uganda, America, UK, and other countries. His thoughts and visions lit the lamp. This Potters Bar centre was founded and we will forever be indebted to Guruji.”

Founder of Mahavir Foundation and Jain scholar, Vinobhai Kapasi said, “The whole world is a stage and all of us are just playing our roles.

Once our roles are over, we have to bid adieu to this world. The legacy left behind by Guruji is priceless. He changed the lives of countless Americans and made a place for himself in the hearts of hundreds. His contribution to vegetarianism and veganism will to this day remain monumental.”

On a detailed life story on Pujya Chitrabhanu, please go to our website www.asian-voice.com.

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27 April - 3 May 2019

Study shows watermelon can help high BP patients in brief Hypertension or high blood pressure is a condition in which the pressure of the blood against the vessel walls is consistently elevated.

Hypertension is characterised by a blood pressure reading of over 140/90 and blood pressure is considered severe when it shoots above 180/90. There are a number of ways of regulating hypertension and following a healthy diet is one of them.

A new study has indicated that extracts from the summer fruit watermelon may prove helpful for patients suffering from hypertension. The study was published in the American Journal of Hypertension and was conducted with the participation of obese adults in the U.S., who were suffering from prehypertension and

mild hypertension.

The participants of the study, which included 14 middle aged adults around the age of 58 years, were administered "L-citrulline and L-arginine from synthetic or watermelon sources", as per the study report published online. The participants were not known to have any apparent cardiovascular or metabolic diseases.

Citrulline is an amino acid that is said to be good for regulating blood pressure as it produces nitric oxide gas, which widens the blood vessels and hence, reduce the blood pressure.

The study report said, "We evaluated the effects of watermelon extract on ankle BP and cAIx in individuals with normal ABI and prehypertension or stage 1 hypertension."

Researchers of the study found that participants' blood pressure in ankle and brachial arteries was found to be significantly lesser in people who ate watermelon extracts, as compared to those who consumed placebo.

"This study shows that watermelon extract supplementation reduces ankle BP, brachial BP, and carotid wave reflection in obese middle-aged adults with prehypertension or stage 1 hypertension and normal ABI, which may reflect improved arterial function", concluded the study.

Watermelon is known to be a good fruit to include in a hypertension diet as it is low in calories and rich in compounds that may fight inflammation and lower oxidative stress.

NHS spends £13.3 million caring for more than 3,000 foreign mothers who came to give birth The NHS spent more than £13million helping thousands of women from abroad give birth last year.

So far less than half of that money has been claimed back after it was spent on health tourists giving birth on maternity wards in England. And one hospital trust, Barts Health, racked up a bill of £1.7million caring for 232 women who had their children in its hospitals, The Sun revealed.

Critics called the expenditure 'ludicrous' after it was revealed less than half the money has been claimed back. It can cost thousands of pounds for a woman to have her baby delivered in an NHS hospital if she isn't a UK resident, and extra care costs even more. But because childbirth is a medical emergency, hospitals will deliver a baby for free and may try to reclaim money for extra care later.

This doesn't always work as planned, however –

only £4.9million out of the £13.3m spent in 2017-18 was reclaimed by the NHS. Some 3,891 foreign maternity cases were recorded by the NHS in 2017 and 2018 – suggesting more than 10 ineligible women per day were giving birth in NHS hospitals. One new mother managed to get away without paying a £116,000 bill owed to the Royal Free London NHS Trust.

After Barts Health, three

of the five with the biggest foreign mother care bills were in hospitals in London, with one in Essex and another in Leicester. Guy's and St Thomas' spent £811,565; King's College £636,610; Barking, Havering and Redbridge £741,812; and University Hospitals of Leicester £450,355.

The figures come after an article written last month suggested the UK is breaking United Nations rules by not offering free healthcare

to undocumented migrant children.

A group of seven academics, including a Public Health England spokesperson, said the health service must change track and improve its care for children.

As many as 65,000 children who were born in the UK may be being denied free NHS care because of a 'hostile environment' policy, their editorial in the journal Archives of Disease in Childhood said.

Non-EU migrants living in the have to pay £400 per year for access to NHS health care, though paying for individual treatments may cost far more.

The prospect of paying for this care may put families off seeking it and end up putting their health at risk.

However, caring for foreign visitors costs the NHS as much as £2billion per year – the amount being successfully recovered is rising.

Exercise may make you gain weight Many of us complain of slaving away in the gym without seeing any benefit to our waistline. But scientists may finally have the answer to this phenomenon.

Although it may seem counter-intuitive, research suggests exercising could cause people to gain weight.

A group of volunteers increased their portion sizes by nearly a quarter following a sweaty work out.

Researchers believe people overindulge after a gym session because they believe they 'deserve it'. And this may explain why people can struggle to lose weight even after exercising regularly, they added.

The research was carried out by Loughborough University, which boasts Sebastian Coe, Paula

Radcliffe and Clive Woodward among its sporting alumni. '[When it comes to weight loss] aside from what we eat, a critical factor is how much we eat. The results of the present study suggest that knowledge of a future exercise session results in an increase in planned energy intake at a meal after exercise, at least in habitual exercisers,' study author and senior lecturer in nutrition Dr Lewis James said.

The researchers had 40 volunteers, half of which were women, take part in an aerobic class at least three times a week. Writing in the journal Appetite, the researchers said: 'Individuals chose a larger portion size a 24 per cent increase in

energy content of food served [after classes].

'This increase in planned energy intake might attenuate the negative energy balance induced by exercise, and consequently might reduce any weight loss with chronic exercise training.'

The participants also upped their lunch-time portions by 150 calories after working out, the research found. And the scientists warn repeating this at dinner would more than outweigh any benefit of exercising. Chocolate consumption was also up by 20 per cent, with the female volunteers helping themselves to

slightly more than the men.

Speaking of the effect this has on people's figures, the researchers wrote: 'Typically, there is an initial weight loss. However, after this, the rate of weight loss attenuates, or weight becomes stable over time.

But when exercise is combined with a healthy diet, it is an effective way to lose weight, they stress.

NUMBER OF PATIENTS SEEN

BY HOSPITALS ROCKETS BY FIVE MILLION ANNUALLY IN 15 YEARS

Hospitals in England are dealing with 5 million more patients than 15 years ago. The number of emergency, planned and day-case patients has soared by more than 40 per cent since 2004, to 17.6 million in 2016-17. The ageing population, obesity crisis and diabetes have all been blamed.

People being treated as outpatients waited 11 days longer in 2016-17, with the average time to treatment jumping from 37 days in 2007-08 to 48 days.

Researchers at the University of York spelled out the pressure mounting on the NHS, which has seen emergency visits to A&E rise almost 9 per cent in a decade.

But they added that NHS ‘productivity’ had grown more than twice as fast as the wider economy.

The research includes figures showing ambulance calls rose 20 per cent in the five years to 2016-17. The number of people rushed through A&E leapt from just under 13.8 million a year in 2006-07 to more than 15 million in 2016-17.

But fewer emergency patients are being admitted to hospital, probably because many should have been dealt with by GPs and not ended up in hospital in the first place.

Total patient numbers rose by more than 5.2 million between 2004-05 and 2016-17. The figures show that NHS staff provided 16.5 per cent more care pound for pound in 2016/17 than they did in 2004/05, compared to productivity growth of only 6.7 per cent in the economy as a whole.

GENDER-BIAS ABORTIONS IN INDIA AND CHINA HAVE LED TO UNEVEN BIRTH RATES OF BOYS AND GIRLS Pressures in countries such as China and India for people to produce boys and not girls has led to a spike in genderbased abortions, a shock study has found.

There are now 23.1 million 'missing' females in the world as a result of people terminating pregnancies because the child would have been born female.

Approximately 10.6 million of these so-called 'missing females' are in India and 11.9 million are from China.

Members of the Singaporean researcher team say that the added pressure of China's single-child policy and the desire of parents to have a boy compounded the problem.

A five-year study gathered information from 202 countries around the world, including a dozen nations where boys were favoured over girls at some point in their history.

The study, by a team of researchers in Singapore, found that as a result of the mounting favouritism for male children in some locations. the global gender ratio shifted up to 118:100 in favour of males. It has exasperated an already existing quirk of nature which means for every 200 births, 105 will likely be male. This inherent male bias remains a mystery to scientists but it has long been speculated to balance out how much longer women live compared to men.

NEW ALGORITHM CAN PREDICT GENETIC RISK OF WEIGHT GAIN AT BIRTH Doctors may soon give babies an obesity risk score thanks to a newly-developed inexpensive genetic test. About twothirds of Americans are overweight or obese, and scientists have long known that both DNA and lifestyle determine who will reach an unhealthy weight.

Now, researchers at Harvard University and the Broad Institute have identified genetic markers detectable using a $50 DNA test that can help doctors predict who obesity with unprecedented accuracy. The test can't provide complete certainty, but the 2.1 million genetic variants it uses could give families an early warning that their children need to stay active and eat well to minimize their inherited obesity risks.

And the study authors say a similar test may someday predict other complex conditions like heart disease, too.

Since the 1970s, rates of childhood obesity have tripled in the US, and 80 percent of overweight children will grow up to be obese adults.

High BMI in childhood is a solid indicator of struggles with weight in adulthood, but there are overweight and obese adults who remained healthy weights throughout adolescence. And, often, by the time a child first becomes overweight or obese, lifestyle factors that fuel weight gain are already habituated.

To Our Readers

We are publishing these items in good faith, kindly consult your Doctor before you try to implement any advice. We do not hold any responsibility for its efficacy...

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Shah Rukh receives rousing welcome in Beijing Superstar Shah Rukh Khan was received by an enthusiastic reception at the Beijing airport as fans arrived with posters and photograph books.

Videos and photos of the 53 year old arriving at the airport have gone crazy viral on the internet, as posted by Shah's manager Pooja Dadlani on her Instagram profile. The actor is seen addressing his

fans and also taking selfies with them while signing their autograph books.

The actor was in Beijing for the Beijing International Film Festival, in which his last movie 'Zero', directed by Aanand L Rai, is going to be the closing film. The movie struggled to perform at the box office in India despite its ensemble star cast. Anushka Sharma and

films.

Meanwhile, Satyajit Ray's 'Pather Panchali' is among one of the five Indian films that will be screened in the festival.

Shah is expected to participate in a 'China-India Film Cooperation Dialogue' while in the country.

Katrina Kaif also starred in the film which showed Shah play a vertically challenged person named Bauaa Singh from Uttar Pradesh.

China has always been a great market for Indian

Sonam gets shoelaces tied by husband, internet declares them pregnant Contemporary actress Sonam Kapoor is the latest victim to pregnancy rumours, just a week after Deepika Padukone was bombarded by the same questions. Pictures captured by the paparazzi show Sonam beaming with happiness as Anand is seen bent on his knees, busy tying the lace of one of her sneakers. The actress is wearing a mustard coluor calflength dress with bow detailing which she accessorised with gold hoop earrings and a beige mini bag in the snap.

While several fans called it a sweet gesture, others were quick to conclude that the actress is pregnant. Some even claimed that her baby bump was visible. In a previous interview, Sonam had talked about starting her family. A year

since Sonam and Anand got married in a big, fat, Punjabi wedding on May 8, last year and had said, “Anand and I

'Inshallah' features Salman as 40 year old, Alia as young actor

Priyanka-Nick celebrate first Easter together Actor Priyanka Chopra celebrated her first Easter with husband, singer Nick Jonas in Atlanta. Both Priyanka and Nick shared photos of their family time with his mother Denise Jonas. The photos show the couple with gift baskets, and Priyanka hugging Mama Jonas in another.

While Nick wore a sky blue suit, Priyanka was seen wearing pink. She captioned the pictures, “Happy Easter from ours to yours.”

The newly-weds have often spoken about their close bonds with their respective families helped bring them together. When asked what brought them together, Nick said, “So many things... I can go on and get all mushy but the thing that really connected both of us is our love for family and faith and importance of being connected to those who are always going to be with you. And we found that in each other as well, which is a beautiful thing and I am excited to start our lives together.”

On the work front, Nick has re-banded with brother Kevin and Joe for Jonas

Brothers, and Priyanka has wrapped filming on her Bollywood comeback film, 'The Sky is Pink', directed by Shonali Bose.

She has also announced an India-set comedy, in which she will collaborate with writer-actor Mindy Kaling. Priyanka will also star in and produce an upcoming film based on the life of Maa Anand Sheela, to be directed by Oscar-winning Barry Levinson.

Bollywood actors Salman Khan and Alia Bhatt have been roped in for Sanjay Leela Bhansali's 'Inshallah' and the pairing attracted some flak online given the age difference between the two. While rumours initially suggested that both actors may play siblings, fresh reports reveal that the duo will actually romance in the film. Salman is set to play a 40 year old businessman, and Alia will play an aspiring actor in her 20s.

A source said, “Salman is a businessman in his mid-40. The character is reminiscent of his turn in his 1997 romcom 'Jab Oyar Kisise Hota Hai'. Alia plays a 20-something aspiring actress. All the factors, including age gap, have been taken into consideration.

The story will justify the teaming up of two actors, from different generations, on a romantic journey.”

When the film was first announced and fans speculated roles of the two actors, Alia had reacted to the criticism saying, “I didn't get any criticism. I think I got a lot of excitement. I think speculation is also a form of excitement in a way and why shouldn't there be speculation. There

had a very long conversation you know, and we obviously want to have kids eventually.”

should be and at least I am not bothered by that and I don't think Salman or Bhansali sir are bothered. I think this is a filmmaker who has given us very good films, he is someone who we all are very fond of and I think we should just trust him with his vision.”

Shooting for 'Inshallah' begins in September and it may be shot in Haridwar, Rishikesh, and Varanasi, apart from the US. A source informed that Bhansali and his leads will also fly to the US for a major schedule.

“The crew was contemplating on several places, including Europe, but settled on the US after several rounds of recce.

Salman and Alia will be there in winters.” The movie brings Salman and Bhansali together after two decades, after 'Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam'.

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Sara Ali Khan reveals struggle with PCOD Despite having joined the film industry only last year, actress Sara Ali Khan has already earned her spurs with her debut film 'Kedarnath' and blockbuster 'Simmba' with Ranveer Singh. The 23 year old who weighed over 90 kgs before making her break, has often spoken about her struggles with PCOD (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) that led to her excessive weight gain. The actor went on to shed the extra kilos

before making her silver screen debut.

“I went to Columbia for four years and at the end of the second year, I decided that I really want to act, like I said I have always known, but the realisation coincided with the weigh scale saying that I'm 96 kilos. So, it was a bit difficult.

Then it was the senior year of college in America itself that I lost the weight.” She added, “I was a regular kid. It made it very hard for me to a) lose

weight, and b) the hormone level was very high. So, as you can see, there is a level of delusion that was in me... I was confident, I was delusional.”

“On one hand you could eat a pizza and on the other you could have protein, on one hand you could get chocolate and on the other you could eat salad. That was it. So, I lost all the weight that I had gained there and lots more by working out and maintaining a disciplined life.” Sara also spoke

about her fitness regime and how she practices Kathak, Yoga, Pilates, and intense workouts to keep in shape. She also underwent boot camp training and was spotted playing lawn tennis with her father Saif Ali Khan.

The actor is currently working on her third film, a sequel to 'Love Aajkal', directed by Imtiaz Ali. The movie also features Kartik Aaryan, an actor Sara has confessed having a crush on.

Ranbir's plans to move in with girlfriend Alia will have to wait

Bachchans enjoy annual vacation in the Maldives

Abhishek Bachchan, along with wife Aishwarya and daughter Aaradhya have taken off to the Maldives for their annual family holiday.

Aishwarya took to Instagram to share a picture from their vacation, and posted a scenic view of a pool near a beach. She captioned it “Maldives”. The actress often shares pictures of her family on the social media app. On her mother-in-law Jaya Bachchan's birthday this year, she shared a picture of herself with the veteran actress and Aaradhya, and captioned the picture “Happiness Always”.

On the work front, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan was last seen in 'Fanney Khan'. She had shared details about her next project recently and said, “Normally, when it comes to announcing my future projects, I leave it to the prerogative of my directors and producers. I have just very recently okayed a wonderful script and idea and character.

So, I'll let them make the announcement.” She added, “And that is to start much later this year.

There is also another true-life episode in that story that I found interesting and will be hearing it soon.

So, if there are announcements, you will surely get to know.”

If sources are to be believed Ranbir Kapoor plans to move back into his parents home to be closer to his father, Rishi Kapoor as he continues to battle an unspecified illness. It was previously speculated that he would be moving in with his girlfriend, Alia Bhatt. A media report wrote, “The recent circumstances (Rishi's illnesses) has brought Ranbir close to his father. He wants to spend maximum time with his parents.”

Earlier this year, it was reported that Alia had paid double the asking price for a new home in Juhu, Mumbai, leading to speculation that the couple might be planning a future together. However, Alia quickly dismissed the reports saying, “Nothing of the sort. It is a place I've bought as my office space. Yes, I've started my own production house. I've named it Eternal Sunshine Productions.

Do you like it?” Meanwhile, other reports suggested that Ranbir had enlisted mother Neetu Singh to look for a new house.

Rishi went to US in 2018, and has been receiving medical attention in New York ever since. Ranbir and Alia have often visited him during his extended sabbatical in the city. Rishi has said that he is rearing to return to India and get back to work. “Looking forward to working again. I am much better now.

Many people have been constantly inquiring. Sanjay Dutt, for example, has been in touch regularly. Actually more than me, it is my wife Neetu whom everyone messages about my health,” the report said.

On the work front, Ranbir and Alia will star opposite each other for the first time in December's 'Brahmastra', the first part of a planned fantasy trilogy, in which Ranbir is said to be playing a DJ/Superhero.

Alia recently revealed she had pleaded with director Ayan Mukerji to cast her opposite Ranbir.

“The idea for 'Brahmastra' was conceived long back when Ayan had just done 'Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani'.

I wanted to work with him and I have always wanted to work with Ranbir as well. I pleaded to Ayan that please cast me with him.”

Taapsee asks Amitabh to “stop arguing” As Amitabh Bachchan and producer Shah Rukh Khan bask in the success of Sujoy Ghosh's 'Badla', actress Taapsee Pannu has declared that she plans to celebrate the success of the film as soon as she gets back to Mumbai after finishing shooting 'Saand Ki Aankh'. Taapsee featured in the lead role in 'Badla' along with Amitabh that was produced by Shah's Red Chillies production.

Taapsee revealed she is currently shooting in a remote village in Uttar Pradesh, and rued that no one brought a cake for her. “I have been shooting in Johri village in Meerut area since 'Badla' released. Nobody has come here with a cake for me, so I have no idea what celebrations are going on and who is giving a party to whom. I know one thing for sure that when I come back to

Mumbai, I will definitely treat myself with a cake or some party for sure for 'Badla' being such a big success,” Taapsee said.

“I'll try to invite everyone and they can stop arguing about it. That's why I didn't interrup also. I was like, let me come back and I'll throw a party,” Taapsee added. The actress's reference was to a funny banter between Amitabh and Shah Rukh on Twitter.

The banter started with Bachchan Sr. saying that his recent film Badla has not recieved enough compliments, despite its impressive box office collection. “'...about time someone started talking about this silent success, because neither the producer, nor the distributor, nor the on

line producer, or any else in the industry, in general has even spent a nano second to compliment the success of this film 'Badla', thank you!” Big B's tweet read.

However, in no time, Shah replied to Amitabh's tweet, and wrote, “'Sir hum toh wait kar rahein hain ki aap party kab de rahein hain hum sabko! (Sir we are waiting since long for you to give us a party).

We are waiting outside Jalsa (Amitabh's house) every night!,'' he wrote, trying his signature wittiness on Bachchan. The two then had a fun fight on the micro-blogging website.

Produced on a meagre budget of Rs 10 crore, Badla has earned more than Rs 86 crore at the ticket windows and is deemed a hit by trade analysts. Directed by Sujoy Ghosh, the film marked a reunion between Amitabh and Sujoy as well as Amitabh and his 'Pink' co-actor Taapsee Pannu.

30 KOLLYWOOD

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Tabu to play a social activist in Rana Daggubati's upcoming TV Listing

'Andhadhun' actor Tabu has signed two Telugu projects and landed a key role in Allu Arjun's next film with Trivikram and will play a social activist in Rana Daggubati's next yetuntitled Telugu project. Reports said that Tabu has been signed to play a pivotal role in director Venu Udugula's next Telugu outing which will feature Rana as a cop and Sai Pallavi as a naxal.

A source from the film unit said, “Venu flew to Mumbai last month to narrate the story to Tabu. She immediately gave her nod after listening to the script and finding it really interesting. However, she is

yet to officially sign the contract.”

The project, tipped to be an actiondrama, will most likely go on the floors from July. In Trivikram's film, Tabu will be seen playing Allu Arjun's mother. It is tentatively titled 'Naana Nenu', and marks the third time collaboration of Trivikram and Arjun after movies such as 'Julayi' and 'S/O Sathyamurthy'.

Meanwhile, reports suggest that Arjun's film is reportedly based on Hollywood film 'The Invention of Lying'. The film revolves around the first human with the ability to lie in a world where people could only speak the truth.

Rakul Preet not gaining weight for 'Manmadhudu 2' Prabhas debuts on Instagram

Telugu actor Prabhas has finally made his debut on Instagram and has posted his first ever picture. Needless to say, the photo was from his film 'Baahubali' and shows the actor wielding two swords and in action. He is wearing a green shirt with some kind of a jacket on top of it. His hair is left loose, he sports an earring and is also wearing a chain.

Prabhas is currently busy with his upcoming film, action thriller 'Saaho', which is expected to hit the screens in August this year. With 'Saaho', the actor will have a release more than two years after his last film released.

'Baahubali 2: The Conclusion' released in April 2017 while 'Baahubali: The Beginning' had opened in 2015. While very little is known about 'Saaho's storyline, however, the team shot some daring action sequences in Abu Dhabi last year. The action sequences have been shot under the guidance of Hollywood stuntman Kenny Bates. Reportedly, the makers spent Rs 90 crores for this schedule.

The first look poster of 'Saaho' was unveiled in October 2017 on the occasion of Prabhas' birthday. Made on a budget of Rs 300 Crores, 'Saaho' also stars Jackie Shroff, Mandira Bedi, Neil Nitin Mukesh and Chunky Panday.

Filmmaker Rahul Ravindran has rubbished rumours claiming actress Rakul Preet Singh hasn't joined the sets of 'Manmadhudu 2' in Portugal since she has been asked to gain weight for her role. The director took to Twitter to clarify and wrote, “Contrary to some rumours, Rakul has been shooting with us from day one of the Portuguese schedule. We have all been gushing non-stop about how stunning she's looking and thanking our lucky stars that we got her. What an incredible talent she is.”

'Manmadhudu 2' stars Nagarjuna and Rakul Preet in lead roles. After briefly shooting in Hyderabad, the makers left to Portugal recently to shoot predominant portion of the film.

'Manmadhudu 2', a sequel to super hit f i l m 'Manmadhudu', marks the first time collaboration of Rakul and Nagarjuna as a pair on screen.

This is Rahul's s e c o n d directorial project.

He made his debut as a director last year with T e l u g u romantic drama 'Chi La Sow', which was bankrolled by Nagarjuna's Annapurna Studios.

Last seen on screen in Telugu multi-starrer ' D e v a d a s ' alongside Nani, Nagarjuna will sport a really different look in 'Manmadhudu 2' which will hit the screens later this year.

* Schedule is subject to change

SUNDAY APRIL 28, 2019 23:23 FILM: UDTA PUNJAB 01:53 FILM: YEH HAI MUMBAI MERI JAAN 05:00 FILM: SWEEKAR KIYA MAINE 07:46 FILM: TERE MERE PHERE 10:17 FILM: AWAARA PAAGAL DEEWANA 13:40 FILM: ANDAAZ 16:47 FILM: VEER 20:03 FILM: GRAND MASTI 22:05 FILM: AGNEEPATH MONDAY APRIL 29, 2019 01:16 FILM: KALYUG 05:00 FILM: BLUE ORANGES 07:15 FILM: MERI HUKUMAT 10:00 FILM: PHIR HERA PHERI 13:15 FILM: SAMAY - WHEN TIME STRIKES 16:00 FILM: RAMA RAMA KYA HAI DRAMA 19:00 FILM: JISM 2 21:33 FILM: CHAAR DIN KI CHANDNI TUESDAY APRIL 30, 2019 00:20 FILM: WOH LAMHE 05:00 FILM: BAAT BANN GAYI 07:10 FILM: MRITYUDAND 10:21 FILM: MAIN TERE PYAAR MEIN PAGAL

* Schedule is subject to change

SATURDAY 27TH APRIL TIME TV PROGRAM NAMES 17:00 KAUN BANEGA CROREPATI 18:30 THE KAPIL SHARMA SHOW 20:00 SUPER DANCER CHAPTER 3 21:30 THE KAPIL SHARMA SHOW 23:00 THE KAPIL SHARMA SHOW SUNDAY 28TH APRIL TIME TV PROGRAM NAMES

* Schedule is subject to change

MON 22ND - FRI 26TH APR 2019 15:30: SIRF 30 MINUTES 16:00: THE GREAT INDIAN GLOBAL KITCHEN 2 16:30: RASOI SHOW 17:30: CHHUTA CHHEDA 18:00: RADHA PREM KI DEEWANI 18:30: UTTARAN 19:00: JAHAANARA 19:30: BEPANNAH

* Schedule is subject to change

MON 22ND - FRI 26TH APR 2019 19:30: UDAAN 20:00: SHAKTI ASTITVA KE EHSAAS KI 20:30: KESARRI NANDAN 21:00: GATHBANDHAN 21:30: ROOP 22:00: SILSILA 22:30: KHOOB LADI MARDANI JHANSI KI RANI 23:00: SITARA

12:52 FILM: KHEL 16:26 FILM: GRAND MASTI 18:25 LIFESTYLE : STAR STOP 19:00 FILM: AWARAPAN 21:30 FILM: JISM 2 WEDNESDAY MAY 1, 2019 00:00 FILM: DASTAK 05:00 FILM: KAUN KARE KURBANIE 07:31 FILM: MAST 10:20 FILM: EK POLICE 12:40 FILM: YEH HAI MUMBAI MERI JAAN 15:21 FILM: KOYELAANCHAL 18:17 LIFESTYLE : STAR STOP 19:00 FILM: JAYANTABHAI KI LUV STORY 21:42 FILM: UTTHAAN WEDNESDAY MAY 2, 2019 00:25 FILM: DHOKHA 05:00 FILM: BAAT BANN GAYI 07:10 FILM: HUM DONO HAI KHILADI 09:50 FILM: HOTE HOTE PYAR HO GAYA 12:45 FILM: KRANTIVEER 15:47 FILM: RAJA HINDUSTANI 19:23 FILM: A FLYING JATT 22:26 FILM: JAYANTABHAI KI LUV STORY WEDNESDAY MAY 3, 2019 00:53 FILM: ALONE 05:00 FILM: VIKALP 07:29 FILM: KRISHNA ARJUN 10:20 FILM: SATYA 13:46 FILM: JOSH 17:00 FILM: BAAZIGAR 20:30 FILM: GHAYAL ONCE AGAIN 17:00 KAUN BANEGA CROREPATI 18:30 THE KAPIL SHARMA SHOW 20:00 SUPER DANCER CHAPTER 3 21:30 THE KAPIL SHARMA SHOW 23:00 THE KAPIL SHARMA SHOW MON 29TH APR - FRI 3RD MAY TIME TV PROGRAM NAMES 16:30 BEYHADH 17:00 EK DUJE KE VAASTE 17:30 KUCH RANG PYAR KE AISE BHI 18:00 VIGHNAHARTA GANESH 18:45 MERE SAI 19:30 YEH UN DINON KI BAAT HAI 20:00 CHANDRAGUPTA MAURYA 20:30 MAIN MAAYKE CHALI JAAUNGI 21:00 PATIALA BABES 21:30 LADIES SPECIAL 22:00 CRIME PATROL

20:00: ISHQ MEIN MARJAWAN 20:30: MOHE RANNG DO LAAL 21:00: BALIKA VADHU - LAMHE PYAAR KE 22:00: RED ALERT SAT 27TH APRIL 2019 17:30: CHHUTA CHHEDA 18:00: RADHA PREM KI DEEWANI 18:30: UTTARAN 19:00: NAVRANGI RE 19:30: GLOBAL KITCHEN 20:00: KHATRON KE KHILADI 22:00: ZINDAGI KI HAQEEQAT SE AAMNA SAAMNA SUN 28TH APRIL 2019 18:00: RADHA PREM KI DEEWANI 18:30: UTTARAN 19:00: NAVRANGI RE 19:30: GLOBAL KITCHEN 20:00: KHATRON KE KHILADI 22:00: ZINDAGI KI HAQEEQAT SE AAMNA SAAMNA

21:00: BALIKA VADHU - LAMHE PYAAR KE 22:00: RED ALERT SAT 27TH APR 2019 19:00: DESI BEAT RESET 19:30: COLORS SE SANG ANTAKSHARI KE RANG 20:30: RISING STAR - SEASON 3 22:00: COURT ROOM 23:00: NAAGIN - SEASON 3 SUN 28TH MAR 2019 19:30: COLORS SE SANG ANTAK SHARI KE RANG 20:30: RISING STAR - SEASON 3 21:30: COURT ROOM 22:30: NAAGIN - SEASON 3

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27 April - 3 May 2019

Unique Basanti Puja celebrations in the UK by Essex Indians

Unyielding - Rabindranath Tagore

When I called you in your garden Mango blooms were rich in fragrance Why did you remain so distant, Keep your doors so tightly fastened?

Blossoms grew to ripe fruit-clusters Your rejected my cuppded handfuls, Closed your eyes to perfectness.

In the fierce harsh storms of Baisakh, Golden ripened fruit fell tumbling.

'Dust, I said, 'defiles such offerings: Let your hands be heaven to them.'

Still you showed no friendliness.

ducted an authentic pujo with Bodhon, Pranpratistha, sthapon, aarati, puspanjali, hom and bisorjon. He was supported by Sayantini, Nandini, Keya and Sujata Essex Indians members.

Prasad Bhog was cooked

by EI members Molly, Gargi, Amrit, Sayantini, Nandini, Jayita, Amita, Arpita and Anirban. This was appreciated by everyone showing

Basanti puja is considered as the original Durgapuja, the soul of festival celebration by the Bengalees. Essex Indians maintained this tradition 5000 miles away from Bengal. They celebrated Basanti pujo at Brentwood Leisure Centre with the idol brought all the way from Kolkata designers by the famous artist Sanaton Rudra Pal.

Ajit Ninan for TOI

Man critically injured in motorcycle crash A father-of-three is fighting for his life in hospital after he was was injured in a crash at the weekend. Shaykh Abdul Hameed Ismail, a 31year-old teacher and Islamic scholar was injured when his silver Honda CBR 600F motorcycle was involved in a collision with a car in Wakerley Road, Evington, Leicester on Saturday afternoon.

He was initially taken to Leicester Royal Infirmary but was later transferred to Nottingham's Queen's

The festival was Pan Indian drawing audience from all corners of India, such as, Punjab, UP, MP, Assam, South India and Bengal once again shoeing a burning example of unity in diversity.

The main priest was Sanjib Ghoshal who con-

an evidence of unique team bonding.

The event was concluded with a devotional song by Molly and Antakshari and Dumb Charades conducted

by Anirban. Essex Indians celebrated Basanti pujo and Harvest festival for 3 years now in a row.

Sneh Joshi

Sad birds twittered sleeplessly, Calling, calling lost companions.

Gone the right time for our union Low the moon while still you brooded, Sunk in lonely pensiveness.

Who can understand another!

Heart cannot restrain its passion.

I had hoped that some remaining Tear-soaked memories would sway you, Stir your feet to lightsomeness.

Moon fell at the feet of morning, Loosened from the night's fading necklace.

While you slept, O did my Vina Lull you with its heartache? Did you Dream at least of happiness? a

Medical Centre. His family, including his mother, Rosemina Ismail and his wife and three daughters are at his bedside.

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The UK’s leading Vedic writer and TV personality

ARIES Mar 21 - Apr 20 Saturn

turns retrograde in your solar 10th house, and this is likely to cause some disruptions and frustrations in your professional life. Work on coming to compromises and agreements. All Saturn retrograde cycles also affect you in the areas of home, family, security, and domestic activities because Saturn is opposite your Solar 4th house.

Saturn turns retrograde on the TAURUS Apr 21 - May 21 30th April. It is a very impor-

tant planet for Taurus since it rules over two very important houses 9th and 10th which deal with job, status, gains, networking etc. You need to reassess these areas of your life and tie up any loose ends. Time to press ahead with your ambitions and goals in life.

GEMINI May 22 - June 22 Saturn turned retrograde on 30th April. This cycle occurs in your eighth house of intimacy, shared resources, and personal transformation. Hold onto your money, work on a budget, and avoid arguments with loved ones that revolve around intimacy and sexuality. Don't fall out with people in authority.

Although all kinds of opportunities are coming your way, there are many obstacles between you and the fulfilment of any of these. As you clear your path you will get closer to achieving your dreams. Relationships and romance are both under scrutiny by the presence of retrograde Saturn in your 7th house.

CANCER Jun 22 - Jul 22

Lampless were your doors at evening, Pitch-black as I played my vina.

How the starlight twanged my heartstrings!

How I set my vina dancing!

You showed no responsiveness.

LEO Jul 23 - Aug 23 The next few months bring confusion and misunderstandings at work and troubles with your health as Saturn transits your sixth house. You'll need to pay more attention to detail and double check everything before finalising important matters. Close relationships will prove to be challenging.

VIRGO Aug 24 - Sep 23

Saturn retrograde cycle occurs in your fifth house of romance, pleasure, speculation, and children. Because the cycle directly affects your sector of romance and speculation, you should be careful. An old lover may come back in your life, complicating matters. As Saturn also rules your health sector, this may come up for review now.

LIBRA Sep 24 - Oct 23

Saturn retrograde cycle occurs in your fourth house of home and family. Relations with your family may be a little strained. You might want to wait until Saturn idirect before you express your frustrations with family members! Saturn also rules your 5th house of children and investments. Try to organise yourself as things can go out of hand.

SCORPIO Oct 24- Nov 22

Saturn retrograde cycle occurs in your third house of communication. People around you may seem insincere. In fact, you may have a hard time getting your ideas across in a warm, genuine manner. This retrograde cycle also affects your home, love and children. Try to deal with these issues by being patient and do not step on anyone's toes.

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SAGITTARIUS Nov 23 - Dec 21

Retrograde Saturn transit occurs in your solar second house, extra care should be exercised when it comes to new financial initiatives. There may be the need to resolve old, nagging issues regarding personal finances. Take this time to re-budget and re-think how you want to spend your cash during this period.

CAPRICORN Dec 22 - Jan 20

Saturn, the planet of caution and discipline is retrograde in your solar first house this time. It is your ruling planet, extra care should be exercised when it comes to your body language. You will be re-assessing your work place as well as people around you. Good time to review your partnerships and relationships.

AQUARIUS Jan 21 - Feb 19

Retrograde transit of Saturn occurs in your solar twelfth house this time, extra care should be exercised when it comes to private and personal matters. Be as non-judgemental as you can, but do keep an eye out for deceptiveness and falseness in others. Good time for yoga and meditation.

Bear in mind that Saturn, the planet of caution and discipline goes retrograde in your eleventh house of friends and associates as well. Good time to re-assess friendships and it would serve you well if you spend more time listening than speaking.

Keep an eye on your investments.

PISCES Feb 20 - Mar 20

32

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27 April - 3 May 2019

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Pant's blitz hands Delhi 6-wicket win over Rajasthan The 21-year-old Rishabh Pant played a blistering knock (78 not out) to lead Delhi Capitals to a sixwicket win over Rajasthan Royals with four balls to spare. With this win Delhi also moved to the top of the table. The Royals may have felt its 191 for six was good enough. Opener Ajinkya Rahane’s unbeaten (105 not out) would have been a match-winning effort in most games, but not on a night when Pant took over charge. Pant added 84 for the third wicket with Prithvi Shaw, who took good advantage of the catch spilled by Ashton Turner when he was on 10 as he went on to make 42 before he fell to Shreyas Gopal. At the end of the 18th over, Delhi were 175 for four – exactly what Rajasthan was at the same stage. But, Pant dispatched Jofra Archer’s last ball in the 19th over long-on for a six. Now, Delhi needed just six from the last over. After Colin Ingram took a single off the first ball, Pant pulled Jayadev Unadkat over mid-wicket for a six to finish off the run chase in style.

MSD’s late charge falls just short Chennai Super Kings lost their match against Royal Challengers Bangalore in their IPL- 12 match by one run. Chennai were at one stage in dire straits - 28 for four in the sixth over, chasing 162 runs to win. The chase looked almost derailed. The RCB, however, had not reckoned the might of MS Dhoni. With CSK needing 26 runs to win in

the last over, Dhoni hit Umesh Yadav for 24 off the first five balls. But he missed the final ball and RCB wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel had the non-striker Shardul Thakur just short of the crease and CSK fell short by one run. Earlier, Parthiv Patel's attacking halfcentury and Moeen Ali's final flourish helped RCB to score 161for 7.

Sunrisers tame KKR David Warner (67 off 38 balls) and Jonny Bairstow helped Sunrisers Hyderabad beat Kolkata Knight Riders.

The nine-wicket win with five overs to spare was just the confidence-booster Sunrisers needed ahead of their crucial game against Chennai Super Kings. Kane Williamson put them in and KKR have only themselves to blame for the dismal show when they grassed Bairstow three times, the first when he was on one.

The Englishman needed no second invitation to run them ragged with an unbeaten 80 (43b) after the opening wicket partnership of 131 runs was terminated by debutant Prithvi Raj. The visitors’ 159 for eight was in total contrast.

Smith takes charge with win Rajasthan Royals have sought solution to their problems in the sacking of Ajinkya Rahane as captain and handing over the reins to Steve Smith. The kneejerk reaction resulted in immediate benefits as the Royals thumped Mumbai Indians by five wickets at Swawai Mansingh Stadium.

Charting the course of victory for the Royals was a

collective team effort. If bowlers stopped Mumbai’s batters in their tracks, Royals’ batsmen showed up to not let the team feel the massive void left by Jos Buttler. Teenager Riyan Parag (43 off 29) excelled in Steve Smith’s (59* from 48 balls) company and both ensured Royals the third victory to their name.

Shreyas, Dhawan do star turn for DC Delhi Capitals avenged their shocking defeat with a fivewicket victory over Kings XI Punjab, brightening their prospects of making the play-offs of the IPL. Chasing 164 for a win, senior opener Shikhar Dhawan laid the foundation with a fluent 56 of 41 balls, while skipper Shreyas Iyer contributed an unbeaten 58 off 49 balls to complete the job with two balls to spare. Iyer hit five fours and a six. In the first leg in Mohali, DC lost seven wickets for eight runs to gift KXIP victory after sitting pretty at 144 for three in the 17th over while chasing 168.

RCB survive Russell assault Tough times never last, but tough people do. On Friday Virat Kohli proved it once again. After seven defeats in eight matches, it required something special to lift the flagging fortunes of Royal Challengers Bangalore and it came in the form of a Kohli show. In the absence of AB de Villiers, the skipper took it upon himself to keep the side alive as they beat Kolkata Knight Riders by 10 runs at the Eden Gardens. KKR made a poor start as South African pacer Dale Steyn made a roaring

Rishabh Pant plays a shot en route to his unbeaten 78

return in RCB colours after nine years by picking up two quick wickets. But Andre Russell almost scripted another impossible victory by throwing his arms almost at everything. He reigned mostly in sixes hitting nine sixes to score 65 off 24 balls before being run out in the penultimate ball of the match.

In Dhoni's absence, Chennai lose to Sunrisers Chennai Super Kings suffered their second defeat at the hands of Sunrisers Hyderabad by 6 wickets.

CSK, being led by Suresh Raina in MS Dhoni's absence could manage to put up a score of 132/5 in 20 overs. Despite the loss, CSK remain at the top of the IPL table, their four-point lead intact. For SRH, who have leapfrogged Kolkata Knight Riders to go fifth on the

table on the basis of net run rate after this result, these two points get them back into the race for the playoff spots. Shane Watson (31) and Faf du Plessis (45) had given CSK a good start, before both of them fell in quick succession, leaving CSK at 81/2 in the 11th over. After the openers' wickets, CSK failed to rebuild the innings.

Chasing a modest target of 133, SRH openers David Warner and Jonny Bairstow

wasted no time in getting the chase started in earnest.

Warner brought up his 41st half-century in quick time, and by the time CSK could prize out his wicket, SRH were 66/1 in the 6th over.

Kings XI lord over Royals Kings XI Punjab skipper Ravichandran Ashiwn stole the show with his all-round performance as hosts defeated Rajasthan Royals by 12 runs at Mohali. With this win Kings XI also ended their winless streak of two matches, while Rajasthan Royals slumped to their sixth defeat. Ashwin led his team from the front as he finished the Kings XI’s innings with a couple of lusty blows and carted 17 runs off the last over of Dhawal Kulkarni and then came back to choke Rajasthan Royals chase in the middle overs by taking the prize wickets of Sanju Samson (27 off 21) and Rahul Tripathi (50 off 45).

Ajinkya Rahane’s patchy form with the bat continues as he failed to give the required momentum to Rajashthan’s innings. Stuart Binny injected momentum in RR innings. But it was too late for Rajasthan to get a result.

IPL 2019 - Points Table

Teams Mat Won Lost Tied Delhi Capitals 11 7 4 0 Chennai Super Kings 10 7 3 0 10 6 4 0 Mumbai Indians Sunrisers Hyderabad 9 5 4 0 Kings XI Punjab 10 5 5 0 Kolkata Knight Riders 10 4 6 0 Rajasthan Royals 10 3 7 0 Royal Challengers Bangalore 10 3 7 0

Pts 14 14 12 10 10 8 6 6

NRR +0.181 +0.087 +0.357 +0.737 -0.044 -0.013 -0.470 -0.836

Pandya and Rahul fined Rs 20,00,000 each

Pant, Rayudu and Saini made standbys in World Cup squad

BCCI ombudsman Justice DK Jain fined Indian cricketers Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul Rs 20,00,000 each over objectionable remarks made by the two in a chat show, bringing closure to a case which dragged on for more than three months. In his order, Jain wrote that no further action would be taken against Pandya and Rahul, who had missed five ODIs while serving their provisional suspension and had tendered unconditional apologies.

The World Cup-bound players have been ordered to pay Rs 1,00,000 each to “each of the most deserving widows of 10 constables in para-military forces who have lost their lives while on duty, through Bharat Ke Veer App” besides depositing Rs 10,00,000 each in the fund created by the Cricket Association for the Blind.

All payments are to be made within four weeks from the date of the order - April 19, 2019 - failing which “the BCCI may deduct the amount from their match fees”. “I have no hesitation in observing that the remarks

Young wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant and veteran batsman Ambati Rayudu were named among the standbys in India’s squad for the World Cup, reigniting their dashed hopes of making the trip to the UK in case an injury setback hits the side. Speedster Navdeep Saini also found a place in the list of three backups for the mega event that starts on May 30. Pant and Rayudu’s exclusion from the squad of 15 created quite a stir. While Sunil Gavaskar called Pant’s omission surprising, the snub to Rayudu was questioned by Gautam Gambhir.

With the ICC doing away with the practice of letting countries announce a probables’ list before the final squad, the BCCI also has the option of including anyone apart from these three but it is unlikely to happen.

“Just like the ICC Champions Trophy, we have three standbys. Rishabh Pant and Ambati Rayudu are the first and second standbys while Saini is the bowler in the list.

KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya

made by the players, even by their own admissions, did offend sensitivities, which ought to have been avoided. Hence, they must make amends,” Jain stated in the order.

“Taking into consideration all these aspects, in particular the fact that the players have tendered an apology for the incident without seeking to justify their action, have acknowledged their duty to the society and expressed willingness to hold themselves to the higher standards expected of them and having missed five ODIs, in the interest of justice and fair play, (the fine) would suffice.”

Rishabh Pant, Ambati Rayudu and Navdeep Saini

So if anyone gets injured, as per requirement, one of the three will be going,” a senior BCCI official said.

While Khaleel Ahmed, Avesh Khan and Deepak Chahar will be travelling with the team purely as net bowlers, they can also be drafted in if the management feels so.

“Khaleel, Avesh and Deepak are not designated standbys. In case of bowlers, that possibility is there but when it comes purely to batsmen, it will be either Rishabh or Rayudu,” the official said.