AV 27th February 2021

FIRST & FOREMOST ASIAN WEEKLY IN EUROPE Prince Charles calls vaccination hesitation among British Asians a ’tragedy’

Compensation for those living with Long Covid SEE PAGE - 4

SEE PAGE - 15

SEVA Trust UK launches ‘Adopt a Student’ project to help Indian students

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SEE PAGE - 9

Let noble thoughts come to us from every side

Sikhs encouraged not to identify themselves as “Indian” SEE PAGE - 8

27 FEBRUARY - 5 MARCH 2021 - VOL 49 ISSUE 42

England all out for 112 on day one

BACK TO ‘WAR’ WITHOUT A VACCINE Teachers become the new frontline workers; concerned about a third wave and lobby for a phased re-opening of schools

Indian spinners shot England out for just 112 in 48.4 overs with Ravichandran Ashwin and Axar Patel sharing the spoils after pacer Ishant Sharma opened the floodgates in his milestone 100th match on the opening day of the daynight third Test at the Narendra Modi stadium at Motera in Ahmedabad on Wednesday. Axar took 6 wickets, while Aswin grabbed three.

Openers Rohit Sharma (5 batting) and Shubman Gill (0 batting) negotiated five overs to take India to five for no loss at the dinner break. (Details on page 32)

India, China talks fail to break deadlock on ‘friction points’

Priyanka Mehta

Under Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s roadmap of lifting the UK out of the national lockdown, all schools in England will reopen to all pupils on 8th March. While, the gradual re-opening of the country is a relief for working parents who are mentally, emotionally and physically burnt out from home-schooling their children, teachers have raised red flags over the possibility of a third coronavirus wave. Some are wary of the government’s plans to mass test secondary pupils, warning that it will delay the reopening of schools and fail to catch asymptomatic carriers of Covid. Others believe it risks spreading “a false sense of security” among children and their parents.

Mrs Sarada Sarkar teaches in a grammar school in Kent. She told Asian Voice, “I have mixed feelings with the latest announcement. We

all want to go back to normal life. But, considering the transmissibility of the mutated virus and the extent of devastation it has caused, I am worried for a third wave.

“I have not been vaccinated and neither have my colleagues received the vaccination yet. It is quite an irony that we are the frontline workers now. And yet, we have not been prioritised as we should have been considering the safety element of children as well. If we had the vaccinations, then it would be much safer for our families too.

Teachers are even more vulnerable than any frontline workers as we need to speak all the time and can’t really wear PPE. In autumn term, schools were provided with the bubble areas and sanitisers, among other safety gear, but it clearly did not stop the second wave. I am worried to go back to school without being vaccinated. It’s like going to war without weapons.”

Continued on page 6

There was no concrete breakthrough in the marathon military talks between India and China in de-escalating the remaining ‘friction points’ at Gogra, Hot Springs, Demchok and Depsang Plains in eastern Ladakh, but the two reiterated their commitment to work for a mutually-acceptable resolution through further dialogue.

“The two sides will push for a mutually acceptable resolution of the remaining issues in a steady and orderly manner, so as to jointly maintain peace and tranquillity in the border areas,” said a joint statement issued after the 10th round of corps commander-level talks. It said the two sides “agreed to follow the important consensus of their state leaders, continue their communication and dialogue, and stabilise and control the situation on the ground”.

Continued on page 26

2 UK

AsianVoiceNews

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

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27 Feb - 5 March 2021

with Keith Vaz

Leicester Mayor concerned about farmers protests in India

Deepen Patel Deepen Patel was born in London where his parents Pallavi and Shashi Patel lived. After completing his education and further studies he was involved in a variety of projects from running a business as well as providing counselling through his recent role as a Good-Karma Guru using his YouTube channel named "The Hindu Goddess" where he advises people from all walks of life across the world on worldly matters from a spiritual perspective.

He has become well known for his teaching of good-karma ways to garden through advocating the use of talcum powder where ants come to deter them kindly, well-reviewed cruelty free plug-in electronic deterrents to stop mice, copper mesh lay flat around plants to stop slugs crossing, shaking thoroughly all homegrown leaf vegetables and flowers upside down outside to free 100s of invisible creatures living on them are a few of his now worldwide well know tips. He even advises people to walk with their mobile phone torches on during wet nights to pick up worms and slugs stranded on the pavements, all in the spirit of good karma.

His underlying message is that small acts of good karma help to develop a more compassionate society. Deepen has had tremendous success with his good karma tips appearing on the BBC and numerous radio stations across the UK and Ireland and noted in countless Facebook groups reaching close to 1 million people speaking in this way via his Facebook group "Kindness Guy".

Which place, or city or country do you What is the best aspect about your most feel at home in? current role?

I have learnt that wherever I am in the Giving someone their life back. When world, it's not the city or country that people are going through dark times in makes me feel like "home", it's the frame of their lives it's not always easy to see the mind I take on. Being around people that light, but when I succeed in helping a permake me happy, and my family is what son realise that even after the darkest matters most. nights, the sun always rises again, I feel like I'm on top of the World.

What are your proudest achievements?

And the worst?

I have progressed a lot in education and the usual things many Asians value, but Not being able to do enough to help instead of boasting about these achievesomeone. There is always that thought that ments, when asked by others about me, my I could have done more, it’s not a nice feelparents (Shashi & Pallavi) and brother ing, but as with everything in life, I have to (Meeten) firstly say how they don't know remind myself that not everything is down anyone as kind and caring as I am. That is to me, if I try my best…God will do the rest. my proudest achievement.

What are your long-term goals?

What inspires you?

To try and change people’s lives around the world and take away their pain through It’s more a question what doesn't…I showing them that no matter how bad think there is inspiration in everything, we things seem in life…there is always hope, just have to look for it. There are so many because after every dark night…the sun things in this world, all of them have value. always rise again. I have started this It's up to us to find it. Once we do, the through my Facebook page "Kindness Guy". inspiration will follow automatically. My If you were Prime Minister, what one spiritual guide Goddess Maha Kali Maa is aspect would you change? my biggest source of inspiration, however.

To unite people from all backgrounds What has been biggest obstacle in your and faiths with the underlying message of career? kindness towards all through promoting Self-doubt. I have always encouraged schemes where all communities come others but doubted myself. If you want to together to focus on a shared goal, such as help other people in your life but do not knife crime and racism so that incidents believe in yourself, you will not be the best like that of Archie Beston in 2020 never you can be. We are all put on this earth happen again. with purpose. We just have to have good If you were marooned on a desert intent and believe. island, which historical figure would Who has been the biggest influence on you like to spend your time with and why? your career to date?

I would choose Sai baba of Shirdi. I've My grandparents (Chottabhai, been watching his TV serial "Shraddha Aur Kamlaben, Rajnikant and Majulaben) for Sabhuri" recently and love the fact that he being perfect examples of self-courage, values people from all religions equally and hard work and sacrifice together with my always has the solution to every problem parents and brother for teaching me how you can imagine. Life would be great with him around. to truly love and put others before myself.

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On Monday 22nd February, the Mayor of Leicester expressed his concern over the on-going farmers’ protest in India. Sir Peter Soulsby has reportedly written to Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab about the continuing dispute between the Indian government and farmers who are resisting three agricultural reforms.

Farmers are calling for a repeal of the laws that are believed to leave them at risk of exploitation.

In a letter to the UK Government, the Leicester City Mayor said the clashes between farmers and police present “risks to the essential democratic rights and freedoms”.

Sir Peter told LeicestershireLive that he had raised the matter with the UK Government because the issues were “close to the heart” of many people in the city who have family directly affected by the ongoing protests.

Sir Peter Soulsby

In his letter, Sir Peter noted: “We call on both sides to demonstrate restraint, but it is clear that the onus must be on the Indian authorities to protect the farmers’ rights to peaceful protest, to respect their right to freedom of assembly and expression, and to respond to any incidents of civil disobedience in a proportionate and appropriate manner.

“I am writing to urge you to raise the concerns of Leicester citizens with your Indian counterpart as a matter of urgency.

Dominic Raab

“I would press the UK government to schedule a debate at the earliest opportunity on the Parliamentary Petition, given that the threshold for debate of 100,000 has passed.”

According to Leicestershire Live, members of the Indian Worker's Association (IWA) based in Leicester have been raising awareness of the impact the laws could have on farmers.

On behalf of the IWA, general secretary Sital Singh Gill wrote to local MPs seeking “urgent” support on the matter.

Landlord ordered to pay back over half a million pounds of illegal earnings On Friday 19th February, a Crown Court judge ordered a landlord to pay back £739,263.58 in illicit earnings made from overcrowded properties in Willesden. It is believed to be the largest such order for a planning breach made anywhere in the country so far this year.

The order was made against Mohammed Mehdi Ali of High Road Willesden, following a prosecution brought by Brent Council’s legal team.

HHJ Wood made the order against Mr Ali. He was told by the court that he would face a prison term of 5 years and 9 months if he did not pay the order in full within three months.

Mr Ali was found guilty of failing to comply with planning enforcement notices in April 2018 at Willesden Magistrates Court, after investigations

by Brent’s planning enforce-

ment team. The case was then referred to Harrow Crown Court for confiscation proceedings under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.

Brent was represented in the crown court by Edmund Robb of Prospect Law. Detailed investigations carried out by Brent’s financial investigators and Brent’s planning enforcement officers revealed the extent of the number of illegal dwellings created and the illicit earnings made by illegally renting out the properties, which were owned by Mr Ali and his father. The properties were used as houses in multiple occupation and as undersized flats.

Mr Ali was also ordered to pay Brent council £30,000.00 to cover its legal costs in the long-running case.

Cllr Shama Tatler, Lead Member for Regeneration,

Property & Planning, said “this is another huge win for Brent. The council will take robust action to prevent the creation of poor-quality housing. This penalty sends a clear message that rogue landlords will not be allowed to get away with ignoring planning laws. The accommodation provided was some of the worst residential accommodation that officers have ever come across. Brent will not tolerate this type of behaviour, landlords providing such horrible conditions. Brent residents deserve better.”

Sentencing for the enforcement notice breaches is adjourned until 1 March 2021.

Leicester mum intent on fundraising for research into rare disease Mother of a four-year-old Amirah Shehzad is keen to fundraise for research into a rare disease it has emerged.

Amirah Shehzad was diagnosed with Krabbe disease - a rare illness which results in progressive damage to the nervous system before her first birthday. Last year, a Hight Court case about Amirah’s care heard that medics in Leicester believed life-saving treatment shouldn't be administered if Amirah presented following a

Amirah Shehzad. Picture Courtesy: Facebook

cardiac arrest. But the case was adjourned when the family moved to Stoke and doc-

tors there said they would treat her if she presented at hospital. Now, her mum Afroz wants to raise cash to fund research into the rare disease, with clinical trials in the US giving her hope. In her statement to Leicester Mercury, she said, “Amirah has proved doctors wrong so many times already. We were told she would only live to be 15 months old, now I look at my four-year-old and wonder what else she can do. If I hadn’t have gone to the High

Court, she might not be here now. I could have lost her, but I can’t think about that. I fought for her life once and I will do it again, she is my daughter, I have to.

“We haven’t got time to waste with her, she has been really well and is really well, she has spent a lot of time at home with us, she has caught and survived coronavirus. I want to know now what can be done to help her and others with Krabbe’s, there must be something.

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27 Feb - 5 March 2021

Britain’s battered entrepreneurial spirit Prime Minister Boris Johnson has laid out a roadmap to exit the lockdown. No big bang opening or promises that may not be kept.

A very carefully crafted data-based return to normal plan. But Mr Johnson’s measures are neither risk-free nor suitable to salvage the situation.

First, the PM is opening up schools for all age group. Though testing is mandatory and its more than once a week, for teachers, despite being key workers, they remain open to infection due to lack of prioritisation for vaccination.

Second, by no means this recovery is achievable without the support of public. Youngsters who are usually affected less by the virus, need to understand the severity of crises, should they break rules, when the lockdown lifts.

Last weekend when the sun came out, people of all generations were seen flocking the roads and parks in London, most without masks or any necessary PPEs, almost as if the world has gone back to normal. It is important to still emphasise that masks are useful and perhaps mandatory to cut the chain of infections.

Third, vaccination programme needs to prioritise the BAME community. Professor Kevin Fenton, a senior Public Health England figure has acknowledged that structural racism has played a significant part in BAME community in the UK being disproportionately impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.

A report by PHE last summer found that people from ethnic minorities in the UK were more likely to die of Covid-19.

During the first wave, people belonging to ethnic minorities experienced higher death rates than white people. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) found that during the second wave, for black people, this gap had closed.

But Bangladeshi and Pakistani people still experience three times the risk. Researchers from the ONS, University of Oxford, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, and University of Leicester said widespread reports that people belonging to ethnic minorities were disproportionately affected by Covid-19 may have raised awareness.

However, for British Asians, particularly from Bangladeshi and Pakistani backgrounds, the raised mortality rate remained "alarming", ranging from a 4.8-fold increase in the risk of dying for Pakistani men to 1.6 times higher for Indian women. The findings were presented in a preprint but have not been formally published yet, said the BBC. The reasons amounting to this discrepancy are many but the top three being: likely to work in front-line or high-risk jobs, living in overcrowded multi-generational housings and in more urban areas and deprivation leading to poorer health or unequal treatments in healthcare. Of course, genetics play a role too.

The vaccine hesitation in these communities is also much more than others. Prince Charles called the situation a ‘tragedy'.

Lastly, and most importantly it also means the Treasury is going to have to continue supporting furloughed workers and affected businesses for a lot longer than Chancellor Rishi Sunak had planned. But a new survey of small business owners around the UK suggests that, as the economy reopens in earnest, the Government’s handling of the pandemic has crushed our entrepreneurial spirit.

More than half (53%) of the 1,012 small business owners surveyed by the free small business PR platform Newspage, said the treatment of small businesses, especially small, limited company directors, would “discourage people from setting up their own businesses” in the future, and result in a decline in entrepreneurialism. Just 31% of the respondents said the Government’s handling of the pandemic over the past year would “encourage people to set up their own businesses”, while 9% said it would likely have no impact on the number of people setting up their own businesses. 7% were unsure. At least 10% of these businesses are owned by Indians.So, while we rejoice the lockdown lifting, situation is far from celebratory. Two simultaneous wrong decisions- one in March and second in September 2020 have cost UK more than just lives. It has cost UK its ‘entrepreneurial spirit’.

The Royal Competition It is the new versus the old. Tradition versus modernism.

Glamour versus principle. Fame versus duty. Hollywood versus British Royalty. It is simply put Meghan Markle versus Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The Queen is expected to give a televised address the same day as Harry and Meghan’s Oprah interview. It will be a royal competition for media attention, and if sources are to be believed, “Commonwealth Day is incredibly important to the Queen, she won’t be happy if anything overshadows it.”

The Queen will be joined by other senior royals, including Prince Charles, Camilla the Duchess of Cornwall, Prince William, and Kate the Duchess of Cambridge, who have agreed to film readings and reflections. And yet, the Duke of Edinburgh, Her Majesty’s pillar of support is most likely to be amiss. According to Buckingham Palace, Prince Philip is being treated for an infection and is not expected to leave hospital for several days. He was admitted to London's King Edward VII's Hospital last Tuesday as a precaution after feeling unwell. But in a ray of hope the 99-year-old husband of the Queen is "comfortable and responding to treatment".

Although the Duke of Edinburgh had stepped down from all public appearances a few years ago, he has been a continuous backbone for the 94-year-old Queen who in her monarchical reign has weathered through all sorts of controversies with her head held high and her dignity even higher. Be it the controversy around her sister’s addiction and a failed marriage or more recently her son being dragged into stories around sex trafficking and abuse. The Queen has upheld the British monarchical democracy with an unblemished grace to the degree that some would think, she saw it all coming. That a soothsayer from a Shakespearean drama had manifested in the form of a modern-

day political advisor who helped her navigate through the blasphemous and often vile headlines splashed on the Tabloid front pages. Those ready to sell out Monarchy for a few pounds.

Yet, the Queen and her aides were blindsided by the announcement that Harry and Meghan had agreed to the Oprah interview. And just days later the palace announced that the Queen had written personally to the Sussexes to explain that it was not possible “to continue with the responsibilities and duties that come with a life of public service,” and that their decision to step down as senior royals was permanent. While palace aides have stressed the announcement was not a direct result of the Oprah announcement, the instruction at Buckingham Palace was that loose ends needed to be tied up and there was no point in delaying the announcement after the Sussexes had decided not to return to royal life. Meghan and Harry are not expected to reveal full details about the run-up to the historic “Megxit” split. Sources close to the couple indicated they still had a good relationship with the Queen and that they are determined to say nothing in their prime-time interview with Oprah Winfrey that will upset the Queen.

The interview will be in two parts, with Meghan first speaking alone about topics ranging from “stepping into life as a royal, marriage, motherhood, philanthropic work, to how she is handling life under intense public pressure”. After the first part of the interview, Meghan will be joined by Harry and they will talk together about their move to America last year and their future “hopes and dreams for their expanding family”.

What remains to be seen is whether the new will shake up the old. If glamour will overpower principle and if fame will have the entertainment value to overshadow principle. The onus is on the media.

India strives to have peace in Afghanistan India is keenly watching the peace talks between the Afghanistan government and the Taliban militants since India and Kabul have a strong relationship based on historical and cultural links. The relationship is not limited to the governments, but has its foundations in the historical contacts and exchanges between the people. India has provided $650–750 million in humanitarian and economic assistance, making it the largest regional provider of aid for Afghanistan. India’s contribution to Afghanistan’s civilian reconstruction efforts has been seen as one of the major factors leading to the famed goodwill for Indians among the Afghans. India also opened its educational institutions for the Afghan students. Even former Afghan President Hamid Karzai received a master's degree in India in the 1980s. Afghan cricketers even practice in India. There were many Indians settled in Kabul doing business or other activities.

They were helping in the reconstruction of the country by providing technical assistance. Now the Taliban has gained power in much of the country and are targeting Indians and their business interest in the country. Many Indians belonging to Sikh and Hindu religion fell victims to Taliban militants. Following widespread violence, many Indians have left the country.

India's relationship with the Taliban was not very cordial. This happened because the Taliban was supported by elements in Pakistan's political and security establishment in the 1990s.

The US signed a historic agreement with the Taliban last year to withdraw all foreign soldiers by the end of 2021. The agreement is important because it signals an end to the 19-year-

old Afghan war after several failed attempts. In 2015, for example, the Obama administration had to reverse its decision to pull troops from Afghanistan because of the resurgence of Taliban insurgents and the deteriorating security situation.

Today, one of the key goals, as outlined in the agreement, is to get the Taliban and the Afghan government to sign a peace agreement so both can chalk out a way to govern the country.

India's external Affairs Minister S Jaishankar attended the peace talks virtually and said that India was committed to a country that is “Afghan-led, Afghan-owned and Afghan-controlled.”

In fact the Taliban is talking to the Kabul government allows India to overcome some of its own inhibitions, and to open a formal conversation with the Taliban. But there is a widespread public desire for peace in Afghanistan, and so India cannot afford to remain aloof as far as the Taliban goes in Afghanistan in the coming months. Afghanistan is very important for India in terms of India’s regional aspirations. It's also important in a security sense because there's always been anxiety in Delhi about a Pakistan-friendly government or entity rising to power in Kabul. Now that American troops will most likely leave, there is likely going to be a shift in India’s policy.

India is definitely concerned about the American withdrawal.

In fact, India's strategy for a long time has been to make sure that the withdrawal is stalled for as long as it can possibly be.

The only point to dwell is whether US and the western powers can afford to and will hurriedly vacate Afghanistan and face the consequences.

Don’t spend time beating on a wall, hoping to transform it into a door.

— Coco Chanel

Alpesh Patel

Woke Up Britain The Daily Mail defending an immigrant - what's going on?

"First Indian female president of Oxford University students' union QUITS amid backlash after she made 'pun' about the Holocaust, posted picture of her in Malaysia with words 'Ching Chang' and said trans women are not women" When I got a WhatsApp - I was somewhat bemused one person could simultaneously attack so many groups. Why? Were they drunk?

Apparently, 'Ching Chang' means 'Eat the Plants' but is offensive to Chinese people. Now, I've heard many insults against every ethnic group, including my own and the Chinese. I've missed this one. But, that doesn't mean it's not an insult. I'd put it in the stupid playground category, like if someone called my brownie, but not as bad as Paki. Maybe I'm wrong. I don't think it's the 'n' word and if it were that would be a sacking offense. I'm just trying to understand how the puzzle fits. She mentioned 'transwomen' and that I am told is offensive to transwomen because it should be 'women' - I didn't know that. The biggest offensive potentially was she wrote in a photo outside a Holocaust memorial 'The memorial *CASTS* a *HOLLOW* dream of the past atrocities and deeds'.

It's a pun on Holocaust. That would be a stupid pun, pointless, inappropriate, and appears to trivialise the Holocaust. Stupidity would be a reason to be reprimanded. I am trying to see if it's anti-semitic, a hatred for Jewish people. I think it's someone trying to be cleverer than they are and showing a lack of intelligence on many levels.

And let me be clear, as I have said to my Jewish friends who read this paper, I will always be your friend.

Imagine, someone wrote about the massacre of Hindus and was President of a student body. I would consider them stupid, I would expect an apology.

Would I consider demanding their resignation? For stupidity? No. For prolongued constant hatred against Hindus, Jews, or any group - yes. Hell, yes.

But I can't seem to find that. I have found comments online that she is Hindu and hatred directed at her for her religion.

As the Mail reported, "Free Speech Union, whose general secretary Toby Young said it was 'disappointed' to see Ms Samant resign from her post and said her apology 'should have been enough'. " Being Oxford Union President usually meant future PM. Those days have long, long passed. The quality of debate from my time as a student some twenty years ago was yawn-inducing.

A recent exception was Tharoor on Empire which went viral.

The Mail continued, quoting the FSU, "'Publicly shaming young people and hounding them from the public square just because they've said something a bit daft on social media will deter all but the most boring to get involved in student politics. Whilst we must do all we can to clamp down on racism where it still exists, we must also not lose perspective and context should always be considered.

'Rashmi's comments were entirely inappropriate, there's no doubt about that, but she has since apologised. It is now our job to forgive her and move on.

'We need to get to a point where we can accept someone for the person they are today, without trudging through their social media history from years ago in order to find evidence to discredit them.

'The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

Cancel culture is unforgive and unhelpful; it's a misguided approach at social justice.

'We'd do far better to remember the British value - the Christian value - of forgiveness.'

And to the anti-Hindu comments, I've seen - to those writers - you should be the ones resigning from the human race.

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Councillors encourage vaccine uptake in Birmingham Councillors from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds across Birmingham have come together to publish a video promoting the covid-19 vaccine uptake within BAME communities.

Over 12 million people in the UK have now had one dose of the vaccine but there have been concerns that those from within BAME communities were less likely to accept a vaccine when offered. Barriers to vaccine uptake include perception of risk, low confidence in the vaccine, distrust, access barriers, inconvenience, socio-demographic context and lack of endorsement, lack of vaccine offer, or lack of communication from trusted providers.

Councillor Mohammed Azim, Lord Mayor of Birmingham, said, “To protect family, friends and the community from coronavirus, it is essential to take a vaccine when offered by the NHS. “We understand there is a real reluctance for some to take the vaccine which is a brought

Councillor Mohammed Azim

on by a series of myths and misinformation spread online and through various social media sites. Please do not believe this misinformation. The vaccine is perfectly safe. My wife has had both vaccines. I have had my first vaccine and am looking forward to having the second one soon.”

Councillor Paulette Hamilton, Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care, “Vaccination is our way out of this pandemic, it is great to see so many Councillors from all ethnic minority groups, and all political parties come together to encourage the uptake of the vaccine within our local communities.

Sadiq Khan

“The impact that positive messaging has from trusted sources cannot be underestimated within the community who relies on our support.

“People from ethnic minority backgrounds have been disproportionately affected by Covid-19, so anything we can do to stop the spread within our local communities is vital. I would encourage you all to take the vaccine when invited to do so.”

London Mayor urges others to get vaccinated as he receives his first dose.

In the meantime Mayor of London, has also urged Londoners to get vaccinated

against Covid-19 as he received his first dose at a vaccine centre based in Mitcham Lane Baptist Church.

Sadiq Khan said, "I’m relieved and very grateful to have received the first dose of my Covid-19 vaccine. I was asked by my GP to take the vaccine as I have severe asthma, and I urge everyone who is offered it to take it as soon as possible.

“These vaccines are a testament to the hard work of scientists around the world and we owe them, and the NHS staff and volunteers who are helping to deliver the jabs, a great deal of thanks. The widespread rollout of these vaccines will protect us from serious illness, will help us all to get back to the things we have missed and let us see the people we love.

“It’s fantastic that more than 1.5m Londoners have already received their first dose and I again urge all Londoners to have the vaccine as soon as you are offered it. It is safe and it will save lives.”

Shortage of blood donors from BAME backgrounds On Monday 22nd February, a new blood donor centre opened at London’s Westfield Shepherd’s Bush Shopping Centre and first-time and regular blood donors are being urged to make appointments at the new premises which contains six beds on the first floor between M&S and The Village. The centre will book around 170 appointments per day.

NHSBT Regional Donor Marketing Operations Manager Daniel Clarke said, “We already have a good number of loyal donors in the city, but we know there is the potential for more.

Westfield is the largest urban shopping centre in Europe and by placing our new Shepherd’s Bush Donor Centre in it we hope to collect even more lifesaving donations in London.”

There is an urgent shortage of donors from Black, Asian and

Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds, whose blood is particularly needed for conditions requiring long term transfusion programmes, such as Sickle Cell Disease and Thalassemia.

Patients with these conditions need blood as matched as possible, and the best way to get this match is blood of a similar ethnic background. Blood donations have become extremely important during the coronavirus pandemic and during lockdown, donating blood is permitted as essential travel for a medical need, and extra safety measures have been put in place.

Daniel said, “Safety at collection centres is our number one priority. We’re spacing donors out and doing extra cleaning.

Our staff are wearing masks and we're triaging everyone, which includes a temperature check so only people with no risk factors

challenges include regular hospital admissions, chronic pain and three eye surgeries because of the disease.

Mary said, “I Inside the new Blood Donor Centre at have been undergoWestfield Shepherd’s Bush Shopping Centre ing blood exchange for the past five can enter the donation area. We years. It relieves major Sickle are also asking donors to wear Cell crises and helps me to maintheir own face coverings to protain my normal life. As an examtect other donors and our staff.” ple, recently I became unable to The new centre needs to colwalk, and at that point I knew lect over 19,400 donations each that I needed blood exchange year to meet hospital demand. soon. I had the treatment, and it Each donor has the potential to gave me back my mobility.” save or improve up to three lives We need people from all with every donation. communities to give blood to NHSBT Events and make sure the right blood is Outreach Ambassador and postavailable for everyone. At pregraduate student Mary sent we have around 43,000 Adeturinmo has Sickle Cell donors from a BAME backDisease and receives up to 10 ground – just under 6 per cent of units of blood a month to manall active donors. age her condition. Her health

in brief in brief JLR EXPECTED TO SLASH 2,000 JOBS Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has announced plans to cut about 2,000 jobs from its workforce over the next year.

The company has said it had started a full review as it Keir Starmer prepares to become a "more agile organisation".

The announcement appears after the car maker confirmed that it planned to be allelectric by 2025 and that it will keep all three of its UK plants open. The losses, from its worldwide workforce, will not affect manufacturing staff. JLR has its headquarters in Coventry and plants in Castle Bromwich, Solihull, and Halewood near Merseyside.

But Labour leader Keir Starmer is keen to protect jobs at JLR as he backed plans to build a massive car battery "gigafactory" at Coventry Airport. He said, "We need a government that understands and wants to allow manufacturing to succeed. My dad was a toolmaker, I grew up in manufacturing and I care about manufacturing.

"You've got to believe in manufacturing when you are making decisions about JLR and the region, and I believe in manufacturing because it's in my blood."

IN DENIAL OF MURDER, YOUNG PEOPLE TO STAND TRIAL Three young people have denied the murder of a man who was stabbed in a park.

The two boys and girl appeared at Birmingham Crown Court where they entered not guilty pleas over the death Sohail Ali of 29-year-old Sohail Ali. Mr Ali was found injured in Summerfield Park, Birmingham, in December last year and later died in hospital. The defendants, all aged 17, who cannot be named due to their age, are set to stand trial at the same court on 19 July. One of the three accused entered a guilty plea to a charge of possessing an offensive weapon in a public place.

Compensation for those living with long Covid

GOVERNMENT’S FIRST MINISTERIAL BASE OUTSIDE OF LONDON IN WOLVERHAMPTON

Thousands of frontline health and care workers, as well as key workers, have developed long Covid while responding to the coronavirus pandemic.

With many not being able to return to work because of the debilitating effects of long Covid, March For Change is now running a petition urging the government to recognise that long Covid is an occupational disease. The petition has already garnered over 15,000 signatures and has now received support of Dr. Chaand Nagpaul.

Backing March for Change's calls for a long-Covid compensation scheme for frontline workers, Dr Chaand Nagpaul, BMA Council chair, said, “After being exposed to increased risk working on the frontline during the Covid-19 pandemic, there are now healthcare workers across the country living with the long-

The government is expected to create a second housing department headquarters in Wolverhampton - its first ministerial base outside London.

Communities secretary Robert Jenrick MP believes it will create at least 500 jobs in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government department by 2025.

According to him the move was "backing our great smaller cities, some of which have been neglected for too long".

The location of the department will be announced later this year. Recruitment is already under way, with 40 roles already moved to the region in the past 12 months.

Robert Jenrick MP said, "With a dual headquarters in Wolverhampton my department will not only change where we work but how we work, signalling the end of the 'Whitehall knows best' approach.

"In choosing the city of Wolverhampton we are also backing our great smaller cities, some of which have been neglected for too long. We want to raise their stature, encourage civic pride and commercial success."

term, debilitating are now living with impacts of having the devastating aftercaught the virus. We effects of Covid-19.”

March for Change is have heard harrowurging the governing stories from docment for the followtors suffering with ing: long Covid, who are often unable to 1. The UK governwork, threatening ment should launch a Dr. Chaand Nagpaul their financial stabilnational registry to ity and affecting their lives at count and publish the number of home. people living with long Covid in the UK. The UK government “The dedication and selflessness shown by healthcare workshould release the figure of peoers over the last year, and the ple living with long Covid in the debt of gratitude owed to them, same way as is done with positive cannot be underestimated. While cases, hospital admissions and the Government and employers deaths due to Covid-19. Long must increase efforts to protect Covid patient registers must be staff now and stop them conestablished based on universal tracting Covid-19 in the first case definitions that ensure no place, for some it is already too widening of inequalities based on late. So it is only right that minisvariation in clinical practice. ters urgently provide a compen2. The UK government sation scheme to support healthshould recognise long Covid as care staff and their families who an occupational disease and set

up a long Covid compensation scheme for frontline, health and social care, and key workers. This scheme should go beyond existing sick pay schemes and should be specific to those living with long Covid. Such a scheme should be comparable to the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) and should recognise the relapsing nature of long Covid.

3. The UK government’s vaccination roll-out programme should take long Covid into account. It should consider the risk of developing long Covid in groups that are not classed as clinically vulnerable.

4. The UK government should rapidly increase research funding for the study of the longterm effects of Covid-19 on people’s health, extending to include those who were not hospitalised or tested.

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BACK TO ‘WAR’ WITHOUT A VACCINE Continued from page 1 NEU calls PMs approach counterproductive As part of the government’s back to school strategy, millions of students are expected to test themselves twice a week at home, under the supervision of their parents, in a bid to catch asymptomatic cases before they can spread the disease to others at school. But some school leaders are “entirely unconvinced” that lateral flow tests are accurate enough to pick up positive

Dal Dhaliwal

Sarada Sarkar

all pupils on Monday 8 March in England. This would seem a reckless course of action. It could trigger another spike in

John Lyons School

cases among asymptomatic young people, who typically have lower viral loads than adults. And nine teaching unions, including the National Education Union has called for a gradual, phased return of children to school in England, warning that if sufficient time isn’t given to assess the impact of opening schools on transmission rates, it could trigger another spike in Covid infections.

In a joint statement, the NEU noted, “We are committed to bringing all children and young people back into the classroom as soon as possible.

However, it is counterproductive if there is a danger of causing another surge in the virus, and the potential for a further period of lockdown. Wider opening must be safe and sustainable. We therefore urge the Prime Minister to commit to 8 March only if the scientific evidence is absolutely clear that this is safe, and at that point go no further than a phased return of children and young people with sufficient time to assess the impact before moving to the next phase.

“We are increasingly concerned that the government is minded to order a full return of

Covid infections, prolong the disruption of education, and risk throwing away the hard-won progress made in suppressing the virus over the course of the latest lockdown.

“The science around the role that schools play in the overall rate of transmission is uncertain.

Scientists have expressed different views on this point. What we do know is that the full reopening of schools will bring nearly 10 million pupils and staff into circulation in England – close to one fifth of the population. This is not a small easing of lockdown restrictions. It is a massive step.”

Parents United lead #FreshAirSchools campaign But it is not just the school teachers who are concerned about a potential spike in infection rates. Parents United has created an open letter to all Education Ministry Heads in the UK as part of their #FreshAirSchools campaign.

The letter has called for a sensible, safe and sustainable approach to the full reopening of schools which must include mitigation against airborne transmission, and a tiered system of mitigations matched to local risk levels. They have highlighted that a previous full reopening of schools in September had con-

tributed significantly to the current wave. According to them government data indicates that, when schools were fully open, school-aged children were twice as likely as the general population to be the index case within a household, with secondary school-aged students being 7 times more likely to be the index case.

In their open letter, they note, “Families with clinical vulnerabilities could not reasonably have been expected to send their child to school, yet were refused home learning support, including once systems to provide such support to self-isolating students were in place. A considerable number of families who provided medical evidence to support their case for keeping their child at home had that evidence refused, and were subjected to coercive attempts to force attendance – fines, threats of prosecution and attempts to remove the child from the school-roll. Not only has this approach caused families undue stress at an extremely difficult time, it has destroyed relationships with schools which once played a pivotal role in these families lives.

“This is particularly the case given the emergence of the more transmissible B.1.1.7 variant, and other variants which may yet prove to be vaccine resistant. Of additional concern is the Office for National Statistics finding that 13-15% of children continue to experience symptoms 5 weeks after receiving a positive Covid19 test, especially given current lack of support or treatment for children living with debilitating Long Covid symptoms.”

Worried mother annoyed with the government forgetting the teaching staff Dal Dhaliwal is a wellness and business coach. Annoyed with the government’s failure in vaccinating the teaching staff, she said, “I personally feel like that the teaching staff or anyone who is associated with schools

haven’t been taken into consideration. They should have been prioritised for the vaccine and I have been worried about my daughter who teaches at a primary school in London. She hasn’t taken any time off during the entire lockdown period as she continued to look after the children of the keyworkers.

“I am anxious about her safety because she is susceptible to the virus considering her weight and she although, she has tested negative for the coronavirus each time, there is no guarantee to anything. I am annoyed and extremely disappointed but the government has completely forgotten about the teaching staff.”

Professor Chris Whitty, the chief medical officer for England, is reportedly “very unhappy” with the idea of all 10 million children and staff returning to school on 8 March.

Documents by Sage, the government’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies, has only recently warned that the opening of primary and secondary schools could increase R by up to 50%. But, now that the government has announced these measures, schools are ensuring that all the health and safety guidelines in alignment with Covid-19 are implemented.

Schools prepare to unlock Speaking about the measures in place, a spokesperson of the John Lyons School in Harrow said, “Everyone at John Lyon is excited at the prospect of returning to the School site.

Whilst our online lessons and extra-curricular activities have proved popular and successful, a return to face-to-face teaching is what all pupils, parents and teachers really want.

“Just as when we returned after the previous lockdown, a lot of work has gone in to making sure the School can operate as normally as possible whilst putting the health and safety of our pupils and staff at the forefront of everything we do.

We will be working through all the government guidance and applying this rigorously, so that pupils can be back in School from 8th March. This will involve the implementation of rapid testing, sanitation stations, oneway routes, year group bubbles, signage and other safety measures within the school to help enable us to go about our everyday work.”

in brief NORTHAMPTON SIKH FOOD BANK HELPS THE COMMUNITY A volunteer for a pop-up food bank run by a Sikh community is reportedly helping a "growing number" of people struggling in their town. BBC has spoken to Raj Bassan who helps run a monthly service from the Gurdwara Sahib in Northampton, which was set up when the town’s night shelter shut due to the Covid pandemic. According to the broadcaster, last year about 30 people attended each month, but it has since risen to 80. The Gurdwara Sahib, on Cromwell Street, was able to set up the food bank after receiving £10,000 from a coronavirus fund created by TV broadcaster and finance expert Martin Lewis. It started in July and has since helped hundreds of people with food, toiletries and cleaning products. The money has also gone towards providing a local primary school with parcels for vulnerable families, and producing meals for the homeless every Tuesday.

In his statement to the BBC, he said, “It feels sad to see the growing number of people in this situation. We are humbly grateful to see the response, smiles and gratitude of the people we help. Some of the stories are so heartwarming. People have come out of depression and found a job and will send us a note to tell us 'we don't need the food anymore and are so grateful you helped us.

"We don't look at paperwork, or their status we just want to help regardless. At Christmas we went a step further and gave chocolates and presents for children.”

OXFORD STUDENT UNION’S FIRST-EVER INDIAN PRESIDENTELECT RESIGNS Karnataka-girl Rashmi Samant who became the first ever Indian woman to be elected President of the Oxford Student Union (SU) at Oxford University, has quit from her post just days after, due to controversy surrounding some of her past remarks and references on social media, which were branded as “racist” and “insensitive”.

The 22-year-old was also criticised for a campaign post caption that separated women and trans women, which led to the Oxford LGBTQ+ campaign demanding her resignation.

In an open letter published in the student newspaper ‘Cherwell’ Rashmi apologised for hurting and losing trust of the student community that voted for her and asked for a second chance. However, the row continued to escalate, and she soon stepped down.

In a statement Rashmi later said, “In light of the recent events surrounding my election to the Presidency of the Oxford SU, I believe it is best for me to step down from the role. It has been an honour to be your President-elect.”

Union for Civil Servants wants High Court to intervene in bullying case The First Division Association (FDA), a union for senior civil servants wants the High Court to overturn prime minister Boris Johnson’s decision to exonerate home secretary Priti Patel amid allegations of bullying that were previously within her department.

In a written submission, FDA general secretary Dave Penman told the High Court that “civil servants should expect to work with minis-

ters without fear of being bullied or harassed” and that Johnson’s actions had “fundamentally undermined” the disciplinary proce.

Permanent Secretary Sir Philip Rutnam had resigned last year as the senior-most civil servant in the Home Office blame after blaming Patel. He is separately pursuing a claim against the department through the employment tribunal.

Meanwhile, a Cabinet Office probe into whether

Patel had breached the ministerial code concluded last year with the finding that

she was in breach, albeit “unintentionally”. While ministers are expected to resign if they are found in breach of the code, it ultimately rests with the prime minister on whether to take any action on an independent Ministerial Code adviser’s findings.

Boris Johnson, had declared previously that he had “full confidence” in Priti Patel even as Sir Alex Allan, the independent adviser on the Ministerial Code, ten-

dered his resignation following that decision.

“I recognise that it is for the prime minister to make a judgement on whether actions by a minister amount to a breach of the Ministerial Code. But I feel that it is right that I should now resign from my position as the prime minister’s independent adviser on the Code,” read Allan’s statement at the time.

Now, the FDA union has decided to take the issue

further by seeking a judicial review of the UK prime minister’s decision. According to BBC News, the FDA claims that if the UK PM’s decision was not “corrected” by the court, “his interpretation of the Ministerial Code will result in that document failing to protect workplace standards across government”. Priti Patel has rejected all allegations against her, while her supporters claimed she had been the victim of a smear campaign.

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Chancellor to unveil new fastLord Bilimoria track tech visas appointed as Visiting Fellow at the University of Oxford Lord Karan Bilimoria, President of College in 2017. The Bynum Tudor The CBI (Confederation of British Fellowship is the highest honour Industry), has been appointed as a the College can bestow, according Visiting Fellow at the University of to Kellogg College. He delivered Oxford, based at its Oxford his Bynum Tudor Lecture on University Centre for Corporate ‘Building a global beer brand from Reputation. scratch: Boldness in business’ in The Oxford University Centre for Corporate Reputation is a research centre located Oxford within University’s Saïd Business School. It aims to understand how the reputations of organisations are created, sus- Lord Karan Bilimoria tained, enhanced, destroyed and rehabili2018. The latest appointment to tated. the Bynum Tudor Fellowship is Rupert Younger, Director of His Royal Highness Prince the Oxford University Centre for Charles, The Prince of Wales.

Corporate Reputation said, “Lord Lord Bilimoria said, “I am honBilimoria’s leadership of the CBI, oured and privileged to be together with his expertise as a appointed a Visiting Fellow at the successful entrepreneur, will be a University of Oxford. The work hugely valuable resource and we that the Oxford University Centre look forward to welcoming him to for Corporate Reputation does the School in person when we are around purpose and the value of able to do so.” social approval assets in business Lord Bilimoria has strong prior has global impact. I look forward connections with the University of to contributing to and champiOxford, having been appointed as oning this work as best as I can.” a Bynum Tudor Fellow of Kellogg

Rishi Sunak is reportedly likely to unveil a new UK visa scheme to help London’s fintech firms attract more global talent in the wake of Brexit.

The new visa fast track scheme will give priority access to professionals in the tech industry to live and work in the UK as a part of the country’s new post-Brexit immigration system.

The Sunday Telegraph reported that Sunak is keen to ensure that the UK’s £7bn fintech sector maintains its global standing in years to come in his 3 March

Budget. London is one of the globe’s largest fintech capitals, with major firms such as Revolut, Monzo and Cazoo headquartered in the capital.

The three firms, along with five others in the UK, have gained so-called “Unicorn” status meaning they are worth more than £1bn.

Whitehall sources told the Telegraph that Sunak’s visa scheme will be welcomed by the UK’s tech lobby Tech Nation and that Boris Johnson backs the plan.

The plan is said to be a recommendation from ex-Worldplay

chief executive Ron Kalifa in his independent review on how to boost the fintech sector postBrexit.

UK ordered to compensate trafficked victims The UK is ordered to pay £78,590 pounds in compensation to two Vietnamese men who were convicted of drug crimes despite signs they had been trafficked as children and forced to work on cannabis farms, Europe's top rights court has ruled.

According to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) the UK had failed to protect potential victims of child trafficking in a case dating back to 2009, and breached two articles relating to the prohibition of forced labour and the right to a fair trial. The British government has three months to decide

Parosha Chandran

whether to appeal the ruling at the ECHR's grand chamber.

"It's actually a game changer on the rights of all victims of trafficking to protection. This judgment will count for many victims today, tomorrow and in many years to come," said Parosha Chandran, a barrister who represented one of the two applicants in the case, in a statement to The Reuters. In its ruling, the Strasbourg-based court outlined how the two Vietnamese applicants - referred to as V.C.L. and A.N. - were discovered working on cannabis farms in Britain in 2009, and charged with drugs offences to which they pleaded guilty.

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Sikhs encouraged not to identify themselves as “Indian” Some Sikh organisations, charity networks and Gurudwaras are encouraging that British Sikhs should not identify themselves as “Indian” while answering the ethnicity question in the upcoming Census 2021.

Run by the Office for National Statistics, the census is a once-in-adecade survey that gives the most accurate estimate of all the people and households in England and Wales. It has been carried out every decade since 1801, with the exception of 1941.

But this year there are increasing concerns that an accurate estimate of the Indian diaspora residing in the UK will not be provided by the Census if Sikhs choose the “other ethnic group” category instead of selecting Indian.

In their tweet, the Network of Sikh Organisations, explained, “The Census 2021 will occur on 21st March. We have made some recommendations for the British Sikh community on some of the Census questions - in relation to religion, ethnicity & language. It is of course up to the individual to fill in as they best see fit.”

The Sikh Federation (UK), is also recommending that Sikhs avoid the “Asian or Asian British” category and instead pick the “other ethnic group” category and within that option declare themselves as Sikhs.

The Sikh Federation UK, tweeted, “Be proud of your Sikh Quami identity.

Key slides from introductory meeting for representatives of Gurdwaras, Sikh

ONS is working across the country, with local groups and organisations, to raise awareness of the census and promote the different response options available”.

Census 2021 will be the first to run mostly Tweet by Network of Sikh Organisations be online, with houseorganisations & Sikh activists to Zoom meeting to share action plan of activities over next four weeks, address questions & listen to suggestions/proposals. #makesikhscount.

In a statement to Asian Voice, a Tweet by Sikh Federation spokesperson for the ONS said, “Noone will be missed out in the digital holds receiving a letter with a unique first 2021 census. The census questionaccess code in March, allowing them to naire has been designed to allow everycomplete the questionnaire on their one – of any ethnicity – to identify as computers, phones or tablets. they wish.

Paper questionnaires will also be “As in 2011, there will be a Sikh reliavailable on request, along with langion tick box and everyone who wishes guage support. Local census support to identify as Sikh in response to the centres will also be on hand for those ethnicity question will be able to do so who aren’t confident online, who don’t using search-as-you-type online and have a computer or need help completthrough a write-in option on paper. ing the paper form.

International Mother Language Day Shefali Saxena Matribhasha Diwas is observed every year on February 21 to promote linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism around the world and is recognised as International Mother Language Day worldwide by UNESCO. The day is a tribute to all language martyrs in Dhaka, Bangladesh. This year, the Digital Museum held a series of webinars with communities of various ethnic groups on February 21 to mark the day. The discussions reminisced how on February 21, 1952, police opened fire on peaceful protestors at student rallies in Dhaka for demanding Bangla should also be recognised as a national language of Pakistan along with Urdu. Five died and hundreds were injured that day. 21 February is therefore commemorated each year by Bangladeshis in recognition of the sacrifices people made for their mother tongue. The sessions were moderated

by Jibunnessa Abdullah, Founder & Director Digital Museum.

Suranjan Som, Vice President, Bengal Heritage Foundation and London Sharad Utsav told Asian Voice that the Bengal Heritage Foundation has tried to act as a living bridge between Bengal and the rest of the world, particularly the UK, by co-ordinating diaspora-based initiatives across arts, culture, education, heritage and trade. He said, “Bangla is at the heart of our heritage and our roots, It defines our legacy. As an organisation and as individuals, we have strived to keep Bangla relevant not just to the wider community, but most importantly to our future generations.

Majority of our events from Fagun Fest (celebrating folk art, music and food of Bengal) to the official celebration of Rabindra Jayanti at the Nehru Centre in London to celebrating 100 years of Satyajit Ray to organising the largest Durga Puja in Europe, we are doing

every bit we can keep our mother tongue living and relevant in our hearts and minds.”

Essex Indians (EI) registered Dr Vinod Kapashi OBE charity held a webinar to mark the day. The Chief guests were Hon’ble Mayor of Chelmsford Jude Deakin and Hon’ble Mayor of Basildon David BurtonSampson. The distinguished honoured guests were Prof Antonella Sorace who is an expert on Bilingualism and Multilingualism and Prof Bashabi Fraser honoured with CBE in 2021.

The webinar was presented by Dr Arpita Ray, Trustee and Cultural Secretary reciting ‘ Aamar bhasha’ written by her schoolmate Sweta Bhattacharya and Dr Fraser describing the evolution of Bhasa Dibosh in Scotland. Dr Anirban Mandal, Trustee and General Secretary of EI sang the concluding song ‘ Ekushe February’ -

the landmark song of Bhasa Dibosh.

Dr Vinod Kapashi OBE shared his two cents with the newsweekly on Suranjan Som the importance of Gujarati language. Dr Kapashi said, “If anyone asks me why I like Gujarati language so much, my simple answer would be ‘Of course I like… It is the language of my mother, my state, my roots, my culture and above all my entire existence’. I feel at home when I speak to someone in Gujarati. We were taught in our childhood that if you want to preserve your culture and if you want to maintain an affectionate bond with your own root, your mother language is the most important tool. It is said that if you want to understand a foreign culture and foreign language, it will be easier to do so with the help of your own language. Mother language is a MOTHER,” Dr Kapashi added.

Hindus angered with Rihanna’s “disrespectful” Ganesha pendant Hollywood singer Rihanna has once again angered the Hindu community with a “disrespectful” picture in which she wears a diamondstudded pendant featuring the Hindu god Ganesha.

Commenters on her Instagram account have called the wearing of the likeness of the god around her neck cultural appropriation.

Tweeting about the picture, a London student tweeted, “Okay but are we not going to talk about Rihanna wearing a Ganesh pendant in her picture that she posted today? Hindu appropriation is not an AESTHETIC!!!

Another student in London tweeted, “Wearing a Ganesh pendant whilst half naked with absolutely no knowledge of the cultural symbolism it carries, is disrespectful.

I expected better from Rihanna, my religion is not your damn aesthetic.”

In October 2020, the businesswoman issued an apology to the Muslim community for using a song featuring sacred Islamic texts in her Savage x Fenty lingerie show. Some showed their ire on Instagram as well.

Consistency is the key to success Rohit Vadhwana How consistent are you in your actions?

Consistency and perseverance will decide the amount, range and timeline of success for you.

It's true that hard work is the most important component in achieving success in any of our endeavours. But that has to be consistently maintained.

Even a small amount of work, regularly, can lead to unimaginably glorious success. The biggest tunnels are dug with a small chisel and hammer, stroke by stroke, rock by rock. Similarly, the biggest edifices are built with bricks, one over the other. The distance of thousands of miles is covered step by step, taken consistently, in the right direction. Therefore, it is important that step by step, consistent measures are taken in the direction of our goal.

How can we make sure that we are consistent? That is the most important question. Let's follow the five steps to maintain consistency in our actions to achieve success: 1. Decide an action: To reach a target, decide what action is required to be taken at your end. It is as easy as it sounds. If you want to reduce weight, decide whether it is by following a diet or by doing some exercise or both. If you wish to learn graphic designing, decide how will you do it - by joining a course or reading a book or by watching YouTube videos? It is very important to make a clear decision about the course of action you will choose to achieve your goal.

Changing actions frequently will lead you nowhere.

Consistency in action is important.

2. Decide the amount of action: Once you have decided what action you will take to achieve the goal, decide how much action will be required for success. In other words, if you are following a diet plan, how long will you follow it? How many days a week will you do the dieting or exercise. If you are joining a course, how many lessons will you need to learn? If you are reading a book, how many chapters does it have?

Decide this based on the availability of time that you will devote. Don't be over-ambitious - a course of three months cannot be completed in two weeks.

Therefore, the amount of action should be decided in a way that you can pursue without much burden. If you have limited time, then divide the total action required by the availability of time. You will have no other choice but to take that much action. This is true for students who are going to write an exam.

3. Decide a routine for action: Once you have decided what type of action will you take for achieving the goal and how much action will be required on your part, make a routine to follow. If you are going to the gym in the morning, follow it. If you are going to take some action every alternate day, maintain that schedule. Having a committed time for the routine activity will make sure that you don't miss any action. It is noted that maintaining a disciplined routine maximises the chances of success. On the contrary, random work and actions do not produce a satisfactory result.

4. Decide milestones to measure: If the path is long, milestones give us an assessment of the distance covered. Break your goal into smaller milestones to make it easier to achieve. If the target is to reduce ten kg, keep measuring weight regularly and each kilogram will give a sense of achievement. Without such milestones in mind, the journey becomes difficult. Don't keep such milestones unidimensional but make them at least two dimensional, i.e. rather than just keeping a stage in mind, keep a timeline attached to it. So, reducing each kilogram of weight in a certain number of days should be the milestone. So, you don't miss the final timeline for achieving success.

5. Decide rewards and nudges: Giving yourself rewards for achieving each milestone towards success or giving a mild or strong nudge is important to maintain the schedule and commitment. If you are doing good, at every part of the success, reward yourself, pamper your ego and boost your confidence. In case you fail, a little bit of nudge, a milder punishment or if required, self-admonishment should not be avoided.

Don't shy away from accepting failure during the course of action. It will give you a chance for course correction and avoid bigger failure.

These five steps will make sure you maintain consistency in actions which will resultantly lead to glorious success. Finally, I would quote E James Rohn, “Success is neither magical nor mysterious. Success is the natural consequence of consistently applying basic fundamentals.”

(Expressed opinions are personal.)

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SEVA Trust UK launches ‘Adopt a Student’ project to help Indian students SEVA Trust UK has launched ‘Adopt a Student’ project connecting Indian (international) students with local families from similar cultural background in effort to help those who suffered after losing their financial ability to support themselves.

Hema Chauhan, a volunteer at the SEVA Trust UK spoke at a meeting arranged over zoom on Sunday. She said, “We decided to come up with the project called ‘Adopt a Student’.

The main challenge Indian students have faced is losing their part-time job, which takes care of their food and sometimes rent.

Also, we are in isolation, so they can’t meet anyone. That has affected their mental health.

“First, we will be screening the applicants to assess if they genuinely need this help. After that we will contact families who are interested to adopt the students. We will group them on the basis of cultural background trying to link the students specifically to those families who speak the same language and share the same regional and cultural roots.

“Next we will request the adopting family to provide one or two fresh hot meals every week as well as basic essentials (groceries etc) once or twice a week. If the family can’t do so, they can give £15 directly to the student for weekly

expenses or donate to the SEVA Trust UK.” Britzer Paul a PhD student who is also a part of the SEVA Trust UK volunteer team said, “Students have lost their part-time jobs due to the pandemic. Their rent and food depend on that cash-flow. Students in Bedford, Luton, Milton Keynes, Hatfield and Cranfield are usually taken care of by local community but there is often meat or food items certain students don’t eat.

We made a list of food for Indian students so that people know what to give.”

Cllr Charan Sekhon from the charity emphasised that the mental health well-being of these students is important. “If we can connect them to a local family, they could be guardians. We are working on it with Universities and the Indian High Commission. This will run parallel to University grants and Government packages.”

SEVA Trust UK over last 11 months has fed more than 650 Indian students through community and member support.

Why trade with India is a top priority for the UK Lord Dolar Popat International Trade Secretary, Liz Truss touched down in Delhi to continue her winning spree of negotiating post Brexit trade deals demonstrating that we are a truly global Britain open for business.

Meeting her opposite number - India’s commerce and industry minister, Piyush Goyal - Liz has set the stage for what we hope will be a future free trade deal and the slashing of more barriers to trade. The deal is symbolic in rebooting the UK-India relationship to strengthen diplomatic and trade links with the world’s largest and fastest growing democracy.

Liz’s visit marks the start of a closer and more strategic trading relationship with India founded on science, technology, and a fierce belief in free enterprise and democracy. The symbolism of Liz’s visit is exactly right: India is going to be a major ally for Britain - especially now that we are out of the European Union, and it is Britain’s SMEs that will drive both our international trade and domestic economy in the future. For Britain to truly rebalance its economy after Covid-19, we need to vastly increase the number of exporting opportunities particularly for SMEs, and to retarget their work towards the markets of the future.

Britain is tailor made to provide exactly the skills and services needed to support Prime Minister Modi’s ‘Made in India’ drive. Many of our strongest exports –education, energy, health, financial services, and professional services- exactly mirror the markets India is looking to develop. More trade with India means higher-quality jobs in both countries, where a growing middle class can give rise to an increase in demand for British products and expertise.

That’s why UK has agreed to the outline of an Enhanced Trade Partnership with India. This will lay the groundwork for a potential Free Trade Agreement that will take our trade and investment relationship to new heights. We hope this partnership will formally be launched during Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s visit to India later this year.

Join Altermans Solicitors as a Consultant Over the last three years, six of us have joined Altermans as consultants – to work in property, company commercial, litigation, private client and family law. All of us have been partners elsewhere, and know the pain of running a team, hitting chargeable targets and driving revenue.

However, each of us knew deep down that what we wanted to friendly and supportive environment.

We found it at Altermans in Finchley, North London. who is growing a business where lawyers can work on their own or build a small team that meets their work together, talk together and respect each other’s expertise.

We share fees, reward each other for referrals, and have regular gatherings to make sure we’re on track. rm where If this sounds like home, get in touch to arrange a chat and come and meet us.

There’s no management-speak; just lawyers working together.

You can contact Gabriel directly at gabriel@altermans.co.uk or by phone on 07794 085 617. Our website is at www.altermans.co.uk for more details of the

India and the UK are natural partners. We’re both democracies and market economies. Forging deeper ties with like-minded, fast-growing economies is exactly why we left the EU. Given our shared history, language and culture this is yet another incentive to tap into an industry where we have experience and strong ties to the 1.7 million strong British Indian diasporas to secure further trade for Britain.

The UK and India are life sciences and technology powerhouses. India has the third most tech startups in the world, while the UK has the third most tech unicorns. Our technologically advanced nations will take cutting-edge industries to the next level by going further and faster to push new boundaries of innovation Our nations are already supporting each other through Covid by keeping vital supply chains open to protect our people from protectionism and collaborating on vaccine research. India is ‘the pharmacy of the world’, providing half the world’s vaccines and a quarter of the NHS’ unbranded drugs. The Serum Institute’s work with Oxford University, making the UK-developed AstraZeneca vaccine in India, shows the best of our relationship as we help save lives in our nations and beyond, which is enabling our countries to act as a global force for good during these challenging times.

Our trade relationship is already worth £24 billion a year, supporting more than half a million jobs.

There are 842 Indian companies in the UK with a combined turnover of £41.2 billion, supporting jobs in every region and nation. But there is the potential for so much more. A deeper trading relationship will help us defend and advance our shared values of free enterprise and democracy, tackle climate change and promote greener trade worldwide.

Leaving the European Union has undoubtedly changed many things, but we mustn’t make the mistake of thinking that how we were doing things before was the best way. With her visit to India last week, Liz Truss is showing us what a better future could look like; we should all support her efforts.

10 READERS' VOICE

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Beginning of a new era in Hinduism With reference to article titled above in Asian Voice dated 6-12 February 2021 by Nitin and Kamu Palan, I do entirely agree that when evil takes over the earth, different avatars, in human form come to the earth to re-establish Dharma.

Man has progressed in education, science, engineering, and technology. Western developed countries have become more prosperous materially but at the same time they have created a society where ethics, morality and values are not respected.

Covid 19 has demonstrated how human race has polluted the earth. In the 21st century, Hindu values and its culture have played a major part in balancing human life with spirituality.

BAPS Swaminarayan Santha has established Hindu mandirs with the aim of spreading Hindu teachings all over the world. Today’s youths of BAPS are giving selfless service to the society.

Man has raised the standard of living whereas Hindu teaching is raising the standard of life.

Manoj Patel Hemel Hempstead

Road map to corona-free country The Prime Minister of the UK Mr. Boris Johnson announced on Monday- a road map of opening the UK’s schools, educational establishments on 8 March 2021, followed by some businesses in a phased manner with a very calculated and a cautious approach. Opening up the economy is a welcome sign because for last one year the life has become almost a standstill sluggish.

The most important challenge is to avoid a bounceback of the virus hence this is time to think of some solutions outside the box, in the sense to make sure that public contact is minimised without compromising on day-today life. I think it is time to give permission to drive escooters legally on the roads and the pavements. Some trials are going on, but the decisions should be taken quickly so students can start using the same and avoid public transport wherever possible and commute safely to attend the schools. Since the speed of electric scooter is nearly 15 to 20 kms an hour, chances of fatal accidents are remote.

Wherever exclusive cycle routes are not there, they should be legally allowed to drive on the pavements to avoid accidents and traffic jams on the roads. Having said that any reckless driving or without adequate safety equipment like helmets, lights and proper brakes should be punished. Escooter riders should be mindful of pedestrians especially elderly people and children for the safety of all pavement users.

Another measure could be to start schools at different times or keeping at least 1-hour gap among different year groups to avoid congestion on the roads and in the schools. Cafeterias and playground can be freely and safely enjoyed if there are fewer students at any one time.

Office goers who have been working from home for more than 6 months should be allowed to work from home for 2 to 3 days in a week to avoid crowded offices till the time we are officially a “corona-free” country.

Otherwise, all the hard work and sacrifices done by the NHS staff, scientists, business people and politicians will go in vain.

Hitesh Hingu London

Let’s fight the fight together

Dear Readers, As the days are getting longer and the weather shedding its aesthetic beauty everywhere. The sunrise paints the sky with pinks and the sunset with peaches.

Look down the window and nature at its best, spreading its positive vibes even during this pandemic.

Capture such beautiful moments and send it to us on support@abplgroup.com. The best entries every week will be published in both Gujarat Samachar and Asian Voice with your name. So what are you waiting for? Be part of this unique initiative by treasuring the hidden natural beauty around you.

Air Pollution: Silent Killer Problem with air pollution is world-wide. So, no one should be surprised that Britain has one of the highest pollution related death rate in the world. There are various reasons but the main one is that we are a small island nation with highest density population in Europe, just overtaking Netherland and only third in the world, behind Japan and Bangladesh, ignoring small nations like Singapore, Vatican, Monaco and their likes.

England is the most densely populated part of Britain, with cities like London, Birmingham, Liverpool and Manchester overflowing with humanity. As the car ownership here is one of the highest in the world, some two to three cars per family, indeed every adult family member has his or her own car, that invites pollution and car pollution is one of the worse pollutions, killer pollution affecting millions, especially children with under-developed lungs and elderly people.

No wonder we suffer from asthma and related lung diseases, one of the highest rates in Europe. Add to this our holier than though politicians for whom charity begins and ends overseas, ignoring the interest of our people, wasting billions in overseas aid while our NHS and transport suffer from under investment, resulting in unenviable infrastructure no better than developing countries. Yet we call ourselves the fifth biggest economy in the world, enjoying an enviable lifestyle! In reality our living standard would not be in top twenty nations!

Our cities are compact, people living few meters away from the busiest highways and motorways; thus, people breathing fume-filled air that is detrimental for the health of our younger generation. Even schools, nurseries and hospitals suffer from such insidious pollution unheard of in Western nations! So often children are not allowed to play in school playgrounds. Lorries and other vehicles thunder-by only few meters away from school playing fields.

It is time for our lustre politicians to care for our country, our people and our welfare, first and foremost before being Mother Terrassa to rest of the world!

Bhupendra M. Gandhi London

Farmers’ protests What an amazing 2 months for those who follow Indian politics. Out of nowhere in the UK US and Canada media, celebrities like Rihanna, Greta Thunberg and my "favorite" British Vouge (fashion beauty style) all suddenly became interested in a Farming bill passed by both Houses of the Indian Parliament, by a government elected in the world’s largest democracy. Why was this news a puzzle? Delhi Police answered the question when they uncovered a toolkit written by a separatists Sikh group, a group involved in bombing an Air India flight in 1985, one of the world's first Airline terror attack. They produced it to defame India in the eyes of the world. Out of the 100mn farmers less than 1% protested and with all Indian stories in the West when the whole truth emerges it won't be news anymore.

KHICHADI Follow me on Twitter: @kk_OEG Kapil’s

I am Spartacus Kapil Dudakia Spartacus is a 1960 historical film inspired by the life story of Spartacus, the leader of a slave revolt in antiquity, and the events of the Third Servile War. It stars with the legendary actor, Kirk Douglas in the title role.

At one point, a Roman general tells the slaves that unless they identify Spartacus, they will all be crucified. At this point Spartacus prepares to give himself up, but before he could do that, all those around him stood up to declare: “I am Spartacus!” In one moment in history, a band of men stood tall and united. They showed that ultimate demonstration of human solidarity and heroism by not allowing the tyrants their prize.

So what has all of this got to do with Kapil’s Khichadi I hear you say. Bear with me for there are several strands I wish to connect.

The people of Bharat Varsh had been enslaved for some 1400 years. First by the Islamic invaders and then more recently by the British (and Portuguese). When a people are enslaved for such a long period of time, their very core is corrupted, if not destroyed. Their confidence, in themselves, their heritage and their fellow Indians shattered. Such enslavement eats away at the very core of one’s identity, one’s faith, one’s culture and one’s language. It has been 70 years since ‘Independence’, and we still witness that enslaved mindset.

As PM Modi champions for Bharat Varsh, we see many in the media, the compromised politicians, the corrupt business owners, the NGOs with their sedition rich agenda, and many more who work round the clock to undermine India and Indians. PM Modi stands tall and declares, ‘I am Indian’ wherever he goes in the world. At that point, every Indian with an ounce of decency should also stand by him and declare, ‘I am Indian’. PM Modi has singlehandedly given huge pride and respect to Indians throughout the world. Yet not just in India, but across the globe there are still some who foster the mindset of a Sepoy.

We have seen the likes of Labour MP Tan Dhesi who willingly partners with the anti-India brigade to attack the land of his ancestors. The Gurus who sacrificed everything for Bharat Varsh would denounce such fake Sikhs. A Khalistani by definition is NOT a Sikh.

That brings me to the UK and Census 2021. Every ten years the census is conducted to better understand the fabric of our society. Everyone should take part of course, but what is just as important for Indians is to make sure they fill certain data in correctly. I am Indian, so my advice to all Indians, regardless of their faith (Sikhs, Hindus, Buddhist, Jains, Christians and Muslims alike) who have links to India, should answer Question number 14 as follows: Q 14: National Identity: Answer it as: British. Then tick the ‘other’ box and write Indian.

Q15c: What is your ethnic group? Answer: Indian We have an identity that is made up of multiple associations. I am British. I am Indian and I am a Hindu. And I am proud of ALL three. So why should we ever have to deny who or what we are?

An Indian will always be an Indian. Similar to a Scot, or the Irish or the Welsh. The same goes for those across the channel, no matter where you find a French or a German or an Italian or the Polish in the world, they remain and maintain their identity. So be proud, don’t be a slave. Stand tall and declare with certainty, I AM INDIAN.

In the hustle-bustle of adapting to the new normal, critiquing the government, expressing angst against irresponsible behaviour during a pandemic, seasons have changed, festivals have passed. millions of people have died, and millions have survived. What hasn’t quite changed (even the virus has mutated multiple times) is the long aching wait for the lockdown to end. News reports say that a new fourstep plan to ease England's lockdown could see all legal limits on social contact lifted by 21 June, if strict conditions are met.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said that his plan is going to be "cautious but irreversible" and at every stage decisions would be led by "data not dates". Well, we hope that his “data not dates” and “cautious but irreversible” approach helps us get through half of this year. We’ve lost count of the festivals we as a community have missed, the occasions, celebrations and the right to mourn. 2019 and 2020 now seem to be one long year combined into two.

We hope that the Asian community gets to celebrate Eid and Diwali in a Coronavirus free world this year, and the PM just doesn’t only make sure that the UK celebrates Christmas. Is it too early to think of Christmas? Let’s settle with the fact, we’re more than 15 months into the pandemic. The future is rushing in front of our eyes. Let’s fight the fight together.

International Women’s Day

Stunts on trains

God made man, then he had a better idea! Well, I don’t agree as a woman. It doesn’t make me less of a woman to admit that this quote is now centuries old. That’s not what appeases us as women.

We don’t want to be ahead or behind anyone. We want to sync our steps with all genders in the society and ask for a fair and equal chance. It’ll be less stressful for us women to be reminded that we are ‘worthy’ of being celebrated if we do not receive the same forward WhatsApp messages and quotes on March 8 every year. Rather, include us, accept us the way we are, and understand that we do not control our own anatomy. That comes from the creator, mother nature.

Giving unsolicited advice via Asian Voice newspaper, make every day an equal day for all, not just one day in a year in the flurry of pop culture.

Stunts on moving trains or on tracks have resulted in the loss of life or limbs on countless occasions. The railways should tackle this with a combination of enforcement and penalties.

A public awareness drive or an educational campaign in schools and colleges may be timely. There is also room for commuters to come forward and report such instances on social media to help combat the menace. Most of the people who attempt stunts on trains don’t have tickets and try to show off during peak hours.

Namrata Kaur London

Tina Jain Birmingham, UK

Jayesh A Patel London

Jubel D'Cruz, Mumbai, India 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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Counter terrorism officer urges Muslims to co-operate with a review of Prevent The country’s top counter terrorism police officer last night urged Muslim and human rights groups not to boycott a review of Prevent, the principal counter extremism programme.

Neil Basu, an assistant commissioner at the Metropolitan Police, argued for all sides of the debate to be heard to bring “lasting improvement to this vital strategy”.

His remarks appear after the government appointed William Shawcross, a former chairman of the Charity Commission, as its independent reviewer, last week.

Prevent is the UK government’s ground war against extremism. But the programme is considered to be controversial as

a counter-terrorism strategy by industry experts. It seeks both to educate communities about the risks of radicalisation and stage interventions with vulnerable individuals long before any crime has been committed.

Previously in an exclusive interview with Asian Voice, Prime Minister Boris Johnson had stressed that “although Prevent has its critics, we have to do everything we can to stop people getting on the pathway to radicalism and extremism”.

The independent review was already delayed and the backlash last month’s after announcement by the Home Office that it would be headed by Shawcross has further added to the troubles. The Muslim Council of Britain

Strong Economic Partners

Neil Basu

said he held “hostile views” on Islam.

Some 17 groups with an interest in human rights, including Liberty and Amnesty International, said they would boycott the re view, claiming that it would be a rubber-stamping exercise. Neil Basu has repeatedly said that Prevent is the most important part of the government’s counter terrorism strategy.

Shock at school Police Officer being sentenced for child sex offences A man who used to work in partnership with the Office of the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner has been sentenced to two years and eight months in prison after pleading guilty to a number of child sex offences.

30-year-old Darryl Moffatt of Short Heath Road in Erdington will also be put on the Sex Offenders Register for 10 years and will be subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Moffatt had already pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent photos of a child, one count of distributing an indecent image of a child, two counts of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child and one count of attempting to cause or incite a boy aged 13 to 15 to engage in sexual activity.

L

ast week, Grant Thornton Bharat the UK and the Federation of Indian launched the Britain Meets India (BMI) Chambers of Commerce and Industry, was Report in collaboration with the the first attempt to make an objective assessConfederation of Indian Industry (CII) and ment of the enormous contribution of the with the support of the UK’s Department of Indian diaspora in the UK through businesses International Trade (DIT). owned and employment generated. 654 companies with an annual turnover of at least BMI identifies the largest and fastest £100,000 were studied and found to have a growing UK companies that contribute signifcumulative annual turnover of £36 billion, icantly to the Indian economy and the top UK providing jobs to over 174,000 people in the companies in India in terms of revenue, UK. growth and employment, their geographic When we see the preferences, sectors FDI and investment and the impact they figures highlighted in have on the Indian the GTBharat/GTUK economy. reports together with BMI identified bilateral India-UK 572 UK companies in trade in goods and India with a comservices, we get an bined turnover of appreciation of the around £33 billion, enormous value of paying around £1.7 the India-UK ecobillion in taxes and nomic partnership. It employing 416,121 is heartening that people directly in both countries recog2019-20. 91 compaRuchi Ghanashyam nise the worth of this nies, with an average partnership, as growth rate of 26% feature in the 2021 Mrs. Ruchi Ghanashyam is the former High demonstrated by the list of fastest growing Commissioner of India to the UK. With a career recent visit of UK’s UK companies in in Indian Foreign Service for over 38 years, she has Secretary of State, Liz India. According to been posted in many countries including South Truss to India.

Despite Brexit, BMI, the fastest Africa, Ghana, before arriving in the UK. She was growing UK company only the second woman High Commissioner to the UK remains one in India is Dyson the UK since India’s independence and during her of the top investment in Technologies, fol- tenure, she witnessed a number of significant destinations Europe for India. lowed by Aviva Life developments in the UK-India relations.

Indian companies Insurance Company have made significant investments in the UK with growth of over 100%. The highest revleading to the largest employment generation enue earner is Vedanta Ltd while the top by any country. The world has been battered employer is G4S Plc. by the unprecedented impact of the COVIDAccording to FDI statistics of India’s 19 pandemic, a disaster not seen in the last Department for Promotion of Industry and hundred years. The havoc it played with the Internal Trade, the UK is currently India’s global economy, has had a disastrous impact sixth largest investor, with a cumulative on lives and livelihoods and severely affected inflow (2000–2020) estimated at USD 29.5 bilglobal supply chains. The India-UK trade and lion, representing about 6% of the total FDI investment partnership stayed afloat during into India. India’s trade in goods and services this adversity through collaboration particuwith the UK expanded from USD 21.9 billion larly in vaccine research and manufacturing. in 2015 to USD 26.7 billion in 2020.

India has undertaken bold economic The BMI report by GT/Bharat mirrors and reforms in many areas, which has improved complements the annual ‘India Meets Britain’ India’s rank in World Bank’s index on ease of tracker brought out by GT/UK. The tracker is doing business to 63 in 2019 from 77 in 2018. now in its seventh edition and identifies the India, thus, remains an attractive investment fastest growing and top employment generatdestination, with a huge domestic market, ing Indian companies in the UK. In 2020, the growing middle class and skilled workforce. tracker identified almost 850 Indian compaPost Brexit, there is an increased interaction nies operating in the UK, with combined revbetween India and the UK to strengthen the enues of £41.2 billion, down from £48 billion trade and economic partnership, especially in 2019. Together, they paid £461.8 million in pertinent as the UK enhances its focus outside corporation tax, down from £684.2 million in Europe.

2019, and employed 110,793 people, up from As both economies seek to recover from 104,783 in 2019. In 2019, GT/UK had also the impact of Covid-19, increasing investment brought out another report to assess the conin each other’s markets is critical to support tribution of Indian diaspora owned compagrowth. GT Bharat’s report couldn’t have been nies in the UK. The report produced in collabmore timely! oration with the High Commission of India to

Jay Singh-Sohal

West Midlands PCC Candidate Jay Singh-Sohal said, “This is a truly shocking case, that someone employed by the Police and Crime Commissioner and sent into schools has himself been found guilty of one of the vilest criminal acts. I'm concerned that the Labour PCC has not given a full and frank disclosure about his role and abuse of 'position of trust', instead contradicting West Midlands Police by playing down Moffatt’s connections to his office. The

Darryl Moffatt

Office of PCC now requires a thorough review of its vetting and staff procedures to reassure the public that this is an isolated incident, which I will ensure is done if elected PCC in May." Between September 2017 and June 2020 he worked with secondary schools across Birmingham to commission activities designed to steer young people away from crime.

Following Moffatt’s

arrest on 19th June 2020 he was immediately suspended and his fixed term contract was not renewed. The crimes he has been found guilty of are not connected to his work.

Community devastated by passing away of Director of Bristol Labs A 63-year-old Director and Senior Manager at Bristol Labs, a pharmaceutical manufacturing company in Hertfordshire has passed away.

P M Raju from Northwood in Middlesex, passed away after fighting for his life in intensive care unit, since becoming infected with Covid-19 about a month ago at Royal Brompton Hospital. He has been with the company since its formation in 1997.

He was born at Parakode in

Adoor, Kerala and belongs to Puthenvilayil family. He was a dedicated member of the Indian Orthodox Church in Hemel Hempstead near London and had served as the Diocesan Council Member of the Diocese of UKEurope and Africa.

Indian orthodox church members are devastated by the news.

"An absolutely heartbreaking time for the Indian Orthodox Community" a social media

post of the Church group said. Diocesan Bishop Dr Mathews Mar Thimothios Metropolitan of the Indian Orthodox said, "No words can describe how sorry I am for his parting from this world. He always stood as a pillar on my right side for all my missions of the Diocese. A person we always depended on occasions of trouble and hardship. We could visualise the big void his departure created for the Church and for me in person.

P M Raju

"He was indeed a gentleman, truly genuine person, honestly faithful, a man with no frills attached and a person who is trustworthy."

He is survived by his wife, Grace Raju, children, Hanson and Benson and daughter in law Jisha.

12 MEDIA WATCH

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SCRUTATOR’S National anthem played in Nagaland House in 60 years Almost 60 years after Nagaland attained statehood, the national anthem was played in the assembly for the first time this February. The state has been ravaged by decades of secessionist violence and frustrated by protracted peace talks that continue to hang fire. The budget session of the Nagaland assembly began on February 12 with an address by governor R N Ravi. “The national anthem was played before and after the governor’s address. This is how it happens in most states, but playing of the anthem wasn’t part of the convention in Nagaland,” P J Antony, commissioner and secretary of the legislative assembly, said. On whether it was the first time that the anthem had been played in the assembly since Nagaland became the 16th state of the Union on December1, 1963, Antony said, “It is at least the first instance since the assembly occupied the new building in 2007.” The initiative was taken by Speaker Sharingain Longkumer, he added. (Agency) SC bans felling of beneficial trees

The Supreme Court's green bench headed by Chief Justice S A Bobde said it would ban felling of mature, beneficial trees for development work, including laying roads and setting up industries. After being informed by its committee that the true value of a tree with 100 years of life left would be around Rs 72,00,000, the bench said, "We want to lay down some guidelines, or 'Cognition Pathway', so that the thinking of urban planners goes on that line.

"Certain species of trees and of certain age should never be cut down. We want to know from experts which are those trees which are most beneficial to mankind in terms of their contribution to nature." The bench added that the cost of a project should include the actual value of trees that need to be felled. The bench sought names of environmentalists from solicitor general Tushar Mehta, senior advocate A M Singhvi and lawyer Prashant Bhushan.

Environmentalist Ranjit Singh appeared to be the court’s first choice. The SG informed the court that Singh, belonging to the erstwhile princely state of Wankaner, had convinced then PM Indira Gandhi in the 1970s to create a separate ministry for environment and forests.

(Agency) For 'Dancing Dadi' age is just a number

For 62 -year-old Ravi Bala Sharma age is just a number. She is taking the Internet by storm with her dance videos and has a following of over 100,000 on Instagram, where she is fondly known as "Dancing Dadi" to her fans. Ravi Bala can proudly count

celebrities like Diljit Dosanjh and Imtiaz Ali among her many fans today. "I was fond of dancing since childhood and would lock myself up in my room and dance whenever I got the opportunity," she said.

After her marriage, however, Ravi Bala's passion for dance took a backseat to family responsibilities. "After college I got married and as household and other responsibilities increased, my dancing stopped," she said. But when her husband died after 27 years of marriage, the loss was unbearable for her.

"After my husband passed away I went into depression," she said.

Her family that encouraged her to take up dancing again, reminding her that it was her husband's dream to see her dance. Her sister took her to an audition for a dance competition.

She later posted a video of the audition on social media, where it received a lot of love and praise. "My audition dance on Waheedaji's song went viral when I posted it on social media and I got such nice comments that I couldn't stop posting more dance videos," she said. Her fame grew and she quickly gained a strong following on social media with her dance videos. (Agency) India prepares to hang a woman

For the first time after independence, India is readying to hang a woman. The preparations have been began in the Mathura district jail.

Shabnam Ali, 38, was convicted of killing seven members of her family - her mother, father, two brothers, sister-in-law, cousin and 10-month-old nephew - by serving them milk laced with sedatives and then slitting their throats. Shabnam, 25 then with a double MA, wanted to marry Saleem, a class VI dropout, but her family did approve of their relation. Both were sentenced to death in 2010 by the sessions court in Amroha in UP. Over the next 11 years, Shabnam went to the Allahabad high court, the Supreme Court, the President and then the Supreme Court

again. In January last year, her review petition was dismissed by the SC. However, she has not exhausted all judicial remedies.

Her lawyer said that they have not been informed about a death warrant being issued in the one year since, at the Mathura district jail, the only one in India where women can be hanged, preparations are afoot. “We have not received any death warrant but have started preparing… Last year in February, the executioner, Pawan Jallad, had inspected the hanging house and said that there was a problem with the structure of the gallows.

We are fixing that now. We have also just ordered two hanging ropes,” Mathura senior jail superintendent Shailendra Maitrey said. (Agency) Mumbai man's 'Flying Dosa' technique A video of a Mumbai dosa seller's unique way of serving up the South Indian dish has received a staggering 84 million views on Facebook. At Shree Balaji Dosa in South Mumbai's Mangaldas Market, dosas are sent flying straight to the plate from the skillet. A video shared by a Facebook page called 'Street Food Recipes' shows a dosa seller expertly preparing dosas and flipping them high into the air such that they land right onto a waiting plate. Since being posted on Facebook last week, the video has racked up a whopping 84.4 million views and more than 1.3 million 'likes', along with thousands of impressed comments. "Amazing guy - throwing dosa in the air for serving to customers," wrote one Facebook user in the comments section.

"He's serving food artistically," another wrote. However, many also criticised the dosa seller, saying that throwing dosas into the air showed disrespect towards food. Some also said that the technique looked "unsanitary". "What is the purpose of throwing the dosa in the air. It really doesn't make any sense," a viewer remarked.

"Playing with food... bad marketing stunt," another said.

(Agency) Transgender artist disrobed on public road Payal Rathwa, a 21-year-old transgender artist was subjected to humiliation in public view by a group of eunuchs in Rajkot

who stripped her naked on a public road, alleging that she was faking eunuchs and seeking money from people. The eunuchs forced her to expose her genitals in public view, thrashed her and recorded a video of the humiliating act. After the video was shared in some groups, LGBTQ activists in Maharashtra initited a social media campaign #justiceforpayalrathwa on Facebook and Instagram.

Another eunuch is heard in the video saying that Payal is opposing Kinnar Akhada which is the traditional set up of the community. They even forced Payal to admit that she is a ‘fake’ eunuch. Payal is actively associated with local voluntary organization, Chitranagri, which promotes art in public places by engaging budding painters and artists.

She has gained expertise in Varli paintings of tribal communities. Payal said, “I am an independent person running a group of LGBTQ people. The eunuchs are unhappy as many from their community are impressed with our activities and willing to join.”

(The Times of India) Sri Lanka to re-acquire 99 oil tanks leased to IOC Sri Lanka will re-acquire 99 World War II-era oil storage tanks leased to Indian Oil

Corporation (IOC) in the eastern port district of Trincomalee, energy minister Udaya Gammanpila announced.

It is the second deal with India to be scrapped by Sri Lanka this year. Last month, the Sri Lankan government scrapped the tri-lateral deal with India and Japan to develop the Colombo Port’s Eastern Container Terminal (ECT).

Gammanpila said that he held talks with the Indian high commissioner in Colombo on

this issue. “I am happy to state that he was very flexible at the talks. He ignored the conditions mentioned in the agreement signed in 2017 in order to be helpful to us,” he said, referring to his discussions with high commissioner Gopal Baglay.

“After World War II, these tanks were abandoned without being used. In 2003, the tanks were leased to IOC. But we are happy to say that Sri Lanka will soon have those tanks back,” the minister said. Sri Lanka in 2003 had leased out 99 oil tanks to IOC for 30 years for an annual payment of $100,000. (Agency) Farmer buys helicopter to sell milk

An entrepreneur/farmer from Maharashtra's Bhiwandi has bought a helicopter worth £3 million to help him sell milk and expand his dairy business across the country. According to a report, Janardhan Bhoir is also a builder and has recently started out in the dairy business.

For this, he has to travel across the country to states like Haryana, Punjab, Gujarat, Rajasthan and others. Most of the places he travels to do not have airports of their own and therefore he would have to travel for long hours. He decided to purchase the helicopter that would make his work more convenient. He said that he needs the helicopter for his farming and his dairy business and therefore decided to go for it. The helicopter was sent to Bhoir's village for a trial run recently. The helicopter will finally be delivered to Bhoir on March 15. He is planning to build a helipad with a protective wall around it. Bhoir apparently has property worth £10 million, according to reports. (Agency)

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14 WOMEN'S VOICE

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Shefali Saxena

‘Sometimes it is less important to be correct and more important to be considerate’

Sheshadri Kottearachchi

Sheshadri Kottearachchi has worked extensively in the field of communications with a focus on international development and gender.

A former UN Youth Delegate, she has previously worked for the World Food Programme, Oxfam, UNICEF and UNDP. Sheshadri is an alumna of the University of Oxford, LSE and University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka. Asian Voice reached out to Sheshadri Kottearachchi for an exclusive interview about being an independent Asian woman, women and advocacy. Here are few excerpts: What kind of subjects did you study and how did you manage all logistics as an independent girl?

Independence as a woman growing up in South Asia is a challenging aspiration. I briefly dabbled in the sciences with every intention of entering the medical sector, however my academic background eventually led to double degrees in English literature and international relations.

Managing logistics was never easy, but I've come to the realization that (as cliche as it may sound) when you're truly passionate about the work that you're involved in, you will by any means do what needs to be done. I like to maintain short-term goals and long-term aspirations; aiming as high as I can, but also (paradoxically) within reasonable means. I've learned that it is good to be rooted to reality since most of my work has included having to face grim realities in order to successfully overcome them. However, it never hurts to have extraordinary ambitions at the same time.

While working for women and advocacy, what has been your biggest challenge and the most important takeaway?

Online activism stems from well-intended objectives, but they are not without their gaps and biases. Advocacy should ideally be more than 'lip service,' which is undoubtedly challenging, as online spaces can easily become crowded echochambers influenced by majority opinions, politics and market trends. There is a fine line between awareness and impact; something that social media users will tend to notice more often. In the process of implementing online platforms and ensuring that virtual messaging reaches offline communities, I've found that the most challenging aspect is the process of both learning and unlearning aspects of feminism, intersectionality and inclusivity along the way. Sometimes it is less important to be correct and more important to be considerate; especially when dealing with cultural and social sensitivities.

As a woman from South Asia, what do you think young girls need in terms of support (financial, emotional or of any other kind) to become like you?

South Asian girls and women find themselves beneath several metaphorical layers of restraint.

This is by no fault of their own. First and foremost, young girls need self-assurance. We are systematically diminished. Constantly reminded of what we can't, shouldn't, mustn't do; a mantra that is normalized, then internalized, and holds us back from reaching our fullest potential. Secondly, we need support systems; where we cannot find them, we must create them. These can be in the form of friends, partners, family and colleagues; individuals who are self-aware, open to critical thought and generous in their support and empathy.

The Longest Kiss, The Life and Times of Devika Rani The Nehru Centre virtually launched Lady Kishwar Desai's latest book “The Longest Kiss, The Life and Times of Devika Rani" on February 19. The launch was moderated by The Nehru Centre’s Director, Amish Tripathi.

Lady Kishwar Desai is an award-winning author and playwright who writes both fiction and non-fiction. She worked in television as an anchor and producer for over twenty years before becoming a writer. She is the chairperson of The Arts and Cultural Heritage Trust that set up the world’s first Partition Museum at Town Hall, Amritsar. Most recently, in 2019, her play, Devika Rani: Goddess of the Silver Screen, was successfully staged in venues across India.

Lady Desai’s book is about Devika Rani, who

Kishwar Desai

was India’s first international superstar in the 1930s and 1940s. Touted as “prodigiously talented”, Devika Rani was the great-grand-niece of Rabindranath Tagore.

She was married to Himanshu Rai and the duo set up Bombay Talkies together, which was India’s first truly professional studio.

During the virtual launch Lady Desai shared details about the early life of Devika Rani, and she said that about 400 people attended the premiere of her film ‘Karma’ in 1933 with her husband in London at Marble Arch amid rain. The elite of London turned up to

International Women’s Day 2021

watch an Indian film in those times.

“She was the most glorious thing they had ever seen,” Lady Desai said as she marvelled over the exceptional charm that surrounded Devika Rani who also had a British accent. As a result of that, many people wanted her to make a Hollywood debut.

Talking about the longest kiss in the history of Indian cinema, Lady Desai said, “This is a kiss Devika herself had written in the script.” Amish Tripathi chuckled and said that, “This was before Hindi movies moved to two flowers touching each other.”

She said, “This was a woman who grew up in the west. She did understand what was the hesitance to kiss.”

Explaining the scene, Lady Desai said that in the movie - in that partic-

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NHS, PHE AND KING’S COLLEGE TO SUPPORT PREGNANT WOMEN WITH MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS

quite amazing, and a lot of people were shocked to see a saree clad woman lying on the top of a guy, kissing him very passionately,” Lady Desai said.

There is a lot of speculation about the length of the kissing scene and most people believe that it is about five minutes long. Lady Desai however said, “I timed it! It is about a little less than two minutes.”

She also went on to acknowledge that after that kissing was banned in Indian films, not necessarily because of Devika and Himanshu’s film, but in general, due to the hesitation among Indians to watch love making on screen. Lady Desai spoke at length about the book, sharing anecdotes about Ashok Kumar, Devika Rani, Leela Chitnis and Dilip Kumar. The book has been published by Westland Publishers.

Tommy’s Pregnancy Hub has launched some new resources for women with mental health conditions such as bipolar and psychosis, who are planning a pregnancy or may become pregnant in the future, developed with Public Health England, the NHS and King’s College London. Their official portal contextualised the initiative and says that having a baby is a huge and exciting step in life. “You may be planning your first pregnancy or you may already have children. Either way, you have the right to choose when to try for a baby and how many children you would like to have. A severe mental illness is one that can affect your ability to take part in your usual daily activities. Examples include bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, severe depression and psychosis,” it reads. The support hub helps women in giving up smoking, quitting alcohol, quitting drugs, along with organisational resources. It also talks about treatments for severe mental illness before, during and after pregnancy.

The Hub also addresses issues related to planning a pregnancy with a mental health condition.

Sachdev Kantaria and run according to Parliamentary protocol, where each speaker has 5 minutes to speak. In this year’s programme, the pair have curated a diverse set of female and male voices from young activists to established leaders across sectors from finance to fashion, including diverse and pressing themes such as transgenderism, youth violence, black lives matter, female entrepreneurship and growth, digitalisation and inspiration on “how to live” drawing on easter and western strengths.

Speakers include bestselling author, podcast host, purpose coach and former monk Jay Shetty, musician, artist and writer Jahnavi Harrison, CEO and Founder of Starling Bank Anne Boden, Group Chief Executive Officer of Natwest Group Alison Rose, Anya Hindmarch CBE, Baroness Minouche Shafik, Her Excellency Yamina Karitanyi and many more.

Speaking ahead of the debate Rupa said, “Real change has been too slow.

Women still face worse health, economic and social outcomes around the world, simply because they are not born as men or boys. This year, we will hear stories from powerful role models, change-makers and diverse voices on driving that change.

Rupal said, “We are hugely grateful for this platform which has enabled us to draw together such an inspiring group.

With the pandemic already impacting all types of women, and particular women of colour more strongly than men, highlighting their voices and bringing attention to this issue is more important than ever.”

This year’s International Women’s Day debate will be held on Friday 5th March from 1pm to 2.30pm (GMT). The debate is open to all and participants can register through the following link: https://bit.ly/3qxQLrO or email IWD@vacventures.com. For further details on speakers and the event please is https://bit.ly/3rFvTPw

ular scene, Himanshu, a Prince has been bitten by a snake. A snake charmer is called with another snake so that he can bite him again and cure him of the poison (as was believed back in those days). Devika Rani, who was madly in love with the Prince in the film, couldn’t watch him die, so she kissed him.

“She practically lies on the top of him and kisses him. A lot of people thought that this was

Each year Lord Dolar Popat and Lady Sandhya Popat host an exclusive International Women’s Day debate in the Houses of Parliament to give nonParliamentarians a platform to inspire and drive tangible change for women of all races and ethnicities.

Past speakers have included leading human rights lawyer Gina Miller and award-winning Indian designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee. Despite the Houses of Parliament remaining closed due to the pandemic, the debate will continue virtually. Speaking to Asian Voice, Lord Popat said, “This year’s International Women’s Day debate is more important than ever before. We have a responsibility to hear and amplify a diverse group of changemakers and their calls to action during this time of great change for the world. The advantage of the showcase being virtual is that more people can participate and engage in the debate.”

The debate is organised and curated each year by Rupa Popat and Rupal

in brief

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Prince Charles calls vaccination hesitation among British Asians a ‘tragedy’ The British Asian Trust hosted an exclusive webinar on last Thursday (18 February 2021) to address concerns and challenges related to worryingly low vaccine uptake in ethnic minority communities.

The event was a part of an exclusive webinar series which brought together eminent British Asian and South Asian politicians, business leaders, entrepreneurs and philanthropists.

Recent data shows people from ethnic minority backgrounds are less likely to take the Covid-19 vaccine.

OpenSafely, a study run by the University of Oxford and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine highlighted that Indians and British Indians were found to be in a slightly higher uptake range of 83.4% of those eligible having received their jabs as of February 11. This compares to 93% among the British or Mixed British category.

The lowest uptake was noted within the Black communities at 51.2%, followed by Pakistanis at 62.9% and Bangladeshis at 63.7%.

Each jab in the arm brings us closer to beating this pandemic Panellists who joined on the day explained how the vaccine works, and why it is safe, to instil peace of mind for those who may have seen and shared inaccurate information about the vaccine.

Opening remarks were delivered by His Royal Highness the

GP determined to put in personal call to every atrisk patient yet to take up Covid-19 jab

Dr Farzana Hussain

Prince of Wales, Royal Founding Patron of the British Asian Trust.

The 72-year-old royal said, “It is clear that the virus has affected all parts of the country and all sections of society, but it is also clear that there are particular challenges faced in particular sections of our society, especially in some ethnic HRH The Prince of Wales minority communities.

QMUL; Dr Nikita Kanani MBE, “What saddens me even furMedical Director for Primary Care, ther is to hear that those chalNHS England and NHS lenges are being made even worse Improvement; Sadiq Khan, Mayor by the variable uptake of the vacof London. cines, which finally offers a way out of the suffering of the past year… vaccination will save lives, will prevent serious illness, will protect our health service and will allow us to start to hope that things might return in some sense to normal for every member of our society.”

Contributing to the event were key leaders including Nadhim Zahawi MP, Panellists on Thursday: Ritula Shah, Nadhim Zahawi MP, Minister for Covid Adar Poonawalla, Prof Kevin Fenton, Dr Nikki Kanani Vaccine Deployment MBE and Prof Farida Fortune and Minister for Nadhim Zahawi MP, Minister Business & Industry; Adar for Covid Vaccine Deployment and Poonawalla, CEO, Serum Institute Minister for Business and Industry of India; Prof. Kevin Fenton, said: “We recognise some groups London Regional Director, Public feel more hesitant about getting a Health England; Prof. Farida vaccine or have more barriers preFortune, Professor of Medicine in venting them from accessing one relation to Oral Immunobiology when offered. “It is extremely and Regenerative Medicine,

A

London-based GP is taking the fight against vaccine hesitancy into her own hands by phoning every patient from her surgery who has been offered but not yet accepted their jab, as part of the NHS’ battle against vaccine hesitancy.

Dr Farzana Hussain, GP at the Project Surgery in East London, kicked off her drive-in recent days and has already called more than 50 patients from the most at-risk groups of people, urging them to take up the offer of getting their first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine.

Dr Hussain, who has had the vaccine, is among a number of senior medics and other public figures to raise concerns about a lack of uptake among certain ethnicities, including people of African, eastern European and south Asian heritage, and is calling on anyone with concerns to come forward for reassurance and reliable advice.

Since the NHS became the first health service anywhere in the world to give out a Covid19 vaccine in December last year, when 90-yearold Maggie Keenan got her jab in Coventry, more than 17 million people in England have had their first dose.

With important progress already made – including everyone aged 70 years old and over offered a jab, and all care homes visited for vaccination where it’s safe to do so – the NHS is now seeking to drive out hesitancy about the vaccine, and boost uptake particularly among people from black, Asian and ethnic minority groups.

Earlier this week, the NHS primary care director, Dr Nikki Kanani, spoke out against disinformation which she warned must be stopped “from spreading faster than the virus itself”.

Addressing people’s concerns directly and dispelling misinformation Dr Hussain, who was one of 12 NHS staff photographed last year to mark the health service’s 72nd anniversary, is addressing people’s concerns around the vaccine directly and dispelling misinformation.

Partner at The Project Surgery, part of a primary care network in East London, Dr Hussain

important for me to connect with a range of different communities, and today's webinar was a brilliant initiative to address some very real concerns among British Asians.

“Each jab in the arm brings us closer to beating this pandemic and the government has published a plan to make sure everyone is protected equally, regardless of their background or religion, by working closely with those who know their communities best to encourage as many people as possible to get their vaccine.”

that they are soon likely to be exported to the UK as well.

The event was moderated by British Asian Trust ambassador and BBC journalist Ritula Shah.

Independent video campaign urging ethnic minority communities to dispel myths An independent video campaign urging ethnic minority communities to dispel myths and take the Covid-19 vaccine aired across all major UK broadcasters in an unprecedented TV moment taking place on Thursday 18 February at 9:56pm.The video, which features stars addressing unique cultural challenges and concerns around the vaccine in minority communities, launched a campaign to encourIndependent video featuring stars encouraging age vaccine uptake. The vaccine uptake simultaneous television broadcast and coming together of Dr Nikki Kanani, a general all the major commercial channels practitioner (GP) and NHS medical and the BBC will be a first in director for primary care said, British media history.

“There are no animal products The original video has been rewithin these vaccines, and it is edited and reshot with new faces absolutely safe to take them. It including TV stars Adil Ray OBE, does not impact fertility and offers Sanjeev Bhaskar OBE, Meera Syal strong protection.”

CBE, Shobna Gulati, Romesh Adar Poonawalla, CEO of the Ranganathan, Asim Chaudhry, Serum Institute of India, who England cricketer Moeen Ali and joined the virtual event from India broadcasters Konnie Huq, Alex spoke about his company’s collabBeresford, Mehreen Baig, Ria oration with Oxford University to Hebden and Sonali Shah. manufacture vaccines. He added

said: “I want to drive out hesitancy and drive-up vaccination among my patients.

“I’m phoning everyone at my practice who is eligible but yet to get the vaccine to talk to them about why and have already reached more than 50 people aged 65 and older so far, with many of them now looking to take up the invite.“In the vast majority of cases there is a hesitancy rather than outright rejection of the vaccine.

“A range of concerns came up, including misinformation around infertility and the use of animal products, which are both completely untrue. Often people are concerned about the speed the vaccine has been developed, but more than 13 million people in England have had it now, and it’s great to be able to say that with proof there are no issues.”

The Project Surgery and the network it is part of, is one of more than 1,500 vaccination sites around the country, comprised of GP surgeries, community locations like supermarkets, museums and sports stadiums, as well as hospital hubs, between them delivering hundreds of thousands of jabs weekly.

However, the uptake at Hussain’s practice in Newham is lower than the national average of more 90%, which Dr Hussain says is in part linked to hesitancy among many people in the community’s ethnically diverse population.

Dr Hussain said, “Being a British Bangladeshi woman, the issue of hesitancy among a group who are disproportionately affected by covid is one that really hits home.

“It’s so personal to me, people from BAME communities are dying because of misinformation; British Bangladeshi’s are five times more likely to die due to covid. There was no doubt in my mind to get the vaccine in order to protect my children and make sure I am still here to look after them. I want others to make that same choice”, Hussain says.

“One older lady I spoke to was worried about long-term side effects, but after talking it through with her, and with the support of her son, and desire to see her six-year-old grandchild grow up, she changed her mind.”

Hussain believes that working with families is key and that mothers can have a huge role to

play due to their influence across the family – especially in multi-generational households.

But one harmful piece of misinformation spreading through these communities, and that has a particular impact on women, is around infertility.

“This disinformation comes from a real sense of shame that not being able to bear children brings and is a particular issue among women from African and Asian backgrounds.

“They would refuse the vaccine if there was a 1% chance of that happening, but I want to reassure people that there is no evidence of this at all.

“This is why it’s so important that people come and talk to me or other trusted healthcare professionals to make sure they have accurate information and are not putting themselves and their loved ones at risk.”

Others have raised concerns on religious grounds, such as an uncertainty around whether it would break fasting during Ramadan.

Dr Hussain, who is a practising Muslim, says, “Getting an injection does not break the fast – it’s not nutrition. There is absolutely no reason why you shouldn’t have it. The Koran says saving your life is the most important thing, to save one life is to save the whole of humanity.

It’s a responsibility of a practising Muslim to take their vaccine.”

The NHS has this week moved to the next phase of the biggest vaccination programme in its history, with people aged 65 and over and an expanded group of clinically vulnerable people now receiving the life-saving jab.

People who have received a letter can log on to the national booking service at www.nhs.uk/covid-vaccination and choose from more than 100 large-scale vaccination centres or almost 200 pharmacy services. Anyone unable to book online can call 119 free of charge, anytime between 7am and 11pm seven days a week. The NHS made history in January, following the ground-breaking world-first Pfizer jab in December, when Brian Pinker became the first person in the world to receive the Oxford / Astra Zeneca vaccine outside of a clinical trial, after.

16 UK

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AsianV Voi oiceNewswee ekly

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27 February - 5 March 2021

PRODUCED IN ASSOCIA ATI TION

MEET THE PEOPLE WORKING TOGETHER TO VA AC CCIN NA ATE A TE THE N NA ATI A TION UK’s ’s Co ovi vid-19 vaccination programme is i an inspiring i i i and unprecedented collaborative effort to make our lives corona avirus virus-safe.

Rupanjana Dutta A diverse mix of proffessi essionals in the UK have v come together to roll out the Covid-19 vaccine. The UK’s vaccination programme is an inspiring, unprecedented and collective eff ffort across acr England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

At the heart of this eff ffort, ort, is an army of scientists, medics, Armed Forces personnel, logistics staff and volunteers who work tirelessly to make the vaccination programme possible.

After becoming the first country to approve a Covid-19 vaccine, the UK now has three authorised types of Covid-19 vaccines. These have v met strict standards of saffety ety, quality and eff ffectiveness ectiveness set out by the independent Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

The priority is to save v as many lives as possible and as quickly as possible, while also reducing hospitalisations that is putting tremendous strain on the NHS. The UK Government has secured over 457 million doses of vaccines, all of which haave ve been approved by scientists and healthcare experts. More than

£6 billion has been allocated by the UK Government to develop and secure Covid-19 vaccines. The vaccines are securely stored and millions across the country have v already received their first dose, with those most in need first in line.

The country is vaccinating more than double the rate per person, per daayy, than any other country in Europe.

The UK Government has invested over £300mn in manufacturing and is now distributing vaccines to health services in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, as well as the Crown Dependencies and Overseas Territori erritories at no charge.

The NHS England and NHS Improvement, NHS Wales, NHS Scotland, and Health and Social Care Northern Ireland haave decades of experience experi in delivering large-scale vaccination programmes, while the Army continues to support the delivery of vaccines across the UK. Here, four four people peop from across the nation, haave ve explained how they have v been involved.

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WITH UK GOVERNMENT AWREN DA DAVID AV LAWREN NC CE, Valn Chief Financial Officer, r, V alnev va a

The UK Gov overnme entt has securred over 457 4 million dosses of v va accin nes, all of whi whiich ha ave be een approv oved d by b scien ntis tists and a healthca are experrts.

CORPORAL SALL LY Y WOODC D OCK, RAF Clarinettisstt Corporal Woodcock, 34, is an RAF clarinettist, was deployed to a vaccine hub in Powys, Mid Wales.

She said, “I’m not one to sit about doing nothing, so it’s fantastic that I’ve been able to help out. In Powys, I’m with five other musicians and a pilot.

We’ve been doing all sorts.

It can vary depending on how many volunteers there are, but today I was doing car park duties. I’ve also been carrying out admin roles and operating the phones.

“We’re all ll mucking ki in i together – there’s no kind of division between the military and volunteers.

I received a jab myself because we were working with the public and alongside nurses. It was absolutely painless.”

Daavid vid is the Chief Financial Offfi ficer at V Valneva, alneva, which is developing a vaccine in Livingston, W Lothian. The biotech company is one of the ei vaccine developers that the UK Government h struck usage agreements with.

He said, “The next wave v of clinical trials will involve around 3,000 to 4,000 people to make sure there is enough data to confidently under fety and efffi the vaccine’s safety ficacy. Rather than just doing small-scale manufacturing to produce the initial material ffor or the clinical trials,, we’re now usingg a full-scale manufacturing process.

“That means that if the regulator gives its approval the vaccine could be deployed the day after. We’re taking a risk now that means we can potentially deliver the vaccine faster and supply the 100 million doses, we promised the UK in time.”

How do oes the vaccine va work?

• Vaccines Vaccines are thee best way to people from protect o corronavvirus and willl save v tens of tho ousands of lives.

DEIRDRE WEBB, Director of Nurssing, PHA (NI) 57 y 57-year-old Deidre from Belfast is the director of nursing at the Public Health Agency Northern Ireland and managed the rollout of the vaccination programme to care homes.

She said, “The care homes havve gone through such hard times, so we were committed to deploying the vaccine there as soon as possible. All our care homes havve now received the first doses. Within our care homes and clinics, the people who allow us to work eff ffectivel ectively are the house porters, the drivers, the cleaners, as well as the volunteers. They are the unsung heroes. I am going to be trained as a vaccinator as well so I can’t wait ffor or that. B But at the moment I am involved in the planning. I lead on the workfforce or and logistics part of the programme.”

• As more people are vaccinated, mo ore people will be pro otected from the ffects harrmful eff ects of Co ovid-19.

• Vaccines Vaccines work by tricking your body intto thinking it has to fight the virus. It traains your immune sysstem for for this fight by stimulating you to creeate antibodies and T-ccells.

• This means thaat when Covid-19 is encountered naturall turally, the body hass already been preepared to protect agaainst it.

RAJ JAN BINDRA, BIND Avia ation Consu ultant 44 4-year-old Rajan is an avviation consultant, wh ho lives in Slough, Berkshir erkshire, with his wiffee an nd two children. He wo orked as a volunteer at the local vaccination centre. He said, “I was in charge of managing th he car park, which is th he first port of call ffor or an nybody who comes alo ong. I wanted people to see my smiling eyes beehind a mask, so they weere put at ease. We maade a point of refferring erring to them as ‘customers’ or ‘gu uests’ to treat everyone wiith respect. I was there wh hen my 80-year-old mo other arrived for for her vaaccination. I thought, ‘Do I need to ask ffor or heer ID?’ – I did anyway.

Bu ut then she asked if I co ould park her car ffor or heer. I had to tell her we weeren’t off ffering ering a val valet serrvice!”

• However, like any training, getting up to ‘match fitness’ takes time. Your Your body’s response, the immune response, is only trained up around 2 or 3 weeks after you have v your first jab. Y You ou do not have v the full protection from the first dose in this period. If you are older, it’s better to allow at least 3 weeks.

• Even better and longer lasting protection then comes from the second dose, so it is really important that everyone gets the second jab. Again, the protective eff ffect ect from that jab will come weeks after it is given.

For more For informa ati tion on va ac ccina ati tion please visit g go ov v..uk/ corona avirus virus.

18 FINANCE - UK

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Dear Financial Voice Reader, Alpesh Patel A massive furor this week among some of my 13,000 TikTok followers over pensions. You'll find this useful.

I highlighted data in the Telegraph newspaper on how 'dog funds' have increased by a third - ie those which underperform.

So many people don't understand why their pension, ISA, SIPP is underperforming. They either do nothing or give their money to underperforming fund managers, instead of learning a little on doing it themselves.

I have this week spoken with multimillionaires to regular pharmacists, doctors, lawyers with cash but no time.

What I teach them by handholding their education is, 12 months, 15 stocks. Fund managers buy hundreds which is shown to underperform. Fund managers also are racist. Well, they pick according to a country - which is a stupid way.

A stock investment for me is buying shares in my pension for my son's inheritance and my retirements. So I interview all companies as candidates to invest in from around the world from Paypal to Baidu, from Etsy and Ebay to Tata Motors and Taiwan Semiconductor.

A fund manager charges you 10% of your capital every five years. Don't believe me - check the fund documentation on charges. No Alpesh, they charge 0.5%. Have a look at entry and exit and all other charges - total cost of ownership. They have to tell you.

Do it yourself, and you don't have that charge. I don't want to pay £1k on every £10k.

I pointed out to the anger of some, that it is easy as learning to drive and they said, no you are outperforming fund managers because their job is to buy 100s of stocks to spread risk.

Hmmm - that's simply wrong. I am not a donor to a fund manager's mansion savings. If he buys a stupidly large number of stocks because that's his business model, that's his problem, not mine.

I want the bespoke treatment, even with a small portfolio - but everyone is greedy and wants fees every month forever. Again, education is the best way to solve this.

Fund managers do not only underperform and overcharge - that is bad enough. But they also, wait, no that's it. Those two things is it. That's the whole charge sheet.

Anyway, you can see why through my books, TV programmes, I've not made a campaign for better pensions to learn how to invest yourself see www.campaignforamillion.com

Over half of UK employers intend to recruit staff: Research

Sunak likely to extend furlough scheme for some more time The furlough scheme was introduced by the government to support employees who were unable to work or made redundant. The government has been paying 80% of wages, up to £2,500 a month, for furloughed workers, until April 30, but it is now expected to be phased out. However, some job support scheme is set to stay in place even after it comes to an end.

Even though furlough is designed to keep workers employed, unfortunately it doesn't protect you from being made redundant. But it doesn't affect your redundancy pay rights if you are let go from your job amid the coronavirus crisis. Your employer should still carry out a fair redundancy process. You will be entitled to be consulted on the redundancy lay-off first and to receive a statutory redundancy payment, as long as

you've been working somewhere for at least two years.

How much you're entitled to depends on your age and length of service, although this is capped at 20 years.

You'll get: Half a week’s pay for each full year you were under 22; One week’s pay for each full year you were 22 or older, but under 41; One and half week’s pay for each full year you were 41 or older. Sadly, you won't be entitled to a payout if you've been working for your employer for fewer than two years. There should be a period of collective consultation as well as time for individual ones if your employer wants to make 20 or more employees redundant within 90 days or each other. You are also entitled to appeal the decision by claiming unfair dismissal within three months of being let go. If you're made redundant after your company has gone into

administration you can claim redundancy pay via Gov.uk.

Shops, pubs, restaurants and are hairdressers hoping the Prime Minister will shed some light on when they can open again when he unveils his road map. The year Rishi Sunak long business rate relief is aimed at of his review into business helping retailers that have rates. It's hoped the tax will been unable to open due to raise an initial £2 billion to restrictions or are struggling help plug the gap in the to make ends meet, particucountry's finances and see larly in the hospitality and shoppers return to the high leisure industry. street when stores are perIn September, industry mitted to reopen. bosses warned that thouBut critics have warned sands of pubs will shut for the tax, which is touted to good if the business rate be around 2%, would push relief isn't extended. Instead up prices for online shopof scrapping the scheme at pers. The review is expected the end of March as to be pushed back until planned, Sunak is reportedautumn. It will be the ly considering an online fourth time it has been sales tax in autumn as part delayed this year.

British Airways defers pension payments worth £450mn British Airways has announced a delay of pension deficit contributions worth £450mn as the company, like several in the airlines industry struggles to cope with Covid travel restrictions. The carrier's owner, International Airlines Group (IAG) has also reached a final agreement over a £2bn loan that will provide the company with a financial parachute until travel restrictions are eased.

It has been known that the airline has struck a deal with trustees that will allow it to delay its contributions until September this year. It usually pays a £37.5mn a month into the New

Airways Pension Scheme (NAPS). British Airways was allowed to temporarily suspend its payments throughout negotiations, and has not been contributing to the scheme since September last year. The company released a statement saying, “In addition to these arrangements, IAG continues to explore other debt initiatives to improve

further its liquidity.”

British Airways intends to repay its pension contributions with interest and has put forward some of its properties as security until the debt has been paid off in full. BA has also agreed not to pay any dividends to its parent company IAG before the end of 2023. After that, it has committed to match dividend payments with a pension contribution worth at least half of what it will pay IAG. BA has also finalised the terms of a £2bn five-year loan agreed on December

31, underwritten by a syndicate of banks and partially guaranteed by UK Export Finance, which it expects to receive within a week. IAG tapped shareholders for £2.37bn in a rights issue last September, and BA has also obtained £300m from the Bank of England's Covid financing facility.

BA's revenues fell by 90 per cent during last year's peak summer season, having lost 98 per cent of its passengers during the UK's first lockdown. It laid off more than 10,000 staff last year and placed many of its remaining employees on less generous contracts as it retrenched for a fight for survival.

UK competition watchdog warns big tech firms of investigation A new research reveals over half of UK employers are keen on recruiting staff in the next three months. The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIBD) said it was the first positive sign for employment prospects it had seen in a year. It conducted the research along with Adecco.

About 56 per cent firms surveyed planned to hire in the first three months of 2021. The sectors with the strongest hiring intentions include healthcare, finance and insurance, education and ICT. Gerwyn Davies from the CIBD said, “Our findings suggest that unemployment may be close to peak and may even undershoot official forecasts, especially given the reported fall in the supply of overseas workers.” The survey also found that the number of firms planning to make redundancies in the first quarter of 2021 dropped from 30 per cent to 20 per cent compared with the previous three-month period.

The most recent unemployment rate was five per cent, for September to November, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). That is an increase of 0.6 per cent over the previous three months, and means that 1.72 million people were unemployed. The worst hit sector was Hospitality, accounting for a third of the job losses, followed by retail. CIPD and Adecco found that only 36 per cent of hospitality employers were intending to recruit new staff.

UK's competition watchdog is reportedly in the works to launch a series of antitrust investigations into big tech companies, including Google and Amazon this year. The Competition and Markets Authority will later this year become home to a new digital markets unit (DMU), which will police the internet companies and have powers to impose fines of billions of pounds.

In an interview with Financial Times, Andrea Coscelli said, “Until we have these new legal powers, if we want to achieve impact for consumers in the UK, we need to use our current (tools). There are quite a few cases against the digital platforms in Brussels today, and a number of these include

the UK market.” The CMA's investigations will be independent after Brexit, however, Coscelli said the UK will continue to work alongside Brussels on some joint antitrust investigations at least until next year.

The DMU will enforce a code based on “fair trading, trust and transparency” that will apply to companies deemed to have strategic market status. This could include, for example, assessing whether the way the tech giants trade with publishers is on terms fair enough to prevent them “from taking advantage of power and position.”

The UK government said it was concerned about the situation in Australia and confirmed that the culture

secretary, Oliver Dowden, would meet Facebook bosses this week. A spokesperson for Boris Johnson said, “We are obviously concerned about access to news being restricted in Australia. As we always have done, we will be robust in defending free speech and journalism.”

Coscelli said, “We are

actively scanning the players, the complaints we have received, the cases that others are doing, what could be done in parallel with others, where are the gaps in the work the European Commission is doing. We certainly expect to open more cases during the course of this year.”

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India to appeal against Cairn arbitration award The Indian government is likely to file an appeal against the Cairn arbitration award contesting its sovereign rights to tax, sources said.

An international tribunal in December, had unanimously ruled that India violated its obligations under the UK-India Bilateral Investment Treaty in 2014, when the income tax department had slapped a £1.02 billion tax assessment using legislation that gave it powers to levy taxes retrospectively.

Soon after seeking £1.02 billion in taxes over alleged capital gains made by the company over a 2006-07 reorganisation of India business before its listing, the tax department seized Cairn''s residual 10 per cent stake in Cairn India. In a ruling, which Cairn had previously described as

"final and binding", the tribunal had ordered New Delhi to pay $ 1.2 billion in damages, plus interest and costs, to compensate Cairn for the shares - long sold off by the tax department - as well as confiscated dividends and withheld tax refunds. This totals to $ 1.4 billion.

Its shareholders have been egging the management to take action to get the money back. Cairn chief executive Simon Thomson had met Finance Secretary Ajay Bhushan Pandey last week to discuss the arbitration award.

Sources said the government is planning to file an appeal against the tribunal order and it believes the arbitration tribunal cannot question a nation''s sovereign right to tax.

Britain's Cairn Energy plc has filed cases in the US,

the UK and the Netherlands courts to register a $1.4 billion arbitration award it had won in a tax dispute India, as a against preparatory action in case it is not paid by the Indian government. Cairn filed a petition in a Washington DC Federal court on February 12, and followed it up with similar filings in the UK and the Netherlands courts.

Sources said the government will strongly contest other

suits filed by Cairn Energy at various other international courts. Sources said any dispute resolution to be sought by Cairn will have to be within already existing laws. In a letter to the Indian government last month, Cairn had said its shareholders "expect an early resolution, failing which they will expect Cairn to pursue the award in conformity with its rights under the treaty".

Piyush Goyal urges US firms to set up manufacturing base in India India's Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has invited US companies for setting up manufacturing base in India.

Delivering the inaugural virtual address at the annual conference of USIBC’s State of US-India Business, he said that trade between India and the US has grown exponentially, but there is a lot more to be desired.

Goyal said that the US and India complement each other. He said that the US offers technology, finance and innovation, whereas India has a large market that needs to be served. The

Piyush Goyal

minister, however, said that at the same time, there is a need to protect people in agriculture and protect the citizens from low quality products.

Emphasizing the need for a fair dealing in their

engagement, he said that India provides an under-served aspirational market.

The minister said the US will have to be very sensitive to price points in India, which matter to e m e r g i n g economies with millions of people just coming out of poverty. Inviting businesses in the US to look at India as a manufacturing base, Goyal said that from here, they can serve a large Indian market and at the same time, also

serve global markets through cost-competitive products.

He said that their reforms in the defense, mining, labor and agriculture sectors will open up new opportunities for the American companies.

Goyal said the government is keen to expand on the digital space with the US. He added that they would be conscious of their responsibility to the people of India for data privacy.

"There are a lot of concerns with the big tech companies, and India would like to protect its policy space," he said.

Tatas seek CCI nod to acquire Bigbasket Tata Group has sought Competition Commission of India’s approval on its deal to buy a majority stake in Bigbasket, indicating that the two enterprises have inked an agreement, it is learned. Usually, companies announce M&As before seeking regulatory nod.

Since Tata Sons and Bigbasket are closely held, the two are under no obligation to announce the transaction.

Tata Sons refused to comment on the subject, a Bigbasket spokesperson said they had “no official comments to share at the moment”. India’s anti-trust body looks into competition issues around a deal and clamps down on unfair practices. The Bigbasket transaction will make Tatas the largest online grocer in the country even though it has a limited play in the space through StarQuik and Tata Nutrikorner. Bigbasket has the lion’s share in the

grocery market, crossing $1 billion of annualised gross sales last year. Also, its monthly gross sales, after discount, reached $90-100 million in 2020. These indicate that it is the largest vertical e-grocery player, which would catapult Tatas to the top slot after the completion of the deal.

The $200-220 million Bigbasket deal is routed through a wholly owned arm of Tata Sons, the promoter of the $106-billion conglomerate. Tatas may end up with just under 70% stake in Bigbasket, valuing the online grocery company at $1.4-1.6 billion. Bigbasket and other e-commerce deals being stitched together by Tatas will intensify competition with the ambitious plans of Reliance Industries, Amazon and Walmart-owned Flipkart in one of the fastest-growing consumer markets in the world. It was also reported that Tatas was nearing a

deal to acquire majority stake in epharmacy player 1MG. Tatas, through its listed entity Trent, entered the online grocery business t h r o u g h my247market.com in 2015. It subsequently shut down the venture after it acquired the management team and technology infrastructure of the Gurugram based GrocerMax, now known as StarQuik, in 2017. In 2019, another listed group company, Tata Consumer Products, launched tatanutrikorner.com, which only sells the items it makes.

The Bigbasket deal will give wings to Tata Group’s digital play along the lines of a super app, which will provide customers a single point of access to a range of services including Qmin (a food delivery platform), Tata CLiq (a lifestyle online shopping site) and Croma

(an electronics e-store). The super app will be launched

by Tata Digital, a 100% subsidiary of Tata Sons, in fiscal 2022.

There is not much clarity on how the group plans to consolidate the fragmented web operations.

Trent, while it plans to list its different brand apps on the super app, intends to pursue its own online play.

StarQuik is majority-owned

by Trent and its UK partner Tesco.

The Bigbasket investment by Tatas will be one of the biggest M&As in the country’s burgeoning consumer internet sector.

Three in One Suresh Vagjiani, Sow & Reap Properties Ltd

I saw a very interesting property over the weekend, in Pinner NW London.

The property is a vacant retail unit at the end of a parade, consisting of three floors. It is a slightly funny shape, but the square footage is generous for the price, 2,000 sq. ft. for only £600K; equating to £300 per sq. ft.

The angle is that you could easily add another two floors to this property; adding about 40% extra sq. ft. As well has changing the existing property into residential under permitted development.

The floors would be added via planning, so a slightly longer and different process than permitted development.

But it seems non contentious. At the end of the project you should have a property with 3,300 sq. ft. If you apply the residential £ per sq. ft. of £500, which is perhaps a little conservative for the area, you end up with a value of £1.6M. The build cost should be, to my untrained eye, not more than £300K- £350K. Therefore, this is a rare deal, which allows you the certainty of conversion to residential, and the cherry on the pie will be the additional 2 floors subject to planning.

The project would be carried out in two phases. The permitted development phase, which is a certainty, would be applied first, this would be obtained in 56 days. The cost of implementing this would be £150K, giving an end GDV of £1.2M. The 2nd phase would be via planning which, from an initial observation, hopefully should come through; even if it doesn’t you have bagged the permission to convert from commercial to residential.

The extra floors would be an additional gain. You have already made your profit with certainty through the PD. This deal is a no brainer, and it is within the budget of many investors. It is also in the vicinity where many Gujaratis already like to invest. Many only invest in areas which they know, and are close to them. This is useful in regards to any major building works. Inevitably, things come out of the woodwork despite having a JCT contract in place. In a project we have running at the moment, we have had rainwater flooding into the site. There is little purpose in replacing the roof as we wish to go up two stories on this building later down the road.

Therefore, we only need to do a patch job. In doing this, however, there are no warranties given by the roofing contractor, therefore there is the risk of continually doing patch jobs, where you run the risk of the cumulative value of continual patch jobs amounting to more than doing the whole roof in the first place!

This is the joy of building!

The investment found in NW London is a rarity, from the affordable price point, location, the value add, and certainty. Interested investors will need to move quickly before they miss this gem of a deal.

PAWAN HANS SALE TAKES OFF The government of India made some headway in its latest attempt to divest in helicopter PSU Pawan Hans, while the RailTel IPO was subscribed over 42 times. “Multiple expressions of interest have been received for privatisation of Pawan Hans.

The transaction will now move to the second stage,” department of investment and public asset management (Dipam) secretary Tuhin Kanta Pandey tweeted. The government had last December re-initiated the process to divest Pawan Hans after several unsuccessful attempts. The government and ONGC, which have 51% and 49% stakes in Pawan Hans, respectively, have offered to sell their entire stake. There was more to cheer for the disinvestment process as the offering for RailTel, one of the largest neutral telecom infrastructure providers in the country, was subscribed over 42 times with 17x subscription in the retail segment. The government aims to mobilise about £82 million by divesting part of its stake in RailTel.

EIL-OIL COMBINE EYE REFINERY STAKE State-run engineering consultancy company Engineers India (EIL) and northeast explorer Oil India (OIL) will jointly bid to buy Bharat Petroleum’s 61.6% stake in Numaligarh Refinery (NRL).

EIL’s move is part of a plan to expand its business beyond consultancy to oil and gas operations. The company said it would be a minority partner in the consortium with OIL. The acquisition of BPCL’s stake in Numaligarh Refinery by the EIL-OIL combine will maintain NRL’s status as a public sector undertaking and exclude it from the former’s disinvestment, one of the conditions set for selling BPCL. The government had decided to exclude NRL’s refinery in Assam, the only one in the northeast, from BPCL’s sale as it was built under an accord between the Centre and the state. OIL already holds 26% in NRL, while the Assam government holds a little over 12%. The consortium expects to complete the acquisition next month. After the acquisition, Numaligarh Refinery will become a subsidiary of OIL.

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FATF plenary begins, Pakistan may continue to be in grey list PARIS: The FATF (Financial Action Task Force) plenary which started Monday is examining Pakistan’s compliance - or lack thereof - with the remaining six items in its 27-point action plan meant to check terror-financing. While Pakistan is expected to remain on the grey list, it’s hoping the Paris-based terror watchdog will allow an onsite evaluation which it can use to convince the member states it has done enough to get its name struck off the grey or Increased Monitoring list.

One of the six terror-financing issues Pakistan was yet to address when the FATF met in October last year related to lack of action against UNSC proscribed terrorists like Masood Azhar. India believes Pakistan has continued to provide safe havens to these terrorists.

FATF had retained Pakistan in the grey list in October, despite acknowledging “significant progress” made by Islamabad in addressing 21 other points. It had asked Pakistan to address its “strategic deficiencies” by demonstrating effective implementation of targeted financial sanctions against all UN 1267 and 1373 designated terrorists and those acting for or on their behalf.

It’s unlikely that FATF will downgrade Pakistan to the blacklist as it enjoys support of China, Malaysia and Turkey.

However, many other member states are still trying to ascertain if Pakistan’s law enforcement agencies are identifying and investigating terror-financing activities and if investigations and prosecutions are targeting designated persons and entities.

“Background discussions with key officials and foreign diplomats suggest that the jury is divided - with the authorities claiming sufficient progress to be confident of a positive outcome but some diplomats suggesting that even in the best case scenario Pakistan would remain in the increased moni-

toring list (grey list) until June,” reported Dawn quoting officials. Pakistan media had also reported last week that some European countries, including France, had recommended to the FATF that Pakistan remain on the grey list as not all points had been fully addressed by Islamabad.

Gunmen kill four women aid workers in northwest Pakistan DERA ISMAIL KHAN (Pakistan): Unidentified gunmen shot dead four women aid workers in their vehicle in northwest Pakistan on Monday, police said, underlining a rise in militant violence in the region.

The women worked for an NGO that trained other women, said Shafiullah Gandapur, the police chief in North Waziristan, part of the northwest province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa which has long been home to Islamist militants.

“The women have been targeted and killed by the terrorists,” Gandapur said. “It is too early to say who or what group

could be involved.” No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, but women have long been a target of Islamist militants who oppose their education or going out to work. The Pakistani Taliban shot and critically wounded teenager Malala Yousafzai in 2012 for advocating girls’ education in a northern district under the militants’ control. In 2014, Malala became the youngest recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. She became a global symbol of the resilience of women in the face of oppression.

Monday’s shooting came amid a rise in militant violence

Pak Hindus being deprived of legal marital rights

Islamabad: Despite the enactment of Hindu Marriage Act in 2017, all Pakistani’s provinces excluding Sindh have so far failed to give the country’s minority Hindu community a right to officially register their marriages, divorces and remarriages.

In 2016, the Sindh province, where majority of the country’s around eight million Hindus live, had framed the law enabling Hindu men and women above18 years of age to register their marriages. Later, it was amended to add divorce and remarriage rights for couples and financial security for the wife and kids after divorce.The Sindh’s move had prompted the federal government in 2017 to extend the same right to Hindus living in other provinces and the federal capital territory of Islamabad. While the law was implemented in Islamabad, the provinces of Baluchistan, Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were required to draft the rules of business for this Act. Haroon Sarbdiyal of the national lobbying delegation for minority rights said the Hindu community in most parts have no rights to the process of registrations of their marriages, legal divorce procedure, adoption and issues related to inheritance. According to official data, there are hundreds of cases pending in the civil courts due to non-availability of rules.

in the region that once served as headquarters of local and Afghan Taliban groups besides foreign al-Qaeda linked Islamists. There has been a sharp rise in attacks since late last year when the Pakistani Taliban brought two splinter groups back into their fold.

A US-designated terrorist group, the Pakistani Taliban have been in disarray in recent years after the army conducted several operations in the region and American drone strikes killed its top leaders on both sides of the border. The area was going through a transitional phase from military campaigns

to a transfer to civilian authorities, army spokesman Major General Babar Iftikhar said.

“Border regions have their own dynamics and we should understand them,” he told reporters. “These are tribal districts, and they have their own culture, it will take time to be absorbed (into settled areas) to be normalized. What we need to do is to stay the course.”

Two killed in Myanmar’s bloodiest protest day Mandalay: Two anti-coup protesters were shot dead by riot police who fired live rounds in Mandalay, Myanmar’s secondlargest city, local media reported. One of the victims was shot in the head and died on the spot, according to Frontier Myanmar magazine. Another was shot in the chest and died en route to the hospital.

Many other serious injuries were also reported. The shootings occurred near Mandalay’s Yadanabon dock, where tear gas and rubber bullets were used on protesters.

Security forces had been increasing their pressure against the protesters, using water cannons, tear gas, slingshots and rubber bullets against demonstrators and striking dock workers in Mandalay. At least five people were hurt by rubber bullets and had to be carried away in ambulances, according to reports.

Some 500 police and soldiers descended on the area near Yadanabon dock after dock workers joined the civil disobedience movement, refusing to work until the junta reinstates the democratically elected government. Protesters and residents were forced to flee the neighborhood amid the violence, as security forces chased after them.

A group of journalists was forced to flee after being hit with tear gas and slingshot projectiles. Gunshots were heard as more than two dozen police officers with shields and helmets marched past railway workers’ housing. Numerous videos posted on social media showed muzzle flashes as shots were heard, and some police shot slingshots and threw rocks at the buildings. Marching chants of “left, right, left, right” could be

in brief INDIAN AMERICAN ECONOMIST JOINS KAMALA HARRIS’ TEAM The Biden-Harris administration has added one more Indian American staff by adding Indian and Filipino American Michael George to the team. George, who has dedicated his career examining how policy can improve social mobility and reduce inequalities, was named to Vice President Kamala Harris’ team as a policy adviser. “As the son of Indian and Filipino immigrants, I’m honored and humbled to share some personal news: I’ve started a new job as a Policy Advisor to Vice President Kamala Harris, George, who served on the Biden-Harris transition for economic policy, tweeted. Before joining the administration, George was a program officer on economic mobility and opportunity for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, his bio notes.

TOP BHUTAN GENERAL, JUDGES DETAINED Police in Bhutan have detained a top general and two judges over an alleged plot to overthrow the top military officer and chief justice. Former Royal bodyguard commandant Brigadier Thinley Tobgay, Supreme Court judge Kuenley Tshering and top district court judge Yeshey Dorji appeared in court after being detained at their homes. The three have been accused of plotting to overthrow the country’s top military officer, Lieutenant General Batoo Tshering by implicating him in a corruption scandal. All were denied bail and remanded in custody until a first formal hearing on February 27.

INDIA BORN WOMAN MUSLIM CHAPLAIN IN US FORCE Saleha Jabeen, US military’s first India-born female Muslim chaplain, has graduated from Air Force Basic Chaplain Course, vowing to take her duty as a spiritual mentor very seriously. The historic graduation ceremony was held on February 5, an official statement.

Jabeen said she was grateful for the opportunity and aware of the responsibility that she has to set an example and show that there is a place in the military for anyone who wants to serve. “I did not have to compromise on any of my religious beliefs or convictions. I am surrounded with people who respect me and are willing to receive what I bring as a woman, a faith leader, an immigrant.”

CHINESE WOMAN ATTACKED IN NY heard along with shouts of “shoot, shoot”.

Also, anti-coup protesters in Myanmar’s two largest cities paid tribute to a young woman who died a day earlier after being shot by police during a rally against the military takeover. An impromptu memorial created under an elevated roadway in Yangon attracted around 1,000 protesters. Reacting to the Mandalay shooting, the EU’s high representative and vice president Josep Borrell tweeted that he “strongly condemn(s) the violence”. Singapore, Myanmar’s largest investor, also said it was “dismayed.”

UN rapporteur Tom Andrews had said that he was alarmed by reports of soldiers being transported into Yangon, Myanmar’s biggest city. “In the past, such troop movements preceded killings, disappearances, and detentions on a mass scale,” he said in a statement issued by the UN Human Rights office in Geneva. “I am terrified that given the confluence of these two developments planned mass protests and troops converging - we could be on the precipice of the military committing even greater crimes against the people of Myanmar.”

An Asian woman standing on a New York City street was violently shoved to the ground and police were searching for the suspect, with a spotlight being put on the case by actor Olivia Munn who said she was a friend of the woman’s daughter. The New York Police Department said the 52-year-old woman was outside a bakery in Queens when the suspect got into a verbal dispute with her and pushed her. “My friend’s mom is a 5’3’’ 50+ Chinese woman .. she was attacked,” Munn tweeted.

N KOREA TRIED TO STEAL PFIZER VAX KNOW-HOW North Korea has attempted to steal Covid-19 vaccine technology by hacking Pfizer Inc according to South Korea’s National Intelligence Service. South Korea’s news agency Yonhap did not report when the alleged hacking took place or whether it was successful. Pfizer’s offices in Asia and South Korea did not have an immediate comment.

Last year suspected North Korean hackers tried to break into at least nine health organisations, including Johnson & Johnson , Novavax Inc, and Astra-Zeneca. South Korea’s intelligence agency said it had foiled North Korean attempts to hack into South Korean firms developing vaccines

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in brief OZ PM APOLOGISES TO FORMER STAFFER WHO ALLEGED RAPE AT WORK Australia PM Scott Morrison apologised to a former government staffer who Scott Morrison alleged she was raped by a colleague in a minister’s office two years ago. The former staffer Brittany Higgins alleged in a TV interview that a colleague had raped her in the office of the then-defence industry minister Linda Reynolds weeks before the 2019 election and that she did not receive the support she needed from bosses. The man she accused was fired for a security breach. Higgins, who was Reynolds’ media adviser, said she decided not to pursue a police complaint at the time because she felt it would affect her employment. She resigned in January this year and said she plans to reinstate her police complaint. Morrison said Reynolds should not have questioned Higgins about her accusation in the same office where Higgins alleged the rape took place.

WHO ALERTS SIX AFRICAN NATIONS OVER EBOLA The World Health Organization (WHO) has alerted six African countries to watch out for potential cases of Ebola after it emerged in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Guinea. The DRC declared the emergence of Ebola on February 7 while Guinea declared the outbreak later. "We have already alerted the six countries around, including of course Sierra Leone and Liberia, and they are moving very fast to prepare and be ready and to look for any potential infection," the WHO's Margaret Harris said. Meanwhile, the Ebola vaccination campaign kicked out in areas where the epidemic was first reported.

LIBYA CELEBRATES 10 YEARS SINCE THE OVERTHROW OF GADDAFI Libyans marked the 10th anniversary of the 2011 uprising that ousted and killed the long-time ruler Moammar Gadhafi. Libyans from all walks of life gathered at Tripoli main square to celebrate this decade-old anniversary amid tight security. The celebrations began not only in Tripoli but also in other cities all over Libya. Local media reported that celebrations in the city of Sabha were brought to a halt after fireworks killed a child and injured 15 other peoples. Investigations have been launched into the cause of the incident.

NAVALNY’S APPEAL AGAINST PRISON TERM REJECTED A Moscow court has rejected Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny’s appeal against his prison sentence, even as the country faced a top European rights court’s order to free the Kremlin critic. Speaking before the verdict, Navalny urged Russians to stand up to the Kremlin in a fiery speech mixing references to the Bible and “Harry Potter”. A lower court sentenced Navalny earlier this month to two years and eight months in prison for violating terms of his probation while recuperating in Germany.

Navalny appealed the sentence and asked to be released. But, the judge only reduced his sentence to over 2 1/2 years in prison, ruling that a month-and-half Navalny spent under house arrest in 2015 will be deducted from his sentence.

Lanka cancels Imran Khan’s planned address to Parliament COLOMBO: Sri Lanka has cancelled a planned address to its Parliament by Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan next week, apparently because of concerns that he could take up the Kashmir issue.

Officials cited Covid-19related restrictions as the reason for the move, though people familiar with developments said that the Sri Lankan government had done a re-think following discussions on the implications of Khan raising the Kashmir issue in his speech.

Sri Lanka’s Speaker Mahinda Abeywardena had told leaders of political parties during a meeting that Khan would address the Parliament during his two-day visit beginning on February 22.

The address was scheduled for February 24 and Khan is scheduled to meet President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and foreign minister Dinesh Gunawardena during the visit.

“The planned address to Parliament doesn’t appear to have been well thought through.

There were considerable discus-

SAARC leaders convened by India last year to discuss ways to counter the Covid19 pandemic.

The sergeant-at-arms of Sri Lanka Parliament, Narendra Fernando, was quoted by the Colombo Gazette as saying that foreign minister Gunawardena had informed officials that Imran Khan Khan’s proposed visit to the Parliament complex “will sions within the government at not take place”. Fernando also which the possibility of Prime said Gunawardena had Minister Khan referring to the informed Parliament that Kashmir issue came up,” said Khan’s visit would go ahead as one of the people who attended scheduled. the meeting. Realising the ramiReports in the Sri Lankan fications of such a development, media also quoted foreign secrethe Sri Lankan side considered it tary Jayanath Colombage as saymore prudent to call off the ing that the Speaker had address to Parliament, the peoinformed the government that ple said. he would be unable to ensure It is the Pakistan governfull attendance in Parliament ment’s stated policy to raise the because of the pandemic. The Kashmir issue at international Pakistan government had made forums, especially since the a request for Khan to address the Indian government scrapped Parliament. The last foreign Jammu and Kashmir’s special leader to address Sri Lanka’s status in August 2019. Pakistan Parliament was Indian Prime even raised the Kashmir issue Minister Narendra Modi in 2015. during a virtual meeting of Khan will be the first head of

state to visit Sri Lanka since the Covid-19 outbreak last year. His visit is being seen in Sri Lanka as crucial to gain the support of Pakistan and other Muslim countries ahead of a hearing on the island country’s human rights record, especially during the war with the LTTE, at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on February 24. Last week, Khan had welcomed Sri Lanka’s assurance regarding allowing the burial of Muslim coronavirus victims instead of the forcible cremation of their bodies.

The visit also comes at a time when ties between India and Sri Lanka have been affected

by Colombo’s unilateral decision to develop the East Container Terminal at Colombo port through a state-run body instead of under a trilateral agreement signed with India and Japan.

Both India and Japan have protested against the decision.

Reports have suggested Sri Lanka has instead offered to allow India and Japan to develop the West Container Terminal at Colombo port.

Lanka to procure 10 mn doses of Covid-19 vaccine from India COLOMBO: Sri Lanka will purchase 10 million doses of Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine from India, officials said. In January, under India's neighbourhood first policy, Sri Lanka received 500,000 doses of free vaccines. They were administered as a priority to frontline health workers and members of the Armed forces.

The State Pharmaceutical Corporation has signed the order with Serum Institute of India (SII) for 10 million doses, officials said. This agreement has been approved by the Attorney General. OxfordAstraZeneca's Covishield is being manufactured by Punebased Serum Institute. The SII has collaborated with Oxford University and pharmaceutical

company AstraZeneca for making the vaccine.

Earlier this week, the vaccination was extended to the general public and Mps. About 250,000 out of 500,000 Oxford– AstraZeneca Covishield vaccines have been administered so far, General Shavendra Silva, the Army chief who heads the Covid-19 prevention operations said.

He said, the WHO has assured Sri Lanka that it would provide vaccines for 20 per cent of the local population free of charge. He added that China and Russia had also agreed to donate vaccines to the local population.

The Indian Army and the Russian military have also agreed to provide a quantity of vaccines to the Sri Lankan military.

Sri Lanka has recorded 78,420 cases with 71,000 of them having recovered. At least 430 deaths have been recorded since the outbreak in mid-March last year. India is one of the world's biggest drug makers and an increasing number of countries have already approached it for procuring the coronavirus vaccines. India has sent consignments of domestically produced coronavirus vaccines under grant assistance to Bhutan,

Maldives, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Mauritius and Seychelles. It is also undertaking commercial supplies of the doses to a number of countries, including Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Brazil and Morocco.

Zondo commission seeks two year jail for Jacob Zuma PRETORIA: The commission probing widespread state corruption when Jacob Zuma was president of South Africa, requested the Supreme Court to hand down a two year jail time for Zuma over his refusal to testify. Since the creation of the commission in 2018, Zuma, already implicated by some 40 testimonies, has on several occasions tried to avoid having to explain himself, thus, piling up appeals or asserting his right to silence.

After months of avoiding to testify, Judge Raymond Zondo's commission put his threats into action by filing an urgent appeal with the Constitutional Court to punish the former head of state, for "intentionally and illegally" refusing to advance the investigation. On Monday, February

15, the former South African president again snubbed the anti-corruption commission before which he was summoned all week.

However, this time, he had at the same time ignored a January ruling by the Constitutional Court, forcing him to appear and denying him the right to remain silent. The commission is now asking the Supreme Court to decide whether Zuma's latest affront constitutes "contempt of justice" and, if so, whether he should be sent to prison.

Last week, the former head of state accused some judges of being "without faith or law".

He said he was certain that Judge Zondo's desire to have him convicted of contempt of court would be fulfilled, accusing the president of "political

Jacob Zuma

propaganda".

The arm wrestling between the two men has been going on for months, with both of them using the legal arsenal to launch their attacks.

President, Cyril Ramaphosa, who has made the fight against corruption a bat-

tle horse, warned of the possible consequences of the remarks made by his predecessor. Jacob Zuma, 78, testified only once before the commission in July 2019. He said he was being treated as an "accused" and not a ‘’witness’’.

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The India born scientist behind NASA’s rover landing on Mars CALIFORNIA: When NASA’s Perseverance rover gently touched down on the surface of Mars last week after seven months in space, it was an Indian-American named Dr Swati Mohan, who first confirmed that the rover had survived a particularly tricky plunge into the Martian atmosphere.

“Touchdown confirmed! Perseverance is safely on the surface of Mars, ready to begin seeking the signs of past life,” a calm and composed bindi-clad Mohan announced soon after the rover landed, as cheers erupted in NASA’s mission control room in California.

Mohan, who successfully spearheaded the development of attitude control and the landing system for the rover, was among the team of scientists behind the

historic mission. The attitude control system is responsible for pointing the rover in the direction it needs to be and also helps figure out where the spacecraft is oriented in space.

The Cornell graduate has been associated with the Perseverance Mars Mission since its inception and has been part of a number of other NASA missions over the years. Notably, she also worked on NASA’s Cassini mission to Saturn. Last week, Mohan made history yet again, when she steered the controls and landing system of the rover and navigated a rather difficult touchdown, while the whole world watched with bated breath.

The NASA scientist first emigrated from India to the United States when she was just a year old. Most of her

childhood was spent in the Northern Virginia-Washington DC area. Mohan traces her love for space back to the American science fiction series ‘Star Trek’, which she first watched at the age of 9. While she wanted to become a paediatrician until she was 16, she later decided to become an engineer and pursue

her interest in space exploration.

The robotic vehicle sailed through space for nearly seven months and covered over 472 million km before entering the Martian atmosphere at 12,000 miles per hour (19,000 km per hour) to begin its approach to touchdown on the planet’s surface.

5 Indian-origin persons, including Rishi Sunak, on TIME's emerging leaders list NEW YORK: Five Indian-origin personalities, including Twitter's top lawyer Vijaya Gadde and UK's chancellor Rishi Sunak, and an Indian activist feature in TIME magazine's annual list of 100 "emerging leaders who are shaping the future". "Everyone on this list is poised to make history. And in fact, many already have," Dan Macsai, the editorial director of the TIME100, said. Other Indianorigin personalities on the list are Instacart founder and CEO Apoorva Mehta, doctor and executive director of non-profit Get Us PPE Shikha Gupta and founder of non-profit Upsolve Rohan Pavuluri. Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Aazad is also on the list.

Rishi Sunak's profile in the TIME feature says that a little over a year ago, the 40-year old was an "unknown junior minister in the British government" but after he was named to lead Britain's Treasury last year, he "quickly became the benevolent face of the government's response to the Covid-19 pandemic, approving large handouts for many citizens whose jobs were disrupted by the virus."

On Apoorva Mehta, 34, the profile said that in the initial days of the Covid-19 pandemic,

Instacart "faced a tidal wave of orders, as people with means opted en masse to pay the service's workers to buy groceries for them." Mehta described that period as a "wartime moment." "The smartphone is the supermarket of the future. We are going to help co-create that," Mehta said in the TIME article.

The profile described Vijaya Gadde, 46, as "one of Twitter's most powerful executives" who was the one to convey the news to CEO Jack Dorsey that former President Donald Trump's Twitter account had been suspended following the Capitol attack of January 6.

"While Twitter is still home to much misinformation and harassment, Gadde's influence is slowly turning the company

into one that sees free speech not as sacrosanct, but as just one human right among many that need to be weighed against one another."

Chandrashekhar Aazad, 34, is the leader of the Bhim Army, which runs schools to help Dalits escape poverty through education and also "practices a distinct brand of assertiveness, sweeping into villages on loud motorbikes to protect victims of caste-based violence and organising provocative demonstrations against discrimination," the TIME profile on him says. Aazad and the Bhim Army also "spearheaded a campaign for justice" in the case of the alleged gang-rape of a Dalit woman in Uttar Pradesh's Hathras.

TIME said Shikha Gupta and her team stepped up to meet the growing demand for personal protective equipment for healthcare professionals at a time when there was a "leadership vacuum" from the White House. Gupta leads the Get Us PPE organisation and along with a group of medical professionals and team members, the organisation helped distribute more than 6.5 million pieces of PPE to frontline workers. Gupta, who "wasn't on the White House Task Force" or a governor or member of Congress, took action to solve the problem.

Rohan Pavuluri is the 25year founder of the free online tool that helps users fill out bankruptcy forms on their own.

According to TIME, the Covid19 pandemic brought varied economic hardships to Americans, filing for personal bankruptcy was seen as an effective way to eliminate debt but entailed high legal costs and complex paperwork. Upsolve, which Pavuluri founded in 2018, has till date helped American users relieve more than USD 300 million in debt, the TIME profile of him said.

"We've found a way to use technology to address a civil rights injustice at scale," Pavuluri said in the TIME profile.

Kenyan oil tycoon, Devani set to be extradited over Sh7.6 billion Triton scandal The United Kingdom has approved the extradition of Yagnesh Devani the businessman behind the Sh7.6 billion Triton petroleum scandal - back to Kenya to face charges over the scam. Last week, the British government notified Nairobi to facilitate the return of Devani after what it said was a solution of a “legal matter” that prevented his deportation.

Legal action is also being taken against Mahendra Pathak, who is Devani’s close associate. Julian Gibbs, Head of Extradition, UK, said Kenya will now be free to follow the procedure and conduct their trial back in Nairobi. “I would be very grateful if arrangements could be made as soon as possible to give effect to Devani’s extradition,” Gibbs wrote in a letter

addressed to the Kenyan Director of Public Prosecutions.

Devani, who turns 56 on March 23, disappeared since June 2009 from a case in which he was charged with swindling billions of money in a crude and refined oil import scam. The oil scam, often known as the Triton Scandal, was allegedly made through Devani’s company, Triton Petroleum Ltd. The firm, where Devani was the executive

chairman, had a lucrative offer of tender to supply oil to help local oil firms. Around 126 million litres of fuel worth Sh9 billion was vaporized in the air.

Triton had been placed under receivership for non-payment of the debt. In December 2008, Mohanlal Devani and Mahendra Pathak visited Prayagraj, a place where three holy rivers confluence, to clean themselves from their sins.

in brief 'HOTEL RWANDA' HERO ON TRIAL FOR TERRORISM

Paul Rusesabagina, the hero whose story inspired the film 'Hotel Rwanda' is facing trial on terrorism charges. He is praised for saving some 1,000 ethnic Tutsis during Rwanda’s 1994 genocide. But is a staunch critic of longtime President Paul Kagame and faces 12 charges, including terrorism. Rusesabagina's family says he has no chance at a fair trial and that the 66-year-old could die from poor health behind bars. His legal team said last month that his prescribed medication for a heart disorder was being withheld. He holds Belgian nationality and is a US resident. In 2005 he was awarded the US Presidential Medal of Freedom. It is not clear how long Rusesabagina would stay in prison if convicted.

NIGERIA TO SELL 36 PROPERTIES TO FINANCE 2021 BUDGET The Nigerian government is planning to sell a number of properties to finance its 2021 national budget. The projects are expected to be concessioned or sold between January 2021 and November 2022. A number of properties have already been listed for sale or concession and they include the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB), the Abuja International Conference Centre (ICC), some unnamed refineries, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Abuja Water Board, Nigerian Film Corporation, among others. These transfers vary in terms of core investor sales, while some will be in the form of share sales. Some will undergo concession while others will be commercialized fully or partially.

CARLSBAD COUNCIL MEMBER ATTENDS CITY MEETING FROM HOSPITAL JUST BEFORE GIVING BIRTH CALIFORNIA: Dr Priya Bhat-Patel, an Indian American council woman in the Southern California city of Carlsbad attended the city's council meeting virtually from the hospital while preparing to give birth to her first child. A little over a minute into the meeting – just before the Pledge of Allegiance – Bhat-Patel joined the meeting, saying, “Yes, I’m here.”

The council meeting ran for an hour and 19 minutes and Bhat-Patel attended the entire meeting. Bhat-Patel spoke again just before the 8-minute mark, the NBC report said.

“First of all, thanks to my colleagues for stepping in for me,” Bhat-Patel said. “I am actually at the hospital, about to have my baby – but I didn’t want to miss the meeting.”The council member thanked the young leaders who spoke on the importance of the city’s Black History Month proclamation. Bhat-Patel confirmed later that her baby had been born just in the early afternoon of Feb. 17. Bhat-Patel, who has served on the Carlsbad City Council since 2018 and as Mayor Pro Tem in 2019, is a candidate for the California State Senate District 36. As the Covid-19 pandemic continues to surge, she is leading the statewide initiative to combat rising domestic violence with innovative, comprehensive victim services.

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Farmers agitation now turns violent The farmers agitation against the three new farm laws was peaceful in the initial stages. In a democracy peaceful agitation is lawful. Now it has turned into mobocracy. The Republic Day violence and unprecedented scenes at the Red Fort witnessed ugly clashes at several points between protesters, who violated the charted routes.

An Uttarakhand farmer was killed and at least 45 policemen injured.

The police had given permission for the tractor parade on Republic Day and marked out specific routes for the protesters and they had agreed that the tractor parade will commence only after the formal Republic Day celebrations end. However, a group of protesters started rolling their tractors into the city. The heavily outnumbered police were helpless at many flash-points where armed protesters chased them with swords and lathis. The Nihangs in their battle-gear were carrying swords while marching into the city. A farmer was killed in the

clashes.

As far as negotiations with the government are concerned, the agenda of the farmers is to focus the discussions only on ways in which the new laws can be scrapped. The government has, however, refused to roll back the pro-reform laws farmers say will hurt their livelihoods. It has instead offered to hold the implementation of the three contentious laws for 18 months. The government has asked the farmers to reconsider the offer which Union agriculture minister

Narendra Singh Tomar said is the "best offer".

Experts say that the farm laws will benefit the farmers, but the farmers are not willing to listen to that argument.

Out of the three central laws, the primary area of concern for farmers is the Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, or FPTC Act in short. The law allows buying and selling of farm produce outside the APMC mandis without any tax. The government, on its part, says that this act will give more freedom to farmers to choose who to sell their produce to. It has termed the three laws historic saying they will change the way agriculture trade is done. A related issue is that of the Minimum Support Price or MSP - the price at

which the government purchases farm produce directly from the farmers. The farmers say that once they stop selling in APMCs, the big corporate houses may not honour the MSP. So, they want the government to make MSP a legal right.

The government, meanwhile, says that it is not right to include in the agenda the demand related to MSP as it is out of the purview of the new farm laws. It highlighted the plight of the small and marginal farmers and said they will benefit from the new reforms in the agriculture sector. The opposition parties also know that the farm laws will benefit the farmers but they are not willing to supporting the government because of the politics.

Govt still willing to talk to farmers: Min Union agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar said the Centre is still willing to talk to the farmers. He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said in Parliament that the government

is willing to discuss the three acts clause- by- clause. “We are regularly in touch with the protesting farmers. The Government of India is ready to discuss the acts clause- by-clause,” Tomar said.

When asked specifically if the centre is still willing to talk to the agitating farmers, who have been on borders of Delhi for nearly three months, the minister replied in affirmative. He, however, did not comment on when the talks are likely to resume between the two sides.

Tomar also informed the media that the budget for the next fiscal has proposed a number of schemes for the welfare of the farming community of the country.

After the 10th round of talks in January end in which the centre proposed to keep the new agri laws in abeyance for 1.5 years, which was not accepted by the agitating farmers, no further talks have taken place between the two sides.

Priya Ramani acquitted of defaming M J Akbar A person’s right to reputation can’t be protected at the cost of dignity, a Delhi court said, while acquitting journalist Priya Ramani of the charge of defaming former Union minister M J Akbar whom she had accused of sexual harassment.

In a verdict emerging out of litigation relating to the MeToo movement, the court made it clear that a “woman cannot be punished for raising (her) voice against sex abuse on the pretext of criminal complaint of defamation as the right of reputation cannot be protected at the cost of the right of life and dignity of woman as guaranteed in Constitution.”

Additional chief metropolitan

magistrate Ravindra Kumar Pandey also accepted Ramani’s statement that Akbar is “not a man of stellar reputation” while believing her testimony of being sexually harassed by him in a Mumbai hotel in 1993, a meeting Akbar claimed

had never occurred.

The woman has a right to put her grievance on any platform of her choice and even after decades. It is shameful that the incidents of crime and violence against women are happening in the country where megaepics such as ‘Mahabarata’ and ‘Ramayana’ were written around the theme of respect for w o m e n , ” observed ACMM Pandey, dismiss-

ing the criminal defamation complaint filed by Akbar, who had also questioned the delay by Ramani in levelling these allegations.

The court said it cannot be ignored that most of the time, the offence of sexual harassment and sexual abuse is committed behind closed doors or privately.

Ramani had made allegations of sexual misconduct against Akbar in the wake of the global

MeToo movement in 2018 following which Akbar filed the complaint on October 15, 2018, accusing her of defaming him by accusing him of sexual misconduct decades ago when he was a journalist. He resigned as Union minister on October 17, 2018, and denied all the allegations of sexual harassment against the women who came forward against him.

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Narayanasamy quits as Congress loses power in Puducherry PUDUCHERRY: Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy tendered his resignation to the Lieutenant Governor on Monday after the Congress government lost its majority in the floor test. After two exit on Sunday, the government's numbers had dropped to 12 MLAs in the assembly where 14 is the majority mark.

Speaking in the assembly, the chief minister blamed former L-G Kiran Bedi for scuttling the work of the government as well as colluding with the opposition to topple the government. Bedi assumed office of Lt Governor on May 29, 2016, and had been at loggerheads with Narayanasamy on various issues.

"As our MLAs stayed united, we managed to pull off the last 5 years. The Centre has betrayed the people of Puducherry by not granting funds we requested," Narayanasamy said. He added, "We formed the government with the support of DMK and independent MLAs. After that,

we faced various elections. We have won all the by-elections. It is clear that people of Puducherry trust us."

The trust vote came a day after one more ruling Congress MLA resigned from his post. K Lakshminarayanan, elected from the Raj Bhavan constituency, tendered his resignation to Assembly Speaker V P Sivakolundhu at the latter's residence. Later, he told reporters that "this government led by Narayanasamy has lost majority." Lakshminarayanan said he has also resigned from the party membership.

Following his resignation, the second this week, the Congress' strength further slipped to 13, while the opposition has 14 MLAs in the 33-member house which has five vacancies.

Four Congress MLAs – ex-ministers A including Namassivayam (now in BJP) and Malladi Krishna Rao had quit, while another party legislator was earlier disqualified.

Telangana Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan, who was handed over additional charge of Puducherry, had directed Narayanasamy to prove majority by ordering a floor test on February 22.

Kiran Bedi relieved Earlier, the Centre relieved lieutenant governor Kiran Bedi from administrative responsibilities.

Telangana governor Tamilisai Soundarajan has been given additional charge as the lieutenant governor of the Union territory. The decision to relieve Bedi is the culmination of a long-running feud between her and Narayanasamy.

Bedi’s removal came a few days after a delegation led by Narayanasamy called on President Ram Nath Kovind and submitted a memorandum urging him to recall Bedi. The delegation accused Bedi of acting in a “typical autocratic manner in violation of constitutional provisions and

rule of law” and interfering in the day-to-day affairs of the elected government and blocking all welfare and development schemes. Relations between the two had turned so acrimonious that they took their disagreements to public fora on several occasions.

Bedi and the Congress government have been at loggerheads over several issues ever since she assumed office on May 29, 2016. Narayanasamy charged Bedi with failing to redelegate the enhanced financial powers to the chief minister and his cabinet colleagues even after the home ministry’s directive.

PUNJAB

Cong sweeps civic body elections in Punjab CHANDIGARH: Amidst widespread support in Punjab for farmers agitating against the new agricultural laws passed by the Centre, the ruling Congress last week recorded a landslide victory in the civic body elections. The party won 1,399 of the 2,165 municipal wards, and seven of the eight municipal corporations. Earlier, the result of the Mohali corporation was postponed. But when the results were announced, the Congress registered victory in 37 of the 50 wards. With this, the ruling party registered victory in seven municipal corporations and emerged as the leading party in the Moga municipal corporation, where no party got a clear majority.

The BJP’s hopes that a good

performance in the urban areas were dashed. Having split from long-time ally Akali Dal, it lost even strongholds like Pathankot, Sujanpur, Batala and Abohar, winning only 49 wards. The Independents, who won from 329 wards, finished second behind the Congress.

The Congress won 1,128 of the 1,815 wards in municipal councils, and 271 of the 350 municipal corporation seats, with the Akali Dal trailing at 252 and 33 respectively, the BJP at 29 and 20, and the AAP at 53 and nine. The remaining went largely to Independents. The polls held on February 14, to eight municipal corporations and 109 municipal councils and nagar panchayats, were the first elections in the state since the farm laws were passed. The

results are a big boost for Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, with the elections seen as “semi-finals” for the Assembly polls due early next year. The CM hailed the results as a validation of his government’s “development-oriented policies and programmes” and a rejection of the Opposition’s “anti-people actions”.

Soon after the results, PPCC president Sunil Kumar Jakhar gave the slogan ‘Captain for 2022’. “He (Amarinder) has proved that he is the only Captain who can steer the ship of the state in turbulent waters,” Jakhar said. The results showed that the anger against the farm laws continues to singe the Akali

Dal despite it severing its ties with the BJP and giving up a Union Cabinet berth. Dinesh Kumar, the organisational secretary of the BJP, said polls should not have been held at a time when BJP candidates could not even campaign freely. Kumar denied the results were a pointer to the Vidhan Sabha polls, while stressing that its tally was just a notch lower than that of the AAP, the main opposition.

WEST BENGAL

CBI questions TMC MP Abhishek’s kin KOLKATA: A CBI team, comprising eight officers, questioned Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee’s sisterin-law, Menka Gambhir, at her residence for over three hours on Monday in connection with its probe into the alleged coalmining scam in Bengal. A few minutes before CBI team knocked at Gambhir’s Panchasayar home near EM Bypass, Abhishek’s wife Rujira Banerjee Naroola told the agency its officers could visit her at her Harish Mukherjee Road house between 11 am and 3 pm on Tuesday. She, however, said she “was unaware” why she was questioned and did not know the “subject matter” of the probe.

On Sunday, CBI had served Rujira and her sister, Gambhir, summons to question them in the illegal coal-mining case probe. The agency registered an FIR last November, naming six

people, including prime suspect Anup Maji and five officials of a nationalised mining company, while several others of a coal company, CISF, Railways and other departments were under suspicion.

Raids were conducted at the home of Trinamool youth leader Vinay Mishra over the last few months. Both Mishra and Maji are said to be absconding. Rujira wrote to CBI additional police superintendent Umesh Kumar (the investigation officer) on Monday morning, acknowledging the summons that arrived when she was not at home on Sunday, and requesting him to inform her about its schedule.

A six-member team, led by Kumar, is likely to go to question Rujira on Tuesday, officials said.

The team, including two women members, may be accompanied by a legal adviser, who is being

flown in from Delhi. A Kolkatabased lawyer will also be present during the questioning to assist Rujira, “should she have any legal queries”. There was, however, no official word from the agency.

Kumar and seven CBI officers, including two women, reached Gambhir’s residence on Monday. They unofficially said they wanted to question Gambhir on whether she was aware of a businessman, now based in the UAE. The businessman, the agency suspects, has received a portion of the money from the illegal coal-mining scam. The agency also suspects that the businessman, who was under its radar in earlier probes, had helped the masterminds of the coal mining scam to stash money overseas through a web of companies. The complex chain, the CBI believes, extends beyond the UAE to several counties in

Abhishek Banerjee

south-east Asia, Germany and the UK. The CBI visit comes amid a no-holds-barred fight between the Trinamool and the BJP ahead of the state assembly polls and follows last week’s summons from a city court to Union home minister Amit Shah in a 2018 criminal defamation case lodged

by Abhishek. Mamata later said, “Please do not try to intimidate us with your threats and fear of jail”. A Trinamool source, reacting to the BJP’s “intimidatory tactics”, said such a move was “predictable”. “All of BJP’s allies have left them. So, their only loyal allies are the CBI and the ED. We will fight it out.

We are not scared.”

in brief ANOTHER WAVE OF COVID-19 IN BENGALURU For some time it seemed like Covid-19 is fading away as positive cases across Karnataka reduced a lot. But yet again, coronavirus is making an entry into Bengaluru.

Last week, 103 residents of an apartment in Bommanahalli area on Bengaluru–Chennai road tested positive and one among them is in serious condition. Following massive outbreak of positive cases, government issued a new order. If five or more positive cases found in a locality, then the area will be declared as containment zone, the order says. According to officials, those who tested positive have attended a party in their apartment. One of the families had to travel to Dehradun and had undergone check before planning the trip.

However, they tested positive and later tests were conducted of all 1,052 residents of the apartment and found 103 positive cases. All of them are quarantined while one was shifted to hospital.

METROMAN SREEDHARAN TO JOIN BJP E Sreedharan, popularly known as Metroman for his role in setting up Delhi Metro as a showpiece public transport model, is all set to join the BJP and contest as a candidate for the Kerala Assembly elections slated to be held in April-May, the party’s state chief K Surendran said. Sreedharan, 88, is expected to join the party formally during Vijayayatra, a pre-poll state-wide tour led by Surendran.

Sreedharan said that his decision was prompted by the belief that “only BJP can deliver results for the state”. He also launched a scathing attack on the two major political groupings in Kerala - the ruling CPI(M)-led LDF and the Congress-led UDF - and said that they “are working for furthering their interests”. Sreedharan said his main aim is to help the party come to power in Kerala and that he will be open to chief ministership. He also said the focus will be on developing infrastructure in a big way and bring the state out of the debt trap.

3 ARRESTED FOR MURDER OF PUNJAB YOUTH CONG CHIEF Three people have been arrested by Delhi Police for their alleged involvement in the murder of Punjab youth Congress president Gurlal Singh Bhalwan. Bhalwan was shot dead in Faridkot on Feb 18, the day after the civic election results were announced. The accused have been identified as Gurvinder Pal, Sukhvinder Dhillon and Saurabh Verma, all locals of Faridkot. The murder, police said, was orchestrated by Canada-based gangster Goldy Brar. According to police, it was revenge killing over the murder of Brar’s cousin, Gurlal Brar.

Gurlal, former state president of Student Organization of Punjab University (SOPU), was murdered in October 2020. Brar, through his henchmen, first eliminated gangster Rana Sidhu and then targeted Bhalwan who they suspected of supporting the rival Bhambhia gang.

BENGAL BJP WRITES TO SHAH ON ‘POLICE INACTION’ The Bengal unit of BJP submitted a complaint to Union home minister Amit Shah alleging police inaction during attack on the ‘parivartan yatra’ at Minakhan in North 24 Parganas. The party has sent a similar complaint to the Election Commission. In the letter, BJP alleged that TMC supporters hurled bombs and pelted stones at a “peaceful rally” that was being conducted with necessary permission. The letter said police did not take any action to control the mob. “A lot of vehicles” were damaged and several party workers injured, BJP said, adding that the condition of two persons was critical. The BJP leaders asked Shah to take action against the miscreants. It also requested the EC to deploy “neutral officers” during the polls, keeping such incidents in mind.

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ED attaches over £1.76 mn Amnesty India assets on money laundering charges The Enforcement Directorate attached bank balances of £1.76 million belonging to Amnesty International India and its trust, Indians for Amnesty International Trust (IAIT), accusing the Indian arm of the UK-based NGO of money laundering in the garb of bringing in ‘foreign direct investments’. In all, £2 million have so far been attached in the case.

“Directorate of Enforcement issued provisional attachment order under Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) attaching bank accounts of Amnesty International India Pvt Ltd and Indians for Amnesty International Trust as both the entities have acquired the proceeds of crime and layered the same in the form of various movable properties,” ED claimed.

In 2018, ED had first carried

out searches on the Bengaluru premises of Amnesty’s India chapter and later put under “restraint” £5.2 million deposited in the accounts of Amnesty International India Pvt Ltd (AIIPL).

The AIIPL had received £5.17 million in ‘export remittances’

from Amnesty International, UK during the financial year 2014 and 2019.

“Investigation revealed that upon cancellation of FCRA licence, Amnesty International, UK sent £ 5.17 million to AIIPL in the guise of export of services and FDI (foreign

direct investment),” a senior agency official said. However, there was no documentary evidence produced by Amnesty India to substantiate the ‘exports of services’.

The agency has claimed that Amnesty India received funds from its UK parent body which sources its funds through donations from individual donors. The total attachments stand at £1.95 million till date. “Investigation has proved that no services were exported and the amounts so received was in contravention to provisions of FEMA and PMLA,” sources in the ED said. The contravention had led to freezing of deposits in the bank accounts of AIIPL and Indians for Amnesty International Trust earlier. Amnesty's Indian entities had also challenged the decision of the agency of freezing

bank balance before the Karnataka High Court which found the action of the enforcement agency “legally justified”, a source pointed out.

The Indian chapter of the human rights body has been under scrutiny of the investigative agencies for some time. In October 2018, the ED had conducted searches at the NGO’s Bengaluru office in connection with its probe in the alleged violation of FDI guidelines and remittances it had received from the parent body.

Residence of its then director Akaar Patel were among the premises searched by the agency.

The agency was probing if Amnesty adopted the FDI route to evade the foreign contribution regulation act (FCRA) after government tightened regulations under FCRA.

Foreign envoys visit Valley, amid partial lockdown A tour of the Hazratbal shrine, the holiest in the Valley, along with another visit to Budgam to participate in a public outreach event locally known as ‘Block Diwas’, were the highlights of the first day of the two-day visit by 24 foreign envoys to Jammu and Kashmir. The visit, however, took place amid a partial shutdown of business establishments in parts of Srinagar city. Six of the visiting envoys represent member states of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, which continues to target India at Pakistan’s behest for alleged human rights violations in the Union Territory.

At Hazratbal, often the site of violent clashes in the past, the Delhi-based heads of missions were received by the ‘imams’ of the shrine and briefed about its historical significance. At Magam in Budgam district, the envoys were briefed by local officials about development activities and

accompanied by MEA officials, including chief of protocol Nagesh Singh and joint secretary of PAI

“people-centric schemes” currently being implemented by the government.

“The visit also provided the envoys an opportunity to interact and hear directly from the general public and their local level people’s representatives on the functioning and empowerment of grassroots democratic institutions, devolution of power, developmental activities, local issues and grievance redress mechanisms,” an official told journalists in Delhi.

French and Italian ambassadors, Emmanuel

Jet Airways may fly again

by July-Aug Almost two years after India’s oldest private airline was grounded, Jet Airways may be able to fly again by July or August of this year, the potential new owner of the airline said. Murari Lal Jalan, the lead member of the Jalan-Kalrock consortium, said that the unexpected delay in securing National Company Law Tribunal’s (NCLT) nod may push the plans to get Jet Airways back in the sky by two to three months.

The Kalrock-Jalan consortium was declared the winning bidder for Jet Airways by the creditors' committee in October last year but is still awaiting the final clearance from NCLT before it can take over the airline.

In a conversation, Jalan said that while the initial plan was to get the airline flying again by April this year, he now expects the pending NCLT approval to come in over the next 3-4 weeks, and have the airline up and running by JulyAugust.Murari Lal Jalan is a UAE based entrepreneur and has investments in several sectors like real estate, mining, trading, construction, fast-moving consumer goods, dairy, travel & tourism and industrial works globally, according to reports.

Jalan is the founder and Chairman of a realty firm by the name of MJ Developers, which is currently engaged in developing residential and commercial properties in Uzbekistan.

However, he does not have any prior experience in aviation.

Lenain and Vincenzo de Luca, respectively, interacted with the locals in Budgam. Juan José Cortez Rojas, charge d’affaires of the Bolivian embassy, told reporters in Srinagar that the situation in the Union Territory was “impressive”.

“What we are realising is that democracy took place here. People here are happy with the political decisions the central government took,” he said.

This was the third such visit by foreign envoys to the Valley since India revoked the special status of Jammu and Kashmir in August 2019.

The envoys were

(Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran) division J P Singh.

Some parts of Srinagar witnessed shops and other

businesses shut on the occasion, though business and life were normal in other parts of the Valley.

26 INDIA

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27 Feb - 5 March 2021

After 9-month freeze, India starts clearing China FDI plans The government of India has begun clearing foreign direct investment (FDI) proposals from China on a “case-by-case” basis, ending the freeze on such clearances that lasted around nine months. Over the last few weeks, approvals have started, although it is so far limited to “smaller cases”, government sources said.

The sources made it clear that the large proposals would be take up later after a careful analysis of the situation.

To help smoothen the process, the government has also set up a coordination committee comprising officers from the ministries of home, external affairs, commerce & industry and NITI Aayog, which looks at the issues. “The committee is not like the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB), which looked at all the cases,” explained a source.

All FDI proposals from neighbouring countries are to be vetted by the ministryconcerned, which will decide on it. A similar system is followed in sectors such as telecom or insurance where proposals are still reviewed before they are accepted or rejected. In case of automatic approvals, companies have no obligation to seek prior permission from the government.

In April, the Centre had changed rules to allow FDI from neighbouring countries only with its prior approval, even in sectors where “automatic” clearances were allowed. The move had hit Chinese investors hard given that they had emerged as a major source of flows in recent years, especially in the technology and digital space.

Chinese FDI: Ensuring investments are not hit As a result, even transfer of one share required the Centre’s clearance. While the rule was changed after the Covid-19 outbreak, no consent was given as tension mounted at the Ladakh border, resulting in a pile-up of investments totalling over £1.2 billion. The stated objective was to keep a check on opportunistic takeover by Chinese entities from across the border with sources citing a clampdown in several countries across the world. Although some approvals have come through, the recent hostility at the border - which resulted in India banning several Chinese mobile apps, including popular ones such as TikTok has meant that the government is unlikely to move towards a business as usual approach with restrictions to be in place.

While the steps taken by the government made it clear that there can be no compromise on national security, the recent step of “limited opening up” suggests that it is also aware of the need to ensure that investments are not adversely impacted at a time when all efforts are being made to revive growth and create jobs.

New guidelines for passengers arriving from UK, Europe & Middle East The government of India has issued new guidelines for international arrivals in an attempt to stem the spread of the new variants.

These will supersede all guidelines issued by the government since August 2, 2020.

"This Standard Operating Procedure shall be valid w.e.f. 22nd February 2021 till further orders," the Ministry of Civil Aviation said in a statement.

The guidelines have been divided into three sections based on the origin of travel.

All international travellers except those coming through flights originating from United Kingdom, Europe and the Middle East will be required to submit a self-declaration form on the online 'Air Suvidha' portal before the scheduled travel. They would also need to upload a negative Covid-19 RT-PCR test report. This test should have been conducted within 72 hours prior to undertaking the journey.

"Each passenger shall also submit a declaration with respect to the authenticity of the report and will be liable for criminal prosecution, if found otherwise," the guidelines said.

According to the guidelines, all international travellers coming or

transiting through flights originating from the United Kingdom, Europe and the Middle East have to additionally submit a SelfDeclaration Form (SDF) for Covid on the online 'Air Suvidha' portal before the scheduled travel and will be required to declare their travel history of the past 14 days.

"While filling SDF, apart from providing all other information required in the SDF, passengers need to select: Whether they plan to disembark at the arrival airport or take further flights to reach their final destination in India."

"Based on this selection, the receipt of SDF will display 'T' (Transit) in easily readable and bigger font than other text. The passengers will need to display this receipt to the state authority or government officials at the

airport for segregation."

As per the guidelines, travellers from the UK, Brazil and South Africa taking connecting flights from the international airport they land at will have to give a sample at the designated area and exit the airport only after confirmation of negative test report which may take 6-8 hours.

"Those transit travellers from UK, Brazil and South Africa who are found negative on testing at the airport shall be allowed to take their connecting flights and would be advised quarantine at home for 7 days and regularly followed up by the concerned state or district IDSP." "These travellers shall be tested after 7 days and if negative, released from quarantine, and continue to monitor their health for a further 7 days."

India, China talks fail to break deadlock on ‘friction points’ Continued from page - 1 Sources said the two sides agreed to take forward the stalled disengagement process at Patrolling Points (PPs) 15 and 17A in Hot Springs-Gogra but the question of rival troop

deployments near the area proved a roadblock.

“No specific agreement could be achieved… some more talks are required,” a source said. The “older” issues of friction at the Charding Ninglung Nallah (CNN) track junction in Demchok sector and the

The Ahmedabad office of your favourite newsweeklies ‘Asian Voice’ and 'Gujarat Samachar' completed 16 glorious years of establishment on Tuesday 18th February, 2021. On the auspicious occasion, Retd. Justice Shri Subhodhchandra Shah unveiled the photo of the founder member of ABPL Group, well-wisher, guide and a true friend, Late Shri Bhupatrai T. Parekh and his wife Late Smt. Sarlaben B. Parekh at our Ahmedabad office. On this occasion, Aashaben Shah, Dr. Bhavesh Parekh and Dr. Urvi Parekh also graced the occasion.

(Brief story will be published next week)

strategically-located Depsang Plains were even more intractable, sources said. India, during the meeting, strongly objected to the blocking of its military patrols from going to their traditionalPPs10,11,11A,12,and 13 in the Depsang area, which are well short of India’s perception of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the region.

“The Depsang problem, which has been a continuous source of friction since 2013, was not directly part of the multiple faceoffs that erupted in eastern Ladakh last May. But it is also on the discussion table now, especially since it could lead to major escalation in the future,” a source said.

The PLA can now intercept Indian patrols much more swiftly in the ‘Bottleneck’ area, which is 18 km inside what India perceives to be its territory, after it constructed motorised roads in the area after 2013. “One way out could be for both sides to accept the patrolling rights of each other in Depsang till the LAC can be clarified in the future,” he added.

The two delegations, led by 14 Corps commander Lt-General P G K Menon and South Xinjiang Military District chief Major General Liu Lin, have taken the proposals exchanged during the “candid and in-depth” meeting to

their respective political hierarchies for further consultations.

The joint statement said the two sides “positively appraised the smooth completion of disengagement” from both sides of the Pangong Tso, noting that it was “a significant step forward that provided a good basis for resolution of other remaining issues along the LAC in the western sector”.

4 soldiers killed in Galwan clash: China Eight months after the savage Galwan Valley clash, China finally admitted that People’s Liberation Army soldiers had been killed in the hand-to-hand fighting that had resulted in death of 20 Indian soldiers. The Chinese apex Central Military Commission (CMC) awarded posthumous honorary title and first class merit citation to four PLA soldiers, acknowledging casualties that various reports have put as much higher. Estimates, based on observation of movements on the Chinese side, have put the toll as high as 45. A colonel, who led the troops and was seriously injured, was also conferred with honorary title, according to the CMC, which is headed by President Xi Jinping.

Disengagement in Pangong over India and China have completed troop disengagement

on both sides of Pangong Tso in eastern Ladakh. The two armies verified through physical and electronic surveillance that the four-step disengagement process in the Pangong Tso-Kailash range area, which kicked off on February 10 after over nine months of eyeball-to-eyeball confrontation, was completed to “mutual satisfaction.

India, however, is keeping an “adequate” number of troops “suitably poised” to react to any contingency, while having also deployed requisite ISR (intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance) platforms to closely monitor the activities of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA).

In military talks, the friction at patrolling points (PPs) 15 and 17A near Hot Springs and Gogra will be relatively easier to resolve since most rival troops there had earlier disengaged, leaving only a small number in close proximity to each other. Similar is expected to be the case with the trouble-spot at the Charding Ninglung Nallah (CNN) track junction in the Demchok sector.

But the Depsang Plains or ‘Bulge’ area, the tabletop plateau at 16,000 feet that provides India access to the Daulat Beg Oldie (DBO) airstrip and the critical Karakoram Pass in the north, will be a much harder nut to crack.

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27 Feb - 5 March 2021

Number of food-focused hospital admissions tripled in the UK: Study A latest study reveals the rate of hospital admissions in the UK due to a serious allergic reaction caused by food has tripled over a 20 year period. The research published in the journal BMJ, described time trends for hospital admissions due to food anaphylaxis in the United Kingdom.

Researchers from Imperial College London's National Heart & Lung Institute studied data between 1998 and 2018, measuring time trends, age, and sex distributions for anaphylaxis admissions due to food and non-food triggers, and then compared these with reported fatalities.

Some 101,891 people were admitted to the hospital for anaphylaxis between 1998 and 2018. Out of this

30,700 of these admissions were coded as due to a food trigger. Food anaphylaxis admissions increased from 1.23 to 4.04 per 100,000 population per year, an annual increase of 5.7 per cent. The largest increase in hospital admissions were seen in children younger than 15 years.

A total of 152 deaths were identified over the 20year period, where the fatal event was probably caused by food-induced anaphylaxis. The case fatality rate decreased from 0.7 per cent to 0.19 per cent for confirmed fatal food anaphylaxis and to 0.3 per cent for suspected fatal food anaphylaxis. The researchers said that improvements in the recognition and management of anaphylaxis could partly

explain the decrease in the case fatality rate despite increasing hospital admissions for anaphylaxis.

The authors conclude, “Cow's milk is increasingly identified as the culprit allergen for fatal food reactions, and is now the commonest cause of fatal anaphylaxis in children. More education is needed to highlight the specific risks posed

by cow's milk to people who are allergic to increase awareness among food businesses.”

“Further work is needed to assess the evidence for an age-related vulnerability to severe anaphylaxis in young adults, therefore improving our ability to risk-stratify patients with food allergies and to reduce the risk of fatal outcomes.”

Depression rate remains high in US students: Study A recent survey of nearly 33,000 college students across the US has brought to light the tragic prevalence of depression and anxiety in American youth.

The study reveals that both the issues continue to rise, now reaching its peak. The survey, conducted by a Boston University researcher also said that the rising depression levels are a sign of the mounting stress factors due to the coronavirus pandemic, political unrest, and systemic racism and inequality.

Sarah Ketchen Lipson, a Boston University mental health researcher and a coprincipal investigator of the nationwide survey which was administered online during the fall 2020 semester through the Healthy Minds Network, said, “Half of the students in fall 2020 screened posi-

tive for depression and/or anxiety.” The survey further reveals that 83 per cent of students said their mental health had negatively impacted their academic performance within the past month, and that twothirds of college students are struggling with loneliness and feeling isolated.

Lipson said the survey's findings underscore the need for university teaching staff and faculty to put mechanisms in place that can accommodate students' mental health needs.

She said, “Faculty need to be flexible with deadlines and remind students that their talent is not solely demonstrated by their ability to get a top grade during one challenging semester.” She added, “Even in larger classes, where 1:1 outreach is more difficult, instructors can send class-wide emails

reinforcing the idea that they care about their students not just as learners but as people, and circulating information about campus resources for mental health and wellness.”

Lipson said instructors must bear in mind that the burden of mental health is not the same across all student demographics.

“Students of colour and low-income students are more likely to be grieving

the loss of a loved one due to Covid,” she said. One point of the survey circled around the stigma attached to mental health. Results revealed that 94 per cent of students say they wouldn't judge someone for seeking out help for mental health, which Lipson says is an indicator that also correlates with those students being likely to seek out help themselves during a personal crisis.

Vegan diet for a toned body A lot of celebrities in Hollywood are turning towards a plant-based diet these days, and for good measure. Among the many benefits of veganism to one's body, some are weight loss, lower cholesterol levels, reduced risk of heart disease, and reduced chances of getting colon cancer. However, a person following a vegan diet needs to follow a healthy, nutrient rich diet to make up for the loss of protein through meat and dairy.

There are certain misconceptions circling veganism, with people questioning the sources of nutrients and vitamins. However, they are easily derived throughout the diet, or an

addition of supplements.

Plant-based sources of protein include soy products like tofu and sources like edamame, chickpeas, lentils, and nutritional yeast. Iron can be derived from fresh fruit, black-eyed peas, tofu and dried fruits.

Another essential nutrient is Vitamin D, which can be consumed in the form of orange juice and soy, or by sitting in the sun. Health experts reveal a lack of Vitamin B12 can make you feel tired and weak. Getting enough Vitamin B12 can be challenging for vegans because it can't be found in plants. Stock up on fortified cereals, fortified rice, and soy drinks.

Last, but not the least –

essential fatty acids. They are linked with issues like cognitive impairment and depression, and are related to brain health. Whole grains and leafy green vegetables like kale, spinach, and collards are great sources of essential fatty acids. Veganism reached its

peak popularity in 2020. It has often been associated with being “healthy”.

However, it is not.

Veganism is like any other dietary style, where you have to know which foods to pick, and seek out. When done right, the benefits are immense.

Happy day to you!

Psychologist Mamta Saha Valentine’s day either warms your heart or makes you want to run and hide. Whichever camp you fall into is perfect and whole, that said, I am here to remind you who your biggest cheerleader is - you. Stay with me, I have evidence. No one knows you as well as you know yourself, not even your ma and this means that only you have the answer to how you can 1. Like and 2. Love yourself more than you already are. Valentine's week or not, these are reflections worth sticking to everyday.

I am so happy to have you in my community, virtual hug or wave if that’s more your thing. This week is about all about liking and loving thy self. It is one for everyone and if you are tempted to skip-over, this is especially for you.

Before you can go on any of the self-care, love or appreciation journey you need to ask yourself how much you like yourself first. To contemplate this, you could take a minute to stop and sit with yourself. We can all find a minute, promise there no candles or incense sticks required. Breathe in and out a couple of times and notice if you have any tightness in your body. What message is that tightness giving you? Are you being easy or hard on yourself? Close your eyes, breathe in kindness and send to that place or any place in your body that needs it the most. Take a second to reflect on how that makes you feel. Now thank yourself for priortising you.

There is a power within that can lead you to good health, happy relationships and fulfilling careers.

Firstly, you must believe that this is possible, and secondly, release any patterns of self-destruction that you do not want in your life.

A helpful place to start is to identify with what brings you inner happiness and peace. Often, we can search for these things externally however they sit within you, I have been practicing this for the past few months and as a result I have felt more in control of my life experience, been in nature more consciously, paid attention to what I eat and deleted social media apps that were draining my energy. I encourage you to try it out as well, in your own way and please do let me know how you get on! The goal is to stop looking 'outside' of yourself to fulfil a void and to find and drive that fulfillment from within.

Now repeat these 5 Affirmations: Mind - "My narrative is my choice."

We can always change that voice if it isn’t serving us Body - "I honour and respect my body."

Love yourself as you are, you are beautiful and unique Heart - "I access my personal power."

There is always a way and you have everything you need to lead Breath - "I feel calmer and peaceful with each breath I take."

You govern your state and how you show-up, use your breath to help you anchor Truth - "I have the power to go within before reacting."

It can always end better and you can always choose peace Whenever you feel blue, down, unsatisfied, unloved, keep affirming these 5 affirmations and you will feel lifted and hopeful again.

Repeat this week’s intention: I will like and love myself for all that I am Tune-in to Saha Mindset Podcast (spotify, anchor).

I got to sit down with Aishwarya Ajit to talk about all thing’s life - including friendship, single - motherhood, social media, boundaries, and life values.

Aishwarya, who is a mum to a little one, a television presenter, and a beauty and lifestyle blogger, shares her insights on being a woman who is authentic and unapologetic.

Watch ‘Invisible No More: 5 Steps to Being Your Best Self’ on Youtube. It’s live! My love letter to YOU, wherever you are in the world this is the message waiting to be heard just by you. The best gift you can give yourself is time for YOU. These 5 Steps to Being Your Best Self are a tried and tested way (based on scientific evidence) to anchor you in times of chaos. Watch, listen, write copious notes and share your comments on the tube itself oh and don’t forget to download my free e-book: www.mamtasaha.com.

28 ART & CULTURE

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“No journalist is content with the amount of freedom he or she has” - Prem Prakash Shefali Saxena Prem Prakash is a veteran Indian journalist, who has reported on major events in the Indian subcontinent for over seven decades.

Prakash has covered some of the most important stories of postIndependence India, including the 1962 Indo-China war. He is currently the chairman of ANI. Today, ANI is South Asia's leading multimedia news agency with over 100 bureaus in India , South Asia and across the globe. Ahead of the launch of his book ‘Reporting India My Seventy-year Journey as a Journalist’ Prem Prakash spoke to Asian voice about his journey so far and the paradigm shift in news.

Seven decades - the paradigm shift Describing the paradigm shift over your last seven decades in journalism, Prem Prakash told Asian Voice, “Well, everything has changed about how journalism is practiced, while the principles of journalism remain the same. The most striking feature is technology.” When he started his career, he traveled to Europe to equip himself with the wherewithal about cameras, processing film, and lighting as he had limited resources.

“Journalism in India those days was guided by highly respected editors.

We had to be careful about our facts , truthfulness and be on location,” he said.

Prakash thinks that today, the tearing hurry today to break news first, ahead of competition is the same today, but back in the day, stories were sharper than today.

“The advent of social media where anyone- journalist or no journalist- can post anything. This has given a big rise to fake news and thus lack of confidence in journalists as purveyors of truth and facts,” Prakash added.

Fake news “Yes of course there are In his book, he times when conflicts writes - “my aim was occur because by nature to correct this dispoliticians and journaltorted image of ists are supposed to be India” when you adversaries. So even launched ANI. What though we might does it take for a socialise with people in journalist to report power, we have to report objectively, while on them and that often supporting the best brings us in conflict with interests of the them. I have had several nation? Prakash said, brushes with officials “When I said distortand politicians. Some ed image, I was quite bear grudges for long, specific, it was what is described some are mature enough to look now as ‘fake news’ or just one sided beyond a story. I have mentioned a news.” According to him, the entire few in my book but there were focus of foreign reporters in the many times I was ticked off by fifties and even sixties used to be politicians who I thought were on the ‘exotic’ part of India and it was all cliches like snake charmers, caparisoned elephants, village poverty, urban slums, droughts, famines etc.

He doesn’t deny that these existed in India but he thinks that there was more to India.

“In a small way I did try my best to Prem Prakash cover not just the natural and man made intelligent enough to value reladisasters in India in the decades tionships and friendships. When I spanning 50’s to 70’s when mostly started my career, like most international news interest from Indians in the late forties and early India focussed on that. I was lucky fifties I had great admiration for that I mostly worked with editors PM Nehru. He was one of our in London who were open to sugfounding fathers, first Prime gestions from me on stories to Minister and a very charismatic cover,” Prakash said. person. I am also an audio visual journalist and Nehru worked his Working with the people in power charm when on camera, like a pro.

Prem Prakash has worked durTo a large extent it is the same with ing the tenure of both Nehru and Modi. He knows camera angles, he Modi. When asked about his expeknows how to pause between senrience on reporting about people tences for impact. I haven’t howevin power, the ANI chairman said,

“

er filmed Modi or reported during his tenure as Prime Minister. But ANI has done very successfully.”

Freedom of Speech and Expression Withstanding the current media scenario when journalists are being called ‘political prisoners’ and media trials have dominated manufacturing consent in India, we asked Prakash about his opinion on the state of the fourth pillar of democracy stands in the context of “Freedom of Speech and Expression”. He said, “No journalist is content with the amount of freedom he or she has. And this is not unique to India. I have lived through the Emergency era in India, when I had to go into exile, so I value freedoms that we all have. Our judiciary is robust and our media is sharp.

All governments, present one including, know that you can be persuasive with the media at best, cracking down on media can only bring short term gains, in the long term which means a few months at best, it never pays.

And PM Modi, his cabinet and his party have been in the opposition for many years. They will not jeopardise it by crushing the media or any other institution in the country.”

Also the desire to be sensational with every story that is in the news is detrimental to the future of journalism.

News agency work is ego-crushing!

Commenting on how he ensures that the news is fact checked and also breaks just in time, Prakash said, “I am very proud of where we are with ANI

today. We have developed an expertise and fine tuned it. Which is why you will see we have not expanded beyond news. It's not as if we opened several TV channels or got into publishing, which wouldn’t have been difficult. We have not deviated from our core competence. News agency work is ego-crushing! Our reporters are camerapersons and are faceless entities. They are journalists for the love of journalism, what else can you say about reporters who slog for long hours getting a story, filing it and then seeing it in print or tv with an anchor from a channel claiming it as his or her channel’s exclusive report?!”

The future of journalism In the contemporary scenario where there’s fear of being arrested while writing a story or making a tweet or exchanging WhatsApp messages with coworkers, we asked him what he thinks is the future of journalism. “Fact check, fact check, fact check,” is his advice. He also expressed that many journalists don’t go through with the SOPs that should be mandatory. “Also the desire to be sensational with every story that is in the news is detrimental to the future of journalism. We all had to watch out for ‘plants’ on us. But mostly these ‘plants’ were by the government. Now, these ‘plants’ are from multiple sources.

Electronic communication brings with it dangers of misrepresentation. Nothing is fool-proof. But I am not an alarmist. I am sure journalists will ensure that they have been to the location, seen it themselves and then report the item truthfully. Checks and balances should be put in place by editors,” the ANI chief signed off.

LIFF kicks off Lord Ranger launches the Ten year culture strategy biography of his illustrious father with LGBT+ Bradford Council is set to approve a new ambitious and inventive 10-year co –produced Cultural Strategy for the district.

‘Culture is our Plan’ is a collaborative approach to creating a 10-year plan with a set of 10 ambitions, that is owned by and is reflective of the diverse communities and geographies of the district and the cultural sector and its potential for growth.

The plan recognises the high value people place on culture in their lives and sets out the opportunity that culture offers as a vital part of the Bradford district’s economic recovery and regeneration proposals for post Covid-19.

A £1,435,000 investment by Bradford Council in cultural activities as part of the strategy has already attracted £3,560,000 in outside funding from organisations such as Arts Council England. The official launch is planned for late March.

In a discussion with Amish Tripathi, Director of The Nehru Centre, Lord Rami Ranger CBE recently launched the biography of his remarkable father - Shaheed Sardar Nanak Singh at a virtual event. The book is titled ‘Don't Breakup India’.

Lord Ranger described his father as a “visionary”, who could foretell the consequences of religious disharmony and breaking up one's motherland based on religion. His father advocated that we must all consider ourselves to be Indians first and then choose to follow any religion of our choice for our peace of mind. “My father tried desperately to stop the partition of India and ultimately paid with his life. He was killed whilst saving 600 students of DAV School, Multan, who had taken out a peaceful procession against India's division and got caught in communal riots. My father managed to save the students but lost his life at the young age of just 42 for India's Hindu Muslim unity,” Lord Ranger said.

His father also said. “If they divide us today, we will never be united again,” Lord Ranger shared that his father’s favourite words were, “India’s diversity is like the colours of the rainbow”. During the time of partition, when people were collecting valuables, Lord Ranger’s mother collected

History Month The UK & Europe’s largest South Asian film festival is kicking off the series of films and marking LGBT+ History Month, Evening Shadows is a tender heart-warming story.

his father’s paper cuttings and memories. He spoke at length about boarding a train with people hanging from the doors, him sitting on a heap of coal, and how the family reached refugee camps in Punjab.

Lord Ranger also gave due credit to his father for educating his mother.

“Never give up and never give in,” is what Lord Ranger learned from his valiant mother throughout his life and he still practices the same. He insisted that his learnings from his parents of working extra hours and compensating for work rather than judging or pin pointing faults in others is a virtue he’s proud of. As he described the chronicles of his parents, Lord Ranger also acknowledged that the pandemic has brought us closer as a community via technology. He also said, “Indians can come to Britain and become a global player.”

I’m proud of belonging to a country that is always doing good for others,” he added.

The film has won 24 international Awards and has become a success on the international film festival circuit with selection in 72 international film festivals.

As an exclusive added extra, film critic Ashanti Omkar talks to Director Sridhar Rangayan and lead actors Mona Ambegaonkar and Devansh Doshi, who play mother and son in the film, talking about their roles and the LGBTQ+ issues in the film in modern India. A series of upbeat movies, online on the last Sunday of each month, ahead of the June festival in London, Birmingham and Manchester, and online at www.loveliffathome.com

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Kangana claims to be first rebel Rajput woman at 15 Kangana Ranaut, in a series of Tweets, has claimed to be the “first rebel Rajput woman at 15.” She said she has always been one and did not just start criticising Bollywood recently. The actress opened up about her rebellion against her father, from a young age.”

She tweeted, “My father has licensed rifle and guns, growing up he didn't scold he roared, even my ribs trembled, in his youth he was famous for gang wars in his college which gave him a reputation of a gunda, I fought with him at 15 and left home, became first Baaghi Rajput woman at 15.”

She added, “This chillar industry thinks success got to my head and they can fix me, I was always Baaghi its only after success my voice got stronger and today I am one of the most prominent voices in the nation. History is a witness whoever tried to fix me I fixed them instead.”

Talking about her relationship with her

father, she wrote, “My papa he wanted to make me the best doctor in the world, he thought he was being a revolutionary papa by giving me education in best institutions, when I refused to go to school he tried to slap me I held his hand and famously told him 'If you slap me I will slap you back.”

“That was it end of our relationship something changed in his eyes, he looked at me then my mother and left the room, I knew I had crossed the line and never found him back again but one can only imagine the extend i can go to break free, nothing can keep me caged.”

She shared a series of tweets, trying to prove she has always been outspoken and critical of Bollywood. She shared a clip from 2012 stating she is only sharing them “to bust this propaganda by mafia media that I starting criticising Bullywood after became hugely successful post 'Queen' release in 2014, Fact check – not true.”

FIR filed against Vivek Oberoi for not wearing helmet in bike ride with wife An FIR has reportedly been registered in Mumbai against Bollywood actor Vivek Oberoi for not using a mask during

a bike ride with wife Priyanka Alva Oberoi on Valentine's Day. The case was registered against the actor at Juhu police station, an official said. A video shared by the actor on social media showed him riding a brand-new motorbike without either a helmet nor a face mask.

The official revealed that a fine of Rs 500 was also imposed on him for not wearing a helmet. The FIR registered against him under IPC sections 188 (Disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) and 269 (Negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) along with provisions of the Maharashtra Covid-19 Precautionary Measures 2020 and the Motor Vehicles Act. Under both IPC sections, an offender can be punished up to six months in jail or fine or both.

Prominent Bollywood celebs Ranveer Singh called this Emmy-winning show 'rubbish' were 'negative' about Priyanka Chopra

Actor Deepika Padukone has outed husband and reigning King of Bollywood, Ranveer Singh, as have once called a multiple-award winning show “rubbish”. As part of her series of short vlogs shared on Instagram, Deepika talked about her favourite shows to watch in her recent most video. She says, “During lockdown, I was like 'this looks like a really good show and we should watch it'. And he had no interest. He said it looks like rubbish. And then it won an Emmy, and he was like, Oh, we have to watch Schitt's Creek.”

The actress then talks about her favourite, when she decides, “Will have to give an intelligent answer.” However, her “safe” pick was 'The Crown', although she reveals at the end that her actual favourite show is 'Scooby Doo'.

On the work front, Deepika will be seen in Kabir Khan's sports drama '83', alongside husband Ranveer. She will appear as former Indian cricket team captain Kapil Dev's wife Romi Dev. The film has finally been given a new release date, June 4, after Covid-induced delays.

The woman behind Priyanka Chopra's success in Hollywood, Anjula Acharia says several people were not too excited about Priyanka in Bollywood not too long ago. In a 'tell-all' interview, Anjula recalled being warned about Priyanka at a dinner party and being told that she was “wasting time” on the actress.

In talks with Forbes, Anjula said, “I remember when I first signed Priyanka, there were a lot of people, particularly in India, who were so negative. I was at this dinner, at my friend Manish Goyal's house in New York, with some prominent people from the Hindi film industry and they were just so negative about her. They were like, 'She is never going to work, I don't know why you are wasting your time'. Blah blah blah.”

She added, “I remember feeling really hurt actually, at the time. I remember being like, 'Am I wasting my time?' But this is where your self-belief comes in. It seemed like a crazy dream, right, to bring somebody from India to Hollywood? But I got to tell you, when I look in Priyanka's eyes, I just believe.

Priyanka is just undeniable, she is a disruptor.”

Priyanka began her career in the West as a singer. She made her music debut in 2012 with the single 'In My City', featuring will.i.am. She later released two other songs, and in 2015 she was cast as the lead in an American TV show 'Quantico'. Currently she has a number of international projects in her pipeline, including 'The Matrix 4', 'Text For You', and the Prime Video spy series 'Citadel'.

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Parineeti on her character in 'The Girl on The Train' Bollywood actor Parineeti Chopra spoke about her upcoming film 'The Girl on The Train', in a recent interview, stating that she was not the obvious choice for the thriller. She said actors tend to get cast based on their previous work when all they want is to do roles where they can “change things up”. Parineeti said it felt liberating to play the character of Mira Kapoor, a complex woman struggling with grief and alcoholism.

“It is rare to get roles that you might have not played before because people tend to cast you for the things that they have seen on screen. So when you're writing a script, you go 'Oh I want this character, so let's go to that actor because that person has done it in a film,” she said. “The habit is to go to that person who you've seen do that part before. But actors are in search of something they haven't done before, what other actors are known for.”

Parineeti featured in romantic dramas such as 'Ishaqzaade', ' Desi Romance', 'Hasee Toh Phasee', and 'Meri Pyaari Bindu'. She said her role in the upcoming movie was a big opportunity in her career. “I was grateful that the makers had that confidence in me that I would be able to do this part. I was not the obvious casting for the role, that for me was a

Genre: Reality TV Duration: 3 Episodes Streaming on: Netflix

The Big Day We follow the lives of 6 engaged couples as they prepare for their big day with more detail then you have ever seen before. big achievement.”

Written by Paula Hawkins, 'The Girl on The Train' is a book already adapted by Hollywood with Emily Blunt playing the lead role. Parineeti said the Ribhu Dasgupta film is her first project where she essays a character dealing with grief and emotional complexities.

"With her, no two scenes are the same. She has a new problem in every scene, has a different relationship with every character in the film.

Depending on who is standing opposite me, I was a different person. That was so exciting because I felt like I was playing five girls in one. There are layers of alcoholism, being mentally messed up," she said. The film features several well-acclaimed actors like Aditi Rao Hydari, Kirti Kulhari, and Avinash Tiwari. 'The Girl on The Train' is set for a Netflix release on February 26.

Karan Johar announces actor Lakshya as fourth DCA member Filmmaker Karan Johar has announced TV actor Lakshya as his fourth DCA member. He will make his big-screen debut with 'Dostana 2'. In a tweet, Johar wrote, “Let me introduce you to the 4th member of the @DCAtalent family, @ItsLakshya! Having won countless hearts with his devilish smile and power-packed performances in the television world, he's all set to take it a notch higher. Watch out for him! #DCASquad @dcatalent @apoorva1972 @buntysajdeh @rajeevmasand @udaysinghgauri #DCA.” The actor himself shared a post on his disbelief at being chosen by Johar.

He wrote on his Instagram page, “Still

can't believe that this is actually happening. Extremely grateful and stoked to be a pat of the #DCA family I am ready to kick start my journey with dostana Ummeed hai ki aap sabhi ka pyaar issi tarah milta rahe Jald milenge.”

Johar has already introduced three stars as part of his new company Dharma Cornerstone Agency (DCA).

Names like Triptii Dimri of 'Bulbbul' fame, Gurfateh Pirzada of 'Guilty' fame, and Dhairya Karwa, who was last seen in 'Uri – The Surgical Strike'. Film critic Rajeev Masand was appointed DCA's Chief Operating Officer in January.

Johar launched the talent company last year in partnership with Bunty Sajdeh,

The Indian wedding industry is a multi-billionpound industry where things have really changed.

Women are becoming more engaged in the type of ceremonies they want and how they wish to conduct the biggest day of their lives. Gone are the days of small weddings with no creativity and here we are given an insight into the larger more dramatic style weddings that take place in India these days.

In the first episode we meet Aman and Divya who have been together for 12 years and San Francisco based Nikhita and Mukund.

Aman and Divya’s wedding is taking place at the Alila Fort in Bishangarh. They have decided to take in

owner of talent management firm Cornerstone.

Virat Kohli says wife Anushka gives him clarity Speaking in a podcast last week, Cricketer Virat Kohli called his wife, actor Anushka Sharma as his “pillar of strength”, adding that she is extremely understanding of his situation. Answering a question regarding his on-field performance, Kohli said it was 70 per cent technical, and that mentally, his “great detailed conversations” with Anushka are extremely helpful.

On the podcast 'Not Just Cricket' with Mark Nicholas, Kohli said, “Anushka and I have such great detailed conversations about the complexity of the mind and how it can pull you into negativity and what are the things that matter to put things into perspective. She has been a pillar of strength for me in that

regard. Because she herself is at a level where she had to deal with a lot of negativity. So she understands my situation and I understand her situation.”

He added that she “understands exactly what (he is) thinking, feeling and... going through.”

He said that he and the actor love spending quality time together.

“We love being with each other.

There is no other explanation for it at all. We realise more and more as we grow in life that it is really spending quality time together that matters at the end of the day because you are together for life.”

Virat and Anushka fell in love while shooting for a commercial in 2013. They married in Italy in December 2017, and welcomed their first child, a daughter named Vamika last month.

many elements of the local area within their wedding planning and keep the wedding sustainable and reduce the carbon footprint.

Nikhita and Mukund’s wedding is very different, they have flown into Chennai, as they wanted to celebrate their biggest day together where Nikhita’s grandparents lived and hopefully within this feel some presence of her late grandfather. Their wedding is more fairy-tale like with extravagant events.

In episode 2 we meet Nitin and Ami and Pallavi and Rajat. Pallavi is the type of girl who believes men and women should be treated the same and she is totally against the traditional kanyadaan as she does not believe woman are a possession that is passed from family to family. Ami is very headstrong and controlling compared to groom Nitin but is pleasantly surprised when he proposes, something she has been waiting for, for a very long time.

In the third and concluding episode it comes with a bang that will keep you wanting more. We meet Aditya and Gayeti who are taking on a inter-religion marriage and breaking stereotypes and then the biggest surprise of all a Goa based gay couple Tyrone and Daniel. These are very different to the weddings we see in the first 2 episodes as the ceremonies are more private.

With weddings currently cancelled in the UK, this is a fun way to enjoy the spectacle of a wedding without leaving your sofa.

You can get in touch with Vallisa: djvallisa@gmail.com

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Nivetha Thomas flaunts new look with before-after pictures In a pleasant surprise, actress Nivetha Thomas unveiled her new look on her Instagram page, with a pair of 'before-after' pictures. Sporting a bob cut, she revealed the look by comparing it with her former days with longer hair. She captioned the post, “Looking down. Looking up! Wait, what other difference is there? #thenandnow.”

There is no hint on whether the new look is for any of her upcoming projects.

Last seen in Telugu action-thriller 'V', Nivetha will soon start shooting for the Telugu remake of Korean film 'Midnight Runners'. The yet-untitled project will be directed by Sudheer Varma of 'Swamy Ra Ra' fame. It will also feature Regina Cassandra.

'Midnight Runners' is a 2017 Korean action comedy which tells the story of two students at a police academy and how they bust a gang of human traffickers. While the original featured two male actors in the lead, the Telugu remake will feature two actresses.

Nivetha was last seen in AR Murugadoss' Rajinikanth-starrer 'Darbar'.

Dhanush's 'Bagheera' teaser out; Prabhu Deva gives us sleepless nights Filmmaker and actor Dhanush unveiled the teaser of his upcoming film 'Bagheera' starring Prabhu Deva in the lead role. The teaser introduces the titular character constrained in a straitjacket at a mental asylum. 'Bagheera' seems to be giving a lot of trouble to the doctors and officials of the institution. A glimpse of the character shows him wearing a unique kind of sunglasses, which also cover his third eye at the centre of his forehead.

Prabhu Deva is seen in two other getups too, suggesting that the actor may be playing multiple roles in the movie. Prabhu Deva seems to have pushed himself out of his comfort zone to give us a whacky genre thriller, filled with glamour, dark humour, and over-the-top dance numbers.

Written and directed by Adhik Ravichandran, the

movie also stars Amyra Dastur, Ramya Nambeesan, Janani Iyer, Sanchita Shetty, Gayathrie Shankar, Sakshi Agarwal and Sonia Agarwal.

Mahesh Babu's fitness trainer is Prithviraj pens beautiful review all praise for his commitment of Mohanlal's 'Drishyam 2' Celebrity fitness trainer Minash Gabriel is all praises for actor Mahesh Babu and his commitment in the gym.

In a recent Instagram post, Gabriel praised the actor's dedication for fitness. He is currently working with Babu on his Telugu project 'Sarkaru Vaari Paata'. Gabriel is currently in Dubai where Mahesh is shooting for the movie.

In his Instagram post, he wrote, “I've been in Dubai for the last month for #SarkaruVaariPaata the movie that stars @urstrulymahesh. Barring the day we landed in Dubai and the isolated deload/recovery days, I've been at the gym every single day training MB post his shoot.”

He revealed how Mahesh has trained over the last month.

He said, “Our training days were split into strength training, cardio that involved anaerobic variants and most importantly Zone

2 training. We trained mostly in the evenings at the end of the shoot and the intensity at which he approached each session was second to none, even after challenging conditions that he faced on set in the desert.” He said the actor's approach was simple – go hard or go home.

“Each workout spanned roughly 60 mins. Everyday he'd push himself and make sure he performed each exercise to the T and give it a 100 per cent. He is a perfectionist, on and off the set. Today, I can proudly say that MB has come a long way from when he first met in 2019.

From battling and overcoming injuries to getting into such incredible shape and conditioning is a testimony to this work ethic and perseverance. I can safely say that this man is aging backwards and is only getting better with time.”

ahead of release

Actor-filmmaker Prithviraj Sukumaran has written a lengthy post chock-full of praises for Mohanlal's 'Drishyam 2'. He wrote about how much he enjoyed the sequel to the 2013 crime thriller. Prithviraj wrote, “Drishyam 2. Been wanting to say something about the film for a long time now. Guess since the world premiere is just hours away.. it's ok to not hold on any longer. Following up a cult piece of cinema with a sequel is a huge responsibility. And with something like Drishyam, a film that pretty much changed the schematics of the entire industry, the pressure on a proposed 2nd part would have been immense (trust me..I know!).”

Calling it Jeethu Joseph's best work since 'Drishyam', Prithviraj continued, “But how gloriously does Jeethu pull it off!

Where do you take Georgekutty 6 years down the line? Has his incredible penchant for constructing and living and fictional story softened? Does he make a slip? Does he finally get outsmarted? Does time and

21:00 PINJARA KHUBSOORTI KA

21:30 BAWARA DIL

TV Listing

22:00 NAMAK ISSK KA

SATURDAY 27 FEB

18:30 DESI BEAT RESET

* Schedule is subject to change

MON 01 MAR FRI 05 MAR 2021 14:30 KASAM

16:00 THE GREAT INDIAN GLOBAL KITCHEN

19:00 ISHQ MEIN MARJAWAN 2 19:30 CHOTI SARDAARNI

20:00 NAAGIN (SEASON 5) 21:00 BEST OF DESI BEAT 21:30 DANCE DEEWANE 3

19:00 ISHQ MEIN MARJAWAN 2

SUNDAY 28 FEB

20:00 SHAKTI

21:00 BEST OF DESI BEAT

19:30 CHOTI SARDAARNI 20:30 MOLKKI

20:00 NAAGIN (SEASON 5) 21:30 DANCE DEEWANE 3

* Schedule is subject to change

MON 01 MAR FRI 05 MAR 2021 8:30 BHARADWAJ BAHUEIN 15:00 NRI HAADSA 16:00 SILSILA BADALTE RISHTON KA 16:30 THE RASOI SHOW 17:30 CHHUTA CHHEDA 18:00 TUM KAUN PIYA 18:30 DIL KA RISHTA 19:00 BHAGYA KA LIKHA 20:00 DIL SE DIL TAK 20:30 BARRISTER BABU 21:00 BALIKA VADHU - LAMHE PYAAR KE

law catch up? If you think you already know..you're in for one hell of a surprise!

Fantastically written and conceived..this is Jeethu's best film after Drishyam! He was the first person I called after watching it.

I'm so so happy for you brother!”

“I'll say just this for now.. Class is permanent..I repeat..PERMANENT! Georgekutty is undoubtedly one of the most iconic characters of Malayalam cinema. Cheta..I cannot wait to direct you again and be directed by you! PS: Murali Gopy, the actor, has arrived. Subtle, brilliant. I say this after having watched the final edit of KURUTHI as well!” he sighed off. Starring Meena, Ansiba Hassan, Esther Anil, Asha Sarath, and Siddique, 'Drishyam 2' is streaming on Amazon Prime Video.

SATURDAY 27 FEB 11:00 DESI BEAT SEASON 2 13:30 RSWC Highlights - SA vs Eng 16:00 SILSILA BADALTE RISHTON KA 16:30 THE RASOI SHOW 17:30 DESI BEAT SEASON 3 18:00 KHATRA KHATRA KHATRA 19:00 BHAGYA KA LIKHA 20:00 DIL SE DIL TAK 20:30 DESI BEAT RESET 21:00 BALIKA VADHU SUNDAY 28 FEB 11:00 DESI BEAT SEASON 2 13:30 RSWC Highlights - SL vs Ban 16:00 SILSILA BADALTE RISHTON KA 16:30 THE RASOI SHOW 17:30 DESI BEAT SEASON 3 18:00 KHATRA KHATRA KHATRA 19:00 BHAGYA KA LIKHA 20:00 DIL SE DIL TAK 20:30 DESI BEAT RESET 21:00 BALIKA VADHU-LAMHE PYAAR KE

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Sardar Patel stadium in Motera renamed after Narendra Modi President Ram Nath Kovind inaugurated the newly revamped Motera cricket stadium in Ahmedabad, which has been renamed the Narendra Modi Stadium. The ground, which was earlier named the Sardar Patel Stadium, and more popularly known as the Motera stadium, has been renamed after the Prime Minister, who was also formerly a president of the Gujarat Cricket Association. Home Minister Amit Shah and Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju, along with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Jay Shah, were also present at the event. IndiaEngland day-night test is currently under way in the stadium. The stadium will be a part of the planned Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel sports enclave in Ahmedabad.

"This stadium was conceptualised by PM Modi when he was Chief Minister of Gujarat. He was president of the Gujarat Cricket Association at that time," President Kovind said in his address after the inauguration. "This stadium is an example of eco-friendly development," he added. The stadium can accommodate 1,32,000 spectators. This will be the world's biggest sports stadium," Home Minister Amit Shah said at the event. "Coupled with Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Sports Enclave and Narendra Modi Stadium in Motera, a sports complex will also be built in Naranpura. These three will be equipped to host any international sports event," he said. "Ahmedabad will be known as the 'sports city' of India," he added. "Olympic Games can also be held here," Shah said about the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Sports Enclave.

"Not just for cricket but it's a proud moment for India. Besides being the largest cricket stadium, it's also one of the most modern stadiums in the world," Sports

Minister Kiren Rijiju said earlier.

The stadium recently held the knockout stages of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. The new stadium was formally opened when the former US president Donald Trump visited India a year ago and a full house witnessed as Modi and Trump held the stage together.

The stadium took three years to build at an estimated cost of about £79 million. Its facilities are second to none: indoor, outdoor nets of the highest quality, with a variety of pitch surfaces; four changing rooms, each equipped with its own gym, and surround LED flood lights to eliminate shadows on the field of play. The original vision was Modi’s, but the undertaking was the work of Amit Shah. The VIP entrance emphasises these associations and consists of two rows of giant photographs: on the bottom row, there are images of India’s great cricketing moments — the 1983 and 2011 World Cup wins — and great players. In the row above them are images of Modi and the Shahs – Amit Shah and his son Jay Shah.

The L&T took over the construction work of the new stadium in December 2016.

Finishing touches were given to the stadium in February 2020.

Mumbai-based commercial kitchen consultants "Span Asia" were hired to work with Populous and L&T on all the F&B related areas such as the concession counters, main stadium kitchens, player kitchens, VIP/VVIP boxes, corporate boxes, press & media boxes, pantries, GCA Club and related areas.

The redesigned stadium occupies 63 acres of land, with three entry points compared to one in the old stadium, with a metro line at one of the entry points. It contains 76 corporate boxes that can hold 25 persons each, a 55-room clubhouse, an

Olympic sized swimming pool, and four dressing rooms. A unique feature of the stadium is the LED lights on the roof instead of the usual floodlights at cricket grounds. The roof was done by the company Walter P Moore and was specifically designed to be lightweight and separate from the seating bowls in order to make it fairly earthquake resistant. The structure eliminates the need for pillars and gives spectators an unobstructed view of the entire field from any place in the Stadium.

Outside of the main ground, the stadium is able to accommodate several other

features, including an Olympicsized swimming pool, an indoor cricket academy, badminton and tennis courts, a squash arena, a table tennis area, a 3D projector theater, and a clubhouse with three practice grounds and 50 rooms. The parking lot can accommodate 3,000 cars and 10,000 two-wheelers. Sardar Patel Stadium also has a huge ramp designed to facilitate the movement of around 60,000 people simultaneously. The stadium has been designed such that patrons fill the lower levels of the ground for smaller events to maintain the crowd atmosphere when not at capacity.

England all out for 112 Outplayed by the spinners, England have wrapped up their first innings after scoring 112 runs in 48.4 overs against India, on Day 1 of the 3rd Test match at the Narendra Modi stadium in Ahmedabad.

The visitors won the toss and opted to bat. The home side's bowling department blitzed past England's batting order, with Axar Patel taking six wickets. The spinner registered the wickets of Zak Crawley, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes, Ben Foakes, Jofra Archer and Stuart Broad.

Meanwhile, Ravichandran Ashwin registered the dismissals of Ollie Pope, Joe Root and Jack Leach. Ishant Sharma, who is also in his 100th Test match, registered the wicket of Dom Sibley. The series is finely poised at 1-1, and this is also the first international match in this venue since its renovation. This is also the second Day-Night Test held in India.

England won the first Test match at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, by 227 runs. The hosts bounced back in style in the second Test match, winning by 317 runs. Defeat for India would see them out of contention for the World Test Championship final. For the hosts, Jasprit Bumrah, Washington Sundar have replaced Mohammed Siraj and Kuldeep Yadav.

Meanwhile for the visitors, Rory Burns, Dan Lawrence, Olly Stone, Moeen Ali make way for James Anderson, Jofra Archer, Bairstow and Crawley.

Chris Morris, Maxwell and Jamieson fetch big money in IPL auction South African all-rounder Chris Morris became the highest-paid player in the IPL auction 2021 which was held in Chennai.

Rajasthan Royals, looking to rebuild again, paid £1.62 million, edging out Punjab Kings in a bidding war.

All-rounder Krishnappa Gowtham became the most expensive Indian buy, going for £925,000 to the Chennai Super Kings.

Australian cricketers Jhye Richardson (Punjab Kings, £1.4 million), Glenn Maxwell (Royal Challengers Bangalore, £1.42 million) and Riley Meredith (Punjab Kings, £800,000) were some who started a bidding war among the franchises.

Cheteshwar Pujara was sold to Chennai Super Kings while Mumbai Indians acquired Arjun

Tendulkar.

Batting superstar Steve Smith became the first cricketer to be sold at the mini-auction to the Delhi Capitals for £220,000.

The auction lived up its tag of being all-rounders’ ticket to big money. New Zealand’s Kylie Jamieson was bought for £1.5 million by RCB. He had scored a couple of 40s against India in Test matches in 2020 and gave

Virat Kohli & Co a difficult time with his pace and bounce. Kohli must have taken a note of that and with Kiwi Mike Hesson as the coach, the decision was made to bring him in.

CSK, desperate for spin-bowling allrounders, made two smart buys in the form of Moeen Ali (£700,000) and K Gowtham (£925,000). Gowtham became the highest-paid Indian at the auction. “Moeen can be an opener option too while Gowtham will fill two vacant spots - Kedar Jadhav and Harbhajan Singh,” a source said.

Another big-money buy was Australian pacer Jhye Richardson

by Punjab Kings for £1.4 million.

They needed a pace-bowling partner for Mohammad Shami after releasing Sheldon Cortrell.

They also acquired England opener Dawid Mallan for £150,000. Punjab also got Tamil Nadu batsman Shahrukh Khan (£540,000), who was extremely impressive in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. The KKR brought Bangladesh’s Shakib al Hasan back in the team for £325,000 along with veteran offie Harbhajan Singh for his base price of £200,000. MI, on the other hand, had Nathan Coulter Nile and Jimmy Neeham back as their medium-pace back-up for Jasprit Bumrah and Trent Boult.

SRH picked up Kedar Jadhav for £200,000 late in the day to add some experience to their middleorder.

in brief ANKITA CLAIMS DOUBLES TITLE IN MELBOURNE Ankita Raina scripted history by becoming the second Indian women, after Sania Mirza, to win a WTA title in Melbourne. The winning run will propel Ankita into the top 100 of doubles when the rankings are updated. Ankita, who narrowly missed out on reaching the singles main draw of the Australian Open and her Russian partner Kamilla Rakhimova, staged a comeback after losing the opening set to win 2-6, 6-4, 10-7 against Russian pair of Anna Blinkova and Anastasia Potapova in an allunseeded affair. Enroute to their victory, the Indo-Russian duo converted five break points from the six chances they received and saved three break points from the nine they faced on their serve. About the match, the Ahmedabad-born Ankita said, "Our opponents Anna & Anastasiastarted the match very solid. It was very windy and me and Rakhimova were having difficulty in playing in such conditions. They were able to win the games easily. They were very confident in the first set. They knew our playing style and they were able to counter it very well. They won the first set 6-2." "We started the second set very aggressively. We were returning the serves better than what we were doing in the first set. With each passing games we became more confident.

We won the second set 6-4 and the super tie break 10-7," the 28-year-old Indian said.

Stating that she is hopeful of replicating the doubles form in singles, the 115th-ranked Ankita stated, "I'm looking forward to replicate the same in singles! It’s been a good trip over all, good matches and practices here. Couldn’t have asked for more."

KOHLI ESCAPES PUNISHMENT FOR ALTERCATION WITH UMPIRES Indian skipper Virat Kohli who was involved in two altercations with the on-field empires Nitin Menon and Virender Sharma during the second test in Chennai has escaped ed ICC censure. The first came when he was warned for running on the pitch while making a classy 62 in India’s second innings. Kohli then held a robust conversation with the umpires over DRS when England captain Joe Root very narrowly survived a review later in the day.

India coach Ravi Shastri joined the protestations as the players left the field.

Speculation had been rife that Kohli, who already has two demerit points on his record over the last two years, could have been charged with dissent by Match Referee Javagal Srinath. That could have lead to further demerit points, with a player banned when they reach four within two years.

Former England captain Andrew Strauss said that Kohli had “let himself down” and that “opposition players get very frustrated where they feel he gets preferential treatment in India”.

The ICC do not officially announce when no charges have been laid, but it is understood that that is the case and the time period to do so has elapsed. An official rating of the pitch – described by Root as “challenging” – will come in the next few days. Root made no attempt to blame England’s defeat on the pitch, accepting that they had been utterly outclassed in every department.