AV 29th June 2024

4,300 millionaires likely to move outof India in 2024

PAGE - 26

India in celebrating International Yoga Day

SEE PAGE - 28

Sonakshi Sinha, Zaheer Iqbal get married in a private ceremony

In total, there are 4,379 candidates standing in the 2024 general elections, making an increase of 981 candidates, compared to 2019 Among these, an estimated 250 candidates are of Asian-origin Despite this record number, the current election campaign unfolds amid widespread distrust in politics their concerns are being overlooked and unattended to, even a week before Britain goes to poll

Anusha Singh Elections are about much more than

result After 4 July, the new Prime Minister will inherit a complex set of practical policy challenges These specific problems compound broader issues such as stagnant productivity, slow growth, huge NHS waiting

“I'm focused on winning this election”

Union for many businesses and voters

The next resident of 10 Downing Street will have much to ponder in addressing these and other issues

reshape the country, as public policy directly impacts all of us

PM Rishi Sunak being gifted a Lord Hanumanji murti by Swamijis, Temple leaders and committee members

Gambling Commission, the industr y watchdog, for placing bets on the date of the

close to the Cabinet Off ice suspects that the identities of Conser vative candidates and

o

Tories implicated in the scandal, including Craig Williams, one of the PM’s closest aides w

Me

Police, Britain’s largest police force

While the names of the Tories accused of placing bets have been made public, the e

alleged involvement had not been revealed until now One of Rishi Sunak’s close protection off icers has already been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public off ice over

h e election timing, and further arrests are anticipated

These claims threaten to draw the Met into the political controversy surrounding M r Su n a k

security was in place from the start of the campaign

It is also alleged that the Gambling Commission provided the Metropolitan Police with the names of suspects before their identities were leaked to newspapers and the BBC, with the police being informed when the commission launched its inquir y The source close to the Cabinet O

Gambling Commission had been ruled out as the source of the leaks

a “huge error of judgment,” and Tony Lee, the Conser vative Party’s director of campaigning who has taken a leave of absence in the middle of the e

h the media He is married to Conser vative candidate Laura Saunders Nick Mason, the party’s chief data off icer, has a l s o t e m p

aside

If it is found that police leaked the names of suspects, the implications could be disastrous, with the force potentially being accused of interfering with the election’s outcome

Daily migrant crossings hit record high

R e c e nt l y, n e a r l y 90 0 migran ts made t he journey

a cross the Channe l in small b oats, ma rking a new daily r ecord for the ye ar

The Home Off ice reported that 882 people arrived via s e a , t a k i n g a d v a n t a g e o f warmer weather that facilitated the challenging 21-mile

v o y a g e f r o m n o r t h e r n

France This f igure surpasses any daily tally from last year as well These arrivals bring the total number of Channel

crossings in 2024 to 12,313, representing an 18per cent i n c r e a s e c o m p

same period last year and a

2022

This surge in crossings poses a setback for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's electoral prospects, undermining his pledge to "stop the boats " Sunak has previously cited

l a s t y e a r 's 3 6 p e r c e n t decrease in arrivals as evi-

dence of his policies' effec-

t i v e n e s s D e s p i t e Su n a k s assurances about the readiness of the Rwanda deportat i o n p o l i c y, w i t h i n i t i a l flights scheduled for July 24, the looming election on July 4 and Labour's promise to scrap the policy if elected suggest uncertainties regarding its implementation

This influx far exceeded the previous peak for this y e a r, w h i c h s t o o d a t 7 0 1 crossings on May 1st

English and Welsh prisons near ' breaking point'

P r i s on go ve rn o rs h av e

r e c ei v e d a s t a rk w a rn i n g

tha t j ail s in E nglan d a nd

Wales will be s o overcrowd-

ed b y the s ec ond week of July that they will s truggle to acc ommodate any more

i nmates, potentially plung-

i n g a n i n c om i ng g ov er n-

m e n t i n to a n i m m e di a t e

c ri sis

O f f i c i a l s f r o m H M

P r i s o n a n d P r o b a t i o n Ser vice informed the heads

of jails earlier this month about an impending “ operat i o n

point,” just days after the 4 July general election This development presents a signif icant logistical challenge

fo

Dawn This crisis measure

a l l o w s

s t o b e housed in police cells when prisons reach full capacity,

Hinduja family sentenced for exploiting domestic staff

Four m embers o f the bill io n ai re Hi n d u j a f am il y, know n as the U K’s wealthies t, w e re co n v ic te d o f ex p lo i ti ng t h ei r d o m e st ic s taf f and g iv en l eng th y p ri s o n s ent en ce s b y a

Genev a cou rt

In a ruling announced recently, a panel of three j u d g e s fo u n d P r a k a s h H i n d u j a , h i s w i fe K a m a l , their son Ajay, and his wife Namrata guilty of serious employment offenses concerning their Indian staff

While the court acquitted the four Hindujas of the charge of human traff icking, stating that the staff were aware of the terms when t h e y j o i n e d t h e f a m i ly i n I n d i a a n d w e r e n o t t r a ff icked , they were severely c r i t ic i s e d fo r e x plo i t a t io n P

GP

guage barriers, conf iscated passports, and irregular payment schedules (ever y three to six months)

Mascotto further pointed out that the Hindujas,

aware of both the

bilities of their staff and the

e m p o r

g o v e r n m e n t scheme allowing prisoners to be released up to 70 days

e

y Dawn is typically a shortterm measure used to manage immediate prison estate pressures by coordinating police stations, the Prison Ser vice, and courts to avoid r

without guaranteed prison space R

Justice data indicates prisons were near capacity in June, prompting localised u s e o f O p

Concerns over overcrowding led police to consider reducing arrests

To alleviate overcrowding, off icials are considering reducing prisoners' time

s e r v e d f r o m t h e c u r r e n t halfway point to about 43 per cent, generating thousands of additional places and replacing ad hoc early release schemes

Mascotto emphasised that t h e s t a f f , m a ny o f w h o m were illiterate and had been brought from India to work at the family’s luxurious residence in Switzerland, faced e

job shortage as surgeries hire cheaper staff

O v er th e p as t ye ar, h u n-

d re d s o f GP s h a v e fa c ed challenges securing employm ent as m edi cal practic es increasing ly opt to hire less costly staff such as pharm acists

A c c o rd i n g t o a s u r v e y c o n d u c t e d b y t h e R o y a l C o l l e g e o f G e n e r a l

Practitioners, 61 percent of those actively seeking work encountered diff iculty f inding available positions The c o l l e g e h i g h l i g h t e d t h a t funding is increasingly allocated to roles like clinical pharmacists and physician a s s o c i a t e s u n d e r t h e

A d d i t i o n a l R o l e s

R e i m b u r s e m e n t S c h e m e

( A R R S ) T h i s i n i t i a t i v e enables practices to claim f i n a n c i a l s u p p o r t fo r t h e salaries of these clinical pro-

fessionals

C h a i r o f t h e c o l l e g e , Kamila Hawthorne emphasised the strain on patient care due to the shortage of GPs, labelling it a scandal that newly qualif ied GPs are u n a b l e t o s e c u r e e m p l o yment The sur vey revealed that out of 737 respondents who sought new roles in the past year, 449 found it either moderately or ver y diff icult to f ind work Among GPs still in training, the proportion facing diff iculty rose to 72 percent

H a w t h o r n e w a r n e d o f the potential for hundreds of newly qualif ied GPs to be unemployed by August, particularly those on temporar y visas who may be compelled to leave the UK if they cannot secure employment She

emphasised the impact on b o t h n e w l y q u a l i f i e d a n d existing GPs who are already stretched to their limits, and on patients who are experie n c i n g i n c r e a s i n g l y l o n g waits to see their GP Cu r r e n t l y, t h e a v e r a g e fully qualif ied GP is responsible for 2,294 patients, an i n c r e a s e o f 19 8 p a t i e n t s compared to f ive years ago

Spouses of Tory leaders take charge on campaign trail

Rish i Su nak, Jeremy Hu nt, a nd Ja m es C l ev e r l y ' s spo uses are actively partici p at i ng in t h e

c am p aig n in S

m ids t declining supp ort

Most pollsters are predicting a signif icant defeat for the Conser vative party

i n t h e u p c o m i n g Ju l y 4 general election

A k s h a t a Mu r t y, t h e wife of the Prime Minister, along with Lucia Hunt, the wife of the Chancellor, and Susie Cleverly, the wife of t h e Ho m e S e c r e t a r y, e n g a g e d i n c a n v a s s i n g activities in Fordham, as reported by the media

Culture Secretar y Lucy

Fr a z e r, w h o i s a l s o t h e

l o c a l To r y c a n d i d a t e , joined them for a door-todoor campaign Together, t h e y e n g a g e d w i t h r e s idents and distributed Tor y party leaflets

T h e g r o u p d r e s s e d casually and took self ies

w i t h r e s i d e n t s a n d Conser vative volunteers

Although Akshata has been actively involved in t h e To r y c a m p a i g n a n d attended the launch of the party manifesto on June 11 with her husband, Lucia and Susie are seldom seen at off icial events

Akshata is the daught e r o f N R Na r a y a n a Murthy, co-founder of the I n d i a n s o f t w a r e g i a n t Infosys I n c o n t r a s t , V i c t o r i a

St a r m e r, w i fe o f L a b o u r leader Sir Keir Starmer, has refrained from public campaigning for Labour Sp e a k i n g t o L B C , St a r m e r m e n t i o

t Victoria is concentrating on her NHS job and supp o r t i n g t h e i r s o n i n h i s GCSE studies He added that their son f inished his f inal exam As polling day a p p r o a c h e s i n j u s t t w o weeks, political parties are i n t e n s i f y i n g e f fo r t s t o attract voters

Nick Mason Craig Williams and Laura Saunders

Prakash Hinduja

Kamila Hawthorne

Lucia Hunt, Akshata Murty, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Lucy Frazer and Susie Cleverly

You must let your voice be heard

In the upcoming UK elections, voting will be heavily influenced by several key issues The economy, experiencing the slowest income growth in generations and a severe cost-ofliving crisis, is at the forefront Labour plans to invest £7 4 billion in key sectors, while the Conservatives propose £17 billion in tax cuts The housing crisis, worsened by austerity measures, sees both parties pledging to build over a million new homes The NHS faces record-high waiting lists, with Labour promising more health appointments and the Conservatives pledging increased funding Immigration remains a heated topic, with contrasting approaches from Labour and the Conservatives

It is essential to be politically informed when choosing which party to support, as political apathy is detrimental Every vote is significant, regardless of exit poll predictions, will count

Security and policing are one of the major issues in this election The Metropolitan Police face challenges, with increasing incidents of street violence, thefts, and a general sense of insecurity

London's Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, Sophie Linden, acknowledged that "not enough" progress has been made to reform the Metropolitan Police's culture and standards This statement was made during a meeting of the London Assembly s police and crime committee, which dis-

cussed changes following Baroness Casey's 2023 review condemning the force as institutionally racist Linden noted that meaningful change would take a long time

The meeting coincided with Lady Angiolini's review of the Met's handling of the Sarah Everard case, involving Officer Wayne Couzens, who was convicted of her murder The review concluded that Couzens "should never have been a police officer "

Insp Andy George, President of the National Black Police Association, expressed concerns about the force's vetting process, highlighting that many ethnic minority candidates failed to vet while Couzens was deemed fit George criticised the Met as being "the most defensive, the most dismissive" among over 50 forces, noting a regression in the treatment of BAME officers and staff over the past year

Greater investment and more effective policing are needed Currently, the Metropolitan Police are understaffed and struggling to meet responsibilities Insurance covers only a small fraction of losses from crime, and not everyone has insurance or are successful in getting one Therefore, the upcoming election will significantly impact the allocation of resources and the future of public safety Your vote directly influences these critical issues You must vote You must let your choice and voice be heard

Evolving landscape of global mobility and economic influence

In today's interconnected world, the migration patterns of high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) have become a significant trend with profound global implications According to a report by Henley & Partners, approximately 4,300 millionaires are expected to leave India for destinations like the UAE in 2024, continuing a trend where around 5,100 Indian millionaires relocated abroad in 2023 This reflects India's position as the third largest source of millionaire migrations globally, following China and the UK

The UAE, aspiring to become a leading global wealth hub, is actively attracting millionaires through initiatives such as a lucrative golden visa program, luxurious living standards, and a business-friendly environment Predictions suggest the UAE will gain 6,800 millionaires in 2024, making it the primary beneficiary of this migration, followed by the US and Singapore Notably, the number of Indian millionaires in the UAE grew by 85% from 2013 to 2023, underlining the attractiveness of these initiatives

Affluent Indians are increasingly setting up family offices in Dubai, Singapore, and London Younger family members, often educated abroad, are entering the family business Indians make up over 30% of Dubai's startup community, with the city aiming to attract more tech talent from India Hindus have historically maintained friendly relations with the Middle East, marked by a deep respect for cultural diversity and religious coexistence This harmony is epitomised by the BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi, which stands as a symbol of acceptance and cross-cultural unity Open to people of all faiths, the temple rises from the UAE’s desertscape as a metaphor for the mutual respect and harmony that characterise Hindu-Muslim relations in the region As the largest

Hindu temple in the region, it not only serves as a spiritual haven for Hindus but also as a beacon of inclusivity and cultural exchange

In the UK, particularly London, has traditionally been one of the world’s top destinations for migrating millionaires, consistently attracting large numbers of wealthy families from mainland Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East from the 1950s to the early 2000s However, this trend began to reverse around a decade ago as more millionaires started leaving the country and fewer arrived Notably, during the six-year period from 2017 to 2023, following Brexit, the UK experienced a net loss of 16,500 millionaires due to migration Projections for 2024 indicate a further outflow of 9,500 millionaires, highlighting significant shifts in global migration patterns and preferences

These millionaires choose their destinations based on factors like robust safety and security measures, well-established banking systems, opportunities for global investments, and high-quality education and healthcare for their families Countries like Malta, Australia, and Mauritius also attract retirees seeking favourable climates and superior living standards, contributing to the overall appeal for affluent individuals seeking comfort, security, and an enhanced quality of life abroad

The surge in millionaire migration has consequently boosted the investment migration sector, with Americans and Indians currently leading in demand, alongside consistent interest from Brits, Filipinos, and South Africans over the past five years This interconnected flow of wealth and talent across borders underscores the evolving landscape of global mobility and economic influence

Transforming financial sector in India

In 2023, India surpassed the UK to become the world's fifthlargest economy, boasting a per capita income of $2000 The IMF anticipates this income to grow at a rate of 6% until March 2025 (FY25)

As the youngest country globally with the largest population and a substantial number of middle-income households, India is witnessing a transformation in its financial habits This change is spurred by rising per capita income and improved lifestyles, resulting in increased demand for larger residences, automobiles, and consumer electronics The country s financial landscape evolves in tandem with these advancements in quality of life

Over the past five years, there has been a noticeable trend in how Indians allocate their incremental savings A greater proportion of these savings is now directed towards financial assets The uptick in financial assets signifies heightened investor engagement in capital markets, expanded credit growth, and increased insurance penetration, often referred to as the 'financialization of savings'

This shift has propelled India, with the Bombay Stock Exchange and National Stock Exchange as major players, into the top five of the world's largest stock markets, boasting a current market capitalisation of $4 79636 trillion, which reportedly crossed the $5 trillion mark in May 2024, up from $4 20198 trillion in December 2023 The country also witnessed spectacular electronic manufacturing growth, from $ 37 bn in 2016 to $ 105 bn in 2023

The Goods and Services Tax (GST), implemented in India in 2017, has also had a profound impact on the economy, both positive and challenging It has streamlined the tax structure, leading to enhanced compliance and formalisation of the economy

This has stimulated growth in sectors such as manufacturing and logistics Despite challenges like increased compliance bur-

dens for small and medium-sized enterprises and temporary inflationary pressures, the overall effect of GST has been beneficial, helping India's economy to sustain its growth trajectory

Another factor elevating India’s financial sector is the revolution of the banking sector The banking sector, dominated by public sector banks (PSBs), has historically underperformed despite numerous policy initiatives over the past decade Conversely, private banks have demonstrated superior perfor-

economists like Poonam Gupta and Arvind Panagariya have advocated for significant privatisation of India s public sector banks They suggest that while the State Bank of India (SBI) should remain in the public sector due to its size and importance, the remaining 11 PSBs should be fully privatised

Private sector banks generally exhibit higher efficiency, which can enhance resource allocation within the economy, foster growth in the financial sector, and support overall economic expansion Dr Arvind Panagariya, Chairman of the 16th Finance Commission of India and former Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog, has also strongly endorsed the privatisation of public sector banks in Prime Minister Modi's third-term agenda Bank deposits constitute the largest (>50%) share of financial assets in India, followed by cash, life insurance, and mutual funds

strengthened its attractiveness as an investment destination Currently, India's urban population stands at approximately 35%, projected to reach 50% by 2050 This urbanisation trend is likely to amplify consumer aspirations, driven by expanding per capita income and urbanisation

As the middle-class population expands, fuelled by higher income levels and aspirations, it will contribute to robust credit growth, expanding insurance coverage, and heightened investor engagement in capital markets

Political Sketchbook

Th ere w as a tim e wh en your class w as the best pred ictor of your voting intention (Notice h ow speaking about class is not sham eful and backward , but ‘caste’ is) T hen it became interest rates in the 1990s the best predictor o f the party to win

As I sifted through my old Oxford University Politics and Economics papers this morning, I stumbled upon a fascinating essay on the history of monetary policy in the UK since 1870 Yes, I read British Economic History since 1870 (given I am a vegetarian and teetotal, you can imagine the number of party invites I used to get)

This discovery was particularly timely, given the current general election and the recent decision by the Bank of England to maintain interest rates The convergence of these events offers a unique lens through which to examine the evolution and significance of monetary policy in the UK, especially considering the landmark decision in 1997 to grant the Bank of England its independence

The history of monetary policy in the UK is a tale of evolution, marked by significant milestones that have shaped the economic landscape From the gold standard era to the turbulent times of the World Wars, and from post-war reconstruction to the stagflation of the 1970s, each period presented unique challenges and necessitated distinct policy responses However, it was the latter part of the 20th century that saw one of the most profound changes in the UK's monetary policy framework: the independence of the Bank of England

This pivotal shift occurred in 1997 under the Labour government led by Tony Blair The decision to grant operational independence to the Bank of England was a bold move, aimed at insulating monetary policy from political pressures and enhancing the credibility of the UK's economic management The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) was established, tasked with setting interest rates to meet the government's inflation target, a mechanism designed to ensure price stability and foster economic growth

Fast forward to today, amidst a fiercely contested general election, the Bank of England's recent decision to h

importance of its independent status The MPC's choice reflects a careful balancing act, weighing the need to control inflation against the potential risks to economic growth This decision is a testament to the prudence and foresight that the Bank's independence was intended to safeguard

The context of the current general election adds another layer of complexity As political parties vie for power, economic policies and their implications are at the forefront of public discourse Yet, amidst the political noise, the steady hand of an independent central bank provides a reassuring constant It serves as a reminder that sound monetary policy, free from short-term political considerations, is crucial for maintaining economic stability

It’s just that, many would rather they did cut rates, saving people a fortune If Labour win, and taxes rise, then cutting rates will actually happen sooner

This continuity of policy and the stability it brings cannot be overstated It is a cornerstone of investor confidence and economic resilience In a world where political climates can shift rapidly, the independence of the Bank of England ensures that monetary policy remains focused on long-term economic health rather than the immediate demands of electoral cycles

Reflecting on my old Oxford papers, it is clear that the lessons of economic history remain profoundly relevant The UK's journey from the gold standard to an independent central bank illustrates the critical role of robust and adaptive monetary policy in navigating economic challenges Today, as we stand at the crossroads of another general election, the wisdom of that 1997 decision is evident It has provided the UK with a framework capable of withstanding political upheaval and ensuring that economic management remains guided by expertise and evidence rather than partisan agendas

And you know why things evolved Some clever economists worked out something called Game Theory That unless it can be signalled that your policy is not open to wavering, you don’t have credibility and if you lack credibility, then well Liz Truss Basically, when you can’t trust politicians, then you need to give everything to third parties, preferably not subject to elections Like the Office for Budget Responsibility The irony It’s why the House of Lords are a good thing What, you want even more elected MPs?

Alpesh Patel

e

Sadiq Khan to waive Ulez and congestion charge next week

Drivers in London are being

a le rte d t o s i g n if i ca nt

u pcoming changes in Sadiq

K han's car sch emes, aim ed at potentially reducing costs in th e weeks ah ead

These schemes are part of efforts across the capital to reduce pollution and promote alternatives to driving,

i s

o consider leaving their vehicles at home

London's transportation policies encompass several

Low Emission Zone (Ulez), Low Emission Zone (LEZ), D

Permit

cally, each operates as dis-

requiring drivers to navigate multiple charging zones

The Congestion Charge s

London, whereas the Ulez, LEZ, and DVS extend across Greater London

U

e z , L E Z , and DVS overlap geographi-

Recent updates aim to

ease financial burdens on

m

exempting them from costly charges

T y p

Congestion Charge applies weekdays from 7 am to 6 pm and weekends and bank holidays from 12 pm to 6 pm

During the period from C

drivers will be exempt from charges

T

would face a daily fee of £15 for entering the zone, which i s c l e a r l

w i t h prominent signs in central London

Similarly, the Ultra Low E

day, throughout the year

Cocaine worth £15 million found in animal feed near Bridgwater

T wo m en, Varun Bhardw aj, 3 9, and A nand Tripathi, 61, h a v e be en g i v en lo n g er p rison term s after a farm er near Brid gwater discov ered £ 15 million worth of cocaine in his reg ular anim al feed d elivery last year

They were initially sentenced at Isleworth Crown Court in December after a 71-day trial where they were c o n v i c t e d o f i m p o r t i n g

c o c a i n e , c a n n a b i s , a n d cigarettes into the UK concealed in shipments of perishable goods

During a hearing at the Court of Appeal in London,

t h e e a r l i e r s e n t e n c e s f o r both men were overturned, and they were subsequently given longer prison terms

B h a r d w a j ' s s e n t e n c e w a s e x t e n d e d f r o m 1 9 t o 2 3 years, while Tripathi's was i n c r e a s e d f r o m 1 5 t o 2 0 years

T h e S o u t h W e s t Regional Organised Crime Unit (SWROCU) launched a n i n v e s t i g

Bridgwater, Somerset, made a 9 9 9 c a l l t o A v o n a n d Somerset Police The farmer discovered kilo-block packages in his regular animal

officers inspected the shipping container and found 1 8 9 k i l o g r a m s o f c o c a i n e worth over £15 million The c

from Colombia and arrived at London Gateway Port

t

involved in the importation

and transportation of the

Tripathi served as the director and company secretary of Tatab, which specialises

and export of goods

identified as the operations manager, reported directly to Tripathi This was evi-

played

role in the organisation

Immigration judge jailed for £1.8M legal aid fraud

A

i nvolved i n a legal aid fraud

s

y ears in jail for

Rasib Ghaffar, 54, from

cerning Indian restaurants hiring illegal immigrants, despite not being present himself

rister

denied but was convicted of conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation He was involved with six others, including a fellow bar-

and a costs draughtsman

deemed unfit to stand trial due to medical issues

Solicitors Azhar Khan,

legal clerk Gazi Khan, 52, falsely claimed £1,856,584 in costs

Businessman jailed for £3mn Edinburgh University scam

A bu s i nes s m an h as b ee n sentenced to seven years in prison fo r his invo lv em ent in a d ecade-lo ng scam that defrauded the U niv ersity o f Ed inburg h of o ver £3 m illion

t h e u n i v e r s i t y ' s former assistant director of e s t a t e s a n d b u i l d i n g s , t o o r c h e s t r a t e a f r a u d u l e n t procurement scheme spanning from 2005 to 2015

Court despite not attending Azhar Khan and Gazi K

claim nearly £9 million in legal aid for two 2012 trials held at the Old Bailey and Isleworth Crown Court Judge Philip Bartle, KC, sentenced Gazi Khan to five years in March, describing him as a key figure in the scam Gazi alone was implic

d frauds that aimed to secure £12 million

T h e c o n v i

n o f Ghaffar concludes a series o

dating back to before the pandemic in 2019

These goods were unnecessary for the university and were seldom actually delivered

Johar received commissions on these fraudulent t r a n s a c t i o n s M e a n w h i l e , T u r n b u l l , w h o h a s s i n c e passed away, benefited from g i f t c a r d s , v o u c h e r s , a n d

o t

£112,010 as part of their illicit activities

T u r n b u l l a r r a n g e d f o r substantial orders of cleaning supplies through Johar's e m p l o y e r , U n i v e r s a l S o l u t i o n s ( I n t e r n a t i o n a l )

s s , Buckinghamshire, guilty of participating in a fraudulent scheme The Crown Office reported that he was sen-

court

Sineidin Corrins, deputy

(COPFS), stated, “This was a complex and elaborate fraud that cost the University of E d

pounds in misappropriated funds over a period of 10 years "

London restaurant could face licence loss over illegal workers

Home Office r

ar rests Five of six employee s were found working ill egall y, with two sleeping on -site in a con verte d storer oom

Gana Restaurant, a Sri

n a n d S o u t h I n d i a n

y o n E a

i n g R o a d i n Wembley, will have its alcoh o l l i c e n c e r e v i e w e d b y

Brent Council next month

I m m i g r a t i o n E n f o r c e m e n t

alleges the owner breached the licence by failing to prevent crime and disorder

Enforcement officers visited Gana in September last

year following a tip-off about illegal workers Five people were arrested, in addition to two previous arrests in 2019 for the same offense Two employees were found sleeping in a converted storeroom above the premises Due to the owner's status as a 'repeat offender,' officers are urging the counc i l t o r e v o k e t h e l i c e n c e entirely, believing a suspens i o n w o u l d o n l y h a v e a short-term effect A report s t a t e d t h e o w n e r s h o w e d ' c o m p l e t e d i s r e g a r d ' f o r immigration laws and the r e s p o n s i b i l i t y t o v e r i f y employees' legal status T h e r e p

First-generation refugee inspiring change globally, using her lived experience

gaining refugee status in the UK While in Afghanistan, s h e s u r v i v e

Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolution at the University of San Diego

H e e l a Y o o n l e f t Afghanistan in 2019 to study in the US and UK, unable to return due to the Taliban's strict regime, leading to her

She is currently being

Hospital, Bristol, as a precautionary measure and is expected to recover fully

statement noted that the King, along with the entire

c experiences, including vio-

e n , a school shooting, and intense c o n f l i c t H e

p

r e n t s a r e also civil war survivors

Heela's experiences have driven her to advocate for w

While the precise cause of her injuries has not been confirmed, reports indicate that Princess Anne's medical team suspects they may be consistent with a possible impact from a horse's head or legs

responded to the incident at Anne's residence, providing initial medical care on-site before transporting her to Southmead Hospital in Bristol for further tests,

tion It's been reported that

Heela Yoon emphasises the importance of seizing opportunities in education and life Reflecting on

highlights the challenges of starting anew and overcoming adversity Despite facing

Princess Anne's husband, V

Laurence, along with her children, Peter Phillips and Zara Tindall, were present at Gatcombe Park during the incident

her to the hospital after emergency services attended to her Princess Anne sustained concussion and minor head injuries but is anticipated to recover fully a

information regarding her treatment has not been disclosed

Sadiq Khan

Varun Bhardwaj and Anand Tripathi

Rasib Ghaffar

Heela Yoon

Capturing LGBTQ+ narratives through photography

Subhasini Naicker

Sunil Gupta, an Indianborn Canadian photograph er based in Londo n, has d ed icated his career

to add ressing injustices faced by gay m en g lo bally, includ ing th em es of sexu al id entity, m ig ration, race, and family

He is renowned for numerous books and his work is part of prestigious collections such as the Museum of Modern Art in New York, Philadelphia Museum of Art, and Tate

In recognition of his contributions, Gupta received

Asian Voice, Sunil discusses addressing LGBTQ+ issues t

the South Asian community and more

inspired y ou t o pursue photograph y as a care er, and can y ou te ll us about y ou r early in fl uen ce in th e fi el d?

I grew up in Delhi in the 50s and 60s, surrounde d b y v i b r a n t B o l l y w o o d films Photography started as a casual hobby with a f a m i l y c a m e r a a n d attempts at setting up a darkroom in Delhi's challenging weather Moving to Canada made photography more accessible, capturing moments of my new life

Despite cultural expectations for fields like engineering, I pursued business

s c h o o l a n d a n M B A i n f i n a n c e i n N e w Y o r k

There, my deepening inter-

e s t i n p h o t o g r a p h y , sparked by museums and galleries, led me to pursue it more seriously, despite knowing it wouldn t bring financial rewards

M y p a r e n t s i n i t i a l l y opposed my choice to pursue photography over a tra-

d i t i o n a l o f f i c e c a r e e r However, they eventually supported me as I earned

a n M A f r o m t h e R o y a l College of Art in the UK Settling in London, I freelanced in editorial photography for magazines while delving into personal pro-

j e c t s t h a t i n t r i g u e d m e , even if they lacked commercial appeal My focus shifted towards exploring the intersection of being g a y a n d I n d i a n , a t o p i c largely absent from 1980s discussions and overlooked in art history My aim was to create art photography that would document and r e p r e s e n t t h e g a y I n d i a n experience, filling a void

f o r f u t u r e g e n e r a t i o n s H o w e v e r , c a p t u r i n g t h i s narrative proved challenging as gay South Asians in L o n d o n a n d I n d i a w e r e hesitant to participate in photography Adapting my

its pioneering HIV clinical department in the UK The project involved ethically approved procedures to engage w i t h i n d i v i d u a l s who have been vis-

Paying private school fees early may spark VAT disputes

P arents who p ay seven years of p rivate sch ool fees in advance to avoid p otential VAT increases under Labo ur's p lans may face prolonged tax dispu tes, experts caution

approach, I focused on dramatic, directed photograp h y , c o l l a b o r a t i n g w i t h willing individuals at significant community sites to c o n v e y t h e s e i m p o r t a n t stories visually

How has your photography evolved to reflect and address significant LGBTQ+ issues throughout your career?

Arriving in Canada in 1 9 6 9 , j u s t a f t e r t h e

Stonewall riots, proved pivotal for my involvement in the burgeoning gay liberation movement By 1970, as a college student, I found m y s e l f a m i d s t a g r o w i n g d i s c u s s i o n o n g a y r i g h t s that permeated academic c i r c l e s a n d c a m p u s l i f e S t u d e n t g r o u p s f o r m e d , p r o v i d i n g p l a t f o r m s f o r discussions and activism I actively participated, writing essays on gay liberation for term papers and cont r i b u t i n g t o t h e s t u d e n t newspaper by photographing events like marches and n i g h t c l u b s c e n e s S e e i n g my photos in print gave me a newfound audience and propelled my early career

The intersection of persona l i n t e r e s t a n d s o c i e t a l impact fueled my passion for documenting LGBTQ issues from the outset

Moving to India in the mid-2000s, I engaged with activists working to change

I n d i a ' s l a w s , p a r t i c u l a r l y a r o u n d L G B T Q r i g h t s I d o c u m e n t e d t h i s m o v ement, capturing portraits of activists who were part

o f a y o u n g e r g e n e r a t i o n a d v o

these activists were vocal and visible, staging demons t

n public spaces across Delhi, symbolising their openness and determination for societal transformation

As someone who is HIV positive, I feel it's important to continue discussing AIDS, which hasn't disappeared Using my artistic platform, I've periodically c r e a t e d w

n g this issue One significant p

o j e c t , S o n g s o f Deliverance, was commissioned jointly by a Londonbased art organisation and a hospital trust, including S t M a r y ' s H o s p i t a l i n Paddington, renowned for

conversations, I listened to their stories and used photography to portray aspects of their lives Some participants chose to be depicted directly, while others pref

through actors The resulting series documents their long-term experiences liv-

only in the UK but also in India

Howdo you see the landscape of LGBTQ+ representation in the arts evolving in the coming years?

The representation of L G B T Q + c h a r a c t

s i n media, especially with the advent of streaming platf o r m s , h a s s

improved There's now a wealth of characters who

feeling of invisibility that

gone This evolution is positive and diverse, encompassing men, women, and t

which is crucial for visibility and acceptance Visual arts also play a role, albeit

access to LGBTQ+ content, reducing the influence of governments in controlling what people can see and access

What is your perspective on the current status of LGBTQ rights and acceptance within the South Asian community?

It seems that visibility has increased, but acceptance within South Asian

experience, my own family struggled with discussing it

lacked the vocabulary and ended up not addressing the topic, agreeing it was too complex and uncomfortable From what I gather, younger generations in

ness, but widespread social acceptance seems distant In London, for instance, though it was legalised in '67, broader societal acceptance only began around 2013, showing significant lag behind legal changes

Advanced payment schemes, long offered by some independent schools, have seen a surge in uptake since Labour announced its intention to add 20% VAT to school fees This increase in popularity has raised concerns among tax specialists that schools employing these schemes could encounter legal challenges from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) in the future Such disputes could leave schools with substantial tax liabilities that may then be passed on to parents

According to Dan Neidle, head of the Tax Policy Associates thinktank, schools previously saw only a few parents using these prepayment schemes annually, but now dozens are signing up as the practice becomes more widespread The concept

behind these schemes is that by paying fees several years in advance, parents can lock in the current VAT rate and potentially avoid future increases under a Labour government

However, Neidle emphasises that advance fee schemes for schools differ from typical advance payments Parents aren't buying a product with an agreed sum; rather, they are depositing money with the school to cover each term's fees If fees rise unexpectedly, the deposited sum may deplete faster, requiring additional payments from parents

Many private schools advertise prepayment or advance payment options,

some allowing parents to prepay fees for up to 12 years, spanning from primary education through sixth form Given average fees of around £18,000 per year at traditional independent day schools, prepaying for five years would necessitate approximately £90,000

On the other hand, Labour s shadow chancellor, Rachel Reeves, has assured that imposing VAT on private school fees will not occur before 2025 at the earliest Speaking at The Times CEO Summit, she defended the controversial tax policy as part of Labour's agenda but emphasised that it would not be applied retrospectively to parents Reeves outlined that the implementation of the VAT would be introduced in Labour's first budget scheduled for the autumn and subsequently enacted into law through their initial finance bill, potentially taking effect from the spring term beginning in January

Sunil Gupta

Rachel Reeves

Community leaders call for enhanced political engagement in UK elections

As ian Voic e and Guj arat

Samachar hosted "Soneri Sangat," a Zoom programme analysin g the upcoming British elections

Chairman and Editor-i nChief CB Patel led the di scussion with guest s peakers Lord B hi khu Parekh, Sub hash Thakrar O BE, Kanti Nagda MBE, Vimalji Odedra, Dr Ric ha Sinha, and Krishna Pujara

They provided insights on key issues and potential outc omes in an interactive s ession

This year Asi an communi ty i s more en gaged in elections as before Kanti Nagda MBE shared his extensive experience, stating, "I have

actively participated in all elections over the past 50 years This year, our Asian community is more engaged than before It is true that Muslims participate more in elections Looking at the list of candidates, the number of Muslims is very high, which is a positive sign for the Muslim community However, it has been observed that the Hindu community shows less interest in elections " He noted the trend of Indian organisations issuing separate manifestos and suggested a unified approach to streamline communication with politicians Kanti criticised community leaders advocating for specific party votes, cautioning against such actions for charity organisations to avoid regulatory issues Chairperson of the Scottish Hindu Foundation, Ri cha Sin ha discussed the significance of the elections,

particularly from a Scottish perspective, where she has lived for over 20 years

Originally from India, she has participated in many elections in Scotland She

stated, “This time, there has been a remarkable increase in participation from Hindus and the Indian diaspora They are actively involved in leafleting and campaigning for various candidates ”

Speaking about the voting she said, “We must go beyond voting to emphasise active participation and effective lobbying in politics Mandirs, as central meeting places, should engage more actively, similar to other faith communities From a Scottish perspective, the growth in Scottish whiskey exports to India underscores opportunities for lobbying, such as promoting an India-Middle East-European economic corridor Organising smaller groups like the Gujarati business group or the Economic Forum can bolster our representation in political circles, especially within conservative networks It's essential to unite efforts to ensure Hindu voices are heard on critical issues like immigration, asylum, and accessing government funding in business, foreign policy, and agriculture ” Elec ti on s erves as a corners tone of democ rac y Professor Lord Bhikhu Parekh underscored the vital role of elections in

democracy, emphasising that they allow for popular autonomy and the selection of government representatives by the people Elections serve as the cornerstone of democracy, offering a gauge of public sentiment and decision-making He highlighted the current significance of this election, noting the internal divisions within the Conservative Party and declining respect for the Prime Minister In contrast, the Labour Party presents a unified front with a comprehensive manifesto focusing on NHS and education policies He encouraged everyone to fulfill their civic duty by voting, emphasising the need to consider both national and global perspectives when assessing party policies for their impact and

effectiveness

Krishna Puj ara, CEO of Saheli Enfield, highlighted challenges within the

Conservative Party despite Rishi Sunak's leadership as Prime Minister She noted growing uncertainty among voters between Labour and the Lib Dems, citing Labour's proactive election preparations She also addressed the housing affordability crisis, affecting middle-class families and junior doctors struggling to save for deposits Hindu organis ations should guide thei r comm unities politically Sub hash Thakrar O BE points out that Hindus, including the Gujarati

community, often lack political engagement He criticises Hindu organisations for claiming to be apolitical, suggesting they should guide their communities politically Subhash argues that manifesto readings are impractical and advocates for summaries instead He emphasises the need for Hindu values to align with political policies, favouring Conservatives over Labour Subhash commends Prime Minister Rishi Sunak for his dedication to duty and adherence to Hindu principles like performing karma without attachment to results He urged the community not to waste their right to vote and stressed the need to evaluate political parties' value systems and policies to make informed decisions

Speaking about internal issues in the political parties, he said, “Politicians are constantly engaged in internal conflicts; even within Labour, disagreements arise shortly after apparent unity, as seen in recent incidents like the Diane Abbott

situation Despite these issues, Hindu organisations should not hesitate to encourage Hindus to vote It's their responsibility to actively reach out to members, urging them not to waste their votes, as abstaining could be detrimental to the community's interests ”

“Newspapers like Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar can play a crucial role by educating people about party policy differences It's essential to emphasise that Hindus must vote this is our primary message in the short time we have After July 4th, regretting low Hindu voter turnout would be too late We need to act now, urging everyone, including family members, to prioritise voting, whether for parliamentary or council elections As citizens, we must exercise our civil rights, just as I learned from my experience coming from Uganda, where not voting led to dire consequences Let's value and exercise our right to vote responsibly,” he added

President NCGO Vimalji O dedara stressed

the importance of voting among Gujaratis and Indians, urging a balance between liberal ideals and the preservation of Gujarati and Hindu values He stressed the need for unity within the community, citing disorganisation as a weakness All dignitaries unanimously called for increased voter turnout, emphasising that it is essential for all Indians to exercise their voting rights He highlighted the convenience of polling stations in the UK, open until 11 pm, and underscored that voting is a moral responsibility that must be fulfilled

Uniting for Health: Commonwealth and global partners celebrate 10th International Day of Yoga

T he C o mm o nw e a l t h

Secreta riat in col la boration

w it h t he I n di a n H i gh

Commission in the UK and H

held a spe cial y oga session at Marl bor ough House on 22 June 2024 to cel ebra te the 1 0t

In

Yoga

As a part of the global Yoga 4 Unity initiative, the event highlighted the bene-

members of the diplomatic community

F

session, attendees participated in a yoga and meditation s

ienced instructors Attendees also had the opportunity to view an exhibition titled "A H i s t o r y o f Y o g a a n d i t s

The opening session of the event featured a video

Narendra Modi in which he said, “The world is looking at Yoga as a powerful agent of global good Yoga helps us realise that our welfare is related to the welfare of the world around us ”

Benefits," which showcased the rich heritage of yoga High Commissioner of I n d i a , H E V i k r a m K

Doraiswami, reiterated the global importance of yoga in his remarks and said, “Yoga fosters physical and mental well-being holistically, trans c e n d i n g b o u n d a r i e s a n d u n i t i n g p e o p l e w o r l d w i d e

The theme for this 10th edition of International Yoga Day is “Yoga for self and society”, which underscores the importance of yoga in promoting global health and universal harmony Through y o g a , w e c a n j o i n t l y c o ntribute to a more peaceful, c o n n e c t e d a n d s u s t a i n a b l e world ” High Commissioner of N a m i b i a , H

Commonwealth Secretary - General the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC said in her video message, "Our work is full of challenges, and none of us can pour from an empty cup Y o g a o f f e r s u s a s p e c i a l avenue for self-examination and the pursuit of a healthier, more balanced life This ancient tradition serves as a profound tool for enhancing mental and physical health for people all over the world, which is vital for our ongoing efforts to combat noncommunicable diseases " Kamlesh D Patel (Daaji) of Heartfulness Worldwide added, “Yoga is more than an exercise; it is a complete science that

, which has its origins in India more than 5000 years ago, is today being shared with the Commonwealth family as a g

a

i c e t o incorporate into all our daily lives If you are not a regular y o g a p r a c t i t i o n e r , I h o p e today’s event kindles your interest ”

Commissioner of Namibia to the UK

Kanti Nagada

Krishna Pujara

Lord Bhikhu Parekh

Richa Sinha

Vimalji Odedara

Subhash Thakrar

Scan the QR code to watch the full episode on Youtube

Shalni Arora OBE champions social cohesion and philanthropy

Shefali Saxena

Shalni Arora, Vice-Chair of the British Asian Trust, was recog nised in the Birth day Honours L ist

2024

Shalni Arora OBE received her award for Social Cohesion and Philanthropy She has dedicated decades to supporting numerous charitable causes In her role at the British Asian Trust, Shalni has been instrumental in advancing the Trust's mission to tackle poverty and inequality Here’s her exclusive interview with Asian Voice: Wh at inspired you to focus your philanth rop ic efforts on so cial coh esion, and ho w has this shaped the projects su pported by the Savannah Wisdo m Foundation?

During the Brexit campaign, I was hit by an identity crisis as a British Asian It occurred to me that the place I called home, where my daughters were born and brought up, might not want us here I have suffered racism growing up, but this was something different My sense of belonging was being threatened It would have been easy to retreat into my known community, but that would not defeat those who feel threatened by others I realised that education and opportunities for dialogue were key if we were to help communities integrate and that it was not just up to those who come into the country to integrate, but also those who are here have to understand their histories and backgrounds and welcome them

Integration is a two-way process For example, many (even friends) were unaware of the partition in India and its impact When the Manchester Arena Bombing happened, I sat on a commission looking at how we tackle violent extremism and realised the government policies on cohesion were inadequate I also saw in the response of Manchester City to the bombing the positive impact a good cohesion strategy can have Therefore, with Ted Cantle, I set up Belong –the cohesion and integration charity Belong works with local government, civil society and many other organisations to help build stronger more resilient communities

Other projects supported by Savannah

Wisdom in this space were the building of the South Asia Gallery at Manchester Museum Here we tell the stories of the South Asian diaspora and how we came to the UK It is the only permanent exhibition for South Asian history in the UK and a place that facilitates education and dialogue I also funded the Partition Museum in Amritsar

My focus on cohesion is on stronger communities across all differences, be it race, faith, gender, generation, ability, or wealth I look for projects that build equity between different groups giving opportunities to those left behind I have recently joined the board of Altrincham Football Club

Community Sports to see how we can use football to bridge divides between different groups and also give opportunities to all, such as disability football, walking football for the elderly, and loneliness clubs

We have funded shelters for victims of domestic violence, a charity for the homeless, and a free meal service for those facing food poverty I also have worked with 10 schools across Manchester and the North West building essential skills into the curriculum of young people to make the job-ready All of these feed into how we build stronger communities and neighbourliness across all divisions I am on the Board of Alder Hey Children’s Hospital Foundation Trust and steer the Innovation Group looking at what we can do to bridge the health inequalities we see in paediatric care in the North West

With you r extensive experience in ad dressing critical social issues, what d o you believ e are the key elem ents to achieving so cial coh esion within d iverse comm unities?

Bringing people together to talk in safe spaces and have those difficult conversations so they can understand each other better, social mixing Increase civil engagement and therefore

build social capital, eg through volunteering and neighbourliness schemes

Toolkits that allow groups to put in place good practice and also allow measurement of cohesion Involvement of local government Building cohesion into everything, so education policy, housing policy, healthcare We work in silos too much but if we worked together in all these areas we could create strong communities across all these groups We need to break down segregation in schools through better placement, same with housing Make sure everyone accesses healthcare, sports and community services

Long term programmes rather than just ‘ saree and samosa lunches’ which are oneoffs

Education and build resilience in a community to extremist ideologies and disinformation

Tolerance and respect for individual freedom

Understand that integration is a two-way process

Fo unding the Savannah Wisdom Fo undation has been a signifi cant achievement in you r career Can you share a p articularly imp actful su ccess story fro m the Fo undation’s i nitiati ves that stands o ut to yo u?

Difficult to do – so many programmes

Savannah Wisdom is a disruptive charity incubator My first success was seed funding and then steering to growth the Global anticorruption Health programme at Transparency International My most humbling were the letters I got from beneficiaries of the cultural hardship fund I set up with Manchester City Council during the pandemic to support freelance artists who did not qualify for any employment support

Looking forward, what are you r aspi rati ons for th e future of the Savannah Wisdom Fo undation, and h ow do yo u plan to further advance yo ur mission o f empo wering disadvantaged co mmunities?

To continue to grow Belong to become the goto organisation in the UK on building stronger more resilient communities and to continue to help those vulnerable groups from whatever background who we can support

Jain leader honoured with BEM in the King's Honors List

Jyotsna Shah

J

Ho

ng Char les III

He has been awarded the BEM (British Empire Medal) and the award has been conferred in recognition of his efforts to unify J

the UK and establish 'One J

V

him on behalf of the entire Gujarati/Indian community for this honour

moved to London for further studies after completing his school education

a n d e a r n e d a n h o n o r a r y degree in electrical engin e e r i n g f r o m I m p e r i a l

C o l l e g e A f t e r g a i n i n g w o r k e x p e r i e n c e i n

U g a n d a a n d N i g e r i a , h e joined the family business in London In 1995, at the age of 53, he retired from the commercial world by selling the family business and dedicated himself to spiritual life and humanitarian activities

Currently, he is serving as the Managing Trustee of Shree Raj Saubhag UK and since the past 25 years he

has been a Trustee of the Institute of Jainology For the last six years, he has also held the position of T r u s t e e f o r t h e N a v n a t Vanik Association

By nature, humble and s o f t - s p o k e n , J a y s u k h b h a i and his wife Ilaben have b e e n m a k i n g s i g n i f i c a n t contributions to charitable activities in both the UK and India for around thirty years He has played a pivotal role in the establishm e n t o f ' O n e J a i n ' H i s contributions to the recognition and representation of Jainism in UK society at b o t h s o c i a l a n d g o v e r nmental levels will remain enduring

training, youth empowerment, and organsing medical camps etc in Sayla have become integral parts of their service activities

During the pandemic, w

'One Jain' team, he found

Gujarati with the help of expert doctors, distributing medical supplies, and assisting the needy With full support from his family members in these activities, he is dedicating his time, energy, and resources to serving the community Social service and charitable work are invaluable legacies that he received f

Responding with pride to

Jaysukhbhai stated, “This award will encourage me to further promote Jainism and expand my charitable activities I sincerely thank all those who have supported and guided me in

S h r e e R a j S a u b h a g Ashram in Sayla has allocated substantial funds for l a r g e - s c a l e h u m a n i t a r i a n activities These funds are utilised to benefit individu a l s l i v i n g b e l o w t h e poverty line in both the long and short term The e s t a b

Jaysukh Mehta

Shalni Arora

King’s Birthday Honour recipient Subhash Thakrar OBE felicitated

Mahesh Liloriya

Subhash V Thakrar, form

Chamber of Commerce and

OBE (Officer of the Most E

British Empire) in the King’s Birthday Honour List for his services to British Trade and

A warm felicitation ceremony was held at the Anoopam Mission Denham on 21 June

Subhashbhai with a wooden replica of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, which was specially sent by the spiritual head of

Saheb ji

On being recognised in the King’s Birthday Honour List and felicitated by the

c o m m u n i t y , S u b h a s h B h a i

T h a k r a r O B E s a i d , “ I a m truly humbled and thankful

t o P u j y a S a h e b j i , A s h w i n

D a d a a n d t h e w h o l e

Anoopam Mission organisation Friday night I got confirmation of the honour and o n S u n d a y , P u j y a S a h e b j i

c a l l e d m e a n d s a i d ,

Subhashbhai if you can give 10-15 or whatever time you can spare, please come to this Friday’s Prarthna Sabha

a t A n o o p a m M i s s i o n Ashwin Dada is coming I thought it would be only a Prarthna sabha but what I observed is true hospitality,

l o v e , a n d a f f e c t i o n f o r a

h u m a n b e i n g I a m n o t a Swaminarayan follower, I am Sanatani I follow Thakorji

But in the way I was greeted and honoured, it’s a big thing for me

“I have had a relationship with Pujya Sahebji for many years and I am attached to him spiritually I think we don’t do anything, Thakorji is behind every step First, t h i s a w a r d i s b e c a u s e o f T h a k o r j i S e c o n d l y , t h i s award belongs to my wife

Rekha She has been a rock for me and allowed me to do

a l l t h e w o r k I a m t r u l y blessed She gave me a wonderful daughter Kavita and a

s o n R a v i M y s o n - i n - l a w Rikin, my grandson and my granddaughters are here to share the award with me

This award also belongs to my grandmother Ganga Ma She was truly a spiritual person 101 years of age Her blessings are still with me If there is anything that came in the spiritual part of my

life, it was she who brought it into me I remember my pare n t s V i t h a l d a s T h a k r a r , Lalitaben, my adha motabha

N a t h a l a l T h a k r a r a n d Ramilaben who looked after me My Mama Kishorbhai, M a m i M a d h u m a m i a n d Vijaya Mami ”

H e c o n t i n u e d , “ T h i s award goes to our Lohana community This award is for the Raghuvanshis This award is for Uganda where I was born, this award is for Jinja where I was educated T h i s a w a r d i s f o r K a k i r a where I did my primary education This is the award for all of you, the Asian community, the Raghuvanshi comm u n i t y , t h e w i d e r I n d i a n community, Hindu commu-

n i t y I t g o e s f o r a l l o f u s because such recognition is not for individuals but they add value for our community ”

S u b h a s h b h a i f u r t h e r added, “There may be many more things to come in my life and I am ready to devote more time and energy to the

betterment of society This is w h a t I l e a r n e d f r o m t h e Bhagwat Gita- perform your tasks and not worry about the results This is what our P r i m e M i n i s t e r M r R i s h i

Sunak proclaimed recently He is the true lover of the Nation and he is performing his tasks without the expectation of any fruits ” Sant Pujya Ashwin Dada said, “It is our honour that we got a chance to honour Subhash bhai It’s an honour for all of us and we are grateful to him for his service to the community I also want t o e x p r e s s m y g r a t i t u d e towards his wife Rekhaben, because of her Subhashbhai was able to perform his allaround duties It is an honour for Subhash bhai’s family, the Raghuvanshi community, Gujarati, Indian and all Hindu communities

“You are an inspiration to all segments of society Pujya Saheb Dada inspired us to arrange this honour for you and he specially selected a wooden model of the Ram Temple Today it’s a moment for joy, celebration and devotion ” Said Ashwin Dada

He also expressed gratitude towards CB Patel for

about others

CB Patel, Publisher and E d

C

Voice and Gujarat Samachar

guide We have been in an

Sahebji to reach London in end of July

Talking about the upcoming events, Bhavisha confirmed that Guruhari Sahebji will reach London in end of July Guru Purnima celebrations will be held on Sunday 28 July

His calibre is extraordinary, he has a sharp and progressive vision of a Lohana "Last year when we celebrated 50 years of service to the community, I requested S

book focusing on the past 50 years and keeping an eye on the next 50 years and he prep

Tomorrow As you all know, t

going to publish a book with-

in a month or two We have p

S u b h a s h B h a i T h a k r a r f o r this special book

“ T o d a y A n o o p a m

Mission captured the opport u n i t y a n d h o n o u r e d

Subhashbhai You know how to grab the opportunities I have given some advice to P u j y a A s h w i n D a d a a n d Sahebji, though it is not in my capacity, we as a community need torch-bearers like you to guide us for a long time My first point is to take maximum care of your health and for that control o n d i e t L e a r n t o s a y n o w h e n s o m e o n e i s o f f e r i n g more food Secondly, proper sleep will boost health The third point is don’t worry about Anoopam Mission UK, h e r e w e a r e i n c a p a b l e hands ”

S a t i s h C h a t w a n i t h e

I n t e r n a t i o n a l P r e s i d e n t o f the Anoopam Mission welc o m i n g a l l s a i d , “ I n t h e

S h i k s h a P a t r i ( R e l i g i o u s

T e x t ) S a h a j a n a n d S w a m i indicated to always recognize and honour those people who are making efforts

f o r t h e b e t t e r m e n t o f t h e community To honour such p e o p l e i s o u r B h a k t i a n d Seva Pujya Sahebji insisted t h a t t h e h o n o u r o f Subhashbhai should be done in the presence of Gunatit Sant and that’s why Ashwin Dada is here to bless “ S u b h a s h b h a i a l w a y s makes a differentiator in any w o r k o r p r o j e c t h e i s i n v o l v e d i n H e w a n t s t o bring changes for the betterm e n t o f t h e c o m m u n i t y ” Added Satishbhai

C o m p e r e B h a v i s h a

T a i l o r h o n o u r e d

S u b h a s h b h a i ’ s w i f e Rekhaben Thakrar and

Rohit Vadhwana

Notev eryo ne is courageous enoug h to fight at th e bord er We live safely becau se of th e fearless so ldi ers wh o guard u s in difficult terrains and adv ersities If a build ing catches fire, few wou ld show the valour to walk in to save the elderly wom an stuck in her apartment on the third floo r T his task is left to the firem en who are not only brav e but also well-equip ped to handle such situations

When faced with such circumstances, we often realize our inability to gather the required courage to overcome the fear of confronting danger But it is natural for ordinary people like us, isn't it? Yes, having fear is natural, but it can be overcome

You can also become courageous to handle challenging tasks You can be the person who speaks up in a meeting to point out the flaw in logic presented by a senior colleague, saving the company from undertaking a project that would lose millions You could be the one who shows up when asked to take on a difficult task

How? Courage is a skill that can be developed just like any other skill The notion that some people are born courageous and others are not is only half true Yes, some people are fearless from childhood, but anyone else can also learn, with incremental steps, to overcome fright holding them back and show bravery when required One needs to tackle fear step by step, very logically and effectively

If you are afraid of snakes, maybe the basic understanding that not all snakes are poisonous could be the beginning You can also make yourself aware of how many people die of snake bites in the world the statistics are dismally small Knowing that science has developed treatments to save people from snake poison and that snakes do not bite unless they sense a danger from you would certainly reduce your fear to a larger extent While you might not practice facing a snake directly, you can watch documentaries on how snakes are handled to reduce your fear

Another step to developing courage is having a stronger motive to take actions you have always feared Motive can overcome fear If the elderly woman caught in a burning building is a dear grandmother, a person would certainly take a risk to save her This personal affection for the grandmother could be a strong motive to overcome the fear of fire It is the slowly and progressively inculcated love for the nation and training that makes soldiers courageous to risk fighting at the border It is obvious that people do not take unnecessary risks Motive has to be reasonable If you live on the first floor, and even if it is faster to go to the ground floor by jumping out of the window, you don't take that risk but rather use the stairs Why would you jump out of the window to save time? There is no need But if the building is on fire, you would not hesitate to jump out of the window, knowing well that it would be less risky than going through the stairs Thus, fear and courage are relative to the situation, and understanding this logic can also make you more courageous

Becoming courageous is about understanding and o

motives, and assessing risks logically By doing so, you can develop the bravery needed to face challenging situations effectively, and become courageous

(Expressed opinions are personal)

The Fed Awards

Th e Fed A ward s too

lac e at th e Hilto n Birmi ngh am Metropole on June 18, 2024, w ith m ore than 4 00 g uests in attend ance

Through these awards, the Federation of Independent Retailers recognises and honours its members for performing the best in their fields

Vinodbhai Patel presented

few bhajans

Left to Right: Urvashi Patel, Tara Chandarana, Kalpana Patel Smita Kotecha and a guest

Rekha Thakrar and Bhavisha Tailor CB Patel

Subhash Thakrar

Vinod Patel presenting bhajans during the event

Pujya Ashwin Dada honoured Subhash Thakrar with a wooden replica of the Ram Temple

Grand victory celebrations organised in London by OFBJP UK for Modi 3.0

supporters gathered at the Indian Gymkhana to celebrate the BJP’s decisive victory under Prime Minister Modi's leadership The festivities kicked off with an exhilarating car rally, featuring more than 100 cars arriving in style at the Indian Gymkhana The atmosphere was electric, with dhol beats and a live DJ setting the lively tone Attendees danced, chanted slogans like "Modi Modi" and "Jai Shri Ram," and held posters celebrating PM Modi's third consecutive term

T h e c e l e b r a t i o n s w e r e f u r t h e r e l e v a

esteemed presence of Smt Smriti Irani, Former Union

M

y Chauthaiwale, BJP In-charge of Foreign Affairs Their participation underscored the

address, noted that IndiaUK ties have strengthened since the BJP came

A PART OF THE LEGA BE LEEGACY

As you all know

karyakartas

Event attended by BJP National Spokesperson Shri Guru Prakash Paswan, Shri, S

Saharnpur UP), Dheerendra Singh (MLA Jewar UP), Shri

President of OFBJP UK, and Suresh Mangalgiri, General Secretary of OFBJP UK, welcomed the guests with a cer-

significant support for BJP and PM Modi among the diaspora, adding a layer of importance and excitement to the event

Smt Smriti Irani deliv-

victory She highlighted his hard work and dedication d

acknowledged the ongoing support from the diaspora in this transformative jour-

with a delicious spread of food, enjoyed by all attendees Participants expressed that PM Modi’s victory rep-

dreams of the people They share PM Modi's vision of transforming India into a developed country by 2047 and are confident that the government elected by the people of India will diligently work for the welfare and progress of the nation

Devotional Musical Evening with Vidushi Sunanda Sharma at Chinmaya Mission

Jyotsna Shah

O n th e ev e ni ng o f

S und ay, June 1 6, 20 24 ,

a d ev o ti o nal m u s ic a l

p r o g ra m m e fe atu r in g

V i d u s h i S u n and a

S h a rm a , a ren o w ne d

c l as si c al s in g er an d s cholar, to ok place at the Nutan Centre at C hinmaya

M is s i o n i n H en d o n, L ond on

The event saw the atten-

d a n c e o f n o t a b l e c l a s s i c a l music enthusiasts including Viram Jasani, Miraji, Neelam

V a d e r a , B h a d r a V a d g a m a , Koki Vasani, Devi Parekh, and Padma Bhatt The program was conducted by Mr K i s h o r e T a n n a S u n a n d a Sharma, is a leading light of

t h e B a n a r a s g h a r a n a , h a s been deeply influenced by her guru, Late Girija Devi Her musical journey began with inspiration from her f a t h e r , P a n d i t S u d a r s h a n Sharma, a renowned Indian classical violinist

O n t h e o c c a s i o n o f

Father’s Day, she paid tribute to her father by performing one of his compositions Sunandaji excels in

c l a s s i c a l K h a y a l , T h u m r i , and Bhajans She dedicated her music to God at the start of the program, expressing her gratitude for the opport u n i t y t

w a s accompanied by Hanif Khan on the tabla, Satwinder Pal Singh on sarangi, Rishikesh on the harmonium, and her d i s c i p l e , D r G

C

devotional music

In his opening and closi

provided information about

s o f Chinmaya Mission Inspired by Swami Chinmayananda, the institution offers spirit u a l c l a s s e s a n d c u l t u r a l a c t i v i t i e s t o

ages and backgrounds, promoting the Vedic tradition o

aim to equip individuals with the knowledge to make positive con-

growth and happiness

They also offer studies in

classes

Gratitude was expressed

and Kishore Tanna, and Zia Ravji distributed prasadi to all attendees S

Madhaviben, who inherited her musical

from her mother, has made

community despite her

and family responsibilities Her gentle personality and

mendable

celebrating its 52nd anniversary. While this celebration marks the foundation day of , Gujarat Samachar

everyone who have not only contributed to our publishing journey but also, in some unforgettable. In this special souvenir , it is an Gujarat Samachar

subscriber or the other way, to the progress of the entire British Gujarati community. As a loyal

e invite you to share your memories, struggles, achievements, or unforgettable W , there are many things you can do to support this milestone.

events from the time you and your family left your homeland and settled in this country.

Whether at home or abroad, charitable, voluntary, or community organisations have independent committee will select articles to feature in our special edition.

such organisations have also played a vital role in the progress of the British Gujarati

eaders, Dear R ogeth l ld i ti contributions and impact.

(Asian Business Publications L photos is July 6, 2024. Please note that this opportunity is ex ’t delay-pick up you Don in our community. play elders organisations, in role a

Note that submissions will not be returned, so please keep a copy for your records. An length of 3000 words. Please include a high-quality photograph with your submission. writte article should be The S i l side en , , Middlesex HA1 4HN) or email it to me at cb.patel@abplgroup.com.

e kindly invite these organisations to submit a 750-word overview of their community. W

North Harrow

Smriti Irani Former Union Minister, Government of India

The celebration event at Indian Gymkhana

Vijay Chauthaiwale BJP In-charge of Foreign Affairs

Reflections on early summer

On June 20, 2024, the Northern Hemisphere experienced its earliest first day of summer in 228 years, since 1796 when George Washington was president This year's summer solstice, the longest day and shortest night of the year, brought back memories of watching "The Longest Day" (1962), an epic war film about the D-Day landing in Normandy I recall seeing it in the mid-sixties at a movie theatre in Anand, Gujarat, with friends celebrating our university degrees from S P University of Vallabh Vidyanagar

June 21, 2024, marked the first day of summer, which in Markham, Canada, was unusually cloudy, rainy, and windy It also coincided with International Day of Yoga, designated by the United Nations on December 11, 2014, with the theme "Yoga for Self and Society " Additionally, it was International Music Day

Our day brightened when we received photos from our niece, Yogini Patel, in Harrow, England She runs Sanskar Home Nursery, where toddlers are taught yoga from a very tender age Seeing these young children engaged in yoga was like a spiritual experience, similar to visiting a temple and witnessing divine innocence

S uresh and Bhavna P atel

M arkh am , Canada

Magic of ICC T20

A l t h o u g h f o o t b a l l i s t h e m o

p u l a r g a

, p

a y e d throughout the world, Cricket is fast spreading its wings, America being the latest recruit where the T20 world cup is being played right now

This rapid rise of cricket’s popularity in the US is mainly due to the influx of recent arrivals of Indians from India, mainly Gujaratis After all, Cricket is the unofficial prime sport in India with names like Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kholi and oldies like Vinu Mankad, Polly Umrigar, Kapil Dev, Farooq Engineer, Sunil Gavaskar and many more still command respect from us, the younger generation!

U S v i c t o r y o v e r P a k i s t a n a n d A f g h a n i s t a n

progress, on the strength of its well-built fast bowlers, is a step in the right direction, eclipsing the old favourites How cricket geography is changing may become unrecognisable in a decade or two

But the game needs reorganisation, minnows like Papua New Guinea, Kenya, Uganda, Canada, America, Nepal, Botswana, Netherland, Afghanistan and Ireland, a few amongst many aspiring nations should have their own pre-world cup tournament The winner and runners-up should join the elite eight, namely England, West Indies, Australia, New Zealand, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka This elite gathering where results cannot be easily judged will ooze quality and provide interesting, closefought matches that will keep the audience glued to their seats, with no incumbent, linchpin member!

The bottom two should be relegated who will have to go through the ritual to re-enter the elite group It is a mouth-watering prospect we expect with anticipation Bhupendra M Gand hi

Pilgrimage turns deadly

It is deeply saddening to learn about the tragic deaths of over 1,300 pilgrims during this year ’ s Hajj due to extreme heat in Mecca This devastating event underscores the urgent need for improved safety measures

Despite warnings, many unauthorised pilgrims managed to reach Mecca, exposing themselves to severe risks This highlights a critical gap in the current system that needs immediate attention

Hajj is a profoundly spiritual journey for Muslims worldwide Authorities should prioritise the safety and well-being of all visitors

As the Hajj season shifts to milder weather in the coming years, it is crucial to improve infrastructure, planning, and enforcement now to prevent such disasters in the future

It is essential that pilgrims like me who are planning to perform Hajj next year can do so without fear of facing similar tragedies

Kanan Pathak

Global Yoga Day celebrations

International Yoga Day, celebrated globally on June 21st each year, serves as a reminder of the ancient practice s universal appeal and its transformative impact on physical, mental, and spiritual well-being

Yoga, originating from India, has transcended borders to become a cherished practice worldwide As communities embrace yoga, its benefits extend beyond individual practitioners to foster a collective sense of well-being and resilience

I am delighted to read about the diverse celebrations held in the UK for this occasion Particularly, I thoroughly enjoyed viewing your YouTube episode featuring Kamu Palan; it was truly captivating

As an invaluable gift from India, yoga continues to inspire millions, fostering a deeper understanding of selfawareness and contributing significantly to global wellness practices

Pri ya Saha ni

Party leavers

Have you ever wondered if those Conservative MPs who left their Party to join Labour would have done so if Boris Johnson was still prime minister? Your view would probably be the same as mine - highly unlikely! Yet who, in your opinion, is more suited to leading the country, Rishi or Boris? If your answer is Rishi Sunak, it makes no sense why those MPs deserted him and the Conservative Party What do you think?

A G upta

Out About & Upcoming show

This weekend's Out and About takes you to BAFTA, 195 Piccadilly, London, featuring highlights from the 2024 International Widow's Day, a UN recognised charitable event dedicated to supporting widows worldwide. Don’t miss to watch the show, only on Zee tv, Sunday 30 June 2024 @ 6 pm

Sky 707 Virgin 809

Events to look out for

LCNL’s 'Singles Mix & Mingle’ on 4 July

LCNL Connexions is organising its much-awaited Singles Mix & Mingle on Thursday 4 July 2024 LCNL President Meena Jasani said that this event is open to the age group from 25 to 40 years who are looking to meet a prospective partner

Registration will start at 7:30 pm The venue is- The Oxford Market, 11-13 Market Place, London, W1W 8AH More information visit- https://lcnl org/mixandmingle/ Navnat Vanik

Association 'Annual Janmashtami Mela' on 18 August

Navnat Vanik Association UK is organising its annual Janmashtami Mela on 18 August 2024, Sunday from 11 am to 8 pm at Navnat Centre, Printing House Lane, Hayes UB3 1AR

The Post Of fice issued an apo log y after inadv er tent -

l y p ub lis h ing t h e n am es and addr esses of 555 po stm a s t er s in v o l v ed i n t h e Hor izon scandal

The company acknowledged that personal information had been disclosed in a document on its website and promptly notified

t h e I n f o r m a t i o n C o m m i s s i o n e r ’ s O f f i c e a b o u t t h e i n c i d e n t Expressing regret over the data breach, chief executive Nick Read described it as "a truly terrible error" that had caused significant

d i s t r e s s a m o n g t h o s e affected

T h e b r e a c h o c c u r r e d amidst ongoing testimony

i n a n i n q u i r y i n t o t h e

s c a n d a l , d u r i n g w h i c h hundreds of sub-postmasters were wrongly accused of theft due to inaccura-

c i e s i n t h e H o r i z o n a

T h e b r e a c h , i n i t i a l l y reported by the Daily Mail, s p a r k e d o u t r a g e a m o n g f o r m e r s u b - p o s t m a s t e r s Christopher Head, a form e r s u b - p o s t m a s t e r , shared a letter he had written to Mr Read and Post Office chair Nigel Railton, highlighting the profound upset, distress, and anger caused by the exposure of p e r s o n a l d a t a M r H e a d e m p h a s i s e d t h a t m a n y a f f e c t e d i n d i v i d u a l s h a d not disclosed these details even to their families and c o n t i n u e d t o e x p e r i e n c e trauma related to the scandal

Speaking to the BBC, Mr Head noted that many s u b - p o s t m a s t e r s w e r e e n d u r i n g p o s t - t r a u m a t i c stress and striving to move forward despite the ongoing repercussions of the Horizon scandal

e r s w h o were not prosecuted faced allegations from the Post Office regarding financial discrepancies

Labour candidate Kevin Craig suspended for betting against himself

A Labour can didat e runn in g for MP in Cent ral Suffol k and Nort h Ipswich has bee n suspe nded by the pa rty a fte r al legedl y b etting ag ainst himsel f, pr omptin g an inve st ig ation by the Ga mb ling Commission

Kevin Craig

K e v i n C r a i g ' s s u s p e n s i o n comes despite him appearing on t h e b a l l o t p a p e r w i t h L a b o u r next to his name The candidate has reportedly received £100,000 in donations from a businessman since Sir Keir Starmer took leadership of the Labour Party

Mr Craig posted on X (formerly twitter), acknowledging that he had occasionally placed bets for amusement throughout his life He explained, "A few weeks ago, when I believed I wouldn't win this seat, I placed a bet on the Tories to win here, intending to donate any winnings to local charities I want to emphasise that I had no prior knowledge of the election outcome when placing this bet Nevertheless, I deeply regret this decision and offer my sincere apologies " He expressed deep respect for Sir Keir and emphasized the importance of upholding rigorous standards for parliamentary candidates, in line with public expectations of a credible party aspiring to govern Mr Craig committed to fully cooperate with the Gambling Commission's inquiry and extended apologies to his local Labour colleagues He acknowledged the gravity of his actions, stating, "I deeply regret my mistake and accept full responsibility for this lapse in judgement

Providing information, Ramesh J Shah, Treasurer of Navnat Vanik Association (UK) said, “It is open and free for all, with no entrance fee, ample free car park space along with free entertainment will be there There will be a variety of stalls selling tasty food and exotic drinks, fashion and beauty products along with informative stalls of travel agents, educational service providers and solicitors The Kids’ Zone with a special entertainer, face painting and funfair rides will be the key attractions for kids All rides are also free ” Shah added, “Janmashtami celebration will include Krishna Janam, Nandbhao, Matki and Ras yatra, Lila like Vrindavan with Dance, Live music and Songs performances The Mela can be enjoyed with full family and friends " For more information, including the stall booking form, visit the website at www navnat com or call Ramesh

E-mail: - mela@navnat com

Vijay Mallya's son Siddharth weds his fiance Jasmine in Hertfordshire

Siddhar th Mall ya, son of Vijay Mal lya, r ece ntly t ie d the knot with his fia nce

from t he ir j oyous occa

y shar ed on line, offer ing

glimpse into the

ivities

For their Christian wedding, Siddharth looked dapp

tuxedo paired with a black b

Jasmine, who wore an ele-

Transitioning to their Hindu

, Siddharth opted for a traditional navy blue bandhgala k u r t a s e t , w h i l e J a s m i n e adorned herself in a stunning pink lehenga Friends of the couple took to Instagram to share snapshots from the Hindu wedding ceremony, capturing moments of joy and tradition

Notably, pictures of Vijay Mallya attending the Hindu ceremony have also circulated online He was dressed in a striking deep red blazer and black pants, with his dist i n c t i v e w h i t e h a i r s w e p t back The event also saw the presence of Lalit Modi, the controversial former chief of the Indian Premier League (IPL), who has been evading legal troubles related to allegations of money laundering and tax evasion Despite his legal challenges, Modi made an appearance at the wedd i n

moment in the private

bration of the Mallya family

A

High-ability children from low-income families fall behind wealthier peers from age 11

RURAL WIDOWS IN INDIA ARE THE FOCUS OF A GLITTERING GALA AT BAFTA

Loomba Foundation and US-India Strategic Partnership Forum extend collaboration to give economic independence to five thousand disadvantaged widows in Jammu & Kashmir

research T he study, tracking children

income g rou ps, fou nd similar progress until early seco nd ary school

H o w e v e r , b y a g e 1 6 , w e a l t h i e r c h i l d r e n w e r e much more likely to achieve top grades and pursue A-levels The research revealed that poorer children were more likely to have police contact, lower self-esteem,

a n d n e g a t i v e a t t i t u d e s t o w a r d s e d u c a t i o n a f t e r early secondary school

The failure to harness

t h e p o t e n t i a l o f t a l e n t e d

l o w - i n c o m e c h i l d r e n c o ntributes to the UK’s struggle for greater social mobility,

c o n c l u d e d a c a d e m i c s a t University College London

( U C L ) L e a d a u t h o r P r o f John Jerrim highlighted the t r o u b l i n g d o w n t u r n between ages 11 and 14 for these students, noting their p i v o t a l r o l e i n b r e a k i n g through social barriers and e n h a n c i n g p r o f e s s i o n a l diversity

Experts pointed to the " i n s i d i o u s a n d c u m u l a t i v e impact" of income disparities and lack of adolescent support Prof Iram Siraj of

O x f o r d b l a m e d c u t s t o

y o u t h s e r v i c e s a n d l o c a l authority funding, exacerbated by rising poverty Prof

S t e v e S t r a n d o f O x f o r d emphasised the role of peer groups and the communitylevel policies needed to support vulnerable youth

Funded by the Nuffield Foundation, the study followed 389 highly able fiveyear-olds from the poorest 25% of UK families and 1,392 from the richest 25%, using data from the Millennium Cohort Study It identified a rapid decline in outcomes for high-ability, low-income

c h i l d r e n b e t w e e n a g e s 1 1 a n d 1 4 , i n c l u d i n g w o r s e

b e h a v i o u r , m e n t a l h e a l t h , and increased police interactions by age 17

By age 16, only 40% of low-income children earned

A g r a d e s o r b e t t e

wealthier peers, leading to fewer low-income students pursuing A-levels

Speaking to Asian Voice, C e n t r e p o i n t ( a n o r g a n i

w a r d s helping homeless youth in the UK) research revealed that almost 136,000 young p e o p l e s o u g h t h

l p f r o m t h e

r l o c a l c o u n c i l s i n 2022/2023 due to homelessness or the risk of it This

f i g u r e r e p r e s e n t s a 5 % increase from the previous year ’ s 129,000

Centrepoint, which has supported homeless youth for over 50 years, highlights the human cost of homel e s s n e s s , e m p h a s i s i n g t h e struggles of young people who lack safe and secure housing The annual cost of youth homelessness is estimated at £8 5 billion, averaging £27,347 per young person equivalent to a police officer’s salary Government spending on homeless support services yields benefits more than double the costs

T h e c u r r e n t U n i v e r s a l

Credit rate for under-25s living independently is £16 less per week than for those over 2 5 , d e s p i t e s i m i l a r l i v i n g e x p e n s e s A d j u s t m e

o make work pay in supported housing, grants for apprentices and trainees, investment in traineeships, and i n c r e a s e d f u n d i n g f o r u

, a g e - d i s a g g r e g a t e d d a t a i s also crucial

R e s e a r c h b y W P I

E c o n o m i c s f o u n d a £ 3 3 2 million annual shortfall in youth homelessness funding for local authorities in E n g l a n d A t h i r d o f t h e 119,300 young people seeking help in 2022/2023 were not assessed, despite needi n g s u p p o r t M e e t i n g t h e o b l i g a t i o n s u n d e r t h e H o m e l e s s n e s s R e d u c t i o n A c t r e q u i r e s a f u n d i n g increase of 12% to £260 mill i o n , p o t e n t i a l l y r i s i n g t o £ 4 2 4 m i l l i o n T h e m a i n h o u s i n g d u t y , p r i m a r i l y temporary accommodation, is the most expensive, averaging £23,629 per case

D e s p i t e a £ 2 4 b i l l i o n g o v e r n m e n t i n v e s t m e n t , several local authorities still f a c e s i g n i f i c a n t f u n d i n g gaps For instance, Newham

n e e d s £ 3 2 m i l l i o n , w h i l e

L i v e r p o o l , H a m m e r s m i t h Fulham, Ealing, Cornwall, and Bexley each require over £10 million

C e n t r e p o i n t s u g g e s t s providing under-25s living i n d e p e n d e n t l y t h e s a m e U n i v e r s a l C r e d i t r a t e a s over-25s, as they face similar l i v i n g c o s t s E q u a l i s e t h e t a p e r r a t e f o r H o u s i n g

Benefit in supported housing from 65% to 55% and i n c r e a s e t h e e a r n i n g s threshold before losing full Universal Credit, generating over £12 million in benefits

Offer grants to apprentices and trainees aged 16-25 who cannot live at home to cover travel, work expenses, and living costs Invest in promoting accessible traineeships to boost qualifications a n d f u t u r e e a r n i n g s

Increase resources for historically underfunded services like mental health support Ensure age-disaggregated data is available for all government service expenditures

Leaders

fro m industr y, pol it ics and civil so ciety gat hered at the p restigious headquart er s of BAF TA in London’s Piccadilly, o n S at urday 22 Ju ne fo r a gl itt er ing gal a dinner t o su pp ort ru ral widows in India

Hosted by Lord Loomba in aid of the Bharat Widows Empowerment Fund, the gala took place on the eve of UN International Widows Day, the annual day of action initiated by the Loomba Foundation in 2005 and unanimously adopted by the United Nations General Assembly five years later

Guests flew in from India, the United States, Dubai and elsewhere to witness Loomba Foundation

President Lady Cherie Blair, CBE KC, and the President and CEO of the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF), Dr Mukesh Aghi, sign a Memorandum of Understanding to extend the partnership between the two organisations to fund the empowerment programme for a further 5,000 disadvantaged widows and dependents in the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir This builds on their current programme for 5,000 widows in the State of Uttar Pradesh, which began last year and is due to be completed by the end of 2024

In addition, the evening raised some £70,000 from sponsors and donors, including more than £30,000 in a charity auction conducted by bestselling author Lord Jeffrey Archer, with lots including a business class trip for two and stay at the Palm Jumeira Palm Hotel in Dubai donated by Brightsun Travel, and two luxury four-day Treasures of India tours for two on the legendary Maharajas Express taking in the Taj Mahal in Agra, the Ranthambore National Park with its tigers, wild boars,

the next decade, and it is also why we now put so much focus on empowering disadvantaged widows to help them become economically self-sufficient ”

B harat Widows E mpo wer ment

Fu nd is the Loomba Foundation’s wider ambition to empower 100,000 disadvantaged widows across rural India to become economically independent by 2030 in alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals to leave no-one behind To place the programme on a sustainable footing for achieving

hyenas, jackals and leopards, and the Amber Fort and Rambagh Palace in the Pink City of Jaipur, kindly donated by IRCTC

Thanking the sponsors and donors, Lord Loomba revealed that this year ’ s International Widows Day had a special significance for his family as it was seventy years to the day since his own mother, the inspiration for the Loomba Foundation and for International Widows Day, had herself been widowed, and he pledged to redouble the Foundation’s efforts in the years to come to empower rural widows throughout India and to banish discrimination against widows throughout the world

As Lady Blair put it, “Millions of widows in countries all over the world find themselves marginalised and without the means to support themselves and this leads to terrible outcomes for them, for their children and for the wider community This is why The Loomba Foundation’s first programme – launched over a quarter of a century ago – was to educate the children of poor widows in India, transforming over two hundred thousand lives over

that ambition, the foundation established the Bharat Widows Empowerment Fund, which was launched by Loomba Foundation President Cherie Blair at the British High Commissioner’s residence in New Delhi on 21 October 2023

Pro sp er it y fo r Widows

Launched by Lord Loomba in New Delhi on 19 October 2022, Prosperity for Widows is an empowerment project for 5,000 rural widows in the State of Uttar Pradesh, India, developed by The Loomba Foundation in partnership with the US-India Friendship Alliance (USIFA), the charitable arm of the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum The partnership with USIFA was formalised at the House of Lords in London on 9 December 2022 when Dr Mukesh Aghi, President of the USISPF, and Cherie Blair CBE KC, President of the Loomba Foundation, signed a memorandum of understanding in the company of the High Commissioner of India, Lord and Lady Loomba, and Loomba Foundation Trustee Mr Harjiv Singh

Kapoor brothers receiving a memento in recognition of educating children of poor widows in J&K

L-R: Lord Raj Loomba CBE, Chairman and Trustee of the Loomba Foundation, Ricky Kapoor, Lady Cherie Blair CBE KC, President of the Loomba Foundation and Sheetal Kapoor

The Loomba Family commemorating International Widows Day 2024 at BAFTA in London L-R: Reeta Sarkar, Raashi Sarkar, Roma Loomba, Arisa Loomba, Lord Raj Loomba CBE, Lady Veena Loomba Devina Loomba Rakesh Loomba and Samantha Loomba

Signing an MOU for empowering 5000 widows in Jammu & Kashmir L-R: Lady Cherie Blair CBE KC, President of the Loomba Foundation

Reducing inequalities in pregnancy loss and baby death

Shefali Saxena

M ad h u r i B ed i i s a

B ereav em ent S up p o rt and O utrea ch C o ord i nato r fo r

S a nd s , th e na ti o nal p re gnancy and baby loss charity, and sh e is d ed icated to supp orti ng So uth A sian comm unities through their grief

With a deep passion for c o n n e c t i n g w i t h b e r e a v e d families, she ensures they know they are not alone

M a d h u r i t i r e l e s s l y r a i s e s

a w a r e n e s s a b o u t t h e v i t a l role of bereavement support in the healing journey, especially in the context of baby loss Her work includes creating positive partnerships and spearheading initiatives tailored to the unique needs

o f S o u t h A s i a n f a m i l i e s

T h e s e e f f o r t s a i m t o improve outcomes and provide compassionate support for parents and families navigating their grief Having personally experienced baby

l o s s a n d t h e a s s o c i a t e d i n e q u a l i t i e s , M a d h u r i i s a fervent advocate for change She works diligently to bring

t h e s e i s s u e s t o l i g h t a n d push for systemic improvements Madhuri has played a key role in significant projects such as the Listening Report and the Parent Open Letter to the Government Through these efforts, she a m p l i f i e s t h e v o i c e s o f bereaved parents and champions the cause of addressing and rectifying inequalities in bereavement support

H e r e ’ s h e r e x c l u s i v e interview with Asian Voice: C an you elabo rate on the u n i qu e c h al le ng e s t h at S outh Asian bereaved p arents face, and how Sand s is w or ki ng t o ad d re ss th es e issu es throu gh its su ppo rt and outreach p rog rams?

S a d l y , t h e d e a t h o f a baby is not a rare event, with a r o u n d 1 3 b a b i e s d y i n g before, during or soon after birth every day in the UK

R e s e a r c h h a s f o u n d t h a t

S o u t h A s i a n a n d B l a c k w o m e n e x p e r i e n c e t h e largest inequalities in pregnancy outcomes with baby

l o s s b e i n g a t i t s h i g h e s t a m o n g s t t h e s e c o m m u n ities Sands is working hard

t o b e t t e r u n d e r s t a n d t h e complex set of reasons as to why this is, and what can be put into place to prevent this

Alongside the tsunami

o f g r i e f a n d t r a u m a t h a t comes with baby loss, for a

b e r e a v e d p a r e n t o f S o u t h Asian heritage, there can at times also be an added sense of shame, stigma, taboo, and

i s o l a t i o n t h a t c a n d e e p l y impact their mental health

They are also more likely to e n c o u n t e r b a r r i e r s t o a c c e s s i n g s u p p o r t S a n d s

r e c o g n i s e s t h e n e e d f o r more focus on Black and South Asian communities, to ensure greater engage-

m e n t a n d t a i l o r e d

support where possible This comes in the form of:

Dedicated pages to Black and South A s i a n s u p p o r t o n S a n d s w e b s i t e , M o n t h l y o n l i n e

S u p p o r t G r o u p s , Literature translated into South Asian languages, Tailored Webinars to give a greater insight into Black and South Asian loss, Outreach work with bereaved parents and s t a k e h o l d e r s , D e d i c a t e d

Round Table Group of Black

a n d S o u t h A s i a n p a r e n t s who help to shape our work

L a s t D e c e m b e r w e released the findings of the L

from bereaved parents from Black and Asian communities about the inequalities

a d s u f f e r e d d u r i n g m a t e r n i t y c a r e w h i c h included racism, discrimination and biasW e a r e n o w w o r k i n g with Black and Sough Asian bereaved parents on a Callt o - A c t i o n c a m p a i g n t o Government through which we are asking them to look at the alarming disparities in loss No baby should have an i n c r e a s e d r i s k o f d y i n g because of their race or ethnicity

How do yo u plan to use the insights and sto ries shared b y S o u t h A s i an ber eav ed p arents du ring th is event to im pro ve Sand s' services and ad v ocac y efforts for th ese com munities?

We aim to give a voice to all the parents attending as a way to provide a collective platform of empathy, awareness and shared outcomes w h i c h w i l l p r o m o t e a g r e a t e r u n d e r s t a n d i n g o f the bereavement journey for marginalised communities

Attendees will have the o p p o r t u n i t y t o e n g a g e i n m e a n i n g f u l d i s c u s s i o n s while sharing their experiences of the support they have received from medical specialists, family, friends, the wider community and support services They will be able to share ideas, and ways to enhance support This approach ensures that Sands strategies are community-informed whilst highlighting our aim of providing inclusive and effective support for all bereaved parents

In your v iew, wh at are the m o s t cr it ic al ac ti o ns t h at n eed to be tak en by th e Gov ernm ent, NHS, and professio nal bod ies to red uce the inequalities in baby loss r ate s am o ng S o u th A s i an families?

To reduce inequalities in p r e g n a n c y

must implement long-term, funded plans to eliminate these disparities, ensuring maternity services have ade-

effectively assess

birthing people Additionally, the

grams to devel-

and ensure maternity safety schemes focus on tackling i

l bodies and regulators must provide clear guidance on the significance of ethnicity in maternity and neonatal care The NHS must deliver c

accessible formats and provide ongoing training on the importance of ethnicity in maternity safety, ensuring that reviews and complaints c

racism and discrimination How would you d escribe the p

B

and S

n bereav ed parents, and what sp ecific challenges d oes it aim to ad dress?

Inequalities are faced by both Black and South Asian

event is a very positive way

another The event will also enable us to: Ensure everyone attending is aware of the support we offer, knowi n g o

communities, and Support g

and online, are a safe and c

stronger relationships with Black and South Asian communities, building trust and

during pregnancy, baby loss and beyond; Gather insights

and decision-making

What alarming statistics are

ted

reg arding baby loss among B la ck

s com pared to white families, and what actio ns is Sand s' End Inequality In Baby Lo ss campaign adv ocating fo r to add ress these disparities?

I n 2 0 2 1 , B l a c k b a b i e s were over twice as likely to be stillborn compared with white babies – and Asian babies were over 50% more likely to be stillborn Black and Asian babies are also more likely to die shortly after birth compared with white babies

S

2021, stillbirth & neonatal death rates were the same for Black and Asian babies as white babies, 1,704 babies would have survived

Entrepreneur redefining dialogue with #TechTuesdaysUK

Subhas h R Ghos h, a rec ipient of th e Te c h N at i on T i e r 1 Exc ept ion al Ta le nt Vi sa , is an alumnus of the UK DBT’ s “ Global

En tr e pr e n eu r P ro gr a m m e, ” wher e hi s tec hn ology advi s ory c om pa n y Le m on A d vi s o rs U K was des cribed as a unique di srupti ve te c hnol ogy of ex ce pti on al global potential, being led by a professional management team In London 2017, he launched Technoplat, a global venture builder, based out of Singapore In January 2023, he launched #TechTuesdaysUK, a knowledge platform that quickly gained traction in the global tech community, attracting significant engagement both in-person and virtua l l y A s a f o r m e r A m b a s s a d o r o f T e c h

Nation UK and a former Mentor with the London Mayor’s International Programme and a distinguished judge for its Rising Star Programme, Subhash continues to drive entrepreneurial excellence and technological advancement on a global scale

I n a n i n t e r v i e w w i t h A s i a n V o i c e , Subhash spoke about his journey in the tech sector, TechTuesdaysUK and much more Could you share with us how your journey in the tech s ector b egan, and what pivotal moments or experiences led you to bec ome the s uc c es s f ul e nt re pr en e ur a nd di gi t al medi a spec ialist you are today?

I'm from India, and after 17 years of global corporate experience, I ventured into entrepreneurship in 2011 With a total of 30 years in entrepreneurship and corporate sectors combined, my journey began when British Telecom approached me in 2012 to draft its Asian content strategy This opportunity prompted me to incorporate Lemon Advisors in the UK From 2011 to 2018, I was travelling back and forth, leveraging my UK connections to expand globally I closely worked with the UK Government and in 2016, I established my advisory business in Singapore

In 2017, I founded Technoplat, since its inception we have built some major relat i o n s h i p s w i t h p a r t n e r s l i k

U C , Singapore and with “Global Tech Advocates London We launched the UK chapter of Technoplat in 2019

I n J a n u a r y 2 0 2 3 , I l a u n c h e d

#TechTuesdaysUK, a technology knowledge platform that has gained significant tractions globally Over the past 18 months, w e h a v e b e e n

#TechTuesdaysUK in global events like G S

Google

My first business, Lemon Advisors UK, remains operational and focuses on digital disruption In 2018, the UK Government recognised us as a unique disruptive techn o l o g y o f e x c e p t i o n a l g l o b a l p o t e n t i a l , being led by a professional management team I also hold a patent for an innovative content audit service, further solidifying my commitment to digital innovation How does # Tec hTuesdays UK redefine tradi ti onal tech events to promote genuine di alogue and innovati on acros s diverse sectors?

In today's events, whether webinars or seminars, there are typically several components: a panel of speakers, pre-set questions and answers, brand exposure from spons o r s , a n d r e g u l a t e d m o d e r a t i o n W h i l e these elements are common and have been part of the tradition for ages now, I feel that they often limit engagement and spontanei t y S p o n s o r s s e e k m a x i m u m v i s i b i l i t y , which to a large extent can influence communication, moderation, and timeframes, restricting free-flowing discussions

This realisation led to the creation of # T e c h T u e s d a y s U K W e o r g a n i s e #TechTuesdaysUK on the first Tuesday every month

In addition, we have two other formats of #TechTuesdaysUK: #TechTuesdaysUK

Extra, held at various times in partnership with corporates and universities, and # T e c h T u e s d a y s U K Podcast

U n l i k e t r a d i t i o n a l events, #TechTuesdaysUK doesn’t have moderators, p r e d e f i n e d q u e s t i o n s , o r Speakers for that matters The focus is on genuine, s p

that helps in engaging discussions and free flow of thoughts The panel members and guests are invited as industry experts, not brand representatives, ensuring they share unfiltered thoughts Each session involves a c a r e

between 50-70 relevant guests that comprises of government officials, innovators, investors, research & PhD students and University students

This all leads to fostering meaningful and unrestricted discussions

#

innovative researchers, senior government officials, private companies, and students (

onwards Believing that today’s students are

funding Our discussions span a wide range

#HealthTech, #WomenInTech and many other deep tech topics In fact, for the months of May and June 2024, we conduct-

knowledge sharing and awareness on various tech topics Participants, even those outside the industry, gain valuable insights Every episode of #TechTuesdaysUK that there is a takeaway for everyone in the room, thus enhancing the overall tech community H o w c a n w e ef f e c ti v e l y b a la n c e th e advancements and potential risks of AI, particularly i n contexts like healthcare and law en forc emen t, to ens ure ethi cal an d responsi ble i mplementation?

Conscious technology, particularly AI, r

r w a r d Generative AI, in particular, has elevated artificial intelligence to new heights The critical question revolves around its consciousness and how we should approach it

For instance, consider the rampant misinformation on social media and the challenge of identifying what's real and what's fake Similarly, in healthcare, should we trust AI to make decisions on life-anddeath

The key issue is how much consciousness and empathy we imbibe into AI While AI can match human intelligence in many ways, the crucial question remains: How do we ensure it operates ethically and responsibly? This dilemma underscores the need for careful consideration of AI's role and the extent of reliance we place on it in our society

How do you perceive the dual impact of technology throughout his tory, b alanc ing its benefits wi th the challenges it presents ?

throughout history, a debate as old as my childhood days in India when we pondered whether science was a blessing or curse

The key lies in harnessing the benefits of technological innovations while addressing t h e

Health advancements, for instance, often surged after major disasters like pandemics, such as the rapid progress seen post-Covid19 This acceleration underscores how challenges spur innovation Embracing these challenges is crucial; they fuel innovators to find new solutions and improve technology for the betterment of society Without challenges, there would be no impetus for innovation or progress

Madhuri Bedi

Subhash Ghosh

“I'm focused on winning this election”

Despite different contradicting surveys, it is still believed, he remains the favourite to win there, but he may have a tougher fight on his hands

As Britain’s first Prime Minister of Indian heritage, Rishi Sunak integrates his Hindu faith into his daily life, with a shrine in No 10 for family worship and a Lord Ganesha statue on his desk –and now a statue of Lord Hanuman may join that collection His commitment to his faith guides his role as the Prime Minister, which he views as his ‘dharma’, a Hindu concept that emphasises fulfilling one ’ s duty without focusing on the outcomes, which he explained in a recent interview to The Times and Sunday Times This principle, he admits, is challenging but provides him with the strength to face difficulties and find fulfilment in doing what he believes is right And despite potential frustration over the public’s lack of recognition for his efforts to stabilise the government following Liz Truss’ brief tenure, PM Sunak reiterated his commitment to his ‘dharma’

In recent weeks, his party has faced significant challenges, culminating in accusations that he insulted war veterans by leaving the D-Day commemoration early

Among betting scandals, mounting pressure to address and dismiss people, and overall, a low morale among the party members, the Prime Minister has still been seen to keep his chin up and look ahead with resoluteness and positivity

On Saturday 22 June, the Prime Minister paid a visit to Shree Kutch Satsang Swaminarayan Temple in Harrow area, accompanied by local MP Bob Blackman

During his visit to the temple, he spoke about importance of family, values, hard work, higher education and service, as he addressed the gathering of around 400 people

In a quick interview with Asian Voice at the Temple premises, the Prime Minister EXCLUSIVELY spoke about his faith, regrets, determination and future plans

Q:You have been an examplean inspiration for many in the Asian community You as Britain’s first ever Asian Prime Minister have possibly opened the doors for many political aspirants in the diaspora We also know as a Hindu, you believe in karma and dharma, and generally keep a positive attitude, despite all the criticism and backlash. But, has there been any regrets in the last 18 months as the Prime Minister?

I wish we'd made more progress on tackling NHS waiting lists I come from an NHS family I'm very committed to making sure the NHS is there for everyone when they need, and it has been a challenge recovering from Covid We re putting more money in We're hiring more doctors and nurses, and the waiting lists are finally starting to come down If we stick with the plan, I'm confident that we can continue to make good progress

Q: You have been repeatedly attacked for being rich,

especially at the Leaders’ debates. As an immigrant, your family including yourself have worked so hard to reach where you have. And your success story is like many from the community, who may not be in the limelight That does not make you any less compassionate as a human being trying to help all equally in the country, especially the underprivileged Why have you never presented your case like a winner?

People can judge me about my actions, and you saw that in the pandemic I wanted to make sure we helped and protect the people through it I do believe in a country where if you work hard and want to provide a better life for your children, that's not something to apologise for My parents worked hard to provide a better life for their children, and I'm enormously grateful to them for that And so many people are like them They're hardworking, aspirational, and I actually think that's what our country is like And I want to have a government which supports people's aspirations to build a better life for themselves, whether that s buying their house, setting up a business, or sending their kids to a particular school These are all things that if people are working hard to do, they should be applauded for, and government should be on their side, not saying that they're doing something wrong

Q:None of the political parties have been particularly interacting with the British Asian communities to understand their needs and sentiments As various think tanks have told us, it appears that these voters are still undecided as to who to vote for and looking for a compelling case How will you urge this almost 5 6 million voters to vote for the Conservatives?

There's a really clear choice for everyone at this election And I d urge everyone you know, don't sleepwalk to 4 July Think very hard about what a Labour government would mean for you and your family's security Most people I meet are working incredibly hard to build a better life It's been a tough few years, and I want them to know that if I'm re-elected, I'm going to keep cutting their taxes, making their hard work much more rewarded, making it easier for them to set up their business, become selfemployed and easier to buy their first home, as we abolish stamp duty to support them; when they have kids by expanding child benefit and making sure that pensioners are protected, as well with a tax cut - that's what I'm about

I m about a society where people who are working hard, who are doing the right thing,

get their taxes cut If Labour is in office, everyone's taxes are going up across the board, council tax, your house, your car, your pension, you name it Keir Starmer and the Labour Party are going to tax it more when you're working so hard to build a better life for you and your family The Labour government taking that away and taxing it, is not going to make your life easier, and people really need to think about that choice

Can they really afford to pay thousands of pounds in higher taxes when they are working hard to provide a better life for their family? Because Labour doesn't understand that type of aspiration

Q:

Do you think the Conservative Party’s internal divisions and problems have adversely affected your impression as the leader of the party, your tenure at No 10 as the PM and your own political career?

It s been difficult few years and I appreciate that I can see that people are frustrated, but what I would say is, this is not a by-election So even if you're frustrated, you really must think about the choice If Labour is in power, your taxes are going up I've been there for 18 months I can't change the history before then, but I can tell you what I've done in 18 months, and we've got inflation back from 11% to 2%, the economy is growing, wages are rising, bills are falling Interest rates are on the verge of now being cut Mortgage rates to come down We can build on that progress and keep cutting taxes and making sure that everyone's financial future is secure Don t throw all of that away because you re frustrated about things that have happened in the past I've been here for 18 months I said I would restore economic stability We've done that I said I would cut your taxes We're doing that, and we'll do more of it, if I'm re-elected

Q:

If the Conservative Party does not win a majority but secures close to a majority, will you consider forming a coalition government with any other party, example Reform? Yes/no and why?

I m focused on winning this election I'm fighting hard for every single vote, and that's what I'm going to do till the last day And a vote for anyone who is not a Conservative candidate is just a vote to put Keir Starmer in Number 10 And if you do that, you're not going to get your taxes cut, your pension is going to be raided- it's not going to be protected We're not going to get a proper control of our borders We're not going to invest more in our security And he's not someone who understands aspiration and people who are working hard to build a better life for their families And your taxes are going to go up, and I don't want that to happen So just vote Conservative

Prime Minister joins devotees at Shree Kutch Satsang Swaminarayan Temple in Harrow

It w as a crispy and w arm sum mer morning w ith intermittent drizzles The devotees attend ing early morning satsang and prayers on Saturday 22 June at the S hree Ku t ch S at sa ng S w am in ar aya n Tem ple w ere asked to stay back for a surprise VIP v isit

The Mandir was filled with 400 devotees, some singing bhajan or volunteering in the kitchen cooking ‘Maha Prashad’ or others preparing rooms for the import a n t v i s i t l a t e r i n t h e d a y V o l u n t e e r s s t o o d o u t s i d e t h e temple, gently guiding the visitors through the entrance or giving specific directions to their questions

A s P r i m e M i n i s t e r R i s h i Sunak with folded hands walked into the temple, along with Bob B l a c k m a n M P o n h i s s i d e , h e t o u c h e d t h e f e e t o f S G V P

P r e s i d e n t S w a m i S h r i Madhavpriyadasji, while almost 2 0 0 d e v o t e e s c l a p p e d a n d rejoiced

The Prime Minister waved at the devotees and then offered prayer and aarti to Ghanshyam

M a h a r a j , e s c o r t e d b y T e m p l e

l e a d e r s S u r e s h b h a i R a b a d i y a , Rickinbhai, committee members and volunteers He was then garl a n d e d , b l e s s e d a n d p r e s e n t e d with many gifts and mementos, as Swami Shri Madhavpriyadasji

w e l c o m e d h i m t o t h e t e m p l e describing it as a ‘home for its devotees built by the devotees’

The PM was also gifted with a Lord Hanumanji murti (idol) by

D r S a n t S w a m i o f S a r a n g p u r

T e m p l e , w h i c h t h e P r i m e Minister promised to keep on his desk for strength and courage, e s p e c i a l l y w h e n h e c h a n t s Hanuman Chalisa

Addressing the congregation, the Prime Minister praised Bob Blackman MP and his continued d e v o t i o n t o w a r d s h i s c o nstituents who are largely British Hindus Addressing the audience, P M S u n a k t a l k e d a b o u t t h e importance of family values and how one should ‘ never apologise for championing families ’

He explained, “Values matter more than policies and everything else that you might hear My values and your values are the values of our party, and it starts with a family

“It's about all the other wonderful things you do to make this environment where a community is enriched That's what's special about what you have today ” He also talked about ‘other’ values such as higher education, service and hard work, and how it resonates with the Conservative government’s policies “All of us know you don't get anywhere in

life without working hard,” he said “What you need is a government that understands that hard work should be rewarded, and s u p p o r t e d a n d c e l e b r a t e d , because that's how you build a better country, a better society W e u n d e r s t a n d t h e p o w e r o f higher education That's how my life was transformed That's how many of your lives, our children's lives, are transformed So, making sure that our schools provide the best possible opportunity for our young children to build their lives t h e m s e l v e s i s f u n d a m

who we are as people, as a country, as a society, and again, we're a party that understands your aspiration We'll focus on high standards in our schools, making sure that people go to the best possible schools, because that's the best w

d reduce inequality So those are our values- family, hard work, service, the power of education and those are our party's values too

“I love this country for what it has done Like many of you, your ancestors, my grandparents, emigrated into this incredible count r y , a n d

Minister I don't think my story would be possible in any other place in the world ” H e r e

N

e n d r a Modi’s visit in 2015, then Prime Minister David Cameron’s speech at the Wembley Stadium addressing 40,000 people from the diasp

while

backbench MP The Prime Minister then moved on to the upcoming general elections and concluded by thanking everyone for their support He said, “I will work every day as hard as I can to make

everyone in our country's lives better, so we can ensure that our children grow up and know that they have a bright future ahead We will build an extraordinary future for them It is an extraordinary country built on the values that we all here hold dear ” The event was also attended by local councillors such as Cllr K

Hirani, Anjana Patel among others

Rishi Sunak, Bob Blackman, Dr Sant Swami and Swami Shri Madhavpriyadasji offering prayer to Ghanshyam Maharaj

Swami Shri Madhavpriyadasji tying a sacred thread on PM’s wrist PM and Bob Blackman MP taking a selfie with the devotees

Temple leader Sureshbhai Rabadiya greeting PM Rishi Sunak

The next resident of 10 Downing Street will have much to ponder in addressing these and other issues

S u b s e q u e n t p o l i c y c h o i c e s c a n reshape the country, as public policy directly impacts all of us

Understanding the full impli-

c a t i o n s o f a n e l e c t i o n r e q u i r e s more than just knowing who votes for whom and why

L a b o u r i s a p p r o a c h i n g t h i s election under the banner of a oneword slogan: "Change" and while the polls suggest a change of party and personnel, there is little indication of a massive shift in policy

Neither Labour nor Conservatives are being straightforward with the electorate about some of the trade-

o f f s w e w i l l h a v e t o c o n f r o n t

Whether the aim is to spend 2 5%

o f G D P o n d e f e n c e b y 2 0 3 0 (Conservatives) or when economic

c i r c u m s t a n c e s a l l o w ( L a b o u r ) , something will have to give, but it remains unclear what that something will be

P r o m i s e s n e e d t o b e s c r u t inised, and claims subjected to rigorous analysis Political engagement and informed voting are crucial, as every vote will count and i n f l u e n c e t h e c o u n t r y ' s f u t u r e direction This is especially important for minorities, as they often face the brunt of the problems con-

f r o n t i n g t h e c o u n t r y

Understanding what is offered and demanding what is needed is crucial for ensuring that their voices

a r e h e a r d a n d t h e i r c o n c e r n s addressed

Emp owering minority women

Women constitute a minority community, and ethnic minority women form an even smaller niche of minority within the minorities

T h e l i v e d e x p e r i e n c e s o f t h e s e women are not always represented and reflected in government policies, with one of the grimmest aspects being Honour Based Abuse (HBA) HBA is a silent epidemic, often overlooked in governmental strategies and remains underrepres e n t e d i n o f f i c i a l i n i t i a t i v e s t o combat violence against women and girls In response, charities and organisations supporting the victims of such circumstances have united to demand change from the incoming government through the ‘HBA’ General Election manifesto

This manifesto calls for a comp r e h e n s i v e a p p r o a c h t o t a c k l e HBA, focusing on three key areas: establishing a statutory definition and guidance, securing ring-fenced f u n d i n g f o r H B A s p e c i a l i s t s e rvices, and ensuring stronger gove r n m e n t a l a c c o u n t a b i l i t y I t i s imperative that the next government addresses these issues with urgency and commitment Failure to act swiftly not only perpetuates harm but also actively contributes to it

Th e S haran P roject is one of the organisations that have contributed to this manifesto Polly H ar rar , C h i ef E xec u ti v e a t t h e o r g a n i s a t i o n , i n a s t a t e m e n t t o Asian Voice said, “Honour-based a b u s e d i s a n i s s u e t h a t a f f e c t s countless South Asian women and there needs to be greater awareness to report this abuse and to seek support from organisations such as the Sharan Project

“We have released an honourbased abuse manifesto, calling for a statutory definition and guidance, ring fenced long term funding for charities like ours who are working

CHANGE…OR NOT?

tirelessly on the front line and to e s t a b l i

t a l honour-based abuse task force to ensure accountability of the government's commitment to tackle this abuse

“For far too long victims and survivors have been failed by a system that does not recognise or u

and 'by and for' services are being starved of funding, resulting in m

killed due to notions of honour, a statutory definition would go some way to ensure victims and sur-

before it is too late “ W e

racially marginalised victims and survivors deserve to be heard and 'by and for' charities should be sustainably funded as we are better p l

needs and the complex support required The time for lip service and empty promises needs to end a n d t h e i n c o m i n g G o v e r n m e n t needs to start listening and to take positive action before it is too late ” P ush for inclusiv e growth

The working class across the country is grappling with significant challenges due to the cost-ofliving crisis and inflation, which are impacting their quality of life Despite working tirelessly to support their families, their efforts often fail to meet their needs as e x p e n s e s o u t p a c e i n c o m e T h i s disparity affects minorities disproportionately, particularly commun i t i e s s u c h a s B a n g l a d e s h i a n d Pakistani

M o h am m ed A l i OBE i s t h e Founder and C hief Executiv e of th e QED Foundation, an organisation dedicated to supporting ethnic minorities in finding jobs and advancing their careers According to Mr Ali, while the discussions around "levelling up" in the run-up to this election focus almost exclusively on geographical inequality, t h i s a p p r o a c h c o u l d b e n e f i t Pakistanis to some extent, as they are three times more likely to live in the 10% most deprived neighb o u r h o o d s c o m p a r e d t o w h i t e British people

H o w e v e r , h e h i g h l i g h t s t h a t the community faces many other significant challenges He states, “These communities also face mult i p l e e n t r e n c h e d d i s a d v a n t a g e s based on their ethnicity, nationality, and faith Members are more likely to be out of work or in insecure, low-paid employment, and l e v e l s o f c h i l d p o v

above average

Mr Ali hopes that the incoming g

broader definition of levelling up

emphasises the need for private, public, and third-sector organisa-

tions to change their staff recruit-

ensure Pakistanis are represented across various sectors and at all levels

He adds, “It involves examining why our young people, despite

attainment relative to other ethnic groups, still struggle to translate

success and fostering trust and dialogue with public services like the police ”

Mr Ali also underscores the essential need to address the stark

interplay between an individual’s socioeconomic circumstances and cultural background, significantly affecting wellbeing

Ish wer Tailor MBE has been the P resident o f th e Gujarat Hindu S ociety and has served as a local magistrate on the Preston bench for 29 years, He feels that whoever comes into power must address the concerns of ethnic minorities, as the goalposts for racial equality have shifted repeatedly

Sharing his opinion on what is the result of the current political race can be, he said, “I don't think it's easy this time around to simply d

Conservative From my perspective, it looks like we might end up with a hung parliament Neither Labour nor the Conservatives are likely to get a majority There's talk that Labour will achieve a majority, but we ll only know for sure on election day It's a concerning situation for Britain, especially as it’s supposed to be a world leader in many aspects ”

He further added, “For retirees like me, and for the younger generation managing mortgages and university expenses for their children, adjustments are necessary

entrepreneurial, focusing on self-

tures to ensure survival This com-

tributed to the economy, being among the highest taxpayers

“ W h i c

power will face significant challenges, primarily due to economic concerns If the economy doesn’t thrive, nothing else will If Labour comes into power, the unions will likely push harder, causing more disruptions The union stranglehold, with strikes by junior doctors and teachers, will also intensify ” While Mr Tailor feels that the

, R am G u p t a, a b u s i ne s s ma

m Blackburn, feels that once you're integrated into society, even if you belong to a minority, issues affecting everyone impact you equally By identifying solely as a minority c

ethnic backgrounds of people who come to this country A

h a t just slightly over 50 per cent voters exercise their rights, he shares, “The widespread disenchantment with British politics has led to a dismally low voter turnout This has resulted in certain communities with high v o t e r t u r n o u

g n i f i c a n t l y influencing election outcomes, even if they constitute a minority

“Many people in the UK are disheartened with politics because t h e y f e e l p o l i t i c i a n s n o l o n g e r deserve their votes due to a perceived lack of representation ”

He also feels that while the efforts of political leaders towards ethnic minorities have been genuine, the treatment of the first Indian origin Prime Minister of the country does not reflect kindly “Rishi Sunak became the Prime Minister when no other candidates were suitable His ethnicity has brought more visibility to his leadership, which also means he faces more scrutiny

“ W h e n S u n a k f a i l s , i t o f t e n reinforces biases because he came into office by default rather than popular choice His own party has treated him poorly For instance, when he announced the election i n p o u r i n g r a i n , o r w a s p o o r l y advised from his party which led to public embarrassment during the V e t e r a n s ’ D a y e v e n t , h i g h l i g h t underlying resistance

“ P e o p l e n o t i c e S u n a k s s k i n colour first and are less forgiving compared to a white leader As a community, we should improve in celebrating diversity The Indian community has enriched the UK's cultural scene and yet, accepting

The need

Prime Minister remains a challenge for some

This reluctance is reflected in shifting voting patterns, with some supporting alternative parties like Reform UK for the wrong reasons Despite cultural strides, there's still difficulty accepting Asian leaders' success in politics ” T aking th e matter i nto o ur hands

While discontent brews within the community, whether regarding the resolution of issues or the acceptance of diverse leadership, political parties and leaders we have engaged with have avoided addressing why the needs of the ethnic minorities remain neglect-

Minister sidestepped the question (see p13)

Except token visits to places of w o r s h i p , c o m m u n i t y

e s , politicians are not seen engaging with the community, though it r e m a i n

speeches, with no scopes of questions answered from the community

Recognising the crucial need to amplify the concerns of the d i

responses from involved parties, Asian Voice, in collaboration with the City Hindus Network and the City Sikhs, is organising the UK’s inaugural national political hust

y during the 2024 general elections o n F r

, 6 : 3

p m onwards at Taj This remains a huge opportunity for the community to interact with main party r e p r e s e n t a t i

e s t o a n s w e r t h e i r questions and doubt cleared If y o u w i s h t o a t t e n d , R S V P t o shrijit rajan@abplgroup com

to prioritise NHS and health care workers

Whoever as sumes gove r n m e n t a f t e r t he upcoming general elect i on , on e of t h e ir b i gg e s t c ha l l en g e s r e m a i n UK ’ s b r ok e n heal thc are sys tem According to Rohit

S a go o, F oun d e r a nd D irec tor of British Sik h N ur s e s , N H S f a c e s m a j o r c h a l l e n g e s , i n c l u d i n g w o r k f o r c e shortages, funding constraints, and a g e i n g i n f r a s t r u c t u r e T h e l o n gt e r m c o m m i t m e n t s b y t h e Conservative and Labour parties, s u c h a s t h e N H S L o n g T e r m Workforce Plan and the 40 New Hospital Programme, limit flexibility in future budgets The Liberal Democrats' pledge to increase the public health grant by £1 billion a i m s t o p r i o r i t i s e p r e v e n t i o n despite their slim chances of forming a majority government “ W h i l e t h e m a n i f e s t o s o f f e r practical solutions like investing in out-of-hospital services and revising the NHS budget impact test, they are less ambitious in overall s p e n d i n g c o m p a r e d t o p r e v i o u s y e a r s , r e f l e c t i n g a c a u t i o u s approach to NHS reform”, Sagoo said With the shortage of nurses in t h e c o u n t r y

Ishwer Tailor

Rohit Sagoo

Mohammed Ali OBE Ram Gupta

Bob Blackman discusses his work for Harrow East and the Indian Community

Bo b Blackm an CBE has been th e C onserv ative Member of P arliament for Harrow East since 201 0

He can be best described as an Indian at heart He is the Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for UK-India Relations, UK-India Trade, and the All-Party Group for British Hindus In Parliament, he is at the forefront of advocating for the Indian community

He is also one of the MPs who has endorsed both the Hindu Manifesto and the Jain Manifesto because I believe they are the right initiatives and is well-known in Parliament as the most pro-Indian MP He has been awarded the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman by the President of India, acknowledging his contributions made to the Indian community both locally and internationally

Orthopaedic Hospital in Stanmore, the largest employer in the constituency This hospital is now undergoing comprehensive redevelopment

In an interview with Asian Voice, he discusses his priorities for his constituency, Harrow East and Conservative party plans

Whatare the main priorities of your campaign for Harrow East in this election?

I have been the Member of Parliament for Harrow East for the past 14 years, focusing on securing government investment for our constituency Over this time, I have successfully obtained funding for the expansion of all our primary schools to their maximum capacity

Recently, I also secured funding for a new special educational needs school for secondary-aged children, which is critically needed in our area

Ensuring the construction and operation of this school will be a major priority

I am proud to have supported the establishment of the first state-sponsored Hindu primary and secondary schools in the borough and in the entire UK, both of which are located in my constituency This development enhances educational choice for Hindu families

Additionally, we have provided support for a Muslim primary school, offering families faithbased educational options for their children

Another significant achievement is securing funding for the rebuilding of the Royal National

“I have been privileged to represent a diverse constituency in Harrow”

Furthermore, I obtained funding for a new intensive care unit at Northrop Park Hospital, which will provide 32 highacuity beds adjacent to the accident and emergency wing

Looking ahead, I am committed to continuing this level of investment I persuaded the government to invest £7 1 million to regenerate our high streets, benefiting local businesses and traders My goals include increasing investment in the National Health Service to reduce waiting lists, improving school facilities, and ensuring educational choice Additionally, I aim to reduce wasteful expenditure to lower taxes

Working collaboratively with our Conservative councillors, who make up the majority in the constituency, we have been able to achieve significant local improvements These include upgrading roads, pavements, and local services while managing costs effectively Our united efforts ensure that we can continue to make positive changes for the benefit of our community

How have you been engaging with the residents of Harrow East during your campaign? Can you share any specific feedback or concerns that residents have raised?

We are actively engaging with the community, going doorto-door and talking to people on their doorsteps

We're listening to their concerns and gaining their support Many issues people raise are local, such

as the condition of roads, rubbish collection, flytipping, and antisocial behaviour One of my key aims is to secure the necessary funding for our police force to effectively combat petty crime, burglaries, and other thefts that affect our community

Itseems that no major parties are truly engaging with the South Asian diaspora during their campaigns

As you interact with the community, do you feel the Conservatives have the support of the Hindu community in the UK and have effectively engaged with British Asians?

We have the first Prime Minister and leader of any major party in the UK of Indian origin Rishi Sunak has done an excellent job as Prime Minister Many Indians recognise that he has strengthened our ties with India, and we are still progressing with our Free Trade Agreement with India Although the general elections here and in India have delayed it, we hope to finalise the agreement in the autumn

Regarding our involvement with the South Asian diaspora, where there are significant communities, we engage with them actively However, in areas with smaller South Asian populations, there may be less interaction The Conservative Party has a very strong working relationship with the BJP, India’s centre-right party This partnership was initially forged by David Cameron when he was Prime Minister and continued under subsequent leadership

As people gear up to vote, what is your message for the people in your constituency?

I've been the foremost champion in Parliament for the Indian community and the Hindu community in particular I am their spokesman and advocate I urge them all to support me so I can continue to support them Everyone in Parliament knows that I am the leader in promoting these relationships and the rights of British Hindus and British Indians overall I trust that the people in my constituency will see the benefit of this and will continue to support me so that I can help them further

L

Thomas has b een serving as t he Me mb er of Pa rliament (MP) for Harr ow West since 1997

C u r r e n t l y , h e i s t h e

Shadow Minister for Trade on the Opposition frontbench Between 2008 and 2010, he held the positions o f M i n i s t e r o f S t a t e f o r International Development and Minister of State for T r a d e , I n v

Consumer Affairs I

, G a r e t h d i

cusses his achievements for Harrow West, his vision for t h e f u t u r e o f t h e c o nstituency, and the representation of British Asian communities as he campaigns to be re-elected

What a re your top priorities a nd main ob ject iv es if r ee l e ct e d a s t h e M P for H arrow West ?

I always enjoy election time because of the opportunity to speak to so many people across Harrow about what’s important to them

D u r i n g t h i s c a m p a i g n , many people have told me how worried they are about crime Many people want to know why we so rarely see p o l i c e o f f i c e r s p a t r o l l i n g the streets anymore That’s why I will be stepping up my campaign for a dedicated Police Team for Harrow Town Centre and for the number of police officers serving in our borough to increase back to the levels w e s a w u n d e r t h e l a s t

L a b o u r G o v e r n m e n t

Another priority is ensuring o u r s c h o o l s h a v e t h e resources they need As a f o r m e r t e a c h e r , a n d a s a parent of young children, education is very important to me Harrow schools have missed out on a staggering

£ 3 2 m i l l i o n u n d e r t h e

Conservatives So, I will be working hard to make sure all our young people can h a v e t h e e d u c a t i o n t h e y deserve

R efl ecting on your pre vious t enure as MP for Ha rrow

W e s t , w ha t a cco mp l i shmen ts a re you most proud of?

I a m v e r y p r o u d o f securing the funding for a

n e w S p e c i a l E d u c a t i o n a l

Needs School in Harrow

This would not have been a c h i e v e d w i t h o u t h e a dteachers, teachers and parents campaigning together

H a r r o w ’ s c a s e f o r a n e w

S E N D s c h o o l h a d b e e n rejected three times by the G o v e r n m e n t , s o I w a s delighted to lead a successful delegation of our SEND headteachers to meet the Education Secretary at the Department for Education to set out Harrow’s case Harrow desperately needs a

new SEND school and I’m delighted the money and the site have been secured

I’m also really proud of s u c c e s s f u l l y c a m p a i g n i n g for the expansion of beds at Northwick Park Hospital; the next stage in the campaign is for a purpose built 36 bed Critical Care Unit to improve patient care If I am re-elected and the country elects a Labour government, that will make a huge difference Under the last L a b o u r g o v e r n m e n t , w e delivered the shortest NHS waiting times and best NHS satisfaction rates in history

Now, despite the heroic efforts of staff, our health service is struggling People can’t get an appointment with their GP Patients are w a i t i n g h o u r s f o r a m b ulances to arrive Across the country, 7 5 million people are waiting for treatment So, if I’m re-elected, I will be working hard to make sure we build an NHS fit for the future with 40,000 more a p p o i n t m e n t s e a c h w e e k , during evenings and weekends

According to y ou, what is t he import ance of Br itish

A s ia n co mm un i t i e s in B r i t i sh s oci e t y ?

A ddit iona l ly , how do y ou

i n t e n d t o co n n e ct wi t h m in o r i t y c om mu n it i e s in H arrow West to gr asp the ir n e e d s a n d a m pl if y t h e ir voices in Parl ia me nt?

I t h i n k B r i t i s h A s i a n c o m m u n i t i e s a r e h u g e l y i m p o r t a n t t o B r i t i s h Society, contributing to our national story as well as to the economy; establishing successful businesses, creating jobs; and making a posit i v e i m p a c t i n o u r l o c a l communities I have been p r i v i l e g e d t o r e p r e s e n t a d i v e r s e c o n s t i t u e n c y i n Harrow Diversity is a fund a m e n t a l p a r t o f w h y , despite our challenges, our b o r o u g h r e m a i n s a g r e a t place to live I h o p e I h a v e b e e n r e s p o n s i v e t o w h a t ’ s important to all those who call Harrow home I set up a n d c h a i r t h e A l l - P a r t y P a r l i a m e n t a r y G r o u p f o r the British Gujaratis which has held high level meeti n g s i n P a r l i a m e n t w i t h p a r l i a m e n t a r i a n s a n d e x p e r t s t o c o n s i d e r e c onomic, health and welfare issues within the community We have investigated, f o r e

e , w h a t m

can be done to support the teaching of the community languages, such as Gujarati, Urdu and Hindi; how we c a n g e t m o r e d i

e c t London to Gujarat flights and we have worked with Mandirs across the UK on visa concerns We need a parliament a n d a g o v e r n m e n t t h a t reflects all the communities of our country I am delighted to see so many Labour candidates with a range of faiths and backgrounds If I am fortunate enough to be re-elected, I look forward to continuing to work closely with the B r i t i s h A s i a n c o m m u n i t y to rebuild our country H o w d o

to add

ant isemitism ? Hate crime is a growing problem driven partly by social media and fuelled by global events The disgust-

semitism exposes just how real the issue of discrimination is on Britain’s streets I know many people are targeted based on their religion and believe it is hugely important that we all stand

h a t there is absolutely no place in our society for prejudice, be it Islamophobia, antisemitism, anti-Sikh sentiment, or Hinduphobia We m

I want an end to our divisive politics I want there to be a sense of partnership and c o l l a b o r a t i o n t h r o u g h which we can address key i s s u e s , t a c k l e d i s c r i m i n at i o n a n d b u i l d a m o

e inclusive, equal Britain Why do yo u think that you are the best choice for the c o ns ti tu e nc y and b ett er than your com petito rs? It has been the honour of my life to represent our H a r r o w c o m m u

Parliament I was brought up and have always lived in Harrow and I am now raising my young family here W

services and face the same challenges as everyone else in Harrow Representing all those who live in my

have really appreciated the

received from community c

many people have come to campaign with me and are again putting their faith in

Together I know we can change our country for the better

Bob Blackman

Bob Blackman with Rishi Sunak

Anusha Singh

Gareth Thomas

R I T I S H A S I A N F A C E S I N U K E L E C T I O N

As the UK prepares for its upcoming general election, a diverse group of British Asian candidates is emerging as key contenders across various constituencies These individuals, representing different political parties, bring unique perspectives and experiences, reflecting the rich multicultural fabric of the nation Here are the lists of British Asian candidates to watch in the upcoming UK general election. This is an update for the list included in the last newsweekly.

Lammy pushes India trade deal, slams

Referring

Lammy remarked: “Many D

l i s h a v e c o m e a n d gone now without a trade deal and too many businesses have been left waiti n g M y m e s s a g e t o

M i n i s t e r ( N i r m a l a )

Sitharaman and Minister

( P i y u s h ) G o y a l i s t h a t Labour is ready to go Let’s finally get our free trade deal done!”

L a m m y c r i t i c i s e d t h e

c u r r e n t C o n s e r v a t i v e

Shadow Foreign Secretary David

speaking at inaugural day of IGF London 2024

G o v e r n m e n t f o r m a k i n g lofty promises but failing to deliver, expressing frustration over missed opportunities

"We urgently need to r e s e t a n d r e v i t a l i s e o u r r e l a t i o n s h i p T h e Conservatives have consistently promised more than they have delivered when i t c o m e s t o I n d i a T h i s leaves me frustrated - frustrated at the missed opport u

sised, "India’s democratic elections, involving nearly a billion voters, stand as the ultimate testament to democratic principles and practices in today’s world " C

on his re-election, Lammy expressed his anticipation to collaborate with his government if Labour comes to power

prosperity that eludes us b o t h , w h i c h w e a i m t o unlock " Describing India as a superpower and the future of Asia, Lammy highlighted its significant role in the E n g l i s

Shazna Muzammil

Iftikhar Ahmed Blackley and Middleton South

Faisal

Muhammad Asim Barking Sabi Patwary Chelsea and Fulham Kulsum Hussin Croydon South

Yousa Khan Thurrock

Simran Kaur Dhillon Windsor Yas Iqbal Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney Nisar Ahmed Malik Brentford and Isleworth

Aheesha Zahir Bromsgrove

Sameera Ashraf Bury South

Darshan Singh

Lammy

INDEPENDENT CANDIDATES

Muslim leader concerned over Farage's remarks

C o mm e n ts m

R

ge

Farage about Muslims have r

c om m un i ty

on

ad e

, prompti ng calls f or other poli ti cal figures to addres s s oci etal divisions

I m a n A t t a f r o m T e l

Mama, an organisation that monitors Islamophobia in the UK, criticised Farage for w h a t s h e d

s "attacking and undermining Muslim communities" to garner support ahead of

the July 4 General Election Last month, Farage commented on national service plans for 18-year-olds, suggesting a growing number of young people in the UK do not align with British

tioning Muslims during an interview on Sky News

While Farage's remarks have offended many in the c

has made significant donations to Reform UK, assert-

ing concerns about border control The exact amount

undisclosed, but it is noted as the largest contribution

campaign thus far Yusuf,

who recently sold his luxury

towards Britain and highlighted his belief that high

and

The General Election on July 4th is incredibly im portant for the future of o ur cou ntry Yo ur v ote really makes a difference You h av e a chance to sup port the excellent and locally born candid ate, A meet Jogia

Ameet was born and raised in Northwest London and joined the Conservative Party on his 16th birthday He has been involved with the Party ever since, including serving as the Co-Chairman of the Conservative Friends of India

For over a decade Ameet worked as my Chief of Staff gaining invaluable experience in navigating the intricacies of British politics He supported me in my role as Trade Envoy to Uganda, Rwanda and DRC to further strengthen the trading relationship between the UK and those African countries Using my experience of being involved in politics for over 40 years, I’m proud to be a mentor to Ameet

Ameet worked with me to launch Conservative Friends of India in the UK alongside the Prime Minister, David Cameron in 2014 to an audience of 1200 British Indians The organisation has now grown to over 4000 members including 80 councillors, 15 Members of Parliament which includes our Prime Minister Serving as the co-chair, Ameet galvanised the Indian vote across the UK but especially in Harrow which enabled the Conservative group to take control in May 2022

Ameet's political career took off in 2014 when he was elected as a Councillor for Canons Ward in Harrow, a remarkable achievement that made him the youngest C

constituents

was re-elected in 2018 with an increased majority As a Councillor, Ameet's focus has always been on improving the local community, advocating for cleaner, safer, and greener surroundings Moreover, he

inclusion, championing the rights and causes of ethnic minorities, women, and young people

In recognition of his outstanding contributions to p

awarded an MBE in 2022 He dedicated this prestigious honour to his parents, who instilled in him the values of civic duty and public service F

Ameet joined his team at No 10 as his right-hand man He helped organise many significant events including the first ever Diwali hosted by a British Indian Prime Minister Ameet Jogia is

rising star in British politics, who has demonstrated his passion, dedication, and leadership skills He is an inspiration to many young people, especially those from ethnic minority backgrounds He is

Birmingham Candidate apologises for insensitive joke

A n ind epend ent cand id ate in Birmingh am has issu ed an apology and comm itted to co mbating misog yny following w idesp read backlash o v er co m m ent

m a d e earlier this year on a podcast, includ ing stating th at " 70% of

third in the West Midlands m

faced criticism for inappro-

priate comments made during a podcast Akhmed Yakoob, a crimi n a l d e f e n c

guest's suggestion of giving his wife a "backhander" for TikTok earnings by asking if h

and questioning his judgement and values Yakoob expressed deep

that while casual banter can be crude, he should have abstained from participating given its tone contradicted his principles He emphas

n Ladywood remain focused on the tragic loss of civilian lives in Gaza Nonetheless, he apologised sincerely and pledged to actively oppose m

women of Ladywood of his steadfast support

Lord Dolar Popat

Member of the House of Lords and the Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Uganda Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo

Tarek Javed Bedford Ajmal Masroor Bethnal Green and Stepney Abul Azad Bexhill and Battle

Ammar Waraich Birmingham Edgbaston Shaukat Ali Birmingham Erdington Shakeel Afsar Birmingham Hall Green and Moseley

Babar Saleem Raja Birmingham Hall Green and Moseley Natasha Shah Blackburn Tiger Patel Blackburn Gita Gordon Blackpool North and Fleetwood

Shaheen Chingford and Woodford Davinder Singh Jamus Tooting

Talat Sajawal Bradford East Aadil Shaikh Brent East Zebunisa Rao Brentford and Isleworth

Kamla Sangha Chelmsford

Sangeet Kaur Bhail Ealing Southall

Joe Bhangu Ealing Southall

Jaginder Singh Ealing Southall

Sathish Mohan Ramadoss East Ham Anand Kumar Sundar East Ham Aysha Siddika Choudhury Feltham and Heston Bharatkumar

Senthil Kumar Holborn and

Emperor of India

Ankit Love Kensington and Bayswater Nagarjun Agath Leicester East

Leicester East Chaz Singh Plymouth Sutton and Devonport Vivek Chhabra Stockton West Dr Nimal Raj Thurrock

Yasmin Qureshi Bolton South and Walkden Mocky Khan Didcot & Wantage

Sonia Kumar Dudley Gurpreet Padda Waveney Valley

Warinder Juss Wolverhampton West

Heather Iqbal Dewsbury and Batley

Hajira Hanif Piranie Harborough, Oadby and Wigston

Apsana Begum Poplar and Limehouse

Gurinder Singh Josan Smethwick

Navendu Mishra Stockport

Uma Kumaran Stratford and Bow

Valerie Vaz Walsall and Bloxwich

Committed to community and equality in Nottingham East

Anita Prabhakar, a highly qualified solicitor with dual master's degrees in constitutional and corporate law, has been a dedicated member of the Liberal Democrats. In an interview with Asian Voice, Anita discussed the pressing issues confronting Nottingham East, her plans to address them, and more about her candidacy Subhasini Naicker

1What do you see as the most pressing issues facing Nottingham East, and how do you plan to address them?

T h e c i t y c o u n c i l f a c e s severe financial difficulties, m

o n 1 1 4 notice due to an unbalanced

b u d g e t T h e c o l l a p s e o f Robin Hood Energy has led to significant service cuts,

s

service quality for residents R

s s n

a n d social housing issues are also concerns Additionally, the

a v e r a g e i n c o m e i n Nottingham East is slightly below the national average

We will support a stable

b u s i n e s s e n v i r o n m e n t b y investing in skills and infras-

t r u c t u r e , e x p e c t i n g b u s i -

n e s s e s t o p r o m o t e s k i l l s , equality, good governance, and community support in r e t u r n T h e L i b e r a l Democrats will partner with businesses to ensure stability and maximise opportunities for investment, growth, and employment Our industrial

s t r a t e g y w i l l i n c e n t i v i s e i n v e s t m e n t i n c l e a n t e c hnologies to grow the economy, create jobs, and tackle the climate emergency The Government has failed busin e s s e s a n d w o r k e r s w i t h unfair tax hikes We would boost high street businesses and empower them to create new local jobs including by o v e r h a u l i n g t h e b r o k e n business rates system

To address the skills and recruitment crisis, we will invest in skills development and increase apprenticeships and career advice for young people We believe education is the best investment in our children’s potential and our country’s future

2How do you plan to differentiate yourself and the Liberal Democrats from Labour in Nottingham East, and what strategies will you use to win over voters?

L a b o u r ' s i n c r e m e n t a l

c h a n g e s w o n ' t d e l i v e r t h e reforms we need, from safeg u a r d i n g l o c a l h e a l t

vices to repairing our rela-

T h a t ' s w h y t r a d i t i o n a l Labour voters are supporting the Liberal Democrats We pledge to create jobs and p r o s p e r i t y i n N o t t i n g h a m

E a s t a n d a c r o s s t h e U K

L i b e r a l D e m o c r a t s h a v e a good industrial strategy to i n c e n t i v i s e b u s i n e s s e s t o invest and create good jobs

a c r o s s t h e U K W e w i l l ensure that gigabit broadband is available to every home and business, including in rural and remote communities

Thousands of green jobs

t h r o u g h o u r p l a n s f o r

warmer homes and focus on the climate emergency No tax increase for hardworking f a m i l i e s E n d t h e s e w a g e s c a n d a l C u t e n e r g y b i l l s through emergency insula-

t i o n p r o g r a m m e s a n d b y helping households’ install

when and where buses go

We back local health services, so people get the care

t h e y n e e d c l o s e t o h o m e

Higher minimum wage for

c a r e w o r k e r s ( £ 2 e x t r a )

Boost social care so that people can be released from hospital, freeing up beds needed

f o r p e o p l e w a i t i n g i n

A7E/ambulances

3What are your views on the current state of the NHS, education, and housing, and what key reforms do you advocate for in these areas, particularly in urban settings like Nottingham?

The NHS faces critical challenges including inadeq u a t e f u n d i n g , s t a f f i n g shortages from recruitment a n d r e t e n t i o n d i f f i c u l t i e s , b a c k l o g i s s u e s , a n d h i g h demand driven by an ageing

p o p u l a t i o n L i b e r a l

Democrats propose an additional £1 billion annually in the next parliament to renov a t e N H S h o s p i t a l s a n d enhance patient care Our p l a n i n c l u d e s e n s u r i n g everyone can see a GP or a p p r o p r i a t e s t a f f m e m b e r within seven days, or within 24 hours for urgent cases, by recruiting 8,000 more fullt i m e e q u i v a l e n t G P s a n d a s s i g n i n g a n a m e d G P t o everyone aged 70+ and those with long-term health conditions

Guarantee access to an N H S d e n t i s t f o r e v e r y o n e needing urgent and emergency care by bringing the d e n t i s t b a c k t o t h e N H S from the private sector by fixing the broken NHS dental contact and using flexible c o m m i s s i o n i n g t o m e e t patient needs Introducing a n e m e r g e n c y s c h e m e t o g u a r a n t e e a c c e s s t o f r e e NHS dental check-ups for those already eligible: child r e n , n e w m o t h e r s , t h o s e who are pregnant and those on low incomes

Enhance access to mental health services by estab-

lishing walk-in hubs for children and young people in e v e r y c o m m u n i t y

Implement regular mental

h e a l t

g critical life stages when individuals are most vulnerable A

y school has access to a dedicated mental health professional State secondary schools

n

with severe staffing shortages akin to the NHS, exacerbated by insufficient fund-

Labour Market in England Annual Report 2024 highlights ongoing recruitment

teacher workload pressures

Liberal Democrats aim

recruitment crisis by imple-

strategy: ensuring every seco

taught by a specialist teacher

with paid trainee posts in schools, and providing highquality professional develop-

parental engagement training

There's a severe housing shortage with missed gov-

e

chronic lack of affordable h

, including a 27% rise in rough sleeping to 3,898 individuals per night in Autumn 2023

T h e L i b e r a l D e m

c r a t s pledge to build 380,000 new h o m e s y e a r l y ,

150,000 social homes, and

and community-led development

4Is there anything else you would like to share with the voters of Nottingham East?

E v e r y V o t e f o r t h e Liberal Democrats is a vote to elect a strong local champion who will fight for a fair deal for you and your community

A fair deal where everyo n e c a n a f f o r d a d e c e n t home somewhere safe and

c l e a n w i t h a c o m f o r t a b l e retirement when the time comes

A fair deal where every child can go to a good school and have a real opportunity to fulfil their potential

A fair deal where everyone can get the high-quality healthcare they need, when they need it That’s the fair deal I am fighting for, and Liberal Democrats are fighting for

Your vote and support

a r e e s s e n t i a l i n b r i n

n g about the positive change we a l l w i s h f o r N o t

n

h a m East Together, we can build a more inclusive and prosperous Nottingham East

Making a difference in Islington North

Vikas Ag garwal, prosp ectiv e parliamentary candid ate for Islington North, was born in C hatham, Kent His p arents, originally from India, settled i n G i ll in g h am af ter h i

m Tanzania and h is mother's direct mov e from Delhi Vikas embarked on his c

Defence, serving in the civil s

h diplomatic assignments culminating in his tenure at the F

C u r r e n t l y , he focuses on government a f f a i r s

Magistrate, Vikas brings

l c h

n

g e s , f r o m crime and small business to climate change, at all levels of governance

I n a n i n t e r v i e w w i t h Asian Voice, Vikas discusses pressing issues in Islington N o r t h , h i s c a n d i d a c y i n

c o m p e t i t i o n w i t h J e r e m y Corbyn, and more What do you co nsider the m o s t p re ss i ng i s su e s i n Islington North tod ay, and how do yo u plan to add ress them ?

I think the biggest challenge people are facing in Islington North, but actually across the whole of the UK, is the cost of living driven by rocketing house prices and energy prices The Labour run council has missed its housing targets by 25% Islington is already one of the most expensive boroughs in London for housing, and this failure is making it far worse Even those in council housing are being l e t d o w n L e a s e h o l d s a r e f a c i n g i n c r e a s i n g s e r v i c e charges, and council tenants a r e s u f f e r i n g f r o m p o o r quality homes

E v e n t h e H o u s i n g Ombudsman Special Report found “ severe maladminist r a t i o n ” i n d e a l i n g w i t h anti-social behaviour, complaints, leaving a disabled resident without use of their bathroom, and others with u

T h

c

c i l s need a lot more resources to deal with these issues, but there has been a clear lack of scrutiny by both Islington MPs, and a lack of account-

a b i l i t y b y t h e L a b o u r

C o u n c i l l o r s O u r s o c i e t y ' s most vulnerable are increasingly neglected struggling with access to dental care, mental health services for children, and rising homelessness Anxiety about safety has heightened due to increased incidents of knife c r i m e a n d p h o n e s n a t c hings, affecting daily life for many Lib Dems propose building 380,000 homes annually, including 150,000 social homes, along with a £750m d e n t a l r e s c u e p l a n f o r improved access We oppose Labour s two-child benefit cap, criticised as cruel and

i n h u m a n e b y n u m e r o u s t h i n k t a n k s a n d l o b b y

groups

G iv en J er em y C o rby n s

l o ng - s tan d i ng te nu re a nd

p o p u l ari ty i n I s li n g to n

North since 198 3, h ow do you plan to compete against him and persuade v oters to supp ort you ?

V o t e r s w a n t a b e t t e r c h o i c e a t t h e u p c o m i n g e l e c t i o n I t ' s c l e a r f r o m countless conversations on t h e d o o r t h a t v o t e r s a r e l o o k i n g f o r c h a n g e , b o t h locally and nationally We’re not even talking about the C o n s e r v a t i v e s a n y m o r e a s its clear they are on their way out What residents are concerned about locally is having a progressive candid a t e t h a t w i l l f i g h t f o r m e a n i n g f u l c h a n g e M a n y v o t e r s i n I s l i n g t o n N o r t h have felt let down by Jeremy during his tenure as leader of the Labour Party, but also don’t feel able to vote for this current Labour Party w h i c h i s l u r c h i n g f u r t h e r and further to the right, in m a n y c a s e s e c h o i n g C o n s e r v a t i v e p o l i c y O u r progressive policies have a s t r o n g a p p e a l t o v o t e r s , including our recent record Gaza, on sewage, on housing, and on increasing support for carers Jeremy has served the constituency for a long time, but there’s a strong desire for change, for s o m e o n e n e w a n d f r e s h

Not only do we have policies that support people’s wellbeing, but ones that match their views on supporting t h e m o s t v u l n e r a b l e , a t home and overseas; they see as has having the most progressive view on our relationship with Europe and reversing the damage done by Brexit; and they see us as having a strong record on

t h e e n v i r o n m e n t a n d c l imate 9 out of the top 10

c o u n c i l s f o r r e c y c l i n g a r o u n d E n g l a n d a r e L i b

Dem run councils People value that sort of thing

I n th e l as t ele c ti o n, th e L i b era l D em o cr ats p l ac ed second Ho w d o you plan to brid ge the gap and secure a win in th e upcoming election?

We’re going to do what w e d o b e s t a n d t a k e o u r message to the doorstep As a National Party we don’t h a v e a n y w h e r e n e a r t h e s a m e r e s o u r c e s a s t h e Conservatives and Labour, and so we are much more heavily dependent on our ground force to get out and

knock on doors And when we speak to people about our policies, we get very positive responses from people a c r o s s t h e p o l i t i c a l s p e ct r u m , w h e t h e r t h e y b e Green, Tory, or Labour As I said, people want a strong progressive option to vote for, and they aren’t seei

there is

choose between Jeremy and Labour But in equal measure, people saw what happened with the dysfunctional Labour selection process Their candidate didn’t bother turning up for the housing or climate hustings and faced proper scrutiny, and refused to attend the now

It’s no wonder though as

wants to increase healthcare privatisation Its issues like that that residents respond to It’s their vote, but it has to be earned, and not taken for granted And this is why p

rejecting Labour's complacency and failures: inadequate housing, crime issues, and support for the twochild benefit cap What personal qualities or exp eriences d o you believe m ake you w ell-suited to repr es ent th e p eo p l e o f I s li ng to n N o rth i n P arliament?

Apart from my experience working with young people, and as a Magistrate, I t h i n k i t ’ s p r o b a b l y m y compassion and willingness to listen to people from diff e r e n t w a l k s o f l i f e , e v e n those that disagree with my politics I’ve been lucky in life, in as much as I’ve got two parents that love me and have supported me But not everyone has that luck Kids don’t pick where they live, who they are born to, or the conditions they grow up in And yet we expect so much of them when they t u r n 1 8 T h i s i s n ’ t a b o u t handouts or victimhood It’s about creating the conditions for everyone to succeed Ensuring that kids are fed properly and get a good education That people with mental health issues have q u i c k a n d e a s y a c c e s s t o support That migrants to the UK, like my parents, are treated well and given an equal opportunity to succ e e d a n d c o n t r i b u t e t o wider society I’m not a professional politician I don’t c o m e f r o m a p a r t i c u l a r l y political background And so I think we need much more c h a n g e i n o u r p o l i t i c s t o engage others like me that want to do good for wider society, and to ensure that elected representatives stay connected with the issues the people they represent face

Anita Prabhakar with Sir Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats (Left)

Vikas Aggarwal

“My goal is to foster a sense of belonging, ensuring every resident feels valued and heard”

Subhasini Naicker

Shivani Raja is a prospective parliamentary candidate for Leicester East, representing the Conservative and Unionist Party With a dedication to public service and a deep-rooted commitment to her community, Shivani brings a fresh perspective to the political arena

Her candidacy underscores a passionate drive to address the diverse needs and aspirations of Leicester East constituents, promising to advocate for their interests with integrity and diligence

In an interview with Asian Voice, she discussed engaging with the South Asian community in Leicester East, competing with prominent figures and much more

1Can you tell us a bit about your background and what motivated you to enter politics, and what personal experiences or beliefs led you to align with the Conservative Party?

I am a first-generation British citizen, born and raised in Rushey Mead, Leicester My parents, who moved to the UK from Kenya and India in the late seventies, worked tirelessly to build a life here while preserving our cultural heritage Growing up, I attended Herrick Primary School and Soar Valley College before completing my studies at De Montfort University My upbringing in Leicester, observing the challenges and potential of our community, fueled my desire to give back and contribute to its development My decision to align with the Conservative Party stems from my belief in personal responsibility, economic freedom, and community cohesion I am committed to bringing these values to the forefront of Leicester East’s political landscape

2What do you see as the most pressing issues facing Leicester East, and what are your plans to address them?

Leicester East faces several pressing issues, including economic stagnation, deteriorating infrastructure, and insufficient opportunities for our youth Over the past few decades, businesses have closed and talent has departed the city in search of better prospects To address these challenges, I plan to attract investment to rejuvenate our local economy, improve our infrastructure, and create high-quality jobs My focus will be on

supporting local businesses, enhancing educational opportunities, and fostering a community where young people can envision a future

Additionally, I will work to enhance public safety and community engagement to create a thriving, secure environment for all residents

3Given the significant South Asian population in Leicester, how do you plan to engage with and address their specific needs?

Leicester East is home to a vibrant and diverse South Asian population My strategy to engage with this community involves actively listening and addressing their unique needs I will prioritise inclusivity by organising cultural events and forums that celebrate our diversity and provide platforms for community members to voice their concerns By working closely with community leaders and groups, I aim to ensure that the specific issues faced by the South Asian community are addressed, from economic opportunities to educational and healthcare access My goal is to foster a sense of belonging and ensure that every resident feels valued and heard

4With many prominent figures competing for the seat and previous MPs like Keith Vaz and Claudia Webbe, how do you plan to differentiate yourself and bring a fresh approach to representing Leicester East?

With prominent figures like Keith Vaz and Claudia Webbe previously representing Leicester East, I understand the importance of bringing a fresh perspective I differentiate myself by being deeply rooted in the local community, not just in words but in actions As a local business owner and life-long resident, I have firsthand experience with the everyday challenges we face My approach is practical and peoplecentred, focusing on tangible improved opportunities in jobs, education, and safety I am committed to transparent, accountable leadership and

will ensure that every decision I make is in the best interest of our residents

5The Labour Party has historically had a stronghold in Leicester East What strategies and policies will you and the Conservative Party implement to break this trend and secure a win in the upcoming election?

Breaking Labour’s stronghold in Leicester East requires a clear, compelling vision and practical solutions My strategy involves demonstrating the Conservative Party’s commitment to addressing local issues head-on We will focus on policies that resonate with the community, such as economic revitalisation, improved public services, and stronger support for families and businesses By emphasising our plans to enhance infrastructure, create jobs, and ensure safety, I aim to show that a Conservative leadership can bring positive change Engaging with residents, understanding their needs, and providing realistic solutions will be key to securing their trust and votes

6What final message do you have for the voters of Leicester East as they consider you as their potential representative?

To the voters of Leicester East, I want to express my deep commitment to our community As someone who has lived and worked here, I understand the challenges and opportunities we face My vision is to unlock Leicester’s full potential by fostering economic growth, improving public services, and creating a safe, inclusive community for all I promise to be a dedicated, approachable representative who listens to your concerns and acts in your best interests

Together, we can build a brighter future for Leicester East, where everyone has the opportunity to thrive I ask for your support and trust to bring about the change we need

Advocating progressive change

in Cities of London and Westminster

Rajiv Sinha is a prospective parliamentary candidate for the Cities of London and Westminster from Green Party In an interview with Asian Voice, he discussed his entry into politics with the Green Party, strategies used to challenge dominance, and winning over voters and much more

1) Ca n you te ll us about your

polit ics with the G

Par ty?

As director of a human

activist, and advocate I cam-

political solutions, believing violence doesn't resolve conflicts I work mostly but not entirely on the Indian con-

Islamophobia, against caste, a g a i n s t m i s o g y n y , a g a i n s t homophobia, against bigotry of all kinds Before this I worked in the private sector, f o c u s s i n g o n s t r a t e g y a n d research at early-stage startups

I w a s a m o n g t h e f i r s t students taught about the c l i m a t e c r i s i s i n s c h o o l , which I first encountered in g e o g r a p h y c l a s s e s T h i s awareness led me to join the Green Party at 21 during univ e r s i t y T h e r e , I b e c a m e

a w a r e o f b r o a d e r p o l i t i c a l and social issues, which I believe are best addressed by the Green Party’s policies 2) Wha t ar e the ke y issue s y ou are focusing on in your campa ign for the Citie s of Lon don an d West minster ? Right homes at t he right price

L o n d o n i s b e y o n d a

h o u s i n g c r i s i s , a n d n o t enough has been done to fix it I’ll focus on increasing the supply of homes for social

r e n t a n d h o u s i n g m o r e

L o n d o n e r s s e c u r e l y a n d quickly, whilst taking more action on damp and mould

So many private renters have told me how insecure their situation can feel – I’ll be on their side We will set up a Rent Commission to get a better deal and end Section

2 1 n o - f a u l t e v i c t i o n s W e won’t be waiting for powers to be handed down, I’ll make a strong case to the governm e n t a n d d o e v e r y t h i n g within my power, given the urgency of the situation Cut daily livin g cost s Nobody should have to worry about the cost of living or about being priced out of London I’ll make transport affordable for all, working towards one city-wide, low fare for public transport I will campaign to bring in free school meals for seco n d a r y s c h o o l s t u d e n t s

G r e e n s w i l l a l s o i n c r e a s e universal credit and legacy benefits, scrap the bedroom tax, and introduce a universal basic income, although this would take longer than one parliament

A sa fe r cit y I ’ l l p r i o r i t i s e p o l i c e reform Greens will work to e l i m i n a t e h a r m c a u s e d b y the police and make sure people can report crimes to a service they trust I'll protect s e r v i c e s f o r

I k n o w

many Londoners have been affected by violence in Israel and Palestine We need to engage different communit i e s , r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s , a n d institutions to improve our approach to hate crimes and h a t e s p e e c h w h i c h h

risen since October On the situation in the Middle East, I will call for an immediate bilateral ceasefire and the release of all hostages as I h a v e b e

October

3 ) Ho w d o y o u p la n t o en gag e wit h a nd re prese nt the South Asia n commun it y in y our con st ituen cy ? Wh at specific issue s a re p art icularly import ant to t he South Asian community , an d how d o y ou in t e n d t o a d d r e s s the m?

My life’s work and career are about India and South Asia I run the British chapter of an organisation that is d e d i c a t e d t o d e v e l o p i n g a p r o g r e s s i v e , i n c l u s i v e , a l lloving vision of Hinduism I also stand resolutely against the persecution of minority H i n d u s w h e r e t h a t t a k e s place; I condemn all bigotry and persecution Majoritarian hate polit i c s , t h e o p p r e s s i o n o f minorities, and the crushing of dissent cannot be part of a f u l l y f u n c t i o n i n g l i b e r a l democracy I support the secular, democratic basis of modern India that was put forward by our founding figures and that is enshrined in the Indian constitution

M y p l e d g e t o S o u t h Asian communities is that I will work to represent you regardless of your religion, ethnicity, caste, gender, sexuality, or any other source of discrimination You can be confident that I will not bow down to lobbying pressure or threats because that is already the life that I am living I will also address the issues that South Asians face t h a t a r e n o t g r o u n d e d i n S o u t h A s i a n p o l i t i c a l a n d s o c i a l d y n a m i c s , s u c h a s r a c i s m , s a f e t y , e d u c a t i o n , cost of living, public services, and housing here in the cons t i t u e n c y a n d i n t h e U K more broadly

4 ) Th e Con se r va t iv e P ar t y has histor ica lly won in t he

C i t i e s o f L o n d o n a n d W est min st e r Wh at st ra t egie s will you e mploy to challe n ge t hi s d om in a nc e a n d win ove r vot ers?

T h e C o n s e r v a t i v e s a r e about to experience crushing results in this general e l e c t i o n , a n d t h a t c a n n o t

c o m e s o o n e n o u g h T h e Conservative Party has failed to take care of our safety, our economy, our reputation, or our welfare Labour is likely to win this constituency for t h e f i r s t t i m e , b u t K e i r Starmer’s Labour Party does

Green Party and I personally h

release of all hostages, and lasting peace since October Ensuring the safety of all communities in London is imperative There is no military solution to this crisis v i

olence We will seek political solutions and recognition of the State of Palestine as part

Palestinians, and the broader region 5) W ha t qu a l it i e s d o y o u be lie ve mak e you we ll-suit ed to r epr esen t the people of C i t i e s of L o n d o n a n d We st minste r in Par liam ent ? I have lived, studied, and w

s t e r my entire life Its residents, communities, and businesses are my friends and support systems My knowledge and familiarity with the area m a

m other candidates, shipped in to fulfil their party’s strategy I want nothing more than to represent the people of this c o n s t i t u

bours

My daily work involves

despite deep conflicts I regularly attend events, including a series of workshops led by renowned peacebuilders that were instrumental in

order to develop my ability to build peace and design widely beneficial economic policies

My instincts are ground-

constituent left behind That is one of the main reasons for my being a member of the Green Party – we are about people and the planet A Green vote means choos-

n o t p r e s e n t m u c h o f a n a l t e r n a t i v e t o t h e Conservative Party Labour has backtracked on their climate pledge, renationalising p u b l i c s e r v i c e s , e n d i n g tuition fees, and they remain committed to the cruel twochild benefit cap, just like the Conservatives B o t h p a r t i e s h a v e a l s o been in the same place on the devastating assault on Gaza that has taken so many lives in response to the horr i f i c a t r o c i t i e s o f O c t o b e r 7

hope

Shivani Raja

Rajiv Sinha

“I will work tirelessly to serve the people of Leicester East”

Anusha Singh

R ajes h Agrawal, f orm erly Deputy M ayor of London for B usin ess and C hairman of London

a nd Partners , Lond on 's trade a nd b usine ss growth

a ge ncy, res igned f rom his pos ition in Novemb er 202 3 to s hift his focus to Le ices ter, w here he

i s n ow cam pa ignin g f or election as a M emb er of Parli amen t in the upcom ing ge neral e le ction

In an interview with Asian Voice, Rajesh discusses his vision for Leicester East, the Labour Party, and outlines why he believes he is the ideal candidate for the constituency

As a leader within the Labour Party, what do you believe are the party's greatest strengths and opportunities in the current political landscape, both nationally and within the Leicester East constituency?

Over past few months, I have had thousands of conversations on the doorsteps with the people of Leicester East It is very clear that like much of the country, Leicester East is ready for change Fourteen years of conservative government has taken this country backwards – poor economic growth means there are no jobs or wellpaying jobs, it’s extremely difficult to get GP or hospital appointments, class sizes have gone up and children can’t get places in schools

Keir Starmer has changed the Labour Party – now he is ready to change the country Our manifesto is an ambitious programme driven by belief in our country and its potential for the future, to get back to economic growth and get back hope and opportunity for the next generation It is the change the country needs

Speaking to Asian Voice, Conservatives’ Shivani Raja has promised a fresh perspective while Keith Vaz is endorsing his “wealth of experience”

What do you bring to the table? Why should the residents of Leicester East vote for you over the other candidates?

I grew up in a humble

family in India and like many residents of Leicester East, I arrived in the UK with very little in 2001 After working in IT support, I founded and built a number of tech businesses In 2016, I was appointed as Deputy Mayor of London for business where I served for nearly 8 years

It is not just my experience as a firstgeneration immigrant, a successful entrepreneur, and as Deputy Mayor of London that I believe makes me the right choice to have the honour of representing Leicester East in Parliament It is my Labour values, that we need to create a fairer, more equal society

As Deputy Mayor of London, I helped create 330,000 jobs, improve working conditions of hundreds of thousands of people, helped tens of thousands of businesses and attracted billions in international investment India is the fastest growing economy in the world, and I did huge amount of work to strengthen the relationship between my Janmbhoomi and my karmabhoomi When I first became the deputy mayor, India was 4th largest investor in London and by the time I left, India was the biggest investor in London

I want to use my experience and networks to for the betterment of Leicester East

There are significant narratives around Islamophobia and antisemitism in the UK, and Labour has been in the spotlight As a representative of the Asian minorities, do you think the party is serious about safeguarding the interests of the minority communities?

I am very proud to be the first Hindu deputy mayor of London, working alongside the

first Muslim mayor of London in one of the most diverse cities on earth

The Labour Party is committed to building a Britain where all faith communities are safe and where diversity is celebrated There is no place in our society for racism including Islamophobia, Antisemitism and Hinduphobia Labour would bring forward a new hate crime strategy, including action to tackle online hate Last spring, the then-Home Secretary (Suella Braverman) downgraded police recording requirements for non-crime hate incidents, meaning the police would no longer have to collect data on perpetrators of hate incidents Labour would reverse those changes in the context of religious hate incidents, to ensure that anyone engaging in religious hate – online or offline – would be properly identified and monitored by the police to prevent escalation

Everyone in this country deserves a government that matches their ambition Labour is committed to increasing diversity at all levels This election has record number of candidates from Asian community standing in winnable seats from the Labour party

Whatmessage would you like to convey to the residents of Leicester East as you embark on your campaign to represent them in Parliament?

I have a proven track record of delivery I will work with the local community, business, local and national government to bring more national and international investment in Leicester I will make the case to improve public services including the NHS I will bring communities together and be the MP for everybody in Leicester East

I will work tirelessly to serve the people of Leicester East I will put Leicester East first, like I just did in my meeting with the Mayor of Leicester, making a case for continuing Leicester's world-famous Leicester Diwali celebrations

From GP to Green Candidate for South West Norfolk

Pallavi Dev ulapalli, prospec-

and

mo ved to the UK after completing her medical stud ies to pursu e postgrad uate education and exp lore h er passion fo r travel

Over the years, Pallavi s

Norfolk, where she has been a dedicated GP for the past

1 9 y e a r s I n 2 0 2 3 , s h e embarked on her political journey as a councillor for KL&WNBC, driven by her deep-seated environmental advocacy, which led her to align with the Green Party I n a n i n t e r v i e w w i t h Asian Voice, she discussed plans to enhance healthcare

s e r v i c e s i n S o u t h W e s t

N o r f o l k , t a c k l e e n v i r o nmental issues, and more 1) If elected as the MP for Sou th West Norfolk, what w ou ld be your i mm ed iate top p riorities, and how do you p lan to ad dress them effectiv ely?

A s M P f o r S o u t h w e s t

N o r f o l k , m y p r i o r i t i e s include tackling the severe dentist shortage and fighting for fair pay for NHS doct o r s a n d n u r s e s T h e s e efforts will directly benefit

r e s i d e n t s b y i m p r o v i n g access to dental and healthc a r e s e r v i c e s , e n h a n c i n g quality of life, and boosting e c o n o m i c p r o d u c t i v i t y I w i l l a l s o c h a m p i o n l o c a l

b u s i n e s s e s , a d v o c a t e f o r nationalising water companies to solve sewage problems, and support farmers with clearer regulations and s u s t a i n a b l e p r a c t i c e s

P r o m o t i n g s m a l l - s c a l e r e n e w a b l e e n e r g y p r o j e c t s and improving public transport are crucial for economic growth and community well-being I believe in coll a b o r a t i v e , i s s u e - f o c u s e d leadership across party lines f o r t h e b e t t e r m e n t o f Southwest Norfolk

2) As a GP, you hav e firsth and exp erienc e w ith th e NH S Wh at s pe ci fic m easu res wo uld you ad vo cate fo r to im pro v e health care

s erv i ce s i n S o u th W es t Norfolk?

As a GP with NHS experience, I see it in critical condition Immediate funding

i s c r u c i a l f o r r e s t o r a t i o n E n d i n g j u n i o r d o c t o r s ' strikes and increasing pay for nurses and midwives are urgent priorities We have 1 2 0 , 0 0 0 v a c a n c i e s i n t h e N H S c u r r e n t l y a n d t h e f u n d i n g s q u e e z e m e a n s quite a few of these vacanc i e s a r e n o t e v e n b e i n g advertised to be filled This has got to change We spend b e t w e e n 2 0 a n d 3 0 % l e s s than France and Germany on healthcare so it’s quite obvious to see why the NHS is suffering as much as it is However, pay is not the only thing and the lack of respect shown to doctors and nurses

is hurting them immensely

I would ensure that we actually talk to them meaningfully to see what steps we need to take to ensure that they have a satisfying career within the NHS We need a learning culture, not a blaming one, in the NHS to raise q u a l i t y s t a n d a r d s A c t i v e and responsive governance is essential NHS dental care is almost non-existent due t o a n o u t d a t e d c o n t r a c t forcing dentists into the private sector I'll push for contract reforms to enable dentists to practise under the N H S , b e n e f i t i n g p u b l i c h e a l t h , t h e e c o n o m y , a n d long-term NHS savings

3 ) H o w d o y o u p lan to address env ironmental co ncerns specific to South West Norfolk, such as ag ricultu ral sustainability and flood risk management?

Environmental concerns and flood risk management

a r e t o p p r i o r i t i e s f o r m e R e c e n t r a i n s , i n c l u d i n g u n s e a s o n a l o n e s , e x p o s e d v u l n e r a b i l i t i e s i n o u r d r a i n a g e a n d s e w a g e s y stems Homes and gardens have been flooded within 24 hours of rainfall, yet affecte d r e s i d e n t s r e c e i v e l i t t l e s u p p o r t f r o m a u t h o r i t i e s passing responsibility back and forth As MP I will commission a report into the e n v i r o n m e n t a l r i s k s t o Southwest Norfolk resulting from climate change which w i l l b r i n g w i t h i t e r r a t i c rainfall and unseasonal hot summers and unpredictable winters I feel that our leaders must use the resources in their power to help the population tackle these very r e a l a n d l i v e i s s u e s I n addressing agricultural sustainability, simplifying regulations is crucial Farmers need streamlined access to s u b s i d i e s t o e f f e c t i v e l y enhance their land Rapid soil degradation, leading to loss of organic matter and r e s u l t i n g i n l i f e l e s s s o i l r e s e m b l i n g s a n d , u n d e rscores the urgent need for organic enrichment and sustainable farming practices

T h e s o i l a s s o c i a t i o n i s a good source of information for this and there is also great interest nowadays in festivals like groundswell I will talk to farmers from the NFU to the Soil Association and come up with a sensible plan to help farmers restore the soil so that we become s u s t a i n a b l e a n d a b u n d a n t

food growing region again 4) Liz T ru ss has held the po sitio n of MP since 2010 What do you think are the key areas wh ere you differ fro m her in terms o f po licy and vision?

Liz Truss has been our MP since 2010, but we've w i t n

c l i n

access to dental and healthcare services, to local infrastructure, public transport, and environmental quality She authored a book advocating for NHS privatisation and supports private owners

railways and water She has overseen a complete neglect of the environmental agency whose funding dropped dramatically while she was the environment secretary

theories involv-

America and the UK My

deserves access to healthcare, clean water, clean air,

advocate for better care for

improved public transport access for all I envision a Southwest Norfolk and a world where collaboration and mutual strengths create a harmonious and thriving community

5) Is there anything else yo u wo uld like to sh are with the vo te rs

W e s t Norfolk?

brave and vote with your hearts I've seen firsthand h

h a v e inspired and motivated people at hustings and on the streets I have been called a brilliant speaker and have been told many times how people changed their mind after hearing me speak , that they would vote for me The main thing that stops people voting Green is fear that it will end up putting Liz Truss back in power My message to them would be that the election outcome is s o u n c e r t a i n i t w o u l d b e best if they voted for the policies that they believed in and for the person that they b e l i

n I t w i

s t r o n

g n a l t o b o t h Conservatives and Labour that they are not addressing people's concerns and that they need to work harder to gain their votes If enough people do so I believe that I will be elected as the MP I am hard-working and sincere, and I’m not beholden to any financial companies or rich donors I am free to act in the interest of my constituents and as a green MP, I’m not subject to the party whip either It will be a great honour and privilege t o b e e l e c t e d M P 4 Southwest Norfolk, and I’m g e n u i n e l y e x c i t e d a t t h e prospect

Rajesh Agrawal

Pallavi Devulapalli

Dear Financial Voice Reader,

Alpesh

Patel

This past week, I had t he privilege of giving a one-hour online tutorial to a rema rkable lady She is a nurs e in the NHS

S h e h a d b e e n a f r a i d o f m a n a g i n g t h e h o u s e h o l d

finances, especially with her husband terminally ill It was a poignant reminder of how important it is for everyone, regardless of their background or current situation, to take control of their financial future Today, I want to share some of the key lessons from that session, to encourage all of you to embark on your own financial journeys

Firstly, it's essential to dispel the myth that managing finances is something only men can do or that it's too complex for beginners Financial literacy is for everyone The basics of investing are not as daunting as they might seem Think of investing like planting a garden You don t need to know everything about botany to start growing flowers You just need to understand the basics: good soil, water, sunlight, and patience

Here's a simple metaphor: imagine your money as seeds If you keep them in a jar, they won't grow But if you plant them in a garden (invest in the market), they have the potential to grow into a beautiful, flourishing garden (wealth) Like any good gardener, you'll need to do a bit of research to know what types of plants (investments) are best suited for your garden and how to care for them This is where the basics of investing come into play

One of the most fundamental principles I taught was diversification Think of it as not putting all your eggs in one basket But watching the basket Don’t over diversify and over spread else none of the plants get the nourishment By spreading your investments across different areas, like stocks, bonds, and real estate, you reduce the risk of losing everything if one investment doesn't perform well, but you also do not get the gains of concentrated focus This simple strategy can protect your financial garden from pests and bad weather, ensuring that some parts of your garden will always thrive Another important concept is understanding risk Every investment carries some risk, just like every garden faces threats from pests or bad weather

The key is to find a balance between the potential rewards and the risks you're willing to take For beginners, starting with less risky investments and gradually exploring more opportunities as you become more comfortable is a wise approach You take some plants indoors ie hold cash at times, away from stocks, like in 2022

I also emphasized the importance of regular monitoring and adjusting your investments, akin to weeding and pruning your garden Just as you wouldn't plant a garden and forget about it, you shouldn't invest and then ignore your portfolio Regular check-ins ensure that your investments remain aligned with your financial goals and the changing market conditions For those of you feeling overwhelmed or unsure where to start, my campaign at campaignforamillion com offers a wealth of free resources It's designed to provide beginners with the tools and knowledge needed to take that first step confidently Whether you're managing household finances for the first time or looking to build a retirement nest egg, there s something for everyone R

empowering step toward securing your future It's not just about growing wealth; it's about gaining confidence and peace of mind You don't need a degree in finance or years of experience to start investing With the right resources and a bit of guidance, anyone can learn to manage their finances effectively

In closing, I encourage you to take that first step today Start small, stay curious, and remember that every great financial garden begins with a single seed Your journey to financial independence and confidence is just beginning, and with the right support and mindset, you can achieve more than you ever thought possible

China-owned British Steel requests taxpayer support

C hinese-owned British Steel has reportedly requ ested a £ 60 0 m illion package of taxp ayer supp ort to up grade to less polluting tech nolog y According to the Sunday Times, government officials are set to review the plans, which outline the costs of transitioning from blast furnaces to electric arc furnaces at the company's Scunthorpe steelworks in Lincolnshire The steel industry stands to be significantly impacted by a potential change in government following the upcoming general election Labour leader Keir Starmer, who is favoured in polls to become the next prime minister, has maintained a commitment to invest £3 billion in decarbonising the steel industry, despite scaling back other environmental spending plans

Post-election, ministers will have the final say on any support for British Steel, with any deal likely to face close scrutiny due to the company's Chinese ownership China, which produces over half of the world's steel, has been accused of dumping steel in other countries to gain market share

Britain “safe heaven” for investment: Reeves

elections "

Reeves remarked "I want investors to view Britain as a safe haven

would be to reassure multinational companies that the UK offers a stable and predictable environment amidst

Co nsu mers are tigh teni ng th ei r b e lt s b y re du ci n g s p e nd

ni n g o u t, takeaway foo d, and clothing pu rch ases to save o n no nessential exp enses , desp ite inflation easing to 2 percent this year

New data from KPMG reveals that four out of ten British households are cutting discretionary spending by an average of £77 per month Nearly half of those s u r v e y e d r e p o r t e d n o change in their non-essen-

where they can invest confidently when other countries are shifting towards populist politics " R e e v e s p o s i t i o n e d Labour's potential electoral victory as pivotal, potentially making it Europe's most successful centre-left party amid r

social democrats in Germany a

tial expenditures in 2024 A c c o r d i n g t o L i

a t K P M G U K , households are adapting to or preparing for significant cost increases, such as higher mortgage or rent payments She emphasised that while inflation has slowed, consumers are still facing overall budget constraints

C o n s u m e r p r i c e i n f l a t i o n has retreated to the Bank of England’s 2 percent target for the first time since 2021,

Consumer confidence reaches highest level

Co nsu mer co nfiden ce has surged to its h igh est level s i nc e 2 02 1 , dri v en b y mounting o ptimism abou t the econo my s fu tu re perf o rma nc e, ac co r di ng to a pi votal survey

The GfK consumer confidence index, which dates back to the 1970s, climbed to -14 in June from -17 in the previous month This marks the strongest reading since November 2021 and represents the third consecutive m o n t h o f i m p r o v e m e n t , surpassing expectations set by City analysts

T h e u p t u r n i n c o n f idence is largely attributed to positive sentiments surrounding the economy following Britain's exit from a brief recession earlier this year GfK reported a sixpoint increase in optimism about economic prospects over the next year, reaching -11 Additionally, sentiment

r e g a r d i n

t h e e c o n o m y ' s performance over the past 12 months surged by seven points to -32

This data adds to the growing evidence suggesti n g a p o t e n t i a l l y b r i g h t e r economic outlook post the J u l y 4 g e n e r a

inflation had dropped to the g

percent for the first time s i n c e J u l y 2 0 2 1 Furthermore, GDP expanded by 0 6 percent in the first quarter of this year, placing it among the fastest growth

world

Rishi Sunak, commenting on the decline in inflation, portrayed it as a sign of

October 2022, when inflation was in double digits

secure destination for investm

emphasised

Looking ahead, Reeves, poised to become Britain's first female chancellor, outlined a growth target of 2% of G D P a n

the projected 0 7% for the current year and averaging

down from

slightly above 1% over the past decade She stressed the importance of sustained economic growth in improving living standards and funding public services effectively

peak of

Despite this, households are beginning to see real wage growth after experiencing

income over the past two years The Bank forecasts a gradual decline in interest rates to around 3 5 percent by 2026 K P M G

most pronounced in restaurants, takeaways, clothing, beauty products, and sub-

Asda hit by slump amid battle with rivals

As da's sales have c ont i n u e d to d ec li n e, ac cording to recent fi gures, underscoring the s up e rm ar k e t c h a i n ' s s tr u gg l e s a m i d hi g h i n de b t e d n e s s a n d i ntense competition T

a r figures for the 12 weeks ending June 9 reveal a 4 percent drop in sales at Asda, following a 0 2 percent decline in the previous period This down-

gap with competitors like Tesco and Sainsbury’s William Woods, a retail

described Asda as the "most

NatWest acquires Sainsbury’s bank operations

NatWest 's new CEO, Paul Thwaite, has made a bold st rategic m ove by s triking

deal

ac quire m os t of Sainsbury's banking oper at ions, s ignific antly expanding t he as set s of t he high s treet lender by £2 5 billion U

Sainsbury's will pay NatWest £125 million to divest its banking arm The transaction will transfer £1 4 billion in personal loans and credit card balances, along with customer deposits totalling £2 6 billion and approximately one million customer accounts, to NatWest

This marks Paul Thwaite's first major initiative since being confirmed as NatWest's permanent chief executive in February He had been leading the business on an interim basis since July last year, following the sudden departure of his predecessor, Dame Alison Rose, amidst the Nigel Farage debanking con-

largest transaction in terms of customer base and cumulative balance sheet impact since the pre-2007-09 financial crisis era, when the bank underwent rapid expansion and faced n

NatWest was subsequently

by

£45

billion government bailout and remains more than 20 percent owned by taxpayers

Following the transaction with NatWest, Sainsbury s will retain its commission income businesses, including insurance, ATMs, and travel money, which the company describes as "capital-light and profitable " The supermarket also plans to revamp Argos Financial Services while withdrawing from its core banking operations, aiming to release £250 million in excess capital for distribution to shareholders

percent and

percent, respectively, in the latest 12-week period The ongoing poor per-

noting "the worst year-onyear decline and an 86 basis p o i n t s l o s s i n m a r k e t share " Asda's share of the grocery market now stands at 12 8 percent, down from 13 7 percent a year earlier and 14 8 percent in early 2

financial pressure, exacerbated by heavy debt following its acquisition for £6 8 billion in 2021 by the Issa brothers and TDR, a pri-

acquisition burdened Asda with significant loans just

surged, further hindering its ability to compete in a challenging economic environment

I s s a finalised a split from his brother Mohsin by selling his stake in Asda to TDR, which now holds a majority

percent in the chain, while M

and

percent, respectively

Rachel Reeves

Zuber and Mohsin Issa

Gross

ha

£51

22 per cent rise in India's direct tax kitty

than refunds issued during the

period in the preceding year,

Companies and certain categories of individuals are required to pay advance

“Refunds amounting to

the finance ministry said in a statement As a result, pro-

tions on a net basis went up 21% to over £46 bn

The ministry said that the net direct tax collection of £51 59 bn, as on June 17,

refund)

The gross collection

the financial year 2024-25 grew by 22 19 per cent

Minor head wise collection comprises advance tax of £14 88 bn; tax deducted at source (TDS) of £32 47 bn; self-assessment tax of £

ment tax of £1 09 bn; and

heads of £298 5 mn

Adani

group

hikes green energy spending to $100 bn

A d an i G ro u p

inv est more th an $10 0 billio n in energ y transition p rojects, u pping its earlier commitment of $70 billio n by 203 0 I t i s b u

renewable energy park

energy projects This facility, which it claims to be the world’s largest singlesite renewable energy park,

“change the global energy landscape forever”, said the

Adani

total green energy capacity to 50 GW by 2030 Energy transition from fossil fuels to clean sources like solar,

Fitch raises FY25 growth forecast to 7.2% from 7%

Global ratings agency Fitch expects the Indian economy to exp and by 7 2% in FY25, slig htly h igher th an the earlier estim ate of 7%

It also sees investments continuing to rise but slower than in recent quarters

a n d c o n s u m e r s p

“Purchasing managers survey data point to continued growth at the start of the

though a recent heatwave poses a risk,” Fitch said in its latest Global Economic Outlook (GEO) report

years to slow and approach its medium term trend esti-

March), and 6 2% in FY27, driven by consumer spend-

, ” according to the agency

raised their growth forecasts sharply after official data showed the economy grew at better than expected 8 2% in 2023-24, powered by robust 7 8% expan-

sion in the April-Jan quarter

h e inflationary risks from food p r i c e s p i k e s I t e x p e c t s headline inflation to continue declining to 4 5% by c a l e n d a r y e a r - e n d , a n d average 4 3% in 2025 and 2026, staying slightly above the midpoint of its target range (4% +/-2%)

Coca Cola proposes $1 billion deal to top four Indian business families

Coca-Cola India is pla nning to sel l a part of it s whol lyow n e d b ot t l i n g b us in

, H in d u st a n C oc a -C o l a Beve rages (HCCB), for which it has approached the pr omot ers of a t le ast four top

In d i a n b u si n e ss f a mi l ie s , reports sa id

T h e n a m e s i n c l u d e Bhartia family of the Jubilant G r o u p , B u r m a n f a m i l y o f

D a b u r , P a r e k h f a m i l y o f Pidilite Industries, and the p r o m o t e r f a m i l y o f A s i a n Paints, the report said The s o f t d r i n k m a n u f a c t u r i n g company is eyeing an investment of about $800 million to $1 billion in a bid to grow its business

HCCB has also been cons i d e r i n g a n i n i t i a

offering (IPO) as part of its expansion plans While disc u s s i o

public offering are reportedly in the internal planning stage, the specific timeline for the IPO listing remains undetermined In January, HCCB handed over control of its operations in - Rajasthan, Bihar,

comment

Niva Bupa's plans are the l a t e s t e x a m p l e o f I n d i a ' s b o o m i n g I P O m a r k e t s , where investors are pouring record amounts of money into small and big compan

s E a r l i e

s m o n t h , Korean auto major Hyundai filed for what could be the country's biggest-ever IPO

O f t h e $ 3 6 0 m

offering, Niva Bupa will be

while $264 million worth of shares will be sold by existing investors, the document

s

West Bengal, and the northeastern region –to local business partn e r s A c c o r d i n g t o Juan Pablo Rodriguez, c h

contiguity to the business”

HCCB operates 16 factories spread in India In the

, HCCB saw a significant 40

March 29, 2024, the company reported net gains of $599 million and $293 million by

raised to strengthen its balance sheet and for operating expenses, according to the document N i

Morgan Stanley and Indian b

HDFC and Motilal Oswal for the IPO, the document shows The banks did not respond to queries seeking comment I n d i a i s

insurance penetration rates among large countries but a d o p t i o n

o w i n g f

g

s t after the Covid pandemic "increased risk awareness," Niva Bupa said in its 2022 annual report

Insurance sales are rising with soaring healthcare costs in India, where most

hospitals

operations in the Philippines a n d s o m e p a r t s o f I n d i a , respectively Unit-based volumes for the Atlanta-based c o m p a n y f o r t h i s q u a r t e r grew 1 per cent

Extreme heatwave conditions are one of the reasons set to fuel the expected sharp growth of fast-moving cons u m e r g o o d s c o m p a n i e s ’ summer-centric products

Coca Cola India, which began the year on a soft start, s a i d i t s s a l e s h a v e p i c k e d momentum as the demand across the beverage market has shot up The company expects to remain bullish in our sparkling, hydration, and juice segments

partnered with more than

n I n d i a However, it is one of the smaller players with a market share of 1 8% in a sector d

Generali

I n d i a i n

0 2 1 a l l o w

d foreign investors to take a stake of up to 74% in local insurers from 49% earlier In 2023, UK's Bupa increased its stake in the Indian venture by 20% to 63% Among other IPOs, elect r i c - s c o o t e r m a k e r O l a

E l e c t r i c , S o f t B a n k - b a c k e d retailer FirstCry and mortgage financier Bajaj Housing Finance are looking to raise between $500 to $1 billion from their respective offerings

Adani Group wants to produce the

Vodafone sells $1.8 billion stake in Indus Towers

I nd i a ’

British telecom group said Bharti Airtel, India’s second-largest telecom company, said it bought about 1% of Indus shares in the transaction, bringing its stake in the operator to around 49% Vodafone, which owned 21 5% of Indus before the sale, had initially planned to sell a 10% stake but strong i

Vodafone said it sold 485 million Indus shares at a price of Rs 310-341 per share, raising £1 53 bn, or 1 7 billion euros, in gross proceeds that it will use to repay debt The group said it had bank borrowings of 1

I n d i a i s l o ok i n g to t a p f unds from th e UK, Saudi A rabi a a nd Japan to fi nan ce t h e m e g a i n f r a s t r u ct ur e a mb ition , wi th new s truct ures to route the fun ds b ein g di scuss ed

Unlike the past when only broad commitments were taken, this time, the finance ministry and Niti

Aayog are offering a list of projects, such as a ring road around a tier II city or a large highway, to investors from other countries B e

are sought to be designed in a way that the concerns

o f t h e i n v e s t o r s a r e a d d r e s s e d , a n d t h e y a r e also being offered equity in some of the special purp o s e v e h i c l e s t o e x e c u t e the projects

W h i l e a n “ i n f r a s t r u c -

ture bridge” with the UK is at an advanced stage, talks with Saudi Arabia are seeking to ensure that an earlier commitment of $100 billion made by the oil-rich kingdom actually begins to flow as there has not even b e e n a t r i c k l e f r o m t h e Gulf nation The response from Saudi authorities has not been so positive so far Similarly, in the case of Japan, the pitch is to corner investment from the large pension funds in the Asian g i a n t i n s t e a d o f m e r e l y depending on JBIC, which finances projects with several conditions

T h e f u n d i n g s o u r c e s are in addition to traditional long-duration funds that govt has been eyeing from Canada, Australia and other parts of the world

INDIAN AMONG 4 KILLED IN FIRING AT US GROCERY STORE

A 32-year-old man from Andhra Pradesh was among four people killed during firing at a grocery store in Arkansas in the US The victim was identified as Dasari Gopikrishna a native of Bapatla district who had gone to the US eight months ago He was working at the Mad Butcher grocery store at Fordyce a town in Arkansas where a gunman opened fire on June 21 Gopikrishna, who was at the billing counter sustained critical injuries He succumbed to injuries the next day He is survived by a wife and a son According to CCTV footage, the assailant entered the store and opened fire on the man at the counter As the victim collapsed on the ground, the gunman jumped over the counter and escaped after lifting something from the shelf

INDIAN ORIGIN JAILED FOR PUNCHING SINGAPORE COP

A court in Singpore has sentenced an Indian origin man to five weeks jail for punching a Singapore police officer in an inebriated state while arguing in a rowdy crowd of over 10 men The single punch was so powerful that it knocked the officer unconscious "for at least a minute" and caused him to suffer temporary memory loss, according to a report Devesh Raj Rajasegaran, 24, was sentenced to five weeks in prison He had pleaded guilty in March this year to one count of voluntarily causing hurt Devesh will appeal against the sentence according to the report The victim was one of four police officers dispatched to an area in Circular Road after a complaint that "more than 10 people having an argument

MEA SLAMS AUSTRALIAN TV DOCUMENTARY

India slammed a recent ABC documentary which claimed to have uncovered details about alleged efforts by Indian officials to silence Sikh critics in Australia saying it contains blatant untruths is biased and reflects unprofessional reporting MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, in what was the first Indian reaction to the documentary, said it appears to serve a particular agenda to malign India We obviously oppose any such attempts to condone, justify and even glorify terrorism, he said The documentary claimed four Indian spies posing as diplomats were also expelled by Australia According to the documentary, Indian intelligence officers were trying to gain access to sensitive defence technology

PRIYANKA'S NY RESTAURANT TO SHUT DOWN

Actor Priyanka Chopra’s restaurant Sona in New York is going to close its doors The restaurant which was touted for infusing a modern touch into Indian cuisine, will serve its final brunch service on June 30 The announcement read “After more than three remarkable years, Sona will be closing We have immense gratitude for everyone who walked through our doors It s been our greatest honor to serve you” The news comes nearly a year after the ‘Barfi’ actress ended the partnership with the establishment

PUNJAB ORIGIN DIES TRAGICALLY IN ITALY

A 31-year-old Indian casual worker in Italy has died tragically after he was dumped on the road without medical assistance by his employer after his arm was severed by heavy farm machinery Satnam Singh was injured by heavy machinery while working in a vegetable field in Lazio near Rome The Embassy of India in Rome posted on on X that it was aware of the very unfortunate demise of an Indian national in Latina Italy We are in contact with local authorities Efforts are underway to contact the family and provide consular assistance," it wrote without giving more information Singh reportedly hailed from Punjab According to Italian media, Singh s employer, Antonello Lovato, loaded him and his wife into a van and left them by the side of the road near their home

No religious minority is safe in the country, admits Pak minister

IS L A M A BA D: Pakistan's d efence minister Kh awaja Asif adm itted th at the country's m inorities are facing "targ etted v iolence in the name of religion and th at th e state h ad failed to protect th em

"Minorities are being murdered daily no religious minority is safe in Pakistan Even the smaller sects of the Muslims are not safe," Dawn news quoted Khawaja saying

Assembly

The coalition government led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif tabled a resolution condemning the recent incidents of mob lynching related to blasphemy allegations Calling the attacks a "matter of concern and embarrassment", Asif called for a resolution to safeguard minorities He highlighted that many victims had no connection to blasphemy allegations but were targetted due to personal vendettas

"

minority brothers and sisters They have as much right to live in this country as the majority Pakistan belongs to all Pakistanis,

Christian, Sikh, or of any other faith Our Constitution guarantees full protection to minorities," Dawn quoted Asif as saying

table the resolution due to strong protests by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the party of former Prime Minister Imran Khan Blasphemy laws in Pakistan are among the strictest in the world and have profound implications for religious minorities in the country These laws prescribe severe punishments, including the death penalty, for various forms of blasphemy, which includes

Muhammad, and desecration of the Quran R

Christians, Hindus, and Sikhs are disproportionately accused and convicted under these laws Even Ahmadis, minority sect among Muslims, face persecution as they are not c

Constitution

Ranjit Singh statue to be unveiled at Kartarpur gurdwara in Pak

Maharaja Ranji t S ingh, vandalis ed thric e since its installation in Lah ore Fort and relocated to Gurdwara Darbar Sah ib co mp lex in Kartarp ur, P akis tan, will be inaugurated in th e neighbou ring country to co mmemo rate th e 1 85th death anniversary of th e S ikh warrio r o n June 26

Nearly 450 Indian Sikh are currently in Pakistan to observe the death anniversary of Ranjit Singh who ruled Punjab in the 19th century and was the first maharaja of Sikh empire

Lahore’s Fakir Khana Museum director Fakir Syed Saifuddin spearheaded the project to repair, rebuild, and restructure the statue that had incurred nearly 80% damage

“It was out of love and respect for Ranjit Singh that I undertook this project The restoration cost around Rs 27,00,000 and the work spanned over a year The statue w a s d o n a t e d

o r i t s i n s t

t i o n i n G u r d w a r a D a r b a r S a h i b c o m p l e x

Saifuddin, a fifth generation descendant of Fakir Sayed Azizudin who was chief secretary and foreign minister in Ranjit Singh’s g o v t s a i d H i s b r o t h e r s F a k i r S y e d Imamudin and Fakir Syed Noorudin were acting governor, Amritsar, and governor, Lahore, respectively

The 9-foot bronze statue was sculpted by Fakir Khana Museum in 2019 It was vandalised in 2019 and 2020 by religious groups and in 2021 by terrorist outfit Tehreek-eLabbaik

Trump promises Green Cards to foreign

students on graduation

Ramaphosa sworn in as South Africa’s president for second term

PR E TO R IA : Cy ril Rama phosa was sworn in for a se con d t erm as South Africa’s pr esiden t, h ailin g his broad coalition g ov er nmen t as t he “beginn ing of a ne w e ra ” Ramaphosa, whose inauguration took place in Pretoria, now faces the challenge of appointing a cabinet featuring his weakened African National Congress (ANC) party and coalition partners

Lawmakers voted overwhelmingly to ree l e

elections in May that produced no outright winner, forcing the ANC to strike deals with five other parties, including the centre-right D

government of national unity

national unity is a moment of profound significance It is the beginning of a new era, ” Ramaphosa said at his inauguration ceremony, led by Chief Justice Raymond Zondo

The ANC, which came to power under Nelson Mandela’s leadership in 1994 after w

apartheid, lost its majority for the first time in 30 years of democracy, gaining just 40 per cent of the vote

Its alliance with the DA, the largest opposition party with 22 per cent of the vote, has been described by some as a new chapter in the country’s history

Thailand passes same-sex marriage bill

BA NGK OK : L awmake rs in Thai land voted to approve a mar riage equali ty b ill, a move th at puts the coun try on a clear path to b ecomi ng the f irst in Southeas t A sia to l e g a l i s e s a me - s e x m a r r i a g e T h a i l a n d ’ s Se nate pa ss ed the

a pproved b y the Hous e of Repre sen tative s i n March The leg isla tion would b ecome l a w a f te

n

e committe e and the Con stituti onal Court a nd recei ves roya l ass ent fr om the ki ng, a f ormali ty that i s w idely

g ranted “After 20 years of trying to legalise this matter,” activist Plaifa Kyoka Shodladd said in the Senate chamber after the vote, “ f

Donald

gra mme to

Gree

rds to fo rei gn st udents a utomati ca lly upon g rad uati on from Ame rican colle ges a nd unive rsiti es

Students from India, which is the second largest source country for foreign students, stand to be the largest beneficiaries if Trump is indeed re-elected and delivers on his promise Together with students from China, which is the top source country, they account for 53 per cent of all foreign students enrolled in 2023

Trump’s remarks came in a podcast with two Silicon Valley investors When asked to promise he will bring the best and the brightest from around the world to America, he said: “I do promise, but I happen to agree ”

“What I will do is – you graduate from a college, I think you should get automatically, as part of your diploma, a Green Card to be able to stay in this country, and that includes junior colleges ”

A Green Card allows the holder to stay and work in the US permanently – permanent residency – and it is a step away from full citizenship The US grants an estimat-

ed 1 million Green Cards every year and it also receives 1 million foreign students every year, mostly from China and India

If the former President does indeed deliver on this promise if elected, it would m a r k a m a j o r e x p a n s i o n o f t h e p r ogramme, doubling the number of Green Cards issued annually But the big question is if he will indeed deliver on this promise

When in office from 2017 to 2021, his administration had tried to restrict the intake of immigrants and, in fact, targeted Indians coming to the US on H-1B shortterm non-immigrant work visas Before taking office, he had supported the H-1B programme

A large majority of Indian students in US schools and colleges go on to work for American companies on H-1B visas and then go on to Green Cards and citizenship Google CEO Sundar Pichai and Adobe CEO Shantanu Narayen are prominent examples Foreign students have to go through the stage of H-1B or other work visas to get to Green Cards Now, Trump is promising to remove that stage and grant foreign students Green Cards along with their degrees

underscores Thailand’s status as a relative haven for gay couples in Asia Only Taiwan a n

marriage

In some Asian countries, gay sex is a criminal offense Indonesia, where gay marriage is illegal, made extramarital sex illegal in 2022 In 2019, Brunei made gay sex punishable with death by stoning It l

executions, after widespread international protest

After the bill’s passage, hundreds of

despite the punishing heat, waving flags and throwing colorful balloons at a Pride rally A parade began with the bang of a firecracker and confetti flying in the air Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive” played at the rally, as well as a ’90s-style Thai pop

“History won’t repeat anymore, history’s about to change its course, change toward equality ” PM Srettha Thavisin said he

though he said he could not attend the event because of a Covid infection The bill has been contentious since its first version was introduced over 20 years ago

Khawaja Asif

Nearly 100 Indians among 1,300 die during Haj

RI YA DH : Saudi Arabi a said

the deceased

co untries, inclu

The tragic figure includes 98 Indian nationals who died of

pilgrimage “This year, 175,000

Hajj So far, we have lost 98 of o

n s T h e

e d e a t h s occurred due to natural illness, chronic illness, and old age On the day of Arafat, six Indians

d i e d , a n d f o u r d i e d i n accidents,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said

The cause of death in most

c

Fahrenheit), according to Saudi Arabia’s national meteorological centre

The Saudi health minister, Fahd Al-Jalajel said that 83 per c

unauthorised pilgrims who had w

direct sunlight without shelter or rest, including elderly people and some with chronic illnesses

attempting to perform

weeks leading up to the pilgrimage earlier this

advised pilgrims to take precautions against the expected hot weather at the holy sites However, many people managed

including hundreds from Egypt

people had no access to basic s

h the heat as temperatures rose more than 50C Saudi officials have said 1 8 million pilgrims took part this year, a similar number to last year, and that 1 6

million came from abroad For the past several years the mainly o u t d o o r r i t u a l s h a v e f a l l e n

d u

summer The timing of the hajj moves forward about 11 days

year it will take place earlier in

conditions

The pilgrimage involves a series of rituals that take place in and around Mecca, over

between the hills of Safa and Marwa, scaling and praying at Mount Arafat, where Prophet M

symbolic stoning of the devil in the valley of Mina

India slams Canada on Air India bombing anniversary

O T T A W A : T erm i n g th e f requent acts of glorifying terrorism in Canada as " deplorable", India has said it was " unfortun ate " th at s u c h a ct io n s ar e allow ed to be " routine" o n many o ccasions here when it should be condemned by all p eace-loving countries and people

In a statement on the 39th anniversary of the 1985 Kanishka bombing, in which 329 persons, m o s t o f t h e m C a n a d i a n s o f Indian descent, on board an Air India flight lost their lives, the Indian High Commission said that terrorism knows no borders, nationality, or race

T h e M o n t r e a l - N e w D e l h i

Air India 'Kanishka' Flight 182 exploded 45 minutes before it was to have landed at London's Heathrow Airport on June 23, 1985, killing all 329 people on board, including 86 children

The bombing was blamed on Sikh militants in retaliation to 'Operation Bluestar' to flush out

and the consulates of India in Toronto and Vancouver organi s e d

Sunday and solemnly remembered the victims of the dastardly act of terror in 1985

objected to the Canadian parliament observing a "one-minute silence" in memory of Khalistan extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was gunned down in British Columbia in June last year India lodged a strong protest w i t h C

i extremists holding a so-called "citizens court" and burning an effigy of the Indian prime minister outside the Indian consulate in Vancouver

Q u o t i n g I n

' s e x t e r n a l affairs minister S Jaishankar, the statement said, " Nor must we countenance that political convenience determines responses

violence Similarly, respect for t

interference in internal affairs cannot be exercised in cherry picking " High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma on Sunday paid homage to the victims of Air India flight

d friends of the victims, Canadian government officials, including the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Assistant Commissioner, Ireland envoy and more than 1 5 0 m e m b e r s

h e I n d oCanadian community attended the solemn occasion, the High Commission said

Canada's no-fly list lose appeal

ATTACK ON RELIGIOUS SITES IN RUSSIA KILLS 20

At least 20 people were killed when Islamist extremists attacked churches synagogues and police post in Russia s southern region of Dagestan Fifteen cops and 5 gunmen were among the victims

Sunday’s violence in Dagestan’s regional capital of Makhachkala and nearby Derbent was the latest that officials blamed on Islamist extremists in the predominantly Muslim region in the North Caucasus It was also the deadliest in Russia since March, when gunmen opened fire at a concert in suburban Moscow, killing 145 people Authorities said at least 46 people were injured Among the dead was the Rev Nikolai Kotelnikov, a 66-year-old Russian Orthodox priest at a church in Derbent

BLAZE AT S KOREA BATTERY PLANT KILLS 22

A fire likely sparked by exploding lithium batteries swept through a manufacturing factory near South Korea’s capital, killing 22 workers and injuring eight, officials said The fire began after batteries exploded while workers were examining and packaging them on the second floor of the factory in Hwaseong city, fire officials said The dead included 18 Chinese, two South Koreans and one Laotian, local fire official Kim Jin-young said He said the nationality of one of the dead was to be verified In the past few decades many people from China have migrated to South Korea to seek jobs They often end up in factories or in physically demanding and low-paying jobs shunned by more affluent South Koreans

PUTIN, KIM SIGN NEW AGREEMENT

PO M ONA : For the first tim e in h istory, Indian A mericans are serving as p residents in three o f the leading US pharm acy organizations sim ultaneously

Anandi Law has been elected president of the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy, Nishaminy Kasbekar serves as the president of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists and Alex C Varkey is the president of the American Pharmacists Association

Reflecting on the significance of this milestone, Law, a professor and associate dean at Western University of Health Sciences, and a pharmacy educator, mentor, and researcher for 25 years, said, “I aim to reach out to internal and external stakeholders to engage them and strengthen the focus on interprofessional collaborations for patient care and societal needs while elevating the profession through advocacy, branding, and communication My theme is ‘Reach Out Engage Elevate our profession ’ Alex, Nish, and I are very aligned in our voices - with Alex’s theme of ‘All 1n One Profession United ’ and Nish’s theme of ‘Be The Change’ drawing inspiration from Mahatma Gandhi ”

Alex Varkey is the first Indian American to become president of APhA in the organization’s 172-year history Currently director of pharmacy services at Houston Methodist Hospital–Texas Medical Center, he has implemented innovative technologies to improve efficiency and safety in medication-use processes He has his PharmD from the University of Houston and a graduate degree in HealthSystem Pharmacy Administration from Ohio State University

O TTA WA : A Can adian court has thrown out a bid by two Sikh extr emists t o get off the country's no-fly l ist, say in g there ar e "reasonab le groun ds" to suspect they will threat en tr ansport ation se curity or tr avel by air to commit a te rrorism

The Federal Court of Appeal in its ruling this week dismissed an appeal by Bhagat Singh Brar and Parvkar Singh Dulai after they lost a constitutional challenge of their no-fly designations under Canada s Secure Air Travel Act, The Canadian Press news agency reported

T h e r u l i n g s a y s t h e a c t empowers the public safety minister to ban people from flying if there are "reasonable grounds to suspect they will threaten transportation security or travel by air to commit a terrorism offence "

"At some point, the appel-

lants tried to fly They could not," the ruling says "They were on the list and the minister had directed that they not fly " The appellate panel found that based on confidential security information, the minister "had reasonable grounds to suspect that the appellants would travel by air to commit a terrorism offence "

In 2019, Brar and Dulai went to the Federal Court of Canada to have their names struck from the list But Justice Simon Noel ruled against them both in 2022

The limits imposed on Dulai, he ruled, "were the result of evidence-based suspicions that he could fly abroad in order to plot

argued the impairment of their rights as a result of being placed on the list was not "minimal" and therefore unjustified

Indian astronauts to train at NASA Johnson Space Center

HOU ST ON: M arking a si gni ficant m ilestone in the Ind ia-U S sp ace p artnership and space explo ration, th e two countries conclud ed the Strategic Framework for Human Spaceflight C ooperation to deepen interoperability in space Th ey are working toward comm encing ad vanced training fo r ISRO as tro n au ts at th e NA S A J o h ns o n S p ac e Center, the first-ever j oint effort between NA S A and I S R O as tr o nau t s at th e Internatio nal Sp ace Station

NASA will train two Indian astronauts, one of whom will fly to the International

Space Station later this year ISRO chairman S Somanath had earlier mentioned that ISRO would likely select four astronauts for training Notably, India’s planned space station, called the Bharatiya Antariksha Station, will be built and operated by ISRO The station is expected to be completed by 2035 NASA plans to decommission the ISS by 2031 The Indian space station will be smaller than the ISS, with a mass of 20 tons (compared to the ISS’s 450 tons and the Chinese Tiangong Space Station’s 100 tons) It will be used for

microgravity experiments M e a n w h i l e , t h e t w o s i d e s a r e a l s o exploring opportunities to participate in the L u n a r G a t e w a y P r o g r a m T h e L u n a r Gateway represents a significant leap in human space exploration, offering a versatile platform for lunar surface missions, scientific research, and preparation for future deep-space endeavors spearheaded by the US Artemis intends to establish a long-term base on the Moon (Artemis Base), and the Lunar Gateway will serve as a multi-purpose outpost that orbits the Moon

Russia Prez Vladimir Putin and North Korea’s Kim Jong-un revived a Cold War-era mutual defence pledge between their nations signing a new agreement that calls for them to assist each other in the event of aggression” against either country The Russian prez in a briefing after the two leaders signed the document, did not clarify whether such assistance would require immediate and full-fledged military intervention in the event of an attack, as the now-defunct 1961 treaty specified But he said that Russia “does not exclude the development of military technical cooperation” with North Korea in accordance with the new agreement

24-YEAR-OLD HELD FOR IMPERSONATING AS ELDERLY MAN

A 24-year-old man allegedly impersonating as an elderly man bound for Canada has been apprehended by the CISF at the Delhi international airport Gursewak Singh with dyed hair and beard was intercepted at Terminal 3 of the Indira Gandhi International Airport and has been handed over to Delhi Police The man was first checked by CISF personnel as his activities were found suspicious He initially produced his identity in the form of a passport bearing the name Rashvindar Singh Sahota, 67 He was supposed to board an Air Canada flight flying out of Delhi last week

STARLINER’S RETURN TO EARTH DELAYED AGAIN

Nasa said the Boeing Starliner s return to Earth from the International Space Station which was scheduled for this week has been delayed again The delay of the rescheduled June 26 return will allow more time for the review of the thruster malfunctions and helium leaks that caused the first delay it said Starliner s first crewed mission to the ISS, which had initially been scheduled to last about eight days, has been extended to a date yet to be determined The spaceship blasted off from Florida atop a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket on June 5 following years of delays and safety

SOUTH INDIA

Illicit liquor claims lives of 55 people in Tamil Nadu

K ALLAK U RI C HI / C HE N N AI : The death

tol l in Tamil N adu ’ s K al lakuric hi ho och tragedy ros e to 55 Op po sitio n AIADMK

demanding C M M K Stalin’s resignation, and Speaker M App avu sus pended the blackc lad AIADMK MLAs fo r the day, th ough C M urged Sp eaker to revo ke his order, o pp osition s tayed aw ay Madras HC rapped govt for inaction

“Even after learning a lesson in the 2023 Marakkanam incident (23 people had died), the state has failed to take action,”

d

D Krishnakumar and K Kumaresh Babu s

treatment and to file an action taken report by June 26 The bench passed the order on a public interest writ petition

M L A a n d A

M K lawyer IS Inbadurai seeking a CBI probe into the incident

Responding to the inaction charge, advocate-general P S Raman said action

h a d b e e n t a k e n a g a

n

1 6 p o l i c e personnel “Transferring officials is right but who will answer for the loss of lives?” the bench asked

S t a l i n u r g e d o p p o s i t i o n n o t t o politicise the issue He had ordered a

commission of inquiry led by Madras high court retired judge P Gokuldas into the incident and announced an ex gratia of Rs 10,00,000 for the kin of each v i c t i m a n d R s 5 0 , 0 0 0 f o r t h o s e undergoing treatment

K

B J P s t a

Annamalai urged Union home minister Amit Shah to order CBI to probe into

transferred the case to CB-CID

The victims are being treated in govt

Villpuram and JIPMER in Puducherry

condition, while 108, including eight

Stalin said in an official release that the

contributing factors and recommend measures to prevent future occurrences

Deve Gowda's

another grandson held for unnatural sex

H A S SA N: Form er PM HD Deve Gowda’s 3 7-year-old g rand son and JD(S) member of the legislative council (M LC) Su raj Rev anna was arrested on Su nd ay on charg es of unnatural sex, wrong ful confinement and criminal intimidatio n Suraj, the eldest son of former minister HD Revanna, is the fourth member of the Gowda family to f

Bhavani Revanna, and 34-year-old brother Prajwal Revanna Former Hassan MP Prajwal was arrested over three weeks ago in connection with an alleged sex scandal

Suraj, a surgeon-turned politician, was arrested following a police complaint by a 27-year-old JD(S) worker On Sunday night, he was remanded in judicial custody for 14 days and sent to Parappana Agrahara Central Prison in Bengaluru

The complainant first approached senior police officers in Bengaluru on June 21 and later filed a formal complaint with police in Hassan district, resulting in the registration of an FIR “Based on the complaint, we ’ ve filed the case and the due procedure

Parameshwara said, while confirming the state govt’s decision to hand over the investigation to CID

According to sources, Suraj was summoned to appear before investigators at the CEN police station in Hassan city Saturday evening He reportedly denied the allegations during questioning

Punjab extends detention of Amritpal under NSA by a year

MP-elect A mritpa l Sin gh, a nd his nin e aide s by a yea r unde r th e

Na tiona l Se cur it y Act (NS A)

Arrested on April 23 last year after a month-long chase from a

v i l l a g e i n M o g a , t h e ‘ W a r i s P u n j a b D e ’ c h i e f a n d h i s a s s

Dibrugarh jail in Assam under the NSA The detention came f o l l o w i n g t h e o p e r a t i o n undertaken by the Centre and P u n j a b i n t h e c r a c k d o w n

l a u n c h e d o n M a r c h 1 8 , 2 0 2 3 , against the radical Sikh preacher

The detention of the ‘Waris

P u n j a b D e ’ c h i e f a n d t h r e e associates was expiring on July 24, and that of his six other aides on June 18 It is for the second t i m e t h a t A m r i t p a l a n d h i s accomplices’ custody has been extended by Punjab government

A f t e r A m r i t p a l c o m p l e t e d h i s

one-year under the NSA in April this year, the Punjab government had extended the custody for three months

T h e o r d e r t o e x t e n d t h e detention of Amritpal and his aides was issued by the Punjab g o v e r n m e n t ’ s d e p a r t m e n t o f home affairs and justice a day before the results of Lok Sabha polls

The department, after taking consent of the advisory board, headed by a retired judge of the Delhi high court, extended the d e t e n t i o n o r d e r o f a l l 1 0 detainees on June 3 for a period of 12 months starting from April 23, 2024, said an official The Punjab government has

Not secure with Kolkata police in Raj Bhavan, says governor

K OLK ATA : West Be ngal governor

CV Ana nda B os e said that he was a p pr e he n d in g a t h re a t t o h is s ecurity because of the pres ence of t he c urrent c ont ingent of K olka ta Police post ed at Raj Bhavan

His statement came days after he ordered the police personnel to v a c a t e t h e R a j B h a v a n p r e m i s e s T h e y , however, are still on duty in the Governor House “I have reasons to believe that the presence of the current officer-in-charge and his team is a threat to my personal security,” Bose said

Constitution,” Bose said The governor has brought the matter to the notice of Banerjee from time to time but no action has been taken by her The chief minister also h o l d s

H

“None of these can happen

authorities in the police department which

asserted

“I have informed Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee that I am insecure with Kolkata Police in Raj Bhavan, but there was no action,” he said

Sources in the Governor House said B o s e h a s c o m p l a i n e d t o t h e s t a t e government that there has been constant snooping by the police personnel posted in Raj Bhavan and he could sense that they w e r e d o i n g i t o n t h e i n s i s t e n c e o f "influencers" from outside

“The policemen posted here have been snooping on my movements as well as many of my officers Their acts are with the tacit support of their political masters in g o v e r n m e n t T h i s i s v i o l

contingent posted in Raj Bhavan, under the current officer-in-charge "These were reliable information from various sources that the police contingent here has been w

interests of the people I have verified it myself also,” he added Bose said some of t

d earlier been posted at the state secretariat 'Nabanna' "They have been working as sleuths for somebody That somebody I do not want to name now," the governor said He said that his predecessor Jagdeep Dhankhar had also restricted entry of Kolkata Police personnel inside the Raj Bhavan

in brief

YSRCP OFFICE DEMOLISHED IN ANDHRA

YSRCP’s under-construction party office at Tadepalli in Andhra Pradesh s Guntur was demolished Mangalagiri-Tadepalli municipal corporation which brought down the building claimed the structure was illegal and being constructed on irrigation land without the necessary approvals YSRCP on the other hand alleged that the demolition was in defiance of HC order YSRCP president and former chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy said CM N Chandrababu Naidu had taken his vindictive politics to the next level Reacting to the demolition Jagan said Naidu demolished the near-completion party office like a dictator by ignoring HC orders “Law and justice have disappeared from the state With this incident, Naidu gave a violent message as to how the next five years are going to be However, YSRCP will not back down to these threats and vindictive politics We will continue to fight for people, on behalf of people and with the people,” he posted on X

FORMER KARNATAKA CM BOMMAI RESIGNS AS MLA

constituted the advisory board s p e c i f i c a l l y t o l o o k i n t o t h e d e t e n t i o n a n d a p p e a l s b y d e t a i

provisions of the NSA

T h e o r d e r , q u o t e d t h e

opinion of the board as saying:

“On the basis of the facts and circumstances of this report, the advisory board is of the opinion that there is sufficient cause for t h e d e t e n t i o n o f t h e d e t e n u e Amritpal Singh Sandhu under provisions of National Security Act, 1980 ” H u m a n r i g h t s a c t i v i s t s advocate Rajwinder Singh Bains and advocate Imaan Singh Khara said they will challenge the order in a court

I don't

want master extortionists, Mamata tells TMC netas, bureaucrats

K O L K A T A : We st Be ng a l C M M am a ta Banerjeeon surp rised ev en her inner circle with a public taked own o f some “ errant” cabinet colleagu es, TM C functi onaries, and bu reau crats found wanting in v arious respects In her sharpest public criticism to date of m i n i s t e r i a l a n d a d m i n i s t r a t i v e p e r f o r m a n c e , Mamata set a 10-day deadline for everyone to shape up or ship out From ministers to bureaucrats, municipalities to the state urban development department, police to district heads, everyone seemed to be in her firing line “It is my turn to speak today and yours to listen,” she told the audience of civic body chiefs, ministers, MLAs and senior officials

A s m a n y i n h e

squirmed, Mamata named fire services minister and Bidhannagar MLA Sujit Bose, accusing him o

Rajarhat and in front of Salt Lake Sector V’s Webel Bhavan She also accused state food processing minister and Howrah (Central) MLA Arup Roy and Howrah (North) MLA Goutam Chowdhury of extortion

“How much money do you need to lead a good life? You are going around in big cars, dining at fancy restaurants Everything is fine, but first think of the people,” she said

Former Karnataka Chief Minister and BJP leader Basavaraj Bommai submitted his resignation as MLA from Shiggaon Assembly constituency His resignation was necessitated as he was elected from the Haveri Lok Sabha constituency in the recently held general election Bommai registered a victory by a margin of 43 513 votes over his nearest rival Bommai secured 7 05 538 votes, while the Congress' Anandswamy Gaddadevarmath son of former MLA GS Gaddadevarmath secured 6 62 025 votes Earlier when asked about the possibility of his son receiving the party ticket for the Shiggaon by-election Bommai deferred the decision to his party The party will decide on the ticket issue We must adhere to the party's decision Whomever the party gives the ticket to I will work sincerely for them " the BJP MP said

ONE PULLED UP FOR PERFORMING YOGA AT GOLDEN TEMPLE’S PARIKARMA

A day after the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee filed a complaint against social media influencer Archana Makwana of Gujarat for allegedly performing yoga at a “parikarma of the Golden Temple The Kotwali police have registered an FIR against her for hurting religious sentiments Assistant Commissioner of Police Kuldeep Singh said “We have gone through CCTV footage The girl did not pay obeisance at the sanctum sanctorum of the Golden Temple It seems a publicity stunt Therefore, an FIR under Section 295-A of the IPC has been registered against her On June 22 the SGPC had lodged a complaint with Police Commissioner Ranjit Singh Dhillon after pictures of Makwana performing yoga “asanas” at parikarma went viral Later, Makwana said she had sincerely apologised for her mistake and promised to be more mindful in the future

BISCUIT MAKERS BRITANNIA SHUTS OPERATIONS

The hundred-year-old biscuits manufacturing company Britannia Industries closed down its factory unit at Taratala on Monday at a time when the state government is trying to woo investments in West Bengal A section of employees of the company said that they found a suspension of work notice issued by the management at the gate of the Taratala unit when they came to join duty as usual The management has not yet officially made any statement so far in connection with its decision to close down the unit A section of the employees said that the company has given them compensation between Rs 13-22,00 000 to permanent staff depending on their service period There are around 120 permanent employees in the unit, they said But none of the contractual workers is yet to get any compensation from the company, it s learnt

Amritpal Singh

CV Ananda Bose

4,300 millionaires likely to move out of India in 2024: Report

A bo ut 4 ,3 0 0 Ind ian m illionaires are expected to mov e out of the country in

2 0 2 4 , i nv e st m en

m ig rat io n consultancy Henley & Partners has said in a rep ort

M

likely to migrate to the United Arab Emirates, the report said Millionaires

a n

persons with liquid investble wealth of at least $1 million (or £830,000) If these projections hold, India will have the third-highest net outflow of m

migrate to a new country this year The United Arab Emirates and the United States top the list of destinations S

opportunities, lifestyle factors such as

Ignoring China’s

opportunities for children, and better

millionaires migrate, the report said

millionaires are an important overall indicator of the health of an economy, especially if it is outwards, the firm said

concerns have driven high-net-worth

individuals to places where they can enjoy a better lifestyle, have access to more premium health and education services, and enjoy safer and cleaner environments,” the annual report said

individuals this year is lower than the 5,100 who migrated out of the country last year

individuals leaving India tend to retain their business interests and secondary

migration consultancy further noted

India loses thousands of millionaires

s o v e r s u c h a n outflow “ may well be mitigated as with wealth growth of 85% over the past

d e c a d e , t h e c o u n t r y c o n t i n u e s t o produce far more new high-net-worth individuals than it loses to emigration”

ire, PM Modi meets US team that called on Dalai Lama

P M Narendra Modi met a bip artisan group o f US lawmakers th at visi ted D haramshala th is week and called o n the Dalai Lama Th e lawmakers, led by H o u s e F o re i gn Af f ai r s Co m mi t te e ch airman Mich ael McCaul and fo rmer H ouse speaker Nancy Pelosi, were also h osted by foreign minister S J aish ankar after their retu rn from Dharamsh ala

J a i s h a n k a r a c k n o w l e d g e d t h e “strong and continued’’ support from t h e l a w m a k e r s f o r t h e I n d i a - U S strategic partnership The delegation’s visit to Dharamshala drew China’s ire, with Beijing urging the Americans to

f u l l y r e c o g n i s e t h e “ a n t i - C h i n a separatist nature of the Dalai group ” , h o n o u r c o m m i t m e n t s t h e U S h a s made to China on issues related to Tibet, and stop sending a wrong signal t o t h e w o r l d T h e i r m e e t i n g s w i t h Indian leaders will likely raise China’s hackles too

T h e d e l e g a t i o n c o n g r a t u l a t e d Modi on his election for a historic

t h i r d c o n s e c u t i v e t e r m “ T h e y expressed deep appreciation for the scale, fairness and transparency of the

recently concluded electoral exercise in India,” the govt said in a statement US team meets Dalai Lama

Earlier, the US delegation met the Dalai Lama at the latter's residence in Dharamsala despite criticism by China

T h i s m o v e s i g n a l s a p o t e n t i a l escalation in diplomatic tensions as the US lawmakers asserted their stance on global human rights issues, pushing f o r t h e a u t o n o m y o f T i b e t w i t h i n

China

“His Holiness Dalai Lama will live a l o n g t i m e a n d h i s l e g a c y w i l l l i v e forever, but to you President of China, you will be gone and nobody will give you credit for anything,” said Pelosi, a long-time supporter of the Tibetan cause, while accusing China of not doing justice with Tibet

H o l d i n g a c o p y o f t h e R e s o l v e Tibet Act, a bipartisan Bill to enhance US support for Tibet and promote dialogue between China and the Dalai Lama towards a peaceful resolution of the long-standing dispute, the Dalai Lama said, “The issue of Tibet is an i s s u e o f j u s t i c e I t i s n o t a b o u t a

Bollywood singer

Alka Yagnik diagnosed with rare hearing loss

Veteran Bollywo od sing er Alka Yag nik has revealed that she has been d iagnosed with a “ rare hearing loss” due to a v iral attack, and h ence she was m issing in action

She posted a picture of herself and wrote: “To all my fans, friends, followers, and well-wishers: A few weeks ago, as I walked out of a flight, I suddenly felt I was not able to hear anything ”

The singer, who began her career singing bhajans for Akashvani at the age of six and debuted with the song for the 1980 film ‘Payal Ki Jhankaar’, said that she mustered some courage in the weeks following the episode

“I want to break my silence now for all my friends and well-wishers who have been asking me why I’m missing in action It has been diagnosed by my doctors as a rare sensory neural nerve hearing loss due to a viral attack ”

She added, “This sudden, major setback has caught me completely unawares As I attempt to come to terms with it, please keep me in your prayers ” Yagnik also shared a word of caution for young singers and fans

“For my fans and young colleagues, I would add a word of caution regarding exposure to very loud music and headphones ”

Yagnik added: “One day, I wish to share the health perils of my professional life With all your love and support, I am hoping to recalibrate my life and come back to you soon Your support and understanding will mean the world to me in this critical hour ”

religious or political cause, but about the rights of the people to preserve their culture, language, and identity The Tibetan struggle is a struggle for human rights and dignity ” Dalai Lama free to co nduct religious activities: MEA

Meanwhile, Indian govt reiterated its position on the Dalai Lama and said that he is a revered religious figure and is allowed to conduct his religious and spiritual activities The govt continues t

Government of India’s position on His Holiness the Dalai Lama is clear and consistent His Holiness is accorded due courtesies and freedom to conduct his religious and spiritual activities,” s a i d M E A s p o k e s p e r s o n R a n d h i r

Jaiswal “As regards the statements by the US delegation, I would refer you to the US side and it is for them to a n s w e r , ” h e a d d e d C h i n a h a d described the “Tibetan governmentin-exile” in Dharamsala as entirely a separatist political group

Eye on China, India to take up Teesta conservation in Bangladesh

In d i a a n d B

ann ounced ov er a dozen othe

initiative

spa nning

like con nectivity, he alt h, tra de, energy , de fence and ma ritime coopera tion - a s PM Modi hoste d his counte rpart Sheikh H asina for the first sta te visit aft er the formation of the new ND A govt Among the new initiatives was an ann ouncement b y Modi after the meeting that India wil l soon sen d a technica l team to Ba nglade sh for manage me nt an d conserva tion of the Te est a river inside B angla desh

The announcement is significant as it comes amid efforts by China to convince Dhaka to allow it to develop the Teesta basin Aware of India’s reservations about China’s role, Bangladesh has maintained it will consider “geopolitical issues” before going ahead with the project, which will apparently cost $1 billion Hasina is expected to soon visit China, a country Dhaka - in a fine balancing act - continues to have strong economic ties with for its development needs “As part of our development cooperation, we will also undertake conservation and management of Teesta river inside Bangladesh with Indian assistance within a mutually agreed timeframe,” said a joint statement, in which the two heads announced a shared vision for commerce, connectivity and collaboration

Sharing of Teesta waters has remained a long outstanding issue between the countries, after opposition from West Bengal prevented them from signing a watersharing agreement finalised during the UPA govt India’s technical team is expected to first examine if there’s any need for a reservoir to be built, something which the Chinese have reportedly suggested For India, it’s important that Bangladesh remains mindful of Indian security concerns while pursuing economic projects with Beijing

143 heatstroke deaths in India this year: Health ministry

The U nion health ministry said 143 people across Ind ia had d ied of heat stroke th is summer, based on d ata o f co nfirm ed d eath s co llated by it from states till June 20

The figure, however, is

l o w e r t h a n t h e n u m b e r s g a t h e r e d b y a n

various state govts, as per which there have been 209 c o n f i r m e d h e a t - r e l a t e d fatalities so far this season, a p a r t f r o m 2 3 9 s u s p e c t e d deaths due to heat, taking

t h e t o t a l n u m b e r o f c o n f i r m e d a n

mortalities to 448

Health ministry said UP recorded the maximum 35 s u c h d e a t h s , f o l l o w e d b y

D e l h i ( 2 1 ) R a j a s t h a n a n d

Odisha recorded 17 deaths each

H e a t s t r o k e i s a condition characterised by

o v e r h e a t i n g o f t h e b o d y

b e c a u s e o f p r o l o n g e d

e x p o s u r e t o o r p h y s i c a l e x e r t i o n i n h i g h

t e m p e r a t u r e s M i n i s t r y sources said the death figure may go up further as some

d e a t h s s u s p e c t e d t o b e caused by heat stroke are

c u r r e n t l y u n d e r investigation

As per data collated by the newspaper, Delhi has so far recorded 76 heat-related

d e a t h s , t h e h i g h e s t

c o n f i r m e d t o l l i n t h e

c o u n t r y T h e s e n u m b e r s h a v e b e e n g a t h e r e d f r o m authorities in various govt hospitals in the capital UP’s

Relief Commissioner Office has recorded 51 confirmed heat-related deaths while at least 65 more people were suspected to have died due to ailments related to severe h e a t , i n c l u d i n g 5 1 i n Ghaziabad district and 14 in Noida district

deaths at

with

suspected to have died of

deaths while Rajasthan’s toll stood at 16

and 15 deaths, respectively,

Jharkhand reported 12 such

ministry official explained how the ministry collates data on heat deaths “The National Centre for Disease

out guidelines for declaring deaths due to heat-related illnesses Once the hospital or local authority is satisfied with the same, they upload the data on govt portal,” the official said The NCDC says a death in which exposure to high ambient temperature either caused death or significantly

Air India placed elderly couple on separate US flights and

to different destinations

A la w ye r h as c o m p l ai ne d ab ou t A i r I nd i a aft er t h e airline altered the tickets of an eld erly couple travelling to th e United States Th e h u s ban d an d w

placed on d ifferent flights to s

different d ates

Dushyant Arora took to X to narrate what happened with his partner's parents, b o t h o f w h o m a r e h e a r t patients The elderly couple w a s s c h e d u l e d t o f l y t o N e w a r k , N e w J e r s e y o n Wednesday last Arora said when they tried to check in t h e p

found out that Air India had unilaterally changed their tickets

S

partner's parents, Arora said the mother and father were put on separate flights "One flight to depart on one day and the second on another,"

India changed the father's

found about the changes in their flights only when they tried to check in "No one even bothered inform them about the change in their flight

and she doesn’t want

Just imagine the

PM Modi opens new Nalanda university campus near the ruins of ancient one

P M Narendra M odi inaugu-

r

ronged mission is to make

c

know ledge h ub in the world”

“Nalanda is not just a name It is an identity, an honour, a value, a mantra, and a saga, ” said Modi, high-

destruction of the ancient u n

e s b y invaders in the 12th century, the essence of knowledge remains indestructible

“The emergence of the n e w N a l a n d a U n i v e r s i t y

s h o w s f i r e c a n d e s t r o y books but not knowledge,”

h e s a i d d u r i n g t h e e v e n t

nised as the most prominent knowledge centre of the world ” He asserted that

Jaishankar, and representatives from 17 countries

Highlighting the broader significance, Modi said: “My mission is to see India become the centre of education and knowledge for the world My mission is that India should again be recog-

education system” as part of

100th year of its independence

The original university i n N a l a n d

i s h

d around 1,600 years ago, was

one of the world’s first residential universities, attracting scholars from around the globe It flourished for 800 years before its destruct

from over 20 countries are

Kutumbkam” (the world is one family) He hoped the university would become a c

exchange

The PM also detailed his govt’s achievements in education over the past decade, mentioning the increase in Indian institutions in global rankings, the establishment o f n e w u n i v e r s i t i e s , I T I s , a n d A t a l T i n k e r i n g L a b s , and the expansion of IITs, IIMs, and AIIMS

EC starts J&K poll process, orders revision of rolls

S tarting its preparations for assem bly p olls in Jam mu & K ashm ir, the first after abrog ation o f A rticle 3 70, as well a s i n Hary ana, Jh ar kh and a nd M a h ara sh tra , E C announced the special summ ary rev isio n (SSR) of elect o ral ro l ls i n th e fo u r states/UT with July 1, 2024, as th e qualifying d ate Roll updation activities

a s w e l l a s r a t i o n a l i s a t i o n

a n d r e - a r r a n g e m e n t o f polling stations in the pollbound states/ UT will start on June 25 and end with f i n a l p u b l i c a t i o n o f t h e revised rolls on Aug 20 J&K polls are expected

to be a standalone affair, given the large requirement of forces not only to maintain law and order and avert possible attempts at disruption of polls by terrorists, but also to protect hundreds

o f c a n d i d a t e s f r o m b e i n g targeted

Usually, EC goes ahead w i t h a n n o u n c e m e n t o f polls after the final electoral

r o l l i s p u b l i s h e d w i t h respect to the closest of the four cut-off dates in a yearJan 1, April 1, July 1 and Oct 1 J&K assembly polls are to be held before the Sep 30 d e a d l i n e s e t b y S C , w i t h CEC Rajiv Kumar already

soon

PM Modi last week had assured the people in J&K that elections were not very far off

T h e p o l l a n n o u n c ement, however, may come only after Amarnath Yatra winds up on Aug 19, and the publication of the final roll for J&K on Aug 20 will pave the way for this

The term of state assemb l i e s i n H a r y a n a , Maharashtra and Jharkhand are expiring on Nov 3, Nov 26 and Jan 5, respectively The choice of July 1 as the

HC scraps quota hike beyond 50% ceiling in Bihar

A d iv ision bench of Patna

HC struck d own a pair of laws bro ught by th e Bih ar g ovt last year to raise job and edu catio n quo tas for Dalits, backward classes and tribals from 50% to 65%, term ing these “ultra v ires: or beyo nd the po wers of the state and a

v io l at io n o f th e r ig h t to e qu a li ty g u a ran tee d by A rticles 14, 15 and 16 of the C onstitu tion

B o t h t h e B i h a r

Reservation (for Scheduled

C a s t e s , S c h e d u l e d T r i b e s , a n d O t h e r B a c k C l a s s e s ) (Amendment) Act, 2023, and the Bihar (in ad mission in

e d u c a t i o n a l i n s t i t u t i o n s )

R e s e r v a t i o n ( A m e n d m e n t )

A c t , 2 0 2 3 , p a s s e d b y t h e assembly and notified last November were purportedly based on the findings of the govt’s caste survey, which itself went through multiple legal hurdles before being completed The HC bench said the increase in reservations beyond 50% was “bad in law based on the principles of equality emanating from the Constitution, as laid down by the wealth of precedents discussed in this judgment”

T h e b e n c h o f C h i e f

Justice K Vinod Chandran and Justice Harish Kumar

s a i d , “ T h a t t h e s t a t e attempted no indepth study or analysis before providing f o r e n h a n c e m e n t o f t h e r e s e r v a t i o n p e r c e n t a g e i s e s t a b l i s h e d f r o m t h e records That the state proceeded on the mere proportion of population of differ-

e n t c a t e g o r i e s , a s a g a i n s t their numerical representat i o n i n g o v t s e r v i c e s a n d educational institutions, is the admitted position and the pivotal argument That this argument works against t h e c o r e p r i n c i p l e s o f

Articles 15(4) and 16(4) is a given fact ”

The new laws individually raised the reservation percentage for SCs from 16% to 20%, STs from 1% to 2%, BCs from 15% to 18%, and EBCs from 20% to 25% This was to be applicable to govt jobs and admission to state-run educ a t i o n a l i n s t i t u t i o n s i n Bihar The increase in reserv a t i o n l i m i t s c u m u l a t i v e l y exceeded the ceiling of 50%, set three decades ago by a

n i n e - j u d g e c o n s t i t u t i o n a l bench of the Supreme Court

i n t h e I n d r a S a w h n e y v s Union of India case The ceil-

ing remains a constitutional b

l a w s g o v e r n

p u b l i c employment The petitioners alleged caste-wise socioeconomic reports emanating f r o m

o f Bihar were published on Nov 7 last year, whereas the bill

p r o p o s i n g a m e n d m e n t s t o reservation limits was tabled two days thereafter “Hence, imminently no

a

b a c k w a r d n e s s w a s c a r r i e d out by the state govt as was stated in the preamble of the t w o i m p u g n e d a m e n d e d laws,” the petitioners argued

cut-off date for special summary revision of rolls in all three states points to possible clubbing of Jharkhand polls with those in Haryana a n d M a h a r a s h t r a , w i t h announcement likely in Sep

As per the SSR timetable i s s u e d b y E C , h o u s e - t ohouse verification by booth level officers shall be undertaken between June 25 and J u l y 2 4 a c r o s s a l l f o u r states/UT to collect information on un-enrolled eligible citizens, multiple entries, dead and permanently shifted electors; and also to make c o r r e c t i o n s / i m p r o v e m e n t s in rolls

PM Modi m arked t he beginning of t he maiden ses sion of the new Lok Sa bha b y lobbing the “Constitution” iss ue bac k at the INDIA bl oc , asking e ve rybody to ens ure that there was no subversion of the Constitut ion as during the Em ergency

A

Gandhi govt’s decision to curb d

Emergency, Modi urged people to ensure such an attempt to “blacken” the Constitution is never repeated and pledged to safeguard it

His remarks came as the opposition, flush with the success of its allegation that Modi-led BJP had sought 400+ seats to change the Constitution, carried on with the theme Members of Congress, TMC, DMK, Left and others held a protest after paying respects at Mahatma Gandhi’s statue in Parliament complex, holding copies of the Constitution and “promising to protect it”

Opposition MPs flashed copies of the Constitution in what appeared to be a celebration of the success in paring down BJP’s numbers

Taking up suspension of democracy and civil rights during the Emergency, he said, “These 50 years since the Emergency remind us to protect our Constitution and democracy with pride The countrymen must resolve that such a travesty will never be allowed to happen again We commit ourselves to ensuring a vibrant democracy and fulfilling the common man ’ s dreams as outlined by the Indian Constitution ” PM M odi, others take oat h amid Oppn protests

The routine custom of newly-elected Lok Sabha members being administered oath by the pro tem Speaker was marred with opposition members nominated by the President to the panel of chairpersons refusing to take oath when their scheduled turn arrived in order to avoid presiding over the session in the absence of pro tem Speaker Bhartruhari Mahtab

PM Modi was the first to take oath followed by members of the panel of chairpersons, which included Radha Mohan Singh and Faggan Singh Kulaste of BJP, after which the council of ministers took oath before other MPs in alphabetical order

However, the three opposition MPs in the panel of chairp e r s o n s - K S u r e s h ( C o n g r e s s ) , S u d i p B a n d y o p a d h y a y (Trinamool Congress) and T R Balu (DMK) - gave a miss to the oath-taking They were listed just after PM Modi and ahead of the council of ministers

During B akri Eid on June 17, s om e t hi n g un u su a l ha ppene d in De lhi involving t he Jain community The community ra ised over Rs 1 5 mill ion t o buy 124 goats and preven t t he m fr om being sacrificed during t he Eid festival

V iv e k Ja i n , a 3 0 -y e a r - ol d charter ed accountant , or ganised this effort an d store d t he goats in a temple in Cha ndni Chowk , according to re por ts Chirag Jain, connected to t h e i n c i d e n t , s h a r e d t h a t their guru Sanjeev was trou-

b l e d b y t h e i d e a o f g o a t s b e i n g s l a u g h t e r e d d u r i n g

Bakri Eid and wanted to do something about it On June 15, a team of 25 people disg u i s e d t h e m s e l v e s a s Muslims and visited markets in old Delhi like Jama Masjid and Meena Bazar Vivek Jain said that they posed as Muslims to avoid paying higher prices, securing all the goats for an average of Rs 10,000 each after tough bargaining The resc u e d g o a t s w e r e t a k e n t o N a y

Dharampur area for safety

instead of sacrificing animals during the festival

In a blog post during the festival, Peta said, "Animal sacrifice is bad for everyone:

desensitises children to violence against animals

Bakri Eid is a significant M u s l i m f e s t i v a l i n v o l v i n g goat sacrifice There have been numerous occasions where events s p a r k e d d i s c u s s i o n s a b o u t animal rights and brought c r i t i c i s m t o s p e c i f i c p r a ctices Peta, an organisation dedicated to animal rights,

11 defeated candidates move EC seeking EVM verification

Election Com mission has receiv ed a total of 1 1 ap plicatio ns from candidates d efeated in the recent LS and assembly polls, seeking ch ecking or verification of bu rnt memory/m icroco ntroller of EVM s used in eight parliamentary constituencies of six states and th re e a ss e m bl y c o ns ti t ue nc i es acro ss A nd hra Prad esh and Od isha

While four applications - made in accordance with SC’s April 26, 2024 directions, allowing candidates who finish second and third to seek verification of microchips embedded in up to 5% of EVMs per AC on written request and payment of fee - were filed

by losing candidates of BJP, two came from Congress candidates, three from YSRCP candidates and one each from BJD and DMDK candidate

Eight verification requests relate to EVMs deployed in 92 polling sta-

Vizianagaram in Andhra, Kanker in Chhattisgarh, Karnal and Faridabad in

Zahirabad in Telangana The other three requests seek checking of EVM chips across 26 select polling stations of Gajapathinagaram and Ongole ACs

Odisha PCs with the most polling sta-

PC (40); Virudhunagar

Jharsuguda (13) and Ongole ACs (12) Interestingly the verification was sought not only for closely contested seats with thin victory margins, but also where margins exceeded 200,000 votes For instance, the margin was 249,000 in Vizianagaram PC, 232,000 in Karnal PC from where Union minister Manohar Lal was elected; 173,000

Vellore PC

PM Modi leads India in celebrating International Yoga Day

Prim e Minister Narend ra Mo di on Frid ay ( June 21 ) led International

Da y o f Y o g a c el eb rati o n s in S ri na g ar, no t in g t h at yo g a h as g ai

fo r ce fo

bal

c an ce as a

g o o d A d d r es s in g th e nati on from th e S her-i -K ashm i r International C onference C entre (SKIC C), PM Modi said more and more people acro ss the world are em bracing yoga

"The world is looking at yoga as a powerful agent of global good Yoga helps us live in the present moment without the baggage of the past," PM Modi stated

Despite the event being moved indoors from the lawns of SKICC on the banks of Dal Lake due to i n c e

m remained high "I extend greetings to the people of the country and those performing yoga in every corner of the world on Yoga Day," PM Modi said

For many people worldwide, yoga has become a part of their

d a i l y l i v e s , P M M o d i o b s e r v e d

"The number of yoga followers is growing continuously Wherever I

y (international) leader who does not talk to me about the benefits of yoga," he said

International Yoga Day, the Prime Minister recalled how he proposed the initiative to the United Nations in 2014, garnering support from 177 nations

continues to set new records, with M

evolution from its inception to its current global prominence Since then, Yoga Day has been creating new records," he stated

number of people practising yoga worldwide, he attributed this trend to the discipline’s capacity to foster

peaceful within, we can also make

world Yoga is making new ways of positive change in society," he said

Citing an instance of the global reach of yoga, PM Modi said 101year-old Frenchwoman Charlotte Chopin was awarded the Padma Shri for popularising yoga in her country

The Prime Minister added that

No bail for Kejriwal, HC says trial court didn’t apply its mind

The Delhi High Cour t a gain put on hold Chief Minister A rv ind Ke jriwa l's bail in a m

( E D) t o pu t

s a rgume nt s on not g ran ting bail to Kejriwa l, and tha t it d idn t a pply its mind during it s judg ment

of the trial court judge were not considered properly

h a s been dismissed by the High Court, it cannot be said that h i s p e r s o n a l l

curtailed in violation of the law, it said, adding that the court considered arguments

corporate wellness programs are becoming more common, opening new avenues for employment H

solutions to modern challenges "Yoga is not only knowledge but it is science as well In this era of information revolution, there is a flood of information sources and it is a challenge for the human mind to focus on one subject A solution for this is also in yoga as it helps the mind to focus That is why from army to sports, yoga has been included in their routine," he said The theme for International Yoga Day 2024 is “Yoga for Self and S o c i e t y ” O

Indian prime minister, Narendra Modi took the initiative for Yoga

celebration took place on June 21, 2015

Enthusiasts congregate in T imes

S quare

Ahead of the International Day of Yoga, ‘Solstice at Times Square’ showcased widespread enthusiasm for yoga in New York City on June 2

celebration at Times Square The Consulate General of India in New York, in partnership with Times S

10th International Day of Yoga at Times Square

“The day-long celebration of Yoga, also known as ‘Solstice at Times Square’, featured seven yoga sessions, in which about 10,000 people from various nationalities

widespread enthusiasm for yoga in New York City and the US,” the consulate said C

Pradhan greeted the participants

yoga for both physical health and spiritual well-being, as well as its role in promoting harmony

The Consulate is organizing

International Day of Yoga across

Connecticut

US embassy files FIR against 2 Mehsana girls for forging documents

The bench said the trial court did not lay out the c o n d i t i o n s f o r K e j r i w a l ' s release under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act ( P M L A ) , u n d e r w h i c h t h e Chief Minister was charged in the case "The trial court should not have given any finding, which is opposite to t h e f i n d i n g o f t h e H i g h Court The documents and a r g u m e n t s w e r e n o t a p p r e c i a t e d p r o p e r l y , " t h e bench said O n t h e i n

Shree

e High Court said it was done as Kejriwal had to campaign for AAP in the Lok Sabha elections It stated that the materials presented in front

Kejriwal and ED

On June 21, the Delhi High Court reserved after the ED challenged a lower court's decision to grant bail

t o K e j r i w a l a n d p u t i t i n a b e y a n c e u n t i l t h e pronouncement The High C o u r t p a u s e d t h e b a i l granted to Kejriwal on the a g e n c y ' s p l e a a n d s a i d i t would pronounce the order on June 25 (Tuesday)

Krishna Hospital gets NABH digital health standards platinum badge

Sh r ee K r is hn a H os p it a l i n K arams ad has been awarded

t he pl a t i nu m b ad g e f o r N AB H d ig i ta l h ea l t h s tandards ac creditation This ac creditation highl ights the ho s p it a l ’ s c om

integrating advanced digita

, op e r at i on a l e f f i c i en c y a n d overall quality standards

S p e a k i n g o n t h e occasion, Dr Monica Gupta, a s s o c i a t e d e a n o f c l i n i c a l excellence and accreditation,

h i g h l i g h t e d S h r e e K r i s h n a

H o s p i t a l ’ s r e m a r k a b l e journey towards excellence, which began in 2008 with t h e a c c r e d i t a t i o n o f i t s central diagnostic laboratory

T h i s a c h i e v e m e n t w a s followed by accreditation of

s p e c i f i c n e e d s w h i l e a d h e r i n g t o t

s t h e a l t

e s t a n d a r d s a n d local contexts Notably, the n u r s i n g m o d u l e r e c e i v e d recognition from FICCI for service excellence in 2019

Two women applicants and a v i sa co n su l t a n t fr o m Mehsa na a ll ege dl y tr ied t o deceive the US emba ssy and i mm ig r a t i on a p pa r a t u s b y fo r g in g e d uc a t io n a n d i n co me - r e l a t e d d oc um e n t s in a n at tempt to secure n oni mmi g ra n t v isa s a n d ful fi l their American drea ms E r i c M o l i t o r , a n i n v e s t i g a t o r , f i l e d a complaint for visa fraud in N e w D e l h i a g a i n s t N e h a Patel, 26, and Pinkal Patel, 2 4 , b o t h r e s i d e n t s o f Mehsana and Chirag Patel, 29, a resident of Kadi The F I R s t a t e s t h a t N e h a h a d applied to the US embassy in Delhi for a non-immigrant visa In her application, she claimed to have attended a

local science and arts college from 2015 to 2018 and earned a BA degree She presented college transcripts to support the claim, added the FIR She also submitted bank statements and certificates s h o w i n g h e r f a t h e r ’ s b a n k balance as Rs 52,20,000 and r e c o r d s s h o w i n g w o r k e x p e r i e n c e w i t h a p h a r m a c e u t i c a l c o m p a n y , the FIR states O n J u n e 2 0 , a t h e r interview in US embassy, she w a s q u e s t i o n e d a n d ultimately admitted that her e d u c a t i o n a n d

documents were forged

S h e t o l d U S e m b a s s y officials that two visa agents from Mehsana - Chirag Patel and Mihir Patel - had given

her the forged documents, for which she had paid Rs 150,000 She was supposed to pay Rs 24,50,000 to the t w o v i s a a g e n t s , t h e F I R states Similarly, Pinkal Patel, in her interview on the same d a y , a l s o f u r n i s h e d

father’s bank balance to be R s 5 1 , 1 3 , 0 0 0 D u r i n g t h e interview, she also admitted that her father did not own the bank account shown in the application Pinkal also said that Chirag had given her the forged documents f o r R s 2 0 0 , 0 0 0 S h e w a s s

10,00,000 more after getting the non-immigrant visa

Indian student wins top honours in International Academic Championship

India's A dv ay M isra, an 11-year-old stud ent f ro m N ew De lh i , p a rti c ip ate d i n t h e International A cademic Champio nship and w o n th

Be

C om petiti ons at th e Ch amp ionsh ips and w

in

G

g r ap h y Be e C ompetition

The format consists of a written qualifier, followed by regional finals and then the championships, which involve 4 preliminary rounds and one final round for each Bee G o i n g b e y o n d j u s t b e i n g a c o l l e c t i o n / r e c o l l e c t i o n o f f a c t s , a B e e

Dr Gupta said that the hospital has been a leader in digital healthcare since 2016, i m p l e m e n t i n g a c o m

health records (EHR) system for all patient care activities T h i s c o m m i t m e n t e x t e n d s b e y o n d d i g

S h r e e K r i s h n a H o s p i t a l ’ s pro-digital approach proved invaluable during the Covid -

1 9 p a n d e m i c T h e E H R s y s t e m ’

management in

s , t h e h o s p i t a l e n s u r e d t h a t t h e EHR system catered to their

t h e b l o o d b a n k , r a d i o diagnosis centre and nursing excellence, demonstrating a commitment to continuous i m p r o v e m e n t a n d q u a l i t y care

Held over three days from June 14 to June 16, the competition saw participation from over 300 students from 30 different cities across 14 different countries vying for a chance at the Asian Championship Advay holds the unique distinction of being the Asian Science Bee Champion for three years in a row, and it was his second c o n s e c u t i v e w i n i n t h e A c a d e m i c B e e Championship

Last year, representing India as the All India Winner of the National Academic Competition, Advay had achieved the feat of w i n n i n g a l l t h e f o u r B e e s ( A c a d e m i c , Science, Geography and History) in offing P r i o r t o h i s a c h i e v e m e n t s i n t h e A s i a n Championships, Advay was the runner-up in the National Science Bee Championship of the US for the year 2020-21 T h e B e e s a r e a n i n t e n s e i n d i v i d u a l competition where the contestants vie to answer a number of buzzer based questions

The format tests both the depth and the breadth of knowledge of the contestants

Competition actually tests critical thinking and the ability to absorb details and discern linkages between a wide variety of subjects and helps bring alive classroom pedagogy

Indian electrician wins £225,000 jackpot in Dubai

A 4 6-year-old electrician from Ind ia has bagg ed an A ED 1 m illion (approx £ 225,0 00) cash prize in Dubai, after years of sav ing and inv esting wisely, a local news repo rt said Nagendrum Borugadda, from Andhra Pradesh, has been saving AED 100 with National Bonds through direct debit since 2019 Borugadda, who has been living in the UAE since 2017, is the father of an 18-yearold daughter and a 16-year-old son, a news report said “I came to the UAE to build a better life for my family and provide good education to my children This win feels surreal,” he was quoted by the newspaper as saying

Arvind Kejriwal

Ranveer Singh tops Shah Rukh Khan in 2023 celebrity brand value list

Apart from films, Bollywood celebrities earn significantly from brand endorsements Ranveer Singh leads with a celebrity brand value of $203.1 million in 2023, according to Kroll’s Celebrity Brand Valuation Report. He endorses brands such as Tiffany & Co, Zomato, Vicks, and his investments like Bold Care and Sugar Cosmetics contribute to his portfolio.

According to the list, Virat Kohli tops with a brand value of $227.9 million, followed closely by Ranveer Singh Shah Rukh Khan, who climbed from tenth place last year, now holds the third spot with a brand value of $120 7 million SRK, currently endorsing brands like Vimal, Myntra, Tide, and Everest Spices, had notable successes last year with "Jawan" and "Pathaan "

Akshay Kumar ranks fourth on the list with a brand value of $111 7 million He endorses brands such as Dabur and Kajaria, and owns the clothing brand Force IX, which he actively promotes Following closely in fifth place is Alia Bhatt, with a brand value of $101 1 million Alia is associated with brands like Cadbury and Make My Trip, and also leads her own brand, Ed-a-Mamma.

Sonakshi Sinha, Zaheer Iqbal get marrie in a private ceremony

Longtime

actor couple Sonakshi Sinha, 37, and Zaheer Iqbal, 35, declared "We are now man and wife" after a low-key civil marriage at Sonakshi's sea-facing Bandra West apartment. The ceremony was attended by close family and friends, with blessings from both sides and "both of our gods," although Sonakshi's brothers Luv and Kush did not attend

Earlier, there were rumours that Shatrughan Sinha might not attend Sonakshi's wedding, but tensions eased as he accompanied her during the registration Despite her parents' presence, Sonakshi's brothers, including Luv, were absent When asked about this, Luv requested time to respond, saying, "Please give me a day or two I’ll address your question then if I find it appropriate Thank you for asking "

The bride and groom matched in ivory attire: Sonakshi adorned her mother Poonam Sinha's wedding saree, complemented by a sleek bun and gajra, while Zaheer wore an embroidered kurta-pyjama Their collaboration began with the music video "Blockbuster" released in September 2022, followed by their appearance together in the comedy drama Double XL months later

The newlyweds hosted a reception at a fine-dining restaurant in Dadar, where Sonakshi wore a red Banarasi saree and Zaheer sported a white open jacket with matching pants The event was attended by film personalities including Salman Khan, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Bela Segal, Gulshan Devaiah, Reema Kagti, Padmini Kolhapure, Huma Qureshi, Saqib Saleem, Siddharth Kak, Mudassar Aziz, Anil Kapoor, Chunky Pandey, Aanand L Rai, Kajol, Saira Banu, Sanjeeda Shaikh, Richa Chadha, Ali Fazal, Yo Yo Honey Singh, Ali Abbas Zafar, and others

Farhan Akhtar says “wherever Igo, people ask me only about Don 3, Mirzapur 3”

Atthe trailer launch for the highly anticipated third season of "Mirzapur," actor and filmmaker Farhan Akhtar, who serves as the producer of the series, expressed his gratitude to the audience for their continuous support and love throughout the years.

He humorously noted that he's often asked about the release dates of Excel Entertainment's projects, "Don 3" and "Mirzapur " He credited the show's success to the audience, the talented cast, the writing team, and Prime Video's collaboration

"Mirzapur has made a place in the hearts of the audience all across the world Wherever I go, people ask me only three questions, one is, 'What are you doing here?', the second is 'When will Don 3 release?' and the third question which they ask me is 'When will Mirzapur 3 come?' So, I'm very happy that Mirzapur 3 is finally happening," Farhan added

Director and Executive Producer Gurmmeet Singh revealed that fans can expect "Mirzapur 3" to elevate the crime thriller genre even further He noted that the first two seasons were game changers for Indian streaming, and with the third season, they aim to delve deeper into each character's life, introducing new plot twists and dimensions Singh expressed excitement for fans to w

upcoming season

Anurag Kashyap calls out racism in Bollywood

Filmmaker

Anurag Kashyap explained his decision to post on social media about charging for consultations and not entertaining unsolicited pitches He admitted he's no longer in the right state of mind to guide aspiring actors and filmmakers, despite once doing so In an interview, he mentioned that people often queue outside his building, eager to meet him and showcase their work

Kashyap clarified that many people mistakenly believe he s a star-maker, but those who have succeeded after working with him did so through their own talent “This industry doesn’t respect people They think that Nawazuddin is dark-skinned, Pankaj Tripathi is normal, Manoj Bajpayee is a ‘gaonwala’ (villager) That’s how they view people They think if these people can become stars, so can they They think that I can make anybody a star; I can’t They don’t realise that these actors are genuinely talented artists I’ve only made films with them; I haven’t made their life ”

Anurag shared that the day he posted his angry Instagram message, a man entered his house uninvited, asking him to watch a film made for Cannes Anurag refused, stating he wasn't in the

filmmaker mentioned his emotional struggles, Anurag asserted he needed to prioritise his own well-being, as he's been unwell for years and needs to focus on fixing himself

Harbhajan Singh confirms his next Tamil film

Harbhajan Singh, the former Indian cricketer, became a beloved figure among the Tamil audience during his tenure with Chennai in the domestic T20 league He showcased his affection for the Tamil language through social media posts and shared several Tamil poems This led to opportunities in Tamil cinema, where he earned praise from Kollywood fans for his performances

And his fans are in for a treat, as Harbhajan Singh has now revealed his next Tamil film, which is a psychothriller

T h e f o r m e r c r i c k e t e r , n o w a n actor, portrays a doctor in the film centred around 12 murders occurring i

premise Harbhajan Singh expressed his enthusiasm for the movie during c

Cricket World Cup match between India and Afghanistan

Harbhajan Singh refrained from divulging further details, noting they would be officially confirmed by the production house He began his acting journey with cameo appearances in Hindi films before debuting as a lead in the Tamil movie 'Friendship' in 2021 Directed by John Paul Raj and Sham Surya, the friendship drama fea-

Rakul Preet Singh

on her role in ‘Indian 2’: ‘She knows exactly what she wants’

Actor Rakul Preet Singh finds working on "Indian 2" alongside Kamal Haasan to be an enriching experience. She eagerly anticipates the film's release and shares a personal connection with her role in the sequel.

Sharing insights about her character in Indian 2, Rakul said, “It is surely one of the most special films of my career Not just for the people that I am working with but also because of my character”

“I play a headstrong, confident girl, who knows exactly what she wants And somewhere, I resonate completely with this character in my real life It’s too early to disclose more, but yes, it’s been a delight to work with Shankar sir, pulling off this character by picking up from the nuances he shared with me, ” she added

The sequel to Shankar’s 1996 film will be released on July 12 Some time back, the film’s main lead, Kamal Haasan, took to X (formerly Twitter) to share a new release date, writing, “#Indian2 Releasing worldwide in cinemas 12th July 2024!” T h e s e q

Tolerance, has been in production since 2019 It stars Kamal Haasan reprising his role as Senapathy, alongside Kajal Aggarwal and Siddharth in lead roles Production faced setbacks with a temporary hold after a crew accident in 2020, followed by delays due to the Covid-19 pandemic Filming resumed in 2022, with director Shankar managing shoots alongside the film "Game Changer," starring Ram Charan and Kiara Advani

renowned for his flawless Jacksonstyle performances

Bobby Deol to play villain in Jr NTR and Prashanth Neel collaboration 'Dragon'

Rajamouli's 'RRR' marked a significant milestone in the careers of both Jr NTR and Ram Charan

Following the global success of 'RRR', Jr NTR is set to return with another pan-India project titled 'Devara: Part 1', alongside director Koratala Siva. Additionally, he has signed on for a project with Prashanth Neel, renowned for box office hits such as 'KGF' and 'Salaar'. Their collaboration is tentatively titled 'Dragon'.

According to recent reports, actor Bobby Deol is set to portray the villain in this movie Following the immense success of 'Animal', Deol has earned acclaim for his compelling performances as antagonists If these reports hold true, Jr NTR and Bobby will engage

Mandanna is likely to star as the female lead

According to a report from Pinkvilla, the title Dragon was originally registered under Karan Johar s name and was initially intended for Ranbir Kapoor and

changes in the storyline, the title was dropped by the makers Karan Johar subsequently transferred the title to Jr NTR Meanwhile, Johar's production house will handle distribution for 'Devara: Part 1' in the Northern regions

In addition, Prashanth Neel is currently occupied

Prithviraj

The film promises to be a whole-

ensemble cast featuring popular actors like Yogi Babu, Aju Varghese, Arjun Ashokan, Satz, Nishma, and Sushmita, who are expected to bring a humorous punch to the narrative A R

particularly heightened expectations Prabhudheva and AR Rahman have collaborated in many iconic tracks like Mukkalaa and Oorvasi The two have worked in films Kadhalan, Minsara Kanavu, Gentleman, and Love Birds The soundtrack for Moon Walk is anticipated to be a similar musical treat, adding to the film’s appeal

According to reports, the project is currently in its second shooting schedule in Chennai Titled "Moon Walk," the film is slated for a grand PanIndian release in 2025 Directed by B e h

n d C E O Manoj NS, it is co-produced by Divya Manoj and Praveen Elak Anoop VS is

Muralidharan is overseeing production design, and Raymond Derrick Crasta is in charge of editing

Sukumaran, titled 'Salaar Part 2: Shouryanga Parvam'

Rajinikanth's "Kaala" named among BFI's top 25 films of the century

Rajinikanth's film "Kaala," directed by Pa Ranjith, has achieved a notable accolade in Tamil cinema by being listed among the Films of the Century by the British Film Institute (BFI). This recognition positions the Tamil socio-political drama alongside esteemed global cinematic works such as "Artificial Intelligence," "Old Boy," and "Divine Intervention " The list was featured in BFI's Sight and Sound Summer Issue 2024

R e l e a s e d

"Kaala" delves into themes

o

character, a leader among the oppressed in Mumbai's Dharavi slums The film's c o m p

i v e , coupled with Rajinikanth's

p e r f o r m a n c e , g a r n e r e d praise from both audiences

a n d c r i t i c s , a c h i e v i n g c o m m e r c

B F I ' s prestigious list highlights Kaala s significant impact

a n d i t s c o n t r i b u t i o n t o global cinema

“ F r o m o u r v a n t a g e point in 2024, we sit one quarter of the way through t h e 2 1 s t c e n t u r y T o a c k

s t e d t h e help of 25 critics, asking each to nominate a film that is significant within

o u r c i n e m a t i c e r a – t h e kind of film that could be put into a time capsule for the cinephiles of the 22nd c e n t u r y a n d b e y o n d t o marvel at, a movie that is both representative of and a high watermark of the years 2000 to 2024, ” read the post on BFI about the 25 films

Sharmin

Segal

responds to ‘Heeramandi’ co-stars' reaction to her trolling

Sanjay Leela Bhansali's debut web series "Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar" has been drawing attention since its Netflix premiere on May 1 Additionally, his niece, actor Sharmin Segal, has been in the spotlight, facing criticism for her acting and promotional interviews Some social media users have accused her of appearing 'rude' and 'disrespectful' towards her "Heeramandi" co-stars

The actor expressed gratitude for her co-stars like Richa Chadha and Aditi Rao Hydari, who stood up for her amidst online criticism She appreciatively noted their public support and personal gestures, especially Aditi's consistent care and concern throughout the challenging period The actor emphasised her deep respect and admiration for Aditi, clarifying their strong bond amid misconceptions

Sharmin reiterated her satisfaction with her co-stars' support, emphasising that recent events have been taken out of context She expressed gratitude for their defence against online perceptions portraying her as disrespectful or arrogant towards them, which she stated does not reflect her actual relationships Regarding her performance as Alamzeb in "Heeramandi," which received mixed to negative feedback, Sharmin highlighted the unfairness of judging someone based on public commentary, as it doesn't accurately represent who she is as a person

Kebab shop owner declines

Taylor Swift's VIP Wembley concert ticket

The owner of Taylor Swift's favourite kebab shop, Kentish Delight in north London, turned down free VIP tickets to her Wembley concert because he was too busy working The pop superstar discovered the eatery while dating Tufnell Park resident and actor Joe Alwyn

The shop, featured in Taylor Swift's 2017 music video End Game, has named her favourite kebab a chicken doner in pitta with salad and garlic sauce after her Ahmed Khan, the kebab shop owner, disclosed that he was offered VIP tickets to one of the eight nights she will perform at Wembley Stadium H

Delight in north London prevented him from attending any of the concerts He mentioned being understaffed as the reason

The north Londoner further explained that Swift's team ordered 45 kebabs, each priced at £9 50 Similar orders are expected throughout the London leg of her Eras world tour

Mr Khan said,“She first came in before the pandemic with Joe He knew we had the best kebabs so wanted to show Taylor

“It did not feel like she was a big celebrity She was very down to earth and spoke to everyone with respect ”

India, England, SA and Afghanistan in semifinals

S o u t h A f ri c a w il l m ee t

A fg h a ni s tan o n Ju n e 26 ,

B ri an L ara C ri c ke t

A cad e m y, T ar ou b a, S o u th T rinidad and T obago in the first semifinal In th e second semifinal India will take on

E n g la nd o n J u n e 2 7 a t Guyana Natio nal Stad ium , Guyana Rohit fires agains t Australia

I n d i a c a p t a i n R o h i t

Sharma struck a stunning 92 from 41 balls as India beat Australia by 24 runs to set up a T20 World Cup semi-final against England

A u s t r a l i a ' s e

i t w a s

c

A

t a n b e a t Bangladesh by eight runs Rohit - who hit eight sixes, raced to 50 off just 19 balls and looked on course for a s i x t h t o n b e f o r e b e i n g bowled by Mitchell Starc, the player he had crunched for four sixes and one four in a 29-run third over in St Lucia The skipper's innings underpinned India's 205-5, a total the 2007 champions would perhaps have hoped to better, but they went on to score only 43 runs from the final five Brief scores: India 205-5 from 20 overs:

R o h i t S h a r m a ( 9 2 o f f 4 1 balls), Suryakumar Yadav (31 off 16), Hardik Pandya (27no off 17); Josh Hazlewood (114); Australia 181-7 from 20 overs: Travis Head (76 off 43), Mitchell Marsh (37 off 28); Arshdeep Singh (3-37), Kuldeep Yadav (2-24) England thras h USA

grabbed a sensational hat-

Buttler’s blitzkrieg helped E n g l a n d s t o r m

semifinals with a 10-wicket m

n g o f U S A a t Bridgetown, Barbados, on S u n d a y M a k i n g a comeback in place of Mark W o o d , J o r d a n ( 4 / 1 0 ) mopped up the USA tail by claiming four wickets in five b a l l s B u t t l e r t h e n b l a z e d away to a 38-ball 83 not out as England completed the

Neeraj wins gold medal at Paavo Nurmi Games

I n d i a's Ol ym p ic an d w o rl d ch amp ion jav elin throw star

N ee raj C h o p ra c lai m e d h i s m ai

action follo wing a

Neeraj Chopra

m o nth - l o ng b rea k C h o p ra , w ho won the silver here in 20 22, prod uced the winning effort of 85 97m in his third attempt to lead th e field fo r a major part of the com petition

The Indian proved himself heads and shoulders above much-hyped 19-year=old German prodigy Max Dehning, who came here as the youngest member of the 90m club but finished a disappointing seventh in the eight-strong field Dehning could not even breach the 80m mark with 79 84m being his best effort

Home favourite Toni Keranen claimed the silver medal with a personal best throw of 84 19m, while his compatriot and 2022 gold-medallist Oliver Helander took the third spot with 83 96m

chase in 9 4 overs to become the first team to make the semifinals of the showpiece Brief Scores: USA: 115 in 18 5

o v e r s ( N i t i s h K u m a r 3 0 , Corey Anderson 29; Chris Jordan 4-10, Adil Rashid 213) lost to England 117/0 in 9 4 overs (Jos Buttler 83*, Phil Salt 25*) by 10 wickets Afgh anistan beat Bangladesh

A f g h a n i s t a n h a v e advanced to their first-ever T20 World Cup semifinal after a dramatic eight-run victory over Bangladesh in a

Arnos Vale Stadium in Saint V

modest total of 115 for five on Monday, Afghan captain Rashid Khan belied three rain stoppages, a slippery ball and a revised target of

114 off 19 overs to take four for 23 as Bangladesh, who themselves harboured faint hopes of making the last four, were dismissed for 105 off 17 5 overs SA edge p ast West Indies S

through to the semi-finals after a tense three-wicket

co-hosts West Indies in

a D L S revised target of 123, South Africa wobbled at times but u

h e pressure and Marco Jansen thumped a six to seal the win with five balls to spare H

Indies to 135-8, the Proteas

Andre Russell struck twice in the second over of the chase to leave them 15-2

e p

h e players off the field for 75 m i n u t e s S o u t h A f r i c a returned with a new target from 17 overs and a flurry of b o u n d a r i e s q u i c k l y p u t

ascendency

India drub SA to sweep women’s ODI series 3-0

S mriti Mand hana continued her pu rple patch and capp ed a fine run with a record T he opener p layed anoth er matchw inning knock ( 90) to help India register a 6-w icket win, w hich ensured a 3-0 series sweep ov er S outh A frica in th e third and final ODI at the M C hinnaswam y Stadium in Beng aluru o n Sunday

With a fine knock, Smriti took her three-match tally to 343, the highest individual score in a three-match bilateral ODI series in women ’ s cricket She bettered South African Laura Wolvaardt’s record of 335 Opting to bat first, South Africa were restricted to 215 for 8 in 50 overs with Deepti Sharma and Arundhati Reddy scalping two wickets each The target was not a tall order for the in-form home team, who reached the target in the 41st over

Earlier, South Africa’s Laura Wolvaardt (61) and Tazmin Brits (38) laid a solid foundation with a 102-run openingwicket stand But the visitors lost wickets, including both the openers, and Marizanne Kapp in quick succession to slump to 143/5

Brief scores: South Africa 215 for 8 in 50 overs (Laura Wolvaardt 61, Tazmin Brits 38; Arundhati Reddy 2/36, Deepti Sharma 2/27) lost to India 220 for 4 in 40 4 overs (Smriti Mandhana 90, Harmanpreet Kaur 42) by six wickets

Gill to lead young team India for Zimbabwe tour

Dashing Assam batter Riyan

P arag on Mo nd ay becam e t h e f ir st no rt h - eas te rn cricketer to get an India callu p as a new-look T20 squad l ed by Sh u bm an G ill w as u nv eiled for next mo nth’ s f i v e- m

Z im babw e w h ich w ill not f eatu re a ny o f th e se nio r

stars The series starting July 6 w ill be h eld entirely in Harare

T

committee didn’t pick any o f t h

who are currently playing the T20 World Cup in the West Indies

All the seniors like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit

US cricket team defy odds to reach last eight in T20 tournament

The U S cricket team , which was qualified for the World Cup as co-ho sts of th e T20 World Cu p, surprised the most seasoned cricket w atch ers in the group stage, beating 20 22 finalists Pakistan and losing only narrowly to Ind ia in New York The players mainly hail from India, P akistan and the Caribbean are part-time cricketers

In the day-time most of them work in offices or other places One example is Saurabh Netravalkar, the 32-year-old India born fast bowler, who worked for software giant Oracle Instead of joining work, he was in Antigua, leading the US team's attack against South Africa in the latter stages of the T20 World Cup A victory against Canada and a washout against Ireland in Florida, was enough to propel the t e a m

appearance

“A lot of people don’t really pay much attention to US cricket,” Queens-born Aaron Jones, who played for Barbados before switching to the US team, said of the historic run “So probably the world doesn’t know how much talent we have here, how good the players are that we have here I think that could be a little advantage to us ”

Netravalkar, who came to the US for college and is on a work visa, played a central role, holding his nerve in a deciding “ super over ” against Pakistan after the two sides posted identical totals After some matches, he logs on to his work laptop in his hotel room His teammates, who hail largely from India, Pakistan and the Caribbean, have similar stories Many abandoned fledgling cricketing careers in their home countries in order to seek economic opportunities in the US, where they discovered the game ’ s slow revival

Captain Monank Patel, who hails from Anand in Gujarat, where he was a professional cricketer, came to the US in 2015 to run a Chinese restaurant franchise He initially played club cricket on artificial turf pitches before joining the national team, which awarded its first professional contracts just five years ago

The team’s World Cup success had begun to attract a w

supporting us and watching the game, but we have seen a lot of [other] people it is really surprising and good to see ” News of Team USA’s triumphs even made it on to mainstream sports outlets The White House called the US team’s results “tremendous”, adding “ we ’ re cheering them on ”

The unexpected coverage has been welcomed by those who have bet millions of dollars on the game ’ s growth in America, where it was once more popular than baseball before fading Microsoft chief executive Satya Nadella and Texan billionaire Ross Perot Jr are among the backers of Major League Cricket, a T20 franchise that will enter its second season soon after the World Cup Global stars i

tournament by outsized, six-figure pay packets

The US team’s run “has brought a lot more awareness, people are hearing a lot more about cricket”, said Sanjay Govil, owner of MLC team Washington Freedom, whose c

Andries Gous “It is one of those watershed moments, like the US beating Russia [at ice hockey] in the 1980 Olympics,” Govil added MLC chief executive Vijay Srinivasan hoped the US’s performance “inspires boys and girls around the country to pick up a bat and ball this summer ”

Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav a

been rested after a gruelling

Dube, Arshdeep Singh, and K

given

that the selectors want to

broaden the pool of players

World Cup in India T h

marks a landmark year for 21-year-old Parag, who had a stellar IPL season for the Rajasthan Royals with 573 runs which put him in the reckoning for selection Punjab skipper Abhishek Sharma, who had a mind blowing IPL opening with T r a v

Sunrisers Hyderabad and his franchise teammate Nitish Reddy from Andhra Pradesh are among the three rookies in the squad of 15 where only Mukesh Kumar is on the wrong side of 30s

The average age of the squad is roughly around 25 Reddy, a seam-bowling allrounder is someone who the national selectors have been keeping an eye on for s o m e t i m e H i s s o l i d I P L performances and need to have some back-up plan for Hardik Pandya has led to his selection in the squad

S q u a d : S h u b m a n G i l l (captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Abhishek Sharma, Rinku Singh, Sanju Samson (WK), Dhruv Jurel (WK), Nitish Reddy, Riyan Parag, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Avesh Khan, K h a l e e l A h m e d , M u k e s h Kumar, Tushar Deshpande

India to play five test matches at home before Australia tour

T he In d ia n m e n' s c r i c k et te am wil l play f ive test series a s p a r t of i ts Wor l d Te s t Champions hip India will be p l a y in g t wo t e s t ag a in s t Bangl adesh at Chennai and K anpur and will then host N e w Z ea l a n d f or a t h re em at

Pune

, the

CCI announc

commence from September 19 with

three T20s New Zealand, who last

toured India for bilaterals in 2021, will play a three-match Test series starting October 16 that will continue until the first week of November F o l l o w i n g t h e B

a c k C a p s series, India are scheduled to travel to Australia for a much anticipated five-match Test series India will play their first series at home next year a g a i n s t E n g l a n d , w h o featured in a five-Test match s e r i e s i n I n d i a

i e r t h i s year The Three Lions will tour India for five T20Is and three ODIs across January and February 2025

Shubman Gill