AV 2nd November 2024

DIWALI SPIRIT SHINES

Diwali, the Festival of Lights, holds profound significance for the global South Asian diaspora, transcending geographic boundaries and serving as a powerful

individuals of Indian, Pakistani, Nepali, and other South Asian descents around the world, Diwali is not just a festival; it is a celebration of values, traditions, and spiritual renewal that reinforces ties to their roots, regardless of where they live In the UK, as the vibrant lights of Diwali illuminate homes and communities, the festival has officially heralded the beginning of the much-anticipated festive season This celebration coincides with Halloween this year, with Thanksgiving, Christmas and Hanukkah right around the corner Given that the festival represents the victory of light over darkness and good over evil, it’s a perfect lead-in to a joyful season of festivities. The excitement surrounding Diwali is palpable across the country, igniting a sense of community and togetherness

As the race for the US presidential election gets closer and closer and D-Day is fast approaching, the intensity of anticipation is being felt not just in the United States but all over the world

Vice President and Democratic candidate Kamala Harris is running against former President and Republican candidate Donald Trump in the race Kamala has chosen Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate while Trump is joined on the ticket by JD Vance, the US Senator from Ohio since 2023

Anusha Singh

PHOTO COURTESY: Greater London Authority

US Vice President and Democratic nominee, Kamala Harris

PM Keir Starmer lighting the diya at the reception

PM Modi meets Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez at Lakshmi Vilas Palace in Vadodara

Diwali on the Square

Nick Timothy disputes Yvette Cooper's deportation cost claims

to d efend her decision to stop d ep orting illeg al migrants

In

Parliamentar

claimed that ending the retrospective Duty to Remove,

Migration Act, would

involves processing the asylum claims of around 44,137 migrants previously set for deportation, would instead cost the UK £17 8 billion I n t h e Ho u s e o f

C

g u s statistic” and suggested she apologise He referenced a letter from Cooper’s perma-

included expenses for send-

described as "double-counting" to make the policy look more cost-effective

that the policy's cost assessment omits welfare, hous-

assessment, he argued, also assumes that none of the migrants under the Duty to

would stay in the

Timothy claims, is a flawed premise that skews the cost analysis

D

repeated requests for clarif ication, including letters to C

has yet to receive an answer He concluded his statement

Officer dismissed over offensive tweets

A Met ropolita n Police off i-

c e r, P C R ub y B e gu m , h a s b een dismissed fol lowing a m i sco n d uc t h e a r in g ov e r o ffe n si v

J e wi sh p e op l e a n d n o nMusl ims

Begum, 29, admitted to posting discriminator y language, including remarks like "dirty Zionists Hell is waiting," while ser ving as a special constable She also used

t e r m s s u c h a s " k u f f a r " t o describe non-believers and m a d e i n a p p r o p r i a t e c o mments about the September 11, 2001, attacks

Between 2013 and 2019,

B e g u m p o s t e d a r o u n d 25,000 tweets under the handle @ruby-beee While she admitted her language could

be viewed as discriminator y, Begum argued her actions amounted only to miscond u c t , s u g g e s t i n g a f i n a l w a r n i n g r a t h e r t h a n d i smissal However, the panel fo u n d h e r c o n d u c t t o b e gross misconduct, labelling h e r p o s t s "a p p a l l i n g , " "derogator y, " and "abusive," and dismissing her without notice

B e g u m , w h o g a i n e d recognition in 2020 when a p h o t o o f h e r c o n f r o n t i n g a n t i- l o c kd o w n p r o t e s t e r s went viral, was found to have c o n t i n u e d h e r b e h a v i o u r even after undergoing two rounds of equality and diversity training The panel also heard that she posted inapp r o p r i a t e r e m a r k s d e s p i t e

training in both 2014 and 2016

I n a d d i t i o n , B e g u m admitted to using discriminator y language against various groups, including Arabs, Pakistani people, and nonMu s l i m s S h e f u r t h e r a c k n o w l e d g e d m a k i n g remarks referencing the 9/11 a n n i v e r s a r y, w h i c h s h e claimed stemmed from her experiences of Islamophobia Begum expressed regret for h e r a c t i o n s , s a y i n g , " I' m sorr y I'm really sorr y " Despite her apology, the p a n e l c o n c l u d e d

mined public conf idence in the Metropolitan Police and upheld her dismissal without notice

Tony Blair's think tank calls for pay-per-mile road pricing

Tony Blair’s think tank has called for an immediate shift to a pay-p er-m ile road pricing system , urging the ch an-

c el lo r to re th i nk c u rre nt m oto ring taxes

T h e i n s t i t u t e s u g g e s t s that rather than reinstating

h i g h e r f u e l d u t y r a t e s , Reeves should adopt a road pricing model: 1p per mile

for cars and vans, and 2 5p to 4p per mile for lorries and heavy goods vehicles A new

bring in the same revenue as t

restoration, potentially softening the political fallout Back in 2007, the Blair gov-

public opposition over proposed road tolls, with record numbers signing a petition against the idea

vehicles become more com-

prompted renewed interest

modest road pricing scheme now is essential for adapting the UK’s motoring taxes to the electric vehicle era and curbing future road congestion

Un

scheme, the average driver

Analysts weigh implications as UK budget approaches

Th e Labour Party is poised to present its f irst U K budg et in 14 years later this week, sparking anticip atio n of substantial increases in public spend ing and taxes to supp ort infrastructu re investments

Chancellor Rachel Reeves will unveil her Autumn Budget on October 30, with a key highlight being a new framework for assessing the UK’s debt levels allowing the Treasur y to increase borrowing for longterm capital projects

Analysts at Barclays note, “We anticipate adjustments in debt calculations could unlock up to £36 billion in additional spending for 2025-26, along with £23 billion in extra revenue, offering a modest boost to economic growth ” Barclays projects that such a budget could raise GDP by around 0 2% next year, with minimal impact on inflation

UBS estimates these debt rule changes could create around £50 billion in f iscal headroom "It's likely the chancellor will keep some reser ves for contingencies, but there remains enough flexibility to avoid austerity and reinvest in the economy," UBS analysts remarked in a recent note

No 10 stalls outdoor smoking ban in response to hospitality industry resistance

Downing Street is blocking an outdoor smoking ban in the upcoming Tobacco and Vapes Bill, facing strong opposition from the hospitality sector

No 10 off icials consider the ban on smoking in pub gardens “unserious” and cite insuff icient evidence of harm to non-smokers Divisions within the government and concerns about the potential risks have delayed the bill's release, which aims to make the UK the f irst countr y to gradually raise the legal age for purchasing tobacco until it is effectively banned for all

Meanwhile, Keir Starmer has committed to tackling opposition to his anti-smoking campaign, citing the need for action to re d u c e Br i t a i n ’ s le a d i n g c a u s e o f d e a t h , responsible for 80,000 lives lost each year

No 10 is reportedly spooked by warnings of job losses and pub closures if smoking is banned in outdoor areas Despite the P r i m e M i n i s t e r 's c o m m i t m e n t t o p u b l i c health, concerns persist

UKHospitality cautions that the ban could cause "serious economic harm" to hospitality venues, including nightclubs, hotels, and restaurants

The British Beer and Pub Association called the proposal "deeply concerning" and a threat to the viability of vital community assets

Banning smokers from outdoor spaces like pub beer gardens would signif icantly harm struggling pubs, according to industr y claims A second No 10 off icial conf irmed that concerns over economic impact have led to blocking the plan While some outdoor smoking bans may be implemented, the Tobacco and Vapes Bill is unlikely to include restrictions for hospitality venues due to insuff icient evidence

I N B R I E F

NEW COMMISSION MAY BAN PROFITS FOR WATER COMPANIES

Under new proposals for a major reform of England s water sector, water companies could be prohibited from making profits This idea is one of several being considered by a commission formed by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), amid growing public outrage over companies prioritising profits over environmental responsibility According to Defra sources the department is exploring options to mandate the sale of English water companies to private firms that would operate on a nonprofit basis Unlike nationalisation this model would keep the companies privately managed but focused on public benefit rather than shareholder profit The nonprofit approach, already common across Europe, permits employees to receive competitive salaries and bonuses However, any profits are reinvested into the business instead of being distributed to shareholders Welsh Water, for instance, operates under this model, with surplus funds reinvested into operations or customer service improvements

MISSED APPOINTMENTS COST LONDON HOSPITALS NEARLY A BILLION

Missed appointments in London have cost NHS hospitals nearly £1 billion over the past four years, according to new estimates Between 2019 and 2023, a total of 388,435 appointments were missed in the capital, making it the second-highest figure in England, following the West Midlands These statistic s were obtained through Freedom of Information requests by healthcare communications firm Esendex which asked NHS trusts to disclose the number of scheduled appointments missed at their facilities over the last five years Each missed appointment incurs a cost of £160 for the NHS, resulting in a total loss of £994, 392 ,960 for London s healthcare system during this four-year period London featured prominently among the trusts with the most missed appointments, with eight of the top 20 trusts (40%) based in the capital Health Secretary Wes Streeting warned last week that patients could face fines for missed health appointments in the future

NEW DVLA RULE MAY BAR OVER-70S FROM DRIVING

Drivers over the age of 70 in the UK will be required to take a crucial step to stay legally behind the wheel in line with a key DVLA rule Once drivers turn 70 they must renew their driving licence every three years to retain their legal driving status However, those who fail to renew their licence on time could face serious consequences Driving without a valid licence is a significant breach of motoring laws, which could lead to penalties This autumn, drivers caught without a valid licence risk receiving fines, penalty points, and potentially further restrictions on future licences Additionally, anyone driving without valid car insurance faces an even steeper penalty

Nick Timothy Yvette Cooper

Rachel Reeves

Global powers seek stronger ties with India

In today’s global landscape, both Eastern and Western nations are vying to foster strong alliances with India This interest stems from India’s position as an emerging global powerhouse, bridging different cultural and economic spheres and offering immense potential in diplomacy, trade, and technology India’s journey to this influential role traces back to the vision of leaders like Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, whose efforts to unite hundreds of princely states laid the foundation for the strong, democratic India we see today Patel’s work, commemorated on National Unity Day every October 31, established a sense of national unity and integrity that enables India to engage confidently on the world stage

Sardar Patel’s determination to bring together 565 princely states after independence required a delicate balance of diplomacy, persuasion, and firmness He successfully integrated regions like Junagadh, where he initiated a plebiscite that resulted in an overwhelming vote to join India, underscoring the people’s will to be part of a unified country This consolidation was crucial, as a fragmented India would have struggled to emerge as a cohesive power

India stands as a coveted nation due to its booming economy, vast consumer market, and strategic geopolitical position Its skilled workforce, technological innovation, and commitment to democracy make it an attractive partner for trade, investment, and collaboration Culturally rich and diplomatically stable, India bridges East and West, drawing global interest India’s External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar’s recent visit to Pakistan or the comment on patrolling agreement with China, along the line of actual control (LAC) shows the fearlessness and confidence in the country’s determination to peace keeping and integrity

Today, countries worldwide are keen to establish or deepen ties with India For instance, the United States has increasingly

Trump vs Harris: Competing

The clock is ticking down to what could be one of the most defining presidential elections in US history, with voting day just around the corner A total of 244 million Americans are eligible to cast their ballots The race is tightly contested between the two major candidates: Kamala Harris for the Democrats and Donald Trump for the Republicans In terms of campaign spending, Harris’s team invested a substantial $270 million in September alone, compared to $78 million by Trump’s campaign, according to official filings Harris has set a record for the largest fundraising quarter ever this fall, raising an impressive $1 billion since she entered the race after Joe Biden’s withdrawal in July

The two leading US presidential candidates offer sharply contrasting visions for America’s future Since stepping in as the Democratic nominee, Kamala Harris has promised to forge her own path, though many of her policies echo those of Joe Biden: middle-class tax cuts, higher taxes for the wealthy and corporations, protection of abortion rights, a proactive climate agenda, and a strong commitment to democracy and rule of law In contrast, Donald Trump’s agenda includes mass deportations of undocumented migrants, expanded tariffs, support for fossil fuels, and a rollback of transgender rights He’s also pledged to end the Russia-Ukraine war, suggesting Ukraine may need to make territorial concessions, and aims to centralise more power in the White House

With 5 2 million people, Indian Americans are now the second-largest immigrant group in the US A recent survey reveals shifting political loyalties: 61% support Kamala Harris,

viewed India as a strategic partner in the Indo-Pacific region

Recognising India’s significance in maintaining regional stability and countering rising influence from other powers, the US has strengthened defence ties through initiatives like the QUAD alliance and fostered economic collaboration in sectors such as technology and clean energy India’s commitment to democratic values resonates with the US, making it a natural ally in promoting a rules-based international order

Similarly, the United Kingdom has made significant strides to renew its relationship with India, especially post-Brexit, viewing the partnership as mutually beneficial Through the India-UK Enhanced Trade Partnership, the UK aims to double trade with India by 2030, capitalising on India’s large consumer base and tech-savvy workforce

Beyond economics, the UK sees India as a partner in addressing shared global challenges, such as climate change and healthcare

In Asia, Japan has also cultivated a strong partnership with India Japan has invested heavily in infrastructure projects, such as the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail Corridor, which strengthens economic ties and fosters greater connectivity within India Japan views India as a vital ally in regional stability and often collaborates on defence and infrastructure to balance influences in Asia

These alliances illustrate India’s appeal across continents and reinforce Patel’s vision of a united, strong nation that commands respect and admiration India’s diversity, democracy, and economic potential make it a unique and desirable partner The continued relevance of Patel’s legacy shows how a unified India, steadfast in its values, can confidently build bridges across the world As more nations seek a piece of India’s dynamic future, they are recognising the strength, stability, and resilience that Patel’s vision has embedded in the nation’s DNA

vision for America's future

though Donald Trump is gaining traction, particularly among younger men According to the Indian American Attitude Survey (IAAS), 47% identify as Democrats, down from 56% in

Independents have risen to 26% India is closely watching the US election, as one of the candidates, Kamala Harris of Black and Indian American heritage has the potential to strengthen ties across diverse

Trump, is known for his warm relations with countries like North Korea, Russia, and India Trump has often referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a "good friend" India collaborated closely with Trump during his presidency from 2017 to 2021, a period marked by strengthened US-India relations through defence agreements and regional partnerships In Texas, September 2019, Trump hosted PM Modi at the ‘Howdy, Modi!’ event, attended by nearly 50,000 A year later in Gujarat, Modi welcomed Trump at a gathering of over 120,000 Despite occasional differences in values, the IndiaUS partnership has consistently endured across administrations, rooted in mutual strategic interests A Trump administration would likely prioritise a transactional approach centred on security and economic pragmatism, while a Harris administration might blend strategic priorities with valuedriven diplomacy Regardless of the outcome, India remains vital to US interests in the Indo-Pacific This crucial 21st-century alliance, while navigating complex challenges, offers significant benefits for both regional and global security

Diwali amplifying diaspora’s global cultural influence

The diaspora in the UK is all set for a jubilant Diwali celebration as many organisations have already hosted community events featuring Bollywood dance parties, festive food stalls, classical dance performances, community gatherings and even fund-raising

Notably, the significance of Diwali has expanded globally, becoming a representation of not just the Hindu diaspora but of the broader Indian diaspora worldwide The festival has solidified India s cultural influence around the globe, standing out as a focal point of excitement Outside of India, the festival is celebrated in the USA, UK, Fiji, Nepal, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, Canada, Singapore, Thailand, and many other nations

In the UK, various community organisations celebrate the event While the Mayor of London joins in the festivities with Diwali at Trafalgar Square, Sir Keir Starmer, continuing a longstanding tradition, hosted his first Diwali at 10 Downing Street on Tuesday this year In the USA, Pennsylvania and New York have officially recognised the festival, declaring Diwali a public holiday Diwali celebrations are also being increasingly hosted by embassies and diplomatic missions worldwide, creating a platform for diplomatic engagement These gatherings unite diplomats, government officials, and international communities, fostering goodwill and strengthening India’s diplomatic ties

Furthermore, cultural tourism inspired by festivals like Diwali offers India a chance to showcase its rich heritage, cuisine, arts, and spirituality, enhancing global appreciation and encouraging people to discover India beyond its traditional tourist sites

The global community celebrations of the festival, apart

from bringing the community together, also represent the Indian values of secularism, tolerance, and inclusiveness In an era where influence holds increasing importance, Indian festivals, not limited to Diwali, act as potent instruments of soft power Through colourful celebrations like Holi, and Ganesh Chaturthi, India shares its culture, values, and traditions with the rest of the world Through the power of these festivals, India subtly influences the global narrative, positioning itself as a soft power giant, one vibrant celebration at a time Adding to the increasing influence, even international luxury brands have begun to tailor exclusive Diwali collections for the Indian market, highlighting the festival’s growing prominence in the global retail calendar and influencing economies From high-end handbags and footwear to limited-edition beauty products and curated campaigns, these brands are embracing Diwali to not only appeal to their Indian clientele but also connect with the global diaspora For instance, Jimmy Choo has consistently launched capsule collections for the festival A recent highlight includes Mattel's collaboration with Indian designer Anita Dongre to create the first-ever Barbie Diwali doll Brands such as Swarovski, Valentino, Michael Kors, Estée Lauder, TUMI, Gucci, Charles & Keith, and Coach have also embraced Diwali-themed designs and targeted campaigns over the years

Given India's rich cultural heritage, it is given that its soft power relies on culture as much as it does on politics or foreign policy and the growth of the country’s soft power reflects the nation's confidence in its philosophies, traditions, and culture, marking a time of renewed energy in Indian intellectual, social, and cultural life

descent, was

radical Islamic cleric and

senior operative of al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) Known for his inflammatory sermons and ties to several terrorist plots against the U S , al-Awlaki was considered one of the most significant threats to American security In 2011, a U S drone strike killed him in Yemen, a mission sanctioned by then-President Obama

Justification : The U S government argued that alAwlaki posed an imminent threat, as he was actively involved in planning attacks against the U S , including the failed "underwear bomber" plot of 2009 His targeting was framed as a defensive action against a “continuing, imminent threat” rather than a punitive measure

around constitutional rights, as he was an American citizen Critics argued that this set a dangerous precedent, undermining the rule of law and due process rights enshrined in the U S Constitution 2 Osama bin La den (2011 ) – U S SEAL Tea m R aid in Pak ist an

The killing of Osama bin Laden, the mastermind behind the 9/11 attacks, was arguably one of the most highprofile extra-judicial killings conducted by the U S In May 2011, U S Navy SEALs raided bin Laden's compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan, and killed him, following a covert CIA operation

Just ificat ion : The U S government argued that bin Laden was a continuing threat to national security due to his operational role in al-Qaeda Given the challenges of p r o

Pakistan’s perceived inability to arrest him, the U S viewed the raid as a necessary action in a prolonged war against terrorism

Cont rove rsy: The operation took place in Pakistan without informing its government, leading to diplomatic tension and sparking debates over national sovereignty Critics argued that bin Laden could have been captured and tried, but others contended that his capture would have posed significant security risks

3 Q asem Soleima ni (2020) – U S Dr one St rike in Iraq

Qasem Soleimani, a top Iranian general and head of the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), was killed in a U S drone strike in Baghdad, Iraq, in January 2020 Although not part of a traditional terrorist organization, Soleimani was considered a state-backed terrorist operative due to his alleged role in orchestrating attacks against American personnel and interests in the Middle East

Just ificat ion : The Trump administration justified the strike by claiming that Soleimani was planning "imminent attacks" against American targets in Iraq and the broader region He was considered responsible for coordinating proxy militia attacks against U S personnel and facilities

Cont rove rsy: Soleimani was a high-ranking military official in Iran, and his assassination was widely viewed as an act of war rather than a counterterrorism measure Critics argued that the strike bypassed congressional approval and increased the risk of regional escalation, questioning the legality and strategic wisdom of the action

Continued

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Alpesh Patel

Football clubs could face accountability for failing to promote EDI

Footb all clubs tha t fa il to

m e et E q ua l i ty , D i v e rs i t y , a nd I nclusion (EDI ) ta rgets

w i l l f a ce pu b l i c n a m i n g

a n d s h a m i n g un d e r a n

e n h a n ce d F o ot b a ll

Govern ance Bill, set to be i ntroduced i n Parliamen t

This legislation aims to establish an independent f o o t b a l l r e g u l a t o r t o

s t r e n g t h e n t h e f i n a n c i a l stability of English clubs

The previous Conservative government had promised reforms but could not leg-

i s l a t e b e f o r e t h e J u l y General Election Labour

l e a d e r K e i r S t a r m e r h a s pledged to revive this legis-

l a t i o n i f e l e c t e d p r i m e minister

T h e B i l l a i m s t o

e n h a n c e E q u a l i t y , D i v e r s i t y , a n d I n c l u s i o n (EDI) across England's top five leagues, ensuring that everyone involved in clubs, from staff to players, feels w e l c o m e r e g a r d l e s s o f their background It recogn i s e s v a r i o u s p r o t e c t e d characteristics under the Equality Act 2010, including age, disability, race, and gender However, the new

law will not enforce quotas for the representation of women and minorities in clubs

S p o r t s M i n i s t e r Stephanie Peacock emphasised that enhancing equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in football involves clubs demonstrating their commitment to improving diversity EDI will be integrated into licensing agreements, with clubs required to show progress Penalties

c e m a y include fines or, in severe cases, loss of licence P e a c o c k h i g h l i g h t e d s i g n i f i c

engagement, allowing fans to influence decisions on

colours, and ticket pricing W

Bill will also empower the P

l i s h F o o t b a l l L e a g u e (EFL) to ensure elite clubs share more revenue with smaller clubs if necessary

Indian scholar accuses Oxford of betrayal following PhD dismissal

Laks hm i Balakri sh nan, an I ndi an P h D s tu d e nt f ro m T a m i l N ad u , claims she was "forcibly transferred" to a master s prog ram without her co nsent by the U niv ersity of Oxford

Having already earned two master's degrees, she has invested nearly £100,000 in her studies and living expenses at the prestigious institution

Ms Balakrishnan criticised the University of Oxford's English faculty for "not acting in good faith," claiming her accepted thesis idea was later rejected in her fourth year She stated, "They forcibly removed m e f r o m t h e P h D p r o g

m a n d moved me to a master's course without my consent " Feeling betrayed by the institution she once revered, she emphasised, “I paid £100,000 at Oxford to pursue a PhD, not another master's ”

Raised by her father in South India after losing her mother at a young age, she is the first in her family to study abroad, having already earned two master's degrees in India

and made significant sacrifices to attend Oxford

Balakrishnan failed an assessment in which two assessors found her Shakespeare research unsuitable for a PhD She contested this decision, claiming the university is trying to

about her treatment, noting no serious issues were reported despite her failures, and questioned the appeals process and her transfer to a mas-

specialists asserted that her research had PhD potential

Seven London Indian restaurants named best in the UK

The In dian food sce ne in the UK feature s an arr ay of opt ions, with cur ry house s cate ring t o ev er y pala te -from che rished local gems and de pendable chains to prest ig ious Mich elinst arr ed e st ablishmen ts

The British Indian Good Food Guide (BIGFG) is out to celebrate the nation's finest Indian restaurants, recently unveiling its list of the top 2 0 e a t e r i e s i n t h e U K f o r 2 0 2 4 Notably, several of these acclaimed establishments are located right here in the capital

Topping the list for London is Quilon, a Michelin-starred restaurant near St James’s Park, known for

its coastal Indian cuisine Ranking s e c o n d o v e r a l l , B

G F G h i g h l i g h

s Quilon as part of a new generation of Indian restaurants that focus on lighter sauces and a more eclectic menu

London secured third place on t h i s y e a r ' s l i s t w i t h B e n a r e s Restaurant & Bar, while Michelinstarred Tamarind followed in sixth a n d K a n i s h k a t o o k s e v e n t h V e e r a s w

Street and claiming to be the "oldest Indian restaurant in the UK, ranked 1 3 t h R o u n d i n g

h e t o p 2 0 , Darjeeling Express came in at 18th, and Kachori finished in 20th place

Gang member jailed after fleeing to Pakistan post-murder

Abdul A hsan, a g ang member who fled to Pakistan, has been sentenced to a m inim um of 28 years in prison for th e mu rd er of A nd re Marshall, who was shot seven tim es in Greater Manchester in 20 15

P r o s e c u t o r s d e s c r i b e d A h s a n , now 28, as having spun "a web of lies" to evade justice for nine years before being caught Marshall, 29, w

P a r k , Urmston, before the assailants fled in a car A p o s t - m o r t e m e x a m i n a t i o n revealed that Andre Marshall was shot multiple times and sustained a fractured skull, indicating he had been struck with a blunt object, likely a gun Ahsan and Marshall had t r a v e l l e d t o U r m s t o n t o g e t h e r , claiming they were meeting someone near Manor Park, according to Greater Manchester Police

Ethnic minority workers nearly twice as likely to work night shifts

New res e arc h by t he Trad es Union Cong re s s r ev ea ls t hat

B l a c k a n d e t hn ic m i n or it y workers

Witnesses reported hearing loud bangs just after midnight on May 20, 2015, and saw a BMW reversing before a man exited from the back passenger door Ahsan, who lived on U p p e r C h o r l t o n R o a d i n O l d Trafford, was spotted approaching a parked car and bending down before another shot was fired He then returned to the BMW, which sped away Marshall’s body was discovered beside the parked car the following morning Ahsan initially contacted police, c l a i m i n g h e w a s w i t h A n d r e Marshall the night before his body was found and was interviewed as a w i t n e s s H o w e v e r , a f t e r f o r e n s i c a n a l y s i s o f M a r s h a l l ’ s v e h i c l e revealed blood and gunshot residue, he was re-interviewed as a suspect t h

I N B R I E F

EX-TORY GROUP HOSTS FAR-RIGHT FORUM

A faction originating within the Conservative party has evolved into a platform for Britain’s fragmented farright Earlier this month the Traditional Britain Group (TBG) held a private conference drawing attendees from various nationalist groups including the extreme Homeland party and competitors like Patriotic Alternative The Traditional Britain Group (TBG) hosted a closed-door conference at a luxury London hotel, featuring speakers like Gerold Otten from Germany s AfD and Lynda Rose a conservative Anglican priest Keynote speaker David Clews, a former Tory councillor and conspiracy site operator, was among the attendees Founded by an exMonday Club officer after its Conservative links were cut, TBG gained attention when Jacob ReesMogg once spoke at its event, later calling it a “mistake ”

SHOPLIFTING OFFENCES IN ENGLAND AND WALES HIT RECORD HIGH, ONS REPORTS

Shoplifting offences in England and Wales have surged to a 20-year high, reaching 469,788 incidents in the year to June 2024 a 29% increase from 365 173 the previous year This marks the highest recorded level since the Office for National Statistics began tracking such data in March 2003 Retailers are urging for assistance to combat rising retail crime and its impact on employees and businesses The offences have reached their highest levels and continue to rise, with theft from a person also increasing by 20% in the year leading up to June, reaching 139,368 incidents compared to 116,312 the previous year Retailers, including major supermarkets, report that shop workers are facing escalating violence and abuse while trying to manage theft This surge in retail crime coincides with rising inflation, making everyday items like eggs and baby formula increasingly unaffordable for consumers

FERTILITY RATE REACHES RECORD LOW AMID DECLINING BIRTHS

The fertility rate in England and Wales has dropped significantly over the past 60 years halving from 2 88 in 1963 to just 1 44 last year, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS) This decline reflects a trend of couples in their twenties and thirties having fewer children, marking the lowest fertility rate recorded since 1938 Statistics indicate that birth rates have decreased across all age groups except for women aged 40 and over Greg Ceely from the ONS noted that 2023 recorded the lowest number of live births in England and Wales since 1977

The total fertility rate has been declining since 2010 with the most significant drops observed in the 20-24 and 25-29 age groups The number of births in England and Wales has reached its lowest level since 1977, totaling 591,072, according to the ONS This marks the first time live births have fallen below 600,000 since 2002

Lakshmi Balakrishnan

Abdul Ahsan

Labour donor apologises for violating Westminster regulations

by failing to adequately declare his interests in a charity and two companies, according to findings

Alli was asked to apolo-

chair of the Lords conduct

c o m m

ment, he said, “I am writing to offer my sincere apology for breaching conduct rules

make every effort to adhere to the code of conduct in the future to prevent this from happening again ” Over the past two decades, the peer

has contributed more than £ 6 0

Labour Party, with an additional £112,348 spent on hospitality and staff costs benefiting politicians Among his

Starmer are £32,200 worth of suits, £2,485 for glasses, and £6,134 for dresses for his wife, Victoria

None of these donations were part of the investigation, which centred on several undeclared but unpaid roles Alli failed to declare his position as director or

organisation he established with his former partner

Keir Starmer urges media to control AI use

P r i m e Mi ni st e r K e i r

S ta r me r ha s u nde r scor ed

t he i mporta nce of med ia

o wnershi p and compensa-

t ion i n the fa ce of AI-dri ve n c h a n g e s t o t

UK e co nom y , a d v oc

t hei r cont ent as ar tif icia l i nt e ll i g e n ce r e sh a p e s i ndustrie s

Describing journalism as the “lifeblood of democracy, ” Starmer committed

t o d e f e n d i n g p r e s s f r e edoms and emphasised that

the rise of digital technology should not undermine journalists' role in supporting democratic values In his article launching the News Media Association’s Journalism Matters campaign, he highlighted the g

growth policies with support for the creative and media sectors

“We uphold the principle that publishers should control and seek fair com-

pensation for their work, especially as we consider AI’s impact,” Starmer said, stressing that this is crucial for a vibrant media landscape that provides trusted information

S t a r m e r ’ s s t a t e m e n t comes amid growing concerns within the creative s

n t plans that could permit AI companies to scrape content from publishers and artists, a move facing significant pushback

Lord Waheed Alli

A m o t h er w h

s ta bb ed h e

Indefinite hospital order for mother who stabbed her daughter Government launches sentencing review amid overcrowded prisons

d

g h t er 1 1 times in the chest while she w as asleep w as d iag no sed w ith paranoid s chiz oph renia, believing she was being targeted by "lasers and tech -

n o lo g y , " a co u rt h as d i sclosed

Jaskirat Kaur, 33, called 999 on March 4, claiming, "My kid is dead," hours after fatally stabbing her 10-yearo l d d a u

S h

with a Swiss Army knife at their home in Rowley Regis

A t W o l v e r h a m p t o n Crown Court, Kaur showed no emotion as she received an indefinite hospital order

a f t e r p

manslaughter due to dimini s

August W

had seen "projections" and

home, stating, "It was me (that killed her) because

were shared in court, specta-

she had wanted to kill her daughter for seven months,

adopt her, they can’t take

Shay growing up I would kill her again I wanted her to die; I don’t regret it "

Prosecutor Sally Howes KC informed the court that concerns for Shay's welfare arose after she missed nine m

Brickhouse Primary, leading to police and social services involvement Jaskirat Kaur, also known as Jasmine Kang, contacted police on January 11, 2023, asking for a discreet visit During this time, the school also requested a welfare check on Shay due to her absence

Couple's rare stem cell donation offers hope to cancer patients

Nirav and K anan Chokshi, a m arr ie d c o u p le f ro m

H o u ns l ow , L o nd o n, w e re both called to donate lifesaving stem cells, an event w ith 1 in 4, 000 ,00 0 od ds

Each signed up for the N H S S t e m C e l l D o n o r Registry, where they had a 1

i n 2 , 0 0 0 c h a n c e o f b e i n g selected as a match Nirav donated in 2018 after registering in 2016, and Kanan followed suit in 2024 They are now encouraging others of Asian heritage to join the registry due to an urgent need for more donors from diverse backgrounds Nirav, 43, a mechanical e n g i n e e r , s h a r e d , “ I w a s encouraged to sign up as a stem cell donor while donating blood and immediately wanted to help others The idea of donating blood only

came to me after moving to t h e U K , t h a n k s t o m y friends’ encouragement

“There’s a lot of fear in our community about stem cell donation being painful or harmful, but I can assure you it’s not It involves a b r i e f d i s c o m f o r t t h a t c a n save a life

“ K a n a n a n d I h a v e shared our experiences on F a c e b o o k , l e a d i n g s o m e friends to register We aim t o r a i s e a w a r e n e s s a n d inspire more people to sign up you could be the perfect match someone desperately needs ”

K a n a n , 4 4 , a s c h o o l lunchtime supervisor, said, “When Nirav told me he was matched to donate his stem cells, I was scared, thinking it would be painful and he might get sick However, the

experience was completely

d i f f e r e n t f r o m w h a t I expected it was simple yet impactful So when Nirav suggested I sign up too, I did

“ I d i d n ' t r e a l i s e o u r simultaneous donation was a one-in-four-million occurrence, and I feel proud of us

b o t h W e u r g e e v e r y o n e , e s p e c i a l l y t h o s e o f S o u t h Asian heritage, to register ”

Wembley couple and associate jailed in major drug importation case

T h re e m em b e r s o f a dr u g g a ng f ro m W em b l e y h av e been sentenc ed for impo rting o ver one million unregulated

p il ls fro m I ndia into the UK

Sa lm an Ans ar i, 33, a nd h is w if e, Juhi Ansari, bo th from C entral Ro ad, W em bley, were

a m o n g t h o s e s e nt e nc e d a t Sou thwark Crow n Co urt

Waqas Saleem, 33, from S y l v i a G a r d e n s , W e m b l e y , was also sentenced to prison

UNDER-VACCINATED UK

T h e Ju s ti c e S e cr eta ry h a s announced a rev iew o f s e nte nc i ng to c ons id er inc reasi ng p u ni s h m e nts f o r offenders outside o f p ri s o n S h a ban a M ahm ood is launchi ng t h e re v i ew a s approxim ately 1,1 00 inmates are set to be rel eas ed u nd er th e Government’s policy to fr ee u p p ri s o n space

Chaired by former justice secretary D a v i d G a u k e , t h e review will focus on tougher alternatives to incarceration while ensuring there is enough space for the most dangerous offenders

“We must increase the use of non-custodial punishments while maintaining public confidence,” Ms Mahmood stated “People need to understand that breaking the law still has consequences, even without serving time in prison The loss of liberty must be genuinely felt ” Lord Timpson addressed the House of Lords with a statement on the need for a sentencing review and prison capacity He highlighted that English and Welsh prisons are overcrowded and emphasised the need for a radical shift in sentencing practices This call for change is not surprising, given that England and Wales has one of the highest incarceration rates in Europe, at 136 2 per 100,000 citizens in 2023, despite crime rates b

d trending downward until recently

ETHNIC MINORITIES FACE HIGHER COVID RISK

In the UK people from ethnic minority backgrounds are twice as likely to be under-vaccinated against Covid-19 compared to those from white British backgrounds This disparity is highlighted in a recent study by Health Data Research UK which shows that individuals from these groups face a higher risk of severe illness or death due to incomplete protection against the virus "The data is compelling," said Professor Angela Wood from HDR UK and Cambridge University "In our analysis of 67 million people across England, Scotland, and Wales, we found that only around 40% of white individuals had missed full Covid vaccinations by early this year, while up to 80% of certain ethnic groups were under-vaccinated The gap is stark " Groups with an undervaccination rate of 80% included Black African, Black Caribbean, and Pakistani communities while others such as Asian Chinese and Asian Indian groups had rates closer to 60%

MASS GRAVE IN UK CITY CONTAINS OVER 4,500 BODIES

The investigation began in October 2020 when US

C u s t o m s a n d B o r d e r P r o t e c t i o n s e i z e d s e v e r a l shipments from the UK

These were traced back to S a l m a n A n s a r i a n d W a q a s Saleem, leading to warrants executed in Vermont, USA, where pharmaceutical drugs w e r e d i s c o v e r e d C i

D u r i n g t h e o p e r a t i o n , authorities seized over 730 kg of drugs, including opioids and benzodiazepines, which are often misused for their sedative effects and can be fatal when combined Among the recovered pills were nine Class C drugs, one Class B drug, and one Class A drug

London Police identified a storage unit in Wembley

drugs

were arrested on suspicion of

h Salman's wife, Juhi, who was

e y laundering Financial investigations revealed that Salman had over 11 bank accounts w

£1 09 million

Cocaine deaths reach record high

D e a t hs i n v o lv i ng co ca i n e surged by 3 0% a cross Englan d a nd Wale s last yea r, with ov era ll drug-rela te d deaths re achi n g a re co rd h i g h i n 2 02 3 , a c cord in g t o the Off ic e f or Nationa l Statisti cs (ONS)

In total, 1,118 deaths linked to cocaine were recorded in 2023, accounting for 20% of all drug-poisoning fatalities This marks a 30 5% increase from the previous year ’ s 857 deaths, and nearly ten times higher than the 112 deaths recorded in 2011 A charity described this rise as “alarming,” empha-

sising the importance of accessible advice and support for i n d i v i d u a l s T h e

the second most-used drug, after cannabis, in England and Wales N e a r l y h a l f ( 4 6 8 % ) o f

involved an opiate, such as

these substances accounting f

year Heroin and morphine, often indistinguishable in toxicology reports, were the most

frequently cited opiates, cont r i b u t i n g t o 1 , 4 5 3 d e a t h s i n 2023 T h e N o r t h E a s t o f England had the highest drugpoisoning and misuse death rates, at 174 3 and 108 5 deaths per million people, respectively London recorded the lowest rates, with 58 1 deaths per million for drug poisoning and 41 0 per million for drug misuse Wales also saw a rise in drug-related deaths, with 377 recorded in 2023, up from 318 in 2022

In response to Prisons Minister Lord Timpson in the House of Lords, Lord Navnit Dholakia highlighted his deep understanding of the ongoing prison crisis and proposed practical solutions He noted that "overcrowding in our prisons has been in the headlines for as long as I can remember," and emphasised the persistent lack of cohesive planning to tackle the issue Citing the Liberal Democrats' longstanding call for a review of criminal sentencing, he welcomed that a review is finally underway, stressing the need for pragmatic solutions to resolve t h e c r i s i s H e a d v o c a t e d f o r a h o l i s t i c approach to rehabilitation and community supervision, arguing it would reduce reoffending rates

Common painkiller tied to 50% higher heart problems

New research reveals that the comm only used painkiller diclo fenac is linked to a 50% increased risk of heart attacks and strokes, even at low d oses

The study also found a rise in heart failure and abnormal heart rhythms among users of the drug across all age groups

D i c l o f e n a c , o n c e a v a i l a b l e o v e r t h e counter in the UK, became prescriptiononly in January 2015 due to concerns about i t s s i d e e f f

cited a "small but increased" risk of cardiac i s s u e s l i n k e d t o t h i s a n t i - i n f l a m m a t o r y

medication

A study of over six million individuals found a significant link between diclofenac and serious heart conditions Cardiologist Dr Morten Schmidt from Aarhus University Hospital noted, "Diclofenac poses a cardiovascular health risk compared to non-use, paracetamol, and other traditional NSAIDs "

From 2018 to 2023, Cotswold Archaeology conducted a dig at a site in the southwest of England in preparation for a planned redevelopment The location, formerly known as Blackberry Hill Hospital and Stapleton Prison, has a rich and complex history, now detailed in an official report Stapleton Workhouse was established in the late 1700s, alongside Stapleton Prison to house prisoners of war from Britain s conflicts with European nations and the US In 1832, a cholera outbreak prompted its conversion into a hospital due to its advantageous location on the city's edge Five years later, it briefly became a workhouse before reverting to a hospital which ultimately closed in 2007 During its time as a workhouse the facility took in destitute and sick individuals many of whom died there and were buried in unmarked graves In recent years archaeologists excavating the site uncovered these mass graves and were shocked by their findings

COUNCILS GENERATE £1 BILLION FROM PARKING FEES

A recent study found that local authorities in England generated just over £1 billion in parking fees and charges for the 2023/24 financial year On-street parking accounted for £698 7 million while off-street parking contributed £340 4 million according to the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government This marks an increase from the 2022/23 financial year, when councils raised £962 3 million from parking fees £673 1 million from on-street parking and £289 2 million from off-street parking Commenting on the figures, Jack Cousens head of roads policy at the AA, stated, “Councils have broken through the £1 billion income barrier, highlighting how vital this revenue stream is ” He noted that cash-strapped councils are using every available method to boost revenue, which could inadvertently discourage shoppers from visiting local stores “In their quest to fill the coffers, they may end up driving their customers away ” he warned

Shay Kang

Nirav and Kanan Chokshi

Lord Navnit Dholakia

Shabana Mahmood

IIM Kozhikode’s

first ever international conclave explores relevance of India’s soft power in today’s globalised world

Tanisha Gujarathi

The I ndian Insti tute of M anagemen t Koz hi kode ( IIM K), one of In dia’s premi er busin ess schools , hosted s everal hun dre d b us ines s and a cademi c delegates in London f or their first ever i nternational c onc lave on ‘Globalis ing I ndian Thought,’ on 24-2 5 O ctober at the prestigi ous Sena te House, Uni versity of London The two-day even t brought together i nfluential s cholars , policy makers, and lea ders f rom around the world to di scuss the inc reasing global i nfluence of I ndian thought ac ros s various

s ectors, inc ludin g educ ati on , ec onom ics , a nd res earch

The inaugural day commenced with Lord Meghnad Desai, Emeritus Professor of Economics at the London School of Economics and Political Science, delivering a powerful opening message as the Chief Guest Lord Desai highlighted the timeless relevance of Indian philosophical principles in today’s interconnected world

This was followed by a keynote address by Kanishka Narayan, Member of Parliament for Vale of Glamorgan, who discussed the increasing visibility of Indian values and ethical frameworks in British society and their potential to shape the future Prof Debashis Chatterjee, Director of IIM Kozhikode, delivered the presidential address, emphasising how India’s intellectual heritage can offer unique solutions to global challenges

He said, “Our first visit to London was a resounding success We were able to broaden our engagement with new stakeholders and deepen our relationship with alumni We are happy to note the appetite to learn more of how India’s management principles, deeply rooted in

philosophy, leadership, and governance, can offer valuable lessons for global business and policymaking ”

The day followed with opening remarks by Prof Shaunaka Das, Director of the Oxford Centre of Hindu Studies Prof Das shared insights into the interplay between education and spirituality in Indian tradition, setting the stage for the ensuing panel discussion He said, “You have to be educated about your own heritage to establish your identity in the world There is a need to develop the education system in India so that it supports this IIMK is doing an admirable job in leading the way ”

The discussion, themed “The Future of Higher Education and Its Role in Addressing Global Challenges,” featured distinguished panellists such as Prof Kamran Razmdoost, Dean of ESCP Business School London, Prof Kirstie Simpson, Dean of Chester Business School, and Prof Catherine Robinson from the University of Brighton Each panellist shared perspectives on integrating global challenges like sustainability and inclusivity into the higher education curriculum, advocating for an interdisciplinary approach inspired by Indian

Police crack down on £3m supercar chop shop operation

Authorities have dismant led a

crime gang respon sibl

for a £3 mill ion 'chop shop' opera

tion

Rovers, Mercedes, Porsches,

either shipped to the Middle East or dismantled for parts

The expensive cars were often stolen to order from

daylight, or shopping centres The brazen gang, based

Manchester, was linked to nearly 100 stolen vehicles

I

ringleader, Asif Hussain, and five accomplices were jailed

A judge expressed disbelief when it was revealed that H

£50,000 Covid loan intended to support struggling businesses during the pandemic N

years later, a further seven members of the gang have finally faced justice for their roles in the staggering plot

Sentencing, Judge Neil Usher told Manchester's Minshull Street Crown Court that the

affected by their crimes

Judge Usher stated, "The wider public are victims of this type of offending, as

due to the actions of criminals like you The public is fed up with subsidising your activities through increased

" H e described the gang as "high-

organised," using "sophisticated equipment to execute their crimes Police

were

in old mills in Oldham and Bury, as well as a unit in Wigan

Conservatives reinstate Lord Ranger's whip after ban

educational principles

Dean of University of Brighton of School of Business and Law, Catherine Robinson, said, “It is a great event to be part of; the diversity in the room in terms of philosophy, economists and business school heads has been fascinating It is a good way to bring together ideas on globalising Indian thoughts ”

Dean of the University of Chester’s Business School, Kirstie Simpson, said, “My research has been focused on Net Zero and enhancing employment opportunities within the industrial decarbonisation supply chain in the Northwest The collaboration with IIMK is a wonderful example of how sustainability and Indian management thinking can help the world grow in the coming decades

Following a networking lunch, the sessions resumed with three technical sessions, in parallel, focusing on diverse themes connected to globalising Indian thought A highlight of the afternoon was a keynote delivered by Prof Pawan Budhwar, Associate Deputy Vice Chancellor International at Aston University, Birmingham, on “Doing Research for Impact ” Prof Budhwar emphasised the importance of applying academic research to address societal needs, particularly through collaborations between Indian and international institutions

The day concluded with a guided tour of the historic Lord’s Cricket Ground, followed by a Conclave Dinner and networking event, which provided a relaxed setting for attendees to discuss ideas and build collaborations in a convivial atmosphere

The Conserva tive Pa rty ha s q u ie t l y r e in s t a t e d L or d Kulvee r Range r after he wa s suspende d from the House of Lords an d b anned from P a r l i a me n t ’ s b a r s d ue t o drunk en bull ying

According to The Mirror, Lord Ranger of Northwood, who resigned the Tory whip in May following the incid e n t , h a d h i s p a r t y w h i p restored in August His suspension came after a report by the Lords conduct committee, which found that he a c t e d a g g r e s s i v e l y i n Parliament’s Strangers’ Bar i n J a n u a r y T h e r e p o r t d e s c r i b e d h i m a s “ v i s i b l y drunk” and noted that he

m a d e “ i n a p p r o p r i a t e c o mments” while invading people’s personal space

L o r d R a n g e r ' s s u s p e ns i o n f r o m t h e H o u s e o f

Lords started on July 18 and lasts three weeks, with a bar b a n e x t e n d i n g u n t i l M a y

2 0 2 5 A l t h o u g h t h e L o r d s S t a n d a r d s C o m m i s s i o n e r i n i t i a l l y r e c o m m e n d e d a o n e - w e e k s u s p e n s i o n , t h e conduct committee extended it due to the “particularly s e r i o u s ” n a t u r e o f h i s b e h a v i o u r W i t n e s s e s r e c a l l e d h i m c o n f r o n t i n g t w o c o m p l a i n a n t s , m a k i n g derogatory comments about a publication and attempting to hold one of their hands

One witness reported that he warned them to “think about who they might be f*****g talking to” and advised them t o “ d o t h e i r f * * * * * g research,” as noted by The Mirror

L o r d R a n g e r e x p r e s s e d r e g r e t , s t a t i n g h e h a d n o clear memory of the incident but felt “deeply mortified” by the reports In a letter to the complainants, he apologized, claiming that the described behaviour was “out of character” and attributed it to s t r e s s f r o m f a m i l y h e a l t h i s s u e s a t t h e t i m e T h e Conservative Party has not commented on the decision to reinstate the whip

Lord Meghnad Desai, Professor Debashis Chatterjee (Director, IIM Kozhikode), Swami Sarvasthananda (Minister-in-Charge, Ramakrishna Vedanta Centre) and Professor Pawan Budhwar (Associate Deputy Vice Chancellor International, Aston University, Birmingham) lighting the lamp at the start of the event

Professor Debashis Chatterjee handing over a memento of appreciation to Shaunaka Rishi Das

VISIO Health Clinic opens doors

VISIO He alt h, a sta te-of-the-a

d ia g n ost ic an d sur g ica

, o fficia lly laun che

Buckingh amshire, on October 13, 2024

Co-founded by Director and Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon

Sandhu, the clinic aims to

bouring counties

The inaugural event featured

attracting local Optometrists and GPs Workshops covered a variety of topics within Ophthalmology, Aesthetics, and Wellbeing, all of

enthusiasm from attendees The event was sponsored by promi-

Scope, Medicom, Visufarma, and Daybreak Medical, with support from ZEISS and Apellis

The Rt Hon Sir Scott Baker and Lady Joy Baker graced the occasion as chief guests Sir Scott

showcasing photos of a momento presented to his father, the late Rt Hon Sir George Baker, the first Chairman of the General Optical

1958 Lady Baker delivered the

the vision behind VISIO Health and its commitment to offering holistic, consultant-led services addressing both physical health

attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony, expressing her support for the new venture and the positive impact it aims to have on the

with ZEISS, the educational event was designed to enhance professional knowledge and skills in the

Aesthetics VISIO Health plans to

throughout the year to continue

ment within the community

Conveniently located just off Junction 3 of the M40, VISIO Health Clinic is poised to serve residents from Buckinghamshire and surrounding areas, including

Hertfordshire, and North West London Services offered include cataract surgery, treatment for

tion, glaucoma, emergency eye care, uveitis, dermatology, and

emphasis is placed on holistic wellbeing, incorporating meditation, emotional regulation, and physical health through exercise and nutrition

Brightsun Travel receives multiple prestigious accolades

Brightsun Travel, a lead ing UKbased trav el ag ency specializing in tailor-made holiday packages to global destinations, w as honou r ed w i th s ev era l a w ard s i n 20 24 The agency was included in the E2E Dynamic 100 2024, as f

This exclusive recognition celebrates dynamic UK businesses excelling in their sectors, experie

growth, and demonstrating dis-

Shalini Khemka CBE, founder of

shine a spotlight on exceptional companies throughout the UK that have demonstrated remarkable job growth and maintained a turnover exceeding £10 million,

lenges in recent years

B

recognized as the Best Travel & Holiday Specialists 2024 at the

Awards This award highlights the hard work, dedication, and success of the UK’s most out-

sized enterprises (SMEs) Under

inherited the business from its founders, Brightsun Travel has navigated the challenges of the digital age while maintaining its position as a frontrunner in the UK travel industry

Mayor honours wartime sacrifice

On Su nda y, Octo be r 27, the Ma yo r of Bri ghto n and Hov e, C ou ncillor Mo ha mme d Asa du zzama n, hoste d a commemo rativ e cere mony at the India Gate entrance to the Royal Pav ilio n Councillor Asaduzzaman, who took office in May, led the event to honour the service and sacrifices of millions of soldiers from Undivided India during both World Wars These soldiers came to Britain's aid from across regions that now comprise modern-day India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar

Travel’s remarkable growth was acknowledged with its inclusion i n t h

Growth Index 2024 This annual

growing companies in the UK across seven nations and regions With over 5 6 million businesses considered, Brightsun’s inclusion is a notable achievement that reflects its rapid expansion and dynamic contribution to the UK business landscape

Future of NHS discussed at House of Commons Forum

The ceremony, organised in partnership with Brighton and Hove Museums and supported by Brighton and Hove City Council, was co-hosted by the Mayor and members of the Brighton and Hove Multicultural Group This community event marked the beginning of a new annual tradition intended to recognise the contributions of these soldiers, with hopes of continuing the remembrance every year

This commemoration follows a significant history dating back to the First World War, when Brighton served as a vital treatment centre for approximately 12,000 injured Indian soldiers Temporary hospitals were set up at the Royal Pavilion, the Dome, the Corn Exchange, the workhouse (now Brighton General Hospital), and the old York Place School

The legacy of these soldiers is preserved by two memorials in Brighton: the Chattri, situated on the Downs north of Patcham, and the India Gate at the Royal Pavilion Gardens' southern entrance

Lord Sikka raises transparency concerns

Lord Prem Si kka, Profess or of Acc oun ting at the U nivers ity of Sheff ield an d Emeri tus Prof essor of Acc ounti ng at the Un iversi ty of Ess ex, recen tly delivered a com pe lli ng s pe ech em pha sis ing the n eed for trans parency and the urgen t need to addres s s hortc om ings in external a udi ts, partic ularly in li ght of the collapse of seve ral well-k nown B ritis h Hi gh Street bran ds

Accounting and finance are professions that resonate deeply within British Indian communities, impacting many across the diaspora In his recent address in the House of Lords, Lord Sikka shared crucial insights into the detrimental effects of professional audit failures, which can lead to the bankruptcy of cherished businesses and leave employees in difficult situations through no fault of their own

This year, the King’s Speech included a commitment to an audit reform and corporate governance Bill, which Lord Sikka eagerly anticipates With 56 years of experience in the field and serving as an adviser to the Work and Pensions Committee during its investigation into the failures of BHS and Carillion, he has a vested interest in the upcoming legislation

Guests during the ribbion cutting ceremony

The team at Visio

Prof Dame Donna Kinnair and Prof Mahendra Patel OBE

Prof Margaret Ikpoh interacting during the event

Thames Durga Parade: A celebration of Bengali culture and sustainability

Shefali Saxena

In a grand spectacle of culture and community, the latest edition of the Thames D

River Thames into a stage for Bengali traditions, marking yet another successful effort in bringing Kolkata’s Durga Pujo to London Led by Heritage Bengal Global team, with support of sponsors, the event showcased an impressive blend of cultural homage, community collaboration, and sustainable practices, leaving a lasting impression on both Londoners and members of the Indian diaspora

proved vital in coordinat-

His leadership

A Communi ty-Dri ven Eve

U

President Mahua Bej, the HBG members, including S u b h a

Farzana, Sakshi, and the energetic younger generation Rohan, Amelia, and Misha took charge of set-

t i n g u p B

m e d

d e c o r a t i o n s t h r o u g h o u t the two-story boat Their efforts created an immersive, festive ambience that beautifully repres e n t e d B e n g a l ’ s c u lture To bring cultural depth to the occasion, Sufi Asmar Ali and Dr Sanjukta Ghosh of the

S c h o o l o f O r i e n t a l a n d A f r i c a n S t u d i e s ( S O A S ) m e t i c u l o u s l y

c u r a t e d t h e c u l t u r a l program, infusing traditional Bengali music

a n d r i t u a l s i n t o t h e proceedings

Smooth opera tio ns

a nd hospi tali ty

E n s u r i n g t h a t guests had a seamless

tion of students and faculty from the Kolkata-based university, adding an educational and collaborative layer to the cultural event

T he Para de and its hi ghli ghts

T h e p a r a d e c o mmenced from Putney West Pier, with members of the London Rowing Club rowi n g a l o n g t h e T h a m e s , a c c o m p a n y i n g t h e i n t r icately crafted, eco-friendly Durga idol This fully sus-

Bhatiyali songs while waving to the spectators gathered on the riverbanks and b r i d g e s A m o n g t h e notable attendees on board were Sujit Ghosh, Deputy H i g h C o m m i s s i o n e r o f I

Soumitra Dutta, Dean of Saïd Business School at the University of Oxford, representing the strong conn

and the UK

Iconi c moment at Tower Br idg e

The culmination of the event was marked by an unforgettable moment at Tower Bridge For the second consecutive year, the historic bridge opened to

idol to pass through This site, powerfully symbolic

cultural diversity, quickly went viral Within hours,

moment amassed over a million views, becoming a

the event

The decision to create a sustainable Durga idol not only brought a unique cultural artefact to the heart of London but also underlined the organiser’s commitment to environmental responsibility Nearly ten days after the traditional Durga Pujo celebrations in Kolkata, Ma Durga found a

c o n d h o m

s

h e Thames, symbolising the deep-rooted yet adaptable spirit of Bengali culture T

e x p e r i e n c e , T e a m HBG meticulously handled

e v e r y o p e r a t i

p

c t From entry and food service to managing the bar and ensuring guest comf o r t , t h e l o g i s t i c s t e a m m e m b e r s A p u r b a B o s e , J a y a n t a B e j , P r a s u n M a n d a l , R a d h a D h i m a n Goswamy, and Tushar and Esha Das Ghosh executed their roles with precision Their efforts allowed

o v e r 2 0 0 d i s t i n g u i s h e d

g u e s t s t o f u l l y i m m e r s e themselves in the festivities without a hitch The i n v o l

Centre for South Asia and

tainable idol, designed by students of Techno India

U

rivers worldwide, symbolising cultural unity, blended into the Thames, ampli-

m e n t a l message and making the celebration one of both joy and responsibility

As the boat made its w a y a l o n g t h e T h a m e s towards Tower Bridge, a v i b r a n t s c e n e u n f o l d

Participants performed the Bijoya dance to the lively

interspersed with soothing

Rajesh Agrawal awarded honorary fellowship

Rajesh Ag rawal, C hair of th e Labour Friends of India, has been award ed the prestig ious Honorary Fellowship from the U niv ersity of East Lo nd on (U EL)

Expressing his gratitude, Agrawal shared, "Honoured to have been awarded the Honorary Fellowship of the University of East London " The University of East London is renowned for its significant contributions to social mobility, striving to create opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds

UK backs hub for female-led businesses in India

At the conclusio n of th e Commonwealth Heads o f Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samo a, the UK u nveiled a compreh ensive p ackage of initi atives aimed at enh ancing i n tr a- Co mm o nw ea

ment

A key component of this strategy is the establishment of a hub in India to support

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), these measures are intended to foster "shared prosperity" among the 56member Commonwealth, which comprises s

economies, with India being the largest member

Londoners, fostering a shared appreciation for cultural diversity a n d e n v i r o n m e n t a l mindfulness As Team

which promise to be

g and inclusive

Saa

No di Project bri ngs K olka

Tha

‘Saat Samudra Tero Nodi

P

Bengali adage symbolizing the spirit of global connection “living across seven

from Kolkata to London,

along the way “The collected water will be added to the Thames as

Sarathi Nandy, director of a Kolkata-based company supporting the event told The

Commonwealth nations Additionally, support will be

Furthermore, the UK plans to bolster its military and economic presence in the IndoPacific region to promote stability This includes proposals to increase Royal Navy patrols to enhance maritime security, com-

in the

response to

Ritual on the Millbank pier with Dr Sanjukta Ghosh, classical dancer Sohini Roychowdhury and elocutionist Sumana Bhattacharya

Thames Durga Parade as Tower Bridge opened up

From left Dipon Sarkar on guitar Piyas Barua on tabla and Soumen Adhikari our visiting artist sings river songs inspired by the late Hemanta Mukherjee

Mother calls for justice

A mother’s hunger strike demanding justice for her imprisoned son has captured global attention

Laila Soueif’s hunger strike for her son, Alaa Abd El Fattah, carries the spirit of Mahatma Gandhi’s non-violent approach Gandhiji believed that fasting could be a powerful, peaceful way to confront injustice, and Laila’s strike reflects this idea She’s not eating, not out of helplessness, but to call attention to her son ’ s unfair imprisonment Her fast is a mother's plea, using her own body to protest silently and peacefully, hoping to touch the conscience of authorities and inspire action for her son ’ s release

Her stand reminds us that, even in a world driven by politics and alliances, one person ’ s willingness to suffer for justice can make a profound impact She urges the British and Egyptian governments, as well as the global community, to recognise the humanity and dignity of her son, highlighting the strength of non-violence in challenging oppression in a powerful, personal way

A njali Desai

Falling fertility rates

The recent statistics on the fertility rate in England and Wales reveal a sobering reality Fertility rates have dropped by half, from 2 88 in 1963 to just 1 44 in 2023, making family life seem more like a luxury than a natural step for many younger people

In my view, this trend reflects a clash between society’s values and the demands of modern life With rising living costs, student debt, and a difficult housing market, the decision to have children now feels like a massive and sometimes impossible commitment Many young people fear that starting a family could mean sacrificing their own stability or comfort It’s not just about money, though; our society increasingly values individual achievements over shared experiences like parenthood

I think we need more than just financial solutions There needs to be a shift in how we view family life, not as something to wait for until everything is perfect, but as a natural and fulfilling part of life Without rethinking this idea of being ready, we risk becoming a society where family life is put off or missed entirely Supportive communities, flexible work options, and a renewed value on family could make it feel more possible and worthwhile to start a family In the end, children should be seen as a natural, joyful part of life, not something out of reach or merely an option for later Arjun Ve rma

“October Theory”

There is a new concept of "October Theory" going viral especially for younger generations who often feel overwhelmed by the pressure of New Year’s resolutions Traditionally, January has been seen as the fresh start, but it’s true that many people dive into it without any real plan, leading to a high failure rate of resolutions

October provides a unique opportunity to reflect on personal goals and make gradual changes before the year ends This can feel less stressful than the rush of January, allowing people to lay a stronger foundation for their ambitions

However, while social media can be a great motivator, it’s essential to remember that personal goals should come from within, not just because others are doing it The pressure to follow trends on platforms like TikTok might lead to unrealistic expectations Each person is different and what works for one might not work for another

Ultimately, if someone finds inspiration in October to set goals and change habits, that’s fantastic The key is to ensure those changes are meaningful and sustainable, rather than merely jumping on a popular trend Whether it’s October or January, what matters most is genuine motivation and a solid plan to make lasting changes

Celebrating Diwali

Priy a Meht a

I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Renu Bhardwaj's approach to festive cooking and crafts in her book “Celebrate Diwali ” Her perspective resonates with many families trying to balance tradition with modern life Renu's commitment to creating affordable, delicious meals while actively involving children in the celebrations is both practical and heartwarming

It's inspiring how she draws from her own childhood memories to keep the essence of Diwali, community, joy and togetherness, at the forefront The inclusion of a checklist to assist busy families in preparing ahead is a brilliant idea, especially for those managing work and home responsibilities during the festive season This modern touch acknowledges that while women and children traditionally handled these tasks, men in the household are increasingly taking on active roles

By encouraging family involvement in the preparations, Renu fosters a deeper connection and understanding of the festival's significance among children, which can often be overlooked in hectic households Overall, her book beautifully captures the essence of Diwali, making it relevant for families from all backgrounds

Adit i Sin gh

Muslim footballer barred from playing in trousers

A

a s barred from playi ng in a match for weari ng trac ksuit bottom s i nstead of shorts , whic h she clai ms co nf li c t s w i th h er re ligi ous beliefs

Iqra Ismail, who captained Somalia in 2019 and founded Hilltop FC, f a c e d t h i

signing with the grass-

t

London was set to play her first game on Sunday against an east London team

" I w a s w a r m

d u p and ready to go," she said "I came on at half-time, but the referee told me I

c o u l d n ’ t p l a y u n l e s s I wore shorts I’ve been in the same league for nearly five years, always in t r a c k s u i t b o t t o m s a n d never wearing shorts for competitive play " "I told him I wasn’t

I w a s shocked that the referee

t o o k s u c h a s t r o n g s t a n c e S h e f e l t u p s e t during the game, but her

If You

K A P I L’S K H I C H A D I If I was the Leader !

teammates and manager

w e r e v e r y s u p p o r t i v e

"Everyone has been devastated " I s m a i l , w h o h a s played football since age eight, explained that she has always worn a longs l e e v e t o p , t h e t e a m ’ s shirt, a sports hijab, and tracksuit bottoms, along w i t h s h i n p a d s " M a n y women with similar faith and beliefs don t particip a t e i n t h e s e l e a g u e s because they don’t feel c o m f o r t a b l e w e a r i n g shorts " She clarified that the issue was about the t r a c k s u i t b o t t o m s , n o t the long-sleeve top

The Greater London

W o m e n ’ s F o o t b a l l League seems to contradict the guidance from the Football Association (FA), which encourages leniency on this matter H o w e v e r , o f f i c i a l F A rules state that only goalkeepers may wear tracksuit bottoms

" T h e F A i n f o r m e d them that players should be allowed to play if they wear additional garments d u e t o t h e i r r e l i g i o u s beliefs," Ismail said

Accept Western Hypocrisy and Preaching, Then All Is Clear

Continuation from page 3

4 Abu Bakr al-Baghd ad i ( 20 19) – U S Special Forces Raid in Syria

Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the leader of the Islamic State (ISIS), was killed in a U S raid in Syria in 2019 As the architect of ISIS’s brutal campaigns across Syria and Iraq, he was considered one of the most wanted terrorists globally, responsible for thousands of deaths and acts of extreme violence J u st if i ca ti o n: T h e U S

Baghdadi as part of a mission to dismantle ISIS leadership His death was intended to destabilize the organization, preventing further terrorist operations and signaling to ISIS affiliates the risks of continued resistance

Controversy: Al-Baghdadi’s death reignited debates around the use of lethal force without trial While his role in terrorism was clear, the lack of due process raised ethical questions on the balance between justice and security in conflict zones where the rule of law is difficult to uphold

Broader Im plications and Ju stifications

Western governments, particularly the U S , justify these actions on several grounds:

Prevention of Imminent Threats: Often, targeted individuals are described as posing immediate threats, especially in cases where intelligence suggests imminent attacks

Operational Difficulties in Capturing High-Profile Targets: Many of these individuals operate in regions where legal apprehension is impractical or impossible In areas like Yemen, Syria, or Pakistan’s tribal regions, there may be no effective local authority to coordinate a legal extradition or capture War on Terror Paradigm: Since the September 11 attacks, Western nations, primarily the U S , have reframed counterterrorism efforts as a global war, shifting the framework from law enforcement to military strategy This shift has allowed for a broader interpretation of self-defence The largest terror attack b e f o r e 9 /

? D

n i n

o

I n d i a p l a n e b y Canadians Personally, as I have said on the BBC, if you ’ re going to do extra-judicial killings do it to the child traffickers and the sex traffickers Invoking my Article 10 right under the European Convention on Human Rights (Right to Free Speech)

As you all know, being an armchair critic is often quite easy After all, all I have to do is state my views However, life is not always that simple There are many writers but very few who will put their neck on the line and state things that most people think in their heads but are too afraid to expresspublicly Fortunately, I am not hampered by such restraint

I have often been asked, what would I do if I was the Prime Minister or the President The probability of that happening is of course zero However, I got thinking and the following are just a few thoughts, you never know, they might read and implement a few of them!

If I was the Prime Minist er of Brita in I woul d:

R

a Leave the corrupt European Court of Human Rights

b Ensure the anarchy caused by groups like Extension

marches andhate marcherson our streets stop and those caught are put behind bars

c Raise the Personal Tax Allowance to £15000

d Stop the massive wastage of money and resources in the NHS (and other public services)

e Stop illegal migration and put the British people first

Of course,there are many more things one would need to do concurrently that would be contributory and supportive of the main ethos of nation first

If I was the Prime Minist er of India , I woul d:

a Get rid of WAQF and bring back all assets under the control of the government and return those stolen from individuals and other organisations

b One Nation One Election and stop the madness of the country always being in some sort of election mode

c One Nation One Law, there are no excuse to have any exemptions

d Expedite the closure of all outstanding cases in the courts, especially the high-profile ones

e Get rid of media that undermines national law through their lies, misrepresentation and spreading of outright disinformation E g The BBC, CNN etc

Again, there would be a huge number of other things that one would need to do to underpin and support major structural changes

If I was the Preside nt of America , I woul d:

a Stop funding the morally and ethically corrupt United Nation which survives because of the huge amount (30%) of funding provided by the US Same is true for other international NGOs like WHO etc

b Stop its mindless love affair with terrorist nations like Pakistan

c Bring about major societal and governmental changes to supercharge the economy and bring down its debt burden

d R

$7 25/hrthough individual states can increase that if they should wish)

e Revamp public health care

To be honest, there is so much mess in America, my list of things to do would be quite long It’s a nation in serious decline It’s capacity to print money has allowed it to get away with the ramifications of its dismal economic policies

If I was the DictatorinChina, I would:

a Get a grip on the mounting debt

b Stop indulging terrorist states like Pakistan

c Make India a friend, because the alternative will serve neither nation

d Stabilize the property market

e Reconcile the hidden losses in the many state ventures that are not performing

China has grown exponentially It’s a dictatorship therefore what the leader says, happens There is no resemblance of law or justice for the ordinary citizen who either comply, or they go missing China is spreading its footprint of grabbing land and resources from its neighbours, and whilst this might seem a good idea, it’s only matter of time before it explodes in their face A savvy dictator would now show restraint and make friends

In general, the west needs to reassess its position within the global order Gone are the days of being the imperial masters and ruling other nations (overtly or covertly) For the west to survive and maintain at least some of its identity, they will need to reject their love affair with extremists, Islamists, Khalistanis and all other miscreant nations who will ultimately bite their butt sooner or later

For the east, China, Russia and India can reset the world for the next millennia, if only they got their act together and found a way to work as a collective Think about it, India and China alone account for some 2 8 billion people

The untapped gem of the world, African nations, need strongleadership that is just and puts people and nation first, and not be enslaved by the power of the Dollar that so often buys their compliance

The 20th Century belonged to America The 21st Century will belong to India, primarily because of its massive untapped potential, its young intelligent population, and the fact that it is the largest democracy the world has ever known

Kapil Dudakia

The magical Darbar Festival returns to London

Rupanjana Dutta

Darb ar Festival, one of w orld's largest fe stival of I ndian clas sic al mus ic, outsi de In dia, returned to the Barbi can centre in Lond on from 2 4-2 7 Octobe r, wi th a ma gical m ix of emergi ng and y oung talent wi th master perf orm ers m akin g their U K debuts

On Saturday 26 October, Am aan Ali B angas h on his first UK solo debut performance on sarod and Pt Anubrata C hatterjee on tabla kickstarted the muchanticipated evening concert, in a packed auditorium In the audience was celebrated sitarist Anoushka Shankar’s mother Sukanya Rajan

As the father and son started their performances accompanied by mridangam, matka and tabla, Dr Subraniam explained the mathematical process behind his composition But as both went along, it was almost a conversation

While Amaan mesmerised the audience with some excellent compilations of ragas by his father, Sarod Maestro U staad Amja d Ali Khan, the start was rather slowpaced and long But with time, the compilations became quick, magical and the two artists on stage complimented each other’s performances with utmost grace

Belonging to the seventh generation in an unbroken chain of Senia Bangash School of Music lineage, Amaan Ali Bangash has showcased the sarod as one of India’s foremost Indian classical instruments and traditions

Dr L Subram aniam and A mbi Sub raman iam took the audience by awe After a short break, in the second half, India’s foremost violinist, composer and conductor

Dr L Subramaniam made his Darbar Festival debut with his son Ambi and champions of contemporary Carnatic percussion

Dr Subramaniam has composed for and conducted major orchestras, scored for films and collaborated with a diverse range of musicians across genres including jazz, occidental, and north Indian duets

through music, beautifully flattering each other’s recitals The audience gave a standing ovation as they finished

Also, part of the lecture demonstrations, Dr L Subram aniam unveiled the secrets behind his groundbreaking compositions in East West C om pos ition Unwrapped on 27 October

Darb ar and future m us ic ians

Launched 19 years ago, Darbar Festival continues to present the finest international and UK Indian classical musicians

Darbar Arts Culture and Heritage Trust Artistic Director, Sand eep Virdee OBE said, “Indian classical music is often misunderstood as an obscure art form that distances the audience Far from it With a vast repertoire of music styles and subgenres depending on your emotional state, it has the power to stir, thrill and inspire the soul We are delighted to showcase the world’s finest proponents of this magical artform and welcome audiences from richly diverse backgrounds near and far ”

Darbar has recently found a new home in Hayes, which will be base for many upcoming

Bullying councillors could face suspension under Rayner’s plan

Councils may soon gain the power to suspend mem-

codes, and will no longer need to publish councillors'

Rayner announced at the LGA conference She shared plans to consult on reforms

standards framework “I’m aware of persistent bullying and harassment by

causing victims to resign We lack a system that protects victims or empowers

musicians and talents along with the masters To support this initiative and the future artists, support/donation is requested via https://www darbar org/do nate

Highli ghts from the D arbar Festival

Over the weekend, on Friday 25 October, India’s finest tabla legend, Pandit Anin do Chatterjee, shares his unique blend of technical excellence, innovation, collaborative spirit and pedagogical contributions in a technically dazzling and emotionally moving performance He was joined by his son Anubrata Chatterjee for this turbocharged tabla duet

On Saturday 26 October, Ashwi ni BhideD eshpande, India’s foremost female vocalist, lead audiences through the emotive landscapes of midnight ragas Sitarist Pandit Kushal Das returned to Darbar Festival in this magical double that immersed audiences in the raga, as it unfolded from super slow to contemplative improvisation and ferocious rhythmic crescendos

Jayanthi Kumaresh, a world-class virtuoso of the Saraswati veena hosted a captivating lecture demonstration that shared her expertise, insights and passion for the veena, offering audiences a rare opportunity to experience the rich tradition and soulstirring ragas of this ancient art form first-hand Carnatic vocalist, Aruna Sai ram, brought her vast repertoire of raga knowledge and spiritual lyrics to Darbar on 27 October

In addition, Darbar Festival offered several family-friendly events and pop-up markets along with the ever-popular Indian Music Appreciation Course on 19 October is the ultimate guide to raga and tala music for those new to Indian classical music

Photo courtesy: Rehmat Rayatt

gates, adding that removing the requirement to publish councillors' home addresses w

from threats and intimidation

Government will now allow councils to choose whether to hold meetings virtually or implement proxy voting, a change that, according to Angela Rayner, will “enable

people from all walks of life

democracy

chair of the LGA, and Cllr Marianne Overton, chair of the LGA Civility in Public Life Steering Group, welcomed the new measures, adding: ‘The LGA looks forward to working with the Government to ensure that

standards, declaring home addresses, and making sure virtual attendance at council meetings works and is in the interest of councils and their communities ’

Indian man dies as boat sinks attempting English Channel crossing

A n Indian m an died after a mig rant boat in poor cond ition deflated sh ortly after departing from Tardingh en beach in north ern France, ac c o rd i ng t o F renc h o f ficials

Most passengers on the d e f l a t i n g b o a t l a c k e d l i f e jackets, but many managed to swim back to shore

A 40-year-old man went into cardiac arrest and could not be revived by emergency responders, officials said T h i s y e

, a t l e a s t 5 6 people have died attempting

the Channel crossing from France to Britain Just last

Calais, while 35 others were rescued after cries for help were heard

E a r l i e r t h i s m o n t h , a four-month-old baby tragically died when an overloaded migrant boat bound for Britain sank off the French c o a s t n e a r W i s s a n t T h e incident on October 17 saw 68 people rescued from the w a t e r s o f t h e E n g l i s h

Channel P

infant, believed to be from Iraqi Kurdistan, was travelling with his parents and two other children when the tragedy occurred Since the beginning of 2024, over 29,000 migrants h a v

M

s o attempt to conceal thems e l v e s i n t r u c k s t o p a s s through the heavily guarded tunnel linking France and Britain

Amaan Ali Bangash on sarod and Pt Anubrata Chatterjee on tabla

Dr L Subramaniam and son Ambi Subramaniam on violin with Pt Anindo Chatterjee on tabla and other musicians

Ranbir Arora: Alternative Entrepreneurship

Sunetra Senior

Ranbir is the co-founder of the contemporary business school, Oneday MBA, which offers entrepreneurial people the opportunity to launch their own business whilst earning a fully accredited MBA degree in the subject Running chiefly on the methodology of appointing the relevant experienced mentor to the aspiring student according to the business ideas pitched by the latter during the application process, the predominantly online institution “teaches through direct contact with successful entrepreneurs, building businesses from the ground up – instead of an MBA taught by academic professors, you can pave your way in the business world relying specifically on your skills applied in real-time rather than taking exams after lots of reading.” In short, solely focussing on the practicality of running a business, Oneday establishes itself as the first of its kind to truly facilitate entrepreneurship

I couldn’t find any place that would teach me how I ended up trying out a few business ideas before teaming up with a few collaborators to eventually create Sweatcoin which scaled up to having hundreds and millions of users worldwide By the time I was 25 years old, I realised society had still not provided a satisfactory solution for learning entrepreneurship – I thought it was a good time to launch a platform that did ” Ranbir then subverts the institutional model of teaching

point being solved for the respective user: this means solving an issue that people deeply care about as opposed to merely creating product that is ‘nice to have’ This is what differentiates the potential for more successful businesses over others You won’t spend money on what I term as ‘paper-cut problems’ rather on what is more urgent or

“I made the bold but dangerous move of choosing not to pursue higher education as I wanted to be an entrepreneur, but couldn't find any education for it”

Indeed, this is likely why it has grown quickly to be in the top 30 most attended business schools in the world by student headcount, akin to top traditional names such as London Business School: “the types of people who come to us want passionately to start their own enterprise,” Ranbir elaborated, “and we give them the chance to earn a degree in business simply by doing it You may attend conventional business school if you are looking for a career in banking, accounting, consulting etc with top firms in those sectors but you will learn little on how to effectively create your own company ” An earnest businessman, Ranbir has been a budding entrepreneur himself, having created the health and fitness app, Sweatcoin, when he was just a teen “I made the bold but dangerous move of choosing not to pursue higher education because I wanted to be an entrepreneur, and couldn’t find any education for it,” he shared: “I have always operated on the principal that my time is not for sale and wanted to be my own boss from a young age However,

entirely to offer deserving individuals the chance to become an authority where talented hard workers are the ones who are sought after by the industry instead of absurdly having to pay to prove themselves Having grown up on a council estate in Feltham in West London, the cofounder commented that he “ very much wanted to provide financial independence for his family, living life on my own terms where it was not dictated by another In this sense, the motivation to do well was inbuilt – a lot of the time, people view coming from a low-income background as negative, but it’s always been a massive positive for me, giving me natural drive that you can’t buy ” Navigating personal struggle, Ranbir remedied a social pitfall to newly forge the concept of thorough training in entrepreneurship Indeed, he defines a strong business idea as typically “addressing the depth of the pain

Do you have any role models?

Yes, an archetypal one: Steve Jobs! He wasn’t into entrepreneurship because he simply wanted to make a huge profit – he loved what he did and built tech as if an artist - his paintbrush was an interest in design to build a business Similarly, I have never needed much money or fancy things to survive – my drive is the chance of a life that I can live to the fullest

Do you have a particularly favourite highlight in your journey?

Yes – I was on the train the other day and saw an advert that looked familiar: an enterprise that had launched with OneDayMBA

This founder started a health and fitness app specifically for adult men called Metal,

the equivalent of a broken leg ” Ranbir also drew on one of the most important experiential lessons he learned from starting his breakthrough app, Sweatcoin, before his creation of a whole organisation to explain how to advance in the business world: “the value of resilience I had to persist for two to three years along with the other two guys with whom I was working before our idea really took off We had to keep experimenting and

partnering with Bear Grylls who is a presenter on the BBC Our entrepreneur had started from scratch, and we matched him with a mentor who had launched that sort of app before – the business eventually raised £2 2 million pounds in venture capital and was the app of the day on the UK’s app store

You also enjoy travel and snowboarding Do you have comment on how this complements your business?

I love to keep trying what’s new and adapting to challenges, especially when it seems impossible It is the act of chasing the goal that is most rewarding – the richness of the journey so to speak I extend this idea to everything – from holidays to choices in the way I dress I

Indian-origin man charged with attempted murder of woman and two children

An Indian-o rig in man appeared in court, charged with attempting to murder a woman and tw o children in east L ond on who were stabbed and ho sp italised last week

eventually some of our ideas started to take off: we topped the app store in 66 countries and were number one in the UK Appstore above even Instagram etc This is possible to do: when we look at those who achieve these apparently massive feats, it sounds so scary from far away; we feel they must be extraordinary in some way, but by going through that cycle of being open-minded and flexible in the pursuit of an aim nothing does separate you from greatness apart from an attitude ” Finally, Ranbir demonstrates that the secret to thriving at business is the same concept that underlies living a fulfilling life: the ability to not only aptly but also purposefully evolve The ethos behind his innovative business school, Oneday MBA, is as much a progressive philosophy: “it’s not about being centred on the idea of making lots of money – that’s never been what has appealed to me Rather, the incentive that you can wake up everyday and live it on your terms, solving problems you care deeply about, and earn a living as a bi-product In fact, a highlight for me has been seeing the launch of many lifestyle businesses that have allowed people to be very comfortable You don’t have to be as enormous as say Meta, to have really made it The goal is to have the freedom to explore ”have the freedom to explore ”

W: https://www oneday org/ To find out more: https://www oneday org/uk/oned ay-mba-reviews

enjoy being daring in approaching life – that way you know you ’ re really experiencing it

You are making entrepreneurship more accessible by taking it into your own hands: can this be considered a form of grassroots empowerment? It is an amazing vehicle in the world that’s available to us If you look at the kind of massive impact entrepreneurship has, it is very effective in progressing society: entrepreneurs can move forward movements such as climate change and sustainability where affecting that political change higher up is harder Alongside freedom fighters or activism, it is a strong way of achieving a shift in society

Kulvinder Ram, 48, appeared at Barkingside Magistrates' Court charged with attempting to murder a woman in her 30s, an eightyear-old girl, and a two-year-old boy

The Metropolitan Police confirmed that all parties are known to each other but provided no further details All three victims were found with stab injuries and were h

threatening condition

D e t e c

Lewis Basford, overseeing policing in Barking and Dagenham, condemned the stabbings as a "truly

their assistance and patience during the investigation

"A crime scene will remain in place for some time as our officers conduct essential work, and you

presence in the area in the coming days," he stated, urging the public to come forward with any information that could aid the investigation

P

Ambulance Service, and the Air A

stabbings Kulvinder Ram was also hospitalised after feeling unwell but was later assessed and discharged into police custody

UK misses

£19bn

in

GDP growth from poor social mobility

A report by the cross-party think tank Dem os and the C o-op reveals that a lack o f social mobility co sts the UK £ 19 billion annu ally

The Social Mobility Commission defines social mobility as the relationship between an individual’s occupation or income and that of their parents The report highlights that individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds are significantly less likely to earn high incomes, even when education levels are considered Additionally, the World Economic Forum’s Global Social Mobility Index 2020 ranks the UK 21st out of 82 economies

Researchers report that the UK is missing out on £19 billion in annual GDP growth due to a “systemic failure” in promoting social mobility A survey of 531 senior business leaders linked increased social mobility to higher turnover rates

RANBIR ARORA

DIWALI SPIRIT SHINES

The UK’s South Asian diaspora has enthusiastically embraced this spirit, launching a variety of events and initiatives that not only celebrate their cultural heritage but also foster community bonds and raise funds for noble causes From vibrant cultural performances and

t r a d i t i o n a l f e a s t s t o c h a r i t y fundraisers and community fairs, the celebrations have transcended mere festivities, becoming a powerful expression of unity and generosity As families and friends come together to partake in these vibrant events, the excitement is building, promising a season rich in cultural significance, community spirit and charitable giving

Here, we explore how Diwali has kick-started the festive season

i n t h e U K a n d h i g h l i g h t t h e impactful initiatives being undertaken by the diaspora to spread joy and support those in need during this special time

Diwali celebrati ons in th e UK

Over recent decades, Diwali has gained wide recognition across the UK, with many cities hosting

f e s t i v e D i w a l i l i g h t s w i t c h - o n events, similar to Christmas celeb r a t i o n s L o n d o n ’ s T r a f a l g

support from the Mayor's office, drawing thousands of attendees

f r o m d i v e r s e b a c k g r o u n d s T h e celebration each year features traditional dance performances, live music, food stalls, family activities, and presentations that highlight Diwali’s significance across vari-

o u s S o u t h A s i a n f a i t h s a n d regions (Refer to page 14 for full story)

Grant Thornton LLP inaugurated this year ’ s Diwali season in L o n d o n w i t h a r e c e p t i o n o n October 16 at the historic Long Room in Lord’s Cricket Ground Meanwhile, as part of a cherished yearly tradition, Leicester’s streets w e r e l i t u p w i t h D i w a l i l i g h t s , accompanied by a lively Diwali festival Leicester’s Diwali celebration includes a wide range of activities and entertainment along the city’s streets Thousands of lamps illuminate the famous Golden Mile, while on Diwali day, parking is s u s p e n d e d o n 1 4 s t r e e t s a n d Belgrave Road is closed from 17:00 to 21:30 to accommodate the celebrations

V o l u n t e e r i n g T o g e t h e r f o r Service UK (VTSUK) also organised a Diwali Mela on October 19, bringing together about 1,500 local community members The event not only fostered a sense of unity

b u t a l s o s u p p o r t e d c h a r i t i e s i n both the UK and India “One of the beneficiaries was the Hillingdon Brain Tumour and Injury Group in t h e U K T h e s e c o n d c h a r i t y , Mahila Arogya Vikas in India, conducts free cancer screenings for women in rural areas They have already reached over 2 8 million women, and our donations will help fund two additional camps, ” s h a r e d An u S ad as y a, V T S U K ’ s P resident

The non-profit is also running a food donation drive for Chilton Food Bank until Diwali “Last year, we donated 350 kilograms of food, and this year, we aim to surpass that by donating 500 kilograms Our mission is to spread joy and s u p p o r t t h o s e i n n

d d u

i n g Diwali,” Sadasya added

L a b o

Diwali celebration, after the party

room was full of people from vari-

Secretaries of State, new and curr

n t M P

r M P s , Councillors, Assembly Members, members of the Labour Indians

Institute, businessmen and busin

leaders and organisations, think tanks and members of the diaspora

This year also marks the 15th year of Diwali celebrations at 10 D

began in 2009 when then-Prime Minister Gordon Brown hosted the first Diwali celebration, calling it a historic event Since then, each Prime Minister has upheld t h i s t

n t r y even saw a British-Hindu Prime Minister carrying out the traditional celebration at the residence

T h i s y e

Starmer carries on this legacy, celebrating Diwali’s enduring values of hope, unity, and the triumph of light over darkness Diwali celebrations have also been held by corporate groups like

P

D h a r m i c a n d D i w a l i B a s k e t Brigade Additionally, the festivities have been marked by the RAF

i n B u c k i n g h a m s h i r e , a t t h e

Speaker’s House and in the UK Parliament by the Hindu Forum of Britain Conservative Friends of India also marked the festival H ow the co mmunity can give back

The ongoing cost of living crisis has made it challenging for many people to donate or contribute to community causes as they once did Rising costs across essentials like food, energy, housing, and transportation mean that individuals and families now have to prioritise their spending just to meet basic needs For some, this shift has left little room for charitable giving or other forms of support for community initiatives

Even small donations or contributions of time can feel financially or logistically challenging when faced with tighter budgets and competing priorities People who previously donated monthly t o c h a r

s may now find it difficult to commit financially or schedule volunteer time due to additional work

o

reduction in donations can have a ripple effect, impacting the many charities and organisations that rely on these contributions to provide services, from food banks to mental health support A

deepens, many organisations are working to encourage alternative ways to give back, including small, recurring donations, volunteering time, or donating items rather

than cash Anu Sadasya recom-

m

“Recognise the ongoing cost-ofliving crisis, there are two ways you can help make a difference

month Your contributions will go

Second, if you have time to spare and want to get involved, join the team as a volunteer Our group consists of working professionals who juggle Monday to Friday, 9to-5 jobs, yet still dedicate their weekends to volunteering ”

elderly as the festive season can be especially challenging and lonely for them “We are reaching out to

groups, and libraries to offer our assistance Our goal is to host events like tea parties to engage the community and bring people

importance of connection, so we plan to provide small hampers containing items like cakes, juices, and diyas to spread joy and happiness ” , she said

Kan ti Nagda MBE the founder of Sangat Centre, establishing the

importance of giving, said, “We believe that good deeds give selfsatisfaction Good deeds are done not to please God but repay what you have received and help and assist people who are less fortunate than yourself

“We encourage people to give

Centre provides advice on welfare

n , matrimonial etc

Without additional support or relief, individuals and communities will likely continue to feel the strain, making charitable giving and community involvement an ongoing challenge in the coming months and years Yet, the spirit embedded in our culture, one that

capable of rising to the occasion

Setting an example of aiding the community, A married couple

4,000,000 to both be called to donate stem cells, potentially saving two lives The couple, from India and living in London, are now calling on others of South Asian heritage to sign up to the NHS Stem Cell Donor Registry (Full story on page 6)

In conclusion, as the community revels in this festive season of light and love, the Asian Voice feature offers an insightful look

Diwali celebrations illuminate 10 Downing Street

celebratory spirit of the evening

The culinary selections included a f u s i o n o f t r a d i t i o n a l I n d i a n snacks and contemporary bites, catering to the diverse palates of the attendees

The event also featured capti-

This event echoes the legacy of former Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who initiated the Diwali festivities at the iconic address 14 years ago The celebration attracted over 100 prominent figures from the Hindu, Jain, and Sikh communities, making it a notable gathering of cultural significance

including CB Patel, Publisher and Editor of Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar, alongside other dignitaries whose contributions enrich the multicultural tapestry of the

U K S e e m a M a l h o t r a M P , P a r l i a m e n t a r y U n d e

for the Home Office, welcomed all attendees and introduced the Prime Minister

e v e n i n g w e r e t h o u g h t f u l l y designed, adhering to Hindu traditions with simple yet elegant elements that brought a warm and festive ambiance to the historic residence From traditional rangoli patterns to delicate diyas illuminating the space and the i c o n i c s t a i r c a s e a d o r n e d i n marigold, the setting was a beautiful celebration of light and joy, p e r f e c t l y e n c a p s u l a t i n g t h e essence of Diwali

G u e s t s w e r e t r e a t e d t o a n array of delectable canapés and refreshing drinks, enhancing the

vating performances, including a t r a d i t i o n a l d a n c e p r e s e n t e d b y

, which added a cultural richness to the festivities A representative from the Hare Krishna Temple, Visakha Dasi, also addressed the audience, sharing insights into the significance of Diwali and the importance of community bonds

In an exclusive statement to the Asian Voice, Prime Minister K

D

w a l i wishes to the readers He said, “Happy Diwali to all those celebrating across the UK

“This is a time of coming

come, and a moment to fix our eyes on the light which always triumphs over the darkness

“That’s so important today, because it doesn’t just give us joy, it gives us hope – the hope that drives your seva, your hard work and your ambition

“It’s that hope which drives this government too – a government of service and ambition It’s a belief that, if we work hard and i

future is in our reach

“So may I wish you and your family a joyful Diwali, and may you continue to be a shining light for communities all across the country

reception will follow next week

Anu Sadasya President VTSUK

Kanti Nagda MBE

Keir Starmer addressing the guests

Arunima Kumar with her team

Arunima Kumar performing at the reception

Young dancer applies tilak to the prime minister

London’s Trafalgar Square lights up for Diwali festivities

Subhasini Naicker

T he h ighly anticipated annual Diwali on the S quare celebrations o rganised annually by the Diw ali in Lo nd on C omm ittee in collaboratio n w ith the M ayor of L ond on returned to Trafalgar S quare, featuring an exciting line u p of dance, m usic, activities, and

d elicious food This vibrant event aimed to unite L ond oners and visitors alike in celebration o f the F estiv al of Ligh ts, taking p lace on th e weekend befo re Diw ali

Speaking about the event, Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan said, “It’s fantastic to be back here in Trafalgar Square for Diwali on the Square, celebrating this wonderful festival of lights with thousands of Londoners and visitors

We’ve been treated to an amazing atmosphere, fantastic performances and

storytelling, alongside a variety of activity zones and interactive workshops focusing on harmony, meditation and Yoga In addition, there was also a delicious variety of Indian cuisine available for all The event celebrated the eternal story of the Ramayana, signifying the theme of victory of light over darkness explored not just in

of course, plenty of delicious food I’m proud that our great city hosts one of the biggest Diwali celebrations outside of India This is year of all years, please celebrate Diwali but celebrate the importance of what you bring to this great city

Celebrate the contribution you make, make sure the rest of the country, the rest of the world, where there may be division, understands the importance of Diwali Understand the importance of diversity

Celebrate the joy of London

“I want to take this opportunity to pay tribute to Hindu, Sikh and Jain Londoners for the huge contribution they’ve made and continue to make to the greatest city in the world From my family to yours, Happy Diwali,” he added

The event featured vibrant dance sequences with 200 dazzling

RAF celebrates Diwali

T he Royal Air Force Diwali celebration in partnership w ith Defence Hindu Network to ok place at Halto n House, Wendo ver, Bucking hamshire on M ond ay 28 Oct 20 24

The well planned event aimed to bring together military personnel and leaders from South Asian community to celebrate the festival of light A full report will be published in next week's edition

Tree (Sanjivani) play performed by children

Hinduism but also in the Sikh, Jain and Buddhist traditions The various zones beautifully exhibited the individual’s journey of selfdiscovery Over 35,000 people of all ages and religions attended the event led by the Mayor of London and supported by various community leaders from the Indian diaspora Overall this event was influential for many, specifically for the youth who gained a sense of self and religion, uniting the wider community A funfilled day out for the whole family!”

performers including Simran Solanki, main stage performance showcasing music and dance from London’s Hindu, Sikh, and Jain communities, and family-friendly activities like sari and turban tying, yoga, meditation, puppet shows, and dance workshops

Attendees enjoyed comedy, cookery demonstrations, henna art, and a bustling market with food stalls offering delicious vegan and vegetarian treats

CB Patel, Publisher/Editor of Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar, was also present at the event

One of the attendees, Anjani Haria said, “Diwali, the auspicious ‘Festival of Lights’, was celebrated with much pomp and vigour at one of London’s iconic Trafalgar Square on the 27th October 2024 The programmes included traditional Indian and Bollywood dance performances, music, and

and backgrounds

Peepul Centre, in partnership with Rita T ru st an affiliate of Hindu Council UK, started their Diwali celebratio ns with a ch ildren’ s play based on the S anji vani Tree i n t h e an c

o r ic a l epic Ramayana, now ru nni ng for its 6th year A n i l B h a n

the concept and authored

to free her Ram’s brother Lakshman was revived by t h e h e r b a l l i f e g i v i n g Sanjavani (Bay) tree

Sharan Kaur, the play’s director and choreographer, recruited and trained over 20 children from the ages of 6 to 16, who performed sev-

with his team of musicians

a children’s book on the Diwali Tree back in 2015 and enacted a play at the

strength to strength For S

h e conic Bay tree

Sita was abducted by King Ravan when she was alone in the jungle and her husband Ram left no stone unturned until he rescued her from across the seas During the battle

Bhajans, Sikh Shabads, to finally end with a Sufiana style Bhajan Qawwali P

worked

duction together and with

Bhanot’s curation and team Moral of the story for the children is that abduc-

vulnerable people can never be tolerated, a Happy Diwali to all

Gower MBE, the Mayor of Bexley, and Cllr Mike Jack were equally captivated by this vibrant celebration of the Festival of Lights The

CB Patel, Publisher/Editor, Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar with Anjani Haria and family

Diaspora members at the event

Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan packing food at the event

Diwali on the Square

Dance performance at Trafalgar Square

CB Patel with Vedant Simran (one of the performers at the event) and Heena Solanki

Wembley Park to host three-day Diwali festival

Wemb ley Par k is se t to cel e-

b rate Diwali with its most

a m b i t io us p r o gr a m y e

from Fr ida y, November 1st,

t o S und a y, No ve mb e

3

d, 2024

This free-to-attend event w

London into a lively hub of S o u

and tradition, with perform

shops, and various cultural

s h o w c

begin Friday, November 1st, with a Diwali Spectacular at L

s t s c a n e n j o y

Bhangra music, henna art, and an energetic show by

B o l l y R e d D a n c e C o m p a n y and Dhol drummers

On Saturday, November 2nd, the Diwali Utsav will kick off at Wembley Park’s

S o u n d S h e l l o n O l y m p i c

W a y C u r a t e d b y D J R i t u M B E , t h e e v e n t f e

A

s t s a c

o s s dance and music, including c l a s s i c a l O d i s s i d a n c e r

Maryam Shakiba, who will be joined by poet Niroshini Somasundaram

ence Indian folk and classical

Singh Bahra, along with The Flute Guy’s unique blend of classical ragas with contemporary beats Workshops and

throughout the day, includi

shops led by Fresh Arts, cul-

minating in a parade with Dhol drummers and Jack in the Box’s elephant puppets

The evening wraps up with DJ Ritu’s dynamic fire dance and DJ set

clude on Sunday, November 3rd, with the ‘Disco Diwali!’ e

Wembley, featuring DJ Ritu’s Kuch Kuch Nights – the UK’s longest-running Bollywood club night – along with the Wembley Park Rangoli Art Competition

Moore Kingston Smith celebrates 23rd Diwali reception

On Thursday, October 1 7, Moore K ing ston Smith, a pro minent adv iso ry, tax, and audit firm, hosted its 23rd annual Diwali reception at its city office

The ev ent w elcomed ov er 120 g uests, including clients and business contacts from v arious sectors across London and the South East The reception celebrated the Festival of

Lights, underscoring the firm’s enduring relationships with the Indian business community The evening featured an inspiring speech from Mr Subhash V Thakrar OBE, a respected leader within the business sector He highlighted the significance of Diwali in the Hindu calendar and reminded guests about “Chopda Pujan,” a tradition of seeking blessings from Lord Ganesh and Goddess Laxmi to mark the beginning of the new year

Thakrar emphasised that Diwali is a time for reflection and renewal

Guests were also treated to a special video message from Lord Karan

London Ball to support disabled and disadvantaged children

Inochi’s mission is to Cele brate Life and Give Hope b y uniting com munities, emb rac ing diversity, and uplifting ch ildren in need

As Chairman of Inochi, I am inspired by the transformative power of bringing people from all backgrounds to celebrate life’s milestones and make a meaningful impact together The upcoming London Diwali Ball on 8th November is our inaugural endeavour to bring this vision to life

More than a Diwali celebration, this event is a call for solidarity, compassion, and giving back

This inaugural event welcomes everyonepeople of all faiths, beliefs, colours, corporates, and individuals-who share our passion for cultural celebration and social impact Diwali, a festival symbolising light over darkness, has a universal message that resonates beyond faith, reminding us all of the importance of kindness, community, and inclusivity

In partnership with Asian Voice, a premier publication established in

Bilimoria, who extended his heartfelt wishes: “Let us look forward to this new year with optimism, and I wish you all a very, very happy Diwali ”

Adding to the festivities, attendees enjoyed a captivating dance performance by Kashmira Sunni and her team, which beautifully captured the spirit of the festival The culinary offerings, curated by Chef Patron Dayashankar Sharma of Heritage Dulwich, featured a delightful array of dishes that enhanced the evening's vibrant atmosphere

Moore Kingston Smith has maintained strong ties with India for over 40 years and has established a dedicated India group that advises businesses managed by the Indian diaspora on both local and international operations

The annual Diwali reception serves as a key event to strengthen these connections and unite the Indian community in London and the South East

1972 and renowned for connecting communities, celebrating achievements, and championing social responsibility, we are thrilled to present an evening that blends cultural vibrancy with a commitment to making a difference

This strategic partnership highlights our shared dedication to grassroots impact and strengthening communities by uplifting our most vulnerable members-disabled and disadvantaged children

The London Diwali Ball will unite people in an immersive evening of culture and entertainment, sharing experiences that transcend backgrounds

Guests will be captivated by an exceptional lineup featuring celebrity chef Sanjeev Kapoor, Voice of Legends singer, Navin Kundra; New York Times and BBC-lauded stand-up comedian Anuvab Pal, IIFAacclaimed Bollywood Dance School, and DJ Krash The UK’s beloved media personality, Anushka Arora, will host the evening with her signature charm and energy Attendees will

enjoy a gourmet feast by London’s top caterer, Ragasaan, featuring dishes that reflect the rich flavours and shared heritage of South Asian cuisine

Beyond the evening’s entertainment, Inochi’s mission remains focused on providing hope and support to children in need across the UK Proceeds from the event will go to Variety, the Children’s Charity, and the Kartik Prabhu Foundation, in support of disabled and disadvantaged children in the UK

The London Diwali Ball is a celebration for all-a gathering where cultural pride, charitable purpose, and the universal values of Diwali come together

We warmly invite everyone to join us on 8th November at the Hilton London Syon Park for a night that celebrates life, gives hope, and unites us in a shared vision for a brighter future

Anja nish S hekha r Ch airman Inoch i Cha ritable Incor pora te d Or ga nisation (CIO)

BollyRed performing at Diwali, Wembley Park

Guests at the event

Vijay Tanna, Bharat Rampal and Ian Matthews

Vijay Tanna addressing the guests

Ketan Dattani

AsA Brighter, Greener Diwali: Celebrating the Festival of Lights Sustainably

Diwal i appr oache s, it's import ant to ce lebra te joyful ly wh ile be ing mindf ul o f t he e nvir onment D iwali, the F estiv al of Lights, is ce lebra ted by Hind us, S ikhs, Jains, and Bu ddh ists gl oba lly It symbo lises th e triumph of g ood ov er evil, light ov er d ar kness, and is a time for f amily ga the rings, f easts, a nd v ibra nt de corat ions H owev er, t rad itional ce lebra tions of ten hav e signif icant environmental impa ct s, with fir eworks, e xce ssiv e energ y use, a nd sing le-use ite ms contributing to pollu tio n a nd wa ste

As environmental awareness grows, many are now embracing sustainable Diwali practices, blending traditions with ecofriendly choices to minimise harm to the planet

Sustainability is not just a passing trend; it’s an essential shift in how we live, including how we celebrate festivals By making thoughtful choices, we can reduce waste, conserve energy, and cut down on pollution, all while maintaining the joy and spirit of Diwali The festival provides a wonderful opportunity to align its message of renewal with actions that are kind to the environment

For Hindus, Diwali marks Lord Rama’s return to Ayodhya after his victory over Ravana, symbolised by lighting oil lamps (diyas) to dispel darkness and welcome prosperity Sikhs commemorate the release of Guru Hargobind Ji, with the lighting of the Golden Temple playing a central role Jains celebrate the nirvana of Lord Mahavira, while some Buddhists mark the occasion with lights and prayers Despite varied religious interpretations, Diwali’s shared theme of light and positivity makes it the perfect time to embrace sustainable practices

One major environmental concern during Diwali is the widespread use of fireworks, which significantly contribute to air and noise pollution

Fireworks release harmful gases and particulate matter into the atmosphere, worsening air quality and posing health

risks, especially in cities

The noise pollution can also distress animals and vulnerable individuals To mitigate this, many are opting for quieter, ecofriendly fireworks that produce less smoke, or choosing alternatives like laser shows or sound-andlight displays These options offer festive visual effects without the environmental consequences

Lighting is another key aspect of Diwali

Traditionally, clay diyas are used to symbolise the victory of light over darkness However, modern electric string lights, while beautiful, can consume significant amounts of energy To make Diwali more sustainable, consider using energy-efficient LED lights, which consume far less electricity and last longer than traditional bulbs Solar-powered lights for outdoor displays are also a great option, reducing energy consumption while still creating a festive atmosphere Returning to the use of clay diyas, which are biodegradable and reusable, adds authenticity while cutting down on waste

Decorations also play a significant role in the festive atmosphere, but many are made from plastic or synthetic materials, contributing to environmental harm

Instead, consider using natural materials like flowers, leaves, and organic fabrics for biodegradable decorations

Upcycling old decorations is another creative and sustainable option, helping to reduce waste while adding a personal touch to your home Handmade paper lanterns, cloth banners, and repurposed fabrics can enhance the festive spirit in an eco-friendly way

Sustainable gifting is another area where small changes can make a big difference Gift-giving is a central part of Diwali, but many presents are wrapped in non-recyclable plastic or come with excessive packaging This year, opt for environmentally friendly gifts such as reusable items, organic skincare products, or handmade goods from local artisans When wrapping gifts, avoid plastic and choose recyclable or reusable

alternatives like cloth bags, paper, or repurposed packaging Supporting local, sustainable businesses not only reduces environmental impact but also strengthens the community

Food is an integral part of Diwali celebrations, with feasts and sweets being highlights However, gatherings can result in significant waste, particularly when disposable plates and cutlery are used To make your Diwali feast more sustainable, use reusable crockery and cutlery, or if disposables are necessary, opt for biodegradable options made from materials like bamboo or palm leaves Reducing food waste is equally important plan meals carefully to avoid excess and encourage guests to take home leftovers

Composting food scraps and recycling packaging are simple ways to further minimise waste

Effective waste management is crucial for ensuring a sustainable Diwali Festivals often generate large amounts of rubbish, from packaging to spent fireworks Set up separate bins for recyclables, compostable materials, and general waste to ensure items are disposed of responsibly Encourage guests to do the same, and consider using reusable containers for distributing leftovers

Diwali is also a time for giving, and many people use the festival as an opportunity to donate to charity or engage in acts of service This year, consider supporting environmental causes as part of your charitable efforts Whether it’s planting trees, supporting wildlife conservation, or donating to clean water initiatives, there are many ways to give back to the planet while celebrating the festival’s spirit of generosity

In conclusion, celebrating Diwali sustainably not only honours the festival’s traditions but also reflects the growing need to protect the environment By making conscious choices whether it’s reducing the use of fireworks, opting for ecofriendly lighting, choosing sustainable decorations, or minimising waste we can all contribute to a healthier planet This Diwali, let’s celebrate the triumph of light over darkness in a way that cares for our Earth, ensuring the Festival of Lights truly illuminates a brighter, greener future for generations to come

Spice up your Diwali with Indian regional flavours

In India, festivals are a time for u niting p eop le from all walks of life, and Diw ali perfectly embodies this spirit as families and friends exchange g ifts and share delicio us foo ds

Sweets are an essential part of Diwali celebrations and a great way to connect across cultures India, being a land of diverse culinary traditions, offers an array of festive foods, many of which are lesser-known but hold great significance during Diwali

Here’s a glimpse of some traditional Diwali foods from different regions if you want to try diversify your celebration this year:

Shufta – Kashm ir: A rich, sweet dish from Jammu & Kashmir, Shufta is made from a blend of dry fruits, spices, and sugar syrup The soaked dry fruits are sautéed in ghee and mixed with sugar, spices, rose petals, and saffron, creating a flavorful treat Cho rafali – Gujarat: This crispy, fried snack from Gujarat is made from gram and urad flour and spiced with aamchoor, red

chili powder, and black salt Its tangy and salty flavours pairs perfectly with a cup of evening tea

Khaja – Bihar: Khaja is a crunchy, layered pastry made from all-purpose flour and fried to perfection Soaked in sugar syrup, this Diwali delicacy is both sweet and addictive

Gavv alu – A nd hra

Prad esh: Shaped like tiny gnocchi, Gavvalu is a sweet made from flour, ghee, and jaggery Dipped in sugar syrup, these little bites are indulgent and pack a sugary punch

Chh odo Sh aak – West Bengal: In contrast to the sweets made across India for Diwali, West Bengal offers Chhodo Shaak, a savoury dish made from 14 types of leafy greens Traditionally prepared for Kali Puja, it’s believed to ward off evil during the

festive season

Narikol L aru – A ssam: This popular Assamese dessert, also known as coconut laddoo, is made from grated coconut, ghee, cardamom, and sugar Its rich flavour makes it a Diwali favourite

Anarsa – M aharashtra: A staple in Maharashtrian

Diwali celebrations, Anarsa is a deep-fried sweet fritter made from rice flour and jaggery, sprinkled with poppy seeds It’s often enjoyed as part of the traditional Diwali faral Suran C urry – Uttar Prad esh: In parts of Eastern UP and Bihar, Suran (Elephant Foot Yam) is prepared as a special curry during Diwali Cooking Suran is considered auspicious and is believed to bring wealth and happiness to the family

Evolution of saree draping styles

Th e saree, a versatile and elegant garm ent, h as been a staple o f Indian attire fo r centuries Its jou rney throu gh time reflects the rich cu ltural tap estry of India, showcasing not only reg ional v ariations but also the evolution of fash ion and so cietal norms F rom its o rigins to contemp orary styles, the saree has adapted and transfo rmed, becoming a symbol of grace and identity for w omen across the country

The origins can be traced back over 5,000 years to the Indus Valley Civilization, where evidence of draped garments similar to the saree has been discovered in ancient sculptures and artefacts Initially, the saree was a simple piece of unstitched cloth, usually around five to nine yards long, that women draped around their bodies in various styles The draping technique was influenced by local customs, climate, and individual preferences, resulting in a wide array of styles that would evolve over the centuries

As India comprises diverse cultures and traditions, so too does the saree reflect this variety through its draping styles

Each region has developed its unique draping technique, often showcasing local fabrics, embroidery, and motifs

1 Nauvari (Maharashtra): This style, meaning "nine yards," is

characterised by a dramatic drape that resembles a dhoti It allows for ease of movement, making it popular among farmers and dancers

2 Kanjeevaram (Tamil Nadu): Known for its luxurious silk, the Kanjeevaram saree is typically draped with a heavy pleat at the front, accentuating the rich border This style is often worn during festive occasions and weddings

3 Bengal (West Bengal): The Bengali saree is often draped with a distinctive front pleat and allows for the pallu to be elegantly draped over the shoulder, highlighting the intricate handloom patterns and designs

4 Gujarat: The traditional Gujarati drape features a unique technique known as the "seedha pallu," where the pallu is taken over the right shoulder, allowing for

vibrant embroidery to be showcased 5 Lehenga style: In contemporary fashion, the saree has also been adapted into a lehenga style, where the saree is draped in a manner that resembles a skirt, offering a modern twist to the traditional garment Mod ern d raping styles

The late 20th and early 21st centuries witnessed a significant transformation in saree draping styles, influenced by globalisation and changing fashion trends Designers began experimenting with contemporary fabrics, cuts, and draping methods, making the saree more accessible and appealing to younger generations It has introduced innovative styles like predraped sarees, which offer ready-to-wear convenience for busy professionals Saree gowns blend traditional elegance with modern ease, making them a popular choice for formal occasions

The rise of athleisure fashion has inspired designers to create sarees with sporty elements and breathable fabrics for added comfort and flexibility

Additionally, sustainable sarees made from organic cotton and natural dyes are gaining popularity, reflecting a growing commitment to environmental consciousness while celebrating traditional craftsmanship

Chorafali

Anarsa

Golden rules for a safe festive season

A s the festive seaso n approaches, p olice are

u rging m em bers of th e

A sian comm unity to take extra precautio ns to p rotect their treasured family g old and valuable jewellery

Family gold, often highvalue pieces acquired as wedding gifts or inherited through generations, carries significant sentimental value and cultural importance

Women frequently wear these heirlooms in public, making them attractive targets for thieves Losing such irreplaceable items can be incredibly distressing for victims, both emotionally and financially

While the ideal solution would be to store all gold and jewellery in a secure safe deposit box, many prefer to keep these valuable items at home If you choose to do so, it’s essential to follow certain safety measures to help safeguard your possessions during this busy time

T ips fo r protecting your h ome and personal safety

Burglary p revention

Lo ck up: Ensure all windows and doors are locked, even if you ’ re at home Invest in sturdy locks

and consider installing deadbolts for added security

Lig ht it up : Use timer switches for lights to create the illusion that someone is home, especially when you ’ re out Install motion-activated lights outside your home to deter potential intruders

Hide valuables: Don’t leave valuables in plain sight Store them securely to deter potential thieves

Buy a high-quality safe, which complies with insurance rating standards and is fixed securely to a wall or the floor

Be m ind ful of yo ur surrou nd ing s: Be aware of your environment and any unusual activity in your neighbourhood Join or establish a neighbourhood watch program to keep an eye out for each other’s

homes during the festive period

Perso nal Safety

Stay aw are: Be conscious of your surroundings and trust your instincts

Lim it distractions: Avoid wearing headphones or engaging in phone conversations while out, as these can divert your attention

Secure you r belonging s: Keep your purse and valuables inside a zipped compartment in your bag If wearing jewellery, consider covering it with a scarf for added discretion

Lock you r vehicle: Always keep your vehicle locked, and refrain from leaving items on display that might tempt thieves

By taking these precautions, you can enjoy the festive season with peace of mind, knowing that you ’ ve done your best to protect your family’s cherished possessions

Grand Annakutosav to mark Diwali praised at the House of Commons

On Wednesd ay 23 Octo ber 2024 , a Diw ali celebratio n was org anised at the House of Co mmons by the Hindu Forum of Britain This year, S

"K umkum" UK was inv ited to org anise th e Annakut at this celebratio

Annakut display on a specially designed stage with Lord Swaminarayan presiding

Providing details about t h e e v e n t , S a d h u Premvatsaldasji of Kumkum Mandir shared that many M P s f r o m L o n d o n , l o c a l councillors, trustees of various temples and over 251 d i g n i t a r i e s f r o m d i f f e r e n t social organisations attended the Annakut festival The P u b l i s h e r - E d i t o r o f A s i a n V o i c e a n d G u j a r a t S a m a c h a r , C B P a t e l , w a s also present at the occasion,

Diwali Shopping Bazaar at Harrow shines bright

Tanisha Gujarathi

The Diwa li Shoppin g Ba za ar, h ost ed by Pan kka j Sodha at Har row Le isur e Ce nt re on O ctobe r 26 a nd 27, a ttr acted a vibr ant cr owd of appr oxim ate ly 3, 000 att end ees, celebra ting the fe stival of lig hts wit h an impr essiv e lin eup of s h o pp i n g , e n t e r t a i n m e n t , a nd cultura l activitie s This e ve nt ma rke d an e nr iching

commun ity gat her in g, offerin g a un ique cult ural e xpe rie nce and festive at mosp here in honour of Diwali

The event's appeal was significantly elevated by the presence of celebrated actors

N i d h i S h a h a n d N i s h i Saxena, renowned for their roles as Kinjal and Dimpy, respectively, in the popular

I n d i a n t e l e v i s i o n s e r i e s Anupama Their participat i o n b r o u g h t a n a d d e d dimension to the event, as they graciously engaged with visitors, participated in cultural activities, and posed for p h o t o g r a p h s w i t h f a n s Their presence attracted a

c o n s i d e r a b l e n u m b e r o f admirers, adding a touch of glamour and enthusiasm to the celebrations

The Diwali Bazaar showcased an impressive array of o v e r 5 0 s t a l l s , f e a t u r i n g a d i v e r s e r a n

across sectors, including real

, clothing, and food Vendors presented attendees with an extensive selection of tradit i o n

goods, from intricate jewellery pieces to vibrant ethnic apparel and festive culin

and vocal performances that maintained a lively and celebratory ambiance The range of performances, both tradi-

Diwali’s traditions

The event was further honoured by the presence of H

B

, a

D

p u t y Mayor, Anjana Patel Both d i g n i t a r i e s e x t e n d e d t h e i r congratulations on the successful event, commending the value it brought to the community’s cultural landscape In a notable ceremony, Bob Blackman MP presented Pankkaj Sodha with an award for Excellence in Leadership, recognising his d e d i c a t i o n a n d c o n t r i b ut i o n s i n o r g a n i z i n g t h e Diwali Shopping Bazaar and his commitment to fostering c o m m u n i t y u n i t y T h e r e c o g n i t i o n w a s m e t w i t h applause from the audience, h i g h l i g h t i n g t h e a p p r e c i ation for Mr Sodha’s initiative in bringing the Diwali spirit to Harrow

T h e D i w a l i S h o p p i n g

B a z a a r p r o v e d t o b e a n exceptional opportunity for c o m m u n i t y m e m b e r s t o c o m e t o g e t h e r , c e l e b r a t e , and experience the joy of D i w a l i t h r o u g h a w e l l -

r o u n d e d e v e n t t h a t c o m -

b i n e d c o m m e r c e , c u l t u r e , and camaraderie With its festive decorations, enthusiastic vendors, and engaging performances, the event prov i d e d a t t e n d e e s w i t h a n authentic Diwali experience and an atmosphere of rejuvenation

and

Mishra (MP for Stockport) Prasad was distributed to more than 300

where he praised the religious and social activities of Kumkum Mandir, founded b y S a d g u r u S h a s t r i S h r i Anandpriyadasji Swami T h e A n n a k

from Bob Blackman (MP for

expressed that Indian festivals are now being celebrated across the world, which is also a matter of pride for every Indian and such festiv

Simple strategies for a Dementia-friendly celebration

Diwali is usually a time for family gatherings, feasting, and cel ebrati on , but supporting a loved one wi th de m e nt i a c an pr e s e nt uniq ue challenges By keepin g a f ew ke y con si der ati ons in mi nd when planni n g ga th er in gs , y ou c an create a dementi a-friendly Diwali that ens ures everyone feels included and can enjoy the festiviti es Marion Child, Head of Local Services for London a t A l z h e i m e r ’ s S o c i e t y , highlighted the importance o f i n c l u d i n g i n d i v i d u a l s w i t h d e m e n t i a i n D i w a l i c e l e b r a t i o n s , s t a t i n g , “Involving them can evoke happy memories and create n e w o n e s , s i g n i f i c a n t l y e n h a n c i n g t h e i r w e l lbeing ” She also offers tips for making Diwali festivities more dementia-friendly

1 C r e a t i n g a s o o t h i n g atmosphere– A house full o f g u e s t s c a n o v e r w h e l m individuals with dementia, a s t h e n o i s e f r o m l o u d music, fireworks, and mult i p l e c o n v e r s a t i o n s m a y cause confusion and anxie t y T o p r o m o t e c a l m e r participation in the celebrations, it's helpful to set up a designated "quiet room" or space where they can enjoy quality time with family

2 Planning activities –Consider the ways the pers o n m a y h a v e c e l e b r a t e d

Diwali in the past and ask if there are any activities they would like to incorporate t h i s y e a r S h a r i n g p h o t o albums, along with music and songs that evoke spec i f i c m e m o r i e s , c a n h e l p make the celebration more meaningful for them

3 Food and drink for f e s t i v i t i e s – I n d i v i d u a l s with dementia may require gentle reminders to eat and drink, especially amidst distractions Consider offering a small finger buffet featuring their favourite treats, as a large plate of food can feel overwhelming for them

4 Decorating for Diwali – When planning activities for Diwali, consider engagi n g i

h dementia in simple, familiar traditions that evoke joy and comfort Activities like making lanterns, colouring,

that tasks are manageable

tion at their

5 S

experts - Dementia affects

, s o strategies that work for one individual may not be suitable for another Regardless of your situation,

Dholakia OBE

Navendu

L-R: Daksha Sodha Cllr Kanti Rabadia Pankkaj Sodha Nishi Saxena Bob Blackman MP Nidhi Shah Deputy Mayor Anjana Patel

Visitors at the Diwali Shopping Bazaar

Er Trupti Patel (President HFB) Bob Blackman MP Deepak Chaudhary (Minister of Coordination), CB Patel and Shashi Vekaria (Vascroft Contractors)

The devotees and volunteers (satsangi brothers and sisters) who served during the Annakutosav

Present at the event were Bob Blackman MP, Kumkum Mandir's Jadubhai Hirani, Dineshbhai Hirani, Vijaybhai Hirani and other trustees from various religious organisations

Dear Financial Voice Reader,

Alpesh P

Why a “M utt” Fu nd May Ou tperform a “Ped igree” Fu nd : L essons from S t James’s Place and Bestinv est

A recent report from Bestinvest, revisited by St James’s Place, challenges the assumption that top-performing funds are inherently superior to their so-called “underperforming” counterparts Bestinvest's “Spot the Dog” report originally aimed to single out “dog” funds those which consistently failed to beat the benchmark index by a certain margin Surprisingly, after three years, it appears that these underperformers have often outpaced the funds previously deemed “pedigrees,” raising profound questions about investment decision-making, fund manager strategies, and the pitfalls of chasing past performance

The problem is that the argument for ‘mutts’ which St James’s Place has a lot of, was stick with the bad dogs, they may do better That’s a pretty poor argument I wrote in my Financial Times column two decades ago there is no persistence of performance in funds Ie good ones go back to the average as they were only good by luck of large numbers (Fama got the Nobel Prize for proving this) and the poor ones stay poor anyway

Ch allenging the Pedig ree Illusion

This counterintuitive outcome brings to mind a fundamental principle of investing mean reversion This p h e n o

extreme performance (positive or negative), often revert to their long-term average returns In practical terms, a fund that has been underperforming may contain undervalued assets poised for recovery, while top-performing funds could be overpriced, setting up for a future slowdown The problem is the rubbish dogs have a low average they tend to stick around and academics cannot find evidence of persistence of good performance only persistence of poor performance So St James’s Place – nice try – but you ain’t fooling me

Th e Risks of Ch asing Past Performance

Bestinvest's report brings to light the dangers of “ performance chasing,” a common tendency among investors Studies, such as those by Odean et al (1998) and Berk & Green (2002), have long indicated that hopping from one high-performing fund to another can be a wealth-destroying strategy over time Emotional investing, driven by recency bias and fear of missing out, often lures individuals to flock toward “pedigree” funds, assuming they are safer or inherently superior Don’t fall foul of poor logic I always tell people to learn to do it themselves – www campaignforamillion com in which I show you how and even do a free analysis of your pension is a good example E mbracing a Contrarian A pproach

The contrarian does not pick poor managers and ditch good ones The contrarian ditches managers and learns to invest himself

Rethinking St Jam es ’ s P lace and Bestinvest’s Strategy

The Bestinvest report sheds light on a broader issue in the wealth management industry Institutions, including St James’s Place, often promote an illusion of safety through pedigree funds Yet, data increasingly suggest that investors might be better served by questioning these assumptions and scrutinizing the criteria underpinning “top fund” recommendations This is not to suggest that investors should automatically gravitate toward underperforming funds but rather that they should apply a healthy dose of skepticism to short-term performance metrics

Insights on the trade tightrope

Anusha Singh Siddharth Shankar is a prominent trader in the Asian market and

offices spanning 53 countries, Tails

industry

In an interview with Asian Voice, Shankar shares his expert insights into the trading sector and discusses the operations of his company.

Whatinspired the origin of your company, and what vision and work went into its early days?

We started the business in 2017,

investor in a semi-executive role The main founder was a close friend and MBA classmate, Marcus and our orig-

Given Asia's vast opportunities and purchasing power, our venture aimed to create a distribution model that connected British brands with the Asian market We launched at a particularly opportune time, just after B

there’s uncertainty, there’s also business opportunity, and this insight prompted us to begin

, Marcus, worked diligently to establish the supply chains from the UK to Asia, handling the technical and operational aspects However, as he had to take care of some personal matters back home, I ultimately bought him out at the end of 2019 or the start of 2020, taking over 100% ownership At that point, we decided to pivot our business model from a distribution focus to an ownership model The pandemic had pushed many of our suppliers to the brink, allowing us to acquire some of them Owning the brands provided us with full control and eliminated the need to negotiate distribution rights, thereby opening up global markets With travel restrictions in place, it made sense to concentrate on local markets in the UK, enabling us to reach customers closer to home

Pam Kaur becomes first woman CFO of HSBC

H S B C , w h ic h w as f o u nd e d b y a S co tsm an m o re than 15 0- years ag o , named P am Kaur, th e first female ch ief financial officer in its history

The 60-year-old brings a long focus o n a u d i t i n g , r i s k s a n d c o m p l i a n c e across almost four decades of banking career spanning various global lenders She joined HSBC in April 2013 as internal audit head, coming aboard shortly after the bank admitted to anti-money l a u n d e r i n g a n d s a n c

o n s v i o l a t i o n s and entered a deferred prosecution agreement with the US Justice department

Kaur, who was educated at Panjab University, takes on her new role at a challenging time as interest rates fall and amid geopolitical tensions in key markets, includi n g C h i n a a n d H o n g K o n g T h e b a n k unveiled a broad restructuring across different business lines and geographies as newly appointed Chief Executive Officer Georges Elhedery embarks on ambitious cost cuts

HSBC will have to find a way to shave off $2 billion in costs in order to sustain a key

Pam Kaur

measure of the bank’s profits, according to Bloomberg Intelligence

“We had a strong bench of internal and external candidates to choose from and Pam was the exceptional candidate to recommend to the board,” said Elhedery, who was elevated from CFO, in a statement Shares of HSBC slipped 0 4% at 1:03 p m in London

With the promotion, Kaur becomes one of the most senior women in banking across Europe

What criteria do you consider when deciding to partner with a brand?

When evaluating a brand in the C o n s u m e r P a c k a g e d G o o d s ( C P G ) space, we approach it from two sides: the brand itself and the product For the brand, we look at the story how it connects with consumers, how easy or challenging it may be to sell, its relevance, and other intangible factors that define a brand's presence and impact On the product side, we focus on the tangible elements: the unique selling point (USP), how it stands out in the current market, and whether s

before If so, we consider what succ

informs our approach We then anal-

assessing the speed and scale of potential distribution, and identifying any manufacturing hurdles, such as production location and costs In short, we weigh both tangible and intangible elements, bringing them together to determine if the brand’s formula has the right balance to succeed If it does, based on our experience, we move forward with it

Whatdo you think is driving the trend of rising luxury brand popularity in India, especially given the cultural emphasis on affordability and sustainability?

I don’t think India as a whole is consuming more luxury on a per capita basis It’s actually the top 1% whose c

n s u m p t i o n h a s i n c r e a s e d , w h i c h then reflects in the market For example, a designer store that once had 50 regular clients might now have 60, with each client buying more than before So that’s fuelling the demand Although the country is consuming more, that’s partly due to population growth from 1 billion to 1 4 billion Luxury consumption hasn’t increased at the same rate Among the upper class, popularly called India 1, consumption is stable, yet this group creates a desirability factor for luxury that ripples through other segments Take Bose headphones as an example Once accessible only to India 1, the demand for similar, more affordable options led to brands like boAt and Noise, which offer comparable features, albeit

at different quality levels This aspirational element allows India 2 and India 3 segments to participate, indirectly boosting the economy and meeting aspirational demand without escalating overall luxury consumption

Whatare some key complexities that anyone entering your industry should expect?

I think operational delays are a sign i f i c a n t f a c t o r t h a t m a n y b

s plans fail to account for Even as an investor who has invested in numerous businesses, I've noticed that people often create optimistic timelines for years one through four without

that can arise at every stage of the process It's a common misconception to blame these delays solely on government issues, but that’s not the full story For instance, here in the UK, we frequently face delivery challenges due to a shortage of truck drivers When building a business plan, these operational delays can make the difference between survival and failure for small companies, and for larger firms, they can impact the bottom line in ways that are hard to quantify

Another thing that I’ve observed mainly in India, is a troubling trend where many businesses seem to prioritise obtaining funding over building a solid foundation The ideal approach should be to reach a point of growth, and then seek funding to support that

upfront While this model works for a few, it fails for the majority We need to shift our mindset away from the chase for Series A, Series B, and Series C funding rounds toward a focus on creating genuine value in our busi-

Bank of England advances digital currency plans

The B ank of England is moving forward with plans to develop a form of digital money for public use, despite its hesitations, as Governor Andrew B ai ley expressed concerns about commerc ial banks potent i al ly fa l li n g b eh i nd le s

ec h firms Bailey reiterated his worry that everyday payments and banking services might shift towards cryptocurrencies or tech company offerings, which could be less safe and private than traditional banks The Bank of England and the UK finance ministry have stated that they will not make a final decision on a state-backed digital pound or central bank digital currency (CBDC) before 2025, following a consultation that raised

significant privacy concerns " W h i l e a C B D C i s n ' t m y p r e f e r r e d option, we can't rule it out," Bailey said at the Group of Thirty meeting in Washington, a gathering for central banks and commercial bankers He noted that Britain's current electronic payment infrastructure already enables fast transfers without upfront costs However, future digital currencies could enhance options, such as automatic payments He suggested that commercial banks may be avoiding innovation due to the high profits generated by the existing system "To be frank, if the profits from the payment systems inhibit innovation and competition, that's why we need to consider a retail CBDC," Bailey concluded

Treasury aims to finish NatWest sell-off by 2025

T he Treasu ry is set to co mp lete th e sale of its stake in NatWest Grou p by spring 2025, as officials evaluate th e p otential for fu rther sh are placements in the bailed- out bank

NatWest's surplus capital, the timeline could accelerate While the Treasury had initially

, sources indicate that the final share disposal could occur within six months The current trading plan is returning about one percentage point of NatWest's equity to private ownership approximately every two weeks

c c o r d i n g t o S k y N e w s , t h e U K Government Investments (UKGI) has been steadily selling shares, with the final remnants of the original £45 5 billion stake expected to return to private ownership by May 2025 However, if Chancellor Rachel Reeves decides to launch a placement of shares to institution-

Siddharth Shankar

IMF retains India’s growth estimate at 7%

T he International Monetary F und (IMF ) retained India’ s g ro wth p ro jecti on f or th e current fiscal at 7%, while l ow eri ng th e e sti m ate fo r C hina from 5% to 4 8% and raising it for the US to 2 8% F

said It cautioned that output g r

reforms, which is slowing expansion

comes ahead of the IMF and W

tightening by several central

financial markets as well as property sector contraction

Adani group to acquire Orient Cement from CK Birla

G

Chandra Kant Birla and his fami ly for £37 9 1 mn as it loo ks to top ple UltraTech Cement, owned by Kumar Mangalam Birla, fro m th e top po sition in th e indu stry

June Orient, which had also reportedly attracted interest from UltraTech and Sajjan

J i

Telangana and Karnataka, a

capital to prioritise certain businesses over others

A

I nd

A irli nes (SIA ) h ave announced a major expans io n o f th ei r c odeshare agreement, ad di ng

1 1 I nd i an c i ti es and 4 0 i nternati onal destinations to t h ei r s ha re d net

k T hi s e xp a ns i o n, ef f e ct i v e f r o m O ctober 27, i s the f irst major

u p d at e t o t h ei r c o d e s h ar e arrangement si nce 2010 The move i s d es igned to provid e p a s s en ge rs w i th e nh a nc ed

t r av el o p t i o ns be tw e en S i nga p o re , I nd i a, a nd numerous destinati ons across A sia, Australas ia, and beyond U n d e r t h i s a g r e e m e n t ,

b o t h a i r l i n e s w i l l n o w codeshare each other’s flights between Singapore and the I n d i a n c i t i e s o f B e n g a l u r u and Chennai, increasing the t o t a l w e e k l y s c h e d u l e d codeshare services between the two countries from 14 to 5 6 A d d i t i o n a l l y , S i n g a p o r e Airlines will codeshare on Air

I n d i a ’ s d o m e s t i c f l i g h t s connecting cities like Delhi, M u m b a i , a n d K o l k a t a t o important destinations such

tension impacting oil and commodity prices

countries

further

“The risks are building

Gourinchas said

Air India and Singapore Airlines expand codeshare agreement

a s A m r i t s a r , B e n g a l u r u , Coimbatore, Lucknow, Goa, and Guwahati

T h i s a r r a n g e m e n t a l s o s i g n i f i c a n t l y e x t e n d s t h e international reach of both airlines Air India customers will now have access to 29 a d d i t i o n a l d e s t i n a t i o n s a c r o s s S i n g a p o r e A i r l i n e s ’ network, covering key cities i n A u s t r a l i a ( S y d n e y , Melbourne, Perth), Indonesia ( J a k a r t a , D e n p a s a r ) , J a p a n (Tokyo, Osaka), South Korea

( S e o u l , B u s a n ) , a n d N e w Zealand, among others

and London

A s p a r t o f t h e acquisition process, Ambuja will also make an open offer for an additional 26% stake t o O r i e n t ’ s p u b l i c shareholders, in compliance w

e o v e r regulations, amounting to £211 2 mn This acquisition marks Ambuja’s fifth since its takeover by Adani in Sept

Ambuja’s cement capacity by 8 5 million tons, bringing

million tons, with a target of reaching 140 million tons by

UltraTech currently boasts

and aims to reach

million tons by 2027

Orient Cement aligns with

Nvidia, Reliance join hands to build AI computing infra

A m e r ic a n c h ip b eh e m ot h N vi d ia Co r p a n d In di a ’ s Rel ianc e Industries unveiled t h ei r g oa l t o b ui l d a f o r m id a b l e AI c o m p ut in g infras tructure in the countr y Highlighting the tie-up, Jensen Huang, founder and C E O o f N v i d i a , m a d e a broader appeal: India should f o c u s o n “ m a n u f a c t u r i n g ”

A I , r a t h e r t h a n r a c i n g t o build semiconductor fabs

World

C

f Commercial Officer of Air

I n d i a , h i g h l i g h t e d t h e expanded codeshare as a step f o r w

H e expressed excitement about e x t e n d i n g c o n n e c t i v i t y across Southeast Asia, the Far East, and Australasia

O n t h e o t h e r h a n d , S i n g a p o r e A i r l i n e s passengers will benefit from a c c e s s t o A i r I n d i a ’ s international services from B e n g a l u r u , D e l h i , a n d Mumbai to 12 global cities a c r o s s E u r o p e , W e s

tailored to Indian tastes, the brand said in a statement Reliance Retail, which is headed by Ambani’s daughter Isha Ambani, has introduced

setting,” said EL&N London founder Alexandra Miller

global brands in India since

such as Emporio Armani, G-

Superdry, among others

A s p a r t o f t h i s c o l l a b o r a t i o n , N v i d i a w i l l r e p o r t e d l y s u p p l y i t s Blackwell AI processors to p o w e r R e l i a n c e ’ s o n eg i g a w a t t d a t a c e n t e r i n Jamnagar, Gujarat The US t e c h c o m p a n y w i l l a l s o p r o v i d e i t s a d v a n c e d Hopper AI chips to build large-scale data centers, in an expansion led by firms, such as data centre provider Y o t t a D a t a S e r v i c e s a n d Tata Communications I n f o s y s , T C S , a n d Wipro, all titans of India’s IT industry, will help deploy custom AI solutions using N v i d i a ’ s e n t e r p r i s e p l a t f o r m , w h i l e T e c h Mahindra shall tap into its n e w H i n d i - l a n g

model to develop Indus

Mukesh Ambani, chairman and managing director of Reliance Industries In a fireside chat with H

ushered in “the Intelligence Revolution", noting that AI

Swiggy trims valuation target to $11.3 bn for IPO

Sw iggy is targeting a v aluation of $11 3 billion for its £1 13 bn (close to $1 4 billion) initial public offering (IPO), w hich is set for a No v 6 launch

The food delivery startup has tempered down its initial target of up to $13 billion valuation amid choppy market conditions

market debut

“Had the market conditions been better, Swiggy may have looked at a valuation of $12 5-13 billion Besides, it’s the only over $1 billion IPO slated to be launched globally during the time of the US elections,” sources said

Swiggy will raise £449 9 mn through a fresh issuance of shares, while the offer for sale component will amount to £682 8 mn, sources said Swiggy’s largest shareholder

Prosus, along with other investors including Accel and Elevation Capital, are selling a portion of their stakes in the IPO SoftBank is not selling any shares

“As a consumer company, we want to place more on the table for retail investors

The $11 3 billion valuation is still at a 10% premium to the last equity round,” sources said Swiggy had last raised $700 million from investors in Jan 2022 at a valuation of $10 7 billion

Gujarat adds 300,000 new investors in September

F o r t he f irs t ti m e, G uj ar at s i g na lle d i ts insatiable ap petite for equity inv estments by adding th e highest num ber of new investors in the country th is S eptember According to the National Stock Exch ange (NSE ), Gu jarat ad d ed a r ec o rd - b rea ki ng 3 0 2, 0 0 0 new investors, marking a stagg ering 135% growth fro m A ug This is the first tim e ev er th at Gujarat ov ertook Uttar P radesh (296, 000 ) and Maharashtra (260 ,00 0) to claim the to p spot T h e N S E r e p o r t s t a t e s , “ G u j a r a t outshined Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra in Sep 2024, with more than 300,000 new registrations, capturing 14% of the country’s total Uttar Pradesh followed with 296,000 registrations, holding a 13 6% share, while Maharashtra slipped to third with 260,000 registrations and a 12% share ” P u t t i n g t h i s i n p e r s p e c t i v e , G u n j a n Choksi, founder and MD of a stock broking firm, said, “The calendar year 2024 is shaping up to be another blockbuster for the primary market Corporates have already raised £10 bn through IPOs, with several big ones still in the pipeline, some aiming to raise over a billion dollars This is creating lucrative listing gain opportunities for investors ” “With one strong listing after another, interest in the primary market remains skyh i g h W h i l e G u j a r a t i s h a v e b e e n d e e p l y involved in the stock market for decades, many are yet to make their move I believe those who were mere spectators are now e x p e r i e n c i n g F O M O a n d e n t e r i n g t h e market through IPOs,” he further adds

Abu Dhabi BAPS Mandir gearing up to welcome thousands of visitors

A BU DHA B I: Th e BAPS Hindu M andir in Abu Dhabi is preparing to welco me thou sands of visitors for its first g rand Diwali and Hind u New Year celebrations In its first seven m onths, the temple has receiv ed 1 5 m ill io n v i s ito rs and w o n s ev era l p restigio us national and intern at io n al aw ard s fo r d e s ig n, arch itecture, culture and engineering , o ffering visito rs a h ost o f extraordinary exp eriences

From the revival of ancient art through its intricate hand

c a r v i n g s

y food court which serves pure vegetarian cuisine tells the story of harmony and humanity, the Mandir leaves visitors deeply fulfilled and spiritually uplifted

As the temple prepares for its first Diwali (Festival of Light) and Annakut (Festival of Food) celebrations, hundreds of dedic

tirelessly day and night, with wholehearted support from the local government and community at large On 2nd and 3rd

Hindu New Year As thanksgiving for G

pure vegetarian dishes will be offered in creative settings that

include lotuses in the desert, peacocks, Ram Setu, Mt Kailash and Mansarovar, the Jagannath chariot, golden steps and artistic banana leaves

With thousands expected to attend, special festival arrangements have been made by the Abu Dhabi police and relevant government authorities to facilitate traffic, parking, security and queues

Hindus protest against attacks on them in Bangladesh, demand justice

and

B

m em bers of th e comm unity in the country gathered in C h i ttag o ng las t w eek and d em anded justice

The Hindu community has been facing attacks since

A u g u s t 5 , w h e n S h e i k h

H a s i n a r e s i g n e d a s P r i m e Minister following massive violent protests

Their residents, temples, and endowments were targeted throughout the country, with crimes including rape, arson, looting, forced land grabs, threats to life, a n d c o e r c i o n t o f l e e t h e

country being reported

Chittagong under the ban-

agenda with regard to their demand for justice from the Muhammad Yunus government

h

Sanatan Jagaran Manch

launch a massive protest in Dhaka if their demands are not met According to the Hindu organisation, every time there is a change in government in Bangladesh, they have to face attack and atrocities

charge on August 7 under Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus promised safety for

attacks have allegedly con-

months

Meanwhile, threats from student groups as well as

Bangladesh have been openly threatening Hindus not to

country These threats have

among the Hindu population

BNP thwarts bid to remove Bangladesh prez, warns of national crisis

D H AK A : Af ter t h ei r s u ccessful collaborati on in getting ex-P M S heikh Hasina d i s lo d ge d, B an gl ad es h National P arty and the student o utfi ts app ear to h ave fallen o ut over th e continuatio n o f P rez Moh ammed S hahabuddin, with the former th warting an attempt to remo ve h im

B N P l e a d e r s h i p , i t i s learnt, foiled a push to get the prez to quit, stressing that such a move would cre-

a t e a c o n s t i t u t i o n a l a n d

n a t i o n a l c r i s i s H o w e v e r , the students represented by Nahid Islam, I&B adviser in

t h e i n t e r i m g o v t , w h o became the face of the student protests, said the issue

h a s n o t b e e n c l o s e d a n d talks were underway

“ I t ( t h e p r e s i d e n c y ) i s the highest constitutional position It is also an institution,” BNP standing committee member Salahuddin

A h m e d s a i d , a d a y a f t e r

D h a k a e r u p t e d w i t h s t udent-led protests demanding Shahabuddin’s resignat i o n o v e r h i s p u r p o r t e d statement that there was no

in brief 3 GUJARATIS KILLED IN CANADA CAR CRASH

Due to limited capacity, all visitors are advised to follow these guidelines and instructions:

• All visitors are required to register pPrior to arriving at the temple

• V i s

own vehicles must Park at Al Shahama F1 Parking

• Frequent shuttle buses will be provided by the government from the event parking location to the temple site

• Avoid bringing bags, metal o

valuables

“documentary evidence” of H a s i n a h a v i n g o f f i c i a l l y resigned “The nation does not expect a constitutional or political crisis from such actions (as the president’s

r e m o v a l o r r e s i g n a t i o n , ” A h m e d s a i d , a l l u d i n g t o reports of the interim govt being on a collision course with the president BNP standing committee members met the interi m g o v t c h i e f a d v i s e r Muhammad Yunus after the o v e r n i g h t d e m o n s t r a t i o n s outside the presidential residence Govt forces batonc h a r g e d p r o t e s t e r s a f t e r they pulled down barricades in a bid to storm the compound, reminiscent of the u p r i s i n g t h a t t o p p l e d t h e e r s t w h i l e A w a m i L e a g u e govt on Aug 5 Yunus’s press secretary Shafiqul Alam described the hurriedly convened meeting with the BNP delegation at t h e s t a t e g u e s t h o u s e Jamuna “ a part of the ongoing political dialogue”, seeking to contest the notion

t h a t t h e d i s c u s s i o n w a s f o c u s e d o n t h e g a t h e r i n g

storm surrounding the presidency and early elections

I & B a d v i s e r N a h i d I s l a m said a decision regarding the p r e z c o u l d b e r e a c h e d through political consensus instead of taking recourse

t o l e g a l o r c o n s t i t u t i o n a l procedures “Whether the president remains in office or not is not currently a legal or constitutional question It is a political decision ”

Pakistan's Punjab province to offer cash to Hindus and Sikhs ahead of festivals

I SL A MA B A D : Th e Punja b gove rn ment in P a ki st a n , l e d b y C hi e f Mi ni st e r Ma r y a m Nawaz Shar if, wil l provide PKR 10,000 to 2, 2 00 S ik h a n d H in d u fa m il i e s i n t h e p r ov i n ce a he a d o f G ur u N a n

h an niv ersary an d D iwal i A spokespe rson for the Punjab governmen t sta ted that the chief ministe r had instruct ed official s t o promptl y initiate the pr ocess of distributing festival cards to “ our Hindu an d Sikh brother s ”

Beginning this year, these 2,200 families will receive financial aid annually as part of the festival card programme

The Punjab cabinet has approved the 'festival card' initiative, through which these families will receive financial aid to celebrate t h e i r r

observed from October 31 to November 2 this year Guru Nanak Jayanti falls on November 15 India and Pakistan earlier announced that they have agreed to extend their agreement on the Kartarpur Corridor, allowing Indian nationals visa-free access to the gurdwara where Guru Nanak spent his final years

Additionally, a new visa automation system has been introduced to ease the visa process for foreign pilgrims Saifullah Khokhar, Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB)'s additional secretary Shrines, was quoted as saying that over 3,000 Sikh pilgrims from India and 1,000 from other countries are expected to visit Pakistan next month for Guru Nanak Dev's 555th birth anniversary

According to the external affairs ministry, India has once again requested Pakistan to waive the $20 service fee charged to Indian pilgrims using the Kartarpur Corridor

Japan's ruling party loses its majority in parliament

TO K YO : The coaliti on led by Japan’s ru ling Li beral Democrati c P arty (LDP) has lost its majo ri ty i n p arli ament, i ts worst result i n over a decade

The LDP and its much smaller coalition partner Komeito, have taken 215 seats together, falling short of the 233-seat majority needed to govern

The party's new leader Shigeru Ishiba said there are no plans to expand the coalition at this stage Ishiba, who called the election just days before he was sworn in as prime minister, has vowed to stay in office despite the LDP's loss of parliamentary majority In a speech, he said the party has

Four Indians were killed after a Tesla car they were travelling in caught fire after crashing into a divider near Toronto in Canada Among those who died were 30-year-old Keta Gohil and 26-year-old Nil Gohil siblings from Godhra in Gujarat They were travelling with two other individuals who too died after the car caught fire An individual who had just recently become a Canadian citizen was also killed in the accident The Tesla crashed into a divider, following which its battery caught fire, leading to the death of all the four individuals at the scene A woman in her 20s was pulled from the burning car by a passing motorist who stopped to help She was taken to hospital with serious but non-life threatening injuries

SIKH WOMAN EMPLOYEE FOUND DEAD INSIDE CANADA WALMART

A 19-year-old Sikh woman was found dead inside a walk-in oven of the Walmart store's bakery department in Canada's Halifax city, according to media reports According to police the woman who has not been identified was employed at the store Her body was found in a walk-in oven police said The Maritime Sikh Society confirmed to CTV News that she was a member of their community The store has remained closed since Saturday night while the investigation is ongoing HRP Constable Martin Cromwell said police were aware of online speculation about the woman's cause of death

AWAMI LEAGUE’S STUDENT WING BANNED

Bangladesh s interim govt issued a gazette notification outlawing Awami League’s student wing under the Anti-Terrorism Act, 2009, in a move seen as acquiescing to Jamaat-e-Islami and pro-Jamaat student leaders The home ministry said the ban on Bangladesh Chhatra League takes effect immediately, citing its alleged involvement in violent actions and intimidation of students and other civilians Some Dhaka University students brought out a celebratory procession after Bangladesh Chhatra League, founded by the country’s first Prez Sheikh Mujibur Rahmanin 1948 was declared a banned outfit Awami League is yet to comment Sources said law adviser Asif Nazrul, information and broadcasting adviser Nahid Islam and sports adviser Asif Mahmud were among those within the interim govt who pushed for the ban

IMRAN KHAN’S WIFE OUT ON BAIL

Pakistan authorities released Bushra Bibi, wife of jailed ex-PM Imran Khan, from prison in Rawalpindi, a day after Islamabad high court granted her bail in an alleged graft case involving purchase and sale of state gifts Bibi, 50, was arrested on Jan 31 She and her husband were convicted of graft and illegal marriage just ahead of the Feb 8 polls The Islamabad-based accountability court had sentenced the couple to 14 years in jail in what is known as the “toshakhana” (state repository) case

received "severe judgment", adding they would humbly accept this "Voters have handed us a harsh verdict and we have to humbly accept t

broadcaster NHK "The Japanese people expressed their strong desire for the LDP to do some reflection and become a party that acts in line with the people's will," he said Ahead of t h

reported that if the LDP loses its parliamentary majority, Ishiba could quit to take responsibility, which would

prime minister in the post-war period

ISRAELIS WARNED AGAINST TRAVEL TO SRI LANKA

Israel’s national security council called on Israelis to immediately leave some tourist spots in southern Sri Lanka over the threat of a possible terrorist attack The agency said the warning pertained to the area of Arugam Bay and beaches in the south and west of Sri Lanka and stemmed from “current information about a terrorist threat focused on tourist areas and beaches” The security council did not specify the exact nature of the threat The US embassy in Sri Lanka also released a security alert

115 DEAD OR MISSING IN PHILIPPINE FLOODING

The number of dead and missing in massive flooding and landslides wrought by tropical storm Trami in the Philippines has exceeded 100 The Trami blew away from the northwestern Philippines last week Dozens of police, firefighters and other emergency personnel, backed by three backhoes and sniffer dogs dug up one of the last two missing villagers in the lakeside town of Talisay in Batangas province President Ferdinand Marcos, who inspected another hard-hit region southeast of Manila, said the unusually large volume of rainfall dumped by the storm overwhelmed flood controls

TRUMP ACCUSED OF GROPING MODEL

A former model has accused Donald Trump of groping her after the two were introduced by sexual abuser Jeffrey Epstein in the 1990s, reports said Stacey Williams said she met the Republican White House candidate at a party in 1992 after being introduced by the disgraced financier whom she had dated “It became very clear then that he and Donald were really really good friends and spent a lot of time together ” Williams was quoted as saying She discussed the alleged assault on a call organised by Survivors for Kamala a lobby group supporting Trump s Democratic prez rival Kamala Harris

US APPROVES $2 BN IN ARMS SALES TO TAIWAN

The United States has approved $2 billion in arms sales to Taiwan, including the first-time delivery to the self-ruled island of an advanced surface-to-air missile defence system, in a move sure to anger China Taiwan’s presidential office thanked Washington for green lighting the potential arms sales Under the island s new president Lai Ching-te Taiwan has been stepping up defence measures as China increased its military threats against the territory it claims as its own Beijing last week held war games encircling Taiwan for the second time since Lai took office in May

4 KILLED IN ATTACK ON TURKISH STATE AVIATION SITE

Assailants set off explosives and opened fire in an attack on the premises of the Turkish state run aerospace and defence company TUSAS, killing four people and wounding several, Turkish Prez Recep Tayyip Erdogan said At least two of the attackers died, interior minister Ali Yerlikaya said “We have four martyrs We have 14 wounded I condemn this heinous terrorist attack and wish mercy on our martyrs, Erdogan said during a meeting with Russian Prez Putin in the sidelines of a Brica meeting It was not clear who may be behind the attack Kurdish militants the IS terror group and leftist extremists have carried out attacks in the country in the past

WASHINGTON POST WON'T ENDORSE ANYONE FOR PREZ

The Washington Post’s chief executive told the newsroom that it would no longer endorse presidential candidates, breaking with decades of precedent at the newspaper “Washington Post will not be making an endorsement of a presidential candidate in this election,” wrote Will Lewis, The Post’s chief executive “Nor in any future presidential election We are returning to our roots ” The Post has endorsed presidential candidates since 1976 Lewis wrote when it gave its stamp of approval to Jimmy Carter who went on to win the election Before that it generally did not make presidential endorsements though it made an exception in 1952 to endorse Dwight Eisenhower

Canada cuts immigration target by 21%

O T T A W A: Ju st two years ago , Canada threw o pen its doors to im migrants - th e annual im migration plan anno unced o n N ov 2, 2022, aimed to u sh er in 14,5 0,000 permanent residents over a three year period (2023- 2025 )

However, in an announcement, Canada is pulling its welcome mat away from newcomers The country said it aims to invite only 11,40,000 permanent residents over three years starting from 2025, a comparative drop of 21%

Setting the tone for the drop in the immigration level targets, C

said: “Our immigration system has always been responsible and it has always been flexible So, we are acting today because in

needs and maintaining population growth, we didn’t get the

we ’ re announcing today, along w

d measures, we

re making sure our immigration system works better

coming, protecting the interests of Canadians was at the forefront of the message sent both b y T r u d e

n minister Marc Miller “Too far, t

h a v e chosen to abuse our temporary m e a s u r e s , e m p l o y i n g a n d exploiting foreign workers while refusing to hire Canadians for a fair wage, all while under the w a t c h o f p r o v i n c e s , ” t h e P M said

24 MPs revolt against Trudeau, ask him to step down by Oct 28

OT T A WA : At a time when he has launch ed hostilities against In d i a, C ana d i an P M J u s ti n Tru deau is facing trouble in his own backyard , w ith 24 MP s of h i s L i b era l P a rty reb el li ng ag ainst him and asking him to step d own by Oct 28 or face consequences T he mutiny against Tru deau happ ened at meeting of the liberal cau cu s held against the backd rop of a sharp dip in th e p o p u la ri ty rat in g s o f Tru deau, accord ing to a rep ort by the Canad ian Bro ad casting Corporation

T

C B C N e w s s a i d a n t i -

L i b e r

P

y i s s u

i g n e d statement from at least 24 MPs at the caucus where some of them even read out a letter, asking the PM to decide his future course of action by Oct 28 in v i e w o f o p i n i o n p o l l s g i v i n g opposition Conservatives a huge advantage in the next year ’ s parliamentary elections A poll by the CBC has put Trudeau’s party

trailing behind Conservatives by a margin of 20%

T r u d e a u h a s b e e n f a c i n g criticism from within his party a n d f r o m t h e o p p o s i t i o n f o r being silent on Chinese interference in Canadian polls while blaming India without any evidence on the latter’s purported meddling in internal affairs The C a n a d i a n P M h a d r e c e n t l y blamed India for the killing of its citizen Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Khalistani terrorist wanted in India, without providing proof H i s a n t i - I n d i a o n s l a u g h t h a s been seen by many, including his colleagues as a diversionary ploy, meant to distract attention from his inability to stop the slide in the popularity of his govt

According to CBC News, the anti-Trudeau camp within the Liberal caucus have been meeting secretly for weeks to push for his ouster and announce a new leader to lead the party in next year ’ s elections

Governor signs law making Diwali state holiday in Pennsylvania

HA R R IS B UR G : Go v e

Shapiro signe d Se nate Bill 402 into law - officially re cog nizing Di wali as a sta te holi day in Pe nnsylva nia while a ttendi ng a Diwa li, Tihar, and Ba ndi Chhor Diw as celeb rati o n ho s te d b y th e Go v e rn o r ’ s Ad v i s ory C om m

American & Pacific Islande

Building in dow ntow n Ha rrisburg

“By signing this bill into law, we are not only recognizing the importance of Diwali but also celebrating the rich cultural heritage and many contributions of the A s i a n A m e r i c a n c o m m u n i t y t o P e n n s y l v a n i a , ” s a

Shapiro “Diwali symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and hope over despair – values that s h o u l d h e l p g u i d e o u r

Commonwealth Pennsylvania is stronger because of its diversity, and this new state holiday is a

What has gone wrong with Canada?

Nitin Mehta MBE

For a long time when the word Canada was mentioned it conjured up images of a paradise A bigger version of Switzerland A vast country with a small population A welfare state with plenty of jobs and a place with very good future for children The Prairies where wheat, barley and other crops grow in abundance The beautiful Savannah is the largest track of native grassland The legendary Canadian Mounties on their horses added to the image of a nation at peace with itself The only thing that tainted this rosy picture was the killing of baby seals for their skin Canada seemed to quietly carry on as a peaceful nation with no enemies

However, we need to understand how the country came into existence to fully comprehend the enigma of the place Between 1534 and 1542 Jacques Cartier made two voyages to north America and claimed the land for King Francis 1 of France The original inhabitants of Canada were the Indian tribes also known as First Nations People Like in the US, the Indian tribes were mercilessly subjugated and their land usurped For all its liberal policies, the Indian tribes still face discrimination in Canada

Over the centuries there have been many attempts to erase the culture and ethnicity of the indigenous people From 1870 the children of Indian tribes were forcibly separated from their parents and sent to Catholic schools The idea was to eradicate the native culture It was cultural genocide The children were malnourished and sexually abused

In the 1700's France and Britain staged wars for the control of North America In 1759 the British defeated the French By 1776 the Dutch, German, British, Scandinavians and Jewish people as well as thousands of freed slaves settled in Canada The descendants of these mainly European people are the modern day Canadians Canada is divided by English speaking mainly Protestant Christians and French speaking Catholics On July 1, 1867 Canada became an independent country including British Columbia Between 18811886 Canada built a railway connecting Eastern Canada to British Columbia It was built mainly by Chinese labour along with Ukrainians, Poles, German, Swedish, French and Norwegians In the 1900s millions of British and Americans moved to Canada Sikhs have had a presence in Canada since the 1900s Many of the first Sikhs who settled in British Columbia were ex soldiers of the British army They suffered discrimination and Canadian governments brought in many restrictions to stop Sikhs from migrating to Canada Today there are around 800,000 Sikhs in Canada, the highest number outside India Ontario has the biggest number of Sikhs totaling 300,435 followed by British Columbia which has around 290,870 They make up 2 1% of the population At the heart of difficulties that Canada is facing under Justin Trudeau is the ideology of left wing liberalism The Canadian Charter of Rights bestows the right to an individual to do what he or she likes Writing in the Atlantic about woke Liberalism, American David Brooks said: “The state has no right to impinge on a citizen’s individual freedom of choice, provided that the person isn’t harming anyone else This Liberal orthodoxy of the present Canadian government has created a huge issue in the de-criminalisation of Euthanasia What was started as an option for the terminally ill has now spread to disabled people It is this left wing Liberalism of Justin Trudeau that has made Canada a playground for gang violence In all, around 874 people were murdered in Canada in 2022 Trudeau has been obliged to bring up the Punjab issue with PM Modi and the fallout between the two countries has reached a stage where it remains to be seen which country blinks first Embattled Trudeau has a lot on his plate Canadians urgently need a new leader ww w nitin meht a co uk

powerful reflection of the inclusion, respect, and unity that we cherish in this Commonwealth Today, we reaffirm our commitment to honoring the traditions and cultures that make our state vibrant and dynamic ”

“Diwali is the festival of lights It is the most important festival for the Hindu, Jain, and Sikh comm

Governor’s Advisory Commission

Bangladesh observe the festival of Diwali and more than 1 billion people around the world celebrate this holiday in South Asia and the diaspora around the world It’s a privilege to join Governor Shapiro as he signs this law to officially recognize Diwali as a state holiday in Pennsylvania ”

Ship owner agrees to pay 102mn for

Baltimore bridge collapse

BALTIMORE : The owner and operator of the cargo s hip with a majority of Indian crew, that st ruc k Baltimore’s Franc is Scott K ey Bridge in M arch, killing six people, have agreed to pay $102 m il lion to the f ederal governme nt , the US Just ic e Departm ent said on Oc tob er 2 4

The department in September filed a civil claim seeking $103 million from two Singaporean companies, Grace Ocean Private Limited and Synergy Marine Private Limited The claim was intended to recoup the money the US government spent responding to the disaster and clearing the wreck of the Dali ship and bridge debris from the Port of Baltimore so the waterway could reopen in June

Principal Deputy Associate Attorney General Benjamin Mizer said the settlement “ ensures that the costs of the federal government’s cleanup efforts in the Fort McHenry Channel are borne by Grace Ocean and Synergy and not the American taxpayer ” The National Transportation Safety Board said in May the Dali lost electrical power several times before it crashed into the bridge in the Patapsco River early March 26

The FBI in April opened a criminal investigation into the disaster The Justice Department’s lawsuit was brought as part of a legal action initiated by Grace Ocean and Synergy to limit their liability for the crash to $44 million, a sum department officials called “woefully inadequate ”

Justin Trudeau

2

PM Modi and Xi vow to rebuild ties, put seal on LAC truce

The lan dmar k agr ee ment In dia an d

Chin a re ached r ecen tly to e nd one of t he long est milita ry stan doffs in r ecent t imes receiv ed the fina l seal

of a ppr ov al fro m PM M odi a n d

Pr esiden t Xi Jin pin g, a s the t wo

he ld a bilat era l m eet ing a ft er a ga p of 5 y ea rs a nd end orsed the de al

This, accordin g to the In dian side , will le ad to a furth er ea sin g of the situat ion along LAC

As the next step forward, the

t w o a g

meeting in Kazan, Russia, to soon have the Special Representatives

( S

boundary question, which has not

relations forward from a “strategic a

, enhance strategic communication

and explore cooperation to address developmental challenges”

The SRs, Ajit Doval and Wang Yi have met on several occasions on the sidelines of multilateral events, i

Petersburg, but not under the SR talks format

A c c o r d i n g

readout, PM Modi welcomed the a

c o m p l e

disengagement and resolution of issues that arose in 2020 in eastern L

deadly Galwan clash that year, and u n d e r s c

properly handling differences and disputes and not allowing them to d

y Foreign secretary Vikram Misri said Modi also assured Xi of India’s full support to China’s SCO presidency in 2025 China described the meeting as constructive and one that carried great significance China, however, did not use the word agreement in its readout with the spokesperson o n l y s a y i n g t h a t M o d i a n d X i c o m m e n d e d t h

progress

that had been reached through intensive communication

on relevant issues in the border areas There was no joint statement either on the border agreement or even on the Modi-Xi meeting

opening remarks, adding

10 injured in stampede at Bandra station in Mumbai amid festival rush Buch skips PAC meet, triggers fight between Cong,

T en people were injured, two o f them critically, in a stamp ed e at Band ra Term inus on Sunday when thousand s of p assengers headed to U P fo r Diw ali and Chh ath P uja t ri ed to bo a rd

Express

According to witnesses, as the

number 1 from the yard, many

h

queues, and creating chaos As the doors were still locked, many fell

b e t w e e n t h e c o a c h e s , s p a r k i n g panic on the platform and others got injured in the melee A video of the stampede has gone viral on social media

While the train has a seating

c a p a c i t y o f 2 , 0 3 7 , a n e s t i m a t e d 2,540 tickets were issued, creating

o v e r c r o w d i n g o n t h e p l a t f o r m

G R P s o u r c e s s a i d a n o t h e r Gorakhpur-bound train, delayed

b y 1 6 h o u r s , h a d l e d s o m e unreserved passengers to linger on the platform, increasing crowd to 2,500-3,000 people

Six to eight sacks of footwear and clothes were collected from

India,

the tracks after the incident Even a s W e s t e r n R a i l w a y ( W R ) h a s l a u n c h e d a n i n q u i

stampede, the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) called the incident a “govt f a i l u r e ” t o e n s u r e s m o o t h transportation during the festival season W e

Verma, who later inspected the s i t e

doors, leading to this unfortunate incident ” He explained that doors typically open only once the train halts Railway Protection Force (RPF) a n d G R P t

Pak to extend Kartarpur corridor pact for 5 more years

I n d ia a n d Pa k i st a n a g r e e d t hr o ug h diplomatic channel s to e xtend the validity of t h e a g r e e m e n t on S r i K a r t a r pu r S a hi b C orrid or for a nothe r five yea rs, t he gov t a nnounced The a greemen t, signed on Oct 24, 2019, t o facil itate the visit of pil grims f r om In d ia t o G u r d wa r a D a r b a r S a hi b Kar tarpur, Narowal , Pak istan , t hrough the Kar tarpur Sahib Corr idor, wa s v alid for a per iod of five ye ars The ex tension comes b a r e l y a we e k a ft e r fo r e ig n mi n is t e r S Ja isha nka r visited Isla maba d for t he SCO hea ds of g ovt meet ing This wa s the first time a n Indian for eign min iste r visite d Pakist an in n in e years “ E x t e n s i o n o f t h e v a l i d i t y o f t h i s a g r e e m e n t w i l l e n s u r e u n i n t e r r u p t e d operation of the corridor for use by the pilgrims from India to visit the holy gurdwara i n P a k i s t a n , ” s a i d t h e I n d i a n g o v t i n a statement India also said that in view of the continued requests of pilgrims regarding the r e m o v a l o f $ 2 0 s e r v i c e c h a r g e l e v i e d b y Pakistan per pilgrim per visit, it had once again urged Pakistan to not levy any fee or c h a r g e s o n t h e p i l g r i m s P a k i s t a n s a i d separately in a statement that the agreement’s r e n e w a l u n d e r s c o r e d i t s “ e n d u r i n g commitment to fostering interfaith harmony and peaceful coexistence ”

C

c t e d s w i f t l y , transferring injured passengers to Bhabha Hospital in Bandra and KEM Hospital in Parel The two

Sahani (19), who suffered a severe c o m p o u n d f r a c t u r e i n h i s l e f t thigh; doctors at KEM Hospital are considering amputation, and Noor Mohammad (18) with lung damage

a n d a r e c t a l t e a r , r e q u i r i n g a breathing tube

Ravindra Chuma (30) sustained f a c i

c o l l a r b o n e a n d r i b s , r e q u i r i n g surgery, while Ramsevak Prajapati (29) has fractures in his pubic and shin bones

Canada rejects NIA's request for death certificate of Nijjar

operative Hardeep Singh Nijjar, an I ndian- origin citizen of Canada who was kill ed th ere in June l ast year N ijjar was accus ed in nine cases being inves tigated by N IA

NIA had approached Canada for Nijjar’s death certificate to fulfil the legal requirement of updating the courts here in view of the cases that were pending against him However, as per sources in the NIA, the Canadian authorities have posed some counterqueries, including why the death certificate of its citizen should be sought by Indian authorities “After that, they refused to share his death certificate,” said an officer

Nijjar’s murder had triggered a diplomatic row with the Canadian govt alleging the role of Indian agencies, a charge promptly and stoutly denied by New Delhi The row had recently escalated with Canada naming senior Indian diplomats as “ persons of interest” in the Nijjar murder investigation, and India retaliating by withdrawing those diplomats from the country

NIA is also yet to succeed in securing an Interpol red corner notice against another pro-Khalistan rabble rouser and designated terrorist, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, who is currently a US citizen

NIA is investigating six cases of Khalistani terror against Pannun and has attached three of his properties - across Chandigarh, Amritsar and Pathankot - so far on grounds of being proceeds of terrorism Interestingly, there was an attempt on Pannun’s life in the US in New York in June 2023, prompting the US to claim the involvement of an Indian official Last week, an unsealed indictment showed that the US had charged Vikash Yadav, who is described as a former officer in India’s Research and Analysis Wing spy service, with directing the plot against the Sikh separatist

NDA members

S e bi c h a i r p e r s on M a d h a bi P u r i Buch cit ed “ pe rsona l e xigen cie s ” to sk ip Parliame nt’ s Public Accoun ts

C o m m i t t e e (P A C ) m e e t i n g ,

t r i g g e r i n g a fi g h t be t w e e n t h e

p ane l’s hea d K C Ve nugopa l an d N DA me mbe rs who accuse d him of t a k i n g u n i la t e r a l d e c is io n s a n d p roceed ed to lodg e a prot est with L ok Sabha Spea ke r Om Bir la The committee’s proceedings remained deadlocked even during its second sitting, where the Trai chairperson appeared briefly, amid NDA members’ persistent demand that Venugopal allow a vote on agenda items like summoning the h e a d s o f r e g u l a t o r y b o d i e s , something that was opposed by MPs from Congress and its allies Confrontation escalated when leader of opposition in Lok Sabha

R a h u l G a n d h i a n d C o n g r e s s p r e s i d e n t M a l l i k a r j u n K h a r g e joined in “Why is Madhabi Buch

r e l u c t a n t t o a n s w e r q u e s t i o n s b e f o r e t h e P u b l i c A c c o u n t s Committee of Parliament? Who is b e h i n d t h e p l a n t o p r o t e c t h e r from being answerable to PAC?"

Rahul asked on X Kharge also put out a post and said, "The PAC has t h e c o n s t i t u t i o n a l r i g h t t o summon any officer in connection w i t h a n y g o v e r n m e n t investigation " The feud over Buch started as s o o n a s t h e C o n g r e s s - l e d opposition let out its intent to question the Sebi chief over the allegation by Hindenburg that she did not conduct a through probe into "market manipulation" by the Adani group, the prime target of t h e s h o r t - s e l l e r , a s w e l l a s h e r personal dealings involving "role conflict" BJP opposed the plan by saying PAC s mandate was limited to examining utilisation of funds by the market regulator and that C o n g

M P Venugopal, was seeking to misuse the forum for partisan ends

Gujaratis emerge as third largest Indian immigrants in Canada

Gujarati sp eakers hav e em erged as the third -larg est Indian ling uistic g rou p in Canada since 2016, with m o re th a n 22 , 0 0 0 i m m ig ran ts ch oosing the country as their new h o m e, ac c o rd i ng to S tat is

C anada

On Oct 24, the Canadian govt announced a significant shift in its i m m i g r a t i o n p o l i c y , a i m i n g t o reduce the number of temporary residents to a mere 5% of its total

n s i d e r a b l e s h i f t i n w h e r e s t u d e n t s a n d p r o f e s s i o n a l s s e t their sights next

According to data by Statistics

C a n a d a , t h e g o v t a g e n c y f o r s t a t i s t i c a l d a t a c o l l e c t i o n a n d a n a l y s i s , a r o u n d 8

tongue was identified as Gujaratiwere counted since 1980 Notably, 26% of these individuals moved to Canada just in the five years from 2016 to 2021 The data set for immigration till 2021 identified Punjabi, with 75,475 speakers, as the largest linguistic group that

speakers consisted of the third largest group at 22,935, followed by Malayalam speakers at 15,440 and Bengali speakers at 13,835 Among the Indian language

between 2001 to 2010 and 2011 to 2021 for major linguistic groups

doubled at

whereas Gujarati speakers rose by 26% and Punjabi

Madhabi Puri Buch

Narendra Modi & Xi Jinping

Germany increases skilled Indian worker visas to 90,000

G

e rm a ny h as de c i de d t o increase th e number of visas

f o r s ki l l ed I nd ia ns f ro m

2 0,000 to 90,000 per year, P M N a r e nd ra M o di annou nc ed

“I am confident this will further boost Germany’s eco-

n o m i c g r o w t h , ” h e s a i d , speaking at the Asia-Pacific

C o n f e r e n c e o f G e r m a n Business

Participating in the conference along with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Modi

s a i d G e r m a n y ’ s h o l i s t i c approach and commitment

t o p u r s u i n g t h e s t r a t e g i c partnership are clearly evident “Especially noteworthy is the trust that Germany has expressed in the skilled workforce of India,” he said “This

i s t h e r i g h t t i m e t o j o i n India’s growth story India becoming a global trade and m a n u f a c t u r i n g h u b , ” M o d i said

Modi added that today, India stands on strong pillars

of democracy, demography, demand and data Germany is facing an acute shortage of skilled professionals and is looking at the talent pool in I n d i a t o m a k e u p f o r t h e shortfall

India also raised the case of Ariha Shah, a three-yearold Indian girl who has been in foster care in Germany, during the meeting between M

secretary Vikram Misri said at

PM that he is “ very closely

following” the issue

The girl has been in foster care in Germany for more t h a n 3 6 m o

allegations of minor physical abuse Her parents, Bhavesh and Dhara Shah, are residents o

Maharashtra’s Thane district

“The case has been followed very, very closely by us Our embassy in Berlin has taken it up When the external affairs minister was in Germany a few weeks ago, he had raised it very strongly with his counterpart,” Misri said

Cyclone Dana spares Odisha, Bengal of major damage

C yc lo n e D an a s p a red

Odish a and West Bengal of any severe d am ag e to infras-

tru cture w hile flight and rail

o p e rat i o ns re su m ed a ft er the cyclonic sto rm com pleted landfall, trigg ering heavy rains and up rooting of trees and electric po les

O d i s h a C h i e f M i n i s t e r

M o h a n C h a r a n M a j h i

a s s e r t e d t h a t n o f a t a l i t y report has been received so far and the state achieved its ' z e r o c a s u a l t y m i s s i o n ' ,

w h i l e W e s t B e n g a l C M Mamata Banerjee said one person died due to the natu-

r a l c a l a m i t y T h e s e v e r e cyclonic storm Dana completed landfall on Friday and

t h e s y s t e m t o o k a t l e a s t eight and half hours to enter the landmass, the IMD said

T h e l a n d f a l l o f ' D a n a ' started around 12 05 am on F r i d a y b e t w e e n Bhitarkanika in Kendrapara and Dhamra in Bhadrak district of Odisha with wind speeds of around 110 kmph

The chief minister said

a l l t h e r o a d s b l o c k e d b y u p r o o t e d t r e e s w o u l d b e cleared during the day as the rescue team personnel had already started working as soon as the intensity of wind reduced

T h e W e s t B e n g a l C M said that one person died in the state in cyclone Dana even as the administration evacuated around 216,000 people from the low-lying areas

B a n e r j e e , w h o h e l d a review meeting at the state

s e c r e t a r i a t N a b a n n a a f t e r spending the night there to

m o n i t o r t h e s i t u a t i o n ,

d i r e c t e d t h e o f f i c i a l s t o ensure that relief materials reach all those affected by the cyclone

The full extent of the d a m a g e i s s t i l l b e i n g assessed, but initial reports

s u g g e s t e d t h a t t h e s t o r m brought heavy rains causing

i n u n d a t i o n i n l o w - l y i n g areas Thirteen teams from the state's disaster management force and 14 battalions from the National Disaster

R e s p o n s e F o r c e ( N D R F ) have been deployed in the Bengal coastal regions, the officials said

Shree Krishna Hospital in Karamsad introduces TCI system in anesthesia

S h r e e K r is hn a H os pi t a l i n Kar amsad has int roduced an AIb ased Tar get Con troll ed Infusion (TCI) syst em in an est he sia pr act i ce , t h e f ir s t o f it s k i n d i n G ujar at This cut ting-edge techn ol ogy enab les the pr ecise in trav enous admin istra tion of an est hetic drugs, aiming to achie ve p r e d i ct a b l e co n ce n t r a t i on s i n specific body compar tments

D r A l p a P a t e l , H e a d ,

A n e s t h e s i o l o g y D e p a r t m e n t , mentioned that cervical cancer, throat cancer, oral cancer, and thyroid disorders are becoming increasingly prevalent She noted that this technique holds significant promise for managing postoperative pain across various sur-

gical fields, including the ICU The TCI system accurately predicts blood drug concentrations and controls them at the affected site, effectively preventing drug a c c

reduces the need for intubation and expedites patient recovery

L I F E A N D L E G A

C Y O F Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

T h e b ir th an ni v er sa ry o f S ard a r Vallabhbhai Patel, the first hom e minister o f i nd ep e nd e nt In d i a, i s c el ebr ate d as Na ti o na l U ni ty Da y ( Ra sh t ri ya E kt a Diwas) Born on October 31, 18 75, into a landow ning L ev a Patidar family, Patel, also know n as th e 'Iron M an of India,' will m ark his 150th birth anniversary on Oct 3 1 He began his education at Karamasad primary school and continued at Petlad high school Married at 16, he matriculated by 22 and passed the district pleade r ' s e x a m i

August 1910, he travelled to L

n d returned to India in February

became the leading barrister in criminal law

Bhutto, Patel, noting that 80% of the popu

Nawab’s accession to India He sent the Army to occupy key areas of Junagadh, leading to widespread protests and the establishment of a civil government As a result, both the Nawab and Bhutto fled to Karachi, and under Patel's orders, Indian forces moved in A subsequent plebiscite showed an overwhelming 99 5% support for joining India H

adopted a simpler lifestyle, forsaking the Gujarat Club and donning the white cloth of Indian peasants He first gained prominence in 1

Kaira, Gujarat, against the Bombay government's decision to collect full annual revenue taxes despite crop failures

In 1928, he successfully led landowners in Bardoli against increased taxes His

earned him the title 'Sardar' (leader) and solidified his reputation as a prominent nationalist leader across India

In the first three years of India's independence, Sardar Patel served as Deputy Prime Minister and held various ministerial roles, but his lasting legacy is his successful integration of princely states into the Indian Union He would have been the first de facto prime minister of India, if Gandhi had not intervened

He persuaded nearly 565 self-governing princely states to accede to India by offering favourable terms, including privy purses for the rulers' descendants While he appealed to their patriotism, he also hinted at the use of force if necessary, setting a deadline of August 15, 1947, for signing the accession documents Ultimately, all but three states - Jammu and Kashmir, Junagadh, and Hyderabad - did not agree to join the Indian Union

Junagadh was particularly significant to Sardar Patel, as it was located in his home state of Gujarat and housed the hist o r i c a l l y i m p o r t a n t S o m n a t h t e m p l e , which had been looted by Mahmud of G h a z n i i n t h

Nawab of Junagadh acceded to Pakistan u

advancement in surgical care in Gujarat

D

i , medical superintendent of the hospital, said that the role of anesthesiolog y g

administering anesthe-

act as clinical pharmacologists and play key roles as intensivist or pediatricians in the operating room Their expertise extends beyond surgical settings, encompassing acute and chronic pain management, critical care m e d i c

y resuscitation, and research initiatives

presented a different challenge Its ruler, the Muslim Nizam Osman Ali Khan, s o

Pakistan, despite an 80%

Nizam faced pressure from the Razakars, Muslim mili-

organised attacks against

Agreement was initially reached, the Nizam ultimately rejected

from Jawaharlal Nehru to disband the R

return, India launched an invasion on September 13, 1948, after Muhammad Ali

signed an instrument of accession, joining India

R

Modi called on the nation to celebrate the 150th birth anniversaries of two revered leaders, Sardar Patel and Birsa Munda In the 115th episode of his ‘Mann Ki Baat, PM Modi highlighted the importance of honouring the legacies of these great figures who championed India's unity and freedom

Home Minister Amit Shah announced a

Sardar Patel s 150th birth anniversary, running from 2024 to 2026 Since 2014, Patel's birth anniversary has been observed as National Unity Day Additional tributes include the 182-metre Statue of Unity and the revocation of Article 370, both dedicated to his legacy S ardar Patel and h is UK connec tio n Sardar Patel studied law at the Middle Temple in London before returning to India to establish himself as a barrister In recognition of his contributions, a blue plaque was erected at 23 Aldridge Road Villas in Ladbroke Grove by the Greater London Council in 1986 Additionally, the Sardar Patel Memorial Society UK (SPMSUK) was founded in the same year to raise awareness about Patel among the Indian community in the UK

Dr Bhavesh Parekh honoured with award

Dr Bhavesh Parekh, a distinguished cancer specialist from Gujarat, received an award at the National Conference organised by the Indian Society of Medical and Pediatric Oncology (ISMPO) in Delhi The award was presented to him by Padma Shri Dr S H Advani

Dr Bhavesh became a super specialist oncologist in 1998 and then served at the Gujarat Cancer Society and Research Center in Ahmedabad He has also provided his services as the cancer physician to the Governor of Gujarat for 14 years Currently, he is serving as the Head of the Department at Marengo Hospital CIMS

Olaf Scholzm &Narendra Modi

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

L-R Dr Kumar Prabhash, Dr Anoopam Sachdeva, Dr Bhavesh Parkeh, Dr S H Advani Dr Shyam Agrawal, Dr Mehboob Basade

C

SOUTH INDIA

DMK, AIADMK mock

actor-politician Vijay's party

pposition AIADM K called

p o l i ti ca l s tan d p o i nts o f v arious parties

"These are all our policies, he is copying whatever he says is what we had already said and which we are following, DMK

saying

In his debut public appearance, Vijay had targeted the DMK's first family and even slammed the party's politics, saying they were "cheating people in the name of Dravidian model"

As for the family of MK Stalin, he said, "One family is looting the state" through "underhand dealing"

DMK said it has seen many rivals in its long innings "This is the first conference and let us see, we have seen many parties," Elangovan said

Vijay had said his party would adopt Dravidian icon Periyar's policy on social

justice and women's empowerment The other icons of his party, he said, were Kamaraj, NR Ambedkar, freedom fighter Velu Nachiar and revolutionary Anjalai Ammal women icons

But there was a special clarification"We will not take Periyar's 'No god' stand, we are against nobody's faith," he had said

journey, Elangovan said the party was built to fight for people's issues, whereas Vijay's party aspires to be in power in 2026, within two years of its launch

AIADMK spokesperson Kovai Sathyan congratulated Vijay on entering politics but said he has a long way to go to deliver

98 get life term for 2014 violence against Dalits in Karnataka

NORTH-EAST

Fresh violence in Manipur; bombs used, drone sighted

nat aka sentenced 98 p eople to life imprisonm ent and h anded fiv e year jail term s to three oth ers in a 20 14 case of discrimination and caste v iolence t arg e ti ng Da li ts at M ara ku

v i lla g e o f Gangavati taluk

District and sessions judge Chandrasekhar convicted 101 people in the case, of whom three

(Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, couldn't be invoked against someone belonging to either community Sources said the mass sentencing was among the highest in a caste-related case in the country

Public prosecutor Aparna Bundi said 117 suspects were tried in the case, originating from an Aug 29, 2014, police complaint about a mob assaulting Dalits and torching their huts in retaliation to a clash the previous day Dalits had been barred from barber shops and eateries in Marakumbi

Such was the impact of the caste backlash that Marakumbi had to be kept under police surveillance for three months after the violence The state Dalit Rights Committee organised a march from Marukumbi to Bengaluru to protest the atrocities A siege of Gangavathi police station lasted several days

Paddy procurement crisis becomes a political minefield for

pr ocurement crisis in Punjab is

of cr u cia l b y - e l e ct i on s t o fo ur assembl y constituencies

With farmers, frustrated by the tardy lifting of paddy stocks

a n d m i s m a n a g e m e n t , a r e blocking roads and rail tracks and staging sit-ins outside the mandis (grain markets), the state government finds itself on the back foot in what has become its biggest administrative challenge since coming to power Farmers are also threatening to launch a full-blown agitation, along the

Punjab govt

lines of the 2020-21 protest, if immediate steps are not taken to ensure smooth procurement of their produce

The farmer unions, whose ire was largely directed at the BJP g o v e r n m e n t a t t h e C e n

i n recent years, have turned their f o c u s t h i s t i m e t

government as well, organising

minister, ministers and MLAs “This is a serious situation Though there have been procurement issues in the past also,

mandis are overflowing and the

lifted Slow movement of grains from the previous years to other

n g t o t a k e paddy There are established and time-tested procedures in place, a n d t h i s s i t u a t i o n s h o u l d n o t

Shah sets 2026 poll goal for BJP in Bengal

KO LK A T A : Union hom e minister A m i t S h a h s ai d th e BJ P ' s nex t maj or goal was to ascend to power in Be ng a l w it h a tw o - th i rd s m aj o ri ty i n th e 20 26 A ss e m bl y polls to put an end to "corru ption" and ad d res s " at ro c it i es " ag ai ns t women in th e state I have come here to tell my BJP workers that if there is any next big goal for the BJP, it is to form a government in Bengal in 2026 Don’t be intimidated by the torture, violence and crimes committed by t h e T r i n a m o o l C o n g r e s s T h e B J P h a s ousted many such oppressive parties from power , " Shah told party workers during the launch of the party's membership drive in Bengal

of government funds and atrocities against women

passenger terminal and a Maitree Dwar (friendship gate)

The Bengal BJP is aiming for 10 million memberships this year "I want to ensure that the sacrifices of our party workers do not go in vain and that the party ascends to power here under the leadership of (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi-ji The BJP will form a government in 2026 in Bengal with a two-thirds majority," Shah said in his 30minute speech at the EZCC

He criticised chief minister Mamata Banerjee over alleged corruption, misuse

"

sisters are in crisis, be it in Sandeshkhali or RG Kar The only way to stop this is to bring the BJP to power," said the home minister "I appeal to the youth of Bengal:

infiltration, ensure a BJP government in 2026 If you want to stop cattle and coal s

services, bring the BJP to power " K O P P A L : A se s si o

h a v e a r i s e n , ” s a i d a s e n i o r b u r e a u c r a t , w h o h a n d l e d t h e p r o c u r e m e n t o p e r a t i o n s f o r several years in the past

Another IAS officer said the state government urgently needs to take visible steps to find and hire storage space for the shortt e r m a n d t o p r e s s t h e F o o d C o r p o r a t i o n o f I n d i a ( F C I ) t o expedite the movement of rice to its facilities in other states The s i t u a t i o n i s a l s o c h a l l e n g i n g because only a quarter of the paddy crop has been harvested so far, and the window for sowing wheat, the main winter crop, is c l o s i n g s h o r t l y “ I f t h i s c r i s i s persists, the situation could get really tense,” said another

Mamata asks police to remain alert during Diwali

W

identities of those involved, she emphasised the need for heightened intelligence operations and increased deployment of the Special Task Force (STF)

“We must ensure that no one exploits the festive atmosphere to create unrest," Banerjee added

Addressing senior officials while reviewing

Cyclone Dana, she asserted, "I do not want communal tension in Bengal The police will take strict action against any provocateurs, but I urge the media not to sensationalise this Please avoid provoking the public "

Fres h violenc e erupted in M anipur ’ s Im phal

Wes t and Bis hnupur district s, with repor ts of suspected m ilitants us ing firearms and b om bs in both attac ks No fat alities were report ed Militants launched an attack in Koutruk

Ching Leikai village in Imphal West district, promoting retaliatory action from security forces stationed in the area “The militants a

security source said

Adding to the tension, residents of nearby M

reported sightings of drones in the evening “We saw drones and it created panic The militants used drones to launch an aerial attack in Koutruk on Sept 1,

a resident said Security agencies are on high alert over the use of drones in and around the area

flashpoints since ethnic violence broke out in Manipur on May 3, 2023 In the second attack,

Molngat and Molshang areas Manipur police announced the arrest of two members of the banned PLA near the India Myanmar border in Tengnoupal district

BJP TO SKIP SIKKIM BY-ELECTIONS

The BJP has decided not to contest the assembly by-elections in Sikkim and instead concentrate on strengthening its organisational base The decision suggests that the BJP is yet to recover from the humiliating defeat it suffered in the Assembly elections six months ago DR Thapa, the president of the BJP s Sikkim unit, said: We have received instructions from the BJP head office in New Delhi not to participate in the by-elections but concentrate on the ongoing membership drive and strengthen our organisational base In the April 19 Sikkim Assembly elections, the BJP had fielded candidates in 31 of 32 Assembly constituencies However, the current chief minister Prem Singh Tamang (Golay) polled more votes than the 31 BJP candidates combined Golay, who had contested from two Assembly constituencies, polled 10,094 votes from Rhenock and 10,480 votes from SorengChakung, bringing the total number of votes polled in his favour to 20 574 The 31 BJP candidates managed to poll only 19 956 votes The BJP’s defeat was considered humiliating by many as the saffron party had run a highpitched and domineering” campaign and tried to bulldose regional parties BJP president J P Nadda while campaigning during the Sikkim elections in April had said that as far as regional parties were concerned, enough is enough

18 MEDICAL STUDENTS IN TRIPURA FINED FOR RAGGING

Following complaints made by the college administration about a serious incident of ragging at the Tripura Medical College in Agartala an FIR has been registered against 18 students and a collective fine of Rs 10,00,000 have been imposed on the accused, along with a one-year suspension from the hostels Additionally, the mobile phones of the students will be monitored for six months

The senior students have been accused of forcing juniors to shave their heads and pressuring female students to propose to their seniors, among other things The victims were shown photos showing how they were to have their heads shaved It’s worth mentioning that mass head shaving has become a ritual of ragging in medical colleges across India, with reports and pictures of groups of shavenheaded students appearing in the media every year In complete violation of women’s rights and liberties most female students were instructed via WhatsApp to propose to their seniors and sing songs to entertain them

Vijay Thalapathy

Mamata Banerjee

India-EU FTA 'priority' highlighted during Spanish PM's visit to Delhi

N egotiations fo r a Free T rade

A gr e em e n t ( F T A) be t w e en

I nd ia a nd t h e E u ro p e an

U nio n remain a priority, with

b o t h s ide s p u s h in g f o r an

ear l y a nd a mb itio u s deal , s aid the Minis try o f External Aff airs, ho urs after bilateral tal ks between Prime Minister

N ar e nd ra M o di a nd h i s

S p a ni s h c o u n t er p a r t P ed r o Sanchez

D u r i n g t h e i r b i

l talks at the Laxmi Vilas Palace in Vadodara, PM Modi and

S

g trade, defence, and technology collaboration

R e s p o n d i n g t o a q u e r y whether the two leaders dis-

c u s s e d t h e F T A , M E A

S e c r e t a r y ( W e s t ) , T a n m a y a Lal, said, "The negotiations on an FTA and investment agreement between India and

t h e E u r o p e a n U n i o n a r e ongoing " The agreement is aimed

at further boosting bilateral t r a d e a n d i n v e s t m e n t s between the two regions The two sides are negotiating

investment protection agreement and an agreement on g e o g

o n s (GIs)

T h e F T A

between India and the EU, w h i c

h a v e b e e n

i n g since 2007, have seen periods of stagnation and revival

T a l k s r e s

renewed vigour in 2021 after a

focusing on reducing tariffs,

the two regions

PM Modi met Sanchez on Monday in the Durbar Hall of

Vadodara, following the inauguration of the Tata-Airbus C-295 aircraft assembly facility The two leaders shared lunch at the palace D

meeting, PM Modi extended

Troop disengagement nearly complete at two Ladakh sites

I ndia and C hina have “ mo re o r l es s ” c

p has ed disengagement from

Dep sang in eastern Ladakh , w ith rival tro ops f alling back al most to th eir pre- Ap ril 2020

p o si tio n s a f te r dis m a nt li ng th eir tempo rary po sts , sh eds , t e nt s a nd o t h e r s t r u c t u r es erected in th e two areas

“The plan now is to fully verify the mutual pullback over the next two days, both physically on the ground as well as through unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) Some v e r i f i c a t i o n h a s a l r e a d y

b e g u n C o o r d i n a t e d patrolling by the two sides will thereafter take place,” a top defence source said

The Indian Army plans to launch its patrols in Depsang and Demchok by the end of t h i s m o n t h , w i t h a d v a n c e

n o t i c e b e i n g g i v e n t o t h e P e o p l e ’ s L i b e r a t i o n A r m y (PLA) to prevent the possibility of any face-off or clash

a w a r m w e l c o m e t o h i s

Spanish counterpart, saying, " T h i s i s y o u r f i r s t v

India We missed your presence at the G20 Summit in New Delhi last year I am

During the special briefi n g f o l l o w i n g t h e b i l a t e

talks, Lal further detailed the scope of India-Spain cooperation during the visit, men-

delighted to welcome you to India during the festival of D

f Parliament and later assumed the role of Prime Minister "

MoU on cooperation in railw

Vadodara, Gujarat Sanchez said the project was the victory of Modi's vision “to turn India into an industrial pow-

investment and business-tobusiness collaboration This partnership between Airbus and Tata will contribute to the progress of the Indian aerospace industry and will

added Sanchez got a warm welcome with a colourful show of Gujarat’s culture

Harni airport to the facility nearby as both leaders in an open jeep greeted thousands of citizens by the roadside

growing economic partnership, noting, The total figure of trade is increasing It is very substantial now, USD 10 billion Also, the investment by various companies in each other's countries is increasing " Earlier in the day, the two leaders inaugurated the Tata

Varanasi court rejects plea for excavation survey at Gyanvapi

A fas t- t rac k co u rt i n Varanasi rejected a Hindu plaintiff’s plea for an “additional” surv ey by AS I of the Gyanv ap i m osque co mplex, using inv asiv e meth ods to gain access to purportedly razed remains o f an ancient

A d i V is h w e sh w a r t em p l e believ ed to exist beneath the central d ome

constituted by the civil j u d g e ’ s c o u r t a n d t h e s e c o n d b y A S I , h a v e yielded purported findings that the Hindu side insists are proof of the existence of a temple

mandated survey in May 2022 revealed the “Shivling”

The PLA will also intim a t e I n d i a b e f o r e s e n d i n g o u t i t s p a t r o l s , u n d e r t h e “patrolling arrangements” for D e p s a n g - D e m c h o k f i r s t announced by India on Oct 21 after a flurry of diplomatic a n d m i l i t a r y t a l k s , w h i c h paved the way for the ModiXi meeting on the sidelines of the Brics summit in Russia

t w o d a y s l a t e r S o u r c e s , meanwhile, also said talks are underway to ease the situa-

T h e s t r e n g t h o f t h e patrols will depend on the task assigned to them as well as the distance to be covered “ T h e s h o r t e r - r a n g e p a t r o l s have 10-15 soldiers, while the l o n g e r o n e s 2 0 - 2 5 O u r troops should now get full a n d u n r e s t r i c t e d a c c e s s t o o u r t r a d i t i o n a l p a t r o l l i n g points (PPs), where our sold i e r s w e r e b e i n g b l o c k e d f r o m g o i n g t o e a r l i e r , ” a source said

Continued from Page 1

The Election Day is set

According to the University o f F l o r i d

which tracks early voting, over 41 million votes have already been cast, including more than 2 7 million in the

Georgia

B

s e c u r i n g t h e D e m o c r a t i c n o m i n a t i o n , Kamala made history as the first Indian American and B l a c k w o m a n t o l e a d a major party If elected, she

w

United States

On the possibility of a ceasefire in the war between Ukraine and Russia, Kamala and Trump present voters with two starkly different foreign policy visions, each w i t h s i g n i f i c a n t i m p l i c ations for the global order Kamala's presidency would l a r g e l y f o l l o w t h e

administration’s approach, s

Ukraine If Kamala wins, it would reinforce America’s c

and its current foreign policy stance

India-US relations at the crossroads

India's commitment to strategic autonomy, its bal-

tion in “sensitive” areas like

Y a n g t s e , A s a p h i l a a n d

S u b a n s i r i r i v e r v a l l e y i n

Arunachal Pradesh

All this, however, does not mean that the festering

b o r d e r c o n f r o n t a t i o n w i t h

China, which erupted after the PLA’s multiple incursions into eastern Ladakh in a wellcoordinated manner in AprilMay 2020, is anywhere close to being resolved For that to happen, China will have to agree to de-escalation along the entire 3,488-km Line of A

r n

L a d a k h t o A r u n a c h a l Pradesh, with both sides also de-inducting their well over

1 , 0 0 , 0 0 0 t r o o p s e a c h t h a t have been forward deployed along the entire frontier

Civil judge (senior division) Yughul Shambhu cited d i r e c t i v e s f r o m S u p r e m e

Court and Allahabad high court barring any excavation during the previous survey by ASI of “Plot No 9130 ” within the Gyanvapi complex

“Based on the facts and c i r c u m s t a n c e s , i t c a n b e concluded that the report submitted by ASI is yet to be e x a m i n e d S e c o n d l y , t h e structure where a ‘Shivling’ is stated to have been found is protected by an order of Supreme Court,” Shambhu said

T h e f a s t - t r a c k c o u r t reserved its order during the previous hearing on Oct 19

On that day, Anjuman

I n t i z a m i a

M a s a j i d , t h e

m o s q u e ’ s c u s t o d i a n , f i l e d objections to advocate Vijay Shankar Rastogi’s petition seeking another survey by ASI Rastogi, who identifies himself as “next friend of S w a y a m b h u J y o t i r l i n g a Bhagwan Vishweshwar” in the original Dec 2019 plea for a survey to find out if the m o s q u e w a s b u i l t o v e r a

d e m o l i s h e d s h r i n e , t o l d r e p o r t e r s t h a t h e w o u l d appeal against the ruling in the high court Gyanvapi is embroiled in multiple litigations, including the Shringar Gauri case

f i l e d i n A u g 2 0 2 1 b y f i v e w o m e n p l a i n t i f f s s e e k i n g unrestricted access to the mosque complex for daily w o r s h i p o f “ v i s i b l e a n d i n v i s i b l e ” H i n d u d e i t i e s there

Two previous surveys of the complex, one by a team

pond The then civil judge ordered that the pond area

status quo on the dispute

area The apex court also transferred the case to the district judge’s court

On July 23 last year, the district judge asked ASI to conduct a scientific survey of Gyanvapi in response to a plea from the plaintiffs in the Shringar Gauri suit

The survey was to cover the entire premises, barring the sealed wuzukhana zone, to “determine if the mosque had been constructed over the pre-existing structure of a Hindu temple”

and active role in BRICS add complexity to shared India-

assertiveness in the Indo-

stakes in their evolving partnership

tion could shape the USIndia relations through her Indian heritage and continued Biden-era foreign policy priorities Expected to maintain Biden’s focus on

Kamala is not expected to rely on them to curb global d

has advocated for taxing the wealthy and offering middle-class tax breaks, experts say

would likely support India on regional security, particularly in countering China, w

e p r o m o t i n g a s t a b l e I n d o - P a c i f i c K a m a l a i s expected to prioritise partn e r s h i p s i n t e c h n o l o g y , focusing on AI, cyber security, and digital infrastructure With shared concerns

o v e r c l i m a t e c h a n g e , a K a m a l a p r e s i d e n c y c o u l d enhance US-India collaboration on sustainable develo p m e n t a n d r e n e w a b l e energy initiatives

However, some analysts anticipate slight deviations f r o m P r e s i d e n t B i d e n ’

Minister Narendra Modi’s government As a senator, K a m a l a w a s

Modi’s revocation of Article 370, which removed Jammu and Kashmir’s special status in August 2019, suggesting potential challenges in fully aligning with Biden's stance on India

One phenomenon that

stands out in US presidential elections is the signifi-

Beyoncé, Jennifer Aniston, and Taylor Swift are rallying behind Kamala, while Trump has the support of figures like Elon Musk and K

public opinion and potentially alter the course of the

plate whether Trump can

victory or if America will finally elect its first female p

At NDDB celebrations, Shah calls for White Revolution 2.0

U n io n m inis t er Am it Sh ah

s aid it is time f or I ndia to take

t h e ne x t b ig l e a p t h ro u gh

“Wh ite Revol ution 2 0 ”

Shah was in Milk City

Anand to take part in the celebrations of the diamond jubilee of the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) and the birth anniversary of

T r i b h u v a n d a s P

e founder of Amul Dairy

R

launched by NDDB in 1970he said India is already the

o n tonnes of annual production, leaving the US behind “With a growth rate of 6% against the world average of 2%, it will sustain growth in the dairy sector,” he said

“Today, 80 million rural families produce milk every day However, only 15 million

exploited and are not getting a fair price Many times, they have to throw milk away, ” he said

“Our job is to ensure that all 80 million farmers get the

full value of their hard work

direction,” he added India

unions, 231 district unions, 28 marketing dairies and 21 milk

said Shah said all dimensions of White Revolution 2 0 have been included to strengthen

routes

“We are going to create

Currently, we have 65,000

cooperative societies (PACS), which we want to increase to 200,000 This will not only

cooperatives,” he said

‘Unlimited’ care for pet dog Tito, share for butler in Tata’s will

Indus trialist and philanthropist Ratan Tata has made provisions in his will to ensure

“unlimited” care for his German shepherd, Tito While l eaving wealth for pets is not uncomm on in t he West , this is perhaps rare in India

Ratan Tata, whose estate is estimated at over £ 1bn, also bequeathed assets to his foundation, brother Jimmy Tata, half-sisters Shireen and Deanna Jejeebhoy, house staff, and others

His assets include a 2,000 sq-foot beach bungalow in Alibaug, a two-storey house on Juhu Tara Road in Mumbai, fixed deposits exceeding £35 mn, and a 0 83% stake in Tata Sons, the holding company of the $165-billion Tata Group

Tito, adopted five or six years ago after the passing of Ratan Tata’s previous dog of the same name, will be cared for by his longtime cook, Rajan Shaw The will also includes provisions for his butler, Subbiah, w

relationship Ratan Tata was known to buy designer clothes for them during his travels abroad

I n k e e p i n g w i t h t h e T a t a G r o u p ’ s tradition of bequeathing shares to charitable trusts, his stake will be transferred to the Ratan Tata Endowment Foundation (RTEF)

S

N Chandrasekaran is likely to chair RTEF

Halekai house in Colaba, where Ratan Tata lived until his passing, is owned by Ewart

Investments, a 100% subsidiary of Tata Sons Its future will be determined by Ewart Ratan Tata designed both Halekai house and the Alibaug bungalow, though the fate of the Alibaug property remains unclear The Juhu house, which also faces the beach and sits on a quarter-acre plot, was inherited by Ratan Tata and his family - brother Jimmy, half brother Noel Tata and stepmother Simone Tata - following his father Naval Tata’s death Sources say it has been closed for over two decades, with plans to sell the property In addition to Tata Sons shares, Ratan Tata’s stakes in other Tata Group companies, i n c l u d

transferred to RTEF Established in 2022, RTEF is a Section 8 company focused on promoting non-profit causes It made its first e

Technologies shares from Tata Motors for £ 1 4 7 m

d subsequently acquired a minor stake in Tata Digital, which operates the Tata Neu app

Elderly population rising while birth rate drops in Gujarat

A mi d c a ll s by T a m i

to

in ce nt ivise child births be yond ‘Hum Do, Ham are Do’ d ue to a drop in fe rt ility and a grey ing population , the figure s from G ujara t in dicate t hat t he st ate a lso has hig her th ann a t i o n a l a v e r a g e p r o j e c t io n s f o r s e n i o r citizen s in t he ne xt 12 yea rs On t he othe r ha n d , s t a t e g o v t d a t a i n d i ca t e t ha t n e t childbir ths d ropped by 7% in the pa st d ecade

While ageing and slowing birth rates are national phenomena, the issue has come under sharp focus with chief ministers of two southern states appealing to citizens to have larger families for reasons such as improving the growth rate and maintaining the share of seats in the Lok Sabha Analysis of Gujarat specific data indicates that the state is likely to increase its share of senior citizens (persons above 60 years of age) from 10 4% in 2021 to 15 4% in 2036 For India, the rise is from 10 1% to 15%, according to the India Ageing Report 2023 by the United

Nations Population Fund (UNF- PA) The

49:100

Data to data, the birth rates for the past two decades recorded with the state govt

childbirths in 2003 The number increased by 15% to 12,66,000 in 2013 But in the

11,76,000, which

7% drop The drop, according to data, was steeper in urban areas Ahmedabad district recorded a 22% drop from 143,000 in 2013 to 126,000 in 2023

State govt sources said that currently there are no plans to investigate population matters like some other states Economists

f r o m

performed well economically and currently the parameters are close to other industryheavy states such as Maharashtra

Couple gets married underwater in the Red Sea

For many, an ideal wedding vision includes a picturesque setting, elegant attire, and timeless romance However, modern couples are increasingly breaking free from convention, seeking unique and unconventional destinations to celebrate their special

adventurous couples are now taking the plunge and exchanging vows beneath the ocean's surface In one such recent underwater ceremony, Hassan Abu Al-Ola and Yasmine Daftardar sealed their love amid the stunning coral reefs and marine life of the Red Sea, off Jeddah The event, one of the first of its kind, was attended by a small group of fellow divers and organised by the local diving group, Saudi Divers, led by Captain Faisal Flemban, according to Gulf News The Saudi Divers team provided expert support, supplying necessary gear and orchestrating a surprise underwater celebration Notably, the couple are avid divers and that's why they opted for an extraordinary underwater setting to begin their life together

Techie says she was rejected for being 'too good'

A software engineer working at Google has taken the internet by storm after sharing an unusual rejection reply from a job application Annu Sharma, a Delhi-based Google employee, took to X to share a screenshot of her rejection letter from a startup firm, revealing that she was deemed "too good" for the position she applied for In her post, she expressed her disbelief, stating, "Didn't know you could be rejected for being too good " In the rejection letter, the recruiter outlined the reasoning behind the decision "After reviewing your resume, we realized that your qualifications significantly surpass the role requirements Our experience indicates that candidates with higher qualifications often find the work unfulfilling and tend to leave shortly after joining," it read Reacting to the post, one user wrote, "I was rejected too recently not for being more qualified but being from a higher ranking college I told them I won't leave but they were hell bent ”

Woman stuck in Dubai's desert, orders camel via Uber

A fascinating video circulating on Instagram shows two women stuck in a desert in Dubai, desperately seeking rescue After their vehicle broke down, the duo found themselves lost in the vast, arid landscape In a bizarre twist, one of them opened her Uber app, only to find an unexpected ride option: a camel After booking the unusual transport, they were stunned when a man arrived with a camel, introducing himself as an "Uber camel driver " One of the women hopped on, seemingly thrilled by the unconventional ride As the camel approached, her friend exclaimed in astonishment, "We actually got lost and ordered a camel! The woman who ordered the camel asked the man, What do you do for a living?" and he replied, "I drive Uber Camel I help people who get lost " The driver explained that he specialises in assisting stranded travellers in the desert The video was purportedly recorded at Al Badayer on Dubai-Hatta Road The story quickly gained attention on social media Users were left amused and stunned by the clip, while some questioned its authenticity and called it a "fake" and "staged" video

Ananya Birla shares letters from Gandhi to GD Birla

Ananya Birla, the daughter of Aditya Birla Group's billionaire chairman Kumar Mangalam Birla, recently shared a few unseen letters written by Mahatma Gandhi to her great-great-grandfather, Ghanshyam Das Birla The singer-songwriter shared the video on Instagram In the clip, she dived into her family history and revealed that GD Birla and Gandhi were not just acquaintances but "best of friends" She also admitted that reading the letters revealed the "density of legacy" and inspired her to do everything possible to "preserve" it "Diving into some family history today! Found these letters between my great-great-grandfather and Gandhiji, and they're incredible," wrote Ananya Birla while sharing a video of herself reading aloud the letters Mahatma Gandhi wrote to GD Birla

Little girl wraps a giant snake around her neck

Despite their fearsome reputation, snakes have become beloved pets for several people around the world Recently, a video of a little girl hoisting a massive black snake over her shoulders and playing with the reptile went viral, grabbing attention across the internet The video captures the heart-pounding moment as the young girl, who seems a little terrified, handles a massive snake as it slithers across her body Fortunately, the serpent remains calm, posing no immediate harm Notably, the girl named Ariana is a snake enthusiast and has amassed more than 400,000 followers on Instagram showcasing h

@snakemasterexotics, and her bio simply states "Just a girl and her passion for snakes " The video has sparked outrage on social media, with many condemning the parents for endangering their child's life for social media content

Snake species named after Leonardo DiCaprio

Scientists have discovered a new snake species high in the Himalayan mountains, and named it ‘Anguiculus dicaprioi’ in honour of Hollywood actor and environmentalist Leonardo DiCaprio The findings, published in the peer-reviewed journal ‘Scientific Reports’ highlight the region’s rich biodiversity The species is small, growing up to 22 inches, with distinct features such as a steeply domed snout and a faint grey collar around its neck, said HT Lalremsanga from Mizoram University, one of the researchers involved, in the project Found at altitudes of 6,100 ft, the snakes have been located in Nepal and in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand The discovery occurred during a summer 2020 expedition in northern India, where researchers were investigating lesser-known reptile species

Pak man opening lion's jaws sparks outrage online

Social media is filled with eye-catching videos of people interacting with wild animals, often leaving viewers both amazed and concerned From brave snake handlers to thrillseekers getting close to crocodiles, these clips never fail to surprise us Now, a video has surfaced online showing Pakistani digital creator Mian Saqib opening a massive lion's jaws Yes, you read that right! These powerful animals are revered as majestic apex predators, making this interaction both thrilling and risky However, the clip has sparked widespread backlash online, with many feeling bad for the animal The video opens with the man casually walking alongside the lion Seconds later, he opens the animal's jaws, without displaying any fear or discomfort The post, shared just a day back, has garnered nearly 76,000 views and several comments

Amit Shah

Common painkiller linked to 50% increase in heart attacks, stroke risk

A

The hidden dangers of night time social media scrolling

In to day’s h yper-connected w

so cial media at nig ht has become a habitual ritual for m any Wh ether it's check-

i ng T witter, or endlessly watching TikToks, th e allure of endless content can be irresistible While it may seem

nw ind before bed

time social media scrolling

to a 50

cent increa sed risk of heart atta ck or stroke, eve n

ow dose s, a ccording to r ece nt resear ch

The study also found he ighte ned rate s of heart failure

a n d i r r e g ul a r h e a r t b e a t a mong users of a ll age s Previously available over

t h e c o u n

h e U K , diclofenac was reclassified as prescription-only in January 2015 due to concerns about

a n d H e a l t h c a r e products Regulatory Agency

h i g h l i g h t e d a s m a l l b u t increased risk of heart prob-

l e m s a s s o c i a t e d w i t h t h e anti-inflammatory drug

A comprehensive study

e s t a b l i s h e d a c o n n e c t i o n

b e t w e e n d i c l o f e n a c a n d

" m a j o r c a r d i o v a s c u l a r

e v e n t s " C a r d i o l o g i s t D r

M o r t e n S c h m i d t f r o m

Aarhus University Hospital in Denmark commented on t h e f i n d i n g s , s t a t i n g : "Diclofenac poses a cardio-

v a s c u l a r h e a l t h r i s k c o mpared with non-use, paracetamol use, and use of other

t r a d i t i o n a l n o n - s t e r o i d a l anti-inflammatory drugs "

H i s r e s e a r c h i n d i c a t e d

t h a t p a t i e n t s t a k i n g

diclofenac saw a 50 per cent increase in rates after 30 days compared to those not on any medication, and there was a 20 per cent rise when compared to users of ibuprofen or paracetamol, and a 30 per cent increase relative to naproxen users

Their findings indicated that starting diclofenac was associated with a higher rate

o f c a r d i a c i s s u e s s u c h a s irregular heartbeats, strokes, h e a r t f a i l

attacks compared to starting o n p a r a c e t a m

o r t h e N S A I D s i b u p r o f e n o r n a p r o x e n M o r

diclofenac users had a higher r

d were more prone to internal

taking NSAIDs

Short bursts of activity may better stimulate weight loss

Walk ing for s hort burs ts or cl im bing s tairs c an b urn 20% to 60% m ore ener gy t han s us tained ac tivity f or t he s ame distanc e, a new s tudy has found

Researchers at the University of Milan, in Italy, wanted to understand how walking’s metabolic cost was affected by the duration of the activity To this end, they recruited 10 participants with an average age of 27, who were agreed to undertake 10- to 240-second bursts of treadmill walking or stair-climber rounds Using an oxygen mask to measure oxygen uptake and metabolic cost, they determined that the shorter bouts of activity had greater metabolic cost, with 30-second bouts consuming 20% to 60% more oxygen than steady bouts of activity

The researchers concluded that by starting and stopping activity, the participants were able to expend more energy due to the metabolic processes that the body encounters while ramping up to strenuous bursts versus the sustained energy use of longer bouts In their view, people looking to maximize their exercise returns might consider implementing shorter bursts of activity rather than a longer sustained effort

Mindful eating

Embrace mindful eating by slowing down and truly savouring each bite Tune into your hunger signals and steer clear of distractions, such as watching TV, while you eat This approach can help prevent overeating and foster a healthier, more positive relationship with food

d angers

negativ ely

terns: One of the most well-

time scrolling is its impact

and other devices suppresses the production of melatonin, the hormone respon-

melatonin levels are low, it

p throughout the night This can lead to sleep deprivation, which in turn affects mood, cognitive function, and overall health

I

stress: Nighttime is often the only quiet time people have to reflect on their day,

w

media Unfortunately, this also makes it a prime time for anxiety-inducing comp a r i s o n s A s y o u s c r o l l through photos of friends’

a c c o m p l i s h m e n t s , t r a v e l s , or seemingly perfect lives, y o u m i g h t b e g i n t o f e e l inadequate or left out FOMO and social comp a r i s o n : T h e c o n c e p t o f F e a r o f M i s s i n g O u t (FOMO) is exacerbated by social media When you're scrolling late at night, it’s

easy to fall into the trap of comparing your life to the seemingly perfect lives portrayed by others You might s e e f r i e n d s a t t e n d i n

e v e n t s , a c h i e v i n g m i l estones, or simply enjoying life while you ’ re lying in bed alone

A d d i c t i o n t o s o c i a l media: Nighttime scrolling c a n o f t e n t u r n i n

create

new content

cycle where you feel comp

y o u r p h o n e , e v e n w h e n you're tired or know you should be resting The end-

less scroll feature of many apps is designed to keep you engaged, making it difficult to stop once you ’ ve started Mental health implications: Frequent nighttime social media use has been linked to a number of mental health issues, including

study found that excessive social media use at night

the risk of mental health

younger users

and focus: The effects of poor sleep due to late-night

just feeling groggy the next day Lack of quality sleep impairs cognitive function,

and retain information This leads to lower

school, making it harder to accomplish tasks efficiently Over time, this can compound stress and anxiety, creating a vicious cycle of sleep disruption and daytime exhaustion

Breakfast foods affect weight loss, metabolism differently for men, women

A s t ud y s ug g e s ts w h at m al e

females ea t for breakfas t c an affec t the m in very differen t ways

The researchers found that males d o b e

Females, on the other hand, had a better metabolic response to a breakfast heavy in fat

T

these differences could be used to tailor people’s diets to their needs, help-

improve energy

The study’s goal was to examine h o w c a

metabolized throughout the body and in the various organs They also wanted to learn more about what might be driving the metabolic differences

The authors said the purpose of creating a mathematical model was to

t hypotheses and refine studies without h

s helps bridge a gap in the scientific literature, the authors wrote, explaining that more tends to be known about metabolic responses to food in males

It is w idely accep ted in m odern culture that people sho uld divid e their daily diet into three larg e meals - breakfast, lunch, and dinner - for o ptim al health

In recent years, however, experts have begun to change their perspective, suggesting that eating smaller, more frequent meals may be best for preventing chronic disease and weight

l o s s A s a

changing their eating patterns in favor of eating several small meals throughout the day

g small, frequent meals suggest that this eating pattern can: improve satiety, or

Examining gender differences in metabolism can help us learn more about customizing nutrition recommendations for the unique needs of females

Catherine Gervacio, a nutritioni s t - d i e t i t i a n , s a i d o n e r e a s o n t h a t males and females respond differently is that males tend to have more muscle mass She said this means men tend to use carbohydrates for quick energy, while females tend to use more body fat

The result is that a female’s longterm energy reserve burns fats more e f f i c i e n t l y , a c c o r d i n g t o G e r v a c i o

prevent dips in energy; stabilize blood sugar and prevent overeating

While a few studies support these recommendations, others show no significant benefit In fact, some research suggests it may be more beneficial to stick with three larger meals

At the end of the study, researchers

expenditure and body fat loss between the two groups Interestingly, those

pared to those who ate three larger meals per day

Although calorie intake was

“This means men usually rely on carbs for energy, especially d u r i n g a c t i v i t i e s , w h i l e women ’ s bodies are better at using fat, especially in times o f r e s t o r f a s t i n g , ” s h e explained Hormonal differences can also play a role, said Gervacio

“Hormones like estrogen in women promote fat storage and fat burning, particularly during fasting or when energy is needed over a longer time,” she said “On the other hand, men ’ s hormones, such as testosterone, support m o r e m u s c l e g r o w t h , s o t h e i r metabolism is more geared toward breaking down carbs for immediate energy ”

“Due to different muscle-to-fat ratios and how organs use energy, men ’ s and women ’ s bodies prioritize different nutrients,” she said “This results in women being more efficient at conserving and using fats for e n e r g y , w h i l e m e n

n through carbs faster for quick bursts of energy ”

sumed frequent meals would be more likely to consume more daily calories than those who ate less frequently

Results of another study suggest that healthy adults may prevent longterm weight gain by eating less frequently; eating breakfast and lunch 5 to 6 hours apart; avoiding snacking; consuming the largest meal in the morning; fasting for 18-19 hours overnight

Moreover, according to a US study, due to inconsistencies and limitations in the current body of evidence, there is insufficient evidence to determine the relationship between meal frequency and body composition and the risk of overweight and obesity

In

Diwali meets Halloween in a rare celebration of light and darkness

2024, Diwali and Halloween coincide on October 31, blending two vibrant traditions from different cultures on the same day

T h

opportunity for communities, particularly in multicultural societies like the UK and the US, to celebrate the festival of lights alongside the spooky fun of Halloween Diwali, the Hindu festival symbolising the victory of light over darkness and good over evil, is marked with rows of oil lamps, festive decorations, and elaborate rangoli patterns at homes and temples Halloween, meanwhile, centres on costumes, pumpkin carvings, trick-or-treating, and a playful exploration of the supernatural Blending the celebrations

B o t h t r a d

s h a

lighting up the darkness Diwali with its

glowing pumpkins and lanterns This dual celebration has inspired innovative events in the UK and beyond, with some families choosing to honour both traditions For example, community centers and schools have arranged events where children and adults dress up in Halloween c o s t u m e s

alongside Halloween treats, and p

making and pumpkin-carving

The convergence also means an interesting blend of activities in cities with large South Asian communities, such as London a n d L

t s spectacular Diwali lights, is likely to see visitors celebrating with even more flair as Halloween revellers join the festivities

Did you know of Bhoot Chaturdashi? I

Halloween, Bhoot Chaturdashi is an intriguing and lesser-known

West Bengal, India Occurring on the 14th day of the waning moon,

unique cultural significance

Rooted in Bengali folklore

Chaturdashi is often described as Bengal’s equivalent to Halloween, marked by customs designed to ward off evil spirits and honour ancestors The night of Bhoot

C

Chaturdashi in other parts of India, is

forces The term bhoot means ghost and the day is traditionally believed to be when spirits, both benevolent and malevolent, roam the earth

In Bengali households, it is said that on this night, the spirits of 14 ancestors visit their families, seeking blessings and peace

The cultural overlap brings new ways to l

celebration, fostering a shared spirit of joy and inclusivity For many, the blending of D i w

distinctive holiday experience, encouraging communities to embrace and respect each other’s traditions in the process

To honour their presence and to seek protection from any wandering negative entities, several rituals are observed Halloween related antisocial behaviour

Shifting to a more serious aspect of the celebrations, recent research by Regency Living, specialists in property for the over50s, reveals that 85% of individuals in this age group experience increased anxiety during the Halloween period Alarmingly,

Kolkata's first Shah Rukh Khan inspired cafe opens its doors

Kolkata, the cultural capital of India, has always h ad a special relationship w ith cinema, and now it boasts a unique add ition to its vibrant landscap e: th e SRK Fusion Cafe Dedicated to the King of Bollyw ood, S hah Rukh Khan, this charming cafe is a haven for fans and cinep hiles alike, offering a d eligh tful blend of food, film, and fandom

As soon as you step inside t h e S R K F u s i o n C a f e , y o u r e g

Khan's illustrious career Every nook of the cafe is adorned with f

from his films The walls are not just decor; they feature famous

inspiring visitors and evoking nostalgia

The cafe is designed to be a perfect spot for fans to click p

e a t e r e e l s , m a k i n g i t a s o c i a l m e d i a h o t s p o t W h e t h e r i t ’ s p o s i n g with images of SRK or capturing t

corner offers an opportunity for memorable snapshots

behaviour in their own homes

across the UK typically rise during the summer and autumn months, with anti-

analysis of UK crime data conducted by Regency Living shows that, over the past decade, crime reports in October have been approximately 4 5% higher than the average monthly levels for the rest of the year

On average, around 125,460 cases of anti-social behaviour have been recorded in October alone over the past ten years

Unsurprisingly, a survey commissioned by Regency Living found that 85% of over-50s f e e l m o r e a n x i o u s t h a n u s u a l d u r i n g

Halloween

Among the respondents, 35% indicated that they live alone, making Halloween particularly intimidating, and just over 10% (11%) opt not to spend the holiday at home

W h e n a s k e d w

treating This was followed by fears of becoming victims of anti-social behaviour, such as egging, and witnessing antisocial acts while out and about Fortunately, only 10% (9%) reported experiencing anti-social behaviour in their local communities, but a concerning 34% admitted to having faced such issues within their own homes Moreover, only about 10% (9%) of respondents have access to a c o m m u n i t y w a t c h o r s i m i l a r i n i t i a t i v e aimed at addressing anti-social behaviour in their areas

C r e d t : I n s t a g r a m / @ s r k f u s o n c a f e

Beyond food, the cafe hosts special events, including movie s c r e e n i n g s ,

i v i a n i g h t s , a n d themed parties that celebrate SRK's birthday and significant film anniversaries These events provide fans with a chance to come together, share their love for Khan, and relive the magic of his films SRK Fusion Cafe is not just a p l a c e t o g

experience that celebrates the charisma and charm of Shah Rukh Khan Whether you're a die-hard fan or simply looking t o e n j o y a u n i q u

d i n i n g experience, this cafe promises to d e l i v e r a t a s t e o f B o l l y w o o d right in the heart of Kolkata It's a tribute to a cinematic legend and a delightful destination for anyone wanting to connect with the world of Shah Rukh Khan

Saudi Arabia opens Sindalah Island, first luxury Red Sea destination

Saudi Ara bia's ambitious me gacit y pr oje ct, NEOM, announce d the ope ning of its "first physical sh o wc a se " : a l u x ur y R e d Se a isl and call ed Sindala h, feat ur in g resta ur ants, hotels, an d yacht in g

a m id o

reg arding NEOM's

or for um, oft en dubbe

"Davos in the De se rt," set to tak

in Riyadh

enhancing the Kingdom's new era of luxury tourism with the launch of Sindalah," stated chief executive Nadhmi al-Nasr He

N E O M

inaugural destination provides visitors with a "first glimpse" of

metres (200 acres), Sindalah is projected to accommodate up to 2,400 guests per day by 2028

N E O M i s p r i m a r i l y recognised for The Line, a pair of mirror-encased skyscrapers stretching 170 kilometres inland

f r o m t h e c o a s t D u r i n g i t s unveiling in 2022, Crown Prince M o h a m m e d b i n S a l m a n projected a population of over one million by 2030, rising to nine million by 2045 However, B l o o m b e r g r e c e n t l y r e p o r t e d revised estimates indicating that o n l y 3 0 0 , 0 0 0 p e o p l e a r e expected to reside in The Line by the end of the decade, with just 2 4 kilometres of the project completed by that time

W o r k o n N E O M i s advancing alongside other major p r o j e c t s u n d e r V i s i o n 2 0 3 0 , Prince Mohammed's initiative to prepare Saudi Arabia for a post-oil future Last year, the kingdom became the sole bidder to host the 2034 football World Cup, giving it a decade to build s t a d i u m s a n d e n h a n c e i t s l o d g i n g a n d t r a n s p o r t i n f r a s t r u c t u r e I n D e c e m b e r , F i n a n c e M i n i s t e r M o h a m m e d al-Jadaan announced that the t i m e l i n e f o r s o m e s i g n i f i c a n t p r o j e c t s w o u l d b e e x t e n d e d

b e y o n d 2 0 3 0 , t h o u g h s p e c i f i c details were not provided

Celebs dazzle in festive splendour at Bollywood’s Diwali parties

Diwali in Bollywood is synonymous with glitz, glamour, and grand celebrations Each year, the industry’s biggest stars come together for lavish Diwali parties, hosted by A-list celebrities and top designers, where they dazzle in traditional attire and revel in the festive spirit.

Ace designer Manish Malhotra hosted his annual Diwali bash at his Mumbai residence, drawing a starstudded crowd Businesswoman Isha Ambani marked the occasion at the party, which lasted into the early hours Photos on Instagram reveal Manish capturing moments with Isha, filmmaker Karan Johar, and actor Ananya Panday, while Karan and Isha also posed with actor Janhvi Kapoor and her boyfriend Shikhar Pahariya

Kapoor, Varun Dhawan, Riteish Deshmukh, Genelia D'Souza, Orhan Awatramani, Sobhita

Dhulipala and more Producer Ramesh

Taurani hosted a glamorous Diwali bash attended by stars like Tamannaah Bhatia, Vijay Varma, Raj Kundra, Shilpa Shetty, Saif Ali Khan, Sidharth Malhotra, Bipasha Basu, and Karan Singh Grover Tamannaah and Vijay stole the spotlight, posing together on the red carpet

Meanwhile, designer duo Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla held their own Diwali celebration, drawing guests such as Karan Johar, Agastya Nanda, Anil Kapoor, Bhumi Pednekar, and Ibrahim Ali Khan Neetu

Dimple Kapadia refuses to get clicked with daughter Twinkle

Riddhima is a bigger gossiper than Ranbir Kapoor: Alia

Manish Malhotra also posed with Kiara Advani and her husband Sidharth Malhotra, who looked stylish in a maroon kurta and white pyjama, while Kiara dazzled in a golden outfit The bash saw another iconic moment with veteran actor Rekha, dressed in a vibrant orange, yellow, and gold saree, posing alongside Khushi Kapoor and her rumoured boyfriend Vedang Raina

Alia Bhatt continued her rewearing trend, arriving in the same lehenga she wore for her Mehendi ceremony, accompanied by her sister Shaheen Suhana Khan looked elegant in a saree, joined by her mother, Gauri Khan, in black Other stars at the party included Kajol, Kartik Aaryan, Triptii Dimri, Shahid

Kapoor arrived with her sister-in-law

Reema Jain, and Uorfi Javed appeared in festive attire B-Town couple Tamannaah and Vijay, who had already made a striking entrance at Taurani's party, were also present at the designer duo’s gathering Ayushmann Khurrana and Tahira

Kashyap hosted an extravagant Diwali party at their home this year, gathering close friends and film industry colleagues for the festivities Ayushmann dazzled in a black sherwani with golden embroidery, while Tahira matched the mood in a vibrant, multi-colored lehenga The star-studded guest list included Karan Johar, Bhumi Pednekar, Nushrratt Bharuccha, and couple Richa Chadha and Ali Fazal

Kajol defends her rude behaviour withpaparazzi

Actor Kajol has been under the spotlight recently, with videos surfacing of her being rude to paparazzi In fact, she was labelled as "rude" by social media users The actor has now addressed the criticism in an interview, saying she refuses to apologise for being herself.

Kajol said she wouldn't conform to the unrealistic expectation that celebrities must always present a polished image Discussing her recent behaviour with the paparazzi, Kajol said that she gets angry and has good and bad days, just like a regular human being She mentioned how social media is often a curation to make someone appear flawless and perfect The actor said, “I do get angry I have bad days and good days that’s me ” Kajol even explained her view She added, “I think that I cannot and will not sit down and edit myself time and again for somebody else’s idea of ‘she is a celebrity and she should not lose her temper’ ”

Dimple Kapadia grabbed headlines as she refused to pose with daughter Twinkle Khanna at the MAMI (Mumbai Academy of Moving Image) Film Festival 2024

Akshay Kumar and Twinkle arrived at the film festival to watch Dimple's film 'Go Noni Go' Dimple wore a long brown jacket over a white dress She smiled for the paparazzi As soon as the shutterbugs noticed Twinkle coming behind her, they asked the film veteran to pose with her daughter Dimple quipped, I don t pose with juniors Only seniors 'Go Noni Go' is adapted from Twinkle's charming short story, 'Salaam Noni Appa', which originally appeared in her bestselling book The story revolves around Noni, a woman in her late fifties whose life takes an unexpected turn when she meets a yoga teacher, sparking romance in her life Her sister Binni joins the bandwagon as the two navigate the ups and downs of love and relationships later in life The cast includes Ayesha Raza, Manav Kaul, Athiya Shetty, with Sonal Dabral taking on both writing and directing duties alongside co-writer Nikhil Sachan Dimple is known for films like 'Saagar', 'Vikram', 'Janbaaz', 'Bees Saal Baad', 'Ram Lakhan', to name a few In recent time, she was seen in films like Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar , Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya , Murder Mubarak '

Alia Bhatt is known to have an enduring bond with husband Ranbir Kapoor's family She recently shared a picture with her mother-in-law and veteran actor Neetu Kapoor from their recent Paris trip. Now, in an interview, Alia had nice things to say about her sister-in-law Riddhima Kapoor.

R

“If there’s anybody who has all the

biggest gossip bombs, and all of it usually ends up being true So, she’s way ahead of all of us, especially her brother (Ranbir),” said Alia However, she was quick to add Riddhima's more flattering qualities too “But she is also the kindest, most loving, and generous human being who only has love to give She is also the most entertaining and fabulous bua (aunt) who has taught Raha all kinds of things Thanks to you, I am doing ‘Uma Joshi ye ye ye ’ almost 20 times a day I feel very happy and grateful to have you in my life as the

than that,” Alia added R

when she said in the same interview that Alia has been a great addition to the Kapoor family since she makes an effort to keep in touch with everyone, something that even both Riddhima and Ranbir struggle to do

Trisha Krishnan unwinds on an all-girls trip to Morocco

Actor Trisha Krishnan is on an allgirls trip to Morocco On her Instagram, she shared inside pictures from what looks like a fun trip

Accompanying her are 'The Greatest of All Time' (GOAT) producer Archana Kalpathi and a few other friends.

Trisha shared a photo dump from Morocco on her Instagram Dressed in a blue co-ord set, the actor posed for pictures with a kid she seems to have met there Few other pictures also show her posing against the mountains with her caption reflecting her love for travel, “Those who travel to mountain tops are half in love with themselves and half in love

w i t h o

R

t h Prabhu seemed to agree, because she commented, “Amen (heart emoji) ” Radhika Sarathkumar wrote, “Inner beauty ” Archana has also been posting

p i c t u r e s f r o m t h e t r i p o n h e r Instagram stories In a few pictures, the girl gang poses for photos together, including one near a hot air balloon Archana, who is the CEO of AGS Entertainment recently worked

Rashmika Mandanna takes up a

new role

Actress

Rashmika Mandanna, who recently became a victim of a deepfake video scandal, has now taken on a new role to fight back against cybercrimes. The Ministry of Home Affairs has appointed Rashmika as the brand ambassador for the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), an initiative aimed at combating the growing menace of online threats.

In a video, Rashmika expressed her thoughts on the dangers of cybercrime, saying, "Cybercrime is a dangerous threat affecting individuals, businesses, and communities worldwide " She emphasized the importance of raising awareness to protect people from these online dangers

"Having experienced the impact of cybercrime first hand, I feel a deep sense of responsibility to create awareness, protect people, and bring about positive change," Rashmika added She expressed her gratitude to the central government for the opportunity to spearhead this initiative and stressed the need for vigilance and safety in the digital age

Dulquer Salmaan opens up on 'health issues'

Dulquer

Salmaan, who is getting ready for the release of 'Lucky Baskhar', has opened up about his health issues According to the 'Sita Ramam' actor, his medical condition caused a delay in 'Lucky Baskhar's shooting schedule Dulquer said, “I don't like gaps This year, I was supposed to do a couple of films

One got cancelled and one didn't work out at the last minute Then, I had health issues We (the Lucky Baskhar team) had delays because of that My producer, director and everyone were so supportive Once when we were shooting and if I was in some kind of pain, they would say Sir, we ll stop now Don t do this Go home and take some time off We will come back and shoot,'" he said in an interaction

Last week, Dulquer announced that he was back from his hiatus by dropping a set of pictures on Instagram “After a long hiatus, I am back,” read his side note Through the post, Dulquer also teased the release date of Lucky Baskhar “Lucky Baskhar on October 31, ” he wrote A day after the post, Dulquer unveiled 'Lucky Baskhar's' trailer Sharing the film's poster on Instagram, he captioned, “A sneak peek into the RISE, RISK and ENTICING journey of Lucky Baskhar ”

Mani Ratnam is a ‘big fan’ of

Director Mani Ratnam couldn’t help but gush about actor Sai Pallavi at the audio launch of her upcoming film 'Amaran' with Sivakarthikeyan When he took the stage, he hoped that he would work with Sai one day, according to reports. And the actor shared her mutual appreciation for him.

Sai Pallavi

Sai responded that Mani has been her inspiration while choosing roles She said, “Before coming into movies, I didn’t know the names of many directors But Mani Ratnam is one name I have always known He is one of the reasons I am choosy about scripts and roles ” At the same event, Mani also praised Sivakarthikeyan, talking about how ‘ some actors become big heroes after their first debut’, but people like him and the actor had to achieve it by ‘climbing step by step’ “You are like me, ” he said Sivakarthikeyan also revealed at the event that, like everyone, he became a fan of Sai after watching her play Malar in the Malayalam film 'Premam '

Actress Samantha Ruth Prabhu reflects on filming

‘Citadel’ action scenes despite health struggles

Samantha Ruth Prabhu shared her experience of filming action sequences for ‘Citadel: Honey Bunny’ while facing health challenges Despite undergoing treatment for myositis, the actor revealed that she managed to shoot the spy action series, even when she felt unwell At times, she admitted, she wasn't sure if she would be able to continue filming

When discussing the challenges of filming action scenes for ‘Citadel’ while battling myositis, the actor remarked, “I can hardly believe I actually did it when I watch it There were days when I had an IV in the morning and then shot action sequences in the afternoon, making each day incredibly intense I’m not sure if the rest of the crew was aware of my condition There were mornings when I felt unwell, and Raj would ask, ‘Are you sure you can shoot?’ I would respond, ‘I don’t think I can do it today ’ Yet, somehow, I managed to push through ” Samantha made her acting debut in Gautham Vasudev

Varuvaayaa’ (2010) She later appeared in her first Telugu

Antava" from the Allu Arjun-Rashmika Mandanna starrer

‘Pushpa: The Rise’ (2021) catapulted her to Pan-India recognition Most recently, she starred in the Telugu

Deverakonda

Riddhima Kapoor Sahni discusses family trolling following Rishi

Kapoor’s death

Riddhima Kapoor Sahni opened up about the intense trolling she and her family faced following the passing of her father, the beloved actor Rishi Kapoor She recalled how people made hurtful comments on social media about the Kapoor family's public appearances and photos during their time of mourning

faced was not only painful

their private grief "People would say, 'Oh, they look

out,'" she noted, explaining that while they may appear composed in public, they

closed doors She pointed out that their decision to maintain privacy was often misunderstood Riddhima also addressed the emotional toll that public scrutiny had on her mother, Neetu Kapoor

Despite Neetu Kapoor's resilience, Riddhima Kapoor Sahni noted that many

shared that the family grew closer after their father's passing, choosing not to burden each other with their grief She underscored that their unity and support for one another provided the strength

t

remarked, "People think

easy, but they don't see the insecurities we face

Mirzapur is set to hit theatres

The acclaimed series ‘Mirzapur’ is set to hit theatres as a feature film, featuring Pankaj Tripathi reprising his role as Kaleen Bhaiya, alongside Ali Fazal as Guddu Pandit and Divyenndu as Munna Tripathi, with Abhishek Banerjee also in the cast

Scheduled for release in 2026, the film promises to delve deeper into the gritty world of Mirzapur, showcasing the rowdy gangsters in a grand and immersive cinematic experience

Producers Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar of Excel Entertainment expressed their excitement, stating, “Bringing the iconic ‘Mirzapur’ experience to the big screen is a landmark milestone for us Over three successful seasons, this acclaimed franchise has resonated with fans through its compelling storytelling and unforgettable characters, including Kaleen Bhaiya, Guddu Bhaiya, and Munna Bhaiya ”

They added, "Adapting this beloved series into a film promises to create an even more captivating experience, enabling audiences to dive deeper into the world of ‘Mirzapur’ than ever before We are thrilled to partner with Prime Video once again and are committed to delivering a grand cinematic experience that meets the high expectations of our loyal fanbase

India women beat New Zealand, win ODI series

S mriti M andhana led the charg e w ith her eighth ODI hundred as I n d i a w o n t h ei r t h ree -m atc h ODI series ag ainst New Zealand

2-1 On Tuesday, the hosts wo n the decider by six wickets at th e

N are nd r a M o d i S tad

A h m ed a ba d M a nd h a na als o m ad e history, going past Mithali Raj’s tally of m ost h und reds by a n I n d i an w

m en ’ s bat ter i n ODIs

After opting to bat first, the White Ferns were bowled out for 232 in 49 5 overs They lost Suzie Bates, Lauren Down and Sophie Devine in single digits, b u t G e o r g i a P l

Brooke Halliday restored sanity to proceedings Plimmer scored 39 runs off 67 balls before legspinner Priya Mishra dismissed her Halliday put her head down and brought up her half-century off 72 balls She went on to score 86 off 96 with nine fours and three sixes Just when it seemed that she would get a three-figure score, Deepti Sharma accounted

for her wicket

At 88 for five in 23 3

contributions from their lower order batters took

score Deepti was the pick

with figures of 10-2-39-3

Renuka Singh and Saima

wicket apiece India lost the early wicket of Shafali Verma as Hannah Rowe gave the White Ferns a crucial breakthrough From there on, Mandhana and Yastika Bhatia put on 76 runs for the second

Bhatia got out on 35, Mandhana

held the innings together and made sure that India did not suffer any hiccups S

Harmanpreet and the duo put on 117 runs for the third wicket Mandhana went on to make 100

hand, stayed unbeaten until the very end, scoring 59 off 63 with six fours Jemimah Rodrigues played a handy cameo of 22 off 18 before

opposite number, Devine, for a four through covers to hit the winning shot as India chased down the target with 34 balls to spare

New Zealand snap India's 18-series home streak

India's prized h ome streak of 18 consecutive series wins at home, the longest-ever in th e histo ry of T es t cri cket, end ed at Pu ne's

M ah ar as h tra C ri c ke t

A ss o c i ati o n S tad iu m as N ew Zealand snap ped the run w ith an emph atic 1 00-run win in th e second Test match o f the series

M itchell S antner picked a fiv ew ic ke t h au l i n bo t h i nn i ng s , reco rding h is best-ever fig ures in F irst-C lass cricket as the visitors reg istered their m aid en series v ictory o n Indian soil since their first visit to the cou ntry in 1955 India's defiance ended in the opening 10 overs of the second session on Day 3 of the match after Yashasvi Jaiswal gave the home team a glimmer of hope with his intent-filled knock of 77 off 65 before Lunch Santner, who picked up a seven-wicket

haul to record his best-career figures in an innings in FirstC l a s

threatening fifty-run stand for the second wicket, before a brain fade moment from Rishabh Pant ended in his run out for a score of duck

The left-arm orthodox then got rid of Virat Kohli for the second time in the Test match to put the final nail in the coffin for India en route to his second fivewicket haul in the contest The rest of the line-up crumbled in q u

i x wickets in the second session for 97 runs I n t h e f i n a l s e s s i o n , Ravichandran Ashwin was quick to depart on 18, and while Akash Deep (1 off 24) showed signs of

grit and patience, he couldn't suppress the urge to open his a r m s o n a s h o r t - p i t c h e d delivery, smashing it for an easy

Ravindra Jadeja (42) was the final wicket to fall, as New Zealand completed a brilliant win

E a r l i e r i n t h e d a

Zealand’s resolve to add as many

h e i r overnight score of 198/5 met a

downfall Barring Glenn Phillips, who was left stranded in 48 off 82, none among Tim Southee (0), Mitchell Santner (4) and Ajaz P a t e l ( 1 ) c o u l d t r o u b l e

scorers as Kiwis folded for 255 in 69 4 overs inside the first hour’s play

Ambani and Goenka vie for stakes in UK's Hundred teams

Indian billionaires Sanjiv Goenka and M ukesh A mbani have put in opening

b i d s fo r m u l ti p le fr anc h i s es i n t h e

Hundred Both billionaires offered bids to the Eng land and Wales Cricket Board ( ECB) in the first rou nd of bid ding to buy stakes in m ultiple teams, insiders said Others believed to have bid in the first round include the Glazer siblings, w h o o w n a m a j o r i t y s t a k e i n Manchester United and the director of C h e l s e a F o o t b a l l C l u b J o n a t

Goldstein

T h e H u n d

GUJARAT CROWNED VINOO MANKAD CHAMPIONS

Gujarat thumped Bengal by 10 wickets in the final to lift the U-19 Vinoo Mankad Trophy, at the Sanosara Cricket Ground in Rajkot Bengal won the toss and opted to bat first Theirs was a innings of two halves - aggressive intent followed by a collapse - again followed by a slow partnership which helped the team cross the 100-run mark Openers Vishal Bhati (21) and Ankit Chatterjee (19) galloped to 41 in 7 3 overs While Henil Patel leaked 21 runs in three overs pacer Vasu Devani kept the proceedings tight at the other end Devani castled Bhati and Bengal lost six wickets for two runs to go from 41 for no loss to 43/6 Rudra N Patel (4/21) was the wrecker-in-chief The last two wickets fell for four runs as Bengal were skittled out for 101 in 31 3 overs In reply, Gujarat sauntered to the target in 21 1 overs, with captain and opener Rudra M Patel (33) and fellow opener Krrish Chauhan (61) thrashing all Bengal bowlers and denying them even a solitary wicket

PARTHIV SET TO JOIN GUJARAT TITANS AS ASSISTANT COACH

Former India wicket keeper Parthiv Patel is set to join Gujarat Titans as assistant coach for the upcoming IPL season Patel will join the support staff led by former India cricketer Ashish Nehra who has been the team s head coach since its inception in 2022 Former India head coach Gary Kirsten who was earlier the batting coach and mentor of the side, has parted ways with the franchise after becoming the Pakistan white ball team s head coach Former England batter Vikram Solanki will continue to be with the side as Director of Cricket

WARNER WILLING TO COME OUT OF RETIREMENT

c k e t tournament first held in 2021 featuring eight teams situated in iconic British venues The ECB is set for the first time to sell 49% stakes of each team to investors There are three rounds of bidding

The Ambanis own Mumbai Indians in the IPL, as well as three other T20 teams –

London Spirit which is based at Lord’s, it could lead to them renaming it MI London

Last week at a special general meeting,

MCC members voted on whether to accept the offer of a 51 per cent share in t h e L o n d o n S p i r i t f r a n c h i s e V o t i n g remains open until Monday

Goenka, the founder and chairman of RPSG Group, already owns the IPL t e a m L u c k

n d Durban’s Super Giants, which plays in the SA20 in South Africa A stake in any o f t h e H u n

w i

b e a n extension of that It is understood that Goenka has bid for several teams Decisions on successful bidders will be made by the ECB and the relevant host venue and announced in 2025 The first-round valuation of the eight teams is thought to be around £500 million The proceeds from the sale will be shared across the recreational and professional game in the UK

No Shami for Oz Tests; uncapped Harshit, Reddy, Easwaran picked

I n a m a jo r b l ow t o In d i a ’ s pr ospects in Aust ralia, pa ce ace Mohammed Sha mi has not b een included due t o his knee injury

f or t he f iv e - Te s t B o r de rG a va sk ar Tr oph y n e xt mon t h

The se lectors have be en forced to p i ck a n i n e x p e

n

d p a ce a ttack in the 18-membe r t eam Vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah will be the pace spearhead and w i l l h a v e M o h a m

Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna and Harshit Rana for support Seam-

b

Reddy has been included as the m

who can bat at No 7 or 8 and also play the role of a fourth seamer in Australian conditions

K u l d e e p Y a d a v h a s b e e n ignored for the tour as he has a chronic groin issue Washington Sundar has made the cut and Axar Patel has been left out

Africa from Nov 4 Upcoming pace sensation Mayank Yadav was rested from the Suryakumar Y

a precautionary measure since he has fluid retention in his back Squad for Border-Gavaskar Trophy: Rohit Sharma (c), Jasprit Bumrah (vc), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Shubman G i l l , V i r a

Ashwin, R Jadeja, Mohammed

Sundar Squad for 4 T20Is against SA: Suryakumar Yadav (c), Abhishek

Rinku Singh, Tilak Varma, Jitesh

Axar Patel, Ramandeep Singh,

Vijaykumar Vyshak, Avesh Khan, Yash Dayal

Former Australia opener David Warner said he is willing to come out of retirement and play against India in the upcoming BorderGavaskar Trophy, if the home team needs him in the opening slot The 37-year-old had announced his retirement from the sport earlier this year

ASALANKA STARS AS SL CLINCH SERIES VS WI

Skipper Charith Asalanka struck an unbeaten half-century as Sri Lanka defeated the West Indies by five wickets in the second one-day international to clinch the three-match series Chasing a tricky 190, Sri Lanka reached the target with 34 balls to spare at the Pallekele stadium, with Asalanka making an unbeaten 62 off 61 balls The match was reduced to 44-overs a side after the start was delayed by two hours because of rain Sri Lanka lost two early wickets but they were rescued by a third wicket stand of 62 between Nishan Madushka (38) and Sadeera Samarawickrama (38) Asalanka then saw the team through with his doughty knock that included one six and seven fours

NRAI ANNOUNCES FIRST EVER SHOOTING LEAGUE

The National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) announced the sport s first ever franchisebased league in the country christened "Shooting League of India" The proposal mooted by NRAI president Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo has received approval from the national federation s governing body A window for the same is being chalked out post receiving approvals from the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF), the sport s global governing body The first edition of the league will be held in March

Sanjiv Goenka and Mukesh Ambani