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6 - 12 JULY 2019 - VOL 48 ISSUE 10

SANJEEV GUPTA EXPANDS EMPIRE Indian-origin metals tycoon Sanjeev Gupta-owned Liberty Steel has become one of the top steel producers of the world with the acquisition of seven steel making units and five service centres from L.N. Mittal’s ArcelorMittal in Europe for €740 million

inside: Blind people with guide dogs discriminated by businesses and services SEE PAGE 6

50 years Stonewalled: Pride Parade continues LGBT+ Special SEE PAGE 16-17

Liberty Steel has acquired the major integrated steel works at Ostrava in the Czech Republic and Galaţi in Romania as well as rolling mills at Skopje (North Macedonia), Piombino (Italy), Dudelange (Luxembourg) and two plants near Liege in Belgium. These seven sites employ over 14,000 people. The five service centres which market the products are based in France and Italy.

Continued on page 26

Mallya allowed to appeal against extradition order SEE PAGE 26

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6 - 12 July 2019

onetoone WITH KEITH VAZ, MP

Jeremy Sanders Jeremy Sanders is Head of UK at OYO Hotels & Homes – the world’s sixth largest hotel chain which was founded in India in 2013 and dominates the South Asian market. Under Jeremy’s leadership, OYO has grown its UK presence to over 70 hotels representing 1,600+ rooms across the UK, all within its first eight months. It is continuing to identify and invest in independently run, smalland mid-sized hotels, with the aim of improving the hotels’ performance and upgrading the guest experience. Before OYO, Jeremy cofounded the Italian restaurant chain Coco di Mama after spotting a gap in the market for good quality, quick-service Italian food. From its first outlet on Fleet Street, Coco di Mama expanded to 20 London restaurants before it was sold to a private equity company.

Jeremy has a degree in Social Policy and Sociology from LSE and an MBA from INSEAD in Fontainebleau, France.

1

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

I’m a Londoner born and bred, so it’s hard to choose anywhere other than London. I love the sheer variety London offers, the sense of opportunity it provides, the feeling that anyone from any walk of life can feel comfortable and at home here. Plus, I’m a

makes me very proud though – it’s great to feel we’re making an impact in a tough market.

3

What inspires you?

My ‘what’ is actually a ‘who’. I’m inspired by my dad, who still works as a doctor aged 85.

He’s a real expert at what he does and after 60 plus years, still bounces out of bed every day, full of excitement for his job.

What has been biggest obstacle in your career?

I feel incredibly lucky in saying that I’ve not faced major obstacles in my career. I have a very supportive family who’ve encouraged me to push myself and do what I love; and I’ve found some brilliant mentors who have been generous with their time and advice.

4

5

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

I would have to say Lord Stuart Rose, our chairman at Coco di Mama, who is a highly experienced retailer and someone who really understands consumers and how to build teams. I’m also influenced by Ritesh Agarwal, who founded OYO aged 19 – his vision and drive are remarkable.

6

huge Spurs fan!

2

What are your proudest achievements?

I still get a thrill passing Coco di Mama, knowing it was a business I helped to build through perseverance and passion. The speed at which OYO is scaling up in the UK

What is the best aspect about your current role?

OYO came to the UK because we saw an opportunity to help the owners of small, independent and often family-run hotels improve their businesses. It’s our mission to solve the problems they face, so it’s incredibly satisfying hearing from owners how our support through transformation, technology and more have helped their hotels thrive.

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And the worst?

I’m sure other business leaders would agree that there’s never enough time! At OYO, we’re incredibly ambitious and we’re building our team as quickly as we’re bringing new hotels under the brand so there’s rarely an empty hour in the diary. That’s also part of the excitement, though.

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What are your long term goals?

I’d like to replicate the phenomenal success OYO has achieved in Asia by building the chain into the number one player in the UK hospitality industry. We’re operating in a different sector of the hotel market to other brands, so there is huge opportunity for us.

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

I’m extremely passionate about the hospitality industry and its contribution to the UK economy, so if I was PM, I would look at how to elevate the sector and help it thrive.

Hospitality is a wonderful place for young people to begin their careers and the learning and development opportunities it offers are undervalued.

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

I’m fascinated by Winston Churchill. He’s one of the most important figures in British history and from what I’ve read about him, he was incredibly bright, very complex and also extremely entertaining. That strikes me as a good combination for passing the time on a desert island.

Queen hosts reception to celebrate the work of UK faith champions Dhiren Katwa

Held at Buckingham Palace last Tuesday (Jun 25) the event for many was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet the royal who, as head of the nation and head of the Commonwealth is keen to celebrate religious diversity in the UK and throughout the Commonwealth.

Gents and ladies resplendent in dazzling outfits, many in their national dress, and clutching their invitation cards were ushered through the palace gates, through corridors and up red-carpeted stairs to the White Drawing Room. Here, guests entered one by one in orderly fashion and shook hands with The Queen as their names were called out by the Master of the Household, Tony Johnstone-Burt, CB, OBE. Dressed in a floral frock and elegant white gloves – which she removed during the event - the Queen, 93, coordinated her look perfectly, completing the ensemble with a black

photo credit: Royal Communications

A faith reception hosted

by Her Majesty The Queen brought together representatives of different faiths, beliefs and communities.

Bhavnaben Parmar

patent Launer bag and court shoes.

A report by New Philanthropy Capital (NPC) found that more than a quarter of all charities in the UK have an association with faith.

Among the 160 invited guests were volunteers, community workers and those bringing about positive change in their local neighbourhoods. Such as those supporting young people to help them reach their full potential, bringing people together through cooking, providing food and clothing to the homeless, giving time and attention to the lonely, supporting refugees and asylum seekers and campaigning against knife crime and radicalisation.

The guest list included: Krishnaben Sisodia and Surajben Agravat from the Indian Association

Krishnaben Sisodia (left) and Surajben Agravat

Oldham; Atta Yaqub, Business Development Manager, The Prince’s Trust in Glasgow; Ms Shobha Sharma who sits on the steering committee of Sandwell-based Women Interfaith Group; Rachid Choaibi, Head of Youth and Communities at Making Communities Work & Grow, a charity; Bhavnaben Parmar from BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha; volunteer Mohammed Ilyas Patel from Blackburn; Jal Iqbal, mental health development worker from Blackburn; 24-year-old Imam Muhammad Habibur Rahman Khan from Dunfermline Central Mosque & Islamic Centre; Asma Ali, founder member of the Scottish Muslim Association; Vinaybhai Shah, Director of Interfaith Relations at Institute of Jainology; Kumar Mehta from Navnat Vanik

Imam Muhammad Habibur Rahman

Association; Mrs Rhoda Ibrahim from the Somali Advice & Forum of Information; Venus Carew of the Baha’I faith who runs a peace maker club for children in Scotland; Rachael Cox from Celebrating Sanctuary Birmingham; Nighat Khan of New Vision 4 Women; Kulwinder Singh Johal from Guru Nanak Football Club in Leicester; and Esmond Rosen from the Barnet Multi-Faith Forum.

Distinguished guests included The Duchess of Gloucester, Housing Secretary James Brokenshire – who, along with the Mayor of the West Midlands Andy Street are in India this week - Baroness Eaton, The Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth, MPs Andrew Gwynne, Jim Shannon, Tim Farron, Stephen Timms, Ms Hilary Patel, who leads on Faith, Race and Integration

Her Majesty The Queen Elizabeth II

at the Ministry of Housing and diversity champion Sir Kenneth Olisa OBE, the first black Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London.

The Commonwealth represents a global network of 53 countries and almost 2.4 billion people, of whom 60 per cent are under 30 years old. In her speech at the formal opening of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, or CHOGM, in London last year, The Queen said, “Here at Buckingham Palace in 1949, my father met the Heads of Government when they ratified the London Declaration, which created the Commonwealth as we know it today – then comprising just eight nations. Who then -- or in 1952, when I became Head of the Commonwealth -would have guessed that a gathering of its member states would one day num-

ber 53, or that it would comprise 2.4 billion people?”

She went on to say, “It remains a great pleasure and honour to serve you as Head of the Commonwealth and to observe, with pride and satisfaction, that this is a flourishing network. It is my sincere wish that the Commonwealth will continue to offer stability and continuity for future generations, and will decide that one day The Prince of Wales should carry on the important work started by my father in 1949. By continuing to treasure and reinvigorate our associations and activities, I believe we will secure a safer, more prosperous and sustainable world for those who follow us: a world where the Commonwealth's generosity of spirit can bring its gentle touch of healing and hope to all.”

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6 - 12 July 2019

Whither Indo-British ties A recent British parliamentary inquiry committee drew attention to what it described as ‘Missed opportunities’ in the country’s relationship with India. The document warned against wallowing on the past and demanded that India’s emergence as a major economic player required a modern approach well fitted to present-day ground realities. The United Kingdom had all the attributes to forge a new partnership with India.

‘In all fundamental respects, the UK is well placed to capitalise on a mutually beneficial relationship with India – so it is a disappointing reflection on recent governments that that we have been losing out in terms of influence and trade. There are certain practical steps the government must take to reset its relationship with India, in particular making it easier for Indians to visit the UK and to work or study here,’ the report said. The report titled, Building Bridges: Reawakening UKIndia Ties,’ was released to mark the launch of an India Week 2019.

The report noted that in an increasingly unstable world threatened by autocratic states with contempt for the rulesbased international system, it was more important than ever

before that the UK and India supported each other. The point not made is that the principal source of global disorder is the United States and its wars of interventions.

Britain, said the report, was failing to make the most of its extensive ties with India. While bilateral relations were strong, they fell short of the huge potential ‘...we should do more to respond to India’s priorities, and should communicate our own objectives more clearly. As the UK leads the EU, our foreign policy priorities will change. One change should be enhancing our relationship with India as a practical and symbolic start in resetting that relationship.’

These admirable sentiments should, and could, be the start of a new chapter in bilateral ties. The UK’s ‘special relationship’ with the United States could do with deft fine tuning in balancing its other key relationships, including those with India. Foreign policy is best not played as a zero sum game.

Britain would help her cause by decoupling its India policy to Pakistan. Jihadi terrorism, from whose activities India and Britain have suffered death and injury, is reason enough for closer India-UK intelligence cooperation. Trade, investment and politics are strongest when conjoined.

US messages India via Pompeo US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo came calling with a carrotand-stick message for India. The dangled carrot opened up vistas of a new Indo-Pacific order based on democratic values and the rule of law, which, he declared, bonded the United States and India.The big stick demanded that India sever its defence relations with the Russian Federation. Prior to his arrival, Mr Pompeo released a State Department document on India, bristling with the country’s myriad warts, from religious intolerance of the Muslim minority, the attempts to eradicate Muslim culture and erase the Muslim contribution to India’s civilization. The list was forbiddingly long and detailed, including lynching and other forms of physical and social violence. Interestingly, the US Secretary of State’s Odyssey commenced in Saudi Arabia, thence a two-day stopover in the Indian capital en route to the G20 economic summit in Osaka.

Newspapers carried pictures of Secretary of State Pompeo conversing genially with the Saudi heir apparent Mohammed bin Sultan. There has never been the faintest hint of democracy or cultural pluralism as a way of life in the kingdom, where ritual beadings of alleged criminals occur almost every weekend. The restrictions on freedom of women hardly require further enumeration since the world is all too familiar with such practices and their enforcing code of justice.

Calls for religious freedom here are akin to blasphemy, and hence, death. The Saudi government is a participant in Yemeni civil conflict which, according to UN and other experts and NGOs, has been, and continues to be, a human catastrophe, as famine, disease, bombings from air, land sea, have taken a heavy toll of civilian lives. Finally, the case of the premeditated murder of Jamal Khasoggi, a US-based Saudi journalist on the premises of the Saudi consulate in Istanbul continues to arouse revulsion in Turkey, and across much of civilized world – but has scarcely made a dent on the conscience of the Trump administration.

Instead the International community is inundated with charges of Iranian support of jihadi terrorism with as much credible evidence of wrongdoing as was Saddam Husain’s ‘weapons of mass destruction’ that propelled the George W. Bush in Washington and its principal accomplice, the Blair

government in Britain into a calamitous invasion of Iraq and its horrendous consequences for Iraqi lives and property..

President Trump has imposed a series of economic sanctions on Iran and threatened to ‘obliterate, part of the country should Iran retaliate against a possible US military strike.

India has numerous warts, the abominable practice of lynching being one among many. However, In the US, the notorious Ku Klux Klan in its heyday lasting decades received the protection of the US justice system on the pretext of free speech (as it still does), blacks were routinely lynches and then set alight. US witch-hunts – the McCarthy inquisition a leading example - have been largely confined to the broad Left.

India has its self-correcting mechanisms, of which the Supreme Court is a prime example. The court has acted decisively against ban on films and books instituted by certain state governments; freedom of thought and expression was triumphantly upheld without prompting from abroad. The US lobby, such as it is, is mostly confined to a relatively small section of the Indian media. The country’s Opposition parties have had an abiding distrust of the United States. The US role in aligning with Maoist China in defence of the Pakistani military client Yahya Khan during the crisis that led to the emergence of a sovereign Bangladesh has never been forgotten.

The Nixon-Kissinger conversations described then Indian Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi, as a ‘bitch’ and the Indian people as ‘bastards’ unfit for self-rule.

Moving to the present, it was made abundantly clear to the Secretary of State that, while India was agreeable to negotiation and compromise on tariffs and other economic issues, defence issues would be decided solely in the national interest. The message clearly got home. In an interview with the Times of India Correspondent Indrani Bagchi, committed body and soul to a paramount Indo-US alignment as the beating heart of Indian foreign policy, was a fit soul mate for Secretary of State Pompeo’s, a soul mate confidences; he noted with the exasperated vanity of ignorance that India had little in common with Russia, yet was close to Moscow. Ruminating wisely on the past may unlock doors to a more promising future.

Modi, Putin, Xi, talks: G20 summit Trilateral talks between India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modii, Presidents Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping of Russia and China on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Osaka, Japan, at the weekend were of immense significance. BRICS [Brazil, Russia, India,South Africa] has been upstaged by its core Eurasian members, Russia, China and India. Put simply and honestly, the new, hard right regime of President Bolsinaro in Brazil with close military and strategic ties with Washington has reduced its clout in BRICS, with South Africa mired in its deepening domestic problems and African entanglements nearer home. However, a group photo of BRICS heads of state and government at Osaka rightly did the rounds.

China’s Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs Zhang Jun, in a media briefing in Beijing, said the meeting of the three leaders, Chinese, Russian and India, who met recently at Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit, was of ‘great significance.’ He went on to say that the trilateral mechanism was now institutionalized.

‘Indeed, during the Osaka summit, the leaders of China, Russia and India will have a trilateral meeting...Last year, during the Buenos Aires G20 summit, the leaders of the three countries also had a meeting. But this time, ‘given the current international landscape, the meeting of the three leaders is of greater significance,’ he said.

Clearly, the US-China trade war has cast its menacing shadow across the trilateral summit. US protectionist policies were writ large on global economic prospects, but the Trump

administration’s bellicose statements on Iran, and its peremptory economic sanctions, often on a whim, as an instrument of coercive diplomacy have been unsettling to those wedded to the non-confrontational resolution of international disputes. Regional and global peace and security are under threat. It is quite extraordinary how long established traditions of civilized diplomatic discourse have been traduced by coarse, abusive threats. Such intimidation and bullying belong rightly to a medievalist order long dead and buried. No resurrection is now possible.

Bringing recalcitrant states into line have become standard US practice. The absurdity of sanctions passed by the US Senate against companies (largely European) which cooperate in Russia’s Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline to Germany is delusional and will backfire, as Russia is neither a banana republic on Washington’s doorstep, nor a Gulf oil-producing client a continent away. This is the 21st century, not the 18th or 19 th, when Napoleon’s enforced Continental System, aimed to embargo British trade with the European mainland, initiated a train of events that brought down this military genius and his empire.

Significantly, the BRICS, particularly India, Russia and China, have made considerable progress in switching their bilateral trade from US dollars to national currencies to counter US economic sanctions regimes.

A Bantustan global order is unfit for purpose in this day and age.

We must act; we must act knowing that our work will be imperfect - Barack Obama

Alpesh Patel

India and Awards I’ve written about awards and ceremonies before and that I think they serve a useful purpose. Then this past week I saw how these useful awards which bring nations together, serve as an instrument of foreign policy, should be done.

Of course, there are sceptics of awards, who speak of proliferation, or how the ‘same faces’ appear. But actually, when done right they can have a bigger purpose, like the Asian Achievers Awards of this paper which not only raises funds, but also highlights unsung heroes of the community. Or the UKIndia Awards about which I want to write and I just attended that raised funds for a British Asian Trust (BAT) Charity. The BAT allows children in trouble in India to call a single local number to reach multi-lingual speakers to assist them.

Key lessons for not just these international awards, but all awards, from my time at the UK-India Awards hosted by the IndiaInc team and Manoj and Dina Ladwa – probably the best Awards I’ve been to in a decade are as follows: 1. Great venue. Ample room between tables. How often has an evening been ruined by too many people cramped into too few tables and barely able to move around to see speakers, let alone fit their stomachs in between a chair and table?

2. Good solid short speeches. No scripts. Very few speakers. All to the point. Leaving you wanting more, not wanting to sleep. I wonder if it should always be a rule to forbid notes. (Except for the host and MC who of course have people to co-ordinate).

3. Excellent food. Table service. I know budgets sometimes require those rotating things – where you just know the man with the third glass of red wine is going to spill it because the bloke on the opposite side just has to spin the food to get the fresh naans.

No faffing with salads and naans – the former are pointless and the latter are never done right.

4. Food before speeches. A well fed audience is a happy audience. Courses interspersed with awards.

Honestly, people do not come for the Awards, except the friends and family of the recipient. So you have to get the food right and the speeches short.

5. Outstanding live band. Modern twist to old songs.

6. Awards announced by video introduction.

High energy. No speeches by the winners except by those worthy of standing ovations e.g. Sir Mark Tully. Not too many awards. Well done Event Gurus.

7. Dancers of traditional culture not the sexist Bollywood item women and children in skimpy outfits with lipstick smacked on their lips.

8. Kept to time. Keeping to schedule.

9. Excellent professional high energy MC. One. Not two. You never need two. A new face.

Unexpected choice. Thanked her afterwards as I did as many I could meet who were involved.

10. No impromptu speeches throwing timings off.

11. Humanity and authenticity to speeches. Eg: Manoj thanking his wife and Karan's personal stories and Mark Tully praising his daughter in law. And of course Mark mentioning how by keeping India in our hearts both UK and India keep this special relationship alive. Hope someone transcribed his words.

Well done Manoj and Dina Ladwa both for the links you keep between UK-India, the immense hard work for a whole week of it and for making it fun.

But for the bigger purpose you recognise – which you always have in your work. Loved it.

Editor: CB Patel Asian Voice is published by Asian Business Publications Ltd Karma Yoga House, 12 Hoxton Market, (Off Coronet Street) London N1 6HW. Tel: 020 7749 4080 • Fax: 020 7749 4081 Email: aveditorial@abplgroup.com Website: www.abplgroup.com © Asian Business Publications

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Indian royals fight Pakistan for £35m 'frozen' in a London bank India and Pakistan have now brought their age old, historic rivalry to the Uk court over £35mn, stashed in a UK bank from 1947.

The case which may be resolved in the UK high courts after decades of rivalry and diplomatic grandstanding involving a £1mn transaction made by Nizam Osman Ali Khan, the last monarch of the Princely state of Hyderabad to the Pakistan High Commissioner in London 1947 for safe keeping. The Nizam who died in 1967, was not short of cash and when Princess Elizabeth married Prince Philip, he gifted her a wedding gift of a diamond tiara and a Cartier diamond necklace in a design based on English roses.

When the British empire collapsed, the Nizam realised that India was preparing to take back Hyderabad from Princely state and fearing for his financial interest, moved the money to a Natwest bank in London. A week after the money was deposited, the Nizam filed a

locked away, and neither party would be able to access it in the foreseeable future.

Now two of Nizam's grandsons, eighth Nizam, who is 84 and his brother Prince Muffakham, 80 want the money back for themselves. Their claim is supported by India but Pakistan is determined that Nizam Osman it does not need to Ali Khan return the funds, as suit in a London court saythe money was owed to ing the money was transPakistan for helping to ferred to Pakistan’s account smuggle arms into without his knowledge.

Hyderabad for Nizam's India too raised an objecalleged security, before the tion, saying the money Indian invasion of 1948, and belonged to the Indian govthe money could be conernment as Hyderabad had strued as a payment for seracceded to the union. The vices. bank then froze the For the last two weeks account.

Mr Justice Marcus Smith The case then went to has been hearing arguments the House of Lords, the from the brothers’ lawyers then the highest court in as well as legal teams for the UK, and Pakistan sucIndia and Pakistan. cessfully argued that as a However in 2013, sovereign nation it could Pakistan launched a legal not be sued, which meant challenge to try and unlock the money would remain the funds in order to claim

full ownership of the money and instructed Cherie Blair, QC, wife of the former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, to try to retrieve the money. This, in the judge's view, waived Pakistan's right to not be sued, the current Indian legal team, led by Paul Hewitt, a partner at Withers LLP has reportedly said.

Lawyers for Pakistan reportedly argue that the “international, military and political context” of the original transfer was clear: 'it was a response to India’s alleged violation of assurances from the British and the United Nations that India would not be allowed to invade Hyderabad'.

Khawar Qureshi, QC, reportedly said, “Pakistan had assisted Hyderabad in her attempts at self-defence against Indian aggression by arranging the supply and transportation of arms to Hyderabad.”

Lawyers for the Nizam told Mr Justice Smith that, “The determination of this claim has been stalled for too long.”

A judgment is expected in at least six weeks.

‘Bomb threat’ on Air India flight turns out to be hoax The “bomb threat” to Air India's 191 MumbaiNewark flight, which made a precautionary landing at London Stansted Airport, was a hoax, an official of the airline said, adding that the flight has landed safely at London and all the passengers were safe.

The official added that the call received at Mumbai Airport was a hoax and that there was no security threat to the plane.

UK’s Ministry of Defence said that British fighter jets safely escorted the Air India plane to Stansted airport. The London Stansted Airport, in a statement, said that the flight landed at around 10:15 hours with the Essex Police in attendance. It added that the flight was parked on an isolated stand, away from the normal airport operations. “Our runway has now re-opened and is fully operational following a precautionary landing of Air India flight,” it added. Royal Air

Force tweeted about the incident: “Quick Reaction Alert Typhoons were scrambled earlier from @RAFConingsby to intercept a civilian aircraft; this was safely escorted to Stansted. The Typhoons were authorised to travel at supersonic speed and any inconvenience caused to local residents is regretted,” the warfare force wrote on Twitter.

The Air India flight packed with 327 passengers

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was flying over Ireland when the airline messaged its pilots about a bomb threat received via email from a sender who claimed to be from an anti-Israel terror outfit. “The mail spoke about fuel mixed with explosives to target three flights, one of them AI 191,” said a source.

In an hour, the flight landed safely at London Stansted - the designated airport for aviation security emergencies - but not without high drama as the Air India Boeing 777 was escorted by two supersonic Typhoons from the British Royal Air Force. In a scramble to reach the suspicious aircraft so as to prevent a possible 9/11 kind of situation, the Typhoons broke the sound barrier some-

where over the East Midlands, UK. The two distinct sonic booms sent the local residents and social media into a tizzy.

Photographs on Twitter showed Air India passengers queued up along the aircraft ladder waiting their turn to be frisked on the tarmac with cabin bags checked and cleared by security agencies and sniffer dogs.

Videos on Twitter showed three aircraft, Air India aircraft with an RAF jet on each side, flying as if in formation.

Essex Police said: “Following investigations on the plane, we have now been able to establish there is nothing suspicious on board. The aircraft has been handed back to Stansted Airport and the operator.”

UK's first Diabetes Village opens for patients in Leicester Rt. Hon Keith Vaz MP the Chair of the APPG on Diabetes and MP for Leicester East

People registered with a Leicester GP practice and either living with type 2 diabetes or at risk of developing diabetes will soon be able to access a wide portfolio of support services all under one roof.

A new diabetes village will open its doors at the Merlyn Vaz Health and Social Care Centre on Spinney Hill Road, Leicester today for an initial 6 month pilot.

The village is a pilot project developed by Leicester City Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) in partnership with Silver Star Diabetes, a local health charity. It will be home to a range of services that are important for effective diabetes management, including blood sugar checks, lifestyle coaching advice, foot care, eye screening and diabetes education classes.

Previously, patients would have to make multiple visits to their GP practice for their regular blood sugar and insulin checks, with separate visits to different services and locations to receive the wider range of care. The new village concept means that local patients can drop in on a Thursday between the hours on 10am and 6pm and pick and choose the services they require all in one location. This means patients will be equipped with the right tools to manage their condition quickly and independently.

The services at the village can also be used by patients who are at high risk of developing diabetes; they don’t need to have a diabetes diagnosis.

Rather than making an appointment at their GP practice and potentially be referred to a specialist clinic based at one of the city hospitals, for the next six months patients can drop in at the village on a Thursday and get a diabetes check in just a few minutes.

In Leicester City, there is a higher than average

Professor Azhar Farooqi, Chair of Leicester City Clinical Commissioning Group

number of people with diabetes (8.9% compared to 6.4% nationally) and this is expected to rise further to 12% by 2025. Leicester also has a higher proportion of Black Minority Ethnic (BME) residents compared to the UK national average and they are genetically more likely to get diabetes (at a higher risk).

Professor Azhar Farooqi, Chair of Leicester City Clinical Commissioning Group and lead on diabetes, said: “We want people to use the village and come to us and tell us whether the diabetes village is a service they want to keep and whether it’s a service they will use.

This is a first for the UK and we want to make sure we get it right for patients.”

Rt. Hon Keith Vaz MP the Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Diabetes and MP for Leicester East said: “I am thrilled that Leicester City CCG has taken up the challenge of creating the first diabetes village in the UK. The idea was born out of the needs of diabetics such as myself and others having to make up to eight visits to different professionals on different days at different times and at different venues.

“There will now be a one stop shop so it will take just one visit. The partnerships that have been created with local charities, such as Silver Star Diabetes, means that the NHS will reach parts of the community which they couldn’t previously.

Prevention is critical. I want to see a diabetes village in every city in the UK. Leicester City CCG should be warmly commended for showing the way by putting patients first. From being the capital city of diabetes we will become the champions of diabetic care.”

During that time engagement will be undertaken with the public to see if it is a service that they would like to see continue as part of their diabetes prevention and management.

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Blind people with guide dogs discriminated by businesses and services Rupanjana Dutta On Wednesday, 19 June, more than a hundred guide dog owners from across the country converged on Westminster Hall in Parliament to share their experiences of being turned away by businesses and services because of their dog.

People who are visually impaired or have disability already face various kinds of discriminations. Moreover if you are Asian you have it doubly hard. Taxis, minicabs, restaurants and shops often refuse access to people with trained guide dogs, though temples are now slowly extending services to incorporate assistance dogs, to help visitors with disabilities- a giant leap in the right direction.

There have many incidents when taxi drivers have driven away refusing a ride to someone with a guide dog.

One driver claimed he was 'allergic' to dogs without being able to show any proof.

Restaurants and newsagents are also common culprits for refusing people to enter premises with a dog, and recently Dave Kent, 58, and his dog Chad were turned away from a famous chain restaurant on Tottenham Court Road on a Tuesday lunchtime. However the restaurant later apologised for its behaviour, but the damage was already done!

One should note that it is against the law to refuse access to a disabled person accompanied by an assistance dog except in the most exceptional circumstances. New figures, launched recently, show that three out of four of guide dog owners (76%) have been illegally turned away by businesses and services. Taxis and minicabs were the worst offenders – experienced by 73% of those reporting refusals in the last twelve months. Refusals at restaurants (54%), newsagents (42%) and high street shops (36%) were also common.

To tackle these refusals, Guide Dogs and the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) have collaborated to create new support to empower those facing such discriminations. The Equality Act toolkit provides information and advice guide dog owners across UK, informing them about their legal rights, including practical informations and guides to challenge access refusals.

In the beginning of June, a Paralympic skier was reportedly turned away from a big supermarket because of his guide dog.

John Dickinson-Lilley, who is registered blind and uses his guide dog Brett to get around, tweeted in anger and said it was the second time he was refused entry with his dog at that same supermarket.

Temple to review policy to accommodate guide dogs Bhavini Makwana, 39, from London has recently been refused access with her guide dog Colin, five times in ten days. In 2018, three taxis and minicabs refused to take her to work within a space of three weeks. On this year Mother's Day, Bhavini and guide dog Collin were refused entry to a restaurant, where she went with her two daughters to celebrate the occasion.

Bhavini, who lives in Goodmayes had family visiting from Leicester during the last bank holiday in May. They planned to go to the Hare Krishna Temple in Watford and were initially told that Colin could be allowed in, but when they reached, they were told he could not be taken inside. So, they did not want to ruin the day, and her family took turn to stay back with Colin outside the temple, as Bhavini went inside with others.

In an interview she told the Asian Voice, “The whole purpose of having Colin is to be self reliant and be confident. I don't want to depend on others, but such situations defeat the purpose of having a

trained guide dog.”

When the temple was approached for a comment, a spokesperson told Asian Voice, "A gentleman came to the temple reception to ask if an assistance dog could come into the temple. The receptionist replied that she would speak to the manager to check. The man was very polite and said he would be outside as he was waiting for relatives. When the manager and receptionist went outside to speak to the family, they were gone.

"The temple policy on assistance dogs is available on our website and reads as follows:- 'Assistance dogs accompanying disabled visitors will be looked after in a quiet place by one of our volunteers, with a drinking bowl of water if required, while visitors will be provided a chaperon/guide to enjoy their visit inside the Temple Room, within the main building.

"Within the complex generally, volunteers are on hand if any assistance is required. If you think you or your group will require special assistance, especially if you are coming with an assistance dog, please inform us at least 72 hours in advance'."Since this incident we have decided to again review the policy at the next gathering of the Temple Council."

Indian restaurant refuses guide dog in premises After the temple visit, Bhavini with all the family went to an Indian restaurant in Ealing Road for a meal together.

During booking the table for 13 people, she made sure the manager knew about the guide dog. When they arrived, the table was ready, and they were taken to it straight away. But when Bhavini was just about to sit down, one of the waiters came and said, “sorry you need to take that dog out”.

Bhavini tried to convince him, but was asked to leave the premises without disturbing other diners.

Section Manager with hearing impairment wins award 52 year old Anupa Shah, Section Manager at Marks and Spencer in Watford has become one of the 28 winners of the annual 'Spotlight Star of the Year Award', which received 33,000 nominations this year, nationally.

Working from the age of 14, Anupa has worked her way up and has been associated with M&S for just under 3 years.

Anupa, who is hard of hearing, is extremely passionate about her role and a great believer in recognition which she never fails to show her team. She was born

with hearing impairment, and got by most of her life by lip reading, proving her resilience towards any challenge thrown at her way.

She was born in Nairobi, while her family roots go all the way to Navagam, Saurashtra, in Gujarat. She was raised for the first four years of her life by her maternal grandparents, who migrated to East Africa from India. Her mum had a tough pregnancy, so she was not in a fit state to look after Anupa and her twin brother Anup. So, Anupa stayed with her maternal grand-

Anupa Shah

Dr Amit Patel with Kika

“I was asked to go out, in front of all the other customers and it was so humiliating,” said Bhavini who has had Colin for 9 months now.

She was made to wait outside, while her family spoke to the restaurant and finally after much persuasion, she was let in with Colin, but was made to sit all the way out where the booths were, away from the family table. She told the newsweekly, “We were not even sat together, we were split up, so we could not even enjoy our family meal!”

But her experience has not always been that bad. She joined the Vanza Mandal Sharad Purnima Navratri festival with Colin last year, and was accepted with open arms by the President, who watched Bhavini's videos educating people about her guide dog on Facebook. She even joined the 'garba' with Colin, and posted a photo on twitter, which went viral.

Discriminated on London Underground Former doctor, 38 year old Amit Patel, who was interviewed by Asian Voice earlier this year, works as a volunteer with guide dogs for the Royal Institute of the Blind, lost his sight, six years ago due to haemorrhage behind his eyes. Encountering several negative incidents on public transport from cruel and unkind co-commuters, especially during escalator rides with his dog Kika, who is a trained guide dog, made him

Bhavini Makwana with guide dog Colin at Vanza Mandal Sharad Purnima Navratri celebrations

create a Twitter account in her name.

On one occasion, a man insisted Amit should move aside and stop holding on to the hand rail on the escalator, so that he could pass. While Amit stood there jittery and apologetic, TFL staff ensured he did not have to let the inconsiderate commuter in his late 40s pass, which cost him only '2 secs of his life'. To highlight the discrimination he faces everyday, Amit even fitted Kika with a GoPro camera on his back. After the clip from the escalator in Waterloo was posted, viewers reacted with shock and outrage. The video currently has 513,000 views, with many congratulating the TFL staff member on how he acted for Amit.

Asian MP joins campaign to tackle discrimination Virendra Sharma MP who is campaigning to tackle discrimination against guide dog owners at the event in Parliament organised by the charity Guide Dogs said, “It was disturbing to hear how common these incidents of discrimination are for assistance dog owners. No one should be turned away on

parents until her grandfather passed away and then she joined her parents in Uganda, where her dad and his family lived.

Anupa's dad was a barrister, and had studied in Exeter University. Shortly after, they were expelled from Uganda by Idi Amin and moved to the UK as a refugee in October 1972. She is married to Urvesh Shah for nearly 27 years now and has a 23 year old son Kavi.

Before joining M&S, Anupa worked at Mothercare as a store manager in Wandsworth. She has worked at Tie Rack/Rolling Luggage in Luton Airport, also as the store manager and area trainer for 15 years, but her first retail company was Owen Owen.

The award Spotlight recog-

their local high street because of their assistance dog.

“I support Guide Dogs’ Access All Areas campaign to tackle the ignorance that causes access refusals, and make sure businesses are held accountable when they occur.

Chris Theobald, Public Affairs Manager at Guide Dogs, said, “The law is very clear that assistance dog owners have the same rights as anyone else to shop, take a taxi or visit their local restaurant.

"Despite this, our survey shows assistance dog owners face refusals on a regular basis. When you rely on their guide dog to get around, businesses that refuse to allow your dog in are effectively slamming the door in your face.

“Businesses have a responsibility to make sure all their staff welcome assistance dog owners. That’s why we are calling for disability equality training as standard in sectors where refusals are common. We also support an overhaul of equality legislation so that businesses that refuse access face the full consequences of the law.”

nises people working at M&S who are in touch with customers demonstrating and delivering great customer service. Anupa has been honoured with this accolade for excellent service behaviours and for being all in for the customer. The award said, “You lead service at every level always leading through example, as you are one of our most mentioned managers on the service survey.”

Speaking to Asian Voice exclusively on winning 'Spotlight Star of the Year Award' by M&S, Anupa said, “I feel extremely blessed and priveleged to receive Spotlight of the year award. Being one of 28 winners out of 33,000 nominees across UK, it was a hugh achievement and I believe my hard work really paid off.”

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Shrimad Rajchandra Mission Dharampur ‘London Spiritual Centre’ Opens its Doors to the Community series of Open Days in July herald the opening of an exciting new centre for spiritual practice and community service for London.

Shrimad Rajchandra Mission Dharampur UK (SRMD) has been a vibrant member of the OneJain Network and UK Jain community since 2004 with UK centres in London, Manchester and Leicester. SRMD provides its members with the opportunity to progress on the spiritual path under the guidance of Pujya Gurudevshri Rakeshbhai, a spiritual visionary and an ardent devotee of Jain Saint Shrimad Rajchandraji, a proponent of the teachings of Lord Mahavir.

The SRMD London Spiritual Centre was inaugurated on 1st January 2019 in the presence of Pujya Gurudevshri with a grand shobhayatra (procession) and sanctifying ceremony.

The streets of Bushey in Hertfordshire were filled with the sounds and colourful sights of traditional Indian pageantry complete with an 8ft mechanical elephant!

skills and values to navigate challenges with confidence and wisdom, in line with the teachings of the Enlightened Souls from different religious traditions.

Through its successful Ecube programme values and skills of the curriculum are reaching hundreds of school children in London enabling ancient wisdom and practical modern methods to enrich the lives of children from all backgrounds.

A

Open House – All Welcome With refurbishment works now complete on former Falconer Hall, the modernised Centre is ready to host a series of weekend Open House days on 6th, 7th and 27th July from 10am to 6pm and 28th July from 3pm to 6pm. Everyone is warmly invited to come and learn about the activities planned for the Centre.

Visitors can take part in taster sessions, including short yoga and meditation workshops, get involved in a charitable activity and learn about the children’s classes with some fun and interac-

ouse Open H th, 7th

6 days on ly from h Ju and 27t pm and 6 10am to y from l 28th Ju pm.

6 3pm to

New classes will be starting at the Centre from September. tive games. In the temple, students will be explaining Jain practices and rituals with practical activities for everyone to get involved with.

SRMD will also be participating in the popular local Bushey Festival on Sunday 7th July at King George’s Recreation Ground in Bushey. Students of Shrimad Rajchandra Divinetouch will be fundraising for a Children’s charity and there will be meditation and yoga demonstrations.

Visitors are also warmly invited to a spiritual discourse entitled Embracing Change on 6th July from 8pm to 9.30pm at the Centre by a guest lecturer from India.

History The SRMD London Spiritual Centre will be instrumental in facilitating and enhancing the spiritual, cultural, charitable as well as social initiatives of the

Mission. The locally listed building, previously known as Falconer Hall, was built in 1888 and acquired from St. Albans Diocese of the Church of England in 2017.

Through 2018, the aged building has undergone extensive refurbishment work to transform it into a centre of excellence for local and wider community, with the aim of upholding SRMD's goal to 'Realise one's True Self and serve others selflessly’.

l l

Devotional music sessions Celebrating religious festivals

Youth

Spiritual

Forming the backbone of many of the organisation’s activities is a large vibrant and active Youth Group.

Under Pujya Gurudevshri's guidance, these young people have adopted various spiritual practices such as daily prayer, reading spiritually connecting books and meditation. Every activity is adopted to inculcate a disciplined life whilst remaining joyfully steadfast in all of life’s situations. Youth group meetings are held fortnightly at the Centre on a Saturday morning.

The youth also learn the attributes of teamwork and collaboration through sport.

Sahebji’s Football Club is a new 5-a-side football league of spiritually inclined young men and women who inspire and challenge each other to reach their ultimate goal.

Group viewings of Pujya Gurudevshri’s discourses and weekly discussions to deepen understanding of sacred scriptures and spiritual teachings l A Jain temple on site provides a sanctified place for daily prayer and worship l Meditation retreats and self-development workshops l Yoga with an experienced teacher and guided meditation sessions

Shrimad Rajchandra Divinetouch (SRD) offers value-based education for children aged 4-16 years old Launched in the UK in 2005, SRD operates centres across the country and has positively impacted the lives of over 1,000 children. It offers three programmes designed specifically for different stages of development in a child’s life, empowering them with

Facilities Some of the main facilities include a Jain temple, Guru temple & Main Hall, Divine bookshop, mezzanine balcony, multi-purpose dining/function suite, conference room, kitchen, library area and an administrative office.

Activities The new Centre will provide a home and regular meeting place to carry out activities of SRMD London: l

Children’s Classes

Charitable activities for the local and wider community Shrimad Rajchandra Love and Care works to help ease the suffering of all living beings through a wide range of charitable initiatives. Past projects have included: l Visits to local Elderly Care Homes with bhakti programmes and active interactions l Collection of over 250kgs of food and 1700 items of clothing, for Watford & Three Rivers Refugee Trust, Bushey Red Trust and other organisations during April/Ma l Donation to National Animal Welfare Trust in Watford, to improve shelter facilities l 6,000 trees planted at Heartwood Forest in St Albans with other organisations Raising awareness about organ donation in the Jain community

l

SRMD UK is an active member of local Interfaith groups promoting community harmony and cooperation. Large scale multifaith projects such as the Amazing Grace Concert and Love of Faith Walk in London have also raised thousands to help the underprivileged in both the UK and India.

Local Community Initiatives The SRMD London Spiritual Centre is a space envisioned by Pujya Gurudevshri as a place for aspirants to practice and progress on the spiritual path. Through initiatives such as self-development workshops, inter-faith meetings and conferences, SRMD UK aims to create a centre of excellence that will be a beacon of cooperation and love in the community.

Please do visit the new SRMD London Spiritual Centre during one of the Open Days to experience the full range of activities and join some of the wonderful initiatives of SRMD to elevate yourself and help serve others selflessly.

For more information please email London.events@srmd.org or call 07591 083156

8 UK

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Temples, Charity, and the Kutchi Community As I See It

6 - 12 July 2019

CB Patel

Dear Friends,

The month of July has begun and brings with it new hope for the future. I sense optimism in the air and possibilities of everything good. The Shree Swaminarayan Temple Willesden is set to celebrate the Shree Hari Krishna Mahotsav and grand opening of the temple. For the uninitiated, the Willesden temple was the first temple built in true Hindu style with its domes and spires, in the West. I, myself, have a long and everlasting bond with this temple in particular and as my column proceeds, you will know why.

What had begun by a couple of saints of Bhuj temple, in a disused church of Willesden Lane, the Shree Swaminarayan Temple today, is one of the biggest symbol of faith in the country. Opened on the auspicious day of Sharad Purnima, October 11, 1975, it had the pictorial idols of Shree NarNarayan Dev, Shree RadhaKrishna Dev, and Shree Sahajanand Swami, all installed by the then Acharya of NarNarayan Dev Gaadi HH 1008 Shree Tejendraprasadji Maharaj.

After a need for a bigger temple was established, the church was brought down and the temple was built. HH 1008 Shree Tejendraprasadji Maharaj conducted the invocation ceremony of divine Murtis on July 29, 1988, in the presence of thousands of devotees from all around the world. Since then, the temple has grown to become much more than a place of worship. With its community centre that catered and cared for the needs of everyone, it soon became a place of solace. From services for women, to the elderly, the centre covered all its bases for social service.

New facilities now include education, arts and culture accessibility, wedding hall, accommodation and services, an area for kitchen, etc. It also has a nursery and respected facilities for mothers. There is also of course, the Bhakti Dharma (elderly residence) and child's playground.

Dear readers, taking you back in 1975, when the temple was constructed, I had visited the site along with Kanjibhai, Devshibhai, and Subhash Patel of Brent Indian Association.

I was astonished, to say the least, to see young and not so young Kutchi women working tirelessly to construct the building. These women were mostly those who had

19

migrated in recent years and were full of devotion and will to sacrifice. Their work was an offering in the form of a shram (Seva) daan. Most of the Kutchi women were from Shri Kutchi Leva Patel Community (SKLPC).

I also vividly recall that in 1965, during the Indo-Pak war, when the runway at the Bhuj airport was damaged by Pakistan bombing, Kutchi women of all ages, rushed to the airport at midnight and repaired the runway overnight so the Indian Air Force could use it the next day. While the strength and resilience of the fairer sex has always awed me, these women, will forever be heroes in my mind.

Kutchi women, men and children of the SKLPC have also established another unique record by establishing a vast community centre over 20 acres in Northolt, West London.

Besides their manifold community services, they have also arranged sports activities and charities. Their charity helps severed British national human services.

While Kutchi Patels in East Africa were still predomi-

nantly in the construction industry, in the UK, for the past five decades, their achievements have crossed all industries.

Community members have rose to fame in education, professions, businesses, public lifes, and philanthropy. Their contribution to the society is as good as any and better than many.

To those who aren't aware, the community temple was built without state aid of any kind. It is absolutely amazing how extraordinary this community can be. They are positively religious by nature, law-abiding, and a complete no-nonsense community. The current generation have several entrepreneurs who have claimed fame in the construction industry, hardware trade, and others.

Of all Asian communities in the UK, the Kutchi community is a force in its own, and I could not be more grateful. They are nurtured by their spiritual gurus from Bhuj, and their community has embarked on a whole new path facilitated with a modern outlook.

PLEASE NOMINATE th

For

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s there someone you know who has broken boundaries and deserves recognition for their unique contribution to the Asian Community or the Nation ?

I

Deadline for nomination 31st July, 2019

AWARDS CATEGORIES Achievement in Community Service Woman of the Year Sports Personality of the Year Business Person of the Year Lifetime Achievement Award Uniformed and Civil Services Entrepreneur of the Year Professional of the Year Achievement in Media, Arts and Culture The prestigious Asian Achievers Awards is hosted every year by UK’s leading news weeklies Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar to honour British Asians par excellence.

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10 READERS VOICE

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6 - 12 July 2019

Rising level of poverty in UK It is a crying shame that politicians and the government are engrossed in big issues like Brexit, climate change, terrorism and rise in crime whilst ignoring the main issue of increasing poverty level in UK. The JRF report has painted a damning picture of poverty in UK where a shocking four million people in Britain live in poverty despite having jobs. Campaigners said in-work poverty was rising faster than the overall employment rate, in a major blow for the Government and its championing of work as a route out of deprivation. The Joseph Rowntree Foundation said one in five people living in the UK was in poverty - amounting to 14.3 million people overall - with half a million more kids living below the breadline since 2011/12.

The JRF annual state of the nation report said the soaring in-work poverty rates had been driven “almost entirely” by an increase among working parents. “Rising employment alone is not delivering lower poverty.

Rather, in-work poverty is increasing faster than employment,” it said. “Many workers are caught in the middle of a series of moving currents; stuck in low-paid work, with little chance of progression, subject to high housing costs and using a weakening social security system.” The JRF said 8.2 million working-age adults live in poverty, alongside 4.1 million children and 1.9 million pensioners. Eight million people live in poverty in families where at least one person is in work, it added. It argued pay boosts from the higher minimum wage were being outweighed by changes to benefits, including shortfalls in housing benefits, and rising social rents. In the UK a household is in relative poverty if its income is below 60% of average household incomes. The U.K. has been one of the wealthiest countries on the planet for centuries. Despite this, however, poverty remains a serious issue in the country.

An estimated 13.5 million people live below the poverty line. Last year, one in five people struggled to put food on their table, with more than half a million reliant on food banks in order to feed themselves and their families. The question remains why is the primary causes of poverty in the U.K. not being tackled head on. Poverty leads to homelessness, crime, drug addiction, and heavy demand on food banks. This is a wakeup call for the government to put its house in order and change the policies that are creating poverty. It does not befit a rich country like UK having poverty amidst its plenty.

Baldev Sharma Rayners Lane, Harrow

Pompous words I have noticed recently that certain contributors of this column use bombastic or, pompous words in their letters which seem to have been picked at random. These, on occasion, become out of context or are difficult to comprehend and are lost on lay people who would need to run for their dictionary.

The current trend is to use plain English – to write English as we speak and to avoid Pickwickian language. This reminds me of Mrs Malaprop in Richard Sheridan’s play “The Rivals”. For the uniniiated, Mrs Malaprop was characterised as someone who would use grand words in an inappropriate manner.

Our letters should focus on issues which concern us here in our country of residence and should be interesting and informative and contained within the words limit imposed by the editorial board. They should focus on issues which concern us here rather than placing too much emphasis on matters relating to our mother land.

The details provided in some of those letters are regurgitation of similar information whch could be gleaned at other pages in AV and GS. Also, be original rather than latching on to other contributors’ ideas. Long winded letters become boring and make me skim through them instead of digesting the contents.

There is a tool called “word count” on most computers and I would urge the compulsive long letter writers to make use of that and save us time in going through material which may be of little interest to many.

Dinesh Sheth Newbury Park, Ilford

Passing of Girish Karnad In the death of Girish Karnad on June 10, 2019, our country has lost an actor par excellence, activist and one of Indian theatres finest personality.

Girish Karnad was an award-winning filmmaker who was bestowed the Jnanpith award apart from the Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan. He was a friend, philosopher and guide for many apart from being humble to the needy. He fought for liberal values as he spoke passionately on subjects and causes dear to him. He was one of the best actors in Hindi cinema. The emptiness created by his death will be difficult to fill. No other actor could play the kind of roles he played in films. I’ve seen most of his films and I liked his acting very much.

Jubel D'Cruz, Mumbai, India

Hell of Water World In a way we are fortunate that there is rainfall practically every week, unlike most countries where rainfall is seasonal, monsoon drenches India for some three months in summer while we had all our rainfall in Tanzania, from late March to mid-May. Yet we never experienced water shortages, even in scorching summer months of December and January, temperature touching 40*C. Here in England if we do not get rainfall for a month, there is water shortages, even water restrictions, unable to water our gardens. But there are more problems with storms, floods and rivers overflowing, that causes millions of pounds of damages to homes and businesses. Yet government pays lip service, when it comes to making these rivers safe by building walls at strategic points where rivers normally overflows. Instead government’s hotchpotch approach is halfhearted, preaching poverty, wait until there is flood and then use Chinook helicopters to seal britches, most expensive and a flimsy way to manage floods. At one time UK used to govern one third of the world, now we cannot govern efficiently our own country!

The sensible solution is to create water reservoirs inland, near major rivers that habitually overflow, diverting flood water to fill these reservoirs which can be used during summer months when demand for water is high. When water companies were privatized, many small reservoirs were drained and land sold for housing. No wonder Labour is unhappy at the management and would like to renationalize these valuable profit-making assets, for the good of the nation, as our water bills have rocketed since privatization.

Many such water companies are owned by foreign governments and profit used to subsidized their own consumers. This is indeed a disgrace, as not only water but also gas, electricity, airports and other valuable national assets are owned by foreign governments where they jealously guard their own such assets with fair or foul means, breaking EU rules with ease and contempt. When our sincere, kind and caring politicians would shed their inhibition, learn to be street-wise and look after our own long suffering citizens!

Kumudini Valambia By email

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

Please keep contributing as always.

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

Flourishing Wildlife in Metropolitan London City of London is one of the greenest and least densely populated cities in the world. This is due to careful planning in the past, with open spaces, nature reserves, parks and water features that include lakes and water reservoirs to provide constant water supply, as well as act as sporting venue and leisure centre for water loving enthusiasts. But London is most famous for its’ huge parks, like Richmond, Hyde, Regent’s, Bushy, Greenwich Parks and many more.

While most parks are pedestrian only with clean, pollution free air, supporting abundant of wild-life, some parks, like Richmond and Regent Parks, have roads passing through the center, the heart of the park, used by many motorists, using it as a short-cut to save journey time, as Londoners are always in a hurry to reach their destinations as quickly as possible. Who can blame them, as London roads are chocka- block at most time, traffic moving at snail’s speed, especially at peak times.

As these parks are regularly used by nature lovers, children, cyclists and athletes training for main events like Olympics, it creates dangerous hazards for their health and safety. These roads were not designed as commuters’ through-roads. They were mainly access roads for parks’ upkeep and occasionally for emergency through-way for ambulance, police and fire-brigades.

While all these parks have lakes, some even have streams passing through, supporting wildlife such as ducks, swans, variety of fishes, as well as rich bird-life like sparrows, woodpeckers, wood pigeons, stork as well as kites, eagles, magpies, parakeets, geese and many more, some permanent residents while others seasonal visitors who fly all the way from Canada and Russia preferring our mild winters rather than bone-chilling winters, temperature routinely touching -40c in Siberia.

Out of all the parks, Richmond Park is most famous for its wildlife, especially huge heard Red and Fallow deer, numbering some 600 on London’s door-steps, unique achievement rarely seen in such metropolitan cities. Although deer are no threat to people, even children, they can be aggressive during rut season, may attack anyone who may encroach their territory.

It is Mayor Sadiq Khan’s initiatives to make these Parks safe for visitors, cyclists and athletics with restricted access to motor vehicles, speed limit 20 mph, as well as time restrictions, such as no traffic on week-ends when parks are busiest.

Bhupendra M. Gandhi By email

UK UAE Emir's son dies Jurors in London Bridge in London aged 39 inquest shown images of police shooting terrorists

Sheikh Khalid bin Sultan Al Qasimi

Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi

The son of Sharjah's ruler has died aged 39 in London, it was revealed this afternoon.

Qasimi fashion label owner Sheikh Khalid bin Sultan Al Qasimi was the son of Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, who rules the city in the United Arab Emirates.

Flags in the country are ordered to fly at half-mast over as three days of mourning commence.

Tributes are flooding social media expressing condolences to the Emir and his family following yesterday's death.

The prince set up the menswear label Qasimi in the UK in 2008 and its flagship UK store is in Soho in the London Borough of Westminster.

The UAE's Ministry of Presidential Affairs said in a statement: 'President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan mourns with grief and sorrow, the death of Sheikh Khalid Bin Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, the son of the Ruler of Sharjah, praying to Allah the Almighty to rest his soul in peace, and grant his family patience and solace.'

Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi came into power in 1972. This is the second of his children to die.

His eldest son, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, died of a heroin overdose aged 24 in 1999, the Independent reported at the time. He was reportedly found on his bathroom floor at home in East Grinstead surrounded by syringes.

Jurors have been shown graphic images of the moment the three London Bridge terrorists were shot dead by armed police officers.

Khuram Butt, 27 and Rachid Redouane, 30, and Youssef Zaghba, 22, were stopped in their tracks 10 minutes after they began their van and knife attack on the evening of June 3 2017.

The men had ploughed through pedestrians on the bridge in a hired van before running amok through Borough Market with knives and fake suicide belts, killing eight people and seriously injuring 48 more. At the start of the inquest into the attackers' deaths, a panel of five women and six men were shown dramatic CCTV images of the stand-off with armed police.

Just before, Redouane was shown crossing the road to attack Antonio Filis opposite the Wheatsheaf pub, following by Butt and Zaghba. The three men were seen standing over their latest victim on the

ground, with their knives held out towards him.

In opening remarks, chief coroner Mark Lucraft QC told jurors: "There is no question of attributing blame. An inquest is simply a way of establishing facts."

He said jurors would have to answer four questions - who were the deceased, and when, where and how did they die.

Mr Lucraft told jurors: "You are not allowed to express an opinion on any other matters. You may not determine any criminal liability or question of civil liability."

He said that during the next three weeks, jurors will hear from witnesses, including the armed officers involving in the shooting. Jurors were told a separate inquest had concluded on Friday into the deaths of the victims, Xavier Thomas, 45, Chrissy Archibald, 30, Sara Zelenak, 21, James McMullan, 32, Kirsty Boden, 28, Alexandre Pigeard, 26, Sebastien Belanger, 36, and Ignacio Echeverria, 39.

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6 - 12 July 2019

Indian-origin girl scores highest possible 162 on Mensa's IQ test After Jiya Vaducha, another Indian origin girl, 11-yearold Anushka Dixit from Barkingside, London,, scored 162 points, the highest possible marks in the Mensa IQ test. Her score is well above the 'genius' score of 140 and two points higher than Stephen Hawking and Albert Einstein. Her mother Arti, 45, said her only child has always been bright, and started talking when she was just six months old.

She begged her mother to let her sit the tests because she was after a new challenge having passed her 11 plus exams with flying colours. And despite being the youngest person in the exam, she got the highest score, putting her in the top

Anushka Dixit

1% in the world in terms of intelligence. Anushka said: 'It was not very difficult, just slightly difficult. It was only the time pressure that was difficult. One part was 28

questions in four minutes.”

Anyone over the age of ten and a half can take the Mensa Supervised IQ test. 'I got full marks. I was definitely quite shocked at that.

I started to cry after the test finished because I thought that I might have got one of the non verbal questions wrong. I was aiming for 162 but I was still shocked.'

When Anushka took the test, she was surrounded by people in their 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s.

With the score Anushka received, she now qualifies for Mensa membership, also known as the High IQ society. 'My favourite subject is English and I love poetry,' said Anushka, who is a keen dancer. 'When I grow up I would like to become a doctor.' Eleven -year-old Jiya Vaducha from Pinnerwood school also scored 162 marks in the Mensa's IQ test recently.

Childcare might become 'available only in rich areas' Childcare in England risks becoming the preserve of the wealthy, unless a £660m funding gap in a free childcare scheme is plugged, MPs are warning.

Severe financial strain has been placed on private and independent nurseries offering the government's flagship free 30-hours scheme, they report.

And those operating in poor areas are more likely to be threatened with closure, they say. The government said low income families received help with childcare costs. The national scheme offers parents of all three and four-year-olds 30 hours of free childcare a week - up from 15 hours in 2017.

But early years providers have long said the level at which these hours are funded by a government grant

has meant operators have had to find other ways of making up the difference.

The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Childcare and Early Education heard evidence of a potential reduction in nursery places in deprived areas, while in affluent areas an increase in places looks likely.

This was highlighted by Nicole Politis, director of the Portico Nursery Group, who told the parliamentary inquiry that she had a number of nurseries in different socio-economic areas.

According to the National Day Nurseries Association, the rate at which early years providers are closing has increased by 66% since the introduction of the scheme, and they are closing fastest in more

deprived areas.

Tulip Siddiq MP, chairwoman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Childcare and Early Education, said: "We know that the early years are hugely important to a child's physical and mental development and future life chances.

"However, there is a significant body of evidence to demonstrate that childcare providers are battling to achieve and maintain financial sustainability, and that government policies are a major cause of this challenge."

Children and Families Minister Nadham Zahawi said there had been a huge increase in the number of children benefitting from 30 hours free childcare.

He added that this meant parents were spending less on childcare and could work more flexibly.

Ustad Rahat Fateh Ali Khan receives honorary degree from Oxford University Iconic Pakistani singer Ustad Rahat Fateh Ali Khan received an honorary degree from the world renowned Oxford University last week. The prestigious ceremony took place this afternoon in Oxford. An international music star, Qawwali singer Ustad Rahat Fateh Ali Khan was presented with the degree of Doctor of Music, as announced by the university previously.

Ustad Rahat Fateh Ali Khan said, “I am honoured to be accepting this degree from Oxford University, a world famous educational institution. This is a very special day for my family and I, but also for my fans, who have shared this journey with me. To be presented with this honour is a massive achievement and I am happy that my music has allowed me to reach such incredible heights.”

Oxford University have previously recognised the work of Ustad Rahat Fateh Ali Khan by naming one of their prestigious music halls

after the maestro. He carries the torch for a family which has a rich cultural history in music, a heritage which includes over 600 years in Sufi and Qawwali music folklore, initially made famous in modern pop culture but Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, the uncle of Ustad Rahat Fateh Ali Khan.

In recent times Ustad Rahat Fateh Ali Khan has won numerous globally recognised awards, performed for the British Royal family at Buckingham Palace, performed at the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony, and amassed over 1 billion views on his music videos.

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Apprenticeships pledge 'will be missed' Education Secretary Damian Hinds has confirmed the government's promise of three million apprenticeship starts in England by 2020 is going to be missed.

Pressed by Robert Halfon, chairman of the Education Select Committee, Mr Hinds accepted that the manifesto target is "not going to be reached".

Mr Halfon warned of declining numbers in some levels of apprenticeships.

But Mr Hinds said the training in apprenticeships was now of "much higher quality".

"There was a time in the not too distant past when there were plenty of kids who didn't even know they were on an apprenticeship," Mr Hinds told MPs on the cross-party committee.

The education secretary

was asked about a decline in the number of lower level apprenticeships. These were vital "bridges" to higherlevel training, said Mr Halfon.

Mr Hinds said that in countries with a strong vocational training system, such as Germany, the focus was on high-quality skills valued by employers, rather than the volume of low-level training of questionable quality.

"But has the three million apprenticeships target been abandoned?" asked Labour MP Ian Mearns.

Mr Hinds argued that the argument had shifted and the current apprenticeship system reflected what employers wanted.

The House of Lords Economic Affairs Committee had previously cast doubt on the robustness of how the target had been

set.

In a report last year it said it had been told that the three million figure had been a political decision, based on a number that would sound impressive in a manifesto.

The education secretary, facing a range of questions about his department's work, said that he backed the idea of a register for children who were not in school.

He said that many home educating families were doing "amazing" work, but he was concerned about those young people who were outside the school system but not really getting any access to education.

On social mobility, the education secretary was asked about white workingclass boys being the least likely group to go to university.

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12 MEDIA WATCH

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SCRUTATOR’S Heads of state and government arrived in Osaka, Japan, for the G20 summit for the world’s twenty largest economies. Most eyes and cameras were trained on US President Donald Trump, capricious to a fault, unnerving in speech and conduct. He cooed like a dove, congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his election victory – a ‘reflection of his abilities,’ said the President. Great things were afoot in Indo-US ties, without specifying what these were. The Times of India’s Rajat Pandit jumped the gun, with a short explanatory piece about a $10 billion U S-India arms deal in the pipeline.

President made passing reference to the need for Washington and Moscow to reopen talks on nuclear arms control, currently under suspension by order of the Trump administration. President Putin issued an invitation President Trump to be Guest of Honour at next year’s military parade in Moscow on the country’s 75th anniversary of its victory over Nazi Germany in the Great Patriotic War. President Trump reacted positively to the invitation. Formal acceptance will be awaited with interest. If accepted, it could turn out to be masterly diplomatic move.

Meanwhile Prime Minister Modi engaged in frenetic rounds of

Jharkhand lynching provokes outrage Trinamool Congress MP from West Bengal Mahua Moitra in a passionate speech delivered in English in the Lok Sabha denounced the culpability of the BJP government for the rise in hate crimes over the past five years. ‘The lynching of citizens in broad daylight is being condoned.

From Pehlu in Rajasthan last year to Mr Ansari in Jharkhand yesterday [June 25], the list is not stopping,’ she said (Hindu, June 26).

Guilty must be punished: PM Addressing the Rajya Sabha, Prime Minister Modi condemned the Jharkhand lynching and called for severe punishment of the guilty, with the law taking its proper course. He condemned violence wherever it occurred, whether it be JJharkhand, West Bengal or Kerala.

Shaming Encephalitis in Bihar The Prime Minister went on to also condemn the recent deaths in Bihar of 150 children from Encephalitis. That such an avoidable tragedy should take 70odd years after Independence was deeply shaming. He condemned the Nitish Kumar state government in the strongest terms (Statesman, June 27, 28).

G20 Summit in Osaka

bilateral talks with Indonesian, Australian, Chilean, Singaporean leaders on issues of mutual interest including trade and security. His meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was particularly significant, covering a wide range of subjects, from trade and investment to counter-terrorism, as India-Turkey ties reach a new level of understanding and cooperative endeavour.

International politics is no zero sum game (Hindu, Times of India, Economic Times, Statesman, June 24-30).

(From left) Russian President Vladimir Putin, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese leader Xi Jinping meet on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Osaka, Japan

PM Modi with Japanese Premier Shinzo

This involves the acquisition advanced submarines and 10 more long range maritime surveillance P-81 aircraft. The deal is scheduled for closure in September, according to a Hindu report (July 1).

The acquisition by India of around 200 or more Russian Kamov helicopters for the Indian Army, the full technological transfer of the deadly Russian automatic AK-347 snipers’ rifle to be manufactured at Amethi in UP,

and the payment by India of $ 4 billion for the S-400 anti-ballistic system, have all been sealed.

There was an abundance of photo-call opportunities at the Osaka Summit: PM Modi with Japanese host Shizo Abe, with President Trump, a threesome of Prime Minister Modi and Presidents Putin and Xi Jinping; there was also a bilateral meeting between Presidents Trump and Putin, during which they exchanging pleasantries. The US

Coercing India During US Secretary of State Pompeo’s recent visit tio India prior to the G20 Osaka summit, he had applied persuasive pressure on the Indian government to change course on its time-tested policy towards Russia. While trade disputes with the US on trade were open to discussion, India’s defence, crafted in the national interest, was not. The US had put tariffs on a range of Indian goods on the pretext that there was insufficient access to the Indian market. India responded immediately by increasing tariffs on American goods. [See Page 3] The entire episode, witnessed with evident distaste from afar by Chairman of the US House Foreign Affairs Committee, Eliot Engel, prompted an immediate note, Mr Pompeo, saying that there was a growing view that the Trump administration was ‘coercing India’ on various fronts rather negotiate with her. Mr Engel’s committee has oversight responsibilities over the State Department. Using the big stick was considered inappropriate (Hindu June 26).

Kerala tops health sector Kerala continues its substantial lead in India’s health sector, the best performing of the country’s 21 largest states, according to the data compiled and released by NITI Aayog’s Health Index. Kerala was followed in close sequence by Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. At the bottom of the list was rock bottom Uttar Pradesh., with Bihar and Madhya Pradesh preceding it.

Among the Union Territories [cities, enclaves, and islands administered by the Centre] such as Chandigarh in first position, followed by Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Lakshadeep, Puducherry, Delhi, Andaman, Nicobar, Daman and Diu. The general level of health performance in this category was relatively high (Hindu, June 26).

Forex reserves at all-time high India’s foreign exchange reserves touched an al-time high of $426.42 billion after surging by $4.215 billion in the week to June 21, according to Reserve Bank of India data (Businss Line, June 29).

Jihadis held Four operatives of the terror outfit Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen, Bangladesh (JMB), of which three Bangladesh nationals, were arrested by Kolkata Police Special Taskforce during night long raids in the city. The JMB is an affiliate of al-Qaeda. The fourth man arrested is from the Birbhum district of West Bengal. The operatives were involved in ‘recruiting men and collecting

money’ for terror attacks in West Bengal and Bangladesh.

The National Investigation Agency(NIA), in a separate operation, arrested a JMB operative, Habibur Rehman, in Bangaluru for his involvement with the 2014 Kharagarh bombings in Bengal. He had fled South to elude capture (Times of India, June 26).

New Intelligence Chiefs Samant Kumar Goel, a senior IPS officer, has been appointed as head of RAW [Research and Analysis Wing], India’s external intelligence arm, and Arvind Kumar as head of IB [Intelligence Branch], the principal domestic intelligence agency. Both men have long experience of counterterrorism, with Arvind Kumar, a member of the legendary KPS Gill team that destroyed the Khalistan insurgency in Punjab (Times of India, June 27).

PM declares terrorism a global threat Addressing the informal BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) meeting on the sidelines of the G20 Osaka summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, flanked

by Presidents Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping of Russia and China respectively, declared that international terrorism posed the foremost threat to global peace, development and security. The Indian Prime Minister congratulated Jair Bolsonaro on his election as Brazilian President, and Cyril Ramaphosa as South Africa’s new President.

Combating terrorism Mr Modi emphasised the need to strengthen the World Trade Organization (WTO), combating protectionism, ensuring energy security, and the vital interest to work together to fight terrorism.

He warned against the decline of global economic growth, ascribing this to unilateralism that was eroding a rule-based global multilateral trade system. The greatest challenge was to make development sustainable and inclusive (Hindu, June 29).

Ready to exit India, if guilty: Huawei CEO Chinese telecom giant Huawei, which has fallen foul of the United States and some European countries on grounds of national security, alleging that the company was partner of China’s intelligence services.This has been vigorously denied by its India CEO. Jay Chen, who said the company was prepared to give the best guarantees on data protection. He had spoken to the Indian government at the highest levels of security safeguards. The founder of the company may have worked in the Chinese Army but had retired decades ago. Huawei is the proven global leader in 5G technology. If anything compromising was found against the company, Huawei was prepared to exit India immediately (Times of India, June 25).

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6 - 12 July 2019

FCA calls on consumers to ‘act now’ as PPI complaints deadline gets closer There is just over a month to go until the 29 August 2019, the PPI complaints deadline.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) which regulates the financial services sector and protects UK consumers is urging people to make a decision, before it’s too late, about whether to complain about PPI (Payment Protection Insurance).

Recent FCA figures, show that a total of £334.3m was paid in April 2019 to customers who complained about the way they were sold PPI. This takes the amount paid since January 2011 to £35.3bn.

Emma Stranack, FCA’s PPI Deadline Campaign Lead, said, “Time is running out to claim back money for PPI. Simply put, if you haven’t complained to your provider by 29 August 2019,

simple and free.

Don’t worry about paperwork, you only need your date of birth and relevant previous addresses.”

Abdul Haseeb Basit, Co-Founder & Principal at Elipses, an advisory and investment firm said, “PPI was a policy sold with credit products such as loans, mortgages, credit cards, store cards and catalogue credit. Millions of PPI policies were sold in the UK, mostly between 1990 and 2010.

Abdul Haseeb Basit, Co-Founder & Principal “If you took out a at Elipses credit product during this period, you may you won’t be able to claim have been sold PPI at the money back for PPI – so you same time. It may have been should make your decision mis-sold to you. For examas soon as possible. ple, it may have been added Checking if you had PPI is

to your loan or credit without you knowing or you may have been pressured to take out PPI. “The PPI deadline is fast approaching – so now is the time to contact your bank, loan or card company as soon as possible."

The FCA will be sending ambassadors into local community spaces such as places of worship, community centres and eateries across the country from the 9th July, urging people to take action on PPI before it’s too late.

Consumers who haven’t complained to their provider by 29 August 2019 won’t be able to claim money back for PPI. FCA support is available online at fca.org.uk/ppi or by calling the FCA helpline on 0800 101 8800. You can ask if you need information in another language or format.

Hero and Catalyst Capital form £500 million UK hotel development joint venture Hero Enterprise of India, which represents the business interests of its founder, Sunil Kant Munjal, and his family, has formed a £500 million joint venture with Catalyst Capital, the European real estate investment and asset management firm.

The joint venture, Hero Catalyst Hospitality Ventures, will invest in and develop hotels, serviced apartments and hospitalityled projects, initially in the UK and Ireland. The joint venture is aiming to develop multiple projects with a significant equity commitment to acquire land and buildings. It will also look to invest alongside other landowners, owners or developers holding opportu-

nities with hospitality potential.

Sunil Kant Munjal, is a second-generation member of the Munjal Family and a founder promoter of the Hero Group, India’s premier automotive manufacturing group that has evolved from being the world’s largest bicycle maker to the largest two-wheeler maker. As Chairman of Hero Enterprise he said, “We are delighted to return to the United Kingdom through this joint venture with Catalyst Capital. In the previous decade, we built and managed HEROtsc, a large contact centre business in the UK; we enjoyed our experience and since then Hero has been looking at interesting opportunities in

Europe. This venture provides an ideal platform to establish a world-class hospitality development business in the region.

“In India, Hero is a trusted, household name known for its ability to grow businesses and sustain relationships. We have a successful track record of building exemplary and scaled businesses including some in complex and challenging environments. As long-term partners, we aim to bring stability and growth to this hospitality venture while creating value for all stakeholders”.

Rob Skelston, Head of Development for Hero Catalyst Hospitality Ventures, said, “We believe this is an opportune time to

Sunil Kant Munjal

expand our hotel development programme, leveraging the experience and expertise at Catalyst Capital combined with the reputation, management strength and credibility of Hero Enterprise”.

Woman to be deported to Pakistan, faces forced marriage to cousin A 23-year-old woman who has won offers to study astrophysics at some of the UK's most prestigious universities, now can be deported to Pakistan.

Born in Islamabad, she has lived half her life in the UK but can now be deported to the country of her birth where her father is demanding that she marry

her older cousin.

Disobeying him could see her ostracised or even killed for violating her family’s “honour”, she fears.

Her appeal for asylum was rejected in February after officials claimed there was not sufficient evidence she was at risk. She has lodged an appeal and is awaiting the outcome of the

CORRECTION

The Loomba Foundation

Issue dated 22nd June 2019 of Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar included a brochure of The Loomba Foundation with an incorrect telephone number. If you would like to contact them or make a donation please call 020 8102 0351 or send an email to: office@theloombafoundation.org

hearing held this month.

Her solicitor, said the Home Office based its earlier rejection on its belief that her father, who had worked as a Pakistani civil servant, did not fit the profile of an abuser.

However, the Home

Office has said that the decision makers took into account “all available evidence provided by the claimant in light of published country information, which covers country specific issues relating to gender-based harm”

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New Moorfields Promises Better Eye Care for Brent Patients The iconic Moorfields Eye Hospital is proposing to move after more than 120 years of treating people from its main hospital at City Road in Islington.

The proposal is to build a brand new centre on land that has become available at the current St Pancras Hospital site, just north of King’s Cross and St Pancras stations. Once the new facility is up and running, all of the services at the current City Road hospital, the Richard Desmond Children’s Eye Centre and the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology would move into the new building.

The aim is to create the world centre for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of eye disease by bringing together excellent eye care, ground breaking research and world’s best education in ophthalmology.

Over the next few months, Londoners and people from all over the country have an opportunity to have their say on this proposal. The NHS clinical commissioning groups (CCGs), including Brent CCG, are running a joint public consultation until 16 September 2019.

If the move were approved by January 2020, construction could begin in 2022 and the new centre could be open by 2026.

So what does this mean for us in Brent?

The services provided by Moorfields at Northwick Park and Ealing hospitals would not be affected by the proposed move.

For around 11,000 people from Brent who visit Moorfields at City Road every year, the proposal promises a better patient experience with shorter waiting times in comfortable surroundings and access to the best that modern eye care has to offer.

But the biggest significance of the proposed move is the potential impact on eye care itself.

Losing sight has a profound effect on people’s lives.

Affecting some of our most basic needs in daily life, it can lead to social isolation and other physical and mental health problems.

According to the Royal National Institute for Blind People, sight loss affects around one in five people over 75 and one in two people over 90. We also know that the risks of sight loss at an earlier age are greater for people from black and Asian origins.

The proposed new eye care centre offers the muchneeded space to expand and develop new models of care.

Researchers are already working on breakthrough treatments for macular degeneration, the most common cause of sight loss.

On our own patch, Brent has an excellent community ophthalmology service based in our Sudbury Primary Care Centre and Willesden Centre for Health and Care providing with a team that can spot the risks of eye disease at an early stage and help people to avoid deterioration for as long as possible.

We need a centre that not only offers better care for our future patients but also drives our ability to prevent serious eye conditions and support people at home or locally, as well as in a specialist hospital centre.

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14 COMMUNITY

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LIVING BRIDGE Rohit Vadhwana

Gandhi, the most studied and debated Indian When we speak of ‘Living Bridge' between India and the UK, the first name that comes to my mind is Gandhi.

Who else could be credited for beginning to build a living bridge but for Gandhi? And today in the 150th year of his birth anniversary, I feel immense pleasure to write this column ‘Living Bridge’ in Asian Voice. The title is borrowed from the phrase coined by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the most influential, towering and powerful Indian personality of the present time.

In 1893, a young Indian lawyer was thrown off a train at Pietermaritzburg Railway Station of South Africa.

Why? The reason was that he was an Indian and yet dared to ride in a first class compartment. Yes, he was Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, who is lovingly known as Bapu, Mahatma or Gandhiji. Non-violent and noncooperative in the style of struggle, but very effective. No hatred, anger or vendetta towards anyone. A unique opponent, any colonial ruler could ever have had in the period when humanity has witnessed scourge of two world wars.

Gandhi was a person whose influence on the world was more than the world’s influence on him. And that influence has also lasted longer than his time in this world. Certainly, a cult-creating personality, inspiration to millions, Gandhi stands today alongside Winston Churchill, in the Parliament Square, London, in what the latter described him as a ‘half-naked fakir’ pose.

Interestingly, the statue was made by Philip Jackson based on a photograph of Gandhi standing outside the office of the then UK PM Ramsay MacDonald in 1931.

Gandhi first arrived in England on 27 October 1988 as a student of law at Inner Temple and afterwards visited England four more times to oppose imperial policies and rules, twice from South Africa and twice from India. He had a unique ability to differentiate between persons and politics. Therefore, he commanded respect among many British officers against whom he was protesting for India’s freedom.

He created a long-lasting influence on the world by his practices, policies and life. Today, in the world where differences are rising and lifestyle is becoming more and more unsustainable, Gandhi becomes essentially more relevant. His simplicity, allegiance to truth and method of satyagraha are subjects of interest for academia and politicians alike. His writings, especially ‘An Autobiography or The Story of My Experiments with Truth' is an important work which should be in the reading list of every literate person. One may agree with him not, but his ability to write about ‘everything’ in an unattached and non-judgemental manner is certainly appreciable.

He is perhaps the most known, most studied and most debated Indian not only in the English society but also the world. Gandhi admitted in his writings that he was influenced by British. But, in turn, no other Indian has ever influenced English people and politics more than him. Period. Truly a living bridge.

(Expressed opinions are personal) Member of Parliament for Feltham and Heston, Seema Malhotra, has joined a crossparty group of over 270 MPs that has called on the Parliamentary Pension Fund to phase out its substantial investment in fossil fuel giants following growing concerns about climate change. As London Climate Week continues through until Monday, July 8th, she looks forward to working with her colleagues to support London and the UK in taking the ambitious steps necessary to lead the world in climate and environmental action.

In pledging her support for the campaign, Seema Malhotra MP affirmed the need for fossil fuel

divestment to tackle the current environment and climate emergency, and called on fellow Parliamentarians to join her in working toward a more sustainable and just world.

NRIs to get proxy voting in 2024 Indian general election Rupanjana Dutta Dr Vijay Chauthaiwale, Head of the Foreign Affairs, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at a dialogue in the International Institute for Strategic Studies on 'India’s Election results and the way forward' on Friday 28 June 2019, told the audience that by 2024 he is hoping that the Indian government will have proxy voting available for Non Residential Indians (NRIs), who cannot travel to India to vote.

He said, “For NRI voting, there are two steps.

People have already registered themselves, which is the first step. However there are some logistical hurdles when it comes to voting. It is not possible for 1.5mn Indians living in the UK to queue in front of the Indian High Commission to vote. Therefore the only option for them is proxy voting. The guidelines will be issued by Election Commission and by 2024 there will be a way to vote at the Indian General Elections 'in abstentia'.”

When asked about India-Pakistan relationship and possibility of a future dialogue between the two nations, he reiterated what External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar recently said,

Dr Vijay Chauthaiwale, Rahul Roy-Chaudhury and Shishir Bajoria

calling it 'unlikely' unless there is a 'tangible action' against terrorist groups arising from that country.

Dr Chauthawaile added, “We are looking for friendly relation with all our neighbouring countries. But unless there a tangible action against terrorist outfits in Pakistan, nothing will happen. BJP as a political party does not have an ideological compulsion to talk to Pakistan.”

He also admitted that the strike on a terrorist camp in Pakistan's Balakot area earlier this year, in response to the Pulwama attack "played out in favour of the BJP" during the general election. He added, that a non-action on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's

part could have "adversely affected" the results. He also dedicated the party's success to government's development agenda, which according to him has "really transformed lives" and resulted in a "cascading impact" in favor of Mr Modi.

Rahul Roy-Chaudhury, IISS Senior Fellow for South Asia, highlighted that the think tank's analysis ahead of the Indian election results was among the few western organisations to predict the return of Modi government with such majority.

Shishir Bajoria, Member of the Core Committee of the Overseas Friends of the BJP; Member of the BJP’s Election Management

Committee of West Bengal; and past President of the Indian Chamber of Commerce, Kolkata gave an analysis of the big win by the BJP in the eastern state.

He emphasised that personality driven politics is leading to the downfall of Trinamool Congress in West Bengal. In an exclusive statement, he told Asian Voice, “Politics in West Bengal does not change that quickly. CP(I)M came after 30 years of Congress rule and TMC after 34 years of CP(I)M rule. Unless people of Bengal are convinced a party can deliver, they won't vote for it. BJP's considerable success in Bengal is driven by this faith and promises of development.”

1200 women participate in St Luke’s Hospice Midnight Walk Over 1200 ladies gathered at Bryon Hall, Harrow to take part in St Luke’s Hospice annual Midnight Walk last Friday.

The 9 mile walk around Harrow which takes place every year, aims to raise funds for one of North West London’s best known and much-loved hospice, St Luke’s.

The walk was officially started by one of the Founding Members and Chief Patron of the Hospice, Lord Dolar Popat who cut the ribbon for the walk. The grand launch was marked with Kingsbury Temple’s dhol players group and local fitness groups to help with the warm up activities.

The annual walk first started in 2008 and has been growing year on year ever since. Participants came together from all communities, backgrounds, abilities and ages ranging all the way from 14 to 79, to take part in a specially coordinated walk around Harrow.

Speaking at the start of the walk at Bryon Hall, Harrow Lord Popat said, “St Luke’s Hospice is an incredibly valuable resource for our community and greatly needs our support.”

“My thanks go particularly to the many volunteers who have made this event possible, including the marshals who will be up all night to keep the participants safe.”

“St Luke’s is a local institution for the residents of Harrow and Brent. This walk also plays a key role in bringing communities together for a united cause.”

Director for Fundraising Rachel Wagstaff also said, “It is wonderful to see so many people here supporting such a superb charity.

The funds raised tonight will make a difference in the lives of so many local people.”

The Hospice is currently open to everyone with an incurable illness, providing invaluable care, not just to patients, but support for

Lord Popat cutting the ribbon with Rachel Wagstaff, Director of Fundraising for St Luke’s Hospice

family and carers. St Luke’s has become a haven for people to die with dignity and is heavily subscribed. This

year’s walk is expected to raise over £150,000 to help continue free care for patients.

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Shree Savani Young Dancing Shree Savani

Sunetra Senior hree was the winner of this year’s South Asian Dance category, on the BBC’s popular talent show: BBC Young Dancer (2019).

Performing the Indian Classical style of Bharatanatyam to a national audience, her spunky energy carried her through to the grand final, while also bringing a signature modern twist. “I went from performing with a small dance group to the big stage alone – it was incredible!”

Although the conceptual stories relayed in her routines were told through the traditional construction of Bharatanatyam dance movement, “the narratives themselves were made especially relatable to young women, who might not necessarily recognise the ancient Indian mythology behind customary dances – for example, a particular hand movement won’t translate to dancers of today in an older fictional context.”

Shree continued: “I was delighted to represent a beautiful Indian art form alongside the usual western dances on mainstream TV. It was even more wonderful to have stayed true to myself while doing it.” Adorning an outfit of rainbow colours on black, Shree’s own choreography formed part of a duet, which told the story of mother and daughter. This traced the steps of their intimate relationship through the poetic cycle of life. “The dance showed the knowledge and nurture passed on to the daughter, the bittersweet time of departing home, and finally the pain, and even guilt, of losing that maternal figure, who will inevitably become frail.”

S

almost forgot it was a competition!”

A defiant, celebratory theme continued in the piece the striking dancer performed for the show’s grand finale.

Working with the BBC’s assigned choreographer, Shree stated that this was when she felt she most “pushed the boundaries of traditional dance, and tried to bridge the gap between modern and older storytelling.” The cultural fusion dance was dubbed ‘Eve Rising’.

“Obviously, this was inspired by Eve in Biblical terms, but we wanted the dance to represent any woman faced with oppression, in any place in the world. We were thinking particularly of the Sudanese women. We wanted to highlight that women are being hit down emotionally, physically and sexually, but that this won’t stop them fighting.”

Shree's first solo dance on BBC's Young Dancer

Shree also sensitively delved into the taboo subject of death during her winning duet for the South Asian Dance category. “It’s unusual to see in *** Indian Classical dance, but because From expressively portraying nascent there was such great emotion, the narcrawling as a baby to cradling the ficrative was met with warmth. People tive mother when she later becomes were moved.” Indeed, the young mover sick, Shree’s routine certainly preserved went on to stress the importance of the narrative power of the being in tune with feelings, not just on Bharatanatyam dance at the same time stage, but throughout the dance as retaining her identity as a industry. “As an aspiring “contemporary British young person, it was wonAsian”. This was also You convey derful to have the clear during another opportunity to meet prestigious perforso much through more experienced, mance, this time at the technical aspect passionate dancers in the Birmingham the business. I think Hippodrome, where of the dance: the we need to do more Shree’s fierce femiphysicality, the to encourage dianinity shone logues about the realprecision and through. It is even ity of a chosen profesvisible in the still subtle eye sion, and the conversaframes of the dance. movements. tions between the older The artist braces her and younger age groups arms powerfully in front of that help this.” Shree asserted her face as she wears a shiny that the reassurance this gives is vital maroon slip. “You convey so much for mental health: an issue which through the technical aspect of the adversely affects a lot of young people. dance: the physicality, the precision “The experience at the BBC was so posand subtle eye movements. They natuitive because they did provide the rally allow you to channel yourself.” dancers a caring, communicative culShree continued: “I think the ture. I had support through the chaljudges picked up on that passion at the lenge of suddenly finding myself in the BBC. They noted the competent limelight – incredible though it was. methodology and my effective characThere were lows from the pressure, and terisation as well as the poetry. I was intense highs after performing.” described as ‘ethereal.’ I remember Shree is currently studying for a being so at one with the dance that I

degree in physiotherapy from the University of Birmingham so she had been aware of the interconnecting nature of the body and the mind.

“Studying the movement of bodies in my formal education is, of course, related to the passion of dance. I particularly enjoy the musculoskeletal aspects of physio, which allow you to know the anatomy of the body in depth: different actions affect the different muscles.” Since a massive part of dance is physical, this area is just as important in the longevity of the career as the ability to master the flourishes and aesthetic vision: “corporal knowledge boosts the system even when doing basic exercises during warm ups and cooling down.”

Ultimately then, more than her effortless grasp of dance, Shree’s particular journey showcases the important truth of increasing social fluidity among a new generation of British Asians. Today, a strong sense of selfhood and the confidence which flows from it, are not just the product of integrated culture, but more universally, the nurturing of a multifaceted lifestyle. Shree aptly concluded by emphasising the importance of preserving Indian Classical dance by adapting the teaching approach to the time. “Unfortunately, there are still elements of backward attitudes in the traditional dance industry. For example, the commitment to craft is measured solely through the number of hours one dedicates to it, and rote learning old dances. Truthfully, I didn’t think I would make it onto BBC Young Dancers when I applied. I had been told the only way forward was through centring my life on classical dance. Since I’d chosen another degree to pursue alongside my dancing passion, I’d been made to feel I wouldn’t manage. In fact, being different and expanding my interest is what has defined my success: it's how I'm able to engage so uniquely with the dance.” And so, through her intense, animated art, Shree comes to underscore a truly timeless virtue: fundamentally cultivating a strong inner self.

You’ve also done western dance earlier in life: e.g. tap, modern and ballet. Have these moves stayed with you?

Maybe not the moves, but definitely the discipline of dance such as ballet.

It’s the same tight focus for both traditional western and South Asian dance forms. You do recruit the same muscle groups. Starting early, definitely laid the foundations for my artistic ability today. My mum also took me to ballet classes very early on so the world of dance opened up to me though those dances. That interest and professionalism has stayed with me.

Was there a specific part of the Young Dancers competition that you enjoyed?

In terms of traditional dance, my first solo in the category final was great because it was Bharatanatyam in the purest sense. The focus was very much on footwork which is the foundation of Classical Indian dance. I was acting out a conversation between dancer and singer and performing simple to the beat of the mridangam, stripping the dance of any fanciful movement. I felt as if a senior dancer – very accomplished.

T: @shree_savani

UK

15

6 - 12 July 2019

CARER CAUGHT ABUSING AUTISTIC MAN Raja Khan abused an autistic man at the Nursery Road Care Home in 2017 and has been sentenced for 18 months.

CCTV cameras installed in Hopton's room recorded Khan poking and dragging Ollie Hopton out of bed while calling him a "lazy, lazy a**hole." Between July and September 2017, Khan subjected the 20-year-old to 11 instances of illtreatment.

Reading a statement at Khan's sentencing, Hopton's mom Caroline said, "Raja Khan willfully took advantage of Oliver's vulnerability and committed the most heinous breach of trust by abusing and neglecting my son, behind closed doors, while in his care at London Care Partnership, now operating as Elysium Healthcare.

"When Oliver left the Nursery Road home, he was emotionally and mentally broken, as was I. The images of the abuse that took place will forever haunt me and literally broke my heart."

Khan has been sentenced to 12 months suspended for 18 months and ordered to do 250 hours of unpaid work as well as 30 days of rehabilitation activity.

He has also been banned from working with children and vulnerable adults.

DRAMA ABOUT 'HONOUR KILLING' OF BANAZ MAHMOD In 2006, 20-year-old Banaz Mahmod was killed in London following order of her father and uncle after she had left her husband and started a relationship with another man.

Recently, her sister has spoken out about the impact of her death, and her concerns around ITV's drama based on the case.

The broadcaster had announced last week that it had commissioned Honour, a two-part drama centred around the Banaz Mahmod's murder following the journey of the detective that worked on her case. Ms Mahmod says this is "not Banaz's story" and "doesn't honour Banaz".

Payzee Mahmod has spoken about how "every day has been hell" since her sister died voicing discontent after claiming none of her family members were aware of the show and were not consulted by scriptwriters.

"It doesn't really sit too well with me that that's the angle they chose to go with because that's not Banaz's story. That's somebody else's story.

But ITV has said that the drama's writer has been in contact with her "to give her the assurances she needs".

ALLEGED DAWOOD AIDE FACES TRIAL The UK’s Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), are arguing on behalf of the US authorities, and told the court that Jabir Moti is a “senior member” of D Company, a crime syndicate associated with Dawood Ibrahim.

The 52-year-old, appeared before the court via routine procedure of video link from Wandsworth Prison in southwest London on 28th June, Friday. Jabir was referred to in the court as a “top lieutenant” of D Company — the organised crime and terror network associated with Dawood Ibrahim.

Moti, who has since made an application to the court to have his name changed on the case documents to Jabir Siddiq, was arrested by Scotland Yard officers from a London hotel in August 2018 following an FBI investigation dating back to 2005.

Dawood is a key accused in the 1993 Mumbai bomb blasts case.

BBC LIST: CLOSING PAY GAP AND GENDER EQUALITY Claudia Winkleman, Zoe Ball and Vanessa Feltz have all moved up the BBC's star salaries list after the corporation's efforts to tackle an equal pay problem. While the organisation has prominent BAME employees, none of them have made it to the top earners. Actors and some entertainment presenters who work for the corporation's commercial arm BBC Studios are not included.

Last year, all the top 12 earners were male, but this year Winkleman is now eighth, Ball is ninth and Feltz is joint 10th.

Gary Lineker is still at the top of the list, on an unchanged £1.75m per year. Of those 75 presenters and correspondents, 60% were men, down from 65% when the list was first published in 2017.

The total talent bill has risen by £11m to £159m, with the number of stars earning over £150,000 up from 64 to 75.

Stars of some of the BBC's biggest programmes - like Top Gear and Doctor Who - are absent from the list.

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18 FINANCE - UK

AsianVoiceNews

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

www.asian-voice.com

6 - 12 July 2019

Consultant Editor Financial Voice Alpesh Patel Dear Financial Voice Reader, I discussed on BBC World News the recent market volatility.

It’s clearly headline news when it comes to stocks and of course in forex given Brexit.

You know, one of the most common questions I’m ever asked is what’s the difference between rich traders (the 10% or 20% that make money) and the 80% that don’t? What is it that of all the traders that I’ve examined, the professional traders, the hedge fund managers, and my own expertise and experience as well . . . What is that differentiates the two?

Are men better than women? Is there a certain time of day you should be trading? Are there certain instruments?

Is it better to trade stocks than forex than to do indices or gold or commodities? Do you make more money if you go short then you go long? Are there certain geographies that you should be trading some periods of time?

What if statistically, I can show you that out of a group of 500,000 traders, the ones who held on to a stop or a currency for more than 5 minutes were more likely to lose . . . Or more than an hour or more than 3 days or vice versa than those who held it for different periods of time?

What if you could have that little statistical edge? So we looked into all of this data in one of my recent books launched at Barclays Bank. In fact, having written a lot of trading books, it’s a subject really I guess at the heart of all of them – who wins and why? I’m going to tell you that actually one of the most surprising things is, the different isn’t that big between the winners and losers. Just as in life. It isn’t that big.

Let me take you through some of the issues, some of the differences that I found between the winning and losing traders. For instance, the poor trader they tended to have a few big losses. Losses where they lost in one trade more than 2% or even more than 1% of their total risk capital. (I use poor trader meaning someone who is not profitable over a long period of time and rich trader being someone who is profitable over a long period of time ie more than a year.)

Whereas, for the rich trader, they rarely, if ever, had such losses. So how do you limit such losses? Well, one of the reasons that they’re rich traders is that they have a small trading size. In other words, they trade a small amount relative to the total capital they have.

Also, they never added to their losing position. Another thing that we found the difference between winners and losers or the poor traders and the rich traders, is that winning trades in the case of poor traders were achieved by simply getting rid of a stop loss.

They were willing to take an unlimited loss in order to have that win (win meaning any, even a tiny profit), even if it was a small win. So they risked losing lots of money in order to have a small win. Whereas, a rich trader, they were happy to have winning trades because their stop loss got hit, even if, therefore, it meant that they had a lot of losing trades. But they were small losses because their stop loss was sufficiently tight, in order that they wouldn’t have big losses.

Good luck.

EU signs landmark trade deal with Vietnam The European Union has signed a landmark free-trade deal with Vietnam, a first of its kind with a developing country in Asia. It has called the deal, "the most ambitious free trade deal ever concluded with a developing country." The agreement was signed in Hanoi, three-and-a-half years after trade negotiations ended in December 2015.

The free trade agreement will eventually eliminate 99 per cent of tariffs, with some items cut over a 10-year period and other goods, notably agricultural products, limited by quotas.

The deal is also expected to open up the public procurement and services markets, such as for the postal, banking and maritime sectors.

The deal still needs the approval of the European parliament, which is by no means a certainty given some lawmakers' concerns over Vietnam's human rights record.

Vietnam has one of the region's fastest-growing economies, backed by robust exports and foreign investment. It has already signed about a dozen free trade pacts, including an 11-country deal to slash tariffs across much of the Asia-Pacific region.

Hammond warns Johnson and Hunt over spending promises Philip Hammond has warned two Conservative leadership candidates that their spending plans cannot be funded if the UK crashes out of the EU without a deal.

He issued doubts over Boris Johnson's and Jeremy Hunt's plans in a tweet that said a no-deal scenario would blow a hole in the public finances, erasing the next prime minister's spending firepower. Both candidates have said they are willing to leave without a deal.

While Hunt has promised to earmark £6bn of additional government spending on emergency funds for the fishing and farming industries, and help for small businesses in the event of a no-deal Brexit, frontrunner Johnson said that he would spend about £25bn of "fiscal headroom" built up by the chancellor in the public finances to fund his spending plans, including a fresh promise to unfreeze public sector pay increases.

Hammond had allocated £26.6bn at the last budget

Philip Hammond

for either ending austerity or boosting the economy in the event of a no-deal Brexit. Although it has often been described as a spending war chest, it would mean a rise in borrowing. Hunt was challenged over Hammond's warning after delivering a speech in Westminster about his £20bn plan for no deal, which he acknowledged would represent "one of the largest fiscal and regulatory stimuli the country has seen in decades."

He said, "I am the cabinet minister who is in a government who has had to

make the most painful cuts in public spending, across public services, where all of us felt the pain of what was happening very personally.

We took those painful decisions. We put the economy back on its feet.

And so we will never throw that fiscal responsibility away, because its essential for our prosperity."

Hunt added, "But as a result of that, we have built up headroom, which makes it possible to make the commitments I am making today whilst sticking to our plans to reduce the deficit and reduce our national debt as a proportion of GDP." This stands in a stark contradiction to Hammond's insistence that the "headroom" would be wiped out by a no-deal Brexit, which the Treasury expects to hit economic growth and thus tax revenues.

Hunt added, "When you face an economic shock, it is just basic economics that you find support for the industries that are affected.

It is temporary support, but

Tata plans industrial-scale Network Rail bids for carbon capture plant parts of British Steel Tata Group’s unit making chemicals in the UK plans to build the country’s first industrial-scale carbon capture project. The 16.7 million pound facility in Northwich, England, is to start working in 2021, Tata said in a statement. It will draw in CO2 created by burning fossil fuels and use it to make sodium bicarbonate, an ingredient in the food and pharmaceuticals industries.

Carbon capture and storage has so far struggled to gain traction mainly because of the cost of the technology and because there’s no clear business model to make it pay. This project has a twist in that the CO2 will be used by another process instead of being stored underground.

The UK government has a target to reduce its net emissions to zero by 2050.

We hope that this project will demonstrate the viability of carbon capture and utilisation and pave the

way for further applications of the technology to support the decarbonisation of industrial activity, said Martin Ashcroft, Managing Director of the Tata unit.

The new plant will take the carbon dioxide from the exhaust gases of a natural gas-fired combined heat and power plant, which supplies steam and electricity to the company’s operations and other businesses in the area.

The so-called carboncapture and use plant will be capable of capturing as much as 40,000 tonnes per year of CO2 and will reduce the chemical facility’s emissions by 11 per cent.

Tata is funding the development in part with a 4.2 million-pound grant from the UK government, which has a programme to spur the technology as a way of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The UK said it will provide 26 million pounds to nine projects, including Tatas.

Network Rail has made a bid for parts of British Steel ahead of an initial deadline for offers for the company, which collapsed into liquidation in May putting 4,500 jobs at risk. The company, which manages the UK's 20,000 miles of rail tracks, said it made the bid to avoid the possibility of losing one of its most important suppliers. The British railway system is heavily dependent on British Steel, which accounts for 97 per cent of the steel used in railway tracks.

Greybull Capital, the private equity investor under which British Steel collapsed, confirmed that it

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it allows them to change their business models – to adapt."

The Institute for Fiscal Studies tax thinktank had warned even before the £20bn pledge that Hunt's package of tax cuts and spending plans, which include a 25 per cent increase in defence spending, would "amplify the long-run challenges facing the UK public finances." UK government borrowing is currently 1.2 per cent of GDP. The £26.6bn represents a rise to about two per cent of GDP, a level targeted by Hammond. While the chancellor has previously said the funds could be used under an orderly Brexit to end austerity, the Tories committed in their manifesto to remove the deficit entirely by the mid2020s – two targets viewed as incompatible by many economists.

He has previously warned the candidates not to squander the party's record of managing the public finances.

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was also interested in a bid for parts of the company if a buyer for the entire operation could not be found. Potential bidders had until the end of Sunday to make offers, although it is understood that bids that came in after that point would still be considered.

Potential buyers reportedly include India's JSW and Evraz, a Russian steel and metals conglomerate part-owned

by Roman Abramovich. The sale process is not expected to conclude this week, as discussions continue between bidders and the government Insolvency Service's official receiver.

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A TIME TO EXTEND

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Sow & Reap London Property Investment

This property fell out of bed with two previous buyers. The second buyer guzumped the first buyer, but then failed to complete. All of this is music to my ears. The executers are humans, they have now been let down not once but twice.

Therefore, they would now be more concerned about the execution rather than the price within reason of course.

As part of the buying process we are gathering as much evidence as we can to justify a price drop, whilst the money is sitting in our lawyer’s account ready to be transferred over. It’s only when the gun is cocked and the trigger is ready to be pulled do people stop the drama and talk real. In property this means having all the legals done and money in the account ready to be transferred.

We will insist the seller serves a Section 42 notice to the freeholder. This is the notice which allows the leaseholder to extend the lease, this right is then passed on to the incoming buyer; as

AGONY AGENT IS HERE TO HELP! Q: I'm about to buy my first BTL property, what problems might I encounter?

A: Letting a property isn’t just about getting someone in and making a profit, there are many things that will influence your experience of being a landlord. It’s best to make yourself aware of what could go wrong before you make that leap. I could fill pages upon pages with tips, problems, benefits and legal jargon, however, I think these are the most common issues faced by all landlords: Finding a Tenant It pays to think carefully about where you advertise. Research the internet for homes to rent and decide which sort of website your ideal tenant is likely to

19

6 - 12 July 2019

We are in the process of closing a deal in Queensway. The property is a probate, therefore it has the usual symptoms of a probate deal, including a short lease. A complete refurbishment is required. There were items in the home which I haven’t seen since I was a school boy, and some which look like they had some value to them. Although I did notice items disappearing with subsequent visits.

Suresh Vagjiani

REAL ESTATE VOICE

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

opposed to waiting for two years to gain this right.

Now would be a good time to extend the lease. Prices are dampened for obvious reasons. The formula used to calculate the cost of the lease extension is based on the enhancement of value once the lease has been extended, a chunk of this is used in the formula. This will be the overriding expense. When the market is low, as it is now, the cost will be substantially less than in a buoyant market.

Because of this, we have also contacted our landlord clients, and encouraged them to do a lease extension now rather than later. We have a few who have leases just over the 80 year mark.

In regards to the mortgageability there are now lenders who will lend on a BTL property where the lease is as short as 40 years. This opens up another sector of the market. This is something which most agents are unaware of. Often when they sell short lease properties they mark them for cash buyers only. However, as long as the lease is over 40 years, it mortgageable.

Once the lease drops below 80 years the price seems to come down a lot. This seems to be the benchmark. Perhaps this is because the number fits nicely into most lenders’ mortgage criteria.

Both of these reasons compounded provide a strong case to extend in the current environment. We would encourage readers to do

read. An advert in the shop down the road may be cheap, but will it attract the sort of person you want in your property?

The Legal Side There are a lot of things you need to do legally if you take on a tenant, so read up on your obligations before you start.

Make sure that you have the right tenancy agreement – and get it signed before anyone moves in. An Assured Shorthold Tenancy agreement is the standard for residential lettings, and as it’s a legal contract between you and your tenant, you need to get it right.

Remember, you also need to arrange a tenancy deposit scheme, as you’re legally obliged to keep any deposits you receive in an approved scheme.

BUY TO LET OPPORTUNITY

the same, to use this environment to top up their leases.

This means instead of doing one short lease deal, you could perhaps do three.

Time Management You could be getting calls from tenants in the early hours because they have lost their keys or something has gone wrong in the property. You are responsible for maintenance and repairs, so it’s worth having a list of trustworthy trades people to hand.

Awkward Tenants Even carrying out all the right checks isn’t a guarantee that your tenant will be perfect. If you’re faced with a problem tenant, it’s your duty to follow up any complaints that you receive, so issue a warning at the first sign of trouble. Make sure that the property is fully insured with suitable contents cover. Rent arrears are the other obvious problem. Other than

the financial checks at the start of the tenancy, the only way to protect yourself is by taking out an insurance policy. Some cover the loss of income from a nonpaying tenant right up to the end date.

Depending on the situation, you may have the right to serve them notice of eviction.

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Sandesara Group’s £970 mn assets in Nigeria attached In a major move, the Enforcement Directorate has attached oil rigs and other oil installations outside the country after issuing a provisional attachment order against Sandesara Group of Companies. The agency attached the group's assets worth over £970 million in Nigeria, including four oil rigs, an oil field, ships and aircraft.

With this order, the total attachment against Sandesara group has exceeded £1.45 billion. Last year, the ED had attached over £470 million of assets belonging to group company Sterling Biotech Ltd and its subsidiaries. Its promoters Chetan Sandesara and Nitin Sandesara are suspected to be in Nigeria. The ED said, "The attached properties include four oil rigs and oil field namely OML 143, located in Nigeria, in the name of Sterling Energy Exploration Pvt Co. Ltd, Nigeria; ships Tulja Bhawani, Varinda, Bhavya, Brahmani etc registered in Panama and held in the

companies, conducting circular transactions to artificially inflate turnover of flagship companies, claiming higher depreciation on nonexisting machinery to avoid tax liabilities, artificial share trading with shell companies, and layering and laundering of proceeds of crime within

Chetan Sandesara and Nitin Sandesara

name of Atlantic Blue water Services; an aircraft Gulfstream 200 registered in the US and in the name of SAIB LLC; besides a residential flat in London."

The companies were associated with Sterling Biotech Ltd, the agency claimed in its attachment order. The attachment of assets worth £473 million made in 2018 was confirmed by the adjudicating authority of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), giving possession of the properties to the ED. The

agency had registered a case under PMLA against the Sterling Biotech group in 2017 on the basis of a CBI case of bank loan fraud of £585.3 million.

“The promoters have not only siphoned off bank loans to finance their Nigerian oil business but also for their personal purposes,” the ED claimed.

The probe even found that the group was engaged in round tripping of standby letters of credit (SBLCs) funds worth £450 million.

The accused had incorporated multiple shell

India and abroad through a web of multiple shell companies, the agency claimed in its attachment order. The promoters had allegedly incorporated 247 shell companies in India and 96 in various countries, including the UAE, the US, the UK, British Virgin Islands, Mauritius, Barbados,

Panama and Nigeria, to launder the money received from banks. “It was revealed during investigation that funds were rotated through various structures and ultimately parked in Nigeria to cater to the personal interests of the main promoters,” the ED has claimed.

Staff, Adi Partners to bid for 75% stake in Jet Airways London-based Adi Partners and some groups representing Jet Airways’ employees said that they were entering into a partnership to bid for acquiring a 75% stake in the airline when the NCLT invites expression of interest (EoI) for the debtladen airline.

Last week, the SBI-led consortium of lenders decided to start bankruptcy proceedings against Jet Airways and referred the matter to the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) after failing to find investors during a bidding process. Representatives of the airline’s employees as well as Adi Partners had submitted separate bids to the lenders.

“We will stand shoulderto-shoulder with the

employees to revive the airline. Adi Partners will own 49% and employees will have 26% share in the partnership,” said Sanjay Vishwanathan, chairman and managing partner, Adi Partners. The employee groups and Adi Partners said they had informed the Resolution Professional (RP) appointed by NCLT about their tie-up. He added there was a possibility of a tie up with either Indian banks or foreign institutional lenders’ groups for the remaining 25% stake in the company. Jet Airways owes almost £840 million to domestic banks and £400 million to foreign lenders.

Vishwanathan said that he estimated that an initial investment of £250 to 500 million” would be required to revive the airline. Total

liabilities were pegged at almost £2.5 billion, including dues of £800 to 1.2 billion towards vendors and almost £60 million for salaries to employees that had been pending for the last six months.

Staff funding No clear answers were available though on how the employees, who had not been paid salaries since January, could bring in £62.5to 100 million to invest in the airline. Both Adi Partners and the employee groups said that a request had been made to the NCLT to release some money towards salaries owed to the staff so that they don’t leave the company and hamper bankruptcy proceedings.

This money could be partially routed into the airline.

Sebi puts safety net around liquid & debt fund investors Market regulator Sebi has stated that every liquid fund should put at least 20 per cent of its total corpus in highly liquid and zero-risk debt market instruments like government bonds and treasury bills, which could lower risks for investors in these schemes. In its board meeting earlier, it had also decided that debt and liquid funds will not be allowed to invest more than 20 per cent of their corpus in debt instruments from any particular sector and not more than 10 per cent in housing finance companies.

It also placed stricter norms for promoters of listed companies to pledge their shares and enhanced disclosure standards for such pledges. Sebi added that companies can pay up

to five per cent of their annual sales royalty to entities like promoters and associated entities and such payments will not be qualified as related-party transaction.

The decision is aimed at ensuring that such funds have easily encashable assets to fall back on in case of a sudden spike in redemptions. This is aimed at ringfencing retail and small investors from incurring sudden and huge losses during volatile bond market situations. It was reported earlier last month that Sebi was contemplating such a move, which is similar to statutory liquidity ratio (SLR) for banks and liquidity coverage ratio (LCR) for NBFCs. An annual average of £45 billion is invested in

liquid funds currently across 40 fund houses. Sebi also barred liquid and overnight schemes from investing in short-term deposits, debt, and money market instruments having structured obligations or credit enhancements facilities. Sebi has also banned fund houses from entering into standstill agreements with promoters of companies. In its board meeting, Sebi also tightened disclosure norms for pledging by promoters and said that even indirect lien of shares will qualify as encumbered shares.

The promoters pledging shares will have to furnish reasons if combined encumbrance crosses 20 per cent of the company's equity capital.

RBI panel proposes £1 bn govt fund to develop MSMEs A Reserve Bank of India panel constituted to suggest measures to develop micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) has proposed a £1 billion government fund.

The idea is that this will support venture capital and private equity funds investing in the MSME sector. The panel has also recommended a £500 million distress asset fund to assist in clusters where several small businesses are affected because of

external factors, such as a change in environmental laws. It has recommended a comprehensive and holistic MSME code in place of the MSMED Act, 2006, replacing present territorial jurisdiction and arbitrary inspection with policy-based monitoring systems with a sunset clause.

An expert committee on the MSME sector submitted its report to RBI governor Shaktikanta Das earlier this month.

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6 - 12 July 2019

in brief INDIAN STUDENT IN ITALY ATTACKED WITH ACID, ROBBED Indian student Harshit Agrawal from Madhya Pradesh was attacked with acid and robbed of his valuables in Rome. He narrowly escaped unhurt. Harshit, an MIT Pune student, had gone to Paris and Rome to present a research paper. He was attacked at Rome metro station while he was on his way back home. The assailants tried throwing acid on the young man and looted his valuables including his passport, wallet and luggage. Upon losing his necessary documents, Harshit was stopped from boarding his flight to India. Besides, he was left penniless and failed to even travel to the Indian Embassy in Rome.

Utterly helpless after the fatal attack, Harshit sought help from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar on Twitter. Harshit’s father said that he had received a call from the Chief Minister’s Office and the Indian embassy in Italy where officers informed him that his son was safe. A free pass has been issued to Harshit for metro and the Embassy is preparing his documents, said the victim’s father.

Younus Vohra, a 51-year-old Gujarati businessman in Lesotho, the country enclaved in South Africa, was shot dead by an unidentified person on June 20.

According to Salman Vohra, his father Younus was at his shop when four unidentified persons assaulted him and one of them shot him dead. The attackers looted the shop and broke the CCTV cameras, according to Salman. Younus was waiting for a friend to pick him up when the assailants broke into the shop. The family are from Thasara and they migrated to Ahmedabad eight years ago. Younus worked at a super-market in Ahmedabad before he left for South Africa nine years ago, where he opened his own shop in partnership with a friend.

Malaysian authorities have arrested four Indians and seized more than 14 kg of drugs and over 5,000 turtles from their luggage at the Kuala Lumpur airport. A customs official said that the agents found a total 5,255 red-ear slider baby turtles kept in small baskets from the luggage of two Indian nationals who flew in from Guangzhou, China on an AirAsia flight. The official said the men had no permits for the turtles and told investigators that the terrapins, estimated to be worth $12,700, were meant to be sold as pets in India.

The men are expected to be charged and could face up to five years in jail and a fine. In a separate case, officials also found 14.34 kg of methamphetamine worth $174,000, hidden in special compartments in boxes that were hand-carried by two other Indians. One of them flew in from Hyderabad, India on June 19 and another on June 20 from Bengaluru.

LAHORE: A life-size sculpture of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, who ruled over Punjab for close to 40 years in the early 19th century, was unveiled at the historic Lahore Fort in Pakistan to mark his 180th death anniversary. It took eight months to complete the eight-feet tall statue of the Sikh ruler sitting on his favourite horse named Kahar Bahar. The horse was a gift from Dost Muhammad Khan, the founder of the Barazkai dynasty.

The sculpture was installed at the Sikh Gallery of the Mai Jindan Haveli in the Lahore Fort during a special ceremony attended by senior Pakistani officials. The haveli, named after Ranjit Singh's youngest queen, houses a permanent exhibition of Sikh artefacts in the Sikh Gallery. The statue was

built and installed by the Walled City of Lahore Authority (WCLA) in collaboration with the UK-based Sikh Heritage Foundation, which funded the project.

"The statue weighs around 250-330 kg. The sculpture is made up of 85 per cent bronze, 5 per cent tin, 5 per cent lead and

5 per cent zinc," Sikh Heritage Foundation president Bobby Singh Bansal said. WCLA Conservation and Planning Director Najam-Us-Saqib said the statue will be a "good tourist attraction" and iron grills would be erected around the sculpture to protect it.

The statue was made by

artists from Lahore's National College of Art and Naqsh School of Art under the supervision of Faqir Khana Museum Director Faqir Saifuddin. "This sculpture is a tribute and homage to the son of the soil," he said, adding that Lahore has had rich cultural and religious diversity for centuries and Ranjit Singh was one important part of it.

Around 465 Indian Sikh pilgrims are expected to visit Lahore at Gurudwara Dera Sahib that houses the funerary urns of Ranjit Singh to commemorate the 180th death anniversary of the Sikh ruler.

Fakir Khana Museum has also launched 180 limited edition bust sculptures of the Maharaja for art connoisseurs and those interested in the history of Punjab.

Four Indian women rescued from Dubai bar

GUJARATI BIZMAN SHOT DEAD IN LESOTHO

Malaysia detains 4 Indians; seizes drugs, turtles

Maharaja Ranjit Singh's statue unveiled in Lahore Fort

DUBAI: Four Indian women who were tricked into working as bar dancers in Dubai were rescued by the police following a tip-off from the Indian consulate, the media reported. The women, from Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu, flew back to India after they were rescued, Gulf News reported. Consul General of India in Dubai Vipul said the ordeal of the women, all in their 20s, began shortly after they landed in Dubai.

"They were deluded into believing that they will be working for an event management company. However, when they reached Dubai, their employer locked them in a room. The women were then forced to work in a dance bar and solicit customers," Vipul said.

According to reports, one of the women managed to send an SOS to her family back home through WhatsApp. As

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soon as the message was brought to the attention of Indian Minister of State for External Affairs Vellamvelly Muraleedharan, he alerted the consulate, which then informed Dubai Police. Vipul said he was thankful to the Dubai Police for their swift response and added that he will write to the Tamil Nadu government seeking firm action against the agent who

sent the women to Dubai.

The case follows a similar incident in 2018 when another group of women were rescued from a dance bar in Dubai at the behest of the Indian consulate.

Among them was a 21-year-old from Hyderabad who was lured to Dubai on the pretext that she would be getting a job in a jewellery store.

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Indian-American adoptive father of Sherin Mathews sentenced to life HOUSTON: Wesley Mathews, 39, the Indian-American foster father of three-year-old Sherin Mathews, was sentenced to life by a judge in Dallas for the tragic death of the Indian toddler in 2017, in a case that attracted international attention. The 12member jury deliberated for about three hours before coming to a unanimous decision to give Mathews a sentence of life in the death of his adopted daughter, Sherin. He will be eligible for parole after 30 years’ imprisonment.

Prosecutors argued that Mathews, hailing from Kerala, killed Sherin in October 2017.

She was adopted by Mathews and his wife Sini Mathews from an orphanage in Bihar in 2016.

Mathews claimed she accidentally choked to death on milk. Prosecutor Sherre Thomas argued that Mathews’ testimony was just another lie. She said testimony and medical records show that it was “medically impossible for a child who is 3 years old to stand up and choke to death” as Mathews claimed.

“It means he’s still a liar. It means he killed that little girl.

And when he killed her, he panicked,” Thomas argued. She

Sherin Mathews and Wesley Mathews

said Mathews also took the time to clean up himself and turned off the location tracker on his phone to try to hide what he had done.

Mathews did not tell investigators where his daughter’s body was. When her body was found, it was so badly decomposed that the medical examiner could not determine an exact cause of death.

“There’s nothing left of her, her teeth had fallen out,” Thomas said. “He covered his crime. He got away with that.”

While prosecutors asked the jury

to hand down a life sentence, defence attorney Rafael De La Garza argued that Mathews was a good father who panicked when his daughter choked and did not call for help. He argued that prosecutors could not prove that Mathews killed his child and said he was only guilty of not calling 911, the emergency helpline.

“This is something he will live with for the rest of his life,” the attorney told jurors. After the verdict was read, De La Garza called the sentence “cruel and unusual punishment.”

Mathews initially told police that Sherin went missing on October 7, 2017, after he put her outside their home at 3 am in Richardson, Texas because she would not drink her milk. Her badly decomposed body was found 15 days later in a culvert near the family’s home. He initially claimed that as punishment for not drinking her milk he sent Sherin to stand outside at 3 am in their backyard. When he checked in after 15, Mathews said Sherin was missing.

He later admitted she died when he “physically assisted” her in drinking the milk and got choked. On the witness stand during the sentencing trial, Mathews said he panicked after his daughter’s accidental death.

He said he wrapped her body in a blue trash bag and dumped her in a culvert so she would be near the home.

Sherin’s death attracted the attention of the Indian government and the then External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj took keen interest in the case and also instructed the Indian mission in Houston to make sure that the Indian toddler received justice.

Kamala Harris sees surge after first Democratic debate WASHINGTON: California Sen Kamala Harris seized the moment after her performance in Democratic primary debate which provided the first real chance for many of the candidates to shake up the race.

The latest Morning Consult survey found Harris increased her standing to 12 per cent in the poll, which was taken after the debate ended. The senator, who challenged former vice president Joe Biden about his past views during the debate, experienced a six-point bump in support following the debate.

Harris’ surge, which also netted her more than $2.5 million in 24 hours following her first presidential primary debate. Harris tweeted that

donations came from 63,277 people. “I am so motivated and inspired by all of you,” she wrote. “Now let’s go win this fight.” Twelve per cent of Democratic primary voters said Harris was their first choice for president in the latest Morning Consult survey, which collected 2,407 responses from the moment debate ended. It’s an increase of 6 percentage points from the June 17-23 poll, doubling the senator’s vote share. That vaults her past South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg of Indiana and into a third-place tie with Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts.

The post-debate survey has a 2-point margin of error, compared with a 1-point margin

of error for the pre-debate survey conducted among 16,888 registered voters who indicated they may vote in the Democratic primary or caucus in their state.

The survey indicates that Harris’ big night in Miami came largely at the expense of the race’s front-runner, former Vice President Joe Biden, who faced a withering attack from the 54year-old senator over his decades-old opposition to federally mandated busing of black students as a means of racially integrating public schools.

Biden’s support dropped by 5 points, although he remained the first choice for 33 per cent of Democratic primary voters.

Sen. Bernie Sanders held

he has completed formalities to resume hangings by signing the death warrants of four condemned drug convicts. He did not say when the executions would be carried out.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, who has been at loggerheads with Sirisena on multiple issues, weighed in on the matter, signalling his party's opposition to capital punishment.

"The death penalty is against the policies of our party," Wickremesinghe said at a public rally. "As a civilised country, we can't bring back the death penalty," Wickremesinghe said.

"Parliament will discuss this matter with the president."

Former president and opposition leader Mahinda Rajapakse has also spoken out against Sirisena's move, which has been greeted with a mounting chorus of international criticism.

There were no signs that an execution was imminent. Justice ministry sources said they were yet to fill the vacancies for two hangmen despite 26 candidates having been shortlisted for the job. Although the last execution was more than four decades ago, an executioner was in the post until his retirement in 2014. Three replacements since have quit after short stints at the unused gallows.

Justice ministry sources said there would have to be a lengthy

PAK AIRSPACE BAN TO CONTINUE TILL JULY 12 Pakistan has extended its eastern airspace ban for commercial flights to and from India for the fourth time till July 12, the country’s Civil Aviation Authority said. CAA said Pakistan’s airspace for nine eastern routes for flights to and from India was to remain shut for another fortnight. The two southern routes that Pakistan had opened for Indian flights in April will remain functional. It said the government will review the matter after two weeks. Islamabad had shut the airspace on February 26 following the Balakot airstrike. Well-placed sources said that Pakistan was likely to keep the airspace shut for India until there was some assurance from New Delhi that Balakot-like incident will not be repeated.

PAK RECEIVES $500 MN FROM QATAR In what comes as a relief to cash-strapped Pakistan, Qatar has deposited the first tranche of $500 million in the State Bank of Pakistan. Doha had announced that it has decided to invest $3 billion in Pakistan which is grappling to overcome a severe financial crisis. This was announced after a two-day visit of Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani to Pakistan as the Imran Khan-led government continues to battle a ballooning balance-of-payment crisis. With this new investment package, the size of the Qatari-Pakistani economic partnership will amount to $9 billion, it said. Qatar is the fourth country to provide a bailout package to Pakistan, after China, the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Last month, Islamabad had reached an agreement with the IMF for a bailout package of $6 billion. The deal is expected to be approved by the IMF Executive Board on July 3.

TALIBAN BOMBERS KILL 19 IN AFGHANISTAN

Kamala Harris

steady in second at 19 per cent, but the poll found he was the only high-profile candidate to experience a measurable drop in favorability, which fell 7 points from the previous survey, to 67 percentage. While some of the other more well-known candidates such as Biden and former Rep. Beto O’Rourke of Texas saw their favorability decline, those dips were inside the poll’s 5-point margin of error on that question.

Lanka PM opposes move to reinstate death penalty COLOMBO: Sri Lanka's president is facing fresh legal challenges in his attempt to end a 43-year moratorium on capital punishment and start executing drug convicts, officials said. Two petitions were filed in the Court of Appeal seeking an order quashing any move by Maithripala Sirisena to resume executions, which have not been carried out since the last hanging in June 1976.

"The Court of Appeal will have a preliminary hearing next week. In the meantime, the prisons commissioner has given an assurance to court that there will be no hangings," a court official said. Earlier, Sirisena said

in brief

administrative process before an execution took place. A high court judge who condemned a convict would have to make a fresh recommendation whether to carry out the death penalty or not.

The condemned prisoner also has the option of making a clemency plea to the president.

"I have signed the death warrants of four," Sirisena told reporters at his official residence last week. "They have not been told yet. We don't want to announce the names yet because that could lead to unrest in prisons." An official in Sirisena's office said the president wanted the hangings to send a powerful message to the illegal drugs trade.

Taliban bombers targeting a district centre in southern Afghanistan have killed at least 19 people, including eight election workers, officials said. The attack comes as a new round of talks between the US and the Taliban to end the 18-year-long war in Afghanistan entered a second day in Qatar.

The militants rammed four armoured vehicles packed with explosives into a government compound in Maruf district, a police spokesman in Kandahar province said.

“Unfortunately 11 policemen were martyred and 27 more injured,” Qasim Afghan said.

Eight election workers who were stationed at the centre to register voters ahead of the presidential polls in September were also killed in the attack, a spokesman for Afghanistan’s Independent Election Commission said.

OMANI BUS DRIVER FACES 7 YEARS IN JAIL Dubai’s public prosecutor has called for the bus driver responsible for a crash that claimed 17 lives to be jailed for seven years.

The prosecution has sent the case to court demanding the Omani driver also pays Dh3,400,000 in compensation to the families of the deceased and the 13 people injured.

The bus ploughed straight through a steel barrier on June 6, during a scheduled journey between Muscat in Oman and Dubai in the UAE. In a statement, Dubai public prosecution said: “The prosecution shall seek to apply the penalties provided for in the law against the driver, in accordance with the federal laws in force, penalties, traffic and blood money- as the penalty is imprisonment of seven years as well as fine, in addition to oblige him to pay a sum of Dh3,400,000 to the heirs of the deceased as a result of the incident.”

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Differently-abled Sameer Kakkad to drive from Ahmedabad to London 15 Countries. 105 Cities. 17 Thousand km. 45 Days. 8 Time Zones Jitendra Umatia he strong-willed move mountains.

The 46- year- old Sameer Kakkad has unmatched resilience. Despite an 80 per cent disability in his body, he continues to inspire everyone around him. Kakkad believes that one should not let their physical differences slow them down in life. All situations should be faced with strength.

Born in Bhabhar, Banaskantha, and settled in Ahmedabad, one of his childhood dreams was to drive a car. While the possibility of a differently-abled person driving a car was low, he made it possible after several attempts.

Cross Country Car Rally After learning to drive, Sameer Kakkad participated in a cross country car rally and drove 7,500 km across India, Nepal, and Bhutan. Now, he has taken part in a 'World Peace Rally' and on July 1, left for a Ahmedabad-London drive spanning 17,000 km. In the tour, he will cross 15 countries, and 105 cities. The rally has been joined by 10 cars, with 30 people who will complete the rally in 45 days and reach London on August 12.

During the drive, they will cross eight different time zones. On August 15, they will hoist the tricolour at London's Ambedkar House. They wish to meet the royal family and receive blessings from Queen Elizabeth II. Organised under the leadership of Ahmedabad's Heart Foundation and Research Institute chairman Dr Nitin Suman Shah, the rally intends to send a message against the current chaos, terrorism, inhumanity, and the antipathy displayed between nations. It will spread the message of peace and brotherhood.

12 hour driving each day The route in the rally will take participants across Nepal, China, Kazakhstan, Russia, Belarus, Poland, Czech Republic, Austria, Germany, Belgium, France, Netherlands, and finally England. Team members will have to drive for 12 hours every day to cross a distance of 400 to 500 km. Approximately 16,400 km will be covered by road in the rally. Expenses

T

Sameer Kakkad

are pegged at Rs 12,50,000 for the entire trip.

Kakkad's expenses will be covered by rally organiser Heart Foundation and Research Institute. When each car reaches a country, its Indian number plate will be covered by the respective country's registration plate. When the car rally leaves the country's border, an escort team has been stationed to accompany them.

International Driving License received in 2019 Back in 2017, Kakkad had decided to drive to London from Ahmedabad. However, the trip was canceled when he failed to receive an international driving license. However, it failed to dampen his spirits. He succeeded after approaching Ahmedabad RTO and higher authorities multiple times. In 2019, he received his first international license as a handicapped person.

Third in Ceat Car Rally In 1994, Kakkad overcome obstacles to be allowed to participate in a 100 km long car rally organised by Ceat. The rally had 99 normal participants. He too joined as a normal participant and won third place. This was the first time a differently-abled person joined the rally and won.

Kakkad said if you don't let obstacles affect you, and keep on moving, you will succeed. Even time bows down to

perseverance. Kakkad has also achieved the feat of self-driving to the height of 4,802 km in Leh-Ladakh.

Struck with Polio at just six months A lot of efforts were put in by Sameer's doctor and parents when he faced death mere six months after birth. While he managed to live, he lost 80 per cent of his body functions. He even faced several issues during his school life. He had even admitted defeat and declared to his parents that he won't go to school anymore. However, they explained to him that he has to live in the society and only fate and self-confidence can be his crutches.

Special car kit for the differently-abled After years of hard work, a special kit has been made for the less fortunate. It helps those who are handicapped in their left arm or leg, or in both arms and legs. The kit is installed near the steering wheel, and is approved by the Indian government. Over 10,000 kits have been made in the last 22 years. The kit has proven to raise selfconfidence of handicapped persons, making them independent and capable of earning an income.

Automobile club provides education to the differently-abled Kakkad runs an automobile club that provides special education to the

handicapped, and guidelines on traffic rules and road safety. He is a member of the Gujarat RTO Working Committee. He gives insight to the committee on easing down the RTO process for the differently-abled. He is also the national head of the India Handicap Association. The group fights for the rights of community.

Attempt to break the Guinness Book of World Records Sameer has managed to make into the Limca Book of Records, India Book of Records, World Amazing Records, and Unique World.

He has even approached Guinness Book of World Records to consider his courage for a place as in the past, no handicapped person has attempted to drive for such a long period.

Authorities of the Guinness Book of Records, will keep an eye on his travel through a GPS system and at the end of the rally, decide whether he gets a place in the revered set of records. Kakkad has received the award of 'Best Entrepreneur' by President Ram Nath Kovind, in 2017. The same year, he was bestowed the 'International Excellence Award for services to the disabled' by Cabinet head Thawar Chand Gehlot, while in 2010, the Gujarat government gave him the 'Disabled Achievers of the Year' award.

Gujarat Election Icon Sameer Kakkad is also the icon of the Accessible India Campaign kickstarted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2016. The campaign intends to make buildings more accommodating of the disabled by installing ramps or other similar facilities. He has done some brilliant work in the field. The number of turnout of differently-abled people in the country's elections is very low.

Poll booths don't host enough facilities for such citizens. However, Kakkad was named icon in the recently held Gujarat Lok Sabha elections. With his guidance, booths were equipped with facilities for everyone and the voter turnout of the disabled increased visibly.

If you want to contact Samir Kakkad his number is +919426051000 or +919426065002

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SOUTH INDIA

Rajiv Gandhi killer allowed to argue her plea for leave CHENNAI: Nalini Sriharan, a life convict in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, was granted permission by the Madras High Court to appear in person on July 5 to argue for her petition requesting an ordinary leave of six months to make arrangements for her daughter’s wedding. The division bench, comprising Justices M M Sundaresh and M Nirmal Kumar, allowed her to appear in person on July 5 to argue her case.

Nalini had made a representation to prison authorities in February that since her imprisonment of 27 years ago she had not availed the one-month leave granted to every convict every two years.

After the authorities failed to consider her representation, she moved the high court. On June 11, the court had observed that Nalini’s right to appear in person to argue on her plea cannot be denied.

Nalini Sriharan

Nalini was initially sentenced to death which was commuted to life imprisonment by the Tamil Nadu government on April 24, 2000. The AIADMK government had adopted a resolution recommending Governor Banwarilal Purohit to release seven convicts Murugan, Santhan, Perarivalan, Jayakumar, Ravichandran, Robert Payas and Nalini -

serving life terms. Nalini claimed that after the commutation of her death sentence, around 3,700 life convicts, who had served 10 years of imprisonment and less, were released by the Tamil Nadu government.

"My request to the state for premature release under the 1994 scheme of premature release of life convicts was

cleared by the council of ministers and on September 9, 2018, the council advised the governor to release me and other six life convicts in the case.

But it has been over six months and the decision of the state is still yet to be implemented," she had submitted.

Chief Minister K Palaniswami had said his government was committed to the release of the convicts and expressed hope that the Governor would act on the Cabinet recommendation for setting them free. His statement came amid renewed calls from the Opposition for the release of the convicts after the Supreme Court disposed of a plea of the relatives of those killed along with Rajiv Gandhi opposing their release.

Former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated by a LTTE suicide bomber during an election rally at Sriperumpudur on May 21, 1991.

PUNJAB

One killed in Ludhiana central jail clashes CHANDIGARH: An inmate of Ludhiana Central Jail was killed and at least a dozen other prisoners and five police personnel, were injured during a clash broke out between two gangs inside the prison. Four prisoners who tried to escape amid the ruckus were apprehended and brought back.

Violence erupted after the news of the death of an inmate, Sunny Sood, at Rajendra Medical College hospital in Patiala, reached the jail. The news triggered rioting inside the jail with the 3,100-odd inmates refusing to go back into the barracks. They started pelting stones and attacking one another with iron rods - which were lying on the premises because of some construction work going on in jail. The police intervened and opened fire in

Police used tear gas to control the situation

the air to control the situation.

Over 40 rounds of gunshots were fired within an hour. It took nearly two hours for the forces to bring the situation under control. The agitated prisoners set the record room and the car of the jail superintendent on fire and also vandalised the jail property.

Several videos of the mayhem

were shot on the mobile phones allegedly by the inmates and one of them reportedly even went live on Facebook. “The inmates tried to put the kitchen on fire using the gas cylinders but the attempt was foiled and cylinders recovered,” Pardeep Aggarwal, Deputy Commissioner of Ludhiana, said.

As the inmates tried to break

the prison gates, the police had to open fire. The situation was finally brought under control after two hours.

The prisoner killed was identified as Ajit Baba. A heavy police force from Ludhiana and neighbouring districts of Khanna and Jagroan was rushed to bring the situation under control and security has been tightened.

Sources said nine inmates and five policemen had to be rushed to a hospital. Unofficial sources, however, claimed more than two dozen other inmates also suffered injuries and were given first aid inside the jail.

Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the incident that has happened less than a week after a prisoner was killed inside the Nabha jail near Patiala.

in brief DMK TURNS DOWN CONG REQUEST The DMK has named three candidates for the elections to the Rajya Sabha from Tamil Nadu, effectively quashing speculations of former prime minister Manmohan Singh being fielded from Tamil Nadu. It was widely reported that Congress had sought one seat for Manmohan Singh as the former PM’s term from Assam had come to an end. As per the electoral agreement, the DMK has decided to allocate one seat to MDMK chief Vaiko from its current quota of three. The DMK will contest on the remaining two seats. According to a statement from party president MK Stalin, party trade union leader M Shanmugam and senior advocate P Wilson are the nominees for the biennial election, slated on July 18.

NOTICE ISSUED TO NAIDU TO VACATE RESIDENCE Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority (CRDA) issued a demolishion notice for the residence where the former chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu is residing. The report stated that the building would be demolished in a weeks time if the owner who leased the building to the government, did not give a satisfactory reply to the notice.

Specualtions come true just two days after the CRDA demolished government building ‘Praja Vedika’ next to Naidu’s residence in Amaravati.

Notably, Naidu and his family are reportedly out of the country on a vacation currently.

HARYANA CONGRESS LEADER GUNNED DOWN

Vikas Chaudhary

Two days after Haryana Congress spokesperson Vikas Chaudhary was shot dead in Faridabad, two persons have been arrested by the police. According to police, Kaushal's wife, Roshni, and her domestic help, Naresh, alias Chand has been arrested. Roshni admitted to have plotted murder on the directions of her husband and roped in Chand for the same. Of the others involved in the murder, two have been identified as Vikas, alias Bhalle and Sachin. Bhalle and Sachin, as well as their other accomplices, are still absconding. Investigations are on to nab them, said the ACP. Initial investigation revealed that the motive behind the murder was a financial dispute between Kaushal and Chaudhary.

WEST BENGAL

Trinamool leaders under siege to return ‘cut money’ KOLKATA: Demand for return “I have apologised to the people and returned the money, I of “cut money” is fast turning out promise I won’t do it again”, to be the epicentre of the bitter Mukherjee said. It all began only political battle between the after BJP bagged 18 of 42 Lok ruling Trinamool Congress and Sabha seats in Bengal that people its main rival BJP in Bengal. Cut dared to raise voice against the money is the kickback politicians “cut money”. The clamour for took from beneficiaries in refund has forced Trinamool exchange of doles handed out netas to seek police protection. through government schemes.

Posters are put up against big Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee leaders like urban development had warned party leaders last minister Firhad Hakim and week that anyone caught taking a minister from Hooghly Tapan bribe would be arrested. This has Dasgupta. enthused people to resort to The row made its way to the demonstrations to get back their A Trinamool Congress leader in Birbhum returned the money to beneficiaries of a assembly with the opposition “hard-earned money”. demanding the government set up Trilochan Mukherjee, a project under the rural job guarantee scheme after he was accused of a panel to look into the Trinamool Congress leader misappropriating the funds Mukherjee’s house two days earlier, complaints. The CM said her government returned Rs 1,617 to 141 villagers. Reportedly, demanding that he return the “cut money”. received 5,913 cut money complaints, of locals had staged a demonstration outside

which 60% has been addressed. People are mobbing houses of councillors and MLAs, asking them to return the money they took from beneficiaries against allotment of rural houses, subsidised e-rickshaws and other welfare schemes. Such complaints are pouring in from Birbhum, Midnapore, Hooghly, Purulia and pockets of Howrah.

The troubled spots are mainly from those areas where BJP has won seats or has substantially improved its vote share.

Notably, in most cases, the “cut money” stir is being spearheaded by those who quit Trinamool to join BJP. These people were in the “system” and are well aware of who all took the “cut money.”

BJP state president Dilip Ghosh said this was just the beginning. “In the coming days, senior TMC ministers and leaders will also return cut money taken from the people,” he added.

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INDIA

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6 - 12 July 2019

Heavy rain claims 42 lives in Maharashtra; 18 in Mumbai The rain fury claimed 42 lives in Maharashtra, including 18 in the wall collapse incident in Mumbai’s Malad. Mumbai received the second highest July rain over a 24-hour period in 44 years after the 2005 flood. At least 21 laboureres were killed in two wall collapse incidents in Pune. Three other people were killed in rain – related incidents in other parts of the state.

Officials in Mumbai said the compound wall of BMC’s reservoir in Malad (East) collapsed, killing 18 people and trapping several others. Officials said 72 people have been admitted to several hospitals, where the condition of at least four is said to be critical.

“Pained to know about the loss of lives in Malad wall collapse incident. My thoughts are with families who lost loved ones & prayers for speedy recovery of injured. Rs

500,000 will be given to the kin of deceased,” chief minister Devendra Fadnavis tweeted.

21 labourers killed in Pune wall collapses At least six construction workers, including two women, were killed and four injured after the compound wall of the Sinhagad Group of Institutes in Ambegaon collapsed on the makeshift tin sheds adjoining the wall as relentless rain continued to batter Pune city. The incident is an eerie replay of the Kondhwa wall collapse that had claimed the lives of 15 labourers and their kin, including four children and two women last week.

According to reports, the labourers hailed from Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh.

More rains The weather department has forecasted that the city and its suburbs will receive heavy to very heavy rain with isolated spells of

Mitul Paniker

Sikh migration and Canadian history

extremely heavy rain in the coming days.

Chief Minister urged people to stay indoors unless there is an emergency. Ever since the heavy rain spell began on June 28 in Mumbai, so far the total rainfall recorded has been 794.8 mm. This is a little less than 840.7mm which is the required average rains for the entire month of July.

“In a span of six hours, Mumbai recorded over 200mm rain. Comparing the amount of rainfall over the past four days, it is a clear indication of an extreme weather event for the city. It primarily indicates short bursts of extremely heavy rain,” KS Hosalikar, India Meteorological Department’s deputy director general (western region), said.

Traffic affected Overnight heavy spells of rain inundated several areas in Mumbai, including Dadar, Sion, Matunga, Parel, Wadala and virtually halted all traffic movement, leading to huge traffic snarls across the city since daybreak. Traffic continued to move slowly across the city after several roads were waterlogged. Officers said that on many roads just one lane was fit for travel as roadsides were flooded slowing the pace of vehicular traffic.

54 flights diverted, 52 cancelled Around 54 flights were diverted to the nearby airports and 52 flights were cancelled as heavy rains continue to lash Mumbai and its neighbouring areas, an airport official said. Amidst the heavy downpour in the city, Mumbai airport's main runway remained closed after a Spice Jet aircraft from Jaipur overshot the runway while landing.

Although none of the passengers were hurt in the incident.

Single mothers run 13mn households in India, says UN report While the world has achieved progress towards gender equality and women’s empowerment, the UN report- “Progress of the world’s women 2019–2020: Families in a changing world”, assesses the reality of families today in the context of sweeping economic, demographic, political, and social transformation. The report features global, regional, and national data, analyses key issues such as family laws, employment, unpaid care work, violence against women, and families and migration.

Gender equality is not only a fundamental human right, but a necessary foundation for a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable world. Unfortunately, at the current time, 1 in 5 women and girls between the ages of 15-49 have reported

Diary of a new Canadian Immigrant

experiencing physical or sexual violence by an intimate partner within a 12month period and 49 countries currently have no laws protecting women from domestic violence.

According to the report an estimated 4.5% of all Indian households -13 million -are run by single mothers. The report, which throws light on the significant number of lone parent families across the country, also estimated another 32 million families to be living in extended households.

The report also points out that because women and men around the world are delaying marriage, more women are becoming able to complete their education, establish themselves in the labour force, and support themselves financially.

However, despite these changes, the poverty rate of single-mother households in India is at 38%, much higher than (22.6%) for dual parent households in the country.

At a critical juncture for women’s rights, this landmark report proposes a comprehensive familyfriendly policy agenda to advance gender equality in diverse families. A package of policies to deliver this agenda is affordable for most countries, according to a costing analysis included in the report. When families are places of equality and justice, economies and societies thrive and unlock the full potential of the Sustainable Development Goals. The report shows that achieving these goals, depends on promoting gender equality within families.

Dear Readers, Hello from sunny Markham. The weather here couldn't get better. We celebrated Canada Day on July 1, Monday. It was a whole new experience for us participating in the revelry, which stood in a complete contrast as opposed to how India celebrates August 15. There were fireworks, barbecues, air shows and free musical concerts. The day was colourful and bright.

Reflecting on the vast history of the country, I saw several names that rang a bell with me. The Sikh community has been associated with Canadian history since its inception. As I got curioser and curioser, I rang up on Sikh history in Canada on the internet.

The first Sikh settler in the country is believed to be a Risaldar Major in the British India Army, Kesar Singh. He was part of a group of Sikh officers who arrived in Vancouver on a ship named the Empress of India, in 1897. On way to Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee, the Sikhs found work in laying tracks of the Canadian Pacific Railway, lumber mills and mines. They openly earned lesser than white workers, but managed to make enough money to send some of it to India and get their relatives to migrate to Canada.

History depicts that the first Sikh pioneers came to Abbotsford in 1905, and originally worked on farms and in the lumber industry. As years passed, while the white Canadians were opposed to Asian workers, industrialists of British Columbia, which hosted around 90 per cent of the Sikh population, were short of labour and relied on the community. Through them, the Sikhs were able to get an early foothold at the turn of the 20th century in British Columbia. Most of them were British army veterans and their families. In 1907, the Khalsa Diwan society was set up in Vancouver with branches in Abbotsford, New Westminster, Fraser Mills, Duncan Coombs and Ocean Falls. While its intentions were purely religious, educational, and philanthropic, problems pertaining to Indian immigration and racism severely affected its existence.

Facing resentment from the white population of Canada, the Sikhs by this time, were facing pressure from the government who believed they were unsuitable to adapt to the climate of the country. In 1908, they were asked to leave voluntarily and settle in British Honduras, Latin America.

A Sikh delegation was sent to now Belize, and upon return they asked their community members to strictly say no to the offer. On one hand, 1,710 Sikhs left British Columbia in the same year, while on the other, first plans to build a gurdwara were made. A property was acquired and the settlers carried lumbers from a local mill on their backs all the way up a hill to construct a gurdwara.

The Canadian government then passed two laws, which were specifically targeted at Punjabis. One provided that an immigrant had to have 200 dollars, while the other authorised the Minister of the Interior to prohibit entry into Canada to people not arriving from their country of birth by continuous journey and through

1895: Sikh mill workers in Canada

tickets purchased before leaving the country of their birth or citizenship. The laws resulted in a dropping of Sikh population from 5,000 people in 1911, to a little over 2,500.

The Gur Sikh Temple opened on February 26, 1911. Sikhs and non-Sikhs from all over British Columbia attended the ceremony. A local newspaper even reported the event. This was not only the first Gurdwara in North America, it was the first anywhere outside of South Asia.

The Khalsa Diwan Society eventually built gurdwaras in Vancouver and Victoria.

Sikhs who had fled to California as a consequence of Canadian immigration rules, founded the Ghadar Party in America in 1913. Thousands of Ghadar journals were published highlighting the racism encountered by Sikhs. Then happened the infamous Komagata Maru incident in the subsequent year. A Japanese ship filled with Sikh migrants was denied permission to dock. The fate of the men on the ship was tragic. Only nine Sikhs are known to have served with Canadian troops in World War I. Private Buckam Singh, served with the 20th Canadian Infantry Battalion in the battlefields of Flanders in 1916. He later died at the age of 25 in 1919. His grave is the only known World War I Sikh Canadian soldier's grave in Canada. Today, he is not only celebrated as a Sikh hero, but also a Canadian hero.

Fast forward to 1943, a twelve-man delegation, including members of the Sikh Khalsa Diwan Society, demanded voting rights for the South Asian communities.

They explained that without them, they were nothing more than second-class citizens. While the Premier then only gave voting rights to those who had fought in World War II, in 1945, two years later, all South Asians had the right to vote due to the perseverance of the Sikh Khalsa Diwan Society. Major immigration of Sikhs truly began in the 1950s, and in the later decades, a new dawn of hope shown as tens of thousands of Sikhs, many skilled and educated, decided to settle across Canada, mainly the urban corridor of Toronto to Windsor. The process of migration has remained never-ending since then. What has truly changed is the Canadian government's attitude towards them and other South Asian communities.

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6 - 12 July 2019

Modi, Trump set stage to discuss contentious issues stable and regional peace Prime Minister Narendra and stability maintained,” Modi and US President Gokhale said. On 5G, the Donald Trump during their two leaders had a brief bilateral meeting at Osaka, discussion, with Modi Japan, last week, “aired their pointing out that India is concerns,” and agreed that going to be a “billion their trade ministers, or users” of this technology. representatives, will meet Trump spoke about the soon to sort out these issues. work American Modi set out four priority companies are doing in issues during the talks with 5G. He said that he Trump - Iran, 5G, bilateral ties looked forward to and defence relationship. working with India on Trump picked out trade and this issue. It was again 5G, even as he was effusive in decided to continue the his praise for Modi, India's conversation through Foreign Secretary Vijay meetings at the technical Gokhale told reporters later. level, as well as at the Trump, who had targetted level of Secretary of State India in a tweet for “very high and the External Affairs tariffs, welcomed the idea”, Minister, and the according to Gokhale. This Donald Trump, Shinzo Abe and Narendra Modi at G-20 technical ministers. Due indicated that both sides have Summit, in Osaka, Japan to paucity of time, decided to take these issues to resolving trade matters. In that Gokhale said the S-400 Russian the negotiating table and not direction, both leaders have missile deal was not discussed, make any public comments. directed officials to now move and referred to External Affairs Modi did mention the retaliatory forward. And that’s where we Minister S Jaishankar’s tariffs after the US decision on found the discussions to be very comments that India will act in revoking its Generalized System open and very productive.” its own national interest. The of Preferences (GSP) for India, While discussing Iran, Modi tone of the bilateral meeting was but merely said that it was conveyed India’s concerns set at the beginning, when Modi “something that had already related to energy security, and reminded Trump that he was happened”, and now they should peace and stability in the region. back with a “huge and landslide look at how “they can resolve He pointed out that although victory”, and recalled his these issues”.

India gets about 11 per cent of its telephone conversation with the On trade, the Foreign energy from Iran, it had reduced US President, his “love towards Secretary made it clear that oil imports from the country.

India” and the “warm message” “negotiations are not done at the This was “appreciated very much sent through US Secretary of level of leaders… the idea was to

by President Trump”, he said.

State Michael R Pompeo. clear the air, and then to set the “The President expressed his Trump too, in his opening agenda for discussions in hope that oil prices will remain

Mallya allowed to appeal against extradition order In a reprieve to embattled liquor tycoon Vijay Mallya, the UK High Court on Tuesday allowed him to appeal against his extradition order signed by the UK home secretary Sajid Javid to face alleged fraud and money laundering charges amounting to £900 million in India. After hearing arguments from Mallya's barrister Clare Montgomery, a two-member bench of the Royal Courts of Justice concluded that reasonable arguments could be made on some aspects of Chief Magistrate Emma Arbuthnot’s ruling in favour of a prima facie case of fraud and money laundering against the 63-year-old former Kingfisher Airlines boss last December.

The bench comprising Justices George Leggatt and Andrew Popplewell handed down its judgment at the end of the hearing seeking permission to appeal against extradition to face charges in India. While the judges dismissed a majority of the five grounds as well as any ground to challenge UK home secretary's signing on the extradition order, they did grant permission for Mallya’s defence team to present arguments on aspects of the evidence relied upon to build a case of fraud against Mallya.

The case will now proceed to a full hearing stage, the time-frame for which is to be determined in the coming weeks. Talking to reporters outside the court, Mallya described the ruling as a "vindication". He told the media that he has always maintained that the charges against him were fabricated and repeated his offer to pay back the debt owed to Indian banks.

remarks, said that they’ve become “great friends” and the two countries have never been closer.

Acknowledging Modi’s “landslide election” by saying that “you deserve it”, Trump said: “I think we’re going to have some very big things to announce. A very big trade deal.”

He also told Modi that “it’s been a lot of fun being with you”.

Modi calls for global meet on terror At the Brics informal meet in Osaka on the margins of G-20 called for strengthening WTO and fighting protectionism and terrorism, Modi again called for a global conference on terrorism, saying the world can’t remain inactive just because there’s a lack of consensus in the fight against terror. “Terrorism is the biggest threat to humanity. It not only kills innocents but also severely affects economic development and social stability,” he said.

Later, in the Russia-IndiaChina trilateral meeting too, Modi sought help from Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, in organising a global meet on terrorism. In his remarks, Modi spoke about strengthening the WTO, fighting protectionism, ensuring energy security and the need to work together to fight terrorism.

Sanjeev Gupta expands empire Continued from page 1

These operations, with a combined rolling capacity of over 10 million tonne per annum supply steel to multiple sectors across Europe’s industrial heartlands, including construction and infrastructure products, automotive, aerospace, energy, industrial equipment, consumer products and yellow goods. “Liberty Steel today (Monday) completed the acquisition of seven major steelworks and five service centres across seven European countries from ArcelorMittal. The €740 million deal makes Liberty Steel one of the top 10 producers globally, excluding China, with a total rolling capacity in excess of 18 million tonne covering a wide range of finished products," the company, which is part of London-based GFG Alliance, said.

It said this is the largest single transaction undertaken by GFG and brings the Alliance’s worldwide workforce to nearly 30,000 across 30 counties. Liberty Steel said it aims to boost sales from these sites by around 50% over the next three years. Liberty Steel received EU approval to acquire ArcelorMittal assets in April after the European Commission found it was a suitable purchaser and that the deal raised no competition issues. The authorities had been concerned that the deal was 'highly dependent on borrowed money.' But they were convinced by Liberty's offer to contribute a higher level of equity to reduce the debt level.

'These businesses will form a key part of our global steel strategy of building a sustainable steel business, with a fully integrated value chain, from raw materials to high-value finished products', Gupta said.

Acquires Johnstown Wire Technologies in US Liberty Steel had earlier acquired Johnstown Wire Technologies (JWT), North America’s largest producer of value-added carbon and alloy wire. The company, however, did not provide the financial details of the transaction. The acquisition has helped the company expand its footprint in the US steel downstream products market, Liberty Steel

said in a statement. GFG Alliance is a global group of energy, mining, metals, engineering and financial services businesses. The acquisition gives Liberty Steel valuable capacity to manufacture a range of high-value carbon and alloy wire products for infrastructure, automotive, utility and consumer sectors, the statement said.

The manufacturing facility at Johnstown, will complement Liberty Steel’s melting and rolling operations at Georgetown, South Carolina and Peoria, Illinois and, combined with its scrap processing plant in Tampa, Florida, will firmly embed the business along the full value chain in the US steel market.

The 638,000 square foot Johnstown site has been a high-profile steel manufacturing facility for over 100 years and is a top three US producer of the types of steel that will be needed to modernise ageing infrastructure electro-galvanized, aluminised and spring wire.

Sanjeev Gupta Sanjeev Gupta is an international businessman and entrepreneur, heading a global enterprise with activities spanning steel and aluminium production, engineering, power generation, banking, and commodities trading. As Executive Chairman of Liberty House, he leads a fast-growing $6.7 billion global industrial group, headquartered in London, with additional global hubs in Dubai, Singapore and Hong Kong, and further bases in over 30 countries.

Born into a family of industrialists in Punjab, he was educated in the UK and graduated with an MA in Economics and Management from the University of Cambridge. He founded Liberty House in 1992, while still an undergraduate, initially as a general merchant focused on Africa. Over subsequent years the Group grew rapidly to become a global trading and supply chain specialist in steel and non-ferrous metals.

His growing reputation as an industrialist was further boosted by his bold decision to

Swiss authorities freeze 4 accounts of Nirav Modi, sister Acting on the provisional attachment order issued by India's Enforcement Directorate, Swiss authorities have frozen four bank accounts of PNB scam accused Nirav Modi and his sister Purvi having deposits of over £28.31 million.

Official sources said while the accounts of Nirav Modi, the diamantaire under arrest in this case in London, have deposits of $3,74,11,596 while the accounts in the name of his sister Purvi Modi has deposits of £27,38,136. This totals around £28.31 million, they said. The central probe agency is expected to now make a move for the attachment of these bank accounts under the PMLA. The ED had registered a case on February 14, 2018 against Modi and others under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act and conducted nationwide searches.

The ED along with the CBI are investigating Nirav Modi, his uncle Mehul Choksi and others for alleged money laundering and corruption to defraud the Brady House branch of the PNB in Mumbai to the tune of over £1.3 billion.

Meanwhile, the 48-year-old appeared at Westminster magistrates’ court via videolink from Wandsworth Prison requesting the need of a laptop in jail so that he can sift through more than 5,000 pages of evidence which the government of India has served on him. In response to which the court asked the prison authorities to do all it can to facilitate his consideration of 5,000 papers so that he can give proper instructions for the July 29 hearing. No date has been set for Nirav’s extradition trial. rescue and revive major metals, engineering and power generation operations right across the UK from 2013 onwards, based on the innovative greensteel business model.

Through a strategy that defied common perceptions of metal manufacture and engineering as dying industries, he acquired, and successfully relaunched, more than 25 businesses, saving nearly 4,500 jobs and, in the process, helping revitalise the UK supply-chain in key sectors such as automotive and aerospace. As part of this ambitious programme, he has saved Scotland’s last major steelworks, secured the future of Britain’s last remaining aluminium smelter and acquired the UK’s largest electric arc furnace capacity for melting scrap steel. His £330m acquisition of the aluminium smelter and hydro power stations at Fort William in December 2016 also included more than 100,000 acres of land in the Scottish Highlands, making Sanjeev the UK’s fifth largest landowner. Liberty has also become one of Britain’s largest component manufacturers for the automotive sector.

He has since expanded his industrial investment interests to include assets worth hundreds of millions of dollars in the USA, Australia and elsewhere. He continues to grow his trading and industrial operations worldwide, whilst also progressing his greensteel strategy for competitive, lowcarbon production based on renewable energy, re-melting of UK scrap steel and downstream engineering integration to make innovative, high-value-added products.

In a further bid to support the development of industry, he has acquired the London-based Tungsten Bank, which has been relaunched under the name of Wyelands Bank Plc as a specialist provider of supplychain and trade financing for medium-sized enterprises.

In order to progress the energy element of his vision Sanjeev works closely with his father’s energy and commodities company, the SIMEC Group, under the umbrella of the GFG Alliance. In this respect he is a major champion of renewable power development, including hydro, bio-diesel, biomass and waste-toenergy.

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HEALTH & LIFESTYLE

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6 - 12 July 2019

Health bosses say 11,000 NHS patients die every in brief FAT 'BETTER THAN BELLY year 'because staff are afraid to admit mistakes' LEG FAT' FOR OLDER WOMEN Thousands of NHS patients are dying because medical staff are too afraid to admit their mistakes, according to a report.

More than 11,000 people are said to die each year as a result of doctors' blunders, with the elderly worst affected. And the health service isn't learning, its leaders say, because of a blame culture among staff and a fear of losing their jobs.

NHS Improvement will reveal a life-saving plan to give every hospital a dedicated expert whom staff can contact when something goes wrong â&#x20AC;&#x201C; without fear of punishment.

Health workers have been accused of having 'closed ranks' in which deadly errors are swept under the carpet, The Telegraph reported.

And NHS Improvement's director of patient safety, Dr Aidan Fowler, urged them to instead develop a 'just

culture' to be honest about failures and stop tragedies repeating.

Staff will receive updated training to take action if they see something which looks risky. And all workers from consultants to cleaners will be taught how to respond in patient safety incidents. Among the plan's targets are the use of technology to reduce medication errors, preventing falls in hospital and improving surveillance on maternity

wards. It's hoped the new safety strategy will save as many as 1,000 lives per year within five years.

It must also dispel the 'mistaken' myth that 'safety is about individual effort' and urge people to work openly together to protect patients. Past efforts to make these improvements have been unsuccessful because staff have been too afraid, managers said.

But it's hoped introducing dedicated staff to avoid cover-ups will help workers raise their concerns with confidence. The safety strategy aims to zoom out from blaming individuals when things go wrong and instead look at wider problems to stop the same thing happening again.

But the report is clear that new rules won't be loophole for people who deliberately harm patients or are unfit to do their jobs to get away with it.

NHS health chiefs issue new guidance to curb risks of indoor pollution People should open windows when they cook and stop drying clothes indoors to reduce air pollution in their homes, health chiefs have warned.

Official advice published today by the NHS regulator said people need to protect their health by reducing pollution in their homes.

This may come from cooking, damp, aerosols, fires, smoking or cleaning products, according to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).

These can be a 'considerable' source of pollution, government directors say, and can irritate the lungs or trigger asthma.

NICE's advice tells people to keep windows open or

use extractor fans when using cookers, candles, aerosols, cleaning products or when having a bath or shower.

They should avoid airdrying clothes indoors but, if there is no choice, a window should be opened to let out the damp air.

The report said people should 'avoid moisture-producing activities' in general.

Although not thought of as an immediate danger, asthma can last for a lifetime, cause serious breathing difficulties and even fatal attacks.

More than five million people already have the condition in the UK. Pregnant women, young children who spend a lot of time at home, older people

and those with long-term illnesses may be most vulnerable to indoor pollution.

Tenants who rely on a landlord to make repairs, or people who live in poorquality housing may also be more likely to suffer the damaging effects.

And other risks include living in a place with small rooms, too many people, damp or mould, or so much noise or pollution outside that people avoid opening windows.

NICE's guidelines also issued advice to local councils, architects and landlords for how they should make houses safe to live in.

Properties should be designed with windows that can be opened, good ventila-

tion and extractor fans.

And issues such as mould and damp should be fixed quickly, the health bosses said.

As extra precautions for pregnant women, the report added mothers-to-be should avoid household cleaning sprays, air fresheners and candles.

Candles, incense and aerosols can cloud the home with particles called volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are toxic over long periods of time.

Painful periods cost women nine days of lost productivity at work each year Painful periods cost women around nine days of lost productivity each year, a study has calculated.

Scientists say women are coming into school or work even though they are unwell - a term known as 'presenteeism'- and therefore under-performing.

The landmark study is the first of its kind, addressing a subject which scientists said remains a taboo.

More than eight in ten women reported working or studying while suffering with pain or a mood disorder - and said they were less productive because of it.

The findings, published in the British Medical Journal, also found crippling symptoms force women to take sick leave one day a year.

Researchers in the Netherlands quizzed almost 33,000 women aged between 15 and 45.

The participants were asked to reveal the details of their menstrual cycle and the severity of their symptoms. The average period lasted five days.

Menstrual symptoms prompted nearly a third of the women to visit their family doctor, and around one in seven to see a gynaecologist.

Overall, women went into work when they were unwell an average of 23 days out of the working or study

year at school.

Based on their symptoms affecting a third of the duration of their day, researchers calculated that this amounted to almost nine days of lost productivity each year.

Sometimes the symptoms were so intense women needed to take time off work or school, with one in seven doing so. Nearly 3.5 per cent said this happened almost every menstrual cycle.

When women called in sick because of period pains, only one in five told their employer or school the real reason for their absence.

Around two thirds of women said they wished they had the option of flexible work or school hours when they are on their period.

Younger women under

the age of 21 appear to take time off because of their period more often than older women.

The researchers said the results reflect the general population, but there may be selection bias because participants were hired through social media.

It's the largest study to look at how period symptoms affect work or school productivity.

Other research suggests symptoms can lower quality of life in several areas, such as mental health and social life. It may also put a financial burden on women and their families.

Non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs, like aspirin, are recommended as the go-to treatment for period pain, followed by the Pill.

But it is widely accepted that exercise and good diet can help relieve the cramping pains.

Carrying more fat on legs compared with the stomach protects postmenopausal women from heart disease, a study says. Women of a healthy weight with the highest risk of stroke or heart disease had the most belly fat and the least hip and thigh fat, the European Heart Journal research found.

The scientists said "apple-shaped" women should try to lose belly fat and become more "pear-shaped". More research is needed to find out why the link exists, a heart charity said.

The research followed 2,600 women who were a healthy weight - with a body mass index (BMI) of between 18 and 25 - over 18 years. They were all taking part in a major US study, the Women's Health Initiative, which began in the mid-1990s, and had regular scans to check fat, muscle and bone density.

The study found "apple-shaped" women, with more fat around the belly, had a more than threefold increased cardiovascular disease risk compared with those who were "pear-shaped", with fat around the hips and thighs.

Scientists already know that the kind of fat stored around abdominal organs, called visceral fat, increases the risk of metabolic problems like type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Heart and circulatory diseases are responsible for one in four deaths in the UK. The reason leg fat might be protective is not well understood, but it is not causing problems elsewhere in the body. Unfortunately an unhealthy lifestyle in middle age can increase abdominal fat.

But Prof Qibin Qi, from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York, who carried out this study, said previous research has focused on those who were overweight or obese.

SMOKING 'DAMAGES EYES AS WELL AS LUNGS' Millions of people in the UK are putting their sight at risk by continuing to smoke, warn specialists.

Despite the clear connection, only one in five people recognise that smoking can lead to blindness, a poll for the Association of Optometrists (AOP) finds. Smokers are twice as likely to lose their sight compared with non-smokers, says the RNIB. That is because tobacco smoke can cause and worsen a number of eye conditions.

Cigarette smoke contains toxic chemicals that can irritate and harm the eyes. For example, heavy metals, such as lead and copper, can collect in the lens - the transparent bit that sits behind the pupil and brings rays of light into focus - and lead to cataracts, where the lens becomes cloudy.

Smoking can make diabetes-related sight problems worse by damaging blood vessels at the back of the eye (the retina).

Smokers are around three times more likely to get agerelated macular degeneration - a condition affecting a person's central vision, meaning that they lose their ability to see fine details. And they are 16 times more likely than nonsmokers to develop sudden loss of vision caused by optic neuropathy, where the blood supply to the eye becomes blocked.

In the poll of 2,006 adults, 18% correctly said that smoking increased the risk of blindness or sight loss, while threequarters (76%) knew smoking was linked to cancer.

The AOP says stopping or avoiding smoking is one of the best steps you can take to protect your vision, along with having regular sight checks.

Aishah Fazlanie, Optometrist and Clinical and Regulatory Adviser for the AOP, said: "People tend to know about the link between smoking and cancer, but many people are not aware of the impact that smoking can have upon the eyes.

"Smoking increases the risk of sight-threatening conditions, such as age-related macular degeneration, which is an important reason why smokers should consider quitting."

To Our Readers

We are publishing these items in good faith, kindly consult your Doctor before you try to implement any advice. We do not hold any responsibility for its efficacy...

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Deepika wants to play dad Prakash Padukone onscreen that era. That's because of what they achieved in the circumstances, within the limited exposure and knowledge versus the kind of funds, facilities and visibility available to athletes today.

But in spite of all that, to achieve that greatness and legendary status is commendable. Our yesteryear athletes inspire me."

Actor Deepika Padukone has wrapped up Meghna Gulzar's 'Chhapaak', and is set to be seen in a smaller role in Kabir Khan's '83', playing former cricketer Kapil Dev's wife Romi Dev. In a recent interview, when asked if she would like to play a sportsperson, considering the number of films being made on sports icon, the actress had a rather unique reply.

She said she would like to play her father Prakash Padukone, who became the first Indian to win the All England Open Badminton Championships. She said, "I understand the gender issue. But if I had to play a sports person, then it would be of him or any sports legend from

SRK: No better film in the world when it comes from the heart Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan was at an event in Mumbai lately, where he unveiled the trailer of Marathi romantic drama 'Smile Please'. At the trailer launch, the ever witty actor shared some light moments with designer-turned-filmmaker Vikram Phadnis.

He said, "To me whoever becomes a filmmaker becomes very dear. So, I was very thrilled when he made his first film. I just hope his goodness and creativity is taken over to cinema, so all of us can have a lot of beautiful films to watch. Today, I asked Vikram, 'Have you made a nice film or not?' Not that I am someone who should be right now credited with making good films or not. But what the hell? If you work for so many years, you can be a bit patronising.

I told him to make an action or comedy film and he said he made it from his heart. There is no better film in the world

Vicky Kaushal is unrecognisable in Meghna Gulzar’s next

One of the finest actors of the generation, Vicky Kaushal has taken up the role of Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw in director Meghna Gulzar's biopic. Produced by Ronnie Screwvala, first look of the movie is out and dare we say, Kaushal looks like a reflection of the officer. A media report has said that Meghna had shared stories about Manekshaw with Vicky during the making of 'Raazi'.

"And he remembers them. Ours is not a biopic, because it does not chronologically just record Sam Manekshaw's life. We need to make an interesting narrative when telling a story by picking out the most crucial, iconic and relevant incidents of his life, giving a view of the soldier, the man and the Field Marshal," Meghna said.

The report added that the actor would be meeting people close to Manekshaw as prep for his role, apart from read about him and watch his videos to get the

mannerisms right. Kaushal said his parents would always tell him stories about the man. "I personally couldn't witness his achievements, but my parents would always tell me that he was a fearless patriot with amazing leadership quality. The first time I'd heard of him in the context of the 1971 Indo-Pak war," he said.

The film has been written by Bhavani Iyer of 'Raazi' fame and Shantanu Srivastava of 'Badhaai Ho' fame.

Field Marshal Manekshaw was the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) of the Indian Army and best-known for commanding the Indian forces during the IndiaPakistan war in 1971. Popularly called Sam Bahadur, he was the first Indian officer to be promoted to the rank of a field marshal.

On the work front, Vicky is currently busy with his Udham Singh biopic with Shoojit Sircar while Meghna Gulzar has Padukone's 'Chhapaak' on her hands.

when it comes from the heart. I hope the film reaches to more people."

SRK added, “Sometimes the purpose of film and storytelling is to invoke a feeling of compassion, love, togetherness and goodness.

Inspite of all the emotional upheavals that we might face, I think that any story or film reminds us that in our journey, how much ever ups and downs there maybe, we are not alone. And we should always carry this message in our heart no matter how much we have to struggle.”

Phadnis talked about the movie. He said, "The meaning of 'Smile Please' is that everybody has struggles, be it emotional, physical, mental or financial struggles, but when you say smile please to that person, half your battle is won." The film’s story revolves around a very successful female photographer and how she reaches the pinnacle of success and then hits rock bottom.

Kartik Aaryan, Janhvi Kapoor roped in for KJo's 'Dostana 2' Ending all speculations, filmmaker Karan Johar has announced 'Dostana 2'.

The movie will star Kartik Aaryan and Jahnvi Kapoor as leads, along with a third lead who is yet to be revealed.

The 2008 original starred Priyanka Chopra, Abhishek Bachchan and John Abraham.

Sharing an a n i m a t e d announcement video, Karan Johar tweeted, "The return of the franchise with unlimited madness! @TheAaryanKartik, #Janhvi & a soon to be launched fresh face - making it the trio for #Dostana2, directed by @CollinDcunha. Watch out for the third suitable boy!".

The clip also featured a remix version of the original's hit song 'Ma Da Ladla Bigad Gaya'.

A source close to the production revealed, "The 2008 film was a success especially because it was one of the first few mainstream films to show a same-sex relationship in a normal and fun manner.

Karan has always wanted to take this franchise forward and his endeavour was to ensure that he gave much more to the audience in the sequel. The team has worked hard on getting the script right."

Karan spoke on how close the film is to him and said, "'Dostana' will always be a special title and film to all of us at Dharma. We released the first film of our company with this title in 1980 (starring Amitabh Bachchan, Shatrughan Sinha, Zeenat Aman) and exactly 40 years later, we bring to you the second part of our fun franchise with the same title in 2020."

Karan is also looking forward to working with Kartik in their first-ever collaboration, "I am excited to take the franchise forward with Kartik and Janhvi! This is our first film at Dharma with Kartik and we are very excited to work with him. I can’t wait to create some desi boy and girl madness with Kartik and Janhvi. We will also be introducing a new male lead in this film and Collin makes his debut as director with 'Dostana 2'."

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Alia Bhatt launches YouTube channel

Peppy and charming actor Alia Bhatt has launched her very own YouTube channel with a lot of gusto. The 26 year old reigning queen of social media said her fans will get some insight into her personal life. "I have always been a super expressive person.

Somewhere I have become a little more private after I became an actor," she said. Through her small videos, her fans will get to know her better and what it takes to be a

Actress Zaira Wasim decides to quit Bollywood National Award-winning actress Zaira Wasim, 18, announced her exit from the film industry in a lengthy Facebook post, saying that the profession interfered with her faith and religion.

Indians on social media were quick to react to the news, with many criticising her reasons for quitting.

"This journey has been exhausting, to battle my soul for so long," she wrote.

"This field indeed brought a lot of love, support, and applause my way, but what it also did was to l e a d me to a

path of ignorance, as I silently and unconsciously transitioned out of imaan [faith]. While I continued to work in an environment that consistently interfered with my imaan [faith], my relationship with my religion was threatened." She added that the career often put her in a "vulnerable" position. About announcing the decision on social media, the actor said she was openly doing so not to paint a holier picture of herself, but “this is the least I can do to start afresh”.

Earlier in May last year, Zaira made it to the headlines when she revealed that she has been suffering from depression since the age of 15. Wasim, rose to fame in 2016 when she starred in one of Bollywood's highest grossing films 'Dangal'.

She will next be seen in 'The Sky is Pink', which also stars Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Farhan Akhtar. The film completed shooting in March.

star.

In her very first YouTube video, Alia introduces the channel to her fans, and we see a lot of snippets from her real life. From recording a song video which she shared last year, to doing hair and make up in Benaras for 'Brahmastra' and even shooting of the song 'Ikk Kudi' which she sung along with Diljit Dosanjh in 'Udta Punjab'.

"What you’ll get to see on my YouTube channel is a lot of me

Shahid Kapoor, brother Ishaan to join hands?

Raving in the success of his latest hit 'Kabir Singh', actor Shahid Kapoor has reportedly finalised his next movie, which will also star his half-brother Ishaan Khatter in a supporting role. After the success of his controversial romantic drama turning out to be his biggest solo hit ever, Shahid was fielding several offers for his follow-up.

According to a media report,

Varun Dhawan, Nora Fatehi flaunt perfect abs Bollywood actor Varun Dhavan has never failed to deliver a hit, and with his upcoming 'Street Dancer 3D' on the charts, he continues to keep his fans interest alive with behind-the-scenes pictures from the sets.

Last week, the actor shared a picture featuring him with Nora Fatehi and other members from the upcoming movie. Varun can be seen showing off his chiselled abs, whereas Nora gives him competition by showing off her well-toned body. While Dhawan is seen wearing a pair of pyjamas and white sneakers, Nora sports a casual look in a white sports bralette and a pair of grey bottoms.

Earlier, Varun had also shared a picture with Shraddha, announcing the wrap up of the film's Dubai schedule. He captioned it saying, "Last day of the Dubai schedule with an amazing team @shraddhakapoor

being totally unadulterated, what goes behind the scenes. Good days, bad days, funny days, hectic days, simple days, sweet days, just days," she shared.

On the work front, Alia Bhatt will be sharing screen space with real-life beau Ranbir Kapoor in her next, Ayan Mukerji-directed 'Brahmastra', that also stars Amitabh Bachchan, Akkineni Nagarjuna, Dimple Kapadia and Mouni Roy.

@norafatehi @prabhudeva @remodsouza #STREETDANCER 3D 24 th jan 2020."

The film is Varun and Shraddha's second film together after 2015's hit film 'ABCD 2'. Directed by Remo D'Souza, the upcoming film also features Aparshakti Khurana and Shakti Mohan in pivotal roles. Media reports suggest Shraddha will be seen as a dancer from Pakistan, while Varun will be playing a dancer from Punjab.

Katrina Kaif was originally roped in to play the leading lady in the film. She had even appeared together on a popular chat show with Dhawan. However, Kat had to back out of the project because of her busy shooting for 'Bharat'. Produced by Bhushan Kumar, Lizelle D'Souza and Krishan Kumar, the film is all set to hit theatres on January 24, 2020.

Shahid has finalised an action-adventure with Ram Madhvani as his next starrer.

A source said, "It's an adventure based action drama. He plays a biker in the film. The movie is expected to roll sometime around January next year.

Shahid is definitely

doing the film." The source added, "Ishaan Khatter has been offered the other part.

When Shahid was told about this, he was extremely happy about the development. Ishaan too has liked the script and okayed it.

The story is extremely hard hitting and emotional at the same time, and perfectly suits the two brothers."

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Thrown out of 'VSP33': Amala Paul In a shocking statement, actor Amala Paul has revealed that she was thrown out of Vijay Sethupathi's upcoming Tamil film, dubbed as 'VSP33', because she was not "productionfriendly". The statement came a day after makers said she opted out of the film citing date issues with her other projects.

“I am writing out of my great disappointment, as I have been thrown out of an ongoing movie, tentatively titled VSP33, citing a simple statement by the production that I am not production-

friendly. This statement has put me in great even bother to call her before taking his decision introspection whether I have been supportive or and hastily threw her out of the project. Actress unsupportive to the production houses in my Megha Akash has been taken as her replacement. career,” Amala said. She also wrote that such an accusation has never been laid upon her during her TV Listing decade-long career by any of her TUESDAY JULY 9, 2019 colleagues, peers or acquaintances 01:10 FILM: I AM 24 in the film fraternity. She said, "I can 05:00 FILM: MUNNA MAANGE MEMSAAB recall, rather vividly, I have in fact 07:30 FILM: 15TH AUGUST lent my support to all my 10:18 FILM: LASHKAR production houses whenever such a 13:00 FILM: DHADKAN situation arose." Amala said she was 16:15 FILM: HASEENA MAAN JAYEGI in Mumbai shopping for clothes and 19:22 FILM: ANKUR ARORA MURDER CASE * Schedule is subject to change 22:00 FILM: RAMA RAMA KYA HAI DRAMA styling her look for 'VSP33', when its SATURDAY JULY 6, 2019 WEDNESDAY JULY 10, 2019 producer Rathinavaelu Kumar sent 23:10 FILM: SHAAPIT 00:40 FILM: AAR YA PAAR her a message out of the blue stating 01:40 FILM: 1920 LONDON 05:00 FILM: JAANAM 05:00 FILM: BAS EK TAMANNA he doesn't want her in the film as 07:33 FILM: AAKHRI GHULAM 07:10 FILM: KAB? KYOON? AUR KAHAN? her demands and terms don't suit 10:25 FILM: KALYUG 10:00 FILM: 16 DECEMBER their project. She added 12:32 FILM: MR. NATWARLAL 13:15 FILM: BOMBAY that he didn't 16:00 FILM: BEWAFAA 16:00 FILM: FOX

'Thalapathy 63' is officially titled 'Bigil' Tamil actor Vijay's upcoming film, 'Thalapthy 63', is officially titled 'Bigil', as makers unveiled the first look poster on the eve of the actor's birthday last year. The poster is set against North Madras backdrop, and features Vijay in dual roles as father and son. It is evident from the poster that the father is a local rowdy and the son is a football coach.

For the role of a coach, Vijay underwent special training to get under the skin of the character. He reportedly plays the coach of a women's football team in the movie. The makers have reportedly spent a whopping £600,000 to erect a football stadium to shoot pivotal portion of the movie, which also stars Jackie Shroff,

Kathir, Yogi Babu and Vivek in crucial roles.

Directed by Atlee, the film marks the third collaboration of the director with Vijay after their earlier blockbusters, 'Theri' and 'Mersal'.

Nayanthara plays the female lead in the movie. The film has music by AR Rahman, who had recently confirmed in an interview that he hasn't worked on this film's genre in South India.

In an interview, Rahman said, "I have done this genre in Hollywood but this would be the first time in south India. Atlee is a fan of my films like Lagaan and Pele. He’s heard these soundtracks and he is musically very passionate. I enjoy working with such director who gets involved in music composing."

Rajinikanth’s '2.0' China release may be cancelled Release of ace actor Rajinikanth's megahit '2.0' in China is most likely to get cancelled, if reports are to be believed.

The film was renamed 'Robot 2.0: Resurgence', and scheduled to take off in 56,000 screens across the country on July 12. While an official announcement is awaited, sources reveal that Chinese distributor HY Media could lose more money if they release the movie.

The company's last Indian release was Akshay Kumar's 'Padman', which didn't even cover the cost and brought loss to them. Which is why, it is planning to cancel or postpone the release of '2.0' now. The film must make more than $25 million in China for HY Media to not lose money again. With Disney's 'The Lion King' due for release around the same time, the release of Shankar's movie is most likely to be cancelled.

The movie showed Rajinikanth in not one, not two, but three roles as scientist Vaseegaran, robot Chitti, and 2.0, an upgraded version of Chitti. The film went on to mint over £50 million at the box office and starred Amy Jackson and Akshay Kumar in key roles. It marked the southern debut of Akshay Kumar, who was seen as the antagonist, an ornithologist who uses the fifth force to wreak havoc and take revenge when he loses his fight to telecom companies, while trying to save birds from dying from the emission of mobile towers.

18:25 LIFESTYLE : STAR STOP 19:01 FILM: NO ENTRY 22:35 FILM: INTEHA SUNDAY JULY 7, 2019 01:25 FILM: YEH HAI MUMBAI MERI JAAN 05:00 FILM: THE PERFECT GIRL 07:00 FILM: GUNAAH 09:25 FILM: FOX 11:52 FILM: DIL CHAHTA HAI 15:45 FILM: AGENT VINOD 18:51 LIFESTYLE : STAR STOP 19:23 FILM: HASEENA MAAN JAYEGI 22:27 FILM: 1920 LONDON MONDAY JULY 8, 2019 00:40 FILM: NAZAR 05:00 FILM: PRITHIPAL SINGH... A STORY 07:00 FILM: AULAD 10:15 FILM: BOMBAY 13:00 FILM: JOHNY I LOVE YOU 16:01 FILM: NO ENTRY 19:30 FILM: BEWAFAA 22:46 FILM: MERE DOST PICTURE ABHI BAKI HAI

* Schedule is subject to change

SATURDAY 6TH JULY TIME TV PROGRAM NAMES 16:30 KAUN BANEGA CROREPATI 18:30 THE KAPIL SHARMA SHOW 20:00 SUPER DANCER CHAPTER 3 21:30 THE KAPIL SHARMA SHOW 23:00 THE KAPIL SHARMA SHOW SUNDAY 7TH JULY TIME TV PROGRAM NAMES 17:00 KAUN BANEGA CROREPATI 18:30 THE KAPIL SHARMA SHOW

* Schedule is subject to change

MON 1ST - FRI 5TH JULY 2019 15:30: STYLE CHEF 16:00: THE GREAT INDIAN GLOBAL KITCHEN 2 16:30: RASOI SHOW 17:30: CHHUTA CHHEDA 18:00: RADHA PREM KI DEEWANI 18:30: BHARADWAJ BAHUEIN 19:00: JAHAANARA 19:30: BEPANNAH

* Schedule is subject to change

MON 1ST - FRI 5TH JULY 2019 14:30: KHATRA KHATRA KHATRA 18:30: KITCHEN CHAMPION 19:30: CHHOTI SARDARNI 20:00: SHAKTI ASTITVA KE EHSAAS KI 20:45: GATHBANDHAN 21:30: BEPANAH PYAARR

19:16 FILM: MACHINE 22:05 FILM: SATYA THURSDAY JULY 11, 2019 00:45 FILM: CHOR BAZAARI-EK ATRANGI PREM KAHANI 05:00 FILM: THE PERFECT GIRL 07:00 FILM: KRISHNA ARJUN 10:00 FILM: SIKKA 13:12 FILM: GURUDEV 16:30 FILM: ANKUR ARORA MURDER CASE 19:09 FILM: CHEETAH THE LEOPARD 22:20 FILM: LUV SHUV PYAR VYAR FRIDAY JULY 12, 2019 00:40 FILM: DUNNO Y NA JAANE KYUN...

05:00 FILM: LOGIN 07:03 FILM: DEVTA 10:00 FILM: SAMAY - WHEN TIME STRIKES 12:50 FILM: JUNGLE 16:00 FILM: MACHINE 19:00 FILM: RA.ONE 22:17 FILM: RAGINI MMS

20:00 SUPER DANCER CHAPTER 3 FINALE 23:00 THE KAPIL SHARMA SHOW MON 8TH JULY - FRI 12TH JULY TIME TV PROGRAM NAMES 18:00 VIGHNAHARTA GANESH 18:45 MERE SAI 19:30 YEH UN DINON KI BAAT HAI 20:00 CHANDRAGUPTA MAURYA 20:30 BEYHADH 21:00 PATIALA BABES 21:30 LADIES SPECIAL 22:00 CRIME PATROL SONY MAX 2 PRIME TIME 19:00 MONDAY KASHMIR KI KALI 19:00 TUESDAY KAALA PATTHAR 19:00 WEDNESDAY JEET 19:00 THURSDAY AAMDANI ATTHANNI KHARCHA RUPAIYA 19:00 FRIDAY EK DUUJE KE LIYE

20:00: TERE NAAL ISHQ 20:30: MOHE RANNG DO LAAL 21:00: BALIKA VADHU - LAMHE PYAAR KE 22:00: RED ALERT SAT 6TH JULY 2019 18:00: RADHA PREM KI DEEWANI 18:30: BHARADWAJ BAHUEIN 19:00: UNPLUGGED 19:30: RED ALERT 20:30: INDIA'S GOT TALENT (SEASON 8) 21:30: JAGTE RAHO SUN 7TH JULY 2019 18:00: RADHA PREM KI DEEWANI 18:30: BHARADWAJ BAHUEIN 19:00: UNPLUGGED 19:30: RED ALERT 20:30: INDIA'S GOT TALENT SEASON 8 21:30: JAGTE RAHO

22:00: SILSILA 22:30: KHOOB LADI MARDANI JHANSI KI RANI 23:00: VISH SAT 6TH JULY 2019 19:30: DESI BEAT RESET 20:00: BFFS WITH VOGUE (SEASON 3) 21:00: DANCE DEEWANE SEASON 2 22:30: KAWACH MAHASHIVRATRI SUN 7TH JULY 2019 19:30: DESI BEAT (SEASON 3) 20:00: BFFS WITH VOGUE (SEASON 3) 21:00: DANCE DEEWANE - SEASON 2 22:30: KAWACH MAHASHIVRATRI

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HCIL SURGERY

The High Commission of India is bringing its consular services to Hariben Bachubhai Nagrecha hall on Sunday 7th July 2019 from 10am to 2pm to help people with their paperwork. On this day a team of officials will come and assist people with their paperwork related to applications for passport renewal, OCI cards, as well as other certificate and attestation requirements.

This invitation is open to all.

Entrance is free.

Address: Hariben Bachubhai Nagrecha Hall, 204-206 leyton road, London E15 1DT Contact: Nagrecha cash and carry on 0208 5550318, 11am to 5p, Hasubhai Nagrecha 07946565888, Umi Radia 07760388911

Coming Events

l Satsang, Date: Sunday, 7.7 2019, Time: 6.30 pm to 8:00 pm, Venue: IG1 1EE Institute, VHP Alfred Hindu Center 43 Cleveland Road Essex l Kishen Shah, a well-known Hollywood artist will share his experiences of 'Acting, Stunts and Performing' Date: 10. 7.2019 Wednesday, Time: 7.30 pm Venue: Oshwal Center, Kuperslane Road, Potterbazaar EN6 4DG. For more details visit www.oshwal.org.uk l Seminar on 'UK - India Relations in the Post Bracket Era'

by Friends of India Society International, UK Date: 12 July, Friday, Time: 6:30 pm Venue: Nehru Center UK 8S, Audley Street, Mayfair London W1K 1HF, Contact: 020 7491 3567

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- by Rabindranath Tagore I thought that my voyage had come to its end at the last limit of my power,---that the path before me was closed, that provisions were exhausted and the time come to take shelter in a silent obscurity.

AJIT NINAN FOR TOI

the conference will run from 2.30pm to 5pm followed by a drinks reception.

The conference is free to attend and will take place at the Holiday Inn, St Nicholas Circle, LE1 5LX. To register your place call 01233 648164 or e-mail r.kew@iga.org.uk

The Oshwal Centre are holding a new series of regular talks at The Oshwal Centre, Coopers Lane Road, Potters Bar, EN6 4DG. The series will begin with Hollywood Actor Kiran Shah who will be speaking about, ‘Acting, Stunts and Perfroming’.

Raffle tickets will be sold on the day with all proceeds going to charity.

Registration takes place at 7.30pm and will start at 8pm till 10.30pm.

Kiran Shah

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The UK’s leading Vedic writer and TV personality

ARIES Mar 21 - Apr 20 Love is liable to blow hot and

cold rather unpredictably. If so, then it might be a good idea to check your own behaviour and motives for it could be that you are already taking too much for granted. Avoid get-rich-quick schemes and be cautious about other people's enthusiasm which is likely to be misplaced. Travel and social life combine to bring a lively time ahead of you.

This week the focus is your TAURUS Apr 21 - May 21 house of family and home. Ego

confrontations with family members are possible now, but the best way to handle this energy is to do your best to strengthen your relationship with your family and your home base. Besides spending more time tending to domestic affairs, the focus can be on cultivating and nourishing your inner foundations, so to speak.

GEMINI May 22 - June 22 There will be increased scope for

varying your activities, widening your network of contacts and getting out and about. It is an excellent time for exercising your mental energies, clarifying your and other people's ideas and getting involved in discussion. Exercise caution when it comes to making financial decisions as being hasty will cost you !

It would be a mistake always to blame the other person if your experience and expectations of love turn out to be disappointing. It is said that if you do not learn from past experience you will be condemned to repeat it until you do learn. You now have an excellent opportunity to sort out where things may be going wrong.

The hard part is that you will have to be honest with yourself.

CANCER Jun 22 - Jul 22

Closed Path

Oshwal Centre holds new series of talks

Disclaimer

Sneh Joshi

A conference aimed at glaucoma patients as well as optometrists, ophthalmologists and those involved in glaucoma care will take place in Leicester next Friday (12th July). The event will feature presentations on glaucoma from Professor David Crabb of City University London and glaucoma consultant Usman Sarodia, pictured.

There will also be a Q&A session chaired by Professor Anthony King of Nottingham University hospital and will be followed by a drinks reception.

Organised by the International Glaucoma Association (IGA), the charity for people with glaucoma,

6 - 12 July 2019

But I find that thy will knows no end in me.

And when old words die out on the tongue, new melodies break forth from the heart; and where the old tracks are lost, new country is revealed with its wonders.

Glaucoma Conference BAPS chief pujya Mahant Swami is currently in Ahmedabad.

Everyday a large number of devotees visit to attend his morning and evening prayers. On June 25, a dialogue was held in Vachanamrut based program. Mahant Swami said bestowing his blessings, 'I want to be essentially good as Yogi bapa and President Swami.' On 27th, the devotees of the rural area celebrated gramya din with Kirtan, dance programs and Samyip Darshan were held later in the evening. On 28th, saints and devotees who made trailer of Neelkanth's animated series were applauded. In the celebration of Gurupurnima festival on 30th Sunday, dances, videos and lectures were conducted relevent to the theme of the event.

There were over 19,000 attendees on this occasion. On Monday, July 1, Child Activity Day was celebrated where organization's activities for children were presented. Mahant Swami will go to Bharuch from Ahmedabad for a vicharan.

31

There is an element of disruption or stress which may be hard to avoid, but it appears that there is a strong sense of purpose in the background. A certain amount of sheer hard graft will be necessary for a short while, but the final result will be extremely pleasing.

An exchange of opinions ought to prove very enlivening at this time.

LEO Jul 23 - Aug 23

VIRGO Aug 24 - Sep 23

You may find yourself hard at work behind the scenes, although that may not be apparent to others. You may find yourself caught up in a whirlwind of activity, with opportunities to advance on both the inner and outer level. There’s a sparkle to your social life and you will have fun communicating with others.

Co-operative ventures are likely to generate financial success.

So, if hoping to drum up support or backing, it would certainly do no harm to adopt a more pushy and outgoing approach to life. As social life will tend to draw you into a wider circle, the chances of meeting someone attractive are greatly increased. The general pattern of things continues on a progressive and buoyant theme.

LIBRA Sep 24 - Oct 23

SCORPIO Oct 24- Nov 22

Life appears to be focusing your mind on practical matters. So you will need to organise your time carefully if you are to avoid an "all work and no play" situation. Resist making any hasty moves when it come to finances - this is a time to focus on consolidation of current assets rather than attempting to make any new investments.

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SAGITTARIUS Nov 23 - Dec 21

The cosmic energies are decidedly invigorating at the moment. If you are taking a holiday, so much the better ! Not only do you have Mercury putting a favourable emphasis on travel but, with Mars you can be sure of deriving the utmost pleasure from adventures and excursions. There are influences around you now that will do much to give you greater confidence. The feedback you are receiving from others is helping to strengthen your self-image.

CAPRICORN Dec 22 - Jan 20

The prevailing pattern of planets gives you a marvellous opportunity. Take time out to strengthen close ties of affection, sort out emotional differences and proffer the olive branch to anyone who may have caused you pain in recent months. Venus throws an easy light on affairs of the heart - prime time for engagements and weddings.

AQUARIUS Jan 21 - Feb 19 Guard against being too impatient and restless. You will need to exercise care in the use of credit.

Extra energy and drive will serve you well in getting things accomplished, but try not to come on too strong when you deal with others. There appears to be a more successful trend coming into effect.

0If lately you have had all sorts of demands being placed on you from all sides, don't despair; take some time out to reflect. Try and work out where you want to make changes in your busy life. Once you know, don't hesitate to implement it systematically. A tremendous amount of planetary activity in your chart signals a time of mixed emotions as well as personal issues to be dealt with.

PISCES Feb 20 - Mar 20

32

Sport

www.asian-voice.com

6 - 12 July 2019

CRICKET // WORLD CUP

AsianVoiceNews AsianVoiceNewsweekly

INDIA BOOK PLACE IN SEMIFINALS India booked their place in the semifinals of the Cricket World Cup with a 28-run win over Bangladesh at Edgbaston on Tuesday.

Victory saw two-time former champions India join reigning title-holders Australia in the last four with a match to spare, while this result ended Bangladesh's slim hopes of advancing to the knockout phase. For the second match in a row, India's Rohit Sharma was dropped in single figures and made a hundred. Sharma's 104, his fourth century of the World Cup, helped take India to 314-9 despite Mustafizur Rahman's 5-59. That proved too much for the Tigers, who were dismissed for 286 with two overs to spare, India spearhead Jasprit Bumrah taking 4-55. With this win, India reach to 13 points and become the second team to qualify for the semifinals.

India fail to chase down 338 India lost their first match of the 2019 Cricket World Cup when they failed to chase down 338 against England at Edgbaston on Sunday.

India's 31-run defeat has also made the race for the semi-finals interesting. It was a

Sachin Tendulkar with Google CEO Sundar Pichai during India-England match

strange run chase as India lost KL Rahul to Chris Woakes in the 3rd over. Virat Kohli joined Rohit Sharma and just when it looked like the pair was ready to accelerate score, Virat Kohli fell to Liam Plunkett for 66.

Kohli's exit brought Rishabh Pant to the middle. Rohit Sharma, meanwhile, reached his 25th ODI hundred. But the pressure was building and he fell to Chris Woakes. Rishabh Pant and Hardik Pandya gave India hope. But then Pant fell to Plunkett for 32. With 112 needed off 10.5 overs, MS Dhoni joined Pandya. But as Pandya tried hard, Dhon was unable to up the ante and the asking rate climbed sharply. Hardik fell to Plunkett for 45 in the 45th over and that was the end of India's challenge. Earlier, England won the

pitch.

South Africa dent Lanka hopes Five days after stunning hosts England, Sri Lanka came up with an insipid performance against South Africa at the Riverside Ground in Chester-le-Street on Friday. The Proteas, who are already out of the semi-final race, have dented the Islander's last-four chances with a 9-wicket win. South Africa picked up only their 2nd win of the tournament and ended a two-match losing streak with a dominant performance that has come a bit too late for them. Sri Lanka now have 6 points from 7 matches and are sitting 7th on the 10-team points table. Sri Lanka now need to not only win their next 2 matches (West Indies on July 1 and India on July 6) but hope England lose both their remaining matches and Pakistan and Bangladesh lose at least one of their next 2 to make the semi-final.

Finch puts Aussies in semis Powered by Australian captain Aaron Finch’s second hundred (100) and a superb show with the ball by their leftarm pacers Jason Behrendorff, who took his maiden fivewicket haul in the ODIs, and Starc (4-43), the defending champions outplayed England by 64 runs to become the first team to make the semifinals berth with their sixth win in seven games.

Though Ben Stokes slammed his third half-century, Behrendorff and Starc dismantled England, who folded up for 221 in 44.1 overs. The hosts’ World Cup campaign, which looked pretty much on track till only a few days back, now looks in serious danger.

After defeats to Sri Lanka at Headingley and now Australia at Lord’s.

India’s Jasprit Bumrah celebrates taking the wicket of Bangladesh’s Mustafizur Rahman to win the match by 28 runs

toss and chose to bat and scored 337 for 7 in 50 overs.

Lanka beat West Indies Nicholas Pooran's maiden ODI century went in vain as Sri Lanka beat the West Indies by 23 runs in Chester-le-Street on Monday. West Indies got off to a poor start as they lost Sunil Ambris and Shai Hope early in the tough chase. Chris Gayle once again failed to put up an impressive show and lost his wicket for 35.

Nicholas Pooran batted positively from one end but the wickets kept falling from the other end. He got some support from Faben Allen. Allen completed his maiden ODI halfcentury, while Pooran scored his maiden ODI ton. A mix-up between the two batsmen resulted in an unfortunate run out. Sensing the game is slipping away, Lanka brought former skipper Angelo Mathews into the attack and he dismissed Pooran on his first ball. Earlier, Lanka posted 338/6 in 50 overs.

Avishka Fernando scored his maiden hundred.

Pak win a thriller Pakistan survived to fight another day – for a semifinal berth – as they scraped past a spirited Afghanistan by three wickets at Headingley on Saturday where the fans invaded the ground and threw bottles at each other amid heated arguments and clashes.

Chasing 228 on a turning wicket, they looked headed towards an upset when skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed was run out while going for a needless second run, and the team slipped to

156 for six in 39 overs. However, they found a hero in Imad Wasim, who cracked a matchwinning 49 not out to take them to a win in the final over. Pakistan needed six off the final six balls, and then two off the last three, when the left-hander smashed the winning boundary off Afghanistan skipper Gulbadin Naib to pull off an amazing win.

Australia beat Kiwis by 86 runs Australia have won seven out of eight matches and became the first team to seal a semifinal berth. They crushed rivals New Zealand by 86 runs on Saturday to consolidate their position at the top of the points table. “Since the India game, we’ve taken wickets through the middle fairly regularly… May be we are attacking more… I think the biggest part was the execution,” left arm pacer Mitchell Starc said after the victory against New Zealand.

India end Windies hopes India ended West Indies' slim hopes of qualifying for the semifinals with a 125-run thrashing at Old Trafford. West Indies, chasing 269 for victory, were dismantled by India, with pace bowler Mohammad Shami taking 4-16 and Jasprit Bumrah 2-9. Virat Kohli made 72 as India worked hard in front of a vociferous crowd, and MS Dhoni's unbeaten 56, which saw him take 16 runs from the final over, propelled them to 268-7.

West Indies were ultimately dismissed for 143 with 94 balls remaining and will be left to rue a impatient batting performance on a slow

HOW THEY STAND Teams Aus India NZ Eng Pak SL Bang SAfrica WI Afg

M W L Tied NR Pts NRR 8 7 1 0 0 14 +1.000 8 6 1 0 1 13 +0.811 8 5 2 0 1 11 +0.572 8 5 3 0 0 10 +1.000 8 4 3 0 1 9 -0.792 8 3 3 0 2 8 -0.934 8 3 4 0 1 7 -0.195 8 2 5 0 1 5 -0.080 8 1 6 0 1 3 -0.335 8 0 8 0 0 0 -1.418 NR - No result • NRR - Net run rate upto 2nd July 2019

“Supporting India does not mean we are any less English” The debate between British Asians supporting the country of origin versus their country of birth, since 1990 when Lord Norman Tebbit, a politician from the Conservative party, controversially suggested that Asian immigrants and their children had not truly integrated in Britain until they supported the England cricket team ahead of their country of origin. As we went to press, India faced Bangladesh at Edgbaston, Birmingham, both nations started their match with their national anthems, written by Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore. On Sunday as England met India on the grounds of Birmingham, Indian patriots claimed India lost to England 'purposefully' to indirectly defeat Pakistan, who would have an advantageous position if England lost.

Akash 17, with father Amit 47, and grandfather Kishor 75, went to watch England playing India. While Kishor was born and raised in India, Amit came to the UK when he was 5, while Akash was born in Bristol. But all of them supported India, cheering in blue jersey with tricolour flags.

Photo courtesy: Facebook of Anirban Mukhopadhyay

Rupanjana Dutta

British Bengalis (Indian-origin) enjoying a cricket match

Speaking to Asian Voice, Akash said, “I was born here. England is my motherland. But British Indians growing up in this country don't associate with cricket that much. For us football is our national game. Many of us who support Asian teams like India and Pakistan in cricket, we support England in every other sport that we follow. Cricket is not a game for the middle class in the UK”

A survey by ComRes and BBC Asian Network found that 77.19% of British Asians born in the UK support the home nations in international football tournaments.

Kishor told the newsweekly, “Growing up I have seen discrimination and racism at its peak. We were reminded everyday how we were never part of this country. So it is natural to associate ourselves with the

Indian culture that brought our community together against perpetrators.”

According to the International Cricket Council, over 80% of World Cup tickets have been bought by people who live in England, but less than half by people who actually support the England team, reported the BBC. Moreover while cricket is played in every street and corner of India, in England it is seen as a sport for the 'elite' - with 43% of men playing international cricket for England going to private school, according to a report by the Sutton Trust and Social Mobility Commission.

Aditya Mazumdar, 16, who was born and brought up in London said, “Cheering for India has nothing to do with not being English. I am as English as our neighbour Tom. But cricket is a household game among Indians, and I have grown up seeing Indian cricket. Attachment to Indian team is because of similar culture and background.

Nowadays IPL also has English players playing. It is a global game, boundaries have faded. Who watches county cricket in the UK other than elites?”