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Let noble thoughts come to us from every side

8 - 14 JUNE 2019 - VOL 48 ISSUE 6

MODI PICKS 58 'PERFORMERS'

inside: Dear Asian Voice readers, May the blessings of Allah fill your life with happiness, success and peace!

Eid Mubarak to all of you!

Former Governor of Bengal blames lack of responsible Opposition for the rise of BJP in Bengal SEE PAGE 6

Celebrating a stronger U K-India business corridor Report on page 26

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8 - 14 June 2019

onetoone WITH KEITH VAZ, MP

Dipna Anand Dipna Anand is a Celebrity Chef who co-owns the famous 'Brilliant Restaurant' in Southall and is owner of her brand-new restaurant come cafe in Chelsea/Fulham called ‘Dip in Brilliant’ specialising in Punjabi cuisine, showcasing some of her grandfather’s recipes dating back to over 65 years. Author of the 'Beyond Brilliant' recipe book, Dipna guest lectures at The University of West London in the subject of Indian cooking and also runs her own School of Indian Cookery in West London. Dipna carries out food demos, pop-up chef events and is currently on a mission to teach the nation how to cook 'real Indian Food' with her TV show ‘Dip in Kitchen’. Working alongside Restaurant Associates who are part of the Compass group as brand chef for their Punjabi food range, Dipna is now on the brink of creating her own ready meals range as well as set to launch her second cook-book this summer. The chef’s Brilliant Punjabi food range is available at selected events with Wembley SSE Arena, The O2, The ExCel London, Twickenham Rugby Stadium and Tottenham Hotspur Football Club.

1

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

My most favourite city (after London) is most definitely Mumbai. When I land in Mumbai it’s hard to explain the feeling I get, almost like "I am finally home". It’s the entire cultural vibe of the city, it’s the home of Bollywood (which I love) and to me it’s a very real world, for example fruits and vegetables are sold on the roadsides, there are thousands of street food vendors, people are friendly, Indian festival celebrations fill the city with excitement and its just full of positive energy.

2

What are your proudest achievements?

Winning the personality of the year award at The British Curry Awards in 2014 Training Gordon Ramsay at my restaurant on how to use the tandoor oven for his BBC2 cook along series Being part of Ramsay’s Best Restaurant Series Releasing two cook-books till date and making my fathers’ dream a reality Collaborating with Tottenham Hotspur and the Levy Group

3

What inspires you?

It inspires me when I am flooded with emails, messages on social media of individuals congratulating me, wanting to meet me and commending me for the work I do. I am

A man from Ilford has been convicted of the brutal murder of his wife with a meat cleaver. Muhammad Javed, 59, of Staines Road, was found guilty after a ten-day trial at the Old Bailey Thursday May 30th.

The court heard how on February 13 last year he viciously attacked his wife Saeeda Hussain, 54, and then went to a police station to confess his crime.

The pair had been married for 18 years, but Javed had a controlling personality and other family members told officers he could become angry at the slightest thing.

So severe was his controlling nature that he had installed CCTV cameras in the house so he could monitor Saeeda in case she was cheating on him.

Family also told officers that Javed had abused and

Pic courtesy: Met Police

Ilford man brutally murdered wife with meat cleaver over cheating fears killed his wife.

Javed had also phoned other family members and told them what he had done before handing himself in. As Saeeda's loved arrived at the scene, officers Muhammad Javed (left) murdered his wife Saeeda (right) also arrived and asked them to assaulted Saeeda many wait outside. times over the years, but When police found the none of this was ever door to the downstairs livreported to police and the ing room locked they forced abuse continued unabated. entry and found Saeeda In the weeks leading up lying on the floor; it was to the murder he had apparapparent she had been bruently been getting angrier tally assaulted. and angrier with his wife Paramedics pronounced and other family members her dead at the scene. this led to their becoming fearful for Saeeda's safety.

Police were alerted to the killing when Javed entered Ilford police station and told officers he had

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successful because they appreciate my work, this is inspiration for me. I also get inspired when I carry out children’s cookery courses, these children are the future of our industry and when I pass on my knowledge and skills to them, it inspires me to think that one day, like me they will live their dreams too and appreciate all the teaching they have been given.

4

What has been biggest obstacle in your career?

The opening of my restaurant, Dip in Brilliant was a challenge purely because I had never opened up a restaurant of my own and the deadline in which I had to open it within (2 months) was a task in itself. During the time of trying to open up my new place, I had secured many big contracts with other companies, so managing my time posed a big challenge, however with positivity, energy and drive, I managed to jump every hurdle and stay focussed throughout.

5

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

My parents inspire me. My dad is my role model, he is the most hands-on, hardworking individual who is passionate and determined in his field of work. As a child I inspired to be like him and until date I am influenced by his energy and drive, he is my real-life superhero. I get my can-do attitude and willingness to succeed from my mum, her courageousness inspires me every day.

6

What is the best aspect about your current role?

I get to meet lots of people, I get to visit at least two new kitchens every single week and interact with so many chefs that have their own pools of knowledge, each chef has their own working style and secrets and I am blessed to get access to that knowledge.

Another great aspect of my work is I also work as part of my family business and there is nothing more satisfying than being successful because your family ties are so strong. I get to work in some great venues, including football clubs, big banks, exhibition centres and with renowned brand names, each day brings something different and that’s the part of my job I love.

7

And the worst?

Being in this industry its very hard to say no and turn down ventures that are so exciting and have potential. I find it very hard to turn down something because I like to take on as much as I can and then rise to the challenge of doing it. Its got to a stage where there is so much going on that I am now having to turn down opportunities due to time restraints and this is probably the worst aspect of my current role. I want to do everything but physically am unable to take on so much as the time factor is the issue.

8

What are your long-term goals?

Teaching the nation how to cook hearty, enticing Punjabi cuisine and more Eventually have my bespoke range of meals and spices Carry out an Indian food trail around the world to see how Indian food has evolved worldwide and produce a series to reflect this Open another branch of Dip in Brilliant as the concept is a winner Associate with population in Canada somehow as the concept of Punjabi food there needs to be showcased!

9

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

Why does the word Brexit even exist and why is everyone so impacted by it? I would change the word Brexit to Fixit, so nobody would be impacted by the challenges Brexit has brought to so many. If I was PM for a day, I would bury Brexit forever.

10

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

This would surely be Mahatma Gandhi because I would listen to his words and teachings all day long to understand life the way he did. Gandhiji said “there can be no change in the world if we are not ready to change ourselves”. He firmly believed change starts at home and for a world less corrupt we need to embrace total integrity in ourselves. His words have such strength and truth even today.

Bullying claims dismissed, women quit KPMG Sanjay Thakkar, who sits on the executive committee at KPMG has agreed to take a leave of absence from the organisation following "bullying" claims according to The Daily Telegraph.

Two women, Maggie Brereton, and Ina Kjaer had quit the accounting firm after allegations of bullying

by Thakkar had been dismissed. Their resignation, seen as a mark of protest, made at the “scandalous” handling of complaints against Thakkar has resulted in the head of deal advisory in Britain to apologise and had earlier been sent for leadership coaching classes.

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All of the Big Four remain under scrutiny following multiple allegations of inappropriate behaviour among senior staff. At the end of 2018, all four firms publicly admitted that they had dismissed multiple senior partners for bullying and inappropriate behaviour.

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COMMENTS

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8 - 14 June 2019

Message of new Modi government Amid the boast of heraldry, the pomp of power, ministers of the new Narendra Modi governmentministers took their oaths of office at Rashtrapati Bhavan on May 30, the for its second term. India’s great and good were represented in force: politicians, film stars, sports personalities, captains of industry and others, together with a galaxy of foreign heads of state and governments from India’s immediate neighbourhoods and farther afield who attended the glittering ceremony. The message was loud and clear. India was open for business, cooperation in all fields of human endeavour and of enhancing dialogue to that end. Pakistan was the sole exception on this impressive guest list. The sustained abetment and export of jihadi terrorism was the reason. This has been rightly perceived in India as an undeclared war designed to cripple and destroy the country.

Pakistan prime minister in the 1970 Zulfiqar Ali was prone to make inflammatory public statements on the subject, as related by his American biographer and historian Stanley Wolpert, who drew much critical material Bhutto’s private archive. Jihadi assaults by Pakistan-based operatives on India’s financial hub, Mumbai in March 1993 and in November 2008, resulted in the deaths of hundreds of innocent citizenry; thereafter, smaller attacks across the country have taken their inevitable toll.

Normal relations in such abnormal conditions were well nigh impossible. Prime Minister Modi made this abundantly clear to his hosts in Western capitals. Such policies threatened not merely the peace, stability and security of India, but also of world order itself. Earlier, in the mid 1980s, India had been one of the principal architects of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation [SAARC], which included Pakistan as top partner. Hopes of cooperative ventures were belied by subsequent confrontations arising from Pakistani deep state funding and arming of Islamist and Khalistan terrorists, in keeping with the goals outlined by Bhutto. Every measure to take SAARC forward was thwarted by Pakistan as advantageous

to India. Thirty years of SARRC stagnation brought home to India the need to build an alternate structure to promote friendly regional cooperation without a Pakistani presence.

To this end, road connectivity was established from Thailand and Myanmar, in Southeast Asia linking them to Bangladesh, India, Bhutan and Nepal.

Pakistan has been reduced to an irrelevance. Judging from Pakistani media comment on Indian politics and much else, it is clear that the country’s political class possess scarcely any real grasp of Indian realities. The two countries have long ceased to share a common frame, which pious shibboleths continue to conceal. Perhaps a half century or more of meditative silence may quieten fraught nerves and take the edge off ancient animosities. A conversation then may be driven more by curiosity than by stilted totems of prejudice, and hence may yield glimmers of hope of a less troubled future. A dialogue of the deaf simply incites hostility.

From beyond the subcontinent and its environs came the state leaders of Mauritius and Kyrgyzstan, the latter to host the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) conference at its capital, Bishek in mid-June, where Prime Minister Modi will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines, as he also will separately with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

India’s is constructing a security edifice fit for 21st century purpose. The widely held Western wisdom of a conjoined India-Pakistan relationship – ‘traditional rivals’ is the anodyne description – eludes ground reality. Perhaps India is still regarded as a soft state. Recent events should have laid such notions to rest. India is designing an architecture protective of its regional interests and relationships, while also serving as a manual for its ties with the Great Powers. These too have to be handled with appropriate deftness and understanding.

The situation for India is evolving in the right direction.

In a combustible world it spells hope.

Significant signals in new faces ‘All the world’s a stage/ And all the men and women merely players: /They have their exits and their entrances...’ Such is the philosophical Shakespeare gives to figures who come and go in the public sphere.

The new Modi government is a blend of experience and innovation – an injection of energy into an ambling bureaucracy and its routine ministerial habits. Every administrative system, like most other systems, needs a shake-up. Prime Minister Modi, at the helm for the second time in his career, has used his broom. He and his colleagues must stand up and deliver the promises they made during the election campaign. The electorate broadly believed that the first Modi dispensation had been work in progress, the second they expect will witness its completion. The economy is what surely will define the Prime Minister’s niche in his country’s history. His massive landslide has empowered him to push resolutely ahead with his economic reforms; to modernise it for 21st century purpose. Thriving agriculture, robust industry, expanding frontiers of science and technology, coupled with greater opportunities for education and medical care in rising living standards, is the driving forcr of the Modi vision that so enthused the broad mass of the Indian people.

In the space available, it would be best to concentrate on the four significant changes in the Cabinet. Two entailed new appointments, the other two entailed major shifts in ministries. The introduction of BJP President Amit Shah as Home Minister, second only to Prime Minister Modi in political authority was the most critical decision by far. He has been Mr Modi’s alter ego for many years, and their fruitful partnership is set continue well into the future. As Home Minister, Mr Shah will have access to national intelligence at the highest level, enabling him to take strategic decisions on internal security, particularly in troubled areas such as Kashmir. He is expected to be tougher than was his predecessor Rajnath Singh, whose safe pair of hands were designed to ensure political equilibrium above all else.

Next came the ministerial shifts. Nirmala Sitharaman, who replaced the ailing Manohar Parrikar as Defence Minister, was the first woman to hold the post. The frequent changes of ministers here had affected efficiency.

Delayed much needed military reforms and held up new arms acquisitions. Minister Sitharaman brought fresh vigour to the ministry and its workings. Military reforms were taken in hand and the wheels began to move. The Minister’s defence of the deal to purchase the French Rafale aircraft in Parliament against its Congress critics was a masterly exposition of technical detail combined

with overall cogency, evoked considerable admiration among MPs and reporters. It must have impressed the Prime Minister in equal measure, as he has appointed her Finance Minister, again its first woman. Ms Sitharaman has experience in this field, having been junior minister of commerce, with special responsibility for financial affairs.

Her negotiating skills and master of departmental briefs marked her out as a future star. As new Finance Minister, her presentation to Parliament on July 5 will command close attention of the captains of industry, wider business circles and from the public at large.

Rajnath Singh moves in as Defence Minister. He will oversee the momentum of military modernization underway and the speeding up of weapons acquisition. No further delays hereon. As a former physics academic, he should have fewer problems than most understanding the mechanics of modern armaments.

The second new appointment involves S. Jaishankar, an experienced diplomat and once foreign secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs. He now becomes Foreign Minister. His beat previously was the US, China and Japan.

His engagement with US and Chinese officials and ministers is certain to test his diplomatic skills to the full.

The US, in particular, appears to have embarked on a course of diplomacy based largely on arbitrary sanctions, threats, bluster and blackmail. Domestically, The US,it would appear, is trapped in an increasingly dysfunctional political system. Washington is presently engaged in a tariff war with China, and with another against India.

Worse: senior US State Department officials have warned India of sanctions were it to purchase arms from Russia, most of all Russia’s famed S-400 Trumf long range defence shield. Turkey, too, has been given similar notice.

This bull-in-a-China shop behaviour undermines India’s sovereign right to chart an independent course with a third power. India is unlikely to submit to American blackmail. Consider the following item in the Hindu newspaper (June 1) : ‘A senior administration official had told The Hindu (May 24). ‘The irony of the US pressing India on S-400 is that several former US defence officials have praised the military utility of Russian platforms like BrahMos missies and S 400 system enabling India to face off China.’ ‘ The US can’t offer India comparable anti-access/area denial capabilities,’ said Sameer Lalwani, who heads the South Asia program at the Stimson Institute, a nonpartisan think-tank in Washington.’

Prime Minister Modi who keeps keen watch on foreign policy is certain to monitor further developments.

Meanwhile Mr Jaishankar has his work cut out.

Honest communication is built on truth and integrity and upon respect of the one for the other.

- Benjamin E. Mays

Alpesh Patel

My appearance on BBC Newsnight I write to you after my appearance on BBC Newsnight (www.tinyurl.com/alpeshnewsnight) where I was, in the words of the programme’s presenter, ‘defending PM Modi from allegations of sectarianism’. And yes I was – reminding the viewers that the BJP has the allegiance of the minority wing and is supported by many Muslims.

“We have a responsibility towards Hindus who are harassed and who suffer in other countries. Where will they go? India is the only place for them. Our government cannot continue to harass them. We will have to accommodate them here…As soon as we come to power at the Centre, detention camps housing Hindu migrants from Bangladesh will be done away with,” Narendra Modi said a while ago.

Is this communalism? Is this sectarianism? Is this the Hindutva in Hindustan that the liberal elite fear?

‘Blessed is he who, in the name of charity and good will, walks the weak through the valley of the darkness. For he is truly his brother's keeper and the finder of lost children. And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to poison and destroy my brothers. And you will know that I am the Lord when I lay my vengeance upon you.’

That is all Modi is saying – and that quote from the Bible only shows that the Christians have the same values.

Modi aspires to greatness. A lesson from history, I would advise him to remember the words of Diogenese and remember that true greatness seeks to save not only your own, but all who need saving. That is dharma.

First, think global: "I am not an Athenian or a Greek, but a citizen of the world" said Diogenese.

That is why India’s problems are the world’s problems.

Second, give to the world: "I threw my cup away when I saw a child drinking with his hands at the trough." That is why India’s problems are the world’s problems.

Again, said Diogenese. ‘Take little from the world, it is the privilege of the gods to want nothing, and of godlike men to want little.'

I am not being dictatorial, or pious, when I say, ‘do as you wish, but please have some sense of your own culture and history’. I am not advocating the hard-line right-wing of Indian or Hindu culture, itself alien anyway to India. But all things are not equal. Some things are better than others.

Some things are right and some things are wrong.

And one way to judge, yes judge, is based on your history and the history of your ancestors.

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'Vile and sick-minded' paedophile posed as single mum to incite child abuse A vile and sick-minded paedophile who posed as dominatrix “Mistress Sarah” to incite parents to violently sexually abuse their own children has been jailed for five and a half years.

Samraj Kundi had recently been released from a two-year prison sentence for distributing indecent images when he set up the depraved “Open Minded Parents” internet group, Bradford Crown Court heard last Saturday.

The group, since closed down, saw Kundi posing as a woman who sexually abused her own children and encouraged like-minded paedophiles to do the same.

Prosecutor Nick Adlington said an undercover police officer chatted to ‘Mistress Sarah’ on the Open Minded Parents site.

Kundi, 29, pretended to be a single mother from Liverpool “into action not

Samraj Kundi

fantasy” who was going to “play with” her two-year-old daughter that night.

In Skype chats, Kundi made filthy and disgusting suggestions to other people, urging the abuse of children as young as babies.

Kundi’s address in Woodcot Avenue, Baildon, was raided by the police on January 22 last year. His phone web browser was set to “private” in breach of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order made when he was

jailed at Leeds Crown Court on April 21, 2015, for sending horrific images of child abuse to other paedophiles.

One photo showed a naked nine-year-old girl tied to a bench and being molested.

Mr Adlington said Kundi was freed from prison on April 20, 2016, and began committing new offences within three months. He pleaded guilty to 12 charges of intentionally arranging or facilitating the commission of a child sexual offence and two counts of breach of the Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Kundi, who sat in the dock with his hands on his knees staring at the floor, had stopped offending during 2017 but relapsed because of low mood and anxiety, said his barrister Gerald Hendron. He was from “a thoroughly reputable family who are devas-

tated by his behaviour and have to carry the stigma,” Mr Hendron said.

Kundi was a dangerous offender, posing a high risk of causing serious harm to children in the future. He will spend at least three years and eight months behind bars and may stay in jail for the whole of his term.

He will then be on an extended six-year licence period.

After the case, an NSPCC spokesperson said: “Kundi has shown no remorse for his depraved actions in which he orchestrated sickening abuse and he clearly represents a significant danger to children.

“It is imperative that tough legislation is introduced to make the internet a safer place and sick-minded individuals like Kundi are not only brought to justice but their actions prevented in the first place.”

Drug lord Rajinder Kumar jailed after police sting uncovers £2m heroin haul A Birmingham drug dealer has been jailed after undercover cops found 18 kilos of heroin and cocaine worth a street value of £2 million.

Rajinder Kumar, aged 31, was stung following a meeting with partner Abol Bosher in West Bromwich last year.

Bosher, 35, met Kumar on Thomas Street on the evening of November 14.

The pair, though, were watched by Met Police Organised Crime Partnership (OCP) officers.

Bosher arrived by van and Kumar by car and the duo were seen talking by an open van door for about 10 minutes. Afterwards, Bosher left in the van but was soon stopped by police a few minutes later on the M6 motorway. Trying to evade capture, he then jumped out of

Rajinder Kumar and drugs recovered worth an estimated £2m

Handsworth drug lord Kumar, meanwhile, was arrested before he left Thomas Street in West Bromwich.

On searching the car officers found a further six kilos of cocaine with a street value of £900,000.

Both were arrested and subsequently charged for

possession with intent to supply class A drugs. They both pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing.

Following the joint operation - led by National Crime Agency and OCP the drug dealers were jailed for a total of 13 years and four months.

Londoner Bosher was jailed for five years and four months while Kumar was given an eight-year prison sentence.

Gurdwara Bebe Nanaki Ji has windows smashed in vandal attack The Gurdwara Bebe Nanaki Ji temple has had its windows smashed in a callous vandal attack. The Sikh temple, was targeted on last Tuesday night (May 28).

West Midlands Police is investigating the attack which took place just after 5.30pm. Bricks were thrown through windows and fortunately no-one was injured.

Police have appealed for witnesses or people with information to contact them. A West Midlands Police spokesman said the force did not believe the attack was racially motivated.

He added: "Enquiries continue and anyone with information is asked to

contact police via Live Chat at www.westmidlands.police.uk between 8am and midnight, or call 101 anytime quoting 20BW/126384P/19.

“Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be called anonymously on 0800 555 111."

Handsworth Panjabi Sikh community site Shere

Panjab announced the vandalism attack on its Facebook page.

The post said: "After a few of our Sevadars arrived at the Gurdwara sahib and spoke to the management committee we were able to clarify that this attack was not racially motivated.

"We can also confirm the Gurdwara does have CCTV which they decided

HARROW RECYCLING CENTRE'S 'FRUSTRATING' PHONE SYSTEM COULD ENCOURAGE FLY-TIPPING An opposition councillor who made a 'mystery phone call' to test his local waste disposal service slammed the whole process as "frustrating".

Harrow Conservative councillor Nitesh Hirani wanted to find out how the service at Harrow Recycling Centre works for ordinary people in the borough.

The Kenton East councillor wanted to see if he could get rid of a single sofa but encountered problems with communication and the rigid rules when it comes to bulky items. When he finally got through to someone, he was told disposals are charged in blocks of four.

This meant he would need to pay £40 to legally dispose of his one bulky item.

Cllr Hirani suggested in similar cases, people would simply flytip their items to avoid the costs instead of acting responsibly.

He said he has seen evidence that a lack of enforcement means people think they can get away with dumping large items on the kerbside.

“Unfortunately, this happens almost every day to law abiding citizens while offenders live a happy life since a minority get fined,” he said.

“In order to break free of this system, the authorities need to emphasise strong enforcement and increase surveillance. The offender should fear getting caught and the prospect of a hefty fine. Or the council should simplify the system and make it more appealing.”

Cllr Hirani pointed out there is a free alternative – the recycling centre – but this is often inconvenient when it comes to large items. He added that among his constituents, frustration is increasing.

MAN AND WOMAN ARRESTED OVER SUSPECTED HIT AND RUN AT LEICESTER MOSQUE

Abol Bosher

the van and tried to flee. But after realising his only escape route was a 50-metre drop down to the railway line, he gave up and was arrested. A search of his van uncovered 12 kilos of heroin with a street value of £1.2m.

A further search of his home address in Southall uncovered £44,000 in cash.

in brief

to handed over to the authorities.

"Our first intention was to make sure Guru Maharaj was safe and no sangat (fellowship) had been hurt.

"Whatever the motive or politics behind the situation our Gurdwara’s should not be attacked, we will continue to monitor the situation and update sangat further on this matter."

Two people have been arrested after a suspected hit and run at a mosque left a worshipper fighting for his life. A woman, 21, and a man, 23, have been held on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving, said Leicestershire Police. Officers said they are not treating the incident as terror-related. At around 1am on Thursday morning a vehicle rammed into a 40year-old worshipper who was leaving the Masjid At-Taqwa mosque in Leicester. Police said he was seriously injured but is now in a stable condition in hospital. A teenage boy was also hit by the car just after Taraweeh – the prayers made during the month of Ramadan – and suffered minor injuries.

Officers are now appealing for sightings of a blue, three-door hatchback, which failed to stop at the scene on Humberstone Road, near its junction with Spinney Hill. Police suggest it may have sustained damage in the collision and could have been abandoned.

The Masjid At-Taqwa mosque wrote on Facebook they wished the man a ‘speedy recovery, and to grant his family plentiful patience to get through this very difficult time.’

They reminded worshippers to be ‘very vigilant and to take care when leaving the masjid.’ Officers are also appealing for anyone who may have dashcam or CCTV footage of the incident to get in touch. Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting incident 19 of 30 May.

MAN WITH HAMMER DETAINED AT MOSQUE IN SOUTHALL At 4:30 a.m. on June 3, Monday, a man was detained at a mosque in Hayes Road, near Southall after he had reportedly attempted to attack people with a hammer.

According to the Metropolitan Police, the forces had received reports of a 38-year-old man attempting to attack people and was detained by worshippers before the police had arrived.

“He has subsequently been arrested on suspicion of attempted grievous bodily harm and is in custody at a west London police station.”

Nobody was harmed at the Mosque and the police is not treating the incident as terror related.

Similar incident in Cardiff Earlier, the day before in Cardiff, two teenagers had been arrested after a “disturbance” at a mosque in the city and they were tackled by the security staff as they tried to enter the Dar-ul-Isra Muslim Educational and Welfare Centre in Cathays.

According to some witnesses the “pair” had carried knives but.

However, the police did not provide any confirmation about this.

Meanwhile, the mosque said that members of its securty team had been taken to the hospital with minor injuries are were released.

Later in a statement released by the South Wales Police on Twitter, the police requested the public to “avoid speculation and circulating unconfirmed information”.

The centre is now open and operating as usual and programmes are taking place as usual but security has been beefed up following these reports.

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8 - 14 June 2019

Admissions of a govt. school in Ahmedabad increase as an NGO sets up Digital Classrooms Majority of the government schools in India are provided very less amount of funds. They are sometimes provided around Rs. 15,000-Rs.20,000 by the government, but such a minimal amount is mostly used for electricity consumption.

Hence there is very little scope of providing a solid infrastructure to the students. The teachers in government schools have to work very hard to ensure that the students don’t lose interest in coming to school. But the curriculum is very less focussed on its practical implementation in real life. The students have to understand everything only through their books and blackboards.

YUVA Unstoppable has played an important role in transforming a lot of government aided schools in various parts of Gujarat since 2005. It has transformed around 1000 schools and has helped around 150,000 young children in improving their education and standard of living. The transformation programs carried out by YUVA before 2017 mostly focussed on providing sanitation facilities to the kids. But we realised it was important that the schools went through a 360 degree transformation. The schools need to be made more child-friendly. A child-friendly school meant providing better infrastructure in terms of not only clean separate toilets for boys and girls, but also providing a better playground and library to students.

Today, we are living in a virtual world. We cannot imagine our lives without our gadgets. Hence it is important that the students are made aware of it and technology is used to improve the status of education in their schools.

Hence YUVA decided to setup digital classrooms in one of the schools in an economically backward region of Ahmedabad called Vasna. Vasna Maragiya Primary School was taken as its first sample. Digital smartboards were setup in various classes of this school.

The digitisation of classroom study ensured that education should be interactive and practical based. The use of colourful visuals gathers the attention of kids easily and helps them to understand their syllabus quickly. After a survey was conducted, we found out that a lot of students in this school come from extremely remote rural areas. The main focus of setting up digital classrooms was to empower these students specifically. They have come from a very challenging economic background. If they are taught using a digital platform and understand how to operate technological gadgets, they will become well versed with it.

If they have some basic computer knowledge for their future, they can do part time jobs in the field of technology and decent amount of money for their family and hence would be able to avoid labour work that they have been witnessing in their respective villages for generations.

The inclusion of Google classrooms has helped even the teachers of this school. In Google classrooms, chrome books are offered to all the students. Sheets are created digitally and hence marks or the results of the students are generated automatically. This has reduced paper work and has reduced a teacher’s burden of checking books, exams and a lot of time on calculating results has been deducted. Their focus is only to ensure they spend more time in teaching the students.

Earlier, this school had witnessed an increase in the dropout ratio as the children weren’t finding their education interesting and worthy enough. But it witnessed an increase admission rate within a year, with 117 students in the school today, while earlier there were only 90. YUVA has provided digital classrooms to almost 200 schools all across the country within a span of less than 2 years. It looks forward to do so for a brighter future of India’s youth.

Sponsored Charity of Asian Achievers Awards 2019

To know more about Yuva Unstoppabl please visit www.yuvaunstoppable.org.

Former Governor of Bengal blames lack of responsible Opposition for the rise of BJP in Bengal Rupanjana Dutta Gopalkrishna Gandhi, the former Governor of Bengal, who visited the UK to celebrate his grandfather Mahatma Gandhi's 150th birth anniversary spoke about India's recent elections at the House of Lords on May 30, Thursday.

Gandhi who was the Governor of Bengal from 2004-09, shared some anecdotes from his years in governance and spoke about how the lack of a strong Opposition led to the recent shift of voters in West Bengal.

Bengal that was ruled by the strong left or CPI(M) party for around three decades, has been entirely wiped off, by the right wing BJP who have claimed 18 seats. Speaking at a gathering hosted by Lord Bhikhu Parekh and CB Patel, Publisher/Editor of Asian Voice, Gandhi said“The Left front voters moving to Right has been a phenomenal event in Bengal. It is caused by the lack of large and active Opposition in the last five years and before. If BJP becomes a responsible Opposition in Bengal, it will keep the State government (run by TMC) on alert.

However, if BJP as an Opposition wants to be respected in West Bengal, then the BJP in power in Delhi also needs to give the same respect to the Opposition there.”

Answering a question

(L-R) CB Patel, Editor/Publisher of Asian Voice, Subhash Thakrar, Lord Bhikhu Parekh, Gopalkrishna Gandhi and Lord Ranbir Suri

from the audience about Rohingyas migrating to Bengal from Bangladesh allegedly used as a vote bank, he said“The arrival of people from what was East Bengal and East Pakistan is not new. It's an epic migration.

It has happened over many phases. The latest is the Rohingyas. It cannot be put down to any simple categorisation. It is very simple to say that treat it as a human crisis and do nothing about and leave it to the State government to deal with it....It is this practicality that forced Indira Gandhi to take the steps that she took in 1971…

“It is not something that could be left to Mamata Banerjee alone. Between accusation claims of 'instigation' and 'appeasement', I think it has to come from the Constitution of India and it should be interpreted as the Constitution should be interpreted, without any religion. Citizenship Bill has been opposed by someone

like the Chief of Minister of Bihar, Nitish Kumar, who is a member of NDA, and it speaks volume on the stand.”

The event was attended

by Lord Meghnad Desai, Lord Ranbir Suri and Baroness Shreela Flather along with other dignitaries.

While Gandhi portrayed a very grim picture of India with water crisis, top soil erosion posing threats to agricultural lands, he added that he did not doubt that PM Narendra Modi will come back for a second term but had no clue it would be such a 'torrential success', applauding him for it.

However, he criticised the 'intemperate speech' and 'mushrooming hate speech' during this 17th Lok Sabha election campaign but assured the audience that “India is larger than politics.” While touching upon the issues of education, health, employment and women, he particularly focussed on the deep agrarian crisis and farmers' sui-

cide.

He urged the Prime Minister to address India's drought crisis as the immediate ‘Drought Commissioner’. He added, “Food scarcity and agricultural decay, intensive irrigation and fertilisers, digging borewells suck up the water rain gives to the ground, faster than it replenishes it.

That loosens the agricultural top soil...Who is going to be PM or CM are secondary.

India has an earth problem and the earth is losing itself.

What happened in Kathmandu will happen in northern India in the coming 100 years in a greater velocity. Something can be done to cushion it,” he concluded.

Gandhi also gave a lecture under the auspices of Mahatma Gandhi Foundation at the Nehru Centre and delivered a lecture at an event organised by the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Committee of Hull, before heading back to India.

BK Shivani to celebrate 'International Yoga Day' in the UK

BK Shivani, the contemporary face of India's ancient Raja Yoga, is coming to London on 17 June, Monday to begin her tour of 13 European cities over the following 19 days, to kickstart her 'Awakening' European Tour. Besides other cities this also includes three places in the UK – Leicester, London and Manchester.

Her unique blend of wit and wisdom and refreshing style have inspired many whose spirits are in need of lifting.

Her huge achievement in becoming a young woman of inspiration to

people of all ages and walks of life has been recently recognised by the Government of India who awarded BK Shivani the highest civilian honour for women in India - the Nari Shakti (‘Woman Power’) Award.

As a young wife and gold medalist graduate in engineering, BK Shivani was volunteering as a researcher and scriptwriter for a TV production company in Delhi. When one of the guests didn’t turn up, she was asked to stand in. Initially, surprised at the prospect, she bravely agreed and consequentlydelivered a powerful message, making her talk show ‘Awakening', an overnight sensation.

Intially successful in India, she is now an inspiration for youngsters acorss the world. Drawing on the many insights gained from her study of Raja Yoga – a ‘yoga of the mind’ – BK Shivani discovered a gift for translating the wisdom of India’s yoga teachings into something practical and relevant for today’s world, cover-

ing everything from relationships, parenting, and finding that balance of living a peaceful life to being stuck in the rut of following a stressed work life.

Her TV show and her social media following of almost 4 million (YouTube and Facebook) is an indication of her success story and how she has been a guiding mentor for several who are fighting off mental and emotional distress. Previously, she has conducted live concert shows in India, Asia, Europe, North America, Australia, the Middle East and Africa.

Her book 'Happiness Unlimited' is a number one bestseller in the religious section of Amazon India.

Since 1996, BK Shivani has been practising and teaching Raja Yoga meditation with the Brahma Kumaris, a global network with a presence throughout the UK and Europe. Her live events in the UK are scheduled in London on June 23, Leicester on June 20 and Manchester on June 24.

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Caught amidst the cricket fever: Tourism and Integration Priyanka Mehta The opening ceremony of the 12th edition of the ICC Cricket World Cup was hosted at the Buckingham Palace on Wednesday, May 29, and attended by about 4000 cricket fans, celebrity names and captains of all cricket teams.

Broadcast globally, the party was hosted by model Shibani Dandekar, veteran English batsman Andrew Flintoff and comedian Paddy McGuinness. While the sodden celebrations set the stage for the World Cup, it also provided a head start for Indian fans from across the world to tie up their laces and flock to stadiums across the UK to bat for their home team.

"It's lovely to be here. We have such a huge fan base in England. The amount of people travelling from home as well...It's great to see at every stadium we play at, at least 50 per cent of the crowd is Indian. For us, that's a thing of pressure but a thing of pride as well. Hopefully, we have got to use to the crowd support to our advantage," said Indian skipper Virat Kohli.

According to figures collated by VisitBritain, tourism increased marginally from 37.5 mn in 2018 to 38.8mn people as of February 2019.

However, officials at the VFS

(L-R) Shibani Dandekar, Paddy McGuiness, Andrew Flintoff, Chris Hughes and Kevin Pietersen

Global estimate that the cricket fever will lead to a further influx of about 80,000 Indian fans travelling to the UK particularly for the tournament, a figure corroborated based on the number of visa applications received at the end of March and April.

But while cricket promises celebration, there is a perception that it tends to create tensions especially among the migrant communities settled in the UK who are caught in the dilemma of supporting their home team as opposed to their resident country.

However, writing for The Sunday Times, Lord Jitesh Gadhia has highlighted the redundancy of the “so-called Tebbit Test” today.

Lord Jitesh Gadhia

“The so-called Tebbit Test, asking immigrants to choose between their old and new countries, now seems outdated, as people are increasingly comfortable with multiple identities.

“When Tebbit’s comment was made in 1990, it was an era when loyalties were still questioned and social integration less advanced. We know that diaspora communities are among the most patriotic British citizens — and equally proud of their heritage.” he said.

Lord Gadhia’s comments appear amidst revealations that about 41% of ticket sales for the Cricket World Cup have been taken up by South

Asian diaspora communities from Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka - who will turn out in force to support the teams of their ancestry. This year, 9 of the 10 nations playing in the sixweek tournament are members of the Commonwealth.

And earlier in the week, some members of the Bangladeshi community in pockets of the UK rejoiced as Bangladesh defeated South Africa while in the following match, the bookies favourite England lost to Pakistan in a surprise victory.

However, integration continues to remain a vulnerable subject particularly for cricketers of Indian origin such as Ravi Bopara when

they turn out for England against India. In 2013, Bopara was labelled as a traitor during the India-England Champions Trophy final in Edgbaston.

Cricket unites people from different countries: Malala But just like Lord Gadhia, Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai, is also a firm believer of the significance of cricket in ensuring women empowerment and cultural integration. Malala, an advocate of women's cricket was representing Pakistan at the Opening ceremony on Wednesday for the 60-second challenge.

"I have been a big fan of cricket since my childhood. I

used to play it on the streets, on rooftops. I still remember fighting with my brothers to let me play even if I get out.

This sport connects people from different backgrounds, different cultures. It is uniting people from different countries," said Malala.

In the 60-second challenge all the 10 countries competing in the Cricket World Cup were represented by a former cricketer and a celebrity and played street cricket. While Pakistan was represented by Malala and Azhar Ali, Anil Kumble and Farhan Akhtar, represented India. But it was Chris Hughes, and Kevin Pietersen, ambassadors for England who aced the 60 second challenge.

A war of words: Trump bumps into Khan US President Donald Trump has hit the ball rolling in his UK visit with a twitter troll that has been directly aimed this time at Mayor of London Sadiq Khan as he touched down on London.

Following Khan's criticism when he had compared Trump to a 20th century fascist, the American President has hit back at the Mayor of London by describing him as “a stone cold loser”. In the latest war

of words, Trump has taken to his social media where he tweeted“ K a h n reminds me very much of our very dumb and incompetent Mayor of NYC, de Blasio, who has also done a terrible job - only half his height. In any event, I look forward to

being a great friend to the United Kingdom, and am looking very much forward to my visit. Landing now!”

The Sportsman casino invites you to feel like one of the family hilst many Asian Voice readers have already experienced the superior gaming and culinary delights on offer at The Sportsman casino, others might find the idea of entering one of West End’s top casinos a bit intimidating. Rest assured, there is always a warm welcome waiting for you at The Sportsman. You don’t need to be a member, entrance is free and new guests soon become part of the family within the casino’s intimate and friendly environment.

Here’s a snap-shot of the casino’s superior gaming and dining offer to help you feel at home before you even arrive.

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Slots: Visitors can make themselves at home in the casino’s comfortable slots lounge, with fully adjustable chairs and one of twenty state of the art machines featuring 43 different games, with new ones uploaded every month. You can set the language and the volume to your preferred level, sit back and relax.

Blackjack: This easy card game is simple to learn and thrilling to play. The essence of the game is to get nearer to a total of 21 than the dealer.

Punto Banco: This is a simple contest between the player and the bank. The object of Punto Banco is to hold 2 or 3 cards, which count 9, or as near to 9 as possible. Players have the choice of betting on either the player's hand (Punto) or the bank / dealer (Banco)’s hand to win.

Three Card Poker: The object of this fast-moving game is to achieve a Three-Card Poker hand higher than that of the dealer. Unlike other Poker games, you’re not competing against other players, just the dealer.

It’s Time to Dine!

Great taste is guaranteed at award-winning Zaman restaurant: To start, it’s “famous” garlic chilli king prawns are amazing. They use the finest Bangladeshi King prawns available, which are grilled on the char grill for enough time to mark them beautifully before being placed into the oven for a fast finish.

Served with home-made chilli garlic sauce and garnished with a bouquet of salad. “Famous” because guests keep coming back for more…

The spicy Asian glass noodle salad, which is a type of Chinese noodle, offers a unique style of taste sensation and is Vegan friendly. A mix-

ture of Julien carrot, white cabbage, cucumber and tri coloured peppers create a wonderful crunchy texture to the dish, and it is all finished with a Thia Nuoc Cham Dressing which is made using the chef’s secret recipe!

Fast becoming known for its delicious curries, the head chef from Mumbai brings a taste of home to the menu.

One of the most popular is Punjabi Karahi lamb, which is made using the finest cut of Halal lamb shoulder, which is delicately prepared ready for cooking. The lamb is then slow cooked in fresh tomato, red chilli paste, chaat masala, and many more traditional spices. This dish is always garnished with fresh coriander and mint to enhance the already wonderful

flavours. Served traditionally with basmati rice and naan bread.

Samurai salmon is also extremely popular. This steamed Scottish wonder has been turned into a beautiful Asian taste sensation with miso aubergine, Enoki mushrooms and sweet dashi emulsion.

Served with a Julienne of crunchy curly vegetables and a teaspoon of salmon roe to finish.

These are some of The Sportsman casino’s best sellers but if prefer pasta, steak, plant based mains, or a good old burger, the full menu will not disappoint.

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PLEASE NOMINATE

For

th

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

I

NOMINATIONS OPEN NOW 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.

A

pply online

http://asianachieversawards.com

Deadline for nomination 31st July, 2019 Please tick the appropriate category Achievement in Community Service In recognition for an individuals service to community.

Woman of the Year The award will recognise and honour a woman who has made a significant mark in any chosen field.

Sports Personality of the Year Awarded for excellence in sports.

Business Person of the Year Awarded to a business person who is a success in every sense of the word and can demonstrate a genuine passion for social issues.

Lifetime Achievement Award To honour those individuals, who during their lifetime, have made immense contributions in any given field. This remarkable individual can be marked as an example for the younger generation.

Uniformed and Civil Services For outstanding achievements in uniformed and civil services or contribution to the community through any of the above services.

Entrepreneur of the Year Awarded to an entrepreneur with a proven track record of operating a successful business enterprise.

Professional of the Year Professionals in the field of medicine, law, education, banking, finance and others, who have scaled the heights of their chosen profession.

Achievement in Media, Arts and Culture Someone who has made a mark in media including print and broadcast media; cinema, art and culture.

Please fill the details below I Nominee's

Full Name: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

I Occupation: I Nominee's I Email:

_______________________________

Contact Details Tel: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

__________________________________

Make sure that you fill in this application form and send it on or before 31st July, 2019 by post, fax or email to Mr. L George, Tel: 020 7749 4013, Fax 020 7749 4081, Email: aaa@abplgroup.com.

If you are sending it by post the address is Mr. L George, Karma Yoga House, Unit 1, 12 Hoxton Market, London N1 6HW.

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As I See It

We are all on the same team CB Patel

In a spectacular show of popular support, India has elected Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his team for a second productive term in office. His highly anticipated victory in the 2019 Indian Lok Sabha elections received steady and in-depth analysis both by the national and international media as people of the largest democracy in the world took to the ballot. In my viewing of these reports, I found several media entities and leaders who can't be called wellversed in Indian politics and the general operating style of Prime Minister Modi, were rather surprised by his win. I have to admit, while I never expect foreign media to blindly accept the fact that an entire country unanimously decided to vote for Modi, I did not expect such blunt ignorance either.

There are numerous signals that showcase Modi as the one true visionary of India. People cannot begin to comprehend the kind of evolution, nor, revolution that he has planned in his mind for his country. In the initial 65 years of the Indian independence, its economy was at what was called a 'Hindu rate of growth'; All because the people and their government did not have enough gumption to think outside of the box.

To all those holding their breath to point at his shortfalls, I would like to admit that Modi hasn't been successful in completely delivering on his campaign promises. However, as is evident by the election results, he has performed better than any Indian politician today.

Whether you like it or not, Modi is on the right track and in my case, I am not surprised because such are the qualities of an entrepreneur and visionary. There are of course several internal and external factors that have helped his case, but it is Modi who brought in a distinct flavor of audacity, can-do attitude, implementation of technology, and an accelerated growth of productivity.

His methods and focus have been altogether a different race ever since the beginning of his first term. For instance, there has not been a single Indian Prime Minister who has declared from the Red Fort, on Independence Day, a national need for cleanliness and toilets in every home. It remains unthinkable to this day as to why a Prime Minister would even address the topic, let alone on such a prestigious day. Eventually, after the announcement, people saw 80 million or so houses getting individual toilets built for them. Similarly, can you imagine millions of women being facilitated with gas cylinders in their kitchens, after years of constant exposure to hazards of smoke caused by burning wood, coal, and cow dung cakes while cooking.

The rate of construction of infrastructure has increased phenomenally in the last five years, and most importantly, there have been no financial scandals that could in any way implicate the ruling party.

All the success, no doubt gave Modi the confidence to achieve the unimaginable and beyond. But, of course, he is not the only individual behind all the merit. Any state, despite how powerful it is, needs an individual to set fearless, confident, and cumulative growth, but more fundamentally a team dedicated to his vision. This, is not just confined to India.

Consider the UK for an example.

Yesterday's immigrants from India, or Indians from other countries, who arrived on these shores with aspirations but limited physical resources have today achieved tremendously for which half of the credit goes to the British administrators and its people. In my humble observation, some communities

perform better than others.

Let me take you back a bit. When the Indian community, or the Asians migrated to East Africa, during the turn of the 18th century to the 19th. Very few people were able to see into the future.

Amidst lack of education and schooling in the region, there were boarding schools begun by the Patels and Kutchis, in Mombasa and Dar-es-Salaam, for the sole purpose of helping everyone.

Youngsters from places with no resources soon flocked into such institutions.

In Britain today, smaller communities are at the forefront of change. They religiously follow down the path of Mahatma Gandhi's philosophy- “Be the change you wish to see in the world”. I am aware of the happenings in the Bohras, Memons, Ishnaris, Ismailis and other Muslim groups in the UK. They provide so many initiatives for their communities, facilitating people of all age groups. When it comes to the Sikhs, there are several sub-groups within the large community and each one of them in their own way, have great reach. I have always been in awe of the community spirit of the Sikhs.

When it comes to the Hindus and Jains, Gujaratis, especially the Lohanas account for some 30,000-40,000 people in the UK; traditionally a warrier caste, they have now taken up businesses and professions in magnum proportions.

The Lohanas, like the Oshwals, have made a distinct impact in the UK very rapidly. Lohanas have a unique system that reflects their unity. For e.g. in the cases of someone's bereavement, everybody within the community is informed and volunteers proactively provide services on a voluntary basis without charging for their services. And I have myself seen hundreds of people from common folks to big tycoons including Lords, and other distinguished leaders personally paying their respects during the prayer seminars.

As for the Oshwals, this community requires some special mention. Until 1899, according to my knowledge, nobody from the community migrated to Africa. A lady organised a meeting of the Oshwals in a village in Jamnagar where representatives of the communities were settled and dependent primarily on agriculture. However, the land was not very fertile and the rain was scant. Dr Bharat Shah, co-chairman of Sigma Pharmaceuticals had published a book few years ago. It illustrates the history of the Oshwals. The Oshwal Association of UK, like other organisations of the UK, is active on various levels- career, family, and welfare among others.

A major event was held in the headquarters of Potters Bar, on Sunday. It was a one day programme on health and care awareness. I was honoured to be in attendance and was surprised to see it to be much more than just a regular health seminar. More details on the day will be published in the paper in due course.

The organisation has also started a series of regular talks by Oshwal academicians, educators, inspirers, and achievers. The guest speaker for the session on June 5 is none other than Dr. Bharat Shah, himself and his topic is 'How to start, grow, sustain, and handover a family business'. Such talks are regularly held by the community, keeping its people engaged and enlightened.

Smaller communities provide sterling services. British-Asians today know no boundaries, and are now waiting and preparing to contribute more. A ripple has been created and the waves positively affect all members of all societies.

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COMMUNITY

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Swaranjali concert by Bharatiya Vrund Gaan and SHIVA

The Indian Youth Choir and SHIVA recently performed the Swaranjali music concert at the Southbank Centre, London. Chief Guests at the concernt included Mr Brij Kumar Guhare, Deputy Director of Nehru Centre, London and Mr. C. B Patel, Editor of Gujarat Samachar and Asian Voice among other distinguished personalities.

BVG & SHIVA are one of the first formed Indian choirs in the UK in 2014, for adults and youth, with the concept of Indian choir being first introduced by Rakesh Joshi. About 100 choir members of varying ages have been selected across different cities of Greater London, Greater Manchester, Yorkshire, Chester, Liverpool, Bolton, Tameside and Croydon. The

choir songs are based in different Indian languages such as Sanskrit, Hindi, Gujarati, Marathi, Malayalam, Rajasthani, Tamil and Bengali. Both choirs performed authentic Indian songs including popular group songs, raga based Tarana, Vedic chants, hymns, famous poetry and songs of the four seasons at the event.

Rakesh Joshi’s life training started from his first guru-parents late Dr Anilchandra Joshi & Dr Hemlata Joshi. He took music training & guidance from various gurus such as maestro Pandit Ajoy Chakrabarty, Shri Shashank Fadnis, Shri Brij Joshi and the late Shri Dinesh Majmudar. His inspiration to start the Indian choir has been the Akaashvani Radio,

India and Classic FM, the UK. Mr Joshi widely performed across the USA, India, Europe and the UK. Currently, Rakesh is completing his research (Ph.D.) study in music at the University of Salford with Indian Choir, Indian Ensemble and Vedic Traditions in the UK as his subjects.

In December 2017 & 2018, both choirs performed in Gujarat, India for the special celebration of Pujya Rang Avdhoot Maharaj’s (Nareshwar) 50th Punyateethi; where Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi spoke and Pandit Jasraj Ji also sang.

Eid celebrations across the UK

Muslims across the world are celebrating Eid-ul Fitr, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan. In the UK, there were huge celebrations in Birmingham at the Small Heath Park. Over 100,000 people from five different mosques gathered together for the outdoor Eid Salah – the largest Eid celebration in Europe. Last year,

140,000 people attended the event, according to organisers, who expected a similarly huge turn-out today.

The event, hosted by Green Lane Masjid and Community Centre, is now in its eighth year and has seen growing numbers since 2012, where 12,000 people attended.

To join the Indian Choirs please contact: bvg.theindianchoirs@gmail. com / 07973 306 125

Underprivileged children perform on Gandhi's 150th Birth Anniversary Year

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Seventeen children from the heart of Ahmedabad, Gujara, have come together to tell a powerful story that would inspire the world.

With a show titled 'Jai Jagat' (One Earth Family), the children, aged between 13 and 18, intend to spread the message of hope, love, and unity through a multimedia dance-drama production that will be performed in Leicester and London from June 3 to 16. The programme has been arranged and organised by Manav Sadhna, a non-profit organisation based in Gandhi Ashram, Ahmedabad. Not only are the children a force to reckon with, they are carrying a torch for the Mahatma's legacy during his 250th anniversary year.

Director of the show, and a long-term volunteer with Manav Sadhna, Nimesh “Nimo” Patel, a Wharton Business School graduate and well known hip-hop artist from the United States said, “It is very rare for our children to get a global platform like this. Lot of conditions must align for a tour like this to take place. We hope that with this opportunity we can plant seeds of a very important message of our times and also show the world the latent potential that exists in the many underprivileged communities across the planet.” The 17 chosen ones are just a window into the lives of the thousands served by Manav Sadhna and the 385 million

other children around the world that live in extreme poverty. After three major performances across India, the Jai Jagat Troupe has now embarked on their world tour.

This is not the first time Manav Sadhna has given underprivileged children a platform to showcase their talent. In 2002 and 2012, t he organisation created similarly-spirited shows titled 'Ekta' (Unity) and 'Ekatva' (Oneness), which toured across the United States and the United Kingdom. Several of the children who had performed back then, are now giving back to the society as teachers, community leaders and grassroots organisers.

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Bharat

Beware of Equity Release

Prime Minister’s resignation

In the last issue, under Political SketchBook, Alpesh pleads in a letter to Modi for a Constitutional amendment to have the name of India changed to Bharat. It was also proposed by him in an earlier column.

There is no need for it. The Article 1 in the Constitution states that India, that is Bharat, shall be a Union of States. It is up to the individual and especially the citizenry of the country to use the correct name Bharat when they refer to the country. Unfortunately, the politicians and the media never bothered to respect what is written in the Constitution. Let us remember the Constitution and resolve to recognize that we are Bharati and belong to Bharat.

Alpesh also pleads for Bharat to become as a kind of homeland for Bharati living all over the world. The Indian Citizenship Amendment Bill was passed on Tuesday, 8th January 2019 in Lok Sabha on the similar lines but limited to the neighboring Muslim majority countries.

Unfortunately, it is stalled because of opposition from some quarters and hence never made to Rajya Sabha. Let us hope that it will be made to cover all countries of the world and with the new mandate for Modi it becomes a law.

Sanatan culture (Dharm) was the main culture from Indonesia (in the east) to Iran (in the west) and from Japan (in the north) to Sri Lanka (in the south). It is a culture which has developed from first humans on the land of Bharat. It is the only culture whose adherent do not have to be embarrassed about their belief and action of their ancestors unlike for others. It is also the only Dharm which accepts others as equal (Sarva Dharma Sambhav).

Narsibhai Patel New Malden

In line with general population, members of Asian community, especially those who came here in late sixties, after East African colonies gained independence, have settled down well and now enjoying well-earned retirement in their mortgage free homes.

Even their highly educated children, on most part, have settled down well in their own homes!

So many such pensioners, who are brick rich but cash poor, are tempted to go for equity release, so often to help their children or grand-children to climb property ladder, as house prises have shot up so much that it is difficult for our children to buy property without hefty cash deposit that only their parents can provide, either from their own savings or go equity release.

As over 55 qualify, the business is booming. They are expected to borrow some £5 billion annually, but in common with any borrowing, it comes with a warning, study small print and consults financial advisor as well as your children, as on most part, our highly qualified children are financially street-wise and their opinion may make a difference.

Unfortunately it is a trend among Asian community not to have financial advisers, unlike in USA. If this accelerating trend continues, the rich inheritance, leaving family home to children will become increasingly difficult; especially if we live longer and let interest accumulate which will eradicate the remaining house equity.

The trend in life expectancy is on the rise and age of 8o for men and 85 for women is common occurrence.

As social care becomes less and less available from the Council and expensive privately, costing at least £500 a week, even double that amount if we have to move to a nursing home, it is extremely advisable to plan retirement early during working life, have at least two additional pensions besides statutory government pension, one from work and second privately from insurance policy, as equity release is not a substitute for robust pension pot, a sustainable monthly income.

Equity release has its pitfalls and in extreme cases, borrowers may be landed with huge bill and may become homeless if borrowed amount and accumulated interest, with falling house prices become negative equity.

I hope FCA will keep close eye and provide guidance to financial advisers where it merits!

Kumudini Valambia By email

The daggers were out. A number of cabinet ministers, Theresa May’s former colleagues among them, conspired to oust her and take the prime minister’s job from her. In the event, Mrs May had to resign from her post as PM. The emotional scene outside No 10 Downing Street when Mrs May tendered her resignation was quite moving.

She must have felt what Julius Caesar felt in Shakespeare’s play when some senators led by Casius Clay, and his best friend Brutus among them, conspired to oust him.

The PM had previously indicated that she will step down after we have come out of the EU. Media reports suggest that there are people in Mrs May’s party waiting in the wings and too ready to step into her shoes. They perhaps conspired against her to topple her.

This again reminds us of the famous words from Shakespeare’s play, Julius Caesar, “Et tu Brute”, meaning you too Brutus? as Brutus was Caesar’s friend and supporter.

Mrs May’s resignation was preceded by the resignations of a number of her colleagues in the cabinet. Those who resigned perhaps felt that a better deal could have been negotiated over Brexit. The PM’s colleagues felt that Mrs May had failed to negotiate a better deal.

This again reminds us of Shakespeare’s play, Julius Caesar, where Brutus, Caesar’s most trusted friend, joined in Casius Clay’s conspiracy to oust him. I suppose the PM must have felt the same as Caesar felt many years ago.

Dinesh Sheth Newbury Park, Ilford

PM May Exit Sad that a great PM of the country has to resign owing to the Brexit crisis. Although she was in the remain lobby, she believed that referendum results need to be respected and democracy upheld. She negotiated the deal three times that in her judgment was best and workable for the country in the difficult scenario but regrettably each time it got rejected.

She had the best interest at heart for the country.

Shame that the fellow MPs did not cooperate with her for their vested interest. She wanted to serve justice by delivering|Brexit to the voters that overwhelmingly voted to leave. She is not a person to compromise on her principle simply to hang on the power and rightly so. No doubt she has earned the respect of many for her unwavering decision.

Niranjan Vasant By email

Letters of the Week Straws for thought

(From The Daily Telegraph) Plastic straws are to be banned from next April. I can recall going into Boots in the 1950s and buying a packet of drinking straws – made of straw. A wholly natural and biodegradable product: what could be better?

Michael S. Fishberg, Bushey Heath, Hertfordshire

The value of university (From The Times) Sir, In the debate on the value of university education (“Graduates will pay back loans into their sixties”, News, May 30, and letters, May 31), in the 1980s when I was in my fifties I met an old friend from my primary school. He left school early to become a plumber’s apprentice, had two plumbing businesses, and dealt in vintage Bentleys. I went to university to study electrical engineering. Far too many youngsters go to university and end up with a large debt and a qualification that does not lead to employment. We need many more to become craftsmen and technicians.

Professor Colin Davidson Ardfern, Argyll and Bute

Climate and cars (From The Times) Sir, Your article highlights how the government’s electric car “initiative” so clearly has not been thought out (“Towns need rapid chargers if drivers are to go electric”, News, June 1).

How does the government expect the millions of on-street parkers to charge their vehicles? Has it started to change building regulations to require all new development, private and commercial, to have fast chargers? Has it a programme to provide fast chargers at all public and private car parks? It takes about five minutes to fill my economical diesel car with fuel, bought because the government promoted these vehicles as fuel and low-C02 efficient. I can drive more than 400 miles to my next five- minute stop. Charging will take at least 30 minutes and mean that I will have to stop at least three times during my journey. There is, of course, a need to improve the air we breathe but please let’s have policies thought out in a measured manner.

Richard Rivett High Wycombe, Bucks

Rise and Rise of Amit Shah No one is surprised at the rise of Amit Shah who has been at PM Modi’s side since they were together in Gujarat Cabinet when Modi was CM. Modi is shrewd observer and in Amit Shah he saw a loyal lieutenant who will stand by his side in good time as well as in crisis, a double act in tradition of Chandragupta and Chanakya, Ram and Laxman who could not be separated.

Now PM has rewarded him, giving him one of the most powerful portfolios of Home Minister, the post Sardar Patel was entrusted with. But many consider it as poison chalet, as he would be expected to resolve thorny issues, like J & K, Shri Ram temple in Ayodhia and introduce Uniform Civil Code, Haj subsidy, few among many thorny issues facing newly elected NDA government.

No wonder Press is already calling him reincarnation of Sardar and if he could resolve even a few of the difficult issues, he would go down in history as the Second Iron Man of India. Shah is a shrewd negotiator, always cool and calm.

He was entrusted with implementation of BJP’s policy of not giving party tickets to anyone over the age of 75 that included two popular veterans like L. K. Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi, as well as Uma Bharti. Another important task he performed was the distribution of seats among NDA allies, especially among Shive Sena in Maharashtra and Alkali Dal in Punjab. He succeeded beyond any one’s expectation.

I thought Modi will give him post of “Minister without Portfolio” de facto Deputy Prime minister and trouble shooter helping other Ministers as and when necessary, especially in view of the loss of experienced Ministers Arun Jetly and Susmaji Swaraj, due to their poor health. Shruti Irani also deserves better portfolio than Minister of Women and Children. She is seen as future PM of India. Her giant killing act, defeating Rahul Gandhi did not come as surprise. Even Rahul knew and expected such a result, thus standing in a safe seat in Kerala, Congress bastion.

Lack of Muslim faces in BJP MPs is detrimental to BJP’s image but unless significant number of Muslims, as well as other minorities become party members, it would be difficult for BJP to make it a multi faith, multi-cultural party.

Bhupendra M. Gandhi By email

MAKE YOURSELF HEARD

Write to our ‘Reader’s Voice’ section about what you think regarding the various ongoing issues all around the world. Send your letters to aveditorial@abplgroup.com Make sure they are NOT more than 400 words as any letter longer may not be published.

Note that all your letters are subject to being edited by our team for valid reasons. - Asian Voice

Lok Sabha Elections 2019 Lok Sabha (Parliamentary) elections 2019 took place in India during the months of April and May and results were finally declared on Thursday 23rd May 2019.

I think it fair to say that people expected the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led by Shri Narendrabhai Damodar Modi to win, but nobody expected that they would win with such a huge majority.

The NDA alliance got 353 seats in total, out of which BJP got 303 seats on its own. Forget winning, but winning with substantially increased majority against strong odds is probably unheard of.

Consider the backdrop of economic reforms of Demonetisation and introduction of GST. In November 2016, without any warning or hint, he withdrew rupees 1,000 and 500 notes. Undoubtedly, people had a tough time when this was implemented followed by the introduction of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) that brought in many businesses into tax bracket.

On the social and cultural front, the Award Vapasi brigade was very vocal and simultaneously the opposition front led by the Indian National Congress party was getting foreign aid and guidance. Circumstances looked tough for the BJP especially when the BJP lost state assembly election in its three stronghold states of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.

Many people were threatening that should the BJP win, they would leave India or commit suicide. Opponents did not trust the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and accusations of EVMs being rigged were rampant in the Indian media. And there was the additional factor of anti-incumbency.

But what did the BJP, led by Shri Narendrabhai, do to with the 2019 elections?

They started working from the day they took office. The coming and going of civil servants was under constant media scrutiny. Before 2014 elections, foreign policies were nonexistent. Robust and pro-India foreign policies were introduced and implemented, leading to improved relations with neighbours, under the Modi leadership.

“Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas” slogan was applied equally to all Hindus and non-Hindus. Triple “talaq” provided the promise of freedom to Muslim women from all the injustices. Congress did not support the BJP in parliament. But, this must have cost the Congress party a few votes as well as seats.

Opposition parties tried to form the grand coalition (Mahagathbandhan) but it was a non-starter. The Oppositionbarely had any policies on education, finance, defence, foreign or any other subject except defeating the BJP. There was no Priyanka Gandhi effect in or outside Uttar Pradesh.

False “loan waiver” promises given to the farmers in the three states that went to polls before the Lok Sabha elections back fired. Due to false promises to farmers, voters did not buy Rahul Gandhi’s promises of receiving salaries of rupees 6,000 per month or 72,000 yearly. Sign of voters getting alert.

Voters are now aware that besides the Congress there are other parties and they expect their elected representatives to be active in their areas, as we know from the result of Amethi where Smriti Irani defeated Rahul Gandhi, president of the Congress Party, by 55,000 votes.

Up until now Amethi was a strong bastion of the Congress and Rahul Gandhi had won from there in last three Lok Sabha elections.

Chunilal Chavda By email

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AsianVoiceNews

EDUCATION

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

11

8 - 14 June 2019

Graduate gets £60k payout University tuition fees 'should over 'false advertising' claim be cut to £7,500' A graduate who sued her university over her "Mickey Mouse" degree has received a £60,000 out-of-court settlement.

Pok Wong graduated with a first in international business strategy from Anglia Ruskin University in 2013. But she claimed the university "exaggerated the prospects of a career" and sued them for false advertising. A spokesperson for Anglia Ruskin University said the settlement was agreed with their insurer's solicitors, and they did not support it. Pok Wong, also known as Fiona, said claims made in the university's prospectus were untrue.

She told the BBC in 2018: "They think we're international students [and] we come here to pay our money for a piece of paper, for the degree.

"But actually we care about the quality, we care about how much we could

learn.

"They exaggerated the prospects of a career studying with them, and also they exaggerate how connected they are."

Last year, the County Court of Central London ruled in the university's favour and ordered Ms Wong to pay £13,700 of Anglia Ruskin's legal costs.

But the university's insurers wrote to the former student, offering to settle her £15,000 claim, plus the payment of her legal costs.

An Anglia Ruskin University spokesman said Ms Wong's litigation "has been rejected numerous times and has never been upheld".

They said they did not support their insurer's solicitors decision, adding: "We consider that they acted negligently and against the university's interests."

But Ms Wong wrote on Facebook that, despite the

Pok Wong

university denying any wrongdoing, "the payout is a proven victory".

A spokesperson for the National Union of Students (NUS) said: "Students do have clear rights under law, and the report of the settlement does indicate a way students can seek recourse."

But the spokesperson added that the NUS would prefer students "to be partners in education", instead of seeking a financial settlement.

University tuition fees in England should be cut to £7,500, says a landmark review commissioned by the government. This will be balanced by extending repayments from 30 to 40 years - so that people could be paying back student loans into their 60s.

But the review calls for the return of maintenance grants, which were axed in 2016, for poorer students.

Prime Minister Theresa May said scrapping them had been a mistake.

The review, chaired by the banker Philip Augar, has come up with ideas to provide better value for money in higher and further education. His big conclusions are that fees are too high in university - and that funding is too low in further education.

Universities have seen "generous funding" while other sectors have faced austerity, he argues, and he

DNA decides whether your child does well at school not quality of education A leading geneticist has told parents they don’t need to send their children to top schools like Eton – because genetics has already determined how well they will do in academics.

Robert Plomin, a professor of behavioural genetics at King’s College London, said prestigious schools ‘don’t add anything’ to children’s grades.

Speaking at the Hay Festival, he said that a child’s success is pre-determined by their genes, and ‘nature’ plays a much larger part in our lives than ‘nurture’ or external environmental fac-

tors.

When asked why a parent would spend money sending their child to Eton, he replied: ‘The reason why education is universal is literacy and numeracy are innate – children need to learn to read. We’re talking about what makes them different. So the issue is do differences in the quality of school make a difference in outcomes like GCSE scores or getting into universities?

‘There’s a correlation

there – kids who go to selective schools have a GCSE score that is one full grade higher than kids who go to comprehensive schools.

That’s a correlation though and correlations don’t necessarily imply causation and in

this case they don’t.

‘But achievement itself – they [Eton] don’t add anything. Schools matter – kids have got to learn all this stuff. But do they make a difference? The answer is no.’

Eton, which costs £42,500 a year in tuition fees, has seen the likes of David Cameron, Eddie Redmayne and Boris Johnson grace their halls.

Prince Harry and Prince William also attended the college. But Professor Plomin argues they would have achieved the same grades if they had gone to a public school.

suggests that more support should be switched towards vocational education. The review proposes: - Maximum for tuition fees should be reduced from £9,250 to £7,500 per year - Any unpaid debts would not be cancelled until 40 years after graduating, rather than 30 years - Repayments start at a lower point, when graduates earn £23,000 rather than £25,725 Means-tested, nonrepayable maintenance grants of up to £3,000, for both university and higherlevel technical courses - More funding for further education and more access to loans for students on vocational courses - "Lifelong learning loan allowance" to support students of all ages - University funding would be targeted towards high-

cost subjects and those considered a priority and away from those seen as "low value" The review is the prime minister's personal project and she pressed ahead with publishing its findings in her final days in office. It will be one of the last major announcements before she leaves No 10 - and she spoke with conviction about trying to drive "social mobility".

Mrs May accepted that her party's abolition of maintenance fees had not worked. But she argued the package of measures would remove barriers and make sure that no-one should feel that "because of who they are or where they are from, the world of higher education is not open to them".

Canadian students attempt to launch self-built rocket

Look up into the sky and it's hard to imagine where the Earth's atmosphere ends and outer space begins.

Commonly referred to as the Karman line, that imaginary border is 62 miles (100km) away and on Friday a group of students from across the US and Canada are hoping to send an unmanned rocket through it.

It's the brainchild of 19year-old rocket-obsessed

North Carolina University student Joshua Farahzad, who said he came up with the idea during his "boring" summer vacation last year.

Without the help of a large financial backer, engineering professionals, or teachers, Operation Space began collaborating on the project remotely from their various locations across the US and Canada, using a Slack message channel, video chats and phone calls.

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12 MEDIA WATCH

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8 - 14 June 2019

SCRUTATOR’S The swearing-in of the 57 senior and junior ministers - with Arun Jaitley standing down as Finance Minister on grounds of continuing ill health - by President Ram Nath Kovind was a glittering affair, a pageant if you will, but one that was truly worthy of the occasion. The result may not have pleased many across the country, but many more – much, much, more – were delighted by the outcome.

Prime Minister Narendra Madi with new Minister Amit Shah

The campaign was bruising, even ugly; no quarter was given, none asked for. The Election Commission held the ring with admirable coolness on the whole, the entire spectacle gripping at the end. Apart for one or two contrarians, Mamata Banerjee, Chief Minister of West Bengal, the most notable, there was hardly a discordant voice on the genuineness of the peoples’ verdict. India had spoken, and spoken decisively. It was above all, a triumph for Narendra Modi, the visionary, and his strategist and tactician Amit Shah. The country was spared the demeaning sight of a horse traded coalition hanging on the whims of horse thieves.

There is much work to be done, and an elected government by such numbers has been empowered to do what it takes.

The Prime Minister had the last word: pollsters, for the most part, relied on cold arithmetic, he had the human chemistry, and this won the day. He struck a welcome conciliatory note, saying that his government would act for all sections of society including those that voted against the ruling BJP. With former President Pranab Mukherjee

The Prime Minister visited former President Pranab Mukherjee, a lifelong Congressman, for whom he has had deep respect and affection. Mr Modi Tweeted that it was always a unique experience meeting and talking with ‘Pranab Da’ [affectionate elder brother] and share his insights. (Print media, TV channels, May 25-28).

Economic downturn News from the economic front made sombre reading. The 5.8 per cent growth in the fourth quarter of the fiscal ended March 31, was the slowest in five years, the unemployment figure the highest ever. The consoling statistics were the low inflation, and the fulfilment of the targeted fiscal deficit. Another notable fact worthy of consideration is that of farmers’ distress, the paradox being that the BJP rural vote had markedly increased. Distress there certainly was, but its size was clearly exaggerated (Times of India, June 2; Hindu, Business Line, May 31).

Caustic diatribe

Senior columnist Sunanda Datta Ray launched a scathing attack on the Modi government, referring to the abominable case of lynching of a Muslim in Haryana as a foretaste of things to come. There was no mention of the arrest of the suspects - par for the liberal establishment course.

Witness for the prosecution, none called for the defence.

Elections are fair only when the preferred party or individual wins. Which is what PM Modi with former President Pranab Mukherjee prompts US regime exchanging sweets

change adventures across the globe.

Amul to invest Rs 600-800 crore

Shah Bano case Datta Ray made much of Madhya Pradesh Congress Chief Minister Kamal Nath’s dismissal of the BJP victory as Hindutva demagogy, was allegedly a ploy to polarise the country on religion. This apparent amnesia apropos of the Shah Bano case is worth recall.

The 70 year-old divorcee was left a Rs 70 monthly alimony by her lawyer husband, as required by Muslim P:ersonal Law. The Supreme Court, on appeal, forced the husband to increase the sum appropriately. Then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, persuaded

by Islamic radical Shahabuddin, amended the relevant article of India’s constitution, thanks to the two-third Congress majority in Parliament. The Supreme Court judgement was quashed and the original Rs 70 alimony restored.

There was anger across the nation at Rajiv’s unscrupulous, ill-judged manoeuvre. In the general election that followed, the BJP’s two MPs had swelled to 119; it was the breakthrough the party had for long hoped for: there was no looking back thereafter.

Datta Ray’s sneers at Mukesh Ambani and Adani did him little credit. Their crime apparently was being Gujarati. As entrepreneurs, they have placed India on global map – which is more than can be said of Bengal’s TMC mobs.

(Telegraph June 1).

US scholar’s corrective Walter Anderson, Senior Adjunct Professor of South Asia Studies at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies and author of books on the RSS including ‘The Brotherhood in Saffron’ and ‘ RSS: A View To The Inside’ sharing his views on the 2019 Indian general election results and possible implications for the country’s future, said: ‘I am not among the people who consider this mandate as a dramatic inflexion point for the country, and while there will be Hindu-centric assertions in certain matters, it is not the end of secularism in India as some people fear. India is too complex and diverse for such a dramatic change, and this is also its strength...The big challenge before the government is job creation for which Foreign Direct Investment may be pushed despite reservations [by RSS affiliate] Swadeshi Jagran Manch. In any case the RSS under Mohan Bhagwat is more cautious and pragmatic than it was under his predecessor Sudarshan, said Professor Walter Anderson (Hindu June 2).

Amul Centre in Gujarat

Gujarat-based Amul dairy products will invest Rs 600-800 crore in the current fiscal commenced April 1, ending March 31, 2020. ‘We will invest Rs 600-800 crore in capacity expansion,’ said company MD R.S. Sodhi. Amul, a visionary path=breaking cooperative called the Amul Federation and its 18 member unions, with a farmermember strength of more than 36 lakh [3.6 million] across 18,700 villages across Gujarat is transforming the face of rural and urban India’s food habits. The Amul brand produces on an average 230 lakh [2.3 milion] litres of milk per day (Statesman, June 2). to its market for US products. The decision – to come into effect on June 5 - made front-page headlines on India’s major English-language broadsheets.

The Modi government’s response, thus far, has been muted; the decision though ‘unfortunate’ would hopefully be resolved through talk talks to the mutual satisfaction of both parties.

GSP regulations The Generalized System Preference (GSP) programme is the largestand oldest designed promote economic development in developing countries by permitting duty-free entry into developed countries including the US on a wide range of products.

President Trump declared: ‘I have determined that that India has not assured the US that it will provide equitable and reasonable access to its markets.’ (Statesman, Times of India, Hindu, Business Line, June 2).

Red line The threat to impose US sanctions unless India ceased or greatly reduced its military acquisitions from Russia is infinitely more serious, impinging on India’s sovereign right to determine its relationship with a third country., This is a red line for India. See Page 3 for second Comment.

GST collections keep growing India’s Goods & Services Tax (GST) collections grew 6.7 per cent to reach Rs 1 lakh crore in May, as compared to Rs 94,016

crore for the same period last year. This is the third straight year that the GST has registered over Rs 1 lakh crore growth (Statesman June 2).

BEL turnover up 17 per cent Defence company Bharat Electricals Ltd (BEL) acquired orders exceeding Rs 23,43o crore during fiscal 2018-19 ended March 31. Of this, the overall value as of April 1 was Rs 51000 crore. The company as per orders, designed and manufactured air command and control systems , weapon locating radar, ground based mobile electronics systems, low intensity conflict electronic warfare systems etc. Likewise, the company received orders for long range surface-to-air missiles, smart city business, integrated perimeter warning system fot the LAE Kerala Optic network etc.

The company plans to focus on space electronics, solar homeland security, telecom, railways, civil aviation and much else (Statesman June 2).

Sonia Gandhi back on top Congress Party matriarch, Sonia Gandhi has been elected leader of the Congress Parliamentary Party.

Addressing Congress MPs, With 52 MPs, the post of leader of the Opposition continues to elude the party, once India’s Grand Old Party, reduced to a virtual rump, stuck in its ways and clearly going nowhere. The next general election in 2024 seems lost already. Indian democracy needs a robust, dynamic Congress (Hindu, June 2).

Congratulations, then tariffs US President Donald Trump was among the first heads of state to congratulate Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his General Election victory, saying he was looking forward to working closely with ‘US ally, India.’ A week later, he announced the imposition of US tariffs on Indian goods entering the country, because India not sufficient access

Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi

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AsianVoiceNews

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

SP

Contemporary Expression (Part One) rt is famously known as the antenna of our time. It identifies the indecipherable, and translates for the public nuanced expressions that would otherwise often lie dormant in our subconscious. At a time of great socio-political flux where we find ourselves living in a 'Glocal' realm, the work of satirical and politically aware Pop Artist Ketna Patel emerges as powerfully apt. “People think of quirky, kitsch pieces when they think of Pop Art,” she told us, “but my work is about Ketna Patel 'Popular Culture' in the sense that it the EU must be small minded, nostalgic takes inspiration from everyday peoand racist when really a democratic ple”. vote was the only way for a large porHailing from a background in tion of society to register their anger Design and Architecture, and having with an unequal system that has resultworked across the globe, spending more than 2 decades in South-East Asia / India, Ketna speaks with tremendous experience and expertise. Recently 'transplanting' herself back to the UK, Ketna candidly covers the intersecting narratives of ethnicity, class and gender to draw subversive parallels. For example, one print shows an Indian village woman, dressed in the boldly colourful From Himachal Pradesh Art Residency and mirrored ed in millions of people feeling invisible Gujarati desert clothes, balancing a and useless. This massive psychological metal basket of cow dung on her head, fracturing of the people cannot be with a speech bubble that reads: fobbed off with welfare hand‘I am a Goddess, and you are outs, because the loss of a loser. Any questions work and dignity is mak??!!’

“People think ing society sick. We This British have to have a more of quirky, kitsch Indian Artist melds in-depth and intellithe sassy pieces when they gent debate about Feminism of the the perils of corpothink of Pop Art, but my metropolitan rate agendas work is about 'Popular West with the which are short cliched notions of Culture' in the sense sighted and profit rural India, disdriven, often oblivthat it takes inspiration rupting fixed ideas ious to long term of the relationship from everyday consequences on between culture and humanity. As a compeople" freedom, disenfranmonwealth Artist, I will chisement and what focus on marginalised voicSouth Asian womanhood es whoever they are, as the 'true can be. A person brought up in a health' of our collective society lies village can be as opinionated as their within the masses, not the privileged urban counterpart; women of colour few. I think it is a huge mistake to take can be enlightened about their rights binary positions of 'left' or 'right', and loyalty to tradition and self-expresbecause it does not help anyone if all sion can be entirely on par with the our energy is wasted in dissing the over educated (but often out of touch) other rather than actually listening and 'liberal left rhetoric'. learning from ALL versions of reality”.

Ketna discussed her ongoing frustration with the subjective obscurity that informs her work by referring specifically to the psychology of the liberal left versus Populism: “again, a lot of people don’t see the underlying issues, jumping straight to judgemental conclusions. E.g. it is c o m m o n l y assumed that those who voted to leave

A

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8 - 14 June 2019

ATUL PATEL, NEWLY ELECTED CHAIRMAN OF CHARUTAR AROGYA MANDAL, VISITS UK

Ketna Patel Sunetra Senior

UK

TLIGHT

Indeed, as active as she is opinionated the artist, or rather ‘Artivist’, goes deep into otherwise overlooked communities to produce sociological observations: “Recently, I have been living and working in South Wales, where as an artistic journalist, I’m learning about the places that mainstream Britain has left behind. Being on the receiving end of prejudice myself, I know the value of curiosity, and how sincere questioning can yield enriching human encounters and overcome many prejudices. I enjoy tuning into gatherings where I can eavesdrop on the voices from live community, be these church sermons or gardening clubs. I've learned a lot from chatting with ex miners, having tea with grannies, playing with kids on the street, basically listening to the rumblings of the country usually dismissed

by Westminster.” This fresh perspective that Ketna brings with her has already won her much acclaim. Indeed, at the recent Affordable Art Fair in Hampstead, her exhibition was greeted with exclamations of surprise and gratitude. Many visitors remarked on the sheer topical power of the artworks; the combination of colour, narrative and socio-political awareness.

Similarly, some of the artist’s most memorable projects in Asia have been accessible, grass-roots interventions such as ‘Art residencies’ that she has organised in the villages of India. In 2016, she co-curated, crowd funded and participated in a month long residency (WWW.SHOPARTSHOP.COM) in the village of Gunehar, Himachal Pradesh, where ten artists from various disciplines used derelict shops as live ateliers or studios to make work informed by the village itself. The

"I am a Goddess"

entire process was made transparent to the villagers (indeed they all participated in the works) and was filmed and documented in meticulous detail. This remarkable experience took up half a year of Ketna's time, and captured the attention of phenomenal national Press coverage. The following year, she partnered with Artist friend Puneet Kaushik for a similar project in the Arts + Crafts village of Raghurajpur, Odisha.

In 2018, she spent a month making a giant rotating sculpture in an Art Residency curated by Artist friend Katharina Kakar @ Ambica Beri's amazing Art Laboratory in rural Madhya Pradesh (WWW.ARTICHOL.IN). This year, she will be documenting the Gujarati villages of Charotar, in particular her ancestral village of Karamsad for a Brit-Indian project she has in mind.

Check in Next Week for Part Two of Ketna’s SPOTLIGHT Story.

WWW.KETNAPATEL.COM T: @ketna_patel

Atul Patel, who recently took over as the Chairman of Charutar Arogya Mandal, which manages Shree Krishna Hospital and Pramukhswami Medical College in Karamsad, is visiting London till June 19.

Born in 1950 in Vadodara, Mr.Atul Patel, a textile engineer, is a dynamic industrialist with the vision of growth, progress and prosperity through commitment and hard work, the philosophy imbibed by him from his illustrious father, late Mr.Haribhai F Patel, former Chairman of Transpek Industry Limited.

Presently, he is Managing Director of Tarak Chemicals Limited, which is involved in manufacturing of Oil Field chemicals and other speciality chemicals.

Apart from his involvement in the activities of industries association, he is deeply active with charitable and educational organisations. He is a trustee of United Way Baroda, Baroda Citizen Council and Shram Mandir Trust, Vadodara.

While in the UK, he would be meeting prominent citizens from Charotar at a meeting organized at Sangat Centre,Sancroft Road, on June 11 to talk about the progress made by the hospital and to promote the book on Charotar Patidars that is being brought out, among other aims, to support the hospital.

RAMESH SHAH'S WORK WITH EKAL VIDYALAYA

Ramesh Shah receiving Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award from President of India Hon. Pranab Mukherjee

Ramesh Shah is best known for his work with Ekal Vidyalaya— working to provide education to the millions of people in tribal India, who have little access to education.

Ekal Vidyalaya originally operated from his home and he is now the global coordinator for the institution where he travels worldwide to advocate for Ekal’s mission ranging from Denmark to New Zealand. Additionally, with his other brother Dinesh, Ramesh Bhai is also active in Hindu Swayam Sevak Sangh and was also honoured at India House.

“Our focus is the holistic development of rural remote villages in India with first intervention aiming to bring basic literacy into the villages. We run single teacher schools in rural remote villages.

Once the school is established and working well, we then add health services and skill development to bring economic opportunities for the villagers. But our long- term goal is to ensure that the villagers have the resources to live healthy productive lives in the villages,” said Ramesh Shah.

He has been a community resource in times of emergencies, helping the community navigate difficulties in immigration, accidents, and family crisis.

He has block-walked for political campaigns around the US and in India. In 2010, Ramesh Bhai drafted a petition to the Indian Overseas Ministry and led a silent hunger strike to protest the unfairness of the renunciation certificate rollout.

In January 2017, Ramesh Shah had received the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award from President of India, Pranab Mukherjee, the highest honour conferred on overseas Indians by the Government of India in recognition of achievements both in India and abroad.

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14 GLOBAL INDIAN BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARDS

AsianVoiceNews

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

www.asian-voice.com

8 - 14 June 2019

CELEBRATING A STRONGER U First Global Indian Business Excellence Awards at Parliament Priyanka Mehta

On 30th May, Thursday, leading businessmen from the UK and India came together at the House of Lords to celebrate the growth of India-UK trade relations at the first Global Indian Business Excellence Awards (GIBEA) organised by Asian Voice in association with WBR Corp India. he awards celebrated the organic growth of Indian companies in the UK, recognised the contributions of leading professionals made in the fields of technology, education, architecture and health among others who have fuelled growth in the UK-Indo market amidst Brexit uncertainities.

“There has been £17.5bn invested by British businessmen in India since 2000. We have created 371,000 new jobs and 10% of all Foreign Direct Investment comes from the UK in India. The figures, other way around are astonishing as well considering the Asian businessmen who have migrated to the UK and running family businesses,” said Labour MP Keith Vaz. The awards, collated after a comprehensive market research study, saw the unveiling of the Forbes India Special magazine- 'Global Indian Brands and Leaders' with features on some key players from different industries. GIBEA have tied up with Forbes India and are bringing out a special issue - 'India Shining' with features on the winners of this inaugural year.

“India and UK share a special relationship which dates back several decades and I believe that the years ahead hold much promise for bilateral investment. Our two countries are going through different but significant times. The Indian government led by the dynamism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is poised for a rock solid and stable five year tenure...This can only augur well for Indian entrepreneurs who seek to set up shop in the UK.

T

Seema Malhotra MP and Dr Shahnaz Ahmed, Chairperson, Springdale High School

Lord Navnit Dholakia and L D Sharma, MD & CEO, OMG Network India Pvt Ltd

“The annual 'India Meets Britain Tracker' published by business advisory firm Grant Thornton UK LLP and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) reported that the number of Indian companies doing business in Britain has increased from 800 in 2018 to 842 in 2019, with a combined turnover of £48bn. This is despite the ongoing uncertainties around Brexit.

This is a testament to the resilience and entrepreneurial genius of Indian businesses. I am confident that the years ahead will continue to see this upward trend and the UK will continue to be a leading investment destination for Indian investors,” said CB Patel, Publisher/Editor of Asian Voice.

Some of the key players recognised at the event included technocrats like Mr Kapil Jain, Head of Technology and Strategy, Vistaraairlines in India, Dr. P. Shyama Raju of REVA University of Bangalore, Dr Cdr Kartikay Saini, an ex-Naval Commander and a well known educationist among others. The awards

Seema Malhotra MP and Dr. Cdr Kartikay Saini, Chairman, Scottish High International School, India

Virendra Sharama MP and Swati Bhargava, Founder & Director, De Proxemics Design Studio, London

also identified the revolutionary leadership of some women, including Dr Minnie Bodhiwala, CEO of Bai Jerbai Wadia Hospital for Children,Dr Shahnaz Ahmed, Chairperson, Springdale High School, Karishma Kakoti, Founder of KA Designs, and Grace Romila of Grace International School among others.

“The main aim for organising Global Indian Business Excellence Awards is to create a common platform for Indian and UK entrepreneurs, professionals and like-minded businesses to network and identify potential areas of investment in the UK. “India has seen a strong leadership under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his recent mandate with a sweeping victory will definitely set India up on an accelerated growth trajectory. Under Mr. Modi’s leadership, Indo-UK relationship has been at an all-time high and I am confident that this will be beneficial for businesses in both countries,” said Sanjay Kumar, from WBR Corp.

Virendra Sharama MP and Narendra Ram Nambula, Founder and CEO, Life Span Pvt Ltd

Virendra Sharama MP and Kapil Jain, Head of Technology and Strategy, Vistara airlines receiving the award for NIIT Technologies

Virendra Sharama MP and Karishma Kakoti, Founder K A Designs

Virendra Sharama MP and Mrs. Vanitha Sunderraj on behalf of Grace Romila receiving the award for Grace International School

www.asian-voice.com

AsianVoiceNews

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

GLOBAL INDIAN BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARDS

15

8 - 14 June 2019

K-INDIA BUSINESS CORRIDOR

LIST OF THE WINNERS OF GLOBAL INDIAN BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARDS Most Preferred University Providing Global Environment to International Students: REVA University

Social Change Maker and Educationist of the Year:

Dr Cdr Kartikay Saini, Chairman, Scottish High International School, India

Corporate Real Estate Services Company of the Year: Vestian Skill Development Training Company of the Year: CADD Centre Training Services Pvt Ltd

Iconic Business Personality of the Year:

Dr Minnie Bodhanwala, CEO, Bai Jerbai Wadia Hospital for Children

Best Startup of the Year: Life Span Pvt Ltd

Social Rights Activist and Woman Entrepreneur of the Year:

Dr Shahnaz Ahmed, Chairperson, Springdale High School

Pathology & Diagnostic Services Company of the Year: Modern Diagnostic & Research Center

Fastest Growing Brand in Locks & Hardware: Suzu Steel India

Pioneer of Affiliate Marketing in India:

L D Sharma, MD & CEO, OMG Network India Pvt Ltd

Outstanding Contribution to Beauty and Wellness Sector:

Sanjay Kumar, WBR Corp UK Limited

Rt Hon Keith Vaz, MP Leicester East

Kapil Kumar

Most Preferred Travel Solutions Company of the Year:

Pushti Tours & Travels

Fastest Growing Indian Spirits Company of the Year:

Kaya Blenders & Distillers Ltd

Outstanding Contribution to Environmental Conservation &

Innovative Products: Yatin Gupte, CEO & Founder of Wardwizard

Solutions India Pvt Ltd

Educationist and Social Worker of the Year:

Grace Romila, Grace International School

Leadership and Innovation in IT Consulting and Advisory

Services: NIIT Technologies, recevied by Kapil Jain, Head of Technology and Strategy, Vistara Airlines

Excellence in Architecture & Design: De Proxemics Design Studio, London

Most Promising Company to Invest in Health & Wellness Sector: Life Span Pvt Ltd

Best Emerging Interior Design Professional of the Year: Karishma Kakoti, Founder K A Designs.

CB Patel, Editor/Publisher of Asian Voice and Shilpa Gupta, Director of WBR Corp UK Limited

Lord Navnit Dholakia and Karun Kaura, Chairman, Kaya Blenders & Distillers Ltd

Virendra Sharama MP and Yatin Gupte, CEO & Founder of Wardwizard Solutions India Pvt. Ltd

Seema Malhotra MP and Dr. P Shyama Raju, Chancellor of REVA University, Bangalore

Lord Navnit Dholakia and Kapil Kumar

Lord Navnit Dholakia and Vijay Kumar Dutta, CEO, Suzu Steel India

Picture Courtesy: Raj Bakrania and Vineet Johri Video Courtesy: Dhruv Gadhvi

Seema Malhotra MP and Shrinivas Rao, CEO, Vestian

Seema Malhotra MP and Dr. D. S. Yadav, MBBS, DMRD, DNB, Modern Diagnostic & Research Center

Seema Malhotra MP and Arumugam Raghuvaran, on behalf of S. Karaidiselvan, Managing Director CADD Centre Training Service

Seema Malhotra MP and Narendra Ram Nambula, Founder and CEO, Life Span Pvt Ltd

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18 ELECTION SPECIAL

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8 - 14 June 2019

100-day agenda of Modi government A full majority government has been reelected in India after many years. A young, aspirational India has identified itself with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his “idea of India”. Here is a non-exhaustive agenda for Modi’s first 100 days. India is on the cusp of overtaking the United States to becoming the world’s second largest economy, with a consumer spending of $5.7 trillion, 77% of the population under 44 (80% among the middle class), and a billion Internet users, all by 2030, according to the World Economic Forum.

In mission mode, Modi needs to expand his “home delivery of services” model (cooking gas, health care, multiple citizens’ services) to cover major government services.

Separating the “point of decision” of a government service from “point of delivery” will be a necessary condition to get red tape out of the way. Technology as the lifeblood has to flow through every major government programme, especially in agriculture and health care, through the ambitious ‘Digital India’ programme, which cannot remain a stapled-together version of the schemes of previous years; it needs to become genuinely transformational.

Loan waivers and input subsidies have not ameliorated rural distress, so the key policy shift is to move away from production to income. Having promised $85 per small farmer as a direct transfer, he needs to move from an inefficient, ossified cross-sector subsidy regime to an income-support model.

This is possible by expanding this to cover all

farmers in terms of both value and volume.

Harnessing data India is emerging as a major ‘data economy’ with over 800 million mobile phone users, half of whom own a smartphone. India needs to leverage the enormous data it produces and deepen use of an ‘India Stack’ everywhere. However, India is way behind the US and China in terms of artificial intelligence, data analytics and blockchain. It needs to pump in millions of dollars to make itself future ready, perhaps by first completing the fibre optic pipe that it begun to lay five years ago. It needs to make it extremely simple for startups to start and die (should they wish to). India received about $11 billion in venture capital through 748 deals in 2018 (of $29 billion private equity

inflows) but there is much more capital waiting to come if its unicorns and ‘soon’icorns (soon to be unicorns) benefit from an easier regulatory framework.

Modi needs to set up an “India First” Investment Agency directly in his office which should reach out to select ‘Fortune 1000’ companies to set up shop in India. He needs to send empowered envoys to attract them for marquee investments (in exchange for assured job creation). Credible incentives must include an exemption from India’s notoriously opaque land laws and bureaucratic maze.

There are 200-odd labour laws that mandate companies with 100 or more workers to get government permission to lay off or even change job descriptions (which

never comes). Thus, India does not get the benefits of scale of huge factories with over 75% firms employing less than 50 workers, to escape such regressive laws. There is a golden opportunity to compete with and take business away from Bangladesh (garments), China (toys, electronics and manufacturing) as their wages rise. India can turn attractive by abolishing such restrictive labour laws, which will enhance employment by erasing a key factor that throttles India’s global competitiveness.

Fast tracking privatisation There must be a start to the privatisation of Air India and the other top 10 public sector entities without the restrictive covenants that discouraged bidders the last time. It should not be a tinkering on the margins with privatisation as has been the case so far.

The bold reclassification of bad loans (of about $190 billion) to reveal their true picture needs to be followed by recapitalisation, a merging of banks, narrowing down prioritysector lending.

And finally, the focus needs to be on execution and delivery. Modi should set up a delivery unit inside the Prime Minister’s Office using modern technology tools for deep monitoring and follow-up, programmewise and office-wise. The government’s relentless focus should be on results and not only on process and effort. This can be the next avatar of the Pro-Active Governance And Timely Implementation (PRAGATI) system.

Divider-in-Chief to 'Modi united India like no other PM in decades' How Time Magazine and foreign media reported Indian elections?

The Time magazine which featured Narendra Modi on the cover with a controversial headline, now run an article that says no prime minister has united India in decades as he has done. The article titled 'Modi has united India like no other prime minister in decades' is written by Manoj Ladwa, founder and the chief executive of the India Inc Group, a London-based media organisation.

The article came just days after BJP secured a landslide victory in the country's general election, winning 303 seats in the 542member Lok Sabha. Despite the strong and often unfair criticism levelled at Modi's policies both throughout his first term and his marathon election, no prime minister has united the Indian electorate as much in close to five decades”, Ladwa wrote.

Ladwa, who in 2014 had led the Research Analysis and Messaging division of the Narendra Modi for prime minister campaign, further wries that Modi won a massive mandate as he manged to transcend India's greatest fault lines: the class divide. The article published in the Time Ideas section, which the publication said “hosts the world's leading voices, providing commentary on events in news, society and culture.”

“Having plugged some horrendous holes in India's notoriously inefficient and corrupt bureaucarcy in his first term, he will need to focus much more ruthlessly on reforming those institutions and make them fit for the coming decades. This will require him to

remain the pragmatic politician he is, and continue to shun the temptations of populism as he sets out his march for a second term.”

While all achievements of the Modi's government are still “works-in-progress”, Ladwa said that its efforts have been recognised by virtually every single global institute of any standing, including the World Bank, the IMF, and the UN, and

“Modi's India is finally progressing at a rate worthy of its size and potential. Modi may have been criticised for remaining silent during incidents of social unrest. But his work has been give the thumbs up at the ballot box by the Indian voters for directly addressing the root causes of some of India's divisions. For them, the Modi's dream of a New India remains very much intact.” Ladwa added.

In another article titled 'India's Economy Needs Tougher Reform. How will Modi Use His Election Mandate?' published on the TIME website. Alyssa Ayres, senior fellow for India, Pakistan, and South Asia at the Council on Foreign Relations. writes that the “continuity of a second Modi term, then, suggests to some that a bold economic reform agenda may be what comes next.”

Ayres who served as US deputy assistant secretary of state for South Asia from 2010 to 2013 under the Obama Administration, said due to his pro-business orientation and road-show pitches for investment, Modi has gained a reputation among US industry as someone with a reformist mindset.

“We may well see the new Modi government storm into its new term with a bang, tackling market access problems and liberalizing the economy further to boost economics growth.

“It could happen. But equally possible might be an approach that continues a focus on infrastructure. Sanitation and other development projects necessary for improved

prosperity but not necessarily keys to unclocking greater bilateral trade and investment.” Ayres writes.

Bad for India’s soul: Guardian The British paper Guardian in its comment saw Modi's victory as bad for India and the world. The Guardian says, “BJP is the political wing of Hindu nationalism, a movement that is changing India for the worse. Little wonder, as it stands for the flagrant social dominance of the upper castes of Hindu society, pro-corporate economic growth, cultural conservatism, intensified misogyny, and a firm grip on the instruments of state power. The landslide win for Modi will see India’s soul lost to a dark politics – one that views almost all 195 million Indian Muslims as second-class citizens.

“On the campaign trail Muslims were denigrated as “termites” by Modi’s righthand man. Off it, they were lynched with apparent impunity. Despite their number, Muslims are political orphans, shunned by a political class fearful of losing support from the majority Hindu population. A divisive figure, Modi is undoubtedly a charismatic campaigner. Rather than transcend the faultlines of Indian society – religion, caste, region and language – Modi’s style is to throw them into sharp relief. He is a populist who speaks in the name of the people against the elite despite being a seasoned public figure. Modi deployed with terrible effect false claims and partisan facts.”

Eminent Muslim citizens hail PM Modi’s outreach to minorities A group of eminent citizens from the Muslim community has welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent remarks on the need to address the welfare of minorities, and offered to engage with him on issues of backwardness, skill educational development and confidence building measures.

Referring to Modi’s speech to NDA MPs on May 26, the citizens wrote in a letter they

were happy to note the PM was “unequivocally” committed to work for and serve all sections of society and that bringing the marginalised into the mainstream was essential to realise the dream of making India the world’s third largest economy.

They said the community would welcome confidence-building measures that assure minorities equal protection under the Constitution and the law.

Letter echoes Modi’s comments The letter took note of PM Modi’s comments where he said, “The way the poor have been cheated, the minorities have been deceived the same way. It would have been good if their education, their health had been in focus. Minorities have been made to live in fear by those who believed in vote-bank politics. I expect from you in 2019 that you would be able to make a hole in that

deception. We have to earn their trust.”

The letter said, “You have very pertinently pinpointed the problem of minorities, in particular of education and healthcare. Indeed, these two sectors are crucial to bring the minorities into the mainstream and to make them fully productive in order to realise your dream of turning India into the third largest economy of the world.”

REAL ESTATE VOICE

THE BOOMERANG DEAL

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We have just agreed a deal yesterday on a property in Ealing. The property is a garden triplex flat, consisting of a massive 1,400 sq. ft.

The contract will be with the lawyers later today or tomorrow. This is a probate property and has a shortish lease, though it is mortgageable.

Suresh Vagjiani

Sow & Reap London Property Investment

This is one of those that I call a ‘boomerang’ deal.

We had been tracking it for several months, and then the vendor ended up agreeing an offer on it with an end user. They proceeded to do a full structural survey so it looked like it was full steam ahead. However, for some reason or another the deal did not proceed.

So, the deal came back. This time there was a sealed bids situation. We changed our offer just before the deadline to £500K. This won us the contract.

There were two issues with the deal, one was the short lease, and the other was that there were some rather large cracks going through the first floor of the property.

The lease issue is not insurmountable. Currently the lease is 67 years which is actually mortgageable, and usually an extension is almost procedural nowadays.

The other issue of the large cracks was enough to scare most people away. It’s always good to remember you never get a deal laid out on a plate for you. There are generally some issues, or something or another, to work through. This of course required further investigation. In such a situation you can investigate the issue itself, or

WOMEN’S PROPERTY SEMINAR Sow & Reap, in association with RecommendAsian, are pleased to announce our first women’s property seminar, to be held in Stanmore, on Thursday 4th July at 7pm.

Joining us will be our special guest speaker Bindar Dosanjh, who has won several property awards and has recently written a book called ‘Power Property Investing for Women’ Winner of Business Book

Awards 2019. She will be sharing her story and why it is important for women to invest in property.

BUY TO LET OPPORTUNITY London, SE2 Purchase Price: £236,000

check the insurance policy to see if it is fully covered. Ideally, both should be done to get a full picture.

The survey revealed the movement was from the ground floor extension which was done after the house was built, just settling. The cracks should stabilise in a few years.

It was not subsidence which is the first fear which enters people’s minds when they see such cracks. Which itself is not an issue, if it is covered by insurance properly. There will be an insurance claim to be submitted, the cost, however, will be borne by the insurance company.

The closest comparable is the property next door, which sold for £820K in Jan 2018. This was during the aftermath of the Brexit vote, which should mean the price reflected the uncertainty caused by the vote to some degree at least.

funds from the property, thereby leaving very little, if any, in the deal.

I would like to aim to buy and sell this deal. The current market is not conducive to this approach.

However, this is a prime residential postcode and the property is large and airy and has a garden; so I feel it is worth a try.

Although, it is always prudent to have a Plan B, which is simply to hold it on a BTL basis.

Once the issues are resolved we can look to extract the initial

We are looking to place this deal, please get in touch if you are interested.

- Why the current environment provides a great window of opportunity - How to spot deals

At the seminar you will learn:

l l l l l l l l

8 - 14 June 2019

class

This will be a great opportunity for you to see how Sow & Reap can add value and help you to invest in property.

- Why it is important to invest in property as an asset

19

Attendance is free, and seats are limited - so early registration is recommended!

Please note that admittance is strictly by reservation only.

Further details will be provided on registration.

Two bedroom, ground floor flat in a private block 200 yards away from a Crossrail station Journey time to Canary Wharf and Bond Street will be 11 mins and 25 mins Yield of 5.1% per annum Long lease & low service charge £80K cash required to close this deal, subject to mortgage criteria Sustained long term growth due to Crossrail Due to the price, proximity to a Crossrail station and cash required to do this deal, it is expected to be sold very quickly

Call us now for more information!

Specialists in Central London Property Sourcing

0207 993 0103

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

Sowandreapuk

Turning land into cash Get in touch about our land opportunities

20 FINANCE - UK

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Consultant Editor Financial Voice Alpesh Patel Dear Financial Voice Reader, Calling all female readers- research shows you are better in business, investing and trading than men! Read this: The UK Government’s Treasury Department has recently launched a review into barriers for women in business. When I wrote my book about women entrepreneurs, ‘Our Turn’ sponsored by the then Bank of Scotland, little did I know just how many advantages men have thanks to women (and other men blocking women).

Some of the key blockages included, according to research, relative to men, a more realistic sense of success.

Men in their cliched bravado tended to be more self confident of their own abilities, (self-attribution bias), and so underestimated the chances of failure and went gungho into business.

You’re already familiar with these issues affecting women in the workplace. You are willing to work longer for the same pay as a man, research proves it. Thank you.

It makes it easier to pick a man to promote – heck I’m hardly about to move someone up who works the longest hours am I to do the same work?

And it’s unfortunate because the world needs more women entrepreneurs than ever. It needs more women in business because statistically they are more likely to succeed. It needs more women running top companies FTSE companies, because statistically their share prices do better. It needs more women at heads of Government, because statistically it leads to less wars. It needs more women managing household finances, because statistically it leads to less personal insolvencies.

There can be little doubt about male dominance when only one out of a hundred of the UK’s largest companies are headed by a woman. Even in the US, it’s a similar proportion of women who head Fortune 500 companies.

Eighty per cent of women-owned businesses that need credit are under-served worldwide, creating a £1.3 trillion financing gap according to research last week. Also according to the Rose Review “only 13pc of people on UK investment teams are women and 48pc of investment teams have no women at all. This is reflected in the fact that less than 1pc of UK venture funding goes to all-female teams and just 4pc of deals.”

Not only does research show women run business do better, but also those with a more gender balanced board – basically on every metric it makes sense investing in women. But it doesn’t happen. So women have started their own funds, their own investor groups to invest in women led businesses.

How ironic. Research shows 46 per cent of all US businesses are owned by women, and employment at women-owned businesses is growing at 18 per cent, compared with 8 per cent for all companies, according to business magazine Forbes. Actually, US women have an average net worth of £1.96 billion compared with the men, at £1.45 billion.

And when it comes to investment, research also shows women make better investors than men. Women’s portfolios earned 1.4% annually more than men’s did in a study of over 35,000 investors by the University of California at Davis. Indeed, single women earned 2.3% annually more than single men.

Poor male performance is due to over-trading, according to the study. Men trade their accounts 45% more often than women. And single men shuffle their holdings 67% more than single women. Perhaps the adage about men’s fear of commitment is true after all.

A National Association of Investors Corporation tenyear study found all-female investment clubs outpaced all-male investment clubs by producing 23.8% average compounded lifetime annual returns compared to 19.2% for male clubs.

Do women also make better traders? So I crowdsourced the answer to this perennial question. Who is better then (thanks Marcus Taylor) – this is what Marcus said: “A study conducted by the University of California of 35,000 brokerage accounts has shown that women make higher returns than men, on average by 1.5 %. It even goes so far to say that single women made 2.2 % more than their single male counterparts. · The National Association of Investors Corp in Maryland (USA) revealed in their study that all women investment clubs outperformed all male investment clubs by an average of 5 % per annum. The reason for that?

Apparently, it is because women trade less often and do have less tolerance to risk than males.

Steep downturn in UK manufacturing A survey showed that the Brexit stockpiling boom of early 2019 has come to an end in May to the steepest downturn in British manufacturing in almost three years as new orders dried up, boding poorly for economic growth in the second quarter. The IHS Markit/CIPS UK Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) fell to 49.4 from 53.1 in April, its lowest level since July 2016 and worse than all forecasts of economists that had pointed to a fall to 52.

Export orders dropped at the fastest pace since October 2014, the survey showed, reflecting global trade tensions and European businesses diverting supply chains away from Britain because of Brexit uncertainty, the PMI showed. A separate survey from the ‘Make UK’

manufacturing organisation also suggested EU customers are turning their backs on Britain.

Britain’s economy picked up in early 2019, helped by the biggest rise in factory output in 20 years as companies raced to stockpile goods to avoid disruption to supply chains in the run-up to the original March 29 Brexit deadline.

But with Britain’s departure

from the European Union postponed until Oct. 31, the boost from stockpiling has evaporated putting manufacturing on course for a renewed downturn, data company IHS Markit said.

“New order inflows declined from both domestic and overseas markets, as already high stock levels at manufacturers and their

clients led to difficulties in sustaining output levels and getting agreement on new contracts,” IHS Markit economist Rob Dobson said.

British factories cut jobs for a second month running in May and ran down backlogs of work at the fastest rate in six years, a poor omen for manufacturing output, the survey showed.

“The current manufacturing downturn may have further to run and will have negative ramifications for growth in the broader economy in the months ahead,” Dobson said.

Still, manufacturers struck a more optimistic tone for the longer term as expectations for future output struck an eightmonth high, based on hope that worries around Brexit and global trade will eventually subside.

PM hopefuls warned against no-deal Brexit One of UK's biggest business groups warned the 12 candidates hoping to succeed Theresa May as prime minister that a nodeal Brexit will cause severe long-term damage to Britain’s competitiveness.

“Firms large and small are clear that leaving the EU with a deal is the best way forward,” the DirectorGeneral of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) Carolyn

Carolyn Fairbairn

Fairbairn wrote in a letter.

“Short-term disruption and long-term damage to British competitiveness will be severe if we leave without one. The vast majority of firms can never be prepared for no-deal, particularly our SME (small and mediumsized enterprises) members who cannot afford complex and costly contingency plans.” Britain was due to leave the EU in March but that has been pushed back until Oct. 31 after lawmakers

rejected May’s negotiated settlement. A total of 12 Conservative lawmakers are seeking to take over from May with several saying they are prepared to take Britain out of the European Union without an agreement in place, which has further strained relations with firms. “We have a clear message for the next Conservative leader and future Prime Minister,” wrote Fairbairn.

UK house prices slump as confidence remains subdued

UK consumers cheeriest after 8 months

A survey by Nationwide revealed that property prices have dropped by 0.2% in May after adjustment for seasonal factors, sliding from positive monthly growth in April. The number of transactions and mortgages approved remained stable during the month, Nationwide said, despite falling from 0.3% monthly growth in April.

Year-on-year price growth slowed down to 0.6% in May from 0.9% in April 2019, as demand appeared dim. The average price for a house bought over the period was £214,946, up from £214,920 last month.

Robert Gardner, the chief economist at Nationwide, said: “Survey data suggests that new buyer inquiries and consumer confidence have remained subdued in recent months.

Nevertheless, indicators of housing market activity, such as the number of property transactions and the number of mortgages approved for house purchase,

According to a monthly survey by market researchers GfK, consumers in UK were the cheeriest this month since last September, reporting an improvement in their personal finances and a less dull view of the year ahead.

Solid demand from British households has kept the economy ticking during a period when many businesses have called a halt to major investment until the terms of Britain’s departure from the European Union become clearer.

The GfK consumer sentiment index, beating all forecasts, rose to -10 in May from April’s increase of -13, its highest since September 2018. However, GfK said it expected further gains to be limited while it remained uncertain how Britain would leave the European Union on the newly set Brexit date of Oct. 31.

have remained broadly stable. Housing market trends are likely to continue to mirror developments in the broader economy.”

The building society said that first-time buyer numbers had made a steady recovery in recent months, with 359,000 reported in the 12 months to March 2019.

The increase in first-time buyers comes amid a decline in the interest rates on mortgages with smaller deposits compared with those with larger deposits, it added.

“It is possible that the

avoidance of a no-deal Brexit at the end of March has provided some support to housing market activity through easing some of the immediate uncertainty and concerns. However, we suspect any boost to the housing market from the avoidance of a disruptive Brexit at the end of March will prove limited in both size and length. Certainly, latest survey evidence on the housing market remains largely downbeat”, said Howard Archer, the chief economic adviser at EY Item Club.

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Bank fraud touched £7.15 bn in 2018-19: RBI The Reserve Bank of India said that 6,801 cases of fraud were reported by scheduled commercial banks and select financial institutions involving an amount of £7.15 billion in the last fiscal (increase of over 73 per cent in the fraud amount). In the last 11 fiscal years, a total of 53,334 cases of fraud were reported by banks involving a massive amount of £20.5 billion, the central bank said in reply to an RTI query.

During 2008-09, a total of 4,372 cases were reported involving an amount of £186 million. In 2009-10, £199.89 million worth fraud was reported in 4,669 cases. A total of 4,534 and 4,093 such cases were reported in 2010-11 and 2011-12 involving £381.57 million and £450.11 million, respectively.

In the 2012-13 fiscal, 4,235 fraud cases involving £859 were reported by banks as against 4,306 cases (involving £1.01 billion) in 2013-14 and 4,639 cases (involving £1.94 billion) in 2014-15, the RBI said. As many as 4,693 and 5,076 cases of fraud were reported in 2015-16 and 2016-17 involving £1.86 billion and £2.39 billion, respectively, it said.

“Cases of fraud reported to RBI are required to be filed by banks as criminal complaints with law enforcement agencies.

The information in respect of action being taken or already taken is not available readily,” RBI said.

The data assumes significance as banks are grappling with high-profile fraud cases involving absconding billionaire Nirav Modi and liquor baron Vijay Mallya, among others.

The large-scale fraud had prompted anti-corruption watchdog Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) to do an analysis and it came out with a report on top 100 frauds. The

analysis focussed on the modus operandi, amount involved, type of lending (consortium or individual), anomalies observed, loopholes that facilitated perpetration of the fraud concerned and the systemic improvement required to plug the gaps in the system and procedures.

The frauds were classified and analysed for 13 sectors, including gem and jewellery, manufacturing and industry, agriculture, media, aviation, service and project, discounting of cheques, trading, information technology, export business, fixed deposits, demand loan and letter of comfort. The measures suggested by the CVC included

Singapore knocks off Mauritius as top FDI source Singapore has toppled Mauritius and became the top Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) source in India. Now the inflows from Singapore were twice that from Mauritius during the last financial year as companies opted to route funds into india via the southeast Asian city-state, instead of the island nation in the Indian Ocean, the most preferred route for overseas flows so far, after the tax treaty with both the countries was reworked.

The latest data released by the government showed that in 2018-19, inflows from Singapore were estimated at $16.2 billion, compared with

$8.1 billion from Mauritius.

This is only the third time that inflows from Singapore have topped those from Mauritius with investment advisers attributing the change to the revamped tax treaty.

After 33 years, India and Mauritius had agreed to amend the tax treaty, allowing authorities in the country to tax capital gains on transfer of Indian shares acquired from April 2017.

A similar amendment was made in the tax treaty with Singapore, which also came into force from April 1, 2017.

Unlike the tax treaty with Singapore, the original pact with Mauritius did not

require “significant presence”.

As a result, since April 2000, 32% of the inflows have come through Mauritius because investors from the US, the UK and Germany too opted to route their investment via this window.

Tax consultants said given the parity in tax treatment now, investors are preferring to route investments via Singapore. “The choice of source of investment depends a lot on the bilateral tax agreement.

Besides, Singapore offers other advantages on the ease of doing business front,” said Dhiraj Mathur, who was involved with FDI policy before turning a consultant.

Amul aims to be among world's top three dairy goods producer The Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF) which markets dairy products under brand 'Amul' aims to establish itself as the largest dairy organisation in the world in the long term. The apex body of dairy cooperatives of Gujarat is targeting a turnover of £5 billion to emerge as largest FMCG organisation in India by 2020-21. At its 45th annual general meeting, GCMMF declared that it had registered a turnover of £3.3

billion in financial year 2018-19, 13% higher than the previous financial year.

Amul hopes to climb up from its current ranking as the ninth-largest dairy organisation globally, to be among the top three soon.

In fact, the group turnover of GCMMF and its constituent member unions, representing unduplicated turnover of all products sold under Amul brand has exceeded USD $6.5 billion.

“During the last nine years, our milk procurement has

witnessed a phenomenal increase of 153%. This growth is a result of high milk procurement price paid to our farmer members which has increased by 105% in this period,” said Ramsinh Parmar, GCMMF chairman.

“India will need around 600 million metric tonnes of milk per year (650 million litres per day) in year 205051 from current level of 176 million metric tonnes per year (480 million litres per day) to fulfil demand for milk and milk products.

strengthening standard operating procedures (SOPs) and the monitoring system, among others.

The CBI in 2018 booked top officials of two public sector banks, a former CMD of IDBI Bank, former Aircel promoter C Sivasankaran, his son and companies controlled by him in connection with a £60 million loan fraud in the IDBI. The investigative agency named 15 bank officials who worked at senior levels at the IDBI in 2010 and 2014 when loans were sanctioned to companies controlled by Sivasankaran, in its FIR registered on a complaint from the CVC. Managing Director and CEO of Indian Bank, Kishor Kharat (who was then MD and CEO of IDBI Bank) and his counterpart in Syndicate Bank, Melwyn Rego (then deputy managing director in IDBI Bank) along with then Chairman-cum-Managing Director of IDBI Bank M S Raghavan, have been named in the latest FIR filed by the CBI. Central agencies like the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Enforcement Directorate (ED) are also probing big-ticket bank fraud cases.

in brief PNB STAYS IN RED IN Q4

Punjab National Bank’s (PNB’s) woes don’t seem to be ending with the state-run lender reporting a loss of £475 million in the March quarter. The losses have come down drastically when compared with the fourth quarter of 2017-18, when the bank was forced to report a record loss of £1.34 billion due to the fraud orchestrated by Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi. Total income during the March quarter of 2018-19 rose nearly 14% to £1.47 billion. In the same period, the bank’s performance was weighed down by provisions for potential loan losses, although it is yet to set aside funds for an exposure of over £350 million to problem cases such as Jet Airways and IL&FS group. “We suffered a setback last year, of which 50% provisioning was done last year and 50% has been made this year. We have taken a conscious step to clean up the book and take provision coverage ratio to a reasonably high level, which gives a high degree of safety to our stakeholders,” PNB managing director Sunil Mehta said.

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Guests at Indian mission’s iftar in Islamabad harassed NEW DELHI: India and Pakistan were locked in another spat, with security agencies in Islamabad harassing guests at an iftar party hosted by Indian high commissioner Ajay Bisaria last week. Many of the guests were turned away from the venue by ISI men, who also tried to snatch the cameras of Indian officials seeking to record the harassment of guests.

The Indian high commission said in a statement that a strong protest had been lodged with the Pakistani government for “gross intimidation’’ of guests. Many of the Pakistani guests had their cars forklifted from the venue

and were forced to leave as ISI laid siege to the fivestar hotel where the event was being held.

The guests included parliamentarians, retired diplomats, former army officers and members of the diplomatic community in Islamabad.

This came days after Pakistan accused Indian authorities of having done the same with its Indian guests at their iftar at the Pakistani high commission in New Delhi. While Pakistan had not officially protested the alleged harassment, its officials seemed to have responded with what the Indian mission described as unprecedented

harassment and intimidation of guests who sought entry into the hotel. Speaking at the event later, Bisaria apologised to the guests, some of whom had come from Lahore and Karachi, for the harassment caused by Pakistani officials.

Basic norms violated Indian officials who confronted the ISI men were pushed around, abused and threatened with bodily harm, said the Indian statement on the “ugly’’ incident.

“The disappointing chain of events of June 1 not only violate basic norms of diplomatic conduct but are against all notions of civilised behaviour,’’

the statement issued by the Indian high commission said, adding that stopping Indian diplomats from discharging their duties by coercion was counterproductive to bilateral ties.

“Unprecedented level of harassment at Serena Hotels in Islamabad. India embassy iftaar happening and police and antiterrorism force misbehaving with anyone trying to get into the hotel.

Got screamed at, my driver abused. Sorry, not being an entitled prick. This was genuine harassment,” tweeted noted journalist Mehreen Zahra-Malik.

Muslim ministers quit Lanka cabinet COLOMBO: Nearly a dozen Sri Lankan Muslim politicians holding top government positions resigned from their posts, saying they want to enable the government to investigate allegations against some of them on links to Islamic extremist militants. Nine cabinet and junior ministers and two provincial governors stepped down days after a Buddhist monk began a fast demanding the expulsion of three political leaders whom he said were linked to the terror group responsible for the Easter Sunday bombings in the country that killed over 250 people.

Commerce minister Rishath Bathiyutheen, western province governor Azath Salley and eastern province governor Hisbullah have been accused of supporting the Islamic Statelinked National Tawheed Jamaat. All three have denied the allegation. The resignations of the ministers will not affect the government’s stability because they have pledged to continue to

Lankan Muslim politicians

support the government as backbench lawmakers. There are 19 Muslims lawmakers in the 225-member Parliament and nine of them held cabinet, state and deputy ministerial positions.

Rauf Hakeem, a lawmaker for Sri Lanka Muslim Congress, said he and the others who resigned asked the government to investigate the allegations and allow Muslim political leaders to vindicate themselves

amid an ongoing anti-Muslim hate campaign in Sri Lanka.

Muslims have seen their shops and home burned, been harassed in public places and subjected to hate comments since the April 21 suicide bombings.

“We as members of the Muslim community represented in the government holding a variety of positons ... have taken a decision to resign from all the positions and request the

government to expedite any inquiry against anyone among us and bring it to a conclusion without delay,” Hakeem said.

Hakeem said that Sri Lanka’s Muslim community, which constitutes 10% of the country's 21 million population, has cooperated with law enforcement officials since the attacks, and that many have been arrested on trivial matters.

He urged the government to quickly conclude their cases.

Athuraliya Rathana, a Buddhist monk, started fasting last week to demand the dismissal of the three Muslim politicians whom he accused of being linked to NTJ. Shops were shut and buses stopped services in some towns in support of the fast.

The monk gave up his fast after he was informed of the politicians’ resignations. The head of the Catholic Church in Colombo, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, also travelled to Kandy to express solidarity with Rathana.

Suspended Lanka police chief blames Sirisena for failing to prevent terror attacks COLOMBO: Sri Lanka's suspended police chief has filed a petition in the Supreme Court, accusing President Maithripala Sirisena of failing to prevent the Easter Sunday bombings that killed 258 people. In a 20-page complaint, suspended Inspector-General Pujith Jayasundara disclosed serious communication gaps between intelligence agencies and security arms of the government, all which fall under Sirisena.

In the petition, Jayasundara said the country's premier spy agency, the State Intelligence Service (SIS), ordered him last year to stop ongoing police investigations against Islamic militants. The SIS, which reports directly to Sirisena, wanted the police Terrorist Investigation Department to stop all inquiries into extremist Muslim factions, including the National Thowheeth Jama'ath (NTJ), which was blamed for the

Pujith Jayasundara

bombings.

Jayasundara said the head of the SIS, Nilantha Jayawardena, did not take seriously the intelligence shared by neighbouring India which warned of an impending attack by the NTJ. Jayasundara said despite the SIS not sharing information warnings with the police department, he had initiated action to alert his senior men, but he had no input from the main spy agency.

Sirisena suspended Jayasundara

after he refused to accept responsibility for the deadly attacks. The Attorney General has asked for a full bench of the apex court to decide the case.

Jayasundara said he was offered a diplomatic post if he took the blame and stepped down, but he refused as he said he was not responsible for the catastrophic intelligence failure.

He said he had been sidelined by the president since a political rift between the President and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe emerged in October.

Jayasundara's petition came days after Sirisena publicly rebuked another intelligence official, Sisira Mendis, after he told a parliamentary panel that the Easter suicide bombings could have been avoided.

Mendis's testimony appeared to put Sirisena in a poor light by implying he had not held National Security Council meetings to review threats such

as the attacks carried out by Islamic State.

In a statement, Sirisena denied claims by Mendis that the country's highest security body had not met as often as it should have around the time of the attacks, which were blamed on Islamic State-backed militants. Sirisena, who is also defence minister, said in a statement he held NSC meetings twice a week, contradicting Mendis who told parliament that the last meeting was on February 19, more than two months before the April 21 bombings targeting three churches and three luxury hotels. Sirisena said he met with the national police chief and his top brass 13 days before the Easter Sunday attacks and no officer raised warnings which had been relayed by India. Sri Lanka has been under a state of emergency since the attacks, but Sirisena announced last week that it will end in a month.

in brief VADODARA GIRL GOES MISSING IN US A 24-year-old Vadodara girl living in New Jersey City of US has reportedly gone missing sometime between April 29 and May 1. Mayushi Bhagat had gone to the US in 2016 to pursue post-graduation in electronics engineering. Her father Vikas Bhagat approached New Jersey City police stating that he last spoke with his daughter on April 29. Bhagat told the cops that his daughter told him that she was okay, but said she won’t return home till May 3. He added that she asked him not to bother about her.

Bhagat said his wife also went to live with their daughter in the US since December last year. Their son also went to the US last month. Bhagat said that he called up his daughter on her mobile phone and also left a voice mail asking her to contact the New Jersey police. New Jersey police have been searching for the missing girl but are yet to trace her whereabouts.

BRITISH AIRWAYS RESUMES FLIGHTS TO PAK AFTER 11 YEARS British Airways has resumed flights to Pakistan, over a decade after they were suspended in the wake of a truck bombing of a hotel in the capital, which killed dozens, reports said. Flights three times a week between London and Islamabad began on Monday. State-run Pakistan Television says Aviation Minister Ghulam Sarwar and other officials greeted passengers on their arrival at the airport. Thomas Drew, Britain's top diplomat in Pakistan, was also present.

British Airways suspended its operations shortly after the Sept 20, 2008, terrorist bombing devastated the Marriott Hotel in Islamabad, killing at least 54 people and wounding 270.

ISRAEL HEADS TO ELECTION AS NETANYAHU FAILS TO FORM GOVT As Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu failed to form a governing coalition before the deadline end, Israel's parliament voted to dissolve itself, sending the country to an unprecedented second snap election this year.

The dramatic vote, less than two months after parliamentary elections, marked a setback for Netanyahu and sent the longtime leader's future into turmoil. Netanyahu, who has led Israel for the past decade, had appeared to capture a fourth consecutive term in the April 9 election. But infighting among his allies, and disagreements over proposed bills to protect Netanyahu from prosecution stymied his efforts to put together a majority coalition.

Rather than concede that task to one of his rivals, Netanyahu's Likud party advanced a bill to dissolve parliament and send the country to the polls for a second time this year.

3 THAI MEN SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR KILLING BRITISH EXPATRIATE A court in Thailand has sentenced three Thai men to death in the murder of a British expatriate and his Thai wife whose brother allegedly ordered the killings. The Phrae Provincial Court issued its verdict in the case of 64-year-old retired petroleum engineer Alan Hogg and his 61-year-old wife, Nhot Suddaen, whose bodies were found buried on their property in northern Thailand last September. Police say the killers were traced after they stole the victims' pickup truck, and that they had confessed to being hired by Nhot's brother to kill the couple for financial gain. A fourth defendant had his sentence commuted to 25 years in prison for cooperating with the investigation.

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in brief DRIVERLESS TRAIN GOES WRONG WAY, INJURES 14 Fourteen passengers were injured after a driverless five-car train in Tokyo went in the wrong direction and crashed into a buffer stop, Japanese police said. Local media reported that some injuries - the first resulting from an accident involving an automated train in 30 years - appeared to be serious but non-life-threatening. The train hit the buffer stop at Shin-Sugita station after travelling the wrong way for about 20 metres, Akihiko Mikami, president of the train operator, said in a statement.

IN PHILIPPINES, PUPILS MUST PLANT TREES TO GRADUATE On top of throwing hats in the air and going out for post-celebration food, planting trees is officially becoming a part of the Filipino graduation tradition. This has happened since a bill was passed by the House of Representatives requiring elementary, high school and college students to plant 10 trees before being able to graduate, the CNN reports. The “Graduation Legacy for the Environment Act,” was passed on May 15th by Gay Alejano, MADGALO representative. “With over 12 million students graduating from elementary and nearly five million students graduating from high school and almost 5,00,000 graduating from college each year, this initiative will ensure that at least 175 million new trees would be planted each year,” said Alejano.

‘GUARDIAN ANGEL’ PIGEON PROTECTED SPEEDER: POLICE Police in Germany say divine intervention saved a speeding driver from getting a ticket, after a pigeon photobombed a traffic enforcement camera. Police said “the Holy Ghost must have had a plan” to help the driver. Just as the radar clocked the driver at 54 km/h in a 30km/h zone and the camera flashed, the pigeon flew in front of the car, obscuring the face of the driver with its spread wings. Police say “thanks to the feathered guardian angel,” the driver was spared a €105 (approx Rs 8,166) fine.

MALAYSIA TO RETURN PLASTIC WASTE TO FOREIGN NATIONS Malaysia will send back some 3,000 metric tonnes of non-recyclable plastic waste to countries such as the US, UK, Canada and Australia in a move to avoid becoming a dumping ground for rich nations, environment minister Yeo Bee Yin said.

MYSTERY BIDDER TO PAY $4.5M FOR LUNCH WITH WARREN BUFFETT An anonymous bidder has agreed to pay a record $4,567,888 at an annual charity auction to have a private lunch with Warren Buffett, the billionaire chairman of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. The winning bid, which was submitted during a five-day online auction on eBay, was nearly onethird higher than the previous record $3,456,789 bids in both the 2012 and 2016 auctions. Proceeds benefit the Glide Foundation, a charity in San Francisco that serves the poor, homeless or those battling substance abuse. Buffett, 88, has raised about $34.2 million for Glide in 20 annual auctions, which began in 2000 and moved to eBay in 2003.

Trump stops special duty benefits for Indian goods WASHINGTON: The United States announced that it was terminating its special market access policy to India under the generalised system of preferences (GSP) programme from June 5. “I have determined that India has not assured the US that it will provide equitable and reasonable access to its markets,” Trump said in a statement. In an otherwise guarded response, the Indian government said it had sought to resolve some of trade irritants but it was “unfortunate” they were not accepted by the US. “In any relationship, in particular in the area of economic ties, there are ongoing issues which get resolved mutually from time to time. We view this issue as a part of this regular process and will continue to build on our strong ties with the US, both economic and people-to-people. We are confident the two nations will continue to work together intensively for further growing these ties in a mutually beneficial manner,” India's

Donald Trump

commerce department said.

Exporters, however, said that the impact of the action may not be significant.

“Out of $6.35 billion exports under the GSP scheme, net benefit was only to the tune of $260 million... thus at macro level the impact of GSP withdrawal on our exports to the US would be minimal.

However, in respect of products having GSP benefits of 3% or more, exporters may find it difficult to absorb the GSP loss,” said FIEO president Ganesh Kumar Gupta, adding that it

may give an edge to Chinese goods.

Conceived by Washington in 1974 to help 120 developing countries and territories advance their economy and markets, the GSP regime saw India become one of the biggest beneficiaries, most recently accounting for nearly a quarter of the goods that got duty-free access to the US. That concession is now over as President Trump bears down on what he believes are American handouts to countries that are now trending towards middleincome or developed status, with some of them being “ungrateful” to boot.

Trump has complained repeatedly that India is a “very very high tariff nation”, highlighting in particular New Delhi’s taxes against high-end Harley-Davidson motorcycles (even after the taxes were cut in half), even though the amount involved is paltry in the overall scheme of things. Washington and New Delhi have been scrapping over trade for several

years now, but whereas previous administrations pressed their case with a combination of international litigation (mainly before the World Trade Organisation) and bilateral, behind-thescenes coaxing and cajoling, Trump has adopted a more hardball, take-noprisoners approach.

In fact, the US president announced imposition of graduated tariffs on neighbouring Mexico overriding the arguments of his own advisers, including his sonin-law Jared Kushner - because of what he said is Mexico’s unhelpful attitude in stanching the flow of illegal migrants across the southern borders.

While the sums involved in the US-India spat are relatively modest (the US trade deficit with India is less than $25 billion compared to the $420 billion with China and even the $75 billion with Mexico), the GSP withdrawal casts a shadow over what are widely touted as strategic ties aimed at countering China.

Two Indian-origins in SA Prez Ramaphosa's new cabinet JOHANNESBURG: South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced his new Cabinet, slashing from 36 to 28 the number of ministers, including two Indian-origins, days after he was sworn in at a stadium in the capital Pretoria.

In the new Cabinet, half the new ministers are women, making South Africa one of the world's few gender-balanced governments.

Ramaphosa, 66, led the ruling African National Congress (ANC) party to victory in elections earlier this month with a majority of 57.5 per cent, the smallest since the party came to power 25 years ago.

"In the election of the 8th of May, South Africans provided this administration with a clear mandate to accelerate inclusive

Pravin Gordhan

economic growth, act with greater urgency to tackle poverty, improve government services, fight corruption and end state capture," Ramaphosa said in a nationally-televised broadcast to announce the appointments.

"If we are to give effect to this mandate, we need a capable, efficient and ethical government," he said. Two

Ebrahim Patel

Indian-origin ministers have been retained from the previous administration. Pravin Gordhan, who received the Padma Bhushan for distinguished service in January this year, was reappointed as Minister of Public Enterprises to continue the challenge of rescuing embattled state-owned enterprises such as national electricity supplier Eskom.

Ebrahim Patel, who has achieved success as Minster of Economic Affairs, has been retained in that portfolio, with the former Ministry of Trade and Industries now combined into his Department. More than 30,000 people gathered to witness the swearing in ceremony. Ramaphosa has vowed to tackle corruption and rejuvenate the country's struggling economy.

"In undertaking this review, we have been guided by the need to build a modern developmental state that has the means to drive economic and social transformation, to embrace innovation and to direct effort and resources towards where they will have the greatest impact," Ramaphosa said.

'Octochamps' create history at National Spelling Bee with 8-way tie OXON HILL (MARYLAND): Eight young super spellers humbled the dictionary to be crowned co-winners of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, in what officials said was exceptional since the inception of the US word contest in 1925. Each winner received a $50,000 prize and a trophy. The contestants simply could not be separated after a marathon session. "We’re throwing the dictionary at you, and, so far, you are showing the dictionary who’s boss," the bee’s pronouncer, Jacques Bailly, told the finalists.

More than 11 million students participated in this year’s National Spelling Bee, ranging in age from seven to 15 and hailing from all 50 US states, overseas

territories and six other countries: the Bahamas, Canada, Ghana, Jamaica, Japan and South Korea. Officials say that while there have been co-champions in the past, there have never been eight.

As the tension mounted, the young scholars worked out the correct order of vowels and consonants in words such as bougainvillea, a type of climbing plant; aiguillette, braided loops hanging on a military uniform shoulder; and pendeloque, a diamond or gemstone cut in a pear shape.

Officials announced a rule change as all remaining children notched up every answer declaring all remaining spellers at the end of Round 20 will win, “It was a decision made earlier today,” said bee

director Paige Kimball, who won the bee in 1981. By the midnight, eight were competing.

“They have a lot of grit,” said Kimball.

“Most of them will tell you they have been working on this for years ... they are just the top of the top, clearly.” The eight winners have decided to call themselves “octochamps.” The trophy holders are six boys and two girls hail from six states: Rishik Gandhasri, 13, San Francisco; Erin Howard, 14, Birmingham, Alabama; Saketh Sundar, 13, Columbia, Maryland; Shruthika Padhy, 13, Cherry Hill, New Jersey; Sohum Sukhatankar, 13, Dallas; Abhijay Kodali, 12, Dallas; Christopher Serrao, 13, Allentown, Pennsylvania; and Rohan Raja, 13, Dallas.

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SOUTH INDIA

Following protest by southern states, Hindi dropped as must language NEW DELHI: Following protest by southern states, the controversial reference to the three-language policy in the draft National Education Policy was removed with the committee, headed by scientist K Kasturirangan, informing the government that there had been an “inadvertent error” in the text submitted for public feedback.

With the reference to English as “elitist” and exclusionary triggering protests in southern states over “imposition” of Hindi, the government clarified that the draft was recommendatory and had been revised to say students be given flexibility over choice of language under the threelanguage model in schools.

Anti-Hindi uproar In attempts of damage control amid a controversy over the draft version of the National Education Policy 2019, the government has said Hindi will not be thrust upon any state.

Finance Minister Nirmala

Sitharaman and Foreign Minister S Jaishankar posted messages on Twitter assuring that the draft will be reviewed before implementation. Both ministers, from Tamil Nadu, tweeted in Tamil in response to the state with the loudest objections.

Chorus against the policy refused to die down last week with Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy and Congress lawmaker from Kerala

Shashi Tharoor issuing warnings against the forced imposition of the Hindi language on South Indian states, a sentiment previously expressed by former Finance Minister P Chidambaram and DMK leader MK Stalin among others.

Sitharaman tweeted, "Only after hearing public opinion the draft policy will be implemented.

Only to nurture all Indian languages PM launched EkBharatSreshhtaBharat. The

Centre would support to honour and develop the ancient Tamil language."

Jaishankar, meanwhile, assured people that the draft will be reviewed before implementation. The assurances followed explanations from the Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal and his predecessor Prakash Javadekar a day ago that did not appear to quell the concerns.

Shashi Thraoor spoke against defenders of the draft NEP like Karnataka BJP leader Tejasvi Surya who said the policy also encourages students in Hindi-speaking states to learn languages from other states.

He said, "Most of us in the South learn Hindi as a second language but nobody in the North is learning Malayalam or Tamil."

A popular campaign sprung on the internet with thousands protesting what was seen as an effort to make Hindi mandatory till Class 8.

PUNJAB

Growing demand to change Sidhu's portfolio CHANDIGARH: More ministers have joined in blaming Navjot Singh Sidhu for Congress` poor performance in the just concluded Lok Sabha elections in Punjab.

Forest Minister Sadhu Singh Dharamsot said Sidh's action during the elections had not only harmed Chief Minister Amarinder Singh but also party President Rahul Gandhi. He said the cricketer-turnedpolitician should quit if he could not work with the Chief Minister.

Dharamsot's reaction came a day after Amarinder Singh blamed Sidhu`s inept handling of the local government for Congress` debacle in urban areas and said he intended to change his portfolio. The Chief Minister said the urban vote bank had been the backbone of the Congress in the state but

Navjot Singh Sidhu

Sidhu`s failure to do any development work had hurt the party, which had performed well in the rural areas in these elections.

Asked if the party leadership would agree to a change in Sidhu`s portfolio, Amarinder said he had raised the issue some months ago, but the party decided to take a call on it after the Lok Sabha elections. The Chief Minister said he was confident that both Rahul Gandhi and party leader

Priyanka Gandhi would agree to the decision in the interest of the state and the party.

Sidhu hits back at Capt Amarinder Meanwhile, Sidhu hit back at the Chief Minister for singling him out for the Congress' poor perormance instead of the party taking the collective responsibility.

Stating that he was repeatedly being targetted by a group of eight or nine people, Sidhu said that he had never heard that in a government only one person is accused of poor performance. 'But if a finger has been raised, then he (CM) is the Maa-badaulat (the royal way of addressing self in third person with literal meaning that everything here is because

of me ). I cannot say anything.'

Sidhu said that till today he had not spoken a word against the Congress leaders and ministers who have blamed him for the party candidate's defeat in Bathinda, for Amritsar rail tragedy, his court case or Kartarpur Sahib corridor. But this time things have gone too far, he said.

Instead of collective responsibility, out of 50 departments only my department has been commented upon, he said.

Referring to the local bodies department that he heads as a rudderless ship and headless chicken, Sidhus said that it was he who put together a vision for the performance of the department because of which the Congress had done well in urban areas in the eight constituencies in which it won.

WEST BENGAL

Didi rejigs cabinet as MLAs desert TMC to join BJP KOLKATA: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has rejigged her 43-member cabinet in less than a week after the BJP stunned her party by making historic gains in the recent general elections. The exercise came a couple of hours after four Trinamool, Congress, and CPM MLAs and 50 civic councillors from Didi's party joined the BJP in a press conference at its central headquarters in New Delhi.

The MLAs included Subhrangshu Roy, son of Mamata's confidante and now BJP leader Mukul Roy, Tusharkanti Bhattacharya of the Congress and Debendra Roy from the CPM. TMC's Muslim MLA Monirul Islam too joined the BJP. The BJP's central leadership has threatened more damage to Trinamool.

Party general secretary and Bengal in-charge Kailash Vijayavargiya said, "We will induct

Mamata Banerjee

people from other parties in phases just like elections in Bengal were held in seven phases.

Tuesday's was the first phase. Many more are in touch with us."

He added, "This will happen every month.

We all wish the Mamata Banerjee government completes its tenure but cannot help if people do not want this." Meanwhile,

in Didi's cabinet rejig, the portforlios of two ministers, Benoy Krishna Burman and Shantiram Mahato, were taken away and given to party seniors Subrata Mukherjee, Subhendu Adhikari, Rajiv Banerjee and Bratya Basu.

In the first administrative review meeting to be convened by the CM on June 7, North Bengal and Jangalmahal will be the core topics to be discussed. Sources reveal, the CM will take stock of state projects in these zones.

Trinamool's electoral setback in the Jangalmahal belt of Midnapore, Jhargram, Purulia, and Bankura, where the party failed to win a single Lok Sabha seat, had prompted the CM last week to task Subhendu Adhikari to lead the fightback in this belt.

Subrata Mukherjee, who was relieved from the state cabinet to fight the Bankura LS

in brief JAGANMOHAN TAKES OATH AS ANDHRA CM YSR Congress Party chief YS Jaganmohan Reddy has taken oath as the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh at the Indira Gandhi stadium in Vijayawada. The rest of his cabinet will be sworn-in sometime next week, sources said.

Governor ESL Narasimhan administered the oath while Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) chief MK Stalin, and a Telugu Desam Party (TDP) delegation were in attendance. TDP chief and former CM Chandrababu Naidu refrained from attending the ceremony citing prior engagements and party meetings. He has assured full cooperation as a responsible Opposition leader. Jagan, speaking after taking oath, said his first act as CM would be to increase old age pension from the current Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,250. He said he would increase it to Rs 2,500 next year.

SPORTS UNIVERSITY COMING UP IN PATIALA A new sports university is coming up in Patiala from September 1 this year. Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh has given clearance for the university and directed the department of higher education to finalise the admission regulations for the first batch. The proposed institution will be known as ‘The Punjab Sports University.’ An ordinance will be brought out to ensure timely commencement of the academic session, according to an official spokesperson of the CM's office. The Chief Minister directed Patiala Deputy Commissioner to initiate the process of acquisition of 97 acres of land adjacent to the Rajiv Gandhi National Law University at Sidhowal village, for the construction of the university building. While 97% of the land is being provided free of cost by the village panchayat, the remaining will be acquired.

RAJEEV KUMAR GETS ONE MONTH PROTECTION FROM ARREST Calcutta High Court has granted ADG, CID Rajeev Kumar a month's protection from arrest from date of reopening of court on June 10 after Kumar, the former Kolkata police commissioner, moved the Calcutta High Court seeking the quashing of a notice issued against him by the CBI in connection with the Saradha chit fund case. Justice Pratik Prakash Banerjee granted leave to Kumar's counsel for filing a petition in the registry of the court.

Kumar's counsel had moved the vacation bench of the high court earlier in the day, and prayed for leave to file the petition. Besides issuing summons, the CBI had issued a lookout notice against Kumar and directed all airports and immigration authorities to alert the agency if they spot him leaving the country. Kumar was heading the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of West Bengal Police before the CBI took over the case. seat, was handed back his old panchayat portfolio along with the additional responsiblity of Paschimanchal development.

With the crossing of over 50 councillors, the control of four North 24 Paraganas municipalities - Naihati, Kanchrapara, Halishahar, and Bhatpara has effectively gone to the BJP. They said they had nothing against Mamata but wanted to be part of Modi's development plan.

Mamata, in her might, is setting the stage for an escalation of the fight with the BJP. She has asked party leaders to recapture TMC offices allegedly "occupied" by the BJP as early as possible. The Trinamool chief, who held an extended core committee meeting of the party, appointed her brother Kartik Banerjee and state minister Bratya Basu as president and chairman respectively of the party's frontal 'Jay Hind Bahini'. Trinamool Congress MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar was appointed the chairman of 'Banga Janani Bahini', another frontal organisation.

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Distorted Indian History

by Hired Writers • Sunderlal book was considered most dangerous since it brought out entire truth • The East India Company paid big amount to writers to malign the Indian Rulers andit Sunderlal writes in his book that the British banned, ‘How India lost her Freedom’: “Perhaps, the history of no other country in the world has been so deeply coloured and even distorted as that of India of those days, as presented by contemporary writers. The nature of the relationship between India and England at the time had made it almost impossible for history-writers generally to produce an impartial ‘historical’ record of contemporary events.” A revolutionary freedom fighter who later turned Gandhian and followed Ahimsa (non-violence) Pandit Sunderlal wrote “Bharat mein Angrezi Raj” in Hindi and immediately after it was published in 1929, the British government banned it since “it is most dangerous since it brings out entire truth”.

P

This very contention was presented by the government advocate Shri Bajpayee before the Allahabad High Court when the ban was challenged by Panditji. Sir Tejbahadur Sapru appeared for him.

Mahatma Gandhi read the banned book and wrote articles in ‘Young India’ stating “A praiseworthy attempt to inculcate nonviolence”. He even asked the countrymen to offer satyagraha and many people went to jail for defying the ban. Only after the Congress government came to power in various provinces including the Central Province in 1937, the ban was lifted despite initial opposition from the British governors. In 1961, the book was published by the Publication Division, Government of India and the English version was brought out by Popular Prakashan only in 1970 to be followed by Sage in 2018.

Sunderlal describes “how William Napier blackened the character of the people and the Muslim rulers of Sindh of the time by falsely accusing both of unheard of inhumanities”.

“The Conquest of Sindh” by Major-General William Napier (the brother of Sir Charles Napier, the ‘conquerer’ of Sindh) was considered to be the most authentic till 1924 even by Panditji! “The atrocious lie has been exposed by Captain Eastwick who had

Pandit Sunderlal who wrote most authentic history of How India Lost Her Freedom

lived in Sindh and had ample opportunities of mixing with the people of Sindh and their rulers for a number of years during the period. He knew the Sindhi language and was well acquainted with the

Next Column: Sins of East India Company Exposed prevailing customs of the Sindhis.” “Those Amirs, who had never in their life touched anything intoxicating, who had religiously avoided even smoking and who took extraordinary precautions for the protection of the honour and chastity of women, have been painted

by Napier as drunkards and libertines.”

“There were several writers (amongst them Indians too) of history books in Persian and other languages who were paid by

the East India Company, from time to time, for recording fictitious events in their writings. As an instance, we might mention Abbe Dubois. He wrote in French his famous book about the manners and customs of the Hindus of his time. Lord William Bentinck paid Dubois eight thousand rupees for it and got the book published in English under the sponsorship of the East India Company and latter gave a life-pension to Dubois for that service. For writing a life of Hyder Ali in Persian, Mirza Iqbal, its author, was paid by the East India Company. The book, from beginning to end, is full of bias, prejudices and baseless vilification of Hyder Ali’s character.”

Sunderlal concludes: It is true that, then as now, honesty or truth had no place in Western political life. It is also a fact that, to a very large extent, the Western art of historywriting is but a part of and as such is guided and controlled by Western political activities.

European scholars like Professor Seeley, Professor Goldwin Smith, and historians like Freeman have admitted it to be so.

Dr. Hari Desai (The writer is a Socio-political Historian.

E-mail: haridesai@gmail.com)

Mehul Choksi ‘fugitive and absconder,’ ED tells Bombay HC Diamantaire Mehul Choksi, accused in the multi-crore Punjab National Bank scam, is a "fugitive and absconder", the Enforcement Directorate told the Bombay High Court. The agency, in its affidavit, sought dismissal of two petitions filed by Choksi - one against a plea for him to be declared a fugitive economic offender and the second to permit him to cross-examine those persons on whose statements the ED is relying on to declare Choksi a fugitive economic offender.

The ED, in its affidavit submitted to a division bench headed by Justice I A Mahanty, said Choksi is accused of siphoning and laundering money to the tune of £609.7 million in the PNB scam, and despite having issued summons directing him to appear before the agency, he has said he does not intend to cooperate with the probe.

"He is a fugitive and absconder.

He has deliberately and intentionally evaded from appearing before the

investigating agency even after a special court has issued non-bailable warrants against him. This shows that he does not have any regard for the law of the land," the affidavit said.

"It is apparent that the applicant (Choksi) has left India to avoid criminal prosecution for the offence of money laundering under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act and continues to refuse to return to India to face criminal prosecution," it said.

Visa applicants to US now have to provide FB ID Most visa applicants, including tourists, headed to the United States will have to provide usernames of social media accounts that they have used during the past five years. US consulate offices in India issued 872,000 visas during the fiscal ended September 30, 2018. On a global scale, The New York Times estimates that 14.7 million people, annually, will be asked to submit their social media details.

“The requirement features on E-forms D-160 and D-260 filled by nonimmigration and immigration visa applicants and used at US consulate offices. The forms have a drop down menu, requiring applicants to list the username or handle against the social media platforms, which they have used during the five years preceding the application date. However, passwords are not to be provided,” explains Emily Neumann, partner at immigration law firm Reddy & Neumann.

Social media platforms which are covered in the drop-down menu include Facebook, Flickr, Google+, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Youtube. The scope of the drop down menu is expected to be further extended. However, visa applicants do not have to list accounts designed for

use by multiple users within a business organisation.

The Department of State had published its intent to implement this policy in March last year.

Until this recent revision, only select visa applicants were asked to provide details of social media handles.

“The development is part of the Trump administration’s ‘extreme vetting’ initiative which primarily is looking for anything that might render an applicant inadmissible, including terroristic tendencies,” Mitchell Wexler, California based partner at Fragomen, a global immigration law firm, said.

Social media posts could result in additional questioning during the visa interview. “The outcome will be more delays and expansion of the consular power to deny visas that have been traditionally exempt from too many problems, such as H-4 and

L-2 visas for derivative beneficiaries (spouses and dependent children of H-1B and L-1 visas holders).

Already, consulates enjoy plenary powers in visa decisions.

We cannot challenge visa denials, unless egregious and obvious illegality can be demonstrated.

These questions combined with unfettered power are just a part of the invisible wall against lawful visitors,” Rajiv S. Khanna, managing partner at Immigration.com said.

New York based immigration attorney Cyrus Mehta said, “This will not impact extension and change of status applications.” To illustrate, extension of the H-1B work visa or change in status from B1 (tourist visa) to a F1 (student visa) will not be impacted.

“People’s views could be held against them even if they are consistent with free speech and expression,” Mehta said.

India criticises slow pace of UNSC reform process India has criticised the slow pace of UN Security Council reform process, saying the adoption of “opaque” methodologies, nonattribution of assertions and “obfuscation” of references by the member states is blocking the early reform of the world body. India's Permanent Representative Syed Akbaruddin said that Syed Akbaruddin the document co-chairs with broad support should produced on the meetings all be reflected. of the Intern-Governmental Alternatively, if we are to Negotiations (IGN) for adopt an exclusionary reforms during the current approach, then any new General Assembly session suggestions opposed by had serious gaps and did not anyone should be left out, properly reflect the for lack of consensus. We proceedings. can adopt either of these He was addressing an methodologies, but we can't informal plenary meeting of adopt one methodology for the IGN on 'Question of a set of suggestions and equitable representation on another for another set of and increase in the suggestions,” he said. membership of the Security He said the G-4 (India, Council and other matters Brazil, Germany and Japan) related to the Council'. and the L-69 (Group of 42 “In this paper, what was developing countries) had not requested has been made a several suggestions undertaken and what has but they have not been been requested has been left included in the document. out,” he said. “If we are to “This may be, perhaps, follow an inclusive on account of objections approach, then requests from some, although those

suggestions had wide support. It would, therefore, appear that you have followed an exclusionary approach. If that is so, we too join all the others who have expressed their objections to a series of new issues that have been inserted, without any clarification of whether they enjoy broad support or not,” he said.

He said, “The adoption of opaque methodologies, non-attribution of assertions and obfuscation of references is the antithesis of usual practices and procedures of the General Assembly.”

The G-4 grouping has been seeking expansion of the permanent and nonpermanent seats of the Security Council to make the powerful UN body more representative and reflective of the changing global order. The four nations support each others bids for permanent seats on an expanded Security Council.

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MODI PICKS 58 'PERFORMERS'

Modi has handpicked people he trusts for his cabinet.

They are the ones he believes can get the job done in his second tenure, particularly in areas he has identified as the thrust ones of his next five years. He has made it clear that the process of raising a new rung of leaders has kickstarted in the right direction and he couldn't care less about reputations.

Considering his top picks, it is extremely evident that “merit” and “fitness” have been applied as criteria. The PM is keen on delivering all 75 goals listed as “75 milestones” in the BJP manifesto. They are not mere guideposts, but a definite set of action plans that could shape the future of politics in the country.

Those thinking he has picked his favourites to warm benches in the Parliament, may have to reconsider. Because this time, Modi means business and his team may be subject to a performance review.

The leader has chosen a leaner ministry than the outgoing one. The council of ministers, including the PM, consists of 58 members, down 18 per cent from the outgoing 71-member team, including the Prime Minister. He inducted 23 new faces in his council of ministers, seven of them making it to the Cabinet, as part of a major revamp after a landslide victory in the Lok Sabha polls. BJP president Amit Shah and former foreign secretary S Jaishankar were the two top

big debutants in the 58member Modi Cabinet, with Giriraj Singh and Gajendra Singh Shekhawat being elevated from junior ministers. Eight junior ministers were dropped and four who lost the Lok Sabha elections - Manoj Sinha, Anant Geete, Hansraj Ahir and Pon Radhakrishan - did not find a berth in the new ministry.

Amit Shah's massive promotion is no surprise.

After all, he did an outstanding role as BJP president since 2014. While speculations hugely favoured Shah as the finance minister, Modi strategically handed him the Home Ministry. It now remains to see how soon will Shah push ahead on the BJP’s agenda of Article 370, Article 35A, Ram Temple, West Bengal, illegal migration and busting terrorist networks and beefing up policing in a modern way across the country. Boldness of the new “majboot sarkar” also reflected in its dealing with allies. The BJP refused to heed the demand of the JD(U) for more berths.

Last term's motormouths are visibly sidelined. Leaders like Anantkumar Hegde, Satyapal Singh and Maneka Gandhi have been left out of the ministry. Sources believe the PM has sent out a strong message by dropping the three. Hegde has had a controversial term. One of his many controversial statements was his 2017 remark, “A few people say the Constitution mentions

the word secular, so you have to agree... but this will change... We are here and have come to change the Constitution.”

While deciding the Cabinet composition, Modi decided to keep regional and caste representation in mind, although West Bengal, where BJP put up its best ever show, did not find adequate representation.

Uttar Pradesh, which sent the highest the number of MPs (64) from the ruling alliance, has received the biggest representation in Modi's team. Nine of the 58 ministers are from UP, including PM who represents Varanasi. Then there are eight from Maharashtra and five from Bihar. Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala are bigger states that did not

Sonia to head Congress in Parliament UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi was re-elected as the leader of the Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) at a meeting of the party MPs at the Central Hall of Parliament in the national capital. Sonia, who was reelected to the Lok Sabha from Uttar Pradesh’s Rae Bareli constituency, will now pick the Congress leader in the Lower House.

Saturday’s Congress meeting was attended by all 52 newly-elected Lok Sabha MPs, apart from Rajya Sabha members.

Even though the number of party lawmakers in the Lower House is higher than that in 2014, the Congress is still short of three members to claim the post of Leader of Opposition.

Exuding confidence in his mother, Congress chief Rahul Gandhi said under Sonia’s leadership, the party will prove to be an "effective opposition party to defend the Constitution of India". "Congratulations to Smt Sonia Gandhi on

being elected Leader of the Congress Parliamentary Party.

Under her leadership, the Congress will prove to be a strong and effective opposition party, that will fight to defend the Constitution of India," he tweeted.

This was the first official meeting that Rahul attended after the May 25 meeting of the Congress Working Committee (CWC), where he had offered to quit as Congress chief. The CWC had rejected the offer and unanimously passed a resolution authorising him to bring structural changes in the party at all levels in a bid to revamp it.

Senior leaders like Ahmed Patel, Ghulam Nabi Azad, Mallikarjun Kharge, A K Antony, P Chidambaram, Anand Sharma, K C Venugopal, Jairam Ramesh and Randeep Surjewal attended the party’s core committee meeting to discuss the issue of electronic voting machines (EVMs).

Sonia Gandhi

Sonia hints that Rahul will remain Cong chief Virtually ruling out a change of leadership in Congress, Sonia said her son and party president, Rahul Gandhi, had led a “valiant and relentless” election campaign and lauded him for his “fearless leadership” against an opponent she said was capable of manipulating public opinion and had unlimited resources. In her speech to the Congress parliamentary party (CPP) after being reelected chairperson, Sonia defended Rahul saying he had given his all and toiled day and night.

“He demonstrated his fearless leadership by taking the Modi government head on,” she said.

receive any ministerial berth. However, it is worth mentioning that V Muraleedharan, who represents Maharashtra in the Rajya Sabha, is a Kerala BJP chief. North-eastern states that could not get ministerial representation are Sikkim, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, and Meghalaya.

Karnataka has four ministers while Rajasthan, Haryana and Gujarat have three each.

Punjab, Jharkhand and West Bengal get two each.

India calls upon its immediate neighbourhood Last week, Modi and his new cabinet took oath for the second time at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Leaders of BIMSTEC countries, including President of Bangladesh

Abdul Hamid, Sri Lankan president Maithripala Sirisena, Nepal prime minister KP Sharma Oli, President of Myanmar U Win Myint and Bhutanese prime minister Lotay Tshering also attended the gala event. From Thailand, its Special Envoy Grisada Boonrach represented the country.

Besides India, BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) comprises Bangladesh, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Nepal and Bhutan as members.

Kyrgyz president and current chair of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation chief Sooronbay Jeenbekov, and Mauritius prime minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth were present too.

Modi will make his first neighbourhood visit to Maldives and Sri Lanka next week. Maldives is special, as Modi had not visited it in his first term. The visit sends several messages.

Not only will it be his first visit to a Muslim country in south Asia, it will also signal India’s renewed attention to the Indian Ocean region. Given that China was the dominant power in Maldives until November 2018, the visit’s message will be read loud and clear in Beijing.

Modi also found fresh support in the UAE. The Adnoc Tower in Abu Dhabi was lit up in the colours of the Indian and UAE flags, while huge portraits of Modi and Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan lit up the buildings.

‘Bodies’ of five climbers spotted on Nanda Devi Aerial survey teams, searching for the eight mountaineers who went missing on their way to a peak near Nanda Devi East, spotted what they said appeared to be the bodies of the missing climbers. Five “bodies” were sighted near an unscaled peak the team was attempting to summit, officials said, adding that the climbers were probably hit by an avalanche. They were part of a international team of 12, led by wellknown British climber Martin Moran, that had set off from Munsyari on May 13 and was scheduled to return to base camp on May 26.

An Indian Air Force chopper carrying two team members, Zachary Quaint and Marc Thomas, who were evacuated from the base camp, did an aerial survey of the valley from where the trekkers had gone missing a few days ago before they spotted the bodies. Pithoragarh district magistrate Vijay Kumar Jogdande said aerial pictures

of the site had been taken.

“Although the resolution is not good, we are certain there are some bodies there.

The chances of survival of the missing climbers are very bleak now, as it appears that they were hit by an avalanche.”

Four from Britain missing The climbers - four from Britain, two from the United States, and one each from Australia and India - were reported missing by colleagues after they failed to return to their base camp near Nanda Devi, India's second highest mountain. A team of mountaineers is ready to mount a rescue if the climbers are found, but it would take at least a week to reach the area where they are believed to have gone missing. The party was attempting to climb an unnamed, previously unclimbed 6,477 metre (21,250 feet) peak near Nanda Devi when their route was hit by a "sizeable avalanche", the company that organised the expedition, Moran

Mountain, said.

Nanda Devi and its sister mountain, Nanda Devi East, are among the world's most challenging peaks and only a handful of people have climbed them. The leader of the missing group, Martin Moran, was the first person to summit Changuch, another peak in the area, and was known as a "godfather" of guiding in the Himalayas, according to a video diary of Rob Jarvis, who accompanied him on that expedition in 2009.

Many of the other missing climbers are veterans but with little experience of Nanda Devi and its surrounding peaks.

Indian authorities have identified the eight missing as Moran, John McLaren, Rupert Whewell and Richard Payne, all from Britain, Anthony Sudekum and Ronald Beimel from the United States, Ruth McCance from Australia, and liason officer Chetan Pandey from the Indian Mountaineering Foundation.

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HEALTH & LIFESTYLE

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8 - 14 June 2019

Eating a cup of blueberries daily 'slashes the risk of heart disease by around 15%' ating a cup of blueberries each day slashes your risk of developing heart disease, according to research.

Scientists found overweight adults who consumed 150g of the fruit daily had increased blood flow and less stiff arteries.

Researchers calculated this would reduce their risk of heart disease – the world's leading killer - by between 12 and 15 per cent'.

Scientists at the University of East Anglia tested the effects of eating blueberries every day on 138 overweight and obese adults. They were all aged between 50 and 75 and had metabolic syndrome, the medical term for a combination of diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity.

Figures suggest around a third of adults living in Western nations have the

E

syndrome, which boosts the risk of developing heart disease. All of the participants were either given a 150g or a 75g portion size of freeze-dried blueberries, or asked to consume purple-coloured placebo. The results of the six-month-long study, considered to be the longest of its kind, were published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Dr Peter Curtis, study co-author, said: 'We found eating one cup of blueberries per day resulted in sustained improvements in vascular function and arterial stiffness.'

He added that this makes 'enough of a difference to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by between 12 and 15 per cent'.

Dr Curtis said: 'The simple and attainable message is to consume one cup of blue-

berries daily to improve cardiovascular health.

'Unexpectedly, we found no benefit of a smaller 75 gram (half cup) daily intake of blueberries in this at-risk group. It is possible that higher daily intakes may be needed for heart health benefits in obese, at-risk populations, compared with the general population.'

The compounds are

responsible for the red and blue colour in fruits. Other studies have shown they can improve some markers of heart disease.

Researchers from the universities of Harvard, C a m b r i d g e , Southampton and Surrey also chipped in for the results. It received funding from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, which takes money from the UK Government.

And the US Highbush Blueberry Council, made up of blueberry farmers, processors and importers, also donated to the study.

Figures suggest there are around 7.4 million people living with heart and circulatory disease in the UK. The American Heart Association says almost half of all adults in the US have some form of heart disease.

Physiotherapist reveals how you should sit on your chair Many people spend the majority of their waking hours sitting – at home, commuting and at work. Particularly when we're sitting for long periods at a desk, there are a few things we should keep in mind. Here Leon Straker, a professor of physiotherapy at Curtin University, reveals how you should sit when upright, reclined or leaning forward.

Option 1: upright sitting

This is probably the posture you think of as 'good' posture. The defining feature of this option is that the trunk is upright. A key component of upright sitting is that the feet can comfortably rest on a surface, whether the floor or a footstool.

This position also makes it easy to adjust posture within the chair (fidget) and change posture to get out of the chair.

It's also important t he arms hang down from the shoulders vertically with elbows by the trunk, unless the forearms are supported on the work surface. Holding unsupported arms forward requires the muscles connect-

ing the shoulder and neck to work harder. This often results in muscle fatigue and discomfort.

The head should be looking straight ahead or a little downwards.

Looking upwards would increase tension in the neck and likely lead to discomfort.

This posture is useful for common office tasks such as working on a desktop computer.

ordinary chair and resting your elbows on the work surface, you can use this posture to provide variety in sitting.

This posture is useful for tasks such as drawing or handwriting on a flat work surface, either with paper or a touch screen device.

Option 3: reclined sitting

Option 2: forward sitting

The defining feature of this posture is that the trunk is angled forward, and the arms are rested on the work surface.

Allowing the thigh to point down at an angle may make it easier to maintain an inward curve in your lower back, which is suggested to reduce low back stress.

For a time special chairs were developed to enable the thigh to be angled downwards, and usually had a feature to block the knees, stopping the person sliding off the angled seat base.

By perching on the front of an

The defining feature of the third option is the trunk is angled backward, supported by the chair's backrest. Back muscle activity is lowest in this posture, as some of the upper body weight is taken by the chair.

This position may reduce the risk of fatigue in the back muscles and resultant discomfort. But sitting like this for hours each day may result in the back muscles being more vulnerable to fatigue in the future.

This posture is useful for meetings and phone conversations. But it doesn't work well for handwriting or using a computer as the arms need to be held forwards for these things, requiring neck and shoulder muscle activity likely to result in discomfort.

80% of antibiotics prescribed by dentists unnecessary Dentists prescribe 10 percent of all antibiotics in the US - one of the highest rates of any medical specialism. In other words, they prescribe 26.6 million of the 266 million courses of antibiotics dispensed each year.

But according to a new study, 80 percent of those (roughly 21.3 million pre-

scriptions) are unnecessary, mostly in the Western US. The study by Chicago researchers is the first attempt to gauge nationally how and where dentists are prescribing these drugs, to pinpoint where we could cut down.

The more antibiotics we take, the faster we will all

become resistant to the lifesaving drugs. Despite global efforts to curb antibiotic use, little has changed in the last few decades, but few studies have dug into why.

One obvious area to target was the practice of prescribing antibiotics before a dental visit - known as antibiotic prophylaxis - for

people with high risk of infection from prosthetic joints or heart conditions.

But research has suggested it may not be necessary or effective, so new US dentistry rules published in 2007, and tightened again in 2013, said only people with the highest risk should get pre-appointment pills.

in brief MOTHERS COULD TRANSFER LIFELONG PROTECTION AGAINST INFECTION TO THEIR CHILDREN BY BREASTFEEDING Immune protection passed on through a mother's milk could last for years longer than expected, according to scientists.

Tests on mice found mothers which had recovered from an infection could pass on their immunity through breast milk with long-lasting effects. In one case, a baby mouse became protected from a worm infection for their entire lives, researchers said. The finding, branded 'remarkable', added another element to their understanding of how mothers affect their children's health. However, they did not say the discovery was a replacement for vaccines and instead suggested it could be used to improve jabs in the future.

Researchers at the University of Cape Town in South Africa said immunity was passed from the mother in different cells than they had first expected.

Resistance against disease was passed in white blood cells rather than in antibodies – bacteria- and virus-destroying proteins – as previously believed. And whereas immunity was thought to only last for the breastfeeding period in order to protect newborns, the benefits lasted much longer in the mice in the study. There is no suggestion it may have the same effect in humans and further trials are needed. Around three quarters of mothers in the UK breastfeed their babies, according to the NHS. The health service said breastfeeding can reduce a baby's risk of infections, diarrhoea and vomiting, cot death, leukaemia or heart disease in adulthood.

MINISTERS LAUNCH URGENT REVIEW INTO CHILDHOOD OBESITY IN THE UK The Health Secretary last Thursday asked for help to deliver the Government's promise to halve childhood obesity over the next 10 years. Matt Hancock called on England's Chief Medical Officer, Dame Sally Davies, to prepare an urgent report by September on how best to help children lose weight. Some 29 per cent of children aged two to 15 are now overweight or obese in England, with 16 per cent of them being obese. The Government has committed to trying to cut this figure by half before 2030. Mr Hancock said 'we should not rest on our laurels' and called for expert advice to help improve the plans.

The Government's childhood obesity action plan was first published in 2016 and set out measures which could help slim the nation's children. One of its flagship measures, the sugar tax on soft drinks, has already begun and raised £154million in its first six months – the money will be reinvested in sports and breakfast clubs at schools. Other initiatives include encouraging food and drink companies to reduce their sugar content by 20 per cent.

Food for sale in government-run buildings including leisure centres will be made healthier, and primary schools will make sure children get at least 30 minutes of exercise per day between lessons. And low income families will continue to get Healthy Start vouchers for milk and fruit and vegetables, under the Government plans.

IMMUNOTHERAPY IS FIGHTING CANCER BUT LEAVING 1% OF PATIENTS WITH DIABETES - AND SCIENTISTS 'HAVE NO IDEA WHY' Immunotherapy has revolutionized cancer treatment and survival rates, but it comes with a cost and, for some patients, that is a lifetime of diabetes and insulin dependence. Why the game-changing treatment causes this very particular side effect remains a mystery.

So far, only about one percent of immunotherapy patients seem to develop diabetes, but as the relatively new treatment becomes more common, drug-related diabetes might too.

Though it's manageable with vigilantly monitored glucose levels and insulin injections, diabetes can be life-threatening, not to mention hamper quality of life for patients. Now, scientists, including the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, are scrambling to identify how this phenomenon happens and why it happens to some patients but not others. Immunotherapy effectively supercharges the immune system by turning off naturally occurring proteins that stop cancer-fighting immune cells from multiplying and attacking tumor cells in full force. But the immune system is a complex and delicately balanced set of processes, cells and organs.

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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Katrina confesses that she 'borrows for keeps' Actress Katrina Kaif, who is currently busy promoting her upcoming film 'Bharat', recently appeared on Neha Dhupia's chat show ' BFFs with Vogue - Season 3', with her stylist and friend Anaita Shroff Adajania. Kaif seemed to be in a candid mood as she revealed her secrets in the wholesome episode.

Adajania shared an anecdote about how Katrina once borrowed her pair of jeans and left her in her innerware. She revealed that once she went to Kat's house for fittings but the actor like the jeans she was wearing so "borrowed" it only to walk out leaving her in her delicates. When asked about her fashion choices, Katrina said she was an "anywhere shopper".

"I'm an anywhere shopper.

Looking at you, I am shopping. So basically, I borrow for keeps," Kat quipped. Also while playing a popular segment in the show, when asked, "If Ranbir and Alia, and Arjun and

Malaika got marries literally the same day, same time, which would you attend?" Kat replied, "If I'd have to pick one, I'd pick Arjun because he is my rakhi brother. I tied him a rakhi on the day 'Sheila Ki Jawaani' was released and he didn't really like me. I asked him, Arjun do you want to be my rakhi brother? and he was like No!!!! So I was like Arjun, you're going to be my rakhi brother."

Kat plays the role of Kumud in 'Bharat' starring opposite Salman Khan. The film also stars Disha Patani, Jackie Shroff, Sunil Grover, and Sonali Kulkarni. On the work front, Katrina is set to follow into the footsteps of Priyanka Chopra, Deepika Padukone, and Anushka Sharma, and will soon try her hand in production. She has already brought the rights of a French film 'He Loves Me He Loves Me Not' and the project is currently in its development stage.

Boney Kapoor confirms 'Mr India' reboot Producer Boney Kapoor has revealed plans to reboot popular Shekhar Kapur directorial 'Mr India', 32 years after the release of Hindi cinema's most popular sci-fi films. The original starred Anil Kapoor, Sridevi, and Amrish Puri in the lead. After the death of his wife and actress Sridevi last year, Boney has now decided to turn the film into a franchise.

Speaking to the media, Kapoor said, "The idea is to create a reboot first, and then, make a franchise of it.

It needs to be made more contemporary. We have a basic structure in mind. We haven't decided on a timeline yet, but intend to make it soon." On completion of 32 years of the film, Kapoor and Shekhar shared photos from the film on their social media handles and fans were soon voicing hope that the two get back together to remake the

classic.

Meanwhile, Kapoor added, "If Shekhar is free, he can direct it. The cast and crew made the film what it was, and if anyone from the original line-up wants to be part of it, they can join us again." He also said, "Amrish Puri as Mogambo was a masterstroke, he brought the character alive. While Sri was considered a glamorous star earlier, the audience's perception of her changed after 'Mr india', then on, she was seen as a powerful actress. Anil too became more legitimate a performer with the film. After Sri, I have even more reason to make the film now."

'Mr India' released in 1987 and has been quite a favourite among children over the years. The film was written by the legendary writer duo Salim-Javed.

Shah Rukh eyeing a Hollywood debut for son Aryan?

In the latest update on celeb kid debuts, Shah Rukh Khan's eldest seems to have developed an interest in the field of acting.

Aryan Khan is currently studying filmmaking in California and wants to get into acting. While SRK had initially clarified that Aryan has no plans for acting and is instead interested in filmmaking, a media report suggests that Shah Rukh has been showing Junior Khan's pictures to some top-notch Hollywood producers.

However, he has been advised against the superhero film that Aryan is keen on

doing. Meanwhile, there are also reports of the young one assisting Karan Johar for 'Takht'. There are also rumours that he will also be doing a KJo film alongside Khushi Kapoor, daughter of producer Boney Kapoor and late actress Sridevi.

We are not doing anything wrong: Arjun Kapoor on relation with Malaika Speculations surrounding Arjun Kapoor's relation with Malaika Arora has forever been doing rounds in the media. The two recently confirmed to the rumours and when asked, what made them come out in the open, Arjun Kapoor said, "We've come out because we feel the media has given us dignity. There's a certain understanding the media has... They've been respectful, kind, honest, and decent about it. That is why I felt comfortable. You recoil when there's a certain 'gandhagi' that comes with the territory. When purposely people irk you by saying, writing or asking things... there hasn't been any of that. Where the paps are concerned, we give them photos when walking in and out of place. It is normal."

Kapoor added, "There's a certain ease. I told them don't sit under the house just because it looks like we're hiding, when we're not. Let it be natural. Let it be normal.

I don't want my neighbours being disturbed.

I don't want her neighbours being disturbed.

We're not doing anything wrong. I don't want that story being conveyed that we're still hiding, when we're not. They understood that."

When asked whether the two would be tying the knot soon, the 'India's Most Wanted' actor said he is not really thinking about marriage at present. "I'm not getting married. I understand why there are speculations. Because in my own house people would ask when are you getting married? It's a very organic Indian question.

If you're with someone for even three days, the marriage question pops up. Thirty-three for most people in India is a great age to get married, but not for me. I still have time," he concluded.

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Deepika becomes emotional on 'Chhapaak' shoot Actress Deepika Padukone who has currently begun shooting for Meghna Gulzar's 'Chhapaak' got extremely emotional on the first day of work. A source close to the crew said, "The project is an emotional roller-coaster for Deepika. She broke down on the first scene and having discussions with the filmmaker.

However, Deepika was quick to regain her composure and the shoot

proceeded nicely."

The cast and crew of the film have completed the first schedule of the film, which started from March 25 and continued till April 19. Produced by the 33- year- old actress, the film is based on acid attack survivor Laxmi Agarwal and Deepika has done everything to get into the skin of her character.

The film is scheduled for release on January 10, 2020.

Kartik Aaryan chooses Ananya over Sara Bollywood actors Kartik Aaryan and Ananya Panday recently appeared on a chat show, where the actor was asked to choose between Ananya and Sara Ali Khan. Kartik, who has worked with both the fresh faces, is currently rumoured to be dating the 'Kedarnath' actor Sara Ali Khan. He, however, chose to pick the 'Student of the Year 2' debutante Ananya and said, "I know Ananya better right now.

I have been working with her, of late."

When asked what he hates the most about Ananya, he said, "She loves and admires every-

Stop body shaming, everyone is special: Vidya Balan

In an eye-opening video, actress Vidya Balan addressed the issue of body shaming and called out people for passing derogatory remarks against others' bodies. In a video which is part of an initiative for her radio show 'Dhun Badal Ke Toh Dekho'. She highlights the use of discriminatory comments and jokes made at people regarding their looks.

"Don't make jokes on someone's size, colour. Everyone is different...

That's why everyone is special," she said. The actress uploaded the video on Instagram a few days ago. Dressed in a black sari and messed up make up, Vidya even broke down while talking about the issue. She captioned the short video, "Most of us are potential victims of 'body shaming'the widespread phenomenon of receiving cruel feedback when our bodies don't meet the unrealistic beauty standards of our time. Here's my take on body shaming."

thing." This isn't the first time Kartik picked Ananya over Sara as his favourite. He did the same last time when a Twitter user asked him to name his favourite between the two and he said, "Whomever considers me their favourite, is my favourite. A rumour is a rumour. It is just random talk. I look forward to shooting for the film with Ananya." While Sara and Kartik have completed shooting for Imtiaz Ali's 'Love Aaj Kal' sequel, Ananya is currently working with him on 'Pati Patni Aur Woh'.

SLB's 'Malhari' wins hearts of American audience

This isn't the first time the 'Kahaani' actress opened up about the issue. She had earlier said, "In my early days, even before I entered the film industry, people said various discouraging things about me, they called me 'moti' and I faced body shaming. It really affects our confidence. Physical fitness shouldn't be achieving an unrealistic goal to look in a certain way and thinking that is beautiful."

Meanwhile, on the work front, Vidya will next be seen in 'Mission Mangal' along with Akshay Kumar, Sonakshi Sinha, and Taapsee Pannu.

Indian dance group V Beatable has carved its way into the hearts of Americans with popular show 'America's Got Talent'. For their performance, they chose to dance on 'Bajirao Mastani' song 'Malhari. With the act, the song is now gaining

popularity in the West at rapid speed.

Released in the Sanjay Leela Bhansali film, the song had topped the charts on the home turf and the music album even won the filmmaker an award for Best Music

Director at certain award shows. Bhansali is known for his larger-than-life canvases, as much as he is for his inspiring music and with 'Malhari', he has managed to put Indian music back on the global market.

30 KOLLYWOOD

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Wink girl Priya Prakash may make Kannada debut soon Malayalam actor and wink sensation Priya Prakash Varrier, who was last seen in campus love story 'Oru Adaar Love', is likely to make her Kannada debut.

According to reports, the director of the film Raghu Kovi met Priya to narrate the story.

She is said to have shown interest in the project.

Priya is expected to take the final call soon. She has not signed any project since the release of 'Oru Adaar Love'. She was recently approached for a Telugu project but wasn’t impressed with the script and declined the offer.

Meanwhile, the makers have roped in Arjun Janya as the music composer and Satya Hegde will crank the camera. If everything goes as planned, the project will go on the floors from August onwards.

The team is contemplating whether to sign a newbie as hero or go with one of the sons of popular stars from the industry. The director has worked as a co-director to filmmakers like Upendra, Shashank and Prem.

Kajol, Amala Paul in talks for a Jayalalithaa biopic Actors Kajol and Amala Paul have been approached to play the role of former Tamil Nadu chief minister Jayalalithaa and her aide Sasikala respectively in an upcoming bilingual biopic on the former's life which will be directed by Kethireddy Jagadiswara Reddy. The update was confirmed by Reddy, who said, "We have sent them the script, and are awaiting their response. I am especially looking forward to Kajol's response, as I have worked with her late father-in-law, Veeru Devgan in films for Padmalaya Studios. I will once again narrate the script to them in person."

Reddy, who currently awaits the release of his NTR biopic titled 'Lakshmi's Veeragrandham', plans to make the film in Kannada, Hindi, Telugu, and Tamil. This is not the first biopic to be made on the stellar leader. There are currently multiple biopics being planned on former CM Jaya. One of the projects titled 'Thalaivi' stars Kangana Ranaut as Jayalalithaa, and will be directed by Vijay.

TV Listing

* Schedule is subject to change

SATURDAY JUNE 8, 2019 01:10 FILM: SAAYA 05:00 FILM: BLUE ORANGES 07:15 FILM: KAHANI KISMAT KI 10:00 FILM: DHADKAN 13:28 FILM: BAAZIGAR 16:55 FILM: PHIR HERA PHERI 20:05 FILM: VEER SUNDAY JUNE 9, 2019 23:25 FILM: D-DAY 02:00 FILM: PAPPU CAN'T DANCE SAALA 05:00 FILM: HUFF! IT'S TOO MUCH 07:00 FILM: KEEMAT 10:20 FILM: MR. INDIA 13:55 FILM: TUTAK TUTAK TUTIYA 16:30 FILM: AGNEEPATH 19:48 FILM: KHOOBSURAT 22:25 FILM: BAAZIGAR MONDAY JUNE 10, 2019 01:33 FILM: YEH HAI MUMBAI MERI JAAN 05:00 FILM: TITOO MBA 07:05 FILM: DUSHMANO KA DUSHMAN 10:00 FILM: JAANAM 12:49 FILM: MELA 16:20 FILM: VEER 19:40 FILM: ALIGARH 22:00 FILM: MERE DOST PICTURE ABHI BAKI HAI

* Schedule is subject to change

SATURDAY 8TH JUNE 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 9TH JUNE TIME TV PROGRAM NAMES 17:00 KAUN BANEGA CROREPATI 18:30 THE KAPIL SHARMA SHOW 20:00 SUPER DANCER CHAPTER 3

Kajol

Another biopic is titled 'Iron Lady' and will star Nithya Menen in the titular role. The film will be directed

by A Priyadarshini. Also, filmmaker Gautham Vasudev Menon is directing a web series based on the life of Jayalalithaa and Ramya Krishnan

Simbu plays a pilot in Hansika’s 50th film 'Maha' Actor Simbu will be seen playing a pilot in Hansika Motwani's 50th film and Tamil thriller 'Maha'. The team is currently shooting the portion involving both the actors in Goa. Director UR Jameel said Simbu will be seen for around 45 minutes in the film.

"It is an extended cameo. He will appear in a song and in an action sequence. He plays a pilot in

the film and has almost 30-45 minutes of screen time. We began shooting his portions in Goa." He added that they hope to wrap up his portion by the first week of June. This is the second time Simbu will team up with Hansika.

The two were last seen together in 'Vaalu'.

Multiple posters of Hansika in 'Maha' has been released by makers. The film, also stars Srikanth in a pivotal role, and has music by Ghibran. Excited for her 50th film, Hansika believes the project offers her a lot of acting scope like no other film in recent times.

21:30 THE KAPIL SHARMA SHOW 23:00 THE KAPIL SHARMA SHOW MON 10RD JUNE - FRI 14TH JUNE TIME TV PROGRAM NAMES 17:30 MAIN MAAYKE CHALI JAAUNGI 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 AAINA 19:00 TUESDAY APNAPAN 19:00 WEDNESDAY BENAAM BADSHA 19:00 THURSDAY BICHHOO 19:00 FRIDAY BAIRAAG 19:30: 20:00: 20:30: 21:00:

Amala Paul

plays the yesteryear actor and politician in this show. If all plays well for Reddy, he will start shooting from August as he has already completed most of the pre-production work.

The film will be depicted from the point of view of Sasikala.

TUESDAY JUNE 11, 2019 00:35 FILM: SHIVA THE POWER MAN 05:00 FILM: BEZUBAAN ISHQ 07:34 FILM: THE KING AND COMMISSIONER 10:43 FILM: UTTHAAN 13:31 FILM: THE KILLER 16:00 FILM: KHOOBSURAT 18:37 LIFESTYLE : STAR STOP 19:15 FILM: BAADSHAH 22:48 FILM: KAUN WEDNESDAY JUNE 12, 2019 00:36 FILM: SAMAY - WHEN TIME STRIKES 05:00 FILM: PYAR KI KAHANI 07:56 FILM: MERA SAMRAJYA 10:25 FILM: LUV SHUV PYAR VYAR 12:53 FILM: JUNGLE 16:01 FILM: ALIGARH 18:23 LIFESTYLE : STAR STOP 19:00 FILM: AWARAPAN 21:30 FILM: TERE MERE PHERE THURSDAY JUNE 12, 2019 00:05 FILM: AASMA 05:00 FILM: KALYUG 07:00 FILM: KHALNAYAK THE FIGHTER 10:00 FILM: AAR YA PAAR 13:25 FILM: KASOOR 16:42 FILM: GANGSTER 19:00 FILM: JAMES PANDU 21:36 FILM: FOX FRIDAY JUNE 12, 2019 00:00 FILM: ANJAANE - THE UNKNOWN 05:00 FILM: KAUN KARE KURBANIE 07:34 FILM: NAARAAZ 10:00 FILM: AAKHREE RAASTA 13:25 FILM: JAMES PANDU 16:00 FILM: PHOOL AUR KAANTE 19:15 FILM: ZANJEER 22:00 FILM: AATMA - FEEL IT AROUND YOU

* Schedule is subject to change

MON 3RD - FRI 7TH JUNE 2019 15:30: STYLE CHEF (O) 16:00: THE GREAT INDIAN GLOBAL KITCHEN 2 16:30: RASOI SHOW 17:30: CHHUTA CHHEDA 18:00: RADHA PREM KI DEEWANI 18:30: UTTARAN 19:00: JAHAANARA

* Schedule is subject to change

MON 3RD - FRI 7TH JUNE 2019 15:30: KHATRA KHATRA KHATRA 18:30: KITCHEN CHAMPION 19:30: UDAAN 20:00: SHAKTI ASTITVA KE EHSAAS KI 20:30: KESARRI NANDAN 21:00: GATHBANDHAN

BEPANNAH ISHQ MEIN MARJAWAN MOHE RANNG DO LAAL BALIKA VADHU - LAMHE PYAAR KE 22:00: RED ALERT SAT 8TH JUNE 2019 17:30: CHHUTA CHHEDA 18:00: RADHA PREM KI DEEWANI 18:30: UTTARAN 19:00: COURT ROOM 20:00: KHATRON KE KHILADI 21:30: ZINDAGI KI HAQEEQAT SE AAMNA SAAMNA SUN 9TH JUNE 2019 18:00: RADHA PREM KI DEEWANI 18:30: UTTARAN 19:00: MIRCHI MUSIC AWARDS 2019 22:00: ZINDAGI KI HAQEEQAT SE AAMNA SAAMNA

21:30: BEPANAH PYAARR 22:00: SILSILA 22:30: KHOOB LADI MARDANI JHANSI KI RANI 23:00: SITARA SAT 8TH JUNE 2019 19:00: COLORS SE SANG ANTAKSHARI KE RANG 20:30: DESI BEAT RESET 21:00: RISING STAR - SEASON 3 23:00: KAWACH SUN 9TH JUNE 2019 19:00: COLORS SE SANG ANTAKSHARI KE RANG 20:30: DESI BEAT BEST OF SEASON 3 21:00: TBC 23:00: KAWACH

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DKMS Volunteer Calls for More Potential Lifesavers

BAPS chief Pujya Mahant Swami is in Sarangpur now.

The BAPS has organised a competition for both young boys and girls in skit, drama, dancing, painting, mono acting and writing. Some 2,000 children from all over India participated in the competition. Prizes were distributed to the winners of the competition on Monday. Now a competition has been organised for youth. That is in two parts. In the first part, some 2,000 girls and boys are taking part. In the second session will begin once the first session is completed. How many will participate in the second session has not been finalised.

Coming Events

l Surrey Gujarati Hindu Society 63, Wilmot Way, Banstead, Surrey, SM7 2PZ Bhule Bisri Yaade Charity Event In aid of the Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity Saturday, 8th June 2019 from 6.30pm onwards at The Archbishop Lanfranc School Mitcham Road, Croydon CR9 3AS Dinner served at 7pm Price per ticket: Adult £20, children under 12 years £15 No admission without ticket l Shree Tarapur, UK, London Five-km charity walk 23rd June 2019 Time 1.30pm Regents Park, London Fifty per cent of the fund collected will go to St Luke's Hospice (Harrow&Brent) The remaining 50% will be distributed among Indian charities, For details contact: Bhiren Amin 07771 808 099 or Daksesh Patel 07860 239 851

Disclaimer

Asian Business Publications Ltd (ABPL) is not in any way responsible for the goods and services rendered by its advertisers. The ABPL management accepts all advertisements in good faith and it is entirely up to readers to verify advertisers’ products and services, should they feel the need to do so.

Ana, left, with her dad Syed Ali Rasheed, who is fighting Leukaemia, and her mum, right

This Volunteers’ Week (1-7 June) DKMS, a blood cancer charity dedicated to the fight against blood cancer, celebrates the volunteers who help to recruit potential blood stem cell donors.

Ana Rasheed, 29, from Hounslow, has been volunteering with the charity since 2018 and has helped to organise events to encourage people, aged between 17-55 and in general good health, from Hounslow and surrounding areas to become potential lifesavers.

Ana’s inspiration for getting involved with the charity is her father, Syed Ali Rasheed, 59, who was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia in January 2017. Thankfully, he received a bone marrow transplant from his sister, who proved a 100% match – a huge relief to Ana and her family.

Only one in three people with a blood cancer (and in need of a transplant) will find a matching blood stem cell donor within their own family, so the remaining need to rely on a complete stranger to help save their life. People from black, Asian or other minority backgrounds have a 20% chance of finding the best possible stem cell donor match, compared to 69% for northern European backgrounds – so it’s essential to register more donors.

Ana, who works as a project manager for Amazon, said: “I decided that DKMS was a charity I really wanted to get involved with. I began thinking what could I do to help – how could I help register more blood stem cell donors, and raise awareness of blood cancer and blood disorders. People need to understand what DKMS does, and how you can contribute to the fight against blood cancer by becoming a donor and potentially helping to save someone’s life.”

Ana has organised two registration events for DKMS – the first was for family and friends where she signed up 45 new donors to the UK’s aligned stem cell registry and the second was hosted at Amazon HQ, in London.

Ana’s next event will be on 10 June, where she will be running a registration drive at Network Rail HQ, in Stratford, East London between 9am – 2pm, and is urging people to come down and take the first steps to become a lifesaver-in-waiting.

Every 20 minutes someone in the UK is diagnosed with a blood cancer. Many people never find the lifesaving blood stem cell donor match they need. This isn’t because a match doesn’t exist, it’s simply because there aren’t enough people registered as donors.

Baby's World - Poem by Rabindranath Tagore I wish I could take a quiet corner in the heart of my baby's very own world.

I know it has stars that talk to him, and a sky that stoops down to his face to amuse him with its silly clouds and rainbows.

Those who make believe to be dumb, and look as if they never could move, come creeping to his window with their stories and with trays crowded with bright toys.

I wish I could travel by the road that crosses baby's mind, and out beyond all bounds; Where messengers run errands for no cause between the kingdoms of kings of no history; Where Reason makes kites of her laws and flies them, the Truth sets Fact free from its fetters.

AJIT NINAN FOR TOI

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The UK’s leading Vedic writer and TV personality

ARIES Mar 21 - Apr 20 Mars and Mercury transiting

your solar 4th house creates a lot of activity in the home. This could be in the form of negative energy and loose ends to tie up. You are likely to find tension in your family connections and experiences. Re-assessment for home improvements and renovations are also favoured.

TAURUS Apr 21 - May 21 It’s all about communications,

as they take centre stage this week. You’ll have to openly speak up about your wants and needs without fear. Regarding love there will be a struggle between devotion and freedom. You need to feel completely consumed by the passion of your lover, and yet you need personal space to explore your own thing.

GEMINI May 22 - June 22 Mercury and Mars transit your

solar second house. This is the most "financial" period of the year for you. You have an increased interest in your own possessions, during this period. This is a good time to plan your future investments carefully to maximise your profits. This is a time when "comfort zones" are more important to you than usual--you value the familiar.

Mercury and the fiery planet Mars, continues to occupy your sign for some time to come. Its influence will help you to maintain a high energy level and achieve positive results in anything that requires drive and initiative. However, you will need to focus on what is most important in your life, otherwise mistakes will be made.

CANCER Jun 22 - Jul 22

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8 - 14 June 2019

BAPS organises competition for children

Sneh Joshi

UK

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

Living in the moment, and enjoying it, without too many expectations is your best bet right now, as long as you don't go overboard. Work is strong now, and you're likely to immerse yourself in it. Private affairs and solitary work might need to be put on the back burner.

Any fears or anxieties need to be dealt with as concerns of the past could be part of the picture

LEO Jul 23 - Aug 23

VIRGO Aug 24 - Sep 23

The fiery planet Mars and Mercury continues to occupy your Solar 11th house for some time to come. Its influence will help you to maintain a high energy level and achieve results in anything that requires drive and initiative. Be very careful when dealing with friendships. Try to control your emotions.

The fiery planet Mars and Sun continue to occupy your Solar 10th sign for some time to come. It’s influence will help you to maintain a high energy level and achieve anything that requires drive and initiative. If you are involved in a fairly competitive field of activity, be totally in charge of your emotions when making important decisions.

LIBRA Sep 24 - Oct 23

SCORPIO Oct 24- Nov 22

Mercury and Mars transit your solar ninth house now. In this period you seek to expand your experiences and awareness, whether through philosophical thinking, travel, or simply activities that take you away from your mundane routines. It's an excellent period for looking at your life from a different perspective. Not an easy time as your mind is very restless.

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SAGITTARIUS Nov 23 - Dec 21

Legal or official matters are likely to occupy your attention this week. A long-standing problem or disagreement will need to be sorted out before allowing you to restructure both personal and joint financial interests more efficiently. Decision making will prove to be a bit of a bind because of your wavering mind - seek professional advice and then steam ahead.

CAPRICORN Dec 22 - Jan 20 Plans can change suddenly, but the diversion you take now may be helpful overall. There may be some drama regarding a relationship or a significant discovery about one. It's not the time to push yourself too hard with Mars and Mercury in your opposing sign. You should try to get away from mundane realities of life, but choose any escape routes wisely.

AQUARIUS Jan 21 - Feb 19

Mercury and Mars transit your solar sixth house and high lights your health and also makes you take pride in your day to day work. Hence, you should enhance your skills, get organized and take up a health regime for your well-being. This transit highlights the need for efficiency and as such you should bring in the new and get rid of the old ideas that do not work.

With Mars and Mercury in your 5th house of romance and creativity, you should enjoy a very popular phase in your life where everyone wants to invite you to parties. This will give you a chance to meet people of your own calibre and pursue any romantic liaisons that might present themselves. Work is still an ongoing matter, some of you will move and others reassess different options around them.

PISCES Feb 20 - Mar 20

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Sport

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Pak stun England with 14-run win Putting behind their horrific display against the West Indies, Pakistan pulverized England’s bowlers to score 348/8. With the big score behind them, they then fought hard to restrict the fancied hosts to 334/9.

Slamming brilliant hundreds, Joe Root and Jos Buttler rescued their team from a precarious 118/4 with a 130-run fifth-wicket stand off just 105 balls. As long as the duo was around, Pakistan couldn’t breathe easy. However, just as England’s mammoth chase arrived, both were dismissed in identical fashion, cutting to short third man. It meant Pakistan, who had let off Root when he was on just nine - didn’t regret the drop.

Earlier, it was amazing to see the same Pakistani batsmen who surrendered so meekly to a barrage of short-pitched deliveries on Friday, looking unstoppable on Monday. Pakistan’s lefthanded opening pair of Imam-ul-Haq (44) and Fakhar Zaman (36) got them off to a rollicking 82-run start in 85 balls. Babar Azam, Hafeez and skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed too delivered the goods.

The hosts had looked clinical while thrashing South Africa in the first game, but dished out perhaps their worst fielding

display in a long, long time to make things tough for their bowlers on a flat wicket.

Bangladesh beat South Africa Bangladesh downed an injury-hit South Africa by 21 runs in their opening match of the World Cup. While Bangladesh enjoyed a perfect start to their campaign, the Proteas, who lost their second match in a row, have plenty to sweat about ahead of their next match against India on June 5. To add to South Africa’s worries, their casualty ward had a new member on Saturday. Fast bowler Lungi Ngidi. After bowling just four overs, he left the field due to a pulled hamstring and is ruled out of the clash against India. Veteran fast bowler Dale Steyn continued to stay out due to a shoulder injury.

Becoming the first Asian team to conquer the short ball with a superb counterattack, Bangladesh came out all guns blazing to put up 330 for six. After Soumya Sarkar provided the initial momentum with a 42-run cameo, half centuries by Shakib Al Hassan and Mushfiqur Rahim and a late flourish by Mahmudullah and Mosaddek Hossain helped Bangladesh to their sixth 300-plus total. Chasing

Pakistani players celebrate victory

the biggest total, the Proteas, without the experience of Hashim Amla, who sat out after being hurt by a Jofra Archer bouncer in their first match, gave it a decent fight, but finished at 309 for eight.

Afghanistan frustrate Australians Afghanistan recovered from a disastrous start in their World Cup opener against defending champions Australia to post a brave total of 207 in Bristol on Saturday. Gulbadin Naib, captain of the rank outsiders, took the bold decision to bat in warm conditions, hoping to amass

a score his spin bowlers could defend on the small ground. But the decision backfired badly, with both openers departing for ducks as Afghanistan slipped to five for two in the second over and looked on course for a humiliation. With their team in deep trouble, Rahmat Shah and Hashmatullah Shahidi led a fightback for the minnows putting on a gritty 51 for the third wicket. After the fall of these two, Najibullah Zadran - ably assisted by his skipper - took the fight to his illustrious opponents.

Humiliating defeat for Lankans

Sri Lankans suffered a humiliating 10-wicket loss to New Zealand on Friday.

Lankans lasted for 29.2 overs before folding up for 136. It was then the turn of Kiwi openers Martin Guptill (73) and Colin Munro (58) to make merry and knock off the target in T20 style. It took the aggressive openers just 16.1 overs to complete Lanka’s annihilation.

West Indies thrash Pakistan West Indies produced a blistering bowling display to crush Pakistan by seven wickets and begin their World Cup campaign with an emphatic victory. The two-time champions

bowled Pakistan out for just 105 in 21.4 overs - their second lowest total in World Cup history. All 10 wickets fell to seam with the West Indies bowlers quick and hostile in front of a crowd vociferously in support of Pakistan. Oshane Thomas took 4-27, captain Jason Holder 3-42 and Andre Russell a brilliant 2-4 in three overs as only two Pakistan batsmen passed 20.

Chris Gayle smashed 50 from 34 balls with three sixes to give West Indies' chase a quick start and, despite three wickets for Mohammad Amir, the win was sealed with 36.1 overs remaining when Nicholas Pooran smashed a huge six.

England overwhelm South Africa England made a confident start to their Cricket World Cup campaign as they crushed South Africa by 104 runs in the tournament opener at The Oval on Thursday. Ben Stokes top-scored with 89 as the hosts made a competitive total of 311 for eight after being sent into bat. Jofra Archer took two early wickets and South Africa never looked likely to reach their target, bowled out in the 40th over for 207 to give World Cup favourites England the perfect start.

ICC CRICKET WORLD CUP SCHEDULE Sr. No

Date

Fixtures

Venue

Time (IST)

29

June 22

West Indies vs New Zealand (D/N) Old Trafford, Manchester

6.00 pm

8

June 5

South Africa vs India

Hampshire Bowl,

3.00 pm

30

June 23

Pakistan vs South Africa

Lord's, London

3.00 pm

31

June 24

Bangladesh vs Afghanistan

Hampshire Bowl, Southampton

3.00 pm

Southampton 9

June 5

Bangladesh vs New Zealand (D/N)

The Oval, London

6.00 pm

32

June 25

England vs Australia

Lord's, London

3.00 pm

10

June 6

Australia vs West Indies

Trent Bridge, Nottingham

3.00 pm

33

June 26

New Zealand vs Pakistan

Edgbaston, Birmingham

3.00 pm

11

June 7

Pakistan vs Sri Lanka

Bristol County Ground, Bristol

3.00 pm

34

June 27

West Indies vs India

Old Trafford, Manchester

3.00 pm

12

June 8

England vs Bangladesh

Cardiff Wales Stadium, Cardiff

3.00 pm

35

June 28

Sri Lanka vs South Africa

The Riverside, Durham

3.00 pm

13

June 8

Afghanistan vs New Zealand (D/N) County Ground, Taunton

6.00 pm

36

June 29

Pakistan vs Afghanistan

Headingley, Leeds

3.00 pm

14

June 9

India vs Australia

The Oval, London

3.00 pm

37

June 29

New Zealand vs Australia (D/N)

Lord's, London

6.00 pm

15

June 10

South Africa vs West Indies

Hampshire Bowl, Southampton

3.00 pm

38

June 30

England vs India

Edgbaston, Birmingham

3.00 pm

16

June 11

Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka

Bristol County Ground, Bristol

3.00 pm

39

July 1

Sri Lanka vs West Indies

The Riverside, Durham

3.00 pm

17

June 12

Australia vs Pakistan

County Ground, Taunton

3.00 pm

40

July 2

Bangladesh vs India

Edgbaston, Birmingham

3.00 pm

18

June 13

India vs New Zealand

Trent Bridge, Nottingham

3.00 pm

41

July 3

England vs New Zealand

The Riverside, Durham

3.00 pm

19

June 14

England vs West Indies

Hampshire Bowl, Southampton

3.00 pm

42

July 4

Afghanistan vs West Indies

Headingley, Leeds

3.00 pm

20

June 15

Sri Lanka vs Australia

The Oval, London

3.00 pm

43

July 5

Pakistan vs Bangladesh

Lord's, London

3.00 pm

21

June 15

South Africa vs Afghanistan (D/N)

Cardiff Wales Stadium, Cardiff

6.00 pm

44

July 6

Sri Lanka vs India

Headingley, Leeds

3.00 pm

22

June 16

India vs Pakistan

Old Trafford, Manchester

3.00 pm

45

July 6

Australia vs South Africa (D/N)

Old Trafford, Manchester

6.00 pm

23

June 17

West Indies vs Bangladesh

County Ground, Taunton

3.00 pm

6

July 9

Semi-Final #1 (1 vs 4)

Old Trafford, Manchester

3.00 pm

24

June 18

England vs Afghanistan

Old Trafford, Manchester

3.00 pm

47

July 10

Reserve Day

Old Trafford, Manchester

3.00 pm

25

June 19

New Zealand vs South Africa

Edgbaston, Birmingham

3.00 pm

48

July 11

Semi-Final #2 (2 vs 3)

Edgbaston, Birmingham

3.00 pm

26

June 20

Australia vs Bangladesh

Trent Bridge, Nottingham

3.00 pm

49

July 12

Reserve Day

Edgbaston, Birmingham

3.00 pm

27

June 21

England vs Sri Lanka

Headingley, Leeds

3.00 pm

50

July 14

Final

Lord's, London

3.00 pm

28

June 22

India vs Afghanistan

Hampshire Bowl, Southampton

3.00 pm

51

July 15

Reserve Day

Lord's, London

3.00 pm