Asian Standard issue 18 by Asian Standard News

FEATURE Jeremy Corbyn: "Defending the NHS is defending a basic human value and a basic human right" Page 10

WOMEN ACHIEVERS

INTERVIEW EXCLUSIVE:

Meet Sofia Buncy, this weeks woman achiever

Tapsee Pannu talks to us about her upcoming Naam Shabana

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AS Weekender

By the publishers of Asian Sunday

As Syrian conflict Issue 18 | 21 - 26 March 2017

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enters its seventh Dream come true year, Assad’s future is for trio as they meet ‘Starsky and Hutch’ and the sticking point get to showcase their tribute to the famous TV detectives show

Trio of former school friends, couldn’t believe their luck when they heard original stars of the popular American cop thriller television series, Starsky (played by Paul Michael Glaser) and Hutch (played by David Soul) were coming to the UK. It’s been almost 40 years since the TV cops Starsky and Hutch were last seen on our television screens, but the show is still admired by fans across the globe even today. Amongst those ardent fans are former school friends, Nadeem Butt, Riaz Ahmed and Zafar Amin. Last May the Bradford based friends met following a school reunion and (as you do) over a curry reminisced about the old days. It was then that Nadeem, came up with the concept of paying tribute to their favourite TV duo.

Read more on Pages 6 & 7

wishing every one a

With no film or acting experience the three friends got together and produced a two-minute montage trailer of the hit 70’s TV series. Read more in this week’s Weekender supplement

Issue 18

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Baroness Warsi reveals all in first ever Twitter serialisation of her upcoming book The Enemy Within: A Tale of Muslim Britain by Sayeeda Warsi will be published by Allen Lane on 30 March. Sayeeda Warsi will be telling her story in her way, by running a series of extracts from the book on Twitter. Starting on Monday 20 March, the serialisation will flow over five days. Sayeeda Warsi will introduce the diverse community that is Britain’s Muslims before addressing four crucial questions. What makes a "Violent" Jihadi? Why has government implemented a policy of "disengagement" towards British Muslims for nearly a decade? Are Muslims "the enemy within” as she has been described and perceived? And how do we press the restart button to reboot community relations and rebuild a nation in which we are all at ease? Sayeeda Warsi said "Despite the kind offer of a newspaper serialisation I have chosen Twitter to introduce my story in my way, available to all, free of charge, anywhere in the world. I believe serializing in this way will engage a more diverse audience and promote an interactive debate online as

well as constructive conversations offline."

Follow the serial on @sayeedawarsi and @penguinUKbooks and share

your opinions using #nottheenemywithin

Man named Saddam Hussain struggles to get a job

It's been more than 10 years since former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein was executed, however, his name is still having a huge impact in the life of one man.

A marine engineer in India sharing the former Iraqi leader’s name has been refused a job 40 times. Even though their names are spelt slightly differently – the 25-year-old has an a instead of an e – he thinks it is enough to put employers off. The young engineer has now gone to court to change his name to Sajid. However, he’s still unable to secure a job. People are scared to hire me,’ Saddam told

the Hindustan Times.

‘I inquired with the HR departments of the companies and some of them told me my name was the problem.’ He is now waiting on a new passport, driving licence and other ID so he can prove is background to prospective employers. Another court hearing is due to take place on May 5 to force authorities to change his name on secondary school certificates as well, after which his graduation papers will need amending. Saddam-now-Sajid is not alone in this unfortunate situation as there are many Saddam Husseins of Iraq who face a similar ordeal.

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NEWS

Skin creams containing paraffin are linked to house fire deaths According to investigations Eczema and psoriasis creams have been the root cause of several deaths across the country over the last 10 years.years. A BBC Radio 5 investigation has found 37 deaths in England were linked to skin creams since 2010. The creams, such as some made by E45, contain paraffin and have opened people to the possibility of setting themselves on fire. Most people know that paraffin is highly flammable, but may not realise that it is a major component of these creams so they are putting themselves at risk. Not changing your sheets or washing your clothes while using the cream can create a serious fire risk as flammable material builds up on the fabric. Medicine regulators are now calling for all creams to contain a warning. Brand manufactures such as E45 will start to warn people from next month after 63-year-old

Christopher Holyoake died in 2015. The Leicester-man’s bedding was covered in flammable residue and when his lighter came into contact he stood little chance of escaping the fire.

Other products like Cetraben have been linked to fire deaths. John Hills, 84, died in a nursing home in Sussex after his pipe came into contact with clothes that had traces of the product in them. In London 28 deaths were linked to paraffin creams. John Smith, chief executive of the Proprietary Association of Great Britain told the BBC some manufacturers had already put a warning on all paraffin-based creams. He also insisted that the creams were ‘appropriately safe’. E45 said: ‘All our labelling is compliant with regulatory guidelines, approved by external

agencies as required and reviewed regularly.

‘We assessed the labelling across our E45 medicines portfolio in summer 2016 and we are updating the labelling on relevant E45 medicinal products, such as E45 cream, to include guidance on potential flammability. ‘We submitted updated labelling which included a flammability warning to the Medicines & Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) for approval last year. ‘This labelling has been approved and we have begun producing products with the updated labelling. The first of these will begin to be on retailer shelves in the next month, with the updates fully implemented by summer 2017. ‘The updated labelling will include the following guidance: ‘“Regularly change your clothing, bedding or dressing when using large quantities (>100g) of this product, and keep away from naked flames.” ‘No similar incidents have been reported to E45.’

Goldfish weighing more than a bag of sugar may be Britain’s biggest

A man has revealed that he has what might be Britain’s biggest goldfish. Rocky weighs 2lbs 10ozs – more than a bag of sugar – and is worth around £4,500. The three-year-old red Oranda, is native to Japan and China, and is characterised by the prominent growth on its forehead, or ‘wen’. This can cause problems for the breed, however, as it can reduce the fish’s visibility if it grows to cover the eyes. Despite not appearing very hydrodynamic, they are powerful and strong swimmers.

Rocky’s owner, Andy Green, is owner of Star Fisheries in Sutton, London which imports and sells goldfish. He said: ‘It’s the largest goldfish in the UK. It’s very wide, and really heavy. Compared to a normal goldfish, Rocky is an absolute giant. ‘She is also certainly the largest of his type ever to be imported into the UK. She’s an incredibly strong and powerful fish. That’s where we got her name from.’ ‘She came from China, and it took me six months to convince the breeder to sell her to me. If I were to sell her, I wouldn’t accept less than £4,500.’ Andy admits fancy goldfish are a weird

thing to sell, but there is a strong market for rare and prime examples of them. He said: ‘Some people find them really ugly, especially the fish with bubble heads. ‘But others absolutely love them. The goldfish all have different characters and temperaments, which makes them really interesting. ‘Collectors will also pay big money to make sure they get prime examples of goldfish. The most expensive fish we sold was a panda oranda, which went for £6,500 two years ago. ‘We specialise in supplying the best of the breeds to make sure people are always happy with them.

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NEWS

Teenager jailed for 14 years after shooting a motorist and leaving him disabled. by STAFF REPORTER newsdesk@asian-standard.co.uk

A teenager has been jailed for 14 years after shooting a motorist in a horrifying road rage incident in Birmingham on August 8 last year. Abbas Khan, 19, shot Abu Taher after the pair clashed in George Arthur Road, Alum Rock, after a minor traffic incident. The 29-year-old victim needed emergency surgery to save his arm from being amputated and is now disabled. Khan admitted causing grievous bodily hard with intent and possessing a firearm with intent. Birmingham Crown Court heard the weapon that was used by Khan has never been found but CCTV footage of the incident was recovered after the shooting.

unarmed and such danger presented to you was clearly limited.

The court heard the shooting took place in the early hours of August 8 when a road rage incident between the men began with pushing and shoving.

“You caused serious physical and psychological harm. He was in immense pain, required operations and may require a further operation in the future.

“You could have run off but you didn’t. “Tahir was about 10 to 15 feet away from you. When he tried to persuade you not to fire at him you ignored that. He tried to turn to get away and you shot him.

“Gun crime is substantially on the rise generally and in this city in particular and that is of grave concern for this court. “It was a matter of luck rather than judgement you did not kill him. That was a calculated decision that you reached.” The judge also extended the time Khan remains on licence after release by four years, saying he was dangerous and posed a risk to others.

Those involved left the scene but Mr Taher returned after recruiting another man to act as “muscle.” Khan also returned – with a loaded shotgun taken from a car. Judge Simon Drew QC said: “Mr Tahir approached you, that was on the CCTV footage. He was clearly

Cost of TV licence to rise for first time in seven years .

The free concession for those aged over 75 remains while the cost of an annual black and white licence will rise

The free concession for those aged over 75 remains while the cost of an annual black and white licence will rise from £49 to £49.50.

The TV licence fee will increase for the first time since 2010, the Government has announced. The annual fee for BBC programming will increase to £147 from £145.50 on April 1 this year, the Government has said. The announcement comes as the broadcaster's director general said TV licence collectors had "fallen short", following reports they were deliberately targeting vulnerable people who have not paid. Enforcement officers at Capita are ordered to catch 28 evaders every week and promised incentive bonuses of up to £15,000 a year, according to a Daily Mail investigation.

The announcement comes amid a period of change for the corporation.

The company is reportedly paid £58 million a year to collect licence fees for the broadcaster and its staff were said to have targetedvulnerable people, including a war veteran with dementia and a young mother in a women's refuge. In a letter to Capita's chief executive Andy Parker, the BBC's Tony Hall expressed his "serious concern" about the reports and called for "urgent clarification and reassurance" that vulnerable people were not being "targeted".

Under the new charter, the corporation's Trust is being replaced by the BBC Board. Last year, BBC Trust chairman Rona Fairhead announced she was stepping aside after two years in the role. Sir David Clementi cleared the latest hurdle in his appointment as the new BBC chairman after he won the backing of MPs. Anyone watching or recording TV programmes as they are shown on TV, or watching or downloading BBC programmes, must have a licence.

The charge applies whether they are using a TV set, computer, or any other equipment. Rules surrounding iPlayer, the BBC's online catch-up service, changed in September. It was announced by the Government last year that the licence fee would rise in line with inflation for five years from April 1 this year. The BBC is due to shoulder the £700 million-a-year cost of handing out free licences to the elderly from 2020 after reaching a funding deal with the Government. The corporation has also been ordered to disclose pay packets of stars earning more that £150,000 a year, including the likes of chat show host Graham Norton and football presenter Gary Lineker.

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FEATURE

Where art thou: halal Romeo and Juliet?

by Mo Bhana mo@asian-standard.co.uk

Ishtiaq Dad is a 36 year old businessman from Batley.

He seemingly has it all; he is a graduate with his own mobile phone business, a respectable family and a thriving social life. However, there is one thing that is seemingly eluding him for many years: a suitable life partner.

“My brothers have asked me to find a wife for years, but I’ve just been so busy with the business and I go to the gym after work. I have a decent life, so in the past I have been

complacent and not felt the need to find someone.” Ish, who is nicknamed ‘Salman Khan’ by his peers, because of a love for

It was when she left our place one evening for no particular reason and she went to this cousin’s house to talk to his parents that I was attacked. I had to lay on the floor for about half an hour whilst this Bollywood throwback had his foot on my neck, speaking in broken English, telling me how much of a loser I was, but the only reason I stayed quiet was because I wanted my wife to come back to me and not cause a scene. Irfan Dawood

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FEATURE all things Khan and Bollywood is of the opinion that following in his hero’s footsteps will help him find his ‘Juliet’. “Salman Khan gives a great deal to charity, water wells and much more in Ramadan. I decided to take his lead and give to charity. “You just have to get on with it, so the best for people and treat them kindly and one day, you will meet that special someone, it’s just a case of waiting, well I hope anyway.” Abdul Bham, 39 from Batley believes he has to be careful about whoever he picks, because “It is hard to find a decent person nowadays.” He believes men find it harder to find ‘decent’ women as opposed to women finding ‘decent’ men. “Asian Women tend to watch Bollywood films, and it’s always singing and dancing and then they think they are going to meet the love of their life and live happily ever after. “They can drool over the hero all they want but life is not always like that and when you come from an Asian background it’s different - it’s all practical and serious.” Bham always believed that his marriage would be arranged. However, things did not work out that way, yet he still has hope. “The Islamic view on finding a wife is that both parties make a choice should they want to marry each other,” he says. “There’s no long-term girlfriend for me but it’s important that I do find someone, that we are both comfortable with each other. “Most of my friends are married with kids or just married and seem to be happy with their partners. I’m not interested in going online to find someone, I tried that once, and too many wierd women came out of the woodwork.” Introductions are usually organised by a selected matchmaker or parents. However, for 37 year old Memoona Tai, a conversation about what she wants in a partner has been discussed with her parents. “They just look at my list and probably think that I am just so shallow!’” she laughs, “Because it’s ‘good-looking, tall, dark and handsome.” “They tell me that I’m not exactly an oil painting, and although there is an alement of truth in that, granted, I’m

not an Angelina Jolie, but I’m no Dot Cotton either.” Tai is conscious of the fact that certain non asians view arranged marriage and Muslim women in a negative manner. She recalls a visit to the local library where all she could find were countless ‘miserable books’ about women being forced to get married. “I like being a Muslim woman but the fact that all around you, you find negative perceptions or dodgy authors who want to make a quick buck so they write a crappy story about Halima or Sadia who fought off their oppressive families and found true love in the end, boring, boring, boring. “I get really fed up when I watch the news or read newspapers about how us Muslim women are oppressed. Regardless, even if you have a conversation with people and show them that you have a good job and that you are educated, people still think you are oppressed and at this stage you just laugh, as opposed to getting frustrated.” It took Aisha Patel a number of

years to find the man she would marry, but she hesitates to explain the ‘painstaking’ process behind finding her husband, Sajid, 35 from Blackburn.

called love rival, none other than her first cousin started acting like a Bollywood hero and taking his top off in front of her, which made him seem like a total numpty.

“Over the years I have been introduced to more suitors than I can even remember, so within minutes you would be saying some really personal things,” says Patel.

“It was when she left our place one evening for no particular reason and she went to this cousin’s house to talk to his parents that I was attacked.

“How many children do you want to have? What do you want to do with the rest of your life?” Sajida Patel, 39, decided to go try online dating, something which she regrets to this day: “Some men would just turn up late and not even offer an apology, said Patel. “Some would not want to spend any money, and I thought, if you’re not even going to spend any money to impress me at this stage, you are a tight get who will be very stingy when we get married. “Some even had the audacity to ask me not to wear a headscarf. I found that quite shocking. I made the choice to wear it and of all the people in the world who should respect that would be my husband.” Irfan Dawood, 35, married his childhood sweetheart at the age of 25, against his parents’ wishes. He believes a combination of jealousy from his ex wife’s family along with a lack of maturity led to the breakup of his first marriage. However, he insists he did not need to go online to look for love, instead, he found his ‘Juliet’ at a wedding. “My first wife, she was great to begin with,” says Irfan. “We went out for years and we’d work in the same shopping centre, and everything seemed great. “It was when her cousin started stirring that things went a bit crazy. There was a time, when a so

“I had to lay on the floor for about half an hour whilst this Bollywood throwback had his foot on my neck, speaking in broken English, telling me how much of a loser I was, but the only reason I stayed quiet was because I wanted my wife to come back to me and not cause a scene.” Irfan explains how he simply decided to bear it for the sake of his wife, who as it turned out, got a transfer from work to a store in London, without telling him. However, things worked out for him after he got a divorce. “I asked her to come back, but she wouldn’t have any of it,” says Irfan. “My mum and dad, instead of saying that we told you so, valiantly tried finding me someone else.

Asian Women tend to watch Bollywood films, and it’s always singing and dancing and then they think they are going to meet the love of their life and live happily ever after. They can drool the hero all they want but life is not always like that and when you come from an Asian background it’s different - it’s all practical and serious. Abdul Bham “But I met an old friend at a wedding and we talked and talked and the next thing I know, I was engaged again and to the right person this time. “7 years later, two kids and a great wife, things couldn’t be better. My ex wanted me back after she realised she made a complete balls up of our marriage, but It was too late and I had moved on. “Besides, the hairy Bollywood wannabe is still probably available, he’ll make a great Romeo for Cruella de Vil.”

Issue 18

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NEWS

Bond-style USB cufflink used by Islamic State terrorist

An Islamic State member who used a James Bond-style USB cufflink to store extremist data has admitted five charges of terrorism. Samata Ullah pleaded guilty to being a member of the terror group as well as preparing terrorist acts, terrorist training, and possessing articles for terrorist purposes. He denied one charge of directing terrorism at the Old Bailey in London. The court heard that when he was arrested in September last year, the 34-year-old from Cardiff had a USB cufflink with a Linux operating system hiding extremist data, including a blog. Brian Altman QC, prosecuting, said a hitech report showed Mr Ullah was trying to post the blog onto a platform in a "format that meant it could not be closed down or deleted by the authorities." Jurors were told that between December 2015 and his arrest, he had provided instructional videos on how to secure sensitive data and use encryption software to stay anonymous online. Commander Dean Haydon of Met Office Counter Terrorism said Ullah was "dangerous" despite operating in the "virtual world". "He sat in his bedroom in Wales and created online content with the sole intention of aiding people who wanted to actively support ISIS and avoid getting caught by the authorities," he said. "This is just the sort of information that may have helped people involved in planning devastating, low technical level attacks on crowded

places as we have seen in other cities across the world. Ullah, who has been diagnosed with autism since his arrest, also pleaded guilty to having a book entitled 'Guided Missiles Fundamentals AFM 52-31' and a PDF version of the book 'Advances In Missile Guidance, Control, and Estimation' for

terrorist purposes.

the remaining charge of directing terrorism to lie on file.

He admitted the charges earlier this month but his pleas could not be reported until after In lifting reporting restrictions, Judge the prosecution had decided whether to go to Gerald Gordon said the "issue of trial on the remaining charge. dangerousness" would have to be assessed before sentencing, which will take place on Mr Altman explained that the attorney 28 April. general had accepted the pleas but asked for

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Issue 18

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FEATURE

"Defending the NHS is defending a basic human value and a basic human right "

NHS staff are said to be low in morale

by MO BHANA mo@asian-standard.co.uk

According to the Institute for Fiscal Studies, post-Brexit, austerity will be extended until the mid-2020s, with cuts to dayto-day public service spending due to accelerate over the next parliament. The government’s austerity programme is squeezing funding to both social care and the NHS. The Care and Support Alliance this month has found that around 9 out of 10 GPs think cuts in social care are only exasperating problems for their surgeries. An additional (93%) think that the lack of social care is leading to added pressure on A&Es and contributing to an increase in delayed hospital discharges. The findings come as Labour Leader; Jeremy Corbyn urged protesters at a rally in London to “defend the NHS with all of your

might.”

mental health services.

“Defending the NHS is defending a basic human value and a basic human right,” he said.

He said: “The NHS is in crisis, in crisis because of the underfunding in social care and the people not getting the care and support they need.

“You don’t walk by on the other side when somebody is in difficulties or needing help.” He called for next week’s Budget to properly fund the health service, social care and crucial

“There are those waiting on trolleys and those who are desperate to get into an A&E department waiting hours for treatment.

Defending the NHS is defending a basic human value and a basic human right. You don’t walk by on the other side when somebody is in diﬃculties or needing help. Jeremy Corbyn, Labour Leader

“It is not the fault of the staff. It is the fault of a Government who have made a political choice.” There is increasing anger and frustration as it seems NHS per capita spending will decrease in 2018/19, the head of the Commons Health Committee has said, as she accused the Government of giving a “false impression” about increasing funding. Dr Sarah Wollaston has written to Chancellor - Philip Hammond criticising the Government’s ‘public stance’ that NHS England was “awash with cash”. Wollaston warned a “false impression” was being given that the NHS was being boosted by £10 billion over the five years of its spending review, when the real figure was £4.5 billion. “It’s only technically correct if you’re looking at spending on NHS England, and you add an extra year to the spending review, and you also take account of the switch from other budgets

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FEATURE that we would normally think of as health spending. “You can only arrive at the £10 billion by shifting money from public health budgets, and health education and training, and also by changing the date at which you calculate real-terms increases. “Yes, you can see how they arrived at the figure, but the real figure, we feel, should be quoted at £4.5 billion, which is considerably less,” she told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. Wollaston said NHS England head Simon Stevens did not get the funding levels he asked for when meeting with the government health committee. “Certainly for 18/19 we’ll be seeing a per capita fall in funding for the NHS at a time when our demographics, the increase in older people, (will see) a 21% increase in the number of people over 65, for example,” she said. She also warned the Chancellor that unless the Government was able to put capital investment in the NHS on a sustainable footing, the service would struggle to meet the long-term demands of caring for an ageing population. Her warning was echoed by NHS Providers, which said there was now a “big risk” that trusts would be unable to maintain current levels of service. A Government spokesman insisted the £10 billion figure was accurate and that it was “wrong to suggest otherwise”. A Government spokesman said: “The Government has backed the NHS’s own plan for the future with a £10 billion real-terms increase in its funding a year by 2020/2021, helping to ease the pressures on hospitals, GPs and mental health services.

“We have also allowed local government to increase social care spending by the end of Parliament, with access to up to £3.5 billion of new support.” The chairman of campaign group Vote Leave Watch, Labour MP, Chuka Umunna, said: “More than ever before, it is clear that the health service is in desperate need of the extra £350 million per week funding boost, promised by Leave campaigners now in the Cabinet, during the EU referendum. “The Autumn Statement later this month will give the Government the chance to commit to this vital funding. If they do not, it will be clear that Vote Leave ministers like Boris Johnson misled the public throughout the referendum campaign.” Prime Minister Theresa May’s official spokeswoman said: “We have been clear from the outset that we wanted to make sure that we continue to invest in the NHS, that this would be an increase in real-terms funding of £10 billion by 2021. “It’s the funding that NHS leaders told us they needed and we have delivered on it. If you look at the figures, in 2014 the budget was £98 billion and in 2021 it will be £119 billion.” The spokeswoman added: “We recognise that the NHS is under pressure and that is why we need to focus on how we can continue to support the NHS to provide a great quality of service and care. “That includes investing in the funding, it includes looking at things like how you can best prioritise GP access, cancer care and looking at what mental health treatment there is.” Liberal Democrat health spokesman Norman Lamb said: “The Health Select Committee are right to call out the Government

The public seem to have had enough of austerity cuts

on false claims about their investment in the NHS. Services are desperately in need of the money they were promised. “But this also ignores the bigger question of how we ensure health and care are sustainable in the long term, as demand for services continues to rise. “I have called for the establishment of an independent, cross-party commission to reform

Will NHS staff still have jobs in 5 years time?

the funding settlement across health and care and the Liberal Democrats have set up an expert panel who will advise on how the additional funding the NHS really

needs can be delivered, including whether a dedicated health and care tax should be introduced to help guarantee the future of the NHS and vital care services.”

“It’s only technically correct if you’re looking at spending on NHS England, and you add an extra year to the spending review, and you also take account of the switch from other budgets that we would normally think of as health spending. “You can only arrive at the £10 billion by shifting money from public health budgets, and health education and training, and also by changing the date at which you calculate real-terms increases. “Yes, you can see how they arrived at the ﬁgure, but the real ﬁgure, we feel, should be quoted at £4.5 billion, which is considerably less,” she told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. Sarah Wollaston, head of the Commons Health Committee

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NEWS

Speeding fines are going up next month with fines being as much as £2500. Here’s what you need to know.

newsdesk@asian-standard.co.uk

If you get caught speeding behind the wheel you will face harsher punishment from next month. Speeding motorists will be fined up to £2,500 under the stricter laws which have been introduced to send a tougher message to offenders. It comes as the number of speeding offences has soared by 44% in the last five years, according to new research. Harsher punishments have been

put in place to ensure the fine matches "the seriousness of offending".

But some band C offences can land people with a fine equating to 175% of your weekly wage.

Magistrates will be able to apply the maximum penalty of 150% of the offending driver’s weekly income – up from 100% – from April 24.

Band B breaches will hit motorists with a fine between 75 per cent

and 125 per cent of their weekly income. Band A offenders will have to fork out between 25-75% of their earnings.

Motorists caught speeding on the motorway will potentially face the highest fine of £2,500, whereas those caught elsewhere could be fined £1,000. For example, a driver caught doing 41mph in a 20mph zone or 101mph on a motorway could be fined 150% of their weekly income. The Sentencing Council introduced the change because it felt the current punishments do not reflect the ‘potential harm’ that speeding can do. The new system will see fines split into three groups. Band A refers to offences where motorists are clocked travelling up to 10mph over the stated speed limit.

However even with the above guidelines magistrates will have the ability to adjust what punishment is dealt based on ‘aggravating factors’ including previous convictions and weather conditions. In 2015, 166,695 people in England and Wales were sentenced for speeding with the average fine £188.

Band B hits drivers going 11mph to 21mph over the limit while band C refers to 21mph and over.

Speeding is amongst a number of crimes to see tougher or alternative sentencing guidelines introduced including animal cruelty and TV licence evasion.

Motorists can be charged variable amounts.

The changes will come into effect on April 24.

Issue 18

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HEALTH

Do you really need to eat ten portions of fruit and veg a day?

by GEOFF WEBB Senior Lecturer, University of East London

Only a quarter of UK adults manage to eat the officially recommended five portions of fruit and vegetables a day. In fact, almost half eat less than three a day. It seems unlikely, then, that most people would be able to reach the ten a day suggested by several pieces of research published in the last few years. Most recently, a paper in the International Journal of Epidemiology laid out evidence that upping your intake of fruit and veg to ten portions (800g) a day would further reduce your risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease and premature death. But how strong is this evidence, and how practical is this advice for most individuals or society as a whole? A closer look suggests we need to be cautious about turning this complex research into simple and useful recommendations.

The five-a-day mantra goes back to recommendations from the World Health Organisation in 1990 and numerous developed countries have adopted it as official advice. Since then, further research has shown that each of the first five 80g portions of fruit and veg a person eats every day is associated with about a 5% decrease in overall and cardiovascular deaths. But the link between vegetables and disease prevention isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t always that clear. For example, in 2010 the massive European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) found only a small decrease in cancer risk associated with eating fruit and veg. Then came two studies that have put forward the case for eating even more than five a day. The first, in 2014, linked lifestyle information on 65,000 English adults from the Health Survey for England to mortality records. It reported that the more fruit and veg people ate, the less likely they

Studies confirm that increased fruit and veg consumption is associated with fewer deaths, less cardiovascular disease and maybe some decrease in cancer risk.

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HEALTH

were to die from cardiovascular disease or cancer. The death rate among those who ate on average under one portion a day was twice that among those who ate more than seven a day. But fruit and veg intake wasn’t the only thing related to the death rate. The one-a-day group were also more likely to be very elderly, male, less well educated, smokers, physically inactive and heavy drinkers. So the researchers analysed the data in a way that took account of these other factors, although they couldn’t do this for unrecorded things such as saturated fat intake. After this correction, the data showed that those who ate three to five portions of fruit and veg were still 25% less likely to die than those in the one-a-day category. Those who ate five to seven portions a day were a further 6% less likely to die and those who ate more than seven a day saw another 3% drop. This meant the biggest benefit was from increasing fruit and veg consumption to up to five a day. The more recent study brought together the results from 95 cohort studies that each tracked a large group of people over a time. It found a strong association between eating up to ten portions of fruit and veg a day and reduced death – overall, and from cardiovascular disease in particular. But again, the study showed these benefits were biggest as consumption increased up to five a day and were markedly smaller after that. There was also a decline in cancer deaths as people ate more fruit and veg but it was smaller and flattened out earlier. These studies confirm that increased fruit and veg consumption is associated with

fewer deaths, less cardiovascular disease and maybe some decrease in cancer risk. The benefits are particularly seen as people increase their fruit and veg intake up to five portions a day. But the benefits related to eating more than this are much smaller and less certain. We also don’t know for sure whether eating fruit and veg actually causes these apparent benefits. It’s possible that they are due to other linked factors or confounding variables, such as eating less saturated fat. Most researchers try to adjust their data to take this into account but there is no statistical magic wand that can do this faultlessly. Some factors are hard to gauge accurately and others might be missed altogether. However, the association between eating more fruit and veg and living longer is strong, consistent, graded according to how much is eaten and remains strong even after many other factors are taken into account. This means eating more fruit and veg probably does cause the associated health benefits. But we can’t say this for eating more than five portions a day. Further studies probably won’t change this and nor can they prove cause and effect. Weak evidence The recent studies provide only weak evidence of a small extra benefit of eating more than five portions of fruit and veg a day. We then have to ask whether making this an official recommendation would be worthwhile. For one thing, almost all studies have used middle-aged or elderly adults. So we don’t know if ten-a-day would be appropriate for other groups such as rapidly growing children and adolescents.

What’s more, while getting people who eat very little fruit and veg to eat more will likely produce big benefits, raising the official target to ten-a-day might actually discourage some people. Most people would struggle to eat this much, so failing to hit the target would become expected, and then accepted and excusable. To get most people in the UK to ten-a-day would mean the country would have to eat four times as much fruit and veg as it currently does. The environmental, economic and ecological impact of such a massive increase in demand for these bulky products would be enormous and probably

To get most people in the UK to ten-aday would mean the country would have to eat four times as much fruit and veg as it currently does. The environmental, economic and ecological impact of such a massive increase in demand for these bulky products would be enormous and probably unsustainable. unsustainable. Fruit and veg are already expensive in terms of calories per penny and increased demand might make them completely unaffordable for many people. And they couldn’t just eat less of other foods because fruit and veg contain relatively low numbers of calories. Ultimately, these concerns are

theoretical because no one expects the bulk of the population to get anywhere near ten-a-day. But we have to question whether it is responsible to make such recommendations – and on weak evidence – just because you know hardly anyone will implement them. This article originally appeared in The Conversation.

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WOMEN ACHIEVERS

Soﬁa Buncy: “We can all turn our lives around” With a view to raising awareness around the issue of equality and empowerment of women, our Women Achievers feature in each edition will profile inspirational women whose achievements we can collectively celebrate. These may be women within specialist industries, community or homes.

This edition meet Sofia Buncy. A community development coordinator for a leading charity. Sofia has faced many challenges in her work, her biggest hurdle and most accomplished work being the Muslim Women in Prison project for which she was recently honoured with the coveted Butler Trust Award, which was presented to Sofia by HRH Princess Anne in person. Despite receiving accolades and awards for her work, Sofia remains grounded and committed as ever to make changes and impacting positively towards the lives of Muslim Women in Prison. Here’s what she shared with Asian Standard about her journey so far. Tell us a little bit about the work you do? I work for the UK based Charity Muslim Hands and am the Project Coordinator for the ‘Muslim Women in Prison’ project. I combine this with my role as the Community Development Coordinator for the north of England for the charity. This focuses on areas such as interfaith work, women’s leadership programmes, poverty action and asylum seeker/refugee initiatives. The prison work involves me carrying out research into the needs of Muslim

women in prison and post release culminating in my first report in 2014 titled ‘Muslim women in prison’. The job also entails managing a small pool of staff to provide practical support to women before they are released so this may be around housing, resettlement, and family mediation. We also run several schemes in the prison such as ‘Muslim women in prison speaker’s scheme’ where mainstream women come into the prisons to inspire those in custody. We encourage speakers to talk about a difficult obstacle in their life and how they overcame this to get where they are today. It just shows we can all turn our lives around! A much-needed message in prisons. What made you go into this work? My present role with Muslim Hands was a natural progression from my development work with young Muslim women from deprived and disadvantaged backgrounds in Huddersfield. Muslim women generally but young Muslim women particularly, sometimes lack educational and career aspirations and positive role models. I helped to develop and implement a series of leadership programmes to support young Muslim women to raise their aspirations and breakout of their traditional gender assigned roles into education, meaningful and fulfilling career paths and community roles. As a consequence of my women’s development work, I was approached to lead on the first phase research that looked at the issues and challenges facing Muslim women in prison and compile the report that

There is a reluctance to accept that Muslim women can be capable of criminality. The reasons why they oﬀend are even more diﬃcult to digest. These are our sisters and daughters and in some cases grandmothers in prison and we have a responsibility towards them. As a community, we need to show maturity on issues and the challenges facing us.

WOMEN ACHIEVERS followed it. It’s a very challenging role and perhaps some may be critical of the work, as your job has raised the profile of Muslim women in prison, which many prefer not be raised as it’s Muslim women in prison are often seen as embarrassing, or bringing shame to the community. How do you deal with the challenges and criticism if any? It is largely true that the issue is not on our community’s radar. There is a reluctance to accept that Muslim women can be capable of criminality. The reasons why they offend are even more difficult to digest. There is also a view that we as a community already have too much to contend with therefore why add another issue to the list. After all there is only a small number of Muslim women in prison compared to Muslim men. By highlighting the plight of women prisoners, we are bringing shame on to the image of the community. The list of objections goes on. The fact of the matter is that the number of Muslim women in UK prison is slowly growing. We were equally reluctant to acknowledge Muslim men in prison in the past and look where this has taken us. There are currently over 12,000 Muslim men in custody, a disproportionate reflection of the Muslim community outside of prison. I fear a similar situation repeating itself regarding Muslim women. We can’t be complacent and salient for the fear of bad image to the community. These are our sisters and daughters and in some cases grandmothers in prison and we have a responsibility towards them. As a community, we need to show maturity on issues and the challenges facing us. These are real issues which will not be wished away just because we don’t have the courage to address them. You have recently been recognised for your work with the Butler Trust Award, how does winning the award feel? I am humbled by it, a real privilege to be acknowledged at this level. But more importantly the award will hopefully serve to lend credibility to the issues and place the plight of

Sofia at work. Muslim women prisoners on the radar of the community and providers. If it does that it will be greatly be worthwhile receiving. The award is less for me and more for Muslim women prisoners who had the courage to speak out in their hour of adversity. What or who has been your greatest influence in your work and why? My long-standing mentor and the Project Advisor for the Muslim Women in Prison Project, Ishtiaq Ahmed has been the greatest influence in my approach to my work. He has always encouraged me to champion on difficult issues against the odds even when others may not agree. He always pushed me to look beyond immediate

difficulties to the long-term vision. What would you say is your greatest professional accomplishment to date? I have to be honest, my greatest achievement is the Muslim Women in Prison Project. This was a difficult and challenge area of work. There was no prior research, people were not even aware that Muslim female offenders existed or they were in denial about it. Therefore, it was an enormous achievement to work through the negativities against the odds to successfully complete the research, produce a report, pioneer development support for the women

both in prisons but also outside in the community.

development and prison work is for you.

What one thing have you learned through your career that has served you well over the years?

However, people also need to understand there are personal costs to this field. It is not an easy ride. At times, you may be criticised and even vilified and therefore my advice is to have a strong support network around you and some experienced mentors. Needless to say, women are faced with this challenge more so.

If you have a real commitment to equality and justice and are willing to persevere with hard work, then god willing you will get there. What advice would you offer anyone who wanted to work in community development, particularly in prisons? If you have qualities such as patience, perseverance and creativity combined with heart and the ability to not take no for an answer then community

Finally, what’s the best advice you have received in your career that you wish to pass on to our readers. Don’t be impatient. Don’t react. Maintain your personal and professional dignity.

It was an enormous achievement to work through the negativities against the odds to successfully complete the research, produce a report, pioneer development support for the women both in prisons but also outside in the community.

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COVER STORY

As Syrian conflict enters its seventh year, Assad’s future is the sticking point by ABDULLAH YUSUF

Abdullah Yusuf, University of Dundee

Six years ago, 15 teenagers from the southern Syrian city of Deraa graffitied a wall with antigovernment slogans, including the phrase synonymous with the popular uprisings taking place across the Arab world: “The people want the overthrow of the regime.” When all 15 teenagers were arrested and tortured, the local community responded violently, and were met with gunfire. Four people died. Coming at the very start of what became a major uprising, this unflinching response from Bashar al-Assad’s government set the tone for what was to come: a collapse of the national order, a state military prepared to use all means at its disposal against its own people, and one of the 21st-century’s worst humanitarian crises so far. But as the Syrian conflict enters its seventh year, the battle lines are still fundamentally the same ones Assad used to frame the conflict at its start. According to him, this remains a conflict between the Damascus government on the one hand and Islamic extremists on the other. Over the six years of conflict so far, he has done a lot to make this somewhat arbitrary image of the situation into reality. As peaceful, democratic Syrians were arrested, besieged and killed, their only true choice was between the barrel bombs and chemical weapons of Assad’s military or beheading at the hands of jihadists. Millions fled the country, while many others joined rebel groups, including ones officially espousing militant religious ideology, to become part of the rebellion against Assad. A similar pattern plays out on

the international stage. Efforts to resolve the conflict from outside are frustrated by the proxy war between Iran and Saudi Arabia and the complicated interests of Turkey. Then there’s the mutual suspicion between Russia and the US: Russia wants to see IS destroyed just as much as the US does, but like Iran, it stands to lose a key ally in Assad. As these various major powers try to agree on what comes next for Syria, Assad’s future remains the central bone of contention. Deadlock For years now, the US and its allies have stuck to the line that any solution to the conflict must be designed to pave the way towards a new, democratic Syria. In light of the severe humanitarian crisis for which Assad’s government is responsible, the US has so far been reluctant to back any political solution where that would allow him to stay in power. Russia, by contrast, puts a premium on stability, and in its view, only the current government can provide enough security to give all Syrians a more peaceful future. Russia’s involvement is also more directly self-interested than the US’: an estimated 5,000 Russian jihadis have travelled to fight in Syria at various points, creating a long-term security issue that Moscow considers a legitimate cause for intervention. The template for an inclusive democratic solution was created with United Nations Security Council Resolution 2254, which lays out the transition that all states (including the US and Russia) agree must take place to foster a peaceful, united Syria. At the core of it are free and fair elections to pave the way for a Syrian constitution – one to be created by the citizens themselves, not foisted upon them by foreign powers trying to impose their political will.

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However, all states agree that there can’t be an inclusive political process without a sustainable ceasefire. This is what makes the Saudi-Iranian proxy war such an obstacle; it puts the individual goals of Iran, Saudi Arabia and the US above those of the very people who bear the brunt of this drawnout conflict – and in lieu of what looks like an impossible political consensus, all sides are pursuing a military solution. Redrawing the lines The Obama administration’s central proposal, such as it was, meant providing support to “moderate” anti-Assad groups and accepting Assad as the only viable interim government that could maintain stability long enough to oversee the transition to a postconflict democracy. But now that Donald Trump is in the White House, the lines are being redrawn. It’s not yet clear who Trump’s team will deal with to find a military solution. Most analysts agree that the troops best placed to tackle IS are among Syria’s Kurdish forces. But thanks to a longstanding feud with its own Kurdish minority, Turkey will not co-operate with them for fear of empowering its own Kurdish secessionists. Given Trump’s apparent openness towards Russia, Syria’s future looks set to follow the Iranian-Russian roadmap: full military force will be deployed against any Islamic

extremist opposition, including many rebel groups, with Assad accepted as the only hope of stability in what promises to be a dangerous security vacuum. But under this plan, the question of future elections will be very tricky. Iran and Russia are both relying on Assad’s Shia regime to govern an overwhelmingly Sunni country; should a stable Syria ever hold democratic elections, the Sunni majority might well elect a Sunni government. If that happened, it would turn Syria away from Russia and Iran towards Saudi Arabia and defeat the point

of keeping Assad in the first place. Assad acting as an interim leader, then, is not a given. But should it happen, it would leave Syria almost back where it began. This conflict is one of the biggest humanitarian crises of our time, with nearly half a million killed, millions displaced internally, and millions more dispersed around the world as refugees – and yet the man most directly responsible is still in power, and may be for some time. This article originally appeared in The Conversation.

Issue 18

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EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

Sir Mo Farah and Kadeena Cox scoop top awards at the third Lycamobile British Ethnic Diversity Sports Awards (BEDSAs)

The complete list of winners at the 2017 Lycamobile BEDSAs were as follows: Youth Sport Trust Young Sports Person of the Year Alice Tai British Army Unsung Hero Inderpal Singh Cheema Sport England Community Sports Project of the Year Spring SLR England Athletics Coach of the Year Chris Hughton Spirit of 2012 Connecting Communities Al Madina Centre Mind Wellbeing Award Sonia Smith Tennis Foundation Special Achievement Shapla Sports FA Recognition Award Rashid Abba

Sir Mo Farah and Kadeena Cox were the big winners at this year's Lycamobile BEDSAs, staged at the Hilton Park Lane, London on Saturday 18 March..

Chris Hughton, the Brighton and Hove Albion Manager currently leading his team to promotion to the Premier League was named England Athletics Coach of the Year.

They were named Lycamobile Sportsman and Sporting Equals Sportswoman of the Year at a glittering awards show hosted by Sir Lenny Henry.

Ruqsana Begum, the English professional kickboxer received the UK Sport Inspirational Performance Award with ParaOlympian swimmer Alice Tai winning the Youth Sport Trust Young Sportsperson of the Year award.

Commenting on his first win at the Bedsas Sir Mo Farah said: “Thank-you to the Lycamobile British Ethnic Diversity Sports Awards and a very special thanks to everyone who’s voted for me. It really means a lot to be named as your Sportsman of the Year! And congratulations to my fellow nominees as well. It’s so great to see everyone come together this evening to celebrate the incredible achievements of our diverse sporting communities" Kadeena, expressing here delight in her win, said: "I’m very honoured to have won this award and would like to give a massive thanks to Sporting Equals for all the work they do in BAME communities" The night was also memorable for a Special Lifetime Achievement award given to rugby's most successful dual code rugby player and 2003 Rugby World Cup winner Jason Robinson.

Arun Kang CEO Sporting Equals commenting on a wonderful evening said:"I would like to congratulate all the winners, they thoroughly deserved their accolades. Sporting Equals organise the BEDSAs as we want to celebrate diversity at both an elite and grassroots level. It was heartwarming to see the delighted faces of the community groups and volunteers who give so much of their time to get communities more active as well as the elite stars who will hopefully inspire the next generation to take the baton" Allirajah Subaskaran, Chairman of Lycamobile, which supports the BEDSAs said: “We are honoured to support the BEDSAs, recognising the impressive collection of sportsmen and women from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds across the UK. Awards such as these are

crucial in driving change in the sport sector by increasing participation and diversity at both a national and grass-roots level. Congratulations to all the winners on their well-deserved honours.” The Lycamobile BEDSAs are supported by Sport England , UK Sport, The Football Association, The Tennis Foundation, Youth Sport Trust, England Athletics, The British Army, Mind and Spirt of 2012

UK Sport Inspirational Performance Ruqsana Begum Sporting Equals Sportswoman of the Year Kadeena Cox Lycamobile Sportsman of the Year Mo Farah Lifetime Achievement Award Jason Robinson OBE

WEEKENDER Issue eighteen, Tuesday 21 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 26 March 2017

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TV E D I U G DE I urite INyoS vo ur fa els n All chan Asian

Taapsee Pannu at the top of Her Game

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INTERVIEW

It’s all about pushing female Asian artists! by PEDRO CAVALHO pedro@asian-standard.co.uk

a microphone, singing Nazia Hassan and madonna songs. What drew you towards religious music?

With many years of classical training and brimming with passion for music, Renee is the much-awaited breath of fresh air that the music industry has been waiting for. Her new single Jahan is produced by the multi-talented 'Vee' with Renee providing the lyrics. Industry chiefs have been astounded with her vocal abilities and her versatility as a singer and those talents are clearly evident in this new song. Born in Lucknow in India, Renee began singing at an early age. Throughout her schooling years she became a regular singing voice on All India radio. Later, she arrived in the UK to study fashion design and worked as a buyer in the fashion industry. Soon after that came marriage and children which took her on an adventure to Dubai where she spent 7 years. But her passion never dwindled and she soon returned to British soil with the aim of one day pursuing her ultimate dream of creating music for the masses. When did you first get connected to music? During my schooling years, I was trained in classical music and learnt the harmonica, dholak as my music instruments. I had a passion for music since my childhood and my family still recalls me posing with a torch as

My family is very religious and growing up in that environment, I grew a strong affinity towards

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Alia is excited about her next, 'Badrinath Ki Dulhaniya', in which she plays a small-town girl. "Vaidehi (her character) is lively and fiery. She wears her heart on her sleeve and is an ambitious girl. At the same time, she is sensitive towards her family. Certain experiences in life have made her bitter, so she isn't thrilled when she receives attention from Badri (Varun Dhawan's character). After having “a lot of fun working on the movie," Alia tells us why we should go watch her third outing with Varun Dhawan. anything spiritual, be it kirtan, bhajan or Sufi music. The fact that I lost my father at the age of 7, gave me a spiritual disposition towards life in general, poetry, ghazals, music I guess became a tool of self-expression and also self realisation. Where did you get your name from?

My family gave me the nickname Renee. Who have been your biggest musical influences? Madonna, Whitney Houston, Nazia Hassan, Asha Bhonsle. In the modern times, Adele and Beyoncé.

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INTERVIEW When did you realise you were good? When I started winning awards for music at school. And the look in my family's eyes when I recited my first kirtan at my uncles wedding, age 9. How would you describe your musical style? I sing from my soul, if it's a joyful song, I come from a space of energy and upliftment. And if it's a soft number, I feel I'm floating in the clouds, feeling the love within...my voice is my connection with others around me. Can you tell us about your latest single? It's a simple song about love. Based on Sufi poetry, I sing of universal love, i.e. Between a man and woman or between a soul and its creator... you take it the way you feel it works for you..I lost a very special person recently and her last words to me were "love is everything". I guess that summarises our life purpose so well! This debut track is a reminder of our true purpose to life... love. Who is your music aimed at?

I'm working on some fast beat dance tracks as well as some folk music which I'm known for, as I am a selfproclaimed wedding singer! Have you made a master plan for the future? I want to touch as many hearts as possible, create music that will last longer than me. Where do you want to be in five years? Creating Bollywood as well as independent Hindi and Punjabi music. Who do you want to collaborate with? It's been great working with a producer like Vee and I want that relationship to go further. I would also like to work with other great producers like Dr Zeus, and quite a few in Bollywood!

Can you sing in English and would you consider releasing an English track? Yes, I can sing in English and if could collaborate with a genius like Naughty Boy, I'm sure it will be amazing. What according to you makes for a good song? Good lyrics as well as good production. Adele is inspiring today because she's making good lyrics sell. We don't need to sing meaningless words in order to make commercial music. Let's break that mould! Why should we pick up your latest single? It's a track that grows on you, touches your heart and it's perhaps the best song you can dedicate to your loved one right now.

Tell us something not many people know about you?

I'm an introvert but may look very sociable on the outside.

I'm a great believer in healthy eating, vegetarianism, yoga and meditation. Perhaps my secret to staying young.

Where do you get your lyrical inspirations from?

Instead of targeting a specific demographic, I'm letting my music be open to all. After all it's a work of love and connection, I don't believe in creating boundaries. My music is about breaking boundaries!

My own life experiences as well as great Urdu poetry. Rumi, Bulley shah, Mirza Ghalib - so very inspiring!

Jahan is released under the Moviebox Records label and is available now via iTunes and other good digital stores

How important is live performance for you?

Keep in touch with Renee:

Which of your forthcoming songs are you most excited about?

It's key to any performer and I actually love live unplugged performances. Coke studio here I come!

Twitter: @ReneeSaggar

Instagram: @ReneeSaggar

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Recipes from

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Paneer Picatta Ingredients

Method

Serves 6 • 8 ounces paneer cheese • Salt to taste • Freshly ground black pepper to taste • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil • 1/4 cup sherry or dry white wine • 1 small onion, minced • 1/4 cup drained capers • 1 tablespoon ginger, minced • 2 fresh green chilies, minced • Juice of 1 lemon • 2 tablespoons butter • ¼ cup fresh cilantro chopped

Season the paneer lightly with salt and black pepper.

Heat the oil in a large nonstick skillet or griddle over medium-high heat and quickly sear the paneer cheese pieces until golden, about 30 seconds per side. Transfer to a serving dish, cover and keep warm.

butter & cilantro then drizzle everything over the paneer pieces. Serve hot. Recipe By: Hari Nayak/Vikas Khanna

Add the wine or sherry to deglaze the pan, and scrape the browned bits off the bottom of the pan. Add the onions, capers, ginger and green chilies, and cook, stirring for about 2 minutes. Add the lemon juice,

Roasted eggplant and spinach salad with crumbled paneer Ingredients • 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice • 2 teaspoons chopped fresh mint Salt to taste • 1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil • 1 large eggplant, diced • 1 pound baby spinach • 1 English cucumber, peeled seeded and diced • 1 tomato seeded and diced

• ½ red onion, diced • ½ red pepper, diced • 4 tablespoons crumbled paneer cheese Method Preheat the oven to 450°F. Lightly coat a baking sheet with olive oil.

prepared baking sheet. Spray the eggplant with olive oil cooking spray. Roast for 10 minutes. Turn the cubes and roast until softened and lightly golden, 8-10 minutes more. Set aside and let cool completely.

In a large bowl, combine the spinach, cucumber, tomato, onion, pepper and cooled In a small bowl, whisk eggplant. Pour the vinaigrette together the vinegar, lemon over the salad. Toss gently juice, mint, salt and pepper. to mix well and coat evenly. While whisking slowly add the Divide the salad among olive oil in a thin stream until individual plates. Sprinkle emulsified. Set aside. with the paneer cheese. Serve immediately. Spread the eggplant cubes in a single layer on the Recipe by: Hari Nayak/Vikas Khanna

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Mint pilaf with potatoes and cumin

Ingredients

Serves 6 • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil • 1 small onion, thinly sliced • 1 small potato, peeled and cut into ½ - inch dices • 1 ½ tablespoons ginger, minced • 2 tablespoons mint leaves,

Method

• •

minced 1 fresh green chili, minced 1¼ cups basmati rice, soaked, rinsed and drained 2 ¼ cups water Salt to taste 3 teaspoons cumin seeds, toasted and crushed coarsely

Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat and sauté the onion until brown, about 5 to 7 minutes. Add the potato, ginger, half the mint, and the green chili and cook, stir¬ring, about 2 minutes. Add the rice and sauté for 3 minutes. Add the water and the salt. Bring to a boil over

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high heat. Reduce the heat to the lowest setting, cover the pan, and cook until the rice is done, 10 to 15 minutes. Do not stir the rice while it cooks. Remove from the heat and let the rice rest for about 5 minutes. Transfer to a serving platter, sprinkle the roasted cumin and the remaining mint leaves on top, and serve.

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Recipe By: Vikas Khanna

Born in Amritsar, Starting as a helper in his grandmother’s kitchen, he learnt most the secrets and correct use of spices from her. He worked as the Executive Chef of Salaam Bombay Restaurant in New York. He is a consultant to many restaurants in the US and has his own line of packaged foods, Gourmetgurus.

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Your Weekend Tv Guide for all your favourite Asian TV channels SATURDAY 25th March 2017

Life OK 05:00 Har Mard Ka Dard 05:30 May I come in Madam? 06:00 May I come in Madam? 06:30 Prem Ya Paheliâ&#x20AC;Ś Chandrakanta 07:30 Sher-E-Punjab Maharaja Ranjit Singh 08:00 Sher-E-Punjab Maharaja Ranjit Singh 08:30 Sher-E-Punjab Maharaja Ranjit Singh 09:00 Sher-E-Punjab Maharaja Ranjit Singh 09:30 Sher-E-Punjab Maharaja Ranjit Singh 10:00 Prem Ya Paheli Chandrakanta 11:00 Best of Savdhaan India 12:00 Best of Savdhaan India 13:00 Best of Savdhaan India 14:00 Best of Savdhaan India 15:00 Sher-E-Punjab Maharaja Ranjit Singh 15:30 Sher-E-Punjab Maharaja Ranjit Singh 16:00 Bluffmaster 19:00 Koffee with Karan

Priyanka Chopra shares adorable photo with 'Quantico' cast

Riding high on success with 'Quantico,' Priyanka Chopra is all smiles with all the love she has got in the West. Now that Season Two of the hit TV-series is about to hit the small screens, it clearly looks like she feels blessed to be working with the whole cast. The 'BajiraoMastani' star took to Twitter and shared an adorable photo from the sets, with the star cast of the drama-thriller. She captioned the snap, "So blessed to work with such great actors... @ReallyMarcia @ BlairUnderwood @aunjanuejlt. Don't miss #Quantico tomorrow night!" PeeCee can be seen sporting a maroon sequined top with a cropped brown leather jacket and black leggings. Recently, the 34-year-old confirmed the news of ending of season two's filming.

B4U Movies SONY MAX

06:00 Kab? Kyoon? Aur Kahan? 09:30 Hoon

Main Prem Ki Diwani