Asian Standard (Leeds) Issue 12 - 16 Jan

FIND OUT WHO ARE OUR MOST INFLUENTIAL SOUTH ASIAN'S OF 2021

BY THE PUBLISHERS OF ASIAN SUNDAY

LEEDS / 10 - 16 JANUARY 2022 / FREE

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LEEDS MOST '

INFLUENTIAL

2021

SOUTH ASIANS

OF

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E ditors N ot e

NEWS ROUNDUP

NO NEED FOR 4TH COVID JAB YET EXPERTS SAY

l e t a P a Fatim

January is always my favourite time of the year, as it's the time where most of us like to set the reset button and set goals that we hope to achieve during the course of the year.

I've set myself some goals, the first one being to spend more time in the real world, rather than the digital social world.

A fourth Covid jab is not yet needed, say UK experts, because booster doses continue to provide high protection against severe disease from the Omicron variant among older adults.

UK Health Security Agency data show three months after boosting, protection against hospitalisation remains at about 90 per cent for people aged 65 and over, the BBC reported. Protection against mild symptomatic infection is more short-lived, the data revealed. That drops to around 30 per cent by about three months, it added.

According to the Agency, figures also show why it is important to get a booster dose if you have only had two doses so far. With just two vaccine doses, protection against severe disease drops to around 70 per cent after three months and to 50 per cent

While social media has many advantages it can also have some disadvantages. Advantages being you can access news and information quickly on social media, but the disadvantage is the pressure of keeping up with posts,however most importantly it is making sure you don't succumb to the pressure and the need for likes and followers.

The point I am making is don't make social media your reality and start looking away from likes and followers.

Moving on to this week's issue, well it's always my most favourite as we reveal our most influential list of 2021. As nominated by our readers and compiled and put together by my amazing team of journalists and creative team.

LINKEDIN ROLLING OUT INTERACTIVE AUDIO EVENTS THIS MONTH

This year we received more nominations than we have ever received since the lists were launched - so THANK YOU, especially for those who sent in nominations for me, you know I can't accept them. Nevertheless, I hope you enjoy reading our compilation and celebrate our great achievers and influencers of 2021.

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Professional networking platform LinkedIn is reportedly rolling out a new events platform, where it will be listing, hosting and marketing interactive, virtual live events.

According to TechCrunch, it is starting first with an audio-only product that it will be launching this month in beta, followed by a video version that it will launch in the spring, initially targeting creators that use LinkedIn as organisers and hosts. With virtual events finding a lot of traction in the last couple of years of pandemic life, the plan, for now, is for LinkedIn's new events product to be an all-virtual offering, and to open up the format to be shaped by those running the events themselves, the report said. "Our philosophy

is to put the organizers in control," Jake Poses, product manager, was quoted as saying. "We want to make it easier to host virtual round tables, fireside chats, and more. Some may want the event to be more formal or less formal. Some might want to communicate with their audience, to open up to the floor.

We are giving professionals interactivity and support," Poses added. LinkedIn has over the last year been experimenting with other features that it might add to this events service, such as a paid, ticketed option that it started testing in September last year. Poses confirmed that interactive events are being launched as a free service, with no plans for ticketing at this point.

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after six months. The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), which advises on vaccine policy, said the priority, therefore, remains to get first, second and third doses to those who have not already had them. This is despite some countries such as Israel starting to give fourth Covid shots to manage the highly infectious Omicron variant that is causing rising numbers of infections around the globe.

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WHATSAPP FOR IOS TO SHOW PROFILE PICTURES IN NOTIFICATIONS Meta-owned messaging platform WhatsApp has reportedly started testing a new feature on iOS that displays profile pictures in system notifications when users receive new messages from chats and groups.

As spotted by WABetaInfo, this feature is starting to roll out for iOS beta testers of WhatsApp as long as they are running iOS 15 and version 2.22.1.1 of the app. The feature will display the profile picture of a person in notifications and one will see DPs in notifications for both individual and group WhatsApp chats. "WhatsApp is releasing profile photos in notifications for people that use at least the 2.22.1.1 beta on iOS 15. Since this feature has been enabled to some beta testers, it may be needed some time before being enabled for your WhatsApp account," WABetaInfo wrote on its page. Meanwhile, the company has recently brought in a new privacy update to prevent unknown contacts from seeing a user's last seen and online

status. The feature will allow WhatsApp users to set their "last seen" status to be viewed by everyone, their contacts, except a

TURKEY AMBITIOUS OVER TECHNOLOGY BRAND TOGG – AIM TO PRODUCE 1 MILLION VEHICLES BY 2030 Turkey’s global technology brand focused on mobility, Togg, has made its public debut at CES 2022, the world's largest consumer electronics show. It held a press conference at the event to announce its vision to the world.

Togg aims to be Europe's first non-classical born electric SUV manufacturer when it begins production in Gemlik in 2022. It develops electric and connected next-generation vehicles and a mobility ecosystem to support them. Within the ecosystem it has created around smart and connected cars, the company develops new technologies, services, user experiences, and new business models.

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Togg's vision car is that of a dynamic and innovative fastback. The smart device was unveiled to the world at CES 2022 – it was transported to the United States via a Turkish Cargo aircraft. The car is a dynamic and innovative fastback that introduces Togg's styling DNA. The basis of the car's styling concept is the muscular rear design and the shoulder line that extends from the headlights to the rear, presenting a strong side profile.

The car's illuminated Togg logo represents the unification of Eastern and Western cultures.

Togg's goal is to reach one million production units by 2030 by developing five distinct electric and connected models on a common platform.

blacklist of specific people. This new feature has been reportedly rolled out for both Android and iOS-enabled devices.

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SON WHO BRUTALLY BEAT HIS DAD TO DEATH SENTENCED TO LIFE SHAWNA HEALEY

A man from Bradford has been jailed for the murder of his father.

Phillip Badwal, 25, was sentenced on Thursday 6 January, to life with a minimum term of 20 years at Bradford Crown Court after he pleaded guilty to murdering Santokh ‘Charlie’ Singh at the house they shared in Airedale Road in Barkerend.

Mr Singh has been described as generous and sociable, raising money for charity and enjoying a drink in the pub after work.

Badwal was arrested on suspicion of murder after emergency services were called to the address on 30 November 2020 and found Mr Singh with serious injuries.

Mr Singh, who was 59, was pronounced dead at the scene.

After being charged with his father’s murder on 2 December 2020, Badwal appeared before magistrates on 3 December 2020, where he was remanded into

custody ahead of a trial.

This began at Bradford Crown Court earlier this week but was halted suddenly on the second day when Badwal changed his plea.

On Tuesday 4 January, the court heard that Mr Singh had been desperate to move out of the family home he shared with his wife and their youngest son Mr Badwal and on his birthday in November 2020 his older sons, from a previous relationship, had shown him around a new flat they had found for him.

But the next day Mr Badwal subjected his father to a prolonged beating during which he used a cricket bat to rain down blows on his head and body.

Richard Wright QC, the lead prosecutor, said Mr Singh had fractures to the skull, bruising to the brain as well as a broken leg and fractured ribs.

He also alleged Mr Badwal had also kicked and stamped on his father, even changing his footwear during the violence, and had

Happier days - Mr Santokh ‘Charlie’ Singh. Image Facebook

most likely used a metal dog bowl during the beating.

Mr Wright QC also said the defendant called drug dealer numbers instead of emergency services after the attack.

Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Superintendent Tony Nicholson, said: “Mr Badwal unleashed a serious and sustained assault on his father in the house that they shared, leaving him with injuries which were to sadly prove fatal.

“Rather than seek urgent medical attention for his seriously injured father, Badwal contacted drug dealers before finally ringing the emergency services, who, despite their best efforts, were unable to revive Mr Singh.

“Our thoughts remain with the family of Mr Singh at this very sad time, and I hope this outcome will bring them some comfort and closure.”

Mr Singh’s younger brother Vinnie Badwal posted a heartfelt statement on Facebook describing that it has been ‘the hardest thing he has ever had to endure in his entire life’ The post on Facebook reads: “Losing my big brother Santokh ‘Charlie’ Singh has been the hardest thing I’ve ever had to endure, in my entire life. Our father passed away just a few weeks prior,

Phillip Badwal was jailed for life with a 20-year minimum term.

Image West Yorkshire Police he was an elderly gentleman - in stark contrast, my brother was just 59. His only wish after his hardworking life was to be a ‘worry-free pensioner’, but he lived a troubled life.

“My brother left behind an empty space which both he and our late father once occupied, along with ‘dad’ he was the only adult male with whom I had any meaningful relationship - I will miss his blessings, I will miss his chits and chats; I will miss him when I just need some reassurance - his humour was infectious, a most jolly soul, as was his ‘knowledge’ of all things bright and beautiful (not to mention the rest).

“Charlie was a warm and gentle soul with a kind disposition and would help just about anyone. He leaves behind a loving family, two sons who loved him, Charles and Richard, grand-children, siblings

and dozens of nephews and nieces who will all miss him dearly. He didn’t deserve this; he was hardly 8 stone and wouldn’t hurt a fly. He was brutally killed in his own home, a place of absolute sanctuary, by a son he ‘loved’ in more ways that I can say, and despite the many challenges they faced as a toxic family, he stood firm and remained beside them until the very bitter end.

“This was a cruel, barbaric and mindless act ending the life of a much-loved son, father, brother, uncle and grandfather, an award winning apprentice trained engineer of 42 distinguished years who will sadly never be a pensioner!!

“Lost but never forgotten - may God rest his tournament soul, and may karma take a moment to mete out the appropriate punishment upon those who tortured and tormented his kind and gentle soul”

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LEEDS MOST INFLUENTIAL SOUTH ASIANS OF 2021 Every year with the help of our readers, we are able to compile our annual list of key influencers and movers and shakers of Bradford District, Kirklees and the North East. For the first time, with the help of readers we have compiled our very first most influential South Asians of Leeds’ 2021. The list this year was particularly looking for influencers, who have used their position to help in dealing with the pandemic and helped improve society, business and our environment.

Earning money and achieving success is surely hard work, however being able to have influence is something that only a special few can command. These influencers can help make or break a decision, help set trends but also use their status for the good of their industry or community. So, we set out to find out, just who are the most influential within Leeds’ South Asian community.

With hundreds of nominations received this made our task even more difficult of shaving down the list to the final 20 (10 men and 10 women). However, thanks to our panel made up of our editorial team and input from public figures this has finally been achieved. It wasn’t easy trust us as there are so many who are inspiring and deserving of recognition, that it was a real challenge to get to our final 20 influencers. The list is in no particular order and brings forward men and women from all sectors of business, politics, sport, entertainment, and charity. With the ladies first here they are:

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JASVINDER SANGHERA CBE Jasvinder’s story is perhaps one of the most harrowing yet one of hope and resilience. This influential woman has raised three children as a single mother and gained a first-class honours degree, before setting up Leeds-based charity Karma Nirvana in 1993 to support other victims like her, of honour-based abuse and forced marriage.

In 2009, she was awarded a Pride of Britain Award and later was appointed CBE in the Queen's 2013 Birthday Honours.

For decades Jasvinder has been campaigning against gender-based violence and has been hugely influential in her role to help save lives, but also help platform and educate communities about honour crime and forced marriages.

CLLR SALMA ARIF Salma Arif is a trailblazing Leeds councillor, who became Leeds Council’s first female British Asian health chief in 2021.

Salma, grew up in Harehills Lane and enjoyed a happy childhood, now living in Gipton, Cllr Arif has become one of the most influential South Asian female councillors in Leeds.

After being selected to contest the Gipton and Harehills ward at the 2016 local elections, Coun Arif won with a landslide 79 percent of the vote. Despite a good job working as a legal adviser at a software company, she chose to become a full-time councillor a year into representing Gipton and Harehills.

Among some of her many accomplishments Cllr Arif’s most recent success has been is to manoeuvre her influence to reduce burial costs in Leeds.

Currently Cllr Arif is focused on increasing vaccine and booster uptake across Leeds.

RIFHAT MALIK, MBE Rifhat Malik is leading community figure in Leeds. In 2019 she received an MBE for services to Muslim women and to charity.

Mrs Malik has raised money for charity and helped hundreds of hard-to-reach people become more active.

In 1995, she became the first Muslim woman to become a fully trained fitness instructor in Leeds and has worked to promote trust and overcome cultural barriers, helping more than 300 isolated women during her classes.

Mrs Malik, 51, co-founded the Give a Gift scheme four years ago with her husband Hanif Malik, aiming to get Asian people involved with mainstream charity causes.

Since 2013, through the annual Ramadan Toys Appeal, which she established, more than 3,000 gifts have been donated to charities, benefiting over 500 children and their families.

The Moortown mother has also helped raise more than £100,000 for Martin House Children’s Hospice and for children’s heart surgery in Leeds. She and her husband have also raised £20,000 for the Candlelighters cancer charity.

NAHID RASOOL Nahid Rasool is the Chief Executive Officer of Shantona Women’s Centre situated in the heart of Harehills. Nahid has been managing the centre since its foundation in 1998. In the beginning there was only Nahid and one other member of staff, but today it employs over 30 staff members supporting particularly women from Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic communities.

Nahid is a pro-active representative for voicing the needs of local people and issues affecting their lives. She is highly committed and passionate about improving race relations and to reduce inequality in education, health and other sectors. She has major influence as she is on various committees including the Education Leeds Equality and Diversity Team, Family support subgroup, BME strategy group, Community cohesion strategy group’ and many others where she can bring about change and help impact the lives of people in Harehills positively.

In 2017 Nahid received an Honorary Doctorate from Leeds Beckett University.

KIRAN MATHARU Kiran Matharu, is one of Leeds’ most successful golf players. Kiran’s golfing career started when she received an invite to play in her first Ladies European Tour tournament at the 2005 Open De España Femenino, the year she was Welsh Ladies' Strokeplay Championship runner-up 2006 saw her represent Great Britain and Ireland in the Curtis Cup after winning the English Women's Amateur Championship and from thereon Kiran took on a professional golfing career.

Kiran has been competing in the European Tour.

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PROF. GEETHA UPADHYAYA, OBE

SHARON JANDU

Born and raised in India, Professor Geetha schooled in Presentation Convent and obtained her MBBS., MD (Medicine) and her Ph.D from Madras University and worked in India and Malaysia as a Prof of Metabolic Medicine before joining the NHS, UK as a Consultant. She is a visiting Professor at the Leeds Beckett University.

She has a post graduate degreee (Vidvat) in classical Indian dance and music –Geetha has been teaching and performing Bharatanatyam over 30 years nationally and internationally in India, Sri Lanka, USA and UK. Along with her husband Dr Shripati Upadhyaya, Prof. Geetha founded the internationally reputed Bradford based charity Kala Sangam, south Asian arts, culture and heritage company with its own arts centre.

Geetha is also the Director of Axxonet Global Ltd, UK, a medical focusbased company, Sanjeevani Health Care Trust, India which supports young people with learning difficulties and Autism and Kashi Kalash, India which promotes the rich heritage of Varanasi and addresses social and community issues through creative activities. She is a Consultant for Anahat Foundation, India.

Geetha has been on many educational, artistic, health and cultural diversity boards and has received awards such as an OBE for her work on cultural diversity, Niramaya Award by Vibhuti Foundation, Champion for Cultural Harmony, Cultural diversity award and Doctorate of Letters (Bradford University) and most recently the globally recognised Begum Rokeya award (Bangladesh) for Cultural Heritage and diversity. Geetha is committed to equality and race relations nationally and uses her skills and experience to influence change.

Sharon Jandu is founder of the well-established and leading business networking organisation Yorkshire Asian Business Association and is Project Director of Northern Asian Power (NAP) Sharon has given almost two decades in connecting the South Asian businesses communities with national and global business world.

Her pioneering work at YABA has helped businesses grow, but also achieve significant recognition and platforms to have a key voice in important strategic and policy making decisions.

Sharon is also a magistrate and has been actively sitting on the bench since 2009.

KULLY THIARAI Kully Thiarai is creative director and CEO of Leeds 2023 – the city’s international year of culture. Having worked with prestigious arts institutions across the UK, Kully is renowned for her bold work exploring themes of diversity and community.

Before taking up her position at Leeds 2023, Kully was Artistic Director and Chief Executive of National Theatre Wales. Her 30-year career also includes being the founding Director of Cast – a £22 million performance venue in Doncaster and Artistic Director of Contact Theatre Manchester, the Leicester Haymarket Theatre, Theatre Writing Partnership and Red Ladder Theatre Company. She is a board member of the Manchester International Festival (MIF), The Art Foundation and Leeds based theatre company Slung Low. She is also an Honorary Fellow of Central School of Speech and Drama and a fellow of the RSA.

SAIR KHAN Sair is probably one of Leed’s most famous South Asian woman. Born and raised in Leeds Sair made her television debut in the BBC TV programme Doctors.

The talented woman of Pakistani heritage then went on to play the popular role of Alya Nazir in the ITV soap opera Coronation Street in 2014. Alya has continued making her presence felt as a regular character in Coronation Street. Her popularity even got her a stint to compete in the ITV reality series I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! In 2018.

Whenever she can Sair, visits her family in Leeds and tries to use her influence to encourage others from the South Asian community to take up acting or performing arts.

ANJ HANDA Anj Handa is the founder of Inspiring Women Changemakers, an inclusive community of changemakers who stand for fairness and safety for women. Named as one of Grant Thornton’s 100 Faces of a Vibrant Economy in 2018, described by I-news as ‘a bloody brilliant woman’ and winner of the AFSA Positive Action Award, Anj was recently recognised in Forbes as one of the ‘10 Diversity & Inclusion Trailblazers You Need to Get Familiar With’.

Anj is recognised as an authority on Good Governance and Inclusive Leadership. She places a focus on people dynamics: effective communication, impact, and navigating change.

As a professional lobbyist of almost 20 years with in-depth knowledge of UK equality and employment policies and international best practice, she has a wealth of experience social change practices to share.

The list is of course not exhaustive as there are many more influential ladies. We have to mention school teacher Kauser Jan and Shazia Khan consultant radiologist who have made it into our long list

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LEEDS MOST INFLUENTIAL MEN 2021 SANJIV BUTTOO

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NAVEEN AHMED Naveen Ahmed, is managing director of Park Lane Group. Managing Director of Parklane Group which has a unique portfolio of property and leisure brands based across the UK. Naveen is is a very charismatic businessman who tries to take on a hands-on approach in whatever he undertakes.

With over 30 years’ of experience in the property industry Naveen has a wealth of industry experience with an enviable property portfolio which includes a golf course.

Sanjiv Buttoo is an award-winning journalist and broadcaster, currently Managing Editor of BBC Radio Leeds. He leads a large team of journalists, producers and technical staff making innovative and engaging content.

Sanjiv has a vast amount of experience of in the UK broadcast industry and has lived in the Middle East and South Asia with expert knowledge of world politics, social affairs, terrorism and natural disasters. He is trained in emergency planning and has worked regularly in hostile environments, public order and civil unrest situations.

IMAM QARI ASIM Qari Asim, MBE is senior Imam at Makkah Mosque in Leeds, which has won the award of being UK's model mosque. He is a Legal Director at global law firm, DLA Piper.

Qari Asim is an independent advisor to the government to define Islamophobia and is Deputy Chair of Government’s Anti-Muslim Hatred Working Group.

He is Chair of Mosques and Imams National Advisory Board and senior editor of ImamsOnline.

Qari is a trustee of British Future, a think-tank which addresses identity, integration and migration. He is also a trustee of the charities Peace Matters and Hope not Hate, which seeks to challenge and defeat the politics of hate and extremism.

He is a member of ITV Yorkshire’s Diversity Group, on the advisory panel of Oxfam and on the regional leadership board of Mosaic, founded by HRH Prince of Wales, to inspire young people to realise their talents and potential.

Qari is passionate about fostering relations between communities and is a trustee of Christian Muslim Forum, a director of Forum for Promoting Peace (London) and one of the faith advisors to Holocaust Memorial Day Trust and the Near Neighbours programme.

ABID HUSSAIN Abid Hussain is a businessman, philanthropist and CEO of chain of Abu Bakr Supermarkets. The successful entrepreneur has been in the supermarket industry for 20 years.

The first established Abu Bakr supermarket was launched in 2001. The demand was to provide a high-quality shopping experience for South Asian products.

Abid revolutionised and led from the front when it came to innovation and creating a one stop shop for fresh fruit and vegetables, fish, meat and poultry.

Abid also created the Abu2Go, brand which offers hot food service that you can order straight to your door. This includes starters, main course dishes and sweets such as curries, pastries, biryani and mixed Mitai sweets.

Despite some challenges in the past, the local South Asian community see Abid as the go to person whenever they are stuck or in need of help.

Abid has been instrumental in supporting other business owners in the region and given thousands in donations to charity

SUNNY OSAHN Sunny Osahn, from Alwoodley, has been garnering millions of views explaining his religion to social media followers.

Sunny first joined social media to explore and share his voiceover work but soon found a niche explaining the religion to his curious followers.

The father of two has clocked up over 85,000 followers and is now using his mass following to help counteract racism and bullying for people who look like him.

He has a message for all Sikh boys and men who get bullied or taunted and ridiculed for having long hair or wearing a turban through inspiring videos, which educate and help Sikh men be more confident in their faith and appearance.

Sunny wants to use his platform to influence and educate others. Since going viral Sunny has appeared on Steph’s packed lunch and various other media platforms This list is of course not exhaustive, and we have many more influential men from Leeds. Our long list includes Cllr Asghar Khan, leading journalist Qasim Ali.

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DR JAMES GUPTA

LUKE PATEL

James Gupta, is the Co-Founder and CEO of Synap. While a medical student at the University of Leeds he and fellow student, Omair Vaiyani, designed an app to make revision for exams fun, interactive and impactful. Together they formed Synap, an award-winning startup based in Leeds, but with clients all over the world, now employing 13 members of staff. It was also named as one of the ‘Top 10 British AI companies to Watch’ by Business Insider.

James is now an Enterprise Ambassador at the University of Leeds.

In this role, James has mentored students, given advice to Spark students, provided a masterclass on app development to MSc students and spoken the University Q&A Enterprise Panel about his experiences leading the growth of Synap.

Luke Patel is a partner at Leeds law firm Blacks Solicitors LLP specialising in commercial dispute resolution and heads up that team. Luke was the winner of the Best Professional in Business award at the Asian English Business Awards 2013. Described in the Legal 500 as “exceptional” he primarily acts for individuals, owner managed businesses and SME’s in a wide range of sectors.

Luke has been at the heart of landmark dispute cases.

DR ZULFI HUSSAIN, MBE Dr Zulfi Hussain MBE is an multi-award winning entrepreneur and a significant speaker and coach across the U.K, as well as a successful entrepreneur, restauranteur founding one of the top 10% most popular restaurants in the world and nominated Travellers' Choice Award (Trip Advisor) and Cat's Pyjamas.

A global speaker, Zulfi has spoken in multiple countries and for a number of leading institutes including Ashridge, Future Cities Forum, University of Bradford Management School, Loyalty World Europe, Oxford Brookes University and the NHS. Zulfi offers individual coaching to Managing Directors and CEO's on business coaching and mentoring, leadership and management development, and business change and transformation.

Zulfi has significant Chair and Board level experience in regional business development, the NHS, public sector and charities.

SOHAIL RASHID Sohail Rashid is an award-winning tech entrepreneur, former property lawyer, data strategist and CEO. He co-founded the revolutionary business View My Chain The View My Chain platform radically improves the current home moving process using automated key data milestones within the closed community of a house purchase chain and the associated estate agents to both speed up transactions and improve the certainty of a successful purchase. Whilst doing all this it reduces effort, costs and time spent on progress chasing and chain management and allows the agent to be more efficient and deliver a better level of customer service to the customer, the home mover.

Using his property and technology knowledge Sohail has been influential in teaming up with the UK’s largest conveyancing panel manager, Move with Us, helping strengthen his business and achieve great growth levels.

JABBAR KARIM Jabbar Karim is lovingly known as Mr Fever, having founded Leeds most established community radio stations – Fever FM. As well as championing West Yorkshire's Asian community radio scene since 1989 and being a nurturer of the region's new and emerging broadcasting talent, he is also a charming, affable and versatile presenter.

Jabbar and his team have been using the power and influence of the community radio station, to not only entertain listeners, but to champion debate and discussion on the airwaves.

In addition to that Jabbar and his team have raised millions for charity over the years, helping local, national and international causes.

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West Yorkshire First Buses Image Wikipedia

BUSES IN WEST YORKSHIRE FACING A ‘CLIFF-EDGE’ IN FUNDING

BY RICHARD BEECHAM Regional transport chiefs have warned bus services in West Yorkshire are looking at a “cliff edge”, as funding uncertainty could force operators into cancelling services altogether in the coming months.

A senior Leeds city councillor has called on the Government to step in and further subsidise the “broken” public transport model across the country, claiming fares are currently so expensive that low paid workers were effectively spending a month’s worth of wages on travel every year.

It follows a report from West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) officers, which said the Government’s bus recovery fund, which subsidises services suffering from post-Covid drops in passenger numbers, is set to end in March.

A meeting of WYCA’s transport committee heard how the Government’s vaguery on whether this funding would continue has made it difficult for bus companies to plan financially and could jeopardise some services in the region.

Cllr Kim Groves Head of the committee Cllr Kim Groves said the combined authority did not support any fare increases to offset this.

She added: “Even before the increases, people found the fares were too high anyway. For what they’re earning, there is going to be increases in energy and food costs, so it’s going to get harder. The Government has to

step in because this is a broken model.

“They have subsidised London for years, and now they tell us that model doesn’t work, that they have to withdraw 100 routes and hike up fares down there. If they want to help people and attract more people, it’s going to have to be a lower flat fare right across the country.

“Transport is the solution to so many policy objectives, and the Government is going to have to start taking this seriously.

“People on low incomes, if you do the sums, they only earn 11 months’ pay, because the other month is spent on transport.”

Financial support for bus operators, known as bus recovery funding, has been available during the past few months as services suffered hits to passenger numbers.

However, the extra cash is set to run out in the Spring and, as the Omicron variant continues to spread, experts say it is unlikely bus passenger numbers in the region will fully recover any time soon.

Earlier this week, the Department for Transport has said it is discussing the issue with bus operators to see what

Susan Hinchcliffe help is needed but stopped short of committing to extra funding beyond March.

Senior WYCA officer Dave Pearson told the meeting: “We are looking at a cliff-edge when it comes to funding into buses. That brings some concern – the bus companies are flagging the fact that when we wrote this back in the autumn. The

optimistic view back then was that patronage would get back to 80 percent of previous levels by the end of march. That is even more optimistic now because of the latest wave of the pandemic.

“Government hasn’t said it will continue funding beyond march and bus companies have no certainty, they can’t do any meaningful financial planning for the coming year.

“There is a real risk now that the bus network shrinks just at the time when we are embarking on a plan to improve it.”

Committee chair and Bradford Council leader Susan Hinchcliffe said: “People need to know this is council tax money that is going on buses.

The government really (has) no plans for the future of how the buses are going to be subsidised, and that is a real concern.

“We have prices increasing across the country for all sorts of services, and buses are forecasted to go up.

For the cost of living, that is really, really serious, and I would urge government to continue that subsidy at a similar level to help people get about and get to work.”

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OPINION

Legal Matters with Luke Patel Luke Patel is a Partner at Leeds law firm Blacks Solicitors LLP specialising in commercial dispute resolution and heads up that team.

Luke was the winner of the Best Professional in Business award at the Asian English Business Awards 2013. Described in the Legal 500 as “exceptional” he primarily acts for individuals, owner managed businesses and SME’s in a wide range of sectors.

SCOPE OF DUTY OF PROFESSIONAL ADVISERS

This judgment makes it easier for Claimants who have suffered a loss as a result of negligent advice to pursue claims against their professional advisers as it provides a more generous and expansive test for the scope of duty of the adviser. Professionals should consider checking their retainers to consider what risks they are being retained to advise on and, more crucially, how they can guard against those risks. Such an approach will help to mitigate against an assumption of any responsibility that may not be obvious from the scope of the retainer.

In a landmark judgment, the Supreme Court has ruled in favour of Manchester Building Society in its long running dispute with its former auditor, Grant Thornton.

Grant Thornton were the Society’s auditors from 1997 to 2012. Between 2004 to 2010 the Society purchased and issued lifetime mortgages. These were mortgage loans designed to release the equity in the borrower’s home.

Interest on the loan was charged at a fixed rate but neither the interest nor the capital was repayable until the borrower died, left the property or chose to repay the loan. The mortgage loans were funded by the Society borrowing at variable interest rates. In order to protect itself against the risk of the costs of borrowing exceeding the fixed rate of interest received from the mortgage loans, the Society entered into interest rate swap contracts. However, the value of the swaps fluctuated according to interest rates and their value had to be reported in the Society’s accounts which would have produced unacceptable levels of volatility in those accounts.

To mitigate this, the Society adopted “hedge accounting”.

This concealed the swings in the Society’s capital position, but it resulted in a severe disparity between the negative value of the swaps (as a consequence of the

financial crisis in 2008) and the value of the mortgages which they were meant to hedge.

Prior to purchasing the mortgages and the swaps and before adopting hedge accounting the Society had sought advice from Grant Thornton who advised the Society that its combination of swaps and mortgages passed the stringent tests applicable to the use of hedge accounting.

However, in 2013 Grant Thornton informed the Society that it was not after all permitted to apply hedge accounting in preparing financial statements. This resulted in the Society having insufficient capital to comply with the Bank of England rules. To rectify the situation, the Society had to close out the interest rate swap contracts early at a cost to it of over £32m. The Society sought to recover these

costs from Grant Thornton.

Grant Thornton admitted that it had been negligent but defended liability on the basis that the swap rate cost did not fall within its scope of duty when it gave the advice and undertook the audits.

The High Court and the Court of Appeal agreed with Grant Thornton, but the Supreme Court has now overturned those rulings.

The Supreme Court found that the loss suffered by the Society was a loss which fell within the scope of the duty of care assumed by Grant Thornton, taking into account the purpose for which they gave the advice regarding hedge accounting.

It found that the scope of duty of care assumed by a professional adviser is governed by the purpose of the duty, judged on an objective basis by reference to the reason why the advice was being given.

Therefore, in the case of negligent advice, the Court should consider what risk the duty was supposed to guard against and whether the loss suffered represented the fruition of that risk.

The Supreme Court awarded the

Society damages totalling £13.4m, the amount being reduced by 50% for contributory negligence as the Court found that the Society was partly to blame for the situation it had found itself in.

This judgment makes it easier for Claimants who have suffered a loss as a result of negligent advice to pursue claims against their professional advisers as it provides a more generous and expansive test for the scope of duty of the adviser. Professionals should consider checking their retainers to consider what risks they are being retained to advise on and, more crucially, how they can guard against those risks.

Such an approach will help to mitigate against an assumption of any responsibility that may not be obvious from the scope of the retainer.

If you are involved in any professional of negligence claim, then Blacks Solicitors have specialist lawyers who can assist.

Please contact Luke Patel on 0113 227 9316 or by email at “LPatel@

LawBlacks.com”.

10 - 16 JANUARY 2022

VAANI KAPOOR: NEVER CHOSEN FILMS THINKING I'LL WIN AWARDS FOR THEM TAAPSEE PANNU, TAHIR RAJ BHASIN'S 'LOOOP LAPETA' TO RELEASE ON NETFLIX ON FEBRUARY 4 TIGER SHROFF KICKSTARTS FINAL SCHEDULE OF 'HEROPANTI 2'

BONDING WITH THE SHIKHARWATI’S

TWO

FILM FASHION BEAUTY

VAANI KAPOOR: NEVER CHOSEN FILMS THINKING I'LL WIN AWARDS FOR THEM

VICKY KAUSHAL REQUESTS AANAND L. RAI TO CAST HIM IN DIRECTOR'S NEXT FILM Bollywood actor Vicky Kaushal, whose wedding with Katrina Kaif was the centre of attention recently, has made a public appeal to Aanand L. Rai for casting him in the director's next venture.

Vicky took to his Instagram story and posted the poster of Rai's recent directorial, 'Atrangi Re' starring Sara Ali Khan, Dhanush and Akshay Kumar. Mightily impressed with the film, the 'Masaan' actor wrote on the picture, "Kitni pyaari Film hai... mazaa aa gaya! @saraalikhan95 such a difficult role to play

and how wonderfully you have surrendered yourself to it."

He added, "@dhanushkraja absolutely genius. @akshaykumar Garda uda diye! @ aanandlrai Cast me in your next Film Sir, please!" 'Atrangi Re' took the direct-to-digital route as it released to a positive response on Disney+ Hotstar.

As for Vicky, the actor will have three releases this year including 'Govinda Naam Mera', 'The Great Indian Family' and 'Mimi' director Laxman Utekar's next untitled film.

Actress Vaani Kapoor, who will be next seen in 'Shamshera', says she never chooses films thinking that she would win awards for them, but picks them from her heart.

Vaani says "I have never chosen films thinking I will win awards for them. I have always chosen projects from my heart and that's why I'm fortunate that I have films like 'Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui' in my filmography.

"It is rare to find a project that can consume you, make you dissolve yourself on screen to become someone like Maanvi. Maanvi is an idea and an ideal for the world and I'm blessed that I got to play this character with all my heart and soul." She said that if people have loved my performance, it's because the character was written so "beautif ully and with so much dignity."

The actress added "If I were to win awards, I would dedicate them to the transgender community in India because we wanted to speak about inclusivi ty. If the film wins or my performance wins, it will show people that mainstream media is embracing this thought of much-needed change.

"Mainstream media has the power to change societies, make it evolve, and become better. But again, we didn't make the film keeping awards in mind.

It was made from the purest place in Abhishek Kapoor's heart. He wanted us to open our minds." She added "We made the film to seed a thought about changing oneself, one's beliefs and ideas about how society is and how society should be for the future generat ions."

TIGER SHROFF KICKSTARTS DEV PATEL JOINS BENEDICT CUMBERBATCH IN WES FINAL SCHEDULE OF ANDERSON'S NEW FILM 'HEROPANTI 2' Action star Tiger Shroff recently updated his fans through his social media that he has started the last leg of "Heropanti 2' schedule.

Tiger took to his Instagram story to share the poster of the film as he wrote on the picture, "Time to suit up again for one last sched #heropanti2 #eid2022." The poster features Tiger in a John Wick - esque avatar as he aims guns from atop a sports car.

'Heropanti 2' is the sequel of Tiger's debut film where he was seen opposite another debutante back then, Kriti Sanon. Both the actors have since grown strength to strength and have even reunited for their upcoming film, 'Ganapath'.

As for 'Heropanti 2', the film written

by Rajat Arora and produced by Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment is being helmed by choreographer actor Ahmed Khan and it also stars Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Tara Sutaria.

Dev Patel will be seen sharing screen space with star Benedict Cumberbatch in Wes Anderson's newest feature, an adaptation of Roald Dahl's short story collection 'The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar and Six More'.

As per Variety, the project will go on the floors in the UK this month. Ralph Fiennes, and Ben Kingsley will also feature in the film. The new

movie marks Anderson's second outing with Dahl's classic works after the filmmaker crafted 'The Fantastic Mr. Fox' into a stop-motion film in 2009 and co-wrote the screenplay with Noah Baumbach. The title story of the upcoming film centres on Henry Sugar, a man who steals a book that shows him how-to see-through objects and predict the future.

FILM FASHION BEAUTY

TAAPSEE PANNU, TAHIR RAJ BHASIN'S 'LOOOP LAPETA' TO RELEASE ON NETFLIX ON FEBRUARY 4 February 2022 will surely start on a great note for actor Taapsee Pannu's fans as her film 'Looop Lapeta' is scheduled to hit Netflix next month.

Taapsee took to Instagram and informed fans that 'Looop Lapeta', which also features Tahir Raj Bhasin, will release on February 4.

"Hey jholer @tahirrajbhasin to yeh shortcuts ke lapete mein phasna kab band karega ! Can Savi save him this time? You will know soon.

Get ready for Looop Lapeta, A Sony Pictures Films India Feature, and Ellipsis Entertainment Production, directed by Aakash Bhatia, coming on 4th Feb, only on Netflix," she wrote.

Helmed by Aakash Bhatia, 'Looop Lapeta' is touted as an adventurous ride through a sticky situation where a girlfriend Savi (played by Taapsee) is on a mission to rescue her boyfriend (Tahir). "I am excited to be a part of this next project with Netflix, especially with the film being such a versatile genre. This compelling story was extremely enjoyable to make along with my director, Aakash and co-star, Tahir. I cannot wait for fans and audiences to watch this edge-of-the-seat film and enjoy it as much as we loved making it," Taapsee said.

Tahir also opened up about his character. "I am so excited about the release of Looop Lapeta. The film is a clutter breaking take on

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BOMAN IRANI HEAPS PRAISE ON 'RUNWAY 34' TEAM Actor Boman Irani has recently wrapped up shooting for 'Runway 34', which also stars Amitabh Bachchan, Ajay Devgn and Rakul Preet Singh.

Boman took to Instagram and praised the whole team for their commendable work. "A few days ago we wrapped on @ajaydevgn 's #runway34. This was on the first day of the shoot. Every frame Ajay set up displayed his wonderful craft and love for cinema. Was a treat to watch @amitabhbachchan striding the stage, displaying his rigourou s and painstaking approach to every minute move," he wrote.

Boman feels grateful that they all are a part of the gift of cinema.

"First time with the wonderful @rakulpreet and I would be remiss if I did not mention the wonderful work of the fabulous #aseembajaj on camera. Bless you all. So grateful we are part of the gift of cinema, " he shared, adding a picture of him from the sets. 'Runway 34' marks Ajay's return to the director's chair after 'Shivaay' in 2016. The film is schedul ed to release in April this year.

new age romance, and a genre I am exploring for the first time. I can't wait for the world to meet the characters Satya and Savi.

Our director Aakash Bhatia has a unique style stamp that has created a visually stunning world

where thrill and comedy combine for one crazy rollercoaster of an entertainer," he shared.

'Looop Lapeta' is produced by Sony Pictures Films India, Ellipsis Entertainment along with Aayush Maheshwari.

CHRIS PRATT 'CANNOT WAIT TO SHARE SCREEN' WITH DEWANDA WISE IN 'JURASSIC WORLD: DOMINION' Makers of the much-anticipated scifi-action film 'Jurassic World: Dominion' have released new footage from the movie giving fans a first look at a brandnew character played by DeWanda Wise alongside fan favourite Owen Grady played

by Chris Pratt.

The new footage from the third instalment of the 'Jurassic World' franchise is set to unleash beasts of the past from outside of the park and onto modern civilization. The preview features Chris Pratt as Owen Grady alongside 'The Harder They Fall' actor DeWanda Wise, whose role has not been disclosed yet.

The image sees both the actors in a snowy landscape facing an obstacle. Sharing the picture on his Instagram handle, Chris wrote, "Cannot wait to share the silver screen with the great and powerful @ dewandawise as she makes an entrance you will never forget. Blessed. Humbled.

Grateful." Seems like Chris and Wise will form a partnership as they attempt to rescue and fight the dinosaurs unleashed

on earth, in the movie. As per USA Today, while Bryce Dallas Howard's Claire Dearing is not present Wise will continue to have a significant role in the film series and can be seen in a pretty dire situation in a previously-released image. Set four years after the last film, the upcoming sequel will see the return of Daniella Pineda and Justice Smith, while re-introducing iconic characters from the original Jurassic Park trilogy, including Sam Neill as Alan Grant, Laura Dern as Ellie Sattler, and Jeff Goldblum as Ian Malcolm, who also played a small role in the 'Fallen Kingdom'.

As per USA Today, the upcoming film might bring the 'Jurassic World' saga to a close, although it is unclear if it stands as the definitive end for the entire franchise.

Colin Trevorrow returns to the director's chair after handling the first Jurassic World and serves as a co-writer for the film with Emily Carmichael. 'Jurassic World Dominion' will release in theatres on June 10, 2022.

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'KAUN BANEGI SHIKHARWATI' MAKERS SAY WORKING WITH ENSEMBLE CAST TOOK THE PRESSURE OFF Web series 'Kaun Banegi Shikharwati' has brought together an ensemble cast of actors from across generations such as veterans like Naseeruddin Shah and Raghubir Yadav to Lara Dutta, Soha Ali Khan and youngsters Anya Singh and Kritika Kamra The directors of the show Gauravv K. Chawla and Ananya Banerjee shared how working with such a huge cast actually takes the pressure away from delivering the best. Asked if they felt any extra pressure of justifying the presence of every talent in the show, Gauravv told IANS "I think it is the opposite, working with an ensemble cast like that actually takes the pressure off. We did not feel the pressure because we were working with the best team, not only of those actors but also every technician.

We as directors just had to bring them together to the world that we wanted to create, so we narrated the story and quite willingly they came on board.

"I remember Naseer sir told me that it is actually a bad thing if other actors around him feel intimidated by him because of the veteran and powerful actor he is. But I saw how he took a few extra steps to make sure that everybody on the set is happy and comfortable. These actors are real team players."

Gauravv earlier directed the Saif Ali Khan-starrer 'Baazaar'.

Adding to that Ananya who is also the writer of the show said, " I think it was a validation for us when after we finalised the script and

went to all our actors with the story, they came on board. That means they understood the world that we wanted to present to the audience.

"I also looked at it as an opportunity for us to make a family show that these days on OTT we do not get to see. There was so much toxicity and negativity around us that we are going through for the last two years that 'Kaun Banegi Shikharwati' is a relief for some time from that. It is a happy family watch."

The story of the show revolves around four women of different age groups and how they compete among themselves to become the next ruler of the royal family. While there were some funny moments the audience get to watch, Ananya said that writing a funny female character was quite an exciting space for her to explore.

"Writing comedy is exciting and tough at the same time. I have seen most of the time, women are the butt of the joke in most of the content, so the audience is laughing at them instead of with them...you know what I mean?

I wanted to change that subtly through my writing and that is why we kept it funny, quirky, and emotional.

"Honestly, how the audience will respond is something we will surely want to know, but during the shooting of the show, we have built a family...we wish to catch up with everyone soon," Ananya signed off.

'Kaun Banegi Shikharwati' is streaming on ZEE5.

CATE BLANCHETT TO PRODUCE, STAR IN PEDRO ALMODOVAR'S FIRST ENGLISH-LANGUAGE FEATURE Oscar-winning actor Cate Blanchett is all set to produce and star in 'A Manual for Cleaning Women', the first English language feature from Oscar-winning Spanish filmmaker Pedro Almodovar.

Deadline has confirmed that the movie is currently in the early stages of development. 'A Manual for Cleaning Women' is based on Lucia

Berlin's 43-part collection of short stories, examining the lives of women working a wide variety of demanding jobs. Blanchett, Andrew Upton and Coco Francini will produce the movie for Dirty Films, with Almodovar for El Deseo, and Brian Oliver and Bradley Fischer for New Republic Pictures. The movie is Almodovar's follow-up to 'Parallel Mothers', the Sony Pictures Classic drama starring Penelope Cruz about two mothers who give birth the same day, and the Englishlanguage short 'The Human Voice' starring Tilda Swinton.

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MOVIE REVIEW

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'KAUN BANEGI SHIKHARWATI': PERFECTLY CAST, QUIRKY SERIES OF A DYSFUNCTIONAL ROYAL FAMILY. Released: 7 January 2022 Platform: Zee5 Directors: Gauravv K. Chawla, Ananya Banerjee; Starring: Naseeruddin Shah, Raghubir Yadav, Soha Ali Khan, Lara Dutta, Anya Singh, Kritika Kamra, Cyrus Sahukar, Varun Thakur Star rating: 3.5/5

Set in the royal land of Rajasthan, 'Kaun Banegi Shikharwati' is a quirky ten-episode series where a father attempts to reunite his four estranged daughters to save the legacy they hold. Naseeruddin Shah plays Raja Mrityunjay, the erstwhile King of Shikharwati, who has amounted a huge debt of property tax to the Indian Government. To save himself from the situation he is in, with the help of his close confidant Mishraji (played by the super talented Raghubir Yadav) he feigns a strange illness and calls his four estranged daughters; Devyani, Gayatri, Kamini, and Uma to his Palace with the assurance that he would decide an heir after the four of them compete in a competition.

The rules of the competition are simple. There would be nine rounds in the competition, and each round would be a task which the

princesses would have to perform.

In the end, the winner of the competition would be appointed the next "King".

What follows next in this comedy of errors is as you’ve guessed a wacky series of incidents which puts the princesses through their paces to win the coveted title of ‘King’ and the 200-crore wealth. With an ensemble cast and stalwart Naseeruddin Shah heading this dramedy the series doesn’t disappoint.

What particularly appeases is the casting and very well written characters to match.

Naseeruddin Shah as the idiosyncratic Raja whose moustache helps add to his performance is of course brilliant and it’s so good to see him back in comedy after such a long time. Lara Dutta as Devyani his oldest daughter with marital issues, Soha Ali Khan as his meditating and more considerate second daughter Gayatri who is a single mom to her two children, Kritika Kamra as his third unmarried daughter Kamini who

is obsessed over her social media follower count and Anya Singh as Uma his allergy-prone, gamer daughter all play off their parts effortlessly and are

impressive in their roles.

Supporting the series are Cyrus

Sahukar as Devyani's husband Harsh Neotia, Raghubir Yadav as Mishraji and Varun Tahkur as prince Roop all add to the ensemble and make this series work.

Credit has to be given to Ananya Banerjee and Simran Sahni for giving us female characters who actually have depth and are not your usual caricatured characters often written for women doing comedy in Bollywood. It’s refreshing to see such roles being created for women in India.

In relation to the situations, well while there are some really funny scenes, many of the scenes lack originality, and that’s perhaps why it takes time to really get into the series, but once you’ve got to episode four, you’re sure to be hooked. All the ladies have brilliant screen presence and fit their characters like hand in glove.

The performances are note worthy and the backdrop and screenplay give you the whole package of a family entertainer, that is much needed in the current times we live on.

Overall, cheesy at times, but 'Kaun Banegi Shikharwati' is a great family entertainer and is worth a watch, with the entire family if you’re looking for wholesome entertainment and laughter, then get on to Zee5 now!#

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FILM FASHION BEAUTY

BONDING WITH THE SHIKHARWATI’S Since the digital era of filmmaking has started, the choice, but alsothe quality of films and series in India has improved extensively.

Growing up watching movies in the 80’s and 90’s I had never imagined that today, I would see a radical (I call it radical as that what it is in the context of the Indian film industry) comedy series based around four women.

Normally comic capers in the Indian entertainment industry are led by a group of men, with women either playing a romantic interest or their side kick. So as a female audience (but I am sure men will also agree) it’s refreshing and delightful to be given an option to be presented with a series such as Kaun Banegi Shikarwati to watch.

We caught up with three of the four actors, playing the Shikharwati princesses to find out all about how they viewed their performances and of course if they were nervous filming around the stalwart Naseeruddin Shah.

Here are excerpts from the interview.

BY FATIMA PATEL You’ve been getting some really good reviews on the series so far. Have you watched the series together and have you had a chance to reflect on your performances? How critical are you of your own performances?

Soha: The plan was to watch it together, to have a group screening and to

call family and friends and then of course the cases started to rise in India, particularly in Mumbai at quite a staggering rate that we had to stall all on ground promotions, and we haven’t been able to meet each other was well. Which is what we

were discussing before you joined us. So, I watched it with my husband (laughs) I have very critical people around me, and he insisted on giving me feedback when you don’t want it. I was like just watch the show (laughs). We watched it through -

it’s a comedy he really enjoyed the performances, it’s a really unique setting - very colourful. When it comes to me personally watching myself on screen to answer you’re question I didn’t cringe too many times. Once or twice when I was like

FILM FASHION BEAUTY

a few expressions, a few angles a few cuts, a few hairstyles, I was like err, but on the whole, because there is so much happening and so many people to watch, and you really get involved with what is happening on screen, it’s so much more than your particular performance. There are a couple of times where all of us have important scenes where we get a moment to act and perform, especially with Naseer Saab who plays our father. I think I was quite happy with the way Lara (laughs) did her scene and Anya did her scene. I think we all did quite well.

Lara, Anya would you like to add anything to that?

SEVEN

opposed to like Anya to decide or be critical of what she has done.

Then I take a month off and I watch it again to actually understand where I could have done something differently. The one feedback that a lot of my friends have been telling me and I am saying this because you spoke about our bond and how we get along, was they really enjoyed the scenes with the all the sisters and a lot of them said I wish there was more of that and that made me really happy, because we didn’t know each other, till we started shooting, so the fact that bond comes across and they enjoyed it and wanted to see more of it. Very heart-warming.

Soha: Please do!

Anya: So, for myself, one I haven’t done a lot of work, but the first time around when I watch something that I have done, I watch it as a viewer, as

Lara: Well, I’ve obviously done a lot of work in 18 years, but that doesn’t stop me from being critical about me on screen. I all, she can’t be goofing around on screen with David Dhawan’s brand of comedy. So, there was finding a fine line between not making a

have watched it with family, and I think in general the takeaway was that it made for great family watching, we had something for every single person, so whether it’s your parents or my husband, there were characters that each of them related to.

For myself I’m always very critical about my work. With this show in particular the character I was given of Devyani is somebody who is a perfectionist who is quite serious who takes herself a little too seriously in life.

Gaurav knowing that I have built my career pretty much on doing a lot of comic genre of films, wanted me to bring a David Dhawan brand of comedy to this character and I kept fighting it – I said you’ve given me a character that’s supposed to be the most serious of them

has been done on screen, I think I am quite happy with the way I have played Devyani on screen – I don’t think I would have played her any

differently. Like Soha said that the synergy between the four sisters, was very important to maintain. I think we were able to do justice to that. So, when I look at the show, if you ask me personally, I think it’s been brilliantly cast.

For more on this interview and to hear the trio reveal what

character caricaturist and if I look at it now in hindsight with what

it was like on set filming with Naseeruddin Shah and who is their favourite Princess of Shikharwati visit our YouTube channel Asian Sunday Online.

JOIN US ON

y a d n u s y r e v e WITH NEW INTERVIEWS, REVIEWS AND SHOWS

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14

LEEDS

PEOPLE ARE BEING ADVISED NOT TO SHOW LATERAL FLOW TESTS ON SOCIAL MEDIA leading to a shortage because of

BY GRAHAME ANDERSON

demand. But it’s vital those taking a test don’t produce their results on

A fresh warning for people not

social media.

to show the code from their lateral

It’s important to remember a pass

flow test results online has been

is required for venues including

made to everyone across the region.

clubs and indoor, non-seated events

Asian Standard has learned

for more than 500 people.

criminal gangs are waiting in the

They also need to be shown at

wings to exploit individuals by

outdoor non-seated events for more

scanning the results to create fake

than 4,000 people, as well as any

covid passes. There are also fears

setting where more than 10,000 will

those who are still infected could

gather.

steal the pictures to avoid isolation.

For the time being the

What’s more, burglars could

government are sticking with full

target houses they know are empty

plan B guidelines.

if a person provides a negative result and isn’t confined to their home.

Last month Sky News reported fake or fraudulent EU Covid certificates were being advertised online by criminal groups. In fact, Italian authorities suspended 17 public and private messaging platforms, advertising the supply of illegal Covid-19 vaccination certificates.

Covid Lateral flow test Image Unsplash

Shahzad Ali, is CEO of Get Licensed, an organisation responsible for training individuals to work in the security industry.

He explained: “Covid passes will compromise the safety of venues like nightclubs so it’s best not to share lateral flow tests online.

“For the gangs whilst grossly

of them being introduced.

“When we consider the consequences

because there will be people who

make the job much

want to go about their life like

more dangerous.”

normal and not have to take Covid

“There is

tests for things they didn’t have to

obviously going

before, so it is extremely important

are especially

to be a market

that you look after your Covid pass.”

forthcoming with

for Covid passes,

of people who

unethical and potentially very dangerous, it is also illegal to use/ supply/distribute fake Covid passes and could see you rack up a fine of £10,000 should you be caught.

“This is just a new complication that door supervisors will soon become used to facing. It was

With a surge in cases of omicron the illegal practice is growing at an alarming rate as others look to make financial gain from the process.

Shahzad added: “Our advice would be to avoid posting any test on social media, don’t share the code from the lateral flow you have taken because others could register it as their test.”

always inevitable that fake

In the light of recent

Covid passes would start

government advice millions of

to appear as soon as there were rumours

their beliefs, it could

people are taking lateral flow Shahzad Ali CEO of Get Licensed

and PCR tests across the UK

Covid passes will compromise the safety of venues like nightclubs so it’s best not to share lateral flow tests online. For the gangs whilst grossly unethical and potentially very dangerous, it is also illegal to use/supply/ distribute fake Covid passes and could see you rack up a fine of £10,000 should you be caught. This is just a new complication that door supervisors will soon become used to facing.

It was always inevitable that fake Covid passes would start to appear as soon as there were rumours of them being introduced.

Shahzad Ali, CEO of Get Licensed

15

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LEEDS

COVID: HOW TO MAKE SENSE OF THE UK’S NEW TESTING RULES

BY PROFESSOR SIMON KOLSTOE One positive aspect of the pandemic has been increased public understanding of epidemiology and even virus biology. However, there still seems to be significant confusion when it comes to COVID tests – particularly when or why each type of test can or should be used.

Recent changes to the UK’s testing rules have only added to this problem.

As of early January, the UK government has reduced situations where it is necessary to take a PCR test in favour of greater reliance on lateral flow tests (LFTs).

Without a clear explanation, such changes risk seeming rapid and arbitrary, with the suspicion that they are based on just saving money. However, when assessing the strengths of each type of test, together with the present state of the pandemic in the UK, can we discern any scientific logic behind these changes?

Understanding the tests PCR tests detect the presence of the coronavirus’s genetic material (RNA) in a sample, and they are extremely good at doing this. But they do not show whether someone is currently infectious. A person may have recovered from COVID but still have small amounts of the virus in their system – hence recommendations not to repeat PCR testing within 90 days of a positive result.

LFTs instead measure whether viral proteins (called antigens) are present in a sample. They are only positive when a sizeable amount of virus is present. They therefore give a very good indication as to whether someone is currently infectious.

This difference between detecting the presence of the virus and whether someone is likely to be infectious is critical for deciding which test to use in any given situation. For instance, the recommendation to use

Image: Getty Images

LFTs twice weekly (or daily for some professions), regardless of feeling ill, makes absolute sense when trying to stop people who may have COVID – but no symptoms – from inadvertently spreading the virus.

On the other hand, if the intention is to confirm that someone definitely has COVID – for instance if they have coldlike symptoms that could potentially be caused by other bugs – then conducting a PCR test makes sense.

This difference can be further understood if you compare the tests performance over the course of a COVID infection. As a PCR test is about 1,000 times more sensitive than an LFT, it can detect COVID one or two days prior to the infectious period, and then for quite a long period afterwards as the body destroys the last elements of infection. LFTs tend to only give a positive result during the infectious period.

Reviewing the UK’s rule changes

Graph showing approximately when LFTs and PCR tests will give positive results in relation to the most infectious period.

So how does this help us understand the latest testing guidance? One major change announced just before Christmas is for people who have tested positive.

Before they had to isolate for ten days.

This has now changed: People who receive negative LFT results on day six and day seven of their self-isolation period – with tests taken 24 hours apart – will no longer have to self-isolate for the full ten days. The first test must be taken no earlier than day six of the selfisolation period.

This broadly makes sense. Negative LFTs on days six and seven should indicate if a person is past the peak of their infection. The change will prevent people from isolating when they are no longer infectious at a

time when omicron is pushing cases to record levels. The government is even considering whether it might be possible to shorten the isolation period further still.

However, shortening isolation is not without contention. LFTs are not 100% accurate at identifying infectious people – a small number will test negative at day seven and still pose a risk. Note too that this guidance specifically references LFTs; a PCR test would still be positive so soon after catching the virus.

A further change, in force from January 11 in England, is that people who test positive on an LFT should continue to isolate immediately but are no longer required to take a confirmatory PCR test.

The motive here seems to be to prioritise getting people who are likely to be infectious to isolate, but not worry about confirming that they definitely have COVID or which variant of the virus they have (PCR tests can also be used to distinguish between variants). Again, with infection levels so high, this seems like a sensible move that continues to contain transmission but also, maybe this time, saves testing resources.

Finally, fully vaccinated travellers arriving in the UK used to have to take a PCR test two days before travelling and another within two days of arrival.

Now neither is required – people arriving just need to isolate for two days on arrival and take an LFT on day two (and if the LFT is positive, continue to isolate and take a PCR test).

Again, this makes sense – it will identify infectious people and get them to isolate, but it won’t needlessly limit those who have recently got over COVID but would still test positive using a PCR. The requirement of a follow-up PCR test if the LFT is positive potentially allows for authorities to see what variant of the virus it might be (as there’s always the possibility that new variants will arrive from abroad).

But for travellers who are not fully vaccinated, the rules are different.

They still need to take the more sensitive PCR tests prior to travel and on days two and eight after arriving. This decision is slightly harder to understand, because while vaccination protects people from getting seriously ill, it isn’t highly effective at stopping people catching the virus, particularly with the omicron variant.

The logic of more stringent testing of the unvaccinated when omicron is so broadly infectious is therefore unclear. It may be that this decision is more a tactic to try to convince more people to get vaccinated, rather than being a decision based on an entirely scientific rationale.

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COVID TEST RULE CHANGE COMING INTO EFFECT FROM 11 JANUARY.

BY GRAHAME ANDERSON People testing positive on a lateral flow device in England are no longer required to get a follow up PCR test if they don’t have symptoms.

The UK Health Agency explained the new process will come into effect from 11 January. The suspension of confirmatory PCR tests has come about because prevalence of covid cases due to Omicron is high, causing shortages of tests. The suspension will remain in place until prevalence of covid drops below 1 per cent. It’s currently at 4 per cent.

In the hope of bringing down transmission, government scientists would like individuals to self-isolate for the requested seven days as soon as they receive a positive LFT result. People who receive a positive result from an LFT should report their result on gov.uk.

Those who do test positive will be contacted by NHS Test and Trace so anyone in close contact with them can be asked to self-isolate. Those with covid symptoms including fever, new persistent cough or lack of taste or smell should still apply for a Image: Shutterstock

Dr Jenny Harries

Image Wikipedia

PCR test, even if a recent lateral flow test proved negative.

The UKHSA have explained the high prevalence of covid meant the chances of a false positive from a lateral flow test were very low, and that the devices’ accuracy was “very high”.

Critical workers will be able to take a test on each working day and the provision of precautionary testing will be for an initial five weeks, from 10 January.

UKHSA chief executive Dr Jenny Harries said: “While cases of Covid

continue to rise, this tried-andtested approach means that LFDs can be used confidently to indicate Covid-19 infection without the need for PCR confirmation.

“It remains really important that anyone who experiences Covid-19 symptoms self-isolates immediately.

They should also order a PCR test on gov.uk, or by phoning 119.

“I’m really grateful to the public and all of our critical workers who continue to test regularly and selfisolate when necessary, along with other practical and important public

health behaviours, as this is the most effective way of stopping the spread of the virus and keeping our friends, families and communities safe.”

There are exceptions to the new rule for people eligible for the £500 Test and Trace Support Payment (TTSP), who will still be asked to take a confirmatory PCR if they receive a positive LFD result, so they can get financial support.

Asian Standard understands one million people in England who are at particular risk of becoming seriously

ill from Covid-19, also identified by the NHS as being potentially eligible for new treatments will receive a PCR test kit at home by mid-January if they develop symptoms or record a positive LFT result.

Anyone who tests positive on an LFT can leave self-isolation seven days after their first positive result if they test negative on days six and seven, otherwise they must quarantine until day 10.

For more information visit: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

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CROSSWORDS AND PUZZLES

CROSSWORD Across 1. Jason's ship (4) 3. Begin (8) 9. Lingered (7) 10. Homer Simpson's wife (5) 11. Fracture (5) 12. Very dirty (6) 14. Conan Doyle's detective (6) 16. Threefold (6) 19. Saw eye to eye (6) 21. Make sure (5) 24. Tarla, for example (5) 25. Get better (7) 26. Shortened (8) 27. Colouring substances (4)

Spot the

5

differences

Down 1. German motorway (8) 2. Eat gluttonously (5) 4. Fall asleep (3,3) 5. Language of Sri Lanka (5) 6. Zeppelin, for example (7) 7. At all times (4) 8. Inconstant (6) 13. Devil-may-care (8) 15. Not so heavy (7) 17. Cooking instructions (6) 18. Hold in high regard (6) 20. Went astray (5) 22. Hard dark wood (5) 23. Deep unconsciousness (4)

CODEWORD

Fruit vendor in Delhi, India. Image Pallav Paliwal

ANSWERS CODEWORD ANSWERS

CROSSWORD ANSWERS

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RECIPE

FATTOUSH SALAD It’s a new year and guaranteed many of us, will be thinking about eating healthy. So let us help you with this delicious Fattoush Salad from Supreme Ingredients Fattoush is a vibrant Lebanese salad made with fresh vegetables and crispy toasted flatbread/ pitta, which soaks up the dressing beautifully. It’s a simple recipe, packed with freshness and flavour!

INGREDIENTS

METHOD

4 pita breads

Preheat the oven to 180°c. Spilt open pita breads so you

60g rocket leaves

have 2 ‘sheets’ per pita. Place on a baking sheet and bake

200g shredded romaine lettuce 15-20 radishes, sliced 1 small bunch of spring onions, finely sliced

in the oven until crisp and golden. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool then break into large bite size pieces.

½ cucumber, cut in half and sliced

Add all the ingredients for the dressing into a jar. Close

Dressing:

the lid and shake well. Add remaining salad ingredients

¾ cup Zaytuna Olive Oil

onto a serving platter including the crisp pittas. Shake the

¼ cup pomegranate molasses

dressing again and pour generously over the salad. Toss

2 tbsp sumac 2 cloves of garlic, finely minced Salt to taste

well so everything is coated well in the dressing and serve immediately.

½ tsp Supreme Coarse Black Pepper ½ tsp Supreme Chilli Flakes

Recipe in partnership with Supreme ingredients.

For more recipes visit www.supreme-ingredients.com

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SALES EXECUTIVE If you are looking for a job, then this isn't the position you should apply for, but if

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ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT We are looking for a self-starter who can help organise a busy news office.

To apply send a covering letter, along with your CV to editor@asiansunday.co.uk

You will report directly to the Managing Editor, with your day to day

or post to RF Publishing ltd, 5 Green Street, Little Germany, Bradford, BD1 5HG

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@ASIANSTANDARD

MANCHESTER UNITED?

MORE LIKE… MANCHESTER DIVIDED? The club once seen as one of the greatest English clubs in the world is now seeming as if a division within the club has occurred which could cost them heavily as multiple reports suggest.

Manchester United has some of the greatest players from all over the globe so it’s definitely not the players not being good enough.

But it could suggest that these top-class players can’t really play together which is quite surprising and disappointing for the fans who come out and watch their team.

One of the biggest starts in the club who returned to the team in the summer transfer window was none other than the Portuguese superstar, Cristiano Ronaldo.

Ronaldo joined the club after parting ways with his former Italian club: Juventus. He [Ronaldo] was signed for Manchester United in a 2-year deal costing the club £12.85 million which isn’t as much as it seems. But bearing in mind, Ronaldo is now 37 years old and could possibly be in his

last few years in playing football professionally.

Ronaldo debuted in his first game returning vs Newcastle United who they were able to beat 4-1. In total, Ronaldo has played 23 games since returning but their wins haven’t been as spectacular as you would imagine.

Recently, the Red Devils took on Wolves in what was seeming to be a game they would win but ended up losing 1-0. The new appointed temporary manager, Ralf Rangnick also admitted after their loss, “Looking at today’s performance if I say we are 100% convinced we will finish in the top four, I don’t know if people will believe that”.

Luke Shaw, the left-back who plays for Manchester United stressed in an interview after the game, “We weren’t together”. He adds, “You look at the players we have, we have unbelievable quality but sometimes quality is not enough. We need to bring the intensity and more motivation”.

Image: Pixabay

Image: Pixabay

This could be quite a depressing time for not only fans but players as reports have suggested some players are wanting to leave the club. It’s very strange to see the once dominant club having such lacklustre performances. The long rivalry between Manchester United and Liverpool stems back for decades and even then, they weren’t able to use the motivation from past performances to win.

Manchester United lost to Liverpool 5-0

in their much-anticipated game.

Yes, you read that correctly and probably knew!

Some fans are furious about how the Red Devils are turning out and even Olympic gold medalist Usain Bolt isn’t shying away from expressing his thoughts as a tweet emerged from his official Twitter account.

Usain Bolt shared on his Twitter account, “New year same pain”.

Referring to Manchester United’s recent loss to the Wolves.

User @FalolaSegun11 on twitter stressed, “They don’t feel the pain.

We fans feel it. I wanted to cry. I don’t know if the team is dying”.

Whilst another fan on Twitter said: “I don’t think Man-united players feel the pain fans go thru”.

SPORTS

“IT IS SOMETHING I SEE HAPPENING DOWN THE LINE”. UFC HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION, FRANCIS NGANNOU IS KEEN ON A BIG SHOWDOWN WITH BOXING HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION, TYSON FURY

BY MUSHARAF ASGHAR Francis has reigned supreme as one of the greatest and ferocious fighters in the heavyweight division after beating Stipe Miocic in their second fight. Stipe was able to defeat Francis in their first matchup which saw Francis losing via a unanimous decision. Many fans wondered was Francis really the ‘hype train’ who just was a load of muscle who couldn’t get past the first round?

It’s clear from pasts fights, Francis has had cardio issues going into fights and which tire himself out leading into the second round.

After losing to Stipe, Francis went on to fight Derrick Lewis in which was a very poor fight with hardly any action. Francis ended up losing in another unanimous decision against Derrick Lewis.

However, Francis started improving his cardio and went onto a four-fight winning streak which landed him a shot at redemption in fighting the champion at the time, Stipe Miocic.

A calmer and more relaxed Francis entered

the octogen that night and shook the entire world after knocking out Stipe in the second round.

Currently, Francis is the UFC heavyweight champion of the world but former training partner, Ciryl Gane is looking to capitalise on the opportunity to face Francis in the next two weeks.

Although Francis is scheduled to face Cirly, Francis is not one to hide away from a big showdown against the boxing heavyweight champion Tyson Fury.

Tyson Fury is one of the greatest heavyweights in the modern era and was able to dethrone and defeat Deontay Wilder twice in their fights. The latest fight between Fury and Wilder was classed as one of the greatest heavyweight fights which ended with Tyson knocking out Wilder.

As of right now, Tyson is the heavyweight champion of the world and has never lost a fight.

Tyson hasn’t made it clear if he would ever face Francis but in a recent interview Francis expressed to TMZ about a possibility to get into the squared ring, “It has always been down the line. It’s not

Image: Twitter

Francis Ngannou

Image: Shutterstock

Tyson Fury

something I’m taking my eyes off. I would like to test myself against Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder.

“At the end of the day, it’s about throwing hands and I know if I deliver my bombs, I can deliver some damage”.

Whether it’s likely if this fight occurs the trainer of Tyson Fury, Sugar Hill Steward from Kronk Gym has explained, “I can see Tyson facing Dillian Whyte in March”. Sugar Hill Steward hasn’t said much and neither has Tyson.

Tyson is yet to even confirm his interest in fighting Francis but it wouldn’t be a massive shock if we ever saw the fight happen since the last time 2 major sports went against each other was when Conor McGregor stepped into the ring and fought Floyd Mayweather back in 2017.

What are your thoughts of Francis wanting to fight Tyson? Do you think Francis has what it takes to beat Tyson?

SPORTS

10 - 16 JANUARY 2022

MANCHESTER UNITED? MORE LIKE… MANCHESTER DIVIDED?

Page 23

“IT IS SOMETHING I SEE HAPPENING DOWN THE LINE”.

UFC HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION, FRANCIS NGANNOU IS KEEN ON A BIG SHOWDOWN WITH BOXING HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION, TYSON FURY Page 24

IS AMIR KHAN REALLY FOCUSED ON KELL BROOK IN THEIR UPCOMING FIGHT IN FEBRUARY?

BY MUSHARAF ASGHAR

Khan saying this could mean two separate things. Firstly, is Khan really not that bothered to face Brook or is he trying to make Brook think he’s not bothered about fighting him when in fact he truly is?

The former lightweight champion, Amir Khan is keen on settling the score with his rival Kell Brook next month in February at the AO Arena in Manchester but has also said he’s not bothered if the fight does not happen.

This could go either way which can favour Khan as it would make Brook not train as much. Khan could capitalise on this and defeat Brook.

On the other hand, Khan could take the fight easy considering he has fought tougher fighters in the past and end up losing.

Amir Khan to many is one of the greatest boxers coming out of England but on the other hand, Kell Brook hasn’t really created the type of legacy compared to his rival Amir Khan. Khan at a young age decided to move abroad to branch out and train with world class trainers such as Freddie Roach who was the Hall of Fame trainer of Manny Pacquiao.

Either way, whether the fighters are bothered to compete or not, British boxing fans are eagerly

excited to see who wins the fight between the two.

It’s also surprising that we’ve not heard anything from Brook even though he is fighting Khan.

It could be possible that Brook is really focused on Khan and training vigorously at the gym which he trains at known as the Ingle gym in Sheffield.

What are your thoughts on the fight?

Is Khan genuinely not interested if Brook fights or is Khan trying to make it seem like he’s not interested to allow Brook to put his guard down and not train as hard?

Although Khan has the bigger name, it seems quite unusual to see Khan taking part in so many interviews leading up to fight against Khan. Khan is currently training in Denver, Colorado with his now head coach, Bo Mac. Bo Mac as you might not know is the trainer for Terrence Crawford who is currently considered the best welterweight in the division.

Khan has expressed he is training at high altitude in Denver and as he states, ‘the best shape’ he’s ever been. Khan explained one of the reasons of taking this fight on was because of the popular demand from everyone wanting to see the fight. Khan expresses, “Every-where I went, people just asked me about when this fight would happen.

Maybe it’s not a big fight in the states because people don’t really know Kell. But here, it’s massive

Image: Shutterstock

Amir Khan

and everyone wants to see who is better’.

When Khan was asked recently if he would be upset after months of training could go to waste if the fight doesn’t happen, he said,

“No, end of the day, I know what I’ve done. But having that question always asked makes me want to give back to the fans. But really we’re not bothered. I wouldn’t be that bothered, it’s one of them things”.

Image: Screen Grab

Kell Brook