Asian Standard Edition 15

TRAVEL

FEATURE

Injured ex-servicemen run seven marathons, across seven continents in seven days.

A passage to India Gujarat: stepping into rural India

Page 10

AS Weekender

INTERVIEW EXCLUSIVE with Bend it like Beckham Director Gurinder Chadha

AS Weekender

By the publishers of Asian Sunday

Issue 15 | 21 - 26 Feburary 2017 Follow us on Facebook

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What’s in the name of ‘honour’?

Should it be banned?

by ALISON BELLAMY

alison@asian-standard.co.uk

Today Asian Standard is asking you if the word ‘honour’ should be banned, when linked with murder and horrific violent crimes.

As a British MP calls for a ban on the term ‘honour’ killing, some campaigners say it would be wrong to stop the association of ‘honour’ as the term makes it immediately recognisable and connected with horrific crimes.

More on page 6-7

Watch Viceroy's House on the 5th March. Picture House Bradford at National Media Museum followed by a

live Q&A with Gurinder Chadha For more information call T.0871 902 5756

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CONTACT US Asian Standard Newspaper 1st Floor, 18 East Parade, Bradford, BD1 5EE National Enquiries: 0333 577 0046 London : 0207 164 6047 Bradford : 01274 735 657 ADVERTISING & SALES sales@asiansunday.co.uk NEWS newsdesk@asiansunday.co.uk EDITOR Editor@asiansunday.co.uk ASSISTANT EDITOR Alison Bellamy

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Five men jailed for 55 years over child exploitation

by ALISON BELLAMY

alison@asian-standard.co.uk

Five men have been jailed for over 55 years as part of an ongoing investigation to tackle child sexual exploitation in Rochdale.

The following men were convicted after a trial and on Friday 17 February 2017 they were sentenced at Minshull Street Crown Court.

The convictions relate to offences committed between 2004 and 2008 against three victims who were aged between 14 and 16 at the time of the abuse.

Joshim Miah, 32, of Yorkshire Street, Rochdale, has been found guilty of one count of rape. He has been sentenced to seven years in prison.

Ittefaq Yousaf, 26, of Stanley Street, Rochdale has been found guilty of one count of sexual assault, one count of causing/inciting a girl to engage in sexual activity and possession of indecent images. He has been sentenced to 20 months in prison..

Mohammed Sadeer, 28, of Brimrod Lane, Rochdale has been found guilty of one count of attempted rape. He has been sentenced to 12 years in prison.

Mohammed Miah, 41, of HMP Moorland, Doncaster, has been found guilty of one count of rape. He has been sentenced to 16 years in prison..

Ashafaq Yousaf, 31, of Stanley Street has been found guilty of four counts of

rape. He has been sentenced to 19 years in prison.

Detective Chief Inspector Jamie Daniels, senior Investigating Officer for Operation Doublet, said: “Operation Doublet was launched following the 2011 investigation into child sexual exploitation in Rochdale and we identified a number of cases, which broadly took place between 2004 and 2008, across Greater Manchester where teenage girls had been sexually exploited by older men.

“This was an extremely complex case and I want to thank the victims for the immense bravery they have shown; we could not have arrived at this point without their courage and support.

The process can be emotionally demanding and traumatic for the victims and we do not underestimate this but at the heart of our considerations is the welfare of victims and we have a team of experienced and dedicated officers supporting them through the process to give them the very best service they should rightly expect.”

“Tackling the sexual exploitation of children and young people is an absolute priority but protecting them is the responsibility of us all.

It is crucial that we work together to identify individuals who prey on vulnerable children and empower young people to speak up.”

PUBLISHER RF Publishing Ltd DESIGN & ARTWORK Adeel Qureshi REPORTERS Mo Bhana Ayesha Babar Itrat Bashir Raheema Khan CONTRIBUTERS Luke Patel Shahab Gulfraz PHOTOGRAPHY Riaz Ahmed SOCIAL - MEDIA Kamran Hussain

Ashafaq Yousaf

by ALISON BELLAMY

alison@asian-standard.co.uk

Barry Smith www.asian-standard.co.uk

Officers believe the offensive material

Join us on Facebook/AsianStandard Twitter @Asian_Standard Youtube @ AS TV

Mohammed Sadeer

Ittefaq Yousaf

Mohammed Miah

Police investigate racist posters put up at a school Police are investigating after racist material was posted on community buildings in Longsight and Ardwick, in Manchester.

ACCOUNTS

Joshim Miah

was distributed during the afternoon of Thursday 16 February 2017, with posters taped to St Luke’s primary school, Longsight library and the Pakistani Community centre in Longsight.

Posters were also posted through the doors of houses in the areas.

Police are treating this as a hate crime and are appealing have released a CCTV image of a young man they want to speak to in connection with the incidents.

Superintendent Dave Pester from the City of Manchester Team, based at Longsight Police Station, said: “I am determined to find out who is responsible for these despicable crimes. Hate Crime has no place in our community, and I would ask that anyone with information contacts the police.

“I am keen to identify a young man who was seen near to St Luke’s Primary School on the Coverdale Estate in Ardwick around 12.45pm on Thursday 16 February.

“If you have had similar material posted through your door, please get

in touch with police.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting incident number 2293 16/02/17, or the independent charity, Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Hate Crime has no place in our community, and I would ask that anyone with information contacts the police.

Superintendent Dave Pester

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NEWS

Grandparent army saves parents £16.1 bn in childcare

by ALISON BELLAMY

alison@asian-standard.co.uk

Grandparents are providing more ‘free’ childcare than ever before for their relatives.

Nine million (65%) UK grandparents provide childcare for their grandchildren, propping up pressurised working UK families, according to new research.

This ‘grandparent army’ saves parents a massive £16.1bn each year in formal childcare costs, or around £1,786 per family. A child in nursery full time can cost more than the average monthly mortgage payment.

The ‘21st Century Grandparent Army’ Report, from insurer Ageas, highlights the role that grandparents play with more than a quarter of grandparents (29%) saying their adult children have heavy workloads so need childcare support, and one fifth (18%) say their children can’t afford formal childcare.

In partnership with the International Longevity Centre (ILC-UK), which has produced a detailed study of the subject for Ageas, key findings from the report to be launched at a House of Lords roundtable event reveals that: •Grandparents spend an average of more than eight hours a week looking after their grandchildren. This time commitment rises to over 11 hours each week for the ‘nanny heartland’ – those core grandparents who are relied upon week in, week out; • Two-thirds (68%) of grandparents offer financial contributions to their grandchildren’s upbringing, across payments towards clothes, toys and hobbies, leisure activities and pocket money; • One quarter (23%) even pay for babysitting, so that parents, and perhaps grandparents themselves, can take a well-earned rest.

The Government has announced planned changes to allow working

grandparents to share parental leave pay to support working parents with the costs of childcare during the first year of a child’s life, due to come in next year5.

But, over half (52%) of grandparent childminders are not aware of this, and a further 45% said they wouldn’t consider this option in the future. Even though almost half (47%) of parents were aware of the plans, over a quarter said they wouldn’t consider this as an option.

Andy Watson, chief executive at Ageas, said: “Grandparents are saving working families billions every year which suggests something is wrong and needs to be carefully considered by The Department for Work and Pensions.”

Baroness Sally Greengross, OBE, president and chief executive of the International Longevity Centre UK, said: “It is clear grandparents have become one of the biggest sources of childcare after parents themselves, allowing more parents to work and thereby reducing the costs of childcare. Nevertheless, how we support and reward this growing

Could you possibly be the owner of the last fiver worth £50,000?

The new polymer £5 notes were launched in the UK last October and for some the new notes have been extremely lucky.

The Bank of England revealed last December that four of the new plastic £5 notes will be released into circulation carrying a tiny ‘special’ engraving, which are said to be worth in excess of £50,000 Micro engraver Graham Short, from Birmingham, was commissioned to etch a microscopic image onto four of the new polymer notes. Graham painstakingly carved tiny portraits of Jane Austen onto the special notes, next to the images of Sir Winston Churchill and Big Ben. One of the four notes was recently discovered by a woman who didn’t want to be named and donated the note to charity in Enniskillen, Northern Ireland.

Mr Short confirmed the note was

legit after the woman sent it to him at The Tony Huggins-Haig Gallery in Scotland.

She told the gallery at her ‘time of life’ she did not need the note and asked them to use it to help people.

The Tony Huggins-Haig Gallery, which came up with the inscription project, has since decided to auction the fiver and donate the money to Children in Need.

It will also create another special note

that will be included in the sale.

Mr Short created four £5 notes in 2016 that had the special inscriptions that could not be viewed by the naked eye.

So far three have been found.

The final note’s serial number is: AM32 885554. there's no serial number to watch out for - but spot the print and you could be sitting on a small fortune.

£5 note with Jane Austen image

unpaid army and how we reconcile an increasing need to work longer for the over 50s, 60s and 70s and shape and

expand family friendly policies for all, remains subject to debate.”

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NEWS

Peace vigils held for murdered teen as family urges ‘forgiveness’

by ALISON BELLAMY

alison@asian-standard.co.uk

The family of teenager Irfan Wahid who was stabbed to death in the street, have appealed for peace and forgiveness.

Despite the devastation at the tragic loss of 16-year-old Iffy, his father Wahid Fazil has said that he ‘forgives’ the person responsible.

A community knife amnesty and peace vigils have been held in Leeds in memory of Irfan, who died from a single stab wound to the chest.

Image : Facebook

The school boy died in Harehills, Leeds, on February 10, where a sea of floral tributes has been left at the scene of the murder, on Harehills Lane. More than 3,000 people attended his funeral last Thursday (February 16) at the Bilal Mosque in Harehills, with around 20

Friends at the funeral of Irfan Wahid

relatives travelling from Pakistan.

Following the tragedy his friends organised several peaceful vigils to promote peace and harmony in the inner-city area, with candles, tributes and prayers.

Richard Burgon Labour MP for Leeds east, said: “As someone who lives here, I know for a fact that this is a fantastic community and it’s shown that in this dark time, but Harehills is passing the test.

Image : Facebook

Funeral of Irfan Wahid

“I was in the Bilal mosque when I heard Irfan’s father speak just before the coffin of his son was brought in, and he said that he forgives the person who did this to his son, who took his son from him and his family.

“To hear the father say that is quite inspiring and really humbling. There’s nothing worse than a parent losing a child, and there’s no worse way to lose a child than in these horrific circumstances.

“So I believe that in these dark and tragic times, the community of Harehills is proving it is a decent place, and at this most difficult of times, it shines even more.”

Posting on a Facebook, on a page set up in Iffy’s memory, a schoolfriend appealed for people to 'sort out their beef' by shaking hands and making peace. The post reads: 'I would like every Muslim and non-Muslim to who knew or who didn't know Irfan to come down to the place where he was attacked and sort out our beef, show respect to one another, and to make Irfan proud.

‘If any of us has a bad relationship with one another then I would like all of you to just shake hands and show respect, because we cannot afford to lose another beautiful soul.' It was shared on the page 'Gone but not forgotten - RIP Irfan Wahid.'

Speaking at a vigil ahead of funeral prayers, Iffy’s uncle Shazad Hussain told the Yorkshire Evening Post: “On behalf of Irfan’s mother and father and his family - I don’t really have the words to describe what we have been through since his death. But from the family’s point of view and from an Islamic perspective, we don’t believe in eye for an eye or revenge or anything like this.

Richard Burgon Labour MP

“What’s happened has happened, whoever has done this, it is now down to the justice system to deal with them

Irfan Wahid accordingly. All we can all do is have our thoughts with Irfan today, and in the days, weeks and years to come.

“We wouldn’t want any of you guys to experience what we have experienced.

If you are a Muslim, Jewish, Christian, or non-believer, I just want you to say your final prayers and final thoughts for Irfan.”

He said the family was thankful for the support it has received from the wider community, adding: “People have come together not for brownie points, but actually as human beings, and that for the family is important.”

Among the mourners were hundreds of Iffy’s fellow pupils at Carr Manor School, many of them breaking down as they paid their respects and said goodbye at Iffy’s open casket.

A 16-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was remanded in custody at Leeds Crown Court after he was charged with Irfan's murder. A further court hearing is due to take place on 23 March.

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COVER STORY

What’s in the name of ‘honour’?

Should it be banned?

by ALISON BELLAMY

alison@asian-standard.co.uk

Today Asian Standard is asking you if the word ‘honour’ should be banned, when linked with murder and horrific violent crimes.

We want to know your thoughts as the term of ‘honour killing’ is often associated with family loyalty and traditional customs where murder is committed, due to the belief the victim has brought dis-honour upon the family or community.

The death of the victim is viewed as a way to restore the reputation and honour of the family.

Some campaigners say it would be wrong to stop the association of ‘honour’, as the term makes it immediately recognisable and connected with horrific crimes.

MP Nusrat Ghani is heading a campaign and calling for new laws to abolish the use of the word ‘honour’, as it disguises the true horror of the

violence and often puts police off investigating the abuse.

Ms Ghani is proposing in a new private members Bill - the Crime (Aggravated Murder of and Violence Against Women) Bill - that the use of the widely used and accepted term ‘honour’ killing should be banned from official publications and that this form of violence against women and girls should be conflated with domestic violence.

But campaigners from the UK based Iranian and Kurdish Women’s Rights Organisation (IKWRO) say the term should not be banned: “Both of the suggestions in the bill by Ms Ghani would have dangerous consequences for those at risk of ‘honour’ based violence and lives will be put at risk.

A spokeswoman for IKWRO said: “Survivors endorse and own the term ‘honour’ based violence. Many express relief that their experiences and the risks that they face will be understood and feel that it will help them to be safeguarded. The term is also understood within communities which is key for prevention work, as it

is known what it is that needs to end.”

The use of the term ‘honour’ is causing a huge debate amongst government leaders who say abusers hide behind the term and Ms Ghani, the Conservative MP for Whealden, in East Sussex, has warned a culture of ‘political correctness’ can make police officers wary of intervening fully in so-called honour cases for fear of offending the British Asian community and being branded ‘racist’.

accurately and simply call murder, rape, abuse or enslavement.”

The Bill, which would also require the UK authorities to fund assistance for British women attacked in other countries and for the bodies of those murdered to be repatriated, will be heard again on 24 March, although it is unlikely to become law without the government's support.

MPs agreed the Bill should be able to proceed, although Philip Davies,

Ms Ghani said she has seen ‘too many women’ not get the support they are entitled to because the violence they encounter is explained, in part, through cultural differences. She said that abusers use it as ‘pathetic selfjustification’ for their violent crimes.

She said: "Language matters. It is impossible to deal with the early signs of abuse if we encourage the idea that 'honour' is an excuse for it," she told the House of Commons.

"It diminishes the victim and provides a convenient excuse for what in our society we should

Halo Project's Yasmin Khan

Women who come to our service recognise the word honour and whether we agree or disagree we cannot remove a word to make the act more acceptable.

Yasmin Khan

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COVER STORY Victims of honour killings

Surjit Athwal, 27. December 1998. Her mother-in law and her husband arranged for her to be killed after she said she wanted a divorce.

Samaira Nazir, 25. April 2005.

Stabbed to death by her brother, with the support of many of her family members, after she fell in love with her Afhgan boyfriend.

Banaz Mahmod, 19. January 2006. Banaz’s father and uncle arranged for her to be raped and murdered after she fell in love with someone of her own choosing.

Conservative MP for Shipley, in West Yorkshire - who said it was too focused on women and did not mention honour crime towards men - objected.

These terms have wider definitions than their literal ones to cover all immoral behaviour, and it is quite clear that they cover both sexes and are therefore not gender specific.

Mr Davies said he would continue to oppose legislation "unjustifiably aimed at dealing with just one gender", adding: "Yes, of course women are far more likely to be victims than men, but they are not exclusively the victims of these crimes. Why can't it be for all victims of these terrible crimes?

There is an average of 12 honour killings a year in the UK alone. But, in some areas just three per cent of honour related crimes reported result in prosecution.

“I am no expert, but I am told that karo-kari, which is the Pakistani term for so-called honour killing, literally means ‘adulterer’ and ‘adulteress’.

A report by the Government’s Forced Marriage Unit says that in 2015, 980 cases involved female victims and 240 involved male victims. This highlights that men can also be forced into marriage.”

Campaigner Yasmin Khan runs the

“Honour based violence is a well-established term among professionals, across the public and voluntary sectors and academics. To censor the term would put at risk the significant progress that has been made, including by the recent inspection into policing of ‘honour’ based violence by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC), which involved close consultation with specialist BME ‘honour” based violence women’s organisations. Rather than taking a huge step backwards, and excusing police failures, by censoring the term and therefore putting at risk the specific understanding gained, now is the time for action, including the implementation of HMIC’s recommendations.

Police must be able to understand and identify ‘honour’ based violence. Unless they can, preventable deaths like the ‘honour’ killing of Banaz Mahmod are likely to be repeated. Importantly, ‘honour’ based violence is a global issue, the term is recognised in international instruments and cases are often transnational so banning the widely recognised terminology would cause many difficulties.

Tulay Goren, 15. January 1999. She was drugged, tortured and murdered by her father because he didn't approve of her relationship with an older man.

Shafilea Ahmed,11 September 2003. After trying to force her to accept an arranged marriage her parents were afraid her refusal would bring shame on the family so they murdered her.

Halo Project charity in the north east of England, which supports victims of honour based violence and forced marriages. She said: “Honour killing is a much debated term but my concern is we cannot lose sight of the issue.

“Women who come to our service recognise the word honour and whether we agree or disagree we cannot remove a word to make the act more acceptable. We will never know the true number of women who have lost their lives in the name of honour, it is just not possible.

If families are responsible for the killings they will never report missing children, if brothers, uncles and relatives have been involved in the brutality they are not going to call the police and hand themselves in, so we will never know what the scale of the problem is.”

Image : Twitter

Iranian and Kurdish Women’s Rights Organisation says:

Heshu Yones, 16. October 2002.

Her father slit her throat after she started dating a man from outside her own culture.

MP Nusrat Ghani

Language matters.

It is impossible to deal with the early signs of abuse if we encourage the idea that 'honour' is an excuse for it.

Nusrat Ghani

For these many reasons, we call on MP’s to prioritise the safety of women at girls at risk of ‘honour’ based violence, and to oppose the Bill.”

What do you think? Should the term ‘honour’ be banned? What does honour mean to you? Join the debate and let us know on our Facebook page Asian Standard News or tweet us @Asian_Standard or newsdesk@asian-standard.co.uk

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NEWS

Hate crime increases following Brexit vote

by ALISON BELLAMY

alison@asian-standard.co.uk

Hate crime has risen by up to 100 per cent in some areas during the months following the Brexit vote, new figures show.

Regional police force statistics have revealed that Dorset saw the greatest increase, with the 104 offences logged between July and September 2016 equating to double the total from April to June. Across England and Wales the rise was 27 per cent.

Police forces across the UK are now increasing intelligence gathering and putting protection in place for vulnerable communities ahead of a projected spike in hate crime when Theresa May triggers Article 50 next month.

The move follows a dramatic rise in the number of racially and religiously-motivated crimes reported to police following the June referendum result in favour of Brexit, including assaults and arson.

Community groups representing EU nationals in the UK have warned about the potential for an “undercurrent of xenophobia” to spread after the talks with Brussels get underway.

The head of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, David Isaac, has also said he is “hugely concerned” about a backlash against European citizens once the Government’s EU withdrawal negotiations begin.

Imam Qari Asim Imam is the head Imam at Makkah Mosque, Leeds

and an executive member of British Muslim Scholars. He said antiMuslim hate monitoring group Tell Mama reported a 326% increase in incidents against Muslims in 2015, and warned that Brexit could make it worse.

“The EU Referendum seems to have unleashed bigotry and hatred against migrants and minorities.

It has given legitimacy and a new found voice to racist and Islamophobic narratives.

“What has been most upsetting and disturbing is that there have been no immediate statements from leave campaign leaders condemning such xenophobic and racially motivated incidents.”

He added: “There is no doubt that the repercussions of this historic vote will be felt for many years, and potentially decades, to come.

But this decision of over 17 million people must be respected and we must remain positive.

“There is a need for an honest debate around immigration, how it should be managed, its impact on our families, around public services, housing and so on.”

Assistant Chief Constable Mark Hamilton, the National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for hate crime, said the organisation had been in touch with European embassies based in the UK over the threat of increased violence.

“We know that national and global events have the potential to trigger short-terms rises in hate crime and we saw this following the EU referendum last year.”

Top areas for rise in hate crime Dorset 104 (up 100%) Nottinghamshire 189 (up 75%) North Yorkshire 64 (up 68%) West Mercia 247 (up 64%) Devon and Cornwall 220 (up 63%) Leicestershire 213 (up 60%) Kent 277 (up 60%) Lincolnshire 78 (up 59%) Humberside 140 (up 57%) Dyfed-Powys 35 (up 52%) West Yorkshire 1,013* (up 46%) Total nationally including other areas: 14,295* (up 27%) Police forces in England and Wales can class five types of racially or religiously aggravated offences as hate crimes: assault with injury;

assault without injury; harassment; public fear, alarm or distress; and other criminal damage.

Image :@QariAsim, Twitter

The EU Referendum seems to have unleashed bigotry and hatred against migrants and minorities. It has given legitimacy and a new found voice to racist and Islamophobic narratives.

Qari Asim speaking about hate crimes at the Leeds Mosque

Imam Qari Asim

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FEATURE

Injured ex-servicemen run seven marathons, across seven continents in seven days.

Image : World Marathon Challenge / Ed Conlon

10

The former captain in the Yorkshire Regiment was injured in Iraq ten years ago

by ALISON BELLAMY alison@asian-standard.co.uk

AN injured ex-soldier of Yorkshire and Kashmiri heritage has completed the challenge of a lifetime, to raise funds for a much needed rehabilitation centre for injured servicemen and women.

Ibrar Ali, also known as Ibi or Captain Ali, has completed the World Marathon Challenge in aid of the UK’s new Defence and National Rehabilitation Centre (DNRC). He was joined by fellow fundraiser Luke Wigman, 30.

Starting in Antarctica, where the wind chill lowered temperatures to -30°, they continued to run marathons day after day in Punta Arenas (Chile), Miami (USA), Madrid (Spain), Marrakech (Morocco), Dubai (UAE) and Sydney (Australia).

Ibi and Luke were both injured

whilst serving on the front line for the British Army and underwent rehabilitation at Headley Court.

Ibi lost part of his right arm after serious injury in Iraq.

Formerly a Captain in the Yorkshire Regiment, where he served for 12 years, Ibi unusually returned to active service in Iraq, after going through rehabilitation for injuries sustained in 2007 when his patrol vehicle was hit by roadside bombs in Iraq.

One of his colleagues was killed in the attack in which he lost part of his arm. He is a right arm amputee below the elbow but does not consider himself to be disabled.

Super fit Ibi, who has an eight year old daughter, said after completing the 1,238 miles in just seven days: “I’ve been home for a week and feeling fine now. Both Luke and I needed two or three days to catch up on sleep. I really did not mind

What happened to me was absolutely lifechanging, but since the injury ten years ago, it has undoubtedly allowed me to progress and improve and I have done things I would never have dreamed about.

Ibrar Ali

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FEATURE the running. My favourite marathon was Madrid but my least favourite was Miami, due to the heat and conditions.”

The 39-year-old now lives near Selby in Yorkshire, but was born in Rotherham of Kashmiri heritage, as his parents are from Azad.

The event was coordinated by World Marathon Challenge and involved participants from across the globe.

The first marathon started on Union Glacier in Antarctica on January 23 and the challenge culminated in Sydney as Luke and Ibi crossed the line late into the night on Sunday 29 January.

Upon completing the challenge, Ibi said: “What a week! Dubai was incredibly tough due to the sheer heat - I struggle with those kinds of temperatures due to the amputation and the scarring, but I got through it. Whenever I was struggling, I kept going for the others out there suffering more than we did, just now and in the future. Those guys are the ones who need this new centre.”

Ibi and Luke were running to raise awareness and funds for the £300m DNRC project being built near Loughborough and scheduled to open in 2018. Both are ambassadors for the DNRC. The government (MoD) will pay the running costs for the Defence establishment once open. It will be of the most advanced clinical rehabilitation centres in the world and, for the first time in the UK, to bring together expertise in defence medicine and national healthcare in a way which will improve how people

who suffer major injury are treated.

and raised cash for the charity.

In successfully completing the challenge with an average marathon time of 4:05:27, Ibi became the first amputee to complete the event.

He says ended up in the army through chance. He studied law at university and was in his second year when his life changed direction. “I’ve always been an outdoors sort of man and I didn’t want to get a job stuck in an office.

It was just by chance that I was walking past an Armed Forces careers office one day and had a look in and noticed that, as a graduate, I could be eligible to go to Sandhurst to become an officer.”

He joined the Territorial Army and loved it. He joined The Prince of Wales’s Own Regiment of Yorkshire in 2004 and went on his first tour to Iraq in October 2006. He was based at Basra which was in the grip of a violent insurgency.

Ibi said: “It may not seem like it, but I was lucky to do this. For Luke and I to complete this shows that rehab works – but it needs to be better. That’s why I did this crazy challenge – to get word out. We need a world-leading facility for trauma rehabilitation, and that’s what the DNRC can and will be – with the help of the public.

“We’ve pushed our bodies to the limit and beyond over these seven days – all we ask is the Great British public to make a small donation so that other injured service personnel out there can push their own boundaries.”

Ibi explained that following his injury when he was 29, that he took it slowly at first: “To anyone who is newly injured I would say to take your time with rehabilitation. You have to take your time, be patient and learn to swallow your pride.

“Of course a positive state of mind helps, there is no point being negative, just try and turn things into a positive. We are incredibly lucky with healthcare in the UK but residential rehabilitation needs to be improved. In time I hope there can be an NHS centre alongside the defence one.”

In 2013 Ibi took part in a 208-mile Walking With The Wounded South Pole Allied Challenge, alongside Prince Harry. A small team went to Antartica

Ibi, who worked until recently as an operations manager for a fitness chain overseeing 13 fitness centres, modestly plays down any suggestion that he is super fit. “What happened to me was absolutely life-changing, but since the injury ten years ago, it has undoubtedly allowed me to progress and improve and I have done things I would never have dreamed about,” he said.

His next challenge – just for fun – will be to climb the Dolomite mountain range, in the Alps, later this year. He does not let the fact he has one hand, stop him from achieving the impossible.

Anyone wanting to support Ibi and Luke in their amazing effort can donate via http://invincible.org. uk/ or directly at https://mydonate. bt.com/fundraisers/invincible.

Details about the DNRC at https://www.thednrc.org.uk/

Ibrar Ali with fellow fundraiser Luke Wigman.

Image : World Marathon Challenge / Ed Conlon

It may not seem like it, but I was lucky to do this. For Luke and I to complete this shows that rehab works – but it needs to be better. Ibrar Ali

The 39-year-old ex-soldier ran seven marathons, across seven continents in seven days.

12

Issue 15

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NEWS

Fraudster jailed after stealing £85,000 from a family

by ALISON BELLAMY

alison@asian-standard.co.uk

A man was sentenced to three years in prison after pleading guilty to fraud by abuse of position Rafiq Master, 55 of Oakley Park, Bolton was sentenced at Bolton Crown Court on 16 February, 2017.

However, neither claim was true.

Master told the victim he could arrange a loan from a lender in the Middle East which specialised in buying property in the UK. Master told his victim that, as the property was being sold at auction, money needed be transferred quickly and the victim signed paperwork which allowed Master to use his house as security on the loan.

who, by raising the funds from family members and taking out extra credit, has now been landed with significant debt and emotional trauma.

Master spent his victim’s money paying off other clients and funding his own lifestyle.

“Master’s lies have caused untold distress and heartache to the entire family, who are still living with the financial consequences and will struggle to ever fully recover from the ordeal.

Detective Constable Ryan Mackenzie, of GMP’s Fraud Investigation Team, said: “This was a cruel and calculated crime where Master systematically lied to and deceived a man who had dreams of buying a bigger family home.

In June 2013, the victim set about buying a family home in Fulwood, Preston, and contacted Master for advice following a recommendation.

Master, director of BFX Capital Ltd and Tijori Ltd, claimed his companies were registered with the Financial Services Authority and that he was an independent financial advisor accredited by the Financial Conduct Authority.

The Middle East-based lender was in fact his own company, Tijori Ltd, of which he was the sole director and had limited funds.

“He took payments from a victim

Rafiq Master claimed to be a financial advisor On 7 June 2013, the victim transferred an initial £25,000 to Master and transfers continued until he had paid more than £84,500.

However, on 2 October 2013 the victim noticed the property had been sold to another buyer in August 2013 and when he asked for his money back, he received a cheque that bounced.

Police were called after the victim tried to confront Master at his home.

“I hope that today’s outcome brings home the message that fraudsters who think they can get away with deceiving honest people will be caught and brought to justice with robust consequences.”

Master’s lies have caused untold distress and heartache to the entire family, who are still living with the financial consequence Detective Constable Ryan Mackenzie

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Issue 15

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HEALTH

Why cancer rates are increasing disproportionately in women – and what we can do about it Sarah Allinson

Senior Lecturer, Lancaster University

Recent reports that cancer rates in UK women are set to rise six times faster than in men over the next two decades will have alarmed many. It is likely to be a similar story across the western world. In the US, cancer rates have been steadily decreasing in men but not in women. And although it is still the case that more men than women get cancer, the gap is narrowing.

The new prediction of future trends for cancer in women by Cancer Research UK is based on our knowledge of how lifestyle choices and other factors can affect your chance of getting cancer.

The World Health Organisation has estimated that two fifths of the 14m cases of cancer that are diagnosed every year are preventable. The main preventable causes of cancer are diet, smoking and infection. Of these, diet

is likely to most disproportionately affect women over the coming years.

It has been estimated that over half a million cancers worldwide can be directly linked to obesity and inactivity every year. Although being overweight can increase the risk of some cancers that affect both sexes, such as kidney cancer and bowel cancer, some cancers that only affect women are also strongly linked to obesity. However, no similar causal link has been made between obesity and cancers that only men get – although there is evidence that prostate cancer can be more aggressive in overweight men. This can partly explain why cancer rates are increasing faster in women than in men. In particular, studies have shown that cancer of the breast and of the womb are more likely in women who have a high body mass index (BMI).

Breast cancer is believed to be more common in overweight women

It has been estimated that over half a million cancers worldwide can be directly linked to obesity and inactivity every year.

Rising levels of obesity have been followed by a rapid increase in the number of these cancers diagnosed.

For example, the number of cases of womb cancer diagnosed every year in the UK has almost doubled since the early 1990s and it has been estimated that a third of all womb cancers can be linked to obesity. The way that being overweight drives these particular types of cancers is complicated but one of the main factors seems to be the production of

the hormone oestrogen by fat cells in the body.

Most breast and womb cancers produce a protein called the oestrogen receptor that causes cancer cells to uncontrollably divide when oestrogen is present in high amounts. All adults have a certain amount of oestrogen in their bodies but for women who have been through the menopause in particular the amount of oestrogen is largely

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HEALTH

Lung cancer is the second most common cancer in both men and women.

Smoking is another major cause of preventable cancer in women determined by how much fat they have in their bodies. Studies have consistently shown that breast cancer is both more common and less readily treatable in overweight women.

Risk of breast cancer is also increased by alcohol – the more you drink, the more likely you are to get the disease. A study published last year showed that across the world women are now drinking almost as much as men. This is worrying because alcohol is also strongly linked to other cancers, including cancers of the mouth and upper throat. At the moment, more men

than women are affected by these types of cancers but with women drinking more it is likely that they will become more at risk.

Smoking is another major cause of preventable cancer in women.

In the UK, lung cancer is now the second most common cancer in both men and women. In the past, lung cancer was much less common in women than it was in men – thanks in large part to women smoking less.

However, from the mid-20th century onwards, increasing numbers of women took up smoking, even as it became less popular among men.

So, while the trend in recent years

has been for lung cancer to become less common in men, it has become more common in women. The good news is that fewer people are smoking every year and so lung cancer rates in both sexes will decrease. However, as it can take 20 years or longer for lung cancers to develop, it will be some time before we see the effect on the number of people who are affected.

Infection and vaccination There may also be good news on the cervical cancer front. Each year sees the diagnosis of around 3,000 new cases of cervical cancer in the UK

alone and almost uniquely among cancers, these can be linked to a single cause – infection with human papilloma virus (HPV). However, rates have decreased since the 1970s due to the cervical cancer screening programme which often catches the disease before it progresses to fullblown cancer.

In many countries, including the UK, girls are now routinely vaccinated against the commonest of the most harmful forms of the cancer-causing virus. There is already substantial evidence to show that this is having an effect on both rates of infection and the early stages of cancer, and it is to be hoped that the future will see rates of cervical cancer decrease dramatically.

However, we should not forget that in countries without screening and vaccination programmes, cervical cancer remains a major killer of young women, with a quarter of a million women dying from the disease every year. Lessons can be learned from both lung and cervical

Risk of breast cancer is also increased by alcohol

cancer, as they show how both education and intervention can help to decrease the number of cancers that are diagnosed.

The question is: can something similar be done for obesity-related cancers? Obesity rates in the UK and beyond have continued to soar despite healthy eating messages – suggesting it may be a far tougher nut to crack. Attempts at changing attitudes towards alcohol have so far met with a similar lack of success.

Cancer is currently more common in men than women, but due to changes in lifestyle women are catching up fast. It’s clear that unless progress is made in tackling obesity and other preventable causes of cancer, more people of both sexes will be diagnosed with the disease every year. We can all take the initiative in reducing our chance of getting cancer by eating more healthily, drinking less and doing more exercise.

This article originally appeared in The Conversation

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Issue 15

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WOMEN OF INFLUENCE

Equality and diversity is the key for pioneering founder of honour based violence project Meet Yasmin Khan, who is the pioneering founder of a forced marriage and honour based violence charity the Halo Project.

Yasmin has worked with communities and particularly women, in addressing inequalities in the fields of employment, education and training.

Establishing a strategic community partnership to provide support for forced marriage and honour based violence victims in the North East of England, has resulted in developing the first Forced Marriage/HBV case scrutiny group in the UK. She has successfully led a multi-million pound ESF programme through the EQUAL programme and promoted a cultural shift in the Housing Sector. This programme has mainstreamed BME employment programmes within Europe and the UK. Yasmin was awarded the Citizen of the Year and Mayor’s Award for her contribution to diversity and inclusion and in 2014 was involved in a Parliamentary briefing, as part of a UK summit to stop early childhood forced marriages and violence against women agenda.

How did you start out? What is your story since leaving school?

My father was a brilliant community coordinator with excellent links in the political and civic leadership field. He often asked me to write his speeches and attend the events in community centres, London embassies and even canvassing for local elections. My earliest memories of my beloved father were always filled with a sense of pride for what he had achieved since he arrived from Pakistan in the early 60’s.

I never realised how much influence he had in our community, or even a sense of his achievements until now, many years since his passing, when he is still remembered in places such as the House of Commons and by younger members of our community who have heard his name.

Image : Twitter

Yasmin Khan at work

At school, I knew I wanted to either work for an airline or work as an ambassador - two things really came to mind-my father’s influence for sure.

Where were you brought up and where are your family roots from?

I was born the youngest of five in Ilford, Essex, Pakistani British, with three hard working brothers and an equally hard working sister.

Tell us about the Halo Project?

It provides services to women and girls who have suffered horrific and abusive pasts they continue to change attitudes within the community and influence the way services are delivered to the most vulnerable in society.

One thing we must stress to anyone reading this, if you are in a situation and are suffering - you can seek help. Making that one phone call can make all the difference.

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WOMEN OF INFLUENCE

Yasmin Khan, director of Halo Project, signing the pledge to eradicate 'honour' Do you ever feel frustrated about the justice system and the law in relation to so called 'honour killings'?

At times, I am deeply frustrated at the lack of prosecutions of forced marriages and FGM, but this demonstrates the deep rooted challenges that exist within communities and the attitudes towards perpetrators.

What could be improved in relation to the law?

have encountered and that goes right through to legal representation too.

It must be tough seeing people struggle within their own families about issues of honour, marriage and loyalty. What advice would you give to anyone struggling?

One thing we must stress to anyone reading this, if you are in a situation and are suffering - you can seek help.

Making that one phone call can make all the difference. At the Halo Project, our service users call us when they are in crisis. This is particularly sad as we can be seen as an oppressed minority. Having worked with some amazing women and girls, I can honestly say I have never met such strong, resilient women in my life. They have often endured such psychological, emotional and physical abuse and yet they offer refuge, friendship and courage one can only imagine. All they need is an opportunity to reach their potential, a moment of freedom and clarity to readjust themselves for a new life, free from harm.

Are forced marriages still taking place in this country and abroad?

Are they becoming less frequent?

I attended the Girls Summit in 2014, an international campaign staged by the UK Government. The aim was to eradicate childhood forced marriage and FGM within a decade.

Sadly, this will still continue and we must continue to work with local and international communities to send a strong message that this abuse will not be tolerated and abusers will be prosecuted.

Image : Twitter

Poster campaign by the Halo Project

How do you manage to meet deadlines and workloads? Is taking time out important when you have a career?

Completing my Masters in Criminal Justice with young children many years ago, gave me excellent lessons in time management which have proved invaluable. Taking time out is so important, it refuels and reenergizes you, helping you to see clarity and refocus on those things you know are important. If I travel, I like to take the train; I can work and enjoy picturesque surroundings.

Physical activity is important to me; it releases the much need endorphins I need to take stock of my work and home life. With the best laid plans, something will land on my desk like a curve ball which needs urgent attention. It’s good to take a deep breath and go forward. Easy to say I know, but a positive attitude always helps.

One thing I have realised working within both the private sector, public sector and now the charity sector, is inspiration comes from many forms. For me, I am inspired by women I meet, their experiences and their stories. They may not hold prestigious titles, but they hold the biggest level of admiration I have.

What advice would you offer to other women who want to make a change in their life and work for a charity or do something to help others?

One lesson I have learnt which has helped me in my career and my personal life is this:-Life is a precious gift, we are all here to do something worth-while, integrity and good intentions can manifest into something special-Do something you are passionate about, believe in yourself, surround yourself with positive people, have faith and discipline – success will follow!

Image : Twitter

Yasmin Khan at Middlesbrough town hall for international women's day,

Image : Twitter

Criminal justice agencies have improved the way they deal with such cases, however, there is still so much to learn from case studies. Court advocacy for our victims is often not provided, they are not supported through the criminal justice agency so we need to work together to ensure they have an equal footing as their white counterparts. Magistrates need to understand the specific issues and conditions women who experience honour based violence

One lesson I have learnt which has helped me in my career and my personal life is this:-Life is a precious gift, we are all here to do something worthwhile, integrity and good intentions can manifest into something special.

At times, I am deeply frustrated at the lack of prosecutions of forced marriages and FGM, but this demonstrates the deep rooted challenges that exist within communities and the attitudes towards perpetrators.

17

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NEWS

Bank of England will keep £5 notes in circulation despite Hindu and Vegan outcry

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

The Bank of England has said that it will keep the £5 polymer note in circulation and issue a new £10 polymer note as planned, despite concerns from Hindu and animal rights groups over traces of animal fat.

The Bank confirmed that an "extremely small amount" of tallow – derived from animal waste products - was used to produce polymer, which was then moulded to create the material for the £5 note.

The central bank said it had carefully considered alternative options - like destroying, reprinting and delaying the issue of the £10 note - but said it would be costly and compromise new anti-counterfeit measures.

"Weighing the considerations below, the Bank has now concluded that it would be appropriate to keep the £5 polymer note in circulation and to issue the £10 polymer note as planned, in September."

Fury among Hindi, vegetarians and vegan groups erupted following confirmation by the Bank that the notes contained tallow back in November.

More than 134,000 people have

signed a petition against its use, with activists advocating for a more suitable alternative.

A Hindu temple in Leicester even went as far as asking worshippers not to give new five pound notes in donations.

Vibhooti Acharya, the president of the Shree Sanatan Mandir said his committee was considering whether to ban the notes.

Ms Acharya, said the temple will

The Bank has now concluded that it would be appropriate to keep the £5 polymer note in circulation and to issue the £10 polymer note as planned, in September.

encourage people not to give the five pound notes as charitable donations and intends to make people aware that tallow is usually derived from beef or pork, either straight from the slaughterhouse or at some point during the food production process.

printed would put this at risk," the Bank said in its report.

She said: “No-one was informed and it’s been thrown upon us. We don’t have the opportunity to choose.

"Delaying the issuance of the polymer £10 would also delay the benefits of the increased counterfeit resilience of polymer being achieved for the Bank and the public."

“There needs to be a decision made between (the) committee as to whether we accept five pound notes in religious ceremonies in future.

“We have to give a reasonable amount of time for resolve; we can’t really take any drastic steps because it’s just not practical.”

However, the Bank said it has held off signing supply contracts for the £20 polymer note, which is due to be released in 2020, in order to weigh plant-based substitutes like coconut oil or palm oil.

It is launching a public consultation and will make a final decision on how £20 notes - and future runs of the £5 and £10 notes - will be manufactured by summer 2017.

"The Bank works hard to ensure that the public has enough secure notes to use in daily life and destroying the hundreds of millions of notes already

It stressed it would not be able to guarantee "sufficient stock" of paper notes if it were to destroy the polymer notes.

Doug Maw, who started the petition against the use of tallow in the £5 note, said he was "quite angry" about the Bank's decision and was considering legal action.

It comes just weeks after the 48-yearold, from Keswick in Cumbria, met representatives at the Bank of England to discuss the issue.

He said: "The fact that they've decided to go ahead and not withdraw and continue (circulating the notes), means they are forcing people who have religious and ethical objections to use something that's against their religious beliefs and their ethical beliefs.

"I'm most definitely as of now looking at legal advice and we will definitely be bringing a test case against them because I'm pretty sure we will win it."

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NEWS

Taxi Driver watched television as paramedics attempted to help his wife whom he ‘beat up’

by MO BHANA

mo@asian-standard.co.uk

A Taxi driver whose wife of 30 years suffered a stroke after he constantly banged her head against a door, has been sentenced to ten months in jail.

54 year old Parvez Akhtar, is said to have lost his temper before setting off for a night shift and attacked his wife, Naseem Akhtar at the Bradford home they had shared for over 25 years, Bradford Crown Court heard.

After striking Naseem Akhtar’s head against the kitchen door, the court was given a blow by blow version of events.

Mr Akhtar is said to have sat down to watch a television programme whilst paramedics desperately attempted to help the mother-of-four, who was found wilting with pain on the floor.

She suffered two large lumps to her head with double vision.

Akhtar, of Donisthorpe Street, in West Bowling Bradford, pleaded guilty to assaulting Mrs Akhtar and causing her actual bodily harm on April 25 in 2016.

Ben Campbell, Prosecuting, said he was convicted in 1994 of a similar offence against his wife when she intervened to stop him hitting a child.

He worked as a private hire driver and this time attacked Mrs Akhtar in the kitchen at 4.30pm after getting up to work a night shift.

Mr Campbell said he called her names and when a heated argument ensued, he grabbed her by the hair and threw her against a door.

She was taken to hospital by ambulance; however scans did not detect any serious injury.

But when Mrs Akhtar saw a consultant neurologist, he found that she had suffered a stroke, possibly caused during the attack.

The court heard she had since made a full recovery and wanted her husband back home.

Akhtar at first denied the assault charge, accusing his wife of inventing the allegation.

“You sat and watched television as she was taken to hospital in the throes of that stroke developing,” the judge said.

One in four women experience domestic abuse in their lives. For men, this figure is one in six.

“You are a bully and you are a man who has kept control in your home.”

Two women are killed by a current or former partner every week in England and Wales.

Akhtar was prepared to use violence behind closed doors if something upset him.

He threw his wife around by the hair and she suffered two blows to the head in a sustained attack.

“You have used terrible violence to this lady,” Judge Rose said.

Akhtar was a coward for not owning up to what he had done until witness summonses were about to be issued to get prosecution witnesses to court for his trial.

The facts: Domestic abuse in the UK

Globally, one in three women have experienced sexual or physical violence – in most cases from a partner or family member.

Around 54 per cent of rapes reported to police take place within the context of domestic violence.

Every minute a domestic violence case is reported to police. But… Only 35 per cent of domestic violence cases are actually reported to the police.

Sources: Refuge, nia

Nadim Bashir, Akhtar’s barrister, said he had been living away from home after the attack but his wife and family were supportive of his return to the address.

He was the sole bread winner and feared his cab licence might be revoked by Bradford Council.

Judge Jonathan Rose labelled Akhtar a violent and controlling bully who did not deserve his wife’s continuing affection.

Bradford Crown Court

You have used terrible violence to this lady.

Judge Rose

WEEKENDER Issue fifteen, Tuesday 21 Feburary 2017

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TV E D I GU DE INSI rite avou ls f r u o All y n channe s A ia

Gurinder Chadha:

Twenty five years ago I made Bhaji on the Beach and I was the first Asian woman to make a film in this country, 25 years later I am still the only Asian woman in this country making films as a living in this country.

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INTERVIEW

Huma Qureshi:

“Gurinder is known for her strong female characters in all her films, so I knew that the film was going to be special.”

She is riding high, with the success of her Akshay starrer Jolly LLB 2 and is now about to make her international debut in Gurinder Chadha’s Viceroy’s House. Huma Qureshi essays the role of Aalia a Muslim interpreter to the last Viceroy of India played by Hugh Bonneville and his wife played by Gillian Anderson.

During the UK film promotions for Viceroy’s House, the Bollywood starlet spoke to us exclusively on working with Gurinder and what she had to do to bag her first international role.

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INTERVIEW Firstly, congratulations on the success of Jolly LLB 2, we loved you in the film.

Yay, thank you so much.

Tell us how did you land the role of Aalia, for Viceroy’s House?

The casting Director called me and she said Gurinder, is making this film, she sent me the script to read, which I absolutely loved and then she asked me to read for the part, which I did and as they say the rest is history.

How does it feel to be selected for a female role in a Gurinder Chadha film after Aishwarya Rai? What! It’s amazing because Gurinder is known for her strong female characters in all her films, so I knew

carry the character with us 24-7. I met a lady called Jaya Thadani who is the grand-niece of Rajkumari Amrit Kaur, one of the first cabinet minister from the first government of India and she was around at that time and she had a lot of stories and first person accounts to share with me so that was great fun.

Apart from that most of the historical research was Gurinder’s call.

They’ve lived with this film for far too long, it’s a difficult film to make especially as a female director.

You never shy away from experimenting with your roles for films and it’s refreshing to see you play so many diverse roles in the short span you’ve been in the industry. How do you select which roles to play?

I draw lots. (laughter) Or I flip a coin (laughter) No, I just do stuff, that I want to do.

Just stuff that I gravitate to. There is no formula to it, there is no rocket science.

You just read something, you get attached to it and that’s just about it.

You sound very mischievous and cheeky. Are you like this on set?

I’m very boring. I am a very boring, very serious person. I don’t like jokes and I have a terrible sense of humour.

Viceroy’s House is a very emotional story which talks about this big political problem in very human terms and I think that’s what most people are going to connect with. that the film was going to be special.

What makes this film really really special is that it is about the partition, it’s an important period in Indian history. So yeah it makes me very very proud.

What was it like working with Gurinder? What is she like as a Director?

She is amazing, very specific. She knew exactly what she wanted and she was very passionate about the film as she has been working on it for the past few years. And it was a delight to work with her.

(laughs) Ok, I am going to take the opposite of that Huma.

Do you feel nervous before the release of your film?

I don’t feel nervous, I just want to share it with as many people as possible.

Because I am excited. You work really hard and you want as many people to see it and like it and all of that.

What matters to your more critics review or box office review of the film?

I read somewhere that there were initially ‘teething problems’ between the two of you, is that true?

I think half of both. I think both are equally important, you can’t really pick.

No, no no. That was quoted out of context.

What are your expectations from the Viceroy’s House?

How did you prepare for your role as Aalia?

I think a lot of people will connect with this film. It’s a very emotional story and with all the political stuff that’s going on, it’s just a very emotional story about people and talks about this big political problem in very human terms and I think that’s what most

Well, apart from accent training, there was stuff that Gurinder was very specific about. She wanted us to get into the zone of the character and to

people are going to connect with. We’ve not tried to make it very intellectual or intellectualise the problem. We’ve tried to show you the human impact of what really happened at that time.

How can you encourage our readers to go and watch this film?

Well it’s a very important part of our history both for Britain and India. It’s the last Viceroy coming to India, to give India independence, but also sort of to divide India and Pakistan and it’s about this love story between the Muslim interpreter who works for him and his Hindu valet and the choice that they have to stay or to go. The choice that millions had to make and it’s about that and it tells the story about these people that history seems to have forgotten or they don’t really talk about them.

So what’s next for you Huma?

Right now, just very very busy with all this.

Well we would like to wish you all the best for the film.

Thank you darling!

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Recipes from

African Chicken Tikka When you get tired of eating regular chicken tikkas, serve this African-inspired recipe that is sure to tantalize your taste-buds.

Ingredients for Brine Solution • National Vinegar : 1/2 cup • Water : 4 cups • National Iodized Salt : 4 tablespoons Ingredients for African Chicken Tikka Marinade • National Tikka Boti Masala.

• Chicken with skin (quartered) : 6 pieces • Garlic cloves : 8 each • Onion : 1 medium • Mustard Paste : 1 & 1/2

tablespoons • Crushed Chili : 1 & 1/2 tablespoons • National Black Pepper : 1 & 1/2 teaspoons • National Soy Sauce : 3 tablespoons • National Chili Sauce : 3 tablespoons • National Vinegar : 4 tablespoons • National Tikka Boti Masala : 3 tablespoons • Oil : 4 tablespoons

Method In a large bowl, combine National Vinegar, National Iodized Salt and water. Add chicken to this brine solution and let it marinate in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.

Wash under running tap water to rinse off the salt and vinegar from the chicken. Pat dry and keep it aside.

Blend the remaining ingredients using a food

Facebook/ The Desi Kitchen

processor to make a fine paste. (The paste can be stored in the refrigerator up to 2 days).

Pour the paste over the chicken pieces, massage a little, marinate for an hour in the refrigerator.

Taking off the excess paste, place the chicken pieces skin side down and grill on low flame.

Twitter/ @thedesikitched

To keep the chicken from burning and to ensure even cooking, rotate and turn the pieces every couple of minutes. Grill until the meat changes color, the outside is nicely caramelized and the desired charbroiled look is achieved.

Serve with grilled vegetables.

Youtube/ The Desi Kitchen

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Masaladar Kofta Biryani

Ingredients for Kofta

• Beef Mince (lean) : 500 gm • Green Chili (fine paste) : 1 tablespoon • Fresh Coriander (finely chopped) : 2 tablespoons • National Kofta Masala : 2 tablespoons • Fried Onion Paste : 3 tablespoons Ingredients for Biryani Masala

• Basmati Rice : 3 cups • Oil : 1 cup • Koftas (as explained) : 10-12 balls • Onion (thinly sliced) : 2 medium • National Ginger & Garlic Paste : 1 tablespoon each • National Sindhi Biryani Mix : 1 packet • Tomatoes (chopped) : 4 medium • Yogurt : 1 cup • Fresh Mint : 1/2 cup

• Fresh Coriander : 1 cup • Green Chili : 6 • Ghee : 2 tablespoons • Kewra Essence : 1/2 teaspoon • Zarda Food Color: pinch

till light brown in color.

Method For Kofta

Gently place the cooked koftas in the gravy and give dum for 2-3 minutes.

In a food processor combine all the ingredients and make a smooth mixture. Wet your palms to make 10 -12 balls and keep aside to be used as directed in the recipe.

Method For Biryani Masala Wash and soak National Basmati Rice for at least 15 minutes.

Heat oil and fry the koftas gently for 2-3 minutes till they are light brown. Remove koftas from the pan. Place on absorbent paper and keep aside.

Using the same oil, fry onions

Now add National Ginger Paste, National Garlic Paste, National Sindhi Biryani Masala, and tomatoes. Cook until tomatoes soften; do bhunai.

While the kofta gravy is on dum, in a food processor blend yogurt, fresh mint, fresh coriander and green chilies to a smooth paste.

Prepare National Basmati Rice by adding 3 tbsp of National Iodized Salt to boiling water and boil the rice till it reaches do kanni stage. Strain.

Keeping the gravy at the bottom, pour yogurt mixture over and layer with the rice.

Sprinkle a pinch of food color on the top and put it on dum.

Chandan Kababs Ingredients

Method

• Chicken Minced : 250 gm • Beef Minced : 250 gm • Onion : 1 medium • Bread Slice (edges trimmed) : 2 medium slices • National Chapli Kabab Masala : 1 packet • Mayonnaise : 4 tablespoons • Green Chili (finely chopped) : 1 tablespoon optional • Eggs (beaten) : 2 • Bread-crumbs : 1 cup • Oil for frying

Finely chop the Onions and squeeze out all the moisture,using cheese-cloth, and keep aside.

Facebook/ The Desi Kitchen

Trimming the edges, soak the bread slices in water andusing your hands squeeze out as much water as possible, and keep aside.

Using a food processor combine the chicken mince, beef mince, chopped onion, soaked bread, mayonnaise,

green chilies, National Chapli Kabab Masala and blend to a smooth paste.

Wet your hands with water and use your palms to make thin round patties.

First dip the kababs in the egg and then coat with breadcrumbs.

Shallow fry the kababs/patties on both sides on a medium heat till they turn light golden in color.

Perfect choice for serving at evening teas and as school lunch-box staples with National Tomato Ketchup.

Twitter/ @thedesikitched

Youtube/ The Desi Kitchen

1st Floor, The Bazaar, Simes Street, Bradford, BD1 3SQ

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Your Weekend tv Guide for all your favourite Asian TV channels Saturday 25 Feburary 2017

SONY TV

03:00 The Kapil Sharma Show (Comedy) 04:30 CID (Drama) 05:31 Crime Patrol (Drama)

Aaj Tak

Entertainment Show 20:00 It News (News) 20:30 Auto Today (Motoring) 21:00 It News (News)

22:00 AT News (News)

00:00 Vande Mataram 00:30 It Special (News) 06:00 Top Ten News English

06:30 Jeevan Prabhat (Religious)

06:10 It News (News)

07:00 Kuch Rang Pyar Ke Aise Bhi (Drama)

07:00 It News (News)

07:30 Bhakti Sagar (Religious)

06:30 It News (News)

07:30 Yoga Ira (Sport) 08:00 Adbhut Rahasya

08:00 Kuch Rang Pyar Ke Aise Bhi (Drama)

08:30 Chai Chat

08:30 Kuch Rang Pyar Ke Aise Bhi (Drama)

09:00 It News (News)

09:00 Kuch Rang Pyar Ke Aise Bhi (Drama) 09:29 Crime Patrol (Drama) 10:30 The Kapil Sharma Show (Comedy)

08:40 Chai Chat

09:30 It Special (News) 10:00 It News (News) 10:30 In Da Club - It Entertainment Show 11:00 Saas Bahu Aur Betiyan

09:00 Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah (Reality Show)

22:30 Chai Chat

23:30 Adhbhut Akalpaniya Avishwasniya

08:00 Sadguru Enlightens (Religious) 08:30 Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah (Reality Show)

21:30 AT News (News)

23:00 Aajtak News @ 9

05:59 Sankat Mochan Mahabali Hanuman (Drama)

Colours TV

05:00 Aadmi Aur Insaan (Film)

06:00 Shakti Astitva Ke Ehsaas Ki (Drama) 06:30 Bani - Ishq Da Kalma (Drama)

09:30 Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah (Reality Show) 10:00 Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah (Reality Show) 10:30 Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah (Reality Show)

01:00 It News (News)

07:00 Vatsalya Tech (Magazine Programme)

01:30 It Entertainment

07:30 Devanshi (Drama)

13:35 Baabul (Film)

02:00 It News (News)

08:00 Dil Se Dil Tak (Drama)

02:30 It Special (News)

10:30 India's Got Talent (Game Show)

17:15 Ladies v Ricky Bahl (Film)

03:00 It News (News) 03:30 It News (News) 04:00 It News (News) 04:30 It Entertainment 05:00 It Special (News) 05:30 Yoga Ira (Sport)

B4U Movies

11:00 Krantiveer (Film)

20:10 Sultan (Film)

12:30 Ek Shringaar Swabhiman (Drama)

23:50 Crime Patrol Dial 100 (Drama)

14:30 Karmafal Daata Shani (Drama)

00:50 Crime Patrol Dial 100 (Drama)

16:00 Ki and Ka (Film) 19:00 Devanshi (Drama) 19:30 Sasural Simar Ka (Drama) 20:00 Naagin (Drama)

01:45 Crime Patrol Dial 100 (Drama) 02:45 Crime Patrol Dial 100 (Drama) 03:30 Crime Patrol Dial 100 (Drama)

12:00 Indian Idol (Game Show)

11:30 Saas Bahu Aur Betiyan

21:00 Rising Star (Drama)

12:00 AT News (News)

04:20 Crime Patrol Dial 100 (Drama)

13:00 Asian Variety Show (Entertainment)

12:30 Astro Guruji

22:30 Special Programme (Documentary)

05:05 Pyaar Impossible (Film)

13:00 Vande Mataram

00:00 Naagin (Drama)

14:00 Rocky Handsome (Film)

13:30 Vande Mataram

01:00 Rising Star (Drama)

14:00 Saas Bahu Aur Betiyan

02:30 Dil Se Dil Tak (Drama)

17:30 The Kapil Sharma Show (Comedy) 19:00 Indian Idol (Game Show) 20:00 Indian Idol (Game Show) 21:00 The Kapil Sharma Show (Comedy)

14:30 Saas Bahu Aur Betiyan 15:00 India 360 (News) 15:30 At Special 16:00 Chai Chat 16:30 At Special 17:00 AT News (News)

05:00 Naagin (Drama) 06:00 Satrangee Parachute (Film) 09:30 Baazigar (Film)

SAB TV

13:00 Style (Film) 16:30 Awaara Paagal Deewana (Film)

22:30 CID (Drama)

17:30 At Cricket (Sport)

23:30 Crime Patrol (Drama)

18:00 Hallabol (Film)

00:30 The Kapil Sharma Show (Comedy)

18:30 Hallabol (Film)

23:30 Total Siyapa (Film)

19:00 Gadgets and Gizmos

03:00 Company (Film)

02:00 Crime Patrol (Drama)

06:00 Naram Garam (Film)

20:00 Masti Express (Film)

09:00 New York (Film) 12:00 Bachna Aaye Haseeno (Film) 15:00 Parineeta (Film)

19:30 In Da Club - It

Stunning! Deepika Padukone at Michael Kors Show for NYFW17 Deepika Padukone, who has made her presence felt globally, looked smashing as she recently attended the world renowned fashion designer Michael Kors Show at the ongoing New York Fashion Week.

The Mastani of Bollywood chose a navy blue dress from Kors’ Spring 2017 collection and paired it with a high neck white top. Her open, side parted hair added grace to her look.

SONY MAX

At the event, Deepika mingled with fashion enthusiasts from all over.

She is seen here striking a pose with Emily Ratajkowski, Jourdan Dunn and Hikari Mori.

On the work front, the 31-year-old is currently gearing up for Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s ‘Padmavati’ that also stars Shahid Kapoor and Ranveer Singh.

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17:30 Jab Tak Hai Jaan (Film) 21:00 Bahubali: The Beginning (Film) 00:00 Ta Ra Rum Pum (Film) 03:00 Waqt Hamara Hai (Film)

STAR GOLD

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@Asian_Standard

08:00 Chandra Nandni (Drama)

03:00 Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai (Drama)

08:30 Suhaani Si Ek Ladki (Drama)

03:30 Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai (Drama)

09:00 Jana Na Dil Se Door (Drama)

04:00 Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai (Drama)

09:30 Naamkarann (Drama)

04:30 Suhaani Si Ek Ladki (Drama)

10:00 Yeh Hai Mohabbatein (Drama) 10:30 Saathiya (Drama) 11:00 Dil Hai Hindustani (Entertainment) 12:00 Ishqbaaaz (Drama) 12:30 Meri Durga (Documentary)

05:00 Suhaani Si Ek Ladki (Drama) 05:30 Suhaani Si Ek Ladki (Drama)

ZEE CINEMA

13:00 Pardes Mein Hai Mera Dil (Drama)

08:55 Taarzan: The Wonder Car (Film) 12:05 Dulhan Hum Le Jayenge (Film) 14:50 Jai Ho (Film) 17:25 Action Replay (Drama) 20:00 Wanted (Drama) 23:00 Drishyam (Film) 02:15 Aaj Ka Goonda Raaj (Film) 05:05 Koffee with Karan (Chat Show)

STAR PLUS

17:00 Suhaani Si Ek Ladki (Drama)

04:35 Dil Ne Phir Yaad Kiya (Film)

17:30 Jana Na Dil Se Door (Drama)

07:15 Jaanam Samjha Karo (Film)

18:00 Mere Angne Mein (Drama)

10:00 Baton Baton Mein (Film)

18:30 Meri Durga (Documentary)

12:00 Andha Kanoon (Film) 14:45 Happy Ending (Film) 17:00 Main Tera Hero (Film) 19:15 Haider (Film)

20:00 Dil Hai Hindustani (Entertainment)

21:20 Company (Film)

21:00 Naamkarann (Drama)

02:55 Pure Bollywood (Music)

21:30 Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai (Drama)

04:00 Andha Kanoon (Film)

22:00 Ishqbaaaz (Drama) 22:30 Dil Bole Oberoi (Drama) 23:00 Yeh Hai Mohabbatein (Drama)

00:00 Yess Boss (Film)

ZEE TV

00:30 Pardes Mein Hai Mera Dil (Drama)

06:30 Mere Angne Mein (Drama)

01:00 Pardes Mein Hai Mera Dil (Drama)

07:00 Meri Durga (Documentary)

01:30 Ishqbaaaz (Drama)

07:30 Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai (Drama)

02:30 Ishqbaaaz (Drama)

02:00 Ishqbaaaz (Drama)

09:00 Money Guru (Business and Finance) 09:30 The Art Room (Entertainment)

The ‘Piku’ star took to Twitter and

posted a photo of his starting as an actor in Bollywood, when he signed his first movie ‘Saat Hindustani’ in 1969.

He captioned the photo, “Today on Feb 15th 1969 I officially joined the Film Industry.. signed my 1st film ‘Saat Hindustani’.”

HUM TV

10:00 Food Tripping (Cookery) 10:30 Ganga - The Soul of India (Cookery)

12:30 Ek Tha Raja Ek Thi Rani (Drama) 13:00 Ek Tha Raja Ek Thi Rani (Drama) 13:30 Kumkum Bhagya (Drama) 14:00 Kumkum Bhagya (Drama) 14:30 Kumkum Bhagya (Drama) 15:00 The Big Idea (Entertainment) 15:30 Big Story, Big Debate (Chat Show) 16:30 Out and About (Entertainment) 17:00 Zee Rishtey Awards 2017 (Entertainment) 20:30 Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Lil Champs-2017 (Reality Show)

09:00 Jago Pakistan Jago 10:30 Joru Ka Ghulam(Rpt) 11:00 Nazr e Bud 12:00 Dil Banjaara 13:00 Saya e Deewaar bhi Nahi 14:00 Sila 15:00 Sammi 16:00 Pani Jesa Pyar 17:00 Natak 18:00 Hsy (Season-3) 19:00 Fun Khana 19:30 Joru Ka Ghulam 20:00 Natak 21:00 Pani Jesa Pyar 22:00 HSY (Season - 03)

23:00 Neeli Chatri Waale (Documentary) 00:00 Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Lil Champs-2017 (Reality Show) 01:30 Dr. Subhash Chandra Show (Drama) 05:30 Yogic Healing by Swami Ramdev (Entertainment)

02:30 Big Story, Big Debate (Chat Show)

06:30 Shrimad Bhagwat Katha (Entertainment)

Big B gets nostalgic as he completes 48 yrs in Bollywood Legendary actor Amitabh Bachchan, also known as the Shahanshah of Bollywood, walked down memory lane as he completed 48 years in the film industry.

05:30 Yogic Healing by Swami Ramdev (Entertainment)

22:00 Brahmarakshas... Jaag Utha Shaitaan (Drama)

23:30 Dil Hai Hindustani (Entertainment) 06:00 Ishqbaaaz (Drama)

08:30 Narayan Seva Sansthan (Documentary)

12:00 Ek Tha Raja Ek Thi Rani (Drama)

14:30 Jolly LLB (Film)

19:30 Yeh Hai Mohabbatein (Drama)

08:00 Nirankari Baba Mission (Entertainment)

04:30 Fear Files (Documentary)

11:30 Ek Tha Raja Ek Thi Rani (Drama)

14:00 Pardes Mein Hai Mera Dil (Drama)

19:00 Saathiya (Drama)

07:30 Yoga for You (Entertainment)

03:30 The Art Room (Entertainment)

11:00 Ek Tha Raja Ek Thi Rani (Drama)

13:30 Pardes Mein Hai Mera Dil (Drama) 06:00 Parampara (Film)

07:00 Zee News (News)

In his illustrious career, the 74 year-old has played some of the most iconic characters in Bollywood such as Inspector Vijay Khanna in ‘Zanjeer’, Vijay Deenanath Chauhan in ‘Agneepath’ for which he won the National Award for Best Actor in 1990, and Vijay Verma in ‘Deewar’.

He has a total of 16 Filmfare awards

and four National awards, winning the honor maximum number of times.

On the work front, Big B will next be seen in Ram Gopal Varma’s directorial ‘Sarkar 3’, alongside Yami Gautam, Manoj Bajpayee and Jackie Shroff.

7

Disclaimer : Please note listings correct at the time of printing and can vary.

8

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Your Weekend tv Guide for all your favourite Asian TV channels Sunday 26 Feburary 2017

SONY TV

03:00 The Kapil Sharma Show (Comedy) 04:31 CID (Drama) 05:31 Crime Patrol (Drama)

Aaj Tak

18:30 Hallabol (Film) 19:00 It Long Story 19:30 Now Playing 20:00 It News (News)

08:00 Sadguru Enlightens (Religious)

21:00 It Unforgettables

08:30 Khatmal-E-Isqh (Drama)

21:30 It Unforgettables

09:00 Khatmal-E-Isqh (Drama)

22:00 AT News (News)

06:00 Udaan (Film)

09:30 Khatmal-E-Isqh (Drama)

22:30 Chai Chat

07:00 Vatsalya Tech (Magazine Programme)

10:00 Khatmal-E-Isqh (Drama)

07:30 Devanshi (Drama)

11:00 Dum Laga Ke Haisha (Film)

23:30 Vande Mataram 06:30 Jeevan Prabhat (Religious)

07:30 Khatmal-E-Isqh (Drama)

20:30 It Special (News)

23:00 AT News (News) 05:31 Crime Patrol (Drama)

Colours TV

05:05 Pyaar Impossible (Film)

00:00 To the Point

08:00 Naagin (Drama)

10:30 Khatmal-E-Isqh (Drama)

10:30 India's Got Talent (Game Show)

13:25 Koi... Mil Gaya (Film)

12:30 Shakti Astitva Ke Ehsaas Ki (Drama)

20:15 Lafangey Parindey (Film)

14:30 Devanshi (Drama)

22:55 Crime Patrol Dial 100 (Drama)

06:00 Top Ten News English

00:30 It News (News)

06:10 It News (News)

01:00 It News (News)

06:30 It News (News)

01:30 It Entertainment

07:30 Bhakti Sagar (Religious)

07:00 It News (News)

02:00 It News (News)

07:30 Yoga Ira (Sport)

02:30 It Long Story

08:00 Peshwa Bajirao (Drama)

08:00 Adbhut Rahasya

03:00 It News (News)

08:30 Chai Chat

03:30 Auto Today (Motoring)

18:30 Desi Beat (Magazine Programme)

08:40 Chai Chat

04:00 It News (News)

19:00 Devanshi (Drama)

00:50 Crime Patrol Dial 100 (Drama)

09:30 Crime Patrol (Drama)

09:00 It News (News)

04:30 It Entertainment

10:30 The Kapil Sharma Show (Comedy)

09:30 AT News (News)

05:00 It Special (News)

19:30 Sasural Simar Ka (Drama)

01:45 Crime Patrol Dial 100 (Drama)

10:00 Auto Today (Motoring)

05:30 Yoga Ira (Sport)

20:00 Naagin (Drama)

02:40 Crime Patrol Dial 100 (Drama)

07:00 Sankat Mochan Mahabali Hanuman (Drama)

08:40 Peshwa Bajirao (Drama)

12:00 Indian Idol (Game Show) 13:00 CID (Drama) 14:00 Lafangey Parindey (Film) 17:00 Beyhadh (Drama) 17:30 The Kapil Sharma Show (Comedy)

10:30 It Special (News) 11:00 Saas Bahu Aur Betiyan 11:30 Saas Bahu Aur Betiyan

22:30 Special Programme (Documentary) 00:00 Naagin (Drama) 01:00 Rising Star (Drama)

12:30 At Entertainment

02:30 Ek Shringaar Swabhiman (Drama)

13:00 Non Stop 100 (News)

05:00 Naagin (Drama)

13:30 AT News (News)

20:00 Indian Idol (Game Show)

14:30 Saas Bahu Aur Betiyan

14:00 Saas Bahu Aur Betiyan

21:00 The Kapil Sharma Show (Comedy)

15:00 India 360 (News)

22:30 CID (Drama)

16:00 Chai Chat

23:30 Crime Patrol (Drama)

16:30 At Special

02:00 Crime Patrol (Drama)

21:00 Rising Star (Drama)

12:00 Jyotish Prakash (Special Interest)

19:00 Indian Idol (Game Show)

00:30 The Kapil Sharma Show (Comedy)

B4U Movies

16:30 Ek Shringaar Swabhiman (Drama)

15:30 At Special

17:00 AT News (News) 17:30 At Cricket (Sport) 18:00 Hallabol (Film)

06:00 Laadla (Film)

The ‘Coke Studio’ sensation posted a snap on Snapchat about a gift she received for Valentine’s Day and

captioned it, “Single girls get Valentine’s gifts too. Thanks @beoneshopone” She even took to her Facebook page to post a message about calling of the marriage and captioned it, “To all concerned about my engagement.”

The message read, “Yes, our families have

23:50 Crime Patrol Dial 100 (Drama)

03:25 Crime Patrol Dial 100 (Drama) 04:10 Krantiveer (Film)

SONY MAX

SAB TV

09:30 Dhadkan (Film) 13:00 Joggers' Park (Film) 16:30 Dhamaal (Comedy)

06:00 Tirangaa (Film)

20:00 Don 2 (Film)

08:30 Gol Maal (Film)

23:30 Ghajini (Film)

11:30 Aashiqui 2 (Film)

03:00 Baazigar (Film)

14:30 Dilwale (Film)

‘Afreen’ girl Momina Mustehsan opens about calling off her engagement The ‘Afreen’ girl Momina Mustehsan, who was recently in news for calling off her engagement, on Valentine’s Day, made it official that she is definitely single.

17:00 Dilwale (Film)

mutually agreed to call off the engagement.

Earlier when the news broke, I requested everyone not to jump to conclusion and to not speak on my behalf on such a personal matter, and let me be the one to make the announcement when need be. No one gets engaged to have it called off, but sometimes things don’t go the way you would have wanted to or thought. Such is

life. Fortunately, the best part of our life is that it goes on. It has to I would appreciate if no further speculations are made.”

For the unversed, a news daily in Pakistan, some time back, revealed that the singer has called off her engagement with Ali Naqvi, a US-based banker.

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17:30 Bunty Aur Babli (Film)

07:00 Chandra Nandni (Drama)

04:30 Naamkarann (Drama)

21:00 Rangeela (Entertainment)

07:30 Mere Angne Mein (Drama)

05:00 Pardes Mein Hai Mera Dil (Drama)

00:00 Chandni (Film)

08:00 Mere Angne Mein (Drama)

05:30 Dil Bole Oberoi (Drama)

03:00 Sunny (Film)

STAR GOLD

08:30 Mere Angne Mein (Drama) 09:00 Yeh Hai Mohabbatein (Drama)

ZEE CINEMA

07:05 Little Krishna - The Darling of... (Film) 08:50 Shaadi No. 1 (Film) 11:30 Bajrangi Bhaijaan (Film) 14:40 Dabangg 2 (Film) 17:00 M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story (Film)

13:00 Naamkarann (Drama) 13:30 Naamkarann (Drama) 14:00 Naamkarann (Drama) 14:30 The Legend of Michael Mishra (Film) 17:00 Suhaani Si Ek Ladki (Drama) 17:30 Jana Na Dil Se Door (Drama)

20:45 Akira (Film)

18:00 Mere Angne Mein (Drama)

23:25 Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman (Film)

18:30 Meri Durga (Documentary)

01:45 Maachis (Film)

19:00 Saathiya (Drama)

04:55 Koffee with Karan (Chat Show)

19:30 Yeh Hai Mohabbatein (Drama)

STAR PLUS

20:00 Dil Hai Hindustani (Entertainment)

04:00 Andha Kanoon (Film)

09:00 Jago Pakistan Jago

09:00 Bollywood Business (Magazine Programme)

13:30 Bangistan (Film)

10:30 Fun Khana (Rpt)

16:30 Bollywood Cut (Entertainment)

11:00 Saya e Dewaar bhi Nahin

14:15 Hello Darling (Film)

17:30 Ganga - The Soul of India (Cookery)

12:00 Natak

15:55 Santa Banta Pvt Ltd (Film)

18:00 Food Tripping (Cookery)

17:50 Tamanchey (Film)

18:30 Bollywood Business (Magazine Programme)

15:00 Sange Mar Mar

19:00 Zee News (News)

16:00 Pani Jesa Pyar

19:30 The Golden Years with Javed Aktar (Documentary)

17:00 Hsy (Season 3)

09:30 Vidhaata (Film) 12:00 Shaukeen (Film)

19:30 Shamitabh (Film) 22:00 Teen Patti (Film) 00:30 Raat (Film) 02:50 Shaukeen (Film) 04:55 Pure Bollywood (Music) 05:15 Vidhaata (Film)

ZEE TV

06:30 Chandra Nandni (Drama)

04:00 Suhaani Si Ek Ladki (Drama)

22:00 Brahmarakshas... Jaag Utha Shaitaan (Drama) 23:00 The Golden Years with Javed Aktar (Documentary) 00:00 Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Lil Champs-2017 (Reality Show)

Taking his companionship to yet another level, SRK took to his twitter handle to post an insanely adorable poem about their love!

SRK tweeted, “A late night walk along the Juhu beach.hand in hand.& the sand castle we made will last a life time.. we r sure.”

18:00 Sange Mar Mar 19:00 Joru Ka Ghulam 19:30 Mr Shamin 20:00 Sammi 21:00 Pani Jesa Pyar 22:00 Kitni Girhein Baqi Hain

02:30 Zindagi Ki Mehek (Drama) 03:00 Sanyukt (Drama) 05:30 Yogic Healing by Swami Ramdev (Entertainment)

03:30 Kumkum Bhagya (Drama)

06:30 Shrimad Bhagwat Katha (Entertainment)

04:00 Ek Tha Raja Ek Thi Rani (Drama)

07:00 Zee News (News)

04:30 Jamai Raja (Drama)

07:30 Yoga for You (Entertainment)

This poetic side of Shah Rukh Khan will make you fall in love with him, again!

The internet sensation and the youngest of the Khans, Shah Rukh Khan’s little one, Abram is surely his father’s constant companion.

14:00 Sange Mar Mar

02:00 Kaala Teeka (Drama)

02:00 Yeh Hai Mohabbatein (Drama)

06:00 Chandra Nandni (Drama)

20:30 Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Lil Champs-2017 (Reality Show)

13:00 Sammi

01:30 Bollywood Business (Magazine Programme)

01:00 Dil Hai Hindustani (Entertainment)

03:30 Chandra Nandni (Drama)

12:30 Zindagi Ki Mehek (Drama) 13:00 Zindagi Ki Mehek (Drama)

22:00 Partner (Film)

03:00 Saathiya (Drama)

09:30 Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Lil Champs-2017 (Reality Show)

06:50 Happy Ending (Film)

21:00 Koffee with Karan (Chat Show)

02:30 Ishqbaaaz (Drama)

HUM TV

12:00 Zindagi Ki Mehek (Drama)

10:30 Dil Hai Hindustani Unplugged (Documentary)

06:00 Koffee with Karan (Chat Show)

09:00 Money Guru (Business and Finance)

05:30 Yogic Healing by Swami Ramdev (Entertainment)

11:30 Zindagi Ki Mehek (Drama)

10:00 Yeh Hai Mohabbatein (Drama)

12:00 Koffee with Karan (Chat Show)

08:30 Narayan Seva Sansthan (Documentary)

05:00 Kaala Teeka (Drama)

11:00 Zindagi Ki Mehek (Drama)

09:30 Yeh Hai Mohabbatein (Drama)

11:00 Dil Hai Hindustani (Entertainment)

08:00 Bhakti Bhav (Entertainment)

9

Along with the tweet, he posted a picture of the two hand in hand.

Isn’t that lovely?

Shah Rukh Khan and wify Gauri have three kids – Aryan, Suhana and AbRam. While the elder two are pursuing their studies abroad, AbRam is always by daddy’s side during his various travels.

Disclaimer : Please note listings correct at the time of printing and can vary.

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INTERVIEW

Gurinder Chadha:

"Twenty five years ago I made Bhaji on the Beach and I was the first Asian woman to make a film in this country, 25 years later I am still the only Asian woman making films as a living in this country."

With hit British films like Bhaji on the Beach and Bend it like Beckham Gurinder Chadha is certainly a woman to be admired. After all this is the same woman who launched the careers of Keira Knightley and Parminder Nagra.

She also went on to work with one of Bollywood’s biggest name – Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in Bride and Prejudice and has been working away for the last seven years on what is probably her most personally invested film – Viceroy’s House.

Viceroy’s House hits our screens on 3 March and is a based on the final months of British rule in India.

The film’s story unfolds within that great House. Upstairs lived Mountbatten together with his wife and daughter; downstairs lived their 500 Hindu, Muslim and Sikh servants. As the political elite; Nehru, Jinnah and Gandhi, converged on the House to wrangle over the birth of independent India, conflict erupted. A decision was taken to divide the country and create a new Muslim homeland: Pakistan. It was a decision whose consequences reverberate to this day.

The film examines these events through the prism of a marriage - that of Dickie and Edwina Mountbatten, and a romance, that between a young Hindu servant, Jeet, and his intended Muslim bride, Aalia. The young lovers find themselves caught up in the seismic end of Empire, in conflict with the Mountbattens and with their own communities, but never ever giving up hope.

Hugh Bonneville stars as Lord Mountbatten and Gillian Anderson as his wife, Lady Mountbatten. Lily Travers, Michael Gambon and Simon Callow round out the Brit cast while the Indian and Pakistani cast is led by Manish Dayal, Huma Qureshi, Om Puri, Tanveer Ghani, Denzil Smith and Neeraj Kabi.

We were lucky to catch up with the inspirational Director ahead of the films release. In an exclusive to Asian Standard Gurinder talks film and heritage

Viceroy’s House what made you choose to bring such a film to our screens? What was the deciding factor for you to make Viceroys House.

I had always grown up under the shadow of partition, just like so many of us. My ancestral homeland I didn’t have, because that was in a new country you call Pakistan and so my family are originally from Jhelum and Rawalpindi. About 8-9 years ago I did a BBC documentary, ‘Who do you think you are’ and I went there for the first time and was overwhelmed at how much warmth and love I got from the people in the town of Jhelum, where my grandfathers house was and people welcomed me. They said you’re our daughter, this is your home, this is your town you belong here.

I was very very touched by this and I went looking for my grandfathers house, when I eventually found it (this was the house where my grandmother had upped and left as a refugee with her children) what was there now were five other families living there, but they themselves had been refugees living from the India side. So they had

come there and it was at that moment that reality of partition really hit me and I felt I really wanted to do something on it. But I had grown up with the education that I have got from British schools which basically said that partition was our fault because Mount Batten had come to hand India back, but somehow we started fighting with each other and violence ensued, rioting ensued and Mount Batten had no choice but to divide the country and that was what I had grown up with. However, as I started researching of course and found the second book that my film is based on. The first book is 'Freedom of Midnight' and second book, 'Shadow of the great game', it transpires that actually the history I had been taught was wrong and that actually partition was a political act that had been planned.

So how much time did your research take?

This film has taken seven years in the making What was your biggest take away after making this film?

That history was written by the

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INTERVIEW victors. We have to stand up and tell our own histories. We have to really record our own place in the world and from our perspective.

the strength of her audition and of course now she has become a bit of a Bollywood starlet. And then Manish Dayal, I had seen in Hundred Foot Journey and thought he was very empathetic and so I liked the idea of him playing that role, even though he is from America.

How relevant is the film to today’s generation?

I think the film is really timely right now, because seven years ago Obama was in power, there was no Syrian refugee crisis there was no Brexit and no Trump and so in that respect, the world is a different place now. And as a result, the film has a very timely message for people.

Then I cast Jazz Deol, who plays the lead he is from Britain, he is from Southall and he is a lovely young actor, who I tipped to be very big one day.

And we’ve seen that you have a very good eye for it. Keira Knightly, and Parminder Nagra. You’ve launched some very successful careers. How does that feel?

What happens when people start labelling whole communities and people start preaching hate, you have the politics of division, divide and rule and very quickly can escalate to death as we saw with partition.

It feels great.

What was it like working with Om Puri, who is sadly no more?

I have known and respected Om Puri for many years. There are not many in our business who have worked in India and England and America and Om was one of them. He was very excited when he got the script. We had been planning to work together for a very long time. He was very excited because 35 years ago he had been in Ghandi.

The first British film since then that was looking at partition and now Viceroy’s House How do you think Indian audiences will react to the film?

The film is a very distinct British Asian point of view. An Indian filmmaker from India would have made a very different film I am sure. A Pakistani filmmaker from Pakistan would have made a very different film. So I hope people in India appreciate my specific position and that it’s different to theirs.

We just returned from the Berlin film and there was an Indian film critic present I was keen to hear his view as he was the first to see the film from India and as it happens he was very pleased to see the film and he was grateful that it was completely fresh narrative.

Are there any real life influences in the film?

Gurinder Chadha on the set of Viceroy's House Yes. The fact that I was so moved by ordinary people in Pakistan who wanted to connect with me was terribly moving, because the story you always hear about India and Pakistan are at war with each other, but the reality I saw with ordinary people was the opposite. So, that really informed the fact that I wanted to make a film of ordinary people all living together and then how these policies of divide and rule started to divide them within the house, but also how it wasn’t just cut and dry. Om Puri plays a Muslim in the film, a Muslim freedom fighter for India. So, the dilemma that Aalia has, (Huma Qureshi’s character), which country is she going to give up?

Is she going to give up India for love or is she going to go to Pakistan? These are questions that everybody is being asked, their loyalty and really wanted that ordinary people’s experience and that came from me meeting ordinary people who had been affected.

Do you think some pepople might be put off by the Hindu – Muslim conflict love story, something they’ve seen in several movies?

It’s not a traditional kind of Hindu Muslim love story, with conflicts and

all the rest of it. It’s more about a metaphor for the two countries. One is Pakistan the other is India. Both of them are confused as to what they should do and where their loyalty should be, rather than the usual conflict of you can’t marry a Hindu or you can’t marry a Muslim or whatever. It’s not that kind of a love story at all. It’s very much, here are two people who care about each other, but the politics of the situation of their country is having an impact on their love affair.

You made Bhaji on the Beach in 1993 and now Viceroy’s House 2017, as a woman what has your experience been like in an industry which constantly questions equality for women?

Well, I think you only have to look at statistics in a study called Women calling the shots.

I judge it by what’s coming out.

Twenty five years ago I made Bhaji on

the Beach and I was the first Asian woman to make a film in this country, twenty five years later I am still the only Asian woman making films as a living in this country. That’s a real indication of how hard it is for people to break into the industry and how it is to get films made. I have to really push and work hard to get a film made, if I want to make a film with Asian people in it. If I wanted to make a film with English people and cast stars, it would be much easier for me to get things off the ground, but if I want to make a film about us and our history and our stories, it’s double harder in this country. So, this is why it’s really important for me that people from our community come out and support me in this film and come out and see the film on the 3rd, 4th and 5th March.

And if possible they book their tickets in advance, then the message goes out to the cinemas and the industry that actually Asian people care about their own history. It’s not just Bollywood they are after, but British Asian stories that are important. Because if they don’t go out and support these kind of films, it’s just me making them no one else is going to be able to get a chance to make them. So really if we want a British Asian film industry, people really have to come out and support me in the cinemas.

What made you choose the caste that you have for the film?

I just cast everybody who I felt fit the part. Gillian Anderson I’ve seen her do period films before and she is amazing. She hadn’t even finished reading the script and she called me and said I am in. I really want to do this film, it’s really important and then Hugh Bonneville, same thing. He has done charity work in India and so he really wanted to make this film in India.

With Huma I didn’t know her. She auditioned for the film and did an amazing audition, so I cast her on

Gurinder Chadha with Huma Qureshi and Manish Dayal

I have to really push and work hard to get a film made, if I want to make a film with Asian people in it. If I wanted to make a film with English people and cast stars, it would be much easier for me to get things off the ground, but if I want to make a film about us and our history and our stories, it’s double harder in this country. So, this is why it’s really important for me that people from our community come out and support me in this film and come out and see the film on the 3rd, 4th and 5th March.

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TECHNOLOGY

Digital healthcare: New Snap40 wearable to help monitor your healthcare Two UK hospitals have been given the green light to trial a new wearable device, which when strapped to a patient's arm can continuously collect data, which will alert doctors and nurses to indicate a further health in patients.

Beginning in April and May, the firm will conduct trials on up to 500 patients at the Victoria Hospital, run by NHS Fife, and the Royal Infirmary

of Edinburgh, controlled by NHS Lothian.

data points off the device every 30 seconds."

The snap40 device works by monitoring patients using multiple sensors. Chris McCann, snap40’s CEO and founder told Wired: "The device transmits raw signal from six different sensors then we do a significant amount of computation in our back-end to say this is a vital sign.

Once the data has been collected, the firm's machine learning algorithms analyse the raw data and turn it into a patient's vital signs. The device can then send alerts to medical staff when necessary.

"All told, we transmit about 15,000

It has a battery-life of two days, wireless charging and transmits patient information by Wi-Fi twice a minute. McCann says the device will

only be worn by people admitted to the hospital, but not by anyone under the age of 16.

The device is one of a number of approaches being taken by different branches of the NHS, and the medical profession generally, to improve patient care. A wearable patch developed by VitalConnect sends vital signs to caregivers and has already been tested in Europe and the USA.

YouTube is to end unskippable 30-second ads YouTube is putting an end to its least popular ad format: 30-second unskippable video ads that appear before video content, but according to The Verge you'll have to wait until next year to be shot of them. In a statement, Google said: "We’re committed to providing a better ads experience for users online. As part of that,

we’ve decided to stop supporting 30-second unskippable ads as of 2018 and focus instead on formats that work well for both users and advertisers”. Campaign reports that the company will be using more six-second unskippable bumper ads before and after videos.

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TECHNOLOGY

The world's first colourchanging hair dye debuts at LFW Ever wanted to change your hair from Brown to Blonde or for those of you who are more adventurous, and want to change your hair colour to a rainbow of colours – well now you can.

Lauren Bowker's firm The Unseen has created FIRE, a hair dye that changes colour in response to temperature fluctuations. The amazing new colour-changing hair dye which made its debut at London Fashion Week is available in multiple colour ranges from bright red to subtle pastels.

When temperature drops or rises, the carbon-based molecules at the core of the FIRE dye undergo a reversible reaction. Above a certain temperature change, one of the molecules in the carbon bond is

more stable than the other, and so a reaction produces a molecule with a slightly different absorption of light, thus creating a different colour. In terms of releasing the hair dye to the public, the chemical formula still needs to be optimised and assessed in terms of toxicology before it becomes available for commercial use. Testing has already begun with a mind to start commercial production as soon as possible.

This isn't the first time that Bowker’s magic has been worked on the fashion world: she's previously designed a headpiece for Swarovski with gem stones that change colour in response to brain activity, a jacket that responds to air pollution and a dress at the V&A that reacted to heat and humidity.

With the right clothing a brisk walk could help you charge your mobile phone.

The day of charging mobile phones with finger swipes and powering Bluetooth headsets simply by walking is now much closer as nanotechnologists have created a material that can produce its own electricity Nanotechnologists at the Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, have created a material that can produce and store its own electricity. Zhong Lin Wang who worked on the study told Wired: "We wanted to utilise the soft fibre-based devices to convert solar energy or motion energy into electricity," Using cylindrica dye-sensitised solar cells and nanogenerator

fibres which create energy when rubbed together, the material can harvest power from the Sun or its wearer's movement. They suggest it could one day be incorporated in the designs of watch straps, bracelets or even T-shirts.

The bad news? The prototype is still

"four to five years" from full production. "Performance and robustness were challenges," says Wang. And then there are the hygiene issues. "Anything you put in a washing machine will be destroyed." In other words: this one's for dry-cleaning only.

Samsung boss arrested on bribery charges Lee Jae-yong, the heir to and effective head of Samsung, has been arrested on bribery charges in an ongoing corruption scandal that has swept through Korea's business and political elite. Mr Lee, whose official position in the company is vice chairman, is accused of paying bribes worth $36 million to Choi

Soon-sil, the cult-like figure who was the power behind the throne of disgraced Korean president Park Geun-hye. Mr Lee has been imprisoned pending indictment.

Samsung has said in a statement that "we will do our best to ensure that the truth is revealed in the court proceedings".

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TRAVEL A Passage to India – Part 3

Gujarat stepping into rural India

by FATIMA PATEL

fatima@asian-standard.co.uk

Gujarat is the birth place of my parents and in my view, it’s a place that’s often over looked as a tourist destination over places like Mumbai, Delhi and Rajasthan.

I have visited Gujarat seven times in the last 25 years and each time I have visited, it has been to visit family, which I am sure is often the case for many other people too. I mean how many would have Gujarat, India down as a tourist destination, apart from to visit family? Not many, but let me tell you why Gujarat can be considered a holiday destination.

Gujarat’s countryside holds most of the state’s many treasures.

Traditional artisans in tribal villages weave, embroider, dye and print some of India’s finest textiles, and

pristine parks harbour unique wildlife, such as migratory birds, wild asses and the last remaining prides of Asiatic lions.

From mosques to temples, there is plenty for the spiritually inclined. If you want to explore true rural India, but want the luxury of shopping malls as well as beaches, then Gujarat is an unexplored place that has it all.

My stop was in a district called Navsari. Navsari is one of the oldest cities of Gujarat, that has an inspiring history of over 2000 years.

According to, the Greek historical writings, a celebrated Egyptian astronomer and geographer named Ptolemy mentioned Navsari's port in his book written about 150 A.D. The geographic location he showed as Narispa, is in fact the Navsari of today.

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TRAVEL

The district of Navsari is also home to some of the most delicious food, with the Gujarati thali being the most loved and most popular

Outdoor fruit and veg market I loved trawling through the many markets, from fruit and veg, to clothing and pottery and other such artifacts. Haggling is a must, which can become and enjoyable experience when you secure the price you want from the vendor.

Traditional Gujarati Thali

The district of Navsari is also home to some of the most delicious food, with the Gujarati thali being the most loved and most popular. A typical Gujarati thali consists of chappati, dal or kadhi, rice, and shaak/sabzi (a dish made up of several different combinations of vegetables and spices, which may be either spicy or sweet). The thali will also include preparations made from pulses or whole beans (called kathor in Gujarati) such as mung, black eyed beans etc., a snack item (farsaan) like dhokla, pathra, samosa etc. and a sweet (mishthaan) like mohanthal, jalebi, gulab jamun or srikhand. Most good eateries offered Gujarati thalis on an eat as much as you want, where the staff continuously keep topping your thali with warm food, until you have had enough.

As part of my experience, I also visited the local villages, which I found to be cleaner than the cities in India. Lots of fresh air and wholesome organic fresh food. The local milk is buffalo milk, which is fresh from the well looked after family owned buffalo’s.

Gujarat is well known for its sugar cane fields, rice fields and how can we forget the famous alphonso mangoes.

If you enjoy beaches and sightseeing, there is plenty of them, with a decent night life in many parts too.

But aside from all this Gujarat also claims a special relationship to the life and work of Mahatma Gandhi: he was born here, he ignited the satyagraha movement from here, he made his Salt March here – and his legacy remains a vibrant part of public discourse and private lives.

So if you fancy a bit of culture, tradition, and want to experience Indian village life, then why not explore Gujarat!

Wild Asses in Gujarat

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NEWS

Pakistan mourns victims of Lahore Terror attack

by MO BHANA

rare in the city in recent years.

mo@asian-standard.co.uk

Cricket fans had been quick to voice fears that the explosion could derail plans to hold the highly anticipated final of the Pakistan Super League in Lahore.

Security has been stepped up after a suspected suicide bomber has targeted a protest rally in Pakistan's eastern city of Lahore, killing at least 11 people.

Pakistan’s international tournaments have been held abroad for years out of security fears, and the second year of the popular Twenty20 tournament is ongoing in the United Arab Emirates.

The blast occurred when owners of medical shops were demonstrating against amendments to a law governing drug sales in Punjab province.

Officials had already reassured international players they would receive “head of state” level protection in Lahore, with thousands of police deployed and bullet-proof buses.

The blast apparently targeted police managing a busy protest at rush hour on Mall Road, one of Lahore’s main arteries. At least 13 people were killed, including six police officers, while more than 80 were injured.

Furthermore, it has since been disclosed, that Security in Islamabad has been put on high alert to thwart any untoward incidents, a police source said.

The bomber is said to have targeted a rally of drugs manufacturers protesting a new government law in the city of Lahore, said Mushtaq Sukhera, police chief of the province of Punjab.

He said additional contingents of police had been deployed at sensitive locations and important buildings following Monday’s blast in the middle of a protest.

Investigators have found the remains of the body of the suicide bomber, who is said to be in his 20s, the provincial forensic agency said.

Uhrar, a previously unknown faction, claimed responsibility for the bombing in an email to media.

"It is the beginning of a new operation against security forces in Pakistan," the group's spokesman, Asad Mansour, said.

Television footage showed people running in panic and wailing in grief outside hospitals to find out about their loved ones after the bombing.

Among those killed were senior police

Pakistanis hold a vigil for the victims officers. Dozens of people were hurt.

"The blast was so powerful. I saw the injured and bodies, saw flames surrounding the blast site, people were crying," eyewitness Muhammad Tariq told the AFP news agency.

There are fears that the death toll will rise further.

Lahore has been repeatedly targeted by militants in recent years.

In March 2016, at least 69 people including children - were killed in an explosion at Lahore's public park.

It was crowded with families, some celebrating Easter.

the attack “cowardly” in separate statements, while the EU said it was “shocked and saddened” by the incident.

The attack underscored the challenges faced by Pakistan in its push to stamp out militancy, even though security dramatically improved in 2015 and 2016.

Lahore, the country’s cultural capital, suffered one of Pakistan’s deadliest attacks in 2016 — when a suicide bomber struck in a park last Easter that killed more than 70 including many children.

Both the UK and the US branded

However, such incidents have been

The highest ranking police officer, the Inspector General of Police, Tariq Masood Yasin, said he had directed senior officials to ensure tight security arrangements in their respective areas to avoid any incidents that could cause damage or attacks of any sort.

Following these directions, police have started checking at all entry and exit points in the city. Similarly, special police teams are said to be patrolling the city.

Police commandos have also been deployed all around sensitive locations and important buildings in Islamabad and throughout Pakistan.

Image : Guilhem Vellut

The blast was so powerful. I saw the injured and bodies, saw flames surrounding the blast site, people were crying.

Mall Road, Lahore Pakistan

Muhammad Tariq.

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POLITICS

Government announce £40 million to protect children

by ITRAT BASHIR

itrat@asian-standard.co.uk

Home Secretary Amber Rudd has announced a £40 million package of government measures to protect children and young people from sexual abuse.

The package aims to protect children and young people from sexual abuse, exploitation and trafficking, and to crack down on offenders.

It includes the launch of a new Centre of Expertise on child sexual abuse, an extra £20 million for the National Crime Agency to tackle online child sexual exploitation, £2.2 million for organisations working to protect children at risk of trafficking and the launch of Independent Child Trafficking Advocates (ICTAs) in 3 early-adopter sites across the UK. Amber Rudd announced the measures after visiting Safer Futures in Salford, Greater Manchester, a counselling centre for victims of child sexual exploitation and abuse.

The counselling centre is run by Barnardo’s, which heads the Centre of Expertise and delivers the ICTA service.

The Home Secretary said that children should be able to grow up free from the horrors of sexual abuse, exploitation and trafficking.

Something that should go without saying, but sadly that’s not the case.

Barnardo’s Chief Executive Javed Khan “The measures I am announcing will further improve our ability to protect children, and under my watch I am determined to bring those that would try to steal their childhood to justice.

“The Centre of Expertise, a consortium of health, law enforcement and social care professionals, charities and academics, will receive £7.5 million until 2020. It will become the definitive source of information and guidance to those tackling child sexual abuse and exploitation on the front line.

Independent child trafficking advocates will provide specialist support and act in the best interests of trafficked children. The service will initially be provided by Barnardo’s in Wales, Hampshire and Greater Manchester ahead of full national roll out.

Barnardo’s chief Eeexecutive Javed Khan said: “Through the Centre of Expertise we will develop a deeper understanding of this abuse so that more children can be protected and helped to recover. We will use our collective experience and expertise to develop a greater understanding of what works in the fight against child sexual abuse and to improve responses.

“And thanks to the roll-out of the independent child trafficking advocates, trafficked children in Hampshire, Greater Manchester and Wales will no longer have to navigate

Image :@AmberRudd_MP, Twitter

MP for Hastings & Rye and Home Secretary Amber Rudd

their way alone through complicated statutory systems including health, social care, education and criminal justice, to get the support they need.”

Commenting on the £40 million package, Anne Longfield, Children's Commissioner for England said, “Child sexual exploitation is a damaging crime which can leave lasting scars on its child victims. Sadly, it is one which will not go away, so action to address it must be continuously maintained and the announcement of increased investment in the National Crime Agency to tackle online abuse is welcome.

“It is also vital that those on the front line get the best possible guidance and support to prevent harm to children and help those who fall victim to child sexual exploitation.

The establishment of national Centre of Expertise represents an important step in achieving this.”

The measures I am announcing will further improve our ability to protect children, and under my watch I am determined to bring those that would try to steal their childhood to justice.

Amber Rudd

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POLITICS

Lib Dems call on Labour to condemn misinformation in by-election

by ITRAT BASHIR

itrat@asian-standard.co.uk

Stoke-on-Trent Central Liberal Democrats have called on the Labour Party to condemn the campaign of misinformation taking place under their name and suspend any activists involved in the text scandal.

It has been reported that the residents of Stoke-on-Trent received text messages that warned the Muslim voters they will be condemned to hell if they do not vote Labour in the Stoke-on-Trent Central by-election.

According to ‘The Sun’, one message said failure to back the Labour candidate would see ‘anti-Islam’ UKIP win. It reportedly said, “Will you be able to answer for this in the grave and on the final day? ‘I helped the enemies of Islam because…’”

In a statement, Stoke-on-Trent Liberal Democrats called on the Labour Party

nationally and locally condemn the campaign of misinformation and intimidation currently underway in their name in Stoke-on-Trent.

A Labour Party’s campaign spokesman said: “We were not aware of these text messages and we don’t condone the content. The campaign did not sanction the sending of these messages.”

They also asked the Labour to apologise for their members and activists who have been involved in stirring up community tensions and to suspend all those involved in the text scandal and have them removed from the Labour Party campaign with immediate effect.

The by-election in Stoke-on-Trent was

triggered last month after former Labour MP Tristram Hunt resigned his seat. The by-election is scheduled to be held on February 23. Labour candidate, Gareth Snell, is favourite to win the by elections, but he is facing a strong challenge from a UKIP candidate, Paul Nuttall.

We were not aware of these text messages and we don’t condone the content. The campaign did not sanction the sending of these messages

“For Gareth Snell (Labour candidate) to make a personal apology to Dr Zulfiqar Ali (Lib Dem candidate) for the conduct of his members and activists. Moreover, for Councillor Mohammed Pervez, Labour Group Leader on the City Council, as well as the Labour councillors (who are cited in the offensive and illegal texts) for Hanley Park and Shelton, Etruria and Hanley to make clear their condemnation of this scandal,” the party added.

A Labour Party’s campaign spokesman

Supreme Court President critical of politician and media during Brexit judgement

by ITRAT BASHIR itrat@asian-standard.co.uk

UK’s Supreme Court President Lord Neuberger has accused politicians of being slow in defending the judges, following a row over the Brexit legal challenge.

He was speaking to BBC Radio 4 where he thought “some of the things said risked undermining the judiciary and unfairly undermining the judiciary” and hence undermining the rule of law.

According to him, on the lower court verdict, he believed that politicians acted slower than one would have hoped for. However,

like judges, the politicians learned quickly and acted accordingly after the Supreme Court verdict.

“As far the Supreme Court is concerned, the politicians reacted and particularly the government minister reacted with exemplary speed and said exactly what in my view they should have said.”

Lord Neuberger did not single out any politicians or newspapers, but told the Radio 4 that they ‘were certainly not well treated’.

“One has to be careful about being critical of the press, particularly as a lawyer or judge, because our view of life is very different from that of the media. I think some of what was said

was undermining the rule of law.”

He continued: “If you have free press these things do happen, and to pretend that end of civilisation as we know when it happens, once or twice, is wrong, but if it became standard practice then I will be worried.”

He also said that undermining the judiciary also undermined the rule of law as judges were ‘the ultimate guardians’ of it.

“The rule of law together with democracy is one of the two pillars on which our society is based. And therefore if, without good reason, the media or anyone else undermines the judiciary that risks undermining our society,” he added.

Lord Neuberger

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BUSINESS & FINANCE

Indian restaurant Darjeeling Express to open in Kingly Court

by ITRAT BASHIR

itrat@asian-standard.co.uk

Asma Khan’s Darjeeling Express, an Indian restaurant specialising in Mughlai and Nawabi cuisine, will be opening in Carnaby Street’s Kingly Court this spring.

Located on the second floor of the trendy food hub, Darjeeling Express is the brain child of self-taught cook Asma Khan, and is her first permanent restaurant.

Khan will serve authentic food in large sharing platters, replicating the old fashioned ‘dawaat’ or feast, which was part of her family tradition in India.

Shaftesbury, a company deals in real estate investment in the West End, said the restaurant with an open kitchen, will offer diners a chance

to see the unique kitchen, run by housewives.

Most of the women began as parttime assistants when Asma started her business four years ago and have stayed with her over the years forming the foundation on which the success of Darjeeling Express has been built.

Once open, Darjeeling Express plans to donate to a charity initiative that supports second daughters in Kurseong village in the Darjeeling district in Bengal.

Asma Khan, founder of Darjeeling Express, said: “I am excited to be opening my first permanent restaurant in Carnaby’s Kingly Court. To be surrounded by other independent restaurants is the perfect setting for Darjeeling Express to open its doors. Located in the heart of

the West End alongside such diverse cuisines is the perfect environment to introduce Londoners to authentic Indian home cooking.”

Khan’s ancestry stems from the royal Mughlai and Nawabi School of cuisine. Khan combines her North Indian culinary traditions from her father's side combined with her mother’s Bengali heritage and family dishes from the Nizam court in Hyderabad.

Shelley Webb, of Shaftesbury, said: “Carnaby has always been at the forefront of everything that is new and different and Kingly Court is an example of this - a response to a gap in the market for a major food and drink destination in Central London.

Kingly Court’s diverse mix of food and drink operators has become an instant hit with shoppers and locals in the area and Darjeeling Express is an

exciting addition to the courtyard.”

Darjeeling Express joins late night bar Disrepute, as Kingly Court’ latest opening. Kingly Court is the innovative well-established dining and social hub in Carnaby, and is part an ethos to develop Carnaby as the leading dining destination in the heart of London’s West End. The three-storey food hub is now home to 22 restaurants, cafés, bars and food operators, all centred around an open-air courtyard which offers year-round al-fresco dining thanks to a retractable roof that allows the courtyard to be open throughout the summer months, yet sheltered in the winter.

Carnaby has become the dining destination of choice for the West End and is renowned for its exceptional mix of over 60 independent restaurants, new dining concepts and cafes.

UK Halal food solution aims to transform the lives of Muslims

by ITRAT BASHIR

itrat@asian-standard.co.uk

An innovative new Halal food solution hopes to transform the lives of 427 million Muslims living in non-Muslim countries, by making the process of finding great halal dining options simple and easy wherever you are.

Launched by London mum of three Siddika Jaffer in 2016, the Halal Dining Club has since secured over £200k in crowdfunding and backing from an ex-Rocket Internet MD and business heavyweights, such as Ash Ali (Just Eats’ first Marketing Director) and Arnie Sriskandarajah (Forbes 30 under 30).

Siddika says: “As a Muslim I know how difficult it can be to find good Halal restaurants, especially when

you are travelling somewhere new. We want to have as big as impact on Halal diners as apps like Just Eat have had on western consumers, opening up a whole new world of exciting food options for millions of people.”

With global Halal consumer spending expected to rise to $2.6 trillion by 2020 and the UK Muslim population reported to have risen to over 3 million for the first time (doubling in just over a decade), there is a big opportunity for restaurants keen to tap into the Halal market.

She adds, “One of the things we are really keen to do is work with restaurant owners and help them better market themselves to Muslims. Halal is a big and complicated area and very little data exist on Halal consumers, we want to change this and provide insights that will have an impact on the industry.”

Currently available in the UK and Singapore, the Halal Dining Club plans to expand globally into markets, including the US and Canada, and hope to become a one-stop-solution for halal diners.

In addition to solving a problem faced Muslim diners, the Halal Dining Club

also wants to have a positive social impact and supports a number of charities, such as Human Appeal and Penny Appeal. When members join, book and review restaurants they are awarded points which go towards supporting good causes.

Sadikka Jaffer from the Halal Dining Club

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BUSINESS & FINANCE

Al Rayan Bank and Islamic Relief team up to support microfinance

by ITRAT BASHIR

itrat@asian-standard.co.uk

Al Rayan Bank and Islamic Relief are teaming up to support Sharia-compliant microfinance through fundraising activities, which will help empower people to establish social enterprise businesses in their home countries and work their way out of poverty.

“Islamic Relief is well known for our disaster and emergency relief work around the world. But perhaps less well known is our Sustainable Livelihoods programme, which helps people by supporting them to start their own businesses as a means of alleviating poverty with dignity.”

Microfinance, where entrepreneurs in developing countries are given access to financial services that would otherwise be unavailable to them, is recognised as a key strategy to help those living in poverty to become financially independent. Islamic microfinance is designed to cater for poor people in predominantly Muslim countries.

The Bank has appointed Islamic Relief, one of largest Islamic NGOs in the world, as its exclusive charity partner for 2017.

Imran Madden, UK Director of Islamic Relief, was delighted that Al Rayan Bank has chosen them to be its exclusive charity partner for 2017. He said: “As one of the world’s largest Islamic NGOs, we are the ideal partner for the largest Sharia-compliant retail Bank in the UK.

Al Rayan Bank CEO Sultan Choudhury

One microfinance project Al Rayan Bank will be supporting through fundraising activities is in the Republic of Mali, West Africa. The project has empowered local women, providing them with an opportunity to build a better life for themselves and their families.

Money is made available using the Islamic finance principle of Qard Hasan (loan without benefit). The women are then able to use this money to commercially harvest the nut of the African Shea tree and create Shea Butter, which can then be used in various products.

Commenting on the Mali Shea Butter microfinance project, Sultan Choudhury, CEO of Al Rayan Bank, said: “Islamic banking is a socially responsible form of banking, which is concerned with the effect of its activities on society as a whole.

“As the UK’s largest Islamic retail bank, we understand the power of inclusive banking for everyone, regardless of faith. It is something that we have championed in the UK since our inception in 2004 and something that we are therefore very pleased to now support in Mali, through our fundraising partnership with Islamic Relief.”

Meanwhile, Sultan Choudhury has been recognised at the annual Signature Awards for ‘Excellence in Banking’.

The awards celebrate high calibre professionals from across the Midlands, who have driven their markets forward and served the business community.

With a special focus on those involved in the wealth creation process, the categories included banking, law, accountancy and land, architecture and property development.

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BUSINESS IN FOCUS

Looking beyond Brick Lane, one eaterie is striving to become a leading curry house

by ITRAT BASHIR

itrat@asian-standard.co.uk

City Spice, a Brick Lane curry house, is eyeing to become one of the leading Indian restaurants of London.

From being listed on the Cobra Good Curry Guide to winning Excellence Awards from TripAdvisor and Masterchef Curry Award 2017, City Spice claims to be the ‘King of Brick Lane’.

Ten years back, an east Londoner of Bangladeshi origin, Abdul Ahad bought the restaurant; City Spice has been a restaurant for the last 30 years.

He started his own business in an area where he was brought up.

Talking to Asian Standard, Ahad said that he attended school locally; in fact the primary school he went to was on Brick Lane itself.

Recalling his journey with City Spice, he said: “City Spice has been a restaurant for the last 30 years; however I have owned it for the last 10 years. At the beginning we had a small team of five people, but as we grew bigger and bigger and the restaurant became more prominent, we increased our staffing today to a total of 16, both part time and full time.”

After he finished his education, his elder brother introduced him into the catering trade: “I started as a part time helper in the kitchen and I worked my way up, with determination and a chief aim to have a restaurant of my own.”

When asked about the challenges he faces while running a restaurant, he says that it has been a challenging time in the catering industry, mainly staffing has always been an issue, alongside the unsociable hours: “Yet I love working in the catering industry and would not change what I am doing for anything else”.

Today, he sees City Spice standing pretty high in the restaurant industry, “definitely near the top of this industry within the UK, yet this never lowers our productivity as we are continually working to be the best”.

However, he is striving hard to make City Spice a renowned eating place within London, with his family at his side. For him, the future looks pretty bright for the restaurant, as he believes that they are taking it from strength to strength.

“We have had an outstanding 2016, with numerous awards and features in both papers and online. This year we won the Masterchef award for best restaurant. The future for this year looks really promising. Success is all down to hard work, and I thoroughly believe, alongside my family, I have been working hard to make City Spice follow its destiny to become the best eating destination in London.”

At the moment, he has no plan to open another branch: “We have plenty of space with more than 100 covers and are one of the largest restaurants on Brick Lane. However, we may be expanding our number of covers soon.”

Ahad showed a sense of pride while talking about the laurels City Spice received from various quarters. “We have had won numerous awards in the last year or so, if we keep up the hard work, we should be looking to get even more. The feeling of being declared the best restaurant in London is overwhelming and I am thoroughly proud of both my staff and my family.”

He is hopeful of making City Spice as a family business for years to come. His 17-year-old son Abdul Muhaimen has already joined him.

“My son sees the benefits the restaurant has given to the family, he joined on his own accord, I think he enjoys the experience that working and managing a restaurant brings.

Abdul Muhaimen is probably more

Abdul Muhaimen standing with his father Abdul Ahad committed and motivated than me! He reminds me of myself a few years back when I had begun in the catering trade and is passionate about taking the restaurant with me to new heights.”

Muhaimen, who is studying A-levels at a grammar school in Kent, enjoyed talking about the restaurant, saying: “I joined the family business at the beginning of 2016 and I see an incredibly bright, prosperous future for City Spice. I do thoroughly believe, like my father, that we are destined to be one of the best eating destinations within London and that we are working

incredibly hard towards this goal.”

Meanwhile, when asked what advice he can give to young entrepreneurs aspiring to get in to catering business, Ahad said: “Be focused on what you are doing. Be determined. Focus on your customers and your product/service.

Keep it fresh, keep it simple and always look forward. Plan your goals for the restaurant from the beginning and be optimistic. Remember, no goal is too small and to you need audacity to carry out the determination to ensure a restaurant reaches the height that City Spice is at.”

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BUSINESS & FINANCE

Money Talk

with our finance expert

Shabab Gulfraz

Networking for Business?

Business is all about meeting new people, and building good relationships that hopefully will lead to further business as well as referrals to other businesses/individuals to do business with. I have been a keen networker for several years now and actually enjoy going to different events, and meeting new people.

It does not matter what business area you work in, networking will more than likely be the most effective, and the least expensive marketing strategy within your business. It takes very little time, and if the right events are chosen I can guarantee you will make some good contacts.

I must be honest and say at first I did not enjoy networking. I found it tedious, and the same people attending the same events being very self motivated and just interested in whether they can get a sale or not.

However, after the first few events I realised that I was more than likely going to the wrong events and expecting too much from them.

The other point to take note of is that you need to attend an event several times before you really get to know the group and build a personal business relationship with individuals.

I usually attend the same event three to four times, and get to know the organiser, as well as some key people

that can pass introductions to me, and vice versa. This could be a curry networking event, a formal dinner or even a large local social gathering, whereby individuals from different sectors are attending.

I go networking with no intention or ambitious objectives of how much business I may make from the event.

I will go to relevant events, and give my business card to only those individuals whom I think I will contact in the next few days and hopefully arrange a meeting.

So what will make your networking experiences more effective? First of all you need to find events which include

delegates that share your interests, and or are potential people to do business with. You then need to make sure that you dress appropriately and professionally, and then remember you are not at the event to sell your services, but to promote yourself.

The worst networker is someone who tries too hard to sell their services or someone who is very egoistic and feels they are the best at what they do and actively promotes this image.

So coming back to the question of this article, does networking work?

The answer is yes networking does work, so long as you actually remain committed to being a good networker.

You may hit it off with a client or

possible introducer at your first event, or it may happen at the second or third time you attend a particular event.

For me, while networking does take up some time, I do not mind because I have made some good acquaintances who have become friends such as the editor of this paper, some very good clients that required my expertise in managing their financial affairs, and some very good introducers whom I send work and they reciprocate by sending me work.

My advice is give networking a try, you never know how effective it may be till you try it.

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LEGAL TALK

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 including financial, insurance, property and construction.

Bed & Breakfast providers may be acting in breach of lease

The growth of Airbnb and other similar websites has seen a large increase in the number of home owners renting out their properties on short term lettings as an alternative to hotels to raise money from holiday lettings. However, are short term lettings of this nature putting leaseholders in breach of their lease?

This was the issue which the Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber) had to decide in the case of Nemcova v Fairfield Rents Limited.

In that case Miss Nemcova had a 99 year lease of a flat in Enfield. She was frequently absent and granted a series of short term lettings of the flat, usually to business visitors to London. She estimated that it was let for about 90 days in the year. The lease did not require Miss Nemcova to occupy the flat as her only or main residence nor did it prohibit the use of the flat for business, short term letting, occupational licence or holiday lets. However, the lease did contain a covenant that Miss Nemcova was not to use the property “for any illegal or immoral purpose or for any purpose whatsoever other than as a private residence”.

Following complaints by the other residents of the block, the landlord took action and claimed that as the short term lettings did not constitute use of the flat as a private residence, Miss Nemcova was acting in breach of her obligations under the lease.

The Upper Tribunal found that the

occupation of the flat by each of the short term tenants lacked sufficient permanency for it to be considered occupation of the flat “as a private residence”. Each of the short term occupiers had their own private residence which they had left to occupy the flat temporarily for a specific short term purpose in the same way as they would occupy a hotel room. Their occupation was therefore of a transient nature. For these reasons the Upper Tribunal found that Miss Nemcova was acting in breach of the covenant in her lease.

Although this case is fact sensitive, most leases will contain similar clauses relating to the use of the property. Whether a leaseholder is in breach of their lease if they let their property on this type of short term basis will depend upon the construction of the particular covenant in the lease. Leaseholders considering short term Airbnb style sublets should carefully review their lease to ascertain whether there are any restrictions on its use and seek legal advice where necessary otherwise they may be acting in breach of the terms of their lease which could lead to legal action being taken against them by their landlord which could ultimately result in the lease being forfeited.

The Property Litigation Team at Blacks can assist with lease renewals or any property, landlord or tenant disputes. Please contact Luke Patel

on 0113 227 9316 or email him at “LPatel@lawblacks.com”.

You can also follow Luke Patel on Twitter @LukeLawBlacks

It’s the way forward Yaar

www.fevertvleeds.co.uk

Fever FM @ The Resource Centre 233-237 Roundhay Road - Leeds LS8 4HS Tel: 0113 380 5680 - Direct: 0788 170 1133 Email: radioasianfever@yahoo.co.uk - www.radioasianfever.co.uk

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OPINION

by ALISON BELLAMY alison@asian-standard.co.uk

Humble hijab going on sale causes ‘outrage’

The humble hijab going on sale in a major high street store has made national and international headlines.

excuse to vent their prejudice on social media.

One Twitter user said: “[Debenhams] have no problem with representing females as chattels of men to be covered up from view.” Another user wrote: “They already have their own private retail outlets for these items, is there any need for a national chain to start stocking them?”

In a way, I am glad the headscarf has made top fashion news. But on the other hand, shouldn't they already be on sale everywhere anyway? Freedom of choice and all that.

Around three million or 5.4 per cent of the UK population is described as Muslim. In Paris, it is 15 per cent of the population.

Some said they would no longer use the store. One man said: “Hi @ Debenhams “I shall now endeavor to forever avoid your stores, I'm sure I'm not alone in having this thought.”

London brand Aab's designs are part of a new range of Muslim wear on sale in Debenhams from May. It includes tops, kimonos, wraps, caps, hijab pins and headscarves.

Another said: “yes it's Debenhams and I will never shop there again!”

The veil, which is worn around the head and neck, will be launched in the Oxford Street store before being rolled out to Birmingham’s Bullring, Westfield in Shepherd’s Bush, Manchester’s Trafford Centre and Leicester’s Highcross Shopping Centre.

While some users started the hashtag #BoycottDebenhams. One wrote: “Any woman who wears one of these voluntarily must be sick. Debenhams should be ashamed of itself. Boycott the store.

But some social media users called the step a leap forward and welcomed the change.

The new range describes itself as selling ‘contemporary modest wear’ for women. After the launch Debenhams will open stores in Dubai, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Iran, Indonesia and Malaysia.

One woman wrote: “It's clothes that is all. Each to their own. Some people wear bikinis some don't I'm sure they will sell well in cities with a high Muslim population. If you want to ban Islam then you must ban religion full stop.”

But wait … amid the happy headlines, congratulations and successful PR frenzy of plush and fabulous pictures, some people are just not happy.

Image :Aab

Some defended the store for allowing women to ‘choose’ their clothing - but others were outraged and demanded a ‘boycott’ of Debenhams. It seems like blatant Islamophobia to me. Any

It goes without saying the move to sell hijabs will be a success. And I am sure other high street stores will follow suite soon enough.

Aab's contemporary modest wear

Surely it is all about freedom of choice. If you want to buy something,

buy it; if you do not; then don’t. End of.

My white, British granny wore a headscarf to cover her hair 50 years ago whenever she went shopping. It was the fashion then. Everyone did it to protect their hairstyle from the rain and wind.

There are still some older non-Muslim ladies in my northern English market town who modestly wear their hair covered.

As a non-Muslim who works for an Asian newspaper, there has been the odd time when I felt it appropriate to wear a scarf, for instance when going on a mosque visit.

Saying that, I have always been assured that there was no need to wear one for modesty reasons. I think I was perhaps just being polite but quite liked the novelty and the attention I received while wearing one.

On a recent Visit My Mosque day my two little girls took part and adored their perfectly styled head wear. They loved telling their Muslim friends the next day at school all about it.

It is all about customer choice. Big business does not usually care what your beliefs, morals or prejudices are.

Amongst all the negative social media postings I quite liked the words of one twitter user @joncoledalton, who tweeted: ‘If #BoycottDebenhams means less racists in @Debenhams, I support it. If the neo-nazis could also boycott stores I shop in; that’s be great.’

Me too, Jon, well said.

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MOTORING

AM-RB 001 at the Canadian International Auto Show The Aston Martin-Red Bull Advanced Technologies concept hypercar; AMRB 001, will make its first appearance in North America — and global auto show debut — at the Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto later this month.

The unique and groundbreaking AM-RB 001, introduced in July 2016 at the Aston Martin headquarters in Gaydon, England, is an unprecedented fusion of form and function the likes of which has never before been seen in a road-legal vehicle. It will be accompanied to Toronto by Dr. Andy Palmer, the President and CEO of Aston Martin,

who will be speaking at the Opening of Manufacturers’ Media Preview Day and the Automotive News Canada Congress on Thursday, February 16, 2017.

Aston Martin President and CEO, Dr. Andy Palmer said: “The Canadian International Auto Show marks the global auto show debut of our groundbreaking hypercar. The AMRB 001 is destined to become the defining hypercar of this decade and a hugely desirable investment for collectors and enthusiasts.”

The original full-size concept model of the AM-RB 001 will be located at

the Toronto Star stage on the 300 Level of the North Building at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre during the public days of the Auto Show. Aston Martin Toronto and Aston Martin Uptown Toronto, part of the Grand Touring Automobiles Group of Companies, will also be showcasing the new Aston Martin DB11 at the Canadian International Auto Show.

The public viewing days for the Canadian International Auto Show will be held at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre between February 17th and 26th.

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MOTORING

Dynamism meets space and intelligence

In the new E 63 4MATIC+* Estate and E 63 S 4MATIC+* Estate, MercedesAMG combines the brand’s hallmark Driving Performance with the intelligence of the E-Class. As in the Saloon, the 4.0-litre V8 biturbo engine with an output of up to 450 kW (612 hp) and the fully variable AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive deliver an outstanding driving experience. Acceleration from 0 to 62 mph in 3.5 seconds sets a new record in this class. At the same time the engine is now even more efficient thanks to a cylinder deactivation system fitted as standard.

Like the Saloon, the E 63 4MATIC+ Estate and E 63 S 4MATIC+ Estate offer innovative driving technology and outstanding performance, coupled with a unique design and the latest infotainment systems.

The new Estate boasts even more agile response than its predecessor: the AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT (Multi Clutch Technology) 9-speed sports transmission is combined with a wet clutch. The new AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel-drive system combines the advantages of various drive configurations. Torque distribution on the front and rear

axles, which is fully variable for the first time, ensures optimum traction in all road conditions.

“The new AMG E 63 Estate combines our brand’s hallmark driving dynamics with high everyday practicality. It is not for nothing that the model has been a permanent fixture in the AMG portfolio for 40 years. The powerful engine and the intelligent all-wheel drive underpin our claim to always be at the forefront of development when it comes to performance,” states Tobias Moers, CEO of Mercedes-AMG GmbH.

Strictly limited: open-air luxury both on- and offroad the new Mercedes-Maybach G 650 Landaulet

A G-Class like never before: with the G 650 Landaulet*, Mercedes Maybach presents a new masterpiece of automotive engineering. After the MercedesMaybach S Class and the S 650 Cabriolet, the open-top G Class is the first off-roader from the Mercedes-Maybach sub-brand. The exceptional G 650 Landaulet follows

the equally spectacular variants AMG G 63 6x6 and G 500 4x42. With its superlative V12 engine, portal axles, electric fabric top and exclusive equipment specification in the rear compartment, this very special all-terrain vehicle, which is limited to 99 units, meets the expectations of customers who demand the very highest standards of their vehicle. The

Mercedes-Maybach G 650 Landaulet is surely the most exclusive form of stylish open-top motoring.

With a length of 5345 millimetres, a wheelbase of 3428 millimetres, a height of 2235 millimetres, almost half a metre of ground clearance and ample space and comfort for four passengers, the G 650 Landaulet

surpasses all standards. This extrovert G Class thus represents a unique combination of luxurious chauffeur saloon and off-roader.

While the driver and front passenger are accommodated under the closed roof, the rear passengers can revel in a maximum of comfort: at the press of a button, a large folding top opens electrically to offer a view of the blue

sky. The rear passengers enjoy the majestic open-air experience from their single seats. On demand, an electrically operated glass partition separates the rear compartment from the driver's section. In addition, the glass can be changed from transparent to opaque at the press of a button.

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CROSSWORDS & PUZZLES

Crossword Wordsearch

Spot the difference Answers

Sudoko

The Object of the puzzle is to insert the numbers in the boxes to satisfy only one condition : each row, column and 3x3 box must contain the digits 1 through 9 exaclyty once

Answers

1. Colour of Shahrukh's bike. 2. Brake handle on Shahrukh's bike. 3. number of trees in the background. 4. Rips on Aaliya's jeans. 5. Aaliya's hair is longer.

Answers

34

The Consequences Of Having A Foreign Name In Modern Britain

Businessmen get proactive in helping the homeless.

Page 10

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INTERVIEW

ASHNI & CO WEDDING SHOW HIGHLIGHTS

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segregated, Britain stand’s divided on the topic.

Sharukh Khan :

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"I am a believer cinema must entertain and I want to entertain everyone across the globe, in the UK, America and India"

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France and Germany jealous of BREXIT?

by MO BHANA

mo@asian-standard.co.uk

Theresa May promised that Britain was on course to become fully sovereign ‘global nation’that is outward-looking and internationally-minded, forging a new global role for the UK as a country with the self-confidence and the freedom to look beyond Europe.

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JANUARY 2017

By the publishers

JANUARY 2017 of Asian Sunday

TRAVEL

TRUMP BATTLES CLINTON

Vaani Kapoor: I feel special and it’s a big thing for me. Befikre is a huge thing that has happened to me.

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JOBS JOBS

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Are you a self-starter, ambitious, self-motivator, have the hunger to achieve and increase earning potential?

Hours of Work: Negotiable Salary: Basic+Commission+ Expenses+Pension

Then our Managers at Asian Standard want to hear from you A position has become available for Business Development Manager to help sell our services to Business clients.

You must have a minimum of one year’s experience selling to B2B customers. You must possess excellent communication skills and be educated to a minimum of 5 GCSE’s at grade C or above and have a can do attitude. You will be required to travel nationally and will be required to meet targets.

For the right candidate full training will be given.

To apply or for more information email a covering letter with your CV to jobs@asian-standard.co.uk with BDM in the subject field or post to: RF Publishing Ltd, 1st Floor,18 East Parade, Bradford, BD1 5EE T. 0333 577 0046

COLUMNISTS ARTISTIC DIRECTOR THEATRE IN THE MILL Salary: £29,301 to £32,004 per annum Post Type: Full Time

Are you Type: a professional?

Contract Permanent

Do you want to share your

Closing Date:opinions Monday 06 2017 views and ofMarch the field

you specialise in?be confirmed Interview Date: To Do you enjoy writing?

Reference: HR0033361

Can you commit one weekly column a week? Then we might

Applications are invited for the post of be looking forofyou.

Asian Standard Artistic Director Theatre in the Mill. Theis a new weekly newspaper the University of Bradford seeks anfrom outstanding same publishers of Asian individual to act as artistic leadSunday of a National and Asian Style. With a brand new Portfolio organisation whose prime function look and feel, we are currently is to nurture new work for the theatre (and looking for columnists from a range the artists who make it) within the context of of different fields to write for our a great technology University, a diverse city exciting - Asian Standard and a widertitle theatre ecology and at all times work towards the University of Bradford's With a growing readership and strapline "Confronting Inequality and distribution of over 7,000 Celebrating Diversity".

newspapers nationally, you can expect some great exposure plus

With a Degree in a Theatre or related

additional income, without having subject, or equivalent experience, we are to give up your day job. seeking to recruit a flexible and reliable candidate who can work from their own

The post is based in Bradford: a city

This could be your opportunity to tap rich in cultural history, with diverse into the creative you and become a communities and a rapidly growing household name with our readers. grassroots arts scene. Bradford sits

If you are interest in writing for initiative, offer advice to Senior Managers at comfortably between Liverpool and Good Luck! one of the most talked about Asian the University and take a lead in: developing Hull, London and Newcastle in terms media titles in the country, then and disseminating the cultural narrative of transport links and is close to the send in your CV along with a around both the University and the city; outstanding beauty of the Yorkshire sample 500 word article to around the shape, structure and outputs of Dales. The post offers the right candidate editor@asian-standard.co.uk or the theatre ecology regionally, nationally an opportunity to make a significant post to: RF Publishing Ltd, 1st and internationally; and around theatre as difference both in the city and in the Floor.

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VIDEOGRAPHER WITH VIDEO EDITING EXPERIENCE WANTED and content. Hence an opportunity has arisen for a videographer with video editing experience to join our team.

Hours: 30 hours per week Pay: Based on experience Pension plus other perks Media is a very fast paced industry, and with more and more people having smartphones video content is becoming a very popular way of sharing news

We are looking for someone who has experience in creating content for our new online TV social media and our websites as well as experience in social media strategy and campaign delivery.

Main responsibilities will include: Using portable digital video (DV) cameras and other equipment to record material and appropriate editing software to produce

produce complete packages for broadcast; Preparing and presenting material for both pre-recorded and live social media pieces;

software such as Adobe after effects and Premiere Pro. Experience managing social media platforms, particularly YouTube Minimum of 1 year photography & video experience

Working with the news teams to turn around content fast and according to company standards and branding;

Self-starter attitude

Coming up with creative ideas for client campaigns.

To apply simply send in your CV plus samples of work to editor@ asian-standard.co.uk or post to RF Publishing Ltd, 1st Floor, 18 East Parade, Bradford, BD1 5EE

Key Skills required: Proficient knowledge of editing

Ability to work within a team and to very tight deadlines/

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latest FREE weekly newspaper to our portfolio.

4-year appointment, approximately 12 days per year Pay: Voluntary first year. Thereafter £150 per day plus expenses Number of positions: 6 RF Publishing Ltd, is the publisher of Asian Sunday, Asian Style magazine and a new weekly title Asian Standard. Asian Sunday was launched in 2011 as Britain’s leading and first FREE Sunday newspaper, with a particular focus on British Asian news, for British born South Asians, with a view to reaching out to the wider community. We then relaunched the successful Asian Style Magazine in January 2016 and then added Asian Standard as the

After five successful years, we want to ensure we continue leading as Britain’s to go to Asian media when it comes to British Asian news.

As leading ethnic media publishers, we want to ensure our media teams are always reporting responsibly and accurately as well as being at the forefront of breaking news. Therefore, we are now looking to recruit a non-executive team to help steer our media team in the right direction.

We are looking for individuals who have a passion for community and want to help make a difference by guiding and steering our media relations and media reporting in the right direction.

We are looking for individuals who have a passion for news and are committed to developing responsible relationships with our partners, key

stakeholders, as well as Directors and to help us build trust with our readership with factual, responsible and independent reporting

analytical ability; and the capacity and temperament to work in an open, inclusive and collaborative environment.

The appointed candidate(s) will be expected to contribute to the strategic development and direction of our publications oversee the development and review of key performance targets, ensure the publication complies with its statutory requirements and ensure that a high standard of corporate governance is observed at all times. Candidates who are able to offer advice to senior management on a range of general management issues, such as HR matters and management best practice would be advantageous.

Previous experience as a NonExecutive Director is not essential but an aptitude for strategic thinking, the ability to work as part of a team and a commitment to our publications objectives are.

We are looking for candidates with a background in business, HR, finance, law, training above all with the ability to perform at Board level.

Candidates must also be able to demonstrate: integrity and a commitment to transparency of decision-making; effective communication, influencing and inter-personal skills; high level of

Applications are welcome from individuals of any background, gender and disabled people who are able to make a real contribution to this organisation.

Members are expected to attend quarterly board meeting and to participate in additional meetings, conference calls and sit on ad hoc committees from time to time. Most meetings take place in the evening.

Interested candidates should submit a CV to board@asian-standard.co.uk with a covering letter explaining why you believe you are suitable for the role.

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The Pakistani Face That Runs the WWE: Mustafa Ali

by MO BHANA

mo@asian-standard.co.uk

was actually the idea of a promoter who wanted him to play a terrorist type of a character.

“I was never really a fan of portraying that, so I portrayed a character that could not escape racial discrimination in America,” said Ali.

Having eventually signed with the company, the Chicago-based Pakistani wrestler is piling up victories slowly and looks to be high on the company’s radar.

“I’m a proud Muslim. I’m proud to have a Pakistani origin. And I want this country to accept me. I want to bring to light the fact that we are all the same.”

On the top of that, he is not playing a stereotypical foreign bad guy, but instead a baby face wrestler, (a pro wrestling term for a ‘good guy’) who is cheered by the fans in attendance.

On being the first Pakistani wrestler in WWE, be believes he has showcased his athleticism to a great extent, with a number of finishing moves such as the Inverted 450 splash.

However, things did not go according to plan to begin with, he recently addressed the crowd at a house show saying he came to WWE to prove them wrong because people made assumptions based on his name and appearance. “But you all proved me wrong,” Ali said, garnering an ovation from the crowd.

He believes a number of televised victory show that the WWE is slowly building up the ‘Mustafa Ali’ brand.

He added, “It’s not a perfect world but with each victory that I pile up here, I’m going to let that speak for itself.”

While there are no doubts about his wrestling ability, Ali is quite confident on the mic as well. It is important for a modern wrestler to be a perfect package of wrestling skills, charisma and the ability to engage the crowd like no other and Ali seems to have all that.

On being given a terrorist gimmick as part of “Team Taliban” on the independent circuit, Ali admitted it

“I think being the only Pakistani wrestler in WWE will bring some attention from the country as well. I’ll do my best to do Pakistan proud and give them something to cheer about.”

Image : @MustafaAliWWE Twitter

It’s not a perfect world but with each victory that I pile up here, I’m going to let that speak for itself.

Image : @MustafaAliWWE Twitter

Professional wrestler Mustafa Ali recently became the first Pakistani to step foot in a WWE wrestling ring last year.

The Chicago-based Pakistani wrestler is piling up victories slowly and looks to be high on the company’s radar.

On the top of that, he is not playing a stereotypical foreign bad guy, but instead a baby face wrestler, (a pro wrestling term for a ‘good guy’) who is

cheered by the fans in attendance.

2016 saw big changes in the WWE and the fans saw new opportunities for independent wrestlers like Ali. It will be interesting to see how Ali cashes in on the opportunity and establishes himself as a major player in 2017.

Mustafa Ali, the first Pakistani to step in a WWE wrestling ring .

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SPORTS

Indian Premier League Special: East Bengal 1-1 Shillong Lajong

by MO BHANA

mo@asian-standard.co.uk

East Bengal were held in Siliguri by a buoyant Shillong Lajong side with the match ending in a stalemate with both sides scoring one goal a piece.

Samuel Lalmuanpuia gave the away side the lead in the 20th minute only to see it cancelled out by Willis Plaza in the 45th minute, while a barren second half spell meant that both teams had to be satisfied with a point.

Aser Dipanda’s ball to Bipin on the left produced a delightful cross for Samuel Lalmuanpuia to run in past Ivan Bukenya inside the box and head the ball past a hapless TP Rehenesh to propel his side in front.

Dipanda, five minutes later, could have done a repeat of Robin Van Persie’s famous 2014 World Cup goal

against Spain. Redeem Tlang’s cross was headed perfectly on the dive and Rehenesh was called into action to save East Bengal's blushes.

East Bengal soon grew frustrated as their midfield was completely nullified and Mehtab and co. hardly saw enough of the ball. It was Lajong who were dominating with Dipanda’s

A minute later, out of nowhere, East Bengal had the equaliser in a similar fashion to Lajong’s goal. Lalrindika Ralte played in an overlapping Narayan Das on the left wing whose cross found an unmarked Willis Plaza who scored with a regulation header while the Lajong defence were caught napping.

The equaliser at the stroke of half time gave East Bengal resolve to come back strongly in the second half.

Entering the halfway stage of the league, new Aussie recruit Chris Payne was given his first start as Trevor Morgan finally chose to tinker with his line-up which saw Robin Singh relegated to the bench.

Club captain Arnab Mondal made his first appearance of the season as he returned from a long injury lay-off for the second half, replacing Gurwinder Singh.

Thangboi Singto. on the other hand, preferred Bipin Singh over Rupert Nongrum after fielding the same eleven for five consecutive games.

The Shillong-based side started the game aggressively, creating the majority of the chances and finally, they had their prize in the twentieth minute.

volleyed effort off an Isaac free kick went in, only for it to be disallowed due to an offside.

Shots were fired aplenty from both ends as Willis Plaza almost enforced an own goal off Chinglensana Singh but Vishal Kaith confidently held on.

East Bengal struggle against Shillong Lajong

Samuel Shadap came close to scoring from near the by-line as Mondal was beaten for pace but his low shot was held on easily by Rehenesh.

Second half substitute Fabio Pena took a swipe from 19 yards past the hour mark but Rehenesh came off his line well to punch it clear.

The agenda for Shillong Lajong was clear late into the second half as one point seemed the better option for Singto’s men and they pulled back to make up the numbers at the back.

Romeo Fernandes was given a run out by Morgan as he came in for Nikhil Poojary with about twenty minutes remaining but failed to deliver the killer pass from promising positions.

The game ended Trevor Morgan’s initial target of securing at least four points from the Siliguri sojourn as two draws meant the league leaders were in danger of being usurped by Mohun Bagan, who had two games in hand and were only four points behind.

Shillong Lajong would be pretty happy walking away with a single point but their first half performances demanded a better script than what transpired, when the final whistle was blown.

New England Captain Joe Root aiming to entertain like India's Virat Kohli

by MO BHANA

mo@asian-standard.co.uk

Joe Root has promised to captain England in an entertaining manner because he wants to emulate India’s Virat Kohli Root will stay true to the instinctive approach which has made him one of the world's best batsmen, and the only logical choice to take inspiration from was the Indian legend.

He believes captaincy will only help, as it has so notably for Kohli.

Root said: "I like to think that, in the past, the more responsibility I've been given I've taken it in my stride.

"Looking around the world, other guys like Kohli who have been in a similar position have taken similar

responsibility and taken their game to the next level - I'd like to think if I go about it the right way, I'll be able to do the same thing."

England and Wales Cricket Board director Andrew Strauss, meanwhile, has spelled out the qualities which meant Root - after 20 months as Cook's vice-captain - stood out for the top job.

"He has got that really good mix of being relatively light-hearted, not too serious but with a real spine and solidity to him - and ability to stand up and fight for either himself or his team," said Strauss.

"You need all that if you're going to play a good captain's role."

With an Ashes looming next winter, Strauss is confident Root will prove his mettle.

He added: "What is interesting with all players is how they handle highpressure situations.

"That's what you need from a captain - first day of an Ashes series, can you lead in the right way?

"I think Joe's got that in abundance - that stomach for the fight and that ability to soak up pressure and come out fighting."

There have been suggestions that Root's accession might force him to constrain his natural impishness to befit a role which inevitably places new demands on him.

Asked if there is any reason why he should change, the 26-year-old said: "I don't think so.

"You have 10 to 15 years to enjoy being at the pinnacle of the sport -

Captain of the England cricket team, Joe Root and the more I can get that across to the lads, the better.

"That's always been a big part of why I want to play - to enjoy the sport."

It will help, of course, if England can

be successful.

"I'd like to be a captain that wins, is tough to play against, and hope we'll play cricket that is enjoyable to watch," he added.

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Next Year is going to be our year: why have Liverpool failed to win the league since 1990!

by MO BHANA

mo@asian-standard.co.uk

Liverpool seem to have finally got their season back on track with a win over Spurs at Anfield.

Although it seems as if Jurgen Klopp’s side just cannot stop beating teams such as Tottenham, Arsenal, Chelsea and Man City, why do they keep getting unstuck against the so called lesser teams?

The freewheeling win over Tottenham on Saturday evening left them in the rather bizarre position of being runaway leaders of the “mini-league” between the Premier League’s top six despite the fact they ended the weekend fifth in the division and – let’s face it – with their chance of winning any meaningful league contingent on a Devon Loch act from the best team in the country proper.

In eight games against Arsenal, Chelsea, Spurs and the two Manchester clubs this term, Liverpool are unbeaten, winning four. Their four losses have come to Burnley, Bournemouth, Swansea and Hull. A more bipolar six months of form is hard to envisage. They’ve conquered Conte but come unstuck against Steve Cook. Vanquished Wenger but been vapid against Sam Vokes. Picked apart Pep but… well, you get the idea. In short, Liverpool’s season has been one long inadvertent Robin Hood act when, frankly, a bit more merciless tyranny would have done nicely.

Certainly there seems to be something inherent in Klopp’s famed style of football that renders it doubly effective against high-calibre opposition. That much was made clear on Saturday, when Spurs’ attempts to come to Anfield and take the game to Liverpool largely played into their hosts’ hands:

attempts to play the ball out from the back were pounced on by a rabid press; balls into the front men were snuffed out and spun into counters; Tottenham’s high line left a yawning expanse of grass in front of their goal, which Sadio Mane duly bounded into, deciding the game.

It was all a far cry from Liverpool’s trip to Hull precisely seven days earlier, when Marco Silva’s team sat as deep as possible and spent 90 minutes twiddling their thumbs and pumping the occasional ball in the vague direction of a galloping attacker. Like Swansea City a fortnight before that, it was enough to leave Klopp’s side bewildered and beaten.

But style can only explain so much.

Spurs, for instance, play with a broadly similar blueprint to Liverpool – high pressing, quickfire interplay and so forth – and yet their record away against their top-six peers is notoriously woeful, with one win from 14 during Mauricio Pochettino’s reign.

(By contrast, Liverpool have won at the Emirates, the Etihad and Stamford Bridge – twice – since Klopp took over last October.)

Perhaps the issue lies as much with mentality as method. If a league season is a footballing marathon, demanding intense effort and focus over a wincingly long period, then Liverpool seem to resemble an Olympic sprinter, excelling in brief, lungbusting bursts on the most high-profile occasions.

Liverpool FC in 1984

Put simply, Liverpool have won one trophy in the past decade – that being the League Cup, five long years ago.

The unrelenting intensity required

Liverpool FC manager Jurgen Klopp to end the season atop the Premier League is an alien concept at Anfield.

It makes sense that the occasions when that intensity is most likely to dip aren’t the showpiece games against elite opponents, crowd roaring and cameras rolling – the very occasions that Klopp’s longstanding mission of cajoling the Anfield support enlivens even further – but the more humdrum fixtures. When the profile and pressure eases, so does Liverpool’s focus.

It’s a problem compounded by the absence of the sort of superstar who can settle such occasions with a wave of the wand. While their rivals have Hazard, Costa, Sanchez, Aguero and Ibrahimovic to play the role of white knight, Liverpool have no go-to saviour beyond the erratic Coutinho. Klopp’s

blueprint can, at its best, negate this absence and form a whole that far outweighs the sum of its parts. Indeed, in creating a team that relies on no single player he has arguably made Liverpool’s lack of a star into a virtue.

But dependency has its upsides, often in the form of three points you have little right to. Liverpool, by contrast, rarely win without really deserving it.

It seems apt, then, given the contrary nature of Liverpool’s form this season, that their next opponents are Leicester City, at once the reigning champions and the worst team in the league. Quite how Liverpool will deal with that task is anyone’s guess, but there should be no shortage of entertainment from a contest between two teams who can’t for the life of them decide whether or not they’re any good.