Asian Standard North East Issue 08 - 15 MAR 2021

Inside

JANHVI KAPOOR:

BOLLYWOOD’S YOUNG STARLET IS MAKING BIG WAVES IN THE INDUSTRY

Our resident chef Shaeem shows us how to cook Dahi Phulki CHECK RECIPE ON PAGE 28

BY THE PUBLISHERS OF ASIAN SUNDAY

NORTH EAST / 8 - 14 MARCH 2021 / FREE

COUPLE FINDS WAY TO SPICE UP THEIR LIFE… Read inside from page 6

BY RAHEEMA KHAN

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NEWS IN BRIEF

Nearly £70k handed out by Police in fines for breaching lockdown

Nearly 70,000 fines have been handed out to those who breached coronavirus lockdown restrictions in Britain since the rules came into force last year, police data showed on Thursday.

According to the British National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC), a total of 68,952 Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) were issues by police between March 27 last year and February 14 this year.

Fines increased sharply following the introduction of Tier Four restrictions before Christmas last year and the latest national lockdown in England announced on January 4, which "reflected quicker and stronger enforcement by police."

"We are still in a really dangerous stage of a pandemic which has killed more than 120,000 people," NPCC chairman Martin Hewitt said in a statement.

"Eleven months on and back into a national lockdown, the rules are really clear and so it is frustrating that we still have a small number of completely defiant and irresponsible people who have no regard for the safety of themselves or others," Hewitt said.

Fines were handed out for reasons including illegal large gatherings, breaches of the face coverings regulations and failing to self-isolate after arriving from a country on the British government's quarantine list, the Xinhua news agency reported.

England is currently under the third national lockdown since the outbreak of the pandemic in the country.

Similar restriction measures are also in place in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

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HARRY, MEGHAN ACCUSE UK ROYALS OF RACISM IN OPRAH INTERVIEW Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle claimed she felt alone fighting constant media speculation and "falsehoods perpetuated" by "the firm", her description for the British royal family, ever since her marriage to the Prince Harry in 2018, in an explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey.

In the hotly-anticipated interview which aired in America on CBS on Sunday at 8 p.m., Meghan also accused the Royal family of being cold and racist, especially towards her and their son Archie, which pushed the couple away. Meghan said the fear for their child, for whom no security was offered by the Royal family, and the growing scrutiny also had a damaging effect on her mental health, and she claimed going through suicidal thoughts while she was pregnant.

"I was ashamed to say it at the time I just didn't want to be alive any more. And that was a very real and clear, and frightening and constant thought," she said in the two-hour pre-recorded interview, adding that the Palace refused to protect her.

"My regret is believing them when they said I would be protected," a teary-eyed Meghan said at the end of the interview she gave along with Harry. Meghan spoke at length about the issue of Archie's skin colour. "In those months when I was pregnant, we have in tandem the conversation of, 'He won't be given security. He's not going to be given a title', and also concerns and conversations about how dark his skin might be when he's born," she said, revealing that while the couple didn't refuse for the official photo when Archie was born, Markle was scared for his safety. "There was a lot of fear surrounding it. I was very scared of having to offer up our baby, knowing they weren't going to be kept safe," she said, adding that the information was relayed to her by Harry, who later in the interview, refused to share the details of the conversation, or with whom he had the conversation, since he felt it would be "very damaging to them".

"I went to human resources and asked for help and the person told me this. 'My heart goes out to you

because we see how bad it is. But we can't help you because you're not a paid employee of the institution'," recalled Meghan.

Harry later in the interview expressed how helpless and ashamed he felt around at that time, and later realised how he had been "trapped" all along just like the "rest of his family". Harry revealed that while he loves his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, and his brother, Prince William, despite the "space" between their relationship, he hopes "time will heal" it.

Yet, he is not sure about his relationship with his father, Prince Charles, and feels "let down" by him, since Harry felt that the family had the opportunities to be there for them.

Harry referenced how his father stopped taking calls after the couple informed the Palace of stepping back as active members of the Royal family, before they had made the formal announcement. The media, too, then had accused the couple of blindsiding the Queen, with their

FAMILIES SHOULD BE ‘IMMENSELY PROUD’

BY DANIEL HOLLAND | LDRS Reporter North East leaders have paid tribute to the region’s parents, children, and teachers as schools finally reopened on Monday.

In the first milestone of the UK’s roadmap out of lockdown, millions of youngsters went back to class for the first time since early January.

Council leaders, the North of Tyne mayor, and the Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner said families should be “immensely proud” of how they have coped with two months of learning at home.

However, they warned that Covid-19 remains a “huge threat” despite restrictions starting to be eased.

There had been stern warnings last week about a potential spike in cases after beaches, parks, and other beauty spots were packed during sunny weather on the last weekend in February.

But case numbers have continued to fall slowly, and the infection rate across Newcastle, Gateshead, Northumberland, North Tyneside, South Tyneside, Sunderland, and County Durham now stands at 71 new weekly cases per 100,000 people.

That is down from 100 a week ago and is slightly above the England average of 59 per 100,00.

In a statement the LA7 councils, mayor Jamie Driscoll, and PCC Kim McGuinness said: “Today marks an important milestone on our road to recovery as we reach the first step of the Government’s plan for easing lockdown restrictions.

“Our children and young people have lost months of invaluable time in school to the pandemic. This not only results in lost learning, but also time away from their friends, and the vital emotional and social development an education provides.

Jeep® Wrangler 1941: most capable Wrangler ever offered on UK roads As part of the 80th anniversary celebrations, Jeep is introducing the most capable Wrangler ever offered on UK roads, the Wrangler 1941. Based on

“Clearly this has been out of necessity and schools, children and their parents and carers have risen to the challenges presented by home learning incredibly well, and should all be immensely proud of their perseverance.

“Getting children back into school will present additional challenges with our already-overworked school staff now having to facilitate testing of potentially hundreds of schoolchildren on top of their usual duties.

“We all owe a huge gratitude to teachers and all school staff. They have kept schools open

a Wrangler Rubicon, the 1941 utilises Jeep Performance Parts to enhance its already class-leading off-road ability.

Each Wrangler 1941 has been factory modified with a two-inch suspension lift kit, black door sill guards, front and rear splash guards, black fuel filler door, all-weather mats and 1941 bonnet decal, which sets this model apart from the rest of the Wrangler range. Enhanced rear underbody protection and wheel arch extensions further extend the abilities of the 1941, while the addition

for children of key workers and our most vulnerable children during lockdown, quickly adapted to virtual teaching, and carried out their safeguarding responsibilities in the most trying of circumstances.”

One of the few other changes to lockdown measures from Monday is that one named person can now visit a loved one in a care home.

The next change in lockdown rules should come on March 29, when people will be allowed to mix outdoors in groups of up to six and the ‘stay at home’ rule will end.

of a hardtop headliner enhances the cabin’s ambiance.

Available exclusively in four-door guise, in combination with the 2.2-litre Multijet diesel engine, just 41 examples will reach the UK shores in a choice of four colours - Brilliant black, Granite Crystal, Firecracker red and Billet silver.

The limited edition Wrangler 1941 is in showrooms now and available to order priced from £58,050 OTR. For more information on Jeep Wrangler 1941 or the Jeep range, visit www.jeep.co.uk.

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SWITZERLAND BANS THE BURQA AND NIQAB IN PUBLIC PLACES

decision.

Harry refuted the rumours and claimed that he spoke with the Queen and his father, before making the formal announcement on January 7, 2020.

Harry added that the couple survived on the

money left to them by his late mother, Princess Diana. Talking about Diana, Harry revealed that while she would have been "angry" at their decision to step back as Royals, she would have understood their decision, since it made them "happy.”

PRINCE PHILIP CHANGES HOSPITAL AFTER HEART PROCEDURE Prince Philip was transferred to the King Edward VII private hospital in London on Friday morning, following a successful heart procedure on Thursday 4 March, Buckingham Palace said.

CNN reported that the move is the second in less than a week for the Duke of Edinburgh, the 99-year-old husband of Queen Elizabeth II. The Duke was transferred to St. Bartholomew's Hospital, also in London, on Monday for continued treatment of an infection and what

the Palace said would be testing for a pre-existing heart condition.

On Thursday, the palace said he had undergone a heart procedure there. "Following The Duke of Edinburgh's successful procedure at St Bartholomew's Hospital on Wednesday, His Royal Highness has been transferred to King Edward VII's Hospital this morning," Friday's statement read.

"The Duke is expected to remain in the hospital for continuing treatment for a number of days," it added.

The Duke was first admitted to King Edward VII Hospital on February 16 "after feeling unwell." The Palace later confirmed he was being treated for an infection.

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Switzerland has voted to ban women from wearing the burqa or niqab in public spaces. The Muslim veils are worn by just a handful of women in the country, but just over 51% of Swiss voters backed a far-right proposal to outlaw them in shops, restaurants and on the street. Exceptions for full facial veils will be allowed inside religious sites and for security or health reasons, such as face masks to protect against Covid, as well as for traditional carnival celebrations. There are around 450,000 Muslims in Switzerland, just 5% of the population.

Almost no-one wears a burka and only around 30 women wear the niqab, yet a referendum on the issue was triggered in 2017 after 100,000 people supported a nationwide vote. Face veils have been banned since 2013 in the Italian-speaking canton of Ticino, while neighbouring

France and Austria have also prohibited them in public.

The Swiss government had opposed the measure as excessive, arguing that full-face coverings are a ‘marginal phenomenon’. It was also argued the ban could harm tourism from Persian Gulf states, who are often drawn to Swiss lakeside cities.

Supporters of the proposal argued the full-face coverings symbolise the repression of women and that faces should be shown in a free society. In the end, 51.2% of voters supported the plan.

There were majorities against it in six of Switzerland’s 26 cantons – among them those that include the country’s three biggest cities, Zurich, Geneva and Basel, and the capital, Bern. Backers included the nationalist Swiss People’s Party, which is the strongest in parliament. The committee that launched the proposal is led by far-right politician Walter Wobmann who also initiated a ban on the construction of new minarets at Swiss mosques.

A coalition of left-leaning parties said the proposal was ‘absurd’ and ‘Islamophobic’, while Mr Wobmann said it addressed both ‘a symbol of a completely different system of values… extremely radical Islam’ and security against ‘hooligans’.

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SPECIALIST TASK-FORCE ARREST 175 OF THEIR MOST WANTED IN JUST NINE DAYS OF ACTIVITY Suspected burglars, sex offenders and drug dealers were among 175 of Tyne and Wear’s most wanted fugitives snared by police in just NINE DAYS! Last week Northumbria Police pulled together a team of officers and tasked them with the sole job of tracking down wanted suspects across the Force area.

A dedicated intelligence cell was set up to carry out enquiries to establish the whereabouts of suspects.

Police also spoke to key partner agencies to help build a bigger picture of the individuals’ movements that led to a number of active leads to follow.

From there, response officers, neighbourhood teams and detectives were deployed across the region to help bring those suspects in to custody.

House searches, vehicle checks and enquiries with known associates were also conducted with the support of Special Constables and Northumbria’s Motor Patrols Department.

And today Northumbria Police has hailed the operation a success after 175 wanted suspects were arrested between Saturday, February 20, and Sunday, February 28.

Detective Chief Inspector Jamie Pitt, who oversaw some of that work as part of Operation Bastian, hopes the activity reassures the public that the

Force will not stop until suspected criminals are in custody.

He said: “These fugitives had been identified as some of the ‘Most Wanted’ suspects across Tyne and Wear so it is a fantastic result to bring so many into custody.

“To arrest 175 suspects in just over a week is an outstanding effort and it is thanks to the hard work of officers, staff and volunteers from across our area.

“Our Special Constables deserve a special thank you for volunteering their own time to come in and search for these individuals.

“I also want to thank those partner agencies who supported our intelligence gathering and the members of the public who provided us with community intelligence on the suspects.

“These arrests may well have come as a result of a specific week of action but anyone who tries to outrun police should know that we will never stop looking for you.

“You should always be looking over your shoulder and always be expecting a knock on your door – it’s only a matter of time before we find you.”

Those wanted suspects caught by police were arrested for offences including robbery, assault, burglary, rape and drugs offences. Of the 175 arrested, 15 were women and the rest were men.

Anyone with information about the whereabouts of

an individual who is wanted by police can contact officers by calling 101 or by reporting it online at the ‘Tell Us Something’ pages of the Northumbria Police.

If you want to report information anonymously you can do so by calling independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

MORE THAN £100,000 WORTH OF DRUGS SEIZED WITHIN TWO HOURS AFTER OFFICERS SWOOPED FOLLOWING SEPARATE PUBLIC TIP-OFFS A cannabis farm was found inside a Sunderland address a short time after a separate drugs deal was stopped in Whitburn More than £100,000 worth of illicit drugs were seized within two hours after officers swooped following separate public tip-offs.

The quick-fire strikes came on Monday evening (March 1) after police in South Tyneside and Sunderland were alerted to suspicious activity at two separate locations.

Shortly after 5.30pm, a member of the public alerted officers to a suspected drug deal that was happening in the Wellands Lane area of Whitburn.

When police arrived and searched three vehicles, they located a quantity of cannabis, along with digital scales and zip lock bags. A 19-year-old man was arrested at the scene and taken into custody.

Then at about 7.25pm, officers were made aware of a disturbance inside a house on Villette Road in Sunderland with shouting and screaming coming from within.

Officers arrived at the scene, but all seemed quiet – which led cops to follow their nose and continue to carry out enquiries in the area.

That led them to an upstairs flat where they located a significant cannabis farm worth up to £100,000 with plants at various stages of

growth.

The electricity at the address had also been by-passed – posing a significant fire risk to the occupants and all those living nearby.

Chief Inspector Paul Walters, of Northumbria Police, said: “It was a very productive couple of hours for our officers who

were able to swiftly respond to two reports of suspicious activity by the public.

“That information allowed us to deploy resources to the respective areas and we have now been able to take a significant quantity of drugs out of the hands of criminals and off our streets.

“Enquiries are ongoing into each incident but I would like to thank those who passed on the information. The public are very much our eyes and ears in the community – and by working together, we can ensure Sunderland and South Tyneside remain a safe place to live and work.

“With respect of the cannabis farm, this was an incredibly dangerous operation that could easily have resulted in a fire.

Any blaze could have led to devastating consequences for anybody living in the area.

“Nobody wants to live next to a potential death trap, so it is imperative that communities continue to pass on any information they have or let us know if they see anything suspicious. It’s not an overexaggeration to say that by picking up the phone, you could save lives.”

The 19-year-old arrested in South Tyneside has since been released under investigation.

Enquiries are ongoing.

The cannabis farm in Sunderland will be dismantled by officers and the drugs seized. An investigation has been launched to identify those involved.

Anyone who sees anything suspicious in their neighbourhood is asked to report it to police via the ‘Tell Us Something’ page of our website or by calling 101. In an emergency, or if a crime is happening, always ring 999.

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COUPLE FINDS WAY TO SPICE UP THEIR LIFE…

BY RAHEEMA KHAN

This year has been one of unprecedented economic misery, especially for those who work in the hospitality and retail sectors. But for some it provided opportunities. Starting a business has been a way to take back control - and provide a sense of hope.

The number of new companies being created in the UK compared with last year has soared in the second half of 2020, according to the Office for National Statistics.

Research shows that in 2019, 11,503 new companies were created and in 2020 (up to 18 Dec 2020) 13,257 new businesses were created.

A Sunderland based couple have now also joined the thousands of entrepreneurs with their new food business, turning their passion for cooking into a business which they now plan to launch nationwide.

Husband and wife Kam and Nedhi Chera set up the Funky IndianWali at home, offering authentic Indian dishes and their own special spice mixes to food lovers across the region.

And the success of the venture – and the requests from further afield – has led to the couple launching their own curry club

subscription service, with monthly deliveries of spice mixes, snacks and easy-to-follow recipes.

Kam had run a number of successful restaurants, which he was forced to give up due to ill health and when the first lockdown hit the couple decided to look at ways to still offer their much-loved passion for food at home.

“Nedhi is a home cook but the recipes she uses are ones that are passed down from generation to generation, so they are absolutely authentic,” said Kam. “At the same time the food that we create is healthy Indian food, nothing like some of the heavy, oily dishes that are sometimes associated with this cuisine.”

The couple realised the potential after Nedhi took part in a food festival two years ago, where her masterclass gained her a huge audience.

“We have wanted to develop that for quite a while,” said Kam. “But being trapped at home for most of the past year meant that we were able to really work on our unique spice packs and recipes, as well as offering an at home delivery service.”

Now the pair believe the time is right to launch the Funky IndianWali curry club,

which costs just £40 for a three-month subscription including free postage.

Subscribers will receive a box each month – with options for vegetarian choices – which will include main course curry spices and

a recipe, spices to use in two different side dishes and recipe cards plus two different kinds of Indian snacks.

Dishes that subscribers can make range

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from Lamb Railway Curry to Nedhi’s Butter Chicken to non-meat creations such as Masala Gobhi – a whole cauliflower baked in a spice sauce.

“What we’re offering is the kind of food that we would eat at home, genuine Indian food that is cooked with passion and authenticity,” said Nedhi.

“All that needs adding is some staple ingredients that, if people haven’t already got them at home, can be bought at most stores.

“We believe this is a fantastic way for people to have a great experience with us, improve their cooking skills and learn about real Indian cookery using gluten free, vegan friendly and 100 per cent natural products.”

Food subscription boxes have really taken off in the last couple of years, catering for every imaginable cuisine, taste and dietary requirement - think plant-based, gluten free and dairy free. Almost half of UK online shoppers now subscribe to some kind of subscription delivery service – up from 34 per cent last year.

Subscription boxes began in the US and emerged on this side of the Atlantic over a decade ago.

Food subscription boxes contain everything you need to whip up nutritious meals easily and quickly at home.

So if you’ve not joined in the new trend, then why not subscribe to thefunkyindianwali. To subscribe to the non-vegetarian subscription visit https://www.thefunkyindianwali.com/

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product-page/3-month-non-veg-curry-clubsubscription and for the vegetarian subscription https://www.thefunkyindianwali.com/ product-page/3-month-vegetarian-curry-clubsubscription

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FAMILY’S 1M STEPS FOR NHS

BY DANIEL HOLLAND | LDRS Reporter

Amad Ali spent more than three weeks in intensive care at the Royal Victoria Infirmary and feared he would never see his loved ones again.

But, inspired by the tireless

efforts of the NHS staff who helped save his life, the Gosforth dad launched a campaign from his hospital bed last month to spread awareness of just how dangerous the virus is.

Amad and five family members pledged to walk a combined one million steps, approximately 500 miles, in 19 days and passed that

milestone on schedule on Friday lunchtime.

The restaurant owner, who runs the Crawcrook Tandoori in Ryton, says he is now feeling “much better” after being released from hospital on February 17 and was able to contribute a little to the huge walking effort himself.

The Ali family have been left overwhelmed by the amount of support they have received – including two individual donations of more than £1,000.

Amad said: “The message is to stay vigilant, take the government’s advice, get the vaccine, stay safe.

“Look after yourself, look after your families and friends. It is so very important.

“While I was in hospital the doctors were telling me I needed to rest and relax, but when this idea came to my

Amad Ali

mind I just couldn’t stop.

“In my hospital bed I couldn’t stop thinking about it. I have come back from Covid but other people need to be aware.

“I had to think about all the other people who this could happen to. Covid is just around the corner and I had to warn people that they needed to be more careful.”

In less than a month, a Go Fund Me page for the campaign has generated 150 donations totalling more than £8,500. You can donate by visiting: https:// gofund.me/92e3fc3c with the money split between the NHS and the Rohingya Action North East charity.

Amad’s 70-year-old motherin-law Amina died after contracting Covid and he feared that the virus would take his life too as he suffered in hospital with pneumonia, liver problems, extreme tiredness, and severe breathing difficulties.

Image: Shah Ali

A Covid-19 survivor and his family have completed a million steps for the NHS – and raised more than £8,500 in the process.

Amad Ali, who is battling Covid in intensive care at the Royal Victoria Infirmary But he is now back home and recovering well alongside his wife Syeda and his two sons, Shah and Amaan.

Amad added: “I am doing much better now. I still have a bit of a cough and the lungs still aren’t totally better, but I have been

able to do a bit more walking around – before I used to get headaches, but not anymore.

“I am so proud of my wife and my sons. Without them I would not have been able to do all this, I really appreciate what they have done for me.”

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WHAT THE BUDGET MEANS FOR YOU IN A NUTSHELL All eyes were on Rishi Sunak as he announced perhaps one of the most awaited and crucial budgets of our time on Wednesday 3 March.

£1,073,100.

The Inheritance Tax nil-rate band will remain £325,000 until at least 2026.

We took the help of Tax expert Ilyas Patel, to give us a run down on the latest budget figures.

The Capital Gains Tax Annual Exempt Amount will remain at the current rate of £12,300, or £6,150 for trusts, until April 2026.

Personal Tax

The amount of savings income that is nil-tax will remain at the same level.

Increase in personal allowance in 2021/22 up to £12,570, then frozen at that level until at least 2026.

Higher Rate threshold increased to £50,270, and frozen at this level.

There are no changes in the ISA subscription limit, meaning you will still be able to put £20,000 a year into your ISA tax free.

The Pension Personal Lifetime allowance will remain unchanged, at

Dividend Allowance will remain at £2,000.

Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) holiday which raised the threshold to £500,000 has been extended to June 2021.

Between July and September 2021 the SDLT threshold will be £250,000 and from October 2021 will return to £125,000.

Business Tax In April 2023 the Corporation

Tax rate will increase to 25% for businesses with profits over £250,000. Corporation Tax for businesses with profits of up to £50,000 will stay at 19%, and the rate will be tapered for profits between £50,000 and £250,000.

The way the tapered relief works means that some businesses with profits of between £50,000 and £250,000 will end up paying a marginal rate of over 25%. This could mean that a partnership or mixed structure may be more tax efficient.

Businesses will be allowed a 130% two-year super deduction between 1st April 2022 and 31st March 2023. This will apply when investing in qualifying ‘main rate’ plant and machinery.

For qualifying ‘special rate’ assets there will be a 50% first year allowance.

Analysis shows that spending £1 million fitting an office will benefit from cash savings over two years of £120,000. Even with the increase in Corporation Tax the cash benefit over five years in £135,000. For more information on Capital Allowances, check out the link above.

The period in which a company can carry back trading losses will be increased from 1 year to 3 years. This will apply to trading periods between 1st April 2020 and 31st March 2022 for limited companies, and to tax years ending in 2021 and 2022 for nonlimited companies.

The 1 year carry back remains unrestricted, but the 2nd and 3rd year will be capped a £2 million. This cap is applied to the year in which the losses occur, not the year to which they are carried back.

Rishi Sunak budget 2021

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able to join a new scheme which is set to open later in March 2021.

Business Rates The 100% Business Rates holiday for businesses in the retail and leisure sector has been extended by three months taking it to at least June 2021.

From July 2021 there will be a period when the rates will be two-thirds of the normal charge, up to a maximum of £2 million, for closed businesses.

Covid 19 Support Furlough scheme will continue to 30th September 2021. However, in July the employer will have to pay for 10% of the hours the staff do not work, and this will increase to 20% for August and September.

The Government announced a further loan scheme, the Recovery Loan Scheme, which will run from 6 April 2021 until 31 December 2021, providing loans and overdrafts up to £10 million over six years.

These loans will be 80% guaranteed by the Government, and for loans up to £250,000 there will be no personal guarantees and an individual’s home cannot be taken as security.

The fourth and fifth Self-Employment Income

The fifth and final SEISS grant will open in late July 2021.

This grant will cover May 2021 to September 2021 and will be determined by how much your income has been affected by COVID-19.

The grant will be worth 80% of the trading profits, capped at £7,500, but only if your turnover has been reduced by at least 30%. If your turnover has been reduced by less than 30% then you will only be entitled to 30% of your trading profits over this period.

Restart Grant Shops will be able to claim grants of up to £6,000 to reopen on 12 April 2021.

Hospitality and leisure will be able to claim up to £18,000.

Other Stuff…

HMRC are looking at renewing and expanding the Research and Development tax credit options to include more enterprises, and make sure that the UK remains competitive internationally.

This includes possible expansion for accessing datasets, cloud computing, and many more!

Employers in England who hire a new apprentice between 1 April 2021 and 30 September 2021 will receive £3,000 per new hire, which is on top of the existing £1,000 already received for taking on an apprentice. If you hire a trainee, you could get a bonus payment of £1,000 so by hiring a trainee then enrolling them as an apprentice you could get £5,000.

• £20 weekly uplift in Universal Credit worth £1,000 a year to be extended for another six months

VAT 5% reduced rate of VAT for the hospitality and leisure sector has been extended to September 2021. This will be increased to 12.5% from October 2021 to March 2022, and then the standard 20% will apply from April 2022.

• Working Tax Credit claimants will get £500 oneoff payment • Minimum wage to increase to £8.91 an hour from April • New visa scheme to help start-ups and rapidly growing tech firms source talent from overseas

The VAT registration threshold remains unchanged at £85,000 and will stay that way until at least March 2024.

Making Tax Digital will apply to all VAT registered businesses from April 2022. This means that VAT registered businesses are now required to follow MTD rules by keeping digital records and using software to submit their VAT returns. We will have more

from February 2021 to April 2021. The online application will be available from late April. This is so HMRC can process the 2019-20 SelfAssessment Tax Returns.

Applications must be made by 31st May 2021.

• Contactless payment limit will rise to £100 later this year • All alcohol duties to be frozen for second year running information on this to follow, so stay tuned!

The VAT repayment scheme for VAT deferred in 2020 is now operational. To apply to this service, which allows

the repayments to take place over 11 months with no interest, you must sign up by the 21 June 2021. If you already have a time-to-pay arrangement in place for this

VAT then you cannot use this scheme.

Support Schemes (SEISS) have been announced.

If you are on Annual Accounting or the VAT Payment on Account Scheme, then you will be

The fourth SIESS grant will be for 80% of trading profits, capped at £7,500. It is to cover the income affected

• No extra tax on spirits, wine, cider or beer • Fuel duty to be frozen for eleventh consecutive year • Tobacco duties rose in November but no further rise in this Budget

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SOUTH ASIAN HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS URGE PUBLIC NOT TO IGNORE LUNG CANCER SYMPTOMS South Asian health care professionals are backing the latest NHS and Public Health England campaign urging people to contact their GP practice if they have a cough for three weeks or more and it isn’t COVID-19. A cough for three weeks or more could be a sign of lung cancer.

Finding lung cancer early, like other cancers, makes it more treatable.

Research commissioned by the NHS and Public Health England found almost half of people do not know that a persistent cough for more than three weeks can be a lung cancer symptom.

And two thirds of people, 61%, would not make an appointment with their GP if they had a cough lasting three weeks or more and had tested negative for coronavirus.

The survey found that the main reasons people gave for not contacting their GP were wanting to wait to see if symptoms would go away on their own (25%) and being worried about burdening the NHS (31%).

Other symptoms of lung cancer include coughing up blood, persistent breathlessness, chest infections that keep coming back or unexplained weight loss.

Dr Sayyada Mawji, a North London based GP, said: “I know many patients have been nervous to see their GP since the pandemic began because of a fear of catching COVID-19 or burdening the health service but I want to assure you that the NHS has adapted its services and we can see you safely. If you or a loved one has had a cough for three weeks or more and it isn’t COVID-19, please contact your GP practice. It’s probably nothing serious, but finding cancer early makes it more treatable and can save lives.”

Around 39,300 people are diagnosed with lung cancer in England each year. Fiveyear survival for persons diagnosed with stage 1 lung cancer is 57% compared with just 3% for those diagnosed with late stage (stage 4) lung cancer. The NHS Long Term Plan aims to increase the number of cancer patients diagnosed early, at stage one or two, from half to three quarters.

The health service has seen more people come forward for cancer checks since the first peak of the pandemic, but lung cancer referrals are at 73% of the same point last year.

Dr Karen Sandhu, a Macmillan GP based in

Swindon, said: “In the South Asian community, we can often assume cancer is a fatal illness, but research has shown us that earlier diagnosis can make cancer more treatable.

As a GP, I would urge you not to take any chances with your health - if you or your loved one has a cough for three weeks or more that isn’t COVID-19, please contact your GP practice.

Don’t let anything stop you from putting your health first.”

From the start of the pandemic to December, 228,000 people started NHS treatment for cancer, 95% of whom did so within a month. Hospitals across England have also carried out more than two cancer procedures for every patient they treated for coronavirus in 2020. Despite this, latest figures show GP referrals for lung cancer remain lower than the same point last year.

Nafeesa Arshad, sister of Saima Thompson, who passed away because of lung cancer last year said: “At 29, lung cancer was the last thing that was on my sister’s mind. She had recently got engaged and was running two businesses. If you have any concerns - a cough that won’t go away, feeling tired all of the time, or any physical changes in your body, please contact your GP practice. Cancer doesn’t discriminate. It doesn’t care

what ethnicity or gender you are.”

NHS England has also introduced a series of innovations in cancer care

during the pandemic, including COVID-19-secure surgery hubs that were set up across the country and £160 million invested in ‘COVID-19-friendly’

cancer drugs, that treat patients without having such a big impact on their immune system or offer other benefits such as fewer hospital visits.

8 - 14 march 2021 WWW.ASIANSTYLEMAGAZINE.COM

PRIYANKA CHOPRA BEGINS FILMING ON AMAZON'S CITADEL TELEVISION ACTRESS SARA KHAN WILL STAR IN SATIRICAL COMEDY CAMP DECENT MADHURI DIXIT TURNS HER HAND TO SUSPENSFUL THRILLER WITH NEW NETFLIX SERIES FINDING ANAMIKA

JANHVI KAPOOR BOLLYWOOD’S YOUNG STARLET IS MAKING BIG WAVES IN THE INDUSTRY

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FILM FASHION BEAUTY

SONAKSHI SINHA DEBUTS FIRST LOOK OF HER CHARACTER FROM BULBUL TARANG

SHREYA GHOSHAL ANNOUNCES SHE IS PREGNANT WITH HER FIRST CHILD

POOJA BHATT STATES SHE INITIALLY REFUSED BOMBAY BEGUMS BEFORE DECIDING ‘TO TAKE THE LEAP’ surprised her fans Bollywood playback singer Shreya Ghoshal on social media. ancy pregn first her of news the by announcing and shared a The 36-year-old singer took to her Instagram nced the annou she as , bump baby picture showing off her thrilling news. a is on its way! @ She captioned the post, "Baby #Shreyadity with you all. news this share to d thrille shiladitya and me are lves for ourse re prepa we as ngs blessi and love your Need all this new chapter in our lives." coloured In the picture, Shreya looks stunning in a multia sweet with bump baby her off shows she as attire printed smile on her face. nces with The talented singer, who has mesmerised audie Bole' and 'Bairi Piya', 'Piyu ', Laage a 'Manw like songs ious melod itya in a private tied the knot with her long-time beau Shilad ceremony on February 5, 2015.

Actress Pooja Bhatt recalls initially saying no to the upcoming series Bombay Begums despite loving the synopsis. She managed to fit in the project only when the makers reworked the schedule.

touched that they thought of me but I had to, unfortunately, say no. And for whatever it's worth, they decided to push their schedule. Then, they came back to me a few months later," recalled Pooja.

The series touches upon themes of ambition, desire, struggle for power and vulnerability through the stories of a group of modern women in Mumbai. Pooja plays a character named Rani.

She added "I just decided to take the leap. I thought that when life is banging on your door, the least you can do is throw it open and let life in. So I just said yes. And I think it's the best decision I've made."

"They sent me a synopsis.

I loved the world. I thought that these four characters, these four women, were quite fascinating. I was

The series also features Plabita Borthakur and Aadhya Anand along with Vivek Gomber and Danish Husain.

INDIAN-AMERICAN FILM THE ILLEGAL MAKES THE SHORTLIST FOR THE BEST PICTURE CATEGORY AT THE 2021 OSCARS Indian-American film, 'The Illegal' has been shortlisted at the Oscars 2021 for the Best Picture category.

Directed by Danish Renzu, The Illegal which was released in 2019 and is about a student from India who leaves his home, country and family behind to pursue the American Dream after being accepted to study in a prestigious university in the US. Due to an unfortunate turn of events, he is forced to work in a restaurant for his survival. The film uncovers the challenges faced by him and how he meets them.

"The Illegal is a film on immigration,

country-city contrasts and youthful dreams of the future told through an Indian immigrant Hassan who comes to America to become a filmmaker. It follows Hassan, who moves to Los Angeles to attend college and pursue his filmmaking dreams. Because of circumstances beyond his control, he is forced to drop out of school and get a job, becoming an undocumented worker," says Renzu.

"I wanted to tell this story as a way for the audience to put themselves in the characters' shoes and to recognize that illegal immigrants each have an individual story that we can relate to

and showcase amusing misconceptions and common stereotypes. Behind the playful humour is a story rooted in the immigrant journey, the painful truths that can reveal themselves on the way and the motivations that drive it despite its difficulties is the crux of the story," says the director.

The leading cast includes Suraj Sharma (as Hassan) who has previously worked on projects like 'Life of Pi' and 'Homeland'; Adil Hussain (portraying the character of Papa); Neelima Azim (as Mummy) and Shweta Tripathi (as Mahi).

Bollywood actress Sonakshi Sinh a took to Instagram to announce her next project, Bulb ul Tarang, which will premiere on Netflix.

The actress posted a picture of hers elf with the caption, "Meet Bulbul... A girl out to make her dream come true.? thrilled to announce my next film #BulbulTarang streaming soon on @netflix_in.”

The film has been directed by Shre e Narayan Singh and is said to be inspired by a true story . The film also features Raj Babbar and Tahir Raj Bhasin.

The news follows after Netflix India took social media by storm yesterday when they anno unced their entire slate of projects for 2021.

Meanwhile, Sinha, is gearing up her next release, Bhuj The Pride of India. The film will also featu re Ajay Devgn, Sanjay Dutt , Sharad Kelkar, Ammy Virk , Pranitha Subhash and Nora Fatehi. The story is set against the backdrop of the IndianPakistan war of 1971.

THREE PRIYANKA CHOPRA BEGINS FILMING ON AMAZON'S CITADEL FILM FASHION BEAUTY

TELEVISION ACTRESS SARA KHAN WILL STAR IN SATIRICAL COMEDY CAMP DECENT

Actress Sara Khan will soon be seen in satirical comedy titled Camp Decent. The film will showcase how society views working women.

The film will also feature Brijendra Kala and Rajpal Yadav and is directed by Sandeep Kumar Rana. The story follows a filmmaker named Kumar, who does not

respect women and eventually learns his lesson.

biased attitude of the society towards women," said Sara.

"My character Anahita is the soul of Kumar's character.

Whenever he makes a mistake, she reprimands him. She is his best friend. Whenever he is in trouble, he consults with her.

Whenever she is in trouble, she talks to him. Through this film we want to highlight the

Sara recently wrapped up shoot in Rishikesh, Uttarakhand.

Sara has been part of shows such as Sapna Babul Ka...

Bidaai, Sasural Simar Ka, Santoshi Maa, Shakti Astitva Ke Ehsaas Ki and Santoshi Maa Sunayein Vrat Kathayein.

After nearly a month of prep, actress Priyanka Chopra has officially begun shooting on Citadel alongside Richard Madden. The actress took to her Twitter to announce that day 1 of the shoot has begun.

Roughly a month ago, Chopra announced that she had started working on the series in London on her Instagram. The spy thriller is being helmed by the Russo Brothers, who have directed several of the Marvel films.

Sharing a photo of herself, the actress tweeted, "Day 1 on #Citadel thankyou team for a sweet welcome! Let's gooooooo!"

The show is expected to be a big drop for Amazon Prime with the shooting spanning over several months and plans to film in India, Italy and Mexico.

BOLLYWOOD STARS RICHA CHADHA AND ALI FAZAL FIRST PRODUCTION VENTURE IS SET TO BE 'GIRLS WITH BE GIRLS' Bollywood stars and rumoured couple Richa Chadha and Ali Fazal are collaborating as producers for their first production venture titled 'Girl Will Be Girls'.

will kick off with 'Girls Will Be Girls', the only Indian selection of the 10 projects chosen for the Berlinale Talents Script Station program this year.

The upcoming project is a part of their newly launched production company Pushing Buttons Studios.

The script has also been selected for the Jerusalem Sam Spiegel Film Lab, and it won a New York State Council of the Arts Grant for development.

The film is being written and directed

by Shuchi Talati. The movie is set in an elite boarding school in a small Himalayan hill town in northern India and follows the story of a 16-year-old girl, whose rebellious coming-of-age is hijacked by her mother who never got to come-of-age.

The production company, set up with a view to narrate stories rooted in the Indian ethos for a global audience,

Speaking about the project, Chadha said, "The world that Shuchi has created is relatable, often cruel but never hopeless or nihilistic. Its honest awkwardness will make you chuckle, not weep."

"This is the first time that Richa and I are collaborating on a film as producers and the experience so far has been very rewarding," said Fazal.

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KRITI SANON AND VARUN DHAWAN HEAD TO ARUNACHAL PRADESH TO BEGIN FILMING ON BHEDIYA

FATIMA SANA SHAIKH SNATCHES UP THE ROLE OF ‘ARUVI’ FOR THE HINDI REMAKE

INDIAN WOMEN RISING AND EDUCATE GIRLS USA COLLABORATE TO RAISE FUNDS FOR SHORT FILM BITTU star in the Hindi Bollywood actor Fatima Sana Shaikh is set to .

'Aruvi' film hit adaptation of the 2017 Tamil , who is a The film will be helmed by filmmaker E Niwas (1999). The l' 'Shoo for award film al Nation the recipient of fiery, eponymous upcoming movie will see Fatima portraying a the Tamil original. character made memorable by Aditi Balan in ainment and Entert use The film is being produced by Appla

Faith Films. a said, "I am so Speaking about the forthcoming movie, Fatim g forward to thrilled to do the remake of Aruvi and really lookin glad that really am I cter. chara the of skin diving deep into the come together Applause Entertainment and Faith Films have I am really excited with E Niwas to make this great content and to embark on this journey." critical acclaim 'Aruvi', which released in 2017, garnered huge ss. The succe office box ve and went on to become a massi prestigious across travel widely to on went also satire social along the film festivals, winning accolades and cult status the rare was 'Aruvi' alike, critics and rs viewe by way.Lauded y, with societ to mirror a held also commercial entertainer that misogyny, and merism consu on entary comm ing its sparkl among other prevalent issues.

Indian Women Rising, a cinema collective founded by Ekta Kapoor, Guneet Monga, Tahira Kashyap Khurrana, and Ruchikaa Kapoor Sheikh is collaborating with 'Educate Girls USA', an NGO founded by Safeena Husain to raise funds for the two young leads Rani and Renu Kumari from the Oscar-contending short film 'Bittu'.

The collaboration also received the support of Global icon Priyanka Chopra Jonas who gave a shout-out to the fundraiser event, standing in solidarity with the right to education for the young girls.

Priyanka said, "Bittu is moving, raw and real. It takes a devastating incident and presents it from a unique perspective. As soon as I saw it, I knew I wanted to help give it the attention it deserves.

It's a great example of how women supporting women can make anything possible and the Indian Women Rising Collective is proof of that and I can't wait to see what they do next."

The fundraiser is scheduled for today and will be moderated by digital sensation and content creator Prajakta Koli, who was seen in the recently-released Netflix show 'Mismatched'.

Directed by Karishma Dev Dube, 'Bittu' is based on a true story and tells the tale of a close friendship between two girls, eclipsed by an accidental poisoning at school. From casting real children amongst the valleys of the Himalayas to shooting against the backdrop of the mountains, the film offers a visually aesthetic as well as an authentic experience to its viewers.

DIRECTOR MOHIT SURI SAYS HE HOPES ‘TO RECREATE THE EK VILLIAN MAGIC’ WITH HIS SEQUEL Shoot of "Ek Villain Returns" started in Mumbai recently with scenes filmed on John Abraham and Disha Patani.

Director Mohit Suri and producer Ekta Kapoor say they are glad that things are getting back to normal in the film industry, and they hoped to see the audience at the movies once again.

"I was waiting for this day for a while now. Unfortunately with the pandemic, things went off-track but now I am glad we are back to where we belong -- making movies! I hope to recreate the Ek Villain magic with this one," says Suri.

Talking about the project, Kapoor says "I'm excited to take the franchise forward. This time around the action, drama and suspense only heightens. See you at the movies."

The film, which is a sequel to the 2014 film "Ek Villain", is co-produced by Ekta Kapoor and Bhushan Kumar.

"Ek Villain Returns" started its Mahurat shot in Mumbai's Gaiety Galaxy theatre.

The sequel features John Abraham, Disha Patani, Tara Sutaria and Arjun Kapoor in pivotal roles. The film is slated to release on February 11 next year.

A few days after disclosing about their horror-comedy project together, Varu n Dhawan and Kriti Sanon have lande d in Arunachal Pradesh to shoot for the first schedule of their film 'Bhediya'.

Dhawan took to his Instagram to anno unce the news. The actor posted a hilarious video of himself boarding the flight as he howled like a wolf, in honour of his upcoming project’s title.

Before commencing the shoot of their upcoming horror-comedy flick, the Bollywood actors met Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh with their team .

The horror-comedy drama 'Bhediya' will mark the 'Badlapur' star and 'Heropanti' star's third collaboration with each other after sharing screen spaces in 2015 rom-com 'Dilwale' and 2019 'Kalank'.

'Bhediya' will bring together the dyna mic duo of producer Dinesh Vijan and director Amar Kaushik, who also helmed the 2018 blockbuster movie 'Stree.' Starring Kriti Sanon, Varun Dhaw an, Abhishek Banerjee, and Deepak Dobriyal, the story is written by Natio nal Award Winner, Niren Bhatt who also wrote intriguing scripts for 'Bala', 'Mad e In China', 'Wrong Side Raju.'

The film is set to release in cinemas on April 14, 2022.

ACTOR VARUN SHARMA SAYS HE WOULD LOVE TO WORK ON MORE HORROR-COMEDIES FOLLOWING ROOHI

Actor Varun Sharma has developed a liking for the genre of horror comedy, after working in the upcoming film, Roohi. He says he would love to work in a horror comedy again.

"120 per cent, I would like to try it again and I think this is an interesting genre. There are two shades in one palette," Varun stated.

"You are making people scared

also and at the same time there is a lot of comedy also that is happening and even as an actor it is very different. Why not! I mean given a chance I would want to do this genre again," he said.

Roohi, slated for a March 11 release in theatres, also stars Rajkummar Rao and Janhvi Kapoor.

FILM FASHION BEAUTY

DIRECTOR HANSAL MEHTA CONFIRMS 'SCAM 1992' SERIES 2 WILL FOLLOW THE STORY OF CONMAN ABDUL KARIM TELGI After the massive success of 'Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story', which received rave reviews from critics and viewers alike, the makers have announced the second instalment with Hansal Mehta returning to direct the series.

Titled 'Scam 2003: The Curious Case of Abdul Karim Telgi', the upcoming series will delve into the life of Abdul Karim Telgi, the mastermind of the 2003 Stamp Paper scam.

Production company Applause Entertainment took to Twitter to announce that the company is set to launch the second season of the popular franchise.

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MADHURI DIXIT TURNS HER HAND TO SUSPENSFUL THRILLER WITH NEW NETFLIX SERIES FINDING ANAMIKA

Actor Pratik Gandi, who starred in the lead role in the first instalment shared the announcement while congratulating the team.

Pratik tweeted, "Congratulations @mehtahansal @nairsameer @ApplauseSocial@SonyLIV ... Waiting for it already... #Scam2003."

The forthcoming series promises to be an intriguing watch as it chronicles the rise and fall of Telgi, and how he pulled off one of India's most imaginative scams that spread across multiple states.

The scam value was

estimated to be around a whopping Rs. 200 billion. The show will reportedly begin filming by the end of the year and release in 2022 on SonyLIV. 'Scam 2003' will be adapted from the Hindi book 'Reporter ki Diary', written by journalist Sanjay Singh, who broke the story. Acclaimed Marathi writer Kiran Yadnyopavit has also been roped in to develop the show.

As Netflix announced its slate of intriguing series for this year, Bollywood actor Madhuri Dixit, introduced her character from the upcoming series 'Finding Anamika' to fans.

The 'Dhak-Dhak' girl of Bollywood who will be making her debut in the digital world with this series took to her Instagram account and introduced her character as 'Anamika' through a scintillating post..

Raising fans excitement, she wrote, "Beauty, poise, grace and elegance are all

ALIA BHATT REVEALS A SNEAK-PEEK FROM THE SET OF BRAHMASTRA Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor 's Brahmastra is expected to release later this year and many fans of the actors are clamouring to get a glimpse of the actor 's latest project. Thankfully, Bhatt took to her Instagram to share two sneakpeeks from the set of the upcoming film.

The photos featured her and Kapoor alongside director Ayan Mukerji in front of an image of the Goddess Kaali. Captioning

the photo, Bhatt stated, "It's a blessing to be on this journey.. & these magical boys just make everything P.S. - this is jussssttt the beginning" The mysterious comment from the actress made fans excited to see what the film could possibly have in store. All we know so far about Brahmastra is that the project is tauted to be a supernatural fantasy.

We cannot wait to see what the actors have in store for us.

words you'd associate with Anamika. But skeletons hidden in her closet all come rushing out when an untoward event takes place.

There's always more than meets the eye, isn't there?" in the caption.

"I'm thrilled to announce I will be part of the Netflix original series Finding Anamika. Excuse me, while I do a happy dance to celebrate!” she added.

Madhuri also acknowledged her whole team including filmmaker Karan Johar in the caption.

‘Finding Anamika’ will feature Madhuri Dixit Nene with Sanjay Kapoor, Manav Kaul, Lakshvir Saran, Suhasini Muley.

The series revolves around the story of a global superstar, wife, and mom who suddenly vanishes without a trace.

As police and loved ones search for answers to her disappearance, her perfectly crafted facade is stripped away, revealing hidden truths and painful lies in the life of an iconic actress.

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FILM FASHION BEAUTY

JANHVI KAPOOR:

Bollywood’s young starlet is making big waves in the industry

BY REBECCA TODD Janhvi Kapoor is one of Bollywood’s youngest and brightest stars. The actress is well known for being the daughter of legendary film producer Boney Kapoor, but the star is certainly defining her own path to success. Making her debut three years ago in Dhadak, it was not really until last year that the actress became a serious talking point in Bollywood. Taking on the true story of Gunjan Saxena, a former IAF pilot, Janhvi’s performance in the well-received drama ‘Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl’ garnered her much critical acclaim, despite the film being thrown into controversy due to its portrayal of the Air Force and its liberties with the accuracy of its story.

Now Kapoor is one of the best and biggest upcoming actresses on the scene and we predict, within the next few years, the young star will be amongst the upper echelons of Bollywood. Kapoor currently has some remarkably interesting and varied projects on the way. As a celebration of the release of her new horror-comedy Roohi in Indian cinemas next week, we have taken a look through her currently pending roster so that you can know where to look out for her over the next year or so.

ROOHI Roohi is Kapoor’s next big project and it’s all set to debut next week in India on March 11.

The film will see the actress face off against Rajkummar Rao and Varun Sharma and is set to be the first big Bollywood cinematic release since the Indian government confirmed that theatres could return to 100 percent capacity. In Roohi, Kapoor will play the titular character, a possessed girl, who is struggling to maintain who she is. In strange circumstances. Hitesh (Rao) and Lakiresh (Sharma) end up trapped in the middle of the woods with the girl and must try to find a way to save her. Things get really mixed up in this horror-comedy, however, when both the men realise they have accidentally fallen in love with Roohi! The film is the first in a line of several horror-comedy films that producer Dinesh Vijan has planned. This project seems to have kickstarted a re-emergence of the genre in Bollywood, with Saif Ali Khan and Arjun Kapoor collaborating on upcoming Bhoot Police and Kartik Aaryan filling the shoes of Akshay Kumar in the sequel to Bhool Bhulaiyaa. Recently, Kapoor debuted her song ‘Nadiyoon Paar’ for the film and the party anthem proved that, not only is she becoming a force to be reckoned with in the acting sphere, but that her singing and dancing excel as well.

GOOD LUCK JERRY The next film on the cards for Janhvi Kapoor is the upcoming drama film Good Luck Jerry. This project sees the collaboration of Kapoor and director Aanand L Rai, who is best known for his work on 2018’s Zero. Good Luck Jerry will see Kapoor as the focus of the project, and it is believed that the film will see Kapoor returning to a more drama-based performance such as her role in Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl. The actress revealed a first look at her character in the film back in January and this glimpse into the film shows that she will be playing a carefree, down-to-earth girl.

This stripped-back image is set to be a stellar performance from Janhvi and her diverse choice of projects will keep fans excited about where exactly she will go with each film.

FILM FASHION BEAUTY

DOSTANA 2

SEVEN

Dostana 2 promises to be a fun and flirty film that functions as a thematic sequel to 2008’s wildly-popular Dostana. Whilst this version of the romantic comedy will not see any of the original cast returning to the film, its producer Karan Johar has jumped on board to bring this project to life. In this version, Janhvi Kapoor will take the lead along with Kartik Aaryan. playing brother-sister duo Raghav and Shreya - which is already a different dynamic than we saw in the first film.

Naturally, comparisons have been made between Janhvi and Priyanka Chopra, who was the female lead in the original but, if this character choice is anything to go by, then it is certain that Kapoor’s role will take a different swing at the film’s narrative. We do know, however, that similar themes of a homosexual relationship come into play in this sequel so we will have to wait and see how the filmmakers make the project their own.

TAKHT Takht is one of the biggest upcoming projects currently underway. This historical drama is helmed by Karan Johar, which marks Takht as the second collaboration between the director and Janhvi Kapoor due out. Takht’s cast is impressive, with not only Janhvi making an appearance, but Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt, Anil Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Vicky Kaushal and Bhumi Pednekar all starring in the film. The project will see Anil Kapoor playing Mughal emperor Shahjahan, with Ranveer Singh, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Vicky Kaushal vying for the throne as his heirs. Janhvi will appear in the film as a slave girl to the emperor and her presence amongst this roster of Bollywood royalty is set to be one of her biggest roles yet. Let's just hope rumours of the film being shelved aren't true.

BOMBAY GIRL Janhvi’s other upcoming project will see her collaborating with her father, Boney Kapoor.

It was announced way back in 2019 that the young actress and her father would be working together for the very first time and, thanks to the pandemic, we are still waiting on the debut of this coming-of-age story. In the film, Janhvi will play a rebellious teenager who is trying to find her way in life. Bombay Girl will be directed by Sanjay Tripathy and will be a sedate change for the actress in comparison to some of the crazier roles we will see her in first.

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LEGAL Mikaela Rogerson FAMILY LAW SOLICITOR AT JMP SOLICITORS

HOW TO SETTLE A DIVORCE SEAMLESSLY Couples looking to separate can look to advice from family law experts who can help the difficult process move forward more seamlessly.

From financial assets, to future shared contact arrangements and the marital home, there are a number of important considerations to look after when it comes to separating, so it’s important to have full disclosure and to split assets fairly.

Relationship breakdowns can be distressing and complicated, with plenty of difficult decisions and arrangements to think about and implement, so seeking legal advice from specialists can provide support during an undoubtedly stressful time.

From listing outgoings, to providing full disclosure and splitting assets fairly, these suggestions from family lawyers at JMP Solicitors aim to inform separating couples of the financial options open to them for a more seamless transition.

Mikaela Rogerson, family law solicitor at JMP Solicitors, said: “To ease conflict in the oftenturbulent situation of divorce, it is useful to seek legal guidance when it comes to settling finances and making arrangements at an already difficult time.

“We’ve compiled a list of valuable considerations to minimise conflict in divorce or separation, from negotiation advice to come to mutually beneficial conclusions, to managing outgoings when it comes to the division of matrimonial assets.”

Here are the seven tips for settling finances in divorce: 1. Reach your own agreement if possible It’s important to always try and reach an agreement with your ex in the first instance and mediation can help you stay focused on the issues to be determined. If you can reach an agreement between yourselves the process will be cheaper and quicker. If this is not possible and you end up in court, it is worth considering that a judge may impose a decision on you that neither of you are happy with.

2. Provide full and frank financial disclosure Always provide full and frank financial disclosure - the courts expect parties to exchange financial information voluntarily in order for each party to be aware of the others financial position. This enables issues to be identified and ensures a fair settlement - it is never a good idea to conceal assets.

3. Never try and hurt your ex-partner During the divorce process it is important to stay amicable for a smoother separation – in order to remain civil. It is recommended to never hide or dispose of assets, run up debts on joint accounts or freeze joint access accounts.

4. Check for entitled benefits The courts expect that each party will maximise their income, so it is important to check that you are receiving any benefits you may be entitled to. The courts have to consider whether a clean break between parties is achievable and they are looking for parties to become financially independent as soon as is practicable.

5. List all outgoings It is recommended that you write a list of outgoings and future needs, to help you focus on what division of matrimonial assets you reasonably need in order to be financially independent, and be sure to keep this in mind during negotiations.

6. The court will always consider the children first When determining the fairest way to split assets, the courts will consider various factors including the age of the parties, the duration of the marriage and the standard of living enjoyed by the parties during the marriage - but their first consideration is always the welfare of any minor child of the family so it’s important to remember this during proceedings.

7. Always seek legal advice Financial matters can be complicated, so it’s recommended that you seek legal advice to help reach an agreement with your ex and ensure you have a solicitor convert your agreement into a consent order to be approved by the courts. While a divorce proceeding may not always reach court, it is important to seek legal advice to ensure you are receiving a fair deal regarding the separation of assets. It will also dismiss any future claims your ex may have against you in the future.

Established in 2000, JMP Solicitors is a Grantham-based multi-service law firm providing services for a diverse range of local and national clients from individuals, to companies and organisations.

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PUZZLES Crosswords CROSSWORD Across 1 Mountain lake (4) 3 Promptly (4,4) 9 Endanger (7) 10 Rogue (5) 11 Religion founded by Muhammad (5) 12 Frightened (6) 14 112 pounds (13) 17 Orb (6) 19 Smell (5) 22 Hunting dog (5) 23 Tranquil (7) 24 Monday to Friday (8) 25 Jab, nudge (4)

Spot the

5

Down 1 Dusk (8) 2 Drive back (5) 4 In good health (4,3,6) 5 Card game (5) 6 Title at top of page (7) 7 Supplication (4) 8 Small quake (6) 13 Surprised (8) 15 One of the planets (7) 16 Self-centered person (6) 18 Terminated (5) 20 Tender (5) 21 Arab boat (4)

differences

ANSWERS SPOT THE 5 DIFFERENCES 1. the chain on Janhvi's chest.

2. The color of the cauliflower leaves.

3. The badge on the sleeve on Rajkummar's jacket.

4. The handle of the drawer in the back.

5. The zipper on the backpack.

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REOPENING SCHOOLS ‘NATIONAL EFFORT’ TO BEAT COVID: UK PM "I do not underestimate how challenging the last few months have been with some children in class and most at home, but I do know how important it is for all children to be back in school, not only for their education but for their mental health and wellbeing," he said.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson described the reopening of schools in England as a "national effort" to beat coronavirus, even though some experts warned that the country is still not "out of the woods.”

On February 22, Johnson had announced his longanticipated "roadmap" exiting the lockdown, under which schools in England are scheduled to reopen from Monday 8 March as first part of the four-step plan.

According to the Prime Minister, the plan was designed to be "cautious but irreversible". Under the guidance, secondary school students across England are to receive three Covid-19 lateral-flow tests before using at-home kits twice a week.

Speaking to Sky News,

However, experts have warned Britain is "still not out of the woods" amid concerns over new variants and the risks of the public breaching restriction rules.

"We have done fantastically well in the last couple of months, but we are not completely out of the woods yet," Britain's National Statistician Ian Diamond said on March 6.

Johnson said " The reopening of schools marks a truly national effort to beat this virus. "It is because of the

determination of every person in this country that we can start moving closer to a sense of normality --

and it is right that getting our young people back into the classroom is the first step." Meanwhile, Education

Secretary Gavin Williamson said that Monday will "mark a moment of joy for millions of people across the country".

"I'm in very much the view that we should do everything we can not to blow it nationally," Diamond added.

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BRITISH COMPANIES KEEP MOVING UNDER NEW RELATIONSHIP WITH EU

Martin Stemp, owner of Portsmouth-based RS Aqua

WHAT EVERY FIRM NEEDS TO KNOW ABOUT THE CHANGES

The rules on trading with Europe have changed, but these British companies are going from strength to strength under our new relationship with the EU. On January 1, the way we trade with the EU changed. New rules and processes came in affecting firms that import or export to the continent. But while many companies have taken steps to prepare for the changes, some haven’t and that could leave their business at risk of disruption.

Here, firms that have made the switch reveal their tips and how they have adjusted.

BEING ABLE TO IMPORT SMOOTHLY IS ESSENTIAL TO WHAT WE DO With his business dependent on successfully importing and exporting millions of pounds of goods every year, Martin Stemp was determined to ensure it continued to run smoothly after the Brexit transition period ended. The owner of RS Aqua, an ocean technology firm based in

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Portsmouth, secured a Government grant to put his staff on a training course to learn how to complete the new customs declarations. The company also spoke to its shipping companies and suppliers and changed their paperwork to make sure it complied with the new rules.

Having exported outside of the EU before, Martin found the new processes quite familiar. However, he warns: “You definitely need to plan in advance, you have to be prepared.

There is a lot [to do], it’s not to be sniffed at, but there is support if you need it. “I suggest working with the Department for International Trade – it has an Export Champions programme – and talking to peers in your industry who are already exporting.”

Anthony Pickering, President at Control Techniques

PLANNING IS THE ROOT CAUSE OF OUR BREXIT SUCCESS Control Techniques recently picked up its Chinese factory, put it on a train across Siberia and relocated it in the Mid Wales countryside, to increase capacity. It is this

commitment to success that led the company, which designs and manufactures electric motor control technology, to start planning two years ago for the end of the Brexit transition period. “We export to 77 countries, so we had to be well prepared,” says President Anthony Pickering (pictured). “We made sure our suppliers were ready and had contingency plans in place, for example, if the port at Dover became blocked. They had to prove that their suppliers also had a plan, reaching all the way back down the supply chain. “Planning has been the reason for our success since 1 January, because we’re reliant on our supply chain. Our factories are full – we’re absolutely flat out, with orders coming out of our ears. “We’ve not missed a beat, and our business is continuing to evolve. There are some delays thanks to logistics, but I think it will figure itself out.”

Even though a deal with the EU has been secured, for UK companies, doing business with and travelling to Europe has changed. There are new rules on exports, imports, tariffs, qualifications, hiring and travel that you need to follow or your plans could face disruption. To give businesses more time to prepare, new border controls are being introduced in three phases. If your business imports from the EU, you need to check the new requirements that will start in April and July, and make sure you are ready. To make things easier, businesses can use the Brexit checker tool at gov.uk/ transition for a personalised list of actions. The website also contains a host of other helpful information including a “Check an HGV is ready” service for hauliers, dedicated helplines, webinars with policy experts, step-by-step guides and video explainers.

KEEP YOUR BUSINESS MOVING New rules now apply to business with Europe.

Act now at GOV.UK/TRANSITION

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A HEALTHY MIND IS A HAPPY MIND

The ultimate guide to looking after your mental health The Covid-19 pandemic has brought many challenges to our lives and disrupted our everyday routine. This is why having good mental health is more important now than ever. But supporting your own mental wellbeing is not always easy. Many of us aren’t just worried about catching the virus, we’re worried about the wellbeing of our loved ones and even our finances. We have to cope with the boredom of lockdown and the feelings of

SARAH KHAN BASHIR is a busy lawyer,

who runs her own law firm in Bradford and has daughters in school and university. Juggling work, home and lockdown can take its toll not just physically but mentally too.

She told Asian Standard: “This third lockdown has been a much tougher challenge for me, and I am sure for many others. I have had days where my mental health has been pretty weak.

“In fact, I tweeted about it recently, where I simply had to just switch off, take some time out, have a good sleep and then I got back to my work. It’s made me feel better just taking that moment out for myself. Self-care during these testing times is very important.”

Getting some much needed, rest and some

frustration or loneliness that come with that.

It's important to remember that it's OK to feel this way and that everyone reacts differently.

Remember, for most of us, these feelings will pass. Staying at home may be difficult, but we're helping to protect ourselves and others by doing it. There are things you can do now to help you keep on top of your mental wellbeing and cope with how you may feel if you're staying at home. good sleep made all the difference for Sarah, who has been working throughout the lockdown, as well as managing her family.

The Better Health website has some great tips on getting good-quality sleep. Good quality sleep makes a big difference to how we feel, so it's important to get enough.

It’s important we try to maintain our regular sleeping pattern and stick to good sleep practices.

Here is a fabulous link to getting some tips on sleeping better: https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mindmatters/coronavirus-covid-19-staying-athome-tips/

DR UZMA QURESHI a GP based in

Bradford agrees, good sleep is crucial for good mental wellbeing. The busy GP, who is also a mother of three also advises, that there is still a significant number of people who fail to make that connection between their psychological well-being and the symptoms that they are presented with, which she believes is less of a problem in none-south Asian population.

Dr Qureshi said: “It is really important to therefore acknowledge your mental health, because otherwise then you are less likely to engage with the treatments that we are offering, be that counselling or medication, depending on the severity of the symptoms. That ability to then look at what you can do and what we can do to help you, then puts up a barrier. So, it’s so important to be self-aware and try and unpick perhaps why you are feeling the way you are.

Sarah Khan Bashir

The family GP believes there is also still a lot of stigma of having a diagnosis

Dr Uzma Qureshi

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USEFUL TIPS TO HELP MAKE COPING WITH LOCKDOWN A LITTLE BIT EASIER FROM THE NHS’S EVERY MIND MATTERS WEBSITE: PLAN PRACTICAL THINGS. If you're unable to get to the shops, work out how you can get any household supplies you need.

You could try asking neighbours or family friends or find a delivery service.

Continue accessing treatment and support for any existing physical or mental health problems where possible. Let services know you are staying at home and discuss how to continue receiving support. If you need regular medicine, you might be able to order repeat prescriptions by phone, or online via a website or app. Contact your GP and ask if they offer this.

You can also ask your pharmacy about getting your medicine delivered or ask someone else to collect it for you.

If you support or care for others, either in your home or by visiting them regularly, think about who can help out while you are staying at home. Let your local authority know if you provide care or support someone you do not live with.

of a mental health problem within the South Asian community. Many have concerns about what impact will mental health have on things like marriage relationship suitability to look after children, what will the in laws think, what will the family think?

ok not to be ok and we really truly need to be kind to our mind.

Dr Qureshi explains: “Because if you think of the word mental that translates to ‘pagal’ and it has lots of connotations of people being crazy and locked up in institutions and there’s still that way of thinking and trying to say that no it doesn’t mean that, and we are thinking of more, milder chronic symptoms that still need help.”

“This lockdown has brought a huge sense of isolation of not being able to see your loved ones and family and so it’s only naturally to be feeling down.

There are so many ways you can help overcome this.” Reiterates Dr Qureshi “Follow the great tips and advise on the NHS website and if that doesn’t help then please do come and see your GP, we are always here to help.”

Her message is very clear. She says it’s

She asserts it’s important to applaud yourself for recognising when you are feeling low and trying to do something about it. “That’s the first step.” Confirms Dr Qureshi

It’s OK not to be OK and we really truly need to be kind to our mind.

Dr Uzma Qureshi

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/ stress-anxiety-depression/ mental-health-helplines/

and be mindful of how you are consuming news depending on your mental health.

LOOK AFTER YOUR BODY.

Fact-check information from social media or other people.

Our physical health has a big impact on how we feel. At times like these, it can be easy to fall into unhealthy patterns of behaviour that end up making you feel worse.

Try to eat healthy, well-balanced meals, drink enough water and stay active. Physical activity can really help to boost your mood, and there’s lots of workouts online that you can do from your own home. And try to avoid smoking, drugs or drinking too much alcohol.

For more tips and support to look after your body, search NHS Better Health.

STAY ON TOP OF DIFFICULT FEELINGS

STAY CONNECTED WITH OTHERS

Concern about the coronavirus outbreak and your health is normal. However, some people may experience intense anxiety that can affect their day-to-day life.

Maintaining healthy relationships with people you trust is important for your mental wellbeing.

Try to focus on the things you can control, such as how you act, who you speak to and where you get information from.

Think about ways to stay in touch with friends and family – by phone, messaging, video calls or social media.

TALK ABOUT YOUR WORRIES. It's normal to feel a bit worried or scared about the current situation. Remember: it is OK to share your concerns with others you trust – and doing so may help them too.

If you cannot speak to someone you know or if doing so has not helped, there are plenty of helplines you can try instead.

It's fine to acknowledge that some things are outside of your control, but if thoughts about the situation are making you feel anxious or overwhelmed, try some ideas to help manage your anxiety.

CHECK YOUR EMPLOYMENT AND BENEFITS RIGHTS You may be worried about work and money while you have to stay home – which can have a big effect on your mental health.

If you have not already, you might want to talk with your employer.

Find out about government support for businesses and selfemployed people and understand your sick pay and benefits rights.

CARRY ON DOING THINGS YOU ENJOY. If we are feeling worried, anxious, lonely or low, we may stop doing things we usually enjoy.

Make an effort to focus on your favourite hobby if it is something you can still do at home. Or start a new hobby: read, write, do crosswords or jigsaws, bake, or try drawing and painting.

Whatever it is, find something that works for you.

TAKE TIME TO RELAX This can help with difficult emotions and worries, and improve our wellbeing. Relaxation techniques can also help deal with feelings of anxiety.

For relaxation techniques, search Every Mind Matters

For tips and advice to stay on top of difficult feelings, search Every Mind Matters

AND GET GOOD SLEEP

TRY NOT TO OVERWHELM YOURSELF AND USE ONLY TRUSTED NEWS SOURCES.

Good-quality sleep makes a big difference to how we feel, so it's important to get enough. Try to maintain your regular sleeping pattern and stick to good sleep practices.

You could set yourself a specific time to read updates

For tips and advice to get good sleep, search Every Mind Matters

everymindmatters.co.uk For tips and advice to look after your mental health, search Every Mind Matters For guidance on what rules and guidance apply in your area, visit https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

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MOVIE REVIEW

BOMBAY BEGUMS REVIEW: DOES NETFLIX'S NEW SHOW LIVE UP TO ITS FEMINIST IMAGE?

BY REBECCA TODD female employees of the bank, see a powerful exchange of bribes and business acumen between two intelligent and controlled women and scenes like this are where Bombay Begums shines.

The use of Mumbai almost as a character throughout the show also helps to enhance the experience of the audience and make the narrative and themes come to life. Between wide angle shots of the lively culture of the city, to the detailed depictions of the high life demonstrates all aspects of life in the city and further extends the idea of these women as products of their time and their location.

Netflix’s new series Bombay Begums marks the return of Pooja Bhatt to our screens in this empowering female set piece. This six-part show focuses on what it means to be a woman living in modern Bombay, and sees the actress making her lead comeback as a powerful CEO, after over a decade of not taking on any projects.

The series begins with a really promising start. We are rapidly introduced to our five female focuses: Rani (Pooja Bhatt) is the headstrong CEO of the Royal Bank of Bombay who will not let anything prevent her from her goals, Fatima (Shahana Goswami) is a woman caught between the progression of her career and her family life, Lily (Amruta Subhash) is a prostitute turned businesswoman who just wants the best for her son, Ayesha (Plabita Borthakur) is a young woman with huge ambitions for her career caught between a web of romantic dalliances and Shai (Aadhya Anand) who is a young teenage girl falling in love for the first time. All of the women in the story interlink and help to enable each other, but also to tear each other apart. It’s clear that Bombay Begums is attempting to portray the female experience at different ages and from different angles with this array of

characters.

The central performances really define the show. Whilst Bhatt takes centre stage as Rani and functions as the epicentre that all the other female leads bounce off of, Subhash, Borthakur and Goswami embrace the strengths and the flaws of their characters to deliver well-rounded imaginations of fictional women that recognise the issues faced by women in the

modern day. This is the first breakout performance for the young Anand who does well to hold her own amongst the more intense stories of the older actresses.

However, as the teenager Shai, her story is unfortunately quickly pushed to the side in favour of the other characters. From the beginning, her innocent story of teenage love feels out of place amongst the myriad of affairs, business dilemmas and marital issues. Her story continues with the overused voiceover that chimes in unnecessarily throughout the narrative and perhaps the series would’ve functioned more fluidly without the addition of her story. Even when her narrative takes a dramatic turn, it feels incredibly out of place for her character.

It becomes apparent that the writers struggled to place her amongst the other women in the series and forced a situation that feels false.

The issues with the character portrayal, unfortunately, do not end here. In a show that has promoted itself as a vision of female empowerment and which has been released on International Women’s Day, it’s almost alarming how the women rapidly became fixated on the men in their life.

Whilst, in the beginning, we see a focus upon

issues between work and family life, and the responsibilities placed upon women in the modern day, the narrative quickly devolves into a marital drama and the women seek their empowerment through the aid of the men in their life.

These problems seem to begin as the series takes a focus upon creating tension and shock rather than developing the issues it sets up within its first episode. By the middle of the series, it’s almost hard to remember where we began and there are several loose ends left fragmented by the series’ end.

The series excels, however, when it takes moments to honour the female characters as they are. All the interactions between Rani and Fatima, as the two highest ranked

Bombay Begums is almost difficult to pinpoint. It’s strengths depict the struggle of women, not only in Mumbai but across the globe, who are struggling to find their place and happiness in the modern landscape. It then proceeds to undercut itself by prioritising the effects of men on the women’s lives and creating over-dramatic narrative points before it has fully developed its fascinating insight into women in business. Overall, however, the show is worth the rollercoaster of random narratives for the central performances. Each of the lead actresses truly make their characters believable and it is their depiction of the modern woman that makes the show shine.

Bombay Begums is available now on Netflix.

AS EASY AS ABC Membership starts at only £10 per month and includes £100’s worth of benefits - Various funding available to help your business. If you are looking to start a business or grow and existing one, we can help.

- Discounted rates on meeting rooms, conferencing and events at The SME Centre of Excellence.

- Showcase your business on radio and TV. We have hugely discounted marketing packages with Spice FM and NTV Europe that can reach millions of diverse viewers and listeners across the world.

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RECIPE

DAHI PHULKI Dahi Phulki are very refreshing,you can prepare in no-time - it's comfort food, can be eaten at any time with Rice, Rotis or parathas also

INGREDIENTS 1 cup besan pinch hing 1 tsp crushed cumin seeds 1 tsp crushed coriander seeds 1/2 tsp red chilli powder 1/2 tsp garam masala 1/4 tsp turmeric powder 1/2 tsp chaat masala to taste salt 1/4 tsp soda bicarbonate as needed water 1/2 tsp kasuri methi as needed some carrom seeds 2 bowl yogurt as needed salt 1/2 tsp jeera powder 1/2 tsp chilli powder as needed some coriander leaves as needed some whole red chilli 1 tsp cumin seeds as needed few curry leaves oil for frying and baghar

METHOD Take 1 cup of Besan in a bowl. Put cumin seeds crushed,crushed coriander seeds and lil bit of hing.Put red chilli powder,Garam masala,turmeric,chat masala powder.

Add salt as per ur taste.Put 1/4 tsp soda bicarb and mix well.

Add lil water and make a smooth paste and add lil carrom seeds and kasuri methi. Heat the oil in kadhai/ wok and drop 1 teaspoon batter into hot oil. Deep fry balls till light golden brown in color and take it out from the oil.

Boil 6 cup water in a pan and add 1/2 teaspoon salt. Drop 8-10 balls at a time in hot water and take it out from the hot water after 30 seconds.

Take some yoghurt whisk with some water and make it thin.

Put lil salt,Jeera powder and chilli powder add to the curd.

Then add soaked Phulki in dahi and let them rest for 5 min.

Make baghar with Jeera,kadi patta and dried red chilli Transfer in serving bowl and put baghar.

Top with some red chilli powder and cumin pwder. Enjoy

Have a tantalising recipe? Want to share? We would love to feature your recipes. If you would like to have your recipe featured on this page then email us at: recipes@asianstandard.co.uk

Asian Sunday Online is a digital platform, where you can watch new content every Sunday only on our YouTube channel Asian Sunday TV. Join the discussion with Let’s Talk or perhaps join in with some cooking with Simmering Sundays.

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SPORTS

@ASIANSTANDARD

DJOKOVIC BREAKS FEDERER'S RECORD FOR MOST WEEKS AS WORLD NO. 1 Serbian tennis great Novak Djokovic on Monday set a record for most weeks at No. 1 in the 48-year history of the ATP rankings.

Djokovic entered his 311th week at the top of the rankings, one week longer than Swiss 20-time Grand Slam winner Roger Federer’s record.

18-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic grabbed his ninth Australian Open title last month. Federer

had set the record in July 2012, surpassing American Pete Sampras' record of 286 weeks. Djokovic, 33, had fallen to No. 22 in May 2018 amid a series of injuries and downturn in form. However, he stormed back into the top five after winning Wimbledon and the US Open in 2018 and following that up with a win at the 2019 Australian Open and 2019 Wimbledon.

Federer, Djokovic and

Spain's Rafael Nadal have dominated men's singles tennis, particularly the Grand Slams, for nearly two decades. From the 2003 Wimbledon to the 2021 Australian Open, the three players have won 58 out of 70 Grand Slams. They won 18 consecutive slams from the 2005 French Open to Wimbledon in 2009, and 13 consecutive slams from the 2017 Australian Open to the 2020 Australian Open.

PSL: NON-PLAYING MEMBER LEFT BUBBLE EVEN AFTER TESTING POSITIVE FOR COVID-19

ICC ANNOUNCES EXPANSION OF WOMEN'S EVENT POST 2023

The scrutiny around Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) biosecure protocols is increasing by the minute as it has now surfaced that a non-playing member of one of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchises who tested positive for Covid-19 was allowed to As per rules and regulations, if someone tests positive for Covid-19 within the bubble, then that person has to quarantine himself until he returns two negative tests.

However, as per a report in ESPNcricinfo, the non-playing member of the PSL franchise returned a positive test near the start of the season and left for Karachi from Lahore on the second day after that result. The official had joined up with his franchise before the tournament began. He returned with a positive Covid-19 test on the on the day the tournament began and he was then put in isolation in the hotel for the following day. The decision to let him leave appears to have been the result of a communication gap between the medical team and the security team who is in charge of the tournament, reported ESPNcricinfo. PCB on Sunday had named an

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced the expansion of women's events after the 2023 cycle.

More teams will participate in the 50-over Women's World Cup and the Women's T20 World Cup from 2026.

According to the revised structure, the 2029 Women's World Cup will be expanded to 10 teams playing 48 matches from the present format of eight teams playing 31 matches. The present format will continue in the 2025 Women's World Cup. Four Women's T20 World Cup tournaments will be held from 2024 to 2030. While the 2024 tournament will follow the present format of 10 teams playing 24 matches, it will be expanded to 12 teams playing 33 matches from 2026. The ICC also plans to hold two Women's T20 Champions Cup tournaments in 2027 and 2031.

Six teams will participate, and the tournaments will consist of 16 matches. "We have a clear focus and commitment to an ambitious long-term growth plan for the women's game. We have been building momentum around the women's game

independent fact-finding panel that will review the bio-secure protocols that were put in place during the PSL 6. PCB on Thursday 4 March had announced that the PSL season 6 will be postponed with immediate effect following a string of positive COVID-19 cases. PCB had said the decision was made after seven cases were reported in the competition, which had started

on February 20.

"Distinguished infectious disease experts Dr Syed Faisal Mahmood and Dr Salma Muhammad Abbas have been appointed as independent members of the two-person fact-finding panel that will review the bio-secure protocols as well as the bylaws that were put in place during the Pakistan Super League 6," PCB said in a statement.

for the last four years investing in global broadcast coverage and marketing to drive fan engagement," said ICC Chief Executive Manu Sawhney. "The results speak for themselves with the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2020 attracting record numbers, 1.1 billion video views, making it the most watched women's cricket event of all time and having 86,174 fans attending the final at the MCG, a record attendance for a women's cricket event of all time and having 86,174 fans attending the final at the MCG, a record attendance for a women's cricket event," he further said. The ICC said

that the expansion is part of its long-term commitment "to growing the game globally and in a sustainable fashion". "This decision to expand our women's events builds on these foundations and allows us to give more member countries greater opportunities to compete on a global stage. This means that more teams will also get the opportunity to compete in the qualification pathways for the respective ICC events over the coming years. I am sure these initiatives will go a long way in helping us achieve our strategic goal of continuing to build strength and depth in the women's game," said Sawhney.

SPORTS

PREMIER LEAGUE: UNITED WINS MANCHESTER DERBY Manchester United defeated Manchester City on Sunday in the Premier League 2020-21 season to reduce the gap between both sides in the table standings.

Bruno Fernandes and Luke Shaw got among the goalscoring charts as United defeated City 2-0 on Sunday here at the Etihad Stadium.

City is at the top of the Premier League standings with 65 points from 28 matches while United is at the second spot with 54 points from as many games. With this loss, Manchester City's winning run has come to an end. Before this match, Pep

Guardiola's side had won 21 matches in a row. Bruno Fernandes got the first goal of the match in just the second minute as he converted a goal after getting a penalty.

This goal have United an early momentum in the match.

The first half saw no more goals and at halftime, United went in with a 1-0 lead over table-toppers City. In the second half, Luke Shaw got the second goal in the 50th minute and as a result, the visitors gained a 2-0 lead.

No more goals were scored in the match and in the end, United walked away with a 2-0 victory.

TOKYO OLYMPICS TO BE 1ST-EVER 'GENDER-BALANCED' GAMES: IOC The Tokyo Olympics, which will be held from July 23 to August 8 this year, will be the first "gender-balanced" Games in Olympic history, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) "Almost 49 per cent of the athletes participating will be women, according to the IOC quota allocation. These will

be the first gender-balanced Games in history. There will be a ground-breaking competition schedule, ensuring equal visibility between women's and men's events and featuring nine more mixed events than at Rio 2016, raising the overall number to 18," said the IOC. The IOC said that the 206

competing nations should have at least one female and one male athlete in their respective teams. "All 206 NOCs (National Olympic Committees) and the IOC Refugee Olympic Team will be encouraged to have their flag carried by one female and one male athlete at the Opening Ceremony," said the IOC.

Originally scheduled to be held from July 24 to August 8, 2020, the Tokyo Olympics was postponed in March last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Additionally, at least 40.5 per cent of the athletes competing in the Tokyo Paralympics, which will be women. "At the Opening Ceremony, all the competing

National Paralympic Committees will also be encouraged to have their flag carried by one female and one male athlete," said the IOC. Following the appointment of its new president, Hashimoto Seiko, the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee has increased the size of its

executive board, bringing the percentage of women to 42 per cent. "The IOC is committed to gender equality in all areas, from the athletes competing on and off the field of play to leadership roles in sports organisations," said IOC President Thomas Bach.

8 - 14 MARCH 2021

SPORTS PREMIER LEAGUE: UNITED WINS MANCHESTER DERBY

DJOKOVIC BREAKS FEDERER'S RECORD FOR MOST WEEKS AS WORLD NO. 1

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IND VS ENG: VISITORS SWEATING OVER ARCHER'S AVAILABILITY IN T20I SERIES England pacer Jofra Archer is a doubtful starter for the T20I series against India after suffering a recurrence of an elbow problem.

Archer had missed the fourth and final Test against India in Ahmedabad due to an elbow problem. England head coach Chris Silverwood has now said that the side's medical team will monitor the situation and a decision would be taken accordingly.

"Jofra's elbow did flare up a little bit and the medical staff are managing that at the moment.

Obviously, we'll monitor his progress. The medical staff are talking about how we deal with this long term," Silverwood said during a virtual press conference.

"He's trained today (Sunday 6 March) with the white-ball squad. We'll be monitoring his situation, but he got through training today," he added. Archer had also missed the second Test of the four-match series against India due to the same elbow issue. When asked about the workload management of Archer, Silverwood replied "I'll be guided by the medics. We'll see where we end up with him. I want Jofra to be fit for all forms of cricket.

I want him to have a long, successful Test career. Could we limit the number of overs he bowls? It's not something I would go out and predict but we'll find

out in the course of time."

"The important thing for me at the moment is that Jofra gets every resource we can provide Anthony Joshua

to make sure he does have a long and successful Test career.

I'm not sure surgery has come up yet. I'll be guided by the

medics on that. I wouldn't say I'm concerned, no," he added. India and England would be locking in the five-match T20I series,

beginning Friday. The Virat Kohli-led India qualified for the World Test Championship (WTC) final after winning the Test series

against England. India won the fourth Test by an innings and 25 runs to win the four-match series 3-1