Asian World April 2019 by asianworld.khi

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April 2019

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Issue 137

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Modi Launches Missile Test Strikes to Boost Election Campaign J

ust weeks before the general election, Narendra Modi conducts a test of new missile technology. India prime minister, Narendra Modi announced operation ‘Mission Shakti’ which shot down a live satellite, one of which a foreign ministry source stated was “one of India’s existing satellites operating in lower orbit.” The mini-satellite had been lowered in orbit a month ago, most likely for this test... ...continued on page 17

Corbyn Used as Target Practice by A UK’s own Soldiers

social media video depicting four British soldiers opening fire at an image of Jeremy Corbin has caused havoc in the Houses of Parliament. The footage was shot in Kabul, Afghanistan and shows military personnel taking up arms and shooting at a portrait of the Labour Party MP. The men have been identified as belonging to the 3rd Battalion, Parachute Regiment and the backdrop of the video features a Simunition range... ...continued on page 7

April 2019

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Trump Found to have quietly rewritten the Rules of Drone Warfare

WolverHampton’s New Railway Station

Interview with Pranutan Bahl of Notebook

Cricket will make a Comeback to the Asian Games

Ranked in the Best 50 Cities to Live

roviding a safe, good quality of life, Mercer’s annual Worldwide Quality of Living reports Birmingham as one of the best places to live internationally... Page 5

S President Donald Trump has signed an official request, decreasing the quantity of regular citizen deaths from drones that the government must report... Page 14

olverhampton Interchange partners and apprentices sign one of the steels to be used in the construction of the new railway station building... Page 21

xclusive Q&A with debuting star Pranutan Bahl of Notebook, a Salman Khan film... Page 31

ricket will return to the Asian Games during the year 2022 in Hangzhou, China, at the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA)... Page 51

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Editor’s Note Hello to our readers and welcome to another edition of Asian World Newspaper! As we have officially sprung forward into British Summer Time, we hope that you have bounced back to your full and rejuvenated selves! In this edition of our newspaper, we pledge to keep bringing you all things Brum and beyond– from general crime and surveillance reportings to the biggest and best events happening in your local area! So, be sure to read over all of our news categories carefully and don’t miss a single article! In this issue, we will be taking a look at the incredible work of the Birmingham based charity Medical Relief International. Their important work has helped to bring life changing eyesight operations to the poor in Pakistan. To read more on this story, please take a look at page 6. We will also be examining the bias of why BAME children in our city are more likely to be subjected to a criminal caution or sentencing. To look at this study in more depth, please turn to page 6. In this issue, we also have Q&As with the industry’s biggest film directors and rising stars. This April, we’ve gotten personal with Made in Heaven creator Reema Kagti on her inspiration behind

the series. We also have a featured interview with newcomer Pranutan Bahl, who is starring in Salman Khan’s new film Notebook! For more show-biz news, please read through the Glam section on pages 24-31. We have also been keeping in the know with the updates in the health and technology sectors. For a look at the latest in data analysis and social media platforms, take a dip into page 43! And for the most up to date fitness facts and tips: back training exercises with British Body Building Champion Syed Rahat can be found on page 52! Whichever section you choose, there is a story for everyone. So roll up a copy of your favourite paper, take it with you on your back porch, pour out an iced drink and relax with your feet up. Read through the rest of this issue NOW! For latest and exciting advertisement offers for 2019 please don’t hesitate to Contact us: on 0121 771 4545 or email: sales@asianworldnews.co.uk Have a great read! Editor: Manisha Bhanot editor@asianworldnews.co.uk Visit us online at: www.asianworldnews.co.uk

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April 2019

Medical Relief International

Who are Medical Relief International? Medical Relief International is a UK based charity that is supported by doctors and other medical staff in providing life-changing care worldwide. The help they offer varies from emergency food, first aid, and educational support to some of the globe’s most vulnerable individuals. Instances, when help becomes most needed, are during natural disasters, wide-spread cases of famine and outbreaks of war. The people that MRI gives help to include young families, orphaned children and refugees. MRI’s aid is offered on zero prejudice grounds – regardless of the individual’s faith, race and family background. We can assure that we meet our pledges to full and all of our fundraised activities are eligible and to put together in order to help those who need it most. Visit to Gujar Khan Hospital for the Visually Impaired The Birmingham-based CEO of MRI recently travelled to Pakistan in order to help and discuss future projects in and around the Gujar Khan and Khallar Syedan area. The visit had kindly been arranged by Muhammad Ejaz Sharieff of the Mandra Eye Hospitals Head-office team based in Karachi. The project’s aim is to help the disabled and impoverished families who suffer from visual impairment, by covering the cost of surgery for

days at the clinic described the long journey they undertook, other patients who were also treated at the clinic had said they had travelled from the border of Afghanistan to be here at the Mandra eye clinic in Gujar Khan. This was simply because it is considered to be one of the best hospitals for the poor and needy. Staff members such as Saeed Akram and senior doctors such as Dr Khalid Masood Ashraf go beyond the call of duty to help those who come here.” Medical Relief International upon arrival pledged to cover the future cost of some of the surgery for the patients at the clinic, with further surgeries pledged within the next few weeks leading up to Ramadan, at present an average of over 8000 surgeries are performed here at the Mandra eye clinic. This coming Ramadan will bring the season of zakat, and charitable giving. Medical Relief International kindly request local businesses in the UK to choose us as your charity of choice. We pledge to continue to help the world’s most impoverished families in Pakistan, including the disabled, and many other deserving people who will become beneficiaries from this article. To donate, to contact us or to find out more information about our work please visit facebook.com/ medicalrelief.org Instagram: medical_relief_international

the poorest in Pakistani society at the hospital in Mandra. The amazing MRI associated clinics of our partners in Pothwar province serves the entire region and beyond. Without the help of overseas donations, many of those that travel to the clinic wouldn’t get the treatment they deserve, to save a sight is to save a life. Currently, Pakistan has almost 20 million people that are either blind or suffering from visual impairment; of those 2.6 million are children. In speaking about MRI’s work in Pakistan, Founder & CEO Tas Anwar Hussain said: “People we met in Pakistan described themselves as the forgotten refugees in their own country. Some who have been here for just a few

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Corbyn Used as Target Practice by UK’s own Soldiers Front Page Story Cont’d... As the camera pans in on the image of Mr Corbyn, his face can be seen as being covered with impact marks from the shots. It has now been confirmed that the soldiers were firing non-lethal wax pellets and not the usual metal bullets. A sticker with the words ‘Happy with that’ is shown throughout the Snapchat recording. It is believed that the video was first uploaded on the platform before it also began to be re-shared on Twitter. The official spokesman of British Prime Minister Theresa May said that she had acknowledged the video but had not yet watched it fully. She commented on it being “clearly unacceptable” in terms of content. Labour Leader Mr Corbyn himself stated that he had been “shocked” by the clip. He further added: “I hope the Ministry of Defence will conduct an inquiry into it and find out what was going on and who did that.” Speaker John Bercow responded to the recording in the Commons chamber. He said: “Frankly, I would be horrified if our service personnel were to behave in such a way in relation to any member of this house, or the representative of any political point of view embodied in a democratic political party… It’s an entirely unconscionable way to behave.” Another Labour party spokesman further commented: “This behaviour is

By Manisha Bhanot

alarming and unacceptable. We have confidence in the Ministry of Defence to investigate and act on this incident.” An investigation is indeed being set up by Army commander Nick Perry of the 16 Air Assault Brigade. He emphasised how the military department is eager to uncover who was behind the incident. The footage is thought to have emerged from among a range of 400 soldiers in Perry’s Brigade who are currently working alongside Nato and the Army’s Afghan partners. This is where the enquiry will be launched. Conservative MP Tom Tugendhat, an ex-lieutenant colonel who was deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan, stated that the video was “disgraceful”. Defence secretary Gavin Williamson said that he has belief in the “the prompt and clear leadership shown by the Army in investigating this troubling video”. It is yet unclear as to when the video was filmed but the British Army has assured it will get to the bottom of the matter and uncover the identities of all perpetrators involved in its making.

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MOTORING 48-51

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April 2019

Birmingham Highly Ranked in the 50 best Cities to live in around the World

Providing a safe, good quality of life, Mercer’s annual Worldwide Quality of Living reports Birmingham as one of the best places to live internationally. Coming in at 49 for the quality of living and 53 for personal safety, Birmingham is towards the top of the list from 231 countries in data analysed between September and November 2018. Mercer creates the list for its annual Worldwide Quality of Living report which ranks each country by taking into account how safe they are alongside their quality of life. They also consider its socio-cultural scene, availability of housing, traffic levels, education and public services and transport. In reports, Vienna came in at number 1 for the 10th year running as the best place to live in the world stating it provides the best quality of life. Zurich in Switzerland came in at 2nd, followed by Vancouver in Canada, Munich in Germany and Auckland in New Zealand making up the top 5 most desirable cities. International businesses take a keen interest in the Mercer reports in deciding how beneficial a city may be when opening new offices or choosing where to base themselves. When discussing this, a spokesman for Mercer stated: “Companies looking to expand overseas have a host of considerations when identifying where best to locate staff and new offices… The key is relevant, reliable data and standardised measurement, which

are essential for employers to make critical decisions.” London held the title of the city with the greatest quality of living in the UK coming in at 41 on the list. Mercer states, “In the UK, London remains… the preferred centre for international business.” Edinburgh came in at 45 with Glasgow following shortly behind at 48. Birmingham was placed ahead of Dubai, Miami, Los Angeles and Hong Kong. The leader of Birmingham City Council, John Clancy stated, “The fantastic quality of life in Birmingham is increasingly recognised, not just in this country but around the world. The number of foreign visitors has doubled in just three years, and we are the most popular destination for Londoners wishing to make a new life outside of the capital. Add to this, a business growth rate higher than all UK cities, an economic growth rate of 13.5% in the past five years, and 10,000 new homes planned for the city centre, and it is obvious that Birmingham is becoming a destination of choice.” Office construction in the city also reaches its high as there is a rise in relocating and new businesses such as HS2, HSBC and Deutsche Bank. Regional Senior Director at GVA, Ian Stringer added, “Birmingham’s current success is a direct result of people coming to see the city for themselves, rather than drawing upon outdated views of the city’s industrial past. There is now a vibrant Birmingham ‘lifestyle’ developing

which is inclusive and multicultural. The city boasts a diverse range of events and festivals – at the same time, a restaurant revolution is currently hitting the city with a huge range of culinary offers, giving Birmingham’s record number of visitors even more to experience.” Not only is Birmingham also undergoing huge investments into infrastructure projects, according to Berkeley homes, but they could also potentially be building up to 3,000 new homes every year over the next decade.

AW Facts Did you know? The New York Times place Birmingham in their top 20 places to visit.

April 2019

It was a great honour for APWA’s Chair Riffat Mughal, Senior advisor Samina Raja & Vice Chair Rana Shama Nazir, to attend various seminars on International Women’s day at the European Parliament in Brussels. Riffat Mughal spoke on the historical celebration of women, and the importance of standing together with all women who suffer, struggle and fight for a better future and world. She spoke of the bravery of women and why they must not accept any poor circumstances they face, and instead they must challenge them for the better. Riffat Mughal said it was very important to lead with integrity. APWA is all about empowering and educating women and reaching out to grassroot level. Riffat spoke about the seminars held by APWA on Mental Wellbeing and Breast Cancer, which is an issue affecting many women, and the impact it has on their family. The meeting was followed by a seminar ran by the European Literacy Circle at the Town Hall, hosted by Imran Saqib and Secretary Mohammad Nasir. The Chief Guest in attendance was Mohammed Oriaghli - Min-

APWA Chair Riffat Mughal Attends Brussels Parliament for International Women’s Day

Dark Blossom by Neel Mullick

By Manisha Bhanot

ister for public heritage and opportunities of equal rights in Brussels Parliament. In her role as founder of the British Kashmiri Women Council, Rana Shama Nazir highlighted the plight of women in Jammu Kashmir, she spoke with great emotion on how the world is talking about the empowerment of women. However in Kashmir the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women

cannot be celebrated due to uncertainty and prevailing circumstances. Rana spoke about women living in Indian-occupied Kashmir, a place that has been at the heart of a violent conflict, where women have been at the receiving end occupation as victims of violence by the State. Rana Shama Nazir said the Kashmiri woman does not get a fair chance to discover her talent, but to face humili-

ation every day. Dear ones are killed; they are the worst sufferers and are deeply affected as Kashmir is the highly militarised zone of the world. Rana Shama Nazir explained how their pain and agony is beyond the imagination. APWA expressed their feelings and signed the book of condolences in memory of the victims in New Zealand at Brussels town hall....May they Rest in Peace.

Dark Blossom is an obscure and intimate novel full of emotion and gripping sensitivity. The main characters must go on deep and meaningful journeys to re-discover themselves, whilst taking readers along with them on each sudden turn. - A mentally stimulating and surreal piece of fiction - Full of electrifying truths and revelations - Packed with sentiment and feeling A seemingly normal and functioning middle-aged man called Sam has his world turned upside down at discovering the loss of his beloved wife and daughter in a tragic car crash. Unable to let go of his past, he seeks out the help of professional therapist Cynthia. However, under her exterior décor of objectiveness and rationality – Cynthia’s world is also about to fall apart from external family pressures and a crippling divorce. Will these two

dishevelled souls be able to pull each other out of a sinking boat, and repair their lives in due time? “I fell into writing at a time when I was struggling with empathy in my own life. Creating characters with full emotional lives and deep connections helped me to fill that personal void. At the same time, I wanted to take readers on a psychological journey of their own – one that is fast-moving and full of unexpected surprises.” – Neel Mullick “Unputdownable!” – Ruskin Bond “Haunting and visceral…” – Rajdeep Sardesai “Pulse-racing!” - Puneet Gulati, CEO Barista One of the most alluring and unexpected romantic thrillers you can find - Dark Blossom is available to purchase from all large bookstores and online retail platforms today.

Bias against BAME children in Birmingham - New data shows over 100 more black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) than white children were cautioned or sentenced in 2017/18 The Ministry of Justice has released new data that shows 283 white children aged between 10 and 17 in the city were given a caution or sentence in 2017/18. This runs in comparison to 396 BAME children during the same period. This has shown that children from an ethnic minority are more susceptible to action from the law in Birmingham than their white peers. Put into perspective against the latest population figures, this correlates to one in every 187 white children and one in every 164 BAME children living in the city. Sentences can include designated time in youth custody, community service orders, or fines. Experts urged the government to “implement a comprehensive race strategy” to halt this disparity between the treatment of children. Further analysis of the results show that the skew widens when the figures for boys and girls are separated; one

in every 33 BAME boys compared to one in every 118 white boys were cautioned or sectioned in 2017/8. In direct comparison, the rate is nearly four times for BAME boys than for white boys. The results flip for girls, with one in every 883 BAME girls cautioned or sectioned, compared to one in every 498 white girls. The findings have been released a year afterwards David Lammy’s review into the criminal justice system when treating people from ethnic minorities. Said report contained 35 recommendations to tackle disparities over ethnicity in the system. It highlighted particular concern for the disproportionality of youth sentences, as shown above, as this could mean that young people in custody could become the next generation of offenders. In response to the review, the government agreed to the principle of

“explain or change” which meant that steps must be taken if an explanation could not be found for this racial discrepancy. Since this, a new team dedicated to youth disproportionality has been established and has issued

new guidance on recruitment. Despite this, the statistics show little sign of progress 17 months on from the initial report. The Human Rights Commission recognised that “the number of

By Jemma Tennison children and young people detained in custody has steadily declined, but the proportion of ethnic minority children in our criminal justice system has increased.” In response to these findings, the Commission stated: “this is a complex issue and it cannot be looked at in isolation. To effectively tackle it we must look at the wider context including educational opportunities, role models and employment prospects.” The situation in Birmingham mirrors a national trend. Overall in England and Wales, one in every 143 BAME children received a caution or sentence in comparison to one in every 232 white children. A government spokesperson said: “Disproportionate outcomes begin before children enter the justice system, so work is underway across the government to understand and address the root causes.”

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April 2019

Austerity Cuts Force Women’s Help Centre to Close

Against the Odds

by Mohammed Zafran

I am a solicitor by profession. I have worked in the legal industry for over 26 years and have run my own law firm for the past 21 years. Additionally, I am a public speaker, a Trustee for Birmingham and Solihull Women’s Aid, a Mentor and a Lloyds Bank Women of the Future Ambassador as well. Life for me began in a deprived inner-city area of Bradford. I say against the odds because I came from a very traditional family in which up until that point girls married at the age of 16 and became housewives. However, I desperately wanted to carry on in school, and the reason I was able to, was because of my late mother. She always encouraged me to do well at school. However, my mother passed away very suddenly when I was just months away from my A level exams. I was devastated, and I wanted to give up. But somehow, I managed to pass my exams, and I went on to university to do my law degree. Around four or five years ago, I took the step of becoming a writer, and my latest novel Razia will be published in July of this year. I decided to start writing because I noticed a lack of contemporary fiction depicting the sort of people and issues I have come across through my career, particularly relating to British South Asian and Muslim women.

Throughout my life, I have come across women who have had to deal with complex family, religious and cultural problems, often because of so-called family ‘honour’, as explored in my novel Stained. And in my soon to be published novel Razia, I tackle the issue of modern day slaves. People who are victims of modern slavery and human trafficking are absent from fiction, but they exist all around us. My novel Stained was published in 2016. Stained is the story of an 18-year-old British Muslim woman who is raped. The perpetrator then uses the concept of family honour to ensure that his victim does not speak out against him. The book then follows the trials and tribulations of the young woman, as she tries to prevent the family honour from being tarnished. In the end, it has a very empowering message. Stained was rejected by every literary agent and publisher I approached in the UK. I was told that my story was interesting, and my writing was good, however, they didn’t think there was a market for it. Not being one to give up, I found a small publisher in the USA who published the book, and it is available worldwide on Amazon. It has received great critical acclaim; it has been dubbed the ‘contemporary Tess of the d’Urbervilles’ by Booklist

in America. I received a True Honour Award in 2017 from IKRWO and I was Highly Commended as a Finalist in the Nat West Asian Women of Achievement Awards 2017 in the Arts & Culture category. More importantly, many women who have suffered sexual violence or honour abuse have contacted me to thank me for writing the novel, to say that they found the story empowering, and some have even gone on to report their rapes to the police as a direct result of reading Stained. My latest novel Razia will be published in July of this year. It is a dramatic story that focuses on the plight of a modern-day slave, and one British Muslim lawyer’s fight for justice for the slave. Due to my previous experiences of trying to publish Stained, I decided to take an alternative route this time, and publish Razia with a crowdfunding publisher called Unbound. Crowdfunding the book was one of the hardest things I have ever done, but reaching the target gave me a real sense of achievement, as it meant that people believed in me, enough to back the book. The book also delves into bonded slavery, which is a generational type of slavery (and in the novel, this is set in Lahore, Pakistan); this is something that people generally don’t know much about. I hope that my novel will go some way towards raising awareness about these matters. My work was recognised recently when I was awarded the Noor Inayat Khan Woman of the Year Award at the British Muslim Awards 2019. I believe it is vitally important that diverse voices are reflected in contemporary British fiction, as they raise the profile of certain issues. They also allow people to feel a sense of belonging. Moreover, people from outside the community can gain insight into a religion or culture, and in today’s climate of fear and rising hate crime, that can only be a good thing. You can pre-order Razia at www.unbound.com/books/razia www.abdakhan.com www.facebook.com/abdakhanwriter https://www.instagram.com/ abdakhanwriter/ @abdakhan5

A women’s help centre in Handsworth, Birmingham, is facing being shut down after 30 years of being the sole source of help for women struggling with various issues in the surrounding area. The centre was founded in 1988 by Usha Khera, who continued her work there until it’s closing (with the help of her daughter Daisy). Usha has been crippled by the government’s austerity measures. Its function is to offer support to women of all ethnicities in the area who had suffered from abuse, depression, loss, anxiety as well as those struggling to raise children. It offers computer classes and English classes to help the women, whom often speak English only as a second language, to apply for benefits, increase their employability and integrate better into English society. It helped approximately 3,000 women per year. Usha was inspired to open the centre partly by her own ill health. A blood condition which saw her half an hour away from death. She was told by a doctor that she would live for four years but, much like the centre, she has defied odds and fought to survive for thirty more years. However, it now looks inevitable that the centre will be forced to close. The centre has suffered as funds have dwindled over the years.

By Will Rymer

Upon its opening, it received government funding to carry out crucial functions in a community that had been damaged by racial tension and poor relations between the police and the population (it opened a few years after the riots of 1985). However, in recent years, austerity measures put in place by the government have meant that grants are few and far between. This caused the centre to become more and more reliant on volunteers and charitable donations from its clients. One of the few functions that has still received funding, the teaching of English as a second language, was not to receive funding beyond April. To make matters worse, the new owners of the building have began charging the centre at increased rates of commercial rent, whereas the Methodist church that previously owned it had only charged charity rent. This

further increased financial strain which could not be lifted by the donations, which were often too small to realistically contribute to saving the centre. A decrease in the number of staff employed by the centre has caused it to struggle even further. Furthermore, a lack of funding for the local area, due to the council not receiving as much money, means that demand is higher than ever and many of these people will have nowhere to go. Councillor Paulette Hamilton’s hands are now tied after previously supporting the centre. She has said that “It’s a unique service, helping a lot of women who are struggling. The problem is that because of austerity cuts there is just no funding” (Birmingham Live). Cuts amounting to £690 million since 2010 have meant there is no room for smaller, individual facilities like Usha’s centre any longer.

April 2019

This month in History

Modern Olympic Games

On April 6, 1896, the first Olympic Games were held in Athens, Greece, with competitors from 14 countries participating. The International Olympic Committee met for the first time in Paris on June 1984 and chose Greece as the site of the debut day Olympiad. The previous games were recorded to have begun in 776 B.C. Olympia, Greece, where competitors contended in one event: a foot race. Throughout the years, different events were included, such as chariot racing, boxing, wrestling and the pentathlon. Members, who were all young fellows from Greek city-states and colonies, frequently struggled to make the cut in an event which was supposed to celebrate the human body. Winners only received as much incentive as an olive branch for their triumphs. The last ancient Olympics are thought to have occurred in A.D. 393. At the first modern day Olympics, 241 male competitors representing 14 countries contended in 43 events. America’s James Connolly became the first Olympic champion when he won the triple jump on the opening day of the Games. For his accomplishment, he was granted a silver medal and an olive branch, following the ancient tradition. Connolly later finished second in the high-jump event and took the third in the long jump.

Creation of the Royal Air Force

England made the world’s first independence air force on 1 April 1918, combining its Royal Flying Corps and Royal Naval Air Service into a new branch of the military, the RAF. The move reflected the developing significance of air control in the First World War. Control of the skies was progressively observed as an essential piece of controlling the battlefield and taking the battle to the enemy. Flying had advanced from straightforward surveillance to an additional measure of methods of attack with the improvement trained pilots and bigger bombers to strike at cities for the first time. In 1914, hardly 2,000 individuals were representing the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Naval Air Service. By 1918, the recently formed Royal Air Force numbered more than 313,000. The new Royal Air Force, established under an Act of Parliament, appeared on 1 April 1918.

The Jahangir First Union Khan Squash Flag legend

James VI of Scotland commissioned a new flag that was utilized only on Royal forts and castles. It was to join the red cross on a white background of St. George design with the white saltier cross on a blue background of St. Andrew. St George had become the holy patron saint of England under Edward III, though prior references can be discovered linking the famous figure to the Normans. In 1800 the Acts of Union joined England, Scotland and Ireland. This came into power on January 1st 1801 and the Union Flag was re-planned. The red cross saltire of St. Patrick was fitted in to join every one of the three Kingdoms. St Patrick, a Christian missionary in Ireland in the fifth Century, has been the benefactor saint of Ireland since the seventh Century. The Medieval tradition credits him with being the first Bishop of Armagh and an originator of the Romano-Christian Church in Ireland.The Welsh dragon does not show up at all in any flag since when the first Union Flag was structured. In 1606 Wales was already joined with England and was never again a different realm. George III’s decree in 1801 alluded to the Union Flag and the concept of unity which it expressed. It stated that: ‘The Union Flag will be Azure, the Crosses Saltires of St. Andrew and St. Patrick Quarterly per Saltire, counter changed Argent and Gules; the last fimbriated of the Second, prevailed by the Cross of St. George of the Third, fimbriated as the Saltire.’

A record win of 555 matches was achieved by Jahangir Khan, earning him the title of a Squash legend. The Pakistani is widely renowned as the best squash player of all-time, as he went five and a half years without losing in the period between 1981 and 1986. Pole Gilmour, co-author of ‘Jahangir Khan: 555’, stated: “We trust that it could possibly be lower.” Yet, ex-world number one Jahangir, aged 52, states that it “could be more”. He added. “The number 555 should be my tournament matches. Since, I played invitational, exhibition and challenge matches as well. “It could be between 600 to 700 matches, if you include the other matches, since I was winning those as well.” Jahangir won the World Open 6 times and the British Open Championship 10 times in the years between 1982 and 1991. Gilmour and Alan Thatcher have inquired about record books, annuals, magazines and newspaper reports recorded in writing their book. “I grew up examining reports of Jahangir Khan and at the end of the day he appeared a legendary, mystical figure to me,” said Gilmour. “There were no statistics at the time recording his matches and not once has the figure been featured in press reports of the time.” Jahangir retired from the World Squash Tour in 1993 and became the President of the World Squash Federation (WSF) from 2002 to 2008 when he became Emeritus President.

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April 2019

Asian World News Special

Gangs and Knife Crime UK A True Story by Jag Singh

When I came to age I realised that you don’t get to choose what area you grow up in. Unfortunately, for me I grew up in downtown EastLondon as a teenager in the 1980’s. When I watched the American movies I noticed that downtown Bronx in America was no different from downtown EastLondon. My first experience with a knife was when I was 13 years old. As I walked out of the Stratford grant office, a boy, who must have been about my age, jumped out from nowhere and poked me with a small penknife. “Give me your money! What ya got?” I was petrified, scared and didn’t know what to do. I prayed in my head, ‘God please don’t let it end this way...I have much to do...’

“I said give me your money!” knife boy persisted I didn’t have any money on me, I knew it wasn’t good enough. Knife-boy was very confident, I knew this wasn’t the first time he had done this. I tried my best to hide the gold chain I had around my neck, but he spotted it and ripped it off my neck. Then he ran away. I ran as well, only in the opposite direction. I couldn’t read or write when I was thirteen because I had spent most of my childhood running away from bullies. Luckily, for me, I grew up in a very strict family and my parents did not allow us to hang around street corners as most kids did. I always had a passion for learning and would rather be at home studying. But, I realised that if you lived in East-London and weren’t involved with the gangs you would eventually become a target. So I began to live two lives. The first life I was living was as a gang member. I got to know all the gang members in our area in order to make sure I and my family didn’t become targets. It would take many years for me to discover the proverb ‘there is no honesty among thieves.’ I would meet up with the gangs and listen to their so-called heroic stories about how they stole from innocent and vulnerable people. I have seen all sorts of weapons, from fixed knives, butterfly knives, homemade knives, catapults, air gun, etc. Whenever I was offered a knife to keep from the gang I would always make a stand and never took it. I knew my parents would kill me if they found it. One of the gang members got a butterfly knife. He showed me how to flick it without having your fingers chopped off. I got really good at it and broke a major rule and took the knife home. I made a mistake and when I left my room I forgot to pick up the knife and left it accidentally on show. My parents found this knife. Just like any parent would, they went berserk! I remember my fathers words up to this day, “we come to this country to work hard so that we can and make a difference, and then there is YOU! You who has a knife! What

next? Are you going to become a gang member? I am ashamed of you!” I tried to explain to my parents that I had never used the knife and had no intention to do so, but this fell on deaf ears. I was banned from going out after school for months. After my six months ban I was finally allowed to go out again after school, man things had changed. The gang members had now stepped-up and got involved in class A drugs, fighting other gangs over turf control and many members had been stabbed! I didn’t want to be part of this life. After spending a few days thinking about what I was going to do, I finally decided. It was agreed that Queens Market would be the meeting point after midnight. One gang leader against another. One would die, one would live. The one that lived would rule the patch. Surely, this wasn’t right? They were both only teenagers! None of them deserved to die. I turned up at the market at midnight, they were at it- punching and kicking one another. “STOP!” I shouted. The fighters and spectators all

froze and beamed their eyes upon me. “Guys, that’s enough!” I said. “Shut up Jag!” they all ignored my plea. The two gang leaders continued to stare at each other, surrounded by their spectators. As both members swooshed their knives at each other, I began to walk away from the crowd. One of the members noticed and shouted out to me, “Where you going Jag?” I looked back as I carried on walking, “You have a choice, so do I. To live a good life or end up in prison or even dead. I don’t want to be part of this no more.” I have realised over the years that it is your decisions that make you or break you. Luckily, for me I made the right decision. We all can. I am glad to say that because I made the right decision all them years ago I have been able to help others make them too by being a motivational speaker, writer and having supported many charities such as the NSPCC with child protection. None of this would have been possible if I would have never made the decision to walk away. I

did. Many don’t, or can’t. If I hadn’t I would have either been in prison today or even worse. Jag Singh is a London/Essex based inspirational freelance writer and speaker. He is constantly campaigning for AntiBullying, Anti-Knife Crime, Mental Health and many other areas that affect the well-being of our communities. Jag has supported the NSPCC (The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children) by conducting seminars and workshops campaigning and working in child protection. He has also been supported by the Anti-Bullying Alliance, Sikh Channel, Zee TV and many other organisations. Jag is also an expert in Effective Sales/ Business and Team Management. Jag Singh’s knife crime article is now available to purchase as a book via https://dl.bookfunnel.com/ pefkjwifyj Email: jagsingh@asianworldnews.co.uk Twitter: @jagsingh_ican

WE'RE BUILDING A PLATFORM TO TACKLE HOMELESSNESS AND WE NEED YOUR HELP Our story: We are Homeless Rooms Birmingham, a social enterprise that works to match homeless people in our city with social landlords that have empty rooms available. We have already been able to house many people through our innovative online platform. However, we need to do more, and we need your support. We would welcome support from businesses in any way they can. Whether that is through sponsoring a secondment or placement for a young person we have housed, donating to our Crowdfunder campaign, or attending our launch event to find out more about our mission.

Together, we can form a collective response to the homelessness crisis.

Coming up: 2 April 2019: Crowdfunder (For more info please visit: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/hom eless-rooms-birmingham) We will be launching our Crowdfunding campaign, raising funds to help expand our platform so we can house even more people. Please donate what you can, and take part in our social media 'thunderclap' by posting about our campaign on your own channels. 17 April 2019: Launch Event The platform will officially launch with a panel discussion event alongside The Geoff Horsfield Foundation, hosted at South and City College's Digbeth Campus from 6-8:30pm. Panellists include former footballer Geoff Horsfield and CEO of YMCA Birmingham Alan Fraser. We would love to see you there!

EMAIL: HOMELESSROOMS@GMAIL.COM | FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @HOMELESSROOMS | CALL US ON 07970650364 | VISIT OUR WEBSITE WWW.HOMELESSROOMSBIRMINGHAM.CO.UK

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April 2019

Mums share how they are reducing their children’s sugar intake

The recent Change4Life campaign highlighted that children in England are consuming too much sugar – an extra 2,800 sugar cubes per year. That’s equivalent to 312 cans of sugary cola,469 higher-sugar yoghurts or 562 chocolate bars! Too much sugar is bad for children’s health and has contributed to increased obesity levels. It can also lead to the build-up of harmful fat on the inside that we can’t see. This fat can cause weight gain and serious diseases like type 2 diabetes, which people are getting younger than ever before, heart disease and some cancers. Too much sugar can also cause painful tooth decay; shockingly every 10 minutes, a child (in England) has a rotten tooth removed in hospital. We talked to three mums with children aged 4-11 who have become more aware of their children’s sugar intake and have taken action to reduce it by making simple everyday swaps and giving them healthier versions of the foods and drinks, they enjoy. They also told us about the challenges they face when making these changes, especially when it comes to cultural foods and family members such as grandparents. Reducing sugar intake Ketul Nandini, mum of two said “My kids mainly drink water and

Ketul Nandini with her children low fat milk. Occasionally I give them a juice drink, but I know it can be high in sugar so I opt for a no added sugar one which is a better alternative.” Mum of two, Rupal Kantaria shares “I’m careful with breakfast cereals as I know a bowl of higher-sugar cereal can have around 3 cubes of sugar per serv-

ing – so I give my kids healthy alternatives such as wheat biscuit cereal, porridge or eggs.” Fellow mum, Raakhi Hurry believes that you have to be proactive in cutting back on sugar to help children eat well. She adds “Making just one or two simple swaps can really make a difference. When shopping, I check

the pack labelling for its sugar content. We’ve also downloaded the Change4Life Food Scanner app, which my kids love to use to see the ‘traffic light’ labels brought to life.” Dealing with sugar in cultural foods Ketul shares “My children love eating Indian food. Sugar is commonly used in some Gujarati dishes like sweet kadhi or daal, but when we prepare these dishes we don’t add any sugar. My kids still enjoy the flavours just as much without it.” Rupal adds “When it comes to mithai and other sweet treats, which contains a lot of sugar, I encourage my children to only have them occasionally - usually at special occasions. I’ll also make sure they have small portions. My kids understand that too much sugar can cause painful tooth decay, which helps.” The influence of family members Grandparents can play a significant role in their grandchildren’s diet, especially for children living in multigenerational households. This can be challenging for some parents, especially when grandparents’ attitudes may differ - for example, some may consider an overweight child as being healthy. Rupal recognises this challenge “Grandparents can be a

big influence and often default to the mindset which they have grown up with, which very much focuses on ‘the more chapattis eaten the better!” Raakhi thinks it’s important for grandparents to understand the

Rupal Kantaria link between serious diseases like diabetes, heart disease and sugar to encourage them to start making healthier choices for their family. “Many South Asians know all too well about diabetes and heart disease as the prevalence of these diseases are high in our community. More understanding of the link between these diseases and sugar would go a long way. Also they need to see how much sugar is in everyday foods and drinks. If grandparents understood the risk associated with too much sugar in our children’s diet they could help us to make these swaps.” Ketul shares “At the beginning my in-laws couldn’t understand my approach – but when I tell

them how much sugar is in everyday foods and drinks, they are surprised. Also, when they see that my kids eat a variety of foods without any fuss and are not eating a lot of sweets or sugary foods, they proudly tell others to follow my example.” Getting the kids involved Rupal firmly believes that involving her children in food decisions can help encourage good long-term habits. “As a family, we plan our meals together, so my kids input into what they are eating. Not only does this help healthier meal preparation but it also helps my kids understand how to make the right choices from a young age.” Her advice is “Don’t do it to your children – do it with them. Make it your family project to reduce your sugar intake.” Ketul also believes it’s important to make children comfortable in the kitchen and involve them in making their meals “We spend time cooking and baking together as opposed to buying desserts. It brings us together as a family and the kids really enjoy it.”

Change4Life is here to help you and your family cut back on sugar. Download the Change4Life Food Scanner app to see the sugar content of everyday popular items or search Change4Life for healthier swap ideas.

April 2019

Read Foundation Hosts Pakistan Day Birmingham mosques vandalised with Birmingham Fund-Raising Dinner Sunday the 24th of March saw the congregation of many members of Birmingham’s humble Pakistani community, all for one meaningful cause. The UK based charity Read Foundation opened its doors in Digbeth Hall, simultaneously urging its guests to open their hearts and donate to fund the educational needs of children overseas. The event witnessed the beautiful banqueting suite venue decked out in green and white themed décor, in honour of Pakistan’s national resolution day celebrations. The room was lit up by enchanting chandeliers, Mughal Era back-drops and elegant bouquets. The lucky guests were all welcomed and seated to their tables as the afternoon kicked off to a promising start. In attendance were some of the city’s most prominent organisations, including Capital Business Hub, A1 TV Sky 779, the NHS, and APWA (All Pakistan Women’s Foundation). Who are Read? Read stands for Rural Education and Development, and it is the mission of this non-profit organisation to school every child it may – regardless of their family’s economic circumstances. One of Read’s fundamental obligations is to ensure that each school it opens has an intake where at least 10% of its pupils are orphans. These children are given free subsidised places in school and additional support. This way, the foundation ensures that even the most vulnerable children of society do not miss the opportunity to become fully literate and contributing members of their communities. When it was first founded in 1994, Read began with only a £200 budget and just 25 children it was able to educate. Now, 20 years on, the foundation has built over 200 schools and funds the learning of over 103,000 children of developing countries. Each school that Read builds is designed to be compatible with the region’s surrounding climate, and meet the needs of the children who inhabit it. Every Read

By Manisha Bhanot

foundation school is: - Earthquake resistant - Weather Sensitive - Resourced with Qualified Staff - Equipped with Modern Facilities - Of High Quality - Is Self-Sustainable - Event Organisation The event opened with Host Asif Malik welcoming guests to their seats and a ceremonial reading of the Holy Qur’an in Arabic. After this, attendees were shown informative videos educating them about Read’s important work, and profiling the day-to-day lives of Orphans who were being benefited by the public’s kind donations. Indeed, many of Read Foundation’s children were evidenced to have benefitted from the support they received. A multitude of these children progressed onto college and university after graduating from formal education. They were shown to have gone on to become teachers, doctors, engineers and other successful professionals. The afternoon then continued with a three-course Pakistani cuisine meal and

drinks. As guests dined, live entertainment was provided to them by the means of a professional violinist. Shortly after the dinner, attendees were given the opportunity to begin their contributions to the foundation’s vital work. Pledges began to support the education of up to 30 orphans, which guests could take on as a collective responsibility with the help of friends, through their businesses or as individuals. Funds could also be given to the cause by filling out donation forms and handing in loose change enclosed in designated envelopes, and even by donating online. The evening came to a close with a heartfelt message for guests from Pakistani actor Reema Khan and interviews with much loved and renowned Desi celebrities. Guests left the venue feeling blessed to have contributed to such an empowering and selfless cause. If you would like to sponsor the education of an orphan or donate in aid of building one of Read’s life-changing schools, you can go onto: www.readfoundation.org.uk/donate/

sledgehammers

Counter-terror police officers are investigating four mosques in Birmingham which were vandalised overnight, just a few days after the New Zealand attack. Police have said that they are working with representatives of the mosques after the buildings had their windows smashed into on the night of March 20th and during the early hours of the morning after. The Muslim community have been left deeply shocked, as the vandal acts have occurred just days after the shootings which occurred in two mosques within New Zealand. The police force has confirmed that the Islamic Centre in Witton was amongst one of the mosques which were attacked overnight on 20th March. Officers have stated that they were called at 2:32 am in the morning to the report of a man smashing the windows with a sledgehammer at the mosque on Birchfield road. The officers arrived within minutes, but they soon found out that the attack had happened sometime earlier. At 3:14 am, the police were alerted to a similar attack at the mosque on Slade road in Erdington. The police began to patrol around areas with mosques and came across further damage at places of worship in Witton, Aston, Broadway and Perry Barr. Forensic officers are working to identify the evidence and CCTV footage is being examined, the Police Department has stated. Neighbourhood officers are working closely with mosques around the West Midlands, police added. The West Midlands Police chief constable Dave Thompson said: “Since the tragic event occurred in New Zealand, officers from West Midlands police have been working closely with our faiths across the region to offer reassurance and support to mosques, churches and other places of prayer. Right now, we don’t know the reason

By Tauseef Asif for last night’s attacks. But what I can say is that the force and the counterterrorism unit are working together to find whoever is responsible”. The Birmingham Council of mosques earlier released a statement saying that at least three buildings were vandalised on the night of 20th March. Sharafat Ali, who is the Imam of Witton Islamic Centre had said: “around seven windows and two doors were smashed between 1 am and 2 am” on the night. He had also stated he had become very shaken at the time of the New Zealand attack on the 15th March, which killed 50 worshippers’ in two mosques. Ali also included that the community is shocked because of what’s happened in New Zealand as well. He has also said that they have been here for 30 years. In the morning there are generally around 40 worshippers for Morning Prayer and the Friday following the attack saw round 200 to 300 attendees. After some time, another mosque was also vandalised in Cromer Road, Balsall Heath, during the morning of Saturday 23rd March. Police are examining the CCTV cameras after the criminal damage was done to a window of the building. Authorities do not believe the incident is linked to the first 5 Mosque attacks. West Midlands Police said that after the break-ins, a 34-year-old man was arrested in Birmingham on suspicion for racially aggravated criminal damage. Police do not believe the incident was linked to the former Mosque vandalism cases. The man was taken into police custody after surrendering himself at a local police station on 22nd March, where he was detained under the Mental Health Act. In relations to the first five incidents, detectives do not believe that the suspect was part of a group although the investigation is still ongoing.

Christchurch shootings lead to a rise in hate crimes towards Muslims across Britain

By Navkiran Bains

Community groups are alarmed at the increase in numbers of anti-Muslim attacks Across Britain, there has been a significant rise in the number of antiMuslim hate crimes being reported. The number increased by a substantial 593% the week after the terror attack in New Zealand, where a white supremacist killed 50 worshippers in a mosque. The charity, Tell Mama, works closely with the police and encourages people to report any anti-Muslim hate crimes. The organisation confirmed that the rise in hate crime is linked to the Christchurch attacks and the following week recorded more hate incidents than the week after the Manchester attack in 2017. There were 95 incidents reported to the charity from the day of the New Zealand attacks on the 15th March to the

21st March. Yet, in the week before the Christchurch attacks, there were 16 hate crimes reported. However, some victims may often feel that there is no point in reporting; therefore, these figures are most likely to be

much higher. Of these incidents, 89% showed direct reference to the atrocity from New Zealand as people were reported to have been mimicking firearms towards Muslims in Oxford, Colindale,

North London and Southampton. A mother was walking with her daughter in Colindale and reported four youths making gun gestures towards them. Similarly, in Oxford, a woman wearing a hijab experienced a man making gun noises aimed at her. Furthermore, in London, there have been reports of direct verbal abuse towards Muslims, including horrific statements such as “you need to be shot” and “you deserve it”. In Scotland, there was an incident reported where a mosque had been attacked. In the meantime, police continue investigating into the individuals behind the sledgehammer attacks to five mosques in Birmingham. The director of Tell Mama, Iman Atta, said: “This shows that some people see Muslims as fair game for hate and it is now clear that we have an ongoing and persistent ideology

of hate that is generating a focus on Muslims. Muslims in New Zealand were killed, and British Muslims feel the anger of bigots. It is perverse.” Extra police were positioned outside mosques in the streets of Britain on Friday, specifically in the afternoon as this is the main time of prayers for Muslims weekly. Mark Hamilton, the assistant chief constable, stated: “Experience tells us that we should sadly expect that a horrific attack such as the one in Christchurch will have an impact on levels of hostility in the UK, but it will also increase the fear of crime in affected communities. Both of these factors are likely to increase reporting levels. No one should ever have to suffer hate crime, and I would encourage all victims to report to the police by calling 101 (999 in an emergency).”

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By Khushboo Chauhan

using non-polluting fuels. The Government of India in 2016, started a flagship scheme to eliminate indoor environmental degradation and address health issues surrounding pollution from the use of kerosene, wood, cow-dung, and coal as cooking stove fuels. It instead encouraged the use of cleaner fuels such as LPG or induction. The movement of switching to clean cooking gas in the kitchen seems to be working. Indeed, the ‘Great Indian kitchen clean-up’ was initially started to reach out to below poverty line families, but in 2018 it extended to poor households across the country. The scheme attempts to popularise the use of modern cooking stoves amongst rural communities. This programme is presently underway in three states of India: Gujarat, Rajasthan and Uttar-Pradesh. Private entities and community trusts promoted by Tata Trust have been active and have sold bottled cooking gas to

millions of rural household. Although, there may be a different side to the whole story. This campaign was started by BJP, the government currently under power in India which claims that this scheme is reducing the use of polluting household fuels. However, the oppositional Congress party differs from their claim and calls the scheme “half baked and structurally flawed”. The BJP shift to clean cooking gas does have its limitations as far as national schemes are concerned. Even though it has covered more than 60 million poor families with new LPG connections, as per data shows, there are still more than 100 million families who are using kerosene oil and other fuels for their home cooking. The Indian government is, paying gas suppliers for every free LPG connection they install in households and each connected home can purchase its first LPG cylinder using an interest-free government loan. However, the families have to pay for all subsequent gas cylinders themselves after, which is still not affordable to the majority of families in India. Regardless of the scheme doing well at the initial stage, it failed to become a complete success, as a greater part of the country’s population could not bear the cost of cylinder refilling, which rose from 466 INR when the scheme was launched to 820 INR now. Thus, putting many households off the switch to safe and eco-friendly cooking fuel.

The £89 million investment into Pakistan’s tourism industry. The International Hospitality Investment Group’s (IHIG) investment will open over 4,000 job opportunities. The Chairman Board of Tourism, Zulfi Bukhari held a meeting with the CEO of the resourceful multinational enterprise (IHIG), Noor ul Asif and its Chairman, Alun Richards, alongside the Chairman Board of Investment, Mr Haroon Sharif and the Special Advisor on Political Affairs to the Prime Minister – Mr Naeem ul Haq. Taking place at the Prime Minister’s Secretariat in Islamabad, the meeting aimed to discuss the potential of investment in Pakistan. IHIG’s Chairman stated his company’s loyalties to invest £89 million into the hospitality and tourism sector which will create a potential of 4,000 jobs in Pakistan. In addition to this, Zulfi Bukhari reassured Richards of the Pakistan Government’s pledge to extend support to possible foreign investors. Richards stated: “I have spent half of my childhood

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India to be Cleansed with Clean-Cooking Campaign

Cleaner fuels for cooking in India has always been a challenge, especially in rural areas where women have long been relying on more accessible and polluting sources. The health issues associated with their primitive technique has never been a matter of concern for neither their families nor themselves. Thus, the smoke from stoves igniting the family kitchen has been rolling on for what seems like forever. Indeed, it seems ironical that the Annapurna (deity of food) of the house, the woman herself, is putting her life on a ridge to feed her family using high polluting and life-threatening fuels. Albeit, the onset of cleaner fuels in the nation already occurred a while back, but rural areas still remained untouched by its usage. Considering the nonpenetration of clean-cooking fuel and cooking stoves in rural areas, there has thus been a major chunk of the Indian population which abstained itself from

April 2019

By Navkiran Bains in Pakistan. Over recent years, the perception of this beautiful country has changed positively among the global community. Therefore, an increasingly large number of tourists from all over the world are already expressing the desire to visit Pakistan, where they can explore the diversity of its pristine landscapes, ranging from the world’s highest mountains to scenic beaches on a long coastline, along with lush green fields, vast deserts and much more. The historical traditions of hospitality and the variety of sumptuous cuisines also provide many unforgettable experiences. The Government’s new policy of granting E-Visas for 175 countries, is a brilliant initiative that promises great convenience for international tourists.” IHIG is the first company to have taken a keen interest in the Prime Minister of Pakistan’s visualisation for the country. They have already acquired two hotels in Bhurban and Shogran which has set a high standard for the developing industry. IHIG will facilitate the international tourists that visit Pakistan and also promote tourism.

In Pursuit of Empire:

Treasures from the Toor Collection of Sikh Art – Book Review

By Navkiran Bains

Davinder Toor’s new book tells the incredible story of the Sikh Empire through amazing illustrations and in-depth research into the history of the era

This unique book re-calls the triumphs and downfalls of the Sikh empire like no other. It showcases an outstanding collection of over 100 rare and beautiful objects from Toor’s private collection of the finest Sikh art. His exclusive works consist of many paintings and vintage photographs which have been out of sight and unpublished until now. Historian and acclaimed writer, William Dalrymple, sets the foundations of Sikh art in the book’s introduction. Over two centuries ago, Punjab was ruled by the Sikh empire which aimed to enhance the grandeur of their kingdom through the display of luxurious objects to reflect the powerfulness of the Sikhs. However, after two failed wars against British India, the empire collapsed which also meant the end of the beautiful and cultural objects. The decorative Sikh items were then distributed across the world through numerous auctions. Toor is a leading figure among Sikh art collectors and his passion for his work enabled him to bring the private and finest artefacts back to life in this book. He developed an early passion for collecting art at the age of 17 and shortly after he volunteered for the Victoria & Albert Museum’s exhibition ‘The Arts of the Sikh Kingdoms’ in 1999. Toor

then became a consultant to private collectors, institutions and auction houses such as the British Museum, Victoria & Albert Museum and Wallace Collection, and in result created his private collection which he was then able to share within ‘In Pursuit of Empire’. The attention to detail in the art displayed in the book is gripping. Readers are told the story of the empire chronologically through Toor’s collection of unpublished art and items such as war equipment and traditional jewellery worn and used by Sikhs at the time. An in-depth story and historical research follows each image in the book, allowing readers to learn more about the origin of the era. Not only does the book take you through events of the empire during the era, but also key figures of the empire, such as royalty. Readers are then able to see unpublished art of each individual. ‘In Pursuit of Empire’ is an aesthetically pleasing book filled with masses of valuable information about the history of the Sikh Empire which keeps the reader gripped throughout. The book will be published 16th May, by Kashi House, at a retail price of £34.99, https://www.kashihouse.com/books/ in-pursuit-of-empire

April 2019

Fraud Indian Jeweller Arrested in London

Bill Gates states that 30 million people will be dead in the next 15 years

Microsoft founder claims that in result of a biotechnology attack, over 30 million people will be dead Bill Gates made his prediction at the Munich Security Conference, where he warned the audience that terrorists might start using biotechnology to spread a dangerous ‘super virus’, which may become the next worldwide epidemic. Gates stated “The next epidemic could originate on the computer screen of a terrorist intent on using genetic engineering to create a synthetic version of the smallpox virus…or a super contagious and deadly strain of the flu.” “Whether it occurs by a quirk of nature or at the hand of the terrorist, epidemiologists say a fast-moving airborne pathogen could kill more than 30 million people in less than a year. And they say there is a reasonable probability the

world will experience such an outbreak in the next 10 to 15 years.” Gates also suggested that people underestimate the link between international security and health security and also how the government do not pay any attention to this possible threat. The audience was also reminded of the 1918 flu epidemic which infected over 500 million people and killed between 50-100 million lives. Gates expanded “Most of the things we need to do protect against a naturally occurring pandemic are the same things we must prepare for in an intentional biological attack. I view the threat of deadly pandemics right up there with nuclear war and climate change.” Gates believes that preparation could

decrease risks as he states “prepare for epidemics the way the military prepares for war,” for example the creation of medical ‘arsenal weapons’ as security against epidemics. He also states the need for people to understand viruses’ behaviours; therefore they can spot them at an early stage. He added the idea that failure to prepare for such risks could cost up to £435 billion annually. Gates has previously voiced his concerns about bioterrorism in January at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland. Also when speaking to BBC radio, he mentioned the risks of human vulnerabilities to fast-spreading diseases. By Navkiran Bains

Fugitive diamond merchant Nirav Modi was arrested in London for fraud relating to Punjab National Bank, in a recent ongoing case. He has been accused of stealing thirteen thousand crores and has been a fugitive on the run for the past year. After evading the law for all this time, the ex-diamond merchant was arrested in London just last month. The Enforcement Directorate officers were investigating the case. According to these officers, Nirav Modi got arrested from Holborn, a metro station located in central London. After UK Home Secretary Sajid Javid certified India’s extradition request for Nirav Modi in August 2018, the Westminster Magistrate Court issued the arrest warrant for the fugitive. Within a few hours of his arrest at the metro station, he was sent to a hearing in the Metropolitan Magistrate’s court. Nirav Modi had offered a hefty sum of half-million pounds as a bail bond but the court had rejected it. The court, however, decided that he will be in jail until his next hearing. Modi’s team of lawyers were previously confident in securing bail for their client, as is often done in cases of financial fraud. This would have enabled him to carry out his business and maintain his lifestyle while the case progressed in the British judicial system. Modi had walked to a bank in London with confidence to open an account. He

By Priyanka Dutta had to show his identity which would be run through several software checks to ensure credibility. During one such scan, his identity raised concerns and the employee informed the police. The cops suspected Modi’s motives and arrested him. As per the official report, Nirav Modi and his uncle Choksi fled India in January last year. This happened just before the biggest scam of theirs in Indian bank history was revealed. Nirav Modi and his uncle Choksi, with the help of his company, took a credit card from the overseas branches of PNB using fake guarantees of the bank. However, letters of credit show evidence to the fact that Modi never paid the amount him and his uncle took back. Modi was shocked after the court announced the verdict. He spent the following next ten days behind bars. HM Prison Wandsworth, which is one of Western Europe’s biggest prisons and is considerably better than the Indian jails. However, this is far from the luxury lifestyle that Nirav Modi is typically used to. A more pressing question raised by the media is how long will it take to bring Modi back to India? Well, many think that it could take years as the other high profile Indian fugitive Vijay Mallya’s case is also on the same track. It is uncertain when these two individuals will be brought back to their home country.

Donald Trump rewrote rules of drone warfare quietly and the results are terrifying

By Tauseef Asif

US President Donald Trump has signed an official request, decreasing the quantity of regular citizen deaths from drones that the government must report. Trump signed the order in March last month. The document denies an Obamatime necessity for the director of national intelligence to release an annual report of the number of civilian deaths per year. The deaths are in the result of US activities in non-combat territories around the globe. Such regions include sectors of Yemen, Somalia, and Pakistan. Ex-President Barack Obama presented the document in 2016 as he confronted strain to be progressively straightforward about the expanded utilization of the drones. The government says it will keep

on reporting the deaths in “zones of dynamic threats” such as Iraq and Syria. Former reports stated that as many

as 117 citizen deaths have taken place outside these regions from 2009 to 2016. A few years later the figures have been expressed

as a estimate rather than an exact number. The Trump organisation did not release a 2017 report. Congressional requirements for the military to report citizen deaths in a dynamic battle region may soon be set up. However, specialists state the new system will fail to record strikes by agencies like the CIA, and represent a fall in transparency. “Strikes by other government substances like the CIA were incorporated under this requirement. That was the expectation of the wording,” Rita Siemion, the Universal Lawful Counsel for the group of Human Rights First, told Politico. Hina Shamsi, the director of the American Civil Liberties Union, said the choice was “profoundly wrong and unsafe for people ac-

countability.” “This choice will be avoided from the public and the governments own count of the absolute number of deaths it causes each year in its deadly power program.” Rep. Adam Schiff, the Democratic Chair of the House Intelligence Committee, said there was “no justification” for closure the training, which he called “an important proportion of transparency,” A representative for the White House National Security Council told the Associated Press that the government was completely dedicated to “limiting to the best extent possible and recognising obligation when they (citizen casualties) tragically happen amid military activities.”

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April 2019

Taliban Commander, Mullah Omer, lived and died in Afghanistan; not Pakistan Taliban Commander, Mullah Omer, was never in Pakistan, he lived and died in Afghanistan, a new book published has revealed Mullah Umer lived within walking distance of US bases in Afghanistan for years, and died in a similar nation. Bette Dam, a Dutch writer, has exposed the failure of US intelligence as American troops once looked through the house where he was hidden, yet failed to locate a mystery room made for him. The life story by Dam in Dutch is being interpreted and shared by Zomia thinktank. there is an outline of certain discoveries affirms that the criminal Taliban, lived in Afghanistan and even declined any treat-

Front Page Story Cont’d... Mr. Modi’s successful test resulted in him arguing that the test has now made India part of a “super league” of nations alongside the US, Russia, and China. As the general elections in India are upcoming, questions have been raised about the timing of the test as under Indian law, the government is not permitted to announce any political or policy changes which may be viewed as seeking to win votes. However, NDTV’s science editor claims that this is not the case with the new missile technology and states “That India had the ability to do this [which] was already very well known.” The ex-chief of the Indian space agency, Madhavan Nair, stated “Mr. Modi has chosen to take this step… to show that we have capabilities in this area.” He expanded in saying that India is now able to respond in a “timely manner” if another country was to target India’s satellites. He concluded by describing the test as a “great achievement for the country.” Although general elections are fast approaching in India, if the government makes announcements about na-

ment from a Pakistani doctor. The records confirm that the US intelligence failed to find the one-eyed Taliban leader. Omer died and was buried in Afghanistan, putting to rest claims by the Afghan government in 2015 that he died in Pakistan.

“The government, based on valid data, affirms that Mullah Mohammad Omer, Taliban leader died in April 2013 in Pakistan,” the Afghan presidential castle had said in an announcement from 2015, which currently stands false based on the latest biography. Bette Dam

Modi Launches Missile Test Strikes to Boost Election Campaign tional security, they do not need permission from the Election Commission. Following India’s conflict with Pakistan in February, Mr. Modi who is seeking re-election has made national security one of the most significant election issues. The announcement about the new missile technology came weeks after India was involved in aerial clashes with Pakistan over the border of Kashmir. However, the prime minister commented, “This new technology is not directed against any particular country.” However, the senior Samajwadi Party leader, Ram Gopal Yadav had accused Mr. Modi of carrying out the Pulwama terror attack to gain votes. The Pulwama attack took place on February 14th and killed at least 40 CRPF jawans. The attack was conducted by suicide bomber Jaish-e-Mohammed who had filled a vehicle with over 100kg of explosives into a bus within the Pulwama district. The attack left the nation in a state of horror and shock as the incident is one of the deadliest which has taken place in Kashmir for over three decades.

In a result of this incident, Mr. Modi gave permission to the security forces to fight back with an equal force that killed 40 paramilitary troops. Ram Gopal Yadav commented on Modi’s involvement in the attack and argued the Modi government had “killed” security troopers in order to serve his political interests. He continued in stating “Paramilitary jawans are unhappy with the government. Jawans were killed for votes.” Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, Yogi Adityanath, demands an apology from Ram Gopal Yadav’s comments. He stated “This is an attempt to demoralise security forces, he [Yadav] must apologise. He further expanded on his point in naming Yadav’s comments as “a big example of dirty politics… He must apologise for this comment that can weaken the morale of Jawans.” Furthermore, soon after the attacks, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley revealed that India is removing Pakistan from the “Most Favoured Nation” status. This will further decrease trade ties between both nations.

By Navkiran Bains

sat with Afghan authorities and Taliban leaders to archive the life of Mullah Omar and case, the most chilling discussions was about the whereabouts of the previous Taliban leader Jabbar Omari who protected and nourished him until his demise. Jabbar Omari had been a common representative when the Taliban ruled Afghanistan, however, surrendered any active role in the development to fill in as a guardian to Omar after 2001 until his demise. In Kabul safe house, during an interview, Omari opened up Mullah Omar’s mysterious life that the first four years of the revolt. Omar lived in the region, Qalat, of walking distance of the Afghan governor’s compound and the area, which was later chosen to be the main US base for the city; Forward Operating Base (FOB) Lagman. The writer also concluded that Omar’s wives moved to Pakistan, and he denied any proposals to bring his son to Afghanistan. His protection was the home of Abdul Samad Ustaz, and Omari’s former

driver was driving a taxi. The property he lived in was a compound with a courtyard, and the house was concealed behind high walls that are used for privacy in much of Afghanistan. He built a secret room in the corner angle of the L-shaped building; its entrance is a door, which was hidden behind what looked like a high cupboard on the wall. The family was not informed about the identity of their guest, but he was a Talib, and that they would be killed if

By Tauseef Asif they spoke to anyone about it. “I scared my wife,” Ustaz told a friend at the time. What approves the failure of US intelligence is that the American forces nearly stumbled across Omar twice, but they were unable to hunt him down. “The first time, a patrol came by as Omar and Omari were in the courtyard” said Ustaz. “Held with fear at the sound of approaching footsteps, they hid behind a high pile of firewood, and the soldiers passed without entering,” the biography states.

April 2019

Top 10 Historic Cities of SRI LANKA

By Manisha Bhanot

1. Kandy

2. Anuradhapura

3. Jaffna

4. Colombo

5. Yapahuwa

The city was formerly named ‘Senkadagalpur’ after a hermit named Senkada who resided there. Many of the Sinhalese locals call it ‘Mahanuqra’, which translates as ‘Great City.’ However, its present name ‘Kandy’ was derived from the word ‘Kanda’ which means mountain. Indeed, Kandy lies on a mountainous terrain which made it difficult for enemies to invade. Scholars argue that the city was founded by King Vikramabahu III during the 14th century. It was the last capital of the old Sri Lankan dynasty of Kings, until it fell into the hands of the British Empire during 1815. Today the city remains the capital of the central province of Sri Lanka and both an administrative and a religious hot-spot. Kandy is a hugely famous location for tourists because of the following three main reasons: The Peradeniya Botanical Gardens, The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha, and it is also home to festivities such as the Esala Perahara.

According to ancient History, Anuradhapura was made the capital of the Sinhalese Kingdom by the first reigning Sri Lankan King, Padukabhaya. The layout of the city is described in the epic Pali poem the Mahavamsa. The city is described as having been built with a cemetery, execution ground, chapel and house of sacrifice all set into place. Anuradhapura has been established since the 4th Century. As evidenced by relics dug up in the area from the Iron Age, the city has been inhabited for many millennia. It has been a great centre for religious and political power. Due to architectural advancement such as a moats and raised walls, its inhabitants were able to survive for eons. It is now an international world heritage site. Present day Anuradhapura is the capital of the North Central Province in Sri Lanka. Notable sites to see in the city include: the famous sacred bodhi “enlightenment” tree, the monastic buildings ruins, and its various Stupas (Buddhist shrines).

According to historical sources, the word Jaffna is of Tamil descent, and translates to meaning ‘port of the lyre.’ However, other Sri Lankan scholars state that Jaffna is known in Tamil as Yalpaanayanpaddinam, as found inscribed on copper plate relics discovered in the area. Jaffna is the capital of the Sri Lankan province which stands under the same name. Within the region, discoveries have been made of potteries and clay artefacts from between the 2nd to 5th century, showing that the city was at least inhabited since then. The city has been home to the Pandyan Empire before it was ambushed by Muslim Invaders. It was also ruled over by the Portuguese before the colonial period. Places of interest in the city consist of: the Jaffna Dutch Fort, the Hindu Temple at Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil, and the Sangiliyan Temple to name a few.

Colombo is the colonized name of the city, in Sinhalese it is Kolamba, or Kolumpu as it is known in Tamil. The name ‘Colombo’ was first implemented by the city’s Portuguese rulers in 1505, taken from the Sinhalese name Kolon thota, which translates to ‘port of the river Kelani.’ As the city possesses a naturally developed harbour, it was a famous port for Greek, Indian, Persian, Arab, Chinese and Roman traders around 2 millennia ago. Arabs even began to integrate and settle into the country at this time because the location helped their businesses to grow and prosper. Colombo, located in the country’s Western Province, has the largest population in Sri Lanka as of today (over 5.9 million) and it is the country’s commercial capital. Must see landmarks to visit in the city are: Gangaramaya Temple, St Anthony’s Church, Independence Square and Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque.

Yapahuwa was built on a huge granite rock rising almost 100m above the ground of the surrounding low lands in North Western Sri Lanka. The former name of this destination of Buddhist descent is Yapawwa, thus its original name has been somewhat distorted. The rock fortress of Yapahuwa was built by King Buvanekabahu I in 1273. Many traces of ancient battle defences are still evidenced in the surrounding location. Indeed, the rock face wall gave the city a great tactical advantage in battle if invaders were to attack. Yapahuwa sufficed itself as the capital of Sri Lanka. Some of the biggest showpieces that remain on display from the King’s reign in the city are: a huge, ornament stairwell, a Stupa (Buddhist Temple) and enclosed Bodhi cage. The surrounding region is still marked by many large boulders and has a rocky terrain. Also to see are some caves and a shrines with images of the Buddha.

6. Galle

7. Kurunegala

8. Negombo

9. Kalmunai

10. Vavuniya

Galle was previously known as Gimhathiththa. However, a Muslim scholar by the name of Ibn Batuta had called it by the name Qali during the 1500s. The city has a natural harbour, which faces out to the Indian Ocean. It is believed that Galle was probably used as a cinnamon port for most of South Asia from the 1400s. The city was invaded by Portuguese ships in 1502. The city was majorly fortified by the Dutch during the 17th century, when they took over rule before the British took charge of the country in 1796. Galle is situated as the capital of its self-titled district. The city runs as the administrative capital of the southern province of Sri Lanka. Unmissable places to visit in Galle are: The Galle Harbour and Forty, St. Mary’s Cathedral and the Shiva Temples.

Kurunegala’s name derives from the Sinhala name meaning ‘Elephant rock’. Indeed, Kurune translates to ‘tusker’ or an ‘elephant’ which has prominent teeth. Whereas ‘gala’ simply means ‘rock.’ Kurunegala’s ascension as an old capital of the island began as far back as the 12th Century. The city’s ruler at this time was King Parakrama Bahu III. He was famous for bringing back the tooth relic which was stolen from Yapahuwa kingdom by an ascendant of the Jaffna Kingdom to Pandyan country. Kurunegala sits in the present day Northern Western Province of Sri Lanka. The city is famous for its royal complex which hosts a series of archaeological remains. Also worth seeing are Kurunegala Lake, and the city Clock Tower.

The city’s name Negombo is a Portuguese altered version of its Tamil original Neerkolombu. The city has a coastline of its own and its inhabitants are known as Negombians. The reign of the Jaffna City Kings built a fort around Negombo and other surrounding cities to keep them safe during the Medieval period. The Portuguese colonizers invaded during the 16th Century and turned many of the regions predominantly Hindu tribes towards Catholicism. After the Dutch rule which came later in the same century, the East Indian trading company took over the island in the late 1700s. Negombo is situated in Sri Lanka’s Western Province. Must see destinations of the port city are: the fishing village, Dutch Fort, St. Mary’s Church, the Sandy beaches, Hamilton Canal, the Clock Tower, and Negombo Lagoon!

Also known as Kalmune in Sinhalese, this is another major historic city of Sri Lanka. As of the country’s last general consensus it has a Muslim majority population, although many Sri Lankan Tamils, Sinhalese, Burghers and Moors still reside in the area. During the reign of the Portugese in the 17th Century, the Muslim population of Colombo were exiled by their rulers. They sought refugee status in Kandy before re-locating to Kalmunai. Kalmunai was a majority farming region owned by King Rajasinghe II. Kulmani has can be found in the island’s Eastern Province, within the Ampara District. The city presently has a population over 100, 000. If in Kalmunai, you must see the city’s beautiful beaches and rural, lush farming landscapes.

Vavuniya is a name taken from its Tamil original Vanni, and it remains as Vavuniya in Sinhalese. It is a convenient by-pass route for accessing the other cities within the Northern Province. Between the 5th and 13th centuries what is now known as Vavuniya was inclusive of the Rajarata. After this the area was ruled over by the Vanniar, who paid tribute to the Jaffna Kingdom before it came under colonial rule. The city was then taken over by Portuguese, Dutch and British control. This city is the main settlement area of its self-titled District. The Headquarters of the Sri Lankan Army are located inside the city. It is also home to a railway station for the country’s northern line and Vavuniya airport as well, which is used by the island’s national Air Force.

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April 2019

BUSINESS

Exit fee restriction on investment fund supermarkets By Tauseef Asif

The exit expenses of certain supermarkets, which can add up to hundreds of pounds, successfully attach investors to one supplier, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has said. The organisation has now proposed a crackdown on these restriction fees so that financial specialists can move large sums of money more openly. Billions of pounds are invested in retail projects and pensions annually. A lot of these investments are reserved for money related financial crisis, so any change to expenses would mark an extensive shake-up for the business. The FCA said at that time, the complexity and cost made it troublesome for investors to switch between suppliers. Alongside consultations about exit fees, the controller is looking for viewpoints on designs to enable buyers to switch stages and stay in a similar store without selling their ventures. “While the market is functioning splendidly well for most of its customers, the package we have declared

today should make it more affordable and time-consuming for investors to shop around and move to the platform that is best for their needs. As a major aspect of that, we trust it is correct that we limit exit charges” said Christopher Woolard, of the FCA. The FCA has accepted that the business had itself improved the effectiveness of exchanging, and said it would survey the advancement made by platforms later this year and again in 2020. Andy Bell, CEO of one of the biggest platforms, AJ Bell, stated: “investment platforms play a crucial capacity in helping individuals to deal with their long term savings and the regulator is totally ideal to address whether customers are getting the best service and value for money.” Andy also claimed that the confinement exit fees “would not materially affect our business” as he anticipated that the businesses, in general, would profit from greater switching.

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No Warmth or Water amongst Student Homes A third of UK students have gone without any heating or running water in their accommodation, a survey has been proposed. The condition of accommodation is among a list of the 10 greatest worries among youth tenants, the survey of 2,196 students by website Save the Student has declared. Nevertheless, noisy housemates remain the greatest issue, in correspondence to the research findings. The annual survey also highlights worries about the cost of living away from home. Statistics imply that the upfront costs, including fees, deposit, and a month’s rent in advance, total to an average of £970 per student. The mean rent is around £125 every

week, of which parents contribute an average of £44. One out of five students gets more than £100 per week from their parents in order to help cover their expenses. Two out of every five students who participated in the study had been found to owe overdrafts, loans, and credit cards debts in the struggle to pay their rental bill, Save the Student claimed. Past research by the student housing charity Unipol and the National Union of Students proposed that the normal cost of student accommodation in the UK had ascended by almost a third in six years. About 30% of those approached had begun to search for the following academic year’s lodgings by November, trying to locate a better deal

and to spread the expense after some time. In addition to the cost, poor conditions in student accommodation were a major concern. One student in Portsmouth said that on the day she moved in there was no front door on the property and there was no heating for two months. Another student in Newcastle said she had no hot water for the whole year. “I needed to heat up the kettle and fill the sink, so I would wash my face,” she said. Damp, lack of water or warming, disruptive structure work, and pests were all highlighted in the top 10 list of complaints, as per the Save the Student overview.

Shell Oil Company Chief gets Paid 143 Times more than the Average UK Employee The CEO of oil-company Shell saw his pay double last year to more than €20 million (£17 million) in total. Ben van Beurden’s total salary pay in 2017, which was roughly €9 million, prompted an investor revolt. The Dutch official’s rise comes as the company increased its yearly profits by nearly $10 billion, and he is also set to have a number of long term incentives from his current role kick in. Mr van Beurden’s pay is currently numerous times bigger than the normal Shell worker in the UK. The firm’s Remuneration Committee said the proportion was “steady” with those in the best 30 organisations listed in London. Shell also stated that the company

trusted in reward packages “that are externally competitive and internally balanced, which means the CEO is the worker with the most astounding extent of variable pay as he has the largest amount of duty.” A Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) report found that the normal FTSE 100 CEO earned multiple times more than the normal UK worker. The Anglo-Dutch giant Shell is one of the most important recorded organisations in Britain. In spite of its desire to reduce its carbon footprint by 2050, the firm is one of the world’s biggest polluters, radiating 73 million tons on carbon dioxide (CO2) in 2017. A year ago, Shell declared it would link executive pay

By Tauseef Asif to carbon outflow targets, subject to an investor vote in 2020. The move pursued weight from investors, including the Church of England Pensions Board. Mr van Beurden’s pay has long been a matter of speculation. Numerous investors addressed why Shell executives were paid bonuses for 2017, the year in which a tanker kept running by a sub-temporary worker in Pakistan detonated, and slaughtered more than 200 individuals. Luke Hildyard, the director of the High Pay Centre think tank, said Mr van Beurden’s pay packet epitomised Shell’s “defective governance model and warped corporate culture.”

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April 2019

Winners for Chapter 2 Britain’s Asian Wedding Awards 2019 are revealed

Winners are now revealed for Britain’s 3rd Asian Wedding Awards Chapter 2 2019 following the stunning awards ceremony at the Mercure Piccadilly Hotel in Manchester earlier in March. The awards celebrate the hard work and commitment of Britain’s evergrowing Asian wedding industry in the North, reward the graft of exceptional suppliers, and thank those who go above and beyond to make someone’s special day the most memorable of their life. Irfan Younis, CEO of Oceanic Consulting said: “That’s now a wrap on the 3rd Britain’s Asian Wedding Awards for 2019 – we held two wonderful award ceremonies and Chapter 2 held in Manchester was a wonderful night of celebrating and appreciating the finest Northern talent Britain’s Asian Wedding industry has to offer. I’d like to congratulate all winners and every finalist from across both chapters – I have enjoyed watching the Asian wedding industry evolve and look forward to seeing what direction the industry takes next; best believe we’ll be back next year with more ground breakers and wedding shakers.”

With 23 awards presented on the night, the winners are as follows: Wedding Boutique of the Year North West: Kanval By Design (Manchester)

Freelance Make-Up Artist of the Year North West: Coshi Make Up (Manchester)

Wedding Boutique of the Year Yorkshire: Dulhan (Bradford)

Freelance Make-Up Artist of the Year North East:

Wedding Boutique of the Year Premium: K & B First Choice (Derby)

Shaja Ghor Bridal Artistry and Training Academy (Newcastle upon Tyne)

Wedding Boutique of the Year Overall Winner: Kanval By Design (Manchester)

Freelance Make-Up Artist of the Year Yorkshire: Nida Glamour World (Bradford)

Wedding DJ of the Year North West: Sensation Entertainments (Manchester)

Freelance Make-Up Artist of the Year Premium: Sk Makeup Studio (Livingston)

Wedding DJ of the Year Yorkshire: Xtreme Soundz (Oldbury)

Freelance Make-Up Artist of the Year Overall Winner:

Wedding DJ of the Year Premium: Sonique Sounds (Glasgow)

Shaja Ghor Bridal Artistry and Training Academy (Newcastle upon Tyne)

Wedding DJ of the Year Overall Winner: Sonique Sounds (Glasgow)

Henna Artist of the Year North West: Henna by IQ (Manchester)

Wedding Caterer of the Year North West: Sheridan Suite Catering (Manchester)

Henna Artist of the Year Yorkshire: Henna by Sadaf (Bradford)

Wedding Caterer of the Year Yorkshire: My Lahore Catering (Bradford)

Henna Artist of the Year Premium: Kashaf Henna Artistry (Edinburgh)

Wedding Caterer of the Year Premium: Mama’s Events & Hospitality (Derby)

Henna Artist of the Year Overall Winner: Kashaf Henna Artistrty (Edinburgh)

Wedding Caterer of the Year Overall Winner: My Lahore Catering (Bradford)

Wedding Venue of the Year West North: Britannia Country House Hotel (Manchester)

Photographer of the Year North West: S H Media Productions (Burnley)

Wedding Venue of the Year Yorkshire: The Bradford Hotel (Bradford)

Photographer of the Year Yorkshire: Bhavna Barratt Photography (Hull)

Wedding Venue of the Year Premium: Wynyard Hall (Billingham)

Photographer of the Year Premium: Maria Ashfaq Photography (Glasgow)

Wedding Venue of the Year Overall Winner: Britannia Country House Hotel (Manchester)

Photographer of the Year Overall Winner: S H Media Productions (Burnley)

Banqueting Suite of the Year North West: Al Maidah (Manchester)

Videographer of the Year North West: Amor Media Productions (Manchester)

Banqueting Suite of the Year Yorkshire: The Courts (Dewsbury)

Videographer of the Year Yorkshire: JSV Media (Derby)

Banqueting Suite of the Year South: Al- Hamza (Accrington)

Videographer of the Year Overall Winner: Amor Media Production (Manchester)

Banqueting Suite of the Year Overall Winner: Al Maidah (Manchester)

April 2019

Debenhams offers Ashley £150 million By Tauseef Asif

Debenhams has said it will “give a considerable thought” to Mike Ashley’s Sports Direct idea of a £150m loan. Sports Direct, 61% of which is possessed by Mr Ashley, affirmed in March that it had offered a loan to Debenhams as a major aspect of a deal which would make him CEO. Earlier in the month, Sports Direct had complained to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA, blaming the Debenhams board for misleading the investors. Debenhams filed the objection as “unfounded and self-serving.” The retail chain is in the process of arranging additional loans of £150m with loan lenders. Another deal was proposed by Sports Direct, which applies “prior to 31 March 2019”, and incorporates a £150m loan. However, consequently, Sports Direct needs to be issued with about 5% of new offers and Mike Ashley be made a director and CEO of Debenhams. If the deal arrangement conditions were permitted by investors, the £150 million loan would be without interest, Sports Direct said. In any case, if the conditions were not permitted, the loan would bear 3% intrigue. The retail chain said any such loan would require the support of current loan specialists and “material corrections” to existing facilities. It included: “Nevertheless, the board will give a careful consideration to the proposition and will engage with Sports Direct and different partners in regards to feasibility in the interest of all parties.” Sports Direct, a major Debenhams investor, is endeavouring to evacuate everything except one of the board individuals. Alongside individual real investor Landmark Group it has expelled Debenhams CEO Sergio Bucher and Chairman Sir Ian Cheshire from the board. As Sir Ian steps down, Mr Bucher will stay in post. However, Sports Direct still currently desires to choose Mr Ashley to run Debenhams.

Google fined £1.28bn for breaking competition laws Google have been restricting their rivals’ ads resulting in being fined by the EU Margrethe Vestager, the EU’s competition commissioner, stated that Google has not allowed its opponents to appear in online search advertisements. The company will now be fined for its “illegal practices in search advertising brokering to cement its dominant market position. They shouldn’t do that – it denies consumers choice, innovative products and fair prices,” continued Ms Vestager. AdSense is one of Google’s advertising programs which automatically allows websites to appear based on the target audience. However, the program was rigged to prevent Google’s rivals from appearing in any ads. A Google spokesperson responded to the matter in stating that the company had made a “wide range of changes” to meet the commission’s requirements.

The competition investigation believes that Google had “exclusivity clauses” with publishers in their contracts since 2006. However, from 2009 the clauses were replaced with a different restriction known as “premium placement” which ensured that rivals’ ads were not placed in the top advertising spots. The commission states, “Google is dominant in the market for online search advertising intermediation in

the EEA since at least 2006,” they added, “Google has abused this market dominance by preventing rivals from competing in the online search advertising intermediation market.” Google has been fined for a total of three times by the competition commissioner since 2017, taking the total amount of £7bn. In 2018, the EU fined Google £3.8bn for forcing vendors to pre-install their apps and in result, abused their con-

By Navkiran Bains trol of the Android operating system. In 2017 the search engine was fined £2.2bn for illegally providing their own online shopping service with an advantage over other companies in their search results. Ms Vestager told a news conference, “We see positive developments both in the shopping and Android case.” Followed by Google’s announcement that they will be doing “more to ensure that Android phone owners know about the wide choice of browsers and search engines available to download to their phones. This will involve asking users of existing and new Android devices in Europe which browser and search apps they would like to use.” Despite the positive changes, Ms Vestager stated that the commission is still investigating Google’s actions in the job search market and whether this is accommodating with rules from competition law.

More than 87,000 properties owned by anonymous companies

By Navkiran Bains Global Witness’ analysis reveals that firms registered in tax havens secretly hold over £100bn worth of property A new report by the transparency group Global Witness suggests that over 87,000 properties in England and Wales are owned by anonymous companies who are enrolled in tax havens. Within the analysis, it revealed that 40% of these properties are based in London. With a collective estimate of £350m in property value, Buckingham Palace Road is an area in which many of these anonymously owned properties are found. Cadogan Square in

Knightsbridge is where at least 134 of these other properties are also secretly held. It has been found that 10,000 of these anonymously owned properties are also in Westminster, alongside 6,000 in Chelsea and Kensington, 2,300 in Camden and 2,000 in Tower Hamlets. Parliament’s joint select committee will discuss the impact of anonymous companies and their property ownership. At the government’s anti-corruption summit in 2016, MPs were discussing the importance of introducing

a register of UK property owners; however, progression has been slow on achieving this. Senior anti-corruption campaigner at Global Witness, Ava Lee stated, “It’s increasingly clear that UK property is one of the favourite tools of the criminal and corrupt for stashing and laundering stolen cash. This analysis reveals the alarming scale of the UK’s secret property scandal.” Historical Land Registry data revealed that the combined value of the properties had been a minimum of £56bn. However, they suggested that once

inflation is also considered, the figure will rise to over £100bn. In their investigation, Global Witness has commented on how corrupt Politian’s and criminals clean or hide dirty cash in these UK properties to ensure financial protection for their families and themselves. The mystery owner of a £147m London property empire was revealed in 2015 and could have been linked to a former Kazakh secret police chief who had previously been accused of money-laundering, torture and murder.

LOCAL 6-14

GLOBAL 15-19

BUSINESS 20-25

GLAM 26-33

WEDDINGS 35-39

HEALTH 40-41

TRAVEL 42-43

TECH 44-45

FOOD 46-47

MOTORING 48-51

SPORTS 52-54

April 2019

Wolverhampton’s new railway station phase one steel frame close to completion Wolverhampton Interchange partners and apprentices sign one of the steels to be used in the construction of the new railway station building The steel framework for phase one of City of Wolverhampton’s new railway station building is close to completion. Contractors Galliford Try finished laying the foundations in February, following the demolition of the former British Transport Police building, and a small section of the current station building next to Platform one. Once the remaining tonnes of steel framework are installed, work will begin on lifting in floor slabs, laying the block work for the external walls, cladding the building and putting the roof on to make it watertight. It is all part of delivering a £150 million transport hub to provide an attractive commercial gateway to those entering the city by national rail, bus or tram. As there will be no changes to the platform areas as part of the scheme, this has allowed it to be cleverly designed in two phases to ensure train services from City of Wolverhampton continue to operate as normal throughout. The first section of the new station building is expected to become operational to customers in autumn 2019, when phase 2 of the programme – bringing down the remainder of the current station building and completing the new build - will also start. The new state-of-the-art railway station building to serve the city will be fully open in summer 2020. Wolverhampton Interchange Partnership consists of City of Wolverhamp-

ton Council (CWC), Ion, West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), West Midlands Trains, Virgin Trains, Network Rail, Midland Metro Alliance, Canal & River Trust, and Black Country LEP. Councillor John Reynolds, Cabinet Member for City Economy, said: “The steel framework of the new Railway Station building is already sitting proudly on the city’s skyline and these are exciting times for regeneration in the City of Wolverhampton. “There is more than £3.7 billion of investment on site or in the pipeline across the city, and the railway station development is a big part of how we are re-imagining and re-inventing our city centre. “We want great connectivity to get people here; a first-class station to

welcome visitors to our city; great public spaces that encourage people to linger longer; great new city centre homes that bring new customers to our businesses; a great leisure and sporting offer that brings fans from far and wide; a vibrant public events programme and outstanding arts and culture offer enticing new audiences and visitors; and finally, a thriving commercial district with well-paid jobs and executives who spend time and money in the city centre.” Malcolm Holmes, director of rail at Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), which is part of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), added: “Seeing the steel work go up is a symbol of the on-going regeneration of Wolverhampton which is clearly a city on the up.

“Not only will the new station provide an impressive gateway but with the Metro extension stopping right outside will also provide a seamless connection to trams and the bus station. It will, of course, also offer a fast connection to the region’s two HS2 high speed rail stations from 2026.” Francis Thomas, head of corporate affairs for West Midlands Railway, said: “From May, rail passengers at Wolverhampton will benefit from new direct services to Birmingham Airport and London Euston, as well as trains operating earlier and later throughout the week. We are also introducing an enhanced Sunday timetable between Shrewsbury and Birmingham. These improvements are just a part of our £1bn investment into our services, with further improvements to be introduced from 2021.” Once work on the new station building is completed it will pave the way for the Midland Metro Alliance to begin the final link of the new city centre tram extension. The Midland Metro Alliance is currently delivering the Pipers Row and Railway Drive phases of the extension to the railway station.” Mike Evanson, project manager for Network Rail added: “The new Wolverhampton station will provide a much-improved gateway to the city and give local people and visitors a better start and end to their journeys. We are committed to working with all our partners to make the railway better so it continues to meet the everincreasing demands and expectations placed on it by passengers.”

Al-Khair Foundation

The Al-Khair Foundation (AFK) is a UK based charity which began at the heart of a small institutional school. The Islamic traditions implement that charity starts at home – by giving back to your loved ones and local community. For the organisation, Education seemed the best thing to give – as it is often the gift of learning which breaks down poverty circles and helps people move forward. The charity had its beginnings in 2003 by the hands of founder Imam Qasim Rashid Ahmad, a graduate in Islamic studies ad ex-counsellor. He has formerly worked as a faith leader at Croydon Mosque in London, and as a visiting Imam at one of HM’s Prisons. He is currently the CEO of IQRA TV and works to organise and run many of AFK national and international programmes and community fundraisers. Al-Khair is an NGO that words to educate orphans and poor children across the globe. They also offer a range of life-changing support including emergency disaster care, clean

water to those who have none, and humanitarian support to widows and vulnerable women. Without AFK’s medical kids, food packs and shelter packages, many of those who need immediate care would be unable to find it. The foundation is one of our country’s fastest growing Muslim charities, which works to tackle social and living issues in some of the world’s most underdeveloped areas. They also

actively deal with problems inside of the UK as well, such as unemployment and domestic violence. AFK upholds the belief that every human being is born equally. Hence, every locality should have the right to the planet’s natural resources, such as clean water, sufficient food and medicine. Every person should also have access to basic human needs, such as a good education and the right to be safe and supported by their peers.

However, AFK’s mission is different from many other charities, as they not only aim to help others. Instead, they are able to make individuals self-sufficient and provide them with the tools they need in order to help themselves. That’s why their clean water solutions are long-term developments, and the schools they contribute towards are long-standing projects that run alongside livelihood schemes. AFK’s important work is incomplete without the generous contributions of the local community. Apart from donating cash sums, you can fund a hygiene kit and various household items to those in need. If you wish to help and support someone less fortunate than yourself, go onto www. alhair.org/donations/ The Foundation’s local office can be found at 210, Ladypool Road, Birmingham, B12 8JT, open 7 days a week. You can visit in person or phone 0121 753 0300. Alternatively, please check their website noted above for more information.

No-deal Brexit results in the pound jumping to highs

By Navkiran Bains

The pound can now traded in at a value of $1.3380, levels were only seen to be this seen high back in June of 2018. The figure is up from a former low of $1.3064, which it had been priced as a week before the rejection of the Brexit deal. The euro currently stands at 84.725 pence, which is at its lowest since mid-2017. MPS have paved the way for another vote on whether to try and delay the enforcement of Brexit as they rejected the idea of leaving the EU without a deal in any circumstance. This will lead to a long delay on Brexit which may eventually reverse the results from the referendum in 2016. City of London Corporation policy chairwoman Catherine McGuinness stated the MPs “voted in the interests of businesses and households,” and the decision to reject leaving the European Union without a stable deal is a “victory for common sense.” Catherine McGuinness expanded in stating: “Crashing out of the European Union without a deal would be an unprecedented act of selfsabotage. However, in order to starve off this costly economic own goal, Parliament now needs to act swiftly to make rejection of no-deal a reality by voting to extend Article 50 and give breathing room for a solution to be found.” Director-general of the British Chamber of Commerce (BCC), Dr Adam Marshall, also commented that the exit from the EU might become “messy and disorderly.” He added: “The reality is that without action, businesses still face an uncontrolled exit that they neither want nor are ready for. Extending Article 50 is now a necessity, but it’s no silver bullet for businesses, many of whom fear endless uncertainty.” “A deadline that is continuously pushed back isn’t a deadline; it’s an invitation to cancel investment, stop hiring or move UK operations somewhere else.” Theresa May is pushing lawmakers to vote again on a deal they have rejected twice.

April 2019

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LOCAL 6-14

GLOBAL 15-19

BUSINESS 20-25

GLAM 26-33

WEDDINGS 35-39

HEALTH 40-41

TRAVEL 42-43

TECH 44-45

FOOD 46-47

MOTORING 48-51

Who are Homeless Rooms Birmingham and how can they Tackle the Issue of Rough Sleepers in our City?

Homeless Rooms Birmingham (HRB) is a social enterprise, centred around an online platform that has been designed to connect homeless people with social landlords and housing providers. We provide an innovative approach to reducing homelessness in Birmingham and improving standards in supported accommodation. Estella Edwards, CEO of the Future Melting Pot, has been working tirelessly to oversee the housing project and fund the scheme via the help of local organisations. She has been the intermediary to bringing about an agreement to tackle homelessness with all partners involved, and a further change and awareness as to how the homeless issue is regarded. Her beliefs are: diversity of thought, power within a group and a determination to be a voice for the good of community. As the American psychologist Abraham Maslow once asserted; our psychological needs of food, water, warmth and rest are at the basis of our most human needs. Therefore, Homeless Rooms Birmingham is bound to its mission that no individual should be without a safe shelter and secure environment to stay in. Many of Birmingham’s homeless community struggle to be in put touch with the help and support they need to re-house themselves and get their lives back on track. HRB acts as a platform between rough sleepers and housing

agencies. Their purpose is to give underprivileged members of the community a voice, who may struggle to find housing due to marginalization based on social class, race and cultural background. Founded in 2017, HRB has operated under seed funding since then, with considerable success. Now, we need to expand and build capacity in order to achieve our aims. We wish to engage with as many homeless people as we can, giving them a support network to fall back on as they begin to re-integrate themselves into society. HRB’s mission is to significantly reduce homelessness in Birmingham. A 2018 report indicated there were at least 15,538 homeless people in the city. HRB helps those experiencing homelessness take the first step out of their situation. Our latest research suggests that there are up to 1,500 empty supported accommodation rooms in the city every night, all while our homeless population continues to rise. A recent University of Birmingham report has also found that those living in supported accommodation can face problems and often do not feel listened to or consulted. Our organisation will empower homeless people and sofa-surfers, and encourage good practice in the sector through the upholding of our rigorous quality standards. We pledge to allocate the city’s vacant and extrasupported accommoda-

tion to those who need them, depending on their requirements. Landlords and property companies are fully background checked and meet our quality standards so they are safe, clean and eligible for stay. By giving the underprivileged the chance to move on to better accommodation, we improve living standards and occupants’ general security. HRB also aims to raise standards in Birmingham’s supported accommodation sector. Through our commitment to only advertise properties that meet minimum standards, we aim to encourage new and current providers to recognise that robust monitoring and compliance measures are a requirement in order to operate in the sector. In order to be sustainable, HRB needs a helping hand to get off the ground. This is why they are raising money through a Crowdfunder campaign. Then, HRB can provide a long-term and sustainable solution to the issues surrounding homelessness in Birmingham for years to come. The Partners involved in the above project are: Capstone, South City College Birmingham, Capital Business Hub, Asian World Newspaper, Geoff Horsfield Foundation, Business for Birmingham, Homeless room Birmingham, Bethel Homeless Ministry and Sunday Breakfast Club. To fund the project, you may go onto: https://www. crowdfunder.co.uk/homeless-rooms-birmingham

SPORTS 52-54

April 2019

No Clear Brexit in Sight: UK votes against the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement once again

Voting 344 to 286, the UK Parliament voted against Theresa May’s Brexit Withdrawal Agreement for the third time. With not much support from both the Labour Party and the Conservative, the deal was declined on what was meant to be the original Brexit day. Where does Brexit go from here? With no clear strategy in sight, the European Council President, Donald Tusk, called for an emergency EU summit on the 10th of April in the hope that the UK will attend with a clear way forward on Brexit – either a lengthy extension or a no-deal Brexit. The summit comes just two days before the extension

deadline for Brexit. From an Election to a No-Deal Brexit, the Future of Brexit Remains Unclear All options are now back on the table, with some MPs calling for a second referendum, insinuations of a general election in the air, and the EU stating that a nodeal Brexit is now very possible. Despite this, the UK Parliament voted against a no-deal Brexit last Wednesday, along with a number of other amendments that were also rejected. As a result, Theresa May stated that the UK is now more likely to participate in the EU elections which will be held next month. This is not ideal for the EU, as concerns arise that anti-EU candidates will be

elected into Parliament. Deal or no Deal? The deal seems to have met a dead-end, as Members of Parliament cannot decide on the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland as well as whether to remain in a custom union with the EU. Alarm of remerging violence over the border is of major concern for individuals on both sides of the Brexit debate. Apprehension about the future of trade and commerce is also of major concern as the pound falls to its lowest in three weeks and businesses relocate to the EU to maintain passport rights and safeguard their position in the single market.

AW Facts Did you know? Indians buy 2.7 billion movie tickets a year, the highest in the world

Interview with

i t g a K a m e Re

Interview with

i r k o K n a g a G

LOCAL 6-14

GLOBAL 15-19

BUSINESS 20-25

GLAM 26-33

WEDDINGS 35-39

HEALTH 40-41

TRAVEL 42-43

TECH 44-45

FOOD 46-47

MOTORING 48-51

SPORTS 52-54

April 2019

B-Side brings Hip-Hop back to Birmingham Special offer for upcoming artists, in Music fashion & Acting (B-Boy competing at B-Side Hip-Hop Festival 2018) B-SIDE Hip-Hop Festival is back from Friday 3 – Sunday 12 May, with a phenomenal line up of dance battles, high-energy workshops, live music and DJ sets from legendary names in Hip-Hop. The explosive festival will feature the best national and international artists plus the city’s finest talent. Already confirmed are Karl ‘Dyzee’ Alba (Canada), Roxy (UK), ChryBaby (New York) and Youth Olympic Bronze medal winner B-Boy Shigekix (Japan), with many more to be announced. Birmingham Hippodrome is working with festival partners to bring the key elements of Hip-Hop to Birmingham. Break Mission are back with their epic

international dance battles and Sweat The Technique workshops, Marso Riviere’s popular KRE8! Labs and battles return, as well as DJ Psykhomantus’s Vision Bombing Game Show. Juice Aleem brings his FluxCon comic convention along with many speakers and performers and once again the Southside streets will be filled with eye-catching live graffiti courtesy of High-Vis Festival. Expect to see many new performances specially created for the festival with Dance Hub Birmingham commissioning several new exciting pieces including Break Mission’s Dance of Death. Zoo Nation Youth Company Birmingham, one of Birmingham Hippodrome’s Young Com-

panies, will also showcase an exciting piece of contemporary Hip-Hop theatre. Graham Callister, Associate Director of Community Engagement and Festivals at Birmingham Hippodrome, commented: “B-Side is fast becoming the UK’s number one Hip-Hop festival for international and national artists alongside the amazing talents we have in the city. “We’ve expanded both the length of the festival, from five to 10 days, and locations of our events as we stretch ourselves from Southside to Bullring & Grand Central, and for the first time into Digbeth. Each of our festival partners brings a different energy and take on what contemporary Hip-Hop culture is, enabling us

to offer a truly diverse festival and attract a wider audience year on year. We’re really hyped about this year’s programme and are already planning the party for our fifth anniversary next year in 2020 so don’t miss it!” B-SIDE Hip-Hop Festival is a Birmingham Hippodrome Project supported by Arts Council England, Southside BID, Bullring and Grand Central and The Arcadian. Stay up-to-date with activities and join the conversation on social media using #BSIDE. For more information, visit: www.birminghamhippodrome. com/bside

Help with your professional National Asian Weddings Show 2019 portofoilo Looking for a manager to handle your bookings? 0121 679 2816

info@starfuzion.co.uk www.starfuzion.co.uk

If you’re planning a wedding that’s unique, unashamedly luxurious and hugely stylish, you won’t want to miss The National Asian Wedding Show which came to Birmingham on Sunday 17th March at the BCEC. The event included leading weddings service providers from across the UK from décor companies, caterers, photographers to make up artists and lots more with a new feature for 2019 “The Fashion Parade” which saw breath taking models gliding in top designer bridal wear and lavish pre-wedding cocktail attire. This year saw a record number of attendees all enjoying the day and soaking up vast amounts of information to plan their perfect day. Planning a wedding should be joyous and creatively fulfilling rather than stressful and The National Asian Wedding Show

is designed in precisely that way. Bringing you all the inspiration you need, this first-of-its-kind platform is a luxury lifestyle and wedding exhibition that carefully curates only the best and bright-

est wedding professionals the country has to offer. The National Asian Wedding Show is by far the largest single source of information about wedding services that are not only

the finest but also local to you. Whether you’ve been confused about venues or wedding planners, pouring over catalogues from decorators or entertainers, discussing caterers or holiday planners, researching hotels, fashion designers or home décor – the show presents the best on offer and will render you exuberant and optimistic! The exhibition was conducted on a grand scale and is replete with every element needed to create a magical wedding day. With a vision to amplify incipient trends and brands and to enlighten people about the best vendors in the industry, the show provided visitors with an experience like never before. This event is definitely one in the calendar to be marked each year, so register your interest today for forth coming shows at nationalasianweddingshow.co.uk.

April 2019

with ‘Made in Heaven’ w e i v Inter Creator Reema Kagti By Manisha Bhanot

1) Who came up the idea for the series about two wedding planners battling it out in the Asian Glamour industry? The creator of the show, Zoya Akhtar actually got the idea from her friend and we started to talk about it from there. She said it seemed like an interesting concept. Then Zoya and I attended two back-to-back weddings of our friends in Delhi. I think it was from that point onwards that we started to really think about developing a show like ‘Made in Heaven.’ After that, we began developing the storyline and characters. At that point, the other writer Alankrita Srivatava came on board and it just progressed from there. 2) The name ‘Made in Heaven’ is quite ironic and can stand for a number of things – Indians believe marital matches are made in heaven, when in fact, many marriages don’t

work out. The name also alludes to the high standards of big fat Asian weddings – who came up with the name? Yes, the title is meant to be ironic – because when you watch the show it focuses on so many issues. In India, there is definitely an obsession over marriage. The occasion of a girl’s wedding is supposed to be the most important day of her life. The focus is just put on that specific day as opposed to the entire marriage itself and the rest of her life. Constantly throughout the show, a social critique is made from ideals such as this and the concept of social reality itself. 3) Tell us more about the female lead Tara, how is her ambitious nature and strive for success inspiring for female viewers of the show? I believe that as a main character, Tara is largely representative of the role a

lot of young women in India currently have to play. She specifically hails from a lower middle-class family. However, her mother has drilled into her head that she must utilise her good looks to marry above her social position. Therefore, the show also looks at what happens to a woman when she is faced with this kind of family and cultural pressure. Eventually, we thought she might turn into a person who might end up harming her friends and those close to her.

who is marginalised throughout his entire life for being gay, and how they can come to terms with that.

4) How does the storyline pick-up on issues such as LGBT rights, especially since one of the lead characters Karan, is gay and is not allowed the legal privilege of marriage himself? Previously in India, there was a law in place which made homosexuality a crime. From the perspective of the show, we wanted to look at what can happen to a person, in this case, Karan,

6) What was it like working with strong female filmmakers such as Zoya Akhtar (Gully Boy), Nitya Mehra (Life of Pi), and Alankrita Srivatava (Lipstick under My Burkha). Myself and the other female creators had worked together often during the last 20 years. Alankrita and I met through putting the show together.

5) What was one of the most exciting scenes of the series for you to direct? I have many favourite scenes! But if I had to choose I think my most favourite scene is when Karan is with his childhood lover during a flashback in episode 9. The whole scene is directed by Alankrita Srivatava, and it’s definitely very emotive to watch.

However, Nitya and Zoya I had met before. I really had a blast with them and I think it’s always lovely working with great friends. All of us are from different backgrounds; verbally we’re very different people. However, we have a mutual understanding of each other. In terms of our ideologies and our commitment the show we’re definitely alike. 7) What type of response are you expecting from the series? Will we be expecting a second season if the show is hugely successful? I’m sure you can expect that! So far we’ve had a very big response, larger than what we were expecting. Especially through social media, Twitter and Facebook the feedback has been phenomenal. We’re very much looking forward to Season 2 and we’re working on that right now!

LOCAL 6-14

GLOBAL 15-19

BUSINESS 20-25

GLAM 26-33

WEDDINGS 35-39

HEALTH 40-41

TRAVEL 42-43

TECH 44-45

FOOD 46-47

MOTORING 48-51

SPORTS 52-54

April 2019

with Gagan Kokri– Yaara Ve w e i v Inter

By Navkiran Bains

1. Yaara Ve has been described as a film celebrating friendship. What else can audiences expect from watching this production? Although it’s about friendship, it’s also very much about the separation between India and Pakistan in 1947. It’s also about religion and how things happened at that time, it was a very bad time for the community. 2. What did you enjoy most about playing Buta? Buta is a very simple guy who’s always wondering what love is in life and always teasing his friends about love. I loved all the innocent things Buta did to get Naseebo, I enjoyed playing this character.

3. There is a strong on-screen bond between the characters Buta, Kishan and Neza. Was this also the same off-screen?

Yeah, I think the better you are off-screenz always shows on-screen. We had all had a very good bond.

4. The movie is also described as a romantic tale between characters Buta and Naseebo (played by Monica Gill). How did you both achieve this on-screen chemistry? Did this come quite naturally? The chemistry on-screen is pretty good and is all down to our director and team. She’s a wonderful artist and human being so this helped me do what our directors required us to.

Farhan SHARES VIDEO FOR NEW SINGLE “Seagull” WATCH HERE TAKEN FROM FORTHCOMING DEBUT ALBUM “ECHOES” OUT APRIL 12TH “…a pensive, taut piece of songwriting, quietly assured in its intelligent lyricism and evocative arrangement.” – Clash Acclaimed Indian actor Farhan has shared the video for his new single, ‘Seagull’, the latest track to be taken from his upcoming debut album Echoes, out April 12th. Featuring footage of Farhan in the studio intercut with spacious and atmospheric shots of vast sea, the video is a touching interpretation of the sentiment of the track, conjuring a sense of freedom and liberation. Originally written as a poem 25 years ago, the song deals with the aftermath of a relationship that had reached a premature end. The new single follows the release of tender album track ‘Why Couldn’t It Be Me’ and the debut single ‘Rearview Mirror’, which channels the timelessness of early Bowie. Echoes is the story of Farhan’s life, a set of classic-sounding, self-written songs that reflect a childhood steeped in the greats of both Indian music and of western rock and pop.

Witten by Farhan and recorded in Milan, the rich, melodic album was produced by Grammy-winning producer Tommaso Colliva (Franz Ferdinand, Jesus and Mary Chain, Muse). Farhan recently featured in the ‘Global Feminism’ short film made by Annie Lennox to celebrate International Women’s Day, seeking to help people appreciate and understand the full extent of the Global challenges faced by women and girls - and how the term ‘Global Feminism’ is an inclusive term that everyone can use and endorse.

5. Can you tell us your most memorable scene to film in Yaara Ve? I think that the most memorable scene for me would be the scene when Buta first meets Naseebo and also when us friends are separated.

6. Yaara Ve is set in the period 1947 just before the partition between Pakistan and India. How does the movie represent this era well and what can audiences learn from the movie? This movie definitely represents this time well, younger audiences will be able to see how this all happened

and the effect this had on people at the time, even people their own age. It may even remind some people who had lived through the time of their own experiences. People like me who have only heard of this time will walk out of the cinema having learned a lot about our history. It’s a comedy and a drama and also very emotional. 7. Yaara Ve is set to release on 5th April 2019. What else can your fans look forward to from you this year? I have a few movies lined up, and I’ve just released an album. So my fans can expect to see me in many more movies as different characters, looks and in different eras, which I’m excited about.

Asian Lifestyle Expo Intu Trafford Centre On Saturday the 3rd of March, the Asian Lifestyle Expo kicked off in Manchester in a stunning fusion of colour and culture that lasted throughout the day. Present were hundreds of spectators from a diverse range of backgrounds, flocking in to see the best in ornamental clothing, jewelry, fashion and foreign food that South Asia had to offer. Among the cat-walk were the latest in high-end designs, including glamorous saris, salwaarz, lenghas and beautifully tailor-made dresses. Spectators were left awed as the finest cut jewelry and accessories were also displayed; headpieces, diamond collars, golden necklaces and earrings, enough to leave any bride-to be inspired, and ensuring anyone in search for that unique something found what they were looking for in preparation for their special day. Of course, the gentlemen were not to be left out, as models strutted down the aisle in the finest menswear suits and clothing as well. On display around the event stage were a range of different businesses offering their exquisite services. The stalls included catering services with elegantly piped cakes and pastries, perfect for weddings and big events. Also in attendance were mehndi artists, confectioners, jewellers, and beauticians. The event featured a live make-up and hair styling demonstration on stage. The various entertainers, fashion and make-up specialists present at the expo included: The Swanky Bride, Bombay Stores, Rang 48, Royals Jewels, Desi Nach, Simply Unique, Rasila MUA, and Mehaks Glamour Lounge to name a few. The event was sponsored by B4U, Sangam Radio, Samaa Live TV Channel and Asian World Newspaper. If you would like the opportunity to delve into Asian Lifestyle’s exquisite world of exotic tastes, art and culture, then don’t miss next year’s expo! And to have your business be a part of this amazing and prestigious show, get in touch with ALE directly via their website www.asianlifestyleexpo.co.uk By Manisha Bhanot

April 2019

w e i v r e t n I

Q&A with debuting star Pranutan Bahl of Notebook, a Salman Khan film

1. Do you feel any pressure by being Nutan’s granddaughter? There’s bound to be expectations that the audience would have out of you, how do you deal with it? I don’t really view it as pressure, I think it’s a responsibility on my shoulders and I accept it with a lot of encouragement and pleasure. It makes me want to work harder, up my game and be better at my craft. I know that there will be expectations but I’m just excited about working hard and living up to them. 2. It is said that you were a lawyer before pursuing your acting career. Is this true? How did acting happen for you? I am a lawyer; I have studied my entire BLS LLB. Acting happened because it was always meant to happen, I always wanted to be an actor, but I believed in completing my education first. Basically, I was constantly auditioning from 2016 and the producers saw my pictures and apparently heard that I’ve given good auditions elsewhere. Then Nitin sir saw my

Presenting

Manje Bistre 2

One of the biggest Punjabi franchise film Manje Bistre 2, in cinemas for Vaisakhi One of the most anticipated Punjabi films of 2019, Manje Bistre 2, is rearing up for its release on Friday 12thApril, in time to celebrate Vaisakhi. The duo combo of director Baljit Singh Deo and Gippy Grewal are back on the silver screen again bringing double the laughter and double the fun and frolic. A blockbuster film, known for its massive box-office collection in 2017, Manje Bistre, created excitement in the audiences and fans across the globe back then, smashing records with audiences and fans now looking forward to the sequel of the film. Starring Gippy Grewal, Simmi Chahal and Gurpreet Ghuggi, Manje Bistre 2 releases in cinemas on Friday 12th April and is distributed by B4U Motion Pictures.

with

Pranutan Bahl

of Notebook

pictures and thought I suited the part looks wise and wanted to audition me. I auditioned for this film, it was a long audition of around 4-5 hours with Nitin sir. About 18 days later I got the role. My reaction on getting this was very emotional and very happy, its something I’ve dreamt of my entire life. 3. What advice was given to you before starting on your acting career? The only advice I’ve always gotten from everyone around me is to be honest with what you do and just work very hard

4. Could you tell us what your best memory is from shooting the film? My best memory-shooting Notebook would be every moment I’ve spent with the children. And I think this one time when Nitin sir really wanted me to nail one expression and I practised it every day, when we finally reached the day of the shoot I remember he took out his headphones and said “very good Pranutan” and I’ll never forget that 5. Do you think it’s possible to fall in love with someone you’ve never met? Yeah definitely, I think love in its true sense doesn’t require people to see each other physically or see their physical

appearance. 6. What made you want to be part of this unique/unconventional love story? You’ve made me answer it in your question, its unique and unconventional. Anything that’s not ordinary or run of the mill, it excites you as an actor and artist. And definitely I think Nitin sir, his passion and honesty. The way he is as a human being just makes you want to be with him all the time and work with him 7. What was it like to work with Salman Khan as a producer? How did you feel seeing him in a role as producer rather than his usual acting role? To view Salman sir as a producer or even Ashwin sir, none of them have really given me a vibe of being my producer. They’ve always been my guiding light, my mentors, my guiding lights, someone I can go to with any kind of problem and talk to. The same obviously for Salman sir, he’s my mentor and my guide who has always made everything chilled out for me.

8. What was it like filming in the beautiful but isolated parts of Kashmir? What really stuck with me is the people of Kashmir, they are even more beautiful hearted and so warm and hospitable. It was not isolated to be honest, my whole crew was with me and we are all a big family. We are all one big family, so there was no isolation or anything, it was a fun schedule of shooting with friends. 9. As this is your debut role into Bollywood, what sort of roles would you like to take up/ who would you like to work with in the future? I don’t have any set path and I’ve not thought about what I want to do next. I think it depends on how well I’m received and what film makers see in me. I want to be part of good stories and I want to work with directors like Nitin sir again, what a joy it would be to work with him again. I’m a huge fan of Sanjay sir and Zoya Akhtar and so many more.

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April 2019

Salman Khan sings a new romantic song “Main Taare” for his production, Notebook

Salman Khan lends his voice again, this time for the song Main Taare from Notebook Salman Khan has a few songs to his credits and now one more song has been added to that list. The superstar has lent his voice for a song titled Main Taare from his new production, Notebook. The film is seeing the launch of two new actors in Bollywood - Pranutan Bahl and Zaheer Iqbal. While Zaheer is Salman’s friend’s son, Pranutan is the granddaughter of late actor Nutan and the daughter of actor Mohnish Bahl. Written by Manoj Muntashir, Main Taare has been composed by Vishal Mishra. Talking at the Notebook trailer launch, Salman Khan said,“I launch deserving candidates, not anybody. She (Pranutan) did a screen test and she is on. She is amazing in the film. She is so good with her lines. He (Zaheer) was unable to get the right dance step. He rehearsed for five hours and next day he got it right. He is hard working.” The makers have already released three songs from the film - Nai Lagda, Laila and Bumro. Notebook is set in Kashmir and is out in cinemas NOW.

April 2019

w e i v r e t n I

Ahmad Rubani is a talented young singer and artist from Birmingham. Through love and devotion towards his religion and the Islamic traditions, he composes music to inspire adoration for the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). By performing his unique naats, he encourages many others to reconnect themselves with the essence of Iman.

What inspired you to become a Naat khawan? I have watched a few nasheed artists, such as Maher Zain and Sami Yousaf. When I was younger I looked up to Sami Yousaf and I wanted to become like him one day. How long does it take you to practice before performing at an event? I always practice. I will go through what I need to read and when I am confident about something I will just do it. How did you feel, when you went in front of the public performing for the first time? It was really a good feeling! How long does it take you to release a single? It can take 3 to 4 months depending on the producer. What impact do you make on the youth and how do you inspire them to do good?

with

Ahmad Rubani

I have a lot of the youngsters come up to me saying you’re my role model and we want to be like you. And my message to them is that you don’t have to be religious to praise the beloved. Have you ever thought of teaching the children to recite? I would love to, but I don’t have the time to do it as you have to be committed to it. But one day, I would love to, why not? Do you have anything planned for your next single? Yes, I have a single upcoming, which would be released by end of June or beginning of July. What are your long term goals? I have been bought up in a Naat Khawaani road. But as a person with passion I love music, I like tuning. If something sounds good I will be addicted to it. Probably I would start Qawwali one of the days and do something mixed. But whatever I am doing right now I am happy. YouTube: officialrubani Instagram: ahmad_rubani

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April 2019

SIX LIVES. TWO WORLDS. ONE ETERNAL LOVE.

TEASER OF KARAN JOHAR’S ‘KALANK’ IS OUT NOW

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After weeks of anticipation, the first teaser trailer of the highly anticipated Kalank has been released, an epic romantic drama of six enigmatic, esoteric and wistful characters entangled in search of love. The teaser features an electrifying ensemble star cast including Varun Dhawan, Alia Bhatt, Aditya Roy Kapur, Sonakshi Sinha, Sanjay Dutt and Madhuri Dixit in pivotal roles. In the teaser, the cast of Kalank is introduced in this order - first arrives Madhuri Dixit as Begum Bahaar, then comes Sonakshi Sinha as Satya and Alia Bhatt as Roop is the final character to be introduced from the “Women of Kalank” cast. Varun Dhawan is introduced next as the daredevil Zafar, who plays a bull-fighter, fol-

lowed by Aditya Roy Kapur’s Dev Chaudhary. Last but definitely not the least is Sanjay Dutt as the “formidable” Balraj Chaudhary. The teaser paints a tale of eternal love with strokes of drama, grace and passion set in the pre-independence era of 1945 India, leaving the audiences excited for more. The teaser has just two dialogues: “Kuchh rishte karzon ke tarah hote hain. Jinhe nibhana nahi, chukana padhta hai,” says Varun Dhawan at the beginning while “Jab kisi aur ki barbaadi jeet jaise laage... toh humse zyada barbaad aur koi nahi hai iss duniya mein,” is narrated by Alia Bhatt in the end. The teaser is also dotted with glimpses of several impactful sequences from the film, including that of majestic dance sequences

by megastar Madhuri Dixit. Sharing the teaser on social media Fox Star Hindi tweeted, “Six lives. Two worlds. One eternal love. #KalankTeaser out now!’’ Set in 1945, in Pre-Independence India, Kalank is a tale of eternal love. Starring Varun Dhawan as Zafar Aditya Roy Kapur as Dev Chaudhry Sanjay Dutt as Balraj Chaudhry Alia Bhatt as Roop Sonakshi Sinha as Satya Chaudhry Madhuri Dixit as Bahaar Begum. Screenplay & Directed by Abhishek Varman Produced by Karan Johar, Sajid Nadiadwala, Hiroo Yash Johar and Apoorva Mehta & Co-Produced by Fox Star Studios. Kalank will release worldwide on 17th April 2019.

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April 2019

WEDDINGS

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Asian Wedding Section Welcome to the renewed version of the AsianWorld wedding directory – inclusive in your monthly copy of our newspaper. This section will include a handful of all your favourite and well established brands, as well as some new and upcoming featured businesses. Either way, we aim to make planning your perfect wedding

so much easier! The lay-out and design of the next few pages is set to put you at ease – either side of the bridal party will find it simple to dip into our list of useful clientele, services and products, and tick off all their wedding needs! On average, the Asian wedding costs a huge

sum of £50,000 upwards, which is more than twice the price of a traditional British ceremony. Whether it be a Sikh, Muslim or Hindu marriage, Asians are known to invite all of their friends and members of their extended family from near and far. With an invitation list that normally exceeds 100 guests, hosts are eager to please. Hence, the

average Asian couple will spend around one fifth of their entire lives’ earnings on this single most prestigious event! If you would like your business advertised in our wedding directory, and promoted across the West Midlands in various ways, you can get in touch with us using the contact details on page 3.

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April 2019

The traditions of the Hindu wedding In Hindu wedding traditions, an auspicious time is fixed for the wedding nuptials by looking at both the groom’s and bride’s stars and the positions of the planets to reflect the union of the couple. Before, the wedding starts, a party called sangeet is performed, where the family comes together to sing, dance and celebrate the union. The translation of sangeet is ‘sung together’. This ceremony takes place a few days before the mehndi. After this, the ritual for the turmeric ceremony starts. The paste of turmeric is applied to both the bride and groom. During the mehndi ceremony, henna designs are applied onto the bride’s hands and feet. This ceremony typically takes place a day before the marriage is held. In the centre of the wedding altar, a fire is kindled. To signify the success of the ceremony, fire is kept as a witness, and holy offerings are made. The bride’s brother gives three fistfuls of rice to the bride as a wish for his sister’s happy marriage. Each time, the bride offers rice to the fire, it is known as homam. After that, the bride and groom exchange floral garlands. This expresses that the couple wishes to marry each other. The moment that the father gives the bride away is known as Kanyadaan. During the ceremony, the father of the bride places his daughter’s hands into the groom’s hands by giving her away.

After this, the saptapadi ceremony follows. This is an essential ritual in North Indian Hindu weddings. During this, the bride and groom and have their clothes tied. They make

seven circles around the ceremonial fire, each round signifying a specific blessing that they request from the gods. Finally, a red powder known as sin-

door is applied on the woman’s forehead, which symbolises her status as a married woman. Then the groom places a necklace of black and gold beads, known as mangalsutra on the

bride. Traditionally, Lakshmi, the Hindu Goddess of wealth and fortune is represented on the chain. This signifies that the bride would receive blessings throughout her marriage.

April 2019

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April 2019

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April 2019

HEALTH

Me and my Injector-Pen by Suki Bhachu Book Review

Local Brummie Mum Suki Bhachu, is among hundreds of parents in the UK who discovered their child had serious allergies to certain types of foods. With the desperate need to inform other carers, and teaching staff about the growing healthcare issue, she wrote her first book to educate these readers. The colourfully animated and easy to absorb ‘Me and my Injector-Pen’ is an admirable and fun to flick-through healthcare book like no other. It makes learning about food allergies, and how to combat them immediately with the use of an EpiPen, fun for youngsters to understand. With the help of engaging facts, word games and puzzles, the educational pages are sure to keep your little ones informed and well read. What is an Epipen and how does it Work? An Epipen contains the medicinal compound Epinephrine, which is designed to quickly combat very serious allergies to certain foods, including eggs, milk, soy, fish and nuts. The chemical in the injector pen works fast to tackle breathing difficulties, raise low blood pressure, stimulate the heart, reduce hives and the swelling of the facial features. Friends and family of the person who has been prescribed the EpiPen by a pharmacist should learn how to inject the needle safely and properly. For a child, their leg should be held in place before the pen is injected into their thigh to avoid accidents. The effects of epinephrine are immediate but not long-lasting; a medical professional should still be consulted after an allergic reaction occurs.

“Commonly known as an EpiPen, this wonderfully illustrated book introduces ‘Pip’ and explains in a most adorable fashion how injectable-pens work and the common symptoms to look out for when a food allergy is suspected or active.” –KidsActiveMedia Me and my Injector-Pen is available for purchase at https://www.kamedia.co.uk/ product-page/me-and-my-injector-pen Asian World readers can purchase the book with an exclusive 30% off discount code: PIP-AWN001

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Top five CBT tips to help deal with PTSD

People suffering from PTSD typically tend to re-experience a traumatic event through nightmares, flashbacks and distressing recollections of the situation. Sufferers also experience emotional numbness and avoid trigger situations that remind them of their initial trauma.

Medical professionals agree that cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is the most effective treatment of choice for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and with the rates of sufferers on the rise with British military veterans, people battling with PTSD are very much in need of practical tips and approaches. As specialists in CBT, we are proud of our outstanding PTSD recovery rates and have put together a brief overview of some of the CBT tips we encourage our PTSD patients channel on a daily basis. 1) Observe your thinking and mood Low mood and anxiety are two of the most common emotions associated with PTSD. One of the first steps CBT teaches you when dealing with PTSD is to keep track of those situations that make you feel anxious or negative thinking patterns. Once these thought processes have been identified the next step is to learn to recognise what makes your feelings get worse. By learning how to really pay attention to yourself and your emotions, you will eventually detect a pattern of certain situations or memories that contribute to your unhelpful thinking patterns. 2) Try to separate your thoughts from triggers and emotional reactions In trauma focussed therapy, a trigger can be described as a stimulus such as a sound, smell or visual that evokes negative feelings and acts as a reminder of a past trauma. If you have PTSD, these triggers can be experienced as a reliving experience, just like the original traumatising experience. CBT teaches you to identify these triggers and helps

the brain to process the traumatic event into a past memory, instead of continually reliving the trauma in the present. 3) Take some time to identify thinking errors and distortions in thinking People living with PTSD often experience cognitive distortions, which typically causes individuals to develop unpleasant, extreme and exaggerated thinking patterns that are not consistent with what is happening now in the present. These cognitive distortions can have a negative influence on our mood and go on to influence unhelpful behaviours. CBT helps people with PTSD investigate the connections between our thoughts and what we do, awareness of certain situations, when these negative thought processes develop, can help us to find alternative and helpful ways of coping. 4) Challenge your thinking and make it more realistic Once you’re able to identify your specific unhelpful thinking styles, CBT will then teach you how to put these thoughts and beliefs to the test. Ask yourself questions such as “Are my thoughts based on my present reality?”, “Do I have any evidence to support

these thoughts?” “Based on my recent experiences, how will I end up coping with this?”. Questions like these will help you put things into perspective and form more realistic thinking patterns, based on the here and now. 5) Try and identify the difference between ‘real alarms’ and ‘false alarms’ PTSD generally evokes anxious feelings within the sufferer. We tend to feel anxious when there is a perceived threat, and with PTSD it can often be difficult to differentiate between past, current and false threats. CBT will help you to effectively evaluate situations in a balanced way, and identify when you are experiencing an actual risk or if your thought process is unhelpful or unrealistic.

AW Facts Did you know? Bananas can help improve your mood as they produces serotonin (mood stabilizer) in the brain.

Birmingham students give dental health help to India’s poor

Dental students from the University of Birmingham are travelling to northern India to deliver essential health services to people with limited access to basic healthcare facilities. Led by Dr Upen Patel and Dr Ketan Patel, 10 dental students from the School of Dentistry at Birmingham are volunteering with the charity Satya Samaj UK, led by Mr Vinod Lodhia, to provide medical and dental aid to the underprivileged people of the Rishikesh and Himalayan region of India. The group plans to work with local doctors and dentists to look after more than 500 adults and children at a special five-day dental, diabetes and asthma health camp. Dr Upen Patel, Clinical Lecturer at the University of Birmingham, commented: “Maintaining good oral care is essential for everyone and it is unacceptable that there are people in the world who do not have access to the basic means of keep-

Dental students from the University of Birmingham School of Dentistry sorting donations and getting ready for the trip. ing their mouth healthy by reducing the “Students from the University of Birrisk of dental decay and gum disease. mingham are looking forward to taking

part in the health camp and helping the underprivileged people of Rishikesh and the surrounding Himalayan area to stay as healthy as possible.” The dental volunteers will provide an oral health check and show each patient how to clean their teeth and gums effectively to prevent disease. Louise Davis, a fourth-year dental student at Birmingham, said: “This trip is a really amazing opportunity to see an area of the world that I wouldn’t normally get chance to see and a chance to help a large group of people who otherwise wouldn’t get access to such vital care. I think we are really fortunate in the UK to have the services we do. “We will be seeing over 100 patients a day and screening for dental disease, oral cancers, asthma and diabetes as well as giving oral hygiene advice and distributing donations. I hope the team will leave a lasting positive impression on the region of Rishikesh

and the work we do over there will continue to benefit the community in the future.” In addition to an oral health checks, the camp will also host a diabetes and asthma screening facility, to aid diagnosis and provide lifestyle advice to help control these conditions and improve the quality of these people’s lives. Satya Samaj UK has provided health camps for the past 15 years. Its last camp in April 2018 was a huge success with £15,000 raised. Over 300 adults and 200 children received free dental check-ups and dental preventative treatments. Each patient was given a toothbrush, toothpaste, brushing instructions and diet advice. Antibiotics, dental fillings and extractions were provided to those in need of treatment.

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Bollyfit with

By Reema Sarin, Founder Bollyfit

Reema Sarin

BUILD YOUR MUSCLES! EFFECTIVE TECHNIQUES Most of us when we start on our fitness regime get very excited about two things – a) Fat Burn b) Building our muscles Here are some basic techniques to build your muscles and to keep you on the right track Weight Training To gain in muscle size and strength, it is good to exercise with free weights like squats, bench press, overhead press and lunges. These exercises should be done in a circuit routine 3 to 4 times a week, to build and tone your muscles in the right way. Push a little beyond your potential as your muscles gain strength, by increasing the reps for each exercise, and by adding more weights to the bar. Keep a detailed training log to track your progress as your strength increases over time. Eat Right Adequate and proper nutrition is extremely important when building muscles. Eating small meals 5 to 6 times a day every 2-3 hours is a must. Food intake should be high in proteins and complex carbohydrates, which will further help in muscle growth. Drink more Water Hydrated muscles experience maximum growth. Optimize your muscle growth and strength by drinking more water, as water constitutes 75% of our muscles. Drinking more water also make your muscles appear fuller. Rest and Recovery When it comes to building muscle, train moderately. Do not overwork your muscles by training them in the Gym. Rest and recovery are very important to build muscles well. If you don’t provide your body with the proper recovery time in between workouts, your muscles will never have a chance to grow. Eat More Proteins To gain muscle size and strength eating a high protein diet is essential. A high protein diet should ideally consist of chicken, eggs, milk, fish, poultry, eggs, nuts, cottage cheese/ soya and certain lentils. Proteins not only help in building lean muscle mass but aid in constantly repairing our body tissue as well.

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April 2019

Vapours can Cause Cancer: The harmful Truth about Vaping and E-Cigarettes In recent years, using vape pens and smoking electronic cigarettes has become a huge market trend. Despite the fact that these accessories do not contain tobacco, and are sometimes even nicotine free, researches have proven that they can still cause a large amount of damage to the body. Scientists have discovered that inhaling smoke of any kind causes irritation to the airways. The result of this is disabling the cells which protect the lung tissue and allow us to breathe easily. This makes our respiratory system more susceptible to dust and pollen from the outside environment. These types of allergens and bacteria may lead to chronic

obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). According to some researchers, vapes and e-cigs are even associated with lung cancer, acid reflux and heart failure, as the inflamed airways become narrower on use. “The changes we’re seeing with vaping, both in laboratory experiments and studies of people who vape, are consistent with early signs of lung damage, which is very worrisome” noted Dr Deborah Ossip, a study author of the subject. “There is an agenda to portray e-cigarettes as safe. But since e-cigarettes have been around for only a decade, the effects of long-term vaping aren’t known”

said Dr. David Thickett, lead researcher in respiratory medicine at the University of Birmingham, UK. In a recent experiment, Thickett and his research team investigated lung tissue from eight non-smoking people, when exposed to various types of e-cig fluid. None of the subjects had ever suffered from breathing difficulties in the past. The results discovered that vapour over e-cig fluid is much more likely to cause harm to cells. Thus, vapers are more likely to suffer from wheezing than cigarette smokers. Dual-users are at risk too. Currently, in the UK, 19.4% of

By Manisha Bhanot

adults have used an e-cig and 5.5 per cent are vapers, as found by the Office for National Statistics. There is no evidence to suggest that e-cigarettes directly contribute to breathing difficulties, with scientists only just finding a link between the two. Other non-inclusive factors within the study were exercise regimes, which can also influence the risk of wheezing. Small, discreet and compact vaping devices such as Juuls, used alongside flavoured nicotine pods, may also lead to allergies and poor immunity in vapers and dual users. E-cigarette emissions and flavourings have formerly been associated to lung cell damage as well.

LOCAL STUDENTS UNITE TO SAVE THE LIVES OF PEOPLE WITH BLOOD CANCER

Recently, student volunteers at two Birmingham Universities, recruited 267 young people to the Anthony Nolan stem cell register. Following a similar campaign in London in February, the weeklong ‘Birmingham City’ campaign was spearheaded by ‘Marrow’, blood cancer charity Anthony Nolan’s student volunteer network, which operates in 55 universities across the country. Birmingham City campaign recruitment events were held at the University of Birmingham campus at Edgbaston and Aston University campus in Birmingham city centre. Birmingham has a diverse population and, because of this, the campaign focused on highlighting and celebrating the diversity of Birmingham, by having a particular focus on recruiting people from black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) backgrounds. It’s more difficult for patients from BAME backgrounds to find a donor with a matching tissue type. Only 60% of transplant recipients receive the best match, and this drops dramatically to around 20%, for patients from black, Asian or ethnic minority backgrounds. Students in Birmingham want to do everything

they can to change this. Marrow volunteers at the University of Birmigham Since September, stem cell donors recruited by Marrow have accounted for 25% of all people who have donated, meaning the student volunteers are a vital part of the work of Anthony Nolan. This academic year, Marrow is also celebrating 20 years of students saving lives and the 130,000 potential lifesavers they have recruited to the Anthony Nolan stem cell register since 1998. Johanna Madslien Johanna Madslien, 19, is a student at the University of Birmingham and signed up to the Anthony Nolan register at one of the events

held at University of Birmingham’s library. Johanna said: ‘I have such a diverse ethnic mix, I’m a 2nd, 3rd and 4th generation immigrant from three different countries, which is one of the reasons I decided to join the Anthony Nolan stem cell register today.’ ‘My mum is part Chinese and told me that people with mixed ethnic backgrounds are less likely to find a stem cell match, so by joining the register I might be able to help someone with a similar ethnic background to me.’ Aisling Cohn, Youth Programmes Senior Manager at Anthony Nolan said: ‘It was great to see

our Birmingham Marrow volunteers working together to inspire hundreds of students to sign up to the register, ready to give a second chance of life to someone in desperate need of a stem cell transplant.’ ‘Our Marrow groups work hard throughout the year, alongside their degrees, to build and diversify our register, so that we’re able to provide the best match to even more people with blood cancer. They really are heroes.’ Anyone aged 16-30 and in relatively good health can join the Anthony Nolan register. To find out more about Anthony Nolan visit www.anthonynolan.org

April 2019

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Why is a Pilot’s Personality Admired so much?

“

By - Rida Khan (Aviation Author) - (Instagram A/c - aviationauthor.ridakhan )

Aviation is a love story that can only be believed when looked through the eyes of an aviator

”

By Captain Khalfan Al Mazrooei ( Instagram A/c - @capt7773) Pilots are people who are mostly admired for their personality. Their style, way of talking, confident attitude towards their job, independent nature, positive behaviour and calm and composed nature, etc. make their personality absolutely unique. These characteristics drive from their work profile of being a pilot. Studying regularly, getting training continuously, working hard to make their work perfect so that they fulfil the responsibility of carrying so many souls safely to their destinations, all these things add to their personality. Thus, their persona along with their lifestyle attracts so many people towards them. Taking this topic ahead, I have interviewed some of my pilot’s friends, let’s know their views.

Hazem Al- Maaitah (Instagram A/c -pilot_maaitah) is from the city Jordan- Amman. From his childhood days he was interested in aviation. After twelve years of schooling he filled his time with flight simulations, training at flying academy and started flying in the Royal Jordanian Gliding Club. His first flight was on 31st Nov 2014, it was a few years back. He started his flying ground school from 25th Sep 2016. Pilot Hazem Views On This TopicPersonality is very important for being a pilot. This is because it’s a job of responsibility and living a healthy life to maintain our personality in the eyes of people who trust us, for whom we work. If I talk about a pilot’s uniform then I think every uniform gives a sense of responsibility and significance to the staff. For instance, soldiers love and are immensely proud to wear their uniforms and serve their Nation. As soon as they wear it, they feel ready to work so as doctors and people with different professions. Through my personal experiences when people admire my personality, I feel happy because people like what I do and like my personality which plays a big role in being a pilot. My airmanship will be as good as my personality. I feel glad and delighted at being a pilot.

Marco Buratti (Instagram A/c – pilotburro) is a 28 year old pilot from Reggio Emilia, Italy based in Milan. His passion is as old as he is, he does not know from where this passion came, since his family is involved in totally different businesses. He just knows that when he looks at the light blue sky, it makes him feel alive. Pilot Marco’s Views On This Topic – For me Personality plays a great role in the pilot’s life. Not always are pilots extremely self-confident people; the selfconfidence is built in them by the elaborate and extensive training which they get to do an excellent job on duty. In my opinion people admire the uniform is just a tool. When the door of the plane closes the plane becomes like a small state where a hierarchy is needed. The uniform underlines this hierarchy in order to define roles and as a result ensures that the orders are respected and followed.

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Pilot Ahmed Fayek (Instagram A/c – pilotfayek) is from Alexandria Egypt, his passion started when he was a child and there were no means of communication except mails. His parents used to communicate this way and his mother used to send an envelope to his father which carried drawings of airplanes he used to make, and that was after his first flight on an airplane. Pilot Fayek Views On This Topic Personality is indeed a huge factor in the whole aviation industry because it improves the confidence in communicating between pilots, cabin crew, engineers, ground staff etc. To have a safe and a successful operation in the industry effective communication plays a vital role. Uniform is one of the key attributes of making this job unique, you always feel different, in a good way of course. You also have to be mentally and physically fit. So I try as much as I can to implement healthy food and exercise to my daily routine. So after listening to their views, I hope you all have got a clear idea about why a pilot’s personality is much admired and the reasons behind it. I would like to thank on behalf of Asian World Newspaper all the Pilots for giving me their interviews for this article by taking out time from their extremely busy schedules.

LOCAL 6-14

GLOBAL 15-19

BUSINESS 20-25

GLAM 26-33

WEDDINGS 35-39

HEALTH 40-41

TRAVEL 42-43

TECH 44-45

FOOD 46-47

MOTORING 48-51

SPORTS 52-54

April 2019

s e c u d o r t n i s n i a r T Virgin h t i w s r e m o t s u c r o f d r a c M JA s r e i r r a b n o i t a c i n u comm distinctive card e th f o n io ss e ss o p dly” for anyone in n ie Fr rd a ier including autism C rr a M b A n “J o w ti o a n ic is n u s m in a m Virgin Tr d by those with a co se u ” te s of subscribers u d in n M sa u A o st th u h “J r it w fo s d d n n JAM sta d in Northern Irela re e e n io p ve ti ia it in Ground breaking

Virgin Trains has become the first travel company outside of Northern Ireland to introduce a ground-breaking initiative for people with communication barriers. Standing for “Just a Minute”, anyone with a JAM card can present it to Virgin Trains staff to let them know they have a communication barrier which could be a result of number of factors including autism or a learning difficulty. The JAM card scheme has been introduced across Virgin Trains routes, and follows Virgin Trains’ recent industryfirst initiative with Amazon which allows customers with disabilities to book JourneyCare through Alexa. In the style of a credit card, it will help customers discreetly make staff aware of their condition. Frontline teams at Virgin Trains have been trained to recognise the distinctive card and that customers presenting it

may have difficulty with communication and require additional time. During training staff have gained valuable knowledge about different types of disabilities and have learned how to engage with a customer with a communication barrier. Customers apply for a JAM card by filling in a form on their website or by downloading the app and the card is available in either a physical copy or digital format. JAM cards have been extremely successful in Northern Ireland with over 20,000 cards in circulation and 2,000 app users. The scheme was brought to the attention of Virgin Trains when customer Abby Cappleman attended one of the regular inclusion panels held by the train operator. Abby, who has Autism spectrum disorder, said: “The JAM card lets other

people - like checkout staff in a supermarket or a bus driver - discretely know that I have an invisible disability. “Due to my condition, I am chronically dis-organised so I am that person who doesn’t have their money or bus pass ready. I end up faffing to find it and then it holds others up. “I find this card helps others be more understanding. I am really happy that my suggestion is being adopted to help passengers across the country.” Maeve Monaghan, CEO for the NOW group who are behind the JAM card, scheme said: “We are delighted that Virgin Trains have partnered with NOW Group to become JAM Card Friendly and recognise the value of investing in training their staff to provide great customer service for people with communication difficulties such as learning difficulties, autism and dementia. This collaboration and investment is the first

of its kind in the UK and will see Virgin Trains help raise awareness of JAM card in Britain and encourage the use of our card throughout the Virgin Trains network.” Minister for Disabled People, Sarah Newton, said:“Travelling by train can be a stressful experience for people with communication barriers, but initiatives like the JAM card go to show that making small changes can have a massive impact. “With one in five people in the UK living with a disability or long-term health condition, it’s more important than ever to ensure that frontline staff receive the right training. “I want to encourage other British train providers to follow Virgin Trains’ lead and ensure they are providing excellent customer service for all their passengers.” Inclusion lead for Virgin Trains, Vic

Whitehouse, said: “We are pleased to introduce the JAM card across our network and proud to be ‘JAM Card Friendly’. All our customers are equally important, and we want to make sure everyone travelling with us has a great experience. Similarly, the feedback from our people has been extremely positive.”

AW Facts Did you know? The Wright brothers invented and flew the first airplane in 1903 which flew around 120 feet.

April 2019

TECHNOLOGY

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ACHIEVE, ELEVATE, INSPIRE

The 2019 FDM everywoman in Technology Awards: Celebrating International Women’s Day with tech’s brightest talent The winners of the 2019 FDM everywoman in Technology Awards, in association with The Tech She Can Charter, have just been announced. Taking place the week of International Women’s Day, the awards celebrated 50 of the most talented individuals shaking up the tech industry, both in the UK and beyond and showcased the huge contribution women are making to developing and implementing exciting new products and solutions. These included the founder of a business helping engineers perform complex inspections using drones; a young CEO who created an app at the age of 16 to teach thousands of children how to code; and a leader whose innovation helped drive over £500million in global revenue. Research by PwC has found that only 5% of leadership roles in the technology sector are held by women and just 3% of British female school students would consider a career in tech.* A shortage of female role models was cited as one of the main reasons young women don’t feel encouraged to nurture their interest in technology, which is why platforms such as the FDM everywoman in Technology Awards that share the success stories of individuals at all stages of their career are so vital. Aside from category winners announced on the night, the overall Woman of the Year was Felicia Meyerowitz Singh, CEO and Founder of Akoni, from London. On setting up her own finance business in India, Felicia identified a lack of resources available to SMEs and that banks didn’t offer decent interest rates to small businesses. This inspired Akoni – a digital cash management tool, specifically for smaller businesses, investors and charities. Felicia is dedicated to gender diversity in finance and technology, which is why she founded a “Female Founder” group offering mentorship to young female entrepreneurs and dedicates her time to promoting gender equality. Her passion for helping

small businesses thrive and succeed is what made her truly stand out to the judging panel. On behalf of the judging panel, Maxine Benson MBE, Co-Founder of everywoman, comments: “This year showcased yet another selection of talented individuals from all around the world, across different sectors and from all walks of life. Their phenomenal achievements within the technology industry make us proud to announce them as everywoman ambassadors.” Sheridan Ash, Technology Innovation, and Women in Technology Leader at

PwC adds: “The FDM everywoman Technology Awards is the perfect opportunity to celebrate fantastic role models within the tech sector across multiple industries. Award categories like Rising Star and Male Agent of Change are essential for changing the ratio for the gender imbalance in technology careers and I’m delighted that The Tech She Can Charter supports this. Every winner should be proud of their achievements and continue the great work they’re doing to inspire others, particularly the younger generation, into technology careers”.

Some of the 2019 FDM everywoman in Technology Awards winners were: • One to Watch Award – sponsored by Computacenter: Leslie Sarango Romero, Student at Harris Academy Bermondsey, from London, who created a virtual reality game called Eduscape that can be downloaded as an app, and helps teens develop their interest in mathematics • Rising Star Award - sponsored by T-Systems: Mahek Vara, Founder and CEO of Code Camp, from Harrow, who founded the charity when she was just 16 years old and studying for A-Levels.

Code Camp provides children from all walks of life with the opportunity to learn how to code. Now 18, she has already helped teach more than 70,000 children in India, alone, how to code • Digital Star Award - sponsored by CGI: Esther Kieft, Former Product Owner at Lloyds Banking Group, from London, who completed the graduate scheme as a top performer after having delivered impressive strategic digital initiatives. She is now responsible for designing the mobile and tablet banking experience for over 10 million mobile users • Software Engineer Award - sponsored by NatWest: Pae Natwilai, CEO and Founder of Trik, from London, who designed software to help engineers inspect large structures using drones, by turning photos into 3D models. Throughout her career, Pae has also become a vocal advocate for programmes that support women in tech • Academic Award - sponsored by Lloyds Banking Group: Apala Majumdar, Reader at The University of Bath, and OCIAM Visiting Fellow, University of Oxford, from Bath, who was promoted to “Readership” in 2013 - a permanent position with research, teaching and leadership responsibilities. She specialises in Liquid Crystals and has published over 40 papers to date. Apala inspires female researchers globally through mentorship and female-empowerment events • International Inspiration Award – sponsored by IBM iX: Mudje Esin, Founder of KizCode - a Social Enterprise which empowers young women in underprivileged communities through education technology and coding workshops. Since the platform was established in 2016, it has taught coding and technical skills to over 5000 girls and young women @everywomanUK #ewTechAwards #womendotech #techshecan Sources: *Women in Tech – Time to close the gender gap – PwC (2018)

Ethiopian Airlines; Boeing 737 Max 8

The Boeing 737 Max 8 has been in business use since 2017. In October of that year, a Lion Air Boeing 737 Max went down soon after take-off from Jakarta, Indonesia, sadly killing each of the 189 individuals on board. That aeroplane was less than three months old. Ethiopian Airlines flight ET302 additionally went down only minutes after take-off. The aircraft registration ET-AVJ first flew in October 2018, following flight checks and regulations. Jakarta-based flight investigator Gerry Soejatman told the BBC the 737 Max’s “engine is a further forward and relation higher in connection to the wing, contrasted with the past form of the plane. This influences the balance of the plane.” The Indonesian National Transportation Safety Committee demonstrated that Lion Air flight 610 experienced a

“wrong contribution” from one of its sensors intended to caution pilots if the plane is in danger of slowing down. The related investigation has not yet achieved any new decisions about the reason for the calamity. The sensory and associated program-

ming equipment have worked distinctively well on the past models of the 737, and pilots had not been informed about any issues. Within days of the Lion Air crash, the aircraft creator Boeing issued an activities bulletin to the aircraft. The US aviation controller then

issued an “emergency” airworthiness order to US carriers about this sensor, an alleged Angle of Attack (AOA) sensor. The Federal Aviation Administration said the sensor condition: “if not tended to, could cause the flight team to experience issues controlling the plane, and lead to excessive nose-down attitude, significant attitude loss, and conceivable contact with the landscape.” US aircraft were advised to update their data flight manuals for the air team. At the time the FAA said the data was passed on to other national flying controllers. The hope was that the controllers would inform the airlines and they would update the pilots. Aviation sources state its almost certain that Ethiopian Airlines pilots would have been updated on the sensor issue. There is no quick proof to recommend the Ethiopia Airlines jet has experienced the same

challenges from the Lion Air flight. Aviation’s examiner John Strickland of JLS Consulting told the BBC: “There will be regard for the way this was an exceptionally new aeroplane. The same sort involved with the ongoing Lion Air mishap and in a similar period of flight, yet the work requiring some serious energy will be required to set up the reason.”

AW Facts Did you know? Google was originally called BackRub.

LOCAL 6-14

GLOBAL 15-19

BUSINESS 20-25

GLAM 26-33

WEDDINGS 35-39

HEALTH 40-41

TRAVEL 42-43

TECH 44-45

FOOD 46-47

MOTORING 48-51

SPORTS 52-54

Data: Fuel of the Future

By Muhammad Nadeem Jahangir - Technology Correspondent

Starting from pieces of cloth to pieces of metal and then to paper money, throughout time modes of currency have constantly changed throughout the ages. However, as we are leading the way into the future where many say the industrial revolution 4.0 is on its verge, the world may soon have a very different type of currency. This currency will not be a physical object; instead, it will be based on physical objects. The leading digitalisation of services has made humans dependable on technology. We may observe that the present living generation need modern gadgets to help them stay updated with global happenings and communicate more efficiently to satisfy their casual needs. On the business side, the diversion of technology is making companies invest more in their IT departments, and gain more security and advance technical advisory to meet future standards. The introduction of the world to artificial intelligent systems, machine learning algorithms and autonomous gadgets is making humans use their gestures to make real-world things happen. This type of decision making is based on data. A model is generated in order to make a machine understand things,

then that model is trained with different patterns to recognise and understand the variations in the patterns. This process makes the machine learn, with this we have seen that data is the most important thing to make the train machines or their models. Based on these facts, we can observe that the only source of data is humans, as most machine learning algorithms are used to understand human nature i.e. emotion detection. So it clears a win-win situation for both humans and machines as if you want more advanced and intelligent systems, you have to train that specific model with more and more

of more than 250 professionals and academics working within the ICT sector and was undertaken by Dr Elizabeth Lomas of UCL and Professor Julie McLeod of Northumbria University. Speaking about the findings, Professor McLeod said: “Information and Communication Technology has been responsible for some of the biggest changes during the 21st century. Given its role and importance in society, we wanted to explore how people working within this sector felt about the challenges

The Future is Facebook Messenger

data. This, in turn, results with a more efficient system that will help you live in a better way. Market leaders and IT specialists are predicting data as fuel for the upcoming age, and according to current analytics, they are absolutely right. Companies are collecting huge amounts of data to sell it to other companies or researchers, or train their own AI agent. For instance, Facebook started the trend of the ‘10 Years Challenge’ to train their AI. Data set size is increasing day by day and as some say, in the future: “Data will be used to fuel machines rather than even electricity”.

presented by Brexit. “Our research began the day after the referendum and the results of this latest stage identify some key actions which need to be taken to support the future of ICT in the UK post-Brexit. These include more targeted policies and funding strategies to support and grow ICT, and the importance of international cooperation to meet environmental and ethical challenges. “Critically there was a desire from participants to have a clear Brexit roadmap from the UK Government and the EU in order to plan. Whilst those working in ICT are used to engaging with change, the current uncertainty is far harder to navigate. “ICT solutions will be key to helping the public and private sectors adapt to the changes Brexit triggers, both within the UK and the EU. However, the ICT domain needs to be connected to Government agendas in order that a range of ICT solutions can be put in place to support Brexit change.”

The 15 key themes or actions identified by ICT professionals and academics during the research are: • A UK/EU Brexit plan and an ICT Brexit roadmap to reduce uncertainty and enable planning across both the UK and the EU • Active and evidenced Government engagement with the ICT domain • UK infrastructure to support ICT delivery • Pushing new knowledge and ICT development • UK workforce frameworks to attract the best ICT talent • Growing ICT skills in schools • Planning for future societal needs and linked ICT requirements/skills

By Khalid Karim - Technology Correspondent

IT skills shortage after Brexit could affect UK security and economy

A massive shortage of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) skills and knowledge could be on the way post-Brexit putting the UK’s economy and security at risk. Research by academics at Northumbria University and UCL has identified a number of risks to the UK if the Government does not put measures in place to support the development of ICT infrastructure, education and policy. Without a clear list of priorities in place, researchers fear that the UK could see a huge shortage of ICT skills and knowledge in education, business and wider society which will compromise the UK’s economy, security and competitiveness in global markets. Academics have outlined a number of actions to tackle the risks including growing ICT education in schools, making it easier for overseas computing students to study in the UK and supporting the development and funding of ICT research, development and innovation. The research included a global survey

April 2019

• Supporting international study in the UK • R&D and innovation frameworks and funding • New international business models and tax frameworks • Optimising legislation and regulatory frameworks for an ICT driven world • UK leading on international standards • Smart living underpinned by ICT driven global environmental solutions • Ethical data storage, management and deletion • Ethical ICT delivered from across ICT practice and into society

Mark Zuckerberg has been pinning all hopes on Facebook’s Messaging platform. The company recently announced that it’s looking to build “a privacy-focused messaging and social networking platform”, where users have a more secured chat with increased privacy. Messaging has started to take a more prominent role within the social media platform with constant incremental changes behind the scenes. After recent announcements to integrate all 3 messaging platforms, Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp and Instagram, Facebook has battened down the hatches to deliver a more unified messaging experience. There already have been subtle changes to Instagram over the past few weeks and you wouldn’t know it, it’s all part of Facebook’s grand plan to integrate the three platforms. The future of Facebook rides on it, Mark Zuckerberg has iterated: “private messaging, ephemeral stories, and small groups are by far the fastest growing areas of online communication.” You can see why he is keen to make Messenger the centre focus. People now use Messaging to get the latest News than Social Network, it’s not just a case of an item going ‘Dark Social’. To keep up to date with the latest and greatest, you have to

tap into messaging platforms to get your latest gossip. Receiving news via a private message is more appealing than reading in a public post these days for a lot of people. It’s considered more intimate, personalised 1-2-1 direct chat is becoming the norm and some feel the privacy concerns are not the same when sharing posts. From a marketing perspective, business owners can target prospects via Facebook Messenger as they can speak their language and know exactly where they are. It’s a very laser targeted approach for lead generation. Businesses are just waiting for the new reveal when they are able to use a single chat platform to target a wider audience on Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram rather than having to juggle three messaging queues. With this kind of reach, Marketers can manage campaigns on one platform. Although it’s not a reality today, Mark has announced he is making huge investments and putting a lot of time and resources on it. You can get ahead of the curve now with Chat Bots, if you start learning to use these tools now within Messaging you will be able to seamlessly manage a better chat experience when they integrate all three messaging platforms.

April 2019

FOOD

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AW’S

Kitchen

COSTA COFFEE SPRINGS FORWARD WITH FRESH NEW MENU Commercial Marketing Director, Eric Tavoukdjian at CostaCoffeesaid: “With spring being a time to try new something new, thevre is no better time to introduce new seasonal items for our customers to enjoy. We are excited to expand our vegetarian and gluten-free range, as well as offering a variety of Easter themed treats to Costa fans.”

The Nation’s Favourite Coffee Shop, Costa Coffee is putting a spring in its step with the launch of the new seasonal menu to complement its range of signature handcrafted coffees. Available in stores nationwide now, the refreshed menu comes complete with brand new savoury and sensational sweet options to tickle everyone’s taste buds. With Easter just around the corner the menu features favourites including the new chocolatey-filled Cornflake Nest which is topped with mini Easter eggs. The sweet menu includes the light and crispy Costa Coffee Snackwafers, available in two cream filled flavours; cocoa and vanilla. The popular Choc-OCrunch is making a seasonal come back – a ring of crispy rice bound in caramel flavouring and covered in three pastel shades of white chocolate. Following the launch of an expanded range of milk options including Almond Drink and Lactofree Milk earlier this year, Costa Coffee has continued to ensure there is something for everyone with an increased range of gluten free and vegan menu items. The menu includes a Gluten-Free Raspberry & Coconut Bar – a gluten free pastry with a raspberry and sultana filling, and a coconut topping as well as the new Dairy Free GlutenFree Vegan Fruity Flapjack filled with gluten free oats, sultanas, cranberries and apricots. For those looking for a savoury hit, the fabulous Cheese Scone and Cheese Twist are back on the menu! Served warm, the Cheese Scone is enclosed with mature Irish cheddar, parmesan style cheese, chives and a spice hit of cayenne pepper to give a luxuriously indulgent eat. The classic Cheese Twist sees a buttery puff pastry complete with mature cheddar and parmesan style cheese to give the ultimate cheesy snack. Those looking for a healthier breakfast option this month are also covered with the introduction of the Costa Coffee bircher. Made with Greek style yoghurt, grated apple, apple juice, oats, blueberry and mixed berry compote, the spring breakfast is topped with dried cranberries and pumpkin seeds.

AW Facts Did you know? Avocadoes have the highest protein content of all fruits.

LOCAL 6-14

GLOBAL 15-19

BUSINESS 20-25

GLAM 26-33

WEDDINGS 35-39

HEALTH 40-41

TRAVEL 42-43

TECH 44-45

FOOD 46-47

MOTORING 48-51

SPORTS 52-54

Creating a Culinary Storm from the by lanes of Kolkata to London Asma Khan

If women aim to become something in life then they must be ready to accept any and all challenges to make their dreams come true. One woman who has done just that is the immensely successful London based Indian restaurant and business owner Asma Khan. Asma Khan ( Instagram A/c - darjeelingldn ) was born in Calcutta and moved to Cambridge in 1991. She spent most of her childhood days in Calcutta, Hyderabad and Madras (Chennai). Food was always central to all occasions in her family. Her mother had a food business in Calcutta for many years and she would spend a lot of time with her in the kitchen. She realised food was her calling and after she finished her PhD in Law, she started hosting supper clubs in her home. After 4 years she moved to a pop-up in Soho which eventually led her to the restaurant that she has now.

usual drama of gas cutting out and the occasional hiccups all new restaurants face using new equipment! I had a terrible experience with my initial front of house and managers who I removed, and now I have an all-female management team who understands the ethos of the kitchen and are very supportive to me.

a very compact menu which we change every few months.

1.) Tell us about your restaurant Darjeeling Express. Asma - The restaurant is staffed by an all-female kitchen. The location is very beautiful - it is on the second floor above a beautiful courtyard called Kingly Court, which is between Piccadilly Circus and Oxford Street. We opened our doors at the end of June 2017. It is a small restaurant and we serve

2.) What challenges did you face when starting your restaurant business? Asma - The main challenge was raising the money. I was very fortunate to get a loan by NatWest (RBS). Darjeeling Express was a project I had nurtured and built up over the years my husband stepped in and gave me the remaining money to open the restaurant. Once we opened we had the

3.) What makes Darjeeling Express restaurant different from other restaurants in London? Asma - I guess the all-female kitchen is the main difference. We serve traditional family recipes. The emphasis is also on regional Indian dishes and not

April 2019 generic restaurant food that you find in a lot of Indian restaurants.

4.) How did the idea to make an all woman team of housewives to run the kitchen come about? Asma - The team began working with me in my supper club days from 2012 and once we got the restaurant they all continued to stay by my side. It seemed the most natural thing to run a restaurant with the same women who I had known and worked with before, we had a close bond of trust.

5.) Which is your favourite dish from your restaurant? Asma - At the moment the Calcutta Chicken chaap is my favourite dish on the menu. 6.) Please share something about your book “Asma’s Indian Kitchen” Asma - The book was meant to have been written the year before but as is always the case I ended up writing the book at the same time as I was opening the restaurant. I worked all day at the restaurant and wrote the book at night! I really enjoyed writing the book and the publishers I worked with were very supportive and did not pressurise me to write in any style or suggest the kind of recipes they thought would sell the book. I had total freedom. 7.) What’s the most popular dish of your restaurant? Asma - The Bengali goat curry Kosha Mangsho with Puri (Luchi). 8.) Does the menu of the restaurant keep on changing? If so in what ways? Asma - We change the menu to incorporate British seasonal vegetables and also the weather. In summer (it can get very warm in London) we have dahivada and in winter we have much richer and warming dishes. I would like to thank Asma Khan on behalf of Asian World Newspaper for giving her Interview and wish you all the best for your future endeavours.

Touchwood is Lucky

The highly anticipated Asha’s Indian Restaurant opened in Touchwood, Solihull on March 27th. The stunning high-end Indian restaurant with dining halls in Dubai, Bahrain, Abu Dhabi, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi, Manchester and Birmingham Centre will bless the West Midlands with another branch. After responding to customers saying that there hasn’t been a high-end Indian restaurant in South Birmingham for decades, Asha’s restaurant plans to bring incredible quality Indian food to Solihull and the surrounding area. And it isn’t just the hungry residents of Touchwood that will benefit, Asha’s are known for their incredible charitable work as well as their exquisite menu. They have supported over 250 charities including giving £2,500 to Black Country Women’s Aid to help women and children escape violence and rebuild their lives. They have also donated a further £5,000 to Unique Homes for Girls providing a safe haven for abandoned females in Punjab, India. Asha’s restaurant delights in celebrating the rich diversity in Birmingham. Founder Asha Bhosle

By Georgia Horsell

said ‘Good food transcends any language or culture, it has universal appeal’. Asha’s follows the new opening of Jamaya on March 18th, also in Solihull. Jamaya is a Jamaican jerk chicken restaurant specialising in grilled jerk and fried chicken, slow-smoked for a spicy yet sweet flavour. For the more daring, sauces can take the chicken to exciting heat. Solihull is Jamaya’s first brick and mortar site and managing director Byron Carnegie is exciting to bring his restaurant’s authentic Jamaican cooking to the West Midlands. Jamaya is more of a casual dining experience with a colourful décor and 80 seats. The furniture will be graffiti and coloured wood with highlights of metal, creating a Jamaican inspired modern urban scene. It serves craft beer as well as their mouthwatering chicken and burgers. As of writing, there have been 100% 5 star reviews of Jamaya on Trip advisor, all of which complement the food and hospitality of the staff. One reviewer declared: ‘at last proper jerk chicken’!

April 2019

MOTORING

 New consumer security rating to inform consumers around potential keyless entry/start vulnerabilities  Audi e-Tron, Jaguar XE, Land Rover Evoque and Mercedes B Class 2019 models rated ‘Superior’  2019 models of Ford Mondeo, Hyundai Nexo, Kia ProCeed, Lexus UX, Porsche Macan and Toyota Corolla rated ‘Poor’ due to keyless entry/start vulnerability  Suzuki Jimny has been given ‘Unacceptable’ security rating, despite not having a keyless entry/start system  Policing Minister Nick Hurd, National Police Chiefs’ Council Lead for vehicle crime Graham McNulty, and the Association of British Insurers (ABI) endorse Thatcham Research has launched security ratings to help consumers understand the theft risk of new cars against a backdrop of rising vehicle thefts. The new ratings assess whether measures to specifically address the keyless entry/ start vulnerability have been adopted. Six of the 11 vehicles launched this year have been given a ‘Poor’ rating as the keyless entry/start system they have, as an option, has no security measures to prevent theft by criminals using the so-called ‘Relay Attack’ technique. Without this option, the overall security features were classified as ‘Good’. Richard Billyeald, Chief Technical Officer at Thatcham Research, comments: “This initiative focuses on addressing keyless entry/start vulnerability. We’ve seen too many examples of cars being stolen in seconds from driveways. Now, any vehicle that is assessed against the new Thatcham Research Security Rating, and has a vulnerable keyless entry/

start system, will automatically not achieve the best rating. “Security has come a long way since vehicle crime peaked in the early 1990s. However, the layers of security added over the years count for nothing when they can be circumvented instantly by criminals using digital devices. The shame is that most of the cars rated ‘Poor’ would have achieved at least a ‘Good’ rating had their keyless entry/ start systems not been susceptible to the Relay Attack.” The 2019 model vehicles have a security rating of the following:  Audi e-Tron – Superior  Ford Mondeo – Poor  Hyundai Nexo – Poor  Jaguar XE – Superior  Kia ProCeed – Poor  Land Rover Evoque – Superior  Lexus UX – Poor  Mercedes B-Class – Superior  Porsche Macan – Poor  Suzuki Jimny** - Unacceptable  Toyota Corolla Hybrid - Poor **Suzuki Jimny does not have a keyless entry/start system as standard or an option Billyeald continues: “We are really pleased to see that the latest Audi eTron, Jaguar XE, Land Rover Evoque and Mercedes B-Class were all awarded ‘Superior’. These carmakers have made significant strides in addressing keyless entry/start vulnerability, by either switching to a more secure wireless technology or introducing key fobs that go to sleep when idle. This demonstrates that there are solutions and fixes to the problem, which we expect other manufacturers to include on their future models.” “Our guidance for worried drivers is first and foremost to understand if your vehicle has a keyless entry/start system or not, as it is often an optional extra. If it does, check whether there are solutions available with your key fob – can it be turned off overnight or does it go to sleep when not being used?” “Faraday shielding pouches can be effective but test them first to make sure they do block the signal. Many are designed for credit cards so make sure they still close fully with a set of keys

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SIX OF THE 11 NEW CARS LAUNCHED IN 2019 RATED POOR FOR SECURITY inside, to ensure maximum effectiveness.” “Storing all sets of keys, spares included, away from household entry points is also important as it hampers the criminal’s ability to relay the signal.” “And finally, it may in some cases be possible to turn the system off entirely, so it’s worth checking with your dealer.” Swift and decisive action against vehicle theft: Minister for Policing and the Fire Service, Nick Hurd said: “I am determined to take swift and decisive action against vehicle theft. In January I chaired the first meeting of the Vehicle Theft Taskforce, which brought together members of industry and the police to significantly strengthen our response to this crime. In addition to improving vehicle security standards, the Taskforce will work together to ensure that robust measures are in place to prevent criminals exploiting the salvage process, and to stop access to devices that may be used to commit this theft.” “Having an updated understanding of vehicle security helps the public better understand the theft risk of new cars. “I welcome the finding in Thatcham Research’s work that some manufacturers are addressing vulnerabilities that exist, and would encourage others to see what more they could do. Together we can reduce the risks to the public that their vehicles will be stolen.” National Police Chiefs’ Council Lead for vehicle crime, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Graham McNulty comments: “Part of the reason for the recent increase in vehicle theft is the rapid development in technology. While this has dramatically improved the experience of drivers, it has also allowed criminals to exploit weaknesses in electronic security. “The significant reductions in vehicle crime in the 1990s were achieved by police working with manufacturers to design out crime with innovations like immobilisers, alarms and central locking. This approach is as valid today as it was then and we have been working in partnership with the industry by sharing intelligence and equipment seized from

criminals. “Police chiefs fully support the New Vehicle Security Assessment (NVSA) and the newly announced consumer rating which gives buyers a better understanding of how secure their chosen vehicle is. It’s a positive step towards improving vehicle security and will help us cut the levels of crime as manufacturers continue to develop security measures, in what remains a highly competitive industry.” Laurenz Gerger, the motor policy adviser at the Association of British Insurers, said: “Car thieves have been having a field day lately. Crime stats show vehicle thefts at their highest level for a decade. Insurers paid out a record £376 million for car theft in 2018, which was partly driven by the vulnerability of some cars to keyless relay theft. Making these assessments public should spur motor manufacturers to take swift action to tackle this high-tech vulnerability. Meantime, consumers deserve to know how secure their cars are, so they can take the necessary steps to reduce the likelihood that they become victims of crime.” Current theft trends: The rating is designed to reflect current theft trends, with the new release including the latest digital exploitations, while maintaining the existing mechanical aspects. “It will evolve over time and close loopholes as they appear,” adds Billyeald. Thatcham Research has been conducting security assessments for insurers on all new and facelifted models launched into the UK since the early 1990s. Thatcham Research technicians conduct a series of tests, ranging from timed ‘brute-force’ attacks on locks and access points to tests that identify digital vulnerabilities, namely whether the keyless entry/start system is susceptible to the Relay Attack or the On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) Port allows blank keys to be coded. Cars that fail the keyless entry/start and OBD tests move down a category per failure. The rating applies whether the keyless entry/start system is optional or standard-fit. The categories are Superior, Good,

Basic, Poor and Unacceptable. Setting the standard: Cars at different price points have different levels of security. Thatcham Research is also sharing guidance to help drivers understand what they should expect: Up to 20k – Expected to have fundamental security features, but not some of the extra layers found on higherpriced vehicles. Typically, a car within this value range would include a Thatcham Research certified immobiliser, perimeter alarm, double-locking to all doors, locking wheel bolts and attackresistant mechanical security. 20-35k – Expected to have high standard security features, but not some of the extra layers found on higher-priced vehicles. Typically, a car within this value range should include the security from the Up to 20k range plus a Thatcham Research certified alarm system. 35k+ – The security should be to the very highest standard. Typically, a vehicle within this value range would include the security from the 20-35k range plus Thatcham Research certified alarm system with a tilt sensor and a Thatcham Research tracking system. Commenting on the Suzuki Jimny’s ‘Unacceptable’ rating, Billyeald said, “This car falls well below expectation, scoring consistently poorly across all criteria, and missing some fundamental security features that consumers might rightly expect should be fitted.” Ongoing rating: Thatcham Research will continue to rate the security of all new vehicles launched in the UK, making the ratings available via its website and its Twitter feed.

AW Facts Did you know? The first speeding ticket was issued in 1902 for travelling at 45mph.

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April 2019

THE ‘BLOWER’ BENTLEY

– LEGENDARY INNOVATION

VOLKSWAGEN FORMS EUROPEAN BATTERY UNION WITH NORTHVOLT • European companies and institutes join forces under the leadership of the Volkswagen Group and Northvolt to form the European Battery Union (EBU) consortium • Consortium wishes to participate for funding for the research, development and industrial implementation of battery technology The Volkswagen Group and European partners are joining forces to form the European Battery Union (EBU) with a view to forging ahead with battery research throughout Europe. The new consortium is to be led by the Volkswagen Group and the Swedish battery producer Northvolt. The joint research activities of the European Battery Union will cover the entire battery value stream – from raw materials through cell technology to recycling. The prime objective is to accumulate much broader know-how on battery cell production. Partners from research and industry in seven EU member states are joining forces in the European Battery Union consortium. The comprehensive research collaboration will range from raw material production to cell technology and cell production processes and through to recycling. The research activities will also focus on the development and engineering of plant technologies allowing sustainable, climate-friendly and competitive battery cell production in the European Union. All the partners will step up their investments as a result of the planned additional research activities. These investments could receive financial support from funding announced by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy. All the results of research work by the European Battery Union will exchange between all the partners across national borders. The joint research activities are to start at the beginning of 2020.

• Iconic racing Bentley of pre-war years • Ground-breaking 4½ Litre model forever linked to dashing ‘Bentley Boy’ Sir Henry ‘Tim’ Birkin • Supercharged engine dramatically boosted power of late 1920s car • Blower’s legendary performance broke Brooklands lap record British luxury car manufacturer Bentley marks its centenary year, and the company’s drive for innovation is apparent throughout its history. The legendary ‘Blower’ Bentley, with a supercharged engine, was sensationally quick in 1929. Especially with Bentley Boy, Sir Henry ‘Tim’ Birkin, sat behind the steering wheel. Birkin and the Blower are linked together in this sepia-toned era of British motor racing history. It was Birkin’s quest for speed that created the Blower, later recording heroic drives at the Le Mans 24 Hours and the French Grand Prix. He also broke the Brooklands outer circuit lap record, the most wanted racing circuit of the time. The supercharged engine ultimately ensured the 4 ½ Litre model became the most iconic racing Bentley of the pre-war years. The Blower won Bentley a legion of motorsport fans around the world and to this day remains a symbol

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of the company’s innovative expertise. Pushing the Boundaries of Performance The Bentley 4½ Litre was nearing the end of its development cycle by 1928, as other manufacturers finally began to catch up with founder W.O. Bentley’s excellent engine design. W.O.’s response was to increase the engine capacity, and his 6½ Litre model won Le Mans in 1929 and 1930. However, racing driver Sir Henry Birkin, who was already a schoolboy hero across Britain for his considerable achievements on the track, had another idea. He wanted to apply an innovative new supercharger to the engine of the existing 4½ Litre car instead. To W.O.’s displeasure, Birkin persuaded Bentley’s new owner and chairman, fellow Bentley Boy and British financier, Woolf Barnato, to build him five supercharged Blowers for the racetrack. Also, to meet the racing rules of the era, 50 production Blower Bentleys were made for the road too. A Famous Battle on the Racetrack Placing the supercharger in front of the crankshaft gave the Blower Bentley a unique appearance. It increased the power of the 4½ Litre from 110 bhp to 175 bhp and with Birkin at the wheel, it was sensationally fast. One of the most famous cars in motorsport history had been born. W.O. Bentley described Birkin as “the greatest Briton of his time”. An aristo-

crat who fought in the First World War, Birkin returned from the front with a thirst for adrenaline and a total disregard for danger on the racetrack. His dual with Mercedes-Benz driver, Rudolf Caracciola at the 1930 Le Mans 24 Hour has passed into legend. Bentley fielded three team Speed Sixes for the event, as well as Birkin’s team of supercharged 4 ½ Litre Bentleys. Birkin and Caracciola were neck and neck from the start, with the British hero at one point passing his rival at high speed with two wheels on the grass. Neither car lasted the course, and Barnato eventually won the race in a Bentley Speed Six. Blower Bentley – An Enduring Legacy Few cars have enjoyed the impact of the Blower Bentley. Many believe that Birkin only knew one way to drive, flat out for the win. Had he managed his race better over the difficult 24-hour period at Le Mans, the result may have been different. The Blower’s finest hour was in the 1930 French Grand Prix at Pau when, amid a field of lighter Bugattis, Birkin drove his two-ton car to a remarkable second place podium finish. The Blower is still believed to be the heaviest car ever entered in a Grand Prix. Another version of the Blower was later converted into a single-seater and raced on the banked circuit at Brooklands in Surrey. With the engine output increased

to 240 bhp, Birkin achieved 222 km/h (137.9 mph) when breaking the Brooklands lap record, his car often airborne due to the poor quality of the surface. Continental GT Number 9 Edition by Mulliner Bentley has created the ultimate collector’s version of the all-new Continental GT to celebrate the company’s centenary in 2019. The Continental GT Number 9 Edition by Mulliner pays homage to Birkin and is inspired by Bentley’s illustrious motorsport past, incorporating many distinctive features from the legendary Blower into the world’s most luxurious Grand Tourer. Each model features a wood insert from the seat of Birkin’s iconic 1930 No. 9 Le Mans race car, which was removed during a sympathetic renovation. Just 100 examples will be hand built by Mulliner in Crewe, England, based on the Continental GT this year. Bentley’s Centenary – 100 Years of Extraordinary July 10, 2019, marks Bentley’s 100th year - an extraordinary milestone achieved by only a few companies. To celebrate the occasion, a year-long series of special activities have been planned, with celebrations at events around the world. These will showcase Bentley’s motoring evolution over the last 100 years, highlighting its global success today and the exciting future of innovation ahead.

April 2019

Have you done your Powdery Checks?

Tips from IAM ROADSMART Spring is just around the corner. And this means that many of us are keen to wipe the dust from our bikes and get them into top shape for the sunnier days that we are eagerly waiting for. Richard Gladman, IAM RoadSmart’s head of riding and driving advice, explains the POWDERY checks you should do on your bike before setting off for your first ride of the season. • Petrol. Make sure you fill your tank and top up regularly. If your bike has been standing for a long period of time, old petrol can cause starting problems as it may clog up the fuel system. The best thing to do is drain your old petrol if there is a lot and fill up with new petrol. • Oil. You can check you have the right amount of oil by using a dipstick or sight glass in the side of the engine casing. Remember to keep the bike vertical when checking this by getting someone to sit on the bike whilst you check the oil. Bear in mind that overfilling will also cause damage, so top up slowly and check your fuel level regularly. • Water. This needs to be checked if you have a water-cooled engine. Again, the bike needs to be vertical. If you find that you’re low on water, remember never to use tap water as you’ll need a mix of water and antifreeze. • Damage. Check for any damage – this could be on your bike, helmets or even your protective clothing.

• Electrics. If you’re taking your bike out for the first time in a while, it is always a good idea to check your lights and both the foot and hand brake light switches. • Rubber. Remember to check your tyre pressure as well as the condition and tread depth. Bear in mind this could change depending on the amount of weight your bike is carrying. Remember to test this when your tyres are cold, as the reading will be higher when they’re hot. The legal limit is 1mm across threequarters of tyre and visible tread on the rest. • You. If you’ve been out of practice for a few months, then you may have lost

that ‘bike fitness’. Make sure you are fit to ride your bike and remember to take it slow and steady until you’ve got to grips with it. Richard says: “If you have been out of motorcycling for the winter then get yourself back into it gently. Make sure the bike is roadworthy and routine maintenance is carried out. Allow yourself some time to regain your sharpness and adjust to bike mode. Remember, a motorcycle needs to be ridden with a smile on your face.” Do you want to find out more ways to stay safe on the road? Try our Advanced Riding Course and get the best out of yourself and your car.

SPORTY, ELEGANT, EXCLUSIVE:

The First BMW 2 series Gran Coupe

BMW announces innovative vehicle world premiere in November 2019 BMW continues to pursue the brand’s current model while developing an innovative vehicle concept for the premium compact segment. During the annual results press conference, BMW AG CEO Harald Krüger will announce the presentation of the first BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe. With the sporty and elegant fourdoor coupe, the premium automobile manufacturer is adding to its range in the compact segment. The coupe is a particularly design-oriented model for modern, urban target groups. Its concept, already successful in higher vehicle classes, will combine a dynamic charisma and an expressive design in the future, with a high degree of everyday suitability. The first BMW

2 Series Gran Coupe will make its world debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November 2019, with the worldwide market launch beginning in the spring of 2020. The BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe sets new accents in individuality, aesthetics and emotion in the premium compact segment. It combines an emotive design with sportiness and the latest innovations in operation and connectivity technology. Therefore, the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe offers the ideal basis to attract new target groups to BMW’s driving pleasure. BMW already offers a unique range of models for different requirements and target groups that is unmatched within the competitive environment. The BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe will once again create fresh impulses in

this class. It builds on the latest BMW front-wheel-drive architecture and shares a multitude of technological developments with the new BMW 1 Series, which will also be presented during the course of 2019. The BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe is considered as a global offering that creates an attractive enrichment, especially for markets in which car buyers show a strong affinity for notchbacks. As an exclusive alternative to the classic saloon, the four-door coupe addresses all target groups that prefer a sophisticated design and a certain look in the compact segment as well. The fuel consumption, CO2 emissions and electric power consumption figures were determined according to the European Regulation (EC) 715/2007. The range shown considers the different sizes of the selected wheels/tyres and the optional items of equipment and may vary during configuration. The values are already based on the new WLTP test cycle and are translated back into NEDC equal values to ensure comparability between the vehicles. Concerning these vehicles, for vehicle-related taxes or other duties based (at least among other things) on CO2 emissions, the CO2 values may differ from the amounts stated here (depending on national legislation).

VOLVO CARS TO DEPLOY IN-CAR CAMERAS AND INTERVENTION AGAINST INTOXICATION AND DISTRACTION

Volvo Cars reveals a new step in its ambitions to end fatalities in its cars by addressing the issues of intoxication and distraction Apart from speeding, which the company aims to help combat with a top speed limit, intoxication and distraction are two other primary areas of concern for traffic safety. Together these three areas constitute the main ‘gaps’ towards Volvo Cars’ vision of a future with zero traffic fatalities and require a focus on human behaviour in the company’s safety work as well. For example, figures by NHTSA show that in the United States almost 30% of all traffic fatalities with vehicles in 2017 involved intoxicated drivers. Volvo Cars believe intoxication and distraction should be addressed by installing in-car cameras and other sensors that monitor the driver and allow the car to intervene if an intoxicated or distracted driver does not respond to warning signals and is risking an accident involving serious injury or death. That intervention could involve limiting the car’s speed, alerting the Volvo On Call assistance service and, as a final course of action, actively slowing down and safely parking the vehicle. “When it comes to safety, we aim to avoid accidents altogether rather than limit the impact when an accident is imminent and unavoidable,” says Henrik Green, Senior Vice President, Research & Development at Volvo Cars. “In this case, cameras will monitor for behaviour that may lead to serious injury or death.” Examples of such behaviour include a complete lack of steering input for extended periods, drivers who are detected to have their eyes closed or off the road for extended periods of time, as well as extreme weaving across lanes or excessively slow reaction times.

A driver-monitoring system as described above is an essential element of allowing the car to actively make decisions to help avoid accidents that could result in severe injuries or death. “Many accidents occur as a result of intoxicated drivers,” says Trent Victor, Professor of Driver Behaviour at Volvo Cars. “Some people still believe that they can drive after having had a drink and that this will not affect their capabilities. We want to ensure that people are not in danger as a result of intoxication. Introduction of the cameras on all Volvo models will start on the next generation of Volvo’s scalable SPA2 vehicle platform in the early 2020s. Details on the exact amount of cameras and their positioning in the interior will follow at a later stage. The announcement should be viewed together with the company limiting the top speed on all its cars to 180kph (112mph) from the model year 2021, to send a strong signal about the dangers of speeding. The company wants to start a conversation about whether car makers have the right, or maybe even the obligation, to install technology in cars that changes their drivers’ behaviour. Both the speed limit and the installation of in-car cameras illustrate how car makers can take active responsibility for the aim of achieving zero traffic fatalities by supporting better driver behaviour. Volvo Cars today also revealed the Care Key, which allows Volvo drivers to impose limitations on the car’s top speed on all vehicles from the model year 2021, before lending their car to others. The Care Key, the monitoring cameras, the speed limit as well as existing driver-assistance systems all serve one single aim: to support safer driving.

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April 2019

SPORTIER AND MORE EFFICIENT:

NEW HYUNDAI TUCSON BECOMES FIRST SUV WITH N LINE TREATMENT

• The New Tucson is Hyundai‘s first SUV with the sporty N Line trim available with three powertrains ranging from 136 PS to 185 PS • More than a new look: N Line exterior and interior design features complemented by suspension and steering updates • Efficient and responsive 48V mild hybrid technology is now also offered with 1.6-litre CRDi engine, joining Tucson 2.0-litre CRDi 48V mild hybrid With the New Tucson N Line, Hyundai Motor offers European customers a growing range of attractive N Line choices – and its first SUV with the sporty N Line look and feel. The new model combines the iconic strength, safety and comfort of Tucson with the dynamic styling and attitude of N Line.

After successfully launching N Line in 2018 with i30, Hyundai is expanding its dynamic trim level: “With the New Tucson N Line, Hyundai now provides the sporty feeling to customers who also want the versatility and comfort of an SUV,” says Andreas-Christoph Hofmann, Vice President Marketing and Product at Hyundai Motor Europe. “Tucson is our best-selling model in Europe, and it is positioned right at the heart of our brand, so we are excited to introduce the N Line character to our customers in this segment.” Available in three powertrain variants and in both 2WD and 4WD, the New Tucson N Line provides consumers with a family-friendly vehicle that suits their daily driving needs. In addition to the 2.0-litre CRDi 48V diesel engine introduced in the New

Tucson in 2018, Hyundai has now combined its efficient and responsive 48V mild hybrid technology with the 100 kW/136-PS 1.6-litre CRDi diesel engine, offering reduced fuel consumption up to 11% (NEDC 2.0) The mild hybrid powertrain contributes to Hyundai’s global efforts to improve fuel efficiency. The technology comprises a 0.44 kW/h 48-Volt lithium-ion polymer battery, a Mild Hybrid Starter Generator (MHSG), an LDC converter (Low Voltage DC/DC) and an inverter. With this 48V technology, Hyundai reduces fuel consumption and CO2 emissions on New Tucson by up to 11 per cent. More than a new look: N Line sporty feel with updated suspension and steering Tucson N Line is a unique combina-

tion of a family SUV and N-inspired sportiness. The new trim features exterior and interior elements inspired by N, Hyundai’s high-performance range. The dynamic design features are complemented on the turbocharged petrol model and the most reliable diesel model by refined MDPS (motor-driven power steering) and adjusted suspension settings so customers can experience a more sporting drive. Suspension springs on these top Tucson N Line trims offer 5% greater rigidity in the rear setup and 8% more in the front, while software changes in the steering give a slightly more direct, linear feel at the wheel. Redesigned bumpers and a dark meshpattern grille framed by dark chrome provide a strong first impression. Furthermore, dark 19” alloy wheels, as

well as side mirror housings and a rear spoiler in glossy black, emphasising the car’s sporting attitude. Black-bezel headlamps, unique daytime running lights and LED design and darkened window frames in combination with body-coloured door handles also create a more dynamic look for the Tucson N Line. Inside the car, consumers can enjoy N-branded leather-suede sport seats and red accent stitching on the steering wheel and seats. Alloy pedals and the leather-wrapped, red-accented N gear shift lever are also part of the N Line enhancements. The New Tucson N Line is designed, tested and built in Europe and it is available across Europe in nine different body paint options.

DIESS: “SAFEGUARDING OUR FUTURE CAN ONLY SUCCEED TOGETHER”

• Diess thanks employees for their performance and appeals for efforts to master the transformation to continue

The Chairman of Volkswagen called for better cooperation on future topics at Volkswagen during a meeting held at the central plant in Wolfsburg. He gave a round-up of 2018 and looked ahead to 2019. Diess thanked employees for their strong work ethic last year. At the same time, he emphasised that Volkswagen could only safeguard its future through joint efforts. He expressed his optimism that this endeavour would be successful. Diess said that Works Council Chairman Bernd Osterloh fought hard for the workforce, while at the same time taking an entrepreneurial approach. Diess underscored: “This is about preparing Volkswagen as best we can for the new era. Bernd Osterloh also sees the need for change. I am often more impatient than he is because I see even big-

ger risks up ahead. And because I believe we must modernise even faster.” He went on to say he was nevertheless convinced that Volkswagen would master the future: “Together, we have come up with important solutions in the last three years – including answers to tough personnel issues, about the pact for the future or product decisions. I am optimistic we can do that going

forward too.” Diess said Volkswagen had carved out a good starting position for itself concerning the radical transformation facing the automotive industry, adding that the outcome for 2018 was very respectable, Volkswagen had achieved business success and had the financial strength to manage the significant topics of the future under its own

steam. “All of this is the result of a tremendous team effort by our brands and regions, and I would like to say a big thank you to everyone for that.” Diess went on to say there was, however, still a great deal to be done, and that he was aware of the endeavours, the uncertainty and the worries of the workforce. Nevertheless, there was no alternative: “We must earn significantly more money with our cars so that we can invest in the future. We must become leaner, more flexible, faster so that we can keep up with the new competitors. We must leverage the potential of this great Group and this great factory in Wolfsburg.” Turning his attention to 2019, Diess said that given the diesel crisis and its consequences, and in light of economic uncertainty in many markets, a significant effort would be needed to make 2019 another solid year for Volkswagen. Diess sees Volkswagen well on track as regards electrification. Volkswagen is fully committed to

clean mobility. “We owe that to coming generations”, he said and underscored: “I have a great deal of understanding and sympathy for the students who are striving to express their concern about our planet. They are not satisfied with us, with politicians and companies. We must give the right answers.” Referring to e-mobility, Diess also drew attention to the significant challenges in terms of employment, because it takes 30 per cent less time to assemble an electric car. Partial retirement would be an essential instrument for making the necessary adjustments. Diess: “Together with the Works Council, we will be doing our utmost to leverage these possibilities to the full, not only in production but also in administration.” At the same time, Volkswagen needed to upgrade its IT and would be investing some €4.6 billion in that area over the coming years. There would also be job losses as a result of digitalisation, Diess said, adding: “But we will find socially acceptable solutions for that, too.”

April 2019

SPORTS

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Altus Football Final 2019 takes place at St George’s Park

An initiative founded by professional footballer Kashif Siddiqi, Altus Football seeks to boost diversity and opportunity through sport The final was held on Saturday 30th March between Birmingham, Bradford, Derby and East London. Attending the final was Kashif Siddiqi, former professional footballers Clarke Carlisle, Cherno Samba and Carlton Cole as well as the founder of UK’s first Ramadan Midnight Football League in 2018, Obayed

Hussain. On Saturday 30th March, Altus Football concluded with a final at St. George’s Park National Football Centre, the home of the England national team. Attending the event was the founder of Altus Football, Kashif Siddiqi - one of only eleven British South Asians to have played football professionally in the UK, Obayed Hussain – an Imam and the co-founder of the UK’s first Ramadan Midnight

Football League in 2018 and special guests, former professional footballers, Clarke Carlisle, Cherno Samba and Carlton Cole. After a successful pilot in 2018, Altus Football returned to Bradford and East London and expanded to Birmingham and Derby in 2019. Following the eight-week project for young budding footballers in each area, groups came together to at St George’s Park to compete and show off their footballing talent.

Founded by Kashif Siddiqi and supported in Birmingham by Obayed Hussain, the initiative combines weekly training sessions with coachplayer mentoring, promoting teamwork, discipline and leadership, to empower young men with valuable life skills. More broadly, it provides a support framework for young people that lack a sense of belonging and purpose and seeks to tackle the cultural divides and barriers, which prevent many unrepresented

communities from getting involved in sport. Kashif is also co-founder of the Football for Peace movement alongside Elias Figueroa and an ambassador for Kick It Out. Together with Obayed Hussain, these two leaders hope to give the young participants a taste of what can be achieved by people of all backgrounds.

Quetta Gladiators Win the Final against Peshawar Zalmi Earlier last month, the Quetta Gladiators became lucky enough to win the title of champions at the 2019 HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) final. They defeated Peshawar Zalmi in Karachi by 8 wickets. Sarfaraz Ahmed’s side has been the returning attendants, since the inauguration of the PSL back in 2016. They were defeated in the first two finals and then excited in the contest during the third match. The competition has been tough to argue because the Gladiators were not the outstanding side in the competition’s fourth season. They would have finished second in the points table behind their opponents in the final. But then again, this was their fourth win out of the four matches against Peshawar this season. This might have felt like a long time coming, but Quetta probably did, in fact, deserve to be the winners. In the last match, Peshawar Zalmi had won against the Karachi Kings by 61 runs at the National Stadium in Karachi and moved on top of the table with 14

By Tauseef Asif position, while the Sultans were at the bottom, positioning themselves in sixth place. For the closing ceremony of the final, the guest of honour Carlos Puyol, the former Barcelona and Spain football captain, had stated: “I know people here love cricket, but they also love football as well,” this did not quite reason out exactly what he was doing there. Sarfaraz Ahmed said: “I thank the public for coming and people have also sent a clear message that Pakistan loves cricket.”

AW Facts Did you know? points. The Quetta Gladiators were behind them, who also obtained 14 points and came down to second place on the table. Islamabad United, who were

defending champions, were placed third with ten points, while the Karachi Kings came in fourth with ten points. The remaining two teams which included the

Lahore Qalandars and Multan Sultans failed to qualify for the playoffs. Both teams had secured six points each. The Qalandars were placed in the fifth

Adidas spent 2½ years designing the football for the 2014 World cup.

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Cricket will return to the Asian Games during the year 2022 in Hangzhou, China, at the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA). The announcement comes as big news for a multi-sports tournament, but it was reported that the Asian Games have big ambitions to move further. Cricket was cancelled from last year’s Asian Games, which was the biggest multi-sports event behind the Olympics. The Asian Cricket Council unsuccessfully requested, according to the sources, but was denied any alteration to the programme. The return of cricket at the Asian games is a boost for the sport, which has struggled to grow past its commonwealth base. Cricket has fallen behind other major sports, including soccer, basketball and rugby in efforts to globalise. The International Cricket Council (ICC) leads the sport, Chief executive Dave Richardson is determined to display cricket to new audiences, especially in the markets of China and USA. Moreover the popularity of the faster Twenty20 format of cricket which is played for over 3 hours means it is likely to be chosen for Hangzhou. Cricket has started to appear in new destinations, particularly in Thailand where the women’s national team are ranked in 12th on the Twenty20 International rankings. For such a typical British sport, cricket has only been presented in the commonwealth games once before in 1998. Cricket was at the 2017 South East

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April 2019

Cricket will make a comeback to the Asian games

Asian Games in Kuala Lumpur, but it was axed for the next edition due to the following event in Manila later this year. The major events are essential stepping stones for possible attachment on the biggest platform. The Olympics

remain to be the crown jewel in sport, in spite of their shine being muddled by aforementioned scandal. Cricket’s only presence at the Olympics was during the 1900 Games in Paris. A practical Richardson hoped cricket

Indian Premier League Begins in Chennai

could make its long-awaited Olympics comeback at the 2028 Games in Los Angeles. He stated: “It’s going to take time, as we have missed the deadline to apply to the International Olympic Committee to get the right to participate in the 2024

Olympics,” he said last year. “We can’t go to Paris. However, we have continued our talks with IOC and with LA in due course. We will have cricket in the Olympics, hopefully by 2028.”

‘Smart wickets’ can now detect no balls

By Navkiran Bains

A technology start-up in Pakistan is responsible for the innovation

The Indian Premier League, (IPL) began recently at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, on the 23rd of March. The tournament began early due to the upcoming ODI World Cup in late May. This IPL could have a say in the CWC selections of various countries, on a basis of the performances and fitness of the players participating. Overall, the league will be perfect practice for the Indian players ahead of The ICC event. However, the teams are committed to give their best and help their team to win the league. In the opening match, leading winners the Chennai Super Kings

were seen to take on the Royal Challengers Bangalore, where the former beat the latter by a total of 7 wickets. Eight city teams will compete in the 42-day tournament, and the final will be held on May 12 in Chennai. The teams that will be competing are the Chennai Super Kings, Delhi Capitals, Kings XI Punjab, Kolkata Knight Riders, Mumbai Indians, Rajasthan Royals, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Royal Challengers Bangalore. All of the eight teams will play each other twice in the league phase, one at home and one away. Once the league phase is completed, the teams who have reached the top four in the

points table will advance to playoffs. The IPL follows a unique play-offs format. In the playoffs, there will be a total of three matches. In the first match of the playoffs, the teams in the top two positions in the points table will compete with each other. The winner of the game will go directly on to the final. In the second match, the third and fourth-placed teams will meet. The winners of the game will play against the losing team of the first play-offs match. The winners of this match will then reach the final.

Noerric is a start-up from Pakistan and has created the ‘smart-wicket’ system designed with artificial intelligence and deep learning. These wickets not only detect no-balls but also other features such as a stumpout or a run-out. This technology is also applicable to aspects of other sports such as hockey, football or American football. The company, Noerric, aims to provide advanced technologies and solutions which makes cricket a better game, especially for its audience. The device can detect run-outs, stumped wickets and no-balls with little alteration on the field, therefore reducing any errors in the game. It is stated that around 26% of noball decisions which are challenged by teams get reversed every year. There are three main reasons why mistakes occur in these decisions,

the first being the fast-paced game doesn’t enable thinking space for the umpires, the second being the complex body postures which are required in the game, and finally the lapses in the umpire’s judgements. Therefore, new technology is necessary to increase the efficiency of the game and also cater to the issue of no-balls. Wicktron will provide for these issues as the ‘smart wicket’ is the answer to the company’s “e-umpiring net” which they wish to establish. This device uses 3D cameras and blinking LEDs which aims to increase accuracy in the game. When using this technology, umpires will be timely alerted by a smartwatch. As for now, the device only provides for cricket; however, Noerric wishes to expand its technologies to improve accuracy in other sports.

Back Training Exercises by British CHampion Syed Rahat

Your back consits of some of the strongest muscles in the body, but sometimes it is often neglected, when it comes to chest exercises. This is why it is essential that you dedicate time to training your back. There are a number of different exercises you can do to train your back revolving around a pulling motion. This mainly involves pull-ups and rows, but there are a number of other exercises you can do to rouse your back muscles to grow. RACK PULLS Rack pull are a variation of the deadlift. This is a go-to exercise, for anyone wanting to build a stronger back. This requires a similar motion targeting your upper back. The main difference between the deadlift and rack pull is where you pull the weight from. A rack pull is performed by lifting weight from the bars, which reduces the range of motion you

have to go through whilst lifting the weight. The motion allows you to lift heavier performing deadlifts. It is important to consider that rack pulls shouldn’t be regarded as a replacement for deadlifts. Instead, they will help you perform the lockout part of a regular deadlift, so they are a great variation exercise to perform if you wish to improve your deadlift. ALTERNATED GRIP PULL UPS Pull-ups are an exercise for stimulating your back and to examine your overall strength. There are a range of variations of pull-ups including wide grip, narrow grip, underhand grip and overhand grip, but many have not tried the alternated grip. Grip the pull-up bar with one palm facing away from you and one palm facing you, then pull yourself up in the same direction to perform a normal pull up. It is important to change your grip over after each set. It is sometimes appropriate to introduce slight differences in your training. Some techniques may work better for you, some may not, but if you don’t try you won’t know. Pull-ups are a part of your training rule, give it a try using alternated grip and see how you find them. WIDE GRIP BARBELL ROW The barbell row is an extremely active exercise for stimulating the muscles. This gives you great flexibility, as you are able to add weight easily, and provided you use the correct form, you can really target your lats. You are probably already doing barbell rows, but have you ever attempted doing them with a wide

grip? This shortens the range of motion, but also wills you to work very hard to lift the weight, meaning you have to focus

on appealing your upper and external lats to finish each rep. Try this exercise next time you’re doing barbell rows and you will for sure feel the burn! LANDMINE ROW Most gyms have a landmine station allowing you to perform different exercises. The is a great exercise for aiming your lats. To do this exercise, load one end of the bar with weight, stand at a 90-degree angle to the bar and hold one end with an overhand grip. Row the weight up to your middle-section, pause and then slowly go back to the starting position. Standing at a 90-degree angle to the bar means that you will work one lat more than the other during your exercise. Most people are likely to have one side stronger than the other, doing this exercise can help to balance the strength. It involves a large range of motion and standing at a right angle, means the weight plates will not interfere with the process. ONE ARM SMITH MACHINE ROW This is a good exercise for targeting your lower lats. Head to the Smith Machine and stand at the side of the bar. Bend over your back. Place your hand on the bar and place your other hand on your outside thigh and bend your knees for support and ensure a stable base. When pulling the bar up, concentrate on raising your elbow towards the ceiling. At the top of the motion, make sure you squeeze your lats and pause, before going back to the starting position. This will increase time under tension and can stim`ulate muscle growth. This is a great way to master the row form because it forces you to pull the weight up in a straight line. It is easy when using a dumbbell for the weight to move to the side as well as up. ENHANCE YOUR BACK WORKOUTS The exercises shown above can help you in back training. Next time you are training your back, why not try some of these exercises and see how they work for you? You might just find your new favourite back exercise. For more workouts, you can follow Rahat on Instagram @rahatfitnessworld