Asian World February 2022 by asianworld.khi

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February 2022

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Issue 162

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COMMONWEALTH GAMES QUEEN’S BATONBEARERS NOMINATIONS T OPEN he Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games has opened nominations for people who would like to apply to be a Batonbearer for the Queen’s Baton Relay in England....

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February 2022

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GLOBAL

LOCATIONS OF CITY’S COVID-19 MEMORIAL GARDENS

UK GOVT AGAINST fuel supply TO BURMESE MILITARY

NATWEST SITARIST ANNOUNCES ROOPA NEW SIKH PANESAR’S NETWORK NEW COMMITTEE COMMISSION

he locations of ten COVID-19 memorial community gardens across Birmingham have been announced by the city council... Page 6

BUSINESS

urma Campaign UK welcomed new British government advice on business risk in Burma which warns British companies not to be involved in the supply... Page 15

he Natwest Group Employee Led Network undertakes to promote Diversity & Inclusion within the Bank. The Sikh Network... Page 16

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QUEEN’S BATON RELAY ARRIVES IN DUBAI

he University of Birmingham Dubai today welcomed the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games Queen’s Baton Relay... Page 31

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Editor’s Note Hello readers and welcome back to the 154th edition of Asian World Newspaper! We hope that you and your loved ones are healthy and safe from the claws of the deadly pandemic, Covid-19. Ramadan 2021 is approaching soon and we understand that some of you may not be able to spend this holy month with your loved ones! To cheer you up, we thought we should share some exciting news stories and something totally different to the usual covid-19 updates. This month we focus on the protests that are happening in India and Bangladesh, turn to our global section to read the latest updates. We are also focusing on keeping a healthy lifestyle, especially as the lockdown has made some of us lazy! Turn to our health section to find out how you can keep a healthy lifestyle during lockdown. If you are somebody that loves watching movies on Amazon prime, then visit our glam section to see some of the new upcoming film releases. Also, don’t forget to look at our wrap edition by the wonderful Al Khair Foundation Charity, where you can see some of

the excellent work done by the charity itself. As you know the travel industry has faced many distributions due to the pandemic, why not read all about this in our travel section. Of course, this month we have provided some information on what to eat during Ramadan to ensure that we are looking after our health while we fast. Whichever section you turn to, there is a story that is suitable for everyone, whether you are into sports, business, or you just like to read the news. So, pick up a copy of the West Midlands’s No.1 South Asian paper and make sure you leave no page unturned. Take a look at the rest of this issue NOW! And remember to stay safe and stay alert. For the latest and most exclusive advertisement offers for 2021, please don’t hesitate to Contact us on 0121 771 4545 or email: sales@asianworldnews. co.uk Have a great read! Editor - Asian World editor@asianworldnews.co.uk Visit us online www.asianworldnews.co.uk

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1.27

Europe

1.15

1.18

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4.46

4.67

India

82.78

86.42

Pakistan

127.34

133.08

Bangladesh

95.67

101.02

Sri Lanka

182.11

188.59

Charity bike appeal

We need your help! We are a small charity in London and Birmingham. We donate second-hand bikes to refugees, who are required to live on £37.75 a week and are not allowed to work. Bikes allow refugees to save money on transport, get a safe means to exercise and so much more! We are now running low on second-hand bikes, so we’re calling out to everyone we know to spread the news and help us get more bikes in! The more bikes we get in, the more refugees we can help! Help us by donating a bike! Do you have an old bike gathering dust at home? We have over 20 drop-off locations in London and Birmingham, which are ready to take your old bike. All you have to do is find your nearest drop-off point here, register your bike and then drop it off at a time convenient to you! Help us by organising a donation drive! Do you want to help beyond that? We are looking for volunteers to host a pop-up drop-off point! We will help you organise a Covid-safe bike donation drive. Find here more information on how you can do that. All you need is bags of enthusiasm and a few hours of your time. Everything else, including how to market your popup, will be provided to you by our amazing team. Help us by sharing the word! If you’d like to share our bike appeal on your social channels or with your own newsletter community, please see attached an image you can share on your social channels.

February 2022

BIRMINGHAM CHOSEN TO PARTICIPATE IN THE CARTER CENTER’S INFORM WOMEN, TRANSFORM LIVES CAMPAIGN Cllr John Cotton, Cabinet Member for Social Inclusion, Community Safety and Equalities, said:

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The 11 other cities taking part in the 2022 campaign are Bogota, Colombia; Casablanca, Morocco; Dhaka North, Bangladesh; Freetown, Sierra Leone; Maputo, Mozambique; Montevideo, Uruguay; Nairobi, Kenya; Paris, France; Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic; Tunis, Tunisia; and Washington DC, United States of America. The campaign will be officially launched on 8 March 2022 – International Women’s Day.

“

Birmingham has been chosen by the Carter Center as 1 of 12 international cities to participate in its Inform Women, Transform Lives campaign, which aims to ensure women can access information. Birmingham is the only UK city to be included in this global campaign, led by the US-based organisation, which aims to educate and enable women to play an active part in the public sphere as well as in their local communities. The overall goals of the Inform Women, Transform Lives campaign are to enhance awareness of women’s right to information, increase the number of women accessing information about municipal and social services in participating cities, and support participating local governments in reaching women with meaningful information The campaign will include use of traditional and social media marketing materials, programming for both government agencies and citizen groups designed to help connect women to information, and virtual events and platforms to make it possible for participants to share ideas and best practices with each other. Cities across the globe applied to be part of this campaign, and the finalists were chosen based on their commitment to transparency and gender equality.

We have chosen to join the Carter Center’s campaign because it will have a direct impact on the everyday lives of women in our city. Information empowers women: it strengthens their voices, enables them to participate fully in society and decision-making; to access public services, education and employment. We are taking part in this global initiative because we want to ensure that women in every neighbourhood and community are empowered and able to enjoy full access to information and the great opportunities Birmingham can offer during the decade ahead.

ONE NIGHT IN AL AQSA (THE NIGHT OF POWER)

18th February sees the UK film tour launch of “One Night in Al Aqsa” at Cineworld, Wembley in North London. The documentary film shares the profound story of the Al-Aqsa compound in Jerusalem, during the Islamic calendar’s holiest night: The Night of Power. On this night, the first verses of The Holy Quran were revealed to the Prophet Mohammed which Muslims around the world honour in night prayers. The premiere is followed by an official UK-wide tour to eight venues across the country including: London, Luton, Birmingham, Leicester, Bolton, Blackburn, Manchester, and Bradford. All the funds from this tour go towards Penny Appeal’s Love Palestine to provide health care, food, and other vital aid to our Palestinian sisters and brothers in their hour of greatest need. The film covers the religious institutions of Jerusalem, with important structures such as the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Western Wall featured in the documentary. It shows why this holy site is also revered by Christian and Jewish faiths. The focus of the film is on the Muslim beliefs around Al Aqsa, this is compared and contrasted with the Christian and Jewish points of view from a theological angle.

Acclaimed London-based director of “One Day in The Haram” Abrar Hussain, offers a compelling look at Al-Aqsa through the eyes of those who live and work in the third holiest site in Islam. Unique 4K footage and unrestricted access to the Al Aqsa compound provide insight into the Dome of the Rock and the Qibli Mosque. Abrar Hussain says: “It’s been a great honour to direct this film, and also a huge responsibility. I believe films are one of the catalysts that can open up new discussions and viewpoints. I want this film to operate in the space that comes just before change. I hope to show the world a side of Islam that’s not been seen before, and add something positive to the understanding of this most significant historical institution”. Penny Appeal Founder, “Adeem Younis added: It’s a privilege to partner up with the makers of the One Night In Al Aqsa documentary film for a UK charity tour. The film is not only educational for adults but for young people who will be able to experience a documentary film which explains the history of the Al Aqsa complex as the third holiest place of worship and its spiritual significance to Muslims but also to Christians and Jewish people all around the world”.

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February 2022

LOCATIONS OF CITY’S COVID-19 MEMORIAL COMMUNITY GARDENS ARE ANNOUNCED The council has engaged with residents, community groups, parks staff and local councillors to help finalise the location list, as follows: Edgbaston – Grove Park Erdington – Land off Park Lane, Castle Vale Hall Green – Highbury Park Hodge Hill – Ward End Park Ladywood – Phillips Street Park Northfield – Barcheston Recreation Ground Perry Barr – George’s Park Selly Oak – Dawberry Fields Sutton Coldfield – Rectory Park Yardley – Stechford Recreation Ground

The locations of ten COVID-19 memorial community gardens across Birmingham have been announced by the city council. Initial design ideas for the gardens – one in each of the city’s Parliamentary constituencies – were unveiled in March of last year. The idea of having a memorial garden in all ten constituencies was based on the fact the virus has affected all parts of Birmingham, giving people somewhere near where they live a focal point to remember their loved ones. Erdington will be first location where work to construct the memorial is started – in recognition of the fact Jack Dromey MP held one of his last meetings with council representatives on the development of the constituency’s garden on the day before his sudden death earlier this month.

Cllr Ian Ward, Leader of Birmingham City Council, said: “It is really important to remember and pay tribute to those we have lost in the city as a result of the pandemic. Every person that has been lost to COVID-19 was dearly loved by their family, friends and colleagues. “We are grateful for the input we have received from residents and councillors on where the memorials should be located in their areas and hope they provide a focal point for people to remember and reflect. “The tributes that were paid from across the political divide following the death of Jack show how well respected and regarded he was by the people of Erdington – and given that one of the last meetings he ever had was in support of residents who had suggested a location for a memorial in

their area means that it is a fitting tribute to ensure work on the first of these gardens starts in his constituency.” In the designs drawn up by the council’s Chelsea Flower Show awardwinning team, the central feature is a pebble bed that will give communities the opportunity to write the name of someone lost in the pandemic on one of the stones. Additionally, the concept includes colourful plant species like forgetme-not, and the trees that form part of the gardens will be spaced at two-metre intervals – a nod to the social distancing guidance people were asked to follow at the onset of the pandemic. Local communities will also be able to tailor the memorials in their area by working with the council to select shrub and plant types. The benches are intended to provide

people with somewhere to reflect and discuss their memories in a setting local to them. Cllr John O’Shea, Cabinet Member for Street Scene and Parks at Birmingham City Council, added: “One of the key things to come out of the pandemic is the valuable contribution our parks and open spaces had to play for the people of Birmingham. “They provided a location for exercise and meeting – and the use of parks rose significantly when much of society was locked down to control the spread of the virus. “These gardens will help signify the role parks have played during these times as well as giving people a way in which to remember those we have lost and everything that has happened during these tragic times. “I thank those that have helped us

develop this idea from residents to Councillors and MPs, as well as our Parks staff who have once again stepped up and provided us with a design that I know will be warmly welcomed by residents and park users.” Work to establish the memorials will be taking place over the coming months and the city council will maintain the sites as part of the ongoing maintenance of the city’s parks and open spaces, with volunteer support also welcomed where capacity and interest exists. There is also work ongoing regarding a suitable city memorial, and details will be announced once finalised. As of January 24 of this year, a total of 3,220 deaths had been recorded in Birmingham with COVID-19 on the death certificate.

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February 2022

DEPUTY MAYOR OF WALSALL ATTENDS POIGNANT TREE PLANTING CEREMONY ON HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL DAY

Councillor Rose Martin, Deputy Mayor of Walsall said:

“

That long tradition of open hearts and minds is what makes the borough of Walsall a place I’m so proud to represent as Deputy Mayor of Walsall. The sponsor of this special tree is Gary Zucker, who travelled to Walsall with his wife to plant the oak tree commemorating his mother Lilly Scherer Zucker and father Joseph Zucker who were young refugees from Austria and Germany in 1938. I was both humbled and privileged to speak with Gary about his parents’ early experiences in this country. What struck me most was imagining my own young granddaughter going through the fear of being separated from her family and taken to a strange land where she had to learn a new language, customs and cultures and face an uncertain future. It’s unimaginable really.

The Deputy Mayor of Walsall, Councillor Rose Martin attended a special tree planting ceremony at Barr Beacon, a local nature reserve which also houses an iconic World War l memorial. The Association of Jewish Refugees (AJR) is commemorating its 80th year with a special project called ’80 Trees for 80 Years’. The AJR offered its members the opportunity to sponsor the planting of a native oak tree in memory of a loved one in a location that is meaningful to Jewish refugees’ and survivors’ arrival, history and lives in the UK. Walsall was considered an ideal location to plant a tree due to its history of helping and housing Jewish refugee children from Nazi-occupied Europe during World War ll. The theme of Holocaust Memorial Day this year is One Day — survivors of the Holocaust and of genocide often talk about the One Day when everything changed, sometimes for the worse and sometimes for better. Marilyn Thomas from the Association of Jewish Refugees also attended the ceremony and said: “It’s wonderful that Walsall is being recognised for having housed Jewish refugees and helping them escape

the horrors of the Holocaust on this significant day through AJR’s wonderful project.”

80 Trees for 80 Years has also been endorsed by the organisers of The Queen’s Green Canopy (QGC) – the unique tree planting initiative which

will mark Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022, which described the Association of Jewish Refugees’ project as a “wonderful initiative”.

UNIQUE ENVIRONMENTALLY-CONSCIOUS PEST CONTROL AND LIVE BEE REMOVAL BUSINESS OPENS IN SOUTH BIRMINGHAM A pest control business with a difference has begun trading in Solihull, Redditch and the surrounding areas this week. PGH Beegone, part of the PGH Beegone franchise, specialises in solving pest problems others can’t while also offering a rare live bee removal service. PGH Beegone Solihull Redditch owner Louchlan Deeming has successfully undertaken the first of three rodent treatment visits at a farm in Stourbridge and is confident that his approach will rid his customer of the problem for good. He says: “At PGH Beegone we pride ourselves on our environmentallyfriendly approach to pest control, by employing preventative measures we ensure the pests cannot get back into the area, therefore reducing overall pesticide use. We tackle a wide range of pests from insects, to rodents, to birds and larger animals too and all are treated with respect. “Our environmental credentials are important to us – that’s why the live bee removal is a huge part of what we do – we are experts in removing honeybees and their combs from hard-to-reach areas such as wall cavities and roof spaces. We rehome the

honeybees with local keepers which is fundamental to the preservation of our ecosystem. It really is an exciting business and I can’t wait to develop it.” With leads coming in thick and fast

Louchlan’s services are certainly in demand and he can’t wait to start helping rid the local community of their pest issues. He continued: “Birds are a big concern in inner city Birmingham. I’ve already done two

bird surveys on large, historic buildings, so hopefully those prevention jobs will go ahead in future. I’m committed to providing customers with an honest, quality service and helping out wildlife in the process.”

“

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February 2022

THE HIGH SHERIFF OF THE WEST MIDLANDS SUPPORTS NEW CADET SERVICE FOR WEST MIDLANDS’ YOUNG PEOPLE

The High Sheriff of the West Midlands attended the launch of an exciting new venture designed to give children and young people easier access to a wealth of opportunities within the army, police and various other uniformed organisations.

“

It was fantastic to see such a wealth of support for YOU WM which brings together the very best in providing young people in our region with a wealth of meaningful opportunities that will really help enrich their lives not just here and now, but for many decades to come. The aim of YOU is to enable ease of access to various organisations for young people who are interested in becoming a cadet. Some of these organisations take children from just five years old! George Marsh MBE TD DL, Lead Deputy Lieutenant on the YOU WM project. Louise said the aims and ambitions of YOU were a perfect fit with her own priorities in helping to improve opportunities for young people in the region during her year as High Sheriff. She said: “As well as being a mother I have fostered children for more than eight years. As a foster parent you see the worst side of society including the cause and effect of a lack of opportunity for young people in terms of skills and learning. “Every one of these organisations of-

fers young people a chance to learn new skills, meet new people and come together as a team, offering their cadets a head start and improving opportunities for them in the future. Bringing them together under one organisation gives children and young people the chance to explore a wealth of exciting opportunities which will help them grow not just during their formative years, but in the years to come.” The YOU West Midlands website is still in progress but check out the #YOUWM hashtag on Twitter.

YOU provides a central point for a young person keen to find out more about the cadet units in their local area, what they’re about and what they do. Essentially it allows young people ease of access under one umbrella organisation, instead of having to find and research 11 different groups.

“

Youth Organisations in Uniform West Midlands (YOU WM) is made up of 11 services, both military and non-military. These include the Royal Air Force, Army Cadets, Boys and Girl Brigade, St John Ambulance and Sea Scouts, among others. Louise Bennett OBE DL attended the event both in her capacity as High Sheriff and also as the Chief Executive of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber, which awarded money to YOU WM to help pay for an administrator and to help launch a new website to bring all the information needed in one place. Guest speaker at the event was West Bromwich-born Dave Heeley – the only blind man to ever complete seven marathons on seven continents in seven days. The event was also attended by Colonel

Louise Bennett OBE said:

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February 2022

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GLOBAL

The British Asian Trust announced the appointment of Mian Mohammad Mansha as the Chair of their Advisory Council in Pakistan. He joins Sayed Zulfikar Bukhari (Chairman of the National Tourism Coordination Board), Amin Lakhani (Managing Director at Lakson Group), and Tariq Rangoonwala (Chairman of the Board, Rangoonwala Group of Companies, Pakistan) on the Pakistan Advisory Council. Mian Mohammad Mansha is a leading businessman of Pakistan and Chairman of the Nishat Group of companies, which holds major business interests in the textile, cement, financial services, power generation, real estate and hospitality, dairy and agriculture, paper products, retail commerce, aviation and automotive sectors. He is a committed philanthropist and provides support to causes in healthcare, women’s education, sustainable tourism, sports, poverty alleviation and social uplift. Mr. Mansha was awarded Pakistan’s prestigious civil award, the Sitara-e-Imtiaz (Star of Excellence) in 2004 in recognition of his contributions to industrial development. He is currently Chairman of MCB Bank Limited and a Board member of the Atlantic Council, USA. Mian Mohammad Mansha, founder and Chairman of Nishat Group of Companies and Chairman of MCB Bank Limited said: “I am honoured and excited to have been appointed Chair of the British Asian Trust’s Pakistan Advisory Council. I have been enormously impressed with the work of the British Asian Trust in Pakistan, especially the groundbreaking mental health programme, and their focus on supporting thousands of women to secure jobs. I look forward to supporting the organisation to be even more impactful.” Richard Hawkes, Chief Executive of the British Asian Trust said: “We are delighted that Mian Mansha has joined as Chair of our Pakistan Advisory Council. We hope that his leader-

ship will contribute greatly to our work in Pakistan. It is through the guidance of our Advisory Councils that we do all we can to be impactful, cost-effective and accountable in all our endeavours.” The British Asian Trust is an International Development organisation that wants to see a South Asia that is prospering and fair for all. The work supports largescale, sustainable solutions that enable poor and marginalised people to achieve their full potential. It was founded by His Royal Highness, The Prince of Wales and a group of visionary British Asians to deliver effective programmes to help tackle poverty and inequality in South Asia and to date has positively impacted the lives of almost 6.6 million people. The British Asian Trust has been supporting programmes in Pakistan for over a decade. Over the past three years, its Mental Health programme has reached nearly 16 million people with mental health messaging through mass media campaigns on TV and social media and provided more then 25,000 people with quality mental health care and support. Through the British Asian Trust’s Livelihoods programme, more then 10,000 women and young people successfully improved their livelihoods and income through employment or setting up their own enterprises. With support from UK Aid Match, and other donors, the programme will continue to scale up its impact over the next three years.

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February 2022

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February 2022

NOVEL RESEARCH IDENTIFIES FRESH ‘MIXERS’ IN RIVER POLLUTION ‘COCKTAIL’

Water quality in rivers is affected by underpinning ‘natural’ hydrogeological and biogeochemical processes, as well as interactions between people and their environment that are accelerating stress on water resources at unprecedented rates. Pollutants can move at different speeds and accumulate in varying quantities along rivers where the mix of the complex ‘cocktail’ of chemicals that is making its way towards the ocean is constantly changing, a new study reveals. Researchers have discovered characteristic breakpoints – often found when a tributary joins the main river or significant point sources exist – can change the behaviour of some compounds, causing the concentration of these chemicals to change drastically, depending on where they are on their journey down the river. Experts discovered the phenomenon after piloting a new, systematic approach to understanding hydrogeochemical dynamics in large river systems along the entire length of India’s River Ganges (Ganga) – from close to its source in the Himalayas down to the Indian Ocean. This new research approach proven successful at the iconic Ganga can be applied to other large river systems across the world – hopefully shedding new light on how to tackle the global challenge of aquatic pollution by multiple interacting contaminants. Publishing its findings in Water Research, the international research team, which includes experts from the Univer-

sities of Birmingham and Manchester and other Indian and UK collaborators, reveals that chemicals including nitrate, chloride, sulfate, calcium, sodium and strontium are cut and boosted in different proportion by a series of breakpoints along the Ganga. They found that mixing, dilution and weathering are key processes controlling major hydrochemistry – identifying four major breakpoints which alter the concentration of at least four chemicals in

the river. Five minor breakpoints affect the water mix of 2-3 chemicals, with two ‘single’ locations impacting on just one parameter. Stefan Krause, Professor of Ecohydrology and Biogeochemistry at the University of Birmingham, commented: “Large river systems, such as the Ganga, provide crucial water resources with important implications for global water, food and energy security. Understanding the complex dynamics of such systems re-

mains a major challenge. “The breakpoints we have identified in India change the behaviour of some compounds, altering the composition of the cocktail of chemicals flowing down the Ganga to the ocean. “Breakpoint analysis could be a game changer in understanding how pollutants travel along major watercourses – allowing us to identify the ‘hotspots’ which will shed new light on the behaviour of aquatic pollution and how better to tack-

le this global challenge.” Informed by a 2019 post-monsoonal survey of 81 bank-side sampling locations, researchers identified five major hydrogeochemical zones – characterised, in part, by the inputs of key tributaries, urban and agricultural areas, and estuarine inputs near the Bay of Bengal. Dr Laura Richards, the study’s lead author from the University of Manchester, commented: “Our research helps to understand the downstream transitions in the chemistry of the River Ganga providing important baseline information and quantification of solute sources and controls. In addition to improving the understanding of a river system as environmentally and societally important as the Ganga, the systematic approach used may also be applicable to other large river systems.” The researcher’s novel research approach brings systematic insight into the factors controlling key geochemistry in the Ganga – one of the world’s largest and most important river systems, flowing over 2,500 km from the Himalayas to the Bay of Bengal, through one of the world’s most densely populated areas. As a major source of livelihood, the river is a key water source to more than 400 Million people and very important to many social and religious traditions in India, but faces increasing environmental challenges associated with rapid development, climate change, increasing urbanisation, water demand and agricultural intensity.

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BRITISH ASIAN TRUST, HRH THE PRINCE OF WALES’S CHARITY, HOSTS ANNUAL RECEPTION AND DINNER TO CELEBRATE THE WORK OF THE TRUST AND RAISE FUNDS TO SUPPORT COVID-19 RECOVERY WORK ACROSS SOUTH ASIA

His Royal Highness, The Prince of Wales, Royal Founding Patron of the British Asian Trust, accompanied by Her Royal Highness, The Duchess of Cornwall, attended the British Asian Trust’s Annual Reception and Dinner at the British Museum to celebrate the organisation’s many accomplishments over the past year and help raise funds to support COVID-19 recovery across South Asia. Notable guests included The Rt Hon Rishi Sunak MP, Chancellor of the Exchequer, The Rt Hon Priti Patel, Home Secretary, Adar and Natasha Poonawalla, heads of the Serum Institute of India and long-term supporters of the Trust; Pakistani business magnate Mian Mohammad Mansha, Chairman of Nishat Group and newly appointed Chair of the British Asian Trust’s Advisory Council for Pakistan. During his address, HRH The Prince of Wales His Royal Highness said: “I cannot quite believe it is almost two years to the day that my wife and myself were able to be with all of

you to celebrate the work of the British Asian Trust. Since then, across the globe, there has been terrible loss of life from COVID-19 and we have especially seen the devastating impact throughout South Asia. In these most challenging times, the British Asian Trust has run four significant fundraising appeals which have so far raised almost £20m. A truly remarkable achievement in such a difficult environment.”

The British Asian Trust was founded in 2007 by HRH The Prince of Wales and British Asian business leaders to tackle widespread poverty, inequality and injustice in Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. During the evening, BT announced the renewal of their support for the Trust with a commitment of £3m to support 200,000 adolescent girls in India.

February 2022

UK GOVERNMENT WARNS COMPANIES AGAINST SUPPLYING AVIATION FUEL TO BURMESE MILITARY

Burma Campaign UK welcomed new British government advice on business risk in Burma which warns British companies not to be involved in the supply of aviation fuel to the Burmese military. New business risk guidance issued by the Department for International Trade and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office published yesterday, 9th February, states: “The Myanmar military regularly uses air strikes against civilian targets. If dealing with any entity linked to Myanmar’s aviation sector, businesses should conduct thorough supply chain diligence to ensure that commodities such as jet-fuel do not reach the military.” “It is very good to see the British government warning British companies not to be involved in the supply of aviation fuel to the Burmese military,” said

Mark Farmaner, Director of Burma Campaign UK. “This is a recognition of the role of the supply of aviation fuel in the commission of human rights violations by the military. We hope that it will be followed by legal sanctions as soon as possible.” Burma Campaign UK and many civil society organisations from Burma are calling for sanctions on the supply of aviation fuel, following a massive increase in the use of air strikes by the Burmese military in the past year. The Burmese military are indiscriminately bombing civilians, killing and injuring dozens of people. The majority of more than 400,000 people forced to flee their homes since the attempted coup last year have been displaced by airstrikes or the threat of air strikes. This has created a humanitarian crisis.

February 2022

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TIPS FOR A JANUARY FINANCIAL HEALTH-CHECK

Taking timely action to review your spending and think about how you manage your money can help you start the year with your finances on track, according to a Coventry University expert. Sally Dibb, a Professor in the university’s Centre for Business in Society, is an expert in reducing financial vulnerability and consumer behaviour. Here she provides tips on how to get on top of your spending and stay in control throughout 2022. With the tinsel, tree and baubles packed away for another year, January is when many households and students must face the costs of Christmas spending. As inflation passes 5% and with food and energy prices rising, the pressures this year are especially acute. Yet no matter how challenging, there is no better time for action to get back in control of your finances. Early action offers the best chance of a smooth financial ride through 2022, could help you achieve your financial goals, and might head off financial problems. Sally said: “At this time of year, many of us are facing daunting financial pressures. Those postChristmas credit card bills need paying, energy costs are driven up by colder weather, and for the self-employed the January tax deadline looms large. But even small changes in how we manage our money can help get us back in control.” Here are Sally’s five top tips for health-checking your finances:

1) Review your spending “When did you last really review your spending? The start of the year is a great time to take stock of your outgoings. Prepare to be amazed! How much do you really spend on expensive coffees or snacks

bought ‘in the moment’? Is your preference for branded food items pushing up the cost of your weekly shop? Do you know what your energy or fuel costs? Perhaps you have gym or other memberships that are no longer good value for money. It’s well worth putting time on one side to shop around for better deals on your phone, broadband, energy and insurance. One day spent on this each year might save you hundreds of pounds.”

2) Create a simple budget “Budgeting is a great way to keep track of your spending and control your finances. All you need are details of your income and outgoings. It’s simple to do. Once you’ve reviewed your spending, you’re halfway there! You can find step-by-step guidance on how to create a basic budget using our MoneySkills app. The MoneySkills app provides information on budgeting and saving through short video clips, e-zines, and an interactive budget planner. It is an interactive tool that you can use to help manage your finances on the go. Use the app to learn how to budget, start routinely saving and to set financial goals. “The app was developed out of CBiS’s research, funded by the Money Advice Service and in conjunction with the Open University. The research found that learning how to budget and working out how to save can help put people in control of their money.” 3) Set up a regular savings direct debit “When the bills are stacking up, committing to regular

to replace an unreliable car, to fund time off to visit friends or relatives, or even to become debt free. Some people work towards these goals by making simple changes – such as cutting back on coffee shop drinks or walking or cycling to work – to allow them to save toward these goals.”

saving might seem unrealistic. But it’s surprising how quickly a small amount saved each month can mount up. Creating a ‘rainy day’ fund can cut the stress of unexpected expenses and help you save for a special occasion or planned big spend. If the direct debit is timed for just after you’re paid, you’re much less likely to miss the money going into your savings.” 4) Set aspirational financial goals “Having aspirational goals gives you a great incentive to save. Researchshows that we often spend for emotional reasons, to cheer ourselves up or to lift us through life’s challenges. Sadly, this kind of short-term spending can make it difficult to work towards our longer-term goals. Setting longer-term financial goals can be a great motivation for reduc-

ing day-to-day spending. Your goal might be the promise of a dream holiday, the desire

5) Seek help quickly if you need to “Money is one of the last taboos, with many of us resistant or embarrassed to discuss our finances, even with those we love. Often, we leave it too long when money problems hit, yet seeking help quickly can make all the difference. Our research findings show that some people resist asking for help because they don’t know who to trust and worry that a source of free help might actually be trying to sell them something. But there are many useful sources of independent and free guidance out there, including:

MoneyHelper www.moneyhelper.org.uk offers free advice on money and budgeting. Stepchange www.stepchange.org/ (0800 138 1111) and National Debtline nationaldebtline.org/ (Freephone 0808 4000) both provide free and independent help on debt.” Find out more about the Centre for Business in Society and Coventry Business School. The MoneySkills app has been developed by Coventry University’s Centre for Business in Society (CBiS). It is a free-touse personal finance app helping people manage their money. MoneySkills is available free on iOS from the App store or for Android from Google Play Store and as a web-based application.

NATWEST ANNOUNCES NEW SIKH NETWORK COMMITTEE

The Natwest Group Employee Led Network undertakes to promote Diversity & Inclusion within the Bank. The Sikh Network was launched back in 2018 and has grown from strength to strength with now over 1100 members globally including both Sikh and Non-Sikh members. The bank recently announced its newly selected committee, a group of highly skilled individuals, bringing their life experiences, knowledge, and true po-

tential to the Sikh Network. The talented team of 13 will reflect the founder of the Sikh Faith, Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s concept of Terah – All belongs to the Almighty God. Based on the 3 pillars of Sikhism and the teachings of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, their purpose will be engaging in honest and ethical hardwork (Kirat Karo), helping others selflessly (Vandh Ke Shako) and remembering God in all we do (Naam Japo)

James Holian, Executive Sponsor of the Natwest Group Sikh Network said “I am really looking forward to collaborating with the new team who bring a diverse range of skills and experience to the Committee. They will undertake to share their vision of supporting NatWest Group to become a purpose-led Bank for all our customers, colleagues and communities”

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February 2022

Deepika padukone in first song of movie GEHRAIYAAN Page 21

British asian music award winners announced Page 20

‘LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD’ for N CHANDRA Page 20

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February 2022

SITARIST ROOPA PANESAR’S NEW COMMISSION FOR PRS NEW MUSIC BIENNIAL 2022

Opera North has announced a new commission from sitarist Roopa Panesar for PRS Foundation and Southbank Centre’s New Music Biennial 2022. The Crossing, Roopa’s new work in collaboration with pianist Al MacSween, with sound design by producer and musician Camilo Tirado, will be performed at two celebration weekends: in Coventry (22 – 24 April) as part of Coventry UK City of Culture and at London’s Southbank Centre from 1 – 3 July, with a special performance at the Howard Assembly Room, Leeds, to follow. One of the UK’s foremost sitarists, Roopa Panesar grew up in Leicester and took up the instrument at the age of seven, training in the Hindustani classical tradition with Dharambir Singh MBE. Having qualified as a chemical engineer and embarked on a career in the oil and gas industry, she made the decision to become a professional sitarist, one of a very small number of women in the field. She released her debut album Khoj in 2011, and has toured extensively in the Europe, the USA and India. Always maintaining her deep roots in South Asian music, she has collaborated with musicians and en-

sembles from jazz, western classical and contemporary music ranging from the Belgian Symphony Orchestra to Talvin Singh. This year’s New Music Biennial invites composers to explore the joy, excitement and transformations that music can effect as we confront the challenges of our lives. Describing The Crossing as “a movement from loss to renewal”, Roopa hopes that it will offer a space in which to contemplate and respond to music after the griefs and hardships of the last two years. “We can’t get away from it”, she says. “Everybody – artists and audience – has changed because of it. Now that we’re able to come together again, we want to acknowledge that, and open a space for exchange between our instruments and the audience.” Largely improvised, The Crossing is formed by the weaving of lines on Roopa’s sitar and the piano of her collaborator, Al MacSween, within the structures of Indian classical raagas – melodic frameworks each associated with a particular time of day, a mood or an atmosphere. An alumnus of Leeds College of Music (now Leeds Conservatoire),

Al boasts an impressively wideranging CV, from his group Kefaya’s collaboration with Afghan folk singer Elaha Soroor, to his mastery of Afro-Cuban and West-African music. Immersing himself in Indian improvisation during his studies in Leeds, he began making annual trips to the country. “Al’s unique background in jazz and Indian classical music means that he can authentically complement what I play on the sitar – and I’m excited about following the directions in which he’ll take the music, too”, Roopa says. As the New Music Biennial celebrates a decade of bringing new music from all genres to its interactive, intimate and free pop-up platforms, Roopa is looking back to Indian tradition to find new possibilities for the festival’s format. “The idea of an exchange between performers and audience is key to The Crossing, and that’s inspired by baithak concerts”, she explains. “This is the usual way that Hindustani music is performed, with the audience in close proximity to the players and reacting, sometimes audibly, to the music as they hear it. We’re hoping to recreate that atmosphere in western concert halls: all of us in the same space, feeling the music in the same way, and healing”. “The Crossing is an amazing opportunity to produce some music that reflects my journey so far. It feels like a very poignant time to be working on something like this, and I’m looking forward to drawing on Al’s fantastic collaborative powers.” The Crossing is one of ten new commissions for the New Music Biennial 2022, alongside works by artists including Afrodeutsche, Coby Sey, Yazz Ahmed and Martin Green. Ten works selected from past years will also be performed. The New Music Biennial will be broadcast across BBC Radio 3 and pieces will be available through NMC Recordings following the festivals. To ensure the New Music Biennial can be experienced by all, the Southbank Centre will also be hosting a range of free-to-attend public events which will be announced closer to the summer. New Music Biennial 2022 is presented by the PRS Foundation in partnership with Coventry UK City of Culture, BBC Radio 3 and NMC Recordings with support from Arts Council of England, Arts Council of Northern Ireland and Paul Hamlyn Foundation.

AW Facts Did you know? Raj Kapoor’s ‘Mera Naam Joker’ was the first Hindi movie to have not one but two intervals

February 2022

VETERAN FILM DIRECTOR N CHANDRA TO BE AWARDED ‘LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD’ IN THE RAJASTHAN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL-2022 The 8th edition of the Rajasthan International Film Festival (RIFF) will be organized by RIFF Film Club from 25-30th March 2022 and will also celebrate Rajasthan Diwas. Somendra Harsh, Founder & Festival Director of the Rajasthan International Film Festival (RIFF) stated that this year the Life Time Achievement Award will be given to the renowned Writer, Producer and Director Chandrashekhar Narvekar (N Chandra) at the 8th Rajasthan International Film Festival (RIFF). This award is given to such a personality in the film industry who has dedicated his whole life to the cinema. Chandrashekhar Narvekar (N Chandra) is an Indian producer, writer and director who is known for crisp realism in his early Dark and Loud films. His most successful commercial films are ‘Ankush’ starring Nana Patekar, ‘Pratighaat’ starring Sujata Mehta and Nana Patekar, ‘Tezaab’ starring Anil Kapoor and Madhuri Dixit and ‘Narasimha’ starring Sunny Deol and Dimple Kapadia. The filmography of N Chandra also includes films like ‘Humlaa’, ‘Yugandhari’, ‘Tejaswini’, ‘Bekaabu’, ‘Wajood’, ‘Shikari’, ‘Style’, ‘Xcuse Me’, ‘Kagaar: Life on the Edge’ and ‘Ye Mera India’ etc.

After his schooling, N Chandra began his career as a film editor at the Film Center in Tardeo, Mumbai, where his father also worked. He started his film career as an assistant editor in Sunil Dutt’s film ‘Reshma Aur Shera’ in 1969. He got a break in the film industry as a clapper boy in Gulzar’s ‘Parichay’ (1972). N Chandra worked as an assistant editor with Pran Mehra, Vaman Bhosle and Guru Dutt early in his career, leading to films by Raj Ghosla, BR Chopra and Ravi Tandon. Gradually, N Chandra continued to grow as a film editor and assistant director. N Chandra has been a member of the Governing Council of the Film and Television Institute of India, Pune.

Along with this, he has also been the Chairman of the jury of Indian Panorama of 2010 and 2011 and was also included in the Indian Film Entry Jury for Oscars in 2006 and 2011. He was also the Chairman of the Jury at the 67th National Film Awards 2019 (which were awarded in 2021). Anshu Harsh, the Managing Trustee of RIFF Film Club said that “In this 8th edition of the Rajasthan International Film Festival (RIFF) Short, Documentary, Animation, Feature, Regional, Rajasthani films as well as music albums can be submitted by visiting the website www.riffjaipur.org and also by filmfreeway. The next deadline to submit the film is 31st January 2022.”

There are 19 different categories for these awards, which are being presented in partnership with Sunrise London, Asian Sound Radio, Awaz FM, Radio XL, Radio Faza, Lyca Radio, Sabras FM, Ambur Radio, Sunrise Radio Yorkshire & Manchester, and Asians UK.

►►The Emerging Artist of the Year went to Haseeb Haze.

►►The Hip Hop Artist of the Year Award went to Tazzz.

►►The Pioneer of the Year Award was won by H Dhami.

►►The Female DJ of the Year Award was won by DJ Nish.

►►The Track of the Year Award went to Coolie FT Jaz Dhami – Kisan.

►►The Producer of the Year Award went to Rude Kid.

►►The Icon of the Year Award was won by Manj Musik.

►►The Breakthrough Act of the Year Award was won by Rio Jai.

►►The Male Artist of the Year Award went to Sparkaman.

►►The Legacy Band Award went to Sahara.

►►The Female Artist of the Year Award was on Tasha Tah.

►►The DJ of the Year Award was won by AJD.

►►The International Artist of the Year Award went to Raja Kumari.

►►The Radio Presenter of the Year Award went to Harpz Kaur.

►►The Video of the Year Award went to Fusion ft Metz and Trix – Cha Sha.

►►The One to Watch Award was won by Pritt.

►►The Best Collaboration of the Year Award was won by Raxstar ft Raashi Sood – Fix This.

►►The Hall of Fame Award went to Bobby Friction. ►►The Lifetime Achievement Award was won by Channi Singh.

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WINNERS ANNOUNCED FOR THE BRITISH ASIAN MUSIC AWARDS

SPORTS 31

‘DOOBEY’ THE FIRST SONG FROM THE SOUNDTRACK OF AMAZON ORIGINAL MOVIE GEHRAIYAAN PERSONIFIES THE HEADY RUSH OF FALLING IN LOVE!

After thousands of nominations were made, the first ever British Asian Music Awards was held on the 1st of February. This virtually held award ceremony was powered by German Donner Kebab and Oceanic Events. Check the award list on the left side page of this news

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February 2022

The soundtrack of Amazon Original Movie Gehraiyaan is one of the most awaited albums of the year. The movie’s title track, which was revealed in the teaser, is already trending on social media, and ‘Doobey’, a glimpse of which was featured in the trailer has left audiences wanting for more! Designed by Ankur Tewari, the alluring song is composed by Kabeer Kathpalia a.k.a OAFF and Savera, written by Kausar Munir and sung by Lothika Jha. Directed by the very talented Shakun Batra, Gehraiyaan is a relationship drama that looks beneath the surface of complex modern relationships, adulting, letting go and taking control of ones’ life path. The film features Deepika Padukone, Siddhant Chaturvedi and Ananya Panday in the lead along with Dhairya Karwa, Naseeruddin Shah and Rajat Kapur in pivotal roles. Jointly produced by Viacom18 Studios, Dharma Productions and Shakun Batra’s Jouska Films, the movie will have its World Premiere exclusively on Amazon Prime Video on February 11, 2022 in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide.

February 2022

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February 2022

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EXPERT REVEALS HOW EXERCISE CAN IMPROVE YOUR SLEEP ROUTINE

Many people use exercise as a way to maintain good physical health as well as good mental health but exercising can also have a positive impact on your sleep routine. Health expert April Mayer from Amerisleep, reveals the integral role of exercise to help you sleep better and improve sleep quality. Can exercise alter your sleeping pattern? More involvement in physical activity on a regular basis helps to use up energy and tire muscles, which means that individuals are more likely to get to sleep quickly after turning the lights out. Exercise also supports longer and deeper sleep patterns, meaning that you are likely to sleep through any disruptions. In turn, uninterrupted sleep boosts muscle repair and your immune system. Is more sleep needed if you engage in regular physical activity? Partaking in around 150 minutes of moderate physical activity every week and generally leading a more active lifestyle does increase the need for more sleep. On average, it tends to give

you around 7-8 hours of deep, uninterrupted sleep. Is it possible that exercise can help people with sleeping disorders? Sleeping disorders affect millions of people worldwide, but exercise can in fact provide some relief for people living with these disorders. A study carried out by Northwestern University discovered that insomnia diagnosed participants who completed between 30-40 minutes of exercise per week, experienced a better sleep pattern and improved their sleep duration by around 1.25 hours. As a result, exercise has been proven to alleviate sleep deprivation for some individuals with insomnia. What are the main mental health benefits of exercise? Alongside the physical advantages of exercising are the undeniable benefits to an individual’s mental health and wellbeing. Whether it is a short bike ride or morning walk, both light and more intense exercise can help produce endorphins and therefore reduce any feelings of

stress or anxiety. This more positive and stressfree feeling in the mind can also lead to better sleep. Can exercise have any negative impacts on sleep patterns? Although sleep plays an integral role in aiding better sleep, it is important to bear in mind that being too active later in the day can also have a detrimental effect on sleep patterns. Exercise raises your heart rate and body temperature which can increase the time it takes to relax and get to sleep. As a result, it is recommended that you should refrain from exercising at least 2 to 3 hours before you plan to sleep to avoid any negative impacts on your sleep. Does daily exercise enhance sleep quality? Exercise most definitely boosts sleep quality, whether its moderate or high-impact exercising. Just 30 minutes of physical activity per day such as walking, swimming or biking can improve sleep as long as individuals are consistent and make it part of their routine.

February 2022

COVENTRY UNIVERSITY LECTURER INSPIRED BY ‘LIFE CHANGING’ NURSE A nurse’s knowledge gave Hayley Scutts her life back and inspired her to join the NHS but it was a Coventry University apprenticeship that allowed her to fulfil her ambitions. After years of pain, the knowledge of an experienced nurse helped Hayley gain a diagnosis that would change her life in 2014. That inspired her to leave her interior design role to pursue a career in the NHS but due to her personal and financial circumstances she was unable to complete a traditional three-year nursing degree. The introduction of the Nursing Associate paid apprenticeship gave her a second chance to pursue her dream by studying at Coventry University and working at South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust. She said: “I know how important nursing is as a nurse gave me my life back.

“I was in and out of hospital for a few years, getting different treatments but with no diagnosis until I was reviewed by an Advanced Nurse Practitioner who got me the right diagnostic surgery for my conditions. “Before that I had no idea of the impact that one person could make. “I kept seeing a banner outside the hospital that said ‘we need nurses’ and every time I passed the message hit a little bit deeper. “So, I gave up my job, sold my car and joined an access to nursing course.

earn a wage, learn and get a nursing qualification.” Hayley qualified as a Nursing Associate in April 2020 and after helping train staff and students on the job she has become an assistant lecturer on the course. She said: “I qualified just after the pandemic hit and was working in the Intensive Care Unit (ITU) at

Warwick Hospital. It was difficult but I’m incredibly lucky for the support I had from my family and the Trust.

“Throughout the pandemic we had staff from different areas join us on ITU and I found myself supporting the teaching of these new staff members. “Then when student placements returned, I found it great to work with them, share my knowledge and see them develop. “I am now teaching at the university but remain on the shift bank at the Trust as I want to keep my clinical skills up to date and support as the pandemic continues.

“I did the first year of a nursing degree, but I couldn’t afford to finish due to my bills, children and responsibilities, which was heart-breaking.

“

I know how important nursing is as a nurse gave me my life back.

“

“Since I started my journey the message that we need more nurses has not changed. We need more passionate, caring people to join the profession.” The paid apprenticeship course is open to staff with experience or interest in working in healthcare, currently employed in health and social care organisations in England.

“When the Nursing Associates apprenticeship course came out it was a godsend. It gave me the opportunity to work,

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February 2022

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Asian World’s Kitchen

MEET CHEF GIORGIO DIANA HIS PASSION OF COOKING MADE HIM THE WORLD’S BEST CHEF

A chef from Italy raised his name in the world as “The Best Chef” with his hard work and passion , Chef Giorgio Diana ( Instagram A/c : giorgio_diana_82 ) born and raised in Cagliari Italy moved to Germany at the age of 17 to study German, French, Japanese & molecular cuisine. In Munich he worked for some of the famous Michelin awarded chefs like Bobby Breuer, Giovanni Marchesani, Claudio Turrin and Shane McMahon. He traveled to many countries to acquire experience in his profession . His success journey started from the year 2015 when he was awarded “Cook of the year” within months of Joining the Rixos, Mryia Hotel located in Crimea, Russia, as well as being nominated in The Best Chef Awards list. He is also the official international judge for the “WORLDCHEFS” (WACS) judging international culinary competitions and advising gastronomic institutions. And after this one by one he moved up to the success ladder of achieving unlimited awards . He never sits back and enjoys success, he becomes more passionate towards his work when he gets praise and achievements . Right now he moved back to Cairo for his latest venture by becoming a partner with Dr. Ahmed El Beltagy (son of the previous Egyptian minister of tourism). Dr. Ahmed El Beltagy and Chef Giorgio Diana are opening a new eagerly awaited culinary concept called “Lucida” in the city of Cairo by mid 2022. Chef Giorgio is also the CEO & Founder of Dinner Incredible, a multi- handed dinner based on intercultural exchange that turns its gaze to the enhancement of the local raw materials, a whole new concept, which starts from the curiosity and the continuous desire for knowledge of chef Giorgio Diana.

How do you feel being worldwide recognized so many times and working with famous Michelin awarded chefs ? Chef Giorgio: I feel proud of myself, even if it’s been a long time now since the last one.(2019) It was the result of a huge sacrifice accompanied by great passion, love and consistency. Since the beginning of my career I have always thought that if I have to follow this route then I will follow it 100%, learning from the best by sacrificing everything and everyone.

At the age of 17 I left (alone) Sardinia for Germany with only one goal, to follow my passion which is “cooking” and one day hopefully be a successful chef. In 2015 & 2016 I was recognized as a Best Chef in Crimea for two years in a row, 2017/18 I was number 217 by the worldwide list of The Best Chef award and in 2019 I was recognized as the best head chef of North Africa. Finally the prestigious “50 Best Middle East” has arrived in Egypt, so now I have to work hard to get on the list for 2023.

You combine traditional and modern techniques with Arabic accents in your cooking. Why ? Chef Giorgio: I was born in Sardinia and we also have some Arab influence on our territory, the raw materials are almost the same, used in different ways and therefore made my culinary progress more interesting acquiring a lot of knowledge and experience year by year. Let’s say that over the years the experience increases and therefore I have created my own style of cooking, always bringing my culinary experiences with me, using local products and studying the area (Middle East) where I work for many years now without ever forgetting the world culinary evolution of cooking. I have been working in Egypt since 2016 and Arab cuisine is one of the oldest in the world, rich in history with many fine spices and legumes that have intrigued and influenced my culinary journey until today.

You traveled to so many countries ,which country’s cuisine do you like the most and why ? Chef Giorgio: The country that honestly fascinated me the most is Hong-Kong. Whatever you want to try, experience, discover and taste over there is possible. The freshest ingredients, the raw materials , the super fresh fish that arrives at the local market every morning is something incredible and beautiful. I discovered a lot of fruits and vegetables that I had never seen and used before and therefore at the same time I learned how to work with them.

By: Rida Khan (Aviation Author)

Do you agree that in Italy each region has its own spin on Italian food for eg.) pizza, spaghetti comes from central Italy , North Italy it’s fish, potatoes, rice etc. ? Chef Giorgio: Yes and Italy is so beautiful for this reason. Italian cuisine is a rich cuisine that varies from region to region. From north to south, Italian cuisine is very complex due to its simplicity of ingredients and at the same time different from one side to the other.

What motivates you to cook Mediterranean cuisine ? Chef Giorgio: The best motivation for me was to study & discover the area where I have been since 2016,which is Egypt. When you work outside of your country you must always take into consideration two factors that are very often overlooked, the territory and the customers. I have always tried to make my customers happy by using their products in my way.

Your cooking style includes a touch of molecular cuisine science . Why ? Chef Giorgio: I have always loved molecular cuisine since my German time but it is not easy to find the right clientele to do it, so I thought of using it as a “final touch” on my dishes making the dish itself more beautiful and interesting without ever forgetting the food pairing , which is the most important thing to follow when you are creating a dish, a recipe.

Byzantine and Arabic cuisines and has developed with the history and social and political changes for many years.

Your origin is from Italy so why do you choose Mediterranean cuisine instead of Italian cuisine ? Chef Giorgio: I’ve always been fascinated by other cuisines, different cultures and always tasted things that I did not know before. Doing this I discover new flavors and automatically I create new ideas and new recipes. Cooking is great because you never stop learning from it, the world of cooking is huge so why not to discover more than one cuisine?

Is Italian cuisine influenced by Romans and Greeks ? Chef Giorgio: Italian cuisine has been influenced by Etruscan, Ancient Greek, Ancient Roman,

You play with colors , there is a light and dark color combo reflected in your food. Any specific reason for it ? Chef Giorgio: More than playing with colors, I think because I follow the pairings, combinations and seasons.

Any advice to the upcoming chefs ? Chef Giorgio: Guys cooking is not like you see on TV, cooking is love, passion and determination. Being a chef is not easy, you spend all your time inside the kitchen. On weekends, holidays and birthdays you are always at work but still (for me) it is the best job in the world , so if you do it, do it 100% otherwise don’t do it at all.

February 2022 Do you enjoy making creative sweet treats for your family and friends? Could you conjure up a pudding fit for the Queen? Fortnum & Mason, the iconic retail emporium based in Piccadilly, London, has launched a nationwide competition to find a pudding to celebrate Her Majesty The Queen in this, her Platinum Jubilee year. The winning pudding will be an important part of the celebrations marking Her Majesty’s 70 years as Monarch and the creator of the winning pudding will be invited to be at the centre of the celebrations. Applications are welcomed from UK residents aged 8 and over, and the recipes will be judged by an expert panel including Dame Mary Berry, Monica Galetti and Buckingham Palace Head Chef Mark Flanaghan.

THE PLATINUM PUDDING COMPETITION

Councillor Garry Perry, Deputy Leader for Resilient Communities said:

“

Whether you take this incredibly seriously — and I think we will have some determined Walsall contenders — or are happy to just take part, I think the main thing is to have fun and remember the moment and how you shared it with your loved ones. Hopefully there will be some local culinary triumphs, but even if there are blue soup type moments which Bridget Jones would empathise with, those too are memories to look back on fondly in years to come. Please do try to resist the urge to include local delicacies like black pudding and scratchings in your creations. I’m no baker but worry they’d contribute to a soggy bottom and that would never get past Dame Mary’s eagle eyes.

“

AW Facts Did you know? Apples give you more energy than coffee

Get cooking and your creation could be a joyful and delicious part of the first ever Platinum Jubilee. You have until 4 February to submit your entries.

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February 2022

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TOP 10 HIGHEST EARNING VEGAN INFLUENCERS IN THE UK Top 10 Most Influential UK Vegan Influencers Name

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Niki Webster

rebelrecipes

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Holly Pearce

veganlovinglife

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Jacob King

pengveganmunch

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Richard Makin

schoolnightvegan

164,096

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Holly Jade

thelittleblogofvegan

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Tom Adams

projectveganbaking

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Laura Wright

thefirstmess

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Maria Gureeva

earthofmariaa

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Ben Rebuck

bensvegankitchen

40,919

£324

Abby Sophy

veganbrownting

66,102

£253

Niki Webster, also known as rebelrecipes, is the most influential UK vegan blogger, new research reveals. Research conducted by kitchen experts Maxima Kitchen Equipment examined social media profiles of UK vegan influencers, as well as Instagram marketing cal-

culators to establish how much popular vegan content creators can make per sponsored Instagram post. Niki Webster was revealed as the most influential vegan blogger in the UK. The face of rebelrecipes, Niki started her plant-based blog in 2015 and has since developed

a huge social media following, with 2,346 Instagram posts and 289,512 followers, allowing her to earn up to £1,079 per sponsored post. Based in Shrewsbury, Niki has won multiple food blogger awards and published three cookbooks since the beginning of her vegan journey.

Holly Pearce, also known by her account veganlovinglife, is revealed as the second most popular vegan Instagram blogger. Based in London, Holly posts her everyday vegan eats from around the city, as well as popular recipes to try at home. Despite having the fourth lowest follower count on the list with 70,751 followers, Holly has an aboveaverage engagement rate of 3.58% allowing her to earn up to £785 per sponsored post, making her the second most influential vegan blogger in the UK. The third most influential UK vegan blogger is Jacob King. The recipe creator and TikTok star, otherwise known as pengveganmunch, has over 150,000 followers on Instagram, allowing him to earn a potential of £657 per sponsored post. Jacob also has an average of 7,003 likes per Instagram post, the second

highest in the list, and an above average engagement rate of 3.97%. Chef and animal rights advocate Richard Makin is the fourth most popular UK vegan influencer. Richard’s account – schoolnightvegan – has over 160,000 Instagram followers and 3,090 average likes per post, allowing him to earn up to £599 per sponsored post. The fifth most influential vegan content creator is Holly Jade of thelittleblogofvegan. Holly is a vegan baker, recipe creator and food photographer, releasing her first book this month. Holly has the highest number of average likes in the ranking with 7,172 likes per post, as well as the highest Instagram engagement rate of 4.84%, allowing her to charge up to £551 per sponsored post. A spokesperson for Maxima Kitchen Equipment commented on the findings: “Every year,

Niki Webster is the most influential vegan blogger in the UK, earning a potential £1,079 per sponsored Instagram post through her account rebelrecipes. »» Holly Pearce, also known as veganloving life, is the second most influential, earning up to £785 per sponsored post. »» Holly Jade of thelittleblogofvegan has the highest number of average likes per Instagram post.

Veganuary becomes more and more popular as businesses, celebrities and influencers band together to promote the benefits of veganism, and this year is no exception with a recordbreaking 600,000 people worldwide signing up to take part. The huge social media following of these vegan content creators is a testament to how lucrative the influencer industry is, with Instagrammers able to charge up to £1,000 per post. These popular influencers provide fantastic Veganuary inspiration, for anyone looking for tips on how to embrace a plant-based diet and adopt a vegan lifestyle”. The research was conducted by Maxima Kitchen Equipment, which has more than 40 years of experience in the supply and maintenance of professional kitchen equipment.

AW Facts Did you know? More people in the World have access to a mobile phone than a toilet

February 2022

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40TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION OF ABU DHABI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

By: Rida Khan ( Aviation Author) On Jan 2, 2022 Abu Dhabi Airports marked the 40th anniversary as the official opening of Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) celebrated the contribution in aviation , trade,

tourism . The history was created on January 2, 1982 when the new Abu Dhabi International Airport was officially opened. Before that the idea of the airport was proposed in

1974, the construction began in 1979 and finally the airport was ready in January 1982 featuring a circular satellite terminal with a single connection to a semi circular terminal. Air-

port was designed by Paul Andreu, the late French architect who also designed Charles De Gaulle Airport in Paris. Due to the increase in passenger numbers during 1990’s & 2000’s the terminal was expanded . In 2003 Etihad came into existence and became the national carrier and home airline which helped in the rapid growth of travel & tourism and that was the beginning of the new era in Abu Dhabi . In 2016 AUH launched Smart Travel System which eases the passenger processing and helps in improving the customer experience . In 2020 AUH was the first International Airport to introduce the contactless gates and touchless elevators for the passengers’ health and safety measures. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Hamad Bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Airports said, “ Abu Dhabi International Airport has connect-

ed the world to Abu Dhabi for 40 years and fuelled the emirate’s emergence as a leading destination for tourism , trade and commerce . It was the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan who had the foresight to build the airport , and thanks to his vision , Abu Dhabi Airports has built a legacy forged by collaboration , innovation and service. It is a legacy that will continue to grow over the next 40 years, as it supports the ongoing social and economic development of Abu Dhabi and the UAE .” Shareef Al Hashmi CEO , Abu Dhabi Airports said, “Abu Dhabi International has a proud history of providing world class infrastructure and top flight service , whilst serving as a catalyst for growth for 40 of our proud nation’s 50 years of achievement . As consumer confidence rebounds and traffic gradually recovers , we will continue to explore new technologies , products

and ways of doing business that will drive improved sustainability and create industry – leading airport experiences . As proud as we are of our past achievements , we are equally about our bright future.” The vision was created years back but today that vision became a reality and Abu Dhabi International Airport this year celebrated their 40th anniversary with a dream to become more successful in future.

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LOCAL 2-12

GLOBAL 13-15

BUSINESS 16-17

GLAM 18-20

WEDDINGS 21-22

HEALTH 23-24

FOOD 25-26

TECH 27

MOTORING

TRAVEL 28

MOTORING 29-30

PARKING ON RENTED DRIVEWAYS A GAME-CHANGING SUBSTITUTE TO COSTLY SIX NATIONS PARKING FEES

»» Six Nations rugby supporters could be paying over 60% more for official game day parking compared to booking via YourParkingSpace.co.uk »» Renting out a driveway could also help fans avoid the scrum to leave busy car parks »» Fans may wish to convert the money and time saved on a few carefully chosen items of official merchandise Savvy supporters visiting Twickenham, Murrayfield and the Principality Stadium for the upcoming Six Nations rugby tournament can kick into touch expensive parking fees often associated with stadium car parks by booking an empty driveway via YourParkingSpace.co.uk. Indeed, official stadium parking for when England lock horns with the Dragons of Wales on Sunday 26th February could set supporters back a staggering £35. However, parking a mere five-minute stroll from the home of England Rugby via YourParkingSpace.co.uk can be had for as little as £11.63, representing a smart saving of 66%. Meanwhile, parking just 10 minutes from Twickenham via YourParkingSpace.co.uk costs just £7.88 for three hours for England’s highly anticipated clash with Ireland on Saturday 12th March, compared to £35 at an official stadium car park nearby. Harrison Wood, CEO at YourParkingSpace.co. uk, commented: “Rented driveways can offer a viable cost-effective alternative to traditional car

parks when visiting big sporting events such as the Six Nations Championship, meaning fans can leave the players to take the big hits, not their wallets.” And with restrictions on outdoor sporting events soon to be lifted in Scotland and Wales, Twickenham is not the only venue where cheaper parking deals can be found, with a host of driveways located around Murrayfield and the Principality Stadium. When Scotland take on England in Edinburgh for their Calcutta Cup clash on Saturday 5th February, those driving to the game will need to pay £30 for official stadium parking. However, with YourParkingSpace.co.uk, supporters can find parking for just £5. Similar deals can also be claimed close to the Principality Stadium in Cardiff when Wales battle Les Blues of France on Friday 11th March, including a driveway parking space for only £7 just a four-minute walk from the ground. By contrast, a nearby traditional car park will cost supporters £19. Harrison added: “After much

uncertainty about whether crowds will be present in Edinburgh and Cardiff, it will be great to see and hear the Scots and Welsh back their teams at a packed Murrayfield and Principality Stadium. “And with substantial savings on parking up for grabs via YourParkingSpace.co.uk, fans will have an extra reason to belt out a rousing rendition of Flower of Scotland or Land of my Fathers from the stands.” However, a monetary saving is not the only advantage, as many of the driveways situated around the stadiums are also perfectly situated for a quick getaway. Harrison concluded: “Not only is a swift departure ideal if your team has lost, but also because fans using official car parks often report a scrummage to exit at the end of the match, resulting in huge delays. “So, with a double advantage of cost as well as time savings, rugby fans may well decide to convert the money and time they saved on a few carefully chosen items of official merchandise!”

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Ben launches self-referral to free life coaching service for automotive community While today may be Blue Monday, Ben, the automotive industry charity, announces news to brighten the day of those wishing to kick start the new year! Ben is proud to announce that today it is launching a new selfreferral route to access its free Life Coaching service. Anyone who works, or has worked, in the automotive industry, can now register for free Life Coaching sessions by completing a short self-referral form online. The personalised Life Coaching service gives automotive people the opportunity to work with a qualified professional to identify the change they’d like to see in their lives, set goals and maximise their potential to become the best version of themselves. Specially-trained Life Coaches will work closely with individuals to identify the areas in their lives that they would like to change or improve, gaining an understanding of where they are now and finding out where they would like to be in the future. Whether it’s improving their lifestyle or fitness, saving for a dream home, progressing their career or simply boosting self-confidence, Ben’s team of Life Coaches are on hand to help make those goals a reality. Rachel Clift, Health & Wellbeing Director at Ben, said:

“We know that there are many people out there who feel stuck and feel that they are not making the most out of their life. Whether it’s a lack of confidence, time, or motivation, it’s common for people to stand still, or stay in their comfort zones rather than pushing themselves to make the changes that they’d like to, to improve their quality of life. “That is where Ben’s Life Coaching service can step in. Our personal Life Coaches can help you figure out exactly what you want in life and how to achieve it – they’ll be your cheerleader, your mentor – and will also give you the encouragement you need to keep on track. “It can be so demoralising, living a life that doesn’t allow you to achieve all that you’re capable of. Resentment, changes to your mood and energy levels can build over time when people feel their life has no purpose or direction. Life Coaching is a brilliant way of tapping into your inner potential, giving you the tools and strategies that you need to become the version of yourself that you want to be. “We’re on a mission to help those who work in or have worked in the automotive industry to live their best life, to become more self-aware and

realise their potential. We want more people to know about Ben and the support we offer including our exceptional Life Coaching service.” A member of the automotive community who has already used the Life Coaching service commented: “I didn’t know what a Life Coach was before this, and I didn’t know what to expect. The first session blew my mind. Every week, I looked forward to the next call – I had tasks to complete and I couldn’t wait to have something else to achieve.” If you have an idea of what you want to achieve but you’re not sure how or where to start, or you feel motivated to take your life in a new direction, then talking with a Life Coach could be the solution for you. All you need is the time, commitment and energy to participate in the coaching sessions. Ben’s Life Coaching service is free for anyone who works, or has worked, in the automotive industry. You can sign up and get started today by calling our free and confidential helpline on 08081 311 333 and asking for ‘Life Coaching’ or by completing this easy online form. When any member of our automotive family is struggling or in crisis, we all rally to support them.

February 2022

FORD FIESTA IS BRITAIN’S FAVOURITE CAR

The Ford Fiesta is the most owned car model in the UK, new research has revealed. The study by car insurance experts CarInsurance.ae analysed government data of the car models in the UK and the number of registered vehicles for each model to show the most popular in the country. Analysis of the data revealed that the Ford Fiesta is Britain’s most owned car model, with 1,521,680 being registered. The most popular specification of the Ford Fiesta is the Ford Fiesta Zetec, 386,882 cars. Another Ford to appear on the list, the Ford Focus, comes in at second, where more than 1,100,000 cars are on the road. Among the many specifications available for the Ford Focus, the most common is the Ford Focus Zetec, with just below 75,000 models. Vauxhall Corsa ranks third on the list of popular car models in the UK, with 1,053,949 owned throughout the country. The most prevalent version with 58,472 registered is the Vauxhall Corsa SE. Coming in at fourth on the list is the Volkswagen Golf, which saw 1,040,051 versions of the German car being registered in the UK. The most owned version of the hatchback is the Volkswagen Golf GT TDI which has a 2-litre diesel engine, with 37,576 vehicles on the road. Vauxhall Astra is the fifth most popular car model in the UK, as the small family car has more than 829,000 around the country. The second Volkswagen hatchback, the Volkswagen Polo, comes in at sixth. The car model has 676,350 versions owned by the British public. The only non-hatchback car model to appear on the list, the Nissan Qashqai, places in at seventh. The crossover has more than 555,000 registered in the country. Toyota Yaris comes in at the eighth spot on the list, with 488,589 models being owned. Audi A3 appears at ninth, with 428,223 versions on British roads. The French hatchback, Renault Clio, finishes off the top ten with 407,147 models registered in the UK. A spokesperson for CarInsurance.ae commented on the study, saying: “It is fascinating to see which car models the UK favours out of the hundreds available. The data shows that the Ford Fiesta is the most popular car in the UK, and is one of nine hatchbacks in the top ten, showing how popular small cars are throughout the country. In fact, the Ford Fiesta is so popular that there are more Fiestas on the road in the UK than there are every type of Peugeot.”

»» Ford Fiesta is the most popular car in the UK »» Ford Focus is second most popular, followed by Vauxhall Corsa in third »» The top four car models make up 15% of cars on the road

MOTORISTS IN WORCESTERSHIRE SET TO BENEFIT FROM SAFETY UPGRADE TO M5

10 Most Popular Car Models in the UK, CarInsurance.ae Rank

Model

Number of Model

Ford Fiesta

1,521,680

Ford Focus

1,179,024

Vauxhall Corsa

1,053,949

Volkswagen Golf

1,040,051

Vauxhall Astra

829,198

Volkswagen Polo

676,350

Nissan Qashqai

555,342

Toyota Yaris

488,589

Audi A3

428,223

Renault Clio

407,147

The analysis was conducted by CarInsurance.ae, which is dedicated to helping drivers save time and money while picking car insurance in UAE

To install the narrow lanes, there will be a series of overnight closures between junction 5 and junction 8. These will be in place as follows; M5 northbound, junction 7 entry and exit slip closed overnight on 21 February, 22 February and 23 February, 8pm to 6am. M5 northbound, junction 6 entry and exit slip closed overnight on 24 February, 25 February, 26 February and 27 February, 8pm to 6am. M5 northbound, junction 8 to junction 5 closed overnight on 5 March and 6 March, 8pm to 6am. M5 southbound, junction 6 entry and exit slip closed overnight on 28 February, 1 March, 2 March, 3 March and 4 March, 8pm to 6am. M5 southbound, junction 7 entry and exit slip closed overnight on 7 March and 8 March, 8pm to 6am. M5 southbound, junction 5 to junction 8 closed overnight on 12 March and 13 March, 8pm to 6am. During full closures of the M5 and slip-road closures, a fully signed diversion route will be in place.

10 Most Popular Car Makes in the UK, CarInsurance.ae Rank

Model

Number of Model

Ford

4,138,817

Vauxhall

3,156,726

Volkswagen

2,857,784

BMW

1,940,108

Audi

1,786,402

Mercedes

1,635,132

Toyota

1,566,813

Nissan

1,557,420

Peugeot

1,387,361

Honda

1,029,659

The analysis was conducted by CarInsurance.ae, which is dedicated to helping drivers save time and money while picking car insurance in UAE

Motorists using the M5 in Worcestershire are set to benefit from a £15m safety upgrade to the central reservation with a new concrete barrier being installed by National Highways. The new barrier will run for 4.5 miles and will replace the existing steel restraint which has been in place for more than 20 years. Concrete barriers are designed to prevent traffic crossing over into oncoming vehicles travelling in the opposite direction in the event of an impact. Once installed, the new concrete barrier will also require less maintenance meaning there will be fewer roadworks on the M5 for repair work. National Highways Project Manager, Colin Jackson said: “This £15m safety upgrade is an integral part of keeping people safe on the M5 in Worcestershire. “We know that the high-impact absorption design of concrete barriers significantly reduces the risk of vehicles colliding with traffic travelling on the opposite side of the road. “By replacing the existing steel restraint in the central reservation, we’re also able to reduce the need for ongoing maintenance to keep it safe

which means fewer roadworks in the location for routine maintenance.” The work between junctions 6 (Worcester North/Warndon) and 7 (Worcester South) is starting on Monday 21 February and will last for around a year. A temporary speed limit of 50mph will be in place while works take place to keep the workforce safe from passing vehicles. During the work, National Highways will also be carrying out repairs to lighting and drainage on the road. To reduce disruption to motorists, most of the work will be carried out on the road using narrow lanes which will ensure the M5 remains open to drivers with three lanes of running traffic.

AW Facts Did you know? It would take less than a month to get to the moon by car

LOCAL 2-12

GLOBAL 13-15

BUSINESS 16-17

GLAM 18-20

WEDDINGS 21-22

HEALTH 23-24

FOOD 25-26

SPORTS

TECH 27

TRAVEL 28

MOTORING 29-30

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February 2022

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COMMONWEALTH GAMES

QUEEN’S BATONBEARERS NOMINATIONS OPEN The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games has opened nominations for people who would like to apply to be a Batonbearer for the Queen’s Baton Relay in England. The Queen’s Baton Relay will travel to every region in England, before arriving at the Opening Ceremony of the Commonwealth Games on 28 July. Nominations will be open until 14 February. Councillor Garry Perry, Deputy Leader for Resilient Communities said:

“

We have an abundance of people across Walsall who fit the criteria and this has been demonstrated more than ever during the ongoing pandemic. To nominate, all you need to do is explain how your nominee is making a difference in their community and why they deserve to take part in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Please do get your nominations in before the closing date of 14 February and help to get Walsall on the map.

The criteria for a Batonbearer in England is someone who meets one or more of the following: »» Is always willing to take on a challenge and has a unique and inspiring story »» Has made a meaningful contribution to sport, education, the arts, culture, or charity »» Is a figure of inspiration that positively challenges others to achieve their best »» Has taken on a challenge or cause and made a positive impact within their community

QUEEN’S BATON RELAY ARRIVES AT UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM SMART CAMPUS IN DUBAI The University of Birmingham Dubai today welcomed the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games Queen’s Baton Relay, coinciding with UK National Day at Expo 2020 Dubai on Thursday. Student Batonbearers carried the Baton into the University’s iconic new campus to be welcomed by Lord Karan Bilimoria, Chancellor of the University of Birmingham, in a ceremony that blended UK and Arabic culture. The ceremony saw three Batonbearers carry the Baton onto the new smart campus in Academic City, accompanied by a camel – the traditional form of transport in the UAE. Acting as a Batonbearer himself, Lord Bilimoria walked the Baton into the campus building and placed it on a display plinth. University of Birmingham Dubai Provost Professor David Sadler joined Lord Bilimoria in addressing an audience that included staff and students from the Dubai campus. The Baton later departed for Expo 2020 Dubai aboard an electric vehicle, signifying the sustainable future of transport in the UAE and Birmingham 2022’s aim to create a carbon-neutral legacy. Lord Bilimoria was joined by University of Birmingham Provost and Vice-Principal Professor, Tim Jones, and Dame Louise Martin, President of the Commonwealth Games Federation, and Birmingham City Council Leader Cllr. Ian Ward for speeches to guests. Traditional Al Ayala Dancers greeted guests, including representatives of Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, Commonwealth Games Federation, Birmingham City Council and West Midlands Growth Company, celebrating the University’s civic-global connections. Speaking about the Baton’s arrival in Dubai, Lord Bilimoria commented: “It is pertinent that the Queen’s Baton Relay has arrived for UK National Day at Expo 2020 Dubai. The UK has strong links with the UAE and the University of Birmingham aligned with the country’s national objectives of nurturing talent and developing the industries of the future. “We are a civic university with a global outlook and I am delighted to welcome the Queen’s Baton Relay to our iconic new Dubai campus ahead of the Baton’s visit to Expo 2020 Dubai for UK Na-

tional Day. “Sport is a unifying force and, as part of our commitment to supporting the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, we are playing the most significant role of any university in the Games’ history. Hockey and squash competitions will take place on our UK campus, where we will also host 3,000 elite athletes from around the world. “Whether studying in Birmingham or Dubai, our students form one international academic community, and we believe they will be excited by the University’s involvement in such a major global sporting event.” The Commonwealth Games take place in Birmingham from 28 July to 8 August 2022. The Queen’s Baton Relay events are underpinned by Commonwealthwide celebrations for staff, students, and alumni and the #gamechangingbirmingham campaign. Councillor Ian Ward, Leader of Birmingham City Council, commented: “The University of Birmingham – including the staff and students in Dubai – are an important part of Birmingham’s civic family. So, as we draw ever closer to this summer’s Commonwealth Games, it is entirely fitting that the Queen’s Baton Relay should include student Batonbearers from this amazing new campus. “As someone who was born in Birmingham and has lived there all my life, I’m immensely proud of the University. It

was England’s first civic university over 120 years ago and continues to be one of our city’s key anchor institutions to this very day. “Now, as we see in the UAE, the University represents Birmingham on the global stage and everyone associated with the Dubai campus take pride in the key role their University will play in what I am confident will be the best ever Commonwealth Games.” Prior to visiting UK National Day, the Baton travelled to 33 Commonwealth nations and territories including Kenya, Nigeria, India, Singapore and Malaysia. After its visit to Dubai 2020 Expo, the Baton will travel to Fiji and a further 35 countries, before arriving back in the UK in the summer, where it will visit Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales and England. The Commonwealth Games further strengthen the University’s Commonwealth connections which include: a network of 20,000 Commonwealth alumni, 300 members of staff from across the Commonwealth. Nearly half of the University of Birmingham Dubai student population is from the Commonwealth. Dame Louise Martin DBE commented: “The Queen’s Baton Relay symbolises hope, solidarity and collaboration across the Commonwealth, at a time when it is needed most. The visit to the University of Birmingham smart campus in Dubai provides a wonderful opportunity for the

Baton to connect communities and celebrate Commonwealth cultures. It marks another exciting milestone for the Baton on its journey to the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony on July 28th.” University of Birmingham environmental scientists have helped create a hi-tech ‘heart’ for the Queen’s Baton, which contains atmospheric sensors with laser technology that analyses the environmental conditions wherever it is in the world. Augmented Reality (AR) will be used to visualise data captured throughout the journey to invite conversations around air quality across the Commonwealth. Data collected on the Baton’s journey will contribute to ongoing research projects being conducted across the globe by a team led by atmospheric scientist Professor Francis Pope who said: “We’re proud to provide scientific advice on creating the Baton’s ‘lungs’. Atmospheric data captured during the Baton’s global journey will be highly valuable in starting important conversations around air quality across the Commonwealth.” The Baton also features LED lighting that displays dynamic performances in response to each Batonbearer’s heartbeat when held. Fitted with a 360-degree camera, the Baton records and transmits real-time imagery and digital information, allowing stories from its journey to be told, as well as GPS technology allowing for its location to be tracked. The University of Birmingham Dubai’s selected student Batonbearers were: »»Tanvi Malhotra – final year BSc Economics. »»Arjun Muralidharan – second year BSc Accounting & Finance.

AW Facts Did you know? Sports Have Been Played on the Moon

“