The Asian Today Issue 242 - January 2019

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Bollywood film industry loses a legend Kader Khan & the UK Bhangra scene loses the legend DJ VIPS

BRINGING YOU NEWS SINCE 2002

RIP KADER KHAN

The legendary Bollywood veteran Kader Khan passed away on Tuesday 31 December at the age of 81.

The actor was admitted to a hospital Canada after his health deteriorated in his son Sarfaraz told PTI “My dad has left us. He passed away on December 31 at 6 pm as per Canadian time due to prolonged illness. He slipped into coma in the afternoon.

He was in the hospital for 16-17 weeks.

The last rites will be performed here in Canada only. We have our entire family here and we live here so we are doing it,”.

Khan was born in Kabul and made his acting debut in 1973 with Rajesh Khanna’s Daag and went on to act in over 300 films.

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He also wrote dialogues for over 250 movies, with his first film as a dialogue writer being Randhir Kapoor-Jaya Bachchan’s Jawani Diwani.

Khan was known for his comic roles, especially in films with Govinda.

He worked in a number of David Dhawan who directed Govinda films like Dulhe Raja, Coolie No.1, Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, Raja Babu, Saajan Chale Sasural, Aunty No.1, among others.

Khan has worked with all leading actors of 70s, 80s and 90s, including Rajesh Khanna, Bachchan, Jeetendra, Feroz Khan, Anil Kapoor and Govinda.

Bollywood has been paying their respects via social media with their condolences.

Victims of Forced Marriages Hit with Rescue Fees the government, according to an investigation by The Times.

Women who have taken out loans have had their passports cancelled, and were told they cannot get a new one until the debt is repaid.

A 10% surcharge is also added if the emergency loan is not repaid within six months.

According to the Times, four young British continued on page 2

RIP DJ VIPS

The UK entertainment industry has been shocked with the news of DJ Vips the founder and leader of VIP Entertainment and VIP records who sadly passed away on January 6.

DJ Vips from Scotland and the north of England was a game changer to the UK Bhangra scene, a household name he entertained audiences with his music and DJ Sets.

VIP records was set up in 2005 and was one of the largest record labels in the UK and Europe to support the music scene, It was in

that year he released he debut album ‘Party Time’.

VIP Records made a statement on their Facebook page saying:

“It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Vipin Kumar aka Vips. CEO of VIP Records. We ask you to keep his family in your prayers at this difficult time. #Legend “Vipen started VIP Records in 2005 and has since built the company into one the leading Asian Record Labels The Asian Today would like to pay their deepest respect and condolences to the family.

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he Foreign Office has been patented "morally repugnant" for charging forced marriage victims for their own rescue. Those who cannot pay are given a loan and are deprived of their passport until the debt is repaid, according to a report.

Victims of forced marriages must pay for their plane ticket, food and shelter themselves, or - if they are over 18 - they can take out emergency loans from

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Ranveer & Deepika new film PAGE 18

Worker chases Carjackers with broom PG 12

The festival og Lohri

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Prime Minister Theresa May once described forced marriage as a "tragedy for each and every victim" continued from front page

women were sent by their families to a "correctional school" in Somalia in 2018, where they were imprisoned and physically abused.

Prime Minister Theresa May once described forced marriage as a "tragedy for each and every victim", while Home Secretary Sajid Javid vowed in August to "do more to combat it and support victims".

News that victims were made to pay the costs of their return to the UK was met with anger from some MPs, with one likening it to the Windrush scandal.

Shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry said: "It is morally repugnant for the Foreign Office to charge British victims of forced marriage for the costs of bringing them home, and rank hypocrisy given the past statements made on this issue by the prime minister and home secretary.

"Dozens of the most vulnerable women in the most desperate

circumstances have been penalised for turning to their government for help, and many more may have been put off from seeking that help because of the costs involved.

"The Foreign Office must immediately scrap these charges, and write off all outstanding debts owed by women brought home in recent years."

Tom Tugendhat, the Tory chairman of the foreign affairs select committee said The Times report was "astonishing" and that questions would be asked.

He said that while the Foreign office is "rightly proud" for the work it does on the issue, "we shouldn't be charging the most vulnerable for their own protection or dissuading them from asking for it".

Yvette Cooper, chairwoman of the home affairs committee, said: "Forced marriage is slavery.

For the government to make victims pay for their freedom is immoral. Ministers need to put this right fast."

Fellow Labour MP

David Lammy branded it "unconscionable", adding: "Just like the Windrush scandal yet more evidence of how differently this government is prepared to treat black or brown British citizens.

"A white woman who had been kidnapped, sold into slavery and raped would never have been asked to pay for her freedom."

The Foreign Office, which jointly runs a Forced Marriage Unit (FMU) with the Home Office, said it has a requirement to recover money spent on repatriating victims when public money is convoluted, such as the cost of a flight back to the UK. A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: "We recognise that an emergency loan can help remove a distressed or vulnerable person from risk when they have no other options, but as they are from public funds we have an obligation to recover the money in due course.

"When people contact us for help to return to the UK, we work with them to access

their own funds, or help them contact friends, family or organisations that can cover the costs of returning to the UK. "However, many of the victims who the Forced Marriage Unit help are vulnerable, and when offering any type of support their safety is our primary concern.

"The Forced Marriage Unit also provides funding for safe houses and NGOs overseas and in

the UK to ensure victims of forced marriage can get to a place of safety as soon as possible.

"We do not charge British nationals for this service and work with organisations in the UK to support them on return."

The Foreign Office helped 27 victims of forced marriage return to the UK in 2017 and 55 in 2016, according to figures quoted by the newspaper.

campaign kicked off early on New Year's Day and, while most people enjoyed a day off, youngsters helped to clean the streets after the festivities on New Year's Eve. Young Muslims swept, scrubbed and gave town centres including Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Walsall and Halesowen a huge spring clean ahead the new year.

Atta Khan, regional youth coordinator for the Midlands, said: "We’ve been doing the

New Year’s clean-up for many years now, and each year we see more and more members coming to help.

"In Islam, ‘Cleanliness is Part of Faith’, so there’s no better way to serve our faith and our country, there’s no better way for us to start the new year."

AMYA is hoping to exceed its efforts from 2018, where they held over 300 community clean-ups and planted 20,000 trees across the year.

The New Year’s activities will help to kick-start 2019 with hundreds of volunteer projects planned throughout the year.

AMYA Vice President, Adam Walker, explains why young Muslims are holding the campaign.

He said: "Islam urges every Muslim to partake in charitable giving, community service, and promote cleanliness.

"AMYA has and continues to instil young people with a

sense of civic responsibility, and a desire to promote harmony within our local communities.

"The New Year’s Day Clean-up campaign ensures Muslim youth can be active members of society and serve their communities and the environment."

The aim was that the initiative would not only instil the values of volunteering and community service, but also support local councils by alleviating costs.

Young Muslim volunteers cleaned streets after New Year celebrations

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elfless volunteers had pounded the streets during a widespread litter pick - to help cash-strapped councils.

Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association Birmingham and Wolverhampton a spruce-up.

Big-hearted members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association (AMYA) some as young as seven, put on hi-vis jackets and cleaned several town centres around the West Midlands.

The huge street clean

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drives onto Midland Langar Seva gave Taxi pavement in an 'Unbelievable' Christmas Sparkhill blocking local residents dinner for homeless 4

JANUARY 2019

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The Sikh Charity organisers of a Christmas Eve dinner for the homeless at Grand Central in Birmingham New Street have hailed an “unbelievable” night that left some of the guests in tears at the act of kindness.

Generosity from Sikh organisation gave out more than 20,000 meals over Christmas.

The Midlands Langar Seva Society gave out more than 20,000 meals to those in need over the festive period, reaching out on every day of the season.

The free yuletide party in Birmingham New Street Station on the busy lower concourse comprised of a three-course hot banquet, carol singers, a DJ and Santa.

Supported by Network Rail, the night had a moving choral performance and brought people together at what can be a lonely time of year.

Randhir Singh, chief executive of the society, said: “The feedback from our service users was unbelievable.

“At least half of the guests said it was the best Christmas they have ever had.

“One lady was in tears.

"She said she couldn't remember the last time she danced so one of our volunteers took her hand and took over to the dancefloor.

“She couldn't thank us enough.

“The food, hospitality and the whole set up came

together on the night and made a lot of people happy.

“We had around 200 people turn up and without it they would have been stood outside in the cold, as would our volunteers.

“It's been the talk of Birmingham and speaks so well of the city.

“We have had the biggest response ever on social media, with the most shares and the most comments we have ever had."

The society, who are due to attend a debrief with Network Rail early next week, want to turn the dinner into an annual event.

“We were out on Christmas Day and have been out every day since,” Thandir said.

“Over Christmas we gave out more than 20,000 meals

Protests have been held in Birmingham 2/1/19 against rail fare rises as studies shows UK passengers spend up to five times more on season tickets as other European travellers. The TUC said the 3.1% rise in season tickets was higher than the expected growth in wages this year of 2.5% TUC general secretary Frances O'Grady said: "It's time to take the railways back into public hands. Every penny from every fare should go back into the railways. The number one priority should be running a world-class railway service, not private profit."

Mick Cash, leader of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union said: "The British farepayer has been battered by the toxic combination of gross mismanagement and profiteering by the private companies

exploiting Britain's rip-off railways.

"Our passengers have been left paying the highest fares in Europe to travel on rammed-out and unreliable services and that is a national disgrace. The only solution is to sweep this whole racket away and return our railways to public ownership.

Aslef general secretary Mick Whelan said: "The train companies are telling passengers to pay more for a poorer service and that's not a great offer, is it?

Not for passengers, or for voters at the next election.

Transport Salaried Staffs Association general secretary Manuel Cortes said: "Millions of commuters will be staggered and furious that fares are rising yet again while privateers stuff shareholders' pockets with cash.

"This situation is untenable,

and the fact is only bringing the railways back into public hands will end the misery for so many each day."

Unite national officer Harish Patel said: "Given last year's rail timetable chaos, presided over by the hapless Transport Secretary Chris Grayling, there should be no rail fare increases for hardpressed travellers in 2019 - fares should have been frozen. The 3.1% rise is an insult.

"As usual, the real 'winners' are the greedy shareholders of the privatised rail companies that have gobbled up more than £1 billion in ill-gotten dividends in the last six years - money that could have gone towards freezing fares and boosting rail investment.

"Every day the case for the public ownership of the rail industry grows stronger, especially after the woeful performance of 2018."

Rail fares rise causing protest in Birmingham

across the UK as well as presents in the week before Christmas, with schools and organisations giving donations.

"We were able to give out two or three presents at a time.

“It put a lot of big smiles on people's faces.”

Some of the volunteers that made the dinner possible Caterers Spice Nation, the Black Country Community Gospel Choir and Paradigm Entertainment, with round tables decked out with Christmas crackers.

The society Midland Langar Seva, which won a TSB Local Pride of Birmingham Award in April 2017, is a non-profit organisation that aims to help the homeless and provide food to those in need.

A bright blue taxi was spotted parked diagonally across Nansen Road, in Sparkhill, on Thursday and Friday mornings. Latest chaotic parking in Sparkhill, East Birmingham.

The council registered cab had been left with the front of the cab just touching the front wall of a house and the back end sticking out in the middle of the road.

Pedestrians and residents must steer wheelie bins and face either squeezing past the taxi’s bumper or head into the path of oncoming traffic.

Mothers with pushchairs, and those using walking frames or wheelchair users have no option but to go into the road.

A passer-by said: “It’s atrocious.

It’s not acceptable that the driver has left it straddling over the pavement.

“Taxi drivers are meant to be the knights of the road. Pushchairs can’t get past. I understand there are parking issues but that’s dangerous.”

Another car is seen in footage

parked in an identical manner along the terraced road.

Mr Ali, 36, said: “I was walking down the road just before 10am to visit my mother and I saw the taxi parked like that. It was very bad. I had to go into the road.

“People couldn’t walk on the pavement and that’s why I sent the picture to Birmingham Live and Birmingham City Council.

“They should respect the rules of the road.”

A spokesman from TC Cars LTD said the driver “will be dealt with accordingly along with our disciplinary procedures.”

“This is not the expectations we have for our drivers whether they are at work or not, they are still representing our company”, they added.

Terrible parking is a hot topic for West Midlands Police who have led several enforcement drives to tackle drivers who abandon their cars on double yellow lines, crossings, junctions and pavements and endangering the lives of pedestrians and other road users.

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ZAKIR HUSSAIN AND SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA OF INDIA TUESDAY 19 FEBRUARY 7:30PM SYMPHONY HALL Tabla master Zakir Hussain makes a long awaited return to Birmingham joining the Symphony Orchestra of India at their UK debut performance.

RIZWAN MUAZZAM QAWWALI SUNDAY 31 MARCH 7:30PM TOWN HALL Rizwan-Muazzam continue to push the boundaries with their imaginative reinterpretation of classic Sufi texts breathes fresh life into this rich centuries old tradition.

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KING OF GHOSTS AND AROUND INDIA WITH A MOVIE CAMERA WEDNESDAY 10 APRIL 7:30PM TOWN HALL Immerse yourself in an atmospheric Indian soundscape as sarod star Soumik Datta and City of London Sinfonia perform a double bill of music for Indian film.

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Birmingham to get a new city park on site of former wholesale market

The view of demolition works taking place on the former Birmingham Wholesale Market makes the future Smithfield regeneration site look even bigger than thought. A new park should be built on gigantic demolition site left by the former Wholesale Market say around 10,000 people.

The area would cover 14 hectares (34.5 acres) compared with New York's giant Central Park which is 341 hectares (843 acres).

The group claims that since there is little green space in the city centre compared to other major cities, this is the 'last opportunity' to establish a landmark area of open and green space in the centre of

Birmingham.

CityPark4Brum campaign leader Jim Tucker says: “As Birmingham continues to grow with more people living in the city centre, it is vital that green space provision grows with it.

"As well as providing an attraction for residents and visitors, city parks are known to improve public health, reduce air pollution and bring communities together."

"I was dismayed when there was no thought for green space at all at first," he said.

"We think the council is listening because the 2016 masterplan had more reference to green space than the 2015 vision for Smithfield.

"Now we want a place at the (council) table (because

of what) thousands of people are asking for.

"You need a certain critical mass for a park. This one could be called Birmingham Markets Park and have everything from markets to pop-cinema and festivals.

"We think it should be up to to twice the size of Eastside City Park and be real focal point with benefits for local residents, businesses, visitors and the NHS. "All these factors make sense economically as well as culturally.

"Parks and green spaces save the NHS millions of pounds each year.

“The council should now do the right the thing and act on what thousands of local people want.

"And what better way is

there of introducing a clear air one for our city centre than to introduce a new green park?

"We believe that the weight of public support shows that we have earned the right to have a place at the table to work with the new developer to make this vision a reality.”

Other green spaces in and around the city include Birmingham Cathedral Square on Colmore Row recently left as a mudbath after the first Birmingham Christmas Marketwas held in the grounds - and the Georgian St Paul's Square in the Jewellery Quarter.

Centenary Square will also have some new trees planted before its expected opening this summer.

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Police crackdown on untaxed cars in Sparkbrook and Balsall Heath

West Midlands Police teamed up with the DVLA officers clamped and then removed over 20 untaxed vehicles in a street blitz across Sparkbrook and Balsall Heath, East Birmingham.

Following numerous complaints from residents.

Sparkbrook Police tweeted: "DVLA came to Sparkbrook and Balsall heath today Tuesday 8th January they had a very busy time over twenty vehicles removed your car needs to be taxed to be on a public road. This operation was by public request."

There were 132 untaxed vehicles clamped or impounded in Sandwell council area, a slight decrease compared to 2016 when there were 166.

In Dudley council area there were just 11 vehicles clamped, a huge decrease compared to the previous year when 106 untaxed vehicles were clamped or impounded.

A spokesperson of the

Automobile Association said: "Nowadays, thanks to new technology, drivers stand a much greater chance of being caught with an untaxed vehicle.

"Police forces and other law enforcement agencies use Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras that can detect illegal vehicles by reading their number plates.

"Hence, drivers are playing with fire.

"However, we also know that some people can't afford to pay for everything that keeps their car on the road legally. Fuel, insurance, or maintenance costs could push the cost of a car to the point that it becomes unaffordable.

"But many people need their car to go to work, and so they decide to take the risk – which is one reason why there are around one million uninsured drivers on UK roads."

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The great smelling soap and cosmetics giant Lush has opened its biggest store in the world in Birmingham.

There are spa treatments on offer in the city centre's massive new Lush store, the branch has its own spa!

The new Lush outlet is located in Attwood House near the Odeon cinema on New Street and is spread over two floors. The Lush Spa Store, 143-144 New Street, B2 4NY The brand is known for its cruelty-free beauty products, including the fizzing bath bomb, shower jellies and

solid shampoo bars.

The new store also offers a variety of treatment services for shoppers - in the main store area and a separate spa area.

As well as Lush’s ethically aware range of toiletries, for the first time Brummies can relish the luxury of Lush products.

Products include macaroon style shampoos - 'cinnamon leaf and clove bud essential oils meet peppermint to wake up hair with a warmly spiced cleanse.'

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Other new stores opening in the city centre include the world’s biggest Primark . The store next to M&S on New Street will open in January 2019.

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Regeneration project for Edgbaston new designs unveiled

Edgbaston will recieve £300 million for a regeneration project, Plans lodged with city council to start developing the first phase of New Garden Square in Edgbaston.

Property group and landowner Calthorpe Estates is leading the New Garden Square project, in Hagley Road, which will include up to 400 apartments, office space and public realm.

There will also be units for bars, restaurants and convenience stores along with the prospective for a 100 bed-hotel and 900 car parking spaces.

Paul Patenall, projects director at U+I, said: "Today is a significant step in making New Garden Square a reality.

"Our plans are for a commercial-led, mixed-use development, which will provide approximately 500,000 sq ft of grade A office space.

"This will extend the city core and create a new business destination which will attract significant investment and generate jobs.

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"Its impact will be significant for the city's business development plan and for Edgbaston and its community for generations to come."

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"It's an exciting and truly transformational development that will see the regeneration of a first generation 1960s commercial offices site into a new, mixed-use scheme."

The development site sweeps down towards Five Ways island and is bounded by Francis Road and Duchess Road.

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Sikh charity organisation dread being driven out of town by council JANUARY 2019

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M

idland Langar Seva a Sikh group, which has grown from feeding a handful of needy people in Walsall into a global service has fears it is being driven out of its home town. Volunteers serve up to 100 meals a day to poverty-stricken and homeless people in Walsall and The Midlands.

The Midland Langar Seva society aids hundreds of hot meals to homeless and poor people every day across the UK as well as India, Germany and Bangkok.

But Randhir Singh, one of the founders of the society, said they have been stunned by complaints from Walsall Council about the mess their evening town centre feeds leave behind.

Mr Singh said they deployed volunteers to clear up rubbish each night and had no problems with any other authority where their groups serve.

Initially, take-up was low in the town but other groups set up elsewhere in the Midlands including Wolverhampton and Birmingham demonstrated popular.

More groups were established up north and in Wales before the operation grew further and saw services developed across India and in Thailand and Germany.

When the group returned to Walsall three years ago, demand was far higher than before and volunteers now serve between 85 and a 100 meals per day.

Mr Singh said: "It is really sad that Walsall Council appear to be trying to stop the feeds we put on.

"They say we are leaving a lot of mess and they are getting complaints from market traders but we are only there for an hour and we have volunteers designated to clearing up any rubbish.

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"We believe it is just an excuse. Perhaps they are embarrassed at how bad poverty and homelessness is in Walsall and that we are doing their job for them.

"We do this to follow the Sikh principle of 'seva' serving humanity and helping those who are less fortunate than us. It is what our founder Guru Nanak Ji did.

"It is not just homeless people who come to us, it is people with a range of problems including mental health issues, poverty, families who are struggling to put food on the table.

"You also get professional people whose lives fell apart or those who were in the army.

"We try to help people get back on their feet. It is heartbreaking to see people cannot afford to buy food."

As well as serving vegetarian meals, the society has distributed clothes,

nappies, baby milk and toiletries.

Volunteers also deliver to places including women's refuges and provide breakfast clubs at a number of schools across the West Midlands.

Mr Singh added: "Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and yet there are children as young as five who go to school on an empty stomach.

"We are parents and we wouldn't want our children missing out on a basic but important meal which will also benefit them in the classroom.

"I don't think we will stop doing this. To us, seva comes first. God gave us everything so it is up to us to share."

Motivated by the Sikh principles of helping others and stopping people from going hungry, Midland Langar Seva Society was set up in 2013 operating from the Glebe Centre in Walsall.

NEWS

Gift Giving over the Christmas period The Sikh Toy Appeal

The Sikh Toy Appeal based in Wolverhampton helps many families who have social security issues, fleeing domestic abuse, fire, burglary, ill health and sheer poverty are all reasons why families might find themselves unable to buy presents.

It is hard to imagine that in this day and age, that there are children in families where even a basic gift will not be given. This is at no fault of the parent and certainly not the child, all for a very wide number of reasons.

Every year we get to hear about a growing number of children and families in these circumstances, and every year we need more and more new presents to bag up and send out to every child/ young person aged from 1-18. We also want to help vulnerable care givers. These youngsters maybe your children, your neighbours, a friend’s child, but whoever they will be living in your area.

These are children that will not be given presents unless you help them. Remember, Birthdays

and Christmas Day is the most important date in any youngster’s diary.

Manny Johal Project Manager of the charity said “Helping people who are suffering from poverty is something I have a personal passion for.

It was an idea that came to me in the season of gift giving for Christmas, to provide support for children who cannot afford to receive presents especially from their families that cannot afford presents at this time of year.

To know that Toy donations for boys and girls from Pre-mature babies to teenagers can be gathered and delivered personally to under privileged children from Santa is something that will bring joy to everyone's hearts.”

The target was to reach 10,000 toys before Christmas and this was achieved all in one month. Toys were distributed just in time for Christmas Day. To donate to the Sikh Toy Appeal contact 07958 264178, or email hello@sikhtoyappeal.org.

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Marketing & Digital Coordinator Are you bright, creative and looking to really make your mark?

Rifco is one of the top five touring theatre companies in the UK and we’re recruiting for this brand new role in our small and dynamic team based at Watford Palace Theatre.

The Marketing & Digital Coordinator will create and deliver marketing campaigns across on and offline platforms and support excellent internal and external communications that engage with everyone that works for and with Rifco DEADLINE: Monday 4th February at 10am INTERVIEWS: Wednesday 13th February For the Recruitment Pack please go to https://www.rifcotheatre.com/join-us/jobs For an informal chat about the job please email jenny@rifcotheatre.com to arrange a time Rifco creates new plays and musicals that reflect and celebrate contemporary British Asian experiences and is passionate about supporting new talent rifcotheatre.com @RifcoTheatre Like: RifcoTheatre

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The New Year Honours List 2019 JANUARY 2019

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Recognising British Asians

Saeed Atcha – CEO Xplode Magazine

Paramdeep Singh Bhatia

R

ecognising men and women across all walks of life, the list honours those who have made a lasting impact on communities around the UK. Titles bestowed upon the Asian individuals include Commanders of the Order of the British Empire (CBE), Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE), Officers of the Order of the British Empire (OBE), and Medallist of the Order of the British Empire (BEM).

In the total of 1,148 people given honours on the List, 12% are from BAME backgrounds (approximately over 135 people). Seeing an increase compared to 2018, which was 9.2%.

Of the total, 47% of them were women this year, which is 544. Seeing slightly less than 2018, which was 49%.

Some noteworthy Asian personalities appeared on the New Year Honours List for 2019.

Saeed Atcha, aged 22, who is the founder of Xplode Magazine, a charity helping young people in Greater Manchester through volunteering, jobs and skills training, became the youngest person to be awarded an MBE. Reacting to the award, Saeed said: “I never expected this at all, especially at my age.

“The achievements of young people should be recognised like this, the work so many young people do should be recognised, I would encourage the community to recognise them.”

Paramdeep Singh Bhatia was awarded an MBE for his

services to the community.

Reacting to his honour, Param said: “I’m ever so humbled to have been made an MBE by Her Majesty the Queen for services to charity.”

Birmingham’s British Asian woman entrepreneur Rosie Kaur Ginday, CEO of Miss Macaroon CIC, was given an MBE for her community services to help the unemployed, and British Asian musician, Nitin Sawhney, was awarded a CBE for his services to music.

Nitin in the past, turned down an OBE, saying: “I turned down an OBE years ago and my dad passed away regretting that I didn’t take it.

“This time the offer letter came on my dad’s birthday so I took it for dad.”

British Asians who have been recognised in the New Year’s Honours List 2019 include: Commanders of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) • Gurinder Singh JOSAN – Labour Party member. For political services.

• Dr Sridevi KALIDINDI – Consultant Psychiatrist in Rehabilitation and Recovery, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust. For services to Rehabilitation Psychiatry.

• Nitin SAWHNEY – Musician and Composer. For services to Music.

Officers of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) • Ruby Khalid BHATTI – For services to Young People and Housing.

• Farooq Ur Rehman CHAUDHRY – Producer. For services to Dance and Dance Production.

• Dr Jagbir Singh JHUTTIJOHAL – Senior Lecturer in Sikh Studies, University of Birmingham. For services to Higher Education, Faith Communities and the Voluntary Sector.

• Dr Vinod KAPASHI – For services to Jainism.

• Umer KHAN – Superintendent, Greater Manchester Police. For services to Policing and Community Cohesion.

• Nasar MAHMOOD – Chairman, British Muslim Heritage Centre. For services to Community Relations in Manchester.

• Aamer NAEEM – Chief Executive Officer, Penny Appeal. For services to Muslim Community Development.

• Dr Vijaykumar Chhotabhai Kalidas PATEL -Chief Executive Officer, Waymade Pharmaceuticals. For services to Business and Philanthropy.

• Sukhjeev SANDHU – Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Audeliss and INvolve.

For services to Diversity in Business.

• Shahed Saleem TARIQ – Deputy Director of Children and Families, Leeds City Council.

For services to Children’s Services in Leeds.

• Professor Dr Daljit Singh VIRK – Senior Research Fellow, Bangor University, Wales. For services to Tackling Poverty Abroad and Education in Derby.

Rosie Kaur Ginday – Founder and Director, Miss Macaroon

Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) • Jahaid AHMAD – Immigration Officer, London and South, Home Office. For services to Law and Order.

• Fateha AHMED – Volunteer Advocacy Worker within the BME community. For services to Diverse communities in Wales.

• Riaz ALIDINA – Head of Financial Institutions Business Risk, Lloyds Banking Group.

For services to Small Business Banking.

• Saeed ATCHA – CEO Xplode Magazine. For services to Young People and the community in Greater Manchester.

• Rajinder Singh BAJWE – For services to the Hospitality Industry and charity in Glasgow.

• Sujata BANERJEE – For services to Dance.

• Paramdeep Singh BHATIA – For voluntary service to Minority Communities.

• Abul Kalam Azad CHOUDHURY – Founder, Azad Choudhury Academy and Welfare Trust. For services to Education in Bangladesh.

• Dr Saroj DUGGAL – For services to Asian and Ethnic Minority Women.

• Mehmooda DUKE DL – Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Moosa-Duke Solicitors.

For services to the Legal Profession and the Promotion of Female Entrepreneurship.

• Rosie Kaur GINDAY – Founder and Director, Miss Macaroon Community Interest Company. For services to the community in Birmingham.

• Gopal Krishan GUPTA – Founder and Solicitor, Gupta and Partners, and Founder,

Gupta Group. For services to British Business and Philanthropy.

• Zuffar Iqbal HAQ – For public and political service.

• Monojaha Polly ISLAM – For services to charity and the UK Bangladeshi community.

• Nisha Sujata KATONA – Founder and Director, Mowgli Street Food Group Ltd. For services to the Food Industry.

• Mandeep KAUR – Sikh Chaplain to the Armed Forces.

For voluntary services to Armed Forces Personnel and the Sikh community across the globe.

• Mohammed Muaaz KHAN – Founder, Eid Unwrapped and Convenor, Public Service Youth Foundation. For services to Young People.

• Surinderpal Singh LIT – Sunrise Radio MD. For services to the British-Asian community.

• Tariq MAHMOOD DAR – For services to charity and the community in Brent, London.

• Rifhat MALIK – For services to Muslim Women and to charity.

• Bhagvati PARMAR – Migration Planning Coordinator, HM Revenue and Customs. For charitable services.

• Ishver PATEL – For services to charity in the UK and Abroad.

• Pratap PAWAR – Dancer and Choreographer. For services to Dance, Culture and community Cohesion.

• Mohammed Ridwan Ahmed RAFIQUE – Diversity and Inclusion Manager, Immigration Enforcement, Home Office. For services to the Promotion of Inclusion in the Home Office and the

community in Sandwell.

• Mamun-Ur- RASHID – For services to Business and the community in Govan, Glasgow.

• Kuljit Kaur SAGOO – Chair, Home Office Gender Equality Network. For services to Diversity and Inclusion in the Home Office.

• Wahida SHAFFI – For services to Women, Young People, Interfaith and Community Relations.

• Balraj TANDON – For services to Business and the community in South London.

• Chandra Mohan TRIKHA – Lately Director of Distribution Performance, SSE. For services to the Energy Industry.

• Faeeza VAID – Executive Director Muslim Women’s Network UK. For services to Women’s Rights.

Medallist of the Order of the British Empire (BEM) • Lalit Mohan NAGPAUL JP – For services to Older People and the Asian community in North London.

• Shabnam SABIR – For services to Homeless and Young People in Oxford.

These prestigious titles are awarded to recognise those people who have committed themselves to serve and help Britain in their particular fields of work and services, and among them, these Asians have proved their dedication without a doubt.

Congratulations all of the honoraries.

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Home Owner Confronts Masked Burglars 12

JANUARY 2019

A horrified husband describes the moment he came face-to-face with a masked gang who had broken into his home.

Saleem Deen was out searching for his lost kitten when he returned to find three burglars inside his home in Erdington while his wife was asleep.

The 31-year-old spotted an intruder holding open his garden gate before running inside to see if wife Shabana was unharmed.

Saleem, a sales manager for an IT company, said : "It was around 2am and I'd been out searching for my kitten, Georgie.

"I shone my torch at my garden gate when I'd got back and, to my horror, there was a male in a balaclava holding the door open.

"My heart dropped. I immediately shouted and screamed and sprinted into the house before locking the front door behind me.

"My first reaction was to check on my wife who was upstairs sleeping.

Saleem Deen was a victim of a knifepoint robbery in his own home.

"I didn't even check to see if the robbers were downstairs at the time - or if they'd even got in.

"I ran upstairs and spotted them in the garden. I

shouted, 'Get out of here, F off!' at them from the back bedroom window.

"To my shock and disbelief, one of them turned back around from running away and I heard him say, 'F this, I'm going to stab this ****.'

"I shone my torch on him and it was pitch black outside and he pulled out this big kitchen knife.

"It was at least 12 inches long and he started to run back towards the house.

"I was in a fit of rage and lost it and ran downstairs to confront them.

"That's was when I noticed they had already broken into the house through the back door patio and ransacked my cupboards, taking the keys to my BMW." Distraught Saleem had his £40,000 blacked-out BMW M4 for a matter of weeks. It was his dream car, he explained.

"I have worked hard and saved for many years to buy a BMW M4," he added.

"It was my dream car from a young age. The car was worth just under £40,000 under a finance agreement.

I had only owned the car for 10 weeks.

"As they reversed off, they beeped the horn as if to say, 'F you - we have the car!' and they were away within seconds.

"The police arrived three

hours later and took prints and gave us a crime reference number."

The car key raid took place on Bore Road around 2am on Friday, November 23, with Saleem revealing family life "hasn't been the same since".

"I wanted to bring awareness to the terrible spate of car burglaries in Birmingham," he said.

"It's terrifying. My wife hasn't been the same since and still fears coming into the house on her own.

"I urge the people of Birmingham to double up on their house security. It took burglars just seconds to snap the lock on our patio door."

He is now offering £1,000 rewards for the whereabouts of kitten Georgie and his black BMW M4.

To contact Saleem, visit his Facebook page: Missing Georgie .

A spokesman for West Midlands Police said: "Offenders have snap-locked the back patio door and have taken keys to a black BMW which was parked on the driveway before making off.

"It's believed the trio arrived in a white Audi.

Enquires are ongoing and anyone with information is urged to call 101 quoting crime reference number 20BE/272658A/18."

MORE NEWS ONLINE AT THEASIANTODAY.COM

NEWS NEWS

Garage Worker Chases Carjackers With Broom A sale assistant at Merestones Petrol Station in Acocks Green, has spoken how he jumped into action to chase off two men in an attempted carjacking with his broomstick.

Risalat Hussain, 35-year-old who ran out to help a woman who was ambushed and dragged from her Mercedes at a petrol station around 7am on Sunday morning, January 6 Hussain spotted two thugs rushing towards the helpless woman and he potentially risked his job by saving her.

Mr Hussain said "I was behind the till and I spotted what was going on. I shouted to my colleague in the office, 'Come outside! Quick! Quick!' and we both ran.

"We just ran at them saying, 'Get off her now!' and grabbed broomsticks which were next to us.

"It is against company policy to do what we did and we're told we're not allowed to help if there's a crime but, for me, this person's life is more important than my job.

"It's just in me to help people and, before, I've stopped people fighting. I say, 'Don't fight, don't fight'."

The petrol station worker said that the hooded duo had their faces covered and targeted the victim's 68-plate white Mercedes A-Class, priced at £40,000.

"They were white men aged between 25 and 38, I'd say. They had their faces covered and I

didn't see any weapons. They ran off down Fox Hollies Road and we made sure the woman who was on the floor was OK. "We got her to come into the shop and we gave her some water. She was clearly shaken up.

I'd say she was in her 30s maybe.

We waited until her husband arrived and, as I finished making a complaint to the police on the phone, he thanked me for helping her."

A spokeswoman from West Midlands Police said: "Police are investigating the attempted robbery of a car from Merestones Service Station on Fox Hollies Road, Acocks Green on Sunday 6 January.

"A woman had filled up her Mercedes A class car at around 7.10am.

"She went into the garage to pay for the fuel and as she returned to her car, she was approached by two men, with

covered faces, who demanded her car keys.

"They grabbed at the woman’s bag and caused her to fall over.

The woman screamed and a member or staff ran out of the garage shop, at which point, the two assailants ran off.

"The woman was did not suffer any injuries. No-one has been arrested and police enquiries are ongoing."

Councillor Majid Mahmood (Lab, Bromford, Hodge Hill) posted on his Facebook page: "This happened in Acocks Green over the weekend.

"If you have any information of the perpetrators please get in touch with Acocks Green Police.

"Let's work together so these vile individuals are brought to justice.

In the meantime please be careful when filling up at petrol stations.

"A huge thank you to the brave members of staff who came out to assist."

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The Festival of Lohri 14

JANUARY 2019

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t s e v r a H r e t n i W e h t g n i t a r b Cele

The festival of Lohri hold's a great significance as it marks the harvesting season in Punjab and the end of the winter season.

Lohri Bonfire

The main event is making of a huge bonfire which is symbolic of the homage to the Sun God of bringing in warmth. Celebrated on 13th January every year, Lohri festivities are associated with harvesting of the Rabi crops.

There is a special significance attached to the celebration of Lohri as this day the sun enters the Rashi (zodiac) of Makara (Capricorn), is considered auspicious as it signifies a fresh start.

Lohri has a special significance for the agriculturists because it marks the beginning of a new financial year. This is because on this day they settle the division of the products of the land between themselves and the tillers. Lohri assumes greater significance if there has

Sunday 13th January 2019

been a happy event in the family such a birth of child or a marriage in the past year. The family then plays host to relations and friends with music, dancing and food.

The festival of Lohri is linked to the atmospheric physical changes.

Lohri

celebrations generate a lot of joy as people sit around the bonfire, praying for prosperity and offering peanuts and beaten rice to the burning bonfire. The significance of this to praise the sun for giving us all we need especially the farmers for their crops. Fire sanctifies our endeavor for a good life on the one hand and destroys evil spirits on the other.

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YOUR ENTERTAINMENT NEWS HAPPY NEW YEAR!

A LOSS OF TWO GREAT LEGENDS

Bollywood film industry loses a legend Kader Khan & the UK Bhangra scene loses the legend DJ VIPS

RIP KADER KHAN

The legendary Bollywood veteran Kader Khan passed away on Tuesday 31 December at the age of 81.

The actor was admitted to a hospital in Canada after his health deteriorated his son Sarfaraz told PTI “My dad has left us. He passed away on December 31 at 6 pm as per Canadian time due to prolonged illness. He slipped into coma in the afternoon. He was in the hospital for 16-17 weeks. The last rites will be performed here in Canada only. We have our entire family here and we live here so we are doing it,”.

Khan was born in Kabul and made his acting debut in 1973 with Rajesh Khanna’s Daag and went on to act in over 300 films.

He also wrote dialogues for over 250 movies, with his first film as a dialogue writer being Randhir Kapoor-Jaya Bachchan’s Jawani Diwani.

Khan was known for his comic roles, especially in films with Govinda. He worked in a number of David Dhawan who directed Govinda films like Dulhe Raja, Coolie No.1, Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, Raja Babu, Saajan Chale Sasural, Aunty No.1, among others.

Khan has worked with all leading actors of 70s, 80s and 90s, including Rajesh Khanna, Bachchan, Jeetendra, Feroz Khan, Anil Kapoor and Govinda.

Bollywood has been paying their respects via social media with their condolences.

17

RIP DJ VIPS The UK entertainment industry has been shocked with the news of DJ Vips the founder and leader of VIP Entertainment and VIP records who sadly passed away on January 6.

DJ Vips from Scotland and the north of England was a game changer to the UK Bhangra scene, a household name he entertained audiences with his music and DJ Sets.

VIP records was set up in 2005 and was one of the largest record labels in the UK and Europe to support the music scene, It was in

that year he released he debut album ‘Party Time’.

VIP Records made a statement on their Facebook page saying: “It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Vipin Kumar aka Vips. CEO of VIP Records. We ask you to keep his family in your prayers at this difficult time. #Legend “Vipen started VIP Records in 2005 and has since built the company into one the leading Asian Record Labels The Asian Today would like to pay their deepest respect and condolences to the family.

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SHOWBIZ SHOWBIZ SHOWBIZ SHOWBIZ SHOWBIZ SHOWBIZ SHOWBIZ SHOWB Rumours about Arjun Kapoor and Malaika Arora dating has been taking over headlines, but it was never official. In a recent episode of Koffee with Karan, when he had Arjun on the show he admitted he wasn't single but did not talk about dating Malaika, however the rumours are confirmed that the pair are dating and have been spotted on dinner dates and vacations.

g n i t a d a k i a l a M d n a n Arju

Bodyguard Actor Picks up Golden Globe Award TV drama Bodyguard actor Richard Madden was among a cohort of Brits that snatched major acting gongs at the 2019 Golden Globes.

Madden won the award for Best Actor for his role as war veteran and protection officer, sergeant David Budd.

While Madden’s performance helped the show become the most watched BBC drama since 2008, he almost quit acting after the shoot.

“It had taken so much out of me physically, mentally and personally. I didn’t see any of my friends for months, unless they came to set. It was just relentless.

You didn’t get a day off. My character doesn’t get a second off. It took more out of me that anything else I’ve done,” he told GQ during our cover interview.

rt a p A s d l r o W With their international romance which was followed by a lavish and royal wedding. Priyanka and Nick are still worlds apart due to their jobs, both understand they have to prioritise each other as well and keep flying across the world even if it’s for a day. #CouplesGoals

Hrithik Roshan’s Dad 2018 No Hit For The Khans Diagnosed With Cancer

For the first time in 12 years, 2018 was not a good year at the box office there are no top performing movies from the house of the Khans – Salman, Aamir and Shah Rukh.While Salman Khan’s Race 3 turned out to be the most trolled movie of the

year. Aamir Khan’s Thugs of Hindostan was declared a box-office disaster. Shah Rukh Khan’s Zero, which is still running in the cinemas, was the worst of the three. Lets hoping for a good 2019 for these three.

Another sad news in Bollywood Hrithik Roshan has taken to social media to reveal that father and director Rakesh Roshan has been diagnosed with cancer. The actor stated that his father is undergoing surgery to fight cancer cells of the throat.

Wishing the director, a quick recovery.

Ranveer and D working on ne together

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THE BY: ASIAN TODAY HUSNA

BY: HUSNA

BOLLYWOOD BOLLYWOOD

How Celebrities Celebrated the New year Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Nick Jonas This loved up couple spent the holidays in the Swiss Alps with the family including Joe Jonas and his fiancée Sophie Turner and saw in the New Year there, too.

Jacqueline Fernandez The Bollywood beauty arrived in Dubai with her family and stayed to celebrate New Year's Eve. Her Instagram shows her dancing around the new Emerald Palace Kempinski Dubai, she said: "This is saying goodbye to you 2018!!! Love you so much for everything you taught us!! ... time to dance ahead into the future!! Xoxo The Fernandez girls".

Kim Kardashian and Paris Hilton Over in Aspen, Colorado, friends Kim Kardashian and Paris Hilton went sledding together, and the pair shared the photos on their Instagram accounts. Kim wrote: "Happy New Year from me and @parishilton". Paris added: "Slaying into 2019 with @KimKardashian", although her recent Instagram Story videos show her at Popski London fur store in England's capital dancing away to Katy Perry.

Back from their Honeymoon Ranveer Singh is all set to start shooting for his next film which is based on the life of veteran cricketer Kapil Dev. The movie titled ’83’ ‘is reported to star Deepika as Romi Bhatia, the wife of Kapil Dev.The role is said to be an impactful cameo surrounded by a lot of drama and emotions. We look forward to seeing the newly wed couple on screen soon.

Deepika ew film

s m r o f r e P é c n o y e B n I g n i d ed W t s i L at A India American singer Beyoncé performed at A-list Indian extravagant celebrity wedding.

The daughter of India's richest man, Isha Ambani is marrying Anand Piramal, son of another Indian billionaire.

The family spared no expense and Beyoncé was one of many celebrities

flown in, along with Bollywood stars and guests like Hillary Clinton.

The Ambanis themselves recently attended the wedding reception of Bollywood actors Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh.

And Isha Ambani was a bridesmaid at the wedding of actress Priyanka Chopra to US singer Nick Jonas.

BIRD BOX CHALLENGE WARNING Netflix film Bird Box became the biggest hit to date, the film, led by Sandra Bullock, was seen as one of the highprofile pre-Christmas releases.

Reactions to the movie have left people taking the “Bird Box challenge” which has seen fans blindfolding themselves before taking on various tasks from petting dogs to playing basketball to, most worryingly, driving. This has led to the official Netflix account tweeting: “Can’t believe I have to say this, but: PLEASE DO NOT HURT YOURSELVES WITH THIS BIRD BOX CHALLENGE.”

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Kala Chashma Sanu Ik Pail Chain Kala Chashma Baar Baar Dekho RAIDRahat Fateh Ali Khan Baar Baar Dekho

Theher Tere Sang Ja Yaare Tere Sang YaareMalik Rustom OCTOBER - Armaan Rustom

O Saathi Gani GaniSandhu Mani BAAGHI 2 - Atif& Aslam Akhil Mani Sandhu & Akhil

Swag Jag Ghoomeya Se Swagat Jag Ghoomeya Sultan TIGER ZINDA HAI - Vishal Dadlani Sultan

Mundiyan Tu Rendhe BAAGHI 2 - Navraj Hans Kumari Tu Rendhe Tindy & Rixx and Sudesh Tindy & Rixx and Sudesh Kumari

Ghar Se Nikalte Hi Woman Woman Armaan Malik Shide Boss ft Zack Knight Shide Boss ft Zack Knight

Ae Watan Peat Pe Booty Peat Booty A RAAZI Flying -Pe Arjit Jatt Sing A Flying Jatt

Aashiq Banaya Apne Suit Suit Randhawa Guru HATE STORY 4 - Himesh & N. Kakkar Guru Randhawa

Patola Tu Hai Tu Hai Daro Mohenjo BLACKMAIL - Guru Randhawa Mohenjo Daro

Aaj Se Teri Dishoom Dishoom PADMAN Arjit Singh Sau Tarah- Ke Sau Tarah Ke

BHANGRA/POP BHANGRA BHANGRA

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Knightridah Gabbroo Gabbroo Jassie Imran Gill Khan ft. Preet Hundal Jassie Gill ft. Preet Hundal

Sip Sip Akhil Akhil Teri Jasmine KamiSandlas Teri Kami

Akh Lad Jaave Tru-Skool Ashok Prince, Badshah, Asees & Jubin Ashok Tru-Skool Time 4 YaPrince, Mind Kaur Nautiyal Time 4 Ya Mind

Laung PBN & Laachi Raj Bains Mannat PBNAkh & Noor Raj Bains Billi Billi Akh

Dil Diyan Manni Sandhu Gallan Manni Sandhu Welcome Atif Aslam To The Future Welcome To The Future

Difference Tere Bina Tere Maan Bina Monty Amrit & Waris, Ginni Kapoor Monty & Waris, Ginni Kapoor

Patt Lai Geya Skoda SkodaBawa Ranjit Jasmine Sandlas ft. Bhinda Aujla Ranjit Bawa ft. Bhinda Aujla

Thumka Ikk Vaari Hor Soch Lae Ikk Vaari Hor Soch Lae Harish Zack Knight Verma Harish Verma

Tareefan Billa Kulwinder Kulwinder Billa Kulwinder Qaran & Badshah Billa Kulwinder Billa

Chogada Selfi e Boliyan SelfieSingh Boliyan Malkit Darshan Raval ft. Dj Vix Malkit Singh ft. Dj Vix

UK UKARTISTS CHART UK ARTISTS

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Youngblood One Dance One Dance 5Drake Seconds feat OfWizkid Summer and Kyla Drake feat Wizkid and Kyla

2002 Cold Water Anne-Marie Cold Water Major Lazer and Justin Beiber Major Lazer and Justin Beiber

God Good Too Is A Woman Too DrakeGood Ariana feat Grande Rihanna Drake feat Rihanna

No Tears This is what Leftyou To came Cry for This isHarris what you came for Calvin Ariana Grande feat Rihanna Calvin Harris feat Rihanna Answerphone Heathens Banx & Ranx & Ella Eyre feat.

Heathens Twenty One Pilots Yxng Bane Twenty One Pilots

Closer Beautiful Closer Chainsmokers featCabello Halsey Bazzi feat. Camila Chainsmokers feat Halsey

Eastside Perfect Strangers Benny Blanco, & Khalid Perfect Strangers Jonas Blue featHalsey JP Cooper Jonas Blue feat JP Cooper

Tears Love (Paddington) Spread TearsBandit Clean featDVNO Louisa Johnson Boston Bun feat.

Clean Bandit feat Louisa Johnson

This Girl One Kiss This Girl Kungs Vs Cooking 3 Burners Calvin Harris feat.on Dua Lipa Kungs Vs Cooking on 3 Burners

Don't IWe Like It Talk Anymore We Don't Anymore Charlie feat Selena Gomez Cardi B Puth , BadTalk Bunny & J Balvin Charlie Puth feat Selena Gomez

20

JANUARY 2019

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The Asian Today Interviews Birmimingham Poet

Rupinder Kaur Tell us a little about yourself? (Quick summary) I am 22 years old, Birmingham born, Panjabi poet and writer and I am also in my final year for biomedical science. I am lover of the world of South Asian arts and history.

Who and what was your inspiration to start writing poetry?

Around the age of 16/17 I was really into qawwali and Sufi music I would listen to coke studio religiously, I also read the works of Bulleh Shah and Rumi along with Hafiz first before discovering the works of contemporary Panjabi Poets Shiv Kumar Batalvi and Amrita Pritam these two poets really struck a cord in my heart that awoke my love for poetry along with Panjabiyat.

How old were you when you first started to write poetry?

I was around 17 years old when I attempted poetry, I wouldn’t say it was great, but it has surly gotten better over the years with more experience and there is still so much room for improvement which I am aware of.

What was your inspiration for your book ‘Rooh’?

Rooh, which literally

translates to soul... that is my inspiration. Rooh is the voice of my soul- and I have written everything that I am passionate about from my own personal experience to what I have seen around me in society and vast world. My poems range from looking at being born in the diaspora, to looking at how the female gender is viewed in society to history, taboos to culture and of course love.

Does British culture and diversity have an impact on your poems being a young Indian woman?

My poems are influenced by being born in the diaspora and having that nostalgia for back home.

Born Handsworth, growing up I was surrounded by South Asians and the Black community living in a very close-knit community I really enjoyed my childhood life in Handsworth and many of my poems reflect those moments before I moved into a different area wanting to dissociate with the ends of B21 and it wasn’t till I was abit older and through music and poetry I reconnected with my roots but sometimes it is a struggle for our identity as are we British or are we British Asian or are we neither...

Are you pushing a younger generation of Indians to read your book and get into poetry?

I do always try and post as much not so much about my book but reading poetry and books in general. I believe reading is the most valuable thing you can do in life.

The knowledge that I have gotten from reading so many different types of books have really shaped me into the person that I am today.

Would you collaborate with any other poets?

Yes, I would love to collaborate with other poets to perhaps put on an event an open mic or even a theatre show, showing the beauty of South Asian poetry.

The poem you have sent in what was the inspiration/ story behind the poem?

My grammar, my English have never been very good I’ve been learning to balance languages on the tip of my tongue since I was born.

While mixing between my mother tongues my English often breaks in places.

I fall short of English and that’s when I remember my mother tongue.

But sometimes

all I have is English and sometimes I only have my mother tongue to cry in.

This poem is based on actual facts, my grammar and English have never been good!

But I still turned out to be a poet somehow… at times I can only express myself in English but at times I can only write in Panjabi or Hindi. I mostly find myself expressing myself in my mother tongues when I am very emotional which is why I ended with “sometimes I only have my mother tongue to cry in”.

Is there another book in the process?

At the moment, I haven’t started writing another poetry collection although I am writing but I am not too sure when I will have something new ready to publish I really just want to take my time and perhaps do a poetry collection in Panjabi next. But I am working on another book which isn't a

collection of my poetry but will be collection of Panjabi female poets looking at classical, contemporary and diaspora which I am very excited about as there is lack of mention of Panjabi female poet's contribution towards Panjabi Literature all most like they have been erased from history... so delving into pages of history to discover the missing gaps in Panjab Literature is going to be an amazing and eye-opening journey which I am sure about.

What’s next for Rupinder Kaur? (anything exciting we

should look out for?)

I’m currently working on a poem for Saruv Dutts book on Jallianwala Bagh which is due to be released next April. I also have some great events that I am going to be part which you will see on my social media soon! And once I am done with university, I am looking forward to getting into the world of arts fully as I really want to explore writing from novel to short stories to script writing and theatre.

Publisher - verve poetry press

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NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL

Missed GP appointments in the West Midlands costing NHS millions

More than one million general practice appointments are being wasted in the West Midlands each year because patients fail to turn up without prior warning.

There are around 22 million booked slots with GPs, nurses, therapists and other practice staff across the region every year and 5% of those are missed without enough notice to invite other patients – working out as around 1.1million wasted appointments.

Around 440,000 of these are with busy family doctors, which equals more than 73,000 GP hours wasted each year – the equivalent of 37 GPs working full time for a year.

Each appointment costs an average of £30, putting the total cost to the NHS at more than £33 million on top of the disruption for staff and fellow patients.

NHS England is working to improve access to GPs and other health professionals by recruiting thousands of new practice staff and appointments are now available in evenings and weekends in every general practice in the West Midlands.

Patients are also being encouraged to make use of GP online services, where they can book and cancel appointments, order repeat prescriptions, access some of their medical records and more. To register, simply take your ID to your practice and ask for the relevant forms.

However, it’s vital patients do their bit by letting the NHS know if they cannot attend an appointment.

Dr Francis Campbell, Deputy Medical Director at NHS England West Midlands, said: “We know that timely access to general practice

appointments are a priority for the public, which is why we are growing the workforce and offering extended access.

The NHS long term plan will set out how we build on this progress, but patients can do their part by letting their practice know as soon as possible if they can’t make their slot – freeing up doctors, nurses and other professionals to see others.

This is particularly important as we go in to winter.”

Evening and weekend access to GP services has been available across the country since December, more than three months ahead of schedule, and means there will be an estimated nine million extra appointments each year.

They are available across seven days and through designated local NHS services, or in some cases a patient’s own GP practice.

Professor Helen Stokes-

Two drug traffickers from the West Midlands were jailed after they were caught with a suitcasefull of heroin at Heathrow Airport.

Abid Hussain and Janger Khan were stopped as they tried to drive off from Terminal 4 with a massive ten kilo of heroin street value of £968,000 that was stashed in a suitcase.

Hussain, of Wells Avenue in Wednesbury, was picking up his accomplice Khan after he arrived on a flight from Pakistan.

The pair were about to leave

the airport car park on July 22 2018, when they were stopped by officers from the Met Police Organised Crime Partnership (OCP).

Hussain, 50, pleaded guilty to drug trafficking offences on the first day of the trial.

He was sentenced to eight years and one month at Blackfriars Crown Court.

The jury found 55-year-old Khan guilty in less than two hours, returning with a unanimous verdict.

Khan, of William Cook Road in Ward End, was jailed for eight years and-a-half years.

Matt McMillan, OCP Operations Manager, said: “These sentences reflect the severity of Hussain and Khan’s criminality and should act as a deterrent for those involved in the supply of drugs.

“Drugs are a blight on communities, fuel gang violence and exploit venerable people. The OCP will continue to investigate those involved in this serious criminality.”

Drug Traffickers Caught at Heathrow Airport

Lampard, Chair of the Royal College of GPs, said: “When patients miss appointments it can be a frustrating waste of resources for GPs and our teams, but also for other patients who are struggling to secure an appointment for themselves.

“There may be many reasons why a patient might miss an appointment, and in some cases it can be an indication that something serious is going on for that individual - but we would urge patients to let us know if they can’t attend as soon as possible, so that we can offer that time to someone else who really needs it. To this end, practices are using electronic methods, such as SMS reminders, to encourage patients to keep their appointments, or cancel them in a timely manner.”

Zahid Khan on the run films himself with rapper at VIP party

This is the instant millionaire fugitive Zahid Khan met American rapper Busta Rhymes at an exclusive VIP party in Dubai. Khan fled to Dubai before being jailed for 10 years in his absence for a £500,000 number plate fraud.

Khan after being found guilty of conspiracy to defraud over a £500,000 number plate fraud, met the singer at a celebrity party over the Christmas period.

Fraudster Khan from Moseley, South Birmingham posted the video to his Facebook page and said: "Busta rhymes & me chilling.

Dubai is a land for all, everyone is welcome it’s a land full of opportunities from owning your own business or even investing in your own home. It has a lot to offer!!

"Every time I visit Dubai, I have met all sorts of people from business men to celebrities, in Dubai who also have investment in Dubai it’s a land where your dreams can come true. Come let’s make your dream a reality the only place to make it happen. #dubai" In the video Busta Rhymes speaks to the camera saying he is out in Dubai making a movie and refers to Khan as "his brother."

It is the latest video to be posted

by Khan since he fled Birmingham before his summer crown court case trial had ended.

Khan had flew 3,500 miles to Dubai after skipping the country before his fraud trial came to an

end.

The Birmingham conman jumped on a plane as the case concluded after being allowed to keep his passport during the procedures.

Two brothers and a cousin were also jailed for their part in the scam, which had targeted a UK lottery winner.

Neither the trial judge at Birmingham Crown Court nor at the Canterbury people smuggling case had asked for his passport to be handed in.

Hours after fleeing the country in June, serial criminal Khan posted a video on his Facebook page to the judge saying: "Sorry, I had no choice."

In the astonishing 16-minute minute video, sunglasses-wearing Khan claimed he skipped the country as he had not had a fair trial.

He was convicted in his absence of conspiracy to commit fraud, perverting the course of justice, plus concealing and converting criminal property.

Speaking directly to the camera and directing his comments to Judge Philip Parker, QC, he said: "I am making this video to let you know I am very sorry, I did not want to do what I did, but I I felt like I had no other choice.

"Had I stayed in the UK, I was not having no justice and the only safest option I had was to leave this country."

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JANUARY 2019

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THE ASIAN TODAY Our very own Graphic Designer and on the side Journalist - Anil Singh Gill brings his Food Reviews to The Asian Today, bringing all the news from hot restaurants to cool bars and everything in between. www.theasiantoday.com

Move over KFC

1

Birmingham’s newest restaurant is opening this month, where builders have nearly completed transforming The Grand hotel’s 5,000 sq ft basement boiler room into an underground restaurant in Calmore Row. The restaurant

Bonehead - Hothead Burger with CrissCut Fries Stumbled across a little chicken shop in the City, located just a few minutes away from Birmingham New Street Station and Grand Central tucked away off Hill Street.

Bonehead Chicken and Liquor serves up a storm with fried chicken in the form of wings, strips and mouthwatering burgers. Also a selection of Craft Ales and beers from some local independent brewers the perfect accompaniment for your FreeRange Chicken. If your a lover of spice then try the Hothead with a slight kick.

Also for you veggies they offer a Veghead burger and some great sides.

It is a small shack with a Hipster vibe and neon lighting, but it is big on flavour. Reasonably priced but a great midweek treat or before a night out in the City.

A great little pop up and worth a visit if you love chicken.

which is an independent family run business was founded in 2015 by two brothers. They wanted to bring something new and exciting to the UK culinary scene. The goal was to build a customer experience around the brand that

simulates all sense, fusing beautiful design with quality and innovative Chinese cooking. The restaurant is known for is stunning décor and is not to be missed out for unique and beautiful food and drinks.

Veganuary!

As we all know Veganuary is here and it means that all major restaurants and supermarkets are boosting their meat-free ranges.

After the festive season and all the excess eating and drinking, thoughts often turn to trying to live a healthier lifestyle.

Many people make New Years resolutions to eat less meat or become vegetarian or vegan. With this is mind many supermarkets and restaurants have launched more vegetarian or vegan options.

Greggs Vegan sausage roll

So here’s where you can get all the veggie food from…

Mcdonald’s have launched a new veggie Happy Meal and a new spicy veggie wrap.

Greg’s is now offering a vegan sausage roll which is made with a quorn sausage and flaky pastry.

Pizza Hut have launched a vegan Pizza topping offering a brand new Vegan Jack ‘N’ Cheese option in all UK Branches.

And there is many more…

McDonalds - spicy veggie wrap

Try Vegan for January - With these tasty alternatives Get more food news on twitter @theasiantoday and on the web : www.theasiantoday.com

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JANUARY 2019

IFESTYLE P 3 MIXED GRILLS

o Tavern, dsworth

Soho Tavern is known for their mix grills within the Birmingham area, with people coming from all over the Midlands. They have their loyal regular customers as well as new, welcoming everyone to the Desi pub.

Soho Tavern has a variety of options from mix grills to curry’s and vegetarian options available to eat in or takeaway. They have built an amazing brand loyalty and always have a buzzing atmosphere when eating in.

23

OF 2018

3

The Horseshoe Bar, Hall Green

Based on Flavour Quality & Atmosphere

2

The Broadway Bar and Grill, Walsall

The Horseshoe Bar and Restaurant is a wellknown establishment of Birmingham. It pride itself on its contemporary and stylish design, whilst retaining its local charm and reputation.

Specialists in

The Broadway bar and grill opened in May 2018 in Walsall, which is part of the Metro Inns Hotel. The Broadway has great food and drinks ranging from mix grills to curries and pints to cocktails. The atmosphere is amazing with the bar

having a large sitting area where most of the weekly football games are shown.

The Broadway is very niche and unique place being a mix grill place in Walsall which is easily accessible from the motorway.

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24

JANUARY 2019

BUSINESS

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BUSINESS

Why small business really matters

@PaulCadmanUK

Paul Cadman Business Columnist

In 2016, there were 5.5 million businesses in the UK. Over 99% of businesses are Small or Medium Sized businesses – employing 0-249 people. 5.3 million (96%) businesses were microbusinesses – employing 0-9 people. Micro-businesses accounted for 32% of employment and 19% of turnover. They are the backbone of our economy.

Unfortunately, attention is focused on large companies; home grown or foreign owned corporations. Their lobbying capability and significant resources ensures they get the attention they need: whether it's competitive interest rates, concessions on business rates or deals on utilities.

Small and medium sized businesses comprise a significant proportion of large company supply chains: whether the OEM is JLR or Amazon. Even the Chinese retail giant Alibaba depends on the goods of much smaller businesses the way that much of Amazon's portfolio comes from its Marketplace.

Often OEMs help their supply chains with, for example, support on quality control. Nevertheless, the emphasis is on the value the OEM can drive from its supply chain and how this can be passed on to the end user. Within this model it would take an audacious entrepreneur to turn this model on its head and provide an ecommerce capability that favours small businesses and the communities they serve.

I am on the hunt for small businesses, ones that care

about the communities and customers they serve.

Whilst governments shilly shally about protecting the intellectual property that small and medium businesses in the UK create (it is being plundered by foreign owned corporations whilst Ministers almost usher them in rather than doing what they said in their manifesto), I can supply them with an ecommerce infrastructure that will rival the biggest and best. This will give them a chance to fight back and avoid becoming a small fish in a big pond.

If you want to know more, message me.

In the meanwhile, I ask the great and the good to do a few things to help our small business communities.

Napoleon got it wrong when he said that we were a nation of shopkeepers: we are a nation of craft entrepreneurs and the sooner that is recognised, in education, in spend on business support and vital business infrastructure, the better we can ride through issues such as Brexit, skills and productivity issues and the dumping of steel.

1. I ask organisations like Chambers of Commerce, the Federation of Small Businesses and even the Institute of Directors to convince the Confederation of British Industry to work together to persuade the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy that a level playing field for all businesses is better for Britain whether we are inside

the EU or not. Having the United States Secretary of Commerce tell us to take an adversarial approach to the EU will only help the finance sector and large (American owned) corporations and their shareholders.

2. I ask banks and the finance sector to dig out books on Joseph Schumpeter, the economist that coined the phrase 'gales of creative destruction.'

Schumpeter believed that credit enabled small entrepreneurs to challenge the status quo and disrupt the market place in turn driving up innovation, quality and customer care.

The only people who benefit from the status quo are the staid, unproductive corporations and their investors: businesses that only survive because of their lobbying power, their ability to avoid corporation tax and the handouts they receive from Ministers eager for the 'shovel selfie.'

3. Finally, I ask the public to choose where they buy more carefully. Companies that have 'loyalty' schemes and marketing practices that abuse human psychology are not your friends, no matter how much their Christmas video makes you cry. Buy local, buy independent. You can still do it on-line (I will make sure of that) but just think of who is really benefitting from the profit on your purchases. And perhaps when you realise that products like biscuits are cheaper than apples, you can ask your MP why healthy food costs so much more.

JLR Breaks Sale Records in US

The Midlands car giant Jaguar Land Rover notched up record-breaking sales figures in December.

JLR celebrated a recordbreaking double in the US, with monthly and annual sales rising.

The Midlands car maker sold 14,079 vehicles in December 2018.

This is a 24 per cent increase over the same month in 2017.

The news comes as a welcome

boost for Jaguar Land Rover as it copes with a number of challenges, including uncertainty over Brexit, declining demand for diesel vehicles and slowing sales in China.

In December 2018 33 per cent more Land Rovers were sold than in December 2017.

Joe Eberhardt, president and CEO, Jaguar Land Rover North America, said: “We are pleased to finish another year with record-

setting sales for Jaguar Land Rover in the US. “Land Rover continues to prove its reign in the luxury SUV market by achieving its fourth consecutive record-setting sales year on the heels of announcing the highly anticipated return of the iconic Defender to the US market.

“This success is truly a testament to the strength of our product lineup and the dedication of our retailer network.”

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PROPERTY

Jewellery Quarters New Apartment Project A new development is set to make way for apartments after a series of run-down industrial buildings in the Jewellery Quarter are to be partially demolished.

The project at 27-33 Great Hampton Street will be created to 136 new apartments and 6,025 sq ft of ground floor commercial space and be called The Lamp Works.

For developer Blackswan, this will be its third project.

The Lamp Works will see a series of buildings bounded

by Great Hampton Street and Barr Street either demolished or regenerated to create 53 one-bedroom, 66 two-bedroom and 17 threebedrooms apartments.

There will also be 20 parking spaces and a secure cycle area, with all flats available to rent only.

Richard Whitehouse, development director with Blackswan, said: "As part of the development, we will be retaining the skeleton of one of the buildings which will ensure a sense of history is retained through its form and decayed materials.

"This will be coupled with the salvaging and retention of the remaining original fire doors which will be incorporated and add to our aspiration to re-purpose and re-use found objects.

"The Lamp Works is a key part of our vision to deliver long-lasting improvements

to the building fabric and economy along the street.

"We are actively delivering this vision at Gilders Yard and Gothics and are very pleased to be able to continue this long-term commitment which will help in leading to Great Hampton Street being the best street in Birmingham.

"We are very enthusiastic about the scheme and the opportunity to deliver a high- quality, contemporary development reflecting the architectural heritage of the Jewellery Quarter."

The development has been designed by BPN Architects, also based in the Jewellery Quarter.

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The new Mercedes GLB, which is one of 15 new or face lifted models due in a huge product release.

Mercedes is in line for a bumper 2019 and will reveal a host of new models next year, plus its first all-electric cars under the new EQ nameplate.

Enduring the most rapid product offensive in the company’s history, a total of 15 all-new, new-generation or face lifted Mercedes products will emerge before the end of 2021. They will range from commercial vehicles and new SUVs to electric models and a flagship hybridpowered hyper car.

Ultimately, the biggest news coming in 2019 will be the debut of a brand new member of the brand’s SUV family. Likely to be badged GLB, it’ll be revealed in the summer and will add a new dose of practicality at the smallest end of the company’s SUV line-up, as a more spacious alternative to the GLA. The GLB show that the

leads SUV family

final version of the car originally touted, as a ‘baby G-Wagon’ may be a bit more contemporary in design.

There’s no hiding the GLB’s conventional SUV two-box shape, but it

probably won’t wear any of the Wagon’s nostalgic styling touches. Instead, the marque’s latest SUV

design language, as used on the new GLE, will be repackaged into a small and boxy shape.

The GLB will play a role similar to the B-Class, itself a more practical and spacious alternative to the A-Class hatchback, and will be a genuine rival for the BMW X1. It could prove to be an incredibly important car for Mercedes, given that the X1 is comfortably BMW’s best selling SUV. The GLB will use the MFA2 platform that underpins the latest A-Class

hatchback, and as such, will be finished inside with a similar cabin and dashboard layout, focused around Mercedes’ new MBUX infotainment interface. It will be offered with the same selection of petrol and diesel engines as the A-Class, too, and an AMG-engineered GLB 35 with around 300bhp on tap is also in the pipeline.

After making its debut in the summer, the newcomer will go on sale in the UK towards the end of 2019 and be priced from around £28,000.

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AFC Asian Cup 2019 Football Tournament

The AFC (Asian Football Confederation) Asian Cup 2019 football tournament has kicked off in the United Arab Emirates. Twenty-four teams feature in the competition, including India.

This year marks the 17th edition of the Asian Cup 2019 football tournament has got underway in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Organised by the AFC, the 18-day long major competition, which takes place from 5th January until 1st February 2019, is important for teams from Asia and Oceania.

This is a once in four years International men’s football event which allows the sport to develop, especially in a continent with a large population of football fans.

In the competition there is a total of twenty-four teams that are participating this year.

Most of the teams participating are ranked low in the FIFA rankings, teams like South Korea have

previously done well in World Cups.

There a several top-class footballers who have the potential to become star champions of the Asian Cup. In the tournament there is six groups featuring four teams, playing initially under a round-robin format.

The top two teams, along with the four best third places sides will reach the knockout stages, commencing with the last 16 round.

Subsequently, teams will qualify for the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final itself.

Eight different grounds in four cities of the UAE will stage the matches.

Here are the size groups, including the prospects of the teams, along with highlighting some of the big players: Group A includes UAE, Thailand, Bahrain and India which is a growing football nation.

Even though India has struggled over the years, they

did have a stretch of good results in 2018. For example, holing China to a 0-0 friendly draw in October 2018.

UAE are the host team and are the favorites to win from this group as they have a home advantage with the crowd on their side and are familiar with the conditions.

Thailand does also have a good change has they have a few good players coming through the ranks.

Group B includes Syria, Palestine, Jordan and Australia who are the favorites from this Group.

They are also defending champions, having won the tournament in 2015.

Group C includes South Korea, China PR, Philippines and Krgyzstan with South Korea being the favorite as their captain Son Heung-min from Tottenham Hotspur who could be the star player of the competition.

China another growing football team side who this year have a good mix of experience and youth in their

side.

This is Philippines first time that they have made it to the Asian Cup with their people being passionate about the sport.

Group D includes former winners Iran and Iraq, to complete this group there is also Vietnam and Yemen.

Group E includes Qatar, Lebanon, North Korea and Saudi Arabia as multiple champions of this tournament lifting the trophy in 1984, 1988 and 1996.

Japan are traditionally a strong team will dominate Group F whoever the other teams include Uzbekistan, Oman and Turkmenistan.

This is a great tournament for FIFA to spread the word of football and encourage the game within different regions. We look forward to see the outcome of the tournament as there is a lot of brilliant teams taking part this year.

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DECEMBER 2018

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Mary Kom Top Spot in AIBA Rankings

India’s Victory over Australia

Highlights of the game …

Pujara faced total of 1258 deliveries for his 521 runs, a good 52.4 overs per Test.

Agarwal became the first Indian opener to get a half-century on debut in Australia.

From picking up crucial wickets to scoring utility half-centuries, throwing in from the deep, Jadeja brought a great amount of positive energy to the side.

Ahead of the series, as India prepared to get their batting order correct, a team meeting was called

to take stock of the options at hand. Prithvi Shaw had been ruled out and India found themselves one step forward, two steps back. Skipper Kohli and coach Shastri then handed the task of seeing of the shine to Cheteshwar Pujara. “Just go out there and meditate. You’ll have to be the last batsman getting out. Runs are secondary. Play time, “is what Shastri said and Pujara did what he does best, which ultimately contributed to the win of the series.

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Indian boxer Mary Kom won her sixth title in December, last year, has pushed her on the top of the International Boxing Association (AIBA) rankings. In the latest rankings released by the AIBA, ‘Magnificent Mary’ is placed on the top spot in the 48-kg category with 1700 points.

After a high-quality show in 2018, the high ranking comes as a perfect reward for the celebrated Indian boxer. The 36-year-old has had a stupendous last year, where she emerged as a Gold medallist in Commonwealth Games 2018.

She also went on to win a Gold medal in an international boxing event in Poland. Magnificent Mary, as her fans fondly call her, won a silver medal at the prestigious Strandja Memorial in Bulgaria, the previous year.

Mary Kom has set her sights on the Gold Medal in Tokyo Olympics 2020. However, for that, she will have to prepare herself for the 51-kg category.