The Asian Today Issue 253 – Dec / Jan 2020

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PROMOTING EDUCATION, DIVERSITY & INTEGRATION PROMOTING EDUCATION, DIVERSITY & INTEGRATION

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THE EMOTIONAL STORY OF ACID ATTACK SURVIVOR, PLAYED BY DEEPIKA PADUKONE A TALE OF THE FIGHT FOR JUSTICE

Deepika Padukone (Padmaavat, XXX: Return of Xander Cage) is back on our screens, but in a role you have never seen before.

The much-awaited trailer of Deepika Padukone's Chhapaak is out now and it will leave you definitely give you goosebumps .

Deepika Padukone plays the role of an acid attack survivor in the film, which "makes an attempt to understand the on-ground consequences of surviving an acid attack in India."

The trailer released on the same day as UN Human Right’s Day (10th Dec) and gives a short insight into the emotionwrenching story. Lasting little over two minutes long, the trailer provides glimpses of the harrowing images and scenes to be expected in this emotional rollercoaster. The trailer shows Malti’s (played by Deepika Padukone) broad daylight attack, her dramatic facial reconstruction, battle to come terms with her lasting injuries to and her truly inspirational journey to put an end to acid attacks in India. There are between 250 and 300 acid attacks reported in India every year, despite laws restricting the sale of acid or other deadly chemicals, according to Stop Acid Attacks.

The trailer follows her journey from a girl next door to a feisty acid-attack survivor and shows how she won her battle against the heinous crime.

Announcing the trailer release on Twitter, Deepika Padukone explained why Chhapaak is special for her: "Rarely do you come across a story where you do not need an entire narration to decide if you want to be part of a film or not.What a is even more rare is to not be able to articulate and put into words what you feel for the film and its journey... Chhapaak is all of that and more for me..."

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HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM THE ASIAN TODAY TEAM

ASIAN COMMUNITY HONOURED

.co.uk

11 YEAR OLD EINSTEIN PAGE 14

The New Year’s Honours list has been announced – Have a look who made it on to the list from the Asian Community

COMMUNITY SUPPORTS ACORNS CHARITY PAGE 7

DOCTOR HAS CONVICTION QUASHED PAGE 5

The New Year Honours list recognises the achievements and service of people across the UK, from all walks of life.

With the Birthday honours, the New Year’s Honours list is the most significant announcement of civilian and military gallantry awards.

The system acknowledges the achievements made by various people from ordinary people to

celebrities and public figures who have made significant contributions to public life or commitments to serving and helping the UK community.

The criteria requires the nominees to have improved the lives of others or have been outstanding in what they do.

QUEENS POLICE MEDAL Constable Bharat

Kumar NARBAD, South Wales Police D.B.E. To be Ordinary Dames Commander of the Civil Division of the said Most Excellent Order: Shobana JEYASINGH, M.B.E., Choreographer and Founder, Shobana Jeyasingh Dance Company. For services to Dance.

MBE Dr. Saker Anwar NUSSEIBEH, Chief

Executive Officer, Hermes Investment Management.

For services to Responsible Business and to the Financial Sector.

Paul Pavandeep THANDI, D.L., Chief Executive Officer, NEC Group. For services to the Economy.

O.B.E. Ali AKBOR, Chief Executive Officer, Unity Housing Association. For services to the community in Leeds.

Professor Abdel Ghayoum

BABIKER, Professor of Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, University College London. For services to Medical Research.

Dr. Zahid Mehmood CHAUHAN. For services to Homeless People.

Renuka Priyadarshini DENT (Renuka JeyarajahDent). Director of Operations and Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Coram UK. For services to continued on website

FAMILY DISAPPOINTED WITH BURIAL CHARGES

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Wolverhampton Gurdwara celebrates Guru Nanak’s 550th anniversary with £5,550 donation to Barnardo’s

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Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in Wolverhampton has donated a generous £5,550 to Barnardo’s to mark the 550th anniversary of the birth of Guru Nanak Dev Ji,

the founder of Sikhism.

The celebration was attended by over 4,000 people, which included members of the Sikh community, local MPs such

Parents Joety and Amrik Kandola had been appealing for a kidney donor to save their daughter’s life who was diagnosed with ARPKD (Autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease).

Anaya was born with an abnormal liver and two enlarged polycystic kidneys which led to her lungs being underdeveloped and her left side of her heart to be muscular known as HCM due to high blood pressure. Her kidneys were removed soon after birth and she was put on dialysis which means she is dependent on a machine to clean her bloods.

Her only chance of survival is a kidney transplant.

The couple’s Facebook plea was answered by NHS worker Surinder Sapal, last year offering to donate one of her organs to the two-yearold.

Tests showed the mum of two was a tissue match for Anaya and nine months later the kidney transplant took place, pulling the toddler back from the brink and a life on dialysis.

Amrik, 33, said: “They say super-heroes are unreal, but I think we have a real-life super-hero here. Surinder is a dream come true to us.”

Joety, 34, added: “If she did not have this transplant, I don’t think she would have made it. Time was running out. She didn’t have any energy, wasn’t sleeping, she couldn’t walk, constantly vomiting.

“For Surinder to come

into our lives and share her kidney was phenomenal.

Anaya is our little miracle.”

Surinder, 36, who has daughters, Gurleen 10 and Hargun, six, said: “I saw this mum pleading for a kidney for her baby.

“I felt, ‘What if it was my child and I was unable to help?’ Anaya’s family described me as a superhero, but I just see it as one mother helping another.”

Amrik and Joety, of Newcastle, had begged people to be donors and Surinder was one of 34 who offered to help.

She had tests in January and was found to be a one in 100,000 matches.

The couple had been ruled out as a match for their daughter because her tissue type had changed after having frequent transfusions.

Surinder, a r­ adiographer at Leeds Teaching ­Hospitals Trust, had her operation at the Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital while Anaya underwent hers at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in the city.

Amrik and Joety were not told her name until later.

Surinder, of Wakefield, West Yorks, said: “The renal ­co-ordinator said they had a card from Anaya’s mum thanking me and she had written her mobile number on it. I was kind of excited to speak to her.

“It was an hour of Anaya’s mum saying thank you and me saying, ‘I’d just done what any mother would do.” Surinder was invited to

as Pat McFadden and other friends and supporters.

The donation was received

by Carrie Bater, Barnardo’s regional fundraising manager, and will go towards vital

services that help vulnerable children in the UK. Arjinder Bhogal from the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara said: “We share Barnardo’s

values of believing in children, no matter who they are or what they have been through and so we are delighted to celebrate this beautiful occasion by supporting those who need us most.”

Barnardo’s Chief Executive Javed Khan said: “Barnardo’s is extremely grateful to the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara for their donation which will help us to continue our vital work.

“Across the UK vulnerable children from all communities are facing growing challenges, from poverty to mental health problems, to struggling to live independently after leaving the care system.

“Barnardo’s supports around 300k children young people parents and carers, one in five of whom are from Black or minority ethnic backgrounds. But we can only do this with generous support from communities like this one.”

KIDNEY HERO FOR ANAYA What if it was my child and I was unable to help?’

Anaya’s family described me as a super-hero, but I just see it as one mother helping another - Surinder Sapal DONOR Newcastle to meet the family four weeks later.

She said: “It was amazing seeing this person with a piece of me inside her thriving. They told me I am part of their family. I class her as a third daughter.”

Takeaway business owner Amrik added: “Surinder is credit to her family, Leeds Teaching Hospital Trust and to the Sikh community.”

Surinder urged more people to become live donors.

She said: “It feels amazing to give someone the gift of life.”

Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust consultant renal transplant physician Dr Sunil Daga added: “Surinder’s act of ­selflessness has not only given a gift of life to Anaya but also to her family and will have a far-reaching positive effect.”

For more details, go to NHS Blood and Transplant website; organdonation.nhs. uk

KIDNEY DONOR: Surinder Sapal

PARENTS: Amrik & Joety Kandola

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MLSS Hosting Biggest Christmas For The Homeless The Midland Langar Seva Society will be hosting the biggest Christmas for homeless people in Birmingham.

The charity will be taking over New Street station on Christmas Eve for those less fortunate to enjoy a hot dinner.

Network Rail are supporting the charity to increase the number of homeless people they dined at last year’s event from 200 to 250.

It will bring people together for a merry night of festive cheer at a time of the year when many feel lonely and isolated.

MLSS chief executive Randhir Singh said: “We see them on the street every year and around this time they are very moody and upset, simply because they don’t have families.

“To us they are a second family.

“It’s all about giving them happiness and feeding their soul, not just their bellies.

“It makes a huge difference, giving them a good time doesn’t really cost anything."

Last year, there were carol singers from a Black Country choir and a performance from a DJ as well as the presence of elves and a Santa.

Round tables were covered with donated food and soft drinks, including Christmas crackers.

Randhir said: “It was a bit of a party atmosphere.

“They were dancing away full of happiness.

“To be honest I got to have a little dance as well.”

Last year’s packed event meant they could not seat everybody and some people had to eat outside or take their food away.

Dal Padda from MLSS said: “It was a shame they could not experience what the others did inside.

“The atmosphere was amazing, there was just this buzz of happiness and that Christmas feeling.

“In the station everybody was seated and they were treated with respect which is what everyone deserves.”

On other days MLSS have around 10 volunteers so don’t get the chance to interact with their service users on a one-to-one basis.

But with the amount of people that volunteer to help with the New Street dinner, it allows them to sit down and have a meal with the guests.

Randhir said: “Seeing people enjoy themselves that's what it is all about.

“We make sure everybody gets a gift each.

“Last year we were giving presents to service users throughout the whole week, we did actually spoil them.”

People donate a range of practical gifts like clothes, toiletries, perfume and trainers.

MLSS feel that encompassing other people’s religions and faiths is important and the charity

has volunteers from all different backgrounds.

Dal added: “They were over the moon, they really enjoyed it.

“Being part of that family atmosphere celebrating a Christmas meal.

“You have a good conversation with them by sitting down and having a meal, you engage with them for a longer period of time.”

They are out on the streets of Birmingham every evening on Carrs Lane, providing food for those in need.

Randhir wants people to get more involved throughout the year.

He said: “Take time out and get involved, it’s not about money.

“If you just chat to these people it makes a difference because a lot of people are suffering from mental health issues.”

Last year led to the introduction of 45 other MLSS teams across the country.

It was a bit of a party atmosphere.

They were dancing away full of happiness.

To be honest I got to have a little dance as well.

Seeing people enjoy themselves that's what it is all about.

- Randhir Singh, Chief Executive - MLSS

Police Appealing After A Hit-and-Run West Midlands Police are appealing for information after a hit-and-run incident in Handsworth.

A woman who was critically injured after being hit by a vehicle that 'failed to stop' on College Road just before 7pm on Thursday 9 January.

West Midlands Police said the driver of the vehicle stopped to speak to two members of the public before 'getting back into his car and driving off'.

The force is desperately trying to trace the driver and said they would urge the two men the driver spoke to 'to get in touch as they may be able to help'.

Detective Sergeant Paul Hughes, from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: “We have spoken to a number of witnesses but I would urge anyone who has

not yet spoken to us to get in touch.

"In particular the two men that spoke to the driver, I would urge them to contact us as soon as possible as they hold vital information that could help our investigation.

“I am also appealing to anyone who has dash cam footage of the incident to get in touch."

Information can be given by contacting collision investigators on FL_ COLLISION_INVEST@ west-midlands.pnn.police.uk , via Live Chat on our website at west-midlands.police.uk between 8am and midnight, call 101 anytime or ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 quoting log 2117 of 9/1.

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Dr Rajeshkumar (Raj) Mehta, a respected senior NHS General Practitioner in Birmingham, has had his conviction for sexual assault on a patient quashed by the Court of Appeal after new evidence came to light showing the patient to have lied on oath.

Dr Mehta, 65, was originally found guilty by a jury at Birmingham Crown Court in April 2018 for touching a patient’s breast during a walk-in-patient consultation at The Hill Practice in Sparkhill, Birmingham. He was sentenced to 15 months in prison, which he served in full.

Whilst in prison, his family instructed a new legal team who discovered fresh evidence that severely tainted the credibility of his accuser and should have been disclosed to Dr Mehta before his trial. Further evidence was obtained using a firm of investigative consultants.

Responding to the judges’ decision on Friday, Dr Mehta said: “I would like to express my enormous relief that my name has been cleared, after three very difficult years.

Over the past year, my wife and children have carried the burden and spearheaded a campaign to clear my name.

“After my conviction, I lost everything. I lost my After my conviction, I lost everything. career after nearly I lost my career after nearly 40 years 40 years of NHS of NHS service. I lost my reputation service. I lost my reputation after - Dr Rajeshkumar Mehta adverse media coverage, not only following the conviction, but also following

NHS doctor has sexual assault conviction quashed

the medical regulator’s decision to strike me off the medical register, instead of waiting for the outcome of the ongoing appeal.

“Whilst in prison, I shared cells with others in two prisons, including a category B Birmingham prison, which, when inspected, was found to have frightening levels of drink, drugs and violence amongst inmates, with corridors littered with cockroaches, blood and vomit. After I was released, I endured regular, repetitive and humiliating interviews with trainee probation officers, asking me detailed questions relating to sexual assault matters. My house was visited by police officers. I was put on the sex offenders register. Without my family’s support, I would not have survived.

“The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and West Midlands Police have a lot to answer for; in my case, their disclosure failings contributed to a catastrophic outcome, and, whilst I have already served my sentence, I hope that my case will further highlight the need for them to perform their obligations properly.

“I feel very anxious for the medical profession. Doctors work to do their very best for their patients, often in challenging circumstances, and there simply are not adequate protections to safeguard them against the few patients who make false accusations.

“I want to thank all those who have believed in and supported me throughout my long ordeal, not least my

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family. I am very grateful to my legal team, Nigel Richardson of Hodge Jones & Allen and Eleanor Laws QC of QEB Hollis Whiteman, for their counsel and for robustly fighting to clear my name. They were supported by an investigations team who worked tirelessly to prepare the case file.

“I would also like to thank the Council and senior staff at the Medical Protection Society, as well as Rt Hon Dame Caroline Spelman, Tom Rainsbury of 9 Gough Square, Iftikharuddin Riaz and Mian Muhammad Kashif of Bhandari Naqvi Riaz (a law firm in Pakistan), David Sellu, and former colleagues and patients, for their steadfast support.”

Nigel Richardson, criminal defence partner at London solicitors Hodge Jones & Allen, who represented Dr Mehta said: “The conviction of Dr Mehta was particularly troubling, and it took a great deal of effort to uncover the evidence that undermined the single witness’s account.

Dr Mehta’s long and distinguished career was destroyed under the watchful eye of the CPS. This level of incompetence has to be stopped before it completely erodes our justice system and should be a priority for the new government.”

The judgment was handed down in the Court of Appeal

by Singh LJ, Spencer J and HHJ Katz QC on Friday 13 December. Case number: 201804812B5. A full written judgment will be made available in the New Year.

The complainant has been granted an anonymity order.

Wolverhampton Restaurant Named The Best In The Harden’s Guide A Wolverhampton restaurant named as one of the best in the UK. Bilash was highlighted in the Harden’s Best Restaurants Guide 2020.

The Michelin rated restaurant located at 2 Cheapside , offers a combination of traditional and contemporary Bangladeshi cuisine.

Bilash, which employs 16 people at its Cheapside restaurant, seats 50 diners downstairs and a further 30 upstairs, which can be used for private dining or corporate functions.

Mohammed Khan, who runs the business with his father Sitab has said “The guides really help to attract new customers and, importantly, they let people know that Wolverhampton does have a restaurant as good as anything the West Midlands has to offer.”

According to the Harden's, Michelin starred eateries Adam's in Waterloo Street, Purnell’s in Cornwall Street and new Michelin kid on the block Opheem on Summer Row are ‘the best of the best’ - among the top 100 places to eat in the UK.

In terms of the overall number of top-scoring restaurants in the new guide, Birmingham ranked 4th best city, tying with Glasgow, but beaten by Edinburgh and Brighton.

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DEC/JAN 2020

Major research project aims to improve treatment for individuals with polycystic ovary syndrome A major £2.4 million research project is underway at the University of Birmingham aimed at improving treatment for women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

PCOS affects at least ten percent of all women and causes irregular periods and difficulties trying to conceive. Most women with PCOS have high levels of male hormones, known as androgens, in their blood which can also cause unwanted body hair growth and acne. Many women with PCOS struggle with being overweight or also suffer from anxiety and depression.

Previous research (i) by the University of Birmingham has found that women with PCOS also have an increased risk of metabolic disease, such as diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease.

The University’s research (ii) has also found evidence that women with PCOS overproduce male hormones in their body fat, resulting in a build-up of toxic fat in the blood, which can cause liver damage. The same research team also published a study (iii) which found that women with PCOS have an increased risk of fatty liver disease - the second most common cause of liver transplantation.

A new major project, funded by a £2.4 million research grant from Wellcome Trust, will consist

of three studies involving up to 1,000 women with PCOS. The first study, called the DAISy-PCOS Study, which recently started recruitment, will assess the participants’ metabolic health and their male hormone levels to identify whether there are biological markers inside the body that could predict the risk of a person with PCOS developing metabolic disease.

In a second study, called the 11OXO-PCOS Study, the researchers will also study the impact of two different types of male hormones in women with and without PCOS; measuring how the hormones are converted and what their impact is on the metabolic function of study participants.

A thug from Erdington armed with a knife raided a supermarket, taking cigarettes and alcohol has been jailed.

Hasrat Ahmed, 22-yearold terrified a Stechford shop worker when he raid Lifestyle Express on Flaxley Road in the early hours of October 20, only to return as the worker was lowering the shutters grabbing more cigarettes and alcohol.

Police released CCTV images to track the thief.

A member of the public recognised Ahmed and he was arrested and charged with robbery and burglary, along with a separate offence of stealing a Mercedes Sprinter van from Erdington on the same day.

He was also charged with

drunk driving.

He admitted all charges at Birmingham Crown Court on December 6 and jailed for almost four years.

A Birmingham Police statement read: "Hasrat Ahmed grabbed cigarettes and alcohol from behind the till of Lifestyle Express in Flaxley Road, Stechford, as the shop worker dived over the counter for cover.

"Ahmed left the store but as the worker tried to lower the shutters, the robber crawled back inside and stole even more of the goods.

"CCTV images were released as we appealed for information into the robbery on October 20. This prompted a member of the public t forward the 22-yearold's name

Finally, the third study will test whether blocking the production of these hormones with a new drug improves the metabolic function in women with PCOS. The laboratory-based research component of the new research programme will see scientists connecting human livers, donated for transplantation but deemed unsuitable, to machines that act like a life support to keep them functioning in order to study how the organs respond to drugs and hormone levels.

Principal Investigator Professor Wiebke Arlt, Director of the University of Birmingham’s Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, said: “Polycystic

CYSTERS CHARITY FOUNDER: Neelam Heera ovary syndrome is a common condition that affects up to 16 per cent of women worldwide.

“At the University of Birmingham, we have already made a number of ground-breaking discoveries that have shown the true extent and range of health implications faced by women with this condition.

“It is vital that we now build on our existing research to better understand PCOS and, ultimately, to develop new ways to treat and prevent metabolic disease in women with PCOS.” Neelam Heera, founder of charity Cysters which is supporting this research and

PROFESSOR: Wiebke Arlt

Thief Raided Shop And Returned For More

"Ahmed, of Frances Road, Erdington, admitted all charges and was jailed for three years and 10 months at Birmingham Crown Court on Friday (6 December).

"Thank you for sharing

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our appeals and providing information which helps us bring offenders to justice.

You’re our eyes and ears and help us keep you safe by taking criminals off the streets."

is dedicated to improving the health, education and welfare of individuals living with reproductive and mental health issues, said: “We are excited to be part of this research project and we hope that it, along with our participation, will help promote awareness of PCOS within marginalised and ethnic communities.

“It is important that all sectors of the community understand the health implications of PCOS so they can better manage their conditions. Understanding PCOS will also help towards reducing the stigma around the common misconceptions of PCOS. ”

The research will be carried out in collaboration with a number of leading experts at the University of Birmingham, including Professor Warwick Dunn, Professor Peter Tino, Professor Jon Deeks, Dr Simon Afford, and Dr Konstantinos Manolopoulos.

It will also involve Dr Karl Storbeck at Stellenbosch University in South Africa.

Women with PCOS interested to take part in the DAISy-PCOS study, which investigates sex hormones and metabolic health, can contact the study team by email daisy-pcos@contacts. bham.ac.uk or getting in touch with Cysters.

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Community Support Helps Push Acorns Fundraising Appeal Past Half a Million

A fundraising appeal to save Acorns Children’s Hospice in the Black Country has reached an important milestone thanks to the impressive efforts of the local community.

The Save Acorns Black Country Hospice Appeal has hit £500,000 thanks to the combined efforts of a group of generous fundraisers who have raised an incredible £46,428.52 towards the hospice since the charity

launched their Appeal in July.

The fundraisers – all with a deep and personal connection to Acorns and the care the charity provides – revealed the amount to staff in a presentation at the Acorns in the Black Country, in Walsall last Friday (29 November).

Walsall based Mark Lyttle and Jen Dalton, whose daughter Isabella used Acorns in the Black Country for many years, before she

passed away in April this year - joined supporters at the hospice at the presentation.

Mark paid tribute to everyone who had supported the Appeal so far and praised the community for their generosity. He said: “We always had hope that Acorns wouldn’t be closing because how on earth could it? How on earth could any other family go through what we’ve been through, and not have that love and that support -

that you feel as soon as you come through those doors?

“We all have a duty to protect this amazing place for generations to come – for all the families across the Black Country that need it.

The local community has stepped up and shown we are ready for the fight, and it’s inspiring to see.

“There’s still a long way to go, but we hope that everyone keeps on going until we reach the target.

And now we’re getting close to Christmas so this is the perfect opportunity to give – so if you haven’t already, please dig deep!”

A diverse range of supporters from across the region joined Mark for the presentation, including representatives from local fundraising groups, families and businesses.

Acorns Chief Executive, Toby Porter, praised the response from local people.

He said: “It’s difficult to find the words to describe what the local community has achieved so far for all the Black Country families who need Acorns. It’s a deeply moving display of solidarity with Acorns.

“Whether it’s sponsored car washes, bucket collections or fundraising fetes – the efforts of everyone

“It’s difficult to find the words to describe what the local community has achieved so far for all the Black Country families who need Acorns. It’s a deeply moving display of solidarity with Acorns".

- Toby Porter, Chief Executive - Acorns towards this Appeal have been phenomenal.

“We are overjoyed to have reached this milestone and my sincere thanks to everyone who has donated.

Everyone across the Black Country - whether they have first-hand experience of Acorns or not – understands so clearly that this hospice must stay open. With Christmas around the corner, there’s no better time to donate – so please keep on giving.

Toby paid special tribute to Isabella’s parents, Mark Lyttle and Jen Dalton, for the important part they had played towards the Appeal.

He said: “I don’t think we would be where we are today without the tireless support of Mark and Jen, and their determination that other children and families who are referred to Acorns should be able to count on the same care and support that they and Isabella received at the

hospice.

“They are two of the bravest and most inspirational people we know – for many people, they have been the face of the Save Acorns Black Country Hospice Appeal, sharing their experience in the media and at fundraising events, and lobbying extremely effectively in Parliament and with the NHS. “Nothing can be said to adequately describe the admiration and gratitude we have for them, and of course for everyone trying so hard to help Acorns reach our £2m target.”

The fundraising milestone comes hot on the heels of a video message from Peaky Blinders creator and Acorns supporter, Steven Knight who urged the public to keep donating to the Appeal.

To support the Save Acorns Black Country Hospice Appeal, visit www. acorns.org.uk/appeal

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DEC/JAN 2020

Birmingham Gurdwaras Running Voluntary Return Surgeries

Two Gurdwaras from the Midlands are among community organisations which have been helping the Home Office by offering asylum seekers advice on how to return home.

RAPAR (Refugee and Asylum Participatory Action Research) is a Human rights organisation, discovered the names of all 21 organisations that are helping push a voluntary returns scheme.

The scheme is to help asylum seekers or migrants with an expired visa to opt to return to their home country without fear of law enforcement.

The Gurdwaras in the Midlands involved have been named as the Gurdwara Baba Deep Singh Shaheed, Handsworth and Guru Nanak Gurdwara, Smethwick.

Refugee organisations have expressed concerns over having 'Voluntary Return Surgeries' in communities as they fear vulnerable people are not being informed on all of their options and that these organisations may be paid to encourage migrants to leave the UK. However, a spokesperson from Gurdwara Baba Deep Singh Shaheed said it runs the service on a voluntary basis to offer advice and has done for several years.

A representative of the Gurdwara in Handsworth said: "We have been running these surgeries for three or four years and never had any complaints about it.

"It's usually just three people sitting around a table coming in for help.

"It's usually people who have came here to seek asylum and have had to wait too long. People can be here for 20 years before they get told they can stay.

"Sometimes it's just that they have a family event, like a wedding or something back home and they decide they want to go back.

"We do also see people here who have a lot of trouble getting their passports, it's a common struggle for Indian citizens with the embassy.

"We don't know where the allegations are coming from that we are funded for this because we don't and we have no idea where the money goes because it's not coming to us.

"If it were, all the temples would be doing it."

The voluntary return scheme offers the individual up to £2,000 if they agree to leave the UK which they can use to start a business or find accommodation when they return home. This money doesn't go to the organisations that hosts the surgery.

The Home Office has confirmed grants are available for those who host these surgeries if they were to apply for it. It has not confirmed which organisations are currently receiving funding.

Migrant charity, Migrant Voice said it was concerned about the advice being given at these meetings and claims the voluntary returns scheme has troubled it for years.

According to the organisation's director, the decisions made to voluntarily return are usually made out of desperation or pressure and the organisation is concerned that the individual will not be safe when they return home.

Director of Migrant Voice Nazek Ramadan said: “We have always had concerns about the Home Office ‘voluntary returns’ service, as we know from people we work with that the decision to return is often not voluntary at all but made out of desperation, with people feeling bullied or forced into returning.

“Years of a hostile environment and increasingly complex immigration regulations have left many migrants without status through no fault of their own and desperate enough that returning home seems like the only option.

“What these people need is free, trustworthy legal advice, the return of legal aid, a proper appeals process and a functioning Home Office that makes fair, transparent decisions about the lives of people in this country.”

In a statement issued by the Home Office, it declared a need for these surgeries out in the communities and claimed that they are conducted properly by their officers.

It said: “Immigration surgeries give people the opportunity to speak to immigration officers about the steps they should take to regularise their stay or to get practical support to return voluntarily.

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Travel Agent Closed Leaving Worshippers Out Of Thousands of Pounds A travel agent that has now closed has left Muslim families thousands of pounds out of pocket after booking their Hajj pilgrimage trip.

As many as 20 worshippers used Taha Travel in Small Heath to book their Hajj packages for July 27 which cost around £4,300 per person.

The director of the travel agency, Jameil Kendawi, told them that their trip to Mecca, Saudi Arabia was cancelled because of issues with their visas - just one day before they were supposed to travel.

In a long text message he apologised and said he would provide a full refund in ‘less than 40 days’.

Since then the shop has closed down and former customers say they have not been refunded.

Trading standards said it is investigating the customer complaints and are not able to comment at this time.

Mohammed Asif Qureshi, 61, paid £20,500 for himself, his wife, brother and sisterin-law to go on the holy pilgrimage.

He said: “We got a text saying it was off, that was hard to take.

“When I broke the news to my wife she was in tears, she was so upset, it’s not been easy.

“I never thought this could happen, this is something

that is a religious duty.

“I feel really upset when I think about this.”

Mohammed said the only reason why he booked his trip with Taha Travel was because they were the only agents that could offer him the specific dates he requested.

He said he was given a cheque for £3,200 from Taha Travel as part of his refund, but it bounced when he tried to cash it in the following day.

“I’ve been to Hajj, I’ve been to Umrah twice, I have never ever had a problem,” Mohammed said.

“Go with people who are Atol protected.

“I didn’t check because he’s a Muslim, he’s doing something good for people.”

Nasma Omer, 45, suffers from heart problems but delayed an operation so she could go to Mecca on July 27.

But she also found out her

trip was cancelled the day before, via text message.

“I cried and cried and cried,” she said.

“I paid the money, my bags were ready and my family from Sudan were waiting for me there.

“I was sick for two weeks, I made everything ready.

“It really affected me and my heart is not well, it’s not been easy for me.”

She saved for more than four years and demanded her money back from Taha Travel.

She also claims she was given a cheque for £3,500 that did not clear.

Nasma said: “I do not understand how this could happen, we paid this money for Allah and this is super bad.

“I have no money to book it again.”

Another woman paid £8,000 for her and her friend

to perform Hajj.

Sara Amin, 45 was swayed by how good he deal was and a friend had used Taha Travel to go to Umrah, the trip to Mecca than can be undertaken at any time of the year.

“I was so upset. I was ready. It was an awful nightmare,” she said.

“It was something that shocked me.

“It broke my heart.”

Sara had spent 10 years saving for the trip before her son helped her out with the rest of the money.

Their last contact with Kendawi was at the end of October, according to her.

She said: “I said to him, I will never forget or forgive you for this money.

“If he compensated me for the pain I felt, It would cost more than £1 million because it is not just about the money.

“It’s once in a lifetime when you go to Hajj, everything is ruined.”

Sara said he has been paid back just £500 so far.

Imran Hussein’s 64-yearold dad, Faraqat, also booked to go to Mecca on July 27 with Taha Travel.

He said: “It’s one of the biggest things for a Muslim, he was saving his whole life.

“He was ready for it and really heartbroken when he found out.

“It’s really sad a lot of people have been affected by this.”

Naveed Sadiq, 43, is trying to get members of the Muslim community to think twice before they book their trips.

He said: “The community stays quiet on these issues, we felt enough is enough.

“It’s a duty upon us to ask the question, are you Atol approved?

“We are looking to sort out these people out their Hajj trips and we’re going to be doing a few charity car washes to raise some money.”

No Jail Sentence for Derbyshire Man

A man from Derbyshire who sent a sexual message to a teenager has avoided jail.

The 39-year-old, Rajinder Chahal, contacted his 15-year-old victim over social media site Instagram and went on to send her one message of a sexual nature.

Judge Jonathan Bennett,

who presided over the case at Derby Crown Court, decided to impose a suspended sentence made a sexual harm prevention order.

In passing punishment, Judge Bennett said: "You are 39-years-of-age. You entered guilty pleas at this court for sexual communication with a child.

"It was a single message sent to one girl. You were interviewed by police and gave no comment.

"I come to the view that this offence does pass the custody threshold, but

nevertheless I can suspend that sentence. You are not going to prison today.

"You have a very impressive letter telling how sorry you are."

Sarah Allen, prosecuting, told the court the offence took place in January 2018.

She said: "The defendant sent a message about 10pm asking if the victim was still out, she said she wasn't and was in bed at home.

"The defendant then sent her a message which she didn't respond to. At about midnight he sent her another message which she didn't respond to.

"He then sent her a love heart which she replied 'I'm good thanks'. He then sent her a message (which was a sexual communication)."

Ms Allen said the victim blocked the defendant.

Ms Allen said Chahal was arrested in March 2018 and gave no comment during his interview to the police.

Gregor Purcell, mitigating, said he pleaded guilty at his first appearance at Derby Crown Court and said he

sent the message while in drink.

He said: "He has sought assistance and been to Alcoholics Anonymous. He has reduced his drinking and is now in control of that.

"To address the loss of his father, he has been to bereavement counselling since and that has assisted him.

"He is working as a recovery driver and is looking for other work in addition to that. He is a hard-working man.

"He has always worked and he will work to right some of the wrong."

Chahal, of Springwood Farm Road, Midway, Swadlincote, pleaded guilty to one count of sexual communication with a child.

He was handed a sixmonth sentence suspended for 18 months.

As part of his sentence, he would have to complete 30 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 180 hours of unpaid work.

He was then ordered to pay costs and a victim surcharge.

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£30,000 Raised for Helping Little Angels

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by Helping Little Angels at the prestigious Birmingham Botanical Gardens.

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a relaxed and sociable atmosphere, as well as learn more about the charity’s work and future projects.

Kul Mahay, Public Speaker and Founder of Ignite Your Inner Potential, a personal development organisation, was host, compere, and auctioneer for the evening.

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Rape & Sexual Violence Project named Business of the Year RSVP were named overall winners at the Asian Business Chamber of Commerce Annual Awards

The full list of winners include: Outstanding Business Woman of the Year Sponsored by Learner Engagement Fiona Allan, Birmingham Hippodrome Outstanding Contribution to Society in Business Award Sponsored by Aston University Innovating Minds CIC Outstanding Diversity and Inclusion Award Sponsored by South City College Birmingham Diverse Minds Outstanding Family Business of the Year Award Sponsored by ISA Support The Barn at Berryfields An organisation which supports people in Birmingham and Solihull who have been affected by rape, sexual assault and abuse, has been crowned Asian Business Chamber of Commerce’s (ABCC) Business of the Year.

Rape and Sexual Violence Project (RSVP), based in Bennetts’s Hill in Birmingham, were named overall winners at the ABCC’s annual dinner and awards 2019 at the National Motorcycle Museum. The Overall Business of the Year award was sponsored by Inspired Energy.

RSVP provides services to those who have been affected by rape and sexual abuse, focusing on individual’s needs and their personal responses to trauma.

The organisation offers a wide range of confidential services, including counselling, support via a telephone helpline and experts who support those in the LGBT community who have experienced rape,

sexual assault or sexual abuse.

In the last year alone, RSVP has supported more than 10,000 children and adults, has decreased waiting times for its counselling services, and increased its outreach support, embedding its services within local communities and increasing accessibility.

RSVP were also crowned winners of the Outstanding Charity of the Year Award, sponsored by Millennium Point.

Mandy Canny, head of the judges, said: “We felt that RSVP demonstrated clear and serious commitments to their services, which are vital to the lives of so many people.

“RSVP deal with real challenge changing lives for better with limited resources and empowers individuals to take charge of their lives.

“They are richly deserved winners, and I would like to congratulate them and all of the other winning firms which have demonstrated

excellence in their categories.”

President of the Chamber, Qasim Majid, also presented his President’s Award to disability rights advocate and entrepreneur Shani Dhanda.

Shani stands at 3 ft 10 ins and has the rare genetic condition Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI), more commonly known as Brittle Bones, affecting one in every 15,000 people in the UK. Shani, from Birmingham, is a project manager with Virgin Media, but is also the founder of the Diversability Card, a discount card for disabled people and the Asian Disability Network, which provides support and education on disability to the Asian community.

She also founded the first Asian Woman Festival, which aims to empower and celebrate Asian women. The festival’s inaugural event was held in Birmingham this year.

Presenting the President’s Award to Shani, Qasim said: “As a disability rights

advocate and successful social entrepreneur, Shani Dhanda has been relentless in creating everyday equality for disabled people and those who unfairly suffer negative stigmas, because of their health.

“Founder of Diversability Card, the Asian Disability Network, and workplace adjustment specialist and project manager at Virgin Media, Shani proves that where this is passion and courage, there are no barriers to success.

“Her career and ongoing charitable work is without a doubt, testament to this. We are exceptionally proud of hosting her and having the pleasure of presenting her with the ABCC President’s Award.”

Headline sponsors of the event included Douglas Wright T/A McDonald’s, HSBC and Birmingham City University, with more than 500 people in attendance.

Entertainment is being sponsored by The FA Group.

Outstanding Start-up Business of the Year Award Sponsored by Birmingham Airport Midland Health Outstanding SME Business of the Year Award Sponsored by Elavon Love Your Postcode Outstanding Venue of the Year Award Sponsored by SME Outsourcing Unique Venues Birmingham (UVB)

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Man Has Face Slashed

Police and paramedics were called to Washwood Heath Road on Sunday 22 December after a man was slashed in the face with a knife.

The man, aged 43, was given treatment at the scene by paramedics before being taken to hospital.

A woman, aged 23, and a man, aged 27, were later arrested on suspicion of assault and are currently in custody.

A West Midlands Police spokeswoman said: "Two people have been arrested after a man received a cut to his face last night (Sunday 22 December).

"Officers were called to Washwood Heath Road, Ward End at 8:25pm.

"A 43-year-old man was taken to hospital with a wound to his face which fortunately is not thought to be serious.

"A woman, aged 23, and a man, aged 27, were arrested on suspicion of assault and are currently in custody.

"Anyone with any information is asked to contact police via Live Chat at www.west-midlands.police.uk between 8am and midnight or call 101 anytime. Please quote crime reference number 20BE/302476Y/19."

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman added: "We were called to Washwood Heath Road at 8.24pm following reports a man had been stabbed.

"We sent an ambulance, paramedic officer and a MERIT trauma doctor. We treated one patient, a male for stab injuries which are not believed to be serious.

Jailed For Sitting Other People’s Driving Theory Tests

Jailed For Sitting Other People’s Driving Theory Tests An imposter who previously served two years for sitting other people’s driving theory has been jailed for 28 months.

Swallaxadin Abdul Bashir, 42, attempted to sit tests while impersonating applicants at 12 locations across England between October 2018 to August 2019, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) said. January Bashir, from Coventry, was jailed at Warwick Crown Court on Wednesday 8 January after committing the offences in Nottingham, Scunthorpe, Sunderland, Middlesbrough, Gloucester, Cheltenham, Salisbury, York, St Helens, Cambridge, Southport and Manchester.

Staff at the theory centre reported the incidents to the DVSA's fraud investigation team after having suspicions that he was impersonating the genuine candidates whilst taking the tests.

Staff rejected all pass results from the tests that he carried out and in some cases, he was turned away before taking the test, the DVSA said.

Bashir pleaded guilty to the offences at an earlier court hearing, which was told that investigators found evidence of people booking tests with him on his mobile phone.

West Midlands Police supported the investigation and searched Bashir's home and another property connected to him, finding distinctive items of clothing that were captured on test centre CCTV. Bashir was previously jailed for 18 months in 2017 and two years in July 2016, and was handed a six-month suspended sentence in February 2014 for similar offences.

A court hearing in August 2017, also held at Warwick Crown Court, was told Bashir was a "one-trick pony" who had offered services to driving test applicants who had difficulty with the English language.

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A Safe Space For Punjabi Men With Their Mental Health

Mental health can be difficult for anyone but in some communities, it is harder to gain help than others.

An organisation has been set in response to 'a need for a safe space for Punjabi men' to talk openly about how mental health is affecting them.

Tarak was founded in October 2017 by Shuranjeet Singh after his personal experience with mental illhealth as a student.

Tarak is a Punjabi word signifying the state of being progressive and looking to a better future. Tarak works alongside Punjabi communities to reshape approaches to mental health, individually & collectively The group run a forum called 'Chai in the City' every month where attendees can openly talk in a secure and nonjudgemental space'.

The free-to-attend events are ran by volunteers every month at the John Lewis Community Hub in Grand Central.

Volunteer, Amardeep Singh from Oldbury leads the event alongside working at Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals.

Amardeep told how men are often discouraged from coming forward about their struggles.

He said: "Suicide is the biggest cause of death in young men today. In many communities men are discouraged from acknowledging mental ill health.

"Denial, social isolation and a lack of awareness of how to manage mental health issues all compound the problem for many.

"I am involved with Taraki because I want to help bring about a change of approach to mental health within the Punjabi community by facilitating dialogue among "We have held five Chai in the City forums thus far. The feedback from attendees has been positive. We hope to continue providing a forum for open discussion on a wide range of important subjects requested by attendees."

The events have been so well received by the community that they are talking about expanding to run more events for women and the transgender and non-binary communities.

According to the Mental Health Foundation South Asian women seem to be an at-risk group for suicide or suicide attempts within their communities across England and Wales.

The Foundation also note that people from ethnic minority backgrounds

Medical Student Passed Away In His Sleep A funeral has been held for a medical student in Birmingham who tragically died in his sleep at his university campus.

The fun, friendly student Jazib Ahmad, aged 18, was a promising medical student.

His death has been a shock among his friends and family.

The teenager was discovered lifeless in his bed at the University of Exeter’s

FOUNDER: Shuranjeet Singh Takhar

may be less likely to report experiencing mental health problems because of a stigma against it in their communities.

Attendee, Narayan Kainth from Handsworth Wood has praised the initiative for it's welcoming environment and positive impact on the community.

"Before attending the forum I was reluctant because I thought that I would be judged, but when I attended I felt so welcomed, nobody was judging and I felt as though I wanted to go back next time.

"Now I go every month as it opens your eyes to certain topics and how they truly impact people, it's been

amazing to learn with everyone."

Stay up to date on events from Taraki on their Eventbrite page.

Shuranjeet Singh Takhar, from Handsworth founder said he did not approach his community about his issues because of a fear of being stigmatised and unfairly labelled but, with support from his housemates, he overcame his difficulties.

He realised those in Punjabi communities didn't have access to such support structures so decided to start Tarak, a movement which looks to re-shape how these communities’ approach mental health.

St Luke’s campus.

It’s believed he died from either meningitis or septicaemia, prompting friends to set up a crowdfunding effort to highlight the dangers of the illness, reports DevonLive.

So far more than £1,000 has been raised for a bench on campus in his memory and donations to a meningitis charity.

Fellow student Pablo Santander, 32, was one of a group of Jazib’s friends who set up the GoFundMe page.

He said: “Jazib was studying medicine and was

so excited about his future career as a doctor.

“He was a bit shy at first in class but was becoming very confident. He was a very, very bright student.

“He was a fun and sociable guy, not in the sense that he did a lot of partying but everyone around him was always smiling.”

On Friday, November 20, Jazib and some fellow students had been to Truro to look at accommodation for a placement they were due to go on where they would continue their medical studies.

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Banish the blues and go green!

West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) is urging the region to go #BlueMondayGreen and banish the blues on what is reputedly one of the most miserable days of the year.

The depressing effects of post-Christmas bills and debt, long cold nights and failed New Year resolutions are said to culminate on the third Monday of January, this year 20 January, dubbed Blue Monday.

The WMCA is calling on people to wear green and for buildings to be lit green to drive the blues away and support mental health.

A number of landmark buildings across the region are due to be lit up with green floodlights including the Library of Birmingham,

Dudley Council House and the commanding Himley Hall, the 18th century ancestral home to the Earls of Dudley.

Many organisations will also have green ribbons, a symbol of mental health awareness, available for staff to wear and run their own #BlueGreenMonday promotions.

The day aims to build on the success of last year’s inaugural event, which also marked the launch of the workplace mental health campaign This is Me West Midlands by the WMCA. Cllr Izzi Seccombe, leader of Warwickshire County Council and WMCA portfolio holder for wellbeing, said: “It was an obvious launch date for This is Me West Midlands

and now we have a great opportunity to celebrate the anniversary of the campaign, which is doing so much to reduce the stigma around mental health and raise awareness of the importance of wellbeing at work.”

More than 100 organisations have signed up to This is Me in the West Midlands, with more than 800 nationally. The campaign raises awareness and challenges the stigma around mental health at work by supporting people to tell their own stories through video, blogs or other medium The idea for the campaign was initiated by Barclays and developed in London by the Lord Mayor’s Appeal before being launched in the West Midlands by the WMCA last

A group of men stitched together parts from stolen cars with written-off motors before selling them to unsuspecting buyers.

Mohammed Nadeem, Nadeem Arshad, Zahir Hussain and Amaan Zameer created the Frankenstein cars from stolen and written off motors.

The 'Frankenstein' motors would go back on the roads without any mechanical or safety checks.

A VW Golf, sold for just over £10,000, had been refitted with airbags taken from a stolen car, which police say test show would have failed to deploy in a collision.

Detectives investigation linked the group to 117 stolen cars taken from the West Midlands, Liverpool, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, Warwickshire and Yorkshire but it’s believed the group harvested parts and body panels from hundreds more stolen vehicles.

West Midlands Police exposed the extent of the

group’s criminal enterprise after a £70,000 Mercedes SL400 stolen from Aylesbury Road, Solihull on 1 May 2017 was traced to a garage in Digbeth’s Charles Henry Street.

The car was found with false plates and surrounded by a stash of car parts, body panels and number plates from 21 stolen cars.

Detectives discovered stolen parts were being sold by the men through two eBay accounts − BritishGermanCarSpares and car_parts_2010 − which had shipping addresses linked to Dec Cops tracked a third chop shop in Grove Road, Sparkhill, after a BMW stolen from a garage forecourt in Derby.

A Proceeds of Crime hearing in April will decide how much money the gang needs to repay .

Arshad, 42, of Eastlands Road, Moseley; Nadeem, 28, of Glovers Road, Small Heath; Zameer, 30, of Gladstone Road,

Sparkbrook; and Hussain, 31, of Finch Road, Lozells, had all previously admitted conspiracy to handle stolen goods.

The gang was were jailed at Birmingham Crown Court on December 10, Arshad, was jailed for seven years, Nadeem for six, Zameer, who had also admitted assault, to five-and-a-half and Hussain to four-and-a-half.

Lisa Spencer, 34, of Henshaw Road, Small Heath, admitted possessing articles, log books and vehicle documents for fraud and was handed a nine-month suspended sentence and

13

January.

Alongside This is Me West Midlands, the WMCA is also supporting the national Chatty Café scheme, which has seen around 100 cafes throughout the region introduce Chatter and Natter tables, encouraging people on their own to talk to each other and alleviate

loneliness.

Organisations wanting to take part in #BlueGreenMonday can apply for a promotional pack at www. wmca.org.uk/media/3555/turnblue-monday-green-pack.pdf To find out more and register for the ‘This is Me’ campaign, visit www.wmca.

org.uk/thisisme and for Chatty Cafes visit www.wmca.org.uk/ chattycafe Organisations and the public can follow on social media at #ThisisMeWM #BlueMondayGreen #SeenInGreen #EndTheStigma @WestMids_ CA @LMAppeal

ordered to perform 100 hours’ unpaid work.

Detective Inspector Hannah Whitehouse, said: “This group was handling stolen cars on a huge scale… bigger than anything we’ve ever seen in the West Midlands.

“We believe hundreds of stolen vehicles have passed through their chop shops.

“It’s unclear who was stealing the cars for them

but our belief is the gang was ordering stolen cars to match those they’d bought at salvage auctions.

“We know they bought around 300 salvage vehicles since 2015 from one major dealer alone − and we seized evidence showing they’d advertised 350 vehicles for sale on Gumtree and Autotrader with a combined value of £900,000.

“This group may not have

been stealing cars but they were providing a very active market for car thieves and causing lots of pain and distress to motorists.”

West Midlands Police is pushing for improved regulation that will make it harder for criminals to buy salvage vehicles and put them back on the roads after being fixed with spares stripped from stolen cars.

Chop Shop Gang Stitched Up Stolen Cars

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Tis The Season Of Loving Aston Business School and Giving awarded funding to help microbusinesses use tech to grow Pupils deliver gifts at Acorns Children's Hospice

Pupils at Priory School Edgbaston have enjoyed delivering festive gifts to the life-limited residents at Acorn's Children's Hospice in Birmingham. Thanks to a generous donation from CKGHomes, Priory School's Preparatory School children were able to spread a little kindness to children and young people in the local community.

This charitable act follows a whole term of kind deeds selflessly conducted by the pupils of Priory School Edgbaston, a co-educational independent school for children aged six months to eighteen years. Sixth Form students have been collecting donations for the homeless and vulnerable in Birmingham City Centre in addition to sending a cargo of shoeboxes filled with toys, treats and toiletries to underprivileged children all across the world. Children have raised money for Children in Need, hosted a coffee morning for McMillan

and worn odd socks for the Anti-Bullying Alliance. The school choir have entertained local senior living residents with a plethora of Christmas Carols and pupils engaged in a range of activities to raise funds for the Roald Dahl's Marvellous Children's Charity.

Headmaster, Jonathan Cramb, praised the tireless work of Priory pupils: "it is wonderful to see the Priory family committed to making a difference to the lives of others locally, nationally and globally. We are proud to support the work of these worthwhile charities."

11-Year-Old Brainier Than Einstein

A 11-year-old has proved she is brainier than Albert Einstein after taking a Mensa test in a room full of adults who were all saying how tough it was!

Lara Jeetly from Little Aston, Sutton Coldfield has received a top IQ score.

Lara’s mum was told by Highclare School that her daughter may benefit from joining the high IQ society, after excelling with the learning material they had to offer.

Lara is ‘not a typical studious child’ according to her mum and rather than being a geek she loves the outdoors. She also has a love for looking after the planet and animals and takes part in a lot of local projects to protect hedgehogs and birds and to reduce the use of plastics.

Lara’s mum, Jess, said: “At the age of six we were very worried to find her lying in bed awake at night and she would tell us she couldn't get maths sums out of her head.

Lara has always been curious and wanted to know how to program computers.

“She is an only child. We didn’t know anything about Mensa. A teacher said, at the start of term, we have taught her as much as we can teach her about maths.

We have gone to Year 8 level for 13-year-olds.

“She was losing interest in lessons and they suggested taking her for the Mensa test to join the society. She took the test at the end of October and we got the result last week that she is in the top one per cent of the population for intelligence.

“We were shocked. She is a Mensa member now.

The main thing is there are lots of support groups and special interest groups with Mensa in Birmingham, Wolverhampton and Coventry.

“We said you can do whatever you like to do!

The now 11-year-old told BirminghamLive: “My mum took me in a room for the Mensa test and I was quite surprised as we had come late and the whole room was full of adults in their 30s and 40s.

“They found it quite hard as I heard them whispering to each other saying the test was quite difficult and they couldn’t complete it.

“There were two papers – one on verbal reasoning and one on English. The first one was easy, like my 11-plus exam, the second one was a little bit harder.

“I didn’t know much about IQ levels – but my family started talking about it more

Lara Jeetly is in the top one per cent of the population for intelligence

and thought it was a big achievement.”

Lara said: “I want to make a difference to the planet.

There’s lots of CO2 in the air and I’d like to make a better environment by creating an invention or something else that helps with that.

Aston Business School will support 50 microbusinesses to boost their productivity by engaging with technology more effectively The project is being funded through the government’s £9 million Business Basics Programme

Aston Business School has been awarded funding to support 50 microbusinesses to engage with technology to boost their productivity.

The school is part of a consortium of similar institutions accredited by the Small Business Charter for their expertise in supporting small businesses and entrepreneurs who will deliver the programme. The Leading to Grow Programme will be offered at no cost to microbusinesses across England.

Businesses that employ up to nine people will be able to apply to take part in workshops around how to utilise existing technologies to improve efficiency and profitability.

The funding has been made available through the government’s £9 million Business Basics Programme run by the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and Innovate UK. Due to the small size

and the dispersed nature of microbusinesses, they have not routinely received planned interventions by government agencies. The government is now targeting this type of business due to their potential and readiness to scale-up, and this is the first time that such a programme has been coordinated across the country.

With so many areas being covered it is hoped that this free programme will help a large number of microbusinesses and support economic growth in a number of regions.

The UK’s 1.1 million microbusinesses employ over four million people and contribute £355 billion to the UK economy. The business schools, the Small Business Charter and the government hope to make a real impact on this important part of the economy.

Paula Whitehouse, Director of the Centre for Growth at Aston Business School,

said: “We are delighted to be able to offer this new support for micro-businesses seeking to improve their productivity. The leadership and management training we provide at Aston Centre for Growth leads to improved management practices directly impacting on the bottom line. We look forward to welcoming 50 more businesses to the Centre for Growth network, and working in collaboration with other Small Business Charter holding business schools on this innovative new programme.”

Anne Kiem, Executive Director of the Small Business Charter and Chief Executive of the Chartered Association of Business Schools, said: “We are excited to be working with business schools to help improve the productivity of a range of microbusinesses.

The pace of technological advances means that today’s small firms who embrace innovation will be tomorrow’s success stories.”

Speeding Hit-and-Run Driver Jailed A man has been jailed for killing a woman after a hit-and-run as he tried to overtake a taxi outside a Sikh temple.

The driver Vrabian Antonescu was speeding down waterloo Road, Smethwick on October 3 last year, when he attempted to overtake a taxi, ploughing into the side of the Toyota Avensis, causing the driver to swerve into the victim Surinderjit Saund who was about to get into her parked car.

The 68-year-old was confirmed dead at the scene, despite the best efforts from paramedics.

Antonescu, 24, drove off in his Mercedes without having a tyre on a front wheel.

The damaged wheel left markings on the road, which allowed police to track him to a nearby street.

Antonescu was arrested in Marlborough Road just after 11pm. Further enquiries established he had been travelling at 40mph in a 30mph zone just before the

collision.

Antonescu, of Gower Street, Wolverhampton , pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving yesterday, Monday, December 2, at the start of a planned trial. He was jailed for two years and ten months and given a three-year driving ban to start on his release.

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Family Disappointed In Burial Charges

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Driver Killed In Car Crash Named

A driver from Wolverhampton who was killed in a horror crash has been named as Laxman Swali.

His vehicle Peugeot 107 collided with a car transporter on Cannock Road, Shareshill, off Junction 11 of the M6 on Monday, December 2 at around 12.05pm The 28-year-old, died at the scene despite best efforts from paramedics.

The driver of the car transporter was uninjured.

Specialist officers are supporting Mr Swali's family at this time.

Officers from the Staffordshire and West Midlands Serious Collision Investigation Unit continue to appeal for witnesses, or anyone with relevant dashcam footage, to come forward.

Anyone with information which could help the investigation is asked to call 101, quoting incident 237 of December 2.

Arsalaan said he and his father, Irfan were "dumbfounded" by a non-resident fee of £1,460 that was included in an invoice sent to him.

A family from Braunstone Town are requesting for a change in the non-resident fee after receiving what they described as an 'unexpected' funeral charge.

After the death of their grandmother on November 12, Arsalaan and his family prepared for Muslim burial.

Less than a week after the funeral Arsalaan said he and his father, Irfan were "dumbfounded" by a nonresident fee of £1,460 that was included in an invoice sent to him.

Arsalaan and many of the family members were unaware of the charge.

"Funerals are already so expensive and having to pay this on top is a lot of money - we weren't expecting it," he said.

A non-resident fee is for those living outside Leicester as their council tax does not contribute to services within the city.

With the understanding the non-resident fee is standard practice, Arsalaan is now concerned that many other families in the same

DEC/JAN 2020

situation will not be able to afford this.

A Leicester City Council spokesperson said: “In common with many other burial authorities in the UK, Leicester City Council operates a two-tier pricing policy for city residents and non-residents.

“This recognises that local council taxpayers will be contributing towards the ongoing provision and maintenance of Leicester’s cemeteries. Charges for non-residents are therefore higher.

“The city council publishes its fees and charges online.

This information is also provided to all funeral directors so that bereaved families can discuss costs when making funeral arrangements.

“In this case, the family representative has signed the ‘Notice of Burial’ to say that they understand and accept the charges.

“We offer our condolences to the family and will be addressing their concerns directly. However, the lack

of suitable funeral provision in the area where they live is not a matter for Leicester City Council.”

The family have said "If we had a choice I'd understand but we don't. We had to bury my grandma in this way and Saffron Hill was the only place we could go to."

Saffron Hill Cemetery was the only place nearby that was able to accommodate them.

Although the non-resident fee is standard practice for anyone, Arsalaan is now questioning whether this is fair to families like his own whose religion would require them to use a specific cemetery.

"Either there should be more provisions for families who have no choice but to use burials in the city or the councils should reconsider how they do things," Arsalaan said.

Oadby and Wigston Borough Council offer residents financial support towards funeral costs of up to £1000 if they require a burial outside of their

borough.

A spokesperson for Oadby and Wigston Borough Council said:"[We] do not have any provision for other faith burials in our borough so we pay £1000 contribution to Leicester City Council for other faith burials at Saffron Hill Cemetery. We only pay this is the deceased person is a resident in our borough."

Arsalaan was disappointed to find that Blaby District could not offer more assistance.

He said: "I've lived here my whole life and there a lot more Asians in the area now so this sort of thing will affect more people."

A spokesperson for Blaby District Council said: “Blaby District Council does not own any cemeteries in the district and therefore does not have a policy on such matters.

"Anyone who needs support for a funeral can apply for the Government’s means tested Funeral Expenses Payment at www.gov.uk/funeral-payments.”

Arsalaan is now hoping to speak with Leicestershire County Council about the matter and ask his local MP to consider changes to the current system.

Jailed for Scamming House Buyer of £55,000 A fraudster who tricked a house buyer in depositing a large sum of money into a money laundering account has been jailed.

The fraudster carried out the scam by accessing the email account of the victim's conveyancing solicitor and a sent bogus message giving him details of where to send the payment.

The victim thought he was carrying out the solicitor's request and paid £55,000 deposit into the bank account Surjan Roopra.

Roopra wasted no time spending thousands of

pounds at John Lewis, Apple, Next, Debenhams, ASOS, and sent some cash overseas.

Leicester Crown Court was told that failed businessman, Roopra, of Darien Way, Braunstone, Leicester, was recruited to launder the money by an associate of someone he met at a temple.

Roopra pleaded guilty to converting £55,000 of criminal property, between May 4 and May 8, 2018.

Neil Bannister, prosecuting, said the house buyer initially successfully sent a £15,000 reservation fee to his online conveyancer.

Expecting to exchange contracts on May 4 last year, the victim received an email purporting to be from his solicitor requesting he send the £55,000 deposit to a different account number.

He initially sent £5,000 "as a test," which received an acknowledgment and then followed up with a £50,000 payment.

The next day he spoke to the solicitor, who said no payments were received and she knew nothing about their supposed email exchanges regarding a change of bank account.

Man arrested and ordered to pay more than £1 million for stolen vehicles

A Croydon man has been told to pay more than £1 million for handling 19 stolen vehicles, said by the police.

Chirag Patel, 40, on November 29 was given a confiscation order for the vehicles, which were valued at more than £700,000, Scotland Yard said in a statement.

Patel was last year sentenced to eight years in prison for conspiracy to handle stolen goods in relation to 19 vehicles and nine stolen car keys, also for possession of criminal property relating to cash deposits.

His convictions followed a lengthy investigation.

He was arrested by Croydon's Serious Acquisitive Crime Unit in February,2015, when five luxury vehicles with false number plates were found in the basement of his home address.

Police say they then found 26 sets of car keys, lists of vehicles and registrations, equipment for accessing onboard computers, programming keys, numerous mobile phones, tablets and laptops.

Police also found 19 stolen cars with an estimated value of £728,000, nine sets of keys which had been stolen from Jaguar Land Rover's plant in Solihull in the West Midlands.

The investigation later showed Patel had been using the vehicles in an off-the-books vehicle rental business, police have said, the cars were used in numerous burglaries and car thefts across London between October 2012 and January 2015 and were kept at properties belonging to Pate. He also stored some of the stolen vehicles at his family properties.

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JANUARY Start of the new year the devasting news of two legends Kadar Khan aged 81 died on 31 December and DJ Vips who suddenly passed away on 6 January, both were a huge asset to the entertainment industry. January also looked at the news of victims of forced marriages hit with a rescue fee. The new year’s honors list was announced with a number of British Asians being recognised. Also, in sport Mary Kom (Indian Boxer) hit top spot in Alba rankings.

JULY The start of the school summer holidays, and the rise of forced marriages are still on the up. Metro Bank, the revolution to British banking opened its new store in Birmingham City Centre. From the UK to Bollywood the king of Bollywood Shah Rukh Khan celebrates 27 years in acting. SKR thanked his fans on twitter, he made his debut in 1992 in the film Deewana. A joyful month for England, winning the cricket World Cup for the first time ever.

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FEBRUARY Former President of the Black Country Chamber of Commerce Ninder Johal was made Deputy Lieutenant of the West Midlands. The first tracks for the extension of Midlands was laid by leading figures. Rapper Drake made his presence to Resort World Birmingham to raise awareness of his main European tour. Comedian Guz Khan had the series 2 of Man Like Mobeen starting on 1 February. In sport Judd Trump defeats Ronnie O’Sullivan in the final of master’s snooker.

AUGUST A historic win for UK’s first Muslim Jockey Khadijah Mellah winning the Magnolia Cup at the age of 18-years-old. The university of Birmingham hosted a five-day celebration marking the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nank Dev ji. The Asian Today took its own take on Vogue Magazine ‘Faces for Change’ with ‘Voice for Change’ highlighting 9 faces of women who have made a change in the entertainment industry. Also, the Murray brothers win in tennis at Washington returning to the court together since 2016.

FEATURE

MARCH In March knife crime started to increase and made the community think about what can be done to prevent further loss. March marks the annual International Womens Day with 2019 theme being #BalanceForBetter’. The Asian Today highlighted inspirational women who are balancing for better and are helping other women. Another tragedy in March, one of the greatest World Cup winning goalkeepers Gordon Banks passed away at the age of 81.

SEPTEMBER We at the Asian Today celebrate a milestone of 250 issues, we looked back at the past 17 years, we have won many awards and are proud to be a broadcast to the community bringing you news since 2002. The Asian Today was created to inform, educate the south Asian community. In entertainment Sky Cinema announced the UK release of Hotel Mumbai a gripping true story. In sport Dimitrov defeats Federer in US quarter final.

FEATURE

APRIL The 100th anniversary of Jallianwala Bagh Massacre took place on 13 April 1919 and still waiting for an apology from the British government. The month of Vaisakhi, a celebration where Sikhs around the world celebrate and 2019 also marked the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. In entertainment Gippy Grewal released his Punjabi film Manje Bistre 2.

Devastating news of the two shootings in two mosques in New Zealand resulting to 49 left dead during Friday prayers.

DEC/JAN 2020

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MAY Birmingham saw the giant knife angel sculpture arriving in Victoria Square. The artwork is made of 100,000 knives and is to raise awareness of the horrific knife crimes that have been happening. May was the start of the holy month of Ramadan for Muslims across the world. Bus driver Tarsem Singh Sandhu was the first Sikh man to change the regulation on turban wearing fifty years ago. The Met Gala starts the battle of Priyanka vs Deepika for the red carpet face-off.

JUNE Our front page saw Greater Birmingham Chamber of Commerce’s president Saqib Bhatti raise money for Prostate cancer by doing a parachute jump. Anderton Park Primary School was hit with a protest campaigning against the teaching of LBGT. Birmingham Indian Film Festival marked its 5th anniversary. The month of football. Liverpool win the Champions League with ease. Wolverhampton qualify for Europa League.

THANK YOU We would like to thank you all our readers & supporters for giving us the opportunity to to communicate local, national & international stories to our communities. We will continue to brimng you news that matters to you.

If you would like to tell us about any stories that you wish us to cover in the newspaper then please contact our editorial team on: editorial@theasiantoday.com or call the office on: 0121 314 2892

OCTOBER A heartbreaking story of a newlywed bride who was misdiagnosed and fighting for her life. The couple were to start their life in the UK and her Husband Arslan has appealed to help with medical bills. A West Midlands police officer is the first Sikh women to reach the rank of Superintendent after progressing her career in the force. Travel company Thomas Cook collapsed leaving many holiday makers angered. The month of Diwali, celebration of light celebrated on 27 October.

NOV/DEC Birmingham’s very own Anita Bhalla OBE picked up the award for ‘Brummie of the Year’ at the fifth Birmingham Awards. November was packed full of events across the city celebrating all the good and great, we looked at of many of the award in this issue. News broke across all news channels with the horrific attack on London Bridge with police confirming this to be a terror related incident and two people killed. Looking into sport, Pakistan cricket team were to play for the first time since 2009 at their home ground for a home test match.

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INTERVIEW

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Interview with

You are on a roll after having delivered a host of super hit films such as Mission Mangal, Housefull 4, Kesari this year. What sets Good Newwz apart from the rest?

Good Newwz is unlike anything I have done. It has wit, entertainment & an exceptional story not to mention an all Star cast. But out of all my film releases this year, the message that Good Newwz is presenting is refreshingly different. IVF is a path-breaking technology and the treatment has enabled over 8 million couples across the world in starting their families. We want to show a journey of two families undergoing IVF treatment through a comedic lens and hope

through the film’s treatment the message reaches out to many Indian families, even though our film is based on a Goof Up, the message at heart is about Love & the Miracle of Life…

Can you tell us your experience with working with your co-star; Kareena Kapoor Khan after such a long gap?

What can your fans expect?

Apart from our Hit Songs in ‘Gabbar is Back’ & Rowdy Rathore, 'Kambakht Ishq' was the last feature film Kareena and I did, almost a decade ago, so reuniting on-screen after the birth of 2 more of our own children Nitara & Taimur, it has been rather nostalgic & very homely to

say the least. Our long standing family camdraderie transcends on screen and both of us know that our fans enjoy watching us tease each other & create magic on screen. Shooting with Kareena is always a pleasure, she is true a diva, enigmatic even when she goofs up. I am in awe of how she can alternate from being a mother, a friend to a cinematic star with the sound of the words action!

We couldn’t think of a more perfect project than ‘Good Newz’ to reunite our chemistry for the World to watch with a tissue & a box of popcorn What inclined you to make a film on IVF? Today the global total of babies born as a result of the science behind IVF and other

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advanced fertility treatments exceeds 8 million. It has fast become a part of the lives of so many families and has given so many willing parents the gift of childbirth in scenarios where they may not have been able to in the past. Good Newwz inevitably shows that as parents we share a deep seeded love for our children regardless of the method of conception. Whether it be adoption, IVF, surrogacy or anything else for that matter. Our film may be based on a Goof Up, which of course happens across all fields of science & humans, we’ve incorporated it to bring humour to an otherwise stressful situation, but what’s more important is the awareness of films like Good Newwz that shows such miracles that matter, at the end of the day it’s about the birth of Life, which we have delicately or be it humorously portrayed……..

For some, IVF is a polarising subject. You opted to use comedy as a means of spotlighting the childbirth method – what was the thinking behind this?

Yes, it’s true that IVF has caused some debate around the world, and perhaps we are still in an era by which the stigma exists. But for me it was important to make a film about IVF to once again show the joys of creating a family and more importantly the science which has allowed so many couples the opportunity to do this. Women no longer need to be pressured into having children straight after marriage, with science like this it makes it easier for them to enjoy & focus on their careers if they choose to, yes there are more risks the later you leave it, but there are at least options now that can help.

Humour is probably one of the greatest forms of learning, with fun & entertainment you can enjoy the process of awareness & education without feeling the pressure. I have often found that comedy creates the ability to remember things better, like in

Play school, kids learn faster than adults because they are taught with enjoyment, I don’t see why it should be any different in adult life. Entertainment has always been an effective method of education. I can only hope this film goes some way to normalising the topic of IVF. What attracted you to this role and film?

Earlier I felt that Bollywood tended to shy away from telling these kind of stories, thus Good Newwz provides an opportunity to comedically normalise IVF by exploring the process and journey prospective couples could go through and that was one element that attracted me to this movie. In addition it was an opportunity to cinematically reunite with Queen Kareena after such a long time, the plot is also unique, not only is it a story that people do not discuss openly, but it has a plot with a twist, which makes it even funnier, but I guarantee you will feel so much in your heart in the last 20mins, even when I saw it I got choked up.

Considering your very busy schedule, how was it filming Good Newwz?

Over the years in my career as an actor, I shoot roughly threefour projects simultaneously, this year being no different. Besides the films that released this year, I also shot for my upcoming films Laxmmi Bomb and Sooryavanshi which will release next year. The shooting dates of Housefull 4 and Good Newwz were actually very close to each other but it was fun.

I love what I do, and this was no exception. As far as Good Newwz is concerned, being around such entertaining people was all I needed to be fully engaged & loving this opportunity, The film is indeed the # Biggest & #Best goofup of the year. So pleased to be ending the year on such a family orientated note.

What is your most favourite song from the film?

This is kind of tricky for me, because I’ve been so personally invested in all of them, but ‘Chandigarh Mein’, is such a peppy and fun track with the whole cast of the film. The song has been sung so well by Badshah, Harrdy Sandhu, Lisa Mishra and Asees Kaur. But there are more songs to come, one of my favourite by B Praak is soon to release, looking forward to the hearts this one touches. ThouI must tell you I may or may not have a special Christmas song on the way which has a melody that just melts your soul, leaving you wanting to curl up next to your loved one…

What other projects are you working on after Good Newwz?

I have a few interesting projects lined up for 2020 which include Sooryavanshi directed by Rohit Shetty, followed by Laxxmi Bomb which is a first of a kind comedyhorror for me, and then I will be essaying the role of the fearless leader ‘Prithviraj’, whilst making Bell Bottom & Bachchan Pandey Since 2019 is coming to an end, what is the one thing that you will be grateful for this year? What’s your resolution for 2020?

2019 was a wonderful year both on the personal and professional front. All my films received so much love and adulation from the audience and that I believe is my greatest takeaway. I hope that my fans continue to shower the love and appreciation that they always have in the following years to come.

I’m not fond of New Year Resolutions, it’s not only January that people should strive to better themselves, but each year I promise myself to stay true to my work, keep my head down with utmost honesty and sincerity & continue to Try to entertain and educate people all over the world through the power of cinema.

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THE EMOTIONAL STORY OF ACID ATTACK SURVIVOR, PLAYED BY DEEPIKA PADUKONE A TALE OF THE FIGHT FOR JUSTICE www. desixpress.co.uk

Deepika Padukone (Padmaavat, XXX: Return of Xander Cage) is back on our screens, but in a role you have never seen before.

The much-awaited trailer of Deepika Padukone's Chhapaak is out now and it will leave you definitely give you goosebumps.

Deepika Padukone plays the role of an acid attack survivor in the film, which "makes an attempt to understand the on-ground consequences of surviving an acid attack in India."

The trailer released on the same day as UN Human Right’s Day (10th Dec) and gives a short insight into the emotionwrenching story. Lasting little over two minutes long, the trailer provides glimpses of the harrowing images and scenes to be expected in this emotional rollercoaster. The trailer shows Malti’s (played by Deepika Padukone) broad daylight attack, her dramatic facial reconstruction, battle to come to terms with her lasting injuries and her truly inspirational journey to put an end to acid attacks in India. There are between 250 and 300 acid attacks reported in India every year, despite laws restricting the sale of acid or other deadly chemicals, according to Stop Acid Attacks.

The trailer follows her journey from a girl next door to a feisty acid-attack survivor and shows how she won her battle against the heinous crime.

Announcing the trailer release on Twitter, Deepika Padukone explained why Chhapaak is special for her: "Rarely do you come across a story where you do not need an entire narration to decide if you want to be a part of a film or not.What is even more rare is to not be able to articulate and put into words what you feel for the film and its journey... Chhapaak is all of that and more for me..."

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Rani Mukherji Back As Shivani Shivaji Avatar 2 New Images Released

Director James Cameron who created Avatar and was hailed as one of the cinematic marvels of all time. James Cameron has shared some images from the film. The film is due to be released in 2021. The long-awaited sequel, which will follow on from 2009’s Avatar. James Cameron explained that the first sequel will contain more vehicles and machinery compared to the original movie.

DROP THE KNIFE PICK UP THE DHOL

Multi-talented Dhol Frequency have steadily been making waves in the UK Music Industry and fans will be delighted to hear their future plans heading straight into 2020 initiative.

Aman Singh founder and renowned Dhol player set up Dhol Frequency has launched a new initiative ‘DROP THE KNIFE PICK UP THE DHOL’. The main objective of the initiative is to go into areas where both gun and knife crime is at its highest and teach the youngsters how to play the dhol.

The initiative is being backed by leading artist in the music and film industry.

Rani Mukherji is back is back as the fearless cop, Shivani Shivaji Roy in Mardaani 2.

The actor said "No One Killed Jessica", "Black", "Mardaani" and "Hichki" are some of her favourite films as the characters resonated with her belief in how a woman should be perceived.

"Mardaani 2'' is another attempt of mine in showcasing what a fearless, selfmade, self-believing woman can do despite being pitted against all odds.

The film will hit the theatres on December 13.

Aamir Khan As Sardar Laal Singh Chaddha

Aamir Khan will be featured in his new movie of a turbaned Sikh, the film Laal Singh Chaddha is being shot in Punjab. Aamir will start his 8 days shoot schedule in Amritsar.

He will be joined by her co-star Kareena Kapoor Khan who was spotted taking blessings at the Golden Temple in Amritsar.

Aamir will be sporting a beard and gaining 20 kgs to get into the character.

Twitter Trolls on Deepika’s New Movie Deepika Padukone's new movie "Chhapaak" has got twitter trolls outraging for allegedly changing the acid attacker's name from "Nadeem Khan" to "Rajesh". Chhapaak is based on the story of Laxmi Agarwal who was 15 when attacked with acid by a man named Nadeem Khan. Several users on Twitter expressed their disappointment over the rumoured change in ‘name' of the attacker.

Frieda Pinto Gets Engaged The Slumdog Millionaire actress Freida Pinto is engaged to her photographer boyfriend Cory Tran after two years of dating. The couple shared the news on Instagram with professional shots of the two, with Freida showing off the luxurious ring.

Freida and Cory weren’t spotted together until October 2017 and went public with their romance at the US Open a year later.

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Nick Jonas Posted Pic of First Year Anniversary On their first anniversary, Nick Jonas took to his Instagram account and shared a lovely never seen before picture of their wedding day. The couple can be seen standing hand in hand at the altar and Nick Jonas captioned the post, “One year ago today we said forever... well forever isn’t nearly long enough. I love you with all of my heart @ priyankachopra happy anniversary.”

The couple have inseparable ever since they tied the knot and often take to social media to comment on each other’s posts and indulge in PDA on a regular basis.

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A trailer for Marvel’s Black Widow has been released.

Scarlett Johansson plays the character, of Natasha Romanoff, in a string of previous Marvel Cinematic Universe films, including Captain Marvel, Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame.

Fans have waited a long time for a Black Widow standalone movie.

The movie will reveal more about Natasha’s past and will hit the theatres on May 1, 2020

Return of Baaghi 3

Kala Chashma Duniya (Luki Chuppi) KalaBaar Baar Dekho Akhil &Chashma Dhvani Bhanushali Baar Baar Dekho

The Hook Tere Sang Up Yaare Song Tere Sang Yaare Rustom Vishal & Shekhar & Neha Kakkar Rustom

First Class Gani Gani ManiSingh Arjit Sandhu & Neeti & Akhil Mohan Mani Sandhu & Akhil

Morni Jag Ghoomeya Banke Jag Ghoomeya Sultan Guru Randhawa & Neha Kakkar Sultan

Hauli Hauli Tu Rendhe Garry Sandhu & Neha Kakkar Tu Rendhe Tindy & Rixx and Sudesh Kumari Tindy & Rixx and Sudesh Kumari

Tere Bin Woman Woman Rahat FatehftAli Khan Shide Boss Zack Knight Shide Boss ft Zack Knight

The Jawaani Peat Pe BootySong Peat Pe Booty A Vishal Flying Dadlani Jatt & Payal Dev A Flying Jatt

First Class Suit SuitSingh Guru Arjit Randhawa & Neeti Mohan Guru Randhawa

Ghar Tu HaiMore Pardesiya Tu Hai Goshal Mohenjo Shreya Daro Mohenjo Daro

Chashni Dishoom Dishoom Vishal & Shekhar Sau Tarah Ke Sau Tarah Ke

BHANGRA/POP BHANGRA BHANGRA

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Kai Saal Gabbroo Gabbroo Jassie Jaz Dhami Gill ft. Preet Hundal Jassie Gill ft. Preet Hundal

Mattha Mattha Akhil Akhil Teri Kami Jenny Johal Teri Kami

Taur Di Tru-Skool AshokJatt Prince, Kaur Ashok Time B4 YaPrince, Mind Tru-Skool Time 4 Ya Mind

Wang PBN &Da RajNaap Bains Ammy PBNAkh &Virk Raj Bains Billi Billi Akh

Mukar Sandhu Manni Gyi Manni Sandhu Welcome Gurj Sidhu To The Future Welcome To The Future

SajnaBina Tere De Naal TereSaggu Bina Monty Bups & Waris, Ginni Kapoor Monty & Waris, Ginni Kapoor

Take Off Skoda Skoda Ranjit Gary Sandhu Bawa ft. Bhinda Aujla Ranjit Bawa ft. Bhinda Aujla

TeriVaari Ikk MarziHor Ae Soch Lae Ikk Vaari Hor Soch Lae Harish Prabh Gill Verma Harish Verma

Viah Kulwinder Billa Kulwinder Billa Kulwinder Jass ManakBilla Kulwinder Billa

Ditche Boliyan Selfi SelfieBawa Boliyan Malkit Ranjit Singh ft. Dj Vix Malkit Singh ft. Dj Vix

UK UKARTISTS CHART UK ARTISTS

Tiger Shroff is set to return to Baaghi 3, the third instalment of the namesake franchise. Tiger is leaving no stone unturned in his preparation for Baaghi 3. The actor has been shooting for the movie in Serbia and has shared pictures to keep the fans updated.

This film will also mark the reunion of the original Baaghi pair, Tiger Shroff and Shraddha Kapoor. Film to be released in March 2020.

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I Don;t One Dance Care One Dance Drake Ed Sheeran feat&Wizkid Juston and Bieber Kyla Drake feat Wizkid and Kyla

Old ColdTown WaterRoad Lil NasWater X Cold Major Lazer and Justin Beiber Major Lazer and Justin Beiber

Someone Too Good You Loved Too Good Drake Lewis Capaldi feat Rihanna Drake feat Rihanna

VossiisBop This what you came for This isHarris what you came for Calvin Stormzy feat Rihanna Calvin Harris feat Rihanna

Hold Me Heathens Lewis Capaldi Heathens Twenty One Pilots Twenty One Pilots

Closer Bad Guy Closer Chainsmokers feat Halsey Billie Eilish Chainsmokers feat Halsey

Piece ofStrangers Your Heart Perfect Meduza Perfect Jonas BlueStrangers feat JP Cooper Jonas Blue feat JP Cooper

Tears(ft. Aloe Bacc) SOS Tears Clean Bandit feat Louisa Johnson Avicii Clean Bandit feat Louisa Johnson

This GraceGirl This Kungs Vs Cooking on 3 Burners Lewis Girl Capaldi Kungs Vs Cooking on 3 Burners

WeI Can't Don'tHave Talk Anymore If You We Don't Anymore Charlie PuthTalk feat Selena Gomez Shawn Mendez Charlie Puth feat Selena Gomez

Interview with Richa Chadda about her role in 'Inside Edge' Amazon web-series 24

DEC/JAN 2020

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What was the inspiration behind this series?

Inside Edge is set in the landscape of sports and deals with power, money, fame and mind games with a story that pulls no punches, minces no words, and takes no prisoners. Where Season 1 focused on fixing, betting, the second season explores the auction scenarios, and also closely looks at doping in sports.

Karan Anshuman, the creator of the show wanted to raise some questions such as; the ‘what ifs’, because cricket is no longer a simple sport where two teams are playing, there’s a lot more. In addition, Karan has fleshed out empowered women characters who think for themselves and have agency even in the most testosterone-driven situations. Thus, in this season, my character has evolved, you get to see a darker side of my character where she is tempted by greed and power and wants her share of the pie in a male-dominated world of sports.

What is the target audience/demographic individuals that you are targeting?

Inside Edge is a web-series that aims to catch the imagination of a cricket and entertainment loving nation and attract viewers across the length and breadth of India and beyond. For India, cricket is a sport that everyone loves but this also holds the same meaning for several other countries, thereby attracting a global audience who love cricket. We are therefore presenting an exhilarating series that follows the twists and turns in the lives of powerful characters by revealing the game behind the game.

Moreover, in this digital era, we are trying to attract the streamers to a compelling and entertaining Indian original show.

How will this series top other Bollywood series which have featured on Amazon?

Inside Edge is Amazon India’s first produced Indian web-series.

It stands out in the world of Amazon with its salacious drama surrounding the behind-the-scenes secrets of a cricket league.

There is a meaty plot and a lot happening in each episode, and it is compelling. Therefore, the show is attracting a global audience, especially English speaking Indians who do not relate to traditional Indian soap operas, who will enjoy the amalgamation of cricket and drama with a phenomenal cast and crew who’ve put the franchise together.

What’s challenging about bringing this script to life?

This show is obviously based on the sports world and that was something new for me, which I loved during the first season.

It’s one of the greatest privileges as an actor to learn something new with each character and role that we play. But obviously, I found it initially overwhelming to look convincing as this woman who hangs on a thread clinging to power and ambition while she battles her personal demons. I had to condition myself really well, worked on my mind and body in order to give my best performance in each episode.

What was your biggest challenge in the role?

This has been one of the most difficult characters I have played as I don't relate to Zarina at all. We have nothing in common, apart from the fact that she is an actor just like me. While in the first season she played a rather moralistic character, in the second season Zarina has gone through a transformation. However, I believe that for an actor, creative challenges are good, so even though it was initially hard to experiment with a character I did not relate to, I was determined not to give a limited performance, I pushed myself. In addition, this is the first role on a global digital platform the whole cast and crew worked hard to ensure we met Amazon’s global standard.

Was it easy to play this character?

The most asked question I get asked is “are you that Bholi Panjaban in real life? My life in reality is very far to the characters I play, especially in Season 2 of Inside Edge. Zarina has turned over a new leaf this time around and it is hard to understand her motivations for her actions and agree with them. However, in the same breath, because my reality and my character reality are like two sides of a coin, it was easy to act with my imagination.

It might sound weird, but I really enjoy being a part of all these different lives without having much baggage for it. Thus, it becomes easier for me to look for the complicated parts where

DESIXPRESS

I can add a layer or two in order add some complexity to my character but also to experiment continuously in order to push myself further in the performance I give to the audience.

What did you love about this particular role?

It’s a very well written show about a woman, a character being played by myself representing the changing era in which women are increasing being given the agency. Zarina is trying to break into a man’s world and despite being controlled at every step and that is important to me especially in our current world. With the growing prominence of female directors telling women-oriented stories, there is a huge shift. Also, I enjoy that experimentation with characters and even as this is the toughest character, countering this makes me more fearless.

If you could play any other character in this show, who would it be?

Honestly, no one. There is so much more to explore with Zarina’s character, so many more layers I have not been able to add as of now but hope to in future. In addition, everyone plays their characters so well, I don’t think I can do it as much justice as they do. So, I would say I would love for this show to continue to expand so I can explore my character deeper, create all the layers and experiment as much as I can.

Lohri – The Festival Of New Beginnings A winter Punjabi folk festival, Lohri is the celebration of the arrival of longer days and is celebrated every year on 13 January.

Lohri is celebrated with a bonfire. The lighting of bonfire during this winter festival is an ancient tradition.

In Punjab, the harvest festival Lohri is marked by eating sheaves of roasted corn from the new harvest.

The January sugarcane harvest is celebrated in the Lohri festival.

Sugarcane products such as gurh and gachak are central to Lohri celebrations, as are nuts which are harvested in January. The other important food item of Lohri is radish which can be harvested between October and January.

In traditional Punjabi families, dinner is served with gajak, sarson da saag and makki di roti on the day

of Lohri A recent marriage or childbirth, Lohri celebrations will reach a higher pitch of excitement. Punjabis usually have private Lohri celebrations, in their houses.

Lohri rituals are performed, with the accompaniment of special Lohri songs and delicious food.

Wishing you all a prosperous and joyful #HappyLohri

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25

Sikh Couple Win Discrimination Battle In Adoption Case A Sikh couple have won their legal discrimination battle after they were rejected by their local adoption service because of their Indian heritage The couple Sandeep and Reena Mander sued The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Council after they were rejected from Adopt Berkshire three years ago.

Judge Melissa Clarke said the couple were discriminated against on the grounds of race.

The couple have been awarded nearly £120,000 in damages.

The Manders, from Maidenhead, said they felt "directly discriminated against" when they were told

by Adopt Berkshire "not to bother applying" because of their Indian heritage.

Following the ruling, they said: "This decision ensures that no matter what race,

religion or colour you are, you should be treated equally and assessed for adoption in the same way as any other prospective adopter.

"We felt there needed to be a change. This is what this case has all been about for us, to ensure discrimination like this doesn't happen to others wishing to do this wonderful thing called adoption.

"And today's landmark ruling will ensure this doesn't happen again."

They were unable to register with the agency in 2016 and were told their chances would be improved if they looked to adopt in India or Pakistan.

Both the council and the adoption agency denied making that statement during the hearing, claiming the service was prioritising adopters for older children and sibling groups.

At Oxford County Court,

Judge Clarke said: "I find that the defendants directly discriminated against Mr and Mrs Mander on the grounds of race."

She added the Manders suffered "hurt, stress, and anxiety" because of the agency's actions and described them as "particularly vulnerable, being a childless couple who had gone through numerous rounds of IVF and a sad early pregnancy loss" who were "desperate to adopt".

Judge Clarke awarded the couple general damages of £29,454.42 each and special damages totalling £60,013.43 for the cost of adopting a child overseas after a fourday hearing.

The couple have since adopted a child from the United States.

The lawyer representing the couple, Georgina CalvertLee, said: "Today's judgment is a victory for all British

children who need loving adoptive homes, and for all the eligible, loving adoptive British families hoping to welcome them into their lives."

A council spokesperson said: "We are very

Cricket Spot-Fixing Exposed

By Undercover Cop The cricket spot-fixing scandal of 2017 Pakistan Super League was exposed after an undercover police officer, posed as a member of corrupt betting syndicate, connected with suspect bookie Yousef Anwar and Pakistani cricketer Nasir Jamshaid.

During his investigation he uncovered an attempted fix in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) towards the end of 2016 and an actual fix in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) in February 2017.

In both cases, an opening batsman in the Twenty20 tournaments had agreed to not score runs from the first two balls of an over in return for payment, Manchester Crown Court was told.

Pakistani cricketer Nasir Jamshaid, 33, who has represented his country more than 60 times, was said to be the target of bribery in the Bangladesh "two dot ball" plan. He then allegedly turned perpetrator as a gobetween who encouraged other players to spot-fix at a PSL fixture in Dubai Yousef Anwar, 36, from Slough - described as the ringleader - and Mohammed Ijaz, 34, from Sheffield, pleaded guilty on Monday to conspiracy to commit bribery.

Jamshaid, who lives in Walsall with his British doctor wife, is the sole defendant on trial as he denies being part of the conspiracy involved with the Dubai game between Islamabad United and Peshawar Zalmi on Feb 9.

Opening the case on

Wednesday, prosecutor Andrew Thomas QC said: "Two no-scoring balls in a match may not seem a great deal. No doubt the players were willing to go along with it because the risk that it would make the difference between their team winning or losing was relatively slim.

"The fact the price for this fix was £30,000 shows just how significant it would be if tens and hundreds of thousands of pounds could be made through fraudulent bets."

He told the jury that the case arose out of an investigation by the National Crime Agency, and the undercover operative was introduced to Anwar who was suspected of involvement in match-fixing in international cricket.

According to the

prosecutor, when Khalid Latif's bag was searched, a number of colored grips that were brought from the UK to Dubai by Anwar were found.

The statement by the prosecutor also validates the initial claims by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) as their sources said they had prior information about the predecided signals for the fix.

The PCB had immediately suspended Latif, Sharjeel and Jamshed for their involvement in corruption.

Sharjeel, after denying the charge for two years, admitted earlier this year of his guilt and offered an apology. His two and half years of total five-year sentence were waived and he is now allowed to return to competitive cricket.

Both Latif and Jamshaid deny the charges.

The cricket spotfixing scandal of 2017 Pakistan Super League was exposed after an undercover police officer, posed as a member of corrupt betting syndicate, connected with suspect bookie Yousef Anwar and Pakistani cricketer Nasir Jamshaid.

The trial continues and is estimated to last up to three weeks.

disappointed by the judgement in this case, which we will now take time to consider in full.

"We have reviewed our policies to ensure they are fit for purpose and are confident that we do not exclude

prospective adopters on the grounds of ethnicity.

"We always put the best interests of the children at heart of any adoption decisions and are committed to best practice in our provision of adoptiom."

London Bridge Attacker Released Halfway Through His Jail Sentence The London Bridge attacker Usman Khan was released half-way through a 16-year prison sentence for a plot to bomb the London Stock Exchange.

On Friday 29 November Usman Khan went on a knife rampage killing 2 people Jack Meritt and Saskia Jones also injuring three other people.

He was attending a conference on prisoner rehabilitation organised by University of Cambridge-associated Learning Together at Fishmongers' Hall and reportedly "threatened to blow up" the building.

Armed with two knives and wearing a fake suicide vest, Khan was tackled by members of the public before he was shot dead by police on London Bridge next to the Hall.

It is apparent that Khan started "lashing out" in a downstairs room of the Hall but was grabbed by the conference-goers and bundled out of the front door as he tried to go upstairs.

The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh sent a message of sympathy to those killed and affected by the "terrible violence" and praised the "brave individuals who put their own lives at risk to selflessly help and protect others".

And Prime Minister Boris Johnson visited the scene on Saturday with Home Secretary Priti Patel and Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick.

Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu said Khan had been living in the Staffordshire area and that police were "not actively seeking anyone else" over the attack.

Police have been searching a three-storey block of flats in Wolverhampton Road, in Stafford, where Khan is believed to have lived.

In February 2012, Khan came to the attention of counterterrorism investigators because he was involved in a highly active cell around Stoke-on-Trent, part of a wider network of radicals then headed by the preacher Anjem Choudary. There was a plot to bomb the London Stock Exchange which was incompetent.

A list of other potential targets included the names and addresses of the Dean of St Paul's Cathedral in London, then London mayor Mr Johnson, two rabbis, and the American Embassy in London.

But the sentence for Khan, along with two co-conspirators, was quashed at the Court of Appeal in April 2013 and he was given a determinate 16-year jail term and freed on licence in December last year and made to wear the tag.

The Parole Board said it had no involvement in his release and that Khan "appears to have been released automatically on licence (as required by law), without ever being referred to the board".

Khan had previously participated in the Learning Together programme but had shown "no cause for concern", a source with knowledge of the programme told the PA news agency.

Khan would have needed police permission to travel to London before his attack so as to not trigger an alert. On Saturday, Scotland Yard said Khan was, to the best of their knowledge, complying with all his release conditions.

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DEC/JAN 2020

LIFESTYLE

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YOUR

NEW YEAR – NEW YOU – NEW GOALS As we enter 2020, we look back at last year’s goals, did you achieve all, any, or none?

Most people start to think about new year resolution and make all sorts of promises to themselves and others about how they are going to make big changes in the new year.

Here are just some tips to achieve your 2020 goals.

Dry January One of the most popular new year resolutions, particularly after the excesses of the holiday period.

Often matched with an increased level of exercise.

Save more money The new year is a good time look at your finances and try to put a little away every month towards that something special.

Digital detox The new year could represent an opportunity to think about spending less time on our phones or laptops, browsing Facebook or Instagram.

Volunteer We all use the beginning of the year to help focus on our personal goals. It is always good to reflect on what your new year's resolutions where for the previous year, ask yourself did you manage to achieve them and if not why not. Most peoplr will fail miserably in keeping ytheir promise to themselves, so it is hugely important that any goals that are set are realistic and achievable.

Volunteering is another way of contributing to those less fortunate and gives you that feel good factor.

Go vegetarian ‘Veganuary’ is the latest January trend sweeping the globe. People are going vegan for the month to raise awareness and promote the benefits of vegan living.

Learn a new skill Whether it be for your career or just a hobby, learning a new skill in your spare time could have great benefits in the long-run.

Recycle more Doing that bit extra to become more environmentally conscious in the new year and contributing to combating the effects of climate change.

Travel more Visiting a new country, or even just having a weekend away every once in a while can give you something to look forward to.

STAY FOCUSSED

SKIN CARE TIPS DURING THE WINTER

1. Use lukewarm water - use lukewarm water to shower and wash your face. Hot showers dry your skin quickly.

7. Skin irritation - if you suffer from skin issues such as eczema any exposure to allergens can trigger your symptoms.

2. Stay hydrated - In or outside the air is direr in the winter.

Keep your skin hydrated.

8. Daily Skin Care Routine - Cleanse your skin once or twice a day, preferably in the morning and before going to bed.

3. Skin care products - products you use in the summer may not work on your skin during the winter. The key to healthy and glowing winter skin is using mild skin care products.

4. Product your skin - protect your skin from the cold wind or snow or rain if you are stepping out in winter 5. Less exfoliating - Exfoliating the skin helps get rid of dead cells. During winter your skin barrier is already compromised due to the dry and cold weather.

6. Caring for your hands and feet - important to moisture your hands and feet to stop them from cracking.

9. Diet – Eating a lot of seasonal fruits and veggies.

10. Exercise - Exercising will pump up your heart rate, which in turn, pumps more blood to your organs and skin.

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LIFESTYLE

LIFESTYLE Winter Outerwear

CLASSIC WOOL COAT

DOUBLE BREASTED OVERCOAT

Vegan curry Pie – recipe If you are trying the Veganuary, here is a recipe that that will have your taste buds going.

• 1 tsp coconut oil • 1 medium onion • 3 garlic cloves • 1/4 thumb ginger • 100g cherry tomatoes • 1/2 small butternut squash • 2 medium potatoes • Large handful of coriander • 100g frozen peas • 80g baby spinach leaves • 1 pot of Tideford Organics Vegan Rogan Josh • 1/2 lime • Salt + pepper • 2 x 320g sheets of glutenfree puff pastry • 4 tsp gluten-free plain flour, plus extra for dusting

• 1 tbsp plant milk of your choice • PLUS 4 springform pie tins approx. 11cm in diameter Preparation • Heat the coconut oil in a large pan on a medium heat. While the pan heats up, peel + discard the skin of the onion, slice it thinly + add it to the pan. Fry for 10 minutes, stirring frequently until it begins to caramelise.

• Meanwhile, peel + finely dice the ginger + garlic. Then peel + dice the butternut squash + potatoes. Quarter the cherry tomatoes + finely chop the stalks of the coriander, saving the leaves for later.

Add the ginger, garlic, squash, potatoes, tomatoes + coriander stalks to the pan + fry for a

27

It's not too late to invest in some winter outerwear. As the cold settles in we look at some winter coats that are a must have.

When picking a winter coat, it must tick a lot of boxes: versatile, warm practical but pretty, and easy to dress up or down.

When it comes to shopping for your autumn/winter outerwear, you can go one of two ways. Either you opt for the investment piece, such high street chic camel coat or a designer timeless trench.

Here are few to choose from

PARKA COAT

further 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

• Add the frozen peas, spinach leaves + Rogan Josh Curry Sauce to the frying pan + simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

• Next, roughly chop the coriander leaves + stir them

DEC/JAN 2020

TEDDY COAT

into the pan along with the juice from the half of lime + season to taste with salt + pepper.

• Preheat the oven to 200°C fan.

• Meanwhile, roll out the pastry on a floured surface until it’s a few millimetres

thick. Use a sharp knife to cut 4 circles a few cms wider than the pie tins (make sure you leave enough pastry for the tops), then line the pie tins with the pastry by pressing the pastry into the base + sides to ensure the inside of the tin is fully covered. Sprinkle a tsp of

TRENCH COAT flour over the base to stop it going soggy, then fill each pie with the curry filling.

• Use the remaining pastry to cover each pie + pinch the top + sides of the pastry together to close the pie.

• Brush the tops with plant milk + bake in the oven for 2025 minutes, until golden brown.

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DEC/JAN 2020

BUSINESS

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BUSINESS

Investing In Birmingham In 2020

Being the Second City and the most populous city outside of London, Birmingham is experiencing a true period of change that is transforming the landscape.

Over the last decade, Birmingham has laid the foundations for growth with the Big City Plan, a project designed to transform and revolutionise the infrastructure alongside the residential, commercial, retail and leisure sectors. This approach to building positive change has meant Birmingham is now attracting immense honors such as the 2022 Commonwealth Games, ensuring the city’s position on the world stage.

It also means that Birmingham is generating incredible levels of tenant demand

as people head more towards to the city.

The Big City Plan is capturing the imagination of the wider UK, building iconic new developments, mixed-use office space, incredible transport links and transforming the Birmingham landscape.

As one of the first major milestones of the Big City Plan, the Bullring opened in 2003 and created a true retail destination for the city. Since then, a wave of regeneration has swept through Birmingham, resulting in the next major milestone – Grand Central.

A complete redevelopment of New Street Station that links the Bullring with the train network, Grand Central is a stunning first impression when visitors and tourists enter

the city.

Looking to the future, the Big City Plan is further improving the infrastructure and development space in the city. HS2 and the Midlands Metro Extension will be particularly effective, directly linking Birmingham with London and the wider West Midlands region correspondingly.

It’s expected that in 2020, Birmingham will continue to experience growth across most sectors – from population to property prices. As key developments such as the Midlands Metro, Paradise and Arena Central draw closer to completion, Birmingham’s landscape will include more flexible, mixeduse space that can be used for a range of

sectors. Similarly, infrastructure development will ensure that residents have the amenities they need to hand, particularly encouraging for the young professionals flocking to the city.

Preparations for the 2022 Commonwealth Games are expected to accelerate and the development across the West Midlands will progress, creating new pockets of demand where amenities are nearby such as the Midlands Metro. Additionally, as the first wave of 5G smartphones begin to appear, Birmingham’s 5G testbed initiative will likely come online. This is a huge boost for the local authority and will ensure that Birmingham remains at the forefront as a progressive, state-of-the-art city.

Children's charity Search is on to find unsung heroes calls for businesses to be big hearted Birmingham-based children’s charity, Little Hearts Matter, is calling for businesses to be big hearted and support a new initiative.

Taking place on 14 February 2020, the Edgbaston-based charity will launch an initiative named Big Hearted Friday.

The day will aim to raise awareness of the charity, the conditions they support and raise funds for the charity to continue to support children with half a heart and their families when they need it most.

Fundraising and marketing manager of the charity, Ian Carr, explains: “Big Hearted Friday is a chance for you and your colleagues to do something simple but amazing to help children

with half a heart.

“We’re asking businesses and schools to wear red and blue to work, put on a bake sale, play games, quizzes and anything else you might want to do to make the 14 February big hearted!”

From initial antenatal diagnosis, through treatments and into life at home, Little Hearts Matter works with children, young adults and families to reduce the isolation, fear and lack of understanding created when a child is diagnosed as having half a working heart.

For more details or enquiries about Big Hearted Friday or the charity as a whole, please email info@ lhm.org.uk, call 0121 455 8982 or visit www.lhm.org.uk

The search is on for the unsung heroes of the West Midlands who are making a difference to other people’s lives.

Mayor of the West Midlands Andy Street has launched the region’s first Community Champion awards, calling on residents to nominate someone who has made a significant contribution to their local area.

Organised by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), the aim of the awards is to shine a light on how the wide-ranging community work in the West Midlands is bringing people from different backgrounds together.

Anyone can nominate an individual living in the WMCA area who they feel has had a positive impact on their community.

The Mayor said: “In our Faith Action Plan, I pledged that we would recognise

people of all faiths and none who are making their local communities stronger and more resilient.

“There are so many outstanding people in the West Midlands who work tirelessly every day to help others, without expecting any reward for themselves.

“The Community Champion awards are a brilliant opportunity to celebrate the amazing achievements of these unsung heroes. I’d urge

residents from across the region to nominate someone from their area, so that we can share these inspiring stories as widely as possible.”

There are six award categories: The awards are the latest in a series of initiatives organised by the WMCA to bring communities across the region together, such as the Mayor’s intergenerational Cricket Cup last September, and the Mayor’s Community Weekends over the past two

years.

For more information and to nominate someone for an award, visit https://www. wmca.org.uk/who-we-are/ meet-the-mayor/communitychampion/ The deadline for nominations is 19 February and the awards will be announced at a special event on 5 March.

The search is on for the unsung heroes of the West Midlands who are making a difference to other people’s lives.

PROPERTY

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MOTORING

Tesla-cybertruck Tesla

The new Tesla Cybertruck has been unveiled by company founder Elon Musk - and it's the wedgiest pickup truck we've ever seen, like a break-out from the props department of Blade Runner.

This is no concept car; tesla is taking £100 deposits in the UK right now and US prices will reportedly start at below $40,000. That's the equivalent of £31,000, but don't hold your breath - UK prices will likely be a straight swap dollars for pounds when production starts in 'late 2021. The radically styled Cybertruck takes everything Tesla knows about electric cars and applies that knowledge to the booming pick-up segment. So you get mind-blowing acceleration as a given, with 0-60mph promised to take 'less than 2.9 seconds' in the fastest, tri-motor version. That's presumably unladen, as the 1588kg payload will surely blunt performance (and range).'

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BYSA 30

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SPORTS

• BYSA LAUNCH EDUCATION PROGRAM

BIRMINGHAM YOUTH SPORTS ACADEMY

Established in 2002 ,17 years on and BYSA has plenty more to give and is expanding every year.

2020 will be a huge year for BYSA. An award-winning organisation that coaches and educates boys and girls has grown from strength to strength since it was founded in 2002. Birmingham Youth Sports Academy (BYSA) supported thousands of youngsters through their mentoring programme.

BYSA has been recognised and received many accolades over the years naming just a few, HM The Queen for voluntary service to community sports, Pride of Birmingham Award, Lord Mayor Awards and many more. On our journey we have built great partnerships with TSB, RAF, Royal Navy and British Army following on with sponsors, ambassadors, new volunteers and many more kids to benefit from what the BYSA offers on a weekly basis.

The BYSA is a voluntary organisation and depend on the volunteers who put hours of work into the project, bringing new ideas and

If you feel that you can make a difference please get involved with the BYSA and view our work www.bysa.co.uk and follow us on social media Facebook.

@BirminghamYouthSportsAcademy

• ANWAR KHATTAK FOUNDER OF THE BYSA

making a difference. BYSA is not just about playing football the education and mentoring part plays a big role in the lives of the youth as this helps with the core topics and tools that are needed in today’s day to day running ranging from team building, confidence, discipline, respect, problem solving, challenges, targets and much more.

Students who have been part of the mentoring program have demonstrated intense structured mentoring sessions which is celebrated at the end of the duration with the youth and their parents to show BYSA is more than football.

Part of the tutoring sessions, BYSA recently looked at the increase in knife crimes, drugs and violence which was an eye opener to the youngsters.

Alongside this we have professionals from a vast range of sectors that attend and offer career advice in their profession. This allows the students to have a more understanding of their journey into their career path, which helps the students towards the future thinking, work experience, employment and maybe further education.

The BYSA tutoring programme is run by professional tutors that

INSPIRING PO Please contact the founder Mr Anwar Khattak on 07890695284 and get involved!

give their time and deliver Mathematics and English for 2 hours to over 70 kids that attend and create a development programme which has made a difference to many kids lives.

Each year BSYA have their annual charity dinner which brings together a number of to enjoy a fun action packed evening with high profile guests and celebrities, in previous years attendees to make the event

are Ian Rush, John Barnes, Manish Bahsin, Delicious Orie, John Aldridge, late Cyril Regis and many more.

The organisation put a lot of time and effort into the charity dinner. To reward and celebrate the youth teams end of season, an awards dinner is organised we’re all

INSPIRATION

BYSA MENTORING PROGRAMME Launching its mentoring programme in 2018, BYSA have said this has gone from strength to strength. In November 2019, a ceremony took where 20 students graduated after a 12-week structured and intense programme led by partners the Royal Air Force, Royal Navy and British Army.

The course ranged from a number of core topics to help the BYSA students who were honoured to be a part of the programme and appreciated the hard work gone into each session. Every week, was a challenge by the mentors

who were truly praised at the awards celebration, the session was about team building, first aid, decision making, problem solving, thinking skills/ techniques, tools needed in life, confidence and most importantly discipline and respect.

The evening consisted of BYSA students, parents, BYSA volunteers, Ambasaadors, sponsors and VIP guests to celebrate the achievement of the BYSA students.

Introductions and speeches were made on the night by special guests and partners, the TriService Leadership Programme Award was handed out finishing the evening with the BYSA volunteers giving their feedback of how the programme was delivered to the students. The charity intend to carry our partnership with the next age groups within the organsiation and hope to change many more lives and make a difference within their lives.

If you like to get involved with the bysa mentoring programme then please do get in touch as we have had many professionals attend and give a one hour session bout career and career advice, CV and interview skills, presentation and personality, confidence building and much more please view www. bysa.co.uk and see the work we do and let’s see what you can do to get involved and make that difference.

players, coaches, parents and VIP guests get together and celebrate the proud occasion.

The most important project that has been a big hit is the girls football group, this has its own set up with female coaches delivering a FREE session every weekend to girls. Over 50 girls participate each week, they have recently taken part in a Liverpool tournament and training session at Liverpool ground

and have been to St George’s Park.

The aim is to get a team entered to play league level football, the project is headed

by Amina Begum along with her team of volunteers and has partnered up with Aston Villa FC to grow the girls project.

BYSA centre of Excellence programme was formed by senior coaches of volunteers in taking the kids who are achieving well ahead of the game to be a part of competitive league football. The centre has under 12’s, 14’s, 16’s & 18’s playing at league level offering two training sessions per week which are high intense and structured sessions to develop players. The coaches watch and monitor their behavior, health, performance and liaise with parents in making sure they are performing on and off the pitch. The volunteers at BYSA use their own time to put hours into the project making sure everyone is happy and building a better future for the young kids.

BYSA would like to thank all the sponsors that have supported their work, the Ambassadors who have contributed in many ways on and off the field with their support and help over the years giving BYSA the help it needs.

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BYSA LAUNCH EDUCATION PROGRAMME FOR 2019

Birmingham Youth Sports Academy (BYSA) have been on a Mission since 2002 to influence the lives of young people through positive role models. The voluntary organistion contributes to the future success of the City of Birmingham by getting young people to better integrate into society. They have primarily focused on football and realised to truly achieve their goal, they will

OTENTIAL

need to be focus on other areas than football.

Having recently received the ‘Queens award’ and the ‘Pride of Birmingham’ award BYSA have been able to create new relationships with like-minded organisations.

They are extremely pleased that TSB has agreed to partner with them on some of the projects, specifically the Mentoring & Education projects.

Emma Shaw, Area Director for TSB in the South Midlands, said: “Week in and week out BYSA do a fantastic job supporting young people on and off the pitch. The positive impact they are having in their local community is immense, helping hundreds of young people reach their full potential. That’s why we’re proud to support them.

People helping people is at

the heart of everything we do at TSB and BYSA is a great example of that.”

In 2018 the mentoring programme was launched for the kids, which received a lot of positive feedback, the next stage is the launch of the Education programme which had a successful pilot before being rolled out formally in 2019. The Education Programme is designed to help kids

FULFILLING DREAMS

You’re motivating youngsters through sports and mentoring to create role models.

I am a firm believer that through sports and teamwork we can learn to make a positive contribution to our community.

• ANDY STREET

BYSA is a fantastic organisation that does so much for the local community and this work has been recognised by The Queens Award for Voluntary Service. I look forward to seeing the organisation continue to grow.

• NINDER JOHAL

@BirminghamYouthSportsAcademy

Birmingham Youth Sports Academy (BYSA) round off an amazing year with a fabulous Gala Dinner held at Aston Villa FC’s Holte Suite. The evening highlighted the important work they are doing in the community, working with young people to create a better Birmingham.

Following on from a multi-awardwinning year, more than 500 guests attended the BYSA Gala dinner showing their support for the organisation that is working closely with young people in Birmingham.

What started off 17 years ago as boys football project by Anwar Khattak, BEM, now has sports for girls, as well as education and mentoring projects for innercity Birmingham. Their ongoing mission to positively influence the lives of young people has seen thousands of young people graduate through the system since 2002.

The evening was hosted by sports Journalist and TV presenter Manish Basin, and a lot of support from the region including the Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Councillor Azim and the West Midlands Mayor, Andy Street.

Speaking on the evening, Mr. Street spoke about BYSA in a positive light; ‘You’re motivating youngsters through sports and mentoring to create role models.

I am a firm believer that through sports and teamwork we can learn to make a positive contribution to our community.’

Kieran Quinlan, founder of the PitGym is such a local success story of someone who has overcome adversity and he received the Chairman’s Award this year.

The entertainment on the night delivered by Aston Performing Arts Academy, a local community interest organisation who highlighted their love of Birmingham and its future, delivered a key message about Knife crime through their performance.

Former England and Liverpool footballer, John Barnes, MBE, was the after-dinner speaker and spoke about how organisations like BYSA can create environments through which youth can flourish.

Using football analogies, such as how Klopp has transformed Liverpool’s fortunes, he talked about how putting kids into the right environments can help them

TO OUR TEAM AND ALL THE VOUNTEERS • AMER AWAN • ABID KHAN • ANWAR KHATTAK

• HAZRAT ISLAM • MAJID SALIM • AZAR AYOUB • OMAR SHIREEN

• HAIDER ALI • MAXIMUS • IQBAL KHATTAK • WAHEED AYOOB

together and alongside each other, we will be able to engage further with the wider community.

Our Volunteers give their time for a single purpose, helping kids feel better about themselves and realise their potential.

With the mentoring and education projects we are hoping to expand our ability to influence the future our great city’.

CHANGING LIVES

GALA DINNER CELEBRATES A FANTASTIC YEAR FOR BIRMINGHAM CHARITY

A BIG THANK YOU (B.E.M)

who are transitioning from junior to senior school.

This is an important time in a young person’s life and is dependent on their performance in the SAT’s exams.

The pilot was launched on Monday 17th December, with project partners TSB in attendance.

Founder Anwar said ‘It’s a huge honor to have TSB join us in partnership, working

BYSA FACTS OVER 300

WEEKLY FOOTBALL

CHILDREN

MENTORING PROGRAMME DELIVERED BY ARMED FORCES RECEIVED

QUEENS AWARD WINNERS OF

PRIDE OF BIRMINGHAM

achieve more than society may perceive them to be capable of becoming.

Having received The Queens Award for Voluntary Service last year, it was appropriate that the Queens Toast was delivered

by Ninder Johal Deputy Lieutenant for the West Midlands ‘BYSA is a fantastic organisation that does so much for the local community and this work has been recognised by The Queens Award for Voluntary Service. I look forward to seeing the organisation continue to grow.’

• SHAKEEL HUSSAIN • NAEEM ARIF • DR. RAB KHAN • BAKTHYAR HUSSAIN • RIAZ UL HAQ KHAN • AMINA BEGUM • UMMANAZ ALI • KHIZAR SHARIF • ADIL MAHMOOD • MOONA ALI

• AFRAH ALI • HUMZAH THORPE • OMAR QUELCH • IMTIAZ ALI SHAH • ABID SALIM • ABDURAHMAN SAMI • SHAH NAWAZ KHAN • MOHAMMED DADDABOY • SHERAZ ANWAR

Please contact the founder Mr Anwar Khattak on 07890695284 and get involved!

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LEGENDS SUPPORT THE STAR STUDDED CHARITY GAME FOR THE BUSHFIRE VICTIMS

Retired cricketer Ricky Ponting and Shane Warne are looking to persuade Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara and MS Dhoni to join their star-studded charity game next month to raise funds for the Australian bushfires.

The two Australian legends will captain the sides in Cricket Australia’s Bushfire Cricket Bash, which will be played as a curtain-raiser to the Big Bash League final on February 8. The matches will form part of a triple-header of cricket on the same day, with Australia to host India in a women’s Twenty20 international in Melbourne.

Australia coach Justin Langer and fellow former national team stars Adam Gilchrist, Brett Lee, Shane Watson, Alex Blackwell and Michael Clarke are already confirmed the Bushfire Cricket Bash.

“Hopefully a few (more) big names will get involved as well,” Warne said. “From all sorts, whether it be music, film, TV or sports from different codes. We’re trying to put together an eclectic group, a diverse group that people will identify with.”

Ponting is hoping his former teammate’s extensive contact list of big-names will come in useful, joking Warne has “most of them on speed-dial”. International cricket

legends Lara, Tendulkar and Dhoni are on the wishlist.

“We can only try,” Ponting said. “We can only reach out to them and see if they want to help out. It’s been a pretty tragic time in Australia. All those guys who have been out here and travelled with different countries have had great times in Australia, whether it’s playing here or getting out and about. It sometimes can be amazing what people will do to try and help others out in difficult times.”

All profits and funds raised during all three games on the day will go towards the Australian Red Cross disaster relief

Messi’s Ballon d’Or win

Barcelona forward Lionel Messi has won the Ballon d'Or award for the best player in the world.

It is the 32-year- old Argentine's first Ballon d'Or since 2015 and comes after he scored 54 times for club and

country in 2018-19, in which Barca won La Liga.

Virgil van Dijk was second - one of four Liverpool players in the top seven, including Sadio Mane in fourth.

Virgil Van Dijk came

second, even though he had a remarkable season and year.

Juventus and Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo, who has won the award five times, was third in the voting.

Messi's win means the

Ballon d'Or award has been won by a player from La Liga 11 years in a row, including last year's winner Luka Modric, who broke the 10-year Messi-Ronaldo

monopoly on the prize.

and recovery fund. CA employees, including state and territory associations, have been funded by chief executives to be able to volunteer up to three days supporting recovery efforts in bushfireaffected areas.

“We’ve already seen the cricket community respond en masse to raise funds for communities impacted by the fires at a national, state and community level,” CA chief executive Kevin Roberts said. “Australian cricket recognises the significant impact the fires have had to date on community sporting facilities across the country.”