AV 25th January 2020

FIRST & FOREMOST ASIAN WEEKLY IN EUROPE

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25 - 31 JANUARY 2020 - VOL 48 ISSUE 37

START-UP INDIA AT 71

inside: Relatives pay tributes to three men stabbed to death in Ilford SEE PAGE 2

Be comfortable in your own skin SEE PAGE 7

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25 - 31 January 2020

Unqualified Bolton Immigration Adviser given Community Order Hamidali Musa Jiva sentenced to 180 hours of Community Payback and to pay £2,650 in compensation for providing unregulated immigration advice and services.

Mr Hamidali Musa Jiva, owner and sole immigration adviser of Visa and Appeal Services UK, Bolton, was sentenced at Bolton Crown Court on Thursday 16th January 2020 to an 18month Community Order, 180 hours of Community Payback and ordered to pay costs and compensation totalling more than £3,500.

Mr Jiva had previously pleaded guilty to four counts of providing unregulated immigration advice

and services to a number of clients, whilst knowing he was not authorised by the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC) as required by law.

In sentencing, Recorder Ashworth, took into account the impact Mr Jiva’s illegal and substandard advice had had on his clients, including a notice of deportation being served on one client and another needing to return to their country of origin in order to start a fresh application.

On sentencing Recorder Ashworth said in summary “This was a clear breach of trust in a serious matter.

This was a course of conduct over a long period of

time. You knew full well you were not allowed to do this, you held out that you were an immigration expert, qualified to provide immigration advice. The reason your registration lapsed is because you didn’t want to pay the fee. Regulation of this area is designed to protect people from the problems we see here” Speaking about the decision, the Immigration Services Commissioner Mr John Tuckett said “Mr Jiva chose to operate outside the law and without regard for the protection of his clients leading directly to the problems they have since faced. I am delighted with the outcome in this case”.

Man indicted with conspiracy against US An Ilford man has been accused of being part of an international ring of weapons smugglers to Pakistan's nuclear programme.

Ahmed Waheed, 52, was indicted by the US Department of Justice, along with four other men around the world, for allegedly using front companies, including one in Ilford, to export US defence technology worth almost $300,000.

They are alleged to have

exported the goods to two organisations that are designated as threats to US national security for their ties to Pakistan's weapons programmes.

The allegations, which date back to September 2014, were part of an indictment from October 16 that was unsealed on Wednesday, January 15 and arrest warrants are pending for Mr Waheed and the other four.

The five men were indicted with conspiracy to

violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and the Export Control Reform Act. Mr Waheed businesses are alleged to be front companies that were set up to export goods from the US and ship them around the world to finally deliver them to the Advanced Engineering Research Organization (AERO) and the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC), without export licences - in violation of US federal law.

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Three men murdered in east London were killed in a row about not being paid for work, it has been claimed.

Harinder Kumar, 22, Narinder Singh, 26, and Baljit Singh, 34, were identified locally as the victims of the stabbing near Seven Kings station in Ilford.

They were killed in a fight allegedly sparked by a dispute over money owed for construction work.

Speaking to the Evening Standard Narinder Singh’s brother Jasbal said: “There was blood everywhere. I shouted “Wake up, wake up” but it was no good. I had lost him. He was a great brother and a popular guy with no enemies. I am devastated. I have lost not only my brother but a best friend I lived with. I don’t know how this could have happened. We were so close, my heart is broken.”

Mr Kumar’s cousin paid tribute to him saying: “Harinder was a lovely, fun guy who was best friends with Narinder, who was also killed. They both worked as builders and had only been in the country for about three years. Sunday was Harinder’s one day off in the week. He knew all the other men that were there when he was killed. They all worked and socialised together. They’d been out drinking like they normally do on a Sunday. I’ve heard that they got into a row over

Victims Harinder kumar, Narinder Singh and Baljit Singh

oney.” Officers responded to reports of a disturbance in Elmstead Road, Seven Kings, at 7.38pm where all three men were pronounced dead at the scene.

Two men, aged 29 and 39, have been arrested on suspicion of murder.

Speaking at the scene, Chief Superintendent Stephen Clayman said the suspects and the victims were all known to each other.

"We believe the groups involved are members of the Sikh community. A fight has taken place which has escalated, resulting in three people being fatally attacked."

Officers are still contacting members of the deceased men's families, he said.

"It was a horrific scene for anyone to come across and my heart goes out to the families and those affected by it, because it is unprecedented to have something like this," he said.

While they are still investigating a motive,

police have ruled out terrorism, he said.

Formal identification of the victims has yet to take place, and post-mortem examinations have also yet to be arranged.

Jas Athwal, leader of Redbridge Council, said he believed it was an isolated incident.

He was quoted as saying: “An incident like this is unheard of within the Sikh community here in Redbridge. I think tragically there are at least three families who are going to be in mourning and this is going to last a lifetime for the people left behind. We've got to look at the causes of why this happened and address those."

He was also critical of bloody footage shared on social media appearing to show the aftermath of the killings.

He said: ‘I think the first response should be “What can we do to help?”. To put it on social media is not right.”

tration and upheld the disciplinary charges.

As well as Mr Karia and Whizzlaw Associates Limited being banned indefinitely from providing immigration advice and/or services (having been registered since 2004) they were also directed to repay the complainant the sum of £4,300 which was held to be an unreasonable fee to charge.

Her Honour Judge Macmillan said, “In making this finding we have considered the following: ● the fact that the advice given to [the complainant] and his parents was negligent; ● the impact Mr Karia’s advice has had on [the complainant]’s parents; ● the fact that this was a deliberate and intentional course of conduct by Mr Karia; ● the fact that this conduct amounts to misleading the Home Office by means of misrepresentation of clients’ true immigration position; ● the fact that Mr Karia was offering advice that was clearly above his permitted level; ● Mr Karia’s deliberate

financial exploitation of [the complainant], including asking for £500 payment for a single letter and misrepresenting what the payments were for and future costs; ● the risk Mr Karia would pose to members of public in future, given the seriousness of this conduct, and his apparent willingness to fabricate asylum claims; ● the risk of harm to the reputation of this regulated profession; ● the suggestion that this conduct may have been systematic, given the reference in the recorded meeting by Mr Karia to have dealt with 60 other cases. While truthfulness of this statement is not known, it suggests at least that this was not an isolated incident.

Commenting on the decision, Immigration Services Commissioner John Tuckett said, “Kalpesh Karia was entrusted to advise vulnerable people who could not handle their immigration cases on their own; He took advantage of their vulnerability and betrayed their trust by his reprehensible conduct. I am delighted with the outcome in this case.”

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A Barnet man has been banned indefinitely from providing immigration advice or services - the most serious sanction which can be recommended by the Immigration Services Commissioner.

Kalpesh Karia, also known as Bobby Karia, of Whizzlaw Associates Limited, Barnet, North London, received this ban following a ruling made by the First-tier Tribunal, General Regulatory Chamber (Immigration Services).

Following an investigation into a serious complaint made to the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC) about Mr Karia’s practice, Whizzlaw Associates Limited, OISC registration was cancelled and disciplinary charges against Mr Karia and Whizzlaw Associates Limited laid before the First-tier Tribunal.

At the Tribunal hearing, in November 2019, her Honour Judge Macmillan upheld the Commissioner’s decision to cancel Whizzlaw Associates Limited’s regis-

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3

25 - 31 January 2020

Call a spade a spade Political correctness appears to be the new ethics of journalism as opposed to calling a spade a spade. Perhaps, the latest disclosure made by a senior officer in the Rotherham child exploitation investigation gives credence to the above opinion.

The chief inspector has revealed that his force had ignored the sexual abuse of girls by Pakistani grooming gangs for decades because they were afraid of increasing “racial tensions”. The leaked report by the Independent Office for Police Conduct states that the South Yorkshire police were wary of acting against a group of Asian men who were sexually abusing a young girl for fear of triggering racial tensions in the community.

It must be noted that The Times first exposed this story around sexual exploitation and grooming gangs in July 2011. In its report, it categorically stated that “most of the victims are white and most of the convicted offenders are of Pakistani heritage”. The report further analysed 17 court prosecutions since 1997 about on-street grooming of young girls and it identifies that most found guilty were Muslim and a majority were members of the British Pakistani community.

Yet, if the mainstream media reports across the spectrum are monitored, including those by the BBC, The Sun and The Guardian, it is observed that the guilty are “labelled” and generalised as “Asian”. Western media have unconsciously or consciously generalised South Asian

communities.

The revelations in the Rotherham Child Exploitation follow after a recent report in Manchester which stated that both police and children's services failed to protect vulnerable girls from similar grooming gangs. Other stories in the past have emerged from Rochdale, Oxford and Huddersfield. The entire Asian community stands in solidarity with these young girls who are prey to such grooming gangs. But, it is also rather unfortunate that the gravest silence prevails from within the community itself.

Muslim Council of Britain, the UK's largest Muslim organisation, has been actively campaigning against causes such as Islamophobia within the Tory Party and racist comments by the Prime Minister around Burkhas among others. Yet, beside condemnation and organising conferences in the past around the subject, the organisation has failed to address the actual cause behind the operation of such grooming gangs much less prevent them. It is also true that an organisation, no matter its scale of operations, cannot alone be successful in ensuring the social security of women. The onus also lies on the clerics, preachers, and other spiritual and community leaders who can contribute their bit to the society by working on a grassroots level and interacting with members who they deem need guidance.

A solution to any problem can only be achieved if the community first acknowledges that there is a problem and then traces the root causes of the problem.

Use and misuse of internet in Kashmir valley The people in Jammu & Kashmir, especially the younger generation, will heave a sigh of relief as the administration ordered the restoration of prepaid mobile service in the Valley after over five months of suspension. 2G mobile data services on postpaid mobiles for accessing the “whitelisted” sites were also resumed in two Kashmir districts - Kupwara and Bandipora. The administration has declared 153 sites as “whitelisted.” The administration has also ordered fixed line internet connectivity with precautions to companies engaged in software services in the Valley. The latest development comes a week after the Supreme Court on January 10 asked the J&K administration to review within a week all orders imposing curbs in the Union Territory. The Supreme Court came down heavily on the UT administration for arbitrarily shutting down internet, a facility described as a fundamental right by the apex court.

Internet services, landline and mobile phones were snapped across Jammu and Kashmir on the eve of Centre's announcement to scrap special status of the erstwhile state and its bifurcation into Union Territories on August 5.

While most of the services except mobile internet were restored in Jammu within a week, Kashmir witnessed restoration of landlines and postpaid mobile services and internet facilities to essential services like hospitals in phases. Mobile internet connectivity would, however, remain suspended in Srinagar, Budgam, Ganderbal, Baramulla, Anantnag, Kulgam, Pulwama and Shopian districts in the Valley. Activities in our daily life are decided after the use of the internet. The internet innovated our daily life. We

spend lots of time on the Web. Positive use of the internet makes our lives easy and simple. The internet provides us useful data, information, and knowledge for personal, social and economic development and it is up to us to utilise our time on the world wide web in a productive manner.

While there are various uses of the internet; you can use the facility for getting an online education. You can use the internet to promote your business online. The internet is a magical tool that will help you to become successful in your career and business. The positive and productive use of the internet will enrich our lives. The global network of computers has changed our lives tremendously. That’s why more than 40% of the world’s population is connected to the internet, according to internetlivestatus.com. This is because we are connected to various information and lifestyle facilities. It is because a large number of new people are getting connected to the Internet via their portable devices every day.

However, excessive use of internet can cause a child to develop internet addiction or compulsive internet use, which can cause several ill effects. It can also result in a range of harmful behaviour such as wrong use of social media, impulsive online buying, excessive video gaming and online gaming which is collectively termed as problematic use of the internet. It can also be used to spread hatred among different communities, spread rumours and misinformation. So judicious use of internet is the need of the hour.

BBC: Better Be Careful UK's oldest and perhaps the most “unbiased and balanced” broadcasting organisation appears to be in a soup.

From the recent resignation of its director general Tony Hall to the slew of equal pay claims following Samira Ahmed's victory, the corporation appears to have run into a myriad of controversies. Ahmed is believed to be following in the footsteps of BBC's China correspondent Carrie Gracie who resigned from the organisation in 2018 on the grounds of gender pay discrimination.

Equal pay is just the tip of the iceberg of the institution's internal management. Newsrooms have often held “offthe-record” discussions about institutional racism that dominates their workspace behind the camera. Yet, on the face of it, the institution appears to have ticked the right number of BAME boxes with reporters like Amol Rajan, Naga Munchetty, and Asad Ahmed being its diversity brand ambassadors. Recently, they have even appointed Dharshini David as their first ever global trade correspondent.

Hall now leaves behind him a legacy of disputes with Tory politicians around the institutions' election reportage, some journalists' bias in reporting of issues such as racism, islamophobia and anti-semitism.

However, the broadcasting service perhaps faces the biggest challenge of sustaining and surviving in an era of media-streaming devices such as Netflix and Amazon.

Especially at a time when Tory MPs have repeatedly emphasised on an overhaul of its funding model and scrapping its license fee. Damian Collins, who chaired the Commons media committee until the election, did not agree with scrapping the licence fee but suggested the BBC needed to review the way it raises its money.

Potential candidates to take over from Hall include Sharon White, the former chief executive of media regulator Ofcom; Gail Rebuck, the chair of Penguin Random House; and the Channel 4 chief executive, Alex Mahon.

Hall's successor will be selected by the BBC Board rather than the government.

You get older and you learn there is one sentence, just four words long, and if you can say it to yourself it offers more comfort than almost any other. It goes like this: At least I tried.

– Ann Brashares

Alpesh Patel

Financial Education For many years I’ve lobbied for more financial and entrepreneurship education in our schools. Our places of learning have to be places to learn earning – not just French. Our curricula is set in the 18th century by purists and irrelevance by left wing radicals. I write to you before heading to India where I will talk about investing into companies in the UK. I am a trader. My life as a trader meant I could take up an offer from the head of TV at Bloomberg TV to present shows, which I did for three years. I crossexamined CEOs from around the world, analysts of the biggest banks and fund managers. I am a columnist for the Financial Times. My columns are read around the world. All this put me at the centre of market events. I saw the rise and fall of the dot-com boom and the day-trader craze into saner times where the internet, TV and print influence millions of private investor decisions.

As a trader I have won stock-picking competitions held by Bloomberg and the Financial Times. Clients of my company have included Goldman Sachs, American Express, Charles Schwab, Barclays and many other financial firms who have asked me to talk about investing to their clients.

Pick the right stock tomorrow and you could be a multimillionaire next year. That is the lure for many of the markets. They may not state it so crassly, but they treat it like a lottery.

When I won the Financial Times competition to predict the FTSE 100 over a 12-month period. I came within 0.5% of the final value. The person who came last was 50% out, had a first class degree from Cambridge University and was a market's commentator for the newspaper. So I had to write this book; where the media meets the markets.

I was also the best performing stock picker on Bloomberg TV as analyzed by them over a six-month period; beating every single one of their other pickers.

I also won a competition to pick the best performing stock – beating 45 other analysts on Channel 4. That is also why I had to write this book.

Consider that you have more information today about the markets, more quickly available than at any point in history. You have more computing power trying to solve the problem of where a price will go next.

Surely if supercomputers can absorb all the information about the environment to tell us that it will rain tomorrow afternoon, then they can tell us that next week the price of Microsoft will be higher than it is today?

And so the seduction of the markets continues.

Within this alluring dance financial journalism plays a pivotal role.

Private investors relate to financial TV; it’s accessible, hundreds of thousands watch it. But they fail to become great investors no matter how much financial news they digest. We on the financial TV side can’t tell you what will make you money: that would be dull TV. Having received thousands of viewer and investor emails over the years, I have an idea of what investors don’t know that costs them money.

My constant contact with the entire financial services industry (brokers, journalists, fund managers, traders, analysts, CEOs, academics) through Bloomberg and the Financial Times and as a professional trader myself, revealed the “secret” of distinguishing great from good investments and why private investors never get to hear about them.

We certainly cannot wait until adulthood to learn about finance and investing given the pensions crisis.

Our schools need to be teaching us, because god knows we all need it.

Editor: CB Patel Asian Voice is published by Asian Business Publications Ltd Karma Yoga House, 12 Hoxton Market, (Off Coronet Street) London N1 6HW. Tel: 020 7749 4080 • Fax: 020 7749 4081 Email: aveditorial@abplgroup.com Website: www.abplgroup.com © Asian Business Publications

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25 - 31 January 2020

Boy hurt in random stabbing in Leicester A 10-year-old boy was stabbed in the neck in a seemingly random street attack last Saturday whilst out with his mother and brother in Leicester.

Following an appeal by Leicestershire Police, in which they circulated a CCTV image of the suspect, a 32-year-old man, believed to be a serial slasher active in the city, was arrested on Monday on suspicion of attempted murder in connection with the attack .

A Leicestershire Police statement said: "The incident happened at 5.20pm on Saturday (January 18) when the boy was approached by a man who stabbed him before run-

Kalpesh Mistry watched the aftermath of bloody attack over Facetime (Pic: Leicester Mercury)

ning off from the scene.

The boy was treated in hospital and has now been discharged."

Kalpesh Mistry, 39, the boy’s father, was in India at the time of the attack and ended up watching him bleeding after the boy’s older brother FaceTimed him from his mobile and, as

any parent would, immediately booked a flight home to be with his family.

Speaking to Leicester Live Mr Mistry said: "I saw my wife holding my son''s neck to try and stop the blood coming out. I was so angry and frustrated because I was so far away and unable to help."

Mr Mistry went on to say that the whole family had been in India recently for a holiday and whilst his wife and children came home early he stayed back for a few extra days. He said that his son was in “good spirits” and recovering from the attack at home.

Police officers who are investigating the attack have linked it to two similar

incidents in the area which all took place during the past week.

The incidents involved a woman in her 30s who suffered a cut to the back of her head and a man in his 70s who was found with wounds to his head and hands. Both victims have since been treated in hospital and discharged.

Detective Inspector Tim Lindley of Leicestershire Police, who is leading the investigation commented: "While I would like to thank everyone who has shared our appeal and has already made contact with police, I am still appealing to anyone with any information to come forward.”

Charity worker dies in crash after car smashed into tree A 'selfless' and 'kind' charity worker died when his car went off the road and smashed into a tree in south Manchester while he was driving home from an event.

Owess Munir, pictured, who had three passengers in his Lexus car, was speeding at the time of the crash, on Princess Parkway.

The 23-year-old's car left the carriageway then began to 'rotate', colliding with a street lamp and then the 'base of a tree', an inquest heard.

The smash happened at

around 12.30am on September 3, 2018.

Owess, who lived in Cardiff, had been touring the UK helping with the production of charity plays.

He was on his way home to Wales when the collision occurred.

The sound engineering graduate worked for Islamic Relief, a charity he had volunteered for since he was a teenager.

Manchester Coroner's Court heard from PC Paul Terry, a forensic collision reconstruction officer, who

was called to the scene of the collision at 1.30am.

He was unable to say exactly how fast Owess was driving, but could conclude that it was above the 50mph speed limit.

The passengers in the car suspected it was 'in the region of 60 or 70mph'.

Another driver who witnessed the crash 'estimated it to be around 70mph'.

"It must have been in excess of 55mph, in order to collide with a lamp post and strike a tree with enough force to cause the damage that we have seen" he told the inquest.

There were no CCTV cameras covering the stretch of road where he crashed, near the junction with Northenden.

Thieves target family-run Moseley shop Two intruders have been caught on CCTV ransacking a small family shop removing the till, stealing £1,500 in cash and nearly £6,000 worth of cigarettes, from Newslink in Moseley on Thursday January 16th before also going on a rampage throwing pallets of goods and beverages from stock room shelves and on to the floor.

The incident comes just four months after a robber stabbed a worker at the shop in the arm before fleeing with cash, in September and no one has been arrested in connection with the knifing.

Speaking to the Birmingham Mail Newslink owner Sanaullah Patel said

CCTV image of one of the intruders

staff opened up around 6am on Thursday to find they had been targeted again by criminals. He praised the shop’s caring customers for helping them.

Mr Patel said: “There was no till and all the cigarettes had gone. They

came in through the back and by smashing the door.

They threw the stock all over the place.

“This makes me feel violated . We get up at 5am and work all the hours. My father helps out. When things like this happen, it is

Stock left on the floor

really tough on us. We had no stock. When customers came in, we had nothing to sell. Luckily our customers are really good and understand.”

in brief BANK WORKER LED DOUBLE LIFE AS BANK ROBBER

Sajjad Hussain, Anas Khan, Abubakir Iqbal, and Shazad Mahmood

To a passer-by Sajjad Hussain appeared to be a hard working family man who had a full-time job at an HSBC call centre and lived in a semi-detached house in Salford. But in reality he was leading a double life. In late January last year he lied to his bosses about one of his grandparents having passed away and used the day's compassionate leave to take part in a cash-in-transit raid at the NatWest Bank in Halifax.

Four weeks earlier he had told his bosses that his wife was ill so he could take part in a robbery at a cash and carry in Longsight but the robbery in West Yorkshire was to be the last of 11 carried out by the Oldham -based gang during a short but prolific crime spree.

According to reports on January 31st 2019 just before 11am Hussain and three accomplices, Abubakir Iqbal, Anas Khan and Shazad Mahmood, ambushed a security guard who was delivering cash to the Waterhouse Street branch of the bank.

After threatening the security guard with a hammer they sped off in a stolen Golf with £25,000. Following a police chase the Golf went out of control at speed on a sharp bend and was left straddled over a bridge wall hanging 20ft above a river. Iqbal, Khan and Mahmood ran off but Hussain was left dazed in the the Golf before all four were captured near the crash scene.

Iqbal, and Hussain, pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to rob but were convicted by a jury. Mahmood, and Khan, pleaded guilty with Khan also admitting to handling stolen goods in relation to the raid on his salvage yard.

MAN TRIED TO CLAIM INSURANCE PAYOUT BY FAKING OWN DEATH

A man who tried to fake his own death to claim a £1m insurance payout has been sentenced to five years and seven months in prison. Syed Bukhari, 39, impersonated his wife on the phone in a bid to convince a company he had died from a heart attack in Pakistan but police were tipped off by suspicious insurers. Police discovered that Bukhari Syed Bukhari had initially contacted his insurance company via email pretending to be his partner, and claiming that he’d died from a heart attack in Karachi and then impersonated his partner on the phone in an attempt to validate the claim and progress it further. He was caught when a voice analysis expert compared Bukhari’s voice to the one on the calls allegedly made by his partner and determined that there was strong support to advocate that the ‘unknown speaker’ on the call was Bukhari. Bukhari’s sentence will be added to the seven years and 11 months in prison he is currently serving for unrelated fraud offences.

MAN REWARDED FOR CAPTURE OF ARMED ROBBER

A Malayali welcome to a new decade Slough's Keralite community (also known as Malayali ) welcomed in the New Year at Churchmead School in Datchet.

The Keralites, settled in different parts of UK, hail from the Indian state of Kerala, which occupies its southwestern Malabar coast and was created in 1956. They are identified as native speakers of the Malayalam language.

The celebration at Churchmead was jointly organized by the Association of Slough Malayalees (ASM) and Slough Malayali Association (SMA) on

Saturday, January 11.

A number of Indian traditional dance forms such as Kathak and Bharathanaatym, cinematic dance numbers, a gymastic show, karaoke, a comedy skit and Dubsmash were the main attractions of the evening. The audience of well above three hundred people were welcomed to the show by entertainment secretary Mathew Dominic, Association Presidents Doctor Hareesh Menon and Mathew Thoppil and General Secratery Jomon Kunnel.

Evlin Gino coordinated the programme presentations.

A member of the public has been rewarded for his bravery and determination in helping with the capture of an armed robber. Abdurraheem Idris witnessed Panasche Chimimba, 23, who was armed with a claw hammer, assault and attempt to rob a cash-in-transit driver outside a bank in September 2018. Without a second thought, Abdurraheem, pictured above receiving his award, confronted the robber, who then fled in a Nissan Juke before passing on details of the car to police, who continued their search in which Chimimba collided with two other cars and struck a pedestrian before fleeing on foot. Chimimba was charged with attempted robbery, possession of an offensive weapon, aggravated vehicle taking, causing serious injury through dangerous driving, driving without insurance, making off without payment and taking a car without the owner’s consent.

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25 - 31 January 2020

Leaders write to Mayor of London over 'Rise for Kashmir' protests “Our London” Planned Kashmir Protest March and Rally on India’s Republic Day File Photo: Protests outside the Indian High Commission on 15 August 2019

Community leaders and politicians have written to The Mayor of London expressing their concerns at the rumoured “Rise for Kashmir” protest that is expected to take place outside the High Commission in London on January 26.

Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan

About 5,000 protestors are expected to gather outside the Commission on India's Republic Day in a protest similar to the kind hosted on 15th August last year which marks India's independence day.

Most of the protestors in the previous demonstrations were from Pakistani and Khalistani diaspora groups with many travelling from cities such as Birmingham and Manchester. Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan had been successful in containing the protest anticipated during the Diwali celebrations last year. Now, community leaders and politicians have once again written to the Mayor requesting the same show of support.

“I am writing to you on behalf of my constituents and Londoners expressing my serious concerns about the upcoming ‘Rise for Kashmir’ protest, which is planned to coincide with India’s Republic Day on Sunday 26th January and due to take place outside the Indian High Commission.

“I am sure that you will agree that this time around,

it is equally crucial that we do not see a repeat of the violent scenes and vandalism witnessed at a previous rally that took place outside the Indian High Commission on August 15th- which marked India’s Independence Day,” Navin Shah, London Assembly Member for Brent and Harrow, wrote in his letter to the Mayor.

Similar to the earlier protests, this one is expected to be attended by members of organisations such as Tehreek-e-Kashmir UK, Sikhs for Justice (banned in India) and the World Sikh Parliament among other such opposition groups. The protests on August 15 were also attended by Special Assistant to the PM for Overseas Pakistanis Zulfi Bukhari. Recently, a video of Khalistanis calling on the Sikhs to burn the Indian constitution has also gone viral on social media and is circulated among various Whatsapp groups as well.

The violent nature of such kinds of protests has previously resulted in vandalising diplomatic property including causing damage to

Last October I wrote to you for your support, which you thankfully and effectively provided, to prevent any possibility of mayhem outside the Indian High Commission on the issue of Kashmir planned on the day of Diwali. With much regret, I am once again compelled to seek your help to stop the planned protest as explained below. I hope that you’d help us again so that peace prevails in the end.

I’m writing to you on behalf of my constituents and Londoners expressing my serious concerns about the upcoming ‘Rise for Kashmir’ protest, which is planned to coincide with India’s Republic Day on Sunday 26th January and due to take place outside the Indian High Commission. The latest media reports estimate that up to 5,000 protestors are expected to attend from across the UK. Ahead of the last rally which targeted the High Commission on the day of Diwali itself, your interventions and the robust measures taken by the Metropolitan Police prevented chaos and disorder from breaking out.

I am sure that you will agree that this time around, it is equally crucial that we do not see a repeat of the violent scenes and vandalism witnessed at a previous rally that took place outside the Indian High Commission on August 15th- which marked India’s Independence day.

I fully appreciate that operational matters are for the Met Police to determine and the decision to ban or impose restrictive conditions upon a March or Rally rests entirely within the remit of the Home Secretary, rather than with you or the Met Police.

This is why I would like you to urgently bring these concerns to the attention of the Met Commissioner, Cressida Dick, and the Home Secretary, Priti Patel and obtain assurances that the necessary protections will be in place on the day of the protest.

I hope that the Met Police will also continue to work closely with the Indian High Commission in the build up to Republic Day and issue a Partner, Business and Stakeholder Update to alert all potentially affected parties to the plans for the protest. I hope that you will act swiftly so that peace, order and community cohesion is maintained. I look forward to hearing from you as a matter of urgency.

Best wishes, Navin Shah AM London Assembly Member for Brent and Harrow the India House building in London. Now, diplomats are concerned about the escalating tensions between India-Pakistan ever since the revocation of Article 370 and the introduction of the

Citizenship Amendment Act. Leaders are yet, to hear from the Mayor of London and Metropolitan Officers about security arrangements ahead of these protests.

Sonam Kapoor suffers horrific experience in London, warns against using Uber On Wednesday 15th January, Bollywood actress Sonam Kapoor Ahuja has warned Uber users against the ride-hailing app after suffering "the scariest experience" in London.

The actress has reported that her driver was apparently "unstable and was yelling and shouting" during enitre the journey. Tagging Uber in her tweet she wrote, "I was shaking by the end of it. I tried complaining

on your app, and just got multiple disconnected replies by bots.

You guys need to update your system.

The damage is done.

There is nothing more you can do.

"The best and safest is just to use the local public transSonam Kapoor portation or cabs.” concerning".

Responding to the tweet "What's been described an Uber spokeswoman in has no place on the Uber app London said that the inciand we're reviewing the dent was "regrettable and

matter," she said.

Recently, Uber has faced considerable flak over its passenger safety record and the company even lost its license in London after Tfl authorities said it had failed to fix a litany of safety issues including at least 14,000 cases of drivers handing their permits to unlicensed friends or relatives. It continues to operate in the city pending an appeal.

in brief PRITI PATEL ANNOUNCES COUNTER-TERRORISM PACKAGE

On Tuesday 21st January, in a bid to strengthen the UK's response to increasing terror threats, the government announced an end to early release of prisoners and a major review of the management of convicted terrorists.

Home Secretary Priti Patel and Justice Secretary Robert Buckland QC, announced that the new Counter-Terrorism Bill, will force terrorist offenders who receive extended determinate sentences to serve the whole time behind bars and ensure those convicted of serious offences such as preparing acts of terrorism or directing a terrorist organisation spend a mandatory minimum of 14 years in prison.

According to the Government, the funds allocated for counter-terrorism policing is expected to grow to £906 million in 2021, recording a a £90 million year-on-year increase. The money will support and maintain the record high number of ongoing counter-terrorism policing investigations and ensure a swift and effective response to terrorist incidents across the country.

“I have announced a counter-terror package including tougher sentences for offenders, an overhaul of probation, and a £90m increase in funding for CT Police. We are also investing in support for victims of terrorism,” tweeted Home Secretary Priti Patel.

It will also overhaul the terrorist licensing regime, doubling the number of specialist counter-terrorism probation officers and introducing measures such as polygraph testing. It will increase the number of places available in probation hostels so that authorities can keep closer tabs on terrorists in the weeks after they are released from prison.

Additionally, the government will also launch an independent review of the way different agencies, including police, the probation service, and the security services investigate, monitor and manage terrorist offenders – called Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA). This is expected to be led by Jonathan Hall QC, the Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation.

POINTS-BASED IMMIGRATION SYSTEM INTRODUCED BY THE END OF THE YEAR Home Secretary Priti Patel is reportedly determined that an Australian-style system of immigration be introduced before the end of the year - to coincide with the end of Britain's transition period with the EU. "We need to deliver change and businesses need to be prepared for uncontrolled migration of low-skilled workers to end this year.

"There is a clear drive for talented and skilled workers from around the world to come to the UK, but we also need to see a reduction in the number of unskilled workers entering the UK and that's why this will be coming to an end," the Daily Express reported. The reports come as Boris Johnson called for the UK to be the "investment partner of choice" for Africa and said his government would put "people before passports". This could adversely impact businesses, with the Confederation of British Industry previously warning that companies need "at least two years to adapt to any new immigration system".

The UK's existing immigration plan drawn up under Theresa May would have provided a temporary extension of EU rules after the Brexit implementation period, which comes to an end on 31 December 2020.

GRENFELL SURVIVORS CALL FOR MEHRA TO STEP DOWN FROM LEADING INQUIRY

Survivors of the Grenfell fire have called the appointment of Benita Mehra into the inquiry a “slap in the face”.

Last month, prime minister Boris Johnson appointed Benita Mehra, an engineer, to assist Sir Martin Moore-Bick, a retired judge who is leading the inquiry into the disaster that claimed 72 lives. Mehra previously ran an organisation that received a £71,000 grant from the charitable arm of Arconic, the US conglomerate that made the aluminium composite cladding panels used on Grenfell.

Now, Grenfell United is calling for Mehra to stand down before hearings restart on 27 January with an examination of how the Arconic cladding panels were chosen, their safety testing, marketing and promotion.

The Arconic Foundation grant was awarded to the Women’s Engineering Society charity, which Mehra chaired from 2015 and 2018. She helped draft the application and the funds arrived three months after Grenfell in 2017, the charity confirmed. It was the largest grant received that year. Mehra remains a trustee.

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Former Chief Crown Prosecutor backs creative initiative to help eliminate harmful traditional practices British solicitor and former Chief Crown Prosecutor Nazir Afzal OBE has given his backing to a new international essay writing competition, the results of which aim to help eradicate the physical, sexual and psychological health impacts of harmful traditional practices. Afzal had won the Asian Achievers Awards in 2014 for his contribution to the uniform and civil services.

Entries for the first annual Nazir Afzal Harmful Traditional Practices Essay Competition can now be submitted, with applicants answering the question: ‘What steps must we take to eliminate harmful traditional practices?’

The competition is being organised by the University of Central Lancashire’s (UCLan) Honour Abuse Research Matrix (HARM) which acts as a think-tank for government agencies and charities to help them improve services that provide specialist support for victims of honour-based abuse and create a blueprint for how services can be delivered at both regional and national levels.

ful traditional practices, Mr Afzal, Ambassador of the HARM network, added, “Harmful practices are hidden in plain sight. They damage people and communities, and ultimately all of us.

They target the most vulnerable in society and are often placed in the ‘too difficult’ tray by professionals and practitioners whose duty it is to safeguard.

“We need new Nazir Afzal OBE winning the 2014 Asian Achievers Awards for achievements in ideas and new ways Uniform and Civil Services category to tackle this attack Competition founder Harmful traditional on human rights, and this Dr Roxanne Khan, Director practices are forms of viocompetition is about of the HARM network, said, lence which have been comencouraging people to think “The aim of the competition mitted primarily against about how we can eliminate is to encourage quality women and girls in certain harmful practices entirely.” research and writing on communities and societies The closing date for for so long that they are themes related to some of entries is midnight on considered, or presented by the most marginalised and Monday, 27 April 2020. The perpetrators, as part of vulnerable in our society. winner of the £500 prize accepted cultural practice.

By launching this initiative will be announced at the They are not unique to a we aim to engage students annual HARM network particular culture or reliand key stakeholders interconference on 4 June 2020. gion. The most common nationally in a creative way, The competition is open to are: forced or early marand to drive positive anyone over the age of 18. riage; so-called 'honour' changes in society which are A different question on based violence and female so desperately needed localthe topic of harmful social genital mutilation. ly, nationally and internaand cultural practices will On the subject of harmtionally.” be set each year.

Renowned Indian lawyer appointed as Queen’s Counsel Renowned Indian lawyer Harish Salve, has been appointed as a Queen’s Counsel for the Courts of England and Wales.

Queen's Counsel is an office, conferred by the Crown, that is recognised by courts. Members have the privilege of sitting within the bar of court. As members wear silk gowns of a particular design, appointment as Queen's Counsel is known informally as taking silk and QCs are often colloquially called silks.

Appointments are made from within the legal profession on the basis of merit rather than a particular level of experience.

However, successful applicants tend to be barristers or (in Scotland) advocates with 15 years of experience or more.

Salve and other appointees will be formally

Harish Salve

appointed as QC on March 16, where the Lord Chancellor at Westminster Hall will preside over the appointment ceremony.

Among Salve's many achievements, he served as the Solicitor General of India from November 1999 to November 2002 and is currently a barrister at UK's Blackstone Chambers. Salve was India's lead counsel on the Kulbhushan Jadav case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

ONS reveals women push UK’s employment to a record high

Bookie Sanjeev Chawla to be extradited to India Sanjeev Chawla, the alleged bookie facing charges of cricket matchfixing, dating back to 2000, is set to be extradited to India, after he lost his final appeal against it in a UK High Court on last Thursday.

Chawla, wanted in India was fighting against his extradition on human rights grounds and had sought permission to appeal against an extradition order signed off by the Home Secretary last year.

According to court documents, Chawla was described as a Delhi-born businessman who moved to the UK on a business visa in 1996. He was based in the UK thereafter, while making trips back and forth to India. After his Indian passport was revoked in 2000, he obtained a UK passport in 2005 and is now a British citizen.

PTI reported that Chawla was introduced to the late South African cricket team captain Hansie Cronje, in JanuaryFebruary 2000. It was allegedly suggested to Cronje, by Chawla and

another person, that he could make significant money if he agreed to lose cricket matches. Money was paid to Cronje at the time of the pending South African tour to India. The tour took place in February-March 2000, with Chawla, Cronje and others conspiring to fix cricket matches in return for monetary benefit. Chawla allegedly played a central role in this, including direct contact with Cronje.

Appeal refused At the end of a half-day hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice in London, Lord Justice David Bean and Justice Clive Lewis finally concluded that they were "satisfied that permission to appeal should be refused", the PTI reported.

Under the India-UK Extradition Treaty, the UK Home Office is now expected to formally certify the court order for Chawla to be extradited to India within 28 days. A Home Office spokesperson said, “The Secretary of State signed the order for Sanjeev Chawla’s extradition to India in February 2019.

“He has now exhausted his rights to appeal. Once the final orders from the court have been received, arrangements will be made for his extradition to take place within 28 days.”

Though under exceptional circumstances, there is a possibility of moving the UK Supreme Court on a point of law but barrister Mark Summers, representing the Indian government in the case, said that as a matter of law that avenue is not possible after permission has been denied by the High Court. Former UK Home Secretary Sajid Javid had signed off on a District Judge's order in favour of extradition in February last year, giving Chawla time to appeal against the decision.

The PTI further said that Chawla's lawyers had tried to establish that their client had a statutory right to appeal against the District Judge's order sent to the UK Home Secretary for a sign off. That submission was challenged by the UK's CPS on behalf of the

Indian authorities on the grounds that it is a "disguised attempt" at reopening the entire case.

Chawla's lawyers referred to a series of fresh evidence documents and images to highlight that their client faced a serious risk of injustice and violence in Delhi's Tihar Jail, where he is to be held pretrial. They also alleged the potential of violence in police custody, the PTI wrote.

After brief deliberation, the judges still ruled in favour of the Indian authorities, saying that the threshold for the case to be reopened for appeal was not met and that the assurances provided by the Indian government on prison conditions stand.

Chawla was present at the Royal Courts of Justice in Central London as Lord Justice David Bean and Justice Clive Lewis heard the application.

Latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) in a recent study has revealed that a record number of women in full-time work has pushed UK’s employment rate to a new high of 76.3%.

In three months to November, 126,000 more women worked full-time compared with the previous quarter. The increase is driven by the change in women’s retirement age and this data may affect the Bank of England's decision over whether to cut interest rates next week.

Unemployment is one of the closely-watched metrics that guide the Bank of England in deciding whether to raise or lower interest rates. The change in the retirement age for

women from 60 to 65 means that many are staying at work for longer.

The BBC reported that a record 32.9 million people are in employment in the UK, a rise of 0.5% for the three months to November.

However, the number of estimated job vacancies fell by 11,000, to 805,000, compared to the previous quarter and 49,000 fewer than a year earlier, undermining the generally strong picture of the labour market.

However, the number of working-age women in employment was also boosted by fewer women remaining economically inactive to care for children or other relatives.

Jing Teow, economist at PwC, reportedly said the overall picture looked relatively positive.

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Be comfortable in your own skin

Why skin-bleaching creams should be avoided at all costs?

Priyanka Mehta Some fair-skinned people are developing a fake tan whilst some brown-complexioned women are increasingly using skinlightening creams to achieve a lighter or whiter appearance. Such is the irony of following social media trends today where cultural preferences dictate fashion statements.

Caught in this stranglehold are some dermatologists and skin specialists.

Clinicians are now concerned about the harmful side-effects of the consumption of these skin-lightening creams. Experts have now warned of the presence of bleaching agents such as hydroquinone and in some instances even mercury in some of these creams.

Hydroquinone, often deemed as the biological equivalent of paint stripper, can remove the top layer of skin, and increase the risk of skin cancer. However, the Asian community continues to remain blindsided about these dire consequences in

protecting the skin from the ultraviolet radiation are destroyed and this in turn can permanently damage the skin than doing any good,” explains Sujata Jolly, Founder and Medical Director at Clinogen.

With over 40 years of experience working in the healthcare and dermatology industry, Sujata has worked alongside celebrity clients

sions, I am pleased that together we have found a constructive and supportive way forward for my grandson and his family. I recognise the challenges they have experienced as a result of intense scrutiny over the last two years and support their wish for a more independent life."

In the meantime, Harry has expressed his sadness over his decision to step down from royal duties saying he had taken a “leap of faith”. He said he had not taken the decision lightly, but there was “no other option”. He cast the blame on media, “a powerful force” for their heightened scrutiny on the royal couple.

Ever since the couple

announced they were stepping back from their “roles” as senior royals, there’s been a debate in British media about whether the coverage of Markle has been racist.

Some, broadcasters like Piers Morgan, have argued that it is not racist to talk about Markle’s DNA as “exotic,”. Other reports have also indicated that over half the coverage of Markle has negative undertones as opposed to receiving praise for her work.

Markle had recently discussed the difficulty of dealing with tabloid coverage more broadly, saying it had been “hard,” and that adopting “this British sensibility of a stiff upper lip” was difficult.

Sonis Immigration F201400933

Councils clamped down on the illegally imported skinwhitening creams. The London borough of Barking and Dagenham alongside the Southwark Council had recently seized hundreds of such products from cosmetic stores, most of which had been imported from Nigeria.

The council had also

stores, selling such creams with high levels of hydroquinone at cheap prices.

Now, banned by the Government owing to concerns around health standards, last year some

secured what is understood to be the UK’s first jail sentence for the sale of dangerous skin-lightening products. This was one of nine guilty convictions secured

by Southwark council, for

Sujata Jolly

their fixation of achieving a “fairer” skin-tone.

“It is essential to understand that there is absolutely no safe way to lighten your skin beyond its natural colour.

"Many consumers feel encouraged to use increasing amounts of skin-lightening creams because the skin may initially appear to become whiter. However, once they step out in the sun, the skin starts darkening and turning into a greyish sooty appearance.

Ultimately, the melanocytes which are responsible for

Queen 'particularly proud' of Meghan! But was the media racist?

In a royal showdown after Meghan Markle and Harry announced their desire to step down from their “royal responsibilities”, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, in a statement praised the Hollywood actress in how quickly she has "become one of the family".

In a statement on Saturday, 18th January Buckingham Palace announced that the couple will no longer use their HRH titles, will no longer receive public funds and will repay money used to renovate their UK home, Frogmore Cottage. She wrote, "Following many months of conversations and more recent discus-

such as Michael Jackson and has long been campaigning against harmful skin-lightening ingredients.

Recently this industry seems to have penetrated the UK-market as well with a number of retailers, both online as well as at physical

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the sale of toxic skin lighteners, since 2015. Now, some consumers are advised to consult skin-specialists with regards to the presence of such harmful ingredients in these creams and instead purchase high-quality and authentic lotions, strictly using them under medical supervision only.

However, Sujata prescribes against any kind of skin bleaching product.

Instead, she recommends certain skin enrichment treatments for those who want to transform their dull complexion into a relatively more radiant and luminous skin texture. She says, “Just because a doctor or medic has prescribed these creams does not necessarily mean that the negative impacts of the product can be ignored or averted.

There are specific treatments such as Oxypeel that are available for post-acne pigmentation, inflammation around a spot or marks. But by using such skin-bleaching creams, one risks permanent skin damage and this must be avoided at all costs.”

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As I See It

Driver who was in crash with a police Random recollections of car criticises emergency services 1st Republic Day CB Patel

Dear Readers, On Sunday, January 26, India will celebrate its 70th Republic Day. Over the past seven decades, India and Indians have excelled in various sectors and paths, renewing its place in the global order. We of course, cannot miss the contribution of Indians abroad who have conquered milestones after milestones in the fields of business, finance, education, culture, arts, and others.

Indians overseas take justifiable pride in the nation's progress on the path of liberty, equality, and fraternity. The Indian Republic was born on January 26, 1950. 70 years do not seem long enough in the annals of history. However, if one closely follows its progress, they won't stop short of marvelling at its success today. There may be many of you, who were in schools in Mumbai State during the celebration of India's first Republic Day. You will remember that the government had distributed two annas to every student in the schools to mark the occasion. It was not a small effort to make the day unforgettable.

I, myself, have certain clear memories of that day...

I was in the fourth grade of Bhadran's Tulsidas Bakorbhai High School. After prayers, headmaster Pandya Saheb enthusiastically explained the importance of Republic Day to over 350 students. Not much usually stays with restless 13 year olds, especially when coming from the headmaster.

Dear readers. If you were one of the blessed ones who could experience our first Republic Day, you would know where I am going with this. As time passes, and the world around you evolves.

And before you know it, all your special moments are nothing more than memories imprinted in your head that you can replay whenever you choose. I remember one such incident.

After the prayer and headmaster's story, our school ended.

Dressed in a pair of shorts and a shirt, my tiny fingers were clenched tightly around those two annas, I too had received. After school, most of the students rushed to the small carts outside to buy snacks, and peanuts. Makarsankrati had just passed. I vividly remember carts selling dried dates too. Children swarmed around these vendors, but not me. My small group of friends and I ran home. We yelled “Praja Praja” (Short for Prajasattak Divas – Republic Day) as we reached closer. Our young minds could barely hold the full word.

My mother held me by my arm and sat me beside her. She asked my intentions with the whole two annas I had in my palm. I told her fellow students bought sweets and snacks with the money. So I too intended to bring something. She advised me to buy some string to make a toran with the money to hang along the street. She asked me to go buy a string with the money and pick some leaves from the banyan tree nearby.

My young mind quickly liked the idea. I rushed to a nearby store having convinced a couple of friends too. “What do you want?” asked Purushottambhai. Swiftly handing him the two annas, I said, “I need a some string.” Curious, he asked why. “Today is our Republic Day. I need it to make a toran,” I replied matter-of-factually. Impressed with my intentions of using the money, he asked his assistant to give me an extra 10 feet over the 20 feet rope in exchange for the money.

Our small gang of boys then ran to pluck leaves, and then two of us sat down to make a toran. Our childish zest was at its peak and while the string seemed never-ending, we found ourselves short on leaves. After almost three hours of what seemed like a massive task, our toran was finally ready. We not only decorated the courtyard, but managed to cover a couple of walls too. The whole area gleamed with our decoration. We were impressed with our skills.

As we stood there priding ourselves at our work, someone yelled 'Jai Hind' and our entire courtyard roared with the two words. My group and I were bright with ourselves. But it was the next day, that we experienced true happiness.

Our deputy headmaster Sanghvi Saheb, and his three teacher friends RM Shah Saheb, Pancholi Saheb, and Bariya Saheb would take a walk along our street every evening. That day too, they walked by, only to be surprised by the decorations. They stopped and inquired about the decorations with one of the elders standing near the entrance. The reason amused and impressed them. The next day at school, they recognised our celebration after the morning prayers and commended us. They asked all students to learn from us.

I informed them that the idea originally belonged to my mother. Sanghvi Saheb specially praised her, my friends and I floated around school with our collars turned up the whole day.

Patriotism, community service ; these words and the feelings they evoked in me came at a later stage in my life. However, as time passed, I realised it was my mother's advise to tie a toran that had planted the seed. Now, I can't speak for how much I stood true to her expectations, but I can vouch that I always strived to walk on the path created by her.

Dear readers. A simple look at where India stands today will give you a clear idea of how much the country has achieved in the last 70 years. On the top ring of every field, it has a respectful identity of its own, and so does every Indian or people of Indian-origin.

Happy Republic Day. Jai Hind.

A driver whose car was wrecked when a police car crashed into it said he received absolutely no help from emergency services.

Ravi Shah, 32, who had a mild concussion at the time, said that he was not treated like a victim despite being stationary when the crash occurred.

The crash happened when the 32-year-old last Monday (January 13) at around 10.45pm and was waiting at the traffic lights when a police car with its sirens blaring crashed into the front of his grey Ford Focus.

Despite the Metropolitan Police say-

ing the two officers and the driver “were treated for shock and minor injuries” Mr Shah insisted that whilst the two police officers were treated by medical professionals, he was not.

He also claimed that despite being in a state of shock, he was not asked about his wellbeing, but was questioned instead by police.

He said he felt he was not a “priority” as he says emergency services only tended to the two police officers injured and did not check on the condition of Mr Shah at all.

Mr Shah visited Northwick Park Hospital

with a friend for a head scan where he was assured his injuries were only minor.

Mr Shah described his recollection of how emergency services acted as “unequal treatment” and was angered to not receive a police reference

number, details of the other driver or any official record of the accident.

An official complaint has been issued to the Metropolitan Police complaints board, and a spokesperson has confirmed the complaint is being investigated.

Stroke patient attends granddaughter's wedding a day after surgery A granddad was so determined to see his granddaughter get married he left hospital the morning after a two-and-ahalf hour operation.

Jaysukh Bulsara, 73, was sent to hospital after he suffered a stroke. A scan revealed a blood clot in one his major neck arteries, which meant he had to have surgery.

Granddaughter Karishma Parmar, who had already cancelled her engagement party after a death was announced in her husband’s family, was prepared to push back her wedding until her grandfather was better. Instead

her grandfather asked surgeons at Northwick Park Hospital if there was anything they could do to help him get better in

time. Speaking to the Harrow TImes Mr Bulsara (pictured) said: “I wasn’t going to let a stroke stop me.”

Vascular surgeon Nung Rudarakanchana agreed to perform the surgery under local anaesthetic and Mr Bulsara left the next morning to see his granddaughter get married.

Miss Rudarakanchana said: “We know patients benefit from this operation if it is done as soon as possible following a stroke and we have a great team here dedicated to looking after patients with carotid artery dis-

ease.

“We all met to discuss his case Friday lunchtime and by that afternoon I had him in theatre. I think the patient was more concerned about letting his granddaughter down than the procedure and took it all in his stride, despite the fact we had cut the side of his neck open to remove the clot.”

Speaking after the wedding Mr Bulsara said: “There were a few tears all round when I turned up with the wife. Karishma is our first granddaughter so I was determined to be there for her.”

Bone cancer patient, 7, hoping to get experimental treatment in USA A family of a seven year old boy who is fighting cancer are desperate to try an experimental treatment in America after running out of options avaliable in England.

Ammaar Dadlani has had a rough 16-months since his diagnosis with a rare bone cancer in June 2018 which came as a was a shock to the entire family, as they only found out about it after he fell during his grandparent’s anniversary and injured his knee. His parents, Ritesh and Naheed said he “was in excruciating pain” the days after, so he was rushed to Mount Vernon Hospital in Hillingdon to get an x-ray scan, wheredoctors detected a 9.6cm tumour in his left leg and was later diagnosed with a high grade osteoblastic osteosarcoma.

Ammaar, the youngest of the family, has been scarred for life after 17cm of infected bone was removed from

his leg and replaced with a metal ‘bone’.

In February last year, after having received 18 rounds of chemotherapy, the family celebrated the news that Ammaar was cleared from cancer but was short lived when his mother Naheed spotted a small lump on his collarbone a few months later.

After more treatment and operations doctors realised that with the appearance of more tumours they needed a change of plan if the family were to save Ammaar.

Mr and Mrs Dadlani were pleased to hear from another parent in a similar situation, that there is an experimental trial in the USA which could be of help.

The family which includes Ammaar’s two older brothers, will have to travel to America and pay $450,000 for the phase one CAR-T cell immunotherapy.

Due to the high expense of the surgery,

Ammaar pictured ringing a bell with his mother Naheed, father Ritesh and older brothers

the family started a GoFundMe page around the Christmas period, which has seen incredible support from family, friends and others concerned.

The Dadlani family believe Ammaar is responding well to his current chemotherapy sessions and hope to try the experimental treatment around April.

Speaking to the Harrow Times Mrs Dadlani said: “Cancer is like a dandelion, just touch it and it spreads. I think the doctors didn’t take the lump seriously, they said it was unlikely to return. The UK and NHS have been fabulous for first line treatment, but what we lack behind from the US is trial clinical therapies.”

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Duke and Duchess of Moresand Group Cambridge visit MyLahore welcomes the new year with champagne luncheon On Wednesday, 15th January the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visited one of Bradford's flagship restaurants MyLahore, and heard about their charitable work with the community.

UK based award-winning travel agency Moresand Group hosted its 23rd annual 'Beat The New Year's Blues' luncheon and champagne reception on 9th January 2020.

Held at the Le Meridien Piccadilly in London, the prestigious event was attended by 180 airlines and suppliers of Moresand Group from the travel industry. One of the largest independently owned travel agents in the UK and with a turnover of £212m in 2019 Moresand Limited offers flights, hotels, packaged holidays and cruises to leading destinations in the world. It

Bruce Taylor, Director Air Products

was founded in 1987 and has been headquartered in London’s West End since inception.

Managing Director PS Kang said "I would like to thank all our airlines for their partnership and all Moresand employees for their hard work in 2019.

We’re incredibly excited

PS Kang, Managing Director, Moresand Group

Joe Karbo, Chief Operating Officer

about 2020 and are optimistic for another positive year".

In Q4 2019 Moresand appointed former Wendy Wu Tours group chief executive Joe Karbo as chief operating officer, being responsible for the Groups operations. PS Kang said: "Joe will spearhead our longterm strategy by streamlin-

ing global operating processes, expansion into new markets and supporting the company’s technology teams. We’re delighted to have someone of Joe’s experience and knowledge on board.”

Moresand was also celebrating the launch of its new brand Love Cuba, which is being led by Damien O’Brien, who has 25 years’ experience in the niche Cuban market. The brands under the Moresand umbrella include Crystal Travel, Travel Center, Crystal Corporate, Paramount Cruises, Affordable Luxury Travel, Sam Travel, Travel House UK and World Airfares.

With offices in 10 locations across the world Moresand Group also employs over 600 staff in its call centres in India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

GMB endorses Lisa Nandy for Labour leadership

On Tuesday 21st January, Lisa Nandy took a huge step towards getting on the final ballot for the Labour leadership after the GMB union endorsed her candidacy.

The MP for Wigan, was already supported by the National Union of Mineworkers; and that from the GMB astonished both Keir Starmer and Rebecca Long-Bailey.

This followed after Birmingham MP Jess Phillips pulled out of the race to succeed Jeremy Corbyn, stating that the

party needed a candidate who could unify all parts of the party, admitting, “I have to be honest, at this time, that person isn't me,”.

Candidates need the nominations of three Labour affiliates, including at least two unions, which amount to at least five per cent of affiliate members.

The only other route on to the final ballot is by receiving nominations from at least 33 Constituency Labour Parties.

Sir Keir Starmer, the Shadow Brexit Secretary, is

Lisa Nandy

currently the frontrunner, having already secured his place on the final ballot paper as a result of nominations from the unions Unison and Usdaw as well as affiliate group, the Socialist Environment and Resources Association.

We deeply mourn the loss of our former editor of Asian Voice and colleague Dr. Premen Addy.

May his soul rest in peace.

Their Royal Highnesses visited the restaurant’s kitchen where they met students from Bradford College on a kitchen apprenticeship scheme at MyLahore. They joined students making kulfi milkshakes and mango milkshakes before sitting down to meet representatives from the UK Women’s Muslim Council and those who have benefitted from the Council’s Curry Circle.

The Curry Circle sponsored

by MyLahore, is an initiative that provides a hot twocourse meal for the homeless and those struggling to feed themselves.

“The City of Bradford is home to thriving and diverse communities making huge contributions to modern British life including a large Pakistani diaspora. The visit of the Royal Highnesses to MyLahore in Bradford is one example of

this which showcased not only great Pakistani food and a great business, but also brilliant work to help those in need,” said Dr Christian Turner, British High Commissioner to Pakistan.

The Duke and Duchess then visited one of Bradford’s Khidmat Centres, whose main focus is to help the most vulnerable members of the community from minority ethnic backgrounds. Their Royal Highnesses heard about the activities and workshops

offered at the centre, and the organisations that they support before joining a session involving groups supported by Better Start Bradford, which delivers over 20 projects to pregnant women and families with children under the age of 4. in 2002, Founded MyLahore is a British Asian restaurant chain which has taken inspiration from the city of Lahore. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visited Lahore during their tour to Pakistan in October 2019.

10 READERS VOICE

AsianVoiceNews

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

www.asian-voice.com

25 - 31 January 2020

Asian MPs inspire the community

Big Ben Bong Brexit!

Most Brextiers are looking forward to making an exit with as big a bong as we normally associate with New Year’s Eve; arrival of 2020 was no exception, even though Big Ben was undergoing much needed upgrading postponed for years due to huge cost involved but activated for the New Year celebrations.

The cost for Brexit Bong is estimated at half a million pound. But government is unwilling to bear the cost, forcing Brexit supporters to look for private donations. It is inconceivable that such an important occasion could be marked by any other clock than world’s most famous timepiece to welcome the exit from EU on 31st January 2020! With so many billionaires making London their safe and comfort home, raising half a million could and should not be an unsurmountable problem!

Time is indeed short and supporters of Brexit, especially Nigel Farage who is hosting a celebrating event in Parliament Square is working hard to raise cash, although House of Commons Commission, responsible for the wellbeing of Big Ben may scruple the plan, as there is a doubt of its legality when private finance is involved. Then our politicians are in the front to scuffle people’s joy and wellbeing!

It is high time for government to come out in favour and bear the cost, as it is not even a drop in the ocean when we spend billions and billions on Overseas Aid, Defence and other such expenses most people disapprove, when money is so badly needed on home front, especially NHS where hard working staffs are overwhelmed during winter months when demand is at its peak. Let us celebrate not only with Big Ben Bong but fire-works as well to put smile on Londoners faces during the gloomiest January winter month when more people commit suicide than in any other month!

Bhupendra M. Gandhi by email

Strictly No Dancing!

Surely many Asians in the UK will refrain from breaking into a Bhangra dance to celebrate Brexit Day on 31st January because most of us are fervent Remainers. What a pity this signals the end of a mutually fruitful relationship with other European Union countries. Now the UK shall have to thrash around looking for new business links on probably less favourable terms than we enjoyed within the EU. Rudy Otter by email

Scourge of Prostate Cancer

Dear Sir / Madam My family and I are subscribers and avid readers of both versions of Asian Voice newspaper for many years. So congratulations to Mr C.B. Patel and the wider team at AV and keep up the good work.

Other mainstream media are a little shy but AV do a great job of promoting the BJP and the great PM Mr Narendra Modi and also the efforts that our hard working Indian community has put into this country. We have not only integrated seamlessly but also contributed to the economy significantly without forgetting our roots and Indian traditions. A classic example of this is the fact that we have known Dhiren Katwa and his family in Birmingham since the 1970s via Navratri and other festivals that our community started back in the those memorable days which we have now passed onto our children to continue those traditions.

I would however, like to suggest that on the first page where you have the One to One with Keith Vaz, this now needs changing. A respectable newspaper like AV should progress with the times and maybe now is a good opportunity to find an alternative person to lead this column.

Keith Vaz disgraced the Asian community and was suspended over allegations he "expressed willingness" to purchase cocaine for male prostitutes.

We are now in 2020 and have talented MPs like Priti Patel and Preet Kaur Gill and many others who I'm sure can be an inspiration and role models for many young readers of Indian AV . Again keep up the good work .

Deven Odedra by email

On a knife edge We understand from media reports that knife crime in this country is on the increase again.The worrying figures reported in the media last week indicate that the number of knife crime offences went up yet again by an alrming rate. 22,000 people became victims of knife crime in London last year. An increase of 3 per cent over previous year. This is a 10 year high. Children as young as 5 years old take knives to schools. Fear of being hurt may be one of the reasons why your child may be reluctant to go to school. Imagine yourself being confronted by man weilding a knife and threatening to harm you. It must be a very frightening experience. People who are victims would probably live the rest of their lives on knife edge, being jittery and afraid to go out any time of day or night.There has been a worrying increase in the number of children carrying knives to schools. Thousands of weapons including samurai swords, axes and air guns have been seized from schools.But then how could we stop this sometimes indiscriminate harming of people who may have caused no offence or harm to the perpetrators? What needs to change is the person or the environment they are brought up in. The culprits and their victims need more support from their peers. However, the poor victims of a knife crime would probably live the rest of their life on a knife edge.

Dinesh Sheth by email

At a time when advances in cancer research and invention of new medicine, deaths from Cancer is on the decline and survival rate is at its highest, especially for best cancer patients. Unfortunately this trend is not reflected for prostate cancer patients where death toll has just passed twelve thousand a year mark. It signifies 27% increase in just two decades, according to the official figure just published.

This rise is mainly due to life longevity touching 80 and this is a health problem mainly associated with old age, especially men over retirement age. Brest cancer is also on the rise but mortality rate is down, more women surviving, mainly due to early diagenesis and excellent care under our much maligned NHS. Prostate cancer can be diagnosed by simple PSA blood test most GPs do recommend such tests for their OAP patients, although so often such tests may be inaccurate.

The best results can be obtained with MRI scanning, not a normal procedure due to the cost involved.

Unfortunately four thousand patients lose their lives due to late diagnosing prostate cancer.

Recently many celebrities came out with their own prostate cancer illness and as a result, awareness has increased tenfold, that may be the main reason for the increase in patient numbers! Men are less likely to visit their GPs for prostate cancer test than women for breast screening and many do not know the symptoms associated with prostate cancer, such as getting up often at night to use the bathroom! The recent initiatives by NHS to diagnose prostate cancer early when it is easy to treat will reduce mortality rate significantly, a welcome news for the elderly!

Re locating of the House of Lords to York is a great move

by Boris Johnson. He should also take the opportunity to bring about some very urgent reforms of the Lords. It is indeed a great anomaly that in a vibrant democracy like ours where people are elected to govern us there is anachronism in the form of House of Lords. There is no electoral system which decides who enters the House of Lords. Some inherit the position due to accident of birth and some are awarded it by the Prime Minister as a thank you for past favours. Many become Lord by making huge donations to political parties. Once they enter the Lords some of them abandon the political party which sponsored them and become independent peer answerable to no one. The joint committee on the draft of House of Lords Reform Bill recommended that the 1,000 strong Lords should be replaced by a 450 strong chamber, 80% of its members would be elected based on the Australian version of Proportional Representation and 20% would be nominated to serve 15 years non renewable terms.

According to Baron Andrew Adonis, Labour politician and journalist the Lords is becoming absurdly overpopulated as successive governments seek to redress the balance in their favour. He argues that this is making the Lords one of the silliest legislative chambers in the democratic world. Some Peers rarely show up but still keep their positions for life. No one is expelled for wrong doing. The Lords in its present form is a glaring example of the divide between the privileged and the struggling masses.

Kumudini Valambia by email

Nitin Mehta, Croydon by email

Relocation of House of Lords

Kapil’s Khichadi Sepoys of the 21st Century Kapil Dudakia Sepoy is an interesting term, one that even I have used often. It has many meanings, from what it meant originally to what it later became.

Sepoy was an Indian serving under the orders of the British as one of their soldiers during the British Raj. However, its origin goes back to the Mughal period and there is evidence showing that the French East India Company used Indian soldiers in the 18th Century. The British East India Company was of course one of the main recruiters of Sepoys to further their interest in India. In fact, it may come as a surprise to many that even today the Nepalese Army, Indian Army and Pakistan Army all use the term for the rank of Private.

However, with time many have looked into this issue and increasingly many are now openly using the term as a negative to tag those individuals who might be Indian, but spend their time doing the bidding of their Imperial masters.

Very often by selling out their own community for their own personal gain.

In the past the Sepoy was used by the British to control Indians in India so they could keep the masses in their control and rule as masters.

The British Raj as we know it today would not have thrived had it not been for Indians who did their bidding against their own people. It is basically an Indian soldier who takes orders from a foreign occupying force and gives their loyalty to that foreign invader.

So why the history lesson? In every country you will find the ‘sepoys’ who for some reason will do the bidding of the enemy at the expense of their own people. In India this was taken to a whole new level by the British. All credit to them, after all if Indians were willing to under-

mine their own for a few shillings, then why not exploit the anti-nationals?

We see this today also, for example, in India with the Khan Market brigade and the Lutyen gangs of Delhi. To this day we have Indians in India who appear exhibit greater loyalty to their white imperial masters, than to their own nation.

They continue to take western ‘bucks’ and the so called ‘liberal’ brigade accolades to promote the voice of the likes of the BBC or CNN. The modern-day sepoy now appears to support the socialist arc that circumvents the globe.

In the UK, we appear to have the same issues.

Many of those who claim to represent us are supportive of very powerful people and entities that wish to undermine our community. These very high-profile individuals are embedded in powerful positions politically, in our Indian institutions and incredibly, many of them even control our Mandirs and Community Centres. Anyone who dares to challenge this cabal is systematically taken down. I have personally seen the power and reach of these people and their millions and VVIP lifestyle often is a reward for being a good sepoy.

Our community does need to look forward.

With that it needs to reflect on how the Jewish community, barely 30% of the size of our community, has learnt their historical lessons and have transformed their power base in the UK (and the world) to such a degree that they always look after number one. Surely, we can do the same given the huge resources that are within our community? Or are we destined to be enslaved by our own greed and petty squabbles? I do have an answer, but it does require key individuals and our grassroots community to lend support.

(Expressed opinions are personal.)

We are grateful to all letter writers for more and more versatile letters well within word limit.

Please keep contributing as always.

If you are new, then write to Rupanjana at rupanjana.dutta@abplgroup.com - AV

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AsianVoiceNews

EDUCATION

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

11

25 - 31 January 2020

Universities in England to face review of £1.3bn funding Higher education watchdog the Office for Students (OFS) is understood to be launching a review of how £1.3bn per year of funding might give more support to "priority" subjects in the spring.

The OFS will not consider tuition fees - with the government set to publish a separate response to calls to cut fees.

According to the BBC Universities UK warns it will matter "how much" funding is left after the review, as well as how it is allocated.

The Tory party has promised to tackle what it calls "low-quality courses" in university - and the OFS

review will examine how funding can be targeted for priority subjects.

While most university funding is delivered through tuition fees, the government still provides a significant direct stream of grants.

This includes subsidies for subjects that are more expensive to teach, such as medicine, science and technology. There will also be money available to improve access to higher education for disadvantaged youngsters. At present the funding is widely distributed, to more than 300 higher education providers. But the future allocation and focus of the money is to be examined by the OFS review.

The Russell Group, representing some of the UK's major research universities, says the annual grants represent 13% of funding for undergraduate places.

The university group has raised concerns about these grants being cut, arguing that funding for many courses is already stretched.

The education secretary has told the OFS he wants to prioritise support for the government's industrial strategy, which aims to invest in "skills, industries and infrastructure".

There will also be a push for more effective ways to spend money allocated for recruiting disadvantaged students, and support for specialist institutions.

Grade inflation for first-class degrees stalls Latest figures from the Office for Students, England’s higher education watchdog, show that rapid annual growth in the proportion of students awarded first-class degrees has stalled, after significant annual increases since 2011.

The sharp increase follows warnings from ministers of the need to prevent "grade inflation" devaluing degrees. The latest figures show 28% of students were awarded first class degrees in 2018-19 - the same as the year before.

England's higher education watchdog, the Office for Students, had attacked "unexplained" increases in top grades.

Nicola Dandridge, chief executive of the Office for Students (OFS), said the latest figures

showed an end to successive increases in first class degrees every year since 2011. Over those years the proportion of students getting a first had risen by 80%.

The latest figures from the Higher Education Statistics Agency show 28% of candidates were awarded first class degrees, 48% upper second, 19% lower second and 4% third class with all these the same as the previous year.

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said grade inflation was "something we had to stop" to protect the reputation of the UK's universities. Meanwhile Nick Hillman, director of the Higher Education Policy Institute, suggested the stalling in top grades reflected the pressure put on universities.

Statistics from the OFS show: ● the number of students in higher education reached a record high of 2.38 million up by about 40,000 on the previous year ● the number of female students has continued to climb more quickly than for men - with 57% of students female in 2018-19. ● the biggest increase in recent years has been Asian students - with numbers up by 20% since 2014-15 ● the number of black students has risen by 17% across those years - but for white students, the numbers are below where they stood five years ago.

The Reform think thank said the figures were "dire" in terms of widening access into university for disadvantaged youngsters.

World's poorest girls denied access to school Nearly 1 in 3 adolescent girls from the poorest households around the world has never been to school, according to a new UNICEF paper launched today as education ministers gather at the Education World Forum and as leaders prepare to convene at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting.

Poverty, discrimination due to gender, disability, ethnic origin or language of instruction, physical distance from schools and poor infrastructure are among the obstacles that continue to prevent the poorest children from accessing quality education. Exclusion at every step of education perpetuates poverty and is a key driver of a global learning crisis.

The paper Addressing the learning crisis: an urgent need to better finance education for the poorest children highlights major disparities in the distribution of public education spending.

Limited and unequally distributed funding results in large class sizes, poorly trained teachers, lack of education materials and poor school infrastructure. This in turn has an adverse impact on attendance, enrolment and learning.

UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore said: “Countries everywhere are failing the world’s poorest children, and in doing so, failing themselves. sAs long as public education spending is disproportionately skewed towards children from the richest households, the poorest will have little hope of escaping poverty, learning the skills they need

to compete and succeed in today’s world, and contributing to their countries’ economies.”

Looking at 42 countries with available data, the paper finds that education for children from the richest 20 per cent of households are allocated nearly double the amount of education funding than children from the poorest 20 per cent of households.

Ten countries across Africa account for the highest disparities in education spending, with four times as much funding allocated to the richest children compared with the poorest. In Guinea and the Central African Republic – countries with some of the world’s highest rates of out-ofschool children – the richest children benefit from nine and six times, respectively, the amount of public education funds than the poorest children.

Barbados, Denmark, Ireland, Norway and Sweden are the only countries included in the analysis that distribute education funding equally between the richest and poorest quintiles.

The paper notes that the lack of resources available for the poorest children is exacerbating a crippling learning crisis, as schools fail

to provide quality education for their students. According to the World Bank, more than half of children living in low- and middle-income countries cannot read or understand a simple story by the end of primary school.

The paper sets out clear guidelines for governments: Within domestic resources allocation, funds must be distributed so that children from the poorest 20 per cent of households benefit from at least 20 per cent of education funding.

Prioritize public funding for lower levels of education – where the children from the poorest households are most represented – and gradually increase allocations to higher levels when coverage is close to universal at lower levels.

Provide at least one year of universal pre-primary education for every child.

Pre-primary education is the foundation upon which every stage of schooling relies.

Children who complete pre-primary learn better, are more likely to stay in school and contribute more to their economies and societies when they reach adulthood.

Allocating at least 10 per cent of national education budgets will help achieve universal access.

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12 MEDIA WATCH

AsianVoiceNews

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

www.asian-voice.com

25 - 31 January 2020

SCRUTATOR’S The Supreme Court trashed the plea of Pawan Kumar Gupta, one of the four convicts facing the gallows in the Nirbhaya gang-rape and murder, who has claimed that he was a juvenile at the time of the offence in December 2012. Gupta, who is currently lodged in Tihar jail, had approached the Delhi High Court, alleging that his ossification test was not conducted by investigating officers and claimed benefit under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act.

In the petition, his lawyer has claimed that Gupta's school records determine his date of birth to be October 8, 1996, but the Delhi High Court had ignored this point. The high court rejected his revision petition after which he challenged it before the top court. A three-judge bench headed

by Justice R Banumathi and comprising Justices Ashok Bhushan and AS Bopanna heard Gupta’s Special Leave Petition (SLP) and rejected his claim.

Besides Gupta, the other three convicts in the case are Mukesh, Vinay Sharma and Akshay Kumar Singh. A Delhi court issued a fresh death warrant against the four death-row convicts, who will now be executed on February 1.

India successfully test-fires 3,500 km range N-capable missile India has successfully test-fired a 3,500 km range nuclear capable missile that can be launched from a submarine, news report said.

The test of the K-4 ballistic missile, however, took place off the coast of Andhra Pradesh, unnamed government sources said. The missile is being developed by India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and is to be fitted into the indigenously built Arihant-class nuclear-powered submarines of the Indian Navy.

Reports have said that the K-4’s circular error of probability (the radius of the missile’s point of impact which is also a measure of the efficacy of its guidance systems) was 40 meters or less.

This makes it ideal to strike targets from stand-off ranges. In November 2018, India had announced that its first nuclear armed submarine Arihant had successfully completed its first deterrence patrol, heralding India’s entry into an exclusive club of powers with land, air and seabased nuclear weapons delivery platforms. Though dubbed the technology demonstrator, analysts had been of the view that the 6,000-tonne Arihant with a range of about 750km nevertheless sent a powerful signal to Pakistan and China that New Delhi’s underwater nuclear deterrence

was “credible", potent and functional.

Kerala mosque hosts Hindu wedding The over 100-year-old Cheravally Jamaat Masjid in Kayamkulam, Kerala, hosted a Hindu wedding on its premises, complete with a vegetarian feast for 4,000 people.

People cutting across religions attended the event while the jamaat committee met all the expenses. Sarath Sasi of Kappil Kizhakku, Kayamkulam, and Anju Ashok Kumar tied the knot on the mosque premises, with a Hindu priest leading the rituals. The couple later entered the mosque and sought the blessings of chief imam Riyasudeen Faizy. Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the wedding was as an example of communal harmony in Kerala.

“Congratulations to the newlyweds, families, mosque authorities and people of

IMF cuts India’s growth forecast to 4.8% The International Monetary Fund has once again slashed India’s GDP growth estimate to 4.8% for 2019-20 citing slowing domestic demand, stress in the non-banking financial sector and a decline in credit growth and also blamed the country’s slowdown for the downward revision in global and emerging economies growth. IMF said India’s growth is estimated at 4.8% in 2019, projected to improve to 5.8% in 2020 and 6.5% in 2021 (1.2 and 0.9 percentage point lower than in the October World Economic Outlook), supported by monetary and fiscal stimulus as well as subdued oil prices.

This is a sharp reduction from the 6.1% estimated in October and below the 5% estimated by RBI and National Statistical Office.

Policy makers have blamed global slowdown for sharp moderation in growth and the IMF’s prognosis is likely to trigger a fresh war of words between the government and critics. India’s slowdown was also cited as the reason for the downward revision in emerging market growth projections. It was also the sharpest markdown among the emerging economies.

“For emerging market and developing economies, we forecast a pickup in growth from 3.7% in 2019 to 4.4% in 2020 and 4.6% in 2021, a downward revision of 0.2% for all years,” said IMF chief economist Gita Gopinath.

No stay on land acquisition for bullet train The Bombay High Court has refused to grant any stay on the land acquisition process initiated by the Maharashtra government for the bullet train project, which is expected to connect MumbaiAhmedabad on a fast corridor.

The Godrej and Boyce Manufacturing company limited has raised an objection to the

Kerala mosque hosts Hindu wedding

Cheravally,” he said in a tweet.

“The committee also gave Anju 10 sovereign gold and Rs 200,000 as wedding gift besides home equipment like TV and fridge,” said Nujumudeen Alummoottil, secretary of Cheravally Muslim Jamaat Committee. He said he knew Anju’s father personally and wanted to help the family after her father passed away.

Nujumudeen said Anju is also the first woman to enter the mosque.

“All religions teach people to love and care for others. Those lessons led to this wedding,” he said.

government decision to exempt the bullet train project from the social impact assessment. The company has challenged the validity of sections 10 and 11 of the land acquisition act of 2013, which grants special powers to the state and mandates publishing of a preliminary notification pertaining to the acquisition, respectively. Accordingly, the company has petitioned the bench of Justices Amjad Sayed and Anuja Prabhudesai challenging the notifications and the constitutional validities of the

provisions of the acquisition law.

It also urged the bench to stay the land acquisition for the project until the petitions are decided.

Having heard the contentions, Justice Sayed in his orders, said, “In the facts and circumstances of the case, we are not inclined to grant any ad-interim relief as sought.”

Jaganmohan wants to scrap legislative council Andhra Pradesh CM YS Jaganmohan Reddy has decided to scrap the legislative council, for which he has reportedly told the law department to prepare a draft bill. Jagan has taken the decision to abolish the upper house after TDP rejected the bills passed by the legislative assembly. The bill is likely to be tabled in the assembly session. TDP has absolute majority in the 58-member legislative council, and it had rejected bills related to the introduction of English as medium of instruction at government schools in the winter session held in December. As there is no scope of YSR Congress getting majority in the near future to get the bills passed smoothly, Jagan has decided to abolish the council. The law department has already prepared a draft bill, and sent it to the chief minister for consideration. This would be the second time that the AP legislative council is being abolished. It was first abolished in 1985, when TDP had come to power and Congress had majority in the council.

Though YSR Congress has absolute majority in the legislative assembly - 151 of 175 members - it is finding it tough to get bills passed by legislative council.

Peaceful end to Sabarimala pilgrimage season Unlike last year, the pilgrimage season in Sabarimala temple ended peacefully this year. Even the last day of the pilgrimage witnessed heavy rush of devotees, including those from neighbouring states, at the Sannidhanam (temple complex), sources said. The shrine, which draws devotees from various parts of the country, had witnessed unprecedented protests by right wing outfits and BJP workers last year after the LDF government decided to implement the Supreme Court order lifting the traditional ban on women and girls in menstrual age from offering prayers. However, this year, against the backdrop of the top court's decision to refer a batch of review pleas against its earlier verdict to a larger bench, the state government had said those women desirous of visiting the hill temple should get a 'court order' and it would not encourage activism.

Lions walk 150 km in 4 days to go back When a lion and a cub were spotted in Dedhuki village near the temple town of Chotila in Surendranagar, they hit headlines.

Reports suggested that the big cats had extended their footprints to another district! Two months later, the lion and the cub become

homesick. The state forest department is abuzz with speculation that the two are headed home to Amreli. “The lions started retreating from Chotila, having trekked 150 km over the past four days to Sardhar.

Their movement was recorded last at Aji Dam near Rajkot city,” said S K Srivastava, the chief conservator of forest of Junagadh. Sandeep Kumar, the deputy conservator of forest of Morbi, who is monitoring the movement of the lion and the cub, said that the extensive movement indicated that the lion is either searching for a suitable place or a mating partner to establish its own territory.

1,800 from Kerala get summons from Karnataka cops Close to 2,000 people in Kerala’s Kasaragod district have received summons from Mangaluru police (Karnataka) asking them to appear before their officials in relation to the probe into the violent antiCAA protests that rocked the city on December 19 and left two people dead in police firing. A majority of those who received the notices are Muslims, and seem to have been chosen on the basis of their cellphone location on the day of the protests. Kasaragod district panchayat member Ali Harshad Vorkady said as per his estimate, around 1,800 people in Kasaragod district have got notices so far. Vorkady said: “They are falsely implicating innocent people. Worse, they are insinuating that people from Kerala were behind the riots in Mangaluru. This is dangerous and questions the right of free movement of people even to neighbouring places.”

Telangana to try out facial recognition in civic polls The Telangana government will be testing voter identification through a face recognition application on a pilot basis in the municipal elections. This will be the first time that face recognition software will be used to ascertain the identity of voters. The project will be implemented in Kompally Municipality in 10 polling stations.

An Additional Polling Officer will click pictures of the voter and the identity card submitted by her on a mobile phone with the facial recognition app, and send it to the Telangana State Technology Services (TSTS). After matching, the result will be sent back to the mobile phone. Even if the result is negative, however, the person will be allowed to vote based on the prescribed process of identification using their ID card.

“The normal duties of polling personnel will be intact, and there will be no deviation because of implementation of face recognition application in the polling station,” an official said.

Telangana State Election Commission Secretary M Ashok Kumar said since impersonation and bogus voting often leads to repolling, facial recognition was being tested to authenticate the identity of voters.

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AsianVoiceNews

UK

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

13

25 - 31 January 2020

Men arrested in connection with death of student Arjun Singh following assault Three men have been arrested on suspicion of murder after the death of 20-year-old student Arjun Singh.

Arjun, who studied at Nottingham Trent University, was assaulted in Nottingham city centre on Saturday 18th January but died in hospital the following day. Police have said, despite speculation from the public, they are not treating the incident as knife-related.

The three men, aged 20, 22 and 23, have been arrested in connection with the murder investigation.

Speaking to local press Detective Inspector Richard Monk, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “Both men have been arrested on suspicion of murder as part of our

inquiries into this tragic incident.

“The 20-year-old man also arrested in connection with the incident remains in police custody. We are aware that there has been a lot of speculation in the public around this being a knife-related incident. From the information available at this time, we are not treating this matter as kniferelated. I would like to reiterate that the family of Arjun have expressed their wishes to retain their privacy at this incredibly difficult time.” Meanwhile, the city’s Sikh community held a vigil to honour Arjun’s life and pay respect to his family on Wednesday 22nd January near where he was attacked.

The vigil was organised by Sikh Youth UK, Sikh

A mum who was found to be one and a half times above the alcohol limit has managed to escape an instant driving ban after convincing a Manchester magistrates court that she neeeds to be able to continue driving in order to drop her children to school.

Nethra Kore, 39, admit-

revoked by the UK’s Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) as she only passed her driving test 18 months before the offence and she could be made to resit her test.

Under UK law, a drivers’ licence can be cancelled if the holder receives six or more points within two

CIIr Ketan Sheth Councillor for Tokyngton Wembley Brent Council’s Chair of Community and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee

Can the long-term plan save the NHS?

Arjun Singh who was assualted close to the Slug and Lettuce pub in Nottingham city centre on Saturday 18th January

Temples in Nottingham, the Sikh community youth service, G.A.D. Gym in Derby and both Nottingham Trent and University of Nottingham's Sikh societies.

Nottingham Trent University has said it is offering support to students

and staff affected by the news.

A university spokesperson added: “We are shocked and saddened to have learned of the death of Arjun Singh over the weekend. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time.”

resume driving when it expired instead of having to re-sit her driving test.

According to Manchester Evening News, the sentencing chair of the bench, Dario Cottingham, said: “We obviously have listened to what’s been said but we have guidelines to follow. As for the points we have listened to what Mr Dye has said and again on this point follow the guide-

lines and impose 10 points.

That doesn''t necessarily mean the DVLA will revoke they may, they may not. To redo a license can be done very quickly in Manchester and I don''t foresee that to be a problem.”

Mrs Kore’s licence was stamped with 10 penalty points and she was also fined 200 pounds and ordered to pay 115 pounds in costs.

Mum escapes ban for drink driving

Bid to delay brain damaged baby's treatment hearing fails A judge has turned down a request to adjourn a High Court trial to decide whether to continue life support treatment for a brain-damaged baby.

Doctors at St Mary's Hospital in Manchester say four-month-old Midrar Ali, pictured, is brain dead and want to withdraw his treatment. But his parents, Karwan Ali, 35, Shokhan Ali, 28, were seeking a delay to the trial which starts on Monday and want medical staff to carry on treating their son who they say is growing and deserves more time.

Mrs Justice Lieven is due

to decide on his treatment at a trial next week.

Complications during birth led to Midrar being starved of oxygen and suffering brain damage. Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust which runs St Mary's Hospital said ending his life support treatment would be in Midrar's best interests.

The judge refused the parents' application for an adjournment.

The challenges facing the NHS are by now so well-publicised that they’re barely worth repeating, but in a nutshell, the entire health and social care machine has an awful lot more work to do in comparison to the money they have.

The rising, ageing population is only one part of the puzzle – the NHS also has to contend with a workforce crisis, the management of properties falling into greater disrepair by the day, and an ever-growing number of people living with complex conditions from which they will never fully recover.

We all love the NHS but one thing it doesn’t always get right is the balance between offering treatment and stopping people becoming unwell in the first place. The NHS Long-Term Plan is an ambitious blueprint which, if successful, could fix that imbalance for good.

This new strategy is called the ‘long-term’ plan for a reason: at a national level, the vision is bold, and the goals it sets out cannot be achieved overnight. The first step is arguably for us to change the way we think about healthcare; there will always be a need for hospitals and operations but there’s also a real opportunity here for us to think creatively about why we as a society spend so much money responding to surges in avoidable health conditions after they have been diagnosed. Clinical commissioning groups were set up with the explicit job of using the clinical leadership of GPs to plan ahead when they design healthcare services, identifying trends or areas of concern before they implode into a public health crisis.

One such looming health crisis we are facing right now is diabetes. To be more specific, it’s a looming crisis of type 2 diabetes, which, as doctors have been arguing for decades now, is in many cases avoidable, or at least manageable, through spotting the risks early and providing the right health care immediately. In North West London, the NHS has been piloting a brilliant programme of work to fight diabetes at its root – and there are already some amazing results. Commissioners have even found ways to manage a patient’s type 2 diabetes into remission. Not only does this dramatically improve patient’s quality of life in the short term, but in the longer term, it saves the NHS potentially millions of pounds.

And that’s just one example. There are countless areas of health and social care that present to us exciting opportunities to do much more in the way of prevention and early management. Will it be easy? No. And nobody, certainly not in the NHS or local government, is pretending we have a magic wand that fixes the problem tomorrow.

But the main goals of the Long-Term Plan are things we should all welcome: I am looking forward to discussing with our local NHS partners how it will be taken forward in Brent. Perhaps what we can celebrate most is the commitment we increasingly see from NHS leaders in North West London to working together as partners, regardless of whether we see ourselves as NHS or as local authority, as physical or mental health workers, as providers or commissioners – and putting the needs of the patient first so that they can live healthier, happier lives.

Nethra Kore pictured with husband Shishir

ted to drink-driving this week and her lawyer pleaded against a ban, usually imposed in such cases.

According to court reports covered a local Manchester newspaper, the court heard that Kore’s husband Shishir, 41, was unable to do the school run as he is a senior nurse with the NHS and tasked with collecting donated organs from across the UK at short notice.

While the court spared her a driving ban, her driving licence could still be

years of passing their test.

The incident occurred last June after traffic officers spotted her driving in the dark without her car headlights on.

The court heard that Kore blew 55 microgames of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, while the legal limit is 35 mg.

In an unusual legal move defence lawyer John Dye urged that his client be handed a short ban instead of a discretionary 10 points on her licence so she could

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The resilient Kashmiri Hindu Pandits commemorate 30 years in exile On Sunday 19th January, the Kashmiri Pandit Cultural Society (KPCS), London commemorated 30 Years in Exile of the Kashmiri Hindu Pandits following their mass exodus from the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir in 1990.

Official figures estimate that over 350,000 Kashmiri Hindus were forced to flee from their homes following insurgent attacks unleashed

by Islamist organisations.

According to IDMC (internal displacement monitoring centre of the Norwegian Refugee Council) 350,621 Kashmiri Pandits have been displaced from the valley since the insurgency began.

Awakening of the Global Hindu, a first event of its kind paid special tribute to the Revered Kashmiri Hindu Saint Poetess Lalleshwari ‘Lal Ded’ and is the first of a few events throughout this year to celebrate her 700th birth anniversary. The keynote address, was delivered by Sushil Pandit, a campaigner for the rights of Kashmiri Hindu Pandits.

Acknowledging the community of survivors, as opposed to victims Pandit reminded the audience of the seven such exodus’ that had occured in the past 600 years. Additionally, he also warned about terror organisations like Jammu Kashmir Liberation front operating with impunity within the UK and being actively supported by political parties.

The programme also included first-person accounts of Kashmiri Hindu genocide survivors living in the UK alongside a curated exhibition of Kashmiri artefacts.

This was followed by

Volunteers of Kashmiri Pandit Cultural Society with Bob Blackman MP for Harrow East, Baroness Verma, Jonathan Lord, MP, Woking and other distinguished guests

another such event hosted at the Houses of Parliament on Monday 20th January.

Understanding the Human Rights of Minorities in Kashmir Valley was hosted by the Hon’ble Bob Blackman, Chair All Party Parliamentary, APPG group for British Hindus and KPCS, London. He reiterated that Kashmir was an integral part of India and the UK government policy is of non-interference within the internal matters of India.

The event was co- chaired

by Jonathan Lord, MP, Woking. The event was also attended by Rt Hon’ble Theresa Villiers and Baroness Verma who urged the British Indian community to engage with their representatives. Sonal Sher, an active member of the KPCS recalled the planned, sustained attacks by Pakistani organisations on British citizens and how British Indians were being made to feel unsafe in their own country. She spoke

about her personal experiences of being targeted because of being a Hindu by Pakistani-origin Labour supporters. She also spoke about Halal food being supplied to school children without parents being fully aware and how currently there is no provision in the law so that consumers can make an informed choice to fit in within their religious, moral and ethical beliefs.

An Early Day Motion to commemorate 30 years in Exile for Kashmiri Pandits will be tabled by Hon’ble Bob Blackman, Tory MP for Harrow East. It expresses, “condolences to the families and friends of all British Hindu citizens of Kashmiriorigin who were killed, raped, injured & exterminated during this period[exodus of 1990].

“It also condemns the desecration of the holiest sites in Jammu and Kashmir; vows to protect the rights of Hindus and minorities in the U.K. facing hate crime,

grooming and religious injustice; is concerned that terror supporting and sympathising individuals and organisations are thriving in the UK and posing a threat to the harmony & peace of the country and its citizens; Urges the British Government & International bodies to recognise the ethnic extermination and genocide of Kashmiri Hindus; Finally, commends the resilience and courage shown by the members of Kashmiri Hindu community who survived this gruesome ethnic genocide and who did not resort to picking up guns but instead pursued education and aspiration and today make a huge contribution to UK.” The attendees also observed a 1 minute silence to commemorate the victims of Kashmiri Hindu genocide and commemorate Holocaust Memorial day which takes place next week.

Access India Program facilitating UK-India business relations Rohit Vadhwana Access India Program (AIP) is a flagship program of the High Commission to promote the ‘Make in India’ initiative of the Government of India. As the name suggests, the program is aimed at facilitating access to India. Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are the growth engines of India and the UK. UK India Business Council (UKIBC) is the Knowledge Partner for implementing AIP. The program is fully funded by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) from the Government of India.

AIP facilitates the UK based SMEs to set up their manufacturing base in India. Many companies from the UK are interested in exploring the opportunities provided by the Indian market. With their niche technology and unique products, UK companies would like to make their presence in India where skilled manpower, availability of resources and the big market will provide a much-needed platform for growth.

The first phase of the program was launched in September 2017 by the High Commission and 50 SMEs were selected in two cohorts for facilitating their entry into India. Ten of them have already established operation in India and others are at an advanced stage of progress. During the second phase, a minimum of twenty new companies will be selected for facilitation under the AIP-II. AIP follows a rigorous but objective process to select SME from a large number of applicants. The High Commission of India, UKIBC as the Knowledge Partner, and many Associate Partners support and guide these selected companies for their market entry into India.

The launch event for the AIP-II was held in the High Commission on Friday, 17 January where High Commissioner Mrs Ruchi Ghanashyam delivered welcome remarks and mentioned that with improved 'Ease of Doing Business' parameters in India, the UK based SMEs will find the climate much more business-friendly and easy to work in. As per the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business Index of 2019, India stands at 63rd place and has moved up 79 positions in the last 5 years, an unprecedented improvement.

The program has acquired a brand amongst the UK industry and has remained very popular in the first phase.

The second phase is set to be much more effective and attractive. Both countries have very strong trade and investment relations. Bilateral merchandise trade of goods in FY 2018-19 amounted to USD 16.7 billion. Over 840 Indian companies are active in UK, creating more than 105,000 jobs and contributing approximately GBP 50 billion annually. Similarly, UK is India's one of the largest inward investors with a total investment of USD 28 billion-plus in the last nineteen years. AIP will facilitate more investment in India and strengthen long term economic relations.

(Expressed opinion is personal)

Do you have a story or suggestion for this column?

Email at: livingbridgeasianvoice@gmail.com

Rotary supports National Immunisation Day Parliamentarians join Tamils A group of local Rotarians from the UK including District Governor Manoj Joshi from Bradford and Assistant District Governor Rabi Martins from Watford travelled to Amritsar to support the National Immunisation Day activities. Rotary International has been leading the campaign to eradicate Polio since 1985 when there were thousands of Polio cases across the world. Today the number of these cases have been reduced to under 20 across three countries.

Speaking after the trip Rabi Martins said, “Of all the voluntary activities that the Rotary initiates and supports this has to be the most valuable. To know that when you give a

to celebrate Pongal

On 17th January, several British parliamentarians gathered with the British Tamil community to celebrate the Tamil harvest festival of Pongal, at the House of Parliament.

Assistant District Governor Rabi Martins from Watford alonside other local Rotary members in Amritsar

child just two Polio Vaccine drops you are giving that child freedom from the threat of developing Polio is both humbling and a source of unimaginable personal satisfaction.”

Sunday January 19th, marked the first day of

National Immunisation round of Pulse Polio and around 2.2 million children under the age of 5 years old were administered with polio drops. This campaign is expected to reach over 3 million children suffering from the disease.

Parliamentarians included Sir Barry Gardiner, the Shadow Secretary of State for International Trade, Robert Halfon, parliamentarian and Chair of the Education Committee and Ed Davey, co-Leader of the Liberal Democrats.

“Whilst we have gathered to celebrate this joyous occasion, we should remember our friends, our Tamil brothers and sisters in Sri

Ed Davey

Lanka who are still under oppression, discrimination, harassment and who still don’t get their human rights or political rights, acknowledged by the government in

Colombo. After the recent election, when we saw President Rajapaksa elected – and we know his record – we worry even more,” said Sir Ed Davey.

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25 - 31 January 2020

BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir participates in Brent's RISE show On 18th January, BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Neasden joined 300 performers from schools, dance clubs and community groups across Brent to participate in RISE, the opening event of Brent’s year as London Borough of Culture.

The spectacular outdoor family-friendly show was hosted at Wembley Park on a five-storey stage against the iconic Wembley Stadium.

The programme was attended by the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan who met young members of the Blueprint Collective, a group of young people at the centre of every programme taking place this year. The mayor was informed about their 'Seen & Heard' project.

Thousands along Olympic Waybrought together theatre, dance, music and projection to tell stories of migration and cultural integration in Brent through a mass-participato-

ry performance. A 45 minute road show took the visitors on a visual journey through the origins of Metroland to the birth of Trojan Records and archive footage of the Grunwick Strikes.

Whilst children from the Mandir performed the Shanti Path – Vedic prayers for peace, harmony and righteous prosperity to prevail in the local community and across the world.

Children and youths from the Mandir also delivered a short cultural performance of lights amid vibrant projections of the Mandir on the large screens.

Devan Parekh, a lead volunteer of the Mandir, said, “Neasden Temple has been an integral part of Brent’s rich and vibrant culture ever since it opened in 1995. As we celebrate the Temple’s 25th anniversary

this year, it was fitting to support the Borough in beginning its year of activities to celebrate the London Borough of Culture. We look forward to welcoming more visitors to Brent from all parts of London and around the country to mark this very special year.”

The show closed with an explosive live performance

by Brent-born artist General Levy.

Bradford woman wins Young Volunteer of the Year Award A 21-year-old woman from Bradford, who volunteers with Barnardo’s Bradford SENDIASS (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information Advice and Support Service), has won the nationwide Marsh Trust Young Volunteer of the Year Award.

Khadeeja Bashir was given the award by Barnardo’s Chief Executive Javed Khan at a special celebratory event at the HQ of Sainsbury’s in London for demonstrating an exceptional level of support and commitment. Barnardo’s SENDIASS helps parents

and children with special educational needs to navigate the system, so that people can get the best for their children.Khadeeja was nominated by Debbie Jowett who manages the SENDIASS service. Khadeeja said, “I shadow the case workers going to different schools and meetings with parents and children and I do administrative office work, so I help the team to make their working lives a little easier.”

Barnardo’s has more than 8,000 committed staff and more than 20,000 dedicated volunteers, without whom, many children and

Khadeeja Bashir with Javed Khan

young people would not get the vital support they need every day.

Barnardo’s Director for the North, Steve Oversby, said: “Without our amazing workforce and volunteers, we wouldn’t be able to keep

making a difference to children’s lives. These awards show our appreciation for everything they do to give some of the most disadvantaged children and young people in our society a better future.”

Yogesh Patel awarded MBE for services to Literature A renowned poet, author and writer Yogesh Patel has recently been awarded with the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire in the Queen's New Year's Honours List for his services to Literature.

A former co-editor of SkyLark India, Yogesh has published international contemporary poetry since the seventies. Currently, he runs the Word Masala Project, a platform promoting writers and poets of the South Asian diaspora.

A qualified optometrist and an accountant side

from he writes a regular coumn for Confluence.

Besides editing eSkylark, he is also the founder of the literary charity, Gujarati Literary Academy and has served as its president.

He was a Fellow of the International Poetry Society and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. He was awarded the Freedom of the City of London and, as a tri-lingual poet, has four LP records, two films, radio programmes, children’s book, fiction and non-fiction books.

Apart from being a recipient of the IWWP

Yogesh Patel with the Queen representing poetry and the Word Masala Foundation

award, the International Scottish Diploma for excellence in poetry, and an Hon. Diploma from the

Italian University of Arts, he has won the Co-Op Award for poetry on the environment.

BAME OFFENDERS FACE BIAS IN DRUG OFFENCES CASES

Black and minority ethnic (BAME) offenders face bias in drug offences cases. According to a research commissioned by Sentencing Council, BAME offenders are more likely to be sent to prison for drug offences than others. The disparity in sentencing is exposed by the official body that advises judges as it prepares to update guidelines for dealing with drug offenders in England and Wales.

The Sentencing Council’s research concentrated on associations between an offender’s sex and ethnicity, and the type and length of sentence they received in three supply-related drug crimes. It drew on statistics from crown court records between 2012 and 2015. The male offender is 2.4 times more likely to put under immediate custodial sentence than a female offender.

Male offenders received sentences on average 14% longer than for women.

The odds of a black offender receiving an immediate custodial sentence were found to be 1.4 times the odds for a comparable white offender. For Asian offenders and those in the designated “other” ethnic group, the odds of receiving an immediate custodial sentence for the three drug offences were 1.5 times greater than for white offenders.

Asian offenders received custodial sentences on average 4% longer than the sentences imposed for white offenders, the research found. No differences were discovered when comparing custodial sentence lengths between other ethnic groups. The Sentencing Council says it is concerned about the disparities.

Launching a consultation on revising existing drug offence guidelines, it says it is “asking … whether any of the factors in the draft drug offences guidelines, or the language used, could impact disproportionately on different social groups”.

The analysis did not identify reasons for the disparities in sentencing outcomes.

The council is proposing to update five drug offences guidelines that came into force in 2012 and cover offences under the Misuse of Drugs Act (MDA) 1971. Its aim is to “bring them up to date with modern drug offending” and to introduce four guidelines for new offences created by the Psychoactive Substances Act (PSA) 2016.

The Sentencing Council chair, Lord Justice Holroyde, said: “Drug offending affects a large cross-section of society; from people voluntarily involved in the trade including dealers and users, to families and the community who often have to deal with the aftermath, and it has to be taken seriously. The nature of offending is also changing and we are seeing more vulnerable people including children being exploited either through grooming or coercion. The proposed guidelines will provide guidance for courts and clear information for victims, witnesses and the public on how drug offenders are sentenced.”

Among new “culpability factors” likely to lead to tougher punishments that judges should include are exploiting children or vulnerable people to assist in drug-related activity and exercising control over another person’s home for drug dealing – the practice known as “cuckooing”.

MAYOR PLANS TO MAKE LONDON CARBON NEUTRAL BY 2030 Sadiq Khan has vowed to make London carbon neutral by 2030 if re-elected as mayor, and said he wanted to make the capital the “greenest city in the world”. Announcing his “green new deal”, he said he would also focus on improving air quality and access to green space in London.

“There is no doubt that this is an ambitious target and it is going to be hard for our city to meet, but unless London is stretched we will never make the changes we need,” Mr Khan said in a speech to the Fabian Society’s new year conference.

These plans follow other cities in the UK which have also set a similar 2030 target, including Leeds and Glasgow, while Nottingham wants to become the country’s first ever carbon neutral city in 2028.

Now there are three new City Trees, a series of CO2-filtering structures which have just been installed in Leytonstone.

They are actually towers filled with different types of moss, which eat up particulates and nitrogen oxides whilst simultaneously producing oxygen. The City Trees include their own irrigation and energy systems that allows them to operate whatever the weather, and also collect data about the surrounding environment, which can then be used to inform further green solutions.

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Sikhs demand international tribunal to investigate 1984 anti-Sikh riot crimes Around 200 Sikhs from across 20 countries are joining the Sikh Federation UK to lobby in the UN Security Council for a “Rwandastyle” international tribunal to investigate crimes during the 1984 anti-Sikh riot that killed more than 17,000 Sikhs.

The SFUK is launching its new “collective platform” in Paris by the end of March and reportedly says it will allow for international co-ordination of a range of political activities around a shared global agenda.

The Times of India reported that last week Narendra Modi-led NDA government accepted that the findings of the Supreme Court-appointed Justice SN Dhingra Committee, accused them of not investigating the anti-Sikh violence properly, while charging some police officers fo rconspiring with perpetrators.

Bhai Amrik Singh, Chair of SFUK reportedly told The Times of India: “Our experiences from the last 35 years and this latest report shows the police, politicians, and judiciary in India are corrupt to the core and the wheels of justice hardly turn. It is therefore impossible to secure justice within the Indian system.

We are confident in securing the support of the majority of the five members of the UN Security Council. It is the entire Indian machinery that must be put on trial in an international arena.”

Preet Gill, a British Sikh MP, told TOI: “I welcome the BJP accepting the findings of the Special Investigation Team (SIT). We have seen many investigations take place, so I commend the BJP for pushing this. Union minister Prakash Javadekar has called 1984 (anti-Sikh riots) a genocide and it must be recognised as such,” she said, referring to the Javadekar’s comments where he emphasised that “What happened in 1984 was not just riots but the worst kind of genocide

against the Sikhs”.

Lord Singh, a British Sikh peer, also told the newspaper that there should be a criminal investigation into 1984 Sikh genocide. He added, “Many of us have been pressing for it for years. The Indian authorities aren’t doing it.”

But he said that he could not see the UNSC entertaining it. “Britain, America, and Russia have all economic interests in India. It needs an independent inquiry. Britain would support a refusal to

consider it. The UN can set it up but big global players should not be involved.”

He also added that ideally, the India government should commission an independent inquiry.

“The Modi government can’t be blamed for 1984 but they could and should have launched an independent inquiry more on the lines of the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission (assembled in South Africa after apartheid) as to lessons

learned and if there is criminal behaviour and people are still about, they should be punished.

“The Justice D h i n g r a Committee report has not done that. It needs clout. It has drawn attention to failings and abuse in a kind of academic way, but it is not enough. A proper inquiry should go further and look to punishment and lessons learned. The punishment is not as important as to the cause and how it started because there is a feeling in the Sikh community that it started at the very top of the government and there is evidence of that and that has not been clarified. I don’t know why the present government can’t pin the blame on those responsible from Rajiv Gandhi downwards. That is what makes it a genocide — the deliberate, planned extermination of a people of a certain religion — and that has not been investigated.”

Nottingham’s new Brit-Indian MP plans to donate most of her salary to local causes Nadia Whittome, Britain’s 23 year-old half AngloIndian and half Punjabi and newest Labour MP who became Nottingham’s first ever BAME MP, in an exclusive and rare interview with Times of India, said that she plans to only take home only 35,000 pounds out of her 79,000 pounds salary, so that she could donate the rest to local causes.

Speaking to Times of India, she said, “If Labour MPs are in Westminster to represent workers, they should not take salaries that separate them materially from the vast majority of the people they were elected to represent.”

Nadia’s father who is Sikh, Punjabi belonged to Mehrampur, not far from Tan Dhesi’s ancestral village Raipur. However he was raised at Banga. Arrived in the UK when hw was 21, working in factories and as a miner, before he moved to running a corner shop. Currently he is a deiving instructor. Her mother Trish, a Catholic social care lawyer, parents immigrated from Kolkata, in the 1950s.

Nadia and her brother who now lives in Sydney was brought up by their mother alone in different areas of Nottingham, including two council estates, though she never lived in a council house.

She spoke about her working mother made so many sacrifices to raise two children in her own. She dropped out of a law degree to work as a hate crime worker. Influenced by both Punjabi and AngloIndian culture, she wants to travel to Kolkata, though she has been in India once to attend a wedding when she was 9. She was born into a Labour-voting household.

Even at the age of one, her mother took her out campaigning for Tony Blair in the 1997 election.

She told TOI that she was miffed to find herself excluded from a statement issued by Labour Friends of India before the election naming Kanpur-born Navendu Mishra as the only PIO in a safe Labour seat since her seat, Nottingham East, has been Labour since 1992. She felt that it may have happened because she had spoken out on Kashmir. She told

He attended English-style boarding schools in India from the age of eight and returned to Zanzibar after secondary school. In 1964, his family fled the Zanzibar revolution moving to Middlesex, England. Having studied and written music for years, he formed Queen in 1970.

The coin, that was released on Monday, features

the band's logo and instruments played by the Queen members: the Bechstein grand piano played

by Freddie Mercury for Bohemian Rhapsody, May's Red Special guitar, Roger Taylor's Ludwig bass drum with an early-day Queen crest and John Deacon's Fender Precision Bass.

The coin's designer Chris Facey also paid tribute to

Bohemian Rhapsody, the band's most celebrated hit, with the keys of the piano on the coin pressed down for the opening notes of the song, said Reuters.

The commemorative coin is available in gold and silver proof, with prices varying from £13 to £2,100.

Africa – The UK’s Investment Partner of Choice Lord Dolar Popat Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Rwanda and Uganda Earlier this week the UK hosted an event with a continent I feel could be the most significant new partnership we’d be fortunate enough to develop, particularly post Brexit.

Nadia Whittome

the newspaper, “I have contacted them to inform them I am of Indian origin but it has not been corrected. It’s a shame because it ignores the great diversity of India. It is not just Hindus — it’s Catholics, Sikhs and Muslims.

“It’s funny because I am never seen by white people as being white because I am not.

On the Anglo-Indian side, there is some white blood but it is from 1600 or 1700 and on my dad’s side my ancestors are all Indian.

“Kashmir is one of the issues I have spoken about quite openly. I think what the Indian government is doing is abhorrent and Articles 370 and 35A need to be reinstated.”

Nottingham East Constituency Labour Party (CLP) reportedly ‘seconded’ the controversial motion on Kashmir passed at the Labour party conference last September. Nadia told TOI that she attended the conference but did not vote or speak to it as she was a visitor, not a delegate. She added that she wanted to speak to protesting students in India and the people who took part in the nationwide strike Nadia sees her role as serving the interests of the working-class people of Nottingham East.

Whilst some British Indian groups campaigned against Labour in the election, her constituency saw no impact. She added that she believed that Labour lost the election not because its policies were unpopular, but because Corbyn was vilified in the UK press. She reportedly added that she wants the next Labour leader to be “economically left-wing” and not “retreat from the transformative economic policies” developed under Corbyn.

Royal Mint pays tribute to Freddie Mercury's 'Queen' Britain's Royal Mint has issued its first commemorative coin featuring a British rock group, in a tribute to the late Freddie Mercury and the three other band members of Queen.

Mercury, born as Farrokh Balsara in Zanzibar was of Parsi origin, and his parents originated from India.

17

On Monday, Africa came to London for the historic UK-Africa Investment Summit. Prime Minister Boris Johnson, his top advisors and Ministers met with other Heads of State of Government, politicians, business leaders and investors to work out a deservedly ambitious set of sustainable partnerships which could be truly transformative for both the UK and the countries of Africa politically, socially and economically, for generations to come.

The Summit marked the first time governments and businesses from the UK and Africa came together for an event of this scale, with 21 African nations represented including President Kenyatta of Kenya, President Museveni of Uganda, President Kagame of Rwanda and President Mutharika of Malawi.

Focus at the Summit concentrated on protecting the environment, promoting the health and economic development of the people of Africa and how together we can increase opportunities for investments and jobs in both nations. The event enabled us to showcase all the things that make Great Britain great; including our long established and trusted institu-

tions, rule of law, financial services, as well as the jewel in our financial crown, our world-famous City of London as the gateway for capital and investment into Africa.

Speaking at the Summit, Prime Minister Boris Johnson made the case for the UK to become the ‘investment partner of choice’ for African countries. Deals worth billions of pounds were announced at the Summit.

These will drive jobs and growth in all parts of the UK and in Africa, benefitting a range of British companies from family firms to major multinationals. All new investments will reflect the Prime Minister’s commitment to build long-term, sustainable relationships in Africa underpinned by our values and high standards.

Following on from the Summit, I hosted a roundtable business forum meeting with Prime Museveni and a large number of British companies investing in Uganda where we announced the forthcoming launch of the UK-Uganda Business Forum. The new Forum believes in creating new lasting partnerships that will benefit people and businesses across Uganda and the UK. As like the rest of Africa, the future of Uganda is trade not aid. As the UK prepares to leave the European Union, the UK wants a closer trading partnership with African nations such as Uganda. I hope that this Forum will help UK businesses to seize new and exciting opportunities for investment and help Uganda get the investment they want.

Lord Dolar Popat with President Paul Kagame of Rwanda

Another privilege of the Summit for me was to speak with and meet President Kagame of Rwanda and President Tshisekedi of the Congo about further investment opportunities in Africa.

It showed that the UK is open for trade and this Summit helped bring together British and African businesses so that we can harness the huge potential of the continent.

But without a doubt, my most rewarding moments of the whole gathering was seeing that where ever you looked and wherever you talked there was a buzz. An electrically charged current of excitement and enthusiasm for what could become ran through every conversation and discussion. Deals, relationships and friendships were forming and deepening.

Military veterans to get cut-price railcard to boost job prospects Military veterans will get cut-price train travel to help boost job prospects and bring them closer to family and friends, with a new railcard on sale from Armistice Day, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has announced.

Available from Armistice Day (11 November) this year, the railcard will extend discounted train travel to the more than 830,000 veterans not covered by existing discounts.

Joined by veterans at St Pancras railway station, the Transport Secretary and the Minister for the Cabinet Office underlined the Government’s commitment to supporting former service personnel and recognised their service to the country.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said, “Every

Joanna Lumley with Gurkha war veterans

part of society should honour the debt we owe those who’ve served our country. I’m proud that the Department for Transport, together with other government colleagues and the rail industry, is doing its bit.

“This railcard will help open up opportunities to veterans, whether through employment and retraining, or by strengthening links with friends and family. I believe that enabling former service personnel to

travel more easily is the least we can do.”

The money-saving announcement, delivering on a manifesto commitment, forms part of the Government’s Veterans Strategy.

The strategy will be coordinated by the recently-established Office for Veterans Affairs. Cabinet Office Minister Oliver Dowden, who represents the Office for Veterans Affairs in Cabinet. He said, "Our new action plan will help

to make the UK the best place in the world for veterans. The Office for Veterans’ Affairs will drive the plan from the heart of government, working to help veterans on jobs, housing and health, through better data and a more joined up approach."

Minister for Defence People and Veterans Johnny Mercer said, “Discounted train travel is a fantastic way to recognise those who have served this country, and the speed at which plans have been worked up shows how seriously we are taking our commitments to make the UK the best country in the world to be a veteran.

“The railcard is only the start though, and I’m clear we need to do more to look after the people who so selflessly put their lives on the line to look after us...”

I have never been in a room so full warmth and potential.

That word, potential, for me, was the word of the Summit. I found myself saying it in all my conversations.

If there was ever another country which embodied this word so completely, it is Africa. In the last few years, Africa has inspirationally realised her ‘potential’ so much that she is now dubbed the new economic frontier.

According to the International Monetary Fund she is home to eight of the world’s 15 fastest growing economies. 4 of them are in the top 5. She has collectively tripled her GDP since 2000 at an annual rate of 4.6%, and by 2050 one in four global consumers will be from the Continent.

Furthermore, she is home to a third of the worlds natural resources and has some of the largest and most innovative cities in the world with no less than 60 of them having a population of over 1 million. It is a no brainer to understand why Britain plans to become the largest G7 investor in Africa by 2022.

That being said, it was clear from the Summit that our connection wasn’t only all about business. A deeper connection has always been there based on our countries shared entrepreneurial and aspirational spirit. Our peoples shared work ethic and morals.

Our shared histories, cultures and of course, our shared and beloved Commonwealth. We are much more than business partners. We are friends and we are family.

I have always believed there is nowhere more of a natural home for the UK out-

side of our own borders, than in Africa. For many years as the Trade Envoy for Rwanda and Uganda I saw first hand how the African nations are thriving and working and growing. And how similar they are to us here in the UK. Our people share the same hearts and minds, drive and passion to work hard and make the future more comfortable than the past, that drive to help those less fortunate out of poverty and bring better lives, and education and environments to our communities collectively drive us all. It is these motivations and aspirations which made coming together this week so effortless.

The last few days for me have not been work, they have been a pleasure. As a British man and as an African, my heart is full of pride and anticipation for the successes which will grow and flourish from the plans we made at this UK-African Investment Summit. I know the ambitious vision for growth we set out with our African friends this week has no limits, not only in relation to the advancement of our economies, but also in answering some of the world’s wider social and sustainability questions. As this Summit week has drawn to a close, I know this is only the beginning of something great. Our countries have much work to get on with and I am already looking forward to the next UK-Africa Investment Summit where I know we will be celebrating all of the shared prosperity we will have achieved by then. The sky really is the limit.

Harrow Councillors awarded for selfless and helpful contributions Cllr Anjana Patel has been described as a “star”, with reference to her work for children with mental health issues in Harrow, as well as her daily work as a councillor. Patel, pictured, was among other Harrow councillors who were praised for their dedication to the community, many after completing 25 years of service.

Conservative councillors Jean Lammiman and Chris Mote and Labour councillor Phillip O’Dell received ceremonial vellum scrolls to acknowledge their time at Harrow Council at the Civic Centre on Thursday. All three long-serving members were praised for their “willingness to

help others”, including younger or more inexperienced councillors.

Several councillors – from both the Conservative and the Labour Party – were also praised as they thanked them for their hard work over the years.

Cllr O’Dell, who represents Wealdstone ward and is responsible for housing at Harrow Council, was first elected in Marlborough in 1990.

He was reportedly described as “the perfect councillor” by fellow Labour councillor Kiran Ramchandani, who praised his “commitment to residents, the council, the borough and the party”.

The Harrow Times reported that the cur-

Cllr Anjana Patel

rent leader of Harrow Council, Cllr Graham Henson, said: “Some might say it’s just a piece of paper, but it’s what it really symbolises.

“This is not a highlypaid role and you have to put a lot of time in and make a lot of key decisions.

“You have continued to make a contribution to the people of Harrow, and you all have the heart to never give up hope and still believe you can help change the future.”

16 UK

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25 - 31 January 2020

Sikhs demand international tribunal to investigate 1984 anti-Sikh riot crimes Around 200 Sikhs from across 20 countries are joining the Sikh Federation UK to lobby in the UN Security Council for a “Rwandastyle” international tribunal to investigate crimes during the 1984 anti-Sikh riot that killed more than 17,000 Sikhs.

The SFUK is launching its new “collective platform” in Paris by the end of March and reportedly says it will allow for international co-ordination of a range of political activities around a shared global agenda.

The Times of India reported that last week Narendra Modi-led NDA government accepted that the findings of the Supreme Court-appointed Justice SN Dhingra Committee, accused them of not investigating the anti-Sikh violence properly, while charging some police officers fo rconspiring with perpetrators.

Bhai Amrik Singh, Chair of SFUK reportedly told The Times of India: “Our experiences from the last 35 years and this latest report shows the police, politicians, and judiciary in India are corrupt to the core and the wheels of justice hardly turn. It is therefore impossible to secure justice within the Indian system.

We are confident in securing the support of the majority of the five members of the UN Security Council. It is the entire Indian machinery that must be put on trial in an international arena.”

Preet Gill, a British Sikh MP, told TOI: “I welcome the BJP accepting the findings of the Special Investigation Team (SIT). We have seen many investigations take place, so I commend the BJP for pushing this. Union minister Prakash Javadekar has called 1984 (anti-Sikh riots) a genocide and it must be recognised as such,” she said, referring to the Javadekar’s comments where he emphasised that “What happened in 1984 was not just riots but the worst kind of genocide

against the Sikhs”.

Lord Singh, a British Sikh peer, also told the newspaper that there should be a criminal investigation into 1984 Sikh genocide. He added, “Many of us have been pressing for it for years. The Indian authorities aren’t doing it.”

But he said that he could not see the UNSC entertaining it. “Britain, America, and Russia have all economic interests in India. It needs an independent inquiry. Britain would support a refusal to

consider it. The UN can set it up but big global players should not be involved.”

He also added that ideally, the India government should commission an independent inquiry.

“The Modi government can’t be blamed for 1984 but they could and should have launched an independent inquiry more on the lines of the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission (assembled in South Africa after apartheid) as to lessons

learned and if there is criminal behaviour and people are still about, they should be punished.

“The Justice D h i n g r a Committee report has not done that. It needs clout. It has drawn attention to failings and abuse in a kind of academic way, but it is not enough. A proper inquiry should go further and look to punishment and lessons learned. The punishment is not as important as to the cause and how it started because there is a feeling in the Sikh community that it started at the very top of the government and there is evidence of that and that has not been clarified. I don’t know why the present government can’t pin the blame on those responsible from Rajiv Gandhi downwards. That is what makes it a genocide — the deliberate, planned extermination of a people of a certain religion — and that has not been investigated.”

Nottingham’s new Brit-Indian MP plans to donate most of her salary to local causes Nadia Whittome, Britain’s 23 year-old half AngloIndian and half Punjabi and newest Labour MP who became Nottingham’s first ever BAME MP, in an exclusive and rare interview with Times of India, said that she plans to only take home only 35,000 pounds out of her 79,000 pounds salary, so that she could donate the rest to local causes.

Speaking to Times of India, she said, “If Labour MPs are in Westminster to represent workers, they should not take salaries that separate them materially from the vast majority of the people they were elected to represent.”

Nadia’s father who is Sikh, Punjabi belonged to Mehrampur, not far from Tan Dhesi’s ancestral village Raipur. However he was raised at Banga. Arrived in the UK when hw was 21, working in factories and as a miner, before he moved to running a corner shop. Currently he is a deiving instructor. Her mother Trish, a Catholic social care lawyer, parents immigrated from Kolkata, in the 1950s.

Nadia and her brother who now lives in Sydney was brought up by their mother alone in different areas of Nottingham, including two council estates, though she never lived in a council house.

She spoke about her working mother made so many sacrifices to raise two children in her own. She dropped out of a law degree to work as a hate crime worker. Influenced by both Punjabi and AngloIndian culture, she wants to travel to Kolkata, though she has been in India once to attend a wedding when she was 9. She was born into a Labour-voting household.

Even at the age of one, her mother took her out campaigning for Tony Blair in the 1997 election.

She told TOI that she was miffed to find herself excluded from a statement issued by Labour Friends of India before the election naming Kanpur-born Navendu Mishra as the only PIO in a safe Labour seat since her seat, Nottingham East, has been Labour since 1992. She felt that it may have happened because she had spoken out on Kashmir. She told

He attended English-style boarding schools in India from the age of eight and returned to Zanzibar after secondary school. In 1964, his family fled the Zanzibar revolution moving to Middlesex, England. Having studied and written music for years, he formed Queen in 1970.

The coin, that was released on Monday, features

the band's logo and instruments played by the Queen members: the Bechstein grand piano played

by Freddie Mercury for Bohemian Rhapsody, May's Red Special guitar, Roger Taylor's Ludwig bass drum with an early-day Queen crest and John Deacon's Fender Precision Bass.

The coin's designer Chris Facey also paid tribute to

Bohemian Rhapsody, the band's most celebrated hit, with the keys of the piano on the coin pressed down for the opening notes of the song, said Reuters.

The commemorative coin is available in gold and silver proof, with prices varying from £13 to £2,100.

Africa – The UK’s Investment Partner of Choice Lord Dolar Popat Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Rwanda and Uganda Earlier this week the UK hosted an event with a continent I feel could be the most significant new partnership we’d be fortunate enough to develop, particularly post Brexit.

Nadia Whittome

the newspaper, “I have contacted them to inform them I am of Indian origin but it has not been corrected. It’s a shame because it ignores the great diversity of India. It is not just Hindus — it’s Catholics, Sikhs and Muslims.

“It’s funny because I am never seen by white people as being white because I am not.

On the Anglo-Indian side, there is some white blood but it is from 1600 or 1700 and on my dad’s side my ancestors are all Indian.

“Kashmir is one of the issues I have spoken about quite openly. I think what the Indian government is doing is abhorrent and Articles 370 and 35A need to be reinstated.”

Nottingham East Constituency Labour Party (CLP) reportedly ‘seconded’ the controversial motion on Kashmir passed at the Labour party conference last September. Nadia told TOI that she attended the conference but did not vote or speak to it as she was a visitor, not a delegate. She added that she wanted to speak to protesting students in India and the people who took part in the nationwide strike Nadia sees her role as serving the interests of the working-class people of Nottingham East.

Whilst some British Indian groups campaigned against Labour in the election, her constituency saw no impact. She added that she believed that Labour lost the election not because its policies were unpopular, but because Corbyn was vilified in the UK press. She reportedly added that she wants the next Labour leader to be “economically left-wing” and not “retreat from the transformative economic policies” developed under Corbyn.

Royal Mint pays tribute to Freddie Mercury's 'Queen' Britain's Royal Mint has issued its first commemorative coin featuring a British rock group, in a tribute to the late Freddie Mercury and the three other band members of Queen.

Mercury, born as Farrokh Balsara in Zanzibar was of Parsi origin, and his parents originated from India.

17

On Monday, Africa came to London for the historic UK-Africa Investment Summit. Prime Minister Boris Johnson, his top advisors and Ministers met with other Heads of State of Government, politicians, business leaders and investors to work out a deservedly ambitious set of sustainable partnerships which could be truly transformative for both the UK and the countries of Africa politically, socially and economically, for generations to come.

The Summit marked the first time governments and businesses from the UK and Africa came together for an event of this scale, with 21 African nations represented including President Kenyatta of Kenya, President Museveni of Uganda, President Kagame of Rwanda and President Mutharika of Malawi.

Focus at the Summit concentrated on protecting the environment, promoting the health and economic development of the people of Africa and how together we can increase opportunities for investments and jobs in both nations. The event enabled us to showcase all the things that make Great Britain great; including our long established and trusted institu-

tions, rule of law, financial services, as well as the jewel in our financial crown, our world-famous City of London as the gateway for capital and investment into Africa.

Speaking at the Summit, Prime Minister Boris Johnson made the case for the UK to become the ‘investment partner of choice’ for African countries. Deals worth billions of pounds were announced at the Summit.

These will drive jobs and growth in all parts of the UK and in Africa, benefitting a range of British companies from family firms to major multinationals. All new investments will reflect the Prime Minister’s commitment to build long-term, sustainable relationships in Africa underpinned by our values and high standards.

Following on from the Summit, I hosted a roundtable business forum meeting with Prime Museveni and a large number of British companies investing in Uganda where we announced the forthcoming launch of the UK-Uganda Business Forum. The new Forum believes in creating new lasting partnerships that will benefit people and businesses across Uganda and the UK. As like the rest of Africa, the future of Uganda is trade not aid. As the UK prepares to leave the European Union, the UK wants a closer trading partnership with African nations such as Uganda. I hope that this Forum will help UK businesses to seize new and exciting opportunities for investment and help Uganda get the investment they want.

Lord Dolar Popat with President Paul Kagame of Rwanda

Another privilege of the Summit for me was to speak with and meet President Kagame of Rwanda and President Tshisekedi of the Congo about further investment opportunities in Africa.

It showed that the UK is open for trade and this Summit helped bring together British and African businesses so that we can harness the huge potential of the continent.

But without a doubt, my most rewarding moments of the whole gathering was seeing that where ever you looked and wherever you talked there was a buzz. An electrically charged current of excitement and enthusiasm for what could become ran through every conversation and discussion. Deals, relationships and friendships were forming and deepening.

Military veterans to get cut-price railcard to boost job prospects Military veterans will get cut-price train travel to help boost job prospects and bring them closer to family and friends, with a new railcard on sale from Armistice Day, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has announced.

Available from Armistice Day (11 November) this year, the railcard will extend discounted train travel to the more than 830,000 veterans not covered by existing discounts.

Joined by veterans at St Pancras railway station, the Transport Secretary and the Minister for the Cabinet Office underlined the Government’s commitment to supporting former service personnel and recognised their service to the country.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said, “Every

Joanna Lumley with Gurkha war veterans

part of society should honour the debt we owe those who’ve served our country. I’m proud that the Department for Transport, together with other government colleagues and the rail industry, is doing its bit.

“This railcard will help open up opportunities to veterans, whether through employment and retraining, or by strengthening links with friends and family. I believe that enabling former service personnel to

travel more easily is the least we can do.”

The money-saving announcement, delivering on a manifesto commitment, forms part of the Government’s Veterans Strategy.

The strategy will be coordinated by the recently-established Office for Veterans Affairs. Cabinet Office Minister Oliver Dowden, who represents the Office for Veterans Affairs in Cabinet. He said, "Our new action plan will help

to make the UK the best place in the world for veterans. The Office for Veterans’ Affairs will drive the plan from the heart of government, working to help veterans on jobs, housing and health, through better data and a more joined up approach."

Minister for Defence People and Veterans Johnny Mercer said, “Discounted train travel is a fantastic way to recognise those who have served this country, and the speed at which plans have been worked up shows how seriously we are taking our commitments to make the UK the best country in the world to be a veteran.

“The railcard is only the start though, and I’m clear we need to do more to look after the people who so selflessly put their lives on the line to look after us...”

I have never been in a room so full warmth and potential.

That word, potential, for me, was the word of the Summit. I found myself saying it in all my conversations.

If there was ever another country which embodied this word so completely, it is Africa. In the last few years, Africa has inspirationally realised her ‘potential’ so much that she is now dubbed the new economic frontier.

According to the International Monetary Fund she is home to eight of the world’s 15 fastest growing economies. 4 of them are in the top 5. She has collectively tripled her GDP since 2000 at an annual rate of 4.6%, and by 2050 one in four global consumers will be from the Continent.

Furthermore, she is home to a third of the worlds natural resources and has some of the largest and most innovative cities in the world with no less than 60 of them having a population of over 1 million. It is a no brainer to understand why Britain plans to become the largest G7 investor in Africa by 2022.

That being said, it was clear from the Summit that our connection wasn’t only all about business. A deeper connection has always been there based on our countries shared entrepreneurial and aspirational spirit. Our peoples shared work ethic and morals.

Our shared histories, cultures and of course, our shared and beloved Commonwealth. We are much more than business partners. We are friends and we are family.

I have always believed there is nowhere more of a natural home for the UK out-

side of our own borders, than in Africa. For many years as the Trade Envoy for Rwanda and Uganda I saw first hand how the African nations are thriving and working and growing. And how similar they are to us here in the UK. Our people share the same hearts and minds, drive and passion to work hard and make the future more comfortable than the past, that drive to help those less fortunate out of poverty and bring better lives, and education and environments to our communities collectively drive us all. It is these motivations and aspirations which made coming together this week so effortless.

The last few days for me have not been work, they have been a pleasure. As a British man and as an African, my heart is full of pride and anticipation for the successes which will grow and flourish from the plans we made at this UK-African Investment Summit. I know the ambitious vision for growth we set out with our African friends this week has no limits, not only in relation to the advancement of our economies, but also in answering some of the world’s wider social and sustainability questions. As this Summit week has drawn to a close, I know this is only the beginning of something great. Our countries have much work to get on with and I am already looking forward to the next UK-Africa Investment Summit where I know we will be celebrating all of the shared prosperity we will have achieved by then. The sky really is the limit.

Harrow Councillors awarded for selfless and helpful contributions Cllr Anjana Patel has been described as a “star”, with reference to her work for children with mental health issues in Harrow, as well as her daily work as a councillor. Patel, pictured, was among other Harrow councillors who were praised for their dedication to the community, many after completing 25 years of service.

Conservative councillors Jean Lammiman and Chris Mote and Labour councillor Phillip O’Dell received ceremonial vellum scrolls to acknowledge their time at Harrow Council at the Civic Centre on Thursday. All three long-serving members were praised for their “willingness to

help others”, including younger or more inexperienced councillors.

Several councillors – from both the Conservative and the Labour Party – were also praised as they thanked them for their hard work over the years.

Cllr O’Dell, who represents Wealdstone ward and is responsible for housing at Harrow Council, was first elected in Marlborough in 1990.

He was reportedly described as “the perfect councillor” by fellow Labour councillor Kiran Ramchandani, who praised his “commitment to residents, the council, the borough and the party”.

The Harrow Times reported that the cur-

Cllr Anjana Patel

rent leader of Harrow Council, Cllr Graham Henson, said: “Some might say it’s just a piece of paper, but it’s what it really symbolises.

“This is not a highlypaid role and you have to put a lot of time in and make a lot of key decisions.

“You have continued to make a contribution to the people of Harrow, and you all have the heart to never give up hope and still believe you can help change the future.”

18 FINANCE - UK

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25 - 31 January 2020

British economy to grow faster than eurozone, predicts IMF

The International Monetary Fund in its projections predicted that the British economy is set to outpace the eurozone in the first two years after Brexit. The IMF predicted that the euro area would see economic growth of 1.3 per cent in 2020 and 1.4 per cent in 2021. But it suggested the UK economy could see economic growth of 1.4 per cent this year and 1.5 per cent next year.

However, the IMF's prediction of stable economic growth for the UK is predicated on an orderly divorce from the European Union. Britain is due to leave the bloc on January 31 when it will then enter into a standstill transition period which will come to an end in December.

During that period the two sides will try to hammer out the terms of their future relationship.

Boris Johnson has ruled out any extension to the transition period and believes a complete trade deal can be agreed by the end of the year. But EU chiefs do not believe there is enough time to agree everything by December, raising the prospect of the UK and Brussels going their separate ways with only a partial agreement in place. That could jeopardise the growth projected by the IMF. It said in its latest report that there must be a 'gradual transition' to new trading terms in order to ensure a positive outlook. 'In the United Kingdom, growth is expected to stabilise at 1.4 per cent in 2020 and firm up to 1.5 per cent in 2021 - unchanged from the October WEO,' the IMF said.

'The growth forecast assumes an orderly exit from the European Union at the end of January followed by a gradual transition to a new economic relationship.' The IMF's new world economic outlook report suggests that global growth will rise from an estimated 2.9 per cent in 2019 to 3.3 per cent in 2020 and 3.4 per cent in 2021.

UK house prices rise at fastest rate Rightmove says that house prices in UK have rose at the fastest rate for the first time in the year as sellers felt more confident about the outlook for the housing market after the general election. The average price of properties coming on to the market jumped by 2.3%, the biggest rise for the period since the property website started its house price index in 2002. Nearly 65,000 UK properties were marketed over the month, with an average asking price of £306,810.

Miles Shipside, a director at Rightmove said the election result had provided a “window of stability” for potential movers after a period of instability since the Brexit vote, which had caused some to postpone the purchase. He said: “The housing market dislikes uncertainty, and the unsettled political outlook over the last three and a half years since the EU referendum caused some potential home movers to hesitate. There now seems to be a release of this pent-up demand, which suggests we are in store for an active spring market.

“While there may well be more twists and turns to come in the Brexit saga, there is now an opportunity for sellers to get their property on the market for a spring move unaffected by Brexit deadlines.”

In the immediate aftermath of the election, the number of sales agreed increased by 7.5% compared with the same period a year earlier, Rightmove said. First-time buyers face record high prices to get on to the property ladder. The average property with two bedrooms or fewer now have a national average asking price of £193,103 according to the property website.

Shipside said: “First-time-buyer activity has remained strong, buoyed by cheap interest rates and the high costs of renting. The downside of this high demand is upwards price pressure, with the average price of typical first-time-buyer property hitting a new record high. “However, the annual rate of increase remains fairly modest at 1.6%, less than the rate of growth in average earnings, so affordability has actually improved a little for first-time buyers.”

Javid says Brexit may hurt some businesses As Boris Johnson's government prepares to officially leave the European Union on January 31, treasury chief Sajid Javid admits that the move may adversely affect some UK business sectors.

In an interview, Javid said that Britain's regulations will not be aligned with the EU in future and that those changes may hurt some businesses. It needs to be mentioned that the EU is Britain's largest trading partner at the moment.

Referring to the deadline at the end of the year to conclude contentious trade talks with the 27-member group, Javid said, “There will not be alignment, we will

not be a rule-taker, we will not be in the single market and we will not be in the customs union- and we will do this by the end of the year.”

The comments prompted a fresh bout of concerns among business leaders as they worry about the lack of clarity on the substance of the trade rules that would take effect in less than 12 months times. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders emphasized the need to avoid high tariffs and other trade barriers once EU ties are severed.

Chief executive Mike Hawes said “billions” would be added to the cost of business development unless a mutu-

Sajid Javid

ally beneficial agreement is reached.

Britain will officially leave the bloc on the night of January 31, even though it will follow EU rules for an 11-month transition period.

It is the first nation ever to leave the bloc. BoJo's government intends to mark the occasion with a series of upbeat events. The PM is

expected to make a speech after holding a rare cabinet session in the north of England, emphasising his government's plan. The government also intends to mark Brexit by projecting a clock onto the PM's official residence at 10 Downing Street in London that will count down until 11 pm., when the break takes place.

BoJo likely to approve use of Huawei tech in the UK's new 5G network Former prime minister Theresa May's national security adviser, Sir Mark Lyall Grant has said that PM Boris Johnson is likely to approve the use of Huawei technology in the UK's new 5G network, going against the pleas of the US government. He said the security services had repeatedly concluded over several years that they were able to mitigate any potential threats posed by the Chinese technology.

The US had said it “would be madness” to use Huawei technology, with several senior Washington officials stating it numerous times that the Trump administration would reassess intelligence sharing with the UK in light of such a move. However, UK intelligence disputes the claims,

and has already used some Huawei technology in previous mobile networks.

Sir Grant said, “This has been gone into now by three different administrations, and I think the outcome is quite likely to be the same, that the intelligence agencies are expressing confidence that they can sufficiently mitigate any potential security threat to allow Huawei to continue to pro-

vide at least the non-core telecommunications equipment for 5G roll out. The government has developed an oversight mechanism which they are confident will work.”

He added, “Combine that with the fact that Huawei has more advanced technology than the alternatives, I think it is relatively likely that Johnson will come to the same conclusion.” It is

known that Britain's two biggest telecom companies, BT and Vodafone are drafting a letter to Johnson, setting out their support for Huawei's involvement in 5G. A senior Huawei executive, Victor Zhang said there was simply “no justification” for banning the company on cyber security grounds.

He said, “After looking at the facts, we hope the government agrees – so that our customers can keep the UK’s 5G roll-out on track and meet the prime minister’s promise of gigabit connectivity for all.” Adding, “Giving Huawei the goahead to continue supplying equipment will mean telecom companies have access to the best technology and the breadth of suppliers they need to build secure, resilient and reliable networks.”

Hull wants to be the first UK city to test universal basic income With the support of a crossparty group of councillors, Hull may very well be the first UK city to test a weekly universal basic income for its residents. If the proposal is set into effect, every adult would be paid a basic sum, somewhere between £50 and £100 a week, regardless of income, and do away with the need for welfare. Those receiving disability payments would instead get the equivalent sum in universal basic income (UBI) and there would be higher payments for pensioners and lower sums for children.

Chief executive of Hull city council, Matt Jukes will write to Chancellor Sajid Javid, to request permission to pilot UBI after winning the backing of councillors last week. Sam Gregory,

chair of UBI lab in Sheffield supports the scheme and said Hull's backing was an important moment for basic income in the UK. He said, “Three major northern cities- Liverpool, Sheffield, and Hull have now been asked to host pilots of this radical new idea, because the Westminster way of doing things has failed these communities for far too

long.”

He added, “Even the Conservative councillors in Hull voted for this motion, saying that they were openminded about a pilot in the city. We don't know if UBI is the answer, but there's a growing consensus between different political parties that we need to test it out.”

Economists have argued for UBI as a source of per-

sonal empowerment, providing citizens with more choice over work, education, training, leisure and caring. Others argue that UBI would be too expensive and be difficult to set at the right level, and believe higher spending on public services would work better.

Liberal Democrat councillor Jack Haines said Britain's welfare system was broken and that UBI could be a better way of helping those most in need. “Hull is a progressive city and I'm proud of the Liberal Democrats here as well as the other parties have chosen to try out this new policy, which has the possibility to transform the city and the country.”

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REAL ESTATE VOICE

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25 - 31 January 2020

LOOKING BENEATH THE BONNET Last week I was offered a commercial deal, shop and uppers as they are known. This property has a beauty salon, with two flats above it. It’s producing a return of £36K, giving a yield of 6.5%.

Suresh Vagjiani Sow & Reap London Property Investment

There’s a massive yard in the back which will allow for another flat on the ground floor at the rear of the commercial. This new flat can be accessed from the rear. Many on the street have already done the same thing, thereby establishing a precedence. We have checked this with our planning consultants who have confirmed the same can be done with this property without an issue. This will circumvent the need for full planning, and go under the permitted development route.

Even though, strictly speaking, the property is only 1/3 commercial, for the purposes of stamp duty you will pay only commercial rates on this property which are far more reasonable; and you get away from the nasty 3% premium for BTL properties.

The commercial element is let out to an individual. At times this can, believe it or not, provide a stronger covenant than a Blue Chip company, especially the case if there is a personal guarantee attached to the lease.

At times Blue Chip tenants are not actually your tenants. They set up a property company for the purposes of being the counter party for the lease.

This keeps the main trading business away from any issues in regard to payment of rent.

As is so often the case, things may not be as they seem. Under certain circumstances, an individual paying your commercial rent may be stronger than a corporate company.

Back to our deal, the steps would be to gain an extension on the ground floor; this can be done under permitted development. Once this has

been achieved, the property can be converted from commercial to residential under permitted development. This does not mean it does not require planning; but it is a very light application which if it ticks certain boxes it is not refused and is granted in 56 days.

I would try and eat into some of the commercial property from the rear. A residential square foot is generally double the value of a commercial square foot. So, the more you can get converted, the higher the value.

With an extra flat to the rear this property is expected to produce another £14K per annum. This makes the deal produce £50K per annum. If we value it on a 7% yield you should be able to extract £535K back from the deal, at 75% Loan to Value. With the property being commercial you do not have to wait the normal 6 months before you extract the funds.

This is an interesting plain vanilla deal, within most people’s budgets, and does not have much down side attached to it.

funds. You may end up with the same funds taken out, as the yield for residential is likely to drop to say 5%. And you would have in effect saved roughly 20% + on the tax on your money to purchase the commercial.

In addition, there is something else which can be done on this property. The lease could be split once the work has been done. This would give you one commercial unit and 3 residential flats.

The last part of this article does require proper advice, so that it is understood and is followed correctly. There may be some tweaks required according to your individual circumstances.

The commercial unit can be placed into a pension scheme which could be set up to take your tax free income, any growth on this property would therefore also be free of tax. The flats could be refinanced individually to extract

Interested in this deal? Get in touch today, before it gets snapped up.

AGONY AGENT IS HERE TO HELP! Q: My tenant’s toilet keeps getting blocked! What should I do?

responsibility as the landlord to have this investigated and unblocked.

A: First, we need to get to the bottom of why this is happening.

Or, perhaps your tenants are flushing items like cotton buds, wet wipes or even nappies down the toilet. If this is the case, then your tenants are responsible for any costs associated with the unblocking. If you like, as a gesture of

Perhaps the toilet is prone to blocking as it has been fitted incorrectly (very unlikely). In which case it is your

BUY TO LET OPPORTUNITY

goodwill, you may unblock the toilet at your cost as a one off, but you will need to explain if the same situation happens again then they will be liable for the costs. Always follow up such conversations in writing (for example by email).

If this is a flat where you have residents

sharing a waste pipe, you may find that the neighbours above or below are the ones blocking the waste pipe. If this is the case then all you need to do is contact the building manager, and they will deal with the issue.

If you are having issues with your buy to let property, please do get in touch.

● Large one bedroom first floor flat ● Long lease and low service charges ● Close to Camden Road, Camden Town and Kentish Town stations ● Yield of 5.2% per annum

London, NW1 Purchase Price: £325,000

● £114K cash required to close this deal, subject to mortgage criteria ● Excellent long term buy and hold opportunity Call us now for more information!

Specialists in Central London Property Sourcing

0207 993 0103 info@sowandreap.co.uk www.sowandreap.co.uk 27 Gloucester Place, London, W1U 8HU SowandReapProperties

Sowandreapuk

Interested in investing in property?

Do get in touch to see how we can help

20 FINANCE

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25- 31 January 2020

SC rejects telcom firms pleas, told to pay £9.2 bn In a blow to telecom companies, the Supreme Court has refused to re-examine its verdict by which it had directed them to pay around £9.2 billion as licence fee and penalty along with interest based on the revenue sharing model from 2004 to 2015. A bench of Justices Arun Mishra, S Abdul Nazeer and M R Shah dismissed the review petitions filed by Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Idea, Tata Teleservices and other companies after examining their plea in chamber. “Having perused the review petitions and connected papers with meticulous care, we do not find any justifiable reason to entertain the review petitions. The review petitions are, accordingly, dismissed,” the bench said in its order.

The telecom companies had earlier pleaded that their review petition be heard in open court and they be given a chance to convince the bench to re-exam-

ine the verdict.

The SC bench also refused the plea and dismissed their petition in the inchamber proceedings. The last recourse for the companies, which have expressed inability to deposit the amount, is to file a curative petition to get any relief from the court. The apex court had on October 24 allowed the Centre to recover around £9.2 billion from telecom operators while dismissing their plea that adjusted gross revenue (AGR), on the basis of which fee is paid by them to the Centre, should include only core telecom services, excluding revenue from other sources. It had accepted the Centre’s contention that AGR should include dividends, handset sales, rent and profit from the sale of scrap, apart from revenue from services.

Initially, 15% AGR was fixed as licence fee under revenue sharing, which was reduced to 13% and finally to 8% in 2013.

Almost all telecom operators -

A i r t e l , Vodafone, Idea, RCom, Aircel, BSNL and MTNLwill feel the pinch of the apex court verdict.

“The definition of gross revenue is crystal clear in the agreement. How the adjusted gross revenue is to be arrived at is also evident. It cannot be submitted that the revenue has not been defined in the contract. Once the gross revenue is defined, one cannot depart from it and the very meaning is to be given to the revenue for the agreement,” the bench said, adjudicating the dispute between the Centre and telecom companies that has been going on since 2003.

The court had said the companies had not only to pay licence fee but will have to shell out interest and penalty for delaying payment. It had held that each and every source of

revenue be part of AGR. It said discounts allowed on international roaming to consumers, commission and discount to distributors on sale of prepaid vouchers are also part of the gross revenue. The SC further said gains from foreign exchange fluctuations, monetary gains on sale of shares, insurance claim in respect of capital assets, amount of negative balance of prepaid customers, reimbursement of the infrastructure operating expenses, waiver of late fee and non-refundable deposits paid to subscribers are all part of gross revenue and licence fee must be paid taking all of them into account.

Amazon to create ICICI moves HC to claw back one mn jobs by 2025 Kochhar’s bonuses E-commerce giant Amazon said it will create a million new jobs by 2025. The announcement came a day after commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal played down the Seattle-based company’s $ 1-billion investment in India as “not doing a favour (to the country).” Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos had said he will invest $1 billion to digitise small and medium businesses and export ‘Make in India’ goods worth $10 billion to the e-tailer’s global markets by 2025. Amazon said it has created 7,00,000 jobs in India already, directly and indirectly, over the last six years and the total jobs created by the local arm would stand at 1.7 million by 2025.

These jobs, both direct and indirect, will be across industries like information technology, skill development, content creation, retail, logistics and manufacturing, the company said in a statement. The direct jobs created by Amazon in India stand at over 60,000.

The ICICI Bank has approached the Bombay high court seeking to bring the “termination of appointment” of Chanda Kochhar as its MD and CEO into effect, and also sought recovery of various amounts from her. In a monetary suit, the bank sought dismissal of Kochhar’s petition and stated that the issue can be decided in a commercial suit. “ICICI has filed a suit seeking recovery of amounts towards the clawback of bonuses given to the petitioner (Kochhar) from April 2006 to March 2018,” the bank said in its affidavit.

A clawback is a provision in which incentive-based pay, like a bonus, is taken back from an employee by an employer following misconduct or declining profits. The

affidavit was submitted in response to a petition filed by Kochhar challenging her sacking, months after she voluntarily left the country’s secondlargest private sector Chanda Kochhar lender. “On December tion with a mala fide intent 8, 2016, Kochhar executed a to obtain illegal benefits,” it clawback agreement with the stated. The affidavit further bank pursuant to which said that Kochhar’s petition ICICI is entitled to a return challenging her sacking by of the previously paid varithe bank claiming violation able pay or deferred variable of RBI rules is a “mala fide pay from the petitioner in the attempt” to secure valuable event of a determination of a stock options of the bank. gross negligence or an Kochhar’s advocate Sujoy integrity breach by Kochhar.

Kantawalla argued that “The petitioner’s conduct Kochhar’s termination from has caused substantial her post came months after embarrassment to the bank the bank approved her volunand stakeholders, and has led tary resignation on October to irreparable reputational 5, 2018 and therefore the loss to the bank,” it stated. bank’s action is “illegal, “The petitioner (Kochhar) untenable, and unsustainable deliberately committed violain law.”

in brief

RIL POSTS 13.5% RISE IN Q3 PROFIT

Reliance Industries (RIL) reported a 13.5% rise in profit in the third quarter of fiscal 2020 to £1.16 billion, benefiting from higher price realisations in its refining, retail, media and digital services businesses. The company’s revenue in the December quarter, however, fell 1.4% to £16.8 billion due to an 11% decline in its traditional petrochemicals and refining businesses and a 7% fall in Brent crude price.

Operating profit in petrochemicals, the biggest contributor to RIL’s earnings, declined 29% to £588 million due to inventory overhang and global demand slowdown. On the other hand, refining, the second-largest contributor to RIL’s profit, increased 12% to £565.7 million because of better margins. RIL’s Jamnagar refinery earned $9.2 from every barrel of crude it processed, higher than $8.8 it earned in the third quarter of fiscal 2019.

TATAS, TWO INVESTORS TO BUY 49% IN GMR AIRPORTS

A consortium of Tata Group and two financial investors will now buy 49% in GMR Airports, operator of the Delhi airport which is the largest in the country, instead of 44.4% as proposed earlier. In March 2019, the consortium had planned to invest £800 million for a 44.4% stake in GMR Airports. But the deal ran into regulatory hurdles as rules do not allow a corporate owning an airline to have more than 10% in an airport. Tatas, which runs two airlines - Vistara and AirAsia India - in the country, was to own 19.7% in GMR Airports, while the two investors - GIC and SSG Capital - were to hold 14.8% and 9.9%. Competitors of Tata’s domestic airlines had opposed its foray into the airport sector on carrier ownership grounds.

AIR INDIA CAN’T MOVE ENGINE DUE TO GST DUES Air India, which is yet to pay December salary, awaits the outcome of the government’s second move to sell it off. The airline has almost completely run out of funds and is now struggling to keep flying in the absence of equity infusion this fiscal. One of AI’s Airbus has been grounded in Vadodara for almost a week as its requires engine replacement. The Maharaja has a spare engine for this single aisle aircraft in Delhi but is unable to send it as it can’t raise the e-way bill because of GST dues. “Our GST dues are about £10 million and because of that the paperwork required to send the engine to Vadodara is not being done,” said a senior official.

Thumping election victory, but what about interest rates?

Tony Piggott

To the relief of fellow British business owners, we have some strong political certainty in the form of a majority-led Conservative Government.

Almost without exception, bankers, accountants, and of course property investors that we spoke to, were all more concerned

by a Marxist-led Corbyn Government than even Brexit itself.

Now that we are all back at our desks (‘standing’ ones for those being extra fit in January), what are the prospects for our economy? Clearly, we await with bated breath to see what Chancellor Sajid Javid will deliver in his March Budget, and to what extent Prime Minister Johnson can deliver on his pledges to the voters he has won from Labour.

However, the Government only directly controls spending and tax (known as ‘Fiscal Policy’). This is only one of the two levers for steering the economy,

the other is in the hands of the Bank of England, known as ‘Monetary Policy’.

As I write, the Bank of England has retreated from plans for multiple interest rate rises as it downgrades its economic outlook amid mounting Brexit uncertainty and slowing global growth.

This has led to a sharp fall in fixed rates (also known as swap rates) such that the 5yr fixed rate is only 0.63% (compared to 3 Month LIBOR of 0.76%).

However, the Bank of England are making these comments based upon the ‘rear-view’ mirror on economic data before the

above solid Conservative victory. The sentiment amongst the City and property investors we speak to is of renowned optimism, and hence I would argue that interest rates need to rise not fall.

After all, the Bank could always lower rates if inflation and manufacturing data continue to be weak, but by cutting them now, there is limited movement for them given the current low level of Base Rate at 0.75%.

As ever, property investors cannot stand still. Our clients are still acquiring gyms, pharmacies, nursing homes, hotels and commercial

properties across the country.

Banks are still requiring some of these property firms to protect (i.e. hedge) against interest rate risk. Not only are they entitled to do so, but it is entirely prudent for both them and property investors to consider hedging parts of the ‘floating-rate’ debt. As a rule of thumb, we would strongly advise that any business owner with at least £2m of borrowing should speak to their Bank about hedging options.

Even if you decide that you do not wish to pay the costs of hedging ‘insurance’ at this stage, at least

you have been made aware of the options.

Already in January, we have helped a commercial property investor to save 7x our fee, just by negotiating the fixed rate on his refinance and advising him of a different method of hedging.

It is important to seek professional, FCA Regulated advice before entering into or negotiating any fixedrate loans or derivatives with banks.

Tel: 020 7183 2277 www.vedantahedging.com

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PAKISTAN

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25 - 31 January 2020

in brief MISSING INDIAN-AMERICAN FOUND DEAD IN CAR BOOT

The body of an Indian-American woman, who was reported missing by her family when she failed to return home last month, has been found dead in the trunk of her own car, a media report said.

Sureel Dabawala, a 34 year-old from Chicago was reported missing on December 30, 2019.

After many days of frenetic search, she was found wrapped in a blanket in the trunk of her own car by private investigators hired by the family. No arrests have been made so far as the autopsy report was still awaited.

Sureel was the daughter of Schaumburg based Asharaf Dabawala, a respected physician in the area, hailing from Gujarat.

The cause of Sureel's death still remains unknown, police said as investigations and toxicology reports which would help authorities determine the cause of death may take up to a month.

2 INDIANS AMONG 7 PICKPOCKETS HELD IN MELBOURNE

Australian police have charged a gang of suspected pickpockets, including two Indian nationals, who allegedly targeted several public transport users and shoppers in Melbourne's Central Business District over the last two months. Four men and three women - including five Sri Lankans - aged between 25 and 28 were charged with theftrelated offences. Several incidents on train and tram networks, and in shopping areas led to investigations by detectives, the report said. The local police in Victoria arrested four of the seven suspects while the remaining three were arrested in Albion. The Australian Border Force 'may look at' deporting the foreign nationals, Victoria Police spokesperson Melissa Seach was quoted as saying.

TULSI GABBARD WINS A PUSH-UP CONTEST

Democratic presidential candidate Tulsi Gabbard defeated a man in a push-up challenge after he asked the Hindu Congresswoman if she could beat fellow party contender Joe Biden in such a contest.

The incident took place on January 16 while she was addressing a crowd in New Hampshire, New England. “Former Vice President Biden has randomly challenged people in the audience to a push-up contest even if they’re in walkers. Do you think you could take him?” a male attendee asked the candidate. Gabbard replied, “My educated and informed guess would be yes ... But I would take most people to a push-up challenge.” Challenge accepted. Then the man joined Gabbard on stage, where the two competed before she ultimately won. The incident comes after Biden got into a heated exchange at an Iowa event last December, challenging a supporter to a push-up contest.

MENSTRUATION HUTS IN NEPAL DESTROYED

Authorities are knocking down tiny huts in western Nepal where women have been exiled during menstruation and exposed to cold weather and threats from animals and even sexual assaults. Government officials accompanied by police and local politicians were going to villages and towns in Kanchanpur district, tearing down the sheds mostly made of mud walls and covered by straw roofs, chief district officer Sushil Baidhya said. The custom of exiling menstruating women has persisted in parts of west Nepal though the Supreme Court banned it in 2005. A new law criminalized it last year, with violators who force women into exile facing up to three months in prison or a fine of 3,000 Nepalese rupees.

Pakistan once again caught in N-smuggling activity WASHINGTON: Pakistan has once again been caught in the act of nuclear smuggling and illicit acquisition of missile technology. This incident came to light following the indictment in United States of five Pakistanis associated with a Rawalpindi-based front company called “Business World” on charges of smuggling American technology for Pakistan’s nuclear and missile programme.

According to the US justice department, the five men, based in Canada, Hong Kong, and UK, “operated an international procurement network of front companies to acquire US-origin goods for the Advanced Engineering Research Organisation (AERO) and the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC), and to cause those goods to be exported from US to entities without

export licenses in violation of federals law.”

“The defendants smuggled US origin goods to entities that have been designated for years as threats to US national security for their ties to Pakistan’s weapons programmes,” US assistant attorney general for national security John C Demers, said in statement, adding, “This indictment … stands as an example of the kind of deceptive behaviour US businesses need to watch out for in designing appropriate export control and sanctions compliance programs.”

The five indicted men were named as Muhammad Kamran Wali (Kamran), 41, of Pakistan; Muhammad Ahsan Wali (Ahsan), 48, and Haji Wali Muhammad Sheikh (Haji), 82, both of Ontario, Canada; Ashraf Khan Muhammad (Khan) of Hong Kong; and Ahmed

Waheed (Waheed), 52, of Ilford, Essex, UK They are charged with conspiracy to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and the Export Control Reform Act. Significantly, the US statement indicated that busting of the Pakistani smuggling ring also has a security bearing on India. “The alleged behaviour of these five individuals presented more than a violation of US export laws, it posed a potential threat to the national security interests of the US and to the delicate balance of power among nations within the region,” said Jason Molina, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

According to the justice department, both AERO and PAEC were on the commerce department’s entity list, which imposes export license require-

ments for organisations whose activities are found to be contrary to US national security or foreign policy interests. PAEC was added to the Entity List in 1998. AERO was added to the Entity List in 2014, after US government found that it had used intermediaries and front companies to procure items for use in Pakistan’s cruise missile and strategic UAV programmes.

It was exactly 16 years ago that Pakistan was caught in a nuclear smuggling and proliferation scandal involving AQ Khan, a metallurgist whose theft of centrifuge designs from a Dutch company largely enabled Pakistan to develop the atomic bomb in the 1980s.

Pakistan subsequently sold and bartered the technology to North Korea with China’s help to develop ballistic missiles, even as Khan hawked nuclear wares to Libya and Iran.

Pak planing to restore Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s father’s samadhi GUJRANWALA (PAKISTAN): In Gujranwala of Pakistan’s Punjab province lying tucked under decades of ignorance and neglect are the heritage treasures related to the roots of Maharaja Ranjit Singh and Hari Singh Nalwa, the commanderin-chief of Sikh Khalsa Fauj - the warrior king’s army.

While Lahore, where he lived and has his samadhi (tomb) went on to become synonymous to Sher-e-Punjab (Lion of Punjab), as he is known, it is Gujranwala where lies Ranjit Singh’s roots - his ancestral haveli (also his birthplace), his father Maha Singh’s tomb, Sherewalan Bagh Baradari and the ancestral haveli of Nalwa.

After decades of unwillingness to protect the Sikh heritage, the Gujranwala district administration has planned restoration and preservation of Maha Singh’s tomb, located in the premises of Sherenwala Bagh but is now a crumbling structure

with encroachments. Sohail Ashraf, deputy commissioner, Gujranwala has written to the Chief Secretary, Punjab asking for funds for site’s restoration and opening it for tourism.

Maha Singh (alias Mahan Singh), the ruler of Sukherchakia in Punjab, was too a mighty Sikh warrior and credited for conquering the sprawling Rohtas Fort. After years of neglect, Pak plans restoration of Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s father’s samadhi. "The Baradari still has beautiful intricate peacocks etc carved in its interiors. A madrasa functions from the ancestral haveli of Nalwa,” said Haider Khan, who traces his lineage to royal family of Bahadurgarh, now in Jhajjar of Haryana.

Haider Khan, assistant commissioner of Nowshera Virkan said, “We recently got all encroachments removed from the tomb of Maha Singh. Now a proposal has been sent for site’s restoration and conservation.

The tomb was illegally occupied

and some people had converted it into a godown for storing paint drums, chemicals etc which have been r e m o v e d now.”

“Along with Maha Singh’s tomb, there is a beautiful Baradari (a structure having twelve gates) also from Ranjit Singh’s period and it was all a part of Sherenwalla Bagh. A preliminary observation note prepared by DC Gujranwala and assistant commissioner Nowshera Vikran, reads: “The Sheranwala Bagh has a ‘Barra Darri’ (12 sides open structure) in the middle of the garden. The garden was linked to the Samadhi of Maha Singh, which has been illegally encroached upon by land grabbing mafia. A government school has also been built on the land of already

deteriorating samadhi thus posing threat to the structure and to the pupils of the school. To add insult to the injury, some land grabbers have been using this place as a godown for stocking oil barrels and chemicals related to paints. Inside of samadhi there are beautiful paintings engraved on the walls. Due to misuse by the land grabbers, those have been damaged and now require restoration. The Deputy Commissioner Gujranwala stressed that all these sites have an immense potential for religious tourism and can yield a lot of revenue for government.

Surrender before filing appeal, Pak SC tells Musharraf ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's Supreme Court has returned the petition filed by former dictator Pervez Musharraf against his conviction and sentencing by a special tribunal with objection that he is not allowed to appeal without surrendering to the law, according to a media report. The retired general, now based in Dubai, approached the court to challenge the ruling of the special tribunal that had handed him death sentence on charges of high treason.

Barrister Salman Safdar, the counsel for Musharraf, submitted the 90-page petition in the top court. In the petition, the former president urged the

Pervez Musharraf

Supreme Court to declare the special court ruling null and void.

The registrar's office of the top court returned the appeal with the observation that it was settled principle of law that the convict should first surrender before filing appeal, reports said.

The court gave one month time to remove the objection

which meant that Musharraf should surrender within one month otherwise he would lose the right to file appeal, the report said. The three-member court in its judgment on December 17 found him guilty and handed down the death penalty after six years of hearing the high-profile treason case against him. He was punished despite not appearing to record his statement.

Musharraf who has been living in Dubai since March 2016 stated in his petition that the former president’s absence from the special court was not intentional as he was unable to appear due to health issue. He said that the special court had accepted his pleas of ailment but convicted him in

absentia.

The former government led

by Nawaz Sharif had filed the treason case against Musharraf in 2013 over the imposition of an extra-constitutional emergency in November 2007, which led to the confinement of a number of superior court judges in their houses and sacking of over 100 judges. It is the first time in Pakistan's history that a former army chief was tried and sentenced under Article 6 of the Constitution. Separately, the Lahore High Court declared that the formation of the special court was 'unconstitutional' and that the treason case against the former president was not prepared in accordance with the law.

22 WORLD

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25- 31 January 2020

Sikhs to be counted as separate ethnic group in US census WASHINGTON: In a first, Sikhs in the US would be counted as a separate ethnic group in the upcoming 2020 census, the US Census Bureau has said. This comes after several Sikh organisations in the US held meetings with the Census Bureau. "It's clear that a separate code is needed to ensure an accurate count of Sikhs in the United States, recognising a unique identity," reports quoted US Census Deputy Director Ron Jarmin as saying.

"Working with United Sikhs, we understand how this change affects the national Sikh community, leading us to add this code for the 2020 Census," Shagufta Ahmed with the Census Bureau and Office of Management Budget said. As per an organisation in United Sikhs, at least 10,00,000 Sikhs live in

the US. The community hailed the decision, calling it a "milestone".

Sikhs have been demanding separate coding for the last two decades so that action could be taken to address major issues such as bullying, intimidation and hate crimes against the community.

Baljeet Singh, president of the Sikh Society of San Diego, said the Sikh community's efforts had come to fruition.

"This has paved the way forward nationally not only for the Sikh community but also for other ethnicities in the United States," Singh was quoted as saying.

"With the 2020 census approaching, many historically undercoded communities will be at risk for being under-counted and under-served," said Ruben Singh, United Sikhs Census Manager. "We look for-

ward to collaborating with our census partners and other Sikh organisations and institutions to address the unanticipated challenges of the 2020 Census," he said. Meanwhile, the Sikh Coalition has partnered with the Census Bureau for the 2020 census. "The Sikh Coalition is partnering with the Census Bureau

because Sikhs have traditionally been a ‘hard to count’ population in the United States," said Satjeet Kaur, Sikh Coalition Executive Director. "Our community matters, and we want to make sure that Sikh families are appropriately counted and accurately resourced wherever they are across our country," she said.

Ramaphosa under pressure to remove minister Pravin Gordhan PRETORIA: There has been increasing pressure on South African president Cyril Ramaphosa from inside and outside the ANC alliance to remove public enterprises minister Pravin Gordhan.

Deputy president David Mabuza last week said he believed Gordhan and the Eskom board had misled Ramaphosa when they told him there would be no rolling blackouts before midJanuary. This was followed by Cosatu calling for Gordhan’s removal.

There have also been calls for Ramaphosa to place Eskom under the control of mineral resources and energy minister Gwede Mantashe. The group of veterans - which includes Frank Chikane, Mavuso Msimang, Cheryl Carolus, Wally Serote and Sydney Mufamadi - said they were “appalled” by the utterances of those who had couched a political assault on Gordhan in “insincere concern” over the crisis at Eskom.

President Cyril Ramaphosa and Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan.

“The true target of those ANC politicians and their fellow travellers who are leading the attack is President Cyril Ramaphosa,” they said. “A convergence, or ‘unity’, of these individuals and organisations is indeed under way and is selfevidently designed to bring about the removal of a president committed to rehabilitating the country’s institutions and eliminating corruption.”

Gordhan has been in the

crosshairs of some factions in the ANC, as well as the EFF, from day one in his role as chief corruption buster. The campaign now enjoys much broader support, with numerous ANC insiders deeply critical of both his failure to turn Eskom around and his political and leadership style.

The pro-Gordhan stalwarts said the proposal to shift control of the ailing power utility was impractical, especially at a time

of institutional instability, and was a manoeuvre to undermine and politically weaken Gordhan.

They said casting blame on the minister for the state of affairs at Eskom was “disingenuous and duplicitous”, as the decades-long management failures were compounded by state capture, aided and abetted by ministers who served in former president Jacob Zuma’s cabinet and those appointed to its board at the time. “Those clamouring for the head of comrade Pravin Gordhan fool no one. We know, as do most right-thinking members of the ANC and the citizenry, that these elements are engaged in a long-term project of state capture and regard the Ramaphosa presidency as a necessary interval before they are once more in power,” said the veterans. The group called on Ramaphosa to stand firm and refuse to bend to those in the ANC national executive committee (NEC) and cabinet who would “steal from and cripple the state”.

Kashmiri Pandits in US observe anniversary of mass exodus WASHINGTON: A large crowd of Indian diaspora marched on the streets of Seattle to observe the 30th anniversary of the mass exodus of Kashmiri Pandits in 1990. Amid the slogans of 'Pakistan, Pakistan, stop genocide' and 'What does Jihad promote, Genocide, Genocide', Kashmiri Pandits who came here after the genocide shared their stories regarding the incident.

On January 19, 1990, millions of Kashmiri Pandits were forced to flee from their homes in the Kashmir Valley following a genocidal campaign launched by the terrorists, backed by Pakistan.

"We are witnessing a steady awakening of the Americans about the real dangers of the violent Islamic extremism, Jihad, and how Pakistan is the epicentre of that ideology. Everyday people that come to this area made a point to stop and listen to our poems, stanzas, and slogans and waved hands to understand our collective pain," said a demonstrator.

"We elaborated with slogans that 'Hindu lives - matter too', 'Sikh lives - matter too', 'Buddhist lives - matter too', 'Christian lives - matter too' and celebrated India's new CAA that welcomes religious minorities that suffer at

Kashmiri Pandits march on the streets of Seattle

the hands of Islamic states of Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan," he added. During an event in Edison of New Jersey on Kashmiri Pandit Genocide, Actor Anupam Kher remembered the day of January 19, 30 years

back and called the tragedy a "shameful" chapter of history.

"We are remembering what had happened in 1990. We are remembering the loss. There is a sense of shame in that loss," said Kher.

in brief ASIA BIBI CASE: 86 JAILED FOR PROTESTS

A court in Pakistan has sentenced the brother and nephew of a radical party chief along with 84 others to 55-year prison terms each for taking part in protests in 2018 over the acquittal of Asia Bibi, a Christian woman in a controversial blasphemy case. The antiterrorism court (ATC) was hearing a case against the Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) workers who held violent protests and clashed with police over the arrest of party chief Khadim Hussain Rizvi in 2018. Those convicted include TLP chief Khadim Hussain Rizvi’s brother Ameer Hussain Rizvi and nephew Mohammad Ali, the report said. The court also ordered the convicts to collectively submit Rs 12,925,000 and directed authorities to seize their moveable and immoveable assets. In November 2018, over 2,000 people, including the chief of a radical party, were booked under terrorism and other charges of rioting, attempting murder and hurling threats in different parts of Punjab province during the three-day protests following Bibi’s acquittal.

PAK TALK SHOW SLAPPED WITH NOTICE

The Pakistan authorities have issued a 60day notice to a talk show aired on channel ARY News for "willful attempt to debase and demean a state institution by dragging it unnecessarily in a debate." Sharing the notice to Kashif Abbasi's show 'Off The Record' on Twitter, the regulator said that it has banned the programme for 60 days.

According to the notice, the airing of such content violated the PERMA code of conduct adding that the host of the show Kashif Abbasi was quite unprofessional who actually did not intervene or stop the unethical act performed by one of the panelist, Federal Minister Faisal Vawda said.

DEATH FOR 10 IN BANGLADESH POLITICAL BOMBINGS

A court in Bangladesh sentenced 10 members of a banned Islamist militant group to death for a deadly bomb attack on a Communist Party rally in 2001. Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Court Judge Mohammed Rabiul Alam made the decision in a crowded courtroom while four of the defendants were in the dock. Six of the defendants are not in custody, while another two who are on the run were acquitted. All of those on trial belong to the banned group Harkat-ul Jihad al-Islami. The group considers the Communist Party an antiIslamic force. On Jan. 20, 2001, bomb attacks on a party rally in Dhaka killed five people and wounded 50 others. The judge said investigators found Harkat-ul Jihad alIslami’s former leader was responsible for the attack but his name was dropped from the case because he was executed in 2017 over a separate attack.

AIRLINE APOLOGISES FOR FORCING PASSENGER TO TAKE PREGNANCY TEST

A Hong Kong-based airline has apologised for forcing a passenger to take a pregnancy test before a flight to Saipan, a US territory in the Western Pacific that is a popular destination for so-called birth tourism. The carrier, Hong Kong Express Airways Limited, said that it had stopped administering pregnancy tests after reevaluating the contentious practice. The apology came a little more than two months after the passenger, Midori Nishida, blogged about her experience on a flight from Hong Kong airport to Saipan, which is in the Northern Mariana Islands. The commonwealth has become a magnet for expectant Chinese mothers because babies born on the island are eligible for US citizenship.

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START-UP INDIA AT 71

Sunder Pichai- Google

Satya Nadella of Microsoft

Vikram Pandit - CitiGroup CEO

Billionaires richer than 60% of the world’s population: Oxfam report RajeevMisra-CEO, SoftBank

Shantanu Narayen - Adobe CEO

George Kurian, CEO and president, NetApp

Indra Nooyi-PepsiCo CEO

Rajeev Suri, CEO and president, Nokia

Ajaypal Singh Banga – MasterCard

Piyush Gupta-DBS CEO

Francisco D’Souza, CEO, Cognizant

Vasant Narasimhan - Novartis CEO

Ashok Vemuri, CEO, Conduent Inc

Ivan Menezes - DIAGEO - CEO

Sanjay Mehrotra, Micron CEO

Sanjay K Jha - Motorola CEO

Dinesh Paliwal, president and CEO, Harman International

Continued from page 1 India is geared to celebrate its 71st Republic Day following a turbulent last few months with respect to the domestic policies unveiled and a slowdown in its economy as reported by the IMF. Yet, celebrating its booming 'Startups: Reach for the Sky', culture in the presence of Brazilian President Jair Messias Bolsonaro, the country will host a tableau showcasing stages of the lifecycle of a startup and the all-round

Nikesh Arora - Palo Alto Networks

support provided by the Government.

Whilst this start-up culture has not only boosted growth in India, it has also strengthened UK-India business relations with data indicating that over $2 billion being invested in Londonbased businesses across 114 deals, surpassing totals seen in any previous year, as noted by ‘A Fine Year for Fintech: Global Trends from a UK Perspective' by London & Partners.

The data indicates that Indian-origin entrepreneur Rishi Khosla's start-up

Laxman Narasimhan-Reckitt Benckiser Group CEO

OakNorth, a scale-up business lender which uses an artificial intelligence model to provide loans for small and medium sized companies to be able to grow their businesses, brought in $440 million into London, making it the third-largest fintech investment deal in Europe after Berlin and Stockholm.

But the start-up culture is not the only aspect of the economy that India celebrates today. According to a Harvard Business Review (HBR) list last year, Adobe's Shantanu Narayen,

Mastercard’s Ajay Banga and Microsoft’s Satya Nadella were among the top 10 bestperforming chief executives in the world. This means that some of the best performing CEOs of global companies are of Indian origin. This week over 100 CEOs and also some Union and Chief Ministers from India were present at theWorld Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2020, alongside film star Deepika Padukone and Sadhguru.

Here they will focus on addressing the world’s greatest challenges, from societal

Davos (Switzerland): The Oxfam charity in a report said that world’s billionaires have doubled in the past decade and are richer than 60 per cent of the global population. It said poor women and girls were at the bottom of the scale, putting in “12.5 billion hours of unpaid care work each and every day,” estimated to be worth at least $10.8 trillion a year.

“Our broken economies are lining the pockets of billionaires and big business at the expense of ordinary men and women. No wonder people are starting to question whether billionaires should even exist,” Oxfam’s India head Amitabh Behar said. “The gap between rich and poor can’t be resolved without deliberate inequality-busting policies,” Behar said ahead of the annual World Economic Forum in Davos, where he will represent Oxfam.

Oxfam’s annual report on global inequality is traditionally released just before the forum opens on Tuesday in the Swiss Alpine resort. It had some astonishing statistics. “The 22 richest men in the world have more wealth than all the divisions created by income inequality and political polarization to the climate crisis. Those who are registered from India include industry leaders Gautam Adani, Rahul and Sanjiv Bajaj, Kumar Mangalam Birla, N. Chandrasekaran of Tata Group, Uday Kotak, Rajnish Kumar of SBI, Anand Mahindra, Sunil and Rajan Mittal, Ravi Ruia, Pawan Munjal, Nandan Nilekani and Salil Parekh of Infosys, C. Vijayakumar of HCL Tech, Ajay Piramal, Rishad Premji, Ajay Singh and Pirojsha Godrej.

women in Africa,” it said. If the world’s richest one per cent paid just 0.5 per cent extra tax on their wealth for 10 years, it would equal the investment needed to create 117 million new jobs in elderly and child care, education and health, Oxfam said.

Oxfam’s figures are based on data from Forbes magazine and Swiss bank Credit Suisse, but they are disputed by some economists. The numbers show that 2,153 billionaires now have more wealth than the 4.6 billion poorest people on the planet. Women and girls are burdened in particular because they are most often care givers that keep “the wheels of our economies, businesses and societies moving,” Behar said.

They “often have little time to get an education, earn a decent living or have a say in how our societies are run,” and “are therefore trapped at the bottom of the economy,” he added. “Across the globe, 42 per cent of women cannot get jobs because they are responsible for all the care giving, compared to just six percent of men,” Oxfam figures showed.

Now, under the Startup India Scheme, eligible companies can get recognised as startups by the ministry in order to access a host of tax benefits, easier compliance, IPR fast tracking and other incentives. More than 26,000 startups from 551 districts of 28 States and 7 Union Territories have been recognized so far and this will only boost UK-India business ties in future as more start-ups look forward to penetrating the UK market and establishing their European headquarters in London

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SOUTH INDIA

Cong and DMK finally make peace in Tamil Nadu

CHENNAI: After a week-long war of words that pushed the Congress-DMK alliance in Tamil Nadu to the brink, state Congress unit chief KS Alagiri walked the extra mile to meet DMK chief MK Stalin at the Dravidian party’s headquarters to placate the senior partner.

Hours earlier, Puducherry Chief Minister and Congress veteran, V Narayanasamy paved the way for reconciliation by calling on Stalin.

Both Alagiri and Narayanasamy told the media that the relationship between the two parties was strong and could not be broken. “We are aware of the threat to the nation from fascist forces and their pliant rulers in the state. The Congress is steadfast in its resolve to be with the DMK in defeating them. The alliance will continue for the 2021 assembly elections,” said Alagiri, emerging

out of the meeting with Stalin.

In a statement, Stalin urged leaders of both the parties to be restrained and guard against providing an opportunity to those elements waiting to destroy the secular front. “There have been a few unwanted happenings in the alliance after the rural civic polls, though our alliance has received the people’s mandate. Both the sides should not have discussed these things in the public. Let’s put a full stop and move ahead.

Cunning and hungry foxes are waiting for an opportunity to disband the alliance. I urge functionaries of both the parties to refrain from discussing these issues in the public,” he said.

Ironically, it was Alagiri recent statement, accusing the DMK of violating the coalition dharma with impunity during seat allocation in the rural civic polls, which had triggered the wrath of the Dravidian major. In

DMK president MK Stalin with Congress leaders

retaliation, the DMK stayed away from the conclave of opposition parties convened by Sonia Gandhi in New Delhi to discuss the opposition against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) .

Though DMK parliamentary party leader TR Baalu was in the national capital, he did not turn up for the event.

Congress chief Sonia Gandhi is said to have summoned Alagiri and reportedly gave him

a dressing-down for risking the alliance with a trusted ally. After meeting the Congress president, Alagiri had made conciliatory statements but they failed to assuage the DMK. Countering Alagiri, DMK treasurer and party veteran Durai Murugan said, “The Congress is free to leave the alliance. We are not unduly worried about a party without a vote bank leaving the coalition.”

PUNJAB

CAT sets aside appointment of Punjab DGP CHANDIGARH: The Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) has set aside the appointment of Dinkar Gupta as Director General of Punjab Police. The bench of Justice L Narasimha Reddy and Mohd Jamshed gave its ruling on an appeal by Mohammad Mustafa and Siddharth Chattopadhyaya, who had challenged Gupta’s appointment on the ground that they were senior to him and had outstanding service records.

“There cannot be a better instance of arbitrariness and favoritism, than this,” observed the bench in its order, while directing the UPSC and the empanelment committee to form a new panel of three senior-most officers to appoint a DGP within four weeks. “Gupta is still the DGP,” Chief Minister

Dinkar Gupta

Captain Amarinder Singh said, adding that the home department will challenge the order in the High Court.

Mustafa welcomed the order saying that “justice has prevailed”.

While Mustafa is a 1985batch officer and Chattopadhyaya a 1986-batch officer, Gupta is a 1987-batch officer. Gupta, who was

appointed DGP in 2019, superseded five senior officers, including Mustafa and Chattopadhyaya. In his previous stint, Gupta was posted as DGP, Intelligence, Punjab. He had an eight-year-stint on Central deputation with the Home Ministry from June 2004 to July 2012, where he held many sensitive assignments.

In the plea filed last year, Mustafa and Chattopadhyaya had said, “The empanelment was done by a committee headed by then DGP Suresh Arora who was biased against Chattopadhyaya.”

The police officers also opposed the contention of the empanelment committee, which sent a report to the UPSC, saying they lacked experience in core policing areas. The petitioners contended that the Supreme Court had held that selection

and appointment of DGP of any state shall be made on the basis of length of service, record, and range of experience. They said the UPSC and Punjab government had completely deviated from this procedure.

The UPSC and Empanelment Committee, Punjab, in reply, had submitted that a proposal was received from the state government for preparation of a panel for appointment to the post of DGP, and a panel of three officers was prepared taking into account factors such as length of service and residual service of the eligible officers, their ACRs and experience. However, it pleaded that they were ignorant about the alleged indictment of Gupta by the SIT appointed by the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

WEST BENGAL

Bengal BJP chief repeats his remark- will shoot protesters KOLKATA: A day after two FIRs were filed for his remark that people protesting against the new citizenship law “were shot like dogs” in BJP-ruled states, state BJP president Dilip Ghosh stood by his comment, saying he was not bothered about the criticism and repeated that if his party comes to power, “we will shoot protesters destroying public properties”.

“I stick to my comments. I am not bothered about the criticism. Whatever I have said is in favour of the country... The Trinamool Congress and Congress are criticising me.

They too have opened fire on protesters on various occasions... The Siddhartha Shankar Ray government killed

many Naxals in the 1970s. Those who were part of that government and now are MLAs are giving lectures on nonviolence. (Chief Minister) Mamata Banerjee went to hills and threatened Gorkhas. Her police killed 11 people there.

Even the Communists killed six Forward Bloc workers. I am saying it again that it is the duty of the state government to protect public properties from vandals. If needed it will take every necessary step to safeguard public properties. I have said that if we come to power in Bengal, we will take action in the interest of the country.”

“Political leaders from different parties have opposed my views. They are free to do it.

Public properties worth millions were destroyed in Bengal but not a single person was arrested... I had said people should be shot if they destroy public properties. If we come to power, then we will shoot these Dilip Ghosh protesters,” he added.

Ghosh, while addressing a rally in Nadia district, warned those protesting against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, saying, “In states like Assam, Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka, our (BJP’s) governments shot them like dogs, dragged them away and even slapped cases.

You will come here, eat here and destroy government property here? Is it your zamindari? We

in brief KERALA BAKERS BAKE WORLD'S 'LONGEST' CAKE

It was a record-baking effort. Hundreds of bakers and chefs came together in Kerala to create what they said is the world's longest cake - about 6.5 km. They spread chocolate ganache on the serpentine dessert stretched out on thousands of tables and desks at a festival ground and adjoining roads in Kerala's Thrissur. The vanilla cake, four inches wide and thick, weighed in at about 27,000 kg. About 1,500 bakers and chefs spent nearly four hours to put it together using 12,000 kg of sugar and flour. Large crowds watched the event organised by Bakers Association Kerala.

PAWAN KALYAN'S JANA SENA JOINS HANDS WITH BJP IN ANDHRA

Actor-politician Pawan Kalyan has announced that his Jana Sena Party is entering into an alliance with the BJP and the two would fight all coming elections together, and hope to capture power in 2024. "Today is a historic day of announcement of BJP-Jana Sena alliance," Sunil Deodhar, BJP in charge for Andhra Pradesh said. "We will fight together to end political casteism, dynasty raj and corruption in the state," Deodhar said. "Jagan Mohan Reddy government has failed and so did Chandrababu Naidu. And there is no question of any alliance of the BJP with Telugu Desam or with YSRCP in the state," declared Deodhar, putting to rest some speculation doing the rounds.

PUNJAB ASSEMBLY PASSES RESOLUTION AGAINST CAA

Punjab Assembly has passed a resolution against the contentious Citizenship Amendment Act that was cleared by Parliament last month, the second assembly after Kerala to call for scrapping the law. Chief Minister Amarinder Singh later told reporters that his government would also move the Supreme Court against the CAA. Kerala had earlier this week joined the 60-odd petitioners who have already approached the top court against the law that lets the government fast-track citizenship request of people on grounds of religion. The resolution said the citizenship law was “divisive and stands for everything opposed to a free and fair democracy, which must enshrine equality for all. Alongside the religion-based discrimination in granting citizenship, it is apprehended that the CAA is also likely to endanger the linguistic and cultural identity of some sections of our people,” the resolution pushed by the Amarinder Singh government said.

BENGAL VCS BOYCOTT GOVERNOR'S MEETING

will hit you with lathis, shoot you, and put you in jail.”

Earlier, a complaint was filed at Habra police station in North 24 Parganas district, which the police said was being treated as an FIR. The second complaint has been filed by a TMC leader in Ranaghat area of Nadia. After Ghosh repeated his remark, the Trinamool Congress linked it to the BJP’s internal election.

Vice-chancellors of 20 universities in West Bengal boycotted a meeting called by Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar and formed an association. The association, of which Jadavpur University (JU) VC Suranjan Das was appointed president, could be significant in the midst of a standoff between the state government and Dhankhar who faced protests and failed to attend the convocation at JU. On December 24, 2019, the Governor was forced to leave JU, while the university went ahead with the convocation. Following the incident, Dhankhar called the VCs at Raj Bhavan to discuss various issues, but no one turned up for the meeting. One of the VCs said there were legal difficulties in attending the meeting following the passage of a new law last year. Under the new rule, vicechancellors cannot to attend a meeting without the consent of state higher education department.

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The writer is a Socio-political Historian - E-mail: haridesai@gmail.com Dr. Hari Desai

The Relevance of Mahatma Gandhi’s Views • Gandhian process of change was ethical, nonviolent and democratic giving rights to all minorities • When the Mahatma died, PM Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru said, “the light has gone out of our lives”

M

ahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Nation for the Indians and a global messenger of peace, had intuition that he would be killed. The extremist Hindu forces tried to kill him more than five times but like the French President Charles de Gaulle every times the assassin failed. Unfortunately, Naturam Godse’s last attempt on 30 January 1948 could eliminate Gandhi physically but as the Mahatma used to say that he would continue to speak from his grave, even today he continues to be most relevant globally. Truth was God for Gandhi. Ahimsa (non-violence), his tool for the Satyagraha, has been universally accepted as an important path for conflict resolution. Even the views of Gandhiji are most relevant so far as the environment preservation is concerned.

As Rajen Baura from Texas who rightly compares Gandhi’s views and actions with those of Buddha, states: In real world, Gandhi was a politician, a shrewd politician, who was trying to bring peace and harmony to India on one hand while trying to bring her independence at the same time. For Gandhi, the process of change was very important which must be ethical, nonviolent and democratic giving rights to all minorities. In this respect, he resembles the Buddha for whom the noble eightfold path (of right wisdom, right conduct and right Mahatma Gandhi who was called the Father of the Nation for the first time effort), itself is the by Netaji Bose despite differences goal and essence of 150th Birth Anniversary of his Guru life. Once we realize this, we realize the definitely attracts more attention since essence of Gandhism and realize that it he has been inspiration even for would be wrong to premise that western personalities and rulers.

Gandhism is dead in the world. Like Gandhi successfully demonstrated Buddhism, which is mostly prevalent to a world, weary with wars and now-a-days outside India, the country continuing destruction that adherence of its birth, Gandhism today is alive and to Truth and Non-violence is not active outside India. Of course, the meant for individual behaviour alone phrase Gandhism is still is disputed but can be applied in global affairs too, since the Mahatma did not prefer it. writes Ravi Kumar in his paper “The Today there is hardly any country Relevance of Gandhi For All Times”. in the world where some activities are Pandit Nehru, at the time not going on along Next Column of Gandhi's passing, "The Gandhian lines. There are very few countries in Political significance light has gone out of our of Chhatrapati lives". Now we have to try the world where Shivaji and see what we can do something or the other with our limitations to overcome what is not being done, achieved or Gandhiji described as the seven social organized in the name of Gandhi. sins: There is a global non-violent Politics Without Principles. awakening and awareness after Wealth Without Work.

Gandhi. The name of Mahatma Commerce Without Morality Gandhi transcends the bounds of race, Education Without Character religion and nation-states, and has Pleasure Without Conscience. emerged as the prophetic voice of the Science Without Humanity. twenty-first century. Today, Gandhi is Worship Without Sacrifice. remembered for his passionate We can sum it all up by saying that it adherence to the practice of nonwas Gandhi who, through his dedication, violence and his supreme humanism, lifted the country from the British policy in every corner of the world. of 'divide and rule' and let the Indian Fortunately, the Indian Government masses form rivalries to reconciliation headed by Prime Minister Narendra and from hostility to harmony. And in Modi has decided to celebrate the this the Mahatma was ably supported by 150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma his great disciples- Pandit Jawaharlal Gandhi in India and abroad. Like the Nehru, Vallabhbhai Patel, Lal Bahadur Statue of Unity in memory of Sardar Shastri, Maulana Abdul Kalam Azad and Vallabhbhai Patel creates curiosity many others. about the Rashtranayak of India, the

Mahant Swami in Surat Head of the BAPS Mahant Swami is currently in Surat. On the occasion of Uttarayan (January14) a special assembly was held at Kanad, where a new BAPS Swaminarayan temple will be constructed.

Around 36,000 devotees and dignitaries were present on the occasion.

Surat municipal c o m m i s s i o n e r Banchhanidhi Pani also met Mahant Swami. On Sunday, 19th, a special campaign for peace in family was held. A shibir was also held under the campaign.

Mitul Paniker

Modi's CAB continues to create ripples in Canada Dear Readers, It has been over a month since the Indian Parliament passed the Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB) tabled by the Narendra Modi-led government. Indians and the world has not taken the news well, and if you think otherwise, you have been living under a rock. India continues to see demonstrations, protests, and unfortunately, in some cases, violence too. The CAB has been a topic of contention here in Toronto even today.

In fact, there have been silent protests and demonstrations against the Bill across Canada. While there are no more protests, the topic is very much a part of our every day.

It has gotten to a point where merely belonging to the Indian subcontinent leads to an extensive discussion on what Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah “intend to do with the Muslims in the country.” Canada hosts a sizeable population of the Indian diaspora, which is why any action taken there, immediately echoes in the towns and suburbs of the Great North. Not only the community, even mainstream politicians dipped their toes in the subject. Leader of the Opposition, Jagmeet Singh of the New Democratic Party (NDP) tweeted against the CAB last month. He wrote, “The Indian government's new Citizenship Amendment Law purposely discriminates Muslims & other minority communities. It is wrong & should be denounced. At a time of rising hate & polarization, governments should work to unite people, not divide them.”

I have kept my mouth shut for a major part of the drama that has ensued since the announcement of the bill. Did I like the fact that Muslims were shut out of the provision? No. Not one bit. I feel the world underestimates Muslim persecution in Muslim-dominated countries.

However, the majority of the protesters are missing out on other major groups and that is something I can't stop picking at. The CAB – or rather, “Amit Shah's CAB” leaves out any mention of Tamil refugees from Sri Lanka or Buddhist refugees from Tibet. If we want to cry discrimination, why isn't there a lot of noise about these communities being left behind?

Lo and behold! Kashmiri Hindus in the country, inspired by the anti-CAA protests held protests demanding their rights on their homeland- The Valley. Let us all take a minute and think of the consequences of taking to the streets with half-baked knowledge loosely based on a tweet sent out in the middle of the day by someone with an egg for a profile picture. Indian-Canadians are the second-largest immigrant group in Canada, with over half residing here as citizens, or Permanent Residents, and the remaining as students. Their influence is felt all over the country and in the neighbouring US. Meanwhile, back in India, petitions against the Bill are listed for hearing on January 22. However, before you rejoice, the Supreme Court has not clamped a say on Shah-Modi's CAB- so the Home Ministry could very well notify rules about who all can apply for citizenship, and other details.

Now, it is true that the government should have been better prepared to deal with the expected protests in the NorthEast. Secondly, how blind are those who voted for the BJP? Modi and Shah had signalled their intentions by including the CAB in the party manifesto during the elections. Also, there has been steady murmurs of this since Modi first came to power in 2014. In a way, shouldn't Modi voters rejoice in the fact that the elected government is acting on the promises it made while campaigning? Do not even get me started on the weak and rather incoherent response of the Opposition.

They make the general protests look lame and confused, and in stark contrast to the BJP's certainty and firmness on the issue.

As long as the actions or moves made by the Indian government is in course with the basic law laid down by the Indian Constitution, there is nothing more to be said. The only recourse left is to wait for the next opportunity to cast your ballot.

Just like any other move, CAB was implemented in true Modi fashion too– with a big bang. It has been almost six years since NaMo took the reins in his hands, and yet, people seem to be flustered with his every move. Given the current Opposition, I would say if you REALLY want to be surprised, Vote for Rahul Gandhi next time.

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Obituary

Trump likely to open Motera stadium in Ahmedabad

Speculation is rife that US President Donald Trump during his three-day tour of India, next month or in the first week of March, may also visit Gujarat and inaugurate the new Motera stadium, the world's largest cricketing arena.

According to officials in the state government, PM Narendra Modi and President Trump are likely to inaugurate the world’s largest cricket stadium together during the US President’s coming visit to India. Trump may also visit the Statue of Unity during his India visit.

If it happens, this will be the first instance of a serving US President visiting Gujarat. Top ruling party sources said PM Modi and President Trump jointly inaugurating the Motera stadium would be a fitting reciprocation for the Indian PM’s ‘Howdy Modi’ event in the US last September. The new stadium, built at the cost of about£80 million, is almost complete.

Top government sources said an informal communication was received from the government of India, asking the state government to make necessary arrangements for a possible

Donald Trump

visit by the US President along with PM Modi. “We have been told by Centre that both leaders will be in Ahmedabad for a day and will take part in the inauguration ceremony of the new Motera stadium.

This could happen between February 15 and 22,” a top government source said.

Significantly, PM Modi has confirmed his participation in the ‘13th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CMS COP13) to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS)’, which will be held at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar between February 15 and 22. The convention, administered by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) will be attended by delegates from more than 120 countries.

Officials in the government are not ruling out the possibility of Trump kicking off his India tour by first visiting Gujarat. “Like the Chinese president, Japanese PM and other leaders, who began their India visits by first visiting Gujarat, the US president is also likely to first visit Gujarat before the bilateral talks are held in Delhi. The US president’s Gujarat visit will focus on cultural ties,” a top government official said.

Sources said, “The BJP cadre has been asked to galvanise the NRI division and bodies like the Overseas Friends of the BJP in the US to ensure that a large number of Gujarati-origin US residents visit India during Trump’s visit. The BJP aims to have more than 100,000 persons attend the stadium inauguration.

Several top world leaders including Chinese President Xi Jinping, Japan PM Shinzo Abe, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu, UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon, former US secretary of state John Kerry and other leaders have visited Gujarat after Modi took over as PM in 2014.

Nadda elected as new BJP president Former health minister Jagat Prakash Nadda was elected unopposed as the 11th BJP president on Monday with support of 21 states units and the parliamentary party. He replaced home minister Amit Shah, who held the position for five and-a-half years.

After his inauguration, Nadda, 59, said the BJP would target coming to office in states where the party has not yet registered electoral success. Nadda, who was elected unanimously, said a simple worker like him, hailing from a village, could become party president only in BJP. “I will work day and night along with all party workers to take BJP to newer heights,” he said in his address at the BJP headquarters.

Recalling his long association with the new party chief, PM Narendra Modi reminisced how he used to ride pillion on Nadda’s scooter when they worked in the party organisation in Himachal Pradesh. “I have worked with Naddaji on his scooter.

I had an opportunity to serve the party in Himachal

JP Nadda with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and home ministar Amit Shah.

Pradesh for long. When I used to see the party organisation, Naddaji worked in the Yuva Morcha (BJYM). He delivered on whatever was assigned to him. I have seen in Naddaji a desire to excel in whatever responsibility was given to him,” Modi said.

The PM also recalled Nadda joking that people of both Himachal Pradesh and Bihar should be equally proud as the BJP chief was born in the eastern state.

“Naddaji completed his studies in Bihar and emerged from Bihar student politics,” Modi said.

Nadda applauded his predecessor Amit Shah for his work as party chief and said under his leadership, BJP become the world's largest party. “Today, we are

the world's largest party that is in office in India. We have the highest number of MPs and MLAs in the country.

We are not going to stop at this. There are some states left and we have set our aim there. We will make sure we reach them as well,” he said.

Though he didn't mention the states, his remarks assume significance at a time BJP is fighting to wrest Delhi from AAP and working overtime to dethrone Mamata Banerjeeled TMC in West Bengal.

Nadda thanked the party brass for showering love on him and said he had worked with all members of the party's parliamentary board in different capacities and also with veterans such as L K Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi.

Dr. Premen Addy

(26th June 1938-15th January 2020) Dr Premen Addy, intellectual, historian, author, former editor Asian Voice and columnist passed away in a Kolkata nursing home on the morning of 15th of January 2020.

Kolkata is truly defined by its intellectual life and its creative yearnings and Dr. Premen Addy can be justly deemed one of the many luminaries that gave content to its identity.

Kolkata and the wider region had huge impact and produced creative and intellectual giants, from Ram Mohan Roy and Swami Vivekananda to Bankim Chandra Chatterjee and filmmaker, Satyajit Ray. But a true galaxy of unrecognised gems, like the unknown mourned in the bleak lines of Thomas Gray’s, Elegy in a Country Churchyard, also throng the alleys and cafes of the city, not least the memorable café of College Street, its Coffee House.

Premen Addy, I hazard was one the last of them, in a city transformed in the past five decades beyond recognition, passing away suddenly following complications after an operation.

Premen was a one-off, hugely well-read and possessor of an astounding memory and with the ability to instantly recall countless historical facts. In endless conversations with him, I constantly found myself being educated about history and by his formidable expertise on Russia, its socialist earlier incarnation, China and of course the United Kingdom and India. He also lightly bore a vast reservoir of knowledge of literature and poetry, especially admiring V. S. Naipaul among the modern greats. Those who read his periodic columns in the Calcutta Telegraph, India Weekly, the Asian Voice and many other publications will have relished his scholarly analyses of myriad topics, leavened with refined prose and penetrating insight.

Premen was once attracted to Trotskyism and engaged with its British house journal, the New Left Review, where he had published. But he became less convinced of Trotsky’s historical significance, recognising instead the unparalleled role of Joseph

Stalin in defeating Nazism and his unquestionable political acumen. He never succumbed to the temptation of Maoism, which decimated a generation of Kolkata’s best and brightest and inflicted a calamity on the city from which it never quite recovered. In recent years, Premen accorded approval to India’s advance under Shri Narendra Modi though he was uneasy about its ideological direction. His favoured personal friends and acquaintances were great thinkers and writers like the historian Victor Kiernan and the poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz.

In London, he had succeeded his redoubtable predecessor, Iqbal Singh, as editor of India Weekly, writing a searing weekly commentary, as Scrutator, on the misrepresentation and libel against India in the British media. Few interlocutors survived the scrutiny of his pen and logic, expressed in prose as eloquent as a precision scalpel wielded by a surgeon. Although he found the carping criticism of India in the British media irritating and libellous, he was a great admirer of many aspects of British society. With his profound knowledge of its literature and history, he found so much in to admire and worthy of emulation.

Dr. Premen Addy also taught a history course at Kellogg College, Oxford and was hugely popular with his students who had never been exposed to such in-depth and diverse knowledge of so many subjects. He was also a visiting fellow at the Centre of International Studies at the London School of Economics and Political Science. He retired to Kolkata 2008, surrounded by his prized private library and a devoted family nearby that assumed responsibility for his mundane daily needs.

Dr. Premen Addy, the son of the distinguished late Professor K. C. Addy, principal of St. Paul’s College, Calcutta, studied at Presidency College. He represented it as a keen debater, also captaining the Presidency cricket team, a sport on which he continued to write informed comment throughout his life, including the Sportsworld.

He began a history Tripos at Selwyn College, Cambridge University in 1963. At Cambridge he was a contemporary of renowned economists Professors Partha Dasgupta and Pranab Bardhan, the latter remaining a lifelong friend.

He wrote his PhD at the

School of Oriental and African Studies and went on to become India’s leading expert on Tibet, on which he has recently published a second perceptive comparative historical study. He was carrying on a family tradition established by his maternal uncle, Mr. Sumol Sinha of the MEA, whom Prime Minister Nehru came to trust as principal adviser on China after the 1962 debacle. Premen had a soft spot for Jawaharlal Nehru, applauding his modernising zeal and contrasting him with power-hungry third world dictators.

Premen Addy was a cosmopolitan renaissance intellectual who lived the life of the mind, unconcerned with material possessions.

He was modest in life-style and dressed with dowdy selfconfidence and spoke incessantly of India’s progress, its setbacks and sorrows, but always confident of its eventual reprise.

Despite his nominal Christian identity, he was the person asked to write the introduction to the meaning of Durga puja for the London Committee in its magazine. Sometimes he would surprise me by quoting a Hindu ‘myth’, with evident conviction, to explain a contemporary event, underscoring he was nothing if not learned! Like the philosopher, Bertrand Russell he admired, he was not a believer, but was nevertheless a deeply religious man.

His home town, Kolkata,which has suffered so much setback still hosts book fairs where the impecunious throng in their thousands to spend hard-earned money. It is the city that celebrates Ho Chi Minh and others from distant lands, recognising a common humanity of the courageous, and a shabbilyattired anonymous person will unexpectedly recite Coleridge and one of Kolkata’s own innumerable poets of romance and despair. It is the city of so many without means or indeed future who dream and create beauty and also take to violent protest for no good reason and good reason. Premen Addy, the intellectual combatant, defined Kolkata’s identity and his passing is a loss to the city in its twilight years that he lit up with his prodigious learning, knowledge and infinite humanity.

Dr. Gautam Sen 21st January 2020 (Taught international political economy at the London School of Economics and Political Science for more than two decades).

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25 - 31 January 2020

Alia's never-seen-before avatar in 'Gangubai Kathiawadi' The first look of Alia Bhatt starrer 'Gangubai Kathiawadi' is out. The posters of the Sanjay Leela Bhansali directorial feature a never-seen-before avatar of Alia who seems to be playing a brothel owner. The Twitter handle of Bhansali Productions shared the first look posters with a caption that read, "Strength. Power. Fear!

One look, a thousand emotions.

Presenting the first look of #GangubaiKathiawadi.

In cinemas 11 September 2020."

In 'Gangubai Kathiawadi',

which is being bankrolled by Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Jayantilal Gada, Alia plays the titular role. The movie is said to be based on a chapter of author Hussain Zaidi's book 'Mafia Queens of Mumbai.'

It was earlier reported that Ajay Devgn will make a special appearance in the film. “It is not a full-fledged part but a special appearance. It is a very interesting role. An official statement in this regard will be made soon,” a source close to the development said.

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Alia and Bhansali were earlier supposed to work on the Salman Khan starrer 'In-shaaAllah.' The film was scheduled for an Eid 2020 release.

However, things did not pan out as planned. According to reports, Khan and Bhansali had differences over the treatment of the project, and ultimately, the whole thing was called off.

Apart from 'Gangubai Kathiawadi', Alia will also be seen in Karan Johar's 'Takht' and Ayan Mukerji's 'Brahmastra.'

Kangana opens production house

Aamir Khan’s daughter Ira opens up on her relationship Kangana Ranaut has added yet another feather to her cap. The actor opened her production house Manikarnika Films. In a photo tweeted by Kangana's sister Rangoli Chandel, the actor and her brother Akshit can be seen performing pooja.

With the opening of Manikarnika Films, Kangana will bankroll and helm more projects, while brother Akshit will look after the legal and finance department. Rangoli also tweeted a photo giving Kangana fans a look at the production house.

"This is Kangana’s studio in Pali Hill prime location in Mumbai, she saw this dream 10 years

ago and today we also saw it, if people can achieve everything with honesty and truth why do people do choti moti bundlebaazi and act so dishonest..." Rangoli tweeted.

In another tweet, she revealed that the production house is in a three-storey building.

She also gave a sneak peek of a floor of Manikarnika Films. Kangana Ranaut made her directorial debut with 'Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi', a period drama that saw the actor playing Rani Lakshmi Bai. On the work front, Kangana is looking forward to the release of Ashwini Iyer Tiwari directorial 'Panga.'

Panga

Film Panga is directed by Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari and produced by Fox Star Studios.

The film features Kangana Ranaut, Jassi Gill, Richa Chadda, Neena Gupta and Yogya Bhasin in lead roles. The story depicts the jovial life of a kabaddi player. Ashwiny Iyer made her debut with 'Nil Battey Sannata' in 2016, directed its Tamil remake 'Amma Kanakku' the same year, and helmed the comedy 'Bareilly Ki Barfi' in 2017.

Street Dancer 3D

Set in London, the film is about 2 rival dance groups from India and Pakistan, who've been competing against each other. The movie features Varun Dhawan, Shraddha Kapoor, Prabhu Deva and Nora Fatehi in the lead roles.

The film's music is composed by Sachin– Jigar.

Aamir Khan’s daughter Ira Khan has always been open about her relationship with boyfriend Mishaal Kirpalani, and she says she never intended to hide anything. “I wasn’t trying to be open about it. I was just posting what I felt like posting.

I try and keep my account pages as real as I can. And that is what I felt like posting and so I posted it,” Ira said when asked about her decision to be open about her relationship status.

“It depends on the kind of person you are. If you feel like being open about it, you should be open about it, and if you don’t, then don’t. I was not trying to be open, but I was also not trying to hide anything,” she added. Last year, Ira celebrated two years of togetherness with Mishaal by posting a throwback photo of the couple on Instagram.

Asked if she is a party animal, she said: “I am not a party animal. Well, I can be when I want to be. I guess when I party I party, but I don’t party that much. I have been working constantly.” Ira had also made headlines for her quirky photo shoots, pictures of which she shared on her Instagram account. Some showed her in dramatic costumes and makeup while others had her posing amid lush green surroundings evening gowns.

in

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25 - 31 January 2020

Sonam's 'scariest experience' with Uber driver Sonam Kapoor Ahuja took to Twitter to share her experience and warned her 12.8 million fans: "Hey guys I've had the scariest experience with @Uberlondon.

Please please be careful. The best and safest is just to use the local public transportation or cabs. I'm super shaken."

When a follower asked her about it, the actress replied: "The driver was unstable and was yelling and shouting. I was shaking by the end of it." Uber reached out to her on Twitter and wrote: "Sorry to hear about this, Sonam. Can you please send us a DM with your email address and mobile so we can look into this?"

To which Sonam replied: "I tried complaining on your app, and just got multiple disconnected replies by bots.

You guys need to update your system.

The damage is done. There is nothing more you can do." This happened just a few days after she tweeted about losing her bags while travelling.

"This is the third time I've travelled @British_Airways this month and the second time they've lost my bags. I think I've learnt my lesson. I'm never flying @British_Airways again," she wrote.

Shraddha super excited to be working with Ranbir Shraddha Kapoor, who is set to star opposite Ranbir Kapoor in Luv Ranjan's next directorial, says she is excited to work with the actor and the filmmaker. The yet-untitled film will mark the first collaboration between Luv, Ranbir and Shraddha. "I am doing Luv Ranjan's film with Ranbir Kapoor. I have loved Luv's films, 'Pyaar Ka Punchnama' and 'Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety.' I am super excited to be working with Ranbir. He is one of the best actors of our generation. I have loved his work. Nothing was offered to me earlier with Ranbir, I am looking forward to this film," Shraddha said.

Shraddha said she will start shooting for the project in March. "I will begin some prep after the release of 'Street Dancer 3D'," she added. The 32-year-old actor is currently busy promoting her next release 'Street Dancer 3D', in which she is paired opposite Varun Dhawan. The film, directed by Remo D'Souza, will release on January 24. For Shraddha, 'Baaghi 3', a sequel to her and Tiger Shroff's 'Baaghi', is also in the pipeline.

She is also expected to return for 'Stree 2', if and when the project is announced. "I am excited to do Baaghi 3. I don't know what is happening with Stree 2. I hope I am in it. With franchise films, you can never be at ease. I did Rock On 2 and it did not do well, you never know which way it goes. With franchises, you know people are excited to see the film but again you don't have how it will do, no one knows the outcome," the actor added.

SRK to join hands with Rajkumar Hirani Shah Rukh Khan’s fans may choose to get as impatient as they like. But the mega-star is not biting the bait. He will say yes only when he is absolutely sure of what he wants to do next. And the wait would soon be over.

According to sources close to the development, Shah Rukh is all set to announce his next film in the next two months.

“Shah Rukh had around 30-35 solid offers that he was considering seriously. These included projects from Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Yash Raj Films, Sajid Nadiadwala, T Series, etc., the biggest of banners.

Shah Rukh has finally found what he was looking for.

His next would be a film directed by Rajkumar Hirani which Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Hirani and Shah Rukh’s Red Chillies will produce,” says the informed source.

When further probed on the nature of the project, the source says it would be a “social comedy.”

“Relevant to what’s going on around us. But not too controversial,” says the source. Whatever he chooses to do next, success must be a pre-condition.

This superstar cannot afford another failure right now.

by Vallisa Chauhan

Genre: Biographical Period Action Film Duration: 131 Mins

Devgn marks his 100th film with Tanhaji

The film follows the life of the Maratha warrior Tanhaji Malusare (Ajay Devgn) who was the military leader and aide of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj (Sharad Kelkar). The film focuses on the battle of Sinhagad in 1670 where Tanhaji takes on Udaybhan Singh Rathore, a Rajput warrior. Udaybhan is played by Saif Ali Khan.

Shivaji surrenders 23 forts to Aurangzeb under a Treaty and this included Kondhana, now Sinhagad. Rajmata Jijbai (Padmavati Rao) has sworn she will walk bare foot until the fort is recaptured by the Marathas.

Some years pass and Aurangzeb Ajay Devgn (Luke Kenny) sends over Udaybhan and his army to make sure Shivaji does not go back on his word. Although, Shivaji is devising a plan he does not want to send his military leader Tanhaji as his son is getting married.

However, Tanhaji finds out and begs to have the chance to get Kondhana back and it is wife Savitribai (Kajol) who turns out to be his main supporter.

Tanhaji makes his way to battle and to beat the ghastly Udaybhan.

Devgn plays his role of Tanhaji really well and is patriotic throughout the film. But the person who definitely shines is Kajol who although, has a very limited screen time manages to Kajol make every minute count.

Khan has taken his role very seriously and this shows in his amazing performance, he brings his own tinge of humour whilst still coming across menacing and ruthless. Coupled with his sinister laugh Khan is able to deliver his character to the t.

Devgn has been on record to state that this is the first film in a new franchise named the Unsung Warriors. As part of the upcoming flicks, he is expected to play different war time warriors who have been forgotten about. It is also Devgn’s 100th film and it has been almost a decade since we saw him on screen with Kajol, a unique war drama to see them reSaif Ali Khan unite at.

But the movie for all its merits struggles with the pace. The script disappoints in terms of offering a quintessential war drama rhythm. Although, the movie is heavy on CGI but the director and cinematographers have created film faux pas in scenes where men are seen walking on walls parallel to the ground and ropes pulling them just by hanging off the sidewalls. But if you choose to leave your rationale at the parking lots with your car, then the movie makes for a good epic-drama infotainment.

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25 - 31 January 2020

Keerthy Suresh in 'Penguin'

Nivetha Thomas shares pain behind a 2 second shot in 'Darbar' Superstar Rajinikanth is currently basking in the success of his recent release 'Darbar' that had hit the big screens on January 9th.

Directed by AR Murugadoss, the film featured Lady Superstar Nayanthara as the female lead.

Apart from the leads, the film featured Suniel Shetty, Yogi Babu, Nivetha Thomas, Jatin Sarna, Prateik Babbar, Nawab Shah, baby Manasvi Kottachi amongst others in prominent roles. The film also did wonders at the box-office. Bankrolled by Lyca Productions, the film featured music composed by Anirudh Ravichander. The camera is cranked by ace cinematographer Santosh Sivan while the cuts were handled by editor A. Sreekar Prasad.

Nivetha Thomas who was seen as Valli in the film had shared what all went behind to shoot for a shot that barely appeared on the screen for 2 seconds. Sharing the pic, she wrote, “A shot lasting 2 seconds in the film took 2 flights, hours of prep, a day’s shoot and a night’s stay to work. Film making is a tedious and disciplined process. It follows a method, involves people, equipment,

* Schedule is subject to change

SATURDAY JAN 25, 2020 00:24 02:38 06:00 08:00 11:46 14:29 16:45 20:22 23:17

FILM: MAIN TERA HERO FILM: AWARAPAN FILM: HUFF! ITS TOO MUCH FILM: NASEEB FILM: ZANJEER FILM: NIL BATTEY SANNATA FILM: DON - THE CHASE BEGINS AGAIN FILM: ENTERTAINMENT FILM: BADLAPUR

SUNDAY JAN 26, 2020

01:43 06:00 08:00 11:33 15:13 17:52 21:01

FILM: AWARA PAAGAL DEEWANA FILM: THE PERFECT GIRL FILM: MR. INDIA FILM: DON - THE CHASE BEGINS AGAIN FILM: TANU WEDS MANU RETURNS FILM: HOLIDAY-A SOLDIER IS NEVER OFF DUTY FILM: WELCOME BACK

MONDAY JAN 27, 2020

00:08 02:06

FILM: NIL BATTEY SANNATA FILM: SHAITAAN

06:00 08:34 11:17 13:45 16:59 20:00 22:40

FILM: FILM: FILM: FILM: FILM: FILM: FILM:

VIKALP JAANAM FAREB GHATAK- LETHAL ENTERTAINMENT RAMAN RAGHAV 2.0 SHAITAAN

01:07 06:00 08:19 11:08 14:40 17:18 20:22 23:00

FILM: KOYELAANCHAL FILM: DUS TOLA FILM: HOTE HOTE PYAR HO GAYA FILM: MELA FILM: KHOOBSURAT FILM: WELCOME BACK FILM: DO LAFZON KI KAHANI FILM: WELCOME

02:07 06:00 08:10 11:31 15:01 17:42 20:19 21:00 23:57

FILM: RAMAN RAGHAV 2.0 FILM: BAAT BANN GAYI FILM: KRISHNA ARJUN FILM: DARAAR FILM: COMMANDO 2 FILM: WELCOME TO KARACHI LIFESTYLE : STAR STOP FILM: UDTA PUNJAB FILM: D-DAY

16:43 20:01 22:35

FILM: WELCOME FILM: COMMANDO 2 FILM: UDTA PUNJAB

FRIDAY JAN 31, 2020

01:30 06:00

FILM: PHIR HERA PHERI FILM: WAKE UP INDIA

TUESDAY JAN 28, 2020

WEDNESDAY JAN 29, 2020

* Schedule is subject to change

SATURDAY 25TH JANUARY 16:30 18:00 18:30 20:00 21:30 23:00

SUPER DANCER CHAPTER 3 THE CHEF THE KAPIL SHARMA SHOW INDIAN IDOL THE KAPIL SHARMA SHOW DUS KA DUM

SUNDAY 26TH JANUARY

16:30

SUPER DANCER CHAPTER 3

18:00 18:30

THE CHEF THE KAPIL SHARMA SHOW

FILM: FILM: FILM: FILM: FILM:

Director Prem Kumar’s '96' was arguably one of the finest movies in Kollywood that starred Vijay Sethupathi and Trisha in the lead roles as Ram and Janu. The story revolves around the high school sweethearts who were united for a few precious hours after a class reunion. The movie did wonders at the box-office too.

Post the success of '96', it was remade in Kannada as '99' starring Ganesh and Bhavana in the lead roles and in Telugu that features Samantha and Sharwanand who is popularly known in Tamil from his role in 'Engeyum Eppothum'. Directed by Prem Kumar himself again, the first look of the Telugu remake which is titled as 'Jaanu' was released a few days ago and was loved by the audiences. The teaser which was released recently showed how perfectly Samantha lived the character apart from Sharwanand who will be seen reprising Vijay Sethupathi’s role. The makers have also shared a special surprise for the Tamil audiences as well. The same song titled 'Theeraa' will be unveiled in Tamil for the '96' fans.

RA ONE BLUE ORANGES 16 DECEMBER KHOOBSURAT DO LAFZON KI KAHANI

08:21 11:14 14:24 17:05 20:14 23:25

FILM: FILM: FILM: FILM: FILM: FILM:

SHIKAAR PHIR HERA PHERI WELCOME TO KARACHI D-DAY RA ONE BAADSHAH

* Schedule is subject to change

17:30:

CHHUTA CHHEDA

18:00:

TUM KAUN PIYA

19:30:

DESI BEAT RESET (SEASON 3)

18:30:

DIL KA RISHTA

20:00:

THE BOLLYWOOD

19:00:

MERE HUMRAHI

19:30:

BHARADWAJ BAHUEIN

21:00:

DANCE DEEWANE (SEASON 2)

20:30:

MOHE RANNG DO LAAL

SUN 26TH JAN 2020

21:00:

BALIKA VADHU - LAMHE

11:00:

SHRIMAD BHAGWAT

PYAAR KE

17:00:

DHARAM THI GUJARATI

SAT 25TH JAN 2020

17:30:

DIVINE DESTINATION

18:00:

BIGG BOSS - SEASON 13 -

19:30:

DESI BEAT (SEASON 3)

WEEKEND KA VAAR

ROUNDTABLE 2019

20:00 21:30 23:00

INDIAN IDOL THE KAPIL SHARMA SHOW DUS KA DUM

MON 27 JANUARY- FRI 31TH JANUARY

11:00:

MAHAKALI

18:30 19:00 19:30 20:00 20:30 21:00 21:30 22:00

VIGHNAHARTA GANESHA MERE SAI TARA FROM SATARA ISHAARON ISHAARON MEIN PATIALA BABES BEYHADH 2 MERE DAD KI DULHAN CRIME PATROL

14:30:

KHATRA KHATRA KHATRA

17:00:

DHARAM THI GUJARATI

17:30:

DIVINE DESTINATION

20:00:

KHATRA KHATRA KHATRA

18:00:

BIGG BOSS (SEASON 13) -

21:00:

DANCE DEEWANE (SEASON 2)

19:00 19:00 19:00 19:00 19:00

MONDAY ARZOO TUESDAY JEENE KI RAAH WEDNESDAY AAKHIR KYON? THURSDAY BIDAAI FRIDAY KHATTA MEETHA

SONY MAX 2 PRIME TIME

MON 27TH JAN - 31TH JAN 2020

THURSDAY JAN 30, 2020

02:38 06:00 08:15 11:21 14:00

Samantha's 'Janu' – special surprise for Tamil fans

management, planning and immense effort. Spend a day on set to understand what it means when technicians and actors from the industry say, “The team has put in a lot of hard work!” Though it’s easy to say ‘cliche’ when you hear stuff often, take a moment to think more about why they say it.

TV Listing

Keerthy Suresh, one of the leading actresses of South India, had won millions of hearts not only with her acting skills but also with the charisma and her charm. It was not long ago that she was announced as the winner of the National Film Award for Best Actress.

She has a number of projects lined up in her pipeline 'Marakkar: Arabikadalinte Simham,' 'Penguin,' 'Miss India,' 'Good Luck Sakhi,' 'Rang De' and her recent project was Superstar Rajinikanth and director Siva’s 'Thalaivar 168.'

Of which, Penguin is written and directed by Eashvar Karthic and produced by Kaarthekeyen Santhanam and Passion Studios.

The movie is presented by Karthik Subbaraj's Stone Bench Productions. Penguin is shot by cinematographer Kharthik Palani and the cuts are handled by Anil Krish. The music composer of the project is Santhosh Narayanan. The satellite rights of the movie which is expected to release on Summer 2020 has been acquired by Sun TV who had recently bagged Thalapathy Vijay’s 'Master.'

8:00:

TERE NAAL ISHQ

13:00:

SWARAGINI

13:30:

BIGG BOSS (SEASON 13)

15:00:

JAAGTE RAHO (SEASON 2)

16:00:

DHARAM THI GUJARATI

16:30:

RASOI SHOW

* Schedule is subject to change MON 27TH JAN - 31TH JAN 2020 18:30: VIDYA 19:00: RAM SIYA KE LUV KUSH 19:30: CHOTI SARDAARNI 20:00: SHAKTI ASTITVA KE EHSAAS KI 20:30: SHUBHARAMBH 21:00: NAATI PINKY KI LAMBI LOVE STORY

WEEKEND KA VAAR

21:30: BIGG BOSS - SEASON 13 22:30: BEPANAH PYAARR SAT 25TH JAN 2020 18:30: VIDYA 19:00: CHOTI SARDAARNI 20:00: NAAGIN (SEASON 4) 21:00: FEET UP WITH THE STARS 21:30: BIGG BOSS (SEASON 13) WEEKEND KA VAAR SUN 26TH JAN 2020 11:00: MOTU PATLU 11:30: PAKDAM PAKDAI 14:30: BOSS 19:30: FOOD HIGHWAY 20:00: NAAGIN (SEASON 4) 21:00: DESI BEAT RESET 21:30: BIGG BOSS (SEASON 13) WEEKEND KA VAAR

30 EVENTS & TRAVEL

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What’s on

One thinks of Vietnam and one imagines battlefields or minefields entrenched in war. But the iconic communist South Asian country is a labyrinth of diverse cultures from Chinese to French with subtle influences of Hinduism and Buddhism rooted in its contemporary lifestyle. We bring to you a firsttimers' guide to Vietnam: How and why you should travel to the former French colony.

15 days visa-free travel, currency, and documentation You are not required to apply for a tourist visa if you are planning to travel to Vietnam for a maximum of 15 days for business or tourism purposes before 30th June 2021 and if you hold a ‘British Citizen’ passport. However, all other categories of passport holders will be required to apply for a valid visa. You should check with your travel agents or the Vietnam Embassy in London for all kinds of health certificates, if any, required for entry purposes. You can obtain further information on TravelHealthPro. Flying to any major city in Vietnam - Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Hanoi, Da Nang, et al – is always an expensive affair with round trips starting about £400. Although, sitting on the Indochinese Peninsula, allows for a subliminal monsoon climate to prevail across the country, it can get chillier during December.

Therefore, March and April are considered to be the ideal months for enjoying a unique tropical spring. Whilst the flight tickets may be expensive, travelling can be relatively affordable. Factor in the currency exchange rates (1GBP = 30,160 Vietnamese Dongs) and good deals and you might be able to indulge in a luxurious staycation. Also, be careful of carrying cash with yourself as plastic currency remains foreign at flea markets and street stalls.

Security camera for your home: Arlo pro 3 Arlo pro 3 is a smart home security system that includes two-camera pack plus hub and is designed to be weather resistant. It has 2k streaming, color night vision, 12x zoom, a builtin siren and spotlight. It allows you access to motion, sound alerts and access to the live feed.

Essentially, battery-operated, it has a life of three-six Editor: CB Patel Chief Executive Officer: Liji George Managing Editor: Rupanjana Dutta Deputy Editor: Urja Patel Journalist: Priyanka Mehta Advertising Managers: Kishor Parmar Head - New Projects & Business Development: Cecil Soans

Hand in hand

Vietnam's history and heritage Vietnam boasts of a 3000 km coastline, dense tropical forests, hilltops, and cities wafting with Chinese and Vietnamese cuisines, decorated in the armours of French architecture, traditional ornate pagodas and city skyscrapers.

Ho Ho Ho...lets hop to Ho Chi Minh City!

The best way to glean information about the war-torn country is perhaps, by visiting Ho Chi Minh City Museum, an archive housed in the Gia Long Palace. From bomb remnants, firstperson accounts of war veterans to a bloodied guillotine and photographs of horrific napalm burns the corridors revisit a ghostly Vietnam.

Another insight into the former French colony can be received from visiting the Reunification Palace.

Following the departure of the French colonials

left in 1954, Ngo Dinh Diem, the then ruler constructed the 'Independence Palace' to demonstrate his country's strength, but it was pulled down after an attempt to assassinate him.

Renamed as the Reunification Palace, months. Set up is simple and can be configured to track motion in your front garden and other features include automatic turning on and off of the camera whether you are home or not.

For extended recording capabilities you need a monthly subscription. You can choose from twocamera, three-camera or four-camera bundles and add extras when you choose. Arlo Smart offers an array of additional features, including detection zones and advanced notifications (people, animal, vehicle

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it houses the tank that crashed through the palace gates in 1975, signalling the fall of the Saigon regime.

But, the country's torturous history is perhaps, best illustrated in its nightlife and cuisine culture. Dong Khoi exudes character in the pubs, street shops and walk-in diners that span from Notre Dame Cathedral to the Saigon River. From the go-go bars that catered for young American GIs back in the 1950s to the balmy hole-in-the-walls now serving local bia hoi (beer). Beware of the pickpocketers though. Ben Thanh, Bin Tay Markets and Lam Son Square are some of the shopping centers to make a quick stop at.

Golden Gate Bridge of the East: Da Nang The beach stretch of Da Nang is nestled between Hanoi, and Ho Chi Minh City, almost diving the country in half. Marrying the urban lifestyle with the country's historical past, the area is fairly under-developed and is home to some of the prettiest beaches such as Khe Beach, Lang Co Beach, and Non-Nuoc. If UNESCO-listed destinations interest you, then you can plan day trips to Hoi An and My Son Sanctuary. However, visiting the 490 ft Golden Bridge in the Bà Nà Hills, which connects the cable car station with the gardens is a panoramic visit that you must treat yourself to!

Other relatively unexplored and offbeat places that you can visit include Hoi An, Ha Long Bay, Da Lat, Phu Quoc Island and Hon Tre Island for motor-biking, surfing and other outdoor adventures.

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● Smashing the Stigma: South Asian Women & Mental Health - South Asian Sisters Speak (SASS) is excited to bring you our latest event, 'Smashing the Stigma' - exploring the issue of mental health in the South Asian community. For years mental health has been considered a taboo in South Asian communities, tainted by notions of shame, honour or 'izzat'. For this reason, many individuals from a South Asian background do not notice the signs of mental health issues and when they do, are reluctant to speak to others and access mental health services. The aim of the event is to shine a light on the impact of mental health within the South Asian community and in particular the nuances of this in relation to South Asian women. The event hopes to begin to deconstruct the stigma and shame ingrained in our communities around mental health, openly discuss these issues and how we can overcome them.

Date: Thursday 30th January Time: 7pm till 9pm Venue: Impact Hub Islington, 27 Dingley Place, London, EC1V 8BR Tickets: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/smashing-the-stigma-southasian-women-mental-health-tickets-88273539533 Price: Free ● Invisible Voices. The Art of South Asian Activists - Join a lively panel discussion hosted by multi award-winning artist and producer Dawinder Bansal featuring Raj Kaur Khaira, founder of the global Pink Ladoo project and author of Stories for South Asian Supergirls. Shareefa Energy is a young British Muslim spoken word poet, writer and workshop facilitator.

Shareefa’s poetry has been featured on BBC One Show, Channel 4 and ITV and is the author of her debut poetry collection Galaxy Walk. Sarvjit Sra is a male artist who will exhibit his latest photographic and thought-provoking exhibition called Girl Child. Listen to these fascinating British Asian artists sharing how they use art and writing to empower and raise the invisible voices of South Asian women and girls across the UK and around the world.

There will be a meet and greet after the event.

Date: Friday 31st January. Time: 7pm till 8.15pm Venue: Wolverhampton Art Gallery, Lichfield Street, Wolverhampton, WV1 1DU Tickets: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/invisible-voices-the-art-ofsouth-asian-activists-tickets-82204414617 Price: £10 ● Birmingham Walking Tour: Migration Stories - Immerse yourself in true stories hidden inside abandoned Irish pubs and woven into the Asian fabric shops. The Stratford Road in Sparkhill has seen many migrants settle along it through the years. From the Irish to the Somalian community; their memories will be brought to life by our friendly walk leaders who will talk you through the changing scene of the road.

Date: Saturday 1st February Time: 11.30am Venue: The Bordesley Centre, Stratford Road, Birmingham, B11 1AR Tickets: www.awin1.com/awclick.php?mid=8735&id=85386&clickref=k5 n1hp49yl01a50505ext&p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tripadvisor.c o.uk%2FAttractionProductReview-g186402-d19867559Birmingham_Walking_Tour_Migration_Stories_from_the_Stratf ord_Road-Birmingham_West_.html%3F%2C Price: £10

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25 - 31 January 2020

Dhoni dropped from BCCI's annual contract The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the new player contracts for India senior men players, with four classifications dividing the players.

Notably, former India captain MS Dhoni was dropped from the BCCI's list of centrally contracted players, raising fresh doubts on the future of the veteran wicketkeeperbatsman, who has not played since the World Cup semifinal loss to New Zealand in 2019. Apart from Dhoni, Dinesh Karthik, Khaleel Ahmed and recently retired, Ambati Rayudu have been dropped from the central contract.

The BCCI announced the central contracts for the period of October 2019 to September 2020. Dhoni was in the A category, which fetches a player £500,000, until last year. The contracts, from

MS Dhoni

October 2019 to September 2020, are in four categories A+ (£700,000), A (£500,000), B (£300,000) and C (£100,000). As many as 27 players have been divided into these four categories, with skipper Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah being the three in the A+ category.

According to a BCCI release, following are the players in the other categories:

Category A: Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, KL Rahul, Shikhar Dhawan, Mohammad Shami, Ishant Sharma, Kuldeep Yadav and Rishabh Pant.

Category B: Wriddhiman Saha, Umesh Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Hardik Pandya, Mayank Agarwal.

Category C: Kedar Jadhav, Navdeep Saini, Deepak

Chahar, Manish Pandey, Hanuma Vihari, Shardul Thakur, Shreyas Iyer, Washington Sundar.

Harmanpreet, Smriti, Poonam bag top contract For women cricketers, Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana, and Poonam Yadav were awarded grade A contract while in grade B, a total of eight players have been named - Mithali Raj, Jhulan Goswami, Jemimah Rodrigues, Ekta Bisht, Radha Yadav, Shikha Pandey, Deepti Sharma, Taniya Bhatia.

Grade C players include Veda Krishnamurthy, Punam Raut, Anuja Patil, Mansi Joshi, D Hemlatha, Arundhati Reddy, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Pooja Vastrakar, Harleen Deol, Priya Punia, and Shafali Verma.

Category A players will get Rs 50,00,000 while B and C category players will get Rs 30,00,000 and Rs 10,00,000 respectively.

Rohit Sharma named ODI Player of Year

India skipper Virat Kohli and white-ball vice-captain Rohit Sharma were among the prize winners in the ICC Awards announced on January 15.

Rohit Sharma was named ICC's '2019 ODI Cricketer of the Year' for his incredible run of form throughout the year.

“I would like to thank the ICC for giving me this award and the BCCI for giving me the opportunity to represent the country. It is great to be recognised in this fashion," Rohit said. "We are very happy with the way we performed as a team in 2019. We could have done better but we have a lot of positives and a lot to look forward to in 2020.”

Kohli won the 'Spirit of Cricket' award for stopping fans from booing Australia's Steve Smith during their World Cup match at the Oval.

“I’m surprised that I have got

it, after many years of being under the scanner for the wrong things. It is part of camaraderie that sportsmen must have with each other," Kohli said. "That moment was purely understanding an individual’s situation. I don’t think a guy who is coming out of a situation like that needs to be taken advantage of. You can sledge, can have have banter on the field, you say things to the opposition in wanting to beat them. But booing someone is not in the spirit of any sport, I don’t endorse it."

Pacer Deepak Chahar was adjudged T20I performer of the year for his matchwinning 6/7 against Bangladesh in November 2019. “I am very happy to receive this award. I would like to thank the ICC for this award and to the BCCI for giving me a chance to

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma

represent my country. That performance was very special for me," said Chahar. "I got an opportunity to play for India after a long time. Taking six wickets conceding only seven runs was a dream performance for me and will always remain close to my heart.”

Kohli was also named skipper of the Test and ODI

teams of the year. Apart from him, there were four other Indians who were picked in the ICC's Test and ODI Teams of the Year.

While the Test team featured double-centurion Mayank Agarwal, opener Rohit Sharma, speedster Mohammed Shami and leftarm spinner Kuldeep Yadav found a place in the ODI side.

Sania completes dream comeback In a dream start to her second innings after a two-year break, Sania Mirza lifted the WTA Hobart International trophy with partner Nadiia Kichenok after edging out No.2 seeds Shaui Peng and Shuai Zhang in the final.

The unseeded IndoUkrainian pair pipped the second seeded Chinese team 6-4, 6-4 in an hour and 21 minutes. Playing her first tournament after giving birth to son Izhaan, the 33-year-old Sania has begun well in the Olympic year as she warmed up for the Australian Open in style. It is Sania's 42nd WTA doubles title and first since Brisbane International trophy in 2017 with American partner Bethanie Mattek-Sands. Sania did not compete on the WTA

circuit jn 2018 and 2019 seasons to start a family with husband Shoaib Malik.

Sania and Nadiia began by breaking the Chinese players in the very first game of the match but only to drop their serve in the next. The two teams played close games towards the end and at 4-4, 40-all, Sania and Nadiia got the crucial break, earning the opportunity to serve out the set. There was no twist in 10th game with Sania and Nadiia comfortably pocketing the first set.

The second set could not have started better for them as they broke the Chinese rivals to take early lead and consolidated the break with an easy hold. The game of the Chinese players was falling apart as they dropped serve

again in the third but broke back immediately to repair some damage. Sania and Nadiia were now feeling the heat at 0-30 in the sixth game but Peng and Zhang let them hold serve for a 4-2 lead. The Chinese duo, though kept

fighting and made it 4-4 with another break in the eighth game. The Indo-Ukraine team raised their game when it mattered and broke Peng and Zhang for one final time in the ninth and served out the match in the next game.

Cherry Talk

Monty’s Spin Monty Panesar

England spring surprise, India turn the tables

It wasn't long ago when the cricketing world was expecting England to lose in the ongoing Test series against South Africa, especially with the Proteas appointing a new management team consisting of stalwarts such as Graeme Smith and Jaques Kallis. The performance of the England team has been astonishing. Do England have it in them to become the best Test team in the world?

After this performance they certainly seem worthy contenders for that title.

They have the best all rounder in the world in Ben stokes. When I played for England, having Andrew Flinoff in the team made a huge difference.

It felt like we had twelve players in the team. If Andrew didn't have a good day with the bat he would make it up with the ball and his slip fielding skills. Ben Stokes brings that level of skill to the current England side. His batting in the third Test made the difference for England and put them in a dominant position.

Ollie Pope's performance must have given England selectors hope that they have found a genuine Test player. To me, Ollie Pope looks like a proper Test batsman. His youthfulness and energy must bring a breath of fresh air to the England side.

I was pleasantly surprised by Dom Bess's bowling performance. He went to India and worked with Rangana Herath and his bowling has got some bite and control at the same time. Although it was a turning pitch I think he surprised everyone with his performance. The pitch did help the spinners with even Joe Root taking some wickets!!

It was an all-round and perfect performance by the England team. With Rabada getting a ban for the fourth Test, England will fancy their chances to win the next match. South Africa are suffering from players playing in England on the Kolpak system. At the moment the Kolpak XI looks stronger than the current South African team.

Graeme Smith will need to have a look at their domestic structure and consider if players should be allowed to play in England under the Kolpak rule.

This England side certainly looks strong in the middle order with the emergence of Ollie Pope.

The recent one day series between India and Australia was always going to be a battle of Australian fast bowlers and the Indian batsmen.

The pleasant surprise was how effective the Australian spinners were during the one dayers.

The control and line with which Ashton Agar bowled was simple but effective. It's all about bowling wicket to wicket and giving no width to the Indian batsmen. I worked with Adam Zampa when I played in Sussex and seeing him become one of the premier leg spinners in the world makes me feel proud. His hold on Virat Kohli was the key battle which got people talking. His action is similar to Shane Warne; if anything he goes through the crease quicker than the legendary spinner.

The turnaround that the Indian team made after their heavy defeat in the first one dayer was the highlight of the series. From losing heavily in the first game to dismissing the quick bolwers in the final game of the series just shows that for visiting teams winning in India is never easy.

India have had an amazing summer when they have won every series. The cricketing world will have its eyes glued on the New Zealand series where India will travel for the Test and one day matches. How good is this Indian team? Are they dominant only in India or can they repeat their home performances in New Zealand? On home ground the Kiwis can certainly be a force to reckon with. Game on!

You can follow Monty Panesar @MontyChannel

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