AV 03rd July 2021

FIRST & FOREMOST ASIAN WEEKLY IN EUROPE New film to encourage vaccine take up as confidence in the jab grows SEE PAGE - 13

Young optometrist Dhruvin Patel to appear on Dragon's Den SEE PAGE - 19

Employer discrimination against children of immigrants SEE PAGE - 15

Historic win: England beat Germany in Wembley

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inside

Let noble thoughts come to us from every side UN International Widows Day: A global conference organised by The Loomba Foundation to commemorate the 10th anniversary SEE PAGE - 2

SEE PAGE - 32

3 - 9 JULY 2021 - VOL 50 ISSUE 9 PM Modi seeks support of parties to hold early elections in Jammu & Kashmir SEE PAGE - 27

Taking Pharmacy Forward SEE PAGE - 6

LIFE AFTER COVID Over 2 million people in England are thought to have had one or more Covid-19 symptoms lasting at least 12 weeks

Sajid Javid welcomed back into the Cabinet

Photo Courtesy: Sanjiv Patel

Community cheers for the new Health Secretary, as he becomes the first Asian to hold this post

In 2018 Rt Hon Sajid Javid was presented with the Cabinet Minister of the Year award by CB Patel, Publisher/Editor, Asian Voice at the 12th Asian Voice Political and Public Life Awards Sanjiv Patel with family

Shefali Saxena Life after Covid may sometimes not be the same as before. While it is an incredible achievement for survivors who manage to fight the life-threatening virus, it cannot be ruled out that it may not leave long-lasting effects on your body. Fatigue, hair-fall, forgetfulness, temporary memory loss, mild fever, brain fog are some of the persisting symptoms that survivors have complained about post-Covid. It is imperative to report to a doctor if you have any of these issues. You may after all have Long Covid. Asian Voice spoke to Long Covid survivor Sanjiv Patel, and experts to know more about Long Covid management.

Continued on page 8

Rupanjana Dutta

Rt Hon Sajid Javid has become the first ever Asian Health Secretary in UK’s history. This is his third stint as one of UK’s top Cabinet Ministers, after serving as the Home Secretary from 2018-19 under former Prime Minister Theresa May and then becoming UK’s first ever Asian Chancellor of the Exchequer from 2019-20 under Prime Minister Boris Johnson. He has also been the Culture Secretary, Business Secretary and Communities Secretary in the past. Continued on page 6

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UN International Widows Day A global conference organised by The Loomba Foundation to commemorate the 10th anniversary Lord Loomba at the United Nations General Assembly

The date was 23 June 1954, when Lord Raj Loomba’s father Jagiri Lal Loomba, succumbed to the still widespread scourge of tuberculosis. On the very day of his father’s death, his grandmother ordered the young widow to remove her bangles, jewellery and bindi – the sign of a married woman in India – and henceforth to wear only white clothes.

Years later, when Raj married Veena Chaudhry, he was enraged when the priest asked his mother to sit away from the altar lest, as a widow, she brought bad luck to the young couple. In 1997, five years after Raj Loomba’s mother passed away, Raj and his wife Veena established the Shrimati Pushpa Wati Loomba Trust – as The Loomba Foundation was initially known in the UK – to care for widows and their children, and to change the culture that discriminates against them. When the charity was officially launched in London, on 25 March 1998, the charity was launched in the presence of British Prime Minister, Tony Blair with his wife, Cherie Blair QC; she became the Foundation’s first Patron – and, from 2004, its President.

Launched by The Loomba Foundation in 2005, International Widows Day is a United Nations (UN) ratified day of action to address the poverty and injustice faced by millions of widows and their dependents in several countries of the world. As The Loomba Foundation marked the 10th anniversary of International Widows Day 2021, in his opening address, Lord Karan Bilimoria said, “Women currently make up 50% of the UK population, but only 17% of business owners. One of the big barriers is low self-confidence. If that is for women, generally, just imagine, for widows around the world, that the low confidence that they experienced because of what they are subjected to, which is completely unacceptable.” And the date of 23rd is significant as it was on this day Lord Loomba’s mother became a widow in 1954.

Reading out the UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ message, in one of the excerpts, Lord Loomba said, “The Covid-19 pandemic has both increased the number of widows globally and exacerbated many of the challenges they face, including access to bank accounts and pensions. As governments provide economic and social support in response to the pandemic, they must consider the world’s 250 million widows. Even before the pandemic hit, nearly one in ten widows lived in extreme poverty.”

Lord Loomba further explained, “What is becoming clear is that the pandemic is also having an effect on mental health.

And among the most vulnerable groups affected by this are widows. Widows are one of the most overlooked and marginalised groups in the world. They are often left dealing with the prospect of handling finances, children's upbringing and management or on their own, which makes them especially vulnerable in times of crisis.

“No single group is more adversely affected by the pandemic, than widows, we need similar enlightened leadership to help them. This is why today we call on the British government to establish a Covid-19 widows support group to look at the special circumstances of women who have lost their husbands to the pandemic and are left without adequate means to fend for their families and to provide them with the financial support and practical help they need to overcome their bereavement grief.”

Speaking to Asian Voice, Lord Loomba shared what should not be done in order to help widows. He said, “Widows should not be stigmatised or marginalised by rituals. In some countries, widows are forced to marry the brother of the deceased husband. In old age, it was felt that he would marry and take care of the children, but sometimes they did not accept the wife because in many cases they were HIV positive.”

Cherie Blair, President, The Loomba Foundation who has been a big supporter of The Loomba Foundation and has been instrumental in getting the UN recognition for IWD together with Lord Loomba. She said, “I have seen how awareness of the plight of widows and its wider impact has grown among governments and international organizations and for over 1000s of lives have been transformed by The Loomba Foundation's programmes over the past two decades.

“In 2010, the hard work bore fruit thanks to help of the UN representatives from many countries, the United Nations General Assembly unanimously adopted International Widows Day as an official annual day of action. And on the

23rd of June 2011, I attended the first International Widows Day conference under the UN in New York, chaired by the wife of the then UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon.”

Speaking at the conference, Abhi Naha, Chief Commercial Officer, Cambridge Wireless said we are going to work together with The Loomba Foundation to help widows around the world. Naha’s mother has been a widow for the last 15 years, and he supported the Loomba Foundation by organising the webinar free of charge, which was entirely managed by his colleague, Rachel Kerr.

Harjiv Singh, Trustee, The Loomba Foundation moderated the conference by welcoming success stories and data from various countries where the foundation has transformed lives. Some of the speakers were widows and that led them to campaign for more women like themselves.

healthcare and rehabilitation infrastructure.

Need for a Global Fund for Covid widows What can governments do to support and help widows financially and to support Covid widows through their bereavement and their grief or when they become widows?

Lord Loomba said, “The answer is very simple. I think the pandemic has been worldwide, and it's a big problem, and no one country can solve it. Therefore, I believe that the G20 countries should get together. And as the G7 has decided to supply a billion doses and, and help girls for education, they should set up a Global Fund for Covid widows. Additionally, I think the national governments should also play their part by setting up National Commission for Widows like they have a National Commission for Women.”

Reports suggest that there are over 3mn people who have died due to Covid and more men have died than women, Impact around the world therefore the number of Covid widows is well over a mn. It is India imperative to remember that according to a research study by Shoury Reddy, Executive Director Bala Vikasa shared that The Loomba Foundation in 2015, it was noted that there were 10,000 widows gathered at a big stadium in Hyderabad, from approximately 258 mn widows that already existed in the two different states where priests from Hinduism, Islam world, which is also a part of the World Widow Report at and Christianity where legislators urged people to the UN. stop attaching the discrimination of widows to What happens post-pandemic? religion.

Cherie Blair said, “I think Raj has ideas, as Mentioning a classic example, he also always is a fantastic one, he always comes up with added, “We challenged the society when big ideas and somehow manages to pull them off.

Indira Gandhi, our Prime Minister, was a I think the most important thing that we all need widow. She was a widow for 18 years. And to do is to ensure that we empower women and she was really the country and she was particularly the Covid widows, in this case, to breaking a coconut at multi-billion dollar enable them to find the right solutions to make worth project integration. When Indira their and their children's lives better. It's not an issue Gandhi being a widow can break the coconut at Shrimati Pushpa Wati that's confined to one religion or one region, it is actua big function, why not a widow at the village?” Loomba... Inspiration ally a global phenomenon that means global solutions.”

Reddy spoke about how the governments are Is this a time where we might have an opportunity to use giving like 2000 rupees per month, which is big money for the crisis to think about some of these issues? Peter Rajsingh, the widows and lobbyists are trying to bring forth the SC-ST Trustee, The Loomba Foundation said, “I think Lord Loomba Atrocities Act in the light of which, no one should dare to and Cherie somewhat downplayed just how difficult it was. I stigmatise a widow. mean, they engaged in a lot of effort, but there was opposiUnited States tion. And it's almost as if the spirit of Pushpa Loomba was Carolyn Moor, President, Founder and Development kind of helping us bring this about because it was touch and Director of Modern Widows Club, who is also a widow, said go until we finally got the vote and the announcement from that IWD means that we are listening to widows, and more the United Nations. And I would also venture to say, I know importantly, we're believing them. Moor mentioned that from firsthand experience, that it would be impossible to get widows now have access to reading material in their native this today. language and MWC is trying to ask President Biden and VP “A Covid fund would certainly be something significant.

Harris, 11 important widows, and widowers recognitions.

There's a lot of wind in the sails of ESG initiatives. So we could Kenya certainly try to lobby the corporate sector to get involved Speaking about the Covid-19 crisis, Rosaline Orva, because issues of social justice and are very much at the foreFounder/Director of Rona Foundation (who is a widow herfront of all different constituencies. At the same time, as we self) told the audiences that the elderly widows who had sit here there are unspeakable atrocities taking place in the already survived a pandemic, HIV and AIDS are now dying world, genocides that are actually creating new cohorts of because of Covid-19 without knowing when the vaccine will widows as we speak.” reach them. She said, “So I'm coming with a heavy heart.”

In her vote of thanks, Shamin Lalji, Trustee, The Loomba “What can be done globally, global partners that are here Foundation, UK said, “I have been a trustee of The Loomba is to use their social capital to endorse and support grassroots Foundation for over 20 years, and have been supporting the organization in Rwanda, in Tanzania. In that way, those work of the foundation to battle the impact of unfair discrimunder-resourced under-recognized grassroots organisations ination faced by widows. The foundation has been educating can sustain the much-needed work,” Orva said. children of poor widows and empowering the widows to work Uganda and to become financially independent.”

Uganda an institution that has received the generous supThe conference also marked the screening of a special port of The Loomba Foundation. Charles Ocici, Executive song created on IWD titled “Justice for widows” by the Director, Enterprise Uganda said, “We provide business famous Bollywood singer and musician Bappi Lahiri, the entrepreneurship and mindset training for widows, for lyrics of which have been penned by Seema Jaya Sharma. women for young people, but also through The Loomba foundation we began to focus deeply on delivering entrepreneurSharing his sentiment on this global conference, CB Patel, ship solution to widows.”

Editor and Publisher ABPL Group, said, “Founded by Lord Tanzania Loomba CBE in 1997, The Loomba Foundation is a beacon of Rose Sarwatt, Executive Director, Tanzania Widows hope which promotes the fundamental freedoms and human Association, TAWIA shared that it was through The Loomba rights for widows and their children all over the world. It is Foundation that she came to know about IWD and ended up only befitting that The Loomba Foundation organised a helping over a million women, starting with 3000 widows. global conference to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Today, the government has given widows loans and affordable International Widows Day. health insurance packages. It has also implemented free edu“The findings of the World Widows Report, authored by cation from primary to secondary education to children of The Loomba Foundation, are a grim reminder of the widows. discrimination and injustice faced by widows and their Nigeria dependants and a wakeup call for governments and societies Dr Eleanor Nwadinobi, President, Widows Development including developed nations to act with a sense of urgency.

Organization mentioned that child marriages are on the rise Widows in western and developed countries have also been during Covid-19, as an effect of which, the number of child affected by cutbacks in social welfare and increased widows is also rising. Quoting a source, the doctor said, insecurity. This is a deep seated universal social malady and “There are 4 million more girls at risk of child marriage. And requires a global effort. in fact, your NFP estimates that the disruptions to child mar“The Covid pandemic has further exacerbated the plight riage prevention programs due to the pandemic could potenof widows and as Lord Loomba rightly points out no single tially result in an additional 13 million more child marriages group is more adversely affected by the pandemic than by 2030.” widows who have lost the breadwinner in the family.

Nepal “I truly believe that there is a dire need for governments Lily Thapa, Founder for Human Rights said that about across the globe to set up Support Groups to help the Covid 9000 people have died of Covid and 4000-5000 women are widows financially and to support them to overcome their widows whose husbands were breadwinners. Thapa, who is mental and bereavement grief.” also a widow, mentioned that Nepal does not have access to

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3 - 9 July 2021

Sajid Javid- the ‘chosen’ one?

Matt Hancock’s departure as the Health Secretary after romance with office aide that was caught by a spy-camera hidden in a smoke detector in a public office, has become a viral meme in social media. From catchy tag lines to edited photos of the popular 'love island' show, the country is having a laugh at the former Minister’s mistakes that became a national scandal. His wife Martha, who reportedly had no idea about this romance was captured walking in and out of home, while still displaying a wedding band on her ring finger. Infidelity in the time of corona or increasing rates of divorces are alarming (AV 12-18 June P1), but it is only respectful to leave the grieving woman alone.

Chivalrous Rt Hon Sajid Javid, a down to earth, yet ambitious Asian politician took up Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s offer to rescue him from the national embarrassment. It has been a victory for Carrie Johnson, who has been an ally of Mr Javid, especially after he resigned when Dominic Cummings, was asking him to sack his team of advisors. But there is another feather on the cap for Mr Javid. He is of course not new to crises management for the Tory government’s abysmal failures. He had stepped in, when the Windrush scandal had almost derailed Theresa May’s government, with then Home Secretary Amber Rudd resigning. Mr Javid set up a “less hostile” environment with a ‘dedicated’ Windrush day, which is still celebrated by the government. Though many of the Windrush victims are reportedly yet to receive their promised settlements or compensations, Mr Javid did a good work creating a stability the government then required. One of his many firstsincluding the first Asian to take up the post of a Chancellor, was once tipped to be Britain’s first Asian Prime Minister. Rt Hon

Sadiq Khan, who became the first Asian Mayor London elected, always joked about each other’s popularity as former bus drivers' sons. Mr Javid was often caught humouring the Asian audience in events, saying how he has been mistaken by tourists as Mr Khan, especially on the streets of London’s Whitehall area.

Son of immigrant parents who were born in India, Mr Javid has brought immense pride to the Asian community. When he became the first Asian Home Secretary, at an event hosted by Lord Rami Ranger to celebrate Mr Javid’s big promotion, on behalf of Conservative Friends of India along with Conservative Friends of Pakistan and Bangladesh, Mr Javid’s proud family was seen to be ‘teary’ with joy, as the audience gave a standing ovation. His succession into becoming the Chancellor of the Exchequer, was no surprise. He worked hard to create a brilliant budget, which eventually Rishi Sunak delivered, as Mr Javid resigned, standing up for his team, who were asked to be sacked

by Mr Cummings and Mr Johnson. At House of Commons Mr Javid thereafter gave a brilliant and heartfelt tribute to his teamhis elegance, kindness and wisdom were hailed.

A lot of water has gone under the bridge since then. Brexit and pandemic have torn apart the country, with a rise in urgency of referendum in Scotland. Mr Javid has much to deliver, and very large shoes of expectations to fill in. Not just because of the imminent threat of privatisation of the NHS, but because a country that is rife with discrimination, even for second generation Asians (report by the Institute for Fiscal Studies- see page 15), Mr Javid will have to work extra hard to prove he is worthy of his ‘chosen' seat back on the Cabinet table.

India's clean energy space heading for competition India's clean energy space is heading for a major competition in near future. Gautam Adani, who earlier this year took his spot behind Mukesh Ambani as Asia's second richest man, wants to be world's largest renewable energy producer by 2030. Now he has a challenger as the petrochemicals czar Mukesh Ambani has told the shareholders of Reliance Industries that he is undertaking his life's most challenging mission by investing £ 7.5 billion in clean energy sector over three years. It may not be a big capital investment from India's richest and most powerful businessman, certainly when he has raised $ 44 billion of capital during the pandemic and made the $180 billion balance sheet of his flagship RIL free of net debt.

But Adani has enough fodder for worry. Ambani can be aggressive as his 4G telecom venture. Initially his plans were dismissed as just an innocuous entry. But in just five years, Ambani's digital startup Jio Infocom has acquired 420 million plus subscribers and pushed out several operators and will soon launch one of the world’s cheapest smartphones in partnership with Alphabet Inc.’s Google.

If he displays a similar hunger in solar energy, other aspirants might have to rethink their strategies.

Among them may be France’s TotalEnergies SE, which has picked up a 20% stake in Adani Green Energy Ltd. and invested directly in some of the projects in the firm’s 25 gigawatt solarenergy portfolio, which has grown by 50 times in three years. Till now Ambani and Adani, both hailing from Gujarat, have largely operated in diverse fields. Ambani has leaned toward data-driven consumer businesses like retail and telecom, whereas Adani has focused on infrastructure and utilities. Clean energy would see them overlap. Although Ambani’s initial plans aren’t overly dominant - he wants to meet 100 gigawatts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s green energy target of 450 gigawatts by 2030 that’s probably because he’s yet to scope the policy terrain. After spending $90 billion over the past decade, Reliance Industries says it has the “capacity to catalyze" another $200 billion in

investment over the next 10 years.

From a renewed focus on gas exploration to e-commerce over WhatsApp, India’s largest business enterprise has plans beyond clean energy. It also has deep pockets, and influential friends like Google and Facebook Inc. Yasir Al-Rumayyan, the head of Saudi Arabian Oil Co., is joining the Reliance board. The goal is to have Aramco as a strategic partner in Reliance’s cash-spewing refinery and reposition it at the center of a low-carbon oil-to-chemicals empire. Reliance is battling Amazon.com Inc. and Walmart Inc. in e-commerce and will soon be challenging Xiaomi Corp. with JioPhone Next, custom-built by Google for the 300 million Indians still on 2G devices. Then there’s the foray into the unfamiliar world of technology services: Not only does Ambani want to be the first off the block with 5G in India, he also aims to sell to other telecom operators globally, competing perhaps with Huawei Technologies Co. Adani is impatient to grow because he wants to diversify cash flows beyond his successful port business, and catch the inevitable resource boom as the average earnings of India’s 1.4 billion people go from low-middle-income to high-middle-income.

Mukesh Ambani’s own past battle with younger brother, Anil, for a division of family assets would be a reminder that he needs to use Reliance’s cost-of-capital advantage to nurture self-sustaining conglomerates for each of his three grown up children to manage. That’s another reason to expect that the four giga factories Ambani announced recently - one each for solar panels, batteries, green hydrogen and fuel cells - is just the beginning. The push could very quickly become a shove. The entry of more players in the green energy sector should be welcomed. Renewable energy comes from naturally occurring sources such as the sun, wind, water, and plants that are “virtually inexhaustible.” This means that any energy source deemed “renewable” cannot ever be used up or depleted and there won't be any pollution.

China’s gain is UN’s loss The UK will host the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow on 31 October – 12 November 2021. Led by Chairman Alok Sharma, an Indian-origin MP, this is the second major event to be hosted by the UK, after the recent G7 summit in Cornwall in summer. It is a wonderful opportunity to witness the long journey of UK’s partnership with major power broker nations of the world- a team to lead pandemic to endemic, tackle a war threat and many such challenges. Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who is next heading to India in September, after two failed attempts since January and April, is aiming to build a better relationship with India, especially after Brexit. With India’s growing importance in the power circle, one often wonders what is making the Security Council stop from admitting India as a permanent member.

According to a document published by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs in 2020 about its role in the UN, said, India was one of the founding members of the United Nations, joining in October 1945, two years before acquiring independence from British rule. By 1946, India had started raising concerns regarding decolonisation, apartheid and racial discrimination.

India’s status as a founding member of the Non-Aligned Movement and the Group of 77 cemented its position within the UN system as a leading advocate of the concerns and aspirations of developing countries and the creation of a more equitable international economic and political order. India has a long and distinguished history of service in UN peacekeeping, having contributed more personnel than any other country. To date, more than 244,500 Indians have served in 49 of the 71 UN

peacekeeping missions established around the world since 1948.

India has strongly advocated the process of reform and restructuring of the UN to make it better equipped to effectively respond to the evolving needs of its membership, particularly developing countries.

But India’s permanent role in the UN Security Council (UNSC) has forever been opposed. The permanent five, USA, UK, France, Russia and China acquired privileged status during the WWII victory and ever since China has opposed the formal negotiations on the expansion of permanent members, saying 'there is no need to rush through the current reforms'. The intergovernmental negotiations process has been on for more than 10 years, leaving India on the lurch.

With UK trying to bank on India’s friendship through IndoPacific Alliance to curb the growing erratic behaviour of China, it is essential that the Security Council membership is expanded in both the permanent and non-permanent categories. India believes the inclusion of countries who are capable of global responsibility regarding peace and security, including developing countries from Asia, Africa and Latin America, will contribute to optimal decision by the Council as well as address the concerns of the developing countries. India’s vaccine diplomacy has been hailed by the poorer countries, and the World Health Organisation, when China added nothing to the effort.

It is about time that India is given its much deserving place amidst other permanent members, especially as it approaches its 75th Independence Day on 15 August 2021.

Today’s accomplishments were yesterday’s impossibilities.

– Robert H. Schuller

Alpesh Patel

Labour move from Jews to Hindus The Labour Party leaflet in the Batley election showing PMs of India and UK with the undertone that you shouldn’t therefore vote Conservative as they are friendly with Indian and Hindu is clear.

I remember in a Politics class at Oxford my tutor showed me an election leaflet from a renowned right wing Senator with a white hand helping a black hand and he asked me what I thought.

I said, well he could be speaking of unity and a helping hand. He made it clear what ‘dog-whistle’ politics is. Where you pretend you’re not saying what any sensible person knows what you are.

The Labour leaflet says the following (although they will try to deny through doubt to give them enough cover) First: don’t trust a party that is pro-India because you are Pakistani Second: you know Modi is Hindu, and don’t forget you don’t like Hindus Labour, in their evenaglism tried the same game against Jewish people and the anti-semitism started bubbling out. Then they will do the ‘what about…’

Yeah, what about totally irrelevant other things?

What about them? They’re an attempt to distract used by dimwits.

Trust me, as a Barrister I can turn people against each other in an empty room. And if that’s what victory means for Labour – you can have it. No, wait, I don’t want that in my country.

And what about the electorate – why doesn’t Labour just say “It was a Labour PM that gave you Pakistan in 1947 remember – be grateful and vote for us you backward idiot”. That’s after all what they are saying.

I’m not as stupid as they think their electorate is.

It’s their superiority and assumptions which annoy me.

But, but, but, what about…what about…and what about. No, we are discussing this. This is the subject at hand.

The fundamental problem with Labour is not solution seeking, but problem maintaining. If you can’t rely on the working class, let’s go for religion.

Religion and politics don’t mix well. Britain learnt that from sectarian and religious conflicts and civil wars. Now religion is part of politics as a historic hangover and ceremonial only.

Labour in a desperate attempt to win, shame their party. I agree with Labour though – desperate times call for desperate measures. And boy are they desperate.

I’ve met Tony Blair, Robin Cook, Patricia Hewitt – Labour MP’s from an era when they could win elections. Little wonder that by the time of the next General election, the last Labour leader to win an election before the last one would have been half a century ago. (Harold Wilson in case you’re wondering, before Blair).

Their class warfare pivoting to religious war is redundant – or as Blair would have said “off-message”.

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with Keith Vaz

Commemorative coin marking Prince Philip’s ‘life well lived’ revealed for the first time

Natasha Naik Commercial Director, Kanishka Restaurant, Mayfair Natasha Naik is the Commercial Director for Atul Kochhar's Kanishka in Mayfair. She was born in London and spent much of her childhood in Mumbai during her Summer Holidays. She grew up in North-West London and went on to study New Media Journalism at University.

Post-graduation she went on to work for global brands in their Marketing departments; Starbucks Coffee Company, Burger King, Pizza Express to name a few before settling where she realised, she felt most content, working for Fine Dining establishments and helping them grow their portfolio from the ground up.

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Which place, or city or country do you most feel at home in?

I feel most at home in Mumbai, India. The reason for this is because I visited my family in Mumbai a lot as a child and my happiest memories are from my holidays there. From Sharma Sandwich man opposite our flat, Hanging Gardens up the road to the shopping in Colaba - it simply is amazing!

What are your proudest achievements?

Preserving a career in the food and beverage industry and always striving for more, never settling until I am fully happy.

What inspires you?

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The biggest inspirations in my life have been my mother; Maya Naik, and two Aunties in Mumbai Rupa Naik and Bebe Desai. Their tenacious everything has a solution and positive attitude to all aspects of life have moulded me into the person I am today. I use their guidance from childhood into my everyday work life consistently.

What has been biggest obstacle in your career?

The biggest obstacle I would say would be my need to stay close to my family. There were a lot of opportunities in my 20s abroad that I declined due to my need to be close to my Niece Aimee and Nephew Shivam.

Who has been the biggest influence on your career to date?

This is without a doubt the two people I am working for today; Tina English ( Managing Director ) and Atul Kochhar ( The first Indian Chef to receive a Michelin Star). They challenge me daily, push me out of my comfort zone and provide ample opportunities for me to keep grow-

ing. In addition to this they have taught me how to manage a team happily and commercially What is the best aspect about your current role?

No idea is too big or too small and every idea is worth a trial. I have worked at many places where the phrase 'oh we've tried that before - it didn’t work' was always used in meetings, at Kanishka we embrace and encourage ideas from all team members and trial them - because why not!

And the worst?

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This is definitely a hard one, as I genuinely do love my job. Ask anyone! However, I would say my work life balance isn’t always translated well to my friends who are in the typical 9am - 5pm job roles.

What are your long-term goals?

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My long-term goal has always been the same; to be happy and spread happiness.

If you were Prime Minister, what one aspect would you change?

So many things in terms of education in the UK... introducing a life skills or equivalent subject from a very young age. I would also enable schools to increase the amount of 1:1 interactions students have with teachers - the main reason for this is because I know I benefitted a lot from some absolutely amazing teachers giving me a lot of extra time and support in school and I would want the same for everyone.

If you were marooned on a desert island, which historical figure would you like to spend your time with and why?

Two answers for this one…on a personal note. 1. My Grandmother; Kalavati Naik who I only had the chance to be with for 3 years of my life 24 hour helpline e prior to her passing away 2. Margaret 020 8361 6151 Thatcher as Britain's first female Prime Minister.

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A new coin to commemorate the life of His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, has been unveiled by the Chancellor on June 26.

The special edition £5 coin features an original portrait of The Duke to celebrate his remarkable life.

The Royal Mint will also make a £50,000 donation to the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award to support its important community work in the UK and internationally.

Pictures of the coin can be seen here.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak said: “This coin is a fitting tribute to The Duke of Edinburgh, who moved and inspired so many people around the world with his decades of service both to the nation and Her Majesty The Queen.

“I’m proud to unveil the coin on Armed Forces Day, considering his distinguished naval career and unwavering dedication to our Monarch and to his Royal duties, and it is only right that he and the Queen are depicted together on both sides of it.”

Anne Jessopp, Chief Executive of The Royal Mint, said: “Since the passing of The Duke of Edinburgh in April, many have commented that he led a life well-lived. He was the longest-serving consort in British history and patron or

Nearly 5% of Covid-19 patients have not gotten their sense of smell in one year A research team investigated the condition in Covid-19 survivors and found that 96.1 per cent had recovered their sense of smell a year later.

Anosmia is a condition where a person partially or totally loses their sense of smell and a common symptom of Covid-19. A new study found that about 96% of recovered patients will regain it but around 4% will have either limited smell or no sense of smell one year later. Up to 70% of people who believe their smell has not fully recovered actually have fully recovered. There is no set timetable for when someone's smell will recover

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president to over 750 organisations – including The Royal Mint Advisory Committee.

“The Royal Mint has marked significant Royal events for centuries and is honoured to unveil an original new coin which celebrates the life and legacy of a remarkable man. It feels fitting that this coin – which was personally approved by the Prince - will also support the work of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards.

The Awards have benefited millions of young people since they were formed in 1956, and are perhaps Prince Philip’s greatest legacy.”

Ruth Marvel, CEO of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards said: “This wonderful tribute will help us build on The Duke of Edinburgh’s legacy so more young people can start

their DofE Award journey and develop the skills, resilience and self-belief they will need to successfully navigate the challenges of adult life.”

The coin will be available from the Royal Mint website today, as well as post offices around the United Kingdom and special stockists across the Commonwealth and worldwide.

The design was personally approved by The Duke of Edinburgh in 2008 and drawn by the acclaimed artist Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS. The Duke of Edinburgh was the longest-serving consort in British history, and for decades provided steadfast support to Her Majesty The Queen and The Royal Family.

The coin bears the inscription “HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh 1921-2021” and will be struck by the Royal Mint. The Duke of Edinburgh served as the President of the Royal Mint Advisory Committee for 47 years.

The coin is legal tender but has been designed as a limited-edition collectable or gift and will not be entering general circulation.

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after contracting the virus, and experts do not know if the loss of smell can be permanent.

According to the study, the remaining 3.9 per cent still have no smell or limited smell and there is no known timeline for when they may regain it.

“Up to 96% of people who contract Covid-19 may at least partially lose their sense of smell. While a vast majority will regain their sense of smell after recovering, 4% of people in a study still had not recovered their smell a year later.

Researchers have no timetable for how long it may take for the rest of the group to fully recover and do not know

whether Covid-related anosmia can be permanent,” Daily Mail reported.

Scientists haven’t found the reason why Covid-19 causes loss of smell and no one can say for certain the exact percentage of people who develop anosmia because of the virus.

British citizens living in the EU denied work and healthcare In an interview with The Telegraph, on the fifth anniversary of the Brexit vote, Priti Patel said UK citizens in EU countries were having a life made difficult after Brexit.

The Home Secretary urged the EU to treat UK citizens 'fairly' as 'UK has for EU'.

Ms Patel said: 'We are aware that some UK nationals in the EU have faced disruption onboarding and entry to the

EU... '...And there have been a number of reported instances of UK nationals in the EU being asked for residence documents they do not need to hold, being prevented from accessing benefits and services and having trouble with their right to work. 'It is only right that the EU uphold their obligations on citizens' rights, just as the UK has done for EU citizens in the UK.'

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Taking Pharmacy Forward The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) is “exploring” proposals to make new NHS local bodies responsible for pharmaceutical services. In a white paper published on February 12, the government presented its vision for making the health and care system “fit for the future” – including giving more accountability to local health and care systems. As part of this, the commissioning of pharmacy services would largely fall under the remit of an integrated care system (ICS) NHS body instead of NHS England and NHS Improvement (NHSE&I).

ICSs are local commissioning bodies made up of representatives from community and hospital health services, mental health services and local councils.

Taking Pharmacy Forward webinar Speaking at the recent ‘Taking Pharmacy Forward’ webinar hosted by Sigma Pharmaceuticals Plc Dr Bharat Shah CBE who is a co-founder of Sigma Pharmaceuticals Plc said, “Sigma has commissioned a project at the University of Bath that has now come to an end, and we are hoping to publish the results in Q4 this year. This project is a model for pharmacy in the UK in the year 2025. It has been undertaken along with the School of Pharmacy, the School of Social Sciences and the School of Management. We would like our parliamentarians to the support the report so that we’re singing from the same hymn book.”

At the webinar, the former Secretary

of State for Health and Social Care, The Rt Hon. Matt Hancock MP thanked community pharmacy for stepping up and supporting their communities when, during the “darkest days” of the lockdowns, they were often the only shops on the street that were open.

He recognised the role of community pharmacy in the flu and Covid-19 vaccine roll-out, saying not only had pharmacies delivered over five million vaccines, but they had also worked hard in their communities to persuade people to take up the vaccine.

Confirming a booster programme for the Autumn, the details of which are yet to be agreed, Mr Hancock described a greater role for pharmacies in delivering both covid and flu vaccinations.

Speaking on the new Health and Social Care bill, Mr Hancock described pharmacy as the core of primary care. He said that the Integrated Care Systems will deliver the best possible care, and up to 20 million GP appointments could be referred to reducing pharmacies demand and taking pressure off the system.

The Department of Health and Social Care (DH) is “carefully considering” waiving community pharmacy’s obligation to pay back £370 million in advance of Covid-19 funding.

In March, the Pharmaceutical S e r v i c e s Negotiating Committee ( P S N C ) announced it Bharat Shah CBE had secured

Two Indian students declared as joint winners of the IJA Student Journalist Award Two students from Cardiff University’s MA International Journalism course have been named joint winners of the IJA Student Journalist Award for 2019-20.

Sneha Madanmohan Jain, from Coimbatore, and Tushar Bahl, from Chandigarh, will receive a cash prize of £250 each and a trophy.

Ms Jain and Mr Bahl they were joined by IJA members at an online event on Thursday, June 17, 2021, when they were presented their certificates.

Senior lecturer Dr Savyasaachi Jain, who taught both students in the course that combined theory and practice, praised the winners and said they demonstrated a high level of skill and potential in their projects Ms Jain produced an investigative documentary on struggling actors and the casting couch in Bollywood while Mr Bahl produced a set of multimedia features on racism in football in Europe.

Matt Swaine, Course Director, MA International Journalism, Cardiff University School of Journalism, Media and Culture said, “The IJA Student Journalist Award serves as a huge encouragement to

young journalists by promoting and encouraging them in the pursuit of their passion for the profession.

"This year’s winners, Sneha Madanmohan Jain and Tushar Bahl, produced stories of public interest with depth and flair as part of their work on our MA International Journalism.

“It is a matter of great pride for us to see their work recognised by the IJA.” IJA President Rupanjana Dutta said, “This IJA Student Journalist Award is to encourage and support Indian journalists for their incredible work, especially as students in the UK. The world today demands honest storytellers, and the need for fearless and fact-based journalism has never been greater.

"Congratulations Sneha and Tushar and all the best for your future endeavours.”

The Indian Journalists' Association, was established in May 1947 as a representative body for the UK-based correspondents and journalists reporting on and covering India and South Asia-related issues.

The membership-led group today comprises representatives from all major news media outlets dedicated to covering the India story.

£300m in advanced funding in “recognition of the significant cash flow pressures facing the sector at this point in the Covid-19 pandemic”.The DH later agreed to pay pharmacies in England an additional £50m in May, followed by an extra £20m in June.

NPA Chief Executive Mark Lyonette told Asian Voice, "I was pleased to share a platform with the then health secretary, Matt Hancock, at a webinar hosted in June by Sigma Pharmaceuticals.

He was very enthusiastic about community pharmacy NPA Chief Executive Mark Lyonette and what it is capable of delivering. Now I look forward to working with the new Health Secretary, Sajid Javid, to put community pharmacy on a sustainable footing, to get the country through the pandemic, to improve access to primary care and tackle future public health challenges. He and Pharmacy Minister Jo Churchill can rely on community pharmacy continuing to give it its all, provided the resources are in place to underpin its vital work at the heart of the NHS. “The National Pharmacy Association met the former Secretary of State several times for frank discussions about primary care reform and pharmacy funding. We frequently reminded him, though, that the current level of NHS investment is not enough to unlock our sector’s potential. Matt Hancock predicted a greater role for pharmacies in preventative healthcare in the future, which makes complete sense given our position at the heart of communities.

He implied that this would include a big shift in NHS flu and covid vaccination pro-

grammes towards delivery in pharmacies.

“Let’s hope that Mr Javid makes the same judgement. As it stands, 500 pharmacies have delivered over 5 million covid vaccinations, so you can easily imagine the volumes that could be achieved if all pharmacies are engaged. Community pharmacy’s heroic response to coronavirus has opened many people’s eyes to the potential in this sector.

Having been on the frontline throughout the crisis, pharmacists now have a key role in helping the nation come out the other side – through the vaccine programme and testing for covid, plus releasing NHS capacity to clear its daunting.

Community Pharmacy key to prevention Speaking to Asian Voice, Professor Mahendra Patel, Co-Investigator and Ethnic Minority Communities and Pharmacy Research Lead PRINCIPLE Trial University of Oxford said, “I think community pharmacy is going to be key to prevention of stroke, heart disease and high blood pressure. These are issues that could easily escalate as we go forward, and I think it is important that the government invests in the services the pharmacist can very well provide so that these things don't become unmanageable.

“Community pharmacists play a significant role not just in the community but also in primary care. They can also help in identifying early signs of diseases like cancer.”

Recent virtual events hosted by Sigma Pharmaceuticals: The Changing Tax Landscape (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXSbq pmBOPE) Taking Pharmacy Forward (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOw3 RvD9ltE)

Sajid Javid welcomed back into the Cabinet Continued from page 1 Similarly, this is the first time, four of the top Cabinet Ministerial positions have been occupied by Asian-origin MPs with links to India, viz.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak, Home Secretary Priti Patel, COP26 President Alok Sharma and now Mr Javid as the new Secretary for Health and Social Care.

Mr Javid took over after the former minister Matt Hancock resigned after he breached social distancing guidance by kissing aide Gina Coladangelo.

Mr Javid who was born in Rochdale in 1969 and grew up in Bristol, was a son of immigrant parents. His father Abdul Ghani-Javid and mother Zubaid were born in India but fled to Pakistan when young. They came to the UK in 1960s.

His father was a bus conductor and driver and they lived in a two-bed flat, above a shop they ran. Mr Javid has four brothers, who have all excelled in their respective fields of finance, property, retail and police force.

He has been the Tory MP for Bromsgrove in Worcestershire since 2010 and has four children viz.

Sophia, Suli, Rania and Maya with his wife Laura and live in Chelsea and Fulham.

Before entering politics, Mr Javid worked in a few roles in finance and was an aide to Republican politician Rudy Giuliani. He resigned as the Chancellor in February 2020, after PM Boris Johnson’s then senior advisor Dominic Cummings sacked Mr Javid’s adviser Sonia Khan who was escorted out of Downing Street by police. Mr Johnson and Mr Cummings then told Mr Javid that he

must dismiss all his advisors and replace them by people that No 10 chose for him.

Mr Javid was replaced by Rishi Sunak. He therefore took up extra jobs as a senior fellow at Harvard university and as a senior advisor to JP Morgan Chase. In the past he has been heralded as Britain’s first-ever Asian Prime Minister material.

His appointment back into the Cabinet has been described by The Times as a ‘Lazarus-like political revival for a key ally of Carrie Johnson’.

Mr Javid said he was ‘honoured’ to be the new Health Secretary and working hard to accomplish the target of Freedom Day on 19 July.

Reaction to the new appointment Congratulating him and a fellow son of a bus driver, Mayor Sadiq Khan tweeted, “Always good to see the children of bus drivers do well! Congrats @sajidjavid on your appointment as Health Secretary. Look forward to working together to protect our com-

munities from this awful pandemic, get London vaccinated and continue opening up our city and country safely.”

However, Zarah Sultana MP, one of many fearing privatisation of NHS under Mr Javid, tweeted, “Sajid Javid is the new Secretary of State for Health and Social Care. Alongside being an MP, last year Javid was hired as a paid senior advisor to the US bank JP Morgan. JP Morgan is a major player in private healthcare. The NHS isn't safe in the Conservatives' hands.

The new Health Secretary, Sajid Javid, earns £150k as an advisor to US bank JP Morgan. JP Morgan say they ‘see the opportunities that lie ahead’ for private healthcare. The ultimate ‘opportunity’ for private healthcare is NHS privatisation. The NHS isn't safe with the Tories.”

Many medical professionals were also seen tweeting urging for a ‘change in treatment’ of frontline workers under the new Health Secretary.

MSDUK launches accelerator programme to help ethnic minority-owned businesses MSDUK, an organisation that champions the inclusion of ethnic minority businesses (EMBs) and founders in corporate supply chains, has partnered with Unilever, WPP, Google and Dow to launch the UK’s first accelerator programme focused on helping 300 EMBs to become supply chain ready.

Research shows that ethnic minority start-ups face a number of challenges to succeed and build sustainable businesses including a lack of early-stage investment, VC funding and access to social capital and mentors. These businesses are also under-

represented in both public and private sector supply chains.

From today until 30 August, ethnic minority founders from across the UK with an innovative product or service can apply to join the -free four-month programme. With the first cohort of 40 ventures starting in October 2021, the initiative will provide a platform for ethnic minority founders to gain access to the expertise of MSDUK and its corporate partners via one-to-one mentoring sessions, attend group workshops, and have access to bespoke support packages and more.

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Continued from page 1 “The last time I saw my father was when the ambulance took him to the hospital, and although it is sad, I feel at peace,” said Warwick University lecturer Sanjiv Patel (54). He and his entire family (wife, parents and two children) contracted the Coronavirus before the UK went into its first lockdown in March 2020.

After a few days of home isolation, Sanjiv and his father were hospitalised.

Unfortunately, Sanjiv lost his dad to Covid.

The limit was 10 people at a funeral at the time. Swamijis at the Neasden Temple in London, were able to remotely guide him through the funeral over a zoom call, allowing many people to join remotely.

Sanjiv’s quest with Covid didn’t end there. He now suffers from Long Covid.

In a heartfelt discussion with Asian Voice, Patel opened up about his journey through Covid-19. While he agreed that most people are living under the stigma of Long Covid symptoms and hiding it, it is a welcome change to see a male member of the community like Sanjiv come forward and share his story with our readers.

Sanjiv has been a part of two Convalescent Plasma trials which were eventually discounted.

The research project is called Phosp-Covid. The Sanjiv Patel process includes rigorous testing of blood, psychometrics, DEXA scan amongst the tests. “I am also asked to wear a Heart Rate monitor for 14 days which I post in,” Mr Patel told the newsweekly.

He has also been a part of Respiratory Research - Full Lung Function Test including Spirometry, and transfer factor to assess not just lung capacity but also the efficiency with which oxygen transfers to the body from the lungs. Sanjiv Patel also helped NHS Blood and Transplant to get the message out about the need to get vaccinated and to dispel the myths.

Commenting on how the UK government handled Covid, Mr Patel said, “The scale and speed of it clearly took most governments by surprise and the UK was no different. Unfolding was a deadly virus that nobody really understood. No clear idea of what safety measures should be taken and how to keep the economy alive at the same time.

“Despite being really ill, I remember being brought to tears when I heard Rishi Sunak announce the Government was going to bring in financial support for businesses through the 'furlough' scheme as I realised this was not a short-term problem.

“I think that they have done the best they could and learned along the way so I don't think it's healthy to look for blame at times like this.”

Self-reported Long Covid symptoms were adversely affecting the day-to-day activities of 674,000 people in private households in the UK, with 196,000 of these individuals reporting that their ability to undertake their day-to-day activities had

be exhausting.”

Asian Voice got in touch with So far, Sanjiv has not resorted to therapy for managing any kind of Asthma UK- British Lung stress, but he has found solace in Foundation to ask some specific coping with Long Covid by participating in research, making awareness questions to a team of experts videos on his YouTube Channel ‘Sanjiv Speaks’ and by helping more related to Long Covid. Below are people around him just by initiating some excerpts from the Q&A. dialogue about Long Covid to do away with the stigma associated with Q - What is the immediate impact of Long Covid on accepting that one could have this our respiratory system? condition.

Long Covid is used to describe signs and Over two million people in symptoms that last for longer than 4 weeks after England have Long Covid? getting Covid-19. Long Covid can affect your It is imperative to note, that over whole body and you may experience lots of been limited a lot. two million people in England are different symptoms, either at once or at different Long Covid in children thought to have had one or more times.

An estimated 674,000 people reported Covid-19 symptoms lasting at least 12 Symptoms can include: that their symptoms have negatively weeks according to one of the largest ® breathlessness impacted their ability to undertake their studies of the virus funded by the ® extreme tiredness (fatigue) day-to-day activities. People who tested posgovernment. The findings suggest ® problems with memory and concentration itive for Covid-19 are around eight times the prevalence of persistent symp(known as ‘brain fog’) more likely to suffer prolonged toms, or Long ® a cough that’s been ongoing since you’ve symptoms than observed in the Covid, increases had Covid-19. general population.” Long Covid is, with age, with a Other common Long Covid symptoms can include: however, not just confined to 3.5% increase in ® difficulty sleeping (insomnia) adults. ONS figures suggest that 8 likelihood in ® dizziness out of 100 infected are 12-16yo who each decade of ® pins and needles are still symptomatic after three life. It shows ® joint pain months from infection. This also Long Covid is ® chest pain or tightness; heart palpitations includes 7 out of 100 infected 2higher among (these may need urgently investigating, so 11yo. women, people it’s important to seek medical help as soon as NHS is setting up specialist who are overpossible) Long Covid services weight or obese, ® depression and anxiety The NHS is setting up specialwho smoke, live ® tinnitus, earaches ist Long Covid services for children in deprived areas ® feeling sick, diarrhoea, stomach aches, loss of and young people as part of a £100 Mahendra Patel or had been appetite million expansion of care for those admitted to hos® a high temperature, cough, headaches, sore suffering from the conpital. throat, changes to sense of smell or taste dition. The 15 new paediatric According to a report published ® rashes hubs will draw together experts in The Guardian, “Because women If anyone is experiencing Long Covid symptoms, on common symptoms such as react so strongly to the presence of a the first thing they should do is speak to their GP. respiratory problems and fatigue virus, viral reservoirs are more likely They will first try to find out if there are any other who can directly treat youngto trigger waves of chronic inflampossible causes of these symptoms. Many from the sters, advise family doctors or mation throughout the body, leading BAME community will have experienced Long Covid. others caring for them or refer to the symptoms of pain, fatigue and Q - Even while we're vaccinated, what kind of them to other specialist services brain fog experienced by many with precautions do Long Covid survivors in specific need and clinics. long Covid.” to take in order to fully recover? What are the Some £30 million will also go The same report also suggested possible symptoms that they must look out for? to GPs to improve diagnosis and that worryingly, signs of age-old How long your recovery takes depends on many care for those with Long Covid biases have crept in over the past year factors – it could take weeks or months. Long Covid while the new with Long Covid. There isn’t the same for everyone, so you may need investment are anecdotal reports of different care and support from other people who will also boost female patients complainhave had it. You can find more advice on how to deal online sering that their persistent with breathlessness if you have Long Covid on the vices. The boost to dedisymptoms have been disBLF website, which includes videos with techniques cated services for young missed or attributed to you can practice. Tiredness (fatigue) is common people is part of a packanxiety. after having Covid-19. Some people might feel a little age of investment in a No international agreebit tired, while others might feel very tired, to the range of measures to help ment about point of exhaustion. You might find that your young people and adults the diagnostic criteria for tiredness comes and goes. There are plenty of things with Long Covid, includLong Covid you can do to help your fatigue, including getting ing a major focus on speProfessor Mahendra yourself into a routine and slowly getting more cialist treatment and Patel, PhD FHEA FIPA active. rehab services. Some esti(India) FRPharmS, CoQ - What is your assessment of the NHS when it mates suggest that Investigator and Ethnic comes to being equipped to handle Long Covid 340,000 people may need Minority Communities cases? support for the condition and Pharmacy Research Thirty million pounds has been earmarked by the including 68,000 who Lead PRINCIPLE Trial NHS to go to GP surgeries to improve diagnosis. will need rehab or other University of Oxford has Around £70 million is being invested in an expansion specialist treatment. accepted that there is no treatment of the network of specialist Long Covid clinics. But Expressing his gratitude for Covid. “At Oxford, we've already while the plan is to be welcomed, it will only make a towards NHS, Sanjiv said, found that inhaler reduces the recovdifference if it is turned into meaningful action now.

“While I was in the hospital, ery time for people to get better earPatients have waited long enough for treatment.

I was blown away by the lier, by a median of three days,” Prof We’re concerned that the condition will need more care and compassion of the Patel told the newsweekly. You can funding as the numbers affected by it grow. nurses and front-line staff, check your eligibility criteria and And crucially, research activity into the disease it is something I will never seek treatment for free and be monimust be ramped up to improve treatments and forget. They were putting tored for over 28 days under the ultimately lead to the development of a cure. their lives at risk to help us, Oxford programme. Contact 0800 and they always did it with a 138 0880 or www.principletrial.org. smile on their faces. There the UK report symptoms more than 12 Prof Patel mentioned that one needs was no known treatment months after the first onset of covid-19, to be careful about the absence of internaapart from Oxygen, but often experiencing extreme fatigue along tional agreement about the diagnostic critheir genuine care was with a wide range of other symptoms. teria for Long Covid. It is not just a fever invaluable.

Clinicians report a complex picture. or loss of sense of taste, but one must also Long Covid survivors Patients with Long Covid are a diverse notice psychological changes and record are not on the government's group, and it’s hard to know what treator and monitor each symptom postpriority or plan for travellers coming to the ment path to put them on. Finding the Covid.

UK. Reacting to this, Sanjiv told the right balance between gentle activity to Long Covid continues newsweekly, “Any government's first prioriavoid deconditioning and not triggering Meanwhile, a study has revealed that ty has to be ensuring the safety of its people post-exercise malaise is important in each nearly 5% of Covid-19 patients who lost and so quarantine is a necessary measure in patient. But the advice given, the research their smell have still not got it back one the current scenario. We all need to learn to conducted, and how it is communicated year after having the virus. Tensions have be more understanding, mindful and comhave become highly sensitive issues. now resurfaced with the advent of the passionate for those who may be suffering Long Covid is an emerging phepandemic and “long” covid or post-covid from Long Covid. The simplest of things can nomenon that is not yet fully understood. symptoms. As many as 376 ,000 people in

“

Long Covid is higher among women, people who are overweight or obese, who smoke, live in deprived areas or had been admitted to hospital.

“

Long Covid survivors are not on the government's priority or plan for travellers coming to the UK.

”

”

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Supporting you with Long COVID in your community Living with Long COVID? Get advice and support on breath hlessness from the British Lung Foundation n. n Log on to www.blf.org.uk/long--covid

Get help today

3 - 9 July 2021

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Climate Action Week Climate Action Week is a reminder that we still have a long way to go to cut down on carbon emissions and air pollution, to meet our global environmental commitments.

But in our capital, we have seen a lot of progress being made on this.

Over the last five years, measures taken by City Hall, such as the introduction of the ULEZ in Central London, have helped towards a 94% decrease in the number of Londoners living in areas exceeding legal nitrogen dioxide pollution limits.

We also know that investment in green infrastructure in London, not only boosts the UK’s progress towards becoming net-zero carbon, but also pays dividends for other regions in our country.

Last week, we saw City Hall roll out England’s firstever fleet of hydrogen buses which will add to the 500 electric buses already on London’s roads, helping to clamp down on toxic air levels. The manufacturing of these buses also created jobs in many other parts of the UK, such as Northern Ireland, Oxford, Nottingham and Runcorn.

We must now see a commitment from the Government to introduce a new Clean Air Act and amend their Environment Bill to give cities like London more powers and resources to fight against the climate emergency.

Krupesh Hirani AM London Assembly Member for Brent and Harrow

Wake up call It was interesting to read “Wake up call” by Subhash Thakrar (AV 19-25 June 2021) throwing light on the soft power of China. During G7 summit meeting in Cornwall, the world leaders also discussed plans to counter China’s threat.

As reported in the article, China is the second-largest economy having the world’s largest foreign reserves of $3.2 trillion. Subhash is right in saying that every time we buy a product, it is either made or assembled in China. Over the years they have invested money in building huge infrastructure to mass-produce quality products at competitive prices.

Since the cost of living is high in western countries, so the cost of production. Hence most of the traders and supermarkets had to move towards China to remain price competitive otherwise they would have been wiped off the business by now. Due to huge money power, they can offer financial facilities also to companies and other poor countries to get cheap raw material in return and essential products.

To some extent, western countries need to blame themselves for giving too much business to China by closing down or reducing their own manufacturing base.

Money should have been investing in R&D to find a better way of producing and promoting local business. This cannot be done overnight. A long-term sustainable plan is required to achieve meaningful results in years to come.

Just to blame China for human rights abuse or just by discussing its influence on the world will not achieve any meaningful results.

Hitesh Hingu London

Difficult to be rejected by loved ones It is a great feat of achievement for Sajid Javid to become the first Asian Health Secretary in the UK. Previously with a career in finance, Mr Javid knows how to juggle difficult roles, and deliver successfully. Of course Matt Hancock did the right thing by resigning for flouting lockdown rules, but one wonders how did he get caught?

Hiding a camera in a smoke detector in an exact spot in a well secured public building is not an easy job. Has anybody considered how much of a serious security breach it could be and the threat it poses to general safety?

Moreover one wonders if this is another ’News of the World’ crisis in the making. Privacy is a very sensitive and delicate subject. Especially for public figures who have been voted into a Cabinet position. But surely catching Mr Hancock in a private moment with his aide, a millionaire herself, with all that security around, is not easy?

Social media and the internet has made the world a small place. But it has also played havoc with one’s privacy. While the love-birds have started living together, heart goes out to the jilted wife of Mr Hancock. Under much scrutiny for still wearing a wedding ring, it’s about time the paparazzi give her the due space. Same goes for Gina Coladangelo’s husband. It is already difficult to have your heart broken by your decade old partner and the parent of your children. The media scrutiny next of what went wrong in their relationship to lead to this epic failure of marriage may be more damaging than we know. I think it is time to show some kindness and compassion. It is not easy to be rejected by loved ones. Let’s be respectful of one’s loss.

Ena Dey Leicester

KHICHADI Kapil’s

Soaps: Gloom, Doom and Depression!

With economy more or less shut down during Covid 19, a Chinese created crisis, people have more time to watch TV, especially every one’s favourite Soaps and medical drams like Doctors, Casualty, Holby City as well as every one’s favourite East Enders, Coronation Street and Emmerdale, not forgetting plays and dramas of four to six episodes.

As there are more than two hundred channels available on free view, there is no shortage of good programmes, even though most are repeats but forgotten, now re-emerging as old favourites, golden age recreated for the not so old viewers, Walton heads the list!

One inescapable truth is that these Soaps are full of storylines that are depressing, with unfaithfulness, cheating, double crossing, kidnaping, rape and violence as common a theme as one could imagine. I thought at this time with gloom, doom and depression is dragging down so many people, elderly as well as school children, some light hearted dramas, shot in the warm, ever-green Caribbean, Goa and Kerala, scenery alone will bring cheers and laughter in many lounges, should be occupying peak hour TV, like Murder In Paradise and Good Karma Hospital, my favourite, and few more, as well as plays and comedy programmes that once used to occupy prime TV time.

The programs I remember with fondness are, Two Ronnes, Manor Born, Oh Brother and Oh father with ever green Derick Nemo, Love Thy Neighbour with Rudolf Walker and best of all felicity Kendal and Richard Briar’s comedy series Good Life. These are the programs that would banish depression and bring joy and smile on faces of people confined to their homes for long period.

Let us hope that this winter we will be able to watch further episodes of these heart worming programmes as well as new ones to cheer us up. Could it be right that we get what we deserve! I hope not!

Bhupendra M. Gandhi

East Indians should learn from Goans When a person dies in an East Indian Catholic family, tea, snacks (sandwiches, patties and cakes) and soft drinks are served to the people at the graveyard after the burial. Then the people who have attended the funeral come to the house of the deceased where again snacks, soft drinks, alcohol and dinner is served. This is ridiculous! We are supposed to be mourning for the deceased member of our family but instead of mourning, we are having a grand party.

Goans, Mangaloreans and other Christian communities do not do all this; it is only the East Indians who do it.

We East Indians should learn from the Goans, Mangaloreans and other Christian communities and bury the dead member of our family with respect instead of having a grand party after the funeral. Then again after the month’s mind Mass and after the 1st anniversary Mass, snacks and lunch just like that of a wedding is served to neighbours, relatives and close friends either at home or in the church hall. With all this eating, drinking and merrymaking, I don’t think the soul of the deceased member will rest in peace.

The East Indians are a community of Roman Catholics who are the original inhabitants of Mumbai. They got their name from the East India Company of the British who had converted a large number of local Marathi-speaking people to Christianity.

Jubel D'Cruz, Mumbai, India

We can give India the positive media coverage it needs It was interesting to read the letter by Dinesh Rai in the last edition of Asian Voice. It is something that we read repeatedly, about how the BBC and certain newspapers present India with a negative bias. I and many of our readers have repeatedly registered complaints for a long time but nothing changes, therefore we need to take matters in our own hands.

We have enough journalists, filmmakers and other professions working in the media industry. We can make programmes that portray India in its true positive light and counterbalance the negative bias. Hopefully, someone reading this will start a strategic PR campaign and showcase India as it truly deserves to be seen by the world.

Hansa Pankhania

Follow me on Twitter: @kk_OEG

Forced Marriages and Forced Conversions : A National Industry in Pakistan?

Kapil Dudakia For decades now Pakistan has engaged in a national programme of abusing its own minorities. Systematically it has allowed every rogue element in Pakistan a free hand to do whatever they want in pursuit of an Islamic nation that is 100% Muslim. To this end, it seems its vision is specifically a nation that is Sunni, rejecting all other forms of Islam and all other minorities.

The rampant forced conversions of Christian, Hindu and Sikh girls and women has now become common place throughout Pakistan. Whilst Pakistan exhibits laws that are meant to stop such brutal atrocities to the human rights of these women, the reality at the grassroots is that it has empowered all the extremists to do as they like.

Of course, I am not the only one concerned about these crimes against humanity. The British Parliaments’ All Party Parliamentary Group has launched an inquiry into ‘Abduction, Forced Marriage, and Forced Conversion of Girls and Young Women in Pakistan’.

This inquiry is to be led by Lord Alton who has raised this issue a number of times before. Primarily within the context of Christian women and girls being forcefully converted to Islam in countries like Pakistan.

Politicians are now becoming aware of this grave situation in Pakistan. Primarily because it affected Christian girls and women, and the archbishop raised it as an issue. However, the fact that some are listening is a start and I have to commend Jim Shannon MP of the Democratic Unionist Party who has tabled an Early Day Motion titled: ‘Kidnapping and forced conversions in Pakistan’. So I say to every reader of Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar, if you can please send a note to your local MP and insist that they sign this EDM. The link to here: found be can EDM the https://edm.parliament.uk/early-day-motion/58317/kidnapping-and-forced-conversions-in-pakistan Jim Shannon also asked a question to the Government: ‘To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he has taken to support girls who have been subject to forced conversions and marriages in Sindh, Pakistan’.

And to the credit of the Conservative Government, their reply by Nigel Adams MP was, ‘The UK Government strongly condemns the forced marriage and forced conversion of women and girls from religious minorities in Pakistan’.

The International Development Committee Oral evidence: UK aid to Pakistan, discussed the same issue. Dr Farzana Shaikh (Associate Fellow, Asia-Pacific Programme, Chatham House) in her oral evidence stated, ‘most of the girls who are said to have been forcibly converted are impoverished Hindu girls from Sindh. There have also been some recorded cases involving impoverished Christian girls from Punjab, as well as a few reported cases involving young girls from Sikh communities’.

In her response to a question from Pauline Latham a Conservative MP for Mid Derbyshire, Dr Shaikh said, ‘in recent months, there have been disturbing reports of a rise in the human trafficking of young girls. Much of this involves the trafficking of young girls from Pakistan’s impoverished Christian minority, concentrated mainly in Punjab, who are reportedly being sold as brides to Chinese men or forced into prostitution in China’.

What comes across to me is a nation, Pakistan, that has abdicated all responsibility in looking after the welfare of its women. This has been going on for decades, therefore regardless of who becomes the Prime Minister, the central narrative is of a nation that brutalises women from minority communities.

Pakistan gets the highest amount in aid from the UK. Is it not time that we demand immediate action to stop this brutality? Or do we witness several more decades of abuse until there are no minorities left in Pakistan?

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

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Kenneth Kaunda: A Man of his Times

Ruchi Ghanashyam Mrs. Ruchi Ghanashyam is the former High Commissioner of India to the UK. With a career in Indian Foreign Service for over 38 years, she has been posted in many countries including South Africa, Ghana, before arriving in the UK. She was only the second woman High Commissioner to the UK since India’s independence and during her tenure, she witnessed a number of significant developments in the UK-India relations.

On 17 June 2021, Kenneth David Kaunda, the first President of Zambia, bid adieu to this world after a brief illness. He was 97.

He is survived by thirty grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren.

Often described as the man who “founded Zambia”, Kaunda served as president of Zambia from 1964 to 1991.

The President of Zambia, Edgar Lungu, announced 21 days of national mourning in

Zambia. Kaunda’s mortal remains would be taken in a funeral procession around the country's provinces, with church services in each provincial capital, prior to a state funeral at National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka on 2 July and interment at the Presidential Burial Site on 7 July.

Kaunda participated in the struggle for freedom of the then British colony of Northern Rhodesia, as part of the Northern Rhodesian African National Congress. He subsequently became the head of the United National Independence Party (UNIP). In July 1961, he organised a protest in the Northern Province, including strikes, setting ablaze key buildings or areas, blocking roads, boycotts and protests in Lusaka and across the country. Kaunda was inspired by Mahatma Gandhi’s civil disobedience movement as also by Martin Luther King Jr. Following independence, Kaunda set about bringing unity to his country. Blessed with abundant mineral deposits, fertile lands and richly endowed with copper, the Zambian economy flourished, especially during a good market. A few years into his presidency, Kaunda initiated reforms to bring Zambia's foreign-owned corporations under national control, with a number of mining corporations being nationalised during the years that followed. The Zambian economy received a setback in 1973, when a combination of rising oil and falling copper prices reduced the national income, leading Zambia into debt with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). As crisis management replaced long-term planning, the attempted economic reforms of the 1980s further aided Zambia's decline.

Forced into negotiations with the IMF, Kaunda resorted to partial privatisation of the state-owned corporations in 1990. It is said that the country's economic woes contributed to his fall from power.

Kaunda ran a somewhat paternalistic state with authoritarian tendencies. In

1968, following electoral violence, he banned all political parties except his own UNIP. As the leader of the only recognised political party, Kaunda was the sole presidential candidate in three elections. Multiparty elections took place in 1991, perhaps under international pressure in a world that saw a resurgence of democratic sentiment after the fall of the Berlin Wall.

Frederick Chiluba, the leader of the Movement for Multi-Party Democracy, ousted Kaunda in the elections. Kaunda accepted the election results with dignity and stepped away from power.

On 4 June 1998, Kaunda resigned as leader of the United National Independence Party and retired from politics. His post-retirement years weren’t all peaceful. He was briefly stripped of his Zambian citizenship in 1999, though the decision was overturned the following year.

He was involved in various charitable organisations in his retirement years.

Perhaps most notable was his zeal in the fight against the spread of HIV/AIDS. One of Kaunda's children had succumbed to HIV in the 1980s. He made efforts to fight the stigma attached to HIV and AIDS, even getting himself tested for AIDS publicly and asking all political leaders to do so too. He also worked for peace in Africa after his retirement and acted as a mediator on some occasions.

Kaunda was a staunch pan-Africanist.

He will be most remembered for his unwavering support of Southern African nationalism and the significant role he played towards ensuring the independence of other African countries. Zambia provided sanctuary to many African National Congress (ANC) leaders when they went into exile. He allowed liberation movements from Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe to establish military bases, training camps, refugee centres and administrative offices in Zambia. Being a landlocked country, Zambia was surrounded by coun-

tries under colonial rule or white minority power. Even seaports and their access routes were under the control of these powers. Zambia’s support to the struggle of other countries in Southern Africa was, thus, at the expense of the Zambian economy and people.

Keneth Kaunda’s peaceful handover of power following his defeat was a strong political signal to other authoritarian regimes in Africa. Some believe that Kaunda was one of the few statesmen who convinced President Mugabe to step down in Zimbabwe in November 2017.

Kaunda is also sometimes referred to as the “African Gandhi” for his non-violent activism and resort to civil disobedience during the Zambian freedom movement.

He was awarded the 2012 Mahatma Gandhi International Award for Peace and Reconciliation by the Gandhi Development Trust (GDT) in South Africa, headed by Gandhi's granddaughter Ela Gandhi.

Accepting the award, Kaunda said, "My colleagues and I who were involved in the freedom struggle, remained faithful to the Gandhian teachings".

Kenneth Kaunda was always elegantly dressed in a safari suit. In sub-Saharan Africa, the safari suit is often called a "Kaunda suit". He was devoted to sports and is remembered for encouraging sports and sportsmen during his presidency.

Kaunda loved music. As an activist fighting for his country’s independence, he wrote music about the independence he hoped to achieve. The song is popularly sung by Zambians, "Tiyende pamodzi ndi mtima umo" meaning "Let's walk together with one heart", is described as the unofficial national song of Zambia.

Kenneth Kaunda was one of the last of the generation of African leaders who fought for African freedom from colonialism. In India, Kaunda will be remembered as a good friend of India and of the Indian people.

12 MEDIA WATCH

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SCRUTATOR’S Camels come to aid of jobless youths to stay afloat The ship of desert (camel) has come to the rescue of jobless Rabari youth of Kutch's Nakhatrana taluka. The rising popularity of camel milk and its products, thanks to its medical benefits especially for diabetic issues, over the past couple of years has not only given the animals a hope for survival, but also a shot in the arm for its young rearers, particularly the pandemic-hit jobless lot. A survey carried out by Sahjeevan Trust, a non-profit organisation working towards camel conservation in Gujarat, has revealed that number of milk-giving camels has steadily increased in the arid region.

With the scale of camel milk procurement increasing in the last five years by dairy giant like Amul and also startups like Aadvik Foods, camel herders who used to sell milk for a paltry Rs 15 a litre started fetching Rs 50 a litre now. “Our survey has revealed that number of camels rose to 9,898 in 2020 in Kutch against 8,439 in 2019. These are camels reared by the herders with whom we work,” said Ramesh Bhatti, anchor, breeding programme at Sahjeevan’s Centre for Pastoralism. “During the lockdown, many youngsters lost their jobs, but are now earning anywhere between Rs14,000 and Rs 100,000 a month through camel dairying. In fact, just in Rapar, Nakhatrana, Abdasa, Bhuj, Mundra and Mandvi, 18 youngsters have returned to their villages and joined camel herding. They are currently collecting 16,556 litres milk through 504 camels for which they have received Rs 827,000 payment,” Bhatti said. (The Times of India) Expelled by herd, elephant kills 16 villagers

A rogue elephant has killed at least 16 villagers in the past two months in Jharkhand after 'being expelled' from his herd "for bad behaviour", a wildlife official said. The male, believed to be 15 or 16 years old, has been on the rampage in the state's tribal Santhal Pargana region ever since he was separated from the herd of 22 elephants. "It's likely he was in heat and was expelled because of his bad behaviour or sexual rivalry with other males," Satish Chandra Rai, regional divisional forest officer, said. "We are studying his behaviour and a team of 20 officials is constantly trying to track him because our first priority is to protect the animal." The elephant, which is now on its way back seeking to reunite with the herd, has managed to outwit officials with his sheer speed and unpredictability. Rai said the elephant was only killing people who accidentally got in its way, got too close, or who tried to provoke it and take pictures. "He has not been breaking into houses or deliberately attacking people," Rai said. "We want to see if he is accepted back in the herd. If he is not it will be proved he is a bad boy." (Agency) Meet the computer operator with 9 Guinness records

Vinod Kumar Chaudhary, a computer operator at JNU's School of Environmental Sciences (SES) who also runs a computer institute at home where he teaches students and people in need, has nine Guinness World Records. Vinod said, "I have records for typing with my nose, with blindfolds and with a mouth stick. I made the first record in 2014 for typing with my nose. I have other records like typing blindfolded, typing with one hand, typing with one finger and typing with a mouth

stick. No one has broken my records. I break my own records and try to improve it. My last record is for maximum touching of hand by a tennis ball within one minute. I could do it 205 times. The record time to type a prescribed 103 character text using my nose was around 46.3 seconds. When I typed with one hand, the timing was around 6 seconds. When I typed blindfolded, it was too around 6 seconds. When I first typed with a mouth stick with spaces, the time was around 18 seconds. I broke that record and the new record timing is 7.01 seconds." Vinod said athlete Milkha Singh has been his inspiration since childhood. He said that though his dream of becoming an athlete could not be fulfilled, the speed he wanted to achieve as an athlete has now been achieved in typing. The computer operator claimed former cricketer Sachin Tendulkar bagged 19 Guinness World Records and said he aspires to exceed the legendary batsman's records. (Agency) Rat nibbles patient’s cheek in ICU In a shocking incident, a patient undergoing treatment at in the ICU of a BMC hospital in Mumbai was reportedly bit by a rat on his cheek, sparking off protests. The patient, Shrinivas Yellappa, 24, was admitted for liver complications and was on ventilator in the ICU of the Rajawadi Hospital, Ghatkopar. The next day his sister saw a bandage below his left eye and created ruckus when informed that a rat was suspected to have nibbled the patient on the cheek. Later, doctors and civic authorities claimed that the ratbite was not serious and would heal soon, but the patient’s family was not convinced.

Mayor Kishori Pednekar suspected that since the ICU is on the ground floor, the rat may have sneaked in unnoticed when the door was opened by one of the staffers. Criticising the Mayor for her statement, AAP Mumbai chief Ruben Mascaren has asked whether this is the ‘Mumbai Model’ as hospitals are under attack by rats. (Agency) Baby elephant wearing blanket wins hearts One cannot have enough of videos showing baby elephants being all adorable and the clip of a cute one named Bondeni may just make you smile. The recording, shared on Twitter, by Sheldrick Wildlife Trust shows the little one playing around in the cutest manner. The video

starts with little Bondeni wearing a colourful blanket and playing around with branches and leaves. “For baby elephants, playtime isn’t only fun, its also a great way to learn social skills. Be like an elephant and be playful!” reads the caption shared alongside the clip. Shared on June 23, the clip has garnered over 18,100 views and several reactions. The playful baby elephant’s actions made many swoon at its cuteness. Others found the elephant’s colourful blanket to be the best part. Some shared heart emojis for the baby elephant.

“Baby elephants are so sweet and cute. I love it when they like to wear blankets,” wrote a Twitter user. “The world needs more baby elephant energy,” commented another. (Agency) £24.7 mn fine collected for mask rule breach

men have been caught barging into the house of a class XII girl, assaulting her family members and then throwing the17year-old from the terrace of her residence, leaving her with a broken spinal cord and severe injuries on her head. The incident, which happened in Mathura’s Chhata area, was recorded by a CCTV camera installed on the street outside her house.

The girl’s father said he got an abusive call from an unidentified person at about 8 pm. “They wanted to talk to my daughter,” he said. “When I refused, they threatened me. A few minutes later, three men barged into our house and started beating us.

They molested my daughter first, then one of them carried her on his shoulders up to the terrace on the second floor of the house from where they just threw her down.” All the accused, Dileep, Avnish Tewari and Kaushal have been booked. A case has been filed under various sections of the IPC. Police said that Dileep and Avnish Tewari, who are from Bihar, have been arrested while Kaushal a local resident is absconding. (Agency) Hardeep Singh Puri’s witty reply leaves people in splits

Gujaratis have so far paid a massive fine of £24.7 million for not wearing the masks alone during the pandemic, according to police data. This hefty fine was collected from 36,82,000 cases of mask violation recorded between June 2020 and June 22, 2021. Apart from this, citizens also paid up £10.1 million fine in 386,000 cases for venturing out during curfew hours between the same time period. On an average Covid protocol violators paid nearly £100,000 every day. A senior police officer said that people did not cultivate the habit of wearing masks even after they witnessed two killer waves of the Covid-19 infections. Like helmets, people usually wear masks when they see cops and remove it or pull it under their chins. They should understand that if they wear a mask, then only they can be saved from the Covid infection, said the officer.

The officer said that apart from the monetary fines, police also registered 513,000 cases under various sections of IPC for defying government notifications and negligent acts which may spread infection. (The Times of India) Stalkers throw girl from second floor terrace In a chilling CCTV footage that has shocked people on social media, three

A post by aviation minister Hardeep Singh Puri is leaving people in splits.

There is a possibility that this post will leave you laughing out loud too. It all started with a tweet by actor and singer Suchitra Krishnamoorthi which she shared back in 2019. The minister shared a screenshot of the tweet along with a witty response. “The Ministry of Civil Aviation receives many requests for naming & renaming of existing & under construction airports. To lighten the mood a bit, I want to inform my friend Banta that his formal proposal has not yet been received by us!” he jokingly shared. The post received tons of replies with many commenting about it being funny. It also received a reaction from Suchitra Krishnamoorthi. “Haha.

Stay well and witty sir. Love and respect always,” she wrote. What are your thoughts on Hardeep Singh Puri’s witty reply? (Agency)

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video, said, “The reason I took the vaccine was because I lost a lot of loved ones around me, so I decided to take it so I could protect myself and my loved ones as well.”

Data from PHE’s real-world study shows the vaccines are already having a significant impact in the UK, saving over 14,000 lives and preventing over 42,000 hospitalisations in England.

More than 43 million people in the UK have received their first dose and around 31 million people have had their second dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, including over two million people from the South Asian community.

Currently everyone aged 18 A new short film about the Covid-19 and over in England, those vaccine is encouraging people to with underlying health conspeak to their friends and family ditions that put them at about their vaccination experience higher risk and carers can as the latest ONS figures show vacreceive the Covid-19 vaccine hesitancy among those from cine.

Pakistani and Bangladeshi backPeople who have been grounds has halved in the past few invited by their GP or the months.

NHS to get the Covid-19 vacThe members of the public featured cine – including those who have Kiran Virdee in the video, all of whom initially had previously declined – can arrange some reservations about getting the vactheir vaccination by logging on cine, were motivated to speak about to the national booking sertheir choice to get the vaccine in vice at www.nhs.uk/covidresponse to the disproportionate Anyone vaccination. impact Covid-19 has had on the unable to book online can South Asian community and to call 119 free of charge, anyhelp encourage confidence in the time between 7am and jab.

11pm seven days a week.

Kiran Virdee, a personal trainer, Covid-19 vaccinations who appears in the video, said, “The can be booked without an reason I decided to take the vaccine is Rani Daljit Malik NHS number and regardless of because I was a sufferer myself of Covid-19. an individual’s immigration status – I want to live longer to be around my grandthis will not be checked. children and my friends and family.”

The film can be viewed on the NHS Dr Amir Khan, NHS GP said, “It’s really YouTube page important that people come back and get https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWwYcT their second dose, as you need two doses of pJUW4 the vaccine for the best protection against -----------------------------Covid-19.”

For more information on the Covid-19 vacRani Daljit Malik, who appears in the cine, visit: www.nhs.uk/covid-vaccination

New film to encourage vaccine take up as confidence in the jab grows

Covid-19: Where do we stand?

Ministers in the UK are expecting that hundreds of thousands of pupils will no longer have to isolate after contact with a positive Covid case when schools return in September in England. It is believed 250,000 children missed school in a single week because of coronavirus infections, self-isolation or school closures this month. “It came as the new health secretary, Sajid Javid, took a noticeably more hawkish tone than his predecessor, Matt Hancock, when he announced that most Covid restrictions in England “must come to an end” on 19 July,” The Guardian reported.

Schools will become mobile phonefree zones, Gavin Williamson announced yesterday as he set out plans for a nationwide classroom ban. Under a new regime backed by the education secretary, heads would be told to stop pupils from using their phones at any point during the school day. The Department for Education has already announced details of a £10 million “behaviour hub” programme.

While scientists are unsure about reopening schools, a prototype face mask has been developed that can actually detect Covid-19 infections from the person wearing it. The US-made mask takes just 90 minutes to diagnose whether its wearer is infected with the coronavirus.

It is imperative to note that besides the Delta variant, the Lambda variant of Covid-19 has emerged in the UK. The Lambda variant was originally discovered in Peru and 81 percent of the coronavirus cases in the country since April are related to the strain.

Britain’s outgoing Health Secretary Rt Hon Matt Hancock, MP’s exit was not

met with any warmth by the parliamentarians amid his controversial footage leak of intimate moments with his aide.

Newly elected Health Secretary, Sajid Javid told Parliament that all the figures he's seen suggested that the country is “heading in the right direction," and said that “the restrictions on our freedoms must come to an end.”

"No date we choose comes with zero risks for Covid— we know we cannot simply eliminate it, we have to learn to live with it,” Javid said. “People and businesses need certainty, so we want every step to be irreversible."

Government figures on Monday showed another big spike in infections, with 22,868 confirmed cases. That's the highest daily figure since late January, though the number was likely inflated by the fact that the previous day's figure of 14,876 was artificially low because of incomplete data for England.

The speed of the UK's vaccination rollout has been widely praised. As of Monday, around two-thirds of the British population had received one dose of vaccine, while nearly 50% has had two.

The latest modelling analysis from Public Health England (PHE) and the University of Cambridge’s MRC Biostatistics Unit suggests that the coronavirus (Covid-19) vaccination programme has so far prevented an estimated 7.2 million infections and 27,000 deaths in England alone.

Countries across Europe are tightening travel restrictions on British travellers. Spain has confirmed that it will require British visitors to either be fully vaccinated or present a negative Covid test for entry from 2 July, following a month of no restrictions.

14 WOMEN’S VOICE

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Reproductive freedom: The struggle is real Shefali Saxena Singer Britney Spears’ legal fight grabbed headlines across the world with people coming in support of her and asking to end the conservatorship. The conservatorship has the power to make Spears' medical decisions and her business deals, the Associated Press previously reported. It can restrict her visitors, take out restraining orders in her name, and it has the power to approve her major life decisions, such as getting married.

In the light of this campaign, we tried to explore if women in our community have reproductive freedom and knowledge of contraception.

Speaking to Asian Voice, Sharanya Desai (name changed) said that reproductive freedom must be seen as a human right - a vital component of an open society. She said, “True gender equality can never be achieved without women exercising their choices on when, or even if, they want to bring a new life into this world. I grew up thinking it is a South Asian thing and that developed societies would recognise this choice as a fundamental right. But I was wrong. I do get the concept of having kids - the magic of a new life, the joys of parenthood - and I respect people exercising choice. But the moment I express my vision of a childfree life, I face reactions that range from surprise and mild disapproval to full-fledged arguments.

“Family pressure is a real complication and so is the dreaded 'biological clock'. By the time you figure out your career or family, it's time to have a baby.

By the time you raise that baby to be old enough, you lose out on other choices. It is all a trade-off at the end of the day and every-

one should get to make their choices. Parenthood makes people emotionally mature - it's an adventure that takes courage and generosity. However, living with a partner or on your own is also not as easy as some of the parents make it out to be.

When asked about her understanding of Intra-Uterine Devices (IUDs), Sharanya said, “I chose the non-hormonal copper IUD (which offers protection for 5 years). The experience was hassle-free and I was able to go back to work within an hour. The doctors at these clinics are cooperative and kind as they also play the role of counsellors. They not only ensured that I was making my choice freely but also offered a non-judgemental experience. I have not experienced any side effects after three years of being fitted with this IUD except for scanty menstruation during the first year,” she said.

Do men take interest in learning about IUD? Sharanya said, “In my experience, yes they do. Conversations about reproductive choices have become more common than before, but are not pleasant at all. If your partner does not want to space out pregnancies or want to agree with your choice, it creates an emotional wedge. The good part is that these conversations are at least taking place among young couples - one step at a time. I urge the men to learn more

about the need for these choices if they wish to live fulfilling lives. In either case, it is always best to be prepared for the future.”

Sharing her take on reproductive freedom among Asian women, Dr Nitu Bajekal, Senior Consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist told Asian Voice, “Contraceptive

Neelam Heera

Dr Nitu Bajekal

coercion has been often underestimated and not spoken about in Asian communities. In this same culture, being forced or coerced to use contraception, sometimes irreversible sterilisation is not unusual at all. The narrative cannot change until we speak about this openly and question these norms.”

She explained that there are hormonal and non-hormonal intrauterine devices and most suited for those spacing their families or after completing their family - both are very safe but the former has the added advantage of managing heavy periods, also being of use as part of hormone replacement therapy if needed and protective against womb cancer. On the other hand, nonhormonal IUDs do not come with these added advantages and can make period flow heavier.

‘Don’t always view other women as competition’ Erim Kaur, 26, posts daily on her Instagram page ‘@Erim’, showcasing her newest outfits against chatty, engaging captions. From all things self-love to fashion tips, to family stories, Erim shares her personal thoughts and feelings with all 221K of her followers. In 2017, Erim, who is based in London, hit 5,000 followers on Instagram as a result of posting frequent fashion content.

Following huge success online, Erim launched her haircare brand, ByErim which had a one-million-pound turnover last year. Currently stocking the Luxury Hair & Beard Oil and Luxury Hairbrush, ByErim was founded in response to constant requests from Erim’s followers to share her haircare secrets. An all-around female boss, Erim’s hard work and determination has led to her becoming Pandora’s UK Ambassador. Erim spoke to Asian Voice about women, social media and independence.

“In the post-pandemic world where women are perhaps the most vulnerable gender in terms of financial disparity, opportunities, health, what would be your advice to young women on coping and navigating?

Do the things that ground you, be it going for walks (which has become a lockdown habit that I have carried through to now) and oiling your hair (with ByErim!). Surround yourself with those that understand you; it is important to have trusted people around in times of transition to help ease any burdens that you may have.

Please talk about how women who seek role models must identify the right person to learn from?

Look into what they stand for, do their morals align well with yours, and does the way they communicate resonate with you? My Dadi (Grandma) and Mum were the inspiration for ByErim - I was lucky I didn’t have to look for my role models, and maybe you don’t have to either.

Unless one has a definite contraindication, the hormonal IUS is preferred.

Neelam Heera, Founder of Cysters said, "The use of contra-

Erim Kaur

How can women support women in uplifting themselves in our society?

Don’t always view other women as competition, as we are all on our own individual journey. As a sisterhood, to help women progress further, we need always to support one another. You will never know when your time will come, and it is so important to put out the energy you want to receive.

Social media can be brutal for women's mental health, yet it can be very empowering. Please comment on that.

Social media can be difficult for everyone’s mental health; however, I believe that we have

ception to subjugate women of colour is deeply rooted in colonial history and has left subsequent generations feeling suspicious of contraception and worried about the long-lasting effects that hormones have on their bodies. We have seen this with the pandemic the distrusting nature of communities of colour. This is further impacted by the patriarchal standards placed on women's bodies around fertility and having children.

"For women with reproductive health-related issues, hormonal contraception has helped the pain and side effects such as heavy menstrual bleeding. For example, I have the Minerna Coil. It helps me manage my heavy bleeding and also provides effective birth control. It's a winwin. For sadly for other people of colour, this would be seen as intrusive and unnatural. Yet most of these men wouldn't think of using birth control in the same way women do themselves. The standards placed on women's bodies has for a long time been controlled by men and their wishes." the power to choose the content that we consume. If someone or something upsets you, block, mute, or unfollow them from your feed. Many accounts online provide content that is not just educational but entertaining as well; for instance, the ByErim page is not just a platform to sell our haircare products. We aim to educate people about the science behind hair and entertain with the odd meme here or there, hehe.

What do men need to learn in our community to be able to give a better future to our women?

The core principle of Sikhi is equality; often, the Punjabi/Asian culture contradicts this. As culture is such a strong force, it’s often easy to forget how we do not provide women with the same opportunities as men. This applies to all aspects of modern life, including financial, societal, mental, and emotional factors. The second that women are fully enabled and empowered to make full use of the same opportunities as our male counterparts; we would ultimately work towards a better future. A small example of this is my Dad, who always pushed me to go down the same path that he did, which was the entrepreneurial route.

in brief LOCKDOWN LED TO A DROP IN BRITAIN’S FERTILITY RATES Births in December and January decreased significantly from the year before.

Babies born in those months would have been conceived at the start of lockdown However, the ONS data also suggests sex increased as lockdown started to ease. According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), fertility rates in England and Wales for December 2020 and January 2021 showed 'relatively steep decreases' compared with a year earlier, down by 8.1% and 10.2% respectively, Births in these months would have mostly been conceived in the weeks following the start of the lockdown. The March 2020 lockdown led to a drop in fertility rates and not the baby boom previously predicted, it has emerged.

Previous data collected by the long-running National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles found physical intimacy between British couples halved during the first lockdown. Other studies of the under-35s have found that during the three lockdowns, a third of couples were having less sex with their partner and a quarter none at all. The new data released from the ONS seems to reflect a drop in sex throughout the pandemic.

ONE IN 12 REGRET BECOMING PARENTS Research by YouGov shows that one in 12 parents - 8 per cent — regret having children. The survey further suggests that 6 per cent of parents polled had previously

regretted it but do not now.

Overall, the YouGov research found that 83 per cent of parents polled said they had never regretted having children. The remaining 3 per cent either preferred not to say or did not know. Of the 8 per cent who said they did regret it, the strength of feeling was split between those who felt it to a “great extent” (1 per cent); those feeling it a “moderate extent” (2 per cent) and to a “small extent” (5 per cent).

NEW HEALTH SERVICE OFFERING FREE MENOPAUSE TRAINING TO MEN Health education service Menopause Experts launched earlier this month. They are offering free training and resources to women — and men. The company offers comprehensive, trustworthy and up-to-date information to help women understand and manage often debilitating symptoms like forgetfulness, hot flushes, headaches, itchy skin, night sweats, brain fog and low or nonexistent sex drive. Menopause Experts training is completely free, making vital information available to all people whatever their ability to pay. In comparison, private consultations with some menopause doctors cost around £275 for an initial consultation.

It’s also the first menopause service to provide advice and tips to men, recognising the importance of including husbands, partners and workmates in the conversation.

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University report highlights inequalities amongst UK faith schools An independent report, conducted by the University of Wolverhampton, highlights serious concerns about potential inequality for minority faith schools in the UK and has concluded that Roman Catholic (RC) and Church of England (CofE) schools seem to enjoy additional protection via a Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) agreed with the Department for Education (DfE) and benefit from an extra level of support that is not available to other faith schools and academies.

Commissioned to independently and fairly investigate two Termination Notices delivered to Sikh faith schools from September 2017 to August 2020, the report raises concerns about the protection afforded to only RC and CofE schools by these MoU and the transparency of the rebrokerage process. Re-brokerage is a term used where an Academy Trust is asked by the Regional School Commissioners (RSC), who act on behalf of the DfE on a regional basis, to transfer one, some or all of its academies to a different Academy Trust.

The MoU, both agreed in 2016, requires a high level of cooperation between the DfE and RC Dioceses, and between the DfE and the CofE. The DfE is expected to share information with the Dioceses at the earliest opportunity about concerns regarding underperforming schools and seek consent from the Dioceses before taking action on converting to academy status, intervention, re-brokerage or issuing termination notices or warnings.

However, no such Memorandum of Understanding exists between the DfE and minority faith bodies, therefore there is no such expectation on the DfE to share information, nor to seek the consent of faith representatives before decisions to convert or rebroker schools rated as Inadequate through Ofsted.

Critically, the report raised a need both for greater clarity and an enhanced understanding of the seeming lack of equality for all schools whose Trusts do not have an MoU with the DfE. The report examined the frequency of Termination Notices handed to Sikh schools in comparison to those schools with an MoU in place. Only two Termination Notices were issued to Inadequate rated faith academies (out of 135) in the period September 2017 – August 2020. These Termination Notices were both issued to Sikh schools. No other termination notices were sent to any other faith academies in this same period and of the 45 Catholic schools rated inadequate, none were re-brokered.

The report goes into significant detail comparing actions taken by the Regional School Commissioners between the treatment of a Sikh school (Khalsa Secondary Academy - KSA) and a similarly rated Roman Catholic school who were graded as inadequate

by Ofsted within a six-week period.

The report examined a lack of consistency in the level of Notice sent to schools and academies following an Inadequate grading. It revealed that the Roman Catholic school was only

given the lowest warning despite failing to make progress over 26 months.

Whereas the Sikh school was given a Termination Notice less than 4 months after receiving a Termination Warning Notice, despite a remote Ofsted section 8 monitoring visit that found no significant concerns.

Finally, the report raises concerns around the re-brokerage process. The report revealed that there is very little evidence to support the DfE’s assumption that re-brokerage is effective in raising standards, and what research exists appears inconclusive.

Non-Christian faith schools are increasing in the UK but at the moment remain very much in the minority; combined, they comprise less than 1% of all state-funded mainstream schools. The report looked in particular at a number of Sikh schools which are standing as examples of potentially unequal practice: they (like all minority faith schools) have no MoU to potentially support them in access to early interventions, communication and cooperation with the DfE. This report argues for greater clarity in the procedures of the Regional Schools Commissioners, particularly of the criteria used to re-broker schools. In the light of the discussion on the levels of security enjoyed

by Church schools through their Memoranda of Understanding, the report also calls for greater understanding of the seeming lack of equality for all schools whose Trusts do not have such an MoU with the DfE, and whether these MoU affect decisions made in children’s interests.

Employer discrimination against children of immigrants According to a report by the Institute for Fiscal Studies, Second-generation African, Caribbean and Asian people more likely to have a degree but also to be unemployed. This implies that employment discrimination is holding back second-generation African, Caribbean and Asian people in the jobs market even though they tend to be more highly educated.

The report suggests that people of that background whose parents emigrated to Britain were far more likely to get a university degree than their white British peers, but they faced much higher unemployment rates overall.

“Even though they were more likely to come from disadvantaged backgrounds, more than 50% of second-generation Indians, 35% of second-generation Pakistanis and Bangladeshis held university degrees, compared with 26% of white people. Young black and Asian people were less likely to be held back in education by their

circumsocioeconomic stances, thanks to higher levels of commitment and motivation, the authors observed,” The Guardian reported.

Second-generation Indian and Bangladeshi men were more than 20 percentage points more likely to end up in professional jobs than white British people from the same social background, Indian and while Caribbean women were more than 10 percentage points more likely to be in such roles.

Findings suggest that Pakistani and Bangladeshi women were 5 percentage points less likely than white people to be in professional or managerial jobs. The report warned that although second-generation ethnic minority groups from disadvantaged origins were more upwardly mobile than their white British counterparts, “they are less upwardly mobile than one would expect given their very high levels of educational attainment”.

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Campaigners misuse Modi’s image alongside Boris’ to establish a pseudo anti-Muslim sentiment The Batley and Spen by-election race landed in an anti-community soup while campaigners distributed leaflets to show Muslim voters that they hated Boris Johnson. To accentuate the hatred and gain momentum in the campaign, the Labour Party campaigners misused Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s photograph from the G7 Summit 2019, indirectly hinting that the Conservative Party sides with a Hindu leader and that may imply that they are islamophobic. The message read: “Don’t risk a Tory MP who is not on your side”.

The Labour MP Navendu Mishra told The Guardian that the “divisive” leaflet sought to turn communities against each other.

A report in The Guardian suggested that separately, Labour alerted the police to fake leaflets that said the party believed “the biggest threat to

our precious multicultural society is whiteness”. The TUC is reportedly taking legal advice over the leaflets, which also show Sir Keir Starmer taking the knee, and say the Labour leader “believes that it is high time that white people acknowledge their

Party is right to call out Boris Johnson’s lack of action following the conclusion that antiMuslim sentiment remains a problem in the Conservative Party. It is unfortunate that the Labour Party used the picture of the Prime Minister of India, the world’s largest democracy and one of the UK’s closest friends, from the G7 meeting in 2019, on its leaflet. We ask the Labour Party to withdraw the leaflet immediately and will also be writing to the leadership about this. The Labour Party has a proud history with India and is grateful for the support of Indian voters across the country, as well as our many Indian origin elected politicians at every level.

Labour Friends of India will continue to celebrate the contributions of the Indian origin communities make to the UK and the importance of the UK-India relationship.”

privilege”.

Amid massive backlash from the Indian community over this dirty trick by the Labour Party, Labour Friends of India released a statement on the leaflet in Batley & Spen by-election. The statement read: “The Labour

13,000 cases of potential fraud According to a report published in Financial Times, HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is investigating 13,000 cases of potential fraud and other breaches of rules related to the use of the government’s coronavirus furlough scheme, selfemployment income support scheme, and the “eat out to help out” scheme.

Furlough is planned to end completely on 30 September.

More than 1m UK businesses have used the furlough scheme during the pandemic, and a cumulative total of 11.5m jobs have been supported by the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, according to the latest

government estimates. The latest available data showed that 3.4m people were still on furlough at the end of April These probes have been opened by the HMRC to protect or recover funds that were lost to fraud, tax avoidance and evasion and other breaches of the rules.

HMRC opened 12,828 probes up to the end of March, with the largest proportion (7384) relating to the use of the government furlough scheme.

A spokesperson for HMRC said: “It is vital we support businesses to recover by ensuring a level playing field so the majority are not undercut by the few

Sunak warns against social care quick fix Speaking at The Times CEO Summit, the chancellor cautioned that ministers would have to “take the time” to ensure the reforms were “sustainable”.

In his first speech as prime minister almost two years ago, Boris vowed to “fix the crisis in social care once and for all with a clear plan we have prepared”.

But senior ministers are still discussing options for reforms.

Sunak said, “We’re keen to bring forward options for reform of the social care system. We also need to look at how we pay for those reforms. People say, ‘Why can’t you do it quickly?’ This is complicated, it has defied solution by many governments over decades.”

He added: “There’s no point

doing something which is just a short-term fix. If you’re going to try and reform the system, you want that to be a lasting reform that will cope with the fact that we’ve got an ageing population.

That requires some thought to get right.”

who tried to cheat the system.

We are taking tough action to tackle fraudulent behaviour.

We have now opened more than 12,000 inquiries into claimants we suspect may have kept more than they were entitled to. We have also begun a handful of criminal investigations.”

Earlier in March, Chancellor Rishi Sunak had announced that Treasury would invest £100m into a specialist task force to tackle fraud across all Covid-19 support packages in the March budget.

Iskander Fernandez, partner and specialist white-collar crime and investigations lawyer

at BLM, said, “As it takes time for HMRC to build a case, it’s unlikely that we’ll see an immediate wave of arrests and prosecutions. However, it’s a case of when, rather than if, given that thousands of interventions are currently underway.”

The data, obtained through a freedom of information request by law firm BLM, showed that the majority of the cases were for furlough fraud - with 7,384 cases under investigation.

The UK taxpayer has so far paid out £64bn in furlough cash to people who have been unable to work during the pandemic.

NHS alarm over the rising number of UK Covid patients on ventilators The deputy chief executive of NHS Providers, Saffron Cordery, said the number of Covid patients in the hospital on ventilation beds had increased by 41% in the last week to 227, which she said was a strong indication Covid was having an impact on health services.

NHS leaders were already worried about the potential for a Covid surge to collide with other winter illnesses such as flu and respiratory viruses later in the year, posing “a significant challenge” to the health system. I think we need to look at this sud-

den rise in the demand for emergency care as well, so you know we are seeing record levels of demand for that kind of care.”

The latest available data showed the number of patients in the hospital at 1,378, similar to early May, while the daily tally of new cases was 11,625, last seen in mid-February.

However, official data published by the Office for National Statistics last week showed the number of deaths involving flu and pneumonia was now more than 10 times higher than those involving Covid.

Poorer students given chance to attend Eton of the north The 581-year-old institution has formed a partnership with Star Academies, which runs 30 schools in some of the poorest parts of the country and started as a small chain of Muslim schools. Sir Hamid Patel, its chief executive, was knighted this month for services to education.

The sixth form, opening

under the free schools’ programme, will aim to fast-track teenagers from poor homes to top universities such as Oxford and Cambridge. It is the first time a prestigious private school has forged such a partnership with an academy trust.

Patel and Simon Henderson, Eton’s headmaster, say they will

blend Eton’s educational philosophy and rigorous curriculum with the ethos and approach of Star Academies, whose schools are frequently named among the best in the country for pupil progress.

The precise location has not yet been determined but all will be in deprived parts of the north or West Midlands and open from

2024. They will admit 240 pupils per year, who will have teaching from some of the country’s most respected subject specialists at Eton and access to talks from high-profile speakers. There will also be academic essay prizes, debate clubs, Oxbridge-style tutorial sessions and the chance to learn Latin.

in brief in brief £400 VOUCHERS FOR PREGNANT SMOKERS TO QUIT The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) and Public Health England said evidence shows that financial incentives to help expectant mothers stop smoking is “cost-effective”.

However, if testing was too difficult, due to Covid-19, the vouchers should be given anyway. Healthcare staff should give clear, up-to-date information on ecigarettes to people who were interested in using them to stop smoking.

Councils and charities, said: “Evidence from the UK showed that schemes in which a maximum of around £400 could be gained in vouchers staggered over time were cost-effective.”Research suggests that for every 1,000 pregnant women offered vouchers, 177 would stop smoking.

Dr Paul Chrisp, director of Nice’s Centre for guidelines, said: “Around ten per cent of women are known to be smokers at the time of giving birth. Given the health effects on mothers and babies, further efforts are required to encourage this group to give up.”

BRITONS DESERVE A HOLIDAY There is a certain humour in perusing the “green” list of destinations where British tourists can, in theory, take summer holidays without quarantining at home for 10 days on return. Most European countries are on the “amber” list, meaning enforced quarantine. Britons deserve better than these restrictive, confused and poorly- explained rules.

Several airlines are now suing the government over what they rightly call opaque and contradictory rules. The travel industry held a day of action last week to highlight the losses and lay-offs caused. Consumers face soaring costs for “staycations”, meanwhile, because of the domestic capacity squeeze.

The government can do little to prevent other countries from restricting arrivals from Britain due to the surge of the Delta variant if they so choose. It should, however, maximise UK residents’ chances of holidaying abroad by accelerating moves to allow double-vaccinated adults and under-18 families to visit amber countries without quarantine. Johnson said last week the government would give details of such plans, but only “later in the summer”.

ILLNESS LASTED FOR 305 DAYS 72-year-old, Dave Smith, from Bristol, a retired driving instructor who was infected with coronavirus for ten months in what is thought to be the world’s longest Covid case. He said he lost more than eight stones and was ready to give up on life after he tested positive for the virus in May last year and did not recover until 305 days later.

He told the BBC how he coughed for “five hours straight, non-stop if you can imagine the drain that puts on your body, the energy”. I was ready to give up, I said to Lyn, my wife: ‘Let me go.’ My wife started to arrange a funeral five times.” He added jokingly: “I called all the family in to make my peace with them. I wish I’d kept my mouth shut now.”

Smith was treated with laboratory engineered antibodies made by the drug firm Regeneron. His case is to be presented to the European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases next month.

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Remember Princess Diana’s black statue?

As Britain gears up to see the newly unveiled statue of Princess Diana in July, many have forgotten that this is not the first time her statue has been sculpted. Diana’s black statue which was made of Indian granite last stood in Bloxwich. The statue sadly attracted attention when algae formations turned green. It was sculpted

by Andrew Walsh 17 years ago. The Queen had later refused to permit the statue to be placed at Walsall bus station.

Mr Walsh decided to remove the veneer from the £10,000 statue, to improve its overall look but was still unable to find it a home.

Now white, it was left to stand outside Strong Memorials on Park Road, Bloxwich, which is part of the Andrew Walsh funeral company.

Kensington Palace has made its first announcement about the Princess Diana statue unveiling on July 1.

Prince Harry and Prince William will be joined at the Sunken Garden event alongside the statue committee, sculptor Ian Rank-Broadley, and garden designer, Pip Morrison. The statue might open the gates to massive tourist attractions, especially for Diana’s patrons from India who have been celebrating her personality and sympathetically idolising her

for years.

Prince Harry has arrived in the UK ahead of Princess Diana’s statue unveiling. He flew to the UK for the first time since April 2021 after attending the funeral of his grandfather Prince Phillip.

Meghan Markle will of course remain at home with her newborn daughter whom she has named after Princess Diana and the Queen.

However, the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton will be giving the ceremony a miss.

A source told Fox News, "William is determined that the Sussex drama does not overshadow this important moment of remembrance to his much-missed mother and is keeping that as his focus."

Hotel staffer arrested for assaulting a woman A night porter at a four-star hotel assaulted a guest after he sneaked into her room. Zeshan Akhtar, 39, walked into the room at Talbot Hotel in Oundle, Northamptonshire, where he worked before pinning the woman’s arms above her head and biting her on the neck. “He initially denied the sex attack, and just days before his trial, he was caught at Heathrow Airport trying to flee the country to Pakistan,” Metro reported.

Akhtar is now imprisoned. Akhtar, who belongs to Peterborough, later pleaded guilty to sexual assault and was jailed for 11 months at Northampton Crown Court on Thursday. A similar incident was reported by the BBC where a woman was molested inside an elevator in the UK. Several women who stayed in Covid quarantine hotels in the UK have said they were sexually harassed by G4S security guards. The women had been quarantining for 10 days in hotels after returning from red list countries and told BBC News that men working for the security firm harassed them. One claimed a guard mimed sex while they were alone in life, while another alleges a member of security staff asked her for a "hug" and said he wanted to take a selfie with her.

Parents increase burden for A&E The pressure on A&E departments is as bad as it is in winter, according to doctors, partly because parents are bringing in young children with mild fevers who could be cared for at home.

Three royal colleges of emergency medicine, general practitioners, and paediatrics and child health — said children would normally improve within days if given plenty of liquid along with ibuprofen or paracetamol. They said many parents who had not seen their previously children suffer a fever was taking them to A&E rather than seeking help from GPs, NHS 111 or a pharmacy.

Dr Camilla Kingdon, president of the Royal College of Pediatrics and Child Health, said: “With

departments already under huge pressure, we need to make sure that services are available for children who are seriously unwell.” The lockdowns have suppressed other infections as well as the coronavirus, including bronchiolitis and rhinovirus, all common in winter but surging now as children come back into

Patel plans to gag police chiefs The home secretary is concerned about officers, especially senior ones, commenting on politics. She has instructed officials to work on ways to draw a “brighter line” between policing and policymaking.

While Patel’s allies insist that she does not want to stop police officers voicing opinions, she is said to believe it is too often

unclear that the government sets policy, not the police.

The plans are set to be included in a consultation on updates to the Policing Protocol Order of 2011, which will be launched by ministers this year.

In another element of the reforms, Patel will produce a formal definition of “operational

independence” because she believes that some officers use the doctrine to avoid scrutiny.

Gareth Morgan, who this month retires as chief constable for Staffordshire police, has called on Patel to “step back” from the policing agenda and said he was concerned that she had interfered on some operational issues.

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Child refugee who became NHS doctor says vow to cut foreign staff is dangerous The first five years of Waheed Arian’s life were dominated by the AfghanSoviet conflict, followed by years of civil war and the hardline regime of the Taliban.

In 1999, at just 15 years old, his family sent him to the UK on his own after a bomb completely flattened the home next door with a family inside.

Waheed managed to get a place at Cambridge University to study medicine, before moving onto Imperial College London and eventually becoming an A&E doctor for the NHS. He was shocked by Baroness Dido Harding’s pledge to end England’s ‘reliance’ on foreign doctors and nurses in her pitch to become the next head of the NHS. According to the House of Commons Library, 170,000 out of 1.3 million NHS staff say their nationality

is not British, amounting to nearly 14%.

Baroness Harding’s comment, made on World Refugee Day, was described as ‘crass’ and ‘deeply disrespectful’ by the president of the All Pakistan Nurses Association Zeba Arif.

But Waheed, goes one step further: ‘I felt insulted by that. So you want me

to just stand down?’ ‘It’s part of the big narrative of anti-migration and specifically anti-refugees which is really dangerous. It’s such a dangerous comment to make, that we need to rely on homegrown doctors, the next step is you’re going to rely on home-grown taxi drivers, where does it stop?’

He recently projected a video on the House of Parliament in which he says that people like him wouldn’t have had the chance to become a doctor under Priti Patel’s ‘New Plan for Immigration’.

Waheed has done overseas humanitarian work and has set up Arian Teleheal, a charity connecting doctors in warzones with expert clinicians from across the world.

Institutions like the NHS are a reminder of the unity between immigrants and people born in this country.

Loved up selfie that exposed nursery nurse’s double life as a coke dealer Umi Noor, 37, kept over £110,000 worth of hard drugs at her home Moss Side, Manchester, where she was raising her 3 children.

She used her earnings at a children’s nursery to lease cars which her 28-year-old boyfriend used to distribute the drugs around Bolton, and was setting up a takeaway in the town to launder their drug money.

When officers raided her property in November 2019 and found the stash in her bedroom wardrobe, Noor claimed it was left there by her boyfriend ‘Rico’ and insisted she had no knowledge of it.

But forensics of her phone found pictures of the pair, revealing ‘Rico’ was in fact Hassan, as well as mes-

sages indicating they were running the Bolton supply network together.

Noor, who was cautioned for allowing a previous boyfriend to grow cannabis in 2015, was also said to have been the first port of call for street dealers who needed to be ‘restocked’ but could not get through to Hassan.

In mitigation, defence lawyer Nicola Gatto said her client ‘accepts that she benefitted to a degree’ but received no help with her debt from Hassan and was ‘trying to extricate herself from a volatile relationship’.

She was not ‘cuckooed’ but she admits she turned a blind eye to what was going on.’

Noor was jailed for four years and

one month, while Hassan was jailed for six years after admitting similar offences, and is already serving four years for other drug-related crimes.

Mother killed daughter, five, by knifing her 15 times Sutha Sivanantham, 36, has been left with a colostomy bag and spent several months in hospital after stabbing herself in the stomach at her home in Mitcham and stabbed her daughter Sayagi 15 times in the bedroom of their south London flat in last June, the Old Bailey heard, with two wounds puncturing the little girl's heart.

The mother had been complaining of mystery ailments for almost a year and her husband said fear of the virus and lockdown restrictions pushed her over the edge. Sainsbury's

employee Suganthan was working when he received the call that his wife had killed their daughter. He sobbed loudly in the dock as his impact statement was read to the court.

'I believe Covid restrictions may have had a negative effect on her wellbeing,' Mr Sivanantham said. 'She took the restrictions seriously and was petrified about catching the virus.'

The court heard Sutha spoke no English and had been living in the UK since 2006 after an arranged mar-

riage with her husband.

'The defendant had developed a morbid concern she was suffering from undiagnosed serious illness,' said prosecutor Bill Emlyn-Jones.

'She appears to have become convinced that she was going to die.'

Detective Chief Inspector Katherine Goodwin from the Met's Specialist Crime said: 'This is a truly tragic and complex case which has devastated the family and community and has had a huge impact on the investigation team. Our thoughts will always be with Sayagi.'

Kate and William face Diana ‘knew what furious Scottish backlash she was doing’, exlover Khan claimed

Details of royal spending via the taxpayer-funded Sovereign Grant were released which confirmed £85.9million was spent on the Royal Family, and their engagements, in 2020-21including the cost of a controversial trip William and Kate made to Scotland in December.

The couple were touring Britain to celebrate the work of emergency services fighting coronavirus. They were criticised by some for travelling between England and Scotland against Scottish government advice.

One tweeted: “That’s a disgrace when so many are struggling to make ends meet or even just to put food on the

table!”

Another added: “End this feudal nonsense forever.”

Travelling between England and Scotland was only for people to “travel to work, or provide voluntary or charitable services” when “that cannot be done from your home”. The visit sparked controversy on social media.

Speaking during a documentary to mark what would have been the Princess of Wales 60th birthday, Richard Kay, a journalist and long-time confidant of the Princess of Wales’ boyfriend, Hasnat Khan, said Mr Khan believed Diana could anticipate the royal family’s reaction to news events.

“We all know Diana was tricked or fed things, but I learned something quite interesting

recently and it came from Hasnat Khan, and he told me that she knew what she was doing,” he said.

She said ‘they’ll now want me to divorce”. The prediction proved apt as the royal family did ask Diana and Prince Charles to divorce.

It comes as a fire chief who treated Diana on the night she died claimed she asked “oh my God, what’s happened?” in her final moments.

The new and Updated Right To Work Checks Maria Fernandes The Home Office has published a draft “Code of practice on preventing illegal working” which should be read with the “Employer’s Guide to Right to Work Checks” last updated in June 2021. These changes reflect changes following the end of the Brexit transition period and the grace period on 30 June 2021.

This guidance applies to employers who employ staff under a contract of employment, service, or apprenticeship, whether expressed or implied and whether oral or in writing.

Carrying out the checks in the prescribed manner provides an employer with a statutory excuse (defence) if the employee is later found to be in working in breach of their conditions.

The employer is liable for the civil penalty even if the actual check is performed by a member of staff. An employer will not establish a statutory excuse if the check is performed by a third party, such as a recruitment agency or your professional adviser. In simple terms, the check must be carried out by the employer with who the contract of employment is.

There are 3 types of right to work checks ® Manual check ® Online check ® Employer Checking Service Employers cannot generally mandate the type of check that must be carried out.

Manual right to work checks: The manual right to work check consist of the following three steps: 1. Obtaining original documents such as passports and Biometric Residence Permits showing the endorsement.

2. Checking the validity of the documents in the presence of the holder.

3. Copying each document and retaining it in a manner that is prescribed, recording the date that the checks were made and retaining it.

Online right to work checks: The Home Office online right to work checking service allows employers to check whether a person is allowed to work in the United Kingdom and, if so, the nature of any restrictions.

This system is accessible for employers on the ‘View a job applicant’s right to work details’ page on GOV.UK. No other online portal relating to immigration status can be used for right to work checking purposes.

The Home Office Right to Work Checking Service enables employers to access to up to date real-time information about migrants’ right to work.

It is not possible to conduct an online right to work checkin all circumstances, as not all individuals will have an immigration status that can be checked online.

An employer cannot mandate that an online check must be carried out where the employee wishes to evidence his right to work through a manual check.

There are 3 steps: 1. Accessing the service. The service works on the basis of the individual first viewing their own Home Office right to work record. They may then share this information with the employer by providing a ‘share code’, which, when entered along with the individual’s date of birth, enables access to the information. The employer must access the employer part of the service in order to obtain a statutory excuse.

2. In the presence of the individual (in person or via live video link), you must check that the photograph on the online right to work check is of the individual presenting themselves.

3. Must retain evidence of the online right to work check. For online checks, this should be the ‘profile’ page confirming the individual’s right to work. You should store this securely for the duration of employment and for two years afterwards.

Employer Checking Service (ECS) In most cases, an employer will be able to conduct either a manual document-based or online check, as set out above. In certain circumstances, you will need to contact the Home Office’s Employer Checking Service (ECS) to establish a statutory excuse. These are when: ® the employee presents a Certificate of Application which is less than 6 months old and which indicates that work is permitted ® the employee submits an Application Registration Card which states he is permitted to undertake the work ® the employee cannot provide his document because of an outstanding appeal, administrative review or application with the Home Office ® the employee cannot provide any acceptable documents but submits other information that he is a long-term resident of the UK who arrived in the UK before 1988 A Positive Verification Note will be issued by the Home Office confirming the employee has the right to work which has a date of expiry. A follow-up check will need to be carried prior to this.

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Shefali Saxena As the world continues to work from home, consumer demand for blue light protection rises globally; screen time has increased by 76% during the pandemic.

Ocushield creator Dhruvin Patel is set to feature on Dragons’ Den alongside business partner Asad Hamir on BBC One, pitching to Peter Jones, Deborah Meaden, Touker Suleyman, Sara Davies and Tej Lalvani, with the hope of securing investment in the Ocushield company. In an exclusive interview with Asian Voice, Patel spoke about his idea.

Q - Please briefly explain the concept of Ocushield.

Ocushield is a brand that wants to let eyes thrive in the digital age. Our hero products are medically-rated screen protectors that cover digital device screens such as smartphones and monitors, the Ocushield screen protectors filter out harmful blue light which is known to cause eye strain, headaches and poor sleep. By doing so, users can have fresher feeling eyes and improved sleep.

Q- What is your take on doom-scrolling and massively increasing screentime? Is this pandemic driven or this already existed?

The pandemic has certainly increased the amount of time that has been spent on screens. From children to adults - we have all spent more time learning, playing and working on our devices which is surely here to stay due to new habits and processes. For example, flexible working means more time on devices having meetings and working or children learning on their tablets. Blue light from screens impacts young eyes more than developed ones, therefore children have to be even more protected as their lens only develops as they get older, which absorbs some UV and blue light.

Q- As an entrepreneur, what are the challenges of creating a product like this? What is the future of such products?

Young optometrist

Dhruvin Patel to appear on Dragon's Den

The largest challenge for us was getting the medical registration with the (MHRA) medicines and healthcare regulatory agencies. Their job is to make sure any drugs or medical devices on the market do what they say and are safe for the market. After 12 months of work and a 500-page document, our filters were registered as class 1 medical devices and we were confident our products were the best of their kind. Making sure the Ocushield products selectively

filtered out harmful blue light, whilst not changing the colours on the screen. As, the software does exist to filter blue light, but turns your screen an orange colour. So, 90% of consumers don't use it as they should. With Ocushield we had to put customer experience at the front, therefore research and development around creating the best product was one of the most difficult tasks.

Q - What is the efficacy of Ocushield? What kind of terms and conditions do customers need to know?

Developed by qualified optometrists, our medicallyrated screen protectors for smartphones and tablets effectively block up to 99% of harmful UV & blue light emissions between 300-400nm and up to 40% of harmful blue light between 400-470nm. The highest amount of blue light reduced by any screen protector or filter of its kind.

No T&C's customers NEED to know but - Product efficacy does not change for any time of use. Warranty 2 years on manufacturing faults and defects.

Q- As an expert, what would be your advice to our readers who may be addicted to their screens?

Five key tips to reduce blue light impact: 1. Proximity, have devices an arm’s length away reducing the intensity of blue light 2. Brightness, turn the screen brightness down where possible, reducing the intensity of light 3. Use a blue light filter like Ocushield 4. 20/20/20 - every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break looking 20ft away. Outside the window or down the corridor, it refreshes the visual system.

5. Blink, when on devices you blink only 3 times - normally this is 15 times a minute. Put a post-it note on your monitor screen to remind you. Reduction in blinks causing tired, dry eyes.

More than 70 MPs urge Priti to scrap plans for women’s immigration detention centre The new facility is expected to hold up to 80 women at a time when it opens on the site of the former Hassockfield Secure Training Centre and notorious Medomsley detention centre this autumn.

A group of cross-party politicians, including former shadow home secretary Diane Abbott, Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey and former shadow chancellor John McDonnell, have written to Priti Patel with “grave concerns” about the “inhumane” centre.

The letter claims the Home Office is pushing ahead with its plans before completing an equality impact assessment which “risks exposing already vulnerable women to yet more discrimination and harm”.

It also suggests the government has “abandoned” its commitment to reducing the use of detention following the publication of Stephen Shaw’s 2016 and 2018 reviews of immigration detention.

According to the correspondence, women will continue to be detained in units at Yarl’s Wood, Dungavel, and

The letter was coordinated by Alison Thewliss, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Immigration Detention, and City of Durham Labour MP Mary Kelly Foy. The site of the planned centre near Consett, in County Durham, was once home to Medomsley Detention Centre –

Colnbrook immigration removal centres (IRCs).

The letter claims it has also been suggested women and men will be detained under immigration powers together at a new short-term holding facility at Morton Hall, in Lincolnshire, when it converts from a detention centre to prison later this year.

Many London schools might shut as many families choose to move Some London primary schools will be forced to close as there are so few children applying that they will not be able to afford to stay open, experts warned today.

Schools get funding for each pupil they take so those with falling rolls face financial devastation. State schools are now under pressure to market themselves to prospective parents in the same way that independent schools do to stop themselves from going under. Latest figures from

London Councils show that 90,000 children applied to start primary school in London this September — a seven per cent drop on the previous year. By 2022, London is expected to have 84,384 surplus school places, with 84 per cent of the excess places in primary schools. London Councils’ Do the Maths report into school places said the number of children under four years old in London is expected to drop by a further 6,000 by 2024.

Two motorists in a road rage attack The vicious road rage assault in Birmingham was broken up by a brave woman who pulled the men apart while other motorists watched on as the busy A45 Coventry Road exploded into a scene of violence.

The brawl began with two occupants of a black Audi stepping out into the road and pulling open the door of another car which was stationary at the lights. They start punching and kicking the driver, who eventually steps out from the vehicle and

begins exchanging blows with the men by a metal fence in the middle of the street. The clip by the blog Birmz Is Grime shows the fight on one of the main commuter routes into the city being brought to a halt by a woman. After her shouts of ‘leave it, leave it’ were ignored by the men, she put herself between them and dragged one of the attackers away from the lone driver. A spokesperson for West Midlands Police said the incident has not been reported to the force.

where hundreds of young offenders were physically and sexually abused during the 1970s and 1980s.

It later became Hassockfield Secure Training Centre, where 14-year-old Adam Rickwood became the youngest person to die in UK custody in recent times when he took his own life in 2004.

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Dear Financial Voice Reader, Alpesh Patel How Will Inflation Impact Stocks?

You can't turn on the TV or open a newspaper without hearing about rising inflation. The inflation rate in the UK doubled in April and kept growing through May. In the US, the annual inflation rate is up to 5%.

For investors, the big question is how will this affect the stock market?

What Does Inflation Mean for the Markets?

During the last decade, the stock market has performed better during low-inflation times. So, if prices rise, what will that mean for the markets? It depends.

Some sectors can be expected to struggle.

For example, high inflation often leads to a rise in interest rates. If interest rates go up, many tech stock’s rapid growth assumptions become less attractive to investors.

When interest rate worries were high around April or March, we witnessed tech stocks take a slight correction.

Many experts are worried that fresh inflation concerns could see an interest rate adjustment, bringing trouble for tech stocks.

Which Sectors Struggle With Inflation?

In a recent investor note, Goldman Sachs looked at market data over the last 50 years. They suggest that specific sectors struggle in times of high inflation.

According to Goldman's research, real estate, health care, consumer staples, and the energy sector are all strong inflationary market performers.

However, they caution that past performance suggests that the materials and technology sectors could be set to struggle.

Of course, it's not just Goldman Sachs that are issuing warnings. Chief investment officer at HSBC, Willem Sells, made some interesting points about the market lately.

He cited low inventories, supply chain issues, and wage pressure in the hospitality and retail sectors as significant factors causing inflation. However, he suggests that this inflation is temporary. Additionally, Sells indicates that the Fed and US policymakers agree with him and won't intervene too quickly.

His two tips are to invest in the financial sector and reduce your portfolio's exposure to tech stocks.

Will Monetary Policy Change to Stem Inflation?

In the UK, the Bank of England is under pressure.

The BoE's failure to forecast growth and price rebounds have left many economists wondering how they will manage inflation. Of course, this news comes after the Fed suggested they will start raising interest rates in 2023.

After a 2-day meeting, the Fed has revised its view on the economic situation and will likely implement two interest rate jumps in 2023. But, for now, the rates will stay around the 0 to 0.25% levels they have maintained during the pandemic.

Again, this might signify poor news for tech stock in the longer term.

Are Stocks the Best Way to Beat Inflation?

Though many experts suggest high inflation will not last, investors need to have a plan in case it does. Analysts at Citigroup have indicated that investors may find the best way to beat inflation in markets outside the US. In a research note from June, Citi analysts looked at the cyclically adjusted price-to-earnings (CAPE) across global markets. The US market's high rating of 39x has led Citi to suggest it will have a 6% return for the rest of this decade. However, with inflation at 5% currently in the US, Citi says investors should look towards other markets.

Citi believes that four other stock markets will provide double-digit returns: The UK, Germany, France, and Japan.

Will Inflation Cause a Market Crash?

A decade of cheap money and low-interest rates have fuelled a bull market. However, rising inflation could hit both of these causes and hurt the market.

Again, the Federal Reserve and the Bank of England's actions are important here. If they feel the economy is overheating, they may pull back the stimulus and make it more costly to borrow. This scenario could hit the market heavily. However, it’s just one of many possible outcomes.

Conclusion While inflation rates in the UK and the US are higher than most economists would like, their cause is unclear.

Several factors seem to be influencing the rise of prices — including the economic rebound. Indeed, supply chains and even labour market shortages are also a factor.

For investors, worries about inflation causing a stock market crash are a bit overblown. Instead, adjustments in monetary policy will be used to manage an overheating economy.

Short-term, as prices continue to rise, real estate, energy, and health care look attractive. Similarly, any portfolio with excessive exposure to tech stocks could do with a little diversification.

Britain bans Binance in fresh crackdown on cryptocurrency British financial regulator, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has banned Binance from conducting any regulated activity. FCA said Binance Markets Ltd., one of the world's largest cryptocurrency exchanges “must not, without the prior written consent of the FCA, carry out any regulated activities... with immediate effect.”

It also issued a warning to consumers about the group. In response, Binance said that Binance Markets was not yet using its regulatory permissions, and that the move will not impact services offered on its website. A spokesperson of the

company was quoted as saying, “We take a collaborative approach in working with regulators and we take our compliance obligations very seriously. We are actively keeping abreast of changing policies, rules, and laws in this new space.”

Trading of cryptocur-

rencies is not directly regulated in Britain.

However, offering services such as trading in cryptocurrency derivatives does require authorisation. The FCA has told Binance that it must display a notice stating 'BINANCE MARKETS LIMITED IS NOT PERMITTED TO UNDERTAKE ANY REGULATED ACTIVITY IN THE UK' on its website and social media channels by June 30. It is also required to secure and preserve all records relating to UK con-

sumers and inform the FCA

by July 2. No explanation on the measures have been provided yet.

British citizens will still be able to access Binance's services in other jurisdictions. The FCA has stepped up its crackdown efforts on cryptocurrency trading, which has gained popularity across the globe. It has required all firms offering cryptocurrency-related services to register and show they comply with antimoney laundering rules, since January. However, it said earlier this month that only five firms had registered and the majority were not yet compliant.

BoE chief economist Andy Haldane warns of inflation Bank of England's chief economist Andy Haldane has raised a warning over UK inflation risk. As the US inflation reached 4.2 per cent, its highest since 2008, Haldane said the UK's own rate of price rises was increasingly likely to follow.

He said rising energy costs were already putting upward pressure on prices and that bottlenecks in the labour supply were likely to

add to that, with wages and inflation playing a “game of leapfrog”.

The Bank views that inflation will hit three per cent this year before retreating in 2022. However, Haldane dismissed the likelihood and said, “There's a rising risk that won't be the peak and we could see greater persistence and a higher level of that peak. Next year could see price pressures building,

not abating.”

He added that the result could be a “nasty surprise” if the Bank opts for a sharper-than-expected rise in the base interest rate. This could help those who save, but make things difficult for people and businesses borrowing to invest money or buy property.

“Brexit added something to that and Covid has added an

Andy Haldane

additional amplifier with countries seeing the case for building greater resilience into their domestic supply chains off the back of international supply chains having in some cases fractured,” Haldane said.

Over 1,200 Probe launched into auditors of Greensill Capital companies receive The UK's accounting regulator has launched a probe into the audit of Greensill Capital, opening a new front into the investigation of the supply chain group that collapsed in a political and financial scandal in March. The Financial Reporting Council said that it had begun an investigation into accountant Saffery Champness in relation to its audit of the financial statements of Greensill Capital for the year ended December 31 2019.

Alongside Saffery Champness the watchdog said that it was also investigating PwC over its audit of Wyelands Bank in the same year.

Wyelands is part of the business empire of industrialist Sanjeev Gupta, which depended on Greensill for much of its funding. Greensill, which counted Japan’s SoftBank as a backer and former UK prime minister David Cameron as an adviser, imploded in March after insurers refused to renew cover for the group. Its failure has unleashed multiple inquiries into the company’s ties to government.

Seven large accounting firms previously refused to tender for the audit of Greensill after it had agreed with Saffery Champness that the growing scale and complexity of its balance sheet meant it had outgrown midsized auditors’ services, the Financial Times reported in October. Some of the leading audit

letters about overdue income tax

firms such as Deloitte, KPMG and BDO declined to tender due to either conflicts of interest or reputational concerns.

Greensill’s failure has left Gupta’s business empire GFG Alliance fighting for survival. An investigation last year revealed that Wyelands helped fund Gupta’s wider business empire through a network of companies controlled by associates. The bank was audited by PwC until the financial year ended 2019. PwC resigned in November that year, citing a potential conflict of interest.

Mazars took over as the bank’s auditor for the financial year ended 2020. In Wyelands’ most recent accounts, Mazars identified control deficiencies in the identification of related party transactions.

Announcing last month that it was likely to be wound up unless a buyer could be found, Wyelands said it had become concerned that some loans to customers introduced by members of GFG were not operating as intended and that this “was placing the bank at risk by creating direct exposures to GFG Alliance entities”.

HM Revenue and Customs has sent warnings to over 1,200 companies requesting a refund of unpaid employment taxes as the government begins to recover its pandemicaccumulated debt. The Financial Times, in a report said, the businesses were told their future furlough claims would be blocked unless they paid the overdue income tax and national insurance. Under the temporary dismissal system, the company is required to pay the relevant employee tax and national insurance premiums when making a claim.

The payments mentioned in the issued letter are considered part of the government grant to be returned, and not as an additional cost. HMRC said, “Our priority during the pandemic was to support our customers, but it is still important that the tax system continues to work and help support important services such as the NHS. The majority of employers paid what they owe, but those who failed to meet their employee tax and NIC obligations on CJRS grants must agree to a payment plan to make further claims.”

Businesses finding difficulty paying the debt, can sign up for a manageable plan.

Head of Policy for the SME Federation, Craig Beaumont was quoted in a media report as saying, “It's important for small employers to pay the contributions they should pay to HM Revenue and Customs, but we asked HMRC to adopt a 'safe harbour' approach. In particular, we changed the record of furloughs to submit them in a faster timetable. This allows people to correct mistakes and examine and apply for all tax affairs.”

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RIL to invest £7.5 bn in clean energy business in Jamnagar After setting up the world’s largest refining complex, Jamnagar has once again been in focus of Reliance Industries Ltd as the RIL chairman Mukesh Ambani unveiled plans for launching a new initiative for renewable energy business from there at the 44th Annual General Meeting of the company. Ambani said the company has started work on developing the Dhirubhai Ambani Green Energy Giga Complex on 5,000 acres of land in Jamnagar. This will include solar manufacturing facility, battery factory, fuel cellmaking factory and an electrolyzer unit.

It will be amongst the largest such integrated renewable energy manufacturing facilities in the world, Ambani said while adding, “Jamnagar was the cradle of our old business strategy. Jamnagar

Mukesh Ambani

will also be the cradle of our new business strategy.” Over the next three years, RIL plans to invest over £6 billion in renewable energy business which includes setting up four giga factories near Jamnagar. Ambani said his oil-totelecom conglomerate will invest another £1.5 billion to provide infrastructure and utilities to manufacturing ancillary materials and equipment needed to support the four giga factories.

The company will also build a facility for the production of solar

energy where RIL will build an integrated solar photovoltaic module factory. Another factory will be for the storage battery while the third facility will be for production of green hydrogen that can be used as a fuel in automobiles. The fourth will be a fuel cell factory for converting hydrogen into motive and stationary power, according to Ambani.

For FY21 RIL’s consolidated total revenues were £53.92 billion.

Around 60% of the total revenues for this period came from O2C segment, a strategy adapted by the company two years ago for Jamnagar, said sources. The company’ Jamnagar complex will provide infrastructure and utilities to manufacture ancillary material and equipment needed to support these Giga factories so that all critical materials are available in time.

After Air India, Cairn to target more state cos to recover dues After Air India, Britain's Cairn Energy PLC plans to target assets of state-owned firms and banks in countries from the US to Singapore as it looks to ramp up efforts to recover the amount due from the Indian government after winning an arbitration against the levy of retrospective taxes. A lawyer representing the company said Cairn will bring lawsuits in several countries to make stateowned firms liable to pay the $1.2 billion-plus interest and penalties that are due from the Indian government.

Last month, Cairn brought a

lawsuit in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York pleading that Air India is controlled by the Indian government so much that they are 'alter egos' and the airline should be held liable for the arbitration award. “There are a number of state enterprises which we are considering for enforcement action. Enforcement action will be soon and it may not be in the US," Dennis Hranitzky, head of the sovereign litigation practice at Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, a law firm representing the company, said.

A three-member international arbitration tribunal that consisted of one judge appointed by India had unanimously in December overturned levy of taxes on Cairn retrospectively and ordered refund of shares sold, dividend confiscated and tax refunds withheld to recover such demand. The government of India, despite participating in the arbitration proceeding over four years, has not accepted the award and has filed a 'setting aside' petition in a court in the Netherlands – the seat of the arbitration.

Starting From Scratch

Suresh Vagjiani, Sow & Reap Properties Ltd

Recently we have been tasked to find a development deal, with only £200K; not a lot of money considering you would be hard pressed to find a home for less than £300K anywhere in London. Hence, first time buyers are being priced out of the capital, £300K is about what a normal couple on an average wage can afford.

This means we have to search outside of London, perhaps way outside. Sometimes one gets very blinkered focused on dealing with London properties; there is a lack of appreciation on what’s available in other parts of the UK. The London property market has become very heated, a small lot which we were looking to potentially acquire, was guided at £350K and went for £530K. This was a small, dingy lot, which had a tenant on the ground floor who was spread across two separate units.

The flat upstairs again was originally spread across two units, and was simply boarded up to be self-enclosed, consequently there was no access to the flat. It was being sold by a property company, which was offloading due to the short nature of the commercial tenancy. Many property companies are now selling their blue chip covenant tenanted properties, as the leases are coming to an end, and the prospect of finding another tenant in the current climate is unstable. What’s more is these types of tenants are not as strong as once perceived, evidenced by the way valuers are currently valuing them. There are many tricks employed by them to reduce the rent paid, such as entering into a Company voluntary arrangement which is a tactic employed by several companies in the recent past.

I honestly thought that given the size of the lot and the issues, it will likely remain unsold; on the contrary, it sold for 50% above the guide. The auction overall had a sales rate of 95%.

With the auction market in this condition it is difficult to find something with some margin on it; even if you do find something, at say 25% profit margin, if the market dips you will be wiped.

This is a realistic scenario in the current climate, reality has not yet hit the economy. So, in order to seek a profitable development deal, we have had to seek elsewhere. The first point which needs to be addressed is the price of properties in the area, if they are not at a sufficient level, it will not justify building it out. The cost of build and materials will outweigh the market price. The second, is proximity to the station, and if it’s not in a town centre where does the train line feed into?

This is a basic start. A lot of information can be gathered remotely, but nothing beats feet on the ground, as the area needs to be understood.

There will also be the logistical problems, builders and so forth. The other option is of course to obtain all the planning and resell the lot, leaving it for a local developer to finish the job off. It’s interesting to see the opportunities available outside of London, when a commercial property becomes vacated the drop in value is very severe on the outskirts. For someone who is able to see the development angle the opportunity is even more lucrative. This will be an interesting and educational endeavour, we will of course keep you informed.

In loving memory of Jai Shree Krishna

Mr Rameshbhai Dahyabhai Patel Date of Birth: 25th November 1943 (Anand, Gujarat) Deceased: 16th June 2021 (New Jersey, USA)

Om Namh Shivay

It is with great sadness we announce the passing of our beloved younger brother, Mr. Rameshbhai Dahyabhai Patel, on Wednesday, June 16th, 2021, in New Jersey, USA. Rameshbhai was born on November 25th, 1943 in Anand, Gujarat. His formative education was in Ahmedabad, India. He then attended M.G science College before completing his education at L.D. Engineering College where he qualified as an electrical engineer.

Rameshbahi, or RD, as he was fondly named by those close to him, was the youngest of six siblings. He was a very selfmotivated person. In 1967, after the loss of our dear father, he emigrated to the USA in search of a better quality of life, ultimately settling in Sayreville, New Jersey. In 1975, after various engineering jobs in different companies, RD was recruited to set up an internet and telecommunication system in Guam, a remote island in the North Pacific. He later successfully progressed to many senior level positions in the telecommunications sector.

RD left a lasting legacy behind him which will always be remembered by those whose lives he touched. That is, he always found time for those who needed help to build a more promising future. He not only sponsored his brothers and their children to the US for a better education and life, he additionally sponsored all his wife’s (Kirtiben) five siblings and their children to the US. Despite his own long-standing illnesses, RD still took care of all the time-consuming and complicated government paperwork that required filing.

RD’s generosity did not end there. He helped family members to settle, find jobs, and familiarize themselves with their new country. In fact, most family members stayed with him and Kirtiben until they found their own residence and jobs. Needless to say, RD was always very popular with his and his wife’s family members and had a very close-knit circle of friends.

Unfortunately, RD suffered from illnesses for many years. His extensive knowledge of his ailments allowed him to discuss his health with doctors with great confidence and helped him to always pull through. Over the last four years, however, as his kidneys failed to function, RD was on dialysis. Then, a few weeks ago, RD fell and broke his hip. His existing health issues complicated his treatment which led to his total immobility. Sadly, he passed away on Wednesday, June 16th, 2021.

His wife, Kirtiben, cared for and supported RD throughout his illness, encouraging and giving him hope for better days ahead. He was a very family-oriented man and was totally dedicated to his wife and only daughter, Anjali.

A memorial service in RD’s name was held on Monday, June 21st, 2021, and attended by many of his close friends and family.

Although his presence will be missed he will always be in our hearts. Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti

Mrs Kirtiben Rameshbahi Patel (wife) Ms Anjiliben Patel (Daughter) Late Kantibhai Dahyabhai Patel (Brother) Mrs. Pravinaben Kantibhai Patel Sudhir and late Pallavika Patel Late Biharibhai Dahyabhai Patel (Brother).

Mrs. Jayshreeben Biharibhai Patel Dr. Bhupendrabhai Dahyabhai Patel (Brother) Mrs. Indiraben Bhupendrabhai Patel Late Vimlaben Manubhai Patel (Sister) Late Manubhai Raojibhai Patel Mrs. Shardaben Ramanbhai Patel (Sister) Late Ramanbhai Patel Late Prajesh Patel Trupti and Harnish Patel Ashish and Neha Patel Amit and Sonal Patel My younger brother has left a lasting legacy to all his loved OM SHANTI OM

Ketan and Pankaj Patel Dinesh and Alka Patel Jayesh and Trupti Patel Late Dhiren Patel Sanjay and Laavanya Patel Rajeshwari and Pradeep Patel Neeta and Ashwin

ones.

Contact: Dr Bhupendrabhai. D. Patel UK (England) Tel: 01782 398 020

22 WORLD

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Despite progress, Pak to remain on FATF grey list ISLAMABAD: The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has refused to take Pakistan out of the ‘Grey List’ yet again. It said Pakistan had failed to take appropriate action against UNdesignated terrorists such as 26/11 accused Hafiz Saeed and JeM chief Masood Azhar.

Although the global anti-money laundering and terror financing body has acknowledged some progress made by Pakistan, it said the country should continue to work to address its strategically-important deficiencies.

FATF president Marcus Pleyer said the decision was taken at the conclusion of the virtual plenary of the Paris-based

Marcus Pleyer

organisation. Pakistan continues to remain on “increased monitoring list”, Pleyer said at a virtual press conference.

“Increased monitoring list” is the another name for the Grey List.

Pleyer said Pakistan has now completed 26 of the 27 action

items given to it in 2018.

The FATF has asked Pakistan to take action against UN designated terrorists, he said. The UN designated terrorists based in Pakistan include Jaish-eMohammed chief Azhar, Lashker-e-Taiba founder Saeed and its “ o p e r a t i o n a l commander” Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi. All three are most wanted terrorists in India for their involvement in numerous terrorist acts.

On June 4, in a follow-up report published on Pakistan, the FATF had said, “Overall, Pakistan has made notable

progress in addressing the technical compliance deficiencies identified in its MER and has been re-rated on 22 Recommendations.” Pleyer said the Pakistan government has failed to check risk of money laundering, leading to corruption and terror financing.

“The FATF encourages Pakistan to continue to make progress to address as soon as possible the one remaining Combating the Financing of Terrorism-related item by demonstrating that terror financing investigations and prosecutions target senior leaders and commanders of UN designated terrorist groups,” an FATF statement said.

sources, the report said the man was asked to get off a Karachibound flight a few minutes before departure. He was taken to an undisclosed location for further investigation, the report said. “We are getting a lead from the arrested persons to the main culprits,” the CTD official said, adding that different teams have been formed to probe the matter.

The arrests came after the security agencies conducted raids across different cities of Punjab in connection with the blast. An FIR has been registered against “unknown terrorists” under terrorism and other charges, said police. Three persons were killed and 21 others injured when the car bomb exploded outside Saeed’s residence in Lahore, resulting in

IMRAN GETS A TASTE OF HIS OWN MEDICINE Author Taslima Nasreen took a dig at Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan following his comments on victims of sexual violence. In an interview, Khan had said that if women wear ‘very few clothes, it will have an impact on men, unless they are robots. I mean, it is common sense’. Posting an old photo of a shirtless Imran Khan, Nasreen tweeted: If a man is wearing very few clothes, it will have an impact on women, unless they are robots.

Khan’s remarks on women and purdah system have sparked outrage on social media and among rights activists. He further went on to justify how this “cultural imperialism” works and said, “Whatever is acceptable in our culture, must be accepted everywhere else. It’s not.” Incidences of rape and sexual violence are spreading “like cancer” in society, he said.

Imran also blamed “vulgarity in the society” behind divorce rates going up “by as much as 70 per cent”.

MILITANTS KILL 5 PAK SOLDIERS

Two arrested for links to blast outside Hafiz Saeed’s house LAHORE: Security agencies in Pakistan arrested two suspects involved in the car bomb blast outside the house of the 2008 Mumbai terror attack mastermind and chief of the banned Jamat-ud-Dawa (JuD) Hafiz Saeed, an official said. The crime investigation department (CTD) has arrested two suspects, one of them a Christian, who had a connection with the sale and purchase of the car used for the blast, a CTD official said.

The official did not disclose the identity of the suspects.

However, sources named one of the arrested as David Peter.

Intelligence agencies have arrested a man from the Lahore airport on the suspicion of his involvement in the blast, Geo News reported. Quoting police

in brief

serious injuries to some police officers guarding his house.

The windows and walls of Saeed’s house were damaged from the impact of the blast. No group has claimed responsibility for the blast.

Meanwhile, condemning the attack, PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has warned that Pakistan could see an increase in such attacks due to the “flawed Afghan policy” of the current government led by PM Imran Khan.

Police cordoned off Hafiz Saeed’s house after the blast.

Saeed is currently serving his term in a Lahore jail in a terrorfinancing case, but he was never charged in connection with the Mumbai attacks. Pakistani

officials had reportedly told a Pakistani Anti-Terrorism Court in 2012 that the terrorists who attacked and killed over 166 innocent people in Mumbai on November 26, 2008 belonged to the Saeed-led LeT and that they had been trained at various cities in Pakistan.

The key planner of the Mumbai carnage, Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, was an undertrial at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi but was released due to "lack of evidence" on April 9, 2015 on the orders of the Lahore high court.

People fleeing Dhaka ahead of strict Bangladesh lockdown

Most of US troops to exit Afghanistan in next 2 weeks

DHAKA: Large number of people have flocked to Dhaka's ferry terminals to get out of the city before a strict national lockdown comes into force. For seven days from Thursday, no one in Bangladesh will be allowed to leave their homes unless if it is an emergency. As a result, people are fleeing the capital city for their homes in towns and villages. Covid cases in the country have surged, many linked to the Delta variant first identified in India.

The latest wave of the virus in Bangladesh began about six weeks ago. Many hospitals are overwhelmed with patients and are struggling to cope, particularly those on the border with India.

The lockdown was originally due to begin on Monday, but has now been postponed until Thursday - though officials said some restrictions will still come into force on Monday.

Because of the sharp rise in cases, rail and bus services are already suspended, with an exception for emergency services. People hoping to leave the city have resorted to hiring private vehicles, or even walking, because of the transport closures.

'Unmanageable' situation Many of the people fleeing are migrant workers and low income groups. Dhaka Tribune reported that there were thousands of people at just one ferry terminal, with little to no space between them. Reports say that thousands of people are trying to leave. Some ferry services have been running 24 hours a day, with more than 1,000 passengers crammed onto each trip.

According to reports, all offices, including government, semi-government and private offices will remain closed during the lockdown.

WASHINGTON: Roughly 650 US troops are expected to remain in Afghanistan to provide security for diplomats after the main American military force completes its withdrawal, which is set to be largely done in the next two weeks, US officials said. Moreover, several hundred additional American forces will remain at the Kabul airport, potentially until September. They’ll assist Turkish troops providing security, a temporary move until a more formal Turkey-led security operation is in place, the officials said.

Overall, officials said the US expects to have American and coalition military command, its leadership, and most troops out by July 4th, or shortly after that, meeting an aspirational deadline that commanders developed months ago. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity.

The departure of the bulk of the more than 4,000 troops that have been in the country in recent months is unfolding well before President Joe Biden’s September 11 deadline for withdrawal. And it comes amid accelerating Taliban battlefield gains, fuelling fears that the Afghan government and its military could collapse in a matter of months.

Secretary of state Antony Blinken noted the increased violence and cited “a real danger” that if the Taliban tries to

take the country by force, “we’ll see a renewal of a war or possibly worse.” But, Blinken said, the Biden administration came to the conclusion that not removing US troops, as the Trump administration had promised the Taliban in February 2020, would have been a bad choice. The administration believes the Taliban would have resumed attacks on US forces. “Had we not announced that we were leaving, then that restraint, in terms of attacking our forces and attacking the capitals, would have ended,” he said.

US to move Afghans who aided troops The Biden administration is preparing to relocate thousands of Afghan interpreters, drivers and others who worked with American forces to other countries in an effort to keep them safe while they apply for entry to the US, senior administration officials said.

Administration officials started notifying lawmakers that they will soon begin what could be a wholesale move of tens of thousands of Afghans. Officials said the Afghans would be moved out of Afghanistan to third countries to await the processing of their visa requests to move to the US. The officials declined to say where the Afghans would wait, and it is not clear whether third countries have agreed to take them. The opportunity to move will be given to people who have already begun the application process.

Pakistan’s military said that suspected militants had ambushed and shot dead five soldiers in the province of Balochistan, where insurgent have stepped up attacks this year.

The military said the attackers opened fire on soldiers in the area of Sangan and had yet to be identified. A search operation is also in progress to block the escape routes of the terrorists, said the Inter-Services Public Relations. Interior minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed condemned the attack. “Terrorists cannot demoralise us by carrying out such cowardly attacks,” he said. Balochistan, the focal point of China’s $60 billion Belt and Road development programme, has for years struggled with insurgents including Baloch separatists, the Taliban and Islamic State, who have targeted the military as well as projects involving foreign investors.

HK’S PRO-DEMOCRACY PAPER FORCED TO SHUT DOWN Hong Kong’s sole pro-democracy newspaper was forced to shut down after five editors and executives were arrested and millions of dollars in its assets were frozen as part of China’s increasing crackdown on dissent in the semi-autonomous city. The board of directors of Apple Daily parent company Next Media said in a statement that the print and online editions will cease due to “the current circumstances prevailing in Hong Kong”. The silencing of a prominent pro-democracy voice is the latest sign of China’s determination to exert greater control over the city long known for its freedoms after huge anti-government protests there in 2019 shook the government.

Since then, Beijing has imposed a strict security law - used in the arrests of the newspaper employees - and revamped Hong Kong’s election laws to keep opposition voices out of the legislature.

PHILIPPINE PRESIDENT'S CONTROVERSIAL REMARK Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte has issued a warning to Filipinos, saying those who do not get vaccinated against Covid-19 will be arrested. But his warning came along with a controversial remark that is bound to raise eyebrows. “Go to India if you want or somewhere, to America,” he said. “Don’t get me wrong. There is a crisis being faced in this country. There is a national emergency. If you don’t want to get vaccinated, I will have you arrested. And I will inject the vaccine in your butt. You are pests. We are already suffering and you’re adding to the burden,” Duterte was quoted as saying. “So, all you Filipinos listening, watch out. Don’t force my hand into it… I have a strong arm for that. Nobody likes it. But if you won’t get vaccinated, leave the Philippines. Go to India if you want or somewhere - to America,” Duterte, known for his controversial remarks, said.

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in brief ASHGABAT IS WORLD’S COSTLIEST CITY FOR EXPATS

11 killed in Florida building collapse; British-US family among 150 missing

Ashgabat in Turkmenistan is the most expensive city in the world for overseas workers, according to this year’s Mercer Cost of Living Survey. The two other cities following Ashgabat are Hong Kong and Beirut.

The annual report ranks 209 cities based on the comparative cost of expenses including housing, transportation, food and entertainment, with New York City used as a baseline comparison. The Turkmenistan capital, which was number two on last year’s list, is something of an outlier in the top 10, which has usually seen on top business hubs like Hong Kong (priciest last year), Tokyo (number four for 2021), Zurich (number five for 2021) and Singapore (number seven for 2021). Turkmenistan’s ongoing financial crisis, which has led to food shortages and hyperinflation, is cited by Mercer as the reason why Ashgabat’s cost of living has risen over the past couple of years.

FLORIDA: The death toll in the apartment building collapse in Surfside, Florida, has gone up to 11, Florida Mayor Daniella Levine Cava said.

There are at least 150 people missing after the building collapse. Search and rescue teams are racing to find survivors, reports said.

Among the missing is a British mother and the sisterin-law of Paraguay's president.

Bhavna Patel, a 38-year-old British- US citizen, her husband Vishal Patel, 42, and their one-year-old daughter Aishani remain unaccounted for, a relative said. Her family said that Bhavna is also expecting another child. The First Lady of

SAME SURNAME FOR JAPANESE COUPLES

Indian American gets White House post after Kamala casts tie-breaker vote

Japan’s Supreme Court ruled as constitutional a law that forces married couples to share the same family name, upholding provisions of a 19th century family registration system that critics contend promotes gender bias. The court ruled against a petition brought by three Tokyo couples who tried to submit marriage applications using separate surnames and claimed their inability to do so was a breach of their right to equality under the law enshrined in Article 14 of the Constitution. The court said lawmakers should debate the matter in parliament. Members of PM Yoshihide Suga’s conservative ruling party, including gender equality minister, have backed the law, which they say supports family unity.

S AFRICAN NATIONS TO SEND TROOPS TO MOZAMBIQUE Countries in Southern Africa have agreed to deploy forces to help quell a bloody jihadist insurgency wreaking havoc in northern Mozambique over the past three years. The Southern African Development Community (SADC) bloc "approved" the deployment of the "SADC Standby Force in support of Mozambique to combat of terrorism and acts of violent extremism in Cabo Delgado," the bloc's executive secretary Stergomena Tax said at the end of a summit. She did not give details of the strength or the timeline of the deployment. A document leaked earlier this year recommended sending around 3,000 soldiers to Cabo Delgado province, where insurgents have seized control of towns and villages, forcing hundreds of thousands to flee their homes. The violence has escalated in the gas-rich north of Mozambique since breaking out in late 2017 and there are fears it could spill over into neighbouring countries.

LIFE SENTENCE FOR IVORY COAST EX-PM Former Ivorian Prime Minister and ex-rebel leader Guillaume Soro was sentenced in his absence in Abidjan to life in prison for "undermining state security" for acts committed in late 2019. The Abidjan court of assizes followed the prosecution's demands, as for the other main defendants, Souleymane Kamagate, former head of protocol of Soro, Affoussy Bamba, former minister and Toure Moussa, his former head of communication, sentenced to 20 years in prison. Two of Soro's brothers and his former right-hand man Alain Lobognon were sentenced to 17 months in prison for "disturbing public order". The court also ordered the confiscation of the property of Soro and his 19 co-defendants, as well as the dissolution of his movement, Générations et peuples solidaires (GPS), accused of engaging in "subversive" acts.

It ordered the convicts to pay 150 million euros jointly to the Ivorian state.

WASHINGTON: US vice-president Kamala Harris had to cast a tie-breaker vote to confirm the nomination of Indian-American Kiran Ahuja to head the Biden Administration’s Office of Personnel Management after a political stand-off that ignited a furious debate in the Senate on racism in America. The nomination of Ahuja, a 49-year-old attorney and daughter of immigrants from India, was opposed

by Republican lawmakers who argued that her past record on critical race theory, the liberal academic movement that seeks to examine racism in the US, would infiltrate government policies, directives, and appointments.

“I’m worried that President Biden is nominating to federal

Paraguay Silvana Abdo's sister, Sophia López Moreira, her husband Luis Pettengill and their three young children are also among the missing.

"As of today, one victim

office individuals who do not believe the history of this nation is worth celebrating... she (Ahuja) wrote that we must free the nation from the daily trials of white supremacy,” pro-Trump Senator Josh Hawley, said, describing critical race theory as an ideology “that says the US is rotten to its core. That says our society is defined by white supremacy. That thinks that all Americans are either oppressors or oppressed.”

After the Senate vote was tied, Harris had to step in to break the impasse to confirm Ahuja, who was the second Indian-American nominated to a key post after Neera Tanden’s nomination to the Office of Budget and Management was torpedoed by lawmakers. Ahuja

passed away in the hospital, and we've recovered 10 more victims on-site, so I am confirming that the death toll is at 11," the mayor said. "We are making every effort to identify those others who have been recovered, and additionally, contacting their family members as soon as we are able," she added.

Meanwhile, the City of Miami Beach has declared a state of emergency in the wake of the incident. President Joe

had earlier served as the OPM’s chief of staff during the Obama administration.

The Biden administration’s choice of Ahuja came amid a roiling debate on critical race theory, which nativist Republicans say is divisive and false, but which most liberals argue needs to be discussed and taught in schools so that Americans confront racism they say has been glossed over for decades. The debate has drawn into the fold many Indian-Americans, who with some exceptions, have typically steered clear of racial justice issues in the past. But many nativist are outraged by efforts of

Biden, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, and Mayor have issued emergency declarations as well. Family members of people who died or are still missing were taken to the site at Champlain Towers, according to the Mayor's office. With an additional six victims pulled from the debris, a total of 134 people have been accounted for while 150 remain unaccounted for, she said.

A 2020 study conducted by Shimon Wdowinski, a professor in the department of earth and environment at Florida International University, found that the building had been sinking since the 1990s, according to US media.

Kamala Harris

the left-liberal constituency to mainstream critical race theories, including bringing it into school curricula. Over the weekend, America’s conservative constituency erupted in anger over a gay pride event in Seattle that sought to charge whites a “reparation fee” to attend a parade.

Derek Chauvin gets Documentary on 'Asian Americans' wins Peabody award 22.5 years in prison for WASHINGTON: “Asian Americans,” a five-part documentary which gives light on Dalip Singh Saund, the first Indian American congressman, and Sikh American writer and lecturer Bhagat Singh Thind, has won a Peabody Award in the documentary category. Saund became the first Asian American and Indian American to be elected to Congress in 1957, and Thind became the first turbaned Sikh to enlist in the US Army during the First World War. The film follows the stories of trailblazers like them, both prominent and forgotten, who had an impact on representation and what it means to be Asian American today.

“We are overjoyed to be recognized for the production of ‘Asian America’ with a Peabody Award,” said Jeff Bieber, executive producer for WETA. “It is an honor to amplify and encourage a positive message of equality and demonstrate support for the Asian American communities. It is our mission to continue to provide our audience with programs that celebrate and educate viewers of Asian Americans’ influence and vast contributions to American history.”

Told through intimate personal stories, the CAAM co-produced expansive series chronicles over 250 years of Asian American experiences, which are deeply intertwined with United States history at large. The five-hour documentary

includes the role of Asian Americans who did the most dangerous work of tunneling through the Sierras to build the Transcontinental Railroad, petitioned the Supreme Court to grant birthright citizenship, and challenged racial school segregation. And this history continued through the 20th century and into the 21st century.

“History and solidarity were always central concepts of the Asian Americans. We wanted to tell our own story within the context of race and justice in the US. Not the story of the Model Minority or the Perpetual Foreigner,” said series producer Renee Tajima-Peña.

“Asian Americans” is a production of WETA Washington, DC and the Center for Asian American Media for PBS, in association with ITVS, Flash Cuts and Tajima-Peña Productions. The series executive producers are Jeff Bieber for WETA; Stephen Gong and Donald Young for CAAM; Sally Jo Fifer for ITVS; and Jean Tsien. The episode producers are S Leo Chiang, Indian American Geeta Gandbhir and Grace Lee. “We are so proud to support ‘Asian Americans’ at a time of escalating xenophobia and urgent need to shift the narrative,” added Sally Jo Fifer, ITVS president and CEO. All five episodes are available to stream for free through June 30 on the PBS website.

George Floyd’s death

MINNEAPOLIS: Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was sentenced to 22.5 years in prison for the murder of George Floyd, whose dying gasps under Chauvin’s knee led to the biggest outcry against racial injustice in the US in generations.

The punishment - which fell short of the 30 years that prosecutors had requested - came after Chauvin broke his more than year-long silence in court to offer condolences to the Floyd family and say he hopes more information coming out will eventually give them “some peace of mind”. With good behavior, Chauvin, 45, could be paroled after serving two-thirds of his sentence, or about 15 years.

In imposing the punishment, Judge Peter Cahill went beyond the 12.5 -year sentence prescribed under state guidelines, citing “your abuse of a position of trust and authority and also the particular cruelty” shown to Floyd. Chauvin was immediately led back to prison. As with the verdicts in April, he showed little emotion when the judge pronounced the sentence. His eyes moved rapidly around the courtroom, his Covid-19 mask obscuring much of his face.

Chauvin, who did not testify at his trial, removed his mask and turned toward the Floyd family, speaking only briefly because of what he called “some additional legal matters at hand” - an apparent reference to the federal civil rights trial he still faces. “But very briefly, though, I do want to give my condolences to the Floyd family. There’s going to be some other information in the future that would be of interest. And I hope things will give you some some peace of mind,” he said, without elaborating.

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Sam Pitroda’s new book ‘Redesign the World’ New paradigm for global inclusive growth How can the hyperconnectivity trend, born out of the Covid pandemic, convert adversity into opportunity?

Raising this question, the book sows seeds of a new thought that it’s time for global institutions to move away from the 75-year-old American model and reinvent themselves

Ajay Umat Sam Pitroda is the son of Gujarat, and a global citizen, who personifies Gujarati poet Umashankar Joshi’s imagination of a true Gujarati: “A te kevo Gujarati je ho keval Gujarati (what is the essence of a true Gujarati)?”

Born in an Adivasi village in Odisha, Pitroda took formal education at a boarding school in Charotar followed by globally acclaimed MS University in Vadodara. After taking a Masters degree from MSU, he embarked on a journey to the US where over an illustrious career he received about 20 honorary PhD degrees.

Pitroda, who holds over 100 patents, is often hailed as the father of Indian telecom revolution that connected a

billion Indians with the mainstream.

Pitroda is a multi-faceted genius who has not only revolutionised telecomm unication over a career spanning 55 years but also achieved laurels in the field of e-governance.

Besides being an entrepreneur, he has advised former Indian Prime Ministers Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi and Manmohan Singh to thrust India on the path of innovation, Knowledge Commission and digitalisation.

Over a period of 14-month long isolation in Chicago during the Covid pandemic, he has penned an incredible book that will ignite a debate on the future course the world should take from here on.

Raising a pertinent question about the way the world has operated in the last 75 years, the book highlights how the United States of America took a lead post World War 2 in establishing international organisations like the United Nations, World Bank, World Health Organisation, World Trade Organisation, North Atlantic Treaty Organisation etc.

The era of US supremacy also saw the advent of terms like GDP, GNP, trade deficit and Balance of Payment. These parameters have

become the yardstick of growth and development. The world has seen a paradigm shift in 75 years: Soviet Union is no more and China has emerged as a global power Born in 1942, Sam Pitroda’s life journey started when these international organisations were first established. He goes on to say that when this model was created, one-third of the global population residing in India, China and South Africa was ignored while making policy decisions. China had no global standing; India was a colony of Britain and African nations were considered living in the dark ages.

The world is a changed place today. The pandemic has stalled global economic growth, raising the question: how can adversity be converted into an opportunity, using the internet and hyperconnectivity, for the benefit of mankind.

World has achieved several milestones of growth over the last 75 years: World War 3 has been averted, peace and prosperity reigns in most parts of the world and poverty has significantly reduced.

However, hunger deaths, environmental degradation and economic disparity continue unabated.

A Gandhian by practice and considering Einstein his hero, Sam Pitroda says technology, innovation and hyperconnectivity can help alleviate crores from poverty if applied properly.

Democratisation, decentralisation and demonetisation can help the world achieve equality and

equity.

Recalling his journey to the US 55 years ago for higher education, Sam Pitroda says he first reached Karachi via sea route from Mumbai, followed by a sea voyage to Eden, Geneva and Italy.

From there he took a flight to London and then New York. The last leg to Chicago was in a bus.

He goes on to say that in those days it took a Herculean effort to take an overnight trip to Mumbai from Vadodara and stand in the queue outside the US embassy for hours, just to get a peep at catalogues of American universities. And one had to be out in 15 minutes to give a fair chance to other aspirants in the queue. In short, it took a twonight, one-day arduous journey just to look at catalogues.

Today, a student in an African country can use the internet to explore opportunities in any university across the world, or take a virtual tour of any museum.

When Pitroda came to India with the idea of telecom revolution, 97% of villages did not have telephone connectivity.

There were only 25 lakh telephone connections in India and the waiting time for getting a landline was 15 years. When Pitroda ushered the telecom revolution in India in 1984-85, there was no public telecommunication system.

There used to be long queues outside STD and ISTD booths to place one call.

Today, 130 crore Indians are connected and the entire world is hyperconnected. They can get

A gutsy and outdoorsy couple tale Misha from India and Juno from the US are raising their 22-month old son Zen in the heart of nature Rupali Shinde Love knows no boundaries. Well, it came out true for Misha who hails from Uttarakhand, India, but is based in Colorado and Juno was brought up in Nevada, now is based in Colorado. As Misha puts it, if she would have logged in one second late and he logged out, the story would have been different.

“We met online on a travel community page. It was a fluke that we met. He and I commented within a matter of second with all curiosity. He was stealing someone's internet, so he had to log out which resulted in us exchanging numbers. That night we had a long conversation which did not look like it would ever end. I think what really clicked me was Juno's (Tyler's) Vulnerability to share every single detail of his life in those 6 hours. He was such an open book, and I could read through it all. I knew he was such a genuine person, and I knew I can't afford to lose that awesome human,” beamed Misha.

Well, it was no different for Juno. He was blown away by her sense of humour and her passion to work for her community.

Misha being from India, was a plus for Juno, as he was madly in love with India. “Mama India saved my life and gave me a new direction. Misha was cherry on top of all that”, said Juno.

After dating for 6 months, Misha and Juno decided to marry. Initially, Misha thought her parents might oppose her choice but to her surprise, her family was incredibly supportive.

Being an adventurous junkie, both Misha and Juno

were very outdoorsy and in to traveling.

Then there was an addition of an adorable 22-months-old Zen who most of the times accompanies his parents on a hike. Misha refers Zen as pahadi bachha (son who hails from mountain).

“Our families trust our instincts as parents, so they were fine. I hiked during my pregnancy too, so taking baby on a hike was an extremely easy decision. People may think it is an unheard concept in India where you keep your baby safe at home until they are big enough to talk and walk but in US gladly people are more open to outdoors and adventuring with their babies at a very tender age. We had our first international flight with Zen when he turned 2 months and yes, a lot of people showed concern, but his paediatrician gave us green signal and that is all we needed,” said Misha.

Misha added, before going on a hike they check weather and Zen’s mood. They always go with a long hike plan but on an average of 5 miles. Even if they are busy,

they see to it that they go for 2-3 mile walk and take Zen to park or hike around neighbourhood followed by swimming.

Misha and Juno have an Instagram handle by the name ‘Indian Oracle’ where they put up posts and stories about their hiking and traveling. Sometimes they are praised for their lifestyle and sometimes they are heckled. “We do not deter by anyone's opinion. Just how people have right to opinion, we have right to live our lives on our own term. We don't get intimidated by negative comments because we are more focused on positives over negatives of social media. We believe we are raising Zen in a non-conventional way in a lot of standards but as long as our kid is thriving and adventuring this life, we will keep doing it.

The day he is done we won't push him. All we can do is encourage,” added Misha.

Unlike other couples, they believe in outdoor parenting, and they see it as the easiest, cheapest, most adventurous, and fun way of parenting. “You teach young kids to be close to nature and how to form a harmonious bond with it. Then they are more creative, carefree, and problem solvers,” said Misha.

Living such unconventional life has made her more patient and Misha thinks, they both have learnt to be a minimalist and frugal when outside and at home.

“Yes, it is an unconventional life may be, but it is just like any other love story.

We are living our lives just like any other conventional couple would live,” adds Misha.

Few days ago, Misha acquired US citizenship and she is on cloud nine.

connected on click of a button, send a message or make a video call at a nominal rate.

Sam Pitroda says today the world is a global village in a true sense. At this point in the information age, time is ripe to take the next leap in creating a new global model of growth that bats for the most backward citizen.

He says over-optimism should be cast aside and a new course set by adopting a practical approach for inclusive growth.

Published by Penguin, the 230page book has a clear message: Instead of dividing the society between leftists and rightists, liberals and conservatives, and socialists, capitalists democratic and dictatorial, rich and poor, rural and urban, west and east or white and black, the way ahead is an inclusive path of growth. The thought-provoking book is a must-read for assimilation of new-age ideas.

Twitter temporarily blocks IT minister Prasad over ‘copyright violation’ Twitter which is fighting a running battle with Indian government over new IT rules, temporarily blocked the account of IT and law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad. According Twitter, the account was blocked for nearly an hour over alleged violation of an American copyright law due to one of his tweets. The minister linked the action by the global microblogging giant to his tough stand against the company over non-compliance with the new rules. “Twitter’s actions indicate that they are not the harbinger of free speech that they claim to be but are only interested in running their own agenda, with the threat that if you do not tow the line they draw, they will arbitrarily remove you from their platform,” Prasad said.

It later emerged, through the Lumen database of Harvard University, that Prasad’s tweet that resulted in the action was from December 2017. He had tagged music composer AR Rehman’s ‘Maa Tujhe Salaam’ video, while writing about India’s 1971 victory over Pakistan. The video, according to Twitter, violated copyright laws after there was a complaint to this effect.

What is, however, still unclear is why the company had taken the action after nearly three-and-a-half years, especially when it is embroiled in a bitter exchange with the government over the new IT rules and, also, why the account was restored after just an hour? Prasad alleged that the action and “agenda” by Twitter was the result of the government’s “no compromise” stand against the company after it failed to comply with the new rules.

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SOUTH INDIA

SC raps Tamil Nadu Election Commission over local body polls NEW DELHI: Tamil Nadu State Election Commission (SEC) was pulled up by the Supreme Court over delay in conducting local polls in nine new districts. As the court observed that the local elections have not been conducted for nearly two years in these districts, it gave a deadline till September 15, and stressed: "Covid is a good excuse in all matters". A vacation bench of Justices Hemant Gupta and Aniruddha Bose said that state poll panel will have to issue notification for the election to the local bodies, holding polls and declaring the results by September 15.

It noted that the top court had passed an order on December 11, 2019 and said that instead of four months given to hold the elections, the poll panel has taken 18 months. The bench also noted that the tenure of the local bodies has expired in 201819 and since then there were no

new elected representatives. It said that if the order of the court is not complied with, then the poll body will be liable for action.

Senior contempt advocate P S Narasimha, appearing for the Election Commission of India (ECI), said the 2019 order could not be implemented as priority was given to assembly elections in the state and later the focus shifted to West Bengal assembly election.

The bench said local body polls are conducted by SECs and not by the ECI. Narasimha said that the state is still recording one of the highest figures of Covid infections and therefore some time be given to hold the elections in these nine districts.

The bench said that Covid nowa-days has become an excuse in every other matter and elections can very well be held when the political parties want it.

It will be better if you hold

the elections by September 15 or we will initiate contempt action for non-compliance, the bench said. Narasimha said that they do not have any intention of noncompliance of order and the court may not record contempt part in the order. He said the state will first have to hold the delimitation exercise in these nine districts, then issue notification for elections and hold the polls for which it may need some more time.

The bench, however, refused to give more time to state poll panel and asked it to comply with the order. On December 11, 2019, the top court had directed the Tamil Nadu government and the state poll panel to conduct upcoming local bodies' election by relying on 2011 census instead of the 1991 census as alleged by opposition party DMK. The court order had come on the plea of DMK, which had then sought quashing of the

notification, issued by the state poll panel on December 7, 2019, for local body election alleging that it did not provide quota for women and SC and ST candidates as per the 2011 census and was using 1991 census for this purpose.

The top court, on December 6, 2019, had put on hold the elections for the local bodies in nine new districts, carved out of four existing ones, in the state for complying with legal formalities such as delimitation and reservation in four months. The top court had modified its earlier order and asked the delimitation commission to conclude the delimitation exercise within three months instead of four months in nine districts. It had said, however, that TNSEC could proceed with the elections to all at village, panchayats intermediate and district levels in the remaining 31 revenue districts of the southern state.

PUNJAB

No let-up in infighting within Punjab Cong NEW DELHI: The Congress panel tasked with Punjab affairs met chief minister Amarinder Singh even as Rahul Gandhi met a group of state leaders amid growing differences between the CM and dissident leader Navjot Sidhu who has been making vituperative attacks on Singh.

The party’s Punjab in-charge Harish Rawat told reporters that Sidhu has tremendous potential and also a following. However, on being asked, he said he was angry with the timing of Sidhu’s outburst. He also urged Sidhu to exercise patience. The CM is learnt to have expressed displeasure over Sidhu's comments in his meeting with the Mallikarjun Kharge panel.

However, Congress sources said

the discussions with Singh were not limited to dissidence but were now focused on the party strategy for polls, election promises still to be fulfilled and reorganisation of the party and the government in the state.

What seems to have confounded Congress leaders is Sidhu’s acerbic attack on Singh coinciding with Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal’s visit to Punjab and his announcement that AAP will “project a popular Sikh face” as its CM candidate.

Cong leaders meet Rahul Meanwhile, Punjab Congress president Sunil Jhakhar, finance minister Manpreet Singh Badal and Rajya Sabha MP Pratap Singh Bajwa met Rahul Gandhi to apprise

him of the situation after infighting escalated in the state. “Hope that the current situation will be resolved. Some wrong people are advising the CM on the decision of jobs to kin of MLAs,” Jakhar said after the meeting.

Pratap Singh Bajwa, another bete noire of Singh, also met Rahul and said he had discussed “the ground reality and current political situation in the state”. He asserted that “the party high command will take decision over the chief ministerial candidate for next assembly elections”.

Congress president Sonia

Gandhi will resolve all issues related to the Punjab unit by early July and a united party will fight the next assembly elections in the state, Rawat said after meeting Rahul. Rahul has stepped in to defuse the tension in the state unit as he met several leaders, including Pargat Singh.

Bengal Governor corrupt, should be removed: Mamata

Mamata Banerjee and Jagdeep Dhankhar

meet him, talk to him. And follow all the courtesies... But, the union government should act based on my letters," she said.

Speaker complains against governor Bengal Assembly Speaker Biman Banerjee has complained to his Lok Sabha counterpart Om Birla about the "excessive interference" of Governor in matters related to parliamentary democracy and functioning of the House.

Banerjee

complained to Birla about Dhankhar during the virtual All India Speakers' Conference.

"I told the Lok Sabha speaker about the excessive interference of Governor in parliamentary democracy and the functioning of the Assembly. "Despite being passed by the Assembly, several bills are lying with the governor as he has not signed them. This is unprecedented in the history of West Bengal's parliamentary democracy. Such a thing has

KERALA WOMEN’S PANEL CHIEF ‘FORCED’ TO QUIT A day after her rude remark to a domestic violence complainant kicked up a row, Kerala women’s commission chairperson M C Josephine resigned from her post. The CPM state secretariat, which met here, reportedly sought her resignation. Though she tendered an apology for her “spontaneous remark”, CPM central committee member Josephine was reportedly isolated at the secretariat meeting, with most leaders criticising her abrasive manners. Josephine resigned from her post soon after the meeting. She had a tenure of eight more months. Sources said the leaders who addressed the secretariat meeting said Josephine’s behaviour was not befitting the post of women’s commission chairperson.

RAGHURAM RAJAN, ESTHER DUFLO IN TN ECONOMIC COUNCIL Tamil Nadu last week constituted a fivemember economic advisory council to the Chief Minister MK Stalin - which includes Nobel Prize-winning economist Esther Duflo and former RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan to guide the CM in managing the state's economic and social policies. Other members are Arvind Subramanian, former Chief Economic Advisor to the Government of India; Jean Dreze, welfare economist and social scientist; and S Narayan, former Union Finance Secretary and former Economic Advisor to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "The fiscal situation of Tamil Nadu is precarious with persistent high revenue and fiscal deficits, and a large overhang of debt. At the same time, expectations of people are very high... that the government will deliver on faster economic growth, social justice and equality...," the state said in its notification.

Amarinder Singh

WEST BENGAL KOLKATA: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee called Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar a 'corrupt man' and questioned the purpose of his recent tour of North Bengal, alleging that a conspiracy was being hatched to divide the northern part of the state. The Chief Minister said that Governor Dhankhar's visit to North Bengal was a political stunt as he only met MLAs and MPs of the BJP. "He is a corrupt man. He was named in the chargesheet in the 1996 Hawala Jain case. Why has the central government allowed a governor like this to continue?" she told reporters at the state secretariat, without elaborating. "Why did he suddenly tour North Bengal? I can sense a conspiracy to divide North Bengal," Mamata alleged.

The Trinamool Congress supremo also said she has written multiple letters to the Centre for the removal of Dhankhar.

"As per the Constitution, I will continue to

in brief

never happened before," Banerjee said.

Dhankhar, who shares a strained relationship with the TMC government, is yet to react to the development. "We have been saying this for a long time that the present governor is acting as the mouthpiece of a specific political party. He is not only interfering in the functioning of the state of affairs but is also maligning the West Bengal government," senior TMC leader and MLA Tapas Roy said.

However, the West Bengal unit of the BJP came out in support of the governor and claimed that he has exposed the truth. "The TMC is angry with the governor as he has exposed the lawless situation in the state. There have been complaints against him earlier, but all of them were baseless," BJP state chief Dilip Ghosh said.

The TMC government and Dhankhar have been sharing an acrimonious relation since he assumed office in July 2019.

NO ONE CAN FORCE RELIGION ON OTHERS: SGPC Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) president Bibi Jagir Kaur spoke on alleged conversion of a Sikh girl into Islam in Kashmir through marriage. She said India is a democracy and no one can force a child to adhere to doctrines of a particular religion. “As Sikhs, it is the family’s duty to educate and encourage their children to follow the Sikh way of life.

We, as the SGPC can only preach about the religion but no one can force a religion on someone.” She said the family and relatives of the girl who got married into a Muslim family had approached the SGPC and also tried to convince the girl to convert back to Sikh religion. “The girl instead did not relent and as such we can’t force anything on her,” Jagir Kaur said.

SC ANNULS HC ORDER ON MAMATA AFFIDAVITS The Supreme Court set aside the Calcutta high court’s order refusing to accept affidavits of West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee and law minister Moloy Ghatak in the ongoing proceedings relating to grant of bail to four TMC leaders arrested in the Narada scam and allowed them to make a fresh request to the HC to accept their affidavits. A bench of Justices Vineet Saran and Dinesh Maheshwari said the CM and the law minister could file fresh applications requesting the HC to take on record their affidavits. Mamata and Ghatak were accused by the CBI of impeding the production of four arrested TMC leaders before the trial court in Kolkata on May 17 by allegedly leading hordes of TMC workers to the CBI office and the trial court and attempting to obstruct the process of law.

26 INDIA

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LeT emerges as prime suspect behind drone attack on IAF base in Jammu Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) has emerged as the prime suspect behind Sunday's drone attack on the IAF facility at Jammu with the J&K Police and Central agencies looking at a possible link with the near simultaneous arrest of an operative of The Resistance Front (TRF), a Lashker affiliate, in Jammu with an IED he meant to plant at a crowded 'Hindu-dominated' area, including temples.

Apart from the TRF operative, two other LeT men have been picked up, including senior LeT commander Nadeem Abrar who was arrested in Srinagar on Monday and another from Shopian. Sources said they are being questioned to establish a possible LeT link to Sunday's twin blasts on IAF camp at Jammu airport technical area.

"While the probe is still at an early stage, Lashker is being suspected as the outfit has deployed

most of the drones in the recent past, used to drop huge quantities of weapons and ammunition etc.

Jaish was involved in an odd case, but it is Lashker that has popularised arms drop through drones. The possibility of LeT now launching drones with payloads, can thus not be ruled out," J&K DGP Dilbag Singh said.

While he did not elaborate

further, a theory is that Lashker is irked at the recent bombings outside its chief Hafiz Saeed Mohammad's residence in Lahore, the perpetrators of which are yet to be identified. The drone attack on a military facility in India was possibly to showcase its new capabilities. Sources said that the anti-terror force National Security Guard (NSG) has, on the

instructions of the ministry of home affairs, deployed its antidrone surveillance systems at the Jammu airport. An official, however, said the purpose was to test its effectiveness and, if found largely foolproof, extend its use to other sensitive installations.

A source in the security establishment said that while the threat of drones has been acknowledged for long, with new anti-drone technologies being acquired and tested by NTRO, NSG etc for last two years, their effectiveness leaves much to be desired.

Army repels 2 more drones Meanwhile, the Army reported two more drone sightings over the Kaluchak and Ratnuchak bases either side of midnight on Sunday.

The drones retreated after troops opened fire at them, the Army said.

“Around midnight on June 27-28, separate drone activities were

noticed over the RatnuchakKaluchak military area by troops.

Immediately, a high alert was sounded and quick reaction teams engaged in firing,” defence spokesperson (Jammu) Lt Col Devender Anand said. “Both the drones flew away. A major threat was thwarted by the alertness and proactive approach of troops.”

Sources said the first drone was sighted around 11.30 pm while the other was seen hovering around at 1.35 am. At Kaluchak, which reported the first sighting, speculation was rife that a drone had been shot down. The Army didn't say anything beyond the defence spokesperson's official statement. “It is yet to be known whether the drones returned or were shot down in the area,” a source said. “The military station area was cordoned off immediately and a massive search operation was launched.”

'A city for every Indian', PM Modi Over 50 Delta Plus variant cases reported in India reviews Ayodhya development plan Prime Minister Narendra Modi reviewed the development plan for Ayodhya, prepared by officials of the Uttar Pradesh Government. The UP government envisages Ayodhya to become a spiritual centre, a global tourism hub and a sustainable smart city.

Some of the development projects being undertaken in the city include an airport, the expansion of the railway station, bus stations and roads and highways. Besides these, the setting up of a greenfield township with lodging facilities for devotees, ashrams, hotels and bhavans for various states, a tourist facilitation centre and a world-class museum were also discussed.

According to statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, the city will be developed to ensure sustainability with adequate spaces for cyclists and people on foot. Traffic management will also be done in a modern manner using Smart City infrastructure. :"Ayodhya is both spiritual and sublime.

The human ethos of this

city must be matched by futuristic infrastructure, which is beneficial for everyone including tourists and pilgrims." The PM added that that developmental works in the town will continue in the foreseeable future. He termed Ayodhya as a "city by and for every Indian".

PM Modi's review of the city's development plan came days after allegations against the Ayodhya Ram Temple Trust of an illicit land deal. Meanwhile, the plan for the construction of an airport in Ayodhya has come under scrutiny, with charges against the district administration that it is encroaching on a large chunk of land illegally, forcing several people to sell their land to the

administration at an inadequate rate.

Meanwhile, the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court directed the Ayodhya District Magistrate as well as the Sub-Divisional Magistrate concerned, and the Tehsildar to appear before it on June 29 through videoconferencing to explain their factual version on the allegations levelled against them in a petition. The petitioners have alleged that their land was forcibly taken without acquisition or consent. The Lucknow bench has asked the district officers concerned, the criteria on the basis of which the land was taken from locals in bulk for the construction of the airport.

The government said that the number of Delta Plus variant cases in India have gone above 50. The fastspreading variant is a mutated form of Delta which emerged in India. “A total of 51 Delta plus variant cases reported in India,” the officials of Union health ministry said.

The Punjab government has taken cognisance of the rising number of Delta Plus cases and extended the coronavirus restrictions till July 10. However, more relaxations such as opening of bars and pubs with 50 per cent capacity have been given. The orders will come into effect from July 1, the state government said. The decision was taken after a high-level review meeting chaired by chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh.

The Maharashtra government too has started preparing for the expected third wave of the Covid-19 with the particular focus on protecting children.

Maharashtra has the highest number of Delta Plus cases in the country.

The Delta Plus variant is an offshoot of the highly

infectious Delta variant that caused a spike in cases in April and May which overwhelmed healthcare facilities, swamping crematoriums. The variant shows more resistance to some vaccines and therapies generally used to treat Covid-19. India has already declared Delta Plus as ‘variant of concern’.

However, Niti Aayog member and Covid task force chief Dr VK Paul has said that there is no scientific data so far to establish that the new variant reduces vaccine efficacy. "The so-called Delta plus variant exhibits an additional mutation in the Delta variant and since this is a new variant, scientific knowledge is still

in the early stage,” he said.

Sujeet Singh, director of the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), said 22 cases of Delta Plus variant have been found in Maharashtra, followed by nine in Tamil Nadu, seven in Madhya Pradesh, three in Kerala, two each in Punjab and Gujarat, and one case each in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan, Jammu and Kashmir, Haryana and Karnataka.

Meanwhile, India’s daily fresh cases of Covid have come down from 400,000 during the peak of the second wave to around 50,000 in the past few days and the unlock process or lifting of restrictions is underway in many parts of the country.

Fake vaccine scam unearthed in Mumbai, Kolkata Police said that around 2,000 people were injected with fake Covid-19 vaccines in Mumbai and another 500 in Kolkata.

Police in Mumbai said that around 2,000 people who thought they were being vaccinated were in fact injected with a saline solution. Ten people had been arrested, including two doctors from a private hospital, in connection with the vaccine scam. Media reports said that the shots were given from nine different locations.

Police in Kolkata, meanwhile,

arrested a man posing as a civil servant with a master's degree in

genetics who r e p o r t e d l y organised as many as eight spurious vaccination camps.

Police said at least 250 disabled and transgender people were injected at one site while the total number of people injected with the fake jabs rose to 500 across the city. Atin Ghosh , an official in Kolkata said that the seized

vials were falsely labelled as containing the AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine, branded in India as Covishield.

“It was found that the Covishield label was stuck over another label, that of Amikacin Sulphate 500 mg, an antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections of the urinary tract, bones, brain, lungs and blood among others,” Ghosh said. The scam came to light after an actress and politician, Mimi Chakraborty, who received a shot at one of the camps, became suspicious and

alerted police.

Police seized fake ID cards from the suspect, one of an information ministry official and another as a municipal commissioner. His car sported Kolkata government stickers.

Debashis Barui, a Kolkata health official, said that many of those who had been injected were “panicking” about the possible side effects. “We didn't think that this could happen when the world is battling the pandemic,” said Debjit Majumdar, who also received the fake jab.

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3 - 9 July 2021

PM Modi seeks support of parties to hold early elections in Jammu & Kashmir Prime Minister Narendra Modi last week outlined the Centre’s commitment to the installation of a duly elected government in Jammu & Kashmir and urged political leaders from the region to fully support quick delimitation of constituencies so that elections could take place soon in the Union territory.

After his first meeting with leaders from Kashmir since August 2019, when his government turned the erstwhile J&K into a UT and ended the special status assured to it through Article 370, the PM tweeted, “Our priority is to strengthen grassroots democracy in J&K. Delimitation has to happen at a quick pace so that polls can happen and J&K gets an elected government that gives strength to J&K’s development trajectory.” In the meeting, he made a pointed reference that corruption free governance was increasing the faith of people in the administration.

While the government hinted that early assembly polls would be its priority, representatives of key

players from the Valley - the National Conference, PDP and Apni Party - did not insist on restoration of statehood as a precondition for their participation.

The meeting was held against the backdrop of rampant expectation in certain quarters that the government might commit itself to early redemption of its promise to restore the UT to a state. But while home minister Amit Shah, in response to insistence from the NC, PDP and Congress, did reiter-

ate the Centre’s commitment to upgrade the UT, he made it clear that the immediate priority was early holding of polls after the delimitation commission had wrapped up the exercise to redraw the boundaries of assembly constituencies.

The commission is scheduled to hold a meeting with representatives of political parties and MPs shortly. The attendees included National Conference leaders Farooq Abdullah and Omar

Defence sector boosts Atmanirbhar Bharat programme Since independence, India has been a net importer of defence products mainly from its trusted and strategic ally, Russia.

Although India has set up a large number of Public Sector Undertaking (PSUs) for the production of a variety of defence products, they were never able to upgrade, update and align themselves with the evolving cuttingedge technology.

As a result, India had to procure various defence products from Russia, Israel, France, the UK, and in the past two decades from the United States as well.

India imported both technology and hardware, where technology was used for domestic manufacturing of defence hardware and equipment for the three organs of the Indian Armed Forces.

After taking over as Prime Minister, Narendra Modi exhorted all defence PSUs to accelerate, upgrade, and spur up to tap all available possibilities of not only replacing existing imports but

scaling up to exports to world markets.

India’s emergence as an exporter of defence equipment and hardware in a short period of time is credited to factors such as liberalization in export policies, practices, and regime. The government has changed the export policy, allowing a level-playing field to both public and private companies as the new export policy is being streamlined to grant permission with the same set of procedures, without discriminating between the public and private companies.

Defence exports are not only allowed but promoted aggressively with the involvement of traderelated institutions and the Indian missions abroad. The Lines of Credit are offered to neighbouring countries to procure defence equipment and hardware from India.

Defence exports rose from £ 194.1 million in 2014-15 to £911.6 million in 2019-20. With exports to more than 84 countries, India now finds mention in the lists of defence

Invitation to join the celebration to mark 200 years of Gujarati journalism On July 1, 2021 (Thursday) Gujarati journalism will enter its 200th years in its illustrious journey. To mark this historical event, a webinar has been organized by Gujarati Press Journalism Dwishtabdi Mahotsav Committee from 10 am to 11:15 am (IST). A greeting video will be presented of Vijay Rupani, Gujarat Chief Minister. In addition to this, the logo for the committee will be inaugurated which is designed by renowned painter- Shri Kanu Patel. On this occasion, Kundan Vyas will share heartfelt wishes, whereas Ramesh Tanna – well known author, journalist and the organizer of the webinar, will share a brief description on Mumbai Samachar:Fardunji Marazban’s initiatives. Members of the committee as well as Nilesh Dave, Editor, Mumbai Samachar, will share their thoughts. You can join the event through below mentioned details: Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85122568294?pwd=ODJSRHNFU EVzTVVEd2lCNUVpNVJHQT09 Meeting ID: 851 2256 8294 Passcode: 1234

equipment exporting nations.

According to the E-booklet titled “20 reforms in 2020” released

by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh highlighting the major reforms undertaken by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) in 2020, also mentioned that the defence exports expanded to more than 84 countries. India’s defence ministry put out a list of more than 100 items of defence hardware that the three services will procure from domestic vendors in a bid to promote military equipment manufacturing in the country.

“This will give further boost to indigenisation (Atmanirbhar Bharat programme) with active participation of public and private sector for fulfilling the twin objectives of achieving self-reliance and promoting defence exports. All the items mentioned in the list will now be procured from indigenous sources as per provisions given in Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020," a statement from the defence ministry said.

Abdullah, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti, Congress’s Ghulam Nabi Azad, Apni Party’s Altaf Hussain, CPM’s Yousuf Tarigami, Muzaffar Baig and Sajad Lone of People’s Conference besides BJP leaders from the UT. No acrimony The discussions went on for close to three and a half hours and were without acrimony or finger pointing with the PM setting the tone by saying there was no time limit for speakers to present their views. Modi, while appreciating the cordiality, expressed satisfaction that the deliberations reflected commitment to India’s territorial integrity and strength of its democracy. He told the attendees about his personal sorrow over each death in the trouble-torn state, be it of an “innocent civilian, the youth who has picked the gun or a member of the security forces.”

Expressing his wish to remove “Dilli ki doori” (distance between Centre and J&K) as well as “Dil ki doori” (distrust ), Modi said his gov-

ernment was fully committed to taking forward the democratic process in J&K against the backdrop of a three-tier panchayati raj system which is in place for the first time in the UT. Conduct of assembly polls, just like the DDC polls, was a priority, he added.

Though the Centre’s action to nullify Article 370 was criticised, it was not a sticking point or a faultine in the discussions. Most leaders called for restoration of statehood, but did not insist on it being a prerequisite for holding polls or their participation in it. It was felt that the decision to do away with J&K's special status was before the Supreme Court and should be settled there.

Mufti, the Abdullahs and Azad, all former CMs, articulated the need for restoration of democracy in J&K and the need to free political detenues. They said a bureaucratic arrangement under the lieutenant governor could not be a substitute for an assembly and an elected government.

India, China agree to continue talks to resolve border issue There was no agreement on further disengagement of troops in the border areas of Ladakh when senior officials from India and China met for another round of diplomatic talks, even though both sides agreed to continue dialogue.

The talks took place under the framework of Working Mechanism for Consultation & Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC). An official statement said, “The two sides agreed to maintain dialogue and communication through the diplomatic and military mechanisms to reach a mutually acceptable solution for complete disengagement from all friction points so as to ensure full restoration of peace and tranquility to enable progress in the bilateral relations.”

China has refused to ease up its deployment of troops in eastern Ladakh while India has refused to move the bilateral relationship forward without a full disengagement in the border areas. The two sides decided to

hold the next (12th) round of the senior commanders’ meeting (military talks) at an early date “to achieve the objective of complete disengagement from all the friction points along the LAC in the western sector in accordance with the existing bilateral agreements and protocols”.

In response to questions, MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi had said, “It has been the Chinese actions over the last year, including amassing of a large number of troops close to border areas in the western sector, and trying to unilaterally alter the status quo along the LAC, which have seriously disturbed peace and tranquility in the border areas.

India approves Moderna vaccine for emergency use Indian government on Tuesday cleared US-made Moderna vaccine for emergency use. Mumbai-based pharma major Cipla has been allowed to import Moderna's Covid vaccine for restricted emergency use in India, where the vaccines used so far were Bharat Biotech's Covaxin and Serum Institute of India's Covishield. Russia's Sputnik was also cleared recently.

Details of a rollout plan are not out yet. It is not clear how many doses will be available in India and when. Sources say for now, Cipla is only looking at receiving donated vaccines; commercial agreements are still being processed. "Cipla Limited is supporting Moderna Inc with the regulatory approval and importation of vaccines to be donated to India. At this stage, there is no definitive agreement on commercial supplies," Cipla said in a statement.

Out of all four, Moderna has the highest effectiveness - it is 94 per cent effective compared to Sputnik (91 per cent), Covaxin (77.8 per cent) and Covishield (74 per cent). VK Paul, who heads the Covid task force, said only regulatory clearance had been given to Moderna as of now. Both Pfizer and Moderna have asked for an important concession - they want indemnity from liability in case of any adverse effect of

the vaccine. India has, so far, not granted indemnity to any vaccine-maker. Dr Paul said the government had "multiple sessions" with Pfizer and the company has to make the next move.

"We are going through talks. There has been an exchange of information and inputs. There has been a back-andforth on that. Intensive meetings were held last week. We are awaiting feedback from Pfizer," he told reporters.

Recently, Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla had said that the company's vaccine may soon be available in India as the process of its approval is in the "final stages".

Cipla, in its application to the drug regulator, had referred to the government's decision to waive bridging trials for foreign vaccines if it is cleared for emergency use in countries like the US and if the safety assessment data of the first 100 beneficiaries is submitted before mass rollout.

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ART & CULTURE

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Do you know why you’re writing?

Q

Shefali Saxena Alka Joshi was born in India and raised in the U.S. since the age of nine. She has a BA from Stanford University and an MFA from California College of Arts. At age 62, Joshi released her debut novel, The Henna Artist, which immediately became an NYT bestseller, a Reese Witherspoon Bookclub pick, was Longlisted for the Center for Fiction First Novel Prize and is being developed for a TV series. The sequel, The Secret Keeper of Jaipur, premieres in June 2021.

In New York Times bestselling author Alka Joshi’s intriguing new novel, henna artist Lakshmi arranges for her protégé, Malik, to intern at the Jaipur Palace in this tale rich in character, atmosphere, and lavish storytelling. In an exclusive Q&A with Asian Voice, Joshi spoke about her work.

- Could you please briefly explain the idea and concept behind your trilogy of books?

The Jaipur Trilogy follows the lives of henna artist Lakshmi—a woman ahead of her time—her young Muslim helper Malik, rebellious sister Radha, and their entanglement with the prosperous Singh family to reveal the ways in which they live,

Q

period?

- What kind of primary research or reading do you do while writing these books?

I interview people who lived during the time period I’m writing about or are experts in the details I’m including in the narrative.

I read fiction and watch movies from that period. I also read non-fiction and watch documentaries or visit museums that inform me about specific items I’m including.

- Could you elaborate a bit about actor Reese Whitherspoon's book club and how your books became a part of it?

When my editor at Mira Books called to tell me that Reese Witherspoon would be telling the world she loved THE HENNA ARTIST on May 1, 2020, and I wasn’t to breathe a word of it to anyone, I couldn’t think, only wonder: Did I hear right? I’m still pinching myself!

- You're a New York Times bestselling author. What has your biggest takeaway been in writing for all these years? What does it take to reach this stature?

I call it the magic of the three Ps: Passion (you have to love what you’re writing about); Perseverance (revise, revise, revise until you can’t); Patience (allow yourself the time to grow as a writer). Keep in mind that everything starts with intention: do you know why you’re writing?

- In the heavily digitised world (especially due to the pandemic), as an author, what is your take on buying physical copies versus digital version of books? What do you think is the future of publishing?

The future is bright. It’s big. And it’s filled with women. There has never been a better time to write from the female perspective. After all the dire predictions of publishing’s death, isn’t it remarkable that during the pandemic, books sales shot up?

Hardcover, ebooks and audio—all!

Q

Alka Joshi

love, thrive, and persevere in India of the 1950s, 60s and 70s.

- While we've all been taught to never judge the book by its cover, I have to say that I absolutely love the covers of both your books. What goes behind in your head to zero down to the ones you choose?

The cover should paint a story so readers know where the story is taking place, who is involved, and what mood the narrative is invoking. Does it feel as something is about to happen? Are the colours cool or warm? What does that tell us about the story? Are we accurately reflecting the time

Jay Sean: “I always try to stay current” Jay Sean has returned with a song dedicated to cherishing what we have and finding joy in the life around us.

'Happiness Days' was written by Jay along with The Orphanage (Demi, Ariana). A beautifully touching and thought-provoking video accompanies the track was shot with his family in Turks and Caicos.

In an exclusive chat with Asian Voice, Jay Sean spoke about how he conceived the idea of 'Happiness Days'. Sean said, “Ironically, just a month before the world shut down.

Word of coronavirus had started and people were nervous.

I wanted to write a song that took us away from the madness and noise, anxiety of life and let us soak in the small moments of joy instead.”

Has the pandemic changed him as an artist? “It made me focus on being creative from home. I took to social media in a big way since I had more time not being on the road. Since then my Tik Tok (@jaysean) has exploded and I’m finding it so fun! I’ve been able to connect with fans on a whole new level. I’ve also learnt how to record songs remotely which has been super useful,” Sean explained.

Many of Jay Sean’s songs have appealed to Gen X and Gen Y, and his music somehow always manages to reach them somehow. It's happy, hummable and memorable. When asked what's the key to his process, Sean told Asian Voice, “I always try to stay current. My music has spanned 2 decades now and in that time the sound and style of music had changed a number of times. The key to me is to adapt and evolve with it whilst still retaining your authentic signature sound.

Can we expect a little more Hindi-pop from him in the near future? “I would say so! Watch this space!” he signed off.

Happiness Days is available globally via digital stores and streaming platforms.

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South Asian author addresses colourism in new children's book Author, Monika Singh Gangotra has experienced colourism to varying degrees throughout her life, and now she’s publishing a book to encourage open dialogue across generations and beyond black and brown communities.

Monika, raised abroad and now living in Birmingham, remembers conversations regarding the colour of her skin starting from the age of 6 when she was discouraged from playing outside for fear of getting a tan if she stayed in the sun for too long. When it came to her engagement there were comments and suggestions around making her forehead lighter, implying she would be a more beautiful bride with lighter skin. And when it came to the birth of her first child, along with the usual questions around the name, gender, weight, there was the dreaded question of whether the baby was gori chitti (literal translation “fair white”) or had a less desirable pakka rung (“ripe colour”).

Monika is passionate about changing attitudes to skin colour among black and brown communities and hopes to start doing this through her debut children’s book, Sunflower Sisters (publishing 6th July 2021), the first children’s book to address the issue head-on, written from a place of love and lived experience, and without seeking to place blame. The story, focussed around the friendship between two young girls, one Asian and one African, uses the generations of women in both families to offer different perspectives on colourism in

an engaging and questioning way.

The author says: “The comments and guidance were not malicious; they were always well-meaning and not intended to hurt us. They were done so because they thought they were

in brief POP-UP THEATRE TO COME TO LONDON THIS SUMMER Artistic Directors of Paines Plough Charlotte Bennett and Katie Posner have today announced the UK tour dates for Roundabout 2021, as part of this year’s programme A Promise to 2021. The pop-up venue, which usually premieres its work at Summerhall as part of Edinburgh Festival Fringe, has announced an alternate plan for this year. The venue will premiere its four shows in rep as part of Belgrade Theatre’s Coventry UK City of Culture 2021 from 27 July to 8 August, before touring to Northern Stage in Newcastle and then heading to South London, popping up in Slade Gardens, Brixton from 19 to 29 August.

Tickets for Roundabout: Brixton are now on sale via the Paines Plough website. The award-winning, portable, in-the-round auditorium will then tour across the UK to cities including Salford, Ramsgate, Doncaster, Lincoln and Bournemouth throughout the autumn. Roundabout: Brixton Programme will include Rashdash, Nouveau Riche, Bonnie and the Bonnettes, Sukh Ojla And Sindhu Vee.

ARTISTS OF SOUTHASIAN HERITAGE TO PREMIERE NEW WORK IN RESPONSE TO HOLST’S SAVITRI THIS AUGUST Artists of South-Asian heritage have written a new work in response to Gustav Holst’s Savitri, which will receive its world premiere on Fri 27 August at the 2021 Leeds Opera Festival. Composer Sarah Sayeed and librettist Jaspreet Kaur reimagine Savitri for 21st-century audiences and society. Both of South Asian heritage, Sarah and Jaspreet hope to reclaim Savitri's voice and explore how we deconstruct the lives of Asian and Indian women historically and then reconstruct perceptions of them. The work blends spoken word with music for voice, bass, veena, sitar, and violin. The piece was commissioned by Northern Opera Group working with South Asian Arts UK.

The Halo

protecting us and helping us live a life full of opportunity – ones that we would simply not be offered if our skin was darker. I believe they did not know any better and these words have become deeply ingrained in the way we speak when we describe another person in our community.”

“My new children’s book is not aimed at demonising or shaming, but rather aims to lovingly show those in our community that these comments and ridiculous standards of beauty do not in any way determine one’s attractiveness, success or happiness in life.”

Through her book, and by talking about the issues covered in the book, Monika hopes to encourage open conversation around colourism that will raise awareness – within and beyond black and brown communities – and instil positive change.

“Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, Zoroastrianism and Greek mythology are usually regarded as utterly distinct religions, largely defined by their differences. But if you just look at them, you will see a symbol that connects them all – the halo,” read an article in BBC Culture. It signifies that “glory or divinity and can be seen in art across the world”. According to the writeup, the halo has many variants across the world. Matthew Wilson also writes in this long read that in the First Century AD, the Indo-Scythians (nomads from Iran) and the Kushans (from Bactria, Afghanistan) invaded the regions to their southeast, the territories now covered by modern-day Pakistan, Afghanistan and northern India.

Both empires, which were steeped in ancient Iranian cultural history, brought coinage with them that represented Mithra with a halo. According to him, Buddhism, Jainism and Hinduism peacefully coexisted in India in the first millennium AD, and the three religions shared ideas and artistic iconography, including haloes.

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Alia wraps up 'Gangubai Kathiawadi' shoot Alia Bhatt and filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali wrapped the filming of their upcoming film 'Gangubai Kathiawadi' in Mumbai's Film City. Sharing the news on her social media accounts, the actress wrote, “We started shooting Gangubai on the 8th of December 2019 .. and we wrapped the film now 2 years later! The film and set has been through two lockdowns.. two cyclones.. director and actor getting Covid during the making!!! the troubles the set has faced is another film altogether!”

She added, “But through all that and more.. what I take away is the gigantic life changing experience! Being directed by sir has been a dream all my life, but I don’t think anything would have prepared me for the journey I was on for these two years.. I walk out of this set a diff person today! I love you sir! Thank you for being you .. there is truly NO ONE like you When a film ends a part of you ends with it! Today I’ve lost a part of me.. Gangu I love you! You will be missed P.S – special mention to my crew – my family and friends for these two years! without you nothing would have been possible! Love you guys!!!”

Both Alia and SLB had contracted the coronavirus earlier this year. The second wave of the virus struck the country as they recovered, prompting another bout of

lockdown. The film resumed production earlier this month.

'Gangubai Kathiawadi' is based on one of the chapters of noted author Hussain Zaidi's book Mafia Queens of Mumbai. It is produced by SLB and Dr Jayantilal Gada of Pen Studios.

Alia plays the titular role of the powerful and much respected madams from Kamathipura during the 1960s. The movie also features Shantanu Maheswari, Vijay Raaz, Indira Tiwari, and Seema Pahwa in pivotal roles. Actors Ajay Devgn and Emraan Hashmi are expected to play extended cameos in the movie which is set to release on July 30.

Amitabh resumes shoot, shares experience in new blog Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan recently posted several new photos from a shoot, sharing his happiness and excitement of being on the sets again. In a blog post, he wrote, “So .. as the work prepares the location of a restaurant in the suburb Bandra .. you convert from what you came in to what they need you in the shot .. its getting into care getting out and straight into the shot .. no rehearsals just be .. be natural .. ok fine .. and SURPRISE.” The candid photos feature Bachchan posing with a few frontline workers, and

stepping into his vanity van to take a break.

Bachchan also shared his eagerness to wait at the end of the day to watch the ongoing Euro Cup. “It is getting on to an important time table .. the Euro game of the day .. or games of the day .. France v Portugal and Germany v Finland .. but the eyes are set on the first one .. even its late start and my early call tomorrow shall not deter the spirit of sport .. my love and concern as ever .. my prayers as ever.”

On the work front, Amitabh Bachchan has 'Chehre', 'Jhund', 'Brahmastra' and 'Goodbye' lined up for release.

Abhay Deol announces upcoming Disney project Actor Abhay Deol has announced his upcoming project, Disney movie 'Spin', an English-language coming-ofage teen drama. He made the announcement on Instagram by sharing the film's trailer, stating how the film is a “departure” from the alternative narratives for which he is usually known.

“I am aware that most of my audience love me for making edgy, alternative narratives that challenge the status quo. Which is why this film is all the more special as it is a departure from my own status quo, and catering to a much younger audience,” he wrote. Deol wrote, “Spin is a Disney film which will go live on their platform for the US audiences on the 13th of August. It is a gem of a movie that will leave you smiling and feeling good.

Blessed to be a part of it!”

'Spin' is the story of an Indian American teen Rhea Kumar played by Avantika Vandanapu, who discovers her artistic side through the unique world of Djing. Deol plays the role of her father, Arvind Kumar. The movie has been helmed by Manjari Makijany from a script by Carley Steiner and Josh Cagan.

Hrithik Roshan announces

'Krrish 4', releases new video

Hrithik Roshan took to social media to announce the fourth instalment of the hit franchise 'Krrish 4'. He made the announcement with a post that read, “The past is done. Let's see what the future brings. #15YearsOfKrrish #Krrish4.” He also shared a video showing off his avatar throwing his signature mask at the screen. The movie completed 15 years since its release in 2006.

'Krrish' is the second film in the

franchise directed by Rakesh Roshan. Its prequel 'Koi Mil Gaya' laid the foundation story of Rohit Mehra who gets superhuman abilities after befriending an alien. His powers are inherited by son Krishna Mehra in the second outing. The film featured actor Priyanka Chopra as his love interest.

Roshan's 'Koi Mil Gaya', 'Krrish', and 'Krrish 3' are the most successful superhero movies in the Indian film industry.

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Priyanka finally visits her NYC restaurant Sona Priyanka Chopra was seen leaving her New York City restaurant Sona last week. The actress who recently returned to the United States visited the eatery that opened last year. She was seen wearing a glamorous backless outfit featuring a thigh-high slit. She celebrated her mother Madhu Chopra's birthday.

Video from inside the bash featured her taking pictures of the cake as fellow guests sang Happy Birthday.

Priyanka had skipped the opening of the place due to her shoot commitments.

She made her first visit on Friday and shared pictures on her Instagram page, and the restaurant's official handle. The actress penned a note for her fans saying, “Hi

everyone! Priyanka Chopra Jonas here. Popping in to personally say hello and thank you all for your support and for helping to make SONA a success. Last night I finalllllllly got to experience the magic of SONA for myself since the opening.

Everything was beyond my expectations and for a moment I felt like I was home in India.”

She added, “It’s incredible how provocative taste and smell can be.

SONA is truly an absolute dream come to life. It feels like only yesterday Maneesh, David, Chef Hari and I were discussing the initial idea of creating a fine dining destination for Indian food in NYC. I am grateful to see this golden vision manifest in such a wonderful way and am so proud of everyone involved in realizing our dream. Thank you for all of your support of our baby SONA! X Priyanka.” During her first visit, she was seen enjoying pani puri, and dosa, among other dishes.

'Race 4' is in works, expected to roll out by end of the year It seems like the makers of 'Race' are set to take forward the franchise. After 'Race 3' underperformed at the box office, it was unclear whether the franchise would get a fourth installment.

But, it seems like not only the project is in the works but the makers plan to take it on the floor by end of the year.

According to a report, 'Race 4' is currently in the scripting stage. Shiraz Ahmed has worked on all three instalments will be working on the fourth part as well. The report stated that producer Ramesh Taurani will lock in a director soon and the casting will take place only after the script is ready.

However, depending on the Covid-19 situation, they will take the call and roll out the project by end of the year.

'Emergency'

Actress Kangana Ranaut took to social media platform Koo to announce that she will be directing her upcoming project titled 'Emergency', based on former prime minister Indira Gandhi. Ever since she was banned from Twitter for her instigating posts, Ranaut has been active on the Indian app.

The National Award-winning actor wrote, “Pleased to wear director’s hat again, after working on 'Emergency' for more than a year I finally figured no one can direct it better than me. Collaborating with fabulous writer Ritesh Shah, even if it means sacrificing on various acting assignments I am determined to do, my excitement is high. This is going to be a tremendous journey, my leap to another league #Emergency #Indira.”

She had clarified in an earlier statement that the movie is not a biopic, but a political drama. Kangana said, “It is not the biopic of Indira Gandhi. It is a grand period film.

To be precise, it is a political drama that will help my generation to understand the socio-political landscape of current India.” The project will be penned by Ritesh Shah of 'Pink', and 'Kahaani' fame.

On the work front, Kangana has 'Thalaivi', 'Tejas', 'Dhaakad', and 'Manikarnika Returns : The Legend of Didda' in the pipeline.

Shah Rukh promises fans 'lots of films' As of now, it is unclear whether Saif Ali Khan, who was the lead in the first two films, will reprise his role in the fourth instalment or Salman Khan, who

starred in 'Race 3', will take this forward.

The first two films were directed by Abbas-Mustan, whereas the third part was helmed by Remo D’Souza.

Salman on making mistakes: I have come and said sorry Bollywood star Salman Khan recently opened about making mistakes in his life in a conversation with Kabir Bedi as he promotes his autobiography 'Stories I Must Tell: The Emotional Life of an Actor'. Kabir Bedi shared a clip of the interview on Instagram, he wrote, “Salman Khan and I talk about what it took to tell the story of my life honestly, and how I wrote my book in the pandemic.”

The video begins with Kabir Khan sharing how he penned the autobiography during the pandemic. Salman praises Bedi, calling him a “pure man”. He said, “Whatever comes out, it's straight from the heart, your soul.” In the conversation, Bedi said he has shared “the mistakes that I have made and I hope everyone can learn from that”. Salman responded saying that owning one's mistake is the most difficult thing one can do.

“Everyone denies that. I am one of those persons sitting right

Kangana set to direct Indira Gandhi film

in front of you. I always said, 'I haven't done this.' But if you have said that 'yes, I have done this mistake and I have tried to rectify it this way', that takes a lot of courage,” Salman said. He further added that there have been times when he too has come forward and apologised. Salman said, “There are times when I have made mistakes. I have come and said sorry. Mistakes do happen but then repeating the same mistakes again is not okay.”

Lauding Bedi for his honesty in sharing his life experiences, Khan said, “When you write a book, the most courageous thing is to go look deep inside your soul. When you are writing, you think yeh likhu, nahi likhu (whether I should write this or not)... And then you say, to hell with it, I am just going to be honest with myself and honest to everyone, and I am going to write the honest truth about what all has happened with me.”

Actor Shah Rukh Khan is known within the industry for his wit and spontaneity. He recently decided to hold an 'Ask Me Anything' session on social media after completing 29 years in the Hindi film industry. As expected, he was asked about his next release. Shah Rukh was last seen on screen in 2018 in 'Zero'. He has since taken a break from acting. In the AMA session, one of his fans asked if he is ready to announce the release schedule of his films.

To which, Shah Rukh replied, “Loudspeakers make announcement.... I will gently allow my films to enter your hearts....soon.”

While he answered a series of questions, his best comeback was to a fan who asked, “App bhi Berozgaar ho gaye kya sir.. Hamari trah (You are also unemployed sir, like us). Shah Rukh responded, “Jo kuch nahi karte ....woh...” The actor was referring to a well-known poem by poet Dagh Dehelvi. The line goes, “Jo kuch nahi karte woh kamaal karte hain.” (Those who don't do anything, do extraordinary things).

Shah Rukh is working on Yash Raj Films' 'Pathan', costarring John Abraham and Deepika Padukone. However, the studio and the actor have maintained a silence about the project.

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Nazriya hangs out with Fahadh, Dulquer and Prithviraj post-Covid lockdown Actor Nazriya Nazim took to her Instagram handle to share a star-studded selfie that brought joy to a lot of fans. The mirror selfie featured Fahadh Faasil, Dulquer Salmaan and his wife Amal Sufiya, Prithviraj and his wife Supriya Menon. The Malayalam film industry stars were apparently catching up post the easing of lockdown restrictions in Kerala.

On the work front, all actors have several interesting projects in the pipeline. Nazriya has signed a Telugu film titled 'Ante Sunaraniki' featuring Nani in the lead role. Meanwhile, Fahadh's highlyanticipated film 'Malik' is set to premiere on a streaming platform. He also has 'Malayankunju', 'Pushpa', and 'Vikram' in his kitty.

Prithviraj is waiting for the release of his horror thriller 'Cold Case' which is set to premiere on Amazon Prime Video on June 30. He also has two other films 'Kuruthi' and 'Brahmam' in the pipeline. Dulquer on the other hand, is set to release his movie 'Kurup'. He also has Tamil film 'Hey Sinamika', and Telugu film 'Yuddham Tho Rasina Prema Katha' in the works.

Rajinikanth spotted outside Mayo Clinic in the US A photo of superstar Rajinikanth from the United States has gone viral over the internet. In the picture, he is seen outside the Mayo Clinic, sporting a casual look. If media reports are to be believed, Rajini is in the US to get his general health check-up done. He is expected to undergo a few tests there in the next few weeks and will return to India on July 8.

Earlier this year, the actor was honoured with the 51st Dadasaheb Phalke award. He had taken to Twitter to express his gratitude.

He wrote, “I wholeheartedly thank the central government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for conferring me Dadasaheb Phalke Award, the highest award in the Indian Film Industry.”

He added, “I thank my bus driver and friend Raj Bahadur who discovered my acting talent and encouraged me, my brother Sathyanarayana Rao Gaekwad who sacrificed a lot while we

were struggling in poverty to make me an actor, my guru K Balachander for creating ‘the Rajinikanth.’ I also thank my directors, producers, distributors, technicians, theatre owners, media, and Tamil people who have given me life. I dedicate this award to my fans around the world. I thank Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami, Deputy Chief Minister O Pannerselvam, opposition leader and my friend MK Stalin, my friend Kamal Haasan, other state and central leaders, industry friends, and my wellwishers. Long Live Tamils, May Tamil Nadu prosper, Jai Hind!”

On the work front, Rajini finished the shoot of his upcoming film 'Annaatthe'. It also stars Khusbu, Nayanthara, Keerthy Suresh, Jackie Shroff, Jagapathi Babu, Prakash Raj, and

Rashmika Mandanna's fan travels 900 km to see her A fan of actress Rashmika Mandanna travelled around 900 km to her residence just to see her. However, she failed to turn up as she is busy shooting her upcoming film in Mumbai.

When Rashmika was informed about the arrival, she immediately took to her Twitter account and said how bad she felt for not meeting him. The fan, identified as Tripathi, travelled all the way from Telangana to Kodagu, Karnataka.

Rashmika Mandanna wrote, “Guys it just came to my notice that one of you had traveled super far and have gone home to see me… Please don’t do something like that.. I feel bad that I didn’t get to meet you. I really really hope to meet you one day but for now, show me love here.. I’ll be happy!” The tweet gained several crazy reactions, with several claiming they were the one who visited her.

The actress is one of the most loved celebrities in the South film industry. On the work front, she will be seen in Allu Arjun's 'Pushpa', Siddharth Malhotra's 'Mission Manju', and Amitabh Bachchan's 'Goodbye' in the pipeline.

Dhanush set to spend £15 mn on his new Poes Garden home Actor Dhanush is reportedly set to spend a whopping £15 million on the construction of his new Poes Garden home in Chennai. Media reports suggest the house will be a four-storey building set to be built on eight grounds.

The value of the building is valued at £15 million.

The actor is currently in the US shooting for his upcoming Netflix film 'The Gray Man'. Upon his return, he will resume work on his upcoming yetuntitled Tamil film with filmmaker Karthick Naren.

After signing the movie, Dhanush had released a statement saying. “Elated to announce that I will be joining the team of Netflix's 'The Gray Man' starring Ryan Gosling and Chris Evans, directed by the Russo Brothers. Looking forward to being a part of this wonderful action experience. My sincere thanks to my dearest fans from all over the world for all the love and support you have been showing me throughout these years.”

Dhanush has several projects in the kitty, including Aanand L Rai's 'Atrangi Re', and an upcoming trilingual project with filmmaker Sekhar Kammula.

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SATURDAY 3 JUL

TV Listing

11.00 ALAKH NA AJWALA

14.00 RASOI SHOW

18.30 ABHILASHA - EK ASTITVANI 19.00 BHAKT GORA KUMBHAR

* Schedule is subject to change

MON 5 JUL FRI 9 JUL 2021 11.00 Amar Singh Rathod

14.00 RASOI SHOW

18.30 ABHILASHA - EK ASTITVANI 19.00 BHAKT GORA KUMBHAR

19.30 MANMILAP.COM

20.00 RASHI RIKSHAWALI 20.30 SHANI

21.00 PREM NI BHAVAI

19.30 MANMILAP.COM

20.00 RASHI RIKSHAWALI 20.30 SHANI

21.00 PREM NI BHAVAI

21.30 KAHU CHU SAMBHALO CHO

SUNDAY 4 JUL

15.00 Chanakya Ni Chelli Chaal 18.00 RASOI SHOW 19.00 Bhanwar

22.00 RASHI RIKSHAWALI

* Schedule is subject to change

MON 5 JUL FRI 9 JUL 2021 8.30 BHARADWAJ BAHUEIN 15.00 RAMAYAN 16.00 SILSILA BADALTE RISHTON KA 16.30 RASOI SHOW-DESI FLAVOURS 17.30 CHHUTA CHHEDA 18.00 TUM KAUN PIYA 18.30 DIL KA RISHTA 19.00 BHAGYA KA LIKHA 20.00 DIL SE DIL TAK 20.30 BARRISTER BABU 21.00 EK SHRINGAAR SWABHIMAAN 21.30 SASURAL SIMAR KA 2

22.00 ISHQ MEIN MARJAWAN 3 SATURDAY 3 JUL 15.00 RAMAYAN 16.00 SILSILA BADALTE RISHTON KA 16.30 RASOI SHOW-DESI FLAVOURS 17.30 CHHUTA CHHEDA 18.00 KHATRA KHATRA KHATRA 19.00 BHAGYA KA LIKHA 20.00 DIL SE DIL TAK 20.30 BARRISTER BABU 21.00 EK SHRINGAAR SWABHIMAAN 21.30 SASURAL SIMAR KA 2 SUNDAY 4 JUL 15.00 RAMAYAN 16.00 SILSILA BADALTE RISHTON KA 16.30 RASOI SHOW-DESI FLAVOURS 17.30 BOLLYWOOD KI SHAAM BLOCKBUSTER KE NAAM AWAARA PAGAL DEEWANA 20.30 BARRISTER BABU 21.00 DESI BEAT RESET 21.30.00 SASURAL SIMAR KA 2

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T20 World Cup to be shifted from India to UAE: Ganguly The T20 World Cup scheduled to be held in India is being shifted to the UAE owing to the health safety concerns posed by Covid-19, BCCI President Sourav Ganguly said, ending weeks of speculation surrounding the mega-event in October-November. "We have officially intimated the ICC that the T20 World Cup can be shifted to the United Arab Emirates. The details are being chalked out," Ganguly said. "The decision was taken keeping health safety concerns of all stakeholders in mind," he added.

The BCCI will, however, remain the hosts of the

showpiece. Asked if October 17 has been finalised as the start date of the tournament, Ganguly said: "We will be able to finalise itinerary details in some days. October 17 start hasn't yet been finalised." Even an ICC spokesperson confirmed that the global body is yet to zero in on a final schedule.

The ICC, at the start of the month, had given BCCI a fourweek window to decide and inform whether India could host the marquee event considering the Covid situation in the country. It was a foregone conclusion that India will find it difficult to host a 16-country tournament across nine cities

in brief DEEPIKA KUMARI, ATANU DAS WIN GOLD IN ARCHERY

with so many layers of health security concerns being there.

In fact, the ICC had already started its preparations and logistics for the tournament which will be held in Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi. The qualifying round could be held in Muscat, which will give ideal time to the pitches in UAE to freshen up after 31 remaining games of IPL are held till October 15.

Once the IPL was shifted to the UAE, it was a foregone conclusion that the T20 World Cup will move too given the looming concerns about a possible third wave of Covid-19

Sourav Ganguly

infection around that time.

India was ravaged by the second wave in April-May with scarcity of essential medical supplies adding to the horror that unfolded with over 4 lakh daily cases at the peak of the crisis.

It is also understood that most of the member nations were comfortable playing the IPL in the UAE after multiple cases of bubble breach happened during the postponed edition in India. Also the 2020 IPL in the UAE was a humongous success with a tight bio-bubble.

Shafali Verma 5th youngest player to feature in all 3 formats India women's batting sensation Shafali Verma on Sunday made her ODI debut after being named in the playing XI for the match versus England Women in Bristol. The 17-year-old was presented with India Women's ODI cap number 131 from captain Mithali Raj. The Rohtakborn, who made her Test debut in the recently-concluded oneoff Test against England, is now the 5th youngest player to feature in all three formats of the game on international level.

Shafali broke the Indian record for the highest score on

Shafali Verma

women's Test debut. She overtook Chanderkanta Kaul's tally of 75 against New Zealand

Historic win: England beat Germany in Wembley

Raheem Sterling and Harry Kane made history as England reached the quarter-finals of the European Championship with a 2-0 win over rivals Germany at Wembley on Tuesday. England will play either Sweden or Ukraine on Saturday 3 July at quarter-final. England’s victory against Germany ends a 55 year wait to win against Germany in a knockout stage since 1966, making this ‘extra special’.

Pundits believe there is a strong chance of England reaching the finals, with most of its forthcoming matches at homeground in Wembley.

It was England’s first knockout round victory inside 90 minutes at the Euros and came after midfielder Jack Grealish was introduced in the 69th minute. Six minutes later, after a swift passing move, left wing- back Luke Shaw slipped the ball across the face of the goal for Sterling to slide in. Grealish was the direct provider for England’s second, crossing from the left for Kane to beat goalkeeper Manuel Neuer with a stooping header.

Earlier, England keeper Jordan Pickford did well to keep out Timo Werner before tipping over a stinging volley from Kai Havertz. At the other end, Mats Hummels denied Kane with a last-ditch clearance just before halftime.

in 1995. She also became the first Indian woman to hit a six on her Test debut. Later, Shafali hit 2 more sixes to become only women's cricketer to hit 3 sixes in a Test match.

T h e prodigious talent endured a rather tame beginning to her ODI career. The Rohtak girl scored a 14-ball 15, including three

fours.

The youngster succumbed to her tendency of going after the bowling. In the sixth over, she made room to a rising delivery from Katherine Brunt, but ended up miscuing her shot and caught at mid-on.

Mithali laboured to108-ball 72 as India could post 201/8.

Superb half centuries by Tammy Beaumont (87 not out) and Natt Sciver (74 not out) and a disciplined bowling performance saw England win the first one -day international with 91 balls and eight wickets to spare.

New Zealand crowned WTC champs New Zealand coasted to an unlikely eight-wicket win on the sixth - and reserve - day of the World Test Championship final against India at the Hampshire Bowl last week. The match, in which two days were lost to rain, saw a strong performance from Kiwis on the reserve day as their bowlers ran through the Indian batting line-up and dismissed them for just 170 runs. And then they scaled the 139-run target through a 96-run third-wicket partnership between Kane Williamson (52 not out) and Ross Taylor (47 not out).

India got a sniff of victory when offspinner R Ashwin removed the two openers early and bowled a tight line to Taylor. However, Taylor smashed Ashwin for two boundaries in one over to break the shackles and then coasted along. Earlier, India, who started the day at 64/2, lost three wickets - skipper Virat Kohli (13), Cheteshwar Pujara (15), and Ajinkya Rahane (15) - in the first session to go to lunch at 130/5. Kyle Jamieson (2/30) removed Kohli and Pujara while Rahane fell to Boult (3/39).

Post lunch, India kept losing wickets as the tail failed to wag once again. Rishabh Pant, who was the innings top scorer with 41 runs, was the last hope for India but he fell to a rash shot as the seventh wicket with

the score on 156. Pace bowler Tim Southee picked four wickets for 48 runs to end as the most successful New Zealand bowler.

Indian seamers, in response, failed to make an impact on a pitch where New Zealand bowlers looked unplayable. Barring a brief spell during which Ashwin unsettled the Kiwis by removing Devon Conway (19) and Tom Latham (9), the entire bowling unit looked innocuous. This is New Zealand’s sixth successive win over India in ICC tournaments, dating back to World T20 in 2007.

The Indian tail’s failure to wag has made things easy for the Kiwis, since they know they have to get past the top order to restrict India.

India has now failed to get to 200 on four occasions in the last six outings in Tests against New Zealand. In contrast, New Zealand’s tail has wagged, helping to competitive totals. In the first innings, New Zealand’s last four wickets added 87 runs as they went from 162/6 to be 249 all out, helping their team take a 32-run lead.

The 87 added by New Zealand’s last four wickets follows 132 and 82 they had added in the two completed innings of the first and second Tests during the home series against India in early last year.

It was gold rush for Indian archers at the World Cup Stage 3 here with star couple Atanu Das and Deepika Kumari clinching the mixed team top honours after the women's recurve trio's victory in a near perfect Olympic build-up. Deepika and Atanu bounced back from a 0-2 deficit to down the Netherland's Sjef van den Berg and Gabriela Schloesser 5-3 and fetch India a third gold medal from the competition. This was after the women's recurve team of Deepika, Ankita Bhakat and Komalika Bari notched up the gold medal with a comfortable win over Mexico, shrugging off the disappointment of missing Olympic qualification last week. The two got married after a two-year courtship and would be celebrating their first wedding anniversary on June 30. "It feels we are made for each other. But in the ground we are not couple but like just other competitors, we motivate, support and back each other," Atanu said. Deepika, who had earlier spearheaded the women's team to a second successive World Cup gold medal this year, said: "It feels happy."

VINESH GETS TOP BILLING FOR TOKYO Asian champion and star Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat has been top-seeded in the women’s 53kg category for the upcoming Tokyo Olympics. Japan’s Mayu Mukaida is in the second position, while Luisa Valverde Melendres has bagged the third position.

Earlier this month, Vinesh had clinched gold in the 53kg category at the Poland Open.

The Indian wrestler was in top-notch form during the game as she defeated Khrystyna Bereza of Ukraine 8-0 in Final.

MALLESWARI IS FIRST VC OF DELHI SPORTS UNIVERSITY Karnam Malleswari, India’s first woman Olympic medal winner, has been appointed as the vice-chancellor of Delhi Sports University. The appointment has been made by the Delhi government. Malleswari had scripted history at the Sydney Olympic Games held in 2000 as she brought home a bronze medal in weighlifting. The Delhi Assembly had in 2019 passed a bill to set up a Delhi Sports University (DSU), which will offer graduation, post-graduation and doctorate degrees in cricket, football, and hockey among other sports.

VERMA PICKS FIRST MEDAL FOR INDIA IN WC STAGE III Abhishek Verma fetched India’s first medal in the World Cup Stage III in Paris by winning the gold in men’s compound individual event. It was hard to believe that Verma was taking part in an international competition after almost two years and was almost perfect throughout his semifinal and final clashes on the day. This was Verma’s second individual World Cup gold medal. The 32year-old last won an individual medal in 2015 at World Cup Stage 3 in Wroclaw. The Delhi boy got past Russia’s Antony Bulaev 146-138 in the semis to enter his first World Cup final since Salt Lake City 2018 where he picked a silver. Verma was able to handle pressure well against his higher ranked rival Kris Schaff of the USA to prevail in a tense shoot off in the summit clash. After both archers ended with 148 points, the World No. 5 Schaff hit a nine. Verma responded with a perfect 10 to seal the tie.