AV 10th January 2026

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10 - 16 JANUARY 2026

Let noble thoughts come to us from every side

VOL 54 - ISSUE 35

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Rising attacks on Hindus spark calls to review Yunus’ Nobel Prize

US FORCES RAID VENEZUELA, ABDUCTS MADURO US President Donald Trump has issued a series of blunt warnings to multiple countries in recent hours, signalling an increasingly confrontational stance across global regions.

This follows a bold US military operation in Venezuela, which resulted in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his subsequent transfer to New York to face federal charges related to drug trafficking and weapons offenses. Since the operation, Trump has spoken out against at least five countries, including India, Iran, Cuba, Colombia, and Greenland.

Dr Muhammad Yunus Full story on page 22

PM Modi hails Somnath as symbol of enduring faith and courage

Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Somnath Temple Full story on page 23 DELHI: MUMBAI: BANGALORE: AHMEDABAD: HYDERABAD: GOA: CHENNAI: DUBAI: ISLAMABAD: LAHORE: SINGAPORE: COLOMBO: NEW YORK:

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Captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro arrives at the Downtown Manhattan Heliport

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India’s economic rise signals global power shift

India has now surpassed Japan to become the world’s fourth-largest economy in nominal GDP, with a GDP of $4.18 trillion, according to the government’s year-end economic review.

The country is poised to overtake Germany within the next 2.5 to 3 years, potentially becoming the third-largest economy, with a projected GDP of $7.3 trillion by 2030.

Full story on page 27

u Air India may appoint new CEO before 2027 Page – 26 u Dr S Jaishankar: The strategist steering India’s voice Page – 27 u Atiqa Mir makes historic debut in Junior Karting Championship Page – 32

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From cost of living to migration, Starmer sets out goals for 2026

Dear Readers, We trust you received our Annual Calendar 2026 with last week’s edition of Asian Voice, sent exclusively to our valued paid subscribers. We hope it is already proving useful and has found a place in your homes as you step into the New Year.

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Source: Royal Mint

Royal Mint to release £5 coin for Queen’s centenary

Sir Keir Starmer has warned Labour rivals that any move to unseat him would plunge the party into chaos and hand power to Nigel Farage, as he set out his priorities for 2026 in a wide-ranging interview marking the start of the year.

With Labour struggling in the polls and discontent simmering on the backbenches, the prime minister insisted his leadership would endure. He said constant leadership changes had destroyed the Conservatives’ credibility and argued that repeating the mistake would be “utter chaos”. Starmer said he expected to remain in Downing Street until at least 2027.

On Europe, he signalled a push for closer alignment with the EU single market, arguing it would boost the economy while stopping short of joining a customs union.

The government will explore deeper co-operation on food standards, professional qualifications, touring artists and electricity markets, while retaining sovereignty over decisions.

Starmer also confirmed plans for a limited youth mobility scheme with the EU, allowing young people

IN BRIEF STARMER OPEN TO CLOSER EU RELATIONS

Sir Keir Starmer

to live and work abroad for a fixed period, while ruling out a return to free movement.

Addressing the cost-of-living crisis, he acknowledged public frustration after years of stagnant living standards, saying his government had a five-year mandate to “turn the country around”. On migration, he pledged to accelerate the closure of asylum hotels, with visible progress expected in the coming months.

He also said 2026 could bring “significant progress” towards ending the war in Ukraine, with talks on US-backed security guarantees now at an advanced stage.

Britain on verge of population decline Britain could enter a “new era” of population shrinkage this year, as deaths may soon outnumber births, the Resolution Foundation has warned.

Research director Gregory Thwaites said the shift is driven by “extremely low fertility and not especially high deaths.”

The demographic change could reshape debates on migration and public services. Ruth Curtice, the think tank’s chief executive, noted it raises “questions about the future of our public services and the tax revenues needed to fund them in an age-

ing society.” Births have exceeded deaths for most of the 20th century, aside from 1976 and the pandemic years of 2020 and 2023. But the UK’s birthrate has fallen from three children per woman in the 1960s to 1.4 in 2024, below the 2.1 replacement level.

The Resolution Foundation predicts deaths could surpass births by 100,000 annually by the mid-2040s, while the proportion of people dependent on the state could rise from 31% to 47% over 50 years. Population growth in recent years has relied heavily on immigration.

More voters say migrants can never be ‘truly British’

A new £5 coin will be issued in 2026 to mark what would have been Queen Elizabeth II’s 100th birthday.

The coin, one of five new releases by the Royal Mint this year, features the Queen’s cypher and St Edward’s Crown, framed by foliage inspired by the East Door ironwork of St George’s Chapel, her final resting place. It also bears

the Latin inscription “Exaltabitur in gloria” – “She will be exalted in glory.”

Other coins in the set include two 50p pieces commemorating 100 years of the British Grand Prix and 50 years of The King’s Trust, alongside £2 coins celebrating 200 years of the Zoological Society of London and HMS Beagle.

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The number of people who believe you must be born in Britain to be “truly British” has nearly doubled in two years, rising from 19% in 2023 to 36% in 2025, according to a YouGov survey of 2,370 adults for the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR).

The shift is strongest among Reform UK supporters, 59% of whom see British identity as ethnic rather than civic. Seventy-one per cent of Reform voters said British ancestry is important, compared with 42% of Conservatives, 22% of Labour sup-

porters, and 26% of Liberal Democrats.

Around 37% of Reform voters said they would be prouder of Britain if there were fewer people from ethnic-minority backgrounds in ten years, with 10% believing white skin is essential to be a “good” British citizen.

Overall, most respondents still viewed Britishness through shared values and behaviours rather than ethnicity. The top qualities of a good citizen included obeying the law (64%), paying taxes, and speaking English.

The UK is willing to deepen its post-Brexit ties with the EU if it serves the national interest, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has said. Speaking after a recent trade deal, Starmer highlighted existing alignment on agriculture and food, describing it as a “sovereign decision.”

Starmer appeared to reject calls to re-join a full customs union, despite Health Secretary Wes Streeting describing it as offering “enormous economic benefits.”

Tories accused the Prime Minister of “surrendering our freedom” and attempting to “undo” Brexit.

PENSIONERS’ FREE RAIL TRAVEL FACES REVIEW London pensioners could face restrictions on free travel across the capital’s transport network as London Councils reviews the Freedom Pass scheme. London Councils, which administers the scheme on behalf of the capital’s 32 boroughs and the City of London, is reportedly considering limiting free travel for residents aged 66 and over to bus services only. Currently, eligible Londoners can travel free on buses, the Underground, Overground and other rail services. According to reports, the annual cost of the scheme is set to rise by more than 10 per cent this year to £372 million.

FUNERAL MISHAP LEADS TO PAYOUT A family has been awarded more than £1,000 in compensation after funeral staff placed their loved one in a coffin that was too small, forcing the lid shut against his head and causing injuries. Co-op Funeralcare was found to have left “deep indentations” to the skull of the man, known as Mr A, and injured his hand.

Relatives said staff suggested laying him on his side and initially claimed his dentures were lost.

FATAL CIRCUMCISION SPARKS CORONER CONCERN A coroner has raised serious concerns about circumcisions being carried out “without any prior training” after a sixmonth-old boy died days after undergoing the procedure. Mohamed Abdisama died on February 12, 2023, from a rare and lifethreatening infection, invasive Streptococcus pyogenes. The inquest highlighted the absence of any external accreditation system for non-therapeutic circumcision, raising questions about safety standards and oversight.

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Rising, shining India and Indians India and Indians continue to make progress despite global political challenges. Under the current administration, the country remains focused on its objectives, demonstrating consistent growth and resilience in response to various obstacles.

India has overtaken Japan as the world's fourth-largest economy, according to the Indian government’s end-of-year review. The report states India's GDP is about $4.18 trillion and could reach $7.3 trillion by 2030, potentially surpassing Germany to become the third-largest economy after the United States and China within three years.

Duvvuri Subbarao, former governor of the Reserve Bank of India, wrote in the Financial Times that India has historically alternated between periods of rapid growth accompanied by inflation and external imbalances, and phases of macroeconomic stability achieved at the expense of slower expansion. The country's recent performance appears to fall between these two extremes. Improved macroeconomic management plays a significant role in this development.

Over the past decade, India formally adopted inflation targeting, resulting in more predictable and transparent monetary policy. While fiscal policy remains relatively loose, it has gained greater credibility through an explicit mediumterm consolidation plan and a clearer distinction between routine expenditures and public investment.

He further wrote that on the external side, India's reliance on foreign capital to finance growth has diminished, an important shift for a nation with a history of balance-ofpayments challenges. Structural reforms have further contributed to a positive outlook.

National biometric identification, real-time payments, and interoperable digital platforms have significantly reduced transaction costs, enhanced financial inclusion, and

strengthened the government's capacity to deliver services.

There are also preliminary indications that the supply side of the economy has become more responsive.

Major public investments in transportation and logistics infrastructure have alleviated bottlenecks that previously caused periods of rapid growth to swiftly translate into inflation. Targeted incentives are now drawing manufacturing investments into electronics, renewables, and other tradable sectors.

Meanwhile, there has also been notable growth among Indians. Four entrepreneurs of Indian origin, Ankur Jain, Nikhil Kamath, Adarsh Hiremath, and Surya Midha, with a combined net worth exceeding $11 billion, have been recognised among the world's richest self-made billionaires on Forbes’ annual 40 under 40 list.

Forbes identified a total of 71 billionaires under the age of 39 who have independently amassed their fortunes. Of these, the majority (48) are active in technology, followed by finance and investments (12), while all but 11 were engaged in these sectors. Nearly 32 of these young entrepreneurs are American citizens, with China (8), India (6), Australia (3), Sweden (3), and Canada (3) completing the top six nationalities represented. Eight of the individuals listed are women.

However, Subbarao cautions that despite significant growth, India faces ongoing challenges with private investment. Sustainable growth requires contributions from all economic sectors, not just public spending. Employment growth in manufacturing lags behind output expansion. If private investment strengthens, job creation and productivity will signal a shift to sustained growth; otherwise, current gains may prove temporary.

Optimism is warranted, but full celebration remains premature.

Why Britain should regulate children's social media use In recent years, social media has become an integral aspect of daily life, including among children. Since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, both media device usage and Internet access have increased significantly. Adolescents often access the Internet independently, engaging with social media platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. During periods of lockdown, online connectivity facilitated communication with peers and ensured the continuity of activities like educational instruction. Nevertheless, it is important to recognise that excessive media use may be associated with adverse outcomes, particularly for vulnerable populations such as young people.

An Ofcom report in 2022 highlighted more than a fifth of 1217 year olds were unable to detect fake social media profile (22%), a quarter of these thought profile pictures and posted photos proved it was real. Children were more likely to experience being bullied via technology (84%) than face to face (61%).

The other problem of social media is also how extremist groups exploit it to brainwash the young and it is through these platforms that many British youths were drawn to the ideology of the Islamic State, leaving the country to join terrorists in Syria, Iraq, and other conflict zones. The case of Shamima Begum is just one example, and there have been others as well.

The same social media platforms have also been used by far-

right groups to incite disturbances across Britain, with teenagers often at the forefront, participating in violent acts.

This makes it essential to regulate social media to protect the next generation from being drawn into deep wells of hatred and resentment. Children and adolescents lack fully developed reasoning skills, making them highly vulnerable to brainwashing in a short time. Australia has recognised this danger and acted in time and Britain must now take urgent steps in the same direction.

Recently, the United Kingdom's terrorism watchdog recommended that the Keir Starmer government evaluate the possibility of prohibiting social media use for individuals under the age of 16. The watchdog proposed enacting legislation like Australia’s, which restricts access to social media platforms for those younger than 16. This recommendation is grounded in concerns that social media and internet exposure may heighten the vulnerability of children and adolescents to violence and radicalisation.

Although mobile phones, Internet, and social media represent substantial technological progress, it is essential to recognise that every technology carries inherent benefits as well as potential risks. Without robust safeguards, unregulated access to information can adversely affect users of all ages.

Trump’s terrible tactics On the reverse of every US dollar is the phrase “Novus Ordo Seclorum,” which translates to "a new order of the ages." This concept encapsulates the perspective underlying America's security strategies and global outlook.

The United States is recognised as a prominent global power, and its foreign policy has historically been assertive, often utilising military capability, economic leverage, and political influence to impact countries beyond its borders.

This methodology has evolved over time, shaped by the nation's historical experiences, ideological beliefs, strategic interests, and a consistent commitment to maintaining its leadership in the international order.

The attack on Venezuela signals that, under Trump’s leadership, the United States is prepared to challenge the rulesbased global order. This event has sparked concerns about the possibility of a US attempt to gain control of Greenland.

Trump’s assertive and contentious actions seem aimed at two primary objectives. He appears intent on securing the Western Hemisphere, even if this comes at Europe’s expense. By exerting dominance over countries in North and South America and applying tariffs as leverage, Trump seems to be uniting the continents to oppose other regions of the world.

By pressuring Venezuela and prompting a leadership change, the United States has accomplished an important strategic objective. Washington has long been concerned about the alliance among Venezuela, Russia, Iran, and China.

Venezuela's strong ties with China, especially its contribution to China's energy supply, were seen as directly opposing American interests. President Trump aimed to disrupt this alliance by ending Nicolas Maduro's rule.

While Russia and China have voiced their criticisms through official channels, neither seems prepared to risk direct military conflict with the United States. Russia, led by President Vladimir Putin, has been involved in the ongoing war against Ukraine for four years and has yet to subdue

Ukraine. Given these circumstances, Russia is not in a position to challenge the US militarily.

China is currently prioritising economic development over military engagement. Chinese leadership recognises its limitations in matching the United States militarily yet asserts its capacity to compete on economic grounds. Consequently, China is considered unlikely to pursue direct military confrontation with the United States.

Currently, the adjustments in US strategic policy have led to uncertainty among international leaders and analysts, leaving the long-term intentions of the United States unclear.

The recent developments in Venezuela suggest that President Trump intends for the United States to reduce its dependence on crude oil from the Middle East and Russia.

Venezuela's substantial oil reserves position it as a significant factor in shifts to the global energy landscape should US influence be established. Pre-emptive actions taken by the administration have created notable reactions within the international community.

There is also an increasing belief among Trump and other US officials that securing control over Greenland would enhance American security interests in the western hemisphere, preparing for future global challenges.

Following the 2024 presidential election, Donald Trump resumed office with a platform highlighting his opposition to war. During his initial year, he emphasised efforts toward peace and credited his administration with resolving multiple conflicts. However, at the beginning of 2026, this approach has changed significantly as the United States commenced military operations against neighbouring Venezuela and detained Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

At present, the United States' new strategy has created uncertainty among world leaders and analysts. It remains to be seen how this approach will develop and what its underlying objectives are.

Thought for the week “Small deeds done are better than great deeds planned.” – Swami Vivekananda

Political Sketchbook Alpesh Patel

Why Does the Persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh Fail to Resonate in the UK, and What Does British Hindu Frustration Reveal?

British public discourse is shaped not only by facts but by narrative familiarity. Conflicts that resonate tend to fit pre-existing moral frames: oppressor versus oppressed, powerful state versus vulnerable minority, or Western responsibility for harm.

The persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh resists easy categorisation. Bangladesh is often framed internationally as a developing democracy and a victim of colonial history rather than an aggressor state. Violence against Hindus there is frequently localised, intermittent, and embedded in complex social and political dynamics rather than framed as systematic state policy. This complexity makes it harder to compress into a clear moral storyline suitable for mass media.

By contrast, British media incentives favour narratives that are visually dramatic, morally legible, and politically familiar.

Where such frames are absent, issues struggle to gain traction regardless of their severity.

Identity Politics and the Hierarchy of Recognition Multicultural democracies do not recognise all grievances equally. Sociological research shows that public recognition is unevenly distributed, shaped by historical activism, institutional access, and narrative resonance.

In Britain, Hindu communities are often perceived as economically successful, socially integrated, and politically quiet.

This has produced what might be called a paradox of integration: groups that integrate successfully gain social acceptance but lose visibility as vulnerable minorities.

Victimhood, in public discourse, is often unconsciously linked to marginality. British Hindus therefore struggle to fit the prevailing template of a community requiring urgent advocacy. Their concerns about overseas persecution are sometimes misinterpreted as geopolitical lobbying rather than humanitarian alarm.

This does not reflect hostility towards Hindus, but rather a recognition system that privileges certain kinds of vulnerability over others.

Post-Colonial Sensitivities and Foreign-Policy Caution British foreign policy remains shaped by post-colonial reflexes. Governments are cautious about appearing to moralise towards South Asian states, particularly Muslim-majority countries, for fear of accusations of neo-imperialism or cultural bias.

Bangladesh occupies a sensitive diplomatic position: a key development partner, a contributor to UN peacekeeping, and a state with which the UK seeks stability and cooperation.

Raising concerns about minority persecution risks diplomatic friction without obvious strategic gain.

As a result, moral concern is filtered through strategic calculation. Silence is not endorsement, but caution. For British Hindus, however, this restraint appears indistinguishable from neglect.

Diaspora Politics and Unequal Advocacy Capacity Diaspora influence is uneven. Communities that have developed strong advocacy networks, media engagement strategies, and political mobilisation over decades are more effective at translating overseas grievances into domestic concern. British Hindu organisations have historically prioritised social integration, educational success, and local civic engagement. This has been a strength, but it has also meant less emphasis on international advocacy infrastructure. When crises arise abroad, there is often no established pathway to convert concern into sustained political attention.

Frustration therefore reflects not only exclusion, but a mismatch between expectations and political mechanics.

Moral Selectivity Without Moral Malice The absence of attention does not imply that British values reject Hindu suffering. Rather, it illustrates what political theorists describe as bounded moral attention. Liberal democracies express humanitarian concern selectively, guided by narrative clarity, political cost, and institutional habit.

This selectivity is morally uncomfortable but politically common. It reveals a system in which some injustices become visible because they align with existing moral vocabularies, while others remain peripheral. British Hindu frustration is therefore intelligible and justified, but its cause lies less in animus than in the architecture of public discourse.

What British Hindu Frustration Ultimately Reveals The frustration expressed by British Hindus exposes three broader truths: 1. Integration does not guarantee recognition.

Social success can paradoxically reduce moral visibility.

2. Multiculturalism rewards narratives, not numbers.

Communities that do not fit dominant frames struggle to be heard.

3. Liberal concern is universal in principle, selective in practice.

This gap between principle and practice generates disillusionment among communities that believe, reasonably, that British values of fairness and individual dignity should extend beyond borders and identities.

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Nurse struck off over anti-Muslim, anti-immigrant posts

Following a public complaint, Batchelor admitted to the posts, expressing "disgust" at her actions. She attributed her behaviour to

frustration over government cuts to elderly benefits, such as the winter fuel payment.

Despite highlighting her own diverse family background and apologizing for her conduct, she admitted she no longer deserved the "privilege" of being a nurse.

Nursing and The Midwifery Council (NMC) concluded that a striking-off order was the only appropriate sanction. The panel determined that her actions were fundamentally incompatible with professional standards, stating the move was essential to protect the public interest and maintain the integrity of the nursing profession.

A man has been jailed at Manchester Crown Court for the sexual abuse of a vulnerable teenage girl over a two-year period.

Hasnain Ahmed, born on 22 August 2000, of Blakey Street, south Manchester, was sentenced to two and a half years in prison on Monday 5 January 2026. He was found guilty in November of four counts of sexual assault of a child under 13 by touching, one count of sexual assault by penetration, and two counts

of causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity.

Ahmed, who was 17 at the time of the offences, repeatedly coerced the victim into non-consensual sexual acts between 2016 and 2018. The abuse was disclosed in April 2021, with the victim later giving a detailed video interview to police.

The court heard a powerful statement from the victim, who said the abuse had “changed the course of my entire life”. Ahmed was

Hasnain Ahmed

also given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and a restraining order, both lasting ten years.

BMW driver jailed for injuring moped rider A Wolverhampton man has been jailed after a dangerous driving incident left a moped rider with lifechanging injuries.

Majinder Singh Virk, 48, was driving a BMW above the speed limit when he overtook cars on Moseley Road, Bilston, around 1.50pm on January 7. He collided with the rider near the junction of Prouds Lane, with such force that her hel-

A year after Birmingham’s bin strike began, the city continues to feel its effects.

Collections remain unreliable, bins still line pavements, and negotiations between the council and unions have stalled. Although the worst of the rubbish backlog has been cleared, residents say daily life remains disrupted, with lingering smells, mess and uncertainty. Complaints about missed collections, rat infestations and sanitation fears continue to circulate online and through local petitions. Agency and contingency crews are keeping essential services running, but kerbside recycling remains suspended, and some agency workers have also taken strike action over alleged poor conditions. Unite says the move could mean pay cuts of up to £8,000 a year, while the council insists the changes are necessary to address equal pay liabilities. With neither side backing down, the strike shows no sign of ending.

A man has appeared in court accused of performing a sex act on a flight. Britto Lorence, 27, denies masturbating on an Emirates flight from Dubai to Newcastle in June.

Lorence appeared at Newcastle Magistrates’ Court on Friday charged with one count of Britto Lorence outraging public decency. He pleaded not guilty to the alleged incident, said to have occurred on June 2, 2025. Prosecutor Holly Clegg told the court the alleged act took place during the flight to Newcastle Airport. Lorence, from Abingdon Road, Middlesbrough, spoke only to confirm his personal details and enter his plea.

He was granted unconditional bail and will return to court for trial on Wednesday, May 6.

Birmingham City Council are due to face MPs over the decision to bar Israeli football fans from a match in the city last year. Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters were banned from attending a game against Aston Villa in November, a move criticised by the prime minister and other politicians, some of whom described it as antisemitic.

BBC News has seen a letter from the Dutch police inspectorate that appears to challenge claims about Maccabi fans’ previous behaviour used to justify the ban.

West Midlands Police said the decision was taken over public safety concerns. Aston Villa said Birmingham’s Safety Advisory Group had deemed the fixture high risk.

The match went ahead without away fans.

POLICE GRILLED OVER ISRAELI Man charged over FOOTBALL FAN BAN alleged plane sexual act The leaders of West Midlands Police and Source: Facebook

Man jailed, given 10-year sexual harm order

met was knocked off, necessitating life-saving treatment.

The rider continues to live with the effects of her injuries and is adjusting to a permanent disability.

Investigators from West Midlands Police’s serious collision unit found Virk was travelling between 49– 54mph before the crash.

Virk, of Norbury Road, Wolverhampton, admitted

Man denies charges over double shooting Majinder Singh Virk

causing serious injury by dangerous driving. On December 22, he was sentenced to three years in prison and banned from driving at Birmingham Crown Court.

West Midlands Police Sergeant Richard Evans said: “This was an extreme and wholly unacceptable example of dangerous driving. Virk chose to drive on the wrong side of the road at speed, overtaking multiple vehicles through pedestrian crossings and approaching junctions, putting others at obvious risk. The victim could not have anticipated a vehicle coming towards them on the wrong side of the carriageway.

The resulting collision caused catastrophic, lifechanging injuries. This serves as a stark reminder that reckless driving decisions can destroy lives in an instant.”a

IN BRIEF BIRMINGHAM’S BIN STRIKE, ONE YEAR ON

A new regional drive to strengthen community engagement, cultural dialogue and civic participation among the Indian diaspora in North East England has been launched with the appointment of Sahibee Anand as Sahibee Anand North East Regional Convenor of the Overseas Friends of Bharatiya Janata Party UK (OFBJP UK).

Anand said he looked forward to working with community groups, professionals and students across the region. “My focus will be on bringing people together, encouraging constructive engagement and supporting initiatives rooted in inclusion and shared values,” he said.

A man has denied murder and firearms charges following a fatal shooting in Wolverhampton that left two men dead.

Duaine Mills, 28, and Syed Zain Ali, 32, were killed Victim: Syed Zain Ali in a shooting on Leicester Street on 19 September last year. Maneer Khan, 38, is accused of their murders and appeared at Wolverhampton Crown Court on Monday via video link alongside co-defendant Yaseen Patel, 34.

Khan, of St Catharine’s Close, Walsall, pleaded not guilty to two counts of murder, one count of attempted murder and two firearms offences linked to the shooting. He also denied a separate fraud charge, relating to an alleged false passport application in November.

Patel, of Bromford Way, Birmingham, pleaded not guilty to assisting an offender, after allegedly helping Khan apply for a passport under a false identity.

Both men were remanded in custody and are due to stand trial on 20 July.

Credit: West Midlands Police

After a 45-year career, Birmingham nurse Roberta Batchelor has been struck off the medical register for sharing inflammatory antiMuslim and anti-immigrant content on Facebook.

In August 2024, while serving as a ward manager at Hospitals University Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Batchelor posted several divisive images. These included captions claiming migrants "get everything" while veterans "get nothing," and posts criticizing taxpayer funding for mosque protection. She also shared biblical excerpts warning of the rising power of foreigners.

Indian leader appointed to strengthen North East diaspora

OLDHAM GANG-RAPE SUSPECT LATER TRIED KILLING WIFE A grooming gang suspect who escaped scrutiny due to multiple police failings later attempted to murder his wife, a Guardian investigation has found.

Identified only as Offender J in official documents, he is alleged to have been involved in the 2006 gang rape of 12-yearold Samantha Walker-Roberts in Oldham, Greater Manchester. In 2009, Offender J tried to kill his wife. Two years earlier, he had been named by ringleader Shakil Chowdhury as an alleged accomplice in Walker-Roberts’s abuse. Greater Manchester police, however, failed to follow up and closed the case. The Guardian understands that Offender J is now unlikely to face charges over WalkerRoberts’s abuse, as surviving forensic evidence does not link him to the crime.

MIDDLESBROUGH POLICE HUNT ASSAULT SUSPECTS Police are investigating after a 25-year-old woman was sexually assaulted outside Bazaar Restaurant in Captain Cook Square, Middlesbrough, on December 13, 2025. The woman was leaving the venue between 7.30pm and 8.00pm when a group of five to seven men, aged 17 to 23 and wearing dark clothing, surrounded her. One man then assaulted her before the group fled in an unknown direction. Cleveland Police have launched a manhunt and released a CCTV image of a man they wish to speak to, urging anyone with information to come forward.

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NHS BETS ON DIGITAL REVOLUTION TO CUT WAITS Online consultations will prioritise prostate screening and menopause care among other others, offering faster consultations, earlier diagnosis and remote support to reduce delays and long-standing health inequalities Anusha Singh

M

enopause and prostate conditions will be among the first priorities of the NHS’s revolutionary new “online hospital”, set to transform how patients access specialist care across England.

The NHS has identified nine common conditions that will be treated initially through NHS Online, a flagship digital service announced by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer last autumn and now moving into its delivery phase.

The service will allow patients to be triaged through the NHS App, consult specialists via video, and be monitored remotely from home; reducing unnecessary hospital visits and long waits.

NHS Online, expected to see its first patients in 2027, is central to efforts to modernise the health service. Officials say it will make care more personalised, convenient and equitable, helping to end the postcode lottery by digitally connecting patients with expert clinicians nationwide. While in-person appointments will remain available, the new model

Professor Prasanna Sooriakumaran

Dr Nikita Kanani MBE

Kiran Singh

aims to make accessing care as simple as online banking.

The service is expected to deliver the equivalent of up to 8.5 million virtual appointments and assessments in its first three years, four times the output of an average NHS trust. It will build on existing digital innovations such as online prescriptions, test results and virtual GP appointments already used by millions.

Talking about online consultations when it was announced, Dr Nikita Kanani MBE, a GP and former medical director of primary care at NHS England explained that, “Online consultations are fantastic for patients. They allow people to describe their concerns in their own words, at any time, without battling

phone queues. They also help practices triage requests efficiently. But they’re not a silver bullet; you still need staff and resources to make them work, and technology alone cannot solve all the pressures on appointments.

“Patients may not notice an immediate difference, but over time, all of this support should translate into improvements: practical fewer queues, quicker responses, and better care.”

Menopause, stigma and delayed support Women’s health conditions, including severe menopause symptoms and menstrual problems that may signal endometriosis or fibroids, will be eligible for online referral. Kiran Singh, a multi-award-winning entrepreneur, midlife

coach, and menopause wellness coach, in a previous conversation with Asian Voice, highlighted that research suggests South Asian women often experience menopause earlier than other ethnic groups.

“It’s often a combination,” she explained.

“Genetics play a role, but chronic stress, inflammatory diets, lifestyle habits, and environmental toxins can all contribute. Many South Asian women are raised to put others first, which delays self-care and impacts hormonal health.”

She also addressed the cultural stigma around menopause. “Silence leads to shame. Many women feel like they’re ‘losing it’ or being dramatic when they’re actually going through a natural transi-

tion. Without the language or support, symptoms are internalised, misdiagnosed, and left untreated, deepening the sense of isolation and suffering.”

Perhaps quicker access to online help might turn things around for these women.

Prostate conditions fast-tracked Prostate issues, such as prostate enlargement and raised prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, will also be prioritised.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men in the UK, with around 55,000 diagnoses and 12,000 deaths each year.

Urological cancers currently have the longest diagnostic waits of all cancer types, with just 29 per cent diagnosed within 28 days of urgent referral in recent years.

Previously writing for Asian Voice, Professor Prasanna Sooriakumaran, a leading urologist and prostate cancer surgeon said, “Prostate cancer is becoming a serious issue in the Asian community, especially for men in their 60s and older.

“The cancer is usually without any symptoms until it has spread to other

regions of the body when it is too late for cure. Hence, it is vitally important to go looking for it rather than wait until it gives symptoms.

The best way to do this is with regular blood tests for a marker called prostate-specific antigen (or PSA).

Health Secretary Wes Streeting said the reforms would spare men months of anxiety caused by long waits for prostate investigations.

“For too many men, a raised PSA result means weeks of uncertainty and stress,” he said. “These symptoms don’t always mean cancer and are often treatable but men deserve answers quickly, not months in limbo.”

Eye conditions including cataracts, glaucoma and macular degeneration, as well as inflammatory bowel disease and iron-deficiency anaemia will also be prioritised.

Patients will be offered NHS Online when referred by their GP for specialist care. Consultations will take place through the NHS App, while tests, scans and procedures will continue at local healthcare sites. Clinicians will review results remotely, allowing patients to move more quickly from referral to diagnosis, treatment and follow-up.

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AS I SEE IT

CB Patel Britain's snowfall contrasts with the festive celebrations at Ambaji in Gujarat, where devotees honour Goddess Ambe Mata and pray for well-being. Life moves forward, marked by traditions like New Year’s resolutions; I remain dedicated to advancing knowledge and supporting the community, thanks to readers’ ongoing encouragement.

Time keeps moving, and change follows shifting circumstances. After major political change in Japan, Sanae Takaichi became the country’s first female Prime Minister, known for her firm leadership despite her gentle appearance. In Bangladesh, atrocities against Hindus have reportedly increased, triggering criticism of Muhammad Yunus and renewed questions over his Nobel Peace Prize, amid accusations that he has failed, as Chief Advisor of the interim government, to curb violence and human rights abuses against Hindu communities (see p1).

With elections on the horizon, political tensions are running high, and many seem intent on deepening unrest. Nepal’s shortterm political strategies have resulted in closer ties with China, while Sri Lanka is working to break away from Chinese influence and concentrate on development efforts based on lessons learned from its past. In Pakistan, its longstanding struggle for foreign aid remains unresolved, and current policies offer little optimism for change in the coming year.

Meanwhile, hostilities persist between Russia and Ukraine in an ongoing conflict, while Saudi Arabia has conducted airstrikes in southern Yemen as part of operations against ISIS militants.

But America, as a superpower, with its President Donald Trump have drawn much attention. Once primarily focused on business, Trump transitioned to the presidency and has made global waves with his policies on tariffs and immigration.

Beyond these actions, Trump has taken steps against Venezuela's President Maduro and his wife, reportedly removing them from their palace at midnight to bring them to the US for drug trafficking charges. In contrast, China continues to pursue greater influence throughout Asia by employing both pressure and diplomatic strategies.

Although China presents itself as a global superpower, conversations about the vulnerability of its economy are rare.

In the United Kingdom, the current Starmer administration has yet to implement significant policy changes. Efforts to provide support for those affected by rising inflation have not been introduced, while recent fiscal measures have included increased taxation. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has faced challenges in executing independent policy decisions and ensuring their implementation, which has contributed to limited economic progress.

Even as the world faces political, economic and military turbu-

FAITH, DETERMINATION AND SERVICE - THE MAKING OF MODERN INDIA lence, India continues to move forward steadily on the path of economic and overall development. As I write these lines, my heart swells with pride as an Indian. A closer look at global trends clearly highlights India’s strong and balanced position.

Over the past eleven years, the country has made remarkable progress.

Be it economic growth predicting it to be the 4th largest economy (see p1 and 3), technological advancement, strengthening of defence capabilities or infrastructure development, India has taken confident strides under the guiding vision of ‘Make in India’, earning recognition across the world. Much of the credit for this extraordinary transformation goes to the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

This native of Gujarat has raised India’s profile internationally to such a degree that the country’s development is impossible to overlook. Among Indians,

to maintain vigilance regarding Pakistan and its military activities.

Recipe to Modi’s success I vividly recall how, back in 2001, it was unimaginable that Narendra Modi would be chosen as Chief Minister of Gujarat. He transitioned directly from his role as a Sangh Pracharak into active politics, immediately assuming the position of Chief Minister. At the time, many doubted his readiness, capabilities, and administrative expertise, yet he dispelled every scepticism. His unwavering commitment to hard work has become his guiding principle.

Throughout his journey, from governing Gujarat to leading India as Prime Minister, it appears he hasn't taken a single day of rest.

During my frequent travels to India, I visited Gujarat and reached out to Narendra Modi’s office as the Chief Minister. I was quickly invited for morning tea, where our conversations often lasted between 30 to 45 minutes.

On one such occasion, I visit-

ister was collecting funds in the party’s name for personal gain.

The decision was swift and its implementation even swifter.

On one occasion, during a formal conversation with a senior official associated with the Prime Minister’s Office, I casually asked, “What is Narendrabhai’s working style like?” In a single sentence, he answered a lot: “Sir, when you are with him, you forget the clock.”

The rightful spiritual son of HH Pramukh Swami Maharaj Many influential figures, from global leaders to spiritual guardians of Sanatan dharma, have recognised Prime Minister Modi’s exceptional insight, understanding, and forwardthinking vision. His tireless leadership is often seen as remarkable, displaying clarity and purpose that some attribute to a higher power. While it isn’t my place to say whether he possesses a special divine blessing, I do know that Modi deeply respected an extraordinary person whom he

PM Narendra Modi and HH Mahant Swami pay heartfelt respects to HH Pramukh Swami Maharaj

particularly the youth and women, there is now a noticeable wave of enthusiasm, energy, and selfassurance. Exceptional results follow when capable leadership is driven by clear vision and strategic planning, as India demonstrates.

Consider the matter of American tariffs: when President Trump introduced high tariffs to pressure India, the Modi government responded with composure and determination. Through expanding export markets and forming Free Trade Agreements with other countries including the UK, India successfully countered these actions without resorting to concessions or acting out of fear.

In comparison, Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer has focused on fostering relations with Washington, including organising a visit by King Charles, Queen Camilla, and the Prince to the United States. At the same time, India has demonstrated decisiveness in its foreign policy, responding firmly to China at Galwan and conducting ‘Operation Sindoor’

ed his office in Gandhinagar. I was warmly welcomed and we sat down. But what a meeting it turned out to be. While our conversation flowed naturally, his work carried on without pause.

One file after another was placed before him; his eyes moved swiftly across the pages. Wherever required, he made a note, signed and set the file aside.

Noticing the pile of files, I casually remarked, “So many files?” He replied just as casually, “If the government has to release payments of over Rs. 3,00,000, (roughly 2500 GBP in today’s currency) it can only be done after my signature, that’s how the red tape gets cleared.” By the time my courtesy visit ended, a substantial number of files had already been disposed of.

As a Sangh Pracharak, Modi shared cordial relations with leaders across the state, but when it came to policy and principles, no personal relationship mattered.

During that period, a minister was abruptly removed overnight.

An inquiry revealed that the min-

considered a father figure: His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj was that revered individual.

When Pramukh Swami Maharaj passed away on 13 August 2016, Prime Minister Modi went to Sarangpur to pay his final respects. Deeply moved, he expressed that losing Pramukh Swami Maharaj felt like losing a father, describing him as a guiding figure who offered strength during challenging times, and wondered aloud who he would now seek for such support. There was a steadfast and affectionate bond between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pramukh Swami Maharaj.

While Modi was a prominent and experienced political leader, Pramukh Swami Maharaj was a respected spiritual leader. Despite working in completely different spheres, both were connected by their unwavering commitment to serving the community. Both devoted themselves fully to their respective roles, which is well recognised. From leading at the

state level to the national stage, whether as Chief Minister or Prime Minister, Narendra Modi has always approached his responsibilities with dedication and focus.

His guiding principle may well be described as “बहुजन हिताय बहुजन सुखाय- For the welfare of the many, for the happiness of the many.” In the same spirit, Pramukh Swami Maharaj, as a senior saint, left no stone unturned in fulfilling the sacred responsibilities associated with his role. Day and night, he remained actively engaged in the propagation and preservation of Sanatan Dharma, both in India and across the world.

Pramukh Swami Maharaj first visited London in 1970 in connection with the Islington Mandir and returned in 1973 and 1974.

During these visits, I had the opportunity to spend time with him and what began as an acquaintance gradually developed into a close, almost familial relationship.

In 1974, Pramukh Swami Maharaj stayed near Hanger Lane in West London, accompanied by revered saints such as Pujya Ishwarcharan Swami and Pujya Viveksagar Swami. During Yogiji Bapa’s final days and even after his passing, certain issues and differences of opinion led some saints to move away from the main fold.

BAPS has continued its work in London in a calm and harmonious manner. Several saints stepped forward to shoulder the responsibility and the seed planted in London under the guidance of Pramukh Swami Maharaj has today grown into a vast tree of faith and culture, in the form of the Neasden Swaminarayan Mandir.

Despite numerous honours and fragile health, Pramukh Swami Maharaj travelled tirelessly across India and overseas. He fulfilled his ‘Pramukh’ responsibility of spreading Indian dharma and tradition. Under his leadership, more than 1,000 BAPS temples were built between 1974 and 1998.

A temple is not merely a place of worship. In my view, our temples are custodians of Sanatan Hindu tradition and our priceless heritage of values. On 7 December, we marked the 75th anniversary of Pujya Bapa assuming the leadership of BAPS. On this occasion, BAPS honoured his life’s work and unforgettable contribution through the Pramukh Varni Amrut Mahotsav.

Just as Pujya Pramukh Swami Maharaj devoted his life to the service of society through BAPS, his spiritual son, PM Narendra Modi, continues to serve the nation with the same commitment and tireless dedication towards India’s resurgence and upliftment. One might say that PM Modi truly lives by the philosophy of his mentor, Pramukh Swami Maharaj, who believed: our own well-being is found in the welfare of others, and our happiness is rooted in making others happy.

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UK to stand firm on Begum citizenship case The Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, will “robustly defend” the decision to strip Shamima Begum of her British citizenship, a government source has confirmed, as European judges scrutinise the case.

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has called for an investigation, asking whether ministers considered if Begum, now 26, had been a victim of grooming or trafficking before losing her citizenship. She travelled from east London to IS-controlled territory at 15, marrying an Islamic State fighter and having three children, all of whom died.

A government source stressed, “The Home

Shamima Begum

Secretary will robustly defend the decision to revoke Shamima Begum’s citizenship, which has been tested and upheld time and again in our domestic courts. National security will always come first.”

Begum’s lawyers argue the government failed to

consider her vulnerability as a minor and potential trafficking victim. They point to failings in protecting her after a friend disappeared to Syria along a similar route.

The case, lodged with the ECHR in December 2024, follows the UK Supreme Court refusing her a challenge. Judges have asked whether the UK had obligations under Article 4 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which prohibits slavery and forced labour.

Conservatives The insist she should not return to the UK, while Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said she “chose to support violent Islamist extremists” and has no place in Britain.

Man found dead in Lambeth named A man discovered dead in a south London home on New Year’s Day has been named as Kaleem Shaik, 41, an Indian national.

The Metropolitan Police were called to an address on Bondway, Lambeth, at 8pm on January 1 following a welfare concern. Inside, officers found Mr Shaik’s body. His family in India have been informed and are receiving support from specialist offi-

Kaleem Shai

cers.

Daniel Levy, 48, who lives on the same road, was

arrested at the scene. On Saturday, he was charged with murder and remanded in custody at Westminster Magistrates’ Court. He is due to appear at the Old Bailey on January 5.

A Met Police spokesperson said, “Police sadly discovered the body of Kaleem Shaik inside the property.

His family have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.”

Queen recounts teenage sexual assault, says she was “furious” The Queen has spoken publicly for the first time about being attacked on a train as a teenager, saying she was left “so furious” after fighting off a man who tried to sexually assault her.

Recalling the incident, Camilla, 78, said: “I was reading my book and this man attacked me. I did fight back. When I got off the train, my mother looked at me and asked, ‘Why is your hair standing on end? And why is a button missing from your coat?’ I had been

Queen Camilla

attacked, and I was so furious about it.”

A man was later arrested at Paddington station.

Camilla was prompted to speak out while recording a BBC radio programme with John Hunt, whose wife and two daughters were murdered in 2024. She praised the family, telling them their loved ones would be “so proud” of how they had carried themselves through tragedy.

Hunt reflected, “You gain wisdom and confidence. It’s not the future you wanted, but there is a small fragment of future that exists.”

Disgraced surgeon harmed nearly 100 children Almost 100 children were seriously harmed by a former surgeon at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) who botched complex leg operations, leaving some with lifelong pain, deformities, or nerve damage.

Yaser Jabbar, an orthopaedic specialist, worked at the central London hospital from June 2017 until September 2023.

One patient even had a leg amputated due to surgical complications. Others have been left with foot drop, or legs differing in length by up to 20cm, forcing multiple

corrective procedures.

Independent experts reviewing Jabbar’s 789 patients in 2024 found between 85 and 100 cases of harm. At least 32 were classified as severe, 36 as moderate, and 18 as mild.

Jabbar, nicknamed “the frame guy” for his extensive use of Ilizarov limb-lengthening frames, was reported to have displayed aggressive and threatening behaviour, poor record-keeping, and to have operated without proper consent. A secret Royal College of Surgeons report criticised both his conduct and the hospital

Yaser Jabbar

leadership, which repeatedly ignored staff warnings.

Jabbar resigned and gave up his UK medical licence in September 2023. He is now listed as working in Dubai but has been suspended by hospitals there.

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SURYA AND SANKRANTI

A

s winter loosens its grip and days begin to lengthen, the Sun quietly resumes its central role in human life, not just as a celestial body, but as a symbol of renewal, balance and hope.

The sun is the lifeblood of our planet. It provides light, warmth, and energy, sustaining life in ways that are both visible and invisible. Plants rely on sunlight for photosynthesis, producing the oxygen we breathe and forming the base of the food chain. Without the sun, ecosystems would collapse, and life on Earth would cease to exist.

In Hindu mythology, the Sun is not merely a source of light; it is revered as Surya, a living deity whose presence sustains life itself.

Across ancient texts, Surya is described as the eye of the universe, the witness to all actions, and the force that drives time forward. The Rig Veda praises the Sun as the dispeller of darkness, both literal and spiritual, while the Gayatri Mantra, one of Hinduism’s most sacred prayers, seeks enlightenment through the Sun’s divine radiance.

To pray to Surya is to pray for clarity, wisdom and strength.

This reverence comes sharply into focus during Makar Sankranti, when the Sun begins its northward journey into Capricorn, marking the end of winter and the promise of longer, warmer days. Unlike many Hindu festivals based on lunar cycles, Makar Sankranti follows the solar calendar, underlining the Sun’s role as the true regulator of seasons, harvests and life rhythms.

Various celebrations of Makar Sankranti Makar Sankranti is celebrated under different names across India. In much of North India, including Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Rajasthan, it is simply known as Makar Sankranti. In other parts of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, it is also called Khichdi, named after the traditional dish, that is cooked and shared on the occasion.

In Tamil Nadu, the festival is called Pongal and is observed as a fourday harvest celebration dedicated to the Sun God. In Gujarat, it is known as Uttarayan and is famously marked by large-scale kite flying. In Punjab, Haryana and parts of Himachal Pradesh, the festival is celebrated as Maghi, while

Story of Surya in Hindu mythology In Hindu mythology, the Sun is not merely a bright celestial body, but a living deity known as Surya: also called Aditya, Vivasvan, or Ravi. He is revered as the "Soul of the World," the source of life and energy that sustains all beings.

Surya was born to the sage Kashyapa and his wife Aditi, the mother of the gods. From the moment of his birth, his brilliance was so overwhelming that it threatened to scorch the universe. To protect the worlds from his intense heat, his brother Aruna, the personification of dawn, stepped forward to lead Surya’s chariot, acting as a shield for all creation.

Surya’s radiance,

could live safely with him, her father Vishwakarma took Surya onto his celestial lathe and chiselled away an eighth of his radiant brilliance. This divine solar matter did not go to waste; it was forged into the most powerful weapons of the gods, including Lord Shiva’s Trident (Trishula), Lord Vishnu’s Discus (Sudarshana Chakra), and Lord Kartikeya’s Spear (Vel).

Surya and his consort’s union brought forth some of the most important figures in Hindu mythology. From Sanjna came Yama, the god of death, and Yamuna, the sacred river goddess.

Chhaya bore Shani, the god of justice and the planet Saturn. While in their horse forms, Surya

Lohri is observed a day earlier to mark the end of winter. In Assam, it is known as Magh or Bhogali Bihu, centred on harvest feasts and community gatherings.

In Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, the festival is called Sankranthi, while in Karnataka it is known as Makara Sankramana. In West Bengal, it is celebrated as Poush Sankranti, with traditional sweets prepared for the occasion.

All these festivals are celebrations dedicated to the Sun God, honouring Surya as the life-giver whose energy nurtures crops, sustains communities, and brings prosperity. In honouring Surya, we acknowledge the rhythms of nature, the power of gratitude, and the light that sustains life itself.

however, proved challenging even for those closest to him. His wife, Sanjna, the daughter of the divine architect Vishwakarma, adored him but could not bear his blinding light and searing heat. In her struggle, she crafted a shadow of herself named Chhaya and asked her to take her place, while she fled to the forest, transforming into a mare to find peace away from the Sun’s overpowering brilliance. Surya lived with Chhaya for many years, unaware of the substitution, until the shadow began showing favouritism toward her own children. When Surya discovered the truth, he went in search of Sanjna, finding her in horse form.

In an act of divine love, he transformed himself into a stallion to reunite with her.

To ensure that Sanjna

and Sanjna conceived the Ashvins, the divine twin physicians. Surya also blessed Queen Kunti with Karna, the heroic and tragic figure of the Mahabharata, and sired Sugriva, the king of the Vanaras in the Ramayana.

Visually, Surya is depicted riding a golden chariot drawn by seven horses, representing the seven days of the week, the seven colours of the rainbow, and the seven chakras within the human body. In his hands, he carries two lotuses, symbolising the blossoming of life, consciousness, and the light of wisdom that he bestows upon the world.

Thus, Surya’s story is one of brilliance, power, and compassion—a deity whose light sustains life, shapes the cosmos, and guides humans both spiritually and physically.

A thoughtful article from our readers Suresh and Bhavna Patel of Canada reflects on this spiritual resonance of Makar Sankranti. They write: “The significance of Orthodox New Year 2026 (January 14th) lies in its observance of the New Year according to the ancient Julian calendar. Often referred to as the “Old New Year,” it is a culturally rich, family-focused celebration of reflection, tradition, and new beginnings, distinct from the Gregorian New Year on January 1st. While rooted in faith, it is largely cultural today, often marked by family gatherings and, in some communities, church services for spiritual renewal, particularly among those following the older calendar system.

“Being 13 days behind the widely used Gregorian calendar, the Julian New Year falls on January 14, 2026, for followers of the Orthodox tradition, including some Russian, Serbian, and Georgian Orthodox churches. Celebrations may include festive dinners, storytelling, lighting candles for guidance, and special New Year liturgies. The occasion fosters deep community bonding and provides a second chance for fresh starts and resolutions, creating a strong sense of belonging. In essence, Orthodox New Year 2026 is a meaningful cultural milestone, blending ancient tradition with modern hopes for prosperity and spiritual renewal.

“Makar Sankranti is a Hindu festival celebrating the Sun’s transition into Capricorn (Makara), marking the end of winter and the start of longer days. Observed with harvest themes and devotion to the Sun God, Surya, the festival’s agricultural significance encourages shared cultural participation across communities in India, Nepal, and Bangladesh, with even some Muslims joining in celebration, demonstrating harmony.

“Devotees honour Surya as the source of energy and light. Ritual bathing in sacred rivers, such as the Ganga, is believed to cleanse sins and purify the soul. The Sankranti transition is considered highly auspicious for prayer, charity (dāna), and spiritual practices, yielding profound results. Festivities include kite flying, creating colourful rangolis, lighting bonfires, feasting, and sharing traditional sweets.

“Makar Sankranti is also celebrated under various regional names, such as Pongal in Tamil Nadu, Maghi in Punjab and Haryana, and Uttarayan in Gujarat, each with unique local traditions.

“We offer our prayers on the sacred eve of January 14, wishing good health, happiness, and a peaceful life ahead with family, loved ones, acquaintances, well-wishers, and friends. May God bless everyone, keeping all safe and healthy.”

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Impermanence: The only constant Rohit Vadhwana We live in a fast-changing world. Everything around us keeps evolving, including our lifestyles, social values, environment, and technology.

These visible changes remind us that nothing remains constant forever.

Yet at the bottom of these surface-level transformations lies a deeper and universal truth: the philosophy of impermanence. It tells us that the very nature of the universe is transitory. Nothing in this world is permanent.

Whatever arises is bound to change with time. Expecting people, situations, or circumstances to remain constant is therefore an illusion. When life seems to move against us, when circumstances turn unfavourable, efforts fail, people appear uncooperative, and the tunnel ahead looks endlessly dark, we tend to feel hopeless. But time never stands still. Just as the sun inevitably rises after the darkest night, hope follows despair, and success often emerges from repeated failures. Such a phase of life changes, even when it seems impossible in the moment.

Conversely, when we are in positions of power, surrounded by comfort, resources, and loving people, we tend to assume that this is how life will always be. We forget that life has another side. At times, arrogance creeps into our behaviour, and we begin to believe ourselves to be invincible. We may overlook those facing adversity, dismissing their struggles as distant or irrelevant. We become indifferent to them. But unfortunately, when our circumstances change, support disappears, efforts fail, and we feel the shock. It seems like life has betrayed us. Suddenly, the boat seems to be sinking, and survival appears uncertain. At this moment too, we need to remember that the time is cyclical.

Much of this suffering arises from clinging. It may be clinging to position, possessions, power, and people, without remembering their impermanent nature. Awareness of impermanence protects us from this illusion. When circumstances turn against us, remembering the changing nature of the universe offers deep comfort. It reminds us that hardship, too, is temporary.

This insight lies at the heart of the Buddha’s teaching, as he said: “All conditioned things are impermanent.”

Constant awareness of impermanence makes us more accommodating toward life.

Those who understand that power, status, wealth, and relationships are temporary tend to be kinder and more compassionate. They do not ignore the less fortunate, nor are they excessively impressed by those in favourable positions. They see people not as embodiments of success or failure, but as fellow human beings moving through changing circumstances.

Accepting the impermanent nature of life brings inner peace. We stop blaming the system and free ourselves from emotional agitation. Changes no longer provoke anxiety, because we know that change is the very law of existence. This wisdom is echoed in the Bhagavad Gita, where Lord Krishna reminds us that change is inherent to existence and should be accepted with wisdom and equanimity:

“जातस्य हि ध्रुवो मृत्युध्रुवंजन्म मृतस्य च। तस्मादपहि​िाययेऽथयेन त्वंशोहचतुमिुहि॥”

(Bhagavad Gita 2.27) Translation: “For one who is born, death is certain; and for one who has died, birth is certain.

Therefore, over the inevitable, you should not grieve.”

When a person truly understands impermanence, attachment loosens naturally. One remains alert and prepared, without becoming fearful or rigid. Such awareness keeps us humble, grounded, and vigilant. It encourages us to be prepared—emotionally, socially, physically, and financially, for life’s inevitable shifts. Rumi says, “Where there is ruin, there is hope for a treasure.”

With this understanding of impermanence, we begin to see the core of humanity more clearly. We no longer define people by their positions or possessions, but respect them for who they are. Circumstances may differ today, but they can change tomorrow for anyone. Recognising this truth deepens our respect, strengthens our compassion, and allows us to live with greater balance, dignity, and peace.

Elixir: “Suffering begins when we cling to power, possessions, or people, forgetting that everything in life is meant to change.”

(Expressed opinions are personal)

A tribute ceremony has been held in Leicester to honour Manjula Sood, the city’s first female Asian Lord Mayor.

The event took place on Sunday (December 28) at Ramgarhia Hall on Ulverscroft Road and was attended by current and former political leaders, senior community figures and police officers, who gathered to pay their respects.

A spokesperson for Leicestershire Police described the ceremony as “very touching”, adding that it was moving to hear tributes reflecting the positive impact Councillor Sood had on so many lives. At the time of her death, she was the serving councillor for Stoneygate ward and the High Bailiff of Leicester, following a long and distinguished political career,

Credit: Leicestershire Police

Ceremony celebrates life of Leicester’s first Asian Lord Mayor

Cllr Manjula Sood

particularly in east Leicester.

A former teacher, Mrs Sood was widely believed to be Leicester’s first Asian female teacher after arriving in the UK in 1970. She later made history as the first Asian woman to serve as Leicester’s Lord Mayor.

Mrs Sood entered local politics following the death of

her husband, Paul Sood, a senior Leicester politician, in 1996. She won the subsequent by-election and went on to become a leading figure on the city council.

Her service was recognised with the role of High Bailiff, an honorary doctorate, an MBE and numerous awards for her campaigning and public service.

Indian-origin journalist honoured with Freedom of the City of London Award-winning journalist Shruti Tripathi Chopra, Editor-in-Chief of Financial News and Private Equity News, has been awarded the prestigious Freedom of the City of London, recognising her outstanding contribution to financial journalism and leadership in advancing diversity, equity and inclusion in global finance.

Born and raised in India before rising to prominence in London, Shruti is among the few Indians to receive this historic honour in an industry long dominated by white men. She is the youngest editor of Financial News and Private Equity News,

Shruti Tripathi Chopra

and the first woman and person of colour to lead the titles in their nearly 30-year history. This year, she was named Social Value

Journalist of the Year at the Aviva Investors’ Media Awards and Journalist of the Year – Stewardship at the State Street Awards, and also launched the ‘South Asian Power Brokers’ list at the London Stock Exchange, celebrating senior leaders in global finance and business.

Commenting on the honour, Shruti Tripathi Chopra said receiving the Freedom of the City of London was “an incredibly humbling moment,” reflecting years of hard work, resilience and support. She added that she felt proud not only personally, but also for Indians around the world striving to make their country proud.

Colombo kitchen raises funds for Sri Lanka flood relief South West London-based Sri Lankan restaurant group Colombo Kitchen, led by chef and restaurateur Sylvia Perera, has raised nearly £3,000 to support communities affected by severe flooding in Sri Lanka following Cyclone Ditwah, supplemented by additional personal donations from Chef Sylvia.

Funds were raised through communityfocused initiatives, including a fundraising buffet at Colombo Kitchen on 30 November 2025, with all profits donated to flood relief efforts. A pop-up at Imperial College London Hospital also contributed over £1,000 through sales of Colombo Kitchen’s signa-

ture Lamprais, a heritage Sri Lankan Dutch Burgher dish.

In addition to fundraising, the team has packed and shipped essential relief parcels containing food, drinks, and household necessities directly to Sri Lanka, helping families who lost homes or access to basic supplies.

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10 - 16 January 2026

Trump the angel unleashed over Venezuela America proclaims itself the shining light of humanity, the custodian of law in a disorderly world. Yet the events surrounding Venezuela suggest that this light now flickers, perhaps dangerously. In recent days, US forces reportedly struck multiple boats in international waters, launched attacks on Caracas, and removed President Nicolás Maduro and his wife to New York for trial. Lives were lost at sea and on land, while the White House applauded speed and resolve. What was absent was restraint. No international mandate was cited. No transparent legal framework was offered. No full accounting of the dead was provided.

Power acted first; law was told to follow later.

If the operation unfolded as described, the implications are grave. Bombing vessels in international waters strikes at the very heart of maritime law. Forcibly removing a sitting head of state shatters long-held norms of sovereignty.

During those decisive hours over Caracas, security personnel were killed, civilians were reportedly caught in the violence, and families were plunged into panic. How many died remains uncertain, because clarity appears secondary to spectacle. Numbers matter. Names matter. Without them, justice becomes theatre and legality a costume. A courtroom appearance in New York cannot erase unanswered deaths in the Caribbean or on the streets of Caracas.

President Trump casts himself as an angel of order, demanding a Nobel Peace Prize while descending to deliver justice where others hesitated. But democratic angels answer to law, not impulse. Venezuela’s regime is authoritarian, corrupt, and cruel. That reality does not grant the United States the authority to discard treaties or rewrite international rules by force. If Washington claims the right to strike in international waters and seize foreign leaders, others will claim the same licence. Russia, China, and regional powers are watching closely. They will not learn democracy from this episode. They will learn that might is sufficient.

The rules-based international order was built to restrain the strong and protect the weak. When its chief architect ignores its own limits, the entire structure weakens. A beacon that burns without discipline does not guide; it blinds. If America wishes to remain a moral force, it must submit its actions to scrutiny, publish its legal reasoning and accept accountability for every life lost. Otherwise, Venezuela will be remembered not as justice served, but as the moment law yielded to impulse and the angel revealed itself as something far more dangerous.

Dr Narsinhbhai Patel

Somnath temple Prime Minister Narendra Modi's article in The Hans India on the Somnath Temple's resilience 1000 years after Mahmud Ghazni's 1026 attack is profoundly inspiring. A millennium later, it stands tall, embodying the indomitable human spirit and Indians' unwavering resolve to preserve our ancient culture, now illuminating the world with its timeless wisdom.

TS Karthik

Doctor who allegedly sold sick notes faces being struck off A doctor who allegedly operated an online sick note service while suspended from practice is facing possible removal from the medical register following regulatory proceedings prompted by a Telegraph investigation.

Asif Munaf, 37, a former contestant on the BBC’s The Apprentice, allegedly ran Dr Sick Ltd, a company offering same-day medical certificates. At the time, he was suspended from the medical register after concerns were raised about antisemitic social media posts.

The General Medical Council (GMC) reportedly told a Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) hearing that, after receiving a dossier of evidence, it brought a misconduct case against Mr Munaf. The tribunal heard allegations that sick notes were allegedly issued without consultations and that at least one certificate was provided while he was suspended

Dr Asif Munaf

from practising.

The GMC also outlined concerns about Mr Munaf’s social media activity between October 2023 and July 2024, which it described as “objectively antisemitic”, citing a series of posts containing racist, sexist and conspiratorial language.

Mr Munaf did not attend the hearing and has not instructed legal representatives. The GMC said it considered adjournment inappropriate, citing his lack of engagement with the process.

The hearing is ongoing.

Doctor who wants to prescribe less Dr Rangan Chatterjee believes many of the conditions filling GP waiting rooms, from depression to type 2 diabetes and chronic pain, could be improved, or even reversed, without medication.

A former practising GP of 23 years, Chatterjee argues that modern medicine is overly focused on prescriptions, despite “80 to 90 per cent of what doctors now see being linked to

Dr Rangan Chatterjee

lifestyle”. Drugs, he says, often ease symptoms but fail

Man behind Viagra scam now on benefits A businessman who fled to Pakistan for 16 years after being convicted of running Britain’s largest counterfeit Viagra operation is now living in a taxpayer-funded care home.

Zahid Mirza, 65, returned to the UK after his health deteriorated and is receiving Universal Credit and NHS care, despite failing to hand over £3 million in confiscated criminal profits. Mirza and his associates bought counterfeit drugs from Chinese suppliers for as little as 25p a tablet and sold them for up to £20. They used companies in the Bahamas, UAE, and Pakistan to manufacture and smuggle pills to the UK and US, often disguised as dog vitamins.

Customs uncovered 12,000 blue pills at Stansted Airport in 2002, exposing a vast network producing millions of counterfeit medicines, including treatments for male baldness. He fled to Pakistan days before being convicted on five counts of selling fake medicine and one of selling medicines without a licence, and was jailed in absentia for two and a half years. A court later confiscated £1.8 million of his assets, including the sale of two homes in Ilford.

Mirza returned to the UK in 2023 due to poor health, served a three-month sentence for absconding, and was released. His application to overturn the confiscation order was rejected by the High Court, with Justice Soole noting he provided no “clear or cogent evidence” of his finances or alleged hidden assets abroad.

One in ten British workers plan to quit this month Nearly one in ten British workers plan to resign this month, signaling a significant wave of workplace dissatisfaction.

A survey of 3,527 people by ACS International Schools reveals that 24% of employees are unhappy in their roles, while 9% are prepared to hand in their notice immediately.

These findings exacerbate concerns over the UK’s stagnant productivity, which trails other G7 nations.

While Chancellor Rachel Reeves has pledged to boost economic output, the Office for Budget Responsibility recently lowered growth forecasts due to persistent productivity challenges. Shifting workplace dynamics and a desire for autonomy are driving this "Great Resignation" mindset.

The study found that 41% of workers intend to change careers entirely this year, 24% hope to retrain, and over a quarter aspire to start their own businesses. Others are eyeing sabbaticals or a return to higher education.

The data also highlights systemic frustrations: twothirds of parents believe the current education system limits future career flexibility, while one in five adults feel "shoehorned" into their current paths. This is particularly relevant for the younger generation (ages 16–21), who prioritize job satisfaction and enjoyment over traditional markers of success like pay, security, or promotion. Ultimately, the research paints a picture of a workforce increasingly unwilling to sacrifice mental well-being for a paycheck.

Duke of Marlborough to deny strangulation claims The Duke of Marlborough, Charles James SpencerChurchill, 70, will plead not guilty to three charges of intentional strangulation against his estranged wife, Edla Marlborough, 57.

The incidents allegedly occurred at Blenheim Palace between November 2022 and January 2024. He was granted bail on condition he avoids contact with his wife, prosecution witnesses, and

Charles James Spencer-Churchill

estate managers. The case is due at Oxford Crown Court on February 5.

to address root causes.

He rose to prominence through the BBC’s Doctor in the House, where millions watched him help families overhaul diet, exercise and stress, often while reducing medication. Since then, he has built a vast following through bestselling books, a chart-topping podcast and social media.

In a new Channel 4 documentary, “Live Well With the Drug-Free Doctor”,

Chatterjee works with patients suffering depression, type 2 diabetes and chronic pain, guiding them through simple lifestyle changes that helped them come off medication and thrive.

He stresses he is not anti-medicine, but believes drugs are too often the first, not last, resort. “Before we medicate people,” he says, “we should at least look at how they’re living.”

‘Taxi tax’ on Uber takes effect as loophole is closed A new tax clampdown on Uber could push up the cost of journeys in London, after the government closed a loophole that ride-hailing firms had used to reduce their VAT bills. The Treasury estimates the move could raise around £700 million a year.

The change, announced

by Rachel Reeves in last November’s budget, targets the so-called “tour operators’ margin scheme.”

Originally designed to let tour operators pay VAT only on profits, it was being exploited by platforms such as Uber and Bolt to cut their effective VAT from 20 per cent to around 4 per cent.

The reform is expected to benefit London’s black cab drivers, who have long

argued that online rivals enjoyed an unfair advantage. Under Transport for London rules, Uber must act as principal rather than agent, meaning the firm now pays VAT on the full fare, not just its commission. Most drivers remain below the £90,000 threshold requiring them to register for VAT. Uber warned that London fares would rise and drivers could see less work, highlighting that trips in the capital will now be taxed differently than elsewhere in the UK. Reeves said the revenue will be used to fund key national priorities, including reducing the cost of living, tackling waiting lists, and cutting debt.

Doctors’ strike affect just 5% of appointments Despite a significant increase in industrial action, the NHS in England successfully delivered nearly 95% of planned hospital appointments during the latest round of doctors’ strikes.

From December 17 to 22, an average of 19,120 resident doctors walked out daily, nearly 2,000 more than in the previous November stoppage.

Remarkably, official data shows that 94.7% of elective care proceeded as scheduled. Furthermore, hospital bed occupancy on

Christmas Day was just 78.5%, allowing 5,000 more patients to spend the holiday at home compared to the previous year.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting expressed deep gratitude to the workforce for battling a "double whammy" of strikes and a flu epidemic. Emphasizing his desire to resolve the ongoing pay dispute with the British Medical Association (BMA), Streeting called for a "clean slate" in 2026 to improve working conditions and reduce waiting lists.

Daughter awarded £1,000 after mother’s ashes spilled in mail A woman has been awarded £1,000 after her mother’s ashes were mistakenly sent through the EU, opened by border officials, and arrived with some spillage.

Known only as Mrs R in proceedings, she had paid £1,440 for a direct cremation for her mother, Mrs M, through Plan with Grace. Due to a mix-up with her address, the ashes were routed via an unidentified EU country and partially lost in transit.

Plan with Grace initially argued Mrs R was not owed compensation, citing a phone call in which she laughed about the incident. The Financial Ombudsman disagreed, ordering the firm to repay £1,000.

Mrs M died in April 2024 and was cremated on May 10.

The remains should have been returned by June 7, but were not delivered until June 14, with a customs fee paid by Mrs R three days later.

Ombudsman Jo Chilvers said the case had a “lasting impact” on Mrs R, noting that her mother’s ashes had not been handled with “dignity and respect.”

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10 - 16 January 2026

THE TRAILBLAZERS BEHIND THE HONOURS Among the British Asians celebrated in the 2026 New Year Honours, Dame Meena Upadhyaya DBE and Dr Raj Biswas MBE exemplify the power of science, compassion, and community.

The New Year Honours 2026 has recognised individuals whose dedication, leadership and service have left an extraordinary mark on society.

Celebrating the outstanding achievement and service across the UK for

contributions to arts, science, community leadership, sport and public service, this year’s list notably doubled ethnic minority representation to around 14 per cent, with about 5 per cent of honourees of Asian heritage, a significant

step for British Asian visibility at the highest levels of national recognition.

These honours celebrate careers defined not only by professional achievement but by a commitment to service, humanity, and lasting social impact.

A life written in science, service and social change For over forty years, Professor Meena Upadhyaya has bridged the gap between scientific excellence and social impact. Her appointment as a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) recognizes a career defined not just by groundbreaking genetics research, but by a tireless commitment to mentorship, equality, and global cooperation.

As a world-renowned authority in medical genetics, Dame Meena’s work on rare genetic disorders has revolutionized clinical practice and influenced international health policy.

At Cardiff University, where she is now Professor Emerita, she was instrumental in elevating research standards while

Dame Prof Meena Upadhyaya

championing a culture of inclusion. Her influence remains global through honorary professorships in both the UK and India, fostering vital knowledge exchange and capacity building.

Beyond the lab, Dame Meena has been a fierce advocate for Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI). She has consistently

dismantled structural barriers within higher education and healthcare. By serving as a trustee and adviser for various European charities and boards, she has integrated scientific rigor with a profound sense of public duty.

Reacting to the honour, Dame Meena expressed being "deeply humbled," attributing the success to her family, colleagues, and community.

Having arrived in the UK decades ago with little more than a suitcase and hope, she noted that the DBE carries a powerful message for immigrants. "It sends a message to every immigrant who arrives on these shores... your contribution matters, your presence matters, and your dreams belong here, too."

All about care, leadership and community For over three decades, Dr. Raj Biswas has been a cornerstone of the NHS, embodying service, leadership, and compassion. His appointment as a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) recognizes a distinguished career marked by clinical excellence and a deep commitment to community cohesion, particularly through his 22-year tenure in NHS Wales.

As a Consultant in Geriatric and Internal Medicine at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital, Dr. Biswas revolutionized elderly care. He spearheaded initiatives to reduce avoidable admissions, prevent falls, and improve dementia services. Notably, he established the Fracture Liaison Service, which significantly enhanced secondary fracture prevention

Dr Raj Biswas MBE

while optimizing NHS resources.

His leadership proved vital during his decade as Clinical Director. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he balanced frontline duties with senior governance, prioritizing staff wellbeing.

His creative initiative to place staff photographs on PPE humanized care during isolation, and his outreach efforts were instrumental in tackling vaccine misinformation within BAME communities.

Dr. Biswas is also a tireless advocate for equity. He helped establish a BAME staff network and introduced a formal Discrimination Reporting System. As an educator, he mentors the next generation of clinicians through his work with Cardiff University, the Royal College of Physicians, and the GMC. Beyond the ward, his "Cohesive Diversity in the Valleys" program highlights his dedication to refugees and faith organizations.

Reflecting on the honour, he said, “Since the announcement, I have received many messages from friends, colleagues, and well-wishers, which has inspired me even more to contribute towards the well-being of the NHS and our local community in the future.”

Recognised for elite sport contribution Dr Ritan Ashvin Mehta has been awarded an MBE for his exceptional contributions to elite sport, healthcare, and the growth of women’s football.

Since 2014, he has served as Head of Women’s Medical and Team Doctor for the England Lionesses, becoming a cornerstone of The Football Association’s medical team and a driving

Dr Ritan Mehta MBE

force behind the Lionesses’

success.

Ritan is the son of Ashvin Zaverchand Mehta and Dina Ashvin Mehta and is married to Sarah, with whom he shares two children, Ayden and Sophie. His distinguished family also includes his brother, Nikesh Mehta OBE, the British High Commissioner to Singapore.

Our Upcoming Outreach Programmes Vadil Sanman 2026

The ABPL Group is pleased to announce Vadil Sanman 2026, a special initiative to honour and celebrate elders aged 80 years and above. Our senior citizens represent a lifetime of values, service and wisdom; publicly recognising their journey is at the very heart of our community mission.

In previous years, we have successfully organised similar programmes across the UK and have been overwhelmed by the generous support and encouragement of our community. We warmly invite partnership and support from local religious and community organisations, as well as the families of the elders. Their involvement is highly valued and greatly appreciated.

We plan to host Vadil Sanman 2026 across Cardiff, London (North and South), Birmingham, Leicester, Preston, Manchester and several other cities of the UK. Elders aged 80 years and above are invited to attend, accompanied by their one or two family members.

Please note that participation in this event is exclusively for our subscribers.

To register, please send your entries to: support@abplgroup.com or call us at 020 7749 4080

Honouring the Unsung Heroes of Our Community ABPL Group wishes to honour the unsung heroes of our British Indian community through a special feature article. We invite you to share the names, details and inspiring stories of individuals who have made a meaningful impact but may not have received the recognition they deserve.

Your submissions will help us shine a light on their contributions and celebrate their dedication, service, and achievements.

Please share your entries with us at: aveditorial@abplgroup.com.

My first day at a new school Some moments in life quietly stay with us forever. For many, the first day at a new school, at any stage, becomes one of those lasting memories. A tiny hand gripping a parent’s fingers, an oversized uniform, hesitant smiles in an unfamiliar classroom, and the first steps towards friendships that may last a lifetime. These experiences are tender, timeless and deeply personal.

We are delighted to introduce a new column, ‘My First Day at a New School’. This feature is not limited to early school years alone.

Your story could be about starting junior school, moving after the 7+ or 11+, or even joining a new school following GCSEs. We warmly invite you to share your own memories. Age is no bar, every journey has a story worth telling.

Please send write-up in no more than 500 words, along with your name and a photo, to aveditorial@abplgroup.com.

Your journey, captured in photos Share your treasured archive photos that reflect your journey, settlement, family, culture and traditions in this country. Along with each photo, include a brief note (maximum 100 words) explaining its significance and story. Selected entries will be featured in our upcoming newsweeklies, celebrating the rich experiences and heritage of our community.

Send your photos and notes to aveditorial@abplgroup.com.

Don’t miss this chance to see your story in print!

Dear readers, we would love to hear from you! If you have any suggestions for our future initiatives or ideas on how we can better serve our community, please do share them with us. We value your voice!

12 FESTIVAL

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10 - 16 January 2026

Indian communities celebrate winter harvest festivals globally As the Sun began its northward journey, known as Uttarayana, millions of people across India and the global diaspora gathered to celebrate the winter harvest season.

These festivals, though known by various regional names such as Makar Sankranti, Pongal, and Lohri, share a singular core theme of expressing gratitude to nature, the Sun, and the farming community for a bountiful season. From the vibrant rooftops of Gujarat to the community centres of London, these celebrations mark the transi-

Diverse traditions in the United Kingdom The celebration of the harvest extends to many other regional forms, such as the kiteflying festivals of Uttarayan in Gujarat or the Magh Bihu feasts of Assam. Prabhakar Kaza, a Councillor in Borehamwood,

tion into longer, warmer days and successful the reaping of rabi crops.

This year’s festivities have seen

an unprecedented level of international participation, highlighting how ancient traditions continue to foster a sense of belonging and community among the Indian diaspora in the United Kingdom and beyond.

Prabhakar Kaza

The pan India spirit of Makar Sankranti Makar Sankranti serves as the foundational solar festival for much of India, unique for being fixed to the solar calendar.

In Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, the day is affectionately known as Khichdi, named after the ritual dish of rice and lentils consumed to mark the occasion.

Dalia Banerjee Singh, founder of Indian Bengalis in the UK, explains that for those from Bihar, the day starts with a mandatory morning shower or a

Dalia Banerjee Singh

dip in holy rivers like the Ganga.

The diet consists of tilkut, curd, and chura-gur, while youngsters

seek blessings from their elders.

In West Bengal, the festival is called Poush Sankranti or Poush Parbon, marking the end of the month of Poush. Dalia notes that the focus here is on "notun chaal" or new rice and date palm jaggery. Families prepare traditional sweets like Patishapta and Bhapa pithe, while iconic rural fairs like the Poush Mela in Shantiniketan draw massive crowds to celebrate together.

The warmth of Lohri and Maghi In the northern states of Punjab and Haryana, the winter chill is combated with the roaring bonfires of Lohri, celebrated on January 13. This festival is particularly significant for new parents and newlyweds, who gather around the fire to offer sesame seeds, jaggery, and peanuts. Kamalpreet Kaur, Councillor for the London Borough of Hillingdon, shares that in her diverse constituency of Wood End, Hayes, Lohri is celebrated with immense fervour. She notes that many

Kamalpreet Kaur

Punjabis in the UK continue

these traditions by hosting community bonfire events.

Following Lohri, the festival of Maghi is observed. For the Sikh community, this day holds deep spiritual significance as it commemorates the sacrifice of the "Chaali Muktey" or the forty liberated ones who gave their lives for their faith. Special prayers are held at gurdwaras, such as the Sri Guru Singh Sabha in Southall, where the congregation gathers to honour their heritage and the onset of spring.

Honouring knowledge, creativity and learning Saraswati Puja, also known as Vasant Panchami, will be observed across India and among Hindu communities worldwide in early 2026, marking the worship of Goddess Saraswati, the deity of knowledge, wisdom, music and the arts. The festival heralds the arrival of spring and is especially significant for students, teachers, artists and scholars.

Homes, schools and temples are adorned with yellow flowers, symbolising prosperity, clarity of thought and the vibrancy of new beginnings. Idols and images of Goddess Saraswati, traditionally depicted seated on a lotus with a veena in her hands, are installed and worshipped with devotion.

Books, musical instruments and tools of learning are placed before the goddess, reflecting the belief that education and creativity are sacred pursuits.

In eastern India, particularly West Bengal, Odisha and parts of Assam, Saraswati Puja is celebrated with great enthusiasm in educational institutions. Students often wear yellow or white attire and participate in prayers seeking success in their studies. A popular ritual involves refraining from reading or writing until after the puja, when learning is ceremonially resumed.

The festival also holds special meaning for young children, many

of whom are introduced to writing for the first time in a ritual known as Vidyarambham. Traditional sweets such as khichdi, kesari halwa and boondi are prepared and shared.

In the same month Thai Amavasya, observed by Tamil Hindus, is dedicated to ancestor worship. Devotees perform rituals to honour departed souls, believing the day strengthens familial and spiritual bonds.

January also includes Vaikunta Ekadashi, an important Vaishnavite festival dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Temples remain open through the night, with devotees observing fasts and special prayers.

Together, these observances make January a spiritually rich month in the Hindu calendar, blending devotion, remembrance, and renewal across India’s regions.

Bommala Koluvu

describes how the celebrations in London have become a melting pot of cultures. Families draw intricate Kolams on their floors and exchange sweets to welcome the summer. He specifically highlights the "Bommala Koluvu" or Golu tradition, popular during Sankranthi, where tiered platforms are decorated with handmade dolls to represent cosmic order. For many Telugu and Tamil associations across the UK, these gatherings involve music, dance, and even

community sports. Whether it is the Ghughutiya sweets of Uttarakhand offered to birds or the Mahara Chaula of Odisha celebrating new rice, the winter harvest remains a powerful symbol of abundance and shared humanity across the globe.

Across the globe, these vibrant winter festivals serve as a bridge between ancient agrarian traditions and the modern lives of the Indian diaspora. By uniting communities through the shared values of gratitude, feasting, and cultural pride, they ensure that the spirit of the Indian harvest remains a powerful force for togetherness and joy.

Pongal and the Tamil heritage In Tamil Nadu and among the global Tamil diaspora, January is celebrated as Tamil Heritage Month, with the four-day harvest festival of Pongal as its centrepiece. V. Jana, Executive Director of the Tamil Welfare Association, explains that Pongal is a non-religious festival dedicated to thanking the Sun, farmers, and cattle. He describes a beautiful spiritual metaphor where sugarcane represents the human backbone and the sweet ingredients in the pot reflect the positivity within the soul. Sayana T, a young volunteer at the Tamil Community Centre, highlights

that in West London, organisations like the TCC promote wellbeing through Pongal festivities, including Bharatanatyam performances and the annual Poomalai event.

In the UK, while the festival is not a public holiday, many families take time off to boil the Pongal pot indoors, maintaining the tradition of shouting "Pongalo Pongal" as the rice boils over, even if they cannot physically thank livestock as they would in Sri Lanka or India.

v “Pongal is a spiritual reminder, teaches us that life, like the sacred cooking, returns what we give goodness in, positivity out” - Narosha Antony (Volunteer Tamil welfare Association) v “Pongal is A new year, a day when new hopes blossom” Lasana (Sessional worker, Tamil Welfare Association) v “Let this Pongal inspire us to rise higher, work smarter, and shine brighter”- Nirosha (Volunteer, Tamil Welfare Association)

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King and Kate’s shared ancestral link to cancer campaign A century ago, ancestors of the King and the Princess of Wales worked side by side to campaign for a cure for cancer, newly uncovered research reveals.

King Charles III and Catherine each had relatives who helped found the British Empire Cancer Campaign’s Yorkshire council in 1925, now known as Yorkshire Cancer Research (YCR), at a time when most scientists had little interest in finding a cure for the disease.

The discovery is especially poignant given that both royals have undergone cancer treatment in the past two years. The King has said he will reduce his treatment this year, while the Princess of Wales announced last January that she was in

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King Charles III

Princess of Wales

remission.

Charles’s great-uncle, the sixth Earl of Harewood, then Viscount Lascelles, served as the first president of YCR. Kate’s great-greatgreat-uncle, Sir Charles Lupton, was its first vicepresident. The link was uncovered by Michael Reed, an Australian historian who has studied both family trees. He said he recognised the connection while

researching the charity’s centenary.

Today, both the King, 77, and the Princess of Wales, 43, continue that legacy by supporting cancer awareness and fundraising. The King is patron of Cancer Research UK and Macmillan Cancer Support, while the Prince and Princess of Wales are patrons of the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust.

Attenborough showcases nature on London’s doorstep Sir David Attenborough is returning to television as the guide to an unexpected wilderness: London.

Wild London, a one-off BBC documentary co-produced with the London Wildlife Trust, reveals the capital as a place of dramatic encounters between predator and prey, from foxes battling for territory to a heart-stopping moment in which a dal-

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matian stalks a vulnerable fawn in east London.

David Attenborough, a 75year resident of London, explores the city as a thriving wildlife refuge. Filmed with classic BBC artistry, the documentary showcases urban resilience, from toads crossing roads to peregrine falcons nesting on skyscrapers. These raptors, once nearly extinct, now flourish in London's

"cliff-like" architecture.

As the world’s first National Park City, nearly half of London consists of green or blue spaces. Supported by significant conservation funding, the film celebrates nature’s ability to reclaim urban landscapes, offering a hopeful blueprint for large-scale wildlife restoration right on the doorsteps of millions of city dwellers.

Galaxy Travel Ltd, a UK-registered travel company established in 2020, has rapidly grown into a trusted name within the travel industry, delivering exceptional value and unforgettable experiences to thousands of customers across the UK and beyond.

Founded with a clear focus on outstanding customer service, competitive pricing, and fully protected travel, Galaxy Travel Ltd has expanded its portfolio to cover every aspect of modern travel from luxury cruises and bespoke holidays to flights and tailored tours worldwide.

A stellar beginning Since incorporation, Galaxy Travel Ltd has built a strong reputation for reliability and expertise. What began as a customerfirst travel business has evolved into a multi-brand travel group offering carefully curated experiences across land, sea, and air.

The company operates several dedicated platforms, each designed to meet specific traveller needs: • GalaxyCrui ses .co .uk – Luxury and premium cruises with world-class amenities • GalaxyFl igh ts.c o.u k – Competitive flight deals to global destinations • GalaxyTours.co.uk – Tailor-made tours for every budget • GalaxyHolidays.co.uk – Fully protected, bespoke holiday packages

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For more information on travel solutions: Visit: www.galaxycruises.co.uk Tel: 020 4579 7354 Email: sales@galaxycruises.co.uk Follow Galaxy Cruises on social media for the latest offers and inspiration

Health visitors to deliver vaccines door-to-door in England Health visitors will go doorto-door to vaccinate children in England after figures revealed one in five start primary school unprotected against serious diseases.

None of the main childhood vaccines met the WHO’s 95% coverage target in 2024–25, with uptake

varying sharply across the country.

A £2m pilot, launching in January, will see trained health visitors offer jabs at home to families facing barriers such as travel costs, childcare, language, or lack of GP registration. Children will be identified through

NHS records, and staff will handle sensitive conversations with parents who may have concerns about vaccine safety.

The scheme aims to improve immunisation rates and protect more children from life-threatening illnesses.

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10 - 16 January 2026

Photo credit: Zoe Warde-Aldam

“Food should bring pleasure, connection and nourishment” Asian Voice spoke with food writer, adviser, and educator Mallika Basu about her new book by: Subhasini Naicker

I

n Good Taste: What Shapes What We Eat and Drink—and Why It Matters by Mallika Basu, launching 22 January 2026, is an accessible guide to the food system.

It explores how our food is shaped by power, inequality and environmental impact, and shows how food lovers can make positive, practical change. hat inspired you to write ‘In Good Taste’?

‘In Good Taste 'grew out of my work in corporate communications, publishing two cookbooks and co-founding a spice company. Along the way, I saw first-hand the forces shaping our plates and palates. From 2020, I began advising the food, drink and hospitality sectors on culture, identity and inclusion, conversations that inevitably include the planet we share.

I also noticed disconnect. Many of us proudly call ourselves “foodies”, yet rarely engage with the bigger systems influencing what we eat and why.

I set out to better understand the system behind our everyday meals and found it complex, fascinating and sometimes uncomfortable, but also full of possibility. I wrote ‘In Good Taste’ to share these ideas in an accessible, engaging and nonjudgemental way.

The book invites readers to enjoy food more deeply by understanding it better. My hope is that it helps people feel more connected and confident about the food they love, showing that taste, health and wider impact can, and

W

should, go hand in hand. our book touches on the evolution of our food system. Could you walk us through how the food industry has changed over the years and why that matters?

When we talk about the food system, we mean everything that happens to food, from how it’s grown and transported to how it’s eaten and wasted. In many ways, it has been hugely successful, feeding billions and offering unprecedented convenience. We can eat avocados from Mexico or asparagus from Peru yearround without a second thought.

But this system didn’t evolve by accident. Food has become increasingly global, industrialised and profitdriven, with large

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corporations controlling much of the supply chain and prioritising speed, volume and efficiency over nourishment.

These changes have deep roots. Centuries of colonisation disrupted local, seasonal and sustainable food cultures, while today’s cheap, ultra-processed diets harm both health and the environment. As we

Mallika Basu

converge on a uniform “Western” diet, many are left overfed yet undernourished.

Understanding how we got here matters, because it shows we all have a role in shaping a better food future. ow do you think food movements like “local food,” “plant-based eating,” and “food justice” intersect with the ideas you explore in the book?

I see these movements as connected pieces of the same puzzle. In my book, I step back to look at the bigger picture and the trade-offs involved. We also need to be honest about limits, not everyone has access to farmers’ markets or the time to cook from scratch.

Eating locally can strengthen communities and reduce environmental impact, but it must be inclusive and realistic. Our food would be far less exciting without global flavours, and access to cultural foods is a basic human need.

Eating more plants matters for health and the planet, but it shouldn’t erase food cultures, farmers or place the burden of change on individuals alone. Too often, debates about meat fail to distinguish between industrial farming and wellreared livestock.

Food justice ties it all together, who grows our food, who profits, and who can afford to eat well matters as much as what is on the plate. Many traditional diets in the

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global South already reflect these values. South Asian food cultures, for example, are seasonal, plant-forward and low-waste. Indigenous and global majority voices must be centred in shaping our food future. ow does your personal approach to food reflect the ideas in ‘In Good Taste’?

Becoming a more engaged food writer and home cook has been a gradual, lived journey for me. Although I work in food, I face the same pressures as many parents and businesswomen, which shapes what’s realistic in everyday cooking. I also believe in the power of business to do well, when values and incentives align.

What I’ve learned, and share in my Sub stack and book, is that change doesn’t need to be dramatic or perfect. It begins with understanding what we eat and why, then making small, thoughtful shifts, drawing on both traditional wisdom and new innovation.

For example, I use an organic veg box to eat more locally and seasonally, choose less desirable cuts to make higher-welfare meat affordable, and treat steak as an occasional luxury.

Alongside vegetables and whole grains, my teens and I also enjoy good-quality plant-based proteins. Food should bring pleasure, connection and nourishment, while gently guiding us towards better choices for people and the planet. I hope ‘In Good Taste’ helps readers find that balance.

(The full version of this article is available online)

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Breast cancer shock for Strictly’s Dr Punam Krishnan Dr Punam Krishnan, who appeared on Strictly Come Dancing in 2024, has revealed she was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Sharing her experience in an emotional Instagram post, she described the “shock”, “fear” and “trauma” of hearing the words no one ever wants to hear.

Alongside a photo of herself in a hospital bed, she wrote: “Here goes… Five months ago, I heard the words nobody ever wants to hear:

Dr Punam Krishnan

You have cancer.”

Punam, a doctor for nearly two decades, said that supporting patients through difficult diagnoses offered

little preparation for facing the news herself. “The shock. The fear. The trauma. In that moment, knowledge means very little,” she explained. She revealed she had kept her diagnosis private to conserve her energy and protect her children, relying on her husband, family, and a small circle of friends for support.

“Since then, I’ve taken things one day at a time,” she said, praising the NHS team who cared for her.

Now, having completed treatment, she described feeling “grateful, relieved, still shaken” and emphasised the importance of early detection: “It saved my life. Please know your body.

Trust yourself. And act early if something doesn’t feel right.”

The Scottish doctor, also known for appearing on The Weakest Link, was the fifth celebrity eliminated from the BBC dance show in 2024.

Satyavati: Restoring the feminine heart of myth RD Popat is a storyteller, educator and seeker who approaches mythology not as distant scripture, but as lived truth. His work is shaped by years of quiet study, listening and reflection, influenced deeply by his time in India and his learning under his guru, Morari Bapu.

His most recent novel, ‘Satyavati’, reimagines the life of the fisher girl who became the matriarch of India’s greatest dynasty — not as a marginal figure in a patriarchal epic, but as its emotional and karmic centre. Born into simplicity and marked by prophecy, Satyavati’s destiny shifts when she encounters King Shantanu, a ruler weighed down by grief and divine consequence. Their union, forged through love and sacrifice, sets in motion events that will ultimately lead to the Mahabharata war.

Told through Satyavati’s inner world, the novel explores ambition, motherhood, devotion and the loneliness of power. As she negotiates her sons’ future, even at the cost of Bhishma’s life-altering vow, readers witness how one woman’s choices echo across generations. Richly human and spiritually grounded, 'Satyavati' is not a revision of mythology but a return to it, restoring a feminine voice that quietly shaped civilisation.

Expressing what 'Satyavati' represents to him personally, the author said, “ She represents inner knowing. Satyavati never had privilege, education, or protection — yet she carried an unshakeable sense that her life mattered. That resonated deeply with me during my travels, standing in temples and hearing oral traditions passed down for generations.

RD Popat

“To me, she embodies the divine feminine not as a goddess, but as a mother — one who holds contradictions with grace. Strength and softness. Faith and fear.

She feels achingly human, and that’s why she feels sacred.”

Discussing more about his writing style and about balancing divinity and humanity in writing, Rupeen said, “By remembering that the divine flows through human experience.

I studied scripture deeply, but I wrote emotionally. I asked myself: what does it feel like to ferry a king across a river? To be chosen by destiny without consent?

To sacrifice love for lineage?

“That approach came directly from the katha tradition — where the story breathes because it’s felt, not analysed.”

What can readers take from the story? That real power is often quiet. It’s the strength to endure scrutiny, to carry responsibility without recognition, and to keep walking your path even when misunderstood, Rupeen shares.

“In a world where women are still asked to balance ambition and expectation, Satyavati feels timeless. She reminds us that influence doesn’t need applause — it needs integrity”, he said.

Narinder Kaur hospitalised after India trip Narinder Kaur has been rushed to hospital shortly after returning from a family trip to India, reports suggest. The Jeremy Vine panellist is said to be receiving treatment at a specialist facility for a suspected tropical infection.

The health scare comes just days after Narinder returned from her twoweek holiday, during which she shared daily updates with her social media followers. She documented visits to the Golden Temple in Amritsar, her family’s village in Punjab, as well as Delhi and the Maldives.

However, shortly after arriving back in the UK, Narinder began feeling “seriously unwell,” prompting urgent medical attention. According to reports, she was admitted to the

Narinder Kaur

Hospital for Tropical Diseases after developing severe symptoms including intense chills, flu-like illness, and extreme fatigue.

Doctors are conducting a series of tests to determine whether she may have contracted malaria, dengue fever, or another serious tropical infection. At present, the exact cause of Narinder’s illness remains unknown.

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10 - 16 January 2026

Career Conversations WORKING FROM HOME Jay Gohel Whilst we were welcoming the New Year of 2020, COVID came. A pandemic which killed seven million globally. But it increased our awareness of working from Home.

Currently, Forbes website reports, 39% of workers work from home. This method has two brainchildren. Hybrid Workers and Remote Workers. The former refers to workers who use both the office and their home for work. The latter indicates work away from the office but not necessarily from home. Instead, they could be working from a café or another country!

Home working reduces office expenses, pollution from traffic and saves travelling time. It also creates opportunities for parents with young children, disabled and part-time workers to find employment.

Employers' main concern is, will Home Workers have the same productivity as the office staff. Home workers also have a concern. It is that they might be treated as “second-class citizens” due to their remoteness from the senior management.

To address Employers' concern about Home Workers' productivity, we can put in place the following: 1. Home Workers' tasks converted into measurable units to assess their output. If this is not possible, the management will need to innovate a different method.

2. Daily activities sheet must be completed by each home worker and sent by the end of each day to the line manager.

3. The line manager should make quarterly visits to home workers’ homes.

During the visit, each employee’s performance and any difficulties at work need to be discussed and “ironed out.”

4. Weekly or monthly faceto-face meetings of the entire home workers team must be held with the line Manager to review the previous period’s work and plan for the next period. Minutes of the meetings must be recorded.

5. Each home worker's figures from the daily activities sheet should be used for their annual performance review.

6. Performance Awards categories could be poor, good, very good or excellent. Those who receive “poor” would not be entitled to an annual pay rise unless good is achieved by them in the next three months. Those who receive other categories should be given a percentage increase relative to the category awarded.

The given category should be discussed in good faith between the line manager and the home worker.

7. Both the Line Manager and the Home Worker should complete their comment boxes and sign the Review Form.

Next is the employees' imagined concern regarding “Second-class citizen treatment.”

It can be resolved by: 1. A senior manager’s quarterly talks. He can give a talk to Home Workers about the business growth of the firm, its plans, new activities, and products in the market. He should also invite suggestions from the attendees to generate their interest and involvement.

Zoom meetings could be arranged if the travelling distances are very long.

2. Benefits, such as pensions, bonuses and company cars, should be given to home workers on the same basis as for office workers.

3. Homeworkers should be given equal opportunity based on merit for

promotion to assignments at the office.

Additionally, management to protect productivity should create team spirit and coordinate home workers’ and the office staff’s activities.

Home workers should also comply with health and safety, data protection and regulatory requirements. If a Home Worker is sharing his home with someone, they must take extra care to comply with the above-mentioned regulations.

The success of home working is dependent on self-motivation. Keep a flower vase or your favourite picture on your table. Daily stare at it, more than once if required.

Whilst staring at it, say it aloud to yourself, “How I spend my day at work is not only about today; it is also about my tomorrows.”

If this does not work for you, try something else that works for you. Often, our minds wander. We need to remain on track.

Unless you focus on work, you will not be at your best. Only the start is difficult. Start it on time, and the rest will take care of itself.

Create your work routine according to your most productive hours. If you work better from 8 am to 4 pm, use this slot; if 11 am to 7 pm is easier than use those hours. Take care of your health with regular exercise and recreation.

Without good sleep and health, you cannot achieve your best.

If you are sharing your home with anyone, seek their cooperation to help you work efficiently. If you have children, tell them no pocket money if they disturb you during your working hours!

Your success is dependent on such discipline. It will come with practice. All we need is self-determination and self-motivation.

You are the captain of your ship; steer it correctly.

University degrees no longer a mobility passport The UK now has a “surfeit” of graduates and students must accept that a university degree is no longer a guaranteed route to social mobility, according to a leading vicechancellor.

Professor Shitij Kapur, president of King’s College London, said the era in which universities could promise good jobs for their graduates has ended, as nearly half of young people now enter higher education.

A degree, he argued, has become more like a “visa” than a “passport” to success, reflecting a shrinking graduate pay premium and intensifying competition from

Prof Shitij Kapur

artificial intelligence and a growing global workforce.

“The competition for graduate jobs isn’t just about AI,” Kapur said. “It’s also about a stalled economy and a relative surplus of graduates. The promise that a degree leads to a good job

has become conditional on where you studied and what you studied.”

He said the traditional idea of university as a passport to social mobility assumed graduates were almost certain to progress professionally. “Now it’s a visa,” he said. “It gives you access to the arena, but there is no guarantee you will succeed once you’re there.”

Department for Education figures show graduates still earn more and are more likely to be employed than non-graduates, but younger graduates’ real earnings have stagnated for a decade.

Why apprenticeships are gaining ground on university degrees The government has pledged 50,000 new apprenticeship places over the next three years to help more young people enter the workforce. New courses in AI, hospitality and engineering will be among those on offer, though concerns remain about high dropout rates.

Asian Voice has, in recent months, been speaking to experts about the importance and benefits of apprenticeships. As concerns grow over the financial sustainability of higher education and graduate outcomes continue to deteriorate, apprenticeships are increasingly seen as a vital alternative.

Many graduates now face between 10 and 20 years to recover the cost of their degrees, while the student loan system is estimated to cost taxpayers around £10 billion each year. Against this backdrop, apprenticeship programmes, particularly higher and degree apprenticeships, are being viewed as a key solution to tackling critical skills shortages and improving long-term employability.

In a previous conversation, Asian Voice spoke to Ahmed Shakir, who chose an apprenticeship over a conventional degree after realising university was not the right fit for him. His journey began at Bradford College in 2021, where he completed Level 1 and Level 2 qualifications in Carpentry and Joinery over two years. Keen to build

Ahmed Shakir

Nadim Choudhury

further skills, he began an apprenticeship in Bench Joinery in September 2023.

“I spent two years at college and have only been in my apprenticeship for a year, but my skills have grown far more in that time,” he told Asian Voice last year.

Shakir highlighted the practical benefits of apprenticeships, particularly earning while learning. “You’re gaining real workplace experience

and a qualification at the same time,” he said.

“College doesn’t offer the same level of hands-on learning in a real-world setting.”

More recently, Nadim Choudhury, director of employability and careers at the London College of Contemporary Arts, said apprenticeships and microcredentials have never been more relevant, not just for employability, but for building confidence and identity. “Employers want proof of capability,” he said, adding that vocational learning provides tangible examples candidates can use in interviews.

The most popular apprenticeships in 2024–25 were in business, administration and law, while opportunities in engineering, manufacturing, construction, and the built environment have also risen.

Private school closures surge after VAT More than 100 independent schools have reportedly closed since the government introduced VAT on private school fees, raising concerns about the policy’s impact on the sector.

Julie Robinson, chief executive of the Independent Schools Council, told The Mail on Sunday that 105 schools have ceased operating since the 20 per cent VAT charge came into force on January 1 last year. She said the tax had proved “a bridge too far” for some schools and warned that further closures were likely as the cumulative effects of VAT and other tax measures take hold.

“While there is a combination of factors contributing to school closures, we know there are some for whom the government’s decision to tax education is a bridge too far,” Robinson said. Of

Loveena Tandon

the 105 schools affected, 15 had merged with other institutions.

According to the newspaper, 19 of the closures, almost one in five, were in London and the surrounding area, with schools in the North and the Midlands also significantly affected.

Loveena Tandon, Spokesperson, Education Not Taxation said, “25,000 children have seen their schools closed thanks at

least in part to the Government's tax on education. Thousands more children have had to leave because the tax made their schools unaffordable.

Many state schools are struggling to meet children's needs and the influx of children from independent schools will make this worse.

“Our work continues.

The Education Not Taxation campaign are working with MPs and Lords across parties to repeal this tax and strengthen choice.”

A government spokesperson rejected claims of a crisis, saying fears of large numbers of pupils moving into the state sector had not materialised.

They said ending tax breaks for private schools would raise £1.8bn a year by 202930 to support public services, including the 94 per cent of children educated in state schools.

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Call for independent review in NHS dismissals

ASTHMA CARE ENTERS A NEW ERA Twice-yearly injection could transform treatment for severe disease Dr Pujan Patel

Anusha Singh A groundbreaking twiceyearly injection that could spare thousands of asthma patients from life-threatening attacks is set to become available in Britain within months, offering new hope to those living with severe, uncontrolled disease.

Clinical trials show the ultra-long-acting drug, depemokimab, reduced hospital admissions by 72 per cent and was associated with minimal side effects. The injectable treatment, known as a biologic, works by using laboratory-engineered antibodies to suppress inflammation in the lungs and is expected to transform the treatment landscape for severe asthma.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has granted marketing authorisation for the drug, developed

by British pharmaceutical giant GSK. It will be marketed under the brand name Exdensur.

Depemokimab is expected to be available privately in the first half of 2026, while the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) considers whether it should be approved for prescription on the NHS. If approved, it would become the first asthma biologic that requires just two injections a year.

Around six million people in England are living with asthma. Of these, an estimated 58,000 adults have severe, uncontrolled disease, a form of asthma that cannot be adequately managed with inhalers alone and often requires repeated courses of steroid tablets.

We spoke to Dr Pujan Patel, consultant in respiratory medicine at the Royal Brompton Hospital and a member of Asthma + Lung UK’s Healthcare Professional Council, about why this new treatment could be so significant.

“Only about five to ten per cent of people with asthma fall into the category of severe asthma,” he explains.

“These are patients who need repeated treatment, particularly repeated courses of oral steroid tablets. Needing steroids two or three times within a 12-month period is a lot.”

Biologic treatments for severe asthma have been available for around a decade, but until now they have required injections every two, four or eight weeks. “There are about five or six different biologics currently available,” Dr Patel says. “The real difference with this new drug is the frequency. It’s given once every six months, meaning just two injections a year.”

The injections are administered under the skin, typically in the thigh, abdomen or arm, and can be self-given at home, removing the need for frequent hospital visits or specialist supervision.

For patients juggling work, travel or caring responsibilities, this could be life-changing.

The innovation also addresses one of the most damaging aspects of severe asthma treatment: long-term steroid use. While steroids are highly effective at controlling inflammation, repeated use, particularly in tablet form, comes at a cost.

“Asthma is fundamentally an inflammatory condition,” Dr Patel explains.

“Steroids are the most potent antiinflammatory medicines we have. But when inhalers aren’t enough and patients rely on tablets again and again, that’s where serious side effects build up.”

Studies involving tens of thousands of patients have shown that repeated courses of oral steroids significantly increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, osteoporosis, weight gain, blood clots, infections, anxiety and depression.

“Ten years ago, clinics were full of patients who were miserable, obese and burdened with steroidrelated side effects,” Dr Patel says. “Biologics have been genuinely transformative.”

In contrast, the side-

effect profile of asthma biologics, including depemokimab, is comparatively mild. The most commonly reported effects include short-lived headaches, fatigue, mild injectionsite soreness and, in some cases, a temporary sore throat. These symptoms typically resolve within 24 to 48 hours.

“Unlike steroid tablets, which suppress inflammation everywhere in the body, biologics target very specific inflammatory pathways in the lungs,” Dr Patel explains. “That precision is why the side effects are far fewer.”

While biologics are expensive, costing the NHS an estimated £10,000 to £15,000 per patient per year, evidence suggests they may reduce overall healthcare spending. A UK cost analysis found that patients with severe asthma account for four times the healthcare costs of those with nonsevere disease, largely due to hospital admissions and treatment for steroidrelated complications.

“Even though this is a small group of patients, they use a disproportionate amount of healthcare resources,” Dr Patel says. “Keeping them out of hospital and reducing long-term complications ultimately saves money.”

Depemokimab has already completed Phase 3 trials and has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration, meaning it is expected to be rolled out in the United States this year. In the UK, NICE approval is awaited. A preliminary NICE review is expected in April 2026, with a final decision likely later in the year. If approved, patients could begin receiving the treatment on the NHS before the end of 2026.

“For people with severe asthma, this could be a game-changer,” Dr Patel says. “Two injections a year, fewer side effects, fewer hospital admissions; it represents a major step forward in how we treat this disease.”

NHS England is facing calls to introduce an independent second opinion before dismissing healthcare professionals, following the death of a nurse who set himself on fire after being unfairly sacked.

Dr Narinder Kapur, an NHS whistleblower, is urging the health service to adopt what he calls “Amin’s rule”, in memory of Amin Abdullah, who took his own life in 2016.

Kapur says the measure would close a serious gap in

Amin Abdullah

protections for staff wellbeing.

Kapur, 76, a consultant neuropsychologist and visiting professor at University College London, was dis-

Dr Narinder Kapur

missed from Addenbrooke’s hospital in Cambridge in 2010 after raising concerns about staff shortages and unqualified staff.

An employment tribunal later ruled the dismissal unfair, after Kapur spent £300,000 pursuing the case.

He has since met senior NHS figures, including NHS England chief Jim Mackey, and says an independent review could have prevented both his case and Amin Abdullah’s. “If staff wellbeing is damaged, patient care will suffer,” he said. “Whistleblowers in the NHS get into trouble, and if you have coloured skin, you

are even more likely to face difficulties.”

People of colour working in the NHS are more likely to be subjected to disciplinary action than white staff, while minority ethnic doctors are also more likely to fear repercussions for raising patient safety concerns.

Abdullah, 41, was suspended from Charing Cross hospital after signing a petition backing a colleague following a patient complaint and describing the patient in a letter as a “professional complainer against NHS staff”. A 2018 independent inquiry found he had been treated unfairly by Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, noting none of the other 18 signatories were disciplined.

Kapur is also calling for wider reforms, including extending fairness protections to all healthcare staff, splitting the Care Quality Commission, and curbing the NHS’s use of the “some other substantial reason” dismissal route.

Study finds ethnic disparity in diabetes tech A significant new study published in Diabetic Medicine has laid bare deep-rooted structural inequities within the NHS, revealing that people from ethnic minority backgrounds in England are far less likely to receive lifechanging diabetes technology.

The research focused on Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs)- wearable devices that track blood sugar in real time, removing the need for painful fingerprick testing. Despite the proven benefits of these devices in preventing longterm complications, the study found a "stark" gap in prescribing rates for Black and South Asian patients.

The data suggests a geographical and demographic divide: w Low-Access Areas: In Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) where CGM pre-

scribing was below the national average, ethnic minorities made up 17.5% of the population. w High-Access Areas: In regions with higherthan-average prescribing, these groups accounted for only 5.3% of the population.

This disparity is particularly alarming given that the UK's 5.8 million diabetes patients are not affected equally. People of Black and South Asian descent are at a higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes at a younger age.

Samuel Seidu, the study’s lead author and professor of primary care diabetes and cardiometabolic medicine at the University of Leicester, said the findings reflect wider structural problems. Minority ethnic groups already experience higher diabetes prevalence

and poorer cardiometabolic outcomes in the UK, he said, pointing to deep-rooted inequities in access to care.

The study found that ethnicity and deprivation together explain up to 77% of the variation in CGM prescribing for people with type 2 diabetes.

While NICE guidelines state that all adults with Type 1 and many with Type 2 diabetes should have access to CGMs, the study proves these rules are applied inconsistently.

NHS England responded by stating they are committed to tackling these gaps through specialist programs, particularly for young-onset Type 2 diabetes. However, for the thousands of minority patients currently relying on outdated testing methods, the wait for equitable care continues.

Over 500 new ambulances boost NHS emergency response Patients and staff across England are benefiting from a new fleet of over 500 ambulances, as the government boosts frontline emergency services this winter amid a flu epidemic.

The vehicles, replacing older models, represent one of the NHS’s largest fleet upgrades in recent years and have been deployed

across every region, helping emergency services respond faster and more reliably.

The double-crew ambulances feature modern safety technology, improving protection for patients and staff while enabling paramedics to deliver urgent care more effectively. The rollout has already reduced break-

downs and downtime, keeping more vehicles on the road.

The investment has also supported skilled jobs, with ambulances converted by businesses in Goole and Bradford, Sandbach, Peterborough, and London, attracting investment and driving local economic growth.

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10 - 16 January 2026

A dazzling start to 2026

The global appeal of ancient Indian heritage

Swathi Anil

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or centuries, India has acted as a magnetic north for explorers, scholars, and spiritual seekers. From the ancient Silk Road traders who marvelled at the sophisticated Vedic philosophies to the Victorian travellers captivated by the intricate architecture of the Mughal era, the subcontinent has always inspired a unique form of devotion.

Historically, this interest was often academic or spiritual, yet in the modern age, this fondness has evolved into a vibrant, digital-age obsession.

The global perception of India was trapped behind a sepia-toned wall of colonial tropes. Today, that wall is being demolished by the power of digital storytelling. By trading exotic caricatures for authentic connection, India has rebranded itself as a global hub of warmth and unparalleled

Speaking with Asian Voice, Karl Svanberg, a famously known as ‘Raja Svanberg’, a social media personality with a following of millions from Sweden, talks about he got the “Indian fever”. Known for his infectious enthusiasm and deep curiosity, Svanberg has built a global platform exploring the many layers of Indian culture, from the nuances of regional heritage to the rhythmic brilliance of its cinema and music.

Initial spark of love for India The initial allure often begins with the human element rather than the monuments. For many foreigners, the entry point into Indian heritage is found in the spontaneous generosity of its people.

Karl notes that the warmth and hospitality of the Indian people were the primary factors that captured his heart. He observed that Indians possess a remarkable openness, frequently inviting relative strangers into their homes for intimate family gatherings or birthdays even after knowing them for only a short time. This inclusive nature, where visitors are encouraged to wear traditional clothing and join in ancient customs, creates an immediate sense

Indian culture has taught me to approach life in a calmer, more relaxed way, focusing less on stress and more on balance and understanding. hospitality. Through the lenses of famous influencers on social media like Karl Rock, Alexandra Taylor, Drew Hicks, Bianca Nieddu, Karl Svanberg, Nick Booker etc. the Western world is finally seeing India in high definition, not as a mystical relic, but as a vibrant, welcoming powerhouse where ancient tradition meets a modern, open-hearted welcome.

of community that transcends geographical borders and makes outsiders feel truly welcomed.

The deeply resonating cultural aspects Beyond the vibrant festivals and worldrenowned cuisine lies a complex social fabric built on togetherness. This deep-seated sense of community is what resonates most with

international admirers on a personal level. Svanberg reflects that the emphasis on family, friendships, and social connections provides a refreshing contrast to the more individualistic structures often found in the West.

He appreciates how traditions are meticulously passed down through generations while remaining flexible enough to welcome newcomers.

For those immersed in this atmosphere, it serves as a vital reminder to slow down, connect with others, and value shared experiences and relationships over material pursuits.

Indian connection altering life perspectives Engaging with Indian culture often leads to a significant shift in one's personal philosophy and worldview.

The exposure to a more relaxed and balanced way of life helps many foreigners manage the stresses of modern existence. Svanberg admits that his journey through the various layers of India has taught him to approach life with a calmer energy and less stress. By adopting values of openness and generosity, he has reshaped his understanding of human relationships. This transformation involves integrating a sense of kindness and inclusion into daily interactions, effectively carrying the spirit of the Indian community back into a global context.

What the world needs to understand about India Through his global celebration of Indian heritage, Svanberg hopes to dismantle the barriers that often keep people at a distance. He aims to inspire curiosity and comfort, encouraging others to see themselves as participants rather than outsiders. A significant part of this mission involves highlighting the brilliance of the Indian film and music industries.

He believes that language barriers have historically prevented many from discovering some of the most fantastic storytelling and music in the world. By sharing his journey, he hopes to provide that first step for others to explore the incredible depth of Indian cinema and its melodic beauty.

As the clock struck midnight around the world, cities burst into life as crowds gathered to welcome 2026, many celebrations unfolding under heightened security.

In the UK, the new year was ushered in with dazzling firework displays from coast to coast. In London, more than 100,000 revellers lined the banks of the Thames as Big Ben’s chimes signalled the start of a 12-

Edinburgh

city centre to watch fireworks explode above Edinburgh Castle, join a vast street party and enjoy a headline performance from Wet Leg. Rooted in ancient winter solstice traditions, Hogmanay remains Scotland’s most important celebration, now stretching over three days of torchlight processions, cultural events and the timeless rit-

Big Ben

minute spectacle. Over 12,000 fireworks and 400 lights transformed the London Eye, with the display celebrating sporting triumphs including England’s Women’s Rugby World Cup victory, the Lionesses’ Euros success and Europe’s Ryder Cup win. Nods to the UK’s hottest summer on record, the film Wicked: For Good and the nation’s enduring love of tea added a playful touch.

North of the border, Scotland welcomed 2026 with the return of Edinburgh’s iconic

London Eye

Hogmanay festival after last year’s weather-related cancellation. More than 40,000 people packed the

ual of linking arms to sing Robert Burns’ Auld Lang Syne before the festivities roll on into the early hours.

A glimpse at celebrations across the world

Golden Temple, India

Sydney Opera House, Australia

Sky Tower, New Zealand

Times Square Ball

Burj Khalifa, Dubai

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Pavita Cooper’s “30 by 30” drive for female FTSE CEOs

Dear Financial Voice Reader, Alpesh Patel OBE

Why do star fund managers survive persistent underperformance, and what does this reveal about investor behaviour?

In theory, financial markets are ruthless meritocracies. Capital should flow toward skill and away from failure. Persistent underperformance, particularly against simple benchmarks, ought to result in the rapid withdrawal of investor funds and the reputational decline of those responsible. Yet reality contradicts theory. A number of well-known “star” fund managers continue to attract assets, media attention, and professional prestige despite long periods of weak returns.

This essay argues that the survival of star fund managers under persistent underperformance reveals less about hidden investment skill and far more about investor psychology and the structure of the asset-management industry. Reputation, narrative, and institutional incentives repeatedly override performance. Investors do not behave as rational evaluators of evidence; they behave as humans seeking reassurance, identity, and authority in an uncertain domain.

1. The Myth of Rational Capital Allocation Classical finance assumes investors allocate capital based on expected risk-adjusted returns. If this were true, chronically underperforming managers would lose assets quickly.

However, the SPIVA scorecards consistently show that the majority of active managers underperform their benchmarks over long horizons, yet the industry remains vast and profitable.

The persistence of star managers therefore exposes a gap between theoretical rationality and actual behaviour. Investors do not evaluate managers solely on returns. They evaluate them through stories, trust, and social proof. Performance is only one input, and often not the decisive one.

2. Authority Bias and the Comfort of Expertise Behavioural finance provides the first explanation. Authority bias leads individuals to place excessive trust in figures perceived as experts. A manager with a long career, prestigious background, or history of past success becomes psychologically “anchored” as competent.

Once this anchor is established, new evidence is discounted. Underperformance is rationalised as cyclical, misunderstood, or temporary. Investors tell themselves that “this is exactly when you should stay with a great manager,” even when empirical evidence suggests otherwise.

In effect, fame converts uncertainty into comfort. For many investors, especially retail and advisory-led clients, staying with a recognised name feels safer than switching to an unfamiliar but statistically superior alternative. The emotional utility of perceived expertise outweighs the financial cost of underperformance.

3. Narrative Dominance Over Data Star managers survive because they control a narrative. Underperformance is rarely presented as failure, but as discipline, patience, or contrarian courage. A manager who underperforms while adhering to a clearly articulated philosophy is often admired more than one who delivers modest outperformance without a compelling story.

This reflects a deeper behavioural tendency: humans understand the world through narrative, not probability. A coherent explanation for poor returns is often more persuasive than raw data. Investors are willing to tolerate losses if they believe they are part of a meaningful long-term journey.

Financial media reinforces this dynamic. Profiles, interviews, and commentary focus on personality and philosophy rather than rolling relative returns. As a result, reputations are sustained by visibility and voice, not outcomes.

4. Sunk-Cost Fallacy and Identity Attachment Another powerful force is the sunk-cost fallacy. Investors who have committed capital to a manager over many years are reluctant to admit error. Selling feels like conceding that earlier judgment was wrong. This is particularly acute among advisers and institutions, whose professional identity may be tied to having “backed” a star.

In this way, loyalty to a manager becomes part of the investor’s self-image. Continuing to hold the fund is framed as consistency and conviction, while exiting is framed as weakness or impatience. The manager survives because investors would rather endure underperformance than experience regret.

5. Institutional Incentives Favour Asset Gathering, Not Skill Beyond psychology, structural incentives protect star managers. The asset-management business is rewarded primarily for assets under management, not performance. Fees accrue regardless of outcomes. Distribution platforms, advisers, and wealth managers prefer recognisable brands that reduce reputational risk.

From an adviser’s perspective, recommending a famous manager who underperforms is professionally safer than recommending an obscure one who fails. The former can be defended as “industry-standard”; the latter as a personal mistake. This creates an ecosystem where brand power substitutes for accountability.

As long as inflows are sustained, the economic penalty for underperformance is muted.

Markets may be efficient, but asset-management businesses are not structured to enforce efficiency.

6. The Illusion of Long-Term Skill Many investors justify persistence by appealing to long-term horizons. They believe that skill reveals itself only over decades. While this is theoretically possible, empirical evidence suggests that persistent outperformance is extremely rare, and that past success does not reliably predict future results.

The belief in enduring genius reflects a deeper discomfort with randomness. Accepting that markets are largely unpredictable is psychologically unsettling. Star managers offer an illusion of control in a domain governed by uncertainty.

Thus, the survival of star managers reflects a preference for belief over probability.

The bottom line: learn yourself how to buy investments. As I have said in my 200 FT columns, my 1000 Asian Voice ones and my 250 Bloomberg TV shows and 18 books – learn, learn, learn. Do it yourself!

Aldi posts record festive sales of £1.7bn Aldi has enjoyed its strongest Christmas trading on record, as cost-conscious shoppers sought out lower prices while still splashing out on premium-style festive foods.

The German discounter reported UK sales of £1.7 billion in the four weeks to Christmas Eve, up 3 per cent year on year. In the final week before Christmas alone, sales rose by more than 5 per cent to £500 million. The performance follows a similar update from rival Lidl, which also reported its best-ever festive trading period.

Aldi said demand was particularly strong for its “Specially Selected” premium own-label range, with sales rising 12 per cent. Popular items included double-wrapped pigs in blankets, white chocolate ganache pinecones and wagyu fat roast potatoes.

In the run-up to Christmas, customers bought around 56 million potatoes, half a million turkeys and 37 million carrots, alongside 5.5 million bottles of sparkling wine. Staff processed more than 57 million transactions in the month to December 24.

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new campaign calling for 30 female chief executives in Britain’s FTSE 100 by 2030 will launch at the London Stock Exchange in February, amid growing concern that women are being systematically excluded from the most senior corporate roles.

Pavita Cooper, chair of the 30% Club, unveiled the “30 by 30” initiative after a year in which several highprofile female leaders were replaced by men. At present, just eight women lead FTSE 100 companies.

This marks only marginal progress since 2010, when there were five female FTSE 100 chief executives, despite women’s overall representation on boards rising sharply from 12.5 per cent to 44 per cent over the same period. Cooper said

Pavita Cooper

she wants to “reignite” the debate around the lack of women at the very top, telling The Times, “It doesn’t feel like there’s enough momentum around a conversation about this.”

Data from the Women in Work campaign group highlights the scale of the challenge. Of 400 companies reviewed in October, the number of female chief executives fell from 45 in 2024 to 43 in 2025. Of the 48 chief executive vacan-

cies during that period, half of the women who left were replaced by other women and half by men. By contrast, when male chief executives departed, 90 per cent were succeeded by men.

Cooper said there remains “something around the psychology and perceived risk attached to putting a woman in that top job, which is not real or fair”.

She added that the campaign will focus on “what can we collectively do” to get more women into chief executive roles, questioning why a pattern is emerging in which women step down only to be replaced by men.

Alongside its headline target, the 30% Club is also aiming for women to make up 50 per cent of management teams below executive committee level by 2035.

Labour era sees rich rise, poor fall New data shows that With Labour trailing under Labour, Britain’s Nigel Farage’s Reform UK poorest households are in the polls and facing becoming poorer, while potential heavy losses in the wealthiest are seeing May’s local elections, their disposable income Starmer is expected to rise. highlight measures such as According to Retail upcoming energy bill cuts Economics, the amount and the removal of the left for the poorest famitwo-child benefit cap as lies after bills and essential evidence of Labour’s supspending has dropped by port for voters. In a New 2.1 per cent since Labour Year video, he predicted took office in July 2024. In that 2026 would see the contrast, the most affluent UK “turn a corner” and households have enjoyed a that people would feel “a Sir Keir Starmer 10.3 per cent increase in sense of hope” despite discretionary income. recent negative economic headlines.

The figures are a setback for Sir Keir Retail Economics, an independent conStarmer as he prepares to make tackling the sultancy, bases its figures on discretionary cost of living the centrepiece of his New income, how much families have left after Year message. The Labour leader has essentials, and includes changes in taxes and pledged to “wage all-out war” on rising livbills not captured by official Office for ing costs.

National Statistics data.

FTSE 100 breaks 10,000 for first time Britain’s blue-chip stock index has crossed the 10,000 mark for the first time, beginning 2026 at a fresh high after ending last year with its strongest annual gain since 2009.

The FTSE 100 rose to an intraday peak of 10,046.25 on the first trading day of the year before giving up some gains to close at a record 9,951.14, up 19.76 points, or 0.2 per cent. The milestone follows a powerful 2025, when the index advanced 21.5 per cent, its best performance in 16 years, outperforming the US S&P 500 as well as Europe’s Stoxx 600 and France’s CAC 40.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves described the move above 10,000 as “a vote of confidence in Britain’s economy”, although most FTSE 100 companies generate the majority of their revenues overseas.

Unlike Wall Street, London has limited exposure to AI-driven tech stocks that powered US markets last year, instead benefiting from strong demand for defence and mining shares. Shifting sentiment towards the US, trade tariff volatility and fears of an AI bubble have also prompted some investors to diversify away from American assets.

Surprise tax bills hits pensioners and savers The number of pensioners and savers receiving unexpected end-of-year tax bills has doubled in just two years, new figures show.

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) sent out more than 1.32 million simple assessment letters for the 2023–24 tax year, compared with 675,000 in 2021–22, according to a Freedom of Information request. Simple assessments are issued when individuals owe tax but no longer have a PAYE code to collect it at source.

While often small, nearly a quarter of demands in 2023–24 were for under £100, and half were less than £300. Retired peo-

ple are increasingly paying income tax for the first time due to frozen tax thresholds and a rising state pension.

The full state pension will increase to £12,548 a year in April under the triple lock, approaching the tax-free personal allowance, frozen at £12,570 until at least 2031. About nine million pensioners receive the older, more generous pre-2016 pension, which can push them further over the allowance.

Steve Webb, former pensions minister, said a wider solution is needed beyond planned measures for a subset of pensioners from 2027.

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Momentum builds for 2026: India’s manufacturing and innovation surge In 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s flagship initiative, Make in India, celebrated 11 years, marking a significant milestone in India’s journey to becoming a global manufacturing and innovation hub.

Launched in 2014, the program aimed to revive the country’s industrial base, attract investments, and establish India as a worldmanufacturing class destination. Here’s a look at some of its key achievements, based on government data.

India’s Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme has attracted ₹1.76 lakh crore in investments, cumulative generating production of ₹16.5 lakh crore and helping the country emerge as a global leader in electronics,

pharmaceuticals, defence, and automobiles.

Electronics exports soared eight-fold to ₹3.27 lakh crore, with mobile shipments rising 132 times to over ₹2 lakh crore, making India the world’s second-largest mobile manufacturer. Under Make in India, the country has expanded rail technology with 150+ Vande Bharat trains, exported metro

coaches, and supplied propulsion systems globally. Semiconductor investments of ₹76,000 crore and a 45% rise in advanced testing capacity have strengthened India’s position in the global chip race. The pharmaceutical sector moved from a ₹1,930 crore deficit in FY22 to a ₹2,280 crore surplus in FY25, while toy production reached 400 million units

with exports to 153 countries and imports down 52%. Defence exports cover 100+ countries, with 65% produced domestically, highlighting India’s growing manufacturing and innovation capabilities.

Renewable energy manufacturing has scaled rapidly, with solar PV capacity surpassing 100 GW, and India successfully tested the Agni-Prime missile from a rail-based launcher. The start-up ecosystem thrives with 1.8 lakh start-ups, 17.6 lakh jobs, and 118 unicorns, reflecting strong growth, innovation, and global competitiveness. With such momentum, 2026 holds immense possibilities for India to further strengthen its position as a global manufacturing and innovation hub.

Four Indian-origin entrepreneurs have made Forbes’ latest ‘40 Under 40’ list of self-made billionaires, with a combined net worth of over $11 billion. Zerodha cofounder Nikhil Kamath is the only India-based entrepreneur featured.

Ankur Jain New York–based entrepreneur Ankur Jain, 35, ranks 19th with a net worth of $3.4 billion. He is the founder and CEO of Bilt Rewards, a home rental rewards platform valued at $10.8 billion. Previously, Jain co-founded Humin, a contact management app later acquired by Tinder. A Wharton graduate and son

Credit: LinkedIn, Instagram, X

Four Indian-origin entrepreneurs make Forbes 40 Under 40

L to R: Ankur Jain, Nikhil Kamath, Adarsh Hiremath and Surya Midha

of a former dotcom billionaire, Jain is considered one of the most influential young founders in the US tech scene.

Nikhil Kamath Ranking at 20 is Nikhil Kamath, 39, co-founder and CFO of Bengaluru-based brokerage Zerodha, with a

net worth of $3.3 billion.

Kamath, the only Indiabased entrepreneur on the list, launched Zerodha in 2010 with his brother Nithin. The company, valued at nearly $8 billion, has made the brothers some of India’s most successful selfmade entrepreneurs. In

2024, Nikhil also launched the podcast ‘WTF is’.

Adarsh Hiremath and Surya Midha Ranked 27th are Adarsh Hiremath and Surya Midha, both 22, cofounders of AI recruiting startup Mercor, alongside Brendan Foody. Each valued at ₹1,826 crore, they are among Forbes’ youngest billionaires.

Founded in 2023, Mercor helps Silicon Valley AI labs train models at scale.

Hiremath holds dual degrees in computer science, while Midha earned a bachelor’s in foreign studies from Georgetown University.

Government approves Rs 2,500 crore for hydro power projects The finance ministry’s expenditure finance committee has approved around Rs 2,500 crore to support small hydro power projects, sources said. The move aims to double India’s installed small hydro capacity to 10 GW over the next decade.

Under the plan, developers of projects up to 25 MW would receive central financial assistance covering 2030% of benchmark costs set by the power regulator. India currently has just over 5 GW of operational small hydro projects.

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) oversees policy and implementation and will now prepare a cabinet note for final approval.

India is increasingly focusing on small hydro power projects as part of its push for non-fossil fuel energy.

These projects require less land, have longer lifespans, support local irrigation, and create jobs.

Small hydro projects, often canalbased or run-of-river, have a smaller

environmental footprint, avoiding large-scale displacement or deforestation. They are also more flexible, offering spinning reserves and quick ramp-up capacity, and are typically located near consumption centres, reducing transmission losses.

The cost of these projects is generally ₹10-12 crore per MW, and industry experts suggest phased payments linked to milestones due to the capitalintensive nature of hydro power.

New airports, privatisation drive India’s global aviation ambitions India is adopting a multipronged strategy to boost international flights from its growing network of airports. Rather than solely increasing bilateral agreements, the government aims to help Indian airports and airlines tap into their full potential by establishing direct flights between domestic and international hubs.

Union Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu announced rapid airport expansion in India, with 106 new planes expected in 2025 and 100 more annually over

Ram Mohan Naidu

the next decade. India aims to shift international traffic from foreign hubs to local

airlines like Air India, IndiGo, and Akasa, with new airports and Air India's privatisation boosting the country's global aviation presence.

Naidu emphasised that India is prioritising its own airlines for increased international connectivity, leveraging new infrastructure to attract travellers from nearby countries and offer global connections. He noted that while Indian airlines are expanding, especially with wide-body aircraft, they still lag behind global

competitors like Emirates, which operates 250 wide bodies.

Naidu also highlighted the need for revising bilateral agreements, particularly for new hubs like Bhogapuram Airport, which is expected to be operational this summer.

He pointed to regions like the "global south" and Africa as key areas for expanding direct connectivity. Some hubs are seeking changes in bilateral, as routes to places like Dubai and Singapore are fully utilised by both sides’ airlines.

Nvidia’s $1bn bet on Nokia

The tech world witnessed a landmark transformation as Nokia, the former monarch of mobile phones, secured a $1 billion investment from AI titan Nvidia.

This strategic partnership, announced under the leadership of new CEO Justin Hotard, aims to integrate artificial intelligence into the heart of global telecoms networks, effectively positioning Nokia as a critical infrastructure provider for the AI supercycle.

The Finnish group's journey is a remarkable saga of industrial survival. Founded in 1865 as a single paper mill, Nokia evolved through decades of selling rubber boots and televisions before dominating the mobile revolution. By 2000, it commanded 26.4 per cent of the global handset market, with the iconic brick 3310 selling 126 million units.

However, the 2007 arrival of the iPhone triggered a catastrophic downfall. Failing to grasp the smartphone era, Nokia's market share collapsed, leading to a desperate €5.4 billion sale of its phone division to Microsoft in 2014.

Today’s Nokia is a far cry from its Snake-playing days.

Moving from consumer gadgets to cloud and network hardware, it acquired Infinera for $2.3 billion and AlcatelLucent, providing high-speed routers and AI-RAN software for 6G, drawing Nvidia’s attention.

India pressured over Russian oil imports India faces mounting pressure to make a decisive choice on Russian oil imports amid the threat of higher US tariffs, the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) warns.

US President Donald Trump said Washington could raise tariffs on Indian goods if New Delhi continues buying Russian crude, adding to existing strains on Indian exports, which already face a cumulative 50% US import tariff, half linked directly to Russian oil purchases.

Pressure is rising in the US Congress, with Senator Lindsey Graham pushing legislation for sweeping secondary tariffs on countries importing Russian oil if Moscow fails to agree to a Ukraine ceasefire within 50 days.

India has partially reduced its exposure, with refiners like Reliance and state-owned firms curbing purchases after US sanctions on Rosneft and Lukoil, but imports continue, leaving the country in a strategic “grey zone.” GTRI says India must take a clear stance, stop, continue from nonsanctioned suppliers, or buy from sanctioned entities, and back it with data.

Even a full halt may not ease Washington’s pressure, which could shift to other sectors. Unlike the EU, Japan, and South Korea, India faces unique challenges compared to China in navigating US demands.

SBI promotes IndiaIsrael trade in rupees State Bank of India (SBI) is exploring ways to boost India-Israel trade in Indian rupees, following momentum in the India-Israel Free Trade Agreement (FTA). As the only Indian bank with a presence in Israel, SBI is facilitating exports and imports in INR under Reserve Bank of India guidelines.

SBI Israel CEO V Manivannan explained that Israeli entities can now make and receive payments in rupees through a Special Rupee Vostro Account (SRVA) for goods and services transactions. “SBI Tel Aviv has all approvals to handle these transactions,” he said.

The bank is also promoting smoother rupee remittances for Indian workers in Israel,

strengthening bilateral trade ties. SBI’s Tel Aviv branch has held meetings and webinars with the Israel-India Chamber of Commerce, including senior officials from leading Israeli defence firms, to promote the use of the Indian rupee in crossborder trade.

With over 40,000 Indian workers joining Israel’s labour market, the branch is facilitating NRI accounts and rupee remittances, particularly for those in construction and agriculture.

CEO V Manivannan said SBI is also exploring partnerships with fintech firms and local banks to simplify rupeedenominated payments and strengthen ties with the Indian diaspora.

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ohran Mamdani became the first Mayor of New York City to be sworn into office using a Quran.

The 34-year-old Democratic socialist, born in Uganda to filmmaker Mira Nair and academic Mahmood Mamdani, officially assumed the role just after midnight in a private ceremony at the decommissioned Old City Hall subway station.

For this landmark moment, Mamdani placed his hand on two copies of the holy text, one from a family heirloom belonging to his grandfather and a centuries-old manuscript on loan from the New York Public Library’s Schomburg Centre for Research in Black Culture.

The choice of the Schomburg Quran, dating back to the late 18th or early 19th century, was intended to sym-

Credit: Amir Hamja/Reuters

New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani takes oath on Quran

Zohran Mamdani with his wife Rama Duwaji (R) and New York Attorney General Letitia James (L)

bolise the deep-rooted history and diversity of the city’s Muslim community.

Following the private midnight event administered by Attorney General Letitia James, a grander public inauguration was held at City Hall, where Senator Bernie Sanders administered a second ceremonial oath. Mamdani, who moved to New York at age seven and became a naturalised citizen in

2018, is the first Muslim and the first South Asian to lead America's most populous city.

Mamdani sparks controversy with Kassem appointment New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani sparked controversy by appointing Ramzi Kassem, a lawyer known for high-profile cases, as the city’s top attorney.

Kassem defended al-Qaeda operative Ahmed al-Darbi and

Gautam Adani joins Bhutan’s Gelephu Mindfulness City Gautam Adani, chairman of the Adani Group, has joined Bhutan’s Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC) as a founding member, the GMC Authority announced.

In a statement, the authority said Adani’s experience in large-scale infrastructure, renewable energy, and sustainable systems aligns with GMC’s ambition to build futureready infrastructure while preserving natural and human capital.

GMC, inspired by King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuk, aims to create a global model of mindful development, blending Bhutanese values of spirituality and harmony with nature with innovation, technology, and economic growth. The king has emphasised that true progress preserves balance between people, nature, and time.

In a social media post, Gautam Adani highlighted his decades of experience in infrastructure and renewable energy, aligning with Bhutan’s focus on sustainability. He also noted the partnership with Druk Green Power Corporation to develop 5,000 MW of hydropower, formalised with an MoU at

Gautam Adani with His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck

Tashichhodzong. Commenting on the development, Adani said, “I am honoured to support Gelephu Mindfulness City, a visionary initiative placing human well-being, nature, and long-term thinking at the heart of progress.”

He also marked the start of the 570 MW Wangchhu Hydro Project, thanking Prime Minister Dasho Tsheringtobgay for attending.

Sharma’s residence a day after his departure, discovering the victim's body. While US authorities initially identified Sharma as an exboyfriend, the victim’s father, Anand Godishala, clarified that the suspect was a former flatmate. The family alleges the motive was a financial dispute involving approximately 3,500 US dollars that Sharma had borrowed and failed to repay. Godishala, originally from Hyderabad, had lived in the US for four years and recently received a professional excellence award at Vheda Health. The Indian Embassy is currently coordinating with local authorities to facilitate the repatriation of her remains.

Four Indian brothers and maid killed in crash A devastating car accident in Abu Dhabi has claimed the lives of four young Indian brothers, aged between five and fourteen, as their family returned from a winter holiday.

The fatal crash occurred near Shahama on the Abu Dhabi-Dubai motorway. The family, originally from Kerala, was travelling back to Dubai after visiting the Liwa Festival when their vehicle lost control and overturned. Three brothers, Ashaz (14), Ammar (12), and Ayyash (5) along with the family's

Two Indian scientists receive top Canadian civilian honour

Prof Emeritus Chandrakant Padamshi Shah and Prof Praveen K Jain

Indian national murdered in United States on New Year’s Eve Twenty-seven-year-old Indian data analyst, Nikitha Godishala, was found dead with multiple stab wounds in an apartment in Columbia, Maryland.

Following an international manhunt, the primary suspect, twenty-six-year-old Arjun Sharma is on lookout. Investigators believe Godishala was murdered shortly after 7:00 pm on New Year’s Eve. In a deceptive move, Sharma filed a missing person report with the Howard County Police on January 2 before immediately fleeing the United States on a flight to India later that same day.

Detectives executed a search warrant at

anti-Israel activist Mahmoud Khalil, labelled a national security threat by the Trump administration, and served as a senior immigration policy advisor under President Biden.

Mamdani called him a “powerful advocate,” while Kassem described the role as a “call of duty” to serve New York, his “first stable home” after growing up in war-torn Middle Eastern countries. His past activism, including protests against a campus “Israeli wrap” and questioning Israel’s authority over settlers in Nablus, has drawn scrutiny. He founded the law clinic Creating Law Enforcement Accountability & Responsibility. Mamdani also named Steven Banks corporation counsel and Helen Arteaga deputy mayor for health and human services.

49-year-old domestic worker, Bushra Fayaz Yahu, died at the scene. A fourth brother, seven-year-old Azzaam, succumbed to his injuries on Monday evening at Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City. The parents, Abdul Latheef and Rukhsana, and their ten-yearold daughter, Izzaa, survived but remain hospitalised with serious injuries. Hundreds of mourners gathered at Al Qusais Cemetery in Dubai, for the emotional burial of the four siblings.

Governor General Mary Simon appointed two distinguished Indian-born scientists, Professor Praveen K Jain and Professor Emeritus Chandrakant Padamshi Shah, as Officers of the Order of Canada.

This prestigious announcement, made at Rideau Hall, recognised the pair among 80 new appointees for their exceptional contributions to North American society.

Professor Jain, a specialist in electrical engineering at Queen’s University, was lauded for his pioneering work in energy processing and power electronics. Meanwhile, Professor Shah of the University of Toronto’s Dalla Lana School of Public Health was honoured for his transformative efforts in public health education and his dedicated advocacy for Indigenous health.

Sikh taxi driver in Calgary helps deliver baby Taxi driver Hardeep Singh Toor became an unexpected hero when he helped deliver a baby girl in the back of his cab.

Toor, a four-year veteran with Checker Cabs, was dispatched just after midnight for what he initially believed was a routine emergency hospital run. However, upon arrival, he found a woman in advanced labour. With local temperatures plummeting to –23°C and roads made treacherous by an ongoing winter storm, Toor decided to drive the couple to the hospital himself rather than risk waiting for an ambulance in the freezing conditions.

The typically 30-minute journey to the Peter Lougheed Centre reached a dramatic climax just three blocks from the destination. As Toor navigated the icy McKnight Boulevard, the baby was born in the rear seat. He recounted his relief upon hearing the new-born’s first cries, which confirmed that both mother and child were safe. Upon arrival, medical staff rushed to the vehicle to provide immediate care.

in brief INDIAN ILLEGAL CROSSINGS VIA CANADA, US DROP Attempts by Indian nationals to illegally enter the United States from Canada have dropped sharply over the past year, falling by nearly two-thirds. US Customs and Border Protection data show total encounters at the northern border declined to 85,747 in the 2025 fiscal year, from 198,929 the year before, a 57% decrease. Indians accounted for 14,054 apprehensions in 2025, down 68% from 43,764 in 2024, reducing their share from about 22% to just over 16%. The decline follows a tougher US crackdown on illegal immigration under President Donald Trump, including pressure on Canada. Crossings have fallen back near 2022 levels, when Indians made up about 16% of 109,535 attempts. While the share stayed similar in 2023, total crossings surged to 189,402, with 30,010 Indians recorded, before rising further the next year.

JAPAN’S WOMEN MPS SEEK MORE TOILETS IN PARLIAMENT Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is among around 60 female lawmakers who have petitioned for more women’s toilets in the parliament building, citing the growing number of women in the legislature. A record 73 women were elected to the 465-seat Lower House in October 2024, surpassing the previous high of 54 in 2009. Opposition lawmaker Yasuko Komiyama said long queues often form outside women’s restrooms before plenary sessions, with some MPs saying they have “given up” trying to use the toilet beforehand. There is only one women’s toilet with two cubicles near the plenary chamber, despite the parliament building having nine women’s toilets with 22 cubicles, compared with 12 men’s toilets with 67 stalls and urinals.

Opposition lawmaker Yasuko Komiyama called the shortage “often inconvenient”, noting the facilities are shared with staff and visitors.

DRUG WAR DRIVES SPIKE IN SAUDI ARABIA EXECUTIONS Saudi Arabia executed a record 356 people in 2025, driven largely by its “war on drugs.”

Official data shows 243 of the executions were drug-related. This marks the second consecutive year of record executions, following 338 deaths in 2024. The kingdom resumed executions for drug offences at the end of 2022 after a three-year suspension. Saudi Arabia is a major market for fenethylline, an illicit stimulant known as Captagon, once Syria’s largest export under Bashar al-Assad, according to the UN. Since launching its “war on drugs,” authorities have stepped up highway and border checkpoints, seizing millions of pills and arresting dozens of traffickers. Most executed in drug-related cases have been foreigners.

Saudi Arabia faces criticism for its heavy use of the death penalty, seen as at odds with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030.

JD VANCE’S CINCINNATI HOME VANDALISED US Vice President JD Vance’s home in Cincinnati was vandalised overnight, with several windows smashed, prompting a swift response from the Secret Service and local police. A suspect has been detained, though authorities have not confirmed whether charges have been filed. Officials said the Vance family was not at home and there is no indication the suspect entered the residence, according to preliminary findings. The attack comes amid heightened security concerns.Last week, Vance monitored a sensitive operation via secure video instead of travelling to Mar-aLago, reflecting efforts to limit the president and vice president being together outside the White House. After the incident, police and Secret Service personnel secured his Cincinnati home, where Vance and his family were not present, amid heightened New Year security with road closures and checkpoints.

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US forces raid Venezuela, abducts Maduro Continued from page 1 The operation, which occurred in the early hours, involved US Special Forces conducting a pre-dawn raid in Caracas, capturing Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, from their residence within a heavily guarded military fortress.

The Trump administration justified the operation, citing national security and law enforcement concerns, including charges of narco-terrorism. Elite Delta Force units, accompanied by CIA and FBI agents, reportedly transported Maduro and his wife by helicopter to the US warship Iwo Jima before transferring them to New York for trial.

President Trump, who reportedly watched the operation unfold live, praised its execution and declared that he is now "in charge of Venezuela." The operation shocked the region, despite longstanding allegations against Maduro, including a $25 million US bounty. His ally, Delcy Rodríguez, was quickly sworn in as acting president.

Trump has long accused Maduro of heading a drug cartel and enabling illegal immigration, and in 2020, Maduro was indicted for cocaine smuggling. His Cartel de los Soles was subsequently labelled a foreign terrorist organisation, with bounties rising to $50 million.

While some US lawmakers of Venezuelan descent supported the raid, many Democrats raised concerns about its legality, noting that only Congress has the authority to declare war. The Pentagon defended the operation, stating it was “authorised” to counter “national security threats posed by the illegitimate Maduro regime.”

Vice President JD Vance defended the mission, saying Maduro must face justice for alleged drug trafficking. The raid, one of the most significant US operations in Latin America in decades, has been compared to the 1989 Panama invasion targeting General Noriega.

Trump detailed the “amazing military achievement” to Republican lawmakers in Washington DC, earning a standing ovation. He claimed many were killed, “mostly Cubans”, during the assault on Maduro and Cilia Flores’ Caracas compound, while no Americans died. Cuban officials reported 32 Cuban deaths, and Venezuelan media cited 57 fatalities, including two civilian women.

Trump highlighted the scale of the operation, noting 152 planes were involved, and praised the US military as “the most powerful, most lethal, most sophisticated, and most fearsome” force on Earth.

Trump reaffirms interest in Greenland President Donald Trump doubled down on his claim that Greenland is vital for US national security, despite calls from Denmark’s Prime Minister to stop “threatening” the territory.

Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump said, “We need Greenland from the standpoint of national security, and Denmark is not going to be able to do it.”

The controversy escalated after Katie Miller, wife of a top aide, posted an image of

remember him when we met… May the wisdom of this great teacher continue to enlighten us,” highlighting a personal side of the leader often overshadowed by political controversies.

India urges peace in Venezuela, keeps distance from US criticism

Canada’s Foreign Minister Anita Anand and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasized the need for respect for international law, distancing Britain from the recent US raid in Venezuela.

Iran condemned the operation as a “blatant violation” and called for UN action.

In her first official statement to Parliament, UK Foreign Secretary Cooper confirmed raising concerns over international law with US Secretary of State Rubio. She noted that the US should clarify its legal justification for the raid, while the UN Security Council was set to discuss Venezuela.

Cooper also spoke with Rubio about the UK's role in supporting a peaceful, democratic transition in Venezuela. Though she refrained from condemning Trump's actions directly, she stressed that Greenland’s future should be decided by its people and Denmark, not external powers.

India expressed deep concern over the recent in developments Venezuela, calling on all parties to resolve issues US President Donald Trump Nicolas Maduro with spiritual leader Sathya Sai Baba peacefully through dialogue and stressing the War II rules-based global order.

Greenland’s flag in US colours importance of regional stability.

Party chief Mallikarjun Kharge with the caption “Soon.”

The Ministry of External Affairs went further, likening Trump’s Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette (MEA) said it is closely monitoring actions in Venezuela to those of Frederiksen called the claim “absothe situation and reaffirmed its Adolf Hitler, while also criticising lutely absurd” and urged to the safety and commitment PM Modi for allegedly “bending Washington to respect its historiwell-being of the Venezuelan peobefore” the US President. cal ally. Greenland’s Premier Jensple.

World condemns abduction of Frederik Nielsen described the The MEA confirmed that the Venezuela’s Maduro post as “disrespectful” but said Indian Embassy in Caracas Countries across the world there was “neither reason for panic remains in contact with members have strongly condemned nor concern.” of the local Indian community, Washington’s seizure of Trump linked Greenland to his which includes around 50 non-resMaduro pleads not guilty in Venezuelan President Nicolás broader regional strategy followident Indians and 30 people of NYC over narco-terror charges Maduro. ing the US military operation in Indian origin, and continues to Deposed Venezuelan In a joint statement, Brazil, Venezuela, where Nicolás Maduro provide all possible assistance.

President Nicolás Maduro Colombia, Mexico, Spain, Chile, was captured. He has also sigCitizens in Venezuela were advised appeared in a Manhattan federal and Uruguay expressed “deep connalled interest in Colombia, Iran, to avoid non-essential travel, exercourt, pleading not guilty to cern” over the US military action Mexico, and Cuba, citing oil, mincise extreme caution, limit movenarco-terrorism, cocaine importain Venezuela, calling it a violation erals, and drug trade concerns. On ment, and stay in touch with the tion, and weapons charges. of international law.

They warned Venezuela, Trump said the US will embassy.

Wearing a blue prison uniform, he it set a “dangerous precedent for “run” the country indefinitely and cautious and carefully India’s repeatedly stressed he remains the regional peace and security” and tap its oil reserves, while warning worded response, which notably legitimate leader of Venezuela, urged a resolution “through diaColombian and Iranian authorities avoided naming the US or saying, “I was captured… I am logue, negotiation, and respect for of potential US action.

President Donald Trump, reflects innocent. I am not guilty of anythe will of the Venezuelan people.”

Spiritual link to Sathya Sai Baba the country’s delicate diplomatic thing that is mentioned here.” His French President Emmanuel Ousted Venezuelan President balancing act amid rising tensions wife, Cilia Flores, also pleaded not Macron said any transition in Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia with Washington. Relations have guilty and maintained her role as Venezuela must be “peaceful, Flores had a long-standing spiritubeen strained over trade disputes Venezuela’s first lady. democratic, and respectful of the al connection to India. Long and Indian purchases of Russian US District Judge Alvin will of the people,” hoping opposibefore his tenure was defined by oil, with Trump threatening furHellerstein assured a fair trial, tion leader Edmundo González political controversies and interther tariffs if India does not curb while Maduro’s defence plans preUrrutia would oversee it. German national sanctions, the couple its imports. In response, India has trial motions questioning the Chancellor Friedrich Merz called were followers of Indian spiritual been actively diversifying energy legality of the US military raid that the US action legally “complex” leader Sathya Sai Baba. They visitsources, with Russian oil imports brought him to New York. but stressed adherence to internaed the Prasanthi Nilayam ashram in December falling to a threeMaduro’s lawyer Barry Pollack is tional law and warned against furin Puttaparthi, Andhra Pradesh, in year low. not seeking bail for now. ther instability.

2005 for a private meeting, and a The government’s muted Meanwhile, Delcy Rodriguez UN Secretary-General photo of the young couple seated stance on Venezuela contrasts was sworn in as interim president António Guterres said he was with Sai Baba has resurfaced on sharply with the opposition in Caracas, calling the raid a “kid“deeply concerned,” calling the social media amid recent developCongress, which issued a strong napping of two heroes.” Protesters developments a “dangerous precements. condemnation of the US military both supporting and opposing dent.”

China “strongly conRaised Catholic, Maduro was action. Congress highlighted that Maduro clashed outside the courtdemned” the use of force, while introduced to Sai Baba through respect for national sovereignty is house.

Their next court appearRussia denounced it as “armed Flores, and together they cultivata cornerstone of the post-World ance is March 17. aggression” and urged dialogue. ed a spiritual practice alongside their political ambitions. As Maduro rose through the ranks, his reverence for the guru remained visible. Reports indicate that a portrait of Sathya Sai Baba hung prominently in Maduro’s The Himalayan private office at the Miraflores already yielded tangible Kingdom of Bhutan was Palace, alongside images of Simon results for Bhutan’s revealed as a world leadBolivar and Hugo Chavez.

780,000 citizens. In er in sovereign digital Following Sai Baba’s death in 2023, the government assets, holding a Bitcoin 2011, Maduro, then Venezuela’s liquidated $100 million reserve now valued at foreign minister, pushed for a in Bitcoin to fund 65 per $1.3 billion.

National Assembly condolence cent salary increases for resolution, declaring a day of civil servants, a move This figure reprenational mourning to acknowlcredited with halting the sents approximately 40 edge the guru’s spiritual contribunation’s brain drain. per cent of the nation’s tions. Under his governance, the Furthermore, in total GDP, positioning Sathya Sai organisation continued October 2025, Bhutan the reclusive Buddhist to operate in Venezuela, which became the first nation kingdom as the world’s intensive supercomputUnlike other nations now hosts one of the largest Sai to implement a national third-largest governers. The government has that acquire digital curBaba devotee communities in digital identity system ment holder of the crypestablished several hidrency through criminal Latin America, with roots dating anchored on the tocurrency, trailing only den facilities, including a seizures, Bhutan proback to 1974.

Ethereum blockchain. the United States and major site on the duces its wealth through In 2024, government invitaAs the kingdom looks to China. Spearheaded by grounds of the defunct state-funded mining tions for National Day celebrathe future, it plans to King Jigme Khesar ‘Education City’ project operations. Managed by tions even featured the “om” symintegrate cryptocurrency Namgyel Wangchuck, near Thimphu. These the sovereign investbol, reflecting the enduring culturinto the reserves of the the nation’s strategic sustainable mining pracment arm, Druk al footprint of the spiritual comupcoming Gelephu bitcoin gambit began in tices align with the Holding and munity. Just months before his Mindfulness City, a 2019 to revive a stagnatnation’s environmental Investments (DHI), the capture, Maduro publicly comfuturistic economic hub ing economy historically ethos while generating project leverages the memorated Sathya Sai Baba’s cendesigned to attract globdependent on agriculsignificant revenue for country’s abundant, tenary, describing him as a “being al innovators to the ture and hydroelectric national development. clean hydroelectric of light” and saying, “I always Eastern Himalayas. exports.

The experiment has power to run energy-

Bhutan emerges as global powerhouse in Bitcoin economy

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Rising attacks on Hindus spark calls to review Yunus’ Nobel Prize A

trocities against Hindus in Bangladesh have reportedly increased, triggering criticism of Muhammad Yunus and renewed questions over his Nobel Peace Prize, amid accusations that he has failed, as Chief Advisor of the interim government, to curb violence and human rights abuses against Hindu communities.

The Hindu Council UK (HCUK) has written to Mr Jørgen Watne Frydnes, Chairman of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, requesting a review of Dr Muhammad Yunus’ Nobel Peace Prize. The letter cites Yunus’ tenure as Chief Advisor of Bangladesh’s interim government, during multiple credible which sources, including Bangladeshi media, human-rights groups, international analysts, and law enforcement, documented attacks on religious minorities, especially Hindus. Named killings include Mrinal Kanti Chatterjee, Swapan Kumar Biswas, and Dipu Chandra Das, while dozens more occurred amid political instability.

Reports also indicate authorities failed to file FIRs in recent cases, including the burning of Dipu Chandra Das. HCUK stressed Bangladesh’s obligations under

Rana Pratap and Sarat Mani Chakraborty

international law to protect minorities, prevent harm, and prosecute perpetrators. While not alleging personal criminal culpability, the letter questions Yunus’ moral and institutional responsibility as a Nobel laureate holding executive power, given the Prize’s commitment to peace, nonviolence, and human dignity.

The Council requested that the Nobel Committee review the situation, reaffirm ethical obligations tied to the Prize, and promote adherence to human-rights norms. The letter is also intended as an open appeal to raise public debate on protecting life, dignity, and religious freedom. Separately, Bangladesh Hindu the Association has announced a protest at Westminster Parliament scheduled for 21

January 2026.

Second Hindu killing in 24 hours A 40-year-old Hindu man was killed in Bangladesh, marking the second such killing in the country within 24 hours.

Sarat Mani Chakraborty, a grocery shop owner, was attacked with sharp weapons in Narsingdi district around 10 pm and later succumbed to his injuries.

Earlier the same day, Rana Pratap, a 45-year-old factory owner and acting editor of a local newspaper, was shot dead in Jashore. Local sources said Pratap was lured out of his ice factory in Kopalia Bazar, taken into an alley, shot in the head and had his throat slit. Seven bullet casings were recovered, and police confirmed he was shot three times.

An

AFRICA

Johannesburg's BAPS temple unveils Nilkanth Varni statue A 42-foot bronze statue of Hemang Desai. Weighing 20 Nilkanth Varni, the 18thtonnes and crafted from century yogi, was unveiled at copper and brass, the statue's the BAPS temple in balance on a single leg is Johannesburg, South Africa. hailed as an engineering marvel.

This statue, the tallest The handover ceremony, bronze figure in the country, led by Swayamprakash Swami also ranks as the fourthand attended by Deputy tallest in Africa, alongside Finance Minister Ashor Nigeria’s Moremi Statue of Sarupen, featured a 60Liberty. Posed in a variation member Indo-African of Vrikshasana (Tree Pose), it orchestra. The statue honors stands at the temple entrance Bhagwan Swaminarayan’s as a symbol of discipline, youthful idealism, and inner 42-foot Nilkanth Varni statue at 12,000 km pilgrimage at age the BAPS Hindu Mandir, 11, highlighting his dedication balance, according to BAPS. Johannesburg to learning, discipline, and The Nilkanth Varni service. With the adjacent BAPS vegetarian statue, more than just a religious symbol, restaurant Shayona, the Mandir complex is embodies values of self-discipline, becoming a welcoming community and perseverance, clarity of purpose, and service tourist hub in Johannesburg. to society, according to BAPS spokesperson

SCLPS event brings community together The Shree Cutchi Leva Patel Samaj (SCLPS) Nairobi Youth League hosted a dynamic cultural celebration, "The Sound of December," at the SCLP Samaj Ground in late December 2025.

The event kicked off with an exciting Bollywood live concert, followed by an energetic garba Organisation members and artists at the event night, bringing the community together in a joyful and festive from India for the Nairobi atmosphere. audience.

The evening featured With free entry, the event performances by Tak Dhoom attracted large crowds of youth Music, with artists Nitin and families, uniting the Varsani, Poonam Gadhvi, community through music and Bhoomika Joshi, Anirudh Ahir, culture. The night ended with Raj Gadhvi, Mujtaba Aziz, and lively garba, making the event a Chintan Rana, who traveled Artists performing at the event resounding success.

investigation is underway.

The killings are part of a growing wave of violence against minorities in Bangladesh, particularly Hindus, who make up about 7 per cent of the population.

Last week, a Hindu woman in Jhenaidah was raped by two men who allegedly demanded money, tied her to a tree, shaved her head, filmed the assault, and circulated the video online.

She later lost consciousness and was hospitalised.

Days earlier, Khokon Chandra Das, 50, was attacked and set on fire while returning home from his shop near Dhaka; he died in hospital on January 3. On December 29, Bajendra Biswas, 40, a member of the Ansar Bahini, was shot dead at a garment factory in Mymensingh by a colleague.

Other recent incidents include the lynching of 29-yearold Amrit Mondal in Rajbari on December 24 and the mob killing and burning of Dipu Chandra Das, also 29, in Mymensingh on December 18 over alleged blasphemy, an incident that drew international attention to the escalating violence against Hindus under the interim administration led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus.

in brief DUBAI EMERGES AS LEADING STARTUP HUB Dubai has ranked third globally in the Startup Friendly Cities Index 2026 by Multipolitan, trailing only San Francisco and Zurich, and placing ahead of London, Paris and New York.

The ranking highlights Dubai’s appeal as a startup hub, driven by rapid company formation, strong digital infrastructure and talent-friendly policies. Evaluating ecosystems across 60 countries, the index ranked 28 cities on factors including startup activity, connectivity, talent and business agility. Dubai stood out for regulatory efficiency, with businesses often set up in about a week. Its low friction, competitive taxes, and cosmopolitan environment are helping close the gap with Western innovation hubs. Dubai also outperformed San Francisco, Tokyo, Paris, London, and New York in talent and quality of life, despite trailing in unicorns and venture capital. Singapore ranked fourth, Seoul seventh, and London and Paris eighth and tenth.

INDIAN WOMAN DIES IN OMAN TREKKING ACCIDENT An Indian woman living in Muscat, Sharada Iyer, 52, has died in a trekking accident in Oman’s Jebel Shams region. Originally from Thazhava, Kerala, she was the daughter of late agricultural scientists RD Iyer and Rohini Iyer, and the sister of Malayalam playback singer Chitra Iyer. A former Oman Air manager, Sharada Iyer, was trekking Wadi Ghul in Al Dakhiliyah on January 2 when the accident occurred. The cause of her death was not disclosed, though the area’s steep cliffs are known hazards. Her body is being flown to Kerala for last rites in Thazhava. Her sister Chitra Iyer wrote on Instagram: “Run along, you feisty little banshee! Love you, insufferable, lovable brat, how will I carry on without your voice and laughter?”

CONVICTED FOR Saudi Arabia-UAE TEN CYBER-BULLYING alliance ruptures BRIGITTE MACRON A Paris court has found ten people guilty of over covert arms cyber-bullying French First Lady Brigitte Macron, spreading false claims about her and sexuality and mocking the couple’s shipments to Yemen gender 24-year age gap. Most received suspended The long-standing strategic alliance between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates collapsed into open hostility following a dramatic military confrontation in Yemen.

The crisis was ignited when Saudi Arabia conducted airstrikes against a covert UAE-linked weapons shipment docking at the port of Mukalla. Riyadh alleged that the shipment was intended for the Southern Transitional Council (STC), a separatist faction that had seized control of the strategic Hadhramaut and al-Mahra provinces along the Saudi border in December 2025. This unprecedented direct assault marks the first time Saudi forces have targeted assets belonging to their primary coalition partner since the conflict began in 2015.

The rift between Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed has plunged the region into a complex diplomatic deadlock. While the UAE denies the allegations and has announced a comprehensive withdrawal of its remaining counter-terrorism forces, the STC declared a ‘State of the Arab South’ , seeking independence through a two-year transitional plan. This geopolitical fracture extends beyond Yemen, reflecting deeper disagreements over oil production quotas, the civil war in Sudan, and regional leadership. As Saudi-backed National Shield forces launched a counter-offensive on January 4 to retake military camps, experts warn that the breakdown of this once-sturdy partnership will significantly complicate international efforts to secure peace across the Middle East.

sentences up to eight months, while one was jailed for skipping court; some also had social media accounts suspended. The judge said the defendants intended to harm, posting degrading and insulting remarks online. Two others, Natacha Rey and Amandine Roy, were convicted in 2024 for claiming Brigitte Macron never existed but later cleared; the Macrons are appealing. Lawyer Jean Ennochi said key outcomes were prevention courses and account suspensions. Tiphaine Auzière said the cyber-bullying affected her mother and grandchildren. The ruling comes ahead of a US defamation case against influencer Candace Owens, who has promoted the transgender conspiracy since Macron’s 2017 election.

SPECULATION RISES AS KIM JONG-UN’S DAUGHTER APPEARS IN PUBLIC Kim Jong-un’s daughter, Kim Ju-ae, likely being groomed as his successor, made her first public visit to the Kumsusan Mausoleum with her parents to pay respects to former leaders, ahead of an event that could formalise her succession. State media KCNA showed Ju-ae between her parents in the main hall of the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun. Kim Ju-ae’s growing visibility in state media has sparked speculation about her future leadership, with experts saying her appearances project a “stable family” image ahead of the ruling party congress. Caution remains, as her siblings’ roles are unclear and, at around 13, she is too young for official succession. Born in the early 2010s, she attended New Year celebrations and made her first overseas trip to Beijing with her father.

North Korea has never confirmed her age.

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10 - 16 January 2026

PM Modi hails Somnath as symbol of enduring faith and courage In an Op-Ed for Swabhiman Parv marking 1,000 years since the first attack on the Somnath temple in 1026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the shrine’s survival symbolises India’s indomitable civilisational spirit. He noted that despite repeated attacks and immense adversity over centuries, the Somnath temple continues to stand tall.

The Prime Minister wrote that the very mention of Somnath fills hearts with pride, calling it an eternal proclamation of India’s soul.

He described the majestic temple, located at Prabhas Patan on Gujarat’s western coast, as a powerful testament to the country’s enduring cultural and spiritual resilience.

The Prime Minister said Somnath is not just a temple but a symbol of the enduring courage that safeguarded Bharat’s culture and civilisation. Recalling Mahmud of Ghazni’s attack in 1026, he said the attempt to destroy the shrine failed, as Somnath stands rebuilt and glorious a thousand years later through the resolve of devoted generations.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said 2026 will mark 75 years since the restored Somnath temple reopened in May 1951 in the presence of President Dr Rajendra Prasad. He recalled that Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel led the reconstruction effort after Independence, inspired by his 1947 visit, and noted Dr Prasad’s resolve despite opposition from then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.

Modi also paid tribute to Ahilyabai Holkar’s temple restoration work and cited Swami Vivekananda’s view that shrines

like Somnath embody India’s spirit.

He described Somnath as a symbol of enduring faith, adding that the world now looks to India with optimism, drawn by its youth, culture, and global influence through Yoga, Ayurveda, and innovation.

Officials said Modi will visit the Somnath Temple in Gujarat on January 11, coinciding with the launch of year-long programmes under the ‘Somnath Swabhiman Parv’. A series of spiritual and social events will be held from January 8 to 11 to highlight the shrine’s historical and cultural legacy.

BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir, Shahibaug hosts grand Vishwashanti Mahayag Bhagwan Swaminarayan, to whom Gujarat owes an enduring debt, elevated India’s yagna tradition by conducting non-violent yagnas across villages, a legacy carried forward and expanded by his Gunatit Guru Parampara.

Two hundred and fifteen years ago, on the sacred occasion of Poshi Purnima, Bhagwan Swaminarayan performed the Vishwashanti Maha Vishnu Yag at Dabhan and initiated Aksharbrahma Gunatitanand His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj presides over the grand ‘Vishwashanti Satsang Swami into the monastic order.

Diksha Mahayag’ at Pramukh Vatika, Shahibaug Commemorating this historic Mahant Swami Maharaj. Around structed, including those dedicated moment, the ‘Vishwashanti 400 yagna kunds were arranged, to Gunatitanand, Bhagatji Maharaj, Satsang Diksha Mahayag’ was allowing over 12,000 devotees held on Saturday, January 3, in to offer oblations, with more the presence of His Holiness than 500,000 homa offerings Mahant Swami Maharaj at made and over five million Pramukh Vatika, near the sacred mantras chanted.

BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Thousands of yajmans parShahibaug, Ahmedabad ticipated for a variety of inten(Gujarat). The Mahayag, held tions, including prayers for from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm, drew newlyweds, ancestral liberathousands of devotees from tion, physical and mental wellacross regions.

Participants make offerings during the grand Mahayag being, spiritual progress, sacred For the Vishwashanti Shastriji Maharaj, Yogiji Maharaj, thread ceremonies, and mental Satsang Diksha Mahayag, several Pramukh Swami Maharaj, and peace and stability. mandapams were specially con-

India ups Ladakh presence as China builds infrastructure The 2020 Galwan clash severely strained Sino-Indian relations, leading both sides to rush troops and build infrastructure in Ladakh.

The conflict brought ties to their lowest point since the 1962 war, halting direct flights and tourism.

However, relations have partially thawed. In August 2023, Modi visited China for the first time since 2018, and flights resumed in October. China also resumed exports of rare-earth materials.

The border dispute remains unresolved, with both countries claiming each other's territory.

Following Galwan, both sides created buffer zones and agreed to resume weekly foot patrols in Depsang and Demchok by 2024.

Critics argue the buffer zones favor

China by restricting India’s access to patrol routes and grazing lands, but Indian military officers insist the zones affect both sides equally. Despite tense exchanges, communication between Indian and Chinese officers remains professional, with discussions often lasting hours.

The recent thaw has allowed India to move forces from the LAC to the Pakistan border during a brief India-Pakistan conflict, showing a shift in dynamics.

The Galwan clash led to increased troop deployment and infrastructure in Ladakh, including

India’s new airbase at Nyoma, 25 km from the LAC. Both sides have similar tank numbers, but China's position in Aksai Chin allows quicker troop movement.

China’s infrastructure has surged, with civilians moved closer to the border and a new bridge over Pangong Lake. India is catching up but China’s development is four times faster. Despite China’s missile stock, terrain limits precision strikes. Tensions remain, with the border dispute unresolved and China’s growing influence in the region.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to visit India German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is scheduled to undertake a significant two-day diplomatic visit to India on January 12 and 13.

The Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that Merz will arrive in Ahmedabad to hold highlevel talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This visit follows the 25th anniversary of the IndiaGermany Strategic Partnership, celebrated in 2025, and aims to strengthen bilateral ties in defence, technology, and green development.

After his engagements in Gujarat, the Chancellor will travel to Bengaluru to explore further cooperation in science, innovation, and research within India’s primary technology hub.

The visit arrives at a critical geopolitical juncture as New Delhi seeks to bolster economic engagement with Europe following new trade tariffs from the United States. Furthermore, this trip occurs just days before European

Friedrich Merz

Union leaders arrive in India to finalise a long-awaited free trade agreement. By engaging directly with industry leaders in Ahmedabad and Bengaluru, Chancellor Merz and Prime Minister Modi intend to intensify collaboration in education and skilled mobility.

This mission underscores Germany's commitment to India as a vital strategic partner ahead of the upcoming global AI Summit in February 2026.

15-year-old arrested in Pathankot for sharing security information with ISI A fifteen-year-old boy, identified as Sanjeev Kumar was arrested in Pathankot after security agencies discovered he had been sharing sensitive military information with Pakistani intelligence networks.

The teenager, a resident of the border district, was apprehended

by Punjab Police following a joint operation with central intelligence units. Investigators revealed how the youth fell into a sophisticated digital trap orchestrated by the ISI through social media platforms.

By promising financial rewards and using psychological manipulation, handlers coerced the minor into filming vital security installations and troop movements near the strategic Pathankot airbase.

The arrest has sparked serious concerns regarding the exploitation of vulnerable minors by cross-

border terror modules. In a separate incident, man from Ambala (Haryana) detained for spying on the Air force and under investigation.

Since the 2016 terror attack on the Pathankot airbase, which resulted in the deaths of seven security personnel, the region has remained under high alert.

Security officials stated that the boy had transmitted several sensitive photographs and coordinates over encrypted messaging apps throughout late 2025.

This incident highlights a growing trend of ‘honey-trapping’ and digital recruitment targeting residents in border villages. The minor is currently being held in a juvenile observation home while authorities continue to trace the digital footprints of his overseas handlers.

Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train set to launch in 2027 India is set to transform train travel with its first high-speed bullet train on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail Corridor (MAHSR), scheduled to launch in August 2027.

Designed for Japanese Shinkansen technology, the 508km corridor will connect Mumbai and Ahmedabad in under three hours, meeting international highspeed rail standards. The route features engineering marvels, including tunnels, a 21-km underground stretch, and a 7-km undersea section beneath Thane Creek, making it one of India’s most ambitious railway projects.

India’s bullet train project, developed in collaboration with Japan, will feature Shinkansen E5 series trains capable of reaching speeds up to 320 km/h, reducing travel time between Mumbai and Ahmedabad from 7–8 hours to under three hours.

The official launch is set for

August 15, 2027, when the first service will operate on a 100-km stretch between Surat and Vapi.

The corridor will have 12 stations, with key locations including Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), Thane, Virar, and Boisar in Maharashtra, and Vapi, Bilimora, Surat, Bharuch, Vadodara, Anand, Ahmedabad, and Sabarmati in Gujarat. Bullet trains will run every 15-20 minutes, expected to boost regional economies. Full operations are expected by 2029, marking a major upgrade in India’s railway infrastructure, blending international technology with local execution.

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Antony Raju loses MLA seat over evidence tampering Former Kerala minister Antony Raju has been disqualified as an MLA following his conviction in a decades-old evidence tampering case linked to a 1990 drug seizure at Thiruvananthapuram airport.

The Speaker’s office confirmed that Raju ceased to be an MLA from January 3, 2026, under the Representation of the People Act, after a Judicial First Class Magistrate court sentenced him to three years’ simple imprisonment for tampering with evidence while practising as a junior The 134– lawyer.

Thiruvananthapuram Assembly

Antony Raju

seat is now vacant.

The case dates back to 1990 when Antony Raju defended Australian national Andrew Cervelli, arrested for narcotics at carrying Thiruvananthapuram airport.

While Cervelli was initially convicted, the Kerala High

Court acquitted him, citing evidence tampering.

Investigations revealed Raju and court clerk K Jose had altered the evidence.

An FIR was filed in 1994, but the case stalled until the Supreme Court revived it in 2024. After a trial with 29 witnesses, Raju was sentenced to three years, and Jose to one. Raju, a Janadhipathya Kerala Congress member aligned with the Left Democratic Front, has been granted bail to appeal, claiming the case was politically motivated.

His disqualification now triggers a by-election for the Thiruvananthapuram seat.

Ahmedabad Flower Show sets two new Guinness World Records Two new Guinness World Records were set at the 14th Ahmedabad International Flower Show 2026, marking a hat-trick for the Ahmedabad Municipal C or p or ati o n– o rg an is ed event. The records were for the world’s largest flower mandala and the largest flower portrait of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

The mandala measured about 33.6 metres and covered 886.79 sq m, surpassing the previous record of 706.86 sq m.

The mandala at the Sabarmati Riverfront Event Centre was measured using

high-precision Differential GPS, while Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s flower portrait measured 41.17m by 8m, covering 329.4 sq m, well above the 50 sq m benchmark.

The Ahmedabad flower show has set a Guinness

World Record every year since 2024, including the longest flower structure (2024) and the world’s largest flower bouquet (2025). This year’s show was inaugurated by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and will run until January 22.

Bhasker Solanki helps 500 students thrive in Gujarat Credit: Bhasker Solanki

Bhasker Solanki’s work after the Gujarat earthquake on 26 January 2001 has left a lasting impact. The disaster killed at least 20,000 people and destroyed hundreds of villages.

As a BBC cameraman, Bhasker Solanki covered the Gujarat earthquake and helped raise awareness for affected children. “I’m not the saviour; the way I can help is by getting the word out,” he says.

Having reported on disasters worldwide, this one felt personal because his family is from Gujarat. Back in Leicester, he approached his old school, Rushey Mead Academy, which has a large Gujarati community. Having covered disasters worldwide, the Gujarat earthquake felt personal for Bhasker Solanki, whose family is from the region. Back in Leicester, he worked with his former teacher, Jean McDiarmid, to set up the Rushey Mead Foundation.

The foundation funded the first high

school near Bhuj, named after Rushey Mead Academy. Nearly 20 years later, over 500 pupils have passed exams, with many girls going on to become teachers, a lawyer, and a homeopathic doctor.

During a recent visit, Solanki saw students learning both on traditional blackboards and modern computers funded by the foundation, which also helps families too poor to pay fees. “It would have been easy to build something and walk away,” he says.

Gujarat IAS officer remanded over land conversion bribery scandal The Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested Rajendra Mahendra Patel, a 2015-batch IAS officer and former Collector of Surendranagar.

Following his arrest from his residence, Patel was produced before a Special PMLA court in Ahmedabad, which granted the agency a five-day remand. The investigation centres on a multi-crore money laundering racket involving “Change of Land Use” (CLU) applications. Authorities allege that bribes were systematically collected from

applicants on a per-square-metre basis to expedite land conversion permissions.

The case intensified following the arrest of Deputy Mamlatdar Chandrasingh Mori on December 23, 2025, from whom investigators recovered 67.5 lakh rupees in cash. Mori’s subsequent statement claimed that 50 percent of the collected bribes were funnelled directly to Patel. Data suggests the scam could involve over 800 applications with illegal proceeds exceeding 10 crore rupees.

Red Fort blast investigation reveals terrorists used dual-phone strategy Investigations into the "white-collar" terror module linked to the November 10 blast near Delhi's Red Fort revealed that the accused doctors used "ghost" SIM cards and encrypted apps to communicate with Pakistani handlers.

Officials said the doctors, including Muzammil Ganaie, Adeel Rather, and others, employed a "dual-phone" strategy, carrying multiple devices to evade detection.

One phone was registered under their names for personal use, while the other, a "terror phone," was used for encrypted communication on apps like WhatsApp and Telegram.

These secondary SIM cards were fraudulently issued using civilians' Aadhaar details. This investigation prompted the Department of Telecommunications to mandate that apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, and Signal be linked to active SIM cards.

Jammu and Kashmir Police uncovered a

racket involving SIM cards issued with fake Aadhaar details, which were used by handlers in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir to direct recruits on bomb-making via messaging apps.

In response, the Centre invoked the Telecommunications Act, 2023, mandating that apps like WhatsApp and Telegram can only work with an active SIM, with noncompliance facing strict penalties. This move, fast-tracked in Jammu and Kashmir, targets terror networks using digital platforms for radicalisation.

BJP questions Zohran Mamdani over Umar Khalid comments New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani's expression of sympathy for activist Umar Khalid, jailed for over five years in connection with the Delhi riots, triggered a strong backlash from the BJP. Spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia condemned Mamdani, calling it inappropriate for an outsider to comment on India's judiciary and internal affairs. The BJP also criticised US lawmakers

supporting Khalid’s release and accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of aligning with “anti-India” voices.

Mamdani’s letter to Khalid, criticizing India's ruling party, further fueled the BJP’s anger.

BJP is closely monitoring New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani as he expands beyond city politics, particularly regarding his involvement in India’s domestic affairs. Mamdani, whose mayoral campaign

gained strong support from the South Asian Muslim community, wrote a note expressing sympathy for Umar Khalid, jailed over his alleged role in the 2020 Delhi riots. BJP leaders, including Gaurav Bhatia and Amit Malviya, criticised Mamdani’s interference, with Malviya linking his actions to Mamdani’s appointment of Ramzi Kassem, a lawyer with ties to al-Qaeda defense, calling it “ideological clarity.”

Security forces killed 14 Maoists in major Chhattisgarh encounter Security forces killed 14 Maoists in two separate gunfights in the Bastar region of Chhattisgarh.

In the first encounter, which began around 8:00 am in the Kistaram forest of Sukma district, 12 Maoists were shot dead by the District Reserve Guard (DRG).

Among those neutralised was Sachin Mangdu, the secretary of the Konta Area Committee and a high-ranking Divisional Committee Member.

Simultaneously, a separate operation in neighbouring

Bijapur district, launched at 5:00 am, resulted in the deaths of two additional insurgents.

The operation was conducted following specific intelligence regarding a high-level Maoist meeting in the southern Bastar forests.

Security forces recovered a significant cache of weaponry, including AK-47, INSAS, and SLR rifles. This success follows a historic 2025, during which 285 Maoists were killed in the state, including 31 in the

massive “Operation Black Forest” at Karreguttalu Hills.

These intensified campaigns are part of the Union Home Ministry’s strategic deadline to eliminate Left-Wing Extremism by March 31, 2026.

Sukma Superintendent of Police, Kiran Chavan, noted that today’s operation effectively dismantled the armed Konta committee, marking a decisive start to the new year's anti-insurgency efforts.

India surpasses China as global leader in rice production Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced that India has officially become the world's largest rice producer.

With a record output of 150.18 million tonnes, India has overtaken China, which recorded a production of 145.28 million tonnes.

During a high-profile event in New Delhi, the minister launched 184 improved crop varieties developed by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research

(ICAR). This latest release includes 122 cereals, 6 pulses, and 13 oilseeds, specifically engineered to withstand climate change and soil salinity.

The minister highlighted that under the current administration, 3,236 highyielding varieties have been approved over the last 11 years, nearly matching the total developed between 1969 and 2014. This agricultural revolution has been achieved through the

integration of advanced seed technology and collaborative research between state universities and private companies. By prioritising climate-resilient and highquality seeds, India has successfully transitioned from a food-deficient nation to a leading global exporter.

Chouhan has now directed officials to ensure these new varieties reach farmers immediately to further boost self-sufficiency in pulses and oilseeds across the country.

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SHREE LOHANA MAHAPARISHAD Preserving heritage, empowering generations responsibility only after stepping back from my business commitments.”

Expressing gratitude to the community for the trust placed in him, he added that he has since been re-elected for a second fiveyear term, marking over 35 years of continuous leadership and service within the organisation.

Leadership philosophy and organisational expansion

Satish D Vithalani

Subhasini Naicker

S

hree Lohana Mahaparishad is a global cultural organisation dedicated to uniting the Lohana community, preserving its rich traditions, and empowering future generations. Through a wide range of initiatives and events, the organisation celebrates heritage while fostering growth, opportunity, and prosperity.

Asian Voice spoke to Satish D Vithalani, President of Shree Lohana Mahaparishad and Chairman of the Lohana International Business Forum (LIBF), about his journey, the vision behind LIBF, and the road ahead.

A journey of service and commitment Speaking about his association with Shree Lohana Mahaparishad, Satish Vithalani said he was elected President on 20 December 2020, at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“I came with an agenda of nearly 27 focus points, covering education, healthcare, and other essential areas for our community,” he said. “I had promised to devote 100 per cent of my time to the betterment of the community.”

Established in 1952, Shree Lohana Mahaparishad has a proud legacy. Satishbhai is the 14th President of the organisation.

“Our first President was Shri Nanjibhai Kalidas Mehta, and the first Adhiveshan (convention) was held on 26 December 1952 at Azad Maidan,” he noted.

Having been actively involved with the Mahaparishad since 1989, and having worked closely with three former Presidents, Satishbhai said, “I had decided long ago that I would take on such a senior

Outlining his leadership philosophy, Satishbhai said the organisation continues to be guided by its founding mantra: ‘Sannishtha, Sangathan, Seva Dwara Siddhi’ (Sincerity, Unity, Service leading to Achievement) “Our predecessors laid down this vision in 1952, and every generation has carried it forward in its own way,” he said.

During his tenure, the focus has been on modernising communication, strengthening grassroots connectivity, and restructuring the organisation to meet contemporary needs.

Under his leadership, Shree Lohana Mahaparishad expanded from seven to fifteen zones in India, with further regional subdivisions. Overseas, the organisation has grown from four to ten zones, and today operates across 25 global zones, including Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, the rest of Africa, the GCC, the UK and Europe, the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the Far East.

“The idea is simple,” Satishbhai explained. “If even one Lohana lives in a small town anywhere in the world, we should be able to reach them.”

Today, the Mahaparishad functions through 27 dedicated committees, covering education, healthcare, matrimonial services, professional forums such as Chartered Accountants, legal professionals and doctors, women’s wing, youth wing, sports, political engagement, and government employees, among others—ensuring holistic support for the community across generations and geographies.

‘This will be our largest and most ambitious LIBF yet’ Speaking about the Lohana International Business Forum (LIBF), Satishbhai said that youth engagement and connecting Lohana

A rare leopard colour morph has been recorded for the first time in Karnataka, spotted in the forests of Vijayanagara district.

Wildlife scientist Sanjay Gubbi and his team from the Holématthi Nature Foundation confirmed the sighting through camera trap images.

The leopard has an unusual pale reddish-pink coat, resembling sandalwood, with light brown rosettes instead of the typical black markings. Known internationally as a “strawberry leopard,” Gubbi has proposed the name “sandalwood leopard,” reflecting Karnataka’s cultural identity and conservation heritage.

The leopard photographed is a six-year-old female, recorded through systematic camera trapping as part of long-term monitoring of large carnivores.

Credit: Holématthi Nature Foundation (HNF)

Rare ‘Sandalwood Leopard’ spotted in Karnataka

Scientists believe her unusual colouration is genetic, possibly caused by excess red pigmentation or reduced dark pigmentation, conditions such as hypomelanism or erythrism that occur naturally in wild mammals. In India, only one similar leopard has been recorded before, in Rajasthan’s Ranakpur region in 2021, with a few global cases reported from South Africa and Tanzania.

According to Sanjay Gubbi, genetic testing is required to confirm the leopard’s condition, as it is currently identified only through visual evidence as a rare colour morph. The sighting comes from the understudied Kalyana Karnataka region and was documented by the Holématthi Nature Foundation as part of ongoing leopard and habitat mapping efforts

businesspersons across the globe were the core motivations behind its launch.

“We realised that the youth connect most strongly through business, opportunity, and entrepreneurship,” he said.

Tracing LIBF’s journey, he recalled the inaugural edition in Uganda in 2023, which brought together nearly 900 participants from 22 countries, followed by Gandhinagar in 2024, which attracted around 12,000 visitors, and Dubai in 2025, with over 750 participants.

“Each edition has strengthened our global connect and confidence,” he noted.

The fourth LIBF Expo will take place at Mumbai’s Jio World Convention Centre, spread across 1.7 lakh square feet. Satishbhai said invitations have been extended to several national and spiritual leaders, including P P Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji, RSS Chief P P Mohan Bhagwat, Union Home Minister Amitbhai Shah, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, and Deputy Chief Minister of Gujarat Harsh Sanghavi.

Prominent business leaders expected to attend include Udaybhai Kotak, Mayurbhai Madhvani, Dr Sudhirbhai Ruparelia, Chetanbhai Chug, Parimal Nathwani, Rasikbhai Kantaria, Yogesh Manek, Pradeepbhai Dhamecha, Rashmibhai and Satishbhai Chatwani, Bimalbhai Kantaria, Kishorebhai Jobanputra, Surubhai Manek, Kaushikbhai Manek, along with several other leading entrepreneurs from India and across the global Lohana diaspora.

“This will be our largest and most ambitious LIBF yet, bringing business leaders, youth, and the global Lohana community together on one platform,” Satishbhai said.

LIBF Expo 2026: Business with purpose Scheduled from 30 January to 1 February 2026, the LIBF Expo 2026 will focus on business, networking, and global collaboration.

“This exhibition is about business first,” Satishbhai emphasised. Over 200 stalls will showcase predominantly Lohana entrepreneurs, alongside delegates from

India and overseas, creating opportunities for partnerships and joint ventures across India, Africa, the UK, the USA, and other global markets.

He explained that LIBF operates under the aegis of Shree Lohana Mahaparishad, with its commercial activities managed by a non-profit company, whose directors are drawn from across the world.

Beyond business, the Expo will focus on job creation, youth engagement, and startups, through a jobs portal, mentoring programmes, and investor interactions. The event will also host 20 sector-specific conventions, award nights, a dedicated youth night, and meetings of the Madhyashtha Mahasamiti, making it a comprehensive three-day global gathering.

Vision for the next decade Looking ahead, Satishbhai said the Mahaparishad’s primary focus over the next decade will be youth empowerment, education, and global connectivity.

“Our first emphasis in the coming ten years will be to bring the youth together,” he said. He added that surpluses generated through LIBF events are channelled into education and healthcare initiatives, both in India and overseas.

“Our goal is clear—no Lohana student should be forced to drop out due to lack of funds. 100 per cent literacy should be our target.”

A key pillar of this vision is ‘Lohana Connect’, a digital platform designed to map the global Lohana community.

“The idea is to know who we are, where we are, and what we do across the world,” Satishbhai explained. The platform enables SOS support, professional networking, and community assistance globally.

He also highlighted initiatives such as the Global Saraswati Sanman, which will honour students and educators annually at a central level.

“Our aim is to make Shree Lohana Mahaparishad self-sustaining,” he said.

“Through platforms like Lohana Connect, we want to bring communication, events, and outreach under one roof and ensure the organisation remains strong and sustainable for generations to come.”

*For more details on the LIBF Expo 2026, please refer to page 05.

Tripura tops national business reforms rankings

PM Modi to flag off Vande Bharat Sleeper train

Tripura has topped the national rankings under the Business Reforms Deregulation 1.0 initiative, assessed at the 5th Chief Secretaries’ Conference in New Delhi chaired by the Prime Minister.

Chief Minister Manik Saha said the achievement reflects the state’s efforts to simplify regulations and improve the business climate. Tripura ranked among the top performers alongside Odisha and Uttar Pradesh. Building on this momentum, the Centre plans to launch Business Reforms Deregulation 2.0 in 2026, focusing on regulatory efficiency across 30 priority areas in seven key sectors, under the leadership of Cabinet Secretary T V Somanathan. Under Deregulation 2.0, reforms will prioritise education and utilities and permissions, with land-related compliances remaining a key challenge.

Environment, building and construction, health, and one labour-related area are also included, marking the first time education, environment, and health feature in the framework. Expanding on Phase I launched in January 2025, the programme adds new priority areas and optional zones.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to inaugurate the highly anticipated Vande Bharat Sleeper train service between Kolkata and Guwahati on January 17-18.

This launch marks a significant milestone in Indian Railways' modernisation, as it introduces the first sleeper variant of the indigenous semihigh-speed train to Northeast India. The ceremony will take place at Howrah Station, where the Prime Minister will flag off the inaugural run via video conferencing. Designed for overnight travel, the new 16-coach rake can reach speeds of 160 km/h, reducing the current 12-hour journey to approximately 9 hours.

The service aims to enhance connectivity between West Bengal and Assam by providing a superior alternative to existing express trains. Developed by the Integral Coach Factory in Chennai, these trains feature advanced amenities including automatic doors, vacuum toilets, and enhanced suspension for a smoother ride. This development follows the successful deployment of over 50 chair-car Vande Bharat routes across India since 2019.

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Indore battles waterborne disease, health teams on high alert A fresh outbreak of vomiting and diarrhoea, linked to contaminated drinking water, has been reported at Bhagirathpura Primary Health Centre in Indore, with 38 new cases detected on January 5, 2026.

The death toll has reached seven, and 110 people are being treated in hospitals, including 15 in ICUs. Although the health confirms seven department fatalities, locals claim the number is higher, at 17. To assess the situation, the health department conducted a real-time household survey in the affected area and is ensuring access to chlorinated drinking water for residents.

The survey, conducted with the Kobo tool after training by Dr Chandrashekhar Gedam, involved 200 teams led by Chief Medical

Officer Dr Madhav Prasad Hasani.

The teams surveyed 2,745 households, distributing 10 ORS packets, 30 zinc tablets, and Clean Water droppers.

Residents were advised to purify water by adding 8-10 drops of the solution to 10 litres. Health teams also provided counselling, helpline numbers, and stressed medication, water boiling, and hand-washing.

The main goal was to ensure access to clean, chlorinated water.

Five ambulances and 24/7 doctors are stationed, with patients referred to local hospitals. Free treatment, tests, and medicines are available at private hospitals.

Investigations are still going on but officials say that a pipeline leak led to sewage mixing with drinking

water, leading to a diarrhoea outbreak in the area.

Amit Shah leads typhoid response in Gandhinagar Union Home Minister Amit

PM Modi unveils historic Buddha Relics in New Delhi Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated The Light and the Lotus: Relics of the Awakened One exhibition at the Rai Pithora Cultural Complex in New Delhi, showcasing the sacred Piprahwa relics of Lord Buddha.

Modi said that after 125 years, India's heritage has returned, allowing the public to witness these holy relics and receive Lord Buddha’s divine blessings.

He emphasised that these relics, which were once nearly auctioned abroad, are sacred to India and integral to its society.

Modi highlighted that India is not just the custodian of Buddha’s relics but also a living embodiment of his timeless teachings, which belong to all of humanity.

Prime Minister Modi emphasised India’s efforts to

develop and modernise Buddhist heritage sites globally, enhancing facilities for pilgrims. He also underscored the government’s initiative to promote Pali as a classical language, aligned with Buddha’s teachings.

The Piprahwa relics, discovered in 1898 and linked to Buddha’s early life in Kapilavastu, have been repatriated after more than a century. They are now

housed in the National Museum, New Delhi, and the Indian Museum, Kolkata.

Union Minister of Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat hailed the repatriation as a national achievement and reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to preserving India’s cultural heritage, including digitising manuscripts and promoting traditional values.

India’s AI research centre opens in GIFT City The Indian AI Research Organisation (IAIRO) has been set up in Gujarat’s GIFT City through a public-private partnership between the Gujarat government, the Union government, and the Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance.

Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has approved the project, which aims to strengthen research and development in artificial intelligence. Gujarat is now the first state in India to establish an AI research institution under the PPP model, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision to enhance India’s AI ecosystem and foster domestic R&D capabilities.

IAIRO will operate as a special-purpose

vehicle and a non-profit entity, with its base in GIFT City, a growing hub for financial services, technology, and innovation.

The project has a ₹300 crore budget for the first five years, with equal contributions from the state, central governments, and the private partner. The Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance, representing companies like Cipla, Torrent Pharma, and Sun Pharma, will contribute ₹25 crore in 2025–26.

Aligned with the India AI Mission and Gujarat’s AI Action Plan, the initiative aims to implement AI across sectors such as healthcare, education, and agriculture. The state has also set up an AI Task Force to guide its deployment.

India opens world’s 2nd advanced air pollution equipment testing laboratory Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav inaugurated a state-of-the-art laboratory for the testing and calibration of air pollution monitoring equipment in New Delhi.

This facility is significant as it is only the second of its kind globally, positioned to match international standards currently led by Germany. Established at the National Physical Laboratory, the centre aims to eliminate India's heavy reliance on expensive imported machinery from the United States and Europe.

By providing indigenous certification, the lab will ensure that the air quality data collected across the country is both accurate and legally defensible. The global market value for air pollution monitoring system is approx. $3997 million.

The government successfully developed this infrastructure to support the National Clean Air Programme, which targets a forty per cent reduction in particulate matter by 2026. Until now, Indian manufacturers had to send equipment abroad for validation, a process that was both time-consuming and costly.

This new domestic capability will allow for the rapid deployment of monitoring stations in 131 non-attainment cities. Experts believe that how India manages its urban smog will change significantly as the facility provides the technical precision required for robust environmental enforcement. The launch marks a milestone in the "Make in India" initiative for environmental technology.

Shah, in constant contact with the state government, is overseeing the response to the crisis. 75 health teams are active, and Municipal Corporation staff are inspecting

20,800 homes, covering 90,000 people. Round-the-clock OPDs and food arrangements for patients' families are in place.

Amid the Indore water contamination crisis, the BJP government is addressing a typhoid outbreak in Gandhinagar, linked to drainage water mixing with drinking supplies. Over 100 suspected cases have been reported, with 90+ patients stable.

Medical Superintendent Mita Parikh expects 10 new cases daily until January 20 due to the typhoid incubation period.

The affected areas include Gandhinagar Sectors 24, 26, 28, and Adiwada. The Municipal Corporation is addressing leaks and clearing drains, treating the situation as an epidemic.

India contracts SHW Partners for diplomacy project FARA (Foreign Agent Registrations Act) filings show that SHW Partners LLC, a lobbying firm led by former Trump adviser Jason Miller, was hired by the Indian Embassy in Washington.

The firm helped trade coordinate negotiations through 2025 and facilitated meetings for the Indian ambassador and defence attaché during Operation Sindoor.

Publicly available FARA filings reveal that between

April and December 2025, SHW Partners LLC, led by Jason Miller, facilitated meetings, calls, and emails the Indian between Embassy and US officials, including those from the State Department and National Security Council, for high-level visits from India to Washington DC. FARA filings are required disclosures by the US Department of Justice for foreign entities lobbying to influence US policy, detailing their

activities, finances, and relationships.

Notably, Miller also met with the US President and key officials last year. SHW Partners LLC was hired by the Indian Embassy in April for ₹1.8 million for a oneyear contract.

"Had a fantastic week in Washington with many friends in town, capped off by seeing @POTUS @realDonaldTrump in action! Keep up the great work!" Miller posted on X last year.

Air India may appoint new CEO before 2027 Tata Sons, the owner of Air India, is considering a leadership change for its aviation business, with discussions reportedly taking place with senior executives from top international airlines. Group chairman N Chandrasekaran is said to be exploring potential successors to Air India CEO Campbell Wilson, amid concerns about the pace of progress under his leadership.

While Wilson's term runs until 2027, a leadership change could occur earlier.

Air India Express may also see leadership changes, with CEO Aloke Singh’s term ending in 2027.

Chandrasekaran has been overseeing Air India CEO Campbell Wilson's performance but is directly leading transition plans.

Wilson, who joined in 2022,

launched a five-year strategy, including the Vistara merger, but supply chain delays and technical issues have hindered progress.

The airline faced scrutiny after the deadly 2023 Ahmedabad crash, with officials engaging directly with Tata Group leadership.

Wilson and others have received compliance notices.

Air India and Air India Express posted a ₹10,859 crore loss in FY25, partly due to longer flight routes.

Pilot detained for being drunk in Vancouver An Air India pilot was detained at Vancouver Airport for failing a breathalyser test before Flight AI186 to Delhi, causing a delay. An alternate pilot was arranged, and the airline apologised for the disruption. The airline

Campbell Wilson

expressed regret over the breach of its zero-tolerance alcohol policy. The flight was cancelled, affecting over 250 passengers. This follows a similar incident in July 2024. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation is reviewing the case, and the pilot’s licence may be revoked. Air India aims to restore public confidence with enhanced safety protocols.

Hydrogen-powered train set for Jind-Sonipat route Haryana is set to launch India’s first hydrogen-powered train, with the project nearing completion. The train will operate between Jind and Sonipat, and a stable 11 kV power supply has been ensured for the hydrogen plant in Jind.

The plant, with a storage capacity of 3,000 kilograms, is in its final commissioning stage.

Haryana Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi recently reviewed the project and directed regular power supply checks to avoid any disruptions. Haryana's hydrogen-powered train project is also focused on strengthening alternative arrangements and rapid response systems. Last month, Railway Minister

Ashwini Vaishnaw informed the Lok Sabha that Indian Railways has initiated a state-ofthe-art pilot project for its first hydrogen train.

Vaishnaw outlined that the project is being carried out according to specifications set by the Research, Design & Standards Organisation (RDSO) to showcase the potential of hydrogen-powered train technology. The manufacturing of the hydrogen train-set is complete, and a hydrogen plant at Jind has been established to supply fuel. The plant uses electrolysis for hydrogen production, a crucial component of green hydrogen generation.

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Dr S Jaishankar: The strategist steering India’s voice When Prime Minister Narendra Modi appointed Dr S Jaishankar as India’s Minister of External Affairs in May 2019, it signalled continuity, confidence and clarity in New Delhi’s foreign policy at a time of growing global uncertainty.

A seasoned diplomatturned-politician, Jaishankar has since emerged as one of the most assertive and articulate voices representing India on the world stage.

Upon assuming office, Jaishankar struck a note of humility and resolve. In his first official post on X (then Twitter), he wrote that he was “honoured to be given this responsibility” and “proud to follow in the footsteps” of his predecessor, the late Sushma Swaraj.

A career diplomat who joined the Indian Foreign Service in 1977, Jaishankar brought with him more than four decades of diplomatic experience. Having served as India’s Foreign Secretary from 2015 to 2018, and earlier as Ambassador to the United States and China, he assumed the ministerial role with rare instimemory and tutional geopolitical insight. As External Affairs Minister, he has taken a strong, often

S Jaishankar

forthright stance on issues ranging from border security and global governance to energy access and development equity.

Under his leadership, India’s foreign policy has been marked by what he describes as “all-alignment”, deepening partnerships with Western powers while maintaining strategic independence, including a carefully calibrated position on the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Jaishankar has repeatedly emphasised that India will not outsource its decisions and that its foreign policy is driven by the needs of its people, not external pressure.

His tenure has also seen India assert its growing global influence. From championing a rules-based international order to argu-

ing that no major global challenge can be addressed without India at the table, Jaishankar has consistently underscored the country’s role as a key global stakeholder. His best-selling books, The India Way and Why Bharat Matters, further articulate this worldview, offering insight into India’s evolving diplomatic doctrine.

Currently, Jaishankar embarked on a week-long official visit to France and Luxembourg, reinforcing India’s engagement with Europe. In Paris, he is scheduled to meet French leaders and hold talks with his counterpart Jean-Noël Barrot, reviewing progress under the India-France Strategic Partnership and discussing key global issues.

He will also address the 31st French Ambassadors’ Conference as Guest of Honour, a reflection of India’s growing diplomatic stature.

In the second leg of the visit, Jaishankar will travel to Luxembourg for discussions with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Xavier Bettel and other senior leaders, while also engaging with members of the Indian community.

Arjun Mody sworn in as Social Security Deputy Commissioner Indian American Arjun Mody was officially sworn in as the Deputy Commissioner of the United States Social Security Administration (SSA).

Following his confirmation by the U.S. Senate on December 18, 2025, Mody now serves as the chief operating officer for an agency that manages a vast $1.5 trillion annual budget and delivers essential benefits to over 70 million Americans.

His term, which extends until 19 January 2031, places him at the helm of a 50,000person workforce across 1,200 field offices during a critical period of transfor-

Arjun Mody sworn in as Deputy Commissioner of US Social Security Administration

mation under the Trump administration.

Mody, who previously served as a senior official on the Trump-Vance transition team and staff director of the Senate Republican Conference, brings over 20

years of public sector experience to the role. During his emotional confirmation hearing, he cited his father’s journey as an immigrant as his inspiration for a life in public service. Tasked with improving customer service and quality control, Mody must now address longstanding challenges such as staffing shortages and technology modernisation.

Commissioner Frank Bisignano welcomed the appointment, expressing confidence that Mody’s pragmatic leadership will elevate the agency into a premier service organisation.

Ketan Bhuptani appointed as first Indian American deputy Mayor of Livingston Ketan Bhuptani made history by becoming the first Indian American and Asian American to be sworn in as the Deputy Mayor of Livingston Township, New Jersey.

The oath-taking ceremony, held at the Livingston Senior/Community Centre, was attended by a broad cross-section of the community, including township employees and local service organisations. Originally from Ahmedabad, Gujarat, Bhuptani has resided in Livingston for 23 years with his wife and two daughters. His appointment is seen as a significant milestone for the municipality’s representation, as the Asian American population has grown to 29 per cent of the township’s 31,300 residents.

Bhuptani, a co-founder of the community group Sanskriti of New Jersey, received strong backing from local administrative

India’s economic rise signals global power shift Continued from page 1 This milestone, once confirmed by the IMF in mid2026, highlights India’s steady rise on the global economic stage.

Former RBI Governor Duvvuri Subbarao, writing in the ‘Financial Times’, noted that India has long swung between fast growth marked by inflation and external imbalances, and periods of stability achieved at the cost of slower expansion.

He observed that India’s recent performance, over 7% growth despite global slowdowns, falling inflation and a manageable external deficit, has renewed debate on whether the economy has entered a structurally higher growth phase.

Subbarao credited improved macroeconomic management, including inflation targeting and predictable monetary policy, along with more credible fiscal policy and reduced dependence on foreign capital. Reforms such as GST, bankruptcy laws and digital public infrastructure have streamlined markets, lowered transaction costs and improved financial inclusion. Public investment in roads, ports and logistics has also eased supply bottlenecks, while incentives are attracting manufacturing investment in electronics and renewables.

However, Subbarao cautioned that private investment remains a weak link.

He argued that truly sustained growth will require broader participation beyond public spending, particularly stronger private capital formation and job creation in manufacturing.

Without this, the current

momentum may prove temporary.

Growth finds its ‘Goldilocks’ balance Encouragingly, signs of this shift are emerging in India’s growing entrepreneurial ecosystem, including within the diaspoIndian-origin ra. entrepreneurs Ankur Jain, Adarsh Hiremath and Surya Midha have been featured on Forbes’ 40 Under 40 list, while Nikhil Kamath is the only India-based entrepreneur on the list.

Together, they command a combined net worth of over $11 billion, reflecting the rising role of private enterprise in driving India’s next phase of growth. (For more information, see page 19.)

The number of billionaires under 40 has surged, particularly in the AI sector, matching the record set in 2021. Forbes identified 71 billionaires under 39, mostly in technology (48), followed by finance and investments (12). India ranks third with six young billionaires, after the US (32) and China (8).

The list also highlights eight women entrepreneurs.

The 'Made in India' initiative, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, has now completed 11 years in 2025. It has revitalised India's industrial base, attracted investments, and established the country as a global manufacturing hub. (For more information on page 19) This success has laid a strong foundation for India’s economic future, which is projected to grow at 6.9% in FY2026-27, driven by structural reforms, tax measures, and new trade agreements.

India's economy is entering a "Goldilocks" phase, with strong growth and moderate inflation.

Retail inflation is expected to be around 3.8% for FY27, while real GDP growth is forecasted at 7.4% for FY2025-26. The rupee may weaken slightly, averaging 92.26 against the US dollar in FY27. Together, these factors reflect India's rising economic strength, supported by both domestic initiatives and global trade advancements.

Ind-Ra also predicts improved government finances, with the Centre's debt decreasing to 55.5% of GDP by FY27, from 56.3% this year. Free trade agreements with New Zealand, the UK, and Oman are expected to attract foreign investment and help manage the current account deficit. Ahead of the 2026-27 Union Budget, Ind-Ra expects announcements on customs duty rationalisation and allocations under the Viksit Bharat–G RAM G Act. The budget size could rise to Rs 52 lakh crore, although tax revenues may fall short by Rs 2 lakh crore, offset by higher non-tax revenues and lower capital expenditure. Despite these pressures, the fiscal deficit is expected to remain at 4.4% of GDP. As India moves forward with these reforms and solidifies its economic position, it is also becoming a diplomatic force, building stronger global relationships. With a growing economy, robust infrastructure, and an expanding geopolitical influence, India is steadily positioning itself to be one of the world's next superpowers.

Massive voter deletions following Special Intensive Revision across India The Election Commission (EC) released the draft electoral list for Uttar Pradesh, revealing that 2.89 crore voters have been removed following a Special Intensive Revision (SIR).

This house-to-house enumeration process, aimed at cleaning legacy data, saw a staggering 18.7 per cent reduction in the state's electorate. In Lucknow alone, numbers plummeted by 30 per cent, falling from 39.9 lakh to 27.9 lakh. The EC reported that 2.17 crore individuals had moved, 46.23 lakh were deceased, and 25.47 lakh were found

with duplicate registrations.

The revision has impacted several other states, with Tamil Nadu seeing 97.3 lakh (15.2 per cent) names dropped and Gujarat removing 74 lakh (14.5 per cent) voters.

Smaller states and territories were also affected. Puducherry saw 1.03 lakh names excluded, while Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan recorded deletions of approximately 42 lakh each. In West Bengal, 58.6 lakh voters were removed, and Assam saw 10.56 lakh deletions.

Madras HC mandates lighting of sacred lamp atop Thiruparankundram Ketan Bhuptani takes oath as Livingston’s first Indian-American deputy mayor

members. His rise to office reflects the shifting demographics of Livingston, where the Asian population increased from 5,609 in 2010 to 9,014 in the 2020 census. As Deputy Mayor, Bhuptani will work alongside the Township Council to address the needs of this diverse and expanding community.

The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court upheld a landmark directive allowing the lighting of the Karthigai Deepam at a stone pillar atop the Thiruparankundram hillock.

A Division Bench comprising Justices G. Jayachandran and K.K. Ramakrishnan dismissed appeals from the Tamil Nadu government and the Waqf Board, which had sought to block the ritual citing potential communal unrest. The court scathingly described the state's law-and-order concerns as an ‘imaginary ghost,’ suggesting

that any disturbance would likely be statesponsored rather than spontaneous.

The legal battle intensified after the Karthigai Deepam festival in December 2025 passed without the lamp being lit, despite a single-judge order by Justice G.R. Swaminathan. The authorities had restricted access to the ‘Deepathoon’ pillar, located near the Hazarath Sultan Sikkandar Badhusha Dargah, citing long-standing customs. However, the court ruled that the pillar resides on temple land, as established by a 1920 civil decree.

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Cholesterol: Beyond good and bad F

or decades, cholesterol seemed simple: “bad” LDL clogged arteries, while “good” HDL cleared them.

The molecule itself never changed- only its carriers, the lipoproteins, determined risk.

Advice was straightforward: eat less fat and red meat to lower LDL; exercise and eat fruits and vegetables to raise HDL. Statins, introduced in the 1990s, helped millions by clearing LDL from the blood. Recent research has revealed a more complex picture. Standard tests can miss the most dangerous forms, while very high HDL, once considered protective, is now linked to higher mortality and various diseases.

Cholesterol is essential for cell membranes, nerve insulation, and hormone production, but trouble begins when it accumulates in arteries. LDL delivers cholesterol to tissues, HDL

routine.

HDL is more complex than once thought. Some particles are dysfunctional, failing to reduce inflammation, repair tissue, or support immunity.

Extremely high HDL may increase risks of liver, kidney, heart disease, and even Alzheimer’s. Today, view researchers cholesterol as a sophisticated ecosystem, not a simple good-versusbad story. returns it to the liver.

Disease arises when this balance fails, especially with high blood pressure or chronic inflammation.

LDL’s danger is real: lowering it reduces heart attacks. But other particles, like lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] and remnants, carry extra risk and often go undetected. The key may be ApoB, a protein that counts harmful particles, now recommended by the European Society of Cardiology, though not yet

Practical tips to manage cholesterol •

• • • •

Eat smart: Increase fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats (olive oil, nuts, fatty fish). Limit red meat and processed foods.

Stay active: Aim for 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week.

Avoid smoking and excess alcohol: Both damage arteries and affect cholesterol function.

Maintain healthy weight: Even small reductions can improve cholesterol balance.

Regular check-ups: Ask your doctor about ApoB or Lp(a) testing if you have family history of heart disease.

Cracks down on junk food ads to tackle childhood obesity The UK government has banned adverts for certain breakfast cereals, porridge, sandwiches, and other highfat, salt, and sugar (HFSS) foods in a bid to reduce childhood obesity.

From Monday, “less healthy” products will be barred from TV between 5.30am and 9pm, and from online platforms at any time. The move follows a voluntary advertising ban introduced in October, along with restrictions on supermarket promotions such as “buy one, get one free” on unhealthy foods.

Under the new rules, advertisers must comply or risk enforcement by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA).

Experts say the watershed ban is “long overdue” and could prevent an estimated 20,000 cases of childhood obesity.

Foods affected include chocolates, sweets, pizzas, ice creams, breakfast cereals, sweetened breads, certain main meals, sandwiches,

and soft drinks. Products are assessed against 13 categories linked to childhood obesity and a scoring tool evaluating nutrient content and levels of saturated fat, sugar, and salt. Only foods meeting both criteria are restricted, while healthier versions can

still be advertised.

Childhood obesity in the UK remains a serious concern. Latest data show one in ten reception-aged children is obese, and one in five children have tooth decay by age five. Childhood obesity increases the risk of type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, liver disease, and certain cancers later in life.

Obesity also places a financial burden on the NHS, costing over £11 billion annually. Research indicates that exposure to HFSS advertising shapes children’s eating habits from a young age, increasing the likelihood of poor diet, weight gain, and long-term health problems.

Children to receive Ten minutes of exercise to slow bowel cancer chickenpox vaccine for

Sleep: The silent defender Sleep is a critical time for the immune system to repair and strengthen itself. During deep sleep, the body produces proteins called cytokines that help fight infection and inflammation. Even one night of poor sleep can lower natural killer cell activity, weakening the body’s ability to defend against viruses and bacteria. Consistent, quality sleep improves immune memory and supports faster recovery from illness.

Health Views Disclaimer: The information provided is for general knowledge only and not a substitute for professional medical advice.

A single ten-minute workout may be enough to slow the progression of bowel cancer, according to new research from Newcastle University.

Scientists found that even a short burst of exercise can trigger rapid changes in the blood that affect cancer cells at a molecular level.

The study, published in the Journal of Cancer, involved 30 overweight or obese men who were otherwise healthy. Blood samples were taken before and after a 10–12 minute cycling session. When bowel cancer cells were exposed to the post-exercise blood, researchers observed changes in the activity of 1,364 genes linked to energy production, DNA repair, and cell growth. Levels of 13

blood proteins associated with reduced inflammation, improved blood vessel function, and metabolism also increased.

The findings add to growing evidence that physical activity protects against bowel cancer.

Genevieve Edwards, chief executive of Bowel Cancer UK, highlighted that people who are more active have a lower risk of bowel and other cancers.

She recommends at least 150 minutes of activity per week, such as brisk walking, cycling, or swimming.

Bowel cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the UK, with around 44,000 diagnoses each year.

It can develop anywhere in the large bowel, including the colon and rectum.

For the first time, children across the UK will be offered a vaccine to protect against chickenpox, alongside the routine MMR jab for measles, mumps, and rubella.

The move follows a recommendation from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) in 2023. NHS England said hundreds of thousands of children will be eligible for the combined MMRV vaccine from Friday, with GPs contacting families to schedule appointments as part of the routine programme.

About half of children catch chickenpox by age five, and 90% by age ten.

While usually mild, the

infection can be dangerous for immunocompromised children, and secondary infections can lead to hospitalisation. International experience, including in Germany and Canada, shows that vaccination can significantly reduce transmission and generate herd immunity.

The programme also offers longterm benefits. Chickenpox is caused by the varicellazoster virus, which can reactivate in later life to cause shingles.

Children born on or after 1 January 2025 will receive two MMRV doses at 12 and 18 months, while those born between 1 July and 31 December 2024 will receive doses at 18 months and three years four months.

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Nushrratt Bharuccha’s Mahakal visit triggers cleric backlash B

Anurag Kashyap rejects claims of career downfall after Bombay velvet

ollywood actor Nushratt Bharuccha has come under sharp criticism from a Uttar Pradesh-based cleric following her visit to the Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain.

Bareilly-based cleric Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi termed her participation in Hindu rituals as “haram” under Islamic law, calling it a major sin and issuing a fatwa against her. He also invoked Sharia law, asking the actor to repent and recite the Kalma.

The controversy began after Nushratt shared details of her second visit to the Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga. Photos and videos on social media showed her participating in the Bhasma Aarti, offering prayers and receiving blessings at the sanctum, an experience she described

as “beautiful” and “deeply meaningful.”

In an online video, the actor praised the arrangements for devotees and said she hoped to visit the temple every year, also posting “Jai Mahakal” on Instagram. Hours later, cleric Shahabuddin Razvi issued a fatwa, stating that her participation in Hindu rituals violated Sharia and constituted a grave sin, though he clarified he had no legal authority and was only advising repentance.

The remarks sparked a strong backlash online, with many criticising the cleric for “faith policing” and curbing personal freedom. Razvi dismissed the criticism, saying he was speaking purely as a religious leader and that Bharuccha was free to accept or ignore the fatwa.

Javed Akhtar

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cclaimed filmmaker Anurag Kashyap addressed long-standing criticism regarding his collaboration with Karan Johar.

warns legal action over fake AI video

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eteran screenwriter and lyricist Javed Akhtar has vowed to take legal action after a deepfake video of him began circulating on social media.

The renowned lyricist took to X (formerly Twitter) to denounce the AI-generated clip, which misleadingly showed him expressing political views he does not hold. Akhtar clarified that the video was a sophisticated fabrication, warning his followers that his voice and likeness had been stolen to spread misinformation.

To address this breach of digital security, Akhtar confirmed that he is in the process of reporting the incident to the Mumbai Cyber Police.

Kashyap revealed that many fans believe his creative downfall began when he shook hands with Johar by casting him as the antagonist, Kaizad Khambatta, in the 2015 period drama Bombay Velvet. Critics at the time accused the indie director of selling out by bridging the gap between parallel and mainstream cinema.

Despite the film becoming one of Bollywood's most notorious boxoffice disasters, losing over 70 crore, Kashyap maintained that casting Johar was a natural and artistic choice.

The director expressed his continued admiration for Johar’s acting, though he admitted the film’s failure strained his professional relationships, notably with lead actor Ranbir Kapoor. Kashyap noted that while he is still frequently questioned about the project's legacy in 2026, Kapoor has often urged him to stop discussing the failure publicly.

By defending his decision over a decade later, Kashyap highlighted how the perceived rivalry between his gritty style and Johar’s glamorous brand of cinema created a narrative of compromise that persists in the Indian film industry today.

Konkona Sen Sharma talks age-gap romance in Bollywood

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cclaimed actress Konkona Sen Sharma has shared her insights on the evolving portrayal of relationships in Indian cinema, specifically the trend of older women romancing younger men.

Speaking in an interview the National Award winner observed that while such roles were previously labelled as “bold,” the narrative is slowly becoming normalised. This shift occurs as audiences increasingly embrace realistic depictions of age-gap relationships, moving away from traditional gender-based double standards that have long dominated Bollywood.

Konkona noted that the industry’s perception of age is gradually maturing. Historically, older male actors have frequently paired with much younger female leads, yet the reverse was often scrutinised. By January 2026, recent streaming releases and independent films have started to challenge these tropes. Konkona emphasised that the “bold” tag often stems from societal discomfort rather than the nature of the script.

Through her analysis, she highlighted how nuanced storytelling is helping to reshape contemporary Indian cinema, ensuring that age becomes less of a barrier for female performers seeking complex romantic roles.

This incident follows a growing trend of deepfake scams targeting Indian celebrities, including similar recent attacks on actors Aamir Khan and Ranveer Singh. By pursuing criminal charges against the anonymous creators, Akhtar aims to highlight the urgent need for stricter regulations regarding artificial intelligence.

The 80-year-old artist emphasised that such technology poses a grave threat to personal reputation and democratic discourse. Legal experts suggest that if the perpetrators are caught, they could face significant jail time under India’s Information Technology Act.

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Vijay’s action thriller ‘Jana Nayagan’ breaks advance sales records

Nicole Kidman meets actress Nadiya Moidu in Australia H ollywood superstar Nicole Kidman delighted fans after a heart-warming encounter with veteran Indian actress Nadiya Moidu in Sydney, Australia.

The chance meeting occurred during the New Year’s Day celebrations, where Nadiya, a self-confessed fangirl of the Oscar-winning actress, approached Kidman for a photograph.

Demonstrating her characteristic grace, the 58-year-old Australian star famously knelt down to match the height of the shorter Indian actress, ensuring a perfect frame for their shared selfies.

Nadiya Moidu, who rose to fame following her 1984 debut in the Malayalam classic ‘Nokkethadhoothu Kannum Nattu,’ shared the video of the

AR Rahman makes acting debut with ‘Moonwalk’ O

interaction on social media, where it quickly went viral. Kidman, currently promoting her latest projects after a successful 2025 awards season, earned widespread praise for her humility. The interaction highlighted a rare bridge between Hollywood and the South Indian film industry, where Nadiya remains a beloved figure four decades after her career began.

By taking the time to engage warmly with a fellow professional from overseas, Kidman reinforced her reputation for kindness. The footage has since garnered millions of views, celebrated by cinema enthusiasts across both India and Australia as a symbol of mutual artistic respect.

scar-winning composer AR Rahman, celebrated for his soulful and timeless music, is set to make his acting debut on the big screen in the upcoming film Moonwalk, where he will be seen alongside Prabhudeva. The film is directed by Manoj NS. Speaking to News18, Manoj NS described the experience of working with the duo as memorable. He said filming the song Mayile with Rahman and Prabhudeva was a delight, adding that the track has shaped up beautifully and promises to be a visual treat in theatres. He also praised Prabhudeva for delivering one of his finest dance performances and thanked choreographer Sekhar Master for elevating the song.

Moonwalk marks the first time AR Rahman will appear as an actor on screen. He plays a quirky, short-tempered young film director and has also sung all five songs in the film, making his voice a constant presence throughout the soundtrack.

Director Manoj N S revealed that Rahman’s appearance in the song adds a unique charm, and that he later expanded the role into a special surprise scene. Expressing his gratitude, Manoj said the entire set was thrilled to see Rahman enjoying himself as an actor, promising audiences an unexpected moment.

Prabhudeva plays Babootty, a enowned Bollywood actor Akshaye Khanna lively film choreographer, in a key officially joined the sets of the upcoming film role. Director Manoj N S called ‘Mahakali’, marking his highly anticipated debut in working with AR Rahman and Telugu cinema.

Prabhudeva a joyful experience and The actor arrived at the production location in teased a special surprise Hyderabad to begin filming for this high-budget involving Yogi Babu. The venture, which features him in a pivotal role film also features a large alongside lead actress Sai Pallavi. This career move ensemble cast and is comes immediately after the massive commercial set for release in triumph of the action thriller Dhurandhar, which May 2026. recently broke North American box-office records.

The timing of Khanna’s transition to the South Indian film industry is significant, occurring amidst widespread reports of a production fallout regarding ‘Drishyam 3’. While fans were eager for his return to that franchise, creative differences reportedly led to a hiatus in development, allowing the actor to pivot towards new regional opportunities in early 2026. By joining Mahakali, Khanna follows a growing trend of Hindi film stars expanding into Tollywood.

Directed by a prominent filmmaker and slated for a late 2026 release, the project aims to leverage Khanna's reputation for intense, character-driven performances. His involvement is expected to broaden the film's appeal across the Indian subcontinent as production continues throughout the spring.

T

he highly anticipated Tamil action thriller Jana Nayagan achieved a historic milestone by securing 15 crore rupees in worldwide advance ticket sales.

Starring the iconic actor Vijay, the film has shattered previous records for South Indian cinema just days before its official theatrical release. The surge in pre-bookings was driven by a massive global promotional campaign and the immense popularity of Vijay, whose massive fan base turned out in force to secure seats across major markets including India, the United Arab Emirates, and North America.

Industry data released on New Year’s Day confirmed that the film surpassed the opening pre-sales of his 2023 hit Leo, which had previously set a high benchmark for the industry. Directed by a prominent filmmaker and produced under a major banner, the movie is expected to be one of the final cinematic outings for the actor before his widely discussed transition into full-time politics with his party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam. By leveraging high-octane trailers and a successful music launch in late 2025, the production team managed to generate unprecedented hype.

Analysts predict that these record-breaking figures will lead to a monumental opening weekend, further solidifying Vijay’s status as the leading commercial force in Tamil cinema.

Akshaye Khanna enters Tollywood with ‘Mahakali’

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Priyanka Chopra Jonas celebrates Nick Jonas new solo “Gut Punch”

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lobal icon Priyanka Chopra Jonas took to social media to publicly support her husband, Nick Jonas, following the release of his latest solo single titled Gut Punch.

The track, which marks a significant return to his individual music career, was launched across all major streaming platforms as a New Year’s Day surprise for fans. Chopra shared the artwork on her Instagram stories, expressing her pride and admiration for the project. The song quickly gained international traction, notably catching the attention of Bollywood superstar Hrithik Roshan, who confessed his love for the track in the comments section.

Nick Jonas, who rose to fame with the Jonas Brothers before launching a successful solo career with hits like Jealous in 2014, has spent much of the last two years touring with his siblings.

This new release signifies a fresh creative direction for the 33-year-old artist.

The couple, who married in a lavish multiday ceremony in Jodhpur in December 2018, continue to be a prominent power duo across both Hollywood and Indian cinema.

By leveraging their combined social media following of over 120 million users, they have ensured Gut Punch achieved millions of plays within its first twentyfour hours.

Siddhant Chaturvedi denies ‘Dear Comrade’ remake rumours

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ctors Siddhant Chaturvedi and Pratibha Ranta, who were rumoured to be cast in the remake of the Telugu film Dear Comrade, have now addressed the speculation on their Instagram Stories. Siddhant dismissed the reports, stating that he is not part of the project and has decided to step away from remakes for now.

Pratibha, meanwhile, urged people to wait for an official announcement.

In his post, Siddhant wrote, “Just to clarify guys, this isn’t true,” adding that while he admires the original film and its actors, he will not be taking on any more remakes at present. He also shared his enthusiasm for potentially collaborating with Pratibha on a fresh, original project, calling her “supremely talented” and expressing his hope to work together in the future.

Siddhant was last seen in ‘Dhadak 2’, the Hindi remake of the 2018 Tamil film ‘Pariyerum Perumal’.

Despite receiving positive reviews, the film failed to perform well at the box office.

Pratibha, meanwhile, neither confirmed nor denied her association with the project.

Addressing the rumours on Instagram, she urged media outlets to refrain from sharing unverified information and to wait for an official announcement, noting that repeated speculation about projects she is not part of often leads to unnecessary confusion.

Dear Comrade, a romantic action drama written and directed by Bharat Kamma, starred Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna and was a box office success.

Imran Khan addresses nepotism debate amidst comeback

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ctor Imran Khan spoke candidly about the nepotism tag in an extensive interview with Samdish Bhatia. Returning to the spotlight after an eight-year hiatus, the actor discussed how being the nephew of superstar Aamir Khan shaped public perception throughout his career.

Imran admitted that while his family connections provided an initial platform for his 2008 debut in Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na, they did not shield him from the intense scrutiny or the commercial pressures of the industry. He explained that he stepped away from acting in 2015 to focus on his mental health and personal well-being following a series of professional setbacks.

The interview coincides with his highly anticipated return to cinema in the upcoming film’ Happy Patel’, produced by Aamir Khan Productions and scheduled for a 2026 release. By opening up about his journey, Imran highlighted how he navigated the challenges of a high-profile lineage while seeking a distinct identity.

He clarified that his comeback is motivated by a genuine passion for storytelling rather than a need to prove his status. This unfiltered conversation has resonated with fans, providing a rare look at the human cost of fame within Bollywood’s most influential families.

Ranveer Singh’s

‘Dhurandhar’ breaks North American box office records

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anveer Singh’s latest cinematic venture, Dhurandhar, officially became the highest-grossing Bollywood film of all time in the North American market.

The action epic surpassed the long-standing record held by Shah Rukh Khan’s 2023 blockbuster ‘Pathaan’, which had previously set a massive benchmark for Indian cinema in the United States and Canada.

According to box office data, Dhurandhar achieved this historic milestone by amassing an unprecedented $18.5 million in its opening weeks, eclipsing the $17.48 million lifetime collection of Pathaan.

The record-breaking performance was driven by an extensive holiday release across 800 screens, capitalising on the peak New Year travel season.

Directed by Aditya Dhar and released in late 2025, the film’s success highlights the growing global influence of Indian cinema and Ranveer Singh’s rising international appeal.

Industry analysts suggest that the high-octane production values and a targeted marketing campaign in major cities like New York and Toronto were key to this achievement. By shattering these records, Dhurandhar has redefined the commercial potential for Hindi films abroad, marking a significant shift in the competitive landscape of global Bollywood distribution.

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Bangladesh to skip India World Cup fixtures, citing security risks Bangladesh will not play their Twenty20 World Cup matches in India after the country’s cricket board raised concerns over player safety amid escalating tensions between the two nations.

The Bangladesh team had been scheduled to play three matches in Kolkata during the tournament, which runs from 7 February to 8 March and is being co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.

In a statement, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) said the decision was taken after a comprehensive assessment of the situation and on the advice of the Bangladesh government, citing growing concerns over the safety and security of its players in India.

The BCB has since asked the International Cricket Council (ICC) to relocate Bangladesh’s World Cup matches

outside India. Sports ministry adviser Asif Nazrul said the team would not travel, describing the move as justified in light of what he called the “extreme communal policy” of India’s cricket board, and added that officials had requested the matches be moved to Sri Lanka.

Relations between the countries have two worsened following protests in New Delhi over the killing of Hindu factory worker Dipu Chandra Das in Bangladesh and the

flight of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina to India after antigovernment protests.

The decision followed the release of fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman by IPL side Kolkata Knight Riders at the request of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Rahman, signed for a record 92 million Indian rupees ($1 million), was released, triggering an emergency BCB meeting and a request for a formal explanation from the BCCI, according to Cricbuzz.

Neeraj Chopra starts own management firm, parts ways with JSW Two-time Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra has ended his decade-long association with JSW Sports after launching his own athlete management firm, Vel Sports. The 28-year-old’s rise to global prominence has been closely linked with JSW Sports since 2016, a partnership he described as central to the most successful phase of his career.

“Over the last decade, our journey has been one of growth, belief and achievement. JSW Sports played a defining role in my career, and I’ll always be grateful for their support,”

Neeraj Chopra

Chopra said, adding he would carry these values into the next chapter.

Neeraj Chopra has ended his decade-long association with JSW Sports, which began in 2016 through the JSW Sports

Excellence Programme.

Both sides described the split as one of “deep respect and pride,” with JSW CEO Divyanshu Singh praising Chopra’s achievements.

Chopra made history as India’s first track and field Olympic gold medallist at Tokyo 2021, later winning gold at the 2023 World Championships and silver at the 2024 Paris Olympics. He is still recovering from 2025 injuries and has not announced his 2026 season.

At the 2025 World Championships, he competed with a back injury, finishing eighth and ending a 2,566-day podium streak.

Atiqa Mir makes historic debut in Junior Karting Championship 11-year-old racing prodigy Atiqa Mir secured a landmark fifth-place finish at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi.

Competing in Round 7 of the IAME UAE Karting Championship, Mir made a spectacular debut in the Junior S125 category, having recently stepped up from the Mini class. By finishing fifth in a fiercely competitive field of 35 drivers, she became the first Indian and the first female racer to record a top-five finish in this category globally.

Mir’s transition to the Junior class involved mastering a kart that is 30kg heavier and significantly

Atiqa Mir

more powerful, reaching speeds of up to 126kmph.

Despite qualifying 18th due to a mechanical issue, she staged a brilliant recovery over the 21-lap race, missing out on a podium spot by just four-tenths of a second. The Srinagar-born athlete, who is the first Indian supported

by the F1 Academy, follows in the footsteps of her father, Asif Nazir Mir, India’s first national karting champion.

This achievement underscores her rapid ascent in motorsport as she pursues her ultimate goal of reaching Formula 1.

Gill named ODI Captain against New Zealand Shubman Gill returns to India’s ODI setup as captain, with Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja also back in the limitedovers squad for the threematch ODI series against New Zealand. Shreyas Iyer has also been included, though his participation will depend on fitness clearance from the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence.

Hardik Pandya, meanwhile, has not been cleared to bowl a full 10-over spell and will have his workload managed with the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in mind.

The latest squad sees Ruturaj Gaikwad, Tilak Varma and Dhruv Jurel dropped, with Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer and Mohammed Siraj returning from the group selected for the South Africa series. Gill recently opened the batting

in the T20I series against South Africa but missed the final match in Ahmedabad on December 19 as he continued his recovery from an injury picked up during the Test series.

Vice-captain Shreyas Iyer is also in line to return after recovering from an injury sustained while fielding in the third ODI against Australia in Sydney, though his availability remains subject to clearance from the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence. Fast bowler Mohammed Siraj, meanwhile, returns to the ODI side for the first time since India’s final match against Australia in October.

India will face New Zealand in a three-match ODI series, followed by five T20Is, as part of their buildup to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, which begins on February 7.

Shubman Gill

India’s ODI squad against New Zealand: Shubman Gill (captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul (wicketkeeper), Shreyas Iyer (vice-captain, subject to fitness clearance), Sundar, Washington Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Siraj, Harshit Rana, Prasidh Krishna, Kuldeep Yadav, Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Arshdeep Singh and Yashasvi Jaiswal.

Usman Khawaja retires from international cricket Usman Khawaja has announced his retirement from international cricket, confirming the fifth Ashes Test in Sydney will be his last and highlighting the racism he faced during his career. The 39-year-old batter’s future in Test cricket had been a major talking point throughout this summer’s Ashes series.

“With cricket, God has given me far more than I could have imagined— memories, friendships beyond the game, and lessons that shaped me off the field,” Khawaja said. “No career belongs to one person. To my parents, thank you for your sacrifices that never made the

Usman Khawaja

highlights reel.”

Khawaja, who moved from Pakistan to Sydney as a child, made his Test debut at the SCG in the 2010-11 Ashes and will retire there in the fifth Test. He scored his first Ashes century there in 2018 and revived his career in 2022 with seven centuries

in two years.

Khawaja called out racial stereotyping in the media, saying, “These are the same racial stereotypes I’ve grown up with… it’s frustrating that I still have to fight every day.” He added, “I’m a proud Muslim, coloured boy from Pakistan who was told I’d never play for Australia… I walk off with gratitude and peace, salam.”

After missing the first two Ashes Tests with back spasms, a return in Adelaide and 82 in Melbourne secured his spot for the fourth Test. He is only the second player in a decade to retire while still in the Australian Test side, after David Warner.

Youths across North America unite for BAPS Yogi Cup tournament Between November 2025 and March 2026, thousands of young men aged 14 to 30 gathered across North America to participate in the annual BAPS Yogi Cup. This regional sports tournament, held in major hubs including Charlotte, Toronto, Houston, and San Jose, transcended mere athletic competition to foster spiritual and personal development. Inspired by the teachings of Yogiji Maharaj and the vision of His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, the event brought together geographically dispersed youths, known as kishores and yuvaks to compete in sports such as basketball and volleyball while strengthening their communal bonds.

The tournament was deeply rooted in the Hindu principles of samp (unity), suhradbhav (solidarity), and ekta (oneness). Participants balanced intense matches with daily spiritual practices, including arti and sessions that connected

sportsmanship with satsang values. This structure encouraged participants to develop leadership, discipline, and collaboration, ensuring that the lessons learned on the court translated into their academic and professional lives. By integrating competitive play with personal reflection, the Yogi Cup continues its legacy of building a resilient and spiritually grounded generation of young leaders across the continent.