Khalistan supporter sanctioned in landmark anti-terror action
T h e U K g o v e rnm e nt h as used its Domestic C ounterT erro rism Reg im e for th e first tim e to disrup t funding for the pro-K halistan m ilitant group Babbar K halsa, targeting British Sikh busine s sm a n G u rp re et S in g h R eh al an d a n as so c i at ed organisation
R e h a l , l i n k e d t o t h e
i n v e s t m e n t f i r m , f a c e s a n asset freeze and director disqualification after being susp e c t e d o f i n v o l v e m e n t i n terrorist activities in India, t h e U K T r e a s u r y s a i d Alongside him, Babbar Akali Lehar was also sanctioned for promoting and supporting the group
L u c y R i g b y , E c o n o m i c Secretary to the Treasury, said, “We will not stand by w h i l e t e r r o r i s t s e x p l o i t
B r i t a i n ’ s f i n a n c i a l s y s t e m
This landmark action shows we are prepared to use every tool at our disposal to choke off funding for terrorism,
wherever it occurs and whoever is responsible ” H M T r e a s u r y a s s e s s e d that Rehal supported Babbar K h a l s a a n d B a b b a r A k a l i Lehar through recruitment, f i n a n c i a l a s s i s t a n c e , a
u EXCLUSIVE: Brent urges national ban on paan Page – 05
u The British Indian political shift Page – 11
u Microsoft to make $17 5bn investment in India Page – 21
Gurpreet Singh Rehal
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President of Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin travel in the same car, as they depart from the Palam Airport
“double standards”
a
a
alleged to h ave made as a teenager
After the party’s deputy leader, Richard Tice, dis-
h e c l a
m
s s
m
f ro m Farage’s former classmates as “made-up twaddle”, he (Farage) branded the Today p ro g r a m m e i nt
v ie w a “disgrace” and demanded the broadcaster apologise
fo r a i r i n g s h o w s i n t h e 1970s which he said promoted racist and homophobic stereotypes Me a nwh i le , D e p u t y
Prime Minister and Justice
S e
Dav
d L a m my urged Farage to apologise, recalling his own “traumatic” e x p e r ie n c
f r a c i s t abuse at school and calling t
Farage “deeply troubling ” L a m my c o m p a re d Farage to the classmates who racially abused him
London He said, “I’ve had
contact me and apologise for some of the racial abuse that I suffered in that particular era He should do
leader of a political party
He
g ht thing and apologise ”
Ofcom launches probe into online hate
Ofco m has launch ed a new i nvestigation into whether
m aj o r s o c i al m ed i a p l atfo r ms a re ad eq u at el y detecting and removing i llegal terro rist and hate co ntent
T h e re g u l a t o r w i l l
examine whether the largest sites have effective systems to identify harmful material once it is reported By April 2026, Ofcom will complete a
fo re widening its scrutiny to others and will act swiftly if it f inds serious breaches
The move follows pressure from more than 30 MPs
a n d p e e r s , wh o u r g e d Ofcom to investigate Elon Musk’s platform X after the Ce nt re fo r Co
H
D
posts celebrating the killing
of two people at Heaton Pa r k Sy n a g o g u e i n Manchester Ofcom said it shares concerns about escal a t i n g a nt i s e m i t i s m a n d extremist content online Ofcom is gathering furt h e r e v i d e n c e f ro m c a mpaigners and MPs, as frustration grows within gove r n m e nt a b o u t t h e s lo w pace of enforcement under the Online Safety Act
Tony Blair drafts policies to ‘save L abour’
S i r To ny Bla ir ’ s
t h i nk ta nk i s rep orted ly prepari n g a p o li cy blu eprint aimed at “saving the Labour Party” amid growing dissatisfaction
w it h S i r Ke ir
S ta rm e r ’ s le ad e rsh ip
T h e fo r m e r prime minister is said to be assessing potential leadership candidates, with s o u rc e s s u g g e s t i n g h e i s
f r u s t r a t e d b y the direction of St a r m e r ’ s g o vernment They n o t e d t h a t N
le d any idea this is
s t yle g
r nment,” and that Blair has largely “given up ” on influencing Starmer in recent months Instead, Blair is working
with other centre-left f igures through the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change t o d e v e lo p p ol ic ie s o n h e a lt h c a
technology, which could be presented to a future Labour leader if a leadership contest arises Ho m
y Shabana Mahmood, tipped as a possible contender, is
a l i n g t o t h e party’s right wing for her tougher stance on immigration
UK struggles to tackle extremism
T he U K gov ernm ent is “flying blind” am id so aring levels of radicalisation, L abour M Ps hav e warned, calling for a clear national strateg y to tackle extremism
A new all-party parliamentar y group (APPG) of MPs and peers is pushing for
Mayoral elections postponed amid backlash
Ministers have annou nced th at elections for newly created m ayo ralties in Greater Essex, No rfol k a nd S u ffo lk , H am p s h i re a nd t h e Solent, and Sussex and Brig hto n will now be held in 2028, prompting opp osition parties to accu se Do wning Street of “cancelling democracy ”
The government said the delay is necessary to complete local government reorganisations and ensure combined authorities are fully operational before mayors take off ice
The decision sparked swift cross-party backlash Labour’s Jim McMahon said the party has a “moral and legal obligation” to honour the deal, while Kemi Badenoch called it “ a scandal ” Reform’s Richard Tice accused the government of “cancelling democracy,” and Nigel Farage said a judicial review is being considered Liberal Democrat Zoe Franklin called the delay “ a disgrace,” warning that “democracy delayed is democracy denied ”
Several other elections had already been postponed from 2025 to 2026 due to ongoing reorganisations
PM Starmer to appoint 24 peers
S i r Kei r S ta rm e r i s p re p ari n g to ap p o i nt around tw o d ozen new Labour p eers to bo lster th e p arty’s nu m bers in the House of Lo rds and push controversial leg islation th roug h the upp er chamber after a series of defeats
T h e n e w a p p o i ntments, described by insiders as much-needed “infantry”, are expected to include former politicians, party advisers and trade union f igures Labour expects around 24 appointments, with nominees from other parties bringing the total to roughly 33 The move follows a string of Lords defeats on key bills, including e m plo y m e nt r i g ht s a n d pl a n n i n g re fo r m , which ministers say have hindered the government’s legislative timetable Labour currently has 210 peers, well behind the Conservatives’ 283, and a higher average age, making late-night votes harder to staff
Warnings raised over safety of women at Oxford
S eni or lead ers at Oxfo rd Uni v ers ity w ere alerted earlier this year th at wom en stud ents and staff at the Saïd Business Schoo l felt unsafe wh ile a m isco nd uct inquiry into form e r d e an P ro fes so r S o u m i tra D u tta w as under way, The Tim es has reported
in brief
ROBBERY ATTEMPT AT HEATHROW LEAVES 21 HURT
A woman was pepper-sprayed during an attempted robbery by a gang in a car park lift at Heathrow Airport The incident left 21 people injured, including a three -year- old girl, as armed police launched a dramatic search for the suspects Officers arrested a 31-year- old man on suspicion of assault shortly after 8AM on Sunday He remains in custody while police continue to hunt for the other three suspects involved in the brazen robbery Five of the injured were taken to hospital though their injuries are not believed to be life -threatening or life - changing London Ambulance Service confirmed it treated 21 patients at the scene with five taken to hospital before the service was stood down at 10:58 AM
PLANS PROGRESS FOR UK– GERMANY RAIL LINK
Eurostar and Deutsche Bahn (DB) have agreed to develop plans for a direct high-speed rail link between the UK and Germany marking a significant step toward restoring Channel Tunnel routes beyond France, Belgium and the Netherlands The two operators signed a Memorandum of Understanding to explore a joint service connecting London with major German cities, including Cologne and Frankfurt The move comes after the inaugural meeting of a UK– Germany rail connectivity taskforce in Berlin on 25 November, where officials and industry leaders examined the operational, regulatory and technical requirements for launching such a route
KEIR STARMER CONFIRMS RAYNER COMEBACK
Sir Keir Starmer has confirmed that the hugely talented” former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner will return to his cabinet attributing some of the criticism she faced to misogyny Speaking to The Observer, Starmer said he missed Rayner and noted that she faced similar gendered criticism to that experienced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves He described Rayner as “the best social mobility story this country has ever seen,” highlighting her working- class background and rise from leaving school at 16 to becoming deputy leader “As I said to her at the time, she’s going to be a major voice in the Labour movement ” he added
POLICE PROBE REFORM UK SPENDING
a n o f f ic i a l d e f i n i t io n o f extremism and a framework
t o i d e nt i f y, m e a s u re , a n d counter threats across the country The group ’ s launch report, Time to Act, warns that extremism has become a major domestic security and social challenge, erodi n g s o c i a l c oh e s io n a n d democratic norms It cites last summer ’ s riots and the M a n c h e s t e r s y n a g o g u e attack as examples of rising tensions
The report notes that indicators of radicalisation, from hate crimes to conspiracy beliefs, have increased over the past decade, often fuelled by “trigger events” such as immigration or conflict issues
The views, thoughts and opinions expressed by our readers, letter writers and columnists are solely their own and do not necessarily ref lect the views or policies of our publication
In May, as allegations were being investigated, faculty representatives wrote to university management expressing “deep concern ” over poor communication and the “signif icant unease ” spreading through the school The email warned of mounting “reputational risk”
An external lawyer later upheld three allegations of harassment against the 62-year-old dean In one instance, after a junior academic sought his help regarding a colleague she had accused of sexual assault, Dutta responded, “I feel very attracted to you Can something happen between us?”
Dutta took medical leave during the investigation and resigned in September
Police are examining claims that Reform UK broke electoral law during its campaign for Nigel Farage’s Commons seat in last year s general election Opposition parties have urged Farage to “come clean” after former aide Richard Everett alleged the party underreported its spending in Clacton, where Farage secured victory in 2024 Everett, a former Reform councillor and campaign team member, has reportedly given police documents suggesting the party exceeded the £20 660 spending limit for the constituency Essex police has confirmed that they are assessing an allegation of misreported expenditure by a political party understood to be Reform UK
“Success is stumbling from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm.”
ill
Political Sketchbook
The World Needs Thinkers not Performers
I was asked this year, as I often am, advice o n Oxford Univer sity entrance It’s interview seaso n This is not just for the interview, use this advice for all you r social media post s t oo Think It’s easy t o be one-sided and rabid and ‘play to t he gallery’ Of course, if you ’ re balanced on ‘X’ you will get the fanatics and the know it al ls ju mp ing on you – so maybe leave X to the idiot ic loudmo uths and empt y brains Bu t for ever ywhere else – incl uding your O xfor d Entrance exam – or any place of higher learning, this will help
For all of you going for interviews - good luck and congratulations
1 Oxford isn’t looking for the “finished product” –they want to see how you think
PPE tutors aren’t impressed by polished speeches or pre-rehearsed lines
They’re testing one thing: can you think clearly, logically, and flexibly under pressure? If you ’ re given a counter-intuitive idea, don’t panic – take it apart
Show your working Ask clarifying questions A
g o o d a n s w e r a t O x f o r d o f t e n b e g i n s w i t h “ I t depends ” followed by a cool, structured breakdown
2 Treat the interview like a tutorial, not an interrogation
This is the biggest mindset shift Don’t behave like a nervous candidate – behave like a future student in a one-to-one tutorial Push back gently
Challenge premises If you change your mind midargument, say so and explain why They love that; it shows intellectual honesty and agility
3 PPE interviews nearly always probe your reasoning, not your knowledge
You don’t need to quote Rawls or Hayek from m e m o r y I n s t e a d , p r a c t i s e t h i n k i n g a l o u d P i c k articles from the Financial Times or Economist, summarise the argument in two or three sentences, then critique it from a political, economic, and philosophical angle That’s PPE in a nutshell A simple structure that works every time:
What is the claim?
What assumptions does it rely on?
What follows if those assumptions change?
Is the argument internally consistent?
You’d be amazed how far this gets you "If what you are arguing is correct, then how come " 4. In economics questions, they want clarity, not Alevel jargon
If they ask about inflation or taxation, resist the urge to regurgitate textbook definitions Instead, show causal thinking:
“If interest rates rise, X happens unless Y is true which would undermine Z ”
Oxford wants someone who understands links, not someone who memorises diagrams
5 Expect curveballs and enjoy them
They may test you with puzzles, paradoxes, or hypotheticals Don’t worry about getting the ‘right’ answer There often isn’t one What matters is the path you take and whether you stay calm and curious
I was asked by the Chemistry Professor in my general interview if I liked a portrait in his window
6. Practise the basics out loud
Get someone to throw you problems like:
“Should governments regulate misinformation?”
“Are markets efficient at allocating healthcare?”
“Is equality more important than freedom?”
Answer in real time Build the muscle
7 Finally, remember they’re picking people they want to teach for three years: show enthusiasm, but n o t s y c o p h a n c y S h o w c u r i o s i t y , n o t c h a o s B e someone they’d actually enjoy having in a room every week
You’ve done brilliantly to get here Good luck –
a n d r e m e m b e r : O x f o r d w a n t s t h i n k e r s , n o t
performers And may you hold the world in your hand
UK’s loss is India’s gain
pandemic, staff shortages, and insufficient social care As of November, 7 9 million were awaiting treatment in England (406,575 for over a year), with over 600,000 on waiting lists in Scotland (September) and more than 750,000 in Wales (October)
Department of Health and Social Care spokespersons have stated repeatedly that efforts are ongoing to provide necessary care and that the NHS has nearly eliminated treatment waits over two years
Therefore, an increasing number of people are choosing private healthcare According to Google trends data retrieved by The Guardian, searches in the UK for “private healthcare” have reached an all-time high, and the Private Healthcare Information Network reports that the number of people paying out-of-pocket for private acute care has risen by more
remarkable 193% jump in those paying for hip replacements
But for Britons unable to afford private treatment domestically, seeking medical care abroad is becoming more
travelling to India, to receive medical treatment, aiming to bypass lengthy NHS waiting times Recent data indicates that more than 500,000 British patients sought healthcare abroad in the past year, an increase of 50% over the last two years
The NHS waiting list continues to grow and has now reached
Chancellor Rachel Reeves, according to The Daily Telegraph
Experts warn that by pursuing medical care overseas, people may expose themselves to possible complications But still hip and knee replacements, cataract operations, dental work, and cosmetic surgeries rank among the most frequently performed treatments abroad (see p13-17)
Statistics from the Office for National Statistics show
the number of UK residents travelling for healthcare rose to 523,000 in 2024, compared with 431,000 in 2023 and 348,000 in 2022
India is a top destination for medical tourism, according to reports, drawing millions each year with affordable, highquality care and skilled doctors Most big cities offer specialised treatments ranging from allopathy to AYUSH therapies, with government e-visas simplifying travel The country provides a wide variety of quality medical services f o
procedures Many hospitals in India also feature cuttingedge facilities and equipment, making the country an appealing destination for high-quality medical treatments that may be unavailable or unaffordable elsewhere
In 2022, the sector was valued at US $9 billion, with around 2mn patients from 78 countries visiting for medical, wellness, and IVF treatments, generating $6 billion in revenue The industry is projected to reach $13 billion by 2026, supported by the Indian government's Heal in India initiative Most patients come from Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and the SAARC region, with notable arrivals from Australia, Canada, China, Russia, the UK, and the US Chennai is recognised as India's healthcare capital Indian medical practices have ancient roots in systems like Ayurveda, Yoga, and Siddha, which remain influential today Key figures such as Susruta highlight India's early advances in surgery Modern healthcare in India blends these traditional methods with contemporary science
Treatment costs in India are also typically about onetenth of those in the UK Moreover, English is widely
professionals Private hospitals now increasingly serve international patients, further boosting India's medical reputation
India's scope to take a strategic approach towards US
Russian President Vladimir Putin visited India as the US released its 2025 National Security Strategy under President Trump's second term The strategy signals a shift from global policing to prioritising economic leverage against competitors, especially China The US plans to limit its international involvement, focusing mainly on domestic and Western hemisphere interests, intervening elsewhere only when necessary
Trump’s approach to the Russia-Ukraine conflict suggests minimal direct engagement with Russia, instead urging Europe to take action The document indicates the US aims to maintain stable relations with Russia to concentrate on countering China India should carefully consider its options as US policy evolves
Vladimir Putin during his visit to India, among hugs and gift of Gita, announced that Russia is prepared to offer "uninterrupted shipments" of fuel to India, as New Delhi continues to face pressure from the US to halt its oil purchases from Moscow
President Trump has imposed an extra 50% tariff on Indian imports of Russian oil, claiming such transactions help fund Moscow’s war in Ukraine While bilateral trade currently favours Russia, New Delhi is actively pursuing
Britain’s
increased market access in Russia, with a focus on pharmaceuticals, machinery, and agricultural products
Additionally, both Putin and Modi praised new cooperation agreements signed prior to their meeting, with Modi highlighting the opening of new consulates in Russia The visit takes place amid US efforts to mediate peace with Ukraine
While deals were signed in minerals, nuclear energy, and shipbuilding, these are minor compared to ongoing oil trade Modi emphasised India's stance for peace regarding Ukraine Both nations acknowledge the need to broaden their partnership beyond defence ties and oil Although obstacles remain for closer India-Russia relations, Putin's trip signals that recent US strategies towards India may be ineffective
According to the Time magazine, Putin’s visit was largely symbolic, with no major defence agreements reached As the US’s attention is focused on Europe, India perhaps faces little concern from him It is evident that US will approach India when needed, but now is the time for India to build its trade relationship into a stronger strategic partnership By deepening defence ties, India can access US and allied markets As economic power increasingly outweighs military strength, India could prioritise effective economic strategies
steps towards Khalistani extremism enhances UK-India ties
India has encountered multiple security challenges since independence, such as Naxalism, separatist movements in the Northeast, terrorism supported by Pakistan in Kashmir, and, more recently, Khalistani extremism in Punjab These issues have resulted in significant civilian casualties India has consistently brought these concerns to international forums; however, responses from the United Nations and several Western countries have often been limited
When India raised the matter of Pakistan-sponsored terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir at the United Nations, nations including the United States and China have frequently supported Pakistan’s position Similarly, Indian requests for action against Khalistani separatists residing in countries such as the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia have largely not been addressed Nevertheless, India has continued to advocate for its concerns on the international stage
Since 2014, the Indian government, under Prime Minister Modi, has adopted a firm approach against terrorism, which has resulted in increased attention from Western nations to India’s security concerns Recently, the United Kingdom implemented anti-terrorism measures for the first time by banning Gurpreet Singh Rehal and the organisation Babbar Akali Lehar for alleged ties to Babbar Khalsa and terrorist activities in India In October 2025, during a meeting in Mumbai, Prime Minister Modi urged his British counterpart, Keir Starmer, to take a stand against extremism Historically, the UK had cited principles of free expression in permitting the activities of certain Khalistani groups
At a press conference during Prime Minister Starmer’s visit to India, Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri commented,
"The Prime Minister emphasised that radicalism and violent extremism have no place in democratic societies and, in particular, should not be permitted to exploit or misuse the freedoms offered by such societies He highlighted the necessity of addressing these issues within the existing legal frameworks available to both parties "
India’s request to address Khalistani extremism was based on several incidents occurring in Britain For example, during India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar's visit to London in March 2025, protesters disrupted an event at Chatham House, leading to a security breach India has reiterated its concerns following various incidents, such as demonstrations outside the Indian High Commission in January and efforts to disrupt cultural events, including attempts to halt the screening of the film ‘Emergency’ in Harrow
During Prime Minister Modi's visit to the United Kingdom earlier this year, he expressed India's apprehensions regarding the actions of Khalistani extremists, particularly those perceived as supporting secessionist activities During a joint statement with the UK Prime Minister in July, he remarked, "Those who misuse democratic freedoms to undermine democracy itself must be held to account ”
Before the Modi-Starmer meeting in October, a UK committee accused India of targeting dissidents seeking asylum Claims made by Sikhs for Justice, an organisation banned in India, were cited in the report, although India rejected the committee's findings The recent ban on Gurpreet Singh Rehal and Babbar Akali Lehar demonstrates a shift in the UK’s approach and signals support for stronger measures against Khalistani separatists, which may contribute to enhanced India-UK relations
Alpesh Patel
Winsto n Ch ur ch
A
Brent urges national ban on harmful paan products
Brent is w orking w ith the Gov ernm ent to call for an u rgent ban on the sale o f p aan products containing t
reached the
enfo rcem ent alone
I n a l e t
Monday, 8 December, the council set out the scale of harm caused by paan chewing and spitting, from rising cancer rates to significant damage to town centres and the growth of illegal tobacco supply chains
Its use in Brent has become increasingly visible, with blood-red stain-
i n g r o
s a n d shopfronts in areas such as Wembley and Ealing Road, costing the council tens of thousands of pounds a year
lasting damage to roads in the borough T h e c o u n c i l ’
S e c r e t a r y o f S t a t e f o r
P u
P
Minister for Employment
R i g h t s a n d C o n s u m e r Protection, highlighted the s e v e r e p u b l i c h e a l t h impact While England sees around 16 cases of head
a n d n e c k c a n c e r p e r
1 0 0 , 0 0 0 p e o p l e , B r e n t experiences over 90 cases per 100,000, making the
borough one of the worst affected areas in the country
In the letter, the council urged, “After a decade of efforts to discourage the use of paan, the council has hit the limit of what it can do without national policy change We’d be delighted for you or your officials to v i s i t B r e n t a n d w i t n e s s f i r s t h a n d t h e s c a l e a n d impact of this issue and to discuss how we can work in partnership to protect
public health, restore pride in our high streets and disr
chains
Cabinet Member for Public
,
said, “This is not about targeting communities, it is about dealing with individual actions that let us all
are spat on and our pavements are stained, public health is put at risk and w
thrive, it is our residents who pay the price
every legal tool we have, but the reality is that councils cannot close national l
That is why the law needs to change - simply put, a product that causes such serious harm simply should not be legally sold on our high streets ”
Basildon teen chosen as Duke of Edinburgh ambassador
E d inbu rgh ’ s A w ard (Do fE) Yo uth A mbassador
N
Basildon, was selected for the coveted role after her confidence, leadership and commitment to community service shone through while c o m p l e t i n g h
B
e , S i l v e r a n d G o l d D o f E Awards
As a Youth Ambassador, she will join others aged 16–24 in speaking at national events, meeting parliamentarians and helping shape
t h e c h a r i t y ’ s f u
y championing the issues that matter to young people
Saieesha began her DofE journey at Westcliff High
S
Baroness Kishwer Falkner and her legacy at the EHRC
Baroness Kishwer Falkner’ s term as chair of the Equality
an d H u
C
H RC ) h
com e to an end, clo sing five turbulent years that p laced her firmly at the centre of one of Britain’ s m ost div isive debates: how to balance wo men ’ s rig hts with those of transgender people
F o r B a r o n
F
l k n e r , the EHRC role became both the pinnacle of her public service and the toughest test of her resilience She faced relentless pressure of online abuse, political attacks and even an attempted internal coup based on unfounded claims Behind the scenes, she was battling advanced ovarian cancer, undergoing m a j o r s u r g e r y a n d chemotherapy while continuing to work She is now cancer-free
A life shap ed by mov em ent
B
Muslim family who migrat-
years were shaped by dis-
She arrived in the UK in 1976, at a time she recalls as the height of “Paki-bashing”
She later studied at the L
University of Kent, entering the House of Lords in 2004
Over two decades she served on influential committees, including chairing the Lords
Committee
Falkner initially resisted taking the EHRC role, worried she had been chosen for her “melanin mix”, as she once put it But she quickly realised the job aligned with her core principles
Her unfinished battle Falkner leaves the EHRC
from page 1
nervous to start Bronze during the pandemic, but soon found it transformative “It gave me independence and showed me I could do more than I thought,” she said Determined to make the DofE accessible to all young
from lower-income families, Saieesha is preparing to start a
p with the Civil Service
She recently represented
t h e D o f E
L i b e r a l Democrat party conference, urging politicians to back an Enrichment Guarantee, 80 hours of high-quality youth
a
g person
UK colleges curb Pakistan, Bangladesh admissions
S ev e ra l UK un i v er s i ti e s hav e trig gered f rustra tion
a m on g p ro s pe c ti v e s t udents after suspendi ng or restricting admissi ons from Pa k is t an a n d Ba n gla de s h, ci ting rising vis a misuse and p re s su re f r om t he H ome O ffi ce to tighten c om pliance T
e F i n a n c i a l T i m e s reports that at least nine i n s
University
these “high-risk” countries a m i d a s u r g e i n a s y l u m claims from international students T h e t o u g h e r s t a n c e comes
o n rates at 18% and 22%, other institutions have also suspended recruitment
Baroness Kishwer Falkner
Saieesha Bailoor
A S I S E E I T
When blessed w ith the g race of the Almigh ty and the supp ort of our comm unity, little else is needed in life I am grateful to serve once again
“Bhoolya Visarnya na bheru thājo re lol ” - never forget those who were close to you: elders, mentors, and those who shaped your life Their wisdom and love should remain alive in our hearts
These words, simple yet profound, continue to resonate with me, as does the hymn from my childhood in Karnali during my mother Pujya Kamalaba’s time
In today’s fast-paced world, many individuals become “forgotten souls,” gradually pushed to the margins, even by those they love
Some may live within their families yet feel completely alone This loneliness, in my view, is more harmful than cancer While cancer presents symptoms and can be
t r e a t e d m e d i c a l l y , l o n e l i n e s s i s invisible and its remedy lies in the warmth of family rather than any prescription
But where does this loneliness come from ?
W h i l e m o d e r n t e c h n o l o g y claims to connect families, many
p e o p l e a r e m o r e e n g a g e d w i t h their devices than those next to them This is especially tough on elders, who often struggle with
t e c h n o l o g y a n d d o n ' t a l w a y s receive patient help from younger
family members In Britain, "family" now typically means a small nuclear unit, rather than the larger
j o i n t f a m i l i e s o f t h e p a s t
Changing social structures, migration, and a desire for independence have led to smaller households, and increased loneliness
Loneliness can affect people in families or among crowds, caused by health issues, financial stress, chronic illness, or feeling ignored Its weight can be overwhelming, often leaving individuals unsure who to talk to or who cares how they feel Over time, this sense of isolation grows, leading people to withdraw into themselves, which h a r m s b o t h t h e i r p h y s i c a l a n d emotional well-being
Dear readers, it is important to recognise that not all older adults experience loneliness Many individuals in their seventies, eighties, and nineties lead active and fulfill-
A call of compassion and care
ing lives For instance, my close associate, Professor Chandrakant Patel, exemplifies this perspective; residing in the United States, he continues to travel independently to India each year even at the age of 91, engaging freely with col-
country
Similarly, as I approach 90, I remain devoted to my professional pursuits, travel whenever feasible, and strive to connect with others
Achieving such a lifestyle is con-
sound physical and mental health, a positive outlook, support from
lly , I
adh ere to a straig htforward princip le: “Make the most of tod ay ”
It is important to recognise that not all elderly individuals are able to avoid isolation As previously noted, many senior citizens experience loneliness for various reasons For these individuals, Age UK has played a significant role, aided by support from both government and the wider communi-
U K highlights the emotional circumstances faced by a substantial portion of the elderly population
On Christmas Day, approxim
u l t s dine alone, while roughly 760,000 lack suitable clothing for the festive period, and 670,000 neither meet nor communicate with anyone, spending the holiday in solitude The findings further indicate that many seniors feel neglected during Christmas, often due to a s s u m p t i o n s m a d e b y y o u n g e r
people regarding their preferences or health limitations Of the UK's population of 70 million, nearly 2 million are of Indian descent This
continued surge in the need for structured elderly-care services
How many elders in our families and communities are quietly
b
included Often, elders living with us may feel isolated or left out of
efforts we make to help them feel valued
We Indians grew up believing in the saying, “ a family that eats together, stays together ” Sharing a meal was never just about food, it was about talking, connecting and simply being there for each
everyone feel included, whether young or old But today, this lovely habit is slowly disappearing Busy routines, phones and separate schedules have taken over, and the warmth of mealtime is slipping away It’s time we bring this tradition back and remind ourselves how much strength it adds to a family
If you want to understand how a small, thoughtful gesture can bring light, joy, and enthusiasm into the lives of lonely elders t
Pa llavi ben or Palluben Patel of Twickenham, who have run Meet & Deep News for 40 years, invite anyone feeling lonely to join their Christmas celebrations at their shop, showing how simple gestures can bring comfort and joy to elders in the community
At their event, the Patel couple along with their two sons, Meeten an d Dee pen, host carol singing and serves food, creating an opportunity for the community to gather and connect When someone was unable to attend
raises important questions about how many elders within our own community may also encounter similar experiences of neglect
The government and welfare services do a great deal for senior citizens Some elders live in care homes, and some are in hospitals for treatment and support, where they at least get a chance to talk with people of their own age In the UK, the demand for elderly care and social-care homes has g r o w n s t e a d i l y o v e r t h e p a s t decade According to a report, in England alone, new requests for a d u l t s o c i a l - c a r e s u p p o r t h
e risen from around 1 81 million in 2015/16 to nearly 2 1 million by 2023/24, an increase of about 15% By late 2025, care-home providers across the UK were accommodating roughly 354,125 residents, of which more than 327,000 were older adults This rise is closely linked to shifting demographics: the population aged 65 and above
i
between 2020 and 2040, driving
due to illness, they started a live Facebook game show so everyone
each year to Meet & Deep News and have earned them the Point
Throughout the year, they also organise various community projects and fundraisers
groups, including the Sikh com-
Vegetarian Society, have led service initiatives, with temples and other community organisations also involved However, there is still a need for more active sup-
Christian and Muslim communities often lead in this area
Ultimately, while organisations help, real impact comes
Simple gestures: smiling, greet-
they’ve contributed, making it both a responsibility and a moral
Christmas, let’s reach out and brighten the lives of those elders who may be feeling alone
Knowledge, service, legacy: The distinguished journey of Lord Bhikhu Parekh
In recent years, an increasing number of couples have chosen to remain childless for various reasons This stands in contrast to a few
Traditionally, families anticipated the arrival of children soon after marriage, and if there were delays, various remedies were sought Local herbal practitioners, or Vaidyas, were frequently consulted, and blessings from saints, along with sacred rituals, were invoked to facilitate conception At that time, modern fertility treatments such as IVF were not available
Although times have changed, the desire for motherhood remains strong among many women When a child is born after a long period of waiting, families often devote significant love, care, and attention to the newborn particularly if it is a boy, who might receive names such as Bhikhu, Mafat, or Jutha Such children are regarded as blessings or "God-given" gifts, an observation made not only in India but also in Africa In Britain, however, these traditions are less common
A similar narrative emerged within the Parekh family of Amalsad, South Gujarat After several years of marriage, they welcomed a son named Bhikhu This child would later become an esteemed figure in the community, known globally as Professor Lord Bhikhu Parekh At the time, Amalsad was a small village, yet Bhikhubhai stood out for his intelligence and ambition He not only excelled in his own studies but also inspired his brothers to pursue higher education From Amalsad, he moved to the UK, Canada and eventually back to Britain, where he became a respected professor and was later nominated to the House of Lords His expertise and scholarly contributions are now broadly acknowledged within the academic community Even now, at around ninety years of age, he continues to attend sessions at the House of Lords with dedication
Living sixty miles from London, Lord Parekh commutes regularly and continues sharing his knowledge despite needing a walking stick
You may have read in Asian Voice dated 29 November 2025, (page 09) about the Parekh family’s remarkable contributions How alongside h
Teachers were once respectfully known as “Pantuji ” A teacher's role is to share knowledge, provide guidance, and serve society-qualities that Lord Parekh has embodied throughout his life
A renowned political philosopher, Prof Lord Bhikhu Parekh has authored many books and lectures, earning recognition for his contributions to both academia and society Our community proudly honours Lord Parekh and pays tribute to his parents, whose guidance and support helped shape such an extraordinary life
CB Patel
Lord Bhikhu Parekh during the launch of Soneri Smruti Granth at the House of Lords on 18 July 2025
Shashibhai and Palluben Patel
Stock image
L to R : Shashi, Pallu, Deepen & Meeten Patel
Lord
A Mother and Grandmother You Can Only Dream Of
Karan Bilimoria of Chelsea CBE DL
Having been brough t up in an arm y family with my late f at h er L t G en era l F N Bilimoria, who w as po sted
e v er y tw o o r t h ree yea rs through out his career, I was brought up in Hyd erabad , I w ent to 7 d ifferent schools, and end ed up at bo arding scho ol in Ooty in the Nilg iri Hills of Sou th India
From the age of 14, I have lived away from my parents, visiting them on my school and university holidays, and later when I came to study in England at the age of 19, coming to visit
t h e m o n a n n u a l t r i p s t o India, come what may
I h a v e a l w a y s b e e n extremely close to my par-
e n t s a n d t o m y y o u n g e r brother Nadir, and my own
g r a n d p a r e n t s i n
S i k a n d r a b a d a n d Hyderabad
As I built a business from scratch with all the ups and downs, building Cobra into a h o u s e h o l d n a m e i n t h e UK, I have realised that the most important part of life is family
I remember I met my South African wife Heather in London, a year after I started Cobra Beer When we were thinking of getting married, I thought it was very important for her to meet my family in India and for me to visit South Africa
it is my mother who has taught me all my values, and to this day at the age of 89, will guide me and give me, and her grandchildren, the w i s e s t a n d m o s t s e n s i b l e advice always embedded with the utmost integrity, and always insisting that we do the right thing, and she is always right to this day! It is thanks to my parents that I have always felt equally at home in the UK and India, and I have always wanted to put the two countries together, which I have fortunate to be able to do with Cobra Beer, an IndoBritish brand, with being the Founding Chair of the UKIndia Business Council, by being a member of the UKIndia Roundtable for many
I n d i a n wedding at the Indian High Commission, followed by a w e d d i n g o n t h e f a r m i n
South Africa, conducted by a Belgian Catholic priest, followed by a Zoroastrian Parsi
b l e s s i n g i n H y d e r a b a d , India, all within the space of one month I have been married six times to the same person!
From the time our four children were born, we have taken them to India every year, as well as of course to South Africa
They have felt absolutely at home in all three countries As my father said to me when I went to study abroad
s e n t w h e n h e s i g n e d t h e
school register where he had to declare his religion, and he unprompted and instinctively entered “Zoroastrian”
The children have been very close to their grandparents, to my father when he sadly passed away 20 years ago, and of course to my mother Yasmin, who they c a l l Y a s i m a , w h o l i v e s i n Dehradun, in the foothills of the Himalayas They have a wonderful relationship with h e r , w h e r e i n f o r e x a m p l e our older son Kai, from the t i m e h e w a s i n b o a r d i n g school, would regularly call her to give her news, get her advice
My parents would visit
to meet her family My par-
e n t s a n d f a m i l y i n I n d i a could not have been more
w e l c o m i n g t o H e a t h e r
Although no one in my family in the generations above
h a d m a r r i e d o u t s i d e t h e Parsi community, in my parents view, it did not matter what mattered was the individual and they took an i n s t a n t l i k i n g t o H e a t h e r and welcomed her into the family
W h e n w e m a r r i e d i n December of 1993, we had a Parsi religious ceremony in London, a civil ceremony in the Chelsea Town Hall, an Anglican Christian Church w e d d
to the UK as a 19 year old from India, “wherever you live in the world, integrate into the community you are living in, to the best of your ability, but never forget your roots” I have tried to live that advice, through both myself and my family
T h e c h i l d r e n h a v e a l l had their Navjote ceremony, i n i t i a t i n g t h e m i n t o t h e
Z o r o a s t r i a n r e l i g i o n , i n Hyderabad, India and they have also been baptised at birth, therefore being able to practice as Christians and
Z o r o a s t r i a n s W h e n o u r older son Kai joined Eton College, we were not pre-
the UK regularly and it was a joy for them to be with their grandparents here There is a note written to Kai by his g r a n d f a t h e r , L t G e n F N Bilimoria, dated June 2001, addressed to Field Marshall K a i B i l i m o r i a , w h i c h w e keep and treasure; Kai did not end up joining the army but was selected on the Fast S t r e a m o f t h e F o r e i g n , C o m m o n w e a l t h a n d Development Office and is now a diplomat, about to embark on his second foreign posting
When I was appointed Chancellor of the University of Birmingham in 2014, as
t h e f i r s t I n d i a n b o r n Chancellor of a University in G r e a t B r i t a i n , m y m o t h e r flew across for my installat i o n O f a l l t h e a p p o i n tments I have been fortunate and privileged to have held, this one meant more to her than anything as she is a p r o u d a l u m n a o f t h e University of Birmingham, having graduated in English Language and Literature in the 1950s She loved her time a t u n i v e r s i t y a n d u s e d t o a t t e n d c l a s s e s i n h e r s a r i every day She was President of University House H e r f a t h e r , J D I t a l i a , g r a d u a t e d i n C o m m e r c e
f r o m t h e U n i v e r s i t y o f
B i r m i n g h a m i n 1 9 3 0 , a n d her brother Fareed complete d h i s D o c t o r a t e i n M
g there in the 1960s
My mother has recently written her autobiography, titled “All My Days” and it is clear how she has been such an amazing bridge between the UK and India all her life, which I have continued, and now my children do We are all, including my w i f e H e a t h e
, a r e p r o u d overseas Citizens of India and Heather has even made t h e e f f o r t t o l e a r n s o m e Hindi over the years I was privileged to learn so much about leadership from my father, who was a distinguished and respected
l e a d e r a s C o m m a n d e r i n
Chief of the Central Indian Army, and had over 350,000 troops under his command He was also President of the Gurkha Brigade in India, the bravest of the brave troops, who he had the honour to command in war However,
years, and by today being the Co-Chair of the India All Party Parliamentary Group It is thanks to my parents that I feel very clear
MY FIRST DAY AT A NEW SCHOOL
There are moments in life that stay with us forever and for many of us, the first day of our school life at various points adds to our cherished memories Tiny hand holding a parent’s fingers, the oversized uniform, the shy glances in an unfamiliar classroom, making friends for a lifetime - these moments are tender, timeless, and deeply personal
We are delighted to introduce a new column, ‘My First Day At A New School’ The article is not restricted to just experiences of junior school, it could even be when you joined a new school after your 7+,11+ or even after the GCSEs.
We warmly invite you, to share your own memories. Age no bar.
Please send write-up in no more than 500 words, along with your name and a photo, to aveditorial@abplgroup.com by 31 December
Lord Karan Bilimoria at his installation as Chancellor of the University of Birmingham L-R: Vice Chancellor Professor Sir David Eastwood, Mrs Yasmin Bilimoria, Lord Karan Bilimoria, Lady Bilimoria and Pro-Chancellor Ed Smith CBE
Lord Karan Bilimoria extreme (left) with his family at their residence in Dehradun
Building tomorrow’s interfaith leaders
Dhiren Katwa
In Britain, interfaith initiat
the Royal Forest of Dean, the
onstrates
look like deep, practical, and transform ative
the Interfaith Leadership of
appearances It was a gathering grounded in action, cre-
work is not just about polite coexistence, but about culti-
empathy and insight
F
r i g h t s a c t i v i s t Z e r b a n o o
G i f f o r d t h e f i r s t n o nwhite woman to stand for Parliament in 1982 ASHA draws on the layered meanings of its name: hope in Sanskrit and Hindi; fortunate in Hebrew; life or one who lives well in Arabic and S w a h i l i ; a
Centre embodies this philoso p h y , w e a v i n g t o g e t h e r
reflection, and ethical leadership
Fourteen young people, representing a spectrum of faiths, presented projects to an audience of civic leaders,
What they shared was not abstract idealism, but con-
shaped by lived experience
One group tackled food poverty and farmers’ rights,
reconnect communities with
widespread active-bystander
crime Each project radiated
confidence and conviction: these young people were not
t h future; they were speaking as its emerging architects
Zerbanoo Gifford’s pres-
“We do not ask people to a
told the group “We ask them to honour their neighbours We are one family ” In a climate often defined by division, her words felt timeless and urgently contemporary
Even the lunch embodied ASHA’s ethos Prepared with produce grown on-site, i
quiet yet powerful reminder that sustainability, care for the earth, and community
not add-ons
What sets ASHA apart is
Interfaith dialogue alone can become performative; ASHA
c
faiths, but themselves and learn how to act from a place of empathy and courage
The retreat left me prof
p
l T h e s e young people, equipped with knowledge, practical tools, and moral clarity, are prepared to lead in ways that b
than widen them At a time when public discourse too often frames diversity as a threat, this gathering offered a
tive: that difference can be a resource, that hope is not naïve, and that leadership can be compassionate as well as capable
If Britain is serious about interfaith harmony, it cannot rely solely on institutions or official statements It needs spaces like ASHA, and the young leaders it cultivates, to model what ethical, inclusive, and action-oriented leadership looks like Their vision is bigger than the headlines dominated by d i v i s i o n a n d t h a t , p e rhaps, is the most hopeful sign of all
BAPS wins Health & Well-Being award 2025
BA PS Swaminarayan Sanstha w on th e H eal th & W ellBeing award at th e London
Dang oor A wards 2025 for its
i m p a c tfu l B A P S w el lN E S S p r o j ec t, w h i c h ad d r es s es h ealth disp arities in British S outh Asians, inclu ding dia-
b et es , h e art d is ea s e, and m ent al h ea lt h i s su e s T h e initiativ e promo tes sustainable lifestyle h abits that su pp o rt p hy sic al, m ental, and sp iritu al well-being
T h e L o n d o n D a n g o o r
A w a r d s r e c o g n i z e u
g heroes within London’s faith
society through service and collaboration, in partnership
w i t h t h e G r e a t e r L o n d o n
L i e u t e n a n c y ’ s C o u n c i l o n Faith
The award was presented a t t h e R o y a l S o c i e t y o f M e d i c i n e b y D r D a v i d
D a n g o o r C B E , f o u n d e r o f t h e D a n g o o r E d u c a t i o n f o u n d a t i o n , a l o n g s i d e
Bushra Nasir CBE DL, Chair o f H i s M a j e s t y ’ s L o r d L i e u t e n a n t o f G r e a t e r London’s Council on Faith Inspired by His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, the
B A P S w e l l N E S S p r o j e c t f o c u s e s o n f o u r p i l l a r s o f health: Nutrition, Exercise, S t r e s s M a n a g e m e n t , a n d
Sleep It empowers individua l s t o d e v e l o p s u s t a i n a b l e habits, integrating evidencebased guidance with spiritual
wisdom for a more balanced life
Over 30 volunteers contributed to expert-led talks,
w o r k s h o p s , a n d r e s o u r c e s like journals and cookbooks
T h e i n i t i a t i v e h a s r e a c h e d
t h o u s a n d s t h r o u g h i n - p e r -
s o n a c t i v i t i e s a n d d i g i t a l
h e l p i n g p a r t i c i p a n t s a d o p t healthier habits and positive lifestyle changes
S p e a k i n g o
Tanvi Raghvani said, “This award belongs to the volunteers who help others BAPS w
steps toward better health and a more purposeful life ”
BAPS London has long been recognised for its contributions to health, elderly care, women, children, and youth, earning awards such as the 2024 Elderly Welfare
C e n t r e , 2 0 2 3 I n t e r n a t i o n a l Women’s Day, 2022 Island of H e r o e s , 2 0 2 0 C o n n e c t & C a r e , 2 0 1 9 C o m m u n i t y Project of the Year, and 2018 Care Home Visits
Save Your Energy to Become Productive
Rohit Vadhwana
We often w ond er how we can become m ore prod uctiv e in life
Professionally, we w ant to d eliver better results; we h ope to achieve mo re in less tim e We read books on tim e m anag em ent and look for prod uctiv ity h acks, o nly to d isco ver that m any of them fail to d eliver the expected outcom e Disappo intment fo llows
If you wish to try a more effective approach, consider this: you don’t need more time to become productive, you need more energy Having plenty of time but no energy results in zero outcome But with high energy, even in a limited time and with limited resources, we perform better Why? Because every task requires energy as its primary input
Energ y com es in m any forms
- Physical energy enables us to perform manual tasks and sustain long hours of activity
- Emotional energy helps us navigate situations and relationships
- Spiritual energy creates inner harmony and generates positive vibrations
When all three are balanced, the body, mind and soul function in harmony Any deficiency in one area affects performance and results in that area
No car runs without fuel; it is the source of power for the engine Similarly, no human being can live or work effectively without adequate energy And just like the quality of fuel affects the engine’s performance, the quality of our energy determines the quality of our actions Negative forces also generate energy; criminals and anti-social elements often act vigorously, but with destructive energy Energy alone is not enough; its purity and direction matter To be more productive, shift your focus from time management to energy management Do not exhaust yourself on tasks that add little value to your life When energy is spent on trivial issues, you are left without the vital force needed for what truly matters
If energy is limited, where should it go? To the work that is most meaningful to you, not to the periphery
Understanding how much energy you have and where you want to allocate it is the foundation of energy management When you consciously conserve your energy for your highest priorities, productivity naturally improves Therefore, if you aspire to perform better in personal and professional life, remember this mantra: Save your energy to become more productive
(Expressed opinions are personal)
Sanskruti Centre fo r Cu ltural Exc ellence hosted a captivating In ter na ti o nal Gi
memorial, Capt Singh-Sohal
Paulette Henry, co-founder
received an OBE for tackling racial injustice in horticult u
, a n d Nationwide chief executive Dame Debbie Crosbie, the first woman to lead a “big six” UK bank, who was made a dame for services to financial services
s R o j a E r u k u l l a a n d D r S r e e r e k h a P i l l a i v i v i d l y b r o u g h t K u r u k s h e t r a a n d Vishwarupam to life, while Lakshmi Aveen, Manju Sunil a n d R a g a s u d h a V i n j a m u r i p r e s e n t e d c l a s s i c a l p i e c e s capturing the essence of all 18 chapters of the Gita A p o w
u l m o n o l o g u
o n Yuyutsu by Sushil Rapatwar r e c e i v e d e n t h u s i a s t i c applause Insightful
Dr Tanvi Raghvani and Dr Priyanka Oza accepted the award on behalf of BAPS from Dr David Dangoor CBE DL, (right) a prominent British businessman and philanthropist, and founder o
award certificate
Performers and presenters at Gita Mahotsav
Captain Jay Singh-Sohal OBE
Turning Shortages into Solutions: How Investors Can Unlock Retirement-Ready Stock
Few
o t h er A u t u m n Budg et announcements
ruffled feathers quite like the “ mansion tax” A surch arge lev ied on hom es valued o ver £2m, it has been co nd em ned by co mmentators, land lords, and indu stry insiders One g roup of peop le have been esp ecially focused on as an afflicted set: old er ho meowners and retirees
M a n y b a b y b o o m e r s who bought their homes several years ago, and have benefited from house price growth over the decades, are set to be hit particularly
h a r d b y t h i s l e v y M a n y within this cohort may be asset rich, but cash poor
Their ability to cover a new tax liability may be limited
This will be especially evi-
d e n t i n L o n d o n a n d t h e South East
F o r b e t t e r o r w o r s e , we ’ re likely to see rise in downsizing from older generations as a result of all this There is already a clear need here too which will only become more apparent as the months roll on Around one-in-seven over55s want to downsize in the current market, but have struggled to do so That equates to around 1 2 million people
T h i s w i l l l e a d i n t o another challenge, however As is the case with many
c o r n e r s o f t h e p r o p e r t y market, there is not enough
s u i t a b l e s u p p l y t o m e e t
d e m a n d M a n y o l d e r movers are keen to move i n t o b u n g a l o w s , w i t h everything on a single floor
Yet, despite their popularity with retirees, builders have not shown them the same enthusiasm In 1990 about 11% of all homes built
in the UK were bungalows
L a s t y e a r , t h e y m a d e u p only 1% of the total, according to the National House Building Council With an aging population, this issue may only worsen over the coming years
F o r t u n a t e l y , t h i s c r ea t e s o p p o r t u n i t i e s f o r property investors Getting
a
g downsizing trend could pay dividends as the 2028 man-
We’re set to experience rising demand for a limited supply of bungalows and
o
market could do very well
We even know where’s
struggles with limited stock
o
3% of retirement properties are already sold subject to contract (SSTC), but this r
32 3% in the North West,
Midlands
Should we see an uptick in property investors targeting downsizers, the specialist finance market will be able to offer many ways forward On top of acquisition finance, there is tailored renovation and refurbishment funding available
more amenable to retirees A
utilised commercial spaces, and turn them into prime residential assets A n d o n
Financial Solutions is more than happy to hear from
increasingly important care
will always present themselves at unwelcome times
however, is the solutions to those problems
A celebration of democracy at Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh UK
S i nc e 2 0 1 7 , H i nd u S w a ya m se v ak S a ng h U K
(HSS U K), an official partner of U K Parliam ent Week, has been promoting responsible citizensh ip and aw areness of Parliament’s role across the country In November 2025, over 3 6 S h a k h a s h o s t e d U K Parliament Week activities, engaging 2,178 participants and promoting awareness of d e
civic participation
As part of Parliament’s l a r g e s t a n n u a l p u b l i c e n g a g e m e n t c a m p a i g n , Shakhas from Edinburgh to Southampton and Cardiff to Chelmsford welcomed MPs, MSPs, councillors, mayors a n d L o n d o n A s s e m b l y members, who spoke about p u b l i c
n g democratic rights
Prime Minister’s Question Time enriched the particip a n t s ’ e x p e r i e n c e Y o u n g Swayamsevaks and Sevikas showed strong interest in roles within Parliament and local government, including Y o u t h P a r l i a m e n t a n d Youth Council opportunities, with advocacy and local issue discussions generating widespread enthusiasm I n a o n e - t o - o n e
exchange with politicians, 12-year-old Shivam shared
U K Parliament to make meditation and yoga compulsory in schools, given rising mental health issues among young people ” HSS UK engaged with 38
John Slinger, Jack Rankin, J
Yang, Mayor Anjana Patel and Cllr Nikhil Thampi Saqib Bhatti MP praised the initiative as “ a valuable contribution to expanding knowledge of our democracy ” John Slinger MP added t h a t H S S U
important role in bringing people together to explore new ideas,” emphasising the
people with the skills and opportunities to shape the future
Paresh Raja, CEO Market Financial Solutions
John Slinger MP (right) pictured with a young participant at the event
Attendees engaging during the programme
Dignitaries present at the event
Why India must stop exporting talent and start building giants
India invented the decimal place value system and the concept of zero, it produced classical surgical texts and gave the world yoga These are documented contributions that shaped global civilisation Yet today India’s technological strength appears more prominently in foreign companies than in firms founded at home The contrast is real and entirely reversible
Indian talent leads some of the world’s most powerful technology platforms, Sundar Pichai at Google, Satya Nadella at Microsoft and Neal Mohan at YouTube are only a few among thousands of Indian engineers and managers who succeed globally, their rise proves that India produces world class capability But while the IT services boom brings in tens of billions of dollars, it has also made talent export the national default, replacing the ambition to build products at home with the comfort of building careers abroad
The imbalance has deep historical and structural roots, colonial economic policies weakened India’s capacity for
reforms improved the environment but left gaps in research investment, venture creation and regulatory simplicity Building global leaders requires an ecosystem that funds long term research, tolerates risk and rewards founders who choose to grow from India rather than uproot to foreign markets
If India wants companies that begin, grow and remain in India, policy must be sharp and deliberate, research spending must rise, regulatory approvals for deep tech must move faster, procurement must give domestic start-ups a fair pathway to win early contracts and diaspora success must be channelled into mentoring and financing firms at home India can celebrate yoga and ancient surgical knowledge as a proud heritage but that pride must be matched with modern institutions and patient capital so that future rivals to Google, Microsoft and YouTube are conceived and built inside India, not just led by Indians abroad
Dr Narsinhbh ai Patel
Gearing up for the Commonwealth, yet how much will be put to real use?
T
Commonwealth Games 2030 has already been made, and preparations are now underway at full speed People living in the UK, who closely follow India’s growth and development, have also witnessed the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Modi, who had initiated preparations for hosting this event as early as 2021 Work on the required infrastructural facilities had already begun
However, many people have now started thinking, “Oh so this is why international-level tournaments and events were organised in India, especially in Gujarat!” Alongside this, a major question is being raised: while Prime Minister Modi will undoubtedly ensure full and thorough preparations at any cost, will he truly be able to prevent the sort of corruption that took place under previous governments?
The central government has announced funding of over £4 billion for the required infrastructure, and the allocation will certainly happen But the real question is: how much of this amount will be used in the right direction, and how much will be siphoned off?
These funds will not only be used for structural development but also distributed across sectors such as tourism, information, and various design and construction contracts At such a stage, it becomes crucial to account for every single rupee Is there a strong system in place to ensure this, or will corruption find its way once again?
It is widely acknowledged that the Prime Minister neit h e r t o l e r a t e s c o r r u p t i o n n o r a l l o w s i t a r o u n d h i m However, the challenge lies elsewhere: if individuals working in all these sectors engage in corrupt practices, detecting and preventing every such act becomes extremely difficult This is why a proper, transparent monitoring mechanism is essential
With preparations moving at a rapid pace, concerns remain that mistakes of the past, like the corruption scandals seen during the Delhi Commonwealth Games, could resurface if strict checks are not enforced The question now is whether the central government has put in place concrete safeguards to prevent any such possibilities
Rajesh
M ehta, London
President Putin's visit
President Putin hugs PM Modi tighter than any other presi d e n t H
friendship, a partnership of steel and soul From space to defence, energy to culture, we march together toward a brighter tomorrow
TS Karthik
Building a stronger India
“Naya Bharat” will go out to protect its people: PM Modi, as reported in AV dated 6-12 December 2025, clearly shows Mr Modi’s determination to fight terrorism from different angles He knows the importance of security, how to fight enemies – his “Mission Chakra” is a robust strategy to safeguard the country’s interests
Mr Modi urged the citizens to adopt nine resolutions, starting with water conservation, afforestation and some more Mr Modi can think at a global level, but as common citizens, we can always support the above two missions to make the country stronger from within, which will indirectly support national security
Water conservation does not require any special skills or efforts Just a bit more conscious approach towards using water, make sure we use only what we need Some people who have facilities to get water 24 hours a day, waste too much Drinking water in particular will be a major issue in future, if we do not start thinking now Having clean drinking water is really a privilege Clean water can also support a healthy life, free from waterborne diseases
Having dams and pipelines is good, but water conservation and using this vital resource judiciously are equally important Government can provide a global picture and ensuing risks, but it is down to the citizen to understand and implement them The result may not come in the short term, but to fulfil the dream of future generations to have clean drinking water, the work must start from today
Rishi
Sunak's plan to fix NHS productivity
Rishi Sunak has warned
are delivered, writing for The Sunday Ti
resident doctors, arguing that large pay rises would
government faces the same s
doctors a 22% pay rise last summer only to see further strike action
S u n a k s t r e s s e d t h a t while he respects doctors, the NHS is offering “ poor
v a l u e ” t o t a x p a y e r s , w i t h
productivity still below prep a n d e m i c l e v e l s T h e
H e a l t h F
i o n estimates that these losses cost the public £20 billion
a
hospitals need more skilled m a n a g e r s t o r e d u c e t h e
administrative burden on clinicians, alongside greater p a t i e n t c h o i c e a n d payment-by-results systems to incentivise efficiency
P r e v e n t i o n , h e s a y s , m u s t b e p r i o r i t i s e d , t h r o u g h a n t i - s m o k i n g policies, obesity reduction and wider access to weightloss drugs, as well as better triage, increased pharmacy u s e a n d p e n a l t i e s f o r missed appointments W i t h o u t s u b s t a n t i a l reform, Sunak warns, the N H S w i l l b e c o m e “unaffordable” and fail to meet patient needs
Elton and Orston: Britain’s loneliest railway station
E l t o n a n d O r st o n i n
Nott inghamshi re ha s been name d Br ita in’s “l one lie st” ra ilway sta tio n, record ing just 68 e nt rie s a nd exits in 2023–24 , a ccord ing to th e Of fice of Ra il and Roa d T h e r e m o t e s t o p , served by East Midlands Railway, operates only one train a day in each direct i o n f r o m M o n d a y t o Saturday With no Sunday service, no staff, seating, toilets or lifts, the station r e m a i n s o p e n l a r g e l y because closing stations is a c o
On Decem ber 6th, 1 992 , th e w orld wi tnes sed brave Hind us w ho embarked on a p ilg rimage to secure justice Justice that had been denied to them for hundreds of years Justice that was d enied even after India becam e an i nd e p en d en t
remained paralysed in an enslaved mindset that gave rise to collectiv e impotence However, on 6th December 1992, thousand s of Hindus and Indians m ad e their way to Ayod hya to take back their heritag e
The grotesque affront to the whole of humanity called the Babri Masjid was raised to the ground Enough was enough, Hindus who had been violated for centuries finally stood as one and took back what was theirs for thousands of years BY so doing, they took their first step towards restorative justice
Those on the left of politics, those who sided with the gangs of the Congress Party, those who had sold their h
screamed in unison their outrage To be clear, their outrage was not for Hindus and their rights; it was for I
Ayodhya and then had the audacity to build a Masjid in its place to humiliate all Hindus Just imagine, lily livered liberals’ outrage was in support of the perpetrators of this horrific crime against humanity, not for the victims who had suffered the pain for hundreds of years
Of course, I should remind you that during the time of the Islamist conquest of Bharat Varsh, they destroyed more than 50,000 Mandirs and in many cases they built Masjids in their place They desecrated Murtis, sacred symbols, and sacred Hindu areas And let’s not forget the millions of Hindus who were killed, violated, raped, and converted in the name of a faith
Ayodhya therefore represents the first step for Hindus in securing some justice for the historical crimes that were committed against them When in 2014 Prime Minister Modi came to power, he had promised that Shri Ram Mandir will be built and the first steps towards restorative justice would commence Prime Minister Modi true to his words, performed the groundbreaking ceremony in 2020; it set down a marker for the whole of India The message was clear, Indians in their own land cannot live as slaves to the tyranny of the past
The grand inauguration (Pran Pratishtha ceremony) for Shri Ram Mandir took place on January 22, 2024 The healing had started, the first steps for justice had been taken, and the people of Bharat Varsh stood united
In the words of Louis Farrakhan, an American religious leader and political activist who heads the Nation of Islam: ‘Th ere really can be no peace with out justice There can be no justice with out tru th And there can be no truth unless som eone rises up to tell you the truth’ Well, I am sure the ‘Natio n of Islam’ will not mind if the people of Bharat finally get justice and rise up to tell their lived truth
For far too long India has allowed its past subjugation to remain dominant Many of the institutions are still governed by the corrupt practice left behind by the invaders Too many of our cities, towns, villages, streets are still honouring the genocidal invaders of the past I often wonder why this madness continues even today and right under the noses of the BJP government Surely the time has come for the land of Sanatan Dharma to reclaim its glorious past
In the words of Sri Aurobindo ji, ‘ Wh en therefore it is said that Ind ia shall rise, it is Sanatana Dh arma th at shall rise When it is said that India shall be g reat, it is S anatana Dharma that sh all be g reat’ Jai Shri Ram, Jai Siya Ram
Labour councillor's illegal worker shame exposed
ticket sales At the other
was once again the UK’s busiest station, welcoming 98 million passengers in
Line has contributed to rising footfall
with 70 4 million journeys, while the busiest stations o
Hitesh Hing u
Kapil Dudakia
Rishi Sunak
Cllr Hina Mir
British Asian Trust names Hitan Mehta OBE as Chief Executive
The Boar d of Truste es of the B r it is h A si a n Tr u s t h a s
a nnoun ce d t he appoint ment of Hit an Me hta O BE as its n ew chief ex ecutive , succee d-
i n g R i ch a r d Ha w k e s O BE
a ft er his 10 ye ar s of tr ansforma tive lea der ship
Hitan Mehta played a key
r o l e i n e s t a b l i s h i n g t h e
British Asian Trust in 2007 as its first employee Over the past 18 years, he has worked closely with His Maje st y Kin g
C h a r l e s I II , f or m e r ly T he
Pr ince of Wales, and has been a core part of the Trust’s senior leadership
A l o n g s i d e R i c h a r d H a w k e s , h e h a s helped build the organisation into one of the most respected and innovative international charities in South Asia
Hitan has also been instrumental in the Trust’s global expansion across the UK, South Asia, the Gulf, and most recently North America He has led efforts to deepen engagement with the global South Asian diaspora, developing influential philanthropic, financial, and b u s i n e s s n e t w o r k s t o a d v a n c
Trust’s mission worldwide
R i ch a r d Ha wk e s s a i d , “ A f t e r a n
e
incredible 10 years with the British Asian Trust, I feel this is the right time to take on new challenges and hand over the baton to Hitan, with whom I’ve worked closely for the past decade I am grateful to the Board for the privilege of serving as CEO and wish the organisation every success in the years ahead ”
Hit an Meht a sha red his thought s on the appoin tmen t, saying: “It is a
W h e n Ni g e l F a r a g e
a nn oun ce d h is i nten tion to mak e a comeb ack to mains tream poli tics, f ew would h ave tak en the e ccen tri c, n o-f ilter lea der of Reform UK s eri ous ly But on e y ear on , thin gs se em to be taki ng a turn
Asian Voice previously reported that Reform UK is f i n d i n g u n e x p e c t e d t r a ction among one of Britain’s most influential and tradit i o n a l l y L a b o u r - l e a n i n g
c o m m u n i t i e s : B r i t i s h Indians Polling by the 1928 Institute, an Oxford-based
t h i n k t a n k s t u d y i n g t h e British Indian community,
r e v e a l s t h a t s u p p o r t f o r Reform UK has tripled in just a year, rising from 4% to 13%
Now, as the think tank takes its research ‘Iden tity,
R e p r e s e n t a t i o n & P ol i c y P rioriti es ’ to 10 Downing
S t r e e t t o s h a r e e a r l y i n s i g h t s , t h e q u e s t i o n looms: who is to be blamed for the rise of a hard-right
l e a d e r w i t h r a c i s t v i e w s , whose political ideas draw inspiration from America’s Donald Trump?
To answer this, the two main political parties of the country need to figure out
w h e r e t h e y a r e g o i n g wrong, and this report will help them get to the pulse of one of the most impor-
t a n t c o m m u n i t i e s t h e y need to regain traction in
P o l i c y p r i o ri t i e s d r i v i n g
privilege to take on
pivotal time for the British Asian Trust
As we enter a significant phase of global
Patron, and our partners and supporters for their continued trust in our mission
I would also like to recognise Richard’s tremendous contribution over the past decade Working alongside him has been a pleasure, and his commitment to impact has helped shape the organisation we are today I am committed to
we
ve created With our exceptional team, I look forward to expanding our global reach, driving innovation, and continuing to deliver meaningful, last-
South Asia ”
Lord Jite sh Ga dhia, Cha ir of the Boar d of Trustee s, said, “As a founding leader of the British Asian Trust, Hitan has helped shape the organisation’s values, networks, and global impact from the very beginning His deep understanding of South Asia, his credibility within international philanthropy, and the trusted relationships he has built across the British Asian community make him uniquely equipped to lead the Trust into its next chapter, building on Richard’s decade of transformational leadership ”
A lifelong commitment to community
Hita n Mehta tra ce s his family roots to Porb andar , Gujarat H is grandpar ents migra ted to Ugan da and Ken ya, a nd his par ents la ter sett led in the UK, where he has been and ra ised He cont in ue s to maintain st rong cul tural ties, k eeping Gujar ati tra ditions al iv e within his famil y and stay in g connected to the community through t he B APS Shri Swamin aray an Te mpl e in Ne asde n, Lon don Hitan has also been deeply involved in volunt e e
Purushottam Swaminara yan Sa nst ha), the global socio-spiritual Hindu organisation founded in 1907 by Brahmaswarup Shastriji Maharaj Over the years, he has contributed to several major BAPS initiatives, including playing a key role in the international launch of the film Mystic India He also oversees some of BAPS’s important relationships with Royal families, government officials, diplomats, and prominent business leaders His dedication to service was further demon-
township created by BAPS for the festival
In an interview with the Times of India, Hitan reflected on his lifelong association with BAPS His first trip to In dia was in 1983, at the age of four, whe n his pare nts tr avel led to Mumb ai for the con secrat ion of a te mpl e After completing his law degree, he volunteered full-time with BAPS for three years, an experience that shaped his early professional journey before he joined the British Asian Trust
In an inter view with Asian Voice in 2021, Hit an Mehta , then Ex ecut ive Dir ector of t he Br it ish Asia n Trust, detail ed the or ganisa tion 's rapid re sponse during the first wave of Covid-19 in India Recognising the urgent need for oxygen
The British Indian political shift
support
T o d a y , t h e B r i t i s h Indians are an integral part o f t h e c o u n t r y ’ s r h y t h m
t e d They need their representation to reflect their actual i s s u e s o v e r i d e n t i t y a n d rhetoric For many British Indians, crime ranks as a top priority In areas where law and order and economi c p
n a t e , Reform UK has positioned itself as a party that can ‘get t h i n g s d o n e ’ e
strong appeal
T h e ‘I d e n ti ty , Re p r e s e n ta t i on & P o li cy Prioriti es ’ report reveals a worrying surge in support for Reform UK, signalling a s h i f t t h a t p o l i t i c a l observers should take seriously While Labour continues to dominate across g e n d e r a n d a g
, Reform is gaining traction among older voters and the
s
, particularly those aged 76–
86+
Gender patterns show men are more likely to back Reform than women, and the party’s support among the eldest voters mirrors its a p p e
n s e r v a t i v e d e m o g r a p hics Meanwhile, Labour and the Green Party maintain s t r o n g s u p p o
younger and female voters, b u t R
o c i a l l y conservative segments suggests it could increasingly challenge established party loyalties
S
nearly two in five Reform
higher proportion than any
working class support and
L
classes, Reform’s rise could reshape political dynamics, p
voters
Dr
M BE , Executive C o-C hair of The 192 8 I n s ti t ut e, previously discussing the report with Asian Voice, said, “When we asked the community about their top five policy
p
e d u c a t i o n , t h e e c o n o m y , crime, health, and domestic poverty, which includes t h
crime as a policy issue has
and essential supplies for migrant workers, Mehta led the launch of the India Oxygen Appeal, partnering with local NGOs to distribute concentrators and cash transfers efficiently The campaign received widespread support from the UK public, media outlets, corporate entities, and high-profile donors, including contributions from children, pensioners, and even JK Rowling’s Volant Trust Mehta coordinated efforts despite personal and team hardships, ensuring over 4,800 oxygen concentrators were deployed and new oxygen plants established He emphasise d the power of commun ity coll ab orat ion, not ing the in volv emen t of faith groups, businesses, an d inte rnational support ers
Hitan’s deep commitment to the charitable sector and his success in leading major community and fundraising initiatives have made him a highly respected and recognisable figure in the British Asian community He was named one of the 100 most influential people in UK-India relations in 2018 In 2023, his contributions to the community and philanthropic work were honoured with the Or de r of t he B rit ish Empir e (OB E), awarded by His Majesty King Charles III
risen sharply since 2020, a n d p a r t i e s t h a t a d d r e s s these issues are gaining significant traction in these areas ”
The politics of money
Amidst increased supp o r t f r o m t h e p u b l i c , Reform UK has also surged ahead of both Labour and t h e C o n s e r v a
e r receiving a record-breaking £9mn donation from busin
C h r i s t
p h e r Harborne, the largest gift to a UK political party from a living donor The contrib u t i o n , m a d e i n A u g u s t , h e l p e d p u s h t h e p a r t y ’ s t o t a l t h i r d -
0 3 m n , c o mpared with £4 5mn for the Conservatives and £1 9mn f o r L a b o u r , E l e c t o r a l Commission figures show The injection of funds marks a turning point for R e f o r m , w h i c h h a s l e d national polls since April but previously struggled to a t t r a c t l a r g e - s c a l e d o n o r support This also leads to the rhetoric that Reform UK is the best option for voters and donors
Additionally, a milliona i r e C o n s e r v a t i v e d o n o r , Lord Malcolm Offord, elev a t e d t o t h e H o u s e o f Lords by Boris Johnson has d r a m a t i c a l l y d e f e c t e d t o R e f o r m U K , d e l i v e r i n g a significant political win for Nigel Farage He isn’t an e x c e p t i o n , b u t j o i n s a growing tide of defections
House of Lords peer, and dozens of local councillors, have defected to Reform UK in the past two years
It is clear that both the L
Conservatives need to self-
reflect because the loss of trust isn’t just among voters but also within their ranks
Reform UK is no longer a fringe player, its expanding base within key demographics represents a political leap that could signific a n t l y i n f l u e n c e f u t u r e elections if left unchecked
East African Asians gather for an evening of memories and reunion
The East African A sians ( EAA ) held a warm and no stalgic gath ering o n Saturday, 6th December, bringing to gether ind ivid uals with roots in Kenya, Ug anda, T anzania, and surrounding regio ns
Organised by Harshad Kothari, the event provided an opportunity for the community to reconnect and celebrate their shared heritage
The event offered guests a friendly space to reconnect, share memories and celebrate the cultural harmony they once experienced in East Africa People from different communities who lived together across the region came together, reflecting the unity and resilience of their shared past
A detailed report will be published in next week’s edition
Hitan Mehta OBE
King Charles III with Hitan Mehta
Nigel Farage
L-R: Subhash Thakrar OBE CB Patel Cllr Kanti Rabadia HE Nimisha Madhvani, Cllr Anjana Patel, Jaffer Kapasi OBE Harshad Kothari and Tony Matharu
Paedophile abused boy, caught with child images on phone
A youngst er was repeatedl y a s s a ul t e d a n d m is t re a t e d over several yea rs by a horrib l e p a ed op hi l e f r om B irm ingham
M o h a m m e d A l i o f
Onisbury Road, Handsworth, was the subject of an investigation after a kid under the age of thirteen reported to the police that he had been abused, including raped
Over the course of several years, Ali repeatedly raped the "vulnerable boy," taking advantage of him
It was discovered that the 23-year-old had 443 pornographic photos and movies on his phone, 250 of which were classified as category A
Ali entered a guilty plea to eight rape charges, four of which involved the rape of a youngster under the age of
Birmingham Crown Court, he also entered a guilty plea
to three counts of disseminating pornographic pictures of children
He was sentenced to 18 years in prison, of which 12 years would be spent behind bars and an additional six years on parole
said support and guidance are available on its rape and sexual assault support page A spokesperson added that the child abuse unit is specially trained to handle cases
through the court process Survivors of sexual assault
with life-long anonymity
Teen girl attacked and racially abused in Birmingham
P o l i ce h av e
au nc h e d an investig ation after a teenage g irl was assaulted and sub-
j e ct ed t o rac i al ab us e in
B i rm i ng h am ci ty c en tre
T h e attack to ok plac e on Bridge Street, near the Hyatt
R eg e nc y h o tel , a t aro u n d
4 4 0 p m o
S atu
d ay , Nov em ber 8
f
HMRC officer jailed for £200k fraud
A tax officer who frau dulently pockete d m o re th a n £200, 000 to clear his wedd ing d ebt h as be en j ai le d Mohamm ed Daar, 36, was d escribed as
so phisticated scam in which he m anipulated taxp ayers
to
lse mi leag e claims, funnelling the money into acco unts co ntrolled by him or his associates Bradford Crown Court heard that Daar, of Princeville Street, Bradford, had a gambling h
debts He joined HMRC in 2016 as a customer service consultant and was issued a unique PID number to track his activity He has been sentenced to three years in prison for fraud and money laundering Daar abused his role processing mileage claims to access taxpayer records and create
MEN FOUND GUILTY IN KABADDI BRAWL THAT ESCALATED TO DPD DRIVER’S KILLING
A s p o k e s p e r s o n s a i d : “ D o y o u r e c
g n
s e t h i s woman? We want to speak to her after a teenage girl was assaulted and racially a b u s e d o n B r i d g e S t r e e t , B
O f f i c e r s h a v e n o t y e t identified the offender and have now released a grainy CCTV image of a woman they wish to trace and speak to in connection with the incident W e s t M i d l a n d s P o l i c e said they are appealing for a n y o n e w i t h i n f o r m a t i o n about the attack to come forward
e r “We have reviewed CCTV a n d c a r r i e d o u t s e v e r a l e n q u i r i e s b u t h a v e s o f a r been unable to identify her The area was busy at the time, and we believe someo n e m a y h a v e s e e n w h a t happened ”
Police step up hunt for missing student Aryan Sharma
D ete cti v es a re c o nti nu i ng
t h e s ea rc h f o r m is s i ng
L o ug h bo ro u g h s tu d en t
A ryan Sharm a and are urgi ng anyone wi th inform ation to com e forw ard The 20-year-old was last seen on CCTV on Meadow
L a n e a t 1 2 3 0 a m o n S a t u r d a y , 2 2 N o v e m b e r ,
w a l k i n g t o w a r d s t h e Stanford on the Soar area
Police are appealing for a n y s i g h t i n g s o f h i m between 12 15am and 2am on Meadow Lane, Stanford Lane or nearby, and are asking motorists to check their dashcam footage
D e t e c t i v e I n s p e c t o r
J o n a t h a n D i c k e n s s a i d : “ W e ’ r e p i e c
coat walking in the early hours? Anything you saw or captured may help us trace where he went next ”
Extensive resources are being used to find Aryan, including specialist search teams, drones, dogs, divers,
Search and Rescue Officers
accounts
August 2022, he falsified 101 records and funnelled £211,715 21 into 66 bank accounts, using Moosa Hajat and Arslan Ahmed to receive some payments and return the money to him minus a fee
Quick-release hijab goes into production for Muslim police officers
A hijab w ith a magnetic “quick-release system ” to protect fem ale Muslim police officers on patro l has gone into p rod uction
Developed by De Montfort University and Leicestershire Police, the design allows the lower section to detach instantly if pulled, reducing the risk of strangulation while maintaining modesty S
wearing the hijab as part of her uniform
m
“proud and empowe
Nas
Hijab, developed over three years by Det Sgt Yassin Desai and De Montfort University, features a quick-release lower section to protect officers while maintaining modesty Successfully tested on female officers, it has attracted interest from police forces, NHS trusts, paramedics, and the private sector
Three men involved in a violent brawl at a Midlands Kabaddi tournament which led to the murder of a DPD worker have been convicted The clash between two rival groups in summer 2023 left several people injured with reports of gunshots and machetes being used Footage showed 35-year-old Boota Singh chasing members of the opposing group Although he was unarmed during the incident police later found two machetes in the boot of his car when he was stopped two days afterwards Damanjit Singh, 35, and Rajvinder Takhar Singh, 42, were also seen carrying large knives during the brawl All three were convicted at Derby Crown Court in November Boota Singh, 35, of Witham Drive, Derby, was found guilty of violent disorder after earlier admitting possession of an offensive weapon Damanjit Singh, of Powell Place, Tipton, was convicted in his absence of violent disorder and possessing a bladed article Raj Takhar Singh of Patterdale Drive Huddersfield was convicted of violent disorder and possessing an offensive weapon The trio will be sentenced on December 19 The violence which broke out near Elvaston Lane in Alvaston on August 20 2023 has already led to seven other men being jailed, while two more were acquitted
MISSING POLICE OFFICER BELIEVED TO HAVE DROWNED
A coroner has said that a police officer who went missing after a night out is believed to have drowned PC Rehaan Akhtar, 28, was last seen in the early hours of 23 November after drinking with friends in Bristol but never returned to his hostel His body was recovered from the Bristol harbourside the next morning and identified by his mother A post-mortem gave a provisional cause of death as drowning An inquest has been opened and adjourned Mrs Rookes said all statements and evidence must be submitted to the coroner s court by January 5 2026 She added: “I will provisionally list this inquest for February 24 2026 at Avon Coroner s Court though this date may change depending on further evidence The inquest is now adjourned Mr Akhtar from Llanelli, served with South Wales Police, joining as a PCSO in Cardiff in 2021 and becoming a constable in Swansea in 2023 Chief Constable Jeremy Vaughan described his death as “shocking and saddening,” praising his “pride and professionalism” and offering condolences to his family and friends
w Lane at 12 30am Any furt h e
n g s , d
c a m footage or CCTV could be vital “Did you see a young man in a long black trench
o m when he left his accommodation in the Woodgate area at 9 20pm on Friday to his l a s t s i g
Aryan is Asian, 5ft 5ins tall, slim, with collar-length black hair He was last seen wearing a black trench coat,
call Leicestershire Police on 101, quoting incident 208 of 23 November
Sikh charity to host festive dinner for homeless people
A S ikh ch arity wi ll transf o rm Bi rm in g h am ’
S treet Station into a winter w ond erland this C hristmas
and is asking
ner for the homeless and those facing severe poverty, offering a three-course meal with entertainment including a DJ, carol singers, and a visit from Father Christmas With rising living costs, more people are struggling to afford food, making the
source of comfort, companionship, and joy during a
loneliness
Hijabs have been part of UK police uniforms for several years, with North Yorkshire Police introducing a two-piece design in 2020
Leicestershire in 2021
Girl uses TikTok trick to foil rapist
Detectives appreh ended a Birm ing ham rap ist wh o used S napchat to gro om a youngster after the g irl he sexually assaulted co urageou sly pho ned for assistance by "asking for a pizza "
The astute 15-year-old victim mimicked a TikTok video she had watched in which a victim of sexual assault had called the police to "order a pizza "
On July 28 of this year, the West Midlands Police call handler promptly sent officers to the Druids Heath location after realising the adolescent meant she was in danger
After being raped by 41-year-old Abdul Kahar, the woman was abandoned on the side of the road She was able to identify her attacker s car and registration, which led police to his residence
In June, Kahar, of Anthony Road, Alum Rock, met his victim on Snapchat while pretending to be a 17-year-old lad named "Jay "
In July, he picked up the girl in his car, gave her wine, and then sexually assaulted her
MAN CONVICTED OF TEEN ASSAULT
A man who raped and strangled an 18-yearold woman just hours after meeting her on a flatmate-finder app has been jailed for 12 years Mirza Begg, 34, lured the teenager to his Birmingham flat with the promise of a room, then showed her a stash of knives, a sword and bullets before attacking her A jury found him guilty of rape two counts of assault by penetration, intentional strangulation, making threats with a bladed weapon and assault Begg had claimed the encounter was consensual Prosecutor Joshua Purser told Birmingham Crown Court that Begg lured a vulnerable teenager via the Roomies app intimidated her with weapons and held her against her will before sexually assaulting her The victim was rescued after contacting a friend Begg with prior convictions for battery and theft, appeared via video link and denied consent, though none was found Judge Simon Drew KC sentenced him to 12 years, requiring him to serve two-thirds in custody, and ordered lifelong registration on the sex offenders register
Mohammed
Aryan Sharma
Mohammed Daar
PC Seher
s
Britons seek care, culture, and family abroad
M ed i c al to u ri s m h as b ec o m e a
m aj o r g lo b al tre nd , w i th U K
p a ti en ts i n cr eas i ng ly tr av e ll in g o verseas for faster, m ore affordable, and personalised healthcare
Rising NHS waiting tim es, now at 7 41 million despite a £25bn fundi n g bo o
d omestic costs, are driving Britons
t o seek trea tm ent abro ad
d ent al w o rk and o rth op aed i c surgery to fertility, cosmetic, and card iac proced ures A
N
than half a million UK residents travelled abroad for medical treatment in 2024, a 244 per cent increase from 2018 Long NHS waits and rising costs are key motivators, while analysis by the Nuffield Trust shows waiting times for hip replacements, one of the most popular procedures undertaken abroad, rose nearly 50 per cent in 2023, from 87 to 128 days Dental care costs have also increased, with NHS charges rising steadily, and 158 NHS hospitals rated “Inadequate” or “Requires Improvement” by the Care Quality Commission in 2024
I n d
y appealing destination The country offers a dedicated medical visa, a medical attendant visa for carers, and specialised healthcare corridors for international patients India is
addressing the health needs of foreign visitors by providing fast access to high-quality treatments at competitive prices (For more information see page 4)
British patients are now more informed a n
abroad, supported by online information,
transparent pricing While traditional destinations like Turkey, Poland, Portugal, and Italy remain popular, India is quickly becoming a top choice for those seeking timely, reliable, and cost-effective healthcare
This feature explores the growing appeal of medical tourism in India, the provisions being offered, and why increasing numbers of Britons are turning to international destinations to meet their healthcare needs
Why India is becoming a global health destination
I ndi a is rapi dly emerging as o ne of the world’ s most sought-after des tinatio ns for medi cal treatment, attracting p atients from the UK , Europ e, the US , th e Middle East and
A f ri c a A c o m bi n at i o n o f a ff o r da bi l i ty , s trong c lini cal ou tco mes and wo rld-class h ealthcare infrastructure is pos itio ni ng the co untry as a global h ub fo r hi gh -qu ality, accessible care
One of the biggest drivers of medical tourism to India is the dramatic cost difference Treatments that cost tens of thousands of pounds in the UK or EU, and far more in the US, are typically available in India at a fraction of the price, often 60–80% cheaper Crucially, this lower cost does not come at the expense of quality For
m a n y i n t e r n a t i o n a l p a t i e n t s f a c i n g l o n g waiting lists or unaffordable bills, India offers a safe and timely alternative especially as India’s top-tier medical institutions consistently deliver outcomes that match international benchmarks
In complex procedures, such as cardiac s u r g e r y , j o i n t r e p l a c e m e n t , o r g a n t r a n splants, oncology treatments and fertility care, Indian hospitals have success rates comparable to leading global centres
World-class ho spitals p owering the boo m India’s top-tier government hospitals a
their clinical excellence and affordability
NIMHANS are internationally recognised for specialist care, cutting-edge research, and highly skilled doctors
India’s private healthcare ecosystem has also expanded rapidly, with hospital chains
Healthcare and Aster DM Healthcare setting new standards in clinical excellence
These hospitals combine advanced techn
imaging, precision oncology, with integrat-
ed patient services that appeal to international travellers, including multilingual support and dedicated international patient lounges
Backed by a digital backbone and rising medical visas
A
Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM), which aims to create a unified digital health ecosystem It links hospitals, clinics, labs and pharmacies through secure electronic health records For foreign patients, this means smoother medical journeys, seamless record sharing, e-prescriptions, and easier
ABDM is becoming a foundational asset for India’s global healthcare competitiveness
India has also overhauled its medical visa process, making it easier for patients and their attendants to travel for treatment
The government’s “Heal in India” initiative further promotes the country as a premier global healthcare hub by standardising quality benchmarks, improving international patient services and coordinating with hospitals to ensure transparent pricing
With world-class expertise, advanced t e c h n o l o g y , c o m
n increasingly seamless patient experience, India’s position as a global health destination is only set to strengthen As medical travel rebounds globally, India is not just keeping pace, it is leading the way
India’s medical tourism climbs with 131,000 arrivals
between January and A pril 20
Gajend ra Singh Sh ekhawat in the Rajya Sabha
Over the past five years, B
the single largest source of
482,336 patients in 2024 It
Uzbekistan (8,921) Overall,
8 7 f o r e i g n p a t i e n t s travelled to India for medic a l c a r e i n 2 0 2 4 , a s h a r p i n c r e a s e f r o m 1 8 2 , 9 4 5
Immigration figures show
While medical tourism is largely driven by state gove
n m e n t s a n d U n i o n Territories, the Centre supports these efforts through t a r g e t e d s c h e m e s a n d national initiatives like the ‘Heal in India’ programme India has also expanded e-
medical visa and e-medical attendant visa facilities to citizens of 171 countries S t a t e s
developing their own strategies In Gujarat, authorities a
tourism by registering wellness retreats on the Tourism D
events, organising
amplifying wellness centres through digital campaigns The state is also investing in global health diplomacy, showcasing its hospi-
Key statistics on Indian medical tourism
v 131,856 medical FTAs recorded Jan–Apr 2025 (4 1% of total arrivals).
v Foreign medical tourists increased from 182,945 (2020) to 644,387 (2024)
v 660,000 foreign patients visited India in 2023 postCOVID recovery.
v Industry valued at US $7 69 billion in 2024
NRIs flock to India for affordable healthcare and medical treatments
With the ever-increasing costs of healthcare in countries like the UK, the US, and Canada, India has become an attractive alternative, offering world-class medical services at a fraction of the cost
state-of-the-art technology, makes it an appealing option for NRIs who may be seeking m
A namika Ghosh added, “Medical tourism in India is definitely on the rise
Many of my relatives living abroad travel to India for their healthcare needs, particularly dental treatments
Dental fees in the US, UK, and Europe are notoriously high, and in the UK, it’s also difficult to even get an a p p o i n t m e n t w h e n y o u n e e d i t I t ’ s o f t e n m u c h cheaper to fly to India for dental work, and the quality is just as good, if not better I make sure to get all my dental work done there every year In addition, I also visit India for eye care, as getting an eye checkup or glasses here is extremely
effective treatment options
For NRIs, the decision to travel back to India for medical care is often motivated by a combination of factors These include the opportunity to access high-
shorter waiting times, the comfort of receiving treat-
invaluable support of family a
recovery
The rise of India’s medi-
expensive If I need quick m e d i c a l d i a
o r medicines, India is my goto place It’s far easier and m o
t m e d i c a t
n s l i k e painkillers and antibiotics there than it is in the UK ”
cal tourism industry fur-
appeal by offering spe-
D E N T A L I M P L A N T S
Your path to a strong, confident smile!
A miss ing too th can s ometimes make eating, s mil ing, or s peaking f eel a little uncom fortable but guess w hat? M odern dentis try has an amazing s olution th at l ooks and feels just l ike a real to oth It’s cal led a dental impl ant!
W hat exactl y is it?
across the country providing a broad spectrum of treatments, from routine checkups to com-
and
healthcare solutions
Mukhopadhyay shared, “I
came to India to address my dental issues In the UK, dental care is not cov-
the NHS, which makes it expensive For someone like me, the more affordable option is to come to I
appointments with dentists here for a root canal
ments, which will cost me just about 10% of what I would have spent in the UK ”
A dental implant is a tiny, strong titanium post that acts like the root of your natural tooth It’s carefully placed into your jawbone, and once it heals, a beautiful custom-made crown is attached on top The result?
A tooth that looks natural, feels natural, and lasts for years!
At O Sh reeji Dental Cl inic and Imp lant
C entre, we make the implant process smooth and comfortable Advanced techniques like needle less anesthesia and guided surgery
m
ensure precision and comfort at every stage
Dr Hemal Shah and Dr Sejal Sh ah, the founder of O Shreeji Dental Healthcare Pvt Ltd They have over 25 years of expertise in dental implants Both of them have done
implants from Harvard
hoo
of dentis try, Bos ton They have vast knowledge about the latest techniques in implant den-
smiles with compassion and personalised care
How the pro cess wo rks
At O Shreeji Dental Clinic and Implant Centre, we make the implant journey smooth and stress-free:
w C onsu ltatio n and pl anning – Video consultation/in clinic consultation
w I mp lant pl ac ement – Comfortable surgery with the help of guide
w Healing time
The implant fuses with your bone, creating a strong foundation w C row n p lacement
A single or multiple tooth is fixed on top With the help of the latest techniques we can place the crown immediately after surgery A crown that perfectly matches your smile
If you ’ re ready to restore your smile, dental implants may be the perfect solution for you!
Rise of ‘recovery tourism’
Why more patients are choosing to heal in India
In dia’s medic al touris m boom i s enterin g a new phase, “ rec overy tourism ” , as pa ti ents from the U K, Europe, the Middle Eas t and Asia i ncreas ingly choose to recuperate in resort-s tyle settings after undergoing treatmen t in the country’s top hospitals From Ayurvedic retreats in Kerala to lux ury welln ess resorts i n Goa an d Raj asthan, recovery has bec om e as importan t as the treatment i tself
g e nv ironm ent has ma de In dia the got o pla ce for those look ing t o r e s t or e t he i r ha i r wi t ho ut br e a k i n g t h e ba n k He r e 's why patie nts fr om a cr oss the g lobe a re choosing India for t heir ha ir tr ansplant nee ds Affor dable y et hig h-quality t re atme nt
One of the key reasons
i n t e r n a t i o n a l p a t i e n t s choose India for hair transplants is cost-effectiveness
H a i r t r a n s p l a n t c o s t s i n India can be 40–70% lower than in countries like the USA, UK, Canada, Australia,
o r S i n g a p o r e W h i l e h a i r r e s t o r a t i o n t r e a t m e n t s i n the West can cost tens of thousands, patients in India pay a fraction of that price for world-class results, mak-
ing it an appealing option for affordable, high-quality hair restoration G lobally t ra in ed doctor s India is home to highly skilled and experienced hair transplant surgeons, many o f w h o m h a v e r e c e i v e d training from internationall y r e c o g
s
Using advanced techniques like FUE, FUT, and robotic h a i r t r a n s p l a n t s u r g e r y , Indian doctors deliver effective, minimally invasive proc e d u r e s K n
global patients seeking highquality results
In ter nat ionally accredit ed safet y prot ocols I
dability and quality, safety is a top priority for hair transplant procedures in India Leading clinics follow internationally accredited safety protocols, ensuring sterile environments and reducing complications With FDA-
niques, and globally recog-
dards, making
trusted
What began as a practical need for rest after surgery is now a fastgrowing industry combining healthcare, hospitality and holistic wellness Patients who travel to Indi a for procedures such as join t replacem ents, cardiac surgery, cosmeti c procedures or fertility treatments are now booking extended stays at medi cal-li nked resorts offerin g ta ilored postoperative care Healing the n atural way
Ayurveda has become a key draw for international patients seeking natural and minimally invasive recovery pathways Across Kerala, Karnataka, Uttarakhand and Goa, specialised Ayurvedic centres now offer postoperative rehabilitation programmes designed in consultation with modern medical teams Thes e in clude the ra pi es suc h as abhyan ga (therapeuti c mas sage) , panc hakarma detox treatments , herbal pain- managem ent routi nes, stress -relief therapies, and pers ona li sed diet plans that support tis sue repair and im munity
Ayurvedic centres across India now collaborate with orthopaedic, oncology and cardiac specialists to design pain-relief and rejuvenation packages tailored to patients fresh out of clinical treatment
Physiotherapy retreats, particularly in the South, offer intensive mobility programmes for jointreplacement patients, helping them regain strength faster than in conventional hospital settings Kerala, long recognised for its Ayurveda heritage, has taken recovery tourism to the next level with medical–wellness retreats offering personalised Ayurvedic massages, pain management therapies and doctor-supervised recovery plans
Goa’s beachfront recovery centres, on the other hand, offer physiotherapy, stress-relief therapies and diet plans designed for post-surgery healing with a mix of luxury The state has seen a sharp rise in visitors who
combine medical treatment in Mumbai, Pune or Bengaluru with a few weeks of seaside rehabilitation Hos pi tals addin g wellness packages
Major hospital groups, including Apollo, Medanta and Max Healthcare, are responding to the trend by partnering with resorts or launching their own recovery programmes
These pack ages in clude airport tran sfers, nursi ng support, teleconsultations, dietary planni ng and structured phy siothera py ses sions, ens uri ng contin ui ty of care outside hos pital walls
With rising demand for smoother, stress-free healing journeys, recovery tourism is emerging as a natural extension of India’s medical tourism success By blending clinical care with holistic wellness in some of the country’s most picturesque locations, India is redefining what healing can look like, turning treatment into an experience, and recovery into a destination
Dr Hemal Shah & Dr Sejal Shah
Anirban Mukhopadhyay
Anamika Ghosh
Panchakarma detox
The growing trend of traveling for dental treatment
In the U K, dental care is typically div ided into two cate-
g o ri es : N HS d ent i st ry, w h ic h i s su b si d i s ed a nd restricted to clinically necessary proced ures, and private d ent i st ry, w h i c h o p er ate s independ ently and offers a broad er range of treatm ents
NHS dental care, though a f f o r d a b l e , i s l i m i t e d t o basic procedures and banded treatments, leaving more complex or cosmetic work outside its scope
For many, this means that NHS care doesn’t cover
t r e a t m e n t s l i k e d e n t a l implants, veneers, or teeth whitening, services that are increasingly sought after in today's world of cosmetic dentistry While NHS treat-
m e n t i s c o s t - e f f e c t i v e , i t comes with its own set of constraints, such as limited availability, longer waiting times, and shorter appointment slots
Private dentistry, on the other hand, offers the flexibility to choose from a wide array of treatments, including cosmetic and aesthetic work, without the limitat i o n s i m p o s e d b y N H S
bands However, the downside is that private dentistry is expensive, with patients required to cover the full
c o s t o f t r e a t m e n t o u t o f pocket For many people, this price tag can be prohibitive, particularly when procedures can easily run into the hundreds or thou-
sands of pounds
The cost and limitations of NHS dentistry, coupled with the rising demand for m o r e s p e c i a l i s e d t r e a tments, have contributed to a
tourism UK patients, frustrated by long waiting times and the lack of access to d
s i r e d t r e a
n t s , a r e increasingly looking abroad for dental care Countries like India, Hungary, Turkey and Thailand, have emerged as popular destinations for d
high-quality care at a fraction of the price patients would pay in the UK for similar procedures
ments, such as teeth whiteni
l a n t s , veneers, and orthodontics
In some cases, patients can
save up to 70-80% on dental costs compared to private c l i n i c s i n t h e U K T h e s e countries often boast internationally accredited dental clinics, with highly trained professionals and state-ofthe-art facilities, ensuring patients receive the same quality of care they would expect at home
M o r e o v e r , d e n t a l t o u r i s m o f t e n a l l o w s patients to combine medical
treatment costs significantly lower than in the UK, many people are opting to travel for dental care while enjoying a vacation at the same
, known as "medical tourism," not only offers substantial cost savings but also reduces the waiting times associated with private treatment in the UK, providing a win-win situation for patients looking to address their dental needs without breaking the bank T h e g r o w i n g
f traveling abroad for dental care is a reflection of the evolving global healthcare
patients are becoming savvy
vices As more people discover the benefits of dental tourism, including cost savings, high-quality care, and t h e o p p o r t
n extended holiday, this sector i s e x p e c t e
expanding
Key tips for knee and hip replacement recovery
Reco very after knee or hip rep lacem ent surgery is cru-
c i al t o ens u re l o ng - t erm m obility, streng th, and comfort While the su rgery itself is a major step forw ard, how w ell you fo llow the po st-
o p e rat i v e g u i d e li ne s a nd take care of yourself during reco very will make all the d ifference Here are som e key th ing s to keep in m ind d uring your recovery phase:
F ollow the p ost-op erative care plan
After surgery, your sur-
g e o n a n d p h y s i o t h e r a p i s t will provide a specific postoperative care plan, including instructions for wound care, medication, and physical therapy It's essential to follow this plan carefully
Skipping any step could lead
t o c o m p l i c a t i o n s o r s l o w
d o w n y o u r r e c o v e r y P a y close attention to how often you need to take medications, and ensure you attend all follow-up appointments
Physical th erapy and reh abilitation
Physical therapy is a vital part of the recovery process
It helps strengthen muscles, i m p r o v e f l e x i b i l i t y , a n d r e g a i n m o b i l i t y I n I n d i a , m o s t r e p u t a b l e h o s p i t a l s offer physiotherapy services as part of their post-surgery
package Be consistent with your rehab sessions, as they play a crucial role in improving the range of motion in your knee or hip
Rest and elev ation
While physical therapy is important, it’s equally crucial to allow your body time to rest and heal You’ll need to keep your affected leg elevated, especially during the f i r s t f e w d a y s , t o r e d u c e swelling Avoid overexerting yourself and ensure you ’ re g e t t i n g e n o u g h r e s t
Strenuous activities can disrupt your healing and lead t o c o m p l i c a t i o n s l i k e inflammation or blood clots
Diet and nutrition for healing
A balanced diet is crucial to promote healing Focus on foods rich in protein, vitamins (especially Vitamin C and D), and minerals like c a l c i u m a n d i r o n T h e s e
Why India is a leading choice for IVF
Infertility affects mill io n s o f c o u p le s w o rl d w id e , an d th e emotional strain can b e i m m en se Y et ad v an ce s in rep
VF
, have transformed the landscape of ho pe I
, India has become one of the world’s most
for IVF, drawing patients f
East, Africa and beyond Its combination of high-quality
i n g l y p r e f e r r e d
choice Here’s why A ffordable treatm ent India offers IVF at a fraction of the cost charged in the UK, US or Europe, often 60–70 per cent lower, while
m a i n
standards of care
Cutting-edge technolo gy
Top Indian fertility centres use the latest reproductive technologies, including I C S I , P G T , a n d a d
The country is home to some of the world’s most respected IVF experts and embryologists, whose exper
trust among international patients C omp rehensive, p atient-centred care
Clinics provide
n u t r i e n t s s u p p o r t t i s s u e healing, strengthen bones, and boost your immune system Your surgeon may provide additional dietary recommendations, such as taking specific supplements to help with bone health and recovery
A cco mmod ation and travel considerations I f y o u ’ v e t r
v
e d t o India for the surgery, ensure that you have a comfortable place to stay during recovery You’ll need access to facilities like transportation for hospital visits, assistance with meals, and easy mobility in the accommodation Some hospitals in India provide recovery packages that i n c l u d e a c c o m m o d a t i o n , p o s t - o p e r a t i v e c a r e , a n d a s s i s
extremely helpful, especially i
seamless and tailored treatment
High success rates
With technology, expertise and stringent protocols,
match global benchmarks, a key reason patients continue to travel here for treatment
India’s blend of affordability, excellence and compassionate care has firmly
leader in fertility treatment
A complete guide to full-body checkups for medical tourists in India
As India strengthens its p osition as a global h ub for medical to urism, full- bo dy ch eck-u p packages have become one o f th e most sou gh t- after services among internatio nal p atients With wo rld-class h ospitals , advanced diagnostics and affordable p ricing, travellers increasingly ch oose India for comprehensive h ealth evaluations, either as p art of p reventive care o r ah ead of p lanned medical p ro cedures
A standard full-body check-up in India is far more detailed than those available in many Western countries Here is an overview of the essential tests medical tourists typically undergo:
1 Blood and diagnostic screening
A broad set of blood tests helps assess overall health and detect early signs of disease These include:
v Complete Blood Count (CBC)
v ESR
v Blood Group & Rh Typing
v Fasting Blood Sugar and HbA1c
v Lipid Profile (cholesterol and triglycerides)
v Liver and Kidney Function Tests
v Thyroid Profile (T3, T4, TSH)
v Vitamin D and B12 levels
v Electrolytes and iron studies
These baseline tests offer a detailed picture of metabolic, nutritional and organ health
2 Cardiac evaluation Given rising global concerns around heart disease, cardiac screening is a major draw for medical tourists Key assessments
include:
v ECG v 2D Echocardiography
v Treadmill Stress Test (TMT)
v High-sensitivity CRP
v Blood pressure monitoring
v Carotid Doppler (when required)
Together, these tests identify early cardiac risk and provide insight into heart function
3 Imaging & radi ology
Advanced imaging tools make it possible to detect structural abnormalities early
v Chest X-ray
v Ultrasound of the abdomen and pelvis
v Whole-body MRI or CT scan (optional)
v Bone density scan (DEXA)
v Many tourists opt for add-on MRI/CT scans given significantly lower costs in India
4 Ho rmonal & metabolic assessment
Essential for patients dealing with fertility issues, menopause, or metabolic disorders:
v Hormone panel
v Cortisol
v Testosterone or estrogen levels
v PCOS/PCOD testing for women
5 Age & gender-based cancer screening
India’s hospitals offer globally comparable cancer detection screening:
v Men: PSA test for prostate cancer
v Women: Pap smear,
mammography/breast
ultrasound, HPV testing
v All pati ents: Stool occult blood test for colon cancer and chest/abdominal screening
6 Infectio us disease screening
Often mandatory for medical visas:
v HIV 1 & 2
v Hepatitis B & C
v Tuberculosis (X-ray or IGRA test)
v Syphilis (VDRL)
7 Lifestyle & wellness assess ments
To support preventive care, hospitals often include:
v BMI & body composition
v Diet & nutrition evaluation
v Mental health screening
v Physiotherapy/posture assessment
Optional add- ons pop ular amo ng international patients
v Cardiac CT
Angiography
v Advanced sleep study
v Allergy panels
v Genetic screening
With India offering modern diagnostics at highly competitive prices, full-body check-ups have become a key element of medical tourism For many international travellers, combining affordable preventive care with expert medical guidance makes India one of the world’s most attractive destinations for comprehensive health assessment
tional patients: How d o yo u ch oose the safest and most reliable h ospital?
With thousands of private and government hospitals offering world-class services at competitive prices,
a c c r e d i t a t i o
the most important marker of quality, safety and global standards
Why A ccreditation M atters
A
meet stringent benchmarks for:
u
n t s
hygiene
u C
d infection control
u Qualified staff and specialist training
u Transparent pricing and ethical practices
u E m e r g e n c y p r e p a r e dness
u I n t e r n a t i o n a l p
services
F o r t o u r i s t s t r a v e l l i n g l o n g d i s t a n c e s , o f t e n f o r
complex surgeries, choosing an accredited hospital significantly reduces risk and e n s u r e s c o n s i s t e n t s t a n -
Safety first: Choose the right care
dards of care
NABH v s JCI: Wh at medical tou rists sho uld know
India’s healthcare sector mainly relies on two major accreditation bodies:
1 NABH ( National A ccreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare P rov iders)
C ountry: India
S trength: Standardisation across India’s healthcare system
What it ensures: u H
care
u Strong clinical protocols u I m p
f e r s e x c e l l e n t q u a l i t y a t significantly lower costs
2 JCI (Joint C omm ission International) C ountry: United States Strength: Recognised in over 100 countries as the “gold standard” in global healthcare
What it ensu res:
u W o r l d - l e a d i n g c l i n i c a l standards
Many leading hospitals,
u E x t r e m e l y s t r i n g e n t patient safety norms u International-level facili t y d e s i g n a n d o p e r ations
u S e a m l e s s c r o s s - b o r d e r patient processes Only a limited number o f I n d i a n h o s p i t a l s h a v e
e a r n e d J C I a c c r e d i t a t i o n because the requirements, and costs, are far higher
Which is better: NA BH o r JC I? B o t h e n s u r e h i g h -
care, but for different purposes: NA BH
tourists seeking affo rdable, reliable, hig h-standard treatm ent u E x c
orthopaedics, cardiology and wellness packages
u Widely available across India JC I u B
care on par with top US–European institutions u Preferred for complex, h
plants, advanced oncology or robotic surgery u More expensive due to international-level compliance
Did you know?
India is home to one of the largest networks of JCI (Joint Commission International)accredited hospitals globally. This prestigious accreditation ensures these hospitals meet the highest standards of quality, safety, and patient care, following rigorous international protocols.
With state-of-theart facilities and cutting-edge medical technology, India offers world-class healthcare in specialties ranging from complex surgeries to wellness treatments
Dental Tourism to India
1. How safe is it to get dental treatments done in India?
Major cities like Mumbai and Delhi have highly skilled dentists using the latest global technologies. Clinics follow strict sterilization and hygiene protocols, often adhering to ISO 9001 standards. Dental laboratories are world-class, providing high-precision work with fast turnaround times.
2. Why is dental treatment cheaper in India?
• Dental care in India is more affordable because of
• Lower operational costs
• Reduced taxation
• Modest profit margins
• Higher patient volumes (20–25 patients per day in multispeciality clinics)
• Despite lower costs, the quality of materials, equipment, and expertise in cities like Mumbai matches international standards.
3. How long do dental treatments take in India?
• Treatments in Mumbai are fast due to advanced technology and excellent laboratories.
• CAD-CAM crowns & bridges: Same day or 24 hours
• Teeth in a Day (implant procedures): Within 1–5 days
• Smile makeovers: 5–7 days
• Root canals: Single sitting in many cases
• This allows patients to complete their treatments within a short
stay in India, giving them time to enjoy shopping, weekend trips, or other medical checkups.
4. What treatments are most popular for international patients?
5. Are Indian dental materials and equipment globally certified?
Yes. Top clinics use FDA/CEapproved materials, globally recognized implant brands, and advanced technologies such as 3D scanners, CBCT imaging, CAD-CAM systems, an digital smile design.
6. How qualified are dentists in India?
• Dentists in metropolitan cities often have:
• Postgraduate specialization
• International training and fellowships
• Over a decade of clinical experience
• Exposure to global best practices
• Many also treat celebrities, politicians, NRIs, and high-profile clients.
7. Will language be a problem? Not at all. Most top clinics have staff fluent in English, and often Hindi, Gujarati, Marathi, and other regional languages. Communication is smooth and comfortable.
8. What is the typical cost difference compared to Western countries?
• Dental treatments in India can cost 60–80% less than in the US, UK, Europe, or Australia - without compromising on quality.
• For example: A dental implant
in UK costs £3,000–£5,000; whereas in India, it may cost less than £1000- Smile makeovers are significantly more affordable with premium materials.
• Full Digital Smile Designing or Makeover would cost around £30000- whereas in India it would cost less than £10000-
9. What documents or preparations do patients need?
• Passport and visa
• Recent dental X-rays or reports (optional but helpful)
• Medical history and list of current medications
• The clinic typically assists with appointment planning, treatment schedules, and loca guidance.
10. Can patients combine dental treatment with travel in India?
• Absolutely. Mumbai is well-connected and ideal for combining treatment with:
• Shopping and dining
• Weekend getaways to Lonavala, Alibaug, Mahabaleshwar, or Goa
• Medical checkups
• Cultural sightseeing
• This makes dental tourism both efficient and enjoyable.
11. Why choose a metro like Mumbai over a tier-2 city?
• While smaller cities may be cheaper, they often lack access to top dental labs, advanced
• digital equipment, and multispeciality expertise.
• For complex or cosmetic treat-
ments, metro cities ensure:
• High precision
• Better aesthetics
• Faster turnaround
• International-level hygiene and technology
12. How long should international patients plan to stay?
• Depending on treatment:
• Minor treatments: 1–3 days
• Cosmetic work: 5–7 days
• Full-mouth implants: 5–10 days
• The clinic can help plan travel and minimize stay duration.
Who We Are
Dental Concepts in Mumbai is one of the largest and most reputed multispeciality dental clinics in the city, proudly recognized among the Top 3 Dental Clinics in Mumbai by Times of India group for the 5 consecutive years. Located in the heart of the city, we combine five decades of expertise with world-class technology to deliver premium dental care for patients across the globe.
Our Legacy
Founded in 1980 by Dr. Dhimant Gala, Dental Concepts has grown into a globally trusted dental centre. Over the last 50 years, we have successfully treated more than 5,000 international patients from countries such as the UK, USA, Australia, Canada, Kenya, Dubai, and many more.
Our Expertise
Dr. Dhimant Gala’s vision is carried forward by his son, Dr. Jigar Gala, one of India’s first qualified Dental Implantologists and Restorative Specialists trained at the prestigious Eastman Dental Institute, UCL, London.
With over 20 years of experience, Dr. Jigar specializes in:
• Dental Implants
• Full-mouth Rehabilitation
• Cosmetic Dentistry & Smile
Makeovers
• Our Technology & Facilities
Dental Concepts is equipped with:
• In-house OPG and CBCT scanning for precise diagnosis
• A fully equipped Digital Dental Laboratory for rapid, high-quality CAD-CAM crowns, bridges, veneers, and implant prosthetics Advanced systems enabling same-day and fast-track treatments
• This ensures superior accuracy, reduced treatment time, and excellent clinical outcomes.
Insurance & International Aftercare
• We offer 5–10 years of Dental Treatment Insurance, giving patients complete peace of mind even after they return home.
• We also have partner dentists across the UK to assist with any follow-ups and collaborations with UK-based dental diagnostic centres. This allows us to provide:
• Virtual dental consultations
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Travel Assistance
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Dr. Jigar Gala
Modi, Putin push India-Russia ties to new heights
Russian President Vladimir Putin visited India on 4-5 December 2025, marking his first trip to New Delhi after the Ukraine war began in 2022
Despite global tensions, India remains a s
Narendra Modi gave Putin a warm welcome, even breaking protocol for the Russian delegation
D
Droupadi Murmu and paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat Several agreements were signed, covering trade, economy, culture and more The visit aimed to strengthen India-Russia strategic and economic ties amid a cooling of India’s relations with the US
The Russia-India relationship, rooted in the Cold War, saw India align with the Soviet Union while the US favoured Pakistan Russia vetoed
r
Kashmir, and India abstained from condemning Soviet actions This pattern continued with India's neutral stance on Ukraine Over time, R
though dependence has decreased Russian arms deliveries dropped from 72% (2010 -14) to 3 6% today, as India increasingly turns to Western suppliers
PM Modi and Putin shared a long-standing relationship dating back to 2001, when Modi visited Russia as Gujarat’s Chief Minister alongwith P M Atal Bihari Vaj payee
Putin’s visit to India is significant, marking 25 years of India-Russia strategic partnership, which began during his first year as president Since 2000, the two countries have held annual summits, alternating between Moscow and New Delhi
The summit tradition was disrupted in 2022 due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and an ICC warrant against Putin, delaying visits by both leaders The annual summit resumed in 2024 with Modi visiting Russia, and now Putin returns the gesture Putin’ s flight, which landed in Delhi in the evening , became the world’s m ost tracked flight, acco rding to Flight Radar 24
US media have portrayed Putin’s visit to New Delhi as a critical test of India’s foreign policy, with Modi balancing ties with Moscow amid pressure from Washington The Washington Post called it a “delicate diplomatic challenge,” noting India is reducing Russian oil imports under US and European sanctions The New York Times highlighted Modi personally receiving Putin as a gesture of “strong personal rapport,” underscoring India’s effort to maintain strategic autonomy while deepening ties with both Russia and the US
Chinese state media emphasised Putin’s comments that both India and China are Russia’s “closest friends,” while stressing that Moscow would not interfere in New Delhi’s affairs
M eanw hile, Britain’s Hig h C omm issio ner to India, Lindy Cameron along with th e ambassadors of France and Germany, sparked controversy by holding Russia responsible for the Ukraine war In a joint editorial ahead of Putin’s visit, they condemned Russia’s “unprovoked war of aggression” and alleged war crimes Former Foreign Secretary of India Kanwal Sibal called it a breach of diplomatic norms, describing it as an “insult to India” that interfered in its internal affairs and sought to question the country’s close ties with Russia
India is crucial for the Kremlin due to its huge population and status as the world’s fastestgrowing major economy, making it a key market for Russian goods, particularly oil Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, India’s imports of Russian crude have surged dramatically, helping Moscow offset the impact of Western sanctions, though this has drawn disapproval from Washington
Beyond energy, India remains an important c u s t o m e r f o r R
advanced fighter jets and air defence systems, and a source of skilled labor amid domestic shortages Strategically, Russia uses its strong ties with India to demonstrate that Western attempts to isolate it have failed Its “special and privileged strategic partnership” with India, alongside a
Moscow’s vision of a multipolar world and contrasts sharply with its strained relations with the EU
Shortly after Putin arrived in Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi surprised the Russian leader by personally receiving him at the Palam airport, a gesture the Kremlin described as “ warm and unexpected ”
Moscow officials said they had not been informed in advance, making the moment stand out even more The Kremlin noted that Modi’s decision to greet Putin at the aircraft ramp underscored the warmth and symbolic strength of the relationship between the two leaders
PM Modi broke formal protocol to personally receive Putin, greeting him with a warm hug before the two travelled together in the same car to the Prime Minister’s residence for a private dinner
Soon after Putin’s arrival, PM Modi posted on X, expressing his pleasure at welcoming his “friend” and his anticipation for their talks “Delighted to welcome my friend, President Putin, to India Looking forward to our interactions this evening and tomorrow India-Russia friendship is time-tested and has greatly benefitted our people,” he wrote
Lo k K alyan Marg was illuminated with India-Russia flags and special lighting as Modi welcomed Putin to his residence for a private dinner During the meeting, Modi presented Putin with a Russian edition of the Bh agavad Gita, describing the sacred text as a source of inspiration for people around the world
Sharing the moment on X, Modi posted a photograph of the exchange and wrote, “Presented a copy of the Gita in Russian to President Putin The teachings of the Gita give inspiration to millions across the world ”
nikov, focusing on strengthening bilateral economic cooperation across key sectors
The two leaders discussed expanding partnerships in food and agriculture, pharmaceuticals, textiles, automobiles, and other emerging areas of mutual interest Both sides reiterated their commitment to unlocking untapped opportunities and deepening economic ties between India and Russia
Sharing details of the meeting on X, Goyal wrote, “Held a productive meeting with Maxim Reshetnikov, Minister of Economic Development, Russia We discussed cooperation in areas like food & agriculture, pharmaceuticals, textiles, automobiles, and more Together, we are committed to unlocking the untapped potential and advancing the economic development of both our nations ”
Putin received a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan, where President Droupadi Murmu and PM Modi greeted him with a tri-services Guard of Honour After the national anthems of both countries were played, Putin inspected the Guard of Honour as senior Indian leaders, including External Affairs M inister S Jaishankar, Delhi LG V K Saxena, and CDS Gen A nil Chauhan, looked on The two sides then introduced their respective delegations, which included Ru ssian Defence M inister A nd rey Belou so v an d K re m li n s p o kes p er so n D m i try P es ko v f r o m t h e Russian side
Later, Putin visited Rajghat to pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi, laying a wreath at the memorial As bhajans such as Raghup ati Ragh av Raja Ram and Vaish nava Jana To played softly in the background, he observed a brief moment of reflection before signing the visitors’ book
In his message in the visitors’ book, Putin described Mahatma Gandhi as “ a great humanist” whose ideals of peace, justice, and non-violence continue to inspire the world He noted that Gandhi’s vision of a fairer and more harmonious multipolar world aligns closely with the shared values and long-standing partnership between India and Russia
in detail about what is happening on the U k r a i n i a n t r a c k t o w a r d a p o s s i b l e peaceful settlement of this crisis ” He also noted plans to expand cooperation with I n d i a i n h i g h t e c h n o l o g i
effor
India’s stance on the Ukraine conflict “India is not neut ra l, In dia has a posit ion, an d tha t p osition is for pea ce, ” he told Putin, adding, “We supp or
fo
shoulde r wit h ev ery initia tive ta ke n for pea ce ” New Delhi’s simultaneous engagem e n
h M o s c o
, K
v , a n d Washington positions it as one of the few global actors capable of sustaining dialogue with all sides While red carpets and military honours signalled India’s continuing strategic ties with Russia, Modi reiterated that “ war cannot solve problems,” reflecting his consistent call for diplomacy since the outbreak of hostilities in 2022
Putin acknowledged India’s role, stating, “We had the opportunity to speak
space, AI, and military-technical areas
In J uly 20 24 , Mod i v isited M oscow fo r th e 22 nd In d i a- Ru s s i a A n nu al Sum mit, focusing on energy security and defence preparedness, his first trip to Russia since the conflict began Putin acknowledged India’s role, stating, “We had the opportunity to speak in detail a
peaceful settlement of this crisis ” He also noted plans to expand cooperation with India in high technologies, aviation, space, AI, and military-technical areas
Six we eks lat er, Modi became the first
signed agreements on agriculture, healthcare, and culture, and told Zelenskyy, “If I can personally contribute to this [peace process], I would like to do
Russia has also grown With Europe reducing dependence on Russian oil, India became a major buyer of discounted crude, raising bilateral trade to $68 7 billion, while Moscow has signalled ambitions to reach $100 billion by 2030 While Western governments have criticised India’s refusal to condemn Russia, officials stress that Delhi’s approach is guided by security, geogra-
Putin gets ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan
Goyal meets Reshetnikov to strengthen economic ties
Modi breaks protocol, receives Putin at Palam airport
Modi reiterates India’s peace stance at Summit
PM Modi receives Russian President Vladimir Putin at the airport
Modi presented a copy of the Gita in Russian to President Putin
Vladimir Putin Russian President gets ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan
Maxim Reshetnikov with Piyush Goyal
India-Russia Summit reaffirms military, economic, and cultural ties
Putin held talks with Modi at the 2 3r d Ru s s i a -I n di a S u mm i t at Hyderabad Hou se, agreeing to diversify bilateral economic ties amid US pressure on India to reconsider its longstanding partnership with Russia The annual
s u m m i t c o m e s
moment as the US pushes for a U
India’s efforts to balance relat
Washington while the conflict continues
1) During the summit, the leaders reaffirmed their commitm e n t t o
Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership A joint statement
h
mutual trust, respect for each other’s core national interests and strategic convergence ” They
trade, investment, energy, sci-
space, education, cultural, and humanitarian areas, agreeing to unlock the full potential of the partnership
2) On trade, the leaders comm
commerce sustainably, boosting industrial cooperation, promoting technology and investment p a r t n e r s h i p s , a n d
Trade Agreement on goods with the Eu rasian Economic Union They also agreed to address tariff and non-tariff barriers, improve l o g i s t i c s , a n d e n s u
o t h financial transactions to achieve a bilateral trade target of USD 1 00 billio n by 2030
3) Energy and civil nuclear
Putin received a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan as he arrived for a stat e ban quet hosted in his honour by Preside nt Murmu Welcoming him, President Murmu highlighted the significance of the visit, noting that India and Russia are marking 25 years of their Strategic Partnership, established during President Putin’s 2000 visit and elevated to a “Special a nd Pr iv ile ged St rat egic Part ne rship” in 201 0
As part of the formal reception, Modi presented President Putin with a range of exotic gifts, including fin e Assa m bla ck t ea , a n or na te silve r t ea set , a silver hor se , a m arble chess se t, Kashmiri saffr on, an d a R ussia n edition of t he ‘Sr im ad Bha gav ad G it a ’
Con gre ss MP Shashi Thar oor was among the guests invited to the Presidential banquet C ongr ess sources not ed tha t no in vitat ions were e xt end ed to pa rty preside nt Ma llik ar jun Kharg e or MP Ra hul Ga ndhi
Commenting on President Putin’s visit, Tharoor emphasised the enduring importance of India-Russia ties He highlighted Russia’s longstanding support, from energy cooperation to defence equipment that played a crucial role in Operation Sindoor Tharoor stressed that India’s relationship with Moscow stands on its own merits and does not interfere with New Delhi’s ties with the US or China
Reaffirming India’s approach to foreign policy, he added that the c o
relationships with multiple global powers “India has always upheld sovereign autonomy,” he said “Our ability to choose our partnerships and define our national interests is part of who we are as a nation ”
c o o p e r a t i o n f e a t u r e
nently Putin stated, “Russia has a reliable supply of oil, gas, coal and everything that is required for the development of India's energy We are ready to continue uninterrupted ship ments of fu el for the fast-growing Indian economy ” He also highlighted the K udankulam nuclear p ro ject in T amil Nadu: “We’re conducting a flagship project to build the l a r g e s t I n d i a n n u c l e a r p o w e r plant Two out of six reactor units have already been connected to the energy network, and
4) Transport and connectivi-
Vladivostok mari time route, and North ern Sea Rou te, were prioritised Military and military-technical cooperation remains a pillar of the partnership, with both sides encouraging joint manufacturing of defence components u n d e r t h e M ake -i n- I ndi a p rogramme, along with continued INDRA joint military exercises a n d d e f e n c e t e c h n o l o g y exchanges
5) The leaders also reaffirmed commitments to cultural cooperation, tourism, and visa facilit a t i o n P M M o d i a n n o u n c e d , “We will soon be starting a free 30-day e-tourist visa and a 30-day grou p tou ris t vis a fo r Ru ss ian citizens Manpower mobility will create new opportunities for the people of both countries We will be working together on vocat i o n a l e d u c a t i o n , s k i l l i n g , a n d training ” He emphasised that the initiative aims to strengthen
people-to-people ties and boost
Russia
6) Additionally, the two sides reiterated their joint efforts to c o m b a
laundering, and illi cit drug trafficking, underscoring the comprehensive and strategic nature of the India-Russia partnership 7
regional and international issues, including joint counter-terror-
Afghanistan Both sides emph
si sed peace and stability in
Middle E as
with
focus on
crisis in Gaza On climate change, India and Russia pledged to strengthen bilateral efforts, welcoming the launch of their Joint Working Group on
emphasised
Inside Putin’s high-security travel protocols
Having led Russia for over 25 years, Putin has become one of the world’s most heavily guarded leaders His security includes elite bodyguards, a personal car dubbed a “fo rtress on wh eel s ” , and th e I l-9 6-3 0 0 P U “ Flyi ng Kremlin”, Russia’s equivalent of Air Force One, which blends luxury with advanced countermeasures, reinforced armour, and a medical unit Putin also uses diversionary planes and prefers his 22-car “ g ho st train”, equipped with bulletproof compartments, a gym, a salon, and medical facilities On the ground, he travels in his Aurus Senat limousine, c a p a
n g bullets and grenade attacks; he once gave PM Modi a ride in it and gifted one to North Korea’s Kim Jong-un He is pro tected by elite Federal Protectiv e Service bod yg uards, or “M usketeers”, chosen for skill and stamina and equipped with shielded briefcases and pistols While rumors of body doubles exist, Putin has consistently rejected them, relying on his trusted security team A
security involves his personal chefs and food tasters All meals are prepared by his own chefs, w
beforehand A K remlin chef noted , “Wherever th e lea d er i s, w e are th er e, w h eth er i
a business trip, v acatio n, or priv ate ceremony ” Chefs avoid using hotel kitchens, replacing all l
Warmth on display at India-Russia state dinner
Putin visited Rajghat to pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi with other senior officials
PM Modi attends the Ceremonial Reception of Russian President Vladimir Putin at Rashtrapati Bhavan
Modi and Putin witnessing the Exchange of MoUs between India and Russia in Hyderabad House
The President of India, Droupadi Murmu hosted a banquet in honour of Russian President Vladimir Putin at Rashtrapati Bhavan
Dear Financial Voice Reader, Alpesh Patel
Knowle dge is on e of those thin gs you can g ive t o ot her s t o enr ich them , without mak in g y ourself poor er – inde ed, mak in g your se lf richer too for hav ing don e it That’ s why I love my fina ncial Asian Voice column which I think is ce le br atin g it’s qua rte r of a cen tury of we ekly a rticle s Or roughly 1,250 ar ticle s or over ha lf a million words That ’ s
m or e w or d s t h a n W a r a n d P e a c e o r A S u it a ble B o y !
(In cide nt a lly , le ct ur in g on Fin an ce at Ox for d, I host ed
Vik ra m Se th, t he author of A Suit able Boy as he was an Hon ourar y Fe llow when I was a Visitin g Fellow (more se nior!) at Corpus C hristi C ollege wher e he wa s once an unde rgr aduat e
All You Need To Know About Pensions (But Were Too Afraid To Ask) Pensions are the one part of your financial life everyone pretends to understand but very few actually do Most people glance at their annual statement, see a disappointing number, sigh, and go back to scrolling Then they hit their 50s and wonder why their retirement looks more “budget hotel” than “business class upgrade”
To use the Government website to find your old pension: htt ps :// www gov uk/find-pension-c ontac t-det ail s
If that sounds familiar, you ’ re not alone So this week, I’ve added another free app for you to ‘rate your pension’ It a n d o t h e r t o o l s a r
deserve clarity rather than jargon and finger-wagging
Let’s start with the basics In the UK you ’ ve got three layers: the State Pension, your workplace pension, and any private pensions (usually a SIPP) The State Pension is the financial equivalent of instant noodles: cheap, functional, keeps you alive Workplace pensions help, especially because your employer pays in too Private pensions give you flexibility, but only if you actually pay into them
The real problem isn’t the structure It’s the growth Or lack of it Plenty of readers tell me they’ve had five ye ar s of con tributions an d a pot t hat ’ s bar ely move d Others think 3 or 4 percent a year is “fine” Inflation disagrees
And here’s the bit pension companies whisper about: fees A 1 percent annual fee over 30 years can slice off roughly 25 per ce nt of your fina l pot You wouldn’t accept that from a restaurant or your mobile provider But pension firms get away with it because well, most people don’t look
That’s where data beats hope On my tools page, you can plug in your actual pension numbers – contributions, pot size, provider, years invested – and see what’s going on under the bonnet It tells you your implied annual return and shows how that compares with simple, evidence-based investing strategies No hype Just numbers All free It’s taken many hours of work by me and my team A key motivation was this column I knew I had reach to readers of this paper (don’t forget to renew your subscription – these apps are worth it alone!)
It also estimates what your pot could be worth if it grew at sensible long-term rates of return instead of the lethargic performance many people have endured And – this is the part people find genuinely eye-opening – it shows how much bigger your pot would be if your pension simply m
ch
be
ly a chie ve d Not guaranteed Not promised Just a reality check
A fe w other things most people don ’t ask but should:
• How many old pensions from previous jobs have you forgotten? The average person has three
m
• A r
“comfortable”
• Do you know your fund’s actual return over the last five years? Most don’t
• Do you know what you ’ re paying? Many providers hide fees so deep they may as well write them in Sanskrit
And finally: pensions are not a set-and-forget product They need the occasional audit – which is exactly what my free tools are for They give you enough information to ask better questions, make better decisions, and avoid being the person who realises at 60 that their pension is the financial equivalent of a leaky bucket
Now go and buy “A Suitable Boy”!
BP
nears $8bn Castrol sale deal
A dramatic corporate shift is underw ay at BP as the UK oil g iant m oves into adv anced talks to sell its iconic Castrol lubricants division, a crucial step in its ag gressive drive to offload $20 billion in assets by 2027
U S i n f r a s t r u c t u r e i n v e s t m e n t f i r m S t o n e p e a k h a s emerged as the leading contender, negotiating an offer that values the Castrol business at over $8 billion The sale of the renowned Castrol unit, long considered one of BP’s crown jewels, would provide a substantial injection of capital toward the company's ambitious disposal target Although initial analyst valuations reached $10 billion, Stone peak’s offer is now aligned with BP's current expectations after other bidders failed to meet the mark The move to sell comes as new Chairman Albert Manifold conducts a thorough review of BP's assets, describing the global business as overly complex
Why the UK is losing its young and ambitious
F ac ed wi th a to u gh
ar
, many of Britain’s most talented yo u ng wo rkers are heading abroad and finding greater op p
ni ty o verseas
According to the Office f
174,000 people aged 16 to 34 have left the UK in the year to March 2025 The median starting salary for U
£35,000, according to High
2010 and 2021, graduate pay rose by just £1,000 while
sures, frozen tax bands and
£52,000 may now lose more
£100,000 Higher earners also face the notorious 60 p
£100,000
wiped out many entry-level roles in finance, consulting and professional services
In 2024, top UK employers
ArcelorMittal shut down threatens 85 jobs
liveliho ods of 85 employees at risk
This abrupt withdrawal marks a devastating end for
h anxiety into the local com-
construction and engineering supply chain, has stated it will begin a comprehens
with the workforce regarding the redundancy proposal
The closure is attributed
to challenging market conditions and ongoing operational costs, making the site economically unsustainable for the multinational corporation Union leaders have reacted with fury, criticising the decision as a failure to commit to British manufact u r i n g a n d c a l l i n g f o r urgent intervention to save the highly skilled roles The potential closure follows a t r e n d o f i n c r e a s i n g e c on o m i c p r e s s u r e s o n U K industrial sites struggling to compete globally
E m p l o y e e s f a c e a n uncertain Christmas period as the reality of the plant’s closure looms, highlighting a s t a r k c h a l l e n g e f o r t h e government's pledge to protect local jobs and industry
State Bank makes record life sciences bet
In a dram atic acceleration of its strategy to kickstart national growth, th e British Business Bank (BBB), th e UK's state eco nom ic d ev elopm ent ag ency has com mitted a stagg ering $100 m illion to a new life sciences fund Th is represents the largest single investm ent the state bank has made since its inception in 2014
The massive funding injection is earmarked for the SV8 Biotech fund, managed by SV Health Investors, a firm co-led by Dame Kate Bingham, the highly respected former head of the Covid vaccine task force The BBB, whose financial capacity was recently boosted to £25 6 billion by the government, is now fulfilling its mandate to intensify investment pace in promising scale up companies
Ministers are aggressively seeking to stimulate domestic growth in priority sectors like life sciences, aiming to prevent innovative UK firms from being acquired or moving overseas Leandros Kalisperas, the BBB's chief investment officer, stated the investment is designed to bring in money from other investors, including crucial UK pension funds This move aligns with the government’s new industrial strategy and underlines a strategic national push to leverage expertise like Bingham's to drive biotech leadership
vice delivery, far ahead of the UK Dubai, long seen as a haven from high taxes and grey weather, is also draw-
Even Singapore’s
rate
just 24 per cent Despite the low rates, Singapore ranks first globally for public ser-
financial planning can leave with less wealth than they arrived with Karl Williams
Studies says young people feel as though “ no matter how hard you work, you ’ re running faster just to stay in the same place” “We’ve lost sight of the need to grow the overall
“And the people capable of growing it seem to be the ones leaving ”
Record tax hikes about to stifle UK’s growth
A d am ning ch orus of warnings from lead ing financial
b o d i es h a s d ra m at ic al ly exposed the p rofound risks
e m be d d e d in C h anc e llo r R ac h el Re ev e s ’ s l ate st
Bud get, predicting that her re co rd -h i g h tax ris es wi ll severely constrain U K economic g row th for years to com e T h e O r g a n i s a t i o n f o r Economic Cooperation and
D e v e l o p m e n t ( O E C D )
warned that the £26 billion tax hike will act as a significant headwind until 2029, stifling incentives to work, save, and invest The official
O f f i c e f o r B u d g e t
R e s p o n s i b i l i t y ( O B R )
echoed this concern, stating that the decision to raise
t a x e s , i n c l u d i n g f r e e z i n g income tax thresholds and raiding pensions, will cause
living standards to rise by a historically low 0 3 per cent annually T h e O E C D f o r e c
s t s that Britain will endure the highest inflation rate in the G 7 t h i s y e a r , w i t h r i s i n g unemployment set to hit
per cent by 2027 The afterm
been dominated by a major controversy, with the OBR
claims of
had damaged the economy, while the Bank of England Governor warned against any attacks on the independent fiscal watchdog
Concert arenas face massive tax hike threat
Analysis of government data reveals a steep escalation in the valuations used to calculate these rates, with some venues seeing their "rateable values" jump by up to 300 per cent over the next five years The largest percentage increase belongs to Wembley Arena, where the rateable value has tripled to £3 million, leading to an annual property tax increase of over £124,000 by 2026-27
The iconic O2 arena in London is also facing huge pressure, with its tax bill potentially increasing by up to £1 8 million, reaching £8 million annually Mark Davyd, founder of the Music Venue Trust, warned that these unavoidable costs will have to be passed directly to consumers, arguing the music industry has been singled out to be attacked The Treasury acknowledged that some firms face higher costs but pointed to a £4 3 billion support package designed to cap bills
Malabar Gold & Diamonds launches 2 new showrooms in the USA & Canada
Minister Narendra Modi at his residence in Delhi
In response, PM Modi
Nadella "productive" and said the world is optimistic about India when it comes to AI "Had a very produc-
t i v e d i s c u s s i o n w i t h
Nadella Happy to see India
b e i n g t h e p l a c e w h e r e
M i c r o s o f t w i l l m a k e i t s largest-ever investment in Asia," he tweeted
Nadella is currently on a four-day visit to India,
w i t h s t o p s p l a n n e d i n
a
B e n g
i s i t i n g D e
h i T h e visit is aimed at pushing Microsoft s growing presence in India and further
i
expansion in cloud and AI markets
During his visit to India
Microsoft investment for over two years, focusing on cloud, AI infrastructure and skilling During that visit, Microsoft aimed to make India "AI-first" by support-
training 10 million Indians in AI skills by 2030, with
women
Meanwhile, senior leaders of Cognizant, including CEO Ravi Kumar S, met PM
Modi and discussed acceler-
enhance AI capabilities and
Tan also met Modi as the US chipmaker aims to deepen its investments in India's semiconductor ecosystem Intel signed a MoU with
assembly, and packaging of Intel-designed products at Tata Electronics's upcoming Fab and OSAT facilities, along with collaboration on
packaging in India
India's economy enters 'goldilocks period' as RBI cuts rates
T he Reserve Bank of Ind ia ( RBI) has delivered ano ther i nterest rate cu t, bring ing the benchmark rate to 5 25 p er cent and marking a total red uction of 1 25 percentag e
p o i n ts u nd e r G o v er no r
S a nj ay M a lh o tr a T h i s agg ressive mo ve com es after the Ind ian eco nom y d em on-
s tr ate d rem a rk abl e resilience, expand ing by 8 2 p er cent in the quarter to S e p te m be r, ef f ec ti v el y s h ru g g i ng o f f th e s ev e re ch alleng e of 50 per cent tari f fs im p o se d o n I nd ia n exports by th e U S
G o v e r n o r M a l h o t r a
d e s c r i b e d t h e s t r o n g e rthan-expected growth and benign inflation, which has fallen from above 6 per cent last year to near-zero levels
a s p r e s e n t i n g a " r a r e Goldilocks period” for the country Consequently, the RBI has revised its growth
forecast for the fiscal year ending in March upwards by half a percentage point, now projecting growth of 7 3 per cent
The news immediately stirred the markets Indian
s t o c k s r o s e , w i t h t h e M u m b a i S e n s e
g 0 2 per cent and the Nifty 50 index adding 0 3 per cent
However, the rupee, which has been Asia's worst-performing currency this year, weakened by 0 4 per cent
past Rs 90 against the dollar Malhotra stated that the RBI does not target any specific price level for the rupee, preferring to allow market f o r c e s t o d
m i n e i t s strength, with the central b a n k o n l y i n t e r v e n i n g t
excessive volatility " While growth is "expected to soften somewhat,” analysts sug-
gives the central bank scope for further rate cuts
M alabar Gold & Diamonds,
in the USA & Canada
unveil ed at Ajax, Ontar io and the 7th showroom of the firm in the USA was unveiled at Aus tin, Texas
The showroom at Ajax, Ontario, was opened on 6th
M
N i n
Tangri, Associate Minister of Small Business of Ontario w h i l
e s h o w r o o m i n Texas was inaugurated on 7 t h D e c e m b e r b y M s Na’Cole Thompson, Mayor for the City of Leander In a
a l Ahamed, MD-International Operations, Malabar Gold & Diamonds; Faisal AK, Head of Manufacturing, Malabar Gold & Diamonds; Ameer CMC, Director of Finance & Admin at Malabar Gold & D i a m o n d s ; S h a j i K , C h i e f Digital Officer at Malabar G r o
Malabar Gold & Diamonds;
Malabar Gold & Diamonds in the USA; Sharfas N K, Head o
Malabar Gold & Diamonds,
team members, customers & well-wishers
Group, M P Ahammad, said: “Our North American operations have always been a pivotal part of our international growth journey, and we are proud to expand our retail presence in the region with 2 new showrooms The launch of our new showrooms reflects our commit-
jewellery retailer,” he said Abdul Salam KP, vice chair-
India’s IPO boom hits all-time high of £17.7bn
In dia’ s in itia l public offe ri n g s h a v e hi t a r e c o r d £17 7bn, as compan ies rush
a ss e d la s t y e a r ’ s hi g h of £ 17 3bn , a ccor d ing t o da t a c om p i le d by Bl oo m be r g W i t h fi v e m or e o f fe r i n g s s ch e d u le d t o clo s e o n o r be fo r e D e c 1 6 , in c lu d i n g I C IC I P r u d e n t i a l A s s e t Ma nag emen t Co ’ s $1 2 billion de al, t he v alue is set to r ise furt her The surge signals how India’s capital markets have m a t u r e d i n t o a m a j o r fundraising hub, driven by a s w e l l i n g b a s e o f r e t a i l investors and steady institutional appetite even as sec-
ondary equities lose steam India has been making it easier for companies to list, and the run of big-ticket deals shows how firms are using buoyant demand to lock in funding before global conditions tighten
F o r e i g n i n s t i t u t i o n a l i n v e s t o r s , l u r e d b y t h e growth outlook and relat i v e l y s t a b l e p o l i c y b a c kdrop, remain active participants in IPOs even as they s e l l a n a l m o s t r e c o r d amount of Indian equities That has allowed companies
a c
and tech-led businesses, to raise capital at elevated valuations “ R e
ondary market have been muted last one year but the primary market activity has been very robust and in a way shows the deepening of t
for some companies have led to some weak performance after the debut About half of the more than 300 firms listed so far this year are trading below their offer price These include Tata Capital Ltdthe biggest IPO of the year -
Satya Nadella and Narendra Modi
Imran slams army chief Munir for border conflict with Afghanistan
LAHORE: From the confines of Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail, Pakistan’s form er Pr im e Minister
Imr an K ha n has unleas hed an unprec edent ed ver bal as sault on the country ’ s m os t powerf ul m an, Ar my Chief Field Mars hal As im Munir
In a sc athing social media post f ol lowing a r are fam ily visit, K han launched a bl is tering c ondem nation, acc us ing the military head of d e l ib er
c risis for his own political gain
K h a n c
Western powers" and cast himself as a socalled ‘mujahid’ (Islamic fighter) The jailed premier explicitly claimed the Chief’s strategy
w
A t just 25, Bhavitha Mand av a has m ade a rem arkable leap from arch itect to global fash ion star, creating history for India o n th e i n ter nat io n al r un w ay T h e Hyderabad -born talent’s journey is extraord inary, not only for her career switch but also for her serendipitous discovery
Scouted in a New York City
bankruptcy has led to the complete collapse of the Constitution and rule of law" in the nation
The highly charged political attack comes as the volatile relationship between the South A
deadlock Despite a fresh round of peace talks h
officials from both Pakistan and Afghanistan
meaningful breakthrough Although a fragile ceasefire was agreed upon following deadly border clashes in October, the diplomatic efforts have stalled
Meanwhile, Khan claims he and his wife are imprisoned on fabricated cases and subjected to the "worst form of psychological
highlighting the extreme internal pressure u
operating as it manages a deepening crisis on its western frontier
Indian model leads Chanel Métiers d’Art 2026
Métiers d’Art 2026 show at the d
subway station on December 2 S
a
model to achieve this milestone,
high-glam fashion
Mandava shared a video of her historic moment on social
“Can’t put into words how much this means to me Thank you @ c h a n e l o
blazy,” she wrote on Instagram
reaction resonated worldwide, drawing praise not only from fans but also from Bollywood stars like Aditi Rao Hydari and P o o
d her success in the comments
From d esig n student to fashion star
Bhavitha Mandava grew up in Hyderabad, India, excelling a
Bachelor of Architecture from Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, fueled by her passion f o r c r e a
Seeking wider opportunities, she moved to the United States to pursue a master’s in assistive
Hindu Council of Kenya and Indian High Commission celebrate Gita Mahotsav
T h e H in d u C o u n ci l o f
K enya alo ng with the Indian H i g h C o m m i s si o n i n N ai ro b i c e leb ra ted t h e annual Gita Mahotsav This event marks th e d ay of Gita Jayanti -when Lord K rishna d eli v e re d th e ete rna l
s er m o ns o f t h e B h ag av ad Gita to Arj una
T h e o c c a s i o n b r o u g h t
t o g e t h e r t h e d i p l o m a t i c
c o m m u n i t y a n d t h e l o c a l Hindu community to reflect on the scripture’s enduring
w i s d o m I n d i a n H i g h
C o m m i s s i o n e r D r A d a r s h
S w a i k a , D e p u t y H i g h
C o m m i s s i o n e r S u s h i l
P r a s a d , t h e S e c o n d Secretary, and several other d i g n i t a r i e s w e r e p r e s e n t during the occasion
T h e e v e n t b e g a n w i t h
D i y a L i g h t i n g c e r e m o n y which was jointly performed by the High Commissioner Adarsh Swaika and Trustee Bhimji Bhai along with the chair lady Sujata Kotamraju,
o f t h e H i n d u C o u n c i l o f Kenya, Guru Rukyma Dasji of Iskon and others This was followed by traditional prayers
W h i l e w e l c o m i n g t h e audience, Sujata Kotamraju emphasized the importance
o
highlighted the importance
stressing that its teachings
transcend religion, offering
balanced life Cultural programme
The program began with a dance performance by the
symbolizing the initial steps
followed by the soulful and
ISKCON Kenya individually Discourses on the Gita’s wisdom
T
discourses by Kalpana Karia
a n d S u r e n d
National General Secretary of HCK, each shedding light on a different facet of the B h a g a v a d G i t a ' s w i s d o m
The final presentation on the Gita was delivered by Khilan of Bhakti Marga
in brief
TWO INDIANS KILLED IN NEW YORK HOUSE FIRE
Two Indian nationals died after sustaining critical burn injuries at Albany, New York The first victim, Sahaja Reddy Udumala 24 from Telangana, died on December 4 after suffering burns over nearly 90 per cent She had moved to the US in 2021, completed her master’s degree at the University at Albany and was working in the city The second victim Anvesh Sarapelli succumbed to his injuries on December 6 two days after the blaze Preliminary information suggests the blaze started in a neighboring structure before spreading rapidly Udumala was asleep when the fire broke out near her room Both victims were initially taken to Albany Medical Centre Hospital and later transferred to the Westchester Medical Burn Centre, where they died
SUNNY REDDY ELECTED MICHIGAN GOP CO-CHAIR
York University
Despite her academic focus on architecture and technology, Bhavitha nurtured a quiet but persistent passion for fashion Her modeling journey began in
Matthieu Blazy’s Bottega Veneta S p r i n g / S u m m e r 2 0 2 5 s h o w
That encounter would change the course of her life, and just months later, she returned to another subway platform, this time opening one of the most iconic Chanel shows in history
Lanka issues landslides warning as cyclone death toll hits 618
C O L O M BO : S ri La n ka n a uth orit ies ha ve issue d new land slide wa rnin gs with ra ins la sh i n g a r e a s a lr e a d y d e v a s t a t e d by a powe rful cyclon e, as the dea th toll r ose to 61 8, while ot her part s of Asia cont inue to gr apple with the sca le of the de st ruction an d m o u n t i n g ca su a lt ie s t h a t ha v e e x ce e d e d 1, 800
T h e D i s a s t e r M a n a g e m e n t C e n t r e (DMC) warned that monsoon storms were a d d i n g m o r e r a i n a n d m a k i n g h i l l s i d e s unstable, including the central mountainous region and the northwestern midlands
More than two million people – nearly 10 per cent of the population – have been affected by last week’s floods and landslides triggered by Cyclone Ditwah, the worst on the island this century Helicopters and planes were being used to supply essential c
received a planeload of relief supplies from Myanmar, the latest batch of foreign aid
T h e g o v e r n m e n t h a s c o n f i r m e d 6 1 8 death – 464 in the tea-growing central region – while 209 people remain unaccounted for The number of people in state-run refugee camps had dropped to 100,000 from a peak of 225,000 as floodwaters receded across the island, the DMC said More than 75,000 homes were either damaged or completely destroyed, it added
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said it was considering Lanka’s request for an additional $200m to help with rebuilding President Anura Kumara Dissanayake told parliament that Lanka’s economy had made a significant recovery, but was not strong enough to withstand the latest shock alone
Elsewhere in Asia, the death toll from floods and landslides that hit Indonesia’s Sumatra island has reached more than 900, according to authorities Thailand reported at least 276 deaths and Malaysia two, while at least two people were killed in Vietnam after heavy rains triggered a series of landslides
Entrepreneur Sunny Reddy was unanimously elected co-chair of the Michigan Republican Party The vote, completed by unanimous consent, cements Reddy’s rise as one of the most visible Indian American Republicans in the Midwest Michigan Republican Party chairman Jim Runestad praised Reddy for a rare combination of grassroots energy donor outreach and personal integrity Runestad noted that Reddy’s influence extends deeply into Michigan s Indian American community
INDIAN FACES JAIL, DEPORTATION IN HEALTHCARE FRAUD
Mohammed Asif an Indian national, who misused his student visa status now faces two years in a federal prison followed by likely deportation having been sentenced for orchestrating a multi-million-dollar fraud that siphoned critical funds from the American Medicare system Asif pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud linked to the operations of a now-defunct diagnostic testing laboratory Prosecutors revealed that the enterprise billed Medicare for a staggering $8 7 million for Covid-19 and other respiratory tests that were neither ordered nor performed
HYDERABAD ROAD TO BE NAMED AFTER DONALD TRUMP
The Telangana government has decided to name the road along the US Consulate General as ‘Donald Trump Avenue ’ The state government has also decided to name the upcoming greenfield radial road connecting the Nehru Outer Ring Road at Raviryal with the proposed Regional Ring Road after Padma Bhushan Ratan Tata The interchange at Raviryal is already named the ‘Tata Interchange ’
KHALEDA'S UK TRAVEL FOR TREATMENT POSTPONED
Former Bangladesh PM Khaleda Zia s visit to London for treatment has been postponed indefinitely, her personal physician Dr AZM Zahid Hossain said Zia was scheduled to depart for London on Sunday after her plan to leave on Friday was postponed as an air ambulance offered by Qatar could not reach Dhaka due to technical issues “The medical board thinks it is not appropriate for her to travel abroad at this moment," Zahid Hossain said
GUNMEN KILL GOVT
OFFICIAL, 3 OTHERS IN PAK
Suspected militants ambushed a vehicle carrying a govt administrator in northwest Pakistan, killing him, two of his guards and a passerby, officials said The attack took place in the Bannu district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, said Alam Khan, a police official He identified the administrator killed as Shah Wali, who served in Miran Shah near the Afghan border No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks
Pakistan Furthermore, Khan branded Munir
Imran Khan & Marshal Asim Munir
Bhavitha Mandava
Former Russian PM blasts Putin's poisonous grip
Mikhail Kasyanov, the form er Russian Prim e Minister, has lau nched a blistering critique of President Vladim ir Putin, claiming the lead er has "po iso ned the minds of g enerati o ns o f p eo p l e with propagand a an d m o ney " K as ya no v , w h o served as Putin’s first prim e minister from 200 0 to 200 4 and is now in exile in Latvia, was recently designated a terrori st and a n extrem ist by the K remlin
The economist recalled his final meeting with Putin in 2004, where the Russian leader warned him against entering opposition politics, saying, "I'll crush you anyway " Kasyanov was later subjected to a s m e a r c a m p a i g n , i n c l u d i n g a p u b l i c l y broadcast secretly recorded video and death threats Kasyanov insists his commitment is to peaceful regime change He stated that he initially believed Putin shared his desire for a democratic Russia but that Putin later showed his "true nature, that of a former KGB officer " Kasyanov believes that a defeat in Ukraine would erode Putin's authority, but only if the West continues to supply Kyiv with more weapons
in brief
18 MIGRANTS DIE IN BOAT MISHAP
At least 18 migrants attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea in an inflatable boat died when it capsized south of the island of Crete Greek authorities said The half-sunken boat was located by a passing Turkish merchant vessel, authorities said Two survivors were rescued and a rescue operation to find more was ongoing Greece is a major entry point into the European Union for people fleeing conflict and poverty in the Middle East, Africa and Asia, and fatal accidents are common Authorities have not yet determined where the boat came from
DOCTOR JAILED FOR SELLING DRUG TO MATTHEW PERRY
A doctor who pleaded guilty to selling ketamine to Matthew Perry was sentenced to two and a half years in prison at an emotional hearing over the “Friends” star s overdose death Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett handed down the sentence that included two years of probation and a $5 600 fine to 44-year-old Dr Salvador Plasencia in a court in Los Angeles The judge emphasised that Plasencia didn t provide the ketamine that killed Perry, but told him, You and others helped Perry on the road to such an ending by continuing to feed his ketamine addiction You exploited Perry s addiction for your own profit, she said
AUSTRALIA’S SOCIAL MEDIA BAN HITS USERS UNDER 16
Australia has implemented a world-first ban on social media for users under 16, resulting in millions of children and teens losing access to their accounts Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, X TikTok, YouTube, and others are expected to remove existing accounts and block new registrations for under-16s Noncompliance could lead to fines of up to $49 5 million There have been some issues with implementing the under-16 social media ban in Australia Reports suggest some users passed facial age assurance tests, but the government acknowledged that the ban wouldn t be perfect initially
US cuts work permit duration, impacting thousands of Indians
WASHING TON, DC: In a move that wil l significantl y a ffect hundreds of thousand s of Indian profe ssiona ls and families nav iga ting t he US immigration sy ste m, US Citizenship and Immigra tion
Se r v i ce s (U S CI S ) a n n o un c e d swee ping re ductions to the ma ximum v a li dit y of Empl oy me nt
A ut
(EA Ds) The agen cy sta ted the shift is ne cessary to str engthen
wor king in the Unite d Sta tes
USCIS explained the revised policy will “result in more frequent vetting of aliens who apply for authorization to work in the U
agency to “deter fraud and detect aliens with potentially harmful intent so they can be processed f
d States ”
Director Joseph Edlow tied the decision to public-safety concerns “Reducing the maximum validity period for employment authorization will ensure that
those seeking to work in the United States do not threaten public safety or promote harmful
said Citing a recent attack, he
National Guard service members in our nation’s capital by an alien
country by the previous administration, it’s even more clear that USCIS must conduct frequent vetting of aliens ” The changes directly affect several categories heavily used by
with pending adjustment of status cases Under the new guidance, EADs issued to refugees, asylees, individuals granted withholding of removal, applicants with pending asylum or withholding claims, and those applying for adjustment under INA
months instead of five years The P o
applies to all applications “pending or filed on or after December 5, 2025 ”
American duo faces fierce backlash for targeting Indian immigrants
Fuentes has intensified his
p u b l i c l y demanded via X, “Now do India ” He amplified a core grievance of the 'America First' fringe, claiming that Indian nationals exploit the H - 1 B v i s a p r o g r a m m e t o “take jobs and college spots,”
t h e r e b y u n d e r m i n i n g American interests His call
pushes for the exclusion of one of the largest and most e c o n o m i c a l l y s i g n i f i c a n t immigrant groups in the US In parallel, controversial social media figure Andrew
T a t e s p a r k e d w i d e s p r e a d condemnation with a highly derogatory post Tate, who f a c e s s e r i o u s c r i m i n a l allegations including human trafficking and rape charges in Romania, posted: “You’re going to live among Indians if you live in Canada USA England Dubai But Dubai is the only place they respect the law ” O n l i n e u s e r s s w i f t l y
accused of the killings of 38year-old Sasikala Narra and her six-year-old son Anish in
ment, a scene investigator described as unimaginable The victims died from multiple injuries, with the child s
Hameed, who worked at the s a m e I T c o m p a n y a s t h e father, fled United States for India just six months after t h e m u r d e r s a n d h a s remained a fugitive since The case stalled for years as US authorities struggled to
For Indian applicants caught in decades-long green card backlogs, the changes could create new uncertainty Many rely on long-duration EAD and Advance P a r o l
employed while awaiting permanent residency, often for years
Neumann warned that the shortened validity periods will intensi-
pipelines The Indian diaspora, one of the largest beneficiaries of e
expected to be among the most
depend on uninterrupted work authorization to maintain jobs in
awaiting green card availability, a process slowed by per-country caps The new limits take effect on December 5 for the 18-month categories and July 22 for the H R 1-mandated one-year documents, covering both pending
applications
Canadian officer of Sikh origin sues India for 'tagging him terrorist' OT TAW A: A senior Canadian official of Sikh origin has sue d the Indian gove rnment for ‘ or ch es tr a
weaponised his own legal
Popular rebuttals included the sharp retort, “Maybe if you followed the law as well as Indians do, you wouldn’t be stuck in Romania facing human trafficking charges right now Sit this one out, p r i s o n e r ” T h e c o m b i n e d v i t r i o l f r o m b o t h h i g hprofile figures showcases a w o r r y i n g t r e n d :
census data to fuel populist r a g e , m a k i n g t h e I n d i a n diaspora a distinct target for extremist sentiment
channels in India The major breakthrough finally came when investigators secured a
blood droplet at the crime scene that matched a profile obtained, after a request to his employer, from a laptop keyboard he had used N
Phil Murphy has personally
Ambassador Vinay Kwatra to formally request Hameed’s extradition under the existing bilateral treaty With the FBI adding the suspect to its most wanted list and offering a significant reward, the U
He has now filed a $9 million lawsuit against the Indian government - with the CBSA named as a co-defendant for alleged negligence The allegations were laid down
According to a report, the suit accuses Indian authorities of recklessly portraying Sunny as a fugitive terrorist to sow discord It also claimed that the 20-year CBSA employee was singled out because of his common Sikh surname and public-facing role in national security
The lawsuit also blames his employers for failing to provide an adequate response or protect Sunny It contends that the CBSA dismissed the threats as a “non-work-related
background checks - including calls to waive privacy rights He was also suspended during the probe that ultimately cleared him of any wrongdoing and led to reinstatement Sunny has sought damages for reputational harm, lost wages, and psychological injury
The lawsuit claims that his ordeal began in October 2024 after Indian news outlets shared claims that Sidhu was a terrorist He was described as a fugitive wanted by Indian
including promotion of
groups and involvement in violent acts Viral posts had amplified the outrage as they demanded his extradition and called for punitive action
The cover of anonymity also led to death threats and eventually his personal details were detoxed
Sidhu was born and raised in British Columbia and is reportedly not a practising Sikh
Andrew Tate Nick Fuentes
Nazeer Hameed
Mikhail Kasyanov
Panipat woman held for killing 4 children, including her son
by
of her
suspect, 34-year-old Poonam, has confessed that she has the urge
attractive than her own, and that she killed her son because she was afraid he had seen one of the murders The other victims are girls - children of her relativesand their deaths were mistaken for accidents Poonam who was arrested has a four-year-old and her husband is a farmer in Bhavar village of Sonipat Police said she coaxed the latest victim, Vidhi, to fill up a tub with water and bring it to her, and then drowned her in it
Panipat SP Bhupendra Singh said that on Dec 1, the police c o n t r o l
information that a six-year-old girl had drowned in a tub of water inside a house in Naultha
Panipat A police team found the child’s body lying face down in a plastic tub Only her head was submerged Finding it suspicious, p
examine the scene Postmortem by a board of doctors at the Civil Hospital suspected of homicide Based on a complaint by the girl’s
from Bhavar, had travelled with her family to attend the wedding in Naultha Late Monday night, when the baraat was setting off, Pal got a call saying that Vidhi
Congress defers Karnataka power-sharing call till December 19
N E W D E L H I : S e n
s i m me r i n g po w e r - s ha r in g t en sion s bet ween Karn at aka
Deput y C hief Ministe r DK
S h i v a k u m a r a n d C h i e f
M in ist er Sidd ara maia h, sa id sour ce s T h e m e e t i n g w a s a t t e n d e d b y
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge,
S o n i a G a n d h i , R a h u l G a n d h i a n d
o r g a n i s a t i o n g e n e r a l s e c r e t a r y K C
Venugopal
Sources said Kharge and Sonia Gandhi pressed for immediate intervention to prevent further escalation between the two Karnataka leaders However, Rahul G a n d h i r e p o r t e d l y s t r e s s e d t h a t a n y decisive action should be taken only after December 19, and not during the ongoing
P a r l i a m e n t a n d K a r n a t a k a A s s e m b l y sessions
Venugopal briefed the leadership on t h e r e c e n t “ b r e a k f a s t d i p l o m a c y ”
K OL K A TA : T he C alcutta high court
h as d ec id ed a g ai n
sc ra p p i ng th e rec ru itm en t o f 3 2 , 0 0 0 teac h ers fo r s tat e- ru n p ri m ar y s c h o o ls , s et ti ng asid e the order of single-jud ge bench
o f A bh i j it Gan g u ly, wh o h as si nc e become a BJP M P In 2023 , Justice Ga ng u l y, w h i le c an ce ll in g th e appointm ents based on 201 4 Teacher Eligibility Test (TET ), had noted that these jo bs were “actually sold ” A larger bench had stayed the ord er HC said it was setting aside the order because the “conclusion by the investigating authority (CBI) would
n o t r e v e a l t h a t t h e a p p o i n t e d c a n d i d a t e s w e r e i n v o l v e d i n a n y corrupt practices The allegation of fraud and corruption pertaining to the e n t i r e r e c r u i t m e n t p r o c e s s i s n o t sustainable and the appointment of t h e 3 2 , 0 0 0 t e a c h e r s c a n n o t b e interfered with,” a bench of Justices
T a p a b r a t a C h a k r a b o r t y a n d Reetobroto Mitra, hearing an appeal
b y t h e s t a t e g o v t a g a i n
involving the two leaders and conveyed that both were currently toeing the p a r t y l i n e S o u r c e s s a i d
Venugopal was instructed to tell both leaders not to escalate the matter and to r e f r a i n f r o m g i v i n g
interviews to television or print, as the high command is seized of the issue
Strict instructions were also issued to all 140 Congress legislators to follow the party line and avoid speaking out of turn Maintaining unity in the party and
Session were considered critical Another
conclusion of the local body elections in K
Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar have been informed that they will be called to Delhi after the 19th
t J u s t i c e Ganguly’s order, ruled C
“innovating at pleasure,” the bench s a i d ,
, assessment of data doesn’t point to the same ”
The division bench noted that the CBI only found irregularities in the
them, 264 candidates were given grace marks and identified Additionally, 96 candidates did not secure qualifying marks but were still appointed Their services were terminated but they are s
Court order
After the verdict, Ganguly said, “They (the HC bench) did what they thought was right What can I say?
Unless I read the judgment and its reasoning, I cannot speak
cautious response “We respect the
back,” she said
went missing Pal’s wife Ompati and Vidhi’s mother Rakhi began searching the house and nearby streets
Ompati went to the first floor, she found the storeroom door locked from outside On opening it, she found Vidhi lying face down in a plastic tub filled with water The child’s father rushed her to Israna Medical College, where doctors declared her dead P
everyone who was at the venue When officers spoke with Vidhi’s a u n t , P
inconsistencies in her statements a
interrogation, Poonam admitted to not only murdering Vidhi but a l s o k i l l i n g t h r e e e a r l i e r T h e modus operandi was the samethey had all drowned in plastic tubs
Malayalam actor Dileep acquitted in sexual assault case
Malayalam film star Dileep has been acquitted in th e sensational 201 7 case co ncerning the sexual assault and abd uction of a prominent actress in Kerala The ru ling h as sent sho ckwaves thro ugh th e nation's film ind ustry
While the actor, whose career and image were severely damaged by the allegations, walked free, the court found six other individuals guilty for their roles in the harrowing crime Dileep, upon hearing t h
l response, claiming the entire legal process was a malicious conspiracy orchestrated to destroy his career, image, and life The 2017 incident involved the actress being forcibly abducted and sexually assaulted in a moving vehicle The subsequent investigation led to the arrest of Dilip on charges of criminal conspiracy, plunging the celebrated star into a protracted and damaging legal battle His acquittal, after years of intense media and public scrutiny, closes a significant chapter for him, but t
calculated plot designed for his professional ruin T h e c
gravity of the original crime
SIR first phase nears end in Bengal, nearly 3mn face EC hearing
KO L KA T A: The pre-he arin g pha se of Ben gal’s Special Inte nsive Re vision (SIR) of e le ct ora l r oll is ne arin g comp let ion with ne arly 100% of 76mn vote rs ’ dat a havin g alre ady be en d ig it ise d But betwe en 28, 00,000 to 30,0 0,000 v oter s will, in all pr oba bilit y, ha ve t o at ten d poll officia ls’ hea ring s if they wan t to stay on the roll as the y re main unma pped (d ata not ma tching with th e 20 02 r oll)
All these unmapped voters will get notices to appear for in-person hearings and will have to produce one of the 13 SIR documents that the Election Commission (EC) has approved for Bengal The hearings will be held b e t
publication of the final electoral rolls on Feb 14
Besides this number, 54,60,000 voters remained untraceable or were categorised as dead or duplicate These names would be deleted from the SIR draft list to be published on Dec 16, officials said The EC’s deadline to complete this phase of SIR ends Thursday “A little over 7% (54,60,000) of the 99 4% digitised enumeration forms are now ‘uncollectible’ and these names will not be included in the draft SIR roll to be published next week,” a senior EC official said But v
applications under Form 6 if they want to challenge this Around 23,70,000 voters have died, 19,00,000 have s
120,000 are duplicate voters
NORTH-EAST
Charge sheet in Zubeen case to be filed on Dec 12
Inves tigation into th e death of Zubeen Garg is al mos t com plete, and the charge sh eet will be fil ed on Dec 12, a s enior po lice o fficer said Garg die d w h il e s w im min g in t h e s e a in Singapo re on Sep t 19 Spec ial DGP of CID Munna Prasad Gupta said, "Th e investigation is almo st comp lete
The details will be given in the charge sheet " Gupta, who is leading the SIT probing Garg's death, said seven arrests have been made so far and over 300 witnesses examined He said the charge sheet will be filed in CID case no 18/2025, the original case registered after nearly 60 FIRs were filed across the state following Garg's death Investigation into the second case (CID case no 19/2025), pertaining to property-related and other activities, is underway, he added Gupta refused to share
known once the charge sheet is submitted On Nov 26, the CM said in the assembly that Garg's death while swimming in the sea in S
murder " NEIF chief organiser Shyamkanu
Sharma, and his two band members, Shekhar Jyoti Goswami and Amrit Prabha Mahanta, his cousin and Assam Police DSP Sandipan Garg, and his two PSOs, Nandeswar Bora and Prabin Baishya, have been arrested in the case
PROBE SOUGHT INTO IRREGULARITIES AT TEZPUR VARSITY
Leader of the Opposition in the Assam Legislative Assembly, Debabrata Saikia, along with MLA Nurul Huda and MLA Sibamoni Bora, has formally written to the Central Bureau of Investigation’s Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) seeking an independent and time-bound inquiry into a series of alleged financial administrative and statutory irregularities at Tezpur University The letter, addressed to the CBI s Anti-Corruption Branch in Guwahati, calls for a transparent investigation into concerns that have reportedly surfaced over several years and have triggered widespread unrest within the university community The letter to the CBI highlights that the allegations have been consistently raised by students, faculty bodies, and staff associations, and some even surfaced through official channels such as responses to Right to Information applications While clarifying that the letter does not level personal accusations against any individual Debabrata Saikia stated that the gravity of the circumstances demands an impartial verification by a competent agency like the CBI The university has been witnessing months of institutional turmoil
MEITEI MLA REACHES OUT TO RIVAL KUKI VICTIMS
A Meitei BJP legislator crossed one of Manipur s most dangerous fault lines, walking into Kuki villages scarred by nearly two years of ethnic bloodshed and meeting displaced families in a relief camp - the first time since ethnic violence erupted in 2023 that an elected representative from either side personally reached out to the other community Yumnam Khemchand, a former assembly speaker and sportsman-turned-politician travelled to Litan in Ukhrul district and Chassad in Kamjong district along the Myanmar border, sitting with Kuki families who have lived through arson, displacement and death State BJP vice president Hopingson Shimray, a prominent Tangkhul Naga who accompanied him, called the journey a rare and risky political gesture at a time when politicians almost never cross into areas dominated by rival communities Shimray said Yumnam is the first Meitei BJP MLA to enter a Kuki relief camp since the conflict began More than 260 people have been killed and over 60,000 displaced since ethnic violence tore through Manipur more than two years ago, torching hundreds of villages & hardening the divide between the Meitei-majority Imphal valley and the Kuki-Zo tribal hill districts
DK Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah
Pramukh Varni Amrut Mahotsav concludes in grand splendour
The year-long Pramukh Varni Amrut Mahotsav concluded in grand splendour at Ahmedabad’s Sabarmati Riverfront Event Center The finale honoured Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s selfless service and spiritual legacy through powerful presentations and heartfelt tributes
The celebration also marked 75 years since Shastriji Maharaj appointed Pramukh Swami Maharaj as President of BAPS at Ambli Vali Pol The assembly paid homage to his extraordinary life of humility, compassion, and unwavering dedication to the wellbeing of all, regardless of caste, creed, status, or background Even on the day of his appointment, he quietly washed utensils, exemplifying the lifelong spirit of seva that continues to inspire millions
The stage design beautifully captured Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s historic journey, one side depicting Ambli Vali Pol, where he was appointed President, and the other showcasing New Delhi’s Akshardham, symbolising the global spiritual legacy that grew from those humble beginnings
Around 5 45 pm, Home Minister Amit Shah, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, and Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi arrived and were welcomed by senior BAPS swamis before joining Mahant Swami Maharaj on stage Stories of seva and humility bring Pramukh Swami’s life alive
The programme began with a thematic video introducing the Mahotsav, followed by an artistic dance by BAPS youths A series of impactful videos portrayed Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s lifelong devotion to serving humanity A lyrical piece and a discourse by Sadhu Akshatvatsaldas added depth, accompanied by a video showcasing BAPS’s worldwide humanitarian work
C
t e d P r a m u k h S w a m i Maharaj’s profound egolessness through touching moments from his life Sadhu Narayanmunidas reflected on how he remained humble despite worldwide admiration
A powerful presentation portrayed the unshakeable faith with which Pramukh Swami Maharaj led BAPS In his dis-
course, Sadhu Anandswarupdas shared inspiring examples of his steadfast trust in Bhagwan and the Guru Parampara
The virtue of loyalty was brought to life through artistic p e r f o r m a n c e s , f o l l o w e d b y a n a d d r e s s f r o m S a d h u Brahmaviharidas, who recounted Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s deep devotion to his gurus and unwavering adherence to core principles
Senior BAPS swamis honoured the dignitaries, after which Shah addressed the large gathering, offering heartfelt tributes to Pramukh Swami Maharaj and acknowledging his profound spiritual and social contributions
A vibrant dance by BAPS youths followed, culminating in a s y m b o l
Ishvarcharandas then shared an inspiring reflection on the deeper purpose of the Pramukh Varni Amrut Mahotsav
Jagdish Vishwakarma, President of the BJP Gujarat State Unit, also paid tribute to Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s egoless
and inspiring life
Chief Minister Patel said, “Pramukh Swami Maharaj remained tirelessly active throughout his nine decades, dedicating himself to countless fields of humanitarian service Our culture rests on three pillars – the saint, the scripture, and the mandir – and he strengthened all three through his extraordinary work The Pramukh Varni Amrut Mahotsav is
truly a celebration for all ”
Mahant Swami Maharaj then offered his blessings, urging everyone to cultivate the virtues of seva, humility, and steadfast faith embodied by Pramukh Swami Maharaj He shared, “Every moment of Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s life
was devoted to serving others Once, at Ambli Vali Pol, he stayed hungry and fed me instead He truly lived the belief that our happiness lies in the happiness of others
Free of ego and unwavering in his faith, he cared for all, and everyone felt, ‘He is mine ’ That is why he will always remain unforgettable If we wish to progress, we must correct our own faults and forgive the faults of others When we do so, the true purpose of the Pramukh Varni Amrut Mahotsav is fulfilled ”
Devotees from India and abroad gather for grand finale
A deeply devotional moment unfolded as Mahant Swami Maharaj, the dignitaries, and nearly 50,000 devotees joined together for the arti The grand finale culminated in a spectacular fireworks display over the iconic Atal Bridge on the Sabarmati River Decorative floats adorned the water, showcasing 75 virtues of Pramukh Swami Maharaj and Mahant Swami Maharaj, drawn from the Bhagavad Gita, Ramayan, Shrimad Bhagwat, and Vachanamrut
Inspired by Mahant Swami Maharaj, preparations for the
celebration spanned over three months and involved 7,000 volunteers working across 20 departments To ease traffic
Ahmedabad arrived by bus, while over 1,000 devotees and dignitaries from India and abroad were also in attendance
The AMC extended full support in ensuring safety, security, and smooth execution of the event As chants of “Pramukh Varni Amrut Mahotsav ni Jay” echoed across the riverfront, devotees felt privileged to witness this historic celebration, a heartfelt tribute that inspired all to honour Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s legacy through humility, faith, and selfless service
25 killed in Goa nightclub fire, owners flee to Thailand
The t wo owne rs of the Goa nightc lub wher e 25 people wer e killed in a f ire fl ed India for Thailand just hours af ter the incident took pla ce l ast week, reports sa
s earc h had been unde rway f or
Bureau of Immigration to issue a lookout circular, which was proc
accused boarded IndiGo flight to
after the blaze Police said the move appears to have been an
The Goa Police have contacted t
Central Bureau of Investigation to coordinate efforts to apprehend the two men as soon as possible I
report filed after the incident on Sunday night, the Goa Police had booked the brothers along with other unnamed individuals for culpable homicide not amounting to murder, for acts endangering the lives and personal safety of others, and for negligent conduct with respect to fire or com-
morning, Saurabh took to social media to express grief for the incident
The victims in the blaze at Birch by Romeo Lane, 16 km from Panaji, included four members of a family from UP’s Ghaziabad Three of them were sisters Of the injured, five are being treated
Hospital Police said 150 guests
weekend event
DGP Alok Kumar said four club staffers - chief general manager Rajiv Modak, gate manager Priyanshu Thakur, bar manager Rajveer Singhania, and general
arrested
Goa CM Pramod Sawant said his govt instituted a magisterial inquiry to find out the lapses that
resulted in the tragedy and submit a report within a week While most of them were able to step out of the club unscathed, those who were trapped inside reached the basement through a small staircase after the exit caught fire Of the victims, 23 died in the basement of suspected suffocation Sawant said that except for the five tourists who died, the deceased were employees of the c
Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and Nepal PM Modi announced Rs 200,000 in ex gratia to the next of kin of each of the deceased, a n d R s
injured CM Sawant separately declared Rs 500,000 in compen-
50,000 to the injured
Bangladesh delegation to attend Vijay Diwas celebrations in Kolkata
A 20 -mem ber d eleg ation from Bangladesh, inclu ding eight M uktijodh as and two serving officers of the neighbouring country s A rm y, will attend the Vijay Diwas celebrations in Kolkata to mark th e Ind ian Armed F orces' h istoric victo ry over Pakistan in 1 971 w ar, a d efence official said
The war, which started on December 3, e
s
a n ' s Eastern Army on December 16 at Dhaka, leading to the birth of Bangladesh, which was earlier East Pakistan
The delegation is scheduled to attend a s o
n December 16 at the Indian Army's Eastern Command headquarters, Vijay Durg They will also attend the military tattoo, a display by the Armed Forces, he said The delegation is also likely to meet West Bengal Governor C V Ananda Bose, the official said
Decorative floats highlighting the virtues of Brahmaswarup Pramukh Swami Maharaj and Brahmaswarup Mahant Swami Maharaj in the River Sabarmati
Decorative floats highlighting the virtues of Brahmaswarup Pramukh Swami Maharaj and Brahmaswarup Mahant Swami Maharaj in the River Sabarmati
Balaks and yuvaks perform a traditional dance
Swamis and devotees during the assembly
Youths sing kirtans at the beginning of the Pramukh Varni Amrut Mahotsav celebration assembly
Dignitaries on the stage during the assembly
Grounding of IndiGo’s fleet triggers nationwide travel chaos
India’ s busiest airline, IndiGo, is g radually resto ring its network after nearly a week of
w id esp read d i srup tio n Si x d ays after a
o p er ati o
announced th at it had
sig nificant head way ” in resuming services
aviation system, raising questions about passenger rights and operational oversight
(@MoCA GoI) said flight operations are stabilising, with regulated airfares, prompt
“Our 24×7 control room and on-ground teams continue to ensure passengers travel w
ministry added
IndiGo’s disruption turned into a major
“Sp ent d ays in sam e cloth es, running out of meds”
Passenger confidence has already taken a hit: 54% reported issues with timeliness over the p a s t y e a r
performance fell to 68% in November from 84% in October IndiGo’s share price has also declined, as investors worry about rising costs from operational disruptions and higher crew
passengers
crisis across Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad, with over 1,000 flights
passengers stranded
The meltdown was triggered by new crew-rostering rules requiring pilots and cabin crew longer rest, 48 hours weekly instead of 36, and stricter night landing limits, reduced from six to two Introduced
November 2025 While Air India complied, IndiGo couldn’t fully adopt them in time
Over the past 15 years, the collapse of airlines like Jet Airways, Kingfisher, and GoAir allowed IndiGo to expand rapidly into smaller cities, consolidating dominant market share Its lean operations, though efficient normally, lacked the resilience to handle sudden regulatory changes, causing a system-wide disruption
Speaking to Asian Voice, Subhajit and Milly Basu, traveling from Manchester to Kolkata via Mumbai on IndiGo, described a chaotic experience “Our Manchester–Mumbai flight was heavily delayed with no explanation, putting our connection at risk In Mumbai, our Kolkata flight was cancelled, then rebooked on another service that was also cancelled at the gate There was no clear communication, and staff who eventually appeared were rude and unhelpful We faced delays, cancellations, missing luggage, and a complete lack of passenger care It’s hard to understand how an airline can operate like this from a UK airport ”
Subhajit and Milly Basu described their IndiGo ordeal as a mix of legal, operational, and human failures They said, “The problems were not just operational, they were legal, human and systemic UK customer service was virtually non-existent, despite UK261 rights to compensation, care, and rerouting There was no UK-based team to take ownership of the situation or explain our rights ”
They added, “After successive cancellations in Mumbai, we were stranded and forced to buy last-minute tickets and pay for a hotel ourselves Both our checked bags disappeared for over 84 hours, with no essentials allowance or clear reimbursement, clearly breaching the Montreal Convention ”
The couple also highlighted the personal toll: “We spent four days in the same clothes and undergarments, and my wife risked walking through crowded airports with no access to clean clothes We also began running out of prescription medication, which the airline knew about but failed to address urgently ”
Only 37 Hindu temples, Gurdwaras still open in Pakistan
A r e c e n t r e po r t t o t he Parliament ary Comm ittee on M inorit y Caucus re ve als that out of 1,817 Hindu tem pl es
a n d Si k h gu r dwa r a s in
Pa k i s t a n, o nl y 3 7 ar e s t i l l oper ationa l The dec l ine is a t t r ib ut e d t o po or g ov e r nm en t m a in t e na n c e
a n d s hr i nk i n g Hi n du a nd Sikh populations, ac cording to a repor t by Dawn Senator Danesh Kumar, during the committee's first session, vowed to push for the practical implementation of minority protection laws,
c a l l i n g f o r u r g e n t p o l i c y reforms Dr Ramesh Kumar
V a n k w a n i c r i t i c i s e d t h e
E v a c u e e T r u s t P r o p e r t y Board (ETPB) for neglecting the temples and gurdwaras under its care
D r R a m e s h K u m a r
V a n k w a n i p r
P r o p e r t y B o a r d ( E T P B ) t o ensure proper restoration of neglected religious sites The committee called for urgent a
heritage sites MNA Kesoo Mal Kheal Das emphasized that while many temples and gurdwaras were abandoned p o s t - P a r t i t i o
them as cultural landmarks for pilgrims T h e c
2030 C'wealth Games to transform Ahmedabad-Gandhinagar
Ahmedab ad’s selection as hos t city for the 2030 Commonwealth Gam es has k
of
Followin g the Comm on wealth Sport G eneral A ssem bly’s approval, offici als sai d major venue cons tructi on
now on
irm tim eline
sports, youth, and cultural activities, A
Ahmedabad is set to become India’s sports
S
Vallabhbhai Patel Sports Enclave and the Police Academy Sports Hub is scheduled to b e g i n i n A p r i l 2 0 2 6 , w i t h c o m p l e
expected by late 2028 or early 2029 Kumar confirmed that funding for both projects is secured, most venues for the 2030 Games are ready, and the organising committee will be formed within a month
The SVPSE will be the heart of the 2030 C o m m o n w e a l t h G a m e s , s e r v i n g a s a purpose-built hub for Gujarat's long-term sporting ecosystem It will feature an arena, a q u a t i c c e n t r e , t e n n i s c o u r t
zones, and athlete villages The Karai Police A
shooting, and other events The compact nature of the Games, mostly concentrated in the Ahmedabad-Gandhinagar area, will i m p r o v e m o
footprints, and cut athlete travel time by i n t e g r a t i n g
transport
Only cycling at the Statue of Unity and women ’ s cricket in
Sport values
Gujarat is promoting sports like netball, kabaddi, and yogasana, aiming to make Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar year-round sports cities with high-performance labs a
Sustainability, diversity, and inclusion will also be key at CHOGM 2026 and 2028
infrastructure upgrades, including roads, connectivity, and 20,000 new hotel rooms, boosting housing, retail, and tourism SVPI Airport will expand by 2026, and worldclass sports academies will foster a sports culture Gujarat’s sports budget has grown s
Khel Mahakumbh and Shaktidoot Public participation will be encouraged through A
with plans to train 10,000 volunteers and create 30,000 Games-related jobs
India overhauls labour laws amid political and economic pressure
of rules governing workers is
e s t i m a t e d t o h a v e s h r u n k
laws
employment rules
Last month, in a sudden move that reportedly caught b o t h u n i o n s a n d b u s i n e s s o f f - g u a r d , t h e g o v e r n m e n t enacted four new legislative c o d e s , c o n s o l i d a t i n g a n d u p d a t i n g 2 9 f o r m e r l a w s , some of which date back to the colonial era It boosts
I n d i a ’ s g r o w t h r a t e , a n d r e a l i s i n g i t s a m b i t i o n o f b e c o m i n g a ‘ d e v e l o p e d nation’ by 2047
Ea sing rule s and worker r ights
The primary objective is rationalisation The number
from 1,400 to about 350, with c o m p l i a n c e p a p e r w o r k replaced by a single licence
This rationalisation alone is expected to be a significant boon for large businesses
T h e t h r e s h o l d f o r c o m p a n i e s n e e d i n g government approval to lay off, relocate, or shut down has been raised from 100 to 3 0 0 w o r k e r s E c o n o m i s t s have long argued that the f o r m e r r u l e d i s c o u r a g e d i n d u s t r i a l f i r m s f r o m expanding their workforce, and the new rule is expected to raise India’s already fast g r o w t h r a t e H o w e v e r , labour organisations, like the C e n t r e o f I n d i a n T r a d e U n i o n s , a r e d e e p l y concerned
R e s t r i c t i o n s o n w h e r e and when women can work have been lifted, including rules that barred them from night shifts or certain factory r o l e s W i t h I n d i a ' s f e m a l e l a b o u r f o r c e p a r t i c i p a t i o n rate (33%) significantly below t h e g l
Kerala claims victory over extreme poverty
A rev olu ti onary clai m has b een m a d e o n I nd i a 's southernmost tip: the leftwing authorities in the state o
removal of hate content from school curricula, scholarships for minority students, and
bureaucrat participation in
committee adopted its Terms of Reference, reaffirming its
religious harmony, and social justice, as reported by Dawn
I
i
n
ate without extrem e p overty Chief Minister Pinarayi V i j a y a n , a n n o u n c e d t h e achievement on November 1st, or ‘Kerala Day’ While o p p o s i t i o n p a r
i e s s w i f t l y d i s m i s s e d t h e c l a i m a s a fraud and publicity stunt, so-called "Red Kerala" has long been admired for its w e l f a r e s t a t e , o f f e r i n g a quality of life envied across India O n l y 0 5 5 p e
n t o f K e r a l a ' s p o p u l a t i o n i s classified as poor, far below the national average of 14 96 per cent The state boasts an average life expectancy of
Vadodara will be held outside the hub, while the opening and
Pinarayi Vijayan
Subhajit and Milly Basu
The world takes a bow in front of Sardar Patel
S a rd a r V al la bh b h ai P at el, the colo ssal fig ure affectionately du bbed the "Iron Man o f India," remains an endur-
and
al u nity will be celebrated during his 150th birth anniv ersary in Octo ber 20 25 Bo rn
i n Nad ia d , G u
ara t, to Jh av eribh ai and Laadba Patel initially trained as a respected barrister before
movement As independent India’s first Home Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, h
masterfully integrating the princely states, a pivotal act t
leadership skills even before independence by successful-
modern All India Services (like the IAS), and undertak-
the Somnath Temple His
1950, known as his Punya Tithi, remains a solemn day where leaders and Indians worldwide pay tribute to his vision and service, a legacy now honoured globally with
statue in Markham, Canada
Today, India continues to honour the great leader, preserving his memory at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
N
through cultural initiatives,
National School of Drama play on his life planned for
Furthermore, in Canada, the
Sanatan Mandir and culture centre provides a significant
Samachar, C B Patel, visited the Sanatan Mandir when
receive the Global Gujarati award a few years ago and had Darshan of all divine deities before being blessed by the priest
Pregnant Sunali Khatun and son brought back from Bangladesh
P regnant S unali Khatun and h er eigh t-year-old son Sabir f i na lly re tu rn ed t o I nd i a after spending more than six m o nth s i n Ban g la d es h How ev er, fou r others from th e g ro u p o f six Beng alisp eaking Ind ians, who were p ushed back to Bangladesh by the Delh i Po lice on su sp ici on of being Bangladesh i n at io n als , co n ti nu e to rem ain in the neighbouring cou ntry
All six are members of
t h e s a m e f a m i l y a n d h a i l f r o m B i r b h u m d i s t r i c t i n West Bengal
S u n a l i a n d h e r s o n
c r o s s e d t h e I n d i aBangladesh border in Malda district amid tight security arrangements by the Border Security Force (BSF) They were taken to a local BSF camp for official formalities in the presence of senior administrative officials and
l a t e r s h i f t e d t o M a l d a M e d i c a l C o l l e g e a n d Hospital for comprehensive health check-ups
T h e S u p r e m e C o u r t
d i r e c t e d t h e W e s t B e n g a l government to provide free
medical care to Sunali, who is in an advanced stage of pregnancy, after the Centre informed the bench that it would bring her and Sabir
b a c k t o I n d i a “ p u r e l y o n humanitarian grounds ” The court also said that the wellbeing of eight-year-old Sabir would be the responsibility of the Bengal government
O n a r e q u e s t f r o m Sanjay Hegde, counsel for Sunali’s father Bhodu Sekh
o f B i r b h u m , t h e c o u r t a g r e e d t h a t s h
h o u l d receive medical treatment in W e s t B e n g a l r a t h e r t h a n Delhi
T h e h e a r i n g p e r t a i n e d to the Centre’s appeal chal-
D
SC move fails to check corporate donations to political parties
C ou rt's dram atic abolitio n of th e controversial electo ral bonds schem e, the flow o f c o lo s s al co r p o rat e d o
tions to Ind ia's ruling party
ommission
of the
Electoral Trust (PET) in the 2024 -25 fiscal year
T h e T a t a G r o u p ’ s Progressive Electoral Trust c h a n n e l l e d a t o t a l o f
£91 5mn to various political p a r t i e s O f t h
m
s s i v e sum, the BJP’s share stood at a dominant £75 76mn, reaff i r m i n g i t s u n p a r a l l e l e d financial advantage over the o p p o s i t i o n I n s t a r k c o ntrast, the main opposition p a r t y , t h e C o n g r e s
trust The BJP also received millions from other trusts, i
£15mn from the Mahindra G
Democratic Electoral Trust
suggests that the scrapping of the electoral bonds has failed to close the financial
ly absorbing much of the major corporate contributions
Meanwhile, smaller parties and the opposition saw their finances severely curtailed The Congress party's total trust receipts in 202425 fell far short of the gargantuan sums it received via bonds in the previous year The data provides a sobering insight: corporate India con-
the party in
Indian democracy remains profoundly uneven
Rasna Group celebrates Parsi heritage in Ahmedabad
three others who were
e d t o Bangladesh in June on
l l e g a t i o n s o f b e i n g infiltrators
The high court had o b s e r v e d t h a t t h e y were deported without a
u n i t y
h e a r d , violating their fundamental rights The bench of Chief
J u s t i c e S
Justice Joymalya Bagchi also o
Sunali’s citizenship could be verified based on her father
ments
“Pursuant to the observations made on the previous
General of India, on instructions, informs that purely on humanitarian grounds, t
Sunali Khatun, D/o Bhodu Sekh, along with her eightyear-old son, Sabir ”
l e n g i n g a S e p t e m b e r 2 6 Calcutta High Court order directing the government to bring back Sunali, her husb a n d D a n i s h S e k h , t h e i r s o n S
Protectionist measures will prove utterly self-defeating: Jaishankar
T he w orld’ s p olitical land scape is increasingly d efined by protectionist measures, but a cc o rd in g t o I nd i a' s F o rei g n M i n is
r S Jaishankar, nations attemp ting to blo ck the free m ovement of skilled pro fessionals are engaging in a futile exercise that will u ltim ately backfire Am id reports of a major o verhaul to th e US H-1B visa prog ramm e, Jaishankar issued a powerful warning that cou ntries o bstructing the global flow of talent will be the "net losers "
A d d r e s s i n g a r e c e n t c o n c l a v e , t h e
Minister stressed that global mobility is a vital, non-negotiable factor in the modern international economy He argued that as the world moves into an era of advanced manufacturing and complex technological innovation, the need for international talent will only intensify "They would be net losers if they erect too many roadblocks to
the flow of talent," Jaishankar stated, referencing a growing trend of visa restrictions and immigration hostility without naming any specific nation Jaishankar framed the issue as one of mutual benefit, suggesting that India must focus on convincing other countries that the use of "talent across boundaries is to our mutual benefit " He suggested that resistance to mobility is often driven by politicians seeking to satisfy a specific constituency, rather than the core needs of the economy
The minister also subtly linked the current visa resistance in some nations to global efforts to shift manufacturing supply chains away from China Ultimately, Jaishankar’s message is clear: for any economy to thrive in the 21st century, the free movement of intellect and skill must be prioritised over populist isolationism
In an extraordinary tw o-day sp ectacle o f cultu ral prid e and philanthropic comm itment, th e Rasna Group and i ts a s so c i ate d t ru s ts c o ncluded a m assiv e co mmemo ra ti v e c ere m o ny i n A hmedabad, h ono uring the rich h eritage and comm unity service of the Parsi diaspora Th e event, h ailed by g o v er no r A c h ary a D ev v r a, serv ed as a pow erfu l reaffirmation o f the com munity s c en tu ri es - o ld le g ac y as a steadfast nation-build er
The first day, graced by C h i e f M i n i s t e r
B h u p e n d r a b h a i P a t e l , s a w three high priests honoured for their spiritual guidance This solemn ceremony was followed by a vibrant cultura l e x t r a v a g a n z a , f e a t u r i n g c o m e d i a n C y r u s B r o a c h a and the special play, “AI –Artificial Irani ” The second d a y ’ s h i g h l i g h t w a s t h e unveiling of a 3D model for the Areez Khambatta Senior Citizen Home, a forthcomi n g p r o j e c t d e v e l o p e d i n p a r t n e r s h i p w i t h t h e
A h m e d a b a d P a r s i Panchayat Smt Binaisha P Khambatta, trustee of the A r e e z K h a m b a t t a Benevolent Trust, emphas i s e d t h a t t h e c e n t r e i s being built to ensure the community’s elders "live at a prime riverfront location" with dignity, modern facilities, and care
In a poignant address, Piruz A Khambatta, chairman of the Rasna Group, a n n o u n c e d a d e d i c a t e d s c h o l a r s h i p t o e n c o u r a g e young Parsi men to enter the priesthood, safeguardi n g t h e " c e n t u r i e s - o l d faith " He drew upon the h i s t o r i c s u g a r i n m i l k analogy of Parsi integration into India, concluding that, just as promised centuries a g o , t h e c o m m u n i t y remains fully committed to sweetening and contributing to the nation's growth in every possible way The e v e n t c u l m i n a t e d i n t h e conferment of the prestigious Parsi Ratna Awards to 10 distinguished individu-
als, including Nadir Godrej P ar si c o nt ri bu t io n s to British society and cu lture
D e s p i t e b e i n g a s m a l l c o m m u n i t y , a r o u n d 100,000 worldwide and just 5,000 in the UK, Parsis have consistently achieved global i n f l u e n c e , d r i v e n b y t h e i r integrity, loyalty, and dedic a t i o n t o e d u c a t i o n a n d enterprise
D e s c e n d a n t s o f Z o r o a s t r i a n s w h o f l e d Persia, most UK Parsis are based in London and have made significant professiona l a n d c u l t u r a l c o n t r i b utions Key institutions like the Zoroastrian Trust Funds
o f E u r o p e ( Z T F E ) , e s t a blished in 1861 by Muncherjee H
i Naoroji, the first Indian MP,
Zoroastrian community and became Britain’s first Asian
ground also preserves their distinct religious and cultural identity Parsis have pro-
society through figures such industrialist families like the Tatas, pioneering engineer Ardaseer Cursetjee Wadia, the first Indian Fellow of the Royal Society, Lord Karan Bilimoria, founder of Cobra Beer and the first Parsi in
d s , a n d more
from
Cong betrayed ‘Vande Mataram’ under pressure from Jinnah: PM Modi
P M N a r e n d r a M o d i a cc u se d
C o n g r e s s o f be t r a y i n g ‘ V a n d e
Mat ara m ’ and bowing to pressure fr o m M
Ga ndhi’s pra ise tha t the patr iotic song ha d be come lik e a n at ion al an them He said the par ty me ted out the “ gra ve injustice” due t o its appe aseme nt politics
Initiating a discussion in Lok Sabha on the national song ’ s 150th a n n
M
evolution to becoming a rallying cry for patriots and a unifying spirit against British rule, including in t h e p o p u
i n s t Bengal’s division in 1905 He said Gandhi, who then practised law in
S o u t h A f r i c a , r e c o g n i s e d i t s i m m e n s e a p p e a l i n B e n g a l
Quoting Gandhi’s statements on
t h e s o n g i n a w e e k l y , I n d i a n Opinion, in 1905, Modi said: “It is so popular that (it is almost) as if it has become our national anthem Its sentiments are great, and it is s
nations Its sole motive is to ignite
the patriotic spirit in us It sees India as mother and worships her ” If it was such a great song, then why was it betrayed in the last century?” asked Modi before taking aim at first PM Jawaharlal Nehru “ W h i c h w e r e t h e f o r c e s w h o s e wishes prevailed on the sentiments of revered Bapu? A sacred song like ‘Vande Mataram’ was dragged into controversy,” he said, in reference to Congress’s decision in 1937 to confine its recital to the first two
paras The current generation must
frightened the British so much that they banned it and repressed those who chanted it as a nationalist slogan He also took a swipe at Trinamool Congress, saying parties
keep raising controversy around
criticism from a section of Muslims
Foundation laid for Jaya rehabilitation & research centre at Bhaikaka University
Fo u nd atio n h as been laid
fo r a m odern reh abilitation and res ea rc h in s ti tu te nam ed Jaya Reh abi litati on C en tre a nd R es ear ch
In st i tu te a t B h ai ka ka University, Karamsad, und er the aeg is of C harutar A rog ya Mand al The ceremony was p erf o rm e d by A rv in bh a i Shah, fou nd er of the Jaya Foundation, along with his wife Jaya Shah
T h e c e n t
e i n g constructed over an area of approximately 65,184 square feet, comprising a ground
f l o o r a n d f o
n a l floors It will house state-ofthe-art facilities for physical r
t y t h e r a p y , k i n e t i c m o v e m e n t , a n d a l l i e d h e a l t h t r e a t m e n t s A d v a n c e d r o b o t i c a n d A I t e c h n o l o g i e s w i l l a l s o b e developed at this centre Amit Patel, secretary of C h a r u t a r A r o g y a M a n d a l ; J
secretary, board members; Dr Gauri Trivedi, president of Bhaikaka University; Dr A b h a y D h a r a m s i , P r o v o s t ; Dr Jyoti Tiwari, Registrar; D e a n a n d p r i n c i p a l s o f c o n s t i t u e n
during the ceremony
D r G a u r i T r i v e d i , Arvinbhai Shah, Gagjibhai
S u t a r i a , r
d architect of Sardar Dham A
d architect of this project, addressed the gathering The Jaya Foundation has a s t r o n g h i s t o r y i n rehabilitation, establishing centres at Bidda in 2005 and P a l i t a n a i n 2 0 1 8 I t s exceptional work at Bidda
e a r n e d t h e P r e s i d e n t ’ s Award in 2011
Belgium's SC rejects Mehul Choksi's appeal against extradition order
In a se tback t o Me hul C hoksi, Belgium’
or
hat cle are d t he way for his
dition t o In dia
Choksi had approached the Court of C a s s
p Court of Appeal, on October 17, upheld India’s extradition request and ruled that the o r d e r w a s " e n f o r c e a b l e " T h e a p p e l l a t e court’s decision marked one of the final legal
h u r d l e s i n t h e l o n g - r u n n i n g e x t r a d i t i o n process, prompting Choksi to seek relief from Belgium’s highest judicial authority
C h o k s i w a s a r r e s t e d b y B e l g i a n authorities in Antwerp in April at India's request and has been lodged in prison there since His bail plea was recently rejected on
grounds that he posed a flight risk Wanted in India in connection with the m u
N B ) scam, Choksi has been fighting extradition proceedings abroad since 2018
He later filed an application in a special c o u r t u n
Laundering Act (PMLA) through his lawyers
Directorate (ED)'s application to declare him
a F
Mumbai rejected his application, seeking to drop the proceedings declaring him a FEO Choksi and his nephew Nirav Modi are the prime accused in the multi-crore scam being probed by both the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the ED
Modi appeared to be responding to critics, who have found the song ’ s i m
r y o f n a t
d d e s s o b j e c t i o n a b l e , w i t h a s t r o n g a r t i c u l a t i o n o f c u l t u r a l nationalism, a foundational guide to the Sangh Parivar, as he noted that even the Vedas have visualised India as a mother Modi’s over 55-minute speech w a s h e a r d w i t h o u t a n y s e r i o u s d i s r u p t i o n , a n d h e m a d e a concession to TMC MP Saugata Roy when the latter rose to object to his use of ‘da’ and not the more
r e s p e c t f u l ‘ b a b u ’ a f t e r t h e
s o n g w r i t e r B a n k i m C h a n d r a
Chatterjee’s first name, thanking him for the suggestion Modi used the suffix “babu” for Bankim from that point onwards
W i t h t h e s o n g ’ s a s s o c i a t i o n w i t h B e n g a l i i c o n s l i k e
Chandra Chatterjee and Rabindra
Nath Tagore, who set it to music, BJP hopes to deepen its connect with the people of West Bengal,
which goes to the polls in a few months, as it takes on CM Mamata Banerjee-headed Trinamool which has often championed its regional identity to corner its main rival
protested on Oct 15, 1937, against
Congress sessions, Nehru, as the president of his party, felt insecure
League leader’s criticism by writing to Subhas Chandra Bose that its
taking on Jinnah and the Congress, at its Kolkata session on Oct 26 pruned the song to its first two paras, he said, hammering home the irony of that conclave being organised in Chatterjee’s state
He added, “History is witness
to the division of India later ”
US trade team arriving to resume talks from December 10
A team of officials from the US would be in Ind ia for three days from Decem ber 1 0 to push ahead the negotiations on an initial trad e deal that will see sig nificant red uction in ad d i ti o nal ta ri ff s i m p o se d o n In d i an im p o rts b y th e Do n ald T ru m p ad ministratio n
The deal will be in the nature of an initial pact which will then be a launchpad for a m o r e c o m p r e h e n s i v e B i l a t e r a l T r a d e Agreement (BTA)
The team will be led by Deputy US Trade
R e p r e s e n t a t i v e R i c k S w i t z e r , w h i l e t h e
I n d i a n t e a m w i l l b e l e d b y C o m m e r c e
Secretary Rajesh Agrawal Earlier the US teams in trade talks with India were led by A s s i s t a n t U S T R B r e n d a n L y n c h w h o i s Assistant USTR for South and Central Asia
T h e U S t e a m w i l l b e i n I n d i a f r o m
D e c e m b e r 1 0 t o D e c e m b e r 1 2 a n d t h e
meetings that are being planned have not been labelled as a formal round Switzer serves as the lead of the US negotiating team for the India-US BTA while Lynch is the chief negotiator In US political hierarchy, Switzer has a higher rank
The US currently charges 50% additional duties on Indian goods - 25% reciprocal tariff to address the trade deficit and another 25% for buying Russian oil
These tariffs have led to sharp decline in t h e I n d i a n s h
products, engineering goods and leather
Overall merchandise exports to the US fell 8 59% on-year to $6 30 billion
Negotiations at the Finish Line E
address the additional tariff burden India faces
“At the level of negotiators I think we are in a zone from where we can say it is something we can achieve in a very short time There is not much left to negotiate T
Agrawal had said
It was the BTA that India and US had agreed to enter into on February 13 till 25% reciprocal tariffs and then another 25% penal tariffs on India for buying Russian oil were announced The initial deadline for the first tranche of the BTA was fall of 2025 The extra tariffs focused talks to addressing the a
comprehensive trade agreement
The last round of physical meetings for a trade deal between the two sides were held in October It was the sixth round of talks between the two sides The first one in March had finalised the terms of reference (
Air India disaster: Intoxicated bodies and alarmed Parliament
The ongoing inquiry into the devastating Air India tragedy has taken a shocking and dramatic turn, following reports detailing the discovery of "dangerously high" levels of toxins in the bodies of the victims This alarming revelation was brought to light even as the Centre assured Parliament that the official crash investigation is still actively underway and nearing completion
The presence of these extreme toxic levels has significantly deepened the mystery surrounding the circumstances of the crash, moving the focus beyond simple mechanical or operational failures Authorities and medical examiners are now faced with the urgent task of identifying the source and nature of these lethal substances While the full official report is awaited, these preliminary findings raise serious questions about the final moments aboard the aircraft and potentially introduce a chilling new dimension to the catastrophe India vows to eradicate child marriage by 2030
A powerful national awareness drive has been launched in India with the ambitious and decisive goal of making the nation completely free of child marriage by the year 2030 This momentous undertaking is an unequivocal declaration against a practice that continues to severely undermine the futures of countless young girls The campaign is mobilising communities, engaging policymakers, and challenging deep-seated societal norms that perpetuate this harmful tradition Success in this mission will not only uphold the rule of law but will also act as a crucial catalyst for gender equality and national development
Calm in four breaths Practice box breathing for just one minute to quickly calm your mind and body The technique is simple: inhale for four seconds, hold your breath for four, exhale for four, and pause again for four This steady rhythm helps slow your heart rate, reduces tension, and activates the body’s relaxation response It’s an easy, science-backed way to manage stress or anxiety anywhere, at your desk, in traffic, or before an important meeting.
When coffee and medicine don’t mix
Your daily cup of coffee might feel harmless, even essential, but for many people, it can interfere with common medications
C
stimulant that speeds up the central nervous system The burst of alertness it provides is real, but when paired with
s
same stimulant effect can become a problem Tea also
usually in smaller amounts Coffee, however, delivers
interactions more likely How common medicines interact C
mixed with caffeine, they can intensify side effects
drug This may lessen the
i n e f o r underactive thyroid need to b e e s p e c i a l
c a r e f u l Drinking coffee too soon after taking the tablet can reduce absorption by up to h a l f , w e a k e n i n g t h e t r e a t m e n t S i m i l a r l y , o s t e o p o r o s i s m e d i c a t i o n s s u c h a s b i s p h o s p h o n a t e s a l s o r e
g period before food or drink
• An t id ep re s sa n ts a nd an ti p sy c h o t i cs : W i t
experience amplified side
medications, caffeine can interfere with the body
clozapine are particularly sensitive because both they and caffeine are processed
•
•
• Consider switching to decaf or reducing intake to one small cup a day
• Consult your doctor or pharmacist if you take multiple medications or have noticed any
Vaping surges among young people despite health risks
Vaping has surged in popularity among young people, often marketed as a safer alternative to smoking, but it carries serious health risks.
harmful chemicals
increasingly popular, with many young people drawn
risks
F o r t h e f i r s t t i m e i n Great Britain, more over-16s vape than smoke, with 5 4
m i l l i o n a d u l t s u s i n g e -
c i g a r e t t e s c o m p a r e d w i t h
4 9 m i l l i o n s m o k e r s , according to a 2024 ONS survey Daily use is most common among 25-49 year
o l d s , p a r t i c u l a r l y w o m e n While vaping is seen as less risky, the long-term effects
a r e s t i l l u n k n o w n , a n d c h i l d r e n o r n o n - s m o k e r s should avoid it
T h e c h a r i t y A S H
w e l c o m e d t h e d r o p i n smoking but warned that it
still causes 70,000 deaths a year About 10% of adults n o w v a p e , s l i g h t l y m o r e than the 9 1% who smoke, a n d 7 4 2 % h a v e q u i t smoking, up from 70 3% in 2023
Kirsten Watters and Dr Somen Banerjee from the Association of Directors of P u b l i c H e a l t h ( A D P H )
L o n d o n e m p h a s i s e d
s harmful than tobacco, but it is not risk-free for young people “Children under 18 should not be vaping, as it
unknown health impacts,”
based on the latest evidence and health messages W
from addiction to serious health damage, does it really
lungs, your brain, and your long-term wellbeing on the line for a trend, a flavour, or
approval? Isn’t your life and
a n that?
UK to test gentler prostate cancer therapy
not spread far beyond the g l a n
a n d c a r r i e s r i s k s including infection, erectile dysfunction and long-term urinary problems
A q u a b l a t i o n a i m s t o reduce these complications T h e m i n i m a l l y i n v a s i v
that uses robotics, artificial
water jet, guided by realtime ultrasound, to
Dakota Johnson–Aishwarya Rai reunion delights fans online
Bollywood icon Aishwarya Rai
captivated attention at the Red Sea Film Festival 2025 in Saudi Arabia, where her appearance quickly went viral
Among the many videos and photos shared online, one standout moment showed American actor Dakota Johnson warmly interacting with Aishwarya and posing for a picture together, an interaction that delighted fans across the globe.
A video from December 4 showing
D a k o t a J o h n s o n a n d A i s h w a r y a R a i interacting at the Red Sea Film Festival 2025 quickly went viral The two were seen holding hands and sharing a warm conversation on the red carpet, with Dakota mentioning her visit to the M a h a K u m b h e a r l i e r t h i s y e a r a n d Aishwarya expressing her delight They later posed together for photographers,
D a k o t a d a z z l i n g i n a b l a c k c u t - o u t gown and Aishwarya radiating elegance in a beige dress with a black shrug
Their photos and videos sparked excitement online, with fans calling the moment an “unexpected collab,” “two divas in one frame,” and “ my queens ”
Earlier this year, Dakota Johnson visited India with Chris Martin during Coldplay’s Music of the Spheres World Tour She was seen seeking blessings at S i d d h i v i n a y a k T e m p l e w i t h S o n a l i Bendre and Gayatri Joshi, and later visited Shri Babulnath Temple with Chris Martin
Aishwarya Rai was last seen in Mani Ratnam’s Ponniyin Selvan II, a boxoffice success featuring Vikram, Jayam R a v i , S o b h i t a D h u l i p a l a a n d T r i s h a Krishnan She has yet to announce her
n e x t p r o j e c t D a k o t a ’ s m o s t r e c e n t release was the 2025 film Materialists,
c o - s t a r r i n g C h r i s E v a n s a n d P e d r o Pascal, which earned positive reviews and grossed $108 million worldwide She will next appear in Verity, a psychol o g i c a l t h r i l l e r d i r e c t e d b y M i c h a e l
Showalter and starring Anne Hathaway and Josh Hartnett, set for release in 2026
Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol unveil iconic DDLJ statue in London
Bollywood
icons Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol marked a milestone in London as they unveiled a bronze statue of their Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge characters, and Simran, at Leicester Square. The installation celebrates 30 years of the beloved classic and is the first UK statue honouring an Indian film.
Sharing photos from the event, Shah Rukh Khan penned a heartfel note: “Bade Bade Deshon Mein, Aisi Chhoti Chhoti Baatein Hoti Reht Hain, Senorita! Thrilled to unveil the bronze statue of Raj & Simran a London’s Leicester Square today, celebrating 30 years of DDLJ!” He adde that he was “incredibly delighted” that DDLJ is the first Indian film to join Scenes in the Square trail, thanking audiences in the UK for the honour
“DDLJ was made with a pure heart, a story about love breaking barriers, which is why it still resonates after 30 years, ” Shah Rukh Khan said He added that the film is “ a part of my identity,” and expressed gratitude for the continued love he and Kajol receive, thanking the Heart of London Business Alliance for honouring the film
Calling it an emotional moment, Khan said being the first Indian film featured on the Scenes in the Square trail “brings back so many memories ” He dedicated the honour to the entire cast and crew, director Aditya Chopra, and the Yash Raj Films family, saying it is “ a memory I will cherish forever ”
Kajol, joined by her children Nysa and Yug, posed with Shah Rukh Khan in front of the statue, braving the London rain in a green saree
“It’s incredible to see ‘Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge' receive so much love even after 30 years Watching the statue being unveiled felt like reliving a piece of our history,” she said Kajol added that seeing it take its place in Leicester Square, a location closely tied to DDLJ, makes the honour even more special as the first Indian film to receive such recognition in the UK
Priyanka Chopra looks back on 10 years in the US film
industry
Priyanka Chopra celebrated a decade of working in the US, a journey that began with ‘Quantico’ and has since expanded to major projects like ‘Citadel’ and ‘Heads of State’. Reflecting on her career, she said she has found far more variety in the roles she’s been offered in the West compared to her time in India.
Speaking to PTI from Los Angeles, Priyanka reflected on her career in both India and the West She noted that her Hindi filmography offers far more variety than what she’s done internationally so far, adding that she hopes to bring the same diversity and depth to her English-language projects She said she still considers herself in the early stages of her Hollywood journey and is aiming for more growth
Priyanka’s career began after winning Miss World 2000 at age 18, followed by her film debut in 2003 She quickly rose to prominence with hits like ‘Andaz’, ‘Mujhse Shaadi Karogi’, ‘Aitraaz’, and ‘Fashion’, becoming one of Bollywood’s leading stars before transitioning to Hollywood in 2016
Reflecting on her Hollywood journey, Priyanka said she’s in “ an interesting place” with opportunities to collaborate with filmmakers from around the world, something she’s embracing wholeheartedly Internationally, she has taken on supporting roles in films like Baywatch and The Matrix Resurrections, while leading series such as ‘Quantico’ and ‘Citadel’, and films like ‘Heads of State ' She is set to return to Indian cinema in 2027 with SS Rajamouli’s ‘Varanasi ' , starring alongside Mahesh Babu and Prithviraj Sukumaran, her first Indian release in eight years
Imran Khan makes a surprise comeback in ‘Happy Patel’
ActorImran Khan, who has long hinted at a return after more than a decade away from films, has finally put rumours to rest with his appearance in the announcement of Happy Patel, Vir Das’ directorial debut. The video features a sizzle reel from the quirky spy comedy, including a brief shot of Imran sporting long hair and staring intensely into the camera, suggesting a cameo.
The 15-second teaser also showcases Vir in various avatars, but it was Imran’s blink-and-miss moment that set social media buzzing, with fans sharing screenshots and celebrating his comeback Imran was last seen on the big screen in Katti Batti (2015) before stepping away from acting
Fans warmly welcomed Imran Khan’s comeback, with one saying, “I’m glad he’s doing a fun film instead of a typical loverboy comeback, excited for this!” Another added, “Good to see he is back ” Happy Patel, produced by Aamir Khan and directed by Vir Das, also marks a nostalgic reunion for the Delhi Belly team Fans spotted the connection instantly, commenting, “Best teaser in a long time, Delhi Belly vibes!” and “Loving the reunion!” Vir joined the banter, playfully responding to a fan, “Wait Imran is in this movie??”
Imran, who debuted with the 2007 hit ‘Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na’, appeared in films like ‘I Hate Luv Storys’, ‘Break Ke Baad’, ‘Mere Brother Ki Dulhan’, and ‘Once Upon a Time in Mumbai Dobaara’, but struggled to deliver consistent solo box-office hits before stepping away from acting
AVM producer Saravanan passes away at 86
Legendary Tamil producer Saravanan Surya Mani, also known as AVM Saravanan or M Saravanan, passed away in the early hours of Thursday, December 4, at the age of 86, a day after his birthday, due to age-related health issues A stalwart of Tamil cinema, he was associated with AVM Productions and AVM Studios, founded by his father.
His mortal remains were placed for public homage on the third floor of AVM Studios, where fans, family, and industry members paid their last respects
Fans took to social media to mourn Saravanan’s passing, while Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin visited AVM Studios to meet the family
A c t o r V i s h a l c a l l e d h i m “ t h e legendary filmmaker behind AVM Studios” and recalled, “I met him as a kid, as an assistant director, actor, and producer AVM Studios was a learning ground for me ” He added, “ Y o u r f i l m s w i l l a l w a y s g u i d e aspiring filmmakers May God give strength to his family RIP ”
Pictures and videos show Suriya visiting AVM Studios in Chennai
w i t h h i s f a
S
visibly grieving, while Rajinikanth paid his respects, saying, “He was a wonderful person I acted in nine films under AVM, all hits ”
Many industry figures, including Easwari Rai, Kanchana, Mohan Raja, and Parthiban, also paid homage
A V M S a r a v a n a n , s o n o f A V M e i y a p p a n , t h
‘Sivaji: The Boss’, ‘Minsara Kanavu’, a
continues the legacy, and Saravanan served as Sheriff of Madras in 1986
Gulshan Devaiah joins Samantha in Telugu film ‘Maa Inti Bangaram’
Gulshan
Devaiah is all set to make his Telugu debut with ‘Maa Inti Bangaram’, starring alongside Samantha Ruth Prabhu and R. Madhavan. Having recently made his Kannada debut with ’Kantara’, Devaiah said he was thrilled to join the project.
Produced by Samantha’s Tralala Moving Pictures, the film’s official muhurat ceremony was held in Hyderabad “I’ve been waiting for the right opportunity to work with Samantha, and ‘MIB’ came at the perfect time,” he shared
While details of his role remain under wraps, Devaiah said he is “deep in preparation for MIB” and described it as “ a pretty challenging part to play ” The 47-year-old actor added he hopes to meet audience expectations for his Telugu debut, saying, “I’m putting in all the effort and hope I don’t mess it up ”
Samantha Ruth Prabhu, who is both producing and playing the female lead in ‘Maa Inti Bangaram’, described the project as “deeply personal,” according to The Hollywood Reporter She said the film explores themes of “love, belonging, and strength” and expressed excitement about reuniting with director Nandini Reddy “As a producer, it’s thrilling to bring stories to life with honesty and warmth,” she added Devaiah was last seen in Rishab Shetty’s ‘Kantara: Chapter 1 ’ , a prequel to the 2022 hit, where he played Kulshekara, a king determined to destroy the Kantara forests He recently appeared in the web series ‘Perfect Family’ and will next headline Netflix’s Tamil series ‘Legacy’, directed by Charukesh Sekar and co-starring Nimisha Sajayan, Gautham Karthik, and Abhishek Banerjee
Rashmika Mandanna feels truly successful with ‘The Girlfriend’
“National Crush” Rashmika Mandanna has starred in some of Indian cinema’s biggest films, including the ‘Pushpa’ franchise, ‘Animal’, and ‘Chhaava’, making her one of the most sought-after actresses She recently received acclaim for her OTT release ‘The Girlfriend’, saying the love for the film finally made her feel truly successful I n a n i n t e r v i e w w i t h T h e H o l l y w o o d
Reporter, Rashmika Mandanna revealed that despite starring in big films, she never truly felt successful She explained that commercial success and visibility didn’t give her a sense of accomplishment like ‘The Girlfriend’ did “But ‘The Girlfriend' reaching people’s hearts has finally made me feel like I’ve arrived For the first time, I really felt that love,” she said R e f l e c t i n g o n t h e a u d i e n c e r e s p o n s e ,
Rashmika Mandanna said she was moved by how closely women related to her character, Bhooma “I thought only a few would connect, but seeing so many say, ‘this is my story’ breaks my heart I’m grateful, but I don’t want it to be limited to women or men, ” she said “There’s so much pain in the world, and seeing that makes me want to hold everyone and say, ‘It’s okay, it’ll pass, ’” she added R a s h m i
immediate bond with the story: “I could feel Bhooma in my heart It has made me feel at peace as an actor ” D i r e c t
romantic drama follows a college romance that turns toxic and is now streaming on Netflix in Telugu, Tamil, Hindi, Kannada, and Malayalam
Ram Gopal Varma, known for his unconventional cinema and bold opinions, is now set to step in front of the camera.
According to a CineExpress report, Varma will play the lead role in the upcoming film ‘Showman’, directed by debutant Nuthan and backed by filmmaker Rama Satyanarayana. The film carries the tagline “Mad Monster ”
Producer Rama Satyanarayana
explained how Ram Gopal Varma ended up as the lead in ‘Showman’ After failing to secure dates from stars like Chiranjeevi, Balakrishna, N a g a r j u n a , a n d V e n k a t e s h , h e decided to cast “ my god, Ram Gopal Varma,” he said
S
worked with RGV several times, added that Varma didn’t charge any r
worth
crore, but he didn’t ask for payment He wants to take it after the film is completed,” he said He also expressed confidence in the project, adding, “With big stars,
smooth release But with RGV,
definitely draw attention and reach theatres ” The filmmaker revealed that
menacing antagonist in ‘Showman’,
‘Sivaji’ While avoiding plot details, producer Rama Satyanarayana said the film is set in the gritty gangster underworld
T h
underway in Mumbai, and the team plans to release the teaser soon
own 271 for victory
After Yashasvi Jaiswal’s maiden ODI hundred and Rohit Sharma’s 75 laid the foundation, Kohli smashed 65 off 45 balls
scoring the winning runs by charging down the pitch His performance marked a spectacular resurrection for a player who endured intense scrutiny following backto-back ducks in Australia, but has since compiled 376 runs in his last four innings
The 23-year-old Jaiswal, who now has tons in all three international formats, struggled at the start with Rohit leading the batting charge to raise his 61st ODI half-century
short Rohit’s innings after seven fours and three sixes in his 73-ball knock
Jaiswal switched gears after his 50 and hit a string of boundaries to ease into the target The bowlers set up victory after left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav and fast bowler Prasidh Krishna took four wickets each to bowl out South Africa for 270 in 47 5 overs
in brief
INDIA TO HOST SQUASH WORLD CUP IN CHENNAI
India’s 2-1 series triumph on Saturday
included two tons and an unbeaten halfcentury at a stunning average of 151 His series-ending flourish came in the decisive match in Visakhapatnam as India chased
Rohit got past 20,000 international runs during the knock to be only the f
, Kohli and Rahul Dravid to achieve the feat
Left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj cut
With the series level at 1-1, India finally won an ODI toss after losing 20 in a row as skipper KL Rahul broke the scarcely believable jinx and put South Africa in to bat Opener Quinton de Kock made 106 off 89 balls and put on 113 runs with skipper Temba Bavuma, who made 48, as South Africa looked set for a big total at 168-2 but the batting collapsed
Bavuma “The Indian team showed their quality, kudos to them ”
3-year-old Sarwagya Singh is king of the chessboard
T hree year old Sarw ag ya Singh K ushwaha
h as beco me the youngest player ever to earn
a ra ti ng fro m th e In te rna ti o nal C h e s s
F ederation (Fid e), the w orld gov erning body
S arwagya beg an playing at h is home in Sagar,
M ad hya P radesh, w hen he was tw o and a
h alf Nitin C hourasia started coaching him in A pril, six days a w eek, four hours a d ay
T he extensiv e training h elped Sarw ag ya to d efeat three rated players and achieve a 1, 57 2 rating from Fide
He beat a record set by Anish Sarkar, from Calcutta, who achieved the same feat in November last year when he was three years, eight months and 19 days - one month older than Sarwagya
S a r w a g y a ’ s f a t h e r , S i d d h a r t h S i n g h
Kushwaha, said his son was too young to comprehend his feat but was delighted with the gifts his family showered him with after his win
Kushwaha, 32, a farmer, is an amateur chess player himself and noticed his son ’ s
FIFA releases 2026 World Cup match schedule
T he International F ederation of Association F ootball ( FIFA) has released the complete m atch sch ed ule fo r th e 2026 World C up, a d ay a ft er f i na li si n g th e g ro u p s fo r th e expanded 48-team to urnam ent to be held in the U nited States, Canada and Mexico The 1 04-g am e tou rnam ent will start on June 11
w ith a M exi co vs S ou th A fri ca clas h in M exi c o C it y De fe nd i n g c h am p io n s A rg en ti na w i ll be g i n th ei r ti tl e d ef enc e against Algeria on Ju ne 16
L e a d e r s g a t h e r e d a m i d s n o w f a l l i n Washington’s Kennedy Centre for a special ceremony organised for the draws At the event, US President Donald Trump received a newly created peace prize from FIFA During the ceremony, President Trump, Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum, and Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney each stepped forward to draw plastic spheres from separate bowls Each sphere carried the name of its own country
The final is set for July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey A total of 78 matches will be hosted in the United States, with 13 each in Canada and Mexico South Korea, along with Canada and Mexico, is one of only three teams without games in the US
talent early on The family were inspired by G u k e s h D o m m a r a j u , 1 9 , t h e y o u n g e s t undisputed world champion ever, who is from Chennai “Sarwagya heard us talking about Gukesh and began watching videos
H e p i c k e d u p t h e r u l e s i n n o t i m e , ”
Kushwaha said Many chess prodigies start playing very young The former world champion Magnus
Gill and Pandya back in India's T20I squad
In a big boost for Ind ia, test and ODI captain S h u bm a n Gi ll a nd p rem ie r w h i te- ba ll allrounder Hard ik Pand ya, wh o were both out due to injuries, are back for th e fivem at ch h o m e T 20 I s e ri es ag ai ns t S o u t h Africa starting from Dec 9 in Cuttack Gill, India’s vice-captain in T20Is, seems to have recovered from his neck injury and was included subject to a fitness clearance from the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru Meanwhile, Pandya, who was sidelined due to a quadriceps injury since the Asia Cup in Sept in UAE, recovered after undergoing rehab at CoE Last week, while playing his first competitive match in almost t w o m o n t h s , P a n d y a s m a s h e d a m
h winning 77* off just 42 balls for Baroda against Punjab in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy match in Hyderabad, besides taking 1/52 Chief selector Ajit Agarkar and BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia were also present when the squad for the home T20I series against South Africa was picked, just before t
Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh Stadium
opening Test against SA in Kolkata and
T20Is at the same time during a series, but the selectors delayed picking the T20I squad as they waited for a final word from the BCCI’s medical specialists on Gill’s injury Gill underwent rehab at the BCCI’s CoE in Bengaluru
Carlsen was five when he began playing and t h e f i v e - t i m e I n d i a n W o r l d C u p w i n n e r Anand Viswanathan was six Bharat Singh Chauhan, deputy president of the Asian Chess Federation, said: “I’m pleasantly surprised at these prodigies It helps that they have plenty of opportunities to play ”
India, where chess originated in the 6th century, is in the throes of a revival of interest in the game, with corresponding a c h i
smashing a record that had been unbroken for 40 years after it was set by the Russian grandmaster Garry Kasparov O t h e r I n d i a n t a l e n t s i n c l u d e A r j u n
E r i g a i s i , 2 2 , a n d R a m e s h b a b u
Praggnanandhaa, 20 Kushwaha said: “I am so proud and so l u c k y W e w a n t h i m t o b e c o m e a grandmaster ”
Three players from Surat in India's wheelchair cricket squad
Th ree p layers fro m Su rat h ave been s elected fo r th e I ndian Wh eelch air Cricket T eam , jus t ahead o f the International Day o f P ersons w i th D is ab il i ti es T h ei
o u ts tanding p erf o rm anc
th e N atio nal Wh eelchair C ricket T ournament o rganised by th e Divyang Cricket Contro l Bo ard of India
c
named vice-captain All-rounder Milan Ahir has also secured his spot in the squad The trio will participate in the Umang National W h e e l c h a i r C r i c k e t T o u r n a m e n t , a p r e s t i g i o u s f o u r - d a y e v e n t a t t h e O l d
Camping Ground in Bhopal Teams from India, Nepal and Sri Lanka will compete in the tournament, which is significant on the para-sports calendar All three players have been trained at a cricket academy run by D h a n s u k h P
village near Surat A former
nurturing their talent and confidence So far, he has trained nine players who have reached the national level, three of whom have now earned a place in the Indian team “ D i s a
opportunities, they can shine at both the national and international levels,” Patel said “The success of these three players brings me joy that feels truly personal ”
India will host the Squash World Cup for the third consecutive time, with the tournament taking place at SDAT Stadium in Chennai till the 14th of this month Twelve nations will compete, including hosts India, defending champions Egypt, and 2023 runners-up Malaysia Each team has two men and two women, and matches follow the format introduced in the 2023 games to seven points with sudden-death tiebreaks at 6-6 India has announced its squad In the men’s category No 1 Abhay Singh will team up with Velavan Senthilkumar Former World No 10 Joshna Chinappa returns aiming to improve on India’s third-place finish in 2023 On the women’s side No 1 Anahat Singh will make her World Cup debut
SIMRANPREET WINS GOLD IN ISSF WORLD CUP FINAL
Simranpreet Kaur Brar clinched the gold medal in the women s 25-meter pistol event at the ISSF World Cup Final 2025 in Doha, Qatar The 21-year-old also equalled the Junior World Record of Paris Olympics Champion Yang Ji-In of South Korea, hitting 41 out of 50 shots in a highly competitive finals field In the men’s 50m rifle 3-positions event, Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar won the silver medal He scored 413 3, finishing just 0 9 points behind Czechia’s Jiri Privratsky, who claimed the gold with 414 2 in the final, held under the new ISSF 40-shot format
SURUCHI SIGNS OFF YEAR WITH GOLD
Shooter Suruchi Phogat ended an already successful year with a gold at the ISSF World Cup Finals in Doha The Haryana shooter, who had won four gold medals and a bronze in the senior World Cups added another gold in the women’s 10m air pistol Suruchi shot 245 1 a junior World Record to finish on top while the silver went to her compatriot Sainyam who shot 243 3 The previous record was held by Manu Bhaker who had shot 241 7 in 2019 Manu finished 5th with 179 2 in the event
LANDO NORRIS CROWNED FORMULA ONE CHAMPION
McLaren Lando Norris clinched the Formula One World Championship in dramatic fashion on Sunday becoming the 35th World Champion after the season finale in Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina Circuit Needing only a podium to secure the title, Norris finished third at the Yas Marina Circuit enough to edge out reigning champion Max Verstappen by just two points Verstappen won the race, piling on the pressure, but it was not enough to overcome Norris’s season-long points tally of 423 Oscar Piastri Norris’s
champion Viswanathan Anand in an all-Indian final Arjun won the title through a blitz tie-break after drawing their initial rapid games Earlier, Arjun had defeated Russian Grandmaster Peter Svidler in the semifinals while Anand overcame reigning World Blitz champion Ian Nepomniachtchi
