Sikh businessman acquires UK's first football club P32
Foreign Secretary visits India to prep for PM Starmer’s trip
During an exclusive interview with Asian Voice, Foreign Secretary David Lammy during his third Indian visit, assured that UK is a friend and partner to both India and Pakistan. With top leaders from both sides engaging, this visit reflected on the growing bilateral ties between the two countries
Foreign Secretary David Lammy undertook a key two-day visit to New Delhi over the last weekend to review and advance the UK-India economic and migration partnership.
The visit also served as a preparatory step ahead of Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s expected visit to India, expected in the coming months.
According to an official statement issued by the UK government, "The visit follows the historic Free Trade Agreement signed between the two countries and will deliver on this government's commitment to boost jobs and prosperity back in the UK, as part of the government's Plan for Change."
Secretary Lammy also met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and held bilateral talks with Indian External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar to further deepen the strategic partnership between the UK and India. He also met Indian Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal.
New lifeline to Kashmir: PM Modi opens railway bridge over Chenab River
Two teenagers have been sentenced for the manslaughter of 80-year-old Bhim Kohli, who died following a brutal and unprovoked attack in Braunstone Town, Leicestershire, last September. The case has sparked widespread anger across the UK’s Indian community, particularly among British Punjabis, who say the justice system has once again failed a victim of racial violence.
A 15-year-old boy has been sentenced to seven years in custody. A 13-year-old girl, who was 12 at the time of the assault, received a three-year youth rehabilitation order with a six-month curfew and mandatory community service. Due to their ages, their identities are protected by law.
The pair were convicted in April at Leicester Crown Court. Justice Turner, in his sentencing remarks, described the attack as “cowardly and wicked,” but stopped short of classifying it as racially aggravated, despite the boy reportedly hurling racist abuse at Kohli while physically assaulting him. The girl filmed the attack, laughing and encouraging the boy throughout.
Kohli, a beloved grandfather, retired businessman, and longtime resident of the area, was taking his daily dog walk in a local park when he was accosted. He died from injuries including a broken neck and three fractured ribs.
The judge said he was “sure Mr Kohli did nothing to deserve this,” but his decision not to label the attack as racially aggravated, and the comparatively lenient sentence for the girl, has deeply upset many in the community.
Anusha Singh
Subhasini Naicker
Foreign Secretary David Lammy with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits Chenab bridge, in Jammu and Kashmir
Shubhanshu Shukla
Bhim Kohli
Bhim Kohli’s daughter Susan Kohli and wife Satinder Kohli
H
Police leaders warn of crumbling criminal justice amid budget cuts and evidence failures
a last-minute plea by
C ooper for ad ditio nal funding T he standoff raises fears that the go vernment’s flagsh ip law and ord er pled ges m ay f al ter am i d
d er sp ending pressures
C
Me
Chiefs’ Council Chair Gavin
St
G e n e r a l G r a e m e B i g g a r issued a rare joint letter to
P r i m e M i n i s t e r Ke i r
St a r m e r, u r g i n g h i m t o reconsider planned budget cuts The letter warned that without urgent investment, forces would be forced to make “stark choices” about which crimes to investigate potentially risking public safety
The letter, described by off icials as a “last resort,” comes as the government f i n a l i s e s i t s f i r s t m a j o r s p e n d i n g r e v i e w D e s p i t e
Co o p e r ’ s p u s h fo r g re a t e r resources particularly to support Labour’s target of recruiting 13,000 new front-
l i n e o f f i c e r s b y 2 0 2 9 Reeves has imposed a f ixed
s e t t l e m e n t W h i l e p o l i c e budgets will see a small realt e r m s i n c r e a s e o v e r t h e
three-year review, insiders say it falls far short of what’s n e e d e d t o m e e t g r o w i n g demands
A Whitehall source said, “ Yv e t t e p u s h e d v e r y h a r d but was told that there simply isn’t the money for it ”
T h i s f u n d i n g c l a s h comes at a time of growing concern over the UK’s strugg l i n g j u s t i c e s y s t e m A recent joint investigation by the BBC and University of Leicester found that more t h a n 3 0 , 0 0 0 p r o s e c u t i o n s collapsed between 2020 and 2024 due to lost, damaged, o r m i s h a n d l e d e v i d e n c e
These included over 550 sexual offences and 70 homic i d e s T h e Cr o w n
Prosecution Ser vice says the number of “E72” cases
those dropped because key
e v i d e n c e w a s m i s s i n g
rose from 7,484 in 2020 to 8,180 in 2024
The Metropolitan Police has faced particular scrutin y A 2 0 2
rape kits stored in broken fridges, while one in 20 Met p
failed due to lost evidence twice the national average Experts warn that years
o f u n
police infrastructure, especially in handling digital and forensic evidence, are taking a t o l l A
Leicester sur vey found 75% o f c r
worked on cases where key e
destroyed A
such as health, defence and
boosts with £14 billion earmarked for the Sizewell C nuclear plant ministers r
Labour’s key “missions” are
budgets
Police chiefs are report-
nalling that the funding battle is far from over
Farage’s Reform UK could become Scotland’s main opposition
Is this an indication that Britain is tilting further right?
Reform U K is projected to become th e m ain oppo sition p arty in Scotland after next y ear ’ s Ho lyr o od ele ct io n s, sig nalling a broad er shift in British p olitics tow ards the p opulist rig ht
Leading pollster Sir John Curtice said that if voting
p a t t e r n s f r o m t h e r e c e n t
H a m i l t o n , L a r k h a l l &
St o n e h o u s e b y - e l e c t i o n
w e r e m i r r o r e d n a t i o n a l l y, R e fo r m c o u l d s e c u r e 3 2 s e a t s , s u r p a s s i n g b o t h
L a b o u r a n d t h e Conser vatives
Though Labour’s Davy
Ru s s e l l n a r ro wly w o n t h e seat, Reform came within 1,500 votes, achieving 26 1%
of the vote despite lacking a Scottish leader or clear local p o l i c i e s Cu r t i c e ’ s p r o j e ctions show the SNP dropping from 64 to 48 seats, with Labour and the Tories trailing Reform with just 18 and 16 seats respectively
The result adds weight
t o fe a r s t h a t B r i t a i n i s e m b r a c i n g m o r e h a r d l i n e views on immigration and i d e n t i t y p o l i t i c s R e fo r m ’ s r a p i d r i s e , b u i l t o n a n t ii m m i g r
promises to “take back cont
European trends where farr i g h
i n i n g ground
F i r s t M i n i s
m , u n d e r
Reform UK’s council leadership called into question
Reform U K’s local g overnment perfo rmance has come under f ire just w eeks after the party gained co ntrol o f nine councils and m ino rity control in three more du ring May’s local electio ns
areas have described the party’s organisation and leadership as a “shambles,” citing a string
repeated absences from newly elected Reform councillors
In the nine weeks since the elections, 33 council meetings across the 12 Reform-led or m
either called off or delayed At least 21 Reform councillors failed to attend their f irst off icial meetings
In Kent alone, nine out of 22 scheduled meetings have been cancelled including key statutor y sessions such as the governance and audit committee Opposition councillor Rich Lehmann labelled the situation “shocking” and questioned Reform’s ability to manage council responsibilities
Sam Smith, leader of the Conser vative g ro u p i n No t t i n g h a m s h i re , wh e re Re fo r m took control of the council, said the party’s early performance had been “shambolic ”
Some Reform councillors have defended the delays, saying meetings were postponed to allow more time for preparation Mick Barton, the new Reform leader of Nottinghamshire Council, dismissed the backlash as “political rhetoric from the opposition ”
However, the disruption has raised questions about the party’s readiness to govern and its ability to deliver on local priorities
Russia labels Britain a ‘global instigator’
Russia’s Federal S ecurity Serv ice (F SB) has accu sed Britain of being th e “ m ain so urce of global crises” as it declared the British Council an “undesirable organisation,” claiming, without ev id ence, that th e cultural body was being used as a too l of British intelligence
I N B R I E F FREE SCHOOL MEALS TO COVER UNIVERSAL CREDIT FAMILIES
The government will offer free school meals to all children in families receiving universal credit, in a £1 billion plan set to begin in autumn 2026 This expansion is expected to benefit over 500,000 pupils and lift 100,000 children out of poverty Currently, eligibility is limited to households earning below £7,400 a cap unchanged since 2018 but the new criteria will include families with incomes over £40,000 Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer called the policy a “historic moment,” emphasising its role in easing financial pressure on families and helping children learn Ministers see the move as a significant step in Labour s wider child poverty strategy amid growing calls to abolish the two - child benefit cap which could impact a further 500 000 children Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson called tackling child poverty a moral mission, with funding for the meals expected to be outlined in the upcoming spending review
RATS AND RUBBISH OVERRUN BIRMINGHAM
Birmingham remains overwhelmed by uncollected rubbish and pests as the city s bin strike enters its fourth month More than 350 refuse workers began all- out industrial action in March, protesting job losses and potential pay cuts of up to £8,000 Despite mediation efforts, talks remain deadlocked The result: rat infestations fly-tipping and overflowing bins have become daily sights across the city particularly in poorer areas with limited transport access to recycling centres Residents say the situation is now intolerable It s like living in slums, said one university student Unite has warned the strike could last until December A recent vote saw 97% of members support continuing the action The council, under government-appointed commissioners after financial collapse, insists it has made a “fair and reasonable” offer while Unite says it was watered down and unacceptable For now, the rubbish piles and public frustration continue to grow
e r Jo h n Swinney misjudged the race as a two-way contest with R e fo
t i n g L a b o u r L a b o u r ’ s A n a s Sar war claimed the SNP's hold had weakened, but his p a r t y 's v o t e s h a r e a l s o slipped slightly Meanwhile, C o n s e r v a t i v
Reform’s gains, calling it a “protest party
say the by-election outcome reflects growing public disil-
stream parties and a hardening stance on immigration factors Reform continues to exploit Curtice warned that
immune to Farage’s appeal “has been dispelled
The British Council, which promotes cultural exchange and English language education, was accused by Russia’s prosecutor-general of operating “under the guise of teaching English” while allegedly pushing British influence and supporting the “LGBT movement,” w h i c h Mo
“extremist ”
The FSB further claimed the organisation gathered intelligence on Russian militar y positions in Ukraine by interacting with refugees, though no proof was offered
While largely symbolic, the designation c o u l d e x p o s e a n y o n e w o r k i n g w i t h t h e Council inside Russia to criminal charges The organisation has not been active in the countr y since 2018, following the UK’s response to the poisoning of Sergei and Yulia Skripal in Salisbur y
In a broader attack, the FSB accused the UK of orchestrating coups, fuelling global conflicts, and undermining allies as well as adversaries “London organises coups, weakens not only its geopolitical enemies but also its closest allies, pits nations against each other and prevents the resolution of bloody conflicts that it unleashed,” the agency said in a statement
The move is seen by some analysts as retaliation for new UK sanctions targeting Russia’s m i l i t a r y, e n e r g y, a n d f i n a n c i a l s e c t o r s announced last month E d t o r a l c r e d t V k t o r y a F v k o
LABOUR WITHHOLDS CHILD POVERTY FORECAST AMID BENEFIT CAP PRESSURE
The government has refused to publish internal forecasts indicating a potential rise in child poverty, citing concerns that releasing the figures could create “unrealistic expectations” and distort policymaking The Department for Work and Pensions rejected a Freedom of Information request saying the projections are actively informing current policy development and that early disclosure could cause misrepresentation ” The decision comes as pressure mounts on Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to scrap the two - child benefit cap, which campaigners say would lift 500,000 children out of poverty Eliminating the cap would cost an estimated £3 5 billion Currently, 4 5 million children in the UK are living in poverty a record number that increased by 100,000 in the past year Starmer has pledged to tackle child poverty, while Chancellor Rachel Reeves has labelled it a “moral mission ” Officials pointed to recent moves like expanding free school meals as progress, but campaigners argue that withholding poverty data weakens public accountability and hampers effective policy debate
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper’s plea for more police funding was rejected by Chancellor Rachel Reeves, sparking tensions over Labour’s law and order agenda
Sir Mark Rowley
John Curtice
Thought for the week
Harmony abroad, silence within
By the end of this week, Bangladesh’s interim chief adviser
Muhammad Yunus will conclude his high-profile four-day visit to London, with economic promise, reform, and global cooperation But beneath the carefully curated agenda of trade, democratic transition, and climate diplomacy lies a
s
Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh
While Yunus is due to receive the prestigious Harmony Award from King Charles III and address Chatham House on democratic reform, his itinerary makes no mention of the systematic erosion of minority rights that has plagued B
diplomatic oversight It reflects a broader pattern, the strategic invisibilisation of communities who remain most vulnerable under changing regimes
T
Minister Sheikh Hasina, has publicly challenged Yunus on X, inviting him to the UK Parliament to respond to corruption allegations and the political purge that forced
attention, it also underscores what is at stake: a battle for legitimacy in a transitional Bangladesh where foreign policy and democratic values are colliding
Just days before his London trip, Yunus visited China and described Bangladesh as the guardian of the ocean for India’s northeastern states His invitation to Beijing to treat
Bangladesh as a maritime gateway to the Seven Sisters of India is not just an infrastructure proposal It signals that Dhaka is recalibrating its allegiances, even if it risks India’s regional security For Hindus in Bangladesh, this tilt toward China raises fears of further marginalisation China has shown little interest in protecting minority rights or religious freedom
India reacted swiftly From Assam’s chief minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma, to veteran diplomats like Veena Sikri, concerns grow that Yunus’s words may empower Chinese influence in the Bay of Bengal But just as serious i
Bangladesh
Since the January elections, Hindu homes, temples, and businesses have come under attack Families are fleeing, and land-grabbing cases are rising in rural areas These attacks did not begin under Yunus, but they are continuing The interim government’s silence on this violence, while it
questions Can a regime that speaks of transparency and reform continue to ignore one of its oldest communities?
In London, Yunus is due to meet Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Foreign Secretary David Lammy If the UK upholds democratic principles, it must not ignore the issue of Hindu rights The British diaspora, especially those from Bengal and the northeast, carries memories of Partition,
“I speak three languages, write in two, dream in one.”
Kamala Das
persecution, and displacement These are not distant
identity
Yunus also pledges to trace and recover laundered money allegedly sent abroad during the Hasina era But this
minority victims of violence and dispossession, focusing instead on elite political adversaries
Siddiq’s challenge to Yunus is not just personal It represents a deeper reckoning As Bangladesh rebuilds its image and courts the West, is it doing so at the cost of justice for its most vulnerable?
An anonymous source told us that his friends in Bangladesh who question authority face threats, forced bribes, and pressure to show loyalty to the ruling party
Many have fled Censorship is widespread, state-driven, masked as activism, and rooted in fear Bihari families are losing ID cards, some jailed, as media control tightens and justice becomes selective
In the shadow of state visits and ceremonial praise, the rights of Bangladesh’s Hindus remain ignored Harmony is not bestowed by an award It is earned through justice
The UK holds a moral obligation to address this silence
The diaspora must speak before that silence becomes complicity
Beyond the Burqa and Britain's fractured identity
reignited demands for a nationwide burqa ban In the
unsurprising But beneath the surface of this latest political flare-up lies something far more troubling Not just about garments or ideology but about who feels protected and who is left exposed in modern Britain
Around the same time, another story made headlines
B h
assailants, two white teenagers, hurled racial slurs before assaulting him Only one received a custodial sentence
The other walked free The judge ruled the attack was not racially aggravated That legal decision sent a clear, chilling message Racial violence can still be brushed aside by the institutions meant to ensure fairness and equality
T h e t i m
coincidental One reflects the political climate The other reveals the social consequences They are two sides of the same coin Britain is struggling to reconcile its evolving demographics with a political culture that continues to trade on nostalgia and division
The rise of Reform UK is a symptom of this conflict
B y p o s i t
immigration and visible religious identities, the party has
found fertile ground among voters who feel displaced by a changing country
Even the Conservative Party under Kemi Badenoch has cautiously mirrored parts of this rhetoric, supporting the idea that employers or institutions should have the right to ban the burqa in professional settings Such policies may be framed as neutral, but their resonance is deeply political
scrutinised and targeted for simply existing visibly In
scapegoats So do individuals like Bhim Koli, whose
individuals but, arguably, for a system that failed to defend his dignity B
communities, a lack of structured parenting, and limited access to safe recreational spaces are fuelling disaffection among young people M
instability, substance abuse or transience Against this backdrop, resentment brews when marginalised white y
differences begin to feel like personal losses The result is
anger, often misdirected and dangerously politicised
become a demographic minority by 2047 have only amplified fears These anxieties are not just demographic They are existential For some, they represent a loss of control Politicians tapping into that fear gain ground not through solutions but through scapegoating This climate produces verdicts like the one in the Koli case It justifies restrictions on religious expression as a matter of public order It blurs the line between policy and prejudice
The Indian community in Britain, long seen as an example of integration and upward mobility, now finds itself in an uncomfortable position Visible success does not always translate to safety The idea of belonging itself is under question
At stake is the integrity of British democracy The burden of this moment rests on its institutions, its courts, its political parties and its civil society When politicians use difference as a threat and when courts refuse to name hate, trust begins to erode Eventually, so does the idea of a shared national future
This is no longer about individual acts or isolated legislation It is about the cumulative direction of a country that must decide whether its future includes every citizen equally or protects only those who fit a shrinking image of its past
Chenab Bridge: Uniting Kashmir with the rest of India
Last week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled to the nation the world’s highest railway arch bridge, standing tall over the Chenab River in Jammu and Kashmir This was not just the inauguration of an engineering marvel but a landmark moment in India's journey toward stronger unity and regional empowerment With the Kashmir Valley now officially connected to the national railway network, a decades-long vision has finally been realised
The strategic push to link Jammu and Kashmir by rail began after the wars of 1965 and 1971 Harsh winters and
Jammu to Srinagar highway, isolating the Valley for months
The Jammu Baramulla Railway Project was conceptualised
foundation was laid in 1983, real progress only began in the 1990s due to funding limitations Key milestones came with the Jammu to Udhampur link in 2005 and the extension to Katra in 2014
The Chenab Bridge completes the missing link in the Udhampur Srinagar Baramulla corridor, finally bringing the Kashmir Valley into the fold of India's all-weather rail infrastructure This is expected to significantly boost the region’s economy Traders, farmers, and artisans will now be able to access national markets more efficiently Tourism will thrive with faster, safer, and more scenic access to the region Vande Bharat trains are expected to cut travel time between Katra and Srinagar to just three hours The project also promises thousands of jobs and greater access to healthcare, education, and essential supplies
For India’s security infrastructure, this rail link is vital
Until now, security forces depended heavily on roads or air transport, often hindered by weather or terrain With the Chenab Bridge in place, faster deployment of personnel and military equipment is now possible, particularly to sensitive border areas Recent events such as the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor have highlighted the urgent need for such rapid-response capabilities
The bridge itself is a feat of engineering and resilience Standing 359 metres above the riverbed, it is taller than the Eiffel Tower and nearly twice the height of Big Ben Built with over 30 thousand tonnes of steel, it is designed to withstand earthquakes of magnitude 8, winds of over 260 kilometres per hour, and even explosions Cable-crane erection methods and on-site fabrication overcame the extreme terrain and climate It is a project that demanded vision and perseverance, with origins tracing back to a proposal made by Maharaja Hari Singh as early as 1892
One of the key minds behind this achievement is Dr G Madhavi Latha, a professor at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bengaluru For 17 years, she played a crucial
challenges of building the bridge Working in extreme conditions, her expertise helped ensure its safety and longt
Chandrababu Naidu commended her dedication In a maledominated profession, Dr Latha’s leadership and resilience have inspired a new generation of women in engineering and nation-building
Credible reports have hailed this structure as the crown jewel of Indian Railways Beyond its technical brilliance, it
represents integration, pride, and renewed hope For the diaspora in the United Kingdom and elsewhere, the Chenab B
strengthen its democratic and territorial integrity through peaceful development It also signals that Kashmir is not an afterthought but central to India's future
This rail link carries a powerful counter-narrative in a region historically associated with conflict It is about accessibility, economic dignity, and long overdue inclusion
The Chenab Bridge now stands as both a literal and symbolic connection between Kashmir and the rest of India, a testament to national unity and a forward-looking vision for future generations
Bangladesh on a knife’s edge?
Speaking exclusively to Asian Voice, an exiled ex-MP from Awami League is raising serious questions against Prof Muhammad Yunus’s Interim Rule ahead of the Chief Advisor’s UK visit
An exiled ex-Bangladeshi p arliam ent ar ian and senior m em ber of t he Awami League has anno unced a pr otest in t he U K against N obel l au reat e Pro fesso r Mu hammad Y unus, who is curr ent ly visit ing t he co untr y The p rot est, set to co incide with Y unu s ’ s engagem ents in Lo ndo n, including an award ceremo ny, aims t o chal lenge what o rganiser s describe as “glo bal m isp er cep tions” of Y unu s as a p ro mot er o f peace and develop ment
Speaking exclusively to Asian Voice, the former MP claims that under Yunus’s interim leadership in Bangladesh, the country has descended into political turmoil, religious and ethnic persecution, and constitutional overreach
The interviewee alleges widespread violence and intimidation against Awami League supporters since Yunus's political rise, citing what he describes as systemic targeting by Islamist groups and state actors According to him, tens of thousands of homes have been destroyed, students disenfranchised from education, and professionals barred from employment due to perceived political loyalties These claims, while difficult to independently verify, reflect broader concerns raised in parts of Bangladeshi civil society
He further claims that opposition parties, especially those seen as pro-liberation or secular, are being sidelined “Over 40 political parties are demanding elections by December, but Yunus has proposed April 2026, raising fears of indefinite delay,” he says “Many suspect he may use a referendum as a pretext to extend his tenure beyond legal bounds ”
Accu sations o f fo reign alignm ent
The interviewee also claims Yunus is pushing controversial foreign policies, including facilitating a proposed humanitarian corridor in Myanmar’s Rakhine province, which critics fear may serve military purposes “This is being done without public support or parliamentary debate,” he says, adding that key strategic assets, such as the Chittagong port and Sonadia Island, are being earmarked for foreign control
He accuses Yunus of aligning with global powers, particularly the United States and Pakistan, at the cost of Bangladesh’s sovereignty He also warns of growing influence from Jamaat-eIslami and other extremist organisations, suggesting that democratic values are being subverted under the guise of interim governance
Despite his Nobel Peace Prize and global acclaim, Yunus has little domestic support, according to the protest organiser “He has built an effective PR network internationally,” the former MP claims, “but the ground reality in Bangladesh tells a very different story ”
The protest, organised by the UK chapter of the Awami
League, will call on British political leaders and the monarchy to reconsider awarding Yunus any honours “We’re not here just to shout slogans We’ll present documents, testimonies, and facts,” he says “The UK must be made aware that the image of Yunus as a peacebuilder is deeply flawed ”
He also referenced the case of British MP Tulip Siddiq, niece of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who resigned from Keir Starmer’s cabinet following allegations of corruption made by Bangladesh’s Anti-Corruption Commission “There is no evidence against her,” he asserted “Her resignation is the result of a politically motivated media trial, not wrongdoing ” Siddiq has reportedly sought a meeting with Yunus to clarify matters Risks to r egio nal stability and mino rities under threat
The interviewee paints a grim picture of rising
communal violence Temples, shrines, and homes belonging to minority communities, including Hindus and Shi’a Muslims, have reportedly been attacked or desecrated in recent months “It’s not just about religion,” he explains “It’s political These communities are viewed as loyal to the Awami League and are being punished for it ”
He adds that families are being displaced or coerced into silence, with incidents of arson, arbitrary arrests, and mass displacements largely going unreported due to state censorship and fear “Three levels of censorship now dominate Bangladesh statedriven, movement-led, and internalised self-censorship ”
The former MP also warns that deteriorating conditions in Bangladesh could threaten regional security “If Bangladesh becomes unstable, neighbouring India, especially its northeastern states, will face consequences, ” he cautions “Terrorist activities and displacement will not stay within borders ”
He asserts that peaceful elections with genuine political participation, including that of Awami League, are essential to prevent Bangladesh from slipping into a deeper crisis “This is not about one man or one party This is about preserving democracy, secularism, and regional peace ”
Tulip Siddiq requests talks with Yunus
Former U K m inister Tulip S iddiq has written to Bangladesh ’ s chief a d v i s er, M u h am m a d Y u nu s , requesting a meeting during his v isit to Londo n from June 1 0 to 13
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In a letter dated June 4, S iddiq exp ressed h ope that a d iscu ssion could clarify wh at she d escribed as a “misunderstanding” surrounding corrup tion alleg ations linking her to her aunt, form er Banglad esh prime minister Sheikh Hasina Siddiq stated she had “ no prop-
British citizen born in London, who has represented Hampstead and Highgate in Parliament for over a decade She also denied any involvement in wrongdoing, calling the claims against her “politically motivated ” “I have tried to clarify matters w i t h t h e
Commission (ACC) in Dhaka, but they refuse to correspond with my legal team in London and instead s
d address in Dhaka,” she wrote
T
claims by the ACC that Siddiq or her mother improperly acquired a
I N B R I E F UK MAY NEED £30BN TAX HIKE FOR DEFENCE BOOST
Rachel Reeves may need to raise up to £30bn through tax hikes or spending cuts to meet Labour’s defence pledge an economist has warned The government has committed to raising defence spending to 2 5% of GDP by 2027 with an ambition to reach 3% after 2029 Nato allies are urging higher defence targets with calls for 3 5% and even 5% of GDP, as pushed by Donald Trump Sir Keir Starmer has vowed to make Britain a battle-ready, armour-clad nation but a new defence review warns the UK may need to accelerate military investment amid growing global instability Michael Saunders of Oxford Economics said the government could outline steps in the autumn Budget, suggesting a need for £15bn–£30bn in fiscal tightening, through tax rises or spending cuts, to move towards defence spending above 3% of GDP
SCHOOL FUNDING CRISIS COULD BANKRUPT LONDON BOROUGHS
Half of London s boroughs face bankruptcy due to insufficient government funding for schools, a warning from London Councils reveals Sixteen of the capital’s 33 local authorities report “severe budget deficits” totaling £500 million next year, driven largely by rising costs in supporting children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) Grants have failed to keep pace with these pressures, and deficits in SEND provision are forecast to reach £500 million by 2026/27 This shortfall risks destabilising already strained council budgets and threatens investment in schools Ian Edwards leader of Hillingdon Council said boroughs face unsustainable financial pressure as SEND funding lags behind rising needs With a 9% rise in SEND pupils last year, councils seek more support ahead of the Spending Review EHCPs increased from 85,601 in 2023 to 93,487 in 2024
7,200 sq ft plot of land using politi c
d from her ministerial post following these accusations, which her legal t
Hasina herself is currently being tried in absentia for alleged crimes against humanity during her 15year tenure Yunus, during his UK visit, is expected to meet King Charles and Prime Minister Keir Starmer As of now, Siddiq has not received a response from Yunus or his office, according to a report by BD News
MAJOR ‘STRESS CRISIS’ OVER TRIPLE INSECURITY
Over 5 million UK adults face a triple burden of financial, health, and housing insecurity levels not seen since the global economic crash One in 10 workingage adults struggle with low income, debt, unstable housing, high rents and difficulty accessing NHS care They are twice as likely to suffer from mental stress sleeplessness and isolation Researchers warn the surge in multiple insecurities has created a national stress crisis causing affected individuals to face instability uncertainty and feelings of powerlessness The analysis reveals how financial health, and housing struggles harm people s well-being Becky Tunstall, co-author and LSE visiting professor, urged Chancellor Rachel Reeves to support millions facing bills, limited services, and stalled lives She linked rising insecurity to growing voter dissatisfaction and support for populist parties like Reform “The last time pressure was this high was during the global financial crisis Now, we face a national stress crisis,” Tunstall said “Over 5 million people face these problems together; 3 million feel constantly strained and 2 5 million suffer sleep issues ”
Gagan Brar
Mapping the Future of BTL: The Potential Rise of Regional Property Investment
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lead
e r in sh i pb ui ld in g in the 19th centu ry L ond on, to this day, is a financial
p o w er h o u se A nd n ow , according to ou r ow n independ ent research, another English city co uld be at the f o ref ro n t o f B T L i nv es tment
F o r M a r k e t F i n a n c i a l
Solutions’ Q2 research, we surveyed a nationally representative sample of people on their BTL aspirations
Our respondents were split across living situation (own their home outright, rent from private landlord etc), gender, age, and location
Of those who revealed they would like to own a BTL property in the future, we then asked about their specific plans and preferences Geographically, one Northern city has emerged a s a c l e a r o p t i m i s t i c hotspot Liverpool took the top
s p o t i n s e v e r a l n o t a b l e areas – by some margin
Some 82% of respondents in this city believed it to be a realistic goal for them to own a BTL property in the
f u t u r e I n f a c t , 6 8 % a r e actively exploring ways of
e n t e r i n g t h e p r o p e r t y investment market More
p e o p l e i n L i v
those in other major cities
s u c h a s M a n c h e s
r , Newcastle, and London
It seems Liverpudlians aren’t doing this to follow a trend, or make a quick buck either They’re planning for the long-term Nine out of 10 revealed the long-term goal would be to use a BTL property to support them i
using the rental income)
The same amount said they would like to use the BTL
main source of income
be buyers who would like to develop a portfolio of B
could be a full-time land-
Brighton also seem especially studious, with 72% h a v i n
p s t o understand the rules and
owning and renting out a BTL property
India, UK to deepen arbitration ties, says CJI Gavai
Chief Ju stice of Ind ia B R Gav a i, d ur in g h
growing potential
U nited K ing
India-
om , w ith its establish ed repu tation as a global arbitration h ub, and I nd i a, w i th i t s d yn am i c economy and ongoing leg al reform s, are well positioned to streng th en c oo p erati on in this vital field,” h e said His visit coincided with L o n d o n I n t e r n a t i o n a l Disputes Week (LIDW) and t h e t h i r
C o m m e r c i a l D i s p u t e s D e l i v e r i n g t h e k e y n
t e address titled ‘Synergising I n d i a - U K A r b i t r a
i
P r a c t i c e s ’ , J u s t i c e G a v a i underscored India’s recent decision to open its legal market to foreign law firms f o r n o n - l i t i g a t i o n w o r k , i n c l u d i n g a r b i t r a t i o n a n d cross-border disputes
C h i e f J u s t i c e o f I n d i a
B R Gavai noted that the
B a r C o u n c i l o f I n d i a h a s clarified its stance on fore i g n l e g a l p a r t i c i p a t i o n , allowing foreign lawyers to e n g a g e i n i n t e r n a t i o n a l
c o m m e r c i a l a r b i t r a t i o n i n I n d i a p r o v i d e d t h e c a s e s
involve foreign or international law “This move positions India as a credible and a t t r a c t i v e d e s t i n a t i o n f o r i n t e r n a t i o n a l a r b i t r a t i o n , ” he said H e w a s j o i n e d a t t h e conference by India’s Law and Justice Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, who highlighted the recent conclusion of the UK-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA) as a “historic milestone ” I n d i a ’ s L a w M i n i s t e r A r j u n R a m
l s a i d t
U K
I n d i a F T A
u l d boost investment, innovat i o n , a n d c o l l a b o r a t i o n a c r o s
vices He emphasised that
position
between Yas and Saadiyat Islands and features an 11km coastline
planned in future phases Karl Gross, director of
King’s, said the campus is a key step in the school’s global growth, offering students in Abu Dhabi a world-class
Paresh Raja, CEO MFS
Arjun Ram Meghwal and B R Gavai
Foreign Secretary visits India to prep for PM Starmer’s trip
Key areas of discussion included
c o u n t e r - t e r r o r i s m c o o p e r a t i o n , enhancing trade and technological collaboration, regional matters such as the situation in Pahalgam
a
benefit both nations
The visit follows the landmark India-UK Free Trade Agreement signed on May 6, a deal set to significantly boost trade and investment between the world’s fifth and sixth largest economies
Negotiated over three years after Modi and former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson aimed to conclude it by October 2022, the agreement is expected to increase bilateral trade by over £25 billion annually, add £4 8 billion to the UK’s GDP, and raise wages by £2 2 billion each year, benefiting working-class citizens
A stressful time for both the Indian and Pakistani com munities in Britain
Following the May 10 ceasefire between India and Pakistan, prompted by the Pahelgam attack and marking the end of their most intense conflict in nearly three d e c a d e s U K F o r e i g n S
David Lammy visited Islamabad on May 16 It was the first visit by a U K F o r e i g n S e c r e t a r y t o Pakistan since 2021
T h e v i s i t r a i s e d e y e b
w i t h s o m e q
o n i n g w h y Lammy travelled to Pakistan and not India, given the UK’s historically strong ties with New Delhi Speaking to A sian Voice, David
L am m y a d d r e s s e d t h e s p e c u l ation He said, “I’ve now been to India This is my third trip in about 15 months Dr Jaishankar has also visited the UK and spent t i m e w i t h m e a t C h e v e n i n g House, where, in fact, we went to Spurs together It was always the i n t e n t i o n t h a t I w o u l d v i s i t Pakistan The United Kingdom has strong links with both countries and in both countries I've d i s c u s s e d a r a n g e o f i s s u e s Particularly here in India We're building on the free training that we have just recently struck This is a very exciting era for our partnership, but the UK is a friend and p a r t n e r t o b o t h I n d i a a n d Pakistan This is not about picking sides, and I want to be clear that w e w e l c o m e t h e c e s s a t i o n o f fighting We welcome the dialogue that we have, that I have been able to have in both countries We want to see de-escalation, and we are in a de-escalation Military period at this time, and h e r e i n I n d i a , w e ' v e b e e n d i scussing with our Indian partners the threats of terrorism and how we can do more to counter terrorism, working together ” L a m m y a l s o a c k n o w l e d g e d the emotional impact of the conflict on the South Asian diaspora in the UK “The 100 hours of conflict were a deeply stressful time f o r b o t h I n d i a n a n d P a k i s t a n i communities in Britain And of course, there is a lot that both local authorities and community groups and people to people put in to ensure that we de-escalate, so that we remain a cohesive society where people can live side by side and peacefully It is impor-
tant for the United Kingdom, as a friend of both countries, to be able to play our role in encouraging deescalation, and as I say, we're very pleased that there has been a cessation of fighting In India, I discussed key issues like counter-terrorism and regional security In Pakistan, we addressed the heavy toll terrorism has taken there,” he said
A s k e d a b o u t g r o w i n g a n t i -
Diwali, we got on with it and made it happen As I say, it paves the road for a very, very exciting new era ”
M eeting Mo di, Jaishankar and oth er dignitaries
D a v i d L a m m y m e t w i t h Ind ian Prime Minister Narend ra
their discussion in a post on X He
migrant sentiment in the UK and whether it affected talks in India, Lammy was quick to emphasise the strength of the relationship He added, “This has been a wonderful visit to India It's against a backdrop of a very exciting new era for our two countries that builds on the FTA that we have signed This is my third visit to India in just over a year When I came just after the election in July, I said that I wanted us to sign up for the free trade agreement, and we have achieved that I know Dr
J a i s h a n k a r v e r y w e l l H e s p e n t time at Chevening House with me a few months ago, and this is my s e c o n d m
M i n i s t e r M o d i O n b o t h o c c asions, the meetings have run over time and looked on the issue of race Our enduring witnesses are noted in celebrating the unique living bridge that exists between our people, including a 1 9 million strong Indian diaspora in the UK that gives our country so very much It's the living bridge that connects us across culture, educat i o n , f o o d , s p o r
, b u s i n e s s a n d industry And what we actually talked about was cultural coopera t i o n W e t a l k e d a b o u t P r i m e
Minister Keir Starmer’s upcoming trip to India and how we could forge deeper education links This was a conversation of two very c l o s e a l l i e s , a m b i t i o u s f o r o u r future ”
On Prime Minister Starmer’s upcoming visit, though Foreign Secretary hoped “it will be soon, ” but added that he will “leave the f o r m a l a n n o u n c e m e n t t o Downing Street ” “I’m very excited about it,” he said excitedly “My visit sets the stage for that meeting and the official signing of the FTA While
o t h e r s f a i l e d t o d e l i v e r i t b y
calling it a “horrific attack” and c
tackling terrorism together
Jaishankar called the finalisation of the FTA and the double taxation convention a milestone that will boost trade, investment, and strategic ties, strengthening supply chains and bilateral cooperation He highlighted progress i
Initiative (TSI), launched in July
2
semiconductors, telecom, health tech, and critical minerals
He also announced the launch
licensing and regulatory issues to boost trade in emerging technologies Jaishankar noted strong collaboration in education, with sev-
Partnership and noted the suc-
Trade Agreement, describing
strengthening bilateral ties
Modi expressed appreciation for the UK's support in India’s fight
Foreign Secretary David Lammy Sharing details on X, PM Modi
Lammy Appreciate his substantive contribution to the remark-
Partnership, further strengthened by the recently concluded FTA
fight against cross-border terrorism ”
Lammy also shared his reflections on the meeting, posting on X
Narendra Modi for your warm welcome to India Building on the free trade agreement between our great countries, we will continue working together to deepen our Partnership, celebrate our unique living bridge, and deliver growth and security
Dr S Jaishankar held bilateral discussions in New Delhi, reaffirming their commitment to deepening the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership
I n h i s o p e n i n
r e m a r k s ,
Jaishankar thanked the UK for strongly condemning the “barbaric terrorist attack” in Pahalgam and for supporting India’s fight against terror He stressed India’s
z e r o - t o l e r a n c e p o l i c y a n d s a i d perpetrators must never be equated with victims
Lammy echoed the sentiment,
In a post on X, EAM Jaishankar wrote, “Glad to meet UK Foreign Secretary @DavidLammy today in D
attack on Pahalgam and support in combatting terrorism Our conversation focused on the significant strides being made by the C
Partnership As our collaboration grows, new opportunities continue to emerge We also discussed global and regional issues, along with cooperation in multilateral fora ”
Lammy echoed similar sentiments in his post: “Great to see my friend Dr S Jaishankar in Delhi today We are advancing a new era in UK-India relations boosting trade and technology, tackling the
greater security for our people
campuses in India, and emphasised the potential of the infrastructure financial bridge to channel UK capital into Indian development
Lammy described the FTA as a “trophy” for Britain, marking a new era in ties and a potential £25 5 billion boost in trade He expressed the UK’s intent to deepen cooperation in trade, defence, tech, innovation, and clean energy
During his visit, David Lammy met Indian
expanding
Minister
tunities for British businesses, and enhancing border security under the UK-India migration partnership
Goyal described his meeting with David Lammy as “fruitful,” highlighting discussions on deepening bilateral trade and enhancing collaboration across key sectors In a post on X, Goyal said, “Had a fruitful meeting with UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy today We both appreciated the work done in finalising the historic India-UK FTA, which will further boost our growing ties
Partnership
Amarjit Singh hails UK-India FTA as ‘game changer’
Br i t i sh Hi g h C o m m i ss io n e r ’ s R e s id e n ce i n N ew Delhi, ma rkin g the succe ssful conclusion of the U K-Ind ia Fr ee Tra de Agr ee ment neg ot iat ions a la n dma rk mome nt in bila ter al r elation s H o s t e d b y H E M s L i n d y Cameron CB OBE and Harjinder Kang, the event brought together senior policymakers, diplomats, business leaders, and key U K - I n d i a c o l l a b o r a t o r s , w i t h
Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal in attendance
S p e a k i n g t o A s i a n V o i c e , Amarjit described the UK-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA) as a “ p o s i t i v e , a m b i t i o u s a n d c o nstructive” development He said, “The FTA took nearly three years of intermittent official negotiations, but the groundwork had been laid over the past decade through stronger bilateral ties a n d p e o p l e - t o - p e o p l e c o n n e ctions Ultimately, it was the Keir Starmer government that got the d e a l o v e r t h e l i n e k u d o s t o
them It’s a comprehensive and a m b i t i o u s a g r e e m e
real game changer for UK-India relations ” He added, “This FTA gives b o t h c o u n
e d g e b y c
n g a b u s
f r a m e w o r k , r e m o v i n g many tariff and non-tariff barriers, and making it easier to trade in both directions It will drive growth in business, trade, innov a t i o n , a n d k n o w l e d g e exchange especially in education Several UK universities are already establishing campuses in India, which will boost global t a l e n t , r e s e a r c h , a n d d e v e l o pment I believe we ’ re entering a new golden era in UK-India relations ”
f r i e n
Meeting between David Lammy and S Jaishankar on combating terrorism, global issues and more
Lammy with Indian External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar
David Lammy with Indian Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal
H E Vikram Doraiswami with Amarjit Singh (right) at the reception
D A T A P R I V A C Y I N C R I S I S
A call for proactive protection
Anusha Singh
As concerns over d ata
p ri v ac y so w t ensi o n a cr o ss Bri ti s h bu s i-
nes s c o rrid o rs, th e rec ent
c yb era tta c k o n M ark s &
S penc er beli ev ed to h av e
b een o r ch e s tra ted by t h e noto rious Scattered Spider g roup has thrust th e issue back into th e spotlight
T h e b r e a c h , w h i c h began in April and disrupted
o n l i n
footfall in stores, resulted in
tomer details such as names, birth dates, contact information, and order histories, affecting millions of users
T h e s e d e v e l o p
n
s n o t only underscore the vulnerability of large-scale retail o p e r a t i o n s b u t a l s o
s e urgent questions about how
b
chain security
In light of this breach,
"The
breaches expose a lack of integrated risk management, poor third-party oversight, and legacy systems that
can’t keep pace with evolving threats."
role
Do you think there’s enough awareness within companies, especially SMEs, about their data responsibilities, or is there still a “tick-box” culture when it comes to compliance?
Many SMEs see data protection as a cost centre, not a strategic advantage, leading to minimal investment and
no DPO, limited awareness of third-party risk, and no s
working to change this by offering accessible, scalable compliance tools that make
friendly
AI education and research initiatives unveiled at London Tech Week
Prime Minister Keir Starmer op ened L ond on T ech Week 2 0 2
ng add ress outlining a new era of g overnment-industry coll abo r ati
as
v e A I investm ent, and a mission to m a ke B ri
l leader in tech innov ation
Starmer laid out his govern-
embedding artificial intelligence and emerging technologies into the fabric of
and healthcare to planning, education, and job creation
“This is about who we are as a nation,” he said “The signal I want to send is
years of chaos, is a stable partner for investment A
i n t h a t b e l i e v e s t h e future should be shaped by our values ”
Backed by multimillionp o u n d i n v e s t m e n t s a n d a
o l d v i s i o n f o r
scheme will fully fund mast e r ’ s d e g r e e s i n A I a n d STEM at nine of the UK’s leading universities, includi n g i n s t i t u t i o n s i n E d i n b u r g h , M a n c h e s t e r , Newcastle, and Bristol
By covering both tuition and living costs, the scholarships aim to open doors for t a l e n t e d i n d i v i d u a l s f r o m l o w - i n
and provide a direct pipeline into highly skilled tech jobs
helping to integrate AI into diverse fields and drive realworld impact I
development for healthcare,
OpenBind, a £8 million initiative to revolutionise drug discovery using AI Based at
H
Campus in Oxfordshire, the project will build the world’s largest dataset on drug-protein interactions 20 times
A
A b h i s h e k G h o s h , c ofounder of Praeferre, a data p r i v a c y a n d c y b e r s e c u r i t
p l a t f o r m , t o e x p l o r e h o w companies can elevate their data protection strategies In our conversation, Ghosh discusses the recurring vuln e r a b i
U
h o w A I - d r i v e n t o o l s c a n provide early warning systems
What core principles guide Preferre’s approach to data privacy and compliance?
A t P r a
F i r s t , p r i v a c y b y d e s i g n e n s u r e s c o m p l i a n c e i s embedded into the architecture of systems from day one Second, we prioritise user empowerment by giving individuals greater control and transparency over h o w t h e i r d a t a i s u
d
Third, continuous assurance
visibility, automation, and accountability through AIdriven tools
We see privacy not just as a regulatory requirement but as a trust asset and our
t e c h n o l o g y r e f l e c t s t h a t Praeferre’s tools help organi s a t i o n s e m b e d t r u s t a n d
a c c o u n t a b i l i t y f r o m t h e
g r o u n d u p n o t a s a n afterthought
Several UK commercial companies have recently experienced serious data breaches. What do you think these incidents reveal about the current state of data privacy management in the UK?
C o m p l i a n c e i s f r a gmented, and critical gaps in third-party risk and system visibility lead to costly mistakes Especially considering the AI adoption across the industries We’ve been runn
d overall security assessments for teams across insurance, finance, healthcare, media and beyond Almost every security team we talked to says the same thing like the AI and security policy is in place But they have no idea what AI is actually in use or what sensitive data is going into those tools or to the supplier ecosystem with various retention clauses They don’t have basic visibility, never mind control
T h e y u n d e r s c o r e a sobering reality: many UK organisations are still reactive rather than proactive
The breaches expose a lack of integrated risk management, poor third-party over-
s
that can’t keep pace with
e v o l v i n g t h r e a t s E v e n i n regulated industries, compliance is often fragmented across departments, leading to dangerous blind spots
Were there any common oversights or vulnerabilities in these breaches that you believe could have been prevented with better protocols? What should the first 48 hours of gaining control look like? Yes, several stand out
a L a c k o f e n c r y p t
r tokenisation of sensitive data
b I n a d e q u a t e t h i r d
risk assessments
c No centralised risk and governance control
d Consulting and labour intensive approach for GRC management
e Slow incident response due to lack of playbooks or automation
I n t h e f i r s t 4 8 h o u r s , organisations should isolate the breach, alert key teams, notify regulators if needed, and start forensic investigations fast and with clarity
This must happen in a high-
Are AI and automation playing a larger role in your privacy management systems? How do you balance innovation with ethical data governance?
form uses AI for automated
anomaly detection, and risk
s
have been flying blind on GenAI, without the proper visibility and vulnerability
security posture
GenAI assessment report at
gives security teams a tailored view of where GenAI usage is introducing risk and where policies aren't sticking It takes less than 60
them the fastest way to get some visibility Then plug our tools in for inline GRC management
Also, we are deeply comm
, w e embed fairness, explainability, and auditability into our models We also maintain human-in-the-loop mechanisms for critical decisions, especially around data subject rights and enforcement
If you could make one change to UK data privacy laws or business practices today, what would it be?
We need to better support SMEs with tools, templates, and training Privacy shouldn’t be a mystery or a luxury Let’s make it accessible and doable for all We’d push for a national baseline for SME privacy readiness including subsidised training, risk assessment tools, a n d c l e a
y structures Too often, small businesses are left to navigate GDPR and cyber risks without guidance or capacity Strengthening this layer of the economy would elevate the UK’s entire privacy posture
c o n o m i c t r a n s f o r m a t i o n , t h e announcements include the launch of fully funded AI m a s t e r ’ s s c h o l a r s h i p s , e x p a n d e d f e l l o w s h i p s f o r r e s e a r c h e r s , a n d a w o r l dfirst experimental project in AI-driven drug discovery
The centrepiece is the S p a r c k A I S c h o l a r s h i p s , named after British comput-
e r s c i e n c e p i o n e e r K a r e n
S p a r c k J o n e s T h i s n e w
In parallel, the governm e n t h
n c e d t h
expansion of the Turing AI Fellowships through a new Pioneer stream This initiative will support professionals from across academia, h
ship, and access to advanced compute power through the n
Resource Fellows will apply A I
domain-specific challenges,
training next-generation AI models to identify effective drug candidates faster and at lower cost A roundtable at 10 Downing Street will soon bring together major pharmaceutical and biotech
Genentech, and Renaissance Philanthropy
Assam’s dance legacy shines at The Nehru Centre
A n e nc h ant in g ev eni ng at T he Neh ru Centre, Londo n, celebrated th e rich cultu ral h eritage of Assam through a cap tivating blend of classical and folk dance At th e heart
o f th e p er f o rm an c e wa s
r en o w ne d d an c er Megh ranjani Medh i, recip i-
e nt o f th e S an gee t Nat ak
A k ade m i Us t ad B i sm i ll ah
K han Yuva Puraskar and the Luitpo ria Naso ni title Her grace, mastery, and emo tive storytelling left the audi ence sp ellbou nd
The evening also celebrated Meghranjani Medhi’s rich artistic lineage as the daughter of Guru Marami
M
J o y p r a k a s h M e d h i , a renowned vocalist For the f
Centre, UK audiences expe-
rienced a powerful confluence of two classical Indian
Kathak alongside the spiritu-
fusion offered an immersive and enriching celebration of India’s classical dance heritage
The performance came alive with a dynamic ensemble of dancers who infused the evening with energy and grace Jahnobi Baruah’s soulful rendition of Borgeet
rooted in Assam’s Satra tradition and closely linked to
Curated by Chinu Kishore, founder of Luitporia Nasoni,
the event was a vibrant celebration of Northeast India’s rich cultural heritage
ported by key figures includ-
C
Thakur, Anuradha Pandey, D
Hindu community seeks new cultural hub in Slough
Th e H ind u co m mu ni ty in Slo ugh h as launched a petition to sup port bu ying a new site as “ a foundatio n fo r the next generatio n ”
W e x h a m C o u r t P a r
h Hall, one of the properties S l o u
l plans to sell to reduce debt, is not yet on the market
The Jeeyar Educational Trust UK (JETUK), a charity b a c k i n g H i n d u p r o j e c t s globally, is working with the community to secure the site before it’s publicly listed
Women (IIW), with special t
D e e p a k
Choudhury from the High Commission of India for her continued support
GHS marks major milestones with special dinner
As pa rt of the pre par ati ons
t o ce l e b r a t e t h e 50 t h
a nni versar y of the i nsta llat ion of Rad hakri shna, the 25th a nniv ersary of the Ram D arbar, a nd the opening of a new purpose-bu ilt temp le , a sp e cia l di nne r was o rganised by Guja rat Hi nd u S oci ety (GHS ) Th e eve ni ng f e at ure d e nt er ta inme nt, a war m welcome, and a p resenta tion hig hlig hting the r ich h istory of the ce nt re
The event was graced by
s e v e r a l d i s t i n g u i s h e d guests, including the Mayor of South Ribble, Councillor Paul Hardman; Chairman
o f L a n c a s h
Distinguished guests and community members at the event
Lieutenant Andrew Wilson, r
L
d Lieutenant of Lancashire
President Dashrath Nayee, with young girls presenting garlands to each guest The evening began with a prayer dance and a wel-
d b y speeches from the digni-
taries The dinner was followed by a presentation by V i c e P r
s i d e n t I s h w e r Tailor, who gave a presentation on the society’s hist o r y a n d s h a r e d d e t a i l s a b o u t t h e u p c o m
Katha
Heartfulness UK hosts Chopra and Daaji for inspiring event
C h a n d r a K o n d e p u d i started the petition, which closes on 13 June, to back a preferential sale of the building “ W e w a n t t o b u i l d a foundation for the next generation,” he said, noting the community currently rents venues like Wexham Court Parish Hall for events
The aim is to create a permanent space to preserve cultural roots, run language and Sanskrit workshops, and support youth development
P a r e n t K r i s h n a M
daughter to stay connected to her cultural roots, adding, “Children who understand their heritage grow up with a strong sense of identity ” Dr Rajesh Gurrala noted that social media and techn
their roots, and a community centre could help bridge that gap by hosting events on Hindu teachings
v v
A n n a
l a added that workshops in a shared space would benefit
them with peers from similar backgrounds
LCUK to host special dinner to announce LIBF Expo 2026
T h e L o h a na C o m m u n i ty
UK (L CU K), on behalf of the L o h an a I nt ern ati o n al
Bu s i nes s F o ru m ( L I BF ) , hosted a special dinner on Tuesd ay, 1 0
land
LIBF Expo
Over 200 guests attended the event in person,
C
F o u n d a t
B
o n e s s Patricia Scotland, Lord Krish Raval, and other dignitaries and wellness influencers
Thousands more joined via YouTube livestream Dr
D e e p a k C h o p r a a n d D a a j i explored themes of emotional intelligence, intuition, and consciousness, sharing how H e a r t f u l n e s s m e d i t
event also featured a captiv a t i n g B
children’s intuitive abilities
exercises
D
C
virtually by Daaji from Kanha Shanti Vanam for a conversation on heart consciousness, f o l l o w e d b y a g u i d e d
H e a r t f u l n e s s m e d i t a t i o n The audience then engaged with both speakers, asking i n s i g h t f u l q u e s t i o n s a b o u t m e d i t a t i o n , c o n s c i o u s n e s s , and the heart’s role in creating peace Many stayed afterw a r d t o c o n n e c t w i t h H e a r t f u l n e s s v o
k s “ T h e session was both scientific and spiritual I felt like taking notes!” said one guest “A t r u l y p r o f o u n d e x p e r i e n c e with Daaji and Dr Chopra ”
Sacred Statues to be immersed in Dorset waters
A H in d u t e m pl e i n Wa rwickshir e has applied to submerge t we lve marb le de it y sta tue s off Dorset’s Jurassic Coast as pa rt of a traditional Murti Visarjan ce remony, the B BC reported
T h e S h r e e K r i s h n a Mandir in Leamington Spa plans the ritual for September in Weymouth Bay, symbolising the Hindu cycle of creation and dissolution As the 30-year-old temple is demolished and rebuilt, the existing
statues unsuitable for relocation will be respectfully immersed, said temple chairman Dharam Awesti
“The murtis can’t go into the new temple for fear of damage; they must remain
e d “The new statues, made in India and sponsored by the p
onto a barge for sea submersion Five of the twelve are
religious ceremony with our priest will ensure the statues
added Weymouth Bay was chosen due to previous simi-
noted water’s sacred role in Hinduism: “Life begins and ends with water; even ashes
are released into it after cremation
, brightly dressed only in the temple, will be submerged in their natural form and pose no threat to marine life The M
i s reviewing the marine licence application, with public consultation open until June 22
A spokesperson said all feed-
before
decision is made
mark th ree-d ay international business exhibition to be held from 30 th January to 1 st F eb ru ar y 2 0 2 6 at th e p res ti g i o u s J i o Wo r ld C o nv e nti o n C ent re, BK C , Mum bai
T h e L I B F
Upcoming events
1) The World Council of Hindus U K (Vishwa Hindu Parishad-UK) will host an International Yoga Day celebration at Ilford Hindu Centre on Saturday, 21 June 2025, from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm The session will be led by Sri Srinivas Alluri, who will guide participants on living a healthy, happy, and harmonious life through the ancient practices of Yoga, Pranayama, Mudras, and Meditation The event will also cover the importance of a Sattvic diet, the concept of ‘Viruddha Ahara’ (incompatible foods), Ayurvedic remedies for overall well-being and more
2) The Bhavan presents ‘The Music of Nature’s Timely Rhythms and Melodies’ by internationally acclaimed sitarist Reshma Srivastava on Saturday, 28 June at 7:00 pm Known for her deeply meditative performances, R e s h m a a n A - G r a d e a r t i s t o f A l l I n d i a R a d
o & Television has enchanted global audiences for over four decades Trained from the age of six in a distinguished musical lineage, she will be joined by the renowned Pandit Rajkumar Misra on tabla, offering an immersive evening of soulful rhythm and melody
Chandra Kondepudi
A budding Indian choir finds its voice on the global stage
Anusha Singh
When th e all-w omen ’ s choir
M irai too k to the stage at
L o nd o n ’ s p r es ti g i o u s
C ad ogan Hall, it w asn’t just
a p erf o rm a nc e, i t w a s a
m il es to n e H av i ng o n ly formed in A pril 2024 , M irai is barely a year old, yet it’ s alread y carving out a unique sp ace
Founded and directed by Sharmila Livingston, a sea-
s o n e d m u s i c p r o f e s s i o n a l
w i t h m o r e t h a n
d e c a d e s
Delhi, the group ’ s London debut was part of an inter-
n a t i o n a l c h o
a l r e s i d e n c y that brought together over 130 singers from across the world The event featured
r e n o w n e d N o r w e g i a nAmerican choral composer
Ola Gjeilo, who accompanied the ensemble on the piano, while his wife con-
d u c t e d t h e s e s s i o n s a n irresistible opportunity for Livingston and her students
“We haven’t had much exposure yet, not in India and certainly not abroad,”
S h a r m i l a s a i d “ O u r f i r s t p e r f o r m a n c e s w e r e i n December in India, and this London experience has been nothing short of amazing for all of us ”
The residency provided a rare platform for the group
w h e r e t e n m e m b e r s f r o m Mirai joined singers from different countries, cultures, and vocal backgrounds to create music as one unified choir “I asked several of my singers what their favourite part of this trip was, and they all said the rehearsals
a n d t h e p e r f o r m a n c e , ”
S h a r m i l a s h a r e d w i t h a
s m i l e “ T h e y ’ v e o n l y e v e r worked with me as a conductor, so being exposed to a n e w c o n d u c t o r , a n e w
venue, and a different repertoire was incredibly enriching ”
Sharmila has long been a central figure in Delhi’s limited choral landscape; performing as a soloist, cond u c t i n g o t h e r c h o i r s , a n d training voices through her o w n s t u d i o W h i l e M i r a i might be new, its formation w a s y e a r s i n t h e m a k i n g
About forming an all-female
g r o u p t h a t s p a n s g e n e r at i o n s , s h e s a i d , “ D e l h i doesn’t have the infrastructure to support age-specific choirs So we brought everyone together, young and old, under one roof, united by their passion and commitment to choral music ” T h a t i n t e r g e n e r a t i o n a l a s p e c t i s o n e o f M i r a i ’ s s t r e n g t h s “ T h e s i n g e r s e n j o y l e a r n i n g f r o m o n e
another They have a common goal: to grow musically And that sense of purpose transcends age ” Being in London gave the group a fresh perspect i v e W h i l e S h a r m i l a acknowledges the universal challenges faced by the art, i n c l u d i n g l i m i t e d t r a i n e d music professionals, she said t h e e x p e r i e n c e o f s i n g i n g alongside more experienced m i x e d v o i c e s - m a l e a n d female - from different cultural contexts was powerful
“It was very different for our girls We currently sing with only women ’ s voices, which i s a v a l i d f o r m i n i t s e l f , known as a Treble or SSAA ( S o p r a n o - S o p r a n o - A l t oAlto) choir ”
L o o k i n g f o r w a r d , S h a r m i l a h a s c l e a r a m b itions for Mirai “I want to keep exposing my singers to varied styles and platforms But the fit has to be right something that ignites their i n t e r e s t a n d h e l p s t h e m grow ” T h e L o n d o n p
mance was not just a testament to their hard work and talent, but also to the support they've received back home Sharmila was quick
journey in different capacities
With its London debut behind them, Mirai is ready to soar higher “This is just
thankful to all the incredible women in this group who are committed to growing and perfecting their craft ”
For a choir whose name m e a n s “ f u t u r e , ” M i r a i i s already sounding like a harmonious promise of what’s to come
Rare Gandhi portrait auction set for July
A ra re 1931 oil po rtr ait of M ahat ma Gan dhi by Br itish
a r t i st C la r e L e i g h t on believe d t o be t he only oil pa int in g he ev er sat for will be auctione d by Bon hams in July
Painted during Gandhi’s visit to London for the sec-
o n d R o u n d T a b l e C o n f e r e n c e , t h e p o r t r a i t captures the revered Indian leader known for his non-
v i o l e n t f i g h t f o r i n d e p e ndence and global legacy as a peace icon
Caspar Leighton, great-
n e p h e w o f a r t i s t C l a r e
L e i g h t o n , t o l d t h e B B C :
“This is a painting of unique historic and cultural significance It would be wonderful if it could be seen more
w i d e l y , i n I n d i a o r e l s ewhere ”
Bonhams said Leighton was one of the few artists allowed into Gandhi’s office and sketched him over mult i p l e s i t t i n g s T h e w o r k remained in her collection until her death in 1989 and w a s t h e n p a s s e d d o w n through her family
C l a r e L e i g h t o n w a s i n t r o d u c e d t o G a n d h i through her partner, politic a l j o u r n a l i s t H e n r y N o e l B r a i l s f o r d , a s u p p o r t e r o f Indian independence
H e r o i l p o r t r a i t o f Gandhi, up for auction next month, was first shown in 1 9 3 1 a t L o n d o n ’ s A l b a n y Galleries alongside a charc o a l s k e t c h A l t h o u g h Gandhi didn’t attend, Indian leaders like Sarojini Naidu were present
The painting was praised
Celebrating the 53 Y E A R S J O U R N E Y of Gujarat Samachar
Dear readers,
I have had the privilege of serving as Bureau Chief at the Ahmedabad office of Gujarat Samachar for the past 17 years Over this time, some of you and I may have interacted on various occasions, but today, I write to you for a rather special reason Before I proceed, allow me to share a few reflections about Gujarat Samachar and Asian Voice, two publications that truly embody the spirit of Seva Yagna (service as a mission) and Gyan Yagna (knowledge as a mission)
Prior to this role, I gained valuable experience working with several esteemed Gujarati publications, including India Today, Sambhav, India Abroad News Service, and Garvi Gujarat, among others Yet, my journey here has been uniquely enriching, both personally and professionally
During my tenure with ABPL, I had the opportunity to visit Britain It was during this visit that I witnessed first-hand the deep connection between Gujarat Samachar and Asian Voice and indeed, Shri CB Patel himself and the vibrant British Indian community It was a truly enlightening experience to observe, learn from, and appreciate this enduring relationship Of course, no meaningful connection, no enduring success, and no respected place in society is built overnight The place Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar holds in the hearts of its readers is the result of years of unwavering dedication At the core of this success lie three guiding principles: truth, reader trust and commitment to social responsibility
Whether it is highlighting a pressing issue or responding to the needs of the time, whether it is standing against injustice or advocating for the rights of our community at the heart of Gujarat Samachar and Asian Voice, public interest has always remained a top priority
This commitment is best illustrated through a few examples Today, while some newspapers rely heavily on advertisements from astrologers and questionable spiritual healers as a major source of revenue, we have consciously chosen to refrain from publishing such material, even at the cost of incurring losses amounting to thousands of pounds These advertisements are contrary to the timeless values and ethical standards we uphold
There was a time when other publications charged significant sums, as much as £15,000, to publish advertisements or reports on the discourses of revered figures such as Pujya Morari Bapu and Pujya 'Bhaishri' Rameshbhai Oza In contrast, Gujarat Samachar, with the broader interests of its readers in mind, provided generous and free coverage of such events
And who is not familiar with the landmark campaigns for the Watford Hare Krishna Temple and the London–Ahmedabad–London direct flight? At one point, the Hare Krishna Temple stood on the brink of closure Today, it thrives, drawing thousands of devotees The tireless campaign led by Gujarat Samachar, Asian Voice, and CB Patel for the establishment of a direct flight between London and Ahmedabad proved so impactful that even our esteemed Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi publicly recognised and praised these efforts
Not only through its publishing endeavours, but also through acts of financial generosity, the CB Patel family has consistently made meaningful contributions to the community Over the years, the family has donated nearly £500,000 to various worthy causes Significant contributions, often £25,000 or more, have supported organisations and initiatives such as Preston Temple, Akshaya Patra, Food for Life –Vrindavan and Shree Krishna Hospital, among others For an ordinary family, such a level of philanthropy can only be described as truly remarkable
And when your principles, values and intentions are right, it is no surprise that support and goodwill naturally follow The community has embraced Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar with love and warm support Readers have shown their loyalty by purchasing copies of the newspaper or subscribing annually; advertisers have supported it through advertisements; and many other well-meaning friends have extended their backing in various ways All of this support deserves heartfelt recognition
We all know that today the newspaper industry is facing numerous challenges Yet, the principled and value-driven CB Patel family continues to publish Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar, even while absorbing financial losses And in this publishing journey, they are enthusiastically supported by my esteemed colleagues, Jyotsna Shah, Kokila Patel, Pooja Raval, Cecil Soans, Kishor Parmar, Surendra Patel, Shrijit Rajan and Hardik Shah Together, as a dedicated team, we are working to build a strong foundation that will not only preserve CB Patel’s rich publishing legacy but also ensure our mission of serving the community continues without pause
for its likeness by journalist W i n i f r e d H o l t b y a n d Gandhi’s secretary Mahadev Desai
I t w a s n ’ t p u b l i c l y d i sp l a y e d a g a i n u n t i
1 9 7 8 , t h o u g h L e i g h t o n ’ s f a m i l y says it was briefly shown in the US in the 1970s, where it was allegedly damaged in a knife attack by a right-wing Hindu activist The portrait w a s r e s t o r e d i n 1 9 7 4 i n Connecticut Gandhi, assassinated in 1948, remains a controversial figure among Hindu hardliners
After overcoming many challenges, Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar are now preparing to celebrate their 53rd anniversary with a special commemorative volume, 'Soneri Smruti Granth – A Timeless Treasure' This unique publication will honour the inspiring journey of Gujarat Samachar and the British Asian community in the UK It will include migration stories, rare photographs, personal reflections, and valuable information about the social, religious and charitable organisations that work to promote unity and progress within the Indian-Gujarati community, preserving our shared history and values for future generations
We warmly invite all of you to contribute to this special edition, be it through articles, information or old photographs that reflect the journey of this publication or our community over the years
Please send your contributions by 20 June 2025 at gseditorial@abplgroup com
This is a shared effort, rooted in the spirit of Seva Yagna and Gyan Yagna values that Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar have always upheld Your support is vital to the success of this special edition
As the saying goes, many hands make light work, and your involvement will make this celebration even more meaningful Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar have always been newspapers of the people, and with your continued support, they will remain for the people in the years ahead
- Nilesh P armar
(Bureau Ch ief, Gujarat Samachar, India Office)
Members of the Mirai choir at Cadogan Hall
Britain should return the Kohinoor to India
The Koh-i-Noor, meaning "Mountain of Light" in Persian, is a famous, large diamond, now part of the British Crown Jewels, weighing 105 6 carats after being recut It has a complex history, having been owned by various rulers and empires in India and Persia before ending up in British hands in 1849
The British got a five-year-old Indian prince to gift the Kohinoor diamond to them Hence, it’s no longer morally defensible for UK to hold on to this loot The honourable thing to do is to return it from where they took it – India
The Kohinoor was mined in India and was one of the largest diamonds ever mined After changing hands among various kings in India for centuries, it found its way to the legendary Ranjit Singh, who ruled Punjab The British conquered Punjab after his death in 1849 and installed his five-year-old son Daleep Singh as the king under the regency of the British Later, they got this child to gift the diamond to them They also moved Daleep Singh to England, converted him to Christianity and did not allow him to meet his mother or any other Indian relative, so that he wouldn’t be aware of his heritage
After Queen Victoria’s death, the Kohinoor was set in the crown of Queen Alexandra, the wife of King Edward VII, and that was used to crown her at their coronation in 1902 The diamond was then transferred to Queen Mary’s crown in 1911, and then to the queen mother’s crown in 1937 The Kohinoor diamond was also worn by Queen Elizabeth-II during her reign as the monarch of England The Kohinoor diamond is now part of the British monarch It is currently on public display in the Jewel House at the Tower of London, seen by millions of visitors every day With King Charles-III succeeding to the throne after his mother’s death (Queen Elizabeth-II) on 8 September, 2022, the 105-carat diamond, which is steeped in history, will go to his wife, the Duchess of Cornwall Camilla, who has now become queen consort Hence, we Indians would like King Charles-III to return the Kohinoor diamond to its rightful owner, ie, India Jubel D ’Cruz
Father’s Day
We wish a Happy Father’s Day to all fathers, both living and those who are no longer with us Father’s Day began in the early 20th century as a way to honour fathers, particularly following the success of Mother’s Day The modern celebration of Father’s Day originated in the United States in 1919, led by Sonora Smart Dodd, who was raised by a single father She played a key role in establishing the holiday The first o f f i c
, Washington, with events held at the YMCA and other locations
In 1966, President Lyndon B Johnson designated Father’s Day as a holiday to be celebrated on the third Sunday of June through a presidential proclamation It was officially recognised as a national holiday in 1972 by President Richard Nixon
A father is often an “ unsung hero” someone who performs valuable and often challenging work without receiving recognition or praise This phrase acknowledges the significant yet frequently overlooked efforts of fathers who dedicate themselves to raising children, providing for their families, and shaping young lives A father’s presence, love, and guidance play a crucial role in a child’s development, influencing their self-worth, values, and overall well-being Fathers provide emotional support, encouragement, and wisdom, all of which have a lasting impact on their children’s lives In today’s world, many fathers face increasing challenges balancing work and family, dealing with economic pressures, and navigating the complexities of modern parenting
Last but not least, Father’s Day should not be limited to just one day It should be celebrated every day 24/7, 365 days a year by spending quality time with them in any way possible If your father lives far away or abroad, you can still connect through a landline call, WhatsApp message, video call, FaceTime, email, or a simple Facebook message Even a one-minute conversation can feel like a month’s worth of love to a father Their inner blessings enrich not only the lives of their children but also of their grandchildren bringing health, happiness, and prosperity That’s the power of a father’s blessings God bless all Stay safe and healthy
Suresh and Bhavna P atel
The West’s contrasting attitudes towards Pakistan and Iran
Western governments often speak of defending human rights and promoting global justice, but their foreign policy frequently tells a different story Nowhere is this
countries: Pakistan and Iran Both have complicated histories involving extremism, nuclear ambitions, and regional influence Yet the West’s approach to each has been sharply different Pakistan receives military and financial support while Iran remains heavily sanctioned and diplomatically isolated Pakistan is a nuclear power with well documented links to extremist groups Its intelligence agency, the ISI, h
Afghanistan and Bharat The discovery of Osama bin Laden in Abbottabad, close to a major Pakistani military
complicity Despite this, Pakistan continues to be treated as a strategic ally During the Cold War, it served Western
through its rivalry with India Even today, geopolitical calculations seem to shield Pakistan from meaningful consequences Iran, by contrast, has faced some of the harshest international sanctions in recent history While it does not possess a declared nuclear arsenal, it has been repeatedly punished for its suspected nuclear ambitions and its support for groups such as Hezbollah The 2015 nuclear agreement (JCPOA) was intended to ease tensions, but the West largely abandoned the deal Historical grievances, such as the 1979 Islamic Revolution and the U S embassy hostage crisis continue to colour Western perceptions Iran’s hostile stance towards Israel, a close Western ally, has only deepened its isolation
This is not to excuse Iran’s actions Its domestic repression, lack of transparency, and involvement in
Pakistan’s record is equally troubling, including its own
contrast in how the West treats these two nations suggests that their policy is shaped less by consistent principles and more by historical ties and strategic interests If the West wishes to maintain credibility on the world stage, it must
undermining its own moral authority and global standing
Dr Narsinhbhai P atel
India at the crossroads of global tensions
“The changing face of warfare” in AV dated 7 - 13 June 2025 shows the grim reality of today’s world, where the changing geopolitical situation needs to be carefully observed and acted upon swiftly India needs to be
neighbouring countries, exporting terrorism is nothing new However prepared, the countries are, terrorists can strike from anywhere Russia – Pakistan as well as Pakistan – Afghanistan ties, are worrisome for India Having said that, since Russia has been a very old ally of India, it will give preference and priority to India
Realistically, India will have to defend itself and reduce dependence on other countries for support in terms of defence The Chenab Rail Bridge is a step in the
transportation of defence personnel in case of any emergency
dependence on advanced countries, except for necessary products, is the first step Use the domestic resources wisely, and the advancement of technology for the welfare as well as for defence is a must Everyone does not need to fight on the border, but supporting the country indirectly by the conservation of vital resources is also equally important
Southall couple die after taking lethal pills
Hi tesh H ingu
The Tories have finally woken up Having been in power for
groomed, raped and violently abused mostly by men of Pakistani heritage So it’s good to see that Tories have finally woken up to this evil that had, and is still, perpetrating the very fabric of some 50 towns and cities The Tories have put forward an amendment for the 16th of June parliamentary debate that seeks a full statutoryinquiry into the grooming gang ’ s scandal SomethingI had advised them to do years ago but it fell on deaf ears unfortunately
Numbers vary, but estimates range from 250000 to as high as 1million women and girls who might have been raped, violated, violently abused, molested, prostituted, forced into drugs and crimes It’s also clear that there is overwhelming evidence showing that this might have been rife across at least 5o towns and cities And to make things worse, there is evidence that this continues even today, maybe to a lesser extent
There has NEVER been any parliamentary, statutory, public or any other type of national inquiry into grooming gangs Don’t believe a word from any politician who says that such inquires have taken place They are lying to you
It has also become very clear as to why Keir Starmer and the Labour Party are terrified of allowing such an inquiry to take place There is growingevidence emerging that Labour politicians and mayors, police officers and their leaders, social service workers and their leaders, Pakistani community leaders, and health workers and their leaders, might have not just been aware of what was happening, but that some of them were actively involved in this very vile abuse The lack of an inquiry is to protect the abusers All of them have been protecting each other’s backs for decades This unholy syndicate of child abusers have got away because those who should have protected them, became their abusers Most of the media during this period either were in denial, or wanted to hide the truth, or spent most of their time misrepresenting facts by using terms such as ‘Asian’ Some still do so even to this day
Therefore, on the 16thof June in Parliament, all MPs will have another opportunity to vote for an inquiry You have the time to write to your MP and insist that they vote in favour or to give you an explanation as to why they don’t think white vulnerable girlsdeserve justice
There is another huge issue that the politicians are terrified off That an inquiry might find that there is something inherent in this particular Pakistani group and their culture that not only allows for such abuse of ‘kaffir’ girls and women, but that this cultural mindset might encourages Pakistani men to behave in such deplorable ways to show their adherence to an evil ideology Of course, if you are from the east,you already know how some of these cultures work and therefore this might not be news to you However, in a white British (European) setting, having to accept this should the inquiry make it one of its findings, will blow apart their mad race of appeasing extremism at any cost
Th is is what the N atio nal s tatu tory inquiry into gro oming gangs is s eeking:
(1) The Secretary of State must, within 3 months of the passing of this Act, set up a statutory inquiry into grooming gangs
(2) An inquiry established under subsection (1) must seek to-
(a) identify common patterns of behaviour and offending between grooming gangs
(b) identify the type, extent and volume of crimes committed by grooming gangs
(c) identify the number of victims of crimes committed by grooming gangs
(d) identify the ethnicity of members of grooming gangs
(e) identify any failings, by action, omission or deliberate suppression, by -
(i) police
(ii) local authorities
(iii) prosecutors
(iv) charities
(v) political parties
(vi) local and national government
In di a- bo r n B ol l y woo d f il m worker Gagan Brar , 2 8, and his partner Kam aldeep Kaur, 20, were found dead at their Southal l home on M ay 2 6, after allegedl y taking green pill s s aid to be 1,000 times stronger than m orphine during a night out c lubbing
A f l a t m a t e f o u n d t h e couple unresponsive in their bedroom, initially thinking
t h e y w e r e s l e e p i n g i n Paramedics and police were c a
them Brar worked as
driver
was employed in the hospitality industry
Ealing Council said two people were found dead in Southall over the bank holiday after attending a South London nightclub on 24 May
T h e y a r e b
along with traces of MDMA and ketamine
A Met Police spokesperson said officers were called to a home on Havelock Road at 4pm on 26 May, where paramedics pronounced two
taken green pills marked ‘80’ and possibly ‘OP’ Police seized the remaining tablets, which drug charity The Loop confirmed contained nitazenes synthetic
people dead The deaths are being treated as unexpected, with toxicology results pendi
made A neighbour described the couple as “the nicest people you could meet,” saying Brar worked with Bollywood stars and had a bright future, w
watch cricket together in the g
company, ” he said
(vii) healthcare providers and health services, or (viii) other agencies or bodies, in the committal of crimes by grooming
(f) identify such national safeguarding actions as may be required to minimise the risk of further such offending occurring in future
(g) identify good practice in protecting children
I don’t know about you, but as far as I can see, there is nothing wrong or untoward in this amendment It seeks a proper inquiry to be conducted under parliamentary supervision Now why would any politician, regardless of their political ideology, want to say no to this?
On16thJune we will know where each MP stands on this national shame If it’s your MP who is protecting the abusers, then you know what you need to do at the next election
Kapil Dudakia
Advocating pharmacists and public health
Subhasini Naicker
Thor run Govind is a pha rmacist, sol icitor, and b road-
ca st e r re co gn i zed for h er impact ful contr ib ut ions to
h
In 20 1 8 , s he be came the youngest membe r ev er e lected to the Royal
P
as the youngest chair of
or ic mil estone for the organ isation
Speaking to Asian Voice about balancing careers as b
solicitor, Govind said, “I’ve always wanted to be a pharmacist, but law plays a role in everyday life and pharmacy too Now I’m able to support pharmacists from a legal perspective, which has always been a goal I’ve long been an advocate for the value of pharmacists, espec i a l l y w i t h i n t h e S o u t h
A s i a n c o m m u n i t y , w h e r e t h e r e ' s s t r o n g s u p p o r t t o advance the profession ”
S h e a d d e d , “ I ’ m p a ssionate about educating the p u b l i c a n d h e l p i n g t h e m understand when to seek professional advice I’ve also appreciated the opportunities I’ve had in the media whether on radio or breakfast shows discussing topics like medicine shortages
a n d p u b l i c h e a l t h B e i n g able to respond quickly and clearly on such issues is a privilege, especially when it helps people manage their health at home ” Emphasising the need
f o r b e t t e r s u p p o r t f o r healthcare professionals in understanding legal responsibilities, Govind said, “As a l a w y e r , I s e e h o w l e g a l aspects are deeply embedded in day-to-day healthc a r e W h i l e t h e p r i m a r y focus must always be the patient, legal considerations come into play constantly from ensuring patients
u n d e r s t a n d t h e i r m e d i c a -
Thorrun Govind
"We need to encourage more women to take ownership of their health and careers, and seek credible, evidence-based advice.”
t i o n s t o k n o w i n g w h a t p h a
offer For example, certain medicines cannot be supplied in emergencies due to legal restrictions So, bridging the gap between pharmacy and law really interests me When I offer legal advice, I aim to make it clear a n d p r a c t i c a l f o r b u s y healthcare workers, helping them understand the risks and benefits quickly without wading through legal jargon ” G o v i n d s t r e s s e d t h e i m p o r t a n c
v i n g access to women
s health i n f o r m a t
n d s e r v
c
W o m e n o f t e n c a r r y t h e dual responsibility of caring f o r t h e m s e l v e s a n d t h e i r f a m i l i e s W e m u s t c r e a t e safe, stigma-free spaces to talk about issues like menstrual health, menopause, a n d c o n d i t
c h a s UTIs Pharmacies, with priv a t e c o n s u l t a t i o n r o o m s , are well-placed to offer that support ” S h e h i g h l i g h t e d t h e n e e d f o r c o l l a b o r a t i o n
across healthcare services a n d b e t t e r d
especially through schemes like ‘Pharmacy First’, which
f o r c o m m o
t r e a t
conditions without seeing a GP “We also need to educate the public on when and where to seek help
should be the first stop for m
A&E,” she explained
, Govind said timely updates about new drugs must be
and patients “I focus a lot on women ’ s health, especially within South Asian
menopause can occur earlier Many women still lack access to trusted advice, so e
men must be part of that conversation too ” Reflecting on her expe-
f colour in law and healthcare, Govind shared, “At 33, I
i s m a n d assumptions especially as a young Asian woman In o n e p
, patients assumed my male colleague was the pharmacist You have to be tough and advocate for yourself I’ve learned that lifting others up helps us all grow We n
women to take ownership of their health and careers,
dence-based advice ”
she added, “The working world is evolving portfolio careers are more common My legal background
ment my clients work in I stay ahead of trends and can offer tailored support Don’t be afraid to pivot it can be a powerful move
path
Government launches review scheme for dropped rape cases
allow cases to proceed only if there's a realistic chance of conviction and can be halted at any time if that threshold isn’t met
sexual abuse complainants will be able to request a second opinion from a different
are dropped If the second prosecutor finds sufficient evidence, the case will proceed Solicitor General Lucy Rigby called it “ a further step towards the criminal justice system that victims deserve ” The scheme, building on the CPS’s existing “victims’ right
Home Office minister apologises for grooming gang report delay
Home Office M inister Jess Ph illips apolog ised to M Ps for the d elay in releasing a repo rt on grooming gangs In January, Baroness Louise C asey was tasked w ith condu cting a swift three-month audit into th e d ata and ev idence on group-based child sexual abuse
noted that Baroness Casey's review and a local grooming
were expected in May and requested a new timeline Jess Phillips apologised for the delay, saying, "I've waited 14 years," referencing the Conservatives' time in
year, the government reject-
seven-year investigation led by Professor Alexis Jay Home Secretary Yvette Cooper announced a rapid audit" led by Baroness Casey to assess group-based child
£5m for victim-focused local
four other areas yet to be named I n A p r i
were likely and promised to share details after the audit’s release Conservatives continue to push for a nationwide inquiry with the power to compel evidence, citing c
n s s o m e a r e a s m a y resist local reviews Phillips said she would take action if the audit highlights issues with specific authorities
J u s t i c e f o r v i c t i m s i s often delayed, and tragically, police and prosecutors have sometimes treated victims l
offering support O n e s u c h w o m a n endured abuse in Rochdale from age 14 between 2008 and 2010 but was wrongly arrested and accused of trafficking other victims She w a s r e l e a s e d o n b a i l a n d placed with a man already under suspicion, while none of her abusers faced charges After years of fighting with activists, she and two others finally received reparations and a public apology from Greater Manchester Police in 2022 Yet, the CPS has been r e
the harm they caused, even naming her as a co-conspirator in prosecution documents without her knowle d g e N
has faced discipline, risking repeated failures She said, “What the police and CPS did to me was worse than
to review” process, will ini-
restore trust by reassessing decisions to halt prosecutions
The pilot is expected to affect only a small number of cases each year It follows
review finding it should have gone to trial though current rules prevented it from being reinstated Welcoming the pilot, she said it “could have completely changed the outcome in my case, ” and expressed hope it would be expanded nationwide
C hallenges persist for
ia n W o m e n ’ s R es o u rc e C entre (AWRC)
The London-based charity supports women and child r e n f r o m d i v e r s e b a c kg r o u n d s f a c i n g d o m e s t i c abuse, forced marriage, and h o n o u r o r f a i t h - b a s e d v i olence
, I should have been supported, not punished
The recent
offers hope that real lessons will finally be learned
Charity leaders warn harmful practices still affect minority women
Sarbjit Ganger, Director, a n d P u n a m K h a r b a n d a , A s s i s t a n t D i r e c t o r a
A s i a n W o m e n ’ s R e s o u r c e Centre (AWRC), highlighted the ongoing challenges faced by women in minority communities, noting that many p e o p l e m i s t a k e n l y b e l i e v e practices like forced marriage and honour-based abuse are things of the past
“Domestic abuse remains d e e p l y r o o t e d i n m i n o r i t y communities When I share the number of referrals we receive each day or month, e
The Healing Garden in H a r l e s d e n , u n v e i l e d b y Queen Camilla in February, won the GG2 Blossom Award at the 26th GG2 Leadership a n d D i v e r s i t y A w a r d s i n March The award honours outstanding contributions to c o m m u n i t y w e l l - b e i n g a n d unity
s e e w o m e n affected by forced marriages a n d h o n o u r - b a s e d a b u s e This shows us how important it is to keep raising awareness because these harmful practices are still happening and are far more widespread t h a n
said G a n
n
hope the Blossom Award will spotlight AWRC’s work as it marks 45 years “Women are working and raising families, y
i d Ganger “Sharing real stories is key to changing mind-sets ”
this field are often shocked and say, ‘Does that still happen?’ But the reality is, we c o n t i n u e t
Abortion law reform to end post-24 week prosecutions
Women w ill soon be protected from
tions und er
leg al reform expected to p ass in Parliament next
The change, quietly supported by ministers, will be subject to a free vote in the Commons
believe women should not f a c e p r i s o n f o r a b o r t i o n s outside legal limits rising to 81% among Labour MPs
In the past three years, six women in England have been prosecuted under laws that carry a maximum life sentence Carla Foster, 45, was sentenced under an 1861 l a
Jess Philips
Lucy Rigby
Weaponising identity to cover up the truth
The latest political controversy over the burqa reveals a troubling pattern: the exploitation of faith and fear to sideline substantive national concerns.
Once a gain, politica l lead ers are med dling in m atte rs th ey sc arcely unde rs ta nd a nd it’s Muslim wom en who a re the targe t this time Las t week , Reform UK MP Sarah P ochin stood in P arliam ent and d emande d that Prim e Minister Keir Starm er c onsider banning th e burqa , fo llowing the ex amp le of c erta in Europe an nations
Barely ha d th e outra ge settle d whe n oppo sitio n leade r K emi Bad enoch wad ed in, s uggesting th at e mployers s hould be pe rm itte d to bar burqa s in the workplac e
a ltogether.
Badenoch went further, proudly proclaiming she refuses to meet with constituents who wear face coverings, “whether it’s a burqa or a balaclava ” The comparison was as offensive as it was ignorant, equating an item of spiritual and cultural expression with criminal disguise It echoed the rhetoric of former Labour minister Jack Straw, who in 2006 lit the fuse on Britain’s first mainstream burqa row
These remarks are not random They are calculated Designed to court the rightwing vote, they toss ethnic minorities under the political bus in exchange for headlines and applause at party conferences But this posturing comes at a cost and will not borne by the politicians It will be borne by women on buses, in supermarkets, and walking their children to school, who now must fear harassment simply for how they dress
This is more than culture war theatre, it's a dangerous escalation Once again, minorities are being used as ideological battlegrounds Once again, British politics turns to scapegoating rather than understanding Today it's the burqa; tomorrow it will be the hijab The day after, the turban, the kippah, the cross We’ve seen it before when Sikh men in Southall were beaten for wearing turbans, when Jewish children faced slurs for their skullcaps, when
anyone ‘visibly different’ was treated with suspicion
This episode comes hot on the heels of the government’s latest immigration white paper, a document soaked in suspicion and steeped in the language of exclusion From visa crackdowns to threats of deportation, the paper doubles down on the idea that immigrants are a burden rather than a benefit
Together with this renewed attack on the burqa, it forms a clear pattern: a politics increasingly defined by antiimmigrant rhetoric and identity-based fearmongering
According to the UK Home Office, anti-Muslim hate crimes have consistently made up a significant portion of all religious hate crimes in recent years For instance, in 2023, nearly 40–45% of religiously motivated offences were directed at Muslims
Social media monitoring groups indicate a sharp rise in online Islamophobic content, especially during campaigns around burqa bans while different surveys show that around 60% of British Muslims report experiencing prejudice or discrimination at least once in their lifetime, ranging from verbal abuse to social exclusion
Dis trac tion, d ivision, and dog whistles
Muslim Women’s Network UK (MWNUK) expressed that the comments by the newly elected MP were deeply troubling The organisation strongly stated that the suggestion that the burkha is a threat is a tired and prejudiced trope Muslim women who choose to wear the burqa or any other form of religious dress, are simply exercising their fundamental rights to freedom of expression and belief The rhetoric by Sarah Pochin MP undermines social cohesion and further endangers Muslim women, who already experience disproportionate levels of hate crime and discrimination
MWN UK CEO, Barones s Shais ta G ohir, stated, “Political leaders play a crucial role in
shaping societal attitudes, and it is evident that some MPs intentionally use coded language to normalise hostility towards Muslims and appeal to anti-Muslim sentiment This pattern of anti-Muslim rhetoric has existed for some time and was particularly intensified by certain Conservative MPs during the previous government
“This is a frightening time for Muslims barely a week passes without a public statement reinforcing harmful stereotypes, fuelling fear and hatred, and deepening societal intolerance Muslim women who wear the headscarf are especially vulnerable and made to feel unsafe ”
A spok espers on from Muslim Council of Britain said, "Last week in Parliament, a Reform UK MP proposed a ban on the burqa - an idea not backed by her party and widely condemned Within hours, headlines were swirling and social media debates were raging
“But this is not new It's a textbook example of two wellworn strategies: "Flooding the zone" to overwhelm the public space with noise and provocation to drown out real issues and "dead cat strategy" of dropping a shocking story on the table to divert attention from urgent and uncomfortable truths
“These tactics are designed to divide us, distract us, and derail the public conversation And they're often deployed when there are far more pressing issues being ignored At the Muslim Council of Britain, we refuse to be baited by manufactured outrage We will not amplify fringe distractions
“Instead, we will continue to focus on what matters to all Britons: cost of living crisis, the strain on our NHS and the need for unity, dignity, and real solutions Let's not fall for distraction Let's work together-for the common good of our country and everyone who calls it home "
La bour MP Naz Sh ah called Pochin’s question “click-
bait, dog-whistle politics,” noting that in her Runcorn and Helsby constituency, Muslim women represent just 0 4% of the population and there may be no burqa wearers at all
“If the local MP is concerned about crime or security, it’s probably not the imaginary woman in the burka she should be focusing on, ” Shah added
Ak eela Ahmed MBE, Coch air of the British Muslim Ne twork, said, “It is
disappointing that once again how Muslim women dress is the topic of conversation The number of Muslim women in the UK who wear a face veil or what is known as the burqa is very tiny Despite this, their fundamental human right to choose how they dress and what they wear is often hotly debated in the public domain with calls to “ban the burqa” In the UK we have worked hard for democratic and liberal values, and the right for freedom of expression
“It would go against those if the state began to tell women how they can and can’t dress Some use these debates to homogenise and stereotype British Muslims in ways that demonise them which can lead to increased anti-Muslim hate crimes and targeted abuse of visibly British Muslim women ” Hollow protests and the politic s of convenienc e
The whole debate around burqa has also unmasked a side of politics of convenience
For a brief period, many in the Muslim community and other ethnic minorities, Zia Yusuf, now the former Chairman of Reform UK, represented a hope that Sarah Pochin’s inflammatory call to ban the burqa would be challenged from within the party His resignation was hailed as a rare act of political integrity: a public stand for human rights and dignity over party loyalty
But that stand was shortlived Within days, Yusuf quietly returned to a party that not only refused to
condemn Pochin’s remarks but has since amplified its divisive rhetoric Reform UK’s leadership issued no rebuke, no clarification only tacit approval through silence
Yusuf had recognised the danger, at least briefly His resignation statement criticised the party’s descent into culture war politics and identity-based scapegoating So what changed? Reform UK has not softened its position; if anything, it has grown more hardline and Yusuf has swiftly shifted his tone, raising troubling questions about political conviction and personal credibility
In recent remarks, he echoed the party’s hardline stance on immigration, speaking of “unsustainable migration” and embracing border control rhetoric In doing so, he didn’t just rejoin the party, he adopted its worldview What little moral authority his resignation had earned evaporated with his return
Yusuf had the opportunity to lead by example Instead, he folded and in lending his name and platform back to Reform UK, he legitimised the very forces he briefly opposed His selective protest, abandoned the moment it became politically costly, is more than disappointing; it is enabling In a moment when silence is complicity, Yusuf’s reversal is worse: it signals surrender
Yusuf has since been reassigned to lead the party’s newly minted “Doge Unit”, a cost-cutting initiative with a name seemingly inspired by Elon Musk’s branding antics
The appointment has been widely dismissed as a diversion from more pressing national debates
Britain deserves better: from its politics, its representatives, and those who claim to speak for its diverse communities If we do not demand more, we risk sliding deeper into a politics that feeds on fear, division, and manufactured outrage
Sarah Pochin
Baroness Shaista Gohir
Zia Yusuf
Akeela Ahmed MBE
Naz Shah
White Britons ‘on track to become minority’
A projection of hope for the future, or a plan to push immigrants out of the country?
White British people are p rojected to becom e a m ino rity in the UK within the next 40 years, according to a new report
The analysis, based on long-term trends in migration, birth rates, and mortality, forecasts that the white British share of the population will fall from 73% to 57% by 2050, dropping below 50% by 2063 Research by Professor Matt Goodwin of Buckingham University further projects a decline to just 33 7% by the end of the century
The report also anticipates a sharp rise in the proportion of foreignborn and second-generation immigrants, from under 20% to 33 5% within 25 years By 2100, six in ten UK residents are expected to either be born abroad or have at least one immigrant parent The Muslim population, currently at 7%, is projected to grow to 11 2% within 25 years and 19 2% by century’s end
Professor Goodwin, using ONS and census data, warned that these demographic shifts pose significant challenges for the UK’s political and social landscape Without addressing public concerns around immigration, identity, and cultural cohesion, he cautioned, the country may experience increasing polarisation and unrest His report follows a period of record migration 906,000 in 2023 under the Conservatives and Labour’s recent proposal for tighter migration rules He noted that such changes raise pressing questions about the nation’s ability to maintain unity, values, and a shared sense of identity, referencing Keir Starmer’s warning of the UK becoming “ an island of strangers ” However, in an environment already strained by rising Islamophobia and incidents of racial violence, such predictions risk fuelling anti-immigration narratives and societal division if not properly contextualised Unpacking race, identity, and misleading U K pro jectio ns These projections aren't just arbitrary statements, but a deliberate effort to provoke thought and highlight the hypocrisy faced by some British
citizens For individuals born and raised in the UK, but with one immigrant parent and a non-white appearance, these actions aim to shed light on the subtle (and sometimes overt) discrimination they may experience, forcing a confrontation with uncomfortable truths about identity and belonging within British society
In a column written for The Independent , Director of UK in a Changing Europe and professor of European politics and foreign affairs at King's College London, Anand Menon addresses a recent report that warned of the "white British population" becoming a minority in the UK within
40 years He highlights the report's methodology, noting that an analysis of migration, birth, and death rates by the University of Buckingham suggests the white British population, currently at 73%, is projected to fall to 57% by 2050, potentially becoming a minority by 2063 Menon specifically critiques the report's "curious" definition of "white British" as "people who do not have an immigrant parent " He points out the absurdity of this definition, stating that it would disqualify individuals born in the UK with non-white appearances but Irish, French, or German parents, and even prominent figures like King Charles, Winston Churchill, and Boris Johnson, from being considered "white British "
Menon argues that this isn't merely foolishness, but a deliberate attempt to create alarm through misleading predictions He notes the report's projections of an increase in foreign-born people and second-generation immigrants, many of whom are British citizens He also calls out the report's further
claim that by the end of the century, most people in the UK won't have more than one or two generations of roots in the country
Furthermore, Menon points to the concerning equation of "foreign-born and Muslim populations," suggesting a prejudiced view that Muslim identity inherently negates "Britishness," regardless of birthplace He concludes that the underlying issue being hinted at isn't truly about Britishness, but rather a discomfort with the country not being "white enough "
Speaking with Asian Vo ice, A nand Menon addressed concerns about "reverse colonisation" creeping into public discourse He challenged the notion that those propagating this idea dominate the national conversation, stating, "I think we should be careful not to assume that these people are dominating the national conversation, because I just don't think they are in all the sound and fury in the debate over immigration " Menon emphasised that only a small proportion of Labour voters consider immigration
the most important issue, suggesting that "it's not the case that the whole country is up in arms about this There is a vocal minority that is talking about these sorts of things, and I think in general, there is an appreciation that multiculturalism has worked quite well ”
Regarding the responsibility of political leaders and media in shaping an inclusive British identity amidst racially motivated violence, Menon stressed the need for public figures to avoid inciting hatred He asserted, “I don't think it's about an understanding of what it takes to be British I think people with a public profile have a responsibility not to stir violence and hatred " He pointed to the existence of irresponsible rhetoric and urged for the proper enforcement of laws against inciting hatred Menon also highlighted a worrying trend: sections of what we used to call the centre right becoming quite badly radicalised in terms of their language, on race and so on I think people owe it to the country to be a bit more responsible in the language they use ”
Anand Menon
Continued from page 01
Mid Leicestershire MP Peter Bedford and Alberto Costa, MP for South Leicestershire, have written to the Attorney General's Office (AGO) calling for the sentences to be looked at
Outrag e among British Asians
British Asians, particularly Indians in Leicester and other urban centres, have expressed shock and disap-
p o i n t m e n t o v e r t h e o u tcome Many feel that the justice system has failed to take racial motivation seriously
T h e r e i s a s e n s e o f betrayal and the messaging
i s c l e a r : T h e s e c h i l d r e n laughed as they attacked a defenceless old man, hurled racial abuse, and filmed it Yet one walks free, and the judge refuses to call it what
i t c l e a r l y w a s a r a c i s t attack
For many British Indians
w h o c o n s i d e r t h e m s e l v e s more British than Indian, having been born and raised in the UK, this incident is a painful reminder that visible minorities are still not fully accepted Is the community being pushed back into the shadows of the 1970s, when racist attacks were routine and fear was part of everyday life and should we simply accept this as the new normal?
Criticism has also been levelled at the police, both in this case and others Before being fatally attacked, Mr Kohli had told police he witnessed an assault on another Asian man yards from his home two weeks earlier
He spoke to officers in
A u g u s t a f t e r h e s a w t w o white boys aged 12 and 13
r a c i a l l y a b u s e a m a n a n d throw a large rock at him near the same park where
t h e 8 0 - y e a r - o l d e n c o u ntered his own attackers
C l lr D r M an ju l a S o o d M BE, Assistant City Mayor -
C o m m u ni ty C o h es i o n o f
L e ic es ter, i n a n i n t e r v i e w with Asian Voice expressed
deep condolences over Mr K o h l i ’ s d e a t h a n d s
i d , “Although the judge ruled it w a s n ’ t r a c i a l l y m
t i v a t e d , many of us know it was I m m i g r a t i o n a n d h i s t o r y
m a t t e r h e r e T h e g o v e r n -
ment says it wants a fair,
c o n t r o l l e d s y s t e m f o c u s e d on skilled people, but much
d a m a g e h a s a l r e a d y b e e n done
“The worst influence is social media and platforms
“We have been failed”
l i k e T i k T o k s h o u l d b e banned Look at what this g i r l d i d S h e f i
i n v o l v e d i n t h e i n c i d e n t , only one was charged It s r e a s
online Where’s the humanity?”
She told us that some n e i g h b o u r s h a d a l r e a d y r e p o r t e d c o n c e r n s t o t h e police before the incident h a p p e n e d “ T h e Leicestershire Police does a g r e a t j o b b u t s o m e t i m e s , some cases can fall through t h e c r a c k s T h i s i s w h y I b e l i e v e w e m u s t u r g e n t l y focus on instilling human values in children so they grow up understanding that harming another person is n o t a j o k e o r e n t e r t a i nment ”
She further added, “Yes, a 12- or 13-year-old is still a child, but not so young that they don’t know right from wrong Parents, community
l e a d e r s , p o l i c e , s o c i a l s e rvices; everyone has a role to play If a family is struggling,
s o c i a l s e r v i c e s s h o u l d b e involved We need a coordinated campaign The media can play a big role by supp o r t i n g e d u c a t i o n a l p r ograms that promote discip l i n e a n d h u m a n v a l u e s
Otherwise, more lives could be lost unnecessarily “ T h i s m a n w a s m u rdered in a brutal, senseless, and deeply traumatic way The entire neighbourhood is still in shock He was a wellr e s p e c t e d m e m b e r o f t h e
c o m m u n i t y s o m u c h s o t h a t p e o p l e n o w w a n t t o name the local gate in his h o n o u r H e w a s s i m p l y going about his daily routine when this happened
“ I n m y o p i n i o n , t h e s e children acted like thugs If someone can think of killing a n o t h e r p e r s o n , e s p e c i a l l y o u t o f r a c i s m , a t s u c h a young age, then they need to be disciplined Human val-
u e s m u s t b e t a u g h t urgently ”
A c t i v i s t s a n d f a m i l i e s have spoken of a worrying t r e n d : a t t a c k s o n v i s i b l y Indian and Hindu individu-
a l s t h a t a r e e i t h e r d o w nplayed or not investigated with the urgency they warrant Suresh Grover, a membe r o f T h e M o ni to r in g Group, a grassroots organisation with over 40 years of e x p e r i e n c e h e l p i n g p e o p l e
a n d s h a r i n g l i v e d e x p e r iences, feels that the manner i n w h i c h c r i m i n a l j u s t i c e a g e n c i e s h a v e f a i l e d o u r society is shocking He said, He was a victim of racially motivated abuse, both prior and during the attack, but this issue has been ignored Further, despite the fact that two assailants were jointly
would be the case if the victim was a white pensioner and the assailants people of colour? "
not just individuals and the failure to deal with it thoroughly leads to mistrust ”
More recently, a brutal
dents of Indian and Hindu
attacks The teenagers, aged
approached by three men, reportedly in their 30s, who questioned them about their ethnicity and religion before launching an assault
One student suffered a fractured eye socket and was
racially aggravated grievous bodily harm (GBH)
K ant i Nag
at
ce C entre in Harrow, expressed deep shock over
o Asian Voice, he said he is in contact with the police to gather further details and ensure that appropriate and effective action is taken C alls for accountability
The daughter of Bhim Kohli, Susan Kohli, delivered an emotional victim impact statement after the sentencing, saying her family would never feel safe again “Our house feels so empty without him,” she said “When they are released, they still h a v e f u l l l i v e s a h e a d W e cannot rebuild ours More
c o u l d h a v e b e e n d o n e t o prevent my dad from being killed ” M a n y a g r e e w i t h h e r They argue that the boy and girl’s actions were not only cruel but symptomatic of a deeper problem in British
s o c i e
y : t h e c a s
m a n i s a t i o n o f v i s i b l e minorities and the leniency s h o w n w h e n v i o l e n c e against them is dismissed as m i s j u d g e d “ y o u t h f u l behaviour ”
There is even more outrage over the 13-year-old girl only being given rehabilitation when she was equally involved Cllr Dr Sood commented on this saying, “The g i r l , t o o , s h o u l d b e h e l d accountable Many feel she w a s e q u a l l y , i f n o t m o r e , responsible She filmed the attack, likely intending to share it on social media If she had been a sensible 12y e a r - o l d , s h e w o u l d h a v e sought help, not filmed violence Whether the attacker was her friend or not, she had a choice and she chose wrong “ S h e s h o u l d n ’ t b e allowed to walk free without c o n s e q u e n c e I f t h a t h a p -
pens, it sets an example for other children: that if you ’ re underage, you can get away w i t h a n y t h i n g T h a t ’ s t h e real danger “ I ' m n o t a d v o c a t i n g p h y s i c a l p u n i s h m e n t , b u t there must be firm discipline I’m a former primary school teacher, and I’ve seen how important it is to stay o n t o p o f c h i l d r e n ’ s behaviour ” V in o d P o p at,
C o m m u ni ty A d v o ca te & Broadcaster fro m Leicester
c o m m e n t e d , “ T i m e a n d again, we witness a pattern o f m i n i m i s a t i o n b y l a w enforcement and the justice s y s t e m w h e n i t c o m e s t o
c r i m e s w i t h r a c i a l u n d e r -
tones This failure fuels a growing sense of abandonment and fear among lawabiding Asian communities across the UK, particularly among our elders “We are not asking for s p e c i a l t r e a t m e n t w e a r e a s k i n g f o r f a i r t r e a t m e n t
E q u a l j u s t i c e m u s t n o t depend on ethnicity or perc e p t i o n W e u r g e t h e authorities to reflect deeply on what this case represents, and to begin rebuilding the broken trust with meaningful action, transparency, and reform ”
De v S h arm a F o o d
A ctiv ist & M ember of the U K Youth Parliament said,
“This feels like justice falling short, not just for Mr Kohli’s family, but for every one of us who sees our elders in him It’s hard to accept that t h i s w a s n ’ t t r e a t e d a s a
r a c i a l l y a g g r a v a t e d c r i m e ,
e s p e c i a l l y w h e n w e k n o w
racial slurs were reportedly used And it’s even harder to explain how only one of the teenagers was sent to cus-
t o d y , w h i l e t h e g i r l w h o filmed and encouraged the attack was not charged
“Honestly, I’m not just surprised by the leniency I’m hurt I’m hurt by how easily the racial element has been brushed aside Because that silence speaks volumes to our community
“This sentence is difficult to understand and even harder to explain to a griev-
ing family and community
As a British Asian and someone who works closely with the community, I know how many of them already feel unseen They feel like their lives and their loved ones ’ lives aren’t protected equally This case only deepens
t h a t s e n s e o f u n f a i r n e s s
And that’s dangerous It creates resentment It erodes t r u s t I t t e l l s p e o p l e t h e y don’t matter ”
Additionally, in an interview, Susan expressed deep frustration with what she saw as a lack of parental responsibility She called on the police to hold the parents accountable, questioning why they had not done more to monitor or discip l i n e t h e i r c h i l d r e n “ T h e parents have a part to play,” s h e s a i d “ F r o m w h a t w e heard in court, these children were out at all hours They were on their phones past midnight Where were the parents?”
She added, “How can a 12-year-old and a 14-yearold do something like this to an elderly man? Did they not stop to think what if this had happened to their own p a r e n t s o r g r a n d p a r e n t s ?
Hold the parents accountable Bring them to court as well ”
Cllr Dr Sood agrees that it is the parents’ duty and responsibility “That’s why we are parents If a parent senses that something isn’t r i g h t w i t h t h e i r s o n o r d a u g h t e r , t h e r e a r e m a n y ways to help them”, she said She further added, “This wasn’t the first time these y o u n g p e o p l e h a d a b u s e d h i m t h e y h a d s u b j e c t e d him to racist abuse before The police should have gone to the parents and informed them of the complaint after the neighbours complained
“Normally, I must say, the police are very good No one is perfect, of course, but they generally do work well with communities Perhaps, in this instance, the local neighbourhood police didn’t a c t b e c a u s e t h e y s a w t h e offenders as just children
S o m e t i m e s , a u t h o r i t i e s don’t fully realise how serious a situation can become, o r h o w d e e p t h e d a m a g e might go even when something feels clearly harmful to others ”
Unpacking the roots o f racial v iolence
A c c o rd i ng to Dr Rukhsana Farooqi, an indep endent social work expert,
there are multiple layers to this tragedy Recalling her o w n
worker in Leicester, and in c
deeply entrenched At times, I have felt unsafe working alone I have friends who were attacked by a gang of white youths during a night out in the 1980s The images of ‘the alien,’ ‘the other,’ and ‘the immigrant’ are powerful and persistent It is essential to explore the role of the far right in these areas, especially in how they exploit and indoctrinate young people This mindset may well be intergenerational ” Dr Farooqi also stressed the need to understand how immigrants are perceived by youth in the UK “Tanika Gupta’s play and book ‘The E
during an overlooked period of British history We must examine the impact of government immigration policy and how it is portrayed by the media ” She added, “This summer, we saw far-right mobs setting fire to hotels housing asylum seekers Meanwhile, small boats are consistently framed as the greatest threat to the nation In the tragic case of Mr Bhim Kohli, the role of social media must be investigated not just in the lives of the perpetrators, but a l s
reports suggest
troubling
acceptable This needs deeper exploration ”
I would want to understand what was happening in the
explore their relationships with parents, any patterns of intergenerational abuse, the
influential adults and peers Beyond the home, I would look into their school atten-
peer influence, and
young people were known to them, and how similar incidents in the area have been handled
For British Indians, and minority communities more broadly, this is
moment of
from Leicester and Harrow is clear: the UK must confront rising racial violence with honesty, not excuses Community leaders are calling for better police training, more rigorous investigations into racial motivations, and an overhaul of how hate crimes are prosecuted
Cllr Dr Manjula Sood MBE
Suresh Grover
Vinod Popat
Dr Rukhsana Farooqi
Dev Sharma
Sunetra Senior
BMiriam
Walker-Khan: On Championing Diversity
lazing the w ay toward s m eaningful rep resentation and inclusion in th e wo rld of media, Miriam WalkerKhan is a m ulti-awardwinning sports repo rter, writer and p resenter w ho works as a Diversity and Inclusion rep orter at Sky
and ultimately inspiring people where the concept of diversity is latently beneficial to society “Some of the messages or stories I get from the kids that I meet are so moving and incredible,” Miriam shared: “the fact that they have those role models is special I wish I had that
Sports New s Regard ing her ov erarching passion as an ad vocate for social equality, sh e com mented : “I absolutely lo ve what I get to report on and the conv ersations I g et to have becau se I don’t think they have been done befo re in this setting ” Miriam is also the founder of th e compelling online platfo rm, Brown Girl Sport, which tells the multitudinous perspectiv es of different brow n w omen across the very popular terrain of competitive athleticism Going beyond the cursory id ea of race, she p resents a typically marg inalised comm unity as they comp letely authentically are “I wasn’t seeing tho se stories in the media – the fact that they exist: I hope it can represent peop le, wo men and g irls in sport of SouthAsian heritag e w ho don’t see themselv es reflected It is also important to break dow n the intersections of what it is to be brow n: there are so m any different identities with in that umbrella of brownness that sh ould be celebrated Fro m faith to class and sexuality, w e are all so different and come from varied backgrounds which is key When peop le lo ok at the issue of a lack of representation of brow n wom en in sport, it is not just abo ut show ing peop le at a surface level but also who they really are and why tho se sto ries m atter ” ***
From fun light-hearted posts to pertinent news and personal insights, the buzzing platform of Brown Girl Sport truly salutes South-Asian women, reinforcing them as individually unique, real
massive documentary on this called, Football’s Hidden Talent, which I point people towards as it is a layered, complex issue It is very slowly getting better; we are just not seeing it at the top level yet ”
Positivity then is inherent to multicultural progress, enhancing personal presence and dispelling the negative stereotypes that contribute to historical racism
Seeing India anew through an outsider’s soul
Subhasini Naicker
Step hen P Huyler is an art h isto rian, cultu ral anthropolog ist, p hoto graph er, and auth or w ho has spent ov er fi v e d ec ad es d oc um en ting India’s sacred art, crafts, and rural trad itio ns Av erag ing four mo nths a year in Indian v illag es, he has recently publ is h ed ‘
Ind ia’, a reflection o n hi s lifelong journey
Huyler has also served as a consultant and guest curator for more than 25 exhibitions on Indian art at leading institutions, including
Folk Art
Speaking to Asian Voice about what first drew him to India, Stephen said, “I was
growing up It’s also important to focus on celebration because, in the past, people in sports media have only spoken about brown communities or people, especially in football, and the lack of, and there are people who have existed who’ve made it to the WSL or Premier League, and their stories haven’t been told We do need to talk about issues and what we can do better, but also all the incredible women and men A lot of the time, their accounts are very interesting and feel more defiant ” In terms of why we don’t see more South-Asian women in high-profile positions, Miriam stated: “there are so many reasons why there are few brown women at a professional level It is important to note that
"There are loads of young SouthAsian girls playing grassroots football – proportionally 6% more than there are boys of the same background. But there is an issue with this pathway whereby they are not making it to the next level"
there are loads of young South-Asian girls playing grassroots football –proportionally 6% more than there are boys of the same background But there is an issue with this pathway whereby they are not making it to the next level Last year, I made a
Indeed, one post on Brown Girl Sport suggests a contemporary remake of Gurinder Chadha’s Bend It Like Beckham so that protagonist Jesminder’s parents are not depicted as discouraging her from sport This at once helps recentre the scrutiny on the underlying systemic inequality that requires tackling Miriam proactively reshapes the mental playing field to spur the fundamental change She suggests the biggest barrier to EDI is “ a lack of diversity of thought ” She elaborated: “instead of just equality, it is about equity as well, and there is just a lack of education It is hard for some people to think about their privilege I work with a lot of people who are real allies, and they are white cis gender straight men It is about how people educate themselves ”
Indeed, many programs dedicated to diversity reportedly often fail due to inner unchecked bias, which prevents implementation, and not the actual initiative itself Miriam discovered the impact of storytelling when she stopped being able to participate physically in sport: “I competed in athletics growing up –it was my entire life But then I had an illness - Nephrotic syndrome - and later underwent chemotherapy I was still training 4 to 5 times a week but was tired of relying on my body
Later, I started working for a small athletics website where I was the editor and had much responsibility ” Miriam not only shines the beacon for the underrepresented SouthAsian community, but further the empowerment that endures with affirmative action
T: @mimwalkerkhan @browngirlsport
birthday, a moment I reflect o
‘Transformed by India’ A close American friend with t i e
A
inspired my fascination with r u r a l I n d i a , w h i c h t r a n s -
formed me from a mediocre
s t u d e n t i n t o a s t r a i g h t - A one I had to see India for myself books and photos weren’t enough Travelling overland from Paris through the Middle East deepened my appreciation for the cultural layers I’d later explore i n I n d i a , e s p e c i a l l y i t s indigenous traditions ”
“On my first day, I met Kamaladevi, who became a guiding force She gave me 60 personal letters of introduction that opened doors to homes and villages across the country A month later, I was staying with Rukmini D e v i a t K a l a k s h e t r a i n Chennai Though I’ve studi e d l o c a l l a n g u a g e s , English thanks to colonial history, remained a bridge t o c o m m u n i c a t e a c r o s s India In the 1970s and ’80s, as India modernised, many
traditions risked being forgotten I felt a deep purpose t o d o c u m e n t a n d u n d e rstand the spirit of the country not just in cities, but in small towns and villages I wanted to know: Who are these people? What do they think? What do they dream of?,” he added
“I could finally reflect on how India had transfo rmed me ” About the idea behind the book and how it came t o g e t h e r , S t e p h e n s a i d , “This book is a new kind of project for me My earlier books focused on the stories of Indian people, not my own I never intended to write a memoir But during the Covid lockdown, unable to return to India or continue my research, I had an e
the individuals I met along the way These stories aren’t just about well-known figu
s l i k e K a m
v i Chattopadhyay or Rukmini Devi Arundale, though they were pivotal Equally powerful were the everyday people, craftsmen, and farmers,
journey Some were illiterate, but deeply educated in
Whether
humanity I try to honour in this book
book ‘Transformed by India’
Stephen explained how he chose the individuals to feature, “It was pure serendipity The people of India are
hospitable it’s part of the culture and I come in with trust and without an agenda That openness invites connection I don’t objectify or impose; I simply listen Whether in villages, towns, or cities, I’d meet people by chance, sometimes through
Kamaladevi, but more often
That generosity and kindn
m strangers, is deeply embedded in my soul It’s why I do what I do India’s essence lies in reciprocity about giv-
Reflecting on what he hopes readers will take from the book, Stephen shared, “
you're reading this book or n
T h
response in India has been o
I don’t approach India with an eroticised or closed per-
w i t t o b e itself That’s the key when we let experiences be what they are, we learn, grow, and change I was transformed by India, but transformation c a n c o m e f r o m a n y t h i n g This book is a collection of s t o r i e s t h a t s h a p e d a n d changed me, bringing me to where I am today ”
British drug kingpin ‘Sultan’ jailed for global trafficking empire
A US co urt has handed a 16y ea r p r is o n se n te nc e t o B ri t i sh n a ti o n al M u h a mm ad As i f H a f ee z , known by h is underwo rld alias “S ultan,” fo r leading a glo bal dru g trafficking netw o rk o ve r th e p a s t tw o decades
T h e 6 6 - y e a r - o l d , w h o p o s e d a s a r e s p e c t a b l e L o n d o n b u s i n e s s m a n a n d polo club patron, was found g u i l t y o f c o n s p i r i n g t o smuggle large quantities of heroin, methamphetamine, and hashish into the US and other countries
U S p r o s e c u t o r s described Muhammad Asif Hafeez as the mastermind behind one of the world’s most extensive drug trafficking networks, directing operations from his UK resi d e n c e a n d c o o r d i n a t i n g
n a r c o t i c s s h i p m e n t s f r o m
Pakistan and India to mark e t s w o r l d w i d e H e w a s a r r e s t e d i n L o n d o n o n
August 25, 2017, and extradited to the US in 2023 following lengthy legal battles
I n N o v e m b e r , H a f e e z admitted to conspiring to i m p o r t d r u g s i n t o t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s , i n c l u
millions of potentially deadly doses US authorities described
Muhammad Asif Hafeez as the “puppet master” behind a vast criminal enterprise that operated across continents His sentencing by a New York court on Friday reflects the gravity of his crimes With credit for time served since his 2017 arrest,
until 2033
Despite presenting himself as a respectable figure mingling with British high
s uncovered that his apparent c
enforcement was a calculated move to eliminate rival traffickers and strengthen his grip on the global drug trade
MIRIAM WALKER-KHAN
Stephen P Huyler
Muhammad Asif Hafeez
Sujoy Prasad Chatterjee on art, identity and diaspora
A s London hosts ‘ Voices of Rebellion and Harmo ny ’ , an evo cativ e evening o f m usic and words at SOAS, one of the artists at its heart is alread y m aking wav es acro ss d iscip lines and g eo graphies
Sujoy Prasad Chatterjee, Kolkata-based interdisciplinary performer, storyteller, and cultural provocateur, arrives in the UK with a rich body of work that blurs the lines between theatre, spoken word, curation, and activism Whether it’s breaking out of the proscenium or revisiting Rabindranath Tagore’s legacy through contemporary lenses, Chatterjee's voice remains consistently bold, fluid, and fearless
In an interview with Asian Voice, Chatterjee speaks about dismantling artistic and social boundaries and reflects on his creative journey, diasporic dialogues, the politics of performance, and the enduring power of intersectionality in his art
Your work spans various disciplines of performance art, theatre, spoken word, and curation How do you navigate different forms, and what drives your interdisciplinary approach?
The first box that I broke out from is the proscenium Way back in 2002-03, there was
"Globally, South Asian voices are constantly expressing their authenticity and depth in not just artistic but political representatio ns
absolutely no concept of alternative performance spaces in Kolkata I started performing in bookstores, art galleries, cinematheques, nightclubs, garages etc I think when I was doing all of this I started exploring the possibilities of interdisciplinary navigation Art is not watertight It is as fluid as gender Disciplines are disciplines and I respect their sanctity
Can you share the genesis of your recent solo performance, "Voices of Rebellion and Harmony"? What themes are you exploring through this piece?
This event is not a solo programme at all but a plethora of artists are coming together to create a voice--A voice that talks about displacement, diasporic identity, dilemmas of migration, social stereotypes and so many others I am a storyteller in this one who unlayers future of the past through readings while the art on display somewhat echoes the context Supported by Bengal Heritage Foundation the show opens on June 12th at 6pm at SOAS
Howdo you view the role of the South Asian diaspora in sustaining and evolving creative traditions globally? Do you think the diaspora has a responsibility to preserve "authenticity," or is it more about creating something new out of hybrid identities?
The South Asian diaspora is a dynamic entity today If you are looking at homogeneous ties that may not be the rule but an exception Globally, South Asian voices are constantly expressing their authenticity and depth in not just artistic but political representations too My directorial debut short HOME, inspired by a poem written by Arundhathi Subramaniam is being screened on June 23rd at House of Commons, British Parliament This silent nonlinear narrative talks about the mind space of hybrid identities and gender politics
How do you think Bengali cinema is positioned today on the world stage? Do you see a shift in how Bengali films are being received internationally, especially among non-Bengali audiences?
As a regional player, the film industry in Bengal is presently beset with a whole lot of challenges The most important challenge is that of the intrusion of the state government and the aftermath of political degeneration Artists should have political voices or
ethos but can t let that eat into their arts That s what has plagued the industry The silver lining is the upsurge of young filmmakers like Aritra Sen, Abhinandan Banerjee, Aditya Vikram Sengupta and a few others who are redefining content and also realigning Bengali cinema globally When it comes to non-Bengali but Indian audiences, the lens is a bit different This segment loves masala more than avant-garde Also OTT has completely repositioned Bangla content
You've been an important voice when it comes to identity, sexuality, and cultural fluidity in the arts. How do you navigate this intersectionality in your work?
Intersectionality is a very important part of my arts And I guess that makes my voice a little more important than the others After each podcast that I am featured in, my Instagram messenger/feed is full of appreciation and a lot of abuse too The abuse comes from non-acceptance In the year 2004 when I staged a reading of The VAGINA MONOLOGUES in a bookstore in Kolkata, I remember the iconic author Nabaneeta Debsen(who was in the audience) telling me, "Sujoy you are breaking norms and that comes with wounds But you shall heal through your art" I think that kind of sums up my artistic trajectory
Reflecting on your journey so far, what have been some of the most transformative moments in your career?
There are many such moments Meeting theatre veteran Sohag Sen and having her as my theatre mentor has transformed my outlook in acting Working with filmmaker Aparna Sen on a poetry project has been very important to shaping up my vision in spoken words Collaborations with contemporary dancer and curator Paramita Saha has helped me to imbibe a world view of arts My artistic portfolio of working on Rabindranath Tagore's literary oeuvre has been inspired by veterans like Bijoylakshmi Burman, Chaitali Dasgupta, Pramita Mallick and so many other legends And yes, one person who has never failed me as a friend and a huge supporter of my arts is actress Rituparna Sengupta I have learnt a lot of my professional footwork from Ritu A huge transformation in my arts has happened following my mother's death She was the fulcrum of my arts when I began my career What I have learnt from her is resilience
Father’s Day 2025: A celebration of love, legacy, and resilience
Thi s year, Father’s D ay falls on 15 J une 2025 a day dedi c at ed to c el eb ra ti ng a n d a c k n ow le d gi n g t he immense role that fathers and father figures play in our lives
Whether through quiet g u i d a n c e , e v e r y d a y s a c r ifices, or unwavering love, fathers help shape who we are and who we aspire to become As families around the world prepare to mark t h i s o c c a s i o n , i t ’ s w o r t h reflecting on how Father’s Day came to be and why it holds such a powerful place in our cultural calendar
While the idea of honouring mothers had already taken hold in the early 20th c
’ s Day in the United States, a counterpart for fathers was slower to emerge The modern concept of Father’s Day b e g a n i n S p o k a n e , W a s h i n g t o n , i n 1 9 1 0 , thanks to the efforts of a w o m a n n a m e d S o n o r a Smart Dodd
Sonora was inspired to create a day in honour of
her father, William Jackson Smart, a Civil War veteran and single parent who had raised six children after the death of his wife Moved by h i s d e v o t i
groups On June 19, 1910, Spokane held what is widel y c o n s i d e r e d t h e f i r s t Father’s Day celebration
Though the idea gained local support and gradually s
, Father’s Day wasn’t officiall y r e c
n t h e U S until 1972, when President R
into law Since then, countries worldwide have adopt-
own ways, united by the spirit of honouring fatherhood F
bereaved fathers, children who’ve lost dads, or those with strained relationships, Father’s Day can be painful
in loss, the bond of fatherhood endures Asian Voice extends heartfelt wishes this Father ’ s Day to bereaved fathers, single dads, stepfathers, foster carers, granddads, and everyone who carries the spirit of fatherhood with strength, compassion, and quiet courage
Professor allegedly faked IQ for £1mn brain injury payout
A Cambridge Univers ity prof ess or is f acing al legations of f aking poor IQ and mem ory tes t res ul ts to s upport a £1 m il lion brain dam age c ompensat ion cl aim against the NHS
D r M o h a
Hakmi, 64, an orthopaedic
t Cambridge’s medical school, suffered a stroke at home in November 2016, which left him with lasting disabilities and ended his surgical career A H e r t f o r d s h
Cambridge University lecturer, Dr Hakmi, is suing the N H S i
s H
Court for over £1 million, claiming delays in diagnosi n g a s e c o n d s t r o k e i n November 2016 led to permanent brain damage
Dr Hakmi, a Fellow of t h e R o y a l C o l l e g e o f Surgeons, was misdiagnosed with a migraine or epilepsy during a second stroke in 2 0 1 6 , d e s p i t e r e c o g n i s i n g symptoms and alerting staff
duties His legal team claims proper care
Seema Misra says her family still lives in fear
Seem a M isra, a fo rm er subp o s tm i s tre s s f ro m S u rre y wrongly jailed in the Post Office scand al, told MPs her teenage son still fears she could be sent back to prison M i s r a , w h o w a s p r e gnant at the time, served five months in 2010 for a theft she didn’t commit She said the only reason she didn’t t a k e h e r o w n l i f e w a s because of her unborn child, ‘The Times’ reported Speaking at a parliamentary meeting, Seema Misra s a i d t h e t r a u m a o f h e r w r o n g f u l c o n v i c t i o n s t i l l affects her family Her 13year-old son recently told her, “Mummy, if the Post
O f f i c e p u t y o u b a c k i n prison, don’t kill yourself you didn’t before because I was in your tummy What if they do it again?” M i s r a , w h o w o r e a n electronic tag while giving birth, is backing a campaign t o r e f o r m c o m p e n s a t i o n laws for miscarriages of justice S i n c e a 2 0 1 4 c h a n g e under Lord Cameron, victims must prove their inno-
Sujoy Prasad Chatterjee
Dr Mohamed Atef Hakmi (Centre)
Credit: Champion News
“Your voice matters”
Koolesh Shah on bridging politics and community as Conservative Friends of India co-chair
Anusha Singh
K oolesh Sh ah is not just a successful entrepreneur and p hilanthropist, he’s a p rom inent voice fo r British Indians at the intersection o f business, com munity serv ice, and political engagem ent
The award-winning hotelier, who founded the London Town Group in 1988, has built a multimillion-pound enterprise spanning real estate, hospitality, energy, and technology Beyond boardrooms, Shah is a committed philanthropist and social advocate
Now, Shah takes on a new mantle: co-chair of Conservative Friends (CF) of India, appointed alongside former Deputy Prime Minister Sir Oliver Dowden and spoke to Asian Voice about his new position
1.
What are your key priorities and vision for CF India in your new capacity as Co-Chair of Conservative Friends of India? How do you intend to promote better representation of British Indians in UK political leadership and policymaking circles?
As Co-Chair of Conservative Friends of India, my vision is centred on deepening engagement, broadening representation, and ensuring that the core values held by British Indians enterprise, family, education, and service are meaningfully reflected in UK politics I believe these values align closely with the Conservative Party’s principles, and together, they provide a strong foundation for community involvement and influence
Our priorities include nurturing the next generation of British Indian leaders by providing mentorship, resources, and pathways into public life
We want to remove barriers to political participation by creating more accessible networks, hosting leadership development programmes, and encouraging young people from our community to take active roles in local councils, Parliament, and policymaking bodies
Furthermore, we will foster ongoing dialogue between British Indians and policymakers, ensuring that community perspectives inform legislation and national strategies This will involve regular forums, roundtables, and engagement events designed to build trust and understanding Ultimately, we aspire for a British Indian presence in political leadership that is proportionate to our community’s contributions
and aspirations a representation that strengthens UK democracy and enriches policymaking with diverse insights
2
What unique strengths does Sir Oliver Dowden bring to the CF India leadership alongside you, and how do your different backgrounds complement each other? How will the two of you build on the momentum made during Ameet Jogia and Reena Ranger’s tenure?
Sir Oliver Dowden brings a distinguished political career, extensive government experience, and a senior platform as Deputy Prime Minister that is critical for elevating CF India’s profile and influence at the highest levels His insider knowledge of government processes and strategic vision around UK–India relations uniquely positions him to open doors and advocate for the community’s interests within the corridors of power
Our leadership partnership benefits greatly from complementary strengths While Sir Oliver offers institutional clout, policy expertise, and a direct line to key decisionmakers, I contribute decades of practical experience in entrepreneurship, business leadership, and community engagement within the British Indian diaspora This blend of perspectives allows us to approach our mission holistically from crafting policy-relevant initiatives to grounding them in the lived realities and aspirations of the community
Building on the strong foundations laid by Ameet Jogia and Reena Ranger, who transformed CF India into a dynamic platform for engagement, we aim to broaden participation across generations and sectors We will prioritise expanding access to political pathways for underrepresented groups within the community, amplifying British Indian achievements across media and political discourse, and sustaining momentum by forging partnerships with businesses, educational institutions, and civil society Together, we seek
and your presence should be reflected not only in voting patterns but in the very fabric of political decision-making
Police slam ‘racist thuggery’ in Ballymena
Violen ce in Ballymen
to ensure that CF India remains an influential, inclusive force shaping the UK’s future 3
The Indian diaspora is among the UK’s most influential communities, yet figures like Kemi Badenoch have faced criticism for their lack of engagement, especially with the Conservatives’ popularity plummeting How can the party take stronger steps to genuinely reflect and address British Indians’ concerns and what message would you like to share with the community at this time?
The British Indian community has been an integral pillar of the UK’s prosperity and cultural richness, consistently exemplifying hard work, resilience, and strong family and community values These qualities resonate deeply with Conservative principles and provide a powerful common ground for collaboration
However, it is clear that trust and engagement must be actively nurtured To genuinely address British Indians’ concerns, the Conservative Party must invest in sustained, transparent dialogue that goes beyond tokenism or symbolic representation This means actively listening to community issues from education and entrepreneurship to social inclusion and combating discrimination and embedding these concerns into party policies and priorities
Through Conservative Friends of India, we are committed to creating meaningful opportunities for British Indians to participate in political processes, whether through candidacy, advisory roles, or grassroots activism Our message to the community is clear: your voice matters, your leadership is valued,
This moment calls for renewed energy, unity, and ambition from British Indians, to take up space confidently within the Conservative Party and beyond Together, we can build a future where our contributions are recognised and our concerns addressed with sincerity and action
4As leaders of Indian descent rise in UK politics, how can parties ensure their immigration policies build, rather than damage, trust with diaspora communities especially when current positions across parties, including the Conservatives, risk alienating ethnic minorities?
Immigration policy is a sensitive and complex issue for diaspora communities, including British Indians, who cherish family unity, opportunity, and fairness To build and maintain trust, policies must strike a balance between the legitimate need for border control and compassionate recognition of the contributions and circumstances of established communities
Political parties must approach immigration reform with empathy and inclusiveness, informed by direct engagement with affected communities This means avoiding rhetoric or measures that inadvertently stigmatise or marginalise ethnic minorities, and instead focusing on clarity, fairness, and support mechanisms that facilitate integration, economic contribution, and social cohesion
At Conservative Friends of India, we advocate for immigration policies that reflect the community’s values supporting family reunification, skilled migration, and pathways that encourage long-term settlement and contribution As Co-Chair, I am committed to ensuring that British Indian voices are heard in policy debates, helping to shape approaches that build bridges rather than walls
The rise of leaders of Indian descent presents an opportunity to inform and influence policy from within, making immigration a platform for trust-building and mutual respect Through ongoing dialogue, transparency, and partnership, parties can create an environment where diaspora communities feel valued, understood, and confident in their place within the UK
ing days to prevent further unrest The Prime Minister’s
attacks on police and ethnic
smashed, and two properties suffered significant
Corrupt immigration advisers charge migrants £22,000 for visas
Down ing Str eet ha s insisted the G over nme nt is "ta king action" on visa a buse following alle gat ion s t hat corrupt im m i g r a t i o n a d v i se r s a r e ch a r g i n g un d e r qu a li f ie d migra nts up to £22,000 for skilled wor ker visas
while forcing them to hand back most of their wages
S k i l l e d w o r k e r v i s a s n o w require a minimum salary of £38,700, with lower thresho l d s f o r h e a l t h a n d c a r e roles
The scam involves busin e s s e s o b t a i n i n g s p o n s o rship licences from the Home
O f f i c e b y f a l s e l y c l a i m i n g t h e y c a n n o t f i n d s u i t a b l e workers in the UK
I m m i g r a t i o n a d v i s e r s are helping foreign workers e x a g g e r a t e t h e i r q u a l i f i c ations to obtain UK skilled worker visas, a ‘Daily Mail’ investigation has revealed O n e a d v i s e r c h a r g e d migrants £19,000 to £22,000 in “work finder fees,” placing them in low-paid jobs with l o n g h o u r s a n d t a k i n g a large commission Secret footage showed a c o n s u l t a n t a d m i t t i n g h e helps firms falsely claim they need overseas staff, recruits u n q u a l i f i e d w o r k e r s , a n d arranges for them to be officially paid £3,000 a month
Employers must obtain a H o m e O f f i c e s p o n s
and are responsible for all related fees not the employee Downing Street said the firm named in the report has
and that "urgent
Arrests from
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said: “So-called
L to R: Koolesh Shah, Reena Ranger OBE, Ameet Jogia MBE and The Rt Hon Sir Oliver Dowden MP
Koolesh Shah
UK unemployment hits highest level since 2021
U nemp loyment in th e UK rose to 4 6% in the th ree
m onths to Ap ril, reaching its h ighest lev el in nearly four
y
S tatistics (ONS)
T h e r i s e c o m
s a s Chancellor Rachel Reeves’s tax increases and a broader economic slowdown weigh on the labour market ahead of her key spending review on Wednesday The latest f
5 2%, down from a revised
5 5% below market expectations of 5 3%
While earnings remain high by historical standards, they are decelerating both in n o m i n a l a n d r
Public sector pay has now o
wage growth ONS director of economic statistics Liz McKeown noted a weakeni n g j o b s m a r
,
“The number of people on payroll has fallen notably Our vacancies survey suggests firms may be delaying new hires or not replacing departing staff ”
C r i t i c s w a r n t h a t t h e ONS’s labour force survey,
which underpins unemployment figures, may be unreli-
response rates raising concerns that policymakers are operating with flawed data S
the number of employees on
vacancies also declined by 63,000 over the same period
first insight into the impact
o
national insurance contributions from April, affecting nearly a million businesses, along with a 6 7% hike in the national living wage
Criminals steal £47mn from HMRC using phishing tactics
O rg a ni s ed c ri m e g ro u p s s to l e £ 4 7 m i ll io n ( $ 63 7 6
m illion) from His M ajesty's
R ev e nu e an d C u s to m s ( HM RC ) last year by exploiting more than 100 ,00 0 cus-
t o m er ac c o u nts t h ro u g h p hishing scams, the gov ernm ent d i s c lo s ed o n Wednesday
T h e f r a u d i n v o l v e d criminals posing as legiti-
m a t e t a x p a y e r s t o f a l s e l y
c l a i m g o v e r n m e n t p a yments Despite the breach, HMRC confirmed that no customers suffered financial losses
H M R C d e p u t y c h i e f
e x e c u t i v e A n g e l a
M a c D o n a l d , s p e a k i n g t o
M e m b e r s o f P a r l i a m e n t during a committee hearing, said, “Fraudsters impersonated customers and success-
f u l l y c l a i m e d t h r e e p a ym e n t s a m o u n t i n g t o £ 4 7 m i l l i o n T h a t i s a l o t o f money, and it's very unac-
ceptable ” C h i e f e x e c u t i v e J o h nPaul Marks, who appeared a l o n g s i d e M a c D o n a l d , added that the incident led to a criminal investigation a n d a
e s t s
a r H e clarified that the fraud did n o t i n v o l v e a b r e a c h o f
HMRC’s own systems “This was organised crime phishing for identity data outside HMRC systems,” he said In response, HMRC said
i t h a d t a k e n i m m e d i a t e a c t i o n t o p r o t e c t t h o s e affected locking accounts, d e l e t i n g l o g i n c r e d e n t i a l s , a n d r e m o v i n g i n c o r r e c t i n f o r m a t i o n f r o m t a x records The agency stressed that taxpayers do not need to take any action
A n o t i c e o n H M R C ’ s website reassured the public, “This was an attempt to claim money from HMRC, not an attempt to take any money from you ”
Ministers scramble to secure Tata Steel’s place in UK-US trade deal
UK m inisters are working urg ently to ensu re that Tata St eel , th e nati o n ’ s l arg es t steelmaker, is not exclud ed from a new trad
agreement w
accord ing to m ed ia repo rts
Talbot steelworks in Wales, may be barred from tarifffree access to US markets under the trade deal being
Minister Keir Starmer and U
Trump
Speaking on Wednesday (4), Starmer said he expects the agreement, finalised but not yet signed, to come into
Trump’s recent decision to temporarily suspend 50 per cent tariffs on British steel and aluminium for a fiveweek period
the company may not qualify for the tariff relief due to
Indian-owned firm exports over $100 million (£80m) of s
U S each year With its blast furn
P
u t down last year to transition to cleaner electric arc furnace technology, Tata has been importing steel from its affiliated plants in India and Europe before shipping it to American clients
T h i s p r a c t i c e m a y b r e a c h U S " m e l t e d a n d poured" rules, which require all steel imported into the country to be fully produced i n i t s c o u n t r y o f o r i g i n
According to The Times, UK negotiators have been lobbying for a carve-out that
would allow Tata Steel to benefit from the agreement A government source said they were optimistic about securing a resolution, but d e s c r i b e d o n
sions with US counterparts as “complex ” Meanwhile, concerns in Washington have also been raised about British Steel, which is owned by China’s Jingye Group US officials are wary of what they see as
China's significant control over British Steel While the US has doubled tariffs on
FTSE 100 nears record high
s p e c u l a t i o n t h
fuelled by a
nation of improving global trade sentiment and mounting exp
England may soo n ease interest rates
discussions between US and C
markets Although the talks
promising tone has helped the index gain momentum
At the same time, recent economic indicators from the U K h a v e s h o w n s i g n s o f weakness A notable decline
i n p a y r o l l n u m b e r s a n d a deceleration in wage growth have both increased market
Rolls-Royce has emerg ed as the preferred bidd er to build the U K’s first small m odular nu c lea r rea ct o rs ( S M Rs ) , marking a m ajo r milestone in th e co u n try ’ s p u sh to beco m e a lead er in nextgeneration nu clear energy
Money market investors now
a n t i c i p a t e a n A u g u s t r a t e reduction, reflecting a shift in sentiment from persistently high rates to a more dovish o u t l o o k T e c h n i c a l l y , t h e
FTSE 100 is trading around 8,875 points, just below its previous record closing high of 8,871 31 and intraday peak of 8,908 82 A sustained move above the 8,900–8,910 range could open the door to new record territory, spurring further gains
D e f e n s i v e s e c t o r s s u c h a s mining, energy, and exportoriented firms have benefited from lower gilt yields and a weakened pound, which can help improve their competitive position
Looking ahead, momen-
The rally has been broadbased UK housebuilders and p r o p e r t y s t o c k s h a v e p e rformed notably well, buoyed b y e n c o u r a g i n g t r a d i n g updates Conversely, financ i a l s t o c k s h a v e l a g g e d a s investors start pricing in narrower net interest margins
The announcement was m a d e b y G r e
gramme, following a longr u n n i n g c o m p e t i t i o n t h a t saw Rolls-Royce beat two US-owned rivals
The move comes as part of a broader £14 2 billion government investment in nuclear, including support for the large-scale Sizewell C p r o j e c t i n S u f
River Island plans radical overhaul amid mounting losses
rising operating costs such as wage growth and excess stock clearance
In its company filings, River Island acknowledged the mounting pressures fac-
retailers stating, “The market is changing rapidly, with
in its latest accounts down from
key contributors to weaker consumer confidence and reduced disposable income
Earlier this year, the compan y a l s o b
u g h t i n AlixPartners to advise on cost-cutting and profitability strategies I
g o ahead, River Island would join a growing list of UK high street casualties The
ences, particularly online
The brand cited supply chain disruptions, inflation, and geopolitical tensions as
could mark another major shift in Britain’s evolving retail landscape
W h i l e S i z e w e l l C w i l l p r o d u c e 3 2GW of electricity, enough f o r a r o u n d s i x m i l l i o n homes, Rolls-Royce’s factory-built SMRs will each gene r a t e a r o u n d 4 7 0 megawatts, with an initial rollout likely to include at least three reactors
U n l i k e t r a d i t i o n a l plants, SMRs are designed for mass production in factories before final assembly on-site, a method aimed at cutting costs and reducing the delays that have historically hampered large nuclear projects like Hinkley Point C W
operational anywhere in the
that its chosen pressurised water reactor design is tried and tested, with power gen-
and forthcoming economic d a t a e s p
c i a l l y i n f l a t i o n and corporate earnings will be critical If trade
Rachel Reeves
Tata to make Rafale jet fuselage in Hyderabad
Fra nce 's D assault Aviat ion
a nd India's Tat a Advanced
S
man ufacture the fusel age
o
compa nies said, t he first
t ime it wil l b e produced outside Fr ance India, the world's biggest
looking to step up domestic
d
jumped 12% in the fiscal year
t
billion
Hyderabad to manufacture key structural sections of the
s
said in a statement The first
assembly line in the 2028
facility expected to deliver up to two complete fuselages
statement did not say how much the deal was worth nor whether the finish products would be for domestic use or export, but Tata Advanced Systems said on X that the
internet solutions
Starlink, which becomes the third telecom company
t o r e c e i v e t h e G M P C S licence after Bharti group-
Provider (ISP) - which will enable the company launch
a s l e w o f s a t e l l i t e - b a s e d communication services in
I n d i a , r a n g i n g f r o m
c o n s u m e r t o e n t e r p r i s e
b a c k e d E u t e l s a t O n e W e b and Jio SES, is expected to get trial spectrum over the coming weeks
However, the company i s n o t l i k e l y t o l a u n c h c o n s u m e r a n d e n t e r p r i s e s e r v i c e s a n y t i m e s o o n ,
fuselage would be "for India and other global markets"
signed a deal in April
second-largest arms supplier - to buy 26 naval versions of the jets for $7 billion, which are expected to be delivered by 2030 India is looking to modernise its military and b
production, particularly to
against neighbours Pakistan and China India used fighter
month
s i n c e n o n e o f t h e satcom licence holders have b e e n a l l o
administrative allocation of satcom spectrum, as well as
submitted by regulator Trai
f i n a l decision has been taken on the matter Starlink will also h
infrastructure within India
t
“This will take months to
t y agencies,” sources said
4 public sector banks cut lending rates
Banks led by public sector lend ers have started rev ising their lend ing rates follow ing the RBI’s 50 basis point repo
r ate c u t H o w ev e r, fo r a ch ange, old borrow ers may benefit more than new ones, as banks are likely to tweak the spread s on ho me loans, w h ic h w er e al rea d y com petitive in the quest for m arket sh are
B a n k o f B a r o d a h a s r e d u c e d i t s r e p o - l i n k e d lending rate (RLLR) by 50 basis points with effect from
J u n e 7 T h e b a n k ’ s R L L R now stands at 8 15% Punjab National Bank has cut its
RLLR by 50 basis points to 8 35%, effective June 9, while k e e p i n g i t s M C L R unchanged Bank of India has also reduced its RepoBased Lending Rate by 50 bps to 8 35% from June 6
U C O B a n k t r i m m e d both its MCLR and RLLR
The bank cut its RLLR by 50 bps to 8 30% from June 9 and lowered its MCLR by 10 bps across tenures Its 1-year MCLR now stands at 9%
H D F C B a n k , m e a n w h i l e , r
0 basis points across tenure, starting June 7 With the r e d u c t i o n , t h
down by 10 basis points to 8 9%
According to RBI norms, floating-rate loans must be
benchmark repo rate This
reduction in rates However, new borrowers may not get the full benefit, as banks are
spread they charge over the repo rate to protect margins
Baroda, home loan rates for n
revision start at 8%
Birla to acquire US chemical facility from agri giant Cargill
A di tya Bi rl a C h emi c als , a p ri va te l y h el d c o m p a ny o wned by Kumar Mangalam Birla and his family, is set to
t he US fro m agri bu si nes s major Cargill
The facility, spanning 17 acres, is located in Dalton, G
signifies Birla’s continuous expansion in the American manufacturing sector, with investments exceeding $15
within the next two years The acquisition is being carried out through Aditya
Appl e has br ought in Tata Group to handl e re pairs f or i Ph on es a n d M ac Bo ok d ev ic es in it s fa s t -gr owing Indian mar ket, signalling
deepening role in the US tec h giant’s s uppl y c ha in, people f amiliar with the ma tter s aid As Apple looks beyond C h i n
n g , Tata has fast emerged as its k e y s u p p l i e r a n d a l r e a d y assembles iPhones for local and foreign markets at three facilities in south India, with one of tthem also making some iPhone components In i
over the mandate from
RBI cuts rate by 50bps to support economy against global uncertainties
Th e Reserve Bank of India (RBI) cu t its benc hmark p olicy rate by 50 basis p oints and announced a £25bn l iquidity infu sio n via a 100 basis p oint reduction in th e c a s h r e s e rv e ra t io ( C R R) , measu res th at are exp ec ted to make loans ch eaper and sup po rt ec ono my agains t backdro p of global uncertainties
While the 50 bps cut in repo rate to 5 5% makes most loans cheaper, the CRR cut reduces the cost of funds for banks by freeing a portion of deposits they must park with the central bank thereby protecting their margins One basis point equals 0 01%
and
The repo rate cut will immediately benefit most bank borrowers as floating rate retail loans are linked to RBI’s repo – the rate at w h i c h i t l e n d s t o b a n k s F o r h o m e l o a n borrowers, the RBI’s 50 basis point cut in the repo rate to 5 5% brings significant relief, reducing the EMI on a £100,000 with a 20year tenure by around Rs 3,100 per month
policy to support growth, while remaining consistent with the goal of price stability ” “As the global environment remains uncertain, it has become even more important to focus on domestic growth amid sustained price stability Accordingly, today’s monetary policy actions should be seen as a step towards propelling growth to a higher aspirational trajectory,” said Malhotra The
India woos Italian investment with exclusive enclave
Piy ush G oy al sug geste d an exclusiv e Italian e ncla ve, comple te with schools a nd hospit als, in on e of the in dustria l town s a s he sought t o woo inve stors to se t up businesses in the count ry G o y
Maharashtra govt is eyeing an expansion over 5,000 acre, or the proposed one near Dighi port could be dedicated for the purpose Besides, he said that Italian companies could also decide to set up the enclave in other i n d u s t r i a l t
, including in South India and places such as Gaya in Bihar
managers who come to India feel at home
You can have your own schools, hospitals, h
addressing Italian companies In the past, govt has sought to woo investors from Japan
Neemrana While a similar plan for KoreaGn c
Rajasthan govt, it could not be implemented Goyal’s comments come amid a push by Italy and other
Flipkart gets RBI’s licence to lend
(Thailand)
Sanjay Malhotra
Over 200 Pak prisoners escape from jail following earthquake panic
KA R A CHI : Ove r 200 prisone rs brok
According
as confirmed by local police
chief Ghulam Nabi Memon Bukhsh, a private security guard opposite the jail, said that
before the prisoners flee in all directions Some escapees even
hended by police A visit to the prison revealed shattered glass, damaged electronic equipment and a ransacked room
Around 80 of the escaped inmates have since been recap-
minister Murad Ali Shah This incident is considered one of Pakistan's largest jailbreaks ever The prison, located in Karachi's Malir district, houses approximately 6,000 inmates
Pak court to hear Imran’s bail plea in a graft case
IS LAM ABA D: Incarcerated former Pakistan PM Imran K han is likely to get bail on Ju ne 1 1 in the Al-Qadir Trust case, a top memb e r o f h i s p ar ty sa i d T h e I s lama bad HC i s se t to h ear p etitions requ esting th e su spensi on of sentences of K han and h is wife Bush ra Bibi in th e £190 million case Kh an, 72, h as been lo dged at Adiala J ail since Aug 2 023 in mu ltiple cases
Expressing confidence the party’s founder will secure bail that day, Gohar Ali Khan, chief
of Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-eInsaf (PTI), said, June 11 is going to be an important day HC had earlier postponed the hearing of petitions in the Al-Qadir Trust case until June 11 The adjourn-
News reported Gohar said PTI will collaborate with opposition parties to launch a movement that will be led by the party’s patron-in-chief from jail
parties to join PTI for the sake of the country’s survival and
strategy for the upcoming budg
party will address a press conference on June 9 regarding it,” he said Last month, Khan had said he will lead his party’s upcoming protest movement against Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N)-led coalition govt at the Centre, from the prison
Shehbaz seeks Trump’s mediation as India's delegation corners Pak in US
I SL AM A B A D : Pak is tan Prime M inister Shehbaz Sharif called on US Presi dent Donald Trump to facilitate dialogue wi th India as New Delhi conti nues to ramp u p i ts e f fo rt s to e x pos e I slamabad's role in c ross-b order t e rr or i s m t ha t ne c e s s i ta t e d O peration Sindoor
Addressing an event at the
U S e m b a s s y i n I s l a m a b a d , Shehbaz praised Trump for his role in helping de-escalate the situation with India, a claim New Delhi has publicly denied He also urged Washington to
facilitate a comprehensive dialogue between the two nuclear n e i g h b o u r s , a c c o r d i n g t o reports T h e P a k i
repeating the plea made by for-
d claimed that Trump "deserves credit for helping facilitate the cessation of hostilities between the two nations "On 10 different occasions, he has taken credit for facilitating the ceasefire between India and Pakistan – and rightly so
Yunus rejects demand for early elections in Bangladesh
DHA K A : General elections in Bang ladesh will be held in the first half o f Ap ril 2026, Chief Ad viser of the interim go vernment in the country, M uhammad Yunus, announced
Addressing the nation on the eve of Eid-ul-Azha, Yunus made the announcement that the national elections would be held in the first h a l f o f A p r i l 2 0 2 6 H e a l s o s a i d t h a t t h e c o u n t r y ' s E l e c t i o n Commission will provide a roadmap for next year's polls in the coming months
"The government has held discussions with all parties to organise the most free, fair, competitive and acceptable elections in history In addition, after reviewing the ongoing reform activities related to justice, reform and elections, I am announcing to the people of the country today that the next national elections will be held on a day in the first half of April 2026," Yunus said The timing of the general elections in Bangladesh has been a point of debate between the Yunus and the opposition, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, who had been demanding that the poll process be completed by December this year Even the army was demanding election before the end of this year
Yunus spoke of the timeline for polls until as late as June next year, as the BNP staged large-scale rallies across multiple cities, including the capital, Dhaka, to press their demand for national elections to be held by December
BNP Acting Chairperson Tarique Rahman issued a stern warning to the interim government, urging it not to postpone the election timeline However, Yunus seems to have paid no heed to the opposition party's demands and warnings, going ahead with the move to plan general elections by April 2026
He deserves that credit because it was his efforts that helped make the ceasefire possible So, i f
t o expect that an American role in arranging a comprehensive dialogue would also be beneficial for us, Bhutto had said I n d i a h a s c o n s i s t e n t l y rejected third-party mediation o n
h Pakistan, including the Kashmir issue
The Indian delegation, led
by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor visiting the US has said that W a s h i n g t o n h a s u n d e r
India’s position that there can be no talks with a gun pointed a
slammed the Pakistani side for making claims that it was as much a victim of terrorism as India was This (Pakistan) delegation is going around saying we are also victims of terrorism, we have lost more lives to terrorism than India has We turn around and say- Whose fault is that, asked Tharoor
Musk blasts Trump's proposed tax and spending bill
WASHINGTON: El on Musk, who was part of US dispe nsation till May 31, ha s launched a scat hing att ack on Pr esiden t D on ald Trump’s proposed tax a nd spending b il l, bran ding it a " disgust in g abomination and warning of its poten tial to exacerb ate America s fina ncial crisis In a ser ie s of post s on X, Musk lamba ste d the l egislation for its project ed impact on the US b udg et de ficit and the " crushing " deb t burden it woul d impose on cit izens
The controversial bill, which includes significant tax cuts and a substantial increase in defense spending, recently cleared the House of Representatives and is now under review in the Senate Trump has positioned the legislation as a cornerstone of his potential second term, should he win the 2024 election Musk, who had previously described the bill as "disappointing" following his departure from the Trump administration on May 31, has now escalated his criticism This marks his first public break with Trump since his exit He explicitly declared, "Shame on those who voted for it," going as far as to suggest supporting campaigns to unseat lawmakers responsible for its passage in the 2026 midterms In a June 3 thread on X, Musk denounced the bill as "outrageous" and "pork-filled," estimating it would push the deficit to an alarming $2 5 trillion He issued a stern warning to lawmakers: "In November next year, we fire all politicians who betrayed the American people " This strong backlash from Musk highlights growing fissures within the Republican Party While Trump and his allies champion the bill as vital for economic revitalization and national security, others, including Musk, view it as fiscally irresponsible House Speaker Mike Johnson, a key Trump supporter, defended the bill and countered Musk’s remarks, telling reporters, "My friend Elon is terribly wrong It’s a very important first start Elon is missing it ”
in brief
INDIAN ORIGIN JAILED IN US FOR HATE CRIME
A court in the United States sentenced a person of Indian origin from Texas to 26 months of imprisonment for threatening to injure and kill employees of a Sikh non-profit organisation The man, Bhushan Athale, had in January pleaded guilty to “interfering with federally protected activities” by threatening to use a dangerous weapon and making an interstate threat to injure another person In September 2022, Athale sent seven voicemails to the phone number of an organisation that advocates for the civil rights of Sikhs in the United States In these calls he threatened to injure or kill the Sikh individuals working at the organisation In March 2023 he sent two more voicemails to the same organisation this time using violent imagery against both Sikhs and Muslims
JUDGE SUBRAMANIAN'S STERN WARNING TO DIDDY
US District Judge Arun Subramanian issued a stern warning to Sean “Diddy” Combs during his high-profile federal sex-trafficking and racketeering trial in Manhattan The judge threatened to remove Combs from the courtroom if he continued to make what were perceived as attempts to influence the jury Judge Subramanian stated he observed Combs nodding vigorously and making eye contact with jurors during the cross-examination of witness Bryana “Bana Bongolan He deemed the behavior “absolutely unacceptable” and cautioned that any repeat offense would result in Combs being barred from the proceedings
STUDENT FROM TELANGANA DIES IN VIETNAM MISHAP
A 21-year-old student from Telangana, who was pursuing MBBS in Vietnam, died in a road accident in Can Tho City, his father said Arshid Ashrit, who was riding a bike, was killed in the accident, his father Arjun said, citing information received by him A pillion rider reportedly escaped with minor injuries Ashrit joined the course two years ago The family belongs to Kagaznagar town in Kumuram Bheem Asifabad district The family is in touch with Union ministers from Telangana G Kishan Reddy and Bandi Sanjay Kumar to get the mortal remains of the student back home
INDIAN DIES DURING SCUBA DIVING SESSION IN DUBAI
A 29-year-old Indian engineer has died during a scuba diving session in Dubai s Jumeirah Beach with his family The victim Issac Paul Olakkengil belonged to Kerala and had suffered a cardiac arrest after experiencing difficulty breathing underwater according to his relative Isaac was an engineer based in the UAE The incident occurred during a training session at a designated scuba diving area in Dubai said Isaac s uncle They were participating in a beginners training session when Issac began to struggle with his breathing and drifted away from the rest of the group," he said Isaac was immediately pulled out of the war and rushed to a nearby hospital, but he died
INDIAN ARRIVAL DAY CELEBRATED IN TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
The Indian mission in Trinidad and Tobago celebrated Indian Arrival Day, marking 180 years since the arrival of the first Indian immigrants to the Caribbean nation The event was the first such celebration by the High Commission to celebrate the arrival of the first group of Indians in 1845 Minister of Foreign and Caribbean Community Affairs Sean Sobers was the chief guest at the event the Indian mission said in a post It was attended by Speaker of the House of Representatives Jagdeo Singh Deputy Speaker Dr Aiyna Al other senior ministers and officials, as well as community leaders
in brief
INDIAN STUDENT FILMED AT US AIRPORT IN HANDCUFFS
A disturbing video shows an Indian student handcuffed and pinned to the floor at USA’s Newark Airport before he was deported The video was shared on social media by IndianAmerican entrepreneur Kunal Jain who said that the youngster was crying and was treated like a “criminal” by authorities Jain called on the Indian Embassy in the United States to look into the incident and help the student He came chasing dreams not causing harm As an NRI I felt helpless and heartbroken This is a human tragedy, added Kunal Jain, President of HealthBots AI
KASH PATEL WARNS PROTESTERS OVER HITTING COPS
FBI director Kash Patel has warned protesters facing off with immigration authorities in Los Angeles that anyone who hits a policemen will “go to jail ” Immigration authorities and demonstrators have clashed for two days in the Los Angeles area, where unrest began after dozens of people were detained by federal immigration agents across different locations The department of homeland security said “1 000 rioters surrounded a federal law enforcement building and assaulted immigration and customs enforcement (ICE) agents slashed tyres and defaced buildings Hit a cop you’re going to jail Patel posted on X
ADB APPROVES $800M PACKAGE FOR PAKISTAN
Asian Development Bank (ADB) approved $800 million for Pakistan to strengthen fiscal sustainability and improve financial management an official said Khurram Schehzad adviser to the finance minister confirmed the development saying the package includes a $300 million policy-based loan and a $500 million programme-based guarantee He said, ADB approves $800 million financing package for Pakistan under Resource Mobilisation Reform Programme
“Pakistan has made significant progress in improving macroeconomic conditions,” said ADB country director Emma Fan
FORMER PAK MINISTER DIES IN GAS LEAK BLAST
A former Pakistani minister succumbed to his injuries after a powerful gas leak explosion at his residence in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, police said Three people, including former Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) senator Abbas Khan Afridi were injured in the gas leak explosion at his residence in Kohat district, police said Despite efforts by medical staff Afridi died at Kharian Hospital, it said Afridi, who had served as a federal minister and a senator, quit PML-N as well as politics in 2024 Police said they have launched a probe into the cause of the incident
POLAND’S TUSK SETS CONFIDENCE VOTE NEXT WEEK
Poland s PM Donald Tusk said parliament will hold a confidence vote on his govt on June 11, as the country faces a “new political reality ” He called for the vote after his political ally the liberal Warsaw mayor, lost Poland s presidential election to conservative Karol Nawrocki Tusk’s govt runs most of the dayto-day matters in Poland It also exists separately from the presidency but the president holds power to veto laws, and Nawrocki’s win will make it difficult for Tusk to press his pro-European agenda “The political reality is new But the constitution our obligations and the expectations of citizens have not changed ”
Indian American arrested for alleged $149mn insurance fraud
TUS TIN: Tonmoy Sharm a, the fo u n d er an d fo rm er C E O o f Sov ereig n Health Group, once a pro minent add iction treatment pro vider, has been arrested on charges of orch estrating a massi v e $ 1 4 9 m i l li o n i n su r anc
fraud Sharma, 61, of Tu stin, was ap prehend ed on May 29 at L os A ng ele s I nte rna ti o na l A ir p
rt and faces an eig ht-cou nt federal grand jury ind ictment, includ ing four counts o f w ire frau d, one count of co nspiracy, and three counts o f illegal remunerations for patient referrals A c c o r d i
allegedly directed a sophisticated scheme that submitted over $ 1 4 9 m
between 2014 and 2020 A significant portion, more than $29
involving frequent and unneces-
sary comprehensive panel testing billed at inflated rates, often without proper authorization
c s A "sham organization" disguised as a foundation was purportedly used by Sovereign employees to
Indian American appointed as CEO of University of Miami Health System
Parekh has been appointed as Chi
xecutive Officer of the
Health Affai rs at the University of M
Board of Trustees A
oncologist and healthcare leader, Dr Parekh has been integral to UHealth's growth as a premier academic medical center, serving as its Chief Operating
Officer since 2020 He initially joined the university in 2012 as the Chair of the Department of Urology Dr Parekh's contributions extend to founding the Desai S
u
U
e a n d holding an endowed professors h i p i n u r o l o g y H i s c l i n i c a l expertise is notable, having performed over 6,000 robotic urologic cancer surgeries He has a l s o s p e a r h e a d e d s i g n i f i c a n t c l i n i c a l r e s e a r c h , i n c l u d i n g a landmark 2018 Lancet study on robotic-assisted bladder cancer
surgery Stuart Miller, Chair of the U H e a
lauded the appointment, stati
unmatched credibility as a surgeon, scientist, and administrator " In his new role, Dr Parekh will continue to treat patients while guiding UHealth’s comprehensive clinical, academic, a n d r e s e a r c h m i s s i o n s H e e x p r e s s e d h i
T o g e t h e r with our faculty, staff, and partners at Jackson Health System,
we will advance a bold vision for academic medicine focused on collaboration, compassion, and excellence ” His leadership is expected to further strengthen UHealth's position in healthcare and medical innovation Dr Dipen J Parekh
Indian diaspora to benefit from Canada's new citizenship law
O T TA WA : The Cana di an government has introduced a ne w bill, titled C-3, that removes the exis ti ng li mit on ci tizens hip by d es c en t T h e le g i s l at i o n wa s pre sented in the Parliame nt by I m m i g r a ti o n M i n i s te r L en a Metlege Diab
Currently, the rule states that a Canadian citizen that w a s b o r n o u t s i d e C a n a d a would not be able to pass on their citizenship to their child born abroad Essentially, introduced in 2009, it restricted citi-
zenship by descent to only the f i r s t g e n e r a t i o n b o r n i n
C a n a d a T h e p r o p o s e d “Citizenship Bill” aims to correct these injustices
However, the parent should demonstrate a “substantial connection” to Canada It is defined as at least 1,095 cumulative days (three years) of physical presence in the country before the child is born or adopted
According to Immigration, R e f u g e e s a n d C i t i z e n s h i p Canada (IRCC), “As a result of
the first-generation limit to citizenship by descent for individu a l s b o r n a b r o a d , m o s t Canadian citizens who are citizens by descent cannot pass on citizenship to their child born o r a d o p t e d o u t s i d e C a n a d a
T h e c u r r e n t f i r s t - g e n e r a t i o n limit to citizenship no longer reflects how Canadian families live today - here at home and around the world - and the values that define our country ” This bill is expected to benefit the Indian diaspora and
Number of Indian students in US surged to 420,000 in 2024
W ASHI N GT O N : Th e to tal num ber of active F - 1 a nd M - 1 in te r na t io n a l s t u de nt S E V I S records in th e US were 15,80,000 in 2024, marking a 5 3% inc reas e over the p reviou s calendar year Acco rding to a report released by t h e U S I m m igr a t io n a nd C u s t o m s Enforc ement (IC E) - ‘SEVI S by th e N umbers 2 02 4 ’ , w h il e in te r na ti o na l s t u de nt s h a il e d from mo re th an 22 9 c ountries, this gro wth was subs tantially fuel led by s tudents fro m I ndia Asia had the largest number of active international student records in the US, nearly 1 1 , 0 0 , 0 0 0 s t u d e n t s f r o m t h i s c o n t i n e n t accounted for nearly 72% of the total foreign student population Nearly 420,000 Indian students represented an increase of 11 8% compared to 2023, while the 320,000 foreign student records from China, which is the other major source country, represented a small decrease of 0 25 per cent compared to 2023 Indian students constitute nearly 27% of the total foreign student population in 2024, followed by Chinese at 20% The data in this r e p o r t i s d
Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), a web-based system that the Department of
Homeland Security uses to maintain and mana g e i n f o r m a t
o r e i g n
d e n t s a n d exchange visitors While the F-1 visa is held by those undergoing academic study courses, the M-1 visa is given to students undergoing vocational programs According to the ICE-report, more than 90% or to be precise 14,30,000 international students were enrolled in higher education degree programs, California enrolled the largest number of foreign students at 237,000, followed by New York at 172,000 While this ICE-report is based on data for 2024, the recent trends are not as rosy Chris R Glass, a professor and higher education specialist at Boston College analysed SEVIS data b e t w e e n M
r c h 2 0 2 4 t o M
2 0 2 5
According to him, “The overall decline of11 3% from March 2024 (with 11,53,000 active students) to March 2025 (with 10,22,000 active students) is remarkable in both scale and speed ” His study shows the number of students from India declined by nearly 28% from 354,000 in March 2024 to 255,000 a year later
T h e n u m b e r o f C h i n e s e s t u d e n t s r o s e marginally by 3 28% to stand at 263,000 as of March 2025
other immigrant communities amid the Trump administration's tightening of immigrat i o n p o l i c i e s i n t h e U n i t e d States Although the bill is currently under legislative review, it must pass three ratings and t h e n r e c e i v e r o y a l a s s e n t t o become law
The IRCC has confirmed that, “If the bill passes both H o u s e s o f P a r l i a m e n t a n d receives Royal Assent, we will work as quickly as possible to bring the changes into effect ”
NAPA condemns Sikh tourist's detention in Abu Dhabi
A BU DHA B I: The North A merican Punjabi A ss o c i ati o n ( NA P A ) h a s s tro n g ly c o nd em ned th e discrim inato ry treatment and relig io us persecutio n faced by Dalv ind er S ing h, an A mritd hari Sikh to urist, during his recent detention in A bu Dh abi, United Arab Em irates
Chahal issued a statement, stating, “We are deeply disturbed by the systematic violation of religious rights experienced by Dalvinder Singh during his 20-day detention in Abu Dhabi The forcible removal of his turban, kada and kanga represents not just a violation of individual rights, but an assault on the fundamental tenets of Sikhism that we hold sacred ” He added, “The treatment of keeping a religious man bareheaded, denying him vegetarian food despite his dietary restrictions, and subjecting him to mental torture - is completely unacceptable in today’s civilised world No individual should face such discrimination based on their faith or religious practices ”
Tonmoy Sharma
New lifeline to Kashmir: PM Modi opens railway bridge over Chenab River
P rim e Mi nis ter Narend ra M od i
h a s i na u g u rat ed th e
d 's h ighest single-arch railway bridg e in Indian-adm inistered Kashmir
T his m onumental infrastructure
p roject is poised to rev olutionise
c
d ev elopm ent in the region
astonish ing 35 meters (1 14 feet)
taller th an th e Eiffel To wer
m
K ashm ir
alley w ill be connected to the rest of the country by train,
a
Railways Ov ercomes immense challenges
T h e c o n s t r u c t i o n o f t h e Chenab Bridge was a formidable
u n d e r t a k i n g , d e s c r i b e d b y t h e government as the ‘biggest civil-
e n g i n e e r i n g c h a l l e n g e f a c e d b y any railway project in India in recent history’ Commissioned in 2003, the project was complicated by the area's rough terrain, safety
c o n c e r n s , a n d l e g a l a c t i o n s
Engineers faced the daunting task
o f b u i l d i n g t h e b r i d g e w i t h o u t o b s t r u c t i n g t h e C
engineers to work on foot or with a m u l e d u e t o t h e r e g i o n ' s i n a c c e s s i b i l i t y a n
logistical challenges
A key figure in the bridge's
Professor G Madhavi Latha from
the Indian Institute of Science in B
consultant, she was involved for 17
planning, design and construction of the structure, focusing on the obstacles posed by the terrain Her team adopted a “design-as-you-go a
contributions included advice on the design and placement of rock anchors to improve stability In
evolved continuously to suit the geological conditions of the site Notably, many of the bridge's parts were built and
bridge was built at a cost of £148 6mn Strategic implications and future prospects
implications, particularly in the context of military and counter-
inputs from the Indian Institute of T
Organisation and global experts,
tensile steel and advanced cablecrane systems It is designed to
Brics parliamentary forum condemns Pahalgam attack
T he 11th Bric s Parliamentary
F o ru m h as c o n de m n ed t h e terro ris t attack in Pahal gam in w h ic h 2 6 c iv il i an s w e re m assacred, triggering tensions w ith P akistan that culm inated w ith O peratio n Sindoor “ W e e x p r e s s s t r o n g condemnation of any acts of t e r r o r i s m
d
wherever and by whomsoever committed We condemn in the strongest terms the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir on 22 April 2025, ” said the forum whose members include C h i n a , P a k i s
y T h e formulation, adopted by the forum after its three-day meeting in Brasilia where the Indian delegation was led by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, is seen a repudiation of the “root cause ” alibi used by Pakistan to justify anti-India terror
In his speech, Birla stressed the need for j o i n t e f f o r t s t o c
b f i n a n c i a
s u p p o r t t o terrorist organisations, enhance intelligence
sharing, prevent the misuse of emerging technologies, and promote cooperation i
judicial processes
subjects, especially global
balanced international order, participation in
exchange
On terrorism, the parliamentary forum asked for zero tolerance response to terrorism, rejected double standards in countering it, while also underlining “terrorism should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilisation or ethnic group, and that all those i
support must be held accountable and brought to justice in accordance with relevant national and international law ” “We call for concerted actions against all UN designated terroist and terrorist entities,” it further said
Pakistan admits India hit 7 more locations in strikes
Pakistan said I ndia conducted strikes at seven m o re l oc at i o n s t h an th e tar g et s o f f i ci al l y ackn owledg ed by Ind ian armed forces between M ay 7 an d 10 d uri ng Operati on Si ndoor
A Pakistan govt document on its Operation Bunyan al Marsoos (Iron Wall) and India’s “ u n p r o v
media, lists out Indian drone strikes at Attock,
B
province), and Chhor and Hyderabad (Sindh
civilians None of these places were mentioned in the detailed briefings conducted by Indian foreign and military establishments
“We had disclosed the targets we hit in the briefings This Pakistani document could be a
propaganda attempt to show that India also
official said After Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians, India on May 7 hit 4 terror hubs in Pakistan and five in PoK, in calibrated strikes against terror infrastructure across the border, without targeting any Pakistani military base or civilian centre The targets ranged from Sawai Nala camp in Muzaffarabad in north to Markaz Taiba in Muridke (Lashkar-e Taiba HQ) and Markaz Subhan at Bahawalpur (Jaish-e Muhammed HQ) in south
After Pakistan escalated the situation by targeting Indian military bases and civilian c
swarms, IAF struck
e v e n terrorist bombing attempts, featuring 24/7 surveillance c a m e r a s , a n t i - c o r r o s i o n t e c h n o l o g i e s a n d b l a s tr e s i s t a n t m a t e r i a l s T h i s
robust infrastructure is seen as a direct counter to past a t t e m p t s b y P a k i s t a n t o exploit difficult terrain and porous routes to fuel unrest in the valley As a senior Indian
attack, inaugurated the Chenab Bridge as part of the UdhampurBanihal railway project During the event, PM Modi also flagged off the Anji Bridge, India’s first
A r m y o f f i c i a l d e p l o y e d i n t h e region stated, “They tried to divide us by using religion and terror We are responding with steel, resolve a n d r a i l w a y s , ” T h e b r i d g e i s designed to last 120 years even under wind speeds of 260 kmph
The bridge is a vital part of a
2 7 2 k m ( 1 6 9 m i l e s ) a l l - w e a t h e r railway line that will pass through Jammu, ultimately going all the way to the Kashmir valley This 2 7 2 k m U d h a m p u r - S r i n a g a rBaramulla railway link (USBRL) connects the Kashmir Valley to the Indian rail grid for the first time
Prime Minister Modi, marking h i s f i r s t v i s i t t o J a m
and the rest of India but is also expected to drive growth in trade, tourism, and industrial
inaugurated a £4 6bn project in the region and flagged off the Vande Bharat Express, which will reduce the travel
is projected to usher in a
era of growth and integration for the region PM Modi emphasised that acts of violence were aimed
PM Modi briefed by MPs on anti-terror diplomacy
me etin g, which laste
t wo hours, included
shar ing the ir ex perie nces abroad
Modi reportedly listened attentively and expressed satisfaction with the outcome, s u
Groups and expediting pending applications with other nations, to which the PM assured action would follow
Sources said Opposition MPs like Shashi Tharoor, Ghulam Nabi Azad, and Manish Tewari shared their experiences during the meeting, with PM Modi listening closely especially to Tharoor AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi was unable to attend
As part of Operation Sindoor, seven all-
Tharoor, Sanjay Kumar Jha, Baijayant Panda,
Ravishankar Prasad, Supriya Sule, Shrikant Shinde, and Kanimozhi visited world capitals to brief foreign governments on Pakistansponsored terrorism and India’s response
The PM praised all delegates, particularly those from opposition parties, for effectively conveying India’s message abroad
“The PM personally interacted with each
members especially those from opposition parties and gathering their feedback,” said a delegate “He commended each member for
including leaders like Shashi Tharoor, with whom he had an in-depth conversation ” S
consensus that the visits were successful and
terrorism on the global stage
Navy to commission India's first of 16 antisub warfare craft this month
Th e Indian nav y is no w set to commission the first o f the 16 specialised small warsh ips, d esigned for anti-subm ari ne w arfare and low-intensity m aritim e op erations alo ng the coast, being built at Ind ian shipyards at an ov erall cost of £1 26bn The first anti-submarine warfare (ASW) shallow water craft, built by Kolkata-based defence shipyard Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) in collaboration with L&T Shipbuilders, will be commissioned as
presence of chief of defence staff General Anil Chauhan on June 18
displacement of 1,490 tonne and equipped with state-of-the-art underwater sensors, is the largest Indian warship till now to be
indigenous content and integrates advanced systems from leading Indian defence firms, including Bharat Electronics Limited, L&T and Mahindra Defence,” an officer said G
building eight of these warships under twin £631 1mn contracts inked with them in April 2019 All the warships are supposed to be delivered by 2028
PM visits Chenab bridge, in Jammu and Kashmir
PM interacting with school children inside Vande Bharat Train in Jammu and Kashmir
PM Modi inaugurates
PM Modi meets the members of various delegations who represented India in various countries
NDA will form govts in West Bengal, TN next year: Shah
M A D U R A I : U ni o n h o m e m in i st er
A mit Sh ah said that th e NDA alliance w ould form g ovts in Tamil Nadu and W es t B eng al i n 2 0 2 6 T h e 2 0 2 6 assem bly election are less than a year aw ay A dd res sing BJ P’ s d istric t and m and al- l ev e l of f ic e -b ea rer s at a m eeting in M ad urai, h e attacked the D M K g o v t, al le g i ng l arg e- sc al e corru ption and failure to deliv er on electio n promises
“Stalin Ji, you are right - I cannot defeat DMK But the people of Tamil Nadu can The pulse of the public is clear - this time, the people will uproot the DMK govt,” Shah said, responding to Stalin’s remark that “Amit Shah cannot defeat DMK”
At the party functionaries’ meet, Shah described Tamil as “ one of the g r e a t e s t l a n g u a g e s o f I n d i a ” H e apologised to the people of the state, saying, “I cannot talk to you in Tamil ”
H e s a i d t h e M a d u r a i m e e t i n g would be the starting point for the end of DMK rule “In 2026, Tamil Nadu is going to elect an NDA govt,a govt led by BJP and AIADMK Though I reside in Delhi, my ears are always tuned to Tamil Nadu,” Shah said
Naidu sets 120bn dollar goal for Visakha Economic Region
Chandrab abu Naidu announced the formation of the Visakha Ec onomic Region, covering eight districts with a target to reac h a 120 billion dollars economy b y 2032
The region includes Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram, Srikakulam, Anakapalli, Kakinada, East Godavari, Alluri Sitarama Raju (ASR), and Parvathipuram Manyam Together, these districts span 36,000 sq km and have a population of around 15 5 million The region’s current GDP is approximately 49 billion dollars
The Chief Minister held a review meeting with NITI Aayog officials, where he outlined the plan to develop
NORTH-EAST
Curfew, internet ban back in Manipur following unrest
CBI arrested Kanan Singh, chief of Meitei radical group Arambai Tenggol, at Imphal airport for alleged involvement in multiple criminal activities linked to ethnic violence in 2023, triggering protests that led the state to c
There’s
£460mn sand mining
could’ve built two classrooms in every primary school of Tamil Nadu,” he said Meanwhile, DMK MPs Dayanidhi M
Thangapandian asked whether Amit Shah could promise Tamil Nadu that its 7 18% representation in Parliament w
delimitation is carried out
agriculture, tourism, healthcare, urban development, and infrastructure A total of 41 major projects have been identified T
construction of 750,000 housing units, 10,000 hotel
hospital beds, 80 million square feet of office space, and
activity is expected to be developed across 20,000 hectares T h e g o v e
24,00,000 jobs by 2032, including 4-500,000 jobs in the IT sector It plans to create 20 ,00,000 work-fromhome opportunities by promoting a knowledge-based economy and continuous skill training
Punjab YouTuber sent to judicial custody in espionage case
C HAN DI GAR H: A M ohal i c ourt s ent Punjab-
b a s e d Y o u T u b er Ja s b ir S in gh ar r e s t ed o n es pionage charges to judicial cus tody Singh
w a s p ro du c e d b e f o r e t h e c o u rt a f t er t h e
c o mp le tion of his tw o -day p ol ice rem and Jasbir Singh, alias Jaan Mah al (41), wh o hails f rom Mah lan Vil lage in Ru pnagar distric t, was
r u n ni ng a Y o u T u be c h a nn el “J aa nM a h a l
V i de o ” w it h o ve r 1 1, 00 ,0 00 s u b s c r ib er s , o stensibly p os ting travel and c ooking vlogs Singh was alleged to be in close touch w i t h H a r y a n a - b a s e d i n f l u e n c e r J y o t i
M a l h o t r a , w h o i s i n j u d i c i a l c u s t o d y o n charges of spying for Pakistan After Singh’s arrest, Punjab police claimed that it unearthed a “terror-backed espionage network” linking h i m t o P a k i s t a n i i n t e l l i g e n c e a n d a r m y officials Police said that the YouTuber was allegedly spying for Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence
Singh was found to be associated with a Pakistani Intelligence Operative (PIO), was in contact with a Pakistan High Commission official who was last month expelled from
New Delhi on charges of spying and had met Pakistan Army officials during one of his three visits to the neighbouring country, police said p r e v
Operative (PIO) Shakir alias Jutt Randhawa, part of a terror-backed espionage network
The accused travelled to Pakistan on three occasions including in 2020, 2021 and 2024, and came into direct contact with ISI officers, who subsequently cultivated and
activities within India, police added
attended the Pakistan National Day event in Delhi on Danish’s invitation, where he met Pakistani Army officials and vloggers
After Malhotra’s arrest, accused Singh reportedly attempted to erase all traces of his communications with these PIOs to avoid
sensitive information about the movement
activities of the country to Pakistan
Suvendu urges Hindus to unite before 2026 election
K O L K T A : BJ P l ead er S u v end u A d h i ka ri a d d res s ed a p u bli c m ee tin g i n N aj at o f S andeshkh ali w here he sough t to polarise the electorate Adh ikari accused the M amata B an erj e e g o v e rnm ent o f sy s tem i c p ersecution of Hind us and warned of dire consequences if Hindus "fail to unite"
" I n 2 0 2 6 , t h e r e w i l l b e a B J P - l e d government in Bengal,” he said “But before that, all Hindus must come together Be sure that the perpetrators of Sandeshkhali will be punished before it," the Nandigram MLA and leader of the Opposition said Adhikari alleged that atrocities against Hindus were rising under the TMC regime, f u e l l e d b y w h a t h e c a l l e d t
M a m a t a B a n e r j e e g o v e r n m e n t f o l l o w s a discriminatory policy against Hindus,” he s a i d “ O u t o f t h e 1 8 0 c o m m u n i t i e s t h e government wants to include in the OBC category, 119 are Muslim Is this not clear religious bias?” Adhikari alleged
Adhikari recalled a bloody political clash in Sandeshkhali on June 8, 2019, the anniversary
of which his Sunday rally commemorated On that day, a TMC workers’ meeting at a primary school in Bhangipara spiralled into a gunfight between Trinamool and BJP supporters
According to Adhikari, Trinamool-backed
g o o n s a s s a u
e d B J P s u p p
r s P r a d e e p Mandal, Sukanta Mandal and Debdas Mandal following the clash While Qayyum Mollah, a Trinamool worker, was killed in the violenceallegedly in retaliatory fire by BJP supportersB J P w o r k e r s P r a d e e p a
Debdas has been missing since then
“Debdas was never seen again,” Adhikari said “His family filed a complaint at Najat police station naming several TMC leaders, including Sheikh Shahjahan But Shahjahan’s name was mysteriously dropped from the F I R W e a p p r o a c h e d t h e C
H
g h Court, which reinstated his name Yet, even a
searching for answers - they want their son back, dead or alive ” Shahjahan is now in the Enforcement Directorate’s custody Devdas’s family has demanded a CBI probe
Legal action alone won't end drug menace:
Punjab Governor
H O S H I A R P U R : P u nj ab G o v erno r Gu lab
C hand Kataria said m ere legal action wasn’t enou gh to end the d rug m enace and th at efforts should be supp lemented by creating jobs for the youth so that they d id not indulge in d rug trade to m ake m oney
“Mere implementation of the law and putting those involved in drug trade in jails w
d mediapersons after visiting a de-addiction centre here When asked about his views over the problem, Kataria said the huge money involved in the synthetic drug trade was behind the spread of the menace in the state “Earlier liquor, poppy husk and opium were considered intoxicants But then came these synthetic drugs that had huge sum of money involved in their trade,” he said
He said employment generation could eradicate the menace Kataria alleged that previous governments did not act against the big fish involved in the trade
Monetary support to non-teaching staff in Bengal challenged
K O LK AT A: T he C al cutta High C ou rt res erved judgm ent on a p etition ch allenging the W es t B en ga l g o ve r nm e n t' s in tr
providing
fo llo wing a Su preme Co urt o rder Justice Amrita Sinha reserved judgment on the petition, which opposed the payment of Rs 25,000 to Group C and Rs 20,000 to Group D employees by the state The West Bengal government had recently introduced a scheme to provide "limited livelihood, support and social security on humanitarian g r o u n d " o n t e m p o r a r y b a s i s , s u b j e c t t o orders of any competent court, to distressed families of non-teaching staff in Group C and Group D categories, who were recruited t h r o u g h t h e 2 0 1 6 s e l e c t i o n p r o c e s s conducted by the WBSSC Nearly 26,000 teaching and non-teaching staff of West Bengal government-sponsored and -aided schools lost their jobs following a Supreme Court judgment, which found the 2016 selection process tainted
prohibitory orders in four other districts of the Valley Internet services have been paused in all five districts Separately, NIA arrested three militants allegedly involved in a lethal assault on forces in Manipur’s Moreh, near Myanmar border, last year, the agency said The assault had claimed the lives of two police commandos and left several others wounded After the arrest, Arambai chief Singh was brought to Guwahati, where cases related to the conflict are being tried Over 260 people have been killed in the ethnic conflict between Kukis and Meiteis since May 2023 Thousands
districts under prohibitory orders are Imphal West, Imphal East, Kakching, and Thoubal On Sunday, governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla held a meeting to review security in the state under President’s rule since this Feb Twenty-five
apprising him of the current law-and-order situation and requesting his intervention to
delegation that all necessary steps are being taken to address the concerns and to restore normalcy,” a Raj Bhawan release stated
ASSAM REVIVES 1950 LAW TO OUST ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS
Assam is preparing to enforce a long-overlooked 1950 law to push back illegal immigrants without judicial intervention CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said signalling a shift in the state’s decades-long battle over migration from Bangladesh Sarma said the Immigrants (Expulsion from Assam) Act 1950 - enacted to address mass migration from East Pakistan - had remained dormant for decades Now, bolstered by a Supreme Court verdict, Assam plans to invoke its provisions to bypass tribunals and send back foreigners directly after identification There is an old law called immigrants expulsion order even a district commissioner can issue an order for immediate pushback,” Sarma said, referring to a SC constitutional bench ruling from Oct 2024 A fivejudge bench had upheld Section 6A of the Citizenship Act by a 4:1 majority In their majority opinion the 1950 Act “shall be effectively employed” and should be read alongside the Foreigners Act, 1946, for identifying and removing illegal immigrants “Under its provisions, there’s no need to go to a tribunal,” Sarma said
MURDER OF INDORE MAN IN MEGHALAYA: WIFE ARRESTED
The missing' wife of Indore man - Raja Raghuvanshi, who was found dead in Meghalaya during their honeymoon, has been arrested in connection with the alleged murder of her husband, officials said According to the police, the wife, Sonam, allegedly orchestrated the murder by hiring contract killers Officials said they found Sonam in an unconscious state at a dhaba' in Ghazipur She was taken to the Ghazipur Medical College for treatment, where she surrendered before the police, and was subsequently arrested Meghalaya Director General of Police (DGP) Idashisha Nongrang said that they arrested three other accused in overnight raids While one person was found in Uttar Pradesh the other two were arrested from Indore The accused have told the police that they were hired by Sonam to kill her husband The newlywed couple, Raja Raghuvanshi and his wife Sonam, were visiting Cherrapunjee in the East Khasi Hills for their honeymoon when they went missing on May 23 The couple arrived in Nongriat a day earlier and were last spotted checking out of Balaji Homestay A scooter that they had rented was found abandoned at Sohrarim a day after they went missing
PUNJAB
WEST BENGAL
Amit Shah
NDA govt brought major changes in 11 years, says PM Modi
P
M o d i wh o c o m p l et ed 1
years in office s aid that the N D A go
brou gh t significant changes
i n th e co untry and p romised
( Developed India)
T
social media outreach highlighted various government initiatives, with a particular
OBCs, tribals, Dalits, and women A shared link pointed out that 60% of current Union ministers belong to SC, ST, and OBC categories,
the highest-ever representation for these marginalised g r o u p s i n t h e U n i o n Council of Ministers This m e s s a g e a i m e d t
India planning first simultaneous poll by 2034: ONOE panel chief
T he gov ernm ent of India is p lanning to co n-
d uc t s i m ul tane o us na ti on w id e ele cti o ns , known as 'o ne nation, one election,' by 20 34 T o achi ev e th is, state assem blies elected after 20 29 will serv e sh orter terms to align their tenures with th e 203 4 g eneral elections
PP Choudhary, head of the joint parliamentary committee (JPC) on the 'one nation, one election' bill clarified that an assembly elected in 2032, such as in Uttar Pradesh, might have a tenure of only two years to ensure synchronisation with the 2034 Lok S a b h a p o l l s T h e p r o p o s e d C
Union Territories Laws (Amendment Bill), 2024, outline provisions for these simultaneous elections
Under the constitutional amendment bill, the President is expected to issue a notification after the first sitting of the Lok Sabha following the 2029 general election, specifying when the next nationwide elect i o n s w i
assemblies formed after this date will have their terms conclude with the end of that Lok Sabha's five-year tenure Either the Lok
Sabha or a state assembly be dissolved before its full five-year term, a fresh election for that body would be held for the remainder of the original term This mechanism ensures that future elections consistently align with the simultaneous election cycle Even in states where assembly polls are due, elections will be conducted solely to synchronise with the Lok Sabha schedule
However, the bill includes a provision allowing the Election Commission to recommend to the President that a state assembly election cannot be held simultaneously with the rest of the country In such cases, the President may then issue an order to conduct that particular election at a later date Choudary, indicated that the JPC's tenure m
among members to conduct visits to various states and Union Territories before finalising their recommendations So far, the JPC has visited Maharashtra and Uttarakhand These bills were initially introduced in the Lok Sabha in December last year and subsequently referred to the Choudhary-led committee
Mallya talks about his rise, fall and controversial departure from India
Fugitive b usinessman Vijay Mal ly a, the former own er of Kingfisher Airline s, has brok en his nearl y decade -l on g silen ce In a recent podcast with Raj Shamani, Mal lya discusse d his rise, fall , an d t he conten tious coll apse of K in g f is he r A i r l i n e s T he e pisode r apid ly gained tract ion, a ccumula ting over 20 mil lion views on YouTube within four day s an d gener ating sign ifican t buzz across Instagra m a nd Facebook Mallya, who is wanted in India on charges of fraud and money laundering, engaged in a conversation exceeding four hours with the p o d c a s t e r H e e x p r e s s e d h i s g r a t i t u d e t o viewers, stating that it filled his heart with joy to see his "true factual" storey being heard This podcast marks one of Mallya's first extensive public appearances, where he has presented his perspective, addressing his legal issues, his controversial departure from India, and the demise of his airline He also spoke about being labelled a "chor" (thief) He clarified his exit from India, stating, "Call me a fugitive for not going to India post-March (2016) I didn’t run away; I flew out of India on a pre-scheduled visit Fair enough, I did not return for reasons that I consider valid, so if you want to call me a fugitive, go ahead, but where is the ‘chor’ coming from?”
UK High Court of Appeal in other extradition cases where Indian prison con-
Indian investigating agencies, such as the CBI and ED, have a history of unfair treatment, leading to his lack of confidence in receiving justice He lamented that in India, business failure is often equated with fraud
During the interview, Mallya claimed he
between 2012, after Kingfisher Airlines' collapse, and 2015, all of which were allegedly refused He maintained, "It was always my intention to settle Never did I say I didn’t want to pay ” He recounted meeting the chairperson of the State Bank of India and offering a settlement, which was not accepted because the banks allegedly sought the entire £1 4bn Mallya's counsel previously
s c o r e t h e
r n m e n t ' s s o c i a l j u s t i c e c r e d e n t i a l s amid opposition claims of working against these comm u n i t i e s M o d i a l s o
affirmed that the NDA gove r n m e n t ' s e m p h a s i s o n women empowerment has redefined women-led development He further stated that under his 11-year leadership, India has not only become the fastest-growing major economy but also a crucial global voice on critical issues like climate action and digital innovation H o m e M i n i s t e r A m i t Shah lauded Modi s 11 years
India-EU
as a golden period of public s e r v i c e , c i t i n g s i g n i f i c a n t m i l e s t o n e s i n e c o n o m i c revival, social justice, cultural pride, and national securit
India's enhanced preparedness and unwavering resolve t
lighted a positive shift in the security landscape, noting
in Jammu &
Northeast He asserted that India now responds to ter-
backyard This claim is supported by data indicating a 69% fall in terrorism-related incidents in J&K and
to the preceding decade Similarly, Naxalism-
53% reduc-
in incidents and
free trade deal expected by end of 2025, says Finland envoy
Union have ente red an ac tive pha se, with both s ides t argeting a c onc lus ion by the end of 2025 , according to Kimm o Lahdevirta, Finland’s ambass ador to India Spea king in Ahmedabad during the inaugur a tion of Fin la nd 's honora ry c ons ul at e, Lahdev irta noted t hat a rec ent vis it by t he E U Com m is s io n ’ s f ul l c oll egium to India has significantl y b oosted momentum f or the ta lks
A key priority for the EU s i d e w i l l b e e s t a b l i s h i n g a m e a n i n g f u l t a r i f f l e v e l f o r industrial goods, though the final details will be determ i n e d b y t h e E U Commission and the Indian government as negotiations near completion The ambassador emphasised Gujarat’s importance as an industrial hub, highlighting the DESI f r a m e w o r k e n c o m p a s s i n g
digitalisation, education, sustainability, and innovation, as a model for future bilateral c o l l a b o r a t i o n C o n f i r m i n g I n d i a ' s r o l e o n t h e g l o b a l
stage, Lahdevirta announced that the country will host the 2 0 2 6 W o r l d C i r c u l a r Economy Forum, an event organised by Finland's innovation fund Sitra Planning for this significant forum will involve various Indian stakeholders, including the Union M i n i s t r y o f E n v i r o n m e n t , Forests, and Climate Change, pollution control boards, and industry bodies A n n u a l t r
w e e n India and Finland currently stands at approximately 3 billion euros, with Finland primarily exporting goods and India leading in services The e s t a b l i s h m e n t
Limited's executive director Kulin Lalbhai appointed as h o n o r a r y c o n s u l g e
underscores Finland's com-
regional partnerships across India Lahdevirta, who is also leading a business delegation of nine Finnish firms focused on sectors like clean energy, telecom, AI, environmental
ture, stated that the new consulate will serve as a platform to expand trade, investment,
Lalbhai, speaking at the inau-
mism that Finland's empha-
i l i t y a n d innovation aligns well with Gujarat's manufacturing and start-up ecosystem, suggesting potential collaborations for the Arvind Group in areas s
water management, and construction
India's census featuring caste data begins on April 1, 2026
India's census, postponed for over five year s due to the Covid -19 pandemi c, is now slate d to com mence on Apr il 1, 2026
T h e com p r e he n si v e p op ulation count wi ll use Mar ch 1 , 2027, a s its r efere nce date
A significant feature of this upcoming exercise is the i n c l u s i o n o f c a s t e d a t a f o r every resident, marking the first time such information will be systematically recorded since the 1931 decennial headcount This data holds p o t e n t i a l i m p l i c a t i o n s f o r future delimitation processes and the implementation of
women's reservation in legislatures
India's upcoming census, its first fully digital one, will follow a two-phase schedule l i k e t h e 2 0 1 1 C e n s u s T h e house listing phase will run for 45 days between April 1 and September 30, 2026 The p o p u l a t i o n e n u m e r a t i o n p h a
caste data, is set for February 9-28, 2027, with a revisional round immediately following S n o w - b o u n d r e g i o n s l i k e U
Pradesh, J&K, and Ladakh will c o n d u c t t h
will provide vital information for policymakers, espec
y boundaries) and the reservation of seats across government tiers It's also key for fulfilling the legal requirement for the next delimitation exercise, necessary for L o k S a b h a r e p
e n t a t i o n and implementing the 33% women's reservation in legislatures, a measure passed in 2023 but linked to post2026 census data
India's Covid count crosses 6,000 mark
Mallya, who has resided in the UK since 2016, also pondered whether his continued stay abroad has compounded his legal troubles When asked if he would return to India if assured a fair trial, he responded, "If I am assured, absolutely I will think about it seriously ” However, he quickly voiced human rights concerns, referencing rulings by the
February that approximately £620mn owed to banks had already been recovered, a figure echoed by the Union Finance Minister in Lok Sabha last December Some of his companies also face charges of violating corporate laws and capital market regulations After the podcast s release, Mallya posted on X, stating, “For those who are interested, I have spoken for the first time in nine years on this podcast I want to say sorry to the employees of Kingfisher Airlines and also to set the record straight with facts and the truth ” He has consistently denied any wrongdoing since relocating to the UK in March 2016
With 769 fres h cas es being re ported, India's tota l Covid count has c ros sed the 6,000 mark , the Union heal th ministry s aid The Covid de a t h to l l s in c e J an h a s g on e up t o 65 M a ha r a s ht r a h as r ec or de d t he m a x i m um fatal ities (18), f ol lowed by Keral a (15 ) and Delhi (7) reveal ed data rel eased by the ministry Keral a continues to b e the most af fec ted state , followed by Gujarat, West Bengal and Delhi In al l, there are 6,133 ac tive Covid case s in the country Due to the rising number of cases, Centre is conducting mock drills to check facilityl e v e
medicines, official sources said However, most cases are mild and are being managed under home care, they stressed A series of technical review meetings were held on June 2 and 3, under the chairpersonship of director general of health services (DGHS) Dr Sunita
Management Cell, Emergency Management Response Cell, National Centre for Disease
Indian Council of Medical Research, Integrated
Surveillance Programme, and central govt hospitals in Delhi and with representatives of states and UTs to evaluate the situation and preparedness measures
Narendra Modi
Vijay Mallya
Book Review
‘Extraordinary Story of an Ordinary Man’ by Nischal Sanghavi
xtraordinary Story of an Ordinary Man’ is a compelling biography of Padma Shri Jagdish Trivedi a celebrated Gujarati comedian, author, academic, and social worker Trivedi was widely known not just for his wit and humour, but also for his deep commitment to social service. His contributions were notably acknowledged by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the December 2023 edition of his radio show ‘Mann Ki Baat’
The book begins in Chotila, a town in the heart of Gujarat, where Jagdish was born Early in life, fate took a turn when he was raised by his father's elder brother
narrative of a man who overcame personal challenges to leave a lasting impact on society through his selfless work
Spanning 15 engaging chapters, the book
Trivedi’s life from his early days to his rise as a beloved figure in Gujarati literature and comedy An exceptionally gifted individual, he not only excelled in the arts but also in a
authoring an impressive 75 books T
o g r a p h y a l s o h i g h l i g h t s t h e influence of three key mentors in his life: his m a t e r n a l g r a n d f a t h e r D e v s h a n k a
Rathod, his artistic mentor; and Morari Bapu, his spiritual guide Each played a crucial role in shaping Trivedi's values and worldview One powerful chapter explores
his personal struggle with alcoholism and his eventual path to recovery a lesson in resilience and transformation
A particularly memorable moment is his historic visit to Pakistan, where he became the first Gujarati comedian to perform, r e c e i v i n g w
further cementing his legacy as a cultural bridge-builder
language, the book is suitable for readers of
Trivedi’s story to life visually Each chapter ends with a smooth transition into the next, keeping the reader engaged and know more
At its core, ‘Extraordinary Story of an Ordinary Man’ is a testament to the power
spirit It reminds us that even in the face of adversity, one can lead an extraordinary life rooted in purpose, creativity, and service
FlixBus launches budget-friendly London to Brighton coach route
F l ix B us , t h e U K ’ s f a s t e s t -
g rowing coa ch opera tor , is e xpa ndin g its net work wit h
n e w se r v i ce s c on n e ct in g
L o n d o n t o B r ig h t o n , G a t w i ck A ir po r t , a n d C ambridge , st ar ting 13 Jun e T h e n e w L
B r i g h t o n r o u t e w i l l r u n twice daily, providing a lowc o s t , c o m f o r t a b l e t r a v e l option for beachgoers and
d a y - t r i p p e r s t h i s s u m m e r Fares begin at just £4 49 Also launching is a direct service between Cambridge and London Stratford, with four departures per day and tickets from £4 99, further
u s luggage allowances, and are b a c k e d b y a t o p - r a t e d Trustpilot score, setting a n e w s t a n d
, Senior Managing Director of F
“Londoners now have even more affordable, sustainable, and reliable travel options
s t r e n g t h e n i n g F l i x B u s ’ s growing network of over 80 destinations across the UK A l l F l i x B u s j o u r n e y s c o m e w i t h f r e e W i - F
launch this direct link just in time for the warmer weather ” The new routes are part of FlixBus’s largest-ever UK
The very first Hermès Birkin bag, crafted exclusively for and o nc e o w ne d by J an e Bi rk i n herself, is set to g o under th e hammer in P aris next mo nth, w it h es tim ates s u g g es tin g i t could sell for up to £1 million This iconic black leather p r o t o t y p e w a s g i f t e d t o t h e British-French actress by Jean-
H
s , a
Jane
c h a n c e encounter on a flight in 1984 When Birkin’s wicker basket famously tipped over mid-air, scattering its contents, she remarked, “The day Hermès makes one with pockets, I will have that ” Dumas responded, “But I am Hermès, and I will put pockets in for you ” Birkin promptly sketched her dream h a n d b a g o n a n a i r p l a n e s i c k n e s s b a g ,
serving destinations across
Wales
inspiring what would become one of the most coveted fashion accessories in history The result w a s t h e o r i g i n a l B i r k i n b a g , designed with functionality in mind and eventually gifted to her by Dumas
Although Birkin sold the bag i n 1 9 9 4 t o s u p p o r t a n A I D S charity, the bag affectionately r e f e r r e d t o a s h e r “ o l d faithful” remains a symbol of timeless luxury and style Today, vintage Hermès Birkins regularly fetch upwards of £300,000 Now, this legendary piece will be part of Sotheby’s Fashion Icons sale on July 10, where collectors and fashion aficionados will have a rare chance to own a true piece of fashion history
Wild elephant wanders into store in search of sweet treats
A wild elephant wandered out of a national park in Thailand to visit a grocery store, where the peckish pachyderm feasted on eggs and sweet treats The 27-year-old elephant, named Plai Biang Lek, is well known to locals for his frequent treks out of Khao Yai National Park in search of snacks Residents said he can often be seen walking past a corner store a little over half a mile from the park entrance gate, but this time he made what is believed to be his first visit to the store's interior The elephant feasted on eggs, dried bananas, a sandwich and nine bags of sweet rice crackers before park rangers arrived to usher him out of the business Members of the Khao Yai Elephant Lovers Group donated about $25 to the store to pay for Plai Biang Lek's snacks The store's owner said he was not angry at the elephant, as the animal must have been hungry
Indian tourists break into impromptu song at Eiffel Tower
A group of Indian travellers delighted the internet with an impromptu musical performance near the Eiffel Tower in Paris In a viral Instagram video, they're seen singing and grooving to the classic Bollywood song 'Aaja Sanam Madhur Chandni Mein' from the 1951 film 'Chori Chori ' The group's energetic performance added a vibrant Indian touch to the iconic Parisian landmark The video shows the group singing in harmony, with curious onlookers pausing to enjoy the moment Some even clapped along and nodded to the rhythm, creating a magical atmosphere that blended Indian soul and Parisian charm The video sparked a mixed reaction While some praised the group's performance for its cross-cultural appeal, others criticised it One user wrote, "When people sang, English songs after the concert in local trains, people appreciated them, why not this?" Another stated, "Wherever fellow Indians go, they spread Happiness and Laughter and Music is a beautiful connect worldwide " Another added, "Many of them look startled People like these should be banned from travelling just because they feel good doing this in a large number, they think everyone does It's not like that you insensitive narcissistic people " Yet another said, When will we understand and learn to respect others privacy? Annoying and embarrassing "
Bengaluru techie resigns following public humiliation
A young software engineer from Bengaluru recently resigned after experiencing public humiliation during a Google Meet session Despite seeking clarity on a project, he was met with gaslighting and bad behaviour from his manager, leading to an emotional breakdown during the call The engineer highlighted the lack of onboarding and structure in his role, stating that expectations were unclear and support was nonexistent When he attempted to address these issues, he faced further criticism and was told to "figure it out" on his own He further said that that appreciation was rare and the fear of public shaming was constant The manager's behaviour included latenight calls, shifting blame, and dismissive responses to concerns Upon resigning, the engineer was met with a sarcastic remark: "Good luck finding another job Let's see how long you last there " The incident which was shared in a LinkedIn post by Shravan Tickoo has received many comments, and in most of them, the professionals accepted that they have been in the same condition before Those comments also shed light on the emotional toll of toxic work environments and the importance of supportive leadership "Been there Can understand it," commented a user "Reading this, I'm reminded of the quote: "With great power comes great responsibility " Sadly, some forget that leadership isn't about control-it's about care Toxic managers don't just hurt performance-they break people Grateful for the few who lead with empathy They're rarer than we think," commented another user
Woman books Ola Bike ride for 180 metres
In a bizarre incident that's gone viral, a woman booked an Ola Bike ride for a mere 180 metres - just to avoid a pack of street dogs The short video was recorded and shared on Instagram by the bike rider himself In the clip, the driver arrives at the pickup point and asks the woman for the one-time password (OTP) After entering it, he glances at the map and notices that her drop location is just 180 metres away Puzzled, he asks the woman whether she has selected the right drop location since it was just a short distance away The woman confirms she booked the ride and that the distance is accurate The Ola driver then asks the passenger why she opted for such a short ride To this, the woman explains that she is scared of the street dogs in the area and didn't want to risk walking past them The rider, amused but professional, drops the woman at her destination and ends the trip At the end of the video, the app shows that the customer had to pay only Rs 19 Since being shared, the video has gone viral, garnering 7 million views and over 197,000 likes Instagram users flooded the comments section with various reactions While some responded with laughing emojis, others thanked the driver for helping the woman feel safe "Thank you brother for helping a girl feel safe," wrote one user "It is better to give 19 rupees than to get injected," commented another
Judge show-causes peon for stale dalmoth
An additional district judge in eastern UP was having lunch with a colleague at her chamber when the taste of dalmoth tasted stale The judge became furious at the attendant who served the snack along with tea The judge immediately served the employee a show-cause memo and put him on notice “You deliberately served the stale dalmoth, which was in a condition to be discarded Please present your explanation as to why such a grave mistake was intentionally made by you, ” states the memo, which has since gone viral The memo purportedly mentions that the attendant at first brought only two cups of tea despite the judge also asking for biscuits When he returned a little later with dalmoth – a savoury mix of roasted lentils and spices – the smell and taste left the judge aghast The memo mentions that “in a cupboard, just a few steps away, there were two unopened boxes of biscuits, ready to be served ” The attendant’s handwritten response to allegations of a “ grave, intentional mistake” has also been circulating on social media Many social media users found the episode humorous and absurd “If judges start issuing notices for stale snacks, what’s next?” said one user
Birkin with her namesake Birkin bag
A cup of chickpeas a day may keep cholesterol at bay
Eating a daily serving of chickpeas could help lower cholesterol levels, while black beans may reduce inflammation, according to new research
A 1 2 - w e e k s t u d y involving 72 individuals with pre-diabetes found
t h a t c o n s u m i
160g (cooked weight) of chickpeas or a similar portion of black beans daily offered notable health benefits The findings were shared at the annual meeting of the American Society for Nutrition in Florida but have yet to undergo peer review
Morganne Smith, a researcher from the Illinois Institute of Technology, explained, “People with pre-diabetes often experience disrupted lipid metabolism and chronic low-grade inflammation both key contributors to heart disease and type 2 diabetes Our study found that regular bean consumption significantly reduced cholesterol and inflammation in this group, though it did not affect blood glucose levels ”
Smith emphasized that incorporating beans whether canned, dried, or frozen into the daily diet is a simple and cost-effective strategy to support health “There are many easy ways to add beans to meals,” she said “Use them to thicken soups, sprinkle them on salads, or serve them alongside grains like rice or quinoa ”
These results could help shape future dietary recommendations and public health initiatives aimed at preventing chronic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes
New blood test shows high accuracy in detecting early Alzheimer’s
A new blood test has d em onstrated remarkable accuracy in id entifying early signs of Alzh eim er ’ s disease, according to a stud y by the M ayo C linic in the U S The test measures two proteins in th e bloo d amylo id beta 42/40 and ptau217 linked to the build -up of am yloid plaques, a key feature of Alzheim er ’ s
Tested on over 500 patients at an outpatient memory clinic, the blood test showed 95% sensitivity in detecting individuals with memory issues and 82% specificity in ruling out those without dementia Approved by the US Food and Drug Administration, the test offers a non-invasive, cost-effective alternative to current diagnostic tools like spinal fluid analysis
“This test performs as well as cerebrospinal fluid biomarker tests but is much more accessible,” said Dr Gregg Day, who led the research, published in Alzheimer’s and Dementia journal
Researchers noted significantly higher p-tau217 levels in patients with Alzheimer’s compared to those without The team plans to expand studies to more diverse populations and individuals with no visible symptoms
Dr Richard Oakley of the Alzheimer’s Society called the findings “ very promising” and said the test could complem e n t p r o f e s s i o n a l a s s e s s m e n t s W h i l e f o c u s e d o n Alzheimer’s, it may also help distinguish between different causes of cognitive decline
UK experts hope the test could soon be adopted by the N H S T h e B l o o d B i o m a r k e r C h a l l e n g e , b a c k e d b y Alzheimer’s Society, Alzheimer’s Research UK, and the National Institute for Health and Care Research, aims to introduce such tests to NHS services by 2029
Measles surge and new Covid variant raise public
health concerns
Sleep over any perk
A study revealed that adding just one extra hour of sleep per week significantly enhances daily mood outpacing the happiness boost from a $60,000 raise Improved rest sharpens focus, stabilises emotions, and supports mental well-being, making better sleep a powerful yet simple route to greater daily joy
Health authorities in the UK are sounding the alarm over a significant rise in measles cases and the spread of a new COVID-19 subvariant, NB.1.8.1, both of which pose renewed threats to public health as the summer begins.
reported in England since January 2025, with 109 cases
alone Children under the age of 10 account for twothirds of these infections, with London emerging as
Officials attribute the resurgence to falling uptake of the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine, which remains below the 95% coverage threshold required for herd immunity
Measles, a highly contagious virus, spreads easily
include high fever, cough, red eyes, and a rash While the majority of cases are mild, measles can lead to serious complications such a
inflammation, and in severe cases, death Health offi-
i n d i v i d u a l s isolated while seeking medical advice
Compounding concerns is the emergence of NB 1 8 1, a new Omicron subvariant o f C O V I D - 1 9 , w h i c h h a s
been gaining ground across t h e U K a n d g l o b a l l y Though still under monitoring by the World Health Organization, NB 1 8 1 currently accounts for over 10% o f g l o b a l g e n o m i c sequences It is believed to be more transmissible than previous variants, though it does not appear to cause more severe illness or evade current vaccines
S y m p t o m s a s s o c i a t e d with NB 1 8 1 are similar to e a r l i e r O m i c r o n s t r a i n s , i n c l u d i n g f a
experts recommend staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters, p
groups
To protect against both threats, public health experts recommend:
• Ensuring full MMR vaccination for children
COVID-19 booster shots
• Practicing good hygiene, including regular handwashing and masking in crowded indoor areas
• Isolating when experiencing symptoms of either
timely medical advice
A
and
new COVID variant spreads, UK health officials emphasize the importance
most effective defence in protecting both individuals and the wider community
Caffeine disrupts brain’s night-time recovery
While ca ffei ne is k nown to b o os t a l e rt n e s s , n e w rese arch reve als it may als o d i s r u p t h ow th e b r a i n recove rs d ur ing slee p
A study by researchers at Université de Montréal, p u b l i s h e d i n N a t u r e Communications Biology, shows that caffeine alters the brain’s “criticality”, a d e l i c a t e b a l a n c e b e t w e e n order and chaos that supports optimal function
Led by Philipp Tholke and psychology professor
K a r i m J e r b i a t U d e M ’ s CoCo Lab, in collaboration w i t h s l e e p e x p e r t J u l i e Carrier, the team used AI
and EEG data to track brain activity during sleep They f o u n d t h a t c a f f e i n e increases brain signal complexity and shifts the brain toward a more alert, less restful state especially in younger adults aged 20–27
“Criticality allows the brain to be both organised a n d f l e x i b l e i d e a l f o r learning and decision-maki n g , ” s a i d J e r b i “ B u t a t night, caffeine may prevent the brain from reaching a fully restorative state ”
The study showed that caffeine dampened slower brain waves such as theta a n d a l p h a k e y t o d e e p s l e e p a n d b o o s t e d b e t a waves, typically linked to wakefulness and cognitive a c t i v i t y T h e s e c h a n g e s suggest that even during s l e e p , c a f f e i n e k e e p s t h e brain more active than it should be
The findings highlight how caffeine can interfere w i t h m e m o r y c o n s o l i d ation and cognitive recove r y , p a r t i c u l a r l y d u r i n g REM sleep
Exercise may be ‘better than a drug’ in preventing cancer’s
o f c a n c e r ret urnin g, pote ntia lly more effe ct ively tha n med ica tion, accord ing t o n ew r ese ar ch prese nte d a t a ma jor oncology confer ence
Findings from the CO21 Challenge trial revealed that a d v a n c e d c a n c e r p a t i e n t s who followed a structured exercise regimen after comp l e t i n g c h e m o t h e r a p y a n d surgery reduced their risk of dying from the disease by m o r e t h a n a t h i r d T h e
study, which ran from 2009 t o 2 0 2 3 , i n v o l v e d 8 8 9 p a t i e n t s a n d w a s p a r t i a l l y funded by Cancer Research UK’s Stand Up To Cancer campaign
P a r t i c i p a n t s w e r e s p l i t i n t o t w o g r o u p s : o n e received health education on physical activity and nutrit i o n , w h i l e t h e o t h e r f o ll o w e d a t a i l o r e d e x e r c i s e p r o g r a m m e w i t h s p e c i f i c a c t i v i t y t a r g e t s T h e p r o -
g r a m m e s p a n n e d t h r e e
y e a r s , b e g i n n i n g w i t h
biweekly coaching sessions
a n d t a p e r i n g t o m o n t h l y support
Eight years after the start of the trial, patients in the
e x e r c i s e g r o u p h a d a 3 7 % lower mortality rate com-
p a r e d t o t h o s e w h o o n l y received educational materials While the study focused o n i n d i v i d u a l s w i t h a d v a n c e d c o l o n c a n c e r , researchers believe the benef i t s o f s t r u c t u r e d p h y s i c a l a c t i v i t y c o u l d e x t e n d t o o t h e r f o r m s o f c a n c e r
Notably, fewer patients in t h e e x e r c i s e g r o u p l a t e r developed breast cancer
The results were shared at the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s annual meeting in Chicago, in a session aptly titled “As Good as a Drug ” Dr Julie Gralow, the society’s chief medical officer, remarked, “I would call i t ‘ b
g ’ because exercise has no toxic side effects, and drugs are a p p
impactful results ”
Groundbreaking ultrasound treatment to zap liver tumours on NHS
w i t h o u t d a m a g i n g s u rrounding organs The result: a non-invasive therapy with fewer side effects and faster recovery times I n i t i a l l y a v a i l a b l e a t
Addenbrooke’s Hospital in C a m b r i d g e , t h e t e c h n i q u e will be offered to patients with either primary or seco n d a r y l i v e r c a n c e r T h e entire procedure is completed in a single outpatient session lasting as little as 30 minutes
“It’s like having an ultrasound scan it’s not invasive at all,” said Dr Teik Choon See, a consultant intervent i o n a l r a d i o l o g i s t a t
Addenbrooke’s who will be among the first to perform the procedure While some p a t i e n t s m a y e x p e r i e n c e minor discomfort, the risks are significantly lower than traditional treatments like t h e r m a
tumours
Amit Sadh reveals career stalled after 'Kai Po Che'
Actor Amit Sadh has revealed a surprising setback in his career following his critically acclaimed performance in the 2013 hit film ‘Kai Po Che!’ Despite the movie garnering significant attention and praise, Sadh admits that the expected flow of work simply didn't materialise.
In a candid interview, Sadh shared the unexpected trajectory his career
t o o k
attention for him, this buzz didn't translate into consistent acting offers "There was a spike of attention all of a sudden, then nothing," he confessed, detailing a period of several months with no work Sadh, who shared the screen with Rajkummar Rao and the late Sushant Singh Rajput in the film, described this phase as tough He recounted his resilient approach to such dry spells: "If I don't get work, I pick up my bag and go to the forest " While he eventually secured roles in f i
didn't achieve significant commercial success
Known for his intense and often gritty portrayals, Sadh clarified that s
comes his way He emphasised that
select the best options available With personal responsibilities and a family to support, staying idle is not an option for the actor, who considers
projects that keep him going
Rana Daggub calls Bollywood pap culture "annoying" a viral airport inciden
Bollywood and Telugu cinema star Rana Daggubati has against Mumbai's intrusive paparazzi culture, following showed him visibly upset with photographers Daggubati e profound frustration, labelling the paparazzi's behaviour a unwelcome invasion of his personal space
"I didn't call them I don't like it I don't like them in and I have been very vocal about it," Rana asserted He where photographers would appear outside his home requests for them to respect his privacy, and their pe airports This relentless pursuit, he stated, is ‘pretty ann
Drawing a stark contrast, Rana highlighted the s between the Bollywood paparazzi culture and that industry He noted that in the South, privacy is respecte restrained approach to celebrity interactions Elabora incident that sparked the viral video, Rana explained, process of avoiding them, I dropped my phone because people, and they were filming that too " He conclu message to the paparazzi: "I mean, make content with so you and calling you for it Make it with the ones who w Shoot people who are happy to have you around " His co a growing sentiment among celebrities regarding the and respect in their public lives
"They even dream in English": Javed Akhtar slams bollywood's English obsession
Veteran lyricist and screenwriter Javed Akhtar has stirred a new debate, criticising Hindi cinema's perceived identity crisis He questions why Bollywood often struggles to produce deep, relatable, and culturally rooted stories, contrasting it sharply with the booming success of South Indian films Akhtar believes South Indian filmmakers thrive precisely because they stay connected to their local culture and land
In a recent candid interview, Akhtar asserted that many c
attributes Bollywood's increasingly superficial narratives to a significant lack of cultural connection According to Akhtar, these creators, often second-generation migrants raised in Mumbai's cosmopolitan environment, have drifted from their regional heritage He suggests that while their parents may
prioritised flashy action and broad ‘pan-India’ appeal over authentic storytelling Akhtar particularly praised South Indian cinema, encompassing Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam films, for its clear cultural identity and localised focus He observed that these movies are created by people from those regions, for
remain and work where they were born
This deep-seated connection, he believes, is evident in the richness of the stories they tell
On a separate note, Akhtar also shared insights into the unique challenges of working with his talented children, Zoya and Farhan Akhtar He acknowledged that collaborating with them proves tougher than with other filmmakers, as they hold him to exceptionally high professional standards despite their family ties Akhtar specifically noted Zoya as a demanding
highlighting the distinct cinematic approaches of the siblings
Anurag Kashyap’s five films stuck over commercial pressures
Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap, known for his outspoken views on the industry, is once again voicing concerns about the state of Hindi cinema He recently shared his frustration, highlighting the creative desperation that he and other filmmakers are currently facing Kashyap revealed that he has five unreleased feature films, including his debut Paanch, attributing their shelved status to industry decisionmakers who, in his opinion, fail to grasp the value of good cinema
There is creative desperation that we all have to deal with individually, Kashyap explained We want to make good films, but people do not understand them The better films are released, the more they will realise that they shouldn’t make decisions on the basis of algorithms or the box office "
Of his five unreleased projects, Kashyap expressed hope, noting that two are now slated for release, with a third potentially following suit This sheds light on the challenges many filmmakers face when their artistic visions clash with commercial pressures
Currently, Kashyap is involved in promoting Stolen, a thriller now available on Amazon Prime Video While he serves as an executive producer alongside Kiran Rao, Nikkhil Advani, and Vikramaditya Motwane, the film is directed by Karan Tejpal and produced by Gaurav Dhingra Stolen tells the compelling story of two urban brothers who witness a baby being kidnapped from its mother at a rural Indian railway station In the past, Kashyap has candidly spoken about his desire to leave the Hindi film industry, describing it as "creatively bankrupt" and suggesting it needs to hit rock bottom before a true resurgence can begin
Deepika to star in Allu Arjun-Atlee film; Fans say, "She doesn't need Vanga"
Deepika Padukone has landed another major pan-India project. She was officially announced as the female lead in the highly anticipated collaboration between Allu Arjun and director Atlee, currently titled ‘AA22xA6’
On Saturday morning, Sun Pictures, the production house behind the film, unveiled a special video announcing Deepika Padukone's involvement in the project The post was captioned: “The Queen marches to conquer! Welcome onboard @deepikapadukone
#TheFacesOfAA22xA6
#AA22xA6 – A Magnum Opus from Sun Pictures ”
The video opens with Deepika in conversation with director Atlee, before transitioning to a studio
Fardeen
Khan
setting Concept art reveals her character as a fierce warrior, depicted mid-air wielding a battle axe We then see behindthe-scenes glimpses of Deepika rehearsing these combat moves under Atlee’s direction The promo also features her atop a CGI horse, dressed for battle, equipped with motion capture sensors and a weapon in hand hinting at a high-octane, visually spectacular role
The video was met with enthusiastic reactions from fans “Deepika Padukone action scenes give me goosebumps,” wrote one admirer, while another commented, “She looks absolutely badass here ” Many expressed excitement over the powerhouse collaboration between Deepika, Allu Arjun, and Atlee, predicting a massive blockbuster Some fans also
reveals
journey to sobriety: ‘Alcohol was taking over my life’
After a long break from films, Fardeen Khan decided to restart his acting career during the second Covid-19 lockdown In a recent interview, he recalled being eager to return but unsure where to begin after such a long absence. He also faced the challenge of having gained weight, weighing 102 kgs during his hiatus.
Speaking to Cyrus Broacha on YouTube, Fardeen revealed, “I was 102 or 103 kgs at my heaviest, mostly body fat ” He worked hard to get healthy and lost 25 kgs, reaching 78 kgs recently
H e a l s o o p e n e d u p a b o u t q u i t t i n g alcohol in 2020, saying it was affecting his l i f e “ I s t o p p e d d r i n k i n g s u d d e n l y a n d sought professional help It was the best decision I’ve made Drinking from a young age, this was the first time the brain fog lifted,” he shared
I n a p r e v i o u s i n t e r v i e w , F a r d e e n revealed he took a 14-year break from acting to focus on family He moved to London with his wife, Natasha Madhvani, as they faced difficulties conceiving After becoming a father to a daughter and son, he chose to extend his break to spend more time with his children
I n t h e i n t e r v i e w w i t h B o l l y w o o d Hungama, he said, “We faced challenges having children and decided to pursue IVF, which required me to take time off I initially planned a short break to get things settled, but it ended up much longer When my daughter was born, my heart melted, and I wanted to spend more time with her ”
B e s i d e s ‘ H e e r a m a n d i ’ , F a r d e e n h a s appeared in films like ‘Khel Khel Mein’, ‘Visfot’, and the recently released ‘Housefull 5 ’ He also has the Kannada film ‘The Devil’ lined up for release
playfully referenced Dee recent departure from an pan-India project, *Spiri directed by Sandeep Red Vanga “She doesn’t need Vanga,” one fan remarke
Her exit from ‘Spirit’ sparked controversy, wit film’s team, including Va suggesting she made unprofessional demands while other reports clarified that Deepika only requested 8-hour workdays due to her new motherhood
Deepika previously appeared in ‘Kalki 2898 AD’, Nag Ashwin’s pan-India blockbuster starring Prabhas and Amitabh Bachchan, and she is also set to return for its planned sequel
Neena Gupta talks about acting synergy with Anupam Kher
Veteranactress Neena Gupta, set to star alongside Anupam Kher in *Metro In Dino*, spoke about their strong working relationship She told IANS, "I've worked with Anupam before in a play, so it’s familiar ground. We have a great give-and-take as actors."
TV Listing
18:30 Rashi Rikshawali
19:00 Shyam Dhoon Lagi Re
19:30 Baa Vahu ane Baby
20:00 Rashi Rikshawali
20:30 Moti Baa Ni Nani Vahu
21:00 United States Of Gujarat
contributions to their emotional scenes,
nuances that add depth and completely change the emotional impact That was one of the most enjoyable parts of working with him "
The 66-year-old actress, and mother of d
during dubbing, she realized the extent of her role in the film, which was shot in fragmented scenes
“We shot in bits and pieces, so I didn’t fully grasp how much I had done until dubbing That’s when it all came together, and I thought, ‘Oh wow, I’ve done quite a bit in this film!’” she said
‘Metro In Dino’, starring Aditya Roy K
Fatima Sana Shaikh, Ali Fazal, and Saswata Chatterjee, is set to release on July 4 T
showcases a musical story of four couples across different ages navigating life’s ups
original Presented by Gulshan Kumar & T-Series
Productions Pvt Ltd , the film is directed by Anurag Basu with music by Pritam It is
Kumar, Anurag Basu, and Taani Basu
MON 16 JUN - FRI 20 JUN 2025
09:00 Deshi Beats
16:30 Laxmi Sadaiv Mangalam
17:30 Rasoi Show
18:30 Rashi Rikshawali
19:00 Shyam Dhoon Lagi Re
19:30 Baa Vahu ane Baby
20:00 Rashi Rikshawali
20:30 Moti Baa Ni Nani Vahu
21:00 United States Of Gujarat
21:30: KAHI DE NE PREM CHHE ! –PREM NU PRATIK
22:00 Rangai Jaane Rangma
23:00 Rashi Rikshawali
SATURDAY 21 JUN 2025
09:00 Deshi Beats
16:30 Laxmi Sadaiv Mangalam
17:30 Rasoi Show
MON 16 JUN - FRI 20 JUN 2025
17:00 Anmol Bandhan
17:30 Shrukra Mangal
18:00 BALIKA VADHU SEASON 1
19:30 RAMACHARI
20:00 Anmol Bandhan
20:30 Udaariyan
21:00 Choti Sardarni
22:00 Anmol Bandhan
22:30 Shrukra Mangal
23:00 Ramachari
SATURDAY 21 MAY 2025
17:00 Dance Deewane Superhits
21:30 KAHI DE NE PREM CHHE ! –PREM NU PRATIK
22:00 Rangai Jaane Rangma
23:00 Rashi Rikshawali
SUNDAY 22 JUN 2025
09:00 Deshi Beats
11:00 Rashi Rikshawali
11:30 Dholi
14:30 Mayashakti
15:30 Loveyatri
16:30 Lakshya
17:30 Best of Rasoi Show
18:30 Shyam Dhoon Lagi Re
19:30 Baa Vahu ane Baby
20:30 Lakshya
21:30 KAHI DE NE PREM CHHE ! –PREM NU PRATIK
22:30 United States Of Gujarat
17:30 Shrukra Mangal
18:00 BALIKA VADHU SEASON 1
19:30 RAMACHARI
20:00 Dance Deewane Superhits
20:30 Udaariyan
21:00 Choti Sardarni
22:00 Udaariyan
22:30 Shrukra Mangal
23:00 Ramachari
SUNDAY 22 JUNE 2025
17:00 Dance Deewane Superhits
17:30 Shrukra Mangal
18:00 BALIKA VADHU SEASON 1
19:30 RAMACHARI
20:00 Dance Deewane Superhits
20:30 Udaariyan
21:00 Choti Sardarni
22:00 Udaariyan
22:30 Shrukra Mangal
23:00 Ramachari
Aamir Khan, Lokesh
Kanagaraj unite for superhero flick
Bollywood stalwart Aamir Khan has officially confirmed a highly anticipated collaboration with the visionary director Lokesh Kanagaraj
While fans will get a glimpse of Aamir in a cameo role in Lokesh’s upcoming Rajinikanth-starrer ‘Coolie’ (scheduled for August 14, 2025 release), their major project promises to be a game-changer for Indian cinema
Aamir Khan revealed in a recent interview that he will take on the lead r o l e i n a f u l l - f l e d g e d , h i g h - o c t a n e action film boasting significant superhero elements, helmed by Kanagaraj
The ambitious project is slated to commence shooting in the latter half of 2026
Lokesh Kanagaraj, fresh off wrapping ‘Coolie’, is currently immersed in i t s p o s t - p r o d u c t i o n F o l l o w i n g Coolie's release, his immediate focus shifts to ‘Khaithi 2 ’ , the highly anticipated sequel to his 2019 blockbuster, starring actor Karthi ‘Khaithi 2 ’ is expected to hit screens in the first half of 2026
O n l y a f t e r t h e c o m p l e t i o n o f ‘Khaithi 2 ’ will the colossal pan-India venture with Aamir Khan move into production Industry reports suggest t h i s f i l m w i l l b e m o u n t e d o n a n unprecedented scale, potentially ushering in a new era for superhero action in India The sheer talent involved has already ignited immense excitement among film enthusiasts nationwide
Mani
Ratnam's highly anticipated film, ‘Thug life’, starring global icon Kamal Haasan, has and a heart-warmin from actress Khush added to the buzz. H daughter, Anandita was part of the film an assistant directo Khushboo shar immense pride on Instagram, noting, a parent, it’s a prou moment to see my daughter’s name appear in the title credits of a Mani Ratnam film" While Anandita had to depart the project due to a leg fracture, Khushboo emphasised the invaluable
Actress Khushboo's
daughter steps into filmmaking, joins 'Thug Life' as AD
experience and knowledge her daughter gained from working with the Expressing hushboo atnam for Anandita 's n the credits, xperience has al" as quickly gone congratulations industry s for both the talent and her mother hbu Sundar, an ess and ducer, posted n Instagram to hank director Mani Ratnam for including her daughter's name in the credits of 'Thug Life'
"I owe them" - Thiagarajan's unexpected take on song inclusion in 'Tourist family'
The film Tourist Fa il has turned out to a blockbuster, grossin over 75 crores at the box office and continuing to gain popularity on Disney+ Hotstar Amid the film's success, a nostalgic track has sparked fresh conversation, this time involving veteran filmmaker Thiagaraja
The film features the iconic song "Malaiyuru Nattamaai" from Malaiyur Mampattiyan, which was directed by Thiagarajan With the song now going viral once again, Thiagarajan shared his thoughts in a recent interview
“The filmmakers didn’t take my permission to use the song, ” he said “But I’m not going to take legal action or demand payment In fact, I should be the one paying them! They've revived a forgotten gem and brought it back to the people, and that makes me genuinely happy I have no intention of claiming copyrights ” Thiagarajan went on to say that anyone using songs from his films in the future will face no copyright issues from him His gracious response stands in contrast to recent incidents in the industry, notably
Il i aja’s legal notice rding unauthorised se of his music in Good Bad Ugly Fans have lauded Thiagarajan’s open-hearted approach and respect for art over ownership, calling it a refreshing stance in today’s copyright-conscious dustry
Viral video hints at Nivin Pauly as villain in Lokesh Kanagaraj's upcoming film
Athrilling new video has set social media ablaze, revealing the menacing antagonist for director Lokesh Kanagaraj's upcoming production, Benz The two-minute character promo,
Kannan on June 5, 2025, has confirmed that Malayalam star Nivin Pauly will portray the villain, named Walter, in the film starring Raghava Lawrence This action-thriller marks a striking
charismatic performances in Premam and Action Hero Biju
The viral clip showcases Pauly in a
avatar, adorned with gold jewellery a n
instantly captivating audiences across various languages This marks a signif-
introduces
fresh face to the Lokesh Cinematic Universe (LCU) but also hints at a darker, more intense role for Nivin Pauly than ever before Benz, which is being written and co-produced by Lokesh Kanagaraj himself under his G Squad banner, is reportedly progressing at a rapid pace
While Lokesh is not directing this particular LCU instalment which is
involvement as writer and producer
music by Sai Abhinayakar and a starstudded cast, Benz is poised to be a high-stakes action drama and a major c
expanding
Shriya Pilgaonkar on
playing cop: 'Society views female officers with bias'
Shriya Pilgaonkar, known for roles ranging from girl next door to ambitious lawyer, dons a police uniform for the first time in Zee5’s new murder mystery ‘Chhal Kapat’ Playing an officer investigating a small-town murder, Shriya discusses her role and society’s views on female police officers ahead of the show’s release In Hindi cinema, women in uniform have often been portrayed with masculine traits a trend exemplified by the highest-grossing female cop film, ‘Mardaani’ (which means “masculine”) Shriya Pilgaonkar explains this portrayal stems from society’s inherent sexist biases "People view male and female cops differently due to deep-rooted conditioning," she says, adding that women often adopt a tougher persona as a defence mechanism to assert their space
However, ‘Chhal Kapat’ takes a different approach Shriya appreciates that her character, Devika, retains her femininity "She
doesn’t need to be overly aggressive while interrogating she can be gentle but firm,"
Shriya explains "There’s no unnecessary aggression Yet, in maledominated spaces, women often hold on to their power with determination, which is reflected in her strength "
Directed by Ajay Bhuyan and produced by Juggernaut Production, ‘Chhal Kapat – The Deception’ is set to premiere on ZEE5 on June 6, 2025 The cast also includes Kamya Ahlawat, Ragini Dwivedi, Tuhina Das, Yahhve Sharma, Pranay Pachauri, Smaran Sahu, and Anuj Sachdeva
Javed Akhtar receives Dostoevsky Star Award for cultural impact
Lyricist and writer Javed Akhtar has been honoured with the prestigious Dostoevsky Star Award for his significant contribution to cultural dialogue and literary heritage
Actor Shabana Azmi shared the news on Instagram, posting a photo of Javed receiving the award and calling it “another big honour” in recognition of his remarkable influence
Widely regarded as one of the greatest screenwriters in Hindi cinema, Javed Akhtar has built an illustrious career as a lyricist, poet, and writer He has received five National Film Awards for Best Lyrics and was honoured with the Padma Shri in 1999 and the Padma Bhushan in 2007 His poetry collection ‘Lava’ earned him the Sahitya Akademi Award in Urdu, India's second-highest literary honour In 2020, he became the only Indian to receive the prestigious Richard Dawkins Award Beyond his creative work, Javed Akhtar is known for his outspoken views on public policy, secularism, and social issues, often sharing his perspectives on platforms like X (formerly Twitter), in media interviews, and at literary forums
Recently, Javed Akhtar also spoke on India-Pakistan relations following the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people, mostly tourists, on April 22 At the launch of the book ‘Farewell Karachi’, he reflected on the long-standing divide, saying, “It’s a bit late in the day for reconciliation It’s been 75 years those who experienced it first-hand would be in their 90s now How many are even alive?”
Ishaan Khatter on shirtless scenes in ‘The Royals’: ‘Was it really necessary?’
Actor Ishaan Khatter appeared shirtless in several scenes of his recent Netflix release, ‘The Royals’, sparking social media buzz over his washboard abs. However, in an interview, Ishaan revealed that while he was committed to the project, he had to ‘fight’ with the makers over the inclusion of those shirtless scenes, feeling they risked objectification.
In the interview, Ishaan Khatter explained the reasoning behind his shirtless scenes in ‘The Royals’, saying, “It’s that kind of character jo shirt nahi pehenta hai Usko nahi jamta (He just doesn’t like wearing a shirt) ” He admitted that while he had committed to the role, he did push back on occasion “I fought with them on certain days, saying, ‘In this scene, he ‘ can ’ wear a shirt It’s not necessary for him to be shirtless!’” Ishaan added that the makers came up with creative ways to keep the scenes in line with the character like offering a blanket during sleep scenes though he ultimately had fun with it
He also spoke about preparing for the role, which involved proper training for horse-riding, something he found less intimidating than expected Ishaan went on to talk about his physical transformation for another project, ‘Homebound’, where director Neeraj Ghaywan asked him to shed all his muscle mass “He told me, ‘I don’t want to see a single sinew on your body ’ I had to lose about 8–10 kilos again!” Ishaan said, adding that slimming down came easier to him than bulking up
‘The Royals’ received mixed reviews, with critics pointing to a weak screenplay and lack of chemistry between Ishaan Khatter and Bhumi Pednekar The show also featured Nora Fatehi, Sakshi Tanwar, Dino Morea, and Zeenat Aman Despite the criticism, Netflix has renewed it for a second season
Ed Sheeran
h onou rs Indi a in ‘S app hire’ wit h SRK and Ariji t Si ngh
Global music star
Ed Sheeran has dropped the music video for his new single ‘Sapphire’, a standout track that blends Western and Punjabi sounds while paying heartfelt tribute to India
Part of his upcoming eighth album ‘Play’, the cross-cultural collaboration features Sheeran alongside Bollywood icon Shah Rukh Khan and playback legend Arijit Singh The video showcases Sheeran exploring iconic Indian locations, from the bustling streets of Kolkata to the grand sets of ‘Baahubali’ in Hyderabad highlighting his enduring love for India
Arijit Singh lends his voice to a Punjabi verse in ‘Sapphire’, while Shah Rukh Khan makes a surprise appearance, singing alongside Ed Sheeran in what fans are calling one of the year's most memorable musical moments The video shows Sheeran in a new light riding buses, dancing in cafés, and sailing on the Hooghly River, with much of it shot from a first-person perspective
Sheeran teased ‘Sapphire’ as a fusion of Western and Punjabi sounds, with Arijit Singh helping craft the Punjabi lyrics his feature was a surprise It’s the third single from Sheeran’s upcoming album ‘Play’, releasing September 12, after ‘Azizam’ and ‘Old Phone’
Sheeran said he wanted fans at the ‘Old Phone’ pop-up gig to share his feelings of nostalgia and longing While each ‘Play’ track has a unique theme, ‘Sapphire’ reflects Sheeran’s storytelling and cultural appreciation The album was completed during a quiet trip to Goa
Indians win 6 gold to dominate Taiwan Open athletics
including
in women’s 800m
and long jump competition, on the second and final day of Taiwan Open international athletics championship at Taipei City.
T
champion Vithya Ramraj, Rohit
Y a d a v , P
and Annu Rani won the gold medal in their respective events in an impressive outing by the Indian contingent Also winning gold was the team of Santosh T, Vishal TK,
Manu TS, the quartet finishing on top of the podium in the
championship record of 3:05 58s
campaign on a positive note Y
win silver in the men
confidence after missing out on the 2025 Asian Championships V
strike gold in the women
ranking points for the upcoming W o r l d C
competes in 400 metres hurdles, 400 metres and 4×400 metres relay Before this, she had clocked
56 04s in the Federation Cup final and 56 46s in the Asian Championship final Rohit could not breach the 75m mark in the men ’ s javelin throw competition but a best throw of 74 42m was enough for him to claim gold in the event
with an effort of 73 95m
800m final with a championship
in brief
record time of 2:02 79s to edge p a s t c
2:06 96s to clinch silver Krishan Kumar then came back from behind to win the top prize in the men ’ s 800m final with a time of 1:48 46s, which is also a new championship record In the women ’ s javelin final
l a t e r i n t h e d a y , A n n u R a n i struck gold after she threw the spear at a distance of 56 82m
T h e I n d
metre throw was enough for her to finish ahead of silver winner H
L a n k a a n d Taipei’s Pin-Hsun Chu (53 03m) In the women ’ s long jump e v
(6 41m) and Ancy Sojan (6 39m) then won the silver and bronze m e d a
Amidzovski (6 49m), who won the gold medal
Sikh businessman acquires UK's first football club
Swathi Anil
A ft er a l ong wait, t he Engl ish
F o ot b a l l Le a g u e (E FL ) ha s o ff ic ia l l y a pp r ov e d t h e
a c q ui si t i on o f Mo r e ca m b e
F o ot b a l l Cl ub b y P a n j a b
Wa rriors, a group spe arhea ded b y visiona ry Kuljeet Sin gh Momi
T h is g r o un d -b r e a k in g mo v e
e st ablishes Mor eca mb e FC a s the
f ir s t UK fo ot b a l l cl ub t o b e owned b y a Sikh, ma rking a tr ul y h i st o r ic mo m e n t in B r it i sh
footbal l Panjab Warriors has been a
c r u c i a l f i n a n c i a l s u p p o r t e r o f
Morecambe FC since mid-2024
T h e f i n a l i s a t i o n o f t h e d e a l , anticipated in the coming days, is set to usher in a new era for the
L e a g u e T w o s i d e M o m i , a r e s p e c t e d b u s i n e s s m a n a n d
p h i l a n t h r o p i s t , s u c c e s s f u l l y navigated all regulatory checks, f o l l o w i n g a p r e v i o u s l y unsuccessful bid by Sarb Johal of
S a r b C a p i t a l G u r p r e e t S i n g h , H e a d o f C o m m u n i c a t i o n s f o r P a n j a b W a r r i o r s , e m p h a s i s e d t h a t t h i s a c q u i s i t i o n i s " m o r e than a business venture; it's a
c o m m i t m e n t t o t h e f a n s , t h e t o w n , a n d t h e f u t u r e o f M o r e c a m b e F C " T h e n e w o w n e r s h i p ' s v i s i o n i s d e e p l y r o o t e d i n s u s t a i n a b i l i t y , i n c l u s i v i t y , a n d l o n g - t e r m g r o w t h T h e y h a v e p l e d g e d s i g n i f i c a n t i n v e s t m e n t i n t h e c l u b ' s f u t
c o m p a s
y o u t h d e v e l o p m e n t , infrastructure, and crucial fan engagement initiatives Momi's overarching goal is to cultivate
Southampton's Karia
brothers maintain unbeaten boxing records in Thailand
Southam pton's boxing prodigies ,
t riplet s, who began their b oxing journey at the age of two, have had to c om
long-term success while h
n o r i n g M
c o m m u n i t y r o o t s H e passionately stated, “This is about pride, purpose and progress, not just for t h e c l u b , b u t f o r t h e community”
T h e S h r i m p s T r u s t , representing Morecambe F C s u p p o r t e r s , h a s w a r m l y w e l
e x p r e s s e d p a r t i c u l a r encouragement regarding Panjab Warriors' stated commitment to
factor they believe is absolutely essential for the beloved club's
te inter na tionall y due to profes sional boxing regul ations in their home country prohibiting t eenagers under 18 f rom pr of ess ional bouts Their re cent trium phs took plac e a t the World Siam Stadium in Bangkok Vijayraj now boasts a 5-0 record after defeating 30-year-old Wisitsak Saiwaew by unanimous decision On the same evening, Yuvraj achieved his sixth victory, besting Adisak Ketpiam, who was in his 31st match, also by unanimous decision Yuvraj's prior wins include three by TKO and two by judge's decision He attributed his ‘ easy ’ fight experience to intense training, which allowed him to remain relaxed and composed Yuvraj focused on evading his opponent's powerful shots Fighting before a large crowd in Thailand, Vijayraj shared his method for handling pressure, noting that unlike many fighters who claim not to hear anything in the ring, he can hear everything He explained that starting at a young age has taught him to "juggle all those things and still stay composed and deal with the task at hand " The Karia brothers initially honed their skills at Stuart Gill's Golden Ring Boxing Club in Millbrook from the age of 10 They are currently coached by the respected veteran Dominic Ingle at The Ingle Club, where they have trained for the past 18 months
world as a major stride forward for South Asian representation in sport This historic takeover not
Woakes named in England squad for India test
Fast bow ler Chris Woakes w as named in a 14-m an Eng land squ ad to take on Ind ia in th e first of the fiv e T ests to be played from J une 20 at Leeds The 3 6-year-o ld Woakes, who h as 181 wickets and 1 ,970 runs from 57 Tests so far, played a major ro le in a big E ng land win o ver Ind ia at Lo rd’ s in the 2018 series He scored an unbeaten 13 7 and took four wickets in th e match to help England win by an inning s and 159 runs
Jamie Overton returned to the Test fold for the first time since his maiden appearance against New Zealand in June 2022, even though he sustained a fracture to his right little finger on M a y 2 9 d
Birmingham The 31-year-old Overton, who also played in the IPL for Chennai Super Kings, “continues to be assessed and reviewed daily by the England medical team”, the ECB said on their website
The England squad led by Ben Stokes features a lone spinner in Shoaib Bashir, who took nine wickets in their win against Zimbabwe in the only Test played earlier this summer Young batter Jacob Bethell, who played for eventual IPL winners RCB, and seamer Sam Cook, who made his debut against Zimbabwe, were also named in the squad
England’s national selector Luke Wright said star pacer Jofra Archer could return for the second Test, four years after his last appearance in the traditional format The second Test of the five-match series is scheduled to be held from July 2-6 at Edgbaston
England squad: Ben Stokes (c), Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Sam Cook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jamie Overton, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jamie Smith (wk), Josh Tongue, Chris Woakes
INDIAN WOMEN WIN BRONZE IN ICE HOCKEY ASIA CUP
The Indian women's ice hockey team won the bronze medal at the 2025 IIHF Women’s Asia Cup held in Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates Of the 20-member squad, 19 players are from Ladakh and one from Himachal Pradesh This victory came nearly a decade after India made its international debut in 2016 In the 2025 edition, India competed against five other nations, playing a total of five matches, winning three and losing two, with a goal tally of 13 scored and 16 conceded securing third place on the podium Tsewang Chuskit captain of the team says “Ice hockey is officially recognised as the state sport of Ladakh Since childhood we’ve seen this game being played by locals and the Indian Army on frozen lakes Today, it has become an international sport, and playing at this level feels like a dream come true Winning a medal was important because ice hockey is still not widely played across India - it s mostly limited to North Indian regions But gradually, it’s starting to gain attention in other states as well Our victory will help spread awareness about the sport across the country, encouraging players from all states to participate We hope many will feel inspired and take interest in playing ice hockey ”
NEERAJ CHOPRA CLASSIC TO BE HELD IN BENGALURU ON JULY 5
The Neeraj Chopra Classic (NCC) 2025 which was postponed from May 24 due to security reasons is set to take place on July 5 at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru
We re happy to confirm its (Neeraj Chopra Classic meet) return on July 5 The energy around this event is bigger than ever, and we re set to deliver a celebration of javelin that s bolder, better, and even more unforgettable, Karan Yadav, chief commercial officer, JSW Sports, said This meet, India’s first-ever international javelin competition, is spearheaded by world champion Neeraj Chopra in collaboration with JSW Sports and the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) A World Athletics sanctioned ‘Gold’ event, the meet will feature a stellar lineup of elite javelin throwers, making it a significant event for India Ticket prices for the star-studded event ranges from Rs 199 to 9 999 There will be five corporate boxes accommodating 15 guests each at Rs 44 999 There will be a special stand alongside the thrower’s runway which is priced at Rs 9 999 while another special stand located just behind the runway will be available for Rs 2,999 Previously purchased tickets remain valid for those who have not claimed a refund, the organizers added Meanwhile, official sources said the maintenance work at the stadium is nearing completion “Repairs are being done to improve the track and seating area We were on track to get the venue ready for the original date but got slowed down following the postponement Now that the fresh dates are announced we will get the stadium ready in another two weeks,” sources said
DHONI IS INDIA’S 11TH CRICKETER IN ICC HALL OF FAME
India’s World Cup winning captain MS Dhoni was inducted in the ICC Hall of Fame during a ceremony in London on Monday becoming the 11th Indian cricketer to join the illustrious company The International Cricket Council will be inducting seven cricketers - five men and two women - in its Hall of Fame 2025
