AV 20th December 2025

FIRST & FOREMOST ASIAN WEEKLY IN EUROPE

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20 - 26 DECEMBER 2025

Let noble thoughts come to us from every side

VOL 54 - ISSUE 33

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House of Lords welcomes five new Asian peers

LOCAL CHAMPIONS INSPIRE COMMUNITY HOPE Anusha Singh

Full story on page 04

Deepavali added to UNESCO Intangible Heritage List

Shashi and Pallu Patel of Meet & Deep Newsagents

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This year, as Britain faces ongoing economic challenges, Christmas feels more like a time of silent worry than joy for many people. The holiday comes amid a long-lasting cost-of-living crisis, increasing homelessness, and what is widely called a loneliness epidemic.

During periods like these, support from the community plays a vital role. Members of the British Asian community, alongside charities, faith organisations, and volunteer groups, are offering services such companionship, hot food, warm clothing and shelter to people across Britain throughout the festive season.

Continued on page 15

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Wishing our readers, subscribers, advertisers, contributors, supporters and well-wishers a joyful Christmas and a prosperous New Year!

Please note, our offices will remain closed from Wednesday 24 till Sunday 28 December 2025, so there will be no Asian Voice edition for 27 December 2025.

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20 - 26 December 2025

Rishi Sunak feared UK funding crisis during Covid Rishi Sunak told the Covid19 pandemic inquiry that he was deeply concerned about the UK’s ability to fund itself in the early weeks of the crisis, after the government announced emergency measures costing tens of billions of pounds to prevent mass unemployment.

Sunak, who had only just become chancellor when the first national lockdown was imposed in March 2020, said financial markets reacted with alarming speed. He feared foreign investors were questioning Britain’s ability to pay its way, even more than other countries facing similar shocks.

Describing the period

Rishi Sunak

as “acutely stressful”, Sunak said government borrowing costs rose sharply within weeks, while the UK gilt market came under severe pressure by April 2020. “I’d been chancellor for what felt like five seconds and financial conditions had already tightened materially,” he told the inquiry.

As a safeguard, the Treasury and the Bank of

England agreed to revive the “ways and means” facility, effectively a temporary overdraft allowing the government to borrow directly from the central bank if bond markets seized up.

The backstop, last used during the financial crisis, was never needed. Instead, the Bank of England expanded quantitative easing, creating £200bn to buy government bonds and stabilise markets.

Sunak said interventions such as the furlough scheme, though costly, were essential to prevent mass unemployment and social unrest, with projections suggesting joblessness could have risen to 12% without action.

Sajid Javid criticises Boris Johnson in new interview Sajid Javid recently told the Institute for Government how he branded Boris Johnson a puppet of Dominic Cummings, the Chief advisor of Johnson before resigning as Chancellor in 2020.

Javid quit after refusing to dismiss his Treasury advisers for a Cummings-led team, warning Johnson that he was being manipulated.

Serving three prime minis-

Sajid Javid

ters over eight years, Javid

described Johnson as the least well-briefed leader compared to David Cameron and Theresa May. He resigned again in 2022 after losing confidence in Johnson over ‘party gate’ falsehoods. Javid explained how he felt misled by the administration, concluding that a cabinet cannot function when the centre provides inaccurate information.

Shabana Mahmood credits faith for her public service Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood told Sir Tony Blair at a Christmas event hosted by his Institute for Global Change in central London that her religious faith is a driving force behind her political career.

As the first Muslim woman to hold the role, she said her belief in God motivates her commitment to public service and helps her withstand online abuse. The

Shabana Mahmood

Birmingham Ladywood MP described life as a test of

how individuals use the privileges they are given.

Just 96 days into her tenure, Mahmood is overseeing major asylum reforms while navigating the intense pressures of the Home Office in a bid to improve lives across the UK. During the event, Sir Tony praised Mahmood as “brilliant” and “impressive,” effectively endorsing her as a future Labour leader.

UK report suggests high rate in female foetuses killing A UK government analysis released on December 11, suggests that some Indian-origin parents may be performing sex-selective abortions due to a cultural preference for sons.

The Office for Health Improvement and Disparity examined data from 2017 to 2021, uncovering a significant imbalance of 113 males per 100 females for third-born children. Officials esti-

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mate that approximately 400 female foetuses were aborted in England and Wales during this fiveyear period to ensure male offspring.

Because sex-selective abortion is a criminal offence, the Department of Health and Social Care has reiterated that such illegal practices will not be tolerated.

One in five women felt ignored in childbirth Almost one in five women say their concerns were not taken seriously by healthcare professionals during childbirth, according to troubling findings from a national maternity survey.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) surveyed nearly 17,000 women who gave birth in NHS settings across England this year. It found that 18 per cent felt their worries were

dismissed, while 15 per cent said they did not receive appropriate advice or support when first contacting a midwife at the onset of labour. One in ten women reported being left alone at a time that caused concern, including 7 per cent during the later stages of labour.

Valerie Amos, who is leading a national investigation into maternity services, described the experiences

highlighted as “unacceptable”, pointing to poor communication, a lack of empathy and, in some cases, discrimination against women from ethnic minority and working-class backgrounds.

The survey also revealed gaps in postnatal care, with only 57 per cent saying they could always access staff support after birth, while one in ten received no help at all.

UK reaffirms neutral position on Kashmir The British government has reiterated its long-standing stance on Kashmir, stating that the issue should be resolved by India and Pakistan, with due regard for the wishes of the Kashmiri people. The position was restated during a Westminster Hall debate in Parliament.

Hamish Falconer, a minister at the Foreign,

Commonwealth and Development Office, outlined the government’s view during a debate on “Kashmir: Self-determination”, secured

by Labour MP Imran Hussain. Hussain, who represents Bradford East, an area with a significant British Pakistani population, questioned whether the UK considers Kashmir a bilateral matter between India and

Pakistan or an international issue.

Falconer responded by reaffirming the government’s established position, saying it is for India and Pakistan to reach a lasting settlement, taking into account the aspirations of the Kashmiri people. He added that the UK’s approach is rooted in diplomacy and respect for human rights.

Asian business leaders top political donation lists Recent Electoral Commission data for the third quarter of 2025 reveals that prominent Asian entrepreneurs and businesses have become primary financial backers for UK political parties.

Donations from the Asian community were primarily directed toward the Conservative Party and the Liberal Democrats. Individual standout Sunaina Haldea contributed £50,000 to the Tories, while property firm Westcombe Developments, linked to Kamal Pankhania

kamal-pankhania

Koolesh Shah

provided £100,000.

Other significant Conservative supporters included Malik Karim with £28,000 and Koolesh Shah’s London Town Group with

£50,000. Meanwhile, Sudhir Choudhrie maintained his long-term support for the Liberal Democrats with a combined contribution of £27,499.

Donald Trump targets Sadiq Khan yet again London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan has declared that Donald Trump is obsessed with him following the US President’s latest verbal assault in a recent interview.

Trump branded Khan disgusting and a disaster, claiming London has decayed due to immigration and the mayor’s ideology.

Khan dismissed these comments as “sticks and stones,” questioning why the President lacked more pressing priorities. While Khan suggested Americans are moving to London to embrace liberal values, Downing Street refused to

Donald Trump

Sadiq Khan

explicitly condemn Trump’s rhetoric.

A spokesman for Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasised the necessity of maintaining a strong transatlantic partnership for trade and security. This

long-standing feud continues as European leaders struggle to balance domestic loyalty with the diplomatic need to remain on Trump’s good side through strategic flattery and cooperation.

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Not in the name of faith!

India’s nomination of ‘Deepavali, the festival of light’ was added to UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List for 2025, following inclusion of West Bengal’s Durga Puja in the past. The list highlights living traditions, skills, and practices across five areas: oral traditions, performing arts, social practices and festivals, nature and universe knowledge, and traditional craftsmanship. These elements help preserve cultural identity and diversity. India now has 15 items on the list, such as Kumbh Mela, Durga Puja, Garba dance, yoga, Vedic chanting, and Ramlila. At this year’s session in Red Fort, India also nominated Bihar’s Chhat Puja for future consideration.

Diwali represents the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil, themes that feel particularly meaningful today.

Similarly, Chanukah—the Jewish Festival of Lights— symbolises hope and the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem after the Maccabean Revolt, celebrating light overcoming darkness and freedom. Chanukah is observed for eight days with nightly menorah (chanukiah) lighting, special prayers, and commemorates the miracle where oil meant for one day lasted eight.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer marked the beginning of Chanukah by posting warm wishes to families across the UK and around the world on his official X account, expressing hopes that the ‘Festival of Lights’ brings hope, peace, and comfort. He ended his message with the traditional greeting "Chanukah Sameach". However, this post followed a tragic incident where gunmen opened fire at a Chanukah event in Bondi Beach, Sydney, Australia, fuelling heated reactions online.

During his term, former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak held a Chanukah reception, but Keir Starmer is likely the first Labour

Prime Minister to formally mark the holiday by lighting a candle with his wife at No 10 (see page 05 for more details). In his speech, he offered condolences to those affected by the Bondi Beach terrorist attack, their families, and the Jewish community, affirming that light will always triumph over darkness.

At an Inter-Faith Week event at No 10 in November, Prime Minister Starmer spoke passionately to Asian Voice about his concerns regarding social cohesion in the UK. Addressing more than 100 guests from various faiths, he acknowledged the recent strains on relationships between different religious communities and voiced alarm over attacks on places of worship.

As global violence in the name of religion increases, Britain and India are enhancing their "counter-terrorism" cooperation, especially after recent clashes between India and Pakistan. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer delivered a united stance against terrorism, emphasising the need for consistency when confronting extremism.

After meeting at the Chequers Estate in July 2025, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi thanked PM Starmer for the UK's strong condemnation of the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, which claimed 26 lives. Modi stated, “We are united in our view that there can be no place for double standards in the fight against terrorism.”

He further remarked, “We also agree that groups with extremist ideologies must not be permitted to exploit democratic freedoms. Those who misuse democracy to undermine it must be held accountable.” This statement was widely interpreted as a subtle reference to pro-Khalistani activities worldwide too.

Trump eyes India, China, Russia and Japan in new global power play Recently, US President Donald Trump’s changing approach to the G7, G20 and Europe has shaken the global order. He is now considering a new global forum called the C5 or Core Five, which would bring together the US, China, Russia, India and Japan, while moving away from traditional Western-led groups like the G7 and G20.

Last week, the US released its 33-page National Security Strategy, which introduced the C5 concept. The idea is to position India, the world’s most populous country; China a manufacturing leader; Japan, an economic powerhouse; and Russia, militarily strong, in a new strategic framework.

Trump appears to be using this grouping to restore America’s declining influence on the global stage.

Once-powerful European nations like Britain, Germany, Italy Spain and Portugal are losing their influence. Their economic growth is slowing, and they increasingly depend on the US for defence. In this situation, America can no longer rely on Europe alone to maintain global dominance.

On December 7, the United States removed Russia’s designation as a ‘direct threat’ in its 29-page update to the national security strategy. The document described Trump's approach to foreign policy as “flexible realism” and emphasised that future US policies will be guided primarily by what benefits America—summed up as “America First.”

The statement explained, “The US strategy is motivated above all by what works for America—or, in two words, ‘America first’”. President Trump has frequently spoken positively about Russian President Vladimir Putin, leading critics

to accuse him of being lenient toward Moscow, despite his administration maintaining sanctions over Russia’s activities in Ukraine.

European allies, who depend on US military support to counter Russia, have paid close attention to this change and expressed concern that the softer tone from Washington could undermine efforts to confront Moscow while the war in Ukraine persists.

With India’s population of around 1.4 billion and its fastgrowing economy, China’s leadership in manufacturing and AI, and Russia’s nuclear and military strength, the US cannot compete using traditional strategies alone. Additionally, the rising influence of organisations like the SCO and BRICS, which include India, China and Russia, has prompted Trump to consider a separate strategic approach to balance these emerging powers.

To maintain its global dominance, Trump seems to see the need for a hard-power alliance like the C5. India, Russia, China and Japan are not only large in population but also strong militarily and influential globally. The C5 concept shows that the US now plans to partner with the powerful rather than the weak to maintain its influence worldwide.

America recognises that in the 21st century, India, China and Japan will emerge as superpowers in Asia, while in Europe, no one can effectively challenge Russia. This is why the US seeks to include India, Russia and China in a privileged circle. Marginalising Europe will not hurt America, and it remains to be seen how successful this strategic move will be.

Lessons for respecting women begin at home In the UK, the government is taking steps to combat violence and hatred towards women by ensuring that respect for women is taught from a young age. This subject will now be included in the school curriculum. Violence against women continues to be one of the country's most critical human rights and public safety issues. In societies where men are often dominant, women are frequently perceived as vulnerable and targeted without justification. The idea that men hold authority over women has been present for generations, and even Britain—often seen as highly civilised—is not immune to these problems.

Respect and dignity for women are signs of a truly civilised society, yet even advanced Western nations are not free from this social ill. In Britain, the government has taken several steps to reduce violence and crimes against women.

Laws have been strengthened to address domestic abuse, the Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy has been introduced to prevent exploitation, and specialist police units are being established to deal with sexual offences.

A central question persists: can legislation alone ensure that women are afforded respect and dignity within society?

The current Starmer administration has introduced plans to incorporate education on respect and dignity for women into the early stages of adolescent development. For the United Kingdom the necessity of such initiatives highlights ongoing societal challenges. Genuine respect for women is cultivated through foundational values and upbringing, ideally commencing at home under the guidance of parents and

elders from early childhood. When attitudes of inequality towards women are modelled within the household, children may internalise these beliefs into adulthood, influencing their perceptions beyond the family unit and impacting broader societal views. Addressing this issue calls for a coordinated approach, requiring collaboration among government, institutions, and society with mutual responsibility and ongoing dedication.

Domestic violence remains a pressing problem throughout Britain. When women experience such abuse silently, it impedes the growth of genuine respect and dignity towards women in the minds of younger generations. To nurture respect for women, proactive measures to prevent violence against them are crucial. Communities must confront ingrained patriarchal attitudes while encouraging fair and respectful relationships within families. In addition, schools, community groups, workplaces, and the media play a vital part in challenging gender prejudice and fostering positive conduct. Combating violence against women in the UK necessitates a thorough and multifaceted strategy to address these deeply embedded challenges.

Women of all ages, backgrounds, and social strata are affected by this issue. Many endure domestic violence, harassment, sexual assault, and honour-related crimes— wrongs that stem from deep-seated social and cultural inequalities. Societal structures that give men authority often result in women being viewed as subordinate, leaving them vulnerable to control, abuse, and exploitation.

Thought for the week "It is not the years in your life but the life in your years that counts."

— Adlai Stevenson

Political Sketchbook Alpesh Patel

The Reaction to Terror – India and UK When one faith is attacked, the instinctive human reaction is often tribal: to identify the attacker with a broader religious group and to retaliate symbolically, rhetorically or politically.

History shows how easily grievance becomes generalisation and how quickly moral outrage collapses into collective blame.

Britain’s long and often painful experience of religious conflict has produced a set of values designed precisely to resist this reflex. India too has had the same painful experience, not of course Christian against Christian as in Britain (Protestent/Catholic wars) or indeed Hindu v Hindu wars (no such civil wars am I aware of) but Islam/Hindu conflict.

1. Individual Responsibility Over Collective Guilt At the heart of British political morality lies a rejection of collective blame.

This principle emerged from centuries of religious conflict, from the Reformation to the English Civil War, where entire communities were punished for the actions of a few.

British justice is founded on individual responsibility.

Crimes are committed by persons, not by religions.

This distinction is central to common law and underpins the rejection of guilt by association.

To attack a faith because one of its adherents commits a crime is to abandon the moral core of British legal reasoning.

This principle is not merely legal but ethical. It reflects the Enlightenment belief, articulated by John Locke, that individuals are moral agents accountable for their own actions. India too through it’s secular Constitution does not provide for the primacy of one faith, those that wished primacy, left in 1947 to form their own Constitution.

2. The Rule of Law as a Moral Restraint British values insist that justice be administered by law, not emotion. And so in India. Indeed, Indian roots of jurisprudence predate even Emperor Ashoka and find their political culture in the wisdom of the Vedas.

The rule of law is not simply a procedural mechanism; it is a civilising force that prevents society from responding to violence with vengeance.

In moments of religiously charged attack, public emotion often demands immediate moral clarity.

British tradition responds differently: it channels outrage into due process. Courts, not crowds, determine guilt.

Evidence, not identity, determines responsibility.

This legal restraint prevents moral contagion. It ensures that punishment does not spill beyond the perpetrator to innocent members of a religious community.

In this sense, the rule of law functions as a barrier against the ancient instinct of retaliatory blame. It’s why Indians didn’t respond as the terrorists wanted after Pahalgam. It’s why India waited for a Supreme Court ruling over Ayodhya. The rule of law is ingrained in the political culture of the nation.

3. Restraint as a Moral Virtue Perhaps the most underappreciated British value is restraint. British political culture has long prized understatement, proceduralism and emotional moderation.

This is often caricatured as aloofness, but in moments of religious tension it serves a vital function.

Restraint prevents escalation. It slows reaction, allowing reflection to replace impulse.

Edmund Burke argued that civilisation depends not on the absence of passion but on its discipline. The Bhagavad Gita makes the same point centuries earlier.

British values encourage precisely this discipline: the refusal to let outrage dictate collective punishment.

This does not mean suppressing condemnation of violence. It means resisting the temptation to turn condemnation into cultural hostility.

It is with such restraint, under principles of international law of self-defence (Article 51, UN Charter) the Indian Government attacked terror bases in Pakistan under Operation Sindoor. The US invoked the Article in Syria.

Turkey invokes it in Iraq. Iran invokes it in Pakistan.

Pakistan’s response to India was outside the law, it was retaliatory, indiscriminate, disproportionate and to be expected.

The advantage of the conflict revealed Chinese strategy and capability. It revealed nothing about the West beyond what was already known.

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20 - 26 December 2025

House of Lords welcomes five new Asian peers South Asian representation in the House of Lords has evolved slowly but significantly, mirroring broader shifts in British society while still falling short of truly reflecting the country’s diversity.

For much of its history, the upper

chamber remained overwhelmingly white, with voices from minority ethnic communities largely absent until the closing decades of the 20th century.

Change began to take root with reforms such as the House of Lords Act 1999. By removing most

hereditary peers and expanding life peerages, the legislation opened the doors to individuals appointed for professional excellence, public service and community leadership rather than lineage alone.

From the early 2000s, this shift led to a gradual

Uday Nagaraju - Technology Consultant, Politician and Founder of AI Policy Labs Uday Nagaraju is a technology consultant, politician, Labour adviser, and AI policy advocate with a deep commitment to harnessing Artificial Intelligence (AI) for the public good. He was Labour’s Parliamentary Candidate for North Bedfordshire and has served pro bono as an adviser within the Party’s External Relations team.

Born in Hyderabad, India, He earned a Bachelor's degree in Computer Technology before moving to the UK in early 2000s, where he completed an MSc in Computer Science at Oxford Brookes University and a Master of Public Administration (MPA) in Development, Technology and Innovation Policy at UCL.

Public service has been a constant thread throughout his career, whether advancing sustainable development, strengthening UK-India relations, engaging with communities, or ensuring the quality of technology systems.

In an era where AI and emerging technologies are transforming the world at pace, Uday founded and lead AI Policy Labs, a startup think tank at the intersection of technology, gov-

ernance, and public policy.

He has also delivered guest lectures at UCL and spoken/written on AI and Technology Policy.

He led the Mahatma Gandhi Future Leaders Programme - a mentorship initiative nurturing political leadership among British Indians in the Labour Party. The programme has successfully supported candidates into parliamentary, mayoral, and councillor roles.

About being granted peerage, he said, “It is an honour to serve in the UK Parliament. I hope to bring my wide-ranging experience – from grassroots activism to global policy, from business and charities to international organisations - into the House of Lords to help build a fairer, more inclusive society.”

Professor Geeta Nargund - Founder and former Medical Director of Create Fertility, Founder and Trustee of Health Equality Foundation Professor Geeta Nargund is a women's health expert, academic, founder, diversity champion and a campaigner for gender equality. She has held senior leadership positions across public, private and voluntary sectors. She has served as a Senior Consultant Gynaecologist and Lead Consultant in Reproductive Medicine at St George’s Hospital NHS Trust since 1996.

Nargund studied medicine at Karnatak Medical College (now the Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences) in Hubli, India, before completing her postgraduate training

with the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in London.

She is Pro-Chancellor of the University of Portsmouth, Vice Chair of British Red Cross and Authority Member of the Human Fertilisation and

Embryology Authority, Chair of The Pipeline, a gender parity consultancy and sits on the International Advisory Board of The Lancet Obstetrics, Gynaecology & Women’s Health.

She is the Founder of Create Fertility and served as its Medical Director until July 2025. She is the Founder and Trustee of Health Equality Foundation (formerly known as Create Health Foundation). She has dedicated her career to tackling wider health inequalities and improving access to reproductive choices and care globally.

rise in ethnic minority representation. In 2001, just over 2 per cent of peers came from minority backgrounds; by the late 2010s, that figure had climbed to around 6 per cent, progress, but still well below the share of ethnic minorities in the UK population.

Now, a fresh chapter is unfolding. Downing Street has published a new list of political peerages, including 25 Labour appointments, five Liberal Democrats and three Conservatives.

Notably, five of the new Labour peers are from the British Asian community:

four of Indian origin and one of Pakistani heritage, marking another step towards a more representative House, even as the journey towards true balance continues.

Here’s everything you need to know about the new peers.

Neena Gill CBE – Former Member of the European Parliament for the West Midlands Neena Gill CBE is a senior British Labour Party politician who served as a Member of the European Parliament for the West Midlands from 1999 to 2009 and again from 2014 until 2020. Born in Ludhiana, Punjab, India, she moved to the UK with her family at the age of ten.

Gill’s first job was in a library at 16, and she went on to study social studies at Liverpool John Moores University, graduating in 1979 and serving as vice president of the students’ union. She later gained a professional postgraduate qualification from the Chartered Institute of

Housing and completed the senior executive programme at London Business School.

Her career began in housing and local govern-

ment, becoming a housing officer at Ealing Council before, aged just 29, being appointed chief executive of ASRA Group. This made her the first woman, first non-white and youngest chief executive of a UK housing association. She later led Newlon Housing Group.

Elected in 1999 as the first female Asian MEP, Gill went on to hold senior roles in the European Parliament, including leading delegations for relations with India and South Asia. Her public service has been recognised with the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman.

Cllr Shama Tatler - Brent Councillor and Vice-Chair of the London Labour Regional Executive, Patron of the Labour Housing Group and Head of the Labour Group Office at the Local Government Association Councillor Shama Tatler is a prominent British Labour politician with a strong track record in local government, regional party leadership and national politics.

First elected to Brent Council in 2014, she serves the residents of Kingsbury ward and has been a notable voice for community development and inclusive growth in north-west London.

Tatler’s early career was in education, she worked as a secondary school history and humanities teacher before entering politics. Her dedication to public service soon

saw her rise within the Labour Party and local government. In 2016 she was appointed to the Brent Council Cabinet, where she took on responsibility for Regeneration, Planning and Growth, leading major projects.

Beyond her council duties, Tatler has played a significant role within the

Labour Party’s regional structures.

She serves as ViceChair of the London Labour Regional Executive and is a patron of the Labour Housing Group, helping to shape policy on housing and local government across the capital.

She also worked as Head of the Labour Group Office at the Local Government Association (LGA), supporting councillors and councils nationwide.

Shama Tatler, daughter of Shilesh Kantilal Shah and Kalavanti Shilesh Shah, is a single mother and deeply involved in community engagement.

Farmida Bi CBE - Chair of Norton Rose Fulbright LLP, Vice-Chair of the Disasters Emergency Committee Farmida Bi’s career is marked by quiet authority, resilience and a succession of landmark achievements. A leading corporate solicitor, she has established a formidable reputation at the highest levels of the legal profession, becoming the UK’s first woman to chair a major law firm and

one of the most influential Muslim figures in Britain.

Born in Pakistan on 2 September 1967, Bi moved to the UK at the age of six.

By her teens she had resolved to pursue law as both a vocation and a platform for wider impact.

That determination led her to Downing College,

University of Cambridge, where she studied law and graduated in 1989 with a Master of Laws.

She trained and qualified as a solicitor at Clifford Chance in 1992, before building an internationally focused career. Bi went on to work at JPMorgan and Cleary Gottlieb Steen &

Hamilton, later qualifying as a New York attorney in 1999. In 2002, she became a partner at Denton Wilde Sapte, spending six years there before joining Norton Rose Fulbright.

In 2018, Bi was appointed Chair of Norton Rose Fulbright’s Europe, Middle East and Africa region, the first

woman to hold such a role at a major UK firm. She later served as Global Chair in 2022. Alongside her professional achievements, Bi has remained committed to public life, founding Progressive British Muslims in the immediate aftermath of the 7/7 London bombings.

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King’s cancer message sparks screening surge Public interest in cancer screening has surged following the King’s recent health update, according to a leading charity.

Cancer Research UK said its newly launched Screening Checker tool has drawn around 100,000 users since 5 December, with the vast majority accessing it after King Charles spoke about his treatment during Friday’s Stand Up To Cancer live show. The online tool helps people understand which cancer screening programmes they are eligible for through the NHS and Northern Ireland’s Public Health Agency.

Michelle Mitchell, chief

King Charles III

executive of Cancer Research UK, said the response highlighted the power of open conversations about cancer, adding that taking a few minutes to review screening options

could save lives. In a video message, the King said early diagnosis had allowed him to continue leading a full and active life while undergoing treatment.

He also expressed concern that at least nine million people in the UK are not up to date with available screenings, and paid tribute to the professionals and volunteers supporting cancer patients nationwide.

(The Asian Women’s Cancer Group has recently achieved charity Status and offers support and information to patients, their families, carers, and friends as they navigate cancer. Read more on page 8.)

This year, Sir Keir Starmer and his wife Victoria, who is Jewish, marked Chanukah by lighting a candle on their family menorah in the window of 10 Downing Street, also sending their “thoughts and prayers” to those killed at Bondi.

Chanukah celebrations at Downing Street have become a powerful symbol of Britain’s recognition of Jewish life and faith. While engagement with the Jewish community stretches back decades, formal Chanukah receptions emerged in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. Successive prime ministers, including Tony Blair, David Cameron, Theresa May, Boris Johnson and Rishi

Picture by Simon Dawson / No 10 Downing Street

Chanukah Celebrations at 10 Downing Street

Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Victoria Starmer light a candle on the family Menorah and place it in the window of 10 Downing Street

Sunak, have hosted events featuring menorah lighting, blessings and reaffirmations

of the UK’s commitment to combating antisemitism and upholding religious freedom.

Schools to teach boys respect for women Schools will be required to teach boys how to respect women and girls under new government plans aimed at tackling misogyny and male violence.

As part of a wide-ranging violence against women and girls strategy, lessons will focus on challenging sexist language and behaviour, promoting healthy relationships, and

encouraging pupils to call out misogyny among their peers.

Teachers and parents will also receive official guidance to help identify early signs that children are being influenced by online misogynistic figures. The strategy, a key Labour election pledge, will be published this week following a series of announcements by

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, with the goal of halving violence against women and girls within a decade.

Prevention efforts will target boys and young men in schools, homes and online spaces. Families will also be encouraged to play a central role in shaping respectful attitudes from an early age.

UK cancels visa of Pakistani extremist influencer Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has revoked the UK visa of Pakistani influencer Tuaha Ibn Jalil, who was due to begin a speaking tour this week, following the exposure of his extremist remarks by The Times.

Jalil, who helps run Youth Club Pakistan and has two million Instagram followers, had planned to speak at mosques, community centres, a university, and a state school. His previous comments called for “jihad” against Israel and

Tuaha Ibn Jalil

promoted antisemitic conspiracies, including claims

that Jews control global finance and media.

A Home Office source confirmed the visa cancellation, effectively banning him from entering the UK. Jalil’s organisation has hosted banned preachers, including Bilal Philips.

Before the visa revocation, BPP University had paused promotion of his scheduled talk, while the UK government faced calls from security experts, including Lord Walney, to block his entry immediately.

King’s College London hosts the Indo-Pacific Conference 2025 The third Indo-Pacific Conference was held in London, bringing together senior policymakers, scholars and industry leaders to examine the future of cooperation in an increasingly fragmented world.

The event was co-hosted by the High Commission of India in the UK, the Australian High Commission, and the Singapore High Commission, in partnership with King’s College London’s Centre for Statecraft and National Security. Centred on the theme “Re-thinking Cooperation in a Fragmented World”, discussions explored how shifting geopolitics, geoeconomics and rapid technological change are reshaping the Indo-Pacific and the wider global strategic landscape.

Opening the conference, Professor Shitij Kapur underscored the urgency of international dialogue, followed by a keynote address

(L-R) Prof Shitij Kapur, H.E. Vikram Doraiswami, Seema Malhotra, HE Stephen Smith, HE Ng Teck

from Seema Malhotra MP, who highlighted that growing global fragmentation makes strong, trusted partnerships more critical than ever.

The first session at King’s College London, chaired by Professor Alessio Patalano, featured Professor Sir Lawrence Freedman, Dr Lavina Lee, Ashok Malik and Professor Danny Quah, who analysed the Indo-Pacific’s evolving role in global economic and security dynamics.

A second session at India House, chaired by Professor John Bew CMG, brought together High Commissioner Vikram

Doraiswami, HE Stephen Smith and HE Ng Teck Hean to reflect on national strategies, UK partnerships and opportunities for deeper regional cooperation.

The final session at Australia House, chaired by Sophia Gaston, focused on stability, resilience and inclusive growth, with panellists emphasising technology, climate and energy as key pillars of future collaboration.

Overall, the conference reaffirmed a shared commitment to a free, open, stable and prosperous IndoPacific, underpinned by strategic alignment and multilateral cooperation.

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AS I SEE IT

CB Patel

A

nxiety is a common phenomenon experienced by individuals across all demographics, including age, occupation, and socio-economic status. While its manifestations may vary, anxiety exerts a universal influence. Beyond generating confusion and insecurity, it can also lead to internal conflict, distrust, intolerance, and, in severe cases, overt hostility.

When discussing sensitive topics such as identity, mixed-race children, or gender, the underlying issue is frequently a lack of attention to our shared humanity. If empathy is replaced by fear or inflexible perspectives, communities struggle to appreciate differences and maintain respectful coexistence.

Our relationship with money follows a familiar pattern: when we don’t have enough, we worry about making ends meet, but even having plenty can lead to new forms of stress, insecurity, and a never-ending urge for more.

Earning a six-figure salary or owning investments worth millions doesn’t necessarily guarantee peace of mind.

This isn't something new to our era—human beings have always encountered challenges and uncertainty. The difference lies in how people and communities react. Some let anxiety hold them back, while others see it as a chance to grow: to think more clearly, act with compassion, and move forward with purpose and balance. Progress doesn't come from ignoring anxiety; it comes from understanding it, responding with humanity, and embracing empathy instead of fear.

Anxiety in human nature links to both positive traits, such as vision, hard work, concentration, self-respect, mutual respect, trust, family love, faith, and diligence, and negative traits, including carelessness, irresponsibility, arrogance, dissatisfaction, selfcentredness, hate, envy, and jealousy.

Increasing youth anxiety Recent discussions about stress and anxiety among children have highlighted growing concerns. An article I read focused on school-related stress, noting that anxiety - a natural response to stress - can have both positive and negative impacts. While mild anxiety can be helpful by alerting us to dangers or improving focus, chronic or intense anxiety, as experienced in anxiety disorders, can disrupt daily life and overall well-being.

The article reported that half of secondary students avoided attending school due to anxiety in the past year, with teenagers missing an average of 22 days during the school year. Additionally, it found that girls are 1.6 times more likely than boys to miss school because of anxiety.

School can often seem overwhelming, unsafe, and tiring for students, sometimes causing them to avoid it altogether. Many worry about their appearance, feel judged by others, fear making mistakes or falling behind, and stress over forgetting instructions, missing homework, or being reprimanded.

Reflecting on our childhood, it's clear how much things have changed compared to today. We grew up with very few conveniences: basic schools, limited educational resources, barely any toys, and certainly no internet or mobile phones. Parents would often tell teachers they could discipline us if we didn't study properly. While that may seem harsh now, our childhoods were mostly carefree and content. We found happiness in simple things - a stone could become a toy or inspire endless games. The glow of a

CAUSES AND CONSEQUENCES

TRACING THE JOURNEY FROM FAMILY HOMES TO GLOBAL INFLUENCE lantern brought hand shadows to life as our form of television. Life was uncomplicated but filled with creativity, friendship, and resilience. Being scolded or even physically punished by teachers didn't break our spirit; instead, it seemed to help us cope with pressure and setbacks later on. Today, life looks very different.

Reports of young people experiencing anxiety attacks, depression, and even heart issues at a young age are becoming increasingly common. It often seems as though today’s children are more sensitive and less resilient when facing setbacks or disappointment. Stress tolerance has declined, yet expectations have grown. Alarmingly, there has been a rise in suicidal incidents among children and adolescents - a trend that should concern us all. This situation

prompts tough questions about the pressures we impose on younger generations, the environments we shape for them, and whether trading emotional endurance for material comfort is wise. The lesson from past hardships may not be hardship itself, but rather balance - learning to accept contentment, handle failure and recover, and appreciate simple joys. These values are worth revisiting to support the well-being of future generations.

Today’s complex social and emotional landscape Another significant trend reflecting current social dynamics is the notable increase in legal gender change applications.

According to government data, 1,987 applications for Gender Recognition Certificates were submitted in the year ending September. Of these, 730 applications were made between April and June alone, representing the highest quarterly figure since records began in 2009. This upward trajectory underscores the growing prominence of identity, legal frameworks, and personal recognition in contemporary society, further illustrating the complex social and emotional landscape of the present day.

It’s important to remember that looking after our health is ultimately a personal responsibility. The NHS cannot do it all for us. While it’s understandable to be upset by delays or problems with healthcare services and to voice concerns about what the NHS delivers, we cannot expect it to take on all the responsibility. Our food choices, eating habits, activity levels, lifestyle decisions, and mindset have a major impact on both physical and mental health. A healthier society depends on each person taking responsibility for their wellbeing alongside having an effective healthcare system.

Asset disputes Family conflicts over property and inheritance are increasingly frequent, often exposing complex human dynamics. Recent court cases where assets are unevenly divided show how mistrust can split families and prompt societal reflection.

Family life today is far more complex than it was a generation ago. Many Indians who came to the UK in the 1960s and 1970s arrived with very little and bought modest homes for a few thousand pounds. Through hard work and sacrifice, they built secure lives. Today, those same properties are often worth £500,000 or more, and nearly 83 per cent of Indians in the UK live in owneroccupied homes, a remarkable achievement.

While abundance can eliminate some worries, it introduces new challenges.

Scarcity often leads to anxiety, but increasing wealth may result in even more complex tensions. As assets appreciate, issues concerning fairness, authority, and inheritance become prominent. This underscores the importance of having wills and lasting powers of attorney. Yet, legal arrangements alone are insufficient— what truly unites families is trust, transparency, and shared confidence.

Own up to your own mistakes Why do families fight?

Life rarely goes smoothly, misunderstandings, disagreements, and hurt feelings are part of the journey.

Everyone slips up now and then; what truly matters is learning to accept mistakes, own up to them, and keep promises.

Before judging families in court, it's important to consider the long-term roots of their conflicts.

Imperfections are common in both family and business, and one person's issues shouldn't define the whole group. Greater patience and understanding can help ease conflict, while mistrust and rigid thinking often deepen family rifts.

Rejecting someone with problems, like addiction, can harm everyone involved.

Few individuals can claim a life entirely free of significant errors. Holding others to standards of perfection is neither realistic nor equitable. Such expectations often contribute to increased anxiety, conflict, and disappointment.

As our community ages and prospers, we need open discussions and careful planning—legal, emotional, and ethical. This helps families safeguard their assets, relationships, dignity, and peace of mind.

Anxiety can show up in various ways When we consider the world as a whole, anxiety manifests differently shaped by diplomacy, power struggles, and warfare.

Conflicts are present almost everywhere today. In their pursuit of dominance, nations often end up harming each other.

Sometimes, rash or authoritarian leaders drive these wars, dragging their countries into conflict to satisfy personal ambitions, ideologies, or dictatorial goals. Tragically, it is innocent people who suffer most, and entire nations see their futures destroyed.

This leads us to question: What is truly achieved by killing civilians and jeopardising generations yet unborn?

Historical events provide valuable insights. The Second World War (1939– 1945) stands as the most extensive and deadly conflict in recorded history, involving around 70 nations across multiple continents and oceans. It is estimated that between 70 and 80 million individuals perished, including more than 50 million civilians. Numerous European cities, such as Warsaw, Berlin, Dresden, and London, suffered significant destruction, while Japan’s military actions in East Asia resulted in considerable hardship. The atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki claimed over

200,000 lives, heralding the onset of the nuclear era.

Recovery and transformation of nations The devastation extended beyond lost lives, as infrastructure, homes, and industries were destroyed, creating millions of refugees and causing economic collapse.

The Marshall Plan aided Europe’s recovery, transforming countries like Germany and Japan into democratic allies. Leaders such as Churchill, Roosevelt, and Stalin united to defeat fascism and established lasting alliances. The post-war period saw the founding of the United Nations, World Bank, and IMF, and accelerated decolonisation with nearly 70 countries gaining independence.

India is a remarkable example of transformation. After centuries under colonial rule, it has emerged as one of the world’s fastest-growing major economies, with strong growth across technology, digital services, space research and more. The country now plays an important role both economically and culturally on the global stage.

The Indian diaspora numbers about 35 million globally, with the largest communities in the United States (5.4 million) and the UK (1.8 million). Indians abroad have significantly impacted business, science, technology, and education in their host countries.

Leadership, authority, and accountability inherently interconnected Several key insights warrant consideration. Leadership, power and responsibility have always gone hand in hand in shaping the global order. President Harry S. Truman once captured this balance concisely when he said, “Speak softly and carry a big stick,” a reminder that strength is most effective when combined with restraint. A few years later, at his inauguration in 1961, President John F. Kennedy delivered words that still resonate across generations: “Let every nation know… that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, to assure the survival and the success of liberty.”

For nearly eight decades, the United States acted as a “Jagat Jamadar”, a global caretaker, maintaining order and protecting weaker nations, while also strengthening its own economy and influence.

In recent years, leadership that prioritises short-term objectives or transactional approaches, as exemplified by President Donald Trump, has been observed to potentially exacerbate societal divisions and undermine global stability.

No power is forever Ultimately, no leader remains in power forever, including Trump. While some of his actions raise concerns, particularly regarding India-Pakistan relations and military dealings, it's important to acknowledge that he operates as a businessman rather than a visionary. His approach lacks the long-term perspective seen in leaders like Truman, Roosevelt, or Sardar Patel.

In today's interconnected world, challenges are intricate and can't be resolved with simple slogans or quick solutions.

History teaches us that change is ongoing.

Whether within families or entire nations, trust, responsibility, humility, and a focus on the long term are fundamental. In society, particularly among the Indian community in the UK, there will be a rise in mixedrace families and children - an expected development that should be welcomed. By valuing diversity, we strengthen our families and communities for generations to come.

Ultimately, whether at home or leading globally, the same core values apply.

Responsibility, fairness, trust, and compassion for those in need form the foundation of enduring strength and stability.

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20 - 26 December 2025

The Metropolitan Police Commissioner has called on retailers to do more to help tackle the rising problem of shoplifting. Sir Mark Rowley said some shops were failing to cooperate fully with police investigations, including refusing to share CCTV footage.

He also criticised retailers for not allowing staff time off to provide witness statements or appear in court. In some cases, Rowley claimed, corrupt security guards were even colluding with organised shoplifting gangs.

Speaking to The Daily Telegraph, he said, “They need to step up more. If they’re not prepared to roll up their sleeves as corporate victims, it’s going to be tough for us to make progress.”

However, the situation is not as black and white as Sir Mark Rowley suggests. If retailers are being asked to “roll up their sleeves”, the police must do the same. Shoplifting remains at record levels, underlining the scale of the challenge facing both sides. Across England and Wales, around 529,994 shoplifting offences were recorded in the year to June 2025, a 13 per cent increase on the previous year, according to the Office for National Statistics. This is the highest figure since current recording practices began.

In London, the problem is even more stark. In the 12 months to September 2024, the Metropolitan Police and City of London Police recorded about 80,041 shoplifting offences, up

Amit Puntambekar

from 53,202 the previous year, an increase of roughly 50 per cent.

Discussing Sir Rowley’s comments, Amit Puntambekar, the owner of Ash’s Shop in Fenstanton, Peterborough, said, “I thought Mark’s comments were not constructive or helpful.

The blame game is not to be pointed at tax paying retailers, but a lack of focus on the police not doing their jobs properly.

Areas like Northampton have shown that when police focus on shoplifting they can do their job, it is incredibly discouraging as a victim of assault and shop lifting when there are no repercussions.

“I have such little faith in the police and CJS to carry out their function, and this is due to them either not prioritising or ignoring our issues. The majority of shoplifting is done by repeat, prolific offenders, the police should be investigating these individuals. Quite often there is a cascade effect, there is a lot of crime (gangs) now interlinked

with shoplifting. This has been allowed to happen under the weakness of the police, and lack of thorough investigating.”

Amit has previously been subjected to physical violence while trying to stop a shoplifter, and his experience is just one of many that highlight how retail crime is increasingly spiralling out of control.

Shoplifters are becoming more brazen, with incidents of aggression and violence on the rise, often fuelled by a perception that there are few real consequences.

He has explained that securing arrests is far from straightforward. “Many of the most prolific shoplifters are already known to the police,” he says, “but officers often struggle to take action unless a certain level of theft has built up over time. There has to be a threshold of offences before an arrest can be made, assuming the suspect can even be located.” Even when arrests do happen, cases are sometimes brought before the courts only to be dismissed. “It’s deeply disheartening,” he adds.

Previously, in response to mounting criticism, the government had introduced the Retail Crime Action Plan in 2023.

Sir Mark Rowley has said police in London have since intensified their efforts, with figures showing a 4.4 per cent fall in shoplifting cases between April and December, alongside an 82 per cent rise in charges, fines and other sanctions.

Hospital order for mother who killed son A mother who killed her fouryear-old son before attempting to take her own life has been given a hospital order with restrictions under the Mental Health Act. Akanksha Adivarekar, 37, of Maidenhead, pleaded guilty to manslaughter by diminished responsibility over the death of

her son, Agustya Hegishte, on 10 June. Three doctors agreed she was suffering from bipolar disorder at the time.

Agustya’s father described his son as “my joy…my reason for living” and said losing both his child and wife was “indescribable.”

The court heard that

Adivarekar had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder in India and had previously sought help for depression in the UK. On the day of the killing, she sent erratic messages to her husband before stabbing her son and later confessing at St Mark’s Hospital.

Bushey stabbing: Family push for harsher sentences The fatal stabbing of Jeyanthan Ramachandran has left his family “with a hole that will never be filled,” prompting them to launch a petition calling for tougher knife crime sentences.

Dequain Williams, 25, of Northwest London, has been charged with Jeyanthan’s murder outside Vu Lounge in Bushey shortly before midnight on November 29. Jeyanthan, 32,

Jeyanthan Ramachandran

remained in critical condition in hospital before dying days later

“despite every effort to save him.”

His family’s Change.org petition urges the government to introduce mandatory whole-life sentences for deliberate knife murders, with no parole or exceptions.

Described as a man “with dreams, plans, and a loving family,” over 3,000 supporters have already signed.

Williams will next appear at St Albans Crown Court on February 18.

British Indian nurse jailed for care home assaults A Glasgow high court sentenced Naijil Paul to seven years and nine months in jail. The 47-year-old nurse manager admitted to raping a colleague and sexually assaulting two others at a North Lanarkshire care home in 2018.

Paul used his position of power to threaten victims before fleeing to

India in 2019. He was extradited back to Scotland this February to face justice.

Met Police staff plans New Year strike Approximately 172 Metropolitan Police staff will strike this New Year’s Eve over a pay dispute. Unite union members, includ-

ing emergency call handlers, are walking out to demand fair wages consistent with other UK forces.

This industrial action targets one of London’s busiest nights to protest financial penalties and management decisions, potentially disrupting public safety operations during the festive celebrations.

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

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

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

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

aveditorial@abplgroup.com by 31 December

NHS radiographer struck off for grooming An NHS radiographer has been struck off after sending sexual messages to someone he believed was a 12-year-old girl.

Vinod Ramachandran, 42, sent explicit messages calling the “girl” “sexy” and instructing her on how to watch pornography. In reality, he was communicating with a vigilante posing as a child. He arranged to meet the girl outside a Norwich secondary school, where police arrested him.

Ramachandran, a father of three, initially used a fake Facebook account before switching to WhatsApp, where his messages grew increasingly sexual. He

Vinod Ramachandran

was convicted of attempted sexual communication with a child, getting a child to watch pornography, commissioning a child sex act, and attempting to meet a child after sexual grooming, and was jailed for two years in August.

Man charged after student killed in crash Christopher Jackson, 27, from Southampton, has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving following a collision outside King’s College London on March 18.

The crash claimed the life of 20-year-old student Aalia Mahomed and seriously injured two others in their 20s, who were later discharged from hospital.

Officers and the London Ambulance Service attended the scene on the Strand at 11.41am.

Jackson was charged on December 1 and will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on January 5.

In tribute, Ms Mahomed’s family described her as a “bright, kind and beautiful soul.” The family has

Source: Metropolitan Police

SHOPLIFTING CRISIS Retailers told to step up, but where is police accountability?

Aalia Mahomed

also launched the “Be More Aalia” campaign to build a high school in Malawi in her honour, reflecting her legacy as a philosopher, physicist, and beloved friend.

West London councillor suspended by Labour Hounslow councillor and former deputy mayor Hina Mir has been suspended by the Labour Party after employing an illegal worker as a nanny in her home.

Mir, a qualified solicitor, reportedly paid a student cash to care for her children and help with household chores. She attempted to overturn a £40,000 county court fine issued in January, but her appeal was rejected. She has also been ordered to pay £3,620 in court costs.

The suspension affects only her party membership; Mir remains a serving councillor. The

Hina Mir

council stated it was a party matter and declined to comment further.

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Formal opening ceremony for UN World Meditation Day 2025 hosted at the House of Lords On December 9, the House of Lords held a pre-event for UN World Meditation Day 2025, bringing together an array of attendees including Parliament members, peers, diplomats, legal and medical professionals, disability rights advocates, senior officials from the Police and British

non-clinical method to support national approaches to resilience and well-being.

The gathering acted as a thoughtful introduction to UN World Meditation Day, which is celebrated around the world each year on 21 December.

Everyone was welcome to attend the

Empowering women through cancer care Lord Krish Raval, Sister Jayanti, Sister Jaymini and other attendees

The Asian Women’s Cancer Group, established in 2006, has recently achieved charity status (registered charity number: 1213042).

AWCG offers support and information to patients, their families, carers, and friends as they navigate cancer. The group also ensures that help is available outside an individual's immediate environment, so no one has to face emotional or physical challenges alone.

lies. This supportive environment helps members build confidence and maintain a positive outlook.

Connecting members to different services, providing cancer information, professional talks, and opportunities to share experiences have all played an important role in boosting morale.

AWCG partners with cancer charities and

The Brahma Kumaris team with Ragasudha

Army, as well as leaders from the arts, media, and civil society. The event was hosted by Lord Krish Raval OBE and organised by the Brahma Kumaris in collaboration with the Sanskruti Centre of Cultural Excellence, with Sister Jayanti, the Additional Administrative Head of the Brahma Kumaris, also in attendance.

The event examined how meditation is increasingly used to support both personal well-being and harmonious societies. Under the theme “Inner Peace; Global Harmony,” speakers discussed how emotional stability and daily meditation can positively influence individuals.

Presentations focused on the rising importance of meditation across policymaking, healthcare, education, and workplace environments. Evidence shared highlighted the advantages of regular meditation, such as lowering stress, boosting emotional control, sharpening concentration, and fostering empathy qualities seen as essential for strong leadership and good governance.

Sister Jayanti spoke about how inner clarity helps people cope with global uncertainty, while Lord Raval emphasised the significance of contemplative practices in public institutions and community initiatives. The event also included a short, guided meditation session, giving attendees a hands-on appreciation of its benefits.

As the UK faces widespread mental health issues affecting people of all ages, this event highlighted how meditation can serve as an affordable, accessible, and

London event at Global Co-operation House on Sunday, 21st December from 4:00pm to 5:30pm.

-----------------Talking about the crises the world is facing, he said: "You don't counter darkness with more darkness; you do it with light... We need you [the Brahma Kumaris] more than ever now."

- Lord Raval OBE -----------------Referred to meditation as “an idea whose time has come...The fact that the UN has declared this a day for meditation means that it's no longer on the periphery. It's part of the establishment.

In all walks of life meditation has now reached every single field of human endeavour - and that's because we have seen the results of meditation.”

She spoke about experiments in school to test the resilience of metal wire.

“To reduce the stress, I either have to take the weight off or make the wire stronger.

I can't reduce the stressor, but I can increase my own capacity to deal with all these things.”

- Sister Jayanti -----------------Over the years I've learned that meditation isn't just a practice - it's a lifeline... It allows me to step back from the chaos and regain focus... It helps clear the mental clutter and refocus my attention. It's my way of managing burnout and maintaining empathy.

- A Transplant Surgeon

Asian Women Cancer Group committee members

The charity’s mission is to support everyone affected by any kind of cancer, share information, empower one another, and raise cancer awareness in the community. They focus on meeting the cultural and emotional needs of Asian women dealing with cancer and work to fill gaps left by mainstream support groups. Recognising the importance of cultural diversity and understanding Members, families and friends at the celebration specific cultural issues that influence Asian women, the charity adapts its academic institutions to advance research, support to address myths, taboos, and lan- promote education, and improve outcomes. guage barriers as needed. Although the group This year, the charity attended a reception at operates as AWCG and mainly serves Asian Buckingham Palace with His Majesty the women, it also welcomes and assists women King and other UK charities, recognising from all backgrounds who seek help during their ongoing contributions.

Alongside essential services, they gather their cancer journey. Members are encouraged to bring friends, carers, or family mem- for social activities, showing that community and joy persist despite hardship. bers to social events and open meetings.

The Asian Women Cancer Group held a AWCG now has over 170 members and meets three times a month, providing a sup- year-end celebration with members, friends, portive environment for sharing and connec- and families, featuring food, music, and tion. Their workshops and activities foster dancing. Organisers noted that the event resilience and mutual learning, ensuring no showcased the group’s community spirit and support for women with cancer. one faces cancer alone.

If you know any women recently diagThe charity members, having experienced various cancer journeys, understand nosed or undergoing treatment who want and support each other. They openly share information or support, please direct them to their stories and provide care to newly diag- AWCG. nosed members in a confidential setting.

Contact details Training and information empower them to Rohini Patel: 07968 386798 support one Vinaxi Popat: 07503 626712 another in person as well as through teleEmail: info@asianwomencancergroup.co.uk phone support, befriending, and buddying— www.asianwomencancergroup.co.uk services valued by members and their fami-

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The Second Bengal Global Connect Meet Diaspora to gather in Kolkata ahead of Christmas celebrating ‘Bangaliana’ UK’s community organisation Heritage Bengal Global (HBG) and a worldwide Bengali diaspora platform The Global Connect will host the second edition of The Bengal Global Connect Meet (BGCM) on 22 December 2025 at the prestigious Calcutta Rowing Club in Kolkata.

Serving as a dynamic platform for the Bengali diaspora, entrepreneurs, business stakeholders worldwide, the conference promotes Bengal through global initiatives.

Its key objective is to foster business, arts, heritage, and cultural advancements through strategic collaboration.

The main goal of this initiative is to build a strong, unified network that supports cross-border innovation, investment, cultural preservation, and professional networking.

Anirban Mukhopadhyay, based in the UK and the founder of The Global Connect Bengal social media group collaborated with several equally enthusiastic Bengali individuals in Bengal and across the world, including forming a committee, that worked tirelessly to make this initiative a reality.

The Bengal Global Connect Meet aims to be a leading international event with three main focuses: & Investment: l Business Innovation Connecting businesses and governments,

encouraging investment in West Bengal, and mentoring entrepreneurs. The diaspora launched BANI Ventures, an advisory and investor network for Bengal. l Cultural Connectivity & Preservation: Promoting Bengali arts, sports, and cultural heritage globally, especially Durga Puja.

Building & Diaspora l Community Networking: The Bengali identity is inextricably linked to their heritage. This collaboration allows the community to inject the essence of Bangaliana into global professional sphere.

The key highlights of the 22 December event are: l Global participation: The event gathers leading Bengali professionals, entrepreneurs, and ambassadors from over 15 countries. l Focus sessions: High-profile panels will discuss taking Bengal business worldwide and feature NRI and diaspora entrepreneur success stories. l Cultural & Sporting events: Activities like 'Football Adda' and 'Saat Samudro Tero Nodi Talk Show' highlight Bengal’s diversity. l Long-term goal: Foster business cooperation, launch investment initiatives, and create a diaspora networking database.

Lord Jitesh Gadhia addresses Sathya Sai Baba Centenary celebrations Nearly 1,000 devotees from across the United Kingdom gathered at The Drum, Wembley, on Saturday, 1 November, to celebrate the birth centenary of Bhagwan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. The event was warmly received and brought together followers from diverse backgrounds in a spirit of unity and devotion.

Lord Jitesh Gadhia addressed the gathering, highlighting Baba’s enduring message of love, service and the unity of all faiths.

Recalling Baba’s core teachings of “Love All, Serve All” and the five human values, he spoke about the global impact of the Sri Sathya Sai Organisation, including free healthcare, drinking water projects and value-based education.

SONA TOURS WINS three top honours at the 2025 British Travel Awards Sona Tours has extended sincere appreciation to its customers, staff, and partners following its receipt of three significant accolades at the British Travel Awards on 8 December. The company regards this achievement as a testament to the loyalty and confidence demonstrated by its global community.

The UK-based tour operator, now celebrating its 25th anniversary, has won top honours as the Best Tour Operator for Worldwide Escorted Group Tours, the Best Tour Operator for Coach Tours, and the Best Travel Company to East Africa.

Representatives from the company stated that this accomplishment showcases the team's hard work and the ongoing support from travellers and industry partners around the globe.

Looking forward, the company emphasised its dedication to providing outstanding travel experiences and preparing for future expansion.

A passionate legacy with worldwide impact Sona Tours was established in Kenya during the 1970s by Kanchanben Shah, an educator whose passion for Geography and History led her to organize educational excursions for local families and school children.

Her husband,

Chetan Shah

Divyakumar Shah

Nemchand Shah, contributed significantly to transforming these initiatives into well-coordinated and memorable experiences.

Starting from humble origins, Sona Tours has become a respected global operator over 25 years. With UK headquarters and offices in Kenya, India, the USA, and Australia, the company delivers culturally rich travel experiences worldwide.

The founders' sons are dedicated to furthering

their parents’ vision, integrating established traditions with progressive innovation. Although the company has expanded significantly, it continues to be guided by the foundational family values of care, trust, integrity, and a steadfast commitment to purposeful exploration.

As Sona Tours marks its Silver Jubilee, the organisation acknowledges the contributions of the many travellers who have accompanied it throughout its history. With a growing network and a steadfast commitment to excellence, Sona Tours is well-positioned to continue delivering exceptional experiences for contemporary travellers while upholding the values upon which it was founded.

Your journey, captured in photos Lord Jitesh Gadhia

Share your treasured archive photos that reflect your journey, settlement, family, culture and traditions in this country.

Along with each photo, include a brief note (maximum 100 words) explaining its significance and story. Selected entries will be featured in our upcoming newsweeklies, celebrating the rich experiences and heritage of our community.

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

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

Participants take the stage, showcasing their talents and engaging the audience

Dignitaries, including esteemed guests and leaders, graced the occasion

Sharing a personal family connection, Lord Gadhia noted that his grandfather Dr Dhiru Gadhia was a devoted follower who helped establish the first Sathya Sai Centre in the UK at Pinner. He also recalled the historic moment in 1968 when Sri Sathya Sai Baba arrived in Uganda during his only overseas visit, with Dr Dhirubhai Gadhia serving as the main coordinator and one of the earli-

est and most prominent devotees in East Africa. This was a unique moment when his whole family received Swami’s personal blessings.

Concluding, Lord Gadhia said the true tribute to Sathya Sai Baba lies in living his message through selfless service, reminding the audience that “hands that help are holier than lips that pray.”

Gandhi statue model to go under hammer A miniature model of Mahatma Gandhi’s Tavistock Square statue in London is set to go under the hammer in England, with an estimated value of £6,000 to £8,000.

The 27-centimetre bronze maquette is believed to be the earliest complete version of the statue by Polish sculptor Fredda Brilliant.

The full-sized statue has stood at Tavistock Square since 1968, commemorating Gandhi’s time as a law student at University College London. The monument, supported by the India League, depicts Gandhi seat-

ed in a relaxed pose, with the plinth engraved: “Mahatma Gandhi, 1869-1948.”

The statue was vandalised with graffiti in September but was cleaned

ahead of Gandhi Jayanti on October 2. Each year, the anniversary is marked at Tavistock Square with floral tributes and songs celebrating Gandhi’s legacy.

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20 - 26 November 2025

The year 2025 for Bollywood actors

Brave experiment or political theatre?

Inspiring Acts of Service

The year 2025 will forever remain etched in the heart of Indian cinema as a year of silence when laughter, melody, and heroism lost their living echoes. One by one, Bollywood legends who had defined eras took their final bow, leaving the screen dimmer than before.

It began with Rakesh Pandey, the gentle face of realism, whose performance in 'Sara Akash' gave voice to a new kind of cinema. Then came the thunderous heartbreak of losing Manoj Kumar, the man who taught India to see itself through the lens of love and patriotism. His 'Upkar' and 'Purab Aur Paschim' are not just films, they are emotions carved into our collective soul.

Whether he stood silently with deep intensity or delivered a heartfelt dialogue, he had a way of touching the audience. His patriotic cinema shaped an entire generation.

In May, we lost Mukul Dev, whose versatility spanned languages and generations, and Madhav Vaze, a quiet yet dignified artist. Dheeraj Kumar followed, a man who bridged the golden era of cinema with the age of television, inspiring countless storytellers. When Achyut Potdar departed in August, it felt like a beloved grandfather leaving home, the kind who made every scene feel real.

Then October came like a storm; Pankaj Dheer, the noble 'Karna' of our screens; Asrani, the eternal jailor of 'Sholay' who made millions laugh; and Satish Shah whose humour was pure warmth. Each departure tore a thread from the fabric of Hindi cinema.

Finally, November dimmed the stars even further: Sulakshana Pandit, Zarine Khan, Kamini Kaushal, and the mighty Dharmendra, our “He-Man,” the soul of the silver screen. They were not just artists; they were memories, emotions, and moments that stayed with us long after the screens turned dark.

Asrani brought laughter that healed. Manoj Kumar stirred a nation’s spirit with his patriotic grace. Sulakshana Pandit’s voice carried the ache of love and the purity of prayer, and Dharmendra lived like a storm and loved like a soft breeze, strength wrapped in gentleness.

Today, we imagine them together in heaven —smiling, peaceful, timeless — reunited in a world where legends belong. And yet, they are only a few among many more beloved artists who left us in 2025. Each departure felt like losing a page from the golden book of Indian cinema. But their art, their work, their magic? That will live forever.

They may have left this world, but in every flicker of the projector, in every echo of old songs, their spirit lives on; eternal, luminous, and forever part of India’s cinematic sky.

Australia has barred anyone under sixteen from having a social media account. The decision has become a global test of how far a democracy will go to protect children from digital harm. Supporters say the evidence of risk is clear, pointing to rising anxiety and compulsive scrolling. Critics argue that the move is political theatre, introduced before the systems needed to enforce it are reliable. The scale of the change has pushed an already tense debate into the spotlight.

The main question is whether the policy can actually work. The law depends on age verification tools that are still unproven and easy for determined teenagers to evade.

Young people are skilled at using virtual private networks and other workarounds and few believe digital barriers will stop them for long. The burden falls on platforms which must take reasonable steps to block underage accounts or face penalties. Yet there is no consistent method across the industry and the tools available often misjudge ages or fail under pressure.

Public concern has driven the government to act.

Research has shown links between heavy social media use and a range of problems, including poor sleep, body image pressure and online bullying. Previous attempts to regulate the sector relied on fines or voluntary codes and many parents felt these measures fell short. Australia has now gone further, signalling that the shape of childhood should not be defined by commercial platforms. The approach echoes earlier efforts to protect minors from tobacco, alcohol and targeted advertising.

The success of the ban will be measured by its results rather than its boldness. If it reduces harmful habits and pushes companies to build safer spaces for younger users, it may set a precedent for other countries. If it collapses under weak enforcement and easy circumvention, it will be remembered as an ambitious but unworkable idea. For now the world watches as Australia tests the limits of digital regulation, unsure whether the outcome will be a breakthrough or a warning.

Recently, I came across a report published in Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar highlighting the generous donation made by Hasubhai Nagrecha and Umiben, in memory of the late Vinubhai Nagrecha. Reading it filled the hearts of Gujaratis everywhere with immense pride.

This pride stems from two profound aspects. First, despite making the UK their karmabhumi, the Nagrecha family has honoured and repaid their debt to their roots and janmabhumi. Secondly, they are perhaps among the first to undertake such a noble and visionary act in the loving memory of a departed family member.

The old age home being built in Rajkot will be truly special, not only because it will be the largest of its kind in India, but because of the compassion and dignity it represents. For elderly individuals who have given everything to their families and society, only to be left alone in the later stages of life, this initiative offers care, respect and hope. In that sense, the contribution made by the Nagrecha brothers is both meaningful and deeply humane.

Equally inspiring was the mention of Lord Bhikhu Parekh, his brother Chandrakant and their families longstanding philanthropic support to SEWA. It is heartening to learn about such individuals who work quietly yet tirelessly for community welfare in India.

There are many such real-life heroes within our British Asian community who are doing remarkable work and it is commendable that Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar bring their stories into the limelight. These examples serve as a true inspiration for all of us.

Jubel D'Cruz

The greatness of sunlight Right now it has been reported that a few Asian countries have almost come under the excessive exposure to the Sun. We can call it a dry spell as part of the summer season [being the hottest.

Always, we all welcome the monsoon with a big smile. However, the scientific fact is that the sunlight is root cause of everything we have on the Earth. The Sun gives light to the entire world without which the life on the Earth will come to a halt. If possible, just see/observe this: In the early morning [even after sunrise], most of the leaves on the trees are in the sleep mode wherein the leaves are not fully open or they look inwards. But once the Sun has started rising up, the trees and their leaves too will rise up with leaves beginning to spread fully by then. That is greatness of the sunlight/the Sun. Of course, the beautiful phenomena such as the rain and the rainbow are the amazing effects of the Sun. That is why there has been the habit especially among Asians of worshipping the Sun – even till date. Furthermore when the Sun is set to go down in the evening, the people will start rushing up or just get ready after observing the darkness looming over the sky.

Besides, the water scarcity is a big threat to the life of the human beings in the world. In fact such threats can be directly related to the happenings like deforestation and exploitation of the natural resources like sand, rivers and sea. Even in those cases, no one can blame the Sun – for the bad things like monsoon failure or drought.

Mostly these are all the results of the threats to the environment that must be protected at all costs. I always support the cause/ground for saving the natural resources like rivers and sea. For example, the Tamiraparani [river] is the lifeline of my native districts/areas of Tuticorin, Tirunelveli and Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu, India.

Million and billion years on, the Sun still keeps on empowering the world and the Earth by giving light. In a similar way, the men and the world should learn lessons from the greatness of the Sun and act/work towards creating the good environment on the Earth in the larger benefits of all.

P Senthil Saravana Durai

Dr Narsinhbhai Patel

Why India is poised to gain as the NHS struggles “UK’s loss is India’s gain” as far as the healthcare system is concerned, and a crisis is prevailing at the NHS with constraints on the resources, as reported in AV dated 13-19 December 2025, is a financially lucrative field. I think it is a win-win situation. India can offer the best possible treatment at the most competitive prices and value for money. As reported in the paper, in 2022, nearly 2mn patients visited from 78 countries, showing the trust and confidence people have in Manpower (doctors, nurses and other staff), Machines (the state-of-the-art facilities and equipment) and Money (value for money, cost effectiveness) offered by India.

This is an emerging field due to the growing ageing population and can support many industries, including tourism. From the time the patients land until the time they leave the country, they should be treated as “guests of India” and not like money-milking cows. They expect the best possible services from everyone connected. Word of mouth is very important in the service industry, and consumerism is deeply rooted in Western countries. They are happy to pay but expect the best services.

Our doctors are excellent but if the taxi drivers or any other people, including hotel staff, do not provide the expected level of service, this may adversely affect the reputation and image of the country.

In a nutshell, we have everything to offer from naturopathy, how to remain connected with nature and live a long and healthy life, to allopathy and the most modern equipment, but India as a country needs to pay more attention to safety, especially for vulnerable patients. They need additional support, guidance and empathy.

Hitesh Hingu

Lord Bilimoria’s personal insights and community contributions I read the wonderful report on Lord Bilimoria in last week’s edition of Asian Voice. The section where he speaks about his mother is particularly admirable, and the same sentiment is reflected in the shloka featured in Sanskar Sareeta.

The report also sheds light on personal aspects of Lord Bilimoria’s life that were previously little known. It highlights his community involvement, his family, including his father, mother, wife and children, and offers a detailed insight into the Zoroastrian faith.

B.L. Rawal, Leicester

Rohit Patel, East London

Pan Chewing, a growing concern in the community “Wherever a Gujarati lives, Gujarat is always present.” This line reflects the pride of being Gujarati, especially given the large Gujarati community in the UK. However, there is also a matter of concern. One prevalent habit among some Gujaratis is chewing pan masala and spitting its residues, particularly in areas like Wembley, which creates significant litter.

As a result, shopkeepers in Wembley spend hours every morning cleaning the mess outside their shops.

Unfortunately, due to the actions of a few, some British citizens may wrongly perceive all Gujaratis as careless or unhygienic. Because of these uncivilised practices, Brent Council has taken strict action against public spitting.

While visiting India, we often criticise littering and boast about foreign countries’ cleanliness. Yet, the same people are causing shame for the Indian community abroad, creating a negative impression in a foreign land. It is a reminder that our actions reflect not just on ourselves but on the entire community.

Ashlesh Mehta, Wembley

Hundreds of colonial artefacts stolen from Bristol Museum More than 600 artefacts were stolen from a Bristol Museum store in a burglary that took place in the early hours of 25 September,Avon and Somerset Police said.

The theft occurred at a warehouse used by Bristol Culture, where four men broke in and escaped with items of major historical value. The stolen collection includes objects from the British Raj, such as a waist belt plate belonging to an East India Company officer, along with an ivory elephant carving and an ivory Buddha on a stone base.

Also, they took an 1838 US emancipation token linked to the abolition of slavery. Police have released CCTV images and are asking the public to identify the suspects.

Rachel Reeves warns female founders overlooked in funding Speaking at a reception at Number 11 to mark the government-backed Invest in Women Taskforce, Chancellor Reeves highlighted the ongoing funding gap for female entrepreneurs. The taskforce has so far raised £635 million for female-led businesses, exceeding its initial £255 million target.

“Men do not have a monopoly on good ideas,” Reeves told around 100 predominantly female business leaders. “Yet too often, investors back people like themselves, leaving women underfunded.” Only 1.3% of UK equity investment this year has gone to female-led businesses, compared with 80.1% for male founders, according to Beauhurst data cited in the taskforce’s annual report.

The taskforce, backed by the Department for Business and Trade and the Treasury, includes contributions from Barclays, Nationwide, Visa Foundation, Aviva and others.

Reeves stressed that supporting women founders is “absolutely crucial” for economic growth and inspiring the next generation.

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20 - 26 December 2025

House of Lords tribute honours legacy of Dadabhai Naoroji The House of Lords recently turned into a space of remembrance and reflection as parliamentarians, diplomats and community leaders gathered to mark the 200th birth anniversary of Dadabhai Naoroji, a towering figure of Indian nationalism and the first Indian to win a seat in the British Parliament.

Often hailed as the “grand old man of India,” Naoroji’s life defied easy categorisation. A Zoroastrian priest, businessman, academic and pioneering politician, he first arrived in England in 1855 on business, before going on to carve an extraordinary place for himself in British public life. The commemorative reception was hosted by Lord Karan Bilimoria.

The evening opened with a special Zoroastrian prayer, led by Dasturji Ervad Yazad T Bhadha, invoking the name and spirit of Dadabhai Naoroji. The solemn ritual set the tone for an event that blended reverence with reflection.

Taking to the stage next, Lord Bilimoria shared a deeply personal account of Naoroji’s influence on his own journey and the parallels he shares with Naoroji.

“In many ways, I have also followed in the footsteps of Dadabhai Naoroji. He was a businessman who initially came to the UK for business.

He was also an academic, the first professor at Elphinstone College, and The High Commissioner spoke of Naoroji’s enduring legacy and the outsized contributions of the Parsi community to both India and Britain. H.E. Vikram Doraiswami said, “The Parsis hold a range of distinctions, including producing the second High Commissioner of India before independence, Dadiba Merwanji Dalal. He held the post for about two or three years, and he, along with his immediate successor, Sir Atul Chatterjee, went on to put in place the project that is today India House. It was inaugurated during Sir Baroness Usha Prashar, in her address, concentrated on the lessons we can draw from Dadabhai Naoroji's life. She said, “In today’s world, more than ever, I think what he stood for needs to be remembered. We need to reflect on the lessons and the inspiration we can draw from his work, his approach, and his life.

“So what lessons do we draw from his work and life that are relevant today?

Our times are different, but democracy is under threat.

There is a rise in populism.

Social media perpetuates misinformation and fake

throughout his life, academia played an important role, as it has in mine. And, of course, he was a politician, being the first Indian, the first ethnic minority ever to be elected to this Parliament. I am privileged to follow in his footsteps”, he said.

He also quoted from his maiden speech in the House of Lords, in which he highlighted the community’s achievements in British politics. He said, “I'm so proud of what our tiny community has achieved, not only in India, but also in producing the first three Asian MPs in Britain. The first was Dadabhai Naoroji, a Liberal, in 1892, the secSir Mancherjee ond, Bhownaggree, a Conservative, and the third, Comrade Shapurji Saklatvala, a Communist and a Labour Party member." He also reflected on the realisation that his appointment to the House of Lords, as a crossbencher, had squared the circle.

Further reflections came from India’s High Commissioner to the UK, H.E. Vikram Doraiswami, Former UK cabinet minister Sir Vince Cable, Lord Navnit Dholakia, Baroness Usha

Prashar and Malcolm M Deboo.

An accompanying exhibition traced Naoroji’s remarkable life and career, offering guests a vivid reminder that his ideas, struggles and achievements remain strikingly relevant two centuries on.

Omar Ralph, a UK-based author known for his biography, "Naoroji, the First Asian MP: A Biography of Dadabhai Naoroji, India's Patriot and Britain's MP," put the exhibition together.

At the event, he highlighted the significant role played by Dadabhai Naoroji, Sir Mancherjee Bhownaggree, Shapurji Saklatvala and Lord Sinha in the history of India and Britain between 1825 and the Second World War. “One of the reasons why I did this is

Atul Chatterjee’s tenure by no less than His Majesty the King. This is a piece of history that connects the Parsi community to the official presence of the Government of India in the

UK, and it is a small but well-deserved part of our shared history that should be recorded.

“The other thing about the Zoroastrian community is that, in every sense, they are the salt of the earth, and I mean that quite literally. There is only so much salt you can add to anything, and therefore the Parsi community is also, quite literally, a handful wherever they go.

But like salt, they add immense value. In fact, nothing is really good enough without salt.

Nothing that we do is quite complete without the Parsi community,”

news, and people look for simple solutions to complex problems. Superficial soundbites and echo chambers inhibit nuanced discussion, and our ability to

disagree well is in decline.

“Against this backdrop, what his life and work reinforce for me is the significance of analysis and scholarship, the need for wellthought-through strategies, progressive alliances, resolve and steely determination, perseverance, persistence, and above all, taking the long view — underpinned by faith and optimism. I hope this remembrance and exhibition will not only mark his birth anniversary but also give us food for thought about how what he did and what he stood for can influence us going forward.”

L to R: Malcolm Deboo, Omar Ralph, Baroness Usha Prashar, Lord Navnit Dholakia, Lord Karan Bilimoria, HE Vikram Doraiswami, Lady Ann McLuskie, CB Patel, Sarosh Zaiwalla

Dadabhai Naoroji

because it gives a solid commemoration of what was happening at that time. And, obviously, other people can now use the exhibition, if they want to, to draw out these stories. It’s probably a good educational tool as Sir Vince Cable, Former Secretary of State for Business and Trade reflected on Dadabhai Naoroji as a figure of extraordinary depth and range. He recalled Naoroji’s persistence in entering Parliament, pointing out that his narrow defeat in 1885 shocked the political establishment. “The leader of the Conservative Party at the time was a rather unpleasant Victorian imperialist, Lord Salisbury, who made an infamous remark that we had not yet reached the point in England where any constituency would be willing to elect a black man, which caused great Lord Navnit Dholakia also addressed the gathering. He said, “One of the most interesting things about Dadabhai Naoroji was the extent to which he brought together two different areas of politics.

First, with his knowledge of India, he was able to bring a deep understanding of India into British politics.

“But I want to say something more than that.

Among all the speakers here today, I am one of the Gujaratis. The Parsi community first set foot in Gujarat after they left Iran and when they were asked Malcolm M Deboo, president of Zoroastrian Trust Funds of Europe (ZTFE) said, “The first thing to recognise, from my point of view, is that Dadabhai Naoroji was the Founder Trustee of the Zoroastrian Trust Funds of Europe. It is because of him and our 15 founder members, that today the ZTFE continues to be the oldest faith-based Indian voluntary organisation in the United Kingdom.”

Further discussing Naoroji’s contribution, he said, “It is because of the likes of Dadabhai Naoroji

well,” he said.

The evening concluded with a heartfelt vote of thanks from Lord Bilimoria, who reflected on the significance of the occasion and the enduring legacy of Dadabhai Naoroji.

Expressing his gratitude to the distinguished guests, speakers and organisers, he paid tribute to the contributions of the Parsi community and the role it has played in building bridges between India and Britain.

outrage and actually helped Naoroji. When he stood again in the 1892 election, he was comfortably elected”, he said.

Sir Vince also stressed that Naoroji was “far more

progressive and radical than the Liberal Party of the time,” championing Irish nationalism, women’s suffrage and workers’ rights.

He paid particular attention to Naoroji’s “drain theory,” which argued that British rule imposed a heavy economic cost on India. Naoroji calculated losses of “£200– 300 million a year” in contemporary terms; a contribution, Sir Vince said, that strengthened the economic as well as moral case for independence. He concluded by expressing regret that Britain has yet to honour Naoroji adequately, despite his immense legacy.

what contribution they would make and whether they would create any problems, the response was very clear: they would mix as clearly and harmoniously as possible,

without causing problems or difficulties.”

Referring to the “drain theory” and sharing his concerns about issues of race still being debated, he said, “…please do not forget the contribution of the Indian community in this country, and the contribution of the Parsi community in this country — how they have progressed, how they have contributed, and how they continue to contribute.

This itself is a credit to Britain. We should continue to acknowledge and thank them for that contribution.”

and many others, and indeed the colonial legacy itself, that we are here

today. We continue to serve this country in which we live; not only we Parsis, but the Indian community as a whole…But Britain has also given us a great deal, and that is why we remain here, despite its shortcomings and mind you, there are some.

“Of course, I would be failing in my duty if I did not also thank India for granting the Parsi community refuge. If it were not for India, and specifically the Gujarati community, we would not be here today as a living faith community.”

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20 - 26 December 2025

Farage claims political breakthrough as Reform tops Labour Reform UK has overtaken Labour to become Britain’s largest political party by membership, marking a striking moment in Nigel Farage’s reshaping of the country’s political landscape.

The populist party now claims close to 270,000 members, according to a live counter on its website.

While Labour reported around 333,000 members at this point last year, leaked figures cited by The Times suggest its numbers have since fallen below 250,000, amid declining poll ratings for Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

Hailing the milestone, Farage said it represented a “huge step on our journey to winning the next election”, which must take place by 2029. He added, “The era of twoparty politics is over.”

Reform’s rise ahead of both Labour and the Conservatives, the only parties to have produced a prime minister in the past century, highlights a growing fragmentation in British politics as voters turn away from traditional power blocs. The shift is echoed else-

British Indians account for nearly 3% of the UK population and are estimated to contribute around 6% of national GDP. Economically, socially and culturally, the community punches well above its weight. Politically, however, it remains strikingly under-heard.

It is precisely this dismissive and complacent attitude shown by both the Conservatives and Labour towards the community that is driving voters to look beyond the country’s so-called “big” parties.

The growing support for Reform UK and the Greens is neither sudden nor surprising; it is rooted in clear and longstanding frustrations.

Many within the community

Nigel Farage

where on the political spectrum, with the Green Party announcing last month that its membership had climbed to 170,000, surpassing the Conservatives.

Reflecting wider national shifts, support for both the Greens and Reform UK is also rising within the British Indian community.

The findings suggest that major parties can no longer take British Indian votes for granted, as the electorate shows increasing movement towards both the right and left of the political spectrum.

A more fluid British Indian electorate The British Indian Census 2025, reveals a marked change in political allegiance. Research by the 1928 Institute think tank, unveiled in a House of Commons committee room on Tuesday, found that support among the Indian diaspora for the anti-immigration Reform UK party has tripled. This rise mirrors a similar surge in backing among younger British Indians for the climate-focused Green Party.

Just 6% of respondents feel accurately represented by policymakers, and trust in politics remains fragile. Yet disengagement is not the issue. British Indians continue to participate actively. Party support among respondents places Labour in the lead at 39 %, followed by the Conservatives (16%), the Greens (15%), Reform (10%) and the Liberal Democrats (9%).

While Labour’s support remains significantly higher among British Indians than in the general population, 35% compared with a national average of 21% , the rapid rise of Reform is notable.

Support for the party has grown faster than for any other, rising from 4 % in 2024 to 13 % now expressing an inclination to vote for it.

However, this shift is not uniform. British Indians whose families arrived before the 1950s show increased support for Reform, while those with roots after the 2000s lean more towards the Green Party. Newer arrivals also display a broader spread of political allegiances, suggesting a more fluid and less tribal political identity. Among those who arrived after 2000, support for Reform stands at just 3%, compared with 15% for the Conservatives and 14% for the Liberal Democrats.

When asked what government should prioritise, respondents pointed to education, the economy, crime, health and domestic

What do the British Indians want?

poverty. These concerns reflect both immediate pressures, particularly the cost-of-living crisis, and enduring values around opportunity, safety and social mobility.

Taken together, the findings point to a politically engaged, sophisticated electorate, one that sees its own future as inseparable from Britain’s wider prosperity and social cohesion.

Based on a survey of 2,355 British Indians aged 18 and over, conducted between April and August 2025, the report examines identity, representation and policy priorities, providing a much needed reflection for the two biggest parties of the country.

Lord Krish Raval OBE

feel they are no longer willing to be treated as a tick-box exercise or a guaranteed vote bank. Instead, they are increasingly aligning themselves with parties they believe genuinely reflect their concerns, priorities and values, even if those parties sit at the edges of the political spectrum.

This shift is at the heart of The British Indian Census 2025 and recently, lead researchers Dr Nikita Ved MBE and Kiran Kaur Manku FRSA discussed the findings at the House of Parliament.

On the rising support for Reform UK, Dr Ved said “We understood that, if you look at the priorities broken down by subgroup, the most important issues for both this subgroup (supporting Reform) and the community in general were crime and domestic poverty. We use domestic poverty

Key findings: British Indian Census 2025 Identity & migration - 26% have UK roots spanning 55+ years.

Socio-economic profile - Higher socio-economic status than UK average.

- 36% Middle Class; 13% UpperMiddle Class.

Prejudice - 60% faced discrimination in the past 24 months.

- Mostly workplace-based (71%), direct (75%), driven by race/ethnicity (70%) or religion (18%).

Representation - Media: 8% feel British Indians are accurately represented; 6% say the same for India.

- Politics: Only 6% feel represented by policymakers.

Political support (age-adjusted) - Labour 35%, Conservative 18%, Reform UK 13%, Green 13%, Liberal Democrats 9%.

Trends - Labour support down 13% year-on-year, still above national average (35% vs 22%).

- Reform UK support tripled in one year to 13%.

- Conservative support down 12% since 2019.

- Green Party support up 60% year-on-year.

- Liberal Democrat support stable.

Demographics - Reform UK & Conservatives stronger among men.

- Reform strongest among over-70s, Working-Middle Class, pre-1950s roots.

- Greens strongest among under-25s, Working Class, post-2000s roots.

Policy priorities - UK: Education, Economy, Crime, Health, Domestic Poverty.

- UK–India: Trade & Business, International Institutions, Travel & Visas.

one that neither country once thought would actually happen.”

Lord Krish Raval OBE, Chair of Labour Indians, warned against forces that seek to divide communities while speaking at the parliamentary presentation of the report. He said division has long been woven into the history of the British Indian diaspora.

Seema Malhotra

as a proxy for the cost-of-living crisis. These are the areas where Reform has been particularly vocal about their plans to address them, and this is how they have been engaging with that 13%.”

Additionally, Jasvir Sigh OBE commented, “When you look at political priorities of this subgroup, education ranks lowest among them. Only 20% of Reform supporters say education is important, compared with 51% of Green Party supporters and 61% of those who say they support none of the main parties.

“It is striking how strongly they gravitate towards the issue of crime. Yet when it comes to education, something many of us have repeatedly said has supported our community, they do not appear to show the same level of interest.”

The survey also casts light on how British Indians view the UK– India relationship. Trade and business dominate priorities (56%), followed by international institutions (45%), a clear endorsement of closer economic ties and shared global leadership, particularly in the wake of the UK–India Free Trade Agreement. Travel and visas (41%) and history and heritage (36%) underline the emotional and cultural bonds of the diaspora, while technology and AI (35%) signal an appetite for a forward-looking partnership between two innovation-driven democracies.

Seema Malhotra, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Equalities and Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office commented on this saying, “If I briefly reflect on the top three priorities, I think it also shows that the Indian diaspora community continues to be very internationally connected and strongly focused on economic prosperity. In line with work we have discussed before, trade and business were very apparent when I visited India just a couple of weeks ago, following the Prime Minister’s visit and the trade deal. The key question there was how we operationalise it, and how we see tangible benefits; both for investment in India and for Indian investment here, as well as partnerships.

“What we do see is that, while it is not exclusive, many partnerships and opportunities are driven

by Indian-led businesses, or by businesses with workforces and cultural connections where culture really does have an impact.

That cultural connection brings economic benefit, alongside important social and cohesion benefits.

“One of the strongest messages from my visit was a growing ambition and a real hunger to see more benefit flow from a deal that has captured the imagination—

Warinder Juss

Reflecting on shifting political allegiances, Raval noted that the community was once viewed as firmly Labour, then later as predominantly Conservative. This constant swing, he argued, often leads parties to take the community for granted, assuming it has nowhere else to turn.

“I think we need to be everywhere, including the smaller parties,” he said, adding that the real question is the community’s role within politics. In an era of deep polarisation, Raval suggested that British Indians could act as bridgebuilders, using their collective convening power to bring people together. He highlighted the depth of talent within the community and argued it should be harnessed to foster dialogue, cohesion and constructive engagement across the political spectrum.

Warinder Juss, the Member of Parliament for Wolverhampton West, spoke movingly during the presentation about identity, belonging and contribution. “I moved from Tanzania to Wolverhampton, where I have lived ever since and now serve as MP,” he said. “When we reflect on our journeys, we often ask ourselves who we really are and what defines our identity.”

Juss described himself as British not because of where he was born, but because of what he has done. “I have lived here, studied here, worked here and contributed to this country. That is what makes someone British,” he said, noting that despite this, some still question his belonging.

He argued that economic migration should be a source of pride, not stigma. “People moved to improve their lives, support their families and contribute positively to this country,” he said.

Against the backdrop of rising farright rhetoric and recent protests, Juss stressed that many migrants were actively invited to Britain and built new lives here, only to be told they are no longer welcome.

“We have work to do as a community,” he concluded. “We must say, proudly and confidently, that we are British, while also honouring and celebrating our ancestry.”

Taken together, the findings of the British Indian Census 2025 send a powerful message. For policymakers, political parties and institutions, the evidence is now clear. The question is whether they choose to listen.

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What British Indians have to say about the new report Jasvir Sigh OBE, co-founder of South Asian Heritage Month and Founding Chair of City Sikhs said, “The ultimate purpose of the British Indian Census is evidence building, promoting fairness, and encouraging good policy. British Indians are woven into every part of our national life, yet too often are overlooked due to the perceived successes of the communities compared to others. This Census begins to correct that by providing a serious, credible evidence base that policymakers, public bodies and community organisations can use with confidence. If we want a society that works for everyone, we have to start by seeing everyone clearly.

This work helps us do exactly that.

Jasvir Sigh OBE

“The data regarding political support is particularly enlightening. British Indian communities cannot be taken for granted by the political parties, and more has to be done to engage with their needs, starting perhaps with better and more effective representation by British Indians at all levels of the democratic system.”

Nishma Gosrani OBE, Partner at Bain & Company, said: “The data unveiled in this landmark study shows a clear shift away from traditional voting patterns in our community…This volatility sends a powerful message that British Indian political loyalties can no longer be taken for granted.

“As Britain’s largest diaspora community, nearly 1.8 million strong and contributing roughly 6% of GDP, we have become an increasingly important swing voter bloc in national politics .

These findings are a wake-up call for all parties and for us as a society. In an age of polarisation, we must ensure that the British Indian community’s voice is heard and respected…”

Subhash V Thakrar OBE, FCA FRSA, Former Chairman of London Chamber of Commerce and Industry said, “The 1928 Institute have done a commendable job in bringing out this survey and its findings. These may prove useful when ministers and authorities need a reference point for their assertions and arguments. The survey confirms in many areas what was really already known; British Indians are well educated and successful, etc. The survey highlights some changes in that British Indians have become assertive and open about their sexual orientation and in their political affiliations.

“However, what is now important is what exactly do we do with these results. How do we want to be identified in this country: As British Asians, British Indians , British Hindus or just British. Do we belong to UK or are we still trying to show a separate identity linked to India or Africa? I feel strongly that we

belong here and there is no other country in the world where we shall be the first class citizens as here in the UK. In Dubai and Africa, we shall be 2nd class citizens or residents. In the US, we shall be asked why are we entering the country. In India, if you have money to spend, you are welcome otherwise who cares! So now is the time when we must introspect and ask where we really belong and then start contributing in every aspect of the country, our country. If there is goodness in the qualities of British Indians, lets spread this goodness in the whole country.

Let us be involved.”

Comedian Ahir Shah, also present at the event, addressed the audience saying, “I’m not someone who contributes with data and facts, but what I do is tell the truth through comedy.

Comedy is often where you find the most truth because it’s unfiltered.

“I’m a foreigner and the reason I say I’m a foreigner is because I’m constantly reminded of it. As an actor who has worked for 30 years in the industry and received an award for outstanding contribution to drama, not much has changed. You’re still treated as a box-ticking exercise, always peripheral to any major production.

“The demonstrations outside this building not long ago were

India-UK creative partnership takes centre stage in London The growing India-UK partnership in the creative sector took centre stage at a special Bharat Parv showcase in London, highlighting opportunities for collaboration across all verticals of the media and entertainment industry.

Organised by the Indian High Commission alongside WAVES Bazaar’s participation at the Focus London conference, the event featured music and dance performances by winners of the Create in India Challenge (CIC), a global initiative under the World Audio

Guests enjoys a live classical music performance

HE Vikram Doraiswami (right) addressing the audience at the event Nishma Gosrani OBE

Subhash V Thakrar OBE

Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES). Held under the theme “Bharat Parv: Connecting Creators, Connecting Countries,” the showcase celebrated cultural performances from across India.

In a series of posts on X, the Indian High Commission highlighted the presence of WAVES Bazaar and the India Cine Hub at FOCUS 2025, noting that their participation sparked conversations around the future of screen storytelling. The posts described how WAVES Bazaar “lit up London with India’s creative energy”, fostering new connections and collaborations, while the WAVES India Reception brought together industry leaders to celebrate India’s growing influence in global storytelling.

The High Commission highlighted a vibrant India-UK collaboration roundtable, with Deputy High Commissioner Kartik Pande visiting the India and state pavilions showcasing the country as a global filming destination. The engagements reflected the evolution of India–UK ties into a strong, multi-faceted and mutually beneficial partnership.

The momentum builds on the Mumbai summit earlier this year, which saw strong UK participation led by Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, with WAVES Bazaar travelling to London this week to deepen those connections.

“Culture is the easiest way to find

space together” Indian High Commissioner to the UK, HE Vikram Doraiswami, said the event marked “a taste of what we want to be able to do” in strengthening the cultural and creative pillar of the India-UK partnership. He noted that while the two countries have historically collaborated in education, culture and technology, this relationship has often evolved “by default” rather than through “coherent, organised and planned effort.”

Highlighting India’s growing creative energy, Doraiswami said the challenge lies in the “lack of physical and economic space” for talent to flourish. He emphasised that the UK could bring its “magic sauce”, expertise in talent development, branding and packaging creative industries, creating jobs, new content and global influence for both nations. “Culture is the easiest way to find space together,” he said, adding that initiatives like WAVES aim to provide a platform for deeper collaboration across theatre, music and the wider creative economy.

Shruti Rajkumar, consultant with the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), presented an overview of WAVES and the India Cine Hub, describing them as key platforms driving innovation, talent development and global collaboration in India’s creative ecosystem. She said WAVES is “a revolutionary

online marketplace” designed to bring creators, businesses and buyers together across film, television, music and advertising to enable co-productions. “It’s about creators and businesses finding common ground and collaborating across verticals,” she noted.

Rajkumar highlighted the success of the first WAVES Bazaar held in Mumbai in May, which generated over 10 billion worth of business conversations and facilitated more than 3,300 B2B meetings involving creators from across the world. She also outlined the role of the India Cine Hub as a one-stop platform that streamlines filming in India, from permissions and visas to locations and incentives.

The evening concluded with captivating performances by Sukhman Singh, Sandeep Mohanty and Tanishq Arora, winners of the Wah Ustaad, Create in India Challenge, accompanied by Manjeet Singh Rasiya on tabla and Surjeet Singh Aulakh on sarangi.

The cultural showcase celebrated the diversity of India’s artistic heritage, featuring a dynamic jugalbandi followed by classical dance performances, Odissi by Aashvee Dance Academy, Bharatanatyam Tillana by Navya School of Dance, and a spellbinding Sufi Kathak to Amir Khusro’s Chaap Tilak by Arambh Kathak Pathshala.

Earlier in October, speaking at the UK National Day celebrations in New Delhi, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar described 2025 as an exceptional year for India-UK cooperation, noting that ties have evolved into a “dynamic and forward-looking partnership.”

He highlighted recent high-level visits, the signing of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, the adoption of Vision 2035, and welcomed the approval of nine leading UK universities to establish campuses in India, calling it a major step forward in education collaboration.

Kartik Pande: Strengthening India-UK ties

Comedian Ahir Shah

the same things I saw as a child, being told to go back to your own country, my mother being spat at, my father beaten up. It all happened again. I told my children I was being reminded that I wasn’t welcome here again. It’s a sad state of affairs, but that’s the world we’re living in right now.”

Kartik Pande, a distinguished officer of the 2004 batch of the Indian Foreign Service (IFS), is currently serving as the Deputy High Commissioner of India to the United Kingdom. With a career spanning key diplomatic postings, he has played a pivotal role in advancing India’s international relations.

Before his current assignment in London, Mr Pande served as High Commissioner of India to Seychelles from November 2022, where he focused on deepening bilateral cooperation, development projects, and capacity-building ini-

Kartik Pande

tiatives. His overseas postings have also included Paris, Port Louis (Mauritius), and Colombo, provid-

ing him with extensive experience in trade, commerce, and regional diplomacy.

A graduate of St Joseph’s College (SEM), Nainital, Mr Pande holds an M.Phil in History from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU). He is married to fellow IFS officer Esha Srivastava, and the couple has two children.

Known for his commitment to fostering stronger bilateral ties, Mr Pande continues to play a significant role in shaping India’s diplomatic presence in the UK, promoting collaboration across political, economic, and cultural spheres.

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A long-serving former NHS worker from Harrow has been recognised for her dedication to supporting lonely and end-of-life patients at Northwick Park Hospital.

Kanchan Chandegra, 71, retired after 34 years in the health service but soon returned as a volunteer, offering companionship to patients with no relatives or visitors. Growing up in Africa in a close-knit Asian household, she learned early the importance of caring for others, helping to look after her grandmother as a child.

Today, she is one of a

Kanchan Chandegra

small group of Butterfly volunteers who sit with patients nearing the end of their lives or awaiting moves to care homes, ensuring they are not alone. Kanchan,

a mother of three, says volunteering opened her eyes to how many people face isolation. in her Known community for offering support in times of need, she was deeply shaped by the loss of her sister and her mother’s belief that no one should die alone.

Her compassion now been has recognised with a Rising Star Award celebrating women making a difference in London, along with a personal letter of thanks from the Mayor of London.

A woman’s home was targeted by a group of burglars in which one man posed as a pizza delivery driver while others, wearing balaclavas and armed with a fake gun, waited nearby.

Believing the supposed courier was being coerced, the woman pulled him inside and slammed the door shut, prompting the masked men outside to kick at it in an attempt to force entry. The woman dialled 999 as the bogus courier urged her not to call police and offered to identify the men outside.

Source: Humberside Police

Man jailed for aggravated burglary after fake pizza delivery plot

Mohammed Wahid

Officers quickly attended the scene.

The incident was outlined at a court hearing where Mohammed Wahid, 20, of Sherburn Street, off

Holderness Road, East Hull, pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary on October 26 last year. He also admitted possessing Class A drugs with intent to supply and cannabis on December 11. Wahid told officers he had been approached by two men in a 4x4 and offered £20 to do the job.

In separate incidents, he was repeatedly stopped and found with drugs, while a seized phone contained around 64,000 drugrelated messages. Wahid was jailed for four years.

Missed chances led to appendicitis death A coroner has concluded that health professionals missed many opportunities to diagnose and treat Adam Hussain, a young man from Nottingham, in the days before he died from appendicitis.

Adam, who was initially discharged from hospital, repeatedly phoned 999 and 111 between May 12 and 15, complaining of severe symp-

Adam Hussain

refused an ambulance. The inquest heard that had things been done differently, he would most likely survive.

The coroner criticised the East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) and the NEMS (111 assessors) for the system failures, which also contributed to the death of another man, Jake Cartwright, whose sepsis was not detected.

Man convicted of revenge arson quadruple murder Source: West Yorkshire Police

Volunteer honoured for supporting lonely patients

Sharaz Ali

Sharaz Ali, aged 40, has been found guilty of murdering his ex-girlfriend's sister and her sister’s three children in a revenge arson attack in Bradford in August last year.

Ali was convicted of murdering the four victims: Bryonie Gawith (29) and her three children, Denisty (nine), Oscar (five), and Aubree Birtle (22 months); and attempting to murder his former girlfriend, Antonia Gawith, who escaped. Ali, fuelled by drink and drugs, wanted to inflict maximum pain after Antonia ended their abusive relationship, blaming her sister Bryonie for encouraging the break-up.

Ali broke into the house, poured petrol, and started the fatal blaze, knowing the children were home. He will be sentenced at a later date.

Pregnant woman targeted in racist hit-and-run A pregnant mother-of-two, identified as H Bibi, has reported being targeted in a racially motivated hit-and-run attempt in Acocks Green, Birmingham.

After stopping his car, a white English man drove into her friend, knocking her down, before allegedly rolling down his window and racially abusing both women, calling them “f***ing p*s.” She stated her visible headscarf likely indicated she was Muslim.

West Midlands Police confirmed they are investigating the racially motivated road rage incident, though H Bibi expressed dissatisfaction, claiming officers initially weren't taking the issue seriously and stated she doesn’t feel safe anymore.

Man jailed after drug haul at Grooming gang jailed for Saltwell park attacks Birmingham address Five men were jailed for aged between 13 and 16,

terms ranging from 18 months to 14 years on Friday after being found guilty of sexually assaulting and raping schoolgirls in Saltwell Park, Gateshead.

Following an eightweek trial, the men were convicted of 30 charges including rape, sexual assault, and blackmail, committed between 2014 and 2019. Vulnerable girls

toms, including pain and slurred speech, but was

who were supplied with alcohol and cocaine were the victims.

Bogdan Gugiuman received 14 years for three counts of rape and drug supply, while Codrin Dura received 13 years for multiple rape and sexual assault charges and Klaudio Aleksiu, Leonard Paun, Clockwise from top left: Codrin Dura, Leonard Stefan Ciuraru were also Paun, Stefan Ciuraru, Klaudio Aleksiu, Bogdan convicted.

Gugiuman. Composite: Northumbria Police

Nursing home manager banned for racial abuse Michelle Rogers, who managed a nursing home in Warwickshire, has been banned by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) after being found guilty of bullying and racial discrimination against staff.

Rogers threatened to send internationally

recruited, sponsored staff back to India and cancel their visas, while also allocating duties unfairly and providing inadequate training. The abusive behaviour took place between February and May 2020.

The NMC ruled that her toxic management style,

which created an environment of fear and left overseas employees feeling powerless, posed a significant risk to colleagues and patients.

She also laughed at a colleague's resignation inquiry, stating, “It is England, not India.”

Birmingham man, Hemant Patel, has been sentenced to 38 months in prison after a warrant led to the discovery of illegal drugs at his home.

Approximately £16,000 worth of Class A drugs, crack cocaine and heroin, were seized during the Hemant Patel search in June this year at an address in Woodstock Road, Birmingham. Police dog PD Lucky sniffed out the large quantity of drugs, which were hidden inside a printer. Patel, aged 39, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply Class A drugs and was sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court on December 8.

Police stated the custodial sentence reflects their commitment to tackling drug dealing, which fuels exploitation and misery within the community.

IN BRIEF PATROL BOOST AFTER BONDI ATTACK West Midlands Police have announced they will increase patrols and engage with local communities following the horrific mass shooting in Australia. At least 11 people were shot dead by two gunmen during a Jewish event at Bondi Beach on December 13. The measure is a response to the attack, which also left 29 people hospitalised, including two police officers who remain in a serious condition. The police will sustain engagement to reassure local residents following the incident.

A KICK START FOR INNOVATION CORRIDOR The West Midlands has launched the Wolverhampton Green Innovation Corridor (GIC) with a £7 million investment approved.

The GIC will prepare four brownfield sites to create up to 600 jobs in clean-tech and green manufacturing. Mayor said the plan will help the region lead the next Industrial Revolution in manufacturing. The region's Investment Zone Board approved funding to prepare four brownfield sites, collectively named Six Mile Green.

NORTHERN WOMEN FACE DISPROPORTIONATE JOB LOSSES A new study by IPPR North reveals that women in the north of England have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic recession. Almost half of northern working women are in hard-hit sectors like retail and hospitality, compared to only a quarter of men. Approximately 382,000 northern women were furloughed in December, with researchers calling for action to address worsening regional and economic inequalities.

UK’S LARGEST SOLAR FARM IN LINCOLNSHIRE Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has approved the UK’s biggest solar farm, the 700megawatt Tillbridge project in Lincolnshire.

It will power 300,000 homes. The approval comes despite rising local support for the Reform UK's anti-renewables agenda.

Miliband defended the policy, arguing that net zero is the growth opportunity of the 21st century.

URGENT APPEAL TO FIND MISSING SCHOOLGIRL Police have launched an urgent appeal to locate Madiya, a 13-year-old schoolgirl who went missing from the Wednesbury area in the Madiya Black Country. Madiya was last seen on December 12. Police are concerned for her welfare and have urged the public to immediately call 999 if they have any information on her whereabouts.

HUSBAND DENIES KILLING WIFE IN WOLVERHAMPTON Shivinder Sandhir, aged 42, has denied murdering his wife, Anjanee Sandhir, who was found with serious injuries at their Finch field Road home in Wolverhampton on September 29, at about 20:20 BST. Sandhir pleaded not guilty at Wolverhampton Crown Court. He has been remanded into custody until March 20.

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Christmas Cheer, New Year Magic

LOCAL CHAMPIONS INSPIRE COMMUNITY HOPE Continued from page 1

Meet & Deep, Khalsa Aid International and Food for Life London among others, have stepped forward to help those in need.

Loneliness and social isolation are issues all year, but Christmas and winter period can present additional challenges. The reduction in routine services, early or complete closure of shops, colder weather, shorter daylight hours, and changes in individual health conditions all contribute to difficulties in maintaining social connections, regardless of whether one celebrates Christmas.

Although Christmas is commonly characterised as a season marked by joy, togetherness, and frequent gatherings, such as family meals and reunions, but in recent research by Age UK underscores the prevalence of loneliness among older adults during this period: Half of older people (6.3 million) report that they no longer experience the previous joy associated with Christmas, while one million experience greater isolation during Christmas than at any other time of year.

Older individuals also face continued challenges on Christmas Day itself: 1.5 million will eat dinner alone while 670,000 will have no social interactions.

There is a prevalent assumption among younger and midlife adults that older persons are either too frail to participate in festivities or prefer solitude. While some find this a restful period, this does not reflect the experiences of all older adults; for many, Christmas is a critical opportunity to ensure inclusion and recognition.

Additionally, individuals aged 18-64 noted that interactions with older people may prompt reflections on their own ageing process.

The holiday season often intensifies the physical and emotional challenges associated with ageing.

For 11 million older people, Christmas evokes memories of past times, and 5.9 million find the season difficult due to remembering loved ones who have passed away.

Relying on food banks For thousands rising prices have forced distressing choices: cutting back on essentials, skipping meals or turning to food banks. Nearly one in four adults say they would struggle to pay an unexpected £850 bill, underscoring the financial fragility felt across the country. In the year to May 2025, 5.3 million low-income families reported skipping meals, while 1.5 million used food banks, and this food insecurity will only get harder during the festive season.

Alongside economic strain, homelessness has surged. Shelter estimates that at least 354,000 people in England will be without a permanent home this Christmas, including thousands of children.

Local figures show over 3,000 people in places like Milton Keynes will spend Christmas homeless, with similar patterns in towns and cities nationwide. Meanwhile,

Preperations for Langar Aid at Khalsa Aid International rough sleeping in London has hit record levels, rising by around 18 per cent in the past year, and nightly counts continue to climb as winter temperatures drop.

In this landscape, community support is crucial. British Asian community members, charities, faith groups, and volunteer networks are stepping in, providing food, warm clothing, shelter, and companionship for the wider British society during these festive months. Beyond practical aid, these grassroots efforts bring human connection, offering hope and dignity to those most vulnerable during the coldest, loneliest months of the year.

local shop into a lifeline for the community. Over the years, they have launched a series of grassroots initiatives through their newsagents, including a food bank, a winter “heat hub”, offering warmth to those unable to afford rising fuel bills. Tables and chairs were set up so residents, particularly students, could sit, work, use Wi-Fi and stay warm when heat-

up to deliver for the community this winter is Khalsa Aid International. The charity has launched its National Winter Blanket Drive, beginning on 14 December, to provide warmth, dignity, and hope to those most affected by the cold.

Collection points across the UK have mobilised communities to donate blankets and winter essentials, which will be distributed to people experiencing homelessness and families in hardship.

Meanwhile, the charity’s Langar Aid team in Coventry continues to provide hot meals, essential supplies, and support to vulnerable individuals, including international students, offering both practical help and compassionate human connection during difficult times.

Khalsa Aid International’s winter response spans the globe. In Punjab, India, it is distributing clothing and essentials to floodaffected families, while in Türkiye,

Meet & Deep Newsagents: A local lifeline One such place offering muchneeded human connection is Meet & Deep Newsagents in Twickenham, run by Shashi and Pallu Patel. As they do every year, the couple will open their doors on Christmas Day, one of the very few days they would normally have off, to welcome anyone who simply needs company and a friendly presence during the festive season.

The couple’s son, Deepen explains, “We want to make sure that nobody feels they have to spend Christmas alone, because it's a time where everybody thinks about family, but lots of people forget that some people have no family, sadly. And so, they are left alone.

“This year, we will be opening the doors between 12-4PM, offering samosas and masala chai.

That's my great-great-grandmother's recipe of masala chai, and our own blend of spices, along with my mother's samosas, free food, chocolates, crisps and refreshments; it will be a party atmosphere. We're going to have disco lights all around the shops, carols playing and dress up in full fancy dress outfits. We are also going to be giving out free hugs to everybody who needs one on Christmas Day, because we don't want anybody to be alone and we want everybody to know that we are their family too.”

On Boxing Day, the family will be hosting an interactive game show where we will host it from our shop. “We will be playing games with customers who come in as well as interactive games that people watching at home can be involved in. Participants can win prizes from home and that way we can reach the whole world through our shop”, Deepen said.

Driven by their faith and a belief in good karma, the Patel family have quietly turned their

Food for Life volunteers serving food ing their own homes was not an option.

They also introduced a book bank, encouraging neighbours to share books and step away from screens. Perhaps most touching is their loneliness phone line, open every evening from 6pm to 8pm, where anyone feeling isolated can call for a simple, human conversation about life, health or just to connect.

Khalsa Aid International: Local and global action Another organisation stepping

teams are delivering coal, vital supplies and toys to refugee camps near the Syrian border, supporting communities facing extreme hardship.

Speaking about the winter initiatives, Ravi Singh, Founder of Khalsa Aid International, said, “Winter strips away comfort and safety for millions of people. At Khalsa Aid, we respond with humanity - providing warmth, food, and reassurance to those who need it most, whether they are sleeping rough in the UK or

Three in 10 adults planning ‘Friendsmas’ this year Around 30% of adults are set to celebrate Friendsmas this year, a festive gathering where friends enjoy their own Christmas separate from the traditional family celebrations on December 25. December 20 emerges as the most popular date.

A survey of 2,000 adults shows that Friendsmas is especially popular with Gen Z, with 45% planning to join in and 11% admitting they even prefer it over family festivities. For 16%, it’s a way to enjoy the season free from family tension. The appeal?

Fun, socialising, and indulging in festive food. Nearly a quarter of participants say Friendsmas is “more important” than customs like hanging Christmas lights or joining Secret Santa.

On average, celebrants have marked Friendsmas for nine years, though 47% say agreeing on a date this year has been tricky.

sheltering in camps overseas.”

Food for Life London: Nourishment and community Food for Life London is a UK based charity organisation, under the ISKCON London Hare Krishna temple in Central London, that provides free vegetarian and plant-based meals to those in need. The charity feeds needy people in Central London: Holborn and Charing Cross with prashadam, blessed food that is nourishing for the body and soul, distributing about 600 plates a week, Monday to Saturday.

The charity distributed 3,408 free hot vegetarian and plantbased meals to those in need in November, 3,256 in September and 3,417 in August. The charity also distributed warm clothes recently.

Additionally, Food for Life constantly welcomes people who want to volunteer and donate, forming a community around helping others. More information can be found on their website.

While we can only highlight a few, countless individuals and organisations across the UK are stepping up to support those in need during this challenging festive period. In Wolverhampton, the Susan Vickers Foundation donated 48 Christmas trees to families with care experience, offering a “symbol of hope.”

Bristol’s Caring at Christmas provides a safe space, hot meals, and warm drinks for the homeless, supported by around 400 volunteers. Cheltenham Open Door offers festive meals and entertainment to socially isolated individuals over Christmas, while Clevedon YMCA in North Somerset serves free cooked breakfasts for anyone seeking company. And these are just a few.

From community kitchens to winter shelters, British civil society is filling gaps that official services cannot. This Christmas, those acts of solidarity are more than seasonal goodwill; they are a lifeline, a reminder that in the darkest months, compassion can make the difference between survival and despair.

Voters think Santa favours the left A recent survey suggests that almost a third of voters believe Father Christmas would back the Green Party if an election were held tomorrow.

Even 20% of Labour supporters think Santa would choose the Greens over giving Sir Keir Starmer a second term.

The YouGov poll, which questioned more than 2,000 voters, asked them to imagine how Father Christmas might cast his ballot. Many assumed Santa shared their own political views, but not everyone agreed. Among Conservative voters, 27% believed he would support Kemi Badenoch and the Tories, while 32%

guessed he’d simply stay home in Lapland.

Reform UK voters were more certain Santa would worry about migration. Nearly half thought he would vote for Nigel Farage’s party, though a small minority of 4% still suspected he leaned Green.

On the opposite end, voters were asked who Ebenezer Scrooge might support. A third believed he would back Farage, including almost a quarter of Reform supporters.

Meanwhile, 20% said he would vote Conservative and 14% thought Labour might attract him, perhaps intrigued by Starmer’s attempts to reform benefits.

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Christmas cooking with

Rising meat prices push families towards plant-based food

MIRA MANEK Mira Manek is an author of three cookbooks, founder of the chai spice brand Chai by Mira, and a speaker specialising in Ayurveda and wellness. In her book Saffron Soul,

inspired by her travels across India, Mira celebrates the authenticity of her Gujarati roots, bringing together cherished home-cooked recipes with a modern

sensibility.

For Christmas, Mira shares two festive recipes, one savoury and one sweet, designed to bring warmth, colour and comfort to the table.

T

Chilli Crisp Roast Potatoes Serves 4-6 as part of a feast Roasted rosemary potatoes are delicious and simple to make, plus they’re filling, hearty and everyone loves them! A sprinkle and shake of semolina gets them extra crisp!

Ingredients 15 baby potatoes 1 tablespoon semolina 1 teaspoon salt 1 stalk fresh rosemary, handful 1 tablespoon coconut oil (or can use butter) 2 teaspoons cumin seeds 1 teaspoon chilli flakes Process Preheat the oven to Gas Mark 6. Wash the potatoes.

Boil the potatoes in hot water for around 10 minutes, then drain the water and sprinkle over the semolina. Mix together well. In a small pan, heat the cumin seeds in the oil and add the rosemary leaves, chilli flakes and salt.

Pour this over the potatoes and mix well. Place in the oven for around 40 minutes until cooked. Check with a fork to see if they’re cooked.

Dips that steal the show at the table 1) Lemony beet hummus Ingredients 2-3 medium beetroots 1 clove garlic 1 tin chickpeas, 240g 1 tablespoon tahini ½ teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon cumin seeds 1 tablespoon olive oil Juice of 1 lemon or lime ¼ - ½ cup water Process Preheat the oven to gas mark 6, 400F. Peel and discard the beetroot skin, then wrap each beetroot in aluminium foil (just enough to fully cover the beet) and place them in the oven with the peeled garlic clove (these don’t need to be wrapped in foil) for around 45 minutes until soft and cooked. In a small pan, toast the cumin seeds for a couple of minutes until they turn a darker shade of brown and you smell the aroma. Leave aside. When cooked, chop the beetroot into chunks so it’s easier to blend, and place with all

Winter Spiced Banana Bread

I love a good banana bread – and this one’s healthy, wholesome and just so good! It’s a recipe from my cookbook Saffron Soul, one of those recipes that friends and readers make on repeat, I’ve been told.

Ingredients 100g, 3/4 cup almond flour 140g, 1 and 1/4 cups spelt or wheat flour 60g coconut sugar or honey 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda 1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon cardamom 120g coconut oil, melted 60ml almond milk or any 1 ripe banana 4 pitted dates Juice of 1/2 orange 10-15 walnuts, broken Handful blueberries Process Preheat the oven to 180C/350F. Grease a cake or loaf tin and mix together all dry ingredients. Add the rest of the ingredients and mix well. Stir in walnuts and blueberries and pour into tin and bake for 50 minutes.

other ingredients including the toasted cumin seeds in a high speed blender. Blend until smooth. Taste for salt and lime, and add more if required.

2) Roasted carrot & red pepper dip Ingredients 2 carrots, roughly chopped 1 red pepper, roughly chopped 1 clove garlic ¼ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon cumin seeds 3-4 tablespoons white kidney beans 100ml water juice of ½ lemon or lime Process Preheat the oven to gas

mark 6, 400F. Chop the carrots into small chunks and boil them for 10 minutes, then place in the oven with the chopped red pepper and garlic clove. Let them cook in the oven for around 40 minutes until soft, then place into a blender with the cumin seeds (lightly toast the cumin seeds on a small pan for a minute or two until you can smell the aroma), white kidney beans, water, salt and lime and blend in until smooth. Taste and add more salt or lemon if required. You can also make it thinner by adding a little more water.

Britons expected to spend £24.6 billion on Christmas British consumers are projected to spend £24.6 billion on Christmas presents and celebrations this year, a 3.5 per cent increase on 2023, despite a sluggish start to the festive season, according to a PwC survey.

In real terms, however, sales are expected to remain largely flat, with inflation running at 3.6 per cent in October.

Average spending per UK adult is forecast to reach £461, with food and drink, Christmas dinner, and health and beauty products topping the priority list.

Retailers have faced challenging conditions in recent weeks. Barclays reported that spending on its credit and debit cards fell 1.1 per cent year-on-year in November, marking the largest decline since February 2021, during the Covid-19 pandemic, as consumers held back ahead of finance minister Rachel Reeves’ budget announcement.

Separately, the British Retail Consortium found that spending at major retailers rose just 1.4 per

cent last month—the slowest growth since May. Black Friday sales also disappointed, and analysts noted that unusually mild autumn and early winter weather hit fashion retailers particularly hard, reducing demand for high-ticket items such as coats and boots.

Among those planning to cut back this Christmas, the rising cost of living was the main factor. PwC also forecast the steepest yearon-year drop in US holiday spending since the pandemic, driven largely by Generation Z shoppers tightening their budgets amid economic uncertainty.

he cost of meat in British supermarkets has risen sharply compared with plant-based alternatives, with a widening “meat-to-beans gap” shaping household food choices. Euromonitor data shows meat prices have surged since 2020, while plant proteins such as beans, lentils and tofu have remained relatively stable.

Between 2020 and 2025, average meat prices rose by £3.31 per kg to £11.38, with beef prices nearly doubling and lamb up £5.77 per kg. In contrast, fresh pulses increased by just 45p per kg. Analysis by Madre Brava shows the price gap between beef and pulses widening from £6.58 to £10.54 per kg, driven by climate pressures, global conflict, the pandemic and Brexit.

With Christmas approaching, rising food costs are putting additional pressure on households, prompting many to consider alternatives. Nitin Mehta MBE, founder of Indian Vegetarians and Vegans, has launched a festive pledge encouraging people to avoid meat and dairy this Christmas, highlighting plantbased options as affordable and accessible.

Asian Voice spoke to experts on how rising meat prices are pushing households towards affordable plant-based foods, with beans, lentils and pulses emerging as cost-effective festive alternatives.

“Beans and lentils offer real savings for families” Deirdra Barr, Director of the Vegetarian Society, said rising meat prices are accelerating a shift towards plant-based eating in UK households. “Affordable plant-based foods are now doing the heavy lifting in weekly shops,” she said, pointing to the widening ‘meat-to-beans gap’. According to Madre Brava (2025), the price difference between shelf-stable beans and beef has increased from £6.78 per kg in 2020 to £10.54 per kg in 2025. “Dried beans and lentils bought in bulk can provide 20-30g of protein for as little as 15-25p, compared with 60–90p from meat. For families under cost-of-living pressure, pulses, grains and vegetables offer real savings while improving health.”

Food writer and adviser Mallika Basu said plantbased staples have been side-lined by the dominance of cheap meat, despite their nutritional and environmental value. “Beans, lentils and pulses are affordable, nourishing foods that have been pushed off our plates,” she said, warning that low-cost meat often compromises animal welfare, the environment and diet quality. Citing the Eat-Lancet Planetary Health Diet, Basu called for meals built around whole grains and plant proteins, with smaller amounts of responsibly produced meat. “Plant-based foods should form the foundation of everyday eating, with meat treated as an occasional luxury rather than the default.”

Food activist and former UK Youth Parliament member Dev Sharma said the renewed focus on plantbased foods highlights deep inequalities in access to good nutrition. “Families are being priced out of basic nutrition, not making lifestyle choices,” he said.

Sharma pointed to beans and lentils, long-standing staples in many communities, as low-cost, protein-rich foods that also benefit the climate. However, he cautioned against celebrating forced dietary change.

“When ultra-processed food stays cheap but real, nourishing food doesn’t, the system is broken. We need government action so healthy, plant-based eating is accessible to everyone.”

Haematologist and lifestyle medicine physician Dr Shireen Kassam said rising meat prices are revealing the true value of plant-based diets. “Beans, lentils and other plant proteins are among the most affordable, nutrient-dense foods available and have a far lower environmental footprint,” she said. Kassam added that meals centred on plant foods can be both comforting and festive. “As people rediscover plant-based cooking, we have a real opportunity to improve public health and make sustainable eating the norm rather than the exception.”

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SOUTH ASIAN FAMILIES BRINGING EXTRA SPARKLE TO

CHRISTMAS IN THE UK! old on to your mince pies, darlings, because we’re diving headfirst into the most wonderfully vibrant Christmas celebrations in the UK. British South Asian families are embracing the festive season with a joyful fusion of tradition, creating a truly unique and utterly fabulous way to celebrate.

Whether it’s decking the halls with dazzling decorations or

H

swapping a traditional turkey for a spicy biryani, Christmas in these households is a spectacular mashup of cultures. It's not just a religious holiday for many, but a cultural phenomenon.

The growing trend of British Asians, regardless of their specific faith, fully participating in Christmas is a beautiful reflection of the UK's multicultural fabric.

Reports and anecdotal evidence

from recent years show just how widespread and secular the enjoyment of the holiday has become. For many, especially those who grew up in the UK, it’s simply an essential part of British life.

But what does this vibrant celebration really look like on the ground? We spoke to a few families to find out what makes their Christmas truly special.

A bold new era for South Asian heritage The rhythm of British South Asian life is set to find a new cadence. Starting in 2026, South Asian Heritage Month will undergo its most significant transformation since its inception, moving from its traditional mid-month split to occupy the full month of July.

the entirety of July, South Asian history and culture can now be woven seamlessly into the final weeks of the school year.

This ensures that young British South Asians see their stories prioritised during the peak of the academic calendar, fostering a sense of

This shift from July 1 to July 31 is far more than a mere administrative reshuffle, it represents a profound coming of age for a movement that has outgrown its initial boundaries. By aligning with the standard academic calendar and global scheduling, the festival is shedding its status as a niche UK project to become a formidable force within the global diaspora.

Empowering the next generation For students and educators, this change is a masterstroke of inclusivity.

Previously, the celebration was bisected by the end of the summer term, often leaving schools struggling to maintain momentum as the holidays began. By claiming

belonging that lasts long after the final bell rings.

Mapping our shared history This transition also mirrors the grassroots energy seen in local communities, such as the innovative migration mapping workshops in Haringey. Here, residents are lead-mapping their own ancestral journeys, transforming oral histories into tangible legacies.

Having a dedicated, unsplit month provides the breathing room necessary for these complex narratives to be told in full. It signals that our heritage is not a footnote to be squeezed into the margins of the summer, but a central pillar of the British experience that deserves its own undisputed place in time.

Aekta Patel: Slowing down and London’s festive charm “Christmas for me is a really special time. I love slowing down during that whole period. Lazy mornings watching Christmas movies, enjoying all the wonderful Christmas experiences in London and then early nights.

Some of my favourite things to do are Christmas at Kew, Christmas carols at the Royal Albert Hall, seeing all the beautiful decorations across London and of course lots of time with family with friends. My son is counting the days until Santa comes to visit which makes it even special. I love decorating the house so it's really festive. We have decorations everywhere. So those dark cold evenings are brightened up with all the decor. I love Christmas!”

Sushma Jansari: Crafting traditions and crib service “After the joyful celebrations of Diwali, my family gears up for Christmas. I made my daughter an advent calendar and I fill it with lots of little treats for her to open in the run-up to Christmas.

I really enjoy making things and take part in a wreath making workshop before Christmas and the wreath I make goes on our front door. We also get a living Christmas tree for the house which we decorate with beautiful baubles that we have collected over the years during our travels abroad

and here in the UK. On Christmas Eve, we go to the crib service at a local church. It is always fun to see all the children dress up and re-create the Nativity. My daughter also takes part and really enjoys it.

Christmas Day involves exchanging gifts enjoying lots of indulgent food and watching a family movie.

We have a dog so we also go out with him for our Christmas Day walk.”

Mischa Rumi Das: Togetherness, carols, and blended cultures “For six-year-old Mischa Rumi Das, Christmas has become one of the most joyful parts of growing up in the UK. As a British South Asian child, she loves the way the festive season blends seamlessly into her family’s own traditions, creating a celebration that feels uniquely her own.

This year, Mischa kicked off the season with a pre-Christmas gettogether in Romford. The house was filled with lights, laughter, shared food, and the excitement that only children can bring to the holidays, something Mischa looks forward to every year. At school, Mischa has been practising Christmas carols, both in class and at home, often humming them while doing her homework or helping in the kitchen.

She’s especially proud of performing them during her piano lessons, where she has been learning festive pieces and showing them off to her family with quiet confidence. For her, Christmas is less about presents and more about the feeling of togetherness, of enjoying time with family, sharing traditions with her friends at school, and being part of her wider community. Mischa’s experience reflects how many South Asian families in the UK are embracing Christmas in their own ways: blending cultures, creating new memories, and raising children who feel at home in more than one tradition.”

Christmas for South Asian families in the UK is a dynamic, personal, and joyful celebration. It’s a time for family, for indulging in the best of both worlds, and for embracing the festive spirit that lights up the entire nation.

Holiday let owners under pressure Holiday home owners are facing mounting pressures just as the festive season approaches. While owners of £2 million-plus mansions protested loudly over tax hikes, those with smaller, picturesque properties have largely been overlooked.

A two-point income tax rise, a potential tourist tax, and looming energy-efficiency costs are piling up, leaving many holiday let owners struggling. Data from Hamptons shows ownership fell by 13,530 in a year, with Cornwall seeing the biggest drop of 530.

“Most holiday let owners love hosting, but making a profit is becoming increasingly difficult,” says Alistair Handyside, executive chairman of the Professional Association of Self-Caterers.

The government plans to allow councils to introduce a tourist tax in England, with similar schemes in Scotland and Wales. Owners warn it could hit staycations and unfairly tax business trips or

family visits. Property income tax rises by two points from April 2027, larger operators face higher National Insurance costs, and upcoming energy rules, requiring properties to meet EPC band C by 2030, add further pressure.

“EPCs could devastate rural and coastal self-catering,” says Handyside. Most owners are registered as businesses, exempt from council tax and often business rates if they let properties 140 days a year, but Covid-era rate discounts end in April 2026, compounding costs.

The number of holiday homes registered under business rates in England and Wales fell by 13,530 in the past year, with the southwest of England seeing a drop of nearly 3,000. To stay competitive, owners are offering shorter, flexible stays, pet-friendly options, and modern amenities like hot tubs and smart heating systems.

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Ketan Dattani

Embrace ancient wisdom for a healthier 2026 As the calendar turns, many of us feel the familiar urge to reset. Yet, instead of fleeting resolutions, the coming year offers an invitation to embrace a more profound, holistic rhythm.

By intertwining the disciplined grace of Yoga with the elemental wisdom of Ayurveda, you can create a sanctuary of health that lasts far beyond January.

The morning path to vitality British winters often leave us feeling sluggish, making the Ayurvedic concept of Dinacharya, or daily routine, essential. Start your morning by scraping your tongue to clear overnight toxins, followed by a glass of warm water with lemon to kindle your

digestive fire. This simple act awakens the gut and sharpens the mind. For a deeper sense of calm, try Abhyanga, massaging your skin with warm sesame oil before your bath. It is a luxurious way to soothe the nervous system against the

biting cold, grounding your energy for the day ahead.

Movement as medicine Yoga in the New Year should be about more than just flexibility, it is about finding your centre.

Incorporate grounding postures like Tadasana

(Mountain Pose) and Vrikshasana (Tree Pose) to foster stability. If you feel the post-holiday heaviness, dynamic Sun Salutations can invigorate your circulation. Complement this with Pranayama, specifically alternate nostril breathing, to balance your internal scales and reduce the noise of modern life.

Nourishing the inner fire True wellness is found on the plate. Favour seasonal, warming foods like spiced porridges, root vegetable stews, and herbal teas infused with ginger and turmeric. By eating mindfully and aligning your habits with nature’s cycles, you ensure the upcoming year is not just healthy, but truly harmonious.

How to throw a memorable New Year’s house party The countdown to the New Year is the perfect excuse to gather friends and family for a night of laughter, music, and celebration.

Hosting a house party doesn’t have to be stressful, what matters most is creating a warm, fun, and festive atmosphere. Here’s a guide to throwing a memorable New Year’s house party that everyone will enjoy.

1. Set the scene The right ambiance can make all the difference.

Decorate your home with lights, balloons, and banners that reflect a festive theme. Fairy lights, glow sticks, or LED candles create a warm, inviting atmosphere. Consider a colour theme, like gold and silver for sparkle or vibrant hues for a playful vibe. Having a designated photo area with props can also encourage guests to take fun pictures and make memories.

2. Curate a fun playlist Music sets the mood for any gathering. Prepare a playlist in advance that mixes upbeat party songs, classics that everyone knows, and a few slower tracks for conversation

breaks. Keep the volume at a level that allows guests to chat comfortably while still feeling energized by the music. You can also encourage guests to suggest songs to make them feel involved in the party atmosphere.

3. Plan interactive activities Games and activities keep the energy alive throughout the night.

Trivia, charades, or a scavenger hunt can be adapted to fit your space and group size. Consider a creative activity, like a DIY crafting station where guests can make party hats or decorate New Year’s cards. You could also set up a countdown activity, where each guest writes a wish or goal for the New Year and shares it at midnight.

4. Offer delicious snacks and drinks Even without alcohol, a variety of tasty food and drinks will keep your guests satisfied. Finger foods, bitesized treats, and themed snacks are perfect for mingling. Include fresh fruit, cheeses, nuts, and vegetable platters. For beverages, serve sparkling water, juices, mocktails, or hot

Embracing a Greener Holiday Season

A

s the year winds down, I find myself reflecting on the growing importance of sustainability during the holiday season. Across South Asian households, communities are gearing up for celebrations of all kinds, whether cultural, religious, or family-centered. Even for those who do not traditionally observe holidays, this period often offers a chance to pause, rest, and cherish quality time with loved ones.

The values of resourcefulness and caring for the environment are not just seasonal. They enrich everyday life.

Across diverse traditions, South Asian families are increasingly weaving sustainable practices into their celebrations, showing that eco-conscious living can be both meaningful and joyful.

More households are embracing greener habits, turning sustainability into a shared value rather than a solitary effort. Families are finding inventive ways to reduce waste, such as reusing jars, bags, boxes, and fabrics or switching to LED lights to cut electricity use. Even those who do not celebrate actively are adopting eco-friendly routines, minimizing food waste, choosing reusable packaging, and making small but impactful changes.

Sustainable habits are gradually becoming second nature. Though each household’s approach may differ, the common thread is a commitment to a greener lifestyle.

Many South Asian families are also supporting local communities by buying from small vendors at markets where fresh, minimally packaged food is available. This strengthens local connections while reducing dependence on massproduced products that often come in plastic packaging.

Technology is helping as well. Digital tools and apps make it easier to integrate eco-friendly practices into daily life without adding stress. From workplaces to schools, small, sustainable steps are quietly becoming part of everyday routines.

This season, let us make it more than a time for reflection and family gatherings. Let us embrace new habits, support our communities, and commit to practices that extend well beyond the holidays. Living sustainably is not just a trend. It is a gift to ourselves, our families, and our planet.

Embrace the UK's stunning coastlines this New Year drinks like cocoa or spiced teas. Having a self-serve station encourages guests to help themselves and keeps the party flowing smoothly.

5. Plan the countdown moment The highlight of any New Year’s party is the countdown to midnight.

Decide if you’ll watch a televised countdown, follow a local tradition, or create your own. Hand out confetti, noisemakers, or glow sticks so guests can participate in a big celebratory moment together.

Capture photos or videos to remember the excitement.

6. Create cosy spaces

Not every guest will want to be in the centre of the action the whole night.

Set up quiet corners with comfortable seating where people can chat, relax, or take a break from dancing and games. A mix of lively and calm areas ensures everyone enjoys the party in their own way.

7. Safety and comfort Ensure your space is safe and accessible for everyone. Clear clutter to prevent trips, provide enough seating, and make sure food and drink areas are easy to reach. Keep essential supplies like napkins, trash bins, and extra seating nearby.

This New Year, why not embrace the UK’s stunning coastlines? From the rugged Cornish cliffs to the sunsoaked English Mediterranean, and from the vibrant shores of Brighton to the gothic charm of Whitby, the UK's beaches offer something for everyone.

Weymouth. In winter, the crowds disappear, leaving you to enjoy a peaceful stroll, visit charming boutiques, or explore the UNESCO-listed Isle of Portland, where dinosaurs once roamed.

Ventnor on the Isle of Wight This unique seaside

As we Brits are no strangers to unpredictable weather, we’re more than happy to brave the chill and explore these coastal gems, even in winter. In fact, a National Trust survey revealed that 43 million of us love a wintry walk, soaking in frosty views and crisp, fresh air.

To kick off the year, here are a few beaches perfect for a New Year’s Day out along the UK’s unique shoreline.

Dorset’s Jurassic Coast Famed for its sea-carved bays and fossil-filled cliffs, Dorset’s Jurassic Coast offers stunning winter walks, especially around

town, with its pastelcoloured buildings and Mediterranean vibe, offers breath taking winter landscapes. The 25-minute walk from Ventnor Beach to Steephill Cove is a must-see, while the Terrace Rooms & Wine offers panoramic views of the English Channel.

Cornwall’s Heritage Coast With 158 miles of designated Heritage Coast, Cornwall’s winter beaches, like Tolcarne, are peaceful and perfect for coastal hikes.

Explore caves, cliffs, and bays, all while enjoying stunning views and charming beach houses.

Welcoming the year with tradition and joy The arrival of a new year is celebrated across the world with hope, joy, and a host of rituals that aim to bring luck, prosperity, and happiness.

While the methods vary from culture to culture, the underlying sentiment is universal: to leave behind the past and step into the future with positivity.

One of the most common traditions worldwide is making New Year’s resolutions. People set personal goals ranging from improving health to managing finances or cultivating new habits. This act symbolizes self-reflection and the desire for personal growth, a ritual that encourages both accountability and optimism

for the months ahead.

Fireworks and light displays are another global staple. From Sydney to New York, spectacular shows mark the countdown to midnight. The brilliant lights and booming sounds are believed to chase away evil spirits while welcoming a fresh start. Similarly, many cultures light candles or lamps to symbolise illumination, clarity, and hope for the New Year.

In some cultures, there are very specific ways to welcome good fortune. In Scotland and parts of the UK, the practice of “first-footing” dictates that the first person to enter a home after midnight brings symbolic gifts

such as coal, bread, or whisky to ensure luck and prosperity. In Brazil, people wear white clothing to invite peace, while in other countries, colours like red and yellow are chosen to attract love and wealth.

Food also plays an important role in New Year rituals. In China and Japan, eating long noodles symbolises longevity, while in Spain, it is customary to eat twelve grapes at the stroke of midnight, one for each month, to invite good luck.

In the southern United States, black-eyed peas are eaten for prosperity, and round fruits are sometimes kept on the dining table to symbolise completeness and

wealth.

Rituals involving cleansing and renewal are equally popular. In many Asian countries, people sweep and clean their homes before New Year’s Eve to remove bad luck and make space for positive energy. Similarly, throwing water or coins into fountains in parts of Latin America and Africa is meant to wash away negativity and attract prosperity.

Finally, many people visit temples, churches, or sacred sites to pray for blessings in the New Year.

Lighting candles, offering prayers, and seeking spiritual guidance reinforce the sense of renewal and hope that the occasion brings.

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Dear Financial Voice Reader,

Channel 4 appoints Priya Dogra as new chief

Alpesh Patel OBE

Where Should You Park Your Cash in 2025?

With interest rates finally rewarding savers again, many are asking: where should I park my cash? You could lock into a bank account paying 4.25% for 12 months, or take a punt on a bond fund. Which is better?

Let’s break it down.

Fixed Deposits: Safe and Simple Fixed deposits—like those offered via Flagstone—are as straightforward as it gets. You stick your money in for 12 months, and at the end, you get your money back plus interest. Current rates are around 4.25%, and your savings are protected up to £120,000 per bank by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS). That means zero risk—unless you try to withdraw early, which you usually can’t.

Perfect if: • You’re risk-averse • You don’t need the money for a year • You want certainty But here’s the catch: once the year is up, you’ll have to reinvest—possibly at a lower rate if the Bank of England starts cutting rates, as many expect. And you won’t get regular income unless the deposit offers monthly interest.

Priya Dogra

C

hannel 4 has named Priya Dogra, a senior Sky executive as its next chief executive.

Dogra, who joined Sky in 2024 as chief advertising and new revenue officer,

will take up the role in March.

She succeeds Jonathan Allen, who has served as interim chief executive since April.

Dogra, 46, said it was a “genuine privilege” to lead an organisation “at the heart of British culture” with a mission to challenge, reflect and represent voices across the UK. She said she looks forward to accelerating Channel 4’s digital strategy and

Bond funds are investments in government or corporate bonds. They offer similar yields (around 4–5%), but come with two key differences: 1. Your money isn’t guaranteed—the value of the fund can go up or down depending on interest rates.

2. You can cash out any time—you’re not locked in.

So why bother with a bond fund?

What About Tax? Both fixed deposits and bond funds are taxable if held outside an ISA. For most, that means 20–45% of the interest could go to HMRC once you exceed your personal savings allowance (£1,000 for basic rate, £500 for higher rate taxpayers). But if you hold bond funds in a Stocks & Shares ISA, the income is tax-free—giving them a sneaky advantage for higher-rate taxpayers.

Verdict If you’re after certainty and safety, a 12-month fixed deposit at 4.25% is tough to beat.

But if you can tolerate some risk, want flexibility, and believe rates may fall, a bond fund could give you more return—and let you get your money sooner if needed.

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Match your choice to your goals, your tax position, and your nerves.

Quick Tip: If you’re sitting on cash, don’t leave it in a 0.1% savings account. At the very least, shop around. Even doing nothing is a decision—just not a profitable one.

Alpesh Patel OBE is a former Financial Times columnist, fund manager and founder of www.campaignforamillion.com.

Moonpig back in profit on AI boost Moonpig has swung back into the black after stepping up its use of artificial intelligence to design greetings cards and personalise messages, its outgoing chief executive has said.

Nickyl Raithatha, who will leave the business at the end of the year after seven years in charge, reported a pre-tax profit of £26.6 million for the six months to October, a sharp reversal from last year’s £33.3 Nickyl Raithatha million loss. “Customers are engaging more deeply than ever, with more than half now using our creative AI features,” he said.

Revenues at the FTSE 250 group rose 6.7 per cent to £168.6 million, with the interim dividend up 25 per cent to 1.25p.

Moonpig has repurchased £30 million of shares and aims to double that by year end.

While its Experiences arm saw stronger second-half trading, revenues there still fell 8.9 percent amid weak consumer confidence.

production, marketing and content deals. She began her career in investment banking at Citi and is a graduate of the University of Toronto.

Her appointment comes as Channel 4’s streaming service recorded 222 million views in October.

One of Dogra’s key tasks will be expanding digital revenues while navigating the decline in traditional linear TV audiences.

Women entrepreneurs Pharma industry welcomes shine at HWEN Expo 2025 lower NHS drug rebate

Bond Funds: A Bit Riskier, More Flexible

Well, if interest rates fall, bond prices rise—meaning your investment could grow. You might end up with more than 4.25%, unlike a fixed deposit which never pays more than it promises. Plus, bond funds can pay income monthly and are easy to buy and sell on platforms like Hargreaves Lansdown or AJ Bell.

Perfect if: • You want access to your cash • You expect interest rates to fall • You’re happy to take some short-term ups and downs

strengthening its relationship with audiences across all platforms.

With more than two decades of international experience, Dogra has held senior roles across major media companies. Before joining Sky, she spent 14 years at Time Warner, WarnerMedia and Warner Bros. Discovery, serving as President and Managing Director for EMEA and overseeing programming,

The Hindu Women Entrepreneur Network (HWEN), a dynamic and rapidly expanding vertical of the Hindu Economic Forum (HEF UK), successfully hosted the HWEN Business Expo 2025, marking a major step forward in celebrating women-led enterprise and strengthening community prosperity.

With 17 stalls representing a wide range of businesses, the Expo highlighted the creativity and ambition of women entrepreneurs working across finance, jewellery, wellness, technology, fashion and lifestyle. The showcase reflected the thriving ecosystem that HWEN and HEF continue to nurture.

The event was shaped by the leadership of Shweta Singh, HEF Committee Member and the force behind HWEN, whose vision and ability to bring people together helped transform the initiative into a successful reality.

Distinguished guests, including senior community leaders and councillors from across London, added further significance to the occasion.

HEF UK’s CEO, Kannaiyan Shankar, delivered a powerful address emphasising the growing need for unified economic platforms within the Hindu community and the organisation’s commitment to supporting entrepreneurs through networks, knowledge and opportunity.

Inspiring keynote speeches came from women leaders who shared their journeys through finance, accounting and wellness entrepreneurship, offering insights into resilience, career transformation and leadership.

The pharmaceutical industry has broadly welcomed the government’s decision to lower the NHS rebate rate for branded medicines next year, though senior leaders warn that longstanding structural challenges continue to hinder investment.

The Department of Health confirmed that the payment rate for newer medicines under the voluntary pricing scheme will fall to 14.5% in 2026, down from a record 22.9% this year.

Under the scheme, companies must repay the NHS when spending on new drugs exceeds its annual budget cap.

The change follows a recent trade agreement between Downing Street and the Trump administration, in which the UK pledged to increase investment in innovative

medicines and has been cautiously received by an industry that has long criticised the UK’s “high and unpredictable” rebate rates.

As part of the agreement, the payment rate for new medicines will be capped at 15% for the next three years.

The government will consult the sector next year on reforming the Voluntary Scheme for Branded Medicines Pricing, Access and Growth (VPAG) from 2029. Ministers also intend to double investment in new medicines from 0.3% to 0.6% of GDP over the next decade, raising overall drug spending to 12% of NHS expenditure.

A separate consultation will examine how the UK assesses the cost-effectiveness of new treatments, fulfilling another commitment under the US-UK agreement.

Economy to be hit by tough immigration rules New restrictions on legal immigration could hit the UK economy by as much as £10.8 billion over the next five years, according to a Home Office impact assessment.

The report warns that sweeping visa reforms, aimed at limiting the number of overseas workers, could cost a base estimate of £5.4 billion. The projected losses include an £800 million drop in visa fees,

reduced income tax receipts, and increased pressure on already stretched public services.

The Home Office, however, said these costs may be balanced by “potentially unquantifiable benefits,” as the Government seeks to “get people back into work” and “upskill the domestic workforce.” The reforms, first announced in May, are being rolled out in

stages throughout 2025 and 2026, aiming to reduce reliance on cheaper foreign labour.

Visa issuance has already fallen sharply. The latest Office for National Statistics figures show just 17,000 health and care visas were issued last year, a decline of 89% from the peak in 2023, highlighting the dramatic drop in overseas workers entering the UK to fill vital roles.

Google DeepMind to open automated science lab in UK Google DeepMind is set to open its first “automated science laboratory” in the UK after signing a new partnership with the British government aimed at expanding the use of artificial intelligence across key sectors.

The AI unit, led by British Nobel laureate Sir Demis Hassabis, will launch a materials science lab next year focused on developing new superconductors, solar cells and semiconductors using advanced AI tools.

UK-based researchers will receive “priority access” to DeepMind’s scientific mod-

els.

“AI systems are now ready to bridge the gap between the digital world and real-world discovery,” said Pushmeet Kohli, DeepMind’s vice-president for science and strategic initiatives. The announcement coincides with DeepMind signing a memorandum of understanding with Sir Keir Starmer’s government, which wants to embed AI across science, education, public services and national security.

DeepMind, founded in London and acquired by Google in 2014, also pledged

Priya Dogra

closer collaboration with the UK’s AI Safety Institute (AISI). The company will give AISI researchers access to its models to develop new

ways of monitoring chainof-thought reasoning and to examine the social, emotional and economic impacts of AI systems.

In return, the government will consider how Google’s Gemini model could support teaching of England’s national curriculum. DeepMind will also provide expertise to help modernise public services.

“This partnership will ensure AI is used for public good, from lowering energy bills through cheaper, greener power to improving public services,” Starmer said.

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Microsoft, Amazon, Google pledge billions to India’s AI future Months after Trump's "America First" push to halt overseas investments, Silicon Valley leaders, including Satya Nadella of Microsoft and Lip-Bu Tan of Intel, pledged billions to AI and semiconductor manufacturing in India.

Tech giants have committed over $68 billion (Rs 6.12 lakh crore) to AI investments, defying Trump’s "dead economy" narrative. The irony deepened when PM Modi with Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel Trump’s business announced a Rs 1 lakh (left) at the 11th anniversary of the Digital India initiative crore investment in Telangana's Future City, with Eric Swider of Trump Media commit support for India’s semiconductor praising India’s rise in tech. mission, backed by the government’s Rs Microsoft, led by Satya Nadella, pledged 76,000 crore initiative for domestic chip $17.5 billion over four years, the company’s manufacturing. Intel also signed an MoU largest investment in Asia, to support India’s with Tata Group to manufacture at upcomAI future. Nadella also announced plans to ing semiconductor plants in Gujarat and train 20 million Indians in AI by 2030.

Assam.

Amazon followed suit with a $35 billion Cognizant’s CEO Ravi Kumar S disinvestment by 2030, totaling $75 billion, cussed expanding operations in India, focusmainly focused on AI. Google invested $15 ing on AI adoption and digital engineering. billion in a data center cluster in Vizag.

These high-profile meetings underscore Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani India’s growing role as a global AI and innoshared a photo with CEO Satya Nadella, vation hub. highlighting their discussion on the transOpenAI opened its first India office in formative potential of AI. Adani praised New Delhi, Meta plans a Bengaluru office, Nadella’s hands-on leadership, noting that and Google launched its Ananta campus he received a personal demonstration of the there. Apple’s $1.5 billion investment marks a AI applications Nadella is developing. shift from China, while Lam Research and Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan met PM Modi to Cohesity pledged $1.2 billion and $1 billion.

FDA-approved Ozempic hits market Danish drugmaker Novo Nordisk has launched its blockbuster diabetes drug Ozempic in India, expanding its presence in the world’s most populous market amid rising demand for diabetes and weight-loss treatments. The drug will be available in three strengths: 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg and 1 mg.

Novo Nordisk has priced Ozempic’s 0.25 mg dose at ₹2,200 per week (₹8,800 per month) in India. The 0.5 mg dose will cost ₹10,170 per month, and the 1 mg dose ₹11,175.

The company secured regulatory approval in September to import and sell the drug.

India, which has the second-largest population of type 2 diabetes patients after China and rapidly rising obesity rates, is a major market for weight-loss treatments.

Analysts quoted by Reuters estimate the global obesity-drug market could reach $150 billion a year by the end of the decade.

Ozempic, a once-weekly injectable approved by the US FDA in 2017 for type 2 diabetes, has become a global bestseller.

While officially for diabetes, it is widely used off-label for weight loss due to its appetitesuppressing effects. Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy, containing the same active ingredient semaglutide, is specifically approved for weight loss.

Adani Group plans Rs 12 Lakh Crore investment in India Adani Group plans to invest up to Rs 12 lakh crore in India over the next six years, chairman Gautam Adani said, targeting infrastructure, mining, renewable energy, and ports.

Highlighting alignment with PM Modi’s push for self-reliance, he described the initiative as "India’s new Independence" and said corporate India is actively supporting the mission.

At IIT (ISM) Dhanbad’s centenary, Adani outlined plans to invest in infrastructure, technology, energy transition, and ports. He highlighted the 520 sq km Khavda renewable energy park in Gujarat, set to generate 30 GW by 2030, enough to power 60 million homes, and expansion in mining and materials for

the green transition.

He described challenges as “part of the journey” and stressed that India’s future Gautam Adani sovereignty depends on control over its natural resources and energy systems.

Adani also announced over USD 75 billion in energy transition investments over five years, noting green energy as a trillion-dollar industry powering electricity-based manufacturing, green steel, green fertilisers, hydrogen ecosystems, and critical AI and digital infrastructure.

Trump’s $100K H-1B fee set to shake IT industry President Donald Trump’s $100,000 fee for new H-1B workers hired from outside the US will heavily impact the IT outsourcing and staffing industries, especially multinational firms like Tata Consultancy Services, Infosys, and Cognizant Technology Solutions.

A Bloomberg analysis reveals that between May 2020 and May 2024, nearly 90% of new H-1B hires at these companies were approved at US consulates. The new fee would cost each firm hundreds of millions of dollars. Over 93% of new Infosys hires, 10,400+ workers, would face the $100,000 H1B fee, totaling over $1 billion. Tata and Cognizant would be charged for 6,500 and

5,600 workers, respectively.

Even if courts block the fee, experts expect US visa demand to drop and jobs to shift overseas. The H-1B program, offering 85,000 annual visas with 40% for foreign hires, was heavily used via Trump’s online lottery, which peaked at 758,000 entries in 2024 before Biden revised it.

White House spokeswoman Taylor Rogers said the fee ensures business certainty and curbs wage undercutting. Experts note it is already pushing IT jobs abroad, particularly to India, while Infosys and IBM report uninterrupted services and gradual strategy adjustments.

ICICI Prudential IPO fully subscribed on day two ICICI Prudential Asset Management’s $1.2 billion IPO was fully subscribed by the second day, driven by strong demand from institutional investors.

As India’s second-largest fund manager, this marks the country’s fourth-largest IPO in 2025, keeping the nation on track for a second consecutive year of record primary market fundraising.

The firm is a joint venture between ICICI Bank, India’s private second-largest lender, and UK insurer

Prudential.

The IPO involves no new share issuance.

Prudential, which held 49% of ICICI Prudential Asset Management as of December 5, is selling 10% of its stake in the IPO, after previously offloading 4.5% ahead of the public launch, which closes Tuesday.

As of 10:45 a.m. IST, bids came in for 35.02 million shares against 34.98 million on offer. The IPO price band of ₹2,061–2,165 values the company at 40 times FY25

earnings, in line with peers like HDFC AMC and Nippon Life India AMC. Qualified institutional buyers oversubscribed their allocation twofold, while non-institutional and ICICI Bank shareholder portions were fully subscribed; the retail segment saw 36% subscription.

Astha Jain, senior analyst at Hem Securities, said, “Moderate listing gains are expected, but this is a good stock for long-term holding.”

Mexico announced 50 percent tariff on India, following US path Taking a break from their long-term pro-free-trade approach Mexico has finally decided to go along with the US and put tariffs on a wide range of Asian imports.

As being one of the key importers, India has also been put in a tough position.

The Mexican Senate has decided upon imposing duties of up to 50 per cent on over 1,400 product categories from non-free trade agreement countries.

The measure was cleared with 76 votes in favour, brushing aside strong objections from affected nations and domestic industry protests.

Exporters from over a dozen non-FTA nations, including India (textiles, auto components, steel), face increased costs. Tariffs on goods ranging from auto parts and textiles to plastics and footwear will rise, with most falling under a 35 per cent duty.

The Mexican market, a

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum (left) and her US counterpart Donald Trump

key gateway to North America, is set to become tougher for Indian exporters. Analysts say the protectionist move is influenced by US pressure ahead of the 2026 USMCA review, reflecting Washington’s tougher stance on Asian imports. The new tariffs, effective next year through 2026, aim to raise nearly 52 billion pesos for Mexico’s fiscal deficit.

India has started discussions with Mexico to mitigate the impact of these

steep tariffs on non-FTA partners, including India, and to explore a preferential trade agreement. The government is engaging stakeholders and maintaining dialogue to protect exporters while ensuring stable trade for both countries. The Indian Embassy raised concerns with Mexico’s Ministry of Economy, which clarified that the measures are not targeted at India and reaffirmed commitment to bilateral ties.

Wheels India partners with Japan’s Topy for alloy wheel tech Wheels India has signed a technical assistance agreement with Japan’s Topy Industries to enhance the design, development, and manufacture of aluminium alloy wheels. Under the deal, Topy will provide technical know-how and engineering support to strengthen Wheels India’s cast aluminium wheel capabilities.

“This agreement will bring significant expertise

to our aluminium wheel segment, helping us win new business and boost competitiveness,” said Wheels India MD Srivats Ram. Topy, a century-old global leader in aluminium wheels, will also support Wheels India in expanding into Japanese OEMs in India.

Wheels India has secured new aluminium wheel orders from Hyundai and Volkswagen, with sup-

plies expected to start next year. The company is expanding its Thervoi Kandigai plant capacity from 5 lakh to 7 lakh wheels annually by next quarter, and plans to further increase it to 10 lakh wheels per annum by FY27.

Wheels India also holds a 74% stake in a joint venture with Topy, WIL Car Wheels Ltd, focused on steel wheels for Japanese OEMs in India.

Six rounds of talks bring India-US closer on tariff reduction India and the US are close to finalising an initial trade framework, Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal said. Following six rounds of bilateral talks, discussions have covered a full-fledged trade agreement and an interim deal to reduce tariffs.

“There’s a fair expectation both countries will agree to lower reciprocal tariffs,” Agrawal added, noting

ongoing engagement and visits by US trade officials.

While no formal rounds are planned, negotiations will continue in physical and virtual formats.

Agrawal noted the US sources nearly 80% of its basmati imports from India despite a 50% tariff, reflecting strong trade ties.

India’s exports to the US rose to $6.98 billion in

November 2025, up 10.6% from October, with cumulative exports of $59.04 billion from April to November.

Despite higher tariffs, government support and the upcoming Export Promotion Mission are expected to help exporters. India is also negotiating deals with multiple countries, with the IndiaOman agreement nearing signing.

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US TO DENY TOURIST VISA FOR BIRTH RIGHT CITIZENSHIP The US embassy in India has warned that tourist visa applicants seeking to exploit the system will face rejection. In a post on X, it said applications will be denied if officials believe the main purpose of travel is to give birth in the US to secure citizenship for a child. The embassy also said it has expanded social media screening for all H-1B workers and their H-4 dependents, as some applicants in India reported their visa appointments being rescheduled. Starting December 15, the US will include H-1B and H-4 applicants in online presence checks, extending reviews for student visas. The embassy said each case undergoes a thorough security review to ensure eligibility and safety.

THAI-CAMBODIA CONFLICT DESPITE TRUMP’S CEASEFIRE CLAIM Cambodia has closed its border crossings with Thailand as fighting continues, despite President Trump’s earlier claim of a ceasefire.

The closures will remain until further notice, the interior ministry said. Thai officials reported four soldiers killed on Saturday, bringing their total military deaths since Monday to 15, with 270 injured. Last week, Cambodia reported 11 civilian deaths and 59 injuries, with 700,000 evacuated on both sides. President Trump claimed he secured a ceasefire after calling both leaders, but neither side confirmed it. Thai PM Anutin said Cambodia must first withdraw forces and remove landmines, while Cambodia insisted on defending its sovereignty. Thailand also warned the US against linking the conflict to trade.

HOUSE DEMOCRATS RELEASE NEARLY 100 EPSTEIN ESTATE PHOTOS The nearly 100 images released today are not part of the official “Epstein files”, which the US Department of Justice must release by 19 December. Instead, they come from Epstein’s estate and were made public by Democrats on the House Oversight Committee as part of a transparency effort. The committee noted it is reviewing over 95,000 photos, some of which Representative Robert Garcia described as “disturbing.” Initially, 19 photos were released, including images of Donald Trump, Woody Allen, and Richard Branson, with no implication of wrongdoing. A Republican Oversight Committee spokesperson accused Democrats of “cherry-picking photos to create a false narrative about Trump,” a sentiment echoed by the White House. Democrats have now released over 70 more photos, mostly showing Epstein’s Virgin Islands estate, with little additional context.

FLORIDA FOLLOWS TEXAS IN DECLARING CAIR A TERROR GROUP Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has designated the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) a “foreign terrorist organisation,” issuing an executive order shared on social media. The move follows a similar decision by Texas last month. CAIR has rejected the designation and launched legal challenges. DeSantis also said Florida lawmakers are drafting legislation to curb the influence of Sharia law, with the designation, also applied to the DeSantis’s order, alleging CAIR has links to the Muslim Brotherhood, accusing the group, without evidence, of ties to Hamas and ambitions for a global caliphate. It bars both organisations and their supporters from state contracts, jobs and funding. Neither is designated a foreign terrorist group by the US government, though President Donald Trump has begun steps to label some Muslim Brotherhood branches as terrorist organisations.

Bondi Beach massacre claims 15 lives, youngest just 10 A terrorist attack during a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach, Australia, on December 14 left fifteen dead, including one attacker, and more than 30 injured, including two police officers.

The attack, which occurred around evening, was captured in video footage that showed people running for their lives as gunshots rang out.

A dramatic video shows bystander Ahmed al Ahmed heroically disarming a gunman at Bondi Beach. He tackles the attacker, seizes the firearm, and defends others as the gunman flees. Another man is seen running for safety, while police arrive and administer CPR to a victim.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the “evil antisemitism” behind the attack. Police have arrested two gunmen, Sajid Akram, 50, and his son Naveed, 24, and are investigating a possible third. Homemade ISIS flags and improvised explosives were found in Naveed’s vehicle.

Among the victims were Rabbi Eli Schlanger, 41, 10-year-old Matilda, the youngest victim of the attack and Holocaust survivor Alexander Kleytman.

The attack has sent shockwaves through the global community, with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu condemning the rise of antisemitism and King Charles III condemning the "dreadful antisemitic terrorist attack."

In response to the Bondi Beach attack, Australian PM Anthony Albanese proposed stricter gun laws, including limits on firearms and more frequent license reviews.

Naveed and Sajid Akram

Authorities are still investigating the ideologically motivated assault.

The Bondi Beach attack has led to heightened security in Jewish communities worldwide. In the UK, the Metropolitan Police are increasing patrols around synagogues during Hanukkah, while Police Scotland is enhancing protection through collaboration with community leaders.

The Hindu Council UK expressed solidarity with the Jewish community, condemning the Islamists responsible for the massacre. They emphasized the shared

values between Hindus and Jews, highlighting their historical coexistence in India. The council also called on governments to address the root cause of Islamism rather than relying on security measures alone. They praised Ahmed AlAhmed for his heroic actions, distinguishing between Muslims and Islamists. The Hindu Council urged temples to light candles or diyas in solidarity with the Jewish community during Hanukkah, aligning with the spirit of both festivals.

Bondi Beach attackers have Indian connection Three Indian students were among at least 40 injured in the terrorist attack at Sydney’s Bondi Beach during a Hanukkah celebration. Two of the students are receiving hospital treatment, though their condition remains undisclosed. Authorities said the attack, which killed 15 people, was carried out by father-and-son duo Sajid Akram, 50, and Naveed Akram, 24, and was inspired by the Islamic State. Sajid Akram, originally from Hyderabad, India, held an Indian passport and had migrated to Australia in 1998 on a student visa. He had lived in Australia for nearly three decades, married locally, and had two Australianborn children. Police noted there was no evidence linking his radicalisation to India, citing limited family contact and estrangement from relatives. Sajid was killed during the attack, while Naveed remains hospitalized under police guard.

‘Runaway The Label’ founder Trump sues BBC for $10bn passes away at 47 over edited Capitol riot speech Donald Trump has filed a $10 billion lawsuit against the BBC, accusing the broadcaster of defamation over a documentary that allegedly edited his speech before the 2021 Capitol riot.

The lawsuit, filed in Miami, seeks damages of at least $5 billion per count, claiming defamation and violation of Florida's Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act. Trump confirmed the legal action, alleging the BBC "put words in my mouth" and used AI to misrepresent his comments.

The dispute centres on a BBC Panorama documentary that edited Donald Trump’s January 6, 2021 speech, omitting his calls for peaceful protest.

While the BBC has apologised for creating a misleading impression, it denies any legal basis for Trump’s $10 billion defamation lawsuit.

The row has sparked a major crisis at the broadcaster, triggering the resignation of two senior officials and a UK government review of BBC funding amid falling licence fees and growing competition from streaming platforms.

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said the review aims to “future-proof” the BBC, stressing it must reflect all of Britain, remain fiercely independent, command public trust, and be funded in a fair and sustainable way.

Mental health entrepreneur booked following winery incident A wealthy Indian the Executive entrepreneur was Director of Business arrested after allegedly Development at attempting to set fire FieldKing. to a Saratoga winery, Police arrested attacking staff, and Vikram after he bardriving his Tesla off an ricaded himself in Berri Vikram embankment. his wrecked car, prompting officers to use pepBerri Vikram, 42, founder of perball and spray. He was taken BetterLYF Wellness, was arrestto a hospital for evaluation. The ed on December 8 at Garrod incident, under investigation, Farms Estate Winery & Stables occurred 19 miles from his in Saratoga, California. He faces Menlo Park home, valued at $6.6 charges of assault with a deadly million. Speculation about his weapon and resisting arrest. behavior points to a potential Vikram allegedly caused a mental health crisis. In a 2018 disturbance by attempting to set interview, Vikram, founder of fire to the winery, throwing a BetterLYF Wellness, stressed wine bottle at staff, and then the importance of addressing fleeing in his Tesla, crashing stress and anxiety through open into two parked cars and going conversations. over an embankment. He is also Credit: LinkdeIN

in brief

Premal Patel, the 47-year-old founder and CEO of Runaway The Label, has passed away after a brief illness.

His death was announced on the brand's social media, where it was shared that his vision and values remain deeply embedded in the company's culture and direction. The post described his legacy as enduring, noting that "the world feels a little less bright without him." Friends, including media star Sarah Marie Fahd, expressed their grief, recalling Prem’s impact on many lives. His family has requested privacy as arrangements are made for a celebration of his life.

Premal’s death follows a recent health scare where he revealed a severe battle after vaping led to a health crisis, putting him in an induced coma.

Premal Patel

He had shared his ordeal on social media, detailing multiple ICU stays and doctors discovering vape fluid in his lungs.

Premal issued a powerful warning about the dangers of vaping, saying, "If you vape and want to gamble with your life, keep vaping. I choose life." His passing has left many in shock, with tributes pouring in from friends and followers alike.

Former nurse gets 25 years for Toyah Cordingley’s murder By putting a permanent end to six-year international manhunt, Indian-origin former nurse Rajwinder Singh has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for the opportunistic 2018 murder of 24-year-old Toyah Cordingley on an Australian beach. The Supreme Court in Cairns, Queensland, found Singh, 41, guilty after seven years of the brutal crime.

Rajwinder Singh, a former nurse was found guilty for the murder of 24-year-old Toyah Cordingley, which occurred at Wangetti Beach, north of Cairns in Queensland, Australia.

Justice Lincoln Crowley stated that the motive for the killing remained unknown. Singh killed Cordingley while she was walking her dog on October 21, 2018, before immediately fleeing to India, abandoning his family. The judge condemned his actions, noting Singh's only concern was to save his own skin. Singh was extradited from India two years ago following a significant effort by Queensland police, who had offered an AUD 1 million reward for information leading to his arrest. The court set a non-parole period of 25 years, finally closing the harrowing case for Cordingley’s family.

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Deepavali added to UNESCO Intangible Heritage List eepavali, the festival of lights, has been added to UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the recognition, saying it will boost the festival’s global appeal.

The listing includes Deepavali alongside new cultural inscriptions from countries such as Ghana, Georgia, Congo, Ethiopia and Egypt.

The announcement coincided with India hosting the 20th Session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage at the Red Fort in New Delhi, which brought together over 1,000 delegates from 180 countries, including UNESCO officials and cultural experts.

Diwali, one of India’s most celebrated Hindu festivals, was added to the UNESCO heritage list during this key meeting.

Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat expressed that Diwali holds deep emotional significance for Indians and has been cherished for generations.

He emphasised that the UNESCO recognition comes with a responsibility to preserve

X/@cgihou

D

Swamis of Neasden Temple with Kartik Pande, Deputy High Commissioner of India to the UK (centre), at the celebration

Consul General D.C. Manjunath (left) with other dignitaries lighting the lamp

community members and dignitaries, including Kartik Pande, Deputy High Commissioner of India to the UK, gathered on the Mandir steps for a ceremonial lighting of lamps. The Mandir was specially illuminated and prayers were offered for peace and collective well-being, reflecting on Diwali’s enduring message and the guidance of His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj on preserving cultural heritage to foster unity and spiritual upliftment.

“It was a pleasure to celebrate this wonderful occasion at this beautiful mandir in London,” Mr Pande said, thanking the community for ensuring the light of Diwali continues to shine across the city and beyond. Sanjay Kara, a trustee of the Mandir, described the UNESCO recognition as a

historic milestone, noting that it reinforces Diwali’s deep cultural and spiritual significance and its message of harmony, resilience and the triumph of light.

In the United States, the Consulate General of India in Houston, in collaboration with BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir and Indo-American organisations, hosted a programme with lamp-lighting, cultural performances, and a light show, attended by the Indian diaspora and elected officials. Consul General D C Manjunath called it a moment of pride for the diaspora and friends of India. To mark the occasion, the Indian Consulate in Atlanta was illuminated with diyas, and cultural events were held by Indian missions worldwide, including in Lebanon and Chile.

Diwali as a living heritage.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the recognition, describing Diwali as the “soul of our civilisation” and noting that its inscription would further enhance its global appeal.

Global celebrations to mark UNESCO recognition Indian diaspora communities around the world celebrated the historic recognition of Deepavali in UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in London, popularly known as Neasden Temple, marked the inscription of Diwali (Deepavali) on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Swamis, devotees, local

Qatar Museum celebrates M.F. Husain’s artistic impact M.F. Husain, India’s most renowned modern artist, passed away 14 years ago at 95, but his legacy lives on.

Earlier this year, one of his works sold for $13.8 million, setting a record and making him India’s most expensive artist. The opening of Lawh wa Qalam (The Canvas and the Pen) in Qatar, the first museum dedicated to a single Indian artist outside India, further solidifies his impact.

Located in Doha, not Husain’s birthplace of Pandharpur, the museum reflects his strained relationship with Hindu nationalists, who targeted him for depicting Hindu goddesses in the nude.

M.F. Husian

Facing death threats, vandalism, and over 900 legal cases, Husain left India in 2006. In 2010, he accepted Qatari citizenship, renouncing his Indian nationality with "deep pain."

A "celebrity artist," Husain produced over 40,000 works, from horses

and daily life to abstracts and portraits of Indian luminaries. The Qatar museum displays 140 of his pieces, including works commissioned by Sheikha Moza bint Nasser on Arab civilization, highlighting Husain’s global artistic legacy.

The museum also showcases Husain's other contributions, including sculptures and a short film that won top honors at the Berlin Film Festival. While it avoids the controversial works that led to his exile, Husain’s legacy endures.

The Qatar museum serves as a bridge between South Asia and the Gulf, reflecting his lasting global impact.

Indian national jailed for scamming elderly citizens Ligneshkumar H. Patel, sentenced to 90 months in federal prison for his role in a devastating "imposter scam" that ruthlessly targeted and defrauded elderly victims across five states. The 38year-old pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and financial institution fraud and was ordered to pay over $2 million in restitution.

On December 10, For the conspiracy to commit wire fraud and financial institution fraud through an

"imposter scam", Ligneshkumar H. Patel was found guilty, which occurred in five US states, including Illinois, Missouri, Iowa, Michigan, and Wisconsin.

The US Attorney stressed that those who target the elderly in sophisticated international schemes will face certain justice. Patel acted as a money mule or courier, personally driving to the residences of at least 11 elderly victims to steal their assets, including cash and

gold.

The assets stolen from the 11 known victims totalled $2,231,216.99. The court documents reveal Patel worked within a major conspiracy involving at least 85 additional victims, with an intended loss exceeding $6.9 million. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) highlighted the serious consequences for individuals preying on vulnerable communities through these complex financial crimes.

Ex-Pakistan spy chief gets 14 years imprisonment for state secret violations

Faiz Ahmed

The Pakistan army reported that the head of the spy agency, Faiz Ahmed, was imprisoned for 14 years due to violating state secrets and abusing his authority.

Hameed who served under the former prime minister and PTI chief Imran Khan's government from 2019 to 2021, was also convicted of "engaging in political activities" and causing "wrongful loss to persons," as per the army statement.

After Khan lost power, Hameed who was a staunch supporter, took early retirement was stripped of all rank after he was accused of "multiple instances" of violating the Pakistan Army Act. Last August, he was apprehended after claims that he raided the businesses of a real estate developer.

The statement confirmed that Hameed was found guilty on all charges and sentenced to 14 years of rigorous imprisonment after lengthy legal proceedings. It also mentioned that the accusation of inciting political unrest in collaboration with political figures is being addressed separately. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar took to X (formerly Twitter) to accuse Hameed of "interfering in politics" by advising Khan after his retirement. He added that Hameed had been proven guilty of violations of the Official Secrets Act, abusing his authority, misusing his office to harm the public, and engaging in political activities to incite chaos.

in brief SHARP FALL IN STUDENT ARRIVALS AS CANADA TIGHTENS PERMITS Canada saw a steep decline in new international student arrivals in the first nine months of 2025, with numbers dropping by 60%, 150,220 fewer students compared to the same period in 2024. September 2025 recorded just 11,390 new arrivals, down sharply from 28,910 last year. August also reflected a similar trend: 45,200 students arrived in August 2025, compared to 79,770 in August 2024, marking a 43% drop during a key intake month. Study permit data shows annual spikes in August and December before the fall and winter semesters. As of September 30, 2025, Canada had 473,860 study permit holders and 251,300 with both study and work permits. The decline in new arrivals reflects the government’s move to reduce the temporary foreign population.

UNESCO HONOURS ITALY’S CULINARY TRADITIONS Italian cuisine, celebrated worldwide for its fresh ingredients and comforting flavours, has received a new honour. UNESCO has added the traditions surrounding Italian cooking and dining to its list of “intangible” cultural heritage, giving food lovers yet another reason to cherish pasta, pizza and tiramisu.

Instead of highlighting specific dishes, UNESCO recognised the cultural rituals that shape Italy’s food identity, from Sunday family lunches to nonnas teaching grandchildren how to fold tortellini, and the tradition of gathering around a shared meal. Italy’s recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage site highlights the cultural importance of its cuisine. Premier Giorgia Meloni said, “Cuisine is not just food… it is culture, tradition, hard work, and a source of pride and prosperity.”

INDIAN-ORIGIN TESLA DRIVER CHARGED WITH MURDER IN FATAL CRASH Badal Dholaria, a 28-year-old Indian-origin man, has been charged with second-degree murder and multiple felony DUI counts after his Tesla, allegedly travelling at over 150 mph while he was intoxicated, collided with a Ford Bronco, killing 41-year-old Alix Mari Sparks on November 29. The Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office said Dholaria faces four additional felony DUI charges and enhancements for causing great bodily injury.

He was arrested at the scene, booked into Martinez Detention Facility, and has pleaded not guilty. District Attorney Diana Becton warned that impaired driving endangers lives, while an eyewitness said Dholaria appeared largely uninjured after the “horrible” crash.

COMMUNITY RALLIES AS INDIAN WOMAN LIES IN COMA AFTER ACCIDENT A young Indian girl from San Jose remains in a coma after being struck by a vehicle while crossing the road near her home on November 9. Arti Singh, who was returning from a professional networking event, is receiving intensive care at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center after undergoing major surgeries to her neck and stomach. Her father, Sumiran Singh, who has been keeping vigil by her bedside, said he is hoping for answers and her recovery. Police have told him only that the driver was a man in his 50s and uninsured, with no updates on charges. With no family support in the Bay Area, Singh is struggling with medical and legal challenges, while the Overseas Organisation for Better Bihar (O2B2) has stepped in to help, including launching a fundraiser and engaging authorities.

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Lions Club of Menengai Kenya Horticultural Society hosts organises pre-Christmas party 10th Flower Show in Nakuru The Kenya Horticultural Society (KHS) hosted its muchanticipated 10th Flower Show at Hirji Bapa Hall in Nakuru on Sunday, 7 December 2025, drawing horticulture enthusiasts, families, and visitors from across the region for a vibrant celebration of nature, creativity, and community spirit.

The event was organised under the dedicated leadership of the 2025 committee, including Mrs Nutan Patel as Chairperson, Mrs Lavina Chaplot as Secretary, and Mrs Shabana Parkar as Treasurer.

The event celebrated a decade of this beloved tradition, which began in 2016. This year’s show featured 135 displays competing across 16 diverse categories, from stunning floral arrangements and lush plants to intricate rock gardens, succulent collections, and natureinspired embroidery. Judges from Njoro and Nairobi spent a full day carefully evaluating each entry to ensure fair and professional adjudication.

Committee and community members at the event

Visitors enjoyed a visual feast of colourful blooms and innova-

KHS Secretary Mrs Lavina Chaplot with Chairperson Mrs Nutan Patel (right)

tive garden designs, following the official opening by Chief Guest Pravin Bowry.

Beyond the competition, the show was full of joy and learning, with growers sharing tips and friendships blooming. The raffle added extra excitement.

More than an exhibition, the KHS Flower Show celebrates Kenya’s horticultural heritage and inspires future gardeners.

The Society thanks everyone who made the 10th edition a success and looks forward to an even grander 11th show in 2026.

An Indian-origin man was among four people killed when a fourstorey Hindu temple under construction collapsed in South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal province, officials said.

Two victims, a construction worker and a devotee, died immediately, with the toll rising to four after rescue teams recovered additional bodies.

One victim, 52-yearold Vickey Jairaj Panday, an executive member of the temple trust and project manager, had been

Credit: X/@Zanele_Shenge

Indian-origin man among victims in temple collapse

Debris from collapsed temple construction in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

involved in the temple’s development for two years. His death was confirmed by Sanvir Maharaj of the affiliated charity Food for Love.

The New Ahobilam Temple of Protection in

Redcliffe, north of Durban, collapsed last week during expansion work. The project lacked approved building plans, making it illegal. Rescue teams recovered a fifth body before suspending

operations due to bad weather. The cave-like temple, built with rocks from India, was meant to house a large deity of Lord Nrsimhadeva.

Early rescue efforts were guided by cellphone calls from a trapped individual, which ended Friday.

KwaZulu-Natal Minister Thulasizwe Buthelezi visited the site, pledging to continue operations despite slim chances of finding survivors and thanking teams, including a specialised dog unit from the Western Cape.

The Lions Club of Menengai held a vibrant pre-Christmas party on 13th December at Hirji Bapa Hall, Nakuru, bringing together over 70 ladies for a beautifully organised celebration. Guests enjoyed delicious food, lively music, fun games, and exciting prizes, with the red-and- Members of the Lions Club of Menengai, Nakuru ous charitable initiatives, including black dress code adding elegance to sanitary towel drives, feeding prothe evening. grams, school library donations, The Lions Club of Menengai, a provision of mobility devices, and women-only club led by President medical and diabetes awareness Dr Rani Ramchandani, highlighted camps. its signature project, Njoro Girls The event was graced by Selina Home, during the event. The home Nkatha, County Director for supports 40 orphaned girls with Gender, Social Services, and education and basic needs, many of Inclusivity, who spoke passionately whom have gone on to graduate about women’s rights and empowand secure respectable jobs. erment. Past charter member Mina Beyond this, the club runs numerKhagram generously donated chupies (panties) and sanitary pads for the Njoro Girls Home project. In her closing remarks, President Dr Rani Ramchandani emphasised that the Lions Club of Menengai welcomes partnerships and Mina Khagram (centre) donating sanitary pads and invites women to join in chupies to Njoro Girls Home serving the community.

SECZim names Dakshesh Patel as Non-Executive Chairman The Board of Commissioners of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Zimbabwe (SECZim) announces the appointment of Dakshesh Patel as NonExecutive Chairman of the Board.

Patel is a seasoned finance executive with over 25 years of international experience in capital markets and structured finance across the UK, Europe, and SubSaharan Africa. He is known for building innovative financial platforms, leading major restructurings, and driving growth strategies for global institutions and fintech firms in digital banking, cross-border payments, and diaspora markets. He previously served as CFO of NatWest Markets and played a key role in Lloyds Banking Group’s

Dakshesh Patel

restructuring during the 2008 financial crisis. Patel also serves as Non-Executive Director at Gerken Capital, a US-based alternative asset firm focused on emerging markets.

Pakistan’s LUMS launches first Democrats warn Trump’s policies British Columbia speaker offer could lose India to Russia Sanskrit course since partition prayers at Golden Temple For the first time since Partition, Pakistan's Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) has introduced a course on Sanskrit.

Dr Ali Usman Qasmi (left) and The course will Dr Shahid Rasheed (right) also cover Hindu palm-leaf manuscripts, cattexts like the Mahabharata alogued in the 1930s, has and Gita.

Associate been unused by Pakistani Professor Shahid Rasheed, academics since 1947. He leading the initiative, believes training local scholemphasised that Sanskrit is ars will change this, with a cultural heritage of the experts on texts like the entire region, not tied to Gita and Mahabharata any one religion. He highemerging in the next 10-15 lighted its significance, notyears. The Sanskrit course, ing that the region, includinitially a three-month ing Panini's birthplace, has workshop, has now become deep historical connections a four-credit university with the language. course due to high demand.

Ali Usman Qasmi, direcQasmi hopes to expand it tor of the Gurmani Centre, into a year-long course by highlighted that a signifispring 2027. cant collection of Sanskrit

A viral photo of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin sharing a car ride has dramatically appeared in the US Congress, used by a Democratic lawmaker Vladimir Putin with Narendra Modi to warn that President Donald Trump’s confrontational policies are driving India toward Russia.

During a Congressional hearing on the US-India strategic partnership, Representative Sydney Kamlager-Dove used the image as a poster, labelling Trump’s tariff regime as "cutting off our nose to spite our face."

Democratic Ranking Member Sydney Kamlager-Dove, used a photo of PM Modi and President Putin sharing a car ride, during a House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee hearing which was taken during Putin's recent two-day Delhi visit last week.

Kamlager-Dove argues that Trump’s cumulative 50 per cent tariff burden on Indian goods, including a 25 per cent "Liberation Day tariff" and a 25 per cent levy on Russian oil imports, is higher than the tariff rate on China, actively undermining trust. The car ride, intended to signal personal warmth, is interpreted as a diplomatic warning shot.

Raj Chouhan, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, along with his family, brother Surinderjit, wife Inder Chauhan, and daughter Amrita Chauhan, paid obeisance at the Golden SGPC staff honour Speaker Raj Chouhan and his family Temple.

“This sacred place is a Chouhan explained source of spirituality for all that although he had been humanity, inspiring mutual invited by the Shiromani brotherhood.” He also Gurdwara Parbandhak thanked SGPC president Committee (SGPC) to Harjinder Singh Dhami for attend the 350th centenary the invitation. Dharam of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Prachar Committee memSahib’s martyrdom, he ber Ajaib Singh Abhiasi, seccouldn’t attend due to the retary Balwinder Singh Legislative Assembly sesKahlwan, manager Jaspal sion. He made it a point to Singh, information officer visit the holy shrine after Randhir Singh, and Canada the session concluded to resident Balbir Singh were pay his respects. also present during the Chouhan praised the visit.

Golden Temple, saying,

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BJP ends 45-year LDF rule in Thiruvananthapuram, wins city corporation In the Kerala civic body elections, the BJP made history by winning the Thiruvananthapuram Municipal Corporation, ending the Left's 45-year control.

The Congress-led UDF scored major victories across local bodies, while the Left Front (LDF) lost control of four out of five municipalities, including Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam. Congress described the results as a rejection of "divisive politics" and a sign of change ahead of the 2026 Kerala Assembly elections.

In Thiruvananthapuram, the BJP won 50 of 101 seats, just one short of a majority, marking its first-ever win in the city. Retired DGP Sreelekha, who won from Sasthamangalam, is the frontrunner for mayor.

Prime Minister Modi hailed the victory as a "watershed moment," signaling the BJP’s growing influence in Kerala, following its first-ever Lok Sabha win in 2024. The UDF also made strong gains, winning 54 of 87 municipalities and four of six corporations.

UDF chief Mallikarjun Kharge celebrated the result, while Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said it reflected the people's desire for a responsive government.

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor praised the UDF's win and congratulated the BJP for historic performance in its Thiruvananthapuram. He described the results as "a day of amazing results" and said the mandate was clear.

Tharoor acknowledged the shift in Kerala’s political landscape, stating, "The mandate is clear, and the democratic spirit of the state shines through. Congratulations to @UDFKerala for an impressive win across local bodies!" He added, “This is a powerful signal ahead of the state elections, with hard work, a strong message, and anti-incumbency clearly paying off.” Tharoor also highlighted the BJP's significant breakthrough in Thiruvananthapuram, marking a shift after 45 years of LDF rule.

Father seeks to stop daughter’s Jain Monk initiation in Surat A family and faith conflict has erupted in Surat, where a share market trader is fighting his estranged wife's decision to have their sevenyear-old daughter initiated into Jain monkhood. Samir Shah, the father, filed an urgent application in the family court to stop the ceremony and gain custody of both his children, claiming he wants to provide them with a better education and a financially stable future.

Samir Shah, a share

market trader and the father of the 7-year-old, wants to stop the diksha (initiation) ceremony of his daughter into Jain monkhood and gain custody of her and his five-year-old son. The application was filed in the family court in Surat, before Judge S V Mansuri, as the diksha is set to be held in February 2026.

Shah learned about the diksha from a Jain community WhatsApp group and his permission was not sought. He argues

that his daughter is too young and fears his children will face financial issues, as his wife, who left the marital home in April 2024, relies on her brother's income He is seeking custody under The Guardian and Wards Act 1890, specifically Section 7 and Section 24, arguing it is essential for the children’s welfare, education, and support. Shah stressed that despite their separation, they are not divorced, and he prefers his family to live with him.

Karnataka introduces bill to curb hate speech The Karnataka government introduced the controversial Hate Speech and Hate Crime (Prevention) Bill, aimed at curbing hate speech against marginalized communities. Critics argue that its provisions, including up to 10 years in prison and fines of ₹1 lakh, could criminalise political rallies and free speech.

Tabled by Home Minister G Parameshwara after cabinet approval on December 4, the bill defines hate speech as any expression, spoken, written, or electronic, that incites harm or hatred against individuals or communities, including biases based on religion, race, caste, gender, and other factors.

The Karnataka Hate Speech and Hate Crime (Prevention) Bill defines hate crimes as acts promoting or inciting hate speech, with exemptions for

scientific, artistic, or religious publications. It holds individuals accountable for offences committed by organizations, with penalties ranging from one to seven years in prison and fines of ₹50,000 for first offences, and up to ₹1 lakh for repeat violations.

Deputy CM DK Shivakumar reaffirmed the

government's commitment to maintaining peace.

Speaker UT Khader tabled the bill amid uproar, adjourning the House.

The government argues the bill strengthens laws to address communal tensions, citing recent Mangaluru incidents. A specialised force is monitoring potential flashpoints and tracking online activity.

Members of the ABPL Ahmedabad office at the farewell gathering

Luthra brothers detained in Thailand over Goa nightclub blaze Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, owners of the Birch by Romeo Lane club in Goa, where a fire killed 25, have been detained in Phuket, Thailand. The brothers fled to Thailand on an IndiGo flight just five hours after the blaze.

A Look-Out Circular and Interpol Blue Notice were issued, and Goa Police are set to extradite them for trial in India. Exclusive visuals showed the detention center where they are being held until deportation.

Exclusive visuals of the Luthra brothers' detention in Phuket show one handcuffed and standing before Thai police. The brothers fled India on an flight amid IndiGo nationwide disruptions, booking tickets at 1:17 AM IST on December 7, while rescue operations were underway at their Goa nightclub. They later sought pre-arrest bail in Delhi,

Luthras and Ajay Gupta

they weren’t claiming involved in daily operations and that their Thailand trip was for a business meeting, not to escape arrest.

Chief Minister Pramod Sawant confirmed two women officers are cooperating in the investigation, but Panchayat Secretary Raghuveer Bagkar will be arrested. Efforts are underway to bring the Luthra brothers back from Thailand.

An FIR revealed Birch by Romeo Lane lacked fire-

measures, with safety owners and staff conducting a risky fire act. Sawant warned clubs to follow safety rules or face crackdowns. A second club owned by the brothers was demolished for illegal construction. The co-owner of the Birch by Romeo Lane, Ajay Gupta, was detained in Delhi. He, however, told later that he was merely a sleeping partner and was unaware of the lapses at the nightclub. He has remanded in seven-day custody.

Veteran Minister Shivraj Patil dies at 90 Veteran Congress politician and former Union Minister, Shivraj V. Patil, has passed away at the age of 90, marking the end of a fivedecade-long career in Indian public service.

Patil, a distinguished figure from Maharashtra's Latur district, succumbed to a brief illness in his home state. His death closes a chapter on a career spanning from his start with the Latur Municipal Corporation in 1967. He held numerous top posts in the Union Cabinet in New Delhi.

Patil was elected MP from Latur seven times and served as the tenth Speaker

Shivraj Patil

of the Lok Sabha from 1991 to 1996. He introduced technology for information dissemination and initiated broadcasting of Parliamentary proceedings.

His Cabinet roles included Minister of State for Defence, Commerce, and

Personnel, as well as Minister for Defence Production, Civil Aviation, and Tourism during the Rajiv Gandhi government.

He held the Union Home Ministry from 2004 but resigned in 2008 after the 26/11 Mumbai attacks due to security lapses. Later, he served as the Governor of Punjab and Administrator of Chandigarh until 2015.

President Droupadi Murmu, PM Narendra Modi, Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis and several other politicians across the country condoled Patil's demise.

NIA files chargesheet in Pahalgam attack, names six accused The NIA has filed a chargesheet against six individuals in the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians in J&K seven months ago.

The 1,597-page document details Pakistan’s involvement and names banned outfits Lashkar-eTaiba (LeT) and The Resistance Front (TRF) for planning the “religion-based targeted killings.”

L-R: Joseph Kurian, Achyut Sanghavi, Subhashbhai and Kalpanaben Patel

Joseph Kurian, News Editor of Asian Voice, retired on 10 December 2025 after nearly 17 years of distinguished service with the ABPL India office. A warm farewell was held at the Ahmedabad office, where colleagues gathered to celebrate his contributions and share memories. ABPL extends its heartfelt appreciation to Josephbhai for his dedicated service and wishes him good health and happiness in the next chapter of his life.

The chargesheet, filed within the 180-day deadline, names four terrorists: Faisal Jatt alias Suleman Shah, Habeeb Tahir alias Jibran, Hamza Afghani, and Pakistani handler Sajid Jatt.

The first three were killed by security forces during Operation Mahadev in July 2025.

The charges include violations of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023, the Arms Act, and UAPA, with additional charges for waging war against India.

Two locals, Bashir

Ahmad Jothar and Parvez Ahmad Jothar, were arrested in June 2025 for harboring the terrorists. They identified the attackers as Pakistani nationals affiliated with LeT. The NIA questioned over 1,000 individuals, gathering technical and forensic evidence, including Aadhar cards, photographs, and Facebook IDs linked to the terrorists.

Decoded encrypted communications between the attackers and their handler in Pakistan will also be presented as evidence.

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Real fulfilment comes from working until one's final breath Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel played a crucial role in India's unity, often prioritising national service over his own health. Despite chronic illnesses, he continued to work tirelessly, even dismissing Gandhi’s advice to rest. His health worsened during imprisonment in the 1940 Individual Satyagraha, yet he remained dedicated until the end. Government doctors struggled to diagnose his intestinal ailment and keeping him in custody became increasingly risky. He was eventually released in June 1941.

Shortly thereafter, Mahatma Gandhi visited Sardar Patel, accompanied

by Dr Nathubhai. During the visit, Gandhi remarked to the doctor with gentle humour, “You look after Sardar’s intestines; I will look after his heart.” In response, Sardar Patel replied, “My heart beats in rhythm with yours.” On 30 January 1948, Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated.

The following day, as Gandhiji’s cremation took place, Manuben Gandhi, his close associate, recorded in her diary: “I was crying with my head on Sardar Kaka’s lap. He was comforting me. When I looked up after a while, Sardar appeared much older that day.”

Gandhi’s death had a profound impact on Sardar Patel, from which he never fully recovered. On 5 March 1948, Sardar Patel experienced his first heart attack, leading to a steady decline in his health.

Despite his deteriorating

Sardar Patel and Gandhiji

condition, he continued to carry out his responsibilities. HM Patel, Secretary to the Government of India, observed that even with declining health, Sardar Patel worked for up to 18 hours a day.

By early December 1950, Sardar’s health worsened rapidly. On 6 December, he was struck by severe abdominal pain.

According to Maniben’s diary, “In those final days, it seemed as if Bapu (Sardar) felt his own end nearing. I often heard him quietly repeating lines from bhajans—‘Mangal Mandir Kholó Dayamay…’, ‘Mari Naad Tamare Hath, Hari…’, ‘Jeevan Jal Jab Sookh Jaaye…’, ‘Zindagi Ka Yeh Tamasha Chand Roz… ’” That somber night, as the nation’s courageous son rested during his last hours, he requested the soothing sound of the veena. Renowned musician V K Narayana Menon played several ragas, including Karuna and Rudra. In a drowsy state between wakefulness and sleep, Sardar let the gentle resonance of the veena wash over him.

Around three o’clock in the morning, another heart

attack struck. The doctor quietly noted, “He is sinking.” Gopi, a Birla family daughter-in-law, began reciting verses from the Gita. At 7:30 am, just as the recitation ended, Sardar’s pulse revived and a glimmer returned to his eyes.

He asked for water, and Maniben offered him Ganga jal (water) mixed with honey. Dr Nathubhai observed to the Birla family, “Today is Friday.

Gandhiji was martyred at five o’clock. Perhaps Sardar too will wait until then.”

Yet this momentary revival was illusory, like the fading glow of a dying ember.

Friday, 15 On December 1950, at 9:37 am, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel passed away, marking the end of a distinguished career in public service. At Mumbai’s Sonapur crematorium, his ashes were placed alongside those of his wife, Jhaverba, and his elder brother, Vithalbhai.

His contributions continue to be recognised. The ceremony was attended by President Rajendra Prasad, C. Rajagopalachari, Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, and numerous citizens who came to pay their respects.

Bangladesh election set for February 12 after political turmoil Bangladesh will hold its parliamentary elections on February 12, the first since a deadly student-led uprising forced Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to flee to India last year.

An interim administration led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has governed since, but rising discontent over delayed reforms has sparked fresh protests. A national referendum on the 'July Charter', a state reform plan, will also take place on the same day, announced Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin.

The July Charter proposes significant reforms, including curbing executive powers, enhancing judicial and electoral independence, and preventing the misuse of law enforcement.

Khaleda Zia’s Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is seen as the leading contender in the upcoming elections, with

Muhammad Yunus

Jamaat-e-Islami emerging as a key player after its return to politics following eased

restrictions. Jamaat had been barred since a 2013 court ruling over its registration.

The National Citizen Party, born out of the 2024 uprising, lags behind, while the banned Awami League has warned of unrest if excluded. Voters are expected to focus on restoring democracy, reviving the economy, repairing ties with India, curbing corruption, and protecting media freedom.

India launches first indigenous hydrogen fuel cell vessel Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal flagged off India's first indigenous hydrogen fuel-cell vessel in Varanasi.

This landmark commercial launch at Namo Ghat positions India alongside technologically advanced nations like Japan and Norway. The vessel represents a critical shift towards near-zero emission inland water transport, supported by the Jal Marg Vikas Project. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India's national waterways have grown from 5 to 111 over the past decade, with cargo traffic increasing from 80 million tonnes in 2014 to over 145 million tonnes today. In Uttar Pradesh alone, projects worth £27 million have been completed, with £198 million more planned.

Go Dharmic’s Salt Ride 2025 ends at Dandi Beach Go Dharmic will conclude its annual Salt Ride 2025 at Dandi Beach at 5:15 AM on 20 December, commemorating Mahatma Gandhi’s historic Dandi March and promoting urgent climate action.

Ten cyclists will cover 440 km, retracing Gandhiji’s 1930 route, embodying resilience, unity, and peaceful action, the core values guiding Go Dharmic’s humanitarian and environmental efforts.

The riders will stop in Navsari on 19 December, a town that has warmly supported the Salt Ride over the past five years, making it a meaningful part of the journey.

On the morning of 20 December, cyclists will embark on the final stretch to Dandi Beach, where

Pedalling for the planet, Go Dharmic’s Salt Ride-cycling for climate action and a greener future

Gandhiji’s Salt March ignited India’s freedom struggle.

This year’s Salt Ride focuses on environmental action, with each kilometre supporting tree planting in the climate-impacted Sundarbans, West Bengal.

Hanuman Dass, Founder of Go Dharmic, said, “The Salt March taught us that small actions, rooted in truth

and courage, can change the world. The Salt Ride reminds us of our responsibility to our history, planet, and future generations.”

For Go Dharmic, the ride is a living expression of service and responsibility. The organisation invites the people of Navsari and nearby communities to join, cheer, and celebrate unity.

BJP appoints Sanjay Saraogi as Bihar unit president The Bharatiya Janata Party officially appointed Sanjay Saraogi as the new president of its Bihar unit.

This decision followed the National Democratic Alliance's comprehensive victory in the recent state assembly elections. Saraogi, a 57-year-old veteran politician and five-time MLA from the Darbhanga constituency, succeeds Dilip Jaiswal in the role. The appointment was confirmed through a formal notification issued by BJP National General Secretary Arun Singh under the direction of

Sanjay Saraogi

National President Jagat Prakash Nadda.

Saraogi's elevation to the state presidency adheres to the party's "one person, one post" policy, as his predecessor currently serves as the

Minister of Industries. A prominent leader from the Vaishya community, Saraogi just like Jaiswal, has a long history with the saffron party, beginning his career as a student activist with the ABVP before holding various organisational positions in the BJYM. He previously served as the Minister of Revenue and Land Reforms in the Bihar cabinet earlier this year. His appointment is strategically aimed at consolidating the party's core support base while maintaining organisational vitality.

Over 6,700 Indians rescued from fake job scams in South East Asia The Centre told Parliament that it is aware of dubious firms luring Indian nationals, mostly via social media, to South-East Asian countries for fake jobs, often forcing them to engage in cybercrime and scams.

Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh said over 6,700 Indians have been rescued from Cambodia, Myanmar, and Lao PDR. The exact number of affected

nationals is unclear, as many reach these scam centres voluntarily through fraudulent recruitment agents. The government has raised the issue with host countries at the political level.

The government is working with host countries’ ministries to rescue and repatriate Indians caught in fake job scams, with over 6,700 rescued from Cambodia, Lao PDR, and Myanmar. Multiple channels, including 24x7

helplines, WhatsApp, and social media, assist distressed nationals, while the Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C) tackles related cybercrime. Indian Missions also issue advisories urging verification of recruiters. In 2024-25, the MEA received 16,127 complaints from Indians abroad via MADAD and CPGRAMS, with the highest cases from Saudi Arabia, UAE, the US, Oman, Kuwait, and Canada.

Cybercrime team thwarts Rs 33.35 Lakh bank fraud Cyber criminals attempted to scam an elderly woman out of Rs 33.35 lakh by digitally "arresting" her and threatening her to transfer the amount.

On December 10, the woman went to Bank of Baroda in Maninagar to make the large transfer. Her nervous behavior raised the bank official’s suspicions, who immediately alerted the cybercrime team. Upon

investigation, the woman revealed she had been tricked into the fraud. The police and cybercrime team counseled her, explaining the digital arrest scam, ultimately saving her money.

An elderly woman at Bank of Baroda attempted to transfer Rs 33.35 lakh after receiving a WhatsApp call claiming she was “digitally arrested” and under investigation by the Mumbai

Crime Branch. Scammers, using her Aadhar details, pressured her to move funds to a private account. Bank officials grew suspicious and alerted the cybercrime team.

PSI Ishwar Patel’s team arrived, found fake documents on her phone, explained the scam, and informed her family, ultimately preventing the fraudulent transfer and saving her money.

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The dramatic rise and recent fall of IndiGo airlines IndiGo has long been celebrated as one of the most remarkable success stories in global aviation, fundamentally transforming how millions of people travel across India.

Since its inception in 2006, the lowcost carrier built an enviable reputation based on three core pillars including discipline, punctuality, and a relentless focus on costeffectiveness.

By late 2025, IndiGo had expanded to 140 destinations, including 44 international routes, operating a fleet of over 430 aircraft. Long seen as the benchmark for no-frills reliability, it maintained a remarkably low cancellation rate of about 0.5 per cent. This efficiency helped the airline command nearly 64 per cent of India’s domestic market and carry more than 118 million passengers a year. Praised for its clean, lean operations, IndiGo played a key role in making air travel accessible to India’s growing middle class.

Operational meltdown shaking the system That narrative unravelled in early December 2025, when IndiGo plunged into an unprecedented operational crisis.

The disruption peaked on December 5, with a record 1,600 flights cancelled in a single day, including all departures from

Delhi, India’s busiest airport. Striking during the peak wedding and holiday season, the chaos stranded tens of thousands of passengers. The trigger was a severe crew shortage, as the airline failed to adequately prepare for new pilot rest rules that increased mandatory weekly breaks from 36 to 48 hours.

In most countries, the failure of a single airline would not trigger a national crisis.

In India, however, IndiGo’s dominance, accounting for about 66 per cent of the market and operating 60 per cent of nearly 1,000 routes, means any disruption can paralyse the aviation sector. High fuel taxes, monopolistic airport structures and rigid bankruptcy laws have stifled competition, unlike in the US where rivals can absorb shocks more easily.

The situation worsened with technical glitches and winter fog in Delhi, dragging on-time performance from over 90 per cent to 67 per cent in November. While airlines have announced compensation, deeper issues persist. Aviation fuel remains heavily taxed compared to rail and road transport, squeezing margins.

Despite improved airport infrastructure, flashy terminals alone cannot fix the structural problems facing India’s aviation industry.

Asia’s megacities are growing fast, but falling behind For decades, Tokyo was seen as the world’s largest city, but that has now changed.

New UN data shows Jakarta has taken the lead with about 42 million people, followed by Dhaka at 37 million, ahead of Tokyo’s 33 million. Delhi and Shanghai, each with around 30 million residents, complete the top five. The revised figures reflect rapid urban sprawl and show that most of the world’s megacities are now concentrated in middleincome Asia, with Jakarta and Dhaka expected to add another 25 million people by 2050.

Despite their scale, megacities like Jakarta, Delhi and Dhaka remain among the world’s least liveable due fragmented urban to

governance. In Jakarta, poor coordination and unchecked sprawl have worsened congestion, costing an estimated $6 billion a year, while its metro line still stops at administrative boundaries, leaving commuter suburbs underserved.

Dhaka suffers from fragmented governance, with multiple agencies and weak mayoral powers contributing to persistent problems such as traffic, flooding and poor service delivery. Delhi faces similar issues, as authority is divided between municipal bodies, the state and the Centre, leading to slow decisions and weak coordination.

Meanwhile, rapid urban migration is outpacing

infrastructure.

Car ownership is rising, but parking, road capacity and maintenance remain inadequate. Vehicles are added faster than cities can safely accommodate them, resulting in alarming levels of road deaths and injuries each year.

In contrast, Tokyo’s metropolitan model, where a strong central authority coordinates major services while local wards manage community needs, offers a more coherent approach.

For cities like Jakarta, Delhi and Dhaka, the real question is not whether they will keep growing, but whether governance reform can arrive in time to make that growth sustainable and safe?

Priyanka Singh wins Veer Savarkar International Impact Award 2025

Vidit Aatrey, Meesho founder joins billionaire club The co-founder and chief executive of Meesho Ltd, Vidit Aatrey officially joined the global billionaire ranks.

This financial milestone occurred when the ecommerce company’s shares surged by 13 per cent during intraday trading to reach a 52-week high of £1.82 (Rs 193.50) on the Bombay Stock Exchange.

The rally follows Meesho’s successful stock market debut on December 10, where it listed at a 46 per cent premium over its issue price of £1.04. Aatrey, an IIT

Vidit Aatrey

Delhi alumnus who cofounded the firm in 2015 alongside Sanjeev Barnwal, maintains an 11.1 per cent stake consisting of 47.25

crore shares. At the peak trading price, his holding was valued at approximately £858 million (Rs 9,128 crore), crossing the $1 billion threshold.

Aatrey achieved this status by scaling Meesho into a leading social commerce platform that empowers small sellers through digital storefronts.

Headquartered in Bengaluru, the company’s recent growth has been propelled by strong investor backing from firms such as SoftBank and Meta.

Kusha Kapila’s fashion venture, Underneat secures $6 million with fire ventures

Kusha Kapila

The Indian direct-toconsumer label Underneat, co-founded by digital creator Kusha Kapila and entrepreneur Vimarsh Razdan, has successfully secured $6 million.

This significant investment was led by Fireside Ventures, with continued support from

existing investor Ghazal Alagh.

Based in Gurugram, the startup launched in April 2025 to address a structural gap in the domestic market by providing highquality shapewear at accessible price points.

Since its inception, the brand has demonstrated remarkable growth, surpassing an annual recurring revenue of ₹150 crore and achieving EBITDA positivity in less than eight months. In November alone, the company recorded a gross merchandise value of ₹12 crore. Underneat currently serves a community of 200,000 women through its dedicated website and platforms such as Myntra and Blinkit.

The founders intend to utilise this fresh capital to scale operations and enhance distribution networks across Indian cities.

This expansion arrives as the women’s innerwear market in India, currently valued at $5.06 billion, is projected to reach up to $12 billion by 2033.

Dignitaries and awardees at the event

Mrs Priyanka Singh, a respected educator and community leader from Dublin, Ireland, was honoured with the Veer Savarkar International Impact Award 2025 at a ceremony in New Delhi. Instituted by HRDS INDIA, the award recognises individuals for outstanding global contributions to education, humanitarian service and social empowerment. At the NDMC Convention Centre, dignitaries attended as Jammu & Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha delivered the keynote on Veer Savarkar’s legacy and praised the awardees. Mrs Singh was honoured for her work in special-needs education, youth mentorship, and multicultural initiatives in Europe, exemplifying the global leadership the award recognises.

Global warnings issued as Delhi’s air quality plummets Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) are currently battling a severe public health crisis as atmospheric pollution reaches hazardous levels. On December 15, the city's Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at a staggering 476, maintaining its position in the severe zone for several consecutive days.

This toxic smog, driven by calm winds and falling temperatures, has forced the Central Pollution Control Board to invoke Stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), the most stringent level of emergency curbs.

In response to the deteriorating environment, the high commissions of Singapore, the United Kingdom, and Canada have issued urgent travel advisories for their citizens. These nations have cautioned

travellers about significant health risks and potential flight disruptions at Indira Gandhi International Airport due to low visibility.

The Singapore High Commission has advised its nationals to stay indoors and wear masks due to hazardous air quality in Delhi. Authorities have banned nonessential truck entry, halted construction, and shifted schools across Delhi and nearby areas to online classes. Several monitoring stations have recorded the maximum air quality index of 500, leaving the capital blanketed in toxic haze and raising international concern. The health impact is severe: more than 200,000 cases of acute respiratory illness were reported in six staterun Delhi hospitals between 2022 and 2024, according to figures recently shared in Parliament.

US calls PM Modi “a great friend” amid trade talks The US Embassy in India shared a message praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi, quoting President Donald Trump: “We have a great friend in PM Modi.”

The post on 'X' highlighted India's ancient civilization and its strategic importance to the US in the IndoPacific. It followed a recent phone call between Modi and Trump, their first since October, to discuss strengthening

trade ties and addressing trade frictions.

The call coincided with a two-day India visit by new US deputy trade representative Rick Switzer, who met senior officials including commerce secretary Rajesh Agrawal. Signs suggest New Delhi and Washington may be moving closer to a trade deal after tensions earlier this year, when the Trump administration imposed 25% tariffs on Indian goods, plus an

additional 25% linked to India’s Russian oil purchases, the highest U.S. tariffs on any partner. Following the call, Modi described it as “warm and engaging,” noting discussions on bilateral progress and global developments, and affirming India-US cooperation for peace and prosperity. Chief Economic Advisor V. Anantha Nageswaran added that he expects a trade deal to be finalised by the end of the fiscal year.

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PM Modi's three-nation tour: Strengthening relations with Jordan, Ethiopia, and Oman Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarked on a three-nation tour, starting with Jordan at the invitation of King Abdullah II. His next stop is Ethiopia from December 16-17, marking his first visit to the country. In Addis Ababa, the headquarters of the African Union, PM Modi will hold discussions with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali on enhancing bilateral ties and engage with the Indian diaspora. He will also address Ethiopia’s Parliament, sharing insights on India’s democratic journey and the potential of India-Ethiopia collaboration for the Global South.

The final leg of the tour will take him to Oman from December 17-18 at the invitation of Sultan Haitham bin Tarik. This will be his second visit to Oman, where he will discuss strengthening the India-Oman Strategic Partnership, particularly in trade, energy, defence, and culture, while celebrating 70 years of diplomatic ties.

India and Jordan set new economic goals, boost trade Prime Minister Narendra Modi concluded his two-day visit to Jordan.

He thanked Crown Prince Al-Hussein bin Abdullah II for the rare gesture of personally bidding him farewell, calling the visit "immensely productive."

On X, PM Modi highlighted the strengthened India-Jordan partnership in renewable energy, water management, digital transformation, cultural exchanges, and heritage cooperation. He also praised Jordan’s firm stance against terrorism and its role in regional stability.

PM is on his way to the Jordan Museum with the Crown Prince of Jordan, Al-Hussein Bin Abdullah II

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was warmly welcomed by the Indian community in Amman, Jordan. As he arrived at his hotel, supporters cheered with chants of “Modi Modi” and “Bharat Mata Ki Jai,” waving Indian flags. The Prime Minister greeted the crowd and interacted with

PM Modi with King of Jordan Abdullah II bin Al Hussein

with Crown Prince Al-Hussein, praising his work in youth development, sports, and innovation. In a rare gesture, the Crown Prince personally drove PM Modi to the Jordan Museum, where the Prime Minister learned about the country’s history and heritage. PM Modi later thanked the Crown Prince for showcasing Jordan’s cultural legacy.

The visit focused on strengthening economic ties, with trade at USD 2.3 billion in 2024. In techPM receives warm welcome by the Indian community nology and educaat a hotel in Amman tion, the leaders children before enjoying a cultural agreed on digital transformation iniperformance. tiatives, capacity building, and collabPM Modi met King Abdullah II at oration at the India-Jordan Centre of the Husseiniya Palace to discuss bilatExcellence in IT. MoUs on water maneral relations, regional issues like agement, renewable energy, Gaza, and counter-terrorism efforts. telemedicine, and sustainable agriculHe also held an extended meeting ture were signed.

BJP appointed Nitin Nabin as national working president In a significant generational shift, Bihar Minister Nitin Nabin was appointed as the BJP’s National Working President.

At 45 years old, Nabin is the youngest person to lead the party, stepping into a role that positions him to eventually succeed the outgoing chief, JP Nadda. The appointment was confirmed in New Delhi, marking a strategic pivot as Nabin becomes the first BJP chief hailing from Bihar and the wider eastern India region.

Nabin, a five-time MLA from Bankipur and son of the late veteran leader

Morari Bapu’s nine-day Ramkatha set for January 2026

Nitin Nabin

Nabin Kishore Prasad Sinha, brings two decades of organisational depth to the position. Development.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised him as a hardworking Karyakarta with a grounded style.

BMC elections set for January The Maharashtra State Election Commission has officially announced that the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections will be held on January 15, 2026.

After a four-year delay, Asia’s wealthiest civic body, alongside 28 other municipal corporations across the state, will finally go to the polls. State Election Commissioner Dinesh T. Waghmare confirmed that the counting of votes for the 2,869 contested seats will take place on January 16, immediately following the conclusion of the one-day polling window.The electoral process begins in December 2025, with candidates invited to file nominations between December 23 and 30. This massive democratic exercise involves over 3.48 crore eligible voters and follows a September directive from the Supreme Court of India to complete local body elections by the end of January. To ensure transparency, the commission has identified approximately 15 lakh suspected duplicate voters, including 11.5 lakh in Mumbai, who must now verify their primary polling location.

Gajendra Singh Shekhawat (left) with Jain Acharya Lokeshji

Union Minister for Culture and Tourism, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, hailed the historic moment when, for the first time, a Jain Acharya will organise a Ramkatha, to be delivered by Pujya Morari Bapu at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, for the World Peace Centre Mission.

He emphasised that Lord Shri Ram’s life is a timeless source of inspiration and expressed his own anticipation of attending the discourse. Shekhawat also praised Jain Acharya Lokeshji for setting an exemplary model of harmony, goodwill, and social unity through this initiative.

Jain Acharya Lokeshji, Founder of Ahimsa Vishwa Bharati and the World Peace Centre, expressed gratitude

to Pujya Morari Bapu for generously offering to deliver a nine-day Ramkatha in Delhi from January 17-25, 2026, for the World Peace Centre Mission. He noted the overwhelming enthusiasm among Delhi’s devotees and revealed that attendees from countries such as the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, and Singapore have already planned to join. Acharya Lokeshji also shared that former President Ram Nath Kovind has graciously accepted the role of Chairman of the Organising Committee. Dr Alok Drolia and Shri Pradeep Jindal assured that the Ramkatha would be free for all, with arrangements for accommodation, meals, and other facilities in place.

Nitish Kumar faces Piyush Goyal and Baijayant backlash over hijab incident Panda appointed BJP poll in Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has charges of TN and Assam sparked a significant political controversy after a video emerged showing him pulling down the hijab of a newly recruited doctor.

The incident took place at the ‘Samvad’ secretariat in Patna during a formal ceremony held to distribute appointment letters to over 1,000 AYUSH practitioners.

As the woman approached the stage to receive her credentials, the 75-year-old leader reportedly questioned her attire before leaning forward to physically adjust her veil.

The recruit appeared visibly flustered and was quickly

escorted away by officials, while Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary was seen attempting to restrain the Chief Minister by tugging at his sleeve.

Opposition parties, including the RJD and Congress, have used the footage to question the mental stability and self-control of the JD(U) president.

Gujarati family taken hostage during migration to Portugal A family from Mehsana district has been kidnapped in Libya while attempting to migrate to Portugal.

Kismatsinh Chavda, his wife Heenaben, and their threeyear-old daughter, Devanshi, were taken hostage in the North African city of Benghazi. The captors have contacted the family’s relatives in Gujarat to demand a ransom of 2 crore rupees for their release.The trio originally departed from Ahmedabad for Dubai on November 29, intending to join Kismatsinh’s brother in Europe. According to Mehsana Superintendent of Police Himanshu Solanki, the family was travelling via a route organised by a Portugal agent. After reaching Dubai, they were moved to Libya, where they were subsequently abducted.

The victims’ relatives approached Mehsana Collector S.K. Prajapati on December 12 to report the kidnapping.

Piyush Goyal and Baijayant Panda

BJP National President Jagat Prakash Nadda has appointed Union Minister Piyush Goyal as the election in-charge for Tamil Nadu in preparation for the 2026 Assembly elections. To support this strategic move, Arjun Ram Meghwal and Muralidhar Mohol have been named as co-incharges for the state.

Meanwhile, BJP MP Baijayant Panda has been entrusted with the leadership for the Assam polls, assisted by co-in-charges Sunil Kumar Sharma and Darshana Ben Jardosh.

The BJP has selected Goyal primarily for his proven track record in handling complex alliance negotiations in the state.

He notably facilitated the BJP-AIADMK alliance during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections and previously

headed the party's election management panel in Tamil Nadu. The party high command believes his experience will be vital in reopening channels with potential partners like the PMK and DMDK to strengthen the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) for the 2026 Assembly polls.

Panda’s appointment is a return to a successful formula as he previously served as the state incharge during the 2021 Assembly elections, where the BJP-led NDA secured a historic second consecutive term. His familiarity with the local political landscape and his experience working alongside Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma are seen as key assets for maintaining the party’s stronghold in the Northeast.

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THE OVERLOOKED RISK Energy drinks’ hidden toll, linked to heart and stroke risk

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octors have warned that heavy consumption of energy drinks can significantly raise the risk of heart disease and may even trigger a stroke. Energy drinks, which often contain more than 150mg of caffeine per litre along with high sugar levels and other stimulants, are consumed by millions worldwide.

The alert follows the case of a healthy man in his 50s, who suffered a stroke after drinking eight energy drinks a day, consuming around 1,200mg of caffeine, three times the safe limit. He arrived at hospital with extremely high blood pressure. Only after quitting energy drinks did his blood pressure return to normal, though some symptoms remained.

The case, published in BMJ Case Reports, has prompted calls for stricter regulation of energy drink

The hidden dangers of energy drinks •

•

•

• sales and advertising, which often target young people. Doctors argue that while alcohol and smoking receive regular health warnings, the risks associated with chronic energy drink consumption are largely overlooked.

They say both short-term and long-term intake of these drinks may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke, risks that may be preventable if consumption is reduced. Healthcare professionals are

•

•

Sleep disruption: Energy drinks interfere with rest, causing fatigue and anxiety.

Sugar overload: High levels increase the risk of obesity, diabetes and blood-sugar crashes.

Mood effects: Too much caffeine triggers irritability, restlessness and jitters.

Kidney stress: Acts as a diuretic, causing dehydration and placing pressure on the kidneys.

Dental damage: Acidity and sugar erode enamel and cause cavities.

Dependence risk: Regular use can lead to caffeine addiction and withdrawal symptoms.

also being urged to ask younger with unexplained patients hypertension or stroke about their energy drink intake.

Recognising women’s heart attack symptoms: A survivor’s story

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woman from Solihull has revealed how surviving a heart attack in her 20s transformed her life.

Neena Chauhan endured chest pains for weeks before seeking help, only reacting when a sudden, “crushing” pain struck in 2013. Her mother and siblings watched in shock as she collapsed in agony, sweating and unable to move, before being rushed to Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

Neena, now 40, said it felt “like an elephant was sitting on me,” with pins and needles down her left arm.

Doctors performed an emergency stent procedure to open a blocked artery, warning she could have died. The experience also

profoundly affected her mental health.

Now 40, Neena is backing the British Heart Foundation to advance heart disease research.

Neena’s story highlights an important fact: heart attacks in women often present differently than in men. While chest pain or pressure is common for both, women are more likely to experience subtler or atypical symptoms, which can lead to delayed diagnosis. These include mild chest discomfort, pain in the jaw, neck, back, shoulders, arms or upper abdomen, shortness of breath, unusual fatigue, nausea or heartburn, cold sweats, dizziness, and palpitations.

Women’s

Neena Chauhan

smaller coronary arteries and unique microvascular circulation can make blockages harder to detect, and symptoms may appear at rest, during sleep, or under stress.

What to do? If you notice any combination of these signs, seek urgent

Social media use is shrinking children’s attention spans

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Extra sleep won’t fix it You can’t truly “catch up” on sleep because the body doesn’t store missed rest the way it does calories or energy. When you lose sleep, your brain enters a state of deficit that affects memory, mood, focus and immune strength. Sleeping extra on weekends may help you feel better temporarily, but it doesn’t fully reverse the biological impact of chronic sleep loss.

What you’re really doing is compensating, not recovering; consistency, not occasional long sleep, is what restores the body properly.

Health Views Disclaimer: The information provided is for general knowledge only and not a substitute for professional medical advice.

four-year study of more than 8,000 US children found that those who spent longer on social platforms gradually developed symptoms of inattention, a pattern not seen with TV or video games.

Children in the study, aged nine to ten at the start, used social media for an average of 1.4 hours a day, with attention problems rising in line with increased scrolling. Ofcom data shows UK children aged eight to fourteen now spend around three hours online daily, much of it on YouTube and Snapchat.

Researchers from Sweden’s Karolinska Institute and Oregon Health & Science University said the findings may help explain rising ADHD diagnoses. They noted that social media provides constant distraction through alerts and notifications, disrupting focus.

Although the effect on individuals was small, they warned that widespread increases in screen time could push many children over the diagnostic threshold.

The study, published as Australia introduced a world-first ban on under-16s using social media, also found large numbers of children under 13 accessing platforms despite age restrictions. Britain is bringing in new age-verification rules to address this.

medical help.

Early intervention saves lives.

Women with risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, smoking, obesity, stress, or sedentary lifestyle should be particularly vigilant. Sharing this knowledge can help protect lives.

Stay home if unwell, health officials say The public is being urged to reduce close contact with others if they develop flu or Covid-19 symptoms, as the NHS prepares for a particularly difficult winter.

A mutated or “drifted” strain of H3N2 influenza is driving an earlier and faster rise in infections and hospital admissions in 2025. Simple everyday measures to limit spread, especially during the festive season.

People with symptoms such as fever, cough, fatigue or aches should avoid contact with others, particularly those who are vulnerable. Regular handwashing, good indoor ventilation and wearing a face covering when going out while unwell can all help reduce risk.

The warning comes as families prepare to gather over Christmas, often with older relatives who face a higher risk of serious illness. The NHS is also under added pressure from a surge in winter viruses and a five-day resident doctors’ strike, further stretching already strained services.

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TOP 5 BOLLYWOOD ACTORS

1. Akshaye Khanna Akshaye Khanna is once again hitting headlines after a long interval, receiving widespread appreciation for his performance in ‘Dhurandhar’. Directed by Aditya Dhar and led by Ranveer Singh, the film hit theatres on December 2025.

Akshaye’s portrayal of the antagonist Rehman Dakait - a Pakistani crime lord and politician, has struck a chord with audiences and is being widely discussed on social media.

AND… THAT’S A WRAP 2025, a year that kept delivering surprises, month after month.

A twelve-month rollercoaster at the box office, packed with unprecedented cinematic triumphs and dramatic twists that left audiences spellbound. From ‘Lokah’ making huge waves in the theatres to ‘Ba*****s of Bollywood’ wrecking the ott platforms. As the year comes to an end, here is the list of tops this year that people celebrated the most.

2. Shah Rukh Khan King Khan this year not only received his first National Award as the best actor, but also stunned the audience with his cameo in his own son’s debut series ‘Ba*****s of Bollywood’. As his high fashion outshined everyone in Met Gala and bagged New York Times’ most stylish icon award, SRK is now moving forward with his new project called ‘King’ upcoming year.

TOP 5 SOUTH INDIAN ACTORS

1. Rishab Shetty Rishab took the breath away from people with his divine acting skills and wrecked all the records in the box office with his banger, ‘Kantara: Chapter 1’. His one man show made the audience shocked and his dedication still inspires many.

2. Mohanlal Like vintage wine, Mohanlal still holds the power not only captivating Malayali audience but capturing worldwide attention. This year with his acting in ‘Thudarum’ and ‘L2: Empuraan’ he made people realise why he has always been one of the best actors and also, he was honoured this year with the most prominent Dada Saheb Phalke award from the President itself.

3. Samantha Ruth Prabhu With a most awaited wedding this year with film maker Raj Nidimoru, Samantha made the headlines once again. And with the comedy-horror film ‘Shubham’ Samantha again surprised the audience with her powerful role as a producer. Samantha with her unmatched looks and captivating aura made her way into audience’s heart once again this year.

5. Kalyani Priyadarshan Breaking down all records with ‘Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra’, Kalyani this year presented a strong and committed self of hers for the audience. For audience who were used to her cute smile and innocent persona, she served a powerful personality and nailed this year.

3. Ahaan Pandey With his debut film ‘Saiyaara’, Ahaan made new waves in Bollywood. With his charismatic personality and enchanting smile, he took away the hearts of millions.

From a family with Bollywood legacy, Ahaan makes his own name with his unwavering talent.

5. Alia Bhatt This fashion icon of Bollywood not only took fashion to another level by rocking red carpet at Met Gala and Cannes Film Festival, but also bagged Golden Globe Horizon Award at Red Sea Film Festival. Fans are waiting for her highly anticipated role in Veteran actress Madhubala’s biopic portraying the legendary actress herself.

TOP 5 BOLLYWOOD SERIES

1. B******s of Bollywood Aryan Khan’s directorial debut, ‘B******s of Bollywood’ is an entertaining ride through the adventures of an ambitious outsider navigating the glitzy yet tricky world of Bollywood, with self-aware humour, cameos, and larger-than-life characters for a tongue-in-cheek take on Indian cinema starring Lakshyaa as the lead.

And it quickly went viral with all the memes circulating through social media.

3. Paatal Lok Season2 A thrilling sequel to ‘Paatal Lok 1’, Sudip Sharma this time presented a season full of mysteries and questions trying to find answers. It follows the story of Inspector Hathi Ram Chaudhary, the haggard, unlikely hero, investigates a high-profile murder case that leads him to remote corners of North-East India, where he battles powerful forces and personal tragedies in his pursuit of truth with Jaideep Ahlawat leading.

4. Rashmika Mandana With her dashing debut in Bollywood through ‘Thamma’, Rashmika served plenty of varieties this year. Her emotional acting in ‘Girlfriend’ made the audience’s heartache. And her rumoured wedding with Vijay Deverakonda in 2026 also made headlines this year.

4. Priyanka Chopra Jonas Priyanka Chopra Jonas remains the one timeless name on any list celebrating a stellar year, and 2025 proved no exception.

She starred alongside John Cena and Idris Elba in ‘Heads of State’, whilst also joining the cast of SS Rajamouli’s highly anticipated, ‘Varanasi’.

2. Black Warrant A banging prion drama, directed by Vikramaditya Motwane skims through different genres like crime, mystery and thriller. Its plot follows a newly appointed jailer at Tihar Prison confronts widespread corruption and injustice within its walls, forcing him to choose between maintaining the status quo and fighting for reform starring Zahan Kapoor.

4. Panchayat Season 4 With usual fun and light hearted comedy, ‘Panchayat’ still held the audience attention with entertaining fourth season. It captures the journey of an engineering graduate Abhishek, who for lack of a better job option joins as secretary of a Panchayat office in a remote village of Uttar Pradesh starring Jitendra Kumar.

5. Family Man Season 3 This immersive series plots around on Srikant Tiwari who is on a personal mission to avenge an assassination, unravels a devious conspiracy that threatens to send India to the brink of war. This banger starring Manoj Bajpayee did not disappoint its audience and made a comeback worth remembering.

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Nushrratt Bharuccha explains dominance of male-led films B

ollywood actress Nushrratt Bharuccha has offered a candid assessment of the gender disparity at the box office, explaining the continued financial dominance of male-oriented films in India.

Speaking at the Agenda Aaj Tak event in Delhi, the actress detailed why features centred on men consistently outperform those with a female lead.

Bharuccha contended that the primary reason is straightforward: female-led films are simply made less. She linked this issue to demographics, noting that “Males constitute the majority of the population in our country”. Whilst she acknowledged that entrenched industry practices take time to change, she remained optimistic, asserting that a shift is inevitable. The actress was quick to point out that heroism is not gender-based, although these opportunities are still rarely portrayed.

She cited several examples to prove that femalecentric narratives which successfully connect with the audience are commercially viable, referencing successful titles such as ‘Mimi’, ‘Chhori’, ‘Dream Girl’, ‘Akeli’, and ‘Pink’.

Reflecting on her own career, the star shared the challenges faced as an outsider, having initially been stereotyped for commercial comedy after her role in Pyaar Ka Punchnama. However, she credited the opportunity to star in the acclaimed OTT thriller Chhori with changing public perceptions of her versatility.

Nawazuddin Siddiqui calls career trajectory “good and fun”

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Shah Rukh Khan bags the New York Times’ most stylish icon

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ollywood actor, Shah Rukh Khan, has achieved a significant global honour, being named among ‘The New York Times' 67 Most Stylish People of 2025’. The prestigious list, which features global icons from fashion and culture, was released in December 2025, just months after his memorable red-carpet event.

The recognition stems directly from what was his widely-discussed debut at the Met Gala earlier this year.

This momentous event take place at the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute gala in New York City.

The 60-year-old actor wore an all-black, customdesigned menswear ensemble by acclaimed Indian designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee. It was complemented by opulent accessories, including a crystal-studded 'K' pendant and a Bengal Tiger Head Cane, which the NYT stated helped him "bring the Met Gala into his orbit."

Khan is the only Bollywood actor to be featured on the list alongside Western trendsetters like Jennifer Lawrence and A$AP Rocky, marking a major milestone for Indian representation and demonstrating the growing international influence of Indian design on the world’s most high-profile fashion stage.

cclaimed Bollywood star Nawazuddin Siddiqui has offered a candid reflection on his extraordinary ascent in the Hindi film industry. The versatile actor, renowned for his compelling and often intense portrayals, summarised the demanding trajectory from anonymity to stardom with surprising, yet characteristic, humility. He simply called his lengthy career journey a "good and fun" ride.

Siddiqui recalled his formative years, which involved securing minor, often blink-and-you’d-miss-it, character roles in major productions. Before ultimately becoming a national fixture, he featured in films such as ‘Sarfarosh’, ‘Shool’, and ‘Jungle’, culminating in an uncredited, fleeting cameo in the 2003 box-office hit, ‘Munna Bhai M.B.B.S’. This early struggle stands in stark contrast to the commanding, complex leading roles he now effortlessly undertakes.

Crucially, the veteran performer stressed that an actor's professional duty is to con-

stantly explore and push creative boundaries. He remarked that while spectators observe his professional graph over time, his own perception of his work holds the paramount importance. He conveyed that he derives greater creative fulfilment when engaged in productions that foster this artistic freedom, specifically citing his experience on the film ‘Raat Akeli Hai’ as a project where genuine experimentation was possible.

Emphasising the need to steer clear of confining oneself to a single 'zone', he lauded the impressive versatility of his costar, Chitrangada Singh, pointing out her ability to deliver across wholly different genres, from Aatma to Housefull.

Bollywood stars glam up at Red Sea Film Festival

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ajor Bollywood figures, Salman Khan and Alia Bhatt, commanded attention at the prestigious Red Sea International Film Festival in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, underscoring India's cinematic presence on the global stage.

The event took place recently, with reporting published on the December 10 and 11. Superstar Salman Khan and acclaimed actress Alia Bhatt were the main representatives.

The veteran actor, Salman Khan, suited up sharply for the occasion, where he was photographed alongside wellknown international personalities, including British actor Idris Elba and Venezuelan-Spanish actor Edgar Ramirez.

The purpose of his attendance, and that of other global celebrities, was to participate in the festival's high-profile programming.

On the other hand, Alia Bhatt received a significant "Golden Globes honour" at the festival, recognising her contribution to cinema. Alia Bhatt took to social media to express her profound appreciation, stating she was "honoured" by the recognition. The joint appearance highlights the expanding global reach and recognition of contemporary Hindi cinema, linking its top talent with Hollywood and European industry heavyweights at an event known for promoting cross-cultural cinematic dialogue.

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Regional cinema now leads India’s national storytelling, says Kamal Hassan

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egendary actor and politician, Kamal Haasan, delivered a powerful address on the evolving landscape of Indian entertainment, asserting that regional is becoming the new national. The renowned star, speaking at the JioHotstar ‘South Unbound’ summit, argued that local narratives are transcending linguistic boundaries to become national cultural events. It was held recently in Chennai, where he highlighted the rising prominence of storytelling rooted in local areas such as Madurai and Malappuram.

The shift is evidenced by the massive success of films like Baahubali, the Kannada folkloric hit Kantara, and the Malayalam mystery Drishyam.

These titles demonstrate how sincerity, rather than mere budget, is the real catalyst for panIndian success. Haasan passionately declared that "authenticity is a currency that can never be demonetised."

The actor pointed to a young, screenagnostic audience and extensive digital reach, noting that southern Indian languages collectively connect with over 275 million people, offering immense global potential. This new ecosystem was underlined by a major financial commitment, with JioHotstar announcing a significant Rs 4,000 crore (£330 million) investment over the next five years to boost the creative economy in the region, part of a wider Rs 12,000-crore (around £1 billion) commitment to advancing southern storytelling.

Singer Chinmayi Sripada responds to AI-morphed image abuse

Mohanlal's ‘Drishyam’ sequel to arrive before Ajay Devgn’s

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eteran Tamil cinema superstar, Ajith Kumar, recently took a moment away from the racing track to personally appeal to his extensive fan base, urging them to maintain order and discipline during public appearances. The actor, who is also an established motorsport enthusiast, addressed the crowd.

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rominent Indian singer and voice artist, Chinmayi Sripada, has taken a firm stance against the insidious threat of digital gender-based violence after an obscene, AI-morphed photograph of her was circulated online. Sripada, who has long been a vocal advocate for women’s rights, publicly addressed the violation against herself.

It happened during a highprofile racing event. A short video clip, which quickly went viral, showed the actor becoming visibly concerned over the unruly behaviour of the crowd of spectators.

This incident occurred while he was participating in a racing event.

It involved the creation and circulation of a digitally manipulated, obscene image, made possible by advancing Artificial Intelligence technology. Her statement was issued on December 11, following the discovery of the deepfake image. The singer took to social media to confront the perpetrator and offer guidance to other potential victims.

She urged victims to immediately file a police report under the relevant cybercrime laws and, crucially, to "get rid of the shame." She stressed that the shame belongs solely to the perpetrator, not the victim.

Sripada’s action serves as a strong public warning to women across India about the escalating risk of AI-powered image abuse, highlighting that such crimes can now be committed against anyone and reinforcing the need for immediate, firm legal action against those who create or share deepfakes.

Tamil actor Ajith Kumar calls for fan discipline at racing event

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he creator of the acclaimed Drishyam film franchise, director Jeethu Joseph, has provided a definitive update on the highly anticipated release schedule for the Indian crime-thriller's sequels. Joseph confirmed that the Malayalam-language third instalment, starring original lead Mohanlal, will be released before the Hindi remake featuring Ajay Devgn.

It is the third part of the Drishyam saga, titled Drishyam 3. While no exact date was provided, Joseph affirmed it is set for release ahead of its Hindi counterpart. The core saga, revolving around the resourceful Georgekutty, is deeply rooted in Kerala, which speaks to its Malayalam origin.

The Malayalam original has historically dictated the narrative timeline for all remakes across multiple Indian languages. This confirmation assures fans of the source material that their story will not be spoiled by the Bollywood version. Joseph revealed that the team is currently in the crucial phase of writing the final script. He also clarified that his primary commitment is to the original Malayalam series, ensuring its narrative integrity and timeline are maintained before the story is adapted for the Hindi-speaking audience.

In the video, which circulated widely on social media, Ajith calmly and firmly requested the audience to step back from the edge of the racing line. He asked his supporters to show respect for the sport's safety protocols and the organisers' efforts. When the video surfaced, it sparked widespread discussion online about fan culture and celebrity responsibility. Known for his dedicated following, the star leveraged his personal authority to underscore the importance of safety and respectful conduct, highlighting that while he appreciates their support, a lack of discipline poses a genuine safety threat not only to the public but also to the race participants and the sport's operation itself.

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Messi visits Vantara Wildlife Centre, participates in rituals L

ionel Messi, in India for his GOAT India Tour and accompanied by Inter Miami teammates Luis Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul, visited Jamnagar’s Vantara wildlife and conservation centre, where he was welcomed with folk music, flowers, and a ceremonial aarti.

He took part in a Maha Aarti, offering prayers for world peace, and toured the centre’s conservation ecosystem, home to rescued big cats, elephants, and other animals, while admiring its green energy initiatives.

The tour also saw Messi visiting Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Delhi, participating in events, promotional unveiling a 70-foot statue in Kolkata, and meeting celebrities and politicians including Shah Rukh Khan, Rahul Gandhi, Sachin Tendulkar, and Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis.

Fans in Delhi and

coordination. Principal Secretary Rajesh Kumar Sinha was also asked to explain lapses, while DCP Aneesh Sarkar and DC Anik Sarkar have been suspended pending inquiry.

Lionel Messi joins teammates with Anant, and Radhika Ambani in a spiritual aarti

Mumbai enjoyed stadium interactions, photos, and games with Messi, while his India visit reflected both his humility and humanitarian values.

ordered a probe.

A four-member SIT, led

West Bengal Sports Minister Aroop Biswas resigned following fan outrage over chaos during Messi’s visit to Yuvabharati Stadium.

The Chief Secretary’s office also held DGP Rajeev Kumar and Bidhannagar Police Mukesh Commissioner accountable. In response, CM Mamata Banerjee

Lionel Messi addressing the crowd as his Inter Miami teammates Luis Suarez, Rodrigo de Paul, senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy

by IPS Peeyush Pandey, Barrackpore Commissioner Murlidhar Sharma, ADG Gyanwant Singh, and ADG Supratim Sarkar, was formed to probe the chaos

Cameron Green

with 10 wickets in 2024. He now joins the elite list of top buys, just behind Rishabh Pant (Rs27 crore) and Shreyas Iyer (Rs26.75 crore).

Kolkata Knight Riders made big buys with Mitchell Starc (Rs 24.75 crore) in 2024 and Venkatesh Iyer (Rs 23.75 crore) in 2025. Pat Cummins went to Sunrisers Hyderabad for Rs 20.50 crore, while Sam Curran joined Punjab Kings for Rs 18.50 crore in 2023.

Punjab also picked Arshdeep Singh and Yuzvendra Chahal for Rs 18.00 crore each in 2025. Green, bought by Mumbai Indians for Rs 17.50 crore in 2023, saw his value rise.

Chennai Super Kings, with Rs 43.4 crore, splurged Rs 14.2 crore on uncapped Prashant Veer and Karik Sharma, after picking Akeal Hosein for Rs2 crore.

Sunrisers Hyderabad spent Rs30 lakh on Shivang Kumar.

Lucknow Super Giants picked Wanindu Hasaranga for Rs2 crore, while Delhi Capitals got Ben Duckett and David Miller at base price, then spent Rs 8.40 crore on Auqib Nabi Dar. Rajasthan Royals bought Ravi Bishnoi for Rs 7.20 crore, and Gujarat Titans picked Ashok Sharma for Rs 90 lakh.

Aryan Sharma, John James make Australia’s U-19 World Cup squad Australia has named a 15member squad for the ICC Men’s U-19 World Cup, scheduled in Namibia and Zimbabwe from January 15 to February 6, featuring two players of Indian origin, Aryan Sharma and John James, in the defending champions’ plans.

Sharma, a left-handed batter and slow left-arm spinner, and James, a rightarm medium-pace allrounder, earned their spots in the World Cup squad

during Messi’s Salt Lake Stadium appearance.

West Bengal sports minister resigns amid Messi visit chaos

IPL 2026 Auction: Cameron Green shines as costliest overseas player The IPL 2026 Auction kicked off in Abu Dhabi, with intense bidding wars and strategic picks stealing the spotlight.

Despite the excitement, big names like Jake Fraser McGurk, Prithvi Shaw, Devon Conway, and Liam Livingstone went unsold.

Australian all-rounder Cameron Green became one of IPL's priciest players with a Rs 25.20 crore deal to Kolkata Knight Riders, making him the third most expensive player and the costliest overseas buy, surpassing Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins.

After debuting with Mumbai Indians in 2023 and later playing for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Green's value soared. He scored 452 runs and took 6 wickets in 2023, and 255 runs

Lionel Messi with Sachin Tendulkar at Wankhede Stadium

with strong performances in youth Tests and one-day matches against India in September, as well as at the National U-19 Championships in Perth.

The squad also highlights Australia’s multicultural cricket scene, featuring two Sri Lankan-origin players, Naden Cooray and Nitesh Samuel, and Chineseorigin cricketer Alex Lee Young.

Australia will defend their title at the ICC U-19

World Cup under Captain Oliver Peake. Head coach Tim Nielsen described the squad as “strong and wellbalanced,” selected for complementary skills and versatility.

“Some players have trained in senior setups, while others are rapidly progressing through the pathway system. The World Cup is a great chance for them to showcase their talent against the best,” Nielsen added.

West Bengal DGP Rajeev Kumar and Bidhannagar CP Mukesh Kumar received 24-hour show-cause notices for mismanagement and poor

Celebs and sportspeople attend Lionel Messi's GOAT India tour Football superstar Lionel Messi kicked off his GOAT India Tour 2025 with a visit to Kolkata on December 13, followed by Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium on December 14, joined by teammates Luis Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul. Thousands of fans gathered as Messi interacted with children, played on the pitch, and met several Bollywood celebrities, including Ajay Devgn, Kareena Kapoor, and Tiger Shroff.

In Mumbai, Messi also met cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar and former football captain Sunil Chhetri, exchanging jerseys, and presented his Argentina

jersey to Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis. Earlier, he attended a Padel event at the Cricket Club of India.

During his Kolkata visit, Bengali actress Subhashree Ganguly shared photos of a meet-and-greet with Messi, which sparked backlash among fans frustrated over the event’s chaotic management and VIP access. Many accused her of insensitivity, prompting political criticism.

Her husband, TMC MLA Raj Chakraborty, defended her, calling the event’s mismanagement “completely uncalled for” and emphasising that Ganguly was simply attending as a fan representing the Bengali film fraternity.

He highlighted that personal identities, mother, wife, actress, fan, should not be used to target someone unfairly and criticised political leaders and media for creating a negative narrative around her presence.

Vinesh Phogat ends retirement, targets LA28 comeback Wrestler Vinesh Phogat has announced her return to professional wrestling, reviving her pursuit of an Olympic medal.

The 31-year-old had retired after the Paris Olympics controversy, where she was disqualified from the gold-medal bout for being 100 grams overweight, despite having reached the final. The decision cost her the chance to become the first Indian woman to compete in an Olympic wrestling final.

In an emotional Instagram post, Vinesh said her 18-month break gave her

Vinesh Phogat

time to reflect and decide on her future in the sport. She also entered politics during her hiatus, winning the Julana Assembly seat in Haryana by 6,000 votes.

Vinesh Phogat took time away from wrestling to heal after the heartbreak in Paris, rediscovering her love for the sport.

Now returning for LA28 as a mother, her baby boy, born in July 2025, her biggest motivation, she is ready to compete again.

Her Olympic journey has been turbulent: a knee injury ended her Rio 2016 bid, a shock loss halted Tokyo 2021, and in Paris she was disqualified in the final for being 100 grams overweight, with appeals rejected by UWW and the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

India clinch bronze at Junior Hockey World Cup India clinched the bronze medal at the Men’s FIH Junior Hockey World Cup 2025 with a thrilling 4–2 comeback victory over Argentina in the thirdplace play-off in Chennai. Ending a run of two consecutive fourth-place finishes, the hosts returned to the podium in dramatic style.

After falling behind to early goals from Nicolas Rodriguez (3’) and Santiago Fernandez (44’), India staged a late surge, with Ankit Pal (49’), Manmeet Singh (52’), Sharda Nand Tiwari (57’) and Anmol Ekka (58’) sealing the win at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium.

the scores from penalty corners, Sharda Nand Tiwari converted a penalty stroke, and Anmol Ekka sealed the victory with a wellworked routine.

Prime Minister Hockey India Narendra Modi congratulated the Argentina took an early Men’s Junior Hockey Team lead through Nicolas on their success at the FIH Rodriguez’s penalty corner Men’s Junior World Cup in the third minute and 2025, calling it a proud doubled it in the 44th moment for the nation. In a minute via Santiago social media post, he said Fernandez, with India the team’s “youthful energy struggling to convert early and fighting spirit” had chances. earned India its first-ever India then staged a bronze medal at the sensational final-quarter tournament, adding that the comeback, scoring four achievement would inspire goals in nine minutes to countless young players clinch a 4–2 win. Ankit Pal across the country. and Manmeet Singh levelled