AV 21st June 2025

Sir Sadiq Khan knighted by King Charles

L ondon Mayor Sadiq Khan

ha s bee n kn ighte d by King

C h a r le s a t Bu ck in g ha m Palace, receiv ing t he honour for his politica l a nd public se r vice

Sir Sadiq, 54, who has ser ved as Mayor of London since 2016, made histor y earlier this year by becoming the f irst person to win three terms in the role, after reelections in 2021 and 2024 He shook hands with the

K i n g a f t

ceremony on Tuesday morning

T h e L a b o u r m a y o r joined other notable f igures

h o n o u r e d a t t h e p a l a c e , including rugby league legend Sir Billy Boston, chil-

d

Ja c q u e

r Si r L o y d Grossman

Fo l l o w i n g t h e announcement in the King’s

Ne w Ye a r Ho n o u r s , K h a n said: “I am truly humbled to have received a knighthood

I c o u l d n’t h a v e d r e a m e d , g r o w i n g u p o n a c o u n c i l estate in south London, that I would one day be Mayor of London It’s the honour of my life to ser ve the city I love ” His knighthood, howev-

e r, h a s n o t b e e n w i t h o u t controversy Critics, includi n g C o n s e r v a t i v e M P a n d

t h e n - s h a d o w h o m e s e c r e -

tar y Chris Philp, described it

a s a “ r e w a r d fo r f a i l u r e ” ,

pointing to persistent knife crime and missed housing targets during Khan’s mayoralty A petition against the h o n o u r, l a u n c h e d b y a C o n s e r v a t i v e c o u n c i l l o r, d re w o v e r 2 0 0

tures

The Tooting-born son of a bus driver, Sir Sadiq began his career as a human rights lawyer before being elected MP for Tooting in 2005 He ser ved in Gordon Brown’s g

r y under Ed Miliband I n 2 0 1 6 , h e d e fe a t e d

Conser vative candidate Zac G o l d

Western capital Since taking off ice, he has championed environmental causes, most notably through the expans i o n o f t h e U l t r a L o w

Emission Zone (Ulez), a policy that has divided public o p i n i

vandalism of cameras and protests across the city Si r S

o pledged to clean up the River Thames, aiming to make it swimmable within a decade His record on policing and crime remains under scrutiny, with ongoing tensions between City Hall and the C

knife crime Despite criti-

advocate for a greener, fairer and safer London

In his third term, he has pushed ahead with transport

new names and colours for London Overground railway lines, part of his efforts to

infrastructure

Reform UK lags behind rivals in fundraising

Reform U K raised less than the C onservatives, Labour, and the Liberal Democrats in the f irst qu arter o f 20 25, d es p i te b o ld fu n d ra is i ng p rom ises from its treasurer, Nick Cand y

The party declared £1 48 million in donations, below

t h e Co n s e r v a t i v e s ( £ 3 3 m ) , Labour (£2 3m), and the Lib

D e m s ( £ 1 5 m ) T h i s f a l l s short of Candy’s pledge to raise between £20 million and £40 million before the general election

C a n d y, a fo r m e r Conser vative donor, personally gave £313,000, but the contribution arrived too late

Bar rejects government proposal to curb jury trials

Plans to scrap jur y trials for certain serious crim inal o ffences hav e been met with strong opp osition from the Bar Co uncil, as the go vernment sig nals a push to reform the court system and tackle growing case backlog s

At the Bar’s annual conference in Birmingham, Courts Minister Sarah Sackman KC suggested that some cases could be handled without juries to speed up justice for victims and reduce delays in the crown courts She proposed exploring an “intermediate court” model, currently under review by Sir Brian Leveson, which would sit between magistrates’ and crown courts, led by a judge and supported by two lay magistrates

Sackman admitted the idea would be controversial but said lawyers must be willing to consider alternatives to relieve pressure on the justice system

Bar Council vice-chair Kirsty Brimelow KC strongly opposed the move, warning it would erode the right to trial by jur y without clear evidence of benef it “There is no data to support that an intermediate court would reduce delays,” she said “Investing properly in the current system would have an immediate and low-cost impact ” The debate was one of few high points at the sparsely attended event, just under 100 delegates showed up, and senior judicial f igures were notably absent

The Bar’s decision to relocate the conference from London to Birmingham aimed to broaden its appeal, but questions remain about the future of the gathering and the value it offers, especially when compared to the Law Society, which scrapped its own national conference in 2012

GP-led reforms aim to cut hospital waiting lists

Cottrell

Some party f igures have

tration at the slower-thane

progress But leader Nigel Fa

y, noting that Reform’s donat i o n s h a v e g r o w n s i g n i f icantly compared to previous quarters “The trend is in the r

g h t d i r e c

, ” h e s a i d , adding, “I haven’t got any peerages to offer ” Farage conf irmed David Bull, a former T V presenter, as Reform’s new chairman following the brief resignation and return of Zia Yusuf Yusuf will now lead a new “D

waste He has promised

Millions of patients will be treated by GPs and local health provid ers instead o f being referred to hosp itals, under sweep ing NHS reforms designed to tackle the growing backlo g ahead of the next g eneral election

The government’s forthcoming ten-year health plan, centred on creating a “neighbourhood health ser vice”, will shift routine care from hospitals to community settings such as GP surgeries, high street opticians, and pharmacies The traditional model of relying on hospitals for specialist outpatient care will be overhauled

Health Secretar y Wes Streeting said the changes would bring care “closer to home,” with many ser vices delivered via the NHS app, over the phone, or in local clinics “Much of what’s done in a hospital today will be done on the high street, over the phone, or through the app in a decade’s time,” he said NHS leaders believe that around half of the 135 million annual outpatient appointments many of them follow-ups could be managed more effectively outside hospital settings Hospital waiting lists currently stand at 7 4 million, and reducing them is central to Labour’s pledge to treat 92% of patients within 18 weeks Presently, only 60% are seen within that time frame

The new strategy will also reform funding models by linking payments to population health outcomes rather than hospital activity

I N B R I E F

HYBRID WORK BECOMES STANDARD FOR TOP EARNERS

Hybrid working has become the “new normal for well-paid, highly educated professionals, but many workers are still excluded, according to new data from the Office for National Statistic s (ONS) The analysis shows that people with degrees are ten times more likely to work hybrid than those without qualifications Nearly half of employees earning over £50,000 split their time between home and office, compared to just 8% of those earning under £20,000 Age also matters: one in three workers aged 30 to 49 were hybrid working; more than any other age group Overall more than a quarter of UK working adults were hybrid working between January and March 2025 continuing a steady rise since 2022 Office - only roles have declined Managers, professionals, and those with childcare responsibilities are the most likely to benefit But those in deprived areas and disabled workers remain underrepresented, as they are more likely to hold in-person roles in sectors like retail, hospitality, and cleaning

RISE IN QUIET, COSTLY DIVORCES

Wealthy divorcing couples are increasingly turning to private financial dispute resolution (FDR) sessions informal negotiations led by retired judges or senior barristers, to settle money matters quickly and discreetly These private hearings which can cost up to £10 000 for the judge alone (excluding lawyers fees) are typically used by couples with assets over £10 million Unlike court hearings, private FDRs offer flexibility, confidentiality and more time for the judge to consider the case Lawyers present offers and arguments and the “judge” may issue a written summary suggesting likely outcomes While the process is optional it often results in settlements, avoiding costly trials that could otherwise run to £300,000 –£500,000 per side However, critic s argue this trend is deepening a two -tier ” system, leaving average earners reliant on overstretched public courts Ministry of Justice figures show money disputes in divorces are at a 15-year high even as divorce rates fall More couples are now seeking faster, private alternatives to litigation

Nearly 10 000 gender recognition certificates (GRCs) have been issued in the UK since the scheme began in 2005, with a notable rise in recent years Ministry of Justice data reveals In the year to March 2025, 1,169 certificates were granted; the highest annual total since the scheme s first full year and triple the number issued five years ago Analysts attribute the surge to reduced application fees and rising interest among younger generations Almost a quarter of GRCs issued in 2024–25 were to people born since 2000 and 68% to those born since 1990 A GRC grants legal recognition of a person’s acquired gender allowing a change of sex on their birth certificate However, a recent Supreme Court ruling clarified that “sex” in the Equality Act refers to biological sex meaning GRC holders may still be excluded from singlesex spaces when justified The EHRC has since suggested the role and impact of GRCs may need review

Sir Sadiq Khan being knighted by King Charles III

Zia Yusuf

Wes Streeting

Justice delayed is justice denied

At last, the Keir Starmer government has approved a nationwide inquiry into the grooming gang cases, bringing hope of longoverdue justice for thousands of victims This criminal abuse began decades ago In towns like Rotherham and Rochdale, coordinated networks, often made up of British Pakistani men, preyed on vulnerable white girls between the ages of 11 and 16 The method was systematic The girls, often unhappy at home, were groomed with alcohol, drugs and attention One man would begin a sexual relationship with the girl Then others would follow Friends and acquaintances of the girl would also be trapped

Early this year, Asian Voice reported that in January 2011, the conspiracy of silence about the mass grooming of girls in some UK towns was revealed Three years later, the first inquiry found that about 1400 children fell victim to predators in one English town alone

Many of these perpetrators were taxi drivers, takeaway workers, or involved in drugs They operated with impunity because the state looked away Despite clear evidence, police forces, councils, and even social workers failed to act Victims who came forward were often dismissed, blamed or threatened Case files disappeared Like the Horizon scandal, this too is a story of deep institutional betrayal Now, the National Crime Agency will reopen hundreds of these cases Survivors, now adults, are speaking out For the inquiry to succeed, it must be transparent, brave and fully independent

The anger in Parliament this week reflected this urgency

When Yvette Cooper spoke about the new inquiry, her voice was measured But Kemi Badenoch’s response captured what many felt: “We have asked for this three times ” She reminded the House that most of the councils involved had been run by

Labour Conservative MP Sarah Champion, one of the few to raise the alarm early, was often ignored As Badenoch said, “If we had acted sooner, we could have saved lives ”

Sir Keir Starmer’s call for a national inquiry is welcome, but late As Director of Public Prosecutions, he led a system that failed to prosecute early As The Telegraph noted, reports under his watch often excluded the ethnicity of the perpetrators, sparking outrage

For many in the British Asian community, this silence has been doubly painful While the crimes were committed by a minority, the entire community has felt the shame Baroness Warsi, writing in The Times, said, “We must confront the reality that some men in our communities abused girls, and many looked the other way out of fear or prejudice ” Nazir Afzal, the former Chief Crown Prosecutor who led the Rochdale case, warned in The Guardian that political correctness let abuse continue unchecked The Economist observed that fear of being labelled racist allowed real injustice to thrive Institutions that feared offending communities ended up abandoning victims True justice cannot operate in fear

UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has accepted all 12 recommendations from Baroness Louise Casey’s review These include mandatory ethnicity and nationality data collection, reopening of 800 to 1,000 cases, a legal change so adults can’t claim “consent” when abusing 13 to 15-year-olds, and a statutory inquiry Editorials from The Guardian urge that this inquiry be part of a broader strategy to address violence against women, while The Telegraph demands accountability, not delay

This is not only a legal matter It is a moral one Britain must prove it protects the vulnerable, no matter their race, background, or postcode

Diplomacy in the time of grief

As Prime Minister Narendra Modi steps onto the global stage once again, his recent visits to Cyprus and Canada come at a time of deep grief and emotional weight for many Indians, both in India and across the diaspora It is rare for diplomacy and national mourning to collide so publicly, but this moment brings both together

Just before these foreign visits, the tragic Air India Express Flight AI171 crash in Ahmedabad on June 12 claimed 241 lives and injured dozens Families, especially in Britain, criticised the UK’s response as “disjointed ” PM Modi swiftly ordered an inquiry, underscoring the urgency of accountability and leadership in moments of crisis

And yet, the Prime Minister continued with his diplomatic schedule His stop in Cyprus was symbolically important For many, it marked a shift in India’s foreign policy toward stronger relationships with allies in the Mediterranean and the European Union

Cyprus, a country divided between Greek and Turkish communities, has its complex past But India’s growing closeness with Greece and Cyprus is no accident Turkey has become a loud critic of India on issues like Kashmir and often supports Pakistan in global forums Cyprus, on the other hand, offers a chance for India to strengthen ties in Europe, without the shadow of geopolitical hostility

This visit was more than just trade deals and photo-ops It was a statement: India is choosing its allies carefully, and values respect, shared values, and cooperation

The same care was visible in Modi’s presence in Canada for the G7 summit, a country with which India’s relationship has

been on shaky ground The killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused India of involvement, a claim India strongly denied Since then, diplomatic ties have been tense, and many British Indians have watched the fallout with concern

But Modi’s visit to Canada also coincided with the anniversary of a wound that runs deep: the 1985 Air India Kanishka bombing Carried out by Khalistani extremists in Canada, the attack killed 329 people most of them Canadian citizens of Indian origin For too long, that tragedy was treated as a footnote in Canadian history Modi’s quiet acknowledgement of this anniversary, even as politics swirl around him, sends a strong message: India has not forgotten, and justice must not be delayed forever

Internati onal outlets t oo k not e T he Gu ardia n call ed Modi’s schedule “ a careful exercise in statesmanship under pressure, ” while Politico EU described the Cyprus leg as “ a deliberate diplomatic signal to Ankara and Islamabad ” The Globe and Mail wrote that “Modi’s presence in Canada, during the Kanishka anniversary, is heavy with memory and meaning ” Together, these visits show a leader walking a tightrope, facing public grief at home while standing firm on the global stage It reminds us that diplomacy isn’t just about policies; it’s about presence It’s about showing up for your people, whether in Ahmedabad, Rotherham, Toronto, or Nicosia

Many of us understand this balance well, of holding on to multiple truths, identities, and histories at once This week, Modi did the same And the world was watching

A nuclear Iran could become the most powerful country in the Islamic world

As tensions rise in the Middle East, the UK government has urged all British nationals in Israel to register with the Foreign Office, anticipating possible evacuation as Israel and Iran escalate military actions With airspace closures and strikes increasing, consular teams are being deployed to Jordan and Egypt At the G7 summit, Prime Minister Keir Starmer joined world leaders in urging de-escalation, warning of far-reaching global consequences

Amid the immediate crisis, a deeper threat is unfolding Iran is edging closer to becoming a nuclear power A nuclear Iran could become the most powerful country in the Islamic world

So far, Israel and Iran have mostly fought indirectly through cyberattacks and proxy groups But a nuclear capability could lead to open conflict This would not only reshape the Middle East but also affect the global economy, especially energy prices

Israel sees Iran’s nuclear ambitions as an existential threat

The International Atomic Energy Agency confirms that Iran is enriching uranium close to weapons-grade levels The Times reported that Israel is already preparing military options in case Iran crosses a red line If Iran gains nuclear status, it will pose a new level of challenge for the West

Pakistan also has nuclear weapons, but its internal instability and links to terrorism limit its influence Iran, by contrast, is more organised and connected, with strong allies in Syria, Lebanon and Iraq A nuclear Iran would act with greater confidence and aggression, forcing Western countries to revise their strategies There would be immediate economic consequences

The Financial Times noted that regional tensions typically cause oil prices to rise A serious crisis could push oil above 100 dollars a barrel, making fuel, flights and daily living more expen-

sive across the world, including the UK

A recent statement from an Iranian official suggested that Pakistan might retaliate if Israel used nuclear weapons against Iran While possibly rhetorical, it shows how nuclear weapons can magnify and globalise regional conflicts

History backs up this concern During the Second World War, the United States used atomic bombs to end the war with Japan The Economist reminded readers that while nuclear weapons can end wars, they leave long-lasting destruction No one wants to see that repeated

Sunni-led Arab nations such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE also oppose a nuclear Iran Their rivalry with Shia-led Iran runs deep, and they fear regional domination Alone, they cannot contain Iran, but with Western backing, they could help mount resistance

Even Iran’s allies, Russia and China, have reasons to worry China has invested heavily in the region and values stability Russia is bogged down in Ukraine and cannot afford another crisis A nuclear Iran might act more independently, weakening both Russia’s and China’s influence

Meanwhile, Western leadership remains uncertain Donald Trump continues to shift his foreign policy stance In the UK, Foreign Secretary David Cameron supports Israel, but as The Times reported, the UK lacks a clear regional plan

The real danger is not just Iran becoming nuclear, but the world’s failure to respond in time Diplomacy is slow, alliances are shaky, and the window for action is narrowing If the global community waits too long, the consequences will be felt not only in Tehran and Tel Aviv, but also in London, Washington and beyond

Thought for the week

“Do what you can, with what you have.”– Theodore Roosevelt

P akistan's public dip lom acy, esp ecially under the lead ers hi p o f B ilaw al Bhu tto Zard ari and th e po is ed Hina Rabbani Kh ar, seem ed promising but ultimately faltered spectacularly when the nation op enly aligned itself with Iran, risking international isolation The parallels between Iran and Pakistan are clear Islamist fanatical Governments h ell bent on the destruction of Israel Th ese are not the p ragmatic minds o f Saudi, Qatar, Jordan, U AE Th e Islamic U mm ah, w hich in some delusion Pakistan believes it lead s, is div ided in two Throw in Turkey, thankfully on a leash because of Nato but keen to be in bed with Russia Not between Sh ia and S unni is the div isio n, but the fanatical and the th ose progressing focussed on w ealth creation

Initially, Bhutto and Khar represented a fresh face for Pakistan youthful, slick (he needs to reduce the grease in his hair), and potentially internationally appealing Their diplomatic engagements, especially in Western capitals, suggested Pakistan might finally be presenting itself as a rational, cooperative player on the global stage Yet, the veneer of sophistication quickly cracked when geopolitical realities intervened And when they opened their mouths Khar, whose uncle was famously outted as a wife-beating mysogenist by his then wife in the acclaimed book, “ my Feudal Lord”, (the woman, Tehmina Durrani, is now married to the PM of Pakistan) Khar lacks the intellect which nepotism cannot replace

When Pakistan chose to side with Iran amidst escalating tensions involving Israel and the broader Western alliance, it revealed a deeper, troubling aspect of its foreign policy mindset The choice wasn't merely a strategic misc

declaring victory even in obvious defeat

Remember "Comical Ali," the Iraqi information minister who absurdly declared Saddam Hussein's forces victorious even as American tanks rolled into Baghdad? Iran frequently follows a similar script, presenting its repeated setbacks in the Middle East as victories against Israel and its allies Pakistan appears to have joined this club of countries habitually rewriting losses as triumphs, including most recently in India’s Operation Sindoor Iran claims to have shot down 10 Israeli F35 5th Generation fighters – presumably not to be outdone by Pakistan’s apparent shooting down of half the Indian Airforce with made in China planes

Pakistan's narrative following recent confrontations with India exemplifies this attitude vividly Even after i n

Pakistan on key issues ranging from Kashmir to cross-border terrorism, its diplomats continued to frame outcomes as diplomatic victories This practice is not merely disingenuous it corrodes credibility on the global stage

Bhutto and Khar's public diplomacy aimed to project strength and influence Instead, by siding with Iran and perpetuating false narratives of victory, they reinforced perceptions of Pakistan as diplomatically immature and strategically misguided The international community possesses a long memory Each diplomatic exaggeration erodes trust, reduces leverage in future negotiations, and ultimately isolates the nation further

Public diplomacy requires authenticity and consistency; pretending victory where defeat is evident impresses nobody The leadership's indulgence in such unrealistic portrayals suggests a deeper insecurity and unwillingness to confront harsh realities For Pakistan to genuinely advance its diplomatic stature, it must abandon this "Comical Ali" diplomacy It needs instead a sober reflection, grounded realism, and the courage to admit defeat when it occurs Only then will the world genuinely listen to Pakistan’s voice, rather than dismissing it as another attempt to rewrite history in real-time

Keir Starmer orders national inquiry into grooming gangs after Casey Report

A c u l tu r e o f “ b li n dn e ss ,

i g no r a nc e a nd p re j u di c e ”

led to rep eated failures o ver decades to investi gate and p rosecu te gro oming gangs that sexu ally exploited ch ildren across England, a landmark government-commi ssi oned review h as fo und F o l l o w i n

release of Baroness Louise

Minister Sir Keir Starmer has announced a full statutory national inquiry into grooming gangs Speaking

f r o m t h e G 7

n Canada, Starmer confirmed that the inquiry will be conducted under the Inquiries Act, giving it legal authority

t o c o m p e l w i t n e s s e s a n d gather evidence “I’ve read e v e r y s i n g l e w o r d o f h e r r e p o r t , a n d I ’ m g o i n g t o a c c e p t h e r r e c o m m e n d ation That’s the right thing to do,” he said Initially, Baroness Casey did not support a national i n q u i r y , b u t r e v e r s e d h e r p o s i t i o n a f t e r l e a d

January The decision marks

a m a j o r p o l i c y s h i f t f o r Labour, which had previo u s l y r e s i s t e d c a l l s f o r a

b r o a d e r i n q u i r y , i n s t e a d opting for a limited audit Ethnicity and data failures

T h e r e p o r t c r i t i c i s e d

s u c c e s s i v e g o v e r n m e n t s , p o l i c e f o r c e s , a n d l o c a l a u t h o r i t i e s f o r f a i l i n g t o confront the role of ethnicity in these crimes Casey stated it was “not racist to examine the ethnicity of the offenders,” adding that fears of appearing racist or inciting tensions contributed to the systemic denial of the d i s p r o p o r t i o n a t e i n v o l v ement of men of Asian, particularly Pakistani, heritage

Local police data from Greater Manchester, West

Y o r k s h i r e , a n d S o u t h

Y o r k s h i r e r e v e a l e d t h a t Asian men were over-represented among suspects in

g r o u p - b a s e d c h i l d s e x u a l

e x p l o i t a t i o n c a s e s Y e t , n a t

l y , t w o - t

d s o f s u s p e c t s s t i l l h a v e n o recorded ethnicity because

police forces and councils avoided collecting such data due to fears of raising community tensions

Casey condemned this failure as enabling continued abuse, saying, “If good people don’t grip difficult issues, bad people do ” She w a r n e d t h a t f l a w e d o r absent data allowed grooming gang abuse to be dismissed as a myth or as exaggerated racism, despite clear local patterns

S ystemi c failures and victims’ exp eriences

T h e r e v i e w e x a m i n e d about a dozen live investigations, revealing that many s u s p e c t s a r e n o n - U K nationals, including asylum seekers Casey emphasised the need for accountability and a “vigorous approach to righting the wrongs of the past ”

Adult abusers primarily

t a r g e t e d g i r l s , s o m e a s young as ten, often already v u l n e r a b l e d u e t o p r i o r abuse, neglect, or disabilities Victims were often in care and many still live with the trauma of being disbel i e v e d o r f o r c e d t o l i v e a l o n g s i d e t h e i r p e r p e t r ators

The report found that more than 800 cold cases have already been reopened, with the number expected to surpass 1,000 in the comi n g w e e k s I t d e s c r i b e d “ g r o u p - b a s e d c h i l d s e x u a l exploitation” as a sanitised term for the repeated sexual assault of children, including gang rapes and physical violence

Casey also highlighted h i s t o r i c i n j u s t i c e : n e a r l y

4,000 children between 10 a n d 1 8

c e i v e d p r o

i t ution-related cautions in the 1990s These young victims, many coerced into exploitat i o n , s t i l l c a r r y c r i m i n a l

records One of the review’s key recommendations is to quash those convictions

Twelve reco mmendatio ns accepted in full

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper announced the government will adopt all 12 of Casey’s recommendations

Key measures include:

§ E s t a b l i s

pendent commission to coordinate five existing local inquiries with full statutory powers

§ Mandatory recording of ethnicity and nationality of suspects in child sexual exploitation and abuse cases

§ C

w

o that anyone who penetrates a child under 16 is

with rape

National police reviews

exploitation cases from the last 10 years

§ Research into the role of

dynamics in facilitating abuse

§ Quashing convictions of

while being exploited Cooper told Parliament, “We cannot and must not shy away from these findings Ignoring the issues allows the criminality of a minority of men to be used to marginalise entire communities ”

oner for England Rachel de Souza said the failures were

s

inquiry be a wake-up call, “We cannot be more afraid of causing offence than we are of speaking out to protect children from exploitation and corruption ”

C o n s e r v a t i v e l e a d e r

Kemi Badenoch and Reform UK leader Nigel Farage both

d

overdue

ment has now confirmed the law will be repealed by next spring

Grooming gang found guilty of using vulnerable girls as ‘sex slaves’

Se ven men ha ve bee n convicte d of subje ct in g two vuln era ble gir ls to y ear s of sex ua l abuse in Rochdale, using t hem a s “ sex sla ves ” while a ut horitie s failed to act on multiple warn ing signs Girl B, who had been in f o s t e r c a r e a n d c h i l d r e n ’ s homes from the age of eight, began being groomed at just 13 Staff at her Rochdale children’s home knew she was meeting older men, some of w h o m s p o k e “ A s i a n l a nguages ” , and accepted gifts o f a l c o h o l a n d d r u g s

Between 2001 and 2003, she was repeatedly raped by a lingerie stallholder, a shopkeeper, and a clothing seller

i n f l a t s a n d b a s e m e n t s around Rochdale On one occasion, she was raped by five men in a single evening Girl A, another teenager u n k n o w n t o G i r l B , w a s abused between 2004 and 2006 by a separate group of men, primarily taxi drivers She too had a deeply troub l e d h o m e l i f e , w a s f r equently missing from school, and had informed children’s services that she was “hanging around” with older men

D e s p i t e k n o w i n g s h e w a s being raped, social workers believed “little, if anything, could be done to help ” P r o s e c u t o r R o s s a n o

S c a m a r d e l l a K C t o l d Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court that both girls w e r e e x p l o i t e d f o r s e x

“ w h e n e v e r a n d w h e r e v e r ” the men wanted, and that their vulnerability was well

known to local authorities Shockingly, from the age of ten, Girl B was labelled a “ p r o s t i t u t e ” i n o f f i c i a l records, a designation she discovered as an adult Mohammed Zahid, 64, was convicted of 20 charges i n v o l v i n g b o t h v i c t i m s , i n c l u d i n g r a p e a n d g r o s s indecency He had a previous conviction from 2016 for a b u s i n g a n o t h e r t e e n a g e girl Zahid introduced Girl B to Mushtaq Ahmed, 67, and Kasir Bashir, 50, who took turns raping her Girl B later b e c a m e p r e g n a n t w i t h Bashir’s child at 14 G i r l A w a s r a p e d b y Zahid in his car and at a M a n c h e s t e r w a r e h o u s e Zahid also introduced her to R o h e e z K h a n , 3 9 , a n d a g r o u p o f t a x i d r i v e

"passed her around" for sex In total, the jury found the men guilty of 50 charges,

course Girl B, now in her thirties, said she came forward not for compensation but so social services would be held accountable “They were supposed to care for me A lot of bad things happened

acknowledged past failings and vowed to deliver justice, “Time is no barrier When survivors are ready, we will listen ”

Care sector campaigner married to convicted tax fraudster

Nad ra Ahm ed CBE, a prominent voice in the cam paig n to exemp t care homes from increased employer natio nal insurance co ntributions, is married to a man convicted of one of the UK’s largest nati onal ins uranc e frau d s, Th e Tim es has revealed A h m e d , c h a i

o f t h e National Care Association, has spent months publicly urging ministers to reverse the policy, warning it threatens the viability of care services She has appeared on B B C ’ s N e w s n i g h t , S k y News, and in national newspapers making her case

However, her husband, Aquil Ahmed, was jailed for seven and a half years in 2016 for his role in a £6 9 million payroll tax scam A qualified accountant, he was part of a trio that pocketed money owed to HMRC by construction workers

The fraud financed lux-

records noting purchases of a Bentley, overseas properties, and holidays to Dubai and the Monaco Grand Prix Nadra, who still lives with Aquil, maintains she had no knowledge of his crimes and d e n

them

Despite the controversy, A h m e d , w

high sheriff and deputy lord lieutenant of Kent, said her advocacy stems from longstanding experience in the sector

Councillor faces calls to quit over misleading court claim

Homelessness charities have campaigned for years

to scrap the Act, arguing t

u g h sleepers fails to address the root causes of homelessness Campaigners stress the need for supportive, not punitive, measures to help those on the streets

The repeal comes amid a sharp rise in rough sleeping in London, with official figures showing a 38%

according to data released in April

Rezina Chowdhury, dep uty leader of Lambeth Cou ncil a nd c ab i ne t m e mb er f o r sus tainability, is facing calls to resign after being accused o f mi s l ea di n g th e H i gh Court over a contro versial lo w-t raffi c nei ghb o urh

(LTN) i n West Dulwich

A judge ruled in May that the scheme was implemented unlawfully, citing a

council to properly engage with residents Campaigner

s attempts to share evidence and refused to meet him due to his perceived opposition to LTNs I

denied refusing to engage with critics and claimed

views However, a recording of a public meeting contradicted her statement

Cllr Rezina Chowdhury

Making

Baroness Louise Casey

Nadra Ahmed CBE

NHS and defence win big in Reeves' first spending review

Rach el Reeves h as announced an extra £ 29bn a year for th e NHS in England , alongside fund ing increases for defence, h ousing , AI, and transport, as part o f the g overnm ent’s sp ending plans throug h th e d ecade

While pledging to deliver "security, economic growth and an NHS fit for the future," her review will see some departments, including the Foreign Office and the environment department, face tighter day-to-day budgets

Conservative shadow chancellor Sir Mel Stride criticised it as a "spend now, tax later review," warning of "a cruel summer of speculation" ahead of the autumn Budget, where he expects tax rises

Ahead of the chancellor’s Commons announcement, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer told his cabinet the day marked “the end of the first phase” of government as it moves to deliver “change for working people ”

After a rocky first year, the government hopes higher NHS spending and long-term investments will reassure voters, though many departments face tight budgets

Sources said Reeves urged Labour MPs to “sell” the plans, highlighting NHS funding and free school meals, while downplaying departmental cuts

Final deals saw Housing Secretary Angela Rayner secure £39bn over 10 years for affordable housing, while the Home Office budget will fall 1 7% over three years, with police funding rising 2 3%

Reeves pledged to end hotel use for asylum seekers by 2029 through reducing small boat arrivals and building new accommodation

NHS funding will rise 3% annually for three years, and defence spending will climb from 2 3% to 2 6% of national income by 2027 The Foreign Office, transport, and environment departments will face cuts of up to 6 9%

Key announcements: £280m for border security, £7bn for 14,000 new prison places, £3 bus fare cap extended to 2027, £2bn for AI projects, £750m for a supercomputer in Edinburgh, £86bn for science and tech, £15bn for transport links, £11 5bn for Sizewell C, and £1bn for expanded free school meals

Reeves ruled out

austerity, but critics warned rising debt and tight public service budgets may test voters' patience

Naom i Clayton, C hief Execu tive of th e Institute for Employment Stud ies,

said: “Today’s Spending Review comes amid concerns over a stalling labour market and global uncertainty With 2 8 million people out of work due to long-term ill health, it’s encouraging to see the £1bn Pathways to Work investment protected, alongside continued support through Connect to Work, WorkWell, and a new employment programme However, it’s unclear if this will be enough to offset planned benefit cuts

“The focus on young people is also welcome, with 12 5% not in education, employment, or training Extending youth

trailblazers, rolling out Youth Hubs, and investing in training are positive steps The challenge now is scaling up to ensure every 16-24-year-old can access quality job and training opportunities through the Youth Guarantee ” Ch aitanya Kum ar, head of econom ic and env iro nm ental po licy at the New Econom ics Fo und ation, said: “While

extra NHS and capital project funding is welcome, the Chancellor hasn’t done enough to reverse years of cuts Many departments face stagnant or reduced budgets, leaving people struggling with essentials

“This won’t deliver the change voters expect The government needs to relax its fiscal rules, value social spending, and tax wealth fairly to meet the scale of today’s challenges ”

Busin ess opt imism fad es as e con omy shrin ks

The UK economy shrank by 0 3%-worse than the expected 0 1%marking the first contraction in six months, new GDP data shows Experts and business owners are voicing concerns over the slowdown and government missteps

Riz Malik, Director at R3 Wealth, said: "With the economy shrinking and weak jobs data, we may see further rate cuts despite inflation remaining above target Ironically, bad news for the economy could be good news for borrowers "

Entrepreneur Kund an Bhadur i of The Kushman Group added: "The economy feels like it’s treading water in lead boots-demand is patchy, costs remain high, and recovery still feels theoretical There’s little confidence in Westminster’s leadership, which remains reactive rather than strategic Taxes are rising, investment incentives are down, and hiring is too complex Fragile confidence in sectors like real estate and SME lending will persist unless there’s bold, longterm reform Without it, we face another year of stagnation masked by flat GDP figures "

Naomi Clayton

Chaitanya Kumar

As a de c ad e- l o ng s u b s c ri b er t o T h e Eco no mist, I h ave always regarded it as one of the wo rld’ s finest publicati ons, a truly glo bal magazine, resp ected for its commitme n t to b a la nc e d j o u r na l is m , ri g o ro u s analysis and a clear-eyed view of th e world It is not an inexpensive subscrip tio n, bu t it is worth every p enny, th anks to the values, vision and editorial standards laid down by its fou nding figu re, James Wilson, and legendary edi tor Walter Bageh ot

B y a n d l a r g e , I m u s t s a y t h a t T h e

Economist of today, with its wide global editions have maintained the standards over the years and still pay tribute to that enduring legacy

But I was deep ly disap p ointed by a recent article in th e magazine’s Banyan co lumn titled “P romises made, promise kept ”

The piece examines how Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership has shaped India in the mould of Gujarat, highlighting e c o n o m i c g r o w t h , i m p r o v e d i n f r a s t r u c t u r e

a n d a d m i n i s t r a t i v e e f f i -

c i e n c y , w h i l e a l s o

a t t r i b u t i n g t o i t r i s i n g

c o m m u n a l s e g r e g a t i o n , religious tensions and a decline in cosmopolitan values It also reflects on Gujarat’s complex histori-

c a l i d e n t i t y b e y o n d i t s reputation for commerce

F r o m i t s v e r y f i r s t p a r a g r a p h , t h e a r t i c l e strikes a trembling tone

R e f e r r i n g t o S a r d a r Vallabhbhai Patel, India’s f i r s t D e p u t y P r i m e Minister and also the first Home Minister of India, as having "cajoled (or bullied) 565 princely states"

i n t o t h e U n i o n , s h o w s neither respect nor accur a c y T o r e g a r d S a r d a r Patel with such contempt undermines the extraordinary role he has played in uniting a newly independent nation With the full cooperation of Lord Mountbatten, the British government’s last Viceroy to India, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel played a pivotal role in securing the accession of over 560 princely states to the Indian Dominion under the Indian Independence Act of 1947 His leadership was instrumental in laying the foundation for a strong, united India It is, therefore, disappointing to see a publication of The Economist’s stature making remarks that are not only short of their editorial standards but also lacking in historical accuracy and cultural sensitivity

Gujarat, Modi and The Economist

the article itself later admits the global prominence of Gujaratis in commerce and c

Africa, Europe to America

Furthermore, the piece focuses on cultural irrelevancies, such as vegetarianism

insignificant in the context of governance and development Sanatan values and tradition play a very important part in the life of Gujaratis and other Indians both at home and abroad More concerning is the way Gujarat’s history of communal violence has been portrayed The writer refers vaguely to unrest dating back to the 19th

nuanced understanding Over the last 25 years, Gujarat has enjoyed communal harmony and has progressed remarkably, both socially and economically

The portrayal of Narendra Modi’s nearly 13-year tenure as Gujarat’s Chief Minister also lacks balance While the article reluctantly acknowledges the state’s economic growth, infrastructure advances and ease of doing business, it cannot resist framing this against the backdrop of the 2002 riots, without due mention of the tragic Godhra train burning that triggered the violence

Editorial content should not reflect bias, rather offer a balanced and well-researched perspective

The article’s take on Gujarati identity is confused It praises Gujaratis for their cosmopolitanism and entrepreneurship yet also accuses them of parochialism and cultural decline These mixed messages weaken the argument instead of strengthening it

To suggest that Gujarat today epitomises "growing communal segregation" is not only misleading but echoes past misjudgements by the magazine In the early 2000s, T

Gujarat as a site of "genocide" and Modi as a Hindu nationalist demagogue I wrote several letters to the editor at that time and also published about this report in Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar To the magazine’s credit, they responded, and a senior journalist of The Economist visited my office, observing first-hand the progress and the ground realities Economist also sent a Senior Journalist from their Mumbai office to the Vibrant Gujarat event in 2010 and we both were staying at the same hotel That correspondent saw a very different Gujarat, one of development, optimism,

Through the establishment of places of

vibrant celebration of festivals such as Navratri and Diwali, they have preserved a

Moreover, their support for Indian art, music, yoga and meditation on a global s

enhancing India’s soft power and international image Gujaratis are also deeply committed to humanitarian causes, offering substantial support to relief and development efforts not only in India but also in the other parts of the world

Likewise, Prime Minister Modi’s leadership must not be reduced to his regional roots i e Gujarat It reflects a larger, panIndian aspiration Under his leadership, I

growth, digital innovation and improved ease of doing business His firm response to the 2016 Uri terror attack, followed by the surgical strikes, was a turning point, marking the emergence of a new, confident India unwilling to tolerate provocation More recently, Operation Sindoor, reinforced India’s status as a self-assured, proactive global actor Modi has redefined India's place in the world, not just as a rising economy, but as a fearless and proactive nation He represents the transformation of India from a cautious regional player into

An honest account must acknowledge both cause and consequence Selective reporting damages credibility One date is too many No communal incident can ever be justified The tragic events of 2002 remain deeply painful, and it is equally distressing to see The Economist repeatedly revisiting this episode in reference to one community, often without the full context It is important to recall that during the UPA government led by Dr Manmohan Singh and under the leadership of Smt Sonia G

The article then writes “When Mr Modi became the prime minister in 2014, he flew to Delhi in Mr Adani’s private jet ” This detail is not only irrelevant but also appears to be inserted with implication rather than p u r p o s e A g a i n , d e s c r i b i n g G u j a r a t i s a s “laggards” reveals a similar lack of historical a n d c u l t u r a l a w a r e n

s s B e f o

e m a k i n g such claims, one must acknowledge the farreaching contributions of Gujaratis across the globe The statement that "India’s idea of itself was built by an Anglophile and Bengali-heavy intellectual class" is, at best, one-sided While Bengali and Anglophile intellectuals undeniably played a signific a n t r o l e i n s h a p i n g m o d e r n I n d i a , t o i g n o r e t h e p r o f

d

a n entrepreneurs, reformers, political leaders and industrialists is misleading Ironically,

Narendra Modi was subjected to extensive investigation He was interrogated for over nine hours by top-level officials appointed by the UPA government Eventually, a comprehensive report was submitted to the Indian Parliament, clearing Modi of any direct or indirect involvement in the 2002 riots That official report still stands as a matter of public record This is not about defending a political figure or representing a particular community, Gujarati or otherwise It is about upholding the core values of truth and responsible journalism

May I respectfully remind the Editor of The Economist that facts and truth have always been the cornerstone of a publication’s reputation While some may view its tone as bold or even judgemental, that is a matter of style What truly matters is the

c

and coexistence, far removed from the caricature often presented in international media

Fading Modi-mo mentum?

Unusually, the same Banyan column on the 14th of June 2025 issue carried a n o t h e r c r i t i c a l s a l v o a g a

Minister Modi This second piece, titled “Fading Modi-momentum,” repeats earlier negative points, appearing more like an attempt to discredit a popular and visionary leader than offer fresh analysis While it briefly mentions India’s economic growth and international progress, the overall tone remains negative and dismissive The article also ignores the broader transformation India has witnessed under Modi’s leadership, digital inclusion, decisive foreign policy, empowerment schemes and a shift towards national self-confidence To see this second piece, in such proximity to the first, also raises questions about the magazine’s editorial intentions towards Gujarat, India and Prime Minister Modi

The global Indian community, particularly Gujaratis, stand as a symbol of India’s e n

p r e n e u r i

l s p i r i t a n d c u l t u r a l resilience From East Africa to the UK, the United States to the Middle East and across Australia and Canada, Gujaratis have consistently excelled as business leaders, professionals, and philanthropists Their con-

own history of reflection, it is disheartening to see it revert to outdated stereotypes The magazine must uphold its founding principles, respect for facts, intellectual honesty, and even-handed reporting The legacy of Wilson and Bagehot demands no less

In an age of polarised media and oversimplified narratives, The Economist must remain a beacon of thoughtful and balanced journalism Narendra Modi is no longer just a name, he represents the Brand India, embodying the nation's remarkable transformation I recollect an extensive December 2015 feature of the Economist, “The Gujarati Way: Going Global” It celebrated the global influence of Gujaratis with depth and appreciation One can’t help but wonder what has prompted the recent shift in tone towards Gujarat and Gujaratis in their recent article

that the Indian diaspora prioritises education, entrepreneurship, and integration into mainstream society Above all, they are law-abiding citizens who actively contribute to the countries they call home Let us celebrate India’s rich diversity, recognise the profound contributions of Gujarat and its people globally, and continue to share the evolving story of this great nation with accuracy, honesty, and grace!

CB Patel

f

t

Sir Oliver Dowden and Koolesh Shah to lead CF India’s new chapter

Koolesh Shah, founder of the London Town Group,

India plays in building these ties

Chairman Nigel Huddleston MP, MPs Shivani Raja and G

Kulveer Ranger, and Indian High Commissioner Vikram Doraiswami

outgoing Co-Chairs Reena R

years of leadership, as well as to CF India founder, Lord Dolar Popat

S

India has played a key role in engaging the British Indian community and strengthening UK–India relations

Lord Cameron praised

I n d i a n s i n t h e U K , h i g hlighting their entrepreneurial spirit, strong family values, and resilience He reaf-

In his keynote, Koolesh

London Town Group, celeb

community’s achievements across business, politics, and public service He emphasised their unique ability to

with British values, calling this a moment to amplify their voices and strengthen UK–India relations

Mr Shah also acknowledged CF India's founding under Lord Cameron and paid tribute to Lord Dolar Popat’s visionary leadership

H

S

Dowden CBE MP, Deputy Prime Minister and MP for Hertsmere, brings a wealth of government experience and is a strong advocate for

the British Indian community

entrepreneurial and philan-

vision for CF India centres on inclusion, opportunity,

India ties in trade, innova-

security

The new Co-Chairs outlined three key priorities for CF India: strengthening ties between the Conservative Party and the British Indian

leaders, and deepening UK–India relations across trade,

global challenges Sir Oliver Dowden said, “It is a privilege to serve as

Friends of India The British Indian community is vital to the social, cultural, and economic fabric of our nation, a n d w

voice is heard and represented ”

London chiropractor wins Community Service Award

D r L ali t S o d h a, a d i

ng uished Londo n-based chi-

r op rac to r, w a s h o no u r ed w i th t h e C o m m u n it y Service A ward at the 3 5th r eu ni o n o f th e C a nad ia n M e m o ri al C h i ro p ra ct i c C ollege ( CMC C), where he g r ad u a ted as p art o f t h e C lass of 1990 Held at the C MCC campu s in Toronto, the ceremony recog nised Dr So dha’s outstanding leadership , d ed icatio n, and longs ta nd i ng c o nt ri bu ti o n s to com munity health

F o r o v e r 2 5 y e a r s , D r Sodha has successfully run a

c h i r o p r a c t i c c l

n

c i n Eastcote, London, promot-

ing wellness through accessible, patient-centred care and holistic health educa-

motto, "Health is by choice,

not by chance," Dr Sodha continues to inspire healthier living through service and education

The Community Service Award honours alumni with

community health Dr Lalit Sodha’s recognition reflects

responsibility As the first

believed to receive this hon-

Kenton Jain Derasar marks 13th anniversary with grand celebration

Jyotsna

children, youth, and

Mahavir Mandal, leaving a lasting impact on attendees

The 13th anniversary of t h e K

n R o a d J

n Derasar was marked by a grand cultural celebration on Saturday, 7th June 2025, a

h

e w i s h S c h o o l g r o u n d s i n K i n g s b u r y , organised by the Mahavir F o u n d a t i o n N e a r l y 1 , 6 0 0

a t t e n d e e s i n c l u d i n g J a i n

l e a d e r s , c o u n c i l l o r s , m a y -

ors, and community mem-

b e r s g a t h e r e d f o r a n evening of vibrant performances, soulful bhakti, and Saraswati Puja led by music a l d u o H a r s h i l a n d Mokshit from India

The event featured 275 p e r f o r m e r s f r o m t h e M a h a v i r F o u n d a t i o n P a t h s h a l a , r a n g i n g f r o m toddlers to elders, supporte d b y 3 0 – 4 0

a s h i , l e d

c a t e d team, with Ankit and Hiral S h a h c o m

n

Harrow Council’s support for

t h e evening Guest speaker Mr Siddharth, CGO of Aspora, attended as sponsor Brent Mayor Cllr Ryan Hack and Harrow Mayor Cllr Anjana Patel praised the Jain community’s values, while

Committee members of the Mahavir Foundation

Flag-changing ceremony at Kenton Derasar

DEVASTATED

Communities across India and the UK are mourning their loved ones, with vigils and prayer services taking place in temples and community centres in cities such as London, Leicester, Ahmedabad, and beyond to honour the victims

Following the recent crash, two

I n d i a - b o u n d B o e i n g 7 8 7 Dreamliners reported mid-flight technical issues A British Airways flight from London Heathrow to Chennai (BA35) returned due to a flap adjustment failure, while an Air India flight from Hong Kong to Delhi turned back after an engine problem and was cancelled The Air India Ahmedabad to London flight was also cancelled due to technical issues, along with several other Air India services, adding to growing concerns over aircraft reliability

I n d i a ' s A i r c r a f t A c c i d e n t

support from US and UK teams

I

the black box and cockpit voice r e c o r d e r ( C V R ) , w

sounds tools expected to significantly aid the probe

Dr Dhaval Gameti, President of the Junior Doctors' Association,

c o n f i r m e d t h e h o s p i t a l h a d received 270 bodies, including 241 believed to be passengers and crew of Flight AI171 Over 30 victims h a v e b e e n f o r m a l l y i d e n t i f i e d through DNA samples from relatives

Flightradar24 data shows the 11-year-old Boeing 787-8 had made

2 5 t r i p s f r o m A h m e d a b a d t o London Gatwick in the past two years

On Friday, 13 June 2025, Prime

M i n i s t e r N a r e n d r a M o d i s p e n t about 20 minutes at the crash site before visiting the hospital to meet survivors, including the sole plane survivor, Vishwashkumar Ramesh He later said, “the entire nation is praying for their speedy recovery ” World leaders expressed shock

a n d g r i e f o v e r t h e t r a g i c c r a s h including UK Prime Minister Keir

S t a r m e r , I s r a e l i P M B e n j a m i n Netanyahu, Sri Lankan President

A n u r a K u m a r a D i s s a n a y a k e , C a n a d i a n P M M

C

Christodoulides and more offered condolences

Meanwhile, Air India is facing c r i t i c i s m a f t e r C E O C a m p b e l l W i l s o n ’ s p u b l i c s t a t e m e n t appeared to copy parts of an earlier American Airlines address, sparking backlash on social media over the airline’s crisis response Air India has yet to comment Friend s and fam ilies share stories after tragedy

Asian Voice spoke to several f r i e n d s a n d f a m i l y m e m b e r s o f those who tragically lost their lives in the Ahmedabad–London plane

c r a s h L o v e d o n e s s h a r e d t h e i r memories and the deep sense of loss they are grappling with in the aftermath of the tragedy

Dr Prateek Jo sh i, Komi Vyas and three young children; tw in boys Nakul and Pradyut, aged five, and daughter, Miraya, eight Joshi, who worked at the Royal Derby hospital, is believed to have been travelling back from India, where

his wife and children were based T h e D e r b y H i n d u T e m p l e p a i d t

Facebook page, saying: “Dr Joshi [and his family] were devotees of o u r M a n d i r a n d s u p p o r t e d u s through their sincere service and dedication ” Neil Ryan, who lived next door to them for two years, also described them as “the nicest family” S peaking to Asian Voice, o ne o f Dr K o m i V yas ’ s co lleg e fri end s, who was first to hear about, said, “When I first heard that her entire family might have been on the plane, I was in shock Initially, I was told that Komi, her husband, their three children, and her inlaws were all on board Later, I learned that her in-laws had only gone to the airport to see them off K o m i ’ s p a r e n t s w e r e a l s o i n Ahmedabad that day because her m o t h e r h a d u n d e r g o n

Hospital When the news broke, I was in surgery Around 3pm, after my wife called to tell me about it, I tried calling Komi’s number When I saw her Whatsapp last seen at 1:30 pm, I knew she had been on that plane Her name appeared last on the passenger list, which confirmed my fears It was a huge shock and very difficult to process ” He continued: “Komi was my wife’s classmate from the MBBS 2004 batch, and I was one year senior We all studied together for about eight years She always had a smiling face She lived in the same hostel as my wife, and we remained in touch after college I had even recently spoken to her about her sister coming to my clinic She was such a charming person, always cheerful, always talking about her children and family Whenever I think of her, I remember that smiling, sincere doctor This loss is deeply personal and not something I will be able to forget anytime soon ”

onshire, was travelling with her

as h a K am d

and two-year-old grandson Rudra They were believed to be returning to the UK for a cremation and memorial service for Modha’s late husband, Kishor, who had passed away in India in April after choosing to spend his final days in his homeland

Raxa and Kishor ran a successful Indian catering business, Pooja Caterers, and had three children

believed to have been on

separate

planned a prayer meeting later this

Highfield Community Centre

Mayor of Wellingborough , Raj Mish ra said, “It is with profound sadness that we hear of the passing of Raxa Moda, a beloved member of the Wellingborough community, who tragically lost her life in the plane crash in Ahmedabad yesterday Raxa was a beacon of compassion and selflessness, leading by example and touching countless lives She dedicated herself to sup-

m rebuild and thrive with her unwavering generosity ”

“Her quiet acts of kindness, included assisting with decorating H C C f o r v a r i o u s c o

n i t y events, and providing food to those in need Raxa’s generosity extende d b e y o n d W e l l i n g b o r o u g h a n d Northamptonshire, as she donated to charities whenever called upon, both locally and internationally A devoted follower of Sai Baba, she embodied the spirit of service and kindness,” he added

In d ra v an d an D o s h i and h i s w i f e J y o ti ben , r e s i d e n t s o f

Waghodia Road in Vadodara, tragically lost their lives in the crash

T h e e l d e r l y c o u p l e h a d l e f t Vadodara just a day earlier and were en route to London to visit their daughter Speaking to A sian V o ic e, th eir so n- in -law Kau s h ik Sh ah shared the emotional turmoil his family is going through in the wake of the tragic crash “At first, we had no clarity on which flight had crashed Then, after videos

s t a r t e d c i r c u l a t i n g o n l i n e , w e realised it was the same flight my in-laws were travelling on My wife has been inconsolable, she hasn’t been able to speak since the incident ”

Speaking about the wait for DNA test results, he added, “One body has been confirmed, but we are still waiting for confirmation of the other It’s been an agonising process ”

Reflecting on the suddenness of the tragedy, he said: “My in-laws were such kind, wonderful people

d e e p l y r e l i g i o u s a n d a l w a y s r e a d

through their voluntary work We never imagined we would be flying to India under such circumstances With the school holidays, we had b

h

p p y family memories but instead, this happened ” Sole surviv or and a m issed flight sav e in AI-171 crash

W h e n A i r I n d i a ’ s L o n d o nbound flight AI-171 crashed just m o

board were initially feared dead but two incredible stories of survival soon emerged

The sole passenger to survive was 45-year-old Vi sh w as K u ma r Ramesh, who had been seated in

1 1 A , n e a r t h e e m e r g e n c y e x i t

Remarkably, he managed to flee the wreckage and was captured on video walking away, clips of which quickly went viral Now recovering from burn injuries to his left hand, Ramesh recalled: “My side of the plane didn’t hit the building When the door broke open, I saw an opening and escaped I just ran I still can’t believe I survived ” Seat 11A, in the first row of economy, proved crucial “For a moment, I thought I was going to die But when I opened my eyes, I realised I was alive I unbuckled and ran out The airhostess and u n c l e - a u n t i e s a r o u n d m e w e r e gone, ” he recounted Ramesh also described the terrifying moment of the crash: “A minute after take-off, it felt like the plane got stuck Then the green and white lights came on they tried to lift the plane, but it crashed full speed into a building ”

I n a n o t h e r t w i s t o f f a t e , Bhoo mi C hauhan, a London-based p a s s e n g e r , n a r r o w l y m i s s e d t h e doomed flight by 10 minutes after getting stuck in traffic "I’m completely devastated my body is still shivering Just those 10 minutes saved me I don’t know how to explain this my Ganpati Bappa saved me," she said, overwhelmed w i t h e m o t i o n C h a u h a n h a d returned to India for a holiday after two years and was flying back to London alone L ives lost, stories rem embered T h e p r o m i s e o f n e w b e g i nnings and long-awaited reunions w a s s h a t t e r e d w h e n t h e f l i g h t

crashed into the densely populated Meghaninagar area just minutes

Among the 53 Britons on board were young families, students, and b u

Kumar Ramesh, survived and is being treated for injuries Over 70 passengers belonged to the Patel community

A jay Kum ar Ramesh was sitting alongside his brother, Vishwash, on the opposite side of the aisle

The brothers had been travelling home after visiting family in India

A kee l N

Hannaa Vorajee, and their four-

Gloucester, were among the victims Nanabawa,

successful busi-

later Iceberg Recruitment Services,

Ahmedabad Vorajee, 30, a trained midwife, served as head of finance at Rec2go Their imam, Abdullah Samad, described them as devoted to humanitarian causes, especially

improving healthcare in India

Ahmedabad, have criticised the UK g

c ation and lack of support After initially being told their loved ones had been identified and would be

promise was later withdrawn without explanation

They also struggled to access medical or forensic support and said updates from local authorities have been inconsistent A family spokesperson said: “There is no UK leadership here, no crisis profess

forced to make appointments to see consular staff 20 minutes away while our loved ones lie unidentified in an overstretched hospital ” A

they felt “utterly abandoned” by the UK government

The grieving family of Ram esh C h and P a tel, a

who died in the Ahmedabad plane crash, arrived in India on Friday to take his body home and pay their final respects Patel had travelled to Gujarat for just nine days, a trip he made regularly out of love for

Indravandan Doshi and his wife Jyotiben

Dr Prateek Joshi, Komi Vyas and three young children; Nakul, Pradyut and Miraya

Raxa Modha

PM Modi visiting Vishwas Kumar Ramesh at the hospital

Nanabawa family

No.NameCity

1 Amin Subhashchandra Ahmedabad

2Amin AchalabenAhmedabad

3Nanda Neha PramukhAhmedabad

4 Nanda Pramukh Pravesh Ahmedabad

5 Nanda Prayash Pramukh Ahmedabad

6 Patel Babiben Kuberbhai Ahmedabad

7 Patel Dilipbhai Mahendrabhia Ahmedabad

8Patel K.

9Patel K.

10Patel Meena DilipAhmedabad

11Patel S.Gana

12 Rupani Vijay Ramniklal Rajkot

13Soni Alpa NishithAhmedabad

14Soni SwapnilAhmedabad

15Soni YogAhmedabad

16Agheda Vallabh Nagji

17 Agheda Vinaben Vallabh

18Amrutlal Manav

19Avaiya H. Vadtal, Botad

20Babu Manish

21Baguane Chandu

22Baxi DhirAhmedabad

23Baxi HeerAhmedabad

24 Bhadouriya Deepanshi

25Bica Santubhai

26Bramhmbhatt G.Gandhingar

27 Bramhmbhatt Kalyani Gaurav Gandhingar

28Cana Vanita

29Chaudhari JaiminibenChanasma

30Chaudhari Dhapuben Thawar, Dhanera

31 Chaudhary Kamleshbhai Thawar, Dhanera

32 Chauhan Ranveersinh Kasumbad

33Chitthiwala A.

34 Chodvadiya Ankitkumar Surat

35 Chovatia Rajvi Sambhu Junagadh

36 Chovatia Shardaben Ravji Junagadh

37Christian RachanaAhmedabad

38Christian RozarAhmedabad

39Christian Rozar David

40Dangar M.

41 Dangar Nirupa Rambhai

42 Darji Pushpaben Rajnikant

43 Darji Rajnikant Chimanlal

h i s h o m

Tuesday just to eat the Jambura fruit,” his daughter Priti Pandya said, her voice heavy with emotion “He comes every year, stays for weeks, enjoys home-cooked meals, and just lives simply This time, it was meant to be short He didn’t come back ” Recalling their last conversation, Pandya added, “He video-called me on Tuesday, but I was working and thought I’d call back I never got the chance ” “He loved this country He wanted to

No.NameCity

44Dayani K.

45 Doshi Indravadan Shashikant

46 Doshi Jyoti Indravadan

47

48Gajjar Jayaben

49 Goswami Sanket Atulgiri

50Aadiv Girish

51Takshvi Girish

52Godhaniya KiyanBhanvad

53Godhaniya RiddhiBhanvad

54Gondaliya JayeshSurat

55 Renjitha Gopakumaran Nair

56Gosai Jinalben

57Greenlaw F.

58 Halani Badrudin Hasanali Anand

59 Halani Malekben Rajabali Anand

60 Halani Yashmin Badrudin Anand

61 Harrington Ashwin Suresh Kutch

62Hirani Ramesh HirjiKutch

63Hirpara Babubhai Lalji

64Hirpara V.

65Hora Harpreet

66Jethara NusratjahanModasa

67Jimulia B.Veraval

68Jimulia R.Veraval

69Joshi Kaminiben

70Joshi Miraya

71Joshi Nikul

72Joshi Pradyut

73Joshi Pratik

74Kamdar Yasha

75 Khatik Payal Sureshbhai Himmatnagar

76Khimani Anil Lalji

77Khunt NilkumaraBotad

78Lacmane Devji

79Lalji Girish

80Lavania Aparna

81Lavania Neeraj

82Maheshwari BhavikVadodara

83 Makwana Elcina Alpesh

84Makwana S.

85 Master Mohammed Adnan

86Meek Jamie Ray

87Mehta MeghaAhmedabad

88Mehta SunilkumarAhmedabad

89Mehta VarshaAhmedabad

90 Menaria Prakashchandra

91Menaria Vardi Chand

No.NameCity

92 Mervana Rajnikant Haridas

93Sajedaben Salim

94Mistry KinalAnand

95Modha RaxaPorbander

96Modha RudraPorbander

97Modi B.

98Modi ShagunAhmedabad

99Modi ShubhamAhmedabad

100Nagar Panna

101Nanabawa AkeelSurat

102Nanabawa S.Surat

103 Padariya Mariyam Inayat

104Padsala Ridhi

105Paghadal KantabenAhmedabad

106Paghadal NavyaAhmedabad

107 Palkhiwala Sanjana Saurin Ahmedabad

108 Panchal Narendra Manilal

109Panchal Usha

110Pandya HemantKhambhat

111Pandya N.Khambhat

112 Parihar Abhinav Shivbhai

113 Parikh Chaitanya Ramanlal

114 Parmar Bhogilal Bhemabhai Mandal

115 Parmar Hansaben Bhogilal Mandal

116Parmar N.Jamnagar

117Parmar S.Jamnagar

118Patel A.

119Patel Altaf

120Patel A

121Patel Ashokbhai

122 Patel Babubhai Manjibhai

123 Patel Bhartiben Ashokbhia

124 Patel Bhartiben Jashbhai

125Patel BhaveshSojitra

126Patel DashrathbhaiVisnagar

127Patel GauribenVisnagar

128 Patel Dineshkumar Kantilal Visnagar

129Patel Dipti Rakesh

130 Patel Dirdh Prafulkumar Kapadvanj

131 Patel Divyaben Rajnikant Vasad

132Patel DushyantkumarChikodra

133Patel HarshikabenJalsan

134Patel Harshit AnilbhaiAhmedabad

135Patel Hasumatiben

136 Patel Heena Saurabhkumar

137 Patel Hemangini Arunkumar Vasad

No.NameCity

138Patel J.

139Patel Jayantilal C.

140Patel JayshriModasa

141 Patel Joitiben Somabhai Ahmedabad

142 Patel Kailashben Dhirubhai Bayad

143Patel KrishnabenVisnagar

144 Patel Kiritkumar Lalubhai Lambhvel

145Patel Kokilaben

146Patel KuberbhaiAhmedabad

147Patel Manju MaheshVadodara

148 Patel Manjula Jagdishbhai Borsad

149Patel M.

150Patel MonalibenGana

151 Patel Mukundbhai Ambalal Piploi

152Patel NancyVadodara

153Patel NikhilkumarFangani

154Patel NilkanthSojitra

155 Patel Nirali Sureshkumar

156 Patel Neetaben Ashokbhai Chikodra

157Patel P.

158 Patel Pooja Harshitbhai Ahmedabad

159 Patel Prashantkumar Dilipbhia Kathlal

160Patel Pravinkumar

161Patel P.

162Patel P.

163Patel Radhabai

164 Patel Rajnikant Mahijibhai Vasad

165Patel R.

166Patel R.

167Patel Ranjanben

168Patel Ratilal AmbalalKadi

169 Patel Rekhaben Ratilal

170 Patel Rudra Chiragkumar

171Patel Rupalben PinalNadiad

172 Patel Sahil Salim Ibrahim

173 Patel Shashikant Ravjibhai Bharod

174Patel SobhnabenBharod

175 Patel Somabhai Jethabhai Ahmedabad

176Patel Sunny

177Patel Suresh

178Patel TarlikabenSojitra

179 Patel Ushaben Vinodchandra

180Patel Vaibhav

181Patel VibhutiUmbhel

182 Patel Vinodchandra Govindbhai

183Patil Mayur Ashok

184Patoliya ArjunVadiya

No.NameCity

185Pawar Ashaben

186Pawar Mahadev

187Peshavaria V.

188Prajapati K.

189Premji Vassaramo

190Purohit AakashkumarKhambholaj

191 Raj Vaasuben Narendrasinh

192Rajpurohit KhushbooJodhpur

193Ramesh Ajaykumar

194Rana Anandiben

195Rana Bhavan BipinKaramsad

197 Sagpariya Narshi Raghavbhai Rajkot

198 Saiyed Inayatali Saiyedmiya Ahmedabad

199 Inayatali Ahmedabad

200 Saiyed Taskin Inayatali Ahmedabad

201 Inayatali Ahmedabad

202Shah Amita HiteshSurat

203 Shah Hiteshkumar Dhirajlal Surat

204Shah Ketankumar

205 Shah Pinakin Balubhai

206 Shah Rupaben Pinakinbhai

207Shantilal Hemaxi

208Sharma A.

209Sharma ParthTarapur

210 Sheth Himanshu Vastallal Anand

211Shethwala F.

212Syed Amani Ali

213Syed Javed Ali

214 Syed Mariam Javed Ali Vadodara

215Syed Zayn Ali

216Taju Adam

217Taju Hasina Adam

218Tapeliwala S.

219Thakkar LabhubenPalanpur

220Thakkar RameshbhaiPalanpur

221 Vaghela Mahendrabhai Anand

222Vahora P.

223 Vahora Yashmin Yasinbhia

224Vahora Z.

225Valubhai Rama

226Vansadiya Arjunsinh Kosamba, Karsadi

227Vansadiya D. Kosamba, Karsadi

228 Vhora Salmaben Rajakbhai Umreth

229 Vorajee Hanna Ebrahim

230Vyas KomiBanswara

Fiongal Greenlaw-Meek & Jamie Patel family

the victims of the Air India crash on Thursday afternoon The famil y , f r o m V a s a d i n G u j a r a t , h a d

a d v a n c e d t h e i r t r a v e l p l a n s t o

a t t e n d D h a v n i ’ s c o n v o c a t i o n i n London and spend more time with her Bhavik Maheshw ari (26), from

V a d o d a r a ’ s V a d i l o c a l i t y , w a s returning to London for work after recently marrying during a vacat i o n i n I n d i a H i s p a r e n t s h a d planned a larger wedding celebration for his next visit His father, Arjun Maheshwari, tearfully told the media they last spoke around 1 p m on Thursday, just before takeoff “He called to say everything was fine and he was heading home

Half an hour later, we couldn’t believe what had happened ”

A dam Taju, 72, and his wife Hasina, 70, were travelling with their son-in-law, Altafhusen Patel, 5 1 , w h o l i v e s i n L o n d o n T h e i r granddaughter, Ammaarah Taju, speaking from the family’s home in B l a c k b u r n , s a i d h e r f a t h e r h a d rushed to London to support his sister as they awaited updates from Air India and officials

J av ed A l i S ye d, a r e s p e c t e d h o t e l m

n Kensington Olympia in London

t

a n

formerly with Comfort Inn, was travelling with his wife Mariam, who worked at Harrods, and their two young children, Zayn, 5, and A mani, 4

H ard ik A v ai y a, 2 7 , a n d

V ibho oti P atel, 28, from Leicester’s Belgrave area, were also on board Margi, 30, a close friend, said, “It’s devastating They were such good people ” She added that her husband was en route to pick them up from Gatwick when he received

t h e h e a r t b r e a k i n g n e w s o f t h e crash

S h a il es h an d Neh a P arm ar

from Jamnagar, life dealt a cruel blow once again Having lost their son in a plane crash years ago, they had slowly begun rebuilding their lives through faith and resilience Recently, they returned to Gujarat seeking peace and reconnecting with loved ones After a dental visit

i n J a m n a g a r , t h e y b o a r d e d A i r India flight AI171 from Ahmedabad to London on June 12 tragically, it never reached its destination

D i nes h k um ar, a l i f e l o n g farmer, was travelling abroad for the first time to visit his son in London Friends had organised a

f a r e w e l l p a r t y i n t h e P i n d a r i y a fields, playing the song *“Tu Kal

C h a l a J a y e g a T o h M a i n K y a Karunga”*, unaware it would be t h e i r f i n a l g o o d b y e T h e y e v e n accompanied him to Ahmedabad airport to see him off S i s t e r s D h ir and H eer Baxi,

both in their 20s, were returning to London after a surprise trip to celebrate their grandmother’s birthday Dhir was pursuing a degree in fashion design, while Heer worked as a product manager in the investment and renewable energy sector Their elder brother, Ishan, said the f a m i l y i s “ c o m p l e t e l y s h e l lshocked” by the tragedy “Both had a natural aura of helping others and upheld strong family values They aspired to be successful and travel the world, while embracing modern life without losing their t r a d i t i o n a l r o o t s I n e v e r y t h i n g they did whether in academics or f a s h i o n t h e y a c h i

s s with grace and respect,” he shared

A family of four from northwest London has also been identified among the victims Hemaxi Sh antilal and her husband Girish Lagli, from Wembley, were travelling on the London-bound flight with their young children, Aadiv and Taksvi It is believed they were seated in row 30 of the aircraft, with little Taksvi on an adult’s lap

Father-of-two Ketan S hah was

among those on board the ill-fated flight The 43-year-old, who had lived in Dorset for over a decade, is survived by his wife Megha, along with their teenage son and daughter Ketan, who ran a village community store in Shipton Bellinger, Hampshire, had travelled to India to visit his ailing father His close friend of 15 years, Jigneshkumar

P a t e l , d e

e a brother” and said he was still struggling to process the devastating news A tribute is being planned in Southampton “Before the plane took off, he called his wife to say he was on board that was their last conversation,” Mr Patel shared Renjitha Gopakum aran Nair, a

nurse and mother in her 40s, was returning to the UK after a holiday visiting family in her home country She had recently left her role at

Portsmouth, Hampshire, and had

been living in the UK for about a year Former colleagues at the NHS hospital described her as a “beauti-

, kindness, and compassion to both patients and co-workers “She had the biggest heart and the brightest smile,” one colleague said, remembering her fondly

travelled from London to Vadiya, Gujarat, to scatter the ashes of his late wife, Bharatiben Patel, who died of cancer just three weeks earlier The couple leave behind two young daughters, aged eight and f

Patel’s sister Patoliya, a furniture designer, was described by a close neighbour as a kind, family-oriented man who was active in the community and deeply cared for those

Inspired Elements Ltd has organised a fundraiser in memory of Arjun, a valued member of the team and a close family friend for m

already raised £606,155 to support Arjun’s daughters

Manju Mahesh Patel, 79, was a

London Gatwick when it tragically crashed in Ahmedabad Seated in 12D, she was just behind the sole survivor in 11A Her son, Chirag Mahesh Patel, said he hopes her passing was "instant and painless " “To the day I die, I’ll wonder about her final moments,” he said, pointing to a framed photo at their home Ms Patel had spent the past few months in Ahmedabad doing charity work at a temple and was due to be picked up by her son at Gatwick

Sayedmiya Inayatali, 48, an IT programmer from Wembley, was returning to the UK with his wife Nafisabanu, 46, and their children, Waqueeali, 25, and T askin, 22, after visiting his 90-year-old mother in India Their relative, Shahid Vhora, 52, who had planned to pick them up from Gatwick, said, “They were so happy, smiling in a photo before boarding Now my life feels torn apart ” He described the family as c l o s

i n g Taskin was studying medicine, and Waqueeali worked in IT like his father “Sayedmiya and I did everyt h i n g t o g e t h e r

“Now I have to travel to India to sort things out ” Adnan Master, 30, was returning to London alone after visiting relatives in India His wife and child live in Forest Hill A friend described him as “ one of the nicest and hardest-working people you’d ever meet,” juggling two jobs as a delivery driver and in a DIY store

“Everything he did was for his family,” they said “He just wanted to give his child a better life ”

than we can count ” In a tribute, the nursery described her as “ a guiding light, an inspiration, and a champion for every child and staff member who walked through her doors ” K inal M istry, 24, was dropped off at Ahmedabad airport by her father, Suraj, who took a final family photo, unaware it would be their last Tearfully recalling his daughter, he said, “She was a wonder beautiful inside and out Her smile lit up every room ”

P rakash Lal M inarh ia, a chef in London for 15 years, had returned to India for post-funeral rituals after his father’s passing His family, still awaiting confirmation, said they hadn’t found the strength to tell his mother and wife back in their village

S ahil Salim Ibrahim Patel, on his first-ever international flight, was heading to London for a dream scholarship meant to transform his family’s future “Will they return him to us in a closed box?” his father said “He deserves to come home with dignity ” G au ra v an d K al yan i Br ah m b h att , o n c e l o n g t i m e

London residents, had moved back to Gandhinagar three years ago

“ T h e y w e r e k i n d , d r i v e n , a n d always inspired us to dream big,” said a friend, Trupti Telrandhe

P ayal K hatik, a young woman

from Himatnagar in Gujarat, was the first in her family to travel

a b r o a d F u l l o f e x c i t e m e n t , s h e b o a r d e d h e r f i r s t i n

28, had moved to Britain, where she was pursuing a master’s degree They returned to India to consult a doctor Harshit’s father, Anil Patel, 60, recalled their final goodbye at the airport, saying, “They were my everything We video-called every day ” Lawrence Christian had travelled to India to help his mother Ravina perform his father’s last rites “He came for just a few days,” s h

gone, and so is my son I have no one left ” Lawrence had dreams of paying off their apartment loans a

come, ” Ravina said Kh ushbo o, 21, had just married

London to start her new life Her father saw her off at the airport hours later, her family learned of the crash

A b d h ib en P atel , 4 0 , a s a l o n manager from Northampton and mother of an eight-year-old, had travelled to India to care for her ill mother A close friend said, “She didn’t want to go It was her first time leaving her son ” E lc in

A

e

M

w ana, 4 2 , was the first British national whose

body was returned and buried in Gujarat She had visited India for dental treatment and to see family Her uncle said, “She reassured her f

remembered by her family as “the heart of the family ” Her granddaughter Ciara Chudasama wrote, “She shaped our lives in more ways

e a Master’s degree in engineering and technology Her father, a loading r i c k s h a w d r i v e r , h a d t a k e n o u t loans in the hope that her future would lift the family out of poverty “She stayed with us after college a n d d r e a m e d o f s t u d y i n g i n London,” said her father, Suresh Khatik “We believed her education would change everything ” H e r f a m i l y b i d h e r f a r e w e l l with pride and hope but never imagined they would lose her so soon Her death in the plane crash was confirmed through DNA testing “She had so many dreams,” her cousin Bharat Chauhan said “Now we are left shattered ”

that call never came ” A mother of two, Makwana was remembered as a gentle soul who quietly supported children’s education in India

The family of M anish Babu, 46, from Leicester, have paid tribute to a “ very kind man ” following his death in the Air India crash Babu had been in South Asia for several months caring for his dying father and was returning home after his father’s passing A long-time resident of Belgrave, he had lived in Leicester for 25 years and was well-

brother has since travelled to India after the tragedy

Harshit, 30, and his wife Poo ja,

Arjunbhai Patoliya

Bhavik Maheshwari

Shailesh Parmar

Heer and Dhir Baxi (R) with their grandmother

Ketan Shah (R)

Renjitha Gopakumaran Nair

Panna Nagar

Kalyani Brahmbhatt

Payal Khatik

Pooja & Harshit Patel Khushboo

Elcina Alpesh Makwana

Mississauga dentist Dr Nirali S uresh kumar Patel was the sole

Canadian on board the Air India flight The Indian-origin dentist is s

S

child “It’s absolutely shocking there are no words,” said community leader Don Patel, who knew her family Dr Nirali had spent just

Premier Doug Ford expressed condolences on X, saying: “I’m saddened to learn that a Canadian from Mississauga was among those lost Our thoughts are with the families and loved ones of every victim ”

Among the victims of the tragic

London-based couple Sunny Patel (39) and M onali Patel (38), who had

strong ties to Gujarat Monali came from a family directly connected to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, India’s first Deputy Prime Minister Her

g

Motibhai Patel, was the brother of Jhaverba, Sardar Patel’s wife, origi-

mother only on Saturday morning,” said Monali’s cousin Jignesh

P a t e l , g r

n d s o n o f Chaturbhai Motibhai Patel, another brother of Sardar Patel’s wife The couple had travelled to Anand after a short holiday in Thailand They were originally scheduled to return to London on June 6 but had postponed their travel plans for unspecified reasons

A bh inav Parih ar, an artificial

j e w e l l e r y b u s i n e s s m a n f r o m

Bikaner and grandson of former Dungargarh MLA Kishna Ram Nai, was among the victims He had recently opened a new office and workshop in Ahmedabad and was returning to London with plans to bring his wife and eight-year-old son back to India to settle and shift his business from the UK

Among the victims of the Air India plane crash were 29-year-old V aibh av Patel and his wife, 27year-old Jinal Gosw ami, who was

seven months pregnant The couple, originally from Southampton and recently settled in Croydon, had travelled to Ahmedabad for Jinal’s baby shower Ashok and Shobhana Patel, a

couple who had lived in the UK since 1978, tragically lost their lives

Their son, Miten Patel, flew from L

body through DNA testing, receiving confirmation on Father’s Day

Just as he prepared to take his father’s remains home, a second call came the 99th DNA match confirmed his mother, Shobhana

In a poignant twist, the couple, who had spent a lifetime together, were identified side by side samples 98 and 99 “Even in death, my mother didn’t let my father return home alone,” Miten said

There were twelve crew memb

1 7 1 flight none made it home

Captain Sum eet, 54, an experi-

enced pilot with over 8,200 flying hours, was the son of an officer in India’s civil aviation authority He was also the primary caregiver for his father, now in his 80s, and had spoken to him just before takeoff

H i s b o d y w a s b r o u g h t b a c k t o Mumbai for last rites

Roshni So ng hare, 26, a vibrant young flight attendant, was set to marry next year Known as the heart of her household, she was also popular on social media, with over 73,000 Instagram followers Her promising life was just taking off

Maithili P atil, 24, a resident of

Nhava village, had joined Air India two years ago The daughter of an ONGC labour contractor, she had called her father minutes before takeoff, promising to ring again once she landed in London That call never came

A n o t h e r f l i g h

n d a n t , Ng anth oi Sh arma from Manipur, was also among the victims Her family kept trying her phone the rings, signal, and internet connection offered a glimmer of hope

“She messaged us just before takeoff, saying, ‘I’m going to London The flight will take off shortly Maybe we won’t be able to talk for some time,’” recalled her relative K

Khenjita No one imagined those would be her last words

D eep ak P a th ak ,

i n crew member from Badlapur, was not originally scheduled for this flight he was on sick leave and rostered for a later London trip But an urgent call from the airline on June 11 had him report for duty in Ahmedabad “He was a dedicat-

refused that call, he would still be here,” said his grieving family His sisters travelled to Ahmedabad for DNA identification Deepak lived with his parents and wife of four years in Katrap, Badlapur East Singson was part of the cabin crew on board Air India flight 171,

Thanglingo Haokip told the BBC he had been trying, without success, to get updates about her He added that Singson was the sole breadwinner for her family, sup-

brother, who were “wholly dependent on her ”

First Officer C liv e Kunder, who joined Air India a few years ago, had logged over 1,100 hours of flight time He trained in aircraft

Bombay Flying Club before pursuing commercial pilot training in Florida, said the club’s chairman, Mihir Bhagwati According to news reports, Kunder’s parents were visiting his sister in Australia when the crash occurred They returned to Ahmedabad on Friday to join

awaiting identification of the victims

Ex-Gujarat CM V ijay Rup ani laid to rest with state honours

Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, who was aboard Air India flight 171, was laid to rest with full state honours in Rajkot His body was identified three days after the crash, using DNA testing G

through key city roads Kalawad R

D e s p i t e t h e r a i n , p e o p l e s t o o d silently, some weeping, as the procession passed by His final rites were conducted with full Vedic rituals The Gujarat Police honoured him with a 21-gun salute one of the highest marks o f r e s p

Dignitaries from across the state

a

Commissioner, MLAs, MPs, and senior officials

A day of official mourning was observed across Gujarat on 16 June

The national flag was flown at halfm a s t a t g o v e r n m e n t b u i l d i n g s , i n c l u d i n g t h e S e c r e t a r i a t a n d

Legislative Assembly Relief coordination was led by the CMO, and special camps were set up at the Civil Hospital, SEOC, and FSL to assist victim families and expedite identification Tata Sons, which manages Air India, announced full compensation to those affected by the crash

knew them, my heart grieves for e v

w m e m b e r , and their families Having flown t h e A h m e d a b a d – L o n d o n r

countless times over the years, I’ve always felt a personal connection to this service and have experienced occasional issues during my t

h brings back painful memories of

tragedy in Ahmedabad, where 133

w members The echoes of that sorrow are still felt, and now, once again, we find ourselves mourning another avoidable tragedy ”

Acharya Devvrat, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, and other leaders attended the funeral

Visiting the Rupani home in Rajkot, Amit Shah comforted the grieving family, assuring Anjaliben and Rushabh that “ we are all with you in this moment of sorrow ” Rupani’s body was flown from Ahmedabad to Rajkot via a special flight From Hirasar airport, it was b

vehicle, adorned with blooms from Ooty his favourite to Prakash Society, his residence in Rajkot T h

along the route to offer floral tribu

beloved leader

At the Rajkot home, the body

Political leaders, family, friends, and citizens paid their respects A s

Large prayer gatherings were held in tribute to the victims: in Rajkot at Race Course Ground on T u e s d a y , 1 7 J

“Also, the untimely and tragic passing of Shri Vijaybhai Rupani has left me truly lost for words I had the honour of knowing him personally and hosting him on several occasions, both in the UK and in India His absence leaves a void that cannot be filled He was not just a leader, he was a statesman, a man of vision, and a true son of Gujarat This incident also raises serious concerns about the future of Air India As our national airline, now under the stewardship of the Tata Group, a name that symbolise

e ( 3 – 6 P M ) ; i n

Gandhinagar at Helipad Ground on Thursday, 19 June (9 AM–12 Noon); and at Koba Kamalam on Friday, 20 June (4–6 PM) “ M e t t h e f a m i l y o f S h r i Vijaybhai Rupani ji It is unimaginable that he is no longer with us I’ve known him for decades we w o r k e d t o g e t h e r s h o u l d e r t o shoulder, even through the most challenging times,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a post on X

“Vijaybhai was humble, hardworking, and deeply committed to the Party’s ideology From corporator to Rajya Sabha MP, Gujarat BJP President, Cabinet Minister, and Chief Minister, he served with distinction,” Modi added He recalled Rupani’s contributions to Gujarat’s growth, particularly in improving the state’s Ease of Living “Will always cherish our

interactions My thoughts are with his family and friends Om Shanti ”

U n i o n H o m e M i n i s t e r A m i t

Shah expressed deep sorrow over t h e p a s s i n g o f f o r m e r G u j a r a t

Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, calling it “hard to believe ” In a tribute on X, Shah wrote, “I worked with Vijaybhai for a long time Whether as state president or chief minister, h e f u l f i l l e d e v e r y r e s p o n s i b i l i t y with dedication It is difficult to believe he is no longer with us ” Shah remembered Rupani as a calm, disciplined leader whose loyalty to the party and commitment to Gujarat’s growth stood out Edito r/Publish er of Asian Voice and Gujarat Sam achar, C B Patel said, “The Air India plane crash has left me deeply shocked, especially as I knew several of the victims personally But whether or not I

India must rise above this tragedy While the management deserves sympathy during this time of sorrow, this must also serve as a wakeup call Air travel today is no longer a luxury, it is a necessity And there can be no compromise when it comes to safety Every effort must now be made to ensure that Air I

standards of safety and service, w

world’s top five airlines,” he added

flight on June 12 was not his original plan He had first booked to

before finally rescheduling to June 1

crashed within a minute of takeoff A stalwart of Gujarat politics, Rupani began as a corporator in Rajkot in 1987, later serving as Mayor, Rajya Sabha MP, Gujarat BJP President, Cabinet Minister, and Chief Minister from 2016 He shared a close bond with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, forged during their early efforts to build the BJP in Gujarat Doctors, students and resid ents impacted by the crash

g through thick smoke and debris, leaving entire streets in shock and families shattered Of the 242 people on board, only one survived Dozens more were killed on the ground as the plane struck a densely populated residential area

Among those shattered by the t r a g e d y i s t h e P a t n i f a m i l y Seventy-year-old Babibehen Babu Bhai Patni sits on the floor of her housing block, inconsolable She mourns her 12-year-old grandson

A kash, whose life was cut short

down The boy had been napping beneath a tree near their tea stall when the aircraft struck, engulfing him in flames “All that’s left of him is ash,” she weeps “My daughter is

burnt My son is also injured What will

do? He

Patni, Akash’s grief-stricken sister, waits under the punishing sun,

moments

“He had gone to get lunch for my parents around 2pm, ” she says

BAPS Volunteers Assist at Plane Crash Site, Ahmedabad

Dr Nirali Sureshkumar Patel

Sunny Patel and Monali Patel

Vaibhav Patel & Jinal Goswami

Shobhana and Ashok Patel

Captain Sumeet & First Officer Clive Kunder

Maithili Patil

“Mum had come home for a quick shower, and he lay down for a nap

S h e w a s n e a r l y b a c k

When she ran to him, everything was dark ” Tears stream down her face “The authorities haven’t told

Khatoon was cleaning pots when disaster struck “I heard a huge explosion,” she recalls “Everything went black with smoke At first, I thought it was a storm then people were shouting, ‘A plane has crashed! Run!’ Debris was everywhere I was terrified ” She and a colleague escaped with the help of t w

me when I’ll see his body I just want my brother back I feel restless, suffocated What will I tell my children, who always played with him?”

Filmmaker Mahesh Kalawadia, also known as Mahesh Jirawala, has been missing since the crash of Air India flight AI-171 His phone last pinged about 700 metres from

a

the crash site and switched off just

H

spoke to his wife at 1:14 pm, saying he was heading home after a meeting His scooter and phone remain

m i s s i n g , a n d h

wouldn’t normally take that route, raising fears he may be among the ground victims DNA samples have been submitted for identification Inside the medical college hostel kitchen, 30-year-old Shahana

injured in the chaos Now, she anxiously awaits news of her missing co-worker and the woman ’ s two-

trembling Her husband, Kurban Ali, 35, had raced to the scene “I was frantic Police wouldn’t let me through For hours, I didn’t know

alive ” It was only an hour later that

Among them: Drs Aaryan Rajput, Manav Bhadoo, Rakesh Deora, and Kajal Pradip Solanki, a pregnant doctor’s wife Resident doctor Jay Prakash Chaudhary remains missing

The crash came just minutes after the lunch break began

“Had it been 10 minutes later, over 300 doctors would’ve been

Shahana managed to call him from safety

The plane’s front section tore into Atulyam-11, housing medical students and doctors The midsection scattered across a garden and road, while the tail and wheels smashed onto the doctors’ mess, w h e

lunch

Footage from residents showed thick black smoke engulfing the campus as survivors fled the blast zone A

Tata Group, has pledged 10 million rupees (about £86,000) to each victim’s family, along with medical support for the injured and help to rebuild parts of the college

Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crash, as well as those injured on the ground

Medical College hostel

British High Commissioner to India, Lindy Cameron, also met the Prime Minister during the visit Modi later met the wife of former Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani, who was among the crash victims

“We are all devastated by this

Chauhan, who had just stepped out

Dr Ramkrishna, who narrowly escaped, said, “A friend warned me about a low-flying plane Seconds later a blast, heat, fire, chaos We pulled five bodies from the rubble

M

p p e d inside, added: “Luggage and debris rained down I sat frozen for 10 minutes before calling for help

remains unconfirmed

PM M odi visits Air India crash site, meets injured and fam ilies

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the site of the Air India crash in Ahmedabad and later held a

and senior officials H

Civil Hospital, where

many lives is beyond words Our condolences to the bereaved families Om Shanti,” he posted on X Bereaved fam ilies find solace in sh ared grief

Vigils have been held across the UK and India to remember the

staff and expert teams in Ahmedabad

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner addressing the audience

PM Modi, Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel and other dignitaries present at the site

Woman seeking help to save her son

Jawaharlal Nehru’s statue as the UK’s Indian community gathered to honour victims of the Air India crash Around 150 people attended the multi-faith vigil outside the I n d i a n H i g h C o m m i s s i o n i n

rare gesture, last seen when Queen Elizabeth altered proceedings in 2017 after the Grenfell fire, the King requested a minute’s silence at Horse Guards Parade, with participants wearing black armbands Buckingham Palace confirmed the c h a n g e h

H o l b o r n , w i t h m a n y t r a v e l l i n g f r o m L e i c e s t e r a n d B r a d f o r d Flowers, tealights, and photos of the victims surrounded the statue of India’s first prime minister

The ceremony, hosted by the High Commission, was attended

b y D e p u t y P M A n g e l a R a y n e r , C a n a d i a n H i g h C o m m i s s i o n e r

Ralph Goodale, MPs Alan Gemmell

a n d R u t h C a d b u r y , f o r m e r M P Virendra Sharma, and faith leaders, who offered prayers of unity and hope amid grief (full story online)

F C D O M i ni s ter C at h eri n e West also visited the Indian High Commission in London to pay her respects to those affected Taking X, Catherine wrote, “It was my solemn privelege to pay tribute to

requested by the King “ as a mark of respect for the lives lost, the grieving families, and the communities affected by this terrible tragedy ” J

n Sudbury held a Prarthana Sabha to honour those who lost their lives i n t h e

gathering drew a large number of d

m

s , trustees, priests, and representatives from the National Council of G u j a r a t i O r g a n i s a t i o n s ( N C G O ) , all united in grief and prayer The tragedy struck close to home for the Mandir, which had connections to several victims, including f o r m e

t e e s who lost family and friends in the crash

victims of the tragic Air India crash @HCI London My thoughts are with the many families in India and the UK affected by yesterday’s events The FCDO continues to work all hours to support those who have contacted us for assistance ” King Charles III broke with tradition at this year ’ s Trooping the Colour, pausing the age-old ceremony to honour the victims of Thursday’s Air India crash In a

A v i g i l f o r R e n j i t h a

Gopakumaran Nair was held at the M o u n t b a t t e n C e n t r e i n Portsmouth during a sports day event organised by the Union of U K M a l a y a l e e A s s o c i a t i o n s (UUKMA) Leena Furtado, a coll e a g u e f r o m Q A H o s p i t a l , described her as "kind and humb l e , " c a l l i n g h e r p a s s i n g " t h e biggest loss " She added, “There are no words Seeing her name among the victims was truly heart-break-

ing ” University Hospitals of Derby and Burton (UHDB) and the NHS have expressed their deep sorrow over the loss of Dr Prateek Joshi and his family in the Air India crash Dr Rajeev Singh, Consultant Radiologist and Clinical Director for Imaging at UHDB, paid tribute to his late colleague, calling him “ a joyful, kind-hearted man, a devoted husband and father, and an exceptional radiologist ” Dr Singh added, “Prateek brought positivity and humour to every room Since moving to Derby from India in 2021, he quickly became a cherished colleague, often sharing stories about his new love for fish and c h i p s a n d w a l k i n g i n t h e

District He touched many lives, both professionally and personally

local authorities at the crash site and Ahmedabad Civil Hospital by providing food and lemon drinks to rescue teams, police, medical staff, and victims' families

Gandhinagar, offering prayers and paying tribute to those who lost their lives in the Air India

Chislehurst this weekend to pray for the victims of the devastating Air India crash The tragedy struck last Thursday when a flight from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick c

killing 241 passengers and crew, along with 29 local residents on the

students At the vigil, organised by the Yog Foundation, young children led prayers, names of the vic-

Many attending families were orig-

inally from Ahmedabad and often flew the same route The evening ended with an aarti a ritual of light and song, as prayers were offered for the strength and healing of grieving families

A Foreign Office spokesperson said staff in both the UK and India are working around the clock to

those lost by continuing to serve and uplift others through love in action " Go Dharmic will continue

emotional support, and volunteer mobilisation as needed

Lead ers unite in support

Political and community lead-

s u p p o r t t h e f a m i l i e s a n d l o v e d

ones affected by the crash A reception centre has been set up at the Ummed Hotel near Ahmedabad airport, with a dedicated helpline for families and friends of British nationals: 020 7008 5000 (UK) or +91 (11) 2419 2100 (India) In-person consular staff are also on hand to assist families, including at local hospitals

A d d i t i o n a l l y , t h e U K A i r

Accidents Investigation Branch has deployed a team to support the Indian-led investigation, alongside UK forensic experts assisting the consular response

F o l l o w i n g t h e t r a g i c Ahmedabad–London plane crash, Go Dharmic’s team in Ahmedabad q u i c k l y r e s p o n d e d a f t e r s e e i n g smoke rise near the medical coll e g e V o l u n t e e r s r u s h e d t o t h e s c e n e t o a s s i s t v i c t i m s a n d b y s t a n d e r s , o f f e r i n g f i r s t a i d , organising a blood donation drive, a n d h e l p i n g e m e r g e n c y s e r v i c e s manage traffic and transport the deceased with dignity

W i t h m a n y s t u d e n t s i n t h e nearby area injured, the team provided critical on-ground support

In solidarity with the grieving families, Go Dharmic also held a special food distribution in the UK and India on Sunday, June 15, to honour those who lost their lives

c o n t i n u i n g t h e i r m i s s i o n o f compassion and service

F o u n d e r o f G o D h a r m i c , H a n u m a n D a s s s h a r e d , " I n m o m e n t s o f d e e p t r a g e d y , o u r dharma calls us to serve The love and compassion shown by our volunteers in Ahmedabad reflect the spirit of humanity that binds us all We will honour the memory of

m

n g together to support grieving families and communities in the wake of the tragic Air India Flight crash In this time of collective mourning, they are offering words of condolence, organising community gathe r

e d support to those affected

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has a crisis team on standby in Delhi and in L

David L am my said 'My thoughts, and I’m sure those of the entire house, are with those who’ve been affected by the tragic plane crash in India this morning We know that British nationals were on board and I can confirm that the FCDO is

nationals and their families,’ he added

Cllr M uhammed Butt, leader of Brent Council said, “We are deeply saddened by the tragic plane crash in the city of Ahmedabad We are

time Today, I will be holding

gathering at the Brent Association,

Temple, there will be a community-wide event for Brent residents t

When a tragedy of this magnitude occurs, it is only right that we acknowledge the collective trauma and offer space for the community to grieve and support one another ” Trupti Patel, President of the Hindu Forum of Britain, expressed deep condolences to the families

Community members present at the Jalaram Jyot Mandir in Sudbury to mourn victims

Home Minister Amit Shah and Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel visiting the Air India crash scene

affected by the Air India Flight

A I 1 7 1 t r a g e d y , s a y i n g , “ O u r thoughts and prayers are with the departed souls and their loved ones during this painful time We also pray for the survivors and thank the emergency teams involved ”

S h e a d d e d , “ W e p r a y t h e departed attain ‘moksha’ and their families find strength The Hindu Forum remains committed to sup-

SEWA organisations and NGOs in Gujarat Let this be a time of unity, compassion, and remembrance ”

T h e N a t

Gujarati Organisations UK (NCGO UK) is deeply shocked and saddened by the tragic Air India crash t

alj i

Odedra, P resid ent of NCGO U K, s

mourning We are devastated by the tragic loss of life and stand with the grieving families at this most difficult time As a communi-

t y , w

w

l l c o n t

n

strength, unity, and support wherever it is needed ” Krishna P ujara, Vice Presid ent o f NC GO UK, added, “This is a dark and tragic day for our community As we process this heart-

board, spanning generations and professions, embodied the living bridge between the UK and India This tragedy reminds us of the h u m

t

o u r nations We are already seeing the UK and India standing together in solidarity, offering technical, logistical, and moral support In times of sorrow, our countries instinctively reach out to one another As we gather for UK-India Week, we will honour those lost and reaffirm our commitment to deepening the t i e s b e t w

n o u r p e o p l

s M a y their memory inspire us to build a more compassionate and connected world ”

India’s dead liest air d isasters that changed av iation safety

India has witnessed a series of devastating air disasters that not only shook the nation but also led to significant improvements in aviation safety protocols In 2020, Air India Express Flight 1344 crashed while landing in Kozhikode during heavy rain, skidding off the runway and killing 21 people A decade earlier, in 2010, Flight 812 overshot t

plunged into a gorge, claiming 158 lives In 2000, Alliance Air Flight 7412 crashed into a crowded neighbourhood in Patna while attempting to land, resulting in 60 deaths One of the deadliest air disas-

the Arabian Sea shortly after takeoff from Mumbai, killing all 213 passengers and crew In 1977, an

landing in Delhi during bad weather, killing 48 people

Strange coincid ences emerge after Air India crash

In the aftermath of the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad,

breaking loss, we stand in unity with the families of the victims May they find strength and peace during this unimaginable time ”

C llr A nj ana Patel, the newly elected mayor of Harrow, shared her personal connection to the Air India tragedy Addressing a congregation, she recounted how Harrow resident Arjun Patoliya, 37, had flown to India to scatter his late wife Bharti Patel’s ashes she had died of cancer just three weeks earlier Tragically, he perished on the return flight, leaving behind two young daughters now orphaned

“I really pray those little girls will be well looked after by all of us, ” Patel said, as the crowd gasped

The Mayor, whose own family is from Gujarat, also revealed she had lost a relative in the crash

Speaking later to ‘The Telegraph’, she reflected: “Every life lost matters But when it touches someone close to you, it breaks your heart even more ”

F o u n d e r a n d C h a i

India Global Forum, Mano j Ladw a said, “We are deeply saddened by

prayers

with the families of

commend the tireless efforts of

ters in Indian history was the 1996

Airlines and Kazakhstan Airlines, which killed

Other major tragedies include

killed 55 people; a 1991 crash near Imphal that took 69 lives; and the 1990 crash of Indian Airlines Flight 605 in Bangalore, which killed 92 out of 146 onboard In 1988, an Indian Airlines flight crashed while approaching Ahmedabad, killing 133 people

Earlier still, in 1978, a Dubaibound Air India flight plunged into

eerie stories and strange coincidences have captured public attention

One remarkable tale involves two plane crash survivors, separated by nearly three decades, who shared the same seat 11A Thai actor and singer James Ruangsak Loychusak, now 47, survived a 1998 Thai Airways crash while seated in 11A He was stunned to learn that the sole survivor of the Air India Flight AI-171 crash, British-Indian passenger Viswash Kumar Ramesh, was also seated in 11A “Survivor of a plane crash in India He sat in the same seat as me 11A,” Loychusak posted on Facebook While the aircraft types were different Thai Airways used an Airbus A310, and A i r I n d i

e struck many as uncanny

Another oddity surrounds former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani’s long-held attachment to the number 1206, which he had used on all his personal vehicles for years The number now chillingly mirrors the date of the crash June 12 (12/6) marking the day of one of India’s worst aviation disasters

In Rajkot, residents and journalists recalled how Rupani’s scooters and cars always bore the number 1206, now forever linked to this tragic event Dream liner disaster likely to raise global safety co ncerns

An Air India flight bound for

board Moments later, the Boeing

densely populated residential area, erupting into flames P

the aircraft suffered significantly reduced thrust from its General Electric GEnx engines, climbing no higher than 450ft before impact, according to video footage and initial reports from Indian authorities

This has shifted early attention away from the plane’s wing flaps and landing gear configuration to a

loss an extremely rare event On

General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) ordered urgent inspections of fuel

across the country’s 787 fleet

“There was something terribly wrong with this 787 jet, and we n

because there are a thousand of these operating today,” said Juan

Boeing pilot and respected aviation commentator Authorities confirmed that the high-tech Dreamliner used nearly t

more than required under the hot conditions and heavy load of the day Video showed dust kicked up beyond the runway ’ s end, confirming both engines were producing some thrust during takeoff

In a chilling emergency call seconds after take-off, the co-pilot radioed: “Thrust not achieved f a l l i n g M a y d a y ! M a y d a y ! Mayday!”

Further signs of severe power loss came from video showing the deployment of the aircraft’s ram air turbine (RAT) a small propeller that extends automatically to generate minimal electrical and hydraulic power in the event of a complete loss

“ T h i s c l e a r l y i n d i c a t e s d u a l engine failure,” said Capt Steve Scheibner, a Boeing 777 pilot with American Airlines “The RAT is deployed you can hear it It’s not meant to provide enough power for a climb, only to keep basic systems alive during a descent ”

The fact that the landing gear remained extended also points to a serious power problem, as the RAT cannot power retraction

Investigators are now analysing flight recorders and wreckage to determine the root cause ranging from potential fuel contamination to failure in the engines’ electronic controls A bird strike has been ruled out

“We have no idea why both engines on a 787 would flame out r i g h t a f t e r t a k e o f f , ” S c h e i b n e r added

This marks the first-ever crash of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner since its 2011 debut Known for its fuel efficiency and quiet performance, the 787 has had a strong safety record although Boeing has been under renewed scrutiny following

DNA sampling done by doctors

Family members mourning for victims

issues with its 737 Max jets and Dreamliner battery problems

T

pounds pressure on the embattled a

investigations and whistleblower reports Air India, which has operated Dreamliners since 2012, had

since a 2020 runway crash

Both the UK and Indian gove

families as DNA identification of remains continues Flights from Ahmedabad resumed within hours of the crash

Aviation experts stress that flying remains one of the safest ways to travel though the disaster is

Jyotsna Shah

expected to heighten scrutiny on Boeing’s safety record, experts do not foresee a long-term erosion in passenger confidence Air India’s reputation has long

clearance from European and US

plaints about filthy interiors In

window panel to dislodge, triggering panic among 240 passengers A crew member bravely secured the panel as oxygen masks deployed and several passengers sustained minor injuries

takeover last year, a Dubai-based travel influencer reviewed a 787-8 Dreamliner flight While praising

crew, and improved food, the vlogger highlighted ongoing problems:

refurbish aging aircraft

In April, View From The Wing reported a business-class passenger on a Chicago–Delhi flight was told her seat wouldn’t recline due to a "technical issue" and was pressured t

instead without the option for a refund Other business- and firstclass passengers also faced broken seats, while crew members were seen occupying curtained-off cabin seats mid-flight

*Asian Voice offers its heartfelt prayers for all those who tragically lost their lives in the Air India crash Our thoughts are with their grieving families and loved ones during this time of immense sorrow

A Heartbreaking Loss – Shri Vijaybhai Rupani

T hursd ay, 12 June 20 25, will be rem em bered as a d ay of immense so rrow Just mo ments after takeoff fro m A hmedabad , A ir Ind ia’ s Boeing 787 Dreamliner flight AI 1 71 crashed, claim ing 241 liv es with only o ne surv ivor the first major d isaster inv olving this aircraft The tragedy sent shockwaves through Gujarat, Ind ia, and beyond, leaving countless families in g rief

A m o n g t h e v i c t i m s w a s G u j a r a t ’ s respected leader and former Chief Minister, Shri Vijaybhai Rupani Travelling to London to visit his daughter Radhika and attend a family celebration, his untimely passing has plunged the nation into mourning

As the news broke, Publisher and Editor Shri CB Patel and editorial team of Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar were flooded with messages of shock and disbelief Many clung to hope that the reports were untrue, but the heartbreaking reality soon became clear

In the wake of the tragedy, Anjaliben and her daughter’s family flew from London to Ahmedabad, arriving to scenes of deep sorrow Their grief at the airport moved

by his deep patriotism and dedication to public service He led the state with commitment for five years after taking office in 2016

In October 2021, while visiting London to see his daughter Radhika, son-in-law

N

Vijaybhai remained true to his public spirit

Though it was a family trip following the easing of Covid-19 lockdowns, he graciously

everyone present Senior BJP leaders Nitin Bharadwaj and Dhansukh Bhanderi accompanied them via Dubai and Mumbai on a chartered flight A devastated Anjaliben, still in shock, was taken to their Gandhinagar residence

Though Vijaybhai is no longer with us, his memory and legacy will endure His soul is eternal, and we take comfort in the time we shared with him and the inspiration he leaves behind

We at ABPL fondly remember his 2021 visit to London, when Gujarat Samachar and Asian Voice hosted a special event in his honour an evening and interview we will always treasure

T h e c l o s e b o n d b e t w e e n V i j a y b h a i ’ s family and the ABPL family remains strong in our hearts With deep respect and sadness, we offer our heartfelt tribute to this remarkable leader A Leader o f the p eop le: Remembering Shri Vijaybhai Rupani’ s visit to London

Shri Vijaybhai Rupani’s inspiring journey, from the vibrant city of Rajkot to serving as Gujarat’s Chief Minister, was guided

Gujarati community

News of his visit quickly reached CB Patel, who, true to the Indian ethos of Atithi Devo Bhava (Guest is God), set plans in motion for a special welcome Despite the busy Diwali publication schedule, CBbhai personally oversaw every detail, ensuring the event honoured Vijaybhai in the manner he deserved

On 23rd October 2021, a grand felicitation ceremony was held at Navnat Bhavan in H

Vanik Association UK, ABPL Group and NCGO It became a cherished evening for the UK-based Gujarati community, offering a rare opportunity to meet and engage with such a respected leader

Vijaybhai’s calm, humble, and dignified presence left a lasting impression He was tall, soft-spoken, and always wore a gentle smile Despite having held high office, he carried himself with great humility He made everyone feel welcome treating people from all walks of life with equal warmth and respect

Deeply rooted in Jain values, Vijaybhai’s s i m p l i c i t y , s i n c e r i t y a

earned him admiration both in India and abroad His visit to London may have been short, but the memories he created with the community will last forever

A glimpse into his life

August, a month of revolution in India, fittingly marks the birth of Shri Vijaybhai Rupani, born on 2 August 1956 in Rangoon ( t h e n B u r m a ) t o S h r i R a m a n i k l a l a n d

Mayaben Rupani The youngest of seven siblings, his family returned to Rajkot in 1960 amid political unrest

embraced values of discipline, patriotism, a

Dharmendrasinhji Arts College and an LLB f

Parishad (ABVP)

A lifelong BJP member, he was jailed for

defending democracy reflecting his deep commitment to public life

From 1978 to 1980, he served full-time as an RSS Pracharak His political career began in 1987 as a corporator in Rajkot, later chairing key municipal committees and serving as Mayor (1996–97), during which he visited Leicester and London for a “twin city” initiative

In 1998, he became General Secretary of Gujarat BJP, later serving as Chairman of Gujarat Tourism and as a Rajya Sabha MP (2006–2012), before holding four terms as the party’s General Secretary

In 2013, under then-CM Narendra Modi, he was appointed Chairman of the Gujarat Municipal Finance Board In 2014, he won the Rajkot West by-election with a large margin and, as a minister under Anandiben

August 2016, Vijaybhai was appointed Chief M

h

September 2021, when he stepped down with humility

Known for his transparent thinking, deep faith, and generous spirit, Vijaybhai believed true leadership was rooted in service, not power On modern politics, he once said: “Today’s politics is about performance and delivery gimmicks no longer work ” P ersonal life

Shri Vijaybhai Rupani was a partner in Rasiklal & Sons, his father’s company, and

also worked as a stockbroker In 1980, he married Anjaliben in Ahmedabad an occasion attended by Shri Narendra Modi and later settled in Rajkot, where he became active in politics The couple had three children: son Rushabh and daughter Radhika In memory of their younger son, Pujit, who tragically passed away in an accident, they established the Pujit Rupani Memorial Trust for charitable work

C hief gu est at the “Naari Ratna” felicitation in Ahm ed abad

A special event was held at Ahmedabad’s Courtyard by Marriott in February 2025 to honour three remarkable women connected

Mayaben Deepak C

Kokilaben for over 40 years of service in UK journalism Praising their achievements, he

Gujarat,” and fondly recalled his first meeting with CB Patel in London in 1996, noting his lifelong dedication to the community

Later, Vijaybhai and Zoravarsinh Jadav jointly honoured Mayaben Deepak, with

mementoes in return

As we remember Vijaybhai today, we honour not just a leader, but a humble,

devoted to service and integrity

His sudden passing has shocked people worldwide, with tributes pouring in from

Narendra Modi, during his personal condo-

Gandhinagar, was visibly moved by the loss of such a close companion and respected statesman

Om Shanti

Sh anti Sh anti

PM Modi consoles Rupani family

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel paying respects to Vijay Rupani

From left: Nimit Mishra, Chandrakant Shukla, CB Patel, Shaurya Mishra (grandson), Shri Vijaybhai, Anjaliben Rupani and Radhikaben Mishra

Family members mourning for victims

Rise of yoga from Vedas to now

O rigina te d ov er 5, 000 y ea rs

a go in a ncien t India , yog a is far mor e t han just a physical

e x e r ci se ; i t is a p r o fo un d spirit ual scie nce an d philosophical disciplin e, r ooted in t he p ur su it o f h a r m o n y

b e t w e e n m i n d , b od y , a n d spirit

Its earliest mentions are found in the Vedas, ancient Indian scriptures, where it was described as a path to inner peace, self-realisation, and liberation For centuries, yoga remained a revered tradition, passed down through

India The late 19th and early 20th centuries marked a pivotal shift, as influential yoga masters began introducing i t s t e n e t s t o t h e W e s t e r n world, slowly drawing atten-

t i o n b e y o n d i t s s p i r i t u a l homeland

P i o n e e r s l i k e S w a m i Vivekananda, Paramahansa

Y o g a n a n d a , a n d B K S

Iyengar played instrumental

r o l e s i n d e m y s t i f y i n g a n d

p o p u l a r i s i n g v a r i o u s y o g a practices, initially through philosophical discourse and later through the dissemina-

t i o n o f p h y s i c a l p o s t u r e s (asanas) This gradual exposure helped yoga transcend

i t s t r a d i t i o n a l b o u n d a r i e s , transforming it from an esoteric practice into a widely

r e c o g n i s e d d i s c i p l i n e embraced by millions globally for its myriad health and well-being benefits

This global embrace culm i n a t e d i n a h i s t o r i c moment Recognising yoga's

u n i v e r s a l a p p e a l a n d i t s immense potential to foster peace and well-being worldwide, India took the initiative On December 11, 2014, following a petition by India, the United Nations General Assembly officially declared

J u n e 2 1 s t a s t h e International Day of Yoga

T h i s r e s o l u t i o n , c o - s p o nsored by an unprecedented 177 member states, marked a

r e s o u n d i n g a c k n o w l e d g -

m e n t o f y o g a ' s h o l i s t i c approach to health and its c a p a c i t y t o u n i t e p e o p l e across cultures and continents in a shared pursuit of inner harmony and collective well-being

T h i s y e a r , a s w e c e l e -

b r a t e I n t e r n a t i o n a l Y o g a Day on June 21, 2025, the theme ‘Yoga for One Earth, O n e H e a l t h ’ b e a u t i f u l l y encapsulates this interconnectedness, emphasising the profound link between indiv i d u a l w e l l - b e i n g a n d t h e health of our planet There have been several initiatives that has been undertaken by the Indian government as part of International Yoga Day Harit Yoga It is a sustainability-drive n i n i t i a t i v e f o r International Yoga Day that c o m b i n e s t h e p r a c t i c e o f y o g a w i t h e n v i r o n m e n t a l awareness and action

I t e n c o u r a g e s p a r t i c ipants to engage in yoga sessions integrated with ecof r i e n d l y a c t i v i t i e s s u c h a s tree planting and community clean-up drives This initiative aims to foster a harm o n i o u s r e l a t i o n s h i p b e t w e e n i n d i v i d u a l w e l lbeing and planetary health, embodying the theme ‘Yoga for One Earth, One Health’ by promoting both physical h e a l t h a n d e c o l o g i c a l responsibility

Samy og T h e S a m y o g i n i t i a t i v e focuses on the integration of yoga with modern healthcare systems This program a i m s t o b r i d g e t r a d i t i o n a l yogic practices with contemporary medical approaches, promoting a holistic view of health and wellness It seeks to encourage collaborative efforts between yoga experts and healthcare professionals, leveraging yoga's proven benefits to complement conv

n t i o n

t

t s a n d promote preventive healthc a r e a n d r e h a b i l

t i o n , thereby bringing yoga into m a i n s t r e a m m e d i c a l d i scourse and practice

A l o n g t h e s e l i n e s , w e t

accomplished portfolio GP about integrating yoga into occupational wellbeing Yoga unp lug ged

Y

initiative designed to engage and attract the youth to the practice of yoga

m o f youth-centric yoga festivals t

accessible and appealing for-

tions This approach aims to s

d complexities or formalities, making yoga feel more relatable and enjoyable

The goal is to encourage greater participation among young people, helping them

d i s c o v e r t h e p

mental benefits of yoga in a vibrant and engaging environment

Trying to cover a fract i o n o f t h i

p e c t , w e explore the compilation of AI and tech into yoga practice

Y oga band han

Yoga Bandhan is a global p

, involving collaboration with

host iconic yoga sessions at

s e nations This initiative aims to create a powerful symbol of global unity and shared well-being through yoga By

b

n g diverse cultures through a c

Y

g a Bandhan seeks to highlight the universal appeal of yoga a n d i t s c

p a c i t y t o f o s t e r peace and harmony across borders

We share a glimpse of various Yoga Day celebrat

world

Jain Network and Patanjali Yogpeeth UK mark 11th International Yoga Day

vision and leadership of Dr Natubhai Shah, founder of the Jain Centre His daughter Linaben and son-in-law

Can technology truly deepen the yoga experience?

As artificial intelligence enters the mat, a new age of digital yoga is dawning but is it mindful or mechanical?

Anusha Singh

From ash rams to alg orithms, yog a has travelled far Once an eso teric trad ition passed orally between guru and disciple, it is no w underg oing a radical reimagining , gu ided no t just by teachers but by machine learning , biometric senso rs, and intelligent platfo rms Is th is the next ev olution of wellness or a dilutio n of its soul?

“AI is gradually transforming yoga by making it more accessible, adaptive, and personalised than ever before,” says Rohan Roberts, awardwinning educator, innovation expert, Global Teacher Prize finalist, and author of ‘Cosmic Citizens and Moonshot Thinking’ “We’re seeing a shift from one-size-fits-all instruction to deeply individualised guidance powered by machine learning and biometric feedback ” Today’s AI-powered yoga apps offer far more than just video tutorials Rohan gives examples of tools like Yoganotch which uses 3D motion capture to offer real-time posture correction, mimicking the precision of a seasoned teacher He also mentions platforms such as Asana Rebel and FitXR’s VR yoga experiences use intelligent algorithms to curate sessions tailored to users ’ moods, energy levels, and goals

He further added, “Even smart wearables such as the Whoop Strap and Oura Ring are now being used to optimise yoga and breathwork routines by tracking heart rate variability, sleep patterns, and recovery scores

journey,” says Roberts “Mindfulness, self-inquiry, and transcendence aren’t just data points; they are deeply felt, embodied experiences Tech can guide, but it cannot feel It can instruct, but not intuit

”

That caution echoes a broader critique of how modern tech, while convenient, risks turning sacred practices into performance metrics There’s also the risk of reinforcing narrow ideals of the "perfect pose", a trap that could alienate beginners or those with diverse bodies and needs

Roberts warns, “AI should be designed to encourage inclusivity and

intimate biometric data; facial expressions, breath rhythms, emotional cues Without strict privacy protocols, that data could be repurposed or monetised

“Companies must commit to transparent data use policies, anonymisation, and user control,” Roberts says “Otherwise, we risk turning yoga into a tool of surveillance and commodification ”

He also added, “There's a danger of promoting idealised or rigid standards of "correctness" in postures, especially for beginners AI should be designed to encourage inclusivity and bodypositivity not reinforce narrow, commercialised ideals of fitness or flexibility

“Can tech replicate the mindful depth of yoga?

Not entirely But can it support it? Absolutely A well-designed AI tool can serve as a prompt to pause, breathe, and turn inward perhaps even more regularly than we would on our own

“Generative AI can enhance the meditative aspects of yoga, ” Roberts adds “Imagine an AIcurated guided meditation based not just on time of day, but on your current stress levels and emotional state tools like Replika and Calm’s AI-driven sleep stories are already dabbling in this direction

“ In essence, AI can act as a personalised wellness coach, attentive, datainformed, and always available, bringing the wisdom of yoga to more people in more ways than ever before ” The mind-body disconnect and the questio n of ethics

Yet for all its promise, AI yoga has limits “While AI can enhance the outer practice of yoga, alignment, consistency, progress tracking, it struggles with the inner

“Can tech replicate the mindful depth of yoga? Not entirely But can it support it?

Absolutely A welldesigned AI tool can serve as a prompt to pause, breathe, and turn inward perhaps even more regularly than we would on our own ”

body-positivity not reinforce narrow, commercialised ideals of fitness or flexibility ”

Alongside philosophical concerns come real-world ethical questions AI systems used in yoga often collect

In his writings on consciousness and Indic philosophy, Roberts often invokes the need for technology to serve, not supplant human dignity

“The challenge is not to replace the teacher or the tradition,” he says, “but to augment human potential When deployed mindfully, AI can help us become more human, not less ” In an age of digital distraction, yoga offers a rare portal to stillness

While AI can’t replicate the full depth of a mindful practice, it can support and even strengthen it especially for those without access to teachers or studios

As we celebrate International Yoga Day and reflect on the theme “Yoga for One Earth, One Health,” the challenge remains clear: integrate innovation without losing intuition Because while AI might help us balance on the mat, the true balance, between tech and tradition, still rests within

Rohan Roberts

lamp lighting

felicitation of guests, from the left Jyotsna Shah Kalpana Patel Bina Holden Pratibha Shah

practicing yoga during the event

T R A I N L I K E A Y O G I ,

H E A L L I K E A W A R R I O R

Join the Gold Standard of yoga teacher training with Neil Patel

In an age where wellness fads come and go, the ancient wisdom of yoga continues to stand tall, rooted in India’s spiritual heritage and now embraced globally At the forefront of this movement in the UK is Neil Patel, founder of Chi Kri Yoga, whose life story is as inspiring as his teaching

For over three decades, Patel has been quietly transforming lives across Britain, from the Royal Navy to the BBC and school halls to the High Commission of India But his mission isn’t just about physical flexibility or trendy poses it’s about building character, nurturing inner peace, and guiding individuals toward holistic transformation

And it all began with a battle for his own life Diagnosed with cancer over 25 years ago, he chose an unconventional path by embracing yogic discipline over hospitalisation "I believe yoga gave me the mental strength, immunity and sheer physical power I needed to win my battle,” he says Today, doctors refer to him as “The Miracle Man”, a living testament to yoga ’ s healing power

His legacy is also familyrooted His great-grandfather was a renunciant yogi in Gujarat, and his mother, Tara Patel, was one of the UK's first Indian yoga teachers, launching yoga classes in Harrow as early as 1976 and producing the UK’s first yoga VHS series

Neil suggests: Try these two tools for modern life

Blue C ircle M editation

(to help with stress):

Focus on a blue sphere of light around you and imagine yourself floating, cross-legged, in the centre Imagine everything within the blue circle is calm You can see people and things you know on the outside, but they can’t come in and disturb you

See the world, but remain in y

Practise this meditation before you start your day And imagine this circle protecting your peace all day, as you act and react calmly and wisely

At the heart of Patel’s mission is “The Gold Standard”, a comprehensive yoga teacher training and personal development course Taught only once every two to three years, this London-based programme blends ancient Vedic knowledge with modern mindfulness, posture training, breathwork, meditation, and character

development

What sets this course apart?

For starters, it’s not just about postures Students explore topics ranging from Ayurveda and Vedic astrology to the law of karma, the Mahabharata, and the 30 essential qualities of a yogi, as taught by Lord Krishna

With only one or two halfSundays per month and generous holiday breaks, it’s designed for working adults, spiritual seekers, and even curious beginners aged 13 years and up, with no prior yoga experience needed

Though based in London, Chi Kri Yoga attracts students from as far as Japan and the United States Recent cohorts included teenagers, professionals, and retirees, all united by a common desire to live with intention and elevate their consciousness

And the training isn’t theoretical Patel has taught everyone from British Army

brigadiers to ITV executives, guiding even the most disciplined professionals toward mental clarity and spiritual resilience

Whether you ’ re searching for purpose, a meaningful new career, or just a like-minded spiritual community, Chi Kri Yoga’s Gold Standard course offers more than training, it offers transformation

You’ll receive a certified teaching qualification through an in-person, London-based programme featuring 300 hours of training, delivered across 32 modules over 18 months

Neil Patel in Lotus Pose (Padmasana)

Neil Patel teaching yoga to the Royal Navy aboard HMS Diamond at Portsmouth Royal Naval Base for International Day of Yoga 2023

Chi Kri Yoga teachers, Neil Patel and Dr Mehul Shah teaching Tree Pose at the Swami Narayan Mandir London for International Day of Yoga 2022

Neil Patel teaching Warrior Pose at the Swami Narayan Mandir, London, for International Day of Yoga 2022

Neil Patel working with a British Army Brigadier, for the

Neil Patel teaching trainees of his Gold Standard Yoga Teacher Training Courses

Neil Patel teaching the Half-Moon Pose to the High Commissioner of India, Mr Vikram Doraiswami, for International Day of Yoga 2023

From boardroom to breathwork: Why yoga belongs in the workplace

Anusha Singh

A s conv ersations arou nd w orkplace wellbeing become more urgent, many o rganisations are looking beyond traditional interventions and turning to ancient practices like yog a for sustainable sup port

More than just a physical activity, yoga offers tools for self-regulation, stress management, and emotional resilience; qualities increasingly vital in high-pressure professional environments

Dr Amrita Sen Mukherjee, a trailblazer in the realm of positive transformation and posttraumatic growth, believes that yoga can be a powerful component of occupational health strategies A TEDx speaker,

calming our overactive, hyper-productive minds

They foster self-regulation and help us reconnect the mind and body an essential relationship

When stress levels rise, the sympathetic nervous system is activated, increasing the release of adrenaline and

riding a bike, when you first start, you can’t jump straight into a triathlon

You have to take it slow and steady But because yoga doesn’t involve external equipment, we assume we should naturally be good at it After all, it’s just our body That’s a misconception

Recognising that any skill or practice takes time, patience, care, and consistency is crucial Here are a few tips to help people stick with yoga:

1 Break it d own – Don’t take on too much too soon

2 Be kind to yourself –

Care for your body if you want it to care for you, especially at the beginning

3 Build a healthy ritual –The more consistent

Positive Psychology Practitioner and Coach, Portfolio GP, and Disability Advocate, Dr Sen Mukherjee draws from research and lived experience to advocate for integrative approaches to wellbeing

In this interview with Asian Voice, she explains how yoga can be embedded into workplace culture, adapted for demanding schedules, and used as a tool for long-term personal and professional resilience

How do you see the connection between yoga and occupational wellbeing? Do you think there's potential for integration?

I believe yoga is highly effective in reducing workplace stress and anxiety It’s not just about physical movement, it’s a powerful tool for enhancing self-awareness and emotional regulation This isn’t just anecdotal; it’s backed by extensive research and studies

In the face of rising stress levels, anxiety, and burnout in professional settings, yoga offers a much-needed anchor Practices such as breathwork (Pranayama), meditation, and adherence to ethical principles encourage us to slow down

When incorporated as a daily habit or ritual, they help us gain greater control over our thoughts, emotions, and behaviours

These practical tools are especially valuable in

cortisol This, in turn, can disrupt our clarity of thought and emotional balance

Regulating this physiological response through mindful practices is therefore crucial not only for individual wellbeing but also for overall workplace health

Manybeginners struggle with wanting quick results and comparing themselves to others, which often leads them to give up What tips would you give to help them stay consistent and embrace a slower, more mindful approach?

I’d refer to the old proverb: “Slow and steady wins the race ” It was the tortoise, not the hare who won These age-old sayings carry a lot of wisdom and truth

It’s about going back to basics Think of it like

"When organisations invest in their employees, they must do so with a deep understanding of what supports mental fitness and overall wellbeing "

Beyond the mat: Trending yoga innovations

Yoga, once pr imar il y associat ed with se rene, tr adition al pra ct ices, has under gone a fa scin at in g t ra n sform at ion It's no longer confined to the conven tional mat an d st udio; instea d, it has bran ched out into a myriad of distinctive, enga gin g, and ofte n surprisin g t rends

This evolution has given rise to a whole new generat

, moving far beyond the classic forms We're now seeing incredibly popular variations

interaction of Pawga to the

c presence of goat yoga These major types are just the tip of the iceberg, demonstrating a creative fusion of mindfuln e s s a n d u n e x p e c t e d e l ements

Here, we explore some of t h e m o s t t r e n d i n g a n d unique variants of yoga that a r e c u r r e n t l y c a p t i v a t i n g p r a c t i t i o n e r s w o r l d w i d e ,

p r o v i n g t h a t t h e p a t h t o wellness can be as diverse as it is dynamic

Hot pod Yoga

It's a spin on hot yoga, where classes take place in these specially designed pods

h e a t e d t o a r o u n d 3 7 ° C

( 9 8 6 ° F ) I m a g i n e s t e p p i n g

i n t o a n i n f l a t a b l e , h e a t e d ,

your practice, the more likely it will become a habit and eventually, a lifestyle

Do you think formally incorporating mindful practices like yoga into government and workplace policies would be a more effective step toward integrating them into occupational health?

There are significant benefits to the practice of yoga and mindfulness

While the two aren’t synonymous, each offers valuable advantages as distinct practices

However, embedding these practices directly into government policy risks enforcing a cultural shift rather than cultivating one It becomes about mandating a way of life, rather than involving the activators and enablers who can genuinely inspire and sustain change

Approaching it this way is unlikely to lead to meaningful or lasting transformation

There’s an important distinction between fostering a workplace culture that embraces and encourages these practices versus imposing them through policy While the benefits of yoga are well established, it’s counterproductive to force it on individuals especially those who aren’t open to it, not necessarily because they’re not ready, but because they simply choose not to engage with it

and softly lit cocoon for your yoga practice The controlled e n v i r o n m e n t , o f t e n w i t h calming aromas and tranquil music, aims to deepen your stretches, increase sweat aidi n g t o d e t o x i f i c a t i o n ,

c r e a t e a h i g h l y i m m e r s i v e a n d f o c u s e d

flexibility and mental concentration

Doom Yoga

It is an immersive and i n t r

metal, drone, ambient, and psychedelic The intention is to use the intense and often low-frequency soundscapes to create a deeply meditative a

ence It focuses on the concept of ‘Nada Yoga’ (union through sound), aiming to release blockages, cultivate awareness, and allow for a

deeper exploration of the self through the powerful vibrations of the music Classes m

more passive asanas to complement the sonic immersion Candl elight Yoga T h i s i

a n d calming yoga practice conducted in a dimly lit room, illuminated primarily by the soft glow of candles It's typically a gentler, more restora-

yoga (long-held, passive

yoga (using props for

quiet ambiance are designed to create

deeply relaxing

tion, and preparing the body

' s perfect for unwinding after a long day

India and Bolivia celebrate Yoga Day at historic Tiwanaku site

Th e Embassy of Ind ia in L a Paz, in p artnership with th e Mayor’ s Office of Tiwanaku, hosted a yo ga event on 15 J u ne t o m a rk th e 1 1 th International Day of Yoga Held at the UNESCO World Heritage Site o f Tiwanaku, the event bro ught tog ether 200 yog a enth usiasts at an altitud e o f 3 ,850 metres near Lake Titicaca

Participants at the event

Vadhwana welcomed participants and thanked Mayor

Maydana for attending

Ambassador and Mayor also held a meeting, where the Mayor expressed gratitude for India’s support in funding the site's lighting project, inaugurated in 2017 Seven yoga instructors from Shanti Yoga in La Paz led participants through a guided yoga protocol The event was praised for highlighting the cultural connect

Bolivia through ancient traditions

Yoga Day at World Peace Centre

The World Peace Centre, in collaboration with the Ministry of AYUSH and CCRYN, marked International Yoga Day with a global event led by Acharya Lokeshji Ambassadors from Ecuador Gambia Venezuela and Ethiopia joined alongside UNICEF and Dr Sanjay Paswan The session included yoga demonstrations environmental discussions, and the launch of Ambassador of Peace Acharya Lokesh

Ambassador Rohit Vadhwana and Hon'ble Mayor of Tiwanaku Flavio Eudaldo Merlo Maydana

Steel and spirit across Chenab

“Chenab bridge: Uniting Kashmir with the rest of India” AV dated 14 – 20 June 2025 shows the technical know-how and skills Indian technocrats have Nothing is impossible for people of India They are capable of overcoming all the odds It is designed to withstand different kinds of weather and earthquakes to a magnitude of 8, which is proof of forward-thinking, robust technology

This is a strategically important bridge; it will connect different regions as well as people, will boost trade across the region and will also support the movement of military personnel in case of any eventuality

The contribution of Dr G Madhavi Latha needs to be appreciated This bridge is a symbol of the consistency, dedication and hard work of people like her She should advise more girls to study technical subjects and inspire women in engineering More stories should be published in print and electronic media about technical innovation so that other people can get knowledge and inspiration from them

Thank you dad

Upcoming event

1 This June, the UK will be spiritually uplifted by the visit of Pujya Gurudevshri Rakeshji, a revered Enlightened Master and humanitarian His discourses will offer seekers a rare chance to experience his transformative wisdom and inner awakening In London, sessions will be held on 20–21 June 2025, 8:00 PM–10:00 PM at Byron Hall, Harrow Leisure Centre In Manchester, the discourse takes place on 23 June 2025, 7:30 PM–9:30 PM at the Jain Community Centre, Stockport Road All bookings must be made online

India Victims Lacking British Government Support

Hitesh Hing u The tra ged y of the Air Indi a f ligh t tha t crashe d on ta ke off i n Ahme dabad has taken the wi nd out of all o ur sa ils Eve ry si ngl e li fe lost re presents the tra uma a nd suf fer ing of a f amily , of f rie nd s, of a community and of cour se , na tions W e a ll satwatchi ng the trag edy unfold in fr ont of our ey es It was d iff icult to compr ehe nd the ma gnitud e of the cra sh and i ts ra mif icati on Not only did ev ery one , bar o ne incred ibly lucky per son, lose t hei r live s, but India ns li vi ng the ir day -to -d ay lif e go t caugh t up i n this t rage dy and they lost t hei rs as well

Father’s Day, which was celebrated on June 15, gave us an opportunity to thank our dads for all the good things he has done for us, his children A father may not express his feelings in words, but his actions show us his deep care and fidelity He stands with us through good days and bad, and even when we are tired and worried, he remains strong for his family We appreciate his hard work, sacrifices, patience and his endless love and support

Police warn funding gap could force softer approach on theft

P o li ce c h ie fs ha v e w a r n e d

t ha t a £ 1 2 bi llion fun di ng

s h or t fa l l w il l le a v e fo r ce s un a ble t o pr ior it ise cri me s lik e sho plift in g a n d p hon e t heft, a nd may red uce officer

p r e s e n c e i n p a r k s a n d schools

C h a n c e l l o r R a c h e l Reeves recently announced a £2 1 billion boost for policing over three years, amounting to a real-terms rise of 1 7% annually between 2026 and 2029 But the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) said this falls far short of what’s

n e e d e d t o s u s t a i n e x i s t i n g services and deliver Labour’s key promises, including halving violence against women

a n d r e c r u i t i n g 1 3 , 0 0 0 n e w neighbourhood officers

A s e n i o r p o l i c e s o u r c e said the funding gap means forces will face "tough choice s " , w i t h l e s s c a p a c i t y t o

, shoplifting reached a record 516,971 incidents, while personal thefts, such as mobile phone snatches, hit a 20-year high of 99,000

I n L o n d o n , t h e Metropolitan Police plans to close its Royal Parks unit and disband 371 “safer schools”

o f f i c e r s R e e v e s d i s m i s s e d fears of frontline cuts, insisting forces should be able to hire more staff with the additional money

However, police leaders

r e m a i n d i s s a t i s f i e d a n d expect further public push-

b a c k A w h i t e p a p e r a n d funding review later this year m a y o f f e r r e l i e f H o m e Secretary Yvette Cooper is r e p o r t e d l y a d v o c a t i n g f o r more resources, with a focus on efficiency reforms

Emergency workers to get stronger abuse protections

T h e g o v ernm e nt i s s et to i n tro d u c e n ew m e as u re s aim ed at p ro tecting em erg ency w o rkers from raci st and relig ious abuse, particul arl y d u ri ng h o m e v i si ts , accord ing to LBC

T h e m o v e f o l l o w s a n LBC investigation revealing the shocking scale of verbal and physical abuse endured

b y f r o n t l i n e p r o f e s s i o n a l s , i n c l u d i n g d o c t

e worker assaulted every two minutes in the UK

While current laws offer p r o t e c t i o n f o r p o l i c e o f f icers, ambulance crews, and firefighters in public spaces, they do not cover incidents that occur inside private residences This gap has left

o f f i c e r s p o w e r l e s s t o a c t against those who racially or religiously abuse emergency workers responding to calls at people’s homes

A n e w a m e n d m e n t t o the Crime and Policing Bill aims to address this Under the proposed changes, perpetrators could face up to two years in prison for such abuse committed in private settings

The original legislation h a d d e l i b e r a t e l y e x c l u d e d private homes to safeguard freedom of speech in domestic conversations But following evidence from LBC’s investigation showing a rise i n r a c i a l l y a n d r e l i g i o u s l y motivated abuse within private properties, the government has decided to act

2 A special concert, ‘Festival of Unity’, will be held on Saturday, 28 June 2025, to celebrate 20 years of the magnificent Shikharbandh Jain Temple the first of its kind in Europe The event will take place at Oshwal Centre, Coopers Lane Road, Northaw, Hertfordshire EN6 4DG The evening will begin with dinner from 5:00 to 6:30 PM, followed by the concert from 7:00 to 9:45 PM The celebration will conclude with Aarti and Divo from 9:45 to 10:00 PM RSVP is required to attend

Equality Act accused of fostering workplace grievance culture

A new repo rt sug gests that the Equ ality Act 2010 may be f u el li ng a " c u lt u re o f g rievance" in UK workplaces by encouraging a surge in u nsu bs tantiated raci al d iscrimination claim s According to research by t

cases citing racial discrimin

d between 2017 and 2023, rising from 285 to 829 Of the 5 , 5 2 3 c a s e s f i l e d o v e r t h i s period, only 281 were upheld The findings, published i n a r e p o r t t i t l e d " T h e

Equality Act isn’t Working", argue that the law’s focus on nine protected characterist i c s h a s i n a d v e r t e n t l y encouraged people to pursue legal action over minor disputes, often influenced by identity politics and growing cultural divisions

Barrister and co-author Anna Loutfi cautioned that

e v e n m i n o r d i s a g r e e m e n t s between colleagues of differe n t e t h n i c b a c k g r o u n d s

c o u l d b e r e t r o a c t i v e l y framed as harassment “The i n a d v e r t e n t e f f e c t o f t h e Equality Act is to make the workplace more toxic,” she said Alka Sehgal Cuthbert, the group ’ s director, claimed the Act is having the opposite of its intended effect, "making the UK less tolerant and less equal ” In response, a government spokesperson d e f e n d e d t h e A c t , s a y i n g , “ W e a r e p r o u d o f t h e Equality Act 2010 and the r i g h t s a n d p r o t e c t i o n s i t a

backgrounds ”

The Equality and Human R i g h t s C o m m i s s i o n a d d e d that the rise in cases may reflect confusion around the law’s scope, and reiterated its commitment to monitoring h o w t h e l e g i s l a t i o n f u n ctions in practice

Walsall faith school downgraded over unlawful segregation

A Walsall faith sch ool tru s t h as co m e u nd er fire after Ofsted inspectors found Abu Bakr AlIhsaan A cad em y to be u n sa fe , u n d ers ta ff ed and in breach of equality law s The private school in Palfrey, which charges up to £5,160 a year, failed to replace more than half of its staff who left in the past year and is struggling with basic

Although the school was praised for high pupil attendance, good behaviour, and a strong sense of community, the quality of education was d o w n g r a d

L

checks

T h e s c h o o l w

s a l s o found to be unlawfully separating boys and girls from age 11, despite being registered as a mixed school The i s s u e h

n flagged in two prior inspections, but leaders failed to act Inspectors blamed “inade

i

g that the school was regularly left without senior leaders during the day

s h i p and management were rated “inadequate ” The Trust, led by proprie

also runs nurseries, primary

madrassah, and community services Luqman dismissed t h e f i n d i n g s , s a y i n g t h e s c h o o l h a d o p e r a t e d t h e same way for 20 years and t h a t i n s p e c t o r s

found it failed to meet multiple independent school standards

As news came through of each British tragedy, their unique lives were shared with all of us We saw the good side of people who set up ‘ go fund me ’ pages to raise funds for different families Six figure sums have already been raised and one is left in awe of the human spirit and the generosity of people

However, amidst this human tragedy we also have to face some negatives One that has upset me is the level of support provided by our British government to British families who have lost their loved ones Comme nts f rom some o f th e f amil ies i nclud e:

‘There is no UK leadership here, no medical team, no crisis professionals stationed at the hospital’

‘We are forced to make appointments to see consular staff based 20 minutes away in a hotel, while our loved ones lie unidentified in an overstretched and under-resourced hospital’

‘We re not asking for miracles - we re asking for presence, for compassion, for action’

‘Right now, we feel utterly abandoned’

‘ O u r l o v e d o n e s w e r e B r i t i s h c i t i z e n s T h e y deserved better in life They certainly deserve better in death’

‘We really think people need to know that we ’ ve had no support – and they’re British citizens Yet no one from the Government has contacted us to ask, ‘Can we do anything to help?’

These are just a few of the comments I am left wondering, would a British government treat victims and their families in this fashion had the accident happened in say the USA, or Europe?

I do hope the comments so far are just those from those who might have slipped through the net, and not the shared experience of all the families It is the responsibility of the British government to put in place, immediately, support that is local, easily accessible, and all encompassing We have 53 British families who have lost a loved one, and in some cases, more than one loved one Surely the least this government can do is be by their side at this most devastating time in their lives

A Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) spokeswoman said: “Our staff continue to work around the clock in the UK and India to support the families and loved ones of all those impacted by the c r a s h W e h

Ummed Hotel, near the Ahmedabad airport, and have a dedicated helpline to provide support and advice for the families and friends of British nationals – friends or family should call 020 7008 5000 If you are in India, you should call +91 (11) 24192100 for support, including through in-person consular staff who are available to support families of British nationals, including accompanying them to the hospital ”

In light of the experience of some of the families,it suggests that maybe the level of coordination the FCDO might have hoped for is not being realised in practice This is a time when we all need to be on the same page I hope the cry ’ s of those in need are heard by the FCDO and they can quickly remedy any local failings or gaps

I refuse to speculate on the reasons for the crash There are many in the media, as well as some politicians, who have expressed their so called ‘expert’ opinions on this tragedy It is of course important to know as quickly as possible if it might be a technical issue, and if so, to make sure the rest of the fleet is in sound order However, speculating for clicks on social media, or to show off that you have some profound secret information is in my view unacceptable It’s time to support the families in anyway that is doable by all of us Sometimes this support is not to speculate and make matters worse I for one will wait for the official report to come out before I ponder if it is reasonable to put my non-expertise in play

At this time we pray for those who have perished, for their loved ones and the whole community Aum Shanti ShantiShanti

Kapil Dudakia

The King's birthday honours list 2025

South Asians shine in King’s Birthday Honours

South Asians across the UK have been recognised in significant numbers in the 2025 King’s Birthday Honours, highlighting the community’s wide-reaching contributions to British society.

A total of 67 South Asian individuals have been honoured this year across various levels of the Order of the British Empire, spanning sectors from public service and education to healthcare, technology, and the arts

Among them, 4 received the Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE), including Tanuja Randery, Managing Director at Amazon Web Services, and Professor Jagtar Singh for services to the NHS At the Officer level (OBE), 19 honourees include prominent figures such as Dr Sayed Ali Abbas for peacebuilding and Sunita Arora for philanthropy The Member level (MBE) saw 31 recipients, while 12 individuals were awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) for hands-on community work

Importantly, women represented 41% of all South Asian recipients, with strong visibility at the MBE and OBE levels Female honourees include Riazul Hassan for her work on anti-racism, Zahrah Mahmood for voluntary service in Scotland, and Dr Richa Sinha for tackling Hinduphobia and promoting Hindu community values

The awards also reflect the geographic and professional diversity of the South Asian community Greater London accounted for the largest share of recipients, followed by the West Midlands, Greater Manchester, and Glasgow Fields recognised range from education, policing, public health, science, law, and transport, to arts, dance, cricket, and marine conservation

This year ’ s list not only honours individual excellence but also reflects the evolving role of British South Asians in shaping the nation’s civic, cultural, and social fabric often in underrepresented or grassroots spaces

These honours arrive at a particularly meaningful time In a political climate where immigration and identity are increasingly the subject of divisive rhetoric and policy, the recognition of South Asian individuals sends a powerful message about inclusion, belonging, and the invaluable role ethnic minorities play in national life It affirms that contributions from historically marginalised communities are not only essential but deeply valued in shaping the UK’s future

This year ’ s list not only honours individual excellence but also reflects the evolving role of British South Asians in shaping the nation’s civic, cultural, and social fabric, often in underrepresented or grassroots spaces

Honours for Sikh community leaders

Sikhs across the UK have also been recognised for their outstanding contributions to British society in the King’s Birthday Honours List 2025, with individuals celebrated for their work in healthcare, education, charity, and cultural preservation

Professor Jagtar Singh has been awarded a CBE for his exceptional service to the NHS Over a decades-long career, he led transformational change at Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust, championing workforce inclusion and reducing health inequalities A former OBE recipient, he has also served in the Fire Service for over 30 years and was recently named Honorary Professor by the University of Warwick

Surdarshan Singh Chana is awarded an MBE for his lifelong contribution to music and Sikh culture A master of the tabla and the rare jori instrument, his work preserves the Punjabi jori-pakhawaj tradition and continues through voluntary service in Sikh temples across the UK

Neelam Devesher DL MBE,

Neelam Devesher DL MBE,

The founding member and Chair of Surrey Minority Ethnic Forum said, “I am deeply honoured to receive this recognition It is shared with the incredible partners, organisations, and communities I have had the p r i v i l e g e t o w o

Minority Ethnic Forum Together, we have championed inclusion, equity, and opportunity for Surrey’s diverse communities

“As someone whose family made a new life in this country, I carry a deep personal commitment to fairness, inclusion, equity, and community As Chair of the Surrey Minority Ethnic Forum, I have had the privilege of working with inspiring individuals and organisations dedicated to building a more compassionate and just society

“This honour is a reflection of our collective efforts to create a fairer and more connected Surrey and a reminder of how much more we can achieve together ”

Sunita Arora OBE

Sunita Arora received an OBE for her philanthropic work through the Arora Charitable Foundation, which

relief projects in the UK and abroad

Reflecting on the recognition, she said, “I am truly honoured and delighted to receive this OBE This achievement is a testament to the dedication and collaboration that drive meaningful impact

“I am deeply grateful for the power of compassion and community and am inspired to continue making a difference ”

Zamiha Desai MBE

ProfessionalAsian, has been awarded an MBE

Reflecting on the honour, she said, “This MBE isn’t just for me it belongs to every South Asian woman who’s asked, shared, built something from scratch, or lifted someone else along the way ”

“These communities are proof that when we come together, magic happens in business, in solidarity, and in everyday life They are run by an incredible team who are dedicated fully to the upliftment of others”

After losing her husband unexpectedly on Christmas Day 2022, and just a few weeks ago her beloved father, Zamiha continued to lead her community through grief, growth, and grit

“When I lost everything, the community I built held me up, ” she said “This honour represents resilience mine, and ours I’ve turned pain into purpose, and I’m not done yet ”

Zamiha plans to use this national recognition to expand her platforms, amplify British Asian voices in media and business, and continue mentoring underrepresented founders across the UK

Pooja Kanda OBE

Pooja Kanda, anti-knife crime campaigner and mother of Ronan Kanda, in whose honour Ronan’s Law is named The 16-year-old British-Indian boy was tragically killed in 2022 in a case of mistaken identity near his home in Wolverhampton

About the honour, she said, “Receiving this honour is overwhelming because no one ever wants to be honoured in the way I have been by losing a child Yes, I feel honoured, but at the same time, the happiness that should come with it is missing and will always be missing, because it comes after losing my son “I’m grateful, and I dedicate this honour to my son, to Rohan Kanda, and to his legacy ”

About the journey ahead, she said, “My fight against knife crime continues But I believe others must step forward too People need to come forward to support us in whatever way they can They can connect with us, let us know they’ve heard of Rohan’s story, and help spread it

“By sharing Rohan’s story, people across the world can join us in this fight Especially in Asian and Indian cultures, I feel that people often don’t speak out But this isn’t just about me, it’s about all of us

“My next step is to establish a charity in Rohan’s name I will continue fighting for a national licensing system for knives, for increased police presence, and for policing strategies that actually work I want schools to have clear policies and procedures in place, so they know how to support children who are struggling or showing signs of trouble

“There’s so much more to do It’s endless This has become my mission for life, for as long as I live ”

Sonia Sabri MBE

Sonia Sabri is a celebrated British-born Kathak dancer, choreographer, and Artistic Director of the Sonia Sabri Company

Reflecting on the honour, she said, “I was naturally surprised, if not shocked, when I found out I was shaking, actually I just couldn’t believe that something like this could happen to someone like me I’ve received so many heartfelt messages from around the world, from the South Asian dance fraternity, from family in India, and it’s a real blessing

“I come from a humble, working-class background My parents owned a small corner shop, and it was their passion and belief in me that started my journey in Kathak They faced a lot of resistance, even spite, for putting a girl into dance training It was a courageous choice, and it paved the way for everything I’ve done since

“This award isn’t just about entertainment South Asian dance has deep cultural, spiritual, and social value I’ve worked with communities affected by hardship, domestic violence, or where the arts are disrespected Sharing Kathak with them takes courage and patience, it’s not about accolades, it’s about impact

“There are still not enough South Asian women being seen and celebrated I hope this honour sends a message to all those from underrepresented communities: never stop dreaming, never stop believing

“I hope this recognition is a reminder that the arts matter deeply, and that our stories, our presence, and our contributions are vital to the fabric of this nation ”

Dr Richa Sinha MBE

Dr Richa Sinha MBE

Dr Richa Sinha is the Chairperson of the Scottish Hindu Foundation and a

Hinduphobia

Speaking to Asian Voice, she said, “Receiving this honour was a huge surprise The work we do is entirely volunteer-led, done with minimal resources We never did it for recognition, but this award shows that people are watching, and that’s incredibly humbling

“Still, I don’t see this as my recognition alone It belongs to every organisation, community, and individual I’ve worked with over the last 10 years Many of the ideas came from the team I might be in the spotlight, but this is a shared achievement

“I’m especially grateful that this MBE recognises not just work with the Hindu community, but also the need to address Hinduphobia For a long time, our voices went unheard Until recently, Hindus in Scotland didn’t even have a representative body But now, we ’ re being seen, and our concerns are being taken seriously

“The term ‘Asian’ is often used broadly, but our identities are layered and distinct There’s now a genuine interest in understanding those nuances and that’s real progress We’re proud to be advocating for things like yoga ’ s inclusion in NHS services, while also tackling harder conversations like Hinduphobia

“To the Hindu community, I say: take pride in your identity, and speak up Report incidents When there’s data, there’s action You are not alone and your voice matters ”

Zamiha Desai MBE

Pooja Kanda with son Ronan

Sonia Sabri MBE

Sunita Arora OBE

The King's birthday honours list 2025

Order of the British Empire

LIST OF ASIAN WINNERS

Commanders of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)

Prem Babu Goyal OBE

Alderman, City of London Corporation For Public Service (London, Greater London)

Frederick Khandekar PERRY

Lately Director, Advanced Manufacturing, Department for Business and Trade For services to Business and Trade (London, Greater London)

Tanuja Randery

Managing Director and Vice President, Amazon Web Services, Europe, Middle East, and Africa For services to Business and the Technology Sector (London, Greater London)

Professor Jagtar Singh OBE

Lately Chair, Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust For services to the NHS (Bedford, Bedfordshire)

Officers of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)

Dr Sayed Ali Abbas

For services to Peacebuilding and to Interfaith Dialogue (London, Greater London)

Professor Robin Raihan Ali FMedSci

Professor of Human Molecular Genetics, King s College London For services to Gene and Cell Therapies (London, Greater London)

Sunita Arora

Founder, The Arora Charitable Foundation For services to the Charitable Sector and to Philanthropy (Virginia Water, Surrey)

Avinderjit Bhatia

Chief Nurse, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust For services to the NHS and Nursing (Tunbridge Wells, Kent)

Rita Hirani

Strategic Advisor and Lately Chief Executive Officer, M i n d O u t F o r

Community, and to Victims of Domestic Abuse (London, Greater London)

Mohammed Umar Hussain MBE

Police Staff, Chief Finance Officer, South Wales Police For services to Policing (Newport, Gwent)

Professor Muhammad Afzal Javed

Consultant Psychiatrist, Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust and Lately Honorary Associate Clinical Professor, University of Warwick For services to Mental Health (Nuneaton, Warwickshire)

Pooja Kanda

Anti-Knife Crime Campaigner, Justice for Ronan For services to the Prevention of Knife Crime (Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire)

Dr Kulin Kantilal Patel

Veterinary Advisor for International Trade, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs For services to Animal Health and to International Trade (London, Greater London)

Rasheed Nicholas John Pendry

Director of Practice, Children's Services, Wandsworth Borough Council For services to Children and Family Social Care (London, Greater London)

Vaibhav Puri

Director of Sector Strategy and Transformation, Rail Safety and Standards Board For services to Rail Safety and Standards (St Neots, Cambridgeshire)

Mohammad Sadique (Sid Sadique)

Chairman and Owner, Electra Commercial Vehicles Ltd For services to the Automotive and Transport Industry (Huddersfield, West Yorkshire)

Professor Hanifa Unisa Shah

Pro Vice-Chancellor, Birmingham City University For services to Higher Education (Birmingham, West Midlands)

Professor Pankaj Sharma

Director, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Royal Holloway University of London For services to Research in Strokes in South Asian People (London, Greater London)

Ranjit Singh

Vice Principal for Quality and Learner Experience, Hull College For services to Further Education (London, Greater London)

Dr Parag Singhal

Consultant Endocrinologist, Weston Area Health NHS

Trust For services to Health Education and Black and Minority Ethnic Doctors (Weston-super-Mare, Somerset)

Captain Jagjit Singh Sohal

Chair, WW1 Sikh Memorial Fund For services to the Commemoration of Commonwealth Soldiers who served Great Britain (Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands)

Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)

Farhan Adam

Leicestershire)

Surdarshan Singh Chana

Indian Classical Musician For services to Music and Sikh

Culture (Birmingham, West Midlands)

Hafsha Dadabhai-Shaikh

Director, Smartlyte - Get Families Talking For services to Digital Inclusion (Birmingham, West Midlands)

Umeshkumar Desai

Leicestershire)

Zamiha Desai

Community (London, Greater London)

Neelam Devesher DL

Chair, Community Foundation for Surrey and Chair, Surrey Minority Ethnic Forum For services to Charity and to the community in Surrey (Leatherhead, Surrey)

Riazul Hassan

Government For services to Community Relations and the Vision of a Racism-free Wales (Swansea, West Glamorgan)

Muhbeen Hussain

For Political Services to Integration, Cohesion and to British Society (Grays, Essex)

Amina Hussein

British Red Cross For services to the Red Cross (London, Greater London)

Professor Noor Ul Owase Jeelani

Professor of Paediatric Neurosurgery, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust For services to Neurosurgery and Global Child Health (Loughton, Essex)

Pravin Ravji Kara Jethwa

Delivery Officer, Regions Group London, Department

Hertfordshire)

Sujan Katuwal

For services to the community in the Royal Borough of Greenwich (London, Greater London)

Fazilette Sultana Khan

Marine Conservation (London, Greater London)

Muzahid Uddin Khan DL

For services to Charity and to the community in Oldham (Oldham, Greater Manchester)

Mohan Singh Kundi

Chair, Sefton Carers Centre For services to Charity (Formby, Merseyside)

Zahrah Mahmood

President, Ramblers Scotland For Voluntary Service in Scotland (Glasgow, City of Glasgow)

Ram Kishan Mehmi

Councillor for Pleck, Walsall and Trustee, Darlaston

Temple For services to Faith and Integration (Walsall, West Midlands)

Muhammad Abdul Musabbir

Chair, Hyde Bangladesh Welfare Association For services to Community Cohesion (Hyde, Greater Manchester)

Parimalkumar Bhanuprasad Patel

Paralegal Officer, Crown Prosecution Service For services to Law and Order (London, Greater London)

Sanjay Mahendra Patel

Lately Managing Director, The Hundred For services to Cricket (Marlow, Buckinghamshire)

Sat Paul

For services to the community in Bedford, Bedfordshire ( B

Education (London, Greater London)

Sonia Sabri

Dance Artist For services to Dance (Birmingham, West Midlands)

Shahbaz Hussain Shah Firefighter, Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service For services to the community in Lancashire (Nelson, Lancashire)

Monaser Shahzad (Mona Shah)

Founder and Managing Director, Harry Specters For services to Training and Employment for Young People with Autism (Ely, Cambridgeshire)

Aruna Kumari Sharma

Lately Headteacher, Villiers High School, London For services to Education (London, Greater London)

Dr Richa Sinha

Chair, The Scottish Hindu Foundation For services to

Hinduphobia (Glasgow, City of Glasgow)

Professor Jaspal Singh Taggar

Nottingham For services to General Practice and General Practice Teaching (Nottingham, Nottinghamshire)

Vasim Ul-Haq

Vice Chair and Treasurer, Thames Reach Charity For services to the Homeless in London (Chalfont St Giles, Buckinghamshire)

Shahid Ullah

Work Coach, Department for Work and Pensions For Public and Charitable Service (London, Greater London)

Sandeep Wales

Quality Improvement Advisor and CoChair, Together

Network, North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation

T

Ambulance Staff (Bishop Auckland, County Durham)

Medallists of the Order of the British Empire (BEM)

Dr Muhammad Ahsan

C

Rescue Service For services to the community in Essex (Chelmsford, Essex)

Ram Prakash Gupta For services to the community in Lancashire and Greater Manchester (Blackburn, Lancashire)

Zarith Nasa Hussain For services to Cricket (Bradford, West Yorkshire)

Mujahid Khan

For services to the Development, Practice, and Teaching of Tang Soo Do (Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire)

Adarsh Khullar

Founder and Chair, Scottish Asian Ekta Group For services to the Scottish Asian Ekta Group (Glasgow, City of Glasgow)

Dr Prashant Jayantilal Ladva

Doctor, NHS and Chief Executive Officer, LinkMedics For services to British Citizen Doctors Trained Overseas (Bolton, Greater Manchester)

Aruna Bipin Mistry L

University of Birmingham For services to Higher Education (Coventry, Warwickshire)

Hafsa Omar

Founder, Moss Side Eco Squad For services to the community in Manchester (Manchester, Greater Manchester)

Amish Dipakkumar Patel

D

Community Pharmacy (London, Greater London)

Ali Qaqdar

For services to the community in Sheffield, South Yorkshire (Sheffield, South Yorkshire)

Santosh Sharma

Volunteer, Oxfam For Charitable Service (Cardiff, South Glamorgan)

Overseas and international list

Medallists of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)

Raj Ghose

T

Development Office For services to British Foreign Policy

The Military division of The King's Birthday Honours List 2025

Army Awards (As Member)

Lieutenant Colonel Bharat Sunil Kara, The Royal Logistic Corps, Army Reserve

Royal Air Force Awards (As Officer)

Wing Commander Ankur Narendra Pandya

Royal Air Force Awards (As Member)

Flight Lieutenant Raj Kiran Mehta

Empowering midlife and menopause journeys

Subhasini Naicker

Ha il i ng fro m th e p i c -

tu res q u e l and sc ap e s o f

Norway and now based in the UK since 2008 , Kiran

S in g h i s a m u lt i- a w ard -

w in ni ng ent rep r en eu r,

m i d li f e c o ac h , a nd menopause wellness coach

She is also a podcast

h o s t , a u t h o r , a n d t h e f o u n d e r a n d d i r e c t o r o f

The Sattva Collective CIC

Having personally navigated a journey from feeling

o v e r w h e l m e d a n d u n

u lfilled to living a life of purpose and joy, Kiran is dedi-

c a t e d t o e m p o w e r i n g women to envision and cre-

a t e t h e l i v e s t h e y t r u l y desire

Her own experiences, i n c l u d i n g e s c a p i n g a n arranged marriage, single-

h a n d e d l y r a i s i n g h e r daughter, overcoming debt, and dealing with loss, have forged her resilience and provide a unique depth to her coaching Kiran is particularly passionate about guiding women in midlife, helping them embrace this new phase with renewed purpose and confidence

Speaking to Asian Voice

a b o u t h e r j o u r n e y i n t o

b e c o m i n g a M i d l i f e a n d M e n o p a u s e C o a c h , K i r a n shared that it all began with her own experience navi-

g a t i n g p e r i m e n o p a u s e “ I felt overwhelmed, unsupported, and culturally invis-

i b l e , ” s h e s a i d “ G o i n g

t h r o u g h e m o t i o n a l a n d physical changes in silence made me realise how many South Asian women were

a l s o s u f f e r i n g q u i e t l y

That’s why I founded The Sattva Collective CIC, to

create a safe space where South Asian women could access culturally relevant, e m p o w e r i n g s u p p o r t f o r midlife and menopause ”

Kiran highlighted that r e s e a r c h s u g g e s t s S o u t h

Asian women often experie n c e m e n o p a u s e e a r l i e r than other ethnic groups “It’s often a combination,” s h e e x p l a i n e d “ G e n e t i c s p l a y a r o l e , b u t c h r o n i c stress, inflammatory diets, lifestyle habits, and envir o n m e n t a l t o x i n s c a n a l l c o n t r i b u t e M a n y S o u t h

Asian women are raised to p u t o t h e r s f i r s t , w h i c h d e l a y s s e l f - c a r e a n d impacts hormonal health ”

She also addressed the c u l t u r a l s t i g m a a r o u n d menopause “Silence leads t o s h a m e M a n y w o m e n feel like they’re ‘losing it’ or b e i n g d r a m a t i c w h e n t h e y ’ r e a c t u a l l y g o i n g through a natural transition Without the language or support, symptoms are internalised, misdiagnosed, and left untreated, deepening the sense of isolation and suffering ” Recognising symptoms early is crucial, Kiran said “ I r r e g u l a r p

, a n d fatigue are early signs But

connection, and access to both holistic and medical support tailored to South Asian needs ” Redefining So uth A sian

life

lenges midlife South Asian women face; raising children, caring for ageing par-

time jobs Kiran stressed the

women tell me they feel invisible always giving, never receiving When your

service, self-care can feel selfish But it’s not It’s necessary Prioritising yourself is part of the healing ”

Reflecting on the deep-

“Menopause often triggers a profound identity shift

beyond their roles I help women view this time not as a decline, but as a trans-

rediscover who they are ”

Her message to South Asian women approaching or experiencing midlife and menopause is clear: “You’re

Knowledge is power, learn about your body, your hormones, and your options And most importantly, find

Justice Secretary slams abortion law reform

T h e j u s ti c e s ec re tar y h a s stro ng ly criticised prop osals to d ecr im i nal is e ab o rtio n, calling th e mov e “extreme” and warning it could hav e a “d ev a st ati n g ” i m p a ct o n women ’ s health

MPs are expected to vote today on what could be the most significant reform of a b o r t i o n l a w s i n o v e r 5 0 years The proposed amendment seeks to remove the t h r e a t o f p r o s e c u t i o n f o r women who terminate pregnancies after 24 weeks or without approval from two doctors

Shabana Mahmood, the justice secretary, expressed g r a v e c o n c

n s a b o u t t h e p

a n i n a l e t

c o ns t i t u e n t s , d e s c r i b i n g i t a s “not only unnecessary but dangerous ” She noted the p r o p o s e d c h a n g e s w o u l d remove time limits entirely, effectively allowing abortion

u p t o t h e p o i n t o f b i r t h , i n c l u d

e s e n t the length of their pregnancy to obtain medication “It is hard to see these

as ‘extreme and dangerous’

measures as anything other than extreme,” she wrote “I oppose extending abortion rights beyond the existing e x e m p t i o n s b e c a u s e t h e physical and mental consequences for women could be devastating ” T h e a m e n d m e n t i s backed by 176 cross-party M P s a n d

n under laws dating back to 1 8 6 1 a n d 1 9 2 9 H o w e v e r , those who assist in carrying out an illegal abortion could still face legal consequences

Up to two-thirds of cabinet ministers are expected to support the reform, intro-

Leena Nair awarded CBE for services to retail and consumer sector

L eena Nair, Global CE O of C hanel, has been awarded t h e C o m m a nd e r o f th e Ord er of the British Empire ( C B E ) by P ri n ce Wi ll i am , Prince of Wales, in reco gnition of her outstand ing contributio n to the retail and consumer industry

In a statement, Chanel praised her for “progressive, human-centred leadership” that continues to drive longterm impact “Under Leena’s l

C h a n e l h a s strengthened brand excell e n c e , e l e v

e d t h e c l i e n t experience, and accelerated its sustainability ambitions,” the company said Reacting to the honour, Nair said, “It is an honour to r

tional support of my family and the wisdom and generosity of all the people at

Unilever and Chanel I share this honour with everyone who has shaped my values and supported my journey I dedicate this award to my incredible team at Chanel This recognition inspires me

audacity and integrity

CEO in January 2022, Nair has helped expand Chanel’s impact through initiatives such as boosting funding for F

globally Under her leadership, the company has also

zero goals, established

function, and contributed to

Culture Fund Before joining Chanel, Nair spent three decades at Unilever, rising to become C

Officer and serving on its Executive Committee She has also held positions on

Leverhulme Trust, BT plc, and the UK Government’s

Kolhapur, India, Nair com-

MI6 appoints first female chief in its 116-year history

For the first time since its founding in 190 9, Britain’ s Secret Intelligence Serv ice M I 6 w i ll b e l ed b y a w oman Blaise M etreweli, a v eteran intellig ence officer w ho joined th e agency in 1 999, is set to su cceed current chief Sir Rich ard Moore later this year, the BBC has rep orted

Metreweli, 47, currently serves as Director General “Q”, leading MI6’s tech and innovation division, where she has overseen efforts to protect agent identities and c o u n t e r d i g i t a l t h r e a t s , including China’s growing biometric surveillance apparatus

duced as part of the Crime

, previously backed a similar proposal None indicated a c

h e n approached by The Times

Both the prime minister and the justice secretary will miss today’s vote due to official engagements abroad

Reacting to her historic a p p o i n t m e n t , M e t r e w e l i s a i d s h e w a s “ p r o u d a n d honoured” to take on the role “MI6 plays a vital role –with MI5 and GCHQ – in keeping the British people s a f e a n d p r o m o t i n g U K interests overseas, ” she said, adding she looked forward to working alongside MI6’s officers and global partners

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer hailed the appointment as “historic” and timel y , g i v e n t h e c r i t i c a l r o l e i n t e l l i g e n c e a g e n c i e s p l a y

amid rising global threats

M e t r e w e l i , a n a n t h r op o l o g y g r a d u a t e f r o m

Cambridge, has held senior posts in MI5 and worked e x t e n s i v e l y a c r o s s t h e Middle East and Europe In 2 0 2 4 , s h e w a s m a d e a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George for her services to British foreign policy

In a 2021 interview, she h i g h l i g h t e d t h e e v o l v i n g nature of threats: “We focus on protecting government, s e c r e t s , o u r p e o p l e , t h e economy and sensitive techn o l o g y , ” s h e s a i d , c a l l i n g Russian state activity a continued threat and noting the dual nature of China’s rise as both an opportunity and a challenge

As chief, Metreweli will adopt the traditional codename “C” and write in green i n k , f o l l o w i n g a l e g a c y begun by MI6’s first head, C a p t a i n M a n s f i e l d Cumming She will report to the Foreign Secretary and sit o n t h e J o i n t I n t e l l i g e n c e

C o m m i t t e e a l o n g s i d e M I 5 and GCHQ leaders

Her appointment comes at a time of intense geopolitical flux MI6 faces mount-

ing challenges from hostile states such as Russia, China, I r

, which are increasingly coll

Advances in digital surveillance and cyberwarfare are reshaping the very nature of intelligence work Sir Richard Moore, who l

praised his successor as “ one of our foremost thinkers on technology” and a “highly a

g e n c e officer ” Foreign Secretary David Lammy said Metreweli was “ideally placed” to navigate

Starmer expressed full confidence in her ability to keep the nation safe

Menstrual apps put women at risk by harvesting sensitive data

P e ri o d - tra ck

ng ap p s are e xp o s i ng wo men to seriou s privacy and safety risks, according to a new study by the U niv ersity of C am bridg e

Researchers from the university’s Minderoo Centre found that many of these apps collect and potentially sell vast amounts of sensitive user data, including information about health, reproductive intentions, diet, medication, hormone levels, contraception use, and sexual preferences The report warns that this data can be a “goldmine” for consumer pro-

filing and digital advertising, especially as many women download these apps while trying to conceive, a time w h e n t h e i r p u r c h a s i n g b e h a

often shifts significantly

“Data on who is pregnant, or trying to become pregnant, has become some of the most sought-after in digit a l a d v e r t i s i n g

because they offer companies access to extremely detailed and valuable user data

” The researchers also flagged potential consequences if this infor-

mation is misused from discrimina-

Felsberger said the commodification of such intimate data posed “frightening privacy and safety risks to women ” The report calls for stronger data

p

mechanisms, improved corporate governance, and the development of safe, public alternatives to commercial apps including initiatives led by health services such as the NHS

Kiran Singh

Leena Nair

Blaise Metreweli

Shabana Mahmood

Dear Financial Voice Reader, Alpesh Patel

T h e p e ns i o n, w e a l th m an ag e m en t , a n d in de

f in an c ia l a d vic e (I F A) in du

comf ort in retirement Y et, startling f acts reveal th ey often achieve precisely the o pp osite Here are ten eye- opening real ities every investor needs to know:

1. Most Pension Funds Consistently Underperform

According to research from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), around 90% of actively managed funds fail to outperform their benchmarks consistently over a 10-year

potential pension growth

2. Hidden Fees Consume Your Returns

Research by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) found hidden costs can reduce pension pots by up to 40% over a lifetime These fees compound silently, eating away at your retirement fund

3 IFAs Are Not Always Independent

A significant proportion of advisers are tied or restricted, meaning they earn commission for recommending specific f u n d s o r p r o d u c t s , u n d

independence

4 Active Fund Management Often Adds Little Value

S&P Dow Jones reports that, over 15 years, less than 10% of active managers beat passive index tracking Yet, active management fees remain substantially higher

5 Wealth Managers Profit Even When You Don’t

Most wealth managers charge fees based on assets under management (AUM), meaning they profit regardless of performance Poor results for investors do not equate to financial loss for advisers

6. Pension Freedom Reforms Created Vulnerabilities

Since pension freedoms in 2015, £2 billion has been lost t o s c a m s

exposing savers to greater risk without adequate safeguards

7. Complexity is Used Against Investors

A W h i c h ? i n

financial advisers charge excessive fees for simple services, exploiting investor ignorance and complexity of financial products

8 Fund Managers Rarely Eat Their Own Cooking

Data from Morningstar indicates many fund managers don't invest significantly in their own funds, suggesting a lack of genuine confidence in their ability to generate returns

9 Churning is Common but Costly

Frequent buying and selling of assets ( churning ) by advisers and wealth managers generates commissions but often leads to lower overall returns Research consistently shows long-term investing outperforms frequent trading

10 DIY Investors Consistently Outperform Managed Funds

I n f o r m

achieve better long-term returns than those relying solely on fund managers or IFAs, challenging the fundamental value proposition of wealth management

U

investors to take proactive control over their pensions,

retirement The message is clear: educate yourself, scrutinize every charge, and remain skeptical of claims made by advisers who earn irrespective of your retirement outcomes

FTSE 350 CEO pay outstrips workers by fifty-two times

companies earned

2023–24 financial year, 431

salary, highlighting

CEO Phil Bentley received

more than the company

median employee

Tesco followed closely behind Its chief executive, Ken Murphy, earned nearly

M ar k et F ina nc i al Sol ut ion s (M FS) has been awarded t he tit le of Bridging Lender of t he Y

Awards 2025 This mark s t he se c ond con s ec utive yea

of s uc c es s f or t h e l e n de r , following its rec ognition as Editor’s Choic e Lender of t he Year in 2 02 4

Renowned for its vibrant t h e m e s a n d i n d u s t r y recognition, the Bridging & C o m m e

c i

l A w a r d s celebrate the very best in the s p e c i a l

n

n c

Sources: Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), "Asset Management Market Study," DWP, "Pension charges survey: Charges in defined contribution pension schemes," S&P Global, "SPIVA® U S Scorecard," Action Fraud UK, "Pension Scam Statistics," Which?, "Financial adviser fees exposed," Morningstar, Why Managers Who Eat Their Own Cooking Outperform, Chief executiv es at

Business lending hits £4.6bn, led by SME demand

UK Finance’ s latest Busi ness Finance Review reveals that h igh street bank lending to bu sinesses rose to £4 6 billion in the first quarter of 2025 a sixth consecutive qu arterly i ncrease and th e highest level since Q2 2022 The 1 4% yearo n-year su rge was fu elled by strong demand in agricultu re, manufactu ring, wholesale and retail, and h ealth care

Lending to the smallest businesses those with annual turnover of up to £2 million saw a particularly sharp rise of nearly 30% year-on-year, while medium-sized businesses recorded a 9% increase Loan and overdraft approvals also climbed, with new loan approvals up 37% and overdrafts up 8% compared with Q1 2024 Approval volumes rose across nearly all sectors, although the total value of finance approved was slightly down on the same period last year Despite this, the number of businesses successfully securing finance suggests improving confidence or a growing need to secure liquidity ahead of future cost challenges

SMEs appear to be maintaining financial resilience, with utilisation rates of existing facilities holding steady at around 50% This indicates that much of the borrowing is p r e c a u t i o n a r y b

flexibility in anticipation of potential margin pressures and cost increases

Umbree n Dav id, founder of

or Nursin g Home in Ken t, has be en awarded the t op prize of £150, 000 at the 17th annual Stel ios Awar ds for Disa ble d Entre pr eneurs

outstanding innovation and

business owners across the UK Umbreen, who lives with

hearing loss, has reimagined what compassionate care can look like

Under her stewardship,

Murphy’s pay dropped to £9 2 million in the following year, the pay gap remained

100 companies, where the median CEO pay is 78 times that of a typical worker

paid 25%

Luke Hildyard, director of the High Pay Centre, said

property lending sector The e v e n t n

y h i g h l

h t s i n d i v i d u a l a n d c o l l e c t i v e excellence but also recognises t h e v i t a l r o l e t h e b r i d g i n g market plays in the broader e c o n o m y T h e a c c o l a d e underscores MFS’s continued c o m m i t m e n t t o d e l i v e r i n g b e s p o k e , r e l i a b l e , a

responsive lending solutions The firm has consistently set

innovation

introducing

to-worker pay ratios could

The think tank called for

CEO-to-worker pay ratios in annual reports, including

transparency

W

ratio declined slightly over the past year, attributed in part to rising wages for the lowest earners, the report cautioned that other factors

Iden Manor has become a beacon of inclusivity, where

a c c e s s i b i l i t y a n d d i g n i t y define the standard of elderly

c a r e H e r l i v e d e x p e r i e n c e informs every aspect of the

2,700 jobs and the symbolic end of the UK’s ability to produce steel from iron ore Although the government now oversees British Steel’s operations, Jingye remains its legal owner According to company filings, British Steel owed

Jingye’s

home’s ethos, from physical adaptations to staff culture

With the award funding, she plans to further invest in a c c e s s i b i l i t y u p g r a d e s , develop leadership training programmes, and launch a m e n t o r s h i p i n i t i a t i v e t o s u p p o r t d i s a b l e d e n t r e p r e n e u r s i n t h e c a r e sector “This recognition is not just for me it’s for every p e r s o n w h o b e l i e v e s t h a t disability should never be a b a r r i e r t o c r e a t i n g m e a n i n g f u l c h a n g e , ” s h e said

The awards, hosted at the S t e l i o s F o u n d a t i o n

h e a d q u a r t e r s i n S o u t h K e n s i n g t o n , r e c e i v e d a r e c o r d - b r e a k i n g 1 2 5 a p p l i c a n t s t h i s y e a r S i n c e 2 0 0 7 , t h e S t e l i o s P h

y e h a s confirmed it is assessing the recoverability of these debts a

a valuation of British Steel’s assets, while the law firm Linklaters is advising Jingye

CS Venkatakrishnan

Paul Thwaite

Umbreen David

India, US close to finalising ‘early tranche’ of trade deal

India and the U S are close to working out th e final conto urs of the “early tranche”

o f th e p ro p o se d bi la ter al tr ad e a g re em en t an d a re now starting work on the po ssible text fo r th e deal, wh ich is likely to be finalised be fo r e J u ly 9 , w h en

Am erican presid ent Do nald Trump plans to remov e the freeze on reciprocal tariffs Govt is likely to offer concessions for some of the farm products that are of i n t e r e s t t o t h e U S , a l o n g with concessions on automobiles, in return for get-

t i n g 1 0 % d u t y

u m p

s baseline tariff - for labour intensive products, such as textiles, footwear and, possibly, certain auto parts With the current US administration lacking Congressional m a n d a t e t o f i n a l i s e t r a d e d e a l s ,

will have to wait until things

settle down in the US

With a 10% levy on products where India has comparative advantage, govt is h

especially if the reciprocal tariffs kick in In any case, India with 26% reciprocal t

baseline duty, was seen to enjoy competitive advantage over several countries with which its exports compete B

dards and technical barriers to trade also discussed during the last round of negotiations with American officials between June 4 and 10, govt is hoping that some of the issues faced by exporters shipping goods to the US

Digital trade, customs and

legal framework were part

Capital earlier this month

RBI to restrict foreign currency deposits via remittances

These upcoming changes by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) are designed to prevent the Liberalised Remittance S c h e m

g accounts in foreign banks

This proposed tightening reflects India’s growing

t i o n r e g a r d i n g t h e

increase in outward remitt a n c e s a n d i t s m e a s u r e d approach to achieving full r u p e e c o n v e r t i b i l i t y Authorities are keen on safeguarding the nation’s foreign exchange reserves and managing potential currency fluctuations

C u r r e n t l y , t h e L R S allows resident individuals

Reliance sells 3.6% stake in Asian Paints in £770mn deal

Reliance Industries said that its subsi di ary, Si d d ha n t C om m er c i a ls , ha d s o ld 3 5 m n equity s hares of Asi an Paints on the NSE at a price of Rs 2 ,201 per share The entire bloc k of Asian Paints stoc k, representing 3 6 % o f t he c o m pa n y ’ s e q ui t y, w a s purchased by SBI Mutual Fund, as revealed b y a la rge d ea l di sc los ur e on the N SE web si te The b lock

RIL still holds 87,00,000 Asian Paints s

e p a i n t s m a j o r , representing 4 9% of the equity

As of March 2025, the promoters held a 52 6% stake in Asian Paints, while domestic institutions held nearly 15 6% and foreign institutions 12 2% Among the institutions, LIC held the biggest stake in the company, at 8 3% Two mutual funds - SBI MF at 1 5% and ICICI Prudential MF at 1 2% - also held small chunks in the company, as shown in disclosures on BSE Retail investors held 11 8% in the company

India's retail inflation eases to 2.8 per cent in May

I n d i a ' s r

i l i n f l a ti on plummeted to a 75-m on th low i n M ay as f ood pri ces eas ed sharply It is expected

J un e, w

m ay prom pt the Re serve B ank of India ( RBI) to hit a paus e in its r a te - c ut t i n g c

er undertakin g a “j um bo” c ut earlier this month to support growth in the fac e of eas ing price pres sures

N a t i o n a l S t a t i s t i c s O f f i c e (NSO) showed retail inflation, as measured by the consumer price index (CPI), slumped to 2 8% in May, below the 3 2% in April It is t h e l o w e s t y e a r - o n - y e a r inflation after Feb 2019 and is the fourth consecutive month when it has stayed below the RBI’s 4% target Food inflation eased to nearly 1% in May, with a

sharp decline of 79 basis points during the month compared to April Food inflation in May is the lowest since Oct 2021 Rural

May, while urban inflation

and spices

Pizza chain Little Caesars to open outlet in India

to remit up to $250,000 per financial year for a range of legitimate purposes, including overseas e d u c a t i o n , t r a v e l , a n d i n v e s t m e n t s i n f o r e i g n equities or debt, as well as m e d i c a l

s

However, the RBI is concerned about the scheme being exploited for what it terms “passive wealth shifting ” While discussions with the government are ongoing, the RBI’s intention is to ensure that individuals cann o t m a k e s u c h d

p

s i t s , even if they attempt to do so under different names to circumvent regulations

Sitharaman to push for timely

tax refunds, better services

India 's fina nce min ist er Nirma la Sithar ama n is expe cted t o push t ax a uthorit ie s to en sur e the time ly re fun d of income t ax , GS T, an d ex port -r elate d d ue s, while fla gging the lon g pen den cy in in vestiga tion by t he Director at e Ge ne ral of GS T In vestiga tion (DGG I) Sitharaman is due to meet top officials of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs, followed by a similar interaction with principal chief commissioners (CCs) of income tax on June 23 The overall thrust seems to be on improving taxpayer delivery, litigation management, and accountability of the system, said a source Delay in processing refunds beyond 60 days will be scrutinised, and explanations are expected to be sought from principal CCs of customs and GST, even in cases of rejections, as these tend to block funds that businesses can deploy for productive purposes, sources said

Even in the case of income tax, where processing of returns and refunds improved over the last few years, the finance minister is expected to put the spotlight on cases where payments were held up due to nonprocessing of returns and rectification cases impacted by system-related issues

Pizza ch ain Little Caesars is set to enter the Ind ian m a rke t, l au n ch i n

inaug ural outlet in Delhi NC R T h is m a rks th e c o m p an y ’ s e xp a ns io n into its 30 th g lo bal market

The India operations will be managed by franchise partner Harnessing Harvest, a domestic food a n d h o s

Caesars’ fast-service model and menu to suit local preferences while maintaining affordability and speed

Founded in Detroit in 1959, Little Caesars is the

The menu will feature the brand’s popular “Hot-NR

international markets

India holds potential for several Guyana-sized oil reserves: Hardeep Puri

U nion Petro leum and Natural Gas Minister Hard eep Puri said India holds the p otential o f sev eral Guyanas in th e Andaman region and outlined sev eral measu res taken by the g overnm ent for exp loration and production

The minister said that the country has 3 5 million square kilometers of sedimentary basin, but it never explored beyond eight per cent area, keeping a large expanse of sea beds unexplored

The minister's statement comes as India is putting in efforts to ramp up its own traditional fossil-based energy production

The petroleum minister said that the government has decided to explore a large part of the basin He said that India imported 80 per cent of oil and 50 per cent of natural gas, adding that even a 5-billion-barrel discovery would be a game-changer

I n t h e

licensing policy, 38 per cent of the bids have come, covering 1 million square kilometers, the minister said, adding that the next round will attract more than 75 per cent of the bids

Hardeep Puri also made a reference to Guyana, which recently discovered massive oil reserves, saying India has the potential for 'several Guyanas' in the Andaman region

"There were parts of the sedimentary basin which were no-go areas So one of the decisions which we took was that 1 million square km of that sedimentary basin, which was no-go area, has suddenly been made available for E&P," Puri said

World Bank cuts India’s ’26 growth forecast to 6.3% from 6.7%

The World Bank has lowered Ind ia’s GDP growth pro jectio n for th e current financial year to 6 3% from 6 7% estim ated in Jan on weaker exports and slo wer gro wth in investment

The cut for India came with a lower projection for global growth too - 2 3% in 2025, as against 2 7% estimated in Jan - marking the slowest rate of global growth since 2008, apart from outright global recessions India will remain the fastest growing major economy

“Investment growth is expected to slow, primarily reflecting a surge in global policy uncertainty In FY 2026-27 and FY 2027-28,

growth is expected to recover to 6 6% a year, on average, partly supported by robust services activity that contributes to a pickup in e

Prospects said about India

There was good news on other parame-

i o n i s expected to remain contained, based on the assumption of normal seasonal conditions Similarly, it said: “Fiscal consolidation is expected to continue in India over the forecast horizon, with growing tax revenues and declining current expenditures projected to contribute to a gradual decline in the public debt-to-GDP ratio ”

in brief

INDIAN ORIGIN DOCTOR SWORN IN AS AMA PRESIDENT

Indian origin physician Bobby Mukkamala has been sworn in as the 180th president of the American Medical Association, becoming the first physician of Indian heritage to lead the organisation Mukkamala, an otolaryngologistan ear, nose, and throat specialist - took the oath according to a statement by the association Mukkamala has been active in AMA since residency and is chair of the organisation’s Substance Use and Pain Care Task Force He was diagnosed with an 8-cm brain tumour last Nov “A few months ago, I didn’t know if this night would even be possible ” it said He played a key role in the response to the water crisis in his hometown of Flint Michigan - where his parents settled after moving from India in the 1970s

INDIA ORIGIN DIES AFTER AUSSIE COP KNELT ON HIS NECK

A 42-year-old Indian-origin man died days after an Australian police officer allegedly knelt on his neck during an attempted arrest Gaurav Kundi, 42, from Adelaide, died after he was hospitalised for an “unrecoverable” brain injury Police attempted to arrest Kundi, alleging they witnessed an “altercation” between him and a woman Video footage showed Kundi being forced by police while he and his wife, Amritpal Kaur, loudly protested Kundi was rushed to the hospital after his condition deteriorated and he “became unresponsive” during the attempted arrest Police said Kundi violently resisted the arrest and was intoxicated They said the couple was allegedly arguing and a passing patrol reportedly mistook the incident for domestic violence

BUSINESSMAN ARRESTED FOR MURDER PLOT

Navdeep Singh, a 48-year-old construction company owner from Nassau County, has been arrested for allegedly orchestrating a plot to kidnap and murder a former business associate Prosecutors announced the charges detailing a chilling scheme fueled by a long-standing legal and professional dispute Singh was arraigned on felony conspiracy and criminal solicitation charges Authorities allege he offered a hitman $100,000 and 10 acres of land in India to carry out the brutal act The dangerous plan unraveled when the individual hired to carry out the murder backed out and immediately reported the plot to law enforcement

INDIAN AMERICAN PHYSICIAN JAILED FOR 10 YEARS

A 52-year-old Indian American physician from Chicago, Mona Ghosh, was sentenced to a 10year jail term for medical fraud and also ordered to pay $1 5 million in restitution She submitted reimbursement claims for services and procedures that were either not provided or not medically necessary Prosecutors said the fraud endangered patients' health and fertility Between 2018 and 2022, she submitted fraudulent claims to federal programmes such as Medicaid and Tricare, as well as to private insurers, and also directed her employees to do the same

US LAWMAKER SHOT

DEAD

Two Democratic lawmakers in Minnesota were shot - one of them fatally - by a gunman masquerading as a cop as the US sprialled into deadly violence ahead of a military parade to mark the 250th anniversary of the US army on Saturday Hours before the parade Minnesota lawmaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark were shot and killed in what state governor Tim Walz said “appears to be a politically-motivated assassination ” Another lawmaker John Hoffman and his wife were also targeted by the same individual in a separate incident, and they both survived after surgeries Walz said

Iran's wartime chief of staff killed in Israeli attack on Tehran

T EH RA N: The dead ly conflict betw een Iran and Israel entered its fifth day on Tuesday, with bo t h si d e s w id eni n g th e ir attacks Israeli air strikes have killed at least 224 p eople in Iran, including som e of Teh ran's to p m ili tary co

and ers, nu clear sc

and ci

Israeli autho rities have said that at

and child ren, were killed

territory Israel's army warned that it had detected new missiles launched from Iran

US President Donald Trump was on Monday leaving a Group

o

hinted at greater involvement in

The situation deteriorated

Tehran and Washington seeking to reach a deal on Iran's

India's balancing activities India finds itself in

evacuate Before flying out of Canada in the middle of the G7 g a t h

t o o k t

l media to back Israel and issue an alert to the Iranian capital of nearly 10 million people

India's foreign secy awestruck by Abu Dhabi's BAPS mandir

A BU DH A BI : A bu Dh abi's BAP S

Hi n d u M and ir r ec en tly w el co m ed In d i a' s F o rei g n

secretary Vikram M isri, in a v isit th at h ighlighted th e deep values of peace and partnership at the h ea rt o f I nd ia 's g lo b al engagement, especially with the UA E His profound experience reflected th e growing strength of Ind ia-UA E relations

Accompanied by Aseem Raja

M a h a j a n a n d A m b a s s a d o r

Sanjay Sudhir, Misri received a traditional welcome from Pujya Brahmavihari Swami, Head of the Mandir As he toured the serene grounds, he observed the symbolic Tolerance Trees and e

facets Swami Brahmaviharidas

deep reflection, revealing layers

offered prayers and paid tribute to His Holiness Pramukh Swami

Pak national extradited to US from Canada over terror plot

N E W Y O RK : A P a ki st ani man living in C anad a has been extradited to the U S to face charg es fo r plo tting an IS-insp ired m ass shoo ting at a Jewish centre in New York C i ty a ro u nd f i rs t anniv ersary of Oct 7 Ham as attacks, U S officials said M u h

release Khan is scheduled to

m a k e a n a p p e a r a n c e

n court later

US attorney Jay Clayton said Khan planned to use automatic weapons to kill as

possible, all in support of IS In a communication with

Maharaj's visionary legacy V

d , M

declared, "I have had a thousand blessings today This is not just a building; it is an expression of faith, beliefs, and ideas that are t r a

unites not just different streams of faith but the entire humanity It is miraculous my mind and heart are overflowing it is a Mandir deserving of the greatest accolades it is something for the world, for humanity, for our u

i s t e n c e I t i s a Mandir every Indian must visit " He lauded its engineering a n d a r c h i t e c t u r a l b r i l l i a n c e , calling it ‘ a global symbol of interfaith harmony and cultural dialogue ’

department of archaeology constituted

three-member probe committee

u n d e r c o v e r o f f i c e r s , K h a n c l a i m e d i f t h e p l a n succeeded, it would be “the l a r g e s t a t t a c k o n U S s o i l since 9/11” According to the c o m p l a i n t , K h a n t r i e d t o travel from Canada to New

Y o r k t o c a r r y o u t t h e shooting at a Jewish centre

i n B r o o k l y n H e w a s p r o v i s i o n a l l y a r r e s t e d i n

C a n a d a i n S e p t l a s t y e a r based on a complaint filed in New York

Habibur Rahman, custodian of the K

committee has been asked to submit its report within the next five working days, he added Situated in Shahzadpur in Rajshahi division, Kachharibari is the ancestral home and revenue office of the Tagore family Tagore created

HE Ambassador Sanjay Sudhir, Shri Vikram Misri, Shri Aseem Raja Mahajan, with Swami Brahmaviharidas and Shri Ashok Kotecha

Yunus tries to court the West, criticises India in high-stakes UK visit

Bangladesh’s transitional leader wins royal support but faces protests, legal threats

Nobel Peace Prize laureate and i nte ri m B ang lad es h i

lea d er M u h a m m ad Y u nu s

co n cl u d ed a h i g h - st ake s,

fo ur-d ay v isit to the U nited King dom aim ing to bolster internatio nal legitimacy for his transitional gov ernm ent, pro mote a sweep ing reform

ag e nd a , a nd p o si ti o n Banglad esh as a recov ering

d em o c ra c y i n th e p o stHasina era

But what was envisioned as a diplomatic charm offensive quickly turned into a

m i x e d a f f a i r p u

protests, closed-door negotiations, and a barrage of political backlash at home Yunus’s visit came at a critical juncture for Bangladesh

Since the ousting of Sheikh H a s i n a ’ s l o n g - s t a n d i n g regime in the wake of a mass uprising in August 2024, his interim administration has pledged to root out corruption, stabilise the economy, and pave the way for free and fair elections This UK

t r i p w a s d e s i g n e d t o w i n i n t e r n

m e e t i n g w i t h U K P r i m e

Minister Keir Starmer did not materialise “I have had no direct conversation with him,” Yunus acknowledged, though he expressed confidence that the British government would ultimately support his efforts

Speaking to the British press, Yunus said the UK had a “moral obligation” to support his administration i n

allegedly embezzled by the previous Awami League gov-

Western governments, and showcase a commitment to democratic transition

T h e v i s i t e n c a p s u l a t e d the complexity of Yunus’s

d u a l i d e n t i t y : c e l e b r a t e d Nobel laureate and contro-

v e r s i a l t r a n s i t i o n a l l e a d e

d international diplomacy

Royal recognition and strateg ic engagements

T h e c e n t r e p i e c e o f Yunus’s visit was a private audience with King Charles III at St James’s Palace on June 12 In a gesture of royal approval, the monarch conferred on Yunus the King Charles III Harmony Award, p r a i s i n g h i s d e c a d e s - l o n g work in social business, sustainability, and peacebuilding

Y u n u s a l s o r e c e i v e d a signed portrait of the King and Queen Camilla following the 30-minute meeting His press secretary Shafiqul Alam hailed it as a proud moment for the people of

B a n g l a d e s h a n d t h e m o s t significant part of the visit

H o w e v e r , b e y o n d t h e ceremonial acclaim, Yunus’s diplomatic ambitions met a s

ernment, much of which, he claimed, had been laundered into the UK

Instead, Yunus met UK N

a l S e c u r i t y A d v i s e r Jonathan Powell, while his anti-corruption chief Ahsan

M a n s u r h e l d d i s c u s s i o n s w i t h t h e N a t i o n a l C r i m e Agency (NCA) Days before Yunus's meeting, the NCA f r o z e £ 1 8 5 m i l l i o n i n U K p r o p e r t i e s l i n k e d t o Saifuzzaman Chowdhury, a former Hasina cabinet minister, as part of an ongoing i n v e s t i g a t i o n i n t o b i l l i o n s allegedly embezzled during the Awami League’s rule

Public backlash, legal challenges and a sh ift in electoral p lans

While Yunus was feted in royal circles, his visit trigg e r e d i n t e n s e o p p o s i t i o n from the Bangladeshi diasp o r a O u t s i d e T h e Dorchester hotel in Mayfair, hundreds of protesters affiliated with the UK Awami

L e a g u e r a l l i e d , a c c u s i n g Yunus of authoritarian rule

a n d h u m a n r i g h t s a b u s e s under the interim government

D e m o n s t r a t o r s h e l d placards labelling him the "architect of mob rule" and

for money, ” which triggered outrage back home

T h e A

L

launched a scathing attack, c

“disgraceful, insulting and d e e p l y o f f e n s i

sharply worded statement, senior party leader Jahangir Kabir Nanak accused Yunus of being a “fascist”, deeming h

Bangladeshis as corrupt was an “unforgivable insult”

and

rising regional tensions

demanded his resignation A f o r m e r A w a m i L e a g u e politician, who claimed to have fled Bangladesh after persecution under the caretaker regime in an interview with Asian Voice, described the protest as a stand against an "illegitimate and unconstitutional government " Adding to the pressure, p r o m i n e n t U K l a w y e r s including Steven Powles KC have reportedly been commissioned to prepare a comm u n i c a t i o n t o t h e I n t e r n a t i o n a l C r i

against humanity by Yunus’s administration

Y u n u s ’ s U K i t i n e r a r y also included a pivotal private meeting with Tarique Rahman, the exiled leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) The meeting is being hailed as a political

sides agreeing to bring for-

of the previously suggested April date

The decision has eased months of mounting ten-

government and the BNP,

Several smaller parties wel-

, though the National Citizen Party, which led the uprising

League, accused the govern-

P demands

Ch atham House speech sparks backlash

At a public talk hosted by Chatham House, Yunus outlined a sweeping reform

said the interim government had a “historic opportunity” to restore trust through a consultative process known as the July Charter

He alleged that $234 billion had been siphoned off between 2003 and 2019 by

reserves, and regional instability, particularly involving Rohingya refugees

He made a controversial c

Bangladesh sell their votes

tensions back home

“I told Prime Minister Modi, ‘If you want to host her, that’s your policy But p l e a s e d

k e e p s p e a

g

o Bangladeshis in the way she is, it’s provoking a national reaction ’ His response was, ‘It’s social media, we can’t control it,’” Yunus recounted “What can you say? It’s

At the talk, Yunus also criticised India saying that h e h a d r e q u e s t e d I n d i a n P r i m e M i n i s t e r N a r e n d r a M o d i t o r e s t r i c t o u s t e d Bangladeshi leader Sheikh Hasina from making political statements while in exile i n I n d i a Y u n u s s a i d h e urged Modi not to let her a d d r e s s t h e B a n g l a d e s h i p u b l i c , w a r n i n

an explosive situation You can’t just walk away by saying it’s social media ”

Y u n u s v o i c e d c o n c e r n over what he described as a s u r g e o f d i s i n f o r m a t i o n from sections of the Indian media, implying that some of it may be politically drive

c t a broader narrative of rising

parts of Bangladesh’s political discourse D u r i n

Yunus also delivered sharp c r i t

qualify as a legitimate political party due to its alleged role in corruption and violence “If they can kill young people on the streets, make citizens disappear, and steal public funds can you call that a political party?” he asked

League has shown any remorse For the sake of

Muhammad Yunus receiving the Harmony Award from King Charles III

The Chief Advisor with UK National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell (left)

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus speaks at the Royal Institute of International Affairs in Chatham House, London

NORTH-EAST

Agitation over anti-caste survey brewing in Karnataka

B E N G A L U R U : C o n g re ss ’ s d e ci s i o n t o u nd ertake a new caste survey in Karnataka h as left the Sid daramaiah g ovt sandw ich ed between a section of backw ard classes ap prehensi ve o f lo sing their p urpo rted adv antage of num bers in the Kantharaj C omm ission’s report and dom inant comm unities like L ing ayats and Vo kkali gas that seek re-enumeratio n

T h i s g r o w i n g d i v e r g e n c e o v e r t h e upcoming “socio-economic and educat i o n a l s u r v e y ” c o m e s d a y s a f t e r C M Siddaramaiah’s seemingly reluctant acceptance of what he said was the Congress brass’s call rather than his govt’s

Some OBC representatives have been urging the state govt to implement the recommendations of the original caste survey report, submitted by the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes last year

D a t a c o l l a t e d b y t h e K a n t h a r a j Commission is said to favour OBCs, especially communities like the Kurubas that were classified under a separate 1-B category with 12% reservation The report also p r o p o s e s d o u b l i n g

Muslims from 4% to 8%, which some still d e e m i n s u f f i c i e n t T h e S h o s h i t h a Vargagala Maha Okkota, which represents

“oppressed” OBCs, backward classes and minorities, has threatened a statewide agitation against the proposed new census

“The govt claims the survey must be conducted once every 10 years, but that is irrelevant since the Kantharaj report was n e

demand is to implement its recommendations We will meet on June 20 to decide the modalities for our agitation ” I n c o n t r a s t , t h e L i n g a y a t a n d

Vokkaliga communities, both of which had opposed the Kantharaj report, are planning an outreach and an online survey respectively to “complement” the survey B K e n c h a p p a G

Vokkaligara Sangha, confirmed his community’s plan

BJP keeps alliance door open as Ashwani Sekhri roots for strong Akali Dal

F A T E H GA R H S A H I B : S eni o r

P u n j ab BJ P l ead er A sh w a ni S ekhri said peo ple wanted his p arty to form the next gov ernm ent in the state in “alliance w ith a regional p arty ” Sekhri, w ho is also the chief media co ord inato r for the state BJP, d id not sp ecify w hich reg ional party h e w as referring to

H o w e v e r , a n s w e r i n g a query, he said being a Punjabi, he wanted the Shiromani Akali

D a l ( S A D ) t o b e s t r o n g i n Punjab The BJP had been an

a l l i a n c e p a r t n e r o f t h e Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) in Punjab in the past

Their decades-long partnership came to an end in 2020, when the SAD exited the BJP-

l e d N a t i o n a l D e m o c r a t i c Alliance (NDA) over the now-

w i t h d r a w n t h r e e c o n t e n t i o u s farm laws that were introduced by the BJP-led Centre Sekhri’s statement has come a day after veteran Akali leader Balwinder Singh Bhunder said his party could rethink about an alliance with the BJP only if it

r e s o l v e d i s s u e s c o n c e r n i n g Punjab

State BJP chief Sunil Jakahr too had recently said all Akali factions should bury their differences and unite as a strong

P a n t h i c p a r t y w a s n e e d e d t o keep “radicals at bay”

S e k h r i a l s o c l a i m e d t h a t

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had great love and vision for Punjab and only he could save

t h e s t a t e f r o m c l u t c h e s o f mounting debt, drug abuse and unemployment

Chaos in Bengal assembly over incidents of violence

KO LK A T A : BJP MLA s stag ed a w alko ut from the West Bengal

A ss em bl y a ft er th e S p ea ke r refused to ad mit ad journm ent m otio ns mov ed by th em o ver v i o len ce i n M urs h id a bad a nd M ah eshtala

S p e a k e r B i m a n B a n e r j e e charged the saffron party legislators with not following the decorum of the House, while the BJP accused him of functioning like a TMC worker

The BJP legislators came to t h e H o u s e w e a r i n g s a f f r o n headbands and scarves Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari

a n d t h r e e o t h e r s m o v e d t h e

a d j o u r n m e n t m o t i o n o n t h e Murshidabad violence of April

t h a t l e f t t h r e e p e o p l e d e a d , while his party colleague Puna Bhengra was the prime mover along with three others of the other motion on Wednesday s

violence in Mahestala near here, w h e r e p o l i c e p e r s o n n e l w e r e attacked by a mob

S p e a k e r B i m a n B a n e r j e e rejected both motions stating that the Murshidabad violence i s s u b - j u d i c e a n d t h e i s s u e s related to the Mahestala clash could not be discussed in the H o u s e a s a n a d j o u r n m e n t motion

B J P M L A s p r o t e s t e d t h e S p e a k e r ' s d e c i s i o n a n d r a i s e d slogans against the TMC government They also waved printo u t s o f p u r p o r t e d i m a g e s o f attacks on places of worship Led by Adhikari, the BJP legislat o r s t h e n w a l k e d o u t o f t h e assembly and marched to Raj

B h a v a n T h e y d i s c u s s e d t h e state's situation with Governor CV Ananda Bose The Speaker, meanwhile, continued to run the legislative proceedings

SC seeks Karnataka’s response on

non-screening of Haasan movie

to

screening of Kamal Haasan’ s Tamil film

state while alleging that a censor board cleared film is being kep t out of theatres in the state becau se of threats of violence and arson against cinema halls by Karnataka Raksh ana V edike (KRV )

The film’s release in Karnataka ran into rough weather after Hasan’s controversial statement on Kannada language’s origin triggered intense emotions in the state Hasan had moved Karnataka HC for release of the film in the state, but the HC had questioned his reluctance to a

release of the movie in state theatres

A PIL filed by M Mahesh Reddy questioned how extrajudicial measures by language activists could forcibly thwart screening of a film, which has been duly certified for public exhibition by Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), in Karnataka

Akali chief Badal braves rain, leads roadshow in Ludhiana West

L U DH I A NA : S h iro m ani A kali

Da l p res i d e nt S u kh b i r S in g h Badal led an impressive roadsh ow, undeterred by the rain, sh o w c as i ng h is u nw a v er i ng co mmitment to the peo ple T he ev ent demonstrated his strong su pport base and determination to connect w ith voters d espite the weather co nd itions S enior party leaders, includ ing Dalj it C h ee m a, S i ka nd a r S in g h

M al u ka, S h a ran j it D h i ll o n, Kam al Chatly, and S AD candidate P arupkar S ing h Ghum an, ac co m p ani ed Ba d al as th e y stood o n an open jeep d uring the roadsh ow

Hundreds of party workers, including women and youths, participated in the roadshow

People also waved at Badal while standing on the rooftops of their houses and outside their shops

T h e r o a d s h o w s t a r t e d f r o m

Jawahar Nagar camp and culminated at Aarti Chowk, passing through Bharat Nagar Chowk, F o u n t a i n C h o w k , M a h a r a n i

J h a n s i R o a d , a n d G h u m a r Mandi

Workers carrying the party f l a g r a i s e d s l o g a n s , i n c l u d i n g “ S u k h b i r t e r i s o c h t e p e h r a dewange thok ke” and “Akali Dal di balle balle, baki sarey thale t h a l e ” A d d r e s s i n g t h e p e o p l e from the moving jeep, Badal said that despite the rain, the large t u r n o u t o f w o r k e r s s i g n a l l e d that people wanted the return of Shiromani Akali Dal, Punjab’s only regional party

Badal claimed that the Aam

A a d m i P a r t y ( A A P ) h a d d o n e nothing in the past three-and-ahalf years, and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had been acting as a puppet in the hands of AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal

SC stays contempt proceedings against 7 Bengal police officers

N E W D E L H I : Th e Su p r e me Court st ayed contempt of court pr ocee ding s initiated b y Calcutta high court a gainst seven pol ice pe r son n el in cl u din g th r ee IP S officers, former Howrah pol ice commissioner Vishal Gar g, forme r DCP (sout h) Howrah VSR Ananta nag and former Addl D CP Howr ah Bhav na G upta , in relat io n t o a v io l e n t i n ci de n t in Howr ah district court in 2019

Senior advocates C U Singh and Biswajit Deb, appearing for the seven cops and West Bengal govt who have appealed against the May 2 order of an HC, told a S C b e n c h o f J u s t i c e s U j j a l Bhuyan and Manmohan that HC c o u l d n o t h a v e i n i t i a t e d c o ntempt proceedings six years after t h e i n c i d e n t , i n w h i c h m a n y advocates were injured They said HC had taken suo motu cognisance of the violent

The Assam govt issued a shoot-on-sight order in the India-Bangladesh border town of Dhubri after dusk to rein in what CM Himanta Biswa Sarma described as “ a communal group ” fomenting trouble over the past week The immediate trigger for the directive to enforcement agencies, including Rapid Action Force and CRPF reinforcements, was a purported poster campaign by the group for “Dhubri’s integration with Bangladesh ” The town has been on the edge for several days following mob violence over offal being found near a place of worship CM, who was in Dhubri district to take s t o c k ,

provocative posters put up by a group identified as Nabin Bangla at different locations there “Since the last one week, maintaining law and order in Dhubri has been challenging A communal group is trying to create disturbances, which the government won’t tolerate,” Sarma said He later wrote on X, “I directed law enforcement officers to follow (a policy of) zero tolerance against elements who desecrate places of worship In Dhubri, a particular group has become active with the intent to damage our temples We have issued shoot-on-sight orders ” Communal tension gripped Dhubri on June 7, a day after Eid, prompting community leaders on either side to appeal for peace The next day, offal was allegedly dumped at another location, leading to stone-pelting at night, Sarma said

CENTRE WANTS POPULAR GOVT INSTALLED IN MANIPUR: BIREN

Former Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh, who held meetings with Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi, said that the Centre, like the people, wants installation of a popular government in the restive state Manipur is currently under President s Rule after the resignation of Singh as the chief minister in February Singh, along with Rajya Sabha MP Leishemba Sanajaoba, had gone to New Delhi to brief central leaders about the current situation in the state where ethnic violence left at least 260 people dead and rendered thousands homeless since May 2023 "We met Shah on the night of June 9 We held a meeting for over an hour again the next day I apprised the home minister on various issues including bandhs internally displaced persons and restriction on free movement along highways, Singh said He was speaking to reporters at the Imphal airport on his return from the national capital

4 MLAS DUMP NPP, TO JOIN PEOPLE'S PARTY OF ARUNACHAL

i n c i d e n t o f A p r i l 2 4 , 2 0 1 9 , i n which police have registered 11 F I R s a g a i n s t ‘ u n k n o w n a d v ocates’ and had appointed a oneman judicial inquiry which has already given its report in Dec 2019 HC did not initiate contempt proceedings in 2019 and hence, to initiate the same in 2025 would be barred by limitation, they argued Appearing for the advocates a n d b a r a s s o c i a t i o n s , s e n i o r advocates Maninder Singh and S i d h a r t h L u t h r a d r e w S C bench’s attention to HC’s clear findings on how the limitation c l a u s e i n C o n t e m p t o f C o u r t Act, 1971 did not apply to the present case It had said the time limitation bar applied to a person seeking to initiate contempt against others and not on the court, which itself had initiated suo motu proceedings

In a significant political shift in Arunachal Pradesh, four MLAs elected on National People's Party (NPP) tickets have switched allegiance to the People's Party of Arunachal (PPA), the state's oldest indigenous regional party The move, however, is being described by the leaders themselves as apolitical and driven by grassroots considerations Leading the shift is Namgey Tsering newly elected MLA from Tawang who emphasised that the decision was not motivated by political rivalry or dissatisfaction with the NPP Tsering said We don t have any grudge towards NPP and are in fact grateful to the party for giving newcomers like us the opportunity to contest the elections Our decision to join PPA is purely non-political We felt that being part of a homegrown party would allow for better access and coordination within the state The legislators involved in this political shift include Namgey Tsering from 2Tawang; Pesi Jilen from 27-Liromoba; Tapi Darang from 38-Pasighat East; and Oni Panyang from 40-Mariyang-Geku; all originally elected on NPP tickets Welcoming the new entrants, PPA president and Doimukh MLA Nabam Vivek also reiterated that the move should not be seen through a political lens

WEST BENGAL

Siddaramaiah

Kamal Haasan

u p d a t e d a i r s e r v i c e s a g r e e m e n t s o o n F u r t h e r m o r e , b o t h s i d e s

c o m m i t t e d t o h o l d i n g f u n c t i o n a l d i a l o g u e s t o a d d r

economy This marks their s e c o n d e n g a g e m e n t t h

year, following a meeting in B

steps to normalise relations were also discussed India

a n d C h i n a a f f i r m e d t h e i r commitment to stabilising and rebuilding ties, with

facilitation and exchanges between media and think tanks

India reiterated support for China's ongoing presidency

agreed to prepare for the 24th meeting of the Special Representatives (SR) on the

C

Question, to be hosted in

after a five-year hiatus, with

India for the next round Beijing is keen for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the SCO summit in

would also see the presence o

Vladimir Putin and Pakistan P

Modi's participation, likely awaiting outcomes from the

also acknowledged China's support for the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra this month and sought

p

river cooperation, including

India has previously raised concerns regarding China's

c o n s t r u c t i o n o f a l a r g e

h y d r o p o w e r d a m o n t h e

B r a h m a p u t r a R i v e r I n d i a

aims to resolve trade and e c o n o m i c i s s u e s , s u c h a s

China’s export controls on rare earth items, to foster l o n g - t e r m p o l i c y transparency

64% Indians under social protection coverage:

India has made significant

ti al ri s e from just 24 4% in 201 9 to 6 4 3 % o f th e p o p u lat i on n o w T h i s c o m m e nd a bl e p rog ress catapults India in s e co n d p la ce g l ob al ly in t erm s of s o c ia l s ec u ri ty

access, as h ighlighted by th e

I n ter nat io n al L ab o u r

Organisation’s (IL O) Wo rld

S ocial Pro tection Report

India's labour minister

M a n s u k h M a n d a v i y a

u n d e r l i n e d t h i s

a c h i e v e m e n t , a d d i n g t h a t m i

e I n

b e n e f i t f r o m n o n - c a s h provisions through various f o o d a n d h e a l t h s e c u r i t y s c h e m e s T h e I L O ' s assessment of social security coverage encompasses nine crucial categories, including health protection, old age

p e n s i o n s , u n e m p l o y m e n t , m a t e r n i t y a n

benefits

A d d r e s s i n g t h e I n t e r n a t i o n a l L a b o u r C o n f e r e n c e i n G e n e v a ,

ongoing, extensive drive to

register gig workers, aiming

t o e x t e n d t a r g e t e d s o c i a l protection and benefits to t h i s g r o w i n g w o r k f o r c e

With India's gig economy

p r o j e c t e d t o r e a c h 2 3 5 million workers by 2030, the government is committed to p r e s e r v i n g t h e s e c t o r ' s f l e x i b i l i t y w h i l e p r o g r e s s i v e l y e n h a n c i n g working conditions

H o w e v e r , a m i d t h i s progress in social security, India also faces a significant challenge in child labour as highlighted in another ILO a n d U N I C E F r e p o r t

ILO report

G l o b a l l y , 1 3 8 m i l l i o n children remain trapped in child labour, with 54 million i

r d

c i a l e s t i m a t e s s u g g e s t o v e r 1 0 m i l l i o n c h i l d r e n a g e d 5 - 1 4 a r e i n l a b o u r , t h o u g h a c t i v i s t s believe the actual figures, p a r t i c u l a r l y i n i n f o r m a l sectors like agriculture and d o m e s t i c w o r k , c o u l d b e

m u c h h i g h e r T h i s s t a r k reality underscores a critical a r e a f o r c o n t i n u e d f o c u s alongside expanding social protection

India calls for urgent ocean pact and plastic treaty

India made a strong case for u rgent i nternati onal action

o n ocean health at th e th ird

U n it ed Na ti o n s Oc e an Conference in Nice, F rance

It also called for a glo bal

o ce a n p a c t a nd a l eg al ly

b i n di n g gl o b al p la s ti c s

t re at y, s h o wc as i n g i ts si gnificant strides in marine

c o n s er va ti o n a n d su stainable ocean prac tices

I n d i a h i g h l i g h t e d t h e progress of its deep ocean

m i s s i o n ’ s ‘ S a m u d r a

project, aiming to launch the nation’s first manned

s u b m e r s i b l e t o e x p l o r e ocean depths up to 6,000

m e t e r s b y 2 0 2 6 T h e

t Sagar' campaign, which has cleared over 1,000 km of

c

50,000+ tonnes of plastic waste since 2022 A draft

m a r i n e l i t t e r p o l i c y i s prepared, and India remains a strong advocate for the

established over 1,000 fish f

organisations since 2022 India also showcased its c

mangroves and integrating ocean-based climate actions i

Determined Contributions U

4 killed, 50 injured after ‘unfit’ footbridge collapses near Pune

A s t r u ct u r a l ly w e a k ir ona n d - co n c r e t e fo o t br i d g e ov er the Indr ay ani river t hat h ad be en declare d unfit for use but not officially shut to p e d e st r ia n s a n d bi k e s colla pse d a bout 40k m from P u n e , k il li n g fo u r p e o p le a n d i n j ur i n g 5 0 , e i g h t o f t hem critically

O n e p e r s o n w a s r e p o r t e d m i s s i n g a f t e r falling into the rain-fed river at Bhegdewadi, just over a km from the picturesque K

attracts hordes of tourists

More than a 100 people were on the footbridge when a portion of the structure gave way close to the stone bank of the river, state minister f o r w a t e r r e s o u r c e s a n d disaster management Girish Mahajan said

T h e f o o t b r i d g e c o n n e c t i n g S h e l a r w a d i , c l o s e t o t h e o l d P u n eM u m b a i h i g h w a y , w i t h Kanhewadi near Indori is a

Mahajan said

India urges FATF to put Pakistan on grey list

T h e Fi n a n c i a l

A ctio n Ta sk For ce (F A T F ), t h e P a r i sb a s e d i n te rgovern me ntal b ody, h a s i s s u e d a r a r e

co n d e mn a t i o n o f t h e A p r i l 22n d

c

advancements in deep-sea exploration, marine plastic

fisheries

A d d r e s s i n g m a r i

pollution, India presented

c o u n t r y a l s o o u t l i n e d e f f o r t s t o e x p a n d m a r i n e protected areas, which now c o v e r 6 6 p

projects valued at over $80 billion The Pradhan Mantri

fish production by

urged a robust 'Nice Ocean Action Plan, emphasizing investment in innovation, s

B

A

n d finalization of the plastics treaty India reiterated its readiness to collaborate for a sustainable ocean future

India unveils ambitious Indus water diversion plan

Followi ng swi ft short-term

i n i ti at iv es to h ar ne s s t he

I ndus River sys tem, I ndia has emb arked on a more ex te nsive strategy for i nterb asin water transfers

A f e a s i b i l i

canal, aimed at rerouting surplus water from Jammu & K a s

This ambitious project also

includes the revival of the l o n g - s t

d U j h multipurpose project (for

J&K's Kathua district

which will link the Chenab w

ensure the full utilisation of I n d i

Crucially, it will also enable I

Jhelum, and Chenab) under the Indus Waters Treaty,

y excess flow into Pakistan

The magnitude of this plan was hinted at by home minister Amit Shah while addressing a BJP training session in Pachmarhi He

Sri Ganganagar via canals

g e x t e n s i v e irrigation benefits across a large area of the country Shah said that this move w o u l d l e a v e P a k i s t a n craving for every drop of water This strategic move

u n d e r s c o r e s I n d i

' s commitment to optimising i

development

t e r r or i s t a t t a ck i n Paha lgam, w hich resulte d in the deaths of 26 pe ople in a targ eted k illin g This str on g state men t comes as In dia i nten sif ies i ts efforts t o ha v e Pa k i s t a n p l a ce d ba ck on the FATF's 'grey l i s t ' f o r i t s a l le ge d co n t i n u e d s u pp o r t of terrori st a ctiv itie s In its communiqué, the watchdog declared, “FATF notes with grave concern and condemns the brutal t e r r o r i s t a t t a c k i n Pahalgam on April 22, 2025

T h i s , a n d o t h e r r e c e n t a t t a c k s , c o u l d n o t o c c u r w i t h o u t m o n e y a n d t h e m e a n s t o m o v e f u n d s b e t w e e n t e r r o r i s t s u p p o r t e r s ” T h e s e comments from the FATF, e s t a b l i s h e d i n 1 9 8 9 t o combat money laundering and terror financing, arrive at a critical juncture India h a s f o r m a l l y a p p r o a c h e d t h e a g e n c y , u r g i n g i t t o t a k e a c t i o n a g a i n s t P a k i s t a n , c i t i n g i t s p e r s i s t e n t b a c k i n g o f terrorist activities within India, including the recent Pahalgam atrocity F o l l

a i g n a g a i n s t multilateral assistance to Pakistan A key objective of this campaign is to choke f u n d i n g

India's population hits 1.46bn, fertility rate declines: UN report

I ndia's populati on i s esti-

m ated to reach 1 46 bi lli on

i n 2025 , solidif ying its posi-

t io n a s t he w orl d's m os t populous nation, acc ordi ng

t o t h e U N P

i on Fund’s ( UN FPA) 2 025 State

s hift: India 's Total Fertili ty

R ate ( TFR ) has fallen to 1 9, b

in dicatin

on growth

The UN projects India's

t o p

k a t approximately 1 7 billion in a

u t 4 0 y e a r s b e f o r e beginning to decline This contrasts with China's esti-

mated 2025 population of 1 41 billion While India has m a d e c o m m e

TFR from nearly five children per woman in 1970, thanks to improved educat

UNFPA report reveals persistent inequalities Many

women, still face barriers to

ductive choices, leading to a ‘high fertility and low fertility duality ’

Pradesh continue to exhibit high fertility rates due to limited access to services

norms Conversely, states

such as Delhi, Kerala, and

below-replacement fertility, often due to economic

affecting educated middleclass women

This demographic tran-

future, including a potential aging population and a shifting workforce dynam-

need to address these challenges, focusing on social security, healthcare for an

d maximising the productivity of its still-large workingage population to ensure c

c growth

Okha native Vadhwana pioneers India's diplomatic mission in Bolivia

R oh

4 4-ye ar-old na tive of O kha, G ujara t, has embar ked on a h ist or ic diploma tic mission, becoming Ind ia 's

Boliv ia

Tasked with establishing India s first full-fledged mission in the South American nation, Vadhwana faces the unique challenge of building an embassy from the ground up in La Paz, the world's highest capital city nestled nearly 12,000 feet high in the Andes mountains This pivo t a l a p

scores India's strategic push

f engagement

A n I n d i a n F o r e i g n Service (IFS) officer from the

n , London, and Nairobi, where

h e a l s o a c t e d a s D e p u t y Permanent Representative to

U N E P a n d U N - H a b i t a t

Reflecting on his ‘ unconven-

tional’ journey from a coastal town to highland diplomacy, he shared how a well-wisher guided him towards civil service after he completed his LLB in Porbandar His personal journey also saw him navigate challenges for his inter-religious marriage with F e m i d a S h a i k h , w h o n o w joins him in La Paz as they forge new connections in the Spanish-speaking country

A s s u m i n g h i s r o l e i n M a r c h 2 0 2 5 , V a d h w a n a i s c o m m i t t e d t o p r o m o t i n g India's soft and hard power He sees great significance in India opening its mission as Bolivia celebrates 200 years of independence, marking a high point in bilateral relations While trade, particu-

larly in gold and pharmaceuticals, touched $2 3bn in 2023, the mission aims t

n g , minerals, and energy V a d h w a n a f i

tion with Bolivians, noting their warmth and curiosity about Indian traditions, similar to his own upbringi n g i n I n d i a C

exchange is a priority, with enthusiastic local participation in festivals like Holi and plans to bring an Indian cul-

bicentennial He also champions Yoga's growing popul

B o l i v i a , i n c l u d i n g i n Cochabamba and Isla del Sol A writer and certified life

c o a c h , A m b a s s a d o r

Vadhwana envisions a strong partnership built on mutual respect and shared progress, f o s t e r i

nations

India to conduct digital census in 2027, NPR update unlikely

I n di a' s c en s u s p r o c es s ,

stalled for five years due to the Covid-1 9 pandemic, is s e t to r es u m e w it h th e H om e Mi ni stry's n oti fi cation of the Centre's intention to conduct a p opu lat io n c o u n t i n 2 02 7

C ru c i a ll y, g o ve rn m en t so urc es indicate th at a p arallel up date of the National P op ulation Register ( NPR) is unlikely to occu r alongside th e Census

This will be India's first digital census, with a reference date of 00 00 hours on March 1st, 2027 For Ladakh and snow-bound regions of J&K, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, this date will be advanced to 00 00 hours on October 1st, 2026

S o u r c e s s u g g e s t t h a t Census 2027 will follow the

schedule of past decennial exercises, aiming to release final population data by the end of 2027 This timeline is pivotal, setting the stage for d e l i m

' s quota in legislatures by the 2029 general election, and a subsequent increase in the strength of the Lok Sabha and state assemblies The exercise will unfold in two phases: house-listing operations, anticipated between A p r i l 1 s t a n d S

b e r 2026, followed by popula-

February 9th to 28th, 2027

Significantly, caste enumeration – the first since the 1931 Census – is expected during the second phase

The government reporte d

census, opting not to club it with the NPR update, which

2021's house-listing phase The intent to update the NPR with census 2021 was notified on July 31st, 2019 The NPR, first compiled in 2010 and updated in 2015,

At least eig ht peopl e were killed in Uttar P radesh in l i g h t ni ng st r i ke s i n P rayagr aj and Jau np ur dist rict s since S at urday night U P CM Y o gi Adit yanath exp ressed co ndolence o n t he loss of lives and directe

o v i de r elief amo unts to the families o f the deceased

In Prayagraj, a couple a n d t h

daughters were killed after being struck by lightning in Sonvarsa Hallabol village on Saturday night T

daughters Radha (3) and Karishma (2)

Police said the entire hut was damaged in the incident, and the charred bodies were sent for postmortem examination

revenue) Vinita Singh said the family was sleeping in their thatched house when the incident took place In

and a farmer, were killed when lightning struck in C

Sunday afternoon Chandawak police sta-

Yadav said Ansh Yadav (12), his younger brother Ashu (10) and their neighbour Ayush (12) died in lightning strike in Kashidaspur v

n orchard near their home

k place Brijesh Rajbhar (28), a farmer, was working in the field in Karnahua village, also died in lightning strike

National Register of Indian Citizens as per Citizenship Rules The

Citizenship

leaked NPR schedule had previously sparked concerns

among

Notably, the

Register of Citizens (NRC) promise

‘Kidnapped’ diamond dealer Choksi sues Indian

F u g i ti v e d i am o n d d e ale r

Mehul Ch oksi is suing the Indian go vernment over his alleg ed kid napping from a C aribbean island He alleged that he was kidnapp ed and s m u g g l ed b y y ac h t t o a C aribbean island as part o f an Ind ian intellig ence operat io n , th e Hi g h C o u r t i n Lo nd on has been told He is suing the Indian g o v e r n m e n t f o r a l l e g e d l y o r d e r i n g h i s k i d n a p p i n g , a l o n g w i t h t h e b e a u t i f u l woman he claims lured him into a trap and the four men he says masterminded the o p e r a t i o n i n L o n d o n Choksi told the court he was l u r e d t o a n a p a r t m e n t i n

J o l l y H a r b o u r , A n t i g u a Choksi, 66, was kidnapped from the island of Antigua a n d t a k e n b y y a c h t t o Dominica as part of a plot to “render” him to India in May 2021, the court was told T h e b u s i n e s s m a n i s

govt in London

w a n t e d i n I n d i a o v e r a n alleged bank fraud, which he denies The alleged fraud is linked to his nephew, Nirav Modi, a jeweller known as the Diamond King Modi’s international empire included a shop in Mayfair, central London, whose customers included the model Rosie

H u n t i n g t o n - W h i t e l e y , t h e a c t r e s s N a o m i W a t t s a n d the film producer Priyanka Chopra

The business collapsed i n 2 0 1 8 w h e n M o d i w a s a c c u s e d b y t h e I n d

authorities of

been in jail in the UK since 2019 fighting extradition Edward Fitzgerald KC, representing Choksi, told a preliminary hearing at the High Court that the Indian government began seeking the businessman’s extradition from Antigua in March 2018

“The case was, and is,

India,” he said “The government of India, including the

Modi], has repeatedly and

Na rm a d ab a, t h e w i f e o f noted spiritual lead er and Ram kath a expo nent Morari Bap u, passed aw ay at their residence in Talg ajard a villag e in Gujarat’s Bhavnag ar district, fam ily sources said Sh e was 79 and had been unwell for some tim e In the days leading up to h er passi ng , N arm a d ab en ’ s h ea lt h h a d d e ter i o rat ed si g n if icantly, and she had rep ortedly stopped eating in the last two d ays “ N a r m a d a b a b r e a t h e d her last at their residence in T a l g a j a r d a , a v i l l a g e i n Mahuva taluka of Gujarat’s Bhavnagar district She was laid to rest with full spiritual rites and given ‘Samadhi’ at the same location later in the morning,” a close aide of Morari Bapu said P r i m e M

Morari Bapu over the phone

conspirators as Gurdip Bath,

and Gurjit Singh Bhandal They all deny wrongdoing

ment Morari Bapu is widely known for his recitations of the Ramcharitmanas and is regarded as one of the leading narrators of Ramkatha in India and abroad

News of her demise cast a deep pall of sorrow over

where a complete shutdown was observed as a mark of respect Locals and devotees

Choksi

Narmadaba

Ambassador Rohit Vadhwana presented his credentials to H E Luis Alberto Arce Catacora President of the Plurinational State of Bolivia

PM Modi lands in Canada to attend G7 Summit

counterterrorism operation

Canada, he is expected to hold bilateral meetings with

Trump cutting short his G7 t

back home amid the ongoing Iran-Israel crisis

Modi backs Cyprus in fight against Turkiye

M

hospitality"

M

From Cyprus, the Prime

Canada for the G7 Outreach

G

Israel and Iran and Russia

Zelenskyy will also be among

event

This marks PM Modi s first multilateral appearance following the conclusion of

Shubhanshu Shukla's

other leaders from the G7 nations and guest countries

Apart from Carney, the Prime Minister will also hold bilateral meetings with his counterparts from Germany,

sidelines of the summit

space flight

likely on June 19

The Axiom-4 mission (Ax-4), which will take Group Captain Sh ubhanshu Shukla to space, is no w exp ected to be launch ed on June 19, Isro said

“Axiom Space informed that they are working closely with Nasa to assess the p

Module onboard the International Space Station (ISS) Axiom Space is now targeting June 19 for the launch of the Ax-04 mission,” Isro said Axiom Space or Nasa are yet to make a formal announcement about the new launch date, though

The launch, originally scheduled for May 2 9 , w a s d e f e r r e d t o J u n e 8 , f o l l

detection of an issue in the electrical harness of the Crew Dragon module, Isro had said

earlier It was then postponed by a day to June 9 - which was not publicly announcedand then rescheduled to June 10

This postponement, according to Isro, was due to a delay in “preparedness of the Falcon-9 vehicle for the launch ” The June 10 launch was rescheduled yet again, this time d u e t o u n f a v o u r a b l e w e a t h e r c o n d i t i o n s along the rocket’s ascent corridor

During preparations for a hot-fire test on June 8, SpaceX engineers detected a liquid oxygen (LOX) leak in Falcon-9 An anomaly was also found in one of the engine actuators, which was subsequently replaced along with its controller Expecting a quick resolution of the LOX leak, the mission was initially rescheduled for June 11

British high commissioner Lindy Cameron offers prayers at

B ritish high commissione r to In dia Lindy C amer on visit ed t he BA PS S wa mina ra yan t empl e in Ga ndhin agar and offered pray ers for the v ictims of the r ece nt Air India tr agedy

H e r vi si t t o t he sp ir i t ua l a n d cul t ur a l l a n dm ar k in cl ud e d a sol e mn mom en t of r efl ection and trib ute to those who lost t he ir l ives

D u r i n g h e r v i s i t , h i g h c o m m i s s i o n e r Cameron also acknowledged the courage and dedication of the first responders, rescue teams, and local communities who played a vital role in the aftermath of the incident She praised their tireless efforts in providing aid and comfort during such a devastating time and expressed solidarity with those directly impacted by the tragedy

T h e H i g h c o m m i s s i o n e

m l y

BAPS temple

received by BAPS representatives and taken on a guided tour of the temple complex Expressing deep condolences on behalf of the United Kingdom, she extended her support to the grieving families, noting that such tragedies remind us of our shared humanity and the importance of global compassion Lindy Cameron, British High Commissioner to India, offers flower petals to Bhagwan Swaminarayan

China adding 100 nuclear warheads annually, says SIPRI

C hi na i s now ad di ng 10 0 warh ead s t o i ts nuclear arsenal every year, whi ch is alread y more th an three times Indi a ’ s stockpile Whi le Indi a continues to maintai n a sl ight edge over P ak i st an, t he re ce nt cr o ss b o rd er m i li tar y confli ct between them risked escalati ng i nto a nuclear crisi s, s ays a gl obal arms watc hdog

China has 600 warheads, up from 500 in Jan 2024, while India has 180 and Pakistan 170, as per the latest assessment by the Stockholm International Peace Institute (SIPRI) Russia and the US, of course, are way ahead of others, together accounting for 90% of all nuclear weapons Taking note of Operation Sindoor launched by India against Pakistan on May 7, a s

disinformation risked turning a conventional conflict into a nuclear crisis ”

Indian officials, including Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, however, have stressed that the May 7-10 hostilities came nowhere close to either side contemplating the use of nuclear weapons

India, however, did strike the Sargodha and Nur Khan air-bases, among others, in clear strategic messaging The first is located near Pakistan’s underground nuclear infrastructure and storage facilities at Kirana Hills, while the second is close to the headquarters of the S t r a t

country’s nuclear arsenal Overall, the SIPRI report said China’s nuclear arsenal is growing faster than any other country and is likely to touch 1,500 warheads by 2035

the first by an Indian PM in 23 years - saw the two sides discussing efforts to scale up cooperation in defence, s e c u r i t y a n d c o n n e c t i v i t

with focus on IMEEC, with t h

sovereignty and territorial i n t e

recognised

issues through dialogue and restoring stability was the cry of humanity Speaking alongside Cyprus President Christodoulides in Nicosia, Modi reiterated his message that this isn’t the era of war Modi’s visit to Cyprus -

free trade agreement (FTA) with the European Union by the end of 2025 He also stressed the importance of the proposed India-Middle

Cypriot president India- EU free trade deal Modi reaffirmed India's commitment to finalising

India, 18 others abstain; 149 back UN resolution for Gaza ceasefire

A UN Ge n er al A s s em bl y (UNGA) reso lu tio n seeking im me di a te, u n c o nd i ti o na l and lasting ceasefire in Gaza wa s ad o p te d wi th over wh el ming su p po rt, a s 1 49 c o u n tri e s v o te d i n fa vo u r I nd i a wa s a mo n g th e 1 9 co u nt ri e s th a t ab s ta i ne d, ev en a s ke y American allies like th e UK, Au stralia and Japan voted in favou r The US, Israel and 10 o t h e r c o u n t r i e s v o t e d against A similar resolution

f o r p e r m a n e n t G a z a c e a s e f i r e i n t h e S e c u r i t y C o u n c i l l a s t w e e k w a s vetoed by the US Since the

Hamas’ terrorist strikes on Israel on October 7, 2023 and the subsequent Israeli action leading to the present situation, India had twice voted in favour of UNGA Gaza ceasefire resolutions –first in December 2023 and again in the same month a year later for immediate and permanent ceasefire I n d i a ’ s p e r m a n e n t representative to the UN, P Harish, however, said that India’s vote was in line with its abstention earlier on 2 other resolutions – one in 2022 that referred “violation by Israel of the right of the Palestinian people to self-

Justice and another in 2024 asking Israel to abide by the UN Charter and endorsing the work of UNRWA that was banned by Israel Explaining India’s vote, H

and condemned the loss of civilian lives He also

humanitarian assistance for Gaza

Toddler among 7 killed in Kedarnath helicopter crash

A hel i cop ter car ryin g sev en p eo p l e - a t o d d l er, f i v e p i l g r i ms an d th e p i l otc ras hed n ear Gauri kund on the Kedarn ath route, ki lling everyon e on board The Bell 4 0 7 ch o p p er, op e rat ed by A rya n A v i at io n , c aug h t f i re af ter the cr as h, l eavi n g the bodies charred The Aircraft Acci den t Inv estig ation Bureau (AAIB ) will lead the in quiry i n t o th e c ras h Th i s i s

as h d uri ng thi s year

s Char D ham Yatra - on M ay 9, six people d ied in a crash near Gan gnani i n Uttarkashi di strict The helicopter had taken off from Kedarnath and ran i n t o d e n s e f o g a n d p o o r v i s i b i l i t y i n t h e n a r r o w

H i m a l a y a n v a l l e y , o f f i c i a l s s a i d T h e r e g i o n a l

m e t e o r o l o g i c a l c e n t r e h a d i s s u e d a y e l l o w a l e r t f o r h e a v y r a i n i n 1 0 d i s t r i c t s , i n c l u d i n g R u d r a p r a y a g , earlier Preliminary reports suggest adverse weather may have played a role

C a p t a i n R a j v e e r S i n g h

C h a u h a n , t h e p i l o t a n d a resident of Jaipur, died in the c r a s h a l o n g w i t h V i k r a m

R a w a t , 4 5 , a B a d r i - K e d a r t e m p l e c o m m i t t e e r e p r e s e n t a t i v e f r o m

U k h i m a t h i n R u d r a p r a y a g ; Vinod Devi, 66, and Trishti

S i n g h , 1 9 , b o t h f r o m U P ; Rajkumar Jaiswal, 41, a coal

t r a n s p o r t e r f r o m M a h a r a s h t r a ; h i s w i f e S h r a d d h a J a i s w a l , 3 5 ; a n d their two-year-old daughter, Kashi

Rescue teams from SDRF

a n d N D R F r e a c h e d t h e densely forested and rugged c r a s h s i t e a f t e r n a v i g a t i n g t h i c k f o g a n d c h a l l e n g i n g terrain All seven bodies were recovered District disaster

m a n a g e m e n t o f f i c e r N K

Rajwar said, “It seems the weather changed suddenly, c r e a t i n g f o g g y c o n d i t i o n s that caused the chopper to l o s e i t s c o u r s e , u l t i m a t e l y leading to the accident ” Tighter norms for Kedar

"Found 'Swades' script boring": Aamir Khan on rejecting Shah Rukh's film

Aamir Khan recently revealed a surprising chapter from his past, shedding light on why he famously rejected Ashutosh Gowariker’s Swades, a film that later became a milestone for Shah Rukh Khan The superstar candidly shared in an interview with Zoom that he found the script "very boring" during a lengthy three-hour narration

The narration took place while Aamir and Gowariker were collaborating on the critically acclaimed Lagaan At that time, Swades was known by its working title, ‘Kaveri Amma’ Aamir recalled telling Gowariker his honest first reaction: that despite the noble thought and important message, the narrative failed to engage him "If you say this in such a boring manner, I got bored," he recounted

Despite his initial impression, Swades went on to achieve significant recognition, earning two National Awards and being widely regarded as one of Shah Rukh Khan's finest performances Aamir's acknowledgment of its eventual success, despite his personal disinterest in the script, serves as a testament to the transformative power of a director's vision and an actor's interpretation in shaping a film s ultimate impact

Intriguingly, Aamir confessed that he still hasn't watched the final film He speculated that Gowariker might have made corrections after his feedback, leading to its eventual success and Shah Rukh Khan's widely praised performance Indeed, Swades is celebrated as one of Shah Rukh's best works and garnered two National Awards Aamir Khan will be next in Sitaare Zameen Par, a remake of the Spanish movie Campeones, scheduled for release on June 20

Karisma Kapoor's ex-husband, Sunjay Kapur, dies after swallowing bee at polo match

Kabir Khan

Businessman

Sunjay Kapur, chairman of Sona Comstar and formerly married to actress Karisma Kapoor, passed away at the age of 53, reportedly succumbing to a heart attack during a polo match in England

The unexpected incident took a bizarre turn as business consultant Suhel Seth confirmed to ANI that Kapur accidentally swallowed a bee during the game, an irritation that may have tragically triggered the cardiac event A witness claimed his last words were, “I’ve swallowed something,” just before he collapsed during the game at Smith’s Lawn in Windsor

Sunjay Kapur had a highly publicised wedding with Karisma Kapoor in 2003, divorcing in 2016 They shared two children, Samaira and Kiaan Kapur was a visionary leader under whose guidance Sona Comstar flourished, particularly in the electric vehicle sector He had also recently been appointed chairman of the Confederation of Indian Industry’s (CII) northern region, overseeing operations across multiple states

Following his untimely death, heartfelt tributes have poured in from business associates and close friends, mourning the loss of a compassionate leader who left a lasting legacy The profound impact of Sunjay Kapur's leadership was immediately recognised by Sona Comstar, which issued a

backs Deepika Padukone, demands parity for female stars

Filmmaker

Kabir Khan has stepped forward to staunchly defend Deepika Padukone amidst reports of her significant demands for Sandeep Reddy Vanga's upcoming film, Spirit Khan's defence centres on a crucial question of industry parity, challenging the double standards often faced by female superstars

Addressing the ongoing debate, Kabir Khan argued forcefully, stating, If Aamir Khan and Akshay Kumar get 8-hour shifts, why not her?" This pointed remark underscores the discrepancy in expectations and remuneration when comparing male and female actors at the pinnacle of their careers

The filmmaker highlighted those stars like Padukone, who command immense box office success and critical acclaim, should be afforded the same professional considerations and respect as their male counterparts This conversation is long overdue in an industry where gender-based pay gaps have historically been stark, despite female leads often driving significant box office returns and critical praise

Khan's intervention brings to the forefront the persistent conversation around pays parity and equal working conditions in the Indian film industry He emphasised that

if male A-listers are granted flexibility and tailored schedules to accommodate their stature and multiple projects, then top female stars, who bring comparable value and draw to a film, deserve no less This stance champions the principle that talent, market value, and commitment should dictate professional terms, irrespective of gender, advocating for a more equitable playing field in Bollywood's top tier

statement honouring him as a ‘visionary leader and a compassionate person ’ Under his guidance, the company not only achieved significant success but also evolved into a global player, particularly making its mark in the burgeoning electric vehicle segment His dedication to excellence and his foundational values are said to have left an indelible legacy within the company and the broader business community, underscoring the deep void left by his sudden passing Kamal P ankh ania, C hief Execu tive o f Westcombe Gro up, said: "I was deeply saddened to hear of the sudden passing of Mr Sunjay Kapur His loss is felt profoundly across our community and beyond My thoughts and prayers are with his family during this incredibly difficult time "

Ali Fazal says parenthood beats the big screen

Acclaimed actor Ali Fazal

known for his compellin performances on both Indian international screens, recent shared a deeply personal reflection that redefines the concept of a blockbuster mo Speaking candidly, Fazal dec that witnessing his daughter growth is, without a doubt, h heartfelt cinematic moment’

The Mirzapur star and his wife, Richa Chadha, recently embraced parenthood, welcoming their daughter into the world While Fazal has garnered accolades for his

roles in films like Fukrey and Hollywood a & Abdul, he en drama or ompare to the ding of his His remarks arents who find nt in their For Fazal, this feeling but a us, unfolding tive more ivating than y script he's ver read It nderscores how, for even the biggest stars, life s

most precious moments often occur offcamera, away from the spotlight, in the quiet intimacy of family This heartfelt sentiment offers a refreshing perspective on what truly matters to the versatile actor Indeed, Fazal's revelation serves as a poignant reminder that while professional achievements bring recognition, the profound, unconditional love experienced through fatherhood often transcends all other successes His candidness not only endears him further to his audience but also highlights a universal truth: the simple, daily joys of watching a child grow can be the most cherished and irreplaceable experiences, offering a depth of emotion that no cinematic masterpiece can fully capture

South Africa finally clinch World Test Championship

in brief

Championship (WTC)

cricket trophy in 2 7 years when they wrapped up a five-wicket win

The last 69 runs required on Day Four were confidently knocked off by the Proteas in just over two hours - they hit only three boundaries - with Australia typically fighting all the way to the inevitable end S

portentous 213-2 overnight to a w

n n i n g 2 8 5 - 5 ,

e s e c o n dhighest successful run chase in the 141-year Test history at the home of cricket Victory laid to rest ghosts of heartbreaking losses on big ICC stages that have haunted South Africa for decades The venues and dates are infamous in South Africa cricket, among them Birmingham 1999, Dhaka 2011, Auckland 2015, Kolkata 2023 and Bridgetown 2024

But London 2025 will go down as one of the greatest days in South African sports “While we were batting, we could hear the Aussies using that dreaded word, ‘choke’,” P

m b a Bavuma said “It’s been years

since we ’ ve overcome a final We’ve been etched in history Also, it’s a chance for South Africa to be united We’ve got a cause where we can put aside our differences and enjoy ” T

bodes well for South Africa’s

ODI World Cup in 2027 It’s

mindsets won’t be burdened by not having won a global trophy since the Champions Trophy’s precursor in 1998

Serial champions Australia lost an ICC final for only

“They were fantastic in that

In a first, Indian team wins World Rapid Team Chess Championship

Grandmasters Arjun Erig aisi and P ranav registered crucial w ins o n th e final d ay as Team MGD1 became the first Indian team to clinch the FI DE World Rap id

T e am C h am p io n sh ip ti tle

S e ed e d s i xt h , T e am M GD 1 p osted 10 wins from 12 rounds

o v er t h ree d ays to e m erg e ch amp ions after a closely-foug ht battle with Team Hexamind

Stovroula, Pranav, Atharva

Srinath Narayanan, MGD1 secured the championship with key victories in the final round W

Mates proved decisive “ T h i s i s v e r y s p e c i a l !

with 21 points, one ahead of T e a m H e x a m i n d T e a m F r e e d o m , f e a t u r i n g V i s w a n a t h a n A n a n d , f i n i s h e d third with 17 points

World No 3 Arjun was the star of the final day for Team MGD1 as he scored 3 5 points out of 4, bouncing back from a disastrous day 2 in which he had managed just half a point

ARJUN-ARYA PAIR WINS 10M RIFLE MIXED GOLD

Paris Games participant Arjun Babuta and Arya Borse gave India one more gold at the ISSF World Cup in Munich The Indian pair won the top medal in the 10m air rifle mixed event The gold was special as it came against Paris Games gold medallist Sheng Lihao and Zifei Wang of China The Indian team qualified second with a combined score of 635 2, while the Chinese shooters were first with a new qualifying World Record of 635 9 The Indians won 17-7 in the gold medal match In the final the Chinese took the lead by winning the first two points but the Indian duo sprang into action and won four consecutive shots to take a lead of six points (8-2) Throughout the final, Arjun and Arya never looked under pressure and sailed smoothly by hitting high 10s In the mixed event, the total of both players shots is compared with the opponents The pair with the highest total wins two points In case of a draw, both teams get one point each Arjun, who had finished fourth in Paris, shot with Lihao, the eventual champion However, the Indian said he never took the pressure of playing against his old nemesis

PRANATI VAULTS TO THIRD BRONZE AT ASIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS

H a v i n g w o n s i l v e r a n d bronze in the last two editions, M G D 1 b e g a n t h e i r c a m p a i g n with a perfect day one But a draw against Team Freedom and a loss to Team Hexamind on day two left them needing a flawless finish to stay in the hunt The side responded in style, winning all four rounds on the final

With the Indian team in the O l y m p i a d w

t h e favourites to win and out here with Team MGD1 we were the underdogs And yet we won gold a g a i n

Leon Mendonca, David Anton

After 16 year wait,

Vadodara to finally host men’s ODI

T h e 1 6 -y ea r- lo n g w a it f o r

c ri c ke t- lo v i n g B ar o d i ans is finally set to end T he city will

h o s t a m en ’ s on e- d a y i n ter nat io n al ( O DI ) at t h e K otam bi International Cricket

S t ad i u m T h e B C C I h as schedu led the first ODI betw een

I n d i a a nd Ne w Z e ala nd i n V ado dara on Jan 1 1, 2026

Coincidentally, the last ODI played in the city in 2010 was

a l s o b e t w e e n I n d i a a n d N e w

Z e a l a n d a t t h e R e l i a n c e Stadium India won the match by nine wickets

“It is a matter of privilege for a venue to be chosen to host an international cricket match in any format The Baroda Cricket Association (BCA) is honoured

a s i t h a s b e e n g i v e n a n opportunity to host the IndiaNew Zealand ODI,” said Pranav Amin, BCA president

T h e B C C I r e c e n t l y a n n o u n c e d i t s c r i c k e t i n g calendar for the rest of the year, but Vadodara didn’t figure on

t h e l i s t o f v e n u e s f o r a n y i n t e r n a t i o n a l m e n ’ s c r i c k e t match in 2025 Sources in the BCA said that Amin took up the

d

requested the senior officials to consider the city as a venue for the men ’ s ODI or international T20 match, as the city now has a brand new international cricket stadium

BCA officials said that the c i t y w

l l n o w b e r

r l y allotted ODIs and international T20 matches The city has in the past hosted 10 ODIs at Reliance Stadium

However, the BCCI brought in a rule that mandated the state cricket associations to own a s t a d i u m f o r h o s t i n g international matches The BCA didn’t have a stadium of its own and hence missed out on several opportunities to host ODIs, T20 internationals, and IPL matches

o v e r t h e l a s t 1 6 y e a r s T h e cricket stadium was a major poll issue in the BCA for nearly 20 years, and the association even made a few attempts to buy land for constructing a stadium The deals, though, failed The BCA finally managed to buy a piece of land at Kotambi in 2014, but the stadium project kept hanging in the balance amid controversies and differences within the BCA management

a i d i n a release Team MGD1 finished

O n t h e f i n a l d a y , A r j u n began with a victory over GM

R i c h a r d R a p p o r t o f K a z C h e s s and then fought back in what looked like a lost endgame to d r a w a g a i n s t T a s h k e n t O p e n 2025 champion GM Nihal Sarin

Indian cricketer Tilak Varma joins Hampshire county

In dia n ba tt er Tila k Va r ma has sig ne d w ith Ha mpsh ire for the ong oin g Count y Cham pion ship sea son, mar king his re d-ba ll d ebut in Eng lish d omestic cr ick et The move was confir med by the Hyd era ba d Cr ick et Association

Varma, 22, has represented India in four ODIs and 25 T20Is and was last seen in action during the IPL 2025 Qualifier 2 for Mumbai Indians Though known for his white-ball skills, his first-class record is equally impressive – 1,204 runs in 18 matches, including five centuries and four fifties His most recent red-ball appearance came in the Duleep Trophy last September for India A Hampshire, competing in Division One, currently hold a record of two wins, three draws, and two losses from seven matches After a recent defeat to Sussex, the team is set to play Essex in Chelmsford from June 22–25, where Varma could potentially make his debut His signing comes on the heels of another Indian cricketer joining county ranks - Ruturaj Gaikwad, captain of Chennai Super Kings, was named Yorkshire’s latest overseas recruit Gaikwad will join Yorkshire in July and remain with the club through the One-Day Cup, following a legacy of Indian players like Sachin Tendulkar, Yuvraj Singh, and Cheteshwar Pujara who have featured for the county

Gujarat’s Daniya wins gold in Tashkent TT meet

Gujarat’s rising paddler Daniya Godil shone at the international level by winning a gold medal in the U-13 girls’ category at the WTT Youth Contender Tashkent 2025 in Uzbekistan The 13-yearold locked horns with her country mate and India number one Tanisha Kalbhairav in the summit clash and came out on the top with a hard-fought 3-2 to win to finish atop the podium After winning three qualifying matches, Daniya crushed Khadisha Alzhanova of Kazakhastan 3-0 in the round of-16, before sweeping past local girl Jasmina Nazarova with a 3-0 triumph in the quarterfinal The world no 1,046 then sprung a massive surprise by upsetting world no 248 Zhaniya B of Kazakhastan 3-0 in their last four encounter

Pranati Nayak won her third medal at the Women’s Artistic Gymnastics Asian Championships in vault in Jecheon South Korea Nayak who had earlier won the bronze twice - in 2019 Ulaanbaatar and 2022 Doha - finished third once again in the standings with a score of 13 466 The gold medal was won by China s Zhang Yihan with a score of 13 650 and the silver went to Vietnam s Nguyen Thi Quynh Nhu, who got a score of 13 583 India s Protistha Samanta also impressed in the same event and finished fourth with a score of 13 016 For Nayak, who struggled with injuries last year, 2025 has been a remarkable year so far Not only did she win a bronze in the vault final at the FIG World Cup in Antalya, Turkey, in March, she also won the gold in the All-Around final in artistic gymnastics at the National Games, besides a silver and two bronze medals Nayak, who trains at the Gymnastics High-Performance Centre in Bhubaneswar, made the finals after qualifying in fourth place with a score of 13 083 As her coach Ashok Mishra had said earlier she was confident of a good showing and she did exactly that when it mattered

TWO TEAMS DECLARED JOINT WINNERS OF CPL

Heritage City Titans and Karnavati Kings were declared joint winners of the second edition of the Cricket Premier League (CPL) after rain ensured completion of only one innings After Heritage City Titans won the toss and chose to field first Karnavati Kings scored a competitive 167 runs for the loss of 6 wickets in 20 overs Chintan Gaja led the Kings with the bat Gaja (49), Siddharth Vekariya (40) and Rudra Nitin Patel (32) helped Kings post a competitive total after a slow start For Kings, Kripal Barad grabbed two wickets conceding 35 runs while Kushan Shyam Patel returned figures of 1/19 As soon as the first innings ended, rain started and no further play was possible The match was eventually called off and both finalists were declared joint winners