AV 26th April 2025

WE STILL BELONG!

The “English vs Desi” debate, that has long shaped the lives of British Asians has recently come under spotlight The second and third generations often feel pressured to choose one identity, even when they enjoy the best of both To explore this ‘conundrum’ and take the discussion further, Asian Voice ran a social media poll with hundreds of participants, sparking real conversations about identity and belonging

Pahalgam on Tuesday, killing at least 26 people, including foreign tourists, and

responsibility for the attack

security forces that two to three men dressed in military fatigues rushed in and started firing indiscriminately at tourists while they were enjoying the Baisaran

M

a c k Intelligence sources said that the terrorists inquired about the religion before shooting them dead

Security forces were rushed to the area, and a massive anti-terrorist operat i o n w a s l a u n c h e d t o h u n t d o w n t h e assailants Videos of the aftermath of the attack showed people lying motionless a n d b l o o d i

women were frantically looking for their loved ones

Subhasini Naicker

Second and third generation South Asians in the UK often find themselves having to justify their “Englishness,” despite being born and raised in the country. From modifying names to downplaying cultural traditions at school or work, many navigate a constant balancing act between heritage and belonging

Tourist being rescued in Pahalgam terror attack

Former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his family celebrated Diwali at 10 Downing Street in 2023

Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Lisa Nandy

PM Narendra Modi meets the Vice President of the United States, JD Vance, Second Lady Usha Vance and their children at his residence

UK and India strengthen defence ties, enhance collaboration

The United Kingdom and I ndi a revi ewed t he ir defence ties during the 24th D efe nce Cons u ltati ve Group (DCG) meeting, held in London this week

The discussions focused on strengthening defence industry collaboration and advancing India’s ‘Make in India’ initiative The meeting was co-chaired by India’s Defence Secretar y Rajesh Kumar Singh and the UK’s Permanent Secretar y for Defence, David Williams Both sides explored ways to deepen bilateral defence cooperation, with the dialogue’s conclusion shared via off icial social media updates

“The 24th India-UK Defence Consultative Group meeting in London saw Defence Secretar y Rajesh Kumar Singh and UK counterpart David Williams co-chair discussions aimed at enhancing bilateral defence cooperation,” the Indian Ministry of Defence said “Key focus areas included expanding

industry collaboration and promoting the ‘Make in India’ initiative, particularly in niche and emerging technologies,” the statement added

The meeting comes ahead of the UK’s Carrier Strike Group deployment, led by the aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales, which is scheduled to depart Portsmouth on April 22 for an Indo-Pacif ic mission that includes a port call in India Named Operation Highmast, the deployment will see UK armed forces conduct joint exercises and operations with partners and allies, including India

“The group will transit the Indian Ocean, conducting exercises and port visits with partners including the US, India, Singapore, and Malaysia, before joining 19 partner nations for Exercise Talisman Sabre near Australia It will also train alongside the Japanese SelfDefence Forces and visit Indian ports,” the UK Ministry of Defence stated

The Indo-Pacif ic is a key region for UK trade, with imports and exports valued in the billions The deployment will also create opportunities for UK companies to participate in trade events during the scheduled port visits

Prisons minister pledges ‘ bold decisions’ amid capacity crisis

The UK prison system is facing a capacity crisis, with the prison population growing by 100 people each week, a cc ordi ng to the pris ons mi ni st er, Lord James Timpson

Speaking at the Crime and Justice Summit, Timpson warned that the current situation, with just 500 available spaces in male prisons, is unsustainable

“You can’t run any organisation when you ’ re that close to running out of space, ” he said Recent Ministr y of Justice (MoJ) data revealed

that only 961 spaces remain across the entire prison estate, with the system set to hit its operational capacity of 89,042 soon To address the issue, Timpson vowed to make "bold decisions" in the coming months to reduce the number of criminals sent to jail

In the short term, the MoJ has reintroduced the use of police cells to house inmates temporarily This emergency measure, which costs nearly f ive times the average cost of a prison place, will remain in place

for at least a month

Timpson also endorsed the Times Crime and Justice Commission's recommendation to grant more autonomy to prison governors, allowing them to make decisions within their units He stressed the need for longterm leadership in prisons to foster a positive culture and improve outcomes

Despite the challenges, Timpson expressed optimism, citing government support and his enthusiasm for tackling the complex issues within the system

Three subpostmasters receive OBEs

Three former subpostmasters have been awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for their rele ntl es s f ight for justice, but they remain determined to continue their campaign

China accuse s steel row MPs of twisted mindset

China has accused British MPs of displaying "arrogance" and a "twisted mindset" following the escalating diplomatic row over British Steel

The UK government intervened to take direct control of the company due to concerns that its Beijing-based owners, Jingye, would not keep the Scunthorpe plant operational There were fears that Jingye intended to sabotage the site, increasing the UK’s reliance on inexpensive Chinese imports British MPs have accused Beijing of deliberately undermining the UK's industrial base

In response, the Chinese embassy warned that politicising or exaggerating business issues would damage future cooperation between China and the UK A spokesperson for the embassy stated, “The anti-China rhetoric from some British politicians is absurd, reflecting their arrogance, ignorance, and twisted mindset ”

The statement also criticised British politicians for focusing on slandering the Chinese government instead of addressing concerns with the United States The embassy urged the UK government to act with fairness and protect the legitimate rights of Chinese companies in the UK

Luke de Pulford, executive director of the Inter-Parliamentar y Alliance on China, described the embassy's statement as "eccentric" and criticised the Chinese government for attempting to blame its critics for alleged sabotage

Concerns about China’s involvement in critical infrastructure have led to further security measures, such as the banning of electric vehicles with Chinese components from sensitive military sites

PM urged to stop using hotels for migrants

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has been urged to cancel migrant hotel contracts by next year to prevent foreign aid funds from being diverted to the asylum system

A letter signed by 106 international NGOs and charities, supporting refugees, asylum seekers, and children, condemned the UK’s asylum system as not f it for purpose

I N B R I E F SOLICITOR SUSPENDED OVER

STUDENT FLATS MISCONDUCT

A solicitor has been suspended after failing to warn clients that their investment in his wife’s property scheme was at risk Waheed Ur Rehman Mian who ran MR Solicitors in London, did not disclose that his wife, Sobi Waheed, was a director of Leicester-based developer Aronex, which collapsed in 2019 before construction began on a city centre flat development Investors had already paid 70% of the property costs The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal found Mian knew the company was in financial trouble but concealed this from clients He falsely claimed he was unaware of his wife’s role, but the tribunal ruled he had lied It also emerged two employees at his firm were Aronex directors another undisclosed conflict of interest The panel said Mian’s misconduct damaged trust in the profession and ordered him to pay £40 218 in costs His suspension will remain in place until August 2025

EY UNDER INVESTIGATION FOR POST OFFICE AUDIT

EY, one of the Big Four accounting firms, is under investigation for its role in auditing the Post Office's accounts during the Horizon software scandal, which led to the wrongful conviction of hundreds of post office operators The UK’s Financial Reporting Council (FRC ) has launched the investigation to determine if EY met its auditing standards, specifically concerning the Horizon IT system Developed by Fujitsu, Horizon was central to the scandal, which is regarded as the UK's largest miscarriage of justice The FRC clarified that its probe follows the conclusion of the Post Office Horizon IT inquiry in December which did not assess the role or knowledge of external auditors While the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales would normally oversee such matters the FRC has taken over due to the significant public interest The investigation will focus on the Post Office s financial records for the four years leading up to March 25, 2018

Seema Misra, Lee Castleton, and Christopher Head were honoured for their tireless efforts advocating for themselves and hundreds of other subpostmasters wrongly accused of theft due to faulty Horizon software

Misra, reflecting on the award, called it a “happy day” and a step forward for their cause, but stressed that

their f ight is far from over “The f ight is still on, ” she said, emphasising the need for compensation and accountability “We need to prove that nobody is above the law ”

Meanwhile, Sir Alan Bates has urged victims of the Horizon scandal to pursue legal action over delays in f inancial redress He suggested a judicial review might be the fastest route to securing fairness, with the resolution of

tially taking until November

The signatories, backed by Labour MP Sarah Champion, chair of the Commons international development committee, criticised the policy of outsourcing asylum accommodation to private companies

They argued that this approach provides taxpayers with "poor value for money" and exposes vulnerable individuals, including children, to risks due to insuff icient safeguarding oversight by the Home Off ice The letter advocates for housing asylum seekers in “dispersal accommodation” local authority-provided homes, bedsits, and flats This would be cheaper and support better integration

Using a f ifth of the foreign aid budget, £2 8 billion last year, to fund the £145 per person per night cost of housing asylum seekers in hotels undermines efforts to promote global stability, the letter asserts With a record number of small-boat crossings this year, the government has conf irmed talks with France about a migrant exchange deal Meanwhile, Starmer has pledged to end the use of foreign aid for domestic asylum costs and reduce foreign aid spending from 0 5% of national income to 0 3% by 2027

Ministers face pressure to trigger break clauses in £4 6 billion contracts signed with private contractors for asylum accommodation

‘MISLEADING’ MEDICAL TITLES NOT UNLAWFUL

A High Court judge has ruled that using medical titles that could mislead the public is not unlawful dismissing a legal challenge from the British Medical Association (BMA) The BMA had sought to prevent the General Medical Council (GMC ) from grouping non- qualified professionals like physician associates and anaesthesia associates under the same category as qualified doctors The BMA argued this could confuse patients and compromise safety The GMC defended its position stating that its guidance clearly distinguished between doctors and associates in public registers, and argued it was lawful to use a collective term for all regulated medical professionals Physician and anaesthesia associates, while not independently qualified, support doctors and anaesthetists in medical teams Justice Lambert rejected the BMA s challenge, stating that applying the same professional standards to associates was beneficial The BMA criticised the ruling, claiming it could lead to patient confusion and safety concerns The GMC welcomed the judgment

Seema Misra

Protest erupts over legal definition of ‘woman’

Thousands of trans rights supporters gathered in central London just days after the UK Supreme Court ruled that the legal definition of “ woman ” refers to someone b orn biologi cally female e xcl udi ng trans gende r women from that definition

An "emergency demonstration" in Parliament Square saw protesters waving trans pride flags and calling for “trans rights now ”

Britain's highest court has mandated that all organisations reassess their equality policies following its ruling that trans women are not legally recognised as women under the Equality Act On April 18, the Supreme Court resolved years of ambiguity by confirming that the definition of a woman in the Equality Act is based on biological sex Women's rights activists hailed this as a major victory, calling for immediate action to overturn policies that had permitted biological men into female-designated spaces

The ruling means that hospitals, prisons, businesses, and other organisations must now review their policies, with legal backing to protect single-sex spaces, including changing rooms, toilets, and women ’ s shelters, based on biological sex

The decision also put the Gender Recognition Act

under scrutiny, as it could render the law, which allows individuals to change their gender on official documents, effectively obsolete

The ruling ended a long legal dispute between the gender-critical feminist group For Women Scotland and the Scottish government over the interpretation of the Equality Act The court clarified that trans women who hold a genderrecognition certificate (GRC) are not entitled to sex-based rights in areas such as spaces reserved for women However, the judgment did not remove protections for trans women against discrimination

Prime Minister Keir Starmer no longer believes transgender women are women, according to his official spokesman While in 2022 he stated that "trans women are women," his spokesman now says the Supreme Court ruling clarifies that under the Equality Act, "a woman is a biological

woman " The judgment means trans women do not have the right to access women-only spaces or services The spokesman added that Starmer has consistently said "a woman is an adult female "

Lady Kishwer Falkner, chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, called the recent court ruling on sport “ enormously consequential,” affirming that those born male cannot compete in women ’ s sports She urged sports bodies to review the decision for guidance

Falkner also said the ruling clarified that single-sex services, like changing rooms, must be based on biological sex “If a male is allowed in a women-only facility, it becomes mixed,” she said, noting providers can still offer unisex options

“The law is clear: if a service is advertised as a women ’ s toilet, trans women should not be using that space, ” she added

Sadiq Khan aims to boost jobs and economy

M ayor of Lon don Sadiq Khan has unveiled plans to drive economic growth by he lpin g Londoners s ecure "good jobs "

This initiative is part of a £27 million skills programme funded by the Department for Education, designed to enhance productivity across the capital

The initiative, called Skills Bootcamps, will offer flexible courses for individuals aged 19 and older, focusing on sectors like hospitality, healthcare, construction, and creative industries

The courses will range from two weeks to three months and involve employers such as Tesco, Transport for London, and Hackney Council The new wave of the programme will see a 25% annual increase in funding, helping over 7,700 new learners In the 2023/24 financial year, 55% of partic-

ipants who completed the training secured a good job outcome, including career progression or new roles

The programme aims to address skill gaps by recruiting diverse talent, with nearly 75% of learners in the previous wave coming from minoritised ethnic backgrounds City Hall also offers financial support to employers, covering up to 90% of training costs for small and medium enterprises Khan emphasised the programme ’ s importance in tackling the high cost of living and boosting productivity across London

Slough man jailed for assault, fleeing UK

A man who left a woman w i th li fe-chang i ng injuries so severe her leg had to be amputated has been jailed for 11 years

Khurram Hussain, 28, of Stoke Road, Slough, was sentenced at Reading Crown Court on April 17 after a jury unanimously found him guilty following a seven-day trial The attack happened on June 18, 2023, when Hussain arrived on Windmill Road, Slough, with a group An altercation broke out involving a man in his 20s, which quickly escalated into violence with weapons being used Hearing the commotion,

the man ’ s mother, a woman in her 50s, rushed to defend her son, but Hussain used the car he had arrived in to repeatedly ram her, crushing her against a parked vehicle Hussain fled the scene and booked flights to Pakistan just hours later, where he remained for seven months On his return to the UK, he evaded police for weeks before finally handing himself in on February 7, 2024, when he was arrested and charged The woman ’ s injuries led to the amputation of her leg, while her son was also seriously hurt Both have since been discharged from hospital

Supreme Court allows naming doctors in end-of-life cases

The Supreme Court has ruled that the doctors involved in two controversial end-of-life cases can now be publicly named, following a long legal battle led by the parents of two children who died in 2018 and 2019

The cases of Isaiah Haastrup, aged 12 months, and Zainab Abbasi, six, were at the centre of disputes over life-support treatment, with court orders initially preventing the naming of the doctors involved In 2023, the parents of both children Lanre Haastrup, Isaiah's father, and Aliya and Rashid Abbasi, Zainab's parents successfully appealed to have the clinicians named However, the two NHS trusts involved, one in London and one in Newcastle, challenged this decision

The Supreme Court's ruling in April 2024, made by five justices, upheld the appeal, dismissing the trusts' claims that the doctors' identities should remain protected Lord Reed, President of the Supreme Court, stated that restrictions on free speech must be convincingly justified, and in this case, the NHS trusts failed to do so

The judgment emphasised that the treatment of patients in public hospitals is a matter of public interest, and medical professionals in such settings are considered public figures While recognising the importance of protecting staff from unfounded accusations, the court ruled that the parents' right to “tell their story” outweighed the doctors' privacy concerns

Dr Abbasi, speaking after the ruling, described the shock of witnessing the treatment his daughter received and the battle to have their voices heard, reflecting on the emotional and legal fight that led to the landmark ruling

Three other men, Hammad Aziz, 21, Mohammad Jamshad, 23, and Talhah Muhammad, 22, all from Slough, were charged in connection with the attack but were acquitted by the jury

I N B R

I E F RAF JETS SCRAMBLE TO DEFEND NATO AIRSPACE

British fighter jets have intercepted Russian aircraft three times in as many days, as tensions in European airspace continue to rise These interceptions mark the RAF’s first missions under Operation Chessman, a new NATO initiative aimed at strengthening European air defences Defence Minister Luke Pollard said the deployments demonstrate Britain’s “unshakeable commitment” to NATO as Russian aerial activity intensifies The UK has stationed six Typhoons and nearly 200 personnel in Poland expanding its role in NATO’s air policing following similar missions in Romania and Iceland last year Russia s air provocations have sharply increased since the invasion of Ukraine

COUNCILS ACCUSED OF DISCRIMINATION

Councils and universities have come under criticism for hiring practices that critics say discriminate against white candidates in the name of promoting diversity Some local authorities have reportedly adjusted interview shortlists to guarantee the inclusion of black and ethnic minority candidates These practices fall under “positive action,” which is permitted by the 2010 Equality Act Westminster City Council adopted “Rooney Rule,” requiring at least one ethnic minority candidate on interview shortlists The council insists it selects on merit and that all-white shortlists have been allowed through Birmingham City Council previously used the rule to address ethnic and gender imbalances, though it has since been dropped Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick called the policies discriminatory, arguing public roles should be awarded purely on merit not identity

A&E WAITING LIST INCREASE 70-FOLD

The number of patients waiting over 24 hours in A&E corridors has soared to more than 70 times pre-pandemic levels, new analysis reveals In 2019, just 689 people faced such delays, but by last year the figure had risen to 49,000 Older adults were hit hardest, with nearly 70% of those enduring 24-hour waits aged over 65 amounting to 33,000 people left waiting on trolleys for a hospital bed The Liberal Democrats who conducted the analysis, called the findings “harrowing and a stark reflection of the NHS s growing pressures The figures were based on freedom of information data from 54 NHS trusts

Celebrating the spirit of Gujarat and Maharashtra

May 1 marks the foundation day of both Gujarat and Maharashtra

To celebrate this special occasion, a dedicated episode of ‘S O N

has been organised, honouring the rich cultural heritage and vibrant traditions of both states.

We warmly invite readers of Gujarat Samachar and Asian Voice to nominate members of the Gujarati community who have lived in the UK for over 50 years and have made remarkable contributions to society Please share their name, photograph and a brief summary of their service to the community Email us at : support@abplgroup com

In this special episode, we will honour the remarkable individuals who have dedicated themselves to community service Those who continue to serve will be recognised for their ongoing efforts, while heartfelt tributes will be paid to those who are no longer with us

Join us in celebrating the spirit of selfless service and acknowledging the invaluable contributions of our community members during this memorable *Soneri Sangat* Zoom programme on Thursday, 1st May (See page no 9)

Sadiq Khan

L-R: Aliya Abbasi, Rashid Abbasi and Lanre Haastrup

Khurram Hussain

Teaching unions warn of school closures as pay disputes escalate

Concerns over rising misogynistic and racist behaviour, online extremism, and increasing violence in schools also highlighted

A seco nd majo r teachi ng unio n in E ng land has announced plans to strike if the government fails to fully compensate schools for next year ’ s teachers’ pay award

The NASUWT union’s annual conference voted to reject any government pay offer that does not include additional funding for school budgets in June’s spending review If the necessary funds are not secured, the union will immediately ballot its members for industrial action

This move means that both the NASUWT and the National Education Union (NEU), which together represent a significant portion of the country’s teaching workforce, are prepared to strike if Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson cannot secure extra funding to meet the pay award for the 2025-26 period The final pay decisions will depend on the recommendations from the independent School Teachers’ Review Body (STRB), but these have yet to be published

The Department for Education has proposed a 2 8% wage increase for teachers However, both the NASUWT and NEU are calling for an above-inflation pay rise and full compensation for schools, so that any pay increases do not force cuts in other areas If the spending review does not meet these demands, the unions may hold formal strike ballots during the summer, potentially leading to school closures in the autumn

During the same conference, teachers raised concerns about an alarming rise in misogynistic and racist behaviour among students, which they believe is being fuelled by exposure to social media, online gaming, and figures such as Donald Trump and Andrew Tate

A survey by NASUWT found that most teachers blame social media for worsening student behaviour, with female staff disproportionately targeted Teachers shared troubling stories, including incidents

where young boys, influenced by Andrew Tate’s views, refused to speak to female teachers or mimicked his aggressive behaviour towards women

In addition, teachers expressed concerns about students consuming violent and extreme online content, which they believe undermines respect for teachers and harms students’ attention spans The Department for Education acknowledged the issue, highlighting efforts to strengthen online safety through the new Online Safety Act and an upcoming curriculum review to help children navigate the digital world

However, teachers also reported rising violence in schools, with nearly 40% of educators having been physically attacked in the past year, including incidents involving knives and fire extinguishers Many teachers reported experiencing physical aggression, such as being punched, kicked, or threatened with weapons

Free breakfast clubs at school to save parents 100 hours

Tens of thousands of working families are set to benefit from a major expansion of free breakfast clubs, as the government delivers on its pledge to offer 30 minutes of free childcare every school day The first wave of the rollout began this week, with 750 sc hools a cr oss England now offering free breakfasts to pupils

The move, timed as children return from the Easter holidays, is expected to ease the morning rush for parents, saving them as much as £450 a year and freeing up valuable time, equivalent to around 95 hours annually

Government research shows more than half of parents would use the extra time to balance work, training or study alongside their family commitments

The initiative forms part of a broader package of support designed to ease the cost of living for parents

Alongside the breakfast

clubs, the government has introduced measures including a cap on school uniform costs and an expansion of free childcare for under-fives to 30 hours a week

The rollout has also won backing from major UK employers, including British Airways, Accenture and Rigby Group, who say the policy will help parents work more flexibly and productively

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson described

the new breakfast clubs as “at the heart of our Plan for Change,” highlighting their role in supporting both working families and children’s early development

“From Tyneside to Truro, England is one of the first countries in Europe to open universal free breakfast clubs, saving parents up to £450 per year and making sure every child starts school ready to learn,” Phillipson said “This government is delivering on our promises to working parents, rolling out free breakfast clubs, school-based nurseries, and giving every child across the country the best start in life ”

Schools already running breakfast clubs have reported positive effects on pupil attendance, concentration and behaviour, while the government hopes the expansion will help tackle wider educational challenges

Parents face tough smartphone choices

Parents must be willing to make tough decisions about t he ir chil d’s sma rt phon e use, rather than prioritising being liked, says England’s ch il dr en ’ s comm issio ne r,

Dame Rachel de Souza

Writing in The Sunday Times, de Souza stressed the importance of leading by example, urging parents to reflect on their own screen habits She acknowl-

edged the real struggle parents face when tempted to give in to children’s demands, especially around gadgets, but warned that long-term wellbeing must come first

“You are not meant to be your child’s friend,” she wrote “Parenting means setting boundaries, even when it’s difficult ” De Souza encouraged

VAT on school fees causing staff crisis

Private schools in the UK are fa ci ng ac cu s ati ons of exploiting staff, especially in light of VAT being added to fees

The National Education Union (NEU) claims teachers, particularly in boarding schools, are being asked to work unpaid, including evenings and weekends The union's annual conference in Harrogate voted to campaign against independent schools violating working time regulations

The NEU represents 35,000 staff across 1,700 private schools and highlighted

the use of outdated employment practices, such as vague contracts with no set working hours, leading to teachers being on call "as the head deems reasonable "

Daniel Kebede, the union's general secretary, stated that the increased workload for staff was largely due to costcutting measures and the added VAT, alongside rising national insurance costs

The union criticised the breach of the 1998 Working Time Regulations, claiming many independent schools force staff to work overnight, evenings, and

weekends without adequate rest The NEU also expressed concerns over the use of non-disclosure agreements to silence staff who raise complaints about breaches

The union is launching a campaign to educate teachers in private schools about their rights and ensure they receive compensatory time off The Independent Schools Council defended private schools, stating they take their legal responsibilities seriously and strive to create great workplaces for teachers

OU partnership champions inclusive leadership growth

The Open University (OU) and the H enry Smi th Charity have joined forces to launch an innovative leadership programme ai med at nu rtu ri ng fu tu re bu s in ess lea ders f rom Mi norit y Ethnic backgrounds

This partnership builds on the OU’s Centre for Voluntary Sector Leadership (CVSL), part of its Business School, which champions leadership and collaboration within the voluntary sector With over £200,000 in funding from the Henry Smith Charity, the new Minority Ethnic Leadership Programme (MELP) expands on the success of last year ’ s

pilot the Black Leadership and Empowerment Programme (BLEP) which supported learners in Manchester

The newly launched MELP will establish six learning hubs across the UK in Glasgow, Belfast, Cardiff, Liverpool, Bristol, and London welcoming 55 participants to a blended learning experience The programme offers 150 hours of free learning via the OU’s OpenLearn platform, including two custom leadership courses and a creditbearing module, Making Your Learning Count Learners will also benefit

from in-person workshops, mentoring, peer learning, and talks by motivational speakers The initiative is led by Dr Fidèle Mutwarasibo, Director of the CVSL Henry Smith Charity CEO Anand Shukla highlighted the need to break down barriers and empower new voices in leadership Professor Josie Fraser, Interim Vice-Chancellor at the OU, on the other hand, echoed the importance of the partnership, underlining the transformative power of education in advancing social mobility and diversity in leadership

parents to balance love and support with firm guidance, especially as children’s screen time continues to rise A recent YouGov poll revealed nearly a quarter of 8–15-year-olds in England spend over four hours daily on digital devices

She also urged parents to hold open, honest conversations about online content and its impact

Bridget Phillipson

Whether its assumptions based on appearance, accents, or cultural practices, they are frequently questioned subtly or overtly about how “English” they really are Last month, former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak addressed questions about his identity and faith on Political Thinking with Nick Robinson, stating, “Of course, I’m English

I was born here and brought up here ” He also dismissed the so-called ‘Tebbit Test’, which judged immigrants' loyalty by which cricket team they supported as “ a ridiculous idea ” (Refer Asian Voice-15 March issue, page 1) Following this interview, the conversation around what it means to be “English” for second- and third-generation South Asians gained renewed momentum

Even London Mayor Sadiq Khan weighed in on the debate around English identity during an interview with LBC Radio He said, “Rishi Sunak is our country’s first Hindu Prime Minister and will be a role model for young people from all backgrounds If you close your eyes and listen to him, he’s like Jeeves and Wooster, quintessentially English He went to Oxford, worked in banking, and became a Conservative MP what more does he need to do to prove his Englishness? The real question is, how many generations of Khans or Sunaks does it take before we ’ re seen as English? Are we saying that because our skin will never be pale, we can never be truly English?”

To expect to choose between being ‘English or Desi’ also comes with a hint of post-colonial hangover and racism Embracing both cultures allows for a richer,

WE STILL BELONG!

more inclusive experience Instead of viewing multiculturalism with scepticism, it is evident that it should be celebrated

Many South Asians spoke about their experience to Asian Voice about proving Englishness, embracing both their Desi and English identity and much more Family, faith and fitting in with the Desi perspectives

Dr Ma npreet Dhuf farPot tiwa l, Ch ar te re d

Psycho log ist, whose research explores multigenerational living and intergenerational trauma among British South Asians, said, “Multigenerational households provide a space where second and third generation individuals blend British identity with cultural heritage Many British Indians adopt British norms, such as career goals, while valuing traditions like language and festivals Colonial history influences this dynamic, with British Indians often finding assimilation easier, while Pakistani and Bangladeshi families resist cultural dilution due to ongoing marginalisation

“Understanding intergenerational trauma, emotional pain inherited from parents who faced migration challenges, racism, or loss, helps younger generations empathise with strict family expectations For instance, a parent’s insistence on curfews may reflect fears of displacement rather than control This awareness opens up conversations about identity, with many British South Asians blending customs like celebrating Diwali and Christmas to create a hybrid identity In doing so, they are reshaping Englishness as inclusive and fluid, embracing dual cultural identities ”

Manpreet noted that older generations often view mental health struggles as weakness, while younger British South Asians reframe therapy as “self-care” to avoid stigma

She said, “For men, multigenerational living means juggling British masculinity, like pub outings, with silent responsibilities at home

One man shared, ‘My friends don’t know I share a room with my dad and kids it’s exhausting, but I can ’t complain ’ Despite economic progress, many continue to live in joint families due to “filial

CHANGE OF NAME

SAIMINABEN MOHAMMAD SAHILBHAI VAHORA

Residing at 16, Dawlish drive,IG3 9ED, Ilford UK. Hereby give a notice of intention to change my name to SAIMINABEN VAHORA

So relinquished to the intent that I may hereafter be called known and identified by my new name

piety” a cultural value of intergenerational duty

Women often face a “split self,” praised at work but judged at home “Many hide caregiving duties to appear ‘professional ’

She added, “In collectivist homes, boundaries can seem selfish A matriarch might say, ‘We survived by ignoring our needs ’ But younger women now see boundaries as sustainability, asking, and ‘If I’m burnt out, who’ll care for everyone?’”

These shifts show how younger generations are reshaping identity by blending “desi” and “English” values with greater trauma awareness

Manpreet emphasised that multigenerational living can heighten pressure to hide cultural differences in public She said, “Many younger people downplay traditions like living with grandparents to avoid seeming ‘too foreign’ at work or school This often mirrors imposter syndrome overachieving to mask insecurities about fitting in One woman, including myself, modified our names to avoid bias I went from Manpreet to Mani and now back to Manpreet as part of my journey to decolonise ”

She added, “Parents’ stories of racism can fuel the need to ‘ prove ’ belonging through success But a shift is underway Younger Brits are reclaiming pride in their roots wearing saris to offices or discussing Ayurveda in wellness spaces This decolonising process

challenges the idea that assimilation means erasing culture While many still feel torn ‘too British at home, not British enough at work’ they’re redefining belonging by embracing both identities, not hiding them ”

flict and a sense of not fully belonging either to the national British identity or to their ethnic and religious communities One of the most significant barriers to feeling truly British is racism While society has made notable progress, racism has not disappeared it has simply become more subtle, often manifesting as 'microaggressions ' These can include stereotypical assumptions, disparaging remarks about one ’ s culture, or seemingly innocuous questions like, 'Where are you really from?' Such experiences send a clear message: you are not fully accepted

“Ultimately, the way Britishness is defined plays a crucial role If it is framed in terms of ethnic origin as it still is by some it will inevitably exclude those who do not fit that mould However, if Britishness is defined in civic terms, rooted in shared values and citizenship, it becomes far more inclusive Strengthening this civic definition is essential to fostering a genuine sense of belonging among British South Asians and it is entirely within our reach,” he added

“I am incredibly proud to be English, but equally proud of my Indian heritage”

While some South Asians in Britain have struggled to justify their Englishness, often facing questions about belonging or identity, others have confidently embraced both their English and South Asian roots For many, this dual identity has not only shaped their sense of self but also empowered them to navigate and enrich both cultures

what it would be like living in India I am incredibly proud to be English, but equally proud of my Indian heritage I take great pride in wearing an English suit and speaking with an English dialect, while also embracing the richness of Indian culture I can participate in cultural activities that reflect both my English and Indian roots While I don’t feel the need to prove my Englishness, it’s clear that I have been born and bred in England, and I am deeply proud of that However, this does not diminish the importance of my Indian origins, which continue to influence who I am ”

SAIMINABEN VAHORA

Prof e sso r R usi Ja spal , Pr o Vice-C han cel lo r –R esea rch & K now le dg e Exchange at the University of Brighton said, “Second and third generation British South Asians often experience multiple, and sometimes conflicting, pressures to conform to the norms, values, and expectations of British society, their ethnic heritage, and their religion These demands are not always perceived as compatible, leading to internal con-

Pra nav Bha not MBE, Founder of WYN Legal, said, “I was born and raised in the United Kingdom, particularly in England, and have only ever known what it’s like to be someone of Indian origin I proudly see myself as English, with a strong sense of belonging to the UK While I take pride in my ancestors’ roots from India and the South East Asian continent, my identity first and foremost is shaped by England I’ve only experienced life as an Englishman, with only a brief glimpse of

"Parents’ stories of racism can fuel the need to ‘prove’ belonging through success."

Pranav shared that people of his generation, and perhaps younger generations, embrace the dual concept of being both English and of Indian origin He explained, “I think this is partly because when we were growing up, we had the opportunity to experience Bollywood films, North Indian music like Bhangra, and visit India frequently However, I’m not sure if younger generations have the same exposure to Bollywood music, TV, and films, or North Indian music That being said, there is such a rich and vibrant culture coming from India that I would be surprised if it didn't influence the new and younger generations ” R ajee b D ey MB E, Foun der & CEO of Learnerbly, reflected on his experience of identity growing up in the UK He said, “I was born and brought up here, so I sound as English as anyone else who isn’t from a South Asian background If you just heard me speak, you probably wouldn’t guess my ethnic origin ” He challenged the traditional notions of Englishness, adding, “I don’t believe

there’s a template for what Englishness looks or sounds like anymore If the UK’s most popular dish is curry and cities like London are multicultural hubs, then surely Englishness is evolving ”

Rajeeb acknowledged that this wasn’t always the case “For my parents’ generation, things were different their accents set them apart, and they often faced more challenges in being accepted I’ve been fortunate that my English identity hasn’t been questioned in the same way I think being born and raised here has shielded me from that to a degree ”

Asian Voice poll unpacks identity challenges

Asian Voice conducted a social media poll to explore how second and third generation South Asians in England experience the need to justify their "Englishness" in everyday life be it at school, in the workplace, or in social settings

Hundreds of people took part in the poll, which included seven insightful questions ranging from whether they feel the need to prove their Englishness to how societal perceptions and expectations affect their sense of identity The responses shed light on the complexities of dual identity and how cultural belonging is often challenged or questioned in subtle yet significant ways

Over half (57 per cent) said they feel the need to “ prove ” their Englishness, while 43 per cent said they do not An overwhelming 96 per cent believe that a person ’ s accent or name influences how “English” they are perceived to be Additionally, 69 per cent feel that the definition of Englishness needs to evolve to be more inclusive

While 62 per cent of respondents said they feel comfortable embracing both their South Asian heritage and English identity, 32 per cent admitted that the dual identity can feel complicated A striking 89 per cent have been asked the question, “But where are you really from?” Only 11 per cent said they had never been asked

Most notably, 76 per cent believe that second- and third-generation South Asians are still not fully seen as English by wider society, and 82 per cent agree that the expectation to "justify" one ’ s English identity should come to an end Continued from page 01

Rajeeb Dey MBE

Rusi Jaspal

Pranav Bhanot MBE

Dr Manpreet Dhuffar-Pottiwal

Children with cancer left in limbo as Brexit drives up costs and delays clinical trials

Shefali Saxena

Children battling cancer in the UK

a r e among t hose be ing d enied access to life-saving drugs due to the mounting costs and bureaucratic hurdles triggered by Brexit, according to a confidential report seen by The Guardian The report reveals a growing human toll as research trials vital for advancing cancer treatment are being slowed or derailed entirely

One of the most striking examples involves the eSMART clinical trial, which is testing new, targeted drugs and chemotherapy for children, teenagers, and young adults with relapsed or treatmentresistant cancer Originally a joint initiative between Paris and Birmingham, the cost of importing trial drugs into the UK has soared from €52,000 to €205,000 (£175,000) since Brexit took effect These costs are primarily due to additional legal, regulatory, and logistical requirements for packaging, licensing, and importation

Moreover, because the UK is no longer part of the EU, trial sponsors were required to appoint an additional Qualified Person (QP) to certify drugs before they could be used in Britain The delay in securing this certification created significant setbacks, effectively halting the trial’s UK arm while it continued in the EU This left British children without access to potentially life-changing treatment Dr Lynley Marshall, the UK

lead for the eSMART trial and a paediatric oncology consultant at the Royal Marsden Hospital, said that Brexit had made it far harder to open innovative cancer trials in the UK “Children and young people with cancer cannot wait,” she said, stressing that delays not only affect patients locally but also globally, as data from UK trials contributes to treatment improvements worldwide UK participation in the trial was eventually salvaged only after Cancer Research UK stepped in with a £92,000 funding lifeline However, the broader implications remain troubling for Britain’s role in global medical research

A second trial, Add Aspirin, which investigates whether daily aspirin can prevent cancer recurrence, is also facing a post-Brexit financial squeeze The study - a collaboration between the UK, Ireland, and India has incurred additional certification and shipping costs of up to £50,000 Drugs for the trial, manufactured in Germany and packaged in Spain, now require bespoke logistics to bypass the UK when shipping to Irish sites, driving costs up tenfold

The findings come amid the worst UK medicine shortages in four years, with Brexit identified as a key factor Experts and clinicians warn that unless urgent measures are taken, the country risks falling behind in cancer research and clinical innovation

The report underscores a stark reality: Britain’s exit from the EU is not just an economic or political issue it’s one with very real consequences for patients, especially vulnerable children whose futures depend on swift access to cutting-edge treatments With rising costs and increasing red tape, the urgency to resolve these systemic challenges has never been greater

Speaking to Asian Voice, Dr CR Chandrasekar, Consultant Orthopaedics/Sarcoma Surgeon, LUHFT, Liverpool, UK, said, “Governments of various political leanings in the past have prioritised child healthcare services, including cancer care Research into the causes and treatment of various cancers, including childhood leukaemia, has significantly improved survival rates Clinical trials play a vital role in identifying new and effective treatment options

The political choice of Brexit by the British public has led to many changes, some of them negative If true, reports that funding for cancer research is being cut are deeply concerning Such cuts could restrict access to life-saving drugs and hinder progress toward finding cures for childhood cancers, potentially impacting many children in need It is crucial to maintain funding for essential cancer research I sincerely hope that any proposal to reduce such support is carefully reconsidered and reversed ”

Streeting looks to Japan for NHS reform blueprint

Health Secretary Wes Streeting is drawing inspiration from Japan as he seeks to reshape the way Britons are cared for by the NHS

Streeting has expressed interest in introducing "health MOTs" for older patients a concept similar to Japan’s personalised medical planning for its ageing population In Japan, health strategies combine genomics and AI-driven analysis to create tailored prevention plans, helping to detect and tackle illnesses before they become serious

Describing the approach as a potential "game-changer" for the UK, Streeting said it could play a key role in his forthcoming 10-year strategy for the NHS, due later this year The health secretary has repeatedly stressed his ambition to shift the NHS away from its traditional focus on hospital-based treatment and instead expand preventive care in local communities, aiming to reduce the reliance on emergency interventions and cut long-term healthcare costs

A step in this direction was trialled last year, when NHS England announced that patients aged over 65, or those living with frailty-related conditions, would be offered health assessments outside of A&E departments to reduce unnecessary admissions These checks included monitoring blood pressure, heart health, and mobility

Speaking to The Telegraph,

Streeting highlighted Japan as an "interesting" model to study, given its experience managing the pressures of an ageing society He also confirmed he had been briefed by a former Japanese health official on the country's advanced medical programmes

While acknowledging the enormous challenges facing the NHS, Streeting said he was optimistic about the potential of emerging technologies especially artificial intelligence to transform healthcare delivery

He added that he hopes, over time, personalised prevention programmes similar to those used in Japan could become available to patients across the UK

Wes Streeting

Sikh culture and community spirit evoked in London

Thousands gather in Trafalgar Square to mark Vaisakhi with music, martial arts, and community spirit

London’s Trafalgar Square came alive on April 19 as Vaisakhi on the Square celebrated Sikh culture, heritage, and the founding of the Khalsa in a vibrant day-long festival

The free, family-friendly event, which ran until 6pm, drew crowds from across the city, offering a rich blend of tradition, history, and contemporary Sikh identity

Hosted by entrepreneur and disability

advocate Shani Dhanda and DJ, radio presenter, and artist Sukhi Bart, the event showcased the diversity and depth of Sikh culture through music, art, and community experiences

The day featured soulful kirtan performances by Qi Rattan and Taren Kaur, along with impressive demonstrations of gatka, the traditional Sikh martial art Visitors also enjoyed turban-tying sessions, took part in the Sikh Games a lively celebration of sport, strength, and community -

and explored creative activities at the children’s marquee, hosted by Sikh Colouring

This year ’ s Vaisakhi on the Square also offered a deeper look into Sikh his-

tory, with a special exhibition highlighting the life and legacy of Maharaja Ranjit Singh and the formation of the Khalsa in 1699 A live podcast recording further brought this history to life, engaging audiences with stories of Sikh resilience and leadership

In keeping with the spirit of Langar - the Sikh tradition of community sharing - attendees were invited to enjoy free vegetarian food and traditional Indian tea throughout the day

Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan also extended Vaisakhi wishes, sharing photographs from the event on social media On Instagram, he wrote, “Sikh and Punjabi Londoners make a huge contribution to the spirit and success of our city

“Great to see Londoners of all backgrounds come together in Trafalgar Square today to celebrate Vaisakhi ”

Banned driver rams police cars in attempted escape

M o h am m e d S h ah ee b, alread y banned from d riving, rammed m ultiple po lice cars and injured three officers wh ile trying to escape

He was discovered seemingly asleep behind the wheel of a parked car on Montpellier St, Birmingham, at 09:30 GMT on October 5

When officers attempted to wake him, Shaheeb reversed and tried to flee, crashing into three police cars and a civilian vehicle,

according to West Midlands Police

The 39-year-old, from Roma Road, Birmingham, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, possessing tools for theft, and several other driving offenses at Birmingham Crown Court He was sentenced to 22 months in prison and given a five-year driving ban, in addition to his existing ban until March 2027

After his sentencing, West Midlands Police

released video footage of Shaheeb's attempt to escape Officers approached him, but he drove toward Moseley Road, only to be blocked by two police vehicles As a Taser was aimed at him, he crashed into four cars, forcing an officer to jump out of the way

Police found his number plate partially covered, along with two sets of pliers, fake plates, and scissors in the car

WTTC blames government for tourism decline

T he gov ernment has been accused of "sabotaging" the U K’s tourism ind ustry after fig ures revealed international visitors spent £ 2bn less in 20 24 compared to pre-p and em ic levels

The WTTC found that spending dropped 5 3% from 2019, totaling £40 3bn, blaming government policies like the removal of taxfree shopping, higher air passenger duties, and the introduction of electronic travel authorisations for creating "barriers to travel " Julia Simpson, WTTC

president, criticised the UK government for neglecting the tourism sector, which contributes 10% to GDP and creates jobs, noting that while global tourism recovers, the UK continues to fall behind

Simpson, a former adviser to Tony Blair, called the government’s approach "self-sabotage" and criticised the removal of VAT tax breaks, which she said put the UK at a “competitive disadvantage” to other European countries She also slammed a 44% budget

Anisa Khan wins big despite ‘Apprentice’ loss

A nisa Khan has rev ealed her rem arkable success d espite missing out on Lord S ugar ’ s £250, 000 inv estment

After a tense final against air conditioning business owner Dean Franklin, the pizza restaurateur didn’t win the top prize but has since received multiple investment offers

Anisa competed over 12 weeks against 16 entrepreneurs, making it to the final in hopes of becoming Lord Sugar’s next business partner

After narrowly missing out on Lord Sugar’s £250,000 investment in ‘The Apprentice’ final, Anisa Khan has seen her business, Bombay Pizza, soar “Over

the last three days, we ’ ve hit five figures that used to be my monthly income,” she said, following the “mental” response to her interview episode

Though disappointed, Anisa remains positive: “My business is scalable, and people are already reaching out to invest The show gave

me a huge platform ” She also saw her role on the show as a chance to represent South Asians “I wanted to show we can be articulate, confident, and successful ” Over 12 weeks, she led tasks and stayed calm under pressure “In the boardroom, I was never nervous I knew it wasn’t me ” Her emotional final pitch impressed the panel “They only aired 20 seconds, but I told my whole story They were blown away ” Launched during Covid after graduating from LSE and deferring a job in Japan, her side-hustle has since tripled in size Bombay Pizza now enjoys soaring demand, with her new bake-at-home kits selling out repeatedly

Retired judge appointed to lead public inquiry into attacks

Coate s were fatal ly stab bed by Val do Ca locan e on 13 June 2023

The deaths sparked criticism from the victims' families over the authorities' handling of the case Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood announced that the inquiry would be led by retired judge Deborah Taylor, former resident judge at Southwark Crown Court Mahmood described Taylor as a very experienced, senior judge and confirmed she would meet with the victims' families

The Justice Secretary stated the inquiry would work "at pace" and provide

findings "as quickly as possible The statutory inquiry, with the power to compel witnesses, will ensure a thorough investigation The full terms of reference will be shared with both Houses at the earliest opportunity

After the announcement, Mr Webber’s mother, Emma, said it was not a moment of celebration but hoped it marked the start of "reckoning" and the pursuit of truth, justice, and accountability

Barnaby Webber, Grace O Malley-Kumar, and Ian Coates were fatally stabbed in Nottingham by Valdo Calocane, who then used Coates's van to injure three pedestrians Calocane, diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, was sentenced to a hospital order in January 2024 after admitting manslaughter and attempted murder Mrs Webber stated "true justice has not been served "

cut to VisitBritain, arguing it further undermines the sector

On 1 April, VisitBritain’s budget for promoting UK tourism was cut to £10 57m from £18 85m, alongside a rise in air passenger duty and the introduction of a £10 electronic travel authorisation (ETA) for European visitors, later increased to £16 Julia Simpson of the WTTC emphasised the need to promote cultural icons like Harry Potter, Jane Austen, and Richard III to attract tourists

Anisa Khan

Ian Coates Barnaby Webber and Grace O Malley-Kumar (victims)

Veganism: One of the fastest lifestyle movements in the UK

Growing awareness about the cruelty to animals and the devastating impact of meat production on the planet is persuading millions of people to adopt a Vegan diet The fastest growth is amongst young women In 2023 almost a million people became Vegan in the UK

A record one in three British people now drink plantbased milk One in four coffees sold by the major chains is made of Oat milk An organisation called the Plant Based Treaty is urging individuals, groups, businesses and cities to endorse a call to action and put pressure on national governments to negotiate an international Plant Based Treaty The treaty wants a urgent adoption of a Vegan diet by Human beings

Due to major health issues associated with meat consumption, Dr Shireen Kassam, Founder and Director of Plant-Based Health Professionals has demanded that the government stop promoting meat and dairy Shireen is a recipient of our Mahaveer Award

More than 650 academics have also called on British universities to commit to 100% plant-based diet The student unions' at Birmingham, University College London, Stirling, and Queen Mary universities have voted to phase in 100% plant-based menus Similar votes have also been passed at Cambridge, Kent and London Metropolitan universities

A m o n g s t t h e C o u n c i l s , L a m b e t h , S p e l t h o r n e , Hertfordshire, Taunton and Cambridge city councils have all initiated campaigns that urge residents to switch to vegetarian or vegan diets By the end of 2025 around 7 8 million people in Britain would have a meat-free diet Half of generation Z (50%) and over a third of millennials (36%) plan to follow a meat free diet

At a Croydon Council meeting on 15 April 2025 on behalf of Plant Based Treaty I proposed that only plant based food should be served at all its events A full discussion is scheduled to take place next month

For over 40 years we have campaigned for people to adopt a Vegetarian and Vegan lifestyle

It is nice to see the change today Nitin M ehta

RIP Pope Francis

Born as Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Pope Francis made history as the first Jesuit and the first Latin American to become Pope He was elected as the Pope on March 13, 2013 at the age of 76 after Pope Benedict XVI resigned He became known for focusing on humility, helping those in need, and fairness

He earned the nickname "the pope of the slums" for his deep commitment to the poor and the marginalised Throughout his ministry, he regularly visited impoverished communities, advocating for social justice and the Church’s role as a refuge for the overlooked and oppressed During his tenure as Pope, he made various changes within the Vatican to improve financial transparency and address clerical abuse issues

He inherited a Church that was under attack over a child sex abuse scandal and torn by infighting in the Vatican bureaucracy, and was elected with a clear mandate to restore order He is best known for his humility, his strong emphasis on God's mercy, his global visibility, and his commitment to social justice and interreligious dialogue He is also recognized for his advocacy for the poor, his openness, and his simplified approach to the papacy, choosing to live in a guesthouse rather than at the papal residence

He chose the name 'Francis' in honour of St Francis of Assisi, a figure known for his love of the poor and of nature His death on April 21 due to prolonged illness is a loss to the Catholic Church the world over In his 12 years of papacy, he suffered various ailments, and underwent respiratory therapy many times

He also changed the Catholic Church’s teaching in areas such as the death penalty and nuclear weapons, upheld it in others such as abortion, and made inroads with Muslims and believers who long felt marginalized

He is a global figure who is admired and respected by people of all faiths and backgrounds He has a significant influence on the world stage, particularly in diplomatic and cultural matters His leadership has fostered a renewed sense of purpose and service within the Church, especially among the younger generation Jubel D'Cru z

A call to embrace reading

On this World Book Day, let's inspire a culture of reading, particularly of biographies and success stories that illuminate paths to achievement Each book holds valuable lessons and diverse perspectives, nurturing both the mind and spirit Encourage our community to share and celebrate these narratives, transforming lives through knowledge Remember, reading a few pages a day will keep many problems away Let’s turn the pages to a brighter future together!

T S Karth ik

America’s imperial past and the politics of Trump

The United States has long cast itself as a global saviour, champion of democracy and liberator of the oppressed But history tells us a different story: one of conquest, coercion and calculated self-interest

F o u

enslaved African labour, the U S rose not through noble ideals but through systemic exploitation From orchestrating coups in Latin America to propping up dictatorships in the Middle East, its foreign policy has served corporate and

strikes, sanctions, and covert operations are echoes of that same imperial logic

This mind set hasn’t vanished It is rebranded Enter Donald Trump: not the cause, but the symptom His “America First and Make America Great Again” rhetoric didn’t invent exceptionalism; it exposed it Trump reduced global politics to insults, ultimatums, and transactional deals His tantrums, from trying to overturn legitimate elections to pampering autocrats and fuelling division aren’t isolated outbursts They are the latest flare-ups of a deeper, unresolved national identity crisis

Still, resistance has always existed within Civil rights movements, anti-war protests and whistle-blowers have long challenged the empire from inside, reminding us that America is not monolithic and neither is its story

Trump’s chaos reveals a superpower unable to reconcile myth with reality Addicted to dominance, allergic to

empire’s ego has simply been laid bare

Celebrating Shri Vallabhacharya’s legacy

Shri Vallabhacharya was a Vedic sage and one of the most revered yoga teachers He is credited with developing the philosophy of Ashtanga Yoga, which is considered the foundation of modern-day yoga Vallabhacharya’s teachings have helped millions of people worldwide to create strong discipline and focus, which is why his work is so revered

Vallabhacharya Jayanti is celebrated as the day of Lord K

Shrinathji form It falls on the Magha Shukla Paksha Pratipada and is one of the most dedicated festivals among Hindus Lord Krishna is the Supreme God, whose blessings make it possible for any human being to attain salvation or Moksha The worshipping of Lord Shrinathji on this day is a popular culture among the saints belonging to the Vaishnava sect Therefore, Vallabhacharya Jayanti is celebrated with great devotion and zeal by the devotees of Lord Krishna and Sant Shri Vallabhacharya

He was born in Varanasi into a Telugu Brahmin family in 1479 A D As a youngster, he contemplated the Vedas and Upanishads and believed that anybody could accomplish salvation or Moksha by veneering Lord Krishna

Vallabhacharya is the founding of the Krishna-centred Pushti sect of Vaishnavism in the Brij region of India

We wish a Divine, Holy, and Happy Mahaprabhuji Jayanti Birth Anniversary to all, and pray for his blessings for a healthy, happy, and peaceful life ahead

Please stay safe and healthy God bless all

Suresh and Bhavna Patel

Cybercrime is shared responsibility

Cybercrime, a global human rights issue (AV dated 19-25 April 2025), clearly shows the disaster ahead if appropriate steps are not taken by everyone quickly To control cybercrime, support and constant efforts are required not only from the government bodies but also from everyone, starting from giant companies to every individual

Since the criminals are based in different countries, it is very difficult to trace and track them This problem is not confined to a country or region, but all countries are suffering to some extent People who have limited knowledge of IT and other sophisticated software are the most vulnerable and can be easily trapped by the gangs

Tech companies and the governments of different countries will do their best to control cybercrime, but it is not advisable to keep on blaming them Prevention is better than a cure here Prompt action is required to control the damage

I think education and precautions are required Children in the school should be taught about both sides of the technology so they can assess the risks involved in sharing personal information with anyone People should provide just “the need-based information” instead of sharing too much to show off One should resist sharing/updating status all the time and providing real-time information about the movement Do not try to impress people, just share what is required Any sensitive information shared on social media can easily be misused by criminal gangs

Hitesh H in gu

K A P I L’S K H I C H A D I Vance - Testing Waters in India

It’s Ea ster Mon day a nd the Vice Pres ide nt lan ds in Ind ia wi th his I ndi an w ife Us ha Ba la Chi lukuri For Us ha it’s comin g home to her ances tral ori gin s from K rishn a districts of An dhra P rades h

Trump is using Vance in quite a clever way Whilst the US administration have Marco Rubio as their Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Trump seems to have concluded that he needs a hard hitter to go out into the world, ruffle up a few feathers, shake down a few trees and put a marker down for future more detailed discussions on partnerships

Most of the time these trips are not technically official or formal and tend to get classified as semi-personal with an eye on doing some official business Of course, being the Vice President means he is still treated with many of the trimmings of a state visit, but without the obligations of having to follow official norms And in the case of Vance, who tends to ignore these norms anyway, it works out perfectly for his agenda

The relationship between the US and India has never been good After all, most US administrations chose to support the terrorist state of Pakistan over India There is now an opportunity for both nations to explore a new partnership that looks at the future And when it comes to the future, India holds many of its own cards

As far as America is concerned, of the three giants of India, Russia and China, it stands a better chance of getting something more tangible and agreeable done with India, than any of the other two The arrival of Vance is to set the scene for a major state visit by Trump in due course

Getting a trade deal is a high priority for both nations However, that is often easier said than done For America they want unfettered access to global markets, or else For India, an emerging giant that is still developing, it needs to protect the green shoots of economic and industrial growth Getting the balance right, and the targeted use of agreeable tariffs will be quite a challenge Currently the trade between the two nations is around $200 billion, but it is their collective hope to increase this dramatically to some $500 billion within the next 5 years

You should also know that there is the Quad, which is comprised of the U S , India, Japan and Australia – set up as a counter to the growing influence of China They are all set to meet in a summit to be held in India soon

Do remember that the US Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, was also in India recently On Good Friday news came out that PM Modi was in discussions with Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX, and of course the key adviser to Trump There is a clear message emanating from the US with these high-profile visits and discussions that it wants to, nay, it needs to garner the friendship of India in a world that is in chaos

Vance being in India for 4 days is quite a statement Whilst we will see Usha fronting some of the cultural ties and a connect with her heritage, we will see Vance presented as the American jamai

India will sweeten discussions with a promise to buy more oil, energy and defence equipment (fifth-generation stealth fighter jets might be a high priority) which will help American exports and jobs It will somehow have to navigate the US away from demanding access to India’s food market For Indiaprotecting jobs of the masses is important whilst it develops other forms of employment

T h e

a r y f

n d w i l l includemeetingPM Modi for dinner followed by a formal meeting, tour of Jaipur with a visit to Amer Fort, Hawa Mahal, Jantar Mantar and other locations, attend a special program at the Rajasthan International Centre, a n d t h e c u s t o m a r y t r i p t o A g r

M

,

l , a n d Shilpgram (a market known for Indian art and crafts) I am sure they will throw in a few last-minute surprises also

Vance will be testing the waters in India, and he’ll be using his secret weapon, Usha His aim is to get a feel for the red lines that the US need to avoid with India For the US, if they play this wrong, they have much more to lose The US cannot pick a fight with the whole world, make an enemy of China, and at the same time fall out with India For India, it will need to give a bit back, but I sense maybe this time round they are better equipped to take on the US and secure a reasonable trade deal Keeping the US, Russia, Israel and the EU all happy requires the magic touch of a gujju!

Kapil Dudakia

Dr Narsibh ai Maganlal Patel

Biting Point: Road rage meets social reality

Anusha Singh

In a time when the world seems increasingly polarised, theatre company

Middle Child is bringing a bold and timely production to audiences across the North of England ‘Biting Point’ explores race, anger, and the unpredictable ways ordinary lives can collide

Set against the backdrop of a fateful road accident between two strangers John, a white British delivery driver, and Anita, a British South Asian property manager the play examines the heat-of-themoment reactions that reveal deep personal and social tensions The production is staged with an innovative twist: audiences gather in car parks, seated around the set of the crash scene, with headphones tuning them into the unfolding drama

Ahead of the play’s North England tour from 10 May to 22 June, Asian Voice spoke to Sid Sagar, the writer of this unique production, about the inspiration behind Biting Point, the complexities of writing about race and anger, and why car parks might just be the perfect setting for conversations we often avoid

Why did you choose a road accident as the focal point for Biting Point? What does it symbolise in the larger context of the play?

I’ve worked as a delivery driver and was fascinated by the way this role lends itself to stories and people: the constant movement from place to place, the endless interactions with strangers That’s fairly rare

in the modern world What is unfortunately more common is the anger and aggression that one witnesses on British roads So a random collision that brings people who might ordinarily never cross paths together, felt like an exciting opportunity to tackle broader social issues

The collision between John and Anita explores more than just road rage What were you hoping to highlight through their encounter?

John’s a white man from Hull who works as a delivery driver for a supermarket Anita’s an Asian woman from Grimsby who works as a property manager In the lead up to their collision, we learn about the things that are weighing them down: there’s family illness, job stress, a horrible hangover, a difficult ex-partner, a young daughter who needs love and care Their encounter releases something buried deep within John and it turns both their worlds upside down I wonder if audiences can find compas-

sion amongst the darkness I want audiences to sit up, to lean in, to feel Anita’s pain, to understand John’s past, to engage with uncomfortable questions

Whatwas behind the decision to stage Biting Point in the everyday, open-air spaces of car parks?

We’ve been fortunate to receive support and funding from various places, including Without Walls This intervention in particular forced me to think about how the play might make the biggest impact as both a piece of art, and as a means of connecting with people who might not feel like theatre is for them Sometimes, this can happen in the most unusual of spaces Middle Child excels in telling stories in unexpected places and Biting Point will, hopefully, continue to build on this tradition

Site-specific

theatre like this often breaks down barriers between performer and audience What kind of connection or experience are you hoping audiences will walk away with that they might not get from a theatre seat?

The audience will be in the thick of the action They will be witnesses, observers, participants, bystanders They will be confronted with challenging questions Their connection with the performers will be immediate and active, in a way that is simply not possible in more

traditional spaces in which the action takes place behind the “fourth wall” As both a writer and a regular theatre-goer, I think this kind of involvement is hugely exciting

You’ve

just been cast in Mrs Warren’s Profession at the Garrick. How are you balancing your work as a performer and a playwright right now?

Juggling these commitments can be tricky, but they can also be inspiring: my work as an actor informs the work I want to write, and vice versa Mrs Warren’s Profession was written by George Bernard Shaw in the late nineteenth century It’s entertaining and provocative, asking insightful questions about capitalism and about women ’ s place in an exploitative world order And in this production in London’s West End in 2025, the play stars Imelda Staunton alongside her real-life daughter Bessie Carter, with direction by Dominic Cooke, former Artistic Director of the Royal Court Biting Point, meanwhile, is a new play about road rage, race and class, premiering in the North East in the shadow of the 2024 riots Both projects offer me (and audiences) something different But they are an important reminder that while creative work can be fulfilling and varied, it also comes with social responsibility: to connect with as diverse an audience as possible and speak truth to power

Royal art exhibit showcases 40 years of King Charles' tours

Forty years ago, the Prince of Wales invited artist John Ward to Italy as an official tour artist, allowing him to d raw or paint what eve r inspired him Since then, 42 artists have followed, visiting 95 countries on 69 tours Their work is now being displ ay ed at Buc kingh am Palace

This summer, visitors to the State Rooms can see ‘The King’s Tour Artists’ exhibition, showcasing 70 works, many on public display for the first time John Ward, who never used a camera, captured moments like ‘From the Afterdeck of HMY Britannia’, offering a peaceful contrast to the busy

tour Susannah Fiennes also features Britannia in her watercolour, depicting royal yachtsmen during the 1997 Hong Kong handover tour, the yacht's final journey before decommissioning

During the 2000 tour to Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, and Jamaica, Mary Anne Aytoun Ellis requested to visit the Kaieteur Falls in Guyana, which had only 15 minutes allocated for royal viewing In 2009, Richard Foster captured the then Prince Charles and Duchess of Cornwall on a visit to the

Lisa Nandy to join global creative leaders in India

Lisa Nandy, the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport of th e Un it ed Kingdom, is heading to India for the WAVE Summit

The summit will bring together media CEOs, entertainment icons and creative minds from around the globe India’s Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw hailed the importance of the summit, stating, "This summit will bring together the world's top media CEOs, biggest entertainment icons, and creative minds from around the globe, unifying entertainment, creativity, and culture like never before,"

"India is laying the foundation for becoming the creative powerhouse of the world," he said

The WAVES summit is being positioned by the government as India s global event for the entertainment sector to what Davos is for

the economic sector

The summit will spotlight advancements in animation, gaming, entertainment technology, and regional and mainstream cinema, fostering collaborations and setting the stage for India's creative economy to shine globally

Ahead of her upcoming visit , Lisa Nandy, alongside HE Vikram Doraiswami, High Commissioner of India, will host a reception celebrating UK-India bilateral ties on Wednesday, 23 April, at the Taj Hotel, Buckingham Gate Nandy, the Manchesterborn daughter of Calcuttaborn academic Dipak Nandy was appointed to the cabinet in July and is the first mixedrace woman to ever hold office at the Department of Culture, Media and Sport Her father was well-known for his work in the field of race relations in Britain

Factory International unveils new artist takeover at Aviva Studios

From 7–11 May , di rect or Gitika Buttoo and writer-storyteller asfhan d’souza-odhi will lead the f ourth Artist Takeover at Aviva Studios’ North Warehous e Part of Factory I nternati onal’s i nitiative, the programme gives Northern arti s ts a un iq ue opport un ity to cre ate an d experiment on a larger scale

In May 2025, Factory

passive, participants will move, listen, and make choices that shape the show, engaging with themes of resistance, adaptation, and collective imagination Rather than a polished performance, the Takeover is a living process an open invitation to feel, question, and rethink the systems around us

uninhabited Galápagos island of North Seymour Exhibition curator Kate Heard said, "This collection reflects 40 years of official travel and artistic patronage, with each artist capturing a personal impression of the countries visited The variety of landscapes, figure studies, and still lifes showcases His Majesty’s deep engagement with and support for artists over the years "

An accompanying publication, ‘The Art of Royal Travel: Journeys with the King’, includes over 100 illustrations sharing behindthe-scenes stories from the tours

International will hand over its North Warehouse to South Asian artists Director Gitika Buttoo and writer-storyteller afshan d’souza-lodhi for the fourth Artist Takeover at Aviva Studios

Chosen through an open call, the duo will use the space to explore and expand their practice through a live art p

experiment that sees tension and disagreement as creative opportunities

The immersive, sensoryled experience invites audiences on a journey through space and sensation, exploring power, proximity, and c o m m u n i t y e s p e c i a l l y among strangers Far from

Gitika Buttoo and asfhan d'souza-odhi said: “As South Asian creatives from Greater Manchester, we ’ ve built a body of work across theatre, film, radio, and poetry, often on mid-scale platforms But opportunities to experiment on a larger scale have been limited This takeover is more than a milestone it’s a chance to test bold, crossdisciplinary ideas in a space that encourages risk and creativity It’s our leap from mid-scale to large-scale, where the work can be as ambitious as the venue itself This isn’t just about audiences watching a story it’s about inviting them to be part of it ”

Sid Sagar

Marc Graham and Katie Singh in Biting Point

Breaking barriers with a solo row across the Atlantic

Subhasini Naicker

Ananya Prasad, a 34 -year

Ananya

Speaking to Asian Voice about making history as the first woman of colour to

Atlantic, Ananya said, “For

holding the title of being

woman of colour It was more about creating repre-

o n , s h o w i n g t h a t your background shouldn’t limit your ability to pursue something The focus was on encouraging others and breaking down the invisible

b a r r i e r s t h a t o f t e n h o l d

p e o p l e b a c k

Representation itself is a complex topic There are many reasons why people

h e s i t a t e t o t a k e c e r t a i n paths, but seeing someone you relate to can make all the difference That was my motivation, to show that it’s possible, and to make the path a little easier for those who come next ”

A n a n y a e m p h a s i s e d that preparing for the chall e n g e i n v o l v e d t h r e e k e y areas: physical, mental, and t e c h n i c a l “ P h y s i c a l l y , around 80% of my training was steady-state rowing on a machine two to three hours at low to medium intensity The other 20% focused on strength work, like barbell squats, dead-

l i f t s , b e n c h p r e s s e s , a n d

r e s i s t a n c e t r a i n i n g , ” s h e said “For mental prep, I worked with a performance coach on breathing exercises and visualisation tech-

n i q u e s t o s t a y c a l m a n d focused under pressure ”

She added, “The technical side was just as import a n t

rowing you have to learn

plete a certain number of

attempt the crossing

biggest challenge she faced, Ananya said, “One of the hardest parts was overcoming my fear of deep water Every 10 days, I had to get into the ocean to clean the hull terrifying, but necessary, as barnacles slow the boat down I had to stay c

g h moment was when the rudder broke off in rough conditions Fixing it in huge

w

was incredibly technical In t

down to grit, you do what needs to be done because quitting isn’t an option On the most draining days, I reminded myself why I was

"For me, it was never about holding the title of being a woman of colour It was more about creating representation, showing that your background shouldn’t limit your ability to pursue something."

out there: fundraising for

Foundation and breaking barriers as the first woman of colour to take on this

what it could mean for others

magic the night sky, bio-

orcas On bad days, remembering that rare beauty and privilege kept me going,” she added

Emphasising how institutions and communities c

empower women to take

depends on the challenge, but in general, the more people who participate in something, the more nor-

becomes, and that can be

Seeing people from diverse

others That’s why representation is so important It

have to define your poten-

and most powerful step is simply deciding to try, to say, ‘I can do this, regardless of where I come from ’”

Ananya said her journey is a reminder that we ’ re

mentally and physically

didn’t come from a sailing,

shared “So if I can take on a challenge like this and suc-

shouldn’t be a barrier I was the only woman in the solo category, and I came second It surprised a lot of people, but it shows what’s possible ”

Women in Capital Markets face ongoing discrimination

helping women advance and

decrease in

opportunities, and increased support for women returning from maternity leave

remain Career progression

inconsistent, and gendered expectations still shape per-

Women in leadership roles

First Indian-origin woman president for Royal College

Mumtaz Patel, a secondgeneration Britis h I ndi an woman, has made history by bein g elected the 123rd pres ident of the Royal College of Physic ians (R CP)

This is a significant milestone, as in over 500 years since the RCP’s founding in 1518, only three women have previously held the position Patel, who served as acting president last year, is not only the fourth woman to assume this role but also the first of Indian descent

A consultant nephrologist based in Manchester, Patel has previously held the roles of senior censor and vice president for education and training at the RCP Patel's election was marked by the highest voter turnout in over 20 years, with 2,239 votes out of 5,151 cast in her favour, securing her a victory by a margin of 682 votes Raised in the UK by parents who immigrated from India in the 1960s, Patel remains deeply connected to her Indian roots

In her presidential address, Patel emphasised her commitment to

promoting diversity and inclusion within medicine

A graduate of the University of Manchester in 1996, she specialised in renal medicine and earned a doctorate in lupus nephritis genetics in 2006

After becoming a consultant nephrologist, Patel served as the RCP’s Global Vice President from 2020 to 2023, where she played a key role in shaping the college’s educational strategies and supporting early career doctors

Patel has also made significant contributions to global health initiatives

She hosted a solidarity event in 2022 for Myanmar, supporting RCP Global’s efforts for

members affected by the military coup

Furthermore, she played a pivotal role in the Medical Support Worker Scheme for Refugee Doctors, which has greatly benefited Myanmar's medical professionals As RCP President, Patel is set to continue her work in diversifying the RCP's global strategy, empowering women in healthcare, and advocating for better training and support for international doctors Her leadership has earned her recognition, including the Outstanding Leader Award at the Global Women in Healthcare Awards

navigate visibility, leverage sponsors, and pick battles

Ananya Prasad

Mumtaz Patel

Sunetra Senior

Sujaan Das: On Bioscientific Breakthrough

We have come a long way in the field of biosciences which has adva nc ed in increasingly nuanced ways Ra nging f rom b re akthroughs in vaccine development to the regeneration of limbs and cell and gene ther apies , s cien tists ha ve been able to move beyond ev en e arl ier as tonis hing concept such as the editing of genes to determine one ’ s eye c ol our or gr owing a human ear upon a mouse

Co-founde r an d CTO of Crane Biosciences, Sujaan, spoke to us about his spec if ic con tribut ion to the c onte mporar y la nds c ape : the enhanced efficiency of the treatment of difficult phys ic al dis eases such as cancer and Alzheimer’s via the re fine men t of R NA delivery or nanotechnology The pioneer commented: “through our research, we dis covere d that mos t gene therapies fail in clinical trials not because the therapy itself is flawed, but because of issues with the delivery vehicle Gene therapy has two essential parts: the therapeutic instruction (DNA or RNA), and a delivery system typically viruses or synthetic particles that carries the payload to target cells The problem is that the immune sys tem oft en r ec ogniz es t hes e delivery vehicles as foreign, la unc hing an immun e response that destroys the the rapy or, in ex tre me cases, even causes patient deaths We quickly identified delivery as the primary bottleneck in gene therapy

ticles from red blood cells the most abundant cell type in the human body These nanoparticles closely mimic natural extracellular vesicles (EVs), which cells naturally use to communicate by packaging and sending molecular

at the prestigious Francis Crick Institute, and been awarded a Marie Curie Fellowship

However, Sujaan’s shift towards gene therapy was intimately catalysed by the passing of one of his “closest friends due to a genetic disease with no cure during the COVID lockdowns: this was also an unusual time that offered space to think outside the traditional academic box That loss made me determined to apply my knowledge to an area where it could make a realworld impact ” Much of the scientist’s work then is inspired by dwelling amenably in the underlying mechanism of life “From a young age, I’ve been fascinated by nature,” he stated: “to me, science is simply the curiosity to understand nature and all its wonders

"I believe the most impactful technology is the kind that most closely resembles nature and works in harmony with it”

development To confirm this, we s poke with over 100 experts across pharma an d b iotec h, and the y unanimously ec hoed that delivery remains one of the biggest pain points ” ***

Sujaan, together with his co-founder, Luca, had approached Entrepreneurs

First, an accelerator for start-ups, to receive the funding that facilitated these remarkable findings, which they were later able to officially solve in the form of Crane Biosciences

“For context: nanoparticles are tiny objects in the nanometer scale this is the same scale as viruses or cellular components and so they can interact directly with biological systems At our workplace, we ’ re inspired predominantly by nature: we ’ ve developed a method to create nanopar-

messages Our particles can carry therapeutic DNA or RNA and deliver them safely to targeted organs: what’s exciting is that our nanoparticles have an unmatched safety profile They're stable at room temperature, are not detected as foreign by the immune system, and have demonstrated the ability to deliver payloads to high-value targets like the brain That opens the door to tackling diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and brain cancer at their root cause something that’s been incredibly difficult until now ” Here, the precision of Sujaan’s nanotechnology is also invaluably unique

The CTO has built on his own independent work in academia, which “focussed on how malaria parasites invade red blood cells,” having completed his PhD

Scotland passes landmark motion against Hinduphobia

In a landmark decision, the S co ttis h P arli ament h as passed Motion S6M-17089, becoming the first in UK history to officially condemn Hinduphobia

Introduced by Ash Regan, MSP for Edinburgh Eastern and member of the Alba Party, the motion received cross-party backing from figures like Colin Beattie, Stephanie Callaghan, and Kevin Stewart It highlights the serious discrimination faced by Scotland’s Hindu community and applauds the Gandhian Peace Society (GPS) for its influential report that brought these issues to light and called for meaningful action

“Scotland’s diversity is its strength,” stated Ash Regan during her address “But we can't truly celebrate that diversity while ignoring those harmed by prejudice This motion is not just sym-

Dhruva Kumar and Ash Regan

bolic it’s a call for real change ”

At the core of this historic moment is a groundbreaking report: ‘Hinduphobia in Scotland: Understanding, Addressing, and Overcoming Prejudice’ Co-authored by Dhruva Kumar, Anuranjan Jha, Sukhi Bains, Ajit Trivedi, and Neil Lal, it stands as the first UK p a

n i s e d study on anti-Hindu discrimination

“This motion sets a pow-

erful precedent,” said Dhruva Kumar, GPS General Secretary and lead author of the report “Religious harmony must be actively pursued In standing for justice, Scotland strengthens the soul of its nation ” The report combines data, personal accounts, and testimonies to expose troubling realities: hate crimes, temple vandalism, workplace bias, and cultural stigma impacting Scotland’s 30,000strong Hindu community

“When temples are defaced or families face slurs, it’s not just Hindus under attack it’s Scotland’s values,” noted Neil Lal “This report holds a mirror to our society ”

“Gandhiji taught us that non-violence means confronting ignorance,” added co-authors Jha and Kumar “Addressing Hinduphobia helps unite all communities ”

East London Indian restaurant fined £100K for mouse infestation

An Indian restaurant in East L ondo n has been f ined o ver £100,000 after health inspectors discovered an “ unco ntro lled” mouse infestation

Hundreds of droppings were found near chopping boards, cooking utensils, and food items, including lettuce and tinned sardines, during a visit to Le Madison Kitchen in Whitechapel last April

I’m grateful to have spent 15 years studying fundamental biology before transitioning into applied science what we call ‘technology’ I believe the most impactful technology is the kind that most closely resembles nature and works in harmony with it ”

The warm-hearted innovator grew up in India, attending school in Kolkata, and completed the first part of his higher education across Delhi and Mumbai He moved to the UK to pursue his studies after being granted a scholarship by the EU Today, Crane Biosciences “teams up with pharmaceutical companies and other startups that already have therapeutic payloads and want to deliver them safely to a specific organ for a respective disease The role of CTO means constantly working on sharpening cell-targeted delivery and reducing off-target effects, in a way that is beneficially patient-focussed ” Finally, Sujaan shows us the awesome power of altruistic tech to not only positively reclaim the world around us, but further truly revolutionise it

W: https://cranebio com/ https://uk linkedin com/in /sujaandas

Inspectors found electrical wires smeared with mouse droppings, likely used by rodents to access higher shelves Tower Hamlets

Council said the restaurant failed to address the infestation, endangering both customers and staff A closure notice posted last year warned of “ an uncontrolled mouse infestation posing an imminent risk to health ” Despite boasting on its

website about top hygiene standards and using “the freshest locally sourced produce,” Le Madison Kitchen offers over 40 dishes and a buffet for £12 99 Tower Hamlets Councillor Shafi Ahmed said: “Residents and visitors deserve high standards of cleanliness and safety when dining out This prosecution shows we will take firm action against any business that fails to meet those standards Food safety is non-negotiable ”

Gatwick named UK’s most delayed airport

London Gatwi ck was the UK’s worst airport for flight delays in 2024, with departures averaging over 23 minutes late, official data from the Civil Aviation Authority shows

Gatwick recorded the UK’s worst flight delays for the second year running, despite improving from a 27minute average in 2023 to 23 minutes in 2024 Staff shortages at Nats, which runs Gatwick’s control tower, were a key factor, though

now resolved Birmingham and Manchester followed with average delays of 21 and 20 minutes

A Gatwick spokesperson said the airport avoided Easter disruption despite a strike and is working with airlines on plans to improve punctuality in 2025, though European air traffic control issues continue to cause delays PA’s analysis of 22 major UK airports showed Belfast City (George Best) had the best punctuality in

2024, with average delays under 12 minutes

AirportsUK welcomed the drop in delays, noting the sector is still recovering post-pandemic The CAA reminded passengers they may be entitled to food, drink, or compensation for delays over three hours

CAA director Selina Chadha said airlines must work to minimise disruption and meet their legal duty to support passengers when delays occur

ASBIs lead to jail for sleeping rough, feeding birds

Since 2020, nearly 250 people have been jailed for breaching antisocial behaviour injunctions (ASBIs), including for slee pi ng roug h, b eg gi ng , fee di ng b irds, a nd mak in g noise

An analysis of 242 cases from 2020-2024 found 72 imprisonments for general nuisance, 61 for abusive language, and 51 for noise The study also revealed that 57% of those jailed lacked legal representation at their breach hearings

Prof Caroline Hunter from York Law School criticised the lack of proper representation for people impris-

oned for breaching antisocial behaviour injunctions (ASBIs), highlighting that many have underlying issues that prison doesn t address ASBIs (Anti-Social Behavior Injunctions) and civil injunctions, issued to anyone aged 10 or older, lead to imprisonment for contempt if breached Research by Hunter and Rona Epstein from Coventry Law School reveals that those who are homeless, destitute, or have mental health or learning disabilities are disproportionately affected The academics pointed to cases like Nicholas, jailed for 15 weeks

for feeding pigeons on his balcony a ritual helping him cope with grief and maintain sobriety Despite his solicitor s mental health defense, the judge disagreed They also highlighted the case of Floyd Carruthers, who was jailed for 66 days after breaching an ASBI due to schizophrenia and later died of sepsis Epstein emphasised that many individuals imprisoned for ASBI breaches struggle with addiction, mental health issues, or grief, and argued that imprisonment is not an effective solution, noting the lack of public oversight on these cases

SUJAAN DAS

Tower Hamlets Council

As i an V o i ce an d Gu j ara t

Samachar ho sted a sp ecial reception on A pril 15, 20 25, at S an g at A d v i c e C en tr e i n Harrow Despite light d rizzle, th e ev ent d rew a d i v e rs e group of attendees, including members of the d iaspora, and comm unity leaders

country

The event also celebrated the shared journeys and future possibilities, highlighting the strength of the diaspora, their contributions, and the importance of staying connected to one ’ s heritage

As Mr Trivedi beautifully

They gathered to hear from the guest speaker Dinesh Trivedi and acknowledge the longstanding leadership of CB Patel, Publisher/Editor of Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar

The evening began with a welcome address from Pooja Raval, of Asian Voice followed by CB Patel’s remarks that set a warm and engaging tone Highlight of the evening was the individual recognition of all 60+ attendees for their community contributions

Key guests included Deputy Mayor of Hertsmere Cllr Parveen Rani, Cllr Tushar Kumar, Cllr Anjana Patel, VK Vanzara from Malawi, Trupti Patel of HFB, Ketan Mehta, Kanti Nagda MBE among

others

Inspiring reflectio ns from Dinesh Trivedi

Dinesh Trivedi’s core message in his speech emphasised on aspects of resilience, inclusivity, and the Indian diaspora's quiet contributions

He said, “As a community, we have contributed to knowledge and society without causing disruption Our strength lies in integration, not isolation ”

Trivedi urged young attendees to enter politics, promising his personal support: “I want to see you all in Parliament, and I’ll be happy to campaign for you, ” he added His messages echoed far beyond politics they were about belonging and ownership in an adopted

Bridging communities and cultures at a London reception honouring former Minister Dinesh Trivedi

“When you come to London and do not meet CB, you haven’t visited anything in London,” remarked former Railway Minister of India, Dinesh Trivedi, echoing the iconic Gujarat tourism tagline by Amitabh Bachchan. The sentiment was clear: this gathering was not just an event but a cultural statement.

cial? It can be created, yes, but only by real intelligence ” Th e Scientist ‘behind ’ th e Minister

An unexpected highlight was the presence of Meenal Trivedi, Mr Trivedi’s wife, who offered a different but equally inspiring perspective

In a conversation, she revealed her scientific background, who worked with human embryonic stem cells in IVF clinics, handling complex genetic research She described the work as deeply fulfilling until the government imposed a six-year ban on such research

remains vivid “Now I enjoy a slower pace and try to be by Dinesh’s side when I can My son and my husband they are my world,” she said A mom ent of leg acy: Two major announcem ents

Amid the celebration, CB announced two upcoming events to mark the relevance of Gujarat Samachar:

1 Launch of ‘Soneri Smruti Granth – A Timeless Treasure’

The bilingual commemorative souvenir this publication will capture migration stories, rare photographs, and heartfelt reflections from the

explained, “India’s core strength is its spirit of inquiry We don’t follow blindly we ask, seek, and learn Even with concepts like artificial intelligence how can intelligence ever be artifi-

Her journey, from ground-breaking labs to graceful retirement, demonstrated resilience in a different realm Though no longer working in a lab, her passion for science and curiosity

Samachar:

diaspora Slated for release in July 2025, it aims to serve as a historical record and legacy piece, chronicling shared cultural and emotional journeys

2 The 53rd Anniversary celebration of Gujarat

Scheduled for 10th May 2025, celebrating five decades of community journalism connecting continents, championing causes, and giving voice to the unheard CB Patel reflected on the journey, noting the publication's unique role in bridging India, the UK, and global diaspora through stories, advocacy, and unwavering community

spirit Voices from the comm unity The event organised for Mr Trivedi was more than just a gathering it kicked off conversations about identity, politics, representation, and unity Several attendees offered personal insights Trupti Patel, President of the Hindu Forum of Britain said, “This event showcased

Dinesh Trivedi

Kanti Nagda MBE Meenal Trivedi

L-R: Cllr Parveen Rani - Deputy Mayor of Hertsmere, Meenal Trivedi, Dinesh Trivedi, Jaswant Doshi and CB Patel

Dinesh Trivedi felicitated by Ranjan Manek

Meenal Trivedi being welcomed by Kalpana Patel

L-R: Jaswant Doshi, Cllr Tushar Kumar, Er Trupti Patel, Cllr Parveen Rani, Rashmi Patel CB Patel and Surendra Patel (seated)

L-R: Kishor Parmar, Vikesh Vanzara, Dr Amrutlal Shah, Dhiru Lambha, Vimalji Odedra, Kanti Nagda MBE, Jayraj Patel, CB Patel, Navin Nanda and Deepak Patel

Meenal Trivedi welcomed by Manjit Singh Khinda

country The event also celebrated the shared journeys and future possib l ties high ighing the strength of the diaspora their contr butions and the mportance o

Bridging communities and cultures at a London reception honouring former Minister Dinesh Trivedi

“When

urged young attendees to enter polit cs prom sing h s persona support “I want to see you al n Par iament and I l be happy to campa gn for you, ” he added His messages echoed far beyond pol tics they were about belonging and ownership in an adopted

c a ? It can be created yes, but only by rea nte ligence ” Th e Scientist behind th e Min ster An unexpected high ight was the presence of Meenal Trivedi Mr Trivedi s wife, who offered a different but equal y insp ring perspect ve In a conversation, she revea ed her sc ent fic background who worked w th human embryonic stem ce s in IVF cl n cs hand ing complex gene c research She descr bed the work as deep y fulfi l ng until the government mposed a six-year ban on such research

remains vivid “Now en oy a s ower pace and try to be by D nesh s side when can My son and my husband they are my wor d,” she sa d A mom ent of leg acy Two major announcem ents Amid the celebrat on, CB announced two upcoming events to mark the relevance of Gu arat Samachar:

1 Launch of Soneri Smruti Granth – A T meless Treasure The bi ingual commemorative souven r this pub ication wi capture migration s or es rare photographs, and heartfel ref ections from the

ng connected to one s heritage As Mr Trived beau ifu ly exp ained “India s core strength is its sp r t o inquiry We don t fol ow b indly we ask seek and learn Even with concepts l ke art ficial intel igence how can nte l gence ever be art f -

Her ourney from ground-break ng labs to grace u re irement demonstrated res l ence in a d fferent rea m Though no onger working in a lab, her pass on for science and curiosity

diaspora S ated for release in July 2025, it a ms to serve as a h storica record and legacy piece chronicl ng shared cultural and emotiona journeys

2 The 53rd Ann versary ce ebration of Gu arat

Trump set for second State visit to UK in September

Samachar: Scheduled or 10th May 2025, celebrat ng ive decades o commun ty journa ism connecting continents championing causes and g vng voice to he unheard CB Pate ref ected on the ourney noting the pub ca on s un que ro e in bridg ng nd a he UK, and global diaspora hrough stories advocacy and unwavering commun ty sp rit Voices from the comm uni y

The event organised for Mr Tr ved was more than ust a gather ng t k cked of conversations about dent ty pol tics representation and unity Severa attendees of ered personal insigh s Trupti Pate , President of the Hindu Forum o Britain said “Th s event showcased

Z students in Manchester to learn essential soft skills

Guest sends best wishes in absence

v Pradipbhai Dhamecha

v Lord Dolar Popat

v Lord Kr sh Rava

v Lord J tesh Gadh a

v Lord Bhikhu Parekh

v Lord Ram Ranger

v Subhash Thakrar OBE

v Ameet Jogia MBE

v Nav nbhai Shah

v Rekhaben shah

v HE N misha Madhvani

v MP Bob B ackman

v Krupesh H rani London Assembly Member or Brent and Harrow

v Cl r Ramj Chauhan

v Cl r Hitesh

Sh lp Verma Walf nch

Cs" Covid

c imate change, cost of l v ng, cyberspace, and conf ict The Sk ls 4 Liv ng programme, launched th s week n Greater Manchester by the Unescopartner non-prof t Higher Hea th, a ms to address these gaps, mark ng ts first expansion outside Africa The curriculum de ivered most y on ine w th n-person assessments covers topics l ke ake news, on ine safety, discrimination, gambl ng awareness and avoid ng scams t aims to reach 10 000 young people in Greater Manchester by September n partnersh p w th un vers ties such as the Univers ty of Manchester After a summer pi ot the program plans to

expand to 16- to 25-year-o ds inc ud ng young offenders mi itary personnel and refugees Mayor Andy Burnham emphas sed the importance of prepar ng young peop e for hea thy productive ives h ghl ght ng Greater Manchester as the f rst n the UK to offer this program The init at ve aligns with growing efforts to recruit and retain Gen Z talent expected to make up 27% of the workforce this year Consu tancy

Raising awareness, saving lives

A llergy Saf ety We ek 2025 h ighl ight s rising al le rg y risks in the UK, urging better awareness, early diagnosis, cl ea r l ab e ll ing , an d emergency preparedness to protect lives at home and beyond

As Allergy Safety Week 2025 begins, campaigners, medical experts, and communities across the UK are joining forces to spotlight the growing importance of allergy awareness, prevention, and preparedness

Organised annually, Allergy Safety Week aims to educate the public on the risks associated with severe allergic reactions and empower people to create safer spaces whether at home, school, work, or while dining out

Allergies affect millions in the UK According to Allergy UK, one in three people will experience an allergy at some point in their lives, with around 21 million adults and children currently managing allergic conditions ranging from hay fever and food allergies to asthma and severe anaphylaxis Worryingly, hospital admissions for allergic reactions have more than doubled over the past 20 years In 2024 alone, the NHS recorded over 26,000 admissions for allergic reactions, with children and young adults making up a significant portion of cases

Food allergies remain one of the most common and dangerous triggers An estimated 2 million people in the UK live with food allergies, including around 8% of children Common culprits include peanuts, tree nuts, milk, eggs, shellfish, and sesame but even trace amounts can prove life-threatening for some

The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation, set up in memory of Natasha Ednan-Laperouse, continues to advocate for stronger food labelling and awareness following her tragic death in 2016

This year ’ s Allergy Safety Week campaign is

themed “I Wish I Knew ” which focuses on improving early diagnosis, ensuring accurate labelling in retail and hospitality, raising awareness in schools, and encouraging workplaces to implement allergy-friendly practices

The campaign has been developed by Allergy UK, in

response to rising allergy cases, with 1 in 2 people in Europe estimated to be living with an allergy in 2026 It also highlights the importance of training in recognising and responding to anaphylaxis, including the use of adrenaline autoinjectors like EpiPens

The campaign will begin by highlighting three things it is important for everyone to know about allergy during Allergy Awareness Week These are: allergies can develop at any age, allergies can exacerbate other health conditions such as asthma, and getting an allergy diagnosis is crucial – it’s the key to accessing the right care and support

Sim one M ile s, C hie f Ex e cu tive of Al le rgy U K, said, “Allergy Awareness Week 2025 is an important opportunity to raise aware-

ness about the experiences of people living with allergies Our healthcare system is not optimised to provide adequate care for allergic conditions, so it’s important anyone who is newly experiencing allergy symptoms is able to recognise the red flags to seek support

“Early intervention can even change the course of an allergy and people need to be empowered with the right information to enable them to take advantage of this

“An allergy diagnosis isn’t just a label, it’s the key to managing symptoms, preventing severe reactions and complications and improving quality of life It can open the door to appropriate treatment pathways plus information about how to live safely with an allergy

“If new persistent symptoms appear or an existing condition worsens without a clear cause, allergy could be the missing piece of the puzzle ”

Allergy charities are calling on both individuals and institutions to adopt a " whole community approach to allergy safety, recognising that even simple actions like checking labels, asking about allergies, and knowing how to respond in an emergency can save lives

With the number of allergy cases rising globally and no cure yet in sight, Allergy Safety Week 2025 serves as a vital reminder: awareness, preparation, and compassion are the best tools we have to protect the growing number of people living with allergies

Daily peanut doses help desensitise allergic reaction

The first clinical trial testing pea nu t des ens iti s ati on in adults has shown promising results, with two-thirds of participants able to consume t he eq ui val ent of fi ve peanuts without reacting

The Grown Up Peanut Immunotherapy (GUPI) trial is the first to focus on adults with severe peanut allergies, testing whether daily supervised doses can be safely tolerated

Oral immunotherapy, a method shown to work in infants and children, has now proven successful in adults with peanut allergies

The findings of the first adult-focused trial were published in ‘Allergy’ by

researchers from King’s College London and Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, funded by the NIHR

Professor Stephen Till, Chief Investigator at King’s College London, said that while strict avoidance and adrenaline are standard treatments for peanut allergies, this trial shows adults can be desensitised, improving their quality of life Over the course of the trial, the average tolerated peanut dose increased 100-fold

The Phase II trial involved 21 adults, aged 18 to 40, with confirmed peanut allergies at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation

“There needs to be ongoing and diligent processes in place to keep the allergy community safe”

Anusha Singh

As Allergy Awareness Week 2025 puts the spotlight on the growing allergy crisis, personal stories like those of Rheia Walia and Lakshmi Kaul offer a sobering reminder of the very real dangers allergies present and the urgent need for stronger laws, better awareness, and a more compassionate, informed society.

Rheia Walia has lived with severe allergies since the age of one She is allergic to nuts, coconut, kiwi, grapefruit, aubergine, and prawns, and also suffers from oral allergy syndrome, which triggers reactions to tree pollen

The tragic death of Natasha Ednan-Laperouse, who suffered a fatal anaphylactic reaction to hidden sesame seeds baked into the dough of a baguette purchased from Pret A Manger, became a defining moment for Rheia Motivated by her own experiences and Natasha’s story, Rheia, now a Law graduate from the University of Dundee with a Master’s in Medical Law and Ethics from the University of Durham, turned her personal struggle into a mission for change She became an allergy awareness campaigner, a cause she believes helped shape her legal career

Natasha’s death exposed critical gaps in food safety legislation and, for Rheia, was a painful reminder of the urgent need for reform

Speaking to Asian Voice, Rheia reflected on her life with allergies stating, “How I dealt with my allergies, and my mindset around them, has evolved from childhood into adulthood Living with severe allergies has become second nature to me I’m constantly aware of everything I touch and eat, as well as what others around me are handling I never leave home without my medication

lack of public awareness My early experiences taught me to trust my own intuition I know my body best, I know what I can and cannot have, and I will always rely on that knowledge ”

The dangers of allergies became devastatingly real for another family when Lakshmi Kaul’s nine-yearold daughter, Nainika, passed away after an allergic reaction to blueberries hidden in a dairy-free pancake

After taking just one bite, Nainika turned completely blue and collapsed

Her father immediately administered an Epipen, and paramedics arrived at their Harrow home within seven minutes Despite their efforts, Nainika suffered a cardiac arrest and passed away days later, after her family made the heartbreaking decision to withdraw life support Lakshmi described the experience as a nightmare we will live and relive every single moment of our lives remaining " Writing on a JustGiving page created to fund allergy research in her daughter’s memory, she added, “We knew she was allergic to dairy and she had asthma, so we looked after that for the last nine years ”

Since Nainika’s passing, Lakshmi has dedicated herself to raising awareness and supporting allergy research in her personal capacity

Both Lakshmi and Rheia’s stories highlight the deep impact of severe allergies on individuals and families, as well as the urgent need for better public awareness, safety education, and stronger protections

and will continue to do so is that in current legislations and public policy, all measures are reactive to deaths rather than proactive

“There needs to be ongoing and diligent processes in place to keep the allergy community safe and prevent allergy deaths We deserve that dignity before death and no measure should be implemented as a result of a tragic death In my opinion, not enough is being done until that is the case The areas of most

Trust Participants started with doses of peanut flour (0 8mg, 1 5mg, and 3mg), with those who tolerated the doses continuing daily at home for two weeks, equivalent to 0 5-1% of a whole peanut

Professor Lucy Chappell, Chief Scientific Adviser at the DHSC and CEO of the NIHR, said, "These results represent a key milestone in allergy treatment, offering hope to adults with peanut allergies The NIHR-funded research aims to improve patient outcomes, providing a path toward greater safety and a better quality of life for those living with the daily fear of accidental exposure "

“Severe allergies are both a disability and a longterm health condition, but they are not always treated with the respect or understanding they deserve This is often due to misconceptions about allergies and a

The call for change, whether through law, policy, or everyday practices, has never been more critical

Rheia reiterates the same, stating, “Following my two law degrees, one thing I have repeatedly said

improvement need to be restaurant policies, they are not strict enough and not all institutions follow them at a high enough level In addition to that, allergy awareness needs to increase: without an influx in awareness how can anything change I strive to be that awareness and I strive to make that change “I know firsthand how debilitating and dangerous allergies can be and no one should have to go through life not knowing if something is safe or not Allergies do not define you but they are a part of our life and something that needs to be adapted for by the wider community At the end of the day it’s between life and death and that should be enough for change, but sadly it isn’t ” As Allergy Awareness Week 2025 unfolds, stories like these remind us that awareness must be followed by action Whether it’s checking a label, asking a question, changing a policy, or fostering compassion in the community, every small step matters Until safety becomes second nature for everyone, not just those living with allergies, the work is far from over

Pupils miss 3mn school days due to allergies

Children across the UK lost more than three million school days in one year due to allergy-related issues, new research has revealed The data highlights the profound impact allergy mismanagement has on education, with some pupils missing months of school

The statistics come from the Benedict Blythe Foundation’s 2024 React report, which analysed Freedom of Information requests sent to over 20,000 schools between October 2023 and January 2024 It found that, on average, pupils with allergies lost 4 5 school days each year One in three parents reported that their child missed six or more days, while more than half said their child had to leave school early due to an

allergic reaction While fatal anaphylaxis remains rare, the report noted that about 25% of first-time allergic reactions occur in schools Alarmingly, nearly half of schools do not have a spare adrenaline auto-injector available The report also revealed that one in three schools lacked an allergy policy, more than 70% of schools did not train staff on allergy awareness, and around 60% offered no allergy training for school trips

These findings underline the urgent need for better allergy management and training in schools, highlighting the real risks faced by children with allergies in educational settings

Rheia Walia

Lakshmi Kaul with her daughter Nainika

Simone Miles

Dear Financial Voice Reader, Alpesh Patel

The ability to hold meaningful cash reserves within a SelfInvested Personal Pension (SIPP) has become a critical tool for retirement savers navigating volatile markets Unlike traditional pensions, SIPPs empower investors to tactically adjust cash allocations a flexibility that proved invaluable during the 2022 market downturn and remains relevant amid ongoing economic uncertainty This isn’t about market timing; it’s about prudent risk management and preserving optionality

Cash as a Defensive Anchor

When interest rates surged from historic lows to over 5% between 2021-2023, cash transformed from a near-zeroyielding afterthought into a legitimate income-generating asset For SIPPs, this shift allowed savers to shelter portions of their pension from equity market declines while still earning returns a dual advantage absent in traditional pension structures During 2022 ’ s market rout, those holding cash avoided the worst of the sell-off, preserving capital to reinvest when valuations improved Breaking Free from Institutional Constraints

Most managed pension funds restrict cash holdings to 2-10% of assets, forcing investors to remain fully exposed during downturns SIPPs eliminate this constraint, allowing savers to dynamically adjust allocations based on personal risk tolerance This proved crucial in 2022 when even professional fund managers, hamstrung by mandates, watched helplessly as markets fell

Practical Advantages

Liquidity for Opportunities: Cash reserves enable quick action during market dislocations When quality assets become undervalued, SIPP holders can deploy cash without selling existing holdings at a loss

Sequence-of-Returns Protection: Retirees drawing income can use cash buffers to avoid selling depreciated assets during downturns, mitigating long-term portfolio damage

FSCS Protection: By spreading cash across multiple banks (up to £85,000 per institution), SIPP holders maximize safety without sacrificing growth potential

Avoiding the Traps

While cash offers stability, overexposure risks missing market recoveries The key lies in strategic allocation holding enough cash to weather volatility while maintaining growth-oriented investments This balance is particularly vital as interest rates fluctuate, requiring regular portfolio reassessment

The Bottom Line

SIPPs with robust cash management features provide a middle ground between passive investing and high-risk trading In an era of concentrated market gains and unpredictable shocks, controlling cash allocations isn’t just about defence it’s about maintaining agency over your financial future For long-term retirement savers, this flexibility could mean the difference between watching helplessly as markets tumble and positioning strategically for recovery

I am presently largely in cash and sleeping easy

Majority of UK kids dream of entrepreneurship

A new study reveals that most UK children dream of launching their own business one day, and many want schools to teach them the skills to succeed

Research involving 1,000 children aged 9 to 11, commissioned by Virgin Money, found that 83% hope to start a business in the future, while 71% want entrepreneurship included in school lessons The study also highlighted strong financial awareness among children, with 88% having saved for something specific, setting aside an average of £57

Despite the digital shift, cash remains central to their habits, with nearly half (47%) storing savings in piggy banks and 44% still using cash for purchases Parents remain the top source of financial guidance, as 82% of children said they learn about money management at home, and 92% regularly discuss finances with their families The findings also show a forward-thinking attitude, with 64% saying they d prefer to invest £5 to grow it rather than spend it Virgin Money’s Make £5 Grow programme, which has reached over 200,000 pupils, gives children the chance to develop business ideas using a £5 loan Schools keep profits once loans are repaid, helping pupils learn entrepreneurial and money skills

Yhangry's recipe for scaling success

Anusha Singh In a world where convenience and memorable experiences are increasingly intertwined, yhangry is redefining how people gather and dine

Founded in 2019 by Siddhi Mittal and Heidi Petra, this London-based startup is making private dining more accessible, offering people the chance to book professional chefs for everything from cosy dinners at home to large celebrations, without the luxury price tag

What started as a clever solution for food lovers craving restaurant-quality meals in the comfort of their own homes has since grown into a fast-scaling platform, serving thousands of customers across the UK With its growing network of chefs, seamless booking experience, and focus on customisation, yhangry is helping to transform everyday occasions into something special all while offering hosts the ultimate stress-free dining experience

Asian Voice spoke with Siddhi Mittal, co-founder of yhangry, to learn more about the inspiration behind the company, how the platform works, and her perspective on the future of food, entrepreneurship, and scaling a startup in the UK

Yhangry started as a side hustle. When did you realise it had the potential to become a full-time business?

The realisation came

when we noticed a significant gap in the market: while restaurant chefs often earned minimum wage, private chefs were perceived as unaffordable We believed that a chef could serve a three-course meal cheaper than a restaurant, without the drinks markup This idea seemed ludicrous until we proved it possible The positive response and growing demand confirmed that Yhangry had the potential to be more than just a side project

What is the difference between how the company operated in the first year of its inception and how it operates now? What strategies have been most effective in growing the business?

In our first year, operations were manual and localised We personally

2022, which provided invaluable mentorship and exposure, and focusing on fair compensation for chefs, offering an average of £60 per hour compared to the industry average of £13 33

What are some of the key trends you see in the private dining space, and how is Yhangry adapting?

A significant trend is the rise of at-home dining

managed bookings and coordinated with chefs Now, we've scaled significantly, with a tech-driven platform that automates matching clients with over 3,000 chefs across the UK Key strategies that fuelled our growth include participating in Y Combinator in

experiences, especially in holiday rentals People are seeking the luxury of restaurant-quality meals in the comfort of their homes or vacation properties To adapt, Yhangry is partnering with short-term rental property owners, aiming to provide hotel-like dining

experiences for staycation guests We've already established 100 partnerships and have a pipeline of 3,000 potential collaborations You’ve successfully raised investment when, according to statistics, women-led businesses are less likely to secure funding What was that experience like, and what advice would you give to female founders looking to raise capital in the tech and hospitality space?

Raising capital as a female founder presented its challenges, but perseverance and a clear vision were crucial Participating in accelerator programs like Y Combinator helped us build credibility and connect with investors My advice to female founders is to focus on building a strong network, be persistent, and believe in the value of your business Don't be discouraged by statistics; instead, use them as motivation to break barriers

What’s your ultimate vision for Yhangry, and how do you see it evolving in the next 5-10 years?

Our vision is to revolutionise the way people dine at home and in holiday rentals globally We aim to expand our presence and this includes a significant push into the US market By providing accessible, high-quality private dining experiences, we hope to make Yhangry a household name synonymous with luxury and convenience

Indian Industry Minister Piyush Goyal to visit London as India-UK FTA talks accelerate

Less than a month af ter

Fi nan ce Min is ter Ni rmala Si thar aman ’ s UK vi si t, Commer ce an d Indu s try Mi ni s ter Piy us h Goyal i s expected to begin his trip to London, Oslo, and Brussels on April 28, an Indian official said

The visit aims to further strengthen India’s trade and investment partnerships with the UK, Norway, and the European Union, the official added

The proposed India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is progressing steadily, with talks moving at an accelerated pace A new full round of negotiations is unlikely, as the discussions are advancing rapidly Fourteen rounds have already been completed, sources have confirmed The push comes amid shifting global trade dynamics, as countries seek to expand

Parents make six-figure deposits to bypass inheritance tax

There’s been a sharp rise in parents and g randparen ts gif ti ng la rge s u ms of money to help their children onto the property ladder often as a way to reduce future inheritance tax bills

New figures from tech firm

Twenty7tec show that 110,325 buyers received at least £100,000 from family last year, up 8% from 2023 Experts say the trend has accelerated following

changes announced in last October’s Budget, which will see pensions counted as part of an individual’s taxable estate from April 2027 Legal specialists say many families are now opting to transfer wealth during their lifetime, especially through house deposits, rather than risk leaving relatives with a heavy tax bill later Gifts given more than seven years before

death are typically exempt from inheritance tax Lawyers and estate agents alike are reporting growing numbers of parents and grandparents stepping in not just to help first-time buyers but also to support “second steppers” aiming to upsize Savills estimates family gifts and loans for house deposits reached £9 3 billion in 2024, almost double the £5 billion seen in 2019

market access in response to evolving US trade policies

Goyal and the UK

Secretary of State for Business and Trade, Jonathan Reynolds, had jointly announced the resumption of FTA talks in February, following an eight-month pause The trade talks, originally launched in January 2022, have since regained traction Alongside the FTA, India and the UK are also working to finalise a Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) and a Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement The Finance Ministry is spearheading the BIT negotiations, with

Sitharaman’s recent UK visit focusing on this agenda

The visit to Oslo is particularly significant as India signed a comprehensive free trade agreement with the fournation European Free Trade Association (EFTA) in March last year, with implementation expected this year

In parallel, India is holding investment treaty discussions with both the UK and the European Union, and is also expected to negotiate a BIT with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), which has pledged $100 billion in investments over 15 years

Siddhi Mittal

Piyush Goyal

Nirmala Sitharaman with Rachel Reeves

Gold price almost hits Rs 100,000 mark in India

Gold prices in Delhi surged close to Rs 100,000 mark, driven by a weakened dollar and ongoing US-China tariff

tensions According to the All India Sarafa Association, gold of 99 9 per cent purity was priced at Rs 99,800 per 10 grams on Monday This follows a decline where the price closed at Rs 98,150 per 10 grams last Friday The

f luc tua ting gold price s un der sc ore the pe rs is te nt

v olat ility in the c ommodities market amid b roa der e con omic uncertainties

Meanwhile, 99 5% pure

g o l d e x p

e n c e d a significant rise, jumping Rs 1,600 to reach a new high of R s 9 9 , 3

following a slight dip to Rs 97,700 per 10 grams at the previous market close Since the beginning of the year, the price of gold has surged by Rs 20,850, reflecting a remarkable 26 41% increase per 10 grams from the close of last year I

uptick, rising Rs 500 to Rs 98,500 per kg, having traded at a stable Rs 98,000 per kg on

reaching a new high of Rs 96,875 per 10 grams

record peak of USD 3,397 18

retreating to USD 3,393 49 per ounce

On a global scale, gold futures broke through the

, 4

0 threshold for the first time, s

ounce, which is

2 4 per cent rise

Adani Ports to buy Australian terminal Abbot

Adani Ports and Special Eco n omi c Zo ne Ltd (APSEZ), the ports arm of t he Adani Gro up, has approved the acquisition o f Ab bo t Po i nt Por t Holdings Pte Ltd (APPH), S i ngapo re, i n a shar esw ap d eal val ued at Australian $3 975 billion APPH owns the North

MTPA facility at the Port of Abbot Point, about 25 km north of Bowen on Australia’s east coast The

located on the East-West trade corridor and is a key a

P

the company said The acquisition will be executed on a non-cash basis, with APSEZ issuing 143 8mn equity shares to Carmichael Rail and Port Singapore Holdings Pte Ltd (CRPSHPL), a related

APPH

Indian origin Katti promoted as Intel CTO & AI chief

In te l has p rom ote d it s

n e two rk ing ch ip he ad Sachin Katti to be its chief techn ology officer and AI ch ie f , accor din g to a n in te rn a l m em o T he elevation comes at a time when Intel’s new CEO LipBu Ta n is f la tt en ing t he firm’s leadership team

B e f o r e j o i n i n g I n t e l , K a t t i f o u n d e d U h a n a , a startup working on bringing r e a l - t i m e A I t o m o b i l e

n e t w o r k s , w h i c h w a s a c q u i r e d b y V m w a r e A t I n t e l , K a t t i s e r v e d a s t h e SVP and general manager of network and edge group In this role, he led initiatives to advance product excellence

a c r o s s n e t w o r k i n f r a s t r u c t u r e a n d intelligent edge solutions

The Belagavi boy, who w a s b o r n i n a f a m i l y o f doctors, is based in the US with his wife, Seema, and t h e i r t w o c h i l d r e n A f t e r

g r a d u a t i n g f r o m I I TBombay in 2003, Katti went o n t o M a s s a c h u s e t t s I n s t i t u t e o f T e c h n o l o g y (MIT), where he obtained his MS and PhD degrees

“ O n e o f o u r s c h o o l principals inspired a bunch of students to pursue their h i g h e r e d u c a t i o n a t I I T s , and Sachin set his mind on this goal while studying in the sixth grade He is also p a s s i o n a t e a b o u t c r i c k e t and football,” his brother Amit Katti, a urologist, said O v e r a d e c a d e a g o , K a t t i a l s o c o - f o u n d e d K u m u N e t w o r k s , w h i c h

Sachin Katti

specialised in advanced fulld u p l e x r a d i o t e c h n o l o g y He, along with his graduate s t u d e n t s , s h o w e d t h e feasibility of implementing d u p l e x r a d i o s , w h i c h c a n transmit and receive signals

e x radios globally and raised $45 million

Starlink officials in India to sort out licence hurdles

v

A

ure Sta rlin k met commerce minister Piyush Goyal and officials from the telec om ministry, to b rief them about the company

s plans for India

S

that met Goyal included VP C h a d G

technology platform, their e

future investment plans in India,” Goyal said

ministry of commerce as well as key functionaries from the department of telecom, who

s understood to have assuaged g

s c o n c

r a i s e d mainly by the home ministry - a r o u n d s e c u r i t y , w h i l e briefing about its investment plans in the country The company has been trying to get a licence to begin satcom s

past two-to-three years but was unsuccessful so far, with security aspects emerging as

At 3.3%, retail inflation lowest since Aug 2019

Retail inflation slowed to a more than 5-year low in Ma rc h on the b ac k of sharply moderating food prices, paving the way for the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to cut interest rates in the months ahead to s uppo rt grow th a gai ns t th e b ac k drop of glob al uncertainty

D a t a r e l e a s e d b y t h e

National Statistical Office ( N S O ) s h o w e d r e t a i l inflation, as measured by the consumer price index (CPI), rose an annual 3 3% in March, slower than the previous month’s 3 6% and below the 4 9% in March last year The food price index slowed to 2 7% in M a r c h , l o w e r t h a n t h e

3 8% in Feb and below the 8 5% in March last year

Rural inflation was at 3 3% in Feb while urban was at 3 4%

The data showed that t

compared to Feb and it is

inflation after Aug, 2019

There was a sharp decline of 106 basis points in food i

compared to Feb and the food inflation during the month is the lowest after Nov, 2021

The decline in headline

month of March, 2025 is

ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel to invest £26bn to up capacity

Being bullish on growth in infrastructure development and the automobile sector, the Arc el orMitt al N ippon Steel (AM-NS) joint venture will invest around £26bn in India over the next decade to grow its steel production capacity more than fourfold to around 40 million tonnes per annum (MTPA), a top official said

The company said that at around 94 kg, per capita steel consumption in India remains significantly lower than in other markets, such as China (660-670 kg), the U S ( 6 0 0 - 7 0 0 k g ) , J a p a n ( 8 0 0 - 9 0 0 k g ) , a n d S

h Korea (1,100 kg) “There is a strong headroom for growth here,” Ranjan Dhar, director & VP (sales & marketing), s a i d w h e n a s k e d a b o u t

reasons for expansion

A M

V , started business in India in 2019 when it acquired the o

S

I n d i a t h r o u g h t h e Insolvency and Bankruptcy

production capacity of 9 6 MTPA, will expand this to 15 6 MTPA by the close of this fiscal at an investment of £6bn “Govt is pushing for massive investments as part

PhonePe, Razorpay planning to go public in India

Fintech unicorns PhonePe and Raz orp ay h ave tr ansit ioned into public limited companies, signalling a step forward in their long-term plans to go public in India

a key stumbling block

Govt has asked Starlink to set up a

control centre’

suspension or shutdown of communications services in sensitive and troubled areas,

establishment has specified

when

A c c o r d i n g t o a c o m p a n y s p o k e s p e r s o n , t h e m o v e begins the process of public company compliance well in a d v a n c e o f i t s a n t i c

t w o y e a r s , ensuring timely adoption of governance protocols Both companies are preparing to a c c e s s I n d i a n c a p i t a l markets

T h e p r o s p e c t o f a P h o n e P e l i s t i n g w a s f i r s t confirmed by Walmart CEO

D o u g M c M i l l o n i

T h e r e c e n t r e g u l a t o r y filings showed that PhonePe approved its conversion on April 3 The process includes c h a n g i n g t h e c o m p a n y ’ s name from PhonePe Private Limited to PhonePe Limited, t h o u g h i t s t i l l a w a i t s s h a r e h o l d e r a p p r o v a l a n d clearance from the Ministry of Corporate Affairs Razorpay, also based in B e n g a l u r u , c o n f i r m e d i t s t r a n s i t i o n t o a p u b l i c s t r u c t u r e , r e l a t i n g t o i t s efforts to re-domicile from the United States to India

Walmart signs deal to open second office space in Chennai

INDIAN STUDENT KILLED BY STRAY BULLET IN CANADA

A 21-year-old Indian student was killed in Canada after a stray bullet struck her She was waiting at a bus stop on her way to work when the shots were fired by a car occupant Harsimrat Randhawa was a student at Mohawk College in Hamilton, Ontario Hamilton police are investigating the homicide that happened last week, saying Randhawa was an innocent bystander The Consulate General of India in Toronto said in a post on X "We are deeply saddened by the tragic death of Indian student Harsimrat Randhawa in Hamilton, Ontario "

PRO-KHALISTANIS DEFACE GURDWARA IN VANCOUVER

A prominent gurdwara in Canada s Vancouver was vandalised with pro-Khalistan graffiti Khalsa Diwan Society which runs Ross Street Gurdwara shared images on its official X showing the word ‘Khalistan zindabad’ spray painted in several locations along the wall surrounding the parking lot The vandalism came to light when Surrey hosted what is considered the largest Baisakhi parade in the world Vancouver Police department spokesperson Sgt Steve Addison said they were investigating the incident, but have yet to zero on suspects Khalsa Diwan Society said “This act is part of an ongoing campaign by extremist forces to instill fear and division within Canadian Sikh community

INDIAN ORIGIN FINED FOR SMUGGLING PUPPY

An Indian origin Malaysian man, who concealed a puppy in a laundry bag while smuggling it into Singapore from Malaysia, was sentenced to eight weeks jail and fined SGD2,500 Mahentharan Ganesan, 43, pleaded guilty to three charges – one count of importing an animal without a licence and two counts of breaching his duty of care as an animal owner Immigration & Checkpoints Authority officers at Tuas checkpoint in Malaysia detected one live puppy concealed in a laundry bag and hidden in the spare tyre compartment of Mahentharan s vehicle during an inspection

PAKISTANI KILLS TWO INDIANS IN DUBAI

Two men from Telangana lost their lives, and another was injured in a Dubai bakery attack The assailant reportedly a Pakistani national allegedly shouted religious slogans during the incident Ashtapu Premsagar 35 from Soan village in Nirmal district was one of the deceased according to his uncle A Poshetty The second victim was identified as Srinivas from Nizamabad district A third individual Sagar sustained injuries and is currently hospitalised Union Minister G Kishan Reddy expressed sorrow over the incident and has communicated with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar for assistance in returning the bodies to India

GUNMAN OPENS FIRE AT LANKA CHURCH

A gunman fired at a church in Sri Lanka police said, with the country on high alert six years since Easter Sunday bombings killed hundreds The gunman opened fire at a church in Manampitiya, 160 km northeast of the capital Colombo The shooting damaged windows and no one was hurt, while a suspect has been arrested “Initial investigations suggest that the suspect had targeted the church due to a personal enmity with the pastor ” the statement said Armed police and troops have been deployed to nearly all churches nationwide during Easter celebrations In 2019, suicide bombers killed 279 people at three churches and three hotels

Hindu leader abducted, beaten to death in Bangladesh

D H AKA : A prominent Hindu com munity memb er in Bir al upazila of Dinajpur, Bangladesh, was allegedly abducted from his home and beaten to death The victim, Bhabesh Chandra Roy, 58, served as the vice-president of t he B ir al unit of the Ba ngl ade sh Puja Udja pan Parishad and was a well-known figure in the local Hindu community, locals said

s w i f e , Shantana Roy, Bhabesh was at home when he received a phone call around 4 30 pm She said the call was made by the perpetrators to confirm his presence at home About 30 minutes later, four men reportedly arrived on two motorcycles and abducted him Quoting eyewitnesses, the

Daily Star reported that Bhabesh was taken to Narabari village, where he was brutally assaulted

attackers allegedly brought back

home on a van

Family members, aided by locals, rushed him to the Biral

was later transferred to Dinajpur Medical College Hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival His body was sent for autopsy

Dhaka dismisses India's claims Meanwhile, Bangladesh has dismissed India’s allegation of

minorities as “baseless”, follow-

Responding to India’s ministry of

Hindu minister attacked in Pak during protest

ISLAMABAD : A Pakistani Hindu minister of state was attacked in Sindh by protestors opposing the federal govt’s controversial irrigation canal projects on the pretext that it would reduce the downward flow of rivers key for irrigation in the southern province Kheal Das Kohistani, state minister for religious affairs in the Shehbaz Sharifheaded govt, was driving through Thatta district of the province when his motorcade was pelted with tomatoes and potatoes

Officials said Kohistani remained unharmed in the attack Sindh Taraqi Pasand party’s Syed Jalal Shah was arrested for his involvement in the attack An FIR named several other members of his party

Shehbaz strongly condemned the attack on Kohistani and promised a thorough investigation “The attack on the public representatives is unacceptable The persons involved in the incident would be given exemplary punishment ” Minister for information Atta Tarar sought details of the incident from Sindh inspector general of police Ghulam Nabi Memon and a report from the federal interior secretary Sindh CM Syed Murad Ali Shah said that no one had the right to take the law into their own hands He directed police to immediately arrest the miscreants involved in the attack and submit a report

Diamond markets 'ground to a halt' by Trump's tariffs

Diamond traders are warning that the $82bn industry has “ ground to a halt” because of Donald Trump’s tariffs and the global trade war, with shipments through the gem-trading hub of Antwerp down to about oneseventh of usual levels

Trump’s sweeping tariffs include a 10 per cent levy on diamond imports as well as proposed variable “retaliatory” duties by country of origin, even though many other minerals, such as gold and copper, are excluded from the measures

The US is the world’s largest diamond consumer, accounting for about half of global demand, but it has to import all of them as it has no domestic diamond mines Although the White House has “paused” the so-called retaliatory tariffs for 90 days, the baseline 10 per cent tariff is already in effect and remains in place The uncertain outlook has had a chilling effect on gemstone traders, as well as on India’s vast polishing industry Diamond shipments out of Antwerp, one of the world’s busiest centres for the stones alongside Dubai, came to a “standstill” after Trump announced the new global tariffs this month, according to Karen Rentmeesters, chief executive of the Antwerp World Diamond Centre

Musk wants a ‘legion’ of children

WASH ING TO N: Elon Musk wants to hire surrogates to carry enough of his children to ward off an “apocalypse”, according to the mother of one of his sons

Ashley St Clair, a conservative influencer and journalist, said the Tesla and SpaceX owner calls his ospring the “legion” - a reference to the military units that could contain thousands of soldiers deployed to expand the reach of the Roman Empire Musk, 53, has previously espoused so-called pronatalist beliefs, warning that “civilisation is going to crumble” if people do not start having more children Pronatalism, literally meaning probirth, is a broad ideological movement driven by concern that the world is no longer producing enough children

The world’s richest man is believed to have had 14 children with at least four women, but reporting by The Wall Street Journal suggests he may have “far more ” than has been disclosed

St Clair, 26, who shares Musk’s views on reversing the declining birthrate, revealed that while she was pregnant Musk asked that they bring in other women to have more children

Reshma Kewalramani

among Time’s 100 Most Influential People of 2025

NEW YO RK: Re shma Kewa lra ma n i, CEO of Ve rte x Pharmaceuticals, has been named one of Time magazine’s 100 Most Inf luen tia l Pe op le of 2025, a recognition that underscores not on ly her historic a chieve ments but also the power of visionary lea de rshi p i n s cie nce a nd medicine In the Time profile written by Jason Kelly - co-founder and C E O o f G i n k g o B i o w o r k sKewalramani’s story is celebrated as the embodiment of the A m e r i c a n d r e a m : “ R e s h m

K e w a l r a m

’ s j o u r n e y t o become the first female CEO of a large, public US biotechnology company after immigrating from India at age 11 embodies w h a t m a

Kelly writes Kewalramani’s rise has been nothing short of groundbreaking After moving to the US from Mumbai, she completed Boston University’s prestigious seven-year liberal arts and medical education program in 1998, followed by a nephrology fell o w s h i p a t M a s s a c h u s e t t s General Hospital and Brigham a n d W o m

later earned

credential from H a r v a r d B

S

’ s General Management Program in 2015, rounding out her medical expertise with sharp business acumen

Beginning her career as a physician, Kewalramani served

before transitioning into the biopharma industry She spent more than 12 years at Amgen before joining Vertex in 2017 Within a year, she became the

Officer - and by 2020, President and CEO

Rina Gandhi vs Trump: Attorney leads charge over a wrongful deportation

NEW YORK: Rina Gandhi is the attorney behind one of the most hi gh-profi le i nternational legal battles cu rrently g ripp ing Washington - the fight to bring back Kilm ar Á breg o Garcí a, a M aryland father unlawfu lly deported to El Salvador The case has become a flashpoint in the bro ad er leg al rec ko ning with Trump-era immigration policies and its defiance of several court rulings against it, and Gandhi is leading the charge for accountability

On April 15, US District Judge Paula Xinis slammed the Trump administration for doing “nothing” to comply with the court’s m a n d a t e G a n d h i d i d n ’ t h

back either and told the media, “This is about the government

admitting to unlawfully removing a man from his home, his children, and then doing absolutely nothing to fix it,” she said after the hearing “We haven’t brought Kilmar home yet - but we will ” Gandhi, a senior partner at Murray Osorio PLLC, is no stranger to standing up to power For over a decade, she has been at t h e f o r e f r o n t o f i m m i g r a t

advocacy, blending legal expertise with a deep commitment to human rights

She leads the Maryland office of her firm, where she supervises t

petitions, asylum, humanitarian cases, and complex waivers for clients facing allegations of fraud, unlawful presence, or criminal convictions

Reshma Kewalramani

Global Lohana Business Convention concludes successfully in Dubai

D U B A I : T h e Lo h a n a

I n t e rn a t i o n a l B u s i n e s s Fo r um

( LI BF) c on cl ude d i ts l an dm ark

con ven tion , L IB F G C C Ca llin g

202 5, held at Hotel M ovenpi ck, Duba i from A pril 13 to 16, 202 5 With ov er 700 de lega tes from m o re th a n 18 c o u n tr i e s , t h e three -day summi t prove d to b e one of the most si gn ific ant glob al g at h e ri n gs of Lo

, industriali sts, and youth

The convention was inaugurated by His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, followed by a dynamic series of plenary sessions focused on business opportunities in Dubai, Saudi Arabia (Vision 2030), and the broader GCC region Key highlights included:

• Buyers -Sellers M eet ( Apri l 13) : Offering dedicated tables for exhibitors and delegates, facilitating focused B2B networking and collaboration

• Youth N etworki ng Evenings at Le M éri dien Dub ai on April 13 (Beer Terrace) and April 14 (Warehouse) - vibrant platforms for next-gen Lohanas to connect and collaborate

• G lob al Con nect Loun ge : A dedicated hub for trade and investment presentations, fundraising consultations, and

interactions with experts and investors from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and GCC markets

• Sectoral Lounges: Curated sessions on real estate, technology, legal, finance, health, education, lifestyle, and more

• Cultural Even ings: A soulful Middle Eastern Night on April 14, and a grand Bollywood Musical Night on April 15, headlined by Divya Kumar, offering entertainment and celebration

A spiritual highlight of the convention was the visit to the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Abu Dhabi, where delegates were graciously welcomed Special appreciation was extended to Brahmaviharidas Swamiji and Shri Ashokbhai Kotecha for their hospitality and blessings

Delegates who opted for the industrial visit to Fujairah also

had a meaningful experience Shri Satish Vithalani, Chairman of LIBF and President of Shree Lohana Mahaparishad,

ED chargesheets Sonia, Rahul for money laundering in Herald case

Pav in g the way for fr amin g of criminal charg es a gainst fo rm er Con gr e ss pr esi de nt Sonia Gan dhi and l eader of o p po si t io n i

il e d a p r o se cu t io n c omp la in t (cha rg eshe e t) in the case in volvin g all ege d proc e e d s o f cr i me wo r t h £5 00mn

The special MP/MLA court fixed April 25 as the next date of hearing of the case to decide on taking cognizance of the chargesheet in what marks a major turn in the case against the Gandhis and their close ones Sonia and Rahul, accused number one and two respectively, who unsuccessfully moved courts to get ED's proceedings quashed, are on bail

Sources said five individuals and two companies have been named accused in the chargesheet, including Sonia, Rahul and two other close family friends, besides Young Indian (YI), a company in which the Gandhis have controlling stake YI allegedly acquired all assets of Associated Journals Ltd (AJL) for a paltry sum of Rs 50,00,000 to settle the loan it (AJL) had taken from Congress and failed to return AJL, a Congressowned company that published party mouthpiece National Herald and associated publications, owns property worth, by a conservative estimate, millions of

Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi

rupees

The ED's case rests on the argument that Congress had advanced the loan to AJL, and not Young Indian, a “ non-profit” in which the Gandhis hold 76% stake, and therefore the party was the rightful owner of all of AJL’s assets

ED set to turn up heat on Vadra

Enforcement Directorate is likely to soon file prosecution complaints (chargesheets) against Robert Vadra in at least three money laundering cases, including in the Gurgaon land deal case in which he was questioned for three days, officials aware of the probe said Sources indicated that the filing of prosecution complaints will ensure charges are framed against Vadra in all three cases simultaneously The other two pertain to his alleged links with fugitive arms dealer Sanjay Bhandari, who had acquired properties in London from alleged proceeds of crime from defence deals, and the laundering

charges in a Bikaner land deal case Vadra’s questioning by ED came within days of the agency filing a chargesheet against Sonia and Rahul in the National Herald money laundering case

expressed heartfelt gratitude to the entire Lohana community, sponsors, and volunteers

He remarked, “LIBF GCC Calling was more than just a business convention - it was a soulful journey of connecting minds, hearts, and opportunities across borders The overwhelming response reaffirms our collective potential to shape the future together ” Special acknowledgments were given to our sponsors whose generous support made this convention possible:

• Euro Exim Bank – Title Sponsor

• Vinmart Group – Presenting Sponsor

• APM Capital – Powered By Sponsor

• 3 Platinum Sponsors

• 2 Gold Sponsors

• 12 Silver Sponsors and Youth Sponsor

The seamless execution of this large-scale event was made possible through the tireless efforts of the core organizing team, led by Vijaybhai Karia, Subhashbhai Thakrar, Chintan Vasani, Rakeshbhai Kanabar, Shaileshbhai Jasani, Rasikbhai Thakkar, and a committed group of volunteers and supporters

Following the resounding success of GCC Calling 2025, LIBF now looks ahead to its next flagship event – a grand Business Expo to be held at the Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai, from 30th January to 1st February 2026, across Hall 1 and Hall 2

India slams Pak for its army chief’s remarks on Kashmir

Pa kistan ar my chief Ge n A sim M un ir spar ke d a contr over sy wit h a spee ch empha sising the n eed to in stil the ‘two-n ation the ory ’ , which led to the count ry's part ition along re ligious lines in 1947, in future ge ner at ion s Mun ir urg ed Pa kistan is t o share the count ry 's histor y with the ir childre n, str essin g tha t Muslims a nd Hin dus ha d dist inct re ligions, cust oms, t radit ions, thought s a nd am bitions Munir made the provocative address at the Overseas Pakistanis Convention in Islamabad In his speech, interspersed with references to what experts here called Islamic exceptionalism, Munir called Kashmir Pakistan’s “jugular vein" and promised unwavering support for Kashmiris, stating, “We will not leave our Kashmiri brothers in their heroic struggle ”

The Indian govt brushed aside the remarks, with the MEA spokesperson wondering how anything foreign could be there in a jugular vein “This is a Union Territory of

5 killed as rain ravages

Ra in-t

Ramb an and Reasi districts , killing five people, f lattening ho us

crops, s weeping away vehicl es, and b loc king highways Brothers Aqib Ahmad and Mohd Saqib, both 14, and Mani Ram (60) died when a cloudburst flattened their houses in Ramban’s Seri Bagna village, Ramban DC Baseer-Ul-Haq

Chaudhary said Two women lost their lives as lightning strike in Reasi’s Dharhote village Around 50 sheep and goats also perished Flash floods damaged 40

J&K’s

houses -10 of them completely -in Ramban Security forces rescued 100 people trapped in collapsed houses amid incessant rain, which also triggered landslides at nearly a dozen locations between Nashri and Banihal along Jammu-Srinagar NH, disrupting traffic

“Several vehicles were swept away in the flash flood A portion of JammuSrinagar NH near Panthial in Ramban-Banihal sector was

India Its only relationship with Pakistan is the vacation of illegally occupied territories by that country,” Randhir Jaiswal said

The Indian intelligence establishment saw the toxic rhetoric as a calculated move to repair Pakistan army's faltering public image in the wake of a worsening conflict in Balochistan and a spate of killings in Karachi and other places The escalation of conflict with Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Islamic State has only worsened its situation, with TTP frustrating Pakistan army's longheld ambition of using Afghanistan as a colony whose role was supposed to be limited to providing ‘strategic depth’ in the event of a full-scale confrontation with India

Sources suspected that the timing, coinciding with the Waqf Act amendment, could be an attempt to instigate Indian Muslims besides motivating Pakistan based terrorist groups to regroup and attempt to create unrest

Ramban and Reasi

washed away, ” police said

“Rescued people have been shifted to a nearby govt school We are monitoring the situation, and an assessment will be carried out later to provide help to the affected Our priority is to safeguard human lives,” Ramban DC said

Union minister Jitendra Singh said, “All forms of relief, including financial, are being provided The request is not to panic Together, we shall overcome this natural calamity ” In another incident, over 100 houses suffered minor to partial damage after highvelocity winds swept through Kalakote in Rajouri

district 16 kille d in UP

Heavy rain and thunderstorms have lashed parts of Uttar Pradesh, claiming at least 16 lives across six districts According to the data provided by govt, 11 of the deceased were women while three were children Maximum six deaths were reported from Ayodhya, followed by five in Barabanki, two in Amethi and one each in Deoria, Basti and Bahraich While two deaths were caused by lightning, the remaining people died in accidents due to high-velocity winds and intense rain, which included the collapse of tin sheds, walls, electric poles, trees and ceilings

Award winners with committee members and dignitaries at LIBF Convention

Lohana Mahaparishad President Satish Vithalani (second right) and other dignitaries at the LIBF Convention

Subhash V Thakrar OBE, receiving blessings from HH Brahmavihari Das Swami

File FIR against TN minister, Madras HC tells police

CH ENNAI: The Madr as high

c ou r t d i r e ct e d t he Ta m i l

Na du pol ice to file an FIR

a

r K Ponmudy for his derogat or y

c om m e n t s on w om e n , Shaivites, and Vaishna vites

Justice Anand Venkatesh called for advocate general PS Raman, during the hearing of a suo moto revision petition taken up in 2023 against the acquittal of Ponmudy from a disproportionate assets case The judge observed that the video of Ponmudy’s speech is still in public domain and it cannot be brushed aside though the minister has offered an apology The judge granted the AG time to report on the steps taken against the minister by the police, and posted further hearing of the suo motu proceedings to April 23

submitted that the police have received five complaints and that they will investigate and register an FIR The judge said, “If they don’t register FIR, I will initiate suo motu contempt

Now, the court has taken cognizance of the matter

Even If they do not have a complaint, register a case and proceed with the investigation,” the judge added The judge further said that the incriminating video was in the public domain “We do not know when it will flare up There was no escape from this The police need not register multiple FIRs, one FIR was enough,” the judge added

“Don’t register multiple FIRs Just register one FIR and proceed with it Law is for everybody When the Govt takes others’ hate speeches seriously, the same must be done when a Minister himself makes it,” the justice said in his oral remarks

Advocate general P S Raman

Previously, the Madras High Court had found Ponmudy guilty in December 2023 which had led to his immediate disqualification as a MLA and as minister for Tamil Nadu’s higher education But, in March 2024, the Supreme Court suspended his conviction and four-year jail sentence in a disproportionate assets (DA) case Following this, he was inducted again into the Stalin-led cabinet

Court allows Karnataka Lokayukta to continue Muda scam probe

r epre sent at iv es direct ed Loka yuk ta police t o con tinue in vestiga tions int o t he Mysore Urban Deve lopme nt A ut hority (Muda) alte rna tive site a llotme nt sca m and submit a fin al repor t

The Bengaluru court was passing its order reserved on protest petitions filed by Mysuru complainantactivist Snehamayi Krishna and the ED against the closure report in case by Lokayukta police

“The Lokayukta is permitted to conduct further investigation, as requested by them, and file a conclusive final report on or before the next date of hearing (May 7, 2025) Further, ED is considered as aggrieved person for a limited extent The question of considering the acceptance or rejection of ‘B’ final report filed by the investigating agency is kept pending till filing of the conclusive final report by the investigating agency, ” special judge Santosh Gajanana Bhat observed

In March, Lokayukta police had submitted a preliminary report giving a clean chit to the four accused - CM Siddaramaiah, wife Parvathi, her elder brother Mallikarjuna Swamy, and landowner Devarajsaying there was no evidence against them in the alleged scam The alleged scam was exposed in 2024 when Krishna petitioned the special court stating that there were largescale irregularities in the allotment of alternative sites, particularly 14 sites allotted to the CM’s wife, Parvathi Accordingly, the special court directed Mysuru Lokayukta police wing to register a case The four accused and others were named in the FIR registered by Lokayukta police on Sept 27

2 held for 'planning' attacks on Amit Shah, Bittu and Majithia

Singh Bittu, an d Shiromani Akali

D a l l e a d e r B ik r a m S i n gh Majithia

The plot was uncovered after leaked screenshots of the group chat surfaced on social media, raising alarm across security agencies The group, named ‘Waris Punjab De Team’, is believed to be linked to antinational activities and reportedly included over 600 members

The Cyber Crime Police Station in Moga registered an FIR under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code, Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), and the Information Technology Act, including Sections 61(2)(a), 113(3), 152, 353 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS)

The accused have been identified as Lakhdeep Singh Sardargarh, from Bathinda, Balkar Singh, from New Model Town, Khanna and Pawandeep Singh, from Khote, Moga Of the three, Balkar and Pawandeep have been arrested The accused are alleged to have incited unrest by opposing

Mamata warns people indulging in violence over Waqf law

K O L K A T A : Pe op le w a n ti n g t o protest agai nst the new W aqf law s h ou ld go to D el h i an d s ee k appointments with the PM and the P r es i d e nt i n s t ea d o f ri o ti n g i n B engal, CM Mamata B anerjee said w hil e ann ounc in g com pens ati on of Rs 10,00,000 each to the families o f th e t hr e e p e opl e ki l l ed i n Murshidab ad

“Those trying to fish in muddy waters, irrespective of religion and stature, won’t be spared I will not let Bengal boil,” Mamata told a gathering of imams and muezzins at Netaji Indoor Stadium “Remember, I am here to support you The Bhangar incident was unnecessary Govt property was damaged, cars were torched ”

The CM said she had received video messages from people of the affected areas about “ outsiders” stoking trouble “Hindus and Muslims there live in harmony Barefoot outsiders in BSF-like uniform entered the area, just like in Nandigram I will probe all of this The fight is not just yours but

also to protect the Constitution and our country ”

Mamata warned that indulging in violence over the Waqf law was tantamount to “cutting yourself with an axe and helping BJP”

“If you get agitated, they will win If you stay calm, you will win If there is a crisis, you have to overcome it,” she said The CM urged Muslim organisations to choose democratic means to protest “Contact everyone across the states We will be with you If BJP is instigating, challenge them in court, protest using all democratic processes available,” she said

Besides compensation for the families of the deceased, the CM announced that those who lost their houses in mob violence would get new dwellings under the state’s Banglar Bari scheme She said the Trinamool Congress govt would also help rebuild businesses affected by the violence “We don’t see religious identities of victims but their pain,” Mamata said

the extension of Amritpal Singh’s detention under the National Security Act (NSA) They also reportedly discussed acts of violence targeting political and religious figures, including Amit Shah, Ravneet Singh Bittu, Bikram Majithia, and Parminder Singh Talwara - an aide to the late Deep Sidhu, founder of ‘Waris Punjab De’ Police sources claim the group chat included discussions on foreign funding, arms procurement, and the circulation of inflammatory content online Security agencies at both the state and national levels have taken note of the chats, and security for the targeted leaders has been heightened

SC lets ‘untainted’ Bengal teachers work till Dec 31

NEW DE L HI : A fortnigh t after quash ing the appointm ent of 25,0 00-o dd teachers and non-teach ing staff and terming the recruitm ent process “ irreparably v itiated”, Sup reme Co urt ag ree d to West B eng al g o v t’ s p lea to allo w ‘ u ntainted cand idates’ to continue as teachers till Dec 3 1

With the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC govt climbing down from its confrontational stance immediately after SC’s April 3 verdict and moving a fervent plea to let the ‘untainted’ candidates continue to fill the shortfall in teaching staff for Classes 9-12, a bench of CJI Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar said, “We are inclined to accept the prayer to ensure that the studies of students do not suffer ” The court clarified that continuance of such candidates would not give them any additional weightage in the fresh recruitment process, which would start with the publication of advertisements on vacancies by May 31 SC directed the state and its instrumentalities to file an affidavit before May 31 detailing how it would complete the recruitment process by Dec 31 Failure to publish the ad would enable the court to recall its order allowing ‘untainted’ candidates to continue and impose cost on the govt,” the SC said The bench flatly rejected the united plea of the state govt, the education board and the school service commission, through senior advocates Kapil Sibal, Rakesh Dwivedi, Neeraj K Kaul and Jaideep Gupta, to allow the ‘untainted’ among non-teaching staff to also continue till the fresh recruitment process was completed

“We are not accepting the plea for non-teaching staff as the proportion of tainted candidates in this category is very high,” the bench said

NORTH-EAST

Storm batters

Tripura, 445 houses damaged

At least 445 houses were damaged as heavy rain and storm hit Tripura Two people were injured as the roof of a house collapsed on them Many electric poles were damaged and many trees were uprooted As per the report from the State Emergency Operation Centre, the Mohanpur sub-division of West District witnessed massive destruction, followed by Karbook of Gomati district The report stated that in Mohanpur sub division of West District, 261 houses were damaged, including 65 severely and 196 partially In Karbook, 158 houses were damaged - 26 fully, 83 severely, and 49 partially In Sonamura sub-division of Sepahijala district, 7 houses were damaged In Jirania sub-division under West District, 3 houses were damaged partially In Teliamura subdivision under Khowai district, 16 houses were damaged In Karbook of Gomati district, two persons were injured, 14 trees were uprooted, and 22 electric poles were damaged In Udaipur sub-division, 10 trees were uprooted, and 27 electric poles were damaged

CONG LEADER SLAMS ASSAM CM'S 'LUNGI' REMARK

In a fiery exchange of political barbs, Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) President Bhupen Borah has lashed out at Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma over his recent comment suggesting that the Congress party should replace its traditional hand symbol with a lungi Borah retorted by suggesting that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) should consider adopting the gun used by Nathuram Godse Mahatma Gandhi's assassin as their party symbol Addressing the media Borah criticised Sarma's remarks as disrespectful and unbecoming of a leader occupying a position once held by Bharat Ratna Gopinath Bordoloi He emphasised that the Congress party had been instrumental in Sarma s political rise, questioning the Chief Minister s apparent forgetfulness of his roots Borah highlighted the inclusive nature of the Congress party, stating, "For us, lungi, dhoti, pyjama – all are equal I wear all of them Our perspective is inclusive " Taking a sharp dig at the BJP's ideological roots, Borah remarked, "If BJP can dictate our party symbol, then by that logic, the gun with which Nathuram Godse assassinated Mahatma Gandhi should be the BJP’s symbol BJP-RSS politics began with Godse’s bullet "

MANIPUR POLICE ARREST 8 MILITANTS, RESCUE WOMEN

Manipur police have arrested eight militants associated with the Kangleipak Communist Party (People’s War Group) and rescued four individuals, including three women, officials confirmed Earlier, police and other security personnel raided a militant hideout in Heirok, Thoubal district, arresting seven hardcore cadres of the KCP (PWG) faction A separate operation in Wangoi, Imphal West district, led to the capture of another KCP (PWG) militant The confiscated arms include two INSAS rifles, one INSAS Light Machine Gun, one carbine, an MK-11 rifle approximately 170 rounds of various ammunition, a radio handset, a twowheeler a car, multiple identity cards, and other incriminating materials In another operation police rescued four individuals including three women who were unlawfully detained in a house in Langol Laimanai under the Imphal Municipal Council Three suspects members of the group Amour of Manipur were arrested in connection with the illegal confinement The group had allegedly demanded ₹500,000 from the victims over an elopement-related dispute

WEST BENGAL

Amit Shah, Bikram Singh Majithia and Amritpal Singh

K Ponmudy

Significant progress made in trade talks, say India and US after Modi, Vance meet

U S Vice Presid ent J D Vance met

Ind ian P rim e Minister Narendra

M odi on Monday 21 Ap ril and both

s i d es “ w el co m ed t he si g ni

p rog ress ” in negotiations to wards an India-US bilateral trade pact, fram ing it as a “ new and mod ern trade ag reem ent ” Vance, on a four-day visit, met Modi amid the backdrop of the sweeping tariff regime announced by Trump - which has been paused

countries, including India

beneficial India-US Bilateral Trade Agreement focused on the welfare of the people of the two countries,” the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement

Echoing this was the White H

Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) a

t h e T e r m s o f R e f e r e n c e f o r t h e n e g o t i a t i o n s , laying down a roadmap for further d i s c u s s i o n s a b o u t o u r s

economic priorities ”

The White House statement

s a i d t h a t t h e B T A i s a n opportunity to negotiate a “ new a n d m o d e r n t r a d e a g r e e m e n t focused on promoting job creation

a n d c i t i z e n w e l l - b e i n g i n b o t h c o u n t r i e s , w i t h t h e g o a l o f e n h a n c i n g b i l a t e r a l t r a d e a n d

s u p p l y - c h a i n i n t e g r a t i o n i n a balanced and mutually beneficial manner ”

I t a d d e d : “ G u i d e d b y t h e i r respective visions of ‘Amrit Kaal for I n d i a ’ a n d ‘ G o l d e n A g e f o r America,’ BTA is expected to create new opportunities of growth for w o r k e r s , f a r m e r s , a n d entrepreneurs in both countries ”

This push at the highest level

comes right before a three-day US visit by Indian negotiators, under the leadership of Rajesh Agrawal

( A d d i t i o n a l S

Commerce Ministry), on April 23 to d r

issues, including tariffs, non-tariff barriers, and services

“The Terms of Reference (ToR) have been finalised and will be further developed with the aim of

within the 90-day pause window N

negotiation, covering areas such as tariffs, non-tariff barriers, rules of origin, and customs facilitation,”

said Besides the trade agreement, the Indian statement also noted “

enhancing cooperation in energy, defence, strategic technologies and other areas ” “ T h

dialogue and diplomacy as the way forward,” it said, while referring to the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East

Both sides referred to the PMT r u m p

review the progress achieved in

implementation of the outcomes of the India-US Joint Statement issued on 13 February 2025 ” A

c

d i n g t o t h e P M O statement, the PM “fondly recalled his visit to Washington and his fruitful discussions with President

leveraging the strengths of Make America Great Again (MAGA) and Viksit Bharat 2047 ” The White House statement s

extended “his sincere gratitude to Prime Minister Modi for being such a gracious host to Second Lady Usha Vance, their children,

and productive visit to India”

expanded one with members of each country’s delegation The PM h

n Second Lady Usha Vance and their three children Ewan, Vivek and Mirabel over dinner at his 7 Lok Kalyan Marg residence after the talks

26 killed in brutal terror attack on tourists in J&K

Continued from page 1

Surat man among v ictims

Shailesh Kalathiya from Surat lost his life in the terrorist attack Meanwhile, an elderly man named Vinubhai Dabhi from Bhavnagar was shot in the hand and has been taken for treatment A group of 20 people from Bhavnagar had gone to attend Morari Bapu’s Katha, out of which 3 people are missing Around 16 members of the group are safe Following the incident, Morari Bapu has cut short his Ramkatha In addition, another

Parmar (son)- are still missing

among the 12 injured A lert in Delhi, Mum bai

Following the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, an alert has been issued in both Delhi and Mumbai Delhi Police have been instructed to remain vigilant at tourist spots a n d o t h e r i m p o r t

(Deputy Commissioners of Police)

t o s t a y o n h i g h a l e r t i n t h e i r respective areas

Lashkar-e-Taiba claims responsibility

Lashkar-e-Taiba has claimed r

n

e attack The investigation into the attack has been handed over to the NIA (National Investigation Agency)

J a m m u a n d K

s h m i r C M Omar Abdullah condemned the a t t a c k , d e

c

i b i n g i t a

a n “abomination” He said the details of the death toll are still being ascertained, and called the attack “much larger than anything we ’ ve seen in recent years ” People from all political parties were united in condemning the attack

Modi cuts short visit P r i m e M i n i s t e r N

a Modi, who arrived in Saudi Arabia on a two-day visit on Tuesday, has cut short his trip following the t e r

Kashmir The Prime Minister is

JD Vance and family explore India’s rich heritage on first visit US Vice President JD Vance, accompanied by his wife Usha and their three children Ewan, Vivek, a

i t e d t h e S w a m i n a r a y a n A k s h a r d h a m Mandir in New Delhi during their f o u r - d a y t r i p t o I n d i a U p o n arriving in Delhi, the family went straight from the airport to the Mandir There, they explored the site’s rich art, architecture, and cultural heritage In the guest book, US Vice President JD Vance expressed his gratitude, “Thank you for your warm hospitality in welcoming my family and me to this beautiful place It's a true credit to India that such a stunning temple was built with such precision and care Our kids especially loved it God bless ” T h e n e x t d a y , h e w a s accompanied by his family, visited Amer Fort in Jaipur Arriving by jeep, they were welcomed by two elephants at Jaleb Chowk, while folk artists performed traditional d a n c e s l i k e K u t c h h i G h o d i , Ghummar, and Kalbeliya Chief M i n i s t e r B h a j a n

family Vance

expected to arrive early on Wednesday Earlier, Modi held a telephone call with Home Minister Amit Shah

incident Shah has left for Srinagar to hold an urgent

with all the agencies

PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti

unite in solidarity to support the

Putin expressed condolences to Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the tragic terrorist attack in Kashmir US Vice President JD Vance who is in India on a four

condemned the Pahalgam terror

a

extend our condolences to the victims of the devastating terrorist attack in Pahalgam, India ” US President Donald Trump

c

Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, and offered America's full support in bringing the perpetrators to justice

Ganesh Pol, Mansingh Mahal, and

daughter the views from all sides

Rambagh Palace

During their Jaipur visit, Usha Vance shared, “This is JD Vance and the kids' first visit to India, and it’s been truly special India is growing, young, and vibrant, and he’s been very impressed by its culture and trajectory ” She continued, “This is a trip of a lifetime I’ve been to India before, but I wanted to share this

recalling the colourful Rajasthani

elephants, Chanda and Puja S

International Centre, attended by

emphasised future collaboration between the US and India, saying, “ W

Javelin to Stryker combat vehicles, weapons, and ammunition, and develop new tech innovations to

Musk confirms India visit after talks with PM Modi

E lo n M u sk , th e w o rld ’ s r ic h es t man, has confirmed th at h e’ll be visiting Ind ia later this year In a post on social media, the Tesla and SpaceX C EO also shared that it was an ho nour to speak wi th P ri me Minister Narendra M odi, hinting at exciting d ev elopm ents ahead

E l o n M u s k m a d e t h e a n n o u n c e m e n t a f t e r a teleconference with Prime Minister Modi last week Modi said they

talked about shared interests in areas like technology, innovation, space, and mobility M u s k , w h o h e a d s T e s l a a n d SpaceX, called the conversation an honor He hinted at growing ties between India and his companies Talking about his call with Musk, PM Modi shared on X that they discussed several topics, including those from their earlier meeting in Washington DC

Khalistani terrorist Harpreet Singh arrested by FBI

The Fed era l Bur eau of Inv estiga tion has ar reste d Ha rpre et Sing h, also kn own as Happy Pa ssia, in Sacra men to Singh, a fug itive wan ted for orche st rat ing mult iple t err or att acks in In dia, wa s ta ke n in to cust ody by t he FBI in coordin ation wit h En for ce men t an d Re moval Oper ation s

According to the FBI, Singh entered the US illegally and had been evading authorities using burner phones and encrypted messaging platforms The FBI has linked Singh to Pakistan’s intelligence agency, ISI, and the pro-Khalistan terrorist outfit Babbar Khalsa International In a public statement, the bureau emphasized the significance of Singh’s collaboration with both ISI and BKI, stating it demonstrates a troubling connection between Pakistanbased networks and extremist Khalistani elements

“This case reinforces the importance of international cooperation in a p p r e h e

acknowledging the assistance of its legal attaché office in New Delhi Indian authorities had earlier informed US counterparts that Singh was implicated in at least 16 terrorist incidents across Punjab between late 2024 and early 2025, including 14 grenade attacks, an IED blast, and an RPG strike targeting police personnel and infrastructure

PM Modi meets the Vice President of the United States, Mr JD Vance, Second Lady Usha Vance and their children at his residence, in 7 Lok Kalyan Marg, New Delhi

US Vice President JD Vance with his family at Swaminarayan Akshardham Mandir New Delhi

Tourists injured during the terror attack

Born: 18/10/1928

In Loving Memory

Died: 13/04/2025

Mrs Nirmala Shukla (Pandit) ç¾.ĴЪ¸¯Ъ ╙³¸↓»Ц ¿ЬŬЦ (´є╙¬¯)

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing away of our beloved Mother, Mrs Nirmala Shukla (Pandit). She passed away peacefully in her sleep on Sunday morning, 13th April, 2025, at Aashna House, where she had been living for over ten years. Mum was born on the 18th October, 1928, into the Pandit family who had migrated from Morbi, Gujarat. She came to England as a young mother in 1954 and settled in Brighton, Sussex, where she lived for over 70 years. Mum was a devoted wife, a loving Mother, a grandmother and a great, great-grandmother and a cherished friend who touched the lives of all who knew her. Mum was known for her unwavering affection, kindness, warmth, caring nature and her ability to make everyone welcome and valued, which was a gift she shared with everyone. Mum’s wisdom and love will forever be missed by her family, friends and all who were fortunate to have known her. We find comfort in knowing that her love will live on in the hearts of those who loved her the most. We now celebrate her long life well-lived.

Om shanti: shanti: shanti Ambe Ambe Jay Ambe

Sudha Mehta (Daughter)Vinay Mehta (Son-in-law)

Rajendra Shukla (Son)Arvinda Shukla (Daughter-in-law)

Bina Riglesford (Daughter)Antony Riglesford (Son-in-law)

Sudhir Shukla (Son)Suzana Shukla (Daughter-in-law)

Grand children and Family

Meenal Willshire, Andrew Willshire, Sanjay Mehta, Seema Mehta, Kiren Shukla, Neel Shukla, Kael Riglesford, Maxwell Shukla, Hanna Shukla, Jackson Shukla

Great Grand children

Rikku Willshire, Cai Willshire Anand Mehta, Deven Mehta Contact

Sudha Mehta (M) 0772 404 8860

Jay Gayatri Mata

Jay Ambamata

Shree Satya Saibaba

The growing appeal of Indian tea

Tea remains the UK’s favourite hot drink, with over 100 million cups enjoyed every day.

As the UK celebrates National Tea Day on April 21st, it's clear that Britain's love affair with tea is as strong as ever though the flavours are more diverse than before

Alongside traditional English brews, teas from India are gaining a firm place in British cups From the bold and spicy masala chai to the fragrant Darjeeling and robust Assam, Indian teas are increasingly being embraced for their rich flavours and cultural warmth

In homes, cafés, and trendy tea bars across the country, masala tea in particular has become a comforting favourite, offering a blend of nostalgia, wellness, and a vibrant kick of spice

This growing popularity is not just about taste, it's a reflection of the UK’s evolving tea culture and deepening connection with South Asian heritage

Speaking to Asian Voice, M i ra M an e k f o un de r of c ha i b r an d ‘ Chai by Mira’ and author o f ‘ Th e B o ok of Ch ai ’ emphasised that tea fosters cross-cultural connections

“Chai is more than just a drink, it’s an emotion, a moment to pause, ” she said “It’s a ritual that slows you down, warms the body with spices, awakens the senses, and evokes memories For many Indians, chai is ‘home’, a link to family, tradition, and belonging As I wrote ‘The Book of Chai’, I saw how this humble cup has travelled across borders, carrying stories of migration and identity

Whether sipped in busy Indian train stations or quiet kitchens abroad, chai becomes a shared language, one that sparks curiosity, storytelling, and connection across cultures ” Mira also highlighted how Indian tea culture particularly chai has influenced Western café habits “What was once unfamiliar is now a staple

Chai lattes are a regular feature on café and hotel menus across the West,” she said “While interpretations vary, their popularity shows a growing appreciation for Indian flavours and spices Interestingly, in the West, ‘ chai’ often refers specifically to spiced tea, even without the actual tea!”

She noted that while café-made chai lattes often differ from traditional masala chai, especially in how they’re brewed, they serve as an introduction “Brewing is essential to masala chai: the tea, spices, and sugar must blend fully

Many café versions are overly sweet or lack depth, but some brands are getting the balance right Chai lattes are the

invitation; homemade chai is the full conversation And now, more cafés are recognising the demand for authentic, spiced blends, reflecting evolving customer tastes,” she added

P ra n a v C ho pr a, fo un d er of N E MI Te as , highlighted masala chai’s journey to becoming a global phenomenon and its growing popularity in the West He said, “The exotic and aromatic spice blend, typically cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and black pepper, offers a distinctive flavour that stands out from traditional Western teas and coffees The rise of the chai latte, popularised by chains like Starbucks, introduced a sweeter, milkier version tailored to Western tastes, making it an easy entry point There's also growing interest in global cuisines

and wellness trends, which has brought attention to the health benefits of chai

spices, such as aiding digestion and providing antioxidants And its versatility, whether as a warm, comforting drink in winter or a refreshing iced beverage in summer, has further expanded its appeal The story of masala chai as a traditional, flavourful, and healthconscious drink has clearly played a role in its global success ”

On National Tea Day, Pranav reflected on the rich legacy and global appeal of Indian teas, highlighting the comforting warmth of Masala Chai and the refined elegance of Darjeeling He said, “Masala Chai, with its blend of robust black tea and aromatic spices, embodies India's culinary heritage and its spirit of hospitality Its transformation from a local brew to a global sensation speaks to its versatility and universal appeal Darjeeling, known as the 'Champagne of Teas,' carries a colonial legacy Its delicate, floral notes have captivated tea lovers worldwide, establishing India as a producer of high-quality, distinctive teas Together, these teas represent the diversity and richness of India’s tea culture As we celebrate National Tea Day in London, NEMI Teas honours this remarkable legacy and the ongoing allure of Indian teas, which continue to connect and warm hearts across the globe with every cup ”

How to brew the perfect cup of tea

To celebrate National Tea Day in style, Katie Kippax, tea buyer at Yorkshire Tea the UK’s favourite brew has revealed her top tips for making the perfect cuppa “Everyone has their own tea ritual, but there are a few golden rules,” she says “If you want to impress the tea lovers around you, here’s how to

make a proper brew, Yorkshire Tea-style ” For the perfect brew, Yorkshire Tea’s Katie Kippax recommends starting with fresh water, as its oxygen content helps bring out the best flavour so it should only be boiled once She advises warming the mug or teapot beforehand to keep the

temperature just right for steeping The teabag should be left to brew for four to five minutes to allow the full flavour to develop When removing the teabag, it should be gently squeezed only once, as oversqueezing can make the tea taste bitter These simple steps, she says, make all the difference

In rare medical miracle, this baby in UK was 'born twice'

In a rare medical miracle, a baby in the UK was "born twice " At 20 weeks pregnant, teacher Lucy Isaac from Oxford underwent a 5-hour operation to remove ovarian cancer, during which surgeons temporarily removed her womb, containing her son After the cancer treatment, Rafferty Isaac was returned to the womb and was delivered at full term in late January Lucy and Rafferty recently visited the John Radcliffe Hospital weeks after the surgery to thank surgeon Soleymani Majd He described the experience as rare and emotional, feeling a sense of familiarity with the baby

Notably, when Lucy, 32, was 12 weeks pregnant, she received a shocking ovarian cancer diagnosis Doctors at the John Radcliffe hospital believed delaying treatment until after birth would allow the cancer to spread, putting her life at risk A team of doctors led by Dr Soleymani Majd then proposed a rare and complex procedure to remove the cancerous cells while keeping the unborn child, Rafferty, in the womb during the surgery This high-risk operation, performed only a handful of times globally, involved temporarily removing Lucy's womb, containing Rafferty to access and treat the cancer Despite the risks, Lucy and her husband Adam trusted the medical team and underwent the procedure in October

Broken flower pot found in UK sells for Rs 56,00,000

A damaged flower pot has been sold for Rs 56,00,000 at an auction in the UK after it was revealed to be a "lost" masterpiece of an avant-garde 19th-century artist The 4ft pot, found abandoned in a garden, was created by Hans Coper, who fled to the UK from Germany in 1939 while he was teaching at the Camberwell School of Arts in south London in 1964 Chiswick Auctions in London initially pegged the flower pot to fetch anywhere between Rs 670,000 to 11,00,000, but the interest from several parties led to an auction war with a US-based bidder emerging victorious "Everyone is thrilled The vendor didn t expect the vessel to achieve its estimate so they are over the moon There was a bidding war involving a bidder from America, Denmark and a lady in the room, Maxine Winning, head of design at Chiswick, was quoted as saying The stoneware was created by Coper in 1964 after being commissioned by an unnamed female client

Elderly man's response leaves internet emotional

Kindness and empathy are essential human qualities that foster deeper connections, understanding, and compassion Recently, a heartwarming story went viral on social media, captivating the hearts of internet users A Reddit user shared a touching post about giving up their seat to an elderly man on a crowded bus The elderly man's response was so profound that it left the user deep in thought The user recounted their exhausting commute home from work on a crowded bus, where they initially occupied an empty seat However, when an elderly man boarded, looking tired and struggling to stand, the user instinctively gave up their seat As they exchanged small talk, the elderly man revealed he'd gone four days without speaking to anyone and desperately needed someone to listen Moved by this, the user listened attentively until the man got off the bus, struck by the profound impact of their simple act of kindness "That really affected me I couldn't respond, but I just listened until he got off I realised how small gestures can make a big difference in someone's day Have you ever had a small moment like this that made your day different?", the user added

‘Dead’ ex-soldier back after 16 years to reclaim

identity

“I have never died,” Surinder Singh, an ex-Army soldier from Himachal’s Kangra district announced, stunning officials and family alike when he recently walked into a courtroom in Punjab’s Pathankot after vanishing 16 years ago Singh had allegedly fled due to harassment following dowry-related charges filed by his wife, Meena Kumari, a resident of Gho village in Pathankot With Singh declared “dead” in Army records, she began receiving his family pension as a widow The Army’s 32 Medium Regiment and its intelligence wing have now launched a probe to determine the circumstances of his disappearance - and whether it was a genuine case of desertion or part of a broader conspiracy A few months ago, Singh surrendered before court seeking to reclaim his identity “ My wife had slapped a case of dowry harassment against me and my parents She used to insult me, ” he said

Zomato delivery agent's internship application is a hit

A Zomato delivery agent's unconventional approach to securing a marketing internship has gone viral on LinkedIn It all started after a customer shared a photograph of a handwritten note received with the food order The note, written by the delivery partner, read, “I am a college student looking for a summer internship in marketing (NOT sales) Do contact me 6261724837 (Only WhatsApp) ” On the reverse side of the paper, the delivery agent had added an apology for the “terrible handwriting ” The note was shared by an employee at shopflo, a technology company The person had placed the order during a late work shift “Along with the food came a handwritten letter from the delivery partner,” the post read The user added, “That note hit me Amid the hustle of deliveries, this person still took a shot at reaching out - handwritten, bold, and hopeful ” The delivery agent's request, which was directed specifically towards marketing opportunities and not sales roles, stood out for its clarity The user added, “It reminded me how opportunities don't always come through formal channels - sometimes, they're scribbled on paper in the middle of a delivery run ” The post concluded with a message of encouragement for the delivery partner, stating, “If someone from the marketing space comes across this and sees potential in him, I truly hope this note finds the right eyes ” Rape accused thrashed, paraded naked in UP

A man booked for rape was allegedly tied to a bullock cart, assaulted and paraded naked by locals in the Visheshwarganj area of this Uttar Pradesh district Police registered a case after a video of the incident became widely circulated The video purports to show the 22-year-old man, with his lower body stripped, tied to a bullock cart Men and women can be heard, with some also being heard inciting a dog to attack him A voice can be heard saying, “Let it go, what if he dies?” After the video was circulated, the victim’s family filed a complaint ASP Ramanand Prasad Kushwaha said the man had been booked in a rape case The incident occurred in early April but the complaint was filed several days later He had been absconding since the FIR was registered

Pranav Chopra

Mira Manek

AR Rahman calls ‘Thug Life’ a forwardthinking film, different from ‘Nayakan’

Film promotions offer a rare glimpse into the real personalities of celebrities, and this was evident at the recent audio launch of ‘Thug Life’’s first single, ‘Jinguchaa’

At the ‘Thug Life’ audio launch, AR Rahman revealed one of his biggest challenges in working on the film was composing music that could match Kamal Haasan’s powerful performances “Every time I was composing for a scene, it felt like Kamal ji was challenging me to match his performance with my music,” Rahman shared

He also noted that ‘Thug Life’ would not mirror their earlier collaboration in ‘Nayakan’, calling it a "completely different beast " Rahman described the film as “ very forward-thinking, especially in terms of its music ” During the same event, Kamal Haasan praised Rahman, saying, “We both love cinema, and the biggest thing I’ve learned from both Mani and Rahman is that we should only speak what’s needed and when it is needed ” Rahman shared a memorable message from Kamal Haasan that gave him deep insight into the actor’s dedication “One day, he called me and said, ‘I need you to be in full form,’” Rahman recalled, emphasising Kamal's drive for excellence Kamal quickly added, “It’s not that Rahman is ever not in full form, I just wanted to remind him that we ’ re all in this together, striving for the best ” Produced by Red Giant Movies, Raaj Kamal Film International, and Madras Talkies, ‘Thug Life’ is set to release on June 5, featuring a starstudded cast including Silambarasan TR, Trisha, Abhirami, Ashok Selvan, Joju George, and Nasser

Aamir Khan to cameo in ‘Coolie’, confirms Kannada actor

Upendra Rao

In today’s world of constant leaks, keeping a movie’s surprise under wraps is nearly impossible especially when it involves a major celebrity cameo

Rumours had been swirling about a star appearance in Lokesh Kanagaraj’s ‘Coolie’, with many guessing it was Aamir Khan While the team stayed silent, Kannada actor Upendra Rao has now confirmed the speculation Upendra, who stars alongside Rajinikanth and Nagarjuna, revealed that Aamir Khan is indeed part of the film and that they even share a scene together

Speaking after the teaser launch of his film ‘ 45 ’ , Upendra Rao shared his admiration for Rajinikanth, calling him his “Dronacharya” and saying, “If I’m Ekalavya, he’s my guru Others get entertainment from him, I get enlightenment ” He said he didn’t hesitate to accept the role in ‘Coolie’ when director Lokesh Kanagaraj narrated the story

Upendra also confirmed that he has combination scenes with both Nagarjuna and Aamir Khan in ‘Coolie’ Rajinikanth and Aamir previously acted together in ‘Aatank Hi Aatank’ (1995) Besides the star trio, the film also features Soubin Shahir, Sathyaraj, and Shruti Haasan Tentatively titled ‘Thalaivar 171 ’ , the film is a standalone action thriller from Lokesh, produced by Sun Pictures, with music by Anirudh Ravichander

Upendra, last seen in his directorial ‘UI’, is gearing up for the release of both ‘Coolie’ and ‘ 45 ’ Directed by Arjun Janya, ‘ 45 ’ also stars Shiva Rajkumar, Raj B Shetty, Chethan Kumar, and Jagapathi Babu The film hits screens on August 15, a day after ‘Coolie’'s worldwide release

Director Nag Ashwin says ‘Inception’ trailer left him depressed

Close on the heels of Rajkumar Hirani,

‘Kalki 2898 AD’ director Nag Ashwin has also claimed he once had an idea similar to Christopher Nolan’s ‘Inception’ During a recent college event in Hyderabad, Ashwin spoke about the process of creating highconcept films and how such ideas often emerge independently across the world

Talking about how ideas evolve, ‘Kalki 2898 AD’ director Nag Ashwin reflected on the universality of creative thought and how similar concepts can emerge independently “I had written something like ‘Inception’ back in 2008 While Nolan’s film was about dreams, mine revolved around memories When I saw the trailer of ‘Inception’, I went into a week-long depression,”

ty “Originality is often beyond your control, and that’s okay What’s more important is to bring sincerity and depth to your work ”

Ashwin also shared his admiration for ‘Khaleja’, directed by Trivikram Srinivas, when asked if there’s a film he wished he had worked on “I wouldn’t have directed ‘Khaleja’, but I always felt it would have been really cool to be the editor,” he said, also naming ‘Dear Comrade’ as another film he would have loved to edit

On the directorial front, Nag Ashwin is reportedly deep into pre-production for the sequel to ‘Kalki 2898 AD’, which boasts a stellar cast including Amitabh Bachchan, Kamal Haasan, Prabhas, and Deepika Padukone Meanwhile, speculation is rife that he's also in early talks with Alia Bhatt

Suriya talks about second chances: "You will get more opportunities"

With the release of ‘Retro’ just days away,

During the event, Suriya highlighted the film's focus on the concept of purpose He also spoke about his NGO, Agaram Foundation, which has been supporting underprivileged students for nearly two decades “I was an average student, failing most exams except my boards But I had the chance to create change, leading to nearly 7,0008,000 graduates shaping the future,” he shared

Suriya, who has experienced both hits and misses in his acting career, spoke about the importance of embracing life’s beauty and not being weighed down by failures "Life is beautiful, and it offers many opportunities You’ll get second, even third chances make the most of them," he said

He encouraged young people to take risks, citing director Karthik Subbaraj as an example "Karthik switched careers from IT to cinema Youngsters should be fearless in pursuing their passions Passion isn’t enough; you need to be obsessed " Suriya concluded by inviting his fans to watch ‘Retro’, set to release on May 1

Suriya and director Karthik Subbaraj hosted a grand trailer launch event in Chennai

IPL: Gujarat Titans thrash Kolkata

In another case of meek surrender, Kolkata Knight Riders suffered back- to-back defeats in this IPL as they went down to Gujarat Titans by 39 runs at the Eden Gardens This was the Knights’ third loss in their fourth home match Table-toppers GT’s top three continued to make merry as Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan and Jos Buttler once again got the runs to help the side put up 198/3 after KKR skipper Ajinkya Rahane won the toss and elected to field first The KKR chase never got off as they lost openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz, coming in for Quinton de Kock, and Sunil Narine early to get to 45 for two in the Powerplay Both Rahane and Venkatesh Iyer found it difficult to keep the scoreboard moving as they failed to find a boundary in 34 balls between the fifth and 11th over Mumbai drown Chennai India captain Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav struck fluent halfcenturies as Mumbai Indians defeated Chennai Super Kings by nine wickets in an IPL match on Sunday Chasing 177, Rohit (76 not out ) and Suryakumar (68 not out) shared an unbeaten 114-run stand for the second wicket to take MI home with ease Ravindra Jadeja (1/18) was the lone wicket-taker for CSK Earlier, Shivam Dube and Ravindra Jadeja struck vital half-centuries while 17year-old debutant Ayush Mhatre dazzled to guide Chennai Super Kings to 176 for five Kohli, Padikkal power Bengaluru Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal hit half-centuries to steer Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to a seven-wicket win over Punjab Kings in the IPL on Sunday Chasing 158 for victory, Bengaluru were propelled by a 103-run second-wicket stand between Kohli, who made an unbeaten 73, and Padikkal to reach their target with seven balls to spare at

Mullanpur, near Chandigarh Bengaluru avenged their loss to Punjab at home on

Friday and the two teams, both seeking their first IPL title, are level on points

LSG beat RR by 2 runs

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) defeated Rajasthan Royals (RR) by two runs in their IPL match at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur Avesh Khan and Prince Yadav held their nerve in the final two overs of the match as LSG defended 20 runs off the last two overs Avesh was the pick of the bowlers, picking three wickets as well as defending nine runs off the last over Yashasvi Jaiswal was the top run-scorer for RR, accumulating 74 runs off 52 balls The match also witnessed history as Vaibhav Suryavanshi became the youngest debutant in IPL history aged 14 years and 23 days Suryavanshi smashed 34 runs off 20 balls in a knock comprising two fours and three sixes, showcasing his capabilities

Delhi win Super Over

Nine runs needed, six wickets in hand - it should have been a routine finish for Rajasthan Royals (RR) against Delhi Capitals (DC) in IPL 2025 But Mitchell Starc flipped the script, delivering five pinpoint yorkers in a sensational final over Dhruv Jurel couldn't find two runs off the last ball, and Starc dragged the game into a Super Over RR

imploded in the Super Over, lasting just five balls and losing both Riyan Parag and Yashasvi Jaiswal to run outs DC chased down the 12-run target in just four deliveries With DC needing 5 off 3, Tristan Stubbs pulled Sandeep Sharma for six to seal DC's fifth win in six games Stubbs had earlier contributed a vital unbeaten 18-ball 34 in regulation time to help DC score 42 off the last three overs

Punjab stun Kolkata

Proving once again that low-scoring T20 games can be gripping - the Punjab Kings bounced back gallantly after being shot out for just 111 in 15 3 overs to skittle Kolkata Knight Riders for a mere 95 in 15 1 overs The result: a sensational 16-run win that set a new record for the lowest total ever defended in IPL history at the Mullanpur Stadium The heroes of PBKS’ stunning win were leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal (4/28 in 4 overs) and South African left-arm pacer Marco Jansen (3/17 in 3 1 overs) Though no longer in Team India’s setup, Chahal served a stern reminder to the national selectors, showcasing his immense skill and temperament yet again

in brief

WOMEN IN FOOTBALL SEEKS NEW EEDI ADVISORY GROUP

Women in Football (WIF) is looking for knowledgeable and experienced professionals to join a vital new group which will guide and challenge WIF to become more inclusive, representative and impactful in the football industry Members of the new Equity, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EEDI) Advisory Group will contribute lived experience and professional expertise and insight to help shape and support WIF's internal and external strategies on EEDI The role includes remuneration for taking part in quarterly meetings and offers a chance to take part in task groups and initiatives which will drive particular aspects of the strategies WIF is especially keen to receive applications from people who come from Black Asian and minority ethnic communities LGBT+ people people with disabilities and people from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds

The key responsibilities of the role are to provide strategic guidance to the Women in Football board and team on the development and implementation of WIF’s EEDI strategy; offer diverse perspectives that reflect underrepresented voices within and beyond football; constructively challenge and hold WIF accountable on its inclusive ambitions and commitments; collaborate with WIF’s Membership Committee to help foster a sense of belonging and accessibility; support the development of an inclusive internal culture and provide into best practices in workforce well-being and representation

BCCI sacks India coaches Nayar and Dilip

B CCI h as rem oved tw o key

m em bers of T eam Indi a ’ s coaching staff - assistant coach Abh i sh ek Nayar and fi elding coach T Dilip The BCCI has also dec ided to p art w ays w ith strength and conditioning coach

S o ham Des ai, w ho w il l be replaced by Adrian Le Roux, who is set for his second stint with the Indian team Le Roux is currently part of the Punjab Kings’ support staff in IPL 2025

According to reports, BCCI made the call following a review meeting held on Jan 11 in Mumbai in the aftermath of India’s Test series defeats - a 0-3 whitewash at home against New Zealand and a 1-3 loss in Australia India’s Champions Trophy triumph in March in the UAE wasn’t enough to save the

ousted support staff Nayar, a former India and Mumbai allrounder, was brought into the setup last year at the behest of head coach Gautam Gambhir, who had been impressed with Nayar’s work at Kolkata Knight Riders, the IPL 2024 champions Dilip, India’s long-serving

fielding coach from Rahul Dravid’s tenure, was the only member of the previous staff retained after Gambhir took over

Le Roux, a South African, was the strength and conditioning coach of the Indian team during John Wright’s tenure in the early 2000s, before he joined the

South African men ’ s side From 2008 to 2019, he was with the Kolkata Knight Riders, before moving to the Punjab Kings “Le Roux’s appointment could have been at the behest of chief selector Ajit Agarkar, who was part of the Indian team when the South African served as the trainer Nayar’s contract runs till May 31 He, Dilip and Desai will not be with the Indian team from the England tour onwards All three have been informed of the decision by BCCI,” a source said Nayar’s position appeared to be in jeopardy after the debacle in the Australia series, especially with BCCI appointing Sitanshu Kotak as the new batting coach Still, the board’s decision to sack Nayar is surprising as he hasn’t even completed a year in the role

Shreyas, Ishan Kishan back in BCCI central contracts list

The Board of Control for Cricket i n Ind ia ( BCC I) unveiled the central contracts for the men ’ s team fo r the 202 4- 25 season, effective from Oct 1, 2024 to Sept 30, 2025 Test and ODI captain Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and allrounder Ravindra Jadeja - have retained their A+ grade contracts d esp ite retiri ng f ro m T 20I s following India’s T20 World Cup triumph in the West Indies last year Star pacer Jasprit Bumrah remains the only other cricketer in the elite A+ category, which remains unchanged

A total of 34 players have been awarded contracts for the stated period Interestingly, both

Shreyas Iyer (Grade B) and Ishan Kishan (Grade C) have been reinstated to the central contracts list after being excluded last year for skipping domestic matches Asked about the decision to include Iyer and Kishan, BCCI secretary Devajit

Saikia said, “Our selectors keep a close eye on all players Their performances in international as well as domestic matches are monitored closely You’ve seen the result of that ” On Kohli, Rohit, and Jadeja receiving A+ category contracts

despite their T20I retirements, Saikia said, “All the parameters were closely assessed and the players were accordingly placed in their appropriate categories ” Meanwhile, several promising youngsters, including allrounder Nitish Kumar Reddy, pacer Harshit Rana, aggressive left-hander Abhishek Sharma, and ‘ mystery spinner’ Varun Chakaravarthy, have earned their first central contracts, joining in Grade C after putting in impressive performances in recent months “The BCCI is making a conscious effort to promote youngsters and future prospects,” Saikia added

Contribute ideas and insights into key areas including: inclusive hiring practices; communications and marketing; policy influence; events and educational initiatives The closing date for applications is Friday 16 May 2025

NEERAJ BEGINS SEASON WITH 84 52M THROW

Star Indian javelin thrower and two-time Olympic medalist Neeraj Chopra has started his new season on a high as he secured the gold medal at the NWU Potch Invitational in South Africa with a brilliant 84 52m throw Neeraj s top effort was enough to place him ahead of South Africa’s Douw Smit (82 44m) and Duncan Robertson (71 22m) The event marked Neeraj’s first competition of 2025 and served as a tuneup ahead of his participation in more highprofile meets later in the season Neeraj s next major assignment will be the Doha Diamond League scheduled exactly a month from now Doha has often been a key stop in the global athletics calendar and will likely feature a highquality field of throwers The meet will provide Neeraj a more competitive environment to test his form under pressure Chopra s 84 52m throw has now overtaken the previous Indian best for 2025 which belonged to Sachin Yadav who had thrown 84 39m earlier this year Rohit Yadav, another national contender, is listed with a best of 80 47m in the World Athletics top list for the season Neeraj s strong start adds momentum to what is expected to be a packed and competitive year for Indian javelin The 2025 season also marks a coaching transition for Chopra After a successful partnership with Klaus Bartonietz which yielded Olympic gold (Tokyo), silver (Paris), and medals at the Asian Games Commonwealth Games and World Championships, Neeraj has now teamed up with Jan Zelezny - the javelin world record holder and a legend of the sport Zelezny brings a wealth of experience to the table having coached Czech throwers who famously finished behind Neeraj at the Tokyo Games This new collaboration is being closely watched as India’s biggest track and field star gears up for another potentially historic season

Abhishek Nayar and T Dilip

Shreyas Iyer

Ishan Kishan